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“Come, Ye Thankful People”

University Interscholastic League

“Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” is a traditional Christian hymn often associated with harvest festivals and Thanksgiving celebrations. The hymn was written by Henry Alford in 1844, an Anglican cleric and theologian. Alford, who later became the Dean of Canterbury, composed the hymn to reflect the agricultural rhythms and the cycle of planting and harvesting that were integral to rural life in 19th-century England.

The hymn’s lyrics express gratitude for the bountiful harvest and serve as a metaphor for spiritual growth and the final gathering of souls in the Christian eschatological vision. The first verse invites thankful people to come together to praise God for the harvest. Subsequent verses extend the metaphor, comparing the harvest to the final judgment, when believers are gathered to be with God.

The music most commonly associated with “Come, Ye Thankful People, Come” was composed by George J. Elvey in 1858, and the tune is named “St. George’s Windsor.” The hymn’s enduring popularity stems from its dual themes of thanksgiving and eschatological hope, making it suitable for both seasonal celebrations and reflective worship services. Its singable melody and rich imagery continue to resonate with congregations, embodying a sense of communal gratitude and spiritual anticipation.

North Mesquite High School Singing Stallions

North Mesquite High School

Acoustics

History of Western Civilization Told Through the Acoustics of its Worship Spaces

Cinq ans après

“There’s no escape from belief”
Jordan Peterson

“Prometheus creating Man in the presence of Athena” 1802 | Jean-Simon Berthélemy

Fire Safety

 

Duncan Stroik Architect

 

 

“The ideal architect should be a man of letters, a skillful draftsman, a mathematician,

familiar with historical studies, a diligent student of philosophy,  acquainted with music,

not ignorant of medicine, learned in the responses of jurisconsults,

familiar with astronomy and astronomical calculations.”

Vitruvius

Duncan G. Stroik is a practicing architect, author, and Professor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame specializing in religious and classical architecture.  Gathered here are images from Christ Chapel, Hillsdale College Michigan.  His award-winning work includes the Our Lady of the Most Holy Trinity Chapel in Santa Paula, California, the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, and the Cathedral of Saint Joseph in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A frequent lecturer on sacred architecture and the classical tradition, Stroik authored The Church Building as a Sacred Place: Beauty, Transcendence and the Eternal and is the founding editor of Sacred Architecture Journal. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia and the Yale University School of Architecture. Professor Stroik is the 2016 winner of the Arthur Ross Award for Architecture. In 2019, he was appointed to the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts.

Sacred Spaces

“Ten Books on Architecture” 30-20 B.C | Vitruvius

 

Church Facility Management

The “Perfect Pancake” & DYI Buttermilk

Newcastle University, founded in 1834 as the School of Medicine and Surgery, evolved into a university in 1963.  Its origins are intertwined with the advancement of medical education in Newcastle. Like many European universities its main “campus’ is integrated into the heart of the city.

Newcastle University | Estates and Facilities

Newcastle University | North East England

Sir Roger Scruton: Beauty, Conservatism & Tradition

DYI Buttermilk

Strawberries

Celebrating the 150th Birthday of Gustav Holst

The Music of Gustav Holst

A British composer best known for The Planets suite Gustav Holst has had a profound impact on the Anglosphere by bridging classical music with broader cultural narratives and modernity. The Planets, with its bold orchestration and thematic explorations of astrological symbolism, has resonated deeply across English-speaking countries, shaping the orchestral landscape and inspiring generations of composers, particularly in film.

Holst’s music marries English folk influences with European classical traditions, embodying a distinctly English voice that celebrates both innovation and heritage. His works emphasize emotion and mysticism, reflecting a British identity while connecting to universal themes.

In the Anglosphere, Holst’s contributions have expanded the appreciation of orchestral music, influencing composers from Benjamin Britten to John Williams, whose iconic film scores owe much to Holst’s pioneering style. Holst’s legacy endures as a touchstone of British musical identity, evoking wonder, tradition, and a cosmic scope that resonates globally.

Sir Winston Churchill – Funeral (I Vow To Thee) – The Nation’s Farewell

Memorial Church Sunday Service

Sacred Spaces

Social networks and culture in birds

Birds are social creatures and many species have complex social networks. Social networks are defined as the patterns of social interactions between individuals within a population. Here are some things that are known about the social networks of birds:

  1. Flocking behavior: Many bird species form flocks, which are large groups of individuals that fly together and exhibit coordinated behavior. Flocking behavior is thought to help birds reduce the risk of predation, share information about food sources and mating opportunities, and maintain social connections with other birds.  §1202 of the International Building Code prohibits building envelope openings that encourage flocking behavior in attics, 
  2. Communication: Birds use a variety of vocal and visual cues to communicate with one another, such as calls, songs, displays, and body language. Communication plays an important role in establishing and maintaining social connections between individuals.
  3. Social hierarchies: Within bird flocks, there may be social hierarchies, where some individuals have more dominant positions than others. Dominant individuals may have access to better food sources, mating opportunities, and nesting sites.
  4. Mate choice: Many bird species choose mates based on social signals, such as displays, vocalizations, and courtship behavior. Mate choice can influence the structure of social networks within a population.
  5. Information sharing: Birds may share information about food sources and predator threats with one another. For example, some bird species engage in “public information use,” where they use the behavior of other individuals as a signal about the quality of a food source or the presence of predators.
  6. Family bonds: Some bird species form long-lasting family bonds, where parents and offspring remain together for extended periods of time. Family bonds can influence the social structure of bird populations and may contribute to the formation of social networks.

Overall, the social networks of birds are complex and dynamic, and play important roles in many aspects of bird behavior, including mating, foraging, and avoiding predators. Studying bird social networks can provide insights into the evolution of social behavior and the ecological factors that shape animal populations.  We examine the risks (and reward) of bird behavior on education community campuses.


Birds present several hazards to overhead electric and telecommunication circuits:

  • Electrocution: Birds that perch or nest on power lines or other electrical equipment can come into contact with live electrical wires and be electrocuted if their body presents a path to ground potential. 
  • Nesting: Birds may build nests on or near power lines or other electrical equipment, which can create a fire hazard if the nest materials come into contact with electrical components. Nests can also cause power outages if they interfere with the electrical flow or if birds build nests in inconvenient locations, such as on transformers or other important components.
  • Collisions: Birds may collide with power lines while in flight, which can cause injury or death to the birds and also damage power lines or equipment. In some cases, these collisions can also cause power outages or fires.
  • Droppings: Bird droppings can build up on power lines and electrical equipment, which can create a safety hazard if the droppings come into contact with electrical components. Droppings can also cause corrosion or damage to equipment over time.

Accordingly, the 2023 National Electrical Safety Code specifies minimum clearances between power lines and surrounding trees and vegetation to help prevent birds from coming into contact with the lines; requires the use of bird guards or other protective devices on power lines in areas where birds are likely to perch or nest and, where possible; removal of nests from power lines and equipment to prevent fire hazards and equipment damage.

Additionally, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has developed guidelines for the protection of birds and other wildlife from power line hazards.  These guidelines provide recommendations for utilities on how to identify and manage potential bird hazards on power lines and equipment.  The International Electrotechnical Commission has developed similar standards

Flight is the most complex form of movement in the animal kingdom. Bird research has informed how humans design airplanes.  For example:

  • Wing design: Bird wings have evolved over millions of years to provide efficient lift and maneuverability. Researchers have studied the shape, size, and structure of bird wings to design airplane wings that are more efficient and fuel-efficient. For example, the shape of the wings of the Albatross inspired the design of the wings of the Boeing 777, which has one of the highest fuel efficiencies of any commercial aircraft.
  • Flight control: Researchers have studied how birds control their flight, particularly during takeoff and landing. This research has led to the development of technologies such as wing flaps, slats, and spoilers, which help airplanes achieve better control during takeoff and landing.
  • Aerodynamics: The study of bird flight has also helped researchers understand the complex physics of aerodynamics, such as airflow patterns, lift, drag, and turbulence. This understanding has led to the development of more advanced computer simulations and wind tunnel testing, which are used to design airplanes that are more aerodynamically efficient.
  • Materials: Birds have lightweight but strong bones and feathers, which have inspired researchers to develop new lightweight materials for use in airplane construction. For example, carbon fiber composites, which are used extensively in modern airplanes, were inspired by the lightweight but strong structure of bird bones.

"The little bird that doesn’t fly dies in the nest." (Toni Morrison, 'Song of Solomon')

There are standards and regulations for bird control in various industries and settings. These standards and regulations aim to prevent bird strikes, which can be dangerous for aircraft, and to manage bird populations that can cause damage or spread disease.  For example:

  • The Federal Aviation Administration in the United States requires airports to have a Wildlife Hazard Management Plan that includes bird control measures. This plan must address the potential for bird strikes and detail strategies for reducing the risk, such as habitat modification, bird scaring techniques, and lethal control methods in extreme cases.
  • In the agriculture industry, there are guidelines and regulations for bird control to prevent crop damage and protect public health. The US Environmental Protection Agency regulates the use of bird repellents and bird poisons to ensure that they are used safely and do not harm non-target species or the environment.  
  • There are also international standards for bird control in certain industries, such as the oil and gas industry, which has guidelines for managing bird populations that could be impacted by oil spills.

“A Girl Writing; The Pet Goldfinch” 1870 Henriette Browne

Bird control on college and university campuses should prioritize humane and non-lethal methods to manage bird populations and prevent bird-related hazards. Here are some best practices for bird control on college and university campuses:

  • Habitat modification: Modify the campus environment to make it less attractive to birds. This may involve removing or trimming trees and vegetation that provide food and shelter for birds, reducing open water sources, and using bird netting or barriers to block access to areas where birds may nest.
  • Education: Educate students, faculty, and staff about the importance of bird control and the negative impacts of feeding birds on campus. Encourage the campus community to report bird-related hazards, such as bird nests in building ventilation systems or bird droppings on walkways.
  • Non-lethal deterrents: Use non-lethal bird deterrents, such as visual scare devices, noise makers, and bird repellents, to discourage birds from congregating on campus. These methods are often effective in the short term but may need to be rotated or changed periodically to maintain their effectiveness.
  • Integrated pest management: Implement an integrated pest management (IPM) plan that includes bird control measures. IPM is a holistic approach that combines multiple strategies to manage pests, including birds, in an environmentally responsible and effective manner.
  • Monitoring and evaluation: Monitor the effectiveness of bird control measures on campus and evaluate their impact on bird populations and hazards. Adjust strategies as needed to ensure that they are effective and humane.

Overall, a comprehensive and humane approach to bird control on college and university campuses should prioritize prevention and management of bird hazards while minimizing negative impacts on bird populations and the environment.

Related Research

Design and Improvement of Anti-Bird Devices for Transmission Line Towers

Research on bird droppings flashover of 110kV transmission line composite insulator insulation-coated grading ring

Application and Challenges of an IoT Bird Repeller System As a result of Bird Behavior

Bird-caused Damage Risk Assessment System for Power Grid Based on Intelligent Data Platform

Research and Implementation of Birds and Floating Objects Target Detection Technology in Transmission Lines

 

Ogród na dachu biblioteki

“It is impossible to communicate to people who have not experienced it–

the undefinable menace of total rationalism.”  Czesław Miłosz

 

 

Polish Committee for Standardization

Polska

Animal domestication

Ireland

Related:

Learning from the Wild Things

Dogs and Agriculture

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