Britain Update #52
March 1 , 2001

Welcome friends, its time to put the kettle on, settle into a comfortable armchair, and enjoy the best of Britain with Britain Update. But before you do, please take the time to forward this newsletter to someone who loves Britain as much as you do.

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Contents
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1. IMPORTANT NOTICE : Foot and Mouth outbreak
2. UK Destinations: Lavenham
3. Build an Anglo-Saxon house
4. New at Britain Express
5. Travel news and notes

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IMPORTANT NOTICE: Foot and Mouth Outbreak
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If you've been following the news lately you've probably heard about the recent outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Britain (if you live in Britain you couldn't very well avoid it!). Although at first glance this bovine disease might seem a peculiar topic for a travel newsletter, this outbreak has serious repercussions for anyone planning travel to and through the UK in the near future. Here's why:

Foot and mouth disease, though harmless to humans, can be carried by people travelling through infected areas, thus spreading the infection to other livestock populations. For this reason large areas of the British countryside have been declared off limits in a government attempt to control the spread of the disease. National Parks are closed, as are most walking paths passing through areas of the country affected by the infection.

All National Trust properties in England and Wales except those in urban areas will close immediately and remain closed until further notice. Most - though not all - English Heritage properties have also been closed. The bottom line is that until the disease has been brought under control, travel and tourism away from major urban areas may be disrupted at best and impossible at worst. Please check before attempting to visit any attraction outside major cities!

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UK Destinations: Lavenham
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Most people are drawn to this attractive Suffolk town by the profusion of half-timbered medieval cottages, beloved of calendar photographers. Lavenham has been called "the most complete medieval town in Britain", a tribute to its fine collection of medieval and Tudor architecture. Mansions of wealthy merchants mingle with simple cottages, some of which mix crooked timber beams with sprightly pink-painted infill!

The older buildings are centred around the market place, with its 16th century Guildhall and still earlier market cross. The market cross was the scene of bear-baiting contests during the late medieval and Tudor periods. The Guildhall is now owned by the National Trust, and houses a permanent local history exhibition.

The Wool Hall is another notable half-timbered building, a tribute to the source of Lavenham's wealth. During the Middle Ages Lavenham was a thriving centre of the English wool trade, and the prosperous wool merchants are responsible for most of Lavenham's memorable buildings, including the church of St. Peter and St. Paul, perhaps the finest "wool church" in the land. The glory of the church is the rich carving, both interior and exterior. Look for the Renaissance screen, completed in 1525 to enclose the tomb of Thomas Spring III, a wealthy benefactor of the church.

The church retains its 14th century chancel, but it is primarily as product of the 15th and 16th centuries. Look for the chevron pattern of the Spring family crest, and the star design of the De Vere family carved in numerous places throughout the church. John de Vere, 13th Earl of Oxford, was one of the major benefactors of St. Peter and St. Paul's. In the interior, do not miss the humorous carvings on the 15th century misericords; including one of a man squeezing a pig to make it squeal. The massive tower of knapped flint rises to 141 feet, making it the tallest in Suffolk.

Despite its bustling past, Lavenham has remained small, with few of the distractions of modern growth. The population of the town has never exceeded 2000, even in the medieval period, when it was among the 20 wealthiest towns in England.

Travellers new to Lavenham might want to try a special audio tour. The tour, which takes about 90 minutes to complete, dives into the intriguing back streets and byways of the town. It is available at Lavenham Pharmacy, 99 High Street, and costs Adults: £3 Children (under 16) & Senior Citizens: £1.50. Details at http://www.lavenham.co.uk/tour/

If medieval buildings aren't your cup of tea, every year the Lavenham Rare Breeds Motor Show exhibits over 250 rare and exotic motor cars. This years event takes place on the August 27 Bank Holiday Monday. Details at http://lavenham.co.uk/motor-show/

Web Resources:
Welcome to Lavenham
http://www.lavenham.demon.co.uk/
Photos of Lavenham church and other historic buildings
http://www.le.ac.uk/elh/pot/suffolk/sufframe.html

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Build an Anglo-Saxon House
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Looking for a different sort of vacation experience? Why not try your hand at building an authentic Anglo-Saxon house! The aptly-named Anglo-Saxon House Build Project, in association with the Chiltern Open Air Museum, is sponsoring a unique 14 day holiday experience beginning on 29th July. Over the course of two weeks participants will learn skills like treewrighting, thatching, pottery-making, and wattle and daub as they create a full-scale Saxon house using authentic tools and materials.

The holiday takes place at the Museum site near Chalfont St. Giles, Buckinghamshire, and participants are housed in single ensuite accommodation at nearby Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. Total cost for the holiday is £888 per person, but if you want to "rough it" by bringing your own tent and sleeping bag you can reserve a spot for only £475 per person.

Note: the deadline for early booking is March 9! For full details on the Anglo-Saxon House Build Project visit their web site at http://www.ridiculousprojects.org/

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UK Travel Tips and News
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CHAMPAGNE AT WADDESDON MANOR
Waddesdon Manor, the ornate family home of the Rothschild banking clan, will host "Champagne on the Parterre", a special evening of wine-tasting and music. The event will take place on Saturday, July 28 from 1830-2030 on the parterre overlooking the Vale of Aylesbury below the famous mansion. The informal event allows visitors to taste Rothschild and Waddesdon wines, munch canapes and listen to light music in an incomparable setting. Tickets for the Tasting & Champagne Reception cost £25.00 with an optional Supper in the manor Restaurant running £22.50. Early booking is recommended. For details see the Waddesdon Manor web site at http://www.waddesdon.org.uk/

TURNER AT THE TATE
The Tate Britain Gallery in London will house a special display marking the 150th anniversary of the death of artist JMW Turner. The display, to run from March 5 - July.15, will recreate Turner's own London gallery, house and library. The paintings on display are those that Turner himself chose to showcase in the personal gallery at his London home. Details at www.tate.org.uk/britain/exhibitions/turnergallery.htm

DINOSAUR MUSEUM
If you're travelling with children, you owe it to your sanity to consider a visit to the Dinosaur Museum in Dorchester, Dorset. The museum features hands-on displays of fossils, skeletons, and life-sized reconstructions of dinosaurs, plus audio-visual and interactive exhibits. Voted Dorset's "Family Attraction of the Year", the Dinosaur Museum is the only museum in Britain devoted solely to the great lizards of long ago! The Dinosaur Museum is located at Icen Way, Dorchester, Dorset. Tel +44 01305 269741. Web site http://www.dinosaur-museum.org.uk/

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That's all for now. Until next issue, let me remind you that laughter is contagious. Spread some around.

David Ross
Editor
Britain Express
http://www.britainexpress.com
The UK travel and heritage guide
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Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express