Fancy that

Q What are some of the longest lifespans in fish? A Technically the longest lifespan lies with the Greenland shark, which live a staggering 250-plus years – perhaps even more than 500, in some cases.

Q What is the coldest winter the UK has experienced? A In more recent times the Met Office points to the winter of 1963, which was the coldest since 1740, with temperatures dropping to as low as -20°C

JANUARY 1966

Today’s queues may be digital, but the fight to secure that must-have present and avoid small, disappointed faces is timeless. Tom Howells looks at the toys topping recent (and less recent) Christmas wish lists

I read recently that scientists allegedly agree that there is no increase in extreme weather events and conditions. If that’s so, the journals I checked must not yet have got the memo. The German Helm

Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight