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Learn your times tables. It seems that being able to multiply is a “basic building block for success in life.” So says the Schools Minister, as multiplication test results for hundreds of thousands of nine-year-olds were recently published for the first time. Nick Gibbs said that being able to recall any multiple up to 12...

The sales of portable generators, torches and candles have soared in recent months, amid concerns that Britain may face power cuts if it cannot import enough energy to maintain supply this winter. As the National Grid warns of possibly tight supply levels, generator sales have tripled, torch sales are up by 43pc on 2021, and...

All in the month of DECEMBER The man who gave us safe milk and saved the silk industry Lord Reith – running the BBC 100 years ago 90 years of broadcasting the Royal Christmas Messages The mysterious ways of mistletoe Protect our birds Other ways to engage with your community this Christmas ** Editor:  We...

It was: 200 years ago, on 27th December 1822 that Louis Pasteur, French biologist, microbiologist, and chemist was born. One of the fathers of germ theory, he was best known for the pasteurisation process, which is named in his honour. 100 years ago, on 8th December 1922 that Lucian Freud, German-born British figurative artist and...

Two hundred years ago, on 27th December 1822, the French biologist, microbiologist and chemist Louis Pasteur was born. One of the fathers of germ theory, he was best known for the pasteurisation process, which is named in his honour. At school he was not an outstanding student, his favourite subject being art. But he eventually...

One hundred years ago, on 14th December 1922, John Reith (later Lord Reith) was appointed general manager of the newly formed BBC. He was its first director general when it became a public corporation in 1927. Born in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, Reith was educated in Glasgow and Norfolk. An engineer by profession, he had fought in...

This year we shall have our first Royal Christmas Message from King Charles III.  He follows in a tradition that spans three generations. It was 90 years ago, on 25th December 1932, that the first Royal Christmas Message was broadcast on radio. King George V addressed the nation live from Sandringham. A quarter of a...

Mistletoe has long been used as part of our Christmas decorations. It is not your usual kind of plant. Instead, it is hemiparasitic, meaning that although its leaves enable it to feed itself through photosynthesis, its roots invade the host tree or shrub to extract water and other nutrients. Mistletoe loves living in apple, lime,...

This Christmas why not give the birds in your garden a Christmas present by joining the RSPB?  More and more of our wild birds are disappearing, making the RSPB’s work vital, to make sure that the birds we have grown up with and love remain a familiar sight for our children and future generations.   More...

 Editor:  You may wish to include in your magazine some details of your local Christmas activities this month. These might include: Churches Together:  Are your local churches gathering to sing carols in the centre of town? Information Office at your Town Council:  What concerts or other activities are planned in any local stately homes or...

All in the month of NOVEMBER How we achieved the National Health Service Finding Tutankhamen</strong When Elizabeth married Philip – 75 years ago The partition of Palestine Remember, remember it’s Will Aid this November ** Editor:  We continue our column that looks at memorable dates in the month (this time, November) down the years. Here...

It was: 175 years ago, on 4th November 1847 that Scottish obstetrician James Young Simpson discovered the anaesthetic properties of chloroform. He helped popularise its use in medicine. Also 175 years ago, on 8th November 1847 that Bram Stoker, Irish-born British writer, was born. He is best known for his Gothic horror novel Dracula. 125...