With a cry of o’zapft is! (it is tapped!), Oktoberfest will once again open its doors this September for just over two weeks of thigh-slapping-om-pah-pah-merriment! With this year’s 200th anniversary festival set to break all records, use WhichBudget.com, the global cheap flights search engine, to find low cost flights to Munich from 18th September to 4th October, so you don’t miss out on the greatest beer festival in the world…probably. (more…)

The Department for Work and Pensions announced today that David Norgrove, chair of the Pensions Regulator, has said he will be stepping down when his second term in the post comes to an end on 31 December 2010. (more…)

Welcome to 1970s suburbia for a unique experiment in modern-day self sufficiency.

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From its stunning sandy beaches to its luscious green wine regions, boasting the best wine in the country, the Golden State attracts millions of eager visitors each year, keen to behold its many attractions. But, alongside Universal Studios, Magic Mountain and the Hollywood sign, the state holds some well kept secrets. From the weird to the wonderful, the freaky to the fantastic; whether you want to search for aliens or get married, just think California and you won’t be disappointed! (more…)

The Welcome to Yorkshire iPhone App has been awarded a 4+ star rating from the App Store. (more…)

GEM Motoring Assist, voted the UK’s Number One for Roadside Assistance in 2010 in the Auto Express Driver Power Survey, is committed to helping drivers make their car journeys run as smoothly as possible. (more…)

The Wine Institute of California has announced the Benchmark Wines for 2010 after much deliberation from the tasting panel, who tasted over 100 wines before finally arriving at 14 of the best California has to offer. (more…)

The International Ballroom Dance Sensation
BURN THE FLOOR

Starring Brian Fortuna and Ali Bastian from Strictly Come Dancing! (more…)

Its iconic status belongs to the world of gardening rather than football but one of our most famous gardens, Hidcote in Gloucestershire, is turning to the latest in sports turf technology to help keep its grass paths looking immaculate. (more…)

It has become a rock music cliché, but Glastonbury Festival truly is one of the world’s biggest music and dance festivals. (more…)

Northants Ramblers(1) are rallying on Wednesday (9 June) to demonstrate the need to add the secret path at Lilford to the official (definitive) map of public paths.(2) They will be joined by Kate Ashbrook, trustee and former chairman of the Ramblers, and Keith Roberts, director of campaigns and policy, and they will walk the secret path. (more…)

A Sussex Rambler has been inspired to create an innovative, comprehensive online county-wide guide of disability accessible walks, that is online FREE and available for everyone to use. (more…)

As World Cup fever is taking over the nation for the next four weeks, health experts from the World Health Organisation and the Food Standards Agency are concerned about the health risks this will pose for football fans here and abroad. (more…)

A breakthrough finding from Israel may lead to earlier diagnosis, more effective intervention, and perhaps even a cure for the autoimmune disease multiple sclerosis. (more…)

According to new statistics released by online service NHS MidLifeCheck, 49 is the age men are most likely to take an interest in their taking stock of how lifestyle may affect their future health. These men are an average of 2 stones, 3 lbs overweight (14kgs), with a 37-inch waist. (more…)

It’s been another great year for English and Welsh wine in the major international wine competitions, whose results were announced at the London International Wine & Spirits Trade Fair. (more…)

Since the publication of the best-selling and word-of-mouth phenomenon LEON: Ingredients & Recipes two years ago, Leon has continued to revolutionize fast food as we know it. Challenging the perception that fast food can’t be healthy, delicious or fun, they continue to push boundaries by producing seasonal, invigorating dishes, which taste good and can be made with ease, speed and a smile. (more…)

Whether you’re watching Wimbledon from Centre Court or your armchair this year, you’ll need something to keep up your strength in the heat of match-point tension. Stand out from the crowd by unwrapping a grilled French goat’s cheese mini-log and walnut pesto ciabatta from the Easy Cheesey Chèvre recipe created by top chef Sophie Wright – the real perfect serve. (more…)

Bridget Riley (b. 1931) is one of the most significant and original painters of our time. This Sunley Room exhibition focuses upon her most recent paintings and will enable visitors to investigate how Riley’s work relates to the National Gallery Collection. (more…)

The 10th June 2010 saw the launch of Wines of Chile’s “Carmenère Made for
Curry” campaign with a food and wine matching event at one of London’s
leading Indian restaurants, Benares, on Berkeley Square. (more…)

This year’s English & Welsh Wine of the Year Competition results are
announced today, with more medals awarded than ever before, acknowledging the consistently high quality of wines and winemaking coming from the UK. (more…)

HOT CHILLI, MEDIEVAL BATTLES, OPEN-AIR OPERA AND STUNTS ON THE SEAFRONT… (more…)

The Guild of Food Writers have announced the winners of their much- coveted annual Awards. Colin Spencer presented the beautiful engraved trophies to some of the industry’s finest writers and broadcasters. Amongst the 12 winners there were some familiar names and some new ones to add to the roll of honour. (more…)

PRS for Music, the organisation that represents the UK’s 65,000 composers and songwriters, announces a 70% increase in Michael Jackson’s royalties since his death.
Over 415,000 albums were sold in the first four days following the announcement in America alone, and 2.3million songs were downloaded worldwide. (more…)

Private island ownership has long been associated with the rich and famous, in fact, Julia Roberts missed out on owning this very property prior to the current owners purchasing the island 11 years ago. Turtle Island, Queensland, (East Coast) is located on the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef renowned for its varied and colourful reef ecosystems, crystal clear waters, diving and snorkeling. The 23.25 acre island is on the market for “Expressions of interest”. (more…)

If you’re more than 60 years old you will never pay more than €60.00 when you stay at a Louis Fitzgerald Group hotel in Dublin. (more…)

Following the launch of its inaugural season last spring, year two of The Bridge Project led by Olivier and Academy Award®- winning director Sam Mendes, promises another stellar transatlantic lineup and the intriguing pairing of Shakespeare’s two celebrated classics. (more…)

Employees still aren’t planning for the future and are confused by what constitutes ‘the right age’ to think about retirement, according to a new report out today. (more…)

Inflation figures released today show that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has fallen marginally to 3.40%, still way above the Government’s 2% target (more…)

English football fans dream of following the national team to the World Cup Final. This could be a costly dream though as supporting the team all the way in South Africa this year, should they make it, could set them back over £9,000 – and that’s before the cost of any match day tickets! (more…)

The Royal Air Force Squadronaires broke their own record as the highest chart position for a military ensemble when they soared further up the pop charts with their album “In The Mood: A Glenn Miller Celebration”. Helped by X-Factor’s Stacey Solomon who recorded the Glenn Miller/Etta James classic ‘At Last’ for the album, they finished at No. 7, two positions higher than last week. (more…)

• Scottish Widows Savings and Investments report reveals that 68% of parents with children under 16 believe that the recession has affected the way they think about their financial role as a parent (more…)

In the summer of 1940 Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany, continental Europe having fallen under the overwhelming military might of Hitler’s invading armies. By August, enemy air activity over southern England was starting to increase in intensity as a prelude to invasion. The unfolding Battle of Britain was fast assuming make-or-break status for the British nation in general, and for the RAF in particular. (more…)

Calling all school cooks! You could win a glittering night out at Claridge’s in Mayfair. (more…)

Leading instant online credit information provider, Equifax, is warning consumers making applications for credit, mortgages and other finance to ensure that the address they are using is the same as that used by lenders and by local authorities. (more…)

This is a classic, crime-thriller in the mould of Frederick Forsyth and Jack Higgins —with an additional bonus of a who-done-it —partially influenced by Agatha Christie. (more…)

Classic FM are releasing on their own label the latest album from Australian-born surfing guitarist Craig Ogden after being inundated with an unprecedented number of calls and emails from its listeners whenever a track from a past album by the classical guitarist was played. In response to this clamour Classic FM decided to bow to public demand and now proudly present their first instrumentalist signing to their label. (more…)

Now an international bestseller, Too Big to Fail, became the definitive account of the financial meltdown in 2009. (more…)

The Interceptor is a gripping insight into life as an undercover surveillance operative. (more…)

Homeless people and prisoners on day release have created  the biggest garden ever seen at the Chelsea Flower Show. (more…)

FEVA - Knaresborough’s renowned annual Festival of Entertainment and Visual Arts – enters its 10th year this August and promises to deliver the most inspiring programme of activities yet! (more…)

According to recent reports*, only 1 in 9 drivers making claims for vehicle damage caused by potholes to the Highways Agency, was successful. (more…)

Town Hall and Symphony Hall Birmingham have announced the 2010/11 Birmingham International Concert Season, the UK’s largest international classical music series outside London. The flagship series welcomes some of the world’s greatest musicians, conductors, orchestras and recitalists to the stages of the city’s two premier venues. (more…)

Richard Eyre directs a new play by Moira Buffini, WELCOME TO THEBES, continuing the Travelex £10 Tickets season in the Olivier Theatre and opening on 22 June.  (more…)

The beautiful Ironbridge Gorge in Shropshire has several dedicated picnic sites with stunning views in and around the World Heritage Site to set out your hamper, packed full with some of the region’s finest local food and drink. (more…)

There’s no business like show business and the biggest deal of all for families this summer is the much-loved and eagerly awaited annual initiative - Kids Week in the West End! Now in its 13th year, Kids Week offers children aged 5-16 the opportunity to experience the magic of London theatre for FREE! From 13 to 27 August 2010, head to London’s West End for a fortnight of theatre fun. (more…)

If you’re pressed for time – and who isn’t – you’ll be glad to know that Scholl has launched a revolutionary new sandal that actually moisturises your feet with every step! (more…)

On Friday the 25th of June the Future Gallery in Leicester Square will host the most brazen mass theft in London: every guest will be invited to steal the gallery’s prized paintings! What’s stopping them? A series of high-tech lasers slicing through the space, beaming through the smoke, ready to set off the alarms if they’re even slightly brushed. The tension will be tangible… London’s art world hold their breath. (more…)

For many, nothing says ‘Spring’ like baby lambs and the first flowers coming into bud. But it is the blossoming of one particular, much-loved flower that has traditionally been the best mark of Springtime and that flower is the bluebell! (more…)

Roll up, roll up, it’s the bargain of the Century: for one weekend only, the Ramblers will be offering £1 membership to new walkers who join them to celebrate Get Walking Day (1). A £28.50 saving! (more…)

Grab a London Sightseeing Pass and kick start your summer with healthy activities and active attractions around the capital. (more…)

Thermae Bath Spa has been voted the ‘Best Spa in the World’ by readers of the Daily Telegraph’s Ultra Travel Magazine. (more…)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that upgraded biometric technology is in place at major U.S. ports of entry, and most international visitors should expect to use the new technology when they enter the United States. DHS’s US-VISIT program began upgrading its biometric technology from a two to a 10 fingerprint collection standard in 2007 to make the entry process faster and more accurate, enabling DHS officials to focus their attention on people who may pose a risk to the United States.

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British tourist numbers heading for Cuba have increased considerably in the last few years.  The country certainly offers an exotic alternative to other hot destinations as well as a sense of adventure.  But it appears that sense of adventure may have been costing the Cuban government too much. (more…)