The children were joined in the record bid by Team GB athletes including Rachel Cawthorn (kayaking), Abigail Edmonds (kayaking), Sophia Warner (athletics) and Adelle Tracey (athletics). Teachers and local councillors from Surrey County Council also took part.

They rings were formed on the George Abbot School playing field, in Guildford, at 12.45pm.

The previous record was set on June 24, 2008, in Beijing, China, and featured 1,202 people.

The Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville and 1948 Surrey Olympic torch bearer Austin Playfoot also attended the celebrations.

Denise Saliagopoulos, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games, said: “It was fantastic to see so many children making a piece of Olympic history. There was a thrill of excitement in the air during the build up and it was spectacular to see everyone forming the Olympic rings. It started to rain just as the record was broken but it certainly didn’t dampen the spirits. There were smiling faces everywhere you looked.”

“I hope today’s event will encourage more children to get involved in sport. By doing this we can help them stay healthy throughout their lives. Taking part in competition also teaches young people that through hard work and dedication they can achieve their goals.”

High Level arrived on site at 11.30 and selected the best position to take the photograph. Just as the record started and the photograph was being taken the heavens opened and many people got wet but it did not dampen the spirits.

More info and some additional photographs can be seen on the High Level Photography site

Olympic Rings Geaorge Abbot School Image copyright High Level Photography Ltd

Daimler DB 18 Drophead Coupe at Brookalnds

This rare vehicle (a Daimler DB18 Drophead Coupe) is due to be auctioned at Brooklands on 4th December 2010. It was used by Winston Churchill in his 1944 and 1949 General Election Campaigns. The vehicle has recently been completely refurbished ready for sale. It is expected to be sold for around £250,000.

The irony is this car was re-furbished in Germany!!!

Don Wales Holder of UK land Speed Record for an Electric Car | image copyright Ian Leslie / Medius

Don Wales holder of the UK Land Speed Record for an electric car, who is the nephew of Donald Campbell – another famous record breaker, announced earlier this that he will attempt to break his own electric record and exceed the outright record set by his grandfather, Sir Malcolm Campbell, in 1925 in the early spring of 2011.

Don Wales has clearly inherited the quest for speed. In May this year he twice broke the world land speed record for a lawnmower leaving it at 87.833mph. He also holds the world record for a steam powered car (148mph) as a member of Charles Burnett III’s British Steam car team at Edwards Airforce base in August 2009.

Speaking after successfully completing the RAC Brighton to London Future Car Challenge in a hybrid car, Wales said: “I have held the record for over ten years and it’s now looking very vulnerable. I want to set the UK record well beyond 150mph – the speed Sir Malcolm clocked in 1925. Ideally, I’d like to match his record of 1927 – 175mph.”

The attempt is part of the Campbell family celebration year of the centenary of Sir Malcolm Campbell first christening a car Bluebird at Brooklands in 1911.

Don Wales and the Bluebird Electric Team set the current record of 139mph in August 2000 on Pendine Sands, Wales. They will return to Pendine Sands in the spring of 2011 – the venue for Sir Malcolm’s successful land speed record attempts in the 1920s.

Wales also has plans to attempt a new world land speed record for a battery car and has his sights set on 500mph, and is currently evaluating several design options. He says: “At last the world is making real progress with electric vehicles as a viable alternative to the internal combustion engine. Ten years ago electric vehicles were unheard of in the news, and people couldn’t understand the importance of electric car technology. Now there’s a whole new generation of electric road cars in production. The UK is a world leader in automotive technology, particularly in the cutting edge and highly competitive field of motor sport, and Land speed record projects have a history of boosting technological developments which is why I’m planning a world beating battery car”.

Project Director Martin Rees said “Don’s ambition to be the fastest in the world is a goal we are all working hard to achieve and his recent speed record breaking exploits, and those we achieved in the electric Bluebird ten years ago, are testament to his undoubted dedication and commitment to excellence”. Rees added, “Taking the car back to Pendine next spring with improved drive and bodywork will be another chapter in the Campbell and Wales and Pendine story.”

Don Wales at Brooklands Museum, Surrey Collecting Bluebird for a new Land Speed Record in 2011 – 16th November 2010 Images Copyright Ian Leslie / Medius

His son, Donald, continued the record breaking tradition and broke the 400mph barrier in a turbine powered Bluebird.
Don Wales holds a World Land Speed Record, two American National Records and eight UK records.

Snow White Britain Satellite Image 7th January 2010 NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response

This Picture is from NASA Rapid Resonse Imagery   It really shows the snow gripping Britain in early January 2010.  Snow white at it’s best

The image is taken by NASA/GSFC MODIS Rapid Response satellite,

“The Rapid Response system was developed to provide near realtime imagery from the MODIS instrument for users who require an immediate view of a specific phenomenon from satellites.

For scientific analyses and non-time sensitive applications, users are directed to the MODIS data portal for access to the science quality data.

All the images that appear on our site are in the public domain and can be freely used and reproduced for any purpose. Please credit: “NASA/GSFC, MODIS Rapid Response.”  About Rapid Response Imagery 

Enjoy the picture