Monty Don tells how Longmeadow’s various areas evolved 

The way that I have designed my garden is, as a friend of mine only half-jokingly described it, ‘like a series of allotments’.  It means there are a number of different areas, all quite separate and usually hidden from the rest. I make no apologies for this and enjoy the surprises and sense of enclosure … Read more

Covid outbreaks have shrunk in all but TWO areas of England, Public Health England report reveals

Britain’s coronavirus outbreak has plummeted to its lowest levels since September — before the second wave spiralled out of control, official data revealed today.  Department of Health bosses recorded 12,057 new infections, marking a 10.6 per cent drop from last Thursday. Another 454 deaths were also announced, a 33 per cent fall on last week.  … Read more

Millions will be battered by £2,000 council tax as 25% of areas look at ‘sky-high’ levy

Millions will be battered by £2,000 council tax as 25% of areas look at ‘sky-high’ levy to meet the soaring cost of social care A quarter of districts expected to raise council to £2,000 for Band D houses  There was not a single area in England above that level three years ago  Critics accused town … Read more

Millions will be battered by £2,000 council tax as 25% of areas look at ‘sky-high’ levy

Millions will be battered by £2,000 council tax as 25% of areas look at ‘sky-high’ levy to meet the soaring cost of social care A quarter of districts expected to raise council to £2,000 for Band D houses  There was not a single area in England above that level three years ago  Critics accused town … Read more

Only four areas saw a spike in Covid infection rates during first week of February, figures reveal

Only four areas in England saw a spike in Covid infection rates during the first week of February, official figures revealed today. All key metrics now indicate that England is well past the peak, with the number of Covid patients being admitted to hospital dropping to its lowest level so far this year and in … Read more

‘If you have food in the house, please use that’: Hancock warns people in South African Covid areas

‘If you have food in the house, please use that’: Health Secretary tells people in South African variant areas they MUST use up stocks in cupboards and freezers before leaving to go shopping to halt spread of coronavirus Another 33 cases of the South African Covid variant have been spotted in UK  PHE says 143 … Read more

People in eight areas hit by South African Covid strain say they WILL go to shops if run out of food

People living in the eight areas of the UK hit by the South African strain of Covid said today they will ignore the government’s advice to stay home if they run out of food. Residents said they will defy Universities Minister Michelle Donelan’s orders to stay indoors and they would be prepared to go out … Read more

Residents in British areas hit by new South African strain of Covid tell of their concerns

WHERE IS DOOR-TO-DOOR TESTING BEING OFFERED? London W7: Hanwell N17: Tottenham CR4: Mitcham West Midlands WS2: Walsall East of England EN10: Broxbourne South East  ME15: Maidstone GU21: Woking North West PR9: Southport  Residents in areas hit by the new South African strain of coronavirus have shared their fears it will ‘mess everything up’. Door-to-door coronavirus … Read more

Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks in outdoor areas, SAGE experts say 

Ministers should urge people to wear facemasks OUTSIDE in parks and other crowded public areas, SAGE experts say Ministers being urged to encourage wearing of face coverings in outdoor areas Sage papers say rules should be tightened to slow the spread of the Kent variant Ability of face covering to block transmission difficult to quantify, … Read more

Biden and Harris are no-Joe areas for SNL as show completely avoids them in first episode of 2021

‘Where are the Biden joke skits? Is the President now off limits?’ ‘Biased’ SNL is slammed for completely avoiding Joe and Kamala jokes in first episode since inauguration – after four years of making Trump the butt of their jokes Hosted by John Krasinki, the first SNL of 2021 managed to not feature either the … Read more