What Your Surname Reveals About Your Family's Past
This festive quiz explores what your surname might hint about your family history this Christmas. Discover your festive family score and the stories behind the names.
Category : Resident Stories
Solihull mum cooks 108 Christmas dinners for community
Amanda O'Neill, known as 'the Christmas dinner lady', is preparing over 100 festive meals for Solihull residents facing hardship. Her initiative, a tribute to a late friend, highlights incredible community spirit.
Midlands' happiest and gloomiest places for 2025 revealed
Rightmove's 2025 'Happy at Home' Index reveals a stark split in Midlands resident satisfaction. Discover which historic towns soared and which urban centres ranked among Britain's least happy.
Superdrug's £6 Rimmel product hailed as holiday makeup hero
A beauty editor's sister said she was 'glowing' after using the Rimmel Multi Tasker Turbocharged from Superdrug. This £6 multipurpose stick works as a highlighter, blusher and bronzer.
10 Christmas truths only Birmingham locals will get
Discover the hilarious local quirks and dialect that make a Birmingham Christmas unique. From 'going round the Wrekin' to 'wagging it', we decode the festive season, Brummie-style.
Brummie's £3.5k tribute to hamster Spud on billboard
Lisa Murray-Lang, 49, honoured her late hamster Spud with a £1 Birmingham billboard and a £3.5k trip to scatter his ashes in Hawaii. See the touching story.
Rare UK halfpenny coin could be worth £100,000
UK households urged to search for rare pre-decimal halfpenny coins. An expert reveals certain dates, like an 1860 example, can fetch a fortune at auction. Check your old collections now!
Staffie Steals Santa's Beard at Christmas Event
A mischievous Staffordshire Bull Terrier pup named Nova snatched Santa's beard at a festive doggy daycare event in Sunderland, sparking a hilarious 10-minute chase. Read the full story of the Christmas chaos.
Kelly Osbourne's Heartbreaking First Christmas Without Dad Ozzy
Kelly Osbourne opens up about her first festive season since father Ozzy's death, planning a family Christmas in Buckinghamshire and her future in England. Read her emotional story.
Mum adopts siblings and urges others to consider adoption
Sarah, 44, adopted her son and daughter through Adoption Focus. She shares her story to support The Long Wait campaign, highlighting the 18-month average wait for children to find a family.
UK Celebs Spending Christmas 2025 Alone
Olivia Attwood, Pete Wicks and Strictly's Luba Mushtuk explain their reasons for a solo Christmas Day in 2025. Discover why they're choosing solitude this festive season.
Strictly star almost quit after father's death
Gladiators star Jodie Ounsley reveals she nearly withdrew from the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special following the sudden death of her father, Phil. Read her emotional story.
Mum loses 13st after Mounjaro Christmas present
A Liverpool mum, once 22 stone, lost 13 stone after her dad gifted her Mounjaro jabs for Christmas. Read her incredible weight loss journey and transformation.
Chris Rea's family on 'awful pain' after sibling deaths
The family of singer Chris Rea share their grief after losing three siblings in just three months. Read the full story of this tragic period for the music legend's family.
Christmas Eve Quiz: Can You Answer These Tricky Questions?
Challenge your wits this Christmas Eve with our festive trivia quiz. From Formula One to Nobel Prizes and Discworld, see how many answers you know. Try it now!
Dog brightens days at Moya Cole Hospice in Stockport
Walter Tomlin and his ambassador dog Ren bring comfort to patients and staff at Moya Cole Hospice's Being You Centre. Discover how canine companionship enhances palliative care support.
Coroner Seeks Family of Cannock Man Who Died at Home
Staffordshire coroner appeals for help tracing relatives of Dennis Harper, 75, who died at his Hednesford home on December 14. Police confirm death is not suspicious.
Most tattooed UK man, 69, quits after running out of space
Keith Gordon, one of Britain's most tattooed men, ends his 17-year ink journey as he's 'run out of space' and has 'been there, done it'. Discover his story.
NORAD Santa Tracker 2025 is live - see his route
The beloved NORAD Santa Tracker is live for Christmas Eve 2025. Use the interactive tool to follow Father Christmas's global journey, see when he'll reach England, and discover the heartwarming story behind this festive tradition.
Nottinghamshire couple celebrate 65th anniversary on Christmas Eve
Pat and Bob Pembleton from Stapleford celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary today. Their daughters are visiting from New Zealand for a festive family reunion. Read their heartwarming story.
Birmingham's Enduring Christmas Magic: A Personal History
Discover why Birmingham's festive spirit remains magical through decades of change. Explore personal memories, historical traditions, and how the city's Christmas celebrations have evolved while keeping their heart.
Appeal to trace family of Tamworth man Roy Allen, 77
Staffordshire Police and the coroner are appealing for the family of Roy Allen, 77, to come forward after he was found dead at his Tamworth home earlier this month.
Widow's plea after husband's asbestos death at 80
Hazel Holmes appeals for information after her husband John, 80, died from asbestos-related cancer. The former engineer worked at UK power stations in the 1970s. Can you help?
Dog undergoes emergency surgery after swallowing bauble
A one-year-old dog from Birmingham had a lucky escape after swallowing a sharp ceramic Christmas tree bauble, requiring emergency endoscopic surgery. Read his incredible survival story.
Brooklyn Beckham Blocks Family on Instagram Before Christmas
Brooklyn Beckham has blocked parents David and Victoria, plus siblings, on Instagram. Cruz Beckham confirms the 'upsetting' move as family feud escalates. Read the latest.
Daily Quiz: Croissants, Bond and Victorian Rarities
Challenge yourself with our Tuesday trivia quiz. Questions cover history, film, and bizarre Victorian customs. See how many answers you know!
Hamster's ashes toured world, now on Birmingham billboard
Lisa Murray-Lang honoured her late hamster Spud by displaying his photo on a giant Birmingham billboard after travelling with his ashes to Hawaii and Europe. See the touching tribute.
Man gives up Christmas turkey for pet turkey T2
Dave Brooker, 59, from Maidstone, has given up eating poultry and all meat after bonding with his pet turkey, T2. Discover their unique friendship and lifestyle.
Golden Retriever Milo survives swallowing ceramic bauble
A Birmingham family's Christmas was nearly ruined after their Golden Retriever, Milo, ate a ceramic teddy bear ornament. The one-year-old dog needed urgent endoscopic surgery. Learn how to keep your pets safe this festive season.
Save £1,200 with Martin Lewis's money-saving advice
A savvy homeowner reveals how they slashed annual bills by £1,200 using Martin Lewis's strategies, including switching energy and installing a water meter. Discover how to cut your living costs.
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