Emilia Randall

Gardeners are urged to clean, dry and refill water containers daily during hot weather to reduce disease transmission and help hedgehogs, birds and other wildlife. Advice from the RSPCA, British Hedgehog Preservation Society and RSPB includes using shallow bowls, adding pebbles so insects can escape, providing pond escape routes, keeping water away from feeding areas and potential predators, and taking care when mowing lawns or lighting bonfires. Fresh water, and where possible meaty cat or dog food, can provide a vital lifeline for hedgehogs and their young.

A homeowner’s Reddit account has prompted debate about whether neighbours should confront or report people suspected of breaking a hosepipe ban. Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water introduced restrictions on 19 July across around 33,000 properties in parts of Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire because of prolonged dry weather and high water demand. While some commenters stressed the importance of complying with the ban to prevent shortages, others warned that people may have exemptions or circumstances that are not visible to neighbours, making police involvement disproportionate.

Sharp Objects, the HBO limited series adapted from Gillian Flynn’s novel, is recommended to fans of Gone Girl. The dark Southern Gothic crime drama follows troubled journalist Camille as she returns to her hometown to investigate the murders of two girls while confronting traumatic family history, a domineering mother and her secretive half-sister Amma. The series stars Amy Adams and Eliza Scanlen, received a 92% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score and earned eight Emmy nominations in 2019. Its disturbing finale, atmospheric style and themes of guilt, loss and mental health are emphasized, and it is available to stream in the UK on NOW TV or HBO.

Gardeners can make birdbaths more attractive and safer for robins and other small birds by adding clean, flat natural stones to provide shallow platforms and better grip. Birdbaths should be placed near cover and shade, cleaned regularly, and supplied with fresh water daily. A cleaned 1p or 2p coin may help limit algae because of the copper it contains. The RSPB advises against putting out seeds or peanuts from May 1 to October 31 due to concerns about disease transmission among garden birds.

Emilia Randall compares Cadbury hot chocolate with own-brand versions from Marks & Spencer, Asda, Tesco and Sainsbury's. Marks & Spencer delivers the richest and most indulgent flavour but is the most expensive, while Asda and Sainsbury's perform poorly on taste and texture. Tesco is a reasonable budget option, but Cadbury remains the overall recommendation for its smooth preparation, balanced sweetness and strong chocolate flavour, offering better value despite not being the cheapest by package price.

Wildlife charities are urging gardeners to provide clean, fresh water for birds, hedgehogs and other garden animals during hot weather. Water containers should be washed and dried daily before refilling to reduce disease transmission, while shallow dishes, escape routes from ponds and careful placement away from predators can improve safety. Gardeners are also advised to keep water separate from feeding areas, take care when cutting grass or lighting bonfires, and never give hedgehogs milk.

A positive overview of the BBC’s 2017 adaptation of Howards End highlights its strong performances, Victorian-era class themes and critical acclaim, including a BAFTA nomination. Reviewers praise the acting, production quality and faithful storytelling, with viewers noting its emotional depth and engaging narrative. The miniseries, now streaming on Netflix, is recommended for fans of period dramas such as The Other Bennet Sister.

Emilia Randall compares HP Sauce with own-brand brown sauces from Waitrose, M&S, ASDA and Aldi. Aldi’s Bramwells sauce is judged the clear winner, offering a full consistency and strong malty, fruity flavour for 99p—£2.61 less than HP’s £3.60 price. HP remains a strong option, while ASDA is considered acceptable but watery, M&S is marked down for a gravy-like taste, and Waitrose ranks last for weak flavour and poor value.

Rapman’s critically acclaimed film Blue Story is now available on BBC iPlayer after being withdrawn from Vue cinemas in 2019 following 25 reported incidents involving customers connected with screenings. Rapman rejected any link between the film and a violent incident in Birmingham and questioned whether racial considerations influenced Vue’s decision. Vue denied that the withdrawal was racially motivated, citing continued disturbances despite increased security and the removal of late-night screenings. The film follows the friendship between two south London teenagers from rival areas and has received a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score.

A UK Seaside Affordability Index by NoDepositRewards.org identifies Swansea as the cheapest seaside destination, with parking, ice cream, fish and chips and deckchair hire costing about £16.71 per day. Brighton is the most expensive at £38.20 per day, while St Ives ranks second at £25.30. The findings suggest visitors can substantially extend their budgets by choosing more affordable coastal locations, with Wales and northern England offering better value than popular southern resorts.

A shallow, gently sloping birdbath can help attract robins and other garden birds, while natural stones provide safer perches for smaller species. Birdbaths should be placed near shelter and shade, cleaned regularly, and refilled daily. The article also discusses using cleaned copper coins to inhibit algae growth and cites Royal Society for the Protection of Birds guidance advising people not to provide seeds or peanuts between May 1 and October 31 because of disease concerns.

Gardeners can make birdbaths safer and more attractive to robins, blue tits, finches and thrushes by adding flat, unpolished natural stones that provide stability and grip. Birdbaths should be placed near cover and shade, cleaned regularly, and filled with fresh water daily. The article also notes that copper coins may help limit algae growth, while the RSPB is advising people to stop providing seeds and peanuts during spring and summer because feeding may increase disease transmission among birds.

The first three seasons of the psychological drama The Affair are available to watch free with adverts on ITVX. Starring Dominic West and Ruth Wilson, the five-season series follows a fraught relationship between Noah Solloway and Alison Bailey and uses shifting character perspectives to explore desire, betrayal and emotional consequences. Viewers have praised its writing, performances and complex depiction of truth and relationships. ITV has announced that the fourth season will arrive in summer 2026, while the fifth is expected in 2027; all five seasons are also available on Paramount.

Clint Eastwood’s 2006 film Letters from Iwo Jima, depicting the Battle of Iwo Jima from the Japanese perspective, is available to rent or buy in the UK. The Japanese-language production has been praised by critics and IMDb viewers for its realism, empathy and portrayal of the shared human cost of war, with some calling it superior to Saving Private Ryan. Starring Ken Watanabe and others, the film complements Eastwood’s Flags of Our Fathers and carries a 15 certificate for strong violence.

Bridgend Council has extended its seasonal ban on dogs at Coney Beach in Porthcawl to cover all animals, ending a donkey-riding tradition that has operated for more than 100 years. Business operator Jay Bateman said the decision was devastating for his family and could further damage tourism following the closure of Coney Beach Amusement Park. Animal-welfare advocates, including Springwood Sanctuary and PETA, welcomed the move, arguing that donkeys may be overworked or exposed to stressful conditions. The council said it is reviewing proposals for new seasonal activities and stalls at the beach.

Used coffee grounds may help peace lilies by supplying nitrogen, improving soil structure and moisture retention, adjusting soil acidity, and potentially deterring pests. The advice is to mix a small spoonful with cold water and apply it about once a month. Fresh grounds should be avoided because their caffeine content may inhibit root and shoot growth, while excessive use can make soil too acidic and nitrogen-rich.

Lidl has implemented a pay increase for all 35,000 UK employees, raising entry-level wages to £13.45 per hour and up to £14.45 based on length of service. London employees now earn at least £14.80, with a possible increase to £15.30. The £29 million investment also includes expanded paid paternity leave, with four weeks available to new parents and up to eight weeks after five years of service.

The 1975 film Overlord, directed and co-written by Stuart Cooper, is gaining renewed attention from viewers who consider it a more authentic and emotionally personal depiction of D-Day than Saving Private Ryan. Its use of archival footage, soldiers’ diaries, British training material and captured German footage is praised for portraying the experience of an ordinary serviceman without heroics or jingoism. The film follows Thomas Beddows from enlistment and training through preparations for the Normandy landings and is available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime and Apple TV.

Which? tested 12 gold-roast-style instant coffees with a panel of 68 coffee drinkers. M&S Gold Instant Coffee and Waitrose Gold Roast jointly earned Best Buy status, outperforming established brands including Nescafé and Kenco. Aldi’s Barissimo Gold Roast Freeze Dried Coffee received the Great Value recommendation for its low price, while M&S also stood out for carrying Fairtrade certification.

The eight-episode 2018 miniseries Black Earth Rising, starring Michaela Coel and John Goodman, is now streaming on BBC iPlayer. Set against the legacy of the Rwandan genocide, it follows Kate Ashby, raised in Britain but born in Rwanda, as her adoptive mother prosecutes an African militia leader at the International Criminal Court. The drama explores race, justice, personal integrity and self-determination, and has received highly enthusiastic audience praise for its performances, writing, visual style, music and sensitivity to the complexities of international power and accountability.

Olive oil is recommended as a butter-free way to make mashed potatoes lighter, fluffier and creamier. The method involves boiling potatoes until soft, reserving some cooking water, mashing them without overworking the starch, and gradually mixing in olive oil with optional garlic, herbs, lemon juice or dairy additions. Potato ricers or manual mashers are preferred over food processors or electric whisks, and leftovers can be refrigerated for up to two days.

The Narrow Road to the Deep North, now available on BBC iPlayer, stars Jacob Elordi as Australian army surgeon Dorrigo Evans, whose affair with his uncle’s wife continues to haunt him during and after his imprisonment on the Thai-Burmese railway in World War II. Created by Shaun Grant and Justin Kurzel, the miniseries combines the cruelty of war with romance, friendship and long-term trauma. Enthusiastic IMDb viewers praise its cinematography, emotional intensity and harrowing fourth episode, recommending it to fans of Band of Brothers and The Pacific while arguing that it deserves wider recognition and awards attention.

The Jetty, a 2024 BBC crime miniseries starring Jenna Coleman as detective Ember Manning, is being promoted as a gripping drama comparable to Happy Valley. The story follows Manning as she investigates links between a holiday cottage fire, a cold-case disappearance and an illicit relationship involving underage girls. Viewers praised the cast, cinematography, score and exploration of women's lives, relationships and suppressed anger, while the series is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

The BBC drama follows Geoffrey Wellum, the youngest Spitfire pilot at the Battle of Britain, from his enlistment in 1940 and combat against the Luftwaffe to his psychological collapse in 1942. Based on Wellum’s memoir First Light, the production focuses less on aerial action than on the fear, exhaustion and lasting trauma experienced by wartime pilots. Viewers have praised Sam Heughan, Gary Lewis and Ben Aldridge, describing the film as a beautifully made hidden gem and a valuable portrayal of the human cost of war. The drama is available on BBC iPlayer.

St Catherine’s Island off Tenby once housed a zoo established by Christopher and Marion Batt, with more than 100 animals and around 45,000 annual visitors. Monkeys regularly escaped, descended to the beach and stole visitors’ belongings, while the family also reported unexplained incidents and alleged ghostly activity. The zoo closed in 1979 because salt spray damaged the facilities and transporting supplies to the island became too costly. The fortified island is now a seasonal heritage attraction and historic fortress accessible from Castle Beach at low tide.