Christmas Links #16


 A rare interview with Juliette Binoche - the new President of the European Film Academy:
"Euronews Culture sits down with award-winning actress Juliette Binoche, in her first year as President of the European Film Academy, to talk about cinema and the importance of choosing your filmgoing experience."

"Latin dancing, Indian butter and American soldiers are some of the clues for this year's cryptic Christmas challenge set by the national spy agency."

"Charlotte Pugmire, her husband Mark and their two daughters have been living in a caravan near Cowes since July. It is temporary accommodation provided by the Isle of Wight council for the homeless."

"From stinky tofu to Oreo-calamari, there’s a method to their specialty-pie madness."


"The following guest post from media historian Taylor Cole Miller is part of our Vanishing Culture series, highlighting the power and importance of preservation in our digital age."

"Nearly 5bn lb of gift returns end up in landfills every year and yet there is a certain taboo around compiling a gift list."

"The Christmas ad season has been in full swing for a while now, and at this point we’re used to getting our heartstrings tugged at. Campaigns around this time of year are hard wired to evoke festive nostalgia, remind us of better times, and bring some magic into our day."

"The Oscar-winning director, who completes a trilogy of Christmas shorts with Disney+ film, jokes how he knows when something is a Christmas film: "It’s when Bruce Willis tries to save his wife.""

Christmas Links #15


"All over the world, Christmas celebrations reflect local culture and traditions. The festivities can be startlingly different from country to country, focusing on different aspects of the nativity story."

"A group of knitting enthusiasts has transformed a shop window into a fun Christmas scene using knitted nude local characters."

"Bryn Terfel, Lucy Worsley, Isata Kanneh-Mason, Eleanor Oldroyd, Angel Blue, Charlotte Ritchie, Courtney Pine and more share their festive favourites."

"The beds are on sale now, but are unlikely to arrive before Christmas for those who order."

"The TARDIS returns to iPlayer and BBC One on Christmas Day - but can the Doctor save Christmas everywhere, all at once?"

"Add some quality, booze-free sparkle to your festive drinks list."

"St. Nicholas may have inspired Santa Claus, but the two figures were remarkably different."

"FoodCycle host a meal to bring people together every Tuesday at the Teams Life Centre."

"Art Kane’s “Harlem 1958” gathered giants of the music. Sonny Rollins, 94, looks back at the historic picture."

"On 3 December 1984, Wham! released a Christmas single that over the years would lose none of its power despite becoming a sonic monolith of the festive season. Ian Wade reflects on how the song has haunted his life, and the strange melancholy of a Christmas pop death."

Christmas Links #14


"British Antarctic Survey (BAS) staff working on the frozen continent are preparing to celebrate the festive season in style. Nearly 300 researchers, engineers, crew and support staff, located across five research stations and on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough, are guaranteed a white Christmas complete with snow, ice and penguins."

"Buckle up for a cosmic joyride with Doctor Who Bear! With Doctor Who paw pads and two special hearts stitched on its chest, this cuddly teddy bear is all set to travel through time and space. Add a Doctor Who costume and sonic screwdriver to your Doctor Who teddy bear and start exploring the universe together."

"Kay Harker's adventures begin in the train on the way home for Christmas. There's snow on the wind and wild dogs roaming the countryside. Something mysterious is about to happen."

"Daryl Worthington rounds up his 18 favourite tapes from 2024, and his favourite cassette label of the year. From heavy metal choirs to radical turntables, revolutionary bagpipes and hooligan trombones."

"Cheap and cheerful ideas from creators to make your home feel extra festive."

"A doctor has shared five Christmas foods that can aid weight loss by naturally boosting GLP-1 levels, the hormone targeted by appetite-suppressing drugs like Wegovy."

"Test your knowledge of the festive season, economics, politics and sport."

"Crystal clear sounds and stunning looks too."

"She promises us the ‘ho-ho-ho-iest’ hour of all … and she delivers! The gloriously droll star brings the festive special bang up to date."

"The search has begun for a newborn baby to take the lead role in a village's 2025 nativity play.  The Reverend Peter Francis, Rector of Woodchester, Rodborough, and Brimscombe, issued a plea for a newborn baby to star as baby Jesus in Brimscombe's Roaming Nativity last week."

Christmas Links #13


"From UberEats to dog food and even a queen bed — no package is off limits for parcel thieves, some brazen enough to walk into an apartment lobby with CCTV without looking sideways." 

Where can I listen to Big Finish for free? 
"There are plenty of opportunities to listen to our audio dramas free of charge – here’s how."

"Many of us struggle with social anxiety at the best of times, and it’s something that can feel heightened at this time of year."

"It was all about big hair, gaudy decorations, and the thrill of unwrapping a He-Man action figure or Cabbage Patch Kid under the glow of a tinsel-covered tree."

"There are waiting lists to work in a soup kitchen on Christmas - that says it all."

"Farnworth actor and comedian Diane Morgan will be back on screen this month with a much-anticipated Christmas special."

"If I had to pick a favorite month of the year, December would take the cake."

"Roll your eyes all you like at restaurants’ Christmas prices, but remember there are people giving up their day to cook for you."

"Hayley Burgess said the community loves helping with her business because of what it stands for."

"A rail operator has created a low-alcohol beer as part of a campaign to improve passenger safety over Christmas."