The Spark Arts for Children is launching a fundraising appeal to make the most of a rare week long matched‑funding opportunity which will enable them to expand the creative opportunities for children across Leicester. From 17–24 March, every donation made to The Spark through The Big Give’s Arts for Impact campaign will be doubled at no extra cost.

The charity’s immediate goal is to raise £5,500 (matched to £11,000 by their champion, Arts Council England) during this week; however, the long-term need is far greater. This matched funding opportunity is a critical chance for the Leicester community, past festival goers, schools, and local philanthropists to protect creative opportunities for hundreds of disadvantaged children in the city of Leicester.

Why the Appeal Matters: Access to arts and culture is at risk for many young people. A recent UK study warns that 93% of state school children are being excluded from arts education due to funding cuts. When schools and community arts programmes shrink, children lose vital chances to build confidence and creativity.

For many Leicester families, The Spark programmes are the only way their children experience live theatre, music, arts, dance, and storytelling. Without sustained support, thousands of local children may miss out on these life-changing experiences, many of which are delivered directly into schools, libraries and community spaces. For over 21 years, The Spark Arts for Children has delivered world-class theatre, music, storytelling, and creative experiences directly to children aged 0–13 across Leicester. 

‘We see every day how creativity transforms children’s lives. The Spark helps young people build confidence, express themselves, and know that their ideas matter,” says Trina Haldar, Interim Director of The Spark Arts for Children. “Every story we tell and every performance we give depends on funding and the generosity of people who believe creativity belongs to every child. The Spark has touched many lives over the years and if we have touched yours then now is the moment to pay it forwards so we can bring a spark to the lives of all children in Leicester. With this matched funding campaign, every donation will go twice as far in making sure no child misses out.’

Today, funding levels for arts and education are at a critical low, especially for charities serving disadvantaged and under-served communities. The Spark fills a widening gap. As school and local arts programmes shrink, opportunities for children to experience creativity decrease each year.With Spark Festival 2026 on the horizon — where local children (the “Spark Mega Bosses”) have chosen themes of Peace, Play & Equity — every additional donation ensures more children can share in the joy and excitement of discovering the arts. They chose the themes, you can power the festival.

The Spark needs increased funding to grow its year-round programmes of workshops, performances, and festival events. This Big Give week’s matched campaign is a crucial opportunity to help protect and expand those opportunities at a time when other funding sources are shrinking.

To donate  visit: https://donate.biggive.org/campaign/a05WS00000ArfSJYAZ

It’s always a welcome gift, when I get something for the kitchen that I didn’t even know that I needed, especially when it immediately becomes a must have.

Such is the Microplane Spice Mill which is a thing of beauty. I tested the grey one, but there is pretty much a colour for every kitchen. It is undoubtedly a kitchen must-have for grating and storing hard spices.

This spice mill is light, smooth and beautifully engineered, each of the three pieces fitting together with a crisp locking action. The Microplane Spice Mill features razor-sharp stainless-steel blades, ensuring ingredients are effortlessly and precisely cut, whilst releasing all of the full aroma and flavour.

As you would expect, it grates Nutmeg and Cardamom like a dream, and come Christmas I will be testing it out on Cinnamon and Cloves, but the real surprise was just how much of a joy it is to use.

An integrated compartment in the top also allows for light-protected storage of the spices for future use, and a secure silicone lid ensures clean and safe storage whether it’s on the counter or in a cupboard.

I won’t use it on a daily basis, but when I do need it, I’ll know exactly where it is. A perfect gift for the chef in your life or if you are very organised a lovely stocking filler. The Spice Mill 2-in-1 is dishwasher safe for fuss free cleaning, although a quick rinse under the tap is often sufficient. Available in a range of pastel shades, including Cashmere Beige, Dusty Rose, Lipstick Pink, Sage Green, Eucalyptus, Green, Sky Blue, Denim Blue and Dark Grey.

RRP £29.95 available from independents such as Trevor Mottram microplanintl.com, @microplaneintl #microplaneint

The Williams Handbaked team have taken the most popular of their luxury biscuits and shrunk them! (Let’s say straight away that this is a painless process for the biscuits!) Wonderfully, though these mini biscuits are small in stature… they’re simply massive on taste and of course one can eat two if so desired. Just look, you can see there are plenty in each beautiful glass clip jar and as a mum, I can vouch for the fact they make an ideal present. Of course, the jars can be used afterwards for anything needing to be kept in pristine condition, and they look right at home on a kitchen shelf. Furthermore, and yes, I know I do harp on about calories, but for one such as this writer who starts the day with good ‘diet’ intentions, then falls at the first taste of the BIG Williams’ biscuits, these minis do save things from going terribly wrong.

Look at these Mini Chocolate Chip Biscuits – one of my favourites. I bet mums will like them too. You can send an order to any address in the UK (including Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands). With any order you place, you can always include a complimentary gift note; just add your message on the cart page prior to checkout.

Some like ginger, so no sooner said … than done. They can come with chocolate too. They do look very scrumptious, do they not.

Moving on to my particular favourites:

and:

I find they simply seem to melt in the mouth, and are of course, crammed full of flavour.

All Williams Handbaked Hamper Boxes are packed and sent from Williams Handbaked Lancashire bakery via 48 Hour Tracked delivery with Royal Mail. This gloriously bustling bakery aims to deliver all orders within 7 days, although this isn’t always guaranteed. However, the vast majority of orders are delivered within two or three days of being placed.

If you would like to speak to Williams Handbaked before placing an order, or if you would like more information, please email online@williamshandbaked.co.uk or call them on 01772 724 888. Or go to Williams Handbaked

I do despair during my weekly supermarket shops these days. Why do they all seem bent on offering an infinite assortment of poor quality, processed, pretend food. There, I’ve said it. I saw a recent TV programme, demonstrating how ‘ham’ can be formed by mincing the worst scraps of animal parts, mixing with numerous chemicals and holding the whole thing together with ‘meat glue’. Apologies if you’re having lunch dear Reader, but seriously, our grandmothers would be turning in their graves. They may not have had a lot of spare money, but they knew how to cook proper meals for their family, using real vegetables, and, when finances allowed, some real meat too.

So, I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, thank goodness for Tracklements. As regular readers will know only too well, this Wiltshire-based family company creates quality food by hand in small batches, using proper, honest ingredients, mainly sourced from English farms and small businesses – just like Grandma used to make.

So it’s always a guilty pleasure to road-test their inspired creations, and their latest, Tracklements NEW Special Edition Sweet Carrot & Pink Peppercorn Relish, is no exception. How do they think up such innovative, delicious and healthy ideas? Although called a relish, Tracklements describe it as a clever twist on a traditional Bengal pickle. The ingredients make my heart sing – naturally sweet, earthy carrots (57%), Bramley apples, cider vinegar, raw cane sugar, garlic, ginger, coriander seeds, pink peppercorns, sea salt and red chillies – simply pure good food and the taste reflects this – a crunchy sweetness, from real fruit and vegetables with raw cane sugar, balanced by the subtle heat of just enough chilli and peppercorn, plus liberal complementary spices for the most amazing flavour. It’s vegan and gluten-free too.

Tracklements suggest this as a perfect accompaniment for an Indian meal, but it’s just as perfect with a ploughman’s so, wherever the mood takes you, make sure you take this great relish with it.

This would make a super special treat for Mother’s Day – either a gift, or for the celebratory lunch (so you can enjoy it too). But frankly, at just RRP £3.95 for a generous 200g jar, spoil mum and yourself – you both deserve it.

Tracklements NEW Special Edition Sweet Carrot & Pink Peppercorn Relish is available from fine food delis and farm shops nationwide and online at at www.tracklements.co.uk. 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.

A Toast to Treachery: a new dp Publishers novel: cozy small-town woman sleuth mystery (The Tea Leaf Mysteries Book 4) by J. New  Kindle Edition A wedding full of secrets. A family in turmoil. And a murder that only the glorious Lilly Tweed can unravel in the latest Tea Leaf Mystery.

Lilly, a former Agony Aunt, purveyor of fine teas, and accidental sleuth is hired to organise and cater a local wedding. She sees it as the perfect chance to expand The Tea Emporium into events. But as the bride’s family step back from responsibilities, one by one, Lilly finds herself taking on far more than she had bargained for. Thankfully, a friendly café owner steps in to help with the food. All seems to be going so well – the wedding rehearsal brings nothing more alarming than spilled wine and tense family bickering. But the big day ends – not in celebration… but murder … Read on, I beg you. £1.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GL7JSLYC/

Secrets of Burnham House | The gripping historical mystery in the regency era (The Sinclair Mysteries Book 1) by Bethany Swafford.  Kindle Edition

She entered Burnham House to find the truth. But behind every locked door lies another lie … The first book of the captivating historical whodunit series set in Regency England. London, 1816. Juliet Sinclair was raised a lady—but whispers of treason stain her family name, so, posing as a servant, she steps into the shadows to clear it. She enters Burnham House, opulent house of her father’s associate, with a false identity and a singular mission: uncover the truth behind the allegations that destroyed her family. But so much is not what it seems – vanishing servants, locked doors, and … Nope, read it, I’m sure you’ll enjoy it. @ £0.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GQCCN6BR/

A Turn In Time: A time-travel romance in the Highlands (The Bridge Through Time Series Book 5) Kindle Edition by Jennae Vale, (fabulous image) Torn from the man she loves, she must choose between the past that betrayed her and the stranger who may hold her future … A spellbinding Highland time-travel romance filled with forbidden love, betrayal, and second chances

Summoned by his father to return home immediately, Dougall MacRae knows he cannot leave without his beloved Helene. He asks her to marry him and accompany him back to Castle Treun unaware that his father has plans for him to wed another in an attempt to strengthen clan alliances. He can keep Helene as a mistress, but not as his wife. Helene has lived her whole life at Breaghacraig and has left it all behind to marry Dougall. She refuses, however, to remain at Castle Treun as his mistress. Fleeing in the dark of night she pleads aloud for someone to help her and, strangely, she is engulfed in a thick fog and when it clears she finds herself in the year 2016 in San Francisco. Intriguing? I should say so. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0GHMXLGG1/ @ £0.99

Milly Adams is the author of the ever popular Waterway Girls series @ £5.97 for all three https://www.amazon.co.uk/Waterway-Girls-British-friendship-resilience-ebook/dp/B0FRN1JWMF/

Content warning: there is audience participation and magical peril. Watch this production at your own risk!

However, it is very funny. Rufus Hound (who I last saw co-starring in a national touring production of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, either on its way to the West End or fresh from it – can’t remember) is so affable and watchable, it’s amazing we don’t see more of him. Especially on tv.

Rufus Hound

Yet, in the intimate Palace Theatre, he holds this solo show together. And it’s all about magic, illusion and mesmerism. A full-on, large-scale magic show that has wit, improvisation and topicality thrown in for good measure.

It seems odd to have to say that I can’t really explain what happened during the show. There should be no spoilers! However, it’s enough to know that Rufus recently discovered that his estranged grandfather was a touring showman called The Mesmerist. Gaining access to all the props and instructions, he has recreated what the show would have looked like with the assistance of consultant magician Scott Penrose. So this is his take on his grandfather’s show.

Rufus as The Mesmerist

Overall, I do think there just needs to be a tiny bit more showmanship about the illusions. Many times the audience were unsure whether to applaud at the trick’s climax, or whether there was more to come. We so desperately wanted to appreciate him and we needed guidance with a few more ‘Ta-Daas’. It’s a lovely production and certainly one that will have audiences discussing it long after they have left the theatre.

Rufus Hound pictures Ross Kernahan

Poster Design Watford Palace Theatre

Writers Maheni Arthur, Georgia Crowther, Lancelot Ellis, Christopher York

Director Steve Marmion

Set & Costume Design Jasmine Swan

Magic Consultant Scott Penrose

Dates until Saturday 21st March 2026 Times Show times vary, check with website for details

Location Watford Palace Theatre, 20 Clarendon Road, Watford WD17 1JZ

Box Office https://watfordpalacetheatre.co.uk/events/the-mesmerist

Running Time 2hrs – with an interval Age Guidance 12+

The days are getting longer and snowdrops and daffodils are smiling from the borders – which all means that Mother’s Day is rushing towards us.

As a card-carrying mother, this always fills me with excitement. So what hints to drop to my lovely children? (After all I wouldn’t want them wasting their money on anything other than the perfect gift).

Well, I’ve just one word for you, Readers – Superdrug. That’s because Superdrug are running an unbelievable set of special offers for this Mother’s Day. There are fantastic savings across their premium fragrance range, with big-name brands for under £40 and discounts of up to 65% off.

I want to give a shout out to one of my favourite fragrances (kids are you still reading?), it’s L’Imperatrice Eau de Toilette by Dolce & Gabbana – discounted by 50% to just £33, how amazing is that? For those who haven’t tried L’Imperatrice, it’s classical Dolce & Gabbana, with a wonderful blend of sensual musk, exotic flowers and fruits – top notes of rhubarb, red currant and kiwi; heart notes of pink cyclamen and watermelon; and base notes of musk, sandalwood, grapefruit and wood. I’ve had so many people stop me and ask what I’m wearing.

But don’t stop at the fragrance bargains, there are some fantastic deals on makeup and beauty products too. Seriously my dear Reader, stop what you’re doing right now, and head straight to the Superdrug website. After all, your mum deserves it (and so do you).

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