I feel I may be contradicting myself today in this latest article. I usually encourage young artists to be free with their art and not be restricted by topics and themes. However, I realise that sometimes when faced with a blank piece of paper or a canvas a word suggestion can be helpful. This is speaking from experience.

Kidz Bop is a global phenomenon. Having started a quarter of a century ago, their list of notable alumni includes Zendaya, Ross Lynch, Becky G, Olivia Holt and Fin Argus. Their success is so huge that they have generated over 4.5 billion streams and have grown from just the American group to boasting numerous international offshoots.

School can be a stressful environment for many children and the Autumn half term is the perfect opportunity to rest, reset and re-connect. We can support our family’s mental health all year round, but half term is the ideal time to reconnect as a family, boost our mood together and make deeper connections.

Jones Myers niche family law firm continues to be an acknowledged leader in its field following another Band 1 ranking in Chambers 2026 legal guide.

Chester Zoo has revealed a raft of new additions will join its Christmas lights festival - and organisers are promising this year’s trail will be its “brightest ever.” The national conservation zoo has again teamed up with entertainment giants Sony Music to deliver this year’s Lanterns and Light spectacle - which has developed into one of the North West’s biggest and longest running festive lig…

A 12-year-old has enjoyed a journey of a lifetime with a trip alongside a driver in the cab of an LNER Azuma train. Joseph Strek won the experience after his entry for a special ‘Design the train of the Future’ children’s art competition clinched first prize.

The St John Save a Life September campaign is back again in 2025 and this year St Johns are aiming to teach at least 300,000 people vital lifesaving skills through public demos, online videos and first aid advice like this column.

Jones Myers family law firm has presented an annual award for exceptional performance to a Masters law student for the sixth consecutive year. The 2025 Jones Myers Prize for the Best Overall Performance on Master of Laws of England and Wales at Leeds Beckett University goes to Eloise Smith.

In a lively classroom, a group of eager third graders huddle around their teacher, who sets a challenge: "How can we make this balloon float without using helium?" A hand shoots up. "Could we use air pressure and a fan?" says one child. Another suggests, "Or maybe we could invent something to make the air lighter?" In moments like these, creativity sparks, and STEM comes alive.

With GCSE results out this Thursday, an education expert has told parents to “keep their own emotions in check” and focus on supporting their child. Drew Povey says parents should remember that exam results “are not the final verdict” and how they react may have a bigger impact on their child than they realise.

Group Editor Andrew Palmer stepped through the looking glass to discover County Durham's best-kept family secret. Like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole into an extraordinary world, a family day out at Raby Castle proves that the most magical adventures often lie just off the beaten track.