CATEGORIES

From here to immunity

There’s no quick way out of the coronavirus pandemic. Vaccines need money, time and luck, says Florence Walker

Bee home and bee safe

With its Doric pilasters and Gothic arches, this queen of bee houses is so precious that it’s a listed building, blessed by a bishop

SEE THE LIGHT

Although born in Nord and educated in Paris, Henri Matisse’s artistic work was influenced most vividly by his time on the Côte d’Azur, as Lara Dunn discovers

PÉZENAS

This medieval Languedoc town with a history of power and privilege charms

Le weekend Short but sweet city breaks

Brigitte Nicolas is in awe of the history and culture Albi has to offer

Music to MY EARS

Keith Mundy visits the merry accordion town of Tulle in Nouvelle-Aquitaine during its annual music festival

FIND YOUR FEET

Where the mountains meet the sea, Helen Parkinson puts her best foot forward to discover the pleasures of Pyréné es-Orientales

PÉTANQUE

Helen Parkinson is bowled over by the worldwide appeal of this quintessentially Provençal pastime

Piece of CAKE

Lucy Parford joins a French country baking class in London led by Master Pâtissier Eric Lanlard

3 HIDDEN GARDENS

Get some fresh air and escape the crowds in these horticultural havens

You got the fear

‘Back home in lockdown, I feel an urge to cough but try to supress it as though I can repel early virus symptoms away using the power of my mind’

The show must go on

Stroud musician Sam Sweeney talks about live streaming, being in Bellowhead, releasing his second solo album, and the challenges of social distancing

B is for BURFORD

Tracy Spiers take a wander around the streets – and letters – of the Oxfordshire town of Burford

THE WILD SIDE OF COWS

May is the month for blue skies and blossom, along with swifts and swallows and the occasional slow worm. It’s also the time when cows are released onto some of the Cotswolds’ most precious wildlife-life-rich sites. Sue Bradley explains why

One of the GOODIE guys

Actor, writer and comedian Tim Brooke-Taylor – patriotic coward in the Goodies; regular panellist on Radio 4’s I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue – has known them all: John Cleese, Peter Cook, Humphrey Lyttelton, Eric Morecambe... Sparky, the smooth-haired Border Terrier. Katie Jarvis asked her own comedy hero how it feels to be a comedy hero

The man who taught three geniuses

When the organ loft at Gloucester Cathedral became the training ground for three iconic composers

Golden footsteps

As celebrations get under way for the 50th anniversary of the Cotswold Way, Siân Ellis looks at why it is such a popular long-distance trail

Getting the flock out of OZ

Candia McKormack talks to Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen about working on a design project close to his heart – and Siddington home – as well as trying to get home from Australia during lockdown, andseeking the elusive positives in Covid-19

AVEBURY: Tales of the Prehistoric Cathedral of Wiltshire

In the strange time of self-isolation in which I’m writing this, we’re having to content ourselves with the familiarity of our homes. I’ve been musing about my favourite places, and I’d like to share with you a place I love, one that’s full of energy, that I go to when I need to recharge my batteries

TOWN AND COUNTRY: Esher & Claygate

Normally among Surrey’s most cosmopolitan towns, Esher may be a little quieter than usual at the moment but it’s a place that’s still packed full of fascinating history, beautiful scenes and creative communities :

Working From Home – from home

This month comedian Paul Kerensa tries to get to grips with the new work-life balance

SURREY CHARACTERS

While we might not be able to visit our favourite Surrey venues at the moment, it’s important to remember those who work tirelessly behind the scenes to make them the special places they are. As we celebrate Surrey Day on May 2, Tinx Newton hears from five of the county’s devoted characters

High Hopes

Shahid Azeem takes over the distinguished role of High Sheriff of Surrey for 2020 – a year that is shaping up to be the most extraordinary we’ve ever seen. Zoe Richards chatted to him to find out about his vision for the job and his remarkable life story

DISTANT HORIZONS

As well as producing multi-Gold-award-winning English sparkling wine, the gardens at High Clandon Estate Vineyard offer panoramic views of the Surrey Hills across sweeps of lawn and wafting meadow flowers

CULTURE VULTURE

Guildford-based singer/songwriter Majella Yorston is bringing country classics to a new audience wither her new self-titled EP

Back to the garden

Mother Nature isn’t affected; in fact it’s probably doing better with less pollution around, so here are some positive garden ideas to enjoy amongst the gloom of the coronavirus pandemic

Click and digest

With supermarket shelves barer than usual, plenty of Surrey businesses have risen to the challenge of delivering delicious delicacies right to our doorsteps. We round up some of the best local online food delivery services

30 YEARS OF THE AUCTION CHANT

From OO7 posters to famous football memorabelia, Ewabank’s has seen and sold a wealth of interesting lots since it opened the doors of its Surrey auction house in 1990. Ivan Macquisten finds out more

Stay At Home Survival Guide

With time on our hands, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained, get creative or self-improve this May. What’s more, it’s a great way to show your support for the many small businesses around Surrey coming up with new ways to work

SHOUT-OUT

The big lockdown has brought out the best of Yorkshire heart and spirit in community and business…