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York Open Studios returns next week – what you need to know

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York Open Studios returns next week - what you need to know

Around 150 artists across York will open their doors to the public across the weekends of April 18-19 and April 25-26.

The annual not-for-profit event offers a chance to meet the artists, learn about their creative processes and purchase artwork. It involves artists living within a 10-mile radius of York.

Maps for the artists taking part in Open Studios can be found in libraries, shops and galleries across York in the weeks before the event.

Twenty-seven artists will be taking part in the event for the first time, including photographer Marcus Chapman, upcycle jewellers The Spoonery and painter Prachi Bhatnagar.

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Marcus Chapman who will take part in this year’s York Open Studios (Image: York Open Studios)

Michelle Hughes who will take part in this year’s York Open Studios (Image: Tom Jackson)

Other artists have regularly appeared at past Open Studios events, such as wire and paper sculptor Joanna Coupland, linocut printmaker Michelle Hughes and textile artist Jacqueline James.

Charmian Ottaway, York Open Studios’ committee member and a contemporary designer jeweller, said the event is a “unique chance to see the city with pops of creativity along the way”.

“As an artist myself, I just love to show visitors how I work and also hear what they might be looking for,” Charmian said.

“As artists, we are all very proud of what we produce and hearing visitors’ responses and find potential buyers can be really uplifting especially if you often work alone and don’t directly meet your buyers.”

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As The Press reported, this year’s Open Studios will not feature one of York’s best-known living artists, Mark Hearld, was said he was not selected for the 2026 event.

Mark Hearld who will not be taking part in this year’s York Open Studios (Image: Newsquest)

Mark, whose home in The Mount has been a popular venue at previous Open Studios, said he understood he was not selected because the description of his work, “Collages inspired by nature”, was too brief.

But Mark said the description perfectly described his work.

He added that in the past other leading York artists had faced an identical situation and it was time for the selection process to change.

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Mark also said artists not selected for Open Studios risked being banned from future events if they showed work in their homes during the same weekends, which he felt was too punitive.

“I am pro Open Studios; I like the spirit of it, but I am very, very frustrated,” he said.

Christine Storrs, chairperson of York Open Studios, said the organisation was open to feedback and suggestions. However, she confirmed there was a risk to non-selected artists staging their own event during the York Open Studios weekends.

She added that the event had taken the “difficult decision this year to cap the number of artists taking part to 150”, which followed “feedback in recent years from visitors and participating artists that the event was becoming too big”.

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“More than 650 artists have taken part over the years, and it would not be practical for our volunteer committee to administer an event on such a scale – nor would this be enjoyable for our visitors to navigate,” Christine said.

For more information about York Open Studios, visit yorkopenstudios.co.uk

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Moment Orion capsule detaches as Artemis II astronauts head home | News

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The moment the Artemis II astronauts’ Orion spacecraft detached from its service module was captured on Nasa‘s livestream as the crew departed for their journey back to Earth on Friday (10 April).

US astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, safely splashed down in the Pacific Ocean after returning from the Moon.

It was a fiery descent lasting about 15 minutes, finishing around 7:07pm ET on Friday.

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NASA described it as a “perfect” return to Earth for the crew.

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Red Roses rusty but still relentless in pursuit of more history

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Red Roses rusty but still relentless in pursuit of more history

Ireland will take pride from how they conjured two second-half scores via McGann and captain King. Bringing an energy late on that the Red Roses could not match, Scott Bemand, their head coach, implored his team to use their much-improved display as a springboard for the rest of the championship.

Intriguingly, no England side – male or female – have won a Six Nations in the year following a World Cup. The team of part-time teachers and plumbers who triumphed in 2014 endured a miserable championship the following spring. That is the next challenge facing this world-beating Red Roses team if they are to create the “dynasty” that Mitchell mentioned earlier this week. On this evidence, there is still work to be done.

Match details

Scoring sequennce 5-0 Cokayne try, 7-0 Rowland con, 12-0 Bern try, 14-0 Roland con, 19-0 Bern try, 21-0 Roland con, 26-0 Breach try, 28-0 Rowland con, 33-0 Kildunne try, 33-5 McGann try, 33-10 King try, 33-12 O’Brien con.

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England E Kildunne; J Breach, M Jones, H Rowland, C Moloney-Macdonald; H Aitchison (Z Harrison 50), (N Hunt 50, E Sing 64); K Clifford (M Carson 50), A Cokayne (C Powell 69), S Bern (M Muir 50), M Talling (H Lutui 43), L Ives Campion, M Feaunati (A Burton 69), S Kabeya, A Matthews.

Ireland S Flood; B Parsons (A McGann 60), A Dalton, E Higgins (N McGillivray 50), V Elmes Kinlan; D O’Brien, E Lane (K Whelan 69); E Perry (N O’Dowd 50), C Moloney-Macdonald (N Jones 60), L Djougang (E Cahill 69), D Wall (R Campbell 50), F Tuite, B Hogan, E King, A Wafer (G Moore 62).

Referee Clara Munarini (Italy).

Attendance 77,120.

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Inside Jack Whitehall’s life from famous ex to becoming a father for the first time

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Daily Mirror

Inside Jack Whitehall’s life beyond the jokes, from posh comic roots and fame to fatherhood, marriage and finding fresh material for his first appearance on Saturday Night Live

Jack Whitehall has built a career on poking fun at himself – the posh, awkward, overprivileged persona that made him a staple on British panel shows. But behind the punchlines, there’s a more complex picture emerging, as the comedian steps into a new phase of life.

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At 37, Jack is juggling major milestones, including a high-profile hosting gig on Saturday Night Live, an upcoming wedding, and life as a first-time father. It’s a far cry from the baby-faced student audiences first met in Fresh Meat.

Ahead of the comedian hosting Saturday Night Live tonight (April 11), we take a look inside his personal life and career, from welcoming his daughter in 2023 to admitting he “messed up” with his famous ex.

READ MORE: Inside Jack Whitehall’s fiancée’s hen do with lap dance from Magic Mike stripperREAD MORE: Jack Whitehall risks wrath of pal David Beckham over Victoria wedding dance jibe

Career

Jack’s early success was built on leaning into his privileged background. The son of TV producer Michael Whitehall and actress Hilary Gish, he was well-connected long before the term “nepo baby” entered the chat.

But rather than ignore it, he made it central to his act. He has previously admitted that his comedy voice is rooted in embarrassment about his upbringing, often using it as fuel for jokes.

In fact, he once tried to reinvent himself entirely while at university, attempting to shake off the “unbearable toff” label – an experiment that ultimately didn’t stick.

After years of back-to-back touring between 2017 and 2024, Jack stepped away from stand-up for his longest break yet. As he told The Guardian, “After every tour, I hate the sound of my own voice,” admitting he had “run out of life experience”.

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But in the years since, he’s become engaged, welcomed a daughter, and begun navigating married life – all of which has given him something new to say on stage.

The Londoner is recognised for portraying JP in the Channel 4 comedy-drama Fresh Meat and Alfie Wickers in the BBC Three sitcom Bad Education. He also co-created the latter alongside its cinematic version, The Bad Education Movie.

His latest project, The ‘Burbs, sees him step into a darker, more narrative-driven role alongside Keke Palmer. The show blends comedy with mystery, following a couple navigating suburbia, suspicion and new parenthood.

Famous ex

Jack’s personal life has increasingly taken centre stage. His relationship with model Roxy Horner began in unusual circumstances, with the pair effectively fast-tracking their romance during lockdown after just a handful of dates.

They welcomed their daughter in 2023 – a milestone that has already found its way into his comedy. He has admitted to questioning whether it’s fair to joke about his child before she’s old enough to respond, even as he continues to draw on real-life moments for material.

Still, he approaches it carefully, often checking jokes with those closest to him before taking them on stage. Jack previously confessed he “messed up” his opportunity to marry his famous ex Gemma Chan. The comedian ended his relationship with the Crazy Rich Asians actress in 2017 following six years together.

And in series four of his Netflix programme Travels With My Father, he acknowledged that he “f***ed up” his marriage prospects. Speaking to his mother Hilary, he said: “I f***ed up my chance of that. I did. I could have got married but I messed it up.”

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Following their split, Jack went on to find love with his current partner, whilst Gemma is now in a relationship with The Gold and Mamma Mia! star Dominic Cooper.

Appearing on the Life’s A Beach podcast, Jack revealed how their first date in Australia, where the pair originally met, nearly went off the rails. Having been pointed towards a particular restaurant, the couple arrived to discover the entire venue was adorned with taxidermy ducks – something that didn’t sit well with Roxy, who is vegan.

Jack, in his defence, had no idea about her dietary choices beforehand, later describing the awkward situation as “something out of a sitcom”.

Fatherhood

The pair now have a young daughter together, Elsie, and are set to tie the knot. Earlier this year, Roxy, 34, made quite the statement at a Burns Night celebration in London, appearing in a breathtaking white gown and announcing she was in her “bridal era”.

In an interview with the Daily Mail’s Richard Eden, Roxy revealed: “I’m in my bridal era, this is from Nadine Merabi’s wedding collection. I had to try it as I’m testing the waters. I’m going crazy and trying every style you can think of.”

The model wined and dined at a top London hotspot for her hen-do, enjoyed a private dance lesson from a Strictly star and was even treated to a lap dance from a Magic Mike stripper.

In a video shared to her Instagram stories, Roxy could be seen on the stage at the iconic Hippodrome casino, whilst a topless performer gave her her own personal performance.

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The girls travelled around London in a pink limo before enjoying a private dinner at Mr Porter restaurant where they feasted on carpaccio, grilled prawns and rib eye steak.

There were multiple outfit changes, with Roxy donning a “wifey” veil, a bride-themed cowgirl hat and a bridal sash across the various activities.

Saturday Night Live

Saturday Night Live has been a staple in the US for years, but has now made its way over to the UK. Featuring special guests, the show has 11 actors and comedians in different skits and sketches.

The first three episodes featured special guest hosts Tiny Fey, Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed, with music provided by Wet Leg, Wolf Alice and Kasabian.

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Now, Jack is heading up the fourth episode that airs tonight.

READ MORE: What time is SNL UK on tonight?

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Gorgeous gardens and picturesque lakes open for a limited time in spring

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Cambridgeshire Live

A visit to these gardens is described as the ‘perfect afternoon out’

Spring has sprung and the world looks brighter once again. As the weather gets warmer and wildlife starts to bloom, there are some lovely places on offer to walk around.

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One place that provides the “perfect afternoon out” is at Chippenham Park Gardens, near Newmarket. Sitting on the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire border, Chippenham Park offers 35 acres of beautiful gardens, as well as lakes and woodland walks to discover. The park website says the gardens offer people a “truly enchanting experience”.

The gardens were created in the late 17th century by Admiral Lord Russel, with permission from King William III. The park’s woods date back to the 18th century, with plants that go back up to 300 years.

In early spring, there are lots of snowdrops blossoming across the gardens. The lakes and canals throughout the parkland make it a picturesque place.

The far end of the lake offers some of the best views, as does a trail that leads deep into the woods. At the moment, its spring gardens are only open for a limited time until Sunday, May 3.

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On the website, it said April and early May is a “beautiful time in the gardens”. It added: “With fresh spring colour and blossom emerging across the parkland and borders – perfect for a peaceful seasonal walk in the countryside.”

The park is open everyday, apart from April 15 and April 27. It opens from 10am until 4pm, with the last entry at 3pm.

For entry, it costs £10 for adults and £3 for children aged five to 16 years old. The gardens open again everyday for summer from May 30 until June 7. To find out more about how to visit the gardens, visit the website.

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Emirates issues new travel and flights update for Brits

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Emirates issues new travel and flights update for Brits

The latest announcement from the airline, which is based in Dubai, comes after Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary warned UK travellers to book their summer holidays “as quickly as you can” to avoid rising costs, due the recent Middle East conflict.

In a statement on Friday (April 10) Emirates said: “Following the partial reopening of regional airspace, Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule.

“You can check our latest flight schedules for upcoming flights and book seats to travel.

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“We continue to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly.

“We would like to thank you for your understanding and patience.

“The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority and will not be compromised.”

Emirates adds that before you travel: “Please continue to check your flight status, even after you have checked in.

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“You can also review the latest operational updates on emirates.com.

“Make sure your details are up to date to receive notifications and check your email for changes or cancellations to your flights before travelling to the airport.”

The airline advises: “If your travel plans have been affected, we’ll do our best to rebook you on the next available Emirates flight.

“This applies to most disrupted tickets, including journeys connecting beyond Dubai.”

Customers booked to travel between February 28 until and including May 31 can either rebook on an alternate flight or request a refund.

Emirates continues: “To provide further peace of mind, customers who book flights from 2 April will also be offered one complimentary date change, across all cabins.

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“Please note, changes must be within ticket validity, and fare difference fees may apply.”

Find out more information about what you can do when it comes to changing your Emirates flight via the airline’s travel updates page online.



Major airline with flights from UK increases fuel surcharges

The latest air travel update from Emirates comes as Air India announced it was increasing its fuel surcharge on domestic and international flights this week.

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These revised fees came into effect for UK flights on Friday, although the airline assured passengers who have already booked tickets will be unaffected by the change.

Air India said: “For the avoidance of doubt, tickets that have already been issued prior to the above times will not attract the new surcharge unless customers seek date or itinerary changes that require a recalculation of the fare.

“Air India will review its surcharges periodically and make appropriate adjustments as the situation requires.”

Air India usually operates more than 60 weekly flights between India and the UK, connecting cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, and Amritsar to London (Heathrow and Gatwick) and Birmingham.

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UK airline cancels flights due to ‘huge rise in global cost of fuel’

Prior to Air India’s announcement, UK airline Skybus ceased all flights between Newquay Airport and London Gatwick from April 3, partly due to the “huge rise in the global cost of fuel”.

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In a statement published by multiple news outlets, including  ITV, Skybus managing director Jonathan Hinkles said: “The huge rise in the global cost of fuel following the conflict in the Gulf, coupled with a significant drop in new passenger bookings since mid-February’s announcement of the planned closure of the PSO air route, forms an insurmountable barrier to the service continuing through April and May.

“At a time of great economic uncertainty and steps being taken to conserve energy worldwide, it is neither environmentally nor economically sound for us to continue flying with vastly reduced passenger numbers.”

The last flight operated on April 2 and all passengers who have had upcoming journeys cancelled will be refunded, according to the airline.

Have you faced any flight disruption over the last few weeks? Let us know in the comments below.

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Police use drug dealer’s own rap lyrics to expose trafficking network

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Wales Online

The lyrics of Clough’s rap said: ‘A run this town with white and brown / A got a mad little crack round’

Drug dealing leader caught bragging with rap and photos of cash

A court has heard how police were able to use a smug drug dealer’s own rap lyrics to help bring down a criminal enterprise which had been supplying heroin and crack cocaine across North Yorkshire.

Bradley Clough, from Redcar, dared officers to “prove it” when confronted about his crimes, before a track he had recorded was discovered om his phone, along with photographs of cash and incriminating messages. Clough bragged about how he “run the town with white and brown”, reference to the Class A drugs he and his associates were distributing, in the song.

The 25-year-old, identified as the gang’s ringleader, appeared in court alongside five associates, on Friday (April 11), where he was jailed for 15 years. His right-hand man Callum Quinn, 26, received an 11‑year sentence while the remaining defendants were handed custodial sentences for their lesser roles in the enterprise.

Clough, 25, of Thrush Road, Redcar, was “top of the tree” in the conspiracy, which officers foiled in September 2024. The gang racked up an estimated £80,000 during their enterprise, which utilised two drug lines to advertise deals of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and zopiclone tablets.

A cocky Clough told officers to “prove it” when quizzed about his crimes, something which officers were able to do by using photos and his the suspect’s own rap song about drugs taken from his phone, a court heard.

The lyrics of Clough’s rap said:

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A run this town with white and brown / A got a mad little crack round / No weed a smoke more than your selling / Come round here a teach yas all a lesson / What a got and what a made a count it all. As a blessing / Coz wen a was in my cell man a was stressing about my line / Ppl taking the p**s coz a got bit of time / My new grafter trying to snake me on my line.

Drug dealing leader caught bragging with rap and photos of cash

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“Clough was the main ringleader of the group and set the drugs line up when he was released from prison last year. He ran the operation but didn’t go near the drugs,” explained Detective Sergeant, Collingwood from the Dedicated Drugs Unit at Cleveland Police.

“He let the others do his dirty work. Crucial evidence taken from Clough’s phone included photos of him holding large amounts of cash, incriminating messages relating to the supply of drugs and even a rap song he had made about his drug dealing antics.

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“Hopefully Clough’s time in prison will inspire further raps about what it’s like to spend time behind bars. We are pleased with the success of this investigation; taking drugs off the streets and five people in prison paying for their crimes.”

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‘We took a big chance picking Port Talbot for our music festival, now 100,000 people come to it’

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Wales Online

The headliners at In It Together this year are Madness, Aitch and Snow Patrol.

We’re just weeks away from yet another colourful and musical weekend of In It Together at Old Park Farm in Margam. In the fifth year of the festival Madness, Aitch and Snow Patrol will headline.

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Daisy Lucas from Aberdare is Escape’s head of campaign strategy and delivery. She’s been part of Escape, the company behind In It Together, since the festival was just an idea on a piece of paper.

This year 100,000 people are expected to head to Old Park Farm across the weekend.

The 36-year-old has shared her highlights. She said: “It’s insane when you think about it because it launched in 2021, with the first show in 2022. We’re going into our fifth year and now we’re the second biggest independent festival next to Glastonbury in the UK, which is mental.” From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What’s On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here

Escape, the team behind In It Together was launched in Newport and they made it their mission to bring good music across Wales. The team spend the majority of the year in Port Talbot, getting to know the local community whilst planning the upcoming festival. Daisy explained that they took a risk when picking the area, and specifically Margam to host the festival.

She said: “We took a chance on picking somewhere like Port Talbot where not many people previously would have stopped.

“It was like a drive-through town, certainly for me when I was growing up and you always had to go to Cardiff for stuff like this. So to put it somewhere like Port Talbot which is so easily accessible for everyone and give them a reason to stop, the community was just like ‘okay’ and just like wrapped their arms around us which was really nice.

“I think if you weren’t from Port Talbot, it was definitely the town of the steelworks but having spent the vast majority of the last five years there, it’s always been so much more than the steelworks.

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“To be able to bring people to Port Talbot so they can discover it for themselves is great.

“Some of the world’s biggest actors are from Port Talbot. You’ve got brands like San Portablo, you’ve got the Richard Burton 10k, you have got people in the community doing phenomenal things. It is just so much more than the the steelworks and it’s really nice that the world gets to see that it’s so much more than that now.”

At the moment, the team are hard at work finalising everything ready for the big weekend which is just seven weeks away. Daisy shared what attendees can expect from this year’s festival, saying: “Well, it’s our fifth birthday, so we’re going bigger and better. Headliners are going to be amazing. I’m fully expecting a very emotional moment when Snow Patrol are on stage on Sunday night, for me, at least.

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“Then there’s going to be like an Oktoberfest beer tent there, there’s the adults arena in the general campsite which is 18 plus and it’s got its own little line-up, the Jazz Café is back and there’s more going on. We’ve got the bandstand this year and we’ve teamed up with Stagecoach who are going to be doing some theatre schools there.”

In It Together will once again be showcasing an array of Welsh artists. Daisy said: “We always sort of have in our ethos to put 50 local Welsh artists, whether they’re DJs, they’re bands, they are solo or they’re Welsh language.

“We’re always committed to that and we always follow through on that, and we never want to lose where we came from, no matter how old or how big we get. So I think it’s important that we remain committed to that every year, which we are.

“From an artist’s perspective, you know, when they come and, you know, some of them might never have heard of Port Talbot before, but when they come, they’re like, this is amazing. This is because there’s a real community spirit around there. It’s really family-friendly, it’s a family-focused festival, and everybody just loves it.”

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Daisy also explained that much like us, she has no idea who this year’s mystery special guest is. In fact, she found out the same time as everyone else that Ruth Jones would be appearing last year.

She said: “I wish I knew. What’s really nice about the mystery special guest is Mark, who’s our director of festivals, he’ll book it and he won’t tell any of us. So we all find out at the same time, which is really fun.

“Last year, I had an inkling when I saw the graffiti, that it could have been Rob Brydon or Ruth Jones. I was like, ‘I don’t know which one it’s going to be’, but yeah, I found out when everybody else did.”

Daisy says people keep coming back year after year, especially families, and they enjoy seeing the grandparents who take up the free ticket offer.”I see the same people come back here and I see families get bigger, kids get older, it’s a really surreal experience,” she said

You can find more information about In It Together Festival and how to get tickets here.

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Drug boss who taunted cops to ‘prove it’ caught out by his own rap lyrics

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Daily Record

Six members of the drug gang appeared in court after bragging about their drug empire in a rap song

Drug dealing leader caught bragging with rap and photos of cash

A brazen drug dealer who flooded Redcar with heroin and crack cocaine even recorded a rap bragging about his criminal empire, before daring detectives to “prove it”.

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The track, discovered on Bradley Clough’s phone, boasted about how he “ run the town with white and brown ”, as his gang pumped kilos of class A and C drugs across North Yorkshire. But the dealer’s luck ran out when police thwarted the complex operation.

Six members of the enterprise appeared before court on Friday (April 11) as Clough, 25, was jailed for 15 years, while his right‑hand man, Callum Quinn, 26, was handed an 11‑year stretch. The remaining defendants were also locked up for their lesser roles.

Clough, 25, of Thrush Road, Redcar, was “top of the tree” in the conspiracy, which officers foiled in September 2024. The gang racked up an estimated £80,000 during their enterprise, which utilised two drug lines to advertise deals of heroin, cocaine, crack cocaine and zopiclone tablets.

A cocky Clough told officers to “prove it” when quizzed about his crimes, something which officers were able to do by using photos and his the suspect’s own rap song about drugs taken from his phone, a court heard.

The lyrics of Clough’s rap said:

A run this town with white and brown / A got a mad little crack round / No weed a smoke more than your selling / Come round here a teach yas all a lesson / What a got and what a made a count it all. As a blessing / Coz wen a was in my cell man a was stressing about my line / Ppl taking the p**s coz a got bit of time / My new grafter trying to snake me on my line.

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“Clough was the main ringleader of the group and set the drugs line up when he was released from prison last year. He ran the operation but didn’t go near the drugs,” explained Detective Sergeant, Collingwood from the Dedicated Drugs Unit at Cleveland Police.

“He let the others do his dirty work. Crucial evidence taken from Clough’s phone included photos of him holding large amounts of cash, incriminating messages relating to the supply of drugs and even a rap song he had made about his drug dealing antics.

“Hopefully Clough’s time in prison will inspire further raps about what it’s like to spend time behind bars. We are pleased with the success of this investigation; taking drugs off the streets and five people in prison paying for their crimes.”

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The stunning town labelled ‘best place to live in Scotland’ with famous bakery

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Daily Record

Ruth Aisling recently visited a Bake Off semi-finalist’s shop in a stunning town hailed for its “stunning Highland scenery and chic Scandi-style sophistication”

A travel vlogger who visited a Bake Off semi-finalist’s shop in a stunning Scottish town has described the bake she tried as “unbelievable”. In her latest adventure, Ruth Aisling, a Scot who seeks to renew her connection with her roots after more than a decade overseas, recently set off to the town of Dunkeld in Perth and Kinross.

In 2023, The Sunday Times named Dunkeld the Best Place to Live in Scotland, citing the area’s “winning combination of stunning Highland scenery and chic Scandi-style sophistication”.

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Ruth explained that she’d wanted to visit the town for “years and years” and began her journey at Dunkeld Bridge over the River Tay, where she claims anglers can enjoy “one of the best places in Scotland” for salmon fishing.

Later, she wandered the town’s “beautiful” streets, referencing some colourful local history involving a battle and the town’s rebuilding in the 18th century, as well as its “top-notch” food scene.

Ruth ultimately found herself at a local establishment with an interesting claim to fame: ARAN Bakery on Atholl Street is a micro-bakery owned by Great British Bake Off semi-finalist Flora Shedden, who appeared on the show in 2015.

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She said: “So ARAN Bakery is one of the famous bakeries here in Dunkeld, and I picked up a few things for my lunch. I got this drink as well, a nettle and elderflower drink. What an interesting combination. Let’s give this a try. Wow, that is so good.”

Ruth was referring to her can of Nuisance Sparkling Botanicals Nettle and Elderflower, as well as a spanakopita spiral pastry. Taking a bite of the latter, she remarked: “So I got this feta pastry that looks so yummy. Wow, that is unbelievable.

“There’s a TV show called the Great British Bake Off. I’ve never actually watched it, but I think the owner of that bakery was in the finals or the semi-finals of that show.

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“I think it’s mostly baking that they do on that show. It’s quite a famous bakery. I think it’s got quite a big Instagram page, a lot of followers. Sometimes when you eat a pastry, it’s quite soggy, or it can be quite dry and crunchy.

“This is the perfect balance of soggy and dry in the middle. It’s perfect. So good.”

Afterwards, she tucked into a nutty caramel shortbread, saying: “This looks so yummy. Caramel shortbread is one of my favourite Scottish treats. This one is an interesting take on it. Instead of chocolate on the top, there are lots of nuts. Everything from that bakery is ten out of ten.”

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According to Hidden Scotland, ARAN Bakery “sold out in four hours” on the day it opened and quickly established itself within the local community, being “cherished for its simplicity and home bakes”.

Some of the mouth-watering items on offer include rosemary, sea salt and garlic focaccia, goat’s cheese and fennel jam toastie, leek and potato soup, and desserts such as mini rhubarb and custard cake and pear, chocolate and espresso cake.

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I Am Maximus wins for second time

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I Am Maximus wins for second time

Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of Grand National day at Aintree, with 34 runners going to post for the world’s most famous steeplechase.

With less punishing obstacles and a field full of contenders with Grade One form, the race’s complexion has changed over the last few decades but interest levels remain as high as ever.

There is nowhere else to start than with JP McManus’ green-and-gold battalion; the Irish owner accounts for four of the top six horses in the betting market.

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I Am Maximus evidently has the class and course form having finished first and second in each of the last two Nationals, with Willie Mullins’ top jockey Paul Townend on board. However, he carries top weight which could prove difficult to overcome in a field with such depth.

Punters have followed Jagwar over cliffs, he is a horse with so much ability but a horrible habit of finishing second, notably to fellow McManus horse Johnnywho in the Ultima Handicap Chase at Cheltenham. Iroko finished in midfield in that race, but has long been considered a National plot after running on to finish fourth last year.

Speaking of plots, the Skelton team commands respect in these blue-chip handicaps and their chance is Panic Attack, tipped by our very own Marcus Armytage to become the first mare to win the race in 75 years. Dinoblue had too much speed for her in the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham, but Panic Attack is back in handicap company today after successes in the Paddy Power Gold Cup and Coral Gold Cup earlier in the season.

Bobbyjo winner Grangeclare West is another serious player for Mullins with son Paddy in the saddle, while Monty’s Star for Henry De Bromhead has a Gold Cup fourth on his CV and can be relied on to run his race

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Before the main event, there are three Grade Ones on the card: Salvator Mundi is a short price for the Hallgarten & Novum Wines Maghull Novices’ Chase, there is the middle distance Turners Mersey Novices’ Hurdle followed by the Jet2 Liverpool Hurdle for the older stayers.

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