What colour is a symphony? Benjamin Britten's music inspired a remarkable series of paintings exploring the relationship between sound and sight. Jane Mackay talks to Aidan Baker. #synaesthesia

Can you paint music? Some artists can't help doing that -- and for one of them the music was by Benjamin Britten. The result is something rather unusual. Jane Mackay talks to Aidan Baker #synaesthesia

Ben Smith's fictional councillor set out convinced he had all the answers. The trouble is, real life keeps asking better questions.

Nigel Farage once became the butt of jokes about "losing to a dolphin". Now Count Binface has become the unexpected face of the Clacton campaign. Here are 20 memes charting the story. 👇

Artist Jane Mackay 'sees' music in colour. Her major recent exhibition marked the 50th anniversary of the death of Benjamin Britten | Aidan Baker

This isn't just about vandalism, arson and fly-tipping. It's about wildlife losing breeding sites, habitats being damaged and volunteers left to pick up the pieces. What's happening to Essex's nature reserves? @eastangliabylines.co.uk

Essex coast seagulls love a good bin! @countbinface.bsky.social @eastangliabylines.co.uk

Can a politician change... ...without admitting they were wrong? Fictional councillor Mike Stray's journey takes another unexpected turn. Ben Smith passes it on

It started with a satirical candidate. Then TV news started interviewing him. Then the memes took over... Here are 20 of the best Count Binface posts from X and Bluesky. 👇

Britain locks up more people than many comparable countries, yet crime remains stubbornly high. Could reducing inequality achieve more than building bigger prisons? Stephen McNair offers a compelling case for thinking differently.

It's still satire. It's just that Mike Stray is becoming a rather more complicated character than anyone expected... Ben Smith's latest fictional diary of our hero.

When every major political party declines to stand, who becomes the opposition? Count Binface. The result? A brilliant meme collection we’ve selected for you.

Suffield Park (North Norfolk) Council By-Election Result: 🔶 LDM: 65.4% (+4.3) ➡️ RFM: 18.3% (New) 🌳 CON: 11.9% (-14.1) 🌍 GRN: 2.7% (-2.9) 🌹 LAB: 1.8% (-5.6) Liberal Democrat HOLD. Changes w/ 2026.

Why do countries with lower inequality consistently enjoy better health, lower crime, stronger communities and longer lives? The evidence may challenge some deeply held political assumptions. Stephen McNair writes.

With rain nowhere to be seen (again), the 2nd driest spring on record, Anglian Water & Cambridge Water have announced hosepipe bans. While people may still water fruit, vegetables and gardens using a watering can, is investment in desalination the answer? This from 1 year ago....

Hosepipe ban across East of England from Saturday. 💧 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Politics looked so simple from the sidelines. Now Ben Smith's fictional new councillor is learning that governing is a lot more complicated than campaigning.

We all need a bit of joy.... Count Binface has unexpectedly become Nigel Farage's main challenger in the Clacton by-election – and social media has had an absolute field day. Here are 20 of the best memes from X and Bluesky. Enjoy!

Want to help fight back? Your support as an Essex Wildlife Trust member helps us improve habitats rather than fixing damage. Join us to protect our wild spaces.

What happens when certainty collides with reality? Ben Smith's fictional Reform councillor goes looking for inspiration... and finds something rather different.

As arguments rage over the exact number of thousands of untagged early released prisoners, what is certain is that the probation service is understaffed and not fit for purpose.

With Count Binface becoming Nigel Farage's main challenger, social media has responded with some gloriously inventive political satire | East Anglia Bylines

British elections have a proud tradition of political satire. Count Binface is the latest chapter. Here are 20 of the best memes we've found on X and Bluesky. 👇

Italian vineyards. Dutch raspberry farms. They're already using solar panels to improve crop yields while generating electricity. Why is the UK so far behind?

What happens when certainty collides with reality? Ben Smith's fictional Reform councillor goes looking for inspiration... and finds something rather different.

Want to help fight back? Your support as an Essex Wildlife Trust member helps us improve habitats rather than fixing damage. Join us to protect our wild spaces.

Economic growth has been the holy grail for generations. But what if endless growth in a wealthy country is part of the problem rather than the solution? Kate Raworth and Kate Pickett offer a radically different vision. Stephen McNair reports on their work.

Being elected was the easy part. Now Mike Stray is discovering that changing the world is rather harder than shouting at it. Ben Smith's fictional councillor returns...

Our fictional new councillor is pulled hither and thither and can’t focus on the football | Ben Smith

See something, say something. If you witness vandalism or illegal motorbike use on Essex Wildlife Trust reserves, report it to Essex Police on 101. Help stop the destruction.

A thought-provoking read. Imagine society as a cliff. We keep paying for ambulances at the bottom instead of building fences at the top. Why does Britain spend so much fixing failure instead of preventing it? Stephen McNair explores the answer.

Since I called out Reform in Norfolk for their divisive decision to erase Pride from our libraries, I'm delighted my Labour colleagues @terryjermymp.bsky.social and @alicemlabour.bsky.social have joined my call for Reform to reverse this decision. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Farage has forced a by-election. But if the other parties won't play along, has the strategy backfired before polling day? The Bear’s latest ⤵️

Disposable BBQs, dogs off leads, and fly tipping: our reserves are being pushed to the limit. Please keep dogs on leads and leave no trace. These spaces belong to us all. 🐕🔥 #LeaveNoTrace

Why are we treating the symptoms instead of the disease? We spend billions on prisons, hospitals and crisis services, but far less on preventing the poverty and inequality that create the problems in the first place. Article by Stephen McNair.

Most people have forgotten about Donald Trump’s attempt to bankrupt the BBC, but the case is still live and it looks as if the BBC can win | Stephen McNair

Nigel Farage says this is about democracy. His critics say it's about changing the subject. The Bear examines one of the week's most extraordinary political gambles.

Can plants really “hear” you talking – or is that a myth? Scientists found plants react to the sound of insects chewing their leaves. Read Nigel Chaffey's fascinating account of the senses in plants ⤵️

Every act of vandalism, graffiti, or fly-tipping steals time and money from crucial conservation work. Instead of managing habitats, Essex Wildlife Trust has to repair damage and replace stolen gear.

Our nature reserves are under attack. Motorbike vandalism, arson and fly-tipping are destroying vital habitats and devastating wildlife. 🌿🚫 #EssexWildlife

As the heatwave continues, some advice from the BBC on how to keep cool for a good night's sleep

What if "we survived 1976" has become an excuse for not adapting our schools? Kit Marie Rackley argues that safeguarding children means planning for the climate we have now – not the one we remember. @eastangliabylines.co.uk @geogramblings.com

£5 million. A by-election. No opposition candidates. The questions haven't gone away. If anything, they've become harder to ignore. Read The Bear’s excoriating analysis ⤵️ @eastangliabylines.co.uk @bearlypolitics.co.uk

Britain is richer than ever. So why are people anxious, unhealthy and divided? Two leading thinkers argue the real problem isn't growth – it's inequality. And other countries show there's a better way, writes Stephen McNair

We are a divided and unhappy society. Two commentators believe that the root is inequality. Could we learn from our neighbours? | Stephen McNair

Heatwaves aren’t just weather, writes Kit Marie Brackley. They’re a safeguarding issue. Vulnerability, exposure, and environment change everything. So what do schools need to do to adapt? #EduSky

Heartbreaking: Motorbikes recently smashed through fences and rode through protected nesting sites, forcing rare birds to abandon their chicks. #WildlifeCrime

This is a fascinating article. Well worth a read ⤵️

Trump sued the BBC for $10bn. The BBC apologised for its mistake, but didn't roll over. It fought back – with 47 subpoenas for the 47th President. Why the lawsuit may have backfired ⤵️ @eastangliabylines.co.uk @stephenmcnair.bsky.social

Could solar panels actually help some crops grow better? The answer may surprise you – and it's one reason Europe is investing heavily in agrivoltaics.