CATEGORIES
THE CREEPING UNKNOWN
Jon Dear celebrates 70 years of Quatermass and its lasting legacy
FROM ONE THEATRE TO ANOTHER
Chris Hallam celebrates the life of actress turned politician Glenda Jackson
THE CHOICE OF CHAMPIONS
Hilary Middleton looks back on the history of Umbro, “the sportswear people”
ONE OF THE BEST
The name Bentley conjures up opulence, comfort and speed. François Prins looks at the history of this remarkable marque that is admired the world over
Make Do and Mend
Simon Stabler enjoys an eco-friendly break in Bomber County
POSTCARD FROM WOLVERHAMPTON
Bob Barton shines a Sunbeam on the city’s industrial heritage and iconic buildings
THE AUSTERITY GAMES
John Greeves looks back at the 1948 London Olympics
FOOD & DRINK
TASTES GONE BY AND THE FLAVOURS OF TODAY
SHARP PRACTICES
It pays to be vigilant, warns Derek Lamb
Jazzy Jingles
Advertising jingles have a habit of working their way into our memories and taking up residence because the repetitive tunes and memorable lyrics are designed to trigger singalong behaviour.
Commercial GREATS
Sam Savelli offers an exclusive look inside Britain’s largest treasure trove of vintage adverts
Question time
Send us your questions and we'll track down the answers
Postbag
The Editor welcomes letters for this section. Pictures are appreciated. Letters may be edited so that we can include as many as possible
THE HOUSE OF SECRETS
Picture-perfect Harvington Hall hosts many surprises. Claire Saul visits this unique Worcestershire treasure to discover some of them
Finding His True Self
Chris Hallam pays tribute to the many different lives of comedian and broadcaster Paul O'Grady
WHEN 'ENRY'S 'AMMER FLOORED CLAY
Colin Allan looks back 60 years to the night Henry Cooper took on Cassius Clay
THE GOLD STANDARD
Simon Stabler climbs on board the Golden Hinde, a much-travelled replica of Sir Francis Drake’s galleon
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
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
The Girl from Mars
Chris Hallam looks back to when Helen Sharman became the first Briton in space
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
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
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
Cereal Thriller
Simon Stabler joins the breakfast club
The Fall and Rise of Tony Hancock
Robert Ross examines the continuing legacy of the lad himself
Dame Mary Quant
The fashion designer Dame Mary Quant has died. She was 93.
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.
BACK IN TIME WITH COLIN BAKER
BoB’s very own Time Lord shares fond memories of the stars of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased), and reminds us that the leaf doesn’t fall far from the tree
Chapter and Verse
The National Trust’s latest publication highlights the range and variety of 100 intriguing books from its vast collection
Halfway to Paradise
Pete Nelson remembers singer-songwriter Billy Fury