Bakewell

As Geoffrey Bakewell observes, tragedy “was not merely entertainment but an essential part of the public administration of ancient Athens,” offering a cultural preparation for responsibilities in the Assembly, Council or courts.

As Bakewell suggests, if tragedy was integral to civic administration, so too was comedy’s outspokenness integral to democratic accountability.

But now the oil on wood painting by Flemish artist Erasmus Quellinus II is back in its rightful home of Chatsworth House, near Bakewell in Derbyshire.

This is something a campaign group called Save the Love Locks at Bakewell has also been asking the council to do, but it appears to be a bridge too far.

It sometimes gets so busy that Bakewell resident Claire Wilson finds it difficult to cross in her wheelchair.