First drink in 793: Britain’s oldest pub shuts down after 1,229 years February 12, 2022 A pub that is believed to be the first and oldest in Britain is closing down after 1,229 years in operation. The St Albans-based tavern, which poured its first drink in 793, has run into financial difficulties as a result of the pandemic. The owner of The Ye Olde Fighting Cocks said in a message [...]
Saturday review: Samsung has created a compelling experience with new S22 February 12, 2022 Samsung’s new flagship smartphone, which combines features from its two biggest ranges for the first time, is the result of the tech giant listening to the customer to create a compelling experience. On Wednesday, the phone maker unveiled the S22 range, which includes the S22 Ultra, the top-of-the-line device which includes Samsung’s S-Pen stylus built [...]
In the mood for love: Valentines’ wines February 11, 2022 Wine and romance have been active bedfellows since ancient times. The Greek and Roman Gods of Wine, Dionysus and Bacchus respectively, also presided over poetry, fertility, parties and other “Bacchanalian” delights. In possibly the first ever version of the ‘get out of jail free’ card, those who got a tad too hedonistic were said to [...]
Office space: Inside the swanky new Conran and Partners offices February 11, 2022 The return to the office and the advent of hybrid working has been a hot topic for almost two years and it shows little sign of dying down. If you are lucky enough to work for Conran and Partners, you will have left Butler’s Wharf near Tower Bridge for your lockdowns at home, only to [...]
The A-Z of wine: This week, B is for… Beaujolais February 10, 2022 How do you pronounce Beaujolais? Boh-zholl-ayy What’s this then? A French wine region, located between the city of Lyon and the southern end of Burgundy. Best known for making reds from the Gamay grape. It’s possibly a part of Burgundy, depending on who you talk to, although it’s usually considered part of ‘wider Burgundy’. The [...]
French Bloom: The women taking on the booze biz with no-alc wine February 10, 2022 Top model Constance Jablonski and foodie entrepreneur Maggie Frerejean-Taittinger have launched French Bloom, a “fully organic, fully alcohol-free, fully French sparkling drink” that they say has the sophistication and complexity to rival wine. Both women were juggling the various aspects of work, family, and social life when they were inspired to create something that could [...]
Fitzrovia: We focus on a London area that’s like the West End but cooler February 9, 2022 Although the central London district of Fitzrovia has no formal boundaries (it is part of both the London boroughs of Camden and Westminster), it is generally agreed that it sits between Euston Road to the north and Oxford Street to the south. “Today, Fitzrovia is popular with the more discerning London buyer who is looking [...]
The Souvenir Part II review: Indie darling gets a well-deserved sequel February 9, 2022 The Souvenir, released in 2019, became an art house favourite, offering a coming-of-age drama that wasn’t afraid to take a different perspective. Independent films rarely get the chance for a sequel, but director Joanna Hogg’s searing look at artistry and toxic love demanded another chapter. Part II once again stars Honor Swinton Byrne as Julie, [...]
Parallel Mothers review: Another glorious Pedro Almodovar movie February 9, 2022 For reasons unrelated to cinema, it feels like an age since we last saw a new film by Pedro Almodovar. In reality, it’s only been a couple of years since his Oscar-nominated love letter to creativity Pain and Glory, which proved the Spanish filmmaking legend shows no signs of losing his edge. His new film, [...]
“Let all the the children boogie”: Waterloo celebrates 50th anniversary of Ziggy Stardust appearance with silent disco February 8, 2022 Rail passengers at Waterloo will be able to (silently) dance to their favourite David Bowie’s tunes on Thursday, as the station will host a silent disco for the 50th anniversary of Bowie’s alter ego Ziggy Stardust. Non-profit organisation the Community Brain has set up the event alongside Community Rail and South Western Rail which for [...]