WELCOME TO DECEMBER 2018

In Britain, something happened everywhere. Sit down for a biscuit on a rock in England, Wales or Scotland and the chances are, there used to be a druid worshipping site there, some Clan had a castle there, some cattle were hidden there, a scientist came up with a theory there, or you turn round and discover a little plaque informing you that an infamous queen had her head chopped off there (the last one might seem obscure but this genuinely happened to me once just down the road; I had no idea). We live in the most story-rich nation in the world. Compare it to bits of Canada, when quite possibly the last thing to walk there before you was a Tyrannosaur, and you may feel claustrophobic. But here’s the thing: our outside is gorgeous. Worked, used, lived in, but loved. For me it makes it more interesting, richer, more ours. More shared, through time. And for the finest example of this shared love, see page 46. And next time you are up in those fells, for all it later led to, mumble thanks. They did a good thing there. Simon Ingram, editor (Twitter @MrSimonIngram)