There was a time when slowing down felt like something we had to be reminded to do. Now, it feels like something we actively need to fight for. We live in a world where being busy is often worn as a badge of honour, where calendars are packed, phones are rarely out of reach and even our downtime can feel like another item on the to-do list.

It goes without saying that all animals, whether indoor pets such as dogs or outdoor animals such as ponies and donkeys, should be trained. While training may take different forms depending on the animal, it should focus on teaching good manners and how to respond in certain situations.

Despite the ongoing cost of living squeeze, Brits are expected to spend a record £94 billion this festive season. The Christmas splurge is almost 3% more than last year but according to a leading consumer expert this is probably more to do with rising prices than people feeling generous.

As we mark World Menopause Day (18 October), the University of Sunderland is leading new award-winning research to improve menopause support for women with a learning disability and the people who care for them. The initial project was completed in March 2026 in collaboration with the NHS South Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) and the NHS North East and North Cumbria ICB.

With fewer than 70 shopping days until Christmas – or two pay days – you might be tempted by the interest free benefits of ‘buy now, pay later’ deals to help you with spreading the cost of your Christmas shopping. And getting the presents bought early might save you a lot of time and stress as you avoid long queues and rammed car parks.

Shepherds Purse’s Harrogate Blue and Yorkshire Blue launch in new-look packs in more than 300 Morrisons stores, marking the cheesemaker’s first major brand refresh in over a decade.

Dylan Evans, of Henrock by Simon Rogan at Linthwaite House in the Lake District, has won the HIT Training Sustainability Award at Young National Chef of the Year. A former student of the Academy by Simon Rogan and Kendal College, Dylan was one of two Henrock chefs in the final, alongside his colleague Hope Ryall-Thurlow.

The RSPB provides a guide to feeding birds in the UK, recently updated to offer greater protection for birds. While the guidance focuses mainly on which foods to offer seasonally and why good hygiene is important for all water and food containers, it also suggests when to limit or stop feeding completely.

Our consumer champion and founder of the Lady Janey blog Jane Hawkes, says businesses need to put people before processes as National Customer Service Week highlights the importance of getting customer service right Good customer service should make life easier, not leave customers…

With a history that goes back nearly 180 years The Wellington in Shadwell has seen many changes. Originally a traditional coaching inn, it was run by various breweries, and now it has a very different role. Opened as a restaurant in 2019 The Ego at The Wellington has just undergone a remarkable transformation project.

The seasons have shifted. As we enter Autumn and reacquaint ourselves with cosy jumpers, thick coats and hot chocolates on the sofa, the pull to sit comfortably on an evening, after a long day, and create something increases. How can you start a new crafting hobby this autumn? You want to do it, but you’re not sure how to begin.

Distillers at Yorkshire’s first whisky distillery have revealed details of the final bottling of their Sherry Cask Reserve series of releases. For 2026, the seventh and final bottling in Spirit of Yorkshire’s highly regarded series marries whisky from ex-Pedro Ximénez and ex-Moscatel casks.

Estate planning is often associated with people who have partners and families. But with around four in 10 of people aged 65 and over in the UK single, it’s an increasingly important topic for singletons. In fact, an increasing number of people are spending their twilight years living alone.

Although living in the countryside, surrounded by acres of fields, wide open spaces and nature, is indeed wonderful, it unfortunately has a few drawbacks. Neighbours can be far and few between, and for those living in isolated rural areas, there is little chance of a catch-up over the garden fence.

The Crime Survey for England and Wales estimates around there were around 4.2 million incidents of fraud in the year ending March 2025, an increase of 31% from the previous year. With increased use of internet banking and apps, as well as AI providing virtually instant information to scammers from around the world, it’s never been more important to be ultra vigilant. And one of the growing ways scammers are trying to defraud people of their money is through pretending to be legitimate customer service departments.

The UK has seen cases of the deadly Bluetongue virus steadily increase this year, with dozens of new cases reported. Bluetongue virus is an insect-borne viral disease that affects sheep, cattle, goats, deer and camelids such as llamas and alpacas.

Our consumer champion, Jane Hawkes, shares essential guide to using AI effectively when making a complaint - and reveals the mistakes consumers must avoid. Consumers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence to help them make complaints against companies but there can be significant pitfalls.

Our mortgage expert Sam Fox, founder of UKMC, explains why first-time buyers should look beyond their existing bank when searching for a mortgage. First-time buyers could be missing out on mortgages better suited to their circumstances by limiting their search to their existing bank.

Wild swimming seems to be everywhere at the moment. From Three Shires Head in the Peak District to the Bude Sea Pool in Cornwall, Brits are turning out in droves to unwind and enjoy the fresh water during the many heatwaves this summer.

Earlier this year, one of my miniature Mediterranean donkeys, Jasper, sustained an injury, the cause of which was unknown. Despite a couple of visits from the vet, no diagnosis was made, and the only advice I was given was to give him box rest and painkillers. Unhappy with the vet’s advice, I decided to look into the matter further myself.