Angela Youngman – författare

Thousands of visitors every year head for Scotch Whisky and Gin distilleries to explore the varying tastes, experiences and regional differences that make this industry so special. Whisky is Scotland’s national drink and its biggest export. With over 240 distilleries spread across the entire length and breadth of Scotland, there is plenty of choice. The distilleries are listed by traditional regions: Campbeltown, Highland, Islay, Lowland and Speyside. Each distillery listing contains details of its background, history and type of whisky or gin produced on site and any other distilleries within the immediate area. Information is also provided on visitor facilities which can range from guided tours to sampling, onsite bars, cafes and gift shops.The book is more than just a guidebook as it sets out to provide an informative and entertaining introduction to visiting Scotch distilleries. Discover the history and stories of these spirits such as Biawa, the distillery ghost, links with James Bond, Old Tom, smugglers, anatomists and iconic films. There are unique traditions such as Burns Night and the Quaich, annual festivals to attend, and even hotels linked specifically to whisky and gin. Find out how and why regional spirits differ in taste, why Campbeltown whiskies are so different to those of Speyside, and how gin and whisky are produced. Ever wondered what is the Angel’s share or why whisky is sometimes referred to as whiskey? How does a mixer affect the taste? Explore the stories behind iconic whisky's like Macallan or Johnnie Walker, and find ghost distilleries that have reopened.

Renowned for its links with Tolkien, C S Lewis, Lewis Carroll, and Morse writer Colin Dexter; Oxford’s literary and film associations are diverse and wide ranging from King Arthur to Harry Potter. Ever since its foundation in the eleventh century, Oxford University has attracted authors ranging from Gerald of Wales to the Mitford sisters and Philip Pullman, many of whom studied ar the various Colleges. Shakespeare is just one of the many writers who spent time in Oxford, or have used it as a location for their stories. This is an area full of literary associations, with authors such as Agatha Christie having lived only a short distance away.Wherever you go in and around Oxford, there are literary links to be found as well as connected film and TV locations. It has been nicknamed ‘the murder capital of the UK’ due to the sheer number of murders based here by writers and film productions. Exploring these links attracts thousands of people every year.This book provides an informative, entertaining background to this longstanding literary involvement. Discover the world of Oxford, its Town and Gown links, and how nearby places Blenheim and Wantage have contributed to create a booklovers paradise. Find the Narnia door and lamppost, sit beside a statue of Agatha Christie, explore locations linked to the Dark Materials trilogy, the tavern where Shakespeare stayed, and Dylan Thomas’ home. Drink in the pubs frequented by Inspector Morse and Tolkien.

People are becoming more aware of the environment and their impact on it. Over the past decades we have become an increasingly consumerist based society. From a world in which recycling was common, single use became the norm. This throwaway society is unsustainable.Sustainable gardening results in the creation of an environmentally friendly area in which natural predators thrive and soils are naturally replenished.Discover innovative and simple ways of recycling everything from water to materials in the garden. Practical examples show recycling in action turning unwanted items into useful features such as bottle edging, footpaths made from tyres, garden forks into table lamps, broken pottery to mosaics and tree roots into lush garden stumperies.Recycling, reusing and upcycling in the garden can make a difference helping you save money by using less water, making your own compost, choosing energy efficient equipment and by giving everyday items a totally new function.Instead of a throwaway society, we are increasingly looking at ways of reducing our use of increasingly scarce resources, turning plastic into paths, using solar energy and conserving water. Natural recycling of plant material and sustainable gardening is increasingly popular. This book helps search for creative ideas that can conserve resources, and save you money.Water is no longer cheap, so the book suggests many ways that you can re-use water and get free rainwater.The book helps you with places you may not think of looking for free and cheap material, such as reclamation yards, factories, restaurants and hospitals.Let your imagination run free without needing much skill and without breaking the bank.

Amsterdam is a dream destination for art lovers, attracting thousands of visitors to its stunning museums and art galleries each year.The Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum contain internationally renowned collections of art works such as Rembrandt’s Night Watch and Van Gogh’s Sunflowers. There are many lesser known, stunning art collections ranging from fluorescent art to cat paintings, murals and outdoor sculptures including work by Picasso and Keith Haring. There are also many new art destinations to see.Applied arts are much in evidence with many unusual locations offering hidden treasures such as funeral art, WW2 Resistance Art, Jewish art, gargoyle sculptures, cat themed art, diamond sculptures and Van Gogh’s starry night portrayed in diamonds. There is a vast array of art related destinations to be explored in Amsterdam.Short distances and good transport make it easy to combine Amsterdam with exploring the art on offer in nearby towns and cities Haarlem, Rotterdam, Den’Boch, Delft or Utrecht as well as areas lVolendam and Amstelveen.The Netherlands has an impressive art history that has led to the development of major art movements such as the Dutch Golden Age and De Stijl. This is the country of Rembrandt, Hieronymous Bosch, Piet Mondrian, Vincent Van Gogh, Frans Hals, Rachel Ruysch and Vermeer.

Gin is a global alcoholic drink that has polarised opinion like no other, and its history has been a roller coaster, alternating between being immensely popular and utterly unfashionable._The Weird and Wonderful Story of Gin_ explores the exciting, interesting and downright curious aspects of the drink, with crime, murder, poisons, fires, dramatic accidents, artists, legends and disasters all playing a part. These dark themes are also frequently used to promote brands and drinks.Did you know that the Filipinos are the world's biggest gin drinkers? And even that Jack the Ripper, Al Capone and the Krays all have their place in the history of gin? Not to mention Sir Winston Churchill, Noel Coward, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and James Bond!

Jane Austen’s novels are read all over the globe, and adaptations of her works have graced both film and TV screens. Although sometimes criticised for being detached from the real world, providing nothing more than light-hearted plot-driven story lines, the reality is very different. Jane was aware of the evils of society, of the problems faced by women whether single or married. Underneath the entertaining story lines are much darker aspects of Regency and Georgian life. Staying single resulted in serious problems for young women; there were very few alternatives open to them, while marriage itself resulted in other risks. The threats of poverty or becoming a victim of crime were also an issue. Indeed, Jane’s aunt spent months in prison and faced the threat of transportation for theft. Other problems society faced included those posed by opium addiction, poor medical standards, and a lack of property leaving young men and women struggling to survive. Many sought solutions in India, leading to the creation of ‘fishing fleets’ with girls sent to marry total unknowns. Meanwhile, the issues of slavery brought more problems, and social disorder was rife. Jane Austen created classic stories that have endured the test of time, reflecting society in all its aspects, faults, values both good and bad. This is Jane Austen as you have never seen her before.

Between 1800 and 1960, gardening underwent a massive transformation, changing almost beyond recognition. It was a period when the concept of gardening as a leisure activity emerged, along with a vast array of changes in garden styles, plant breeding, the arrival of horticultural societies and shows, brands such as Suttons Seeds, and mass market tourism to garden sites. New retail styles even emerged with the advent of garden centres and containerised plants. Entrepreneurs took advantage of new technology to create products such as lawnmowers, the Wardian case terrarium and the strawberry canopy. Plant specialists searched out exotic plants from far-flung corners of the earth, risking their lives to bring back unusual specimens. Women took up gardening creating careers in a sector that had previously regarded them as little more than capable of doing light weeding or arranging flowers. New standards were established for training, products, plants and seed quality, resulting in the arrival of seeds such as Tom Thumb lettuce and frilly edged sweet peas that are still grown today.As recognition grew of the need for a green environment, green spaces and public parks accessible to all, gardening styles underwent considerable changes. This resulted in the creation of designs that have become extremely familiar such as carpet bedding so beloved of municipal gardens, rockeries, vegetable rotation, shrubberies, walled gardens, cottage gardens, roof and window gardens. It was a period which even saw garden gnomes taking up residence in gardens large and small.

WINNER OF THE GARDEN MEDIA GUILD BETH CHATTO ENVIRONMENTAL AWARD 2025.The definitive guide to water-efficient gardening, helping you to grow healthy, resilient plants in the face of climate change.Conserving water has always been appealing. Yet with rising temperatures, groundwater depletion, violent floods and intense periods of drought all on the rise, the need for water-wise gardening techniques has never been so important. In The Water-Efficient Gardener, environmental gardening specialist Angela Youngman delves into the ways we can not only protect our gardens against the impacts of climate change but transform them into colourful and biodiverse havens.This practical guide is illustrated throughout with helpful photographs and insightful case studies to inspire a range of beautiful outdoor spaces. From inventive methods for collecting rainwater to drought-tolerant plant recommendations and advice on minimising the impact of flooding on lawns, Angela presents clear solutions to the challenges of modern-day gardening.Find the joy in sustainable gardening with this timely and informative book.

The definitive guide for anyone looking to become a truly sustainable gardener. Sustainable gardens are a key element in re-greening our increasingly urban environment as well as maintaining our rural landscape. With simple techniques such as energy-efficient landscaping and container planting, even the smallest garden can become a thriving growing space. But knowing how to achieve this and assessing the potential impacts are not always easy.In this forward-thinking book, Angela Youngman shares her expert knowledge on how to create a beautiful garden that will both survive and flourish in our changing climate. From upcycling garden furniture and growing your own food to rainwater harvesting and living walls, The Sustainable Gardener offers innovative ways to transform your outdoor space. Richly illustrated with creative garden design ideas throughout, the book also includes aspirational case studies and stunning planting lists.Create a garden buzzing with wildlife and embrace the delights of self-sufficiency with this inspiring guide.

Although the children's story Alice in Wonderland has been in print for over 150 years, the mysteries and rumours surrounding the story and its creator Lewis Carroll have continued to grow.The Dark Side of Alice in Wonderland is the first time anyone has investigated the vast range of darker, more threatening aspects of this famous story and the way Alice has been transformed over the years.This is the Alice of horror films, Halloween, murder and mystery, spectral ghosts, political satire, mental illnesses, weird feasts, Lolita, Tarot, pornography and steampunk. The Beatles based famous songs such as 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' and 'I am a Walrus' on Alice in Wonderland, while she has even attracted the attention of world famous artists including Salvador Dali. Take a look at why the Japanese version of Lolita is so different to that of novelist Vladimir Nabokov - yet both are based on Alice. This is Alice in Wonderland as you have never seen her before: a dark, sometimes menacing, and threatening character.Was Carroll all that he seemed? The stories of his child friends, nude photographs and sketches affect the way modern audiences look at the writer. Was he just a lonely academic, closet paedophile, brilliant puzzle maker or even Jack the Ripper?For a book that began life as a simple children's story, it has resulted in a vast array of dark concepts, ideas and mysteries. So step inside the world of Alice in Wonderland and discover a dark side you never knew existed!

Looking for the best dog walks in Norfolk? Look no further. This book contains a collection of 20 fab routes, all hand-picked by expert walkers and tested by their even-more-expert dogs. From coast to countryside, taking in hidden gems and must-see landmarks along the way, this is your ticket to the best places to go exploring with your four-legged friend in Norfolk. All routes have been designed for maximise off-lead time.SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS:*A stroll through the Royal country park of Sandringham*Sandy scrambling over the dunes at Holme-next-the-Sea*A circuit of the Salthouse Marshes (complete with a stop at the dog-friendly Salthouse Dun Cow pub)*Woodland adventures at Felbrigg Hall, Whitlingham and Thetford Forest*A cracking mix of sand, sea & forest at Wells & Holkham *Houghton Hill: quiet country lanes, field paths & a visit to a deserted village *Ringland Hills: check out one of Norfolk's prettiest villages, take a dip in the river & walk among woodland & hills *Waterside Wensum walkies at the likes of Fakenham, Swanton Morley, and along the Broads at How HillWHY YOU'LL LOVE IT:SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE - Features 20 circular routes ranging in length from 2 to 5 milesNORFOLK AT ITS VERY BEST - From coast to country, across open landscape, through picture-postcard villages & along quiet rural paths - discover why Norfolk is a paradise for dogs & dog-walkersOFF-LEAD TIME - All walks are designed to maximise off-lead time for your dog while ensuring there are great views & scenery for owners as wellEASY TO FOLLOW - Full colour maps & pictures throughout, with clear written instructions making it easy to find your wayINFO-PACKED - All walks include details of where to park; livestock & stiles; distance & terrain; recommended dog-friendly refreshment stops; contact details for the nearest vets

20 WALKS THAT ARE PERFECT FOR YOUR DOG AND GREAT PUBS WHERE THEY’RE WELCOMEThis collection of tried-and-tested walks, all between 1½ and 5 miles, has been written specifically for dogs and their owners, allowing for maximum off-lead time. Highlights include:•Clifftop views near the popular seaside resorts of Cromer and Weybourne•A seaside stroll at Winterton-on-Sea •The salt marshes near Thornham, Thurne and Brancaster Staithe•Open countryside exploring Norfolk’s agricultural heritage at Garboldisham and Burnham Thorpe•Ancient woodland walks at Spout Hills and a rhododendron avenue at Shouldham Warren•The attractive villages of Great Massingham and Pulham MarketAll walks include:•Distance & terrain•Details of livestock & stiles•Numbered route directions•Points of interest along the way•Contact details for the nearest vets