The man told Coleen: ‘She’s rigid in her beliefs and her opinions do get to me’
04:30, 14 Jul 2026
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Dear Coleen
I’m a man in my 20s and my parents don’t know I’m gay, as my mum in particular is ultra-religious and it wouldn’t go down well. I’m out to my mates and my siblings also know and are supportive, but I still can’t bring myself to have that conversation with my mum.
The thing is, she’s constantly at me about finding a girlfriend and the longer I’m without one, the worse it’s getting. I don’t know how to play this. I’m worried that I’ll snap one day and blurt it out.
Most of the time I can cope by ignoring it, as I don’t live at home and lead my life exactly how I want to, but when I visit her or we talk on the phone, the only thing she wants to know about is my love life.
I’m a grown man with a good job, so it feels ridiculous that I can’t deal with this, but you haven’t met my mum. She’s very rigid in her beliefs and her opinions do get to me. Any help on how to navigate this would be welcome.
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Coleen says
I get it. It’s easy for people to say, “just be honest”, but it’s hard to do it when you’re anticipating a negative reaction and worried about how it might affect your relationship.
My mum was incredibly religious and a practising Catholic, but her beliefs didn’t mean more to her than her children.
I had a baby “out of wedlock” and my sister got pregnant by a guy my parents didn’t even know she was dating, but they didn’t cut us off. My sister got me to tell my parents she was pregnant so, by the time she spoke to them, the heat was taken out of it. Maybe this is where your siblings can help. Alternatively, you could ask one of them to speak to your parents first to lay the groundwork.
Maybe your mum suspects you’re gay and her asking questions about your love life might be her way of encouraging you to tell her. I have several gay friends who waited years to tell their parents and, when they did, the replies were along the lines of, “We know”.
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Worst case scenario is she won’t understand or be accepting, which is so wrong but her issue to deal with, and over time with education and support, her attitude might change. There’s a great organisation called FFLAG (fflag.org.uk), which supports and guides families with LGBT+ loved ones.
Most importantly, if you do decide to tell her, do it when you’re in a good place and feel ready – there’s no rush. Get support from people who’ve been through it, as well as your siblings and friends. Good luck.
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Officers also discovered a cricket bat and rounders bat behind the till
A shop in Peterborough has been forced to shut by the courts after selling illegal products. Officers visited Next One Shop, in Alexandra Road, Millfield on July 8 as part of an operation.
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Officers from the northern neighbourhood support team (NST) and Special constables, together with Trading Standards officers from Peterborough City Council, discovered more than 2600 illicit cigarettes which were seized.
A shop worker was also found not legally able to work. Some of the goods being sold were found to not meet UK requirements, and a cricket bat and rounders bat were found behind the till.
PC James Rice, from the NST, said: “In addition to the finds during the operation, there have been three drugs related arrests in the shop this year, with class A, B, and C drugs found in and around the premises.”
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Magistrates granted a full closure order for Next One Shop at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Friday, July 10 following officers’ discovery.
The order, which is in place until September 9, states the whole premises, including any outdoor space, is closed to everyone except the landlord, their authorised contractors, and the emergency services.
Failure to comply with the order is a criminal offence which could result in imprisonment for up to three months, a fine, or both.
PC Rice added: “Drug dealing and associated criminality have a significant impact on the community, and I hope that this shop closure gives the community some respite from the issues.”
When the weather is so hot, people will go to great lengths to keep their houses cool and make the heat easier to deal with.
From leaving doors and windows open throughout the day to taking cold baths or showers, there are lots of ways people try to stay cool.
People also check TikTok for viral hacks when they are desperate on the hottest days of the year, but Tamzin Metcalfe, Go Compare’s home insurance expert, said they can often be an insurance risk.
Putting water in front of a fan to make the air cooler can be very dangerous. (Image: Getty)
What heatwave hack can invalidate your insurance?
Lots of people have turned to putting a bowl of water or even a wet cloth in front of a fan to make the air that it is blowing out cooler.
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This is a serious health and safety risk, as the water could spill onto the electrical components.
If the water gets onto the plugs and sockets, it could cause an electric shock or damage the appliance.
It could even cause it to short-circuit and start an electrical fire.
If you try to put in an insurance claim for any damage caused by using this hack, an insurance provider might reject some or all of the home insurance claim for preventable misuse.
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Tamzin said: “When the weather is truly unbearably hot, it’s completely understandable that people will try almost anything to cool down.
“But you have to use your head, be sensible, and not get taken in by viral trends.
“Even when the weather is scorching and the humidity feels stifling, you can’t afford to forget basic safety measures – and that includes checking whether a quick fix could completely invalidate your home insurance policy.”
Safe ways to keep your house cool
There are a lot of safe ways to keep your house cool during the summer rather than using viral hacks.
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You can cover your windows to stop light from coming in and keep windows open when the air is slightly cooler.
You can also use fans if the air temperature is below 35C but avoid aiming them at your body, as this can cause dehydration.
If you are able to visit a public building with air conditioning, you can plan trips out to spend a few hours there.
How do you keep cool during a heatwave? Let us know in the comments.
A train driver died from traumatic injuries to the brain and chest in the Bedfordshire train crash, an inquest has heard.
Shaun Burton, 60, died when his train ploughed into the back of another service at Elstow, near Bedford, on 19 June. It left 162 people injured, including 102 who required hospital treatment.
An inquest into the death of the driver opened in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, and has been adjourned until a later date which has not been fixed yet.
Senior Coroner for Bedfordshire and Luton, Emma Whitting, told the hearing the inquest would be adjourned pending reports from the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and British Transport Police.
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Burton lived in Cambridgeshire and previously been a parish and district councillor, representing The Stukeleys ward on Huntingdonshire District Council.
During the hearing, which lasted five minutes, the coroner’s officer read a statement which said a consultant pathologist identified the cause of death to be traumatic injuries to the brain stem and chest, pending further investigations.
Burton was pronounced dead at the scene at 18:49 BST on 19 June. He was formally identified by the Fingerprint Identification Bureau on 25 June, the coroner’s report said.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
Forecasters predict it will be the ‘sunniest week of the year so far’
For many parts of Scotland it has been a pleasant start to the summer holidays, with repeated days of clear skies and soaring temperatures. And this is set to continue as forecasters are predicting that it will be the ‘sunniest week of the year so far’.
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The latest weather maps predict that more of the country will get to enjoy sunshine and warmth over the coming days. However, meteorologist Sean Batty has warned that not every region of Scotland will be getting to relax in summer conditions.
Thanks to a breeze from the North Sea, Scots in the north and east of the country are likely to experience lower temperatures and limited sunshine at times. The Scots forecaster predicts weather conditions to be divided across the country this week.
Sean said: “Parts of the north and east are likely to see low cloud and haar drifting in from the North Sea on the easterly breeze. That could keep temperatures noticeably lower and the sunshine more limited at times.
“The flip side is that western Scotland is set to enjoy the very best of the weather, with long spells of sunshine and temperatures climbing into the high 20s later in the week.”
According to the forecaster, areas such as Argyll and Bute, Inverclyde, Glasgow, and the Inner Hebrides are amongst the regions expected to be the sunniest this week.
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On the flip side, Caithness, Moray, East Fife, and Edinburgh at times are the most likely to stay cloudy. Therefore if you are wanting to explore Scotland in the sunshine this week, it may be best to stick to the west of Scotland.
In terms of temperature highs, Batty is predicting that Thursday, July 16, will be the hottest day this week. In the west, those in and around Fort William could see spikes of 27C, while Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire, and Glasgow could sizzle at around 28C to 29C.
While temperatures at the moment look unlikely to break the 30C threshold, this is the ideal week to get your washing out on the line.
Unlike the previous warm spells, which brought high levels of humidity, forecasters are predicting more dry air in this weather front. This means any laundry will dry in no time at all, helping busy families quickly reduce their washing piles.
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Temperatures are looking to be hot for most regions during the day throughout the week. But Scots are being warned that night time temperatures will be a different story – with highs plummeting to under 10C in the evening.
Batty explained: “Because humidity is low, heat escapes much more quickly after sunset, so temperatures will drop away quite rapidly during the evening. If you’re planning a barbecue or sitting out in the garden, you may well find yourself running for a jumper once the sun goes down.
“We may find some spots in the Borders, South Lanarkshire and the Highlands dropping close to 5C on some nights.”
Dom Taylor, the winner of Channel 4’s Five Star Kitchen, has died (Picture: Channel 4)
TV chef and restaurant founder, Dom Taylor, has died ‘suddenly’ according to a message put out by his team.
His cause of death has not been specified, with the statement kindly asking ‘everyone respects the privacy of Dom’s loved ones at this time’.
Taylor won Channel 4’s Five Star Kitchen: Britain’s Next Great Chef in 2023 and landed the opportunity to start a restaurant in London’s five-star Langham hotel.
He then opened The Good Front Room at a new permanent site in Dalston earlier this year, offering ‘reimagined and elevated Caribbean cuisine’.
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The statement from his restaurant read: ‘We are deeply saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of our founder, Chef Dom Taylor.
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‘Dom was a visionary whose bold, joyful approach to celebrating the Caribbean cuisine of his childhood brought a fresh and exciting voice to London’s restaurant scene.
Taylor’s team shared the news on the evening of July 13 (Picture: chefdomtaylor)
‘His passion, talent and generosity touched so many people, and his legacy will continue to inspire those who had the privilege of knowing him and experiencing his food.
‘He will be deeply missed, and our thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched during this incredibly difficult time.’
It concluded by announcing the restaurant will remain open as they ‘honour Dom’s legacy and continue the work he was so passionate about’.
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Condolences flooded the comments. Chef and food writer Melissa Thompson wrote: ‘Sending love and strength to the team. Dom was a very special person.’
While Shahanaz said: ‘Dom gave me my first ever job in the cheffing world and taught me so much. So sad to hear this news and sending lots of love to family, friends, and staff during this heartbreaking time.’
Chef brothers Craig and Shaun McAnuff commented: ‘Heartbreaking news. A true pioneer, truly lost for words. Prayers to his family.’
In summer 2023, Taylor celebrated his 42nd birthday. On Instagram he wrote: ‘What a birthday! The biggest present. The love. The words. The last few weeks. The support. The community. You guys! Thank you. You are the best gift.’
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During Taylor’s time on the Channel 4 show, which also aired on Netflix as Five Star Chef, he impressed judges and culinary experts Michel Roux Jr, Ravneet Gill and Mike Reid.
In an interview with Delicious magazine, Taylor cited Roux as one of his culinary inspirations. He said about being on the show: ‘I didn’t expect my creativity to catch fire in the way it did. I was sitting in a creative space and my mind just went berserk. It was insane. I loved who I became. It was my new favourite version of myself.’
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Gill posted a selection of pictures with Taylor on her social media, she said: ‘I’m incredibly saddened to hear the news about dear Chef Dom Taylor. […]
‘Dom was warm, intelligent and full of depth. Even when he wasn’t talking about happy things, he somehow always seemed to be smiling. He was someone you could get completely distracted talking to. Our most recent phone call involved both of us wondering what on earth we were doing with ourselves in the restaurant world, alongside encouraging conversations about where his career might go next.’
Relationships expert Paul Brunson also posted a tribute to the late Taylor. He shared: ‘Dom, thank you for every meal, every welcome, every smile and every act of kindness. Thank you for making my family feel like yours. Thank you for carrying our culture with such pride, elegance and love.’
According to Data Golf, which measures performance across all tours, only three players are ranked higher than Fleetwood – defending champion Scottie Scheffler, McIlroy and world number three Fitzpatrick.
The 31-year-old has won three times on the PGA Tour this year and shared third place on the links turf of the Renaissance Club at last week’s Scottish Open.
“It’s another confidence booster to bring into this week,” Fitzpatrick told BBC Sport.
“It’s the final major of the year, so you’re going to give it a good push.”
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The South Yorkshireman has used Birkdale on many occasions to hone links preparations for past Opens. But he admits to being unsure over what aspect of his game will be most vital this week.
“I’ve played the golf course a lot, but I can’t put my finger on what necessarily is needed,” said the 2022 US Open winner.
“I feel like the fairways this year look a little bit tighter than most links golf courses. And I think for me, that’s probably going to play the biggest part into it.
“I think if you can give yourself opportunities to hit the greens, that’s going to be the most important thing.”
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English world number ones Lee Westwood and Luke Donald have come and gone from Opens without lifting golf’s most historic trophy. Rose is another to scale the top of the rankings but has not added a home major to his 2013 US Open victory.
The 45-year-old comes full circle this week to the scene of his fourth placed finish as a 17-year-old amateur in 1998, which was capped by a sensational hole out for birdie at the last.
Remarkably it then stood as his best Open performance for two decades before charging through the field to finish runner-up to Francesco Molinari at Carnoustie in 2018.
Rose shared runner-up honours again two years ago and continues to challenge for golf’s biggest titles. Could this be the year? What a story it would be were he to emerge victorious.
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But what does it take to do that?
Faldo puts it bluntly. “Guess the bottom line is…I could keep my focus and nerve all four days to finish it off,” he messaged when I asked for the secret sauce.
Those were characteristics Rai showed in abundance only last May to become the first Englishman win the US PGA in more than a century at Aronimink.
Rai emulating Jim Barnes in 1919 proves Fleetwood correct, these longstanding records and anomalies can be broken.
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Excitingly, among the biggest obstacles to English success are fellow UK players because the likes of McIlroy and Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre are also strong contenders.
Englishmen Tyrrell Hatton and Alex Fitzpatrick are also capable of mounting strong challenges.
So whisper it, while England’s semi-final reaching footballers are giving World Cup fans plenty to be excited about, here on Merseyside the country’s golfers might do something similar.
The TV star revealed earlier this month that she was recovering after surgery for breast cancer and told fans the operation had been successful.
Now, husband John has spoken about her progress during a recent appearance on ITV’s This Morning on Monday (July 13).
John Torode gives update on wife Lisa Faulkner’s cancer
Ben Shephard, who was presenting alongside Cat Deeley, asked John about Lisa during the show.
He said: “Quick question as well, lovely Lisa, how’s she doing?”
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Mr Torode said: “She’s doing really well, actually, really well, and thanks so much for asking.
“She thanks everybody for all their wonderful comments and their best wishes, but she’s doing very well, thank you very much.”
Ms Faulkner, 54, is an actress, presenter, and home cook who has appeared in Holby City, Spooks, and Waterloo Road.
Following her cancer revelation, she said previously: “It’s all good, they’ve got everything out, so it’s all clear, and I just need some radiotherapy in a few weeks.”
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She said she was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year and described it as “the very early stages of breast cancer.”
She told fans she had undergone “quite a big op” and still had “quite a bit of healing to do.
“But I’m good, I’m well, and feeling so much better.”
Lisa also urged others to attend regular screenings.
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She said: “I’m so grateful that I went for my mammogram.
“Don’t put them off, go, because they found this – without this mammogram, it wouldn’t have been picked up.”
Fellow stars wished Lisa well after her video was posted.
Fellow TV star Ruth Langsford wrote: “So good to hear you’re healing now and thank you for sharing this and encouraging us all to go for our potentially life saving mammograms.
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“Take care of yourself.
“Love to you and John.”
Recommended reading:
Ben Shepherd said: “Sending love and hugs Lisa.”
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Lisa Snowdon added: “Sending you so much love and wrapping you in the biggest hug darling Lisa.”
Are you a fan of This Morning? Let us know in the comments.
Ljubiša Karovi was travelling with his wife Svetlana Grkovi on a Ryanair flight on Friday, July 10, when disaster struck after the window next to his seat dislodged mid-air
The spouse of a passenger who was nearly dragged through a Ryanair aircraft window at 20,000ft has recounted her frantic efforts to rescue him during the harrowing mid-air emergency.
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Ljubiša Karovi, from Serbia, was flying with his wife Svetlana Grkovi on a Ryanair service on Friday, July 10, when catastrophe unfolded.
The pair were heading home from a summer break in Greece when the aircraft encountered difficulties moments after departing Thessaloniki at 5.55am local time.
The pilot detected a problem with the engine while the plane was above North Macedonia and opted to return towards Thessaloniki.
During the descent, a section of the faulty engine detached and smashed into a cabin window beside where Mr Karovi was seated, reports the Express.
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The collision resulted in the 61 year old being partly sucked out of the aircraft due to the cabin pressure.
His wife revealed she instantly seized hold of his legs as he dangled outside the plane.
Speaking to Nova, Ms Grkovi recalled: “It was as if a part of the engine broke off and hit the window next to which my husband Ljubiša was sitting.
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“I reacted immediately and grabbed his legs. I thought: ‘If we die, we die together.’ It was horrible.”
Ms Grkovi expressed her desire to personally thank another passenger who assisted in saving her husband’s life throughout the ordeal.
Mr Karovi continues to receive hospital treatment following the incident and is understood to be unable to speak due to his injuries. His wife revealed he sustained friction burns, a severely damaged hand and multiple other burns, while also being left profoundly traumatised.
She explained he blacked out repeatedly throughout the ordeal and retains scant recollection of events.
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A Ryanair spokesperson commented: “A Ryanair flight from Thessaloniki to Memmingen on Friday morning (10 July) returned to Thessaloniki shortly after take-off when a passenger window dislodged inflight.
“The aircraft landed normally and passengers returned to the terminal.
“One passenger requested and received medical assistance on the ground in Thessaloniki.
“In order to minimise any delay, a replacement aircraft was arranged to bring passengers to Memmingen which departed Thessaloniki at 9:53 local this morning.”
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace is taking a break from the BBC One soap.
The actress has played the role of Kat Slater in the show on and off since 2000. Kat and partner Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) currently run the Queen Vic, and their lives are always packed full of chaos.
A change looms for the family in the near future, as Jessie will be briefly saying goodbye to Kat’s iconic leopard print wardrobe and the drama in Walford.
The star, who is 54, will play the role of Captain Hook at the New Wimbledon Theatre’s panto production of Peter Pan.
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The show will run between December and January, and will also star Aston Merrygold, Tom Read Wilson and Pete Firman.
Jessie has played Kat Slater on and off since 2000 (Picture: BBC)
Jessie’s break from the show will only be temporary (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
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A source told The Sun: ‘Jessie will be taking a short break from the soap to appear in panto. Bosses agreed to the short break because it’s over Christmas and won’t hugely affect filming.
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‘It’s a huge bonus for Jessie. She’s one of the show’s biggest names and can command huge fees for panto appearances’.
Given the fact panto only runs across the festive period, it’s safe to assume Jessie’s break from the soap will only be temporary.
But now it’s been confirmed by the BBC that Michelle will be leaving, with reports that Zoe is set to meet a shocking end and be killed off, making her exit permanent.
Michelle originally appeared as Zoe from 2000 to 2005, before leaving for Hollywood after landing the lead role in the Bionic Woman remake.
The Sun alleges that Michelle requested time off from the soap earlier this year before quitting EastEnders, with writers then deciding her character would face tragedy when written out.
Michelle Ryan has reportedly been axed (Picture: David Fisher/Shutterstock)
A BBC spokesperson told Metro: ‘We can confirm Zoe Slater will be departing EastEnders later this year. We wish Michelle Ryan all the best for the future.
‘However, we never comment on future storylines as we don’t want to spoil it for the viewers.’
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An insider has since revealed to Metro: ‘Michelle’s exit marks the end of a storyline that has been in the works for some time. With such an iconic character, Zoe’s exit is never going to be without drama, but bosses are keeping tight-lipped about how she leaves the Square, but as always with the Slaters, it’s not going to be quiet.’
The actress is thought to have filmed her final scenes in Walford last month, with her departure set to play out over the coming months.
Essex’s only children’s hospice, Little Havens has worked with the Disney Company to create a Moana-inspired garden to provide joy and comfort for the children spending time there
Little Havens, Essex’s only children’s hospice, has unveiled a breathtaking island garden inspired by Moana.
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The space brings together elements based on the beloved film, in an immersive and multi-sensory space created with viral landscaping duo The Green Genie Brothers and The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland.
Among the first to experience the garden was six-year-old Millie, who has been supported by Little Havens since 2021. On her first birthday, Millie was diagnosed with Congenital Myopathy, which is a muscle disorder affecting the muscles inside and outside of her body.
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Jay Farr, Millie’s mum, said, “Millie is such a huge Disney fan, so watching her face when she saw the garden for the first time was pure joy. She loved driving round looking at the characters, and particularly liked Tamatoa and his treasure.
“The evening was wonderful, and you could tell that every single person involved truly cared about what they had created.
Millie was joined by Little Havens’ CEO Louise Bryan, Dan Radford, Vice President, Marketing at The Walt Disney Company, and The Green Genie Brothers to cut the ribbon and officially open the garden.
Jay continued, “Millie was made to feel like a star, and it’s a memory that we will never forget as a family. While we were there, they told Millie the meaning behind the shell and rock centrepiece — that it represents a community, a family — and she loved this.”
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The Pacific oasis-inspired garden combines hard landscaping with a relaxed tropical atmosphere. Features – include a large bamboo entrance as you step onto the island, with handcrafted fale (houses), lush planting, natural stone features and a bespoke carving of Moana’s rooster friend Heihei crafted from a tree stump.
Part of the installation features a striking pebble manta ray set into the garden floor, paying tribute to one of the film’s most beloved motifs. A dynamic water feature brings movement and life, while carefully designed lighting creates a fully-immersive, sensory experience.
Vital to the families supported by Little Havens, the garden has been built with accessibility in mind, ensuring every child — whatever their needs — can enjoy it to the fullest.
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“Millie, and other families like ours, go through so much, so when we sit in the garden, we will be reminded that we are not alone, and that is just beautiful. Millie’s still got a huge smile on her face.”
The garden’s design and build were led by The Green Genie Brothers — Jake and Ethan Thorne — Bristol-based luxury landscape gardening duo known for their outdoor transformations. Jake and Ethan brought their trademark precision and flair to a project unlike any other in their portfolio for a cause close to their hearts.
Jake Thorne, one half of The Green Genie Brothers, said, “We’ve built some incredible spaces over the years, but nothing has meant more to us than this. Knowing that every stone, every light and every sound in this garden is going to bring something special for families to enjoy, that’s a legacy we’re incredibly proud of.”
“Working with Disney to bring Moana’s world to life for the children at Little Havens has been a huge privilege. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without the suppliers and contractors who have helped along the way — we’ve had people travel from all over the country to be part of this and enable us to pull this project off in such a short time. It’s been a huge honour.”
“So often our families miss out on things, whether that’s from having to spend time in hospital or facing accessibility challenges that make everyday experiences harder to reach. To have something so special and unique, designed just for them, is incredible.”
This is the latest project as part of Disney’s long-standing collaboration with Together for Short Lives, the national charity supporting children’s hospices across the UK.
Since 2017, The Walt Disney Company UK & Ireland has worked with the charity to bring joy to seriously ill children and create moments that matter for the whole family. This is part of Disney’s mission to deliver over one million magical moments of comfort and togetherness for children across EMEA by 2030.
Dan Radford, Vice President, Marketing, The Walt Disney Company added: “Creating moments of joy for children and families facing serious illness is at the heart of Disney’s social impact work. This garden is a wonderful reminder of how stories like Moana can be brought to life and provide a sense of escape, comfort, and togetherness for families when it’s needed most.”
The Moana-inspired garden is now open and available for children and families at Little Havens Hospice to enjoy during their visits and stays.
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