h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

This Bristol lady died in 1948 at the age of 84.

She had nearly died in 1885, after an argument with her boyfriend, but her petticoats saved her life, by acting like a parachute.

Who was she, and what was her personal first ?

is it anything to do with the village of stoney middleton????

Is 'personal first'a fixed expression, and if so, what does it refer to? Because to me, it could be anything: her birth, her death...

To the best of my knowledge it is nothing to do with Stoney Middleton.

Personal first refers to the incident that nearly led to her death. It was the first time anyone had done what she did.

(All this talking round the subject is because a google search brings up her name immediately.)

Ooh, I know, I know!

Sarah Ann Henley threw herself off the Bristol Suspension Bridge.

Unfortunately I can't think of anything quite interesting to say about this. The fact itself if quite interesting enough.

Can you imagine what that must have looked like, her drifting down with her petticoats all ballooned?

Deb

Traveller in Time sticking posters with < http://www.samaritans.org/ > all over the bridge
"Sarah Ann Henley, she tried to commit suicide by jumping from the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

from the frequently asked questions:

Q- Who do I speak to if I want to arrange to bunjee jump or abseil from the Bridge for charity ?
A- No-one ! Due to the many visitors constantly on the Bridge and for the safety of ALL its users and staff the Clifton Suspension Bridge Trust refuses all such requests without exception. Local byelaws for the Bridge also make these activities illegal.

I wonder if it is allowed to base jump from the bridge.

Can not find the statistics for succesful suicide jumps."

The Clifton Suspension Bridge is a very popular example for questions in Applied Mathematics courses. I've calculated how long it takes particles to fall from the bridge, both dropped and projected, with different air resistance models, and I've found out how fast they are travelling when they hit the water, etc. It puts it into a different context when you consider all the suicides.

That must have something to do with it's close proximity to Bristol! Have you been there? It could bring Ainsley Harriot down!

Is 245 feet 75 m high enough for a base jump

**considers that sending Ainsley to Bristol might be a very good idea**

B

Hoards of Bristolians, scurrying like lemmings to the bridge!

I recall the road into Bristol. then all the roundabouts that prevent you from getting out. Boyfriend be blowed, obviously said lady had had enough of trying to leave Bristol by bus, so she swam for it!

Traveller in Time on a road block
"They close the bridge to prevent it from heavy traffic .

Has got to do with the bridge not capable of carrying heavy loads. "

It was indeed Sarah Ann Henley - well done.

It is supposedly true that in 1588 aged 5, at Milton Abbey, Milton Abbass Dorset John Tregonwell, son of the owner of the house, fell 60 ft from the top of the church tower. His petticoats, as was the costume of the time, acted as a parachute and he survived. He died aged 87.

Boys to the age of 5 wore skirts with long tails from the shoulder (to enable control of said child) Around 5-6 the custom of the change to adult clothing was carried out this was called 'breeching' (as in breeches or trousers). Children of both sexes wore exact duplicates of adult clothing (apart from the under garments ) from 6 upwards.
If you look at the paintings of the time the children are mini adults.

In all probability it was just the drag and padding of the voluminious clothes that saved him.

Will points be awarded at some point? I'm sitting on the list with no points and feeling pretty sad about it

Deb

There, there. TLC

SCORE UPDATE 20/9