Temperatures will start off around 3C-5C at 9am this morning, with less than a 5% chance of rain and light winds of 6-8mph.

By noon, temperatures should have edged up to between 10C and 11C, with sunny intervals continuing into the afternoon as the mercury rises further.

By around 3pm, temperatures are forecast to reach 13C, although a light breeze of 9mph may keep it feeling a touch cooler.

The evening is expected to stay around the same temperatures, before dropping to 7C at 10pm, with only a low chance of drizzle.

Hour-by-hour forecast for Darlington

• 9am: 5C, wind speed 6mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 10am: 7C, wind speed 8mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 11am: 9C, wind speed 8mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 12pm: 10C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 1pm: 11C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 2pm: 12C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 3pm: 13C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 4pm: 13C, wind speed 10mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 5pm: 13C, wind speed 10mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 6pm: 13C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 7pm: 11C, wind speed 8mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 8pm: 9C, wind speed 7mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 9pm: 8C, wind speed 7mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 10pm: 7C, wind speed 6mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 11pm: 6C, wind speed 6mph, less than 5% chance of rain

In a small polishing room off the Old Kent Road in south London, a young man stands in a haze of aluminium dust. His overalls are worn, the air heavy, the machinery far older than he is. Yet there is calm in the way he occupies the space, as if he understands its rhythm better than anyone.

This is Benjamin Bryde, an aluminium tray polisher at Kaymet, a manufacturer where metal is turned into objects that end up in some of the most refined rooms in the world. 

Benjamin describes his craft with a directness that mirrors the work itself. “I’m a metal polisher from south London, specialising in refining aluminium surrounds for trays. My work focuses on achieving a flawless finish, ensuring every piece is smooth, clean and free from dents. It’s all about precision, craftsmanship and bringing out the best in the metal.” 

It’s a quiet job, repetitive on the surface, but rooted in skill and discipline. Watching him at work makes the idea of a handmade city feel real. 

The photograph is part of a new series by Orlando Gili, who has spent months documenting the makers who still give the Old Kent Road – once known for being the first, and cheapest, tile on the Monopoly board – its industrial backbone. “This series celebrates London’s artisans and craftspeople – individuals who make their living through skill, precision and the art of working with their hands,” he says.

“In a world that’s increasingly defined by screens and automation, this series turns its focus to the people and trades that remain grounded in the physical, material realm – the makers whose expertise and creativity sustain a vital part of the city’s identity. This project aims to highlight the beauty of craftsmanship, and the enduring value of manual labour in an age of digitisation.” 

The industrial environment in which they are crafted makes for a striking contrast to the refined places they end up

Kaymet became Gili’s entry point to the neighbourhood’s hidden workshops including London Stone Carving – one of the last commercial sculpture workshops in the city, and heritage marble specialists Diespeker & Co.

There was something about Kaymet’s polishing room that caught him immediately. “I was drawn to the polishing room, thick with dust, desaturating every surface. I lit and photographed Benjamin, aluminium tray polisher by day and musician by night, in a small window before work recommenced after a tea break.” 

Kaymet has been producing trays since 1947, with its crisply tactile products stocked in stores like Harrods and used everywhere from the Royal Yacht to the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants including The Ledbury. “The industrial environment in which they are crafted makes for a striking contrast to the refined places they end up,” says Gili. “Showing the process allows viewers to appreciate the craft, and the people behind the product.”

The photograph stands as a reminder that London still makes things, and that the people who make them matter.

Photograph by Orlando Gili

Having posted runner-up finishes in each of the past two seasons – he was second to Xander Schauffele at the 2024 Open at Royal Troon before falling to McIlroy’s play-off birdie in the Masters a year ago – the majors are his priority.

There’s an Open at Royal Birkdale in July, the venue where he announced himself by chipping in at the last to finish fourth as a 17-year-old amateur in 1998. But the Masters has extra resonance given his remarkable record there.

He has been runner-up three times, having shared second place with Phil Mickelson behind Jordan Spieth in 2015.

A record five times, including last year, he has held the first-round lead and on nine occasions has led or jointly led the game’s most glamorous tournament.

No golfer is owed anything by any venue or any tournament, but Rose is as entitled as anyone to call in some Augusta favours. Last year it was a three over par third round that proved his undoing.

He partnered Bryson DeChambeau, who played himself into the final pairing with McIlroy while Rose went backwards after holding the halfway lead with opening rounds of 65 and 71.

“I actually played way better than Bryson that day, but his short game was great,” Rose told me. “He turned a 75 into 69 and I turned 69 into 75.

“It was one of those days when you come off and realise you’ve given away too many cheap ones. I did live to rue that for sure.

“I had to pick myself up. I had to change my mindset coming into Sunday, reframe everything and not make it about the tournament, just make it about Augusta National.

“I had to remember how special Sunday is there no matter what position you are in. I played with a lot of gratitude on that Sunday which put me in a nice free mindset which obviously led to some great golf.”

While McIlroy was travelling on one of golf’s most dramatic rollercoaster rides, Rose slotted putt after putt, especially on the inward half. “Ten birdies on a Sunday at Augusta was seriously amazing golf,” said Rose.

“Holing that birdie putt on 18 to give myself a chance and then two great swings in the play-off.”

He was inches from making birdie in the shootout, unlucky that his ball did not tumble down the slope to the hole-side in the same way as McIlroy’s approach managed to do.

“That will provide good memories for me and a positive experience as much as it stings,” Rose said.

Ultimately the moment belonged to McIlroy, but Rose won plaudits not just for his golf but his gracious sportsmanship, embracing the victor despite the huge disappointment of yet another near miss.

“People were really kind to me after that,” Rose said. “I was just voicing how I felt.

“I had learned a lot from the 2017 play-off. I controlled what I felt like I could control. I made good swings. I executed under the pressure and sometimes you can’t make the ball do exactly what you want it to do.

“But you know if you’ve done a good job or not. So I think because of that I was able to be happy for Rory in the moment. And obviously to witness history, separate yourself from your emotions for a moment, it was a cool arena to be in.”

This will be Rose’s 21st attempt at Augusta. How fitting it would be this Sunday if he were he to find a way to come of age as a Masters champion.

In 2018, Hunter’s former England head coach Simon Middleton tipped his captain to take over his role one day.

Asked whether Scarratt or Hunter, who have a combined total of 260 international caps, have the capability to take over as head coach for the next World Cup in 2033, Mitchell said: “Most definitely. I will probably be an old man by then, in my 70s I think.”

He added: “They have been challenged for a long time in their careers and they are extremely curious.

“You don’t play over 100 Test matches or become the most-capped English women’s player in history if you don’t have a strong work rate.

“You have two wonderful people who are authentic, easy to work with and fun to work with.”

A challenge for Scarratt, which Hunter has already had to navigate, is coaching her former team-mates.

Scrum-half Natasha Hunt appears regularly on Scarratt’s podcast, ‘The Good, the Scaz and the Rugby’, and the pair were room-mates in camp.

Pre-recorded shows will still go out but Scarratt will be fully focused on coaching during the Six Nations.

“She [Hunt] tried [to still room with me], she tried pretty hard,” she joked.

“Mo [Hunt] is rooming with Marlie Packer. So for anyone who was concerned, she is safe and well looked after.

“There are certain things that I cannot talk to Mo about any more because there is an element where it is not appropriate for players to know certain things.

“Obviously they know who I am. I know who they are. There is no point trying to pretend like we [former team-mates] are not friends or that we can’t share a joke with one another. That would almost be weirder.”

Only three female head coaches were in charge at the last World Cup (France, Australia and Japan).

Scarratt said it is too early to consider one day taking on that role but she remains passionate about increasing opportunities for female coaches.

“Fundamentally, we need to do a better job – whether that is upskilling, making it more accessible or showing that it is visible – for more people to be in the game and to then move into those roles,” she added.

“There is still probably a shortage of people available to do that, aside from ex-players. It is very cool to see women in those roles.”

Away from Fairyhouse, news has emerged that Now Is The Hour won’t run in English Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

However, trainer Gavin Cromwell will still be represented by two runners in the race in Final Orders and Perceval Legallois, while Yeah Man is also still in the race, but does run today.

Speaking to William Hill, Cromwell said: “Unfortunately, Now Is The Hour is out for the rest of the season and he’ll be taken out of the Grand National at the forfeit stage today.

“He’s had a great season, winning the Thyestes and running well at Cheltenham, and it’s a real shame for everyone because having a runner in the Grand National is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the owners.