The scheme will support eligible schools across the Diocese of Durham by contributing up to £500 towards transport costs for educational visits to the cathedral between September 2026 and August 2027.

The Very Reverend Dr Philip Plyming, Dean of Durham, said: “Durham Cathedral belongs to the whole Diocese, and we want every child to have the opportunity to experience it as a place of learning, inspiration and welcome.

“This bursary reflects our commitment to widening access and helping schools overcome practical barriers so that more young people can benefit from the rich educational opportunities the Cathedral offers.”

The bursary is open to schools in the Diocese of Durham with a high proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals and who have not previously built a visit to Durham Cathedral into their learning programme.

The programme is designed to encourage first-time visits and help build lasting relationships between schools and the cathedral.

Each bursary offers up to £500 per school to contribute towards transport costs for visits that include guided learning activities delivered by Durham Cathedral’s Learning and Engagement team.

Sarah Dellar, Learning and Engagement Manager at Durham Cathedral, said: “We know that the cost of transport can be a real challenge for many schools.

“This bursary allows teachers to focus on the learning experience itself, confident that support is available to help them get here.

“We hope it will encourage schools to take that first step and begin a rewarding relationship with the Cathedral.”

The scheme has been made possible thanks to funding from the Friends of Durham Cathedral.

Details on eligibility and how to apply are available on the Durham Cathedral website at www.durhamcathedral.co.uk/visit-us/groups-schools/learning-visits/school-transport-bursary.

The US military has announced that American forces downed Iranian drones in “self-defence” as tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz.

Four one-way attack drones headed toward the key oil passageway in the Middle East were shot down, US Central Command wrote on social media Friday evening, Washington time.

“The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic”, CENTCOM wrote.

US forces later struck Iranian coastal surveillance radar sites in Goruk and on Qeshm Island along the strait “to defend against further attacks”, according to CENTCOM.

“American forces remain vigilant and postured to respond to unjustified Iranian aggression in self-defense”, the US military said.

The new escalation comes hours after Reuters reported that Iran’s navy said it fired warning missiles and drones at US warships in the Gulf of Oman.

It accused the American navy of harassing maritime traffic and seizing commercial vessels and oil tankers, according to Iranian state media.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump said Washington did not need a ceasefire deal with Iran to get enriched ⁠uranium from ​Iran.

“We could get it right ⁠now. I don’t think ​they ⁠could stop ‌us if we wanted, but there’s no reason to. ‌It’s entombed”, he ‌told reporters in the Oval Office Thursday.

US shoots down four Iranian drones bound for Strait of Hormuz

US Central Command stated on social media that “The attack drones posed an immediate threat to regional maritime traffic”.

The military is enforcing a blockade on Iranian ports in response to Tehran’s restrictions on the vital shipping route for global oil and natural gas exports, a move that has driven up energy prices.

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It marks the latest in back-and-forth attacks straining a tenuous ceasefire and efforts to extend that truce.

Michelle L. Price6 June 2026 02:08

Calls for $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets to be released

A top Iranian official has said a potential peace deal between the US and Iran is weighted on the Trump administration agreeing to release $24 billion in frozen Iranian assets.

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In an interview with CNN Mohsen Rezaei, military adviser to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei warned the US would “enter into a dark corridor” should it resume fighting.

“The negotiations are at a deadlock and Trump must break this deadlock,” he said.

“The ball is in Trump’s court.”

It comes as Iran reportedly demanded the release of $12 billion in frozen funds after an agreement is signed with the US. This money would be followed by another $12 billion, according to CNN.

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But the US has concerns that unfreezing the funds could remove a key leverage point over the regime.

Rebecca Whittaker6 June 2026 01:00

Pictured: Israel strikes southern Lebanon

Rebecca Whittaker6 June 2026 00:00

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Two men guilty of stabbing Iranian journalist in London

Two Romanian men have been convicted in a London court over the stabbing of a journalist from a Persian-language television station, an attack prosecutors say was carried out at the behest of authorities in Tehran.

A jury at Woolwich Crown Court found Nandito Badea, 21, and George Stana, 25, guilty of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Pouria Zeraati, a presenter at London-based Iran International, was stabbed in the leg in March 2024 outside his home in the Wimbledon area of London.

He recovered from the attack and returned to work.

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Police said former professional soccer player Badea and another man attacked Zeraati before fleeing in a getaway car driven by Stana and then flying out of the country from Heathrow Airport.

Badea and Stana were arrested in Romania in December 2024 and extradited to the UK.

The third suspect, David Andrei, is the subject of criminal proceedings in Romania.

“This was a targeted and violent attack and it was the prosecution’s case during the trial that it was carried out on behalf of the Iranian regime,” said Chief Superintendent Kris Wright of Counter Terrorism Policing London.

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The jury’s verdict does not conclude that the attack was conducted on behalf of Iran, though prosecutors said the judge may determine that when the defendants are sentenced on July 3.

Iran’s senior diplomat in the UK has denied Tehran was behind the attack.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 23:30

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Iran launches drones towards Strait ​of ⁠Hormuz

Iran has launched ⁠multiple drones towards the ⁠Strait ​of ⁠Hormuz, ⁠CNN ​has reported.

US forces have taken out at least three of them out, according to a United States official.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 23:20

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Recap: US forces board sanctioned vessel in Indian Ocean, Pentagon says

US forces overnight conducted an interdiction of the sanctioned stateless vessel M/T DAVINA in the Indian Ocean, the Indo-Pacific Command said on Friday.

“We will continue global maritime enforcement to disrupt illicit networks and interdict vessels providing material support to Iran, wherever they operate,” it wrote in an X post.

Washington has imposed a blockade on Iran’s trade by sea while Iran has fired on ships to prevent them sailing through the Strait of Hormuz waterway at the entrance to the Middle ​East Gulf. U.S. forces have intercepted multiple commercial and oil tankers in the Indian Ocean in recent months.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 23:00

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Iran has about 22 per cent of missiles left, according to Trump

Donald Trump has said Iran has about a fifth of its missiles left, according to an interview with NBC News.

“They ‌have some missiles, they have ‌some drones. I ‌would say percentage wise, maybe ⁠21-22 per cent of their missiles. It’s a lot of missiles, but it’s not what ‌it was ​when ‌we first ⁠attacked,” Trump was ⁠quoted as saying.

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 22:56

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Watch: Trump claims US military ‘wants to’ wipe out’ all of Iran and is ‘ready to do it’

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 22:30

How the war in Iran could impact £3bn of UK pensions

As a barrage of Iranian missiles rained down on the Fujairah oil terminal, the explosion was deafening and the destruction dramatic: a brutal fire, thick black smoke stretching into the sky – and untold damage to one of the region’s crucial pieces of fossil fuel infrastructure.

Read more here by Josephine Moulds and Nick Ferris:

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How the war in Iran could impact £3bn of UK pensions

New analysis from the Bureau of Investigative Journalism and The Independent finds that billions of pounds of UK pensions have been left exposed to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Josephine Moulds and Nick Ferris report

Rebecca Whittaker5 June 2026 22:00

British couple jailed on spying charges in Iran are on hunger strike

A British couple jailed on spying charges in Iran have lost an appeal against their convictions, their family have said.

Craig and Lindsay Foreman were handed 10-year prison sentences in February after being convicted of espionage, which they both deny.

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The couple’s family have claimed they were not permitted to attend their appeal hearing.

They were jailed following their arrest in January 2025 while travelling through Iran during a round-the-world trip by motorcycle.

The couple are on a hunger strike, according to the family, adding that all communication between them has been cut off by Iranian authorities.

Rebeca Whittaker5 June 2026 21:30

Anthony Head, the British actor best known for playing Rupert Giles in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Rupert Mannion in Ted Lasso, has died aged 72

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Actor Anthony Head, celebrated for his memorable performances in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Ted Lasso, has passed away aged 72, according to a statement released by his daughters.

The British performer gained widespread recognition portraying librarian Rupert Giles in the beloved American supernatural drama featuring Sarah Michelle Gellar, which aired between 1997 and 2003.

His daughters, actresses Emily and Daisy Head, shared with the Press Association: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our extraordinary father, Anthony Head.

“He passed away peacefully of complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family. It has been, and forever will be, an honour and a privilege to be his daughters, and to have witnessed firsthand the impact both he and his work have had on so many.

“We know how dearly he will be missed by friends, colleagues, and fans of the shows he was in – he loved his job very much, and he always considered himself incredibly lucky, to have been able to work alongside such exceptionally talented people, in such wonderful productions, across a career that spanned several decades.

“Our grief is far greater than the hole he has left behind, but we know his legacy will live on, in the shows he was a part of, and in the audiences that love them. How lucky we are to know we are able to watch him doing what he loved, even when he is no longer with us.

“We kindly ask that our privacy is respected at this difficult time.” In recent years, Head portrayed Rupert Mannion, the former owner of Richmond FC and ex-husband of Hannah Waddingham’s character Rebecca, in the hit football comedy Ted Lasso.

Among his most memorable performances were his portrayal of the Prime Minister in Little Britain and Uther Pendragon, Prince Arthur’s father, in Merlin.

Recognised for his unmistakable deep voice, Head initially captured public attention in Britain during the 1980s through the iconic Nescafe Gold Blend television commercials.

Alongside Sharon Maughan, he formed one half of the Gold Blend couple, whose gradual romance unfolded over shared cups of coffee.

Running between 1987 and 1993, these advertisements remain among the most memorable instances of serialised television marketing.

While his Buffy role brought him widespread recognition across America, Head departed as a regular cast member during the programme’s sixth series, returning only for guest appearances until the show’s finale.

His television credits also encompassed Motherland, Manchild, Silent Witness, Spooks, Doctor Who and My Family, alongside a role in the feature film Repo! The Genetic Opera.

In July 2018, he joined BBC Radio 4’s enduring drama The Archers, taking on the character of Robin Fairbrother.

Beyond acting, Head pursued a singing career, gracing West End stages and releasing recordings, including the soundtrack from Buffy the Vampire Slayer’s musical episode, as well as his own solo projects.

Head’s long-term partner, animal welfare advocate Sarah Fisher, passed away in December 2025 at the age of 61.

Fisher served as an ambassador for Battersea Dogs And Cats Home and held the position of patron at Holly Hedge Animal Sanctuary.

The couple’s two daughters, Emily and Daisy, have both followed in their father’s footsteps as actresses. Emily gained widespread recognition for portraying Carli D’Amato in the E4 comedy series The Inbetweeners, while Daisy has featured in various television programmes such as Harlots, Shadow And Bone and The Gray House.

His sibling, Murray Head, is equally established in the acting world, renowned for his performance in the 1971 Oscar-nominated film Sunday Bloody Sunday, as well as performing the 1984 hit One Night In Bangkok from the stage production Chess.

According to Flightradar24, the most severely affected service is TUI flight BY128 to Melbourne, which was scheduled to depart at 10am but is now expected to leave at 10.45am.

IndiGo flight 6E32 to Mumbai is also running behind schedule, with departure pushed back from 12.05pm to 12.45pm, while easyJet flight U22107 to Paris Charles de Gaulle is expected to leave at 3.32pm, 32 minutes later than its scheduled 3pm departure.

Although dozens of flights have been delayed, the majority are currently running around 25 minutes behind schedule.

The full list of flights delayed by more than 20 minutes as of 9.40am is below:

• Etihad Airways flight EY78 to Abu Dhabi, scheduled for 09:00, departed at 09:21 with a delay of 21 minutes.
• Swiss flight LX391 to Zurich, scheduled for 09:00, departed at 09:26 with a delay of 26 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR9667 to Seville, scheduled for 09:05, departed at 09:32 with a delay of 27 minutes.
• Aurigny flight GR671 to Guernsey, scheduled for 09:05, departed at 09:28 with a delay of 23 minutes.
• Malta Air flight FR4116 to Murcia, scheduled for 09:10, estimated at 09:34 with a delay of 24 minutes.
• Emirates flight EK22 to Dubai, scheduled for 09:50, estimated at 10:15 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR4052 to Faro, scheduled for 10:00, estimated at 10:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY128 to Melbourne, scheduled for 10:00, estimated at 10:45 with a delay of 45 minutes.
• Private flight to Malaga, scheduled for 11:00, estimated at 11:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR36 to Carcassonne, scheduled for 11:20, estimated at 11:45 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Private flight to Paris Le Bourget, scheduled for 11:30, estimated at 11:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR3234 to Eindhoven, scheduled for 11:45, estimated at 12:10 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR6835 to Naples, scheduled for 11:55, estimated at 12:20 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• IndiGo flight 6E32 to Mumbai, scheduled for 12:05, estimated at 12:45 with a delay of 40 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR2252 to Lisbon, scheduled for 12:05, estimated at 12:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• British Airways flight BA1363 to London Heathrow, scheduled for 12:15, estimated at 12:40 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR38 to Limoges, scheduled for 12:50, estimated at 13:15 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS887 to Prague, scheduled for 12:50, estimated at 13:15 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR1175 to Porto, scheduled for 12:55, estimated at 13:20 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS833 to Nice, scheduled for 13:00, estimated at 13:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Virgin Atlantic flight VS109 to Atlanta, scheduled for 13:00, estimated at 13:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Private flight to Paris Le Bourget, scheduled for 13:00, estimated at 13:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Private flight to Edinburgh, scheduled for 13:00, estimated at 13:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR3222 to Brussels Charleroi, scheduled for 13:05, estimated at 13:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR3445 to Palma de Mallorca, scheduled for 13:10, estimated at 13:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Turkish Airlines flight TK1992 to Istanbul, scheduled for 13:10, estimated at 13:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2518 to Corfu, scheduled for 13:10, estimated at 13:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• SunExpress flight XQ3505 to Dalaman, scheduled for 13:10, estimated at 13:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Naljets flight APX849 to Newcastle, scheduled for 13:15, estimated at 13:40 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Private flight to Ibiza, scheduled for 13:20, estimated at 13:45 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR3242 to Beziers, scheduled for 13:25, estimated at 13:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Air Transat flight TS207 to Toronto, scheduled for 13:25, estimated at 13:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• VistaJet flight VJT683 to Ibiza, scheduled for 13:30, estimated at 13:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY790 to Hurghada, scheduled for 13:35, estimated at 14:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• SunExpress flight XQ593 to Antalya, scheduled for 13:35, estimated at 14:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• KLM flight KL1034 to Amsterdam, scheduled for 13:45, estimated at 14:10 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• EgyptAir flight MS782 to Cairo, scheduled for 14:30, estimated at 14:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Corendon Airlines flight XC4101 to Antalya, scheduled for 14:35, estimated at 15:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Saudia flight SV124 to Jeddah, scheduled for 14:45, estimated at 15:10 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Air France flight AF1069 to Paris Charles de Gaulle, scheduled for 14:55, estimated at 15:20 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR9741 to Rhodes, scheduled for 15:00, estimated at 15:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• easyJet flight U22107 to Paris Charles de Gaulle, scheduled for 15:00, estimated at 15:32 with a delay of 32 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR8358 to Budapest, scheduled for 15:05, estimated at 15:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS993 to Paphos, scheduled for 15:05, estimated at 15:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight RK8292 to Tirana, scheduled for 15:05, estimated at 15:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2542 to Rhodes, scheduled for 15:05, estimated at 15:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY344 to Sharm el-Sheikh, scheduled for 15:05, estimated at 15:30 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS965 to Larnaca, scheduled for 15:15, estimated at 15:40 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight RK1266 to Agadir, scheduled for 15:40, estimated at 16:05 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Malta Air flight FR1863 to Cork, scheduled for 15:55, estimated at 16:20 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2520 to Paphos, scheduled for 15:55, estimated at 16:20 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2532 to Gran Canaria, scheduled for 15:55, estimated at 16:20 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR4088 to Faro, scheduled for 16:00, estimated at 16:25 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2552 to Naples, scheduled for 16:15, estimated at 16:40 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS867 to Dalaman, scheduled for 16:25, estimated at 16:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR8879 to Warsaw, scheduled for 16:30, estimated at 16:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1725 to Marrakesh, scheduled for 16:30, estimated at 16:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1747 to Gran Canaria, scheduled for 16:30, estimated at 16:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS861 to Antalya, scheduled for 16:30, estimated at 16:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS837 to Kos, scheduled for 16:30, estimated at 16:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• SunExpress flight XQ535 to Antalya, scheduled for 16:30, estimated at 16:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1045 to Rhodes, scheduled for 16:35, estimated at 17:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1719 to Catania, scheduled for 16:35, estimated at 17:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY668 to Marrakesh, scheduled for 17:10, estimated at 17:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1013 to Burgas, scheduled for 17:15, estimated at 17:40 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2556 to Larnaca, scheduled for 17:25, estimated at 17:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1731 to Ibiza, scheduled for 17:30, estimated at 17:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS1003 to Izmir, scheduled for 17:35, estimated at 18:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2596 to Burgas, scheduled for 17:50, estimated at 18:15 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Flexjet flight to Farnborough, scheduled for 17:50, estimated at 18:15 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Norwegian flight DY1349 to Oslo, scheduled for 18:10, estimated at 18:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR5953 to Dubrovnik, scheduled for 18:25, estimated at 18:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• SunExpress flight XQ595 to Antalya, scheduled for 18:25, estimated at 18:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Ryanair flight FR3212 to Girona, scheduled for 18:30, estimated at 18:55 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• TUI flight BY2570 to Heraklion, scheduled for 18:35, estimated at 19:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS957 to Alicante, scheduled for 19:10, estimated at 19:35 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Malta Air flight FR2141 to Krakow, scheduled for 19:15, estimated at 19:40 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Jet2 flight LS925 to Palma de Mallorca, scheduled for 19:25, estimated at 19:50 with a delay of 25 minutes.
• Eurowings flight EW7769 to Hamburg, scheduled for 19:35, estimated at 20:00 with a delay of 25 minutes.

The breed, noted for its strong, long, lustrous wool, was first named in 1876, although its story goes back much further than that, but is now on the ‘at risk’ register.

A Wensleydale (Image: Elaine Vizor)

The exhibition, Following Ewe, is by local photographic artist Elaine Vizor, who spent much time in all seasons on the farm of Jodi Shadforth, the secretary of the Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ Association, near Hartlepool.

“I’ve avoided the cute bit about lambs so I can get to the heart of the farming process,” says Elaine, “and the central part of the exhibition is about the led up to the shows: dagging, clipping and washing.”

Judging the Wensleydales at Ryedale Show (Image: Elaine Vizor)

Unlike many breeds, the Wensleydale has a documented foundation story. In 1839, at William Outhwaite’s East Appleton farm, between Catterick and Bedale, a ram called Bluecap was born.

This was a time of great innovation in agriculture, with farmers applying new feeding regimes and new genetic approaches to improving their animals.

Bluecap’s mother was a “Mug”, a Teeswater ewe of a type common in the dales of North Yorkshire and Durham.

But his father – or, more correctly, “sire” – was a Dishley Leicester ram, and so Bluecap turned out to be a ram of exceptional size, with dark skin and long, lustrous white fleece. As a two shear – in other words, after his second shearing, so he was between two and three years old – he weighed around 203kg (448lb or 32 stone). Today, a Wensleydale ram weighs up to 150kg, so Bluecap was clearly an impressive fellow.

Wensleydales by Elaine Vizor (Image: Elaine Vizor)

Bluecap, and his descendants, were then applied to other ewes across the north.

1839 wasn’t just see the founding of the Wensleydale breed of sheep – it also saw the birth of photography. That January, Louis‑Jacques‑Mandé Daguerre astounded Paris by producing images on polished sheets of copper – “daguerreotype” – and Henry Fox Talbot told London about his negative paper images. That August, these advancements led scientist Sir John Herschel to coin the word “photography”, made from Greek meaning “drawing with light”.

A Wensleydale at Ryedale Show (Image: Elaine Vizor)

“What a great coincidence that this is also the date Wensleydales can trace back to Bluecap,” says Elaine, who was commissioned by Durham County Council to do the project. “This gave me creative licence and inspiration to tackle my commission with an element of vintage photography alongside digital.”

Photographer Elaine Vizor, from Bishop Auckland (Image: Elaine Vizor)

However, while photography developed apace, it wasn’t for nearly 40 years that the breed of sheep was officially named. Farmers had been exhibiting at shows among the generic local sheep but wanted classes specifically for their long, lustrous woolled animals and in 1876, the Great Yorkshire Show ran its first “Wensleydale” classes.

Judging Wensleydale Sheep at the Great Yorkshire Show (Image: Elaine Vizor)

But this then sparked rancorous rivalry over what was a true Wensleydale and what were its essential characteristics. Two rival societies, with fantastically long names, emerged – the Incorporated Wensleydale Blue‑faced Sheep Breeders’ Association and Flock Book Society, and the Wensleydale Long‑wool Sheep Breeders’ Association and Flock Book Society – and promoted the same sheep from slightly different standpoints with parallel, competing pedigrees.

At Ryedale Show (Image: Elaine Vizor)

The hardships caused by the First World War brought the feuding farmers to their senses and on November 27, 1920, they officially amalgamated to form the present Wensleydale Longwool Sheep Breeders’ Association.

A previous generation exhibiting their Wensleydales (Image: Elaine Vizor)

However, there are still two types of Wensleydale sheep: there’s the white, which has blue skin, and the black, which has black skin and produces darker fleeces which range in colour from silvery grey to jet black.

Wensleydale fleece in the British Wool Tent at the Great Yorkshire Show (Image: Elaine Vizor)

In the early decades of the 20th Century, the Wensleydale was known both for its wool and for being a “crossing sheep” – its rams importantly injected its characteristics into other types of sheep. Most notably when the ewe was a Dalesbred, it created the Masham, and the Masham’s “Ripon wool” fetched high prices on the Bradford wool markets, and it was known as a “butcher’s sheep” because it produced plenty of lean meat.

However, over the course of the 20th Century, quicker fattening continental breeds became more popular, and so now the Wensleydale is a rare breed which is “at risk”, meaning there are only an estimated 900 to 1,500 breeding ewes in the UK, with the black Wensleydale now having a limited genepool.

“Wensleydale farmers are extremely hard working, dedicated, and committed to producing high quality sheep for their meat and, importantly, their lustrous longwool fleeces which are highly sought after for spinning, knitting, weaving, rug making and other artisan crafts,” says Elaine.

Spinning Wensleydale wool (Image: Elaine Vizor)

Wensleydale longwool (Image: Elaine Vizor)

A Wensleydale rug (Image: Elaine Vizor)

Two rugs, one white and one black, which were handmade by Jodi’s mother, Diane Shadforth, also feature in the exhibition, along with an installation on hand clipping.

“It dates back more than 2,000 years and is mentioned in the Old Testament,” says Elaine. “I have a series of photos showing a farmer clip modern Wensleydales using the age old method which is said to create a cleaner, smoother clip than electric shears.

A freshly washed Wensleydale gets a natural blow dry (Image: Elaine Vizor)

“I hope I’ve shown the sheep as the showstoppers they are with their wonderful fleeces and exhibited the pictures in a way that encompasses the whole history of the Wensleydale sheep.”

• Following Ewe opens at Bishop Auckland Town Hall on Monday, June 8, and runs until August 29. It is open Monday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm

Wensleydale Sheep 150th anniversary. Pictures by Elaine Vizor (Image: Elaine Vizor)

The event, taking place in Redcar, is part of a new partnership led by British Triathlon to promote healthy lifestyles through swimming, cycling, and walking/running, with support from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and several other organisations.

Set for Sunday, June 28, the launch event will be held at Majuba Beach from 12pm to 4pm.

Cycling (Image: Supplied)

Dani Penney, regional development manager at British Triathlon, said: “We are excited to be launching the Redcar Swim Bike Run partnership with a free Swim Bike Run event.

“We have started some great partnership work that will provide regular opportunities for local families to get involved in swimming, cycling, walking/running in a way that suits them.”

Highlights of the day include the Swim Bike Run Mini, a family-friendly event starting at 1pm where participants can choose to swim, cycle, walk, run or complete all three activities.

Running (Image: Supplied)

The format is designed to be inclusive and non-competitive, with no timing or pressure to finish quickly.

Both adult and family waves will be available.

Equipment, including bikes and wetsuits, will be available to borrow on the day.

The course features a sea swim, a bike ride on a closed circuit in a nearby car park, and a flat, accessible run along the esplanade.

The route is suitable for wheelchairs and hand cycles.

Participants may bring their own bikes or use one provided.

Stationary bikes will also be offered for those less confident on a moving cycle.

Cllr Carrie Richardson, cabinet member for climate and culture and deputy leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors to get active, try something new, and enjoy everything our coastline has to offer.

“The Swim Bike Run event is designed to be fun, inclusive, and accessible to all.

“We’re proud to support British Triathlon to bring this exciting initiative to Redcar.”

Visitors can also browse stalls from various organisations offering information about volunteering and sports clubs.

The event is a collaborative effort between British Triathlon, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, RCVDA, Redcar Beach Base, Swim England, Redcar Triathlon Club and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Peter Neal, CEO at RCVDA, said: “RCVDA is delighted to be part of this exciting partnership bringing a free, inclusive event to the heart of our community.

“Events like this are a fantastic way to bring people together, encourage active lifestyles, and showcase the wonderful assets Redcar has to offer.”

Matthew Martin, club and community development lead at Swim England, said: “Creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive opportunities for people to be active in and around water is really important to us, and this event is a fantastic way for families to build confidence, try something new, and enjoy the benefits of moving more together.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Events like this give local families a chance to get active and have fun together.

“So, I’d urge people to head down and give this a go.”

Participants can book a free place using the code RedcarSBR via the British Triathlon website.

BOSTON (AP) — A federal judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy enacted after the shooting of two National Guard members that made it harder for immigrants from dozens of countries to stay and enter the U.S.

In a ruling harshly criticizing the administration, U.S. District Chief Judge John McConnell Jr. said the policy “threw the lives of countless immigrants living in the United States into indeterminate legal limbo,” and he accused the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of ignoring the law.

“In enacting its latest immigration policies, USCIS: claims statutory and regulatory authority that it does not possess; makes decisions without the reasoned explanations that it must provide; acts without regard for the reliance interests of applicants that it must consider; and justifies its actions with pretextual concerns of ‘national security’ that mask anti-immigrant sentiments that it is forbidden from letting influence its decision-making,” he wrote. “In legal terms that means USCIS’s actions are contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The policies enacted after the National Guard shooting last year meant that immigrants from 39 African, Asian, Latin American, and Middle Eastern countries have been “categorically barred” from receiving final decisions on, among other things, their asylum, work permit, green card, and citizenship applications.

“This ruling reaffirms a basic principle: the federal government cannot shut down lawful immigration pathways or discriminate against people based on where they come from,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, which represented the plaintiffs in the case. “These unlawful policies caused enormous harm to families, workers, asylum-seekers, and communities across the country who were left in limbo, unable to work, access protections, or move forward with their lives.”

The policies apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or USCIS, which approves applications for immigrants to work and become citizens. The agency, which is within the Homeland Security Department, often grants asylum, but only for those already in the United States when they apply. Immigration judges grant asylum to those stopped at the border; the ruling does not affect them, nor do the policies that sparked the lawsuit.

It is part of an ongoing effort by the administration to tighten U.S. entry standards for travel and immigration, which critics say unfairly prevent travel for people from a broad range of countries. The administration suggested it would expand the restrictions after the arrest of an Afghan national suspect in the shooting of two National Guard troops over Thanksgiving weekend.

In its motion to dismiss, which the court denied, the government argued that Congress gave the executive branch broad authority over immigration policy, including “the entry of aliens into the United States as well as discretion within the statutory scheme to confer as well as withdraw various discretionary benefits.”

“This case rests on a remarkable premise: that a federal court should prevent an agency from issuing the very policy guidance that provides government personnel with the guardrails necessary to ensure consistent, non-arbitrary, and individualized decisionmaking consistent with federal law,” the government wrote in its brief.

Immigration groups celebrated the ruling.

“This ruling sets a powerful precedent that the administration cannot ignore the law as laid down by Congress and cannot arbitrarily bar immigration benefits on the basis of national origin by fiat,” Jamal Abdi, president at the National Iranian American Council, said. “Fortunately, this is still a nation of laws, and those who uphold America’s values have recourse to challenge and push back on such discriminatory, arbitrary policies.”

Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran who heads a coalition that supports Afghan resettlement efforts called #AfghanEvac, said the ruling was a “significant victory for the rule of law and for thousands of Afghan allies and other immigrants who followed every requirement asked of them.”

“Just this week in Dallas and Fort Worth, we met people who feared losing jobs because delayed work permit renewals threatened their livelihoods, families who postponed education, travel, and homeownership because they did not know when their cases would be resolved, and future Americans who had expected to become citizens only to see their applications stall without explanation,” VanDiver said.

The petition was launched by businessman Phil Hall, who runs the Black Swan Inn on Birdgate, in Pickering, with wife Jill.

Mr Hall says the problems which started in October last year have “finished” their business.

Water started leaking into their basement after road repairs.

Workers from North Yorkshire Council came to investigate and put up a roadworks barriers outside the pub.

Eight months later, the barriers are still in place.

Mr Hill told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “We had to stop doing food because we had water from an unknown source coming into the building, and that’s contravening the food hygiene regulations.

“Consequently, we couldn’t pay staff and we had to let staff go in the winter.

“We’re also in a position where because of the barriers around the front of the building, people think that we’re closed.

He added: “We started two weeks ago trying to do food again, but the footfall is dire. North Yorkshire Council don’t seem to understand is that with this type of business, you can’t just turn it on and off — the reputation is your business.

“It’s finished our business, it really has.”

More than 850 people have signed the petition calling on the council to fix the repair.

The petition will be debated by members of North Yorkshire Council’s Thirsk and Malton area committee on Friday next week.

Mr Hall said: “We started a petition to try and encourage North Yorkshire Council to do something about the problem outside because it’s affecting the whole town.

“We also want the council to communicate with  the businesses and the residents of the town to let them know what’s happening in some.

“We’re now getting into the big trading season and everybody’s concerned that the visitors to the town are going to be put off by the fact that we’ve got roadworks out there.”

A council report prepared ahead of the meeting states that the authority is about to install an in-kerb drainage system to collect any surface water outside the pub.

The report adds: “We are also looking to obtain listed building consent to work on a listed structure to put physical measures in place to install a water barrier below the footway level.

“This has necessitated obtaining the services of specialist engineers and engineering firms, which has added time to the development of the various

solutions proposed.

“Due to the length of time this is taking the benefits of reinstating the footway until a fully agreed and consented proposal is in place are being assessed. This will allow the traffic signals to be removed.”

The report states that the council submitted a proposal to deal with the water ingress with works inside the cellar, but this was rejected by the owners in early March 2026.

“It was thought that this would have enabled the public house to start operating normally again,” it adds.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A man was charged with murder Friday in the stabbing of “Jumanji” and “Top Gun: Maverick” actor James Handy, who was in a relationship with the suspect’s mother.

Michael Gledhill, 44, was charged after police say officers found the 81-year-old Handy stabbed in the chest and lying unconscious outside a home in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Handy was taken to the hospital and later pronounced dead.

Gledhill did not appear at an arraignment Friday afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court and no plea was entered for him. Javier Trincado, Gledhill’s lawyer, said his client is “unable to assist” in his defense and told the judge that the sheriff’s department did not bring Gledhill to the courtroom, but did not provide a reason.

Superior Court Judge John H. Reid ordered that Gledhill be sent to mental health court and undergo psychological evaluations. Another judge will decide whether he is competent for trial.

Authorities say Gledhill was arrested after telling police he was the person they were looking for. Police had responded to the home after a 911 caller stated: “I am the son of man, I just killed the man of sin,” according to the department.

Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman said Handy deserved to enjoy his later years with his loved ones and that the person who took his life should be held accountable.

“This is not how anyone’s life should end, stabbed in the chest and left dying in the front yard of a home,” he said in a statement.

Handy was a character actor in films and on TV for decades, including appearances in a variety of television crime procedurals.

Actor Brian Delate knew Handy for more than four decades after meeting him at a Vietnam veterans theater company in New York. Delate described him as someone with a great sense of humor who was always curious.

Delate told The Associated Press that a few times over the past couple of years, Handy mentioned in passing that his girlfriend’s son had mental health problems.

“I didn’t think much of it, because he just kind of mentioned it casually,” he said.

Handy’s girlfriend had fixed up the garage so her son could live there, Delate said. Handy had his own home.

Bail was set at $2 million for Gledhill, according to authorities. If convicted, Gledhill faces up to 26 years to life in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.

Emails sent to Trincado and officials from the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office were not immediately answered.

Born in New York, Handy appeared in films and TV shows for decades.

He was known for his role as an exterminator in the 1995 film “Jumanji” and more recently as the bartender Jimmy in the 2022 film “Top Gun: Maverick,” according to IMDB. He’s also appeared in some of the top TV crime dramas, including “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Closer” and “Cold Case.”

“I could not have asked for a more talented, humble or gracious client and friend than James Handy,” Pam Ellis-Evenas, from the Ellis Talent Group, said in an email to The Associated Press.

Jeff Hawks, who said he’s been friends with Handy for about 10 years after they met at an audition, described him as a hilarious man who had a habit of belting out doo-wop songs when they’d go out to bars.

“I can’t imagine who would ever have a beef with him,” he said. “To me, it’s impossible. He was just really a decent guy.”

With Vietnam in mind, Delate lamented how his friend died.

“If he’d just passed away from an illness or something like that, this would be a very different experience,” he said. “But because of the nature of how he died and the fact that we lived in an arena of killing back in the ‘60s, it has a different resonance.”

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Associated Press journalist Philip Marcelo contributed from New York City.

The stunning beach in County Donegal has attracted global attention after the biggest pop star on the planet posted pictures from there

A stunning Irish beach situated in County Donegal was once crowned the second-most beautiful in the entire world.

Ballymastocker Bay in Portsalon sits 40 miles, or one hour’s drive, from the border town of Derry — and it’s so breathtakingly photogenic that it has captured the heart of one of the biggest music stars on the planet.

The beach was previously named amongst the finest in Ireland by Lonely Planet, but the Observer Magazine went even further, voting it the second most beautiful beach in the world.

The golden sandy stretch lines the western shore of Lough Swilly, extending an impressive 2km from the charming village of Portsalon. It holds a prestigious Blue Flag award and boasts spectacular views across the Inishowen Peninsula.

Perhaps its most high-profile admirer is none other than Taylor Swift, who shared a series of black and white photographs taken at the beach a year after the release of her Folklore album.

Sharp-eyed fans from Ireland and Northern Ireland were quick to identify the location as Ballymastocker Bay (also known as Portsalon Beach), recognising the iconic footbridge visible in the background. A charming little pub by the pier also offers the perfect spot to enjoy a pint while soaking up the magnificent surroundings.

During the summer of 2021, Taylor wrote in her caption about the “tall, tall trees and salt air” and spoke about a place “where you’re allowed to wear lace nightgowns that make you look like a Victorian ghost every day and no one will side eye you cause no one is around”.

Predictably, legions of Swifties now descend upon the beach, which is framed by stunning verdant hills and countryside, to capture some of the magic and allure the pop sensation enjoyed personally.

Ballymastocker Bay lies within a Natural Habitat Area and features dazzling turquoise waters that stretch towards the Atlantic Ocean.

Its particular appeal stems from its position on the Wild Atlantic Way, making it a frequent stopping point for those travelling one of the nation’s most spectacular driving routes.

Numerous visitors also venture to Portsalon where pubs, cafés, restaurants and shops offer a delightful day out.

It’s also merely a 20-minute drive from one of Ireland’s most renowned lighthouses – the Fanad Head Lighthouse.

Guided tours are available there and it sits on the tip of the Fanad Peninsula.

However, for those simply wishing to appreciate the beach, they can do so undisturbed, as it extends for over a mile, ensuring they’re seldom caught in large crowds.

For the ideal Instagram photograph, visitors are advised to make use of the viewing point on Knockalla mountain.

One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor: “Portsalon Beach completely stole my heart with its sweeping golden sands, turquoise waters & peaceful atmosphere. It’s one of those places that feels almost untouched, perfect for a quiet walk or simply sitting & soaking in the views.”

Another said: “Best beach in Ireland. Easy to park and walk down to. So clean and safe.” Another visitor enthused: “Stunning location, great for kids, beautiful. Safe and clean. Must visit in this area. One of the best in Ireland.”