Hanging up a Christmas wreath on the front door is one of the many traditions that takes place during the festive season, but where does this tradition stem from, and what does the wreath symbolise? © Mikhaylovskiy / Adobe Stock   Roman origins Early forms of wreaths are said to date back to the Roman […]

With its usual round of parties and festive drinking, as Christmas approaches, spare a thought for the emergency services who will be dealing with an influx of patients suffering from the effects of alcohol-related injuries and illnesses. While most of us are enjoying ourselves, some people will be having one too many, without thinking of […]

Fans of author JK Rowling’s famous Harry Potter series will know that it’s “all aboard” for the Hogwarts Express at King’s Cross Station – where pupils embark for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

American rockers Dr Hook enjoyed success on both sides of the Atlantic when they were at the peak of their popularity. Enjoying regular chart hits between 1972 and 1979,

This year, the Royal Air Force is celebrating 100 years of service to the people of Great Britain. The RAF was a completely unique organisation when it was launched in 1918, as it was the first time in history that any nation had created an air force that was completely separate from the Army and […]

The story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves is the most famous of the Arabian Nights tales – a set of Arabic folklore stories in a compilation known as The Book of One Thousand and One Nights.

Comedian and television presenter Larry Grayson’s famous catchphrase, “Shut that door!” began as a genuine request, after the stage door was left open during a theatrical performance in Redcar in the 1950s.

American R&B group the Pointer Sisters is one of the most enduring family bands in the world – with a career spanning almost five decades to date. Since forming in 1969, the all-girl group has had a string of top 20 hits in both the US and the UK and shows no sign of slowing […]