Sidney Chambers and Other Stories

Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death Author: James RunciePublished: 24th April 2012Goodreads Rating: 3.68 out of 5Reviewed: July 2017 In 2014, ITV broadcasted the first episode of Grantchester, a drama series based on books by British novelist James Runcie. Although written during the twenty-first … Continue reading

Fly In League With The Night

Cut short in 2020 due to lockdown, Tate Britain’s exhibition Lynette Yiadom-Boakye: Fly In League With The Night has returned to the gallery for a final three months after touring internationally. Open to the public until 26th February 2023, the exhibition showcases … Continue reading

5 Book Reviews

Looking at the StarsAuthor: Jo CotterillPublished: 30th January 2014ISBN13: 9781782300182Goodreads Rating: 4.18 out of 5Reviewed: June 2014 Looking at the Stars by Jo Cotterill is a beautiful story targeted at older children and young adults. It handles serious themes that most … Continue reading

Twinings of London

In 1662, the Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza (1638-1705) married Charles II (1630-85), bringing with her a tea-drinking habit that changed the course of British history. After serving the beverage to members of the English Royal court, tea became a fashionable drink … Continue reading

The Genius of Hard Work

“I know of no genius but the genius of hard work.” J.M.W. Turner Lending his name to the Turner Prize, held annually at Tate Britain, J.M.W Turner is one of the most notable artists in British history. Galleries across the UK … Continue reading

Late Constable

Until 13th February 2022, The Royal Academy of Arts is looking back at the work of one of their graduates, John Constable. Rather than look at all of his paintings, the Academy has chosen examples from the final twelve years … Continue reading

The Queen of Science

When researching women of science, Mary Somerville is a name that frequently crops up. Since past societies often wrote women out of history, Mary Somerville must have been a scientist of some significance to feature so often in biographies of … Continue reading

Looking Sharp

In the National Gallery, is a painting called The Sharp Family by Johann Zoffany (1733-1810), a German neoclassical painter. Zoffany, who spent his early years in England under the patronage of George III (1738-1820) and Queen Charlotte (1744-1818), captured the Sharp Family … Continue reading

The Tale of Beatrix Potter

The Victoria and Albert Museum in London boasts the world’s largest collection of drawings, manuscripts, correspondence and photographs belonging to the highly successful children’s author Beatrix Potter. Best known for her creation of the much loved Peter Rabbit, Potter was also … Continue reading

Beside the Sea

In recent years, scientific studies have proven the human brain is hardwired to react positively to water. Being near the sea, for example, has helped many people feel calmer, happier and healthier. Since ancient times, humans have associated water with … Continue reading