Topic: May 2011

Dateline

Met Office, Bracknell

Exploring Beautiful Bath!

Bath is famous for its famous Roman architecture and is a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Join us as we take a trip to the beautiful city!

Boris Bikes, a Place by the Fire and Gin in Teacups

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Living the History: What’s Right About Britain

AS THE HEADLINES in this issue’s Dateline indicate, it has been an eventful early winter in Britain. Apart from the upcoming royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, the daily onslaught of news, both economic and meteorological, has been depressing. With so many things seeming to go awry, this seems to be a good time to reflect on what’s actually right about Britain. After all, there are so many things about Britain that many of us have long admired. First, Great Britain has a knack for historic preservation. I’ve long maintained that Britain lives more comfortably in its history than anywhere else in the world. It’s a British way of life, perhaps taken for granted, that integrates the old, very old, ancient and timeless into daily life. The castle off the market place is as much a part of the present as it was when it was first built. That embracing of the past’s fabric is reflected in institutions like the National Trust. Its membership of some 3 million people contributes crucially to the preservation of 100s of stately homes, medieval abbeys and historic sites, and 1,000s of acres of recreational, scenic and eco-sensitive land. English Heritage, Cadw and Historic Scotland are popularly supported in their task of maintaining and administrating hundreds of sites important to Britain’s political, ecclesiastical, social and industrial history. Across the island, Britain excels in identifying, researching and preserving the artifacts, edifices and locales of its history. It adapts well to living with them and presents them superbly to visitors. The gift shops and tea rooms are a bonus. Second, there is a general acceptance of and widespread support for eco-conservation. Yes, it’s a long drive from Penzance to Canterbury, but this sceptered isle is still a relatively small island. The natural resources, habitats and ecosystems of the country need to be managed pretty well to sustain the demands of its population— agriculturally, recreationally and environmentally. And they are. From the magnificent Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust at Slimbridge to the first nest of breeding ospreys this year on Rutland Water, wetlands and reservoirs are preserved and protected for wildlife and a healthy ecosystem. Both ancient customs and today’s Forestry Service maintain down near the Solent some 70,000-acres of the New Forest.

Making Lemonade

Beyond the Bookshelf

The Anglo-File

A Commonplace Book

[caption id="ACommonplaceBook_img1" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] From The Tors and other cliffside hotels, the views over Lynmouth harbor and the North Devon coast are unbeatable.[/caption]