Bakery giant Hovis sold to private equity firm Endless November 6, 2020 Bakery brand Hovis has been acquired by Endless, a UK based mid-market private equity firm, for an undisclosed sum. The company confirmed this morning that the terms of the agreement have been approved by both the Gores Group and Premier Foods, Hovis’ current owners. The acquisition enables Hovis to focus on further tapping into growing [...]
Lucky Grandma review – growing old disgracefully November 5, 2020 Chinese legend Tsai Chin will be a familiar face to many, with six decades of success including two Bond films, 90s hit The Joy Luck Club, and a recurring role on the series Gray’s Anatomy. Those unfamiliar with her talents will certainly remember the name after seeing her as the grouchy lead in this striking [...]
Luxor review – Andrea Riseborough shines in a story of love and trauma November 5, 2020 An early selling-point of cinema was its ability to allow people to see locations on the other side of the world, places they could never dream of getting to in person. A century on, current restrictions mean we are once again travelling through our screens, and new drama Luxor provides the perfect antidote for those [...]
Take the edge off the US election with a bourbon cocktail November 5, 2020 With the Presidential election still dragging on, you could be forgiven for having somewhat frayed nerves right now. Will it be resolved with decisive-enough wins in the outstanding states? Will it end up in the courts? Will it lead to the death of democracy and civil conflict? As if 2020 was already stressful enough, without [...]
How to write a lockdown novel – from a man who did just that November 4, 2020 Thierry Macquet, a Mauritian ex-at living in London, found himself stranded on the paradise island of his childhood when coronavirus rampaged across the globe. To stay sane, he decided to write a lockdown novel, Messages From an Adventurous Ancestor. Here’s how he did it, and some advice on how you can do the same as [...]
We’re shaken and stirred in 007’s new Land Rover Defender November 3, 2020 We drive one of the Land Rover stunt cars from No Time to Die, then sample the new Defender 90 on and off the road.
Four Italian wines to help get you through lockdown November 3, 2020 On the day we ordinarily congregate to celebrate the foiling of Guy Fawkes’ infamous gunpowder plot, we will instead be locked inside wondering how our government has Fawked things up so much. Referring to himself by Italian version of his name, Guido, Fawkes was inspired by his tour of the continent and indeed Italy. How [...]
Plan a post-lockdown escape at the stunning Sopwell House in St Albans November 2, 2020 THE WEEKEND: Serious me-time in the UK’s first private member’s spa, handily attached to luxury country house hotel Sopwell House. You can spend the entire weekend in a dressing gown without skipping the gourmet food, stylish surroundings and decent cocktail menu every suitably indulgent weekend break needs – especially after another month of being confined [...]
How to make the most of the last pre-lockdown days, from a US election party pack to a prohibition jazz night November 2, 2020 During any other year, this would have been among the busiest weeks of the social calendar. Halloween parties would have spilled into US election parties, which would have led into Bonfire night, and before you know it, the weekend is upon you again. Instead, we have the bleak prospect of yet another lockdown. But try [...]
A Scottish expedition: Falling in love with the Hebrides November 2, 2020 “Do you want to head for the shark or the dolphins?” As questions go, it’s not a bad one. In the distance to the right of us, the two fins of an 8-metre basking shark wobble gently from side to side as the extraordinary creature gorges on krill. To the left, coming closer, the tell-tale [...]