How to Make Family Travel More Fun and Less Stressful

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[Image Source] Used by permission by PNC LOGOS.

Branson, Missouri, is one of the best places to create unforgettable family memories. From live entertainment to outdoor adventures, the town offers something for visitors of all ages. It’s a favorite destination for families looking for a mix of fun, relaxation, and quality time together. But even with so much to look forward to, traveling with family can bring a few challenges along the way.

Managing different schedules, interests, and energy levels takes a bit of planning. Long drives, busy days, and unexpected changes can sometimes turn an exciting trip into a stressful one. The good news is that with a little preparation, it’s easy to keep your vacation fun and running smoothly.

This article covers simple tips to help you make family travel more enjoyable and less overwhelming. Whether you’re visiting the attractions downtown or exploring the scenic Ozark Mountains, these ideas can help you focus more on making memories and less on managing problems.

Plan Activities Everyone Will Love

One of the best ways to avoid stress during family travel is by picking activities that everyone can enjoy. It’s not always easy to find things that entertain both young kids and adults, but it is worth the effort. A little research before your trip can save a lot of headaches later.

If you are looking for a place packed with fun options, there are plenty of things to do with family in Branson MO. The city is well-known for family-friendly attractions that cater to all ages. You’ll find outdoor adventures, live shows, and museums that make planning a full day easy.

One standout activity in Branson is Dolly Parton’s Stampede. This popular dinner attraction combines live entertainment with a hearty four-course meal. Guests can watch impressive horse riding stunts, enjoy lively music, and even see a bit of friendly competition. The menu includes classics like rotisserie chicken, hickory-smoked pulled pork, creamy vegetable soup, and a signature dessert. It’s a great way for families to have fun together without worrying about picky eaters or complicated logistics. Plus, the excitement of the show keeps kids engaged throughout the meal, which makes the evening feel like a true event.

Choosing activities like this — where food, fun, and entertainment come together — helps reduce the need to plan multiple stops. It keeps everyone entertained and cuts down on the usual complaints about being bored or hungry.

Mixing structured activities with a few open-ended options is smart, too. Allowing some flexibility during your trip gives everyone time to relax and explore at their own pace. This balance between planned fun and free time can make the trip feel smoother and more enjoyable for everyone involved.

Keep Travel Days Simple

Travel days are often the most stressful part of a family vacation. Between flights, long drives, and hotel check-ins, there’s a lot happening at once. Trying to cram too much into travel days usually leads to tired kids, cranky adults, and frayed nerves.

The best approach is to keep these days simple. Try to limit activities right after a major travel leg. Instead of racing to see attractions the minute you arrive, plan for some downtime. A casual dinner, a walk around the hotel, or a visit to a nearby park is enough to help everyone unwind.

It also helps to keep schedules loose. Give yourself extra time for delays or unexpected stops. Little things like traffic, late flights, or missed exits are easier to handle when you’re not rushing to meet a strict schedule.

Keeping travel days light and flexible helps set the right tone for the entire trip.

Pack Smart, Pack Light

One of the quickest ways to add stress to a family trip is by overpacking. Lugging heavy bags around airports, hotels, or crowded streets can make even a short trip feel overwhelming. Packing light doesn’t mean going without the essentials. It means choosing items carefully so you have what you need without the extra weight.

Start by making a list for each family member. Focus on clothing that can be mixed and matched easily. Picking a few basic colors and styles helps cut down on the number of outfits needed. Shoes are another item that often gets overpacked. Aim for one pair of comfortable walking shoes and one pair for special occasions if needed.

Packing cubes can help organize clothes and save space in your bags. They also make it easier to find what you need without digging through everything. Giving each child a small backpack with their personal items like snacks, books, or a tablet can keep them entertained and cut down on how much you need to carry.

Keep important items easy to reach. Things like medications, chargers, travel documents, and a few snacks should be placed where they are easy to grab during the trip. A small bag that fits under the seat or stays with you in the car works well for this.

By packing smarter, you spend less time worrying about luggage and more time enjoying your trip.

Make Time for Rest and Flexibility

Packing a schedule too full of activities is a common mistake during family trips. While it’s tempting to try and see everything, moving from one thing to the next without a break can leave everyone feeling worn out.

Building in regular rest time helps balance the trip. Even a short break in the middle of the day can recharge kids and adults alike. Quiet time at the hotel, a casual lunch, or even an hour at a park can make a big difference in energy levels.

Flexibility is another important piece. Sometimes the weather changes. Sometimes kids just want to swim at the hotel pool instead of visiting another museum. Being able to adjust plans without stress makes the trip more enjoyable for everyone.

Leave space in your schedule for spontaneous moments. Some of the best memories come from the unexpected parts of travel, like stumbling across a local festival or finding a hidden trail with a beautiful view.

Planning with flexibility in mind keeps stress levels low and helps the family enjoy the trip without feeling rushed or pressured.

Family trips can be some of the best times you spend together. A little thoughtful planning, some smart packing, and a flexible mindset can make those trips more fun and far less stressful.

It’s not about checking every attraction off a list. It’s about sharing moments, laughing at the small things, and creating memories that will stick long after the trip is over.

With a few simple steps, your next family adventure can be smooth, relaxed, and full of the kind of experiences you’ll all treasure.

Collaborative post with brand partner PNC logos.

How to Make Your Pigeon Forge Vacation Fun for All Ages

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Image Source Image used with permission from PNC LOGOS.

Have you ever tried planning a vacation where a toddler, a teenager, and two tired adults are all supposed to have the time of their lives? It’s like trying to host a party for people who love disco, country music, and death metal—all in one night.

Family vacations can feel like a lot of pressure. You want something that’s exciting but not exhausting, relaxing but not boring, kid-friendly but still enjoyable for adults. It’s a balancing act that leaves many parents questioning why they ever left the house in the first place.

That’s why places like Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, are pure gold for families. It’s one of the few destinations where you don’t have to choose between fun for the kids and fun for the grown-ups. Here, every generation can find something to love without it feeling like a compromise.

In this blog, we will share how you can make your Pigeon Forge vacation fun, memorable, and stress-free for travelers of all ages.

Activities That Appeal to Both Kids and Adults

The key to a good family trip is finding activities that engage everyone without anyone secretly wishing they were somewhere else. Luckily, Pigeon Forge knows exactly how to deliver that kind of balance.

For families who love the outdoors, the nearby Great Smoky Mountains offer endless possibilities. Short, beautiful hikes are perfect for younger kids and first-time explorers. One great option is Abrams Falls Trail, known for its manageable distance and stunning waterfall reward at the end. It’s just challenging enough to feel like an adventure but not so tough that you’ll need a recovery day afterward. Plus, the waterfall is a natural crowd-pleaser, making it a perfect spot for photos and a snack break.

Outdoor time has taken on a new importance lately. After years of too much screen time and too few real-world experiences, families are hungry for something genuine. Getting out into nature, breathing mountain air, and letting kids scramble over rocks is more than just good exercise. It’s a way to reconnect—with the world, and with each other.

If hiking isn’t your group’s idea of fun, Pigeon Forge offers a ton of low-key outdoor options too. You can stroll through Patriot Park, ride the Great Smoky Mountain Wheel at The Island, or simply relax by the Little Pigeon River and let the kids burn off some energy.

Finding the Right Place to Stay

Where you stay can make or break a family vacation. You need space to spread out, places for naps and downtime, and easy access to the attractions you plan to visit. Luckily, Pigeon Forge offers every kind of accommodation you can think of, but nothing beats renting a cabin.

Instead of getting lost in endless booking sites, one smart move is to check out Visit My Smokies. It’s a great resource that highlights family-approved lodging options and makes planning easier. Whether you’re looking for a cabin with a hot tub, a pet-friendly rental, or a resort with a pool, you’ll find something that fits your family’s vibe.

Choosing a good place to stay isn’t just about comfort. It’s about creating a home base where everyone can recharge. After all, the best adventures start with a good night’s sleep and a breakfast that doesn’t come out of a vending machine.

Entertainment That Hits the Sweet Spot

Family entertainment often leans too far in one direction. It’s either aimed squarely at kids, leaving parents bored out of their minds, or it’s too “adult” and drags the kids along for the ride. Pigeon Forge somehow threads the needle.

Shows are a huge part of the magic here. From musical performances to comedy acts, there’s something happening every night of the week. Better yet, most shows are packed with enough humor, heart, and high-energy stunts to keep even restless little ones entertained.

Dinner shows are the true parenting hack of Pigeon Forge. Instead of rushing through a restaurant meal to get to a show, you can enjoy both at once. There’s nothing better than sitting down to a hearty meal while your kids are wide-eyed at the action on stage. It turns dinner from a necessary chore into a highlight of the day.

Museums and interactive attractions offer another level of fun. Places like the Titanic Museum Attraction allow kids to touch, play, and learn at the same time. It’s entertainment with a side of education—not that you have to tell them that part.

The best family trips are the ones where you stop needing to “entertain” the kids because they’re already having a blast. In Pigeon Forge, the town itself does the heavy lifting for you.

Keeping Everyone Fed (and Happy)

Food is a big part of family travel—and it can also be one of the biggest stress points if you’re not careful. Hungry kids (and adults) are not happy travelers.

The good news is that Pigeon Forge has plenty of options for every appetite. You’ll find classic Southern comfort food at almost every turn, from pancakes bigger than your plate to barbecue that will have you considering a second lunch.

Family-style dining is especially popular here. Restaurants serve up big portions meant for sharing, which is perfect when you’ve got picky eaters who want “just a little bit” of everything. And because the town caters so much to families, most places are prepared to handle the chaos of crayons, booster seats, and “can I have chicken nuggets instead?” moments without blinking an eye.

Even better, grabbing takeout and having a picnic at Patriot Park or along the river adds a relaxed vibe to mealtimes and gives kids the space to run and play afterward.

Pacing Matters: Don’t Overschedule

One of the most common mistakes families make on vacation is trying to do too much. It’s tempting. With so many things to see and do, you want to pack every minute full.

But the best Pigeon Forge vacations are the ones where you leave room for spontaneous fun. Sometimes the best memories aren’t made on a strict schedule. They happen when you stumble into a festival at The Island in Pigeon Forge or decide to take an impromptu splash in the river.

Kids, especially younger ones, do better with some breathing room. So do parents. Mixing high-energy activities with downtime helps everyone stay happy and makes the big moments feel even more special.

Aim for one big adventure a day, plus a few easygoing stops along the way. Leave space for ice cream breaks, naps, or just sitting on a porch somewhere watching the mountains glow at sunset. You won’t regret it.

Building a Trip Everyone Will Remember

At the end of the day, a successful family vacation isn’t about checking off every attraction on the list. It’s about coming home with stories, inside jokes, and a little bit of magic that sticks around long after the suitcases are unpacked.

Pigeon Forge makes that easy. It gives families a chance to slow down, laugh together, and experience something new. It’s not about perfect Instagram pictures or bragging about how much you crammed into three days. It’s about real moments—the kind where your kid falls asleep in the car clutching a stuffed bear from a souvenir shop or asks, unprompted, “Can we come back next year?”

Those are the moments that turn a good trip into a great one.

And lucky for you, in Pigeon Forge, they’re never very far away.

Collaborative post with brand partner PNC LOGOS.

Michael Rowan offers some fatherly advice, as he gets stuck into the perfect gift for this Father’s Day with a selection of bold British condiments RRP £19 (£22 with gift box) from www.tracklements.co.uk

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Father’s Day gifts can be tricky. Do we go for comedy with something zany, or should we be more practical; socks, ties, a t shirt perhaps?

I personally would always prefer something that spoke to my inner foodie, rather than my inner clown, which is why I was so delighted to try Tracklements condiments. Gifts for the foodie can be expensive, or if reasonably priced then the product is tiny but not in this case.

Coming in an optional presentation box, you can give the gift of great taste this Father’s Day with a selection of bold British condiments designed to elevate every meal.

Tracklements Strong Horseradish Cream is one of those foods that I rarely think to buy for myself, but love receiving as a treat. This Horseradish sauce certainly packs a punch and brightens up any sandwich or salad.

The Particularly British Piccalilli reminds me of my childhood, and in particular, my mother making homemade Piccalilli in our kitchen. Tracklements version is easily the closest to her recipe that I have tried. Fresh al dente vegetables in a tangy yellow sauce, great as an accompaniment, but I also love it on a teaspoon, straight from the jar. Don’t judge me.

Most, if not all Dads, would love Tracklements Proper Tomato Ketchup. It has that fresher taste and doesn’t have that vinegary aftertaste of some more commercial better known brands. Proper Tomato Sauce does exactly as you might expect, perking up the Burger and indeed the fries. Again, please no judgement.


I am something of a mustard aficionado and have yet to meet a mustard that I didn’t enjoy. Traditionally, adding bite to sausages and even bacon, but also adding some zing to salad dressing and even mashed potato. I love all mustards from mild to eyewatering and Tracklements British Beer Mustard comes somewhere in between with a lasting heat in the mouth. However the true genius is to marry it with beer which has a subtle background taste and in addition to meats do try it with a strong cheddar.

Finally, Tracklements Fresh Chilli Jam is that clever balance of heat and sweet, creating a tense battle between the tastebuds.

Packed with some of the finest homegrown flavours, family-run Tracklements lovingly make an award-winning range of over 50 planet-friendly condiments in the heart of Wiltshire. This special edition collection includes one of each of the above.

Happy Father’s Day and if you happen to be the lucky recipient of such a gift – you’re welcome

RRP £19 (£22 with gift box) from www.tracklements.co.uk

Michael Rowan has found the vegetarian equivalent of the Holy Grail as he sinks his teeth into Veg’chop Original (RRP: £3.00/250g) and Veg’chop Mexican (RRP: £3.00/250g). Both available in 649 Tesco stores. The full list can be found https://www.ohsowholesome.com/stockists here. 

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Veg’chop Pasta Lifestyle

I became a vegetarian in 1985, a time when vegetarians were grateful if restaurants offered omelettes or mushroom stroganoff and knew better than to complain.

In the 1990s we were presented with fluorescent pink strips, purporting to be vegetarian bacon. Thankfully things have come a long way since then, but as our options improved other information came to light, such as the importance of protein in one’s diet, and the need to avoid over processed food. So, as a wider range of vegetarian and vegan food became available, we learned that some of it was not as healthy as we thought. Honest I tried, but frankly, even I am unable to make Tofu taste of very much, and yes I did marinade it in all sorts of concoctions, and the texture always left much to be desired.

The solution is at hand, two mouthwatering flavours, Original and Mexican, Veg’chop delivers a rich, savoury taste with a slight nutty flavour at its core.

Packed like a sausage, it is soft to the touch but crisps when cooked. When preparing the Veg’chop I advise you to use a serrated k

Pan fried takes 3 minutes each side, and is absolutely delicious, with a nutty crunch. I have tried it in a stir fry, and will definitely use in vegetable wraps or with pasta in a sauce. The Mexican version was spicey with a little heat. I would, add it to a salad, or veggie curry. It also works well with cooling yogurt and mint and the original with crisp lettuce and tomatoes. I can see that I will be experimenting with this for some time.

veg’chop curry lifestyle

Not only is it a low ultra-processed food, but it’s high in protein and fibre. Created with hearty ingredients , such as lentils, quinoa, sweet potato and chai seeds.

Full disclosure, I ate some of the pieces on their own, as a tasty snack, but you may well have more restraint than me.

Veg’chop is currently available to purchase in two delicious flavours. Veg’chop Original (RRP: £3.00/250g) and Veg’chop Mexican (RRP: £3.00/250g). Both are available in 649 Tesco stores. The full list can be found here. 

Tracklements Special Edition Pineapple Chilli Relish – A Treat For Your Tastebuds – by Award-Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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I rave incessantly about Tracklements, and with good reason. Established in the 1970s, Tracklements, a Wiltshire-based family company, is a byword for quality. Their secret is sourcing ingredients from farms and small businesses across England plus, believe it or not, everything is still made by hand in small batches.  No wonder every one of their products is such a special treat.

Never satisfied with an already outstanding range, the company is constantly creating new and original tastes. They demonstrate a genuine passion for amazing food and I’m always happy to appreciate the results.

So I couldn’t wait to try their new special edition Pineapple and Chilli Relish (how do they think of such combinations?) and I was definitely not disappointed.

True to form, this relish is jam-packed with real, honest ingredients. Nearly two thirds of the relish is pure pineapple, and a generous helping of red chillies infuses a real bite to the heavenly pineapple sweetness. Add a medley of other natural ingredients including cider vinegar, raw cane sugar, onions, carrots, ginger and mustard seed, and an absolute feast of flavours hits your taste-buds. It’s also gluten free and vegan friendly.

You can enjoy this stunning relish in many ways – I love it with a slice of cheshire cheese personally, but here’s a great suggestion from Tracklements – it makes an amazing meat marinade. Not only do the flavours complement chicken and pork perfectly, but the high content of pineapple contains a natural enzyme which tenderizes the meat. My mouth is watering and I can’t wait to try that.

At RRP £3.95 for 190g, Tracklements Special Edition Pineapple & Chilli Relish is available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and at www.tracklements.co.uk. This is definitely one to grab whilst it’s still available.

By Dr K Thompson, award-winning author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q
http://faitobooks.co.uk
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.

LZRD Lash – Simply Being Your Best Self – by Award-Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Regular readers will know I’m addicted to Ballroom and Latin dancing. And of course competitive dance is a performance sport – meaning dress, hair and makeup are super important. But, dancing or not, you can never have too much glam in your life. If you look good, you feel good and if you feel good, you live your best life.

Consequently I’m forever seeking better products – miracle-workers are particularly welcome – and I’m bursting to tell you about LZRD Lash, created by transgender model and business woman, Zii Lizard.

Zii Lizard is a rather special person. She was separated from parents and family at just 14 yrs old, when she moved from Thailand to Belfast, where, on top of dealing with a deep personal journey, she was also faced with a foreign language. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and, after grappling with the realisation of her true self, Zii has emerged as a beautiful individual, inside and out. She tells me that LZRD Lash, a vegan, eco-conscious, sustainable all-gender lash brand is more than just a business, because it embraces her values and celebrates self-expression and her personal transformation. She’s passionate to show that beauty has no rules and that everyone deserves to feel seen.

I’m blown away by the LZRD Lash range of both strip lashes and individual cluster lash sets – all designed to be easily self-applied at home. With 30 different styles, there really is a strip lash for everyone and every occasion, from every day pretty to red carpet super glam. A beginner can feel overwhelmed when confronted with an array of different false lashes but fear not, Zii provides excellent web-site guidance on choosing the most suitable lashes and how to apply them. I love her eye-shape guide, and that the lashes are categorised by style and occasion too. Each lash advises for which eye-shapes they work best. Zii’s blog and LZRD Instagram also have useful advice on application and maintenance, fashion trends and much more.

My personal experience with LZRD Lash was first class. In all honesty I’ve never experienced such amazing quality lashes. Normally I struggle not to damage flimsy lashes as I extract them from their box. Not so with LZRD Lash lashes – the adhesive fixing them in their box was only attached to a small spot at each end, making removal easy. They were beautifully soft and light and yet maintained their shape perfectly throughout application. The cute pink Hold It Hottie lash applicator was perfectly aligned, holding the lashes firmly but gently, and the vegan, latex-free and cruelty-free Let’s Glue This strip lash glue was rapidly effective, and easy to remove afterwards.

Zii had chosen three lashes which would both complement my eye shape and look spectacular during my dance competitions. I admit to having felt slightly apprehensive when I first saw them, they were longer and thicker than I would normally dare wear, but once in place I was thrilled. They were very comfortable and looked absolutely stunning – no, I looked absolutely stunning – thank you Zii. You showed me that it’s safe to make bolder choices. In the photo below I’m wearing Celebrity. Glamour Queen and Giving Everything were two further great suggestions from Zii.

So if you have a special event to attend, or you just want to feel great about yourself, I would totally recommend LZRD Lashes. Prices are generally between £4 to £5 – excellent value for such high-quality lashes, but do check out the clearance items too for some great bargains. For MUAs there are generous professional discounts too.

In fact, why not go to the LZRD Lash website right now? It’s the moment to start being your best self.

By Dr K Thompson, author of From Both Ends of the Stethoscope: Getting through breast cancer – by a doctor who knows

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01A7DM42Q http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01A7DM42Q

http://faitobooks.co.uk

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.

CrimeFest, one of Europe’s leading crime writing conventions, has announced the winners of the final CrimeFest Awards.

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It’s a historic year for the annual awards as the convention ends after 17 years; the first convention was hosted in 2008. The awards honour the best crime fiction and non-fiction books released in the UK in the last year, and feature the hotly-contended Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award, which offers a £1,000 cash prize.

This year the Specsavers Debut Crime Novel Award goes to the Japanese author and journalist, Akira Otani (and translator Sam Bett) for The Night of Baba Yaga (Faber), a no-holds-barred queer gangland thriller. Award judge Dame Mary Perkins, co-founder of Specsavers, which sponsors the award, said: “I read many crime thrillers mainly at night before going to sleep. However, I could not do that with The Night of Baba Yaga. Totally gripping and, quite frankly, violent, but a book which I had to read in one go – not in bits.  So – quite different to the usual scenarios I read.  It’s set in Japan and certainly paints a different picture to “cherry blossom” ones. Congratulations to Akira Otani for introducing her writing to us here in the UK.”

Akira Otani said: “I’m immensely grateful to have been chosen for this prestigious award. For someone writing in a minor language like Japanese, there’s no greater joy than seeing your work translated and shared with a wider audience of readers. I also offer my sincerest thanks to the translator, Sam Bett, for bringing this novel into English. This prize is for both of us.”

The winner of the CrimeFest H.R.F. Keating Award for the best biographical or critical book features goes to Mark Aldridge with Agatha Christie’s Marple: Expert on Wickedness (HarperCollins).

CrimeFest’s Last Laugh Award for best humorous crime novel is awarded to Mike Ripley for Mr Campion’s Christmas (Severn House).

The CrimeFest E-Dunnit Award for the best crime fiction e-book goes to the American novelist and playwright, Jean Hanff Korelitz with The Sequel (Faber).  

The CrimeFest Best Crime Novel for Children (aged 8 – 12) goes to Sufiya Ahmed for her World War Two adventure set in Cairo, Rosie Raja: Undercover Codebreaker (Bloomsbury).

The Best Crime Fiction for Young Adults (aged 12-16) goes to Heist Royale by Kayvion Lewis, the sequel to the Waterstone’s prize winning Thieves’ Gambit.

Adrian Muller said: “We are proud of the role our awards has played championing categories that were previously not recognised on the awards circuit. However, it’s our work championing children’s and Young Adult crime fiction that we’re most proud of. “Crime fiction is recognised as a gateway into reading, and has the important ability to hook young readers, helping forge a life-long reading habit. There’s countless research on the benefits of reading, from improved mental and physical health, enhanced cognitive abilities, and personal growth. It improves focus, empathy and understanding, as well as reduces stress. It’s a gift to any young person on their journey through life.

“As CrimeFest closes, we would like to take this opportunity to challenge the Crime Writers’ Association to incorporate children’s and Young Adult categories into their famed Dagger awards going forward. It is vital the future generations of readers, and the authors that serve them, get the recognition and platform they deserve.”

Leading British crime fiction reviewers and reviewers of fiction for children and young adults, alongside the members of the School Library Association (SLA), form the CrimeFest judging panels. In partnership with the independent Max Minerva’s Bookshop and participating publishers, CrimeFest gifts thousands of pounds of crime fiction books for children and young adults to school libraries.

This year also featured the Thalia Proctor Memorial Award for Best Adapted TV Crime Drama, which celebrates dramas based on a book screened in 2024. The award is named in honour of Thalia, a CrimeFest team member and a much-loved figure in the world of crime fiction.

The winning show is Slow Horses (series 4) based on the Slough House books by Mick Herron on Apple TV+. It’s the third year in a row Herron has won the award, beating hit shows including Apple TV’s Bad Monkey, based on the book by Carl Hiaasen, the BBC’s Moonflower Murders based on the books by Anthony Horowitz, and the BBC’s The Turkish Detective based on the Inspector Ikmen books by Barbara Nadel.

Mick Herron said: “Thalia would be delighted to know of this award being given in her name. She was a great friend to crime-writers, a great boon to the community, and is often remembered when groups of us gather. I’m proud to have known her, and I’ll be proud to have this on my shelf. Thank you, Thalia, thank you, CrimeFest, and thank you all.”

CrimeFest readers established the shortlist and the winning TV show. The 2025 CrimeFest Awards were announced at a gala dinner hosted during CrimeFest on Saturday 17 May at the Mercure Bristol Grand Hotel, compered by the Crime Writers’ Association (CWA) chair and author, Vaseem Khan. Hosted in Bristol, CrimeFest was one of the most popular dates in the international crime fiction calendar, with circa 60 panel events and 150 authors attending over four days.

The final celebratory event saw long-standing friends attend, led by blockbuster author Lee Child, who attended with his brother and co-Reacher author, Andrew Child. The final CrimeFest also saw exclusive talks from the actor and screenwriter Mark Gatiss on his upcoming TV series for UKTV’s U&alibi channel Bookish, the TV writer Chris Chibnall with his debut novel, Death at the White Hart, and a tribute to John le Carré, featuring his two sons, the film producer Simon Cornwell and novelist, Nick Harkaway.

CrimeFest was created following the hugely successful one-off visit to Bristol in 2006 of the American Left Coast Crime convention. Established in 2008, it follows the egalitarian format of most US conventions, making it open to all commercially published authors and readers alike. All category winners received a Bristol Blue Glass commemorative award. Eligible titles were submitted by publishers, and a team of British crime fiction reviewers voted to establish the shortlist and the winning title.

Thirsk Royal British Legion Band does us proud during the VE Day Commemorations

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St Mary’s Church, Thirsk, hosted the heartwarming concert by the multi-generational RBL Band, and the soaring notes of assembled brass instruments, (and drums, of course) almost lifted the roof. Naturally, just before things got going there had been the blowing of instruments, a chat from Tim Alderson, the conductor, the chats of the audience who had recognised friends.

Then we were off, beginning with 1914 and slipping into High on a Hill with Norman Hare on cornet which really stirred the memories.

Norman Hare: image credit Maureen Worley

On with Aces High then another Cornet solo from a lovely young man, Jonathan Williams whose Shepherd’s Song had me on the verge of tears, (and who later, I had the temerity to grab, not just to congratulate him but to see if he could hunt me down a programme, which he could, and did).

Then to Benedictus from The Armed Man, a Mass for Peace by Karl Jenkins which I always find heartbreaking, but no time to sob, with such a well chosen programme, because we were swept into a compilation of nursery rhymes which had us humming along. The first half ended with the Training Band who really ‘smashed’ it. Then onto the refreshments, of course, and more chat.

During the break I learned more about our band, because Thirsk is such a community, frankly, it is ours and has been blowing and drumming away since 1985. Since then it has grown in both size and stature, giving many brass and percussion players the opportunity to perform music. But don’t think for a moment that the Band is just for Thirsk. They have made several trips to Austria and also a trip to the Menin Gate, where they played, and also toured the war cemetaries, which brought home to them the tragedy, endurance and sacrifice of all those involved in war.

Menin Gate: image credit Maureen Worley.

There are of course, several generations in the band, and often the children, even grandchildren join. Awards are given annually, Brianna Cawood is pictured with John Worley, President being presented with the Improved Player Award.

On we galloped into the second half, welcomed by a rendition of 633 Squadron, then Bring him Home, with the solo euphonium played by Charles, and the evocative We’ll Meet Again and White Cliffs of Dover, then the heartrending Hymn to the Fallen. They Shall Grow Not Old was read beautifully by Leti Hawthorn and I had another lump in the throat until a foot tapping Dambusters drew this triumph of a concert to a close.

What a memorable afternoon. Everyone loved every minute and felt enormously proud of the work and achievement of Thirsk Royal British Legion Band.

Thirsk Royal British Legion Band includes players of all ages, and welcomes newcomers, as you will have already seen from the Training Band’s offering. Do go to https://thirskrblband.weebly.com/ to learn more about them and heavens, do consider joining them. They are enthusiastic, accomplished and frankly, the band is like one big family.

On 1st June they will be playing at Holy Rood House, Thirsk to raise funds for this welcoming and inclusive Retreat.