“He was known for his cheeky, mischievous nature, bringing smiles and laughter to those around him every day”

Tributes have been paid to a popular Belfast bar worker after his sudden death at the weekend.

Blake Greer passed away suddenly on Saturday, April 11. He’s been remembered for his sense of humour and “cheeky, mischievous nature” that brought smiles to all who knew him.

A bar worker at The Northern Whig in Belfast City Centre, Blake’s work colleagues say they have been left “incredibly heartbroken”.

A statement on Funeraltimes said: “GREER, 11TH APRIL 2026, BLAKE, suddenly, dearly beloved son of Gerard and Julie, much loved brother of Rhys and Chelsea, loving boyfriend of Elizabeth, dear grandson of Kathleen & Brendan Dowd and Maria and the late Bobby Greer, a dear nephew, cousin and good friend to many.

“Funeral arrangements to follow. Any enquiries to Charles Rourke & Sons Funeral Directors 028 4461 3740.”

The Northern Whig paid tribute to Blake saying: “We are incredibly heartbroken to share the passing of our much-loved friend and colleague, Blake.

“Since joining us, he became a true part of the furniture – always there, always willing to help, and someone who would do anything for anyone. He was known for his cheeky, mischievous nature, bringing smiles and laughter to those around him every day.

“His kindness, humour, and spirit made a lasting impact on all of us. We all love him so much. He will be missed terribly by his friends at the Whig, as well as by all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him.

“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. Rest in peace, Blake.”

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The band even hailed their lunch in Manchester as ‘absolutely insanely good’

A major rock band visited a popular sandwich shop in Manchester at the weekend that’s already garnered a loyal following with many Manchester City FC players.

On Friday evening (April 10), Enter Shikari played an intimate show at the Satan’s Hollow nightclub and live music venue on Princess Street. The gig at the 450-capacity spot was announced just weeks beforehand, held to mark almost 20 years to the day they first played in the city.

The genre-spanning band – made up of bassist Chris Batten, vocalist Rou Reynolds, drummer Rob Rolfe and guitarist Rory Clewlow – first broke out into the scene in 2003 and released their debut album, Take To The Skies, back in 2007. Last week, they released their eighth studio album Lose Your Self without any notice.

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During the weekend, the band took the time to bask in some of the city’s popular spots and paid a visit to the Ad Maiora sandwich shop, on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter. Known for their freshly-made schiacciata Tuscan-style flatbreads, the shop opened last year following the success of their original shops in Ancoats and Salford.

Run by couple Daniela Steri and Enrico Pinn, who started their business by baking from their flat in the Northern Quarter in 2023, the sandwich shop has gained a big reputation for its over-loaded creations, all using their own home-made breads and with authentic Italian meats and cheeses.

The pair have earned fans from a bunch of famous faces, including Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. City striker Erling Haaland has become such a fan of the shop that he now also has a mighty sandwich named after him featuring some of his favourite things.

On Saturday, Ad Maiora took to social media to share news of Enter Shikari’s visit by posting a photo of the rock band outside with co-owner Daniela. The post wrote: “From the stage to the schiacciata. Enter Shikari at Ad Maiora.”

The band responded with a bunch of praising and heart emojis, whilst guitarist Rory shared his impressions on his lunch by commenting: “I think calling it a sandwich is kinda like you trying to be humble? It is absolutely insanely good. Thank you so much for having us! X.”

Fans of the band and the sandwich shop also took to the comments section to share their love, and to also add in a few cheeky puns as well. One person commented: “Enter Salami.” Another wrote: “What a collab.” One other joked: “Enter Schiacciataaaaaa.”

The Kerrang! Award winners will return to Manchester later this year for a show at Co-op Live. The November 19 gig will mark the band’s largest ever UK and EU headline arena tour.

Anthony Place died at the scene after his blue Yamaha motorbike collided with a car park barrier on a side road off Rivington Lane, near to Rivington Barn.

The 38-year-old’s family paid tribute to him and said: “Rest easy our beautiful son – you left us way too soon.

“Your smile lit up every room you went in to and your energy gravitated on to everyone you met.

“You were a loving father, stepfather, and partner, the best big brother, and a crazy uncle.

“Words will not come close to how this emptiness feels. You have left many hearts broken and a void that will never be filled.”

Anthony Place (Image: Lancashire Police)

The crash happened shortly after 9pm on Wednesday, March 8, and a woman in her 30s who was a passenger on the bike suffered minor injuries.

No other vehicles are thought to have been involved.

Lancashire Police are still appealing for information and footage that can help with their investigation.

If you have any information or footage that could assist our enquiries is asked to call 101 or email SCIU@lancashire.police.uk quoting log 1561 of 8th April.

Brits are being warned to look after the “important” travel document and to keep it away from their pets, especially if they’re expecting a new one through the post.

In a post on X, warning passport holders, it said: “If you’re expecting your new passport, keep an eye out… and keep it out of reach of curious paws!

“Your passport is important — and definitely not chew‑toy approved.”

If you’re expecting your new passport, keep an eye out… and keep it out of reach of curious paws! Your passport is important — and definitely not chew‑toy approved. #LoveYourPet#PassportDelivery pic.twitter.com/xiL2ZHxV74

— His Majesty’s Passport Office (@HM_Passport) April 11, 2026

If you have a new passport arriving, it’s worth keeping your postal deliveries away from pets until you receive it, as a chewed-up passport will mean you’ll need to buy another one.

Anyone with a passport in their house may also wish to keep the passport away from pets in case it gets damaged.

A damaged passport can result in extra costs for replacement, and trips could even be put on hold.

When is a passport considered damaged?

If your dog, or other pet, gets hold of your passport, you might wonder how much damage you can get away with.

To help you out, the government website has shared a list of conditions that will not be accepted.

Your passport is damaged if:

• you can’t read any of your details
• any of the pages are ripped, cut or missing
• there are holes, cuts or rips in the cover
• the cover is coming away
• there are stains, like ink or water damage, on the pages

The new EU Entry and Exit System explained

How much does it cost to renew a damaged passport?

If you replace an adult passport online, you can expect to pay £102.

Applying by post will cost £115.50, which can be paid by a debit or credit card or via cheque to HM Passport Office.

How much do passports cost now?

The news comes following an increase in passport prices, which came into effect on April 8.

Here are the new prices:

Standard online application:

• For adults – £102 (up from £94.50)
• For children – £66.50 (up from £61.50)

Standard postal application:

• For adults – £115.50 (up from £107)
• For children – £80 (up from £74)

A Premium Service (one day) application made from the UK will cost £239.50, up from £222.

Do I need travel insurance?

Recommended reading:

How long does it take to get a new passport?

The government asks Brits to apply for a passport “in good time before travelling”.

It added: “In 2025, where no further information was required, 99.7% of standard applications from the UK were processed within three weeks.”

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When is my garden ready for me to plant dahlias?

Any other advice?

“Yes, it was about petrol, diesel, home heating oil, but it was also about all of the other pressures that people are feeling – whether it’s energy costs, whether it’s groceries, whether it’s rents that continue to go up, and basically a tipping point that the government aren’t listening, that we needed something to happen in terms of (a) cost (of) living package.”

Experts advise avoiding one common lawn care mistake in spring to encourage wildflowers, bees and butterflies in your garden

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While a wildflower-filled lawn may not suit everyone’s tastes, many gardeners are keen to pack their outdoor spaces with blooms, or dedicate a designated patch to wildflowers in order to attract vital pollinators. However, there is one common error that could be preventing flowers from taking hold in your lawn.

Lawn specialists at the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) have recommended steering clear of excessive mowing in spring if you are hoping to encourage wildflowers to flourish, even suggesting that regular mowing be held off until summer.

The experts explained: “With a conventional lawn, mow once a fortnight or once a week, depending on growth.

“For a flower-rich lawn or wildflower meadow, leave uncut in spring to provide much-needed support to pollinators and a welcome break from mowing.”

While a couple of mows in April may be tempting, they advise giving the lawnmower a rest entirely in May, referring to the month as “no mow May”.

As the name implies, this simply means refraining from mowing throughout May, allowing wild plants already present in your garden to grow and come into bloom.

You can choose to leave your entire lawn untouched, or alternatively set aside just one section to remain uncut for wildflowers.

Regular fortnightly mowing can then resume in June, or later still if preferred.

No Mow May was established in 2019 by UK conservation charity Plantlife, noted the Express, with the aim of tackling the devastating decline of flower-rich meadows – of which 97 per cent have disappeared since the 1930s.

The pledge urges gardeners to leave their lawnmowers in the shed throughout May.

Plantlife campaigners say: “No Mow May is one of the easiest ways to help the environment – letting wildflowers like daisies, dandelions and clovers grow while supporting bees and butterflies.

“Even small wild patches add up to make a huge difference to nature.”

The handbag showed off one of her son’s biggest achievements

Rory McIlroy’s mum brought a special handbag to Augusta National on Sunday as she watched her son triumph once again at The Masters.

Rosie McIlroy didn’t attend the Major last year when Rory won the coveted green jacket for the first time, and there were emotional scenes as the Holywood man embraced his parents after winning another one as he achieved back-to-back victories at the tournament.

Although she was not there to witness his first Masters, it is still a moment that was very dear to Rosie’s heart as she brought a special handbag to the final round this year, which reminded her of that moment. The bag is decorated with newspaper clippings and pictures of Rory’s first Masters win.

READ MORE: Rory McIlroy Masters prize money in full after historic triumph at AugustaREAD MORE: In Pictures: Rory McIlroy’s incredible Masters victory as he celebrates with his family

A picture of the bag has gone viral on social media, with many thinking it was a touching way for a mum to support her son.

Following his win at Augusta National on April 12, Rory paid tribute to his parents, Rosie and Gerry, saying: “Mum and dad, I owe everything…” Choking back tears, he added: “You’re the most wonderful parents, and if I’m half the parent to Poppy that you were to me, I’ll do a good job.”

“I caught myself on the golf course a couple of times thinking about them, and I was like ‘No, not yet, not yet’,” he said.

“It’s really cool to have them here. They missed it last year and the first thing I wanted to do was fly home to see them because I obviously wouldn’t be sitting up here if it wasn’t for them.

“I had to sort of convince them to come this year because they thought the reason I won last year was because they weren’t here.

“When the ball trickled by and I marked it there from two inches or whatever (at the last) I just looked at the back of the green because I saw my mum and dad and Erica (his wife) and Poppy (his daughter) and I was just like ‘I can’t believe I’ve just done it again’.

“Not as emotional, but just, wow, it’s amazing. I can’t believe I did it again.”

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“I said on the putting green that I’m glad we proved that wrong, so they can keep coming as long as they want. It’s amazing to have them here. I’m excited to celebrate with them tonight.”

But having waited a decade between his fourth and fifth, which secured the career grand slam a year ago, the desire for more still drives the 36-year-old.

“It took me 10 years to win my fifth major, and then my sixth one’s come pretty soon after it,” he said.

“I’m not putting a number on it, but I certainly don’t want to stop here.”

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

SEEDS will move into a dedicated facility at NETPark as part of Durham County Council’s £100 million expansion of the site.

The move will allow the company to shift from research and development to manufacturing—and begin delivering customer-specific systems.

Jason Chehal, founder of SEEDS, said: “This expansion marks a defining moment for SEEDS, as we move from research excellence into full commercial deployment.

“Over the past decade, we’ve developed a way to engineer graphene not just as a material, but as a platform technology that can be tuned to solve real-world industrial challenges at scale.

“Moving into our new facility at NETPark allows us to begin delivering customer specific systems across industries including microelectronics, energy storage, aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

“What’s particularly powerful is the ecosystem we’re part of here.

“Collaborations with CPI, Mitsui, and Pragmatic Semiconductor demonstrate how innovation in County Durham can translate directly into global industrial impact.

“We are now at the point where the technology is proven, the demand is established, and the pathways to market are clear.

“Each production system we deploy has the potential to support a major manufacturer anywhere in the world.

“That positions not only SEEDS, but the North East and the UK, at the forefront of next generation materials and electronics.”

SEEDS will supply its advanced graphene technology to major international manufacturers across the global aerospace, energy, semiconductors, and automotive sectors.

NETPark’s £100 million expansion has enabled the growth of sector-leading companies like SEEDS by providing more than 285,000 square feet of high-specification laboratory and advanced manufacturing space.

Councillor Joe Quinn, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for planning, investment and assets, said: “SEEDS’ expansion at NETPark reflects the critical role County Durham plays in the UK’s advanced manufacturing landscape.

“We have outstanding, state-of-the-art space for laboratories and manufacturing facilities, ready now and unique in the North East.

“We are delighted to support SEEDS’ growth and would urge any expanding business looking for purpose-built, modern facilities to come and see the exceptional offer we have here at NETPark.”

With the expanded site now fully operational, it is expected to create 1,250 skilled jobs onsite and contribute £625 million to the local economy over the next decade.

SEEDS’ growth has been supported by NETPark’s collaborative ecosystem, including the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI), Durham University, and Business Durham.

CPI has worked closely with the company, helping to refine its technology and scale up from early-stage research to production.

A strategic partnership with Mitsui, formalised in November, is already opening doors to international microelectronics manufacturers and accelerating the company’s global reach.

The expansion of NETPark and the success of companies like SEEDS highlight County Durham’s growing reputation as a hub for advanced manufacturing and next-generation technology.

A pharmacist has shared crucial advice to patients who have high blood pressure. They’ve been urged to take action or they could risk “serious damage” which could hinder their health

Millions of people across the globe struggle with high blood pressure, with many constantly seeking straightforward methods to help manage it. However, if you are amongst those affected and need to keep it in check, there is vital expert guidance you ought to be aware of.

A pharmacist renowned for dispensing useful health advice has issued critical information to those who suffer with high blood pressure, warning that if something significant is overlooked, it could result in “serious damage”. Pharmacist Anum, as she is known on TikTok, recently outlined everything in a candid video, and it is essential information that deserves your full attention.

It is not the only guidance of this nature to have emerged recently either. Previously, people were also encouraged to carry out five exercises to try and reduce blood pressure.

In the clip, Pharmacist Anum said: “If you suffer with high blood pressure, protecting your kidneys is super important. You should be having regular monitoring to assess your kidney function. However, unfortunately, this one very simple test often gets missed.

“The test I’m referring to is a simple urine test. It involves you dropping off a urine sample to your GP, and they can test your ACR. Now this stands for albumin-creatinine ratio, and what it does is it looks to see if there are any proteins leaking into your urine.

“If proteins are present, it could be an early sign that there is damage to your kidneys. It’s a quick test that allows us to pick up early signs of kidney damage before you start to develop any symptoms.

“Picking up these things early is key. Now, generally speaking, we like to test your ACR, so get a urine sample from you when you’re first diagnosed with having high blood pressure, and then at least annually.

“Depending on your individual circumstances and your individual risk factors, this might me more frequent or less frequent. But, I guess what I’m really trying to hone in on, is if you have high blood pressure and you have never had your urine tested or you’ve never done a urine sample and handed it into your GP surgery, please get in contact with them to see if this test is necessary for you to assess the health of your kidneys.”

In the caption, she noted that monitoring kidney function is an “essential part” of managing blood pressure. The specialist added that blood tests may also occasionally be required.

Consequently, if you haven’t been tested at all or for a considerable period, she encouraged people to get in touch with their GP to confirm everything is up to date. She also clarified that her video was intended for educational purposes only.

Why is this important?

You may not realise it, but urine tests are vital for people with high blood pressure as they can detect early signs of kidney damage, identify underlying causes of hypertension and confirm whether medication is being taken correctly. They screen for protein (albumin) that indicates kidney disease, monitor salt levels and can also verify whether blood pressure medication is actually being consumed.

High blood pressure damages the blood vessels within the kidneys, which can ultimately lead to chronic kidney disease. A urine test detects albuminuria (protein in the urine), which is frequently the earliest indicator of such damage.

Patients can also undergo specialist urine tests to establish whether they are taking their prescribed blood pressure medications, assisting doctors in addressing non-compliance and improving blood pressure management. Certain urine tests, such as those examining sodium or particular hormones, can also identify rare secondary causes of high blood pressure, including conditions affecting the adrenal glands.

The tests can additionally check for evidence of diabetes (glucose), infections (bacteria/blood) and how effectively the kidneys are filtering waste products. If you have any concerns whatsoever, seek further advice from your doctor.