New for 2025: Beaulieu’s National Motor Museum unveils nostalgic interactive attraction We Had One of Those.

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Sit in the driver’s seat of the cars from your past and relive your fondest motoring memories as Beaulieu proudly unveils its newest attraction, We Had One of Those. Opening 5th April 2025, this nostalgic new attraction will take visitors on a trip down memory lane, celebrating the cars, gadgets, and everyday objects that shaped life from the 1960s through to the 2000s and beyond.

Located just outside the National Motor Museum, We Had One of Those is a hands-on tribute to the vehicles and memories that shaped generations. From the family cars that filled Britain’s roads to the pop-culture that defined each era, this new attraction is set to be enjoyed by visitors of all ages.

Get up close to an impressive collection of much-loved motoring icons from the past, including the ever-reliable Morris Minor and the Austin Allegro, the car everyone loved to hate.  Explore classics like the original VW Beetle, the Vauxhall Cavalier and the Ford Mondeo, as well as favourites from the noughties including the MG ZS, which will be sure to turn heads. Beyond the cars themselves, a carefully curated selection of memorabilia from each decade invites memories and conversations to flow across generations.

We Had One of Those is a new experiential attraction at Beaulieu. Visitors will be actively encouraged to get involved with the cars; open the doors, sit in the seats, get their hands on the steering wheels and interact with the retro buttons and dials. The vehicles will give you the feeling of going back in time with the scent of well-worn seats being just as you remember, and the clunky sound of an old car door almost guaranteed to spark those memories. Grab the whole family, take a seat inside, and recreate the images of family road trips gone-by.

Head of Visitor Experience & Operations, Jon Tee, shares Beaulieu’s excitement: “We Had One of Those is more than just a motoring attraction at Beaulieu. Whether you’re reminiscing about childhood road trips or introducing younger generations to the past, this attraction is sure to spark fond memories and create new ones. We really welcome visitors to interact with the cars in every way possible and share with us their memories of the past.”

Jon Murden, Chief Executive of the National Motor Museum says, “The National Motor Museum is renewing its focus on the social and cultural history of the motor vehicle, backed up by new exhibitions and displays, and online content. The We Had One of Those experience will allow visitors to renew their memories by sitting in the cars of their youth – an element of nostalgia that we know is popular with our visitors.”

Beaulieu invites visitors to be one of the first to see this brand-new attraction when it opens in time for the Easter holidays. So, dig out your old photo albums, gather your loved ones, and come ready to say, “I remember when we had one of those!”. Plus, there’s lots more at Beaulieu for the whole family to get stuck into during the Easter holidays between the 5th – 21st April. Hop into spring and celebrate Easter with our popular motoring parades, a new trail for kids to follow around the grounds, phantasmagorical rides in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang*, bonnets galore and impressive newly refurbished rooms of Palace House.

As with all Beaulieu attractions, We Had One of Those is included in a general admission ticket, offering visitors access to the National Motor Museum, Palace House, Beaulieu Abbey, Little Beaulieu adventure play area, rides on the Monorail and Veteran Bus and more.

Visit www.beaulieu.co.uk for more information.

*Extra charges apply

The Unwin Award has announced Caroline Criado Perez – writer, broadcaster and award-winning feminist campaigner – as the winner of its inaugural prize.

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Worth £10,000, this new literary award recognises non-fiction writers in the earlier stages of their careers as authors, whose work is considered to have made a significant contribution to the world. Made possible following a donation from the Unwin Charitable Trust and administered by the Publishers Association, the Unwin Award is intended to champion and showcase the value of the UK publishing industry to the world, and rewards an author for their overall body of work.

Caroline Criado Perez – the author of two works of non-fiction: Invisible Women (2019) The Sunday Times No I bestseller and Do It Like a Woman was revealed as the winner during a ceremony held at The Royal Institution, London.

The Unwin Award Judging Panel 2025 praised this political, passionate, and persuasive author’s scope of research, use of statistics, and sharing of personal insights – as well as her undeniable tireless fervour in pursuit of illuminating the truth, and her pure skill and strength as writer. The panel recognised the countless and clear global impacts of Caroline Criado Perez’s work in influencing policy, research, news commentary and conversation, alongside the astonishing afterlife of her books that continue to resonate with readers around the work long after publication.

Caroline Criado Perez, winner of the inaugural Unwin Award 2025, said: “I wrote Invisible Women because I wanted people to see the world as I saw it; to recognise the damage that we do when we render 50% of the global population invisible; and to be inspired to make a difference. I wrote because I wanted things to change — and so I’m honoured and delighted to receive this award, which recognises the power of books and publishing to do exactly that.”

Professor Shahidha Bari, Chair of The Unwin Award 2025 Judging Panel, commented: “The impact of Caroline Criado Perez’s work is phenomenal – irrefutably evidenced in the torrent of recommendations and endorsements from an astonishing array of sources. The Unwin Award is given to Criado Perez in acknowledgement of the wide and deep impact of her work. These are galvanising books, written with equal measures of knowledge and passion.  She has the gift of imparting to her readers the sense of righteous fury that comes from systemic and structural inequalities. Criado Perez is a diligent researcher, moving deftly between science writing, feminist politics and data analysis to produce what are compelling and crucial interrogations of culture, government, history and society. These books are calls to arms that have, and will continue to, inspire change. We offer our sincere congratulations to Caroline and look forward to what comes next.”

Dan Conway, CEO of the Publishers Association, said: “The Unwin Award aims to celebrate authors whose work has made a truly valuable  impact on society. Caroline Criado Perez’s impact on the cultural conversation in the UK and beyond is incredibly significant and this is testament to the quality of her research and the energy of her writing. Huge congratulations to Caroline and her publishing team.”

The Unwin Award Lecture runs in tandem with the literary award, and the 2025 Lecture was delivered at the winner ceremony on 1 April by quantum physicist, academic, author, broadcaster and one of the UK’s best known science communicators, Professor Jim Al-Khalili.

Focusing on the value that publishing brings to society, Professor Jim Al-Khalili spoke about his career balancing a university role as an academic scientist as well as a public scientist, broadcaster and author. In particular, Professor Al-Khalili will reflect upon the undiminished thirst for popular science books that has continued unabated ever since Stephen Hawking’s A Brief History of Time, and his part in it.

Is London Book Fair Worth it for Authors?

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London Book Fair is a bustling and exciting place to be. A lot of deals are made. You can feel the buzz. This year they had an Author’s HQ and the SOA (Society of Authors) was also there. But is it worth it for authors? We ask Joanna Knowles, author of Lost and Found in Venice.

Was this your first time at the London Book Fair?

Yes, it was. I had contemplated going before but I had been advised that it was more of a trade event, not an event for authors to network or make contacts. However, now I was more established as an author, I saw the LBF advertised, and with tickets available specifically geared towards authors, I decided that maybe the event would be beneficial to my career. Plus, a trip to London is always a great location for inspiration and cultural enjoyment. The museums, the libraries, the natural beauty of the parks contrasting against the giant structures that seep their histories via their bricks and mortar; no wonder J.M Barrie said, “London is a swarming, restless, bustling town, always on the go.”

Why did you go?

The brochure advertised seminars that really appealed to me, and so I planned by visit by what seminars I could attend and learn from. I also noticed there would be an Authors HQ stage. With writing being a naturally solitary profession, I was excited at the prospect of meeting fellow authors and visiting the hub of a profession I am proud to be a part of. 

Did you enjoy it?

The vibe was definitely humming. An eclectic mix of languages, conversations, and book genres that meant the place was thriving. And huge! Sadly, the recommended app requested to download before attending wasn’t working and so I was unable to navigate the fair with destinations in mind. It was more of a stroll to find stands that interested me. I did speak to a wonderful LBF employee at their large Helpdesk who did offer guidance based on where I wanted to visit. 

The Olympia Building stands as a beauty icon in its own right. As you enter, it is the sheer amount of glass and arching ceiling that made me want to stop and just stare. However, the enormity of the site from a practical point of view was a little overwhelming without a map to guide me, and I also found little seating in the complex, observing others sitting sporadically on the floor. 

I did have certain seminars that I had pencilled in to attend, noting previously that they didn’t need advance booking, but I found myself unable to enter the first seminar due to a lack of spacing and a plethora of people spilling outside of the Author HQ stage. I did try to fit in the area outside, in the hope that I might be able to hear, but I was moved on by a security guard for health and safety reasons as the walkway was beginning to get blocked. 

Do you feel like it’s a good place for authors?

If a group of authors visited together, I can see the advantage of networking and comparing notes. There is a real opportunity to utilise the opportunity of having so many authors in one place. 

Plus, the seminars I had chosen to attend were directed towards authors, and if there had been more space and seating available, I can see it being a great place to gain insight from a profession that is mostly remote. Plus, if an author is without an agent, then learning the valuable processes of how the industry works could be incredibly useful. 

What did you gain from it?

The people I did speak to are very friendly, agreeable, and everyone is clearly passionate about the industry. I felt energised just from being there and being in the presence of the giants of publishing. I did visit my own publishing house and could see the energy and excitement that goes into each meeting with attendees. 

It was also fascinating to be a part of something that is industry renowned around the world. To know that deals were happening under the same roof and that potentially, the next bestseller was being discovered over coffee, or the newest trend was being discussed was exciting. Equally, to see the various stalls evidence the creativity, passion, and effort that goes into the written word was just a joy to be around. Particular highlights include theHatchette UK stand, the Audible stand, Wordsworth Editions Ltd and The British Library stand. 

As an author, what would you like to see more of at LBF?

Networking opportunities that are both free, assessable and insightful for authors that are navigating their own position in the industry. To be able to pre-book onto seminars so that the itinerary is set, and a place is guaranteed. This would avoid the over-crowding and limited access that I encountered on the day. 

The queues for refreshments were long; so perhaps more catering would help with keeping people hydrated and provide the valuable seating that the 2025 LBF lacked. Also, a potential opportunity to purchase goods on display (which I appreciate would be limited in space and volume), but would offer great marketing potential rather than just scanning a barcode and being sent a summary of activity after the event. 

Do you recommend other author goes?

Not unless recommended by their editor/agent to do so. There are limited opportunities for authors as the fair stands now; but I do feel there is huge potential to make the event more author friendly and desirable to all. 

Joanna Knowles –

Author, Writer, Prolific Reader, Lover of Cake.

Joanna lives in the south of England with her family, in a house with far too many books, and a cat who often ignores her. She hates to fly but loves to travel; she prefers paperbacks to eBooks, and she adores American sitcoms.

Alongside her writing, she has a love of movies, eating out, and socialising with her friends. Her family are her world and her husband is the love of her life. She loves to read. Anything. Shampoo bottles, magazines, current affairs, 19th century literature; and she has a particular penchant for a pretty book cover. She has completed both a BA(Hons) in English Literature and a master’s degree in creative writing, all while her children were little. Her biggest complement would be to be called a geek. Her love of literature comes from a young age, when seated cross-legged on the classroom floor, reading book after book in the book corner. 

These days, she can often be found scouring the internet for her next book destination, failing miserably at the daily crossword, and writing her next novel sitting absolutely anywhere, but at her desk.

Lost and Found in Venice is Joanna’s second published novel with Orion Fiction. Her debut, Love is in the Air, was published in November 2023. She is currently working on her third novel which takes place at the top of a volcano. 

BLENHEIM PALACE HAS CREATED AN EXCLUSIVE DISPLAY OF RARE TIMEPIECES PROMPTED BY THE MARCH 30TH CHANGING OF THE CLOCKS.

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An ormolu and blue painted mantel clock, French, circa 1795.

UNESCO World Heritage Site and award-winning attraction, Blenheim Palace is celebrating the clocks going forward with an exclusive display of rare timepieces in Family Treasures, its forthcoming new visitor experience. 

As we prepare to set our clocks forward on Sunday (30th March), Blenheim Palace is marking the occasion by unveiling two remarkable and unusual clocks that will be featured in Family Treasures, a unique new visitor route into the Private Apartments, extending the Palace by five additional rooms.

Visitors will journey through some of the grandest rooms to unlock never before seen 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. 

Not only is the Grand Cabinet a treasure trove, but it’s steeped in history as it was once used as a schoolroom during WWII by Lady Rosemary Spencer-Churchill, the daughter of the Duke of Marlborough and amongst the six Coronation Maids of Honour chosen to accompany Her Majesty the Queen at Westminster Abbey in 1953.

Family Treasures enhances the visitor experience by 20 minutes and features a host of priceless artefacts and collections including a special display of exquisite timepieces from different eras:

  • In the Dining Room visitors will find a Chimney piece designed by Vanbrugh (above) and a rare skeleton timepiece. English, early 19th century, attributed to John Moxon
  • Another masterpiece on the new tour can be found in the Grand Cabinet. An ormolu and blue painted mantel clock, French, circa 1795. The blue painted urn case surmounted by a spray of ormolu flowers flanked by leaf scroll handles and raised on a concave sided rectangular plinth applied with garlands of flowers.

Designed to showcase Britain’s Greatest Palace like never before, Family Treasures is one of three unique new visitor experiences at Blenheim Palace this year.  

An all-new Roof Top View platform experience, providing visitors with never seen before breathtaking views over the Estate including the famous Column of Victory as well as the surrounding Oxfordshire countryside and The Life Below Stairs experience, which will give visitors the opportunity to see the original Palace kitchens.  

These experiences are available alongside the launch of Blenheim Palace’s most ambitious restoration initiative to date, the historic roof project. 

Blenheim Palace first opened its doors to the public 75 years ago to raise funds for essential roof conservation work to preserve the architecture and safeguard the heritage for generations to come. This pivotal £12M project is centred on restoring a significant section of the roof of Britain’s Greatest Palace, ensuring it remains resilient against the elements that threaten its historical integrity.

To experience the new Family Treasures extended tour, visitors must have a valid Blenheim Palace Annual Pass or day tickets.

For information on the new visitor experiences at Blenheim Palace and to book tickets, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/whats-on/events/new-for-2025

To find out more about the roof restoration project, visit www.blenheimpalace.com/restoration

Just Launched: WildBird’s New Aerial Wrap Carrier – A Fresh Take on a Bestseller

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WildBird, who make amazing, soft, baby slings, have officially launched the Aerial Wrap Carrier. This latest addition to the WildBird family is a new take on the best-selling Aerial Buckle Carrier, offering the same ergonomic support and stylish design, now with a flexible wrap-style fit that models to both wearer and baby for ultimate comfort.

It is a fantastic baby sling that is easy to use. I love the fact it brings the baby really close to you, hugging into your chest.

Designed for newborns, the Aerial Wrap Carrier provides hands-free convenience while maintaining the soft, breathable fabrics WildBird is known for. Whether parents are at home or on the go, this carrier delivers a snug, supportive hold without bulky hardware–just simple, intuitive babywearing.

Wuku Heat Patch – Effective, Discrete, Long-lasting Pain Relief – by Award-Winning Author Dr Kathleen Thompson

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Period pains can be so very unpleasant, and they really do make one wonder what God was thinking when he created periods. However if you have endometriosis, they can be much worse. Endometriosis happens when the cells which should only be found lining the uterus, attach themselves to various other locations in the abdomen, such as the ovaries or even bowel. These cells behave as if they were still in the uterus, thickening and breaking down during menstruation, which, because they’re in the wrong place, can cause severe abdominal pain, not to mention internal scarring and adhesions, and infertility.

Incredibly, endometriosis is thought to affect 1 in 10 women and can lead those women to dread their monthly period, some relying on large amounts of pain killers just to cope.

It’s always a concern when someone is needing regular high-dose pain-relief, as no medication is without side-effects and that’s why I’m delighted that Wuku have developed a special heat patch which can really help, and it’s particularly good to talk about this now, as March is Endometriosis Awareness Month.

Wuku heat patches are very slim and discrete, and you simply stick one to the OUTSIDE of your underwear over the painful area – be it the lower abdomen, or the back. Pealing the protective cover off the patch automatically activates it to produce heat for, guess what, up to twelve hours. This prolonged action makes this heat patch so much more useful than other similar ones and means you can carry on with your day with that constant comforting warmth.

Personally, I’m of an age where period pains are happily a long-forgotten memory, however I’m suffering with troublesome back pain at the moment, so I was keen to test the heat patches. Small and neat, around 4 inches by 3 inches, you simply remove the cover to reveal the adhesive surface. The heat then starts in around 30 seconds. Please be patient – 30 seconds can seem a long time when you’re watching for something to happen, but once it does starts, the temperature increases steadily, reaching a very comfortable level over a few more minutes. The heat then stays at that level for a long, long time, I’ve been wearing the patch for hours and it’s still emitting a very pleasant heat which is really easing my pain.

So if you suffer from bad period pains, or even if you just have a bad back like me, I can truly recommend Wuku Heat Patches. At £12.99 for four patches they’re a great price and very effective. It’s well worth taking a look at the Wuku website for other great period and women’s health products too. They clearly have a mission to make a difference.

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.

More children starting school with poor speech and language skills – Practical tips for parents

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Children need all of the support they can get. Especially after COVID. A new survey of UK teachers reveals a rise in pupils starting school with poor speech and language skills since the pandemic.

Commissioned by assessment provider GL Assessments, the poll of 1,000 teachers found that nearly half of primary teachers estimate up to one in five of their pupils struggle with speech and language. These difficulties often become apparent when children start school (48%) or even earlier (33%). 

Many teachers report that speech and language issues are frequently mistaken for reading and maths difficulties (46%) or misidentified as behavioural problems (27%). Additionally, 44% of primary school teachers say up to a fifth of their pupils struggle to communicate at an age-appropriate level, while 37% believe the issue affects as many as two in five pupils.

A significant 76% of teachers feel parents often deny or overlook these challenges. However, there are practical strategies parents can use to support their child’s language development.

Below, Cristina Miguelez, Spokesperson at online language learning platform Preply offer key tips to help parents support their child’s speech and communication skills at home:  

1. Read together and discuss the story

Reading books with your child is integral to develop their literacy skills and understanding of language. Furthermore, discussing the books you read together can positively impact their communication skills. 

It encourages them to express their opinions and enhances their ability to recall details, improving their overall understanding of language and communication. Keep their favourite books within easy reach so they can revisit them, reinforcing their memory and comprehension.

2. Reflect on the day’s activities

Another effective way to support your child’s language development is to regularly discuss their day and the activities they’ve engaged in. For instance, ask them about their school day or, if you’ve taken them to the park, encourage them to share their favourite part of the experience. 

Like discussing books, this helps children understand how to use language effectively and communicate their thoughts more clearly.

3. Engage in conversations about TV shows

If your child enjoys watching children’s television, discussing what they watch can significantly enhance their language skills.

Educational programmes are particularly beneficial, as they introduce new vocabulary and concepts. Engaging your child in conversations about these shows can deepen their understanding and reinforce language learning.

4. Use comments instead of questions

While asking children questions is important, too many can feel like a test. Instead, focus on making conversations more natural. Comment on what they are doing and what is happening around them rather than constantly quizzing them.

This approach helps children feel more relaxed and comfortable when communicating, making it easier for them to process and respond to language. 

5. Turn everyday moments into learning opportunities

Daily routines can be powerful tools for language development. Activities such as cooking, shopping, or getting dressed provide opportunities to introduce new words and encourage conversation.

For example, while preparing a meal, talk about the ingredients, describe their colours and textures, and explain the cooking process. These simple, everyday interactions can significantly enhance a child’s vocabulary and understanding of language.

Becoming an Author Takes a Huge Amount of Talent. We Deserve Better Than AI and Piracy.

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Last week, thanks to a fantastic article in The Atlantic, I found out that one of my books had been taken from a piracy site and used by Meta to train their AI. Seeing your book on a piracy site hurts a lot. It takes years to write a book. There is a huge amount of sacrifice. Of sleep, time spend with loves ones, and time spent with Netflix. Querying is hard and tough on your mental health. After all of that, your book can then die on submission. Then you have to write another book and start the whole thing from the beginning.

Where The Light is Hottest, Catherine Yardley, Balavage

Authors do not earn a lot of money. At last count the average was seven thousand pounds a year. If you worked out the hours we put in, it is below minimum wage. You have to really love it to be an author. The highs are liking nothing on earth and the lows are crushing.

@balavage It is hard being an author. I know this is a bit of a rant but please bare with me. Leave your comments below. #booktok#writertok#authortok#writingcommunity#authorscommunity#writing#publishing♬ original sound – Catherine Balavage Yardley

Being an author is as hard as any other career. Yes, it has a huge amount of benefits. Working from home, being creative and seeing your work out there in the world. But the work can be tedious. Reading the same book multiple times. Editing it so many times that you want to give up. Then you market it while writing your next one. It is the dream, it really is. Don’t get me wrong, but there is a lot of work involved. If you cannot afford books you can go to the library. Authors get paid when you borrow our books. There is also the Libby library app if you are not near a library. My two books, Where The Light is Hottest and Ember are both on kindle unlimited. I hate to be downer and I know how lucky I am. I feel privileged and happy every day, but please stop stealing our work. Especially if you are a trillion dollar company. We can only write if our books sell. Publishers will not give us contracts if they think we have no readers. Publishing is a business like no other. It is all about the bottom line. Thank you. Please share any comments below.