Knole park is in the town of Sevenoaks in the English county of Kent. Knole is a wonderful National Trust property that comprises of a grand fifteenth century country house set within extensive grounds. Knole is still occupied by its owners the Sackville family whose linage goes back many generations. (1) (2) The house is open to the public and contains interesting and opulant rooms filled with original antiques, portraits and textiles.

This beautiful area in the Weald of Kent is a really popular attraction that draws people of all ages to relax and enjoy the country air and views together. The unspolit woodland has ensured that Knole has been classified the status of a Site of Special Scientific Interest. At the weekends queues of cars can be seen waiting to enter the gates and park in front of the medieval castle. Today the official website stated:

“Our car park is now open but remains busy. We may need to close it again to ease congestion onsite. Updates will be posted here.” (2)

The park is open all year around and at this time of year it is open from dawn until dusk. The cafe opens at 10am and the main buildings are all open 10am until 5pm. A National Trust membership is around £100 for a family and represents great value as an NT card can be used to gain entry to any one of its 500 or so properties all year round.

Knole is ideally situated off the M25 main road around London so is in easy driving distance for many capital city dwellers and also folk living in Kent too. Tourists also love to see British heritage and Knole has traditional architecture, walled gardens and a very special history to discover by the spade load.

This traditional estate was designed for one family and their servants hundreds of years ago and not for thousands of visitors. Technology may provide the solution to this over popularity by introducing timed tickets purchased online in advance. The Tate Britain and other cultural institutions find this is a way to ease the pressure and manage limited resources to ensure that everyone enjoys their time at the much loved institution.

It seems in the technically driven digital age that some fresh air, a good old fashioned walk, a historical house tour and an afternoon tea has an enduring appeal that is as unique, timeless and as in demand as ever.

(1) Knole Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knole

(2) National Trust https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/knole

The latest collection of original oil paintings, pencil drawings and limited edition prints by Andrew Harris AGAva is being exhibited at Shoreham Airport which is also referred to as Brighton Airport. The event is open now and will remain accessible to the general public whenever the main terminal building is open daily until the end of August 2019.

Andrew Harris is a member of the Solent Aviation Art Society and specialises in depictions of actual aircraft and events that have taken place in order to produce works that are historical artefacts.

“All veteran signed original drawings have been signed in person by WWII aircrew and are accompanied by comprehensive supporting documents, providing irrefutable provenance.” (1) explains his website.

The coastal airport setting is perfect for a show which includes vintage aircraft as the 1920’s art deco style grade II listed building provides the perfect backdrop. Smartly framed pieces neatly cover the first floor gallery walls which are full of natural light. The pictures show a wide variety of civilian and military aeroplanes which are expertly sketched and rendered and are accompanied by splendid rolling landscapes and atmospheric skies.

All of the items on display are ready to be purchased and would elegantly grace even the finest homes or look equally stunning in a commercial setting. The show commemorates the contribution that airmen have made in the 20^th century and enables enthusiasts and experts alike, to own a part of this special Harris collection of artwork.

The oil paintings are very reasonably priced, considering the time it must take to complete all the layers involved, in producing such detailed scenes. There is something to suit everyone’s budget as prints and cards can also be purchased through the venue or by ordering online at Aviation Originals website shop.

After this cultural treat, it is recommended that visiting the stylish restaurant of the main terminal building is a great way to have a brilliant and memorable day. A delicious range of sandwiches and lunches are made freshly and can be enjoyed overlooking the apron and viewing the days activity at the airport. There are super views over to the landmark Lancing College with its stunning Gothic Revival architecture nestled at the foot of the South Downs.

It is also intended by the organisers that the Andrew Harris exhibition may inspire people of all ages to find out more about becoming a pilot, the general aviation industry and remembering the stories of brave aviators and their part in shaping the world we live in today.

Andrew Harris Art website http://aviationoriginals.com/

Brighton Airport http://flybrighton.com/

Spring is the perfect time to explore new places in England. Kew in West London is famous for its Royal Botanic Gardens which contains more than a dozen different architectural buildings full of plants, flowers and artefacts and is highly recommended to delight visitors of all ages.

A special Victorian pavilion contains the work of one talented female artist. Marianne North (1830-1890) was a Victorian who travelled the world discovering nature and recording its beauty to share with everyone who could visit her unique exhibition in the United Kingdom’s capital city.

Hundreds of detailed paintings of flora and fauna can be found carefully rendered in oils and hung like a huge jigsaw puzzle in guilt frames throughout the splendidly traditional space.

“After a successful exhibition of her paintings in a London gallery in 1879” (2) Marianne North worked with the architect James Fergusson to design a classical house of art inspired by a Greek temple in which to display her life’s work which opened soon after. North continued travelling and adding to her collection which trips that included South Africa, the Seychelles and Chile.

The attraction can be found on the south east side of Kew gardens near to Lion Gate entrance and 1km from Richmond rail and underground station. There are also car parks at the venue’s perimeter.

The official leaflet invites you to “step inside this spectacular gallery and admire 833 botanical paintings” (1) The handsome interior which includes an original tiled floor and all the colourful pictures create a breathtaking scene as you enter the special space.

Tickets cost £22 for adults and includes entry into the whole of Kew’s landscaped parkland and palaces. Taking a picnic and making a day of it is a good idea and there are plenty of smart cafes in splendid surroundings in which to relax and find refreshments.

A cultural treat which gives the public a glimpse into the world of exploring Victorians and an interesting way to learn about different species of plants and flowers. The Marianne North gallery is an extraordinary legacy by an independent travelling women which was very rare in the nineteenth century. A visual feast of a show for those who enjoy nature and history and a cherry on top of a marvellous trip to the botanic park in its seasonal glory, set alongside the famous river Thames.

(1) Kew Spring Leaflet https://www.kew.org/

(2) Marianne North http://www.kew.org/mng/marianne-north.html

Mindblowingly majestic magnolia trees in their Spring flower can be seen across the UK this week. From the palest ivory to magenta pink these botanical beauties herald the welcome arrival of the better weather season and the promise of longer and brighter days with hundreds of large drop shaped buds.

A particularly fine selection of some stunning examples of this large genus can be found at Kew Royal Botanic Gardens in South in Kew near Richmond on the west side of London, England.

Thousands of visitors enjoy discovering the flora and fauna on display at the UNESCO World Heritage Site every year. People of all ages experience the joy of browsing through several different varieties in the magnolias section of the famous park, which is in the north west part next to Princess Walk and near the River Thames. The magnolia area can be accessed easily by the Brentford gate and is marked clearly on the free map guide leaflet which is found at the entrances.

Kew is open from 10am to 7pm from the first of April and adult tickets are £22 per person and concessions are available. We recommend scheduling most of the day and taking a packed lunch. There are quality restaurants and cafes dotted around the site for refreshments too. Many different attractions can be explored within the grounds including interesting sculptures. Rare and fragile plants are displayed in heated Victorian glass houses, which are well worth a visit, as this enables the visitor to see hundreds of varieties of bushes and blooms that otherwise could not be grown in this country.

Kew has its own train station and is also easily found by road and there is parking on site too. The historical landscaped museum has “the largest and most diverse collection of living plants in the world.” So even if magnolias are not your favourite springtime seedling, there is sure to be an unexpected timber treat that will lift your spirits.

Wherever you live in the UK, keep an eye out this month for wonderful examples of this most elegant budding species growing in residential gardens nearby. It is also worth strolling through your local National Trust and English Heritage sites that have spacious planted grounds full of fresh early blossom.

Kew Spring map and leaflet: official website  https://www.kew.org/

The Van Gogh themed event at the community and arts space at Drapers Hall, Hampton Street in south London this month was a great success.

On Sunday 10^th March from 4:30 until 8pm some well known London based artists and some budding amateurs gathered together. The location was just south of the river Thames and all enjoyed the excellent and theatrical one man show by Walter deForest, a renowned New York based artist appearing as ‘Van Gough.’ The famous painter ‘came back to the present’ complete with a Dutch accent. Around forty people bought tickets to attend this colourful and interesting Sunday afternoon with a special performance.

All ages enjoyed each others company and made new friends as they all listened, sketched, and then talked while sharing tea and a delicious ‘home cooked’ supper. A welcoming Drapers Hall team made sure everyone was seated and then treated to a suitable meal and even catered for vegan visitors.

Drapers Hall organises many arts events in their large auditorium room which is suitable for performances and workshops and was laid out with tables for this unique evening.

‘Van Gogh’ was wonderfully convincing and still just as talented in the 21^st century and he drew more than two dozen portraits of the guests at the artistic party. Those participating were invited to draw portraits of the individual sitting opposite them using paper and coloured felt tip pens, even if it was the first time they had ever met that person! Sunflowers and other images from the great Dutch masters work were also brightly emulated by those in the audience. It was wonderful to see all the different unique styles and colour combinations displayed on the walls and the furniture surfaces by the time for the group to go home.

It was great value at £6 for an adult ticket and £4 for children and a good example of accessible art in the city. Draper Together is an organisation with a mission “to join together through a collective effort, to provide what the community needs; where taking part develops us as valued members of society.” The Draper Together website goes on to explain how “We welcome all those who feel alone or excluded, whether they are new residents or have lived in the Elephant and Castle for a long time; by offering a place of inclusion and optimism.”

A family friendly and educational creative session was experienced by all. Several friends meeting at the show went on afterwards to celebrate the brilliant evening in style, at a fine Victorian drinking establishment nearby. Van Gogh would almost certainly have been very happy about this lively occasion which studied and commemorated his life and his contribution to modern art.

Whether living in or just visiting the SE17 area of London it is well worth checking out the vibrant theatre and workshops coming up at this popular venue to add a cultural flourish to your Spring. We are also excited about a new exhibition of Van Gogh’s painting collection at the Tate Britain in London, which opens at the end of this March and will continue to inspire the summer crowds into the second week of August.

Draper Hall  https://communitysouthwark.org/organisations-venues/venues/draper-hall

Draper Together https://www.drapertogether.org/

Van Gogh at Tate Britain https://www.tate.org.uk/

Since 1988 comedians like Lenny Henry have encouraged the nation to open their big hearts and dig deep in their pockets to support Comic Relief. Every year Red Nose Day aims to raise as much money as possible to support children in need in the UK and in some of the world’s poorest communities. Preparations are in full swing for this biannual event which is planned for Friday 15^th March. According to the official website “people across the land can get together and raise money at home, school and work.”(1)

Individuals are already donating via text message and giving their money to collection tins across the British Isles where fundraisers are holding events to mark the occasion. Designer discount retailer TK Maxx and sister company Homesense were quick off the starting block with a striking in store sponsored indoor cycling event to generate charity funds. The spacious clothing and homeware store in Fareham in Hampshire has given all their team members a go at biking for charity whilst at work.

“Since 2005 together with our customers, we’ve helped raise over £21m to help Comic Relief” stated the company in a marketing email to customers this week. (2) The department store chain has also teamed up with Comic Relief to sell a special range of Minnie Mouse Disney T-shirts for £9.99 with most of the money going to worthy causes that benefit kids.

Other big business and brand sponsors include Sainsburys, British Airways, Ryman, Specsavers, Chicago Town, Babybel, Maltesers and Oxfam. The organisers are promising “a fantastic night of TV on the BBC, with comedy and entertainment to inspire the nation to give generously.” (1)

All ages and all sorts of people are choosing to fundraise in many different ways. ComicRelief.com stated that “last year schools and nurseries found all sorts of creative events to combine to a total for the charity on the night of £5 million.” (1)

Disney characters with red noses are the theme of a merchandise range that is available on the official website and some of the larger sizes have already sold out. DJ’s Scott Mills and Chris Stark joined forces to host the funniest ever 24 hour broadcast on Radio 1. Their 27 hour marathon generated an amazing £324931 for good causes. (3)

The donated money is allocated to help homeless young people in the UK and those struggling with mental health problems and at risk of domestic violence. Other projects around the world that are helped by Comic Relief include supporting children in refugee camps in Serbia to protecting and training youngsters in Africa to improve their health and ability to survive and build their communities.

This years Children In Need Red Nose Day is sure to be a hoot and many stars from national TV and stage are joining forces on BBC1 to make this year a charity ‘LOL’ laugh-a-thon an entertaining night to remember.