With thanks to Country and Townhouse and All Events, here are a few ideas of things to do this week in London and Leeds, plus a fantastic opportunity from Opera North:

Why this secretarial demigod could be your saviour, and what to see at this year’s Frieze

As the rain continues to hammer down and lockdown measures increase apace, sometimes you have just got to hold your hands up and laugh. And if you're a news and political junkie (we hope you're feeling ok, President Trump), you can luckily satiate your thirst for both with belly laughs as the new Spitting Image has returned to our screens. At C&TH HQ, we've been staving off the gloom with Zoom rum cocktail making classes courtesy of Don Papa and rushing to book tickets as the London theatre scene slowly comes back to joyful life.

Have a great week.

Lucy

FIVE THINGS YOU WON'T WANT TO MISS

Who is Banksy? The question remains unanswered, but a new exhibition at HOFA Gallery shines a light on the elusive artist. Expect dark humour, dystopian ideals and stencil imagery at its best. Image: Trolleys, Banksy, 2007.

Give your autumn wardrobe a refresh at Isabel Spearman’s Daily Dress Edit Pop-Up shop, which features a curated selection of her favourite independent British brands – from Anna Mason to Emilia Wickstead.

Celebrate female writers, artists and entrepreneurs from all over the world at Hay Festival Europa28. While face-to-face events are taking place in Croatia, many discussions and readings are being streamed online this week.

From the Kardashians to Eva Mendes, designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard has worked with some of the world's biggest stars. He'll be spilling his interior secrets with Carole Annett in our webinar on 14 October – sign up for free here.

Frieze London and Frieze Masters return with a hybrid of online and offline activity. Tune into the Frieze Viewing Room to see works from 200 galleries, or check out Frieze Sculpture at Regent's Park. Image: Ingleby, Lorna Robertson.

WHAT’S GETTING US THROUGH THE WEEK

SPITTING IMAGE

It’s back! If you’re old enough – like me – to remember the original series, you’ll have rejoiced at the news that the bitingly funny – and so close to the bone it actually hurts – satirical series is back on Britbox with a new cast of anti-heroes. You’ll have a chuckle that Prince Charles is STILL waiting for the top job 25 years later, and you’ll perhaps feel a jolt of empathy as you look into Bojo’s sad eyes (or perhaps not). Whoever’s side you’re on, this is the water cooler/Google Hangouts TV to be watching right now.

THE SECRETARIAL DEMIGOD

If you’re inbox is screaming at you or you need a hand to keep on top of things in your busy household, Olivia Newton’s your lady. Diary management, booking travel, computer spring cleans… to collecting the children, she’ll do all this and more. She’s tech savvy, discreet, punctual and hardworking. Think Mary Poppins meets secretarial demigod. Your friends will love you if you buy them a gift voucher for some of her time. Olivianewton@mac.com, £200 per day. More must-have services here

NOBLE PANACEA

With the gorgeous Jodie Comer as face of the brand, there are a few more strings to Noble Panacea’s bow too, most notably that it was created by Sir Fraser Stoddart, a Nobel Laureate in Chemistry. The result is products that have seen 94 per cent of women surveyed say that their skin felt energised and recharged after four weeks’ use. Why? Because of the potency of the active ingredients and the patented method of how they are delivered to the skin. Choose from The Brilliant (for more youthful skin) or The Absolute (for, ahem, older skin).

RESELLFRIDGES

Selfridges continues to lead from the front when it comes to disrupting traditional retail. As well as working with The Restory (for repairing your old Chanel), Hurr Collective (for dress rental), they’ve now launched a pre-loved fashion section both in store in The Corner Shop and online. Soon, you’ll be able to sell your vintage pieces with them too. Bravo.

Enter now to be in with a chance of winning a Bamford Wellness Gift Package filled with luxury bath and body products from Bamford, plus yoga props.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE UP TO

Charlie Casely-Hayford takes us on a tour of his London haunts

Daniella Saunders explores the tablescaping trend

Gordon Campbell Gray tells Amy Wakeham about his new project

Sebastian Conran talks about the future of design on Break Out Culture

STAYING IN? WE'VE GOT ALL YOU NEED

READ...

For a measured approach to the climate crisis, the recently published False Alarm by Danish scientist Bjorn Lomborg is a must-read

WATCH...

Jeff Daniels is brilliant as James Comey in The Comey Rule, a four-parter based on the former FBI director's dealings with Donald Trump

Get involved with T he Brilliant Breakfast on 13 October to help raise money for The Prince's Trust's Women Supporting Women initiative

EAT...

For a tasty plant-based alternative to steak, try this cauliflower recipe from chef Bettina Campolucci Bordi of Bettina's Kitchen

PS: LOVE OUR CONTENT?
FIND MORE HERE...

THE UK'S BEST DOG-FRIENDLY HOTELS

AUTUMN WALKS: THE BEST WATERPROOF BOOTS

HOW TO EAT FOR THE PLANET: 10 TOP TIPS

GUIDE TO LONDON CRAFT WEEK 2020

Sign up for 10 print issues of Country & Town House magazine, plus supplements and instant access to every digital edition for only £12.

SUBSCRIBE TO C&TH

Our mailing address is:
Country & Town House

Studio 2, Chelsea Gate Studios, London, SW6 4QL, United Kingdom

Who’s collaborating with who and which coat will you be
wrapping up in this season?

Welcome to our inaugural Great British Brands newsletter. Mixing old and new, we’re celebrating everything from Rolls-Royce’s ‘Post-Opulent’ Ghost to The Deck and The Service – the hot young arrivals shaking up Savile Row, as well as taking a deep dive into four brands still going strong over two centuries later.

We’re also highlighting this season’s coolest collaborations, from Noir Kei Ninomiya’s crystal studded lace-ups for Church’s to Sabina Savage’s exquisite designs for Cleave, and we’re wrapping up for winter in a gorgeous new coat.

Missing foreign shores? Fantasise about that post lockdown bucket trip from our favourite travel brands. And don’t miss your chance to win two nights at London’s coolest new hotel The Mayfair Town House. Good luck!

See you next month.

NEWS

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE WORLD OF GREAT BRITISH BRANDS?

Bond's new shoes, who’s celebrating 150 years, and have you signed up for the Brilliant Breakfast?

FASHION

SHOP TILL YOU DROP

Wrap up in our editor's pick of the best British coats for the new season

GREAT BRITISH BRAND INTERVIEW

WILL BUTLER-ADAMS OF BROMPTON BICYLE

Brand Vitsoe. Hero Sir David Attenborough. Weekend Camping by Red Tarn under Striding Edge in the Lake District. Dish Toad in the hole. Institution Royal Geographical Society. Shop Lock & Co, St James’s. Undiscovered gem Sanna Bay, Ardnamuchan. Idiosyncrasy Sausages and marmalade. Band Police. Read Cider

with Rosie by Laurie Lee. Museum Science Museum. Hotel Middlethorpe Hall, York. Designer Andrew Ritchie. Car Nissan Leaf.

The winner will stay in either the Penthouse suite or the Garden Suite. Prize includes breakfast, £100 to spend in the The Dandy Bar on drinks and snacks, and a private cocktail making class with award-winning mixologist Pierpaolo Monaco.

TO ENTER

1. Follow C&TH on Instagram and like The Mayfair Townhouse competition post

2. Tag the person you'll be bringing with you

3. Bonus entry if you also share the post on your Instagram Story and tag @countryandtownhouse