Issue 1452

Blundell of laughs
She’s starring in NBC’s new vampire series and she’s the vampire next door for a month this autumn on stage. But in real life, Fleetwood actor Rhian Blundell tells Kelly Mattison, she’d much rather sink her teeth into her homegrown tomatoes.

Met with favour
Contrary to widespread perception, academia does not always provide stable employment. But a union-led campaign has persuaded one northern institution to do away with zero-hours contracts, hourly pay and other precarious conditions, reports Martin Guttridge-Hewitt.

Autumn leaves
Three great northern book festivals promise to turn October into a month for mellow reflection and fruitful debate, writes Chris Moss.

Plus
News, arts and entertainment, columnist Saskia Murphy on the scandal of schoolchildren going hungry, actor Lelsey Manville’s letter to her younger self – and more.