Flood defence and the surveyor: what's new?

The long historical background to flood defence is outlined. It is noted that many of the concerns and approaches are not new. However in some areas changes are occurring. The freshwater flooding across much of England and Wales in spring 1998 hastened new approaches to the relationship between flood defence agencies and the public. Recent published guidance on flood proof construction is described and reviewed and a role for the building surveyor is identified

Mystery, Humility and Religious Practice in the Thought of St John of the Cross

The ”dark night of the soul’ is a common motif in Christian spiritual writing; and the locus classicus for this motif is the work of John of the Cross, a Spanish Carmelite friar of the sixteenth century. My aim in this paper is to use John’s account of the ”night’ to consider how the themes of mystery, humility and religious practice may be subsumed, and related to one another, within a Christian conception of God and of human life lived out in relation to God

Should the structure have been underpinned? - reflection after a quarter of a century

A case study of a domestic structure that suffered damage as a result of foundation movement in the 1970s is examined. Conclusions and recommendations made at the time are re-visited in the light of limitations of the original site investigation and subsequent performance of the structure

Potential common law liability for privately provided flood defences

Public bodies have no statutory duty to provide flood defences and do not have funds available to meet all requests for them. This had led to recognition that flood prevention is not something to be left to others and there is now encouragement to householders to undertake “do it yourself” flood defence. Such measures are not without risk of damage to other properties. An investigation has therefore been undertaken to establish whether there is associated legal liability should such damage occur. No cases have been published directly concerning liability for damage resulting from these activities. However the Doctrine of Precedent declares that cases must be decided the same way when their material facts are the same. Cases are identified which have relevant similar material facts, although not arising from modern “do it yourself” flood defence. The ratio decidendi of cases concerning the receipt and passage of naturally flowing water, the increased passage of water to the property of others, and the overtopping or failure of structures that have held back water is examined. These cases are then discussed in the context of home flood defence. It is concluded that protecting one’s property from flooding is legally a relatively safe activity

Candor & Ebb: Searching For My Truth Through Solo Performance

This thesis is an examination of autobiographical solo performance. It explores the use of personal trauma and illness in the dramatic form. In addition to investigating how other solo performing artists utilize their medical conditions in their work, this thesis gives some historical context to the author’s own process and development. The thesis culminates in the author’s solo performance script and a desire for its audience to find solace and compassion through the experience of witnessing it being performed

Auto importers shine in the land of the rising yen

Japan's automotive trade with the rest of the world, which has so far been little more than one-way traffic, has lately experienced a small reversal in flow