Lola McEvoy raised an urgent question in parliament last week after hearing how residents in Darlington had been impacted by Royal Mail service failures.

The MP raised examples of people who have contacted her about cases that have been raised, including someone’s application to join the Royal Navy.

The application included important personal documents, and, despite using Royal Mail’s tracking system, the application was lost.

Lola McEvoy raising the urgent question in parliament (Image: PARLIAMENT TV)

Ms McEvoy also raised an example of another resident who was due to get compensation from Royal Mail following a late delivery, only for the cheque to bounce.

Raising an urgent question, the Darlington MP said: “I would like to put on the record that, despite testimony to the contrary, it is Darlington’s postal workers who are the best in the country.

“They deliver their service to the best of their abilities, and they also provide a social service; their visit is often the only one that residents get. I want to draw the Minister’s attention to two quite shocking cases that constituents have brought to me.

“One constituent, despite using the tracking system, has had their application form to join the Royal Navy go awry, which is obviously causing huge delays.

“Another constituent successfully gained compensation from Royal Mail for a late delivery, but the cheque, which was sent in the post, bounced.

“I would like the Minister to allay some of our fears about crucial public services, and the postal communications from our Departments and arm’s length bodies.”

In response to Ms McEvoy’s question, Blair McDougall MP, Minister for Small Business and Economic Transformation, agreed to continue to pressurise Royal Mail, directly and through their regulator Ofcom, to improve the service in Darlington.

Darlington is not the only town in the region to be affected by poor Royal Mail service.

Residents in Spennymoor said they are living in a ‘nightmare’ as people are missing hospital appointments due to delays in their mail.

Residents in Spennymoor have also raised issues with the Royal Mail service (Image: PA MEDIA)

Lisa, 50, who lives in Middlestone Moor, near Spennymoor, says deliveries in her neighbourhood have become increasingly unreliable, with some households receiving post as infrequently as once every two weeks.

She claimed the issue has already led to people missing important hospital appointments.

Lisa emphasised that while residents appreciate the efforts of postal workers, she believes staffing levels are not sufficient to meet demand across the area.

Earlier this week, a Royal Mail spokesperson said: “We know how important it is that customers receive their mail on time, particularly when it includes items such as medical letters.

“We always aim to deliver all mail as expected and recent figures show around 92 per cent of letters arrive on time, but we recognise performance is not yet where it needs to be in all areas.

“Where there are local issues, these are typically caused by temporary resourcing pressures, and we focus on restoring normal service as quickly as possible.”

The postal service has been approached for further comment.

Three defendants failed to respond to summons and were convicted and sentenced in their absence at Harrogate Magistrates Court.

Jordan Grace, 35, of Allerthorpe, York, was convicted of failure to inform police who was driving his car when it was allegedly committing a motoring offence.

He was banned from driving for six months and ordered to pay a £660 fine, £90 prosecution costs and a £264 statutory surcharge.

Ian Jackson, 58, of North Drive, Sherburn-in-Elmet, was convicted of using a car without insurance and driving without wearing a seat belt, both committed on the B1222 near Sherburn-in-Elmet.

He was banned from driving for six months and ordered to pay a £660 fine, £90 prosecution costs and £264 statutory surcharge.

Nathan Dalton Wright, 24, of Fairfield Avenue, Carlton near Selby, was convicted in his absence of driving a car without insurance and without a licence.

He was fined £660, ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £264 statutory surcharge and given eight penalty points.

Ben Allen, 40, of Station Road, Scalby, Scarborough, was convicted at Harrogate Magistrates Court in his absence of speeding on the A174 at Hinderwell near Saltburn.

At an adjourned hearing, magistrates heard because of the number of penalty points already on his licence, he should be banned from driving but decided that would cause him exceptional hardship after hearing it would adversely affect his two businesses and his health.

They gave him three penalty points, fined him £220, ordered him to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £88 statutory surcharge.

One driver was sentenced at York Magistrates Court.

Wycliff Charabira Nyarota, 59, of The Waterfront, Selby, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention and failure to stop after an accident in which a person was injured on the A19 at Crockey Hill, south of York. 

He was banned from driving for six months, fined £450 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £180 statutory surcharge.

WARNING: DISTRESSING CONENTJude Law’s daughter, 11, was left in floods of tears after being grilled by a member of Chappell Roan’s ‘security team’ but her mum, Catherine Harding, has now spoken out about the incident

The mother of an 11-year-old girl who was left in floods of tears after being grilled by a member of Chappell Roan’s ‘security team’ has broken her silence.

Catherine Harding, the mother of the girl who was allegedly berated by a security guard after sneaking a peak at Chappell Roan during breakfast at a São Paulo hotel, has now shared her side of the incident.

She said: “I know that Chappell has responded saying that it wasn’t her security and that she didn’t do it. So, 100%, this security guard was not a security guard of the hotel. That’s what I can say. He looks after artists.

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“I don’t know if it was her personal security guard, but he was with her. So that’s all I know. Did she send him to do it? Again, I don’t know. Look, I would like to hope not, but at the same time, I think that you have a responsibility when you are a celebrity to make sure, I guess, that the people that work for you and that act on your behalf are acting on your behalf. So, would he do that if he didn’t have her authority to do so? I don’t know if he does; then obviously that’s a big problem because then he’s representing her in a way that she doesn’t want to be represented.

“So I think that’s really important for her to notice and realize that’s not correct… Literally, we were staying in the same hotel. we were at breakfast. And we noticed a girl walk past with long red hair, very curly. And I said to my daughter, ‘Oh, do you think that’s Chappell Roan?’ and she looked and she said, ‘Oh my God, Mum, do you think it’s her?’ And so she said, ‘I’m gonna go and have a look outside,’ and she was sat just outside in the garden area which we were also free to go into; the door was open. And so I went back to the table to sit and eat, and my daughter walked through the door. She didn’t have her phone, she didn’t try to take a picture, she didn’t approach her.

“She literally didn’t do anything; she just looked at her and smiled, and she came back and she actually said to me, ‘Mum, I don’t know if it’s her.’ Because obviously she looks like—you know, with her costumes and everything—she looks a little bit different. So my daughter said, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m not—I’m not sure if it was her. I think it was her, Mum. It really, really looks like her, but I don’t know; maybe it’s her sister.’

“She said, ‘Maybe it’s her sister,’ and I said, ‘Oh, I don’t know, darling,’ and that was it. We continued our breakfast. “From that, then came the security guard who, as I said—as my husband said—had a very aggressive tone. And I feel like was—if she did not send him… I mean, even if she did send him or she didn’t send him, I don’t know.

“For me, I feel like it really overstepped a boundary because he is quite an intimidating—he is very large. So for him to come over to a table with just a woman and her daughter eating breakfast to kind of like berate and scold us and say that he was going to complain, and tell me that I should be teaching my daughter to be better and that she’s badly educated and we should respect people’s privacy and we should not harass people and all of these other things.

“And I did try and explain to him the situation—that she’s a child and she was just very excited to see an artist and singer that she admires—and can he not understand that was all she was doing? I explained to him also that my husband is also very well-known and that we’re very—she’s very used to being around people that are well-known and she would never cross someone’s boundaries or overstep a mark. She very much knows the limits; not to ever, you know, be rude or make anyone feel… she understands; she understands very well.

“And I tried to explain this to him, and then he just kept saying, ‘Well, if you—if—if that’s the case, then you should know better. You should know how it is. You should know how it is, so you should teach your—you should teach her to be better. You shouldn’t allow her to be like this.’ And I was—I was shocked. And I did actually say to him at the time, I said, ‘Well, if this is the case that she doesn’t even want people to look at her, she is very welcome to eat breakfast in her room because this here is a public area and I am a paying guest as well as her.

“So if I want to walk past someone’s table and look at them, I have every right to do so. I am not approaching her. I’m not doing anything to make her feel intimidated or nothing—like this 11-year-old child.’ …

“We came all the way to Sao Paulo to watch the show. It was my daughter’s birthday present; she actually asked for tickets to come for her birthday present, which is a little bit ruined because we didn’t go to the show last night, but it’s how it is. But yeah. Anyways, it’s how it is. We’ll say no more on it. That’s it. I hope that maybe if it wasn’t her that she learns to not allow the people that work for her to treat people like this.”

Now, the Femininomenon hitmaker has taken to social media to share her side of the story. “I’m just going to tell my half of the story of what happened today with a mother and child who were involved with a security guard who is not my personal security,” Chappell said on Instagram.

In 2023, EU funding to charities and community groups in Northern Ireland from its European Social Fund was ended because of Brexit

The UK Government is “still not listening to the warnings” from the voluntary sector about the impact of replacing EU funding schemes in Northern Ireland, MPs have said.

In a report, the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee also warned that more support is needed for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) to encourage economic growth in the region.

In 2023, EU funding to charities and community groups in Northern Ireland from its European Social Fund (ESF) was ended because of Brexit.

It was replaced by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), which will in turn be replaced by the Local Growth Fund.

That new fund has a 70/30 capital-to-revenue split, resulting in funding cuts to the voluntary and community sector and prompting the Executive to write to Communities Secretary Steve Reed calling for a more favourable resource allocation.

Monday’s report from the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee follows an inquiry launched to understand how economic growth in Northern Ireland could be enhanced by UK Government economic initiatives.

Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi MP, chair of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, said “one of the keys to economic growth is tackling economic inactivity”.

“We are frustrated that the Government is still not listening to the warnings from across the voluntary and community sectors about the impact the funding make-up of the new, local growth fund will have on the ability to help people into and stay in work,” she said.

“It’s imperative that the UK Government recognises the clear need for current spending to fund employment support services and either reverses the 70/30 capital-revenue split or support the sector to find the funds elsewhere.”

The report also urged the Government to work more closely with the Stormont Executive on economic issues and says that the multiple bodies providing support in different ways may be confusing,

The committee recommends establishing “a completely overarching one-stop shop for SMEs to help them invest and grow and take advantage of East-West and North-South trading opportunities”.

The report concludes that Northern Ireland’s productivity and skills challenges are long-standing and well known, and criticises the Executive for failing to grip these problems, as well as chronic issues with inadequate infrastructure and delayed planning decisions.

Ms Antoniazzi said Northern Ireland’s economy “has performed well in recent times but there are still challenges holding it back”.

“The many central and devolved government economic missions, strategies and support bodies can be bewildering to businesses, while a lack of investment in skills and infrastructure is having a detrimental effect on growth, particularly beyond Belfast.

“Economic development is the responsibility of Stormont, and the Executive has been under-performing itself in this area for too long.

“But the UK Government cannot afford to ignore these obstacles, given its core mission of kickstarting economic growth right across the UK.”

A UK Government spokesperson said the Local Growth Fund “will support the delivery of long-term infrastructure to boost economic growth across the UK”.

“Northern Ireland will receive £45.5 million in each of the next three years, on top of its record £19.3 billion annual funding settlement,” they said.

“For economic inactivity programme funding, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive are working together to try and find a way forward that provides organisations with the clarity they need to plan for this year.

“We continue to work with the Executive and the sector to reach the best outcome possible by the time the Local Growth Fund begins delivery on 1 April.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The Monday letters page is keen to find out what happens after Resident Evil Requiem, as one reader has no sympathy for Crimson Desert players.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Marathon effort
The thing that gets me about this weekend-only Marathon business is how Bungie have less than zero respect for people’s time. We’ve all been saying that about games for a while now but level-grinding to unlock something you can only play for eight days a month is crazy too me.

Never mind what you’re supposed to do if you happen to work over the weekend (I often have to come in on a Saturday) but I guess that just makes the ones that do get to play it even cooler, right?

As if the ugly graphics weren’t putting enough people off, this actually kills any though I had of ever giving it a try. I don’t know whether the game is going to be successful or not – it seems to be doing okay but not great – but when I play a video game it’s not so it can become a second job for me.
Zeiss

Marketing spend
Is it only me that gets constant adverts for World Of Warcraft’s new expansion, every time I go on YouTube? I have no interest in the game, I’ve never played it or visited a website about it, and I’ve certainly never watched a video on it, but I get spammed with ads for it constantly.

The weird thing is I get very few other ads about games, despite that being one of my favourite things. Fortnite is about the only other thing I get a lot, which probably says a lot about how much these companies are spending on advertising compared to everyone else.

I’m a big Resi fan and have been watching a ton of videos about it lately, but I never saw a single ad for Resident Evil Requiem. That doesn’t seem to have affected its sales but I wonder what would’ve happened if it had been shown everywhere?
Logan

Risk and no reward
I’ll be honest, I don’t think I’ve got any sympathy for anyone that pre-ordered Crimson Desert and is now regretting (or, more likely, pretending to anyone that will listen that it’s good, actually). A too-good-to-be-true game from a developer with no experience in the genre, or anything much except one MMO, should send those alarm bells ringing straight away.

If you’ve got £55 just lying around, that you can afford to gamble on a game being good, based on virtually nothing, then I don’t think you can really complain about anything. I’ll wait until the game is cheap… and then spend the money on something else, because it sounds awful.
Spency

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Single option
I don’t think the PlayStation 5 still beating the Switch 2 in sales is too much of a surprise. Nobody is going to buy an Xbox Series X/S at the moment so if you want triple-A games then the PlayStation 5 is the only option.

The Switch 2 is a great console but it’s not going to be the first choice for anyone but families and hardcore Nintendo fans. That is still a lot of people, but I think there’s always going to be more wanting to play the best-looking versions of the latest games.

Resident Evil Requiem on the Switch 2 looks good but it’s still not as great as the PlayStation 5 version. But it’s not just graphics. Nintendo’s online services are still very limited compared to Sony and Microsoft. Who wants to play EA Sports FC on Switch 2? And you still can’t play Call Of Duty, despite all Xbox’s talk.

If you’re into games even just a bit you can’t make do with just a Switch 2, so your only options are a PlayStation 5 or a PC.
Kimble

Pokémon Endgame
Loved the Reader’s Feature about Pokémon Pokopia. I’m what I guess you’d call a lapsed fan and haven’t really been into the series properly since the DS days. I took a chance on Pokopia, after all the good reviews, and I’ve been loving it.

I almost got teary eyed at the end, especially when I realised there was tons of stuff I could still do, and that’s before getting into the Minecraft stuff or Animal Crossing style home improvement. Really excellent game and all the better because it was a surprise. More of this please, Nintendo!
Colin

Future fashion
Nice Reader’s Feature about what the next mainline Resident Evil should be, although I doubt even Capcom knows yet, as the success of Requiem probably caught them a bit off guard. If the rumours are right, we’ve got remakes of Code: Veronica and Resident Evil 1 coming first, so it’s obviously a long way off.

I’m more than up for those but Resident Evil 1 again seems like the perfect time for another soft reboot, with Resident Evil 10 following after that. As to what it will be I think there’s two main problems: do you change the characters and do you change the gameplay?

Considering how popular Grace seems to be I think there’s no doubt that Capcom can still make fun new characters, without having to rely on the old ones. In terms of gameplay though, Requiem was pretty traditional really and people loved that. Probably a lot more than if it had been open world or co-op or whatever.

So as much as we can predict anything at the moment, I think you’ve just got to look at what’s successful now, before they start making the new game. If people had hated Requiem and were demanding something new then that’s probably what Capcom would’ve done, but that’s not how it is right now.

Games taking longer to make is bad in so many ways but one that I think not a lot of people mention is that you start making them based on current trends and then by the time it’s finished who knows what will be popular. That probably explains a lot of live service games.
Cubby

How they do it
Just wanted to say that I really appreciate the behind the scenes videos in Resident Evil Requiem. I guess I already knew that’s how they did the tech but it’s really nice to see a fairly long segment broken down like that.

Although I wonder how long until time-consuming and expensive things like that are just faked with AI, because it’s ‘good enough’. Crazy to think that 30 years ago the same franchise had tank controls and characters that looked like something out of Minecraft. Happy birthday Resi!
Winston

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Front loaded
That’s me finished Resident Evil Requiem on all three difficulties. It’s safe to say it is superb, with amazing graphics, fun gameplay, and a pitch perfect tone.

I still can’t help feeling it could have been even better though. To my surprise, as a big fan of Resident Evil 4, my favourite sections of the game were Grace’s. They’re really tense and atmospheric, with the Rhodes Hill Care Centre making for a wonderful setting. Having zombies with personalities works brilliantly and I wish they had doubled down on the idea with even more variety.

The second half of the game has more generic and returning enemies from the series, which seem a bit uninspired compared to those in the first half. There is too much fan service in general towards the end, especially with the bosses, and I would have preferred to see more original ground broken. I’m not convinced we even needed to return to Raccoon City at all, I’d have preferred to stick around Rhodes Hill with perhaps more institutions/buildings nearby to explore.

It’ll be really interesting to see what direction they take for the next game. I know they experimented with open world for this one and I think that might be the way to go to reinvent the series again. Can’t wait to see!
Ryan O’D
PS: My favourites are:

1. Resident Evil 4 remake
2. Resident Evil 2 remake
3. Resident Evil 1 remake
4. Resident Evil Requiem
5. Resident Evil 7

GC: We think it’s fair to say most, if not all, Resident Evil games are better in the first half than the second.

Inbox also-rans
This business about the EU Switch 2 model made me realise how happy I am that region locking is a thing of the past. What a dumb idea that was.
Focus

Crimson Desert might be a bad game but I tell you one thing, it’s made me really keen on playing a new The Witcher, just from looking at the videos. Hopefully the rumours of new DLC this year are true.
Kryzer

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Crimson Desert worth getting?

MORE: Games Inbox: Are people right to criticise Nvidia’s DLSS 5 tech?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Starfield a good game?

The winning design will be registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority as the official commemorative tartan for the America250 organisation

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Scottish students have been given the “remarkable” opportunity to design a tartan that will mark a historic milestone. Heriot-Watt University was invited by the Scottish Government USA to get involved in America250, a celebration for the USA’s 250th birthday.

Those studying at the Edinburgh institution’s school of textiles and design have been tasked with creating a tartan symbolising the historical and cultural ties between Scotland and the US. They submitted their ideas to a panel of experts from both countries, with the winning design due to be revealed in the summer.

The chosen design will be registered with the Scottish Tartan Authority as the official commemorative tartan for the America250 organisation. An initial commemorative run will be produced at Lovat Mill in Hawick in the Scottish Borders.

The winning student then travelling to Washington DC to formally present the tartan from Scotland to the US. Professor Fiona Grant, executive dean of the school of textiles and design, said: “We were delighted to be chosen for this special assignment to mark the America250 celebrations.

“It’s a remarkable opportunity to contribute to a project of real cultural – and lasting – importance while showcasing the breadth of skill, creativity and innovation that define Heriot-Watt’s school of textiles and design.”

Each submission had to meet a number of criteria, including the historical and cultural relevance of the tartan design, the creativity and originality of the pattern and supporting narrative, its public appeal and the potential for ceremonial and commercial use.

Mark Boyce, acting head of the Scottish Government USA, said: “The 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence is a moment to reflect on the long and historic ties between the United States and Scotland.

“A commemorative tartan is the perfect symbol of this interwoven relationship that continues to thrive through trade, education, culture and diaspora.

“We are delighted to bring this opportunity to the students at Heriot-Watt University, who are developing skills and creativity to help secure the future of Scotland’s unique tartans and textiles.”

Five Heriot-Watt students have been shortlisted, with the university saying the inspiration behind their designs is “as diverse as the samples they’ve woven”.

Grace Nicholls’ tartan highlights the vibrancy and heritage of Highland dance, through a design inspired by her family’s kilt colours and the rhythmic patterns shared across Scotland and North America.

The design by Kaci McEwan charts the US’s journey towards independence, with carefully numbered threads and colour sections referencing key moments in early American history such as the establishment of Jamestown in 1607.

Meanwhile, Elisabeth Fandke’s tartan is inspired by Fife-born founding father James Wilson and references shared Scottish-North American heritage, the Atlantic journey and the colours and motifs of Independence Hall in Philadelphia – where the Declaration of Independence was ratified.

Iris Morley’s tartan celebrates the shared value of liberty between Scotland and the US through colours drawn from national symbols and a central sequence of 13 stripes – a reference to the 13 colonies that broke away from Britain in the War of Independence.

Finally, Megan Beattie centred her design on the enduring friendship between Scotland and the United States, using a strong dark base to reflect its foundations and colours from both national flags to reference the relationship today.

The tartan project is part of a wider programme of activity around America250 and the America-Scotland relationship, and reflects the role Scotland has played in shaping the history of the United States.

The university pointed out many of the founding fathers and signatories of the Declaration of Independence were of Scottish descent while Scottish immigrants contributed to the development of American governance, industry and education.

Our thoughts are with those who have lost a loved one

Announcing the passing of a loved one in local news media is a long standing tradition and we are proud of the trust placed in us to make these important announcements. Every notice published to our newspaper and news site also appears on funeral-notices.co.uk – the UK’s number one site for death notices and memoriams. Every notice remains online forever providing friends and families with a lifelong tribute to their loved one, a safe place online to share memories, add tributes, photographs and make donations in memory.

Each week we pay tribute to the loved ones remembered in our area with a funeral notice and online tribute page. To read the latest announcements and add tributes to those from our area who have passed away, or to create a funeral notice yourself, click here. Alternatively, you can create a notice by calling the team on 01482 908084.

Here are a selection of notices published earlier this week.

Death Notices

Janice ABLETT

Passed away peacefully on Friday 6th March 2026 aged 74. Jan was a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Funeral service to take place at Cambridge City Crematorium, West Chapel on Monday 30th March at 3:15pm. Bright colours are warmly welcomed. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to the benefit of Cancer Research UK can be made at the service, via Janice’s In Memory Page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk or sent c/o 164 Histon Road Cambridge CB4 3JP 01223 791060

Raymond Victor (Ray) ANDREW

(Ray) Beloved husband to Helen, precious dad to Sarah, Katy and son-in-law Adam, treasured grandad to Lucie and Jamie, passed peacefully to rest at his home in Trumpington on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 aged 84 years. Ray will be greatly missed and remembered with eternal love. The funeral service celebrating Ray’s life will take place at St Mary and St Michael’s Church, Trumpington CB2 9LH on Tuesday 31st March 2026 at 1.00pm. Family flowers only please, but donations in memory of Ray may be made to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity at the service or online via Ray’s personal InMemory page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk or sent c/o 617 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8PA 01223 415255

Christopher BANDORSKI

of Papworth Everard passed away on Wednesday 18th February 2026 aged 58 years. A loving son of Joan and Mick, brother to Cheryl and Natalie and uncle to six. Funeral service to be held at 2:30pm, Histon Baptist Church on Tuesday 31st March 2026 followed by burial in the Histon and Impington Parish Cemetery. Family flowers only, donations if desired made payable to the British Heart Foundation maybe left following the service or forwarded to Richard Stebbings Funeral Service Ltd, Kendal House, Cambridge Road, Impington, Cambridge CB24 9YS. Tel: 01223 232309.

Philomena Josephine BOLGER (Phyllis)

Peacefully in Addenbrookes Hospital on Thursday 5th March 2025, surrounded by her family, aged 87 years. Reunited with her beloved husband Jim, much loved mum of Eunan, Senan and Fiona, treasured nana of Joe, beloved sister, sister-in-law, aunt and friend, who will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Requiem Mass to be held at St. Laurence’s Church, Milton Road on Thursday 26th March at 1pm, followed by cremation. Family flowers only please, donations may be made at the service for Kidney Research. Enquiries c/o Weyman Funeral Service, 26, Abbey Walk, Cambridge CB1 2QJ

David John CHIVERS

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Of Wisbech St Mary, MA PhD ScD Cambridge University Professor Emeritus in Primate Biology and Conservation & College Lecturer Emeritus in Veterinary Anatomy. Adored Husband of Christine, beloved Father of Katy, James, John, Joseph, Daniel & Rebecca, brother of Rina, Grandfather of Georgia, Toby, Oliver, Isabella & Emmeline, passed peacefully away at QEH King’s Lynn, Norfolk on Thursday 5th March 2026. FUNERAL at Selwyn College Chapel at 1p.m. on Monday 30th March – for family, friends & colleagues – followed by private interment at the Arbory Trust Woodland Cemetery, Barton. To honour David’s love of life please wear joyful clothing or Indonesian Batik shirts. MEMORIAL SERVICE during Summer date TBC. Family flowers only. Donations for Cancer Research UK to Peasgood & Skeates, 617 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8PA.

Claudio FELLA

Passed away peacefully on Friday 6th March 2026, aged 77. Beloved husband of Manuella, much loved father of Marco and Valerio, and a proud Nonno to Luca. Dear brother of Teodoro, Rodolfo and his twin brother Roberto. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him. The funeral service will take place on Tuesday 31st March at 10:00am at Cam Valley Crematorium, Field Farm Drive, Great Chesterford, Saffron Walden, CB10 1FE. Family flowers only please. Donations, if desired, to Arthur Rank Hospice via the service collection box.

Leslie FOX-TEECE

Of Cambridge. Passed away on Sunday 22nd February 2026 at home, aged 86 years. Dearly loved Uncle to Gary and Annie. Les shall be deeply missed by all. Funeral service to be held on Tuesday 24th March 2026 at Cam Valley Crematorium at 1pm. Donations, if desired, to the benefit of Dementia UK may be made at the service or online via Les’ personal InMemory page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk All other enquiries to 617 Newmarket Road Cambridge CB5 8PA Tel: 01223 415255

Jean GAZE (Simpkin)

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Jean Gaze on 19th February 2026, age 85. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. The funeral service will take place at the Small Chapel, Chanterlands Crematorium, Hull HU5 4EF, on Monday 23rd March at 2pm. All who knew Jean are welcome to attend. Donations, if desired, to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Roderic MARTIN

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved Rod on Tuesday 11th February, at Duxford, aged 86. He will be forever missed by his loving family – Ben, Toby, Florence and Jessica, and his cherished grandchildren. In keeping with his wishes, there will be no service. Rest in peace, Dad.

Jilly Maynard J.P. MAYNARD

of Great Abington died peacefully on Monday 23rd February 2026, aged 85 years. Beloved wife, mother and grandmother. She will be greatly missed by all her family and friends. Funeral Service at St Mary’s Church, Little Abington on Tuesday 24th March at 12.30pm followed by interment. If wished, flowers may be sent c/o H. J . Paintin Ltd, 43 High Street, Linton, Cambridge, CB21 4HS

Sheila Margaret MILLER

Died peacefully at Arthur Rank Hospice on 7th March 2026, aged 91 years. Devoted wife of her late husband John. Much-loved mother to Tracey and Lynn and their husbands Rollo and Joff. Beloved grandmother to Gemma and Mark, and great-grandmother to Grace, Lily, Archie, Lola and Nora. Sheila will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Sheila’s funeral service will be held at Cam Valley Crematorium, Great Chesterford, on Monday 23rd March 2026 at 12pm. Family flowers only, but donations, if desired, in memory of Sheila to Arthur Rank Hospice may be made online at https://www.arhc.org.uk/donate/ or on the day or sent c/o Funeral Directors, Woodland Wishes, 4 High Street, Fulbourn, Cambridge, CB21 5DH.

Dorothy TRAVERS

Sadly passed away on 7th March 2026 aged 94 years. Wife of the late Andrew, mother to Duncan, Fiona and Bruce, granny and great granny. Funeral service to take place at All Saints Church, Haslingfield on Tuesday 31st March at 10:30am followed by a burial in the churchyard. Family flowers only please. Donations will be gratefully received for the British Heart Foundation or Dementia Research UK and can be made by visiting Dorothy’s in memory page at www.peasgoodandskeates.co.uk or sent to Peasgood and Skeates 45 Moorfield Road, Duxford CB22 4PP

In Memoriams

Hilda BROWN

Mum, You were such a special Mum in whom I always could confide; Always wise and caring always on my side. We shared so much happiness in times of yesterday; And to say how much I miss you I could never find a way. Memories will never fade, Mum. Loving Daughter Janet & and the late Mick

Hilda BROWN

Nan In loving memory of our little Nan. Of all the special gifts in life however great or small; To have you as our Nan was the greatest gift of all. Love Grandchildren Stephen, Andrew and the late Kevin xxx

Hilda Annie Brown IN LOVING MEMORY OF

Also Paul, Roberta and our Maggie. It breaks our hearts to have to write these words, a Mother who was so loving and caring, who left a void that can never be filled. A Mother, Brother, Sister and Partner so sadly missed. The memories you left behind will stay in our hearts forever. You are all missed beyond measure. God bless you all. The Brown Family xxx

To add your own tributes to the loved ones from our area, or to publish a notice for your loved one, visit funeral-notices.co.uk

Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those we have lost.

The aide said of the prince: “As he looks ahead to the responsibilities he will one day assume as Supreme Governor, he is keen to build a strong and meaningful bond with the Church and its leadership, one that respects tradition while speaking to a modern Britain, and reflects his broader belief that institutions must continue to remain relevant and connected to the people they serve.

For decades, mole catchers in the countryside have hung their carcasses on fences to be counted for payment and as evidence of their trapping prowess. But when hill walker Simon Lucas shared a photograph of the tradition on social media, he was unprepared for the ferocity of the response.

Viv Rollo is attempting to trace her father’s historically significant ring after it was lost or stolen.

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A “hidden” fragment of the Stone of Destiny was set into a ring which was lost or stolen shortly afterwards, it has emerged. The pieces of the historic rock were separated from the artefact in 1951.

The daughter of the ring’s previous owner is now appealing for help in tracking down what she says could be a precious family heirloom. Viv Rollo’s father David was gifted part of the ancient stone following the famous raid in which a group of nationalist students took it from Westminster Abbey and returned it to Scotland.

The Stone of Destiny broke in two during the daring heist and it was repaired in secret by a supportive stonemason called Bertie Gray. A research project recently revealed Mr Gray’s work may have resulted in around 34 fragments of the original Stone of Destiny.

These were distributed by Gray to people around the Scottish nationalist movement. One ended up at the SNP’s headquarters after being gifted to Alex Salmond.

David Rollo is believed to have been gifted one of the fragments in 1951, which he had set into a ring. He was good friends with Gavin Vernon, one of the four students who took the stone from Westminster Abbey, after they shared a flat as students in in Glasgow.

Mr Rollo died in 1997, aged 70, and his daughter Vivienne is now trying to unravel the mystery of the ring’s fate. Her father left few clues as to what became of it, and only told her the ring was either lost or stolen and that he had an idea of who had it – but he would not name the person he suspected.

Ms Rollo, who lives in Wester Ross, told Press Association: “I would definitely like to know what happened to it. It would be such a thing to have as a family heirloom.”

She said she believes Mr Vernon had asked her father to join him in the fateful Christmas Day heist at the end of 1950, but he declined to take part.

“I’m pretty sure Gavin asked my dad if he wanted to come along for this,” she said. “My dad said ‘don’t be daft, you’ll never do it’.”

Mr Rollo was called in for questioning by police in the days after the raid, as the authorities tried to recover the Stone of Destiny.

He told the police nothing and was not directly involved in hiding the artefact before it was later found by police at Arbroath Abbey in April 1951. However in a strange coincidence, Mr Rollo shared a surname with a man who did hide the Stone – John Rollo.

Ms Rollo said: “There must have been about 100 people who knew [about the stone], but they all kept quiet.”

Mr Gray’s work is thought to have resulted in at least 34 fragments of the Stone of Destiny, which has been associated with the crowning of Scottish and UK monarchs for centuries.

Ms Rollo, 70, said: “[My father] managed to get one of them and he said he got it made into a ring with a Celtic design. He said he knew who had taken it but he couldn’t prove it. Obviously you wouldn’t want to accuse one of your friends about something like that.”

Mr Rollo was well-known among the group of nationalist students involved in the Christmas Day raid – the parties at his house were famous and even immortalised in a song called The Lane Outside Dave Rollo’s Door.

He was tight-lipped around exactly who gave him the fragment or what may have become of it. He got married in 1956 but did not have the ring in his possession at that point. The ring is likely to be made of silver or a similar metal and has a Celtic design with three points.

The missing ring is one of several stories which have emerged as a research project seeks to document the fate of the fragments from the sandstone block, which were considered “hidden” for many years.

Professor Sally Foster of Stirling University has been working to trace the stories of the fragments. She is still keen to hear from people who may have knowledge of the whereabouts of the pieces.