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Britain is well-known for its great bakers, who produce a multitude of traditional tasty treats, including pasties, scones, loaves and biscuits. For most of the population, baking at home was something that didn't begin until the mid-19th century. Prior to this, most ordinary people, at the poorer end of the social scale, couldn't afford adequate cooking facilities, as ovens weren't a standa...

Long before the days of gaming consoles, mobile phones, social media and digital TV channels, for kids growing up in the 1950s, entertainment was provided by the likes of Bill and Ben the Flower Pot Men. As was one of the first television shows aimed at young children, it was launched by the BBC on 18th December 1952, as part of the Watch with Mother series. The puppet show was created by a ...

Filmmaker and deep-sea explorer James Cameron has won a multitude of awards for his movies, which include the 1997 blockbuster, Titanic - the record-holder for the highest-grossing film in history. The films that he has directed have grossed a massive $2 billion at the box office worldwide. The 64-year-old Canadian is also a keen environmentalist and an expert diver. He began deep-sea explor...

Plastic is a material that many of us take for granted these days, yet its early introduction as celluloid plastic saw it as an alternative to ivory, linen and tortoiseshell, rather than as a material in its own right. © arborpulchra / Adobe Stock Image   Origins There are various people credited with the development of celluloid plastic, but probably most famously, in 1855, Br...

Largely as a result of films like Jaws, sharks are usually perceived as being ruthless killers and many people refer to them as the ocean's most dangerous creature, but a new body of research has suggested that sharks are a lot more intelligent than we think - and they aren't actually that interested in killing humans! Scientists and animal experts have discovered that sharks are a lot more ...

Celebrity chef Heston Blumenthal has invented some unique cooking techniques that incorporate science - using a style that has been labelled "gastronomic alchemy". He has thrilled foodies with his creations, such as the flaming sorbet and even egg and bacon ice-cream. He uses an amazing array of scientific equipment in his kitchen - yet admits he failed his chemistry O-level and doesn't like...

While plastic is increasingly seen as a negative in the environment (due to carelessly-discarded waste affecting our planet, oceans and wildlife), each of us can do our bit to help recycling initiatives. As well as having a positive effect on the world around us, recycling can also benefit individuals - by transforming used plastic into functional items that will enhance our day-to-day life....

Spring is in the air and it appears we're finally saying goodbye to winter, following the recent stormy spell. Spring is one of the most exciting and uplifting times of year, bringing joy to everyone as the days get longer and the weather becomes warmer. It’s a busy time for gardeners, as there are many jobs that need to be done in preparation for the explosion of colour in the garden. It's ...

The bullfinch is a bird known for its beautiful singing voice and distinctive chunky head. It lives across the UK and Europe and has an "amber" conservation status, as the species is gradually recovering from a population decline in the late 20th century. The bullfinch belongs to the passerine family of birds, which are also known as perching birds, or songbirds, although the latter descript...

Plastic waste is having a major impact on the environment. Most single-use plastic items are discarded after being used for just a couple of minutes, but their environmental impact can last for hundreds of years. Plastic decomposes slowly and can remain a hazard for centuries. As one of the main sources of pollution, a thick plastic bottle used for detergents or soft drinks takes between 450...