When it comes to a day of devotion, it has to be said that fathers get the best of the parental deal. With Mothers’ Day falling in March the options available in the UK are often limited weather wise. Experiential presents are all well and good but having to break the ice before enjoying a […]

As the nation prepares to take a well earned breather to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, it’s worth reflecting on the influence Her Majesty has had on modern life. During her 70-year reign she has inspired many through her choice of clothes, jewellery, hairstyle and of course established corgis as the pet by royal […]

There’s no doubt that great food can inspire – whether that’s in art, literature or song. But in some cases the impact can be so profound it’s the last thing we think of during our time on Earth. Legendary American frontiersman Kit Carson, whose anniversary falls next week, inspires admiration and revulsion in equal measure. […]

Parts of Rome were placed under curfew recently and the reason may surprise you and give you food for thought. It wasn’t due to power shortages or Covid-19, but an influx of wild boars looking for food. Picnickers are a particular target for the beasts that often prowl with a litter of piglets in tow. […]

It’s good to laugh and this year marks the 65th anniversary of one of the most memorable April Fools Day pranks. We know from records that April Fools Day has been around many hundreds of years. The exact origins remain a mystery, though connection to the onset of spring heralding merriment and general confusion of […]

The chances are that in the course of the next 24 hours you’ll see at least one vending machine, umbrella or alarm clock. You might be surprised to learn they were all invented around 2000 years ago and in the same part of the world Greece is perhaps better known for being at the forefront […]

The microwave celebrates its 75th anniversary this year and like many great inventions, its existence is down to a combination of scientific genius and a lightbulb moment. Unlike other inventions, squirrels and the Titanic also played a key role. By the 1930s scientists in various countries had come to realise that when radio waves hit […]

There’s a saying that something is as easy as pie…but, in fact, fathoming out what is and isn’t a pie can be confusing. So, with British Pie Week taking place until Sunday, let’s see what lies beneath the crust. The name comes from magpie, a bird noted for its ability to hoard various random items, […]

Those who place their faith in folklore will be Spring is in the air this year because, according to the saying, if March comes in like a lion it will go out like a lamb. The boffins at the meteorological office don’t quite agree, whilst their long-range forecast predicts temperatures above average for March, there […]