The town also has regular markets with a wide range of items on offer

It’s not just our university and stunning architecture that we’re known for here in Cambridgeshire, we also have some pretty great places to live. Several Cambridgeshire towns have grown in popularity in recent years as more affordable places for London commuters to live – and let’s face it, who wouldn’t want to live here?

One of these towns is St Neots in the beautiful Huntingdonshire countryside. With the idyllic River Great Ouse running alongside and stretches of breath-taking countryside nearby, the town is attractive to nature lovers as well. These two factors combined make it an ideal place to live.

St Neots Railway Station connects the town to London King’s Cross, Peterborough, Horsham via London Bridge, Redhill, and Gatwick Airport. A train from St Neots to King’s Cross takes under an hour, so it’s the perfect location for commuters who want a slower pace of life.

St Neots is also only a 10-minute drive from Paxton Pits Nature Reserve, which is a beautiful 78-hectare nature area of lakes, meadows and woodland. The reserve has accessible trails that are popular with dog walkers and a visitor centre where you can indulge in a coffee or ice cream after a walk.

You will also find Grafham Water, about 15 minutes from town, which is a reserve known for its incredible views and walks. It is England’s third-largest reservoir and has a nine-mile track where visitors can ride a bike or take a gentle stroll.

According to Huntingdonshire District Council, St Neots is “the county’s fastest growing town”. It has a population of over 30,000 people.

It even has its own market, which has been hosted at St Neots Market Square since the 12th century. There is the Charter Market every Thursday and a farm and craft market on the second and fourth Saturday of each month.

At the farm and craft market, you can find everything from locally reared meat, poultry and game to chutneys, pickles and preserves. There are also plants, flowers, handmade soaps, cards, textiles and wooden crafts on offer.

Military planes – believed to be US Marine Corps Super Hercules – have now been spotted at Glasgow Airport.

Two US military planes have been spotted touching down at Glasgow Airport amid the war with Iran. The conflict has been raging on since February 28 when the United States and Israel launched a series of brutal strikes against Iran.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several other Iranian officials were killed in the initial strikes. Iran later responded with missile and drone strikes against Israel, US bases and other allied countries in the Middle East.

Military planes – believed to be US Marine Corps Super Hercules – have now been spotted at Glasgow Airport. Photographs, supplied from passengers ready to jet off on their holidays, show the two aircrafts on the tarmac yesterday afternoon.

This comes after US President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Iran’s bridges and power plants on social media. On his Truth Social page, Trump ordered Iran to “open the f**kin’ Strait [of Hormuz]” – through which around a fifth of the world’s oil and gas transits – or otherwise face hell.

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US military planes were also seen last month at the Scottish Government-owned Prestwick Airport – which has previously been a major hub for American forces jetting across the Atlantic. US Air Force cargo planes and massive C-17 Globemaster planes, as well as two C-130 Hercules from the Canadian Air Force, were pictured on the runway within days.

In February, our sister title, The Sunday Mail, revealed that US military flights had landed at Prestwick Airport 550 times in just 10 months. First Minister John Swinney followed this by saying he would consider banning US air force flights landing at the airport.

He said: “UK Government actions must be about de-escalating the situation, and I am also actively looking at what the Scottish Government can do to de-escalate the situation, including seeking urgent clarification from the UK Government about the military use of Prestwick Airport.”

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Scottish Greens external affairs spokesperson Patrick Harvie previously welcomed Swinney’s comment that he would consider banning the US military from using Prestwick.

He said: “There is frankly no need to wait till he has details on the precise missions of specific flights – information he may never get. If he accepts that the war is illegal, which he seems to, then he should be doing the responsible thing and blocking US forces now.

“There is no excuse for letting Donald Trump’s military use Prestwick as a base for his aggression. When US forces are using government-owned airports at the rate they are, then it is clearly providing assistance to operations that the First Minister knows to be illegal and profoundly dangerous.

“The Spanish government has already blocked the US military, and we should be doing the same.”

Prestwick Airport was previously used to welcome Air Force One during President Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland. It was also used by Vice President JD Vance during his visit.

Last month, Keir Starmer agreed to a request to allow US planes to use British military bases to strike Israeli sites. But the UK Prime Minister said the UK “will not join offensive action” in Iran, adding: “We all remember the mistakes of Iraq and we have learned those lessons.”

Glasgow Airport and the Scottish Government have been approached for comment.

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Temperatures will start off around 3C-5C at 9am this morning, with less than a 5% chance of rain and light winds of 6-8mph.

By noon, temperatures should have edged up to between 10C and 11C, with sunny intervals continuing into the afternoon as the mercury rises further.

By around 3pm, temperatures are forecast to reach 13C, although a light breeze of 9mph may keep it feeling a touch cooler.

The evening is expected to stay around the same temperatures, before dropping to 7C at 10pm, with only a low chance of drizzle.

Hour-by-hour forecast for Darlington

• 9am: 5C, wind speed 6mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 10am: 7C, wind speed 8mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 11am: 9C, wind speed 8mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 12pm: 10C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 1pm: 11C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 2pm: 12C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 3pm: 13C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 4pm: 13C, wind speed 10mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 5pm: 13C, wind speed 10mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 6pm: 13C, wind speed 9mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 7pm: 11C, wind speed 8mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 8pm: 9C, wind speed 7mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 9pm: 8C, wind speed 7mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 10pm: 7C, wind speed 6mph, less than 5% chance of rain
• 11pm: 6C, wind speed 6mph, less than 5% chance of rain

In a small polishing room off the Old Kent Road in south London, a young man stands in a haze of aluminium dust. His overalls are worn, the air heavy, the machinery far older than he is. Yet there is calm in the way he occupies the space, as if he understands its rhythm better than anyone.

This is Benjamin Bryde, an aluminium tray polisher at Kaymet, a manufacturer where metal is turned into objects that end up in some of the most refined rooms in the world. 

Benjamin describes his craft with a directness that mirrors the work itself. “I’m a metal polisher from south London, specialising in refining aluminium surrounds for trays. My work focuses on achieving a flawless finish, ensuring every piece is smooth, clean and free from dents. It’s all about precision, craftsmanship and bringing out the best in the metal.” 

It’s a quiet job, repetitive on the surface, but rooted in skill and discipline. Watching him at work makes the idea of a handmade city feel real. 

The photograph is part of a new series by Orlando Gili, who has spent months documenting the makers who still give the Old Kent Road – once known for being the first, and cheapest, tile on the Monopoly board – its industrial backbone. “This series celebrates London’s artisans and craftspeople – individuals who make their living through skill, precision and the art of working with their hands,” he says.

“In a world that’s increasingly defined by screens and automation, this series turns its focus to the people and trades that remain grounded in the physical, material realm – the makers whose expertise and creativity sustain a vital part of the city’s identity. This project aims to highlight the beauty of craftsmanship, and the enduring value of manual labour in an age of digitisation.” 

The industrial environment in which they are crafted makes for a striking contrast to the refined places they end up

Kaymet became Gili’s entry point to the neighbourhood’s hidden workshops including London Stone Carving – one of the last commercial sculpture workshops in the city, and heritage marble specialists Diespeker & Co.

There was something about Kaymet’s polishing room that caught him immediately. “I was drawn to the polishing room, thick with dust, desaturating every surface. I lit and photographed Benjamin, aluminium tray polisher by day and musician by night, in a small window before work recommenced after a tea break.” 

Kaymet has been producing trays since 1947, with its crisply tactile products stocked in stores like Harrods and used everywhere from the Royal Yacht to the kitchens of Michelin-starred restaurants including The Ledbury. “The industrial environment in which they are crafted makes for a striking contrast to the refined places they end up,” says Gili. “Showing the process allows viewers to appreciate the craft, and the people behind the product.”

The photograph stands as a reminder that London still makes things, and that the people who make them matter.

Photograph by Orlando Gili

Having posted runner-up finishes in each of the past two seasons – he was second to Xander Schauffele at the 2024 Open at Royal Troon before falling to McIlroy’s play-off birdie in the Masters a year ago – the majors are his priority.

There’s an Open at Royal Birkdale in July, the venue where he announced himself by chipping in at the last to finish fourth as a 17-year-old amateur in 1998. But the Masters has extra resonance given his remarkable record there.

He has been runner-up three times, having shared second place with Phil Mickelson behind Jordan Spieth in 2015.

A record five times, including last year, he has held the first-round lead and on nine occasions has led or jointly led the game’s most glamorous tournament.

No golfer is owed anything by any venue or any tournament, but Rose is as entitled as anyone to call in some Augusta favours. Last year it was a three over par third round that proved his undoing.

He partnered Bryson DeChambeau, who played himself into the final pairing with McIlroy while Rose went backwards after holding the halfway lead with opening rounds of 65 and 71.

“I actually played way better than Bryson that day, but his short game was great,” Rose told me. “He turned a 75 into 69 and I turned 69 into 75.

“It was one of those days when you come off and realise you’ve given away too many cheap ones. I did live to rue that for sure.

“I had to pick myself up. I had to change my mindset coming into Sunday, reframe everything and not make it about the tournament, just make it about Augusta National.

“I had to remember how special Sunday is there no matter what position you are in. I played with a lot of gratitude on that Sunday which put me in a nice free mindset which obviously led to some great golf.”

While McIlroy was travelling on one of golf’s most dramatic rollercoaster rides, Rose slotted putt after putt, especially on the inward half. “Ten birdies on a Sunday at Augusta was seriously amazing golf,” said Rose.

“Holing that birdie putt on 18 to give myself a chance and then two great swings in the play-off.”

He was inches from making birdie in the shootout, unlucky that his ball did not tumble down the slope to the hole-side in the same way as McIlroy’s approach managed to do.

“That will provide good memories for me and a positive experience as much as it stings,” Rose said.

Ultimately the moment belonged to McIlroy, but Rose won plaudits not just for his golf but his gracious sportsmanship, embracing the victor despite the huge disappointment of yet another near miss.

“People were really kind to me after that,” Rose said. “I was just voicing how I felt.

“I had learned a lot from the 2017 play-off. I controlled what I felt like I could control. I made good swings. I executed under the pressure and sometimes you can’t make the ball do exactly what you want it to do.

“But you know if you’ve done a good job or not. So I think because of that I was able to be happy for Rory in the moment. And obviously to witness history, separate yourself from your emotions for a moment, it was a cool arena to be in.”

This will be Rose’s 21st attempt at Augusta. How fitting it would be this Sunday if he were he to find a way to come of age as a Masters champion.

In 2018, Hunter’s former England head coach Simon Middleton tipped his captain to take over his role one day.

Asked whether Scarratt or Hunter, who have a combined total of 260 international caps, have the capability to take over as head coach for the next World Cup in 2033, Mitchell said: “Most definitely. I will probably be an old man by then, in my 70s I think.”

He added: “They have been challenged for a long time in their careers and they are extremely curious.

“You don’t play over 100 Test matches or become the most-capped English women’s player in history if you don’t have a strong work rate.

“You have two wonderful people who are authentic, easy to work with and fun to work with.”

A challenge for Scarratt, which Hunter has already had to navigate, is coaching her former team-mates.

Scrum-half Natasha Hunt appears regularly on Scarratt’s podcast, ‘The Good, the Scaz and the Rugby’, and the pair were room-mates in camp.

Pre-recorded shows will still go out but Scarratt will be fully focused on coaching during the Six Nations.

“She [Hunt] tried [to still room with me], she tried pretty hard,” she joked.

“Mo [Hunt] is rooming with Marlie Packer. So for anyone who was concerned, she is safe and well looked after.

“There are certain things that I cannot talk to Mo about any more because there is an element where it is not appropriate for players to know certain things.

“Obviously they know who I am. I know who they are. There is no point trying to pretend like we [former team-mates] are not friends or that we can’t share a joke with one another. That would almost be weirder.”

Only three female head coaches were in charge at the last World Cup (France, Australia and Japan).

Scarratt said it is too early to consider one day taking on that role but she remains passionate about increasing opportunities for female coaches.

“Fundamentally, we need to do a better job – whether that is upskilling, making it more accessible or showing that it is visible – for more people to be in the game and to then move into those roles,” she added.

“There is still probably a shortage of people available to do that, aside from ex-players. It is very cool to see women in those roles.”

Away from Fairyhouse, news has emerged that Now Is The Hour won’t run in English Grand National at Aintree on Saturday.

However, trainer Gavin Cromwell will still be represented by two runners in the race in Final Orders and Perceval Legallois, while Yeah Man is also still in the race, but does run today.

Speaking to William Hill, Cromwell said: “Unfortunately, Now Is The Hour is out for the rest of the season and he’ll be taken out of the Grand National at the forfeit stage today.

“He’s had a great season, winning the Thyestes and running well at Cheltenham, and it’s a real shame for everyone because having a runner in the Grand National is a once in a lifetime opportunity for the owners.