The garden will celebrate its anniversary on Monday, May 18, and has announced an extension to its Salford Free Tuesdays scheme, allowing all Salford residents to enjoy free entry every Tuesday until May 18, 2027.

Since opening in 2021, 86,000 Salford residents have enjoyed free visits to the 154-acre garden, while hundreds of wellbeing and community groups have found calm, creativity and connection across the site’s diverse landscapes.

Special celebrations will take place on Monday, May 18, including £5 admission for all visitors, birthday goodie bags for the first 50 arrivals, a £5 hot drink and cake offer, and £5 off plants priced at £15 or more.

One lucky visitor will also receive a ‘Golden Ticket’ in the fiftieth goodie bag, granting a year of RHS Individual Membership.

Marcus Chilton-Jones, head of site at RHS Garden Bridgewater, said: “Extending Salford Free Tuesdays is a wonderful milestone for us.

“Over the past five years, we’ve seen how much this garden means to local people, from families discovering nature together to community groups using the space to support wellbeing.

“Making sure Bridgewater remains open and welcoming to our neighbours is a core part of who we are, and I’m delighted we can continue offering this opportunity for another year.”

The extension of the Salford Free Tuesdays scheme highlights the garden’s focus on community access, wellbeing, and horticultural education.

With more than 2.49 million visits since its opening, RHS Garden Bridgewater has delivered more than 44,000 free educational sessions for schoolchildren and benefited from thousands of volunteer hours.

Paul Dennett, city mayor of Salford, said: “RHS Garden Bridgewater has become one of Salford’s great success stories, and I want to congratulate everyone involved on its fifth birthday.

“In just five years, it has grown into a place that brings people together, boosts wellbeing and showcases the very best of our city.

“I’m especially proud that Salford residents can continue to enjoy free entry every Tuesday.

“I’d encourage people of all ages to make the most of this fantastic offer, visit the garden regularly, and take pride in this fantastic garden right on our doorstep.”

More information and booking details are available from the RHS website.

Put 7 tbsp soy sauce, 2½ tbsp honey, 3 tsp sesame oil, the juice of ½ lime, 4 grated garlic cloves, 4cm cube fresh ginger (peeled and grated) and 1½ tsp chilli flakes (or you can use a chilli sauce, to taste, if you like), into a dish in which the chicken will fit. Add the meat and turn it so that it gets coated.

Lydia-May Green, 30, pleaded guilty to the unlawful relationship with the patient, who was moved to a psychiatric facility in the 2020 under the Mental Health Act

A smitten hospital worker who became pregnant following an eight-month affair with a psychiatric patient she ‘fell for’ has been jailed after grim footage of them together was discovered.

Lydia-May Green, 30, who subsequently miscarried her unborn child, arranged to meet the man outside the hospital when she was granted leave, and he was on day release. A court has heard how their llegal romance may have caused the patient “substantial psychological harm” and potentially delayed his chances of being discharged.

Videos and photographs found on her phone reveal images and clips of them naked from the waist up in bed, embracing and kissing. There were recordings of the pair in a car engaging in sexual activity.

The patient, cannot be named for legal reasons, was first imprisoned for 10 years in November 2018 following a Section 18, wounding with intent matter. He was then detained under the Mental Health Act to a psychiatric facility in the summer of 2020, reports the Mail. The victim is autistic, with ADHD and has complex mental health needs which impact his daily life. He also suffers from schizoaffective disorder, a chronic mental health condition that combines psychotic symptoms with mood disorder.

Dressed in black, Green wept in the dock as the manner of the abuse were outlined at Bristol Crown Court. She pleaded guilty to a total of seven charges of engaging in sexual activity with a man with a mental disorder, dating from February to October 2024.

She began work at the hospital in where he was receiving treatment in 2021 on a student placement. She worked as a healthcare worker and qualified as a nurse in 2024. She quickly became one of his ‘favourite members of staff’ and they spent considerable time together.

In February 2024, he sent her a message on Instagram declaring she was ‘the most beautiful woman in the world’, writing ‘I deserve you, you deserve me’. At the time, she had been in a relationship that had since ended, the court heard. From May 2024, Green booked stays at Travelodges in Bristol and Wales, where she spent time with the patient.

Green became a registered nurse in September 2024 and handed in one month’s notice to leave her job for a position at another hospital.

In December 2024, Green conducted pregnancy tests and broke the news to the patient, who affectionately referred to her as his ‘baby momma’. The court was told she later suffered a miscarriage and sent him photos of the miscarriage.

Green called it quits on New Year’s Eve and penned a goodbye letter. However, on January 10, 2025, the victim informed hospital staff about his relationship with Green and showed them photos of the two of them together.

Green conversed with a friend who worked at the hospital and on January 22, 2025, wrote ‘I know I engaged willingly’ and ‘I did fall in love with him’. Yet some friends and family advised her against confessing to the relationship. She deleted footage in what seemed to be an attempt to destroy evidence, the court was told.

She was subsequently arrested and interviewed on January 30, then again on April 28. Prosecuting barrister William Eaglestone suggested the breakup ‘perhaps precipitated’ the investigation.

Defence barrister Thomas Stanway noted that from Green’s arrest up until the day of sentencing, the patient had continued to contact Green and some of her friends via social media.

But he argued it was not “grooming” or “coercive” as the man had pursued her and there was a ‘consensual nature’ to the relationship. He described the man as ‘very articulate’ and a ‘very sociable person who formed relationships quickly’ and ‘masks inability’.

He said: “She was struggling and susceptible to making ill-advised choices and this relationship is possibly the worst decision she will ever make in her life.”

Judge Moira MacMillan handed Green a total sentence of 28 months behind bars.

Aircraft manufacturer Boeing will make its first major sale to China in nearly a decade with an order for 200 planes, President Donald Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Friday, a deal he said had been made during his summit with China’s President Xi Jinping this week and that could grow to as many as 750 planes.

The White House has not released details of the deal, and the company itself has not commented. Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg had joined Trump for the trip to Beijing, one of a large group of CEOs seeking to sell products and services to China. For Boeing, the deal would mark a significant breakthrough in a market that was once central to its long-term growth.

Trump also said the deal would benefit General Electric, which he said would supply 400 to 450 engines. General Electric did not immediately comment on the agreement.

Last month, Ortberg signaled confidence that any broader U.S.-China agreement would include aircraft purchases, telling investors he expected Trump’s meeting with Xi to be a “meaningful opportunity” for Boeing.

Ortberg took over in 2024, a calamitous year for Boeing as it came under intensifying scrutiny over production and quality failures and faced mounting financial pressure. In January 2024, a panel known as a door plug blew off a 737 Max shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, renewing scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing practices.

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Months later, the U.S. Justice Department revived a criminal case against Boeing tied to the two fatal Max crashes, although prosecutors later reached an agreement with Boeing to dismiss the case, committing the company to an additional $1.1 billion in fines, compensation for victims’ families and internal safety and quality improvements.

Then an eight-week strike stretching through the fall by machinists who assemble the 737 Max in Washington state disrupted production and added to the company’s financial strain.

—- Yamat reported from Las Vegas. Barrow reported from Atlanta.

Best Start Family Hub in Wheatley Hill shut its doors after pest control and health and safety teams inspected the building and advised it should close as a precaution.

The hub, which hosts a range of services including baby groups, toddler sessions and midwife appointments, has been pictured with its shutters down after the rodents were found.

The council-run service said: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have had to temporarily close Best Start Family Hub Wheatley Hill.

Pest control was called to the site. (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

“We asked our pest control and health and safety teams to visit the hub and, after they inspected the property, took the decision to close on their advice.

“This is a purely precautionary measure in the interests of the children and families that use our site.

“All bookings, groups and programmes at the site are cancelled and we will update hub users as soon as we can on reopening.

“In the meantime, users of our Wheatley Hill site are very welcome at our family hubs at Peterlee and Easington which provide similar services.

“We are working to get the site open again as quickly as possible. We are hoping this will be later this month, but we will only reopen when we have been advised it is appropriate to do so.”

Family hubs are part of a national programme backed by the Department for Education, designed to provide support for families from pregnancy through to early childhood.

Services typically include health visits, parenting support and early years activities, often delivered in partnership with councils and the NHS.

A Durham County Council spokesperson confirmed the decision to close was taken after a pest control visit.

“This is a purely precautionary measure in the interests of the children and families that use our site,” they said.

Diana Henry is the Telegraph’s much-loved cookery writer. She shares recipes each week, for everything from speedy family dinners to special menus that friends will remember for months. She is also a regular broadcaster on BBC Radio 4, and her journalism and recipe books, including Simple and How to Eat a Peach, are multi-award-winning. A mother of two sons, Diana can satisfy even the fussiest of eaters.   

There’s a host of activities and offers throughout the opening weekend, May 15 to 17.

There’s been some exciting news for Aberdonian’s. A beloved Scottish footwear chain opened the doors to its newest branch and shoppers came out in droves.

Last month, we reported that Schuh had delighted locals by confirming it would be moving to the Union Square Shopping Centre. At the time, the firm was still operating its previous branch located on St Nicholas Street.

As of this morning (May 15), the new shop officially opened. Located in the car park section of the granite city’s leading shopping destination, it is said to provide customers “with an enhanced retail experience.”

Located next to TK Maxx, in a unit formerly owned by Bensons for Beds, the new Schuh has been designed to bring the retailer’s “distinctive shopping experience” to Union Square, while also catering to the diverse needs of the city’s fashion-conscious consumers.

Shoppers will find everything that the Edinburgh-founded firm has become known for. This includes an assortment of footwear from numerous premium brands, such as Nike, Converse, Vans, Birkenstocks and New Balance.

Mixing trends with timeless classics, there’s also a host of shoe accessories and care products. Meanwhile, shoppers will also find other items including sunglasses and handbags.

Throughout the opening weekend, there will be a host of special offers and activities to celebrate the grand opening. This includes a stall run by local artist Goldie Aberdeen where customers can create their own charm anklet as a gift with any purchase.

Customers can also enjoy a refreshing superfood smoothie from Bio Café, while free Schuh tote bags will be handed out with any purchase. All of these offers will be available until May 17, but only while stocks last.

Ryan Manson, Centre Director at Union Square, commented: “We’re thrilled to welcome Schuh to Union Square. This exciting addition demonstrates our commitment to expanding our retail offering. We’re confident that shoppers will embrace the fantastic range of footwear and exceptional service the brand is known for.”

Schuh’s origins date back to 1981 when its first store was opened in Edinburgh’s North Bridge Arcade. It was originally intended to be called Lizard Shoes until founder Sandy Alexander spotted a German magazine called Schuhe, pronounced ‘shoe’.

As of today, it has gone on to become one of the UK’s leading footwear retailers, operating around 118 stores nationwide, with around 18 in Scotland. It has also expanded internationally, with the opening of its German branch in Oberhausen in 2015.

Schuh is just one retailer that has launched in Aberdeen’s Union Square lately. Its opening comes just as IKEA is set to follow suit sometime later this spring, with work already beginning on the unit that is located just down from the footwear chain.

The Swedish flatpack giant recently made the decision to relocate from its previous branch on Wellington Circle that has since closed. Although no opening date has been confirmed, the brand did advise shoppers would be made aware one month in advance.

At the end of 2025, the silver city’s shopping centre also welcomed The Entertainer, which can also be found in the car park section. he 2,800 sq.ft store is set to offer a range of popular toys and brand names that are popular with children, such as Lego, Pokémon, Monster High, Disney and Wicked Two.

Meanwhile, fashion chain Mango also continued its Scottish expansion with its first Aberdeen branch that can be found inside the mall on the lower level, located next to fellow high street chains River Island and Zara.

Spanning 4,844 sq. ft, the store follows the brand’s New Med concept that has been inspired by its Mediterranean heritage, incorporating natural textures, warm tones, and sustainable materials, creating a bright and welcoming shopping environment.

Formed in 2006, NWAS now serves more than 7.5 million people across Cumbria, Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Cheshire.

Chief executive Salman Desai said: “As we mark 20 years of North West Ambulance Service, I feel incredibly proud to have seen first-hand how far we’ve come.

“I started my career as a paramedic in Bury, responding to patients on the frontline, and I’ve had the privilege of growing with this organisation as it has evolved over the past two decades.

“That experience continues to shape how I see our role today.

“We are there for people at some of the most critical moments of their lives.

“That responsibility has always driven us, but the way we deliver care has changed significantly, and it must continue to change to meet the needs of the future.”

Over the past two decades, the service has expanded from primarily responding to 999 emergencies to providing a broader range of care, including NHS 111, clinical advice by phone, and support to help patients access care in the community or at home.

Each year, NWAS handles more than 1.4 million emergency calls, 1.8 million NHS 111 calls, and transports over a million patients to routine appointments.

It also treats hundreds of thousands of patients at home or in community settings.

A spokesperson for the service said: “The new plan for 2026 to 2031 sets out how the service will continue to respond to rising demand, more complex patient needs and ongoing health inequalities across the North West.”

It sets out four main priorities: Delivering “outstanding” care, building a “safe and supportive” culture for staff, working “more closely” with other NHS services, and modernising care delivery.

Mr Desai said: “This plan reflects what our patients, staff and partners have told us matters most: safe, compassionate care, services that work well together, and a culture where our people feel supported to do their best.”

The strategy emphasises greater use of digital tools, virtual care, and more treatment closer to home when deemed appropriate.

It also targets support for those most at risk, including people living in deprived areas, those needing end-of-life care, individuals with learning disabilities, children and young people, and homeless people.

Two teenagers have been arrested in connection with the fire

A second person has been arrested in connection to a huge fire at a derelict school in Haverhill. Suffolk Police were called by the fire service to Parkway Middle School on Park Road at 8.46pm on Tuesday, May 12, following reports of a fire.

On Thursday, May 14, a 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage – arson not endangering life. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questions. He has since been bailed to return to the police on July 14.

On Wednesday, May 13, a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of the same offence. He was bailed to return to the police on June 22.

The police are now asking for anyone with information to come forward. Any witnesses are asked to contact Suffolk Constabulary’s West CID quoting crime reference Crime ref 37/27212/26.

You can contact them through the Suffolk Police website or by calling 101. You can report anything anonymously through Crimestoppers by calling 0800555111.

Detective Sergeant Paul Cappleman said: “We believe a number of people may have been involved in this and that locally many people were either present in the area at the time or have knowledge of who may have been responsible.

“This was an incredibly serious incident and we would like to speak to anyone with information, to ascertain exactly what happened that evening.”

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Carley Armstrong, who grew up in Sunderland, was granted exclusive access to Crown Works to film at the site.

Crown Works will soon be transformed into a state-of-the-art studio complex, backed by £38 million in funding.

Ms Armstrong said: “The North East is brimming with potential, and I’m incredibly proud to play a part in telling that story to an audience who can help unlock it through further investment.

“As a champion for the region, and someone who was born and raised here, this project is deeply personal to me.

“The investment flowing into this site, just a short drive from where I grew up, is a powerful example of what can be achieved when there is a clear vision and collective ambition behind a sector, so to be given exclusive access to shoot there was really special.

“The North East is a place that knows how to deliver, and that’s the message I want to share; that investors can have real confidence in what we can achieve here.

“When I think about future generations who will benefit from developments like Crown Works – young people like I once was, who didn’t always see opportunities here – it means a great deal to be part of something that could help make those ambitions a reality, right here in the North East.”

The short film, entitled Built Here, showcases eight major investment opportunities across the region.

It has been commissioned by the North East Mayor, Kim McGuinness.

It features sectors such as offshore wind, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, tech, and the creative industries.

Ms Armstrong produced the film through her company True Moon Pictures, working with a North East-based crew.

The film will premiere at UKREiiF in Leeds, a major UK real estate investment forum.

It will also be released across social media and shown at the Sunderland Film Festival.

Ms McGuinness said: “This film shows our huge ambition for the North East and even better that it’s been created by Sunderland-born filmmaker Carley, assisted by a fantastic local team.

“I want to see blockbusters filmed on the banks of the Wear that’s why we’ve invested £38m in Crown Works studios.

“This will create more opportunities for our local working class creatives both in front of and behind the camera to show what we’ve always known – our region is packed with talent.”

UKREiiF, which runs from May 19-21, is the UK’s leading forum for real estate, investment, and infrastructure.

Ms Armstrong left the North East earlier in her career in order to find work in TV and film.

She has since returned to work in the region and is looking to support and build on the growth of TV and film production beyond established hubs such as London and Manchester.