Lifestyle
Germaine Greer due to give Wellington Literary Festival talk
Six of the best gadget chargers
Go Gatsby
Print works
Chez Maw - The Valley Hotel, Ironbridge
It doesn’t get mentioned in the same breathy tones as Ludlow’s Michelin-rated restaurants, or the fast-rising stars of Shrewsbury.
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Digital Editions Beauty
more storiesGlow on a detox
It might feel as though we've only just ditched our winter coats, but bikini season is just around the corner.
Smells like summer
Your wardrobe isn't the only thing that needs updating once the barometer starts to rise. Scent should be summer appropriate too, meaning that rich, heavy fragrance that complemented your winter faux furs and party frocks is due a holiday.
Do a Daisy
Fuelled by the Great Gatsby blockbuster to be released on May 16, the beauty world is getting into a flap about flappers.
Holidays
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Fashion
more storiesPrint works
There's plenty on offer for minimalists this season, but for maximalists there will always be print.
Sheer delight
On paper, the trend for see-through clothing sounds too showy and scary to even contemplate. Put it into practice, however, and transparency has the potential to become one of this summer's chicest looks - yes, really!
Gok says 'hi summer'
Look away now if you haven't yet familiarised yourself with your spring wardrobe - because the high street has already moved swiftly on to 'high summer'.
Gardening
more storiesRoll with the weather, says Diarmuid
You would have thought that when he moved to a new house in Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland, Diarmuid Gavin, the enfant terrible of the gardening fraternity, would have wasted no time hauling in the diggers, landscaping materials, amazing plants and architectural altars.
100 years of inspiration
So, what are we going to learn from this year's internationally acclaimed horticultural show?
Keep bees buzzing
Reports that our bee population is at crisis point as numbers have been hit by bad weather and particularly long winters should prompt responsible gardeners to protect our bees by creating a prosperous environment for them.
Dining Out
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Showbiz News
more storiesTonight’s the night for Zoe Cooper and Aquabatique on BGT
Shropshire’s Zoe Cooper has urged the county to get behind her tonight as she aims to book her place in the final of Britain’s Got Talent – after admitting she has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the support she has received.
Leominster Morrisons alcohol ban for Arlene Phillips
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Arlene Phillips was refused alcohol at a supermarket in Leominster, it emerged today.
Kerry Katona joins spooky fun at Whittington Castle
Spooky going-ons have been filmed at a castle in Shropshire for a television programme presented by reality TV star Kerry Katona.
Competitions
more storiesWin BBC Gardeners’ World Live tickets and meet presenter Carol Klein
BBC Gardeners’ World Live, featuring The RHS Flower Show Birmingham, is promising to be one of the best days out this summer and we have two tickets up for grabs in today’s competition plus, the chance to meet gardening expert and TV presenter Carol Klein.
Merc competition winners
The winners of the Merc competition published in the Express & Star and Shropshire Star on February 28.
Latest competition winners - Kwik-Fit
The winners of the Kwik-Fit competition published in the Shropshire Star and Express & Star on December 29.
Food
more storiesChez Maw - The Valley Hotel, Ironbridge
It doesn’t get mentioned in the same breathy tones as Ludlow’s Michelin-rated restaurants, or the fast-rising stars of Shrewsbury.
Elizabeth's leafy legacy
Food fans flock to food festival at Ludlow Castle
Full points for a Eurovision feast
DIY
more storiesCosy up to carpet
A home wouldn't be homely without carpet. Carpet makes it cosy and comfy underfoot, and it's less draughty and more heat retentive and sound absorbing than many other floor coverings.
Money and materials matter
Financing a self-build isn't necessarily easy, especially in this economic climate, but it's certainly possible. Selling your home, or releasing the equity in it, is one option (and ideal for buying the building plot), but many self-builders need a loan for the project, and a self-build mortgage is a popular choice.
Be a have-a-go hero
If you've watched one episode of Grand Designs too many and have been bitten by the self-build bug, be prepared for a bumpy ride.