Libby’s Naked Diary December 4, 2024 Scrooges stay away, Grinches get ye gone! I had heard that nowhere does Christmas time like Buckinghamshire’s Cliveden House, but this surpassed expectation. As a parent, Christmas can be all about the children, but stepping through the entrance’s stone pillars, wrapped in wreaths and fairy lights, to the hall’s enormous glittering tree, I felt that [...]
Edwardstone to lead Jonbon up the creek en route to glory December 3, 2024 SANDOWN’s card this Saturday looks a pre-Christmas cracker, headlined by the Grade One Tingle Creek (3.00pm), where Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon will attempt to win consecutive editions of this coveted two-mile prize. Jonbon is remarkably consistent, and if successful on Saturday, he would take his career record to 16 wins from 19 starts and his earnings [...]
Households cut back on spending at fastest pace in five years December 3, 2024 According to figures published by Barclays, essential spending fell by 3.1 per cent in November, the sharpest monthly fall since 2019.
Why Brentford ticket news has shamed Ratcliffe and Manchester United December 3, 2024 Brentford have cast Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s price increases at Manchester United in an even less flattering light by slashing the cost of away tickets for young fans to just £10. The Premier League club’s pledge not only affects junior Brentford fans attending their away games but also under-18s making the trip to west London to [...]
The best gifts for toddlers 2024: From Paw Patrol to Barbie December 3, 2024 If you want to make sure your little one wakes up with a big smile on Christmas morning, check out our guide to the best gifts for toddlers 2024. Ravensburger Bluey Mini Memory Game Enhance your toddler’s cognitive skills with the Ravensburger Bluey Mini Memory Game, perfect for children aged 3 and up. This classic [...]
Best gifts for teenagers: From Star Wars to Warhammer December 3, 2024 Teenagers are notoriously hard to buy for but in our guide to the best gifts for teenagers you’re sure to be a winner on Christmas morning. 3-In-1 Crawling RC Car Looking for a versatile and exciting gift for your teenager? The 3-In-1 Crawling RC Car is an exceptional choice! This remote-controlled buggy features a robust [...]
Marston’s rings in Christmas bookings as profit jumps in ‘defining year’ December 3, 2024 Pub operator Marston’s has surpassed market expectations as pre-Christmas bookings begin to introduce hope for another bumper year of trade. The Wolverhampton-headquartered firm told markets this morning that its total revenue for the year ending 28 September, 2024, increased to £898.6m, up three per cent from £872.3m the prior 12 months. Pre-tax profit for Marston’s [...]
London risks losing its crown to New York December 3, 2024 The city that never sleeps is outpacing London – where pubs close at 10.30pm – on almost every measure. Even its Christmas tree is bigger, says Emma Revell As we enter December, London should come into its own. The lights are up on Oxford Street, the Christmas tree has arrived in Trafalgar Square and the [...]
My Top Christmas Wines December 3, 2024 As much as I love the tradition of turkey and think pigs-in-blankets are delicious, unsurprisingly the wine is the star attraction at my house, and I put a whole lot of thought and care into what I serve my guests. Nothing kicks off a celebration better than a glass of something sparkling and I will [...]
The weird and wonderful world of Japanese model food December 2, 2024 Japan is famous for the way its cultural artefacts seem to evolve separately from the rest of the world. Travel to Tokyo and you can find fax machines that have continued to develop new bells and whistles long after their use in the west began its terminal decline in the 1990s. Shokuhin sanpuru (literally: food [...]