This sets a terrible example to the firms in which Aviva’s fund management arm invests

With his natural warmth and gentleness allied to a refreshingly non-dogmatic take on retro musical styles, M. Ward is one of the more engaging Americana artists around today.

It is difficult to imagine these days, but, not very long ago, people would deposit litter on the streets without care or reproach, dog mess would be left on the pavement, and smokers would strike up without any consideration for their fellow citizens.

At this time of year, the only company you're likely to have in Orkney is seabirds, as Mark Rowe discovers

You have to have a big appetite for superlatives if you're to consume an entire MasterChef final.

Is the 50p top income tax rate damaging the economy? A letter to the Daily Telegraph yesterday was sure of it. The tax "puts wealth creators like us in a very awkward position," said more than 500 of the most successful entrepreneurs no one has ever heard of. Maurice Shearman, for example, is the owner of Ace Moulding Services, the go-to place in Coventry if you need, erm, moulding services.

From 1955 to 1962, it seemed only the Americans could create convincing rock'n'roll, and few British records could compete. One exception was the atmospheric "Shakin' All Over" from Johnny Kidd and the Pirates (1960): the tense stop/start song, Kidd's belligerent vocal and Joe Moretti's dramatic guitar breaks combined to make a remarkable record.

Selfridges in London has parted company with its "celebrity" butcher Jack O'Shea after he was caught using a codeword to sell banned foie gras to customers under the counter.

Queen guitarist Brian May today announced his opposition to the killing of 200 Canada geese in the Lake District.

Countless attempts have been made to bring Sebastian Faulks' 'Birdsong' to the screen over the past two decades – and all have failed. Sam Peters went on set to meet the plucky team battling to ensure this epic First World War adaptation has been worth the wait.

Given the hysterical simple-mindedness that has recently surrounded some aspects of BBC Natural History filming, you half wonder whether the opening promise of Earthflight – that we would be given a "bird's-eye view" of the natural world – needed to be accompanied by an on-screen disclaimer. "Note: Not actually recorded using a real bird's eye. Microlights used in the filming of this series. Engine noise has been removed from some footage and replaced with the sound of rushing wind and flapping wings. Feather noises may derive from a species not shown on screen." That said, the question of exactly how they did capture these images will be a live one even for viewers not intent on BBC-baiting, because they are remarkable. The camera appears to fly alongside a snow goose, peering up into its wingpit as it languidly beats its way northwards. Or it perches on a bald eagle's ruffed shoulder as the bird itself swoops over the rim of the Grand Canyon, whistling within inches of a pine tree's tip. Or watches brown pelicans as they turn themselves from broken umbrellas into neatly furled ones, spearing into the water to catch fish. Apparently, episode six will reveal all, but in the meantime we'll just have to marvel at what they've managed to achieve.

Last week I gave you recipes for festive roasts – so this week I'm showing you how to cook all the accompanying bits and bobs in advance, so that you won't have to do too much last-minute rushing around in the kitchen.

Serves 6-8