Over the next few days, Greater Manchester will see rather high temperatures due to an unprecedented fifth heatwave in the UK. Temperatures are expected to peak at 32C, with health alerts already issued as some parts of the UK prepare for 36C weather.

While many of us have been enjoying the warmer weather this summer, it can make venturing out a little trickier, especially if heading out on our favourite walking trail, park or scenic spot in the higher than usual temperatures.

Somewhere that offers beautiful scenery but also plenty of shaded spaces is Drinkwater Park. Located to the west of Prestwich, it is an area of woodland and meadows, which feels like being in the countryside.

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Despite lying inside the M60, flowing through the park is the River Irwell, and a reservoir can also be found amongst the trees. Running through the centre of the park, in the past it appears to have been used as a water supply for the Clough Bleach and Dye Works.

Criss-crossed with walking trails it forms part of a wider network as part of the Prestwich Forest Park, which also includes Philips Park, Mere Clough, Prestwich Clough, Forest Bank Park in Pendlebury and Waterdale Meadow. The National Cycle Network 6 and the Irwell Sculpture Trail also run through the site.

Home to a diverse mix of native woodland, open meadows and bordering the Irwell, this park is less about flower beds and carefully manicured lawns, and more about rugged beauty, paths shaded by tree branches, and somewhere to totally disconnect.

Within the park, there are numerous habitats for animals from the reservoir in the centre to the wooded areas. Frogs and toads breed in the park’s wetlands, while kingfishers, herons, foxes, rabbits and sometimes even dear are spotted.

With its ponds, wetlands and streams and number of routes through, it is a popular spot for walkers, runners, dog walkers and cyclists with the National Cycle Network there too. Other activities at the park include horse riding and fishing, the latter using a shallow three-acre lake.

As well as a place to disconnect, it also boasts a interesting history. The land was originally bought by Peter Drinkwater, a textile mill owner in the 1970s. He would stay at Irwell House, a Georgian Mansion built on the banks of the river, during the summer months.

The land, including Irwell House, was left to his daughters after his son died and it was then bought by Salford and Prestwich councils in 1902. Irwell House was later converted to a smallpox hospital due to its isolated position, but was later abandoned and fell into disrepair.

In 1958 the house was damaged in a fire during a civil defence exercise and it was then demolished a few years later. Today you can still see the foundations of the building, the remains of a few walls and what’s left of the overgrown gardens as nature reclaims the site.

There are a number of ways to access the park too. If coming from the centre of Prestwich you can either head down St Ann’s Road and Lowther Road, or if you want to, or cut across to Ruskin Road which takes you down to Prestwich Clough and a route down to Drinkwater. There is also a Drinkwater Park Nature Reserve Loop (7.5km) from Salford.

The park has 24-hour access, 365 days a year. Drinkwater Park, Rainsough Brow, Prestwich, M25 9XW

Lucy Davis’ father Jasper Carrott has said the family are ‘hopeful for her future’ after his daughter revealed her incurable cancer diagnosis.

The Office star, 53, shared on Tuesday that she’d been diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, and she ‘doesn’t know how long she has left’.

Her comedian dad Jasper, 81, said in a statement to the Daily Mail on Wednesday: ‘This is a very difficult time for the whole family and we have been supporting her in every way possible since her diagnosis.

‘We are so grateful for all the support we have had over this trying time and we are very hopeful for her future being what she wants it to be.

‘We are so proud of our daughter and love her so much,’ he said, before referencing Lucy’s previous health battles, which include a kidney transplant. 

He added: ‘The way she has conducted herself through many traumatic health issues is a lesson to us all.

‘We would request privacy for the coming months, but thanks once again for the love and concern shown by so many people.’

In 1997 Lucy had a kidney transplant using an organ donated by her mother, Hazel. The actress, who is diabetic, required hospital treatment with kidney failure in 2005 but went on to make a full recovery.

Lucy has also been open about her experience with bulimia, which was at its worst when she was going through a divorce in 2011.

In her post on Tuesday, Lucy shared that she first discovered a ‘tiny, hard spot’ in her breast a year ago and nearly ignored it before seeing a doctor. 

The star said that despite the cancer being declared incurable she is ‘at peace with whatever comes next’.

Lucy shared her diagnosis alongside an emotional video that showed her ringing the cancer treatment bell, and wrote in her post that she’s been told it’s ‘too late’ for her to undergo chemotherapy.

The star is best known for her role as Dawn Tinsley in Ricky Gervais’ comedy The Office, and went on to star in the DC film Wonder Woman.

She wrote: ‘Hi friends:) I wanted to share something with you all that I’ve kept to myself for a while but for various reasons would like to share now.

‘A year and a half ago I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Breast Cancer, which has metastasised to my bones. Specifically to my spine, right hip, and my ribs. The cancer is incurable, and too late for chemo.

‘The initial lump that I felt, wasn’t a “lump” as such; rather a kind of hard spot. Really tiny. I almost didn’t bother getting it checked. So I guess I’m saying don’t ignore anything – get everything checked out.

‘As of now, I’m trying to live out whatever might be left of my life in as fun a way as I possibly can. I always like to find the teachable moments in anything negative that happens. 

‘And cancer has not disappointed in that regard; there’s a lot I have learned from it, and I’m grateful for that.

Lucy shared her diagnosis alongside a video that showed her ringing the cancer treatment bell, adding that she’s been told it’s ‘too late’ for her to undergo chemotherapy 

‘As some of you will know, the pain can really be something else. Standing and walking for too long a time can be hard, and I need to use a wheelchair sometimes (so if you see me toddling around in one, feel free to give me a push!)

‘The thing that has been most vital to me is humour. I asked my friends and family to make fun of me as much as possible (which they’re really good at), and most importantly of all to not treat me like a sick person.’

‘There’s nothing that will make you feel more unwell than being treated as if you’re unwell.

‘I’m not scared of whatever comes next. I’m at peace with it. I’ll see my Gracie [her dog, who died in 2024] sooner than expected, and for me, leaving my physical body just means going home. Any and all grieving is for my family; it’s far harder for them than for me.

‘I’m still going to keep up all my work for animal rights. It’s so important to me. And I still would like to keep working. I’m perfectly able to do so, and acting is one of the biggest joys in my life.

‘For those of you on a similar journey to mine, I do wish you well. Cancer asks a lot from us, physically and mentally. And we all get to do it however we choose. Much love to you all.’

After announcing the news in an Instagram post, many stars offered their own heartfelt messages in the comments. 

The actress pictured with her former husband Owain Yeoman, whom she married in 2006 and divorced in 2011, and her father Jasper 

Ricky Gervais posted a heart emoji beneath Lucy’s post, alongside Jenna Fischer, who played an alternative version of Lucy’s character in The Office’s US version, who added a sweet message of solidarity.

Jenna was previously diagnosed with Stage 1 Triple Positive breast cancer in 2023 but it was removed before it could spread to the rest of her body.

She wrote: ‘Beautiful post. Love you lots. And yes to working with cancer! Let’s spread that message far and wide! How working is such a comfort!’

Other comments included Amanda Abbington, who was previously in a relationship with Lucy’s co-star on The Office Martin Freeman, and worked with Lucy on the series Married Single Other in 2010.

She wrote: ‘Sending you the biggest cuddle and all my love, love, love, love, love. You are and have always been an incredible f*****g woman. I adore you.

‘What larks we had when we worked together. Here if you need anything. Even if it’s just a catch up. Beautiful f*****g woman. xxxxxxxxxx.’

Lucy made a name for herself as Dawn in Gervais’ The Office, and she has since gone on to appear in The Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina as one of the lead’s aunts, Hilda Spellman. She also played Etta Candy in the 2017 Wonder Woman movie, and had filmed US comedy series Amy From Amarillo. 

A councillor said that there was a growing number of tents being pitched near a cathedral

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Rough sleepers have been moved on from a Peterborough area after council enforcement action. Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to end rough sleeping was discussed at Peterborough City Council’s recent full council meeting.

Councillor Steve Allen asked cabinet members what steps were being taken to remove the “growing number of tents” pitched in and around Bishop’s Road Gardens, raising concerns that it was in the shadow of the Cathedral.

Cabinet member for public health, homelessness and poverty, cllr Ann Shaheed, confirmed that the rough sleepers had already been moved on. She said: “We welcome the new prime minister’s commitment to ending rough sleeping and we are eagerly awaiting further details at the moment.

“The council’s homelessness service already undertakes daily outreach at known and reported rough sleeping hotspots. The individuals recently sleeping in tents in Bishop’s Road Gardens are known to the rough sleeper team and have received ongoing support and engagement.

“As part of that, officers have worked proactively with them to explore alternative accommodation and encourage a move away from rough sleeping. In partnership with the enforcement team, the council followed the appropriate process and served notice that the area would be cleared, and that notice was enacted on July 23 and the tents were removed.

“We however remain committed to balancing enforcement with support. Our priority is to continue assisting people sleeping rough, work with partners to manage the area appropriately and help individuals move into suitable accommodation as quickly as possible.”

Cllr Allen claimed there was a “proliferation” of rough sleepers and asked how the council would manage to keep on top of the issue.

Cllr Shaheed responded: “Very recently our integrated housing board met to discuss the ongoing challenge of this particular cohort of rough sleepers. As we know, many of them do have complex needs and often refuse offers of support.

“As part of this meeting, it was agreed that a renewed focus was needed to case manage these individuals more effectively, bringing together different areas of the system to offer more wraparound support.”

There are 17 local authorities with no taxpayer-supported asylum seekers, an analysis by the Daily Mail reveals after Andy Burnham vowed to send more to middle-class areas.

The Prime Minister vowed yesterday to ensure arrivals are not only placed in the ‘poorest communities’ when pressed about proposals for a migrant camp near the tiny Oxfordshire village of Piddington.

‘All parts of the country need to play their part,’ he said – prompting the Tories to accuse him of wanting to ‘dish out another vindictive punishment beating to the UK’s middle classes’. 

Asylum seekers who are waiting for a decision on their asylum claim are often eligible for accommodation and money to cover their living expenses. This is provided by the Home Office, although the migrants themselves are dispersed across the country.

Home Office figures showing the number of supported asylum seekers per local authority at the end of March reveal the areas with none are overwhelmingly rural beauty spots such as the Cotswolds, Derbyshire Dales, Malvern Hills, the New Forest and the Scottish Highlands.

Others include Mid Devon, East Hertfordshire, Ceredigion, a scenic county in west Wales, and Hart, a 118-square-mile local authority taking in major towns, rural parishes and villages in Hampshire.

The Gloucestershire market town of Tewkesbury is also on the list, as are the Isle of Wight, Isles of Scilly, Orkney Islands, Shetland Islands, Mid and East Antrim and Mid Ulster, and Na h-Eileanan Siar – an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. 

It comes as Labour’s borders minister doubled down on Mr Burnham‘s insistence that wealthier areas will have to take more migrants after the number of crossings under his premiership passed the 3,000 mark. 

Anna Turley defended plans for 1,200 migrants to be housed near the village of Piddington, which has a population of just 400. 

She said there needed to be a ‘fair and equitable system’ for distributing asylum seekers across the country.

Under Home Office plans, a former military base in Bicester, Oxfordshire, will provide accommodation for 1,250 male asylum seekers.

But the residents of Piddington – which sits near the proposed site – have voted to stage a symbolic referendum on leaving the UK as part of their protests against the plans.

Ms Turley defended the plans this morning, telling LBC: ‘This is about fairness. This is making sure that there is distribution around the country, and this is about a more fair and equitable system that limits the impact on local communities.’

Asked about a potential influx of asylum seekers three times as large as Piddington’s population, the Home Office minister said: ‘Well, I suppose they’re not going to be in the village. They’re going to be contained in a former military base.’

But pressed on whether asylum seekers would be free to leave the site, Ms Turley replied: ‘They will be allowed out, but everything they need will be on that site. So they will be managed. They will be contained.’

She added: ‘They’re on a self-contained site. We are looking at former military bases around the country.

‘We are also looking at former industrial sites, student accommodation, other means by which we can put people in secure places that is contained, that is manageable and… is more affordable than putting people in hotels.

‘We know where people are. We can manage the system.’

Asked if she would be happy for a similar number of people to arrive in her Redcar constituency, Ms Turley said: ‘We don’t have a former military base… but the reality is it’s about fairness.’

She continued: ‘The point the Prime Minister was making was this is about fairness.

‘We take our fair share of asylum seekers in Redcar, and the point is lots of working class places around the country – I talked about Blackpool, places with hotels – have had to bear more than their fair share.

‘And this is about fairness. This is making sure that there is distribution around the country, and that this is about a more fair and equitable system that limits the impact on local communities.

‘By having secure and maintained and managed facilities like former military bases, it’s a much better way to keep people in one place and reduce the impact on local communities.’

The Gloucestershire market town of Tewkesbury is one of 17 areas with no supported asylum seekers

Aslyum seekers staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Oxford, another hotel that has been a target of protests 

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Mr Burnham was asked on GB News about the planned camp yesterday. He said: ‘I will listen to what people are saying and respond to the concerns that they are putting forward. 

‘I don’t know the issue yet in detail, but in some ways, as I understand it, it is about creating secure space.’

He added: ‘It’s obviously going to be challenging, but I am prepared always to listen to people, to work with people and to pick up legitimate concerns, and I will address those concerns.

‘I do have to say, we cannot have a situation where it’s only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers. I do believe all parts of the country need to work, to play their part.

‘We understand people’s concerns and I will look into the issues raised by the good people of Piddington.’

His comments came as official Home Office figures confirmed that 230 people were aboard the record ‘mega-dinghy’ that was brought into Dover on Monday.

That pushed the total since Labour came to power – beginning with the day after the General Election in July 2024 – past the 80,000 mark.

In comparison with Mr Burnham, Sir Keir Starmer’s first 22 days as PM saw 2,258 small-boat migrants reach Britain.

Asylum accommodation has been the focus of several flash points around the country in recent years. 

Last week, 15 people were arrested during trouble in Thetford, Norfolk, after anti-immigration protesters demonstrated outside homes they believed housed asylum seekers.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: ‘Andy Burnham is planning to dish out another vindictive punishment beating to the UK’s middle classes. Labour has hammered hard-working families with punitive tax increases galore, increased regulation and soaring energy bills.

Andy Burnham vowed yesterday to ensure arrivals are not only placed in the ‘poorest communities’ 

The record-breaking dinghy carries some 230 migrants across the English Channel

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‘Now, Burnham plans to deliberately flood more neighbourhoods with thousands of illegal immigrants who he has let into this country, and many of whom will commit serious crimes including rape and murder.’ 

Just two weeks after he insisted Labour’s boats plan was working, the Prime Minister vowed to ‘change our tactics’ to tackle the gangs bringing migrants across the Channel. 

Referring to pictures of the latest mega-dinghy, Mr Burnham added: ‘I know people will have been worried to see that image yesterday. It shows that the gangs are changing their tactics but so will we – we will now change our tactics and we will be relentless in chasing them down. I said that when I visited Dover just over a week ago and I meant it.’

But Mr Philp warned: ‘We now have a full-blown Burnham borders crisis. Unvetted illegal immigrants – mainly young males – flood across the Channel every day there are calm seas.

‘Andy Burnham’s claim to have a working plan lies in tatters.’

Monday’s record-breaking mega-dinghy brought more people to Britain than a typical Ryanair flight. The boat was originally carrying more than 260 passengers, including children, when it almost sank.

When the overloaded boat – which was designed for a maximum of 40 – was battered by choppy waters, at least 30 people were thrown into the waters off the northern French coast.

One shocking image showed them in the sea before they were rescued by French police and gendarmes, who have a controversial policy of not intercepting most small boats in the water because they claim it could endanger those on board.

French lifeboatmen yesterday described how scores of men, women and children packed on to the Chinese-made PVC boat on a beach between Berck-sur-Mer and Merlimont, south of Le Touquet, on Sunday afternoon.

A spokesman for the SNSM – France’s equivalent of the RNLI – said all had been hiding in sand dunes after paying people smugglers for a passage.

He said: ‘A veritable tide then rushed the 15-metre (49ft) boat. Due to overloading, several were thrown from the vessel – around 30 ended up in the water as the craft continued on its way.’ 

The picture released by the SNSM at Berck shows dozens of mainly young men floundering in the Channel, following the initial boarding soon after 5pm.

Jean-Marc Lamblin, director of the SNSM’s Berck-sur-Mer branch, said he was seeing ever-larger boats being used by smuggling gangs and there was ‘no limit’ to how many people they would cram on board.

‘Over the past three months, we’ve been seeing more and more 15-metre boats,’ he said. ‘There really is no limit now’.

The dinghy was 7ft larger than vessels which set previous records last month, and more than 10ft longer than a standard double-decker bus.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said that illegal arrivals were ‘out of control’.

He posted on social media last night: ‘230 migrants landed on our shores yesterday. This is a national security emergency.’

The mega-dinghy was eventually escorted to England by the UK Border Force, HM Coastguard and the RNLI, beating the previous record of 165 migrants who reached Britain on a single boat in July. Last week, 173 people were packed on to a single boat but it disintegrated off the French coast after catching fire. Everyone on board was rescued.

The Egyptian people smuggler who piloted the boat has been sentenced to a year in jail following a fast-track trial on Friday.

“Thank you to every one of you for engaging with us in a positive manner. An unforgettable experience. We had a blast!”

A Belfast flute band said it has been “completely overwhelmed” by the response to their performance at the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann.

The Shankill Road Defenders Flute Band performed on the Gig Rig stage outside Belfast City Hall on the last day of the eight-day festival, on Sunday, August 9.

Despite the rain, the band said they received a “thunderous” reception, which left them feeling like “rock stars.” In the days since, they have gained thousands of followers on social media, and hundreds of thousands of people have viewed clips of their performances.

In a post on their Facebook page, the band said: “Now that the dust has settled, and we’ve had time to reflect on the weekend. We would like to congratulate the Belfast Bands Forum on what has been a historic 8 days at The Fleadh for all the member bands.

“We would like to congratulate all the forum bands and members who took part and made it such a success for the forum, and for representing our culture in such a dignified manner.

“A big thank you to Darren Leighton, Chairman of the Belfast Bands Forum, and Maurice Brown for the work they put in behind the scenes. And a big congratulations to Maurice on his Bardic award – very well deserved. Also to Cllr Sarah Bunting and former Belfast Lord Mayor Tracy Kelly for the work they do with the Bands Forum.

“A massive thank you to Comhaltas, the organisers, for giving us the opportunity to showcase our music and culture, and for the warmth with which we were received.”

The flute band said they have been “completely overwhelmed” as after their final performance on Sunday, their Facebook page jumped from 12,000 to 14,000 followers within a number of hours.

They added: Hundreds of thousands have viewed clips of our performances, with over 15,000 reactions, over 1,000 comments and over 400 shares to date, and our inbox has been inundated with messages of congratulations and well wishes.

“It’s quite surreal – we have had comments and messages from every corner of the Republic of Ireland and, here at home, and from the most unlikeliest of places, namely the Falls Road.

“We never imagined the impact our performance on the Gig Rig in particular would have had. We set out to represent our community and culture and to simply do what we love to do, and that’s play our music and entertain a crowd.

“When we stepped out of City Hall to a thunderous reception, we felt like rock stars, and again, leaving the stage back into City Hall, it was cranked up a another notch.

“Thank you to every one of you for engaging with us in a positive manner. An unforgettable experience. We had a blast!”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

The mother of Sheryl Wilkins gave a statement saying her daughter has “ended your chances of hurting anyone else”.

Mary Wilkins, in a statement read by junior prosecutor Kerry Broome, said: “There will never be enough words to explain what it feels like to lose a child. You, Simon Levy, have completely destroyed our lives.

“Our Sheryl has ended your chances of hurting anyone else, she lost her life to do this but we truly believe Sheryl has saved countless women. You took away our beautiful daughter Sheryl. She was a mother, a sister, a daughter, a friend and a beloved family member. She had four beautiful children.

“Sheryl was taken from us one day before her 40th birthday, she had so many hopes and dreams. She should’ve celebrated her 40th birthday, she should’ve grown old with us, instead all of that was taken away.”

Andy Burnham has said the government is considering a ban on disposable barbecues amid increased wildfire risk driven by this summer’s droughts.

The prime minister told reporters single-use grills had been behind a number of recent blazes and people should not be using them “at this moment in time”.

Some retailers have already decided to voluntarily stop selling the devices, which have previously attracted warnings from fire chiefs.

It comes as Burnham chairs an emergency Cobra meeting on the government’s response to record temperatures in recent months.

Nearly three-quarters of England and all of Wales have been officially declared in drought, creating conditions rife for fire to spread.

The Met Office has issued a rare amber extreme heat warning for Thursday, with temperatures peaking in the mid-to-high 30s across the Midlands and south-east of England, and a high of 38C possible.

Speaking during a visit to Stevenage, Burnham said a disposable barbecue ban was something the government was “certainly going to consider”.

“I do want to leave the meeting today with a loud and clear message that we do want people to take the greatest possible care when they are out in the countryside, both in terms of cigarettes, but also those temporary barbecues that we know are causing risk of fires,” he added.

Burnham did not specify whether the government was considering a restriction on the sale of disposable BBQs, or limitations on their use.

A Labour MP wrote to large retailers last week in a bid to stop them selling disposable barbecues for the rest of the summer.

The National Farmers Union has also called on local councils to issue public space protection orders to restrict their use in public areas.

Construction boss Michael Riley, 38, avoided jail after being found guilty of voyeurism.

dA businessman who secretly filmed a woman as they recreated kinky scenes from Fifty Shades of Grey has been spared jail.

Michael Riley, 38, arranged to meet the 39-year-old for a night of passion at a property in Lanarkshire. They imitated bedroom antics from the best-selling book and blockbuster film that included her being tied to a bed.

But she was left horrified after he sent her footage of the encounter of August 2022. She confronted Riley over the video but he laughed and said: “That’s what people our age do.”

Police were called in and construction boss Riley, of Newmilns, Ayrshire, was arrested. Riley denied any wrongdoing and went on trial at Hamilton Sheriff Court where he claimed the woman had agreed to be filmed but was convicted of voyeurism.

Sheriff Linda Nicolson ordered him to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and placed him under supervision for two years. He was banned from contacting his victim for 10 years and put on the sex offenders’ register for two years.

Giving evidence via video link, the woman said she had agreed to be restrained but insisted she did not know Riley was going to record the liaison.

She said: “I was in the middle of being unrestrained and he told me to check my phone. I asked him what it was, although looking at it I knew what it was, and I said to him ‘why have you done that?’ and he said it was just something for me to keep.

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“I asked him to completely delete and asked why he had done it and he just laughed. I was just angry with him and I don’t know why you would do that to someone without asking or discussing it.”

Asked if she had agreed to be filmed, the woman replied: “I’m under oath and I’m 100 percent sure that video was not taken with consent.”

In evidence, Riley claimed they had agreed to record their encounter and the woman helped set up cameras.

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He added: “The idea behind the video is that it would all come together as one, we called it our Fifty Shades night. It was to be like a scene out of a porno that evening.

“Absolutely she consented, she recorded parts of it herself and at one point she was holding the camera during a sex act. We made a Fifty Shades night happen, it was recorded and it was consensual.”

Rosemary Robinson, defending, said: “He would be compliant with any order imposed by the court.”

Sheriff Nicolson told Riley: “The custody threshold has been passed and you could be subject to a custodial sentence for this but I’m satisfied that an alternative can be imposed.”

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Fifty Shades of Grey is an erotic novel written by E.L. James which was turned into a movie starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson.

Critics hit out at her post, with one writing to White: “I am completely appalled by that presenter’s comments. I suppose I have ‘followed’ your career since the start, and I have always had the highest regard for your professionalism and, particularly, the manner in which you relate to the audience. I can’t understand it.”

By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR

Published: 11:47 BST, 12 August 2026 | Updated: 12:01 BST, 12 August 2026