The exact spot where the landscape artist John Constable painted The Stour Valley and Dedham Village ^[1] has been identified for the first time in almost 200 years.

Since it was painted in 1814-15, gradual changes to field boundaries meant that the exact location of the viewpoint that inspired Constable was difficult to identify, making it one of only a handful of Constable’s landscapes still to find.

However, new research by the National Trust, which owns and looks after much of the countryside surrounding the village of Dedham on the Essex/Suffolk border, has helped pinpoint the exact location where Constable once stood to paint this particular scene.

The countdown has begun to the country’s biggest and most comprehensive family history event! Who Do You Think You Are? LIVE, sponsored by Ancestry.co.uk and powered by Times Archive is now going into its fourth year and returns to Olympia, London, from 26th-28th February 2010 so put the dates in your diary now and make sure you don’t miss this highlight of the family history calendar.

1940 was a remarkable year in which Britain experienced the blitz, saw the start of food rationing and sent evacuees away from their homes. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of this astounding year, factual channel Yesterday is releasing a selection of TV shows that celebrate the spirit of 1940 during wartime in Britain, and now Yesterday needs you!

Ration Book Britain is coming to your screens on 15 January, and marks the launch of six specially commissioned shows. To celebrate the first show, Yesterday are asking for your help in compiling an online library of stories and memorabilia from WW2.

Phenomenal public support helps to secure Vanbrugh masterpiece for the nation

The National Trust is delighted to announce today – Thursday 17 December – that Seaton Delaval Hall, close to Blyth in south east Northumberland, has been saved for the nation, securing the future of the stunning 18th century Vanbrugh house, gardens and over 400 acres of surrounding land for public enjoyment.
 
The news is being announced as Culture Minister Margaret Hodge joins Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust and members of the local community, National Trust staff, trustees and volunteers as well as many other supporters and well-wishers of the campaign in a celebration at Seaton Delaval Hall.