8 h. ago Village Christmas tree cut down hours after lights switch on

The tree in Shotton Colliery, Co Durham, was chopped down between 10pm and 11pm on Wednesday, according to police.

Politics

3 d. ago ‘This is the real Santa’s workshop’: a trip to Germany’s toy village

You don’t have to be a child to enjoy Seiffen, the magical ‘home of Christmas’ where they’ve been making traditional wooden toys for hundreds of yearsI feel terrible I’ve left the children at home and Seiffen, nicknamed Spielzeugdorf (The Toy Village), is literally a Christmas wonderland. Every street is alive with sparkling fairy lights and soft candlelight. There are thousands of tiny wooden figurines, train sets and toy animals displayed in shop windows, wooden pyramids taller than doorframes and colourful nutcracker characters. Forget elves in the north pole, this is the real Santa’s workshop. For hundreds of years, here in the village of Seiffen, wood turners and carvers have created classic wooden Christmas toys and sold them around the world.Near the border of the Czech Republic, Seiffen may be well known in the German-speaking world as the “home of Christmas”, but so far it has been largely missed by English-speaking seasonal tourists. Tucked away in the Ore Mountains, about...

Economics

4 d. ago C of E to challenge Tommy Robinson’s ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message

Church leaders respond to far-right appropriation of Christian symbols with ‘Outsiders welcome’ messageThe Church of England is to launch a poster campaign aimed at challenging the anti-migrant message of Tommy Robinson, whose “Unite the Kingdom” movement has urged its supporters to join a carols event next weekend to “put the Christ back into Christmas”.The posters, which will go on display at bus stops, say “Christ has always been in Christmas” and “Outsiders welcome”. They will also be available for local churches to download and display over the festive period. Continue reading...

Politics

4 d. ago C of E to challenge Tommy Robinson ‘put Christ back into Christmas’ message

Church leaders respond to far-right appropriation of Christian symbols with ‘Outsiders welcome’ messageThe Church of England is to launch a poster campaign aimed at challenging the anti-migrant message of Tommy Robinson, whose “Unite the Kingdom” movement has urged its supporters to join a carols event next weekend to “put the Christ back into Christmas”.The posters, which will go on display at bus stops, say “Christ has always been in Christmas” and “Outsiders welcome”. They will also be available for local churches to download and display over the festive period. Continue reading...

Politics

7 d. ago Get into the Christmas spirit with a shopping and foodie staycation in Marylebone Village, London

As the iconic lyrics from a screaming Noddy Holder boldly suggest, 'It's Christmas!' And it definitely feels like it now after a fun and festive-filled weekend of shopping, eating and making merry in the heart of the Big Smoke.

Economics

7 d. ago What to know about Scotland's 'most quirky' Christmas village just outside Glasgow

The festive attraction is open from now until December 24.

Politics

7 d. ago The small Scottish village hosting 'DramFest' Christmas whisky festival

There is fun to be had for the whole family, including a festive market.

Politics

8 d. ago The hidden gem Christmas village near Glasgow named Scotland's 'most quirky'

The winter wonderland is the perfect December day out.

Politics

9 d. ago Popular 'Santa Dash' event to return this weekend alongside previously cancelled major parade

More than 3,000 Santa's at the ready...

Politics

1 week ago Phil Foden books out entire festive village for annual family Christmas party

After scoring two goals in Manchester City's 3-2 victory over Leeds on Saturday, the England star and his family hosted their annual festive celebrations at a festive craft village in Cheshire

Society

1 week ago Phil Foden books out entire festive village for 'perfect' Christmas party

Even the Grinch made an appearance as Man City star Phil Foden and his family hosted their annual Christmas party in Cheshire

Politics

1 week ago 'I saved £99 on beauty last Amazon Prime Day – this Black Friday I’ve saved even more'

These Black Friday 2025 beauty deals are some of the best I've seen, beating previous sales event. Here's how I'm shopping smarter this weekend to maximise my savings

Politics

2 w. ago Househunters bemused by unusual window in floor of luxury apartment

A window in a property has sparked much debate for its use owing to its bizarre location

Society

2 w. ago Hollyoaks winter trailer confirms surprise teen death and Theresa McQueen return

Hollyoaks winter trailer teases explosive storylines, and it's safe to say some village residents will not be having a merry Christmas.

Politics

2 w. ago UK seaside town that's 'straight from a Christmas card' with pretty festive market

Seaton in Devon is a charming coastal town that comes to life at Christmas with light displays, festive workshops and a Polar Express tram ride that's perfect for kids

Politics

2 w. ago Wales' most unusual village has Christmas event for one weekend only

Named one of the UK’s ‘most beautiful’ places this unusual village is hosting a Christmas market – but only for the briefest of periods

Politics

2 w. ago Royal Mail steals Christmas: Uproar in village renowned worldwide for its yarn bombing as new solar

Knitted postbox toppers created by the Titchfield Yarnbombers have been seen across the world, but now they fear their festive tradition will come to an end.

Events

3 w. ago Las Vegas Grand Prix F1 weather forecast amid flash floods and more rain coming

The Las Vegas Grand Prix is due to take place this weekend, though the build-up to the Formula 1 event has been disrupted by heavy rain which led to flash flooding in some parts of the city

Events

3 w. ago A trooper’s shove showed stardom doesn’t protect Black athletes from police

When I was a college basketball player, some believed we were treated differently from other Black and Brown people. An event last weekend suggests otherwiseIt was 1996, my first day stepping foot on Syracuse University’s campus. I saw a big student protest was taking place so, with my freshman’s inquisitive mind, I ventured over to see what was going on. I listened to a passionate sista named Kathy Ade, the president of Syracuse’s student African-American Society. She stood there with her Bantu knots and a megaphone addressing the crowd, discussing the fact that campus security was now going to be able to carry pepper spray. In the 90s – which my daughter Baby Sierra calls “the 1900s,” just to keep me humble – campus security carrying pepper spray was a big deal. Now, they all carry guns. The fear was that they’d use the spray on Black and Brown students without hesitation, at the slightest perceived sign of trouble.Syracuse’s campus newspaper, the Daily Orange, printed a photo of ...

Events

3 w. ago A trooper’s shove showed stardom doesn’t protect Black athletes from police | Etan Thomas

When I was a college basketball player, some believed we were treated differently from other Black and Brown people. An event last weekend suggests otherwiseIt was 1996, my first day stepping foot on Syracuse University’s campus. I saw a big student protest was taking place so, with my freshman’s inquisitive mind, I ventured over to see what was going on.I listened to a passionate sista named Kathy Ade, the president of Syracuse’s student African-American Society. She stood there with her Bantu knots and a megaphone addressing the crowd, discussing the fact that campus security was now going to be able to carry pepper spray. In the 90s – which my daughter Baby Sierra calls “the 1900s,” just to keep me humble – campus security carrying pepper spray was a big deal. Now, they all carry guns. Continue reading...

Events