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DVDs (eight-disc set), Network, 7956222 Once again, Michael Portillodons his multicoloured outfits and sets off around Great Britain clutching a copy of Bradshaw's Handbook, this time from 1936, as he travels in search of topics related to the period after the country successfully recovered from the effects of World War One and then found itself heading for another period of conflict. It really was a golden age of train travel, before post World War Two economies changed things forever. At a time when many TV travel-related programmes have tried their best to offer armchair journeys for the relief of a pandemic-restricted audience (it is amazing some presenters didn't trip over each other in Cornwall and the Lake District at times), this thoughtful set of programmes manages to discover some lesser-known people, places and events. [Extracted from the article]

He had been a captain with the Royal Artillery when he was brought in to Bletchley Park in 1942, working as part of a team focusing on the Lorenz machine tele cipher system, which was being used by senior Nazi personnel throughout Europe. By Sinclair McKay, Safe Haven, hardback, £14.99 As there were some 10,000 men and women who worked at Bletchley Park, it is probably not surprising there would be some well-known names among them. [Extracted from the article]

The latter includes George Best's trendy Edwardia boutique in Manchester, the rooftop of the Hotel Piccadilly plus Manchester United's Old Trafford ground. Conversations with their out-of-touch parents -- John Comer and Stella Moray for Geoffrey, and Joan Scott for Beryl -- appear to be realistic enough for the time in the knowing script by Jack Rosenthal that effectively levels perception against reality. The railway station scenes, however, were filmed down south at Windsor & Eton Central. [Extracted from the article]

Each car has an equally special driver -- John Surtees in pole position in the first Lola Mark II T70, Bruce McLaren in a car wearing M1A bodywork with twin silver stripes and Jackie Stewart in the first Mark I T70 with Team Surtees green stripes. With the subsequent appearance of the T70s -- a local hill-climber ran an open Spyder version -- his fascination saw him record details of every race they took part in. By Gordon Jones, Evro, hardback, £95 Three impressive cars line up at the grid for the second 30-lap part of the Guards Trophy at Brands Hatch on 30 August 1965. [Extracted from the article]

By John Buss, Amberley, paperback, £15.99 If there's a white Volvo 1800 at a classic car gathering, then it is only a matter of time before someone mentions The Saint's car. Corgi Toys' The Saint's Volvo (No 258) has the distinction of being the toy manufacturer's first TV-related model, produced in 1963 to cash in on the success of the series. The Saint first appeared in print in a series of thrillers written by Leslie Charteris in the 1920s and, once the programmes appeared, The Saint books appeared with the TV star on the cover. [Extracted from the article]

While car manufacturers increasingly looked for mass production, the elite motorist wanted to own something special. The company's razor-edged style was noticeably followed by other coachbuilding firms. Freestone & Webb -- 19231958: The Story of a British Coachbuilder By James Taylor, Herridge & Sons, hardback, £50 Imagine having the vision and wealth to own not just a prestigious car from one of the leading marques, but a superior example featuring bespoke coachwork from a team of artistic craftsmen. [Extracted from the article]

This book makes a great gift for the railway-minded, rather than perhaps the dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast who would prefer more specialist reading material, but it achieves its objectives in fine style -- just like some of those iconic trains of the past. A few diesels, such as the stylish Blue Pullman sets, do a get a look-in and there's even consideration of Railway Air Services. Remembering Britain's Railways. [Extracted from the article]

While many sign collectors concentrate on the older varieties, there is also much interest in more recent signage that brings back memories of a particular period. SOLD FOR £4,350 hammer price LOT 297 Railwayana Auctions UK Ltd -- Crewe Heritage Auction, 18-20 February (ukrailwayana.com) At one time a common sight at roadworks, an early two-sided "Stop'V'Go" board attracted a lot of interest in the road and street signs section of this sale. SOLD FOR £1,500 hammer price LOT 57 Dreweatts -- Space Exploration Photography and Ephemera, 22 February (dreweatts.com) This auction featured items from the acknowledged collection of the late Tim Furniss, among a total of more than 1,200 photographs in 434 lots. [Extracted from the article]

the article discusses several auctions from September to December 2021 including Cheffins – October Vintage Auction, Hartleys – Toy & Collectors Auction and Special Auction Services.

The author presents a personal narrative of his experiences as a press officer for Charisma Records & Films in Wardour Street, Soho.

The article discusses about the first British driver to become Formula One World Champion, Mike Hawthorn. Topics of discussion includes after winning the award he announced his retirement from racing. He was killed in a car crash at an accident. Hawthorn Memorial Trophy is awarded annually to the successful British or Commonwealth Formula One driver

The article offers insight on the kind of presents young people would want to get during Christmas in 1968 such as a model railway. Topics discussed include the must-have-toys during Christmas, an outline of the origin of Christmas presents, the model railways as gifts, and the different models of railways.

The article reviews the DVD "ABC Nights In: ‘Hello, My Daleks" hosted by David Hamilton.

The article focuses on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER), discussing the railways setting up as a new organization which earlier was known as London and North Eastern Railway. It informs on the company's train services, its good public relations, and creation of profit. LNER has made various speed records under its names because of its locomotives. The locomotive named Mallard was the one to made the most of the speed records.

The article discusses Scottish rally car driver Colin Steele McRae dealing with his obsession for cars, his career in motorsports, and his achievements as a rally car driver. The article talks about his participation in several rally car races including British Rally Championship and World RallyChampionship. Also noted is the book "McRae Just Colin" by Colin McMaster and David Evans that offers an insight on his life and career.

The article discusses how rock band Fairport Convention continue their 50th anniversary celebrations with an on-stage reunion of the current line-up and virtually all the ex-members still living and mentions how band Beatles released their seminal work Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Topics include how the band went about finding a proper singer and drummer, Unhalfbricking album appeared in 1969 and how Fairport continued to tour and record albums with various line-ups.

The article offers book reviews along with DVD reviews including book "The Village News: The Truth Behind England's Rural Idyll" by Tom Fort, DVD "Six Plays by Alan Bennett: The Complete Series," and book "Prams in the Garden: A Pictorial History of the British Perambulator" by Geoff Swift.