CATEGORIES

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

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

Royal Relics

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

Travelling Well

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

"Time's Up!"

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

WOODEN WONDERS

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

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

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

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

Dreaming of Jeannie

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

INCREDIBLE TELEVISION CONTENT

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

Kate's Lasting Legacy

Artist Kate Greenaway managed to influence fashion in two separate centuries, as Susan Brewer reveals

Summer Wine and Worzel Weather

For some actors, their first steps into the profession are often hindered by their parents’ desire for them to “get a proper job”. Not so Sarah Thomas, who played Glenda in the sitcom Last of the Summer Wine.

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\"