Bringing home the harvest

THE apple crops up in many world religions, mythologies and traditions. It is a supermarket best-seller and this year, we are relishing a bumper crop boasting a fine skin finish and a tasty, sweet fla

This year’s unusual weather has nurtured exceptional fruit crops, reports Ian Hodgson

Whether you call it Christmas, Winterval or just ‘the holidays’, the period between late December and early January is cocoon time: a cessation of work and routine activities. It begins with tradition

1 SALUTING MAGPIES This centuries-old practice is still common across the British isles in rural and urban communities alike. The magpie is commonly associated with death – perhaps because, legend say

Though the cheerful chest of a robin can be seen throughout the year, this friendly bird has become synonymous with the festive season. This largely dates back to Victorian Christmas cards depicting p

Bob Cooper of Macclesfield, Cheshire remembers: From an early age, I have always loved reading and writing. My best subject at school was English to the detriment of maths, and I managed to become top