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Blippi's Big Adventure: The Youtube Sensation Taking His Show On The Road

Jeremy Williams
Arts Correspondent

BLBT Production Photo

As the daddy of a nine-year-old and a five-year-old, I've experienced Blippi fever not once, but twice. Over the years, a much-loved Blippi doll has made the journey from older brother to younger sister, surviving countless adventures along the way.

P.ublished 13th June 2026

Children’s Book Review: Hide And Seek: A Little Wizards Adventure By Sarah Jane Elliott

Steve Whitaker
Features Writer

Perceptive children’s writing demands a counter-intuitive rigour: created to serve the freeform juvenile imagination, text and illustrations have to be crafted to tease sparks into lucent flames, metaphors into new and enticing forms.

P.ublished 10th June 2026

Nearly Half Of Unpaid Carers Feel Their Role Goes Unrecognised In Their Community

Image by Vilkasss from Pixabay

A significant number of people looking after a family member or friend do not feel that their role as an unpaid carer is understood or valued by their community.

P.ublished 10th June 2026

Jones Myers Champions Changes For The Better In Family Law

Pictured left to right is Dame Nicole Jacobs, Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Claire Throssell MBE and Laura Sargeant, Jones Myers

Jones Myers Family Lawyer, Laura Sargeant, has played a key role in an informative family law conference covering vital issues to change current laws - and ensure victims and survivors of domestic abuse receive help when they most need it.

P.ublished 6th June 2026

Gll Supports Drowning Prevention Week Across Cumbria Leisure Centres

Better swim school

To help raise awareness and promote water safety, GLL – the social enterprise that runs swimming facilities in Cumbria including Appleby Leisure Centre, Penrith Leisure Centre, Kendal Leisure Centre, Ulverston Leisure Centre and the Sands Centre Carlisle is supporting RLSS UK's Drowning Prevention Week, which runs 13-20th June 2026.

P.ublished 10th June 2026

Dudley Meets Local Wildlife

Karen McMillan
Cartoonist

Day 12. Met a local. Have learnt a new word. Ginger. Karen McMillan is a York-based illustrator, cartoonist, designer and creative communications expert working across wellbeing, culture and community-focused projects. Dudley is her ongoing cartoon series exploring the curious experience of being human.

P.ublished 6th June 2026

North East Couples Face Least Financially Complex Divorces In England And Wales

Couples separating in the North East face the least financially complicated divorces in England and Wales, while those in London face the most, according to an analysis of property and business wealth.

P.ublished 1st June 2026

Knights, Dragons And Vikings: A Family Day To Remember At Warwick Castle

My last visit to Warwick Castle had been for a very different experience entirely — watching Mika perform live against the stunning backdrop of the castle itself. While the venue had proven spectacular for a concert, there had been little opportunity to properly explore everything the castle and grounds had to offer.

P.ublished 1st June 2026

A Guide To Choosing A Care Home

Going into residential care is far from inevitable – statistics show that only 10.8% of those aged 85 or over live in a residential care setting*. For some it is a freely made choice to enter a residential care setting, bringing peace of mind and a respite from housebound isolation. For others it will be a traumatic experience, imposed upon them through the lack of any viable alternative.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Summer Art Entertainment

The welcome days of floor-to-ceiling sunshine have also come with its downfalls. The soaring temperatures brought families outdoors, and who could blame them? But there were consequences with the dangers of sunburn and the temptations of the refreshing cold waters of lakes and other waterways.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

10 Things A Barrister Wants Every Divorcing Person To Know About Financial Settlement

Image by CQF-avocat from Pixabay

Most people who represent themselves at financial remedy hearings do so not because they want to, but because they have looked at solicitors' fees and decided they have no choice. Under the direct access scheme, you can instruct a barrister to advise you, prepare your case, or represent you in court without a solicitor acting as an intermediary.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Dudley Gets A Name

Karen McMillan
Cartoonist

This was the moment our tiny visitor decided he needed a human name if he was going to observe Earth mostly unnoticed. Naturally, he chose Dudley. More details about Karen (and Dudley) can be found here www.karenveramcmillan.com

P.ublished 30th May 2026

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Confirms Reopening Of Full Line Service From 1st June

Photo: NYMR

North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) has confirmed the reopening of Bridge 42 and its full line service from Pickering to Whitby from Monday 1st June 2026 - offering a range of fares including Kids Go Free.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Avoid Getting Into ‘Back To School’ Debt

From fresh uniforms to packed lunch essentials, the back-to-school shop can quickly add up and leave parents hundreds of pounds out of pocket before the term has even started. To help families manage the costs, GroceryAid is bringing back its popular School Essentials Grant with £1 million available in total – and best of all, it’s free cash so doesn’t have to be paid back.

P.ublished 30th May 2026

Punjabi Roots Workshops Open Up New Musical Worlds For Harrogate Pupils

Schoolchildren from across the Harrogate district had the chance to explore South Asian music and move to a different beat this week, thanks to a series of exciting new workshops. Youngsters from six schools took part in the Global Villages workshops with Punjabi Roots Academy, learning all about Dhol drumming and Punjabi culture.

P.ublished 25th May 2026

Rescue Services Unite At The Deep For UK's Largest Family Water Safety Festival

Six emergency and rescue organisations will gather under one roof in Hull this May half-term as the popular H2O Heroes event returns to The Deep for a fourth consecutive year.

P.ublished 23rd May 2026

Dudley Arrives

No one quite knows where Dudley came from, Dudley included. What we do know is that he finds the human condition quietly fascinating. Honest, occasionally impatient but persistently curious, Dudley spends his time observing the world with a raised eyebrow (if he had any) and a surprisingly sharp sense of insight.

P.ublished 23rd May 2026

Education Experts Share Tips For Parents On Managing Exam Stress For Your Children

With exam season in full swing, millions of children and young people across the UK will be beginning to feel the stress of upcoming tests. Students are often under pressure from an early age to succeed, with the repercussions of under-achieving feeling incredibly significant.

P.ublished 20th May 2026

Making A Difference

Lynne Dobson
Children's Art Writer

Lydia's presentation

I was honoured to be invited by an ex-student of mine to her final degree presentation. I have known Lydia since she was a young girl in primary school, where she joined my art club, so it's been wonderful to be part of her journey through to adulthood and see everything she has achieved.

P.ublished 16th May 2026

Leeds’ DJH Helps Brightland Increase Its Footprint With Pioneering Children Shoes

Brightland shoes

A chance conversation in the nursery playground has led to the launch of a business passionate about addressing the problems of poorly designed ‘first’ shoes for children. Rebecca Kelley and Duncan Robertson, the founders of Brightland in London, decided to disrupt the traditional marketplace by creating their own range of footwear that put kids’ feet first.

P.ublished 13th May 2026

Understanding Young People’s Mental Health This Mental Health Awareness Week

Image: Pixabay

This Mental Health Awareness Week (11th-17th May), Tim Panagos, Clinical Lead at The Edge Crete looks at teen mental health in the modern world and the pressures faced by young people, including social media, academic stressors, peer pressure, family relationships and loneliness in adolescence.

P.ublished 11th May 2026

Letter To The Editor: The Hidden Mental Health Impact Of Children’s Healthcare

Arlo playing in hospital

Dear Editor, I would like to draw your readers’ attention to a pressing matter. Every day, despite some of the best medical care available in the world via our NHS, children are traumatised in hospital. Clinical environments, complex and painful procedures and isolation from friends can all build up to immense levels of stress.

P.ublished 9th May 2026

Thomas Alexander Homes Strengthens Community Ties In Sharow With Support For Local School

Thomas Alexander Homes has shown its support for Sharow CE Primary School and Nursery with the creation of a new, construction-themed active learning area for early years children, reinforcing the company’s commitment to supporting the communities in which it builds.

P.ublished 8th May 2026

Jones Myers Donates Vital Equipment For Cancer Patients

Niche family law firm, Jones Myers, is enhancing comfort and wellbeing for cancer patients with a vital Airglove unit which warms and raises veins in patients’ arms. Patients at the Sir Robert Ogden MacMillan Centre in Harrogate will benefit from the air warming system which also reduces discomfort and stress for the nursing staff treating them.

P.ublished 6th May 2026

Cadbury World, Two Years On: How A Family Favourite Grows With Its Audience

Two years on from our last visit, I found myself returning to Cadbury World—this time with slightly older children, sharper questions, longer attention spans, and, as it turns out, an even deeper capacity for joy. When I first visited with my children, Calum was 7 and Skye just 3—wide-eyed, excitable, and happy to be swept along by the spectacle.

P.ublished 2nd May 2026

A Cruel Taskmaster

I keep telling myself I'm a positive person while encouraging my students and other young people to always be positive regarding their artistic talents and abilities. However, positivity can be a cruel taskmaster.

P.ublished 25th April 2026

Divorce: When Going To Court Is The Only Answer

Nicki Mitchell
Legal Features Writer

Image by Gerd Altmann, Pixabay

As a niche family law firm which champions a non-confrontational approach to divorce, Jones Myers always strive to offer our clients alternative options to a court divorce, which can be lengthy, costly, and stressful.

P.ublished 20th April 2026

Burning Rubber And Big Hearts: Hot Wheels - Glow-n-Fire Ignites The Arena

From the moment we arrived, Hot Wheels: Glow-n-Fire delivered an experience that felt thoughtfully designed for families. The evening began with a brilliantly organised pre-party, which set the tone perfectly. This wasn’t just a warm-up—it was a genuinely engaging part of the event.

P.ublished 15th April 2026

Concise: Birmingham's Best-Kept Family Secret: Sea Life And Legoland Back To Back

Jeremy Williams
Arts Correspondent

Merlin Entertainments is at the forefront of family entertainment. Around the world they own numerous family-focused destinations, including 38 Sea Life Centres, 20 Madame Tussauds and 11 Legoland resorts!

P.ublished 14th April 2026

Harry Potter World

Jeremy Williams
Arts Correspondent

All images Jeremy Williams- Chalmers

A visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter - is a reminder that, despite ongoing controversy surrounding J. K. Rowling, the magic of Harry Potter remains as powerful and popular as ever.

P.ublished 13th April 2026

What Does The Future Hold?

It is a rare occasion that I have a few days free to sit and contemplate my life and where I want to go with it. The word 'sit' doesn't sit happily with me. Excuse the pun. When you have been through a potentially life-changing illness, it changes your whole attitude to life.

P.ublished 11th April 2026

The Challenges Of Co-Parenting At Easter - And How To Overcome Them

The easter holidays are in full swing, bringing the usual raft of challenges for co-parents which are further exacerbated by forecasts of travel chaos by land, air, road and sea. As always, putting children’s best interests and happiness first should always be the top priority – as difficult as this may be when external elements threaten to disrupt the best laid plans.

P.ublished 3rd April 2026

All Aboard: Free Educational Activity Book Launched For Children On TPE Services

TransPennine Express (TPE) has launched a free children’s activity book onboard its services, as new research shows a quarter (25%) of young passengers find train journeys more exciting than travelling by car, bus or boat. The booklet, which has arrived just in time for the Easter holidays, can be requested by parents or children directly from onboard service hosts on all routes.

P.ublished 1st April 2026

I’m Divorcing A Narcissist – What Do I Need To Know?

The decision to divorce is among the most difficult and distressing decisions for anyone to take. It presents numerous emotional, financial and practical challenges, even where both agree the relationship is over. Severing ties with a narcissist - especially if you are the one instigating the break up - can present even greater obstacles and complications.

P.ublished 25th March 2026

Eden Camp Announces Action-Packed Easter Lineup And Living History Weekend

Living History at Eden Camp

Eden Camp has announced an action-packed Easter holiday with a lineup of family-friendly activities, interactive workshops, and living history experiences. From 30th March to 12th April 2026, visitors can explore wartime Britain through hands-on fun, immersive exhibits, and engaging storytelling, with the return of the Living History Weekend on 4th-5th April.

P.ublished 21st March 2026

Creating Memories

Lynne Dobson
Children's Art Writer

Noor 12yrs

Spring has arrived with milder days and a few days of wonderful sunshine, making us all feel more positive and uplifting our moods. It is sometimes difficult to stay in this bubble of happiness and positiveness when every time we switch on the radio or TV, we are hearing devastating news from around the world.

P.ublished 21st March 2026

West Country Steam Giants Set To Headline Keighley And Worth Valley Railway Gala

Two powerful steam locomotives with strong West Country connections are set to star at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway later this month as the heritage line prepares for its much-anticipated annual Steam Gala.

P.ublished 17th March 2026

Dementia UK Shares Advice On How To Look After Yourself As A Carer Ahead Of Free Clinics In Carlisle And Kendal

Lesley Potter, Admiral Nurse at Dementia UK

Dementia specialist Admiral Nurses will host clinics at Nationwide branches in Carlisle and Kendal to offer tailored support and guidance to anyone affected by the condition Nationwide and Dementia UK’s free face-to-face clinics are returning to Nationwide branches in Cumbria this month, offering specialist support in a safe, comfortable and private space for people to discuss any aspect of dem…

P.ublished 11th March 2026

Jones Myers Acknowledged Among Best Performing Firms For Client Satisfaction

Legal 500 has further consolidated the reputation of niche family law firm Jones Myers by naming the practice among the country’s best-performing practices for delivering Client Satisfaction.

P.ublished 9th March 2026

Innocence And Hope

As Spring dawns and the sun shines; I think it makes everyone feel more positive and hopeful. Young children, in their innocence, notice the purity of the spring flowers, whilst adults see how lush the countryside and the grass in our gardens look after all the rain. Even the two bunches of daffodils my husband brought back from the supermarket brought a smile to my face.

P.ublished 7th March 2026

Tails From The Rails: TPE Launches Children’s Book Starring Therapy Dog Nya To Help Young Travellers Stay Safe On The Railway

TransPennine Express (TPE) is set to launch a new children’s book featuring Nya, its much‑loved therapy dog, in a bid to help young passengers feel more confident and reassured when travelling by train. Written by the train operator’s Safeguarding and Crime Prevention Lead, Steve O’Callaghan, the story was released on World Book Day.

P.ublished 6th March 2026

Prestigious New Award Launches For Cumbria-Based Nurseries

Educate Awards, the largest education awards in the North West, which shines a spotlight on education, has launched a new category, Most Inspirational Nursery.

P.ublished 4th March 2026

How To Strengthen The Parent-Child Relationship Through The Ups & Downs Of Adolescence

Photo by Kindel Media: Pexels

As parents, we all face the unique challenges of raising preteens and teenagers. The pressures of parenting at this stage can be overwhelming, but it's important to remember that understanding your child better can help navigate these turbulent years.

P.ublished 28th February 2026

Step Into Spring At RHS Garden Bridgewater For Just £1 During National Lottery Open Week

RHS Bridgewater_ Photo: Josh Kemp-Smith

Spring is here and it’s the perfect time to visit RHS Garden Bridgewater for just £1 this March, as part of National Lottery Open Week 2026. From 7-14 March, anyone presenting a National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win game - digital or physical - can enjoy £1 entry per person for up to four people.

P.ublished 28th February 2026

72p% Of Grandparents Open To Giving Financial Gifts Amid Concerns Over Plastic Toy Waste

Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay

72% of grandparents open to giving financial gifts amid concerns over plastic toy waste. 62% of grandparents are concerned about the environmental impact of plastic toy waste. Average grandparent spends £81.20 on their grandchild for their birthday. Scottish Friendly calls on Government to reform JISA rules to make it easier for grandparents to save for their grandchildren.

P.ublished 25th February 2026

Neurodivergency - What Is It - And Does It Affect Divorce?

Sarah Barr-Young
Legal Features Writer

Image by Peter Burdon, Unsplash

Over 15 per cent of the UK population - which equates to one in seven people - are neurodivergent, which means their brains work in different ways. Neurodivergency is not a medical condition or a disorder, but a term to describe differences in how the brain is wired.

P.ublished 23rd February 2026

Parents Continue Doing It For The Kids According To Scottish Friendly’s Investor Index

Latest data shows new ISA sales up 5% in Q4 2025, compared to a spike in new JISA openings with a 19% increase on the previous quarter Junior ISA openings saw relative growth almost three times higher than ISAs quarter-on-quarter (19% vs 5%) The modern mutual’s latest customer data shows that quarter on quarter, JISAs saw a 19% increase in new policies being opened.

P.ublished 23rd February 2026

Must Visit National Trust Houses Reopen Across Cumbria This March

Do you know what’s on your doorstep? This spring, some of Cumbria’s most loved National Trust places are reopening their doors following winter closure for cleaning and conservation work.

P.ublished 21st February 2026

Yorkshire Law Firm Reveals Average Age People Make A Will

New figures from Yorkshire-based law firm, LCF Law suggest people are making a will earlier in life than commonly assumed, with the average client instructing the firm to prepare their first will in their mid-40s. The findings sit alongside long-running national research into will-writing behaviour.

P.ublished 21st February 2026

A Family Guide To Good Oral Health & How To Build Healthy Habits

As parents, ensuring the well-being of our children is a top priority. Oral health has an important role in the general health and wellbeing of families but it is often something we neglect, instead focusing on the benefits of exercise, a healthy diet and good sleep hygiene.

P.ublished 21st February 2026

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