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William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth

Born in Cockermouth, Cumbria in 1770, Wordsworth was one of the first Romantic poets. He lived a long and prolific life, enjoying some acclaim for his poetry during his lifetime, and becoming poet laureate (poet to the Royal Household) seven years before he died in 1850.

Wordsworth was deeply touched by natural surroundings, and particularly by the rivers, lakes and mountain views in his native Lake District. Of one such view over Esthwaite, a few years before he moved to Dove Cottage, he wrote “Of the more distant scene, - how lovely ‘tis Thou seest…”. Esthwaite is set between Windermere and Bowness lakes, close to the Grizedale Forest, which is peppered with footpaths and cycleways.

Wordsworth also did a lot of travelling, both abroad and within Britain, writing as he went. In Wales he wondered of the torrent at Devil’s Bridge in North Wales “Can such force of waters issue from a British source…”. Indeed it is a dramatic sight: three bridges sit on top of one another at the confluence of two rivers, set amongst “woods climbing above woods”, all a manageable walk from the Vale of Rheidol steam railway, which travels here from Aberystwyth.

In Scotland he visited the Trossachs, where he observed that the scenery consisted of “Rocks, rivers, and smooth lakes more clear than glass untouched, unbreathed upon.” The Trossachs are said to be the Highlands in miniature, and contain such wonders as the Lake of Mentieth with its ruined priory and Loch Katrine where a boat trip takes you to the heart of Rob Roy country in Glengyle. 

Perhaps his most famous poem was written after he’d moved to his final home Rydal Mount in the Lake District; it begins – “I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils;”. But if you too want to see daffodils “tossing their heads in sprightly dance” along the many footpaths, cycleways and bridle paths hereabouts, be sure to come in March

Bag Piper Competition in Glasgow

bag·pipe (băg'pīp')
n.

A musical instrument having a flexible bag inflated either by a tube with valves or by bellows, a double-reed melody pipe, and from one to four drone pipes. Often used in the plural.

Piping Live! 2007 will run from 6th -12th August <A HREF="http://www.pipingfestival.co.uk/">http://www.pipingfestival.co.uk/</A><BR>

Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com

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Visit a Football Club in England

English football is legendary.  Now you can enjoy a behind-the-scenes visit to one of the more famous clubs - Chelsea.

TOURS
Stadium Tours of Stamford Bridge are running throughout the Easter Holidays and all through the summer months! Tours will continue to run at 11am, 1pm and 3pm during the week and 12pm, 1pm and 2pm at weekends and you can book on-line or by calling 0870 603 0005. Extra tours will be running during peak times.

MUSEUM
All stadium tours conclude within the Centenary Museum and give you a full history of 101 years of football Chelsea FC. The museum is ever-changing and receives over 100,000 visitors a year. We are always looking for new, exciting exhibits so if you have any Chelsea FC Memorabilia that you would like to see displayed on a loan or donation basis, please e-mail tours@chelseafc.com.

More information: http://www.chelseafc.com/xxchelsea180706/index.html#/page/Homepage

Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com

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Visit the BBC

Looking to do something different this week in London?

Come and join the audience at the BBC studios for an entertaining night out. All the tickets are free and you can apply online.

For last-minute tickets, please call *0870 9011227

<A HREF="http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/tickets/shows/this_week.shtml">http://www.bbc.co.uk/whatson/tickets/shows/this_week.shtml</A><BR>Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com

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J.R.R. Tolkien

J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lord of the Rings (1954-55) and its predecessor The Hobbit (1937) have become cornerstones of Britain's literary heritage, triggering the fantasy genre without which many subsequent works, including J K Rowling's Harry Potter series, would not have been written. Tolkien's early life was split between the rural hamlet of Sarehole, just south of Birmingham, and darkly urban Birmingham itself, where he was sent to school.

Such contrasting surroundings combined with his strict catholic upbringing meant that from an early age the polarizing forces of good and evil were very much alive. He himself refers to Sarehole as being the inspiration for the Shire, home of the Hobbits, in his own words 'a kind of lost paradise'. He spent many an hour playing near Sarehole Mill, the original for the mill at Hobbition near Bag End, and being chased off by the miller's son, nicknamed the 'White Ogre'. He also loved playing in Moseley Bog, an area of woodland said to be the inspiration for the sinister Old Forest on the outskirts of Hobbiton. Legend has it that the trees move, just like the trees in the Old Forest, and indeed many have roots resembling gnarled feet!

He also often walked in the nearby Malvern Hills, inspiration for the Misty Mountains in the books. Locals refer to the range as the 'misty mountains' as, even on a clear day, they appear covered in mist. Tolkien may well have written the final parts of The Lord of the Rings while staying in the Ribble Valley in Lancashire. Tolkien was familiar with the area from visits to his son at Stonyhurst between 1942 and 1947, and some believe that it was a further source of inspiration for earlier parts of the work, attributing The Old Forest to Mitton Wood, Clitheroe and Hobbiton to the village of Hurst Green. Whichever it was that inspired him, it is clear that Tolkien based his vision of the safe hobbit world from which his heroes set out on the enduring quest of good versus evil on the lovely rural landscapes which, to him, represented home. 

The best way to appreciate these areas is on foot. Follow the Tolkien Trail from Sarehole or meander along the banks of the Ribble taking in many associations with 'Middle Earth'. The circular Mortimer Trail across the Malverns is also popular and offers lovely views of the Welsh border country.

This information was kindly provided by Ian Collier, a member of the Tolkien Society.

Further information 

The Tolkien Society was founded in 1969 to further interest in the life and works of J.R.R. Tolkien, C.B.E., the author of The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion and other works of fiction and philological study. Based in the United Kingdom and registered as an independent, non-profit making charity, number 273809, the Society has an international membership which benefits from regular publications and events. For more information visit The Tolkien Society.

McCartney, Morrison, Sting

Contemporary British Musicians

Britain’s landscapes have influenced some of Britains’ most popular contemporary musicians, such as Paul McCartney, Sting and Van Morrison.

“Mull of Kintyre
Oh mist rolling in from the sea
My desire is always to be here
Oh Mull of Kintyre.”

So wrote Paul McCartney in his hugely popular single, Mull of Kintyre, which has sold over 2 million copies since it’s release in 1977. It reflected his association with this area of Scotland, where he spent a great deal of time after the break up of the Beatles in 1970. The Mull of Kintyre is at the tip of the Kintyre Peninsula on Scotland’s west coast, which contains a variety of landscapes including lochs, forests and sandy beaches, perfect for walking and horseriding. From the Mull, there are wonderful views of the Antrim coast of Northern Ireland and wild moorland.

“You’ll remember me when the west wind moves
Upon the fields of barley
You’ll forget the sun in his jealous sky
As we walk though fields of gold”.

Sting’s Fields of Gold from his 1993 Ten Summoner’s Tales album has become one of his most famous songs. It was influenced by walking through the meadows of barley that are near his home in Wiltshire. Walking is a popular pursuit in these parts, with many trails over the county, usually centred around major attractions like the Westbury White Horse and Wardour Castle. The Wiltshire White Horse Trail is a 90-mile circular route, which takes in each of the county’s famous eight white chalk horses and links with part of the Ridgeway, a national trail that runs to Buckinghamshire. For cyclists, there is the Wiltshire Cycleway, a 160-mile route that crosses and loops around the county. Horseriding is also very popular particularly across the Marlborough Downs and along wooded river valleys.

“And all the time going to Coney Island I’m thinking
Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time.”

Van Morrison’s song Coney Island from his 1989 Avalon Sunset album, has many references to the Lecale district of County Down, about 15 miles south of his hometown of Belfast. Downpatrick, St John’s Point, Strangford Lough, Killyleagh, Ardglass are all mentioned in this song about touring around this beautiful part of Northern Ireland. Strangford Lough is one of Britain’s largest sea inlets, with dramatic landscapes, perfect for walking, cycling and particularly popular with birdwatchers. Ardglass, with its impressive harbour and Strangford Lough are points on the 666-mile Ulster Way circular walk.

Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com

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Child Friendly Restaurants in London

Family-friendly Restaurants These restaurants are great if you want to enjoy a meal out with the children, or to celebrate a special occasion in fun surroundings. They all cater well for younger age groups and offer plenty to keep the kids entertained. Bank Located in Holborn, Bank has a full kid's menu featuring traditional treats like sausages 'n' mash and sticky toffee pudding. Younger visitors get free crayons and colouring books when they arrive too. Belgo Centraal Check out the fashionably funky chrome, factory-like interior and long tables at Belgo Centraal in Covent Garden. The 'Mini Belgo' menu, for under 12s, allows kids to eat free at all times (maximum of two children per adult). The main menu is Belgian in style with variations on the moules frites theme. Café Rouge The Café Rouge chain offers one of London's best activity packs for kids, including puzzles and stickers with a French theme – ooh la la! Take your pick from the younger kids menu or opt for smaller portions from the adult menu. China House Fancy a Chinese? China House, in Bloomsbury, is an excellent eatery for younger diners, with 'panda' portions on all dishes and Chinese arts and crafts activities from 1300–1600 every week. Activities vary but include magicians, caricaturists and origami experts. Ed's Diners Enjoy some American-style dining at Ed's Diners, dotted all round London. High stools, milkshakes and a variety of burgers make these restaurants great hangouts for kids. Hard Rock Cafe Rock n' Roll and traditional hamburgers give the Hard Rock Cafe an authentic American flavour. The rock memoribilia and music just add to the fun. Imli Tasty Indian tapas-style food is on the menu at Imli. With a central location in Soho, affordable prices and a children's menu, it's a great place to pop in for a bite to eat. Even better, from August 2006, you can take advantage of a 'kids eat free' offer - running for a whole year! My Old Dutch You don't have to wait until Shrove Tuesday for pancakes! My Old Dutch has three branches in London and offers fabulous savoury and sweet pancakes in a friendly atmosphere. Planet Hollywood Mingle with the stars at Planet Hollywood! You'll be surrounded by cinema memorabilia and entertained by film projections and soundtracks as you enjoy your burger and fries. Rainforest Cafe Go wild at the Rainforest Cafe where you can expect to find cascading waterfalls, thunder and lightning, rain showers, mist, animated animals and real tropical fish! American and tropical cuisine reflect the restaurant's exotic setting. Sticky Fingers Founded by Bill Wyman, bass player with the Rolling Stones, Sticky Fingers is packed with band memorabilia, but also serves up a varied menu. With burgers, steaks, fajitas, seafood and more, all tastes will be catered for.

John Constable

John Constable

‘I love every stile and stump and lane … as long as I am able to hold a brush I shall never cease to paint them.’

So spoke John Constable of the countryside and villages of his native Stour Valley on the Essex/Suffolk border. The area is a magnet for visitors the world over who know it from his paintings. In fact, it was known as ‘Constable Country’ even during the artist’s lifetime.

Constable is possibly the best-loved British artist. He was born in 1776 (one year after Turner) in East Bergholt in Suffolk, the son of a prosperous corn merchant, but though he went on to work in the family business his real desire was to be an artist. In 1799 his father finally agreed for him to study painting full time at the Royal Academy and his art blossomed. He and Turner were in fact at the Academy together, but never became friends.

Many of his most famous works immortalise the landscape of gentle hills and valleys sprinkled with streams, picturesque cottages and churches that was his home, and which remain almost unchanged today. In fact you can still spot the places where the artist stood or sat to paint his famous pictures, although this is sometimes rendered difficult by his readiness to shift, say, Dedham Church a half a mile or so if it suited his composition! The long-distance Essex Way winds through many places associated with Constable, including Dedham where he went to school, and which appears in many of his landscapes, and Langham Church and Glebe Farm where he painted some of his most famous works. You can also walk along the towpath from East Bergholt to Flatford Mill, where he was born, and Willy Lotts Cottage, which featured in the Hay-Wain (now a Field Studies Centre) and visit the Constable exhibition at Bridge Cottage. Constable also went on to paint Salisbury Cathedral, as well as scenes in the Lake District, Brighton, Southend and Hampstead.

Art and Antique Markets in London

Art and Antique Markets  in London

Do you enjoy sifting through stalls and haggling for a bargain? If so, check out the range of London’s specialist art and antique markets. You’re bound to find something to take your fancy!

Alfie’s Antiques Market

Open: Tues to Sat 10am-6pm
Home to 100 leading dealers, Alfie’s Antiques Market is a fabulous maze of treasures located in a former department store. The range and quantity of stock is breathtaking and includes Art Deco, silver, furniture, paintings and prints, jewellery, ceramics and vintage clothing.

Bayswater Road

Open: Sun 10am-6pm
Over 250 artists and craftsmen display their original artworks at Bayswater Road. Stretching almost a mile, it's the longest open-air art exhibition in the world! All displays are for sale at studio prices. It is mostly paintings but there is also some sculpture and jewellery.

Camden Passage

Open: Wed 7am-2pm, Thurs 7am-4pm and Sat 8am-4pm
Located off Upper Street in Islington (and not connected with Camden Market), Camden Passage Market sells an impressive variety of antiques, silverware and jewellery.
7 Pierrepoint Row, N1

Grays Antiques Market

Open: Mon to Fri 10am-6pm
A grand 19th-century building is home to Grays Antiques Market with more than 80 dealers all inside. The market has a reputation for providing unparalleled expertise and choice when it comes to art and antiques.

London Silver Vaults

Open: Mon to Fri 9am-5.30pm and Sat 9am-1pm
About 40 shops trade the world's largest collection of antique silver within the vaulted walls of Chancery House. It has been said that if you can't find what you are looking for at the London Silver Vaults, you won't find it anywhere!

Portobello Road Market

Open: Sat 8am-5pm
This world-famous street is home to the world’s largest antiques market. Portobello Road specialises in everything from jewellery, art and silverware to vintage clothes, bric-a-brac and much more. It is always bustling and well worth visit even if you do not intend to buy.

Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com>

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Historic Pubs in London

Historic Pubs in London

If a pub has been around long enough it's bound to have a bit of history attached to it. And many of London's pubs have been around a very, very long time!

It’s not all about age; many pubs have seen a famous customer or two. More still have had events occur within their walls that have given them a special historical significance.

London's Oldest Pub

If there was an award for the oldest pub there would have to be a tie for first place. So many pubs have convincing cases for the title that there can be no outright winner, but one with a good claim is Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese. The current pub was built in 1667 after the Great Fire but replaced an existing pub. The cellar dates to the 13th century and is the remains of an old monastery. Given that brewing was an undertaking of monks perhaps an ancient alehouse existed here.

Ancient Alehouses

A pub on the site of The Anchor survived the Great Fire. It was from here that Samual Pepys observed the burning city. However, 10 years later another fire caused its destruction. Its replacement was a favoured drinking spot for Dr Johnson. After the Great Fire two pubs - the Old Bell Tavern and the original Ye Olde Watling - were built. They were reputedly built for labourers and masons working on St Paul's Cathedral.

Not all historic pubs in London call themselves Ye this or Old(e) that! Spaniards Inn on Hampstead Heath traces its origins back to 1585 although it is not recorded as a pub until the early 18th century. The Lamb & Flag in Covent Garden is housed in an ancient building, Tudor to be precise, but it is also not recorded as being a pub until much later.

Pilgrims

Next door to the George Inn in Borough is a blue plaque marking the site of The Tabard. Famous as the starting point of Chaucer's pilgrims in the Canterbury Tales it was demolished in 1873.

For pilgrims of another age The Mayflower in Rotherhithe is both old and historic. It was from the steps near The Shippe, as it was called in 1620, that The Mayflower set sail for America.

Literary Haunts

Many other London pubs have literary associations. The Dove in Hammersmith claims 20th century literary giants Graham Greene and Ernest Hemingway as past customers.

The French House not only served as unofficial headquarters for the French Resistance during the Second World War but also ranks Dylan Thomas and Brendan Behan as former regulars.

Also in Soho, the Coach and Horses is often to be seen on stage. It is the setting for the Keith Waterhouse play Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell.

Of Musical Note

The Dove also has a place as a musical haunt. It was here that James Thomson wrote Rule Britannia.

For fans of the Rolling Stones or The Kinks the scenes of their first gigs were pubs. The Rolling Stones played their first gig in February 1962 at the Crawdaddy Club in the Station Hotel in Richmond. The building is now run as a part of the Edwards chain of pubs.

In North London The Clissold Arms is still trading under the same name and was where Ray Davies and the rest of the Kinks first performed together.

Notorious

A number of pubs have gained historical notoriety for the deeds of their customers. The Prospect of Whitby in Wapping is forever connected with 'Hanging' Judge Jeffreys. The Lord Chief Justice in 1685 at the time of the Monmouth Rebellion he became infamous for his treatment of the rebel leaders.

The Marquis of Granby was built on the site of The Hole in the Wall where highwayman Claude Duval was captured and the Green Man was where another highwayman, Jerry Abbershaw had his last drink. He was arrested in the pub and hanged on a gibbet outside.

More recently the Magdala became the scene for the murder of David Blakely by Ruth Ellis. In 1955 she became the last woman to be executed in Britain for this crime. The Blind Beggar was also the scene of a fatal shooting. George Cornell, who had incurred the wrath of the Kray Twins, was killed by Ronnie Kray in 1966.

There are countless other pubs in London with more than a little history attached to them or their customers. However, be aware that with history or notoriety comes popularity.

Ellen McNulty is President at www.lynotttours.com>

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