PRINCE WILLIAM PASSES STAGED AIR CRASH TEST

PRINCE WILLIAM ESCAPED FROM A SCENE OF AN AIRCRAFT WHICH CRASHED UNDER WATER, IN A STAGED ACCIDENT AS PART OF HIS TRAINING AS A SEARCH AND RESCUE PILOT. THE HEIR TO THE THRONE, KNOWN IN THE RAF AS FLT LT WALES, PASSED THE TEST, WHICH INVOLVED A FLIGHT SIMULATOR PLUNGING INTO A FREEZING SWIMMING POOL, 'WITH FLYING COLOURS', INSTRUCTORS SAID. THE PRINCE AND FELLOW RAF STUDENTS HAD TO ESCAPE FROM INSIDE THE SIMULATOR AT THE OFFSHORE SURVIVAL CENTER IN FLEETWOOD, LANCS, AND GET ABOVE WATER BEFORE THEY ALL 'DROWNED'. IT WAS DESIGNED TO REPLICATE THE TREACHEROUS CONDITIONS WHICH HE CAN EXPECT WHEN HE IS QUALIFIED AND PILOTS THE RAF'S SEA KING HELICOPTER ON MERCY MISSIONS OUT AT SEA. THE CENTER, PART OF BLACKPOOL AND THE FYLDE COLLEGE, BOASTS A FLIGHT SIMULATOR ABOVE A SWIMMING POOL WHICH IS USED TO PROVIDE SURVIVOR TRAINING TO THE ARMED FORCES, MERCHANT NAVY AND OFFSHORE INDUSTRIES. A SPOKESMAN FOR THE COLLEGE CONFIRMED PRINCE WILLIAM HAD PASSED THE TEST AND NOW HE CAN CONTINUE HIS SEARCH AND RESCUE TRAINING AT RAF VALLEY IN ANGLESEY, NORTH WALES. ONCE QUALIFIED HE WILL BE ABLE TO PILOT THE 10-TON SEA KING AND HELP RESCUE STRICKEN SAILORS AND STRANDED MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS. PAULINE WATERHOUSE, PRINCIPAL OF BLACKPOOL AND FYLDE COLLEGE, SAID: 'IT WAS A REAL HONOUR FOR THE COLLEGE TO WELCOME THE PRINCE. I HOPE HE FOUND HIS TIME WITH US TO BE BENEFICIAL FOR HIS FUTURE CAREER.'

PHOTOGRAPHER SPENCER TUNICK TO CREATE NUDE SYDNEY

PHOTOGRAPHER SPENCER TUNICK, FAMOUS FOR CAPTURING HUNDREDS OR THOUSANDS OF NAKED BODIES AGAINST URBAN BACKDROPS, IS PLANNING A PHOTO-SHOOT AT THE HISTORIC OPERA HOUSE IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA, DURING THE CITY'S ANNUAL GAY AND LESBIAN MARDI GRAS. TUNICK IS LOOKING FOR UP TO 2,000 VOLUNTEERS TO POSE NUDE FOR HIM 1.MARCH. TUNICK TOLD AUSTRALIAN RADIO RECENTLY THAT HE'S CALLING THIS INSTALLATION 'THE BASE' BECAUSE 'IN A WAY I'M MAKING A BASE FOR THE OPERA HOUSE, A BASE FOR THE ARCHITECTURE, AND BY COMBINING STRAIGHT AND GAY AND LESBIAN PEOPLE I'M WEAVING THE DIFFERENT SEXES AND SOCIETY TOGETHER TO FORM THIS WONDERFUL FABRIC THAT HOLDS UP THIS GORGEOUS BUILDING.'
FOR MORE INFORMATIN ABOUT THE ARTIST AND HIS WORK VISIT www.spencertunick.com

PRINCE CHARLES AND CAMILLA PAY RESPECTS AT WOOTTON BASSETT

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND DUCHESS OF CORNWALL PAID A VISIT TO WOOTTON BASSETT RECENTLY TO THANK THE TOWN FOR ITS UNFAILING SUPPORT FOR THE ARMED FORCES. CHARLES AND CAMILLA BOTH LAID WREATHS AT THE WAR MEMORIAL IN THE WILTSHIRE MARKET TOWN FOLLOWING A SERVICE TO DEDICATE A NEW FLAGPOLE. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAD EARLIER LINED THE STREETS IN MOURNING AS HEARSES CARRYING THE COFFINS OF TWO BRITISH SOLDIERS PASSED THROUGH THE TOWN. LANCE CORPORAL DANIEL COOPER, 21, FROM THE 3rd BATTALION THE RIFLES AND RIFLEMAN PETER ALDRIDGE, 19, FROM THE 4th BATTALION THE RIFFLES, DIED IN SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN HELMAND PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN. THEIR BODIES WERE FLOWN INTO RAF LYNEHAM AND THEIR COFFINS, DRAPED IN UNION FLAGS, PASSED THROUGH THE TOWN HERALDED BY ST BARTHOLOMEW'S CHURCH BELL. CAMILLA, WHO IS COLONIAL IN CHIEF OF RAF ALDRIDGE'S REGIMENT, HAD WRITTEN TO HIS FAMILY, A CLARENCE HOUSE SPOKESMAN SAID. HER WREATH, WHICH HAD RED FLOWERS IN KEEPING WITH THE REGIMENT'S COLOURS, READ: 'WITH DEEPEST GRATITUDE, CAMILLA.' PRINCE CHARLES'S WREATH READ: 'IN GRATEFUL AND EVERLASTING MEMORY, CHARLES.' THE PRINCE OF WALES ENJOYED A GLASS OF WHISKEY AFTER STOPPING OFF AT THE CROSS KEYS PUB TO THANK LANDLADY KIRSTY LAMBERT, WHO REGULARLY LOOKS AFTER BEREAVED FAMILIES ON REPATRIATION DAYS. THEY ALSO MET MEMBERS OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION RIDERS BRANCH WHO ATTEND EVERY REPATRIATION. PRINCE CHARLES TOLD GUESTS AT THE TOWN'S CONSERVATION CLUB: 'MY WIFE AND I HAVE COME HERE TODAY REALLY TO EXPRESS OUR SINCERE AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO THE PEOPLE OF WOOTTON BASSETT FOR THEIR UNSTINTING SUPPORT OF BRITAIN'S ARMED FORCES. YOUR ACTIONS HAVE COME TO SYMBOLIZE OUR NATION'S GRIEF. WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND GRATITUDE TO YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT.' THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN 100 REPATRIATIONS PASSING THROUGH WOOTTON BASSETT SINCE APRIL 2007, WHEN RUNWAY REPAIRS AT RAF BRIZE NORTON IN OXFORDSHIRE MEANT THAT DEAD SOLDIERS WERE FLOWN INTO NEARBY RAF LYNEHAM INSTEAD. RAF LYNEHAM IS DUE TO CLOSE AT THE END OF 2012, WHEN REPATRIATIONS SHOULD REVERT TO BRIZE NORTON.

AUCTIONS NEAPOLITAN SELLS BLACK FOREST CARVING FOR RECORD $30,590

THERE WAS PLENTY OF BARK AND ONE WINNING 'BITE' AT FLORIDA AUCTION HOUSE AUCTIONS NEAPOLITAN'S ONE ROOM ONLY SALE AS AN EXCEPTIONAL 39 INCH WIDE BLACK FOREST CARVED TABLEAU OF A ST BERNARD DOG AND HER THREE PLAYFUL PUPS CLAIMED TOP-LOT HONORS AT $30,590. ATTRIBUTED TO SWISS ARTIST WALTER MADER, THE CIRCA 1900 CARVING FEATURED REALISTIC FEATHERING TO THE DOGS' COATS, HAND COLOURED LIMBS AND GLASS EYES. THE SUBSTANTIAL 33lb ARTWORK HAD BEEN ESTIMATED AT $6,000-8,000. 'THERE WAS TREMENDOUS INTEREST IN THAT PARTICULAR PIECE', SAID KATHLEEN PICA, OWNER OF AUCTIONS NEAPOLITAN. 'THERE'S A SIZABLE CONTINGENT OF COLLECTORS WORLDWIDE FOR BLACK FOREST PIECES, AND MANY OF THEM WERE BIDDING, NOT ONLY ON THE FLOOR BUT ALSO ON THE PHONES AND VIA THE INTERNET. WHAT WAS UNUSUAL WAS THAT THE BIDDING STAYED STRONG THROUGHOUT, THERE WAS NO LULL OR HESITATION ONCE THE LOT WAS ANNOUNCED.' THE WINNING BID, A MAJOR COLLECTOR OF BLACK FOREST ART FOR THE PAST 30 YEARS, PARTICIPATED BY PHONE FROM HIS HOME IN COLORADO. 'THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY RARE PIECE, IN BEAUTIFUL CONDITION', THE BUYER REMARKED AFTER THE SALE. 'THERE'S A LARGER ONE IN THE MUSEUM IN BRIENZ, SWITZERLAND, THE TOWN WHERE 2,000 CARVERS LIVED AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY, AND THERE ARE TWO OTHERS IN SEPARATE PRIVATE COLLECTIONS IN PARIS. THE TWO OWNERS IN PARIS HAVE STATED THAT THEY WILL DIE WITH THEIR PIECES, SO THOSE EXAMPLES ARE COMPLETELY OFF THE MARKET.' THE BUYER ADDED: 'WALTER MADER'S ONLY SUBJECTS WERE DOGS, HE DIDN'T CARVE ANYTHING ELSE. EVEN THOUGH HE NEVER SIGNED HIS WORK, IT'S UNMISTAKABLE. WHEN YOU SEE THE EXPRESSION ON THE DOGS' FACES AND THE FLOW OF THE CARVING, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHO CARVED IT.' KATHLEEN PICA SAID THE TABLEAU'S CONSIGNOR, A NAPLES-AREA MAN, WAS DELIGHTED WITH THE RESULT, ADDING THAT HE WAS ALSO THE CONSIGNOR OF A TOP LOT IN AUCTIONS NEAPOLITAN'S DECEMBER SALE; A CE DALLIN BRONZE OF AN INDIAN SCOUT ON HORSEBACK THAT SOLD FOR $25,500.

HERMES SPORTS BINOCULARS

IT WAS A HALLMARK OF THE INTERNATIONAL SPORTING SET IN DAYS GONE BY THAT A GENTLEMAN ALWAYS BROUGHT ALONG A PAIR OF FIELD GLASSES IN A FITTED LEATHER CASE WHEN ATTENDING RACE MEETS, HORSE SHOWS AND THE LIKE. NOW ICONIC LUXURY LEATHER GOODS HOUSE HERMES HAS RECENTLY CREATED A BEAUTIFUL PAIR OF LEATHER WRAPPED BINOCULARS THAT ARE THE PERFECT ACCESSORY FOR STYLISH SPORTING EVENTS. THE BINOCULARS ARE LEICA'S COMPACT, SUPER-SHARP ULTRAVID MODEL FROM THEIR SPORTS OPTICS COLLECTION AND ARE WRAPPED IN HERMES' SIGNATURE SADDLE LEATHER WITH HAND-STITCHED LEATHER CARRYING STRAP, THEY'RE PRICED AT $2,500 AND ARE AVAILABLE AT HERMES BOUTIQUES WORLDWIDE.

ELDERLY COUPLE DISCOVER THEIR UMBRELLA STAND IS A £500,000 ANTIQUE

LIKE MOST OF THE HOUSEHOLD CLUTTER AMASSED OVER THE YEARS, IT SAT IN A SPARE ROOM FORGOTTEN COLLECTING DUST. SLIGHTLY CRACKED AND STAINED WITH AGE, THE CHINESE VASE WAS USED TO STORE A FEW OLD UMBRELLAS. BUT 50 YEARS AFTER THEY WERE GIVEN IT AS A PRESENT, IT OWNERS DISCOVERED THAT THE VASE WAS WORTH AN ESTIMATED £500,000, MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THEIR HOME. AUCTIONEER MATHEW DENNEY SAW PAST A CRACK IT HAD IN THE PORCELAIN AND THE FACT IT HAD BEEN SPLASHED WITH EMULSION PAINT. FURTHER RESEARCH SHOWED THE BLUE AND WHITE PIECE FOUND IN THE PURBECK AREA OF DORSET WAS AN IMPERIAL VASE AND ALMOST CERTAINLY MADE FOR THE EMPEROR QIANLONG IN ABOUT 1740. ALTHOUGH IT IS THOUGHT TO BE WORTH AS MUCH AS £500,000, ITS VALUE COULD HAVE BEEN DOUBLE THAT PRICE HAD IT NOT BEEN DAMAGED. GUY SCHWINGE, FROM DUKES AUCTION HOUSE IN DORCHESTER, SAID THE COUPLE HAD BEEN GIVEN THE VASE AS A PRESENT AND WHEN IT IS SOLD IT COULD CHANGE THEIR LIVES. 'THE VENDORS HAD OWNED IT FOR 50 YEARS BUT HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS. THEY HAD RELEGATED IT TO A SPARE BEDROOM WITH OTHER ITEMS OF FURNITURE. MY COLLEAGUE MATTHEW DENNY SPOTTED IT DURING A ROUTINE VALUATION. THERE IS EVIDENCE THAT IT HAD BEEN USED AS AN UMBRELLA STAND AND THERE IS ALSO A POSSIBILITY THAT IT ONCE BELONGED TO THE FAMILY OF FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE. THE VASE EXEMPLIFIES THE BEST OF THE PERIOD.' THE ARTWORK ON THE VASE SHOWS A LANDSCAPE OF MOUNTAINS WITH TREES AND A HOUSE AND IS THOUGHT TO BE UNIQUE. THE BASE OF THE VASE BEARS AN IMPERIAL REIGN MARK AND, UNUSUALLY, THE UPPER BODY HAS AN IMPRESSED MARK IN CHINESE SCRIPT WHICH HAS BEEN TRANSLATED AS 'PRECIOUS THING'. IT IS NOT KNOWN WHEN THE VASE CAME TO BRITAIN, BUT IT HAS BEEN CONNECTED WITH EMBLEY COURT IN HAMPSHIRE, WHERE FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE'S FAMILY LIVED. THE STUNNING AND UNIQUE VASE IS SCHEDULED TO BE AUCTIONED 11.FEBRUARY AT DUKE'S AUCTION HOUSE.

HERMES L'HEURE H BOUGANVILLIER

HERMES NEWEST TIMEPIECE PAYS TRIBUTE TO LOUIS ANTOINE DE BOUGAINVILLE, THE FAMOUS EXPLORER WHO MESMERIZED MANY WITH HIS FINDINGS FROM BRAZIL, TAHITI AND MAURITIUS. AMONG HIS FINDINGS WAS A SMALL SHRUB, WITH DELICATE LEAVES OF A DEEP, BRIGHT PINK SHADE, WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS THE BOUGAINVILLE. THE HERMES TIMEPIECE, NAMED THE L'HEURE H BOUGANVILLIER PLAYS WITH THE HUES AND SHADES OF THE BEAUTIFUL SHRUB. THE STUNNING SHADE OF THE TIMEPIECE REFLECTS THE COLOURFUL LANDSCAPES AND CHEERFUL FEELINGS THAT ARISE ON THE SIGHT OF SUCH SCENIC BEAUTY. A SHINY PINK LEATHER STRAP, ENGAGES THE CASE, WHOSE CONTOURS TRACE THE ICONIC INITIAL LETTER H OF THE HOUSE OF HERMES. THE BEZEL IS ADORNED WITH 64 SPARKLING BRILLIANT CUT DIAMONDS, WHILE ALL THE NUMBERS ARE BLACK LACQUER SAVE FOR THE NUMERALS 2 AND FOUR WHICH ARE IN A BOLD PINK, MATCHING THE COLOURFUL BEAUTY OF THE BOUGAINVILLE SHRUB.