ARENA NEWS WEEK: 100 Years of The Panama Canal, Big Ben cleaned and Jazz Legends In New York

100th ANNIVERSARY OF THE PANAMA CANAL

This week saw 100 year since the opening of the Panama Canal. It has been described as one of the wonders of the modern world, an astounding feat of engineering that connected the Pacific and Atlantic oceans for the first time. The canal was controlled by the US until the Panamanian government took it over in 1999. It has revolutionised global trade and today handles five percent of the world's maritime trade.

In 1976, Graham Greene recieved an invitation from General Omar Torrijos Herrera to visit Panama. He knew little of the country but claimed it had long haunted his imagination so accepted the invitation. A deep bond developed between the writer and general and Greene returned to Panama numerous times after. Following the death of Torrijos, Greene wrote 'Getting To Know The General' as a tribute to the friendship. In the 1989 Arena 'The Other Graham Greene', we hear the voice of Greene himself as he describes his first visit to Panama. He recalls a strange encounter of mistaken identity with another 'Graham Greene' on his travels.

 Arena: The Other Graham Greene (1989), Directed by Nigel Finch, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

BIG BEN GETS A CLEAN

The hands of the worlds most famous clock were stopped at midday on the 18th August as a team of abseilers scaled Big Ben to give it a clean. Angling sixty metres above ground from one of Britain's most famous landmarks, it was hardly an ordinary day in the office for these window cleaners. Chairman of the British Watch and Clock Makers' Guild, Paul Robeson told The Today Programme the cleaners were 'very brave or mad, one or the other'.

Arena's 'Radio Night' broadcast back in 1993 included a short film dedicated to the Time Signal. Following his discovery that the BBC 'pips' had dropped a semitone, English recorder player Dr. Carl Dolmetsch moved on to the great sounds of Big Ben. He believed the tone of the chiming bells was not the correct pitch and Arena talked to the Deputy Manager of the Palace of Westminster, Brian O'Doyle to find an answer.

 Arena: The Time Signal (1993), Directed by Fisher Dilke, Series Editor - Anthony Wall

'JAZZ CORNER' AT WOODLAWN CEMETERY

Jazz fans are now able to make their adoration permanent by buying a plot right next to some of the jazz greats buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, New York. The cemetery hosts its very own 'jazz corner' where Duke Ellington bought his lot in 1959, next to Miles Davis. Many other musical legends are buried here including Lionel Hampton, Max Roach and Celia Cruz. The five acre hill next door, formerly a composting site, has now been freed up fo the public, many of whom have bought plots to ensure they can be close to their jazz heroes.

Musical pioneer Duke Ellington was a composer, pianist and bandleader of jazz orchestras from 1923 until his death in 1974. Born in Washington, he was based in New York from the mid 1920's and gained a national profile through his orchestra's appearances at the Cotton Club. He remains one of the most influential figures in jazz, if not in all American music. In 1983, Arena looked back at some of the great legends of jazz with 'Jazz Juke Box' presented by blues singer George Melley. He discusses the great work of Ellington in conversation with Slim Gaillard who recounts tales of Ellington's former partner Ivie Anderson and her famous chicken shack.

Arena: Jazz Juke Box (1983). Directed by Anthony Wall