What is lurking inside children’s school lunchboxes? Apparently, parents are helping their youngsters go back to basics with jam sandwiches winning the contest against trendy foods such as salami or prawn rolls. The good news for parents is that they

Many workers cannot leave the office behind – even when they’re on holiday. How many times have you seen holidaymakers with their mobile phones – using them to phone work. We bet your boss does! Then there’s the dread of

How much do you like the big shops knowing about your spending habits? Loyalty cards at supermarkets are one thing. But what about shopping centre points cards, which spy on your purchases across a wide range of outlets? Some people

How much are parents in your area prepared to bribe kids to ensure good exam passes? The going rate in some areas is around £100 for getting the right results. With exam time upon us, see if you can get

Do YOU know an office flirt? We all do it, according to the experts – usually to get our own way. Apart from advancing your career it can achieve more simple results like getting the coffee made. It can also

What do people keep in their office drawers? Conduct a quick survey in your office and then go out on the streets….. Past studies have shown that women keep deodorant and a spare pair of tights in their drawers while

Your local college of further education is likely to run hairdressing courses to get young crimpers up to speed. But where do you think they get their models from? Yes, you guessed it – the general public. You’ll get a

Are “desk-fasts” taking over from breakfasts? No longer are we settling down to the traditional full English breakfast, but the typical breakfast choice to eat at your desk when you arrive at work is a Danish and coffee. (Unless you’re

A farmers’ market is one in which farmers, growers or producers from a defined local area are present in person to sell their own produce, direct to the public. All products sold should have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled,

How much do you pay at the dentist? With more and more people going “private” away from the NHS, pricing schemes can differ vastly from practice to practice. Try out a survey in your area and see what your local

As summer, the inevitable dry season for news stories, approaches journalists could do worse than head down to their local town hall. Every year councils are required by law to display their accounts for four weeks for inspection. While it

Work experience for youngsters can be hit and miss. Which firms in your area ensure that all students on placement get the same level of experience and information? Do they merely shadow someone for a week – and get the

Is it possible to be a good father and still maintain a high-flying career? Women have to face a juggling act between work and their children. But it can be just as hard on dads who may miss out on

Text messaging is apparently replacing the traditional holiday postcard. When we go away we’re more likely to text the folks back home than drop them a line on the back of a sea view. Mobile phone shops are getting more

Ukemi, Tai-otoshi and Kesa-gatame are fast-becoming nursery school buzzwords. They are not the latest Pokemon characters (that’s been and gone!), but martial arts moves. Toddlers are being taught the ancient art of judo at centres all over the country. Parents

Contact your local university to see if any students from your patch are doing interesting or unusual jobs (or in glamorous locations) while they are working as interns.