A NEW book shines the light on the legendary York company that brought us the KitKat – and how it survived crisis after crisis along the way.

Rowntree’s – The Early History has been written by Paul Chrystal.

The book charts the fascinating story behind the birth and development of Rowntree’s.

The Rowntree family, especially Henry and his younger Joseph Rowntree, is, along with Fry’s, Cadbury’s, Mars and Terry’s, synonymous with the birth and growth of the chocolate industry in Britain.

Rowntree’s book by Paul Chrystal

The book explores the rise of Rowntree’s through chapters on the early history of the company, contemporary York, the relationship between Quakers and chocolate, and the Tuke family – without whom there would have been no Rowntree’s, and no KitKats.

Henry, it is usually forgotten, was the founder of Rowntree’s – he made the momentous decision to sign the deal with the Tukes and, in the book, we join him in those very early days of the fledgling company.

Henry Rowntree

Readers will see how he helped it through some very dark, and sometimes humorous, times in what was then a very shambolic set up – cash strapped and making it up as the company lurched from crisis to crisis.

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It was Joseph, his elder brother, who became the driving force to eventual global success, mixing his hectic business life with acts of compassion and a benevolent management model.

All of this paved the way for decent wages, pensions, insurance and mutual respect in the workplace.

York’s Pavement in the late 19th century showing the Rowntree’s grocer shop

Charity work extended beyond the factories to lift workers and others out of the slums of York to a life in a healthy model village called New Earswick, to provide a good social life, green spaces and gardens, swimming pool and education for children and adults.

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The book also examines Joseph’s relentless industrial espionage, the effect on the Rowntree’s of the Irish Potato Famine, racism, lethal exploding bananas, the advances in chocolate production methods and 20th century rivals in the domestic and export markets, and mergers and acquisitions.

Promoting Rowntree’s on the river. Photo supplied

Rowntree’s active role in the two world wars is also covered along with the struggle Joseph Rowntree had accepting the importance of advertising which competitors were exploiting to the full.

Altogether the book gives fascinating biographies of two exceptional and driven brothers who came together to form one of our greatest companies – producing some of our best loved confectionery products.

The book can be purchased directly through Pen & Sword and major bookshops, priced at £15.99.

Fun KitKat facts

The world-famous chocolate bar was first made in York in 1935.

Today, the York factory makes up to four million KitKat bars every day.

It is available in more than 85 countries and with more than five billion bars sold annually, KitKat is Nestlé’s leading confectionery brand.

Scotland’s Group match with Morocco was played on a knife-edge the entire match, but they were left furious when they were not awarded a penalty

ITV referee analyst Christina Unkel believes Scotland should have been awarded a penalty in their World Cup defeat to Morocco. Steve Clarke’s side were beaten 1-0 by the Africa Cup of Nations winners in Boston.

They struggled to create any real opportunities against the North Africans, who were good value for their win with Ismael Saibari grabbing the game’s only goal in the second minute. However, the Scots were denied a clear penalty in the eyes of Unkel.

McTominay charged into the 18-yard box when he was tackled from behind by Neil El Aynaoui. It was deemed by VAR that the Moroccan midfielder got a touch on the ball, but replays suggested otherwise.

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Unkel was convinced they should have been awarded a penalty when the Napoli ace was bundled over. She said: “The first thing you’re looking for as VAR is any touch on that ball and the answer is no.

“We saw that second replay there and exactly what I was looking for, there was no contact on that ball. There is a trip up from behind, contact on the left lower leg.

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“For this, I do think there is a missed incident from the var to recommend a penalty as well as the referee to not make a decision on penalty. I know this referee is calling a more physical game but it is a very clear penalty in my opinion.”

Ally McCoist, who was commentating for ITV, also believed his countrymen should have earned a penalty. He said: “I did say when I watched it second time there is a challenge on the left leg. But I did say I’m enjoying the referee allowing the game to go. However, Christina is right, he did get that one wrong.”

McTominay looked shocked as his appeals were waved away before furiously protesting. Roy Keane, however, was less than convinced it was a penalty. He said: “I don’t think it was a penalty. As simple as that. He was kind of looking to go down. I think he was looking to go down. There’s a difference.”

Fellow ITV pundit Ange Postecoglou also agreed with Keane, saying: “The Moroccan penalty gets his leg out, but I don’t think that’s enough to be a penalty. He does get across him, but not for a penalty, I think he was going down anyway.”

McTominay was furious when the Uzbekistani official Ilgiz Tantashev did not point to the spot. That was not the only time they believed they deserved a penalty.

Early in the second half, John McGinn appeared to be brought down by the same player when he broke into the penalty area. While there also appeared to be little contact with the ball, it was also deemed not enough to be a penalty.

The defeat leaves Scotland with work to do to advance to the knockouts, with their final group match against one of the tournament favourites, Brazil, next Wednesday.

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While the return of summer weather is welcome for many, rising temperatures can quickly lead to discomfort, making it harder to focus, relax or sleep.

While the sun is great when you want to have fun, it can be hard when you’re hoping to work or sleep, and keeping your home cool can be tricky.

Chris Michael, chair of air treatment specialists Meaco – they do more than just dehumidifiers – shares his favourite ways to stay cool.

Five ways to stay cool and get a restful night’s sleep this summer

1. Use a cold water bottle

Fill your hot water bottle with water and freeze it before bedtime. This makes a simple and effective ice pack to keep you cool overnight without adding to your energy bill.

2. Close blinds and curtains

Direct sunlight through windows quickly heats up your home. Keep blinds, curtains and windows closed during the hottest part of the day, especially those facing south. Once the temperature drops in the evening, open them to let cooler air in.

3. Take warm showers

Although it seems counterintuitive, a warm shower before bed helps the body regulate its temperature more effectively. Cold showers can trigger the body to generate heat, whereas a warm shower encourages the body to cool down naturally.

4. Buy a fan (ideally before the rush)

As soon as warm weather is forecast, fans start to sell out quickly. Buying a high-quality air circulating fan in advance ensures you’re ready. Look for reputable brands with strong reviews and clever features like ECO mode to save energy.

For bedroom use, choose a quiet fan. Loud fans can disturb sleep, so consider models that are Quiet Mark accredited and include Night Mode for uninterrupted rest. Low energy consumption is also key, especially if you plan to run the fan all night.

5. Check windows and doors

Gaps around windows and doors can let in heat during summer just as they let out heat in winter. Sealing these gaps is a quick, cost-effective way to keep your indoor space cooler with less effort.

How a Meaco fan can help you keep your home cool this summer

With Quiet Mark accreditation, Meaco fans are ideal for bedrooms, children’s rooms and home offices, as they include timers, temperature sensors, night modes, and intuitive controls to help you stay focused, relaxed, and well-rested.

Meaco has expanded its quietest and most energy-efficient fan line with the new MeacoFan Sefte® 8” Portable Battery Powered Air Circulator .

It offers mains or battery operation, making it ideal for use at home, while travelling, or outdoors. The replaceable battery extends the fan’s life far beyond that of typical sealed battery models, aligning with upcoming EU regulations and reducing waste.

The 8-inch model joins the Sefte 10” Table and 10” Pedestal Air Circulators , recently named Best in Category by Which? for their outstanding performance, quiet operation and build quality.

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How a fan can help you sleep in a heatwave

With better sleep being the number one reason people buy a fan, it’s worth investing in one that’s quieter, more energy-efficient, and ideally features a dedicated night mode.

Meaco has a glow-in-the-dark remote control to make it easier to adjust settings without turning on a light.

It’s also worth thinking ahead for long-term use, low energy costs and comfort, to help you stay cool through this summer and many more.

What do you use to help get to sleep in warmer weather? Let us know in the comments.

Beamish’s streets, trams and shops double as Edwardian London in the new film, and these three are among the best‑known actors to have walked its cobbles for the production.

Director Tina Gharavi (right) and Haley Bennett who stars in the film. (Image: BRIDGE & TUNNEL PRODUCTIONS)

Here’s a look at what they’re famous for, and who they play in Night and Day:

Lily Allen – pop star turned actor

Lily Allen is still best known to most people as a chart‑topping singer, breaking through in the mid‑2000s with hits like Smile and The Fear and becoming one of the defining British pop voices of that era.

She has since built a parallel career as a writer and performer, publishing a memoir, working in television and moving into acting on stage and screen.

Her recent work in theatre has been widely praised, marking her shift from pop star to serious actor in the last few years.

In Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day, Allen appears in a supporting role within the film’s Edwardian social world, trading the stage and studio for the period streets of Beamish.

Her character moves through the salons and drawing rooms that are recreated in and around the museum, helping to bring to life the gossip, wit and social pressures that surround the film’s central love story and its questions about women’s choices and independence.

Timothy Spall – one of Britain’s most recognisable character actors

Timothy Spall is one of Britain’s most familiar screen actors, known for his work in everything from Mike Leigh dramas to big‑budget franchises.

Many viewers will recognise him from films such as Secrets & Lies, Mr Turner and his long‑running role as Peter Pettigrew in the Harry Potter series, as well as numerous television appearances over several decades.

His ability to shift between quiet, character‑driven dramas and larger‑scale productions has made him a stalwart of British film.

In Night and Day, Spall brings that experience to an Edwardian setting, playing an older figure within the story’s network of families and institutions.

On the recreated London streets at Beamish, his character embodies the weight of tradition and expectation that younger characters have to push against, adding depth and gravitas to scenes that balance romance with questions of class, duty and change.

Timothy Spall was one of the stars who descended on Beamish Museum to film Night and Day. (Image: BEAMISH MUSEUM)

Haley Bennett – Hollywood lead bringing Woolf’s heroine to life

American actor Haley Bennett is best known for her leading and supporting roles in major films on both sides of the Atlantic.

Audiences may know her from projects ranging from music‑driven drama and psychological thrillers to high‑profile period pieces, where she has often played complex, emotionally rich characters.

That mix of screen presence and nuance has made her a popular choice for literary and period adaptations.

(Image: BEAMISH MUSEUM)

In Virginia Woolf’s Night and Day, Bennett takes on the central role inspired by Woolf’s heroine: a young woman whose keen intelligence and passion for astronomy sit uneasily alongside the expectations of Edwardian society.

She is at the heart of the scenes filmed at Beamish Museum, moving through the “London” streets, shops and trams as she navigates family demands, suitors and the pull of scientific work.

Her performance anchors the film’s blend of humour, social observation and quiet rebellion, helping turn a North East museum into the backdrop for a classic story.

Here are the seven roads set to be closed in and around the town on June 20 and 21.

Faverdale

Faverdale will see a road closure due to ongoing highway improvement works.

The restrictions are expected to remain in place until September 7.

This closure affects both the footway and carriageway as part of the S278 works for a new development on the southern side.

Bull Wynd

Bull Wynd will also be closed as part of necessary works. The restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until July 3.

This closure will impact the carriageway, affecting local traffic flow.

Chesnut Street

Chesnut Street is set for a road closure due to improvement works.

Restrictions are expected to remain in place until June 23. This closure will affect the carriageway, causing diversions for motorists.

Harrowgate Village

Harrowgate Village will experience a road closure for highway improvement works.

Restrictions are scheduled to remain in place until July 31.

This closure impacts the footway, carriageway, and verge, from Dewberry Lane to Village Hall.

Beaumont Hill

Beaumont Hill will also be closed for ongoing highway improvement works until July 31.

This closure affects the footway, carriageway, and verge from Dewberry Lane to number 25 Beaumont Hill.

Elstob Lane

Elstob Lane will face a road closure for highway improvement works. The restrictions are expected to remain in place until June 26.

This closure impacts the carriageway at the ‘S’ Bends, involving concrete haunching and resurfacing works.

Walworth Road, Heighington

Walworth Road in Heighington will be closed for essential highway improvement works.

Restrictions are set to remain in place until June 26.

This closure affects the footway, carriageway, and verge, involving various improvements including resurfacing and drainage works.

Former transport secretary Louise Haigh, one of his supporters, said after his by-election victory: “We really hope that this can be a managed and orderly transition and Keir Starmer will reflect on the results, and Andy and Keir can meet in the coming days, and over the next week, and agree a path forward.”

Sherry and garlic are the smells of Spain, of course, but not just because you smell them when you’re there. Sherry smells of warmth, and of complexity – it’s not a one-note ingredient – which backs up what I have felt about Spain as a country. If it’s not a dry one, it can be quite buttery with hints of caramel, especially once you reduce it. Here the sherry vinegar undercuts the sweetness while adding more depth and ‘woodiness’.

This makes an excellent quick dinner. Serve with olive-oil roast potatoes (cooked with either rosemary or thyme), or good bread and a green salad. I know it seems like a pain to keep the thighs on the bone – and in small pieces – but that’s what makes this dish taste so good.

Neil El Aynaoui and Bilal El Khannouss both missed close-range efforts they could and perhaps should have buried, but despite the seemingly unstoppable tide, Scotland kept heads above water, and the abnormally subdued Tartan Army were spurred back into life when John McGinn recorded their first shot of the match in the first minute of injury time.

After one of the worst weeks in its 25 year history, Xbox seems like it’s on the ropes and a reader isn’t sure they want to see what happens next.

I wasn’t going to try and write anything about what’s been going on with Xbox this week, because I didn’t think I could really add to it. It’s clear Microsoft is acting its usual uncaring self towards the livelihoods of thousands, it’s clear they’re only really interested in gaming in terms of whether they can dominate it or not, and it’s just as clear that none of them really know what they’re doing.

That’s obvious to everyone and all I can really add is the usual stuff about me loving the Xbox 360 back in the day and wasn’t it great when everyone was really into Halo? Lots of you reading this probably have those memories and I hate to break it to you (and Microsoft) but that was 20 years ago, and those days aren’t coming back.

Realising how long it is since Xbox was on top, it brings home to me what a mess they’ve made of things and how Phil Spencer only ever made things worse, even though he seemed to know what he was talking about. At least he wanted the business to grow though, but I think it’s looking increasingly obvious that the new boss has been told to wind things down.

Although it seems that Game Pass is the biggest cause of Xbox’s downfall, since It’s super expensive to do but it doesn’t attract enough people to make it all worthwhile, it was obvious to me that the Xbox Series X was doomed the minute it didn’t launch with Halo or any games that anyone cared about.

Worse than that, Xbox said, as if it was a good thing that everyone would approve of, that there would be no Xbox Series X exclusive for, I think it was two years. So if you bought a new Xbox Series X console at launch you could guarantee it wouldn’t be used to its full potential for at least two years. The fact that when Halo Infinite eventually came out it was rubbish, hardly seemed to matter compared to that, because the Xbox Series X was already bleeding out by that point.

You could easily say the console was dead on arrival, because at no point did it ever look like it was going to be a contender and then when Starfield came out and was a dud, that was it, you could tell that’s when they gave up and said let’s just release everything multiformat on PlayStation 5.

That’s a sad way for Xbox to go out but we’ve been there before with Sega, so we know it doesn’t have to be the end. But now I think it is for Xbox, even if it’s going to be a slow, agonising death filled with denial and false hope. Whereas my memory with Sega is they just shrugged their shoulders and got on with the job of being a third party publishers almost immediately.

I don’t particularly blame the new Xbox boss for the last few weeks of madness, she’s been given a job and they knew she didn’t know anything about games when they hired her, so she’s trying to speak to people and fans to get ideas of what to do. The whole exclusivity thing is stupid, and everyone can see their rules for it don’t make any sense, but at this point I get the feeling even hardcore Xbox fans have lost hope.

It’s a death of a thousand cuts, very literally because after all that nonsense about making Xbox (sorry, XBOX) great again we’re now into the cold reality of the situation: massive job cuts and studio closures.

It’s Wednesday afternoon as I type this and there hasn’t been any new news for a couple of days but as far as I’ve read we’re looking at probably Ninja Theory being shut down or sold off, as well as maybe two or three studios – the smaller ones like Double Fine that make art house games that never sell (which makes you wonder why Microsoft bought them in the first place).

I don’t know if there’s any accurate prediction of how many people are going to be laid off but it seems to be in the thousands rather than hundreds… again. And not just the smaller developers but people from Bethesda and Activision as well. Talented people that have been making games we all enjoy for years and then are thrown out at a moment’s notice because Microsoft’s graph isn’t going up quickly enough.

And then what’s left after that? A bunch of crippled studios with not enough people to do the work needed, that are constantly fearing for their job and planning to leave Microsoft as soon as they can. Good job Microsoft, you’ve killed Xbox. Except it’s not a quick death and I’m not sure I’ve got the stomach for watching it happen over the next few weeks.

By reader Xane

The reader’s features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro.

You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot.

Just contact us at gamecentral@metro.co.uk or use our Submit Stuff page and you won’t need to send an email.

MORE: Xbox’s real exclusivity problem is they don’t make games people want – Reader’s Feature

MORE: How to be a dad and a gamer and still get a good night’s sleep – Reader’s Feature

MORE: Zelda: Ocarina Of Time remake is going to beat GTA 6 for Game of the Year – Reader’s Feature

When temperatures rise, sleep often suffers. Hot nights can make it harder to fall asleep, increase waking during the night and leave people feeling less rested the next day.

One reason is thermoregulation, the body’s ability to keep its internal temperature within a safe range. Sleep is closely linked to body temperature: to fall asleep and stay asleep, the body usually needs to lose some heat. Hot bedrooms make that harder.

And UK summers are becoming hotter. The Met Office has reported that the chance of exceeding 40°C in the UK is now more than 20 times higher than it was in the 1960s, with a 50% chance of another 40°C day in the next 12 years.

Humidity can make the problem worse. Research on humidity and heat stress shows that high humidity can increase the strain heat places on the body. The body cools itself partly by sweating. As sweat evaporates from the skin, it carries heat away. But when the air is already humid, evaporation becomes less efficient.

So how can you sleep better in hot weather?

Air conditioning is one answer, but it is not affordable or practical for many households. According to the Energy Saving Trust, the electricity unit rate under the July to September 2026 price cap is 26.11p per kWh for direct debit customers. A small portable air-conditioning unit using about 1kW for seven hours a night over 30 nights would cost around £54.83 in electricity alone, before buying the unit.

Research on overheating in homes shows that shading and ventilation can be important passive cooling strategies: reducing indoor heat without mechanical cooling. Before cooling the air, then, it helps to reduce the heat entering the home. Overheating usually comes from sunlight entering through windows, known as solar gain, and warm outside air.

These eight steps can help keep bedrooms cooler before nightfall.

1. Keep sunlight out during the day

On sunny days, keep curtains or blinds closed on sun-facing windows. This reduces sunlight entering the room and heating up floors, walls and furniture. External shading, such as shutters, awnings or shades, can be even more effective because it stops some sunlight before it reaches the glass.

Be careful with windows. If the air outside is hotter than the air inside, opening windows can bring heat in. Open windows when the outside air is cooler than indoors, often early in the morning, evening or overnight. Close them during the hottest part of the day if the outside air is warmer.

2. Use cross-ventilation when the air outside is cooler

Cross-ventilation means opening windows or doors on different sides of a home so air can flow through. When outdoor air is cooler, this can help remove heat that has built up indoors. Studies of passive cooling in homes have found that night-time ventilation can reduce overheating, although effectiveness depends on the building, outdoor temperature, safety, noise and air quality.

3. Reduce heat from conservatories and sun-facing rooms

Conservatories can become very hot because sunlight passes through the glass and warms the surfaces inside. Keep them ventilated during the day and, where possible, close internal doors between the conservatory and the rest of the house. Reflective films, blinds, shutters, awnings and shaded roofs can all reduce heat gain.

Loft spaces and top-floor rooms can also become hot because roofs absorb solar heat. Loft ventilation or reflective roof materials may help in some homes, although these are usually more substantial interventions. For example, solar panels on the roof can generate electricity and at the same time act as a barrier to reduce heat transfer to the building.

4. Move where you sleep

If your bedroom is on an upper floor or faces south or west, it may be one of the hottest rooms in the house. Heat rises through the building, and sun-facing walls and roofs can continue releasing stored heat after sunset.

During a heatwave, sleeping on the ground floor or north-facing side of the home may help.

5. Reduce heat and humidity indoors

Ovens, hobs, tumble dryers, washing machines and dishwashers can all make indoor spaces warmer. Cooking and drying clothes indoors can also increase humidity, making it harder for sweat to evaporate.

On very hot days, use heat-producing appliances earlier in the day or later in the evening. Use extractor fans when cooking or showering because they remove warm, moist air before it spreads through the home. Research on moisture movement and extractor fans has shown that fans can reduce the movement of moisture from kitchens and bathrooms to other rooms.

6. Choose breathable bedding and clothing

A review of sleepwear and bedding fibre types found that bedding and clothing can affect thermal comfort during sleep. Light, loose sleepwear and bedding can help the body lose heat. Cotton and linen are often comfortable because they absorb moisture and allow air movement, although fabric weave, thickness and moisture handling also matter. Avoid heavy bedding, thick duvets and tight synthetic fabrics that trap heat and moisture.

7. Use fans carefully

Evidence on electric fan use in hot weather suggests that fans can be useful in many hot conditions, but their safety depends on temperature, humidity, age, hydration and health.

Fans do not cool the air. They move air across the skin, which can help sweat evaporate and make people feel cooler.

In very high temperatures, especially for older adults or people who are dehydrated or unwell, fans alone may not be enough. If using a fan, drink water, avoid directing it continuously at the face while sleeping, and stop using it if it makes you feel hotter, dizzy or unwell.

8. Try low-cost cooling aids safely

Reusable ice packs, freezer blocks or cooling pillows may help some people feel more comfortable. Wrap ice packs in a cloth or place them on a tray to avoid condensation soaking bedding or direct cold contact with skin.

Cooling mattress toppers and bedding that use water or phase change materials may also help. These materials absorb, store and release heat as they change state, although cost and effectiveness vary.

In hot weather, better sleep starts long before bedtime.

The most effective approach is usually a combination: block sunlight during the day, ventilate when outside air is cooler, reduce heat from appliances, sleep in the coolest room available and use bedding that allows the body to lose heat.