Yarm Contemporary Gallery, which only opened in December, announced it will be closing its doors for good on Saturday (July 4). 

Artist Lucy Storrs, who set up the gallery, thanked customers for their “support, interest, and words of encouragement” since it opened. 

She said she has loved being a part of the Yarm community but that the site has “not been viable as a permanent gallery model” – and will now go back to being an artist full time. 

A statement posted on Facebook said: “If you have not already heard, July 4 is our last day on the high street.

Yarm Contemporary art gallery (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“You folk have been wonderful; thank you for all your support, interest and words of encouragement. It has meant so much to us.

“We’ve loved being part of the community of Yarm. Keep an eye out for future possibilities whether a pop-up event or online, we are still exploring ideas.

“We have loved our little gallery but it has not been viable as a permanent gallery model. Sometimes you have to try these things to know if it’s going to work or not. 

Yarm Contemporary art gallery (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“Now back to being an artist full time and a half. I have a tonne of work to catch up with, next stop London… thank you everyone. I am going to miss that river.” 

Lucy, who uses textiles like wool to add texture and depth to her pieces, set up the gallery to bring original work and prints from local and national artists to the town. 

She had been displaying artwork in Fairfax Court for some time but decided to open a permanent gallery due to the town’s “strong sense of community”.

The 311 square foot former Pop Up Shop has now been put back on the market, with a rental fee of £1,250 per calendar month. 

Having air conditioning at home is a luxury that keeps people comfortable during the hottest months of the year, and it’s debated whether the AC should stay blasting or be turned off when people head to work during the day.

Some swear that turning off the AC when they’re gone for a few hours is the most energy-efficient, cost-saving method. Others say it’s better to leave it running continuously, preventing the system from straining to rapidly cool the house down after the home has gotten warmer throughout the day.

Three experts interviewed by The Associated Press agreed that setting the thermostat a few degrees higher than normal while you’re away is generally the best way to balance energy efficiency against comfort and humidity.

While turning an AC unit off for several hours and turning it back on can save money and energy compared to continuously running it, that approach can lead to mold problems in humid environments as well as wear and tear that can cause more frequent repairs. The equation can also vary depending on other factors including comfort level, AC unit type and building insulation.

Air conditioning strategies differ in humid or dry climates

Experts say there are a lot of factors to consider when deciding what AC habits save the most energy and money.

“If you’re gone for like 15 minutes to go to the grocery store, you don’t get any gain” by turning off your AC, said Elizabeth Hewitt, professor and urban planning expert at Stony Brook University.

But as a general rule, “if you’re going for your work day, say for eight hours or so, you’ll almost always save more energy and money by turning things off,” she said.

In some climates, however, turning off the AC might not be feasible, so residents can set back their AC a few degrees instead of blasting cold air all day.

In dry places like Arizona, you can let the home warm up more by raising the thermostat a few degrees higher. But in humid climates like Florida, air inside the home can become damp and harder to cool, and turning the AC off for long periods can increase the risk of mold since the system helps control indoor moisture.

Bumping up the thermostat by 1 degree Fahrenheit (0.6 degrees Celsius) yields about a 3% savings in cooling costs, said Patrick Phelan, mechanical engineering professor at Arizona State University.

Phelan also said leaving your AC off for hours and then turning it back on could lead to wear that results in more frequent repairs. That is because it can take AC systems 15 to 30 minutes after they are turned on to perform most efficiently.

How much energy and money you can save depends on the kind of home you live in, said Gregor Henze, an architectural engineering professor at the University of Colorado Boulder.

Homes built with heavy materials like concrete or brick hold in cool air longer, while older, draftier houses heat up faster. In less insulated homes, Henze said, it makes sense to adjust the thermostat even if you’re stepping out for just a few hours, because the indoor temperature can rise quickly.

Some AC units save more energy than others

Whether you have a window unit, a smart thermometer or central air could influence your savings.

Window units are generally less efficient because they’re installed in an open window, making it difficult to seal out hot air completely, said Hewitt. She added that spraying “cheap foam spray insulation in open windows or areas that are drafty is a really low-hanging fruit that doesn’t cost a lot of money and really helps retain the indoor temperature in your home.”

Phelan says smart thermostats are a handy tool to remove the mental burden of tinkering with your manual thermostat multiple times a day. Smart thermostats “learn” by monitoring the occupancy with a sensor and raise the temperature when no one is home to conserve energy and lower it when people return.

“If you’re going from just an ordinary manual thermostat to installing a smart one like a Nest, then you can expect something like 10% savings,” said Phelan.

How to cool your home without air conditioning

Each expert said simple steps like blocking sunlight can go a long way in keeping homes cool.

Henze pointed to “time-honored strategies” such as opening windows at night when it’s cooler. In dry climates, that night air doesn’t add much moisture, but in humid regions it can bring in dampness the AC will later need to remove.

Hewitt added that closing your blinds can make a difference of several degrees.

Phelan also noted that some blinds are designed to reflect sunlight and said tinted window films are another option.

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O’Malley is a former Associated Press reporter.

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.

We will rise up and rebuild,” was the defiant message from Ukrainians after Russia unleashed one of the biggest attacks of the war on the capital Kyiv, leaving at least 21 dead, 90 hurt and 130 buildings damaged.

The EU ambassador to Ukraine said that “Russia unleashed hell on Kyiv” in the overnight attack, with 74 missiles and 496 drones launched, according to the Ukrainian air force. Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha described the assault as a “night of horror”.

The attack caused the widest destruction in Kyiv so far this year, and was the deadliest since at least May, when 24 people were killed in a strike that brought down an apartment block. Footage and images from the city showed widespread destruction as residents were left picking up the pieces.

You can follow the latest updates on the Ukraine war here.

Kyiv citizens told The Independent they were left in shock after the latest assault from Vladimir Putin’s forces, which Moscow said was launched in retaliation for Ukrainian drone strikes on Russia.

Kashtanchik kindergarten, which serves around 70 local children aged between two and six, was one of the scores of buildings hit in the onslaught.

Director Tetiana Konovalchuk, who has run the nursery for 26 years, said when the explosions woke her before dawn, she rushed the 500 metres from her home to inspect the damage.

Asked whether she felt anger after another attack had damaged the kindergarten – it was also hit last year – she paused, looked away and fought back tears.

“I will only say that we will rise up and rebuild,” the 49-year-old replied.

As workers hurled shattered window frames onto the pavement below, she shouted warnings to those walking past to avoid being struck by falling debris.

Before long, another air raid siren echoed across the district, followed by two more within the hour, briefly interrupting the clean-up.

President Volodymyr Zelensky cut short a visit to Ireland on Wednesday evening and had warned Ukrainians that a major attack was imminent.

“The main strike was directed at Kyiv. Air defence supplies for Ukraine are an absolute and critical priority,” he said, urging Ukraine’s allies to maintain contributions to a fund to buy US weapons, including Patriot air defence missiles for Ukraine.

The multiple waves of strikes, which began shortly after 2am on Thursday, destroyed apartment buildings and sent plumes of black smoke over the capital that lingered well into the morning. In the city centre, a hotel was set ablaze, its upper storeys burning for hours after the impact.

Residents in Kyiv’s eastern Darnytsia district, the worst-affected area of the capital, described a series of earth-shaking explosions that ripped away five floors of a nine-storey residential block and gouged a crater several metres deep in front of a neighbouring building.

“Everyone is just in total shock,” said Myroslava Fedykovych, a psychologist who arrived to provide emergency mental health support.

Ms Fedykovych said she had spoken to a 20-year-old woman who fled to a shelter about 50 metres away after an initial explosion struck the area at around 3.30am.

Half an hour later, as dozens of residents sheltered in the basement, another missile slammed into the courtyard outside.

The blast rendered her apartment building “completely unliveable” and shook the shelter so violently that those inside feared the ceiling would collapse. Several men began trying to force open the rear exit in case they needed another escape route.

“There was a first hit, and after that, they ran to the shelter nearby. You can see the crater behind me, which was just after they got to the shelter,” Ms Fedykovych said.

“So the first strike basically saved their lives. But then they thought the shelter was going to collapse because it was shaking and pieces of the ceiling were falling on them.

“The men in the shelter tried to break open the back door because they thought they were going to be trapped.

“This building behind is completely unliveable now,” she continued. “At the moment, everyone is just in total shock. They are just sitting there in silence. But I know from previous experience that everyone will reach out again, when it has calmed down.

“It has been very difficult emotionally. We have been having our therapy as we go.”

Nearby, rescuers clambered over the shattered building, clearing debris and searching for survivors trapped beneath the rubble.

As colleagues passed a body bag up through the ruins, a washing machine suddenly tumbled from the eighth floor, crashing to the ground beside a fire engine.

Residents huddled nearby waiting for humanitarian assistance when a man suddenly screamed and ran into the destroyed building. A dozen armed police officers chased after him before dragging him back outside.

Ms Fedykovych pointed towards the young woman, who declined to speak. She sat, stunned into silence, in the shade beside a basketball court, opposite the blackened shell of what had once been her home.

Between her and the ruined building, a Ukrainian serviceman stood at the edge of the missile crater examining fragments of the weapon that had destroyed it.

Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko described it as “a terrible night” and said damage had been recorded in every district of the city. The Darnytsia residential block suffered the worst destruction, he said, with part of the building “literally blown away”.

Rescuers were still searching for people trapped beneath the rubble, including a 15-year-old girl and her family. Friday has been declared a day of mourning in the capital.

The Russian Defence Ministry, in a Telegram post, said its “massive attack” using long-range, high-precision air, land and sea-launched weapons and drones hit military and energy facilities, as well as airports in Kyiv and other locations.

Ukraine’s air force said it intercepted most of the missiles and drones, but 25 ballistic missiles and 12 drones struck 33 locations across the country, with Kyiv the primary target.

The government, which has stepped up strikes in recent weeks on Russia’s domestic fuel supply, said it had hit an oil refinery overnight in the Russian region of Nizhny Novgorod, where the governor reported one person killed in a strike on an industrial facility.

Kaja Kallas, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said only sustained military support for Ukraine and increased pressure on Moscow could help stop Russian attacks.

“Today, I will propose to sanction more entities supporting Russia’s military-industrial complex in response to the strikes,” she said in a post on X. “The more Moscow attacks civilians, the more sanctions must be imposed.”

In a statement read out by barrister Charlotte Proudman following the appeal court ruling, the family of victim C1 – who has been referred to as Jazmine (not her real name) – said that they had lived through “a nightmare that no family should ever have to endure”.

They added: “Today’s judgement cannot erase what our daughter has suffered but it does acknowledge the seriousness of these offences.”

She also read the words of Jazmine, who said: “I feel like I am the one who has been sentenced, I feel like I am the one living in a prison even though I did nothing wrong.”

“What happened to me has left me harmed so severely that I do not think I will ever be the same,” she said.

The statement continued: “We also wish to thank Laura Kuennesburg and the BBC for giving us a platform to be heard. Attorney general Lord Hermer for swiftly recognising the need for this appeal.”

Jazmine’s family have set up the Stronger Than Silence Foundation – a charity providing support to survivors of sexual violence and their families.

In a statement, the family of the victim C2 said the original sentences had been “devastating”.

“[They] left us feeling that the harm caused to our daughter had not been fully recognised.

“While no sentence can undo the trauma she has endured, today’s decision gives us a greater sense that justice has been served and that those responsible have been held properly accountable.

“We are immensely proud of our daughter’s courage and strength throughout this long and difficult process.”

Warning: This story contains details some may find distressing

At the time of the rapes, X and Y were 14 and Z was 13. They were convicted of 10 rape offences between them.

When Judge Nicholas Rowland passed the initial sentences at Southampton Crown Court in May, there was an outcry from the girls and their families as well as from politicians. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described it as “an appalling case”.

In her statement, Carr said Rowland had carried out a “careful sentencing exercise” but the non-custodial sentences for X and Y were “unduly lenient” as they did not take full account of the psychological harm caused to both victims.

Rowland had given X and Y three-year Youth Rehabilitation Orders (YRO) with 180 days of intensive surveillance and supervision.

Z, now 14, was given an 18-month YRO.

All three boys were also made subject to a three-month curfew and given a restraining order for 10 years not to contact their victims.

One of the girls – C1 – was 15 when she was raped by X and Y in November 2024 at an underpass near a river in Fordingbridge after first engaging in some consensual sexual activity with X. Parts of the rape were filmed.

The second girl – C2, who was 14 – was raped by X and Y in January 2025 in a recreation ground in Fordingbridge. Again there had been some consensual sexual activity before the rape began and, again, parts of the rape were filmed, this time by boy Z.

During the appeal hearing, the Lady Chief Justice Sue Carr criticised the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for putting out an inaccurate press release suggesting a knife was involved in the rapes.

Nintendo draw a veil over the original Switch, with their final first party game for the system and a revival of a rhythm action classic from the Game Boy Advance era.

And so, we come to the end of the Nintendo Switch’s long and glorious career, at least in terms of being a recipient for new first party Nintendo games. A good case can be made that the Switch is both Nintendo’s best console and the best video game hardware of all time, but inevitably its software support has been a case of fading away rather than going out with a bang. Although as finales go, Rhythm Paradise Groove is a lot better than most other consoles manage.

To be clear, new games will continue to be released on the original Switch, especially when it comes to indie titles, but currently there are no plans for Nintendo to release any new, internally developed games for it. But while the original intention seems to have been for Rhythm Paradise Groove to draw a line under Nintendo’s support for the console, they have subsequently hinted that there may be more titles in the future – no doubt a reflection of the ever-increasing cost of making high-end video games.

Rhythm Paradise Groove is part of a series, known in North America as Rhythm Heaven, that has been around since the Game Boy Advance and celebrates its 20th anniversary in August – although this is the first new entry in 10 years. Back in the mid-2000s rhythm action games were all the rage but Rhythm Paradise has always taken a very stripped down, minimalist approach to the concept, mixing its hardcore rhythm-based gameplay with surrealist imagery. And that is still the case in this latest sequel.

The series’ origins on the Game Boy Advance are still very obvious, given that most of the 80+ minigames in Rhythm Paradise Groove require the use of only one or two buttons. Even with the wackier minigames there’s a strange kind of utilitarianism to the gameplay, as the visuals are often very limited, with little or no background detail or animation, and the music is all chirpy little chiptunes rather than famous songs or other extravagances.

In terms of the presentation, the vibe is of a featherweight distraction, but the reality for most people is a game of punishing difficulty, that offers no alternative but hard graft and being a literal slave to the beat. There are no perks or buffs that will save you here and while rote learning can help to a degree, your one and only goal remains to keep in time with the beat by pressing the buttons at the right time.

Often, it’s not clear what you’re even supposed to be doing at first, but as difficult as the game can be for the rhythmically challenged you’re never punished for failure – just encouraged to try again. And yet even the very first minigame, where you’re getting weird circular creatures to jump through a hoop, is very difficult, until you learn to pay less attention to the visuals and more to the beat itself. In fact, some minigames purposefully emphasise this, by blanking the screen at certain points, so all you have is the music.

When Rhythm Paradise first came out it was right around the time Brain Training and its many spin-offs were becoming popular and although it’s never been as clinical as those titles it does feel almost equally instructional. You may start the game convinced that you have no sense of rhythm (or convinced you do, only to be rudely disabused) but by the end it really does feel as if you’ve learnt something, or you’ve at least got in touch with a previously unexploited talent.

Unfortunately, the minimalist presentation, and thoroughly weird concepts behind some of the minigames, has always limited the game’s audience and Groove can be no less off-putting. Helping a dog catch a Frisbee or mopping a steel girder are positively mundane tasks compared to other minigames that involve everything from feeding a walking plant monster to playing as a programmer debugging a platform game and bouncing fruit off a muscle builder’s biceps.

There’s no direct connection between Rhythm Paradise and WarioWare – they’ve always been made by different developers – but here the sheer strangeness of the minigames (and the fact that previous games had nowhere near as many) and the similar art styles make the comparison more obvious. But whereas WarioWare microgames rarely require much in the way of skill to complete, that’s not the case with Rhythm Paradise Groove.

The greater number of minigames not only adds variety to the gameplay but also the modes, with a number of four-player co-operative games and Remix stages which having you playing four games in a row and then a new fifth one that combines elements from all the previous ones. Unlike the regular games this also involves actual licensed Japanese pop songs, although that underlines the fact that most of the music in the normal minigames is pretty basic and uninteresting.

There’s also an unavoidable problem with modern TVs, which often suffer from lag compared to playing the game in handheld mode. There’s nothing Nintendo can do about that, and the game goes to a lot of effort to try and calibrate the screen properly, while actively acknowledging the problem, but before you try it there’s no guarantee the game will work well on your set-up.

The only other disappointment is the Beatspell role-playing mode, which promised a longer and more complex gameplay experience but proves to be very undercooked and repetitive. You could probably make a fun action role-player out of the basic concept, but it’d need a lot more variety and depth than Beatspell provides.

Whether Rhythm Paradise will continue beyond the Switch 1 is unknown but it’s fascinating to see the indie style sensibilities of the original still shining through 20 years later. The Switch is certainly the only format you could imagine such a game existing on, while still being published by a major company, and that fact alone makes it a good point to end on. Although if it later turns out there’s to be an encore, we won’t complain at all.

Formats: Nintendo Switch
Price: £33.99
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Nintendo EPD
Release Date: 2nd July 2026
Age Rating: 7

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Katie Swan became the latest home player to exit Wimbledon after being beaten in straight sets by Madison Keys, as British interest in the women’s draw ended on day four of the Championships.

Against a player ranked 174 places above her who claimed her third Eastbourne title last month, Swan was always going to face a tall order to reach the third round. But she should take heart from how she fronted up to the hard-hitting American, whose ferocious forehand reached speeds of 80mph.

Not so long ago, Swan was ranked outside the top 1,000 and, blighted by back injuries, began contemplating an early retirement from tennis. The way she handled the free-swinging Keys, who was twice broken by the Brit in a topsy-turvy second set, could breathe new momentum into the 27-year-old’s career.

In truth, Swan’s 6-1, 6-4 was not a reflection of her industriousness, at times belying her world no 196 ranking against Keys. Last year’s Australian Open champion mixed power with precision but delivered an under-par performance by her lofty standards. Her ball toss was all over the place in the first set, but she mixed finesse with firepower in the crucial moments.

Despite showing more resolve in a rollercoaster of a second set – which at one point saw both players trade consecutive breaks – Swan will rue her missed opportunities. The Briton had eight break points in this match and only converted two of them, before netting a forehand at 4-4, paving the way for Keys to reach the finish line.

More to follow…

Lady Louise Windsor has graduated from St Andrews University with a Bachelor’s degree in English. 

Lady Louise, 22, was beaming as she collected her certificate during her graduation ceremony at the prestigious university in Scotland that was once also attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

The young royal could be seen in her formal robes, chatting to fellow graduates – and walking alongside her rumoured boyfriend Felix da Silva-Clamp, who is also a student at the university.

She was also supported by her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who were seen speaking to college staff amid the festivities.

Prince Edward and Sophie – as well as Louise’s younger brother, the Earl of Wessex – will undoubtedly be proud of Lady Louise, who has been hailed as the Royal Family‘s ‘secret weapon’. 

The ‘conscientious’ royal and the late Queen’s ‘favourite’ grandchild is reportedly considering a career in the military – meaning her nickname as The Firm’s ‘secret weapon’ may soon materialise.

Last November, it was reported that Lady Louise had ‘fallen in love’ with army cadets alongside her university degree at St Andrews – much like her father did a generation earlier.

Lady Louise, 22, was beaming as she collected her certificate during her graduation ceremony at the prestigious university in Scotland that was also attended by the Prince and Princess of Wales

Sophie, Louise’s mother, was elegant in a blue dress for the event

She was also supported by her parents, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who were seen speaking to college staff amid the festivities

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A source told The Sun: ‘She talks about being very keen on a career in the military, serving the King and country. She is all about the Army Cadets and has fallen in love with it.’

Speculation that Lady Louise is in a relationship with Felix – who was perfectly in step with the royal today – began in 2024 after they were cast in the first student-written play to be performed at the Byre Theatre at St Andrews.

The duo were part of the cast of Dragon Fever, described by the Peerage news as ‘an ambitious cross between an Agatha Christie mystery and Tolkien’s The Hobbit’.

Dragon Fever reportedly told the story of nine strangers on a mission to slay a dragon, which ultimately turns into a murder mystery ‘full of riddles, twists, and love affairs’, the outlet reported.

Lady Louise is believed to have played Rigeon, inspired by the hero of Spanish novelist Miguel de Cervantes’ Don Quixote and Lord Byron’s fictional libertine Don Juan.

Meanwhile, Kensington-born Felix portrayed ‘over-the-top’ character Grant.

Photos from a fundraiser for the university’s drama society showed Lady Louise snapping selfies with Felix as the pair looked happy and loved up. 

One picture showed the duo with their arms wrapped around each other, while in another image, Lady Louise is seen snuggling up to Felix, placing her hand on his chest and her head on his shoulder. 

Felix was born in London’s Kensington and is the son of solicitor Jonathan Charles William da Silva-Clamp – who contested the 2022 local Wandsworth elections as a Tory candidate for Shaftesbury and Queenstown.

The senior Silva-Clamp married an Australian woman, Kendall Anne Searle on October 2, 1998 – nearly six years before they welcomed Felix in August 2004. 

The ‘conscientious’ royal, who is believed to have been the late Queen’s favourite grandchild, is reportedly considering a career in the military – meaning her nickname as The Firm’s ‘secret weapon’ may soon materialise

Lady Louise Windsor attends her graduation ceremony as she graduates from the University of St Andrews

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If Lady Louise, who has kept a low profile while completing her studies, goes down the military path, she will be the first female royal since her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to do so

Last November, it was reported that Felix had joined Lady Louise in their university’s army reserve unit, signalling a growing bond for the couple. 

Both looked smart in their military uniforms as they took part in the St Andrews Regiments’ Day Parade over the 2025 Remembrance Day Weekend. 

It is not known whether he was part of the students’ unit before or after Lady Louise joined, but seems to show yet another sign that the pair could be on track to be the next William and Kate.

They sported matching solemn expressions as they marched alongside fellow cadets in camouflage ensembles, all wearing red poppies, walking from Holy Trinity Church to the War Memorial in town, where wreaths were laid down.

If Lady Louise, who has kept a low profile while completing her studies, goes down the military path, she will be the first female royal since her late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, to do so.

The King’s niece has also been compared to the late monarch due to their shared love of horses, with royal biographer Ingrid Seward noting: ‘There are shades of the young Elizabeth. There is something about her – a capability. She’s obviously a very gentle young woman.’

On the occasion of her 22nd birthday last November, royal experts suggested the ‘stylish and conscientious’ Lady Louise could be given a bigger role during Prince William’s reign – especially considering the crisis involving his disgraced uncle, former Duke of York, Andrew. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Richard Fitzwilliams noted that William – who has previously expressed his desire to ‘change’ the monarchy – will ‘undoubtedly need extra help if it wants it to continue its charitable activities at a significant level’.

Lady Louise was praised for her humility last December, when she was pictured sitting cross-legged on the floor of a packed train carriage, while tapping away on her laptop diligently

The young royal could be seen in her formal robes, chatting to fellow graduates – and walking alongside her rumoured boyfriend Felix da Silva-Clamp, who is also a student at the university

Prince Edward and Sophie – as well as Louise’s younger brother, the Earl of Wessex – will undoubtedly be proud of Lady Louise, who has been hailed as the Royal Family’s ‘secret weapon’

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Lady Louise Windsor attends her graduation ceremony

Lady Louise (pictured graduating today) was praised for her humility last December, when she was pictured sitting cross-legged on the floor of a packed train carriage, while tapping away on her laptop diligently

Lady Louise Windsor attends her graduation ceremony as she graduates from the University of St Andrews

Considering the scandal surrounding their father has ‘cast a shadow’ over Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie’s future roles, Lady Louise is certainly a frontrunner to lead the younger royals, Mr Fitzwilliams continued.

‘William will have appreciated the excellent way the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh support the Firm,’ he told this newspaper.

He added: ‘The signs are surely that with only four working royals currently under 70 and the Waleses’ children still young, that Lady Louise might be persuaded to carry out some royal duties in the future.’

Chief among these are Lady Louise’s ‘particularly appropriate’ course of study at William’s alma mater St Andrew’s, her desire to follow in the late Queen Elizabeth’s footsteps and pursue a military career, and her presence at numerous royal events.

‘It would certainly be in the interest of the monarchy and all of us if she [carried] out royal duties,’ Mr Fitzwilliams mused.

For Mr Fitzwilliams, it is Lady Louise’s down-to-earth nature and her parents’ unwavering support for the Firm through choppy waters that make her the perfect candidate for any future promotion by William.

Lady Louise was praised for her humility last December, when she was pictured sitting cross-legged on the floor of a packed train carriage, while tapping away on her laptop diligently.  

Neither Lady Louise nor her brother James uses HRH titles in what is thought to be a deliberate decision by her parents, so they could grow up ‘with the understanding that they are very likely to have to work for a living’.

This has seemingly resonated with Lady Louise, who even took up a job at her local garden centre before starting her studies at St Andrew’s University. 

Whether it is her mature approach to life,  her sporting pursuits (she is a skilled carriage driver) or her decision to take a part-time job before university, the first cousin of Princes William and Harry has proved herself to be dedicated, disciplined and ambitious.

Indeed, such traits are hugely valuable amongst royals and have led to the suggestion that Louise might be the Firm’s ‘secret weapon’ in years to come.

Actress and presenter Lisa Faulkner has revealed she is recovering after undergoing surgery for breast cancer two weeks ago.

The Celebrity Masterchef winner told her Instagram followers, external that she had received her results following the operation, and “it’s all good, they’ve got everything out, so it’s all clear and I just need some radiotherapy in a few weeks”.

Faulkner said she had been diagnosed in “the very early stages of breast cancer” and had had “quite a big op”, adding that she still had “quite a bit of healing to do. But I’m good, I’m well. And feeling so much better”.

She told fans: “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.”

Faulkner, 54, added: “I want to say thank you to our wonderful NHS and the fact that we can have these mammograms, and we can get treatment early.”

The actress is best known for her roles in EastEnders, Holby City and Spooks.

Former EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite was among those sending good wishes: “Love you Lise. You’ve got this my darling.”

Faulkner, who is also a food writer, is married to chef John Torode. The pair hosted a cooking show together on ITV, John & Lisa’s Weekend Kitchen.

Torode was sacked from BBC show Masterchef last year after an allegation against him using “an extremely offensive racist term” was upheld. He said he had “no recollection” of it.

The crash involved three vehicles

A woman has suffered serious injuries in a crash on the A14. Emergency services were called to a crash at J21 in New Ellington just before 10am today (Thursday, July 2).

The crash involved three vehicles. A Cambridgeshire Police spokesperson said a woman was taken to hospital with “serious but not life-threatening injuries”.

The police spokesperson added: “The eastbound carriageway was closed while the collision was dealt with and the vehicles are now in the process of being recovered.”

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue also attended the crash. A fire spokesperson said: “At 10.29am crews from Huntingdon and St Neots were called to a road traffic collision involving three vehicles on the A14 near Ellington. Using specialist equipment firefighters released a casualty who was left in the care of ambulance crews.”

The A14 eastbound remains closed as of 1.10pm.

Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports there are severe delays along the road. It said: “Severe delays and one lane closed due to multi-vehicle accident on A14 Eastbound from J20 (Ellington) to J22 A1 (Huntingdon). Congestion to J16 (Catworth / Kimbolton).”

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .