A scent of the past

Catherine Clarke A History of England in 25 Poems400pp. Allen Lane. £25. Mark Forsyth Rhyme and ReasonA short history of poetry and people (forpeople who don’t usually read poetry)368pp. Allen & Unwin

Sue Hannah finds poetry in motion in every season “ In an increasingly overstimulated and digital world of light, noise and 24/7 living, people always seem to be seeking a more tranquil state. Having

You wouldn’t guess from the cover design—three songbirds silhouetted over swatches of picturesque Englishness—but Catherine Clarke’s A History of England in 25 Poems hits one of its sweet spots with a

I AM someone who loves space. This is perhaps because of early childhood days on the beautiful Solway Coast. My father’s family farm was right on the beach. It enjoyed uninterrupted views across to th

I WAS browsing the bookshelf in a charity shop when I glanced up to see my neighbour outside, trying to come in. With his arms fully encumbered with a large bag, the door was proving difficult to open

Marian Boswall on how the old tradition of wassailing might actually benefit orchards