Deryck Thake’s son was involved in a serious car crash but made a quick recovery thanks to the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

A Cambridge man, whose son was involved in a crash that left his car in a ditch, says his son’s “quick recovery” was made possible by the air ambulance team. Deryck Thake’s 19-year-old son Andrew was involved in a serious car crash that left him in a coma.

Two crew members from the East Anglian Air Ambulance were able to reach the scene in just 18 minutes after receiving the 999 call. Mr Thake was able to reach his son where the crash had happened and said the crew remained ‘calm’ while looking after Andrew.

He said: “Unusually for a parent, I was actually able to get to the scene myself rather than meeting my son in hospital. So I could see the work they were doing. Frankly, it was like an episode of Casualty but there was an oasis of calm in the middle where the paramedic and doctor were working. They put Andrew in an induced coma so I had the unsettling experience of seeing my son on the trolley with tubes in his face.”

Mr Thake said the crew were completely in control of the situation even when they arrived at A&E. He continued: “He was then put into a land ambulance and taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital accompanied by someone from the East Anglian Air Ambulance, who took complete control when the ambulance arrived at A&E.

“They were telling everyone what to do in an authoritative but calm and respectful manner. It was fascinating to watch. He got attended to at the scene very quickly, which gave them more time to work at the scene so there’s less urgency to get to the hospital.”

He continued: “When he was at the hospital, there were various CT scans and things. He stayed in an induced coma for a day or so and was then brought out of the coma and made a very quick recovery. He was discharged from hospital in just under two weeks. I attribute that speed of recovery due to the quality and speed of the care he got at the scene.”

Mr Thake said the “service actually pays for itself” by helping to get hospital-level care to patients while still at a scene, which gives them a greater chance of recovering quicker and leaving the hospital sooner.

He decided to walk 63 miles when he turned 63 to raise money for the charity. He signed up to the Cambridge Half Marathon and walked the remaining 50 miles around Cambridge and Ely over the following two days.

Mr Thake was able to raise over £2,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, much more than his original target of £500. The charity is now trying to raise £8.2 million to be able to build its new air base in Fulbourn, as Cambridge Airport is set to close in 2030.

For people thinking of getting involved in fundraising for the air ambulance, Mr Thake wanted people to know that “anyone could need” the service. He said: “There are obviously lots of good charities. But anyone of us in this room could need the services of the air ambulance.

“We may or may not be involved in a road traffic collision at some point. We could just fall on the high street or collapse while out walking in a field and need the service of the air ambulance. That seems to me a very good reason to keep the service going and support it.”

You can donate to the cause by texting BASE10 or BASE20 to 70480 or by calling the donation hotline on 03450669999. You can also donate via the East Anglian Air Ambulance website or by using the appeal envelopes that will be sent to households across the region.

If you have been inspired by Mr Thake, you can also raise money through events or challenges like bake sales or skydives.

At least the climax to the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage provided a gripping finale to follow the previous week’s thrilling Masters. The past fortnight has shown why pro golf can be a very attractive sporting product.

On both occasions Scheffler banked multiple millions despite the frustration of finishing second on bogey-free weekends.

But credit Fitzpatrick for withstanding last Sunday’s charge from the American four-time major champion. Sheffield steel shone through as partisan US support brought a Ryder Cup atmosphere to Hilton Head.

“I’m paid so much money to be out there in front of those crowds,” Fitzpatrick said. “Having them chanting at you every week, it’s a great feeling.

“However, there’s no better feeling than coming out on top against that.”

Fitzpatrick had been on the receiving end of similar noise when Cameron Young hunted him down during the Players Championship in March.

He withstood even louder vitriol to grab a crucial half against a spirited DeChambeau fightback in the Bethpage Bearpit at last year’s Ryder Cup.

And after the brilliant shootout birdie that beat Scheffler for his most recent win, Fitzpatrick borrowed an analogy from his other sporting passion, football.

“It’s kind of winning away against your biggest rival,” said the avid Sheffield United fan. “Nothing to do with Scottie or the players; it’s the fans that have spurred me on there.”

It was a sporting spectacle that was well worth watching, although whether it justifies such inflated rewards is open to debate. PGA Tour purses would not be so grand had Saudi not pumped so much cash into the rival LIV tour.

Oil money has driven rampant inflation that has made millions for so many golfers, especially in the men’s game. But it has also benefited, to an admittedly much lesser extent, the female side of the sport.

The Ladies European Tour’s PIF Global Series includes five events in three continents, with tournaments in England, Las Vegas, Seoul, Shenzhen and Riyadh where prize funds total $15m.

And this week a Texas oil giant dips into its reserves to fund the Chevron Championship in Houston, the first women’s major of the year, to the tune of $8m.

Loose change to the likes of Rahm and DeChambeau, but perhaps more realistic sums than those that have made so much noise in the men’s game in recent years?

The Prime Minister said: “The fact that I wasn’t told that Peter Mandelson had failed his security vetting when he was appointed is astonishing. The fact that I wasn’t told when I said to Parliament that due process had been followed is unforgivable, and that’s why I intend to set out in Parliament on Monday the facts behind that, so there’s full transparency in relation to it.”

The area’s newest sporting venue, Wressle Grange Padel Club, celebrated its official launch on Saturday (April 18).

The purpose-built facility, set in the heart of the countryside, welcomed over 300 visitors from Wressle and surrounding villages, many of whom were trying padel – the world’s fastest-growing sport – for the first time.

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The club boasts two all-weather padel courts – equipped with full-coverage canopies and underfloor heating.

Hundreds of people turned out to try padel for the club’s launch (Image: Wressle Grange Padel Club)

Families were able to play together in taster sessions throughout the day, with many older visitors commenting on how quickly they were able to pick up the sport and enjoy full rallies.

Emma, who travelled from Holme-on-Spalding-Moor to attend the launch, said: “I can’t believe what an amazing, social and fun environment Wressle Grange Padel Club is.

“It’s very friendly, with a huge range of ages playing. I can’t wait to join a group and come back and play again.”

Club owners Graham and Claire Foster, fourth-generation farmers at Wressle Grange Farm, were present throughout the day welcoming visitors and helping new players navigate the digital booking system via the Playtomic app.

Graham said: “We are incredibly grateful for the support we’ve received from our neighbours and the wider community since we first opened our doors in March.

“Seeing the courts full of people from across the generations is exactly what we envisioned. From the fast-paced challenges with Amy from HEAD Padel to families playing together, the energy was incredible.

“We wanted to create a space that feels welcoming for everyone, and the turnout shows padel has a very bright future here in East Yorkshire.”

Wressle Grange Padel Club is now open seven days a week from 8am to 10pm.

Courts cost £24 during off-peak hours and £40 at peak times, with racquets available to borrow free of charge.

The site also offers free parking, changing facilities and showers.

Bookings can be made through the Playtomic app.

Membership is available for £12 per month or £120 per year, offering priority booking and a 20 per cent discount on court hire.

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East between the US, Israel, and Iran has resulted in a recent spike in fuel prices.

Several major airlines have already responded to this spike by increasing fares, adding or increasing fuel surcharges, and cutting flights.

Aer Lingus cuts 500 flights – see the services affected

Now, Aer Lingus has cut 500 flights from its schedule due to “mandatory maintenance”, according to the Sunday Independent.

The cuts are set to cause travel disruptions for “tens of thousands of passengers” over the coming weeks.

The airline is axing a select number of transatlantic flights, internal Aer Lingus documents seen by the Sunday Independent have revealed.

Aer Lingus cuts over 500 flights for ‘maintenance’ as fuel shortage fears growhttps://t.co/UCyrkgbjSF

— Irish Independent (@Independent_ie) April 19, 2026

Services to and from Seattle, San Francisco, Minneapolis-St Paul, and Toronto will be impacted by the cancellations, according to the documents.

Departures from Dublin to many European airports, including Berlin, Zurich, Athens, Faro, and Amsterdam, will also be removed from the Aer Lingus schedule, on select dates.

A “small number” of cancellations will affect passengers travelling from Shannon and Cork airports.

Flights to London Heathrow, ­Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Edinburgh will also be cancelled, with passengers rebooked onto other services, the Sunday Independent said.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson said: “Aer Lingus has commenced operating its planned summer schedule.

“A number of recent cancellations have been required due to mandatory maintenance on aircraft, along with a limited number of schedule adjustments.

“Schedule changes apply to approximately 2% of Aer Lingus’ overall schedule.

“Where schedule adjustments are being made, the vast majority of customers are being reaccommodated on same day services.”

Spanish Airport to close for a month with all flights cancelled

Meanwhile, Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport in Spain is set to close for an entire month due to resurfacing work on the runway.

These works will see all flights cancelled, affecting thousands of British travellers.

When will Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport be closed?

Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport will be closed from April 23 to May 27 due to runway resurfacing work.

Its website continues: “During this period, the airport will be closed to all air traffic, and no takeoffs or landings will take place.

“If you have any questions about your flight status, schedule changes, or possible rebooking, we recommend contacting your airline.”

How does this closure affect British travellers?

Around 30 flights run each week between the UK and Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport.

Most of the flights operate out of London-based airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted, while there are also non-direct flights to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro from Manchester.

The major Airlines that operate flights between the two include Vueling, Ryanair, British Airways, Aer Lingus, and KLM.

All these flights will be cancelled for nearly five weeks while the airport is closed, affecting thousands of Brits travelling to southwest Spain.

For those still looking to travel to the area, the two closest alternatives to Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport are:

• A Coruña Airport (around 75 km away)
• Vigo Airport (100 km)

Do these Aer Lingus flight cancellations impact your travel plans? Let us know in the comments below.

The 2003 comedy holds a 92% Rotten Tomatoes rating and was the highest-grossing music-themed comedy of all time until 2015

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A beloved comedy from the Noughties is now accessible to stream without charge following ITVX’s expansion of its film catalogue.

The 2003 production features an outstanding ensemble including Jack Black, Joan Cusack, and Sarah Silverman, and held the record as the highest-earning music-based comedy ever until Pitch Perfect 2 surpassed it in 2015.

The picture, amongst numerous titles available on ITV’s streaming service ITVX, garnered widespread critical acclaim upon its initial release and maintains an outstanding 92 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Two decades on in 2025, it secured a place in the Readers’ Choice edition of The New York Times’ compilation of The 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century.

School of Rock is the title in question, and supporters have flocked to Rotten Tomatoes to express their views.

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One admirer declared: “One of the best movies of all time, Jack Black is phenomenal”, while another contributed: “Definitely one of the best Jack Black movies ever!”

A third remarked: “What an entertaining, incredibly charming comedy. Jack Black is at his best, and Mike White really knows how to craft a charming story. It’s an all-timer as far as comedy goes.”

A fourth observed: “Name another movie like this? I honestly can’t. The kids, the adults, the story, the music, all one of a kind. Such a fun movie.”

The film garnered multiple award nominations, with lead actor Black securing a Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical, and claiming an MTV Movie Award for Best Comedic Performance.

Plans for a sequel have been discussed, though nothing has materialised yet. In 2024, Black expressed his enthusiasm for a follow-up project.

In an interview with news outlet Joe, he remarked: “I’m ready. You know Mike White wrote the first one and he’s a genius. And we’d have to have Mike White back in the saddle, but he’s real busy right now with White Lotus, the best show on TV.”

The film also inspired a stage production by Andrew Lloyd Webber, which concluded its run in January 2019 following over 1,000 performances.

Audiences may also recall a television adaptation featuring Breanna Yde, Ricardo Hurtado, Jade Pettyjohn, Lance Lim, Aidan Miner and Tony Cavalero.

The programme aired for three series between 2016 and 2018 on Nickelodeon.

School of Rock is on ITVX

It’s that most promising time of year, when blossom perfumes the air, birds chirp, and market season swings into action in the UK capital. This weekend, two colourful events are offering the chance for visitors to slow down, shop locally, and rediscover the joy of being out in the city.

At Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, a new curated market is taking a stand against mass-produced, fast-shipped products and focusing on sustainability, ethical practices and handmade goods. The Ethical Edit, an ethical traders market, will bring together a line-up of independent makers and small brands working across ceramics, textiles, prints, clothing, natural skincare and more.

Meanwhile, across the city at King’s Cross, the Classic Car Boot Sale returns this weekend, transforming Granary Square, Lewis Cubitt Square and Coal Drops Yard into a high-energy celebration of vintage style, music and sustainable fashion.

Here, over 100 vintage traders will sit alongside more than 100 classic and heritage vehicles, creating a vibrant space where ethical fashion meets automotive heritage. 

“This year’s event has a real sense of momentum,” said Wayne Hemingway MBE, founder of Hemingway Design and co-founder of The Classic Car Boot Sale, which first launched in 2013. “It’s about great design, individuality and making sustainable choices feel exciting and accessible.” 

Read the full story here.

Image: Mykola Romanovsky

A Greggs shopper has timed their visits to the bakery chain to find the best time to guarantee fresh and hot bakes – and the ‘sweet spot’ isn’t early in the morning

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Popping into Greggs for a sausage roll can be something of a lottery – unless you’re clued up on this nifty timing tip. We all have a soft spot for Greggs, but if you’re a regular visitor to the beloved bakery chain, you’ll be well aware that getting your timing spot on is essential to guarantee your sausage roll, bake, or pizza slice arrives piping hot.

Greggs produces fresh batches of hot pastry items throughout the day, but they aren’t kept warm once they’re placed on the shelves – so if you turn up too late, you could find yourself with a lukewarm bake that’s a far cry from its best. So what is the optimum time to visit Greggs if you’re after hot food? One food enthusiast on social media has done the maths and now believes they’ve uncovered the ideal time to pop in for “fresh” food with plenty of variety.

In a post on the Greggs Reddit forum, one person wrote: “Started timing my Greggs visits and it actually made a noticeable difference, anyone else do this? I used to just walk into Greggs whenever I was nearby and hope for the best, but recently I started paying attention to timing.

“Going earlier in the day, especially mid-morning, the food is usually fresher, and there’s more choice available. A couple of times, I went later in the afternoon and noticed things were either sold out or not quite as fresh. It’s a small thing, but it changed the overall experience more than I expected. Now I plan it slightly instead of just popping in randomly.”

Commenters beneath the post were in agreement with the original poster. One individual even provided a specific timeframe, describing the “sweet spot” as the late morning, specifically between 10:45am and 11:30am.

They explained: “10:45 to 11:30 is the sweet spot. Fresh pizza at 11. Breakfast stops, so the bakes are all fresh.”

The original poster then responded: “That actually lines up with what I’ve noticed without really thinking about it. It’s like that awkward in-between where breakfast is gone, but lunch hasn’t been picked over yet.”

A Greggs staff member also contributed to the discussion with additional insight, revealing that the best time to visit actually varies depending on what you’re hoping to purchase.

They disclosed: “If you want very fresh cakes, come first thing in the morning! Yum yums are nice and soft, the glazing on them isn’t hardened, and the icing on the doughnuts is nice and moist too.

“For bakes, when you see there’s less than three or four of an item, that’s when we put in a fresh batch, so stick around for a good 20 minutes, usually takes a bit less than that if you’d like your bake fresh out of the oven. Hot sausage rolls are different; we have many batches ready at all times unless it is absolutely manic. In my eyes, the busier the shop is, the hotter your sausage rolls will be. I’ll just leave it at that if it’s any help.”

Greggs deliberately avoids keeping their pastry products piping hot at all times, and it’s actually a strategy that helps keep prices down for customers.

In the UK, hot takeaway food is subject to value-added tax (VAT), while food that has cooled or is served cold is exempt from this levy. If Greggs were to maintain the temperature of their sausage rolls and other baked goods after cooking, they would be obliged to pass this tax on to customers, resulting in higher prices at the till.

The bakery chain addresses this directly on their website, stating: “We sell savouries that are freshly baked in our shop ovens, then put on a shelf to cool. We don’t keep them in a heated environment, use heat-retaining packaging, or market them as hot because of this.”

They go on to add: “As bakers, we believe that baking our savouries fresh each day gives customers the best quality product. If the sausage rolls and bakes were kept hot after they had been baked, then they would be subject to VAT and the customer would have to be charged a higher price, in the same way that we charge VAT on our hot sandwiches, which are kept in a heated cabinet and are subject to VAT.”

“There are examples of balls that transfer high or low energy through all eras of play” said Andy Harland, professor of sports technology at Loughborough University.

“There is no trend that suggests the magnitude of energy transfer is increasing or decreasing over time.

“Our evidence suggests that high energy pressure wave transfer was not limited to leather balls, so, if this energy is associated with neurodegenerative disease, it is not a problem that has gone away with modern balls.”

It comes with football under mounting pressure to take more action on brain injuries, and renewed scrutiny on the relationship between heading and neurodegenerative illnesses.

In January, a senior coroner declared that repeatedly heading footballs is “likely” to have contributed to the brain disease which was a factor in the death of former Leeds United and Manchester United defender Gordon McQueen.

McQueen, who was diagnosed with vascular dementia, died in 2023 aged 70.

Former England striker Jeff Astle, who died following years of neurological symptoms, is considered the first footballer whose death was shown to have been impacted by heading footballs.

Dr Ieuan Phillips, lead researcher at Loughborough University, said: “These findings provide opportunities to work towards ball designs and testing specifications that minimise energy transfer into the brain.

“We’re hoping that this discovery provides some valuable information that could look more specifically at the potential causes of the disease that we’re seeing in retired players.

“At the moment, we see correlations and statistical observations about them and their careers in the game.

“As yet, it’s unexplained as to what exactly it is about the collision with a football in a header that is causing damage to the brain, and it may well be many years until we can reach that point. But I think this discovery allows us to focus specifically on something which we’ve never measured before.

“Most excitingly, it gives us the opportunity to make changes to the ball. This energy transfer that we’ve measured is separate from the big picture of the ball hitting the head and the player’s head recoiling. It is over at the very beginning of the collision and represents a very discreet pulse of energy that passes into the brain.”

In 2022, the FA became the first national association to remove deliberate heading in grassroots football matches at Under-12 level and below, on a trial basis.

In 2024, a further step was taken by the FA to phase out heading in youth games.

An Israeli soldier was photographed hitting the head of Jesus Christ in a crucifix with a sledgehammer, sparking outrage and condemnation.

The photo, taken in southern Lebanon, where Israel is continuing their campaign to establish a ‘buffer region’ outside of its own territory, prompted outcry from prominent politicians.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the photo was real, writing on X: ‘I condemn the act in the strongest terms. We express regret for the incident, and for any hurt this has caused to believers in Lebanon and around the world.’

The Israeli Defence Forces said in a statement: ‘The IDF views the incident with great severity and emphasises that the soldier’s conduct is wholly inconsistent with the values expected of its troops.

‘The IDF is operating to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure established by Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and has no intention of harming civilian infrastructure, including religious buildings or religious symbols.’

The apology has fallen on deaf ears, however, with many pointing out that in the past, the IDF has fired on other religious sites.

In 2024, an airstrike killed eight people who were sheltering inside the St George Melkite Catholic Church in Derdghaya, Lebanon.

The strike was rebuked by Pope Francis, who called for a ceasefire in Lebanon. The IDF said the strike was targeting militants who were operating nearby.

Last summer, Gaza’s only Catholic church – a refuge for many Christians during Israel’s war on Palestinians – was bombed. Two people were killed and several, including the parish priest, were injured.

Father Gabriel Romanelli was very close to the late Pope Francis, and the two spoke every night since the beginning of Israel’s massacre in Gaza.

Fadel Naem, the acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, said both Christians and Muslims had been sheltering inside at the time of the attack.

They included several young children with disabilities, one of whom was injured.

Why are Israel and Lebanon fighting?

Hezbollah fired missiles across the border days after the US and Israel attacked Iran, resparking a lengthy regional conflict.

Israel responded with widespread bombardment of Lebanon and a ground invasion, and claims to have killed hundreds of Hezbollah fighters.

Israel has killed more than 1,530 people in Lebanon, including more than 100 women and 130 children, in the attacks. More than one million people have been displaced in Lebanon.

Days ago, Trump boasted that he was close to ending his tenth war after Israel and Lebanon agreed on a 10-day ceasefire.

He said he wanted a ‘lasting peace’ between the nations, adding: ‘It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE! President DONALD J. TRUMP’.

Speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, he said Hezbollah would be included in the ceasefire agreement.

Trump expected Aoun and Netanyahu to meet in the next week or two, before saying the White House meeting between the Mideast leaders could happen in the next four or five days.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

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