We are on the approach to the ‘longest day’ and ‘shortest night’ of the year

The days have progressively been getting longer over the last couple months and, with the sun now setting pretty late into the evening, we are quickly approaching the longest day of the year.

The longest day of the year – which is commonly referred to as the summer solstice – marks the ‘longest day’ and ‘shortest night’ of the year. In the Northern Hemisphere, this day falls in June and marks midsummer.

But while most people consider summer solstice to be a day, it is actually a specific moment which falls on the longest day of the year. For the UK, the summer solstice is the point when the Northern Hemisphere is most tilted towards the sun.

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It is also a moment which is celebrated by many different cultures and societies across the world, with many associating it with themes of renewal, fertility, and the triumph of light over darkness. For example, Midsummer celebrations in Scandinavia and the UK include bonfires, dancing, and feasting.

In the UK, many people gather at Stonehenge to celebrate the summer solstice. It isn’t necessarily clear if marking the summer solstice was the point of Stonehenge, but it is a centre for the celebration as the stones are lined up to frame the rising of the sun on the solstice.

When is the longest day of the year?

This year the summer solstice will fall on Sunday, June 21. In the UK, the summer solstice will occur on this date, specifically at 9.24am BST, according to the Royal Museums Greenwich.

What time is sunrise and sunset on the longest day?

The exact times for sunrise and sunset on the summer solstice depends on your specific location. On June 21, 2026, the approximate times for sunrise and sunset in London, according to the Met Office, are:

• Sunrise: 4.43am
• Sunset: 9.21pm

On June 21, 2026, the approximate times for sunrise and sunset in Manchester, according to the Met Office, are:

• Sunrise: 4.40am
• Sunset: 9.41pm

‘People were so scared and confused’

A passenger has described the horrific scenes in a train crash in Bedford that left the driver dead and dozens injured.

Pete Knapp said people were ‘crying and screaming’ after an East Midlands Railway (EMR) service smashed into the back of another train on the same line on Friday (June 19). He said some passengers on board appeared to have ‘life-threatening’ major injuries as he described the moment he was flung into the chair in front in the collision.

A train driver was killed, 11 suffered ‘very serious’ injuries and 22 were seriously injured in the crash, the East of England Ambulance Service said. All patients with the most serious injuries have all now been taken to hospital.

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A further 56 people sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene or in hospital. Most carriages of the two southbound trains remained on the tracks but at least one derailed.

The two trains involved were operating the 4.40pm departure from Corby and the 3.50pm departure from Nottingham, both to London St Pancras. Dr Knapp, 40, said he had not felt the train slow down before the crash but other passengers told him they had.

Speaking to the Press Association, he said: “There was a moment of being flung into the chair in front, and then I saw smoke. People were crying, screaming, people were so scared and confused.

“I got up and I saw a lot of people who were unable to speak, had broken legs, and then I managed to get out of the train and because I’m quite thin I was able to squeeze out through the gap in the doors.”

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Dr Knapp said he saw people with ‘life-threatening, major injuries, minor injuries’ as well as ‘people with bandages, people who couldn’t see straight’, while others like him were still able to walk. He said: “I’ve got blood all over my trousers and my back hurts like hell but I’m all right.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the crash as ‘hugely concerning’ and said he is ‘grateful to the emergency services for their swift response to this tragic incident’. Air ambulance helicopters were on the ground after the collision happened just south of the Elstow interchange between the A421 and the A6.

There was a long line of emergency vehicles on a rural road as emergency crews and passengers gathered in a neighbouring field. Members of the public were asked to avoid the scene of the crash, while Bedford Hospital and Luton and Dunstable University Hospital both asked people not to attend their emergency departments ‘unless they have a genuine medical emergency’ as they responded to the incident.

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EMR trains to and from the London were suspended for the rest of the day. Online train trackers show the rolling stock involved in the crash were a class 360 and class 810, with the front of the former hitting the rear of the latter.

EMR began rolling out class 810s in December last year, while class 360s are at least 20 years old. A spokesperson for Network Rail, which manages Britain’s rail infrastructure, said: “We are supporting the efforts of emergency services on scene and our thoughts are with everyone involved.”

Meanwhile, Eddie Dempsey, the general secretary of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), confirmed the person killed in the train crash near Bedford was the driver of one of the trains. He said: “We are devastated to learn that a train driver and former RMT rep has tragically died as a result of today’s crash between Luton and Bedford.

“The thoughts of RMT are with their family, friends, colleagues and the Aslef trade union at this awful time.”

A fire erupted at an elementary school in central Tokyo, Japan, on Friday, prompting the swift evacuation of nearly 300 students and teachers.

At least 11 people were injured, some due to smoke inhalation, according to Japanese media reports. The injured were taken to a local hospital.

Among the injured were a teacher with a broken hip and two children with broken arms. Officials confirmed that all individuals were accounted for.

The Tokyo Fire Department said the blaze at Takinogawa No 3 Elementary School started at around 11am on Friday, originating near a music room on the top floor of the four-storey building.

It was extinguished in about three hours after damaging a part of the building.

Television footage captured thick black smoke billowing from fourth-floor windows as dozens of fire engines converged on the scene, with crews battling the flames.

Police said a class of fifth graders was being held in the music room where the fire began. Pupils reported a burning smell from a room used to store musical instruments, and a teacher saw smoke when he opened the door.

A fire alarm went off, but the sprinkler system did not work.

An 11-year-old boy told Kyodo News that he was in an English class when he heard people shouting “run!”

He said that, even though he was frightened, he repeated his teacher’s call for students to stay calm.

An employee of a company close to the school said he was “surprised by a fire alarm” and went outside to find many pupils in the schoolyard.

“Red flames were emerging from the school, and the sky became completely black due to the smoke,” they said.

Firefighters successfully rescued one teacher and several schoolchildren from the premises, all of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

All other occupants of the building had independently evacuated to a nearby park, ensuring no one was left behind.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The return of the classic car will bring together Rhea’s family for a poignant reunion nearly a decade after they last saw it.

The Heartbeat Vehicle Rally, which takes place annually in Goathland – known to fans of the show as Aidensfield -will welcome the return of the late author’s cherished Jaguar Mark 2 on June 27.

How the car looked when it was discovered five years after the family had sold it (Image: Nicholas Rhea family archive)

Nicholas Rhea, whose real name was Peter N Walker, was the creator of the Constable books that inspired the long-running ITV drama Heartbeat.

Sarah Todd, Rhea’s daughter and writer of the Countryman’s Daughter column for The Darlington & Stockton Times, said: “It was one of the best moments of my life.”

“It cast a spell on him that lasted the rest of his life.”

How it looks now after a complete restoration by Richard James (Image: Nicholas Rhea family archive)

Mr Rhea first spotted the sky blue Jaguar in 1975 and used it until it failed its MOT in 1979.

He kept the car in his garage for 15 years and only found the means to repair it after the success of Heartbeat.

Sarah said: “I told Dad I wanted to be driven to my wedding in the Jaguar. Dad promised to make it happen.” On 14th May 1994, she sat with her dad in the back of his beloved car being driven to the church.

Sadly, after a diagnosis of prostate cancer, Rhea died on 21st April 2017.

Heartbeat author Nicholas Rhea (AKA Peter N Walker) far left, pours champagne for the happy couple, his daughter Sarah and new husband Marc, in 1994. Sarah and her family will be reunited with Rhea’s beloved Mark 2 Jaguar at the Heartbeat Vehicle Rally in Goathland on June 27 (Image: Nicholas Rhea family archive)

Believing they could not look after the car properly, the family made the difficult decision to sell it.

Sarah said: “Watching it drive away was like losing my dad all over again.

“I consoled myself by thinking the new owner would cherish it as we had.

“But I was wrong.”

Heartbeat Vehicle Rally organiser Lee Jones later spotted the car on Facebook, having been bought in poor condition by Jaguar enthusiast Richard James.

Sarah said: “Seeing the ‘before’ pictures broke my heart. It was awful.”

Mr James was unaware of the vehicle’s pedigree until he found a Heartbeat pen under the back seats during restoration.

He has since named the car ‘Grace’ and will reunite it with the family at the rally, including Mr Rhea’s 89-year-old widow, Rhoda.

Danielle Johnstone and her one-year-olf daughter Finley were left stranded at the airport after their seats were cancelled forcing them to pay out nearly £1600 for replacement flights.

A family’s World Cup trip was thrown into chaos after an booking blunder left a mum and her one-year-old daughter stranded at Edinburgh Airport forcing them to shell out hundreds of pounds on replacement flights.

Rosie McQuillan Irvine was due set to jet off to Florida on June 17 with her husband Stewart, son, daughter-in-law Danielle and grandchildren Forrest, five, and Finley, one, following the steps of many other Tartan Army supporters.

The family paid more than £6,500 for the trip to Orlando, which is centred around Scotland’s World Cup clash against Brazil in Miami on June 24.

However, when they arrived at Edinburgh Airport to board their 9.15am Aer Lingus flight to Orlando via Dublin, Danielle and Finley were told they could not travel because Finley had allegedly been booked as a child rather than an infant.

Finley, who does not turn two until June 29, should have been booked as an infant under airline rules, meaning she would have travelled on her mother’s lap. Airline staff advised the family that because the booking had been made incorrectly, Danielle and Finley would not be allowed to board.

Rosie, 59, from Dundee, told the Record: “It was just an absolute panic at the airport. Staff told us the only option was to cancel Danielle and Finley’s seats. We didn’t know what to do or if would even be possible to book another flight.

“I’d given all the correct details when we booked, explaining we only needed a seat for Finley when we were returning. The whole thing was just utter nonsense as the seats were there. Surely it’s just click of a button to change it.”

Unable to get through to anyone at holiday company On the Beach for assistance, the family decided they had no option but to pay £1,580 out of their own pocket for Danielle and Finley to travel on a later Virgin Atlantic flight, while the others rushed to catch the orginal booked flight.

“I told my husband and son just to get on the flight with our grandson as they’ve followed Scotland all over so we couldn’t let them down,” Rosie explained.

“I didn’t want Danielle to have travel solo as she’s never done it before but when we looked at new flights they were going to cost over £3000. It was just out of the question and we didn’t know if we’d get a refund so Danielle reluctantly said she would just go seperatley.

“She was left to fly on her own with a baby, two suitcases and a pram. While there was two empty seats on our plane! It just beggars belief.

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“The kids were all upset when we were seperated. Forrest feared his mum and wee sister weren’t coming with us on holiday as he didn’t understand. It was really traumatic and stressful. Especially with no one to speak to for help.”

Rosie praised fellow Tartan Army supporters who rallied round to help Danielle as she travelled alone with a baby.

She said: “The Tartan Army were absolutely brilliant helping Danielle as she had her hands full. Everyone was quick to help her around the airport as she waited for her flight that afternoon and also as she travelled. We don’t know what she would have done without them.”

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The family later discovered that because Danielle and Finley had been recorded as no-shows on their original booking, their return flights home on July 2 had also been cancelled, creating further stress.

“I spent the whole of our first day of the holiday on the phone sending emails but I’ve still never spoke to a human,” Rosie said.

However, she says On the Beach have now agreed to pay the costs.

She added: “They’ve rebooked the seats for the return flights too and are given us some compensation.”

Despite the ordeal, the family were relieved to eventually reunite in Orlando ahead of Scotland’s match against Brazil in Miami.

Rosie joked: “All I can say is Scotland better perform now after all the stress we’ve been through!”

An On the Beach spokesperson said they were investigating and had reimbursed the family while that investigation is taking place.

A spokesperson for On the Beach said, “We’re very sorry for the disruption Rosie and her family experienced at the start of their holiday.

“We’re investigating with the airline, the circumstances that led to boarding being refused – the booking was made using the ages provided and included a seat for the child.

“While those enquiries are ongoing, we’ve spoken to Rosie, reimbursed the cost of the alternative outbound flight, arranged replacement return flights and provided a goodwill cash gesture for the inconvenience caused.”

Aer Lingus has been contacted for comment.

Despite the prominence of family relationships in cinema, fatherhood remains a surprisingly underexplored area of academic film study.

There are a few exceptions. Charting the emergence of the paternal protector as a key masculine archetype is Katie Barnett’s Fathers on Film: Paternity and Masculinity in 1990s Hollywood. And crucially, Gershon Reiter’s Fathers and Sons in Cinema considers the lasting impact of absent fathers on cinematic characters.

This Father’s Day will be my first without my dad who passed away earlier this year. We bonded over many films together, which I now find myself rewatching in order to feel that closeness once more. Here’s a list of films featuring onscreen fathers that meant something to us and will hopefully strike a chord with you too.

A Bronx Tale (1993)

When we first watched De Niro’s directorial debut in the late 1990s on VHS video, I remember it having a greater impact on my dad than me – my first impression was a kind of Goodfellas lite.

As a father myself, I now recognise the complexity of his interest in A Bronx Tale, a film about a law-abiding patriarch (De Niro) trying to retain influence over his nine-year-old son (Lillo Brancato) as he is beguiled by local mobster and surrogate father figure Sonny (Chazz Palminteri).

There was one particular scene my dad, a working man, liked: “It don’t take much strength to pull a trigger, but try and get up every morning day after day and work for a living … then we’ll see who’s the real tough guy. The working man is the tough guy – your father’s the tough guy!”

Honkytonk Man (1982)

My dad enjoyed most of what Clint Eastwood made both in front of the camera and behind it. In Honkytonk Man, he does both.

It’s a gentler role for Eastwood, set during the Great Depression, about a dying country singer, Red Stovall, trying to make his way to Nashville to perform his songs at the Grand Ole Opry before his health gives out.

Dad always had a fondness for country music and indeed this film, particularly as Red is accompanied by his nephew Whit, performed by Eastwood’s real-life son (and now musician), Kyle Eastwood. This brings a moving authenticity to the screen in this affecting, coming-of-age road movie about the driving force of kinship and the bond of music between two generations.

Paper Moon (1973)

Eastwood’s film may well have been inspired by Peter Bogdanovich’s Depression-era comedy road movie, which we always loved. Paper Moon tells the picaresque tale of Moses (Ryan O’Neal) and eight-year-old Addie (his own daughter Tatum O’Neal), a pair of grifters masquerading as father and daughter conning their way across Bible-belt Kansas.

What starts out as a transactional relationship over $200 soon blossoms into a closeness between the two. The wonderful chemistry between the two leads galvanises the film, evident even in the trailer, which includes delightful corpsing outtakes. This was Tatum O’Neal’s film debut and her astonishing performance earned her an Oscar at ten, a record she has held for 52 years as the youngest winner.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)

Dad introduced me to many musicals, particularly the films of Stanley Donen – On the Town (1949) and Singin’ in the Rain (1952) being important ones. But it is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers that remains a favourite from my childhood.

I now, of course, appreciate the technical camerawork and inventive choreography (of dancing and fighting) that goes into this ballet of brightness. It’s mixed with comedy and delicate moments of fatherliness – particularly between eldest brother Adam (Howard Keel) and youngest brother Gideon (Russ Tambyln).

Adam of course is a brother rather than a father, but the scenes in which Gideon speaks to his older brother as a father figure is enough to justify the place of this wonderful classic on this list.

Shane (1953)

Like many men of his generation, my dad loved westerns, and I cannot watch one without thinking of him. One of the last films we enjoyed together was Winchester 73 (1950) and one of his favourites was Rio Bravo (1959). He also had a penchant for Shane, a timeless cinematic classic from George Steven that has been parodied and remade several times – including Clint Eastwood’s Pale Rider.

The simple plot sees the eponymous Shane (Alan Ladd) riding into the homesteading lives of a couple and their young son Joey, helping them to confront ruthless outlaws trying to steal their property. It’s a timeless tale of good v evil.

Shane becomes an eternal surrogate father figure to Joey, who looks up to him with adoration and is utterly brokenhearted when this guardian angel eventually rides out of his life forever. The echo of Shane’s name being called into the mountains in the iconic closing scene remains haunting.

A Perfect World (1993)

Another Eastwood road movie that my dad and I enjoyed, which puts him back in the director’s chair and in the role of Texas ranger Red in pursuit of convict Butch (Kevin Costner) in a 1960s setting.

In A Perfect World, Red is in hot pursuit as Butch and eight-year-old hostage Philip form a quasi father-son relationship, building confidence, trust and a paternal need that has been absent in each of the two characters’ lives. It’s one of Costner’s best performances.

Pinocchio (1940)

I should finish with a childhood film, and there are many I could name here: The Wizard of Oz (1939) and The Jungle Book (1967) instantly come to mind. But Pinocchio was the first VHS cassette my dad bought me as a child, which I watched on repeat daily and still have today.

Like the toymaker Geppetto, my father was a skilled carpenter, and I still have the wooden toys he made for me as a boy. Beyond the Disney sheen, this film is fundamentally a story of the unconditional love between a boy and his father. They may be separated by the uncertainty and trickery of life, but they are united in their longing to return to one another in the warmth and comfort of home.

He will be appearing at the festival’s new treat, Pasties, Pints and Punchlines.

As reported in The Bolton News, the new experience combines local food and drink with top comedy by Justin, bringing together expert insight, tastings, and plenty of laughs in one entertaining afternoon.

Best known to fans as “Young Kenny” from the cult comedy Phoenix Nights, Justin has long since carved out his own hugely successful career, becoming one of the UK’s most respected stand-up comedians and broadcasters.

Justin Moorhouse (Image: Bolton Council)

Born and bred in Greater Manchester, Justin’s rise comes at a time when comedy fans are also gearing up for another major moment, with fellow Phoenix Nights creator Peter Kay set to perform at the Albert Halls next month.

Justin will be performing at the Octagon next month.

Guests will tuck into six freshly made Carrs Pasty tasters perfectly paired with six beer tasters from Bank Top Brewery all whilst enjoying a live comedy set, giving audiences the chance to relax and enjoy the festival atmosphere.

The session will also include multi award-winning Cake Artist and presenter, Rosie Dummer, who will host a flavour-packed live event with two Bolton food and drink experts.

Joe Carr, Director at Carrs Pasties, will share his passion and expertise, alongside Ben Sweeney, Head Brewer at Bank Top Brewery.

The event will take place on Sunday 30 August, 3pm – 5pm at The Albert Halls.

Pasties, Pints and Punchlines is another highlight of this year’s Bolton Food and Drink Festival, celebrating local produce, music, and good times.

Cllr Debbie Newall, Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Culture, said: “Pasties, Pints and Punchlines is all about celebrating the things Bolton does best – great local food and drink, brilliant talent and a good sense of humour.

“It’s a fun, relaxed way for people to discover more about our town’s food heritage, enjoy some fantastic tastings and laugh along with some top comedy, all as part of an already packed festival weekend.”

Joe Carr, Managing Director of Carrs Pasties, said: “It’s fantastic to be a part of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival again, it’s a weekend that we look forward to every year.

“This year we’re involved in the Pasties, Pints and Punchlines event which is going to be brilliant.

“Pasties and beers go hand-in-hand so it’s the perfect pairing!”.

Ben Sweeney, Head Brewer at Bank Top Brewery, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Bolton Food and Drink Festival this year.

“It’s a fantastic celebration of local food and drink, and we’re especially excited to be teaming up with Joe Carr from our friends at Carrs Pasties for the pasty and beer pairing that showcases the best of Bolton.”

Tickets are £25 each (plus booking fee) and are limited.

Miguel Almiron became the first player to be sent off for covering his mouth during an altercation with an opponent, but Paraguay clung on for a 1-0 World Cup win over Turkey.

The former Newcastle player was dismissed following a VAR review in first-half stoppage time. Almiron had covered his mouth while speaking to Turkey’s Baris Yilmaz.

Any player covering their mouth in a confrontational situation with an opponent may now be sanctioned with a red card.

The rule change came is in light of the controversy surrounding Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni and Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr in a Champions League game in February. Prestianni covered his mouth during a confrontation with Vinicius, who accused him of racist abuse. This was unable to be proven but Prestianni received a six-game ban from Uefa for homophobic conduct.

“If the conversation is friendly, they can continue to do it without any problem,” refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina explained. “When the conversation is confrontational, covering the mouth means that you are doing something very wrong, potentially, and the sanction is the red card.”

Matias Galarza gave Paraguay a second-minute lead as he collected a pass from Julio Enciso and fired a low effort into the bottom corner from 20 yards.

With both sides having lost their opening game, there was plenty at stake at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium and the tension soon led to a fiery encounter.

Mert Muldur’s header from a free-kick hit the crossbar and post before bouncing away as Turkey came close to a 33rd-minute equaliser.

Given their numerical advantage it was no surprise that Turkey dominated the second half, with Orlando Gill saving from Abdulkerim Bardakci.

Enciso fired a good chance wide on the counter attack while Can Uzun missed from six yards out at the other end.

Needing a goal to maintain any chance of progressing, Turkey became increasingly desperate as Gill denied Uzun and Deniz Gul put the rebound off target. Merih Demiral headed a stoppage-time effort wide as defeat saw Turkey eliminated.

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