Economists estimate extreme poverty could be drastically reduced for a fraction of global defence spending, yet military budgets continue to expand year on year, says JON TRICKETT MP, ahead of the Stop the War International Conference on Saturday
YOU probably already guessed that Frosty won’t be writing much about the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this year. I might return to her favourite son, Andrew, aka the defendant, aka the dirty old Duke of York, but not much about old Queenie herself.
However, I have got a bit of space to mention one thing that is happening to mark 70 years on the throne. The Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) is a tree planting initiative created to mark the anniversary.
All across the country, we are all being encouraged to plant one or more trees and that has to be a good thing. Working with many commercial sponsors and the Woodland Trust local groups and organisations can even apply for free trees and planting kits.
In his fortnightly Borderlands column, MARK SEDDON visits overgrown forts along Offa’s Dyke and reflects on wars past and present
MAT COWARD takes a look at some of the options for keen gardeners as we enter 2026
Commiserations if you failed this year, MAT COWARD offers six points which, if followed religiously, will ensure you succeed next year


