Win tickets to Grand Designs Live Birmingham

Grand Designs Live is offering 50connect readers the chance to win one of 5 pairs of tickets.

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The rise of the 'grankini'

Bikini

The price of fame is never appearing to grow old. For 65 year old Helen Mirren, that means appearing in some well-planned candid swimsuit shots.

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Chris Beardshaw’s top gardening tips for autumn

As summer turns to autumn, there is still plenty to be getting on with in the garden. In this video award-winning gardening expert and TV presenter Chris Beardshaw gives advice to those who are determined to brave the change in weather.

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In the night garden

Many people tend to focus on using gardens during daylight hours, but this misses out on one of the most delightful times to be outdoors, particularly during those frequently balmy August and September nights when we want to prolong the season as long as possible.

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A guide to online dating etiquette

Conducting yourself properly while communicating online will earn you good friends and even the love of your life. But what are these online dating manners?

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A guide to looking fabulous at 50

Whether you feel comfortable in your skin as you grow older or whether you yearn to turn back the clock, there's no escaping the fact that post-50 we need to re-evaluate the image that we present to the world, says Belinda Morris.

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Garden finch numbers decline

The number of greenfinches and chaffinches in UK gardens has declined severely in the past five years after a disease outbreak five years ago.

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Adopt a pet: Coco & Dylan

Coco & Dylan are a delightful duo who are looking for a loving new home where they can live happily ever after. Mike Henderson is a volunteer cat socialiser at Battersea Old Windsor and tells us why he loves this feline pair:

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Winter fuel payments 'may be cut'

The qualifying age for winter fuel payments could be raised under government plans to cut the welfare bill, it was reported on Wednesday.

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Picture Galleries 

The Carinthian Alps, southern Austria