Rob Crossan

A humorous exploration of seven archetypes commonly encountered at British motorway service stations, ranging from frugal travellers and unwashed ravers to nostalgic coach drivers, compulsive slot‑machine players, breakfast enthusiasts, bemused European tourists and negligent dog owners. Each vignette illustrates quirks, behaviours and cultural stereotypes associated with summer travel across the UK.

A reviewer tests nine premium men’s deodorants, contrasting them with mainstream options and focusing on scent, longevity, texture and packaging. To My Ships’ Polygonum Roll‑On emerges as the standout for fragrance and performance, while products from Murdock, Salt & Stone and Patrick’s also perform strongly. Aesop and Saltair offer dependable everyday freshness, and Horace is praised for value, though Triumph & Disaster loses points for fragile packaging.

Motability’s newly introduced restrictions halve mileage allowances, raise excess mileage charges and reduce tyre provisions while adding small fees for overseas travel and applying new taxes due to government changes. These reforms aim to curb misuse, control costs and refocus the scheme on essential mobility rather than premium vehicles, following past controversy over abuses and drift from its founding purpose. Premium brands have already been removed to prevent subsidising luxury choices, and the adjustments are presented as necessary for sustainability. Despite tighter rules, the scheme continues to provide substantial benefits by offering insured, serviced and maintained vehicles that support independence for disabled people, maintaining its status as a highly effective social policy.

A humorous look at recurring personality types commonly found at British wedding receptions portrays figures such as the creepy relative, resentful old school friends, harried bar staff, self‑absorbed engaged couples, awkward new partners, frustrated DJs and nostalgic older guests. Each vignette highlights the predictable behaviours, tensions and comic mishaps that emerge over the course of a typical reception.

Simpson’s in the Strand has revived the wartime Woolton pie, a historically austere vegetable dish created in 1941 to support rationing. Executive chef David Stevens closely follows the original recipe with minimal adjustments, aiming for authenticity rather than reinvention. The dish’s return reflects changing modern tastes, with reduced reliance on meat and growing appreciation for traditional British vegetables. Though likely not a bestseller, it is positioned as a symbolic, historically significant offering alongside the restaurant’s more indulgent options. The article also highlights other traditional British pies with deep regional roots.

A humorous look at seven stereotypical types of couples dining out on Valentine’s Day, ranging from those about to get engaged to those on the verge of breaking up, social‑media‑obsessed influencers, awkward first dates, long‑married pairs struggling for conversation, extravagantly romantic partners, and infrequent diners overwhelmed by the occasion.

A humorous look at seven archetypal pub-goers, from solitary regulars and wine-fuelled mums to office crowds, book groups, smokers, real-ale enthusiasts and muddy-booted ramblers, highlighting the quirks, habits and social rituals that define contemporary British pub culture.

A satirical look at the various dieting personalities that appear each January in Britain, ranging from extreme detox adherents and misguided gym newcomers to hardcore Atkins followers, overambitious runners, gym talkers, meal‑replacement devotees and those embracing pharmaceutical weight‑loss drugs. Each character highlights common behavioural patterns and pitfalls in New Year fitness efforts, contrasting earnest intentions with humorous outcomes.