Cooking on TV for Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield is a real blast

At last, I’ve got time to breathe. During the past month, it seems as though my feet haven’t touched the ground.

When I see spring lamb I just think of mint sauce

There are many things to love about being in Shropshire, including the glorious countryside.

Who is this woman in my passport pictures?

I am nothing like my photographs. Or wait a minute, perhaps that should be my photographs are nothing like me.

Star comment: Right idea, but timing all wrong

A man leaves a Comet store on its final day of trading.

Sadly, the reaction from shoppers says it all. They are not the least bit surprised at today’s news that plans to create a sparkling new £150 million shopping centre in the heart of Shrewsbury have hit a potentially fatal stumbling block.

Muslim prayer centre should build bridges

The former register office at Column Lodge, Shrewsbury

“GO back back too (sic) ya own country and take ya mosk (sic) with ya”.

Star comment: Small step in the right direction

With town centre traders needing all the help they can get, the 15 minutes free parking being brought in by Shropshire Council from Monday is a small gesture which takes a step in the right direction.

Blog: Why this bridge brings back all my yesterdays

The builders' cast-iron plate on the bridge near Kemp's Field

Even though it was getting dark and objects were turning into dim and hazy shapes, the light would remain switched off because "you wouldn't want to waste electricity, would you?"

Star comment: Decision to shut Shrewsbury Dana prison was hasty

The closure of Shrewsbury Prison was a bolt from the blue which, we now know, showed a contemptuous disregard for the staff who over the years gave such good and loyal service within its walls.

Star comment: Angelina Jolie's action will save lives of others

Oscar-winning A-lister Angelina Jolie has been characteristically brave in making public her decision to undergo a double mastectomy.

The Beautiful Game is on its last legs

I hate football and so do you, deep down. Sure, some of us cover it up quite well, but beneath the surface, it’s a different ball game.

Being on the roads is just driving me a little crazy

It’s that age old argument, women are the worst drivers. Well according to the Driving Standards Agency which released some crazy figures recently stating us ladies made more mistakes in our tests than men. Whatever.

Losing sleep and my mind with 3am fighting talk

Losing sleep and my mind with 3am fighting talk

Star comment: Brave men are finally recognised

Ivan Hall, on the left, with a fellow apprentice whose name he only recalls as 'Rogers' on the quayside in Santos, Brazil, in 1940

The Dambusters squadron, whose daring and audacious raids during World War Two are often cited as the very essence of British bravery and ingenuity, will be quite rightly showered with plaudits this week.

Blog: Flax Mill redevelopment a feather in the cap for Shrewsbury

Ditherington’s Flax Mill is famed for being the world’s first iron-framed building

Could it? Finally? Is Shrewsbury's Flax Mill about to see some real movement on its looooooooooooong awaited redevelopment?

Star comment: Pitfalls of payment by results

The new proposals from the Government to ensure offenders are supervised for at least a year after they have been freed from prison is being billed as a payment-by-results initiative.

Star comment: Struggling NHS under more strain

Shropshire’s health service finds itself dangerously close to the eye of a perfect storm.

Shirley Tart: Our Queen deserves a medal

The Queen, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh, attends the rededication of the newly refurbished Temple Church organ during Choral Evensong at Temple Church, London. She will deliver her Queen’s Speech today.

Who on earth would want her job? A day after making headlines by announcing she will not be attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting this year, the Queen was today centre stage again as the Government lays out its plans for the year ahead.

Star comment: Let’s hope new service will deliver

What is the Royal Mail for? It is the fundamental question which is thrown sharply into focus by moves which will effectively see a transformation from a people’s service into a private enterprise.

You just can’t shut George Clooney up these days

So there I was chatting to George Clooney at a film premiere in Rome. What? Should I have issued a ‘name drop’ alert there? You think? Sorry. Bear with.