Wallace and Gromit are unlikely heroes: a not-very-good amateur inventor from the north of England and his long-suffering dog. But they have won hearts and minds all over the world since their first appearance in 1989 and now they are back in their second feature film: Vengeance Most Fowl. They have to face an old … Continue reading “Wallace and Gromit Are Back”
Veteran British street photographer Martin Parr is well known for capturing quirky images that make you wonder what is happening. There are lots on view at two exhibitions in Paris, at the Irish Cultural Centre and the Fondation Henri Bresson. Parr hails from Surrey in southern England but has been photographing Irish subjects for over … Continue reading “Martin Parr’s Ireland and England”
In Shine Bright AMC File 19 A Tale of British Cities, we mentioned that Liverpool had been threatened with losing its UNESCO World Heritage status because of property develop plans in the historic heart of the city. On 21 July 2021, the announcement was made: UNESCO has stripped Liverpool of the status. And on 28th, … Continue reading “Liverpool Loses Unesco World Heritage Status”
23 April is a day for celebration in England. It’s the national day, in honour of England’s patron saint, St George. It’s both Shakespeare’s birthday and death day. Each of the British home nations has a national day associated with its patron saint: George for England, David for Wales (1 March), Patrick for Northern Ireland … Continue reading “St George’s Day”
On 18 July, the 200th anniversary of Jane Austen’s death, the Bank of England revealed a new £10 bearing the image of one of Britain’s most enduring authors. Austen joins Winston Churchill, who has been honoured on the £5 note since September 2016, and the artist JMW Turner, whose portrait will adorn the £20 note … Continue reading “Honouring Jane Austen”
Two hundred years after her death, Jane Austen remains one of Britain’s best-loved authors. Yet in her short lifetime, she was unknown. Austen was born in 1775 in Hampshire, the seventh of eight children of a vicar. She had a happy childhood and youth in a family that read books aloud to each other and … Continue reading “Remembering Jane Austen”
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a major event in English history, which ushered in 400 years of Norman rule of England. After William the Conqueror won the English crown, French became the legal language of England for 300 years. This topic is rich in elements of British culture, and fits perfectly with the … Continue reading “The Battle of Hastings”
The Battle of Hastings in 1066 was a major turning point in British history. The victory of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy, changed whole course of Britain’s history and culture. Not least the language, as French became the legal language of England for the next 300 years. The 950th anniversary of the battle this … Continue reading “1066: Battle of Hastings”