I recently received an email claiming to be from the UK government, promising a £400 boost for my gas and electric bills. This of course, was a scam email asking me to enter my details to get the government rebate. I didn't fall for it, but it made me ponder the real issues at hand, specifically the impending rise in the energy price cap set to hit many households in January 2024. As we brace ourselves for colder temperatures, Ofgem, the energy regulator, has declared an average annual household bill increase from £1,834 to £1,928 – a rise of £94 or 5%. In a world where we're constantly adapting to economic shifts, this news hits hard, especially for those already facing financial challenges. The surge is attributed to higher wholesale costs faced by suppliers. Analysts speculate that prices might ease back in March, but for now, consumers must prepare for a winter with added financial strain. From January onwards, the gas price will be 7p per kWh, and electricity will be 29p per kWh. For those on prepayment meters, the typical annual bill will rise to £1,960, while quarterly cash or chequepayers will face a typical annual bill of £2,058. Standing charges, however, will remain unchanged. This price hike is concerning, especially as winter approaches. Many households are reevaluating their budgets and looking for ways to cope with the increase. One option is to explore the variety of fixed deals on the market, although Ofgem advises caution when navigating these options. I was lucky, and last June I managed to enter a fixed-rate tariff with British Gas. But the implication that this could continue past my term time is worrying. The freezing of standing charges, amid increasing fees, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Ofgem is currently reviewing these charges, reflecting the rising frustration among consumers about fees and the seeming inability to control costs. Last winter, support was offered through the Energy Price Guarantee, limiting typical bills to £2,500, along with a £400 support scheme for each household. This year, however, at the time of writing, no equivalent scheme has been announced, leaving many households anxious about the financial burden of the upcoming winter. As households are in debt to suppliers by a staggering £2.6 billion, it's clear that more needs to be done. The government's recent moves to increase pensions and benefits provide some relief, but the absence of additional direct support is palpable. The energy landscape is undeniably challenging, and as we face these uncertainties, it's crucial to stay informed, explore available options, and collectively voice our concerns. The road ahead may be tough, but with resilience and unity, we can navigate through these challenges. Stay warm and take care.

In a world dominated by digital entertainment, one classic toy continues to capture the imagination of both young and old – LEGO. As the holiday season approaches, LEGO sets become not just toys but gateways to endless possibilities. Did you know that an astounding 30 LEGO sets are sold every second in the run-up to Christmas? The appeal is undeniable, and it goes beyond just being a toy; it's a cultural phenomenon that has touched over 48% of the UK population at some point. LEGO's success story is no accident. Amidst a landscape where many children are engrossed in video games, LEGO has not only maintained its relevance but has grown to become the world's largest toy company, surpassing even industry giants like Mattel. What's remarkable is that LEGO achieved this feat with a brick design that has remained relatively unchanged for over 60 years. The enduring success of LEGO can be attributed to a few key factors: 1. Simple Yet Versatile Design: At the heart of LEGO's success is the iconic brick design – simple, versatile, and capable of sparking boundless creativity. This design has stood the test of time, proving that innovation doesn't always mean drastic change. 2. Recognizable Brand Equity: LEGO isn't just a toy; it's a brand that resonates globally. Loved by kids and adults alike, the brand has become synonymous with play, imagination, creativity, fun, learning, caring, and quality. The LEGO logo is a stamp of timeless entertainment. 3. Core Values: LEGO's commitment to core values such as "Play Well," fostering imagination, and creativity, and ensuring quality has built a strong foundation for the brand. These values are not just slogans but guiding principles that influence product development and experiences. LEGO understood early on that the bricks, on their own, are just bricks. It's the experiences created around them that elevate LEGO to something extraordinary. From Legoland theme parks to blockbuster movies and engaging video games, LEGO has ventured into creating immersive experiences. On a smaller scale, LEGO regularly collaborates with well-known brands, turning partnerships into unique experiences. Collaborations with NASA for space education, creating videos for Facebook's "Kronkiwongi" project, and crafting LEGO Speed Champions Series of vehicles with renowned car brands like Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche are testament to their adaptability and innovation. But what about the future? With projects like Augmented Reality in the works, LEGO is not merely resting on its laurels; it's actively evolving with the times. The company remains dedicated to enhancing the play experience, embracing technology while staying true to its core values. As we marvel at the LEGO sets adorning store shelves this Christmas, let's appreciate not just the bricks but the enduring legacy of a brand that has shaped the childhoods of millions. In a world that constantly changes, LEGO stands as a beacon of timeless joy and creativity, promising to be a cherished part of our lives for generations to come. LEGO lovers, Dive into these Captivating LEGO Facts: LEGO’s founder, Ole Kirk Christiansen, crafted the name “LEGO” from the Danish words LEG GODT, meaning “play well.” If you lined up the 340 million Minifigures produced last year, it would stretch almost 7,900 km – from London, UK to Beijing, China! The famous LEGO brick we play with today is over 50 years old, with bricks from 1958 still fitting seamlessly with those made today. The moulds used to produce LEGO bricks are accurate to within 0.002 mm, ensuring high quality; only about 18 bricks in a million fail to meet standards. The world’s tallest LEGO tower is 28.7m high, made with 465,000 bricks! LEGO Minifigures are the world’s largest population, with over 4 billion around the globe! During Christmas, almost 28 LEGO sets are sold every second. LEGO attractions like LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Manchester hire "Master Model Builders" – a dream job! Laid end to end, the number of LEGO bricks sold in a year would circle the globe over five times. On average, there are 80 LEGO bricks for every person on Earth.

Back when I was a child in primary school and secondary school I loved performing. Where many kids my age would’ve hated any public speaking I genuinely enjoyed it. The rush you get I think is unmatched. It's a mixture of excitement and nerves at first, but once you get started and find your rhythm those nerves start to go away and the adrenaline kicks in. Now I’m 22 and at university, those chances to perform are few and far between. I really don’t care for musical theatre and I’m not studying drama like I was back in secondary school. The closest thing I had to those experiences back in school was probably at college and whilst on placement at ITK’s sister company, Novus. At college I was involved in a lot of promotional videos and content for the brand-new T-Level qualification and at Novus I'd do short videos on my time while on placement. I also did short adverts for ITK’s social media pages. These videos almost gave that same buzz but not quite. Don’t get me wrong I really enjoyed these but not to the same extent as being able to see all the eyes on you. Talking to a camera just isn’t the same. There’s not that instant feedback of a laugh or an obvious face of “this isn’t going too well”. This week I had the chance to change that thanks to a new gig I was about to start. I was going to be the MC at a student boxing event. For 3 hours my job would be to introduce fellow students into the ring and hype up a crowd full of those boxers' mates. It’d been a long time since I’d done anything remotely like this. The last time I’d spoken in front of a crowd this big was never. The closest I’d come was maybe as a 10-year-old in performance at the crucible but this was different. This was an event I’d been to and loved as a spectator and now I was essentially presenting it. I know I’m playing it up but to say I was excited was a massive understatement. I also know this night is really about the fighters. They’re the ones that had for the last 8 weeks been in a training camp, learning a sport that might be completely new to them, and then having to perform in front of a crowd. That’s extremely daunting. The point is most people there weren’t there to see me, my job was simply to help make their night better. When I first stepped into the ring I might have been looking dapper in my tuxedo but inside I was bricking it. It’d been so long since I spoke or performed in front of a crowd. I looked down at my script, I could barely read the words I was shaking that much. Then the adrenaline kicked in, and I belted out a “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to fight night!” Then that feeling came back, the rush brought a smile straight to my face and the cheers of the crowd gave me the confidence to just go for it. I introduced the night, bantered with the crowd about their choice of university and introduced the first fight. Then it was time to get back out of the ring. I sat down outside the ring. At this point, I think I finally breathed. I felt my forehead, it was dripping with sweat but I loved it. I knew I could do this and do it well. I didn’t need the script, I just needed to be me and enjoy this moment. The rest of the night went brilliantly. As I announced more fights my confidence grew and I probably stopped talking so quickly too. Before this, I’d be struggling to find something enjoyable at university. Going out isn’t the same as it used to be. I might just be getting older. It felt like I’d found a hobby almost, but one I could get paid for too. That evening I felt like a celebrity, walking out the venue people were talking to me, saying how good a job I’d done. It was instant positive feedback, something I’d been craving for so long. What was at first a daunting experience I was excited yet apprehensive about, became the best thing for my mental health in years.

The finale of Loki's second season left fans in shock and speculation. The unexpected turns and dramatic character developments have propelled the God of Mischief to an unprecedented level within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His journey from a self-serving trickster to a selfless, caring force has defied all expectations, leaving audiences reeling with surprise. The progression of Loki's character has been a remarkable highlight of the MCU. The depth of his transformation from a self-centred schemer to a selfless friend willing to risk everything for the ones he cares about has been astounding. This growth, particularly evident in the second season, has reshaped the perception of Loki's strength and power, positioning him as one of the most formidable figures in the entire MCU. The magnitude of his newfound abilities, which even rival those of characters like the Scarlet Witch, has stirred discussions and controversy among fans. His evolution into a being capable of holding the multiverse together as the "God of Stories" has drawn parallels to the Asgardian Yggdrasil and the Nine Realms, hinting at a pivotal role in potential future MCU storylines, perhaps even in the vein of the "God Emperor Doom" from the comics' Avengers: Secret Wars. The finale's revelations not only showcased Loki's ascension but also shed light on the fate of pivotal characters. Ravonna Renslayer's narrative took a surprising turn, finding herself trapped in the Void at the End of Time after her actions in the TVA. Meanwhile, the mission of the TVA has shifted towards identifying variants of He Who Remains, alluding to the introduction of exiled Kang, as referenced in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The confirmation of the primary MCU reality as Earth-616, delivered by Mobius, further solidifies the implications of the multiverse's restructuring and the potential challenges that lie ahead. The seismic events of Loki's season 2 finale have left Marvel fans reeling with unanswered questions and anticipation. The transformation of Loki into a pivotal force within the MCU, his role in shaping the multiverse, and the challenges that await not only add depth to his character but also set the stage for an exciting and uncertain future for the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. As the God of Stories, Loki's influence on the multiverse may just be the beginning of an era of unprecedented narrative complexity and thrilling adventures.

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media platforms, TikTok has emerged as a powerhouse, changing the way we consume content and transforming it into a potent tool for businesses to engage with their audiences. TikTok's success can be attributed to its unique format, and today, we'll explore its journey from inception, its potential impact on businesses, and the challenge it poses to traditional media. How TikTok Got Started TikTok, owned by the Chinese company ByteDance, made its international debut in September 2017. However, its origins can be traced back to Douyin, an app launched in China in September 2016. Initially, Douyin was primarily focused on the Chinese market, allowing users to create and share short video clips, typically lasting 15 to 60 seconds. The app swiftly gained popularity within China, garnering millions of users and challenging the dominance of other social media giants like WeChat and Weibo. In 2018, Douyin was rebranded as "TikTok" for the global audience, marking its expansion onto the international stage. This transition allowed TikTok to adapt to the unique preferences and cultural nuances of users from various regions worldwide, effectively making it a global sensation. The Vine Connection For those who remember Vine, an app that allowed users to create and share 6-second video loops, TikTok might seem like a spiritual successor. Vine paved the way for short-form video content and established the groundwork for the success of TikTok. TikTok expanded upon Vine's concept, offering more tools, features, and a user-friendly interface, thus capturing a broader audience. TikTok's massive popularity is primarily driven by Generation Z and millennials, who embrace its short, engaging videos. The platform's algorithm tailors content to individual preferences, ensuring that users continually discover fresh, captivating content, making it a go-to source of entertainment for these younger demographics. Its intuitive, swipe-driven user interface and vast library of effects and music tracks add to its appeal, making it a highly engaging platform. The Business Perspective TikTok has become a powerful marketing tool for businesses. Here's how TikTok is beneficial for companies looking to engage with their audience: Creativity and Authenticity: TikTok encourages creativity and authenticity. Companies can connect with their audience through genuine, relatable content, often featuring behind-the-scenes glimpses and employee stories. This genuine approach helps build trust and a sense of authenticity that resonates with TikTok's user base. Trend Capitalization: TikTok trends spread like wildfire, and businesses can jump on these trends to increase their visibility and engagement. By participating in popular challenges or using trending music, brands can create a viral marketing moment, increasing their reach and impact. Influencer Collaborations: TikTok influencers have massive followings and can effectively promote products and services. Collaborating with influencers can help businesses reach a broader audience and build trust with their target market. The inherent authenticity of TikTok makes influencer endorsements all the more powerful. For a practical example of TikTok's potential for businesses, while scrolling through TikTok this morning, I stumbled upon a clip from the "Baffled Podcast." The snippet, which talked about the differences between Halloween in England and the US piqued my interest, leading me to seek out the full podcast episodes on Spotify. Intrigued by the content, I even explored the Baffled Podcast's website for merchandise. This illustrates how TikTok can drive traffic to external platforms, helping businesses expand their reach and potentially boost sales. TikTok's capacity to captivate its users' attention, even for just a minute, and generate interest in products or services is a powerful asset for businesses looking to increase their online presence. TikTok's journey from its launch to its current status as a dominant force in the social media world is nothing short of remarkable. Its ability to engage younger generations, capitalise on trends, and foster authenticity has made it an invaluable asset for businesses looking to connect with their audience. As TikTok continues to evolve, companies that harness its potential for creativity, engagement, and storytelling will find themselves well-positioned in the competitive world of digital marketing. So, if you're baffled by TikTok's success, perhaps it's time to explore its potential for your own business. With TikTok, businesses have the opportunity to reach an engaged, youthful audience and drive their growth to new heights.

If there’s one thing Britain does well, it's sport. Most of the world's most popular sports were created in Britain. We have such a rich sporting history that we really should be proud of yet watching sport is so expensive. I’m not just talking about going to the stadium but also watching on the TV. The Premier League is the world's best domestic football league. The standard is out of this world. Even smaller teams like Luton Town have some brilliant players and have more than held themselves in the league. But watching the Premier League is far too expensive. Football was always a game for the working class yet they’re being priced out of watching their team whether that be in person or at home. To legally watch Premier League football at home you’d need not one but two broadcast packages. Most of the games are on Sky Sports but some are also on TNT Sport (previously known as BT Sport). Sky Sports starts at £37 per month, a truly ridiculous amount of money. The price of TNT Sport depends. If you have BT Broadband it's £18 per month on top of your package for everyone else it's usually £29.99 but Sky and Virgin can change the price should they wish. That means you’d be paying essentially £67 to legally watch the premier league games available in the UK. There’s also the odd Amazon Prime week where all midweek fixtures are shown on Amazon instead, that’s another £8.99pm to factor in. That price shows no value for money and really does “take the mickey” out of UK football fans. For that amount of money, you’d at minimum expect to be able to watch every game but that’s not the case. When football was first being televised fans and clubs were sceptical. There were worries it would cause attendance at games to drop. A law was passed to counteract the potential of falling attendance due to televised games. Any game on a Saturday that kicks off at 3 pm cannot be shown legally in the UK. Other countries can watch the game, however, through whichever broadcaster provides it in that country. There’s no wonder so many people turn to illegally streaming Premier League football. The “dodgy” fire stick has become a very common occurrence. Whilst I don’t own one myself I do know plenty of people that do. When you can pay the same amount for a yearly subscription on these cracked fire sticks as you would do monthly to do it legally then why would you spend so much extra money? Whilst illegally streaming games is definitely against the law there is another way to watch the Premier League that is more of a grey area than against the law. Other countries' streaming services offer prices that are much better value for money. Over in the US the streaming service ‘Peacock’ shows most premier league games. At around $6 a month, this is a very cheap streaming service, especially when compared to other platforms like Netflix. Whilst you can’t buy a peacock subscription in the UK there is a way to legally purchase Peacock. You can use a VPN (virtual private network) to make your device believe it's in a different country. Should you set your VPN to the US then you’ll be able to subscribe to Peacock and watch more premier league games than you would be able to by spending the full £67 on Sky Sports and TNT Sports. This isn’t against the law. VPNs are legal and many cyber security experts would tell you to purchase one regardless of using it to watch sports but more for online security. There are talks the premier league may eventually move away from traditional cable operators like Sky and create its own streaming platform. With the extraordinary prices Sky and TNT charge UK customers, this really needs to happen sooner rather than later. Whilst the premier league is a fantastic, modern and innovative league, its TV broadcasters are the opposite, providing the bare minimum for as much money as possible. It doesn’t suit football. This is supposed to be a working class sport yet fans are priced out of not only the stadium but also watching it at home.

Last year my opinion on Halloween changed. What I once thought was consumerism at its finest was instead a fun night out. This year however I’m falling back into that original opinion. I must admit I’m writing this before my Halloween night out begins so you might feel I’m not quite giving it a fair chance. I know I’ll enjoy the night out, that’s not the issue here. The issue is just how expensive Halloween now is. Once again, the doom and gloom of the cost-of-living crisis is showing its ugly head. Halloween costumes have never been cheap. Most basic ones at the costume shop were about £20 last year. This year they’re closer to £30. That’s already a huge chunk of money spent, and I’ve not even put the costume on yet. Nightclubs will always raise their prices around Halloween. Its basic supply and demand. More people are more likely to go out over Halloween weekend so why wouldn’t the business try to make more money? Ticket prices, at least in Newcastle, are around £5 - £7 on average. This is just an entry to the club. This year I’ve seen most tickets be around £15 and even seen some higher than £20. Luckily life is sometimes who you know and not what you know so I managed to get a discount, but it still left my ticket price at £10. So, I’ve not even made the club yet and I’m already £40 down. Not a single drink has been bought and already I’ve spent more than a weekly food shop. Drinks in nightclubs, especially on weekends, are almost not worth buying. They’re watered down and even then, they’re never the proper brands. Most students know this so will partake in every student's favourite past time… pre drinks! An average ‘pres’ before this year would cost you maybe £10 max. A small bottle of vodka would be max £7 for the local shop and then the mixer of your choice would be max £1.50. That’s not the case anymore. Even the cheapest bottle of vodka is around £10, the mixer will be under £2. We’re now on at least £50 and I’m still not at the club. You can have plenty of pre-drinks but at some point, you’re still probably going to want a drink. A standard single vodka with lemonade or cola will set you back around £4 but with it being Halloween prices will no doubt rise. If you’re like me and don’t enjoy holding a drink in the club, you might be more inclined to purchase a Jager bomb. Problem with bombs is on their own they’re far too expensive but when you purchase 3, they sound more affordable. I always fall for this in clubs I have to admit. On average 3 bombs is about £10 but sometimes you’ll get 4 for £10. Now we’re on £60 and still quite early into the night. It’s come to the end of the night, and you’ve managed to only purchase one drink or maybe a round in the club. You’re feeling hungry and fancy a takeaway. Best hope you’ve got some money left cause takeaways are very expensive nowadays. Anything you want will be once again around £10. If you want a pizza, you’ll be looking at even more. It’s time to go home. If you live close to the city centre, you’re lucky and will be able to walk home. I’ve walked back plenty of times, but it does take about an hour. A taxi takes about 10 minutes max. On a weekend that taxi will cost around £15 bringing the total cost of the night to around £80. I think £80 is quite a reasonable estimate too. It can be done a bit cheaper, but it can also be done for a lot more money. The point is that it’s simply too much. I know going out isn’t an essential, I’m not for one minute trying to claim it is. But life, especially as a student, is also about having some fun. Halloween is one of these events that young people look forward to but when its going to cost me £50 minimum how can it be justified, especially when the actual price could be a lot more. Luckily, I can reuse a costume for last year but that still doesn’t stop the price of everything else being ludicrous. The narrative that students go out all the time is complete rubbish, many of us can’t even afford the rent.

Working away from home whilst at university means I often don’t really know what’s going on at the office. As with any workplace, colleagues come and go but I never really get a chance to say goodbye to the people leaving us or hello to any new recruits. Last month’s staff bonding event gave me the perfect opportunity. The last time I’d seen anyone from work was Christmas, we were in September so it’s fair to say it had been some time. For those unaware I started at Novus on placement for my T-Level qualification and was then offered a part-time role here at ITK. One of my favorite parts of the placement was being back in the workplace. The relationships you form with your colleagues I think are vital to being productive and making work enjoyable. I can be a big driving force behind the team if everybody gets along. Of course, not everybody will get along in the workplace but especially in small businesses, I think it’s so important to have a good relationship with your colleagues. For our last staff Team Building night out, we truly had a bit of everything. We started off with a fabulous meal at Doncaster’s Relish Bar and Grill. This gave me a great opportunity to catch up with everyone. After going from seeing the team at least two days a week to seeing them twice a year there was plenty to talk about. It also gave me a great opportunity to meet the new members of the team. I say new but in truth, they’d been here a while now I’d just not had the opportunity to see anybody yet in 2023. For anybody wondering, I had a Seafood linguine which tasted just as delicious as it sounded. After the meal, we split into two teams and headed for an escape room challenge. I love escape rooms; they really do force people out of their shells. Working as a team to piece all the clues together requires many different skills that whilst we might not have had individually, we did have as a team. When you finally crack the clue and unlock the next part that’s very rewarding, even if it’s not that meaningful, it’s fun. Escape Rooms in my opinion are the ultimate bonding exercise. They aren’t age restricting so those on placement or apprenticeships can still join in. They force you to communicate with people you might not have outside that room. Even those who are shy will find themselves joining in one room where there are not too many people. It's a lot less daunting than talking to a big group. My group didn’t manage to escape but Novus and ITK boss Brett did manage to escape leading to his ever-gracious victory celebrations. Afterward, we headed to the local Wetherspoons for a quick drink and continued our conversations. Being able to catch up with my colleagues and tell them all about my university experience was great. Before I went to university, I spent a lot of time in the Novus office talking about how much I couldn’t wait to go so being able to finally talk about things that had happened felt really good personally. This is why having these staff bonding events is so important. The post-covid business won’t have everybody in the office every day. People will work from home or maybe work different days with other people even in small businesses. Without your staff you won’t be successful so keeping staff morale high alongside a sense of being part of a team I personally think is so valuable to your business.

Jeremy Hunt announced earlier in October the National Living Wage would increase from £10.42 to £11. It’s a good start but is it enough to help with the cost-of-living crisis? For those who aren’t aware, the national living wage is different from the national minimum wage. It’s the lowest amount workers aged 23 and over can be paid. It’s not a recommendation, it's the law. Annually, the government determines wage rates after considering guidance from the independent advisory body, the Low Pay Commission. Typically, the commission's recommendations are accepted by the ministers. The government had previously established a goal for the national living wage, aiming to attain a level equivalent to two-thirds of median hourly pay by October of the upcoming year. While the Low Pay Commission has yet to officially confirm its recommendations for the next year, it anticipates that the wage rate required to meet the government's objective will fall within the range of £10.90 to £11.43. A care assistant was interviewed by the BBC saying that a pay raise would “help for now” but with the costs of necessities like food and fuel constantly rising she felt her wages would still be “playing catch up”. That being said it would still help and she and her partner might be able to cover bills and put money aside for savings. It says so much about the state of the country right now when a wage increase, that still isn’t really enough with inflation, might just allow a household to have barely enough income for bills and possibly some savings. That should be a given in this country. There is no way in the 21st century we should find people struggling just to live in Britain. There’s enough money in this country for that to be possible yet the greed of corporations still prevails. I feel it’s very important to point out this wage increase is only for people 23 and above. What about young people who have a family? They still need to provide for their children. I struggle to see how age matters when you consider this. Is the government saying your family doesn’t matter as much if you’re young? Some people might say benefits are the answer here. That would be ironic as Jeremy Hunt announced ministers would be looking once again at the benefits system and the requirements for applying to certain benefits. He said this was due to things “going in the wrong direction” due to around 100,000 people leaving the workforce each year for what Mr. Hunt described as a “life on benefits”. Once again the Tories aren’t really interested in helping people during a time when they really need it. It feels like the general election is close but in truth, it’s not. The Tories don’t have to call an early one and in truth why would they when it’s obvious they wouldn’t win right now? It’s not until January 2025 that a general election must be called. We still have well over a year of Rishi Sunak and the conservatives. How long can this country survive without new ideas that focus on the entire point of a country, its people? I read a lot on X (formally Twitter) people asking why a vote of no confidence cannot be called but this would require Tory MPs to vote against their own party. This is highly unlikely to happen. Even if some MPs did vote against their own party, the Conservatives have a huge majority meaning even if some Conservative MPs did want to change sides it would have hardly any impact on the vote. The increase in the national living wage was needed and it certainly will help people. That being said I’m still sceptical as to whether it will be enough as the cost of living continues to rise. The Tories cannot just stop here, they must continue to serve the British people, do the right thing, and provide the necessary support for families up and down the country.

Jimmy Savile was a monster. I refused to call him a man because he simply wasn’t human. Many people my age (21) know about Jimmy Savile but before I watched this BBC drama, I wasn’t fully aware of the scale of the atrocities this vile creature committed. The BBC has come under a lot of criticism for making the drama, but I actually believe this was really important. We cannot forget about Jimmy Savile so that we don’t let anything like this ever happen again. The issue is many young people don’t really know about him. We’ve heard of him, and we all know he was a pedophile, but I don’t think many young people are even close to being aware of just how bad this was. The drama feels eerily real. Steve Coogan's acting in the show is perfect. Whenever he’s on screen it makes your hair stand on its ends, it sends a harrowing shiver down your spine. At times, especially in the first 2 episodes, I found myself retching at what I was watching. I genuinely found myself wanting to be sick. That didn’t make me want to turn the series off though. I almost felt a duty to watch the entire series to educate myself on what this monster did. I felt I had to do it so his victims wouldn’t be forgotten. Each episode starts and ends with recounts from three survivors of Jimmy Savile. They remind you this is very real. These were children who had their lives ruined. The first episode explores Savile as a DJ and how he used his power to abuse children around Leeds and Manchester. I had no idea how much influence he had even before he became a national celebrity. Before you first see him abusing children you see him abusing staff in one of his clubs. The young man goes to the police, but Savile is well-respected by them. It’s important context before seeing his truly vile crimes take place. Perhaps the most interesting part of the drama for me surrounds his mother. I found myself on somewhat of a rollercoaster regarding my opinions on his mother whom Jimmy calls” The Duchess”. I found myself angry with her for not doing more to stop him when I felt she knew what was happening but then also found myself feeling upset for what is an old frail woman, also being manipulated by him. She’s a devout catholic and we see her often in confession. In the end, at least from my own understanding, it seems she knew God would be the final judge of him and whilst yes, she could’ve and should’ve gone to the police, this was her son. One criticism I do have of the drama is its failure to point out just how catastrophic the BBC and NHS’s actions, or lack thereof, were. They show a brief investigation by the BBC that returns no conclusive evidence but don’t dive deeper into the people who let him get away with it for so long. To me, it conveyed that these people who should also hold some responsibilities were equally groomed by Savile. Except they weren’t groomed. They had some inkling of what was happening yet did nothing about it. They didn’t explore the greed of the BBC enough here, instead almost trying to make them out as innocent. The failures of the Police were also brushed under the carpet. They show the police siding with Savile against a nightclub worker apart from that there’s one other scene where one of his victims has the courage to go to the police. They interview Savile but find no evidence. It’s just left at that. On one hand, I suppose it shows a true account of how little institutions did to stop Savile but on the other hand, it feels like the drama went a little soft on these people who knew what was happening yet chose to do nothing about it. Should you watch The Reckoning? It really does depend. I would encourage my parents and older family members who know the horrors of Savile to steer away from the drama. They already know what happened and seeing it dramatised may come across as quite disrespectful. That being said, I think anybody under the age of 30 must watch this. You must educate yourself. You need to be aware of the true volume of his crimes and the extensive amount of time he was allowed to do this. Some things, despite them being truly horrid, we mustn’t forget. Jimmy Savile is one of those. We must remember so something like this cannot happen again.

Storm Barbet has come and battered the UK. Whilst you’ll have heard about flooding up in Scotland and around Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire hasn’t been given the same attention. It left residents feeling abandoned by the authorities. Back in 2007, Catcliffe was devastated by flooding. I was only a young child, but I remember my own house flooding in the neighboring village, but we didn’t have it anywhere near as bad as Catcliffe. Following the floods, the Environment Agency and Rotherham Council spent £15 million on an anti-flooding scheme designed to protect several Rotherham villages from seeing the same devastation again. The problem is it has happened again. It’s happened again and it's worse than before. Whilst other areas of Rotherham did flood, it managed to avoid most of the villages that had previously seen bad flooding in 2007. Catcliffe however wasn’t so lucky. On Saturday (21 Oct) 250 homes were evacuated as the River Rother burst its banks and the village found itself once again struck with disaster. As I’m writing this Catcliffe is still very much underwater. Most residents can’t get to their homes to begin assessing the damage, the water is still far too high. You can fully understand why residents are so angry. After what happened in 2007 this was never supposed to happen again, especially not so soon. People living in Catcliffe struggle to move out not just for sentimental reasons but because they simply can’t sell their houses. After these floods have hit again it’s going to be even harder. Flood defences were set up in Catcliffe but they evidently weren’t enough. Talking to some of my friends in Catcliffe it seems that flood barriers weren’t used correctly meaning the village, which is a natural floodplain, has been sacrificed once again. It’s simply not good enough and quite rightly they want the Environment Agency to do more. Whilst the water level of the river is starting to drop the same cannot be said for the standing flood water. It will need pumping as it did in 2007 but that hasn’t started yet leaving residents even more frustrated. They literally cannot do anything about it. They can’t get to their homes to try and salvage anything. Once again South Yorkshire is left to fend for itself, but this is people's lives. A TV can be replaced but sentimental items can never be replaced. Many people in Catcliffe will have already been struggling. These are people I went to school with, I know the Cost-of-Living Crisis was already an issue for many. Now with their homes destroyed too these people are desperate for help yet it doesn’t seem to be coming. I’m not saying the people of Catcliffe deserve special measures, they deserve the same measures that other areas of the country are getting. Over in Doncaster just 20 minutes away, sandbags were being delivered to protect the villages that have a high risk of flooding. Catcliffe didn’t get that. The true impact of these floods won’t be truly known for a while yet but the people of Catcliffe deserve answers as to how this could be allowed to happen again.

I Tried a Food and Beer Festival It's my second year at university, and I'm still loving it, especially trying new things. Last weekend provided a perfect opportunity to try something new when Newcastle's big food festival of the year came to town. Newcastle's stunning Wylam Brewery was the perfect setting for a great day out. It's found in Exhibition Park, a place I know very well, having lived next to it in my first-year university accommodation halls. My friends and I arrived at the brewery, where our first plan of action was to purchase tokens, which we could then exchange for a plethora of street food. It was £4 per token, which, at first, I thought was quite expensive, but maybe in the current economic climate, this could be considered reasonable or even cheap. After purchasing our tokens, it was time to grab a pint. There were so many options, including beers, ciders, lagers, and IPAs, with the majority being craft. These certainly weren't cheap, but you don't expect them to be when they aren't your typical branded stuff. I went for a pint of IPA called "Beyond the Dream," which was exactly what I wanted but very strong. It's fair to say that after a couple of these, you were certainly beginning to feel it. This was £8 per pint, which normally I would cringe at seeing, but I already knew this was going to be an expensive day, so I had tried to save accordingly. With a pint in hand, it was time to experience the main event: food! I started off with a Thai-inspired fish taco. While the taco shell itself wasn't very large, they definitely didn't hold back on filling it up. The flavours were amazing, a good mix of sweet and savoury with a spicy kick that was small yet did the job perfectly. I noticed an odd texture to the fish, only to then realise it wasn't fish but a plant-based substitute. It's amazing how close they can get the flavouring of fish into these substitutes, but I still feel the texture isn't quite there yet and could potentially be off-putting. This was probably my least favourite dish of the day. That's not to say it wasn't tasty; it tasted better than some of the other foods I tried, but I felt the portion size was a little stingy considering the price of the token. The next place I tried was an Indian street food stall. Here, I had a chicken tikka wrap, which might sound a little boring at a street food event, but that didn't stop it from being delicious. The sauce was perfect, just the right amount of spice, and with the big chicken chunks that required no chewing, it's fair to say I loved this dish. It was wrapped in a thick homemade naan bread, making the perfect combination. The portion size was good too, so you might be surprised to see me put this at the bottom of my rankings. I can't fault anything about it, but the flavours of the fish taco mean the tikka wrap goes into 4th place with the taco in 3rd. After grabbing another pint, this time a DIPA called "Revenge of the Greenbutt Skunk" which was ridiculously strong yet so enjoyable, it was time to try what my friend had described as the best pizza in Newcastle. The slice came from a Chicago-style deep-dish pizza pie. They make their pizzas look like desserts as a cool gimmick that works even better because the pizza tastes so good. I couldn't even begin to describe to you what toppings were on that pizza because there were so many. The flavours of tomato, meat, and vegetables were the main things I remember taste-wise, but the main thing I remember about that pizza is just how much I enjoyed eating it. The company has a permanent shop in Newcastle that I must try, as I was told by my friend it's even tastier when you order from there. This was easily my second favourite dish, which should give you some idea of just how good my favourite was. With my last token, I had a Korean barbecue pulled pork sandwich. That might sound very boring and basic, but it was the complete opposite. The bread was homemade and was easily the nicest bread I've ever tried. The crust was so crunchy, yet the dough inside was almost bubbly, filled with so many little air pockets. The pork was incredible and topped with the Korean barbecue sauce; this was a perfect pulled pork sandwich and a perfect way to end my day of tasting food. Probably the best part of this event was how it catered to everybody. There were university students, families with young children, workdays out, and so many dogs. The park is very easy to get to and just on the outskirts of the city centre, so it's fair to say there were plenty of people there. Set over two days, I'd be interested to know how much the event made; I'm sure it made a fair few pennies.