Author: Lucy Contrino

Kirkton Farm is set to welcome more than 800 visitors as it opens its gates to the public for the very first time on Sunday 8 June, taking part in the national Open Farm Sunday initiative. This marks a major milestone for the Aberdeenshire farm, offering a unique opportunity for visitors of all ages to experience life on a working farm. Organised by LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming), Open Farm Sunday offers families and individuals the chance to explore where their food comes from, discover how it’s produced, and meet the people at the heart of it all – the…

EdTech Leader Recognised Again for Innovation, Impact and Sector Support London, United Kingdom – 20 May 2025. Spires, a trailblazer in the online education sector, is proud to announce its nomination as a finalist in two headline categories at the 2025 National Tutoring Awards: Technology Tools for Tuition Tuition Partner of the Year This marks the second consecutive year Spires has been recognised by The Tutors’ Association for its outstanding contribution to educational outcomes and technological advancement within tutoring. “We are honoured to be recognised once again by The Tutors’ Association,” said Dr. Leo Evans, CEO and Co-Founder of Spires…

If the idea of holidaying with your entire extended family makes you instinctively reach for a gin and tonic, you’re not alone. The reality of a multigenerational getaway of grandparents, toddlers, teens, in-laws, and adult siblings all under one roof, can be challenging. But according to research led by Brooks B. Gump, a public health professor at Syracuse University, taking time off can significantly improve your physical health. His team found that people who go on holiday experience a 25% drop in metabolic syndrome risk, a group of conditions that raise the chances of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.…

Cowboy steaks are the latest meat dish to surge in popularity in the UK with online searches for both “cowboy steak recipe” and “how to cook cowboy steak in the oven” soaring by more than 5,000% over the last 30 days. But what actually is a cowboy steak? According to experts at online butcher Campbells Meat, a cowboy steak is typically a thick-cut, bone-in ribeye steak. It’s normally at least 1-2 inches thick and comes from the rib primal of the cow, similar to a classic ribeye steak. It gets its name due to the bone remaining in the cut which gives…

Commuting is getting pricier across the UK, and some areas are feeling the pinch more than others. New research from price comparison site WhatPrice.co.uk reveals just how much location can affect your travel costs, with fuel prices, journey lengths, and access to petrol stations all playing a role. East Hertfordshire tops the list, where a combination of high fuel prices and long daily drives makes it the costliest place to commute in the country. The research analysed commuting expenses across the UK by examining five key factors: E10 petrol prices, B7 diesel prices, average travel distance to work, and the number of fuel stations per…

Essex-based Film Maker’s Blatella Films feature award-winning documentary film ‘Our Journey to Pride,’ captures the incredible story of how Thurrock came together to host its first-ever Pride, celebrating diversity, and community. The film’s success continues across the globe with the announcement that having already being awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award for Best LGBT Film at the Silver Wings International Film Festival in India; the top award of ‘Best Featured Film’ at the Lavender Riot Film Festival in Tennessee at the end of 2024; Best LGBT Film at the Indo Dubai International Film Festival; and a screening at the East London LGBTQ+ Film Festival, the film has now been selected…

Brits planning European road trips risk fines of up to £21,000 for using – or even just possessing – dash cams that violate privacy laws in four European countries. Marc Porcar, CEO of QR Code Generator PRO S.L., warns drivers that Portugal has joined Switzerland, Austria, and Luxembourg in banning dash cams, with authorities treating in-vehicle recording as illegal surveillance. “It’s normal for tourists not to know every rule when visiting a country for a short visit, but there are certain laws they must be aware of. Unlike the UK, where dash cams are legal and widely used, these four…

The Mall, Clifton, officially reopened this spring following an extensive 3-week refurbishment, giving the iconic pub an exciting new look. The pub has been given a facelift while keeping its traditional look and feel inside. Changes include cocktails stations being fitted in both bars, new furnishings and art work throughout as well as additional seating being added to the garden area. The Mall is renowned for its mouthwatering Sunday roasts, offering a choice of three succulent meats, a delicious vegetarian option, and a special roast for children—all served with incredible homemade Yorkshire puddings. Guests can also tuck into all the…

43 UK breweries have become insolvent in the last year*, says national accountancy group UHY Hacker Young. The 43 breweries that have become insolvent include names like Fourpure (location of a famous photo shoot for Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak), By The Horns, Magic Rock Brewery, Burton Town Brewery and Wild Weather Ales. Many of which are small, independent craft beer producers facing mounting cost pressures. Brian Johnson, Partner at UHY Hacker Young, says: “The craft beer boom was one of the most exciting recent trends in food and drink. Unfortunately, it is a sector that attracted too many entrepreneurs…

With summer holidays on the horizon, millions of Brits have admitted feeling like bad pet parents if they’re away too long. Among Gen Z, that guilt is shaping entire travel habits, with almost half (48%) avoiding flying because of their pet. They’re also twice as likely as over-65s to plan holidays around pet-friendly accommodation (63% vs. 31%), showing that pets aren’t an afterthought for many young people – they’re the starting point. A new study of 2,000 UK pet owners by TrustedHousesitters reveals just how deeply the bond with pets runs: over half (52%) of owners saying they feel like a “bad…