9 h. ago The pub that changed me: ‘We celebrated Christmas in July – and suddenly every night was Saturday night’

At the start of the first festive shift, the other bartender and I silently pulled our crackers and grimly donned paper hats. Yet it worked a treat and taught me the value of making your own funI was an employee and a customer at this pub as a teenager in the early 1990s. This was one of four or five pubs clustered around the high street in the town where I grew up in Somerset. We gravitated towards the Blue Ball as teenagers, not because they served underage drinkers. They didn’t. And we could only afford to drink lime and soda anyway. No, we loved this place because it had (drumroll) two bars. So we were not only cool enough to go down the pub (never “to the pub”, strictly “down the pub” or, better still, “down the Blue”), but we even had our own bar. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago Yorkshire Dales village with 'secret waterfall' is perfect for winter walks

A hiker has suggested exploring a picturesque Yorkshire Dales village in Cumbria after completing an 11-mile walk taking in the local scenery, cobbled streets and pub

Politics

5 d. ago Andy Burnham piles pressure on Rachel Reeves to 'rebalance' taxes on the high street after Chancellor refuses to extend rate bail out beyond pubs despite fear of mass closures

The Greater Manchester mayor, a former Cabinet minister and possible challenger to Keir Starmer, said changes were needed as part of wider reform that includes revaluing council tax.

Events

6 d. ago Mum got 'within inches' of saving drowning daughter before being swept away in sea tragedy

The search for missing 15-year-old Grace Keeling continues as an inquest has heard of the bravery of her devoted mother in her final tragic moments

Events

7 d. ago J.K. Rowling signs petition against Wes Streeting's puberty blocker trial calling it 'an unethical experiment'

Posting on X, the Harry Potter author wrote: 'I've signed. This is an unethical experiment on children who can't give meaningful consent.'

Politics

8 d. ago Cops lock down busy Edinburgh city centre street as public warned 'avoid the area'

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

Events

9 d. ago 'Panic buying' hits supermarkets in Storm Goretti with Asda shelves stripped bare as more than 100 flood alerts are issued and warnings of more snow this weekend

Jennifer Marsh popped into the Asda store in the Sedgley area of Dudley at 6.30pm yesterday but hardly any fresh vegetables, bread or meat remained on sale.

Events

9 d. ago When it rains, it pours! More than 100 flood alerts in place as Storm Goretti leaves devastation in its wake

Britons were warned to expect a further foot of snow this weekend after tens of thousands of homes were left without power following 100mph Storm Goretti.

Events

9 d. ago Inverness incident: Three men found injured as police close busy street with public told to avoid area

Extensive enquiries are ongoing.

Events

2 w. ago Labour MP blasts Wes Streeting over 'immoral' puberty blocker trial branding it a 'shameful experiment on children'

Jonathan Hinder, the MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, branded the 'immoral' trial as 'a shameful experiment on children'.

Politics

2 w. ago Partying Brits celebrate the New Year in style before staggering home in the early hours

Millions stayed up to welcome in 2026 at midnight, with many opting to hit the UK's high streets, pubs and clubs and staying out well into this morning.

Society

2 w. ago Hunt for missing Royal Navy sailor feared to have fallen victim to 'Frankenstein' serial killer ends after four decades

Simon Parkes, 18, from Bristol, was last seen drinking at the Horseshoe Pub on Main Street after the ship he was serving on, HMS Illustrious, docked in the British overseas territory in 1986.

Events

3 w. ago Man's body found in Witham street by member of the public as police swarm scene

Police initially rushed to the scene following reports of a concern for welfare and the man was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, with his death not being treated as suspicious

Events

3 w. ago Voices: ‘It is a broken industry’: Readers on why pubs are struggling to survive – even at Christmas

Our community said Britain’s pub culture is slowly fading, blaming high prices, changing social habits and tough Christmas trading conditions that have left some pubs without festive bookings and fearing they may not survive into the new year

Events

3 w. ago Keir Starmer hosts frontline workers for early Christmas dinner at No 10

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted public sector workers at 10 Downing Street for an early Christmas dinner, honouring those who will spend the festive period working to keep the country safe.

Politics

3 w. ago More than 75% of Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters think PM should open talks on joining EU customs union – as it happened

YouGov poll for the Times suggests even 40% of Conservative voters support such a moveWes Streeting, the health secretary, used an interview with the Observer published at the weekend to suggest that he favours joining a customs union with the EU. This is something that Keir Starmer has ruled out.But Labour supporters back Streeting on this. According to YouGov polling for the Times, 80% of people who voted Labour at the last general election say a future leader should open negotiations on joining a customs union with the EU. Continue reading...

Politics

3 w. ago More than 75% of Labour, Lib Dem and Green voters think PM should open talks on joining EU customs union – UK politics live

YouGov poll for the Times suggests even 40% of Conservative voters support such a moveWes Streeting, the health secretary, used an interview with the Observer published at the weekend to suggest that he favours joining a customs union with the EU. This is something that Keir Starmer has ruled out.But Labour supporters back Streeting on this. According to YouGov polling for the Times, 80% of people who voted Labour at the last general election say a future leader should open negotiations on joining a customs union with the EU. Continue reading...

Politics

4 w. ago The 'once every 100 years' flood that drowned Greater Manchester's pubs and turned streets into rivers

It's been 10 years since the infamous Boxing Day floods of 2015 that submerged towns and cities across Britain

Events