BENCHMARKS continued
In recent days internet and social media chatter has
reached a crescendo and the world has held its breath as speculation
mounts as to who will receive the honour of contributing the 1,000th
'mark. As well as fielding a unceasing barrage of questions from the
International News Agencies and the Provincial Press, the members of
the Benchmark Hunters' Licensing and Awards Committee, who decide
these honours, have been subjected to a constant bombardment of
unsolicited requests recommending one individual or another; and
often accompanied by the offer of the sort of inducement that is not
discussed in civilized circles. But through it all the members have
been unwavering in their commitment to ensure that the identity of
the person chosen remains under wraps until officially announced, and
that the process of selection will withstand the scrutiny of any
Committee of Inquiry.
However just before the envelope is opened and the world
erupts with the sounds of cheers and the popping of champagne corks,
it is necessary to forewarn that the announcement comes with
something of a good news/bad news qualification; what could be
described as an element of the bitter sweetness with which every
veteran benchmark hunter is all too familiar.
The bad news then is that a few - maybe as many as 20 to
30 - of the earliest 'marks are not true benchmarks. Some of those
from Leinster Road in Dublin City are particularly suspect.
However the good news is that the site will stay in
business and continue posting - for how long has not been decided -
until the smallest smidgen of doubt is well and truly eliminated that
1,000 'marks are definitely in the bag.
And
so to the sound of fanfares, fireworks, church bells ringing and the
angels singing, it is congratulations and best wishes to Michael
Byrne who almost alone in recent times has powered this website to
what it is today. Hip! Hip! …... etc, etc, ...... Hooray!
Below:
The 1,000th
'mark (or is it?) is on the outside stone pillar of the
steps leading up to South Craig Villa in Edinburgh in Scotland.
Above:
Looking
east with the 'mark at lower right, on the edge of the photo, a
little below the "Heras" sign.
