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Sidney Poitier was one of cinema’s most beautiful giants

In the late 1960s, when black actors still struggled for mainstream recognition, Sidney Poitier, who has died in the Bahamas at the age of 94, managed to become the biggest star in Hollywood. It remains a remarkable accomplishment.

In 1967, two films starring Poitier – Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner and To Sir, With Love – secured positions on the year’s box office top 10. A third, In the Heat of the Night, won the Academy Award for best picture.

A generation before Denzel Washington and Will Smith became superstars, the mellifluous, breathtakingly handsome actor eased open the door. He had secured Hollywood fame a decade earlier in films such as The Defiant Ones and Porgy and Bess.

In 1964, winning for Lilies of the Field, he became the first black man to take the Oscar for best actor. He acted less in later years, but remained an inspiring figure to younger professionals.

In 1997, he was appointed as ambassador to Japan for his native Bahamas and also serves as the country’s representative at Unesco. Honorary awards came his way in abundance.

Sidney Poitier in 1980. Photograph: Evening Standard/Getty
Sidney Poitier in 1980. Photograph: Evening Standard/Getty

One of the greats

For all his breaking down of barriers, Poitier will, however, be first remembered as one of the great movie stars. As was the case with Clark Gable, Cary Grant and James Stewart, his talents stretched beyond the delivery of a line. He had a monumental charisma that drew attention to his corner of the screen.

In the Heat of the Night gave him countless scenes to showcase those near-supernatural gifts. Playing Virgil Tibbs, a cop from Philadelphia stuck investigating a murder with a racist cop in Mississippi, he got to offer a defiant rebuke to those everywhere who patronise with language. “What do they call you up there?” Rod Steiger’s character asks. “They call me MISTER Tibbs, ” Poitier declaimed.

Still more powerful was the scene where, struck by a local big wig, he doesn’t pause before slapping him back. In The Heat of the Night was not any sort of radical film. Stanley Kramer’s Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, in which he played a saintly doctor engaged to the daughter of white San Francisco liberals, now seems positively antediluvian in its cosy racial politics.

But those films still moved the conversation. Poitier was already able to change minds with his presence alone. One variation of movie stardom is the talent to shift roles while still retaining a consistent essence. With Cary Grant that essence had to do with suavity and mischievousness. With Poitier it was an intelligent integrity. If he told us something we would listen.

Route to fame

Poitier took a roundabout road to stardom. The child of Bahamian farmers, he was born, two months premature, when his parents were visiting Miami. He lived on Cat Island to the age of 10 and then moved with the family to Nassau.

Five years later he travelled back to Miami – it is probably acceptable to call him one of the great American movie stars – and then progressed towards New York City.

He was working at various low-paid service jobs when he decided to audition for the American Negro Theater company in Harlem. As long ago as 1950, he secured a decent role in the Joseph L. Mankiewicz film noir No Way Out.

Poitier continued to work steadily throughout the decade before hitting massive success in Kramer’s The Defiant Ones in 1958. Poitier played a prisoner who escapes while manacled to the unfriendly Tony Curtis. It received eight Oscar nominations, and Poitier became the first black man nominated as best actor.

Lilies of the Field, a pleasant film starring Poitier as a handyman helping out rural nuns, is not much celebrated now, but it secured its place in cinema history for providing Poitier with that Oscar win.

By the end of the 1960s there was a backlash among some critics against the allegedly unthreatening nature of Poitier’s roles. “I represent 10 million people in this country and millions more in Africa… and I’m not going to do anything they can’t be proud of,” he said at a press conference in 1968.

But he saw which way the wind was blowing. “My career as a leading man in Hollywood was nearing its end,” he wrote in his later memoir The Measure of a Man.

Sidney Poitier in 2015. Photo: Mark Davis/Getty Images
Poitier in 2015. Photograph: Mark Davis/Getty Images

Transitional figure

Poitier acted throughout the 1970s, but his energies were not those of the rougher-edged black cinema that was then emerging. One can see him as a transitional figure between “golden age” Hollywood – he was shooting uncredited roles in the late 1940s – and the new cinema that emerged in the wake of the 1960s cultural and social revolutions.

He responded to the shifts in fashion by moving towards direction and had a big hit with the comedy Stir Crazy in 1980. Ambassadorial duties increased as he passed into his later years.

He was twice married – to Juanita Hardy and to the actor Joanna Shimkus, who survives him – and had a lengthy relationship with the gifted entertainer Diahann Carroll. He received the Kennedy Center Honor and, from Barack Obama, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1974, as a representative of a Commonwealth nation, he was appointed Knight Commander by Queen Elizabeth II.

He was one of the art form’s most beautiful giants.

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Idyllic three-bed ‘little house under the waterfall’ next to 240ft-high Welsh falls which comes with its own tearoom and campsite goes on the market for £950,000

An idyllic house at Britain’s tallest waterfall is up for sale for £950,000 – and comes with its own tearoom and campsite.

Tan-y-Pistyll – or little house under the waterfall – sits at the 240 feet-high Pistyll Rhaeadr falls in the Berwyn Mountains in Wales, west of Oswestry.

But prospective buyers will get more than just a quaint detached three-bedroom home featuring its own private garden and parking area. 

The property is also a business venture and includes a camping field, 25 acres of land and a tearoom featuring a two-bedroom apartment and showman’s caravan. The site also includes a prayer lodge used for ceremonies, customer car park and public toilets.

Visitors flock to the ‘enchanting’ Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, named one of the seven wonders of Wales, year-round. 

Estate agents say the beauty spot business is the perfect spot for walkers taking on the three-mile circuit to cross the fall and reach the car park via an old quarry.

Tan-y-Pistyll is up for sale for £950,000. The property includes a three-bedroom residence on 25-acres of land adnd comes with its own tearoom (pictured), holiday apartment and campsite

Tan-y-Pistyll is up for sale for £950,000. The property includes a three-bedroom residence on 25-acres of land adnd comes with its own tearoom (pictured), holiday apartment and campsite

The site caters to campers, caravanners and groups, but is only accessible through a membership scheme. Pictured is a tent space on the property

The site caters to campers, caravanners and groups, but is only accessible through a membership scheme. Pictured is a tent space on the property

The owner will reside in the three-bedroom detached house (pictured) that sits at the 240 feet-high waterfall and has a private garden

The owner will reside in the three-bedroom detached house (pictured) that sits at the 240 feet-high waterfall and has a private garden

Visitors flock to the 'enchanting' Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, (pictured) named one of the seven wonders of Wales, year-round

Visitors flock to the ‘enchanting’ Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, (pictured) named one of the seven wonders of Wales, year-round

Tan-y-Pistyll is being sold as part freehold and part leasehold. The £950,000 listing includes the tea room, owner’s accommodation and external accommodations, such as the campsite and chalet.

The owner will reside in the three-bedroom detached house that sits at the 240 feet-high waterfall and has a private garden.

But visitors will be able to stay in the two-bedroom holiday apartment which is situated above the tearoom and offers two en-suite double bedrooms with an adjoining kitchenette, lounge and private balcony.

The current owner charges parties of two £280 for a two-night stay. Groups of four are charged £360 for two nights.

The tearoom below seats 38 people indoors and offers outdoor seating for roughly the same number of guests.

The outdoor area is covered with a pagoda overlooking the waterfall and has an ‘ice cream window’ that operates during summertime.

The interior features an open fire, electric heating, beamed ceilings and a counter for serving. There is also a fully equipped kitchen, toilet and stairs providing access to the upstairs holiday unit.

The tearoom (pictured) seats 38 people indoors and offers outdoor seating for roughly the same number of guests. The outdoor area is covered with a pagoda overlooking the waterfall and has an 'ice cream window' that operates during summertime

The tearoom (pictured) seats 38 people indoors and offers outdoor seating for roughly the same number of guests. The outdoor area is covered with a pagoda overlooking the waterfall and has an ‘ice cream window’ that operates during summertime

But visitors will be able to stay in the two-bedroom holiday apartment (pictured) which is situated above the tearoom and offers two en-suite double bedrooms with an adjoining kitchenette, lounge and private balcony

But visitors will be able to stay in the two-bedroom holiday apartment (pictured) which is situated above the tearoom and offers two en-suite double bedrooms with an adjoining kitchenette, lounge and private balcony

Including in the £950,000 property is also a 'beautifully restored' 1940's original showman's caravan (pictured). The owner currently charges £260 for two nights

Including in the £950,000 property is also a ‘beautifully restored’ 1940’s original showman’s caravan (pictured). The owner currently charges £260 for two nights

Potential buyers will be able to put offers in on the property (pictured) by mid-December

Potential buyers will be able to put offers in on the property (pictured) by mid-December

The property also features a retreat centre that was established in 2004, as well as a prayer lodge used for ceremonies including weddings. Pictured is a view of the property

The property also features a retreat centre that was established in 2004, as well as a prayer lodge used for ceremonies including weddings. Pictured is a view of the property

Pistyll Rhaeadr is open to the public throughout the year. Just a short walk from the car park through the gate near the tea room (pictured) takes you to the base of the waterfall

Pistyll Rhaeadr is open to the public throughout the year. Just a short walk from the car park through the gate near the tea room (pictured) takes you to the base of the waterfall

Additionally, the listing includes the Campsite at Pistyll Rhaeadr which Estate Agents Roger Parry and Partners claim has ‘one of the most beautiful and scenic landscapes in Wales’.

The camping site is situated on mostly flat pastureland located at the end of a valley and has the Rhaeadr River flowing through the centre. 

The site caters to campers, caravanners and groups, but is only accessible through a membership scheme.

Including in the £950,000 property is also a ‘beautifully restored’ 1940’s original showman’s caravan. The owner currently charges £260 for two nights.

The wagon’s self-contained living area offers guests a kitchen, dining and sleeping space. It utilises electric heating and features an original small coal/wood fire-box. 

According to the listing, a small end room in the caravan has also been converted into a washroom with a flush toilet.

The property also features a retreat centre that was established in 2004, as well as a prayer lodge used for ceremonies including weddings.

The retreat centre is located in the lower meadows, allowing guests to spend time at the falls. The 40-foot in diameter yurt offers groups a work or meeting space. It’s dining area can accommodate 50 people and its dorm tent can sleep 16.

The retreat centre is located in the lower meadows, allowing guests to spend time at the falls

The retreat centre is located in the lower meadows, allowing guests to spend time at the falls

The property (pictured) is also a business venture and includes a camping field, 25 acres of land and a tearoom featuring a two-bedroom apartment and showman's caravan. The site also includes a prayer lodge used for ceremonies, customer car park and public toilets

The property (pictured) is also a business venture and includes a camping field, 25 acres of land and a tearoom featuring a two-bedroom apartment and showman’s caravan. The site also includes a prayer lodge used for ceremonies, customer car park and public toilets

Estate Agents Roger Parry and Partners said: ‘Pistyll Rhaeadr is an enchanting waterfall in the Berwyn Mountains, just inside Wales, west of Oswestry.

‘At 240 feet high it is Britain’s tallest single-drop waterfall, captivating all who visit.

‘Tan-y-Pistyll, ‘little house under the waterfall’, is where the owners have established a fantastic business offering a tea room, accommodation to include a two bedroom apartment, chalet and showman’s caravan.

‘Pistyll Rhaeadr is open to the public throughout the year. Just a short walk from the car park through the gate near the tea room takes you to the base of the waterfall.

‘From here there are many woodland walks to follow, or route up to the waterfall. The tearoom has a cosy and rustic appearance, with many original 18th Century features still in existence today.’

Potential buyers will be able to put offers in on the property by mid-December. 

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Antiques expert Jane Cave who stars in BBC show The Bidding Room puts her converted barn on the market for £1.1million

A stunning barn conversion renovated by TV antiques expert Jane Cave has gone on the market for £1.1million.

East Barn in Norfolk was derelict when Ms Cave, star of the BBC‘s The Bidding Room, and her partner bought it in August last year.

They saw the potential to transform it into a stylish family home and spent 12 months and £500,000 doing so.

Her partner, Ed Masters, handled the building work while antiques expert Ms Cave took care of the interiors.

The couple turned the run-down barn from an empty shell into a five-bedroom house, which they have now put up for sale with estate agents Jackson-Stops.

A stunning barn conversion renovated by BBC The Bidding Room star Jane Cave (pictured) has gone on the market for £1.1million

A stunning barn conversion renovated by BBC The Bidding Room star Jane Cave (pictured) has gone on the market for £1.1million

East Barn in Norfolk has been put on the market by Ms Cave and her partner for £1.1million

 East Barn in Norfolk has been put on the market by Ms Cave and her partner for £1.1million

On the mezzanine level is a galleried landing as well as the main bedroom with a dressing room and en suite and another bedroom with en suite

On the mezzanine level is a galleried landing as well as the main bedroom with a dressing room and en suite and another bedroom with en suite

The bathrooms have unique and high-quality tiling and all have heated towel rails

The bathrooms have unique and high-quality tiling and all have heated towel rails

The kitchen has a bespoke range of cabinets and unique worktops with a bespoke resin concrete and glass tops

The kitchen has a bespoke range of cabinets and unique worktops with a bespoke resin concrete and glass tops

They kept original brickwork and beams, but also added modern requirements such as an air source heat pump and underfloor heating.

The property has impressive carpentry throughout with bespoke solid oak doors and a wooden ceiling in the kitchen.

East Barn is one of a small group of barn conversions at the former farm buildings for Broomsthorpe Hall, a Grade II Listed 19th century house built on the site of a medieval manor.

The barns are in a secluded rural setting with far-reaching countryside views about 2.5 miles away from the nearest village, East Rudham.

The property has 3,656 sq ft of accommodation with a kitchen/dining room, sitting room, utility room and three bedrooms, all with en suites, on the ground floor.

East Barn in Norfolk was derelict when Ms Cave, star of the BBC 's The Bidding Room, and her partner bought it in August last year

East Barn in Norfolk was derelict when Ms Cave, star of the BBC ‘s The Bidding Room, and her partner bought it in August last year

They saw the potential to transform it into a stylish family home and spent 12 months and £500,000 doing so

They saw the potential to transform it into a stylish family home and spent 12 months and £500,000 doing so

Ms Cave's partner, Ed Masters, handled the building work while antiques expert Ms Cave took care of the interiors

Ms Cave’s partner, Ed Masters, handled the building work while antiques expert Ms Cave took care of the interiors

The property has a large rear garden, a garage and a private borehole for water

On the mezzanine level is a galleried landing as well as the main bedroom with a dressing room and en suite and another bedroom with en suite.

The bathrooms have unique and high-quality tiling and all have heated towel rails and the kitchen has a bespoke range of cabinets and unique worktops with a bespoke resin concrete and glass tops.

The galleried landing has the best views of the garden, surrounding meadowland and towards the ruins of Coxford Abbey.

The property has a large rear garden, a garage and a private borehole for water.

The galleried landing has the best views of the garden, surrounding meadowland and towards the ruins of Coxford Abbey

The galleried landing has the best views of the garden, surrounding meadowland and towards the ruins of Coxford Abbey

The couple turned the run-down barn from an empty shell into a five-bedroom house, which they have now put up for sale with estate agents Jackson-Stops

The couple turned the run-down barn from an empty shell into a five-bedroom house, which they have now put up for sale with estate agents Jackson-Stops

'When we bought the barn it didn't have a floor or anything, it was literally a shell'

‘When we bought the barn it didn’t have a floor or anything, it was literally a shell’

Ms Cave said: ‘When we bought the barn it didn’t have a floor or anything, it was literally a shell.

‘I’m really good at the ‘this is a room, how can I fill it’ but my partner Ed is the one with the building skills. He put it in the mezzanine floor and the bedrooms upstairs, the staircase, everything.

‘Once we had a house I did the room colours and furniture and all the interior design elements. I had a fairly clear vision of what I wanted to do once I had seen the rooms and space we had.

‘It was always a project we were doing to sell on and hopefully it will be a wonderful home for a family soon.’

Ms Cave started her career as a PA for the chief executive of Christie’s auction house before launching her own antique store, the Deco Cave, and has become an acclaimed interiors and antiques expert.

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How Automated Moveable Medians Redefining Traffic Flow And Revolutionizing Road Safety

AI Revolutionizing Road Safety

The Voice Of EU | In today’s fast-paced world, where traffic congestion and road safety concerns continue to plague urban landscapes, the integration of advanced technology is becoming a beacon of hope for a safer, and more efficient transportation system. One such groundbreaking innovation that’s redefining traffic flow and ensuring safety on the roads is the implementation of Automated Moveable Medians (AMMs).

The Genesis of Automated Moveable Medians

The traditional median strip, often a static feature on roadways, primarily serves as a visual barrier between opposing lanes, minimizing head-on collisions and contributing to general road safety. However, these static medians often fall short in adapting to dynamic traffic patterns and fail to respond to changing conditions, leading to potential hazards during peak traffic hours or emergencies.

The concept of Automated Moveable Medians (AMMs) marks a paradigm shift in road safety and traffic management. These medians are equipped with cutting-edge AI, Machine Learning, and Robotics technologies, enabling them to autonomously adjust their positions based on real-time traffic conditions, thereby optimizing traffic flow and enhancing safety.

How Automated Moveable Medians Function

Utilizing a network of sensors, cameras, and AI algorithms, AMMs continuously monitor traffic density, speed, and patterns. When traffic begins to congest in one direction, the AMMs autonomously shift their positions, reallocating lanes to accommodate the higher traffic volume. By dynamically altering the median’s position, these systems effectively create additional lanes or expand existing ones, mitigating congestion and reducing the likelihood of accidents.

Statistical Insights Driving Adoption

According to recent studies conducted by transportation authorities in major urban centers:

– AMMs have shown a remarkable reduction of up to 30% in the number of accidents caused by lane misallocation or static medians’ inability to adapt to dynamic traffic.

– Improved traffic flow has led to a significant decrease in commute times by an average of 15%-25% during peak hours.

– Real-time adjustments by AMMs have demonstrated a 25% decrease in overall congestion levels on highly trafficked roads.

– Reduced congestion and smoother traffic flow have translated into a notable decline of up to 30% in carbon emissions in these areas.

The Future Prospects and Challenges

While the advent of AMMs presents a promising solution to traffic-related issues, there are challenges to address. Ensuring the seamless integration of these systems into existing infrastructures, addressing potential cybersecurity threats, and navigating regulatory frameworks are essential considerations for wider implementation.

Moreover, while AMMs offer a viable solution for major roads and highways, their application in densely populated urban areas and narrower streets requires meticulous planning to avoid hindering pedestrian movement and emergency services’ access.

Collaborative Efforts for Implementation

The successful implementation and scalability of AMMs hinge upon collaborative efforts among transportation authorities, urban planners, AI developers, and governmental bodies. The synergy of expertise from these diverse sectors can facilitate the deployment of AMMs in high-priority areas, improving road safety and traffic management.

The emergence of Automated Moveable Medians heralds a new era in transportation innovation. By leveraging advanced technologies, these dynamic systems are not only enhancing traffic flow but also contributing significantly to road safety, making our streets safer and more efficient for all commuters.


We Can’t Thank You Enough For Your Support!

By John Elf, Contributor “The Voice Of EU

— For more information: info@VoiceOfEU.com

— Anonymous news submissions: press@VoiceOfEU.com


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