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Update #56 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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Please note that from April 28th the MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries) Helpline, MAFF's general public enquiry point, has changed its telephone number from +44 (0)645 33 55 77 to +44 (0)8459 33 55 77 If you're planning to visit the countryside and want more detailed information call the Government's 24 hour automated information line - +44 (0)8456 071 071. ****************************** On the Furness Peninsula you can feed the animals at Dalton's South Lakes Wild Animal Park; visit the UK's only freshwater aquarium on the shores of Windermere; take a trip on the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway or see the world's tallest pencil at the Cumberland Pencil Museum in Keswick. For a taste of Japan, pay a visit to Tullie House in Carlisle which is currently hosting an exhibition of wood-block prints and offering visitors the chance to experience aspects of Japanese culture. Younger visitors might want to meet Peter Rabbit and his furry friends at the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Bowness or at The World of Beatrix Potter in Bowness, which this year has even more reasons for you to visit. This popular attraction is celebrating its tenth anniversary with a range of special events. In addition to all of this, 2001 will see the opening of several new visitor attractions.The Quest in Whitehaven offers visitors the chance to go on a series of exploratory journeys around the town and its harbour to gain an insight into Whitehaven's cultural and historical background. Find out how real ales are still brewed and sample some traditional Lakeland ales on the recently launched Jennings Castle Brewery Tour in Cockermouth. At Blackwell near Bowness a new attraction is opening this July. The Arts & Crafts House is a grade 1 listed building and one of the most important of England's turn-of-the-20th-century houses. The house's purpose is to serve as a public gallery for craft and applied arts and draws upon the collections of Abbot Hall (see article on Kendal) to add to the interiors and interpret the arts and crafts of the time. Website: http://www.blackwell.org.uk/homepage.shtml CUMBRIA
F&M CONTACT INFO For Cumbria
footpath news, go to http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/news/footandmouth/roads/footpaths.htm
************************* ************************* The village takes its name from Saint Collen who founded it in the 7th century. Two hundred years ago it consisted mainly of a green and a street joined by one of the "Seven Wonders of Wales", a four arched bridge, built in the 16th century on parts of a 13th century one. Llangollen, clustered around the River Dee, nestled in the Vale of Llangollen, and surrounded by hills is as scenic as it gets. It is best known today as the home of the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod. For one week in July this village comes alive with dancers, singers, choirs and musicians from all over the world and the village of 3000 people swells to 120,000 as cultural competitions and celebrations dominate the scene. Plas Newydd sits high on a hill overlooking Llangollen. This black and white timbered house was the home of two eccentric Irish ladies, known as the Ladies of Llangollen. Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Sarah Ponsoby, who always dressed as men, lived in the house for 50 years, entertaining famous literary and political figures, including Sir Walter Scott and William Wordsworth. The beautiful grounds surrounding the home are now a public park. Hill climbers might almost believe the crumbling ruins of the medieval Castell Dinas Bran, perched on another hilltop high above the town, were designed with a challenge in mind. Breathtaking views are the reward for the steep 750-foot climb. The 13th century castle, named for a Celtic god, is partly surrounded by the remnants of an Iron Age hill-fort and ditch. In the 18th century its status grew when it was considered a "romantic ruin", and it became the most famous landmark in the Vale. A stone's throw from Llangollen, in a setting both romantic and stunning, the Gothic stone ruins of 13th century Valle Crucis Abbey beckon. This Cistercian abbey, founded by a Welsh prince, boasts an almost intact chapter house. One of the enterprising abbots was accused of minting his own money. Visitors are spoiled for choice as a 7 ½ mile (12km) steam rail journey along the Dee Valley and past Horseshoe Falls provides a scenic trip in another direction. Another favourite ride is aboard a horse drawn canal boat at the village wharf, location of the Canal Museum. This trip on a branch line of the Shropshire Union Canal provides a relaxing contemplation of the green hills and valleys as it follows the Vale of Llangollen. The famous Pontcysylite Aqueduct, supported by four iron arches, stands 121 feet in the sky above the River Dee dazzling the eye as boats seem to sail through the air. Built to carry traffic from the northern rim of the valley to the far side, this cast-iron trough is the longest and highest in Britain. Horse drawn boat trips run April through Sept. For more information: tel. (0) 1978 860 702. The Postal Museum is at 41 Castle St. The Victorian School and School Museum is located on Parade St. and is open Easter-October. Llangollen
is on the A5. Web Resource: Info
on Llangollen written by Barbara Ballard ****************************
FLUSHED
WITH PRIDE: TOILETS MAKE THE NEWS For those interested in the history of the subject, a museum in Stoke-on-Trent, British home of china and porcelain manufacture, has a new permanent exhibition, starting in late August, telling the story of the toilet. "Flushed with Pride", at the Gladstone Pottery Museum, includes a reconstruction of Victorian latrines, and some examples of early flushing toilets. Tel: 01782 319232. Website: http://www.britloos.co.uk (Loo of the Year) MCCARTNEY
PAINTINGS ON SHOW IN LIVERPOOL
****************************** David
Ross
Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express |
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