A night time photo of the Cutty Sark national historic ship in Maritime Greenwich, London, Next to the Greenwich entrance to the Thames foot tunnel | Photo: MattParker<br />
The Cutty Sark was made to fly over the water, to beat out all competition at the time in carrying tea from the Orient to the West. With its 34 sails and the guardian figurehead on its bow - an homage to the semi-nude witch Nannie, inspired by the work of poet Robert Burns - the mythical English clipper ship, weighing in at over 900 tons, was designed to beat all other ships at the time, carrying precious tea from China to London. Built in Dumbarton in 1869, it set out from London on February 15, 1970, headed for Shanghai loaded with strong drink and manufactured goods, set to return seven months later, packed with tea. However, the Cutty Sark, with its eight trips to China, never really lived up to expectations. It was, not surprisingly, slowed by ill winds and rough seas, but it was really eclipsed by the opening of the Suez Canal and the advent of much faster and reliable steam ships. Cutty Sark gathered its last load of Chinese tea in 1877, which afterwards made way for loads of coal and jute. After being sold to a Portoghese company which renamed it the Ferreira, it was purchased by the English Captain Wilfred Dowman and was later donated, in 1938, to the Incorporated Thames Nautical. Since 1957, it has been on display at the National Maritime Museum of Greenwich, perfectly restored after the fire which, in 2007, seriously damaged three decks.
Featuring over 100 artists, the exhibition will celebrate well-known names such as Artemisia Gentileschi, Angelica Kauffman, Julia Margaret Cameron and Gwen John, alongside many others who are only now being rediscovered.
The legendary band Pink Martini celebrates 30 years since their musical debut in 2024. A perfect blend of Latin, jazz, pop and classical influences, for a unique evening at the Royal Albert Hall.
The Hay Wain is a painting by John Constable, completed in 1821, which depicts a rural scene on the River Stour between the English counties of Suffolk and Essex. It is regarded as "Constable's most famous image" and one of the greatest and most popular English paintings of all times.
Charles Jeffrey, from king of club nights to fashion guru
The first UK exhibition presenting Glaswegian born designer, illustrator, stylist, radical creative, Charles Jeffrey - celebrating 10 years of his fashion house LOVERBOY.