“The positivity and hearing little stories of how we made a difference to women is what keeps us going”

Breastival, Northern Ireland’s award-winning festival celebrating breastfeeding, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

To mark the occasion, a free event will take place at Drumglass Park in South Belfast on Saturday, August 1 during World Breastfeeding Week.

The festival began in 2016 when Dr Jennifer Hanratty gathered 37 breastfeeding mothers, babies, fathers and supporters to the lawns of Belfast City Hall to take part in the Global Latch On.

In the months that followed, Hanratty developed the idea into Breastival alongside co-founder Jennie Wallace, creating a positive space for breastfeeding families to connect, learn and be supported.

In 2017, at the first official Breastival, organisers expected a few more people to take part, and were totally surprised, in the best way possible, when more than 500 people registered, maxing out the space that had been hired in the MAC.

This made it the largest gathering of breastfeeding women in Northern Ireland, growing every year since.

This year’s event runs from 12pm to 4pm and includes a Big Latch On at 12.30pm, alongside a mums market, a baby disco, circus performers, messy play, baby reflexology and a community tent hosting NHS specialists, voluntary support groups, local charities, and the milk bank.

Breastival founder Dr Jennifer Hanratty said: “Breastival started with my own experience of finding support, friendship and plenty of craic from other mothers when I became a parent.

“Their kindness inspired us to create something that would help other families feel equally welcomed and supported. Ten years on, Breastival is still powered by that same spirit of community. Its success belongs to the countless volunteers, supporters, healthcare professionals and advocates who help women every day to achieve their goals.

“We’ve persevered through challenges, pivoted to online festivities, hybrid events and now returning to the all-important real-life festival. Seeing families gathering together, feeling supported and more confident – it is just magic to be able to bring that to life every year. The positivity and hearing little stories of how we made a difference to women is what keeps us going.”

“Most women in Northern Ireland want to breastfeed and many more are now feeling supported and confident to continue breastfeeding for as long as they choose. Rates of breastfeeding at six and 12 months have more than doubled in the past ten years. We are so proud to have played a part in that positive change by making breastfeeding visible and celebrated as part of everyday life in Northern Ireland”

Breastival’s 10-year anniversary is being supported by TV presenter and mum-of-two Holly Hamilton.

She sadi: “Breastfeeding my two children is something that has always been really important to me. I know it’s a journey that not everyone can go on and it’s not always a choice, but for me it’s something I’ve really enjoyed.

“My best piece of advice is to find someone else who has been through it, because it can be lonely. The start of the journey is often just you at two or three o’clock in the morning, and those first few days are the hardest.

“That’s why the work being done by Breastival is so important. Looking around and knowing there are other women who feel the same way, who’ve gone through it or are currently going through it, makes such a difference. Having that support is invaluable.”

Breastival was created to help improve women’s experiences of breastfeeding by making breastfeeding visible, valued and supported as part of everyday family life.

Breastival has welcomed over 10,000 people to the festival over its first nine years, and organisers are aiming for their biggest turnout yet at this year’s tenth anniversary event.

Dr Jennifer Hanratty added: “While much has changed over the last decade, our vision remains the same: a society where every woman who wants to breastfeed feels supported, valued and confident in her choice, where communities champion breastfeeding and policies make it easier for families to achieve their goals.”

Free tickets to the event are available at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/breastival-2026-tickets-1989689944184

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New citizenship approvals in the Chicago area are on track to decline by more than 80 percent this year, after the city saw one of the Trump administration’s largest and most aggressive military-style immigration crackdowns in late 2025.

In a typical year, the Northern Illinois District Court is home to about 20,000 to 30,000 new approvals, peaking at nearly 33,000 in 2022, according to an ABC 7 analysis of federal data.

This year, just 3,765 people have become citizens, the outlet found.

“When I saw the numbers that you had shared…I was floored,” local immigration attorney Kathleen Vannucci told the station.

“The administration does not want to see high numbers of new citizens, and so I think this is a result of what their overall goal [is],” she added.

“For years, the Biden administration prioritized rubber-stamping aliens’ applications for U.S. citizenship with minimal vetting. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, under the leadership of President Trump, is implementing rigorous screening and vetting processes across the country,” USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said in a statement to The Independent. “USCIS will not take shortcuts in the naturalization process.”

The Trump administration has pursued a range of actions to make it harder to become a U.S. citizen, including attempting to pause most asylum cases, stripping temporary protected status from people inside the U.S., denying more citizenship applications, and pushing to make new applications feature higher fees and a harder civics test.

The White House has also pursued once-obscure or unheard-of measures, including denaturalizing existing citizens, reinstating “neighborhood investigations” for applicants and campaigning to eliminate the constitutionally protected right to birthright citizenship.

In the case of the Chicago area, these legalistic changes played out while the administration sent masked federal agents into city streets over the fall as part of the controversial 64-day “Operation Midway Blitz.”

Agents were accused of using excessive force, carrying out racial profiling, launching tear gas without warning, aiming rubber rounds at reporters, then deceiving a federal court about their conduct, which the administration denied.

Ahead of the operation, Trump threatened that the city was about to “find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” and posted an AI image of him in a fake movie poster for “Chipocalypse Now,” a reference to the classic Vietnam War film Apocalypse Now.

The White House also pushed to deploy the National Guard on Chicago streets over the objection of local officials, though the Supreme Court ultimately blocked the plan.

In Chicago and beyond, the Trump administration has sent immigration agents near spaces previously considered off limits under “sensitive locations” policies, such as schools, hospitals and religious settings.

Critics of such tactics warn they keep even legal immigrants from accessing important community spaces and government institutions.

As The Independent reported last year, deportation fears have turned once-thriving immigrant neighborhoods into “ghost towns.”

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Bonnie-Leigh Spence, from Consett, was diagnosed with stage four Rhabdoid Sarcoma shortly after her fifth birthday in December 2024.

The aggressive childhood cancer is so rare that it affects only eight children a year in the UK.

After a brave battle with the cancer, Bonnie sadly died aged six on Wednesday (July 29) surrounded by her parents and siblings.

Bonnie’s family L-R Ian, Alistair, Bonnie, Jessica, Caroline Spence (Image: ANDY FUTERS PHOTOGRAPHY)

Though her life was heartbreakingly short, Bonnie’s family say she packed more love, laughter and unforgettable memories into her six years than many do in a lifetime.

Bonnie celebrated her sixth birthday in Disneyland Paris- somewhere she had always wanted to go (Image: FAMILY)

Announcing Bonnie’s death, her family said: “The most beautiful girl to grace our world has passed on into heaven.

“Our Bonnie was the light of our lives and the world will forever be a darker place without her.

“You put up the biggest fight you could, but your little body was just too weak.

“We promise to always keep your memory alive.”

Bonnie-Leigh Spence (Image: ANDY FUTERS PHOTOGRAPHY)

Her mum, Caroline, added: “We just want to say how much we miss her. How happy, bubbly and smiley she was.

“She lit up the world and leaves a very big hole in both our lives as well as her siblings.

“She passed very peacefully in no pain, surrounded by her siblings and parents.

“We also want to thank everyone who has supported us, donated experience days or family days as well on our GoFundMe.”

Bonnie, six, was described as the ‘happiest little girl’ (Image: ANDY FUTERS PHOTOGRAPHY)

Knowing time together was precious, Bonnie’s family filled her final months with extraordinary memories.

She travelled to Disneyland for a “magical” Christmas trip and went on to enjoy a string of “unforgettable” experiences, including becoming a mascot for Rangers FC and walking out with Newcastle United captain Bruno Guimarães before a Champions League match against PSV.

Bonnie and her sisters in Disneyland L-R Ada, eight, Jennifer, nine, Tammy, eleven, Bonnie, six (Image: FAMILY)

She was also featured on American national television, helped switch on Durham County Council’s Christmas tree lights and celebrated her sixth birthday surrounded by those she loved most.

One of the moments that meant the most came in June, when Bonnie was able to return to school for a short time after months away from the classroom.

Bonnie with the doll that was specially made for her from America, that got her featured on American news (Image: FAMILY)

She had not regularly attended since February 2025 but, after 12 weeks of trying, was finally able to go back.

Her family said she was excited to make friends and “try and be a little bit normal”.

As her illness progressed, Bonnie spent more time at home with her family, watching her favourite Disney films alongside her siblings and cherishing every moment together.

A GoFundMe set up to help Bonnie and her family create lasting memories raised more than £36,000.

Bonnie’s dad, Iain, an ex-Army HGV driver, and her mum Caroline, an NHS midwife, both put their careers on hold to care for their daughter full-time.

The family first discovered Bonnie had cancer after a small bump appeared on her arm.

She went to hospital where it was initially believed to be a sprained arm.

Bonnie later had her left arm amputated above the elbow and went through gruelling rounds of chemotherapy to shrink tumours in early 2025, but unfortunately, Bonnie’s family were told on December 16 that it would be her last Christmas.

Corrie fans think they know Jodie Ramsey’s sinister next move

Coronation Street fans think they have rumbled what Jodie Ramsey’s next move will be, and it will cause horror for David and Shona Platt.

Those who follow the ITV soap thought the mysterious character’s time was up this week when her secret trinket box was discovered by Lily Platt.

Following her arrival earlier this year, which is when she was revealed as the long-lost sister of Shona, Jodie appeared to make some Weatherfield residents targets of her unusual games, with them previously seeing that she holds onto a trinket box, containing different items she’s taken from those she knows, including Bernie Winter-Alahan, Brian Packham and DS Lisa Connor-Swain.

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But this week, her trinket box was once again discovered by Lily, after the youngster previously came across the box, as did David’s sister, Sarah Platt, who had arrived at No.8 after killing Theo Silverton to find the house trashed, only for Jodie to hit her over the head and leave her for dead.

While Shona confronted her sister as Sarah came clean about who attacked her, she initially kicked her out before having a change of heart when Jodie unexpectedly returned to No.8 during a homecoming celebration for David and Shona’s baby daughter, Harper.

But it left Lily worried, as she had earlier confronted Jodie about having a gun, which Jodie was quick to brush off. However, Lily went on to tell her dad she found the weapon in Jodie’s trinket box, which he only knew existed as Sarah had mentioned coming across it before she was attacked during his earlier prison visit.

However, Jodie once again got away with her concerning behaviour as when confronted by Shona and David over the gun, she unveiled as fake one, before later showing that she had hidden the real weapon on top of the kitchen cupboards. Despite Lily’s unease at first, she’s since found herself back under Jodie’s spell, especially after she came to her and Harry Platt’s rescue when the youngster was targeted by schoolboys about his mum being a murderer.

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During Thursday’s (July 30) edition of Corrie, Jodie was seen getting back up to her old tricks. She was first seen offering to help Shona with childcare as Shona headed back to work, struggling to leave her baby girl behind.

But with Shona at the cafe, Jodie was later seen taking out her laptop and creating a new thread on a forum dedicated to mums. Calling herself Shona, she described herself as a first-time mum who went through a traumatic birth. It wasn’t long before Shona returned and while Jodie tried to advise her to leave Harper sleeping, Shona replied: “I’m her mum, I know what’s best for her and right now it’s a big cuddle from me1”

And the scenes left Corrie fans thinking a sinister storyline could be ahead. @evilswan1 said: “Fivers says Jodie is going to try to kidnap Harper or at least keep Shona away from her.” @kerri___a commented: “I have a feeling Jodie is going to hurt Harper or kidnap her. #Corrie.” @xxAlicia89 added: “Feel like Jodie will soon do something to baby Harper #Corrie.”

Romeo Beckham displayed his muscles as he enjoyed a solo jet ski ride during his family holiday to Ibiza on Thursday. 

The model, 23, is currently sporting bleach blond hair like his famous dad David, 51, did back in his footballing days. 

He appeared deep in thought as he cruised across the Mediterranean while the rest of his family including mum Victoria, 52, were nowhere to be seen.

Romeo was showing off his toned and tanned arms in the life jacket and wore bright green swimming shorts. 

Earlier this week he was joined by his bikini-clad girlfriend Kim Turnbull for another jet ski ride.

The 25-year-old model looked in good spirits as she enjoyed quality time with her boyfriend and his family, amid the Beckhams’ holiday in Formentera. 

While Kim flashed her jaw-dropping physique in a burgundy two-piece, Romeo wore Baywatch-inspired red swimming shorts.

The model, 23, is currently sporting bleach blond hair like his famous dad David, 51, did back in his footballing days

Romeo’s younger brother Cruz has not been with the family because he is currently touring with his band, The Breakers, around north America. 

The Beckham clan are currently visiting different parts of the Balearic Islands on their luxury £16million yacht, Seven. 

David and Victoria bought their 130ft boat in 2022, after previously buying a smaller vessel by the same name the year before.

It boasts five cabins, sleeping ten people and seven crew members.

Their boat features a spa bath on the upper deck, as well as a 65ft garage, plenty of water toys and a jet-ski to keep the family entertained.

Seven is named after David’s iconic football shirt number as well as their daughter Harper’s middle name.

Earlier in the week, Kim and Romeo put on an incredibly tactile display in a slew of Instagram posts.

Romeo looked handsome in his usual trendy garb as he cheekily grabbed his girlfriend’s bottom in a picture.

Her ‘Insta Dump’ comprised pictures from their jaunt to America to watch the World Cup, with her snaps showing the pair at one of the matches.

Kim shared a shot of a replica of the Jules Rimet Trophy inside her bag before posing in a black top with a keyhole and jeans.

Romeo was showing off his toned and tanned arms in the life jacket and wore bright green swimming shorts

During the World Cup trip the whole family were in attendance bar estranged brother Brooklyn, who has left his parents heartbroken by abandoning the Beckham ship.

Brooklyn has not acknowledged any of his parents’ birthdays or milestones publicly since their rift began, around the time of David’s 50th celebrations, and failed to share a post for Father’s Day this year.

Last month, it was reported that Brooklyn was ‘furious’ that his parents had included him in a Father’s Day post and wants them to ‘leave him alone’.

Shortly before Christmas last year, Brooklyn blocked his parents on Instagram, while his lawyers later wrote to the Beckhams’ team requesting all communication be conducted through legal representatives.

The Daily Mail contacted Brooklyn’s representatives for comment at the time.

Earlier this year, Brooklyn was accused of selling his family out for a big sum following the release of his two-part DoorDash commercial.

Five months after declaring that he and his wife Nicola want privacy, Brooklyn was savaged by fans, who branded him ‘classless’ after he collaborated with the food delivery firm for the sponsored video.

It was reported that Brooklyn was paid a hefty figure for the ad, with a source saying: ‘Anything that makes him money is good – it shows that his brand is there and flourishing.’

It’s thought that he was paid ‘at least $1million (£751,000)’ for the campaign.

However, the Beckham clan were reportedly less impressed with the advert, with an insider telling Page Six: ‘Brooklyn claims he wants peace and privacy and nothing to do with his family – now he’s trying to cash in on it all.’

The heartbroken family of a British woman who was found dead in a suitcase in Athens have paid tribute to the ‘beautiful’ and ‘loving’ 38-year-old.

Elisabeth Jane Ross, from Scotland, was found dead inside a suitcase by a homeless man in the Kypseli district of Athens on July 18. She is believed to have died between five and seven days before she was discovered.

The alarm was raised at around 1pm that day after he informed authorities he had spotted a suitcase with something coming out of it, which ‘looked like a human limb’.

Before her death, Ms Ross flew from the United States to Athens via Edinburgh – not Cyprus as previously reported – where she was said to be staying with friends on June 29, the Daily Mail understands.

Ms Ross had initially been staying with friends in the town of Keratsini, in the suburbs of Athens, before meeting American friends in Kypseli on July 15, local media reported.

Her aunt, Anne Bangham, has since paid tribute to her niece, describing her as ‘beautiful’ and ‘loving’, later adding that the family ‘can’t believe this has happened’.

‘It is horrific. We just can’t believe it. She was such a beautiful, loving and kind young lady,’ she wrote.

‘I wish I could get my hands on whoever did it. She had not long arrived there to work. It will take a while to sink in.’

It comes as a series of final texts sent from her phone said Ms Ross wanted to be alone in what police believe to be a cover up orchestrated by her killer.

People have paid tributes with flowers and pictures of the 38-year-old in the Kypseli district of Athens

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Greek police believe whoever killed her was using her phone to cover up her death by sending misleading messages in an attempt to buy time to flee.

One chilling message sent from Ms Ross’s phone after her death to a Greek friend said: ‘I need some time – I’m going to a Greek island,’ the Daily Mail previously revealed.

The text was sent to a Greek male friend she has known ‘for years’ and with whom she had been staying days before her body was found.

Texts sent to her family claimed that she ‘needed some time to herself’ and that she ‘wanted to be alone for a while’.

Investigators say the phone, which remains missing, was active in the Athens area until over 24 hours ago, when Ms Ross was formally identified.

The phone was ‘mysteriously’ turned off just as news of her death hit headlines across the globe.

Her father, a lawyer from Edinburgh, told officers he had been receiving messages from July 15 to 29. 

In the latest update, toxicology tests are currently being done to establish whether ‘foul play’ was involved in the 38-year-old’s death.

A Greek police spokesman confirmed toxicology tests are currently underway as authorities seek to establish if her death was a result of a ‘criminal act’.

Local outlets released a photo of the 38-year-old Ms Ross as investigations are ongoing to determine her cause of death

Images of an abandoned building in the district of Athens, where Ms Ross’s body was found in a suitcase

Pictured:  A woman pays tribute to Ms Ross in Athens.  Greek police believe whoever killed Ms ross was using her phone to cover up her death by sending misleading messages 

However, the tests will take ‘weeks’ because of the advanced state of decay of her body, the Daily Mail understands.

Police have said there was no evidence on either the body or the suitcase that would enable them to identify a third party.

‘The suitcase did not belong to the victim, as she did not have any large luggage with her,’ a police source previously told local media.

Officers are also said to be analysing CCTV footage from around the building where Ms Ross was found.

And, due to the weight of the suitcase containing her body, they believe the killers are likely to have been staying nearby.

Ms Ross had been staying with Greek friends for around two weeks in Athens until she left on July 15, according to reports.

She had travelled out to stay with her Greek male friend in Keratsini near the Port of Piraeus, her father said.

According to friends she was staying with in Keratsini, Ms Ross said she would be travelling to Kypseli to stay with her American friends, but gave no specific address, Greek state broadcaster ERT reported.

Police have interviewed three Greek friends, including the man she stayed with, as well as a friend from Edinburgh.

The mother of the local she was staying with is from Edinburgh and is flying out to Athens today to support the family.

It was previously reported that she told police that her son reported Ms Ross missing on July 15.

It comes amid claims the British woman’s phone was being used up until the point she was identified by the media.

One Greek officer said: ‘The phone was being used. Text messages were even sent, obviously with a view to making people believe she was still alive.

‘We are treating the building as a crime scene.’

Police are also still trying to trace where her phone had been in the days following her death, according to local media.

The initial examination of the body showed no obvious injuries or signs of struggle, while her identity could not be established at first as there were no signs of identification.

Greek police authorities later identified it after Interpol examined fingerprint data and matched it to records in the US, where Ms Ross had previously worked.

This then informed the Hellenic Police that the body belongs to a British woman with the initials ER, born in February 1988. Ms Ross is also understood to be from the Edinburgh area.

According to police, the victim was around 5ft 4in with reddish hair tied in a bun, wearing black shorts and a T-shirt.

Her shorts bore the name of a French university, prompting Interpol to be alerted.

Police have requested passenger information from the airline she travelled with to determine if she was with anyone, and are checking local accommodation registries for reservations under her name.

One Greek police officer revealed authorities were shocked at the discovery, describing the incident as ‘unprecedented’.

Her aunt, Anne Bangham, has paid tribute to her niece, describing her as a ‘beautiful’ and ‘loving’, later adding that the family ‘can’t believe this has happened’

The initial examination of the body showed no obvious injuries or signs of struggle, while her identity could not be established at first as there were no signs of identification

He told The Sun: ‘To find a foreign national dead in a suitcase here in the heart of Athens is a first. In the history of Greek-British relations, it is unprecedented.’

A spokesman for Greek police said: ‘No other evidence has emerged from the body or the suitcase that would allow us to identify another person.

‘We are awaiting the result of toxicology tests to determine the cause of death, and ascertain whether foul play was involved.

‘The investigation is ongoing.’

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: ‘Our thoughts are with Elisabeth’s family during this difficult time. We are providing consular support and are in contact with the local authorities.’

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘We are aware of the death of a Scottish woman in Athens and are liaising with authorities in Greece.

‘Officers are providing support to her family in Scotland.’

A petition containing around 1,800 signatures calling for the service provided by the Cauwood Day Service, in Malton, to be protected was today presented to North Yorkshire Council’s Thirsk and Malton area committee.

Senior councillors will decide next week whether to close the centre.

Ahead of the decision, the area committee met to discuss concerns regarding the closure.

They heard from families and supporters of the centre who called for the service to remain open.

Stuart Moss, whose son Matty attends the centre, told the meeting: “For many disabled people, Cauwood is not simply a building. It is a place where they feel safe, where they are understood, where they have friends, purpose, routine, and dignity. It is where they laugh, learn, grow, and belong.

“If Cauwood closes, it is not just a service that disappears. It is a community. It is a vital lifeline.”

Lisa Keenan, from the Ryedale Special Families charity, raised concerns that Malton’s only Changing Places toilet would be lost if the centre was closed.

She added: “The toilet may be used once or twice a week, but it is essential for those disabled people who need that specialist facility.

“Just because it relates to the care of a few disabled people does not mean it is less important.”

In response, Abi Barron, the council’s corporate director for health and adult services, said the council was “passionate” not to lose the identity of Cauwood which she said was created by the staff, service users and their families.

She added: “Whilst the proposal to the executive is to close the existing building, it is not about closing the whole service, and our intention is to retain a refreshed Cauwood service and staff, who currently work within that service.

“This service will provide the flexibility required to meet the wide-ranging needs of the people who currently attend and hopefully others in the future.”

The officer said the council was aiming to secure “local building provision” in the Malton area to operate a new Cauwood service, adding: “There is no intention of us closing the building until those alternative service offers are in place and that people have completed their transition.”

The petition was presented to the committee by Malton councillor Keane Duncan.

He said the aim of the petition was to protect the services which were provided by Cauwood and he felt the report due to be presented to the executive next week showed the authority had changed its position on the centre.

He said: “The (original) report sought approval to close Cauwood from the autumn and to reprovide support through alternative community-based provision.

“At that time, there was, as far as we were aware, no commitment to another Cauwood, no commitment to another dedicated local building, and the report acknowledged that staff could be moved elsewhere and redundant to the seat if possible.”

He added: “I think we should welcome that the new executive report is substantially different from the position we faced in April.”

Other councillors raised concerns about the lack of information surrounding the council’s plans for the replacement service.

Councillor Steve Mason said: “It’s a bit like putting the cart before the horse. I just can’t understand why we have not arranged which building we go to first before we come to the proposal.”

The meeting voted unanimously for a motion calling on the executive to make it expressly clear that the Cauwood building remains open until the alternative site has the support of service users and their families.

Council chiefs have said that the current Cauwood service, in Old Malton Road, which supports adults with learning disabilities, autism and physical and sensory needs, is no longer sustainable.

They have highlighted a sharp fall in demand in recent years, rising costs and the poor condition of the building as reasons for the closure.

Dai Hilton served in Helmund in the Royal Signals. He lost his medals when his home in Pembrokeshire burned to the ground.

An Afghanistan war veteran is devastated after losing all his service medals when his home burned to the ground.

Dai Hilton, his two sons aged 12 and 16, and partner Danielle Greep escaped the early hours blaze at their chalet in Martletwy in Pembrokeshire last weekend, but lost everything.

Too shocked at the time to take it all in, Dai later realised that among things gone are his medals and his grandmother’s engagement ring. The sentimental possessions are irreplaceable, he said.

Dai, who joined the army aged 16 and was a lance corporal in the Royal Signals, did one tour in Afghanistan during his time in the army from 2004 until 2011.

He had kept his medals and other memorabilia from his time in the army in the 20m by 20m chalet he has lived in for the last 12 years.

“Everything is gone, absolutely everything, nothing is salvageable and my medals from the army, from Afghanistan, are gone,” he said as he sifted through the remains of his home five days after the fire on July 25.

“I have lost my Afghan NATO medal and my Afghan campaign medal and my Queen’s Jubilee medal. I served down in Helmund in Camp Bastion. It was quite harrowing. I have also lost all my army kit and photos too.

“It’s the unexpected other little things we can’t replace like the children’s old teddies and my nan’s engagment ring which she gave recently to my daughter. We have searched through everything and we can’t find the ring or my medals.”

Dai fears the treasured medals and ring may have melted like his car and house keys. While those things are irreplaceable, Dai is also unable to replace less sentimentally valuable but expensive household items as his home was uninsured.

Well-wishers have donated more than £9,000 to help him replace his home and possessions. As the huge clear up began after last weekend’s fire, Dai praised the help he has had from local friends and neighbours, including the owners of nearby business Wild Lakes.

“They came down on their day off with their digger to help clear up. It’s been overwhelming the number of people who have reached out to us and helped. I can’t thank people who have helped enough,” he said.

“We’ve had offers of help and loads of people in the community have been offering clothes and things. It’s been a crazy week and it’s not sunk in yet.”

Dai says he is just thankful that he and his sons and Danielle escaped unhurt. His 18-year-old daughter was away at the time and escaped the fire.

Danielle was the first to wake when the chalet’s smoke alarms went off at 3am and raised the alarm.

Running outside, they watched in horror as everything they owned in the static chalet was destroyed. All four were taken to Withybush Hospital by ambulance and treated for smoke inhalation but discharged.

It took fire crews from Narberth, Tenby, and Milford Haven fire stations more than two hours to stop the flames in the early hours of Saturday, July 25.

Dai, an engineer for Openreach broadband provider, said his work car keys have been melted as well as the side of his work van, which was parked near the chalet, showing how extreme the heat was.

A friend of Dai’s set up a fundraising page to help raise money to replace his home and possessions, which can be seen here.

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Some countries require passports to have a strict validity on them, meaning that anyone with a passport that has less than the country they’re travelling to requires could be denied entry.

New data reveals that more than 705,000 UK passports currently have less than three months’ validity remaining, while nearly 350,000 were issued more than a decade ago, meaning more than one million could fail entry requirements for some overseas destinations.

Compare the Market issues warning to Manchester Airport passengers

Compare the Market has issued a warning to holidaymakers flying from Manchester Airport, urging them to check their passports before travelling abroad, following analysis of HM Passport Office data.

Is your passport still valid if it has less than three months left on it?

The analysis was completed in June 2026 and shows that 705,904 British passports have less than three months remaining before they expire.

These passports are still valid, but some destinations ask visitors to adhere to additional validity requirements, so it’s crucial you know the rules before going away.

Which European destinations require at least three months on your passport?

Countries in the EU’s Schengen Area require UK travellers to have a passport that is valid for at least three months after their planned departure from the Schengen Area.

This includes popular holiday destinations such as:

• France
• Greece
• Italy
• Portugal
• Spain

Manchester Airport offers regular flights to these five destinations, so it’s important passengers make sure their passports are valid for travel before their trip.

What is the 10-year entry rule for passports?

Holidaymakers also need to make sure their passports were issued within the previous 10 years on the date of entry.

If your passport was issued before September 2018, the 10-year rule is particularly relevant for you.

Previously, up to nine months of unused validity could be carried over when renewing a passport, meaning some documents may appear in date but still be ineligible for entry.

What you need to apply for ETIAS

Therefore, some passports could still be in date but fail to meet the Schengen Area’s entry requirements.

The data shows that 347,268 British passports currently in circulation were issued more than 10 years ago, meaning some travellers could be caught out.

In addition, 2.37 million passports are set to expire in 2026, prompting further warnings for travellers to plan ahead.

Tim Knighton, travel insurance expert at Compare the Market, said: “Many travellers assume if they have a valid passport they can travel overseas without any issues, but that’s not always the case.

“Renewing a passport early could help avoid unnecessary stress and reduce the risk of holiday plans being disrupted.

You can check the entry requirements for the country you’re visiting via the government website.

It shares any travel warnings and updates travellers need to know, including how much time you must have left before your expiry date.

You can use the search function or go through the list of destinations to find the latest travel advice.

Have you had any passport issues when travelling? Tell us in the comments below.