Stephen Cottrell delivered his plea for “peace between warring nations” to a congregation at York Minster on Easter Sunday (April 5).

In the sermon, he likened the “thirst” of Jesus Christ on the cross, to the things people thirst for in the modern day.

Mr Cottrell said: “We thirst for peace between the warring nations of the world and on this Easter morning cry out for an end to the literally pointless conflict consuming the Middle East at the moment.

“We thirst for justice in a world where norms of international law are eroded and ignored, where basic human rights are denied.

“We thirst for unity within the church of Jesus Christ, itself so painfully divided by the conflicts of the past and an easy acceptance of a scandalous status quo in the present.”

The archbishop delivered the sermon as the war, launched by the US and Israel on Iran at the end of February, enters its sixth week.

The conflict has already killed thousands and it is unclear whether it is any closer to an end.

Outside of the region, consequences have included soaring fuel prices amid a blockade on the Strait of Hormuz, which is one of the world’s most important shipping routes.

Mr Cottrell referenced the “siloes and echo chambers” of social media and the need to acknowledge “our common humanity”, before turning to focus on his own congregation.

“We need this in our communities here in Yorkshire and across the north of England, where so many people feel left behind and where so many young people grow up with little hope of a better future,” he said.

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Mr Cottrell, who became the 98th Archbishop of York in 2020, ended the sermon on a lighter note of celebration.

He said: “Which is also why this Easter day we must quench other thirsts as well. Open the beer. Crack open the champagne. Make that margarita.

“Pop another olive in your martini, or if it is your thing, just do that very English thing, and put the kettle on.”

Meanwhile, the leader of Catholics in England and Wales spoke of a humanity “scarred by warfare”.

Delivering his first Easter sermon since becoming Archbishop of Westminster, Richard Moth said: “In our present times the world is so often confusing and conflicted, subject to ever-changing and often illusory demands and attractions.

“Humanity is marked, scarred, by warfare and injustice, often instigated by greed and misguided power, bringing harm and death to so many and so often the most vulnerable.”

L’Homme Presse, French Dynamite and Now Is The Hour were all taken out on Monday, while three others below the cut-off line were also scratched.

The field is again set to be dominated by Irish trainer Mullins, with the three-time winner currently having nine horses guaranteed to run.

Joining I Am Maximus and Nick Rockett are last year’s third-placed Grangeclare West, Spanish Harlem, Lecky Watson, Champ Kiely, High Class Hero, Captain Cody and Quai De Bourbon.

Gordon Elliott, who has also trained three National winners, has five entries with Gerri Colombe, Firefox and Favori De Champdou – the beaten favourite in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival – towards the top of the weights.

Another of Elliott’s stable, Pied Piper, is currently 35th on the list and will get a run if one more horse withdraws.

The Ben Pauling-trained Twig is the final guaranteed runner, although Spillane’s Tower has maintained his entry at this stage despite his owner telling RTE on Sunday he is an intended runner in Thursday’s Aintree Bowl instead.

Firefox is also entered in Friday’s Topham over the Grand National fences.

Henry de Bromhead, who won the race in 2021 with Rachael Blackmore and Minella Times, trains Monty’s Star and Gorgeous Tom.

Gavin Cromwell trains Perceval Legallois, who was a faller last year, and Cheltenham Festival winner Final Orders.

Dan Skelton will be represented by mare Panic Attack as he closes in on the UK trainers’ championship for the first time.

The Nigel and Willy Twiston-Davies-trained Beauport will carry the colours of Bryan and Philippa Burrough, whose Corbiere won in 1983 as Jenny Pitman became the first female trainer to triumph.

Nigel is a two-time winner of the race in 1998 and 2022 and the stable are also set to saddle Top of the Bill, who moved into the top 34 with Monday’s withdrawals.

Fourteen-time British champion trainer Paul Nicholls has no entries, while Nicky Henderson, who is yet to win the National, is also likely to have no runners with Hyland currently 41st on the list.

John McGall runs the I am Reusable food bank in the Leeman Road area of the city and organised a bumper Easter event this year.

He said: “We handed out Easter eggs to the homeless teenagers, children, those attending the food bank and many other places. 

“More than 500 plus eggs were donated in total and we also had the Easter Bunny as normal for our annual Easter egg event which we have been running for the past 11 years. 

“A massive thank you to everyone involved.”

John McGall runs the I am Reusable food bank in the Leeman Road area of the city and (Image: Supplied)

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As previously reported by The Press, Ebor Court Care Home, in Nether Poppleton, were just one of the organisations who donated this year.

They donated 168 eggs to I Am Reusable Food Bank to support families in need this year.

The collection was delivered during a visit from a representative of the food bank, who said she was “overwhelmed” by the generosity.

John and Julie McGall run the I am Reusable food bank in the Leeman Road area

I am Reusable was initially set up in a shed to help those in need through the pandemic, including NHS staff. It has been inundated to the point that they have run out of food on several occasions.

As The Press reported previously John had to put in an application for retrospective planning permission despite spending the past 16 years dedicating his time voluntarily to helping improve the lives of the homeless, disabled and less fortunate people in York.

Crowd funding raised money to pay for the application which was granted in 2024 by City of York Council.

At the time John said: “We can continue operating in our current residential location for up to two more years.

“We then have to look for an alternative location. We have to have weekly commercial waste bin collections and waste licences.

“The JustGiving money that was kindly donated has been spent on the planning application fee, and on getting the shed in a good condition to continue operating.

“We propose to also spend this money on the new costs which will occur as a condition of us staying open. These are weekly commercial waste pick ups and the relevant paperwork and licences required.”

The Easter Bunny at I am Reusable food bank in the Leeman Road area of the city (Image: Supplied)

Beverley is looking forward to taking another shot at the jungle crown after first appearing on the show back in 2020, when the series was filmed in a castle in Wales due to filming restrictions as a result of Covid-19

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Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard is looking forward to swapping the freezing cold weather in Wales for South Africa ahead of her second I’m A Celebrity stint. The star, who played Liz McDonald on the ITV soap, missed out on heading to the Australian jungle in 2020 because of Covid restrictions, instead filming in a castle in Wales, but she’s hoping to throw herself into the experience for the All Stars spin-off. Her appearance on the show – filmed back in September – came just months before she revealed she’d been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Tonight viewers will get to see a line-up of All Stars head to South Africa with the icons from series gone by battling to be crowned king or queen of the jungle once again. Ant and Dec are back as hosts and will welcome the returning campmates into the spectacular location as ITV promises some of the most epic and extreme trials in I’m A Celebrity history.

The special series was filmed last year, and the cast features several big names including actor Craig Charles, Olympian Mo Farah, an Essex diva in Gemma Collins and a King and a Queen of the Jungle – Harry Redknapp and Scarlett Moffatt.

Here, we look at the star’s life ahead of the show’s return.

Second time lucky

Beverley, 69, appeared on I’m A Celeb back in 2020, when the series was filmed in a castle in Wales due to filming restrictions as a result of Covid-19. She placed tenth, and said the experience boosted her self- confidence.

She said: “I do tend to suffer from low self-esteem and without sounding big headed, because people kept telling me they loved me and how down to earth I was. It gave me confidence and it was lovely to be with such a wonderful group of people.

“Our series was during Covid and the nation/world had had such a bad time, it was a real feel-good show. Everyone got on so well and we still meet up. We’ve got a WhatsApp group and we go out to dinner together.”

Bev didn’t hesitate when she got the call this time around. She explained: “I was really flattered when I got the call. In fact, I was gobsmacked! But I said yes because Wales was so different.”

Corrie exit

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Beverley gained a legion of fans thanks to her role as barmaid Liz McDonald in the ITV soap. She played the character for 30 years before announcing her departure in 2019. Beverley previously had two breaks from the show – pne for her mental health in 2010 and another to pursue other roles in her acting career.

Her exit was announced by Liz’ son Steve (Simon Gregson) revealing in a throwaway comment that she’d emigrated to Spain. She never got to shoot her final scenes after a hip operation.

At the time, she told Loose Women her decision was partly down to her fears she’d be killed off in the 60-year anniversary special. But in 2021, Beverley claimed she was axed from a special episode of Coronation Street because of her struggles with her mental health.

Then, in 2023, the star said the quality of the scripts had declined. Speaking on the How to Be 60 podcast, she said: “I just felt that the scripts weren’t what they used to be. I’m trying to be diplomatic. I wasn’t miserable, it’s difficult to put into words.

“But years ago, we used to get the script and you’d think ‘Oh my God, this is amazing, I cannot believe I’m going to be filming this!’ but for me it got to, well, they didn’t write for me as much because I was older and that really got to me.

“If you’re there, you want to be busy. There’s nothing worse than being bored. And I would open the script and think ‘Well we filmed that three years ago’ and it wasn’t very exciting.”

Health battles

It’s been a tough star to the year for Bev. The star told fans she had been diagnosed with the early stages of breast cancer and underwent her first bout of surgery just over a month ago. Over the weekend, she explained to fans her upcoming stint in the jungle was pre-recorded and took place before her diagnosis.

Beverley has been open and honest with her followers on social media and had been told that it would take around four weeks to get her results from the first operation, which would indicate whether she is cancer-free.

But the star was thwarted by bad news just before the onset of the long Easter weekend, as she took to Instagram to tearfully explain that she had not yet received her results and heartbreakingly admitted she couldn’t pretend any longer that everything was all right as she headed to a photoshoot to promote her new role on Irish soap Fair City.

She said: “Well, I had to do a photoshoot yesterday and on the way there – it was for a magazine about Fair City – and on the way there, Jon [my husband] was driving, and I was in the passenger seat. My phone rang, and it said the caller ID. Usually, it’s the hospital or one of the consultants from the hospital and I thought ‘Okay, this is it, my results.’ It was one of the amazing cancer care nurses from Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, they are fantastic.

“She wanted to know how I was doing. I told her that I’ve got quite a lot of soreness, which I’ve not had for ages but it came on a few days ago. She said I could be overdoing things, hopefully I’m not, I’ve had a lazy day today. But then she said ‘No results yet because there is a backlog,’ so hopefully I will get them next week.

“You know when your heart is in your mouth? You think ‘This is it. It’s coming now, any minute,’ and then, no, nothing. Obviously, we were still moving in the car, and I just thought ‘I can’t do this now, I cannot paint a smile on my face again.’

At the beginning of March, Beverley told fans that she had around four weeks of waiting to find out if the operation had been a success, and at the time, seemed optimistic about the situation.

She said: “So, the next stage, is, in about four weeks, we will find out if she managed to get all the cancer out and we’ll also get the results of whether it was in the lymph nodes or not.

“If I’m cancer-free, then, a few weeks after that, I will begin radiotherapy. If I’m not cancer-free, then we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it. But I have a feeling I will be. I don’t why I have that feeling but I just have.”

Bev previously battled her way back from a hip injury that nearly left her unable to walk. She’s also been open about her mental health struggles, previously revealing how she “didn’t want to be alive.”

Bev revealed how her husband persuaded her to say how she felt, in a bid to help others. “Jon said to me, just say how you’re really feeling. I’d just had a really bad day, fortunately it was only a couple of days. But he said to say it, because ‘you’d help so many people’,” the soap actress revealed.

Fourth husband

Beverley’s husband Jon McEwan – who she married in 2010 – has been her “rock” throughout her various health battles. The pair had a huge white wedding a decade ago with 22 bridesmaids.

Bev was first wed to Paul Atkinson in 1974. Two years later, they had daughter Rebecca. In 1980, she married David Sowden and in 1989 she wed Steve Callard. They had son Josh.

But it’s Jon she credits with saving her life. He stood by her when she attempted suicide, spent months in the Priory with mental health issues and lost a fortune through business failures.

Bev proudly declared Jon the ‘love of her life’. The pair met in Spain at a time when Beverley was taking a break from Coronation Street to pursue her career as a fitness instructor. Bev’s pupils were adamant that Jon would be the perfect match for her but she wasn’t impressed when she first laid eyes on him on a blind date.

“I had decided all men are b*****ds by that point,” she previously told the Mirror . “I just wasn’t ­interested in meeting someone.

“When I saw Jon with his shaved head and gold tooth I wasn’t impressed but within minutes we were chatting away. We went on to sit together at dinner and we got on like a house on fire.”

The pair wound up a nightclub and agreed to meet up the very next day and did the same the following day, until they quickly became inseparable.

In May 2020 Jon proposed on a beach in Spain while Bev was dressed in a baseball cap and wearing no make-up.

They arranged the wedding in just five months – tying the knot in October the same year in a fairytale wedding at Hazlewood Castle Hotel, West Yorkshire.

The Liz McDonald actress wore a floorlength strapless ivory gown and matching lace veil. While Jon cut a dashing figure in a suit set off with an eye-popping pink waistcoast to match Beverley’s bouquet.

Bev roped in 22 bridesmaids and she and Jon got tattoos of their wedding date to commemorate the occasion.

Despite the dreamy start to their union, the couple faced some hardships in years that followed with bankruptcy, family illness and Beverley’s devastating battle with clinical depression that saw her attempt suicide twice.

She credits Jon for pulling her out of a ‘black hole’ and when asked what the secret to their marriage was, Bev revealed the answer was very simple.

“Every morning we have two cups of tea together and a chat and then he does a silly little dance in the kitchen.

“It makes me smile. When I’m at work I miss him. We laugh a lot and I still fancy him rotten. He’s my best friend as well as my husband.”

An equally smitten Jon popped the question all over again in 2017 when the couple were listening to BBC Radio 4.

“A woman was talking about recovering from serious illness and it made us look back on everything we had been through together,” recalled Beverley.

The emotional chat spurred Jon on to pop the question there and then promising a quieter bash than their last big, white wedding.

If you have been affected by this story, advice and support can be found at Breast Cancer Support.

I’m A Celeb All Stars launches tonight, at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX. It will air every weeknight for three weeks, with the live grand final falling on Friday, April 24.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Stokesley’s Classics on Show returns to The Showfield for its fifteenth anniversary on Saturday, June 20, promising a day of vintage vehicles, entertainment, and community spirit.

Hundreds of classic cars, trucks, campervans, and motorbikes from across the North East, Yorkshire, and further afield will be on display from 10am to 4pm.

Mike Overy, spokesman for Classics on Show, said: “Following the success of the show’s established dedicated Motorcycle Arena and Campervan Corner at the show we decided to curate a specific feature for scooters so that fans can see them together in one place.

“We look forward to welcoming the many vintage scooter owners from around the region who will add a new and exciting dimension to an event which just keeps on growing.”

A new addition for 2026 is Scooter Square, a special area showcasing classic scooters, including Vespas, Lambrettas, and other vintage models.

This year, the show is being organised jointly by The Rotary Club of Stokesley and Erimus Middlesbrough Rotary Club, with all profits supporting Rotary initiatives and local charities.

Live music from The Bilsdale Silver Band and Crash Bang Wallop will add to the day’s atmosphere, along with a food court and children’s entertainment.

For the first time, organisers have introduced a small entry fee for exhibitors to help cover rising costs.

Vehicle entry is £5 for a vehicle and two occupants, while motorbikes and scooters can enter for £2.50.

Visitor tickets are £7.50 per person or £20 for a family of four.

More information, including exhibitor entry forms and visitor details, is available at www.classicsonshow.co.uk.

The crash is said to have taken place on the major A-road by Causey Park in Northumberland, before 2pm today.

As a result, the road has been taken down to one lane and delays are increasing, but the circumstances of the crash are not yet known.

There has been a traffic collision on the #A1 near #Causeypark between the #A697 and #A1068. resulting in a full closure for those going northbound

Southbound carriageway is currently still flowing.

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Expect delays

Updates to follow pic.twitter.com/s5YPP0U5jH

— National Highways: North-East (@HighwaysNEAST) April 6, 2026

According to AA Traffic maps, motorists are having about 15 minutes added to their journeys.

A National Highways spokesperson said: “There has been a traffic collision on the A1 near Causey Park between the A697 and the A1068, resulting in a full closure for those going northbound.

“Southbound carriageway is currently still flowing. Expect delays.”

“I’m having an experience in Brive that I’ll never forget, both on and off the pitch,” said Lawes.

“I’m going to give it my all until the end of the season to finish this adventure with CAB in the best possible way.”

Brive president Thierry Blandinieres said Lawes arrived at the club “with humility and ambition” and has “shown the full extent of his talent since his first day”.

Lawes was given his first England cap in 2009 and as well as the 2023 World Cup, he also played in the 2011, 2015 and 2019 tournaments.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel struck a key petrochemical plant at Iran’s massive South Pars natural gas field and killed two paramilitary Revolutionary Guard commanders on Monday, putting into question a new 45-day ceasefire proposal for Tehran and the United States.

Israel said the attack on the gas field was aimed at eliminating a major source of revenue for Iran. The field is critical to Iran’s electricity production, but the strike appeared to be separate from U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to target power plants and bridges if Tehran doesn’t reopen the Strait of Hormuz to all traffic.

Iran’s grip on the strait has caused oil prices to surge and shaken the world economy.

Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed what he called “a powerful strike on the largest petrochemical facility in Iran.” The gas field shared with Qatar is the world’s largest and sits under the Persian Gulf.

The White House did not immediately comment. After Israel’s attack on the field in March, Trump said Israel would not attack it again but warned that if Iran continued striking Qatar’s energy infrastructure, the United States would “massively blow up” the field.

Trump’s deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is set for Monday night Washington time.

Israel threatens Iranian officials as mediators try to buy time

Egyptian, Pakistani and Turkish mediators have sent Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff a proposal calling for a 45-day ceasefire and the reopening of the strait, two Mideast officials told The Associated Press.

Iran and the U.S. have not responded to the proposal sent late Sunday, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the private negotiations.

In Islamabad, two senior officials said Pakistan’s efforts for a ceasefire are at an advanced stage but “several spoilers and detractors” are trying to sow confusion through disinformation. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they’re not authorized to speak publicly about the talks.

Meanwhile, explosions boomed in Tehran and low-flying jets could be heard for hours.

Among those killed was the head of intelligence for Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Maj. Gen. Majid Khademi, according to Iranian state media and Israel’s defense minister.

Israel’s military said it also killed the leader of the Revolutionary Guard’s undercover unit in its expeditionary Quds Force, Asghar Bakeri.

Israel’s defense minister vowed to keep targeting top-ranking officials. “Iran’s leaders live with a sense of being targeted,” Katz said. “We will continue to hunt them down one by one.”

Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia activated air defenses to intercept Iranian missiles and drones as Tehran kept up the pressure on Gulf neighbors. In Israel, Iranian missiles hit the northern city of Haifa, where four people from one family were found dead in the rubble of a residential building.

Oil prices rise as pressure grows

Iran’s attacks on regional energy infrastructure and its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world’s oil is shipped in peacetime, have sent global energy prices soaring.

Brent crude oil, the international standard, rose to $109 in Monday spot trading, about 50% higher than when the war started.

Under pressure at home as consumers worry, Trump has warned Iran that if no deal is reached to reopen the strait, the U.S. would hit power plants and other infrastructure and set the country “back to the stone ages.”

“Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one,” he threatened Sunday.

Trump has given multiple deadlines to Iran, and later Sunday he posted a single line saying “Tuesday, 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time!” It was not clear whether he had extended his deadline.

Former Iranian foreign minister Ali Akbar Velayatir urged Arab countries to discourage Trump from striking power plants, warning on social media that the entire region would go “dark” if that happens.

Following Trump’s expletive-laced post Sunday, Iran’s parliamentary Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf called threats of targeting Iran’s infrastructure “reckless.”

Iran has let some vessels through the strait since the war began with U.S. and Israeli attacks on Feb. 28, but none belong to those countries or ones perceived as helping them. Some have paid Iran for passage but the flow of traffic is down more than 90% over the same period last year.

Airstrikes kill more than 25 across Iran

Thick smoke rose near Tehran’s Azadi Square after an airstrike hit the grounds of the Sharif University of Technology. Multiple countries have sanctioned the university for its work with the military, particularly on Iran’s ballistic missile program.

Araghchi called university “the MIT of Iran,” posting on social media that “Aggressors will see our might.”

Iranian media reported damage to buildings and a natural gas distribution site next to campus. The university is empty as the war has forced all schools into online classes.

A strike near Eslamshar, southwest of Tehran, killed at least 15 people, authorities said. Five were killed in a residential area in Qom, and six were killed in strikes on other cities, the state-run IRAN daily newspaper reported. Three people were killed at a home in Tehran, state television reported.

In Lebanon, where Israel has launched air attacks and a ground invasion that it says target the Iran-linked Hezbollah militia, an airstrike hit an apartment in Ain Saadeh town east of Beirut. It killed an official in the Lebanese Forces, a Christian political party strongly opposed to Hezbollah, his wife and another woman.

War’s death toll in the thousands

More than 1,900 people have been killed in Iran since the war began, but the government has not updated the toll for days.

More than 1,400 people have been killed in Lebanon and more than 1 million people have been displaced. Eleven Israeli soldiers have died there.

In Gulf Arab states and the occupied West Bank, more than two dozen people have died, while 23 have been reported dead in Israel and 13 U.S. service members have been killed.

___

Rising reported from Bangkok and Magdy from Cairo. Munir Ahmed in Islamabad and Isabel DeBre in Ain Saadeh, Lebanon, contributed to this story.

Humberside Police is appealing for witnesses following the two-vehicle road traffic collision in Gowthorpe Lane, Full Sutton, on Thursday (April 2).

A force spokesperson said: “It is reported at around 6pm, a silver pedal cycle and a silver Polaris Ranger collided at the junction of Gowthorpe Lane and Hatkill Lane in Full Sutton.

“Emergency services attended and the cyclist, a 62-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries but sadly passed away a short while later.

“Enquiries remain ongoing to establish the full circumstances around the collision and we would appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or has dashcam footage to please contact 101 quoting log 411 of 2 April.”

Pond dipping is just one of the exciting things to do.

K-Woodlands is inviting families, young explorers and nature enthusiasts to celebrate the Easter holidays with an exciting programme of outdoor activities designed to inspire curiosity, adventure and a love for the natural world.

Taking place throughout April, ‘Easter at K-Woodlands’ offers a series of hands-on woodland experiences where children and adults can discover wildlife, learn practical bushcraft skills, and enjoy guided environmental activities in a safe, friendly setting.

Located at the K-Woodlands entrance at 1 Burley Place, the programme encourages families to step away from screens and spend quality time together in the great outdoors during the school break.

Events include:

■ Pond Dipping: Discover Life Beneath the Surface on Wednesday, April 8, from 1pm to 3pm, for over-fives.

Children will have the opportunity to explore the hidden world of freshwater habitats by carefully catching and identifying the fascinating mini-beasts living in the woodland pond. Guided by experienced staff, participants will learn about aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity, and the important role these tiny creatures play in nature.

This session provides a perfect introduction to wildlife exploration and encourages young people to develop observation skills while having fun.

■Firelighting & Campfire Skills: A Bushcraft Experience on Friday, April 10, from 1pm to 3pm, for children aged over eight.

This popular practical session teaches children essential outdoor survival skills in a safe and supervised environment. Participants will learn how to responsibly gather natural materials, understand fire safety principles, and light their own small campfire.

The experience concludes with a well-earned treat as attendees toast marshmallows over the fire — a memorable outdoor tradition that combines learning with enjoyment.

K-Woodlands is a community green space dedicated to conservation, outdoor learning, and engagement with nature.

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READ MORE: Funding launches for Lanarkshire’s biggest climate festival