Ormskirk Medieval Festival is taking place at Coronation Park today and tomorrow running from 11am to 4pm each day.

The free event promises a vivid journey into West Lancashire’s past, set more than 1,000 years ago.

A spokesman for Visit Lancashire said:”Ormskirk Medieval Festival returns and Coronation Park will transform into a historical hamlet.”

“Watch the live battle re-enactments and learn some medieval domestic skills, including open-fire cooking and textile crafts.”

“Experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of West Lancashire 900 years ago, as living history reenactors Historia Normannis take you on a journey back through time.”

Organised by West Lancashire Parks and Countryside Service in partnership with Historia Normannis, the festival will include live-action battle re-enactments, craft demonstrations, and trade stalls.

Visitors can explore the sounds, sights, and tastes of medieval life.

Historia Normannis, (Image: Henry Liswoski)

Modern family entertainment and food and drink stalls will also be on offer throughout the weekend.

Historia Normannis is a Bolton- based 12th-century living history group transports audiences straight back into the heart of the medieval world.

More than 100 passengers and 13 crew members on board the Caribbean Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, have fallen ill in a norovirus outbreak

More than 100 individuals aboard a cruise liner have fallen ill during a norovirus outbreak.

A total of 102 passengers and 13 crew members on the Caribbean Princess are displaying symptoms of the vomiting bug, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed. Those affected have been kept separate from other travellers.

The cruise liner, run by Princess Cruises, departed from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on April 28 and is expected to dock again on Monday. The ship is presently sailing off the northern coastline of the Dominican Republic and is set to call at Nassau, the Bahamian capital, on Sunday, according to CruiseMapper.

This outbreak of the extremely infectious yet seldom fatal norovirus follows a hantavirus outbreak on a different cruise vessel – a virus that spreads less easily but can be lethal.

“Princess Cruises can confirm that a limited number of individuals reported mild gastrointestinal illness during the April 28 Caribbean Princess voyage from Port Everglades,” Princess Cruises said in a statement on Friday, reports the Mirror.

“We quickly disinfected every area of the ship and added extra sanitizing throughout the voyage.”

Before its next departure, the Caribbean Princess will undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection, Princess Cruises has stated. The company has not disclosed what might have triggered the outbreak.

According to the CDC, there are 3,116 passengers and 1,131 crew members currently aboard the vessel. Norovirus, commonly known as the winter vomiting bug, triggers vomiting and diarrhoea, according to the NHS. It transmits via close contact with those infected, contaminated surfaces, tainted food or water, and meals handled by virus carriers. Though deeply unpleasant, sufferers typically recover within approximately two days.

This latest outbreak emerges while over 140 passengers and crew remain aboard a cruise ship affected by hantavirus, currently sailing towards the Canary Islands.

The MV Hondius, run by Oceanwide Expeditions, is anticipated to dock at the Spanish island of Tenerife early Sunday morning. At least three passengers have lost their lives, with several others contracting the infection.

Hantavirus typically spreads by breathing in particles tainted with rodent droppings and doesn’t easily pass between humans. The World Health Organization has confirmed the threat to the general public remains minimal.

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Sir Keir Starmer has brought former prime minister Gordon Brown back into government following a disastrous local election defeat.

The prime minister said on Saturday Mr Brown will serve as a special envoy on global finance, while ex-deputy Labour leader Harriet Harman has been appointed an adviser on women and girls.

Sir Keir is under mounting pressure after a string of Labour MPs called for his resignation, blaming him losing hundreds of councillors in England and a major humiliation in Wales.

Labour haemorrhaged support in former strongholds while Reform UK made huge gains and Plaid Cymru became the largest party in the Senedd election.

Critics turning on Sir Keir include Louise Haigh, his former transport secretary. Andrea Egan, the general secretary of Unison, Britain’s largest union and one of Labour’s biggest financial backers, warned that the party faced “oblivion” unless Sir Keir stepped down, while Sharon Graham, the boss of Unite the Union, said he faced a choice to “change or die”.

But deputy leader Lucy Powell stuck by the prime minister, saying Labour must “listen” and “change” approach but that her party “does not do hostile takeovers”.

Sir Keir Starmer said on Friday he is “hurt” but is “not going to walk away”.

The popular market will fill the ground floor of Market Place Bolton Shopping Centre, with more than 20 independent stalls to browse.

Shoppers can expect a wide range of handmade, artisan and locally sourced products. Food lovers will find fresh pretzels, strudel and German baked treats, alongside brownies, cupcakes, cookies and cinnamon buns. There will also be plant pots and lucky dips for those looking for something a little different.

The market is also set to showcase handmade jewellery and accessories, fashion pieces, handbags and artisan designs, as well as crystals, gifts and one‑of‑a‑kind finds. Beauty fans can explore skincare, Korean beauty and holistic products, while families can browse children’s books and educational gifts.

Organisers say the event is designed to offer a relaxed place to wander, treat yourself and support independent traders and makers from across the region.

The Bolton Artisan Street Fayre runs throughout the day and is free to attend, making it an easy stop for shoppers already in town — or a destination visit for anyone looking to discover something new.

Whether you’re after a tasty treat, a thoughtful gift or simply a browse, the market promises something for everyone.

Thee 2023 dark comedy thriller features A-listers including Billie Eilish and Damson Idris

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A ‘disturbing’ crime drama that fans binge-watched in one sitting is currently available to stream on Prime Video. Swarm was originally released in 2023 and swiftly garnered an impressive 83% rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics.

Given its distinctive storyline, it comes as little surprise that the dark comedy proved a massive hit with reviewers. Spanning seven episodes, it follows the story of Dre, a young woman utterly obsessed with pop star Ni’Jah, whose fanbase is known as The Swarm.

Dre’s devotion propels her down a murderous journey across the America. A synopsis teases: “The show is a deep dive into Dre’s life, her desire, her fandom, and how elusive Ni’Jah influences her life, which takes her down a dark road.”

Hollywood A-listers played pivotal roles in bringing the series to life. Singer Billie Eilish makes a brief cameo as Eva, an all-women cult leader who draws Dre into her group, reports OK!. Fellow pop star Chloe Bailey also appears in the show as Dre’s friend, Marissa.

British actor Damson Idris also features, as well as Michael Jackson’s daughter, Paris. The star-studded cast is headed by Dominque Fishback, whom viewers may recognise from the Oscar-winning drama Judas and the Black Messiah.

Following its release, viewers headed to Rotten Tomatoes in their droves to share their verdicts. “This series was awesome! I loved the story, it’s undoubtedly one of the best Serial Killer series I’ve ever seen, with a very different style. Everyone was great, the protagonist is very good and I also thought Billie Eilish’s cameo was cool, she did a great job,” said one viewer.

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Another praised: “I ended up watching this all in one night, super intriguing and strange but in a good way. I took away a star only because the ending was another one of those ‘interpret it as you wish’ type of endings which always frustrate me.”

A third remarked: “Billie Eilish, Chloe Bailey and Damson Idris also stun in their supporting and guest roles. Aesthetically brilliant and visually stunning, Swarm weaves through its horror and gory elements deftly. Swarm hits all the right notes, with great cinematography, direction and score, and the risks it takes all pay off.”

While a fourth enthusiastic viewer added: “Heart-breaking, funny, disturbing and poignant. Totally Unique and at the same time watchable, is a rare find.”

Swarm is streaming now on Prime Video.

The Hungarian Vizsla suffered horrific injuries after three other dogs attacked it last September

A man has been charged after a dog was ‘ripped apart’ and killed last year. Archie, a Hungarian Vizsla, was out for a walk with his owner Przemek Bednarczyk in Marholm, near Peterborough, on September 12 last year.

While on the walk, Archie was brutally attacked by three other dogs. While Archie put up a fight, he died a few days after the attack.

Archie’s owners Przemek, and his partner Juta Ambrakaityte paid tribute to their pet a the time, describing him as a “gentle soul”. Eight months after the attack, Cambridgeshire Police has charged a 52-year-old man in connection with the incident.

A police spokesperson said: “Aivarias Girulis, 52, of HM Prison, County Road, Maidstone, has been charged with being the owner/person in charge of a dog dangerously out of control causing injury. He will appear at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on May 29.”

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