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Glasgow City Council has ‘no powers’ to stop Celtic or Rangers title party chaos

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Daily Record

Chiefs have “no powers” to stop fans potentially causing title party mayhem if Celtic or Rangers win the league.

Bosses at Glasgow City Council have admitted they have “no powers” to prevent Celtic or Rangers fans causing carnage on the streets if either of them win the league.

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Both sets of supporters have taken to the city’s streets in the last five years to celebrate title triumphs and left a wave of destruction in their wake.

Fears over repeat carnage with the final day of the Scottish Premiership season just two weeks away recently forced police and Glasgow City Council to hold talks in order to prevent similar scenes. But council chiefs have now said there are no tangible enforcements that could stop fans from gathering in the city centre.

A city council spokesman told the Sun: “It is clear there are no powers which could compel fans to not gather in the city centre.

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“We have agreed to work together on facilitating celebrations which would be meaningful to fans and less impactful on communities.”

The talks between Police Scotland and the council came after violence marred the recent Scottish Cup quarter-final at Ibrox when both sets of fans clashed on the Ibrox pitch in March.

Concerns about potential disorder are well-founded. In 2021, after Rangers won the league for the first time in almost a decade, fans descended on George Square in defiance of Covid restrictions to celebrate.

Chaos ensued as fans started fighting each other, and riot police on horseback were sent in to try and break up the crowd. The incident saw more than 47 police officers injured and more than 50 arrests made.

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The following year, thousands of Celtic fans gathered in the city centre to celebrate their title win. Although the celebrations passed without major incident, a massive clear-up job was left for council staff and residents.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are liaising with the SPFL, clubs and other partner agencies ahead of end of season fixtures. Proportionate policing plans will be in place to minimise disruption and ensure public safety,” while a council spokesman added: “We are continuing to engage with both clubs and police colleagues.”

In what is set to be one of the most enthralling season finales in recent memory, Hearts, Rangers and Celtic are all set to go toe-to-toe in the final four matches of the season.

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The post-split fixtures will see Celtic host Hearts in a potential title decider at Celtic Park on the final day of the season, while Rangers travel to Falkirk.

The SPFL confirmed that the final fixture list had been signed off by police and was shared with the city council for any concerns to be raised.

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Great Yorkshire Show 2026 to host return of national shows

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Great Yorkshire Show 2026 to host return of national shows

Taking place in Harrogate from Tuesday, July 14 to Friday, July 17, the event will feature the best of British agriculture, with 8,500 animals, cutting-edge machinery, and entertainment for all ages.

Rachel Coates, show director, said: “I’m really looking forward to welcoming thousands of visitors to the Great Yorkshire Show for four days of celebration as we showcase every aspect of what makes the countryside such a special place.

“As well as being a great day out for all the family, the Great Yorkshire Show puts farming, food and the countryside centre stage to highlight excellence in the way our food is produced and the landscape is managed.

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“Behind all of this are hard-working families and innovative businesses who, like everyone else, are battling rising inflation.

“I hope the show encourages people to buy British and back local producers.”

Traditional favourites will return alongside new features to be announced in the coming weeks.

This year’s event will include national shows for Zwartbles sheep and Charolais cattle.

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Martin Preston, president of the Zwartbles Sheep Association, said: “It’s the biggest show in England and people come from all over to be part of it.

“The Show is very popular with Zwartbles breeders across the country and for us, it’s the biggest part of our year.

“It’s where we see our friends and there’s great pride in having a show like this so local to us.”

The main ring will feature daily performances by The Bolddog FMX motorbike stunt team, alongside world-class showjumping.

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Food lovers can look forward to the popular Food Hall, which includes a dedicated Cheese and Dairy Show.

The Agri-Innovation Village will showcase the latest technologies shaping the future of farming, while the machinery demonstration ring will return with live displays.

Allister Nixon, chief executive of the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, said: “This is a really exciting time, following months of planning at the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, with the input of hundreds of stewards and dedicated volunteers as we start the countdown to our flagship event.

“The Society works throughout the year to champion the industry, and it’s all brought together for four days of competition and celebration in support of everyone connected with the countryside.”

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The Great Yorkshire Show has attracted 140,000 visitors and has sold out every year since moving to advance sales only in 2021.

Tickets are available in advance-only at last year’s prices: £36.50 for adults, £13 for children, and £89 for families.

Farmer tickets, which offer flexibility to attend on any day of the show, are available for those who work on-farm.

These are also held at last year’s prices: £27.50 for adults, £10 for children, and £65 for families.

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An approved form of ID is required to purchase and use farmer tickets.

To make the day more accessible, The Harrogate Bus Company will run free shuttle buses every 10 minutes from Harrogate Bus Station to the showground’s White Gate, starting at 7.30am daily.

The last bus departs the showground at 7pm.

The show will also be supported by social media coverage from South Yorkshire farmer and YouTuber Joe Seels, North Yorkshire farmer and podcaster Rebecca Wilson, and Cumbrian farmer and YouTuber Charlotte Ashley.

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Visitors are encouraged to download the free Great Yorkshire Show App to help plan their day.

The app includes timetables, key highlights, an interactive map, and details of trade stands and shopping.

More information is available at greatyorkshireshow.co.uk.

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Red carpet rolled out for The Corinthians Ladies FC legends

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Red carpet rolled out for The Corinthians Ladies FC legends

As reported in The Bolton News the football team which was founded by a Bolton legend Percy Ashley inspired a film which has been showing at The Light Cinema in Market Place.

The footballing legends walked the red carpet for a special screening of the film in Bolton.

The team, The Corinthians Ladies FC stood up to the might of The FA’s 50-year ban on women playing the sport to become global champions. 

A red carpet-style screening took place in Bolton, for the award-winning documentary.

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The Corinthians: We Were The Champions was shown at The Light cinema in Market Place Shopping Centre with a special VIP event featuring a green, football-themed carpet, a post-film Q&As, and appearances by former players, the director and guests.

The screening followed a successful earlier run in Bolton, where the film prompted what organisers described as an “outpouring of pride” for the team’s founder, Percy, and his daughter Doris.

Filmmakers said the reaction was sparked in part by local coverage in The Bolton News celebrating the pair’s Bolton roots, which led them to organise a return event focused on their legacy.

Directed by Helen Tither of Manchester-based production company Films Not Words, the documentary tells the story of Corinthians Ladies FC, a team formed in 1949 at a time when women’s football was banned by The Football Association.

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Despite the ban, which ran from 1921 to 1971, Percy Ashley – a former Bolton Wanderers scout – established the team so his daughter Doris could play, going on to train a squad that achieved major success both in the UK and abroad.

The team later beat Germany to win an unofficial European Cup in 1957 and defeated Juventus in 1970 and has since been described by the National Football Museum as one of the most successful women’s teams the country has seen.

The film, told entirely in the words of 10 surviving players including Myra Lypnyckyj, Anne Grimes, Pauline Hulme, Marlene Cook, Freda Ashton, Monica Curran, Margaret ‘Whit’ Whitworth, Jean Wilson, Jan Lyons and Margaret ‘Tiny’ Shepherd, combines archive footage, animation and a punk-inspired soundtrack to bring their story to life.

L – R Players Margaret ‘Tiny’ Shepherd, Margaret ‘Whit’ Whitworth, Myra Lypnyckyj, Marlene Cook and filmmaker Helen Tither (Image: Lisa Valentine – Newsquest)

Speaking to The Bolton News on the night, Marlene, 84, from Denton, said: “I played for the Corinthians from 1957 until 1963.

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“I went to Portugal, Italy, South America and finished up in Jamaica. We went on 29 planes starting from Venezuela and going all around the Caribbean.

“I always played football with my brother. We saw it [the team] advertised and I went along. He said, ‘Can you kick a ball?’, and that was it, I was in.”

Myra , 90, from Stockport, said: “It was brilliant. I joined in 1954 and went to Portugal twice, Madeira, Germany, Holland and the Isle of Man.

“It all started when I was playing table tennis and a guy came to the door and said that one of his table tennis players was ill and would I mind filling in.

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“I went to the WCA and met a girl called Ann Robinson who ran the table tennis team. She told me that she played on a woman’s football team, I told her it sounded interesting and asked to go along.

“She took me with her that Sunday, I spoke to the manager and he said he’ll see how I shape. I must have shaped ok because I was in.”

“It was lovely and I’d do it all again tomorrow.

Margaret, 80, originally from Fallowfield, added: “I started playing when I was 12 in 1958.

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“I went to Holland first with the team as I was too young, just to get a bit of experience with them.

“Then when I was 14, we went to South America for three months, then Italy, Tunisa, France.

“It was a fantastic time and I loved every minute of it. I just started playing with the lads when I was young, I’ve always liked football.

“My family are big football supporters so I’ve been born into it. It’s sad when you think I want to do it all again but I can’t!”

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Margaret, 79, from Tyldesley, said: “I was Margaret Taylor when I played and was nicknamed ‘Tiny Taylor’.

“I started with the team in 1967 purely by accident. I met a girl playing netball for the civil service and we had a kick about at half time.

“She asked if I played football and I said, ‘No – women don’t play football’. She said, ‘Oh yes they do, I play!’

“She took me along one Sunday and I never looked back. I was very fortunate to get to France to win the European cup against Juventus.”

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The Corinthians with players from Bolton Wanders LFC (Image: Lisa Valentine – Newsquest)

Helen said the response in Bolton had been particularly significant.

She said: “We were really blown away by the response to the film in Bolton and how proud people were to have this Boltonian legend at the centre of the film.

“On the day our film has its first national screenings, we wanted to make the Bolton event extra special.

“Percy Ashley was what we would call a true ‘male ally’ these days.

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“He founded a women’s football team against all odds, defying the establishment to help his amazing footballer daughter, Doris, play the game she loved.

“Today they are recognised as one of the greatest women’s football teams this country has ever had.

“Unfortunately, Percy and Doris never lived to see the historic apology their story has sparked from The FA, but we want to keep the memory of his contribution alive.”

Percy’s great granddaughters, Alison Norris and Karen Martin were also at the Bolton screening.

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Alison said: “We’ve been involved with the Corinthian’s and the making of the film since the beginning.

“Before that, during the Women’s Euro’s in 2022, I saw a mention of Percy Ashley and thought, ‘that’s my relative, what’s his name doing there?’.

“That’s how it all started. I met ‘Tiny’ at one of the Euro games and then she told me what they were trying to do with the film.

“Doris was our great aunt and she didn’t talk about it. We knew there was a connection but we didn’t have clue to what extent.

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“I can’t believe what they [the filmmakers] found out and that we can see Percy on screen – that’s amazing.”

Karen said: “I’m really excited to come and be able to see the film as I was away for the premiere.

“It’s phenomenal what they all did. The sad thing is that no-one really seems to know about it, it seems to be a secret almost.

“The story is an amazing, fantastic one. There’s nothing better than a true story and what the achieved at that time and travelling abroad as women was phenomenal.”  

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Percy’s great granddaughters, Alison Norris (R) and Karen Martin (Image: Lisa Valentine – Newsquest)

The film has also drawn national attention for its role in prompting an apology from The Football Association for the historic ban on women’s football, after early screenings at HOME in Manchester led to a public campaign backed by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

In a statement, the FA said: “Manchester Corinthians Ladies FC were pioneers of women’s football.

The pics of the team in South America with the plane has Percy on the left and Doris is five people along to the right wearing a flowery dress. (Image: Films Not Words)

Through their unwavering spirit, talent and determination, they blazed a trail for women’s football around the world.

The pic of the team in Portugal has Percy centre, Doris is front row centre, blond hair and white top with the ball. (Image: Films Not Words)

“We are sorry that a ban on women’s football was introduced in 1921 and not revoked until 1971.

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“We recognise the courage of the teams and individuals who continued to play the game during this period.”

The documentary has won Best of The Fest (Feature) at NEIFF and Best Documentary at the Northampton Film Festival and had its London premiere at the Women in Film & TV Festival in Covent Garden.

Marlene Cook playing for the Corinthians abroad (centre right) (Image: Marlene Cook)

Supported by the National Football Museum and backed by England and Manchester United player Ella Toone, the project was funded through crowdfunding, along with sponsorship from BT Group and Tech Mahindra.

The Bolton screening also marked the film’s first nationwide release, with showings planned at 14 Light cinemas across the country.

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York and North Yorkshire drivers sentenced recently

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Five York and North Yorkshire drivers banned from the roads

Paul Inkum, 31, of Barwick Street, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and without insurance in Scarborough and was banned from driving for six months. He was fined £457 and ordered to pay £90 prosecution costs and a £183 statutory surcharge.

Philip Clarkson, 45, of Moorside, Newby, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to failure to inform police who was driving his car when it allegedly committed a traffic offence. He was banned from driving for six months, was fined £666 and ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs and a £266 statutory surcharge.

Robert Rose, 32, of Scholes Park Avenue, Scarborough, failed to respond to a court summons and was convicted in his absence of careless driving and driving with an obscured numberplate in Scarborough. He was fined £440, ordered to pay £130 prosecution costs and a £176 statutory surcharge and given six penalty points.

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Sam Haupt, 23, of Church Lane, Dunnington, York, was convicted of failure to tell police who was driving his car when it allegedly committed a motoring offence.  He was banned from driving for six months, fined £660 and ordered to pay £120 prosecution costs.

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Hartlepool and Middlesbrough football fans banned

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Hartlepool and Middlesbrough football fans banned

John Walker, 27, of Fransham Road in Middlesbrough, received a four-year banning order following an incident at a Middlesbrough game against Derby at the Riverside Stadium in February 2022.

Walker was involved in fights in Middlesbrough town centre both before and after the game.

He pleaded guilty to a public order offence and was issued the four-year banning order at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 29.

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The order means that Walker cannot enter the Middlesbrough FC stadium for any games, or any premises for the purpose of attending football matches throughout the UK for the next four years.

Paul Hunter, aged 65, of Wallington Walk in Billingham, also received a three-year banning order on Wednesday, April 29.

Hunter attended a Boxing Day match in 2025 at the Prestige Group Stadium.

Hartlepool United FC played Scunthorpe United when he shouted racial abuse at a player.

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He was arrested and later charged with racially aggravated public order.

The 65-year-old must also carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within the next twelve months.

Hunter can no longer attend Hartlepool United FC matches or attend any premises for the purpose of attending football matches throughout the UK for the next three years.

PC Chris Hilton said: “No matter the passage of time, we will continue to pursue banning orders for those who are intent on becoming involved in violent and unwanted behaviour at football matches in Cleveland.

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“Those people can expect to be put before the courts.

“Most people want to attend football matches for enjoyment, and they shouldn’t have to put up with violence or vile racist incidents as a result.”

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Ed Still: Watford head coach sacked after less that three months in charge

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Ed Still

This has been inevitable for quite a few weeks, and the announcement comes as no surprise. No matter what would have happened against Coventry yesterday (and it was another abject performance) Still was on his way.

In the past two months the results have been awful, the performances dreadful and tactically the Hornets have lacked structure and recognised game-plan.

The players have looked fed up as well – morale, confidence, belief and team spirit is at rock bottom and there was no way that Still was going to survive this.

Owner Gino Pozzo doesn’t hang around if the situation gets close to this point, let alone reaches it, and he was on the wrong end of chanting from home supporters in yesterday’s defeat.

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Like so many other ex-Watford head coaches, Still will argue that his chances were slim given the chaotic and misaligned culture of the club which has hampered them for so many years.

He certainly has a point. But, for me, he’s been way out of his depth as a motivator and tactical coach and lacked the aura to lead at such a dysfunctional club.

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Lidl announces major change to loyalty rewards app in May

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Lidl announces major change to loyalty rewards app in May

From Tuesday (May 5), Coupon Plus will no longer be available in the supermarket’s app.

Instead, it will be replaced by Lidl Plus Points.

However, due to this “new way to save”, existing Coupon Plus customers have until Monday (May 4) to hit their April 2026 spend targets.

Lidl axes popular Coupon Plus on supermarket’s app

In an email to Lidl Plus customers, the supermarket said: “As a Lidl Plus customer, we’re just letting you know about some important changes.

“From Tuesday 5 May, a new way to earn rewards with Lidl Plus begins.

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“This means Coupons Plus ends on Monday 4 May and will no longer be available in the Lidl Plus app after this date.

“You have until Monday 4 May to reach your April Coupon Plus targets.

“There will be no change to Personalised Coupons and Weekly Offers.

“Any existing coupons that you have will be valid until the date shown on the coupon.”

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It added: “You don’t need to do anything. Your Lidl Plus app will update with these changes automatically.”



Lidl’s Coupon Plus was a way for customers to receive rewards throughout the month, often free items (including bakery treats, vegetables, chocolate, nuts) when reaching certain spend targets, such as £10, £50 and £100.

How will new Lidl Plus Points work? What customers need to know

On its website, Lidl details: “Starting Tuesday 5 May, a new way to save will land in your Lidl Plus app!

“From the big shops to the small, now every time you shop and scan your Lidl Plus app, you will be able to collect points that can be spent on 100s of rewards in our Rewards Marketplace.

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“Turn points into possibilities! From coupons for free products to money off your next shop, it’s up to you what you spend your Lidl Plus Points on.”

How often do you use your Lidl Plus app? (Image: Lidl)

Customers can make the most of Lidl Plus Points by following the below steps:

  • Step one – shop and scan the Lidl Plus app at checkout
  • Step two – collect Lidl Plus points with every purchase (£1 = one point)
  • Step three – enter the Rewards Marketplace on the Lidl Plus app and choose from 100 awards or money-off coupons
  • Step four – exchange points to receive a coupon (activate your coupons before you use them)

Lidl will also be celebrating the launch of the new loyalty scheme by allowing shoppers to get double points on all fresh fruit between May 5 and May 22.

Additionally, consumers will be able to receive 100 welcome points from May 5 to July 31.

Lidl explains: “Open the app, click ‘Start now’ and follow the instructions to collect 100 points.

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“That’s a FREE product worth up to 100 points in our Rewards Marketplace!”



Louise Weise, chief customer officer at Lidl GB, told The Sun: “We’ve done a big piece of work to listen to customers and it was clear from the feedback that they wanted more freedom to decide the rewards that suit them.”

On Reddit, customers have been reacting to the axing of Coupon Plus, with many saying they will miss the “free big bag” of potatoes.

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Referring to the current rewards set-up, someone commented: “So sad the coupons and freebies are going away.”

Another wrote: “I believe it may be changing next month which is sad, I loved the free big bag of tatties.”

This person shared: “That’s sad to hear, free sack of spuds each month was a big help with the cost of living.”


Recommended reading:

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Meanwhile, a shopper put: “Best supermarket loyalty scheme for the type and amount of shopping I do.”

You can find more information about Lidl’s new Plus Points loyalty scheme on the supermarket’s website.

Newsquest has contacted Lidl for comment.

What do you think of Lidl Plus Points replacing Coupon Plus? Let us know in the comments below.

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Cambridgeshire police officer admits drinking ‘three bottles of wine’ before driving to work

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Cambridgeshire Live

The officer will be dismissed without notice after being found to have committed gross misconduct

A Cambridgeshire Police officer faced a misconduct hearing accused of drink-driving to work. The accelerated hearing, held on April 17, found that the officer breached the standards of discreditable conduct and fitness for duty.

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It was alleged that the officer drove to Cambridgeshire Constabulary Headquarters on December 23, 2025, while over the prescribed limit. Officers attended with a breath test machine, the accused officer provided a positive breath test, and they were arrested for driving over the limit.

In interview, the officer admitted to consuming alcohol in the early hours of December 23 and driving into work later the same morning, according to the public notice of the hearing.

The officer was then charged with driving a motor vehicle on a road after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in their breath exceeded the prescribed limit. They appeared at Luton Magistrates’ Court on January 15, 2026, where the officer pleaded guilty.

Evidence considered at the misconduct hearing included footage of the officer driving to work, witness statements from police colleagues, and the officer’s admission that he consumed ‘three bottles of wine’ in the early hours.

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The hearing concluded that the allegations were proven “on the balance of probabilities”. The officer’s representative reportedly said that the officer did not accept their conduct amounted to gross misconduct.

The officer was found to have committed gross misconduct and the panel concluded that the officer will face disciplinary action and be dismissed without further notice. This decision was made to “maintain public trust and confidence and to deter misconduct”.

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How To Get More Tomatoes Per Plant

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How To Get More Tomatoes Per Plant

If you’re growing tomatoes this year, you’ll probably be hoping for a healthy, plentiful bounty.

To achieve that, gardening experts reccomend taking a paintbrush to the plant to help it self-pollinate.

What is self-pollination?

It means a plant can reproduce from pollen produced by the same plant.

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Tomatoes have both female and male pollen, meaning they have all they need to self-pollinate.

Bees, breeze, and birds, along with other pollinators, can help to get those different kinds of pollen across the plant. Tomato pollen is quite heavy and sticky, so the pollen usually needs to hitch a lift.

But if you grow tomatoes in a greenhouse, where insects and winds are rare (Monty Don advises keeping tomatoes in a greenhouse ’til the end of May), or if you just want to give your plants a boost, supercharging that process can be done manually.

This can help to turn tomato flowers into plentiful, healthy fruit.

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How can I hand-pollinate a tomato with a paintbrush?

“Brush pollen by hand with a cotton swab or small paintbrush, transferring it from the anthers to the stigma,” advises Gardening Know-How.

Try to do this on warm, sunny days when the flowers are open; late morning to early afternoon is ideal.

Repeat every two or three days while the tomato flowers last.

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But those aren’t the only ways to help. If you don’t have a toothbrush, you can “lightly tap or shake the flowers when fully open to aid pollen transfer within the flower,” the RHS advise.

You can also place the back of an electric toothbrush head against the flowers of a tomato flower to shake the pollen out.

“Gently hold the flower if necessary, use the non-bristle head of the toothbrush, and touch the flower in just one spot for one to two seconds,” enthusiastic gardener “Farmer Jeff,” said on Instagram.

Any other tips?

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For a greater tomato yield, Gardener’s World also advises “sideshooting”.

This means gardeners should “pinch out the sideshoots that appear between the main stem and leaves every few days,” allowing more energy to travel to the fruit.

Potassium-rich fertilisers, like those made with comfrey leaves, are a great start, they added.

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Embracing my trans identity let me conquer my biggest fear

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Embracing my trans identity let me conquer my biggest fear
Looking back, I don’t begrudge that fear. It’s rational and understandable (Picture: Summer Tao)

The nurse’s needle sank into my skin without resistance. 

It hurt on entry, but I didn’t flinch.

The nurse followed up with another, then another, which my arm dutifully filled. By the fourth and final tube, the nurse was labelling everything, remarking that I was remarkably ‘chill’ about needles. I just laughed. 

It was easy to make light of it in that moment, but she couldn’t have known what a big deal it really was for me, how afraid I’d have been in the past.

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I felt proud at how far I’d come, and how I’d got there. I’d been afraid of needles since I was a child. The thought of a sharp object piercing my skin had terrified me, and I had to be held down by dentists and nurses for injections on many occasions.

Pride and Joy

Pride and Joy is a series spotlighting the first-person positive, affirming and joyful stories of transgender, non-binary, gender fluid and gender non-conforming people. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing Ross.Mccafferty@metro.co.uk

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Looking back, I don’t begrudge that fear. It’s rational and understandable. But for a trans person, when a phobia of needles suddenly means that you might not be able to become the person you know you really are, it becomes something that you know you must overcome. 

My gender transition began in 2020. The pandemic had left me with too much time to reflect, and after a week of anxious pacing about the living room, I looked at my then-girlfriend, Cara* and blurted out, ‘I think I might be trans.’

That sentence arrived after two weeks of intense lockdown reflection. I never thought of gender dysphoria affecting me because my experiences weren’t as ‘obvious’ as my friends and online personalities I followed. 

Join Metro’s LGBTQ+ community on WhatsApp

With thousands of members from all over the world, our vibrant LGBTQ+ WhatsApp channel is a hub for all the latest news and important issues that face the LGBTQ+ community.

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Simply click on this link, select ‘Join Chat’ and you’re in! Don’t forget to turn on notifications!

Summer Tao: I was deathly afraid of needles ? then I started my gender transition
I talked to my doctor once I realised that I wouldn’t be able to allay the discomfort without prescription estrogen (Picture: Summer Tao)

I just lived my life thinking that some degree of discomfort with my gender was normal and acceptable because that’s all I knew.

It wasn’t until I immersed myself into support groups of people who were also questioning their identity that I realised that feeling discomfort over my gender presentation was actually unusual. 

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When I thought back to my childhood experiences and adulthood dabbling in crossdressing, the fact was cemented for me. 

Cara was very open to my changing reality and was mostly concerned with supporting me through it. She was an ever-present pillar in my life and always wanted to know more. 

I was initially scatterbrained about the specifics. Things like my planned transition timeframe and whether I wanted surgical intervention weren’t fixed yet. Still, I was certain about pursuing it. 

Summer Tao: I was deathly afraid of needles ? then I started my gender transition
I never thought of gender dysphoria affecting me because my experiences weren’t as ‘obvious’ as my friends and online personalities I followed (Picture: Summer Tao)

At the time, I didn’t know that I would have to overcome one of my biggest fears – but I’m glad I did. 

My transition journey makes me feel quite fortunate – so many trans people are subjected to intolerable cruelty and judgment, simply for wanting to exist. It saddens me to think my positive experience is unusual. 

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I talked to my doctor once I realised that I wouldn’t be able to allay the discomfort without prescription estrogen. 

She listened to my case and was very accommodating to my circumstances. After a year of supervised hormone replacement therapy (HRT) via oral estrogen, she noted that I might get better physiological results if I switched to weekly injections. 

I was unenthused, to put it lightly. We discussed alternatives and weighed out the potential benefits versus the very obvious cons and I only begrudgingly agreed to try injections. My interest in a smooth medical transition outweighed my dread of pointy objects. 

I delivered my first injection after receiving my doctor’s instructions and taking copious notes about each step. It was slightly terrifying. Cara excused herself from the room because she was anxious and didn’t want to make it harder for me – it was a sensible decision because I was terribly anxious and having more eyes on me wouldn’t have improved things.

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Summer Tao: I was deathly afraid of needles ? then I started my gender transition
Sometimes I felt too anxious and scared to complete my injections, leaving part of my dose in the syringe (Picture: Summer Tao)

That first jab was shaky. I was incredibly tense, which worsened the pain, but got it done in the end. I was proud of my modest success but apprehensive that this was going to be my foreseeable future.

The months that followed were difficult. Sometimes I felt too anxious and scared to complete my injections, leaving part of my dose in the syringe. 

Yet, I felt more free compared to when I was a child, I had the choice to stop when I wanted and could feel my courage developing. 

There were plenty of unpleasant firsts that I hadn’t seen coming. 

The first time I hit a nerve cluster (unspeakably painful). The first time I reached an unseen blood vessel and spent the next ten minutes dabbing away the droplet of blood that refused to clot. The first time I accidentally delivered an injection into the still-healing site of the previous week – ouch.

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The process was undeniably challenging, but as time passed, all the moments of discomfort became a microcosm of my wider transition: unpleasant but memorable learning moments that contributed to my growth.

Summer Tao: I was deathly afraid of needles ? then I started my gender transition
Delivering my own injections has given me a new appreciation for my body (Picture: Summer Tao)

Delivering my own injections has given me a new appreciation for my body, which I’ve seen flourish with the benefit of estrogen. The changes I’ve observed in myself become palpably real when traced back to the discomfort of an injection site.

If this experience has taught me anything, it’s that longstanding difficulties can be addressed in unforeseen ways. 

The answers won’t always be easy, but if I approach them with an open mind, I will always discover new and wonderful things about myself and what I’m capable of.

*Names have been changed.

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Derry students raise awareness for issues facing women around the world

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Belfast Live

“Global Sisters has given girls a platform to speak about issues that are affecting them”

A student group established in Derry’s Thornhill College is creating a platform for female students to raise their voices around feminist issues.

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Global Sisters was created by 17 year olds Aine Bryce and Cara McGonagle, alongside their peers, in Autumn last year. Since then they have spoken at rallies and raised awareness among fellow students in regards to violence against women.

Aine and Cara spoke to Belfast Live about the journey they have made in establishing Global Sisters.

READ MORE: ‘I’m using my platform to confront a crisis happening in our own communities’READ MORE: Call for tougher firearm checks to tackle violence against women in NI

They said: “Global Sisters has given girls a platform to speak about issues that are affecting them and we are breaking the stigma about speaking up and making people care about things that aren’t directly affecting them too.

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“We are raising awareness about things people may not have known about prior and seeing that there is more than just Derry. We don’t just talk about what affects women in the West, we are more intersectional and look at global issues.

“Everyone in the school has been so supportive, as soon as we mentioned what we wanted to do loads of people wanted to join.

“The staff at Thornhill were also so supportive. Mr Deane, Vice Principal Mrs Donnelly and our year head Mrs O’Donnell in particular were so helpful in particular and encouraged us.”

Aine and Cara came up with the idea as they wanted to create a space where their peers could discuss issues with each other.

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They said: “There isn’t really a place to talk about things that are happening around the world so it was important to create a space where we can talk about it.

“Not a lot of young people use their voice to speak out about issues they care about, there is a bit of a stigma.

“We think it is so important to speak out because we can see first hand the change we have been able to make in a few months. It is amazing to think what could happen if more people spoke out.”

Global Sisters have built their social media presence and have seen the benefit of putting their message out in growing confidence among their peers to speak out.

Aine and Cara said: “Social media has been so important for us, the outreach has been great. We actually have had girls from other schools contact us to say they want to set up a branch in their school.

“We are looking to do a fundraiser for Sudan, a girl in our year is from Sudan and we would really like to raise awareness about it as people don’t talk about what is happening there as much as other global conflicts like Palestine.”

Aine is also in contact with a teenage girl living in Palestine, and sharing their as young women in different circumstances pushed Aine even further in raising awareness.

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Global Sisters have also seen the devastating impact that violence against women and girls has had on their own community in Derry.

Aine said: “We attended the vigil for Amy Doherty and I held one of the pictures of women that have been murdered, hearing her mum and the other representatives speak and was so emotional.

“Having something like that happen in your own city is so eye-opening. I don’t think people realise how prevalent femicide is.”

For Aine and Cara, creating Global Sisters has allowed them to create a path for future students to continue on. They hope that the group will continue after they finish their A levels and leave Thornhill.

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Aine said: “Global Sisters has definitely made me much more confident. We won a leadership award at the Derry Credit Union which was amazing as well. We made friends with people we wouldn’t know otherwise and build a community from it.

“I think it is important that we do this as senior pupils as well. My sister is in second year and they look up to us and would feel comfortable for them to come and speak to us if something was affecting them.

“We have such a good working relationship with the school. They work with us really well and support us in the things we do and guide us in how we can do them better as well.”

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Cara added: “We have learned about so many new things, I hadn’t known the extent of what was going on out there until we started doing educational meetings.. The younger you learn the more it will be set into you and you’ll carry a stronger moral compass as you get older as well.

“We want to pass Global Sisters on to someone else, we would like to see it continue after we leave. We hope it doesn’t end with us.”

Global Sisters is a beacon of hope that future generations will be more enlightened around issues facing women globally, as well as on their own doorstep.

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