Jess Flaherty

Professional chef and recipe developer Reema Dutta Gupta recommends cleaning an oven with a paste made from 180g of baking soda, water and vinegar, applied after removing the racks and avoiding the heating elements. The mixture should sit for several hours or overnight before being wiped away. She advises deep-cleaning ovens roughly every six months, or more often depending on use, and highlights blackened racks, a cloudy door and accumulated burnt-on food as signs that cleaning is overdue. Burnt-on residue may release fumes that affect food taste and could pose health concerns in poorly ventilated kitchens.

Marks & Spencer’s Thai Curry British Chicken Mini Fillets, priced at £3.85, are gaining popularity as an easy summer lunch option, with shoppers praising their flavour and convenience. The ready-cooked product, promoted by the retailer on Instagram, is highlighted as suitable for packed lunches and simple meals during hot weather. Shoppers shared positive comments, while some requested a plant‑based version. The item is available in M&S Foodhalls and through Ocado, with the article also briefly noting the retailer’s historical origins and reputation for high-quality goods.

The head of staff recruitment for the Royal Household uses an unusual interview test involving a planted dead fly to assess candidates’ attention to detail when applying to work for Prince William and Kate. Only a small fraction of applicants notice and pick up the fly, which is seen as a sign of exceptional suitability. The Wales household also maintains rules aimed at fostering a relaxed work environment, including discouraging gossip and allowing informal dress around their children, while requiring formal attire for official engagements.

The BBC crime thriller Luther is highlighted as a dark, intense and critically acclaimed series ideal for fans of gritty police dramas. Reviewers praise its writing, pacing and Idris Elba’s performance, while audience comments commend its atmosphere and high-stakes storytelling. The fifth season is noted as especially gripping, and the full series remains available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Experts from the RSPB urge gardeners to top up birdbaths daily to help robins and other birds cope with fluctuating summer temperatures. They recommend weekly cleaning with non-toxic disinfectant and delaying hedge cutting until late August to avoid disturbing nesting birds. Additional advice includes maintaining varied lawn lengths, mowing less to support insects and seed-feeding birds, and avoiding strimmers to protect small wildlife.

Alan Titchmarsh advises gardeners to improve rose growth and summer flowering by identifying dead stems, pruning shrub roses lightly, and creating well‑spaced branch frameworks to reduce mildew and black spot. He emphasises enriching soil with organic matter to improve moisture retention and nutrient availability, noting that roses perform best in rich or clay-heavy soils. Generous soil improvement and correct pruning encourage healthier plants and more abundant blooms throughout the season.

A BBC crime drama filmed in Liverpool, the 2014 television film Common, is gaining renewed attention for its powerful portrayal of the UK’s Joint Enterprise legal doctrine. Written by Jimmy McGovern and inspired by the real case of Jordan Cunliffe, the story follows a teenager charged as an accessory to murder despite not taking part in the crime. Viewers and critics describe the film as bleak, emotional and politically charged, with strong performances and impactful storytelling. Common is now available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Alan Titchmarsh shares three key tips to make gardens more wildlife‑friendly by eliminating chemical sprays, increasing plant diversity, and embracing both native and non‑native flowering plants to support pollinators and other species. Longer grass and selective tolerance of weeds like dandelions further enhance habitat quality for insects and hedgehogs across UK gardens.

A BBC crime drama titled The Gold, based on the 1983 Brink's-Mat robbery, is praised by critics and viewers for its gripping storytelling, strong performances and compelling exploration of the aftermath of the heist. Spanning two six‑episode seasons, the series follows the massive stolen gold trail across the UK and internationally, earning a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating and consistent acclaim for its writing, acting and historical depth.

Former royal staff accounts described how Kate Middleton helped Prince William learn everyday parenting tasks, including giving their children piggyback rides, due to differences in their upbringings. Insights from a new book highlighted William and King Charles’ tendency toward irritability and Catherine’s calming role within the family. Staff members also described Kate’s adaptability, intuition and willingness to learn despite initially facing “snooty” attitudes, noting her importance in navigating royal life and supporting William.

A long-term British expat in Benidorm advises visiting during cooler months to avoid extreme heat, large crowds, and chaotic conditions, highlighting early mornings as particularly calm and pleasant. Tourism data shows record visitor numbers in 2025, while a recent heatwave has affected both Spain and the UK. The Met Office forecasts more settled warm weather for the UK, with heatwave conditions possible in some areas but less extreme than the previous week.

Two teenagers, Zachary Steinke and Michael Nash, died in 1993 when a bungee cage ride at Beach Bungee in South Carolina fell 150 feet after operators replaced a faulty hoist with an unsuitable shrimping winch. Their families witnessed the fall and later won a $12 million federal judgment against the owners for bypassing safety systems. Attorney John Kassel also secured a $2 million verdict against the South Carolina Department of Labor for regulatory failures, later upheld by the state Supreme Court.