Outside dirty, slushy streets, a melancholy drizzle and a muggy, uncomfortable atmosphere suggestive of nothing more remote than the crisp, keen, invigorating air that is associated in everyone’s mind

Elspeth wanted to get back to her old self – but was she brave enough?

Giles Catchpole hopes for cool heads in cold climes

I AM someone who loves space. This is perhaps because of early childhood days on the beautiful Solway Coast. My father’s family farm was right on the beach. It enjoyed uninterrupted views across to th

Catherine Clarke A History of England in 25 Poems400pp. Allen Lane. £25. Mark Forsyth Rhyme and ReasonA short history of poetry and people (forpeople who don’t usually read poetry)368pp. Allen & Unwin

The Prince and Princess of Wales showed off their sporting prowess during a visit to Scotland last week, where they proved there’s nothing better than a game of curling in Stirling to lift the January