Country Life Today: The Queen bids farewell to fur
In today's round-up, we bring you news of a chilling exhibition, a mystery surrounding sea eagles and a landmark move for the monarch.
The Queen will no longer wear fur
Her Majesty's Personal Adviser and Curator has confirmed that The Queen will sport faux fur from now on, unless she re-wears items already in her wardrobe which already contain animal fur.
'If Her Majesty is due to attend an engagement in particularly cold weather, from 2019 onwards fake fur will be used to make sure she stays warm,' said Ms Kelly in her memoir.
The news has been embraced by activists, including Humane Society International.
'Our Head of State going fur-free sends a powerful message that fur is firmly out of fashion and does not belong with Brand Britain,' said Claire Bass, executive director of Humane Society International.
However, the British Fur Trade Association (BFTA) has warned against banning fur, arguing that it is sustainable, plastic-free and lasts a long time.
The Duchess of Cambridge wears fur, but ensures it comes from ethical sources, including the Fairtrade brand Peruvian Connection.
'The Royal Family have been at forefront of championing animal welfare and conservation efforts across the globe for many years something that aligns fully with responsibly sourced fur,' said a BFTA spokesman.
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The spooky exhibition that promises to send shivers down your spine
A Bristol museum is determined to change people’s minds about magic. The display explores how science, religion and the supernatural are intertwined through a collection of more than 200 paintings, items of clothing, objects and figurines.
The star of the show is a West African sculpture, found in Derbyshire in the 1970s, which is so spooky that ‘even now, no one in the museum really wants to handle him’.
Farmers reject former DEFRA chief scientist's call for changes to red-meat production and consumption
The farming industry has criticised claims by former DEFRA chief scientist Sir Ian Boy, that, to meet its net-zero targets, the UK should reduce meat intake and consider switching to more intensive production methods.
'British farmers are already leading the way in producing some of the world’s most climate friendly food, with beef production, for example, having a GHG footprint 2.5 times less than the global average,' said NFU President Minette Batters. 'Climate change is arguably one of the biggest challenges facing society globally, which is why we have set out our ambitious plans for how farming could be to be Net Zero by 2040. This plan needs a concerted effort and support from across our sector, with government and others, and we look forward to a productive and effective working relationship with the new chief scientist Professor Gideon Henderson.' Full story (Country Life)
Mystery surrounds sea-eagle disappearance
Two satellite-tagged white-tailed sea eagles have vanished, according to RSPB Scotland. They were last recorded near Inverness and Aberdeen respectively, but transmission from their tags ended on July 22.
The RSPB believes they may have been illegally killed while flying above grouse moors, but the Scottish Land and Estates Association expressed their disappointment that ‘the "finger of blame" had been pointed at the shooting industry.
On this day...
November 6 proved to be a deadly day in the history of modern British transport. In 1986, a Chinook crashed east of Sumburgh Airport, in the Shetland Islands, killing 45 people in the world’s worst civilian helicopter crash. Eighteen years later, a train travelling from Paddington to Plymouth hit a car at a level crossing by the village of Ufton Nervet, in West Berkshire. Seven people died and 150 were injured. Twelve years later, a bridge replaced the crossing, making that stretch of railway safer.
Old Masters or new forgeries?
A forger has claimed he painted ten or more works that had been previously displayed by the Prince’s Foundation at Dumfries House. The priceless collection, which included what were thought to be paintings by Monet, Picasso, and Salvador Dalí, had been loaned to the Prince of Wales' charity by British businessman James Stunt.
'It is extremely regrettable that the authenticity of these particular few paintings, which are no longer on display, now appears to be in doubt,' said a Prince's Trust spokesman.
And finally... An awe-inspiring tree
Liberty has unveiled its ‘Tree of Liberty’, which has been hand-carved by artists and was created in three sections due to its size, is covered in reindeer moss and cloud-like blossom coloured with natural dye.
Credit: Getty Images/WPA Pool
'No Barry, this is how we are going to do it. Just keep the camera rolling': Queen poses as she never has before
The Queen has been captured in a wholly new light in a book released by Her Majesty’s Personal Adviser and
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo
Country Life today: Eagles spell trouble, the cheapest Cotswolds cottage and an underground farm
In today’s round-up we bring you news of sea eagles arriving in England, a charming Cotswold cottage for £12,000 and
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Brockfield Hall, the great Yorkshire house that's gone from Regency mansion to modern family home
Brockfield Hall in North Yorkshire is the family home of Charlie Wood and Hatta Byng, editor of House & Garden, who have transformed it since they came here in 2020, winning multiple awards in the process. John Martin Robinson reports on the restoration project that revived this compact Regency house as a modern family home. Photographs by Paul Highnam for Country Life.
By John Martin Robinson Published
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Barbour’s heritage jackets get a floral makeover courtesy of Erdem
Utilitarian outwear has taken the fashion world by storm and now Britain's world-famous wax jackets are getting in on the act, inspired by some of our greatest countryside icons.
By Amy de la Haye Published
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The brilliant tractor tribute to the NHS from a group of Warwickshire farmers
People 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.
By Toby Keel Published
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London's iconic red bus at risk and 6,000 year old chewing gum gives clues into our DNA history
Cuts 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.
By Alexandra Fraser Published
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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 enemies
A superbly intact dinosaur skeleton — described as being 'museum quality' — has been discovered on a beach in Somerset.
By Toby Keel Published
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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 talks
This morning we look at Little Langdale's fight for peace, reflect on the climate change talks in Madrid and discover the soundtrack for Brexit.
By Toby Keel Published
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Country Life Today: How Greta Thunberg shifted the dial on climate change — and the backlash shows just how much
This 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'.
By Toby Keel Published
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Country Life Today: Great news for those who love our great country pubs — the years of decline are over
There 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.
By Toby Keel Published
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Country Life Today: Spain accused of being 'a deplorable choice' for UN climate conference
A 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.
By Carla Passino Published
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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.
By Carla Passino Published