Christmas stamps, as featured on this year’s COUNTRY LIFE Advent calendar cover, are a cherished annual event– but how did they become one? Emma Hughes investigates

Painting a local cricket match, Sherree Valentine-Daines received an invitation that changed her career and led her to become artist-in-residence at Goodwood

Fans of the leading British artist David Hockney will know how much he doted on his pet dachshunds. Sold at Phillips last autumn, Little Stanley Sleeping was a poster made for the show ‘David Hockney:

Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight

They say a pic is worth a thousand words. What does yours say about your special moment? Here one reader shares the story behind her favourite photo

Our pick of your best letters and some wise words from our favourite stars…