hidden europe 41

Fictional twins

by hidden europe

Summary

Do they have meerkats in Russia? Or in Market Harborough? And where exactly is Meerkovo? We go in search of Russia's most famous non-existent village.

Perhaps we are mistaken, but we have a hazy memory of driving through Leicestershire in England a year or two ago and seeing a sign suggesting that Market Harborough had — as its twin town — the fictional Russian community of Meerkovo. For readers not attuned to the fine sense of humour and irony that sometimes underpins television advertising in Britain, we must explain that Meerkovo has featured in a series of ads for a price-comparison website. Meerkovo is by all accounts populated mainly by meerkats — appealing little mammals, busy creatures who live in clans and show great community spirit.

Related articleFull text online

The road to Abergwesyn

The tides in the Mawddach estuary never come too early. Nor too late. The rain never beats too hard on the road to Abergwesyn. hidden europe editor Nicky Gardner celebrates the communities in rural Wales where she once lived.

Related articleFull text online

Of maps and men: Landranger sheet 57

With place names like Pendicles of Collymoon and Nether Easter Offerance, Ordnance Survey Landranger Sheet 57 fires the imagination. Maps tell stories, as do old men in pubs. Like the Tartan traveller we met in the Tyrol who tried to persuade us that Garibaldi had Scottish ancestry. From Baldy Garrow it is but a short step to Garibaldi.

Related articleFull text online

Admiralty Handbooks: Baedekers with a Twist

Some of the best academic minds in Britain spent the Second World War writing guidebooks about far-flung places. We explore a clandestine area of professional geographical endeavour which resulted in the Naval Intelligence Guides – often called the Admiralty Handbooks.