Ellen Ann Willmott, a once-renowned but now largely forgotten gardener of the 19th century, was a complex figure known for her gardening prowess and her Catholic faith. Despite her achievements, including receiving the RHS Medal of Honour in 1897 alongside Gertrude Jekyll, Willmott's difficult personality overshadowed her legacy. A recent discovery of her personal documents and photographs at Spetchley Park offers new insights into her life and work.

The Great Fire of London in 1666 devastated the medieval city, destroying 13,000 houses, 87 churches, St. Paul's Cathedral, and London's only bridge. Despite the extensive damage, only six lives were lost. The fire led to the homeless situation of 65,000 people and prompted the reconstruction of the city, overseen by Christopher Wren. Wren's architectural contributions included 51 parish churches and the iconic St. Paul's Cathedral. The fire also had unexpected positive outcomes, such as the eradication of the plague and the development of the West End and insurance industry. Some buildings survived both the Great Fire and the Blitz, including All Hallows by the Tower, the Guildhall, and 41-42 Cloth Fair. The fire's origin was traced to a bakery on Pudding Lane, and the baker, Thomas Farynor, was implicated, though a Frenchman was wrongfully executed for arson.

The article reviews four children's books for March 2022. 'My Book of Butterflies' by Geraldo Valerio is a picture book about butterflies with collage illustrations. 'Where’s Baby?' by Anne Hunter is an interactive read-aloud featuring a hide and seek story with foxes. 'Anthology of Amazing Women' by Sandra Lawrence, illustrated by Nathan Collins, shares stories of 50 influential women. 'Vespertine' by Margaret Rogerson is a dark fantasy about a nun who bargains with a spirit to protect her home.

The article continues the story of Rev. Saugstad, who, after the death of his first wife Randine, married Marie Gunhild Myhr and moved his family to various locations while serving as a pastor. He eventually settled in Bella Coola, British Columbia, where he and other Norwegian settlers established a community, building a salmon cannery, dairies, and a sawmill. Christian Saugstad died in 1897 and is buried in Bella Coola, where a mountain is named in his honor. The Westby Area Historical Society seeks more information on the Saugstad family.

Sandra Lawrence explores 'Growing Underground', an urban farm located in a former bomb shelter beneath Clapham High Street. The farm, founded by entrepreneurs Steven Dring and Richard Ballard, utilizes LED lighting to grow microgreens in a sustainable and carbon-neutral manner. The facility, which had to undergo a sanitation lockdown before launching, is now trading and supplies top restaurants with fresh produce, with Michel Roux Jr as a notable client. The farm represents a creative use of disused space, with potential for expansion into additional tunnels. The article also touches on the history of the bomb shelters and their various uses post-war.

The article describes various Christmas celebrations and historical traditions taking place in London during December. It highlights the festive decorations and events at famous landmarks such as the West End, Tower of London, Hampton Court, and Kensington Palace. The author mentions the special Christmas activities, including medieval reenactments, Elizabethan celebrations, and Victorian-themed displays. The Charles Dickens Museum and the Geffrye Museum are also featured for their Christmas exhibits. Additionally, the article covers traditional events like the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols at St Bartholomew the Great and the Christmas at Kew Gardens light display. Windsor Castle's Regency Christmas and the Twelfth Night celebrations by The Lions Part theatre company are also included. The author provides a personal and engaging narrative, inviting readers to explore the rich cultural offerings of London during the holiday season.

The article discusses the propagation of skirret, a historical vegetable, by an individual named Cooke. Cooke found it easy to propagate skirret by cutting it into inch-long lengths and potting them. While some guides suggest caution to prevent skirret from becoming invasive, Cooke's experience indicates that it is not likely to be a problem. Conversely, Hampton Court is struggling to grow enough skirret to meet demand. The restaurant at Hampton Court has begun serving historic food, including meat roasted on the Great Fire, but skirret has not yet been included on the menu.

The article explores the real-life locations in the Peak District that were featured in Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice' and how they relate to the 1995 BBC adaptation. It discusses the journey of Elizabeth Bennet and the various places she visits, such as the fictional Pemberley, the real towns of Oxford, Blenheim, Warwick, Kenilworth, Birmingham, and the village of Lambton, which is speculated to be inspired by Bakewell. The author describes the experience of visiting these sites today, including Blenheim Palace and Chatsworth House, which are believed to have influenced Austen's depiction of aristocratic estates in her novel. The article also touches on the historical and cultural significance of these locations and offers practical information for tourists interested in following in Elizabeth Bennet's footsteps.

The article discusses the restoration efforts of a historical estate, focusing on preserving its 'secret garden' charm while revealing the underlying structure of the house and gardens. The trust responsible for the restoration has carefully cleared the area, maintaining the moss that covers the brickwork and exposing the remnants of nursery beds and forcing frames. The conservatory, where the estate's notable figure Willmott spent her last days, has been stabilized but not fully renovated. Other features such as the old turning circle and the boating lake have been cleared to show their original form, with the lake remaining dry. A peculiar discovery was made of old milestones at the stone steps of the lake, which give directions to Chester.

The article discusses the historical significance of Maids of Honour cakes, which date back to the time of Henry VIII. These cakes were considered a luxury and a symbol of status, as they were made with expensive ingredients like fine sugar and spices that were only affordable to the nobility. The consumption of these cakes indicated that one was wealthy enough not to work for a living and had the social standing to be invited to exclusive banquets. The article contrasts the rich, sweet nature of these cakes with the bland and heavy pottage that was the staple diet of the common people at the time.

The article provides tips from the Royal Observatory on stargazing in London, despite the city's heavy light pollution. It includes advice from astronomers Tom Kerss and Marek Kukula on finding dark spots, allowing eyes to acclimatise to darkness, and using simple equipment like red torches and filters to enhance the stargazing experience. The article also suggests joining local astronomy groups for access to knowledge and equipment, and lists various astronomical phenomena visible in London, such as the Moon, planets, stars, galaxies, meteors, and man-made objects like the International Space Station. Safety tips, such as staying warm and getting permission to access private lands, are also provided, along with alternatives for poor weather conditions, like visiting the Planetarium or taking astronomy classes.