Each April and May, house martins return from Africa to spend the summer in the UK.
They catch flying insects on the wing and build cup-shaped nests with mud under the eaves of houses and other buildings.
The birds often form colonies with…

Each April and May, house martins return from Africa to spend the summer in the UK.
They catch flying insects on the wing and build cup-shaped nests with mud under the eaves of houses and other buildings.
The birds often form colonies with…

Homeowners, schools and businesses are being offered the chance to install artificial nests to help reverse the decline in house martin numbers.
The distinctive dark blue and white birds, which migrate from Africa each spring, are on the UK’s Red…

A teenager who watched her younger sister go through chemotherapy and lose her hair has donated her own locks to help others.
Ellie, 13, from Redditch, loved having long hair but wanted to do something to help other children, so she cut hers for…

Irina MackieA bootcamp to help artists get their careers off the ground has seen participants get their work into galleries and magazines.
The 10-week programme to…

In a BBC recording from the 1980s, before his death in 1997, Carl recalled how he first got his hands on a recorder when he was given it by his father while boarding a train – before promptly leaving it on the platform.
He said: “My father said if…

Neil Diamond’s wife Katie has opened up about the couple’s long-standing…

Canapes, crackers, Christmas playlists, flowing drinks, and a ripe brie cosying up to a firm gruyere on a cheeseboard surrounded by grapes and fresh figs: there is no better time of year to host guests, feast and be merry.


Jonathan Perugia for NattergalA historical former royal hunting ground is being transformed into a nature paradise – with the help of three pigs.
Harold’s Park Wildland is a 509-acre…

Duke in Africa
Part of Hancher’s 53rd season
Wynton Marsalis and his eminent ensemble return with an inspired Ellington program.
Duke Ellington found deep inspiration in Africa, and…