TOM UTLEY: I wish religion was as easy to take up as, say, colonic irrigation

As my mother lay on her deathbed, visitors who asked her how she was feeling would get one of three answers: ‘I’m very well, thank you’; ‘I’m blooming’; or, ‘I’m in the pink’. You didn’t have to be a consultant oncologist to realise this wasn’t strictly true. For one thing, she was so ill towards … Read more

Top secondary school students are choosing ‘easy’ books like David Walliams, study finds

Top secondary school students are choosing ‘easy’ books like David Walliams and failing to stretch themselves, study finds Brightest readers at secondary school choosing ‘easy’ books below ability levels Opting for Jeff Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and novels of David Walliams Report found 16 out of 20 of most popular books were by Walliams and … Read more

Personal trainer who works with Kayla Itsines reveals easy meals she swears by for good nutrition

Personal trainer, 29, who works with Kayla Itsines reveals the very easy meals she swears by for good nutrition – and the snacks that curb her cravings Kelsey Wells is a personal trainer and mother to son Anderson, living in Utah The 29-year-old works with Australian fitness instructor Kayla Itsines on her app Kelsey is … Read more

13 easy ways to donate to charity this Christmas with minimal effort

The average Briton will spend nearly £400 this Christmas – it is clearly a time of year in which many of us push the boat out and are generous to friends and family. It is also a period in which many may think of ways to give back and perhaps donate to charity.  There are … Read more

An Inspector Calls… A good value and friendly hotel in easy striking distance of the New Forest  

An Inspector Calls… A good value and friendly hotel within easy striking distance of the New Forest The Inspector checked into the Lord Bute located close to the Dorset coast The hotel was once home to Lord Bute – a former prime minister in 1762/63 There are 13 rooms and the Inspector found his had a … Read more