Author: weberboo

The Beatles enjoyed a royal premiere of their movie “Help!” in London. (July 29)
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

BORUSSIA DORTMUND have confirmed the £25m signing of teenager Jude Bellingham from Birmingham City in hilarious fashion. The 17-year-old midfielder’s arrival was announced with his new team-mates enjoying a singalong to Hey Jude by The Beatles on the club’s official Twitter account. Hey Jude 🎸 pic.twitter.com/SyjizjOQOl — Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) July 20, 2020 Bellingham snubbed […]
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

Drake broke a chart record set by The Beatles, for the number of singles simultaneously in the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100. (July 10)
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

WITH a little help from his friends, Beatles drummer Ringo Starr was set to hold an online 80th birthday bash yesterday featuring former bandmate Paul McCartney, in aid of charities, including Black Lives Matter.

Normally the British musician marks each passing year with performances, including fellow musicians and hundreds of fans – but the pandemic forced a rethink this time.
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

Paul McCartney, the former Beatle and iconic singer, celebrates his birthday on June 18.
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

Since Mariah Carey hit the scene in 1990, she has proved time and time again why she is the Songbird Supreme. Over the past three decades, the pop diva has had a whopping 19 singles reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the most for any solo artist. (The Beatles hold the all-time […]
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

Credits 

Richard Stonehouse/Getty Images Alt Text 

A statue of The Beatles by sculptor Andy Edwards in Liverpool, England

Follow in the footsteps of a Beatles legend in Liverpool or cycle the cider circuits of Herefordshire

One-Minute Read

Mike Starling

Tuesday, September 22, 2020 – 1:14pm

Goodbye summer, hello autumn. The days may be getting shorter but that doesn’t mean it’s time to hibernate just yet. 
See related 

Debate: is Keir Starmer making Labour great again – or letting Boris Johnson off the hook? Instant Opinion: Keir Starmer must offer more than ‘not being Jeremy Corbyn’ How the Conservatives became the party of Britain’s poor There’s plenty of things to see and do in the next few months and the VisitEngland tourist board has put together its list of autumnal escapes. 
Highlights include a John Lennon-inspired music tour in Liverpool, night walks at Exmoor National Park and cycling the cider circuits of Herefordshire.
Here we take a look at the best autumn escapes in England.
Emerging artists: Class of 2020 at The Hari, London 
Taking over The Hari’s public spaces is a contemporary exhibition celebrating emerging talent from London art schools. The Class of 2020 exhibition offers a platform to those who sacrificed their potential career-launching degree shows due to the lockdown this summer. 
Until February 2021; thehari.com 
‘John Lennon at 80’ music tour, Liverpool 
Follow in the footsteps of music legend John Lennon, who would have celebrated his 80th birthday on 9 October. With a city centre packed with Beatles landmarks, the leafy suburb of Woolton helps you discover Lennon’s life. There you can walk around Mendips, the house he grew up in, visit his beloved Strawberry Field (recently opened to the public for the first time) and see St Peter’s Church, where he first met a young man called Paul McCartney.
visitliverpool.com 
Cecily Brown Exhibition, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire 
The Cecily Brown Exhibition features all new work created by the New York-based artist which is inspired by the Oxfordshire Unesco World Heritage Site. Brown’s large-scale, sensual, semi-abstract artworks have cemented her as one of the most important painters of her generation.
September to January; blenheimpalace.com
Pop-up camping at Blenheim Palace
Make your visit to Blenheim an overnight stay by camping in the Palace grounds at Caravan Club’s pop-up site. Witness sunset over Blenheim as you settle in for the night and awaken as the sun rises over the magnificent grounds and gardens.
Until 1 November; prices from £23.10 per night (includes two adults, Caravan Club members offer); caravanclub.co.uk

Wild Wookey adventure caving, Somerset
Set in some of the most spectacular caves in the UK, test your adrenaline levels with Wild Wookey adventure caving at Wookey Hole. The experience includes abseiling, traversing over deep water, Via Ferrata climbs, awesome views, a boat river crossing, zip line exit and the chance to see rare geological and archaeological treasures.
wookey.co.uk 
See the seal pups at Blakeney Point, Norfolk 
Autumn marks the start of seal pupping season. Join a Beans Boat crew and sail close enough to witness the mothers and their new pups as they laze on the rocks.
From £13 for adults and £7 for children aged 14 and under; visitnorthnorfolk.com
Autumn Apple Day, Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre
In the heart of the Shropshire Hills, autumn brings a treasure trove of delights with hazelnuts, whinberries, mushrooms, apples, pears and Shropshire prune damsons all growing in the meadows. Join the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre team for Autumn Apple Day on 25 October and take part in tours of the orchards, apple pressing and jelly making demonstrations. Enjoy homemade cider or apple juice and deliciously prepared apple delights in the café. 
Free entry, 25 October; shropshirehillsdiscoverycentre.co.uk
Night walks and stargazing, Exmoor National Park
Join a local astronomer for a guided walk through Exmoor, an International Dark Sky Reserve and home to some of the darkest skies in the country. Witness the sights as you walk under the blanket of stars, with interesting insights and a tasty supper in a nearby pub to finish up the evening. As part of the Exmoor Dark Skies Festival from 16-31 October, the walks will be run by Wild About Exmoor and take place on various dates throughout the month. 
From £18 for adults and £10 for children; wildaboutexmoor.com 
Autumn colours on the English Arboretum trail 
From the National Memorial Arboretum to Batsford and Westonbirt, a walk in an English woodland is a must this autumn. Forestry England sites across the country offer a wealth of seasonal trails and events. For something different, try a Foraged Colour Workshop at Westonbirt Arboretum in Gloucestershire on 3 October, where a sustainable artist will be teaching eco-dying techniques.
£75 for the Foraged Colour Workshop; forestryengland.uk 
Kayaking on the Tyne, Newcastle/Gateshead 
Explore the sights of Newcastle and Gateshead from a whole new perspective with CBK’s Adventure Co’s kayak tour of the River Tyne. Taking in unrivalled views of the famous seven bridges of the Tyne and Quayside, there is no jostling for position here as you quietly paddle beneath the bridges, snapping pictures and enjoying the view as you go.
newcastlegateshead.com 

Discover Dartmoor on horseback 
Join local guides for a tour on horseback through the wilds of open moorland and ancient woodland in Dartmoor. Hear stories about the history, terrain and nature of Dartmoor before tucking into a locally-sourced lunch.
From £275 per person (half-day tour); nationalparkexperiences.co.uk
Explore Ice Age England at Creswell Crags, Nottinghamshire 
Visit a limestone gorge that is honeycombed with caves and smaller fissures. See the stone tools and remains of animals that were found in the caves by archaeologists. The finds reveal the story of life during the last Ice Age between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. Learn about Britain’s only known Ice Age rock art and the largest collection of “witches’ marks”, which were discovered in 2018.
visit-nottinghamshire.co.uk
Chiltern Trike Tours, Buckinghamshire 
Hit the open road on a chauffeured Boom trike experience. Take in the beauty of Chiltern’s ancient woodland, picturesque villages and discover stories, myths and legends of the area.
From £250 (two-hour tour); chilterntriketours.co.uk 
Scents and sights of Jane Austen’s life, East Hampshire 
Step back in time to Jane Austen’s 1816 home and experience aspects of her daily life, including her early morning piano practice. A new multi-sensory experience uses scents and sounds to bring the house to life. 
Entry to Jane Austen House is £9 for adults, £7 for children (7-17) and free for under 6; janeaustens.house
Champneys spa at Mottram Hall, Cheshire 
Luxury spa brand Champneys is launching its first northern outpost in the coming weeks. The £10m new spa includes a 20-metre swimming pool with private cabanas; a thermal suite with steam room and saunas; treatments by Elemis and Clarins; a gym; activity studios; restaurant; café; and the UK’s first Champneys barbershop. The new spa is part of a £15m revamp of the country-house hotel near Macclesfield.
From £79 per person for a classic spa day; mottramhall.com 
National Trust Holiday Cottages, Polzeath, Cornwall 
The Pentire Farmhouse and Pengirt holiday cottages have both been restored with traditional touches. They are perched on the Pentire headland and offer glorious sea views. A short walk away is the sandy beach of Pentireglaze Haven, linking to Polzeath beach, the perfect spot for surfers at low tide.
Opening October; Pentire Farmhouse from £1,099 for two nights, sleeps eight; Pengirt from £550 for two nights, sleeps four; nationaltrust.org.uk 
Horses and Nature Retreat, Heale Farm, Exmoor 
Offering a unique approach to wellbeing through the calming presence of horses, the course includes open-air mindfulness sessions and walk and talk with the animals. It’s the perfect way to enjoy the tranquil beauty of Exmoor in autumn.
From £250 per person; healefarm.co.uk

Pumpkin Grotto at Groombridge Place, Tunbridge Wells 
A secret garden with its gentle stream and wooden bridge will be transformed into a magical pumpkin grotto. Spot all the hidden pumpkins and if you come in fancy dress there may be something special waiting for every ghoul, ghost, phantom and skeleton. Afterwards, discover Crusoe’s World with its wooden rope bridge, giant wooden ship, rope swings and zip wire or walk along the canal, through the forest and you might catch a glimpse of the resident herd of fallow deer. 
Until 1 November; family tickets from £25, adults £8.95, children £6.95; groombridgeplace.com
Tresco Island Autumn Wellbeing & Yoga Retreat, Isle of Scilly 
Join Yogi Gem Hansen and guest tutor Will Harrigan for five serene nights of meditative practice, yoga and island hopping. Featuring island sunrises and guided mindfulness walks around Tresco’s north coast, the retreat promises to be simultaneously grounding and uplifting.
12-17 October; from £900 (based on two sharing) or £725 per person; tresco.co.uk
Apples for Autumn, Herefordshire Cider Circuits
Two new cycling trails showcasing Herefordshire’s apple heritage have launched this month just in time for harvest’s bumper crop. Visitors can enjoy cider tastings and the restaurants, pubs and cafes will be serving apple-themed tasting menus. Get the chance to meet some of the award-winning producers and explore the county’s incredible landscapes and orchards. 
applesforautumn.co.uk 
Woodland feasts, Buckinghamshire 
Enjoy a foraging feast with Nomadic Dining. Set in secluded woodland you will immerse into a magical experience of living off the land and cooking over wildfires. The menus will feature the fruits and finds of your forest forage.
From £90; events take place in October and November; experiencenomadic.com
Vineyard Open Days, Wiston Estate, South Downs 
On arrival you will be greeted by Kirsty Goring, whose family owns the Sussex estate. She will introduce you to Wiston and will give a complimentary tutored tasting of two of their award-winning English Sparkling Wines. Vineyard manager James McLean has also curated a self-guided tour around the estate. 
£10 per ticket; open days are on 10, 24 and 31 October; wistonestate.com 

Arts & Life
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

Credits 

PXHere Alt Text 

Albums of the Week

AngelHeaded Hipster – The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex, Peter Grimes and American Head

Review

The Week Staff

Friday, September 18, 2020 – 1:29pm

This week’s best new releases include various artists singing the songs of Marc Bolan and T. Rex, a new recording of Benjamin Britten’s 1945 opera and the latest record by The Flaming Lips.

Various: AngelHeaded Hipster – The Songs of Marc Bolan & T. Rex (BMG £13)
Marc Bolan was the “platonic ideal of a pop star – glamorous, impish, lovable yet elusive”, said Tim de Lisle in The Mail on Sunday. Now, 43 years after his death, he receives “one of the biggest compliments known to songwriters” – a tribute by Hal Willner, the great producer who sadly died earlier this year of Covid-19, soon after completing work on this wonderful album. Willner’s special gift was for matching material and artist, and here a starry array of Bolan fans – including U2 with Elton John, Joan Jett, Nick Cave, Peaches, and Marc Almond – deliver beautifully realised covers of some of his best songs. 
See related 

Coronavirus: just how bad was the Covid crisis in UK care homes? Tests run out in coronavirus hotspots amid UK-wide shortages Coronavirus test rationing: who will be at the back of the queue? There are moments when Bolan’s “defiantly gibberish” lyrics feel exposed, said Neil McCormick in The Daily Telegraph. “I got giraffes all up in my hair and I don’t care,” croons Father John Misty on Main Man. But in fact, it scarcely matters. With its “intriguing cast, exotic songs and dazzling arrangements”, this treat of an album is a “loving, rich, strange and rewarding delight”. My advice: “Bang a gong, and get it on.”

Britten: Peter Grimes (Chandos; £23)
This superb new recording of Benjamin Britten’s breakthrough 1945 opera, by the Bergen Philharmonic under Edward Gardner, is up there with the “finest” ever, said Erica Jeal in The Guardian. It was made last year following several semi-staged performances and acclaimed concerts – and the recording is thus “extraordinarily well run-in”. Even in audio only, it registers as a “genuine music drama”. The music “leads us through the story in one urgent, vital sweep”, the sound is “huge and thrilling”, and there’s “sparkling interplay between singers and orchestra”. 
This “outstanding” Peter Grimes is one to “cherish”, agreed Hugh Canning in The Sunday Times – and it preserves Stuart Skelton’s “immense incarnation” of the title role. His Grimes is “brutish” in his treatment of the apprentice, yet “heart-breakingly vulnerable” in the mad scene. Erin Wall and Roderick Williams provide fine support, and the Bergen choruses (with singers from the Royal Northern College of Music) “share the honours with Gardner’s superlative orchestra”.

The Flaming Lips: American Head (Bella Union; £10)
Recent Flaming Lips albums have been “gimmicky or unlistenable”, said Will Hodgkinson in The Times. But on American Head, they rediscover “what they do better than anyone, which is a dreamy, richly melodic take on psychedelic rock containing stories culled from experience”. Their best album since 1999’s The Soft Bulletin, it’s a strangely moving “hallucinogenic epic about the other side of the American dream”. Harmonies and melodies “unfold with ease” and crescendo before breaking into “musical Technicolor” and there is a luxurious, Beatlesque quality throughout. Just wonderful.
This is an album about memories of childhood and adolescence, said Elisa Bray in The Independent. The sound is “accessible, tender and surreal”. Many of the songs are augmented by backing vocals from Texas country star Kacey Musgraves. And the bucolic tone throughout “conjures flashbacks with wide-eyed wonder”, especially in the “melodic gem” Dinosaurs on the Mountain. Evocative and beautiful, the album is a thrilling return to peak form.

Arts & Life Music
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg

A documentary looking at the final days of John Lennon’s life has been snapped up by BritBox. The North American streamer, which is a joint venture between BBC Studios and ITV, has acquired the U.S. rights to documentary special Lennon’s Last Weekend. The film reveals the last in person interview the former Beatle ever gave, to […]
Read Morenzezmtqxmzatyzcyni00ntmyltk0n2etmmm2zdc0mmm4ywjinwy1ymi5nweymtaxzg