This is a collection of distinctly British events which add colour and excitement to the social calendar. Attended by people from all strata of society, the events range from the Derby and Wimbledon to the Henley Regatta and the Royal Academy Summer Show. In 1993, artist Matthew Cook was invited by the Royal Mail to paint five of these events for a set of stamps called Summertime. These paintings and their accompanying working sketches form the basis of the book, and in addition Matthew visited a further 17 venues to capture the flavour and fun of the British at play. A text, including information about how to obtain tickets for each event has been supplied by Paul Duncan, author and regular contributor to Vogue, Harpers and Queen and The Sunday Times.