Just why are Softcult so good? Find out when they play Newcastle this November (but read this chunk of text first). Softcult, the Canadian duo of twin siblings Mercedes and Phoenix Arn-Horn, are so good because they've masterfully revived and reinvented …

Jon Tait – who has a book out early next year entitled ‘Raiders Along The Anglo-Scottish Border – looks at the north’s connection to the Gunpowder Plot. Jason Davidson is a former Cumberland and Westmorland world champion, as was his father, Ken, befor…

A new housemaid begins to work at a house set in a suburb “like a film set”. She’s the storyteller, “It’s a story born of centuries-old tiredness and questions that presume too much”. She works for the senor and senora. She’s not been encouraged to use th…