An annual feature of British life, the Royal Mail’s Christmas stamps arrive this year with one last silhouette of the late Queen Elizabeth II and a fresh emphasis on colour in the illustrator's rendering of the Nativity scene.
The birth of Jesus is meticulously illustrated in the tiny rectangles that are responsible for traversing Christmas wishes and love to friends and family across the world.
The artist behind these designs is Katie Ponder, an award-winning illustrator from London who now resides by the sea in Kent, in south-east England.
“When I found out the stamps were going to go out into the world I was completely blown away, it was a really big honour,” Ponder told The National.
The six-stamp collection is the last Christmas collection to feature the silhouette of the queen, before being replaced by that of her son King Charles III.
The queen, whose outline was impressed upon Christmas stamps for more than 50 years, was also responsible for approving the stamps before her death in September.
“It feels particularly poignant because I know that these stamps will mean even more to people than they would have before,” said Ponder.
“And knowing that the queen herself gave her approval of the stamps is pretty magical and mind blowing, it feels like a historically significant moment.”
Ponder worked with Rory Bradley from Baxter & Bailey design team to create with colourful, Art Deco style illustrations.
She was one of 10 artists initially selected, before finding out at last Christmas that her designs had been chosen.
The nativity story is told chronologically across the six stamps, starting with the Angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary on the 2nd class stamp, and ending with the three wise men guided by the Star of Bethlehem on the most expensive stamp.
Each stamp also has a barcode which customers can scan on the Royal Mail app to watch a festive video of Shaun The Sheep, created by Aardman Studios.
For the illustrator, whose sister was born on Christmas Day, the hope was to evoke the “joy and celebration” associated with Christmas.
“Christmas is a time when colour is especially important, you’ve got all the beautiful decorations and fairy lights,” Ponder said.
“I drew a lot of inspiration from stained glass windows, which are often in jewel colours … I wanted it to look like they were almost glowing, there was an element of rays of light coming out of stars and I hope that gives it a sparkly quality.
“Regardless of your religious background, even if you are not Christian, I hope the sense of excitement of this miracle birth brings a feeling of hope, new life and a force of positivity coming into our world.”
if you go
The flights
Air Astana flies direct from Dubai to Almaty from Dh2,440 per person return, and to Astana (via Almaty) from Dh2,930 return, both including taxes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Ritz-Carlton Almaty cost from Dh1,944 per night including taxes; and in Astana the new Ritz-Carlton Astana (www.marriott) costs from Dh1,325; alternatively, the new St Regis Astana costs from Dh1,458 per night including taxes.
When to visit
March-May and September-November
Visas
Citizens of many countries, including the UAE do not need a visa to enter Kazakhstan for up to 30 days. Contact the nearest Kazakhstan embassy or consulate.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Where to Find Me by Alba Arikha
Alma Books
SPECS
Toyota land Cruiser 2020 5.7L VXR
Engine: 5.7-litre V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 362hp
Torque: 530Nm
Price: Dh329,000 (base model 4.0L EXR Dh215,900)
Profile of Bitex UAE
Date of launch: November 2018
Founder: Monark Modi
Based: Business Bay, Dubai
Sector: Financial services
Size: Eight employees
Investors: Self-funded to date with $1m of personal savings
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
'Worse than a prison sentence'
Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.
“It was worse than a prison sentence, where at least someone can deal with a set amount of time incarcerated," she said.
“They were living in perpetual mystery as to how their futures would pan out, and what that would be.
“Because of coronavirus, the world is very different now to the one they left, that will also have an impact.
“It will not fully register until they are on dry land. Some have not seen their young children grow up while others will have to rebuild relationships.
“It will be a challenge mentally, and to find other work to support their families as they have been out of circulation for so long. Hopefully they will get the care they need when they get home.”
Brief scores:
Manchester City 2
Gundogan 27', De Bruyne 85'
Crystal Palace 3
Schlupp 33', Townsend 35', Milivojevic 51' (pen)
Man of the Match: Andros Townsend (Crystal Palace)
Profile
Company: Libra Project
Based: Masdar City, ADGM, London and Delaware
Launch year: 2017
Size: A team of 12 with six employed full-time
Sector: Renewable energy
Funding: $500,000 in Series A funding from family and friends in 2018. A Series B round looking to raise $1.5m is now live.
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