The boy treble’s solo in Once in Royal David’s City, sounded in a darkened cathedral, is a truly special moment for many. The true start of the festivities commences with…
Country House
Rural community churches: serving a rural congregation
Village life relies upon rural community churches, as they are often the only community building left. This is never more so than at Christmas, as three Anglican bishops explain to…
Winter solstice traditions: a bleak but beautiful mid winter
The days are shortening and darkness has descended – midwinter is more certainly bleak. But the colour brought by the winter solstice traditions, expertly adopted into our culture by the…
Christmas tree farming: o, Christmas tree
The tradition of decorating a tree for Christmas goes back to the Victorian times. But the techniques behind Christmas tree farming are decidely modern, discovers Graham Downing. There is no…
Audi A4 Avant 40 TDI quattro
The Audi A4 has come a long way in 25 years. Charlie Flindt is impressed by the new Audi A4 Avant TDI quattro, though restrained in its styling, it reeks…
A Christmas Carol: a Dickens of a Christmas
Shocked by the effect of the Industrial Revolution on working children, Charles Dickens planned to write a political pamphlet. Instead he published A Christmas Carol, with a festive blueprint that…
Debbie Harris, sporting artist
Her atmospheric oil paintings have attracted a legion of admirers, but for Debbie Harris it all began with a love for dogs and hunting, as Janet Menzies discovers. For more…
Wool churches built on golden fleeces
Once a wonder of England, wool had both economic and ecclesiastical benefits, says Matthew Dennison, as he considers the country’s wool churches. From country Christmas cards and what to serve…
Rosie van Cutsem, sporting Diana
From learning to shoot as a child to discovering her true love for horses and hunting, Rosie van Cutsem founded The Riding Club London for like minded equine enthusiasts and…
Range Rover Sport HST
With flash styling, shiny black wheels and suede-covered interior, the farmyard doesn’t seem the natural home of the Range Rover Sport HST. Yet a week in the country and it…