4 h. ago When my father first came to the UK, people bonded and looked after him. Would that happen now? | Nell Frizzell

I’ve taken in refugees from time to time, and formed ties that have lasted to this day. Instead of demonising people, we could try sharing our lives with themThere is one Christmas story from when my father first arrived in the UK, 43 years ago, that can still make me howl with laughter. It was a cold winter and my dad had been gripped by the idea of roasting chestnuts. He had grown up in the southern hemisphere, in a former British colony, so despite the fact that his Christmases were hot – spent in shorts and flip-flops – he had been surrounded by images of snowy churches, robin redbreasts, holly, ivy and, yes, chestnuts roasting on an open fire.And so, he headed out to Clapham Common in south London to collect conkers. They were chestnuts, after all. Horse chestnuts but hey, that’s still a chestnut. Or so he thought. And so, that evening when his British friends arrived at the house where he was staying, they were greeted by the suspiciously acrid smell of about 30 conkers, bakin...

Politics

5 h. ago How to turn an excess of herbs into a showstopping sauce for just about anything – recipe | Waste not

This make-ahead, easy green sauce is suitable for to almost any main dish and a great way to use up hang-about herbs Whenever I want to cook something special, my first thought is always salsa verde, and Christmas is no exception. This vibrant sauce is so forgiving and endlessly versatile – a last-minute showstopper that can be whipped up with a few store-cupboard ingredients and some herbs. It’s normally made with parsley, garlic, capers, anchovy fillets, olive oil and vinegar, but as long as the end result is green and saucy, I’m generally more than happy. Finely chop whatever herbs you have to hand – I used rosemary, sage, lemon verbena and nasturtiumsfrom the garden. Continue reading...

Politics

7 h. ago King's Speech 2025: What time is it on Christmas Day, how to watch and what to expect

Each year, the monarch reflects on the year in a poignant televised message to the nation, and this year is no different with King Charles delivering the fourth Christmas message of his reign

Politics

9 h. ago Man cooks 'hearty' Christmas dinner for £6 and shows how you can do the same

There's no denying the price of everything seems to be going up and up, and that's why one man wanted to share his way to make a cheap and 'hearty' Christmas dinner

Economics

9 h. ago Households warned forgetting 1 kitchen job could lead to 'tears' this Christmas

It's nearly Christmas and with many households preparing to cook up a huge festive feast, one expert is urging households to complete one kitchen task ahead of the big day

Events

10 h. ago How to cook perfect Christmas dinner with Delia Smith's simple step

Christmas dinner doesn't have to be stressful. Delia Smith offers a comprehensive step-by-step guide covering everything from turkey preparation and roast potatoes to stuffing and vegetables, with expert timings for a stress-free festive meal

Politics

11 h. ago How Prince William can follow in the footsteps of his namesake, William the Conqueror, with a Christmas Day Coronation

When his time comes, could Prince William choose Christmas Day for his Coronation? His namesake, William the Conqueror, did.

Politics

12 h. ago MasterChef winner's delicious roast potato recipe takes only 30 minutes to make

Shelina Permalloo, who won BBC's MasterChef in 2012, has taken to social media to share her cooking tips to help you dish up the best Christmas dinner to your friends and family

Politics

15 h. ago Top chefs share Christmas dinner timings for the perfect festive feast

Struggling with Christmas dinner timings or how to cook your food? Take a look at these tips from top chefs

Politics

17 h. ago Gordon Ramsay's Christmas Day cooking tips to ease stress on the big day

The top Scottish chef's shared their festive wisdom ahead of Christmas

Politics

17 h. ago Biggest famous family feuds of 2025: The stars leaving their relatives out in the cold this Christmas

A unifying and somewhat unwholesome theme appears to bond actual royalty with sporting royalty ahead of the big day, traditionally a time for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Politics

26 h. ago Rick Stein’s tips for cooking the perfect roast potatoes – and other Christmas classics

The beloved chef offers his tips for cooking everything from turkey to the sprouts

Politics

27 h. ago Health officials issue Christmas warning over 'deadly' risk and key sign to look out for

The six symptoms anyone cooking with gas this Christmas should watch out for

Events

28 h. ago British people drinking less alcohol than at any time on record with a pub closing each day of 2025

People in the UK are drinking more than a quarter less than a peak two decades ago

Politics

31 h. ago British people drinking less alcohol than any time on record with a pub closing each day of 2025

People in the UK are drinking more than a quarter less than a peak two decades ago

Politics

34 h. ago Avoidable mistake when cooking Christmas turkey leaves meat dry and chewy

A culinary expert has shared a crucial turkey cooking mistake that could ruin your festive feast, along with top tips to ensure a succulent turkey this Christmas

Politics

36 h. ago Following 1 cooking method this Christmas makes roast potatoes extremely crispy

A chef has shared his secret to making the perfect roast potatoes every time, and it's all down to one simple step you can do in advance of your Christmas dinner

Politics

40 h. ago Christmas dinner calculator that could save you two hours of cooking time this year

Food experts have created an online Christmas dinner calculator that is said to save people up to two hours in the kitchen on the big day.

Politics

41 h. ago RAKIB EHSAN: Equalities chief is divorced from the realities of life in modern Britain

Two weeks ago, a 15-year-old British schoolgirl from Leamington Spa stood up in court and told the judge: 'The day I was raped changed me as a person. Now every time I go out I don't feel safe.'

Politics

43 h. ago The last time Rangers and Celtic lit up Scottish football on Christmas Day

It's hard to imagine, but there was a time when football was played on Christmas Day in Scotland

Politics