Our round-up of the funny, fascinating and unusual stories this fortnight
Robot Rovers
Man’s new best friend could be a robot if a new government scheme is successful.
The Department of Health is giving robot pets to 1,300 pensioners to help tackle loneliness, stress and anxiety in the elderly. The creatures will look like soft toys but will be fitted with motors that will allow them to wag their tails and move their heads.
It is also hoped the £1 million trial taking place in Milton Keynes, Luton and Bedfordshire, will help with communication after a stroke as well as dementia and learning difficulties.
Embracing the grey
As Mary Queen of Shops, TV’s retail expert Mary Portas was renowned for her trademark short red bob. But at 63, the chic style guru has ditched her flame locks and joined the growing grey-hair brigade.
Mary’s natural new look was revealed when she received an OBE from Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace recently.
The award was for her services to business, broadcasting and her ongoing charity work.
SWEDISH STYLE
When asked what words of wisdom he wishes he’d known sooner, actor Ross Kemp replied recently: “Your children are your best critics.” We can’t help wondering whether the late antiques experts Judith and Martin Miller would have agreed, though.
Their daughter Cara, now 45, has revealed that, as an eight-year-old child, she campaigned for a flatpack Ikea wardrobe because her Victorian pine bedroom furniture wouldn’t open easily.
Although they looked horrified, they agreed.
“My parents believed you should be surrounded by things that you love. And if I wanted to be surrounded by Ikea, then that was my choice,” she said.
Roam free
More than half of British holiday makers are being charged an average £58.25 for their overseas phone bills after Brexit, according to new research.
And some have forked out over £100, found the survey of more than 2,000 travellers.
So it’s good to hear that holiday firm On the Beach, which conducted the survey, is offering UK customers up to 5GB of free data per booking.
Let’s hope that more follow their example in time for summer.
Princely sum for royal date
News that an affluent auction bidder has splashed out £10,500 to dine with royalty has made our imaginations run riot in the Yours office.
While the diner remains anonymous, he or she will be eating with the King’s niec
