SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS EDITION WERE:

THE EARLIEST-KNOWN BRITISH AND IRISH TORNADOES
Historical references are discussed which deal with early British and Irish accounts of tornadoes and other severe storms. The oldest authentic tornado reports date from A.D. 1091 and 1141, but various accounts back to the year 782 are considered as well. The first case to be considered took place in Ireland at Cluain Bronaig in the year 782. 'Dreadful lightning and thunder the whole night of Saturday the 2nd August and a great and most mighty wind which destroyed the monastery.' This account is unusual among historic gale reports in that the complete destruction of only a single building is mentioned, and that the building was surely the
strongest in the vicinity.
THE SUSCEPTIBILITY OF TELEVISION AERIALS TO LIGHTNING
Lightning which struck a Llanelli house in the storm last night [Tuesday 14 October] burnt holes in the living room floor and blacked out the street lightning. The house in Ridgewood Park was struck with a tremendous bang at midnight (BST). Mr and Mrs Morgan rushed downstairs to find the living room full of dust and fumes. The lightning had struck the television aerial, and in the living room the television set and wiring had been burnt out including that connected to the central heating.
LIGHTNING STRIKES SIXTEENTH CENTURY SCULPTURE
During a thunderstorm in Florence on the night of the 12/13 August the statue of Christ by Sansovino had its right arm broken off when it was struck by lightning. The statue is located above the east door of the Baptistery. It will be difficult to repair because the tourists lost no time in stealing some of the broken pieces.
LIGHTNING AND STORMS STOP AUSTRALIAN GOLF TOURNAMENT
On 24 October 1975 lightning struck two golfers during the Will Masters tournament in Melbourne, Australia, as they were walking along the fairway under their umbrellas. The golfers, Jerry Silverstein and John Evans, were shaken but unhurt.
OBSERVATIONS OF TORNADIC PHENOMENA ON 21 AND 22 AUGUST 1975
On Friday 22 August at 1145GMT with the wind northwest and the temperature about 17C, I observed a dark cloud approaching from the Wash one kilometre off shore. Beneath it formed a thin funnel cloud, which twisted in shape but did not reach the sea, ending 300- 500 feet above it. It dissipated almost, and then reformed over a period of 10 minutes until it finally vanished when it neared the shore.