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Vicky McClure spotted filming in Belfast for new Line of Duty

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Manchester Evening News

The actress returned to Belfast to film the long-awaited new Line of Duty

Vicky McClure has been pictured in Belfast as she films the new series of BBC’s Line of Duty after a five year break.

The 42-year-old actress was seen in Belfast as filming gets underway for the new series of Line of Duty. The highly-anticipated seventh series will see Vicky return to her role, as well as co-stars Adrian Dunbar Martin Compston.

It was back in 2021 when viewers were last able to tune into Line of Duty, with an average of 16 million viewers sitting down to watch per episode.

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The finale of series six drew the show’s long-running storyline about the hunt for criminal mastermind known as “H” to a close, and the BBC and creative team behind the show said at the time there were no plans for any further series.

According to the official BBC synopsis, series seven sees a rebranded AC-12, as it teases: “In series seven AC-12 has been disbanded and rebranded the Inspectorate of Police Standards.

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“Anticorruption work has never been more difficult and in this challenging climate Steve Arnott (Martin Compston), Kate Fleming (Vicky McClure) and Ted Hastings (Adrian Dunbar) are assigned their most sensitive case so far.

“Detective Inspector Dominic Gough, a charismatic officer winning plaudits for a string of takedowns of organised crime, is accused of abusing his position of trust to act as a sexual predator. But is Gough’s case a deliberate distraction from a bigger threat still operating in the shadows?”

Alongside the returning cast, the BBC confirmed that viewers can expect some new faces. The series will also feature Line of Duty newcomers Laura Aikman (This City Is Ours, Gavin & Stacey) as DC Paula Beckman, Levi Brown (This Town, Girl Taken) as DC Luke Tobin, and Amy Leigh Hickman (Ackley Bridge, You) as DC Nira Rashid.

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While there’s been no confirmation as to the exact date it will be returning, the BBC did say it will air next year as filming commenced this spring.

With new photos of Vicky filming, herself, Martin and Adrian were also spotted enjoying a drink beside the Lagan at a popular South Belfast bar earlier this week on a break from filming.

Earlier this year, Vicky appeared on Lorraine and expressed her excitement for the return of Line of Duty. She gushed: “I’m so glad that we’re back. I can’t tell you how excited I am to get to Belfast with Martin, and Adrian and Jed. Just try and wire my brain for the lines!”

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White House meets with Anthropic CEO over new AI model

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White House meets with Anthropic CEO over new AI model

WASHINGTON (AP) — White House chief of staff Susie Wiles on Friday sounded out Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei about the artificial intelligence company’s new Mythos model, which has attracted attention from the federal government for how it could transform national security and the economy.

A White House official, who requested anonymity to discuss the meeting ahead of time, said the administration is engaging with advanced AI labs about their models and the security of software. The official stressed that any new technology that might be used by the federal government would require a technical period for evaluation.

The White House said afterward that the meeting was productive and constructive, as opportunities for collaboration were discussed as well as the goal of balancing innovation and safety.

The meeting came after tensions had run hot between the Trump administration and the safety-conscious Anthropic, which has sought to put guardrails on the development of AI to minimize any potential risks and maximize its economic and national security benefits for the U.S.

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President Donald Trump tried to stop all federal agencies from using Anthropic’s chatbot Claude over the company’s contract dispute with the Pentagon, with Trump saying in a February social media post that the administration “will not do business with them again!” When Trump was asked Friday while in Arizona if Anthropic had a meeting at the White House, the president said he had ”no idea.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also sought to declare Anthropic a supply chain risk, an unprecedented move against a U.S. company that Anthropic has challenged in two federal courts. The company said it wanted assurance the Pentagon would not use its technology in fully autonomous weapons and the surveillance of Americans. Hegseth said the company must allow for any uses the Pentagon deemed lawful.

U.S. District Judge Rita Lin issued a ruling in March that blocked the enforcement of Trump’s social media directive ordering all federal agencies to stop using Anthropic products.

Anthropic declined to speak about the meeting in advance.

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The San Francisco-based Anthropic has said the new Mythos model it announced on April 7 is so “strikingly capable” that it is limiting its use to select customers because of its ability to surpass human cybersecurity experts in finding and exploiting computer vulnerabilities.

And while some industry experts have questioned whether Anthropic’s claims of too-powerful AI technology were a marketing ploy, even some of the company’s sharpest critics have suggested that Mythos might represent a further advancement in AI.

One influential Anthropic critic, David Sacks, who was the White House’s AI and crypto czar, said people should “take this seriously.”

“Anytime Anthropic is scaring people, you have to ask, ‘Is this a tactic? Is this part of their Chicken Little routine? Or is it real?’” Sacks said on the “All-In” podcast he co-hosts with other tech investors. “With cyber, I actually would give them credit in this case and say this is more on the real side.”

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Sacks said: “It just makes sense that as the coding models become more and more capable, they are more capable at finding bugs. That means they’re more capable at finding vulnerabilities. That means they’re more capable at stringing together multiple vulnerabilities and creating an exploit.”

The model’s potential benefits, as well as its risks, have also attracted attention outside the U.S.

The United Kingdom’s AI Security Institute said it evaluated the new model and found it a “step up” over previous models, which were already rapidly improving.

“Mythos Preview can exploit systems with weak security posture, and it is likely that more models with these capabilities will be developed,” the institute said in a report.

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Anthropic has also been in talks with the European Union about its AI models, including advanced models that haven’t yet been released in Europe, European Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier said Friday.

Axios first reported the scheduled meeting between Wiles and Amodei.

When it announced Mythos, Anthropic said it was also forming an initiative called Project Glasswing, bringing together tech giants such as Amazon, Apple, Google and Microsoft, along with other companies like JPMorgan Chase, in hopes of securing the world’s critical software from “severe” fallout that the new model could pose to public safety, national security and the economy.

“We’re releasing it to a subset of some of the world’s most important companies and organizations so they can use this to find vulnerabilities,” said the Anthropic co-founder and policy chief, Jack Clark, at this week’s Semafor World Economy conference.

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Clark added that Mythos, while ahead of the curve, is not a “special model.”

“There will be other systems just like this in a few months from other companies, and in a year to a year-and-a-half later, there will be open-weight models from China that have these capabilities,” he said. So the world is going to have to get ready for more powerful systems that are going to exist within it.” ___

O’Brien reported from Providence, R.I. AP business reporter Kelvin Chan contributed to this report from London.

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Carlo Ancelotti snubs Arsenal in naming his pick to win the Champions League | Football

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Carlo Ancelotti snubs Arsenal in naming his pick to win the Champions League | Football
Carlo Ancelotti believes PSG will retain their Champions League crowd (SPP/Shutterstock)

Carlo Ancelotti has backed Paris Saint-Germain to win the Champions League this season.

PSG ran out 4-0 winners on aggregate to eliminate Liverpool at Anfield this week and they will meet Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final after the Bundesliga side edged a thrilling 4-3 win over Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena earlier this week.

On the other side of the Champions League bracket, Arsenal played out a goalless draw with Sporting CP to secure their place in the semi-final and they will play Atletico Madrid, who beat Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate.

PSG won the Champions League last season and after a slow start this term, Luis Enrique’s side appear to be hitting top form with impressive wins over Chelsea and Liverpool in the knockout stage.

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In an interview with Il Giornale, Ancelotti named PSG as his pick to win the Champions League and added that ‘too many mistakes’ led to the amount of goals in Bayern Munich’s win over Real Madrid.

‘I’ve seen high-goal matches, Atletico Madrid-Barcelona and Bayern-Real Madrid offered thrilling moments for the fans,’ Ancelotti said.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: Ousmane Dembele of Paris Saint-Germain celebrates with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia after scoring their second goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain FC at Anfield on April 14, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League semi-final by eliminating Liverpool this week (Getty)

‘But too many goals also means too many mistakes, from goalkeepers and defenders. The so-called high pressure, man-to-man play, involves constant risks, and so the result can change from one moment to the next.

‘Even the build-up play from the back must be perfect, otherwise you immediately pay for the smallest of distractions.

Champions League winner odds

MUNICH, GERMANY - MARCH 18: Harry Kane of Munich celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between FC Bayern M??nchen and Atalanta BC at Football Arena Munich on March 18, 2026 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Markus Gilliar - GES Sportfoto/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich are the bookies’ favourite to win the Champions League (Getty)

Bayern Munich – 13/8

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Arsenal – 15/8

Paris Saint-Germain – 9/4

Atletico Madrid – 7/1

Odds via Betfair

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‘The Champions League is an open tournament that leaves great teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona, ​​and Manchester City on the sidelines, but it’s still a tournament where you can grow.’

Ancelotti is currently making his final preparations as Brazil’s head coach for the upcoming World Cup but heading into the tournament, the Italian named France as the best national team.

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‘There’s a French school that has brought together the best players, distributed across various European clubs, but who, together, form a national team that is today the best in the world,’ Ancelotti said.

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Bargain Hunt star begs followers for help after getting stuck in train toilet

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Daily Mirror

Telly auctioneer Charles Hanson wasn’t feeling ‘flush’ after finding himself locked in the loo on the train from Derby to London – and he caused a stink in the comments!

Bargain Hunt auctioneer Charles Hanson took to social media to plead for help after getting himself stuck in a train toilet.

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He begged someone to come to his rescue after the door jammed in the notoriously stinky facilities on board. Charles was heading to the capital for a charity auction when he got locked in. He uploaded a video of his trauma on X, formerly known as Twitter, and was met with predictably unhelpful replies.

“I’M STUCK IN THE LOO,” he posted. “If anyone is on the Derby train to London.. can you let me out the toilet? the door won’t open & I’m stuck.” He detailed a little more in the clip, and banged on the door asking anyone who was outside to try and get it open.

“If one is on the delayed 17.46 train to London but I’m locked in the loo…. If anyone is on the train and can help, I would be grateful,” he said. “For some reason, when I press these buttons, nothing happens. Hopefully I will be OK – have a lovely weekend, whatever you are doing.”

He forgot to tag in the train company, but one of his more helpful followers did. East Midlands Railway noticed, and replied: “I believe I’ve managed to track the train down based off of the video posted – I have contacted the Train Manager on board, and asked that they take a look and set him free (if I have managed to locate the right train!) Thank you for bringing this to our attention!”

Others on X were not as supportive. One posted: “The buttons have a smell sensor. Once the stench of your number 2 has gone, the doors will open. It’s a protection mechanism for other passengers.” Another said: “I bet you were a little flushed, not very convenient.”

He confirmed he had been released earlier this evening after even Edwina Currie saw his SOS. He told her: “All safely out, thank you Edwina… and back on track to the charity auction!”

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The star recently offered followers a glimpse into his personal life as he stumbled upon an unexpected discovery at his home. In a clip posted to his TikTok account, he explained exactly what had happened. Alongside the footage, Charles wrote: “Ripped my carpet up and you won’t believe what I found. Yes, I know, wrong tool, but I was excited.”

He went on to say: “I’ve had a very late night tonight. I’ve been busy with my screwdriver, and look at this. Old carpet. Underneath I’ve been revealing some of the original tiles which graced my house probably 140 years ago, but just look at what I’m revealing.” He went on: “It’s wonderful. Just look at this – at what I’ve done so far. It’s a revelation.” He then swings the camera around to show the state of the floor, and it’s safe to say the results are pretty spectacular, reports the Express.

In March, a thug who broke into his auction house to steal more than £21,000 in valuables was sentenced. He spoke after Shane O’Malley was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Derby Crown Court.

He said: “The emotional and financial impact of burglaries on homes and businesses is significant. I am pleased the police were able to bring this person to justice. I would say that while justice has been done, I would like to see harsher sentences imposed for crimes of this nature.”

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Gemma Collins tearfully threatens to quit I’m A Celebrity after prank ‘I’m done’

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Wales Online

The Towie legend was on the verge of walking out of I’m A Celebrity… South Africa camp.

Gemma Collins was just moments from quitting I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, after breaking down in tears.

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The Towie legend, 45, has had a few breakdowns in the jungle, as she returned to take on more of Ant and Dec’s bushtucker trials after her memorable three-day stint in 2014.

Despite lasting much longer than the first time, Gemma was close to walking out in tonight’s episode, as she declared, ‘I’m done’.

The GC has joined the likes of Scarlett Moffatt, Adam Thomas, Harry Redknapp, Ashley Roberts, Beverley Callard, and Sir Mo Farah, with David Haye, Sinitta, Craig Charles, and Jimmy Bullard completing the line-up, and Seann Walsh, who was the first celebrity to be evicted.

READ MORE: Alex Jones shares ‘sad news’ on The One Show after BBC colleague’s deathREAD MORE: David Haye hits out at ‘unwell’ I’m A Celebrity co-star in tense row

Gemma was about to become the second star to leave this series when she burst into tears at the thought of doing another trial.

Thinking they were all about to be put through their paces once again in a trial called ‘Prison of Hell’ and facing crawlies and critters, including rats and snakes, Gemma called out: “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”

“I’m done,” she said. “I can’t do any more. I can’t go through any more.”

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As her co-stars rallied behind her to offer their support, she tearfully went on: “I’ve done so much, I’ve been through so much, I can’t go in a prison. I just can’t do any more, guys.”

However, Gemma didn’t have to follow through with her threat, as Harry revealed he had been pranking the camp.

As they reeled from his joke, she said: “For me, that’s claustrophobic, I would just have to say them fateful words!”

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Viewers were left concerned, with one sharing on X: “I was so worried Gemma was gonna leave for a sec, she can’t leave yet.”

“I hope they don’t use Gemma as a cop out vote off decision, she’s got so much value in there and deserves to get further,” another said, as another laughed: “HARRY, THAT’S NOT FUNNY I THOUGHT WE WERE ABOUT TO LOSE AR GEMMA.”

This comes after Gemma wept over washing up in last night’s programme, while she spoke to Adam as they completed their chore.

The pair had been talking about burnt food and carcinogenic risks, as Gemma began: “You shouldn’t eat burnt food, honestly, it’s making me feel so ill, even the smell of that.”

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Breaking down into tears, she then said: “It’s been a difficult day, I don’t know why, and obviously I’ve got close with Adam, I just had to break down and let it all out.”

She added that she did feel good in herself “mentally”, but needed to let it all out.

“It’s just I can’t wash properly, I can’t have anything nice, I’ve got to wash up every five f**king minutes… I’m not used to this, I’m so not used to this, it’s not f**king me.”

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When Adam tried to tell her it was all part of “character building,” she replied: “How’s washing up building my character? I just feel like a downtrodden person right now.”

Things only got worse for Gemma, as she was later forced to endure a nighttime trial with Scarlett, and despite facing critters, crocs, and coal, she came back defeated.

She later sobbed: “I feel like you’re trying to kill me, you’re going to kill me, it’s not even funny.

“I feel like you’re definitely trying to kill me.”

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Frank Lampard leads Coventry back to Premier League as Sky Blues clinch promotion at Blackburn

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Frank Lampard leads Coventry back to Premier League as Sky Blues clinch promotion at Blackburn

The Sky Blues’ lowest ebb came when they dropped into League Two in 2017 but they have fought their way back and, after losing to Luton in the play-off final in 2023, have stormed the Championship under Lampard this season to secure their Premier League return with three matches to spare.

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Number of investigations into PSNI abuse of position for sex revealed

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Belfast Live

It comes in the wake of a report highlighting the number of vulnerable women who were the alleged victims of police officers abusing their positions for sexual purposes

The Police Ombudsman has revealed the number of open investigations into cases involving members of the PSNI abusing their positions for sexual purposes.

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The watchdog revealed the 34 investigations in a meeting with the Policing Board’s Performance Committee where it discussed a report that was released earlier this year that highlighted 36 vulnerable women who were the alleged victims of police officers abusing their postions from 2018 to 2024.

The current investigations involve some of those cases along with others that have been reported to the Ombudsman since January 1, 2025.

At the meeting Chief Executive Hugh Hume and other Police Ombudsman staff presented the findings of the report, answered questions and discussed the potential next steps to “support a system-wide response”.

Following the release of the Ombudsman report in March, Police Ombudsman Chief Executive Hugh Hume said police predatory behaviour is one of the most serious forms of corruption in policing. Mr Hume confirmed that the Police Ombudsman is currently investigating allegations of police predatory behaviour which involve a total of 39 victims and 20 serving and two former police officers.

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“We are seeing a rise in these cases and the majority of those are coming from the PSNI itself. This is welcome and shows a very clear willingness at the most senior level to identify and eradicate this kind of behaviour.

“I hope this analysis will support the PSNI further in recognising and addressing predatory police behaviour, as well as strengthening their systems so the opportunity for this type of corruption is reduced.

“I also believe our work to date is a tangible demonstration that the Police Ombudsman is supporting the Northern Ireland Executive’s strategy to end violence against women and girls. We will continue to contribute to that aim as we test these emerging findings against the outcomes of more investigations as they conclude.

“Although this is a small number of officers relative to the size of the PSNI, the abuse of their position for their own sexual gain inflicts significant and long-lasting damage on their victims.“Such is the power imbalance that many women do not report the offending directly for fear of reprisal and others can be so vulnerable that they do not recognise that the officer is abusing them and instead see him as a ‘knight in shining armour’ figure. Others do not see themselves as victims at all.“We hope one of the outcomes of publishing this report will be that any woman who has had a similar experience with a police officer will feel reassured that we take this kind of offending seriously and know that if this has happened to them, we will listen and we will investigate.”

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Harrogate specialist hire firm Vp gives trading update

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Harrogate specialist hire firm Vp gives trading update

The trading update says this was in line with previous guidance “in a challenging macroeconomic environment.

Annual revenue is expected to be around £360million.

The firm said it has maintained operational and financial discipline and continues to progress its strategic priorities.

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Harrogate-headquarted Vp expects £386.1m revenues in 2025/26

Despite tough market conditions, the Group says it continues to see long-term drivers of demand across its core sectors.

Within the Infrastructure sector, Electricity transmission continues to see growth and strong demand in both the UK and Europe.

Rail activity is steady but subdued, with good visibility on future project pipelines, the update continued.

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It reported positive leads in water, with higher revenues expected.

The Specialist Construction market remains supportive, particularly in London and Eire.

Housebuilding remains subdued, but with stronger prospects as Homes England’s Social and Affordable Homes Programme (SAHP) 2026-2036 commences.

The immediate impact of the Middle East conflict has been limited to higher fuel costs, largely mitigated through customer pricing.

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Since her appointment in February, the company said Chief Executive Alice Woodwark has focused on enhancing operational discipline and accelerating strategic execution.

This includes boosting cross-divisional efficiency with more multi-division projects.

A sharper focus on specialist infrastructure-led markets.

And using more digital tools to improve pricing, customer service and cross-divisional working.

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While market conditions remain mixed, Vp said its diversified model, financial strength and infrastructure exposure provide a solid foundation, and the Board remains confident in the Group’s positioning and future performance.

The Group’s balance sheet remains strong, supporting continued disciplined investment and value creation, with leverage remaining within stated targets.

Vp CEO Alice Woodwark said: “Vp has continued to deliver a disciplined performance and good strategic progress. Our focus on infrastructure-led markets, operational efficiency and digital delivery positions us well to navigate the near-term environment and build long term sustainable value for stakeholders.”

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The Peak District is a charming summer staycation spot with a defiant history

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The Peak District is a charming summer staycation spot with a defiant history

As my friend and I pause to reload our map of the Peak District and get our bearings, we meet the gaze of a seasoned hiker, his face lathered with suncream and his head covered by a sensible sunhat. He can see that we’re amateurs, and he’s keen to lend a hand. Within 15 minutes, the 91-year-old stranger named Brian has found us a scenic route through the ancient woodlands of Padley Gorge and shared tales of a childhood spent surrounded by this nature. The landscape has barely changed over the last century, he says, and it’s all the more beautiful as a result.

It’s the tail end of my long weekend in the Peaks. I spent Sunday night at the gorgeous Losehill House, a hotel and spa nestled in the picturesque Hope Valley. Before dinner that evening – a three-course, Michelin-worthy feast – co-owner Paul Roden, who runs the hotel with his wife, Kathryn, explained the historical significance of the building.

The Kinder Scout mass trespass led in part to the creation of the Peak District National Park
The Kinder Scout mass trespass led in part to the creation of the Peak District National Park (Getty/iStock)

Read more: The six best campsites in the Lake District

In 1932, ramblers from Manchester and Sheffield gathered at what’s now the hotel to plan a mass trespass. These were industrial workers desperate for respite from their smoggy cities, so they spent their weekends exploring the Peaks, only to be met with resistance by landowners. Ramblers responded by walking on the privately owned Kinder Scout plateau, a gutsy protest that led to six arrests, and sowed the seeds of the right to roam movement. In 1951, in part due to their activism, the Peak District was named the UK’s first national park. It’s a mammoth sprawl of nature that stretches some 555 square miles across Derbyshire, Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. Summarising the myriad jewels in its crown would be an impossible feat.

You might already be familiar with Bakewell, famed for its tarts, Chatsworth, known for the regal Chatsworth House, and Buxton, beloved for its thermal springs. But the lesser-known Hope Valley is home to fabled villages, breathtaking viewpoints and unorthodox tourist spots. Better yet, it’s accessible on public transport via the Hope Valley railway line, which links Sheffield and Manchester.

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No visit to the Peaks would be complete without a stop at the village of Hathersage, home to a heated open-air pool. It’s an idyllic spot with a literary legacy; its rugged landscapes inspired Jane Eyre (there’s even a Jane Eyre walking trail), and you can visit the alleged grave of Little John, Robin Hood’s second-in-command, whose “little” moniker is actually an old-school dad joke in reference to his colossal height.

Any long walk requires fuel, so my first stop is Colemans Deli. The spacious cafe is run by Jim and Lizzie Mothersele, who took the reins from founder Ian Coleman back in 2006. Jim trained at Chatsworth House as a young chef and has spent decades perfecting his menu. It’s classic but elevated. They preserve their own lemons to blend into mayonnaise for their citrusy coleslaw, and even the tomato ketchup is made from scratch.

The chilli chicken sandwich is a bestseller, but the salads are delicious, inspired by a date night spent years ago at Middle Eastern restaurant Ottolenghi. My BLT comes with a side salad of crunchy green beans, peas, black lentils and mixed leaves. “We didn’t just want to do your standard lettuce, tomato and cucumber,” Jim explained. They sing the praises of Hathersage for its tight-knit community feel, as well as the scenery – Lizzie recommends the North Lees Hall Walk, capped off with food at the Barrel Inn.

Nearby – on foot if you’re brave, or a short trip on the 257 bus – is the “Plague Village” of Eyam, which experienced a resurgence of interest during the Covid pandemic. We wandered around the genuinely fascinating Eyam Museum, complete with dress-up boxes and trivia gems. The most memorable discovery? One plague “cure” involved holding the backside of a chicken over sores, so the chicken could “absorb” the plague.

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A grave marker at eerie Eyam village
A grave marker at eerie Eyam village (Getty/iStock)

Read more: Our travel team choose their favourite beaches in the UK

Eyam is home to more independent cafes – the scones at Village Green are among the best you’ll try – and scenic walks. We explored gravestones scattered throughout the neighbourhood of Stoney Middleton, reading memorial plaques and marvelling at the 17th-century stone cottages. For a post-walk feast, head to Stella’s Kitchen, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant serving everything from Sunday roast to plantain crisp, as well as sticky, spicy ginger cake.

Luckily for us, Losehill House was ideally located: it’s a five-minute taxi ride from Hope train station, but secluded enough to feel like a private oasis. Guests can book spa treatments like facials and massages, but we chose to swim laps in the indoor pool and soak outside in the hot tub. The in-house restaurant – also open to non-residents – is award-winning, and it’s easy to see why: the pan-fried trout was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten. We tried a three-course menu, and catering for my vegan partner was happily straightforward, with a separate menu boasting dishes like shallot tarte tatin and a dark chocolate olive oil ganache.

Losehill House Hotel was ideally located for a weekend in the Peak District
Losehill House Hotel was ideally located for a weekend in the Peak District (Losehill House Hotel)

The final day of the trip started at Grindleford station, where we embarked on a long, circular hike around one of the Peak District’s most beautiful areas, Padley Gorge. It’s an ancient oak woodland rich in biodiversity, a birdwatcher’s paradise (we even spotted a wild nuthatch) and a magical backdrop for a surprisingly sunny walk. Children love paddling in the streams and hopping across stepping stones, and just a short hike away is the Longshaw Estate, an expanse of peaceful moorland with other wildlife-spotting opportunities. The cafe is well worth a visit, not least as there’s a regularly-rotating menu of scones – I tried the lemon and white chocolate version.

In the warmer months, you’ll find the Peaks’ natural attractions turn into unconventional tourist experiences. Peak Cavern – known locally as the “Devil’s Arse” – is in the gorge underneath the impressive Peveril Castle in Castleton, and in summer plays host to unique film screenings and one-off events. There are ongoing efforts to make the Peak District more accessible for wheelchairs, too; the recently-added accessible paths at Ilam Park are exemplary and in the Hope Valley, Ladybower Reservoir is a flat walk with the bonus option of an accessible boat ride.

Padley Gorge makes for a remarkable afternoon walk
Padley Gorge makes for a remarkable afternoon walk (David/Goache/National Trust Images)

It’s a surprisingly moving experience to make this pilgrimage through the Peaks, to venture through such an enormous stretch of unspoiled natural beauty. The Mass Trespass was an act of defiance, but it was also an act of love. In a world that too often treats nature as disposable, it’s heartening to while away the hours in woodlands which have survived the ravages of time.

How to do it

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Trains to Sheffield run from terminals across the country, including from London with East Midlands Railway and from Edinburgh with CrossCountry. Trains to Hope Station run from Sheffield and Manchester.

Where to stay

Rooms at Losehill House Hotel cost from £123 per night. The hotel is nestled in a secluded area of Hope Valley, but it’s a five-minute taxi ride from Hope station.

Jake was a guest of Losehill House

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Spring Preloved Clothes Sale for York Foodbank on April 18

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Spring Preloved Clothes Sale for York Foodbank on April 18

York Liberal Jewish Community is set to host their Spring Preloved Clothes Sale from 1pm to 3pm on Saturday (April 18) at York Unitarian Chapel


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The event is part of the community’s activities for Mitzvah Day which, according to Jewish tradition, is a time for performing good deeds and charitable acts – with proceeds going to the York Foodbank.

All clothes for sale will be pre-loved but good quality – giving people a chance to “spruce us their summer wardrobes” – and the event will also feature a gospel inspired sing-along.

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The event flyer (Image: Provided)

“Last year’s event was a successful clothes swap held in the Quaker Meeting House with money collected in aid of York City of Sanctuary. 

“Our community’s social action group regularly puts on events to support local charities, especially for those who may struggle, as part of our Mitzvah Day activities, a day when Jewish people traditionally do good deeds,” said a spokesperson for the group.

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David Haye ‘crossed a line’ as I’m A Celeb fans fume at Adam Thomas comments

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Daily Mirror

David Haye caused a stir in the I’m A Celebrity camp once again after his comments towards Adam Thomas, which Scarlett Moffatt asking him to stop

David Haye was yet again called out over his blunt actions in the I’m A Celebrity camp. The former boxer is back on the ITV show for a second stint following his efforts Down Under in 2012.

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After finishing third last time out, the ex-sports star is causing a stir in the South African All Stars edition with his brash ways and controversial thoughts. And it was the way he targeted Adam Thomas in Friday’s edition that had fans fuming with the heavyweight star.

David targeted Emmerdale star Adam Thomas and tried to make him take part in the Termite Terror trial. He was unable to accept that the former soap actor just wasn’t feeling up to it.

READ MORE: I’m A Celebrity stars rush to defend ‘unwell’ campmate after David Haye clashREAD MORE: ‘Jaw-dropping’ true crime series on Netflix viewers can’t help but binge

With Adam admitting it would be hard to get through it because of dehydration, David raged: “Dehydrated?! We’ve all got the same amount of water! Adam is doing it and that’s it!”

David’s co-stars continually tried to remind him that Adam wasn’t up for the challenge, but the sportsman began trying to force him to take part. He went on: “When is your top form gonna come?

“Why aren’t we forcing this dude to go and do it? Coincidentally, every time there’s something to do, he’s not feeling well!”

Scarlett tried to diffuse the situation, asking David to lay off. She said: “Stop it David, he’s not well!” Gemma also told him to leave Adam alone.

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Scarlett said to the cameras that she knows it’s just banter, but she’s a bit concerned that David is crossing the line at times. And fans on X, formerly known as Twitter, agreed. One user said: “There’s a fine line between bantering and bullying and David Haye is certainly crossing it.”

Another added: “I think David Haye is the person I’ve disliked most on TV ever, I positively detest him.” But it wasn’t all hateful for the former sports star. One user wrote: “David Haye cracks me up.” They added crying with laughter emoji faces.

It’s far from the first time David has ruffled feathers. His sexist comments caused a stir in camp – and had an even bigger reaction with viewers.

Earlier in the series, he made comments about his girlfriend Sian. When talking about his partner cooking for them all, he then added: “She’s like tall, blue eyes. She’s lovely. She’s got the personality of a proper ugly bird.”

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He went on: She has. Most ugly girls realise they don’t they’re not pretty enough to… they gotta have a personality to banter and to tell jokes and s**t, so people overlook the fact that they’re not aesthetically amazing, straight away.

“Which is what’s called Ugly Duckling syndrome, where girls are ugly, when they start off, and then they and then they kind of they, they get pretty as they get older. But they still got the personality of when they’re ugly. Does that make sense?”

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