Best of British - June 2023

In this issue

Join us for the June issue of Best of British as we celebrate the legacy of Tony Hancock, pay tribute to Paul O’Grady, mark 60 years since the Henry Cooper v Cassius Clay fight, look back on the work of special effects supremo Derek Meddings, remember when Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space, and celebrate the record-breaking InterCity 125.

Declaring a Display

The Declaration of Arbroath, a letter urging Pope John XXII to recognise Scotland’s independence and acknowledge Robert the Bruce as the country’s lawful king, will go on display at the National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh (0300 123 6789, nms. ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland) from 3 June to 2 July.

1 min

Dame Mary Quant

The fashion designer Dame Mary Quant has died. She was 93.

1 min

The Fall and Rise of Tony Hancock

Robert Ross examines the continuing legacy of the lad himself

9 mins

Cereal Thriller

Simon Stabler joins the breakfast club

5 mins

THE MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF LESLIE HOWARD

John Greeves looks at the untimely death of the Gone With the Wind star amid speculation this was an attempt by the Nazis to kill Winston Churchill

5 mins

POSTCARD FROM BELFAST

Bob Barton goes in search of the Chronicles of Narnia author CS Lewis, steps back in time, learns more about the story of the Titanic and goes to the theatre

5 mins

Ready for Action!

Paul Carey looks at the work of special effects designer Derek Meddings, which included the Thunderbirds series and the James Bond franchise

6 mins

The Girl from Mars

Chris Hallam looks back to when Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space

5 mins

CATHERINE THE GREAT

On the 25th anniversary of the bestselling author’s death, Caroline Roope turns the pages of the remarkable backstory of Dame Catherine Cookson

5 mins

RAIL BLAZER

Fifty years ago, British Rail’s prototype High Speed Train set a new diesel speed record. Tony Bending looks back on this achievement

5 mins

THE GOLD STANDARD

Simon Stabler climbs on board the Golden Hinde, a much-travelled replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon

5 mins

WHEN 'ENRY'S 'AMMER FLOORED CLAY

Colin Allan looks back 60 years to the night Henry Cooper took on Cassius Clay

5 mins

Finding His True Self

Chris Hallam pays tribute to the many different lives of comedian and broadcaster Paul O'Grady

5 mins

THE HOUSE OF SECRETS

Picture-perfect Harvington Hall hosts many surprises. Claire Saul visits this unique Worcestershire treasure to discover some of them

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.