When my children were small (4 little ones in just over 6 years) I realised the only way to scratch the sewing itch was to do patchwork on papers or needlepoint samplers, both of which could just be picked up and dumped at short notice. Fine sewing like whitework was definitely impossible. With no time […]

The snake’s head fritillary is a particular favourite of mine. When I was an undergraduate at Lady Margaret Hall (then one of only 5 women’s only Oxford colleges), the Librarian, Gisela Herwig, introduced me to sung Evensong at Magdalen College, performed with a full choir of men and boys every night during the 8 weeks […]