Recent Articles

Six Reasons To Take Up Yoga Now (in: Healthy parents)
Sep 11, 2019

To explain why yoga really is all that, Steven Virtue, Fitness Experience Manager at Total Fitness, the North’s leading mid-market health club, reveals six benefits of the practice that you might not know about, to help you decide if yoga is the one for you...

The Go-Between on DVD (in: CDs & DVDs)
Sep 10, 2019

Brand new 4K restoration of the 1971 hauntingly beautiful film based on L.P. Hartley's novel, The Go-Between, stars Julie Christie, Alan Bates, Dominic Guard, Margaret Leighton, Edward Fox and Michael Redgrave. Anne Coates reviews.

Last Chance Hotel by Nicki Thornton (in: Books: children & YA)
Sep 5, 2019

Published by Chicken House, Last Chance Hotel by Nicki Thornton is an engaging  murder mystery with a heavy dose of magic. Anne Coates reviews.

17 Ways to Use Tea Tree Oil (in: Fit kids)
Sep 3, 2019

Tea Tree Oil is the ultimate multi-tasker to have at home. Thursday Plantation have come up with 17 uses making this medicine kit in a bottle a must have in any bathroom cabinet, first aid kit or travel bag.

 

High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson (in: Books: children & YA)
Sep 2, 2019

Sharna Jackson's High Rise Mystery has all the ingredients for a great crime novel. Only in this instance the two super-sleuths are teenage sisters  Nik and Norva who not only find the body on their South London estate but realise that the father, the caretaker of the flats, is the prime suspect. Anne Coates reviews.

School's back – Are you Feeling Stressed? (in: Healthy parents)
Aug 31, 2019

The summer's over and the stress of childcare and keeping children amused (and fed!) dissipates but the terrors of not having all the uniform, worrying about a new teacher, after-school care, school meals take over. On top of all the usual everyday stresses. New research from Potter's Herbals shines light on UK lifestyle and anxiety levels.

Have you had your child's sight tested? (in: Fit kids)
Aug 28, 2019

You’ve got the new uniform, pencil case, haircut and school shoes – you think you have all the bases covered for this autumn term. But there is one vital check that most parents do not realise will have a lasting impact on how much their child enjoys, and thrives, at school – a sight test.   

Philips Series 2000i Air Purifier (in: Products & equipment)
Aug 27, 2019

Anne Coates (who has three cats and friends who are allergic to them) put the Philips Series 2000i Air Purifier to the test.

Yogaling Leggings from BabyBoo (in: Products & equipment)
Aug 23, 2019

BabyBoo has a delightful new range of leggings for babies and toddlers. We put them to the test. 

Morecambe & Vice Crime Festival (in: News)
Aug 21, 2019

Now in its third year the Morecambe & Vice Crime Festival has a fabulous range of panels and speakers. Anne Coates will be talking to Sharna Jackson, Nicki Thornton and Sarah Todd Taylor about writing crime for young adult readers on Saturday 28 September, 2019.

Free eye tests for parents and children (in: News)
Aug 20, 2019

As part of a drive to get as many children’s eyes tested as possible before school terms starts in September, Bayfields Opticians, an independent, national group of opticians and audiologists, is offering parents and carers free eye tests when they book a special one hour appointment with their child before 31 August.   

PrezzyBox Personalised Jigsaws
Aug 19, 2019

If you – or someone you know – loves jigsaw puzzles what better way to celebrate a special occasion that with a Prezzybox Personalised Jigsaw. Anne Coates was delighted with her jigsaw portrait of Harriet.