"Spring flew swiftly by, and summer came; and if the village had been beautiful at first, it was now in the full glow and luxuriance of its richness." That was Charles Dickens, back in 1838, celebrating the first night of the year when he could stroll down to the pub without a massive coat on. And while much has changed since Dickens’ day – fewer charmingly charismatic pickpockets and hobbling misers etc – the glory of the onset of British summertime remains undimmed.