Thugs v Dinosaurs: When Low-Budget Cinema Roars Loudest

Low-budget films have a long tradition of doing the impossible with very little, and Thugs vs Dinosaurs is a perfect example of that glorious, chaotic spirit. 

Released in 2015, with a reported budget of $3,000, this indie oddity answers a question nobody knew they needed asking: what happens when modern-day criminals, paleontologists, a group of friends and a military veteran suffering from PTSD who is searching for a missing girl, come face to face with prehistoric predators accidentally created by a former Nazi scientist?

The answer, unsurprisingly, is utter madness, and that’s exactly the point.

A Plot That Knows Exactly What It Is

The premise of Thugs v Dinosaurs is refreshingly unapologetic. A group of hardened criminals find themselves battling dinosaurs after a mysterious experiment goes very wrong. 

There’s no attempt to over-explain the science or ground it in realism. Instead, the film leans hard into its B-movie roots, delivering a storyline that exists purely to string together gunfights, roaring reptiles, and plenty of tongue-in-cheek mayhem.

This is not a film trying to be clever or prestige-driven. It knows its audience and plays directly to them.

Budget Constraints, Big Ambition

What really stands out is how much ambition is packed into such a small budget. The special effects are rough around the edges, with CGI dinosaurs that clearly won’t trouble Hollywood studios, but that’s part of the charm. Much like classic creature features and cult sci-fi from decades past, the enjoyment comes from seeing filmmakers push their resources as far as they possibly can.

The action scenes are surprisingly energetic, the pacing is brisk, and the film never lingers long enough for its limitations to become tiresome.

Performances and Tone

The cast fully commits to the absurdity of the concept. Performances are knowingly exaggerated, fitting perfectly with the over-the-top tone. Tough-guy dialogue sits comfortably alongside moments of deliberate silliness, creating a film that feels more like a late-night cult watch than a serious cinematic endeavour.

Crucially, Thugs v Dinosaurs doesn’t mock its own audience. It invites viewers in on the joke while still treating its story seriously enough to keep things moving.

Why Films Like This Matter

In an era dominated by massive franchises and endless sequels, films like Thugs v Dinosaurs remind us why independent cinema matters. They’re experimental, fearless, and unconcerned with mainstream approval. These are the films that thrive at midnight screenings, cult festivals, and streaming platforms where adventurous viewers are looking for something a bit different.

You don’t watch this film expecting polish — you watch it for fun, nostalgia, and the sheer audacity of its concept.

Final Thoughts

Thugs v Dinosaurs won’t be for everyone, and it doesn’t pretend otherwise. But for fans of low-budget action, creature features, and cult cinema, it delivers exactly what it promises. It’s loud, scrappy, ridiculous, and oddly endearing — proof that sometimes all you really need is a wild idea and the confidence to run with it.

If you enjoy films that celebrate excess over elegance, this one is well worth seeking out, preferably with friends, snacks, and a healthy appreciation for cinematic chaos. 

And you'll probably be charmed by the rather special introduction music.

You can watch the full movie here at That's Books and More:-

Looking Back on World Braille Day: Why It Still Matters

Each year on 4 January, World Braille Day invites us to pause and reflect on something many sighted people rarely think about: how access to information shapes independence, dignity, and opportunity. 

As we look back on this year’s World Braille Day, it feels especially important to restate why Braille remains as relevant now as it was nearly two centuries ago.

The Legacy Behind the Dots

World Braille Day is marked on the birthday of Louis Braille, the French innovator who lost his sight as a child and went on to create the tactile writing system that bears his name. His invention was not merely a new alphabet; it was a gateway to literacy, education, and self-determination for blind and partially sighted people around the world.

Braille enabled readers to learn spelling, grammar, punctuation, and mathematics through touch — something audio alone cannot fully replace. That distinction remains crucial today.

Braille in a Digital World

One of the recurring themes of this year’s World Braille Day was the misconception that Braille is becoming obsolete. With screen readers, audiobooks, and voice assistants now commonplace, some assume tactile reading is no longer necessary.

In reality, the opposite is true.

Refreshable Braille displays, Braille note-takers, and tactile labelling systems have evolved alongside digital technology. Braille continues to support:

True literacy, rather than passive listening

Privacy, especially when reading sensitive information

Employment, where accuracy and discretion matter

Education, particularly in STEM subjects

Organisations such as the Royal National Institute of Blind People continue to champion Braille education and access across the UK, ensuring it remains embedded in modern life rather than sidelined by technology.

A Human Rights Perspective

World Braille Day is also recognised by the United Nations as part of its wider commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Access to information is a human right — and Braille is a vital tool in upholding that right for millions of people worldwide.

From medication packaging and public signage to banking, transport, and voting materials, Braille plays a quiet but powerful role in everyday autonomy.

Why Awareness Still Matters

For many people without sight loss, Braille is invisible — present but unnoticed. World Braille Day challenges that invisibility. It encourages:

Designers to think about inclusive packaging

Employers to consider accessible workplaces

Educators to support Braille literacy

Communities to value accessibility as standard, not optional

Even small steps, such as including Braille on signs or learning the basics of the Braille alphabet, contribute to a more inclusive society.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward from this year’s World Braille Day, the message is clear: progress does not mean replacement. Braille is not a relic of the past; it is a living, evolving system that continues to empower people every day.

Remembering World Braille Day is not just about honouring history, it is about recommitting to accessibility, equality, and the belief that everyone deserves full access to the written word.

https://www.sense.org.uk/information-and-advice/ways-of-communicating/braille/

Book Review: Lies by T. M. Logan

If you enjoy psychological thrillers that hook you early and refuse to let go, Lies by T. M. Logan is a gripping read that more than earns its place on your bookshelf.

A Simple Lie That Unravels Everything

The premise is deceptively straightforward: Joe Lynch receives a text from his wife saying she’s stuck in traffic. Only she’s sitting right next to him, in her own car, in a place where she shouldn't be.

Moments later, she disappears. What follows is a tense descent into doubt, secrets, and long-buried truths, where every answer only seems to generate even more questions.

Logan excels at taking an everyday situation and twisting it into something profoundly unsettling. The fear feels plausible, grounded, and all the more disturbing because it could happen to anyone.

Pacing That Demands “Just One More Chapter”

One of Lies’ greatest strengths is its pacing. Chapters are short and sharp, often ending on revelations that make it genuinely difficult to put the book down. Logan has a talent for drip-feeding information at just the right moments, ensuring the tension never dissipates.

This is very much a book that encourages late nights and missed bedtimes.

Characters You Can Believe In

Joe is an effective protagonist: flawed, emotional, and increasingly desperate as his certainties collapse. The supporting cast is equally well drawn, with relationships that feel authentic rather than convenient. As the story progresses, the question isn’t just what happened, but who can be trusted — including the narrator himself.

Themes of Trust and Deception

Beyond the central mystery, Lies explores the fragility of trust in modern relationships. The novel raises uncomfortable questions about how well we really know the people closest to us, and how easily truth can be obscured by omission, self-protection, or fear. And can you trust social media? 

It’s this emotional undercurrent that elevates the book above a standard thriller.

Verdict: A Standout Psychological Thriller

Lies is tense, smart, and relentlessly engaging. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy domestic noir, twist-heavy plots, and stories that play with perception and reality.

Highly recommended for fans of fast-paced psychological thrillers — and a strong introduction to T. M. Logan’s wider body of work.

Have you read Lies yet? Or do you have a favourite T. M. Logan novel you’d recommend?

An Open Invitation to Authors and Publishers. Free Publicity on That's Books and More

Yes. Free Publicity on That’s Books and More.

At That’s Books and More, we believe passionately in the power of books — not just the big-name bestsellers, but the debut novels, the quietly brilliant non-fiction, the poetry collections, the niche histories, and the lovingly self-published works that deserve to be discovered.

That’s why we’re extending an open invitation to authors, self-publishers, independent presses, and established publishing houses alike to use That’s Books and More as a platform for free publicity.

Why We’re Doing This

The publishing world is more crowded than ever. Getting noticed can be difficult, expensive, and frustrating, especially for new authors and smaller publishers without large marketing budgets. 

At the same time, readers are hungry for fresh voices, untold stories, and books that don’t always get front-page treatment elsewhere.

That’s Books and More exists to bridge that gap.

Our aim is simple:

to connect books with readers who genuinely love discovering them.

What We Can Offer

We’re happy to feature your work in a variety of ways, including:

Book spotlights – introductions to new or recent releases

Author features – background, inspiration, and writing journeys

Extracts – short samples to entice readers

Interviews and Q&As – ideal for blog tours and launches

Publisher showcases – highlighting catalogues, imprints, or themed releases

There is no charge for inclusion. No hidden fees. No obligation.

Who This Is For

We welcome submissions from:

First-time and debut authors

Self-published and indie authors

Small and independent publishing houses

Larger publishers seeking broader organic exposure

Writers across all genres — fiction and non-fiction alike

If it’s a book you’re proud of, we’re interested in hearing about it.

Why Feature on That’s Books and More?

A book-focused readership actively looking for recommendations

Evergreen blog content that continues to attract readers over time

SEO-friendly posts designed for discoverability

A genuine enthusiasm for books, not pay-to-play promotion

We see this as a collaboration, not an advertisement.

How to Get Involved

If you’d like your book or catalogue featured, simply get in touch with:

A brief description of the book or project

Publication details (release date, format, ISBN if available)

Any press material you already have (optional)

We’ll take it from there and work with you to create something that does your work justice.

Let’s Celebrate Books Together

Great books deserve to be talked about — and not just the ones with the biggest marketing budgets.

If you’re an author or publisher looking for honest, enthusiastic, free exposure, That’s Books and More would be delighted to work with you.

Let’s help readers find their next favourite book.

Please email afj_uk@yahoo.com.

That's Christmas 365: Watch Seymour Hicks’ A Christmas Carol (1935): A T...

That's Christmas 365: Watch Seymour Hicks’ A Christmas Carol (1935): A T...: Explore Seymour Hicks’ 1935 A Christmas Carol, a theatrical and historically rich film adaptation that captures a lifetime of Scrooge perfor...

Book Review: Jack the Ripper: The Hand of a Woman by John Morris

Few historical crimes have been examined, dissected and debated as exhaustively as the Whitechapel murders of 1888. 

In Jack the Ripper: The Hand of a Woman, solicitor John Morris enters this crowded field with a bold and deliberately provocative thesis: that the Ripper may not have been a man at all.

This book is not a sensationalist shock piece, but a carefully argued reassessment of long-held assumptions surrounding the identity of Jack the Ripper, written through a legal and evidential lens.

A Legal Mind Applied to a Historical Mystery

Morris’s professional background as a solicitor shapes the structure and tone of the book. Rather than relying on lurid speculation, he approaches the case as though it were being prepared for court. 

Witness statements, timelines, physical logistics and contemporary assumptions are all scrutinised with a lawyer’s instinct for gaps and inconsistencies.

One of the book’s central strengths lies in its challenge to the automatic presumption that the killer must have been male. Morris examines how Victorian social norms, policing biases and gender expectations may have influenced both the investigation at the time and subsequent historical interpretations.

The Case for a Female Ripper

The core argument of The Hand of a Woman is not that a female Ripper is definitively proven, but that it is plausible, and that plausibility has never been properly explored.

Morris discusses:

How a woman could have moved through Whitechapel without attracting suspicion

Why bloodstained clothing on a woman may have been dismissed or explained away

The practicalities of the crimes in relation to dress, access and opportunity

Witness descriptions that may have been interpreted through a male-only assumption

This reframing is one of the book’s most compelling aspects. It encourages the reader to question how much of the accepted narrative is built on evidence, and how much rests on cultural expectation.

Measured, Not Dogmatic

Importantly, Morris does not overstate his case. The book avoids the trap of presenting a single named suspect as a dramatic “solution” to the mystery. Instead, it argues for intellectual honesty: that ruling out a female perpetrator has never been justified by the evidence itself.

Some readers may find this frustrating, particularly those looking for a definitive answer. However, this restraint ultimately strengthens the book’s credibility. Morris is less interested in closing the case than in reopening it properly.

Morris also has a very cogent argument for the reason why the evidence of one witness, which was dismissed as being "impossible" at the time was, actually, correct and lends support to his thesis.

Style and Accessibility

The writing is clear, structured and accessible, even for readers without deep prior knowledge of the Ripper case. While it engages seriously with historical material, it avoids academic dryness and remains readable throughout.

That said, readers already well-versed in Ripperology may find some background sections familiar. The value here lies not in uncovering new documents, but in re-interpreting existing evidence through a different lens.

Who This Book Is For

This book will particularly appeal to:

Readers interested in historical crime and legal reasoning

Those tired of repetitive Ripper theories centred on the same male suspects

Anyone curious about how bias shapes investigations, past and present

Readers who enjoy thoughtful challenge rather than sensational conclusions

Final Verdict

Jack the Ripper: The Hand of a Woman does not claim to solve one of history’s most infamous mysteries, and it doesn’t need to. Its real achievement is in forcing the reader to confront how assumptions, rather than evidence, can harden into “fact”.

Whether or not one accepts Morris’s conclusions, the book succeeds as a serious, intelligent and unsettling contribution to Ripper studies. At the very least, it ensures that the question “what if?” can no longer be dismissed out of hand.

For a case built on shadows and uncertainty, that alone makes it a worthwhile and thought-provoking read.

This will make a most excellent Christmas gift for lovers of true life, unsolved crimes and the Jack the Ripper case. 

You can order your copy from our Amazon-powered online shop, here https://amzn.to/4pw3qtS

Revisiting a Ripper Suspect: The Secret of Prisoner 2267 – Was This Man Jack the Ripper? by James Tully

The Jack the Ripper murders have inspired an extraordinary volume of books, theories and suspect profiles, yet few manage to balance curiosity with caution. 

The Secret of Prisoner 2267 by James Tully stands out for doing exactly that. 

Rather than promising a dramatic solution, Tully focuses on a little-known individual and asks a carefully framed question: could this man plausibly have been Jack the Ripper?

It is a book that values investigation over assertion, and nuance over noise.

The Enigma of Prisoner 2267

At the centre of the book is Prisoner 2267, an inmate whose identity, movements and circumstances raise intriguing questions when aligned with the timeline of the Whitechapel murders. Tully examines what is known about this individual’s background, incarceration and behaviour, and why his story deserves closer scrutiny within the wider Ripper narrative.

Crucially, Tully does not rush to judgement. Prisoner 2267 is not presented as the solution, but as a suspect whose existence and records warrant serious attention rather than dismissal.

Making Sense of Fragmented Victorian Records

One of the book’s key strengths is its engagement with historical documentation, particularly prison and administrative records. Tully highlights just how incomplete, inconsistent and opaque Victorian record-keeping could be, and how easily individuals could be misidentified, renamed or effectively lost within the system.

The book explores:

Prison admission and release dates

Gaps and contradictions in official documentation

The use of aliases and unreliable personal details

How imprisonment may or may not align with the murder chronology

These elements are treated as lines of enquiry rather than proof, which lends the book credibility and restraint.

A Refreshingly Measured Approach

In a genre often crowded with “case solved” declarations, The Secret of Prisoner 2267 is notably cautious. Tully repeatedly distinguishes between possibility, probability and certainty, reminding the reader how limited the surviving evidence truly is.

This approach may frustrate readers looking for definitive answers, but it will appeal strongly to those who appreciate intellectual honesty. The book respects the complexity of the case and acknowledges that ambiguity is an unavoidable part of serious historical investigation.

Clear, Accessible Writing

Tully’s writing is straightforward and readable, making the book accessible to newcomers while still engaging for experienced Ripper enthusiasts. 

Background context is provided without overwhelming the central argument, and the focus remains firmly on evidence rather than theatrics.

For seasoned readers, the appeal lies in the shift of focus, away from endlessly recycled suspects and towards a figure who has largely escaped mainstream attention.

Who This Book Is For?

This book will particularly suit:

Readers interested in lesser-known Ripper suspects

Those who enjoy archive-driven historical research

Readers wary of sensationalist conclusions

Anyone fascinated by how bureaucratic systems can obscure truth

Final Thoughts

The Secret of Prisoner 2267 – Was This Man Jack the Ripper? by James Tully does not attempt to close the case. Instead, it reopens a door that may have been overlooked, inviting the reader to question assumptions and reconsider how historical narratives are formed.

Whether or not one is persuaded by the case for Prisoner 2267, the book succeeds as a thoughtful, disciplined and quietly unsettling contribution to Ripper studies. In a field crowded with certainty, its greatest strength is its willingness to live with doubt.

This book will make an ideal Christmas present for those fascinated by the case of Jack the Ripper. 

It can be bought here https://amzn.to/3MXhHRQ

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Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard Out Now in Paperback

In Welcome to Midlothian Boulevard author Benjamin Ryan brings us a murder mystery. Or is it a murder mystery? 

It relates the story of the tragic death of  Savanna, who was murdered whilst she was on trip to Mexico. The neighbours were sad, as they tried to rehearse their excuses and alibis. 

For each and every one of them hid a secret, some more worrying than others. 

They were all part of a larger, secret picture.

But... all was not as it seemed. Because Savanna had not actually been murdered in Mexico or anywhere else, for that matter. As she was still very much alive and well.

Abducting her friends without really telling them what was happening, she thrusts them into a perilous mission, hell-bent on exposing the tangled web of betrayal that binds them all, armed only with the knowledge that it wasn't she who had staged her death.

But... there was someone else watching all of the events unfold. And what would happen next?

It's available on Amazon at £13.49 in paperback and £2.99 on Kindle.

This book will make a great Christmas gift for the mystery lovers on your Christmas gift list.

Incidentally Benjamin Ryan is the acclaimed author of Madame Eldridge's Wayward Home for Unruly Boys.

You can order copies of the book via this link https://amzn.to/3MsRt9F

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Norfolk Archaeological Trust Appoints Professor Will Bowden as President

The Norfolk Archaeological Trust (NAT) is delighted to announce the appointment of Professor Will Bowden as its new President. 

Professor Bowden brings a wealth of expertise and passion for heritage, with a distinguished career in Roman archaeology and community engagement. 

Currently Professor of Roman Archaeology at the University of Nottingham, Will has led major research projects across Europe and the UK, including extensive work at Caistor St Edmund as part of the Caistor Roman Project. His research has transformed understanding of Roman towns and their development, and he is committed to making archaeology accessible to all.

Speaking about his appointment, Professor Bowden said: “I am honoured to take on the role of President at NAT. Norfolk’s archaeological heritage is extraordinary, and I look forward to working with the Trust and local communities to ensure these sites are protected and celebrated for generations to come.”

Jonathan Sisson, Chair of the Board of Trustees, told That's Books and Entertainment: “Will’s leadership and expertise will be invaluable as we continue our mission to safeguard Norfolk’s historic sites and share their stories with everyone.”

The Norfolk Archaeological Trust, founded in 1923, owns some of the county’s most iconic historic monuments, including Caistor Roman Town, Burgh Castle Fort, and St Benet’s Abbey. The Trust works closely with local communities to conserve these irreplaceable sites and make them accessible for everyone.

For more information about NAT and its work, visit www.norfarchtrust.org.uk

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Time Team returns to Orkney to reveal groundbreaking new discoveries at the Ness of Brodgar

Time Team, the world’s most recognisable archaeological investigation series, has reunited with the Ness of Brodgar research team to unveil a remarkable new chapter in the story of one of Europe’s most important Neolithic sites.

During summer 2024, Time Team filmed the final season of excavation at the Ness of Brodgar - a vast complex of monumental Neolithic buildings set between the iconic Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar in Mainland, Orkney. 

The trenches have now been backfilled, but the investigation did not stop there. In partnership with the Ness team, Time Team carried out a final phase of cutting-edge geophysical survey across the entire site.

For Time Team’s Dr John Gater, it was “like coming home”. Over 20 years ago, his early geophysical work was key to identifying the astonishing settlement that would later captivate the world as the Ness of Brodgar.

This time, the results of the Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, carried out in collaboration with Guideline Geo and SUMO GeoSurveys, surpassed even the team’s highest hopes.

A major new discovery — “We weren’t expecting that!"

”The survey has revealed the positions of multiple previously unknown Neolithic buildings - some of them monumental in scale - expanding the known footprint of the complex and offering a deeper understanding of its development over five thousand years ago.

But one discovery stood apart.

When Time Team shared the geophysics with the Ness project directors - Nick Card, Professor Mark Edmonds, and Anne Mitchell - their reaction said everything.

“We weren’t expecting that,” said Director Nick Card.

“The new buildings are fascinating,” added Anne Mitchell, “but there’s one feature unlike anything we’ve seen so far.”

“Oh dear,” laughed Mark Edmonds. “Perhaps I shouldn’t have buried my trowel on site.”

The findings have raised the possibility that - even after two decades of excavation - the Ness still holds secrets that require a final, targeted look.

Time Team will join the Ness team in summer 2026 for one more excavation season, culminating in a Time Team special to be broadcast later in 2026.

A partnership two decades in the making

The relationship with Orkney is long-standing, stretching back to A Viking boat burial on Sanday in 1998, the enigmatic Iron Age site at Mine Howe in 2000 and more recently at Swandro on Rousay in 2025. The Ness of Brodgar has been a defining project for modern archaeology, drawing international attention and reshaping our understanding of Neolithic Britain.

Tim Taylor, Creator and Executive Producer of Time Team, told That's Books and Entertainment: “We’ve been privileged to follow the Ness story for over 20 years. To return now - at the end of its excavation phase - and to contribute new discoveries of this scale is extraordinary. The Ness continues to surprise us all.”

Time Team’s recent renaissance, driven by one of the world’s largest global online audiences for archaeology, has enabled the team to reconnect with sites of exceptional importance. Their expansion of the classic three-day format into long-form documentaries - including recent work at Sutton Hoo and major projects across the UK - has brought a new level of depth, analysis, and public engagement to their investigations.

A site of global significance

The Ness of Brodgar lies within the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site, among the most significant prehistoric landscapes in Europe. 

Tens of thousands of visitors travel to Orkney each summer to witness the excavations before they closed in 2024.

Time Team’s new documentary will share this final chapter - with expert insights, reconstructed models, geophysics visualisations, and exclusive interviews with the Ness of Brodgar team.

What’s next

Time Team’s films will explore:

the final season of excavation at the Ness

the emotional close of two decades of fieldwork

the new geophysical discoveries

what they reveal about life, ritual, and architecture 5,000 years ago

the new month long excavation in 2026

This will be one of the most significant Neolithic investigations Time Team has ever released.

https://www.nessofbrodgar.co.uk/

Incidentally over the years Time Team has published more learned works on archaeological digs than some university archaeology departments!  

Music for Dementia and the University of Sheffield convened industry roundtable to address "forgotten generation" locked out of music

Music for Dementia and the Muses, Mind, Machine (MMM) research centre at the University of Sheffield last week co-hosted an industry roundtable.

They brought together technology manufacturers, accessibility experts, record labels, radio professionals and dementia sector leaders to tackle critical barriers preventing older adults and people living with dementia from accessing music.

The Music Made Easy Roundtable, held at children’s audio platform Yoto’s HQ in London, represents the first in a series of industry events run by Music for Dementia to support their Music Made Easy campaign, launched in September 2025 to challenge accessibility gaps across the music and technology sector.

The event convened more than 19 senior representatives including Universal Music Group, BPI, BBC, Music for Dementia partner Yoto and leading independent advocates – alongside research experts from the University of Sheffield's BRIDGES for Dementia Network, which focuses on designing and applying technology to empower people with dementia.

Discussions centred on device accessibility, platform design, the need to co-design alongside lived experience advisors and the commercial and cultural case for prioritising older audiences.

Participants explored critical questions: How can we ensure people living with dementia are integrated into the design process from day one? How can we change licensing restrictions to support easy access to music? How can we better communicate existing tools and support? Most importantly: how can we work together to drive progress?

The roundtable discussion revealed that there are pockets of real progress being made by individual organisations and sectors, yet everyone agreed that it would take industry collaboration to create real progress. To this end Music for Dementia and The University of Sheffield will be spearheading a new taskforce to improve music accessibility for people living with dementia.

Karim Fanous, Director, Innovation and New Digital Business, Global Digital Strategy at Universal Music Group said: “Music for wellness and health is a vital area in our search for startups and support of entrepreneurial innovation that might add value to music and society. 

"Music for Dementia and the University of Sheffield are initiating an important multi-stakeholder project which we will be honoured to support alongside UMG Health and Wellness.”

Emily Ingram, General Manager, Sollos, UMG Health and Wellness said: “Music can be an enjoyable and effective way to improve lives, whether it’s for people living with dementia or struggling with everyday stress and low mood. Accessibility matters, and UMG’s Sound Therapy project on Apple Music, alongside our in-house Sollos research programme, are key components of our ongoing efforts to make these benefits more widely available. 

"Through Sollos and our health and wellness partners, we are starting to see what is possible when music, science and technology come together. Music for Dementia is driving vital progress and we are proud to support it.”

Aleksandra Gojkovic, Senior Design Researcher, User Experience and Design at BBC said: “A big thank you to Music for Dementia and all contributors for sharing their insights, research and work and for facilitating an open and productive conversation about such an important issue of making music more accessible. At the BBC, universality is at the heart of what we do. Ensuring that everyone can experience and enjoy the power of music is an important part of that mission.”

Hailey Willington, BPI Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said: “Music for Dementia's roundtable brought together the music ecosystem, from record labels to people with lived experience, to explore the barriers preventing people living with dementia from accessing the music that matters to them. Music should be accessible to all, and by working together, we can redefine what accessible music technology looks like and ensure that it can serve everyone, not just digital natives."

Howard Gordon, Chair of Meeting Centres England, Co-Chair of Deepness Dementia Media Ltd, and advisor from BRIDGES for Dementia Network, said: "In the words of Ronald Coleman ‘true co-production starts with a plain piece of paper.’ People living with dementia should drive co-production of new product designs from the start. They know what's needed better than anyone. They are rights holders and human beings, and shouldn’t be defined by their diagnosis."

Recent Music for Dementia research with 1,000 family carers of people living with dementia reveals the scale of the problem: only 3 in 10 older family carers are able to stream music with their loved one. Age UK research paints a similar picture – they found that 6 in 10 internet users aged 65 or over never use the internet to stream music or videos.

"The generation that created popular music is now increasingly locked out of it," says Amy Shackleton, Programme Lead, Music for Dementia. "This important roundtable event challenged attendees with a fundamental question: what is needed to make music more accessible for older people, especially those living with dementia that need it the most? The answer is clear – we need cross-sector collaboration, better design practices and a commitment to co-production with users and carers.

“I’m really encouraged by our first Music Made Easy industry roundtable event. There was real energy and passion from attendees to improve access to music for older people. We went in wanting a commitment from people to join a new taskforce, and we are really pleased that so many want to be part of this journey.”

The roundtable included findings from Music for Dementia’s Yoto Player trial, which adapted the popular children’s audio player for people living with dementia. It found 92% of participating families would recommend screen-free music devices for older people.

Dr Jennifer MacRitchie also presented the co-designed devices and research findings from the Music, Dementia, Technology project at the University of Sheffield. Here, people living with dementia were involved in developing devices for playback of familiar music, devices for creating new music, and for improvising along with a musical jamming partner, reflecting the diversity and breadth of technology possibilities.

In the UK there are 940,000 people living with dementia, and this figure is projected to rise to 1.5million by 2040. Research shows music can alleviate agitation and distress, support identity and self-hood, bring back memories and even abilities thought lost, create moments of connection and joy and overcome isolation.

https://www.musicfordementia.org.uk/music-made-easy

To learn more about the amazing Yoto players please visit https://thatschristmas.blogspot.com/2025/09/the-yoto-player-and-yoto-mini-world-of.html

New crime novel with a menopausal twist

Many crime novels feature younger female protagonists. So The Menopause Exchange’s newsletter editor, Victoria Goldman, decided to give her latest crime novel an additional twist. 

Madeleine Batten, the main character of Little Secrets, is experiencing several menopausal symptoms while she’s attempting to solve a 20-year-old murder-mystery at The Panbrook Prison Hotel.

“I wanted Madeleine to be believable and seem very real,” Victoria Goldman told That's Books and Entertainment.

“She’s in her early 50s, and around three-quarters of women will be experiencing some menopausal symptoms at this time of life. 

"Madeleine is a hard-working hotel manager and an organised perfectionist, attempting to juggle a hectic workload and the needs of her soon-to-be-married daughter, as many women do when they’re in their 40s and 50s. 

"Added into the mix is the hotel’s 10th anniversary weekend, a true-crime controversy that’s divided the media for the past 20 years, and an array of hotel guests to please (and suspect of murder and mayhem). Little Secrets is ultimately a crime novel, so obviously nothing goes to plan…”

Little Secrets is a compelling, atmospheric locked-room mystery set in a former prison that's been converted into a luxury hotel. In 1999, a prison nurse at HMP Panbrook was accused of the murders of five prisoners. But was she innocent – or was she guilty? To discover the truth, we need to head back to the past… Little Secrets is ideal for fans of Sarah Pearse, Lucy Foley, Ruth Ware and Claire Douglas.

‘A rollercoaster ride you will not forget! Ingenious and intriguing from start to finish.’ – Janice Hallett, award-winning British author of several mystery novels including The Appeal.

Victoria Goldman has been editing The Menopause Exchange newsletter since its launch. She is an experienced health journalist and editor, including Freelance Health Editor for Bupa, and copyedits and proofreads fiction and non-fiction books for UK publishers and authors. 

She has a Biomedical Science BSc. and an MSc. in Science Communication, with specialist expertise in writing evidence-based health information for companies, charities, magazines and websites. She has written two other crime novels, The Redeemer and The Associate, which was the Editor’s Choice Winner of Best Indie Novel of 2023 in the Crime Fiction Lover Awards.

You can buy the book here https://amzn.to/3Ko9F3B

Learn about The Menopause Exchange here: http://www.menopause-exchange.co.uk. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter/X (@MenopauseExch).

We feel this book will be a fantastic Christmas gift for any mystery lover, male or female.

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