Housing Secretary Steve Reed has insisted the UK is safe, despite warnings Iran has developed long-range firepower capable of reaching Britain.

Israel issued a stark warning that Iran’s missiles are a threat to European cities – including London, Paris and Berlin – after an attack on the UK-US Diego Garcia military base on the Chagos Islands.

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper on Saturday hit out at the “reckless” Iranian action after two ballistic missiles were fired towards the base. Both were unsuccessful, with one shot down by a US warship and the other failing in flight.

Mr Reed told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme: “We have systems and defences in place that keep the United Kingdom safe, and that will continue to happen, but the PM has been crystal clear about this war.

“We didn’t join the war, we’re not going to be dragged into this war, but we will take necessary defensive action to protect British interests, British people, or our allies across the region.”

He said the fact that one of the missiles fired at Diego Garcia was intercepted, and the other failed, shows “that our defensive capabilities are correct”.

On Saturday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it was the first time Tehran had launched a long-range missile since the start of the war, and showed it was now capable of reaching cities such as London, Paris or Berlin.

It claimed the missiles could go a distance of around 4,000km, meaning they posed a danger to dozens of countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. In a post on X, it said: “We have been saying it: The Iranian terrorist regime poses a global threat. Now, with missiles that can reach London, Paris or Berlin.”

Diego Garcia is around 3,800km (2,360 miles) away from Iran. The distance between Iran and the UK is around 4,435km (2,750 miles).

Mr Reed refused to say how close Iran’s long-range missiles had come to reaching Diego Garcia, insisting that to do so would only help Iran.

He appeared to suggest Israel’s warning was exaggerated, saying the IDF’s statement was “conditional”, adding “there is no assessment to substantiate what’s being said”.

He also would not be drawn on whether the government backs Donald Trump’s fresh 48-hour deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, saying that was a question for the US President.

Early on Sunday, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social that the country had 48 hours to comply or the US would “obliterate” Iran’s power plants.

The Conservatives accused Sir Keir Starmer of putting the UK’s “standing in the world” at risk by “dithering” on Iran.

Sir James Cleverly, the shadow housing secretary, said Mr Trump had been “deeply unfair” when he accused the UK and European Nato allies of being cowards.

But he added: “However, I don’t think it has been helped by the fact that our prime minister has sat on his hands at a time when the Canadians, a left-of-centre government, were supportive of the action against Iran. Australia, a left-of-centre government, supportive of the action against Iran – so it’s not a left-right split. The fact is Keir Starmer was equivocal, he was dithering, he was undecided and that, I fear, has undermined our standing in the world.”

Nearly 600 immigrant children were held in a Texas family detention center in recent months without enough food, medical care or mental health services, as their time inside stretched beyond court-mandated limits, according to court documents filed Friday.

Children and families held in the Dilley detention facility where 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were sent earlier this year also faced virus outbreaks and lasting lockdowns in December and January, although the total number of children held at Dilley has fallen in recent weeks, according to the attorney’s reports and site visits.

The case of Ramos, a preschooler who was wearing a blue bunny hat when he was picked up in Minnesota by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, stirred protest over the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, including among detainees who gathered and held up signs in the yard inside Dilley’s chain-link fences.

Last week about 85 children remained detained at Dilley, but concerning conditions continued, said Mishan Wroe, directing attorney at the National Center for Youth Law, who visited in mid-March. In early February, a legal advocate for the children observed about 280 children.

The filings cited numerous poignant cases, including that of a 13-year-old girl held at Dilley who tried to take her own life after staff withheld prescribed antidepressants and denied her request to join her mother, as reported by The Associated Press. The government reported there had been “no placements on suicide watch,” according to the filing. The AP obtained Dilley discharge documents that described a “suicide attempt by cutting of wrist” and “self-harm.”

The filings were submitted in a lawsuit launched in 1985 that led to the creation in 1997 of court-ordered supervision of standards and eventually established a 20-day limit in custody. The Trump administration seeks to end the Flores settlement.

“For years, the Flores consent decree has been a tool of the left that is antithetical to the law and wastes valuable U.S. taxpayer funded resources,” the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement. “Being in detention is a choice.”

Attorneys for detainees highlighted the government’s data showing longer custody times for immigrant children, and also cited worms in food, and poor access to medical care or sufficient legal counsel as reported by families and monitors at federal facilities.

“Dilley remains a hellhole,” said Leecia Welch, the chief legal director at Children’s Rights, who visits Dilley regularly to ensure compliance. “Although the number of children has decreased, the suffering remains the same.”

Dilley is retrofitted for families, who receive basic necessities including adequate food and water while in detention, and the Trump administration is working to quickly deport detainees, the DHS spokesperson added.

A report from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement showed that about 595 immigrant children were held in custody for more than the 20-day limit in December and January, with some stretching into months, per the filing.

“Approximately 265 of these children were detained for more than 50 days and a shocking 55 children were detained more than 100 days,” the filing stated.

That is up from a previous government disclosure late last year that showed from August to September, 400 children had been held at Dilley beyond the 20-day limit. DHS did not respond to questions seeking comment on the data.

Chief U.S. District Judge Dolly Gee of the Central District of California is scheduled to have a hearing on the case later this month.

Ronan Kanda, 16, was fatally attacked with a 20-inch “ninja” sword as he walked home from a friend’s house in June 2022.

The mum of a teenage boy who was stabbed to death in a case of mistaken identity is battling to use school parents’ evenings to tackle the scourge of knife crime.

Ronan Kanda, 16, was fatally attacked with a 20-inch “ninja” sword as he walked home from a friend’s house in June 2022. Fellow pupils Prabjeet Veadhesa and Sukhman Shergill, both 17, mistook the tragic teen for a rival they had set out to kill.

Veadhesa plunged the weapon into Ronan’s back and chest, piercing his heart, in the attack in Wolverhampton. The boy had bought the sword with his mother’s ID and was handed it by bungling Post Office workers hours before the killing.

The remorseless pair went to Veadhesa’s home and ordered takeaways and played video games. Veadhesa and Shergil were jailed for life in 2023. They must serve at least 18 and 16 years behind bars.

Ronan’s mum Pooja, 49, has since devoted her life to tackling youth knife crime and the online sale of deadly weapons. New legislation named after her son – Ronan’s Law – has made it illegal to sell, make or import ninja swords to the UK. Last month Pooja, who still lives on the street where her son was killed, received an OBE for her anti-knife crime campaign.

She and her daughter Nikita regularly visit schools and charities to speak to youngsters about the dangers of carrying knives. But now they want to engage directly with parents to stop kids sliding into lives of crime. Pooja said school parents’ evenings are the ideal time to speak to adults.

She told the Mirror: “Parents are vital. They have a responsibility. Bringing up a child on this earth and not nurturing them with values causes so much pain. I know it’s hard to be a parent, and people say it’s hard to bring up a child because people are working all hours. But I was a single mum and I managed to raise two children with respect and values.

“I’m not saying ‘become me’, I’m saying ‘be better in what you are doing’. I see a lot of parents, especially the murderers’ parents, they didn’t have any morals or values between them. I saw them, the way they acted during the court case. One of the mothers said to me, ‘My son hasn’t done anything wrong’. That opened my eyes.

“That boy, sitting in his cell for the next 16 years, still doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong because his mum is there backing him up. I would like the schools to come forward and work with us. If we could go into schools on parents’ evenings, we’d have a captive audience. A school is a great portal to get that support to parents.

“I would like to have posters outside, people like me standing in the school hall, speaking to parents. I’m never giving up on this. I’m not giving up on the children who deserve to know what we can do to support them.”

Pooja says she remains “absolutely broken” over her son’s death nearly four years ago.

She said: “It doesn’t get any easier. It is more difficult than ever. At the beginning you are in shock, you are not thinking that you have lost your son forever. The pain, the loneliness, what he went through, really is painful. It feels like I didn’t protect my child, I failed to protect him. Ronan was my life. When I think back to before the murder, I was such a happy person, we were such a happy family.

“Now, even when I’m laughing, there’s no happiness inside. It’s like a continual sentence. There is no happiness. I’m always thinking, ‘What would he be doing now? What would he be like?’ His friends are going to university now, and I’m imagining him when I see them.

“I imagine his face, what would his hair be like, how tall would he be? Would he be introducing his girlfriend to me? All his future plans, and me being part of that future, has been taken away in one blow. I’m broken beyond words, absolutely broken. The grief can suddenly hit me without warning at any moment. His face comes into my head when I least expect it. I do everything in my power to stay strong, because I don’t want people to see my tears, but sometimes I can’t stop them. It’s constant pain, constant darkness.”

Pooja said she would turn down any opportunity to meet with Ronan’s killers as part of a “restorative justice” scheme. “I’m aware of restorative justice, and I know some families choose that path,” she said.

“But every parent who has lost a child has their own way of coping and seeking answers. I have found my way as well. For me, the courtroom gave me my answers. I saw everything in there. It was very clear. I saw the video evidence in the court. I heard the evidence too. They were ordering takeaways, playing PlayStation, after knowing they had taken Ronan’s life. I never want to meet them or see them again. I’m very clear with my mindset, I saw what they did. If it wasn’t my son it would have been someone else’s son, either another mistaken victim or the intended target.

“Unfortunately on this occasion it was my son, who I really, really, absolutely adored. There is no way I will ever forgive them.” Pooja is continuing to battle for changes in the law and licensing rules to stop crimes like her son’s murder happening again.

Amendments to the Crime and Policing Bill, which will make it mandatory for collection point sites to check ID on knives, are going through the House of Lords. And a consultation is being run by the government for a licensing system for sellers and imports of knives, which would include rules for age verification and secure packaging.

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Volunteers at a Highland Hospice shop in Wick created a tongue-in-cheek display featuring mannequins in council workwear — but officials demanded it be taken down and confiscated the uniforms.

A killjoy council ordered a charity shop plagued by road works and potholes to remove a hi-vis window installation. Volunteers at the Highland Hospice in Wick in Scotland set up the tongue-in-cheek display.

It featured four mannequins in council workwear with the window reading “get the new high street look”. The mannequins were wearing Highland Council workers’ uniforms and carrying brooms and shovels.

They had been donated to the shop which has also suffered a lack of business due to ongoing roadworks.

But shop manager Hannah Morrison says council employees have since demanded the display be taken down – despite not offering the uniforms for sale. The council even confiscated the outfits.

Hannah says the response from the council has been “frustrating” – as staff members are still waiting to have a large pothole near the shop filled in.

“We got donated Highland Council hi-vis workwear – we don’t know who donated them, but they came to our back door,” said Hannah.

“I just thought, because all these roadworks are ongoing, and it’s affected our footfall, that it would be quite funny if we put something in the window to make light of the situation.

“We put them in and wrote “get the new high street style” – they weren’t for sale and it was just a joke.

“There were so many people that loved it and thought it was great – it brightened up the street and every day people would be coming in and saying how good it was.”

But on Tuesday, while Hannah was away from the premises, a council employee demanded the display be taken down.

Meanwhile, roadworks in Wick have been taking place in the town centre since early November as part of the £2.1 million Wick street design project and are due to continue until the end of May.

She said: “On Tuesday, I was on a day off, and someone from the council had come in and said to take the window display out, as it had the Highland Council badge on all these uniforms.

“What just frustrated me a lot about it was that he never asked to speak to me, to discuss any matter or negotiate.

“He’d come in and told them to take it out, and he took the uniforms with him.

“If he would have spoken to me, I would have explained, obviously, that it was display only.

“I could have said we’ll cover up the badges, or he could have maybe offered a contribution – or filled in the pothole at the back that’s been asked to be filled in.”

Hannah described the response from the council as “frustrating,” and said they should be doing more to help Wick’s high street during “difficult times.”

A Highland Council representative told the John O’Groats Journal: “Displaying council hi-vis in the charity’s shop window suggests it is for sale. There was no indication it was for display purposes only.

“Hi-vis is issued to staff who require to wear this for their protection and safety, which the council takes seriously.

“Council hi-vis should not be used for personal purposes by council staff or members of the public.

“The council has a responsibility for the appropriate use of resources and, where staff no longer undertake activities which require hi-vis, the protective clothing should be returned and recycled where applicable to safeguard budgets.

“The council does not regard this to have been an overreaction. It was necessary to retrieve the hi-vis.

“Staff and managers are being reminded personal protective equipment should be returned when staff leave a role requiring this type of safety protection.”

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The demolition of the former shopping centre in the town centre is expected to be completed in 2027.

This will make way for a “mixed use development” made up of flats, offices, businesses, restaurants, as well as a new pedestrian route from the square to Bradshawgate.

This week, more than 200 local business representatives heard speakers explain how they hope the Crompton Place project will help fuel further investment in the town centre.

Federated Hermes regional development director Dan Hyde said:  “Regardless of where you regenerate, I think it’s very important to develop for a place, rather than just in a place.

The panel discussed how Bolton town centre is evolving (Image: Place North West)

“It’s really important to look at local needs, this is going to be a residential-led mix-used scheme that’s going to provide homes, workspace and leisure.

“The connectivity to the rest of Bolton is going to be so important, so that it sets the stage to carry on transforming the town centre and fulfil the council’s ambitions.

“When you take all those factors into consideration, along with the scale and the heritage that’s already in the town, you will tick a box where the people of Bolton will be proud of what we develop.”

More than 200 business representatives attended (Image: Place North West)

Federated Hermes, which previously worked on projects like NOMA in Manchester, Wellington Place in Leeds and Paradise in Birmingham, was chosen as the developer last month.

Mr Hyde was one of several speakers at the “Crompton Place and Beyond: How Bolton Town Centre is Evolving”, which aimed to introduce his company to the borough.

Speaking on the day of the event, Bolton Council Leader Cllr Nick Peel said: “I think it speaks volumes that one of the first things we decided to do as a partnership was to come together and speak directly to the business leaders, employers and investors who know Bolton so well.

Cllr Peel addressing the event (Image: Place North West)

“Today shows that this is a developer that is investing in Bolton, in every sense.”

The event also highlighted other recent town centre development projects, including the Wellspring Innovation Hub, Moor Lane, Deansgate Gardens and the transformation of Church Wharf.

Cllr Peel said: “What were once concepts and plans on a page are now real places delivering tangible benefits for Bolton.

“Homes where families live, places of work where businesses are innovating, and public spaces we can all be proud of.

“This is what we mean when we talk about the regeneration of Bolton, and today it enters an exciting new phase.”

The position can still be bracing, and the surroundings are unmistakably beautiful but the 1974 Local Government Act saw the town shift its allegiance to Lancashire. The town now stands in the Lancashire Borough of Pendle but within the boundaries of the historic West Riding.

Shops and businesses along Rainhall Road. PHOTO: Martin Bostock Known locally as Barlick, it appears in the Domesday Book and in the 12th century monks founded a monastery here. You can still visit the Grade I listed church of St Mary-le-Ghyll, complete with box pews and an unusual three tier pulpit.

Today, Barnoldswick – the largest town in England without an A road – welcomes visitors. Most shops are independently owned, offering everything from antiques and witch paintings to artisan bread and organic meat, with a lively market held every Thursday and Saturday. The Great British High Street Award was impressed both with its shops and calendar of free community events.

Barnoldswick war memorial was unveiled, in 1924, by Elizabeth Sutcliffe who lost three of her five sons in World War One. They are among the 282 names listed from that conflict. PHOTO: Martin Bostock These include Barnoldswick in Wonderland, which takes place on March 29 and features The Cheshire Cat and The Mad Hatter. Spring Bank Holiday Weekend sees Bands on the Square: a variety of bands performing in the picturesque Town Square. Summer welcomes Barlick Beach – sand is imported and there are donkey rides, a Food Court and plenty of activities. The Kite Festival – another summer event – takes place in Victory Park.

The town is also serious about work. Rolls Royce, a major employer since 1943, is often referred to as ‘the cradle of the jet engine’. Rolls Leisure is part of the community with everyone welcome to visit its restaurant and gym. Silent Night is another major employer, including an employee whose sensitive buttocks – used to test mattresses – were insured for a million pounds. Last year the company raised £30,000 for local charities, including Pendleside Hospice and this year, their iconic mascots Hippo and Duck reach 40.

Yarn bombers add jolly colour to the town. PHOTO: Martin Bostock Esse makes its famous cast iron stoves and wood burners in the town. Their products were used by Ernest Shackleton, Florence Nightingale and even, James Bond. They remain popular worldwide, making sure the town is known to celebrity chefs, such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.

Other Barnoldswick firms may not be as famous but they contribute to the town’s successful economy. Raptor Titanium, who make motocross footpegs used by several world champion riders, have recently received a King’s Award for International Trade. Barnoldswick knows how to work, how to play and it’s successful at both.

Huppach Jewellers, Barnoldswick. PHOTO: Martin Bostock Family jewels

When Friedrich Huppach travelled from Germany to Barnoldswick, his ambition was to design jewellery and in 1978, he bought a jewellery shop and began to carve himself a reputation.

It’s a reputation that his son, Stefan and grandson Declan have built upon. They design bespoke pieces, melting down, rolling and making the pieces on the premises, much the same way as Friedrich did, and still using his official maker’s mark: FHA.

‘We see a client in our private consultation space,’ says Stefan. ‘Some clients may only have the vaguest idea of what they would like but we guide and help. We’ve been here for decades so we’re in no rush.’

Huppach Jewellers, Barnoldswick. PHOTO: Martin Bostock Stefan and Declan begin by discovering a little about the recipient, before making dummy parts and Declan adds: ‘That enables a client to visualise the piece. A widower brought us his late wife’s jewellery to make it into a locket, incorporating her ashes, for his son. His son was a young man and, after discussing it, felt a dog tag might be more appropriate.

‘Similarly, a grandad wanted us to make a St Christopher’s medallion for his granddaughter’s graduation but together we discovered she might like something more timeless, such as a piece featuring a solitaire diamond.

‘Fashions change. One lady inherited an old-fashioned charm bracelet. She didn’t like it but didn’t want to shove it in the back of a drawer. We made her engagement and wedding rings from it. We always find a solution.’

Travel consultant Rebecca James. PHOTO: Martin Bostock All inclusive

Everyone loves a holiday. However, for some families with children or adults living with autism, special needs or physical disabilities they may decide the stress involved in arranging a holiday simply isn’t worth it.

But Rebecca James says it needn’t be that way. She runs James’ Travel, an independent travel consultant which specialises in arranging holidays for those whose needs may not be met elsewhere.

She is ideally suited for the role. For many years, Rebecca worked for major holiday firms, arranging luxury vacations.

‘I had masses of experience but it wasn’t until my son, Henry, was diagnosed with autism, that I appreciated the difficulties. There are very few independent travel consultants in this field and so I formed my agency,’ says Rebecca.

‘Many people with special or sensory needs may require particular bedding or a quiet place in which to have breakfast and accessible rooms that really are accessible,’ says Rebecca who also arranges door to door transport and airport lounges to relax in.

Rebecca also works with hospice patients, making sure hoists and medical beds are provided and visits locations around the world regularly to personally vet hotels.

‘I visit Disneyland annually, in order to tell families about details such as rides which might include jump scares or dark places. Everything is personally tailored,’ adds Rebecca who has even organised safaris for wheelchair users.

The Barnoldswick Art Group. PHOTO: Martin Bostock The art of the community

Barnoldswick Art Group usually has a membership waiting list but it will welcome new members during 2025.

‘We’re looking forward to meeting new people and sharing our love of painting. We have members from various East Lancashire towns and we have a real sense of fellowship,’ says committee member Jeff Watson, who found the support of the group a tremendous help following the death of his wife, Joan.

‘Painting is a wonderful way to make friends and of course, expressing oneself creatively is always a good thing to do. We have many abilities, so new members shouldn’t worry if they don’t know one end of the brush from the other to begin with – they soon will. And of course, not everyone uses a brush – some of us prefer pencil or charcoal.’

The group hold an exhibition every November in Barnoldswick Library and throughout the year they regularly invite professional artists to give demonstrations. They also host activity days and workshops and events planned for spring include a demonstration by Harriet Quilty, and studies of pencil drawing and Aboriginal painting.

Jeff, who has exhibited and sold his work since joining the group, believes Barnoldswick is an ideal spot for painters.

‘We’re a lively town with a strong sense of community and there are many picturesque spots, and of course we’re surrounded by some lovely countryside.

Greenberfield Bridge No.156, over the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Barnoldswick. PHOTO: Getty

Four things to do in Barnoldswick

Bancroft Mill Engine Museum

The museum houses the largest working Mill Steam Engine in Lancashire and once powered over 1000 looms. The museum is open on Saturdays from April to November. If you want to see it in action, check the website for Steaming Days. One takes place on Sunday March 16.

Greenberfield Locks

One of the best kept locks in the country, the Greenberfield locks are at the highest point of the Leeds Liverpool canal, before it begins its descent towards Leeds. It’s a lovely place to spend Mother’s Day; maybe enjoying a champagne picnic or simply watching the barges and waterfowl.

Barnoldswick Music and Arts Centre

An acoustic based venue, with a bar and restaurant. The acclaimed Irish guitarist Grainne Duffy and her band will play on February 24 and Jim Causley, described as, ‘the finest voice of his generation’ will perform, as part of a duo with Miranda Sykes, on March 6.

Thornton Hall Farm at Thornton Country Park

Two miles outside Barnoldswick and just on the Yorkshire border, this award-winning family-run attraction has plenty to offer. The farm offers animal encounters, animal safaris, soft play and pony rides. Mother’s Day weekend will be celebrated with free entry for mums.

The Craven Heifer. PHOTO: Martin Bostock

Three places to stay in Barnoldswick

Craven Heifer

Situated in the nearby village of Kelbrook, this country inn offers a choice of accommodation, including a recently refurbished and romantically presented Loft Room. Some rooms are dog friendly. A seasonal menu is available on the premises.

Alma Cliffe Guest House

A privately owned home with very attractive gardens and, thanks to its elevated position, stunning views over the surrounding countryside. Rooms are en-suite and a family room is available. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Deerstone Glamping

A family-run site, set in 80 acres. There are six luxury domes, suitable for families or couples and pets are welcome. A firepit sits in front of each well-equipped dome and sauna evenings with a cold plunge barrel dip. There is also a cinema dome on site.

Circular walk

This walk is almost eight miles long and contains several stiles. Begin in the car park on Fernlea Avenue, before making your way to Victory Park. Go through the park, keep the stream on your right. After the second bridge, the stream will be on the left and Rolls Royce on the right. Turn right into Greenberfield Lane, before turning left on to the tow path and heading for Greenberfield Locks.

Leave the canal by the path next to the Pump House then left, before turning right into a farmyard. Continue on the track for 800 metres, turning left at the stream.

Follow the stream to an earthed bridge, cross and continue to next bridge. Cross and continue uphill, turning right towards Stock Beck bridge. Bear left, approaching farm buildings, over the stile towards Stock. Turn left and follow the sunken track. Go straight downhill, across Stock Beck and then follow the lefthand edge of the field towards Bracewell.

Once on the road, turn right then second left towards Priory Cottage. At the gate, turn right, keep right, towards a stile in the wall. Continue left to the fence, turn right to the far-right field corner. There will be a series of gates past the reservoir.

Turn left over the ladder stile through two stiles to reach the farm. Keep the farm buildings on the left and continue onto Brogden Lane. Turn right and continue for 800 metres before turning left and crossing two stiles, across two fields towards Hollins. Turn right over a stile and go left down the lane.

It will bear left, then right. Immediately after this, turn into a field over a stile. Go across the field and then right down a track. After the Cattle Grid, turn right then left onto Esp Lane and then Town Head going towards Bancroft Mill. Just before, go down Forty Steps, turning left at the bottom onto Westgate and make your way back to the car park. visitpendle.com.

Getting to the hotel couldn’t be easier, with an underground car park on site and the town’s bus and train station just a five-minute walk away, providing connections across the country.

Located in the heart of the Midlands, the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone is a sophisticated venue offering guests a luxurious four-star experience.

Positioned right in the town centre, the Sheraton serves as an ideal base for exploring everything Athlone has to offer.

Getting to the hotel couldn’t be easier, with an underground car park on site and the town’s bus and train station just a five-minute walk away, providing connections across the country.

The hotel boasts 167 guest rooms, from compact classic spaces to expansive suites. During my visit, I stayed in a deluxe king tower room on the ninth floor. These tower rooms occupy the hotel’s upper levels, with each generous space – including my room, number 476 – featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that showcase stunning panoramic views across Athlone and the River Shannon.

Each room comes equipped with a sumptuous king-size bed, a comfortable seating area and an indulgent bathroom fitted with both a bath and separate shower, along with premium toiletries.

Throughout my visit, I had the pleasure of sampling the hotel’s afternoon tea service. This proved to be an exquisite culinary affair, set within an intimate space adjacent to the reception, and one I’d strongly encourage guests to reserve, regardless of whether they’re residing at the property.

The savoury selection featured chicken caesar wraps, sweet chilli chicken tartlets, savoury quiches and ham and cheese gourmet sandwiches. The sweet offerings included raspberry cheesecake, lemon meringue nests, chocolate-dipped strawberries, various flavours of macarons and mini chocolate fondants, as well as a selection of homemade fruit scones served with jam, butter and cream. Alongside your preferred tea or coffee, cocktails, champagne and sparkling wine are also on hand to elevate the occasion.

Come evening, I dined at the hotel’s refined La Provence brasserie. The establishment’s executive chef assembles this menu using the finest locally-sourced produce from across the Midlands and further afield, producing dishes that appeal to all tastes.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is enhanced by the team’s exceptional attentiveness and the tranquil sophistication of the hotel’s subtle décor, making it an ideal sanctuary for unwinding and treating oneself. I began my meal with the seafood skillet, featuring a medley of prawns and mussels in garlic and chilli butter, accompanied by toasted sourdough bread – perfect for mopping up the flavoursome butter and juices from the fresh seafood.

For my main course, I chose the pork tomahawk. This succulent and tender cut of steak arrived with house fries, a roasted tomato, Portobello mushrooms, sautéed onions, celeriac and parsnip purée and pepper sauce, with every element working harmoniously together.

For relaxed evening dining, S Bar & Bistro offers hearty Irish cuisine made with fresh, locally sourced produce, alongside an extensive cocktail menu featuring specially crafted seasonal beverages.

Breakfast at the hotel is served buffet style, offering something for everyone. The wide-ranging selection includes both hot and cold choices such as full Irish and vegetarian breakfasts, creamy porridge, fluffy pancakes, granola pots, fresh fruit, pastries, cured meats, cheeses and yoghurts.

An added bonus is the availability of takeaway cups, allowing guests to take a coffee, tea or hot chocolate with them after dining in the restaurant. The hotel’s impressive leisure centre features a 20-metre swimming pool complete with hydro massage jets (targeting your neck, back and legs), alongside a spa pool, sauna and steam room.

Guests can also use the Sheraton’s modern gym, which features an extensive selection of cardio equipment and weights, allowing visitors to combine energetic exercise with peaceful relaxation.

The Sirana Spa provides an intimate sanctuary within the hotel. Drawing inspiration from the gentle warmth and earthy palette of the Sahara Desert, it’s a haven where professional expertise, tranquillity and understated elegance converge, presenting an extensive menu of treatments. Using a selection of Elemis skincare products, each treatment is tailored to individual requirements, with options focusing on deep relaxation, skincare, or targeted muscle relief.

Whether you’re visiting Athlone or the surrounding area for work, catching up with mates or enjoying a romantic break, the Sheraton stands out as a first-rate destination, where every aspect of my visit met exceptional standards of service, comfort and quality.

At this hotel, you’ll enjoy a luxurious experience that justifies the cost. For more information, visit the website.

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The show, directed and choreographed by Joanne Hand, will run at Darlington Hippodrome from Wednesday, April 22, to Saturday, May 2.

Eddie Taylor-Jones, chairman of DarlingtonOS, said: “We have long awaited the opportunity to bring Joseph to life at Darlington Hippodrome.

“This production is a celebration of creativity, community, and the enduring magic of live theatre.

“Joseph’s story is one of hope, resilience, and joy, and we are proud to share it with audiences in a way that feels both fresh and deeply rooted in its timeless appeal.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone to experience what promises to be a truly unforgettable show.”

The musical, written by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, is one of the world’s most beloved family shows and is told entirely through song.

It follows the journey of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his 11 brothers, tracing his path from betrayal and imprisonment to redemption, reunion, and forgiveness.

The DarlingtonOS cast features a broad array of local talent.

Ben Connor will take the title role of Joseph, while the role of the Narrator will be shared by Samantha Morrison and Katie Spencer.

Other cast members include Julian Cound as Jacob and Potiphar, Eddie Taylor-Jones as Reuben, Luke Oldfield as Simeon, Barry I’Anson as Levi, and Baily Gascoigne as Judah.

Supporting roles are filled by Nick Robinson (Dan), Phil Bargewell (Naphtali), Joseph Arnott (Gad/Butler), Joshua Kay (Asher), Jonathan Wilson-Downs and George Rock (Issacher), Jack Machin (Zebulum/Baker), Kailum James (Benjamin), Steven Dunn (Pharoah), and Lucy Ivison (Mrs Potiphar).

The wider company includes Zoe Kent, Lucy Adams, Ali Baily, Lisa Marie Watson, Grace Mansfield, Safah Alazzawi, Eva Furguson, Joanne Johns, Stacey Dobson, Sasha Bramley, Sally Ivison, Olivia Brady, Sophie Simmons, Freya Moir, Emily Wright, Ruth Richardson, Fran Hague, Zoe Bellamy, Adele McNally, Kyra Batty, Nikitta Trainer, Faith Small, and Darrien Wright.

Young performers will also play a key part in the production, with two teams of children from the local area performing on alternate nights.

Team Pharoah includes Ellen Dickson, Grace McGuiness, Juliet Grey, Fallon Gibson, Harrison Brown, Clara Harper, Eliza Currie, and Evie Proctor.

Team Potiphar features Arabella Lowrie, Chloe Gowling, Lucie Bell, Penny Metcalfe, Thomas Loftus, Holly Neale, Rosie Tolston, and Cassie Hide.

Ms Hand brings extensive experience to the production, having previously directed DarlingtonOS shows such as Come From Away, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Kinky Boots, Priscilla Queen Of The Desert, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Musical direction will be provided by Paul Walker, who will lead a live 15-piece band.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat began life as a school concert before being released as a concept album in 1969 and evolving into an international stage phenomenon.

The show has been staged in more than 80 countries, with productions in the West End, on Broadway, and beyond.

It features well-known songs including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven, Go Go Go Joseph, and the high-energy Megamix finale.

Tickets are available exclusively through DarlingtonOS and can be booked by calling the ticket hotline on 01325 405405 or by visiting www.darlingtonos.org.uk.

Pathways, based in Redcar, is aimed at supporting 16- to 25-year-olds in Redcar who are living with autism or experiencing mental health challenges, with the programme designed to help them develop the skills needed to navigate adulthood.

The project is the latest initiative from Jenny Crawford, chief executive of Wellbeing Plus, who has drawn on her personal experiences to create programmes that support those facing health and wellbeing issues.

Ms Crawford said: “Many of the young people we aim to support have expressed that traditional youth provision can feel intimidating or unrelatable to them.

“Pathways works in smaller group sessions with a greater focus on individual needs.

“It’s all about equipping these young people so they can develop independence and the feedback so far has been very positive.

“First you have to gain trust and coming together in a non-pressurised, social setting is a good way of doing that.

“Through creative projects and skill-building workshops we can then help young people develop self-confidence, make decisions for themselves and plan and carry out activities.”

The scheme recently received a £200 grant from Broadacres’ Community Development Fund to purchase equipment for its Redcar base.

The Pathways programme offers a variety of hands-on activities, including gardening for the infirm, and making craft and decorative items that can be sold to raise funds.

These activities are designed to foster independence, encourage personal growth, and build confidence in a supportive environment.

Ms Crawford first launched Wellbeing Plus in 2018 after overcoming her own personal and health challenges, and has since helped hundreds of adults manage long-term health issues.

Her approach centres on creating safe, supportive spaces where individuals feel comfortable sharing their experiences and connecting with others through creative outlets.

The Broadacres Community Development Fund supports local organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes.

Funding decisions are made by Broadacres residents.

Applications for the 2025/26 financial year are now closed, but organisations are encouraged to check the Broadacres website for future funding opportunities.

Those interested can visit www.wellbeing-plus.co.uk or www.broadacres.org.uk for more information.

LARGE quarters of this area of York have changed beyond all recognition over the decades.

Today, we are time travelling through the decades looking at the changing face of Walmgate.

This gallery of photos stretches back to before the First World War showing a century of change.

The ‘doss house’ at 111 Walmgate, 1913. This half timbered 15th century building was a common lodging house run by the Kilmartin family. In 1961 the building was acquired by the Civic Trust, fully restored and named Bowes Morrell House in memory

From slum clearance and flooding, the streets of this area and its people have witnessed much sadness and hardship – but displayed admirable resilience through the changes.

Share your memories

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

Recommended reading:

We also have more than 10,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories. It is free to join and you will find us at www.facebook.com/groups/yorknostalgia/.

Walmgate in the 1930s…YEP PIC.

It would be great to see your old photos of York – and they don’t have to be from centuries ago. We all love seeing old photos from our recent past, and some of our more popular stories with readers date from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

If you have a nostalgia story for us, please email maxine.gordon@thepress.co.uk.

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