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HM Queen Elizabeth II became the first monarch since the 18th century to attend a Cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street. It was a special visit to mark Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee Read More »

Does the British countryside inspire you to rise at dawn to capture the perfect shot? Do you spend hours waiting patiently for the right light? If yes then you might just be the next Wildlife Photographer of the Year

Treading water by Charlie Hamilton James

Both amateur and professional photographers are invited to enter the world-renowned Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition, which is now in its 49th year

And where better to find inspiration than the British countryside? There is every chance you’ll capture one of those special ‘blink-and-you-miss-it’ miracles of the natural world that usually pass us by. Perhaps it’s the moment you spot a bashful otter peaking out from beneath the calm surface of a loch in the Scottish Highlands that compels you to snap away or maybe it’s the awesome sight of a peregrine falcon swooping down from above to snatch its lunch from the Yorkshire Dales.

Finding your subject is the fun part but setting your work apart from all others requires creativity, artistry and technical excellence. There are 18 categories for entrants to submit their work, with three categories for the under-17s. But hurry, as you only have until the 22 February 2013 to submit your work.

The lucky winners will have their photograph showcased in an exciting exhibition thatdebuts at London’s magnificent Natural History Museum.

If you think you have what it takes to scoop this coveted prize, please visit www.nhm.ac.uk/wildphoto for more details on how to enter. And do let us know how you get on.

St Jame’s Palace have announced that the Duchess of Cambridge is pregnant

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Canterbury Cathedral

On 21 March 2013 Justin Welby will ascend the throne of St Augustine in Canterbury Cathedral as the 105^th Archbishop of Canterbury, as announced by Prime Minister David Cameron. This historic seat goes back more than 1,400 years, with a colourful history of widely celebrated archbishops such as Thomas Becket.

Bishop Welby will take over from the current archbishop, Most Reverend and Right Honourable Rowan Douglas Williams, who was enthroned at Canterbury Cathedral on 27 February 2003. He will step down at the end of 2012 to become the Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Armed with a Twitter account, a background in the oil industry and a position as an elected member of the Parliamentary commission on banking standards, Justin Welby looks set to bring some modernity into the Church of England. He even had the British bookmakers in a flurry as they hedged their bets on the deemed ‘unconventional’ candidate.

Not all will agree that he is the ‘contemporary’ candidate as he still holds strict views on issues such as gay marriage but it is clear that he will deliver a breath of fresh air to the role. He has experienced a spectacular rise through the throngs of the Church of England since joined the clergy in the late 1980s. From his studies at St John’s College in Durham to being elected as the most senior leader of the Church of England, 23 years seems to have flown by for this 56-year-old father of six.

As Archbishop of Canterbury, his most central role will be as Bishop of the diocese of Canterbury, but he will also gain power and influence as the pastoral leader of the Church of England through teaching and oversight, and promoting and guiding the communion of the world-wide Anglican Church. He will now be the head of the 77 million Anglicans worldwide as their spiritual leader.

Justin Welby will renounce his current title as the Bishop of Durham at the end of the year ready to fully immerse himself in his new home, his new diocese and his new role.

Other notable Archbishops of Canterbury throughout the ages:

2003-2012: Rowan Williams – The first Welshman to be selected for the role in at least 1,000 years.

1945- 1961: Geoffrey Francis Fisher – Crowned the current Queen, Elizabeth II, in 1953.

1942-1944: William Temple – Shortest serving Archbishop of Canterbury who died after a mere two years in the role.

1903-1928: Randall Davidson – First Archbishop of Canterbury to retire (all others previously had died in the post) and longest serving Archbishop since the Reformation.

1533-1535: Thomas Cranmer – Compiled the first English Book of Common Prayer and was later excommunicated by Rome and burned at the stake for heresy and treason.

1366-1368: Simon de Langham – Only Archbishop to leave the post and be re-elected.

1348: John de Ufford – Appointed in 1348 but died of the Black Plague before being able to assume his role.

1173: Roger de Bailleul – First electee to decline the role of Archbishop of Canterbury.

1162-1170: Thomas Becket – Murdered in Canterbury Cathedral in 1170 and made a saint in 1173.

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