Nicola Roy

Residents disturbed by noisy DIY or construction work should first speak with their neighbours and try to agree on quieter working hours or a schedule. If the problem continues, they can keep a noise diary for up to two weeks and submit it with a complaint to their local council’s environmental health department. Councils may investigate statutory nuisance and issue a Section 80 noise abatement notice under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Where contractors are involved, residents can also report them to the council, which may impose tighter restrictions on working hours, equipment and machinery through a Section 60 notice. Noise rules vary by location, and the 11pm–7am night period is subject to additional controls.

Wheelie bin owners are advised to ask neighbours, check nearby hedges and hidden areas, and report suspected theft of personally owned bins to the police using the 101 non-emergency number. Council-owned bins should be reported to the local council, which may charge for replacements depending on local rules, although residents should not pay if the council damaged the bin during collection. Preventive measures include putting bins out shortly before collection, bringing them back promptly, marking them with a house number, storing them out of sight or behind a locked gate, and using a lock when necessary.

Legal experts advise homeowners to start by calmly discussing recurring pet fouling with the neighbour, documenting incidents and attempting mediation rather than immediately going to court. Cats generally have greater freedom to roam and their owners are less likely to be liable unless they cause damage or health problems. Dog owners have greater responsibility for controlling their animals and cleaning up waste in public or shared areas; repeated entry onto private land or property damage could support nuisance, trespass or a claim for compensation. Written complaints and local-authority involvement may follow, while court action should be a last resort. Motion-activated sprinklers, citrus peel, cat-repellent granules and secure boundaries are suggested as lawful practical deterrents.

Nicola Roy recommends Home Bargains' Dishmatic Wonder Wand Scrub, which costs roughly £2 for a pack of three, as an effective tool for cleaning air fryers. After using the pointed, non-abrasive sponges to remove oil, cornflour and seasoning from a Russell Hobbs air fryer, she found them more effective than standard Dishmatic sponges, particularly for reaching awkward areas. She also advises cleaning the appliance with warm soapy water, removing and washing the grate separately, and drying all parts thoroughly to prevent mould.

Neurologist Baibing Chen warns consumers not to eat food from bulging, cracked, heavily rusted or deeply dented cans because contamination with Clostridium botulinum can cause botulism, leading to paralysis, blurred vision, respiratory failure and death. The toxin is tasteless and odourless, and heating may not reliably destroy it. The Food Standards Agency supports disposing of questionable canned food, while noting that foodborne botulism from domestically purchased food in the UK is rare.

Butcher Niall McCusker says bacon, fatty steaks and other high-fat meats should be placed in a cold pan so their fat renders slowly without burning, producing crispier, more tender meat. The article also explains how to cook bacon and steak in an air fryer at 200°C, including approximate cooking times and adjustments for different steak preferences.

Morrisons has begun trialling Instacart’s AI-powered Caper smart trolleys at its Preston store, making it the first UK supermarket to test the technology. The trolleys recognise items, weigh fresh produce, display a running total, suggest products and apply Morrisons More Card discounts. Customers can bag items while shopping and pay by scanning the trolley’s barcode at a dedicated checkout. Morrisons and Instacart say the trial is intended to make shopping faster, easier and more personalised, with its results to be assessed among shoppers in Preston and Lancashire.

A microwave method is presented as a simple alternative to pan-poaching eggs. The technique involves placing an egg in 180ml of boiling water with a teaspoon of vinegar, covering the container, and microwaving at about 80% power for 30 seconds before turning the egg and cooking in 10-second, then five-second, intervals until set. The method is intended to produce a soft, intact poached egg while reducing the risk of the egg falling apart.

Beaumaris on Anglesey has been named one of Europe's top hidden gems by HomeToGo's European Hidden Gem Index, which evaluates factors including climate, accommodation costs, dining and scenery. The town combines medieval, Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian architecture with the unfinished but highly symmetrical World Heritage Site Beaumaris Castle. Visitors can also explore the Menai Strait, take boat trips to Puffin Island and The Swellies, or enjoy views from Beaumaris Beach, with bus connections available from Bangor via Menai Bridge.

Poppy O’Toole’s truffle potato salad uses one teaspoon of white truffle oil to add depth and richness to a simple summer side dish. The recipe combines new potatoes with mayonnaise, Parmesan, mustard, lemon juice and seasoning, takes about 20 minutes to prepare, and serves two to four people.

A Which? blind taste test involving 64 yoghurt enthusiasts found that Aldi's Brooklea Greek Style Yoghurt and Lidl's Milbona Greek Style Yoghurt jointly ranked first, each scoring 77%. Aldi's 500g tub costs 95p, while the 1kg versions from both Aldi and Lidl cost £1.49, making them substantially cheaper than Yeo Valley's organic yoghurt, which ranked third at £2.25 for 450g. Sainsbury's also performed well with a 74% score, while Tesco, M&S and Co-op jointly came last at 71%. The article also explains that Greek-style yoghurt is made outside Greece using similar straining methods, whereas Greek yoghurt must be produced in Greece with locally sourced ingredients.

Nicola Roy explains that topping mashed avocado on toast with crispy chilli oil and honey transforms the otherwise mild dish into a flavorful, restaurant-style lunch. She recommends Lao Gan Ma chilli crisp, notes that a small amount lasts for months, provides UK prices from Sainsbury’s and Amazon, and says the combination also works well with eggs.

Experts from Premier Pest Control recommend placing lemon, orange or lime peels on windowsills, near doors and in outdoor areas to help deter wasps naturally. Other suggested repellents include clove oil, vinegar, mint, basil, thyme and eucalyptus. The article also advises covering sweet foods and drinks, sealing bins and double-bagging food waste, while noting that wasps play valuable roles in ecosystems and should not be indiscriminately killed.

Walkers has relaunched its MAX KFC Original Chicken and MAX KFC Zinger crisps, five years after their original release. The Zinger flavour is available for a limited time, while Original Chicken has become a permanent addition to the range. The crisps are available at Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, priced at £1.50 to £2.50 for sharing bags, and have prompted enthusiastic reactions from fans.

Frozen peas can taste sweeter and develop a better texture when glazed in a frying pan with butter, water and salt rather than boiled. Gousto recipe developer Sophie Nahmad also recommends roasting them from frozen for a sweeter, nuttier result and plunging cooked peas into ice water to prevent overcooking. Most frozen peas need only a few minutes of cooking and should be treated as a primary ingredient rather than an afterthought.

Adding Kerala Chinese salt and pepper seasoning from B&M can make frozen chips more flavourful and restaurant-like. Nicola Roy recommends cooking Aldi skin-on fries in an air fryer at 180°C for about 20 minutes, shaking them halfway through and adding a few extra minutes if needed for maximum crispness.

UK property owners may trim a neighbour’s hedge only up to the boundary line when branches or growth extend onto their land. Cutting beyond the boundary could lead to claims for property damage, while hedge owners are responsible for preventing excessive growth or damage. Ownership should be checked through property deeds and the Land Registry, although responsibility may be shared. Clippings should be returned to the hedge owner’s land, and disputes should preferably be addressed through a conversation or factual written letter before pursuing civil action.

Adding about one to one and a half tablespoons of ground flaxseed per 500g of mince can help homemade burgers retain moisture and become juicier, while adding nutritional value without noticeably changing the flavour. The recipe also recommends garlic and onion powder, salt, pepper and an egg; chilling the patties before cooking, frying them for around four minutes per side, and resting them before serving.

A comparison of boiling eggs on the hob versus using an air fryer showed the air fryer produced a softer, more appealing texture and required less overall preparation time and cleanup. Both methods were equally difficult to peel, but the air fryer delivered a quicker, tidier process and a preferred jammy yolk.

Nicola Roy recommends coating air-fried frozen chips with Kerala Chinese salt and pepper seasoning instead of ordinary salt. She uses Aldi skin-on fries, cooks them at 180°C for about 20 minutes, then tosses them with a little olive oil and roughly a teaspoon of seasoning per portion for crisp, strongly flavoured chips.

David Attenborough urges gardeners to leave sunny patches of nettles intact to support declining butterfly species, noting their importance as breeding and feeding habitats. Wildlife organisations emphasise that nettles help sustain caterpillars and other invertebrates, which in turn benefit broader garden ecosystems. Recent monitoring data shows significant long‑term declines in many UK butterfly species due to climate change and pollution, underscoring the need for suitable habitats in gardens.

A simple shortbread recipe uses only flour, caster sugar and salted butter. The dough is mixed by hand, rolled out thickly, cut into shapes and baked at 190°C for 15–20 minutes, then sprinkled with sugar while warm. The recipe is presented as a quick, child-friendly treat requiring about 20 minutes in the oven.

Waste experts warn that several common barbecue items pose fire risks and can contaminate recycling if disposed of incorrectly. Disposable barbecues and charcoal can remain hot long after use, creating fire hazards, while gas canisters should never be placed in household bins due to explosion risks. Aluminium trays must be thoroughly cleaned to be recyclable, and certain plastic food packaging cannot be accepted in recycling streams. Local guidance is recommended to ensure proper disposal.

Rats and mice are more common in UK homes during summer due to increased breeding and their search for food and shelter. A DIY expert recommends using garlic as an inexpensive natural repellent, as its strong sulfur compounds overwhelm rodents’ sense of smell. Placing garlic around entry points can deter them, with other options including garlic oil, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar. Additional preventive measures include reducing clutter, securing food waste and sealing gaps around the home.

Allowing air-fried sausages to rest for at least three to five minutes before cutting them helps the meat juices cool and thicken, preventing them from escaping and leaving the sausages dry. Community members report cooking sausages at about 180°C for 12 to 15 minutes, turning them halfway through, while chef Devan of Braised and Deglazed says resting is essential because sausages contain substantial amounts of fat and juice.

Layering window treatments such as thermal or blackout curtains, shutters or blinds, and sheer curtains can help reduce indoor temperatures during a UK heatwave. Style consultant Kate O’Brien recommends light‑coloured thermal options to block heat, adjustable shutters for managing sunlight, and sheer curtains to maintain airflow while filtering light. Double roller blinds provide both blackout and privacy functions while improving insulation.

A forecasted heatwave in Wales prompts advice to keep homes cooler by unplugging heat‑emitting appliances. Experts highlight that countertop devices, tumble dryers, electronics on standby, chargers and unnecessary lighting all generate residual heat that can raise indoor temperatures and waste energy. Turning off these items when not in use can improve comfort and reduce energy costs.

A cooking writer recommends crispy chilli oil as the key topping that elevates scrambled eggs, outlining a method focused on low heat, ample butter and parmesan for creaminess. The recipe highlights adding chilli oil during cooking and again when serving to enhance flavour and appearance, suggesting the topping also works well in other simple dishes.