Sowerby (from the Old Norse saurr, or muddy ground plus farmstead) is a gentle walk from Thirsk, through the park, passing Mrs Pomfrey’s house (if you follow James Herriot) on the right with the York moors in the distance to the left, beyond Cod Beck. The beck runs the other side of the meadows. Cows frequently graze in these meadows. Keep going as you toddle from Thirsk (or you could drive) and you will find St. Oswald’s Church on your left.
It was originially a Norman Church, but all that remains of that era is in the tower. Of course the Church has been added to steadily since then – always in the style of the old. By the way, there are studs in the old door dated approximately 1680 but perhaps the ironwork, it is suggested, is old enough to be Norman. There is a tiny peephole in the corner between the tower and aisle, through which the alter is visible. But who would look? The mind boggles. Were they keeping an eye on the choristers, perhaps?
St Oswald’s also plays host to Sowerby Music which has been organising monthly professional concerts there for about 30 years and, goodness, there have been many memorable evenings to soothe and inspire.
Moving along Front Street you will see the lime avenue, which was planted by the village to commemorate Queen Victoria’s jubilee. In July/August a sublime scent drifts from the blossom while a multitude of tiny insects high above you, make hay while the sun shines. Let me show you the scented blossom.
There are houses of all sorts, grand and not, lining Front Street, but all set back from the road and somehow timeless. There is a pub, the Crown and Anchor, a war memorial with two wrought iron beautifully worked benches to sit and ponder, and the Methodist Church. If you move along the length of Front Street you will see the 17th century Pack Horse Bridge over which horses, or men, would carry loads and no doubt check the height of the water of Cod Beck below, which I do every single time.
Dick and I take our two dogs to Sowerby most days. Rosie is in her chariot, which is allowed for one of her advanced years, with Polly bouncing along beside, or hitching a lift. Into the grounds of St. Oswald’s we go, with its very old trees. The dogs are on the lookout for squirrels, while we just enjoy the calm, and walk through the cemetary, meeting others doing just the same, until we reach the wall, and look towards the beck, and wonder if there is any other region which so delights its residents?
From 12th July, UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace will feature a unique new visitor route into the Private Apartments, extending the Palace by five additional rooms.
During the experience, visitors will journey through some of the grandest rooms to unlock unique treasures, and follow in the footsteps of dukes, duchesses and their illustrious guests. The new extended tour will offer a new route through the Duke’s Bar into the corridor, as well as the Family Dining Room, The Smoking Room and the Duchess’s Sitting Room. Guests will then enter the spectacular Grand Cabinet, the most opulent room in the Palace normally reserved for special family occasions. The tour will then continue through the Palace Drawing Rooms, a route walked by royalty and the most important guests to the Palace.
Over the years, The Grand Cabinet has been used variously as a drawing room, sitting room and even as school room for the 10th Duke younger children. The room holds many treasures passed down through the generations, including a full-length portrait of Caroline, 4th Duchess of Marlborough, by George Romney (1779) that hangs above the fireplace, or a beautiful French Savonnerie carpet (c.1750), based on a design originally produced for the Queen’s Bedchamber at the Palace of Versailles.
The Family Treasures experience enhances the visitor experience by 20 minutes and features a host of priceless artefacts and collections including:
Designed to showcase Britain’s Greatest Palace like never before, Family Treasures is one of the new unique new visitor experiences at Blenheim Palace this year.
The Roof Top View platform experience provides visitors with never seen before breathtaking views over the Estate including the famous Column of Victory as well as the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside and Life Below Stairs, an immersive experience giving visitors the opportunity to see the original working Victorian Palace kitchens. Both of the new experiences are available alongside the launch of Blenheim Palace’s most ambitious restoration initiative to date, the historic roof project.
This year, Britain’s Greatest Palace is marking 75 years since first opening its doors to the public with a summer of celebration, featuring ‘75 Things To Do’ and more across the Palace, Park, Gardens and its family attraction Adventure Play. From history lovers to young families and adventure seekers, the summer-long anniversary celebration promises something exciting for everyone.
Admission to the new Family Treasures extended tour is included with a valid Palace & Gardens Ticket or Palace and Play Pass, which grants access to both Blenheim Palace and Adventure Play for a full year, making it fantastic value to enjoy all that Britain’s Greatest Palace has to offer.
I loved Milli Hill’s book, The Positive Birth Book, and I was excited to read Ultra-Processed Women. I believe our diets are causing health problems. It is not normal that the rate of many diseases has rocketed. Our food is full of rubbish, to put it politely. I have always felt overwhelmed about trying to improve my diet, but Ultra-Processed Women explains everything clearly. It is an eye-opening book which lets you take back control of your diet and health. Other health books I have read made everything too hard to follow and overwhelming. Basically, just give up everything you love and never eat anything nice again. Ultra-Processed Women takes a complicated subject and makes it easy to understand and follow.
Ultra-Processed Women is brilliant and informative. I think every woman should read it. This book is literally life-changing. I will be referring to it regularly. A must read.
In Ultra-Processed Women, acclaimed journalist and women’s health advocate Milli Hill uncovers the shocking truth. From period pain and weight gain to depression, hormone imbalances, autoimmune conditions and even Alzheimer’s, Hill reveals cutting-edge research into the hidden dangers thatlurk in your daily food choices.
But this is not just a book about food. Ultra-Processed Women also explores the way the modern food industry has exploited women in their advertising for decades and uncovers the damage being wrought not only on our bodies but on the environment and on our own ability to connect with each other through the fundamentally human experience of cooking and eating.
This isn’t just a wake-up call―it’s a battle cry. Written in Hill’s trademark down-to-earth style, Ultra-Processed Women will help you understand the issues and develop a clear course of action, arming you with tools and practical steps to cut through the confusion, break free from the damaging effects of UPFs, and reclaim your health without guilt or deprivation. Changing the way we eat, Hill argues, is a radical act of resistance to an ultra-processed world.
It’s time to take back control. Your body, your choices, your future.
Milli Hill is a writer and freelance journalist with a passion for women’s rights in childbirth and throughout their reproductive lives. Her book The Positive Birth Book is one of the UK’s bestselling pregnancy guides, and has sold nearly 100k copies since publication in 2017. Her more recent books, Give Birth like a Feminist, and My Period (for preteens), have also topped the Amazon charts.
HQ will publish Ultra-Processed Women on 3rd July2025 in hardback, eBook, and audiobook formats.
From the first page I was deeply drawn into The Sufi Storyteller. Faiqa Mansab is a fantastic storyteller. Her prose is beautiful and eloquent. This book is steeped in myth and I found the tales of Sufi story traditions fascinating. The books’s deep and full of knowledge, with a murder mystery woven through it. It is high-end literary fiction with a riveting crime twist.
Set in America and Afghanistan, the book is sprawling and is set in the past and the present. The novel is unique and immersive. I was hooked until the very last page. With a darkness that lingers through it, you will struggle to put it down. Faiqa Mansab is a writer to watch. Five stars.
An estranged mother and daughter urgently need to reconnect and navigate a world of Sufi story traditions to catch a killer, and to save each other.Layla is a scholar of women’s histories and stories. Her life is a carefully constructed set of routines in her small American liberal arts college, but all of that is about to change…
Mira is a renowned Sufi storyteller who is running from a terrible past. When she learns that the murdered woman in the library was carrying a note from the killer addressed to her, she is presented with an opportunity to break a cycle of trauma and hurt. To confront her past, she must disclose the truth to Layla.
Together they enter the realm of Story, but can Layla find the forgiveness in her heart necessary to lead them to the answers they are looking for?
This contemporary murder mystery takes readers from small town America to the mountains of Afghanistan.
It can be hard to be a parent and be stylish. I have spent most of my life as a parent wearing dark colours, usually dressed in jeans and a T shirt. These parenting bags from Kapten & Son are incredibly stylish and functional. They keep you organised and looking good at the same time. They are superb quality and well designed.
They have the wow factor and I definitely got excited taking them out of their dust bags. If you want to be the most stylish parent, grab one now.
Kapten & Son, the global lifestyle brand known for sleek, functional, and stylish products. have launched a Limited-Edition Leopard Print Diaper Bag + Inlay Sets
The inlay sets combine Kapten & Son’s signature minimalist design with a bold, animal-inspired print, offering both style and practicality for modern parents. Made from high-quality, eco-friendly materials, these inlays provide superior comfort, absorbency, and durability — all while adding a chic touch to everyday baby care.
Kapten & Son, the backpack brand known for its high-quality, sleek, and functional products, is proud to announce the launch of its Limited-Edition Leopard Print Sandstone Diaper Bag & Inlay Sets.
Designed for parents who value both style and practicality, this exclusive release combines the brand’s signature minimalist aesthetic with a bold, animal-inspired print for a truly standout product.
Where Fashion Meets Function
The Leopard Print Skara Diaper Bag and Inlay Sets are the perfect accessory for the modern parent who wants to add a touch of sophistication to their everyday baby care routine. Featuring a unique, eye-catching leopard print pattern in warm sandstone tones, the inlays bring together the best of contemporary fashion and unparalleled functionality.
Uncompromising Quality and Comfort
Crafted from high-quality, hypoallergenic materials, the Limited Edition Leopard Print Sandstone Diaper Inlay Sets offer superior absorbency and softness, ensuring babies stay dry and comfortable all day long. The eco-friendly fabric is durable, easy to clean, and designed for long-term use, making it an ideal addition to any parent’s diapering essentials.
Designed to fit seamlessly with Kapten & Son’s signature diaper covers, the inlay sets provide a snug and secure fit, offering peace of mind with every use. Whether you’re out for a walk, running errands, or simply spending time with your little one, the inlay sets offer both style and practicality in every moment.
A Limited Release – Get Yours While They Last
As with all of Kapten & Son’s limited edition products, the Leopard Print Sandstone Diaper Inlay Sets are a one-time release. Only a limited number of sets are available, making this an exclusive opportunity for parents who want to elevate their baby care routine with a bold, stylish twist. Available now on Kapten & Son’s official website and select retail partners, these inlay sets are expected to sell out quickly.
And if you don’t get your hand on one, they have a lot of other stylish backpacks for you to fall in love with.
About Kapten & Son
Kapten & Son is a global lifestyle brand that blends timeless design with cutting-edge functionality. Known for its high-quality accessories, including backpacks, watches, and sunglasses, Kapten & Son continues to expand its product range to meet the evolving needs of modern consumers. The brand’s commitment to sustainability and minimalist design has made it a favorite among fashion-forward individuals around the world.
For more information about the new Limited Edition Leopard Print Sandstone Diaper Inlay Sets, or to shop the collection, visit the website or follow Kapten & Son on social media for updates and exclusive offers.
A new book challenges the conventional view of Alzheimer’s, claiming that for the vast majority of people, the disease is not an inevitable part of ageing but something that can be prevented.
This is a brilliant book. Instead of parroting old research and going with the flow, the book is revolutionary and has a lot of new information and research. It leaves you feeling more positive and in control. This book is an essential took kit for good brain health. Tip the odds in your favour with this essential read. I will be referring to it frequently.
Alzheimer’s: Prevention is the Cure argues that less than one percent of cases are due to genetics and that current drug targets, such as amyloid plaques, are neither the cause nor the solution.
The book’s author, Patrick Holford, Chair of the Alzheimer’s Prevention Expert Group and founder of the charity Food for the Brain, suggests that Alzheimer’s is largely the result of lifestyle, dietary and environmental factors.
“Becoming an Alzheimer’s patient is almost always a choice,” says neurologist Dr David Perlmutter, a member of the Expert Group, who adds that lifestyle, not genes, is what’s truly driving the rise in dementia.
According to Holford, cognitive decline is the outcome of a “perfect storm” of negative influences that impair the brain’s structure, function or energy supply. “Every known risk factor affects one or more of these areas, and it’s the combination—many of which we can control—that leads to cognitive decline,” he says.
The book is the result of a global Alzheimer’s prevention initiative launched by Food for the Brain. The project has tested the cognitive function of over 400,000 people through a free online tool, which includes a follow-up assessment of diet and lifestyle. This generates a personal Dementia Risk Index score and practical advice to reduce risk, with users encouraged to retest and track their progress over time.
Holford notes that signs of decline are being detected from as early as age 18, with most people experiencing noticeable impairment by their 70s or 80s. However, he insists that decline can be halted—and even reversed—through the right nutrition and lifestyle adjustments.
The book outlines modifiable risk factors and the impact of addressing them. Central to its message are what Holford calls “the four horsemen of the brain health apocalypse”: insufficient intake of omega-3 fats, B vitamins, antioxidants, and overconsumption of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Increasing omega-3 through fish or supplements can cut dementia risk by 20%, as can optimising vitamin D levels. Supplementing with vitamin D alone has been associated with a one-third reduction in risk.
One of the most crucial—and often overlooked—risk factors is elevated homocysteine, a harmful amino acid in the blood linked to low levels of B vitamins. Rutgers University Professor Joshua Miller supports the book’s emphasis on B vitamin supplementation and omega-3 as key strategies. Professor David Smith of Oxford University, a long-standing advocate of nutritional intervention in dementia, calls for urgent adoption of the book’s prevention model, saying, “The potential benefits are huge, both personally and economically.”
In fact, a recent analysis by Dr Apostolos Tsiachristas, Associate Professor in Health Economics at Oxford, found that reducing homocysteine through inexpensive B vitamin supplementation could save the UK economy £60 million annually and extend life expectancy by an estimated 14 years.
Despite the compelling evidence, mainstream healthcare has been slow to respond. “We’ve spent over two decades urging the health service to prioritise prevention,” says Holford. “This book is my way of giving individuals the information and tools to take charge of their brain health.”
Food for the Brain now offers a home test kit that measures homocysteine, vitamin D, omega-3 levels, blood sugar (HbA1c), and antioxidant status—important markers rarely tested by GPs. Alarmingly, most people fall below the recommended omega-3 index of 8%, with those under 5% at significantly greater risk of dementia and brain shrinkage. Only one in five achieve the government’s recommendation to eat oily fish once a week, which is insufficient to prevent dementia.
Research from the Netherlands supports the connection, showing that people with low levels of omega-3, B vitamins, and vitamin D have over four times the risk of developing dementia. Reducing sugar and processed food intake can lower Alzheimer’s risk by 20%, while increasing antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and vitamin C intake also offers protection. One study involving 2,716 over-60s found that those with the highest antioxidant intake had half the risk of cognitive decline.
Beyond nutrition, the book highlights the importance of lifestyle factors such as minimising alcohol, not smoking, regular exercise, social engagement, quality sleep, stress management and sensory health—including hearing and vision. Addressing menopause-related hormonal shifts can also be key for women, with natural HRT showing promise in reducing risk.
Holford’s mission is simple: empower people with science-based tools to take control of their future. The book, available from foodforthebrain.org/books, also supports the ongoing prevention research of the Food for the Brain Foundation.
Alzheimer’s: Prevention is the Cure , by Patrick Holford, is published 1st May 2025 and is available from Amazon and all good book shops. More information can be found here: https://foodforthebrain.org/apic/
Frost readers are no strangers to Tracklements, that Wiltshire-based family company who create quality food, using only proper, honest ingredients. I’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating, all their products are made by hand in small batches, using ingredients sourced from farms and small businesses across England. I know, it’s incredible isn’t it? But true. And the proof is definitely in the eating.
Tracklements are constantly creating new and exciting products and I’m always enthusiastic to road test them, so I was delighted to learn of their two latest triumphs.
The first is Sriracha Chilli Mayonnaise. Even the thought of spicy fermented chilli combined with creamy mayonnaise got my taste-buds working overtime and a quick look at the ingredients confirmed that this was going to be good, very good. Chillis and garlic, fermented together for five days and then combined with, oil and eggs, vinegars, raw cane sugar, peppers, onions, mustard seed, lemon juice and anchovies – simple, traditional fare, with not one chemical additive in sight. As I tried it, my mind was buzzing with the potential. The taste was perfect – just the right amount of chilli heat, the subtle garlic overtones and the perfect creamy mayonnaise layers all merged in harmony. I was visualizing a barbeque – laughter in the garden, a chilled rosé and succulent meats and salad covered liberally in Tracklements Sriracha Chilli Mayonnaise – heaven on a plate.
But as if this wasn’t enough excitement for one day, Tracklements have a double whammy, with their Indulgent Garlic Mayonnaise. Garlic puree combined with a traditional mayonnaise recipe, this flavour was milder and less complex, simple and delicious.
The two mayonnaises work very well together and make succulent dips – for kebabs, chips, or chopped vegetables if you’re trying to be good. They add a kick to wraps or panini or frankly pretty much anything.
Note: These articles express personal views. No warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of information given and you should always consult a doctor if you need medical advice
Think of Avenue Q, Little Shop of Horrors, Rocky Horror Show. Then watch Potty the Plant and you’ll feel you’re in the same irreverent, adult and theatrical territory.
Almost worryingly, at the beginning you’ll maybe think you’re watching a satirical pastiche of these musicals. But relax. This show quickly stamps its own character on the genre. It’s clever, upbeat and overflowing with sick childish humour. What the show lacks in panache, it gains in exuberance.
Lucy Appleton as Miss Lacey – with Potty
It has a feel of a show thrown together by some friends for Edinburgh. And, basically, that’s what it is. Thankfully, the show is on a journey of its own and will soon grow into a full-length production – because at just over an hour the audience does leave feeling a little short-changed. We want more! Which is a good thing, right?!? The all-singing, all-dancing ensemble are Baden Burns, Lucy Appleton, Ash K-B, Stephanie Cubello, Sam Ridley and Joe Winter. A little rough at the edges perhaps, but superb vocals more than make up for it.
Joe Winter, Stephanie Cubello and Sam Ridley – as the Nurses!
Set in a hospital with strange goings-on, our three intrepid nurses set about solving some appalling crimes happening all around them. Could the mysterious blood-thirsty Dr.Acula be the cause? And how come no one ever listens to Potty the Plant?!?
One thing to note: when attending this show (which you WILL enjoy if you’re not easily offended!) try to listen to the house music. It’s ‘hospital radio’ and the DJ says some very funny things – although, because of the chatter all around, it’s hard to hear. Most are unaware the show has already begun!
Photography Roan Lenihan Creatives Baden Burns, Sarah Burns, Aeddan Sussex
Musical Director Zach Burns Venue Wilton’s Music Hall, 1 Graces Alley, London E1 8JB
