From Cadbury’s reducing its variety boxes to everyone leaving London: Here’s what got us talking this week
There was a (sexual) revelation. There was a time capsule. And somewhere in a field near Bath, there was a really big emoji.
Here's what got us talking this week
1. The mysterious case of the shrinking Roses
We were up in arms when we learned Cadbury's dastardly plans to cut the size of our favourite Christmas variety boxes. You'll get around 11 fewer sweets in each family sized tin of Roses or Heroes (but the price will remain the same). Just as well we haven't done our Christmas shopping (unlike a million Britons who already have) so we can give the chocolatiers a lump of coal.
Maybe it's not such a bad thing though. After all, we also learned that fatherhood makes men pile on the pounds – even if they don't live with their child.
It's enough to you make you scream. But which country screams for ice cream? Here's the scoop.
2 . Londoners are moving on with their lives
It's not us. It's London. Maybe it's the cost of living but people are deserting the capital in their droves. Many of those who have made the move already have gone to the usual satellite suspects, but we were surprised to learn a little Dorset town topped the list as the most popular destination for ex-city slickers.
And for those of you still looking to take the plunge and get out of the Big Smoke, this article could come in very useful. These are the best commuter towns right now.
3. If everyone is leaving London, why's the Tube so crowded?
Chalk it up to one of life's puzzles, but just as more people are relocating out of the capital, simultaneously its transport system is getting ever more clogged. The number of people using the Tube is only going one way – but for some stations out there, it's moving way quicker than others.
4. The Tories' mayoral contest got serious
It's crunch time on Saturday for the seven would-be Conservative candidates, who will battle it out in a popularity contest that sadly involves no revolving chairs or sudden death sing-offs. Will it be Stephen Greenhalgh – current deputy mayor – who spoke to us about his tough stance on crime? Or live-wire entrepreneur Ivan Massow, who wants to stay at your house (so he can understand the big issues facing Londoners). Either way, by the end of the process, just three candidates will be on the ballot.
5. Success isn't all it's cracked up to be
Wealthy, healthy, clever and sociable: sounds like the dream combination. But scientists have warned that people this group is at serious risk of harmful drinking when they reach their 50s for those who are ageing “successfully”. Time to stop raising your glass for winning at life.
Infographic of the Week
What's in the Walkie Talkie: Find out here
Leisurely Reads
Ever thought of chucking it all in to start up your own microbrewery? You're not alone. This is why (and how) City workers are turning their hand to the craft ale industry.
As the allegations around doping in the Tour de France continue, we consider whether Team Sky's sponsors should be worried about being tarnished by association.
Great Reads from Elsewhere
We all know about gentrification in London and the tensions it can cause as locals are priced out of the market. But what's it like in America? This LA Times piece considers exactly that topic but from the perspective of the “black Beverly Hills”.
For the history fans among you, this New Statesman piece considers the issues around remembering the centenary of the Easter Rising next year and why Ireland's “history wars” are still raging.
And lastly Reuters' special report on Alexis Tsipras, dubbed “the man who cost Greece billions” is well worth a read.