Wedgwood Collection still revealing new treasures a decade after it was saved for the nation

It is one of the most important industrial collections in the world, with more than 175,000 artworks, ceramics and photographs, spanning two centuries of history.The Wedgwood Collection was acquired for the nation by the charity Art Fund and gifted to the Victoria and Albert Museum 10 years ago today, and researchers are still uncovering new treasures within it, from china with royal connections to family keepsakes. The fundraising drive to buy the archive is still the most successful ever held by Art Fund.Josiah Wedgwood founded a ceramics company in 1759, which would become one of the largest and most famous manufacturers of Staffordshire pottery. Designs, objects and manuscripts collected by the Wedgwood family cover “history from the Industrial Revolution to today”, Catrin Jones, chief curator of the V&A Wedgwood Collection, said

‘I’m a mixed Black female historical re-enactor in a sea of men with beards’

Not everyone would want to spend their weekends dressed in a tunic fighting medieval battles, but my love of re-enacting is rooted in keeping history aliveIt is the summer of 1265. I am bottling leeches in an open-air apothecary as a medical apprentice of the church. Minstrels tune their musical instruments and soldiers sharpen their swords. Gloucester has just been captured by Prince Edward, and royal forces are growing in the west of England. The men come to me for yarrow to staunch their bleeding, comfrey to heal their injuries, and sulphur to soothe their sores

‘You’re a slut!’: Judi Dench reveals parrot’s pet name for her

She has been hailed as a national treasure, the queen of stage and screen, with a damehood to match. But Dame Judi Dench has revealed that her pet parrot has a rather less polite name for her: “Slut.”The Academy Award-winning actor, who turns 90 next week, said everyone should have a bird like her rescue African grey parrot, Sweetie, despite their indecorous language.“We had a long chat just now. You shouldn’t ask what she says

Blur bassist Alex James: ‘I’m so happy for Oasis. Liam is an incredible singer, and he can’t help being a rock star’

The musician on struggling to fit into his Britpop pants, his ambition to make giant Frazzle, and the football song that keeps him fedBassist Alex James, along with Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon and Dave Rowntree, formed Blur in 1988. In 2023, Blur brought out their ninth studio album, The Ballad of Darren, and played two sold-out nights at Wembley Stadium. Alex started making cheese in 2003, and hosts an annual food and music event, the Big Feastival, on his farm in the Cotswolds. He is married to Claire Neate and has five children – Geronimo, twins Artemis and Gallileo, Sable and Beatrix. His book, Over the Rainbow, is his account of Blur’s reformation and tour in 2023

16th-century graffiti of Tower of London prisoners decoded for first time

The writing was on the wall for many of the prisoners incarcerated in the Tower of London over the centuries. Now, it can finally be deciphered.Hundreds of graffiti texts scratched into the historic stone walls by prisoners as they awaited their fate have come to light for the first time. Examples that were either overlooked or illegible are emerging through cutting-edge technology.Dr Jamie Ingram, who is heading a major project to study graffiti in the Tower of London, described the discoveries as “exciting”

On my radar: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett’s cultural highlights

Born in London in 1987, the actor Nathan Stewart-Jarrett studied at the Brit school and the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. After early stage roles including The History Boys at the National Theatre, he was cast in E4’s Misfits and Channel 4’s Utopia. He starred in the 2017 National Theatre production of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, as well as its Broadway transfer. He has appeared in films Dom Hemingway, Candyman, and Femme, for which he and George MacKay won a 2023 Bifa award for best joint lead performance. His TV roles include Doctor Who and The Trial of Christine Keeler