News

Independent Age, the older people’s charity which tackles older people’s poverty and loneliness has launched a new freephone number for its advice service.

Wishing all our readers a very happy Christmas and a healthy and prosperous 2014.

Novartis Consumer Health UK LTD (NCH) announced today that it is recalling certain batches of Tixylix®, paediatric liquid cough and cold medicines, because of a potential manufacturing defect with the tamper seal that could result in small pieces of plastic being found in the bottles.

One4all, the multi-store gift card from the Post Office, has launched its exclusive Pudsey Gift Card design in support of BBC Children in Need. For every Pudsey gift card that is sold, two per cent of the amount loaded on to the card will be donated to BBC Children in Need, to help make a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Narional charity, Allergy UK, urges people to take action against damp in their home to reduce exposure to the dangers of mould which can exacerbate wheezing, respiratory problems, worsening asthma, cold-like symptoms, itchy skin and puffy itchy eyes. The charity gives advice on how to Stamp Out Damp during Indoor Allergy Week, 11 to 17 November.

Each year the Toy Retailers Association (TRA) judges which toys and games will be the bestsellers for Christmas. This year  the TRA has chosen 50 and here are their Dream Toys choices priced at under £25.

Research undertaken by Chad Valley revealed that although parents love to see their chilldren using their imaginations, many feel inhibited and lack confidence when playing with their offspring. Alex Bell and daughter Pippa went to explore the "playground of imagination" hosted by Chad Valley.

Olivia Coates celebrates her birthday today shortly after graduating with a first class honours degree – guess who is a proud mother?

The deadline to request self-assessment forms for parents affected by changes to child benefit for high earners is fast approaching, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) is warning today.

A great chance to buy a Kindle Fire with £30 off the selling price. Now only £99.

Rowan Coleman's novella Woman Walks into a Bar is published on 10 September 2013 and 100 per cent of the proceeds will be donated to Refuge, a charity dedicated to helping women and children suffering from domestic abuse and violence. Rowan explains what led her to this decision.

Most usually we are celebrating new additions to the family but last weekend  member Christine Mayle's family welcomed Ollie as elder daughter Kathryn's husband and Anne Coates was delighted to be at the celebrations.

Careers advisers from the Exam Results Helpline will be on-hand from 8am on Thursday 15 August (A level results day) to provide valuable careers information and advice to students (and their parents) across the UK who receive higher or lower A level results than expected, and more importantly who don’t know what to do next.

Parenting Without Tears regularly runs competitions with sponsors who provide the prizes. We have a few Terms & Conditions that entrants should observe or risk being disqualified.

Fresh ingredients delivered to your door with recipe cards for you and your children to follow – what could be nicer? Hello Fresh is an award-winning, UK-wide, recipe box delivery service encouraging people to rediscover the joys of cooking from scratch. Anne Coates and her family tried out the recently-launched family box (and fed their friends at supper parties) and were impressed with both the ingredients and the results.

Booking opens today for summer 2013 Kids Week at London Theatres. Free shows and activities throughout August.

Even if you are not one of the volunteer book givers for World Book Night you can still celebrate by buying a book or borrowing one from your local library. For parents it's a great opportunity to show children how much books mean to you. Here are the chosen titles for World Book Night 2013.

It's St George's Day, the anniversary of Shakespeare's birth and death, as well as the death of the great Spanish novelist, Cervantes. In their honour UNESCO made this the international day of the book. This evening thousands of books will be given away as part of World Books Night. Here crime writer, Mari Hannah, tells Anne Coates what she thinks about World Book Night.