CROSSROACROS SROADSSROA DS Language StudioÊs Newsletter November
Nove mber,mber , 201
20 1 2

Maggie Dickson was born in Musselburgh,a small town east of the Scottish capital
Edinburgh, in about 1702 and was
subsequently brought up there. She marrieda fisherman but he soon left her. Dependingon the version of the story you read, he waseither forced to join the Royal Navy or went
to work on the fishing fleet south of theborder in Newcastle.
In 1723, at the age of 21, Maggie foundwork at an inn in another small town in theborder area between Scotland and England,called Kelso. Subsequently she fell pregnant
after a relationship with the innkeeper'sson. Maggie concealed her pregnancy andthe baby arrived prematurely. It is unclear
whether the baby was stillborn or diedshortly after birth. Either way, Maggie
abandoned the body on the banks of theRiver Tweed, where it was found. Maggie
was arrested and subsequently tried inEdinburgh. Some sources say she wascharged under the Concealment ofPregnancy Act, but it seems more likely she
was tried with causing the death of herchild. Based on questionable medical
evidence that the child had been born alive,
she was convicted and sentenced to death.

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Maggie was hanged at a public execution in
Edinburgh's Grassmarket, a site where death
sentences were often carried out, on 2
September 1724. Her execution was followed
by a near riot as friends and relatives foughtwith medical students for her body. The
friends and relatives won, and Maggie wasplaced in a coffin to be transported toMusselburgh for burial. While her relatives
Henson RecordingStudios,USA
pauseden routeforLA,
refreshment
in a roadsidepub, the lid of the coffin moved, and Maggie
was found to be alive. She was well enough towalk the rest of the way to Musselburgh thenext day.
As the sentence of the court had been
carried out, Maggie was beyond further
prosecution and she lived for another 40years, known universally as Half-Hangit
Maggie. Some say that Maggie survived
because she had become a "good friend" of therope-maker who supplied the hangman, andthe early breaking of the rope allowed hersurvival. Whatever the reason for her
survival, her story is remembered in thename of Maggie Dickson's Pub, which
overlooks the scene of her execution in
Edinburgh's Grassmarket, and remains a
popular spot to this day for tourists andlocals.
The incident has become an important partof local folklore and even the hangman, John
Dalgleish, felt the need to mention her in his
dying words.
Article by Craig* Call for details: 089 9217595

SITE OF THE MONTH:
For those who would like to learn more about Edinburgh:
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Guide-g186525-i19992Osprey and its “Downwash”
Edinburgh_Scotland.html

The Maggie
Dickson Pubin Edinburgh,Scotland.

Joshua Says: December 1st will be our last “end-of-term” party inthe current school calendar system. As you are aware, we areshifting to a semester calendar system from next month. This meansthat we will hold two, instead of three, parties like this in a year.
For this last party we are planning something special and I’m sure
those of you who come will have a great time! See you there.

Junko Says: After so many years, I had become accustomed to the oldfour months term system. We are now going to change, as you alreadyknow, to two semesters in a year. I hope everyone is prepared and readyto try out this new system; it should prove to be more convenient foreveryone, our students, teachers and even for me in the office!

Matthew Says: I am interested in the environment and the impact we haveas humans on the environment. You all love shopping so you all know thatevery time you leave a store, you leave with a plastic bag holding your boughtitem(s). Please ask yourself "Do I REALLY need that plastic bag?" - You usethat bag for what - two minutes, while it takes twenty years for it todegrade...in the sea. Do you eat fish? Fish eat those plastic bags!

Craig Says: A friend of mine recently told me about several
abandoned villages and amusement parks which can be found allover Japan. One of them, Hashima island, will feature in the new
007 film, Skyfall. I am very interested in visiting one of theseplaces, so if you have been to any of them, please let me know.

Ludovic Dit: Le 11 novembre, c’est la commémoration de la fin de laPremière Guerre Mondiale (1914-1918). Un carnage épouvantable (1,315,000soldats Français morts, soit 27 % des 18-27 ans), qui a dégoûté profondément
de la guerre les Français (qui sont maintenant largement pacifistes).
Aujourd’hui encore, on se souvient avec vivacité de toutes ces vies
moissonnées par l’absurdité et la stupidité belliqueuse.

Our End-of-Term-Party will be held this term on:December 1st here at Crossroads.
We start at 8:00pm.

See you there!!
A performance by Matt
See anamazing
scientificexperiment byProfessor
Mattkovsky“Games Master”
Craig willorganize somegames withprizes for thewinners!

Anyone can enter thecooking competition!
Bring an example ofyour best cooking andwin a prize!!

* Our teachers will also cook an“international cuisine” for you to try out!

The daughter of one of our S(d)1 students, MarikoMorizono, has been going to high school in
Sydney, Australia for the past 3 years. She
graduated this year. She is now preparing to enter
university in Sydney. Mom Mariko says:
This is my daughter, Riko. She lives in Australia. She
graduated from PLC high school on September 16th thisyear. In the photo, Riko is standing next to the school
Principal. It was a very important moment for her. She
wore her kimono. I was so happy, I cried! Riko was thebest dressed girl at the ceremony!

Phone: 0120-21-7594
T el: (0 89 ) 921-7 595
Fax : ( 0 89) 921 -7319
E- mail:in fo @cr ossr o ad sco .co m
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