When we bought our new home a few months ago, the estate agent’s particulars stated that the property had an orchard. Well, this ‘orchard’ consisted of one apple tree and one pear tree, so I decided that something had to be done about the lack of fruit trees. I can’t profess to be the best baker in the world, but I am capable of making a fruit pie, and I have always wanted to try making jam.

If your New Year resolution is to get fit, here’s some inspiration. Stagecoach has come up with six ideas for keeping active across Cumbria this winter with information on how to get there by bus. Travelling by bus is an easy way to improve your fitness. The walk to and from the bus stop soon adds up and boosts your daily step count.

With temperatures plummeting today, it's expected to be freezing in most parts of the UK with warnings of snow and ice. Just like the summer, a dog’s needs change through the winter season.

Children’s cancer charity Candlelighters is urging people with a challenge event on their New Year wish list to consider combining their run, epic hike or obstacle course, with fund-raising for the charity.

Midlife blogger Claire Kenny is wondering whether her New Year blip is the menopause’s latest attempt to get her to hide away.

Yorkshire-based Osavi, a provider of science-backed health and wellness products, has received a Superior Taste Award by the International Taste Institute for its Super Omega 2900mg Omega 3 natural lemon flavour. Super Taste status is given to products that are judged to be well made, balanced, and delicious, from a panel of 250 independent professional chefs and sommeliers.

There’s no better way of reigning in a celebration than with a bottle of champagne, but many fear that flying corks and shattered glass can pose a risk to your safety. Rachael Kiss from Alliance Online, which supplies a range of bar equipment, has shared four hacks to help you safely open a bottle of champagne, using tried and trusted methods.

Looking to improve your sleep in 2025? A GP has revealed how quitting alcohol this Dry January could restore your sleep health.

Looking out of the window one morning recently, I was concerned to see one of my miniature Shetland ponies lying on the grass. I quickly got into my outdoor gear and walked over to his paddock. Jo-Jo didn’t move, and his friend, Chief, who was standing by his side, seemed concerned. I entered the paddock expecting Jo-Jo to get up as I approached him, but he remained on the floor.

Over a quarter of Brits (27%) will give up on the gym by March, 2025; Almost one in five (18%) Brits quit going to the gym after as little as 1-2 months; Of those who quit the gym previously, almost a fifth didn’t cancel their membership until 11-12 months later; The most popular health goal is to increase overall fitness (45%), with 42% hoping that joining the gym will boost their overall health and mood in 2025.

2025 is nearly here, and many will be ready to turn over a new leaf, with people choosing New Year’s resolutions as a way to do so. But whether you want to get fitter or stop spending so much money, resolutions can be hard to keep.

When it comes to the festive season, wine is big business. Figures from last Christmas reveal that wine saw a growth in sales of 7-8%, while over 75% of us planned to enjoy some wine with our Christmas dinner. 21% of Brits prefer a glass of Prosecco, with 20% opting for red wine, 18.8% choosing a crisp white and yet more of us enjoying a glass of Champagne or wine-based cocktail.

Who wouldn't want to stay up watching 24 hours of non-stop Christmas fun? Whether you’re cosying up with loved ones or tackling a solo festive binge, the ultimate Christmas movie marathon has been revealed.

A new clinic is the first in the North East to privately offer specialist treatment for one of the most common female medical conditions. Consultants Choice Clinic, in Stockton, has launched the region’s first dedicated private endometriosis clinic.

Thinking about Christmas? You might want to consider how it can impact your sleep, so that you can plan ahead. Rex Isap, sleep expert at Happy Beds, shares practical advice to help you enjoy the festive season to its fullest—without sacrificing a good night’s rest.

Christmas is a time for celebrating and enjoying the festivities with friends and family. With this in mind, you want to make sure your Christmas day runs as smoothly as possible and you don't run into any hiccups along the way. Christmas Eve can feel like a mad panic getting ready for the big day, and it's easy to forget some things.

The Twelve Days of Christmas is a song we're all familiar with at this time of year, even though a lot of us can't remember the order of the gifts. The song is actually an English Christmas carol which was written so that it could be sung in public without fear of arrest – it was in fact a learning or memory aid for Christians.