Phoebe posing. A natural gif.

All in the aid of history. My daughter dressing up and posing as someone being buzzed by a Spitfire. The cover of this year's Chalke Valley History Festival brochure shows Phoebe and our neighbour, Millie, dressed as Victorians taking the air and being surprised, maybe terrified, at the sight of a Spitfire howling through the valley on the way back from a sortie.

Down in the valley: design for a festival

AD FOR THE CHALK VALLEY HISTORY FESTIVAL SHOWING GRAPHIC THEME

The inaugural Chalke Valley History Festival is over, and by all accounts is was a complete and magnificent success. Most gigs sold out; parking, catering and ticketing all flawlessly organised. Three days of speakers from Michael Wood to Amanda Vickery, Greeks, Romans, Georgians and some horrific Popes all being explained with passion and knowledge; all sounding good. And all being heard. There was a professional air about the whole thing. They seemed to know about PR and stuff, and not one hand-painted sign... Wow, and all in Bowerchalke, in deeply sleepy Wilts.