Anne Ashworth
Win tickets to the ultimate village fete with welly wanging and more

Kevin McCloud on eco-towns, the future of building and Grand Designs Live
Is there a building you wish had never been built? If so, we want to know about it. E-mail a picture of your eyesore to property@timesonline.co.uk and we will showcase the worst.
Which building would Kevin crush?
Kevin McCloud this week conceded that Grand Designs has encouraged a plethora of oak-framed homes and white-rendered boxes. But he has not developed an aversion to the modern - just to homes or other structures that do not fit their context. For this reason the building that he would most like to demolish is the Celtic Manor, above, a resort hotel near junction 24 of the M24 in Newport, Wales. McCloud has seen rather too much of this building lately, on his way to filming. He describes it thus: “It's a huge monolith on an American scale which looks like it was about to swallow up the motorway. It's not contextual - it doesn't even look English.” Paul Williams, a Celtic Manor manager, says: “The exterior architecture by David Preece may not be to everybody's taste but its design was influenced by functionality and the unusual demands of accommodating a 330-bedroom, five-star hotel. The interior design by Jane Goff, including a striking atrium lobby, has made a favourable impression on most visitors.” Newport, meanwhile, can be consoled: one of McCloud's favourites is its 19th-century transport bridge, a structure that combines elegance and utility.
Follow our three athletes' progress in their preparations for the London Triathlon, and pick up training tips and more
Enjoy screenings of all the classic films you love, plus take advantage of two-for-one tickets
We explore leisure activities that are safe and suitable for all of the family
Times Online's new TV show helps you make the right decisions for your pet
Read our exclusive 100 Years of Fleming and Bond interactive timeline, packed with original Times articles and reviews
The latest travel news plus the best hotels and gadgets for business travellers

From mortgages to savings, borrowing to consumer affairs, our collection of tools, services and guides will help you make your money go further

Essential reading whether you're buying, selling, improving or moving
2002/02
£59,995
The Midlands
F/1989
£36,000
Hollingworth At Ombersley
2007/57
£35,000
South East England
Great car insurance deals online
90K plus bonus plus options
Confidential
London
To £28k
Barclaycard
Various (outside London)
£
£40,000 - £50,000 + benefits
Lloyds Pharmacy
Coventry
£38k
Barclaycard
Various Locations
Live in One of London's Most Vibrant Areas
From £249,950
Beautiful Gardens w/ stunning Thames Views
Studios £33K, 1 Beds £60K, 2 beds £79K
Mortgages, bank acc & money transfers to help you buy abroad
Explore mystical Jordan
From £1030 for 7nts 4*
to USA's Most Cosmopolitan City; San Francisco!
£POA
Book Now for Winter 08/09 and Get 10% off!
Great travel insurance deals online
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times. Search globrix.com to buy or rent UK property. Visit our classified services and find jobs, used cars, property or holidays. Use our dating service, read our births, marriages and deaths announcements, or place your advertisement.
Copyright 2008 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Funnily enough Mr McCloud, it cannot be described as either "American" or "English" - as it is in Wales and owned by a Welsh Canadian.
Bob Davies, Newport, S Wales
"it doesn't even look English. - God forbid that it doesn't look ENGLISH...the fact it's in WALES. I don't know if Kevin has any awareness but half the properties shown on his programs aren't in context.
Rachael , Newport, South Wales, WALES
It doesn't look English!?
Dropped a clanger there haven't you Mr McLeod? A classic example of the ignorance of using 'English' as interchangable with 'British'.
It's a grand building, and an icon. Attractive, maybe, but it stands out as a landmark on an otherwise dull section of the M4.
James, Cardiff, UK