CATEGORIES
IN THE FRAME
From the first appearance of the pedal-driven bicycle, sometime in the 1860s, to the end of the 19th century, the bicycle underwent considerable changes in design, largely to accommodate the various inventions that improved the machine.
A WOMAN OF SUBSTANCE
Jenny Seagrove has famously starred in television series such as A Woman of Substance and Judge John Deed, films like Local Hero and Another Mother's Son, not to mention countless touring and West End plays.
Keeping the Receipt
Claire Saul learns about \"Mrs\" Crocombe, Audley End House & Gardens' Victorian cook who has become a global culinary sensation
POSTCARD FROM GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Bob Barton takes up a new hobby of waterway spotting, is tempted to run away with the circus, goes to jail and discovers where a hit record producer was born
THE MIGHTY METEOR
On 5 March it will be the 80th anniversary of the Gloster Meteor’s maiden flight.
Avid Bird Watchers
Small, gentle and well-spoken, John Bird, who died in December 2022 at the age of 86, might not have seemed like an obvious figure to terrorise the political establishment.
In Loving Memory
Caroline Roope remembers the comic and dramatic acting abilities of the much-loved Dame Thora Hird
POSTCARD FROM WARWICK
A swirling mist adds to a moody atmosphere to a day trip on which Bob Barton is king of the castle, encounters a bear and visits several centuries-old buildings
SAX IN THE CITY
Jon Askew pays tribute to the iconic saxophone solo in Gerry Rafferty's international smash-hit Baker Street and busts an urban myth
Magic Piper
Simon Stabler speaks to Jacki Piper about her career, which includes appearing in four Carry On films
THE SMILE OF VICTORY
Sports artist Paul Trevillion recounts meeting Sir Winston Churchill nearly 70 years ago, after sending the former prime minister a pen and ink portrait
OPERATION MINCEMEAT
John Greeves reveals the detailed planning of World War Two's greatest deception
THE REGENT'S RETURN
Steve Richards chronicles the history and restoration of a \"piano-front\" bus which was found in a field more than 20 years after being taken out of service
CINEMA ROYALTY
Chris Hallam remembers the acting talents of Sylvia Syms, one of the UK's finest screen performers considered by some to be the \"grand dame of British cinema\"
RED RUM to the Rescue
David McVey looks back on the day, 50 years ago, when an epic, showstopping finish saved both the Grand National and Aintree Racecourse
Hitting the Jackpot
On the 70th anniversary of lan Fleming's first James Bond novel, Casino Royale, \"the spy story to end all spy stories\", Angeline Wilcox places her bets on 007
No Stopping Sam
Peter Robertson catches up with the singer-songwriter of the classic hit Stop!
A World in Miniature
Esther Chilton fulfils a lifelong ambition by making the trip across the Solent to visit Godshill Model Village
The ICE Age
Martin Handley turns on and tunes in to in-car entertainment through the decades
Just Williams
Chris Hallam remembers a true genius of the comedy world
CARTER, CARNARVON AND A KING
Glenys Adams puts together the pieces of a historical drama and murder mystery set in Ancient Egypt which continues to fascinate over hundreds of years
SOFA SURFER
Chris Hallam pays tribute to former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull whose long career enabled him to build up an easy intimacy with his audience
THE BIG CHANNEL 4-O
Neil Anthony was in at the start of the UK’s first new television channel for 18 years and recalls the heady and hectic times of producing new programmes
England’s Forgotten Football Great
Yorkshireman George Raynor led Sweden to the final of the 1958 World Cup. Margaret Brecknell remembers a managerial pioneer whose achievements are little recognised in his homeland
THE ORIGINAL BHOY
Celtic are one of Britain’s biggest football clubs but, as Mark Hornsey reveals, they were founded by a humble religious brother as part of his efforts to raise money to help the poor and disadvantaged of Glasgow’s East End
POSTCARD FROM SOUTH YORKSHIRE
Bob Barton visits a man-made island in the cradle of the steel city, enjoys a pub crawl with a rock legends theme and spends a day on the buses
AUNT ESTHER GOES TO WAR
Stephen Bourne remembers his beloved aunt who told him about her life in wartime London as she survived the blitz
Well Worth a Pepys
Simon Stabler discovers a vintage inn that really did improve with age
The Queen's Jesters
Robert Ross runs his rule over the favourite comedians of Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Queen's Champion
Simon Stabler speaks to writer and actor Sanjeev Bhaskar, the star of The Kumars at No 42, Queen Elizabeth II's favourite television programme