A cosy pub with a roaring fire. The smell of freshly baked scones floating from the local bakery. Almost no phone signal.

This is what awaits visitors to Ashwell, a Hertfordshire village less than an hour away from London.

Located at the source of the River Cam — which eventually flows into Cambridge — this idyllic spot has been named on a list of the 15 prettiest villages near London, compiled by Condé Nast Traveller.

The publication celebrated Ashwell for its brewery scene (which dates back to the 1800s), and added that its ‘streets offer a scenic interlude northbound off the A1.’

TimeOut also recently placed it first in their list of ‘unbelievably cute’ villages near to London, citing Ashwell Springs as the perfect spot for a ‘picturesque picnic’.

As a Hertfordshire native, I’m not surprised to see Ashwell on the list. It’s exactly how you’d picture a classic English village to be: children playing, cyclists buddying up for weekend rides, and neighbours chatting over fences.

So if you fancy a day trip this spring, here’s everything you need to know about the ‘green oasis’ around 40 miles from the capital.

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Things to do in Ashwell

When the sun comes out, the aforementioned Ashwell Springs are the place to be. Near the high street, accessible by a footpath, you’ll find the small nature reserve, at the source of the River Cam.

Shallow enough for a paddle, take a picnic and read a book while the kids hop across the stepping stones. There’s even a sign that reads: ‘You are now entering a stress free zone’.

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Once you’ve got your dose of vitamin D, The Three Tuns is everyone’s favourite pub. The spot serves up a huge roast on a Sunday, as well as classics like fish and chips and sausage and mash.

There are rooms available for an overnight stay, too. The Westminster Room, which sleeps four, is available to book for around £75 per night.

Other pubs include the The Rose and Crown, which, like much of the village, dates back to the 16th century.

Or, for more sunbathing, right opposite the 14th-century Church of St Mary the Virgin, you’ll find the Bushel and Strike, with its generously sized beer garden out the back, ideal for enjoying a pint of Hop & Heart, Foghorn, or the Genesis stout — all brewed in nearby Bedfordshire.

Speaking of beer, Ashwell has a long brewing history, due it’s abundant water supply, and fertile land. Fordham’s Brewery produced ales and stouts in the village for more 100 years. You can learn all about their history, as well as other fun facts, at the Ashwell Museum, which is free to enter, and open all year.

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Housed in a medieval timber-framed building, the museum described Ashwell as ‘a world in a village’.

Wandering around the quaint streets, you’ll find everything you’d expect in a storybook village. Whether you’re looking for some sturdy sausages for a fry-up or a burger to stick on the barbecue, Crumps, a butcher and deli, has it all. As well as meats, there’s a counter full of cheese, plus plenty of fresh vegetables.

And, the jewel in Ashwell’s undeniable crown, Days Bakery is an essential visit. At Easter, there are fresh hot cross buns and cookies, and year-round, there’s bread, sandwiches, and sausage rolls galore.

It’s been there since 1741, which makes it one of the UK’s oldest bakeries. The original site is in Ashwell, but these days, there are also shops across the rest of Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Essex.

And, if you’re going to be in Ashwell in August, don’t miss the annual Ashwell Show, held every August bank holiday. Running for more almost 100 years, there’s a craft market, fairground rides and a horse and dog show.

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And apparently, this year’s ‘breathtaking main attraction’ is yet to be announced…

Getting to and around Ashwell

The nearest train station is Ashwell and Morden, which is only a five-minute drive away from the main village, but along a two-mile country road with no pavements.

There’s also the number 91 bus, which goes from door to door and takes about seven minutes.

Considering it’s deep in rural Hertfordshire, though, it’s worth checking the timetable so you’re not left high and dry.

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When travelling from London, the train to London St Pancras takes about 45 minutes. It also passes through Finsbury Park on the way, for those after the Victoria line.

Cambridge, with its cobbled streets, university population, and sticky buns (from local legends Fitzbillies, no less), is also a 20-minute train ride away.

House prices in Ashwell

Fancy a more permanent move from the capital to the countryside?

According to data from Rightmove, the average house here has sold for £402,944 over the last year, which exceeds the going rate across the UK by a good £31,000.

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That said, if you’re after a good alternative to the likes of Hitchin, where house prices level out at £491,314, then Ashwell is 20 minutes away, and that it cheaper.

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The Southport killer’s parents bear considerable blame for the deadly mass stabbing attack, which could and should have been prevented, a damning inquiry has found.

A bombshell report from the Southport Inquiry found a string of missed chances to halt violence-obsessed teenager Axel Rudakubana before he unleashed his attack of “unparalleled cruelty” on a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop on 29 July 2024. The horrific stabbing claimed the lives of three children and left eight more girls and two adults wounded, sparking riots across the country.

Chairman Sir Adrian Fulford concluded that “this terrible event could have been – and should have been – prevented”. He said that “it is almost certain” that the tragedy would have been stopped if the killer’s family had shared the full extent of their concerns with authorities in late July 2024.

He also placed blame at the door of the multiple agencies that allowed Rudakubana to fall through the cracks, stating that the killer’s “trajectory towards grave violence was signposted repeatedly and unambiguously”.

The prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood, home secretary, agreed the report exposed “systemic failures” and vowed to make changes to protect the public.

In the damning 763 page report, Sir Adrian found:

Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, were murdered when Rudakubana, then 17, entered The Hart Space, armed with a knife in summer 2024. He also attempted to murder eight other children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, class instructor Leanne Lucas, and businessman John Hayes. The 19-year-old, who was simply referred to as “the perpetrator” or “AR” in hearings out of respect to victims and their families, has been jailed for life with a minimum term of 52 years.

The inquiry, held over nine weeks at Liverpool Town Hall last year, heard from more than 100 witnesses, 67 who gave live evidence, about Rudakubana’s involvement with health services, social care and education, and the three referrals to anti-terror programme Prevent that were made, and closed, before he carried out the attack. Home secretary Yvette Cooper announced the inquiry in January 2025 after Rudakubana’s contact with these various bodies emerged.

In a statement delivered at Liverpool Town Hall as the report was published, Sir Adrian said: “I have no doubt that if appropriate procedures had been in place and if sensible steps had been taken by the agencies and AR’s parents, this dreadful event would not have happened. It could have been and it should have been prevented.”

He continued: “AR’s trajectory towards grave violence was signposted repeatedly and unambiguously. Yet the systems and agencies responsible for safeguarding the public did not act with the cohesion, urgency or clarity required.”

Commenting on the parent’s handling of the teenager, who he described as an “aggressive, near total recluse”, he added: “If the full extent of AR’s family’s concerns had been shared with authorities in late July 2024 – including on the day of the attack – it is almost certain this tragedy would have been prevented.”

Sir Adrian acknowledged Rudakubana had placed his parents in an “extremely difficult position”.

“Their life at home must have become little short of a nightmare, given, to use the words of his own father, AR had turned into a monster,” the chairman said.

However he found the couple, Alphonse Rudakubana and Laetitia Muzayire, had “created significant obstructions” to engagement with him by various agencies and failed to stand up to his behaviour and set boundaries, as well as failing to report a clear escalation in his risk.

He said: “If AR’s parents had done what they morally ought to have done, AR would not have been at liberty to conduct the attack and it would not therefore have occurred.”

But, he said it should have been “obvious” to those in a position to act that Rudakubana was not being “effectively parented”.

Both Rudakubana’s parents, who moved to the UK from Rwanda, gave evidence to the inquiry from remote locations.

His mother told the hearing: “There are many things that Alphonse and I wish we had done differently, anything that might have prevented the horrific event of July 29 2024. (For) our failure, we are profoundly sorry.”

Sir Adrian said Rudakubana had “clearly revealed the extreme danger that he presented to others” more than four years before his attack, when he went his former school, the Range High School in Formby, armed with a kitchen knife and a hockey stick and attacked a student.

The inquiry chairman said the incident in December 2019, for which the teenager received a 10-month referral order, was a “watershed event” and should have led agencies to conclude he posed a “high risk of harm to others”.

The inquiry heard between 2019 and 2024, Rudakubana was referred to anti-terror programme Prevent three times, but the referrals were closed. He purchased a number of weapons, including three machetes, online as well as ingredients he used to make the poison ricin.

Sir Adrian said as time passed, interaction between Rudakubana and organisations became “at best, something of a token”.

The chairman recommended the second phase of the inquiry should consider appointing a single agency to monitor interventions for children presenting a high risk of serious harm. He also said it should consider abilities to restrict or monitor their access to the internet.

The families of the survivors warned “this must not happen again” as they called for urgent steps to address 67 recommendations made in the report.

Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, of law firm Fletchers, represents the families of 22 of the wounded children.

“The physical and emotional scars inflicted on them are a daily reminder of something that we now know could and should have been prevented,” she said.

“They have bravely shared their stories with this inquiry, reliving the horror of that day, in the hope that things can be done, change can happen and that no other family will have to suffer as they have.

“We ask that where recommendations have been made, those individuals and agencies to which they are addressed, take action now. Not tomorrow. This must not happen again.”

Nicola Brook, solicitor at Broudie Jackson Canter, representing the three adult survivors, said her clients were heroes who have suffered a “deluge of unjustified criticism on social media”, which she called to end.

“The report crystallises one of our key concerns throughout – that every organisation tried to shirk responsibility, and that there was a disturbing lack of leadership,” she added. “This is not the first time we have heard this at an inquiry.

“It is evident, time and time again, that there is a culture within government agencies to place their own reputations above their fundamental duty to protect society, and a failure to properly reflect on their conduct once presented with clear evidence that they failed on multiple occasions.”

Prime minister Keir Starmer described the findings as “truly harrowing and profoundly disturbing” as he described the murders as “one of the darkest moments in our country’s history”.

Responding to the report, he added. “It sets out in stark detail the systemic failures over the five years that led to this terrible event, and the repeated missed opportunities that could have prevented it.

“While nothing will ever bring three little girls back, erase the trauma from those injured, or undo the lasting impact on those who witnessed such horror, I am determined to make the fundamental changes needed to keep the public safe.”

Home secretary, Shabana Mahmood, added: “Sir Adrian’s report is heartbreaking. It shows a systematic failure of the state to prevent a vile and sickening individual perpetrating this atrocity.”

Sir Adrian, who described the attack as “one of the most egregious crimes” in UK history when he opened the hearings, said the obligation was to provide answers to victims and their families.

Widespread rioting and civil unrest that erupted across the country following the murders has not been examined.

A second phase of the inquiry will be informed by the findings of phase one and is expected to focus on the risk posed by young people with a fixation, or obsession with, acts of extreme violence.

Mark Wynn, chief executive of Lancashire County Council, issued an apology and promised to implement the report’s recommendations in full.

“We are deeply sorry for the failures identified and for the part we played in the systemic shortcomings that preceded the attack in Southport,” he added.

“We know that no words can ease the grief of the families who lost loved ones, or the pain of those who were injured and traumatised.

“Since 2019, we have made substantial changes to our safeguarding practice, and the chair’s findings will inform our continued improvement. We are committed to implementing all recommendations directed to us in full.”

Chief Constable Rob Carden, of Merseyside Police, said the force welcomes and acknowledges the findings. He paid tribute to families of Elsie, Bebe and Alice, adding: “It is incumbent on all the organisations referred to by the inquiry to act on the recommendations made to ensure everything possible is done to prevent this from happening again.”

More follows on this breaking news story…

The Charity Commission is understood to be working with the Sentebale organisation to understand how suing Prince Harry for defamation would “further their charity’s purposes”

The charity Prince Harry co-founded in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is facing scrutiny from the charity regulator over plans to sue him for defamation.

The Charity Commission has been working with the trustees of Sentebale after being made aware of the legal action in February, and said it is seeking to understand how the action would “further their charity’s purposes”.

Harry is being sued for defamation by the charity over allegations he co-ordinated an “adverse media campaign” which caused “operational disruption and reputational harm”, its board of trustees has claimed.

Online court filings show that the duke is a defendant in a libel or slander claim alongside Mark Dyer, a former trustee. On Friday evening, Harry responded to the allegations in a statement issued by a spokesperson on his behalf saying he and Mr Dyer saying they “categorically reject these offensive and damaging claims”.

READ MORE: Prince Harry sued for defamation by Sentebale charity he co-foundedREAD MORE: Harry and Meghan ‘could consider UK return if Australia tour successful’, claims insider

A Charity Commission spokesperson said: “We are aware of the charity’s plans to take legal action and have been engaging with the trustees to understand how this action furthers their charity’s purposes.” Last year, Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho stepped down as patrons of Sentebale in support of a group of trustees, who resigned following a bitter boardroom battle with charity chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka.

The Duke of Sussex co-founded Sentabale in 2006 to help support young people living with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Sentebale says no charitable funds are being used to fund the legal action, which is being “met entirely by external funding”. It is not clear where the external funding is coming from.

A source close to Harry said: “Whether they’re using external or internal funds for the case, that money could still be used to support the charity’s work.” While Sentebale: “This matter is subject to active legal proceedings. It would therefore be inappropriate to comment on any aspect.”

The Charity Commission says “legal action can present a significant risk to a charity’s beneficiaries, assets and reputation”. Legal director and charity lawyer at Shoosmiths told The Times that taking legal action was a significant step, and Sentebale would need to convince the Charity Commission there were “no other reasonable options”.

He explained: “The charity is really going to have to answer the question: how is that going to be advancing the charity’s objects and purposes? It looks high stakes … It seems a sort of matter where there are going to be no winners.”

Sentebale, which means forget-me-not, was thrown into crisis last March, when Harry and Prince Seeiso appeared to suddenly step down as patrons. It came after the charity’s trustees sought to introduce a new fundraising strategy, with the dispute arising between Dr Chandauka and some of the trustees and Harry.

A war of words followed the resignations with Harry and Seeiso issuing a joint statement in March 2025, describing their decision as “unthinkable”, adding the trustees “acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down” while “in turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship”.

Dr Chandauka hit back in a television interview, accusing the duke of being “involved” in a “cover-up” of an investigation about bullying, harassment and misogyny at the organisation and said the “toxicity” of his brand had impacted the charity, which she claimed had seen a drop in donors since Harry moved to the US.

Later, it was claimed Harry sent an ‘unpleasant text’ to Dr Chandauka after she failed to publicly quash rumours of a rift with his wife, Meghan. The charity chair claimed that after an awkward moment between her and Meghan was captured on camera at a polo match to raise funds for Sentebale in Florida in 2024, she was asked to issue a statement by Harry’s team defending the duchess.

She said she refused the request, saying: “We cannot become an extension of the Sussex machine”. It was then reported that Harry sent her a direct message asking her to “explain herself”, using “imperious” language and leaving the charity chair “taken aback”. The Duke’s team has not responded to this claim

A probe by the Charity Commission followed after Dr Chanduaka reported the prince and the trustees to the regulator over alleged bullying and harassment.

Its report criticised all parties in the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly and described how all trustees contributed to a “missed opportunity” to resolve the issues that led to the serious disagreement, which risked undermining public trust in charities generally.

The regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity, but acknowledged “the strong perception of ill treatment” felt by some involved. A source at the time said that Harry had been left emotionally devastated by the events after 19 years of working with the charity.

The Honda CB500 motorcycle crashed with a grey VW Polo at the junction between the A167 Darlington Road and the B1263 in Northallerton around 6.30pm on Thursday, April 9.

The bike was travelling north west along the A167 and the car was turning right onto the A-road.

Both the motorcycle rider and their pillion passenger sustained significant, life-threatening injuries and remain in hospital.

Both occupants of the VW Polo also sustained significant injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment. One remains in hospital at this time.

The road was closed for several hours while collision investigation work and vehicle recovery took place.

North Yorkshire Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage from the area around the time of the collision, and in the moments leading up to it, to come forward.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “If anyone witnessed the collision, or has any dashcam footage from that area around the time of the collision, and leading up to it, please get in touch.”

Anyone who can help is asked to email MCIT@northyorkshire.police.uk or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 12260063501.

Six fire appliances attended the scene as police are treating the incident as arson with intent to endanger life

Police have issued a warning that “lives were put at risk” by an arson attack at a house in West Belfast shortly after midnight on Monday.

The fire service were called to the blaze on LaurelBank in the Poleglass area at 12.34am on April 13, with six appliances being sent to the scene, including an aerial appliance.

Firefighters managed to bring the fire under control before leaving the scene at 2.49am.

The fire is believed to have been started deliberately with the incident being handed over to the PSNI to investigate further.

A NIFRS spokesperson said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a fire at a property on Laurelbank, Poleglass, Belfast. Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used 3 hose reel jets and 2 jets to extinguish the fire. Firefighters used gas monitors to confirm readings normal.

“The cause of the fire is believed to be deliberate ignition and the scene was handed over to the PSNI. Firefighters left the scene at 2.49am.”

Detective Sergeant Robson said: “We received a report at around 12.45am this morning, Monday, 13^th April of a house on fire in the Laurelbank area.“Officers attended the scene, where colleagues from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were already present and subsequently extinguished the fire.“Thankfully, no one was in the property at the time and no injuries were reported. However, the house is located in a residential area and other people’s lives were put at risk.“We believe the fire was started deliberately and it is therefore being treated as arson with intent to endanger life. “We’re keen to speak with anyone who might have noticed anything on Sunday evening and would appeal to anyone with information, including CCTV, ring-doorbell or other footage, to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 29 of 13/04/26.“Alternatively, you can also submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form at http://www.psni.police.uk/makeareport/ or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/.”

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

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained defiant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election.

Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat from the San Francisco Bay Area.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains fluid. While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught fire,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with fellow Democrats Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton.

The 48-hour period marked a rapid reversal for a candidate who appeared to be gaining momentum in the packed field to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is barred by law from seeking a third term.

Though Swalwell has denied the allegations, he has appeared to reference infidelity in multiple statements.

“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he wrote. That followed a video post on Friday where he apologized to his wife.

Swalwell’s exit shakes up campaign

The accusations reordered a wide-open gubernatorial race that had Democrats fretting the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a top-two primary system in which two candidates advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct.

Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment.

The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it’s investigating. That office urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

As Swalwell’s campaign flailed over the weekend, fellow California Reps. Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna and Sam Liccardo said Swalwell should resign, as did Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state.

“This is not a partisan issue,” Jayapal said Sunday. “This cuts across party lines. And it is depravity of the way that women have been treated.”

Some representatives said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside.

It all added to the mounting political pressure on Swalwell, which began with allies like Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Jimmy Gomez cutting their support. Gomez had helped run Swalwell’s campaign and said he was immediately ending his role.

With the House returning to session Tuesday, the question of whether to expel Swalwell could come to a head quickly. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said Saturday that she would be filing a motion to start the process.

Expulsion votes in the House are rare and require a two-thirds majority, but there is recent precedent for taking the step. Republican George Santos of New York in 2023 became just the sixth member in House history to be ousted by colleagues for his conduct.

Huffman, Jayapal and Leger Fernández said they would vote to expel Swalwell from the House, though they said they also support expelling Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who admitted to an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

___

Associated Press writer Ben Finley in Washington contributed to this report.

“As performers we like to stay on top of our, physical health and mental health to give the same standard of performance anyway,” says Parker-Wallace, “But here you’ve got to to play animals on stage, you’ve got to be strong in your stature, your stance. The good thing is they’ve had 27 years of refining The Lion King, so the guys taking care of us are more than equipped. Tomorrow we have an injury prevention meeting. They’ve got an in-house physio team. They have many a PT on hand. Someone on the production had broken their ankle and within 7 weeks they were back on stage. So they will care for us while I feel like I can go home and learn my lines, get in the right headspace, try not to put my body in any jeopardizing positions, and as a company they will just usher me on my way to climbing Pride Rock…”

Now in its 11th year, the fund offers local clubs the chance to secure vital funding, including a top prize of £3,000, helping them continue to grow and thrive within their communities. Additional funding packages of £1,250 and £750 will also be distributed.

Aldi Scotland is calling on sports clubs in Lanarkshire and West Lothian to apply for its annual Sports Fund initiative, with £50,000 up for grabs nationwide.

Now in its 11th year, the fund offers local clubs the chance to secure vital funding, including a top prize of £3,000, helping them continue to grow and thrive within their communities. Additional funding packages of £1,250 and £750 will also be distributed.

Launched in 2016, Aldi Scotland’s Scottish Sport Fund has spent the past decade championing grassroots sport, supporting more than 650 clubs and distributing over £500,000 to date.

From improving facilities to providing essential kit and equipment, the fund has played a key role in widening access to sport across Scotland.

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund welcomes applications from all sporting organisations that meet the specified criteria. Last year’s Sports Fund saw the retailer support an array of sports clubs across the region, including Stirling County Rugby Football Club, BaillieFields Community Hub and Girlguides Airdrie.

This year, the top three shortlisted clubs in each region will be selected by an Aldi Scotland judging panel before going to a public vote on social media. The winning club will receive £3,000, with the two runners-up each awarded £1,250.

Sandy Mitchell, Regional Managing Director at Aldi Scotland, said: “Over the past decade, we have seen the real impact this funding has on clubs and communities across Scotland.

“Through the Scottish Sports Fund, Aldi has helped clubs invest in the equipment, resources and spaces they need to grow and succeed.

READ MORE: Specsavers’ Airdrie and Coatbridge staff reach combined 160 years of service

“In what is a monumental year for sport globally, we are proud to continue playing our part in supporting sports clubs here in Scotland and remain committed to making sport more accessible nationwide.

“The response each year is incredibly positive and we look forward to working with even more clubs in 2026. I encourage clubs in Central Scotland to apply and take advantage of this opportunity.”

Sports clubs located across Central Scotland have from Monday, April 13, until Sunday, May 10, to apply for funding.

One applicant will be selected to receive £3,000 of funding, two applicants will each receive £1,250 and one club will each receive £750.

READ MORE: Driver locked up after causing four-vehicle crash while inhaling laughing gas

Applications can be made via the application form found on https://www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund.

The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria.

All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and entrants will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within six weeks from the region’s deadline.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: North Lanarkshire Heritage Centre receives grant as part of science scheme

Anas Sarwar said the next five years had to be focused on “fixing the SNP’s mess” and not focusing on the constitutional debate.

Anas Sarwar has accused John Swinney of “blagging his own supporters” over claims the SNP can win a majority of MSPs at May’s election and in turn secure a second referendum on independence.

Speaking at the launch of the Scottish Labour manifesto in Edinburgh today, Sarwar made a direct pitch to Scots who previously voted Yes to ending the union in 2014.

With three weeks until polling day and the SNP on course to another five-year term, the Labour leader said: “After almost 20 years, it is time to change the government. This is the first real opportunity in a generation to do that. An opportunity we cannot afford to miss.

“And to everyone here or watching at home, my message is this – It’s not about how you voted in the past. It’s not about whether you have voted Labour before. It’s not about what side of the past arguments you were on.

“It’s about bringing our country together and making it better right now.”

Sarwar was speaking to audience of Labour activists and candidates at the University of Edinburgh where he insisted their party could still take power at Holyrood next month despite trailing the Nationalists in the polls.

He insisted fixing the country’s crumbling public services had to take priority over the SNP’s ongoing insistence that it was on the brink of ending the Union.

Swinney has argued he would have a mandate for an IndyRef2 if his party can win 65 or more MSPs in May – a position which was yesterday shot down by Wes Streeting, the UK Health Secretary.

READ MORE: Millionaire Malcolm Offord branded a ‘chancer’ as party leaders blast Reform UK chief over immigrationREAD MORE: Inflation-busting Scottish Water bills will be lowered if Labour wins power, Anas Sarwar pledges

Sarwar said: “I’m being direct and honest with people in this election campaign about what my view is – I don’t support independence, I don’t support a referendum.

“But I’m not asking anyone to change their mind on independence. What I’m saying is, this election is not about whether the SNP get a majority or not – it’s about whether the SNP stay in power.

“The next Parliament has to be about bringing our country together, to make it better right now. And if in the future, there’s a stronger Scotland, and it decides a different kind of destination, so be it. But the next five years is about fixing the SNP’s mess, and building that better future.

Sarwar added: “John Swinney knows he’s not going to win a majority. He’s blagging his own supporters. And the reason why he’s doing it, is he knows every minute he spends talking about that, is a minute he doesn’t have to talk about his record on the NHS or schools. And frankly, I think people will see right through it.”

Streeting, a senior Labour minister, yesterday ruled out an IndyRef2 even if the SNP won a majority.

“We are not going to introduce chaos into the UK by having an independence referendum, absolutely not,” he said.

Angus Robertson, SNP campaign director, said: “Today showed that Labour have a complete lack of ideas and no vision for Scotland’s future. Anas Sarwar has had five years to develop this manifesto and he has come up with nothing.

“We’ve heard it all before from Labour – but we know exactly what we get with them.

“Broken promise after broken promise – energy bills up, Grangemouth closed and the Winter Fuel Payment debacle.

“We already have one disastrous Labour government and we don’t need another one. The SNP is the only party with a positive vision for Scotland and a serious plan for government.”

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Darren hasn’t been seen since Saturday, April 12

Essex Police have released an appeal searching for a man who is currently missing from Colchester. Darren Gillanders, 53, was reported missing shortly after 11.40pm on Sunday, April 12.

He hasn’t been seen since the day before (Saturday, April 11). Darren is described as being 5’10, medium build and bald.

He was last seen wearing a blue North Face tracksuit, white Reebok Classics, a black ‘man bag’, and black glasses. Police believe he may have been in or around Ipswich in Suffolk and the Cambridge and Newmarket areas of Cambridgeshire.

You should call 999 quoting incident 1238 of 12 April if you have seen him, are with him, or have any information about where he might.

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