I’m ready to stage a rebellion (Picture: Kat Storr)
Class birthday parties: a great way for children to have fun on weekends, for parents to get acquainted – and even better when you get a grown-up drink or cake thrown in.
However, after five years of having three children at school, and one fortnight that involved nine parties, I’m ready to stage a rebellion.
Last year the summer holidays were a welcome break from the WhatsApp party groups and school bag invitations.
But as it got closer to the new term starting, the parties started to creep back into our diary and I replied ‘Yes’ to all of them because our calendar was looking empty for September.
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School started, and I only then realised that I’d RSVP’d ‘Yes’ to nine parties in two weeks, more than my husband, Matt, and I go to in one year.
As parents we are used to being outnumbered by our children (Picture: Kat Storr)
As parents we are used to being outnumbered by our children so ‘divide and conquer’ has become something of a motto. However, working out how to get to and from six parties in one weekend, with one car, was a logistical nightmare.
During another party-filled Saturday in October I found myself with just a single hour between chauffeuring the kids, to sit down and eat. I held on to the memory of those peaceful 60 minutes when my nervous system was being overstimulated at a wild leisure centre bouncy castle party for two hours later that afternoon.
The invitations to whole-class parties started coming in when our oldest son, now nine, started school. There were regularly two or three in a weekend but as it was new to us, we enjoyed seeing him having fun and chatting to parents.
Some families seem to be really good at keeping their weekends for family time, says Kat (Picture: Kat Storr)
Our twin boys, who were born in 2019, are seven and in Year 2 now, and the invitations are still coming in thick and fast. The novelty has worn off.
Now that they’re older the frequency has gone down, but six parties per month isn’t uncommon. Our kids’ social lives have taken over and we’re just there to escort them and deal with the Haribo crash.
Some families seem to be really good at keeping their weekends for family time or seeing friends who aren’t at the school gates five days a week.
My friend Chloe* often tells me that they’ve blocked out a weekend for family time, no matter what invitations come their way.
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But I feel guilty saying no. I worry that my kids will be missing out, or people may stop inviting them to anything, and what my boys should say to their friends about why they weren’t there.
With our family, the twin factor also plays a large part in why we have so many parties. But, I thought they would have died down by Year 2 – or people would keep them small.
With our family, the twin factor also plays a large part in why we have so many parties (Picture: Kat Storr)
Even sharing parties would be easier for everyone rather than organising the same type of party at the same venues on consecutive weekends. But, I can’t start telling people what to do.
When the twins turned six, we let them choose 10 friends each (they’re in different classes) to invite to a party with a magician at a local church hall. It was still a bigger party than we planned but it felt more manageable after hosting two back-to-back whole class parties when they were in Reception, which was a logistical nightmare and completely exhausting.
How should parents manage children’s party invitations to balance social and family time?
Accept all invitations to ensure their kids are socially involved.
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Limit the number of parties to protect family weekend time.
Only attend parties with close friends.
Evaluate each invitation based on how much the children want to attend.
Join us each week as hear from the people going through familial estrangement, for worse and for better.
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My older son is much more understanding than the twins if we ask him to miss a party for a family commitment. And at his age the kids tend to invite three or four friends for an activity or sleepover. I like these kinds of parties as they’re calmer, more fun and less parental involvement (refereeing) is required.
Part of me does feel bad for complaining. It’s wonderful to see our boys’ friendships blossoming and I’d be sad if they weren’t being invited. Now that the children are older, more parties are drop-offs and we’re lucky that we have friends who are happy to share lifts.
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But I want to spend time with my children on the weekend, too (Picture: Kat Storr)
Plus, our kids get to do some great activities such as Go Ape, ice skating and climbing which we would usually only do as a special treat during the school holidays.
There are obviously bigger issues to worry about than birthday parties when it comes to parenting. But I want to find a way to take back our weekends and enjoy this precious time with our fast-growing boys who won’t want to spend time with us when they’re teenagers.
Even without coming to the Winter Olympics in Italy, Donald Trump and his polarising policies and provocations are dominating, even distracting.
Of all the security agents chosen to protect the official US delegation, ICE is in Milan for the expected opening ceremony visits by vice president JD Vance and secretary of state Marco Rubio.
They are the Immigration and Customs Enforcement personnel called a “militia that kills” by Milan mayor Beppe Sala following the deaths of two Americans last month in Minneapolis.
Image: Pic: AP
There have been attempts by the Italian government to allay fears about their deployment, insisting they won’t have powers to conduct policing in the streets.
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But just their presence here has been a concern for protesting locals in Milan.
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Add in how tensions have been stoked in recent weeks between Mr Trump and Europe over his threats to capture Greenland, and it all raises the potential for a hostile atmosphere greeting American officials and athletes in the opening ceremony at the San Siro home of AC and Inter Milan on Friday night.
So, I asked International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Kirsty Coventry: would jeering be freedom of expression, or is there a need for spectators to show respect?
“I hope that the opening ceremony is seen by everyone as an opportunity to be respectful of each other,” Ms Coventry said, reflecting on seeing athletes from different countries mixing in the official Olympic village in Milan.
“It was a real opportunity to put into perspective how we could be.
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“And so I hope that the opening ceremony will do that and will be a reminder for everyone how we could be.”
Image: IOC president Kirsty Coventry said she hoped people would be ‘respectful of each other’
US Games on the horizon
Ms Coventry is yet to meet Mr Trump despite the Los Angeles Olympics being just two years away.
But Olympic chiefs are facing pressure from IOC members in Africa to tackle concerns about the impact of Mr Trump’s travel bans on delegations.
Officials from Ethiopia and Djibouti challenged LA 2028 chiefs during meetings in Milan about the need for equal access for all countries to the games – beyond athletes.
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Ms Coventry’s own Zimbabwe is subject to restrictions for some citizens for entry to the US.
Her lack of contact with Mr Trump after a year leading the IOC contrasts with the US leaders’ regular meetings with FIFA president Gianni Infantino, although his World Cup is sooner – coming this summer.
Moore’s team-mates created just seven chances between them at Hibs on Sunday.
He registered five alone on Wednesday, while his seven dribbles were also higher than any other player.
Game state has to come into that, of course. At the weekend, Rangers were playing against 11 men, away to a top-six side. Struggling Kilmarnock were a man and a goal down after a few minutes on Wednesday.
A goal-scoring performance from the England youth international in the Old Firm derby win at Celtic last month looked set to ignite his Ibrox career, but seven games without a goal contribution followed.
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Despite that, the Ibrox side just appear a livelier and more unpredictable proposition with Moore in the line-up.
A mid-season injury and squad rotation has meant Moore has failed to feature in 12 of Rangers’ 25 league matches, but Rohl is now demanding consistency as his side attempt to reel Hearts in.
“We know Mikey, that should be the level for him again and again,” the Rangers head coach told BBC Scotland.
“This is the next step for him, consistency. But I will not speak about individual performances, it’s about the team.”
“Cervical screening can be difficult for some women for many reasons, like if they have had a bad previous experience, they are menopausal, they have a physical or learning disability, cultural barriers, or are a survivor of sexual violence,” says Athena Lamnisos from charity The Eve Appeal.
A man in his 70s has been arrested in connection to the fire.
A man has been arrested after a fire at a barn in Lakenheath. Suffolk Police were called to Back Street by Suffolk Fire & Rescue at around 11:30pm on Thursday, January 29, with reports that a barn that was completely engulfed in flames.
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Emergency services attended and a man in his 20s was found inside of the barn. He was taken to hospital for treatment to severe burns, where he remains in a critical but stable condition.
A man in his 70s has been arrested on suspicion of false imprisonment and on suspicion of the cultivation of cannabis. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
He has been released on police bail. Officers are appealing to anyone with information or who had recent use of the building to come forward.
Anyone who witnessed the incident or saw anything suspicious in the area before the incident should contact West CID at Suffolk Police quoting 37/5794/26 via their website or by calling 101.
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You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800555111.
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The WASPI campaign is consulting lawyers about a fresh judicial review after the Government refused compensation to 1950s-born women affected by state pension age changes
The WASPI campaign (Women Against State Pension Inequality) has stepped up its calls for DWP compensation, despite the Government recently stating there would be no financial redress. Labour ministers addressed the Commons last week on January 29 to confirm that no compensation would be offered to the 1950s-born women represented by WASPI and similar campaign groups.
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Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told Parliament: “The evidence shows that the vast majority of 1950s-born women already knew the state pension age was increasing thanks to a wide range of public information, including through leaflets, education campaigns, information in GP surgeries, on TV, radio, cinema and online. To specifically compensate only those women who suffered injustice would require a scheme that could reliably verify the individual circumstances of millions of women.”
WASPI condemned the decision as a “disgraceful political choice” that showed “utter contempt” for the affected women. The campaign represents the generation of women who were impacted when the state pension age for women increased from 60 to 65 and later to 66.
They argue that the DWP failed to properly inform them of the changes, with many remaining oblivious until the last moment, upending their retirement plans when they discovered the news. The Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman had previously investigated the matter, finding there was ‘maladministration’ by the DWP, as they should have sent notification letters to the women far sooner.
The Ombudsman also recommended financial compensation for the affected women, ranging from £1,000 to £2,950. In December 2024, Labour announced they would not provide compensation, reports the Mirror.
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The Government subsequently reversed this position, stating they would reassess the matter due to new evidence they needed to examine. However, in their most recent decision, the Government said once more there would be no financial settlements.
The WASPI campaign is now urging its members to contact their local MPs, pressing them to demand a Parliamentary vote on the issue. In the Ombudsman’s report, the watchdog called for Parliament to address the matter.
Numerous MPs individually support the WASPI cause, as well as some political parties including the Liberal Democrats and Green Party. WASPI had sought a judicial review of the earlier ruling, though this was resolved out of court after the Government pledged to revisit their decision.
Angela Madden, chair of the WASPI campaign, said the organisation is consulting with lawyers regarding a potential fresh judicial review application. She said: “We would welcome it, if the lawyers think there is a different way to go, we would welcome that as well.”
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She said they expect to receive guidance from their legal team shortly. If you want to file a judicial review of such a decision, it must be submitted within three months.
Ms Madden said: “The only people who can get this for us are Parliament. So we have to impress on Parliament that they simply must do it. The way the DWP has behaved is undemocratic. They are defending themselves, and the Ombudsman is so that we are protected from departments defending themselves.”
She said the campaigners feel “insulted”, particularly as the Government’s decision relied on a 2014 survey suggesting the women would not remember getting a letter or would not read it if they had received it, and so sending out letters sooner would have made little difference.
“The criminals use this data to develop AI-generated voice clones used to simulate consent for direct debits, deceiving even legitimate businesses and financial providers,” the watchdog explains.
“These details appear then to be passed or sold to other criminal operations who, with the details, can easily circumvent the banks and set up payments without the victim’s knowledge.
“Victims often do not realise payments are being taken.”
Scamming is rife: Brits receive seven scam calls or texts on average every month.
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And NTS has blocked nearly 21 million scam calls in six months.
As part of that work, the watchdog has shut down more than 2,000 phone numbers.
Crooks can use AI software to quickly and cheaply carry out scamsCredit: Alamy
“What we’re seeing is a deeply disturbing combination of old and new: traditional phone scams supported by disturbing new techniques,” said Louse Baxter MBE, who heads up the NTS’ scams team.
“Criminals are using AI not just to deceive victims, but to trick legitimate systems into processing fraudulent payments.
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“This is no longer just a nuisance – it’s a coordinated, sophisticated operation targeting some of the most situationally vulnerable consumers in society.
“We urge everyone to speak to friends and relatives about scam calls, check bank statements regularly and report anything suspicious.”
NTS says that Brits are being cold-called and then coerced into providing details to the criminals.
This allowed crooks to take “continuous payments” from the accounts of victims.
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And because this happens in the background, it’s possible for victims to not even realise their accounts are quietly being emptied.
STAY SAFE FROM SCAMS – WHICH? ADVICE
Here’s the official Which? response to this scam alert…
“It’s horrifying that criminals are using AI to clone voices in order to set up fraudulent direct debits,” said Lisa Webb, Which? consumer law expert.
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“You shouldn’t have to worry about your own voice being used against you in this way but sadly we’ve reached a stage where every phone call must be treated with suspicion.
“If you get any calls out of the blue, don’t be afraid to hang up – genuine callers won’t mind.
“If you see any direct debits or transactions on your bank account that you don’t recognise, contact your bank immediately using the number on the back of your card.
“You should also report any scams to Police Scotland or Report Fraud to investigate.
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“It’s also worth making sure you’re registered with the telephone preference service to opt out of unsolicited marketing calls, that way you’ll know that any unexpected marketing or sales calls are either a rogue company or a scammer.”
“This alarming new twist in phone-based fraud shows just how quickly criminals are exploiting emerging technologies to prey on the public,” said John Herriman, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute chief.
“Voice cloning takes scam calls to a sinister new level, making it even harder for legitimate businesses and consumers to distinguish real interactions from fraudulent ones.
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“Trading Standards teams across the UK are working tirelessly to disrupt these operations, but we need the public to stay alert, talk to loved ones about the risks, and report anything suspicious.
“Protecting consumers, especially those most vulnerable, requires all of us to stay informed and work together to tackle these modern day and emerging examples of fraud.”
Voice-cloning technology isn’t new – it’s been around for several years.
Tools to clone voices can be accessed cheaply and easily online, making the process relatively straightforward.
We spoke to Louise Baxter from the NTS, who shared advice for Sun readers worried about this kind of con.
“It all starts with one phone call, where you think you’re talking to a real company and they ask for your bank details,” Louise told The Sun.
“So the most important advice is to never give any personal information to anyone who calls you out of the blue and without doing your own checks on who they are, no matter how genuine they sound.
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“But the criminals are clever and anyone can be a victim of a scam.
“With the growing use of sophistication and AI in scams, we should all get into the habit of checking our bank statements regularly to make sure we recognise all the payments that are going out.
“We’re also urging people to talk to friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to scam phone calls, to help them stay safe.”
Louise also recommended visiting their website for advice – http://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk – as well as instructions for downloading the NTS’ new scam-fighting app.
The incident saw an Audi SQ7 model stolen from Leeds, according to Greater Manchester Police, in the early hours of today, February 4.
The car was driven along the M62 towards Greater Manchester before being spotted by officers who began following it.
The Audi drove onto the M60 and then the East Lancashire Road, where a pursuit ensued. Police cars and the National Police Air Service helicopter followed it.
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Officers say it hit “more than 120mph” in some areas, before its two occupants decamped on Milk Street, Tyldesley, and were arrested.
The driver, an 18-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of burglary, dangerous driving, failing to stop and no insurance.
The passenger, a 20-year-old man, was arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Both remain in custody for questioning.
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Sergeant Rebecca McElory from GMP’s Roads Policing Unit said: “This was a fast‑moving incident that began outside our force area, and thanks to the coordinated work between ourselves and colleagues from NPAS, we were able to safely bring it to a conclusion.
“The two suspects in this job showed a complete disregard for the law and for the safety of other road users by travelling at extremely high speeds in a stolen vehicle.
“We are very lucky that we aren’t here talking about a high-speed collision which could have seen innocent members of the public seriously injured.
“I hope these arrests send a clear message to those who think they are above the law that we will not hesitate to take action against these people who strike fear into our communities.”
The president’s name appeared more than 6,000 times in the documents. He was frequently mentioned by Epstein and his associates. The two men, both residents of New York City and West Palm Beach, had by all accounts a friendly relationship for much of the 1990s until, according to Trump, they fell out in the early 2000s.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Roseneath Road in Great Lever, where the incident took place.
A Greater Manchester Police (GMP) spokesperson told The Bolton News: “Shortly before 3.30pm this afternoon (Wednesday, February 4) officers were called to reports of a dog attack on Roseneath Road, Bolton.
“Emergency services attended and a 10-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries, believed to be life-changing.
“Armed Response Vehicles and GMP Dog Unit were deployed, and two dogs have been detained.
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“A 28-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control, and are currently in custody.
“Officers will remain in the area as they conduct further enquiries and to provide reassurance to the community.”
Residents gathered while emergency services attended the scene (Image: Supplied)
In footage shared with The Bolton News, Roseneath Road was taped off, with a police car blocking the road.
Three other police vehicles could be seen further down the residential street.
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Details of the attack have not yet been released, and it is unclear at this stage whether both detained dogs were involved.
ARSENAL and Manchester City will face off in the League Cup final next month… pitting apprentice Mikel Arteta against master Pep Guardiola.
Arteta, 43, served as Guardiola’s City assistant for three years before becoming Gunners boss in 2019.
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Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola have done battle 15 times as managersCredit: ReutersThe pair were previously colleagues at Manchester CityCredit: PA
The pair won several trophies together, including a League Cup at Arsenal‘s expense in 2018.
Guardiola continued to win plenty of trophies following Arteta’s Etihad exit, even pipping his former No2 to the title in 2023 and 2024.
But the gap has narrowed in recent years, with Arsenal finally finishing above City last season, albeit still below Liverpool, and currently leading them by six points in this term’s title race.
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Arteta managed to claim a big early win over Guardiola in his managerial career, beating him 2-0 in the 2020 FA Cup semi-finals behind closed doors after deploying a back-three formation.
Arsenal went on to win that season’s FA Cup, Arteta’s first silverware as a boss.
But that semi-final triumph would be his only win over Guardiola in his first nine attempts, with Arsenal losing all eight of the others.
These defeats included a 5-0 hammering at the Etihad in August 2021, as well as a 4-1 Eastlands demolition in April 2023 as Arsenal’s title dream that season was crushed.
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Amazingly, that was the last time that Guardiola beat Arteta – with the latter arguably now having the upper hand.
BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERSArsenal were trounced 5-0 by Man City in August 2021Credit: APMan City blitzed the Gunners on the way to the title in 2023Credit: Getty
The two bosses have met six times since then, with Arsenal winning three of them and the other three draws.
The run began with the Gunners winning 5-2 in the 2023 Community Shield.
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And while many dismiss that match as a glorified friendly, it proved to be a big step for Arteta’s side.
They subsequently beat City 1-0 in the Premier League two months later, before earning a 0-0 draw at the Etihad later that season.
John Stones scored a 98th minute equaliser for 2-2 in their September 2024 meeting, with Arsenal having had to play the entire second half with 10 men following Lenadro Trossard’s second yellow card for kicking the ball away.
Arsenal fans were treated to a match they will never forget in February last year, as their side trounced an out-of-sorts City side 5-1 at the Emirates.
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Earlier this season, the two sides drew 1-1 in North London, with Gabriel Martinelli scoring a 93rd minute leveller to cancel out Erling Haaland‘s first-half effort.
This result saw Arteta become the first manager to ever go five consecutive league matches without losing to Guardiola.
Arsenal beat Man City to win the Community Shield in 2023Credit: GettyThe Gunners trounced City 5-2 last FebruaryCredit: GettyArsenal drew 1-1 with City at the Emirates earlier this seasonCredit: Getty
The Spaniard felt that his side had “completely dominated” City – with the Sky Blues recording just 32.8 per cent possession – the lowest tally of Guardiola’s top-flight managerial career.
At the time, Arteta said: “It’s easy to say that [we lacked ambition], but we started the game very well and completely dominated.
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“City scored a goal and then did nothing. Everybody tries to do best to get a result, that’s fine.
“But we controlled the game and dominated and the second-half was the same.
“I’m extremely proud of my players and team, but very disappointed with the result. The pride I feel is that we dominated the game.”
Having not won a major trophy since that Covid-era FA Cup in August 2020, the Community Shield notwithstanding, Arteta will be hoping that a League Cup success next month could open the floodgates, while further rubber-stamping the end of the Guardiola-era at City.
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But time will tell whether the Arteta vs Guardiola rivalry will have time for another major twist, with next month’s showpiece a major test.
Arteta and Guardiola will do battle once again in next month’s cup finalCredit: Getty
