Best of British - May 2023

In this issue

Join us for the May issue of Best of British as we celebrate production company ITC, creator of classic series such as The Saint, and speak to Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) star Annette Andre. Elsewhere, we get under the bonnet of a century-old hybrid car, remember rock’n’roll star Billy Fury, and look at the BBC’s “experiment in time” that imagined TV in the days of Elizabeth I.

INCREDIBLE TELEVISION CONTENT

Will Barber-Taylor tells the story of the hit-making production and distribution company ITC

6 mins

Dreaming of Jeannie

Simon Stabler talks to actress Annette Andre, a star of the detective series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)

10+ mins

BEATING THE BLITZ

Steven Taylor delves into the archives and unearths some of Winston Churchill’s bizarre schemes to defeat the Luftwaffe’s night-time bombing offensive of Britain

5 mins

POSTCARD FROM BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Bob Barton goes in search of the cherry to top off his visit, revives fond childhood memories of carpentry with Grandad, and is transfixed by the variety of houses

5 mins

The Queen of Beers

As beers commemorating the King’s coronation hit the pubs and off licences, Simon Stabler raises a glass to a beer brewed to mark the last such event

3 mins

WOODEN WONDERS

More than a century ago, the Lanchester brothers began producing motorcars that were years ahead of their time

5 mins

"Time's Up!"

Chris Hallam pays tribute to Betty Boothroyd, the first female speaker of the House of Commons

5 mins

Travelling Well

Chris Hallam looks back on the political career of Michael Portillo, now better known as a presenter of travel documentaries for television

5 mins

Royal Relics

As souvenirs fill the shops ahead of the coronation of King Charles III, Susan Brewer looks back at previous commemorative memorabilia

5 mins

An Elizabethan Evening

Kevin Geddes looks back on the BBC's “experiment in time”, which imagined how television would have looked during the time of Queen Elizabeth I

3 mins

Halfway to Paradise

Pete Nelson remembers singer-songwriter Billy Fury

6 mins

Chapter and Verse

The National Trust’s latest publication highlights the range and variety of 100 intriguing books from its vast collection

4 mins

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Best of British Magazine Description:

Best of British is the UK’s premier nostalgia magazine covering every aspect of life from the 1930s to today. Every issue is packed with features that celebrate classic entertainment, transport, food and drink, and the great British countryside. Our readers are at the heart of what we do. As well as taking their suggestions on board, their voices are heard through our Yesterday Remembered memoir section, along with the Postbag and Question Time pages.