Monthly Archives: October 2012

Britain Begins by Barry Cunliffe

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Francis Pryor

Britain Begins is the title of Professor Sir Barry Cunliffe’s latest book from Oxford University Press. In theory it costs thirty quid, but you could probably get it for closer to twenty. Either way, it’s unbelievably good value for money, … Continue reading →

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Appalling News: Ash Trees are Threatened and Politicians are Brain-Dead

Posted on October 25, 2012 by Francis Pryor

The Forestry Commission have just announced that a deadly disease of native ash trees has been imported into Britain and has escaped and been found on their land in East Anglia. In fairness, the Commission staff are moving heaven and … Continue reading →

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And Now For Something Completely Different: Broccoflower Fractals

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Francis Pryor

With imminent unemployment staring me in the face I’ve been rethinking my world. Well actually, I haven’t. In point of fact, yesterday Maisie and I spent a very pleasant day in London, listening to a lecture on May Morris at … Continue reading →

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Time Team: the End of the Road

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Francis Pryor

Today Channel Four announced that Time Team would cease to be broadcast after Series 20, which goes out early next year. So what went right? How come we managed to keep a big-budget TV series on the nation’s free-view screens … Continue reading →

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Design and Country Gardens

Posted on October 19, 2012 by Francis Pryor

Is it just me, or are modern designed gardens almost always urban in style and feel?  Some resemble stage sets more than places in the real world. Walking around the ‘gardens’ at Chelsea, I soon crave the sight of flies … Continue reading →

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Replicate, re-enact, or rediscover?

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Francis Pryor

I’ve just returned from a day’s visit to the Cranborne Ancient Technology Centre, in deepest rural Dorset. It’s a wonderful place. Everyone, even slightly interested in the past, should pay it a visit. To my huge shame, the last time … Continue reading →

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The New Year Begins

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Francis Pryor

Life is an extraordinary process and nothing is more remarkable than its inception. It’s a great shame that in our hung-up society we choose either to ignore it or, worse, make smutty jokes about it – and I’ve been as … Continue reading →

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Grow Your Own: 1

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Francis Pryor

We recently took a few days off, and as there are about 150 animals still on the farm, we always make sure the place is looked-after by farm-sitters. Sometimes it’s local friends who keep an eye in things, but other … Continue reading →

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