Celebrate Apple Day
Today sees the UK’s annual celebration of apples and orchards. Launched in 1990, the event is not only a way to pay tribute to a staple of the British diet but also an opportunity to reflect on the richness and distinctiveness of heritage apple varieties, ensuring they are preserved for the future. And of course it’s the perfect excuse to enjoy a glass of cider...
Climate emergency future revealed in hard-hitting installation
A new immersive experience at the National Trust’s Montacute House, near Yeovil, in Somerset, shows what life will be like in 2050 if temperatures keep rising.
Using augmented reality and CGI imagery, it contrasts a heavily polluted world wrecked by climate change, with the rich wildlife and environment we can have if we curb greenhouse-gas emissions.
The installation encourages people to do their bit by using smart meters to reduce their energy consumption.
Hepworth sculpture saved for Cheltenham through listing
A Cheltenham building that features a sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth on its façade has been granted Grade II-listed status, ensuring the artwork won’t be removed from it.
Installed in 1972 on the then newly-built Cheltenham House, in Clarence Street, the tryptic, called Theme and Variations, was the last public commission by the Wakefield-born artist, who died in 1975. It measures about 30ft and Hepworth said it was the longest work she had ever done.
The owners had proposed taking away the bronze from and replacing it with an exact replica. A Building Preservation Notice issued by the local council initially protected the original façade, which has now been listed, citing, among others, the fact that ‘the sculpture was designed to be part of the street scene, its character unfolding to the view from different angles and distances, demonstrating Hepworth’s skilful demonstration of the potential for art to enhance the built environment and become ingrained into a collective sense of place.’
Experts baffled at mass pied wagtail deaths in Coventry
Animal welfare charities are investigating a mass death that saw a grim shower of birds dropping dead to the ground outside the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire, in the West Midlands, earlier this month. A local man who had been visiting his grandmother at the hospital began filming the incident as more and more animals, later identified as pied wagtails, fell from the sky (as documented in the video below but, please note you may find it distressing).
Although many conspiracy theorists were quick to blame 5G, a trial for which was recently started in the area, the most likely explanation for the mass death was that the birds hit the hospital windows. ‘I didn't see any hit windows, but I've spoken to the RSPB who have taken a look at the video, and they think that most of the birds have twisted necks, like they've hit something,’ the man told Coventry Live.
The RSPB has now passed all the information to the RSPCA, which is investigating. Anyone with information should call 0300 123 8018.
On this day
On October 21, 1956, Carrie Fisher was born. The Star Wars icon was the daughter of actress Debbie Reynolds and singer Eddie Fisher. After a difficult childhood, she made her acting debut at 18 appearing as Lorna Karpf in the comedy Shampoo. But it was two years later that she shot to global superstardom, when she appeared as Princess Leia in the first of George Lucas’ Star Wars films, Episode IV – A New Hope.
Despite a varied career that saw her appear in films as diverse as The Blues Brothers and When Harry Met Sally, she remained identified with Princess Leia in the popular imagination, a role she took up again in 2014 with the launch of the series’ sequels. She had recently completed filming Star Wars: The Last Jedi when she died at age 60 in December 2016.
Beware poisonous mushrooms
Foragers are being warned that poisonous fungi are peppering woods across the country following the recent discovery of the fairy tale mushroom —as toxic as it is pretty — at the rich foraging grounds of Thetford Forest, on the border between Suffolk and Norfolk.
Forestry England has asked people to forage ‘sensibly and responsibly,’ ensuring they know what they are picking and urging them not to take mushrooms from wildlife conservation areas. Full story (Thetford & Brandon Times)
And finally... your chance to see a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine
A treat is in store for Thomas fans. A life-size copy of the beloved character is making an appearance at the Kirklees Light Railway on November 9 and 10.
The first train of the day, which departs at 10 am, will be pulled by Thomas all the way from Clayton West to Shelley — a 25-minute journey — with Emily and local locomotives Owl and Sian pulling the later services.
Other memorable characters from the Wilbert and Christopher Awdry series will be on hand to entertain visitors, from Mavis to Toby and the Fat Controller.
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If the future of Ferrari is electric vehicles, then it is our future tooIt's widely believed that Ferrari will unveil its first electric car this year. It's the signal that the internal combustion era is coming to an end.
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Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
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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.
