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It was 65 years ago, on 29th September 1954, that CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) was established in Geneva, Switzerland.  It actually straddles the Swiss/French border. It originated from a vision by a small number of top scientists for a world-class physics research facility in Europe, partly to stop the brain drain to...

A pond – even a small one – is the most important thing you can do for the wildlife in your garden.  So says Kate Bradbury, a presenter of the BBC nature show, SpringWatch. The problem is that the number of ponds in Britain has halved since the 1950s.  The effect on wildlife has been...

If you want to improve your health and higher psychological well-being, spend at least 120 minutes a week in a park, woodland, country park, beach or elsewhere in nature. Recent research at Exeter University found that people who spend at least two hours a week walking among trees, listening to birdsong, and engaging with nature...

Could junk food be behind the rise of food allergies?  Scientists have found that children who eat more takeaways are more likely to suffer from dangerous intolerances. Researchers at the University of Naples found that children with food allergies also had a large build-up of sugary fatty substances under their skin which develop after eating...

Twice as many plants have been pushed to extinction over the past 250 years than all the birds, mammals and amphibians combined. 571 species have disappeared from the wild since the mid-18th century, according to scientists and experts at the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew.   Species are disappearing at 500 times the natural rate. A...

A review of wedding laws is underway, which could mean that couples are given a much wider choice of where they are allowed to enter into marriage or a civil partnership. Currently, the law requires ceremonies to be held in: places of worship, register offices, or buildings licensed by local authorities.  But it may be...

Our new Children’s Laureate has bracing advice for all parents and children who begin a book, and then struggle: don’t struggle!  Abandon the book! Cressida Cowell, author of the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ series, is keen to encourage children to read and love books, and although sometimes “there are books that you have to...

 The Church of England has recently published guidelines on the best way to use social media.  The Rt Rev Graham Tomlin, Bishop of Kensington, explains:  “We human beings have great potential either to help or to hurt, and so it is worth thinking whether what we post online, as much as anything we do, will...

Autumn is a time for new ventures, a time to take on new challenges. If you have any spare time on your hands, you could do so much good in your local community. Here are just some ideas: Parish, town or community councillor: Many councils have spare seats, and would welcome an enthusiastic, committed person....

All in the month of AUGUST Napoleon – one of the greatest military leaders Louis Mountbatten – 40th anniversary of his death 25 years of legal Sunday trading Growing crisis in social care Roadworks and more roadworks… Meditation retreats Beer of biblical proportions Plastic, plastic everywhere Our favourite (and least favourite) traditional foods ** Editor: ...

It was: 250 years ago, on 15th August 1769 that Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France (1804-14, 1815) was born. 200 years ago, on 16th August 1819 that the Peterloo Massacre took place in Manchester.  Up to 80,000 people gathered to demand a reform of parliamentary representation.  Local magistrates called in the military to break up...

Napoleon Bonaparte, Emperor of France, was born 250 years ago, on 15th August 1769. He is considered to be one of the greatest military leaders in history, but his origins gave no hint of what was to come. He was born in Ajaccio, Corsica, an island which up to the year of his birth had...