Lead Single: August 21, 2026

Album Release: September 4, 2026
Album Launch Concert: October 18, 2026 — Cosmopolite Scene, Oslo

Malian-born, Oslo-based percussionist and cultural ambassador Sidiki Camara is set to release Ankaben, his most ambitious project to date, bringing together an extraordinary ensemble of Norwegian jazz, folk and contemporary musicians.

The album, whose title translates to “Humanity”, is a deeply personal expression of Camara’s belief in the power of music to connect people across cultures, genres and borders. Following his 2023 Norwegian Grammy (Spellemannprisen) win for Return to the Traditions, Ankaben continues his lifelong exploration of Malian musical traditions through collaboration and improvisation.

A Lifetime Connected Through Music

Camara began playing music in Mali at just 10 or 11 years old, eventually choosing music over formal education to pursue a professional career. His journey has taken him from Bamako to Brussels, where he lived from 1989 to 2006, and ultimately to Oslo, where he has been based since 2006.

Throughout his career, Camara has worked with some of the most respected names in international music. His collaborations include legendary Malian musician Boubacar Traoré, with whom he toured the United States, as well as acclaimed guitarist Bill Frisell. After Frisell encountered Camara performing with Traoré, he invited him to join his trio on a European tour, eventually contributing to the Grammy-winning album Intercontinentals. Camara subsequently spent several years touring internationally with Frisell.

His musical collaborations have continued to cross boundaries, with a career encompassing artists including Ali Farka Touré, Mamady Keita, Karpe and Esperanza Spalding.

An All-Star Norwegian Ensemble

For Ankaben, Camara has assembled an exceptional group of musicians:

• Bendik Hofseth – Saxophone
• Unni Løvlid – Vocals
• Sarah Camille – Vocals / Spoken Word
• Erik Sollid – Fiddle
• Jacob Young – Guitar
• Audun Erlien – Bass
• Eirik Askerøi – Guitar

The album grew out of the acclaimed Sidiki Camara // A Life in Music performance, which debuted at Oslo World in 2024. The ensemble returned to the studio in June 2026, recording at Oslo’s legendary Rainbow Studios, with mixing and mastering handled by Martin Abrahamsen.

“Music Connects and Brings Spirit to All Peoples”

At the heart of Ankaben is Camara’s belief that music can offer an alternative to division and conflict.

“Ankaben is about meeting across genres and cultures through mutual respect and spontaneous creation. It’s a reflection of my life’s journey through sound.” — Sidiki Camara

When asked what he would most like the press to focus on, Camara highlighted humanity as the central message of Ankaben: a world in which people connect through music, togetherness and joy rather than division and war.

The project follows a series of major career achievements, including Camara’s 2023 Norwegian Grammy and the “Attestation De Reconnaissance” award presented by the Malian government in January 2026 in recognition of his contribution to Malian culture.

Camara will also appear at several upcoming Norwegian events, including the Drammen Sacred Music Festival on September 16, Djembe Tekno at Holmlia Kulturhavn on September 19, and a Sidiki Camara Group performance at Holmlia Kulturhavn on November 7.

With Ankaben, Sidiki Camara continues to build a musical world where West African tradition, Norwegian contemporary music, jazz and spontaneous collaboration can meet. His ambition is clear: to bring this music and its message of humanity to audiences around the world.

Sidiki Camara’s dream is to take his group on a world tour — carrying the message of Ankaben and the universal language of music with him.

Follow Sidiki Camara

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sidiki_camara_yankadi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sidiki.camara.376

Website: www.sidikicamara.com
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/sidikicamara

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET FOR JUST £12 (UNDER 18s GO FREE)

Over 60 authors selling books

Liverpool Book Festival has again rotated authors to ensure that it’s fresh each time. Joining us on Sunday 15th November are some familiar faces such as comic book legends Tim Quinn and Kev Sutherland, SAS national hero Rusty Firmin and celebrity chef Dave Critchley. The festival will also welcome back comedy great Stan Boardman, viral podcaster Shaun Attwood, famous poet Joseph Roberts and bestselling authors Jane Costello and Caroline Corcoran.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET FOR JUST £12 (UNDER 18s GO FREE)

Artisan Stalls & Street Food

Liverpool Book Festival has curated a fascinating mix of artisan traders — with a few existing ones and some festival first timers. Guests can browse a range of artsy and bookish products ideal for Christmas gifts courtesy of some of the region’s wonderful bakers, makers and creators. There’ll even be live portraits available. Meanwhile, the BoxPark street food vendors will be offering mouthwatering delights!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET FOR JUST £12 (UNDER 18s GO FREE)

Fascinating Talks Throughout The Day

Liverpool Book Festival will feature some fascinating talks in the Beat Box conference room throughout the day, with something for everyone. The day’s talks include….

• Book launch and poetry with Ged Thompson
• Book launch and poetry with Joseph Roberts
• A conversation with Jane Costello and Caroline Corcoran
• Hard Time with podcaster and activist Shaun Attwood
• First Contact with The Matses Tribe with Lewis Powell
• Q&A with celebrity chef Dave Critchley
• Q&A with Alison Schultz about new book and living with MS
• Q&A with ‘Lightning Man’ Campbell Gillespie
• Q&A with Jude Lennon and Maggie Foggarty
• Panel discussion with Maddison House Press

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET FOR JUST £12 (UNDER 18s GO FREE)

Live Music

Liverpool Book Festival also rotates the music line up to ensure it’s a different experience each time. The line up for the Christmas special features gorgeous acoustic music from Daisy Gill (BBC Radio 6 Music, The Voice UK) and Neil Campbell (BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Radio Merseyside). Meanwhile, there’ll be a performance and album launch from local legend Jimmy Coburn and cool disco grooves from DJ Esteban. Once again, Liverpool Book Festival will be bringing all the good vibes!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET FOR JUST £12 (UNDER 18s GO FREE)

Tickets Just £12 (Under 18s Go Free)

Tickets for Liverpool Book Festival Christmas Special at BoxPark on Sunday 15th November are just £12, with under 18s going free. The festival, that came 3rd for Event Of The Year at Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards and has been featured by BBC News, continues to go from strength to strength — with a revolving line up and a new experience each time.

Liverpool Book Festival Christmas Special / Sunday 15th November 2026, 11am-5pm / BoxPark, Cains Brewery Village, Liverpool, L8 5XJ

CLICK HERE FOR TICKET FOR JUST £12 (UNDER 18s GO FREE)

The towns, cities and regions across the UK that score highest and lowest for their food hygiene ratings have been revealed, thanks to a report from leading online training provider High Speed Training.

The report, which analysed Food Standards Agency (FSA) data for almost 240,000 food businesses across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, found that across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the average food hygiene rating from analysed businesses was 4.57.

A similar report run in 2025 by High Speed Training calculated the score at 4.56, showing that food hygiene standards have slightly improved in recent years, with 88% of businesses scoring a 4 or 5, and 72% scooping top marks.

The top-scoring region was the South West, with an average rating of 4.69 from over 21,000 premises. This was followed by the North East (4.66), Northern Ireland (4.65) and the East Midlands (4.64). The 2025 report placed the South West top (4.67), with the North East and Northern Ireland joint second (both 4.64), and the East Midlands fourth (4.63).

Across England, Northern Ireland and Wales, 501 premises scored a zero, with 25,503 (11.7%) premises scoring a 3 or below. The most common rating scored by businesses was 5, with 72% of all premises across England, Northern Ireland and Wales scoring top marks.

London had the lowest average rating in the study, as it did in 2025, with a score of 4.39. However, London had by far the most establishments, with almost 37,000 premises contributing to the rating. The capital also increased its rating from 2025, by 0.01.

The East Counties town of Ipswich and North West seaside town Southport topped the individual rankings, with a highly impressive 4.92 out of 5, closely followed by Chichester (4.91), Stockton-on-Tees (4.86), and Lincoln (4.85).

The bottom three towns were Bolton (4.03), Walsall (4.03) and Wigan (4.06).

However, if London boroughs were counted as separate towns, they would claim the three bottom spots in the country – Ealing: 3.91, Newham: 3.94, Waltham Forest: 3.97.

The biggest improver was Salisbury (4.66), which improved its rating by 0.19, placing it 19th in the overall rankings. The biggest faller was Burton upon Trent (4.39), which saw its rating drop by a UK-wide high of 0.30, placing it 42nd in the overall rankings.

High Speed Training’s report also found that 1 in 5 takeaways (19.5%) across England, Wales and Northern Ireland scored a 3 or below for their food hygiene rating.

In big cities, this number rose significantly. In Birmingham (37%), Liverpool (37%), and Manchester (26%), the numbers were noticeably higher.

All in all, 501 premises scored a 0, and 3,309 scored just a 1 for their rating.

High Speed Training’s report is now in its 5th consecutive year, and over this time, average ratings across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have increased, from an average of 4.49 in 2022 to 4.58 in 2026. The average rating rose each year, apart from 2024, when it fell slightly to 4.47.

All but one of the analysed regions improved their rating from 2022 to 2026, with the West Midlands and the North East sharing the biggest increase in average rating, a rise of 0.10. 

The only region to record a drop in average rating over the 5-year period was Northern Ireland, dropping by 0.04, though it is worth noting that Northern Ireland has been a strong performer in the context of all the regions analysed, taking the top region spot twice and never dropping out of the top 3 since 2022.

The Food Hygiene Rating Scheme (FHRS) is a partnership with local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that was launched in 2010. Following regular inspections, ratings are devised based on the standard of food handling hygiene, the physical condition of the premises and facilities and food safety management practices. These ratings are then made available on the Food Standards Agency (FSA) website and are usually visible from outside of the premises, often presented in a window near the entrance.

In Wales and Northern Ireland, it is compulsory for businesses to display their food hygiene rating. However, in England it is currently just considered best practice.

Dr Richard Anderson, Director of Learning at High Speed Training, said: “Food safety and robust hygiene practices should be of paramount importance to food businesses, and to the customers who use them. Over the last 5 years, we have seen trends broadly improve across the whole of the UK, which is a really positive sign. These ratings are a direct reflection of how safely and hygienically an establishment operates, and we urge businesses and customers to take them seriously.

“For businesses that perform well, a high rating is a real selling point. However, establishments with a low hygiene rating can be extremely off-putting for customers, and may have a significant impact on reputation and profitability.”

“Our report shows that, on average, standards remain high across the UK, and have improved from 2025. This commitment to correct food hygiene training for staff, alongside robust food management procedures and everyday good practices are crucial to not only performing well as a business, but attracting and retaining customers.

“We would urge customers to always check the food hygiene ratings of establishments they wish to dine at, as it allows them to make an informed decision when choosing where to eat.”

To view the report in full, and to see how your area compares to others, please click here

Levens Hall and Gardens – a glorious Elizabethan house and gardens in the Southern Lake District, Cumbria – is creating additional fun this summer holidays, to help families benefit from the current VAT cut on admission and enjoy an added bonus of wizarding wonderment.

The magical gardens have a true Alice in Wonderland-like quality within one part of the property – the world’s oldest topiary garden.  Here, children’s imaginations can run wild, as they study weird, wonderful, easier-to-work-out, and geometric dimensions of over 100 topiary trees of all shapes and sizes.

These include the two towering topiary Umbrella trees, the children’s favourite of the Toppling Wedding Cake and even Darth Vader and Homer Simpson.

But the rest of the gardens, within which there is also a small children’s playground, should be equally inspiring for children, if a little pre-visit homework is done.  To assist this, Levens Hall and Gardens has created its own wizarding role-play challenge. The aim is to engage children in both plant and flower identification, plus creative spell-casting that can fire up the imagination.

Families are asked to find a dozen specified plants around the 10-acre gardens, whose scientific names sound very much like those that any self-respecting wizard would utter.  Parents, grandparents and guardians are invited to swot up on the plant visuals before they arrive and then help kids spot these 12 plants as they move respectfully around the gardens.

On discovering them, children can utter the plant’s scientific name in flamboyant fashion, channelling their inner wizard. Children can use their imagination to decide what each declaration of a scientific plant name will mean as a spell – something bound to result in giggles and family fun.

The 12 plants to be found in this wizarding garden game are:

1.     Taxus bacata

2.     Morus alba

3.     Tropaeolum speciosum

4.     Liriodendron tulipifera

5.     Magnolia grandiflora

6.     Cynara cardunculus

7.     Canna indica

8.     Cleome hassleriana

9.     Cucurbita pepo

10.  Nepeta faassenii.

11.  Phaseolus coccineus

12.  Foeniculum vulgare

Thanks to the VAT cut for heritage attraction admission before September 1, admission costs have tumbled.  A gardens-only family ticket for two adults and up to three children (aged 5-16) is now just £28.27.  Adult garden entry costs £11.36 before this date, children’s tickets are priced at £4.15 and under 5s enter for free.  These garden-only tickets, at these new prices, must be bought on arrival.

This makes it the ideal summer to discover the joys of the Levens Hall gardens, from the huge Beech Circle with its five-metre-high hedges, to the lovely relaxing Fountain Garden, boasting tranquillity and a lily-bearing pond.  Add to this: glorious herbaceous borders; rose garden; historic Bowling Green; herb garden; delightful orchard; England’s oldest ha-ha and, of course, the Guinness World Record-holding Topiary Garden and there is so much to see.

Families can also treat the kids to the delights of the Elizabethan Hall, with items owned by both the Duke of Wellington and Napoleon, plus lots more besides.  House and garden admission is reduced to £37.36 for a family of two adults and up to three children, £15.12 for an adult ticket and £5.03 for a child’s admission, with these prices applicable before September 1 and when tickets are bought on arrival.  Under-5s again enter for free.

More information can be found at www.levenshall.co.uk by any adults planning days out for budding young wizards this summer holidays.

Julia’s Song promises to reveal the woman behind one of the most famous names in music history, bringing Julia Lennon’s remarkable story centre stage and exploring the profound influence she had on her son long before The Beatles changed popular music forever.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Taking place at The Epstein Theatre from 10th–12th September 2026, the production presents Julia not simply as John Lennon’s mother, but as a fascinating character in her own right: vivacious, rebellious, musical, funny and determined to live life on her own terms. For Beatles fans who know the tragedy of Julia’s early death but perhaps much less about the woman herself, the play promises a revealing and deeply emotional journey.

Julia Lennon was a hugely important influence on the young John. Musically gifted and full of fun, she loved music and played the banjo, encouraging her son’s own developing passion for performing. Julia’s Song explores that relationship and the musical connection between mother and son, presenting Julia as one of the people who helped ignite the spark that would eventually lead Lennon towards The Beatles.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

But her own life was filled with drama long before her son became famous. The story begins with Julia as a carefree teenager in Liverpool, taking audiences back to 1929 and her meeting with John’s future father, Freddie Lennon, in Sefton Park. From there, the production follows Julia through the changing world of the 1930s and the upheaval of the Second World War. Her complicated personal life, romances and controversies are explored alongside her infectious sense of fun and love of music.

Rather than treating Julia merely as a supporting character in John Lennon’s story, the production puts her experiences, personality and choices at its heart. As the story moves into the 1950s, audiences see the young John Lennon increasingly drawn towards music. The play takes in one of the defining periods in Liverpool’s cultural history, including Lennon’s meeting with Paul McCartney and the formation of The Quarrymen – the skiffle group that would ultimately evolve into The Beatles.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Julia lived long enough to witness the beginnings of her son’s musical journey, but tragically never saw where it would lead. The production builds towards the devastating events of 1958, when Julia was killed at the age of just 44. Her death came at an extraordinary moment in John’s young life, shortly after Lennon and The Quarrymen had made their first recording. The loss of his mother would have a profound and lasting impact on him, later finding expression in some of his most personal songwriting.

By placing Julia’s own story alongside the earliest chapters of Lennon’s musical development, Julia’s Song offers audiences a different perspective on a history many Beatles fans may feel they already know. Music is naturally at the heart of the production. Julia’s Song is written and directed by Sylvia Hall and produced by Brian McCann, with the show featuring six original songs written by Tom McConnell and Peter Davies.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Those songs help bring Julia’s musical personality to life while connecting the different periods of a story spanning almost three decades. The result promises to be both a celebration of Julia’s spirit and an emotional exploration of a complicated woman whose influence can be traced through the life and music of her famous son. The talented cast comprises of some of Liverpool theatre’s brightest stars, including Alison Crawford, Florence King, Olivia Whittaker, Luke Seddon and Adam Johnson.

Playwright Sylvia Hall, 77, is a Beatles expert who spent more than a decade as custodian of Paul McCartney’s childhood home. She said: “The more I learned about Julia, the more I wanted to understand the woman behind the stories and the labels. She was complex, vibrant, funny and full of life — and above all, she deserved to be remembered in her own right. This production will give audiences an insight into her life, and indeed John’s, like never before.”

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

For Beatles devotees, Lennon fans and anyone fascinated by Liverpool’s musical history, Julia’s Song offers the opportunity to discover a story that has rarely been given the spotlight in its own right. Julia Lennon was a mother and muse, but she was also a musician, a rebel and a larger-than-life Liverpool character with a compelling story of her own. This September, that story finally takes centre stage.

Julia’s Song / 10th-12th September 2026 / The Epstein Theatre, Liverpool

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Follow Julia’s Song on FACEBOOK

Agnieszka Stefaniak, 46, took part in an Ultra White Collar Boxing (UWCB) event at Club Republic in Leicester in March. She did so to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation, which aims to prevent poor mental health and help people understand, protect, and sustain their well-being.

Agnieszka’s decision to step into the ring was driven by a desire to improve her own mental health, after her son, aged 15, attempted to take his own life during a severe mental health crisis.

Agnieszka recalled, “Two weeks before my 45th birthday, our lives were turned upside down by my son’s tragic incident. He is my absolute world and so full of life, but all of a sudden he was recovering from several major injuries including a fractured spine and broken hip. I struggled to cope with what had happened; it honestly felt like our lives had come crashing down.” 

She continued, “I became really depressed and felt lots of anger towards the world because of what happened. Three days before my birthday he came back home from hospital, and at this point my own mental health had taken a turn for the worse. But after one particularly dark day, I knew that something needed to change or I would look back with regret. I went looking for something that would allow me to channel my pent up emotion into a positive force – which led me to discovering Ultra White Collar Boxing.”

Participants like Agnieszka are given the opportunity to take part in eight weeks of free professional boxing training at gyms, before a showcase event in front of hundreds or thousands of spectators.  Agnieszka trained at John Skillen Martial Arts and Fitness Centre under the guidance of respected founder and coach John Skillen. 

Talking about the preparation, Agnieszka said, “Yes, the training was hard at times, but it made me feel so much lighter. After just two weeks of training, all the anger I was feeling had completely disappeared. My body may have ached from the hard sessions, but the impact on my mental health completely outweighed anything physical.”

She added: “The trainers were amazing too. It can feel intimidating stepping into the gym for the first time, especially if you’re one of the only women – but they immediately put me at ease. The trainers allowed me to believe that women in their mid-40s are true fighters. We are strong, resilient and capable of squatting with the weight of another human on our shoulders!” 

Agnieszka competed against her opponent Jade in a closely-contested contest which the judges declared a draw. 

Talking of her experience on the night, she added, “I didn’t feel too nervous on the night, as in a way it felt like my victory lap. It was my birthday a few weeks before, which was a true testament to how far I had come. I was a completely different person to one I was a year ago, so when I finally walked out in front of the huge crowd I knew I was unstoppable. My walk out song reminded me of this too.”

Agnieszka chose ‘Unstoppable’ by Sia as her walk out music, a song she listened to during training. She noted: “The song came on at a point in training when I started to feel unstoppable. I felt the song was about me and that it had to become my anthem in life.” Competitors are also asked to choose a nickname – she fittingly chose ‘Agnieszka the Unstoppable’.

Agnieszka was watched on the night by a large group of friends. Participants like Agnieszka are asked to raise at least £50 for their chosen charity – a target she comfortably surpassed raising over £400 for the Mental Health Foundation. 

Reflecting on the past few years, she said: “Thankfully, my son has now physically recovered from his injuries and is continuing to have regular psychotherapy sessions. He had to repeat a year at school, but has just finished his GCSEs – which is incredible. I could not be prouder of the positive steps he has made and I really hope he feels the same towards the change in me too. I have boxing to thank for that – it gave me my zest for life back!”  

When asked what she would say to anyone thinking about signing up, Agnieszka said: “Go for it, you will never live to regret it. Everything is so well organised and the impact Ultra has on your life is like nothing I have ever experienced. You will learn to manage your emotions and come out a stronger person in all aspects of your life!”

So far, Ultra Events has raised a staggering £45 million for charity.

For anyone inspired by Agnieszka’s story to take part in Ultra White Collar Boxing, the next UWCB event in Loughborough takes place on Saturday 21st November with training beginning in September. More information can be found here: https://ultrawhitecollarboxing.co.uk/locations/loughborough/ 

Sherburn Hill, County Durham, 27 July 2026: An independent County Durham café will mark its first birthday on Saturday 1 August after becoming a valued meeting place for residents and a new visitor destination for Sherburn Hill.

The Carthouse Café opened at The Old Curio in August 2025. Since then, the venue has welcomed local residents alongside visitors travelling from across County Durham and the wider North East.

However, the anniversary represents more than a business milestone.

In a community with relatively few informal places where people can meet, the café has developed into a regular social space. Customers visit to catch up with neighbours, meet friends, enjoy time with family or simply spend part of the day somewhere welcoming.

The milestone comes as the importance of everyday social contact continues to receive national attention. Office for National Statistics figures published in January 2026 found that almost one in four adults reported feeling lonely often, always or some of the time.

Government research has also highlighted how the closure of pubs, shops and other local venues can reduce opportunities for people to socialise close to home.

Although The Carthouse Café is an independent hospitality business rather than a formal community centre, owner Nikki Gregory believes cafés can still play a meaningful role in creating everyday opportunities for connection.

Nikki said:

“Reaching our first birthday feels like a celebration of everyone who has walked through the door over the past year.

“When we opened, we wanted to create somewhere with real personality, where people could enjoy good food and take a break from the pace of everyday life. What has meant the most is seeing the café become part of people’s routines.

“We have regular customers who are greeted by name, neighbours who use the café as somewhere to catch up and people who feel comfortable coming in on their own. Those small moments of conversation and connection can be incredibly important.

“We would never claim that a café can solve loneliness, but we can create a warm and dependable place where people know they will be welcomed and never made to feel hurried.

“The support we have received during our first year has been wonderful. We are very grateful to our customers, our team and everyone who has helped make The Old Curio a place people want to visit and return to.”

Bringing visitors back to Sherburn Hill

The Carthouse Café sits inside The Old Curio on Front Street, a restored historic building that brings together food, antiques and vintage furniture under one roof.

Visitors can enjoy breakfast, lunch, homemade cakes or afternoon tea before exploring Durham Antiques Cooperative and Vintage Sofa Warehouse.

This combination has helped turn the building into a wider visitor destination, encouraging people to spend more time in Sherburn Hill rather than simply passing through the village.

Nikki added:

“Before The Old Curio opened, there were limited reasons for people from outside the immediate area to make Sherburn Hill their destination.

“We now meet customers who have travelled from different parts of the North East to visit the café, browse the antiques and look around the furniture showroom.

“Every visitor brings activity into the village. They meet our staff and independent dealers, discover the area and often return with friends or relatives.”

A café designed to encourage people to slow down

The Carthouse Café is housed within a building with more than 100 years of history.

Its distinctive interior includes chandeliers, vintage furniture, traditional china, antique tills and William Morris inspired patterns. The surroundings create a strong visual contrast with standardised, fast paced hospitality venues.

Customers can sit in cosy corners, lounge areas and vintage booths, while well behaved dogs are welcome throughout the café.

The team serves breakfasts, traditional comfort food, homemade cakes, artisan coffee, locally sourced teas and afternoon tea.

The café’s approach encourages customers to stay, talk and enjoy their surroundings rather than feeling pressure to leave as soon as they have finished eating.

Plans for the café’s second year

Following the response to its first year, The Old Curio is developing plans to give residents and visitors more reasons to spend time at the venue.

Future proposals include seasonal workshops, an expanded programme of afternoon tea experiences and the restoration of a long unused garden as an outdoor café and community space.

Plans for additional visitor parking are also being explored, subject to planning permission.

Nikki said:

“The response to our first year has shown that people value independent places with character.

“Our aim for the next year is to keep building on that sense of welcome while creating more opportunities for people to meet, enjoy experiences together and discover Sherburn Hill.”

Media are invited to visit The Carthouse Café around its first birthday. Interviews and filming opportunities can be arranged in advance.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About The Carthouse Café

The Carthouse Café opened at The Old Curio in Sherburn Hill in August 2025.

The café serves breakfast, lunch, homemade cakes, artisan coffee, locally sourced teas and afternoon tea. It is also dog friendly.

The Old Curio brings together:

• The Carthouse Café
• Durham Antiques Cooperative
• Vintage Sofa Warehouse

The venue is located at The Old Curio, Front Street, Sherburn Hill, County Durham, DH6 1PA.

Current opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am until 4pm. Café last orders are at 3pm.

Interview opportunities

Nikki Gregory is available to discuss:

• The café’s first year
• The importance of informal social spaces in smaller communities
• Loneliness and everyday social contact
• Independent hospitality
• Restoring and repurposing historic buildings
• Attracting visitors to Sherburn Hill
• The challenges of establishing a destination business in a village location

A regular customer, local resident, member of staff or independent antiques dealer may also be available for interview, subject to consent and availability.

Filming and photography opportunities

The venue can provide strong visual material, including:

• The historic exterior of The Old Curio
• The Carthouse Café’s chandeliers and heritage inspired interior
• Tea and coffee being served in traditional china
• Homemade food and cakes being prepared and served
• Customers meeting and socialising
• Dog friendly café visits
• Visitors browsing the antiques centre
• Independent dealers discussing unusual items
• Vintage furniture displays
• Nikki and the café team reflecting on the first year

Filming can take place during opening hours or at another arranged time.

Background and supporting evidence

The Carthouse Café opened in August 2025 and will celebrate its first anniversary on 1 August 2026. Future plans include seasonal workshops, additional afternoon tea experiences, a restored garden and further parking, subject to planning permission.

Office for National Statistics research published in January 2026 found that 23 per cent of adults reported feeling lonely often, always or some of the time.

Research commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport found that the decline of high streets and the closure of pubs and other local venues affected people’s ability to socialise. The research also highlighted the importance of maintaining local facilities and creating spaces where people can interact.

1. It can give you your time back

2. It broadens your thinking 

3. It accelerates learning

4. It helps people play to their strengths

5. It raises the standard

1. People connect with people 

2. Judgement belongs to humans

3. Authenticity matters

4. AI is rubbish at asking good questions

5. Leadership is about courage, not convenience

The data reframes what fraud risk actually looks like. It is not a demographic profile – it is a situational one. More than one in four people who consider themselves impulsive (26%) have experienced attempted scams. The same is true for people going through a major life change (23%) – such as a divorce, a house move or the arrival of a new baby – and those with a gambling problem (29%). Across every group, the pattern is the same: disruption, distraction and dependency create the gaps that scammers exploit.

Carolina Caeiro, Director of Policy at OXIL Research said: “The fraud conversation has been stuck on the wrong question for years. We keep asking who is targeted, and the answer we assume is older people on their own. But our research shows the real question is when. When someone is exhausted, financially pressured, going through a break-up or managing a dependency, their ability to pause and question what’s in front of them drops. That’s not a character flaw. That’s a human condition. And it’s exactly what modern scams are built to exploit.”

Of those who acknowledged that situational factors had affected their ability to spot a scam, tiredness and lack of sleep was the single most cited factor at 29%. Financial worry came second at 22%, followed by having a hectic work-life balance at 21%. Nationally, 81% of people aged 18-29 acknowledged that situational factors had played a role in making them more vulnerable, compared to a national average of 62%.

The OXIL research also identifies the specific types of scam that map onto specific situations. People going through a house-move are disproportionately targeted by urgency-based scams involving fake deadlines, fines and demands. Those with a gambling problem are more than twice as likely to encounter fake romance scams. People in financial difficulty are drawn towards get-rich-quick schemes and cash prize fraud at rates well above the national average.

Alice Taylor, senior scam and fraud researcher at OXIL Research adds: “This research matters for how fraud intelligence is built and applied. Tackling scammers is not about telling victims what they could have done differently, how they could have educated themselves, or leaving them to blame themselves. Instead, we need organisations across sectors to do more to safeguard people. We are developing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Training on Safeguarding Adults Against Scams and Fraud. This will enable practitioners from law enforcement, healthcare, and social services to add scam and fraud awareness to their existing safeguarding frameworks.”

The OXIL research found that 89% of people have received what they believe to be a scam attempt. Among the groups most likely to be targeted are those with linguistic disabilities (35%), parents of pre-school-age children (23%) and people who have recently been through a bereavement (21%).

OXIL’s Research team has recently published a report, with support from Google.org, setting out a new paradigm for scam prevention, based on safeguarding – a mature framework widely used in health, education, and social care. For more information, visit: 

https://oxil.uk/news/large-scale-ai-analysis-of-scam-signals-calls-for-safeguarding-approach-to-scam-prevention

Oxford Information Labs (OXIL) is a UK-based cyber intelligence and consultancy firm specialising in cyber security and digital policy, bespoke research, data analysis software design, data mining, and assistive technology. OXIL owns the Global Signal Exchange (GSE), the world’s first global, multi-stakeholder and cross-sector clearing house for threat signals. GSE was launched in January 2025 with co-founder Google. Working with global partners worldwide, the GSE provides real-time insights into the supply chains delivering scams, fraud and other forms of cybercrime. By merging as many data sources as possible, GSE makes the facilitators of cybercrime more visible.

For more information, visit: https://www.globalsignalexchange.org