Newbury, UK (CNN)For the last 38 years, a quintessential pocket of British countryside nestling amongst a sea of rolling green hills 60 miles from London, has been paying homage to Arabian horse racing and culture. Some of the richest people in the world -- including members of the Dubai royal family -- descend on Newbury's racecourse to showcase the best of Middle Eastern culture both to horse racing fans as well as members of the local community. Different from the thoroughbreds that you might usually associate with racing, Arabian horses are generally smaller and are renowned for their stamina. "They are cheeky, that's for sure," leading jockey Bryony Frost, who was riding in the Newbury event for the very first time, told CNN Sport as she reflected on the two breeds' different physical attributes. "They're good fun, they're very sharp, they're very intelligent, They're always going to be two steps ahead of you so you've got to be three steps ahead of them. Read More She … [Read more...] about Arabian racing in the heart of the British countryside
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Famous faces who went to University in the North East
From rock royalty to actual royalty the North East has schooled some of the best brains in Britain, and beyond. Home to Durham, Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland the region has a strong history of higher education. And with that history comes prestige - which is backed up by producing some of the biggest names in their field. As students graduate and head into the world of work we take a look at some of the famous faces who started life up here in the North East. Newcastle University Kate Adie CBE - During her journalistic career, Kate Adie was chief news correspondent for BBC News between 1989 and 2003. She reported from war zones across the globe. Born in Whitley Bay, Kate studied Scandinavian Studies at Newcastle University in 1967 and spent her third year teaching English in Sweden. And in 1990, she graduated with an Honorary MA from Newcastle University. Rowan Atkinson - Actor, comedian and screenwriter, Rowan Atkinson was born in Consett, County Durham and studied at … [Read more...] about Famous faces who went to University in the North East
The dressmaker who helped put Alnwick on the world map
The acclaimed exhibition currently on view at Bailiffgate Museum depicts a Hundred Years of Fashion with a display of gowns from world-famous designers. Here, we unveil the important part Alnwick played in the fashion industry and its connection with the Gazette. More than 100 years ago, before designers such as Lanvin, Chanel, Balenciaga and Gucci had opened their salons, a local modiste and court dressmaker travelled to London and Paris to bring French fashions back to Alnwick. He also made copies of French designs in his workrooms (perhaps those of Worth and Vuitton) and held Expositions of Fashions in designated salons in his shop in Bondgate.Born in 1849, William Percy was the third son of Hugh Percy, a clerk employed in the estate office at Alnwick Castle, and elder brother of Charles Percy who later became a solicitor in Alnwick. There was no connection with the Percy noble family that held the title of Duke of Northumberland.After William completed his education at the … [Read more...] about The dressmaker who helped put Alnwick on the world map
Violence by French police in the spotlight
It began on Nov. 17, 2018 as a protest against fuel price rises and quickly evolved into a middle-class revolt and subsequently into a movement against French President Emmanuel Macron, who is seen as "favoring the bosses." It spread across France with university students and even high school students joining in protests. It has turned into a movement, without a leader for the moment, having an anthem of its own, a manifesto and symbols. The "yellow vest" movement, which has led to many social incidents, can provide key clues to future historians. If we are to describe the gilets jaunes (yellow vests) movement, which has been going on for months now, in a concise way, we can say that the French, who have mastered street protests to perfection since the French Revolution, have exhibited their style once again. They are the veteran protesters of the modern world. Of course, we do not know yet if these protests will be an inspiration to the world as in the 1960s. The yellow vests could … [Read more...] about Violence by French police in the spotlight
British Fashion Council pledges £1 million to young design talent
The British Fashion Council is to donate over £1 million to some of the country’s top emerging designers. In the past 12 months, the body that represents all British designers and brands has raised more than £2.3 million for its charitable and business projects, with £1.1 million of that set to be given to young talent this year. The money will go to designers in the BFC’s education and development programmes, including NewGen, the BFC Fashion Trust, the BFC Education Foundation, plus the BFC/Vogue and BFC/GQ Designer Fashion Funds for womenswear and menswear, respectively. Designers featured on the NewGen programme, which gives a platform to emerging talent, include Richard Quinn, whose February 2018 show was attended by the Queen, and Halpern, whose designs are now worn by Lupita Nyong’o and Katy Perry. Since it began in 1993, NewGen has acted as a launch pad for more than 260 designers such as Alexander McQueen, Christopher Kane and … [Read more...] about British Fashion Council pledges £1 million to young design talent