If you’re looking to grow the best tomatoes, Monty Don has urged gardeners to avoid one big mistake in May.

Planting and growing your own tomatoes is an enjoyable and fulfilling experience that results in fresh, tasty and healthy fruit that surpasses the flavour of store-bought options. One of the perks of growing your own tomatoes is the wide array of varieties available, such as cherry, plum, and beefsteak, each offering unique tastes, shapes, and uses in cooking.

However, to get any variety of tomatoes to flourish, there’s one thing gardeners need to make sure they do this month. Sharing important jobs to do outdoors, Monty Don took to his gardening blog to share that now is the time to be planting tomatoes. However, this task comes with a warning gardeners need to take notice of.

Monty pointed out that tomatoes should only be planted in the greenhouse at the start of may, and gardeners should avoid planting any outside until late May.

He said: “It is time to plant out tomatoes in a greenhouse – although wait till the end of the month for outdoor ones.

“This is because tomatoes hate too much temperature fluctuation, and May nights can be chilly – especially if the days are warm.”

Jane Perrone gardening expert who presents and produces a houseplant podcast, and has written a range of gardening books, agreed with Monty as she claimed that this is the “number one error” tomato growers make in May.

She said, “The number one error in the month of May is being lulled into a false sense of security by the weather and planting tomatoes out too early.

“Tomatoes stop growing once the temperature drops below 10 to 12°C at night, and ideally they need 15°C in the day.

“And frost will kill them, so wait till the frost risk is completely over before sending them outside for good – which is the end of May in my neck of the woods, which is southern England.”

Planting tomatoes in gardens too soon in May, when the soil is still too cold, can hinder their growth, disrupt pollination, leading to lower quality fruit, and even raise the chances of fungal diseases in plants due to the moist weather.

However, when tomatoes are planted outdoors in late May, the likelihood of frost damage is minimal since the weather tends to be much sunnier and warmer.

For those who are starting early and planting tomatoes in the greenhouse, it’s important to incorporate a good amount of soil mixed with plenty of compost. Additionally, if you’re using a pot, make sure it’s at least 30cm deep to support healthy root growth.

Monty said: “Plant them deeply, burying them right up to the bottom leaf, as the buried section of stem will develop extra roots.”

Speaking ahead of the final weekend of campaigning, the First Minister said: “Throughout this campaign, the SNP has taken our positive, ambitious message to the people of Scotland about how we will improve the NHS, support people with the cost of living, and deliver the fresh start of independence.

She has never believed that the labelled sketch by Holbein actually shows Boleyn because, over the years, questions have arisen regarding certain details such as: the sitter’s informal dress, the name being inscribed in an 18th Century hand (long after Boleyn’s death), and the light-coloured hair and full chin, when there are references to her having dark hair and a thin neck.

Here’s hoping those taking part get the weather they want!

It’s a new month and already time for another Bank Holiday weekend that’s set to bring more changeable weather after the recent hot spell and an April that was drier and warmer than average for much of the UK.

Looking ahead to the long weekend weather and temperatures could reach 15°C in Belfast on Sunday as thousands of runners are set to take to the streets for the Phoenix Energy Belfast City Marathon.

Taking off from Stormont and finishing at Ormeau Park, thousands of runners will be taking on the 26.2 mile race to celebrate the event’s 44th year.

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Met Office meteorologist Simon Partridge says changeable conditions are forecast across the UK over the May Day weekend.

“There will be some bright spells in there as well on Saturday, but there will also be showers, particularly across northern and western parts of the UK,” said Mr Partridge.

Rain is forecast across the country on Sunday and temperatures will continue to cool towards averages for May.

“By the time we get to Monday, we’re actually going to see temperatures roughly where they should be for this time of year,” Mr Partridge said.

“We’re looking at elevens and twelves (degrees Celsius) in the north and fifteens and sixteens in the south, so it will feel quite fresh and chilly compared to what we’ve had.”

According to provisional figures from the Met Office, Northern Ireland received rainfall last month that was close to expected levels, while all four UK nations recorded a higher mean temperature in April than the long-term average.

Here’s what we can expect in Belfast this Bank Holiday this weekend:

Saturday:

A largely dry start but rather cloudy. Showers will develop, especially from late morning onwards, and some of these will be heavy and perhaps thundery at times. Maximum temperature 17°C.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Cloudy on Sunday with a chance of showers. Sunny spells and a few showers on Monday and Tuesday. Remaining cooler than recent days.

UK long range weather forecast: Wednesday 6 May – Friday 15 May

A fairly quiet start to the period looks likely with many areas seeing a good deal of dry weather. That said we are unlikely to see a return of the completely dry and warm weather we have see in recent days, with clear or sunny periods and showers more likely.

Toward the latter part of the period a trend toward more changeable weather is favoured although there should still be some drier intervals. After a cold start to the period, especially in the north, temperatures likely returning close to average later.

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Simon Wade has taken the reins of the 16th Century Punch Bowl Inn in the upmarket village of Marton Cum Grafton, just south of Boroughbridge in the Vale of York.

The venue adds to four others he owns in the area: The Grantham Arms, The Tapp and Tutt and the Fox and Hounds in Boroughbridge, plus the Blue Bell at nearby Arkendale

As previously reported Simon bought the pub because it is a ‘heritage pub’ that had been neglected and it would fit in with the rest of his portfolio.

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Simon Wade takes over The Punch Bowl at Marton Cum Grafton

Former owners Provenance Inn previously had it on the market for £695,000.

General manager Laura Addle says the Punch Bowl has had a complete renovation.

“Everything has been redecorated and re-upholstered. Simon’s wife has designed the upholstery and the interior. She’s put in extra lighting and made it really cost.

Simon Wade inside his fifth pub (Image: Darren Greenwood)

“We are bringing the Punch Bowl back to life. It’s a stunning pub with a fantastic history.”

Among the first customers, following today’s opening at noon, were couple Charles Martindale and Liz Prettejohn, who were making their first visit after a trip to Fountains Abbey.

Charles said: The pub has lots of character.”

“It’s very pleasant said Liuz. The staff are very welcoming.”

(Image: Darren Greenwood)

“We wanted a decent pub that served a decent lunch.”.

Raffa and Ula Zawistowicz from Poland, but live locally, were also making their first visit.

Ula said: “It looks absolutely gorgeous. We are about to try the food menu. I expect it will be amazing.”

General manager Laura Addle (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Outside enjoying the extensive beer garden were friends Amy Harland of Harrogate and Helen Goodwin of Leeds.

Simon and the team oustdide the Punch Bowl (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Amy said: “We came today because it has re-opened. We wanted to be nosey. It’s amazing. It looks incredible. So far the food is amazing.”

Helen said what they had was delicious and she loved the décor and the atmosphere, adding the staff are very welcoming.

Bob Grainer of PPS of York (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Village resident Jill Hewick of Marton was also enjoying the warm sun with friend Jo Badazona from Leeds, the she was originally from Marton.

Staffers Toby Glassin and James Bennett (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Jill said of the pub. “It looks good. Simon is the best person to own it. I was praying he was going to buy it. He’s certainly turned it around.”

Jo said: “It looks very good. It needed a new lease of life and somebody who cared for it.”

Back inside Bob Grainger of York firm PPS said: “It looks fantastic, it’s fabulous. I can’t believe how different it looks. It’s a transformation.”

Raffa and Ula Zawistowicz enjoy the sun (Image: Darren Greenwood)

Owner Simon Wade added: “I’m incredibly proud of how we have managed to transform a pub that was at its lowest. We are looking forward to the future, of regenerating its popularity and providing a sensational local pub for the village.”

The 1949 Ealing Studios classic was voted the 24th greatest British film of all time by the BFI

A classic WW2 film is airing on the BBC this Bank Holiday weekend.

Back in 1949, Ealing Studios unleashed their comedy classic Whisky Galore! featuring Basil Redford, Bruce Seton, Joan Greenwood and Gordon Jackson.

Based on the 1947 novel of the same name, the storyline is a faithful account of a Second World War event.

Scottish islanders off the coast of the Outer Hebrides have exhausted their whisky supplies owing to wartime rationing.

However, their fortunes change dramatically when they discover that the SS Politician has run aground, with the shipwreck containing 50,000 cases of the beloved spirit.

The whisky enthusiasts meet their match, though, as it is a Sunday and the local teetotallers alongside the Customs and Excise men object to the salvage, reports the Express.

Whisky Galore! was filmed on the island of Barra, where treacherous weather caused the shoot to overrun its 10 week schedule by five weeks, pushing the production £20,000 over budget.

Released in 1949, it arrived in the same year as Passport to Pimlico and Kind Hearts and Coronets, making it one of the most celebrated years for Ealing comedies. In 1999, the film was voted the 24th greatest British film of all time by the BFI.

A remake of the same name, starring Gregor Fisher, Eddie Izzard, Sean Biggerstaff, and Naomi Battrick, was released in 2016.

Over the years, the film has been highly praised by fans with many calling it one of the best made from Ealing Studios.

One person said: “Brilliant. Often imitated, never bettered. If not the best of the Ealing Comedies, it’s certainly the best-loved. Gordon Jackson’s mum steals the show.”

Another fan commented: “Brilliant. A black and white film that even manage to keep my 11-year old daughter all the way through. British craftmanship with a good story and great actors. A real classic that is still good today.”

While another shared: “This is worth watching, it is like peeping into another dimension, those people’s lives at that time. It does however still have the power to make the audience laugh.”

Whisky Galore! is on BBC Two at 10:20am on Bank Holiday Monday, and its 2016 remake is streaming on BBC iPlayer.

The food market will have a range of cuisines available to eat on the day or products to take home with you

A historic house with acres of surroinding parkland is hosting a “fantastic” and “delicious” food market over the bank holiday. Burghley House, which can be found just over the Cambridgeshire border in Stamford, will be holding the market over all three days of the long weekend.

The Spring Fine Food Market will be set in the “charming” Chestnut and Stable Courtyards and will feature a range of local producers as well as food from around the world. You will be able to walk around the different stalls and sample different items from handmade cheeses to crafted drinks.

You can pick up a few “foodie treats” to take home with you including jams, marmalades, and chutneys from the Jam Queen or baked goods from Bakery 91. There are also plenty of places to grab some ingredients to cook at home such as cheeses from the Lincolnshire Poacher Cheese and oils and dressings from Brock and Morten.

If you are hungry on the day, you can grab a bite to eat as well from stalls like Italian wood fired pizza from Amo La Pizza that are made to order and cooked in only 90 seconds. You might want to try some products from around the world as well like baked goods and hot drinks from Scandinavia by the Scandi Coffee Co.

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After taking a look around the food market, you might want to explore the surrounding deer park where you might be able to spot some of the adorable animals while walking around the parkland. The park also has a lake and great views of Stamford.

The food market will be running from Saturday, May 2, to Monday, May 4. The market will be open from 10am for people to start browsing the different food and drinks available and will close at 4pm.

Burghley House is a 25-minute drive away from Peterborough via the A47 or an hour long drive away from Cambridge via the A14. Entry to the food market is free and visitors are free to use the car park onsite.

‘Remain alert, not alarmed, and trust your instincts’

Greater Manchester Police have issued a statement after the UK terrorist threat level was increased to ‘severe’,

The UK terrorism threat level was raised by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre on Thursday night, meaning a terror attack is ‘highly likely’, after two Jewish men were stabbed in Golders Green, London, on Wednesday.

The body, which is based in MI5 but makes independent assessments, previously set the threat level at ‘substantial’, meaning an attack was “likely”.

Now GMP have said a ‘high-visibility’ policing presence in Greater Manchester’s Jewish communities would remain in place.

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The force issued a statement on Friday night in response to the raising of the threat level.

GMP said: “The safety of everyone within our communities remains our highest priority, and Greater Manchester Police will continue to work, day and night, to keep you safe.

“Following the attack in Golders Green, London, earlier this week, extra patrols were deployed around the city-region, with a particular focus on providing a high-visibility presence within our Jewish communities, and this will continue. We will work closely with our partners, and the approach will be continually reviewed in light of the change in threat level.

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“Our neighbourhood policing teams will remain visible and accessible in your area, and we will continue to engage with all our communities across Greater Manchester.”

The force urged the Greater Manchester public to remain alert, not alarmed, and to trust their instincts.

999 should always be called in an emergency.

Higher Broughton, Cheetham Hill and Prestwich are already subject to an increased police presence, including armed cops.

Last year Adrian Daulby and and and Melvin Cravitz were killed during a terror attack at Heaton Park synagogue in October last year. Three men were jailed in February over a plot to kill as many Jews as possible in a planned attack on Jewish areas of Manchester in the summer of 2024.

The decision to raise the level was not solely a result of the Golders Green attack, the Home Office said, adding that the terrorist threat level in the UK has been ‘rising for some time, driven by an increase in broader Islamist and extreme right-wing terrorist threat from individuals and small groups based in the UK’.

It also comes against a backdrop of ‘increased state-linked physical threats which is encouraging acts of violence, including against the Jewish community’, it added.

Head of Counter Terrorism Policing Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said officers have seen an ‘elevated threat’ to the Jewish community.

Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, he said: “Our casework is increasing across a number of ideologies, and within that, we are seeing an elevated threat to Jewish and Israeli individuals and institutions in the UK. We’re also working against an unpredictable global situation that has consequences closer to home, including physical threats by state-linked actors.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood urged people to be “vigilant”.

“I know this will be a source of concern to many, particularly amongst our Jewish community, who have suffered so much,” she said.

“As the threat level rises, I urge everyone to be vigilant, as they go about their daily lives, and report any concerns they have to the police. And I can assure everyone that our world-class security services and the police are working, day and night, to keep our country safe.”

The last time the level was raised to severe was in November 2021 after two attacks in the space of a month, with a bombing outside Liverpool Women’s Hospital on Remembrance Sunday and the murder of Conservative MP for Southend West Sir David Amess in October.

Birmingham Police wrote on X that the Utilita Arena in Birmingham was evacuated on Friday evening.

A 19-year-old man is in custody and the venue is being searched, the force added.

(Warning the video contains swear words)

Peter Kay pic.twitter.com/GXhfOKelJ2

— Richard Neville (@Richard05114030) May 1, 2026

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The Bolton comedian had been performing at the venue on Friday evening as part of his nationwide tour, which will bring him to the Albert Halls this summer, where tickets sold out in record time.

Packed house for Peter Kay gig (Image: X)

A spokesperson for the NEC (National Exhibition Centre), which owns the venue, said: “Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.

Handout photo taken with permission from the X social media site of Steve Aspinall of police at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham (Image: Steve Aspinall)

“The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority. We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure.

“Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course.”

Handout photo taken with permission from the X social media site of Steve Aspinall of police at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham w (Image: Steve Aspinall/PA Wire)

Miranda Richardson, 52, a pub landlady from Northampton, who attended Peter Kay’s gig, said the comic was on stage for 45 minutes before two members of staff came on, one of whom spoke into his ear.

She said: “It was very swift.

“One minute (Peter Kay’s) on stage and the gig is great, then two of the event team walk on stage straight to him, quick word and he’s ushered off.

“The staff tells us due to unforeseen circumstances we all have to evacuate the arena straight away.

“Staff helped get people out and it was calm and swift. We heard very quickly someone had claimed a bag had been left somewhere.

“No messing, it was just all out.”

Steve Aspinall went to the gig with his wife and told the Press Association two men came onto the stage about 45 minutes into the show.

“Two guys came on, one with a mic and headphones, one guy whispered to Peter Kay and then he and Peter Kay shot off down the side,” Mr Aspinall said.

He said the audience was told to look for security guards and listen out for any announcements.

“To be honest, I thought it was part of the show at first,” Mr Aspinall, who lives in Bideford, Devon, said.

“It was a strange atmosphere, eerie, just confused really (about) what was happening.

“But it was alright and everyone was calm and left quite quickly with no panic.”

The evacuation of the arena comes after the threat level has increased from substantial to severe.

The level is set by the Joint Terrorism Analysis Centre and the Security Service (MI5).