Pride 2025: Why The Fight Is Far From Over

Every June, streets are filled with colour and celebration, bringing people together from all walks of life in a powerful display of visibility, resilience, and unity. No matter your sexuality, gender identity, gender expression, or background, Pride holds deep meaning for a wide range of individuals and cultures.
Yet while many countries have made significant strides toward creating a more inclusive and accepting world for LGBTQ+ people, the fight is far from over. The rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rheto...

Distorted Reflections in ‘Black Mirror’ – Can You Make Amends Too Late in ‘Eulogy’?

Continuing the season’s quieter, more reflective tone, this fifth instalment of Black Mirror is one of its most emotionally grounded yet. Rather than explore the horrors of invention, it turns inward—using technology as a gentle but unflinching tool for emotional excavation. With themes of memory, regret, and reconciliation at its core, the episode questions how the stories we cling to can protect us—or quietly destroy us over time.
“Eulogy” follows Phillip, a reclusive man who is contacted by a...

The Rise of Misogyny in UK Classrooms

Alarming reports from UK classrooms reveal a disturbing rise in misogyny among pupils, echoing attitudes seen across social media and public figures. Teachers are warning that harmful behaviours — once rare — are becoming commonplace in school corridors and playgrounds. But why is this happening now? What are the consequences if we fail to act? And what can parents and schools do to challenge it?
Following a report in April, troubling evidence points to a surge in misogynistic behaviour among st...

Clones, Code, and Consequence in ‘Black Mirror’ – Does the Sequel Say More Than the Original in ‘USS Callister: Into Infinity’?

After a season of emotionally grounded, ethically complex stories, Black Mirror closes out with something bigger, louder, and far more ambitious. Picking up from one of the show’s most iconic episodes, the finale trades quiet introspection for high-stakes adventure—yet still finds room to ask a difficult question: what happens after freedom is won?
“USS Callister: Into Infinity” picks up directly after the events of the original episode, with the digital crew finally free from Robert’s tyrannica...

Connection Comes at a Cost in ‘Black Mirror’ – What Makes a Life Worth Protecting in ‘Plaything’?

Following a string of emotionally intense episodes, Black Mirror pivots into something quieter—but no less disturbing—with its fourth outing. Blending themes of loneliness, obsession, and moral responsibility, this episode trades spectacle for a slow-burning, deeply intimate exploration of what it means to seek connection in a disconnected world.
“Plaything” follows Cameron Walker, a socially isolated and erratic man who is apprehended by police after attempting to steal from a corner shop, only...

Echoes of Romance in ‘Black Mirror’ – Can True Love Still Be Meant to Fade in ‘Hotel Reverie’?

Following two emotionally charged openers, Black Mirror shifts gears in its third outing—offering a slower, more reflective story that blends old Hollywood charm with futuristic unease. With themes of love, identity, and artificial existence at its core, this episode invites viewers to question the authenticity of emotion when it’s simulated—and whether a connection can still be real if it was never meant to exist at all.
“Hotel Reverie” follows Brandy Friday, a renowned Hollywood actress cast i...

Cruelty Echoes in ‘Black Mirror’ – When Does Justice Become Vengeance in ‘Bête Noire’?

After a chilling debut episode for Season Seven, Black Mirror follows up with an equally unsettling and psychologically tense entry. Leaning into themes of guilt, manipulation, and revenge, this episode explores how buried traumas and unresolved conflicts can resurface, distorting our perception of truth, justice, and reality itself. 
“Bête Noire” follows Maria, a research scientist at Ditta who appears to be thriving in both her professional and personal life—that is, until a familiar face reap...

Humanity on a Payment Plan in ‘Black Mirror’ – How Much Would You Pay to Keep Love Alive in ‘Common People’?

Black Mirror is back, and Season Seven feels like a return to the show’s original roots—diving deep into the complexities of human emotion, all filtered through the ever-unforgiving lens of how we use and misuse technology. But how well does the season’s opening episode fit into these themes?
Exploring love, desperation, and digital dependency, the debut episode unpacks the devastating lengths people will go to for those they care about when placed under crushing financial, emotional, and ethica...

Why It's OK for Parents to Ask for Help

Parenting isn’t always a perfect picture. Some days, the mess, the noise, and the weight of responsibility can feel like too much. And yet, so many parents feel they have to push through, believing they need to handle everything on their own. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Whether it’s exhaustion, stress, or simply feeling overwhelmed, asking for help isn’t giving up. In fact, it can be one of the most empowering and beneficial things a parent can do—not just for themselves, but for their f...

Five Benefits of Cooking Together as a Family

Cooking can mean different things to different people—some see it as a daily task, others find joy in it, and for many, it’s just part of the routine. So, in today’s fast-paced world, where it can be challenging to find time to connect as a family, turning meal preparation into a shared activity can make all the difference. After all, it isn’t just about putting food on the table—it’s a chance to bond, learn, and create lasting memories.
Cooking together is a simple yet powerful way for families...

Park Mall Shopping Centre & Edinburgh Road Car Park To Be Demolished

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) has announced plans to demolish Park Mall Shopping Centre and the adjacent Edinburgh Road multi-storey car park as part of a wider town centre redevelopment.


Traders have been given until August 31, 2025, to vacate the premises, with the exception of Greggs, O2, and Kamsons Pharmacy, “whose units face onto Upper High Street and have longer-term leases.”


ABC stated that it “will work closely with existing Park Mall tenants and, where appropriate, seek to suppor...

The Enduring Terror of Stephen King’s 'It': Why Pennywise Still Haunts Us Today

Whether you’re a fan of the book, the 1990 miniseries, or the modern films, it’s undeniable that It has made a significant impact on the horror genre. With its blend of psychological terror, coming-of-age themes, and one of the most iconic villains in horror, It continues to captivate and terrify audiences decades after its debut. But why does this tale still haunt us? How has it evolved over time? And what’s next for the franchise?
Published in 1986, a decade after the success of ‘Salem’s Lot (...

Why Diversity in Children’s Media Matters

From a young age, the media we consume shapes how we perceive and understand the world and those around us. Greater representation in children’s media has proven to be a powerful tool for building empathy, breaking down stereotypes, and fostering a sense of belonging. While progress has been made, many parents continue to advocate for broader diversity in the stories and characters their children encounter. But how can parents effectively integrate this, and what real-world impact does it have?...

Local Artist Creates Ashford Mural To Mark Debut Album

Tenterden-based artist Mr Doodle has designed a mural for Ashford, Kent, described as “one of the world’s longest illustrations.”


The internationally acclaimed artist, also known as Sam Cox, created the 203-metre mural in just one day on Friday, December 6th.


Located at the junction of Avenue Jacques Faucheux and Beaver Road, the painted hoardings are part of the proposed Infinity development, a residential scheme previously referred to as the ‘Ashford Shard.’


Mr Doodle said: “While tra...

'Anna and the Apocalypse': A Zombie Christmas Musical That Hits All the Right Notes

For many, the festive season is a time for good tidings, holiday cheer, and embracing the Christmas spirit. However, just because it’s Christmas, that doesn’t mean horror enthusiasts have to set aside their love of ghouls and scares. So, how can fans of the macabre celebrate the most wonderful time of the year while indulging their darker tastes? Enter the 2017 film Anna and the Apocalypse—a one-of-a-kind, gnarly, and delightfully twisted zombie Christmas musical that reimagines the coming-of-ag...

Review: One Branch at a Time

Mental health is never an easy topic to discuss, and with children, it can feel even more daunting, with parents often feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. That’s where books like ‘One Branch at a Time’ by Eliza Allen come in, serving as a gentle bridge to help children understand and process their emotions. Through an enchanting narrative and engaging characters, Allen delivers an accessible and compassionate approach to mental health, fostering meaningful conversations about emoti...

All Is Revealed in ‘Agatha All Along’ Episodes 8 & 9 – What Lies At The End Of The Witches' Road?

The finale of Agatha All Along has finally arrived, concluding the coven’s harrowing journey down The Witches’ Road. Along the way, they’ve confronted dark mystical forces, fractured dynamics, and sinister twists in pursuing their deepest desires. But can the double-bill finale tie every thread to deliver the perfect ending to this eerie tale?
“Follow Me, My Friend / To Glory at the End” opens with Alice’s haunting acceptance of her own death as she gazes upon her corpse, awaiting Rio/Death to c...

Facing The Unknown in ‘Agatha All Along’ Episode 7 – Can The Coven Overcome Their Greatest Trial?

With only a few days left until Agatha All Along‘s thrilling double-bill finale, the latest spellbinding episode dives deeper into the series’ web of mysteries. Through a twisted trial of divination, hidden secrets are unearthed, alliances are tested, and long-speculated fan theories are finally confirmed.
“Death’s Hand in Mine” unfolds out of sequence, mirroring Lillia’s fragmented perspective. This episode delves into the unpredictable nature of her powers, revealing the chaotic flashes she ha...

Familiar Faces Return in ‘Agatha All Along’ Episode 6 – Who Really Is Teen?

In the last episode of Agatha All Along, the long-speculated reveal of Teen as Billy Maximoff was finally confirmed. Yet, as one question is answered, even more arise around this mysterious character—could there be more to Teen than viewers initially anticipated?
“Familiar by Thy Side” opens three years prior to the events of Agatha All Along, with Teen, then known as William Kaplan, at his Bar Mitzvah. Despite the celebrations, the event is abruptly cut short due to an emergency warning regardi...

Things Are Shaking Up in 'Agatha All Along' – What Does the Mid-Season Trailer Reveal?

With only four episodes left of Agatha All Along, Marvel has released a mid-season trailer packed with hidden details, intriguing flashbacks, and hints at surprising twists. Just when viewers thought they had the story figured out, the new trailer raises fresh questions and teases high-stakes revelations. So, what could this mean for the rest of the series?
While fans have long speculated on the origins of the coven’s members, the trailer hints at potential backstories for three specific charact...
Load More