Vote for your favourite tree
Ten extraordinary trees, including a tree that continued to grow despite having been felled by a storm, an oak that may date from the Norman Conquest and a Scots pine that twists on itself, are vying for the title of Tree of the Year 2019.
The winner, which will be chosen by public vote, could enter the 2020 European Tree of the Year award. Voting closes on September 27.
Norfolk gets three miles of beaches — and a powerful coastal protection defence
A £22-million sandscaping project, which saw enough sand to fill half of Wembley stadium pumped onto the North Norfolk shores, has created three miles of new beaches around the villages of Bacton and Walcott.
The innovative project, which will help protect the coast from erosion and storm surges for at least 15 years, may be rolled out to other sites across the UK.
Stingy surprise for Cornwall
The strong winds that are buffeting the Cornish coast these days have brought ashore some unexpected visitors. A Portuguese man-o’-war washed up at Portheras Cove, according to local conservation group Friends of Portheras Cove.
http://www.facebook.com/FriendsofPortheras/posts/2502455119821660
The creature, which looks like a jellyfish but is actually a colony of polyps, can inflict extremely painful stings to people. Alongside the man o’ war, the wind also brought several by-the-wind-sailors and plenty of goose barnacles.
Now you can buy your own railway
Ever wanted a railway of your own? Now you can have one for as little as £60,000 (for a seven-year lease).
The one-mile-long Hayling Seaside Railway, which runs from Eastoke Corner to Beachlands, in Hampshire, comes complete with two diesel locomotives, five carriages and even a volunteer Fat Controller.
On This Day...Gibraltar chooses to be British
On September 10, 1967, Gibraltar held a referendum in which people were asked whether they preferred to remain under British sovereignty or move under Spain's, retaining some special conditions in both cases. Nearly all voters chose to remain British.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the referendum, Gibraltar National Day was introduced in September 1992 and has been celebrated ever since.
Own your slice of English literature
Laurie Lee's childhood home, which inspired his 1959 masterpiece Cider with Rosie, is up for sale.
The Grade II-listed cottage can be yours for just £475,000, but requires significant renovation work.
Shear speed: Britain's baarmiest race is on in Frampton
Sheep will do battle at the Frampton Court Estate, in Frampton-on-Severn, next Saturday, September 14, to secure the top spot in the sixth annual sheep-racing competition.
The event, which draws crowds from all over the world, sees the woolly steeds race around a course under the 'expert' guidance of plush-toy jockeys. Punters can make win-only bets, with profits going to charity.
And finally… ‘pup-up’ café comes to Southampton
Attention, all pug and French bulldog owners: a Pug & Frenchie ‘Pup Up’ Café will run in Southampton on October 12 and 13.
The first day will celebrate pugs, with the second devoted to French bulldogs. Lucky pooches can expect plenty of treats, unlimited ‘puppuccinos’, and ball pits, tunnels and toys to keep them entertained.
Country Life Today: The fiery reason the sky is turning purple at sunset
In today's news round-up we bring you Britain’s best pubs, lift the veil on the Loch Ness monster and reveal
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Five frankly enormous mansions, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country LifeSometimes bigger really is better.
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Playing the fool: The rich history of tarot and how it satisfies our desire for transcendenceOnce an elaborate art form that entertained 15th-century Italian nobility, tarot cards have evolved into a tool of divination. A new exhibition shines a light on their history.
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The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmersPeople around Britain have been paying tribute to the efforts of our NHS workers at the time of the coronavirus pandemic — but few have been as creative and clever as this one.
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London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA historyCuts to industry subsidies and an increase in fares has left bus use at its lowest point ever, while DNA extracted from ancient 'chewing gum' allows scientists to decipher the genetic code of a Stone Age woman.
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90-million-year-old 'swimming dinosaur' skeleton found by dogs out walking in Somerset, and the nonchalant moths who don't bother fleeing enemiesA superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
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Battle to ban 4x4s from the idyllic Lake District spot bequeathed by Beatrix Potter, eagle fights octopus and the 'snail's pace' climate talksThis morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
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Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how muchThis morning we ponder whether Greta Thunberg is the Joan of Arc for the environmental movement, look at a key election — one from 19 years ago — and ponder the marvel of 'dad tidying'.
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Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are overThere is a great sign of health in the pub industry, we look back at Edward VIII's abdication message and fret about Greenland's melting ice.
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Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conferenceA no-holds-barred assault on the Spanish fishing industry, Banksy raising awareness of the homeless and the woes of the Christmas jumper are in today's news round-up.
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Country Life Today: 'This is perhaps the ultimate wake-up call from the uncontrolled experiment humanity is unleashing on the world’s oceans'In today's round up, we examine why oxygen loss is putting oceans at risk, discover that action to cut air pollution brings almost immediate benefits to human health and find out which bird's arrival marks the start of winter in Gloucestershire.
