Max Hastings tells the tale of the extraordinary, ordinary men of D-Day
'We were eager. We were fit. And we were totally innocent.' So wrote Sandy Smith, a Cambridge blue turned paratrooper. 'My idea was that everyone was going to be incredibly brave with drums beating and bands playing and I was going to be bravest among the brave.'
Expectations were high on D-Day, June 6, 1944, when Operation Overlord was launched, probably too high. Judged by those expectations, the day was a disappointment. Judged more realistically, it was a stunning success.
Max Hastings first wrote about the Allied invasion of Normandy in his massive tome Overlord, a conventional top-down war book published in 1984. This new book accords with recent historiographical trends; it's about individual soldiers, in particular the British who attacked Sword Beach, the
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Scottish Sun
7 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
DIY jobs Brits hate the most revealed including leaky taps and cleaning behind the fridge
Scroll down to see the full list DIY DITHER DIY jobs Brits hate the most revealed including leaky taps and cleaning behind the fridge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE most-postponed home maintenance jobs in British homes include servicing boilers, clearing gutters, and cleaning behind the fridge. A poll of 2,000 homeowners revealed the top 20 overlooked tasks around the home, with replacing shower heads, draught-proofing doors and windows, and cleaning vents and fans also featuring on the list. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 The DIY jobs Brits hate the most have been revealed Credit: Alamy It emerged more than one in 10 (12 per cent) think about these jobs on a daily basis – even if they rarely get around to actually doing them. And 20 per cent admitted they care more about how their house looks than the maintenance below the surface. Nearly a third (31 per cent) prioritise aesthetic tasks like painting walls or hanging pictures over functional ones like bleeding radiators or servicing boilers. Jessica Rawstron, engineer at British Gas, which commissioned the research, said: 'Keeping on top of the little things around the house might not seem urgent, but it can save homeowners a lot of time, money, and stress in the long run. Read more money DAD-ICATED LOVE The top 10 ways dads show love from doing DIY to sending an iconic emoji 'Summer can be a good time to catch up on home maintenance tasks that have been forgotten or delayed, with boiler servicing a prime example – especially before colder weather returns. 'Think of it as an MOT for your boiler – it helps identify and resolve any potential problems early, and by booking one in the summer you can have peace of mind that your heating is in full working order before you need it during the colder months.' According to the research, two thirds of respondents would only take action on a home maintenance task if the problem became visible. And 38 per cent of people who have had something go wrong around the home had been putting off fixing it for ages, only for it to then break completely – with 31 per cent of people who have put off a job admitting this left them with a bigger, costlier problem down the line. The top reasons people put off these little jobs are lack of skills (27 per cent), the cost (26 per cent), and a lack of time (25 per cent). But 21 per cent of those polled via OnePoll worry about making the issue worse, while 15 per cent have looked at the weather forecast and decided to wait for a different day. British Gas has created a home maintenance checklist to give homeowners handy reminders for when tasks need doing throughout the year – whether that's the best time to bleed radiators or a date in the diary to sense check the thermostat settings and consider a smart tech upgrade. Spokesperson Jessica added: 'A dripping tap or a patch of damp may seem minor now but left unchecked they can quickly turn into much bigger, and more expensive, problems. 'Regular maintenance not only protects your property but also helps preserve its value. 'Whether you own or rent, staying on top of small fixes is one of the simplest ways to avoid nasty surprises and keep your home running reliably and efficiently. 'With seasonal offers available, summer is a sensible time to make sure everything's in good working order before colder weather returns.'
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
DIY jobs Brits hate the most revealed including leaky taps and cleaning behind the fridge
THE most-postponed home maintenance jobs in British homes include servicing boilers, clearing gutters, and cleaning behind the fridge. A poll of 2,000 homeowners revealed the top 20 overlooked tasks around the home, with replacing shower heads, draught-proofing doors and windows, and cleaning vents and fans also featuring on the list. 1 It emerged more than one in 10 (12 per cent) think about these jobs on a daily basis – even if they rarely get around to actually doing them. And 20 per cent admitted they care more about how their house looks than the maintenance below the surface. Nearly a third (31 per cent) prioritise aesthetic tasks like painting walls or hanging pictures over functional ones like bleeding radiators or servicing boilers. Jessica Rawstron, engineer at British Gas, which commissioned the research, said: 'Keeping on top of the little things around the house might not seem urgent, but it can save homeowners a lot of time, money, and stress in the long run. 'Summer can be a good time to catch up on home maintenance tasks that have been forgotten or delayed, with boiler servicing a prime example – especially before colder weather returns. 'Think of it as an MOT for your boiler – it helps identify and resolve any potential problems early, and by booking one in the summer you can have peace of mind that your heating is in full working order before you need it during the colder months.' According to the research, two thirds of respondents would only take action on a home maintenance task if the problem became visible. And 38 per cent of people who have had something go wrong around the home had been putting off fixing it for ages, only for it to then break completely – with 31 per cent of people who have put off a job admitting this left them with a bigger, costlier problem down the line. The top reasons people put off these little jobs are lack of skills (27 per cent), the cost (26 per cent), and a lack of time (25 per cent). But 21 per cent of those polled via OnePoll worry about making the issue worse, while 15 per cent have looked at the weather forecast and decided to wait for a different day. British Gas has created a home maintenance checklist to give homeowners handy reminders for when tasks need doing throughout the year – whether that's the best time to bleed radiators or a date in the diary to sense check the thermostat settings and consider a smart tech upgrade. Spokesperson Jessica added: 'A dripping tap or a patch of damp may seem minor now but left unchecked they can quickly turn into much bigger, and more expensive, problems. 'Regular maintenance not only protects your property but also helps preserve its value. 'Whether you own or rent, staying on top of small fixes is one of the simplest ways to avoid nasty surprises and keep your home running reliably and efficiently. 'With seasonal offers available, summer is a sensible time to make sure everything's in good working order before colder weather returns.' Top 20 home maintenance jobs Brits put off gutters 2. Cleaning behind the fridge 3. Fixing a leaky tap 4. Fixing a squeaky door 5. Replacing a toilet seat 6. Servicing the boiler 7. Bleeding radiators 8. Installing a new tap 9. Cleaning vents and fans 10. Replacing kitchen appliances 11. Replacing a light bulb 12. Replacing a showerhead 13. Repairing a roof leak 14. Changing a door lock 15. Installing a doorbell 16. Installing curtain rods 17. Repairing plasterboard 18. Weatherproofing windows and doors 19. Unblocking a sink or toilet 20. Building a garden shed
Daily Record
19 hours ago
- Daily Record
Attendance Allowance rules older people must know or £441 DWP payments could stop
Nearly 1.7 million State Pensioners receive either £73.90 or £110.40 each week on the non-means tested benefit from the DWP. The latest figures from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show there were nearly 1.7 million people across Great Britain receiving additional financial support through Attendance Allowance at the end of August last year. The data also indicates 150,000 people living in Scotland are now receiving either £73.90 or £110.40 each week after the annual uprating was applied last month. Attendance Allowance is a tax-free benefit, delivered by the DWP and designed to help older people with daily living expenses which could also help them stay independent in their own home for longer. However, many claimants may not be aware there are several changes in circumstances which must be reported to the DWP's Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 as soon as possible - especially if your condition changes or you go into hospital - as they could affect entitlement or payments. DWP guidance on the website also warns: 'You could be taken to court or have to pay a penalty if you give wrong information or do not report a change in your circumstances.' The guidance goes on to list changes claimants must report which are outlined below. Reporting a change in circumstances If your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down. You must contact the Attendance Allowance helpline straight away if: the level of help you need or your condition changes - you'll need to provide details like if the amount of times you need help each day has changed you go into hospital or a care home - you'll need to provide the address, the dates you've been there for, and how your stay is paid for a medical professional has said you might have 12 months or less to live you plan to leave the country for more than 4 weeks you go into prison you change your name, address or bank details you want to stop receiving your benefit your doctor's details change your immigration status changes, if you're not a British citizen If you're not sure if a change affects your Attendance Allowance benefit, it's worthwhile contacting the DWP to check - full details on here. It's also important to be aware DWP guidance states if your circumstances change, the amount you get from Attendance Allowance may go up or down. Reporting a change if you need more help You should consider contacting the DWP to report a change if you feel you need more help for a disability or illness. This could be additional help or supervision throughout the day or at times during the night -even if you do not currently get that help. This could include: Help with your personal care - for example getting dressed, eating or drinking, getting in and out of bed, bathing or showering and going to the toilet Help to stay safe You should also consider reporting a change if you are experiencing more difficulties completing personal tasks, for example if they take you a long time, you experience pain or you need physical help, like a chair to lean on. But remember, Attendance Allowance is not just for people with a physical disability or illness. You should also consider reporting a change if you need more help or supervision throughout the day or night and have: a mental health condition learning difficulties a sensory condition - if you are deaf or blind You can contact the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122, Monday to Friday from 8am to 6pm. Full details about reporting a change can be found on the website here. There are more than 50 physical or mental health conditions being supported by Attendance Allowance and even if you're already claiming for one of these, another may have developed or your current condition may have become more debilitating. Health issues supported by Attendance Allowance Support is also provided for People who are terminally ill. Arthritis Spondylosis Back Pain – Other / Precise Diagnosis not Specified Disease of The Muscles, Bones or Joints Trauma to Limbs Blindness Deafness Heart disease Chest disease Asthma Cystic Fibrosis Cerebrovascular Disease Peripheral vascular Disease Epilepsy Neurological Diseases Multiple Sclerosis Parkinson's Motor Neurone Disease Chronic Pain Syndromes Diabetes Mellitus Metabolic Disease Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Major Trauma Other than Traumatic Paraplegia/Tetraplegia Learning Difficulties Psychosis Psychoneurosis Personality Disorder Dementia Behavioural Disorder Alcohol and Drug Abuse Hyperkinetic Syndrome Renal Disorders Inflammatory Bowel Disease Bowel and Stomach Disease Blood Disorders Haemophilia Multi System Disorders Multiple Allergy Syndrome Skin Disease Malignant Disease Severely Mentally impaired Double Amputee Deaf/Blind Haemodialysis Frailty Total Parenteral Nutrition AIDS How much could I get on Attendance Allowance? From April 7, you could receive £73.90 (lower rate) if you need help during the day or at night or £110.40 (higher rate) if you need help during the day and at night, or if you are terminally ill. The benefit is paid every four weeks , which means you could receive either £295.60 or £441.60 every pay period. You can spend the money however you like and it could help you stay independent in your own home for longer. This might include: paying for taxis helping towards bills paying for a cleaner or gardener Can I claim Attendance Allowance even if I have savings and other income? Yes. Attendance Allowance isn't means-tested so it doesn't matter what other money you have coming in or how much you have in savings either - there's no limit. it is also tax-free and you will be exempt from the Benefit Cap so you won't have money taken away from any other benefits. Will Attendance Allowance affect my State Pension? No, it won't affect your State Pension and you can even claim it if you're still working and earning money. How does Attendance Allowance affect other benefits? The other benefits you get might increase if you get Attendance Allowance, these include: Extra Pension Credit Housing Benefit Reduction Council Tax Reduction Full guidance on Attendance Allowance can be found on here.
