Flipping through the Argos catalogue and circling the presents you’d like to see under the tree has always been a huge part of the lead-up to Christmas for children across the UK.
But earlier this year, Argos announced that it would be discontinuing the production of its iconic catalogues after 47 years of printing.
The Argos catalogue was staple of British homes since the 1970s and the chunky inventory was once one of the most widely-produced publications in Europe, but after one billion copies, 93 editions and almost fifty years, the printing presses stopped in July.
Argos confirmed the books would no longer be published in a move that signalled a sign of the technological times, with the retailer seeking to shift its focus online after 70% of its sales came from smartphones and tablets.
This left one important question looming over though – what about Christmas?
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Would a Christmas catalogue be printed this year?
Well, in what is an announcement sure to be well received by kids and the nostalgics among us, Argos has indeed brought out a 2020 edition of its annual Christmas Gift Guide – known as ‘The Book of Dreams’ – and it means we can get to work filling in our Christmas lists once again.
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The Book of Dreams is out now! A little bit of Argos magic can help you find perfect gifts for all the family this Christmas. Pick up your copy of the Argos Christmas Gift Guide in-store now or visit our website to find out more: https://t.co/OelkwMJJbspic.twitter.com/CQKZXpu283
At least some form of normality has been resorted to this turbulent year.
Argos describes this year’s ‘Book of Dreams’ on its website as: “Brimming with trending tech, stocking fillers, twinkling treasures and more. Get your hands on this year’s gift guide for all the ideas and inspiration you’ll need to make this Christmas mega.
“A one-stop shop for tree-mendous gifts everyone will have on their wish list.”
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As well as the catalogue itself, the ‘Book of Dreams’ also comes complete with your very own ‘Santa Wish List’ inside making it as easy as possible to “help you get a head start on the Christmas shopping” this year.
A picture by eagle-eyed shoppers of a rack full of catalogues in store posted to the ever-popular Extreme Couponing and Bargains UK Group on Facebook has gone down a real treat with members this week, amassing over 2.4K interactions and thousands of comments, so it seems people are understandably excited by the release.
Argos
The ‘Book of Dreams’ Christmas Gift Guide 2020 is now available to pick up from your nearest Argos store, and you are advised to always check the opening times of your local branch before making any trips via the Argos store locator here.
You can also browse a wealth of festive gift ideas on the Argos website here.
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Rio Ferdinand is stepping away from TNT Sports after more than a decade
Danny Jones
Manchester United legend and ex-England international Rio Ferdinand has announced he will be stepping away from TNT Sports, leaving more than a decade with the broadcaster.
Ferdinand has spent the best part of the last 10 years serving as a leading pundit and analyst, as well as hosting his own ‘Rio Meets’ online series – the interview format of which has been replicated on his YouTube channel.
However, after having been one of their main anchors both under the BT Sport and even more so since the inception of the rebranded TNT Sports Football umbrella, the 46-year-old has confirmed he has now quit their regular coverage following the Champions League final this weekend.
In a lengthy statement on social media, the ex-Man United defender, who also played for Leeds, West Ham, Bournemouth and QPR, described it as a “difficult decision.”
Taking time to thank the network for their “tremendous support” over the years, especially those “behind the scenes, whose work often goes unseen but has been essential to our success.”
The talented centre-back retired in May 2015 after more than 500 appearances and 81 national team caps, making an almost immediate switch into punditry and remaining a household name.
Rio has also remained a popular figure at Old Trafford and, indeed, across various parts of Manchester since leaving United in 2014.
For instance, his self-titled Foundation has carried out some truly transformational local outreach across various boroughs, as it has back in his home city of London.
Responding to the news, TNT Sports said nothing more than “Thanks for everything, Rio”; meanwhile, fellow former Red, Danny Simpson (who retired last year and also works as a pundit/presenter for MUTV) added: “You’re going to be missed, bro. Every time you’re on, you give us all the mad insight.”
However, he has promised he will remain in the media industry, continuing to work under the Rio Ferdinand Presents digital brand and pursuing “other business interests”.
With his ‘Rio Reacts’ and ‘Vibe with FIVE’ series regularly raking in millions of views, he might not be on the box during European nights but you’ll still be seeing plenty of him.
Rare bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in more than 30 years
Emily Sergeant
It’s time to say a big hello, as rare bat-eared foxes have now arrived at Chester Zoo.
The two sisters, named Maasai and Malindi, have been welcomed by conservationists after travelling more than 500 miles from a zoo in Paris, and they are the first mammals of their kind to come to Chester Zoo in more than 30 years.
First images show the pair exploring their home in the zoo’s new Heart of Africa habitat – which officially opened to the public back in March, and is the largest zoo development ever undertaken in the UK, spanning more than 22.5 acres in size.
The adorable – but rather unique-looking – bat-eared fox is named after its distinctive oversized ears and is native to the open savannahs and arid grasslands of eastern and southern Africa.
They live for around 13 years on average, and their characteristically large ears help regulate their body temperature and enhance their incredible hearing, allowing them to prey like detect insects moving underground.
The species faces increasing threats in the wild, largely due to the loss of their habitat caused by agriculture, human encroachment, and hunting.
This is why Chester Zoo has long been at the forefront of protecting African wildlife.
Its teams’ have been supporting everything from the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking in recent years.
Bat-eared foxes have arrived at Chester Zoo for the first time in 30 years / Credit: Chester Zoo
“It’s incredibly exciting to welcome bat-eared foxes back to Chester Zoo after a 30-year hiatus,” commented David White, who is the Twilight Team Manager at Chester Zoo.
“Both Maasai and Malindi are settling in well so far, spending much of their time exploring their expansive home and getting to know their new housemates – a family of twelve Cape porcupines. These two species would often come across one another in the wild, so we’ve recreated this right here at Chester.
“In time, we hope to introduce one of the two sisters to a male fox, with the hope that we can contribute to the European conservation breeding programme, helping to ensure there’s a healthy, genetically diverse back-up population in human care.
Emily Sergeant -
21st October 2020 
