Francis House Children's Hospice teams up with Just Helping for a January 2026 Christmas tree collection across Greater Manchester. Register now for an eco-friendly pick-up in return for a donation.
Aldi unveils an 8ft festive topiary of its Cuthbert cake, touring Brighton before a cheeky delivery to M&S. See it in Eastbourne 18th-22nd Dec.
Will Birmingham see snow on Christmas Day? Bookies give 6/1 odds as the Met Office forecasts colder, drier weather. Get the full festive forecast here.
Birmingham City Council announces longer hours at all five household recycling centres from December 21 to January 31. Plan your visit and book online.
Time is running out to experience Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market 2025. The festive attraction departs on Christmas Eve. Discover what's still on offer for your last-minute visit.
Shropshire Council warns residents after a fire extinguisher exploded in a bin lorry in Shifnal, putting crew at risk. Learn how to dispose of hazardous waste safely.
Walsall's new £32m Household Waste Recycling Centre, hailed as Europe's largest, is set to open in late January. Get the latest update on this future-proof facility.
A Coventry recycling plant urges residents to check council rules after festive contamination soars. Last year, a vape caused a fire and fairy lights halted machinery.
Discover the ultimate guide to Birmingham's festive weekend before Christmas 2025. From the iconic Frankfurt Market to light trails and pantomimes, plan your perfect seasonal visit.
Specsavers stores in Canley and Cheylesmore are now collection points for The Giving Tree Project, run by Coventry City Mission. Donate new gifts, toys, or festive supplies to help hundreds of local children this Christmas.
Rochdale Borough Council has issued decisions on a range of planning applications, including home extensions, tree removals, and commercial changes. Discover the latest outcomes for properties across the borough.
Major new bin collection rules are set for 2026, requiring households to separate waste into four containers. Learn how the changes will affect you and boost recycling.
Discover the three main contrasts between Birmingham's huge German Christmas Market and the Cathedral Square craft market. Plan your perfect festive visit with our guide.
Residents in Worcester's Pearmain Close clash with the council over a historic cedar tree. The council cites its high value, but locals claim roots are damaging property. Read the full story.
Recycle your Christmas tree in Lincolnshire for a suggested £22 donation. St Barnabas Hospice's Tree-Cycle initiative collects trees from Jan 7-12, 2026, raising crucial funds for hospice at home care.
A new UK Deposit Return Scheme will pay households to return bottles and cans to supermarkets from 2027, aiming to slash litter and boost recycling. Find out how it works.
From Transylvanian traders to economic impact, we explore the love-hate relationship with Birmingham's sprawling Frankfurt Christmas Market. Discover the facts and share your thoughts.
AutoTrader warns UK drivers about oak, sycamore, and maple trees whose leaves and sap can stain and damage car paintwork. Learn how to protect your vehicle's value.
Shearbridge Veterinary Centre in Bradford invites pet owners to honour lost companions on its Christmas Memory Tree, raising £1 per pet for local cat rescue charities. Donate pet food for local foodbanks.
Tameside Council confirms festive bin collection dates for Christmas 2025. No brown bin collections from Dec 25 to Jan 7. Check your revised green, black, and blue bin days.
Shoppers are snapping up real Christmas trees for a bargain £10.99 at Home Bargains. Discover the best festive tree deals from Tesco and Morrisons too.
An Oxfordshire IT manager saved a 70-year-old family oak tree, transforming it with beer caps and resin into a stunning table. His DIY project, using tools under £65, created a new centrepiece. Read the inspiring story of upcycling and family legacy.
Discover if your surname hints at royal ancestry. DNA testing is revealing surprising links to historic dynasties for thousands. Could you be related to the Royal Family?
The Lane family's 15-year tradition of collecting Christmas trees for East Cheshire Hospice continues on January 10-11, raising vital funds. Learn how to register your tree or donate.
The Independent's guide to the UK's best festive markets features Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market and Worcester Christmas Fayre. Discover dates, highlights, and what makes them special.
Birmingham City Council confirms major waste service overhaul, including fortnightly rubbish collections and new food waste bins, will start in June 2026 regardless of ongoing strike action.
Birmingham City Council plans a new weekly food waste collection and second recycling bin from June 2026, aiming to boost recycling rates above 30% despite ongoing strikes.
Amazon is offering a limited-time deal on a 72-piece set of Christmas baubles and ornaments, reduced to £12.74. Available in red-white or red-green, the lightweight, non-glass decorations are perfect for filling your tree.
Birmingham City Council unveils a multi-million pound overhaul of bin collections, introducing four bins and weekly food waste from June 2025 to boost recycling.
Birmingham City Council unveils a massive bins shake-up. From June 2026, households will get four bins for fortnightly collections and weekly food waste pickups. Get the full list of changes and dates.