WHEN a group of strangers got together nearly 20 years ago to discuss a book, no one imagined they’d still be meeting all these years later – now as close friends.

“Though we only meet at the reading group, we’ve become firm friends and share intimate details about our lives,” says one long-standing member.

“Most of us would never have met through work or our regular social circle, but meeting through our love of reading has been a wonderful way of sharing opinions and ideas with a varied group of people. We started as strangers and ended up as friends.”

Across the UK, thousands of people are discovering that reading groups offer much more than just engaging stories.

The Queen herself started an Instagram book group during the pandemic – now a reading charity The Queen’s Reading Room.

Research by The Reading Agency showed that being part of a reading club not only broadens reading habits but also boosts wellbeing. In their survey of readers’ groups in the UK:

Book clubs are a great way to meet people and share a joy of reading

• 94 per cent said they read more widely

• 91 per cent said they enjoyed reading more when discussing books with others

• 90 per cent felt happier

• 78 per cent felt more confident to try new things.

What begins as a shared interest in reading often becomes something deeper – a community.

In York, Explore is on a mission to make reading together easy and affordable. We know that reading groups can be a lifeline, offering connection and calm in busy or stressful lives.

Science backs this up: regular reading can reduce stress, build empathy, and improve mental health.

Combine that with friendship and conversation, and you have a powerful recipe for wellbeing.

Finding a book club

Image shows women enjoying their book club

Maybe you’ve tried a reading group, didn’t like it and gave up? Remember there is not just one type of book club. They can range from quiet discussions to lively gatherings with activities, food and drink.

Choosing the right group that inspires you to read and chat and share your views is crucial. Whether you’re looking for a general reading group, one focused on a particular genre or a group that blends reading with creative and social activities, there’s a book club out there for you.

Recommended reading:

Many of our libraries host volunteer-run reading groups during library opening hours. Please ask at your local library and they will let you know if they have any spaces for new members. We don’t have a list of all the book groups in York though so please don’t ask for one!

York Explore library in the city centre has recently started Read and Relax – a different kind of book club. This is a drop-in group where you can meet up with like-minded book lovers for quiet reading and bookish chat.

Simply bring your own book, lose yourself in a story and share the joy of reading over a cup of tea. It takes place on the first Wednesday of every month from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Still can’t find the right one? Why not start your own? Many of the most successful reading groups begin with just a few people coming together to share their love of reading.

How Explore Libraries supporting local book clubs

Explore lends sets of books to reading groups who register with us. For an annual subscription of just £30 per group, members can borrow as many sets as they like – at no extra charge – including some in large print, ebook and audio format. It’s a budget-friendly way to access a wide range of titles for monthly meetings without the expense of buying new copies each time. You can register at any library in York.

Find out more at Reading Groups – Explore York

Reading Group sets

We add to our collection every year and currently have 258 sets available to borrow. We are especially grateful to The Friends of Dunnington library who have just donated £1,000 to support reading groups – enough to buy 15 new sets of books which we will be adding to our list over the coming year.

We are always glad to receive donations of lightly used copies from book groups too, it’s a lovely way to share your love of reading with a wider group of people.

If your book group would like to do this, please email us contact@exploreyork.org.uk

Book clubs are about more than books – they’re about connection, discovery, and the joy of reading together. During this National Year of Reading, why not get involving by joining a book group? You never know where the next story might take you.

Explore recommends: 5 thought provoking books for your reading group to try

Andrew Miller The Land in Winter – one of the book sets available at Explore York

There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak

From ancient Nineveh to Victorian London to the present day, this is a great read, mingling science, scholarship and myth, domestic drama and history.

A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike

Subversive historical fiction with lovable outcast characters and a wry, clever narrative voice.

The Women by Kristin Hannah

This story of one woman who joins the nursing corps in the Vietnam War shines a light on the unsung stories of women who answered the call and paid the price.

The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller

Set during the Big Freeze of 1962-3, this story of two marriages brilliantly evokes the legacy of the Second World War.

Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

A gripping, powerful, and tender novel set in 1957 suburbia by an author who has been called a 21st century Barbara Pym.

Gillian Holmes is the communications officer at Explore York Libraries and Archives

There’s a lot riding on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s upcoming overseas tour, especially as Harry is ‘reimagining his whole life’ as his royal family continues battling its crisis

It looks like the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are planning a major charm offensive next month with their “make or break” trip Down Under. The couple announced the plan last week, seven years after they travelled there on their first overseas tour as a married royal couple.

Following the news that Meghan, 44, has parted ways with Netflix and Prince Harry, 41, remains on the periphery of royal life, PR expert and talent manager Dermot McNamara says there’s a lot riding on the visit.

“They’re probably hoping to reignite their global brand in Australia, while also working out what they do in the future,” he tells new. “It’s a last chance for them to establish where they fit and where they want to go.”

READ MORE: Prince Harry ‘will have to face questions over Epstein scandal but has reason for silence’READ MORE: Beatrice and Eugenie’s ‘defiant stance’ amid Andrew scandal as palace perks emerge

Advertisement

He continues, “Harry, in particular, probably feels he should get back out there and they know Australia is a place that loves them dearly, especially when compared to the UK. So it’s a trip that has a lot of possibilities but also a lot of risk.

“It’s a way to send the message ‘we are here and we are active’. It offers a middle ground for them to present themselves as Harry and Meghan, as royals, and as international celebrities, without it being too much in everyone’s faces.”

The Sussexes’ previous 16-day royal tour of Australia, New Zealand and Fiji in 2018 kicked off with the news that they were expecting their first child the following year. They spent much of their visit collecting baby gifts from well-wishers, as well as visiting various environmental and conservation projects.

Next month’s trip, however, is going to look rather different. While specific details are being kept under wraps for now, we learnt last week that Meghan’s commitments include star speaker at a women-only weekend retreat in Sydney.

A VIP ticket for the event, which is organised by the Her Best Life podcast, costs £1,700 per person and gives holders front-row seats at a gala dinner and “in-person conversation” with Meghan, as well as a “group table photo” with the Duchess.

According to Dermot, the couple will be hoping to strike a balance between their royal interest and brand appeal, while also hoping to ”cash in on the nostalgia” from their 2018 tour.

“They had such a good reception last time and there was so much love for them,” says Dermot. “So why not go there to get a feel for what lies ahead for them as a brand, without [Harry] feeling under siege, which he likely would if he came to the UK.

“Australia ticks a lot of boxes too. It’s within the Commonwealth and has a long history of royal visits. And Harry knows the Commonwealth is important to the family, as is maintaining the legacy [they have] in places like Australia.”

Dermot believes the trip will be particularly important for Harry because he’s not been as busy as Meghan when it comes to their private businesses and causes. Last year, Harry resigned from the Board of Trustees of Sentebale, the charity he set up in memory of Princess Diana, after the relationship between the trustees and the chairperson broke down “beyond repair”.

While Meghan continues to expand her As Ever lifestyle brand, Harry’s future focus is less clear, according to Dermot.

“He is having to reimagine his whole life, and try to build a life for himself personally and professionally in a way that has never been seen or done before.”

It also emerged last week that Meghan’s lifestyle business had ended its partnership with Netflix. The streaming giant supported the brand financially in its early days, but a spokesperson from As Ever said it was “ready to stand on its own”.

Advertisement

Given it’s also widely believed that Netflix has put the kibosh on any more of Meghan’s With Love series, pressure is mounting for the couple to reignite their brand in other ways.

“If they’re not making headlines and, more importantly, if viewers are turning off in their droves, then companies like Netflix are ruthless and they’re not going to carry them just because they’re the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” former royal editor Duncan Larcombe previously told the Mirror.

“They have to figure something out because the number of projects they’ve announced since they left the UK that have hit the ground and been a success is actually quite small.”

There’s also the scandal surrounding Prince Harry’s uncle, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation.

The juxtaposition between Harry and Meghan’s visit to sunny Oz while his family fights fires at home won’t be lost on Harry, Dermot says, but he has little choice.

“The royal family is in turmoil, and as a member of that family, so too is Harry,” he says. “Yes, they might be accused of bad timing with the Australia trip, but just because his other family members are embroiled in a scandal, why should Harry put his life on hold?”

The new strategy will be rolled out next month in a bid to crack down on ‘refund abuse’

The Department for Transport (DfT) has unveiled a major overhaul of the UK’s rail ticketing system, introducing stricter validation for railcard users and tighter refund rules to claw back an estimated £60 million lost annually to fraud and “refund abuse”.

The measures are part of the transition toward Great British Railways (GBR) – the new public body expected to take control of the network by late 2026. In a bid to tackle fare dodging, the DfT is introducing “simple validation” checks for the millions of passengers who use railcard discounts (such as the 16-25, Senior, or Two Together cards).

Starting in the second half of 2026, passengers using ticket machines will be required to scan their railcard or manually enter their railcard number and name before a discounted ticket is issued.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Those using apps or websites with registered accounts will only need to input their details once for automatic verification in future. The Government expects this move alone to save £20m per year in lost revenue.

In a significant shift for flexible travel, the rules for returning unused tickets are being tightened to prevent passengers from claiming money back for tickets that were used but never scanned or stamped by staff.

From the start of next month, Off-Peak and Anytime tickets will only be refundable until 11:59pm the day before they become valid. Currently, passengers can claim a refund up to 28 days after a ticket expires without providing a reason.

Refunds will still be granted after the deadline if a service is disrupted or in “exceptional circumstances,” such as a medical emergency.

In better news for passengers, the DfT is simplifying the Delay Repay process. Currently, travellers often have to navigate 14 different operator systems to get their money back.

Under GBR, passengers will be able to claim compensation directly from the retailer where they bought the ticket (e.g., Trainline), rather than having to contact the specific train company.

Trainline estimates that passengers currently miss out on £80 million a year because the current system is too confusing or fragmented to navigate.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated that the changes would ensure the industry can “invest taxpayers’ money in things that really matter,” such as freezing fares and station upgrades.

Jody Ford, CEO of Trainline, welcomed the move toward a more consistent process, noting that “one-click” claims would be “welcomed by millions”.

NSB are also an official partner school with Northampton Saints.

This year, they provided the most players from any school to Saints’ under-18s.

Four players will also be offered first-team academy contracts this year.

“The boys have to manage their time really well,” says assistant first team coach Adam Baker.

“When we get into sixth form and into that first-team setting, we will try and put them through a programme that matches up with an academy programme, so if they go into that pathway, they are fully aware and prepped as to what that day-to-day life looks like.”

However, NSB aren’t the only state school making an impact.

They beat Campion School from Essex in the Continental Tyres School Cup semi-finals.

It was a compelling contest which went down to the wire, with two state schools playing high-octane rugby in front of a passionate crowd of over a thousand people.

The Rugby Football Union has a network of rugby managers to try to embed the game in state schools.

Twenty-two of the best state schools compete in the ACE (Academy, Colleges and Education) League. England internationals George Martin, Joe Heyes and Harry Randall all came through that route.

The programme is designed to support players who may not attend traditional rugby-playing schools, providing daily coaching, competitive fixtures, and opportunities to train alongside academy players.

Northampton Saints have two state school partnerships which play in the ACE League: Moulton College in Northampton and Sigma Sixth Colchester, located at Philip Morant School and College.

“Growing state school rugby is a one step at a time process,” said Beaumont.

“This is over 10 years of hard work. But it can be done.

“My advice to other schools is find a way to get more numbers in training, organise a game.

“Put a tournament on, you don’t need posts. Make it a habit. Get kids playing.

“Rugby needs every state school to push and develop rugby. This is the perfect time. State school rugby could be really special.”

One of NSB’s biggest stars is their 18-year-old captain Jack Lewis, who plays in the back row.

He has been at NSB for the past two years and in the Saints academy since he was 14.

This year he made his debut for Northampton Saints. Now he’s preparing to lead his school for the final time in a Twickenham final.

“NSB taught me how to act, it’s the closest thing to a professional environment,” he said.

“A lot of people work hard behind the scenes, they sacrifice their time. It’s given me so much as a player and a student.

“I’ve never played at Twickenham, it would be a great achievement if we could lift the cup there. We want to show what NSB stands for.”

A Russian natural gas tanker adrift in the Mediterranean Sea represents an “imminent and serious” ecological threat, several European nations have warned.

The Arctic Metagaz has been drifting in waters between Malta and Italy, European Union (EU) states, including France and Italy, said in a letter to the European Commission.

Earlier this month, Russia‘s Transport Ministry said the vessel, which was carrying liquefied natural gas from the Arctic port of Murmansk, was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones, which it claimed had been launched from the Libyan coast.

On 4 March, Libya’s maritime agency reported that the vessel had sunk in waters between Libya and Malta after catching fire a day before.

Ukraine has not claimed responsibility for the attack.

The letter to the European Commission said the state of the Arctic Metagaz poses the “dual challenge” of upholding maritime safety and preventing an ecological disaster while maintaining EU sanctions imposed on Russia.

“The precarious condition of the vessel, combined with the nature of its specialised cargo, gives rise to an imminent and serious ​risk of a major ecological disaster in the heart of ⁠the Union’s maritime space,” the letter said.

The EU said the vessel was part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”, which is intended to bypass sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

The letter said action to resolve the situation, including surveillance, monitoring and other technical support, risked “undermining the integrity, effectiveness and the deterrent value of the EU sanctions ‌regime”.

Russia’s foreign ministry acknowledged the vessel was adrift in the Mediterranean, and said Russia’s further involvement in the situation would depend on “concrete circumstances”.

Spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow was in touch with the vessel’s owner, and foreign “competent bodies”.

The ship, which has no crew, was carrying 700 metric tons of different types of fuel, and “a substantial amount of natural gas”.

Read more from Sky News:
Eyewitness: Iran’s government seems firmly in control
Meningitis outbreak a cruel reminder young people most at risk

“The international legal norms applicable ​to the current situation imply the responsibility of coastal countries… ​for resolving the situation with the drifting vessel and preventing an environmental ​disaster,” Ms Zakharova said in a statement on the ministry’s website.

“Further involvement by the shipowner and Russia as the flag state ⁠will depend on the specific circumstances.”

Comic Relief: Funny for Money will air on the BBC this Friday and among the famous faces taking part will be Sara, who in a world of Amandas will be playing here self.

The BBC’s number one comedy of 2025 Amandaland gets the Red Nose Day treatment with big names and laughs.

Comical chaos is set to ensue in ‘Amandas-land’ when Amanda (Lucy Punch), joined by Anne (Philippa Dunne), are invited to BBC Broadcasting House for a special live radio interview with Sara– and the pair unexpectedly encounter some of TV’s most legendary Amandas.

Caught up in the comedy of errors are Amanda Holden, Amanda Lamb, Amanda Barrie, Amanda Byram and Amanda Collier. Sara Cox’s overwhelmed radio producer is played by Lydia West, and the production runner is played by Lucia Keskin.

A BBC spokesman said: “Expect mix-ups, misunderstandings, and classic slapstick humour in this unmissable Comic Relief Amandaland special.”

Amandaland is a spin-off of Motherland which stars Bolton’s Diane Morgan.

Sara said: “It’s been incredible – I mean I was playing the DJ, so it wasn’t that much of a stretch, but it was just brilliant to work with actual Amanda from Amandaland, and so many iconic Amandas. I mean come on, we had Lamb, we had Holden, we had Barrie – who I grew up with, not literally – but on Coronation Street. So, it’s been an incredible time pretending to be an actor and getting to work with amazing Lydia West who was playing my producer. What a morning, I’m absolutely buzzing!”

She added: “This Red Nose Day there are a host of ways to get involved and Take Yourself Funny for Money. Whether it is donating or fundraising, it is an opportunity for the nation to come together and show that simple acts of silliness can make a serious difference. For more information on how to get involved, donate, or to order your free Red Nose Day fundraising pack, visit the Comic Relief website.”

Amanda Holden said: “I can’t quite believe I’m involved in this Amandaland sketch for Comic Relief and I’m going now to meet the rest of the cast! I am a massive, massive fan of Amandaland. We watch it religiously in our house, so it’s a little bit of an out of body experience for me, especially because my name gets mentioned in the sitcom quite a bit!

“The premise is that there’s been a mix up and we’ve all come to the same place but aren’t all meant to be here! It might go slightly awry, and it might be that Anne is the star of the show in the end!”

And viewers can get a behind the scenes look at the filming of the sketch on The One Show on Thursday 19 March, from 7pm on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

Comic Relief: Funny for Money is live from MediaCityUK in Salford on BBC iPlayer and BBC One on Friday 20 March from 7pm, and for the very first time, live streamed simultaneously on the official BBC YouTube channel.

The money raised this Red Nose Day could help people access food, shelter and safety – the vital essentials everyone needs to survive.

Travel chaos prevails as theconflict in the Middle East continues, with the international airport in Bahrain still shut and British nationals in the region told to limit movements to essential journeys only.

Holidaymakers who have trips booked in the region are advised to follow the advice of the UK’s Foreign Office (FCDO) on what to do if they are heading to or are currently in a country in the Middle East.

Here is the latest advice for those who want to travel within Bahrain or leave the island, plus what to do if you are staying in the country.

Live: Iran-US war latest

Is it safe to travel to Bahrain?

The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain as of 28 February, still current as of 16 March.

What is the UK government’s advice if you are already there?

The FCDO is asking British nationals to let the UK government know they are in Bahrain by registering their presence there.

Once you have registered, the FCDO will send you important updates to our travel advice.

The FCDO says that “regional escalation poses significant security risks and has led to travel disruption”.

It continues: “Iran continues to strike civilian infrastructure across the region such as hotels, roads, bridges, energy facilities, oil production sites, water systems, and airports.”

It advises British nationals to read its “If you’re affected by a crisis abroad” guidance, which includes what emergency supplies you may need.

It also says to follow the advice of local authorities, sign up for FCDO Travel Advice email alerts, and monitor local and international media for the latest information.

The FCDO also says to stay away from areas around security or military facilities and US government facilities.

If you decide to stay in Bahrain, follow the instructions of the local authorities. If you are advised to take shelter, stay indoors or find the nearest safe building or designated shelter. An interior stairwell or a room with as few external walls or windows as possible may provide additional protection. You should not approach or touch any drone or missile fragments or unusual objects.

“We advise British nationals, wherever possible, to stay inside and limit movements to essential journeys only. Always let friends or family know where you are and when you are travelling and keep your mobile phone with you and charged,” the FCDO adds.

How can I get home?

The FCDO says that if your presence in Bahrain is not essential, you may wish to consider departing if you judge you can access these options safely.

If you plan to travel by road, read the travel advice for Saudi Arabia for the latest information, which includes entry requirements and what paperwork you will need.

British nationals who are trying to leave Bahrain via Saudi Arabia and who are travelling on British Emergency Travel Documents, Emergency Passports, or passports with less than 6 months remaining validity, should call the helplines for British Embassy Riyadh +966 (0) 11481 9100 or British Consulate Jeddah +966 (0)126225550 for advice.

If travelling by car, the vehicle must be wholly owned and registered in your name. If using commercial options to depart, check for the latest updates from your airline or tour operator, as well as the instructions of local authorities and the status of any border crossings before you travel.  Make sure you have access to emergency supplies and essential medication. 

The FCDO says “travel within or out of Bahrain is at your own risk”.

It adds that people should keep their departure plans under review and ensure their travel documents are up to date, including any visas required for onward travel. 

Bahrain International Airport (BIA) said: “Flight operations at BIA remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Bahrain airspace, as mandated by the Bahrain Civil Aviation Affairs.

“This measure is in place to ensure the highest level of safety for our passengers and employees.”

Can I cancel my holiday?

Should you decide to cancel a flight ticket, holiday, tour or excursion to Bahrain, speak to your travel provider. As the FCDO advises all but essential travel – urgent family or business commitments – to Bahrain, you may be able to cancel a package holiday without penalty for a full refund. Package holidays must follow the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, with refunds issued if there has been a “significant change at your destination” before you travel. Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the FCDO.

There are plenty of things that could be highlighted from Donald Trump’s latest public appearances.

Here are four:

Inconsistencies over discussions with the Iranians

The US president has said a few times over recent hours that dialogue with the Iranians is ongoing.

“They want to make a deal,” he said on the plane back to Washington DC on Sunday night, repeating it again on Monday.

But when asked the obvious questions – “Who are you talking to that wants to make a deal?” and “what does a deal look like?” – the president couldn’t answer.

Instead, he said that all the people they had been talking to were now dead. He’s said this before, attributing it, bizarrely, to the military operation being so successful.

He also mused whether he would actually want to make a deal with the Iranians even if they wanted to. These musings were peppered with “they want to make a deal”.

Artificial Intelligence

The president revealed that he had seen a video (presumably on social media) which showed the US aircraft carrier, the Abraham Lincoln, under attack and on fire.

He then revealed that he’d called his generals and asked: “What’s with the Abraham Lincoln? Looks like it’s on fire.”

He was then told it was fake.

This raises serious questions about the sort of content the president is absorbing and believing on social media.

The Starmer call

The president and prime minister spoke by phone on Sunday. The “readout” of the call from Downing Street was thin and revealed very little. A source later told me that the call was “good” and that there was a “clear shared interest in keeping the Strait of Hormuz open”.

I am told that any public frustration shown by the president was not reflected in the call.

The president has now revealed a further window into that call.

“You know the prime minister of UK – United Kingdom – yesterday, told me, ‘I’m meeting with my team to make a determination’.”

“I said, ‘you don’t need to meet with the team. You’re the prime minister. You can make your own… why do you have to meet with your team to find out whether or not you send some mine sweepers to us…’”

Advertisement

Share

Trump: ‘UK was considered Rolls Royce of allies’

Advertisement

Learning about Lebanon

In another moment of conscious thought, he revealed that he’d only recently been told about the geographical power structure in Lebanon – something that’s vital to understand given the Israeli military operations the US is supporting there right now. In the same sentence, he also expressed surprise that people lived even in Ukraine or Lebanon.

This is the verbatim transcript of that moment: “…substantial person, wealthy person, whose parents live in Lebanon. I said: ‘Really, how do you live in Lebanon? Your parents? Oh, yeah, they live there. And over the years, they’ve gotten used to the fact that it’s being bombed.’

“But they explained to me that it’s really a different section of Lebanon. It’s the section where Hezbollah is, and they get used to it, I guess… I mean people live in Ukraine.

“You would think they wouldn’t live in Ukraine, but they live in Ukraine. I don’t know that I’d do that, but they live in Ukraine. They live in Lebanon.”

Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro has been moved out of intensive care after his medical condition improved, his wife has said.

The 70-year-old right-wing politician had been placed in an intensive care unit in the capital Brasilia on Friday for pneumonia.

But his wife Michelle said in an Instagram post that tests showed he had reduced inflammation and had been transferred to a semi-intensive care unit.

“We remain confident he will overcome this moment too,” she said.

On Sunday, the hospital DF Star said the former president’s kidney function had improved, though he was to stay in intensive care because of pneumonia. It did not mention his transfer to a semi-intensive care unit.

Bolsonaro, who was president from 2019 to 2022, was taken to hospital from the prison where he is serving a 27-year sentence for leading a coup attempt in 2023.

He was also convicted on charges including leading an armed criminal organisation and attempting the violent abolition of the democratic rule of law. He has denied all wrongdoing.

In January, he was transferred from the local federal police headquarters to a larger cell.

His family and allies have repeatedly called for Brazil’s Supreme Court to allow him to carry out his sentence under house arrest.

Read more from Sky News:
Eyewitness: Iran’s government seems firmly in control
Meningitis outbreak a cruel reminder young people most at risk

Bolsonaro has been taken to hospital several times since being stabbed at a campaign event before the 2018 presidential election.

His son, senator Flavio Bolsonaro, is expected to run for president against Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva later this year.