Features:
Christmas tragedy in fairyland: the devastating fire that spread through a department store in Maidstone town centre killed an errand boy. But why did he not escape? By Andrew Rootes
Home to the hovercraft: rise, fall and rise of a Regency resort is charted in new book
Nondescript bungalow’s secret: The secret link to Churchill’s ruthless guerrilla defence force as Britain prepared for Nazi invasion. By MikeGunnill
Christmas quiz: a poser from Edwardian times
Swim sham: axle-grease doctor was trying to prove a point about Channel craze but her deception left her career floundering. By Christine Rayner
In death, the great novelist evolves into a video mystery: Charles Dickens, who has entertained and inspired millions, is poised to be launched on a new platform . . . with a little help from our editor. By Andrew Rootes
A final glimpse of Everest heroes: with a telephoto lens John Noel spotted Mallory and Irvine as they plodded towards the summit in 1924. His photographs record a lost pioneering age, preserved by his daughter. By Crispin Whiting