,Margaret Clitherow , known as ‘the Pearl of York’ , was pressed to death for refusing to enter a plea to the charge of harbouring Catholic priests. To be ’ pressed to death’ meant having a door being put over the top of the accused and the door loaded with an immense weight of rocks and stones. This was the standard inducement to force a plea. Margaret converted to Roman Catholicism in 1574. Her husband paid her fines for not attending the Established church. In 1577 she was imprisoned for not attending church. 2 further incarcerations followed at York Castle. Their son William was born in prison. The Act of 1584, by the Jesuits, made it a capital offence to harbour and maintain priests. Margaret had 2 chambers-one next to their house and a second in rented house some distance away. Local tradition holds she also housed some priests in the Black Swan where the Queen’s agents lodged! These 3 chambers became important hiding place for fugitive Roman Catholic priests in the north of England. There Mass was celebrated through the thick of the persecution. In 10 th March 1586 the house was searched. A frightened boy revealed the location of the priest hole. She was arrested and called before the York assizes. She refused to plea. She was sentenced to death. She died on 25th March 1586 She was beatified in 1929 by Pope Pius X1 and canonised by Pope Paul V1 on 25th October 1970 among the 40 Martyrs of England and Wales… Saint Margaret’s shrine is as 35/6, The Shambles, in York. Source Wikipedia

Jacob Knapp was a popular Baptist preacher of the 19th century. In 1821 he entered a theological college at Hamilton, New York (now Colgate University) He began active work at the Baptist church in Springfield, New York and managed a farm. He moved to Watertown where he became both pastor and manager of a large farm. In 1832 he experienced a deeper religious impression which he called his second conversion. He applied to the New York Sate Baptist convention to become a missionary. They hesitated and he began preaching as an evangelist on his own responsibility. He preached at first in school houses and obscure churches but he was soon sought after by larger churches and distinguished parsons. In Baltimore, Boston and New York vast numbers attended his preaching to the extent protection by the civil authorities was necessary. His preaching was stern and terrible, yet cultivated. 1000s believed they were converted under his ministry. In 1845 he published a collection of hymns The Evangelical Harp: A new Collection of Hymns and Tunes Designed for Revivals of Religion and For Family and Social Worship Jacob lived to the age of 74; he died on 2nd March 1874. During his lifetime 1000s had heard him preach and many were converted.

Samuel was an evangelist and Presbyterian minister. He ministered in Hanover County from 1748-1759 followed by a term as the fourth President of Princeton University. He was one of the first non-Anglican preachers in Virginia and one of the earliest missionaries to slaves in the 13 Colonies. A child of deeply religious parents he was named after the prophet Samuel. Unable to afford to send their son o college he was tutored by Rev. Samuel Blair at Faggs Manor, Pennsylvania. Presbytery of New Castle licensed him to preach in 1746. In 1747 he travelled south to minister to minister to religious dissenters against the Anglican church. He eventually led 7 congregations in 5 counties despite frail health from tuberculosis. When his wife Sarah died from a miscarriage in 1747 he too believed he was near death so he threw himself wholeheartedly into his preaching ministry. He advanced the cause of religious and civil liberty. He helped found the Presbytery of Hanover and served as the first moderator. He advocated the educating of slaves , including teaching them to read. Slavery became a major focus of his ministry. You know I have shown a tender concern for your welfare, ever since I have been in the colony and you may ask my own negroes whether I treat them kindly or no, from 1755 sermon by Samuel. In 1753 he took the dangerous trip to Great Britain with Gilbert Tennent, a fellow minister, to raise money for the College of New Jersey. They stayed for 11 months. Samuel and preached 60 sermons, and together they raised £4,000 .(equivalent to $230,000 today) through church collections. In 1759 the college asked him to be their president. He became the fourth president of what is now known as Princeton University. On New Year’s Day 1761 he preached his last sermon quoting Jeremiah 28 v16. 1 will cast thee from off the face of the earth: this year thou shall die.* Almost prophetically Samuel died one month later, on 4th February, from pneumonia. Samuel accomplished much despite his relatively short life. He was one of the major contributors to the Great Awakening - a series of religious revivals which caused America to break away from the Church of England.

Sue Barker is a former professional tennis player and television presenter. During her tennis career she won 15 WTA tour single titles including the 1976 French Open aged 20. She also won 12 doubles titles. She reached a career high singles ranking of world No. 3 on 20th March 1977. She won her last doubles title in 1982 at Cincinnati and played her last professional match in 1984. Her mentor throughout her career was Arthur Roberts. He began coaching her in 1966 when she was 10 years of age. In 2004, recalling her French Open win in 1976,she said,* I’m still incredibly proud of what I achieved.*** She retired from playing tennis to presenting it! From 1985 until 1990 she became a commentator and sports reporter for Australia’s Channel 7. She then joined British Sky Broadcasting. In 1993 she joined the BBC and was a regular guest on* Today at Wimbledon* with Harry Carpenter. In the 1990’s hosted BBC Wimbledon Highlight show with Pam Shriver. In 1994 took over as host of* Today at Wimbledon*. From 2000 until 2022 she anchored the 2 week long broadcast of the Wimbledon tennis championships for the BBC. Sue had a long broadcasting career. She enjoyed commentating on many sports- from horse racing to the Olympics. - summer and winter. From 1997 until 2020 she presented* A Question of Sport*- a programme which viewers very much enjoyed watching. In 2000 received an MBE for services to sport and broadcasting. In 2016 received OBE for broadcasting and charity. In 2021 received CBE for broadcasting and charity. In 1982 met Cliff Richard. In 1988 married Lance TanKard Autobiography ‘Calling the Shots’ published in 2022. Sources Wikipedia Passing the Torch - Sportswomen who Inspire

Hugh was the Bishop of Worcester(1535-9) during the Reformation. He became the C of E chaplain to King Edward V1. In his middle 60s he faced a trial on 14th April 1554… He argued, in writing since he was hardly able to sustain a debate at his age, that the doctrines of the real presence of Christ in the mass, transubstantiation and the propitiatory merit of the mass were unbiblical. In 1555 under the Catholic Queen Mary 1 he was tried for his beliefs and teachings. He was burned with Nicholas Ridley at the stake. He became one of the three Oxford Martyrs -Thomas Cramner was the third. It may come in my days,as old as i am, or in my children’s days, the saints shall be taken up to meet Christ in the air, and so shall come down with him again. Hugh Latimer Source Wikipedia

Stephen was considered one of the greatest of the medieval Archbishops of Canterbury. Stephen was an English Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church and Archbishop of Canterbury between 1207 and 1228. He was consecrated by the Pope at Viterbo on 17th June 1207. He supported the barons in the struggle with King John. At a council of churchmen at Westminster on 25th August 1213 certain barons were invited to read the charter of Henry 1 and called for its renewal. Stephen’s energetic leadership and the barons’ military strength forced John to grant his seal to Magna Carta -15 June 1215 on Runnymead in Windsor… Stephen is believed to be the one who divided the Bible into the standard modern arrangement of chapters.

Clare has close family links with horse racing and between 1988-1993 was a leading amateur flat jockey. In 1990 she was the Champion Lady Rider. She then moved onto commentating on horse racing. She is an English broadcast journalist and author. Her memoir My Animals and Other Family, looking at her life growing up in racing yard won the 2012 National Book award for* Autobiography of the year. She has reported on 7 Olympic Games and presented 5 Paralympic Games. (Read her Broadcasting Career- 30 years covering sport and many other events) She has written columns for* The Sporting Life, Racing Post, Sunday Telegraph, The Evening Standard,* and regularly writes in the Waitrose Weekend. She is now focusing on women’s sport and had a great time doing women’s football show for C4, women’s super League matches for BT Sport, women’s tennis for the BBC and BT. She is a patron for a number of charities (Read* Charitable activities*) She believes strongly that improving coverage and investment in Paralympic and women’s sport will have far reaching benefits In 2013 received OBE for services to broadcasting and journalism. In 2020 appointed ,for 2 years, president of the Rugby Football League. In her tenure she hoped women’s game would turn professional. In 2022 she received a CBE for services to sport and charity. Clare is definitely one of the UK’s renown sports broadcasters. Sources Wikipedia Women in Sport by Rachel Ignotofsky *Passing the Torch Sportswomen who Inspire Mary Peters Trust

Sharron is a former English swimmer who represented GB in the Olympics and European championships. She has attended 12 consecutive Olympics -3 as a competitor and 9 as a commentator. She also competed in the international community spanning 20 years. She learned to swim when she was 6 years of age. By the age of 8 she was training seriously. Aged 11 swam for the British national team. Aged 13 represented GB at the 1976 Summer Olympics. Aged 14 won 2 bronze medals at the 1977 European Championships. Aged 15 won 2 gold medals at the 1978 Commonwealth Games in the 200 ` and 400 individual medleys. Aged 17 she won a silver medal at the 1980 games in the 400m individual medley Aged 18 ‘called time’ to build her television profile and career in modelling. Aged 27’ returned’ to the pool. Aged 32, in 1994, finally retired having been British champion 22 times , broken 200 British swimming records and held 5 World Masters records( eligible when over 30) When she retired she worked for various media organisations and programmes. (Read* Publications, media programmes and other work*) Given a MBE in 1993 in recognition for her sevices to swimming. In 2005 supported London’s bid for the 2112 Olympics. On BBC’s Question Time made a strong case for bringing the Games to London. She is a patron of the Disabled Sport Rngland and SportsAid. She has her view on trans women.In 2023 criticised Nike for using Dylan Mulvany, a transgengender woman to model their products. There is talk that her silver , won in 1980, could still be turned into gold. The gold medallist, Petra Schneider, from East Germany, has admitted that the victory was drug enhanced.

Thomas was an English Wesleyan Methodist preacher. He was converted by John Wesley on 1st May 1739 in Bristol. In March 1740 he travelled for a period with Charles Wesley, In 1742 John put him in charge of the Foundery Society directing him to pray with the members and give them suitable advice. He also began to preach ’ without being called to it’ so there were complaints. Countess of Huntindon was impressed with his talents. Wesley heard Thomas and decided the dispute in his favour. In June 1745 he was 'pressed ’ for the navy while preaching in Cornwall. He ended up being given over to the military and spent several years in the army. On his release John had him ordained at Bath, He became one of Wesley’s main assistants and an assistant chaplain to the Countess of Huntingdon. Thomas was a divisive figure. He encouraged those who had visions. He adopted fellow minister George Bell’s prediction that the world would end on 28th February 1763. A schism became inevitable. Thomas in February told Wesley You take too much upon you .April 28th he broke from Wesley. Bell and about 200 left, Thomas set up his own church in Moorfield. A reunion was attempted but it never happened. (Read last 2 paragraphs) Thomas had a large congregation in Ropemaker’s Alley, Moorfield,. He finally set up in Princes Street. Moorfield. Wesley did visit Thomas in his last illness and preached in his chapel. Thomas died at his house in Moorfields on 18th March 1784.

Richard Branson fulfilled a personal dream by going to the edge of Space. The picture I have chosen shows a very happy man fulfilling a dream. He beat his fellow billionaire Jeff Bezos by days to be the first billionaire space company founder to ride in his own spacecraft. Originally he was to fly on its second last flight but it was brought forward. I have created a phrase and vocabulary sheet - I created a blank so you could choose which of the 3 pictures you preferred. There is also a blank comic strip. I hope the children enjoy using the sheet.

Madge was a figure skating champion. She participated in the Men’s category in 1902 because there was no women’s category . She came second smashing everyone’s expectations! Madge Syers was world figures-skating champion in 1906.and 1907. At the London Summer Games in 1908 she won the Olympic title in the ladies competition, and bronze, with her husband and trainer,Edgar. She is the only female skater to win both individual and pairs at the same Olympics. She always wore a hat when performing. She also took her ice-skates every where she went. Madge was the first to perform technically perfect jumps. She retired shortly after 1908, due to poor health, and wrote books about the art of figure skating 1920 was the last time figure-skating was included in the Summer Games. In 1924 it became part of the first Winter Olympic Games held in Chamonix, France. Sources used Wikipedia Amazing Athletes by Jean-Michel Billioud

Mildred ‘Babe’ Didrikson was born in Port Arthur, Texas. Her parents were immigrants from Norway. She was the sixth of seven children. The family moved to 850 Doucette in Beaumont, Texas aged 4. Her mother called her ‘Bebe’ from a toddler. She was nicknamed Babe - after Babe Ruth - when she scored 5 home runs in a chidlhood baseball game. She left school without graduating and went on to become an American athlete who excelled in golf, basketball, baseball, plus track and field. At the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics she set 4 world records. 80 metres hurdles -11.7 Javelin 43.69 metres - the first woman Olympic champion high jump 1.657 metres then 1,67 (same height as Jean Shiley who got the gold because Mildred used an improper technique). (Apparently she also twice broke the long jump record but the judges ruled them as fouls.) Mildred is the only athlete, male or female, to win individual Olympic medals in separate running, throwing and jumping events. In 1934 she tried Baseball . Mildred is still recognized as the world record holder for the farthest baseball thrown by a woman. She then became America’s first female golf celebrity and was the leading player of the 1940s and early 1950s. As an amateur and professional she won many golf tournaments. Serious illness ended her golfing career in the mid 1950s. Mildred was indeed a very talented sports woman. Sources Wikipedia Amazing Athletes by Jean-Michal Billioud

Thursday, 26th August 2021 Jaco van Gass, who was born in South Africa, has just won GB another gold medal. Jaco, a member of the British Armed Forces Parachute Regiment before he was seriously injured by a RPG (Rocket Propelled Granade)has just won the Men’s 3,000 Cycling Pursuit gold medal.

Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti was born on the 5th of May 1923 in Ngaone, Chipinge, Manicaland Province, Rhodesia. He is a gifted evangelist and has distinguished himself as a leading personality in the Pentecostal World. His academic credentials include a BA, Ma, DD, D.MIn and Ph.D in Religion. Plus BA in Christian education and a Doctorate from Northgate Graduate school and Zoe College. His ministry began on the 12th may 1960 under a gum tree in Bindura, Zimbabwe. He founded the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Christian church in 1959 when the Apostolic Faith Mission broke away from the South African Pentecostal church. The church is now established in over 143 nations, with over 2,000 in Southern Africa. ZAOGA is also known internationally as Forward in Faith Ministeries International. Its headquarters is to be found in Waterfalls, Harara Zimbabwe Ezekiel initiated the building of Zimbabwe Ezekiel college and the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital. He oversees 5,000 pastors and evangelists world wide.

Victor Schoelcher was Frenchman who travelled to Mexico, Florida, Louisiana and Cuba on a business trip. During his travels he realised how appalling the slaves were treated and became a leading figure in the abolitionist movement. He is seen as the father of the abolition of Slavery in the French colonies. He was appointed in 1848 as under-secretary of the navy and the colonies. As part of the provisional government of the brand new Second Republic in France he wrote the decree abolishing slavery in all French colonies signed on27th April 1848. In the decree he stated that Slavery is a violation of Human dignity. The government rejected his proposal to compensate the former slaves with grants for plots of land. Sources used People of Peace by Sandrine Mirza Wikipedia

Didier Yves Drogba played for the Ivory Coast He was captain of the Cote d’Ivore national team. Excellent header of the ball. Eusebio da Silva Ferreira played for Portugal First black player to win the Balloon d’ Or (1965) Athletic, fast & agile Garrincha - Manuel Francisco dos Santos played for Brazil Garrincoho means 'people.‘s Joy’. His wife was singer Elza Soares George Manneh Oppong Weah played for Liberia For important matches wore red boots. Powerful header of the ball. Marta Vieira Silva (female) played for Brazil World’s best female. Scored almost a goal a game in internationals. Neymar da Silva Santos Junior plays for Brazil PSG paid a World record £200 million for him - a dribbler - a virtuoso Paul Pogba plays for France Changes hairstyle for big matches. Imitates a rapper when he scores. Pele - Edson Arantes do Nascimento played for Brazil The greatest player. Scored more than 1,000 goals in his career. Ronaldo Luis Nazario de Lima played for Brazil Always kept the ball a few centimetres from his feet. Samuel Eto’o Fils played for Cameroon He was naturally 2 footed Sources Wikipedia Fantastic Footballers by Jean-Michel Billioud

Jackie Robinson was one of the most influential sports figure of his day. he was the first African American to play Major League Basketball. He was the catalyst that broke basketball’s colour barrier. Malala Yousafzai is now 24. On 9th October 2012, aged 15 ,she was hit in the head from a bullet by a Tehrik-i Taliban Pakistan gunman who wanted to assassinate her for activism towards female education. She was transfered to the UK to recover… In 2014, aged 17, she became the world’s youngest Nobel Prize laureate. Pakistan’s Prime minister, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, says she has become the country’s most prominent citizen. I am Malala: the girl who was stood up for Education and was shot by the Taliban Mohammad Ali, formerly known as Cassius Clay until 1964, was a world champion boxer. Changing his name was a religious and political act when he converted to Islam. In 1967 he became a conscience objector and refused to do military service in Vietnam for the USA saying it was against his religious and moral beliefs. He avoided jail but was stripped and banned from boxing. ln 1970 returned to the ring to win back his title. Rigoberta Menchu Tum is a K’iche Guatemalan human rights activist, feminist and Nobel Prize Laureate (1992). She rose in prominence in 1983. She has dedicated her life to publicizing the indigeous suffering of her people during and after the Guatemala Civil War (1960-99). She is a UNESCO goodwill anbassador. She founded the country’s first indigenous political party, Winaq. Tegia Loroupe is a Kenyan long distance track and road runner ( won the New York marathon in 1994 and 1995, plus other marathons). She is also a global spokeswoman for peace, women’s rights and education. In 2003 created the Tegia Loroupe Peace Foundation- created to promote friendship between people and gender equality. She organizes Peace marathons which are held in East Africa. In 2016 organized the Refugee Team for the Rio Summer Olympics in Rio. Wangari Muta Maathai (1940-2011) was a Kenyan social environmental and political activist. In 1977 she founded the Green belt Movement which focused on the planning of trees ( combating deforestation and soil erosion), environmental conservation and women’s rights. She felt by improving the environment she was creating a system that would encourage progress and peace In 2004 she was the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. In 2006 won the Indira Gandhi Peace prize. Sources People of Peace by Sandrine Mirza Wikipedia

A very colourful book full of good ideas for Autumn written by Clair Beaton. Published in 1997 by B. Small publishing ISBN 9781874735120. Well worth buying at £3.50 is still available or republished.

Pictures and brief information about 23 Asian actors not born in GB. Source Wikipdedia

I have put together 3 sheet connected with Global warming. There is a’Yes to ’ and 'No to 'sheet . The second sheet is a Thesaurus of hopefully useful list of positive words to use. The third sheet is Poetry Aid in case the children want to try and write a poem about Global Warming…