When John, a stonemason working at Glasgow Cathedral, finishes repairing a section, the highest praise he can receive is that no one notices. “When we get things that come together you just see a couple of wee bits of stone”, he explains. “You don’t actually see the work that went into it. But it’s satisfying getting it to all come back as if it’s never been touched.”

This is the paradox at the heart of skilled conservation work: the better you are at your job, the more invisible your efforts become. John spent years mastering complex stonecutting techniques precisely so his interventions will disappear. When all goes well, the building appears untouched.

We live in a culture that celebrates creativity, innovation and leaving your mark. Disruption is praised as the highest achievement. AI companies sell us on their power to generate novel content. Tech executives move fast and break things. Politicians advocate for glorious revolutions and talk of progress. Even on the right, conservativism has recently been given an increasingly radical inflection. In the UK, visions of reform tap into mainstream disaffection with the status quo. In the US the Trumpian hope that America can be “great again”, involves a similar vision of wholesale change. The result is that some of the most valuable forms of work often go unrecognised.

“There is a kind of love, called maintenance”, U.A. Fanthorpe wrote, in her 1995 poem, Atlas, a tribute to the many unseen acts that keep our domestic lives going. From paying bills, to home maintenance and the small acts of kindness that sustain filial relations, she highlights this “sensible side of love”. In a similar spirit, we want to highlight the undervalued work of maintaining and retaining what matters – as Fanthorpe puts it: “the permanently rickety elaborate structures of living”. From the relationships we maintain to the institutions we rely on, this kind of invisible labour shapes our lives in ways we don’t acknowledge and value as much as we ought.

Through ethnographic research with people engaged in the work of preservation, we’ve come to see that maintenance isn’t always passive. The more things change, the more it takes work to keep things the way they are. Often this is deliberate, thoughtful – and sometimes it’s profoundly difficult.

Discipline, not creativity

Stonemasons value discipline over creativity in their work. The real difficulty, they explain, is doing the same thing over and again: staving off boredom, keeping your mind on the task, carrying on when your fingers are numb with cold, repeating the same action, even when threatened with distraction.

Conservation architects describe their work in similar terms. One, who works for the national conservation agency in Scotland, contrasted his current role with previous work as a commercial architect. “Humility matters,” he said. “It’s important that you try and just ease back, because if you are quite an egotistical person, then that can cloud your decisions … you’ll cloud that by actually saying, ‘me, here’s my mark on the building!’”

The same orientation appears in other unexpected contexts. Think of the work involved in maintaining a functioning institution, like a school: the administrative and volunteer labour of a range of different types of people, the relationship-building between teachers and parents through parent teacher associations, the training of new staff in established practices and even something as basic as the repair of old equipment. None of that work shows up in political discourse as “reform”, “innovation”, or “progress”. It doesn’t change things or build anything new, and is often directed precisely at keeping something running more or less as it always has.

Many of us who’ve worked in institutions know that keeping something going can involve a great deal of time, effort, judgment and expertise.

Continuity and social life

The work of continuity also matters for our personal politics and social life. What would political discourse look like if we valued continuity as highly as innovation?

On both left and right, our political language is dominated by reform, progress, disruption and revolution. We lack an equivalent vocabulary to describe the deliberate work to keep things as they are. We tend to undervalue this work, in part because we fail to see when it happens. This is particularly so in the current moment, when narratives of broken Britain and general disaffection with the way things are, directs hope towards widespread, radical change. Even on the right, conservative political philosophies are increasingly presented as routes to profound transformation, whether as reform or restoration.

Preservation isn’t morally superior to reform, and this is not an argument against political change. Nor is it an argument for maintenance as inertia or inaction. Clearly feelings about broken Britain reflect real frustrations with dysfunctional institutions. Yet there is much about our political and social life that almost all of us would wish to preserve and sustain. Our point is precisely that such preservation can be active. Indeed, the more that things break or wear out, the harder and more necessary this work becomes.

Political and social life involves making choices about what to change and what to sustain. But when we only celebrate (or attack) transformation, creativity, and innovation we overlook the skilled, thoughtful work done with the aim of leaving (some) things as they are. Often, movement is needed in order to remain still. And if all we are offered is either disruptive change or wholesale reactionary resistance, we miss this.

A lack of change is not inherently a failure or an absence. Stonemasons have consciously and skilfully cultivated the ability to not innovate. Their work is difficult and important. But they are clear that its value is not captured in the language of “creativity”. They’ve learned something our innovation-obsessed culture has forgotten: that some of the most valuable human work lies not in making things new, but in the patient, humble, disciplined practice of helping what matters to endure.

Akhtar Zaman has been elected by councillors as the new leader of the authority

Labour will run Bolton council for the next year after a new leader was elected.

Coun Akhtar Zaman gained the backing of a majority of councillors at the authority’s annual general meeting on Wednesday evening. The full council met after the local elections on May 7 which saw significant changes in its make up.

Despite losing five seats, Labour remain the biggest party on the 60-strong council with 20 seats.

Reform UK who made significant gains in the poll, have 10 seats, as do the Conservatives.

The rest of the council is made up of Liberal Democrats with five members, the Greens have four, Horwich & Blackrod Independents with four, Farnworth & Kearsley First have three members and Communities First two.

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There is one Independent councillor and one vacancy.

A Tory amendment to the proposal to install its leader, Nadim Muslim as council leader was defeated.

Proposing Coun Zaman for leader, deputy Labour leader Martin Donaghy said: “The smooth running of the services on Bolton is the paramount interest for all of us here.

“I have never met a councillor who got into power to do damage.

“There are people relying on us as the first part of their representation to continue to deliver services to the people.”

Coun Gary Veevers, Liberal Democrat leader said it was clear that due to the number of councillors for each party that only Labour were in a position to lead.

He said: “We remain unequivocally a party in opposition. “It’s regrettable that we are just five of us here tonight.

“It is incumbent for us to leave here with a fully functional council.”

Coun David Grant, leader of the Horwich and Blackrod First independents, said: “While I appreciate that Labour had a crushing defeat a few weeks ago, voters showed that they don’t really want the Conservatives either.”

He and other party councillors voted in favour of Coun Zaman for leader.

Addressing the Labour and Conservative benches, Reform leader Trevor Jones said: “The people of Bolton just voted and they don’t want this shower back in.

“It’s pretty obvious. And they certainly don’t want someone who lost 14 per cent of their vote share either.”

The vote on Coun Zaman for leader saw the Green Party members abstain.

After winning the vote for the leadership Labour will appoint members to cabinet positions who will have executive control of the authority.

Later in the meeting Labour suffered a setback when a Tory amendment to install Coun Andy Morgan as chair of planning was supported by a majority of members.

Labour had wished to appoint Coun Emily Mort to that role.

Coun Zaman takes over the role of council leader from Nick Peel, who lost his seat in Tonge & the Haulgh ealrier this month.

Speaking after his appointment, Coun Zaman said: “Never did I believe that I would be leader of this great town.

“To me Bolton is the most beautiful place on the earth. “I came to this town more than 40 years ago with absolutely nothing.

“This town took me into its own and gave me everything I have today. “We will continue the work to regenerate our town.

“We will work for a greener, cleaner, and safer borough, where diverse communities live in peace and harmony.”

The plan was to demolish an existing dwelling to facilitate the extension of retail floor space, bigger carpark, new pedestrian access and cycle parking

An application for the demolition of a house to facilitate the expansion of a Spar garage in the exclusive Cherry Valley area of East Belfast has been refused after a local campaign against it.

Against the recommendation of council officials, elected representatives at Belfast City Council narrowly voted to refuse a planning application around the garage at 46-50 Gilnahirk Road.

The plan, by Maxol Oil Ltd, was to demolish an existing dwelling, 50 Gilnahirk Road, to facilitate a proposed extension and alterations to the existing petrol filling station. This was to include the extension of retail floor space, the extension and the realignment of the carpark, to provide nine additional car parking spaces and new pedestrian access, and cycle parking.

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The site lies within a mixed-use area comprising commercial and residential uses. The area is characterised by a mix of semi-detached and detached dwellings and a row of shops and commercial premises. Number 50 is an unoccupied bungalow.

The May meeting of the council’s Planning Committee at City Hall saw the application go to a vote, with eight councillors in favour of the Maxol plan, all from Sinn Féin, and 11 councillors against, from the DUP, Alliance, the Green Party, and the UUP. A DUP proposal to refuse the application, on terms of retention of residential stocks, and impact on existing residential amenity, was passed.

The decision was against the recommendation of council planning officials, who advised the application should be approved. There were no objections from any of the statutory partners.

The council received 24 representations objecting to the plan, and a petition with 38 signatures, a number of whom also made representations. The objectors were nearby residents, who raised concerns about noise from the resultant development, the increase in traffic and lack of parking, proposed lighting including neon signage, loss of privacy and “erosion of local character of the area.” They also voiced concerns about the demolition of a residential home, which they believed was effectively lowering the housing stock for retail.

Objectors raised concerns about the impact on air quality from more delivery lorries and traffic, and said it would bring too much competition for existing retail in the area. Objectors said the development would lower house prices in the area.

The planning report forwarded to councillors stated: “The applicant has advised that the existing retail store was built approximately 17 years ago and requires modernisation to bring it in line with modern standards, providing greater circulation space in store.” Maxol stated the plan would create seven extra jobs at the site.

The officer planning report states: “The proposal involves the demolition of the existing dwelling at number 50 to facilitate the development. The existing building is not listed, nor within a Conservation Area or Area of Townscape Character and therefore not afforded protection.

“Whilst the proposal will result in the loss of a dwelling, it is considered to comply with policy in that its redevelopment is considered complementary to surrounding residential uses and will not result in any adverse effects on existing residential amenity.”

Alliance Councillor Christine Bower said at the Planning Committee: “While demolition may not need express consent, the loss of housing is a material consideration. This is not a derelict or unusable home, it is being removed primarily because of commercial convenience, not for regeneration or wider public benefit.

“In the context of ongoing housing pressure, and in the objective of maintaining balanced, sustainable neighbourhoods, elected members can conclude that insignificant weight has been given to the loss of a residential dwelling, in a mixed use area.”

She added: “There are clear concerns around residential amenity. The intensification of commercial activity immediately beside homes will increase vehicle movements, forecourt noise and general activity levels

“Traffic and pedestrian safety must be considered. This is a really busy road, serving two schools and a nursery, with DfI confirming to me that it serves around 5,000 road users a day. The area around the garage has no pedestrian crossing and there are no plans from DfI Roads to put any in.”

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The Belfast Fleadh is anticipated to be the biggest cultural event ever held in Belfast

A special Belfast Fleadh caravan and campervan site has been approved in the Titanic area for both the 2026 and 2027 events.

At the Belfast City Council Planning Committee for the month of May, elected representatives unanimously agreed to an application by the council itself for a temporary motorhome site at the Titanic Quarter, between Hamilton Road, Queens Road and Sydenham Road.

The planning application involves the creation of communal recreational spaces, toilets, showers, waste disposal points, a food and drink area, a site office, waste collection, lights, storage areas and “all associated temporary structures and works.”

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The site is a derelict parcel of land immediately north of Belfast Metropolitan College, across the road from and approximately 150 metres southeast of Titanic Hotel, 8 Queens Road, Belfast, BT3.

The temporary campsite will be used to help accommodate some of the expected 800,000 visitors for Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which Belfast is set to host during August 2026 and 2027. There were no objections to the plan from third parties or the statutory partners.

The land will provide 349 pitches, 124 parking spaces, 55 toilets and 20 showers. A social hub will be located on the northwest of the site consisting of a food and drinks area, containers, seating area and marquee bar area. The northern section of the site will have an effluent tank, silenced generators and a waste disposal and recycling area.

Belfast for the first time will host Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, the world’s biggest celebration of Irish music and culture, from Sunday August 2 to Sunday August 9. Qualifying competitors from all over the world will showcase the best of traditional music, song, dance and language in All-Ireland competitions.

It is anticipated to be the biggest cultural event ever held in Belfast. Tourism NI estimates the 2026 Fleadh will bring £60 million into the Northern Ireland economy. It was recently announced Belfast will host the Fleadh again next year.

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So now we know exactly what you get when you cross two distinct brands of Swiss watch-making, one affordable (Swatch) and one luxury (Audemars Piguet). You get a new model of watch that attracts massive hype, huge queues and brawling customers.

For £335, you might also get your hands on a colourful pocket watch. But first you’d have to brave the crowds.

The watches, manufactured as a collaboration (or “collab”) between the two companies, are available in selected Swatch stores, with purchases limited to one item per person, per day, per store.

And before the “Royal Pop” watch collection went on sale on May 16 2026, excitement was already high. On release day, police and security teams were deployed in some places, with a tear gas incident in Paris and fighting in Milan. In the UK and the US, Swatch responded to the intense demand by closing its stores.

A popular product then, and a very effective marketing campaign to go with it. For Swatch, it is the third collaboration with a luxury watch brand in recent years.

The first two (with Omega in 2022 and Blancpain in 2023) were also successful.

One reason for their success if that these partnerships allow consumers to own a little bit of elite watchmaking for a fraction of the cost (a “normal” Audemars Piguet could cost tens of thousands of pounds). Like a Louis Vuitton passport cover or a baseball cap made by Ferrari, it’s a token experience of an elite brand for those who can’t regularly afford them.

From a business communications perspective, it’s a way of introducing large groups of people to luxury brands. It’s similar to how luxury car brands like Aston Martin and Lamborghini license their cars for use in video games such as Forza Horizon or Gran Turismo.

Meanwhile, Swatch gets free press and a positive spin for its entire product portfolio.

Watch what you wish for

From a consumer perspective though, the picture is more complex. The recent frenzy over Swatch’s watches should not be dismissed as merely herd mentality, and nor can it be explained by a sudden surge in demand for mechanical timepieces.

Instead, our research suggests that the response is a clear manifestation of something we call the “enrichment economy” – the fact that if something is in short supply and in high demand, it can be resold at a decent profit.

The enrichment economy has long been a feature of the world of art and antiques, but has also become a familiar part of mass market goods. Swatch has simply followed the example of certain trainers, Pokémon cards, dolls, and Lego sets. For instance, the Lego Cloud City set (originally released in 2003 in limited quantities for about £100) now resells at close to £10,000.

Driven by the chance to make a quick but substantial buck, consumers go out of their way to buy certain products and then resell them for much more than they originally cost.

In the case of Swatch and Audemars Piguet, the evidence for that motivation is clear. The watches sell from the stores at £335, and are being almost immediately offered online for ten times that amount – or even more.

As with other economies, the enrichment economy is prone to periods of boom and bust. For instance, the market for second hand luxury watches, which experienced unprecedented demand a few years ago, has now hit a plateau, forcing resellers to discover new markets with greater investment potential.

So while Swatch is at the centre of the enrichment economy in mid-May 2026, it could easily and quickly be overtaken by another brand or object very soon. And as the cost of living crisis continues, it seems highly likely that the enrichment economy will only expand as people look for ways to supplement their incomes with various side-hustles.

In the meantime, our research also suggests that big brands can do their bit to prevent customers getting so excited that they end up fighting with each other over popular products at shop fronts.

They could, for example, allocate sales using an online lottery system. Or they could prioritise trusted and loyal customers and increase the availability of their merchandise.

From a business and PR perspective, though, Swatch may already have won. By turning the collaboration into a talking point – and making scarcity, controversy and curiosity all work in its favour – the brand is having the time of its life.

Kate and Gerry McCann said they were not consulted about a new true crime programme focusing on the investigation into their daughter’s disappearance.

The parents of Madeleine McCann say they are “disappointed” a new true crime drama about their daughter’s disappearance was made without them being consulted or asked for consent. Kate and Gerry McCann said they “had no involvement whatsoever” in the making of Channel 5’s Under Suspicion: Kate McCann.

It depicts Madeleine’s mother being treated as a suspect during the investigation into her disappearance in May 2007. The drama, starring Slow Horses actress Laura Bayston in the lead role of Kate McCann, aired on Wednesday.

In a statement on the same day, Kate and Gerry raised concerns over the “negative impact” such programmes have on their family as they continue to grieve Madeleine’s disappearance 19 years on. “Thank you to everyone who has offered support & kindness this month,” they wrote on the Find Madeleine Campaign website.

“May is never the easiest. We usually start to feel a bit ‘lighter’ at this stage of the month. We are disappointed however, knowing that a Channel 5 ‘docu-drama’ will air tonight.

“We have not given, or been asked for, our consent and have had no involvement whatsoever in its making. We fail to see how it will help. Programmes like this, always have a negative impact on our family.”

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The statement, which was also posted on the official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page, was signed “Kate, Gerry & Family”. Madeleine McCann was three when she went missing from her family’s holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in southern Portugal on May 3 2007, shortly before her birthday.

Portuguese detectives made Kate and her husband Gerry suspects or “arguidos” that September, before lifting the status in July the following year. The new Channel 5 drama focuses on Kate’s interrogation by officers and is based on official police material, documentary evidence and recorded testimony.

The 90-minute film is written by award-winning screenwriter and playwright Philip Ralph, and directed by Paula Wittig, who previously directed Black Widow. Channel 5 was approached for comment by PA.

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A licensing application stage music until 2am daily and for an hour longer on bank holidays at Hima Fuji restaurant, in Lawrence Street, has been lodged with City York Council.

Owner Ze He said the application followed a change of layout at the Asian restaurant and karaoke bar.

But three people living nearby objected claiming they would be exposed to loud music until the early hours and the changes could cause parking problems and antisocial behaviour.

It comes as the application is set to go before a council licensing hearing on Thursday, May 28.

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The premises was previously home to Mojo’s Chinese Cuisine, which has since shut down.

Plans lodged with the council would see the venue allowed to stage live music during its current opening hours of 9am to 2am daily.

It is licensed to serve alcoholic drinks until 1.30am daily.

A resident living in Farrar Street said people who living there who wanted to avoid city centre bars and pubs would be disturbed.

The objector, whose road is on the opposite side of Lawrence Street to Hima Fuji, said: “The request to have live music until late every day is completely insensitive to the neighbouring residents, noise will be a big issue for residents.

“The licence change would negatively impact residents as the
bar and property does not seem to have much parking.

“The streets local to us currently suffer heavily from broken glass that seems
to be there for weeks or longer, I and any other dog owners have to be careful
around this so the animals are not injured by standing on glass.”

Hima Fuji, in Lawrence Street, York (Image: LDRS)

Another objector, who also lives in Farrar Street, said they feared there would be noise from live music, acts and patrons leaving the venue and staff clearing up afterwards.

The objector said: “We believe that a music venue, very close to our street, will adversely affect our quality of life.

“Parking for Farrar Street residents, which has already become much more difficult, could become almost impossible due to, for example, bands delivering or collecting equipment, which incidentally could continue long after closing time.”

A council report on the plans stated all of the restaurant’s karaoke booths at the back of the premises were professionally soundproofed.

Notices asking patrons to leave quietly are also posted at the venue’s exits.

No comments have been made on the application from responsible authorities such as North Yorkshire Police or the council.

The venue is not in a cumulative impact area, those that already have a high number of other licensed premises.

The council’s decision could be appealed by the applicant or representors at a Magistrate’s Court.

Asked how he has achieved such sustained success in the competition, he put his success down to his players: “[European football] is something fantastic. Europe gave us a lot, for myself as well, a lot. I am always very grateful for Europe, for every competition, especially the Europa League.

Southampton winger Leo Scienza has spoken of his “anger” and “sadness” after the club were denied the chance to play in the Championship play-off final due to Spygate

Southampton winger Leo Scienza has hinted at the chaos behind the scenes at the club after they were kicked out of the Championship play-off final for spying. Saints had appealed against the EFL punishment but discovered on Wednesday night that they had been unsuccessful.

It means they will start the 2026/27 season on -4 points in the Championship, while Middlesbrough – the side they beat 2-1 in a two-legged play-off semi-final – will go to Wembley Stadium on Saturday to face Hull City.

Saints manager Tonda Eckert is now facing the sack after it emerged that he was aware of the three spying trips the club admitted, to Oxford United, Ipswich and Middlesbrough. Meanwhile, the club are braced for more ramifications, with the FA likely to dish out further punishment, which could include a ban for those involved.

It is understood that Southampton’s players are considering their options after being robbed of a shot at promotion back to the Premier League by the actions of their own staff. And Scienza, who enjoyed an outstanding debut campaign for Saints, has become the first player to publicly voice his feelings on the subject.

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Scienza wrote on Instagram: “Disappointment, anger, sadness It’s difficult to find the right words for what we’re all feeling right now. What has happened over the last days is heartbreaking. for the club, for every player in this dressing room, and above all for our supporters. A moment like this should never end the way it did.

“I feel sorry for every football fan, as well as the players and supporters of Hull and Boro, who were caught up in all of this chaos too.

“We gave everything for this dream. Day after day, sacrifice after sacrifice, always believing we could bring this club back to where it belongs. For me, the dream of playing in the Premier League was something I fought for with everything I had. That’s why this pain cuts so deep.

“The hardest part is knowing how much our fans deserved this moment. You stood behind us all season with incredible passion, loyalty and belief. Even in the toughest moments, you carried us forward. Thank you for staying with us through everything, you definitely deserved better.”

Southampton‘s statement on Wednesday night read: “Southampton Football Club has this evening been informed that the EFL’s League Arbitration Panel has upheld the sanctions imposed earlier this week. As a result, the club will not participate in Saturday’s Championship Play-Off Final.

“This is an extremely disappointing outcome for everybody connected with Southampton Football Club. We know how painful this moment will be for our supporters, players, staff, commercial partners and the wider community who have given so much backing to the team throughout the season and we apologise once again to everyone impacted by this.

“While we fully acknowledge the seriousness of this matter and the scrutiny that has followed, the club has consistently believed the original sporting sanction was disproportionate, a view that has been widely shared by many in the football community over the last 24 hours.

“We would like to place on record our sincere thanks to our supporters for the support, patience and loyalty they have shown throughout an incredibly difficult period. We will share information as soon as possible in relation to ticket refunds for those who bought tickets to Wembley.

“Southampton Football Club has a proud history and strong foundations, but it is clear that trust now needs to be rebuilt. That work begins immediately. The club will reflect carefully on the events that have led to this point, learn from them and take the necessary steps to move forward responsibly.

“While tonight is a painful moment, this football club will respond with humility, accountability and determination to put things right.”

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