The 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin has inspired the town of his birth, Shrewsbury to put together a programme of festivities. A selection of the country’s most talented artists, leading academic figures and celebrity speakers from across the globe will be travelling to the Heart of England, bringing to life the legacy of one of history’s most well known and controversial figures in a range of events from January to November.
The Darwin celebrations are part of a year-long Celebration of Imagination – events to mark key anniversaries of iconic heroes in the Heart of England. The anniversaries include 300 years since the start of the industrial revolution in Ironbridge, Stratford–upon-Avon’s celebration of the 400th anniversary of the publication of Shakespeare’s sonnets and fifty years since the first ever Mini rolled off the production line. More details can be found at www.celebrationofimagination.co.uk.
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50 years ago, the English country house seemed headed for extinction. Instead it was the start of a new golden ageRather than perceiving the mid 20th century as a troubled period in the history of the country house, John Martin Robinson argues that it was perhaps one of the most interesting, unexpected and enterprising. All photography from the Country Life Image Archive, by June Buck, Paul Barker, Val Corbett, Will Pryce and Paul Highnam.
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'Meat, ale and guns — what else do you need, bar glorious scenery?': William Sitwell on the Brendon Hills, West SomersetWilliam Sitwell chooses the Brendon Hills as his piece of heaven in Britain.
