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SOMETHING SPECIAL
I HAVE JUST RECEIVED the September issue of BRITISH HERITAGE, dealing with “Britain Under the Caesars.” The magazine is so engrossing that I read it through from cover to cover in one afternoon. I have long been a subscriber and I think I can say that the September issue is the most interesting I have ever seen.
William O. Allen
Chelsea, Michigan
THANK YOU for the best ever BRITISH HERITAGE issue! The special “Britain Under the Caesars” issue was great reading and had wonderful pictures and places to visit beyond the usual Stonehenge, gardens, and country homes.
This issue will stay on my shelf for a long time, especially since I started reading Jack Whyte’s Camolud Chronicles this summer. Your pictures made his storytelling even more intense and entertaining.
Thanks to your writers for their expertise in researching Britain’s Roman period. I usually prefer the Victorian to Georgian eras, but this issue was a real time trip.
Marijane Wernsman, Ph.D.
Lubbock, Texas
JUST WANTED TO DROP A NOTE to let you know how very much I enjoy your magazine. I always look forward to the day a new BRITISH HERITAGE arrives in my mailbox. I very much enjoy the special issues, like “The Age of Arthur,” “Ancient Britain,” and “Tudor England.”
I’ve been to the British Isles three times and your magazine was a great reference for my travel planning I only wish you came out monthly!
Carrie Pederson
Coon Rapids, Minnesota
EDITOR’S NOTE: Normally, we try to avoid the appearance of patting ourselves on the back by publishing such flattering letters as these, but the response to our Roman Britain special issue has been so overwhelming that we simply could not fail to acknowledge our readers’kindness by printing just a sample of the feedback we have received. Thank you.
To be honest, we had anticipated that “Britain Under the Caesars” would be the last word in our series of special issues focusing on Britain’s historical eras. The overwhelmingly favourable reaction to the issue, however, has prompted us to investigate some additional themes for future issues.
Next year marks the 60th anniversary of the D-Day landings, and we hope to remember the event with a special issue comparing the Normandy Invasion of 1944 with the Norman Invasion of 1066. Then, in 2005 we plan to take a close look at the later Middle Ages and the Wars of the Roses. Both issues, of course, will also include the many practical travel suggestions that have been such an important part of our special issues in the past.
In the meantime, we’ll do our best to bring you thought-provoking and eyeopening regular issues. We hope you like the recent changes to the magazine, by which we are striving to present Britain’s history and culture—and especially its personalities—in a more substantial and visually striking manner. We welcome your continuing comments and invite your ideas about other topics you’d like to see us explore.
HURRICANE ALERT
YOUR ARTICLE regarding Hurricanes (” Luftwaffe in the Crosshairs,” March 2003, page 24) brought to mind an incident that occurred when I was a child in London during World War II. It must have happened toward the end of the war during the summer months.
My brother, a neighbour child, and I were playing in our back garden when we heard the old familiar rumble of an enemy aircraft. Looking up, we saw a German bomber chugging toward the north-west, a light stream of smoke coming from its starboard engine. We knew it was going in the wrong direction. If it was making for home it should have been going south-east.
As it passed overhead, at about 2,000 feet, we saw the bomb bay doors were open and the rack was full. We heard a funny crackling noise and there, racing to catch up, was a Hurricane fighter.
The much smaller fighter darted and dodged around the lumbering bomber. Firing from underneath, on top, both sides—I’ve never seen anything quite like it, not before nor since—rather like a mosquito attacking an elephant. Return fire came only from the rear of the bomber.
We three jumped and cheered and waved our arms as the two aircraft passed further away. When the bomber e x p l o d e d we screamed ourselves hoarse. The Hurricane pilot turned for home, flew slowly over us, and wagged his wings. I’ve often wondered what happened to that pilot.
Barbara F. Russo
Placerville, California
SUCH A GENTLEMAN
MR. A
RTHUR
RACKHAM
(” Keepsakes,” July 2003) was a frequent visitor to the house in Kensington Gardens where my mother worked as a scullery maid. The staff all loved him. He invited my mother and another maid to see the very first show of Peter Pan and asked for their opinion of it. They were thrilled to bits.My mother never ceased telling this story. She said Mr. Rackham was such a gentleman and loved by everyone.
JoAnn Rhind
Lake Park, Florida
SHREWSBURY QUEST
OUR JULY ISSUE included a reference to The Shrewsbury Quest in Shropshire. We have since been advised that the Quest’s reconstructed monastic rooms and exhibits have been permanently closed, although the gardens are still open to visitors free of charge. The site now serves as the headquarters of the Shropshire Wildlife Trust.
HOW TO RING BRITAIN
The British telephone numbers provided in BRITISH HERITAGE include an initial zero, which callers from North America do not need- to dial when placing a call to Britain. North Americah callers should dial 011-44 in place of the initial zero J When travelling in Britain, dial the telephone numbers exactly as printed.
The editors take care to ensure that all dates, hours of opening, telephone numbers, and admission fees quoted in editorial material are as accurate as possible; however, these details are subject to frequent change, so we strongly recommend that readers call ahead before visiting stately homes, etc., to ensure they have up-to-date information.
WE ENJOY HEARING FROM YOU!
Please share any recommendations, comments, and discoveries you think other BRITISH HERITAGE READERS would like to hear about. The editors would like to answer all correspondence; unfortunately, time does not permit this, hut whenever possible and appropriate, we will include readers’fetters with occasional editorial comments in this department. We ask that writers include their names and addresses, and we reserve the privilege of editing letters for reasons of space and clarity. Letters should be addressed to: THE EDITORS, BRITISH HERITAGE, 6405 Flank Drive, Harrisburg, PA 17112
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