Memories of Love: Lady Antonia Fraser and Harold Pinter

'(Fraser's) new book, which she will be reading on BBC Radio 4 from January 11, is neither autobiography nor biography but a love story, romantic, poignant and very funny, illuminating her husband’s character and creativity. It will show the Pinters on holiday (on Paxos with Simon Gray and Ronald Harwood and their wives, performing each other’s plays) and the Pinters sharing their works in progress'

Must You Go? My Life with Harold Pinter by Antonia Fraser will be published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson on January 11.
Link

Happy New Year!

The Queen's Christmas Message

At the BBC, here.
Happy Christmas, everyone!

Fairy Tale Films: The Chagford Filmmaking Group

Perfect for the holiday season - and for the child in us all.

From the site:

The Chagford Filmmaking Group is dedicated to making films of British fairytales - traditional stories rooted in the British landscape.

We are a non-profit organization creating films that we would want our children to see. We simply wish to tell the magical stories that are part of our heritage.

"Elizabeth-Jane Baldry's films are imaginative and refreshing - a new storyteller from the green heart of Devon"

- Alan Lee
Academy Award winner, conceptual designer, Lord of the Rings

We love their work and wish the group every success.

Please subscribe to their free mailing list at the site.

Hedgerow Trees: A Strategy for Renewal

"The importance of hedgerow trees:
Hedgerow trees are just one of the many assets that contribute to the
natural wealth of our countryside. As individuals they provide firewood,
habitats for wildlife, offer shade and shelter and often carry local
significance marking boundaries. Collectively however, they provide the
countryside with a stature and irregularity of form that visually defines its
beauty – a cultural asset of unquantifiable value to our society."

From the Game Conservancy Trust. PDF

Dominick Dunne: A Tribute

Our American cousin.
We miss him terribly...

A beautiful memorial to Dominick Dunne is offered at Vanity Fair
Leave your condolences here.

Wikipedia

Exeter catacombs identified as potential swine flu mortuary

"Exeter city council is considering using 19th century catacombs to store the bodies of swine flu victims if the outbreak worsens.

They’ve identified the empty underground burial chambers in Bartholomew Street, currently used as a tourist attraction, as a potential mortuary.

A council spokesman said the plan would be implemented if the crematorium and cemeteries could not keep up with funeral demands."

Link