Sir Mark Horner

The Queen has been pleased to approve that the honour of Knighthood be conferred upon Thomas Mark Horner Esq, QC, on his appointment as a Justice of the High Court in Northern Ireland.

The Honourable Mr Justice Horner was called to the Bar of Northern Ireland in 1979 and took Silk in 1996.

Mr Justice Horner was a Bursar of the Bar Library and Chairman of the Personnel Committee with responsibility for, respectively, overseeing the Bar Library’s finances and staffing.

From 2008, until his appointment to High Court Judge, Mr Justice Horner was an Independent Assessor for Compensation in victims’ cases in relation to miscarriages of justice.

Additionally, from 1996, he has been a Governor of Campbell College where he has been involved in the Curriculum and Pastoral Committee.

Glorious Goodwood

One programme I am determined to view this evening is a documentary about Charles, Earl of March and Kinrara, and the challenges he faces in the maintenance of his ancestral seat, Goodwood House, near Chichester, West Sussex.

The Aristocrats is on Channel 4 this evening at 9pm.

Lord March is heir to the Duke of Richmond and Gordon.

Charles, 1st Duke of Richmond, 1st Duke of Lennox, 1st Duke of Aubigny (1672-1723) was the natural son of CHARLES II and his mistress Louise de Kérouaille, Duchess of Portsmouth.

The trouble is that it clashes with two other programmes I've been watching, Goodnight Britain and Great Continental Railway Journeys, which I shall have to record simultaneously.

Gibb's Revisited

Five or six of us spent another glorious day at Gibb's Island today.

We were burning the reminder of the gorse. The task is now largely complete.

Lunch for a contented Timothy Belmont was chicken & bacon sandwiches, washed down with a flask of tea.

Royal Photos

 Picture: Carl Court/PA

The state arrival and welcoming of the Emir or Amir of Kuwait at Windsor Castle yesterday.

The Prince Philip, wearing a heavy, black, double-breasted, Chesterfield overcoat, top hat and carrying a Swaine Adeney umbrella ~ with its distinctive silver band  ~ escorted the Emir of Kuwait to inspect the guard of honour lined up in two rows in front of the royal party.

I wrote about my umbrella collection here.

Picture: Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images 

The Sovereign's escort provided by the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment in their breastplates and plumed helmets.

Killynether Copse

SATURDAY, 1st DECEMBER 2012:  HAZEL COPPICING AT KILLYNETHER WOOD, COUNTY DOWN

Coppicing involves cutting the trees right down to the stump at ground level.  If done correctly, rather than killing the tree, this can actually encourage fresh regrowth and actually extend the lifespan of the tree.

But more importantly, it temporarily opens up the canopy and allows light to reach the forest floor, which benefits a great deal of woodland plants and insects.

It is a traditional method of woodland management that our volunteer group has spent the last 8 years recreating at Killynether.

This year, the National Trust Volunteer Group will be joined by some crafts-people who will show us the techniques they use to harvest some of the hazel to use in their crafts.   

The Group will meet at the Killynether car park (round the corner from Scrabo country park) at 10am.

Contact Craig McCoy on 07776 462537 for any further details.

Charles Eager McDowell, 1923-2012

I am greatly saddened to learn of the death of my first cousin, once removed, Rear-Admiral Charles Eager McDowell, US Navy (retired), on Sunday morning, 25th November, 2012.

My cousin Charles was born at Manchester, New Hampshire, on 9th September, 1923.

He lived for a large part of his life at Alexandria, Virginia.

He served as  Judge Advocate-General of the US Navy from 1978-80.

Millionaire!

Since the 2nd December, 2007, visits to Lord Belmont in Northern Ireland stand at 1,000,166.

The one million mark was passed early today, Tuesday, the 27th November, 2012.