Pocklington Town Council said it has agreed to support a partnership approach with the Pocklington District Heritage Trust (PDHT) and the Pocklington Community Trust (PCT) to develop Burnby Hall in The Balk into a community and heritage hub, with the council taking the lead on a proposed National Lottery Heritage Fund application.

In September 2025, the lease for the former East Riding of Yorkshire administration offices was handed over to Pocklington’s civic officials.

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Pocklington District Heritage Trust works to preserve and showcase the area’s rich archaeological and historical heritage highlighting everything from internationally important Iron Age burials to Anglo‑Saxon and Viking history.

It recently won the race for an Anglo-Saxon panel to return to the town and said it hopes to show it in a very distinct case.

Pocklington Community Trust, through its role at Burnby Hall and the Community Hall, has introduced an affordable community hub for local people, managing spaces used for coffee mornings, fitness and craft classes, heritage events, NHS blood donation sessions and a wide range of social, cultural and support activities.

Sheena McNamee, a trustee of both the PDHT and PCT, addressed the council at its June meeting.

She said: “A partnership National Lottery Heritage Fund bid, led by Pocklington Town Council and supported by PDHT and the Community Trust, is the only credible route to achieving this at the necessary scale.

“It balances ambition with responsibility and partnership with prudence.”

The council’s involvement would provide the governance and financial oversight needed for a lottery application of around £1 million.

The funding would support a more ambitious transformation of Burnby Hall, including the possible restoration of the Edwardian conservatory and wider heritage and community facilities.

Burnby Hall (Image: Supplied)

Pocklington town mayor Roly Cronshaw said: “Pocklington Town Council is delighted to be working in partnership with Pocklington District Heritage Trust and Pocklington Community Trust on this exciting opportunity for Burnby Hall.

“By bringing together the strengths and expertise of all three organisations, we can develop a strong and ambitious proposal that has the potential to secure significant investment for the town.”

“While the project will help preserve and celebrate an important part of Pocklington’s heritage, its benefits will reach far beyond that.

“The vision is to create a vibrant community hub that can be enjoyed by residents of all ages and interests, providing enhanced facilities, opportunities and activities that support the wellbeing, learning and social life of the whole community.”

The PCT is already working to make the whole of Burnby Hall fit and safe for multi-purpose use, while the PDHT aims to open a low-key museum within the building before the end of the year.

Successful lottery applications are not rapid, but it is hoped that the initial steering group can be brought together to get the process underway in the near future.

Great North Run founder Sir Brendan Foster helped put the finishing touches to the colourful mural which brings a fresh burst of colour to the Quayside and is just one of several art installations planned as the city counts down to the 2026 event.

Sir Brendan said: “This Sunday we celebrate a big milestone, the 45th birthday of the Great North Run. In that time, we’ve had over 1.4 million finishers and helped raise hundreds of millions of pounds for charity.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

“Over the years we’ve had countless special moments, incredible feats, records & world firsts but we’re focused on the future, and we’ve kept this a secret until now, but we’re gearing up for the biggest ever Great North Run in 2026.

“An additional 3,000 places were allocated for this year’s event meaning there will be are 63,000 runners on Sunday 13th September.

“The popularity of the Great North Run continues to grow with ballot entries to secure a much coveted place increasing year on year, so we’re delighted to be able to offer even more runners the chance to participate this year.”

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

The mural, designed and painted by Newcastle-based street artist Mul (Alex Mulholland), stretches 90 metres along the Quayside and features his signature Running Heart character, which has become part of this year’s GNR45 branding.

Mul’s artwork will be seen on this year’s finisher t-shirts and medals, and the mural’s location ties it firmly to the event’s celebrations over the Great North Run weekend.

On Friday, September 11, the Quayside will host the Great North Run 5k, followed by the 40th edition of the Great North Junior and Mini events on Saturday, September 12.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster, pictured with street artist Mul (Image: North News & Pictures)

Sir Brendan said: “We’re gathered on the Quayside to see the starting touches on a giant floor mural which is part of the GNR45 celebrations.

“The Great North Run has always been a real celebration of the North East and this is the first of several exciting city installations which will pop up over the coming weeks.

“The Quayside is the perfect location for this installation as it is home to many of our running celebrations across the Great North Run weekend.

Sir Brendan Foster and street artist Mul, who created the mural (Image: North News & Pictures)

“Mul’s street art is designed to be accessible to everyone and his Running Heart personifies our event and everyone who takes part to raise money for many great causes, in memory of loved ones, or purely for the love of running.”

Mul said it was a career highlight to be involved.

He said: “It’s a true honour to have been invited by The Great Run team to contribute to the legacy of such an iconic North East institution.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

“To know my artwork will form part of The Great North Run’s history is a genuine bucket-list moment and something as an artist, I’m very proud of.”

The mural was delivered in partnership with NE1, Newcastle city centre’s Business Improvement District company.

Stephen Patterson, CEO of NE1 Ltd, said: “We are extremely proud to host the world’s favourite and largest half marathon here in Newcastle and we are delighted to play our part in the Great North Run’s 45th anniversary celebrations.

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

“The Great North Run is part of the fabric of the city.

“It has put Newcastle and the wider North East on the national and international map attracting millions of visitors over the years to enjoy the event, its associated festivities and everything the city and the region have to offer.

“The event delivers a huge economic boost to the city and its businesses and creates an amazing atmosphere that we look forward to each year.”

He said: “This new artwork will be a fitting tribute to the incredible legacy of the Great North Run and the impact it has on Newcastle.”

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

A new mural celebrating the 45th anniversary of the AJ Bell Great North Run has been unveiled on Newcastle Quayside by race founder Sir Brendan Foster (Image: North News & Pictures)

The body of a a 26-year-old was found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees on Monday

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a body was found at a Bronze Age stone circle during a summer solstice event in the Peak District.

A murder investigation was launched after the body of a 26-year-old was found at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees in Derbyshire at around 1.38pm on Monday (June 22). A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident and remains in custody, Derbyshire Police said on Wednesday afternoon.

Officers are urging anyone who in the Stanton Lees area between June 19 and 23, and anyone with video footage of the event during the same period, to come forward. The force is also asking anyone with dashcam footage of vehicles arriving and leaving over the weekend to contact officers.

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The man, who was pronounced dead at the scene after emergency services were called, has not been formally identified but his family have been made aware and are being supported, the force said. The circumstances of the man’s death are being investigated

In a statement, the Peak District National Park Authority said: “We have been made aware of the tragic news and the investigation is being handled by our colleagues at the East Midlands Special Operations Unit. Our condolences are with the young man’s family during this difficult time.”

Detective Inspector Tony Owen, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation, said: “I am urgently appealing for anyone who attended the summer solstice event over the weekend to please speak to officers as soon as they can.

“A young man’s life has been taken in the most brutal way so it is vital that myself and the team build up a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death. This is why we urgently need to speak to everyone who was at the scene over the weekend. You may have only been there briefly and think you can’t help, but you could hold the key piece of information we need to understand what has happened and help us to get justice for this young man’s family.

“So I would ask, please, that if you attended the event, you contact us urgently so we can build up a picture of the event itself and what has led to this man’s death. I also really urge anyone who captured video footage from the event over the weekend to please come forward. You could play a key role in helping us with this murder investigation.”

According to English Heritage, Nine Ladies Stone Circle is a small early Bronze Age stone circle “traditionally believed to depict nine ladies turned to stone as a penalty for dancing on Sunday”.

Derby Mountain Rescue Team, which was called out to assist East Midlands Ambulance Service at the scene, said in a statement on Facebook: “Our thoughts are with the man’s friends and family at this difficult time.”

A woman who visited the historic site for the solstice said the news was “very sad and upsetting”, adding she believes there should be more of a presence of medical organisations for such events, such as the St John’s Ambulance first aid charity.

A major incident portal has been set up at mipp.police.uk/operation/33EM25A84-PO1, or information can be given to police on 101 quoting reference 26*364216.

There’s no denying that the 2020s have given us some seriously big movies – and while we’ve got more entertainment than ever at our fingertips thanks to streaming services, the cinema remains as popular as ever.

This year has already seen the biggest film so far – The Super Mario Galaxy Movie – smash past the $1bn mark worldwide, while the likes of Michael, Project Hail Mary and The Devil Wears Prada 2 have also raked in hundreds of millions of dollars.

And the successes of the decade don’t end there, with Spider-Man: No Way Home, Zootopia 2, Inside Out 2, Barbie, Avatar: Fire and Ash and Top Gun: Maverick all making it into the all-time box office top 20.

But for every film that’s made a fortune, there are those which haven’t fared quite so well – and we’re sorry to say that the 2020s has also given us a fair few of those too.

So let’s put down the popcorn for a moment and spare a thought for those films which had such high hopes – but which ultimately shed millions after failing to find an audience…

Strange World (2022)

The first film on this list comes as something of a surprise, because surely a big-budget Disney animation is a licence to print money, right? Not in the case of Strange World, which arrived in cinemas in time for Thanksgiving 2022, trailing a huge budget in its wake – and failed to make its mark.

Strange World follows a legendary family of explorers who have to set aside their differences as they embark on a journey to save a miracle planet, which is their own society’s source of energy.

On paper this should have worked – with the film boasting an impressive voice cast which includes the likes of Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, Lucy Liu and Gabrielle Union – while its gay lead character, a first for a Disney animation, was a milestone moment for the studio.

Throw in a 72% Rotten Tomatoes rating and it should all have worked – but sadly audiences stayed away, with the movie making just $73m (£55m) against a reported production budget of $180m (£136.4m).

Overall estimates from Deadline Hollywood suggested it could lose as much as $197m (£149m) – which given this one had everything going for it, is just a little strange.

Amsterdam (2022)

Another one which should have been a no-brainer, Amsterdam ticked all the boxes – from a cast which includes the likes of Christian Bale, Margot Robbie and David Washington through to director David O Russell at the helm. Not that it made any difference to its fate.

Inspired by the true story of the Business Plot – a 1933 political conspiracy in the US which aimed to overthrow President Roosevelt – the film follows three friends who reunite and attempt to expose the plot, following the murder of a US general.

This one opened to negative reviews, landing a troubling 32% on Rotten Tomatoes – with iNews saying it was ‘let down by its own inanity and wayward plotting’, while the Chicago Sun-Times called it ‘jaw-droppingly terrible’.

In the end the film – which had a reported budget of $80m – grossed just $29.4m (£22m) – with a reported loss of around $108m (£81.9m) once marketing costs were taken into account.

A number of factors have been cited for its failure, from the decision to move the filming from Boston to Los Angeles in the wake of the pandemic, causing the budget to spiral, through to the poor critical reception.

The Marvels (2023)

Given how popular Marvel movies have been over the past decade, with everything from the Avengers series to Thor and Captain Marvel tearing up the box office – 2023’s The Marvels should have been a licence to print money.

Spoiler: It wasn’t. The Marvels – the sequel to 2019’s smash hit Captain Marvel, in which Brie Larson’s protagonist teams up with Monica Rambeau and Ms Marvel after their powers become entangled – proved to be one of the MCU’s biggest disappointments to date.

The reviews weren’t terrible, with the movie bagging a middling 63% Rotten Tomatoes rating -but the box office didn’t match them.

The film took $206m (£156.2m) worldwide, which is still an awful lot of money – plus it holds the record for the highest-grossing film ever to be directed by a black woman, Candyman helmer Nia DaCosta.

But despite its achievements, when you consider that the budget came in at around $219m (£166m) it still wasn’t enough to turn a profit.

Ultimately – including marketing costs – the film is estimated to have lost an eye-watering $237m (£179.7m). Why did it fail? That’s anyone’s guess – but the enormous budget, along with the fact the SAG-Aftra strike at that time prevented some of the stars (Larson, Samuel L Jackson) from doing any press, have been cited as possible factors.

Regardless, the outcome was far from marvellous.

Joker: Folie A Deux (2024)

Todd Phillips’ 2019 hit Joker was simply enormous – quite aside from the fact that it soared past the billion-dollar mark at the box office, it picked up 11 Oscar nominations and won two, including a best actor trophy for Joaquin Phoenix as the troubled title character.

Its sequel however? That’s another story. Folie A Deux arrived in 2024, with the high-profile addition of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn, and a story which swapped the crime thriller tropes of 2019’s original for a legal drama. With songs.

Of course this could have worked, but despite premiering at the 2024 Venice Film Festival in a blaze of publicity, it left critics unimpressed – it has a 31% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – and moviegoers staying away.

Ultimately the film made $227m (£172.1m) worldwide – which, given its budget of $371m (£281.5m) plus marketing costs, ended in a loss of $144.3m (£109.4m).

It wasn’t totally ignored when awards season came around though – being nominated for seven Golden Raspberry awards. So there’s that/

Indiana Jones and the Dial Of Destiny (2023)

When Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) picked up his fedora for one final outing in 2023 everybody got excited – understandably, given the character is one of the most beloved in cinema history.

But just because a new Indy movie might be a cause for celebration, doesn’t mean it’s going to translate into box office receipts.

This one brings the action all the way forward to 1969, and sees our hero join forces with his goddaughter Helena (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) in search of a mysterious dial which could facilitate time travel.

So far, so standard issue Indy – and potentially a recipe for plenty of action blockbuster thrills. The film nabbed itself a decent 71% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and took $384m (£291m) worldwide – but with its estimated budget of $295m (£223.6m) plus marketing costs, that wasn’t enough.

In fact, that gross was only half of what the previous outing in the series, 2008’s Indiana Jones and the Kingdom Of The Crystal Skull, made. Ultimately it’s said to have lost around $134m (£101m) in total – a sad way to end such an iconic series.

Lightyear (2022)

Given how popular Toy Story is – the fifth film in the series is currently packing them in at cinemas – a spin-off Buzz Lightyear movie should have had fans of the franchise flocking.

Sadly, it wasn’t to be. Lightyear was a 2022 origin story in which we meet an actual human version of Buzz. Chris Evans voices the character, who’s joined by a bunch of recruits -and an adorable robot cat named Sox – as they take on the evil Emperor Zurg (you might have heard him mentioned in Toy Story a few times).

Sadly there wasn’t a lot of Buzz around for this Lightyear – which in spite of a decent 74% Rotten Tomatoes Rating struggled to make the impact of the Toy Story flicks.

Costing an estimated $200m (£151m) to make, the film ultimately grossed $226m (£171m) worldwide – once again this sounds like a lot of money, and it is. Against that budget however, it represented an estimated loss of over $100m (£75m).

Again, nobody knows what went wrong – but some have suggested drafting in Evans to voice the character instead of Tim Allen, who voices the Toy Story version, might have proven confusing or off-putting.

A premise which revealed that Lightyear was actually a film within a film – it turns out to be the fictional movie that inspires the Toy Story character – proved equally baffling for some.

Meanwhile, competition from the likes of Jurassic World: Dominion and Top Gun: Maverick didn’t help.

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A staff member at the store was assaulted

A store in the Grafton Centre in Cambridge was reportedly robbed on Friday, June 19. The alleged robbery happened at the Decathlon store just after 10.40am.

Items were stolen from the store and a staff member was reportedly assaulted. Cambridgeshire Police have confirmed the staff member was not seriously injured.

The force would like to speak with a man in connection with the robbery. Anyone who recognises the man in the image or has any information, is asked to report it on the force’s website or call 101, quoting reference 35/45919/26.

The Highlight Active Wellbeing Hub in Hartlepool, which opened on Monday, June 22, stands on the former Jacksons Landing site in Hartlepool.

It has opened after two-and-a-half years of construction, backed by Hartlepool Borough Council, the Tees Valley Combined Authority, and Sport England.

And with doors now open, the first visitors have already praised the new centre.

One user said: “Absolutely love the place, the equipment is first class, it’s beautifully clean.

Another said: “The place is fantastic, it’s lovely, really lovely.”

Councillor Graham Harrison, leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “Highlight represents a huge investment in the health and wellbeing of our residents.”

(Image: Active Hartlepool)

Designed by GT3 Architects and built by Wates, the modern facility features panoramic views of Hartlepool Marina and a wide range of amenities set up for residents of all ages.

Its aquatics centre includes a 25-metre, eight-lane pool, a 25-metre four-lane learner pool with a movable floor, and a leisure pool with water play features and a race slide.

Despite some setbacks, including a delay with its shrivelled ‘kebab turf’, the hub finally welcomed in its first visitors, exploring the 100-station gym, two fitness studios, a spinning studio, soft play areas, and a party room.

Families can enjoy a café with seating for 100 and ground and first-floor terraces overlooking the marina.

The new venue replaces the former Mill House Leisure Centre, bringing together leisure services, NHS care, family-friendly activities, and social spaces.

Membership options start from £18.50 including unlimited swimming, and access to the gym and classes at both Highlight and the Headland and Brierton sports centres.

The centre aims to become a focal point for health, fitness, and integrated care in the borough and a place for people of all ages to stay active and connected.

A 26-year-old man died less than a week after being diagnosed with an ‘incredibly rare condition’

A mum said she believes that if her son was diagnosed with his a rare condition, “even a day earlier” he might not have died. Brendon West, 26, died on July 25, 2025, less than a week after being diagnosed with a rare condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

A pre-inquest review hearing was held on Tuesday, June 23. The pre-inquest heard that Brendon was treated for a condition called immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) before a later diagnosis of TTP.

During the hearing, Belinda West, Brendon’s mum, said that TTP was ruled out at one point. She asked: “How can you rule out a condition if you don’t test for it?”

In a tribute, Belinda described her son as a “very kind, considerate and loving man” who was an “avid” Formula One fan and also “loved” gaming. She added: “He was a massive part of my life. He was a trusting person. He trusted the medical professionals, he never questioned anything.”

Belinda explained that Brendon “actually saved my life” following a medical emergency by helping to treat her before emergency services arrived. Brendon has one brother, who misses him dearly, Belinda explained. She said Brendon “didn’t get the opportunity for marriage, and to have children”.

Brendon’s aunt Susan Selkirk explained that while Brendon was being treated in hospital, he put his faith in the experts. She said: “Mistakes happen. It is not a blaming game but things do need to change.”

Belinda continued: “Just because it is rare, doesn’t mean it will not happen again. It is a curable condition, people live with this. It is manageable. Even a day earlier and he would still be here with us.”

Senior Coroner David Heming, who held the pre-inquest review hearing, said that the case is a “complex area” and described Brendon’s diagnosis as an “incredibly rare condition”.

It was agreed by the coroner and all interested persons that a jury was not necessary. Brendon’s family, the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, and Cambridge University Hospital Trust were identified as interested persons.

This hearing was a pre-inquest review, and is yet to be concluded. A future pre-inquest hearing date is due to be set. Following that hearing, a final inquest date will be decided.

A tribute by Brendon’s family on a fundraising page reads: “After many family losses, he became the glue to our family. He was everyone’s rock, one of the most selfless people you could ever meet.

“On the 23rd of July he was diagnosed with TTP (thrombocytopenic purpura) which sadly took him from us within one short week. This devastation has purely broken everyone’s hearts and has left everyone with a heavy heart.”

North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust was approached for a comment.

The alert was placed on the entirety of Yorkshire by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and will remain in place until 11pm on Friday (June 26).

People sweltered under a humid 30C heat in the city centre – with many seeking sanctuary under park shade – enjoying ice creams and cold drinks.

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It comes as southern England and the Midlands have been placed under a red heat alert for the same period.

Even Paddington Bear enjoyed the rays today (Image: Newsquest)

In response, National Rail has urged passengers not to travel unless it is absolutely necessary.

A spokesperson for the company advised that should the public they travel today or tomorrow, all should carry water with them – using water refill stations at all Network Rail managed stations, which includes Leeds Railway Station.

Shops in York have also responded to the heat, with FatFace in High Ousegate placing a notice on its doors, informing the public that doors would remain closed to keep temperatures inside cool for customers.

The Shambles in York offered a reprieve from the soaring temperatures today (Image: Newsquest)

The amber heat alert was placed on York on Wednesday (June 23).

Forecasters say the hot conditions, which have been very rare in the UK until now, will be accompanied by high humidity and very warm nights, making it hard for people to recover overnight.

The temperature warning added that there would likely be an increased demand on health and social care services during this time, with the heat affecting many in work and those travelling.

Many enjoyed ice cream in the city centre (Image: Newquest)

Tomorrow, York will be hit with similarly high temperatures, with highs of 28C at 2pm and lows of 17C into the early morning on Friday (June 26).

In Malton the weather will be more moderate at 24 degrees but will soar to 33 degrees on Friday.

At the coast, beach-goers will be able to enjoy mostly dry weather and beautiful clear skies in Scarborough this weekend, with highs up to 30C on Friday, cooling to 27C and 23C on Saturday and Sunday.

As people flock outdoors to enjoy the sunshine and cool down, fire chiefs have urged the public to take extra care in outdoor spaces with the increased risk of wildfires and water-related deaths.

People flocked to the Minster for some much-needed shade (Image: Newsquest)

Phil Garrigan, National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) chairman, said: “We have already seen the consequences that periods of extreme heat can have, with a number of lives tragically lost in water-related incidents during recent hot weather.”

Rod Dennis, road safety spokesperson at the RAC, added that there could be a record number of breakdowns this week as the heat puts extra strain on vehicles.

He urged drivers to avoid non-essential journeys if their vehicles do not have effective air conditioning, adding that longer wait are more likely.

For more on this and the weather where you are, please see here.

France’s health ministry stressed that the risk to the population was “very low”. Likewise, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “the risk to the rest of the world is low” and that there was “no need to panic”.

Efforts are underway to trace people who may have been in contact with the doctor.

Healthcare workers are especially at risk from Ebola, which is spread through bodily fluids.

Last week WHO said 17 of the 75 health workers who had caught Ebola in DR Congo had died.

The current Ebola outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo species of the virus, for which there is currently no vaccine.

France has set up a “dedicated monitoring system” for aid workers returning from DR Congo, the health ministry said.

According to both Africa’s Centres for Disease ​Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) and US public health authorities, the current Ebola outbreak has the potential to be one of the largest ever.

In DR Congo, cases are currently concentrated in the eastern provinces of Ituri, South Kivu and North Kivu.

Ituri remains the main centre of transmission, accounting for more than 90% of confirmed infections.

The WHO has warned that conflict in eastern DR Congo is making it more difficult to tackle the Ebola outbreak. The M23 rebel group is in control of large parts of both North and South Kivu.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Duane Mitchell has big plans for the United States’ 250th anniversary.

Mitchell, a 78-year-old veteran in Montana, plans to take a red, white and blue 1954 Chevrolet pickup that he restored and drive it in local parades for the Fourth of July. In honor of the country’s milestone anniversary, he bought a decorative eagle to mount on the back of the truck, accompanied by American flags.

“I’ll be driving my pickup,” he said, referring to his role in the parades. “Usually we freeze a whole bunch of candy, and I have a couple of kids from down the block who get in the back and throw candy out. Everybody loves it.”

Mitchell isn’t the only one looking forward to this year’s festivities. About 4 in 10 U.S. adults feel “proud” about the country’s 250th anniversary, according to a new survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Roughly 3 in 10 say “excited” describes their emotions. The milestone will be marked with events across the country, and President Donald Trump has planned several for the nation’s capital, including a fair on Washington’s National Mall.

But as the celebrations begin, many Americans also feel indifferent or conflicted about celebrating the country. Other Gallup polling shows that most Americans now feel the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be disappointed with how the U.S. has turned out, a substantial increase from 25 years ago.

Most Republicans and older adults feel proud

Most Republicans say that “proud” or “excited” describes how they are feeling about the United States’ 250th anniversary. About 7 in 10 Republicans say pride describes their emotions, compared with about 3 in 10 independents and roughly 2 in 10 Democrats.

Older Americans — those ages 60 and older — are also mostly feeling proud, with about 6 in 10 saying this describes how they feel about the nation’s anniversary.

Mitchell, the Montana veteran, wants the country to be “celebrating it to the maximum.” As a Vietnam War veteran who was drafted into the war, he wants Americans to remember the men and women who have given their lives to protect the freedoms they have today.

“It was a sacrifice,” Mitchell said, referring to his service. “The most important thing about the celebration is understanding that freedom is not free, and it never will be free, so you need to celebrate that.”

About half of Republicans, 54%, say they feel excited about the country’s anniversary.

As the country marks 250 years of independence, most Americans believe the country has succeeded in achieving its founding ideals, according to new Gallup polling. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say that America has succeeded “a great deal” or “a fair amount” in achieving the ideals for which the country was founded. That view is shared by a majority of Democrats, independents and Republicans — though Republicans are especially likely to say the country has succeeded.

Democrats and young people feel conflicted or indifferent

More Democrats and young people say “conflicted” or “indifferent” describes their feelings about America 250.

About 4 in 10 Democrats and roughly 3 in 10 adults under 30 say “conflicted” describes their feelings “extremely” or “very” well. About 3 in 10 in each case feel “indifferent.”

Laura Davis, a 44-year-old in Chicago who identifies as a progressive liberal, has struggled with what she describes as the “American declarations of grandiosity” this year, including Trump’s White House ballroom construction and the repainting of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. She believes that money could be better spent on Americans in need, as well as international aid, and she worries the country’s reputation is being damaged by the Trump administration’s actions.

“It doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the things that do make America a unique and in some ways exceptional place to be,” she said. “But I think it’s more nuanced than that, and I hope that doesn’t get lost in the celebration.”

About 8 in 10 Americans say the signers of the Declaration of Independence would be disappointed with how the country has turned out, according to a new Gallup poll. Only about 2 in 10 say the signers would be pleased. That’s down significantly from 1999 — the first time the question was asked — when 55% believed they would be disappointed and 44% said they would be pleased.

Sydney Crispin, a 39-year-old Democrat in Maine, believes the country’s “incredible” foundation is worth celebrating. Still, she is conflicted by what she sees as a decline in people’s ability to have respectful discourse, something she believes is at the heart of America’s identity. She hopes communities find ways to celebrate the remarkable parts of America this Fourth of July while still reflecting on its areas for improvement.

Celebrating the 250th: Spending time with friends or family tops on list

Just under half, 44%, of U.S. adults plan to celebrate the country’s 250th anniversary by spending time with friends or family, according to a recent Gallup-With Honor poll. About 3 in 10 U.S. adults say they plan to watch coverage of America 250 events on television or social media.

More than half of adults ages 65 and older plan to celebrate with friends or family, while nearly half plan to watch coverage of the event on television or social media. Adults under 30 are more likely to say they are not planning to celebrate at all.

The Gallup-With Honor poll found about 2 in 10 U.S. adults plan to participate in a neighborhood or community event, while approximately 1 in 10 say they will be attending an official America 250 event.

Lyle Nelson, a 67-year-old in Idaho, said he plans to maintain his tradition of watching the annual Macy’s firework show at home.

Nelson — who agrees with a lot of what Trump has done in office — remarked that even though Trump was disappointed that he did not get reelected in 2020, he might be pleased that he’s the one in the White House during this historic event.

“I wonder if he’s thankful that he gets to be president during the 250th anniversary,” Nelson said. “I think he’ll be excited for that.”

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The AP-NORC poll of 2,596 adults was conducted April 16-20 using a sample drawn from NORC’s probability-based AmeriSpeak Panel, which is designed to be representative of the U.S. population. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.6 percentage points.

The Gallup-With Honor poll of 3,199 adults was conducted May 12-22 using a sample drawn from Gallup’s probability-based panel. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 2.1 percentage points. The separate Gallup poll of 1,001 adults was conducted May 1-17 using a sample drawn from Gallup’s probability-based panel. The margin of sampling error for adults overall is plus or minus 4.0 percentage points.