Betty Middleton had only moved in two weeks earlier, but already she was starting to annoy me with her frequent knocks at my back door. “Would you like a slice of my lemon drizzle? It’s home-made!” No

THIS year, Vanessa was going to have a different kind of festive season. She usually hosted Christmas for her family at her house, even after her husband passed away a few years ago. Every second year

Our columnist fondly recalls her childhood Christmases – apart from the time the milk ran out!

THE fire in the great hall burned brightly to welcome Lady Dunstone’s guests to the event of the season, the Dunstone Manor Christmas Ball. The Manor was splendid this year. Snow glittered on the tree

FAR MORE THAN DISHES THAT WORK TOGETHER, A MENU SETS THE STAGE FOR DINNERS WITH FRIENDS – OR SO SAYS DIANA HENRY

WHO SAID DINNER WAS THE MAIN EVENT? CLODAGH MCKENNA’S TWIXMAS BRUNCH IDEAS MIGHT PERSUADE YOU OTHERWISE…