In the French Revolutionary Calendar, today is Liège (Day of cork). 10 things you might not know about cork:
Cork is a 100% natural, renewable, recyclable and biodegradable material. It comes from the bark of a tree known as the cork oak and is harvested by hand every 9 years.
Humans have been using cork for over 5,000 years. From about 3000 BC, cork was already used for sealing containers in China, Egypt, Babylon, and Persia. In ancient Greece cork was used to make sandals.
The number of corks produced each year throughout the world is enough to circle the globe a whopping 15 times. 50% of these are produced in Portugal. Portugal has a thriving cork industry since the 18th century when they began exporting port. The cork tree has been Portugal’s national tree since 2011, and in 2007 the Portuguese national postal service CTT issued the world's first Postage stamp made of cork.
The first bottles of Coca Cola were sealed with cork until the early 60s.
Cork oak trees can live up to 300 years. The largest and oldest cork oak in the world is known as Assobiador (Whistler). It was planted in 1873 and is more than 14 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 4.15 meters.
A cork tree which is harvested of its bark will absorb 10 tons more CO2 during its life cycle than one which isn’t harvested.
Cork is used in the film industry to create dramatic explosions. The flying debris is often fragments of cork, which is lightweight and safer than most materials.
It is used in building because it is a natural fire retardant, and its structure makes it perfect for insulation and acoustics. The Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona has a cork floor, which enhances acoustic qualities as well as making the space feel less cold.
The largest cork stopper ever produced measured 3.5 metres in diameter.
Cork is also an essential element in the production of Badminton shuttlecocks.
A Very Variant Christmas
Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.
The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?
Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.
Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.
Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.
Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.
Themes Christmas; superheroes; reunions; parties; life choices; shocking surprises; mistaken identity; kidnap and rescue.
Reasons not to read it
- It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
- Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
- It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
- There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
- Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
- Superheroes. Again.
- Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.
- It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
- Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
- It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
- There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
- Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
- Superheroes. Again.
- Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.
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