Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsSign up to our free breaking news emailsStraightening her hair and complaining about her broken phone charger, Andrea Gharshallah’s last morning with her daughter in March 2018 had been unremarkable. A proud mother of two boys, a passionate cook of Sunday roasts and a lover of music, Georgina was surrounded by a close-knit family, which included her confidante mother and three sisters. While her life in later years had been unpredictable and she had suffered…

The concepts of quiet luxury and wellness-centric bathrooms have emerged as just some of the five pivotal trends identified by 14 industry experts, expected to influence bathroom renovations in 2026. Sanctuary Bathrooms has collated these insights as part of its in-depth 2026 bathroom trends analysis. The report also highlights the importance of nature-inspired materials, earthy colours, and large showers taking precedence over baths, as other key trends shaping the future of bathroom design including colours, styles, trends, pop culture influences, as well as an eye on sustainability, eco-friendliness, and consumer expectations. Here are the five key trends identified. 1. Quiet luxury…

This refurbishment and extension of a Victorian semi-detached house in south-east London for a young family had to balance contemporary design within the heritage constraints of being within the Dulwich Estate Conservation Area. The project aimed to create a calm and light-filled family home, with a sculptural curved brick rear extension, a glazed boot room and a zinc-clad dormer. Long views open up towards the garden, which replaces the previously dark, dog-legged corridor, bringing natural light deep into the plan. In the kitchen, the floor has been lowered to enhance privacy and maximise sightlines through to the garden, while reclaimed…

The Aquarium roundabout will be removed in January to be replaced by a new traffic light junction. The seafront road will be closed overnight by the pier for two weeks from 6 January. The exact road closures and diversions will change during this time. Buses will divert via West Street and the seafront. Vehicles travelling on the A259 from the east will be diverted via Edward Street. The work is part of the third phase of the revamp of Valley Gardens, which started in November 2024, and which is also seeing the creation of a new public square, a cycle…

Alex Ford is the chief executive at CT Skills When most people think of an apprentice, they tend to think of a young person shadowing somebody in the trade, learning the skills and knowledge you need to work in the construction industry.So why did only 33,000 people begin a construction apprenticeship in Britain in 2024? This figure comes from the latest Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Apprenticeship Paper published in November, which also states we need three times this many apprentices to meet demand in housing, infrastructure and net-zero retrofitting.“Apprenticeship Units could offer a practical solution by providing high-quality, bite-sized…

​​​Miners lead FTSE 100 advance on copper surge ​UK equities pushed higher on Friday, supported by a powerful rally in commodity stocks. The FTSE 100 gained ground as copper and spot gold prices hit fresh records, lifting major mining companies to new highs. ​Antofagasta led the mining sector advance, reaching levels not seen in years. Fellow copper producers Glencore and Anglo American also benefited from the metal’s relentless climb, which shows little sign of stalling. ​The gains came despite headwinds from energy stocks, which faced fresh analyst downgrades. The divergence between sectors highlights the varied fortunes across the index, with commodity exposure proving crucial for overall…

Council tax, electricity, heating and firewood are included.A unique job opportunity in rural Fife has come up(Image: StephenBridger / Getty Images)A rural estate in Scotland is currently looking to hire a couple to fill a role. The positions come with a private cottage and provide the opportunity to live and work in idyllic surroundings.A family in East Fife set within 100 acres of grounds is seeking a live-in domestic couple to join their household. One of the successful applicants will act as a housekeeper, while the other will be the estate’s handyman and gardener.The positions come with a salary of…

Many people with dementia spend a lot of time in their homes. They may be less active, elderly, and may feel the cold more, meaning they use a lot of energy.The confusion and forgetfulness that dementia typically brings means people with the condition can be more vulnerable to overconsumption and mismanagement of their energy. They might forget to turn lights off or accidentally set the heating too high or too low, and could face higher gas and electricity bills as a result.It’s also important to prepare for winter months early, before cold weather hits and things become more urgent. Getting…

A CRAFTY mum has gone viral after unveiling the ultimate no-mess Christmas décor hack and festive fans can recreate it for just £1. TikTok creator Mallory Lee Richardson has become the unexpected star of the season thanks to her bargain makeover trick, that’ll transform an everyday kitchen into a cosy, Christmassy showstopper. Sign up for the Fabulous newsletter Thank you! A mum has revealed her cheap DIY hack to transform your kitchenCredit: TikTok/ @Malloryleerichardson Mallory Lee Richardson shared her DIY hack with TikTok and fans were obsessedCredit: TikTok/ @Malloryleerichardson In her viral video, Mallory films herself looping the ribbon over…

The applicant, the Hussey Family Trust, via agents Turley, has asked Swindon Borough Council for its ruling on whether an environmental impact assessment must be included in any future planning application to build 300  on land east of The Marsh on the edge of  Wanborough. This is the same site where pharmaceutical company Wasdell Group wanted to build a huge industrial and science park – which caused a major row between the company, Wanborough villagers and Swindon Borough Council. BIGGEST sale of the year for Adver digital subscription https://t.co/A2agzAMm1P — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) November 24, 2025 While EIA screening opinion…