I was lucky when I was a lad, as my father could afford a car. We were the only family in the street with a car. He needed a car for his job with the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works, MPBW to some, so he also got a petrol mileage allowance. In the late 1940s I was carried about in a mid 1920s Morris Cowley. Neil Cairns shares more of his motoring memories.

People from across the world are reminiscing online about their favourite childhood toys as part of a new blog series on presents from the past.

The 'The Age Page' blog is asking readers to remember treasured toys in the build-up to Christmas. Suggestions have come from across Britain and as far afield as the USA and Canada.

1940 was a remarkable year in which Britain experienced the blitz, saw the start of food rationing and sent evacuees away from their homes. To commemorate the 70th anniversary of this astounding year, factual channel Yesterday is releasing a selection of TV shows that celebrate the spirit of 1940 during wartime in Britain... and now Yesterday needs you!

Calling all those who were evacuated during the war. The Evacuation Reunion Association hopes to create commemorative events across the UK to raise the profile of the thousands who were forced to leave their homes and stay with strangers. A national memorial to evacuees is also due to be erected, to create a focal point for learning about Britain's wartime history for today's school children, teachers, historians, students, sociologists, researchers and authors from all over the world.

They changed popular music for ever and shaped the tastes, fashions and outlook of a whole generation. But what are YOUR memories of the Fab Four? And which dates are seared into your memory because of events like John Lennon dying, "Help" coming to your cinema, or the Beatles appearing at your local concert hall?

Apparently three out of four people in the UK enjoy looking at maps in their spare time. In fact going back to our roots and finding out about the history of our homes and where our ancestors lived is something that most of us all have in common, making a framed old map of a house or town an excellent Christmas gift idea.

The Second World War Experience Centre has launched a new charity search page to raise funds to collect and preserve personal experiences of the Second World War before they are lost forever.