Editor’s Letter Angela Linforth
. . . to our autumn issue, which seems to have come around before summer really began.
As we go to press, the football has been dominating our lives, and what an absolute thrill it’s been (and I say that as someone who isn’t ordinarily interested). It might not have ended as we hoped, but getting to the final was an achievement in itself and a wonderful opportunity for the country to unite, celebrate and be proud.
When Paul James’s 14-year megaseries on the Kings and Queens of England reached its climax earlier this year with the piece on HM Queen Elizabeth II, many readers got in touch suggesting all 56 pieces should be put together in one volume. It has now been turned into a fabulous 444-page book – and what a rollercoaster it is. Our long-standing readers already know its quality, and I would thoroughly recommend it for anyone who enjoyed the series and for those with an interest in an anecdotal, lively account of the history of England.
But just because Paul has finished that series, it certainly doesn’t mean that he’s given up writing for This England. In this issue we introduce his new series about the jewels in the Royal Collection, starting with the fascinating story of the Crown Jewels and the many times they’ve been lost, pawned, sold and stolen – and even dropped into the Wash at one stage!
It’s not the only new series we have. It has also been suggested by readers that perhaps we should start to take an in-depth look at the history of our Prime Ministers. We have started, appropriately, with the first, and one of our most long-standing: Robert Walpole. He survived the cut and thrust of Westminster for more than 20 years at the very top, a feat I suspect we will appreciate much more as we get further into the series. We are also delighted to introduce our talented new history writer, Andrew Shaw (right).
It’s not all about the old, though. We’ve gone right to the cutting edge with Mairi Hughes’s piece about vertical farming. It’s one of the most sustainable ways to produce our food and so much about it makes sense – why fly the herbs and produce that our increasingly sophisticated palates desire halfway round the globe when you can produce them in a controlled environment in London, right on the doorstep of the restaurants that will need them? We also feature more traditional farming with Isobel King’s charming piece about the collie and its contribution to our dales and fields. She talks to award-winning trainer and breeder Emma Gray, whose Border Collie Megan sold for a record-breaking £18,900 last year. Not only that, she also knocked dancer Brendan Cole into shape on a programme called Flockstars. Both pieces are great insights and show how the new generations are shaking up England’s great farming heritage.
We have plenty more, too, from Constable’s years in Brighton to our tour of Dartmoor and Brian Viner’s amusing take on turning 60. Enjoy!