The Jigsaw Gallery

Who says jigsaw puzzles can’t be educational? Some puzzlers, of course, might think this pictorial potted history of Britain is a dull subject, but we disagree. It was made by the now defunct Mandolin Puzzles in 1985, so it’s not surprising that a couple of pieces had gone missing, but in a way even that added to our enjoyment, because one missing piece just happened to be in the path of the horses that are shown taking part in the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade. Maybe that’s what really happened: they all fell down a big hole in the fabric of the space-time continuum.

Mandolin Puzzles, with a little help from talented artist, Martin Frost, produced this puzzle only a year after Prince Harry, HRH Prince Charles’ youngest son, was born. It’s strange to see that happy family group now, when you know that the parents divorced eleven years later. Still, some things never change: the Duke of Edinburgh doesn’t look a day older, does he?

The original image for this puzzle was created by L.G.Bullock. We like heraldry, so this puzzle really appealed to us. Maybe it’s something to do with all the bright colours on the shields and coats of arms — or perhaps we just find dragons and griffins cuddly! We like maps too: they’re much better than all that modern sat-nav nonsense!

This puzzle shows Elliot’s family grocers, which is part of the Britain in the Blitz Experience at Flambards Village Theme Park, Helston, Cornwall. The original photo was by Adam Woolfitt. Want bacon? Need ration book!