“Fish and chips was in many ways the pioneer fast-food industry. It became an essential component of working-class diet and popular culture in parts of London, and over wide areas of industrial midland and northern England and southern Scotland, in the early decades of the twentieth century…I propose to argue that the fish and chip trade was not only important enough in itself to justify sustained historical analysis, but also that it provides a useful vantage point for examining important changes in British society more generally.”
— John Walken, 1998, Journal of Social History
In England I’m in a very international community. I’m meeting students attempting to learn English, they are from all over the world. Many have never heard of Jesus, some have heard the name and nothing more. It’s amazing, a kind smile and warm conversation is a perfect pretext… pic.twitter.com/jLiDAc8nlU
*After the Roman period, Bath remained a small town until the 18th century, when it became a fashionable spa destination for the wealthy. The architect John Wood the Elder designed much of the city’s Georgian architecture, including the famous Royal Crescent and the Circus. Bath also played an important role in the English literary scene, as several famous authors, including Jane Austen, lived and wrote in the city. During the 19th century, Bath’s popularity declined as other spa towns became fashionable. In the 20th century, the city experienced significant redevelopment and preservation efforts, including the restoration of its Roman baths and the construction of a new spa complex.
Today, Bath is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist destination known for its historical and cultural significance.
Today, February 23, 2026, marks the start of Cornish Pasty Week in the UK — an annual celebration of the iconic Cornish pasty, Cornwall’s most famous traditional food.
This year’s event runs from February 23 to March 1, 2026, organized by the Cornish Pasty Association. It highlights the protected status of the genuine Cornish pasty (which must be made in Cornwall to traditional recipes: beef, potato, swede/rutabaga, onion, and seasoning in shortcrust pastry, hand-crimped) and encourages pasty makers, bakeries, and sellers across Cornwall (and beyond) to promote it.
Key highlights happening right now:
It’s kicking off with promotions, special offers, and events at local bakeries and shops.
The week builds excitement toward the Global Pasty Championships on Saturday, February 28, at the Lost Gardens of Heligan in Cornwall. This competition brings together bakers for a chance at a “global title,” featuring pasty-making, music, and Cornish pride — it’s positioned as a big finale to the week, just before St Piran’s Day (Cornwall’s patron saint day on March 5).
Pasties are being celebrated as a cultural staple, with mentions of fundraising (the event has raised over £35,000 in past years for school cooking programs in Cornwall).
Social media and news outlets are buzzing about it — BBC Cornwall shared a fun post calling it “any excuse for an oggy” (a common nickname for a pasty), and butchers/bakeries are posting their versions and specials.
It’s a lighthearted, food-focused week emphasizing tradition, community, and enjoying (or baking) these hearty handheld pies. If you’re in the UK, especially Cornwall, look out for local deals or events — or just grab a proper one to join in! No major controversies or breaking scandals today; it’s all positive vibes around this beloved British classic.
The Ploughman’s lunch belongs to the English foodway of simple cold meals built around bread, cheese and preserved foods. Its ingredients reflect the farmhouse, dairy, bakery and kitchen garden: a substantial piece of cheese, crusty bread, butter, pickled onions or chutney, often accompanied by apple, ham, boiled egg or salad.
Requiring little preparation and no cooking at the table, it evokes food carried into the fields or served at an inn during the working day.
Though the modern name and standardized pub presentation are comparatively recent, its components are much older: local produce, preservation, seasonality and refreshment arranged as an ordinary meal.
Ophelia Lovibond studied English at the University of Sussex, graduating in 2008.
How are our researchers transforming lives? From protecting children to preventing exploitation, our researchers are putting people at the heart of their research. Hear from our Centres of Excellence.
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As with many Tudor-era buildings the result of Lady Margaret Beaufort patronage, there is no named architect. The Great Gate, the First Court, the Chapel and the surrounding ranges were designed “on the fly” by stonemasons at the job site.
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For the 2021/22 cohort alone international students generated ~£41.9bn in benefits (tuition, living expenses, visitor spending) against £4.4bn in public service costs — a £37.4bn net benefit (benefit-cost ratio ~9.4:1). This equates to ~£560 per UK resident or £466 extra per working adult annually. They cross-subsidise UK students and research (domestic fees are frozen in real terms), support jobs in university towns, and boost exports. At places like Christ’s College, ~1/3 of undergraduates are international, helping sustain operations.
Economic: The money helps universities and local economies short-term, but doesn’t fix low UK productivity, skills gaps, or stagnant wages in non-university sectors. Many internationals return home after studies (or via the Graduate route), so long-term innovation/entrepreneurship spillovers are limited. Over-reliance risks vulnerability if numbers drop (as seen with recent policy changes).
Social/Housing/NHS: Rapid growth (post-2019 surge) adds pressure on housing stock, especially in student cities — contributing to shortages and higher rents in some areas. They pay the Immigration Health Surcharge and use fewer services than averages, but the scale strains local infrastructure.
Cultural: They enrich campuses with diversity and global perspectives, but rapid inflows can challenge social cohesion, integration, or a sense of shared national identity in some communities. Public opinion is mostly positive on a person-by-person basis but, taken en-mass, England-born English are wary — on now openly hostile — toward overall migration volumes.
Universities excel at education and soft power (future global leaders with UK ties), but they are not designed as primary tools for fixing domestic policy failures like planning laws, welfare design, or skills training. These require broader government action beyond attracting “aspirational” fee-payers.
Tolkien, author of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” completed his studies at the University of Birmingham in 1915. He graduated with first-class honors in English Language and Literature. After graduation, Tolkien went on to serve in World War I before embarking on his distinguished career as a writer and academic.
Our researchers have found that banning phones in schools doesn’t improve students’ mental health and wellbeing. However, increased phone and social media use correlated with negative impacts. Addressing use both in and out of school is crucial. Read more: https://t.co/OrMdq735f5pic.twitter.com/hkuuqGnQ8q
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New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
