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ARTS & BOOKS Art Flâneur Tim Richardson finds artistic goings-on at a farm in Suffolk 78 Books: The Man in the Bowler Hat Tim Richardson assesses a new biography of René Magritte 90 Books Cathleen Mair and Rob Greer choose their favourite small press and non-fiction releases 96 Music Ten superior sonic selections from Stewart Lee 98 Television Peter Fincham presents two recent programme ideas – can you guess which one got made and which didn’t? 103
Recipe Lindsey Bareham creates an Easter feast 124
MERRIMENT Beer Oli Meade’s suggestions for the beer curious 128 Eating Out Victoria Hull visits an elegant eatery on Margate Harbour Arm 132 Ukulele Cameron Murray chats with idler and uke orchestra leader George Hinchliffe 136 Spirits Joseph Piercy tells the tale of the shape-shifting Scandi tipple, akvavit 139
IDLE PURSUITS Gardening Graham Burnett’s guide to growing beans 106 Beekeeping Bill Anderson explains how to make a des res for honeybees 110 Sheds Alex Johnson on how working in a shed can benefit your health 112 Travel Five must-see floral displays, chosen by Rhiannon Batten 116 Snooker Alex Johnson considers buying a snooker table 122
SELF Being Well Rachel Kelly on the benefits of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy 142 Easy Money Save and invest with the Seven Pound Millionaire’s “bucket” method 146 Problems With Virginia Ironside 148 Readers’ letters 150 Puzzle Some idle words from Alex Bellos 154 Idle pets 160