Christmas trainspotting special on Channel 4

Earlier this year, Channel 4 sensationally hit the rails with trainspotter and viral sensation Francis Bourgeois as he and some of Britain’s favourite celebrities embarked on a wild trainspotting adventure across the UK.

Now Francis is back in tome to celebrate the festive season aboard the locomotives in this one-off digital original, produced by Untold Studios.

Joining for some Christmas cheer is Olympic champion diver Tom Daley who’ll be swapping the diving pool and knitting needles for the railways as he joins Francis for a magical and heart-warming Christmas expedition.

They’ll be thrown into an eye-opening adventure across London that will lead them into all sorts of mischief, from space hopping through Clapham Junction to spreading joy with railway inspired gifts to and a festive finale at Waterloo Station, resulting in one of the most embarrassing moments of Tom Daley’s life so far.

There’s even better news for fans of the series – it has also been extended by a further three episodes, with Francis’ celeb explorers yet to be announced.

The Christmas special of Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois will be available to stream on Channel 4’s YouTube on 22nd December.

Charlie Hyland said: “We’ve been absolutely blown away by the success of Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois, so we couldn’t be more delighted we’ve commissioned a festive special with Tom Daley airing this Christmas, alongside a brand-new bunch of episodes that will air in the new year. I can’t wait to see who else will be joining Francis on his travels”

Executive Producer Jonathan Levene said: “There is never a dull moment when you’re trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois. His unapologetic outlook and ability to find joy in the most unexpected of places is charming and hilarious, and we can't wait to get back on the railway for more adventures in 2023! We’ve got some exciting surprises planned for Francis’ guests, but in the meantime, we can’t wait to share Francis and Tom Daley spreading some festive joy in the Christmas special.”

Trainspotting with Francis Bourgeois was created and Exec Produced by Francis Bourgeois, Jonathan Levene and Iona Goulder at Untold Studios and commissioned by Charlie Hyland, Channel 4’s Digital Commissioning Editor, Comedy.

How to reuse Christmas trees

We are being offered advice on how to reuse and make the most of their real Christmas tree after holidays are over. 

Experts at Gardening Express have looked into the creative and eco-friendly ways that dried out Christmas trees can be put to good use at home and in the garden. 

Many real Christmas trees find their way to landfill after the festivities are over, but there are a number of better ways the needles, branches and wood from the tree can be repurposed and reused. 

From mulch to decorations, upcycling the dying tree will have many beneficial uses around the garden and home. 

Chris Bonnett, the founder of Gardening Express said: “There’s so much more that can be done with your real Christmas tree besides merely throwing them away. 

“Once the tree has fulfilled its festive purpose, it can be recycled and used for gardening, supporting wildlife or even raft projects.

“Extending the life of your Christmas tree won't only allow you to make the most of it, but it’s also good for the environment, too.”

Here are seven ways to reuse Christmas trees from the team at Gardening Express: 

Make mulch

Take advantage of all the organic matter from the Christmas tree by turning it into natural mulch. Pine wood and needles are excellent mulch-making materials. Let the tree dry, put the branches into a shredder and let the wood chips rot before using them to mulch around trees and shrubs. If you don’t have a wood chipper then pine needles work well also since they dry quickly but decompose slowly. 

Use wood chips for paths

If you shredded the tree into wood chips for mulching then you can also save some to fill in the garden paths. A layer of wood chips will keep away weeds, hold moisture in the soil and create texture in the garden. 

Use branches as insulation

Pine branches can be used to protect tender plants from the frost. Chop large branches from the tree and lay them on the soil to provide insulation and limit the thawing and freezing of the soil.

Create a wildlife shelter

You can attract and support wildlife by letting the tree sit in the garden over winter. This will provide a shelter for little animals and birds to nestle in during harsh weather conditions. You can also hang bird food, slices of fruit or seed cakes on the branches to provide some snacks for the wildlife. 

Make garden and home décor

There are countless of DIY decorations you can craft using different elements of the tree. For example, you can make a beautiful wreath from the branches that can be hung on your door all year long. You’ll just need some binding wire, scissors, glue and any extra decorations you’d like to see on your wreath. 

Make fragrant sachets

The needles from your Christmas tree have a fresh, wintery scent, making them excellent additions to fragrant sachets. Just add the fallen needles to small bags and tie a ribbon around the top. The sachets could be placed in wardrobes and drawers for a fresh scent, they’re also great gifts to give to loved ones. 

Use branches as plant stakes

Strip the branches of needles and use them to support tender and young plants during winter winds and frosts. To prevent injuring the roots, plant the stakes about 2 to 3 inches from the plant's stem. Keep in mind to set the stake at an angle to give the plant more protection from winds. 

https://www.gardeningexpress.co.uk.

From Giles Hurley CEO – Aldi UK and IRE

Dear Customer,

With Christmas nearly upon us, I am writing to let you know what Aldi is doing to help make the big day special this year.

Unbeatable value

We know that lots of our customers are worried about the rising cost of living, so we have been working hard all year to keep prices as low as possible and do all we can to support our customers, colleagues and communities.

But don’t take our word for it – consumer champion Which? recently revealed that the traditional Big Four full-price supermarkets – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – are 16% more expensive than Aldi on a basket of 48 everyday grocery items.

For the main event this year, Aldi has once again cut the price of our fresh turkeys. Whole birds are available from £3.99 per kilo, meaning you can get a delicious, 100% British turkey for as little as £7.98, while prices for fresh, Class A British turkey breast crowns start from just £7.64.

We also offer amazing value on Christmas dinner veg essentials. This week’s Super 6 deal includes potatoes for just 15p, with carrots, brussels sprouts, parsnips, swede and cabbage at 19p each.

We are thrilled to be named Best Christmas Retailer at the Quality Food Awards, too.

Store opening times   

This week our stores will be open for longer to make it even easier for you to pick up what you need during the festive period.

And, as always, we close on Christmas Day and Boxing Day to make sure our amazing, hard-working colleagues can celebrate and enjoy time with their own families and loved ones.

Supporting communities during the cost-of-living crisis

Our thoughts are with those who may be struggling this Christmas and Aldi has launched an Emergency Winter Foodbank Fund worth £250,000 to support charities, foodbanks and community groups across the country.

We will also once again be donating surplus unsold food to local charities and foodbanks once stores close on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, as part of our long-established partnership with Neighbourly.

I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone at Aldi, to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Giles Hurley

CEO – Aldi UK and IRE

Aldi launches big winter clearance sale with savings of over 50%

Supermarket, Aldi, has today announced a HUGE ‘Big Winter Clearance Sale’, with reductions across hundreds of Specialbuy products. 

With impressive deals on toys, homeware and festive decorations, shoppers can make savings of over 50% this holiday season. Launching today (Thursday 22nd December), Aldi’s Big Winter Clearance Sale is sure to be popular with Specialbuy fans, so shoppers will need to be quick to grab a bargain, because as with all Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

With everything from kids’ toys and pet accessories to Flannel Pyjamas (£6.99), 4PK Cocktail Glasses (£6.99) for the adults, there is something for everyone in Aldi’s Big Winter Clearance Sale – available online now www.aldi.co.uk

Wishing your pets a very furry Christmas!

A new study from Co-op Insurance shows that despite the UKs rising cost of living, we're set to spend an average of up to £873 million on presents for pets including dogs and cats this Christmas, as four-fifths (82%) of pet owners plan to spoil their beloved cats and dogs, by spending up to £50 on gifts as part of the festivities this year.

Despite the pinch, three-fifths (61%) of cat and dog owners agree they like to spend money on their pets at Christmas, and this year they won’t be cutting back. 

But unfortunately, it looks like Aunties and Uncles are set to lose out, as two fifths (40%) of those planning to spend up to £50 on pets say they won’t spend anything on gifts for their extended family.

Over three-fifths (62%) of dogs and cats in the UK will be receiving their own Christmas present this year, with over a nearly a quarter (23%) set to feed their pet from their own Christmas Dinner plate. Some pet owners (4%) are even go so far as giving their pets Christmas card - despite pets not being able to read!

Ways people include their pets at Christmas time:

They give them Christmas presents (62%)

They give them special Christmas toys (43%)

They give them more food treats (43%)

They go on a special Christmas walk (25%)

Make their pet a special Christmas meal with leftovers (27%)

Feed their pet from their own Christmas Dinner plate (23%)

They give them an advent calendar (15%)

They let their pets sit at the dinner table (13%)

They put them in a Christmas Jumper (8%)

They're allowed to sleep in owner's bed (7%)

They give them a Christmas card (4%)

The new data also points towards a rise in Empty Nest Syndrome, with 91% of pet owners 55 and over saying they are planning to buy their furry friend a Christmas gift. This is compared to 84% of those aged 25-34 and 64% of Gen Z animal lovers.

With over a quarter (27%) of dog and cat owners planning to make their pet a special Christmas meal with leftovers, be warned, it’s sharing Christmas leftovers that can pose unwanted health problems.

 From pet poisonings, to gaining a few extra pounds, a pet's wellbeing can be negatively impacted. The most common heart conditions in pets are linked back to obesity, so be certain to re-think the offerings this year, and opt for something healthier. 

It’s vital to do the research and avoid popular festive ingredients causing poisoning in animals, such as chocolate, grapes, garlic, onions, and even poinsettias.

Andrew Nevitt at Head of Co-op Pet Insurance said: "Despite the cost of living, it seems we’re still a nation looking to include our pets in family traditions, with Christmas being a time when pet owners obviously want to make sure their dogs and cats are included in our celebrations.

"Our research confirms how much our pets really mean to us, so although it’s vital to many to include their pets in Christmas and in many cases take the opportunity to spoil their pets, it’s important to keep our furry friends safe. So keep them away from those Christmas chocolates!

“Despite the festivities, we also advise animal lovers to closely monitor their pets’ food intake, as their weight and appetite can be the tell tale signs of several health concerns. Overfeeding your pet at Christmas, or offering them a one-off taste of human food, may do more harm to them than initially thought, so it’s best to stick to treats specifically manufactured for them in order to avoid unwanted trips to the vet this winter.”

For more information about Co-op Pet Insurance plans, which includes 24/7 access to vets online, visit: https://www.coop.co.uk/insurance/pet-insurance

(Image courtesy of Oli R and Pixabay)

Asda launches brand new Jingle the Reindeer Double-Smash chocolate cake along with range of themed products!

Asda has announced it's introduced a new festive mascot for the Christmas season. Perfect for some family fun in the lead up to the big day, the brand’s new Jingle the Reindeer range includes 14 new and delicious products.

A standout centrepiece of the collection, Asda’s new Double Smash Jingle the Reindeer Cake (£14), features decadent and rich chocolate sponge layers and creamy chocolate frosting. With two milk chocolate domes, the cake is the first of its kind to feature two smashable elements.

Once inside the first deliciously smooth dome, Jingle the Reindeer’s face can be seen, with two golden chocolate antlers and icing eyes. From there, those looking to indulge can smash his bright red nose, revealing a selection of yummy treats.

With the full range unveiled and prices starting from just 65p, whether it's a baking activity with the kids, a show-stopping dessert, or even a tasty afternoon treat - there’s something for everyone.

Perfect for those colder winter nights, the Jingle the Reindeer Hot Chocolate Melt makes for a fantastic stocking filler. Simply pour warm milk over the reindeer shaped chocolate melt to release the fluffy marshmallows and create a mouth-watering hot chocolate that’ll melt even the biggest chocoholics.

To add a reindeer twist on a classic, the Jingle the Reindeer and Friends Icing Kit (£2) gives aspiring cake decorators a chance to create their own Jingle themed Christmas cake icing, with all the ingredients included to create their very own Jingle the Reindeer out of icing and instructions available via a QR code on the pack.

Looking for a selection of treats to enjoy this Christmas Eve? Look no further than Asda’s Jingle the Reindeer Mini Rolls (£2) and Jingle the Reindeer Gingerbread Biscuit (65p each), with the finger food snacks perfect for adding Christmas magic to any evening. Plus, the Jingle the Reindeer Swiss Roll Cake (£6) was made for sharing with loved ones this festive season.

The full range is available to buy in-store now, with products also available to buy online while stocks last.

www.asda.com

With Asda Christmas deserts, bigger is better!

The bigger, the better; Asda proves that the age-old adage is true this year. As part of their Christmas range, the retailer has introduced three larger-than-life dessert offerings sure to excite little ones and grown-ups alike. Comprised of a Giant Éclair, a Giant Mince Pie, and a Giant Santa Themed Donut, these limited-edition giant desserts each serve up to six people and will bring smiles all round.

Firstly, there’s the Extra Special Giant Belgian Chocolate and Caramel Éclair (£7). Decadent as ever, this choux pastry éclair is filled with chocolate and caramel flavour mousse. On top, it’s coated with chocolate fondant and a caramel flavour fudge icing. 

To add a certain je-ne-sais-quoi, the pastry is topped with a gold coloured sweet dusting. This isn’t your typical dainty dessert, however, the Giant Éclair serves up to 10 people. Bon Appetit!

If you’re after something a little more traditional this year, why not go for the Extra Special Giant Mince Pie (£4.50)? Encased in an orange zest infused all-butter pastry, the pie has a deliciously rich mincemeat filling infused with brandy and port for a truly wonderful flavour. For just £4.50, this giant dessert serves up to six people, making it perfect for any festive gathering.

There’s one last giant dessert to bring ho-ho-home this year: the Giant Santa Belt Donut (£7). The donut is filled with cream and topped with a yummy raspberry glaze. And, of course, a Santa's belt. What better way to pay tribute to Old St. Nick than a giant dessert in his honour? The donut serves 4 lucky guests for £4 total.

Between the Giant Éclair, Extra Special Giant Mince Pie, and Giant Santa Belt Donut, there’s plenty to choose from when looking for that party-perfect dessert to bring to the next festive gathering. The bigger, the better and the more, the merrier.

For a limited time only, all three giant desserts are available from the bakery in Asda stores now.

Over half of Brits prefer Christmas leftovers to the main meal – yet 90 million plates are thrown away on average each year, says Asda

At the most wonderful time of the year, for many the food takes centre stage at Christmas. Yet whilst we all love a Christmas dinner, leftovers are inevitable and Asda's new research shows, on average, 90 million plates of leftover food are thrown away each year after the big day.

To help make leftovers go further this Christmas, Asda has partnered with Celebrity MasterChef finalist, Sam Nixon, to create three delicious new recipes that are a far cry from the standard leftover recipes that grace people’s social media feeds post-Christmas. 

Each recipe is easy to make and takes no longer than about 25 minutes. From Yorkshire pudding doughnuts to risotto with a stuffing crumb and a brie-topped Brussels sprouts bake, these recipes will give a new lease of life to the nation’s festive leftovers.

All three recipes were developed to make heroes of the foods many find the hardest to use or are most likely to be thrown away. When it comes to the most disposed of festive food, the ever-divisive Brussels sprouts (20%) top the list for people who have leftovers followed by broccoli (15%), cabbage (15%), and cauliflower (14%). Over 1 in 10 of those who have leftovers say they find it hard to use or throw away their leftover Yorkshire puddings (13%), cranberry sauce (14%) and stuffing (13%).

Asda’s research also showed lunch was the most popular time for people to enjoy festive leftovers, with over a third (37%) citing this as their favourite and 2.9 million of us Brits say they prefer to have their Christmas leftovers for breakfast!

A nation of leftover lovers, almost two-thirds of those who have leftovers (64%) say they enjoy Christmas leftovers more than the main Christmas dinner itself. But whilst the likes of turkey curry or a turkey and ham pie may seem the obvious choice, over a third say they don’t enjoy or wouldn’t eat these dishes (35% and 34% respectively).

Sam Nixon, TV Presenter and Foodie says: “Christmas is a time for enjoying great food with family and friends, but we’re all guilty of having eyes bigger than our stomachs at this time of year! That’s why I’ve partnered with Asda to help people get the most out of their leftovers this Christmas and avoid throwing out any perfectly good portions of food. It’s been so much fun developing these recipes and trying to do something different than the usual turkey curry!”

An Asda spokesperson says: “We know food waste can be an issue at Christmas and with the rising cost of living people will be looking for ways to make their food go further. We hope these exciting leftover recipes will give people inspiration on what to do with their surplus food which may have otherwise been thrown away and help them enjoy their delicious leftovers all the way to New Year!”

Find full details on the delicious recipes below and online at https://www.asda.com/good-living.

Leftover Parsnip and Chestnut Risotto topped with a Sage and Stuffing Crumb

A creamy and delicious dish that gives a new life to leftover veggies!

Ingredients - Serves 4

2 tablespoon olive oil

½ white onion, finely chopped

1 stick of celery, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

350g Arborio rice

Optional: 1 small glass of leftover fizz or white wine

1.5 litre vegetable stock (use as needed)

250g leftover roasted parsnips - cubed

1 handful of leftover cooked chestnuts - finely chopped

1 knob of salted butter

Freshly milled black pepper and salt to taste

100g cooked leftover stuffing

4 sage leaves, finely chopped

20g Parmesan, grated

Method

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat in a large pan with a lid and cook white onion and celery for 1-2 minutes, add garlic and cook for a further minute. Add in rice and stir, pour in leftover fizz, or wine (if using) and bring to a boil.

Slowly incorporate the vegetable stock, stirring well at a simmer. Cook for a total of 15 minutes until the rice is al dente.

Stir in cooked parsnips and chestnuts and season with a knob of butter, salt, and pepper. Cover again and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to a small pan and fry off sage leaves and cooked stuffing to a crumb-like consistency and golden brown.

Serve Risotto in bowls topped with generous helpings of stuffing and sage mix and a sprinkle of grated parmesan.

Leftover Ham, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprout & Brie Bake

The ultimate cosy brunch dish to warm you up after a long walk with loved ones. Think cauliflower cheese meets potato gratin - YUM!

Ingredients - Serves 4

200g cooked gammon - chopped into lardon-size pieces

750g leftover cooked cauliflower - broken into florets

250g leftover cooked brussels sprouts - finely chopped

50g butter

40g plain flour

500ml semi-skimmed milk

1 tsp wholegrain mustard

75g cheddar cheese - grated

165g leftover Brie - sliced

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Layer the leftover cooked cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and gammon into an oven-proof dish

To make the cheese sauce, use a small saucepan and melt the butter over a medium heat. Turn down to a low heat and stir in the flour for 1 minute until cooked.

Slowly whisk in the milk until smooth and then (still whisking) bring to a simmer. Add in the French mustard and grated Gruyere cheese.

Pour the sauce over the ham, cauliflower and brussels sprouts and then top with slices of leftover Brie. Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until bubbling and golden brown.

Serve with cranberry sauce for an extra special festive treat!

Dark Chocolate Cinnamon sugar ‘yorkie doughnuts' made with leftover Yorkshire puddings

Give leftover Yorkshire Puddings a new lease of life with this deliciously sweet and spiced dessert

Ingredients - Makes 4

4 leftover Yorkshire Puddings

100g dark chocolate

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp Demerara Sugar

Optional, to serve: 4 scoops of Vanilla Ice cream

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Place the leftover Yorkshire puddings on a wire rack and put in the oven for 3-5 mins to reheat thoroughly.

In the meantime, melt dark chocolate in a heat-proof bowl. Combine the Demerara sugar and cinnamon in a separate bowl.

Once the Yorkshire puddings are hot, spoon over melted chocolate and dip in cinnamon sugar mix. Serve and enjoy!

For an added treat, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream in each yorkie doughnut

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Tesco to bring back its Kids Eat Free scheme from Boxing Day

Tesco has announced it is bringing back its popular Kids Eat Free scheme in its 312 cafés across the UK between Boxing Day and 6 January 2023.

Tesco cafes are offering one free Kids Hot Meal Deal, Kids Breakfast or Kids Pick ‘n’ Mix deal with each item bought by an adult from as little as 60p when showing their Clubcard at the till.

Popular kids menu items include beans or avocado on toast, fish fingers, baked chicken goujons or a sandwich. Main meals include a vegetable side dish and sandwich pick n mix includes a piece of fresh fruit so there’s something healthy and satisfying to feed hungry children from breakfast until dinner.

Kids Eat Free is part of Tesco’s work to help customers save money during the Christmas season and help families provide children with a balanced meal.

Across 2022, Tesco expects to have provided over 400,000 free meals to children during school holidays. 

Recent research from leading food charity The Food Foundation shows that 4 million children in households are affected by food insecurity, the highest level they’ve tracked since the start of the pandemic. The research also shows that households with children are more likely to experience food insecurity than households without children (25.8% versus 16%) .

Jason Tarry, Tesco UK CEO, said: “We're pleased to bring back our Kids Eat Free initiative in Tesco Cafés, offering a little extra support over the Christmas holidays. We want to help parents and carers to provide children with nutritious food – saving them some money at a time when budgets are tighter than ever. Children can get a balanced meal and hopefully get into the Christmas spirit, too."

Anna Taylor, Executive Director of the Food Foundation said: “It’s great to see Tesco supporting families in this way, particularly at such an important time of year. We know that the cost-of-living crisis has put increased pressure on vulnerable households, so the ability for parents and carers to get a free meal in so many communities across the country is very welcome. Hunger doesn’t take a holiday, so it’s vital that both the government and businesses act to support families as we head into what will be a very challenging Winter for many,”

James Toop, CEO of youth-led campaigning organisation Bite Back 2030 added: “It’s a critical time for the health of young people. The cost of living crisis is impacting families' and making it much harder to afford the nutritious food children need to thrive. Tesco’s offer of a free hot balanced meal is offering support for families in a healthier way.”

“Our next generation needs our support now more than ever, commented Elaine Hindal, CEO of the British Nutrition Foundation. The guarantee of one free nutritious meal per day this Christmas season will provide reassurance to so many disadvantaged communities.”

 As well as Kids Eat Free, Tesco also supports families in the community through its partnership with Fareshare and the Trussell Trust. Through its Community Food Connection programme, Tesco provides surplus food to thousands of local charities and community groups. Customers can also use food sharing app, OLIO, to find free food that has been donated by Tesco.

Tesco also has long-term partnerships with health charities Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK to raise awareness about the condition risks and prevention.