She was the longest serving Strictly professional before she was culled from the show in a pro dancer bloodbath.

Yet with the new series set to launch tonight, Karen Hauer has revealed that she doesn’t miss being on the programme and is enjoying the time off after a more than a decade on the dancefloor. 

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Karen mused: ‘For 14 years I was locked in, and that’s what I wanted… You can’t go in halfway and that’s what all the pros do, and that’s why it’s so intense. 

‘You can’t go, well I’m going to take the day off today, it doesn’t work like that, and it doesn’t work like that in any job either way. I was locked in and disciplined.

‘I have some great memories from Strictly, but do I miss being in it? No. I like having a little less stress and a little bit more time.

‘I know the process and I know how hard it is. I love seeing the new trailers and it’s great seeing that energy, but I’m loving my time now. I feel very positive.’

Strictly’s Karen Hauer has revealed she’s enjoying a stress-free life after being axed from the show in a pro dancer bloodbath and says she ‘doesn’t miss’ being on the programme 

Johannes Radebe, Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe will make their hosting debut when Strictly returns at 7.25 on BBC – but Karen won’t be tuning in 

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Despite Karen enjoying the clips she’s seen promoting the show, she revealed she won’t be tuning in for the launch because she’ll be working. 

Karen is currently starring in the touring production of Stepping Out, in which she plays dance teacher Mavis.

She landed her role in the stage show just weeks after the Strictly lineup reshuffle and explained: ‘I feel like I haven’t stopped in a way, and I think mentally that’s great.

‘I’ve never just laid down and cried about things, I don’t have time for that, you know.

‘I feel really good. I have a really good circle of friends around me that are supportive and my partner Simon and my dogs.’

Of her new job, Karen added: ‘I love what I do. I’ve always loved theatre, and I’ve always loved performing and doing a live performance on an everyday basis.

‘I love that connection that I have with the public and I love that connection that I have with other humans around me on stage.’

Yet while Karen is enjoying her time on the stage, she revealed she hasn’t ruled out a comeback to Strictly, saying she’d be open to returning down the line in some capacity, such as a judge. 

‘I am taking opportunities as they come,’ Karen explained. ‘If an opportunity like that comes I will welcome it. 

‘I have a lot of love for the show and something that I will always carry with me to everything that I do is the experience that I gained for 14 years on Strictly.’

For now, Karen is waiting to see what Strictly will look like after the hosting revamp that’s seen Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.

‘It’s hard because you had Tess and Claudia who’d been there for a very long time,’ Karen mused. ‘But you have Emma who is a megastar, she knows what she’s doing.

‘She’s an incredible woman, and I love that, seeing a woman just owning it.

‘And Josh is a dear friend of mine, we were paired up on the Christmas special and we have that connection.

‘I’m really looking forward to his humour and his relatability. He’s done the show so he knows what happens and that’s what you need.

‘And then we have Johannes, who’s incredible on all cylinders. Not only does he know the inside, but he knows the “in-ins”. I mean, it’s a win-win.’

Karen, who danced with Josh in the Christmas special said ‘I’m really looking forward to his humour and his relatability’ when he makes his hosting debut (pictured in 2024) 

Karen is working with Burns Pet Nutrition to host The Burns Bravery Awards in November and is calling on the nation to nominate Britain’s Bravest Dog

Now as Karen prepares for her first winter without Strictly in 14 years, she is working with Burns Pet Nutrition to host The Burns Bravery Awards in November, and is calling on the nation to nominate Britain’s Bravest Dog.

From Search & Rescue and assistance dogs to rescue dogs, working dogs and beloved family companions, the campaign is inviting people to come forward with deserving dogs.

Karen said: ‘I’m a dog lover and I have four incredible rescue dogs who mean the world to me, so being part of these incredible awards is a dream come true in a way.

‘A lot of people have different dreams, but my dream is always to, you know, be talking about dogs and how incredible they are and the meaning that they have to us.

‘We’re asking for everyone across the country to nominate a dog that’s done something for them or that they’ve seen doing incredible jobs.

‘We want to hear their stories and we want to share their stories with everyone around them.

‘What I say about my dogs is that I rescued them, but they actually rescued me. They support us, they comfort us, it’s beautiful. 

‘The instincts that they have to nurture and to know when you’re in danger, when you are feeling low, how it helps with our mental well-being, how it helps with our physical well-being.

‘We have our own little personal trainers with us and our psychologists.’

You can nominate a brave dog and learn more about the awards at https://burnspet.co.uk/pages/burns-bravery-awards 

Vast quantities of plastic and fishing gear are washing up along the shores of the Seychelles, destroying fragile ecosystems and causing significant economic problems.

Aldabra Atoll, a Unesco world heritage site in this archipelago nation of 115 islands, is estimated to have accumulated more than 500 tonnes of plastic on its shores alone. Most of this plastic debris continues to pile up along its beaches today. It was estimated that removing it would cost approximately US$4.68 million (£3.46 million) and would require 18,000 hours of labour.

Small island developing states are particularly vulnerable to plastic debris on their beaches. It can damage tourism and fishing in these coastal communities, which is essential to their economies. Clean-up costs can be prohibitive.

Fish and other marine life can also be killed by getting entangled with or ingesting plastic debris.

It is impossible to tackle this growing problem without knowing where this pollution is coming from and who is responsible. We investigated this in our recent study using computer simulations and observations, focusing on pollution in the western Indian Ocean from fisheries and shipping.

We found that most pollution probably comes from vessels in or near the Seychelles’ own waters. This challenges the assumption from previous work that island plastic mainly drifts in from distant shores.

We know fishing vessels lose nets and gear, and shipping vessels illegally discard plastic and other items. But to work out which vessels are responsible and where their debris ends up, we needed to know which ships and fishing boats operate near the Seychelles.

To do this, we used satellite tracking data from fishing and shipping vessels over five years (from 2018 to 2022) to estimate activity across the region. Using this map, we simulated the drift of billions of virtual pollution fragments and followed where they ended up.

From this we built a map showing how likely a given vessel location is to pose a risk to the Seychelles’ islands. We did this separately for fishing and shipping.

Our research shows, based on previous fishing activity, that most fishing gear that is swept up on the beaches of the Seychelles comes from fishing within its own exclusive economic zone. These are the waters, extending 200 nautical miles (370km) offshore, over which a state has exclusive control over marine resources, including fisheries.

These waters are full of tuna, and the Seychelles’ economy leans heavily on industrial fishing, both as an employer and as a large source of foreign currency.

Where does the waste come from?

It is likely that some of the gear and plastic waste is coming from EU vessels. The Seychelles’ waters are heavily fished by two types of European fishing boats, purse-seiners and longliners. This falls under a longstanding agreement between the EU and the Seychelles granting them the right to fish here. Purse-seiners circle around tuna schools with a large net, and longliners trail baited hooks over many kilometres.

Indeed, a report presented to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission found that 76% of 214 of the drifting fish aggregating devices used by tuna fisheries to attract shoals of fish in the Seychelles’ exclusive economic zone were from Spanish-owned vessels. This is an industry making significant profits, while leaving behind environmental damage.

Recently, the Seychelles–EU fishing agreement was renewed for 2026–30 at €5,750,000 per year (£4.89 million), allowing 38 EU fishing vessels to operate in these waters. The Seychelles government is believed to have pushed for a 30% rise in this annual payment from the EU but it is believed they settled on 7%, according to some reports.

Given that the cost associated with cleaning up a single island already runs into millions, the Seychelles-EU deal is small compared to the indirect damages imposed on the nation.

Other proposed solutions

International shipping creates other issues. Our study suggests that more than 90% of plastic being swept up on the Seychelles’ coast from shipping comes from just five lanes crossing the western Indian Ocean. The origin and destination ports of these lanes line up with the countries named on labels of plastic bottles washed ashore on Aldabra.

Debris from international shipping lanes requires a different solution. Unlike the tuna fleets fishing under the agreement between the Seychelles and the EU, this is international traffic passing by. A solution to the plastic waste coming from these ships would be more rigorous enforcement of existing international rules against dumping waste at sea, and bilateral cooperation between the Seychelles and the many nations whose ships use these routes.

Even simple measures could cut litter. For instance, ensuring vessels carry enough safe drinking water to reduce the use of plastic bottles should cut some debris found on Aldabra.

The true cost of cleaning up this huge level of plastic pollution tends not to fall on those who have left it there. The Seychelles needs to work out the cost of the damage being done by these mountains of waste to get a better deal in future negotiations with the EU.

That should help fund clean ups and repair the fragile ecosystems of the islands, helping to preserve them for the future.

His behaviour after her death then amplified the agony for her heartbroken parents. He lied about what had happened to her, then confessed, then changed his original plea of guilty to manslaughter to not guilty and not guilty to murder forcing her family to endure the stress and torment of a trial.

Now a Parole Board panel has decided he should not be released after a third review of his case. They also decided he should not be transferred to an open prison.

Mollie’s mother, Rachel Webb told the MEN: “He should never come out, he’s a monster. He will never change. He’s evil.”

The mother-of-two added: “Stoker is living in his own world still denying what he has done. He is a hard-faced horrible person.

“I have never been asked to make an impact statement for the Parole Board – I wish I had been asked. I want to make one if he tries again to get out.

“My daughter was nine months old when she was cruelly murdered by her uncle Trevor Stoker – 21 years has gone by and it’s still as raw today as the day she was brutally attacked and died four days later due to severe head trauma and broken eye sockets and broken brain stem.

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“Trevor Stoker is an evil man who to this day is still denying doing it and has now gone up for a third time for parole. My fear is that he would do this again and I never want another family to go through what I have..

“It still traumatises me everyday and will still everyday of my life to come. I fear he would come for me and my other children and not think twice of hurting us.

“He should remain in jail for the rest of his life. He still has no remorse for what he did and what he took away from me that day. He broke my family that day and we are still grieving the loss of our beautiful baby girl who should now be living her life to the fullest.”

As required by law Mr Stoker’s case was referred to the Parole Board by the Secretary of State for Justice to determine whether he could be safely released on parole licence. If not, the panel had to consider whether transfer to open conditions could be recommended.

The panel could only direct release if it was satisfied that it was no longer necessary for the protection of the public that Mr Stoker remained in prison.

In a summary report the Parole Board says: “In reaching its decision, the panel considered the contents of Mr Stoker’s dossier, prepared by the Secretary of State. This included up-to-date reports from Mr Stoker’s probation officer based in the community and other assessments and documentation from the establishment.

“The panel did not have the benefit of a victim personal statement but appreciated there was continuing engagement with the victim liaison scheme.”

On 15 November 2006 Mr Stoker received a mandatory life sentence with a minimum tariff of 15 years, seven months and six days’ imprisonment, following his conviction for murder.

He was 38 years old at the time he was sentenced and was aged 57 when his case was reviewed for a third time by the Parole Board. Stoker first became eligible to be considered for release in June 2022.

The report says: “Having considered the index offence and the other evidence before it, the panel listed as risk factors those influences which made it more likely that Mr Stoker would reoffend.

“At the time of his offending, these risk factors had included not being able to control extreme emotion, not thinking what will happen as a result of his actions, difficulties in relationships.

“Evidence was presented in the dossier regarding Mr Stoker’s progress and custodial conduct during this sentence. He maintains his innocence and has not undertaken any accredited programmes. Key report writers could not support his release.

“The panel examined the release plan provided by Mr Stoker’s probation officer and weighed its proposals against assessed risks. The panel concluded this plan was not robust enough to manage Mr Stoker in the community at this stage as necessary core risk reduction work remained outstanding and his risk had not been effectively reduced.

“After considering the circumstances of his offending, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented in the dossier, the panel was not satisfied that release at this point would be safe for the protection of the public. Nor did the panel recommend to the Secretary of State that Mr Stoker should be transferred to open prison. He will be eligible for another parole review in due course.”

Stoker’s trial left jury members at Manchester Crown Court in tears. But the death of nine-month-old Mollie would ultimately change the way police investigate child homicides.

The case was a landmark for UK policing. Detectives, forensic officers, and medical experts pushed the boundaries of investigation to prove that Stoker had killed Mollie. Their work showed Stoker’s explanation that he fell downstairs with Mollie accidentally was a lie.

The brutal truth was that Stoke had punched Mollie in the face and body through a pillow, and then lifted her by her ankles into the air and swung her down against a bed.

The brain injuries she suffered made medical history due to their severity on a baby so young.

Stoker later told police when he was punching the child he was “trying to take the hate out on Mollie”. After the verdict, Mollie’s parents, Rachel Webb and Carl Norman, said: “We trusted him and he was evil.”

Mollie died in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on June 16, 2005, four days after Stoker attacked her at his home in Briar. That day, he confessed to killing Mollie during a dramatic phone call to police.

But at first he claimed the fatal injuries Mollie suffered were due to a fall down stairs. He also pretended to use his life saving skills picked up in the armed forces to reassure Mollie’s family she would be okay.

Stoker was arrested at a service station on the M5 as he made his way to Bristol with the intention of jumping from a bridge. He later confessed to killing Mollie in a police interview and in a letter to a detective.

But he then said the confessions were false as he wanted to take the blame as he was concerned Mollie’s family might attack his wife.

When confessing, Stoker said that during the evening before the attack he squeezed Mollie tightly, causing her distress. This was to get anger out of his system. He also spoke of his hatred towards Mollie’s father, Carl Norman, describing him as a ‘dead leg’.

Manchester Crown Court was told Stoker’s motive for attacking Mollie was to get at her father. He resented what he believed was his idle nature and thought it a “bit of a cheek” that he and his wife had been asked to babysit Mollie when his in-laws had babysat the previous weekend.

The officer in charge of the investigation was Detective Chief Inspector, Geoff Wessell, based in Salford, who went on to become an Assistant Chief Constable with Avon and Somerset Police force before retiring.

Mr Wessell said: “”What Stoker did to Mollie will live in my memory for a long time. For years. And as a senior investigating officer, it’s one of the most significant cases I’ve dealt with. It was a great team effort to get the conviction with how Stoker messed around after his despicable act.

“But also, I can remember the impact on Carl and Rachel and the wider family, which will live with me for a long time.”

To his wife and two children, Stoker was a hard-working HGV driver and a caring father. A non-smoker and almost teetotal, he would get up at 5.30am to workout with weights or go for a run, a legacy of his military training.

But at Stoker’s trial it was revealed that 18 years earlier, when he was a 20-year-old Army private, he had assaulted a 10-month-old boy who was the child of his then girlfriend, Susan Rackley, in London.

He was left alone with Aaron at Susan’s London flat after she went to work. During his murder trial Stoker told the court what he did on that occasion: “While I was changing his bottom he kept crawling away. I ended up losing my temper. I felt bad, guilty at what I had done.”

He admitted giving Aaron a couple of slaps and leaving him with a mark on his head where he had kept pulling him back along the carpet. Later that day he went out for a drink with friends, telling them Aaron had been “a little b*****” and he had “nearly killed him”.

Mr Wessell said: “You look back now and add the years on of where Mollie should be in terms of her life, now in early 20s – enjoying all the things that a 20 year old should do, that’s been taken away from her.

“We’re guided by society in terms of whether he’s (Stoker) dangerous he’s obviously clearly got a temper, he’s clearly got some issues. Whether he’s a changed person I don’t know my thoughts always come back to Mollie and comes back to Carl and Rachel and what they’ve lost.”

When Stoker spoke to a police officer as he drove south, seemingly with the intention of leaping from a Bristol bridge, he referred to himself in the third person, saying “Trevor” was a kind and devoted father-of-two, but a “demon” inside his mind was responsible for his appalling crime.

A prolific people smuggler, dubbed ‘Freya The Ice Queen’, has been jailed along with the rest of her gang for forcing 24 Thai women into prostitution after trafficking them into Britain.

Achareeya Spurr, aka ‘Freya’, Chin Ping, Ugur Sahin and Sarunyoo Siriwan ran a complex smuggling operation which spread to 26 brothels across London and Kent.

They were busted after police raided the establishments and found dozens of Thai women who had been forced into prostitution by the smuggling gang.

Many told officers they had had their passports taken from them by a woman known to them as ‘Freya’ or ‘Freya Ice Queen’.

Some had been smuggled across the Channel in the back of lorries from the Netherlands. 

Spurr, 49, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit human trafficking, conspiracy to control prostitution for gain and acquiring, using or possessing criminal property – while Ping, 56, Sahin, 27, and Siriwan, 31, were convicted of all charges after a seven-week trial. 

The three men were also found guilty of facilitating a breach of UK immigration law by a non-UK national. 

The gang was jailed for a combined 23 years, with ‘Freya’ sentenced to more than seven years behind bars.

Gang members targeted Thai women and arranged for them to travel to the UK, often under the pretence of legitimate visitor visas, Woolwich Crown Court heard.

Chin Ping, another member of the gang which forced the woman into prostitution and confiscated their passports

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Sarunyoo Siriwan was jailed for four years and four months after a trial at Woolwich Crown Court

Once they arrived, victims were taken to brothels and coerced into sex to repay alleged debts, which had often spiralled into the tens of thousands of pounds.

Their passports were typically confiscated and kept by gangsters to control them, leaving the women isolated and dependent.

Detectives found at least one victim was smuggled into the UK in the back of a vehicle across the English Channel from the Netherlands.

Last October officers from the Metropolitan Police’s modern slavery and child exploitation team searched seven addresses and seized £57,145 in cash, a money-counting machine, designer watches and handbags, mobile phones, Sim and bank cards and three victims’ passports.

Police linked 26 brothels to the group and found 24 victims believed to have been exploited by them who arrived in the UK last year.

Detective Constable Kathryn Horne, of the Met, said: ‘This was a sophisticated criminal enterprise that targeted women for financial gain, treating them as commodities to be bought, controlled and exploited.

‘The defendants profited from the suffering of women who had travelled thousands of miles to the UK, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of debt, control and sexual exploitation.

‘I would like to thank the victims for their courage throughout this investigation. Their accounts were crucial in bringing those responsible to justice.’

Ugur Sahin was the fourth convicted member of the gang, which was linked to 26 brothels across London and Kent

During searches of addresses linked to the gang police found stashes of designer watches

Officers also found wads of cash and passports belonging to the victims

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Debi Lloyd, head of UK counter-trafficking operations at the victim support group Justice & Care, said: ‘First and foremost, this result is about the incredible courage of the victims who have come forward to share their story and engaged with a criminal justice process. After experiencing such significant trauma, this takes enormous strength.

‘This case also shows what is possible when agencies work together around the individual, combining a determined law enforcement response with consistent, specialist support. No court result can undo the harm someone has experienced, and we know that recovery is rarely a straight line.

‘But victims deserve to be heard, believed and supported to make their own choices, while those responsible for serious abuse and exploitation are held to account.

‘I am incredibly proud of the partnership working that helped make this result possible, and above all, I want to recognise the bravery of the victims at the heart of this case.’

Spurr was sentenced to seven years and eight months in prison, while Ping was jailed for six years and nine months, Siriwan for four years and four months and Sahin for four years.

Rover.com has released the best dog-friendly pubs across England after sending its expert Tavern Testers to test out 110 different places.

The Penny Hedge in Whitby was named as the best dog-friendly pub in Yorkshire and has a sizeable beer garden for dogs to enjoy.

The pub also has a pub garden. (Image: Tripadvisor)

What is the Penny Hedge like?

Adem Fehmi, Rover’s Canine Behaviourist expert comments: “For dogs who are comfortable in social settings, a trip to the pub can be a really positive experience, offering plenty of mental stimulation through new sights, sounds and smells, as well as valuable quality time with their owners.

“The best dog-friendly venues understand that a warm welcome goes beyond simply allowing dogs through the door – having access to fresh water, enough space to settle and a calm, comfortable environment can all help dogs feel at ease.

“The Brandling Villa has clearly thought about the experience from a dog’s perspective, while adding plenty of fun touches for owners too, making it a worthy winner this year.”

Described as being “family-friendly”, the Penny Hedge has both indoor and outdoor seating for you to enjoy a drink no matter what the weather is like.

The pub has “expertly crafted ales, carefully selected wines, and a comprehensive range of spirits” on offer.

The Penny Hedge has a continental and cooked breakfast menu for those wanting to get a good start to the day as well as a set lunch menu where you can enjoy three courses for only £19.50.

On its main menu, there is a range of pub classics from Whitby scampi to sausage and mash as well as burgers and steaks.

What do reviews say about the Penny Hedge?

The Penny Hedge has a rating of 4 out of 5 on Tripadvisor with 729 people leaving reviews after their trip.

One person said: “Great experience, good food and drink selection.

“Play area outside is perfect for kids, then a reading corner inside for children which was nice and quiet.

“Service was amazing, very polite and they couldn’t have been more accommodating.

“Dog friendly and Plenty of parking on site.”

Another person said: “Had a lovely Sunday lunch – we were warmly welcomed by Carolyn and the team.

“Had a lovely table and the recommendation to have a side of the cauliflower cheese was spot on!!

“Presented beautifully and portion size excellent.

“It was a most pleasurable way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

“Will definitely visit again.”

Will you be taking your dog to the Penny Hedge? Let us know in the comments.

The former Coronation Street actress dined with her children at The Clog and Billycock on Billinge End Road.

The mum-of-three shared an Instagram video showing plates piled high with meat, vegetables and giant Yorkshire puddings.

Writing to her 1.1 million followers, she said: “The Clog and Billycock never fails.”

The Clog and Billycock website says the Brunning and Price pub dates back 150 years.

Sunday roast at The Clog and Billycock in Pleasington

The pub opened as the Bay Horse before being renamed in 1973 after former landlord Alfred Pomfret, who wore clogs and a billycock hat behind the bar.

Helen regularly visits the pub and often praises its Sunday roasts, hailing a nut roast as “the best she has ever eaten”.

The pub’s Sunday menu features pink roast beef with Yorkshire pudding, roast porchetta with sage and apple stuffing, a mixed roast and roast shoulder of lamb with rosemary and red wine gravy, according to its website.

It also offers a Sunday sharing board with pigs in blankets, buttered mash, cauliflower cheese and duck-fat roast potatoes.

Prices range from £19.95 to £26.95.

With its open fires, wooden floors and garden room, the pub offers a relaxed setting for family meals.

Its private dining room seats up to 24 people for business lunches or family gatherings.

The flower-lined terrace is a summer sun trap and a cosy cooler-weather spot with covered seating and an open fire.

READ THE FIRST ARTICLE: THE MINERS’ CERAMIC HEART-SHAPED HEADSTONES OF SOUTH DURHAM

The earliest heart-shaped headstone in Wheatley Hill is from this toddler, John Ephraim, who was nearly thee when he died in 1910

ALL 22 heart-shaped ceramic headstones in Wheatley Hill cemetery have been recorded by the local history society, and we can learn much from them.

The first of the 22 is very early, from August 1910, and it is just a white heart lain on the turf. It marks the last resting place of John Ephraim, of Wingate Lane, who was two years 10 months when he died.

All the others are the cream coloured, free standing hearts. There is one from 1912, three from 1916 and then a glut: three in 1918, six in 1919, four in 1920 and three in 1921. The fashion for them then tails off with the last one being dated 1926.

They tend to commemorate young adults – only three of them are for people aged more than 51 but five are for children under 10. Most are for people who died in their late teens or early twenties.

They seem to commemorate largely working class people. There aren’t any doctors or reverends, but there are three men who were killed accidentally in Thornley pit and another, Robert Harkness, who was killed at Kelloe Duff Heap – a duff heap being a pile of fine coal dust that was usually waste.

Robert Harkness, killed at Kelloe Duff Heap

Three contain references to lost soldiers.

When Catherine Gilling died aged 57 on October 9, 1916, her heart-shaped headstone contains a reference to her son, James, “who was missing in France, September 25, 1915”.

So poor Catherine had died after more than a year of not knowing what had happened to 22-year-old James, although the Commonwealth War Graves website confirms he had indeed died on September 25, 1915, while serving with 15DLI and his body was never recovered.

Brother and sister Elizabeth and Mckeand share this heart-shaped headstone

A similar story of not-knowing is told on the heart dedicated by her parents to Elizabeth McKeand who died aged 17 on March 1, 1919. Under her name, they’ve written that of their son, Pte JG McKeand “who died of wounds somewhere in France on October 9, 1916”. He was 22, a member of 20DLI, and he lies on the Somme.

Thomas Coldwell

And then there’s Pte Thomas Coldwell, 24, the husband of Hannah. He died of wounds on August 6, 1915, at Bagthorpe Military Hospital in Nottingham.

He has a proper Portland Stone military headstone in the Wheatley Hill cemetery and a less militaristic heart-shaped headstone on which his family placed a poem:

He marched away so bravely, his young head proudly held
His footsteps never faltered, his courage never failed,
And on the field of battle, he calmly took his place,
He found and died for Britain, the honour of his race
For King and Country he did his best
May God grant him eternal rest,
Sadly missed by his loving wife, and daughter Minnie.

Margaret Hedley, of Wheatley Hill Local History Society, says: “I think these headstones were much cheaper than the traditional stone headstones because of the ceramic-type material they were made from, which was also used to make underground drainage and sewer pipes.

“I have noticed that the majority of them are wearing a lot better than other materials, such as stone, that were used for headstones during the same period.”

The headstones in the High Escomb cemetery

“THERE are quite a few heart-shaped headstones that have escaped the almost criminal desecration of High Escomb cemetery,” says Howard Chadwick.

When St John’s Church at High Escomb was demolished in 1971, most headstones were either removed or laid flat, and then the churchyard was abandoned. In recent years, Howard and a team of volunteers have been rescuing what survives from the overgrowth.

“I think the ceramic hearts were made at Tindale Crescent by Shaw and Knight,” he says.

Shaw and Knight made white, glazed fireclay sanitary products, like toilets, sinks, urinals, ablution bowls and even post-mortem tables for mortuaries. They used clay which came out of Durham coalmines – there are often layers of clay immediately below and above coal seams.

Especially important to S&K was clay known as “FTB” – “Fir Tree Ballarat”.

At Fir Tree, near Crook, S&K employed at least 50 men in a driftmine that dug into thin seam – less than 2ft thick – of coal that the rest of the coalfield knew as “Top Busty”.

However, in the Fir Tree area it must have been discovered after the 1851 rush to Ballarat in Victoria, Australia, when gold was found there, and so was given the name of “Ballarat”.

The presence of FTB must have made the digging for the meagre coal seam financially viable for S&K.

S&K closed in the 1960s but one of its four tall chimneys on the edge of Bishop Auckland lasted as a landmark, with “S&K” written in its brickwork, until 1976. The Roman Way Industrial estate now occupies its site with many of its buildings still in use.

From St Mary’s at Sherburn (Image: Phil Dyer)

IN St Mary’s churchyard at Sherburn there are two hearts, reports Phil Dyer, attaching a picture of one dated 1911, which is pretty early in the phenomenon.

It is supported by a brown column that is designed to look like the bark on a trunk of a tree.

This common design may be a nod to the Arts and Crafts movement of about 1880 to 1920 which liked naturalistic designs.

At the back, the trunk has a hole in the top. We wondered uncertainly whether this was for ease of carrying, but Phil has a better idea.

“I wonder if the hole was to stand flowers in,” he says.

Margeretta Walls in Hetton-le-Hole cemetery

MEMORIES 796 used the website of the Tiles & Architectural Ceramic Society to scratch the surface of the heart-shaped headstone phenomenon.

The website has a gazetteer of cemeteries across the country which contain rare ceramic headstones.

In all of London, there are only 14 whereas in County Durham, there are 24 – and we now think there are many more.

For instance, Paul Robson points out that Hetton-le-Hole cemetery is not included in the gazetteer yet that is where his great-great-grandmother, Margaret Walls, rests beneath a ceramic heart which rather fondly calls her “Margaretta”.

“Her end in 1916 was a sad one,” he says. “She was 60 years of age and lost an argument with a taxi cab on the road in South Hetton.

“Interesting to note was that her son-in-law was Thomas Donkin, under-manager of Hetton Lyons Colliery – might this have influenced the family’s choice of headstone?

“The heart itself is in remarkably good condition for its 110 years.”

This heart illustrates another part of the phenomenon: the poem.

On traditional stone headstones, the fashion for having a poem died out in the middle of the 19th Century, but here in the second decade of the 20th Century, it seems to have been revived. Margaret’s verse reads:

The call was short, the shock severe
To part with one we loved so dear.
Our hopes in heaven that we may meet,
And then our joy will be complete.

Who wrote these verses? They seem quite personal, so was it the family themselves, or did the manufacturers – the colliery brickworks or Shaw & Knight? – have a resident poet who could knock out an odd ode whenever called upon?

Elizabeth and Joe Campbell in Hetton-le-Hole cemetery

MARGARET WALLS is not alone in being commemorated by a heart in Hetton.

“In the cemetery, which opened in 1891, there are currently 16 such memorials in various states of dilapidation,” says Peter High. “They are all sited in the older part of the cemetery and are mainly clustered into the 1900-1920 period.

“At Easington Lane cemetery, which opened in 1892, there are currently 20 complete or damaged memorials and one base although there are thought to have been many more

“The cemeteries are, respectively, north and south of the former pioneering Hetton Lyons colliery which had a brickworks that operated until the 1950s.

“I understand this, and other colliery brickworks, also produced salt-glazed drainage pipes and fittings as well as large thick tiles (not unlike the plaques) that were used to pave the yards of the now demolished colliery houses in the area.

“The damaged and weathered memorials point to them being made in two parts. The faux tree trunks are a variation on a drainage pipe with apparently a shallow socket and/or a rough edge for mounting the plaque.

“These could well have been made in bulk in a brickworks. The slip, glaze and typesetting on the plaques suggest more skilled processes in their manufacture which could have been at nearby potteries.

“The mounting of the plaques at a gravity-defying angle has, however, proven to be a design flaw.”

Indeed, across the county, the glue holding a percentage of plaques in place has failed causing the hearts to fall to the ground and break.

All of these headstones tell a story of human life.

One in Hetton tells of the terrible anguish of George and Rebecca Campbell who lost their children Elizabeth, aged six, and Joseph, aged 10 weeks, in such a short space of time that they are commemorated on the one heart with one date: February 28, 1919.

This places them in the third wave of the Spanish flu epidemic – the second wave, in October and November 1918 in Durham, was the most deadly but poor Joseph had not been alive to catch it then.

Arthur Bainbridge in Hetton-le-Hole cemetery

And then there’s the elaborate marker for Arthur Bainbridge, who died February 19, 1919, aged 40.

It has the same typeface, the same tree effects and the same coloured clay as all the others, but is a unique style – unless you have seen anything similar?

• Are there any ceramic headstones in your area or your family? Can you tell us anything more about them? We’d love to hear more about this fascinating Durham phenomenon. Please email chris.lloyd@nne.co.uk

At 27,000 feet, in the dead of night and on one of the world’s most dangerous mountain paths, a group of climbers were faced with an agonising choice.

Norwegian mountaineering star Kristin Harila and her team came across a dying mountain porter during their record-breaking ascent of K2 in 2023.

They had to decide whether to abandon their mission and do everything they could to bring him to safety, or continue towards the summit, where they were just metres from setting a new world record.

They chose the latter, a decision that would trigger months of scandal, abuse and death threats against Harila and send shockwaves through the mountaineering world.

Now, a new documentary features harrowing never-before-seen footage, showing the moment Harila’s team discovered Pakistani porter Muhammad Hassan, as well as their attempts to save him before ultimately abandoning the mission.

Harila, now 40, became the fastest climber to scale the world’s 14 highest mountains, completing the feat on K2 in Pakistan on July 27, 2023, after just 92 days.

Speaking in the film Savage Mountain, Harila recalled discovering the porter hanging upside down on the mountain, adding: ‘We saw there was something wrong with the rope around his legs. He was naked on his stomach and his back.’

The film shows the team struggling across the snowy mountainside in darkness as they attempt to reach the dying porter

She described the team’s desperate attempts to reach him, with the footage showing one climber trying to secure an ice screw before slipping. 

‘People were worried about everything collapsing, so of course no one wanted to stay there,’ Harila said, ‘I told Lama, we need to do something.’

The film shows the team struggling across the snowy mountainside in darkness as they attempt to reach the dying porter. 

Speaking on camera, Harila’s climbing partner Tenjen ‘Lama’ Sherpa recounted: ‘People were scared. I clipped around 10 people to get closer to the accident. 

‘I picked him up and held his hand. We were on a big slope with very slippery blue ice. It was a very dangerous place.’

Harila said the team eventually managed to secure Hassan with a new rope, but said it would be impossible to get everyone to turn around and go back.

The documentary’s cameraman, Gabriel, said Hassan was already in an extremely serious condition when they reached him.

‘He was completely frozen. No oxygen, no gloves, no down suit. I tried to warm him, to move his fingers, tried to give him hot water. Tried to give him comfort,’ he explained.

At around 3.20am, a large avalanche came down from the side of a serac shortly after the Bottleneck, one of the most dangerous sections of K2.

Harila explained that two members of the team were already ahead in that area, so she and Lama split from Gabriel and continued upwards, while he remained with Hassan.

Gabriel later recalled realising that Hassan had little chance of survival because he was already too far gone. 

Despite this, the cameraman continued trying to keep him alive, even giving him his own oxygen bottle, until someone told him he had to keep going and leave the porter behind.

Once daylight arrived, the climbers were unable to do anything more to save Hassan and continued their ascent up the mountain.

The film captures the moment Harila and her team arrive at the peak, joyfully celebrating the record they had set.

But their celebration and a viral video appearing to show the climbers stepping over a dying Hassan would later overshadow the achievement, triggering months of abuse and online hate directed at the climber.

Harila is seen celebrating at the peak of K2 after breaking a world record

A viral video appeared to show Harila and her team stepping over the dying mounttain porter 

At the time, Harila said that she had been the victim of ‘hatred’ and death threats for celebrating her feat, and wrote on Instagram: ‘This was no one’s fault, you cannot comment when you do not understand the situation and sending death threats is never okay.’ 

In the film, she says: ‘This [viral video] was filmed in the middle of the day, when it was light. We were there when he fell in the dark. We tried for hours to save him.’

She says their biggest mistake was not coming forward with the full story immediately after they returned from the climb.

‘What really happened wasn’t controversial. But the story of rich Western climbers stepping over a dying porter to take the record was really controversial. And that’s what the media wants to have.’

Harila also shared some of the over 20,000 abusive messages she received in the aftermath of the climb.

‘F****ing w****, I hope you die in pain,’ one person wrote. Another said, ‘You f***ing murderer, may you burn in hell.’

One particularly awful message read: ‘I pray that next time it’s you, not someone you would declare as “second-class human”. Selfish c***.’

More hate flowed in, with one person telling the mountaineer to ‘kill yourself.’

‘Humans like you disgust me. I hope you are left with a life of misery.’

An inquiry was subsequently opened into Hassan’s death. It concluded that the expedition company had failed to carry out adequate checks and balances, with questions raised over the porter’s poor equipment and lack of preparation.

The company he worked for was required to suspend operations for two years.

Sirbaz Khan, the first Pakistani to summit all 14 of the world’s highest peaks, was involved in the investigation, and said in the film: ‘There were 100 people trying to summit that day. Why was Kristin singled out?’

Harila said the goal of the expedition had been to prove that women were just as capable as men and could set records, while hopefully making it easier for other female climbers to secure sponsorship.

‘I think the whole thing unfortunately went in the complete opposite direction,’ she said.

Harila lost most of her sponsors following the backlash and said she came to regret climbing the mountain altogether. ‘I should have never done this. It was a very stupid idea.’ 

Harila and Lama gesture upon their arrival at the airport in Kathmandu after the record-breaking climb

Despite the grief and controversy that followed the climb, Harila has continued to pursue her passion for mountaineering

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And a few months later, while still dealing with the fallout from the controversy and the abuse she had received, Harila was dealt another devastating blow.

Her climbing partner, Tenjen ‘Lama’ Sherpa, was killed in an avalanche on Shishapangma on October 7, 2023.

American climbers Anna Gutu and Gina Marie Rzucidlo were also killed, along with guide Mingmar Sherpa.

Harila recalled grappling with feelings of guilt, wondering whether, had they not broken the record, Lama might not have been chosen to accompany the American climbers.

The Norwegian climber has since established a foundation in Lama’s memory, and despite the grief and controversy that followed the climb, has continued to pursue her passion for mountaineering. 

In May of this year, Harila became the first woman to complete the Everest ‘triple crown,’ by summiting Nuptse, Lhotse, and Mount Everest in a single spring season.

British athletics superstar Keely Hodgkinson has boosted her ever-growing net worth by storming to victory in the 800m at Athlos London wearing an eye-catching Catwoman-like suit

Keely Hodgkinson closed out her 2026 season in spectacular fashion on Friday night, securing a sensational victory in the Athlos 800m in London.

But it wasn’t just her blistering pace that had fans talking – it was her striking, aerodynamic race attire. Stepping onto the track in a full-length, hooded Nike speed suit, the Olympic champion turned heads before the starter pistol even fired.

The futuristic, custom-designed one-piece was engineered for maximum speed and minimal drag. Speaking about the bold outfit, Hodgkinson praised the cutting-edge, ultra-lightweight fabric, insisting that the revolutionary suit “feels like I’m wearing nothing.”

She said: “I wanted to be comfortable but I wanted to feel a little bit sexy, the back’s open and that makes it feel really cool. It feels like I’m wearing nothing, to be honest.”

On the track, the 24-year-old was strictly business. In true Hodgkinson fashion, she dominated the elite field to cross the finish line first for the second year running, having also claimed first place in the 800m at Athlos 2025 in New York City.

The Athlos event – pioneered to elevate women’s track and field through unprecedented financial backing and spotlighting – awards winners with a silver Tiffany crown instead of medals, as well as a cash prize of $65,000 (£48,500).

The single-night meet included seven disciplines, each featuring six athletes, with money on offer for each position from a total event prize pot of $1.05million (£790,500).

For Hodkinson, winning the Athlos 800m will provide another boost to her already sizeable earnings. Her exact net worth has never been officially confirmed, but it is estimated to be around £4m.

Her wealth has risen sharply since her triumph at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she took home the gold medal in the women’s 800m. Prior to her Olympic victory, the British middle-distance runner’s net worth was estimated at roughly £250,000.

Bolstered by her long-term, big-money contract with Nike, alongside blue-chip endorsements with luxury brands like Omega and beauty giants like Charlotte Tilbury and Rimmel London, it’s estimated that Hodgkinson earns over £1m a year through commercial deals.

It’s been a successful year both on and off the track for the Manchester native, who broke the indoor 800m world record (1:54.87) on her way to gold at the World Indoor Championships.

Outdoors, she lowered her own British 800m record to 1:54.33, earned a silver medal at the European Championships in Birmingham, and capped off her campaign with an eye-catching victory at Athlos London.

Speaking about the outfit she wore, Hodgkinson said: “This has been like a year in the making. It’s a mixture of fashion and speed and science all coming together for maybe the future of athletics.

“It was a real honour for them to choose me to put this out first. We weren’t sure when we were going to wear it. But an all-women’s event that’s all about the glitz and the glamour and putting eyes on women, a bit of a moment, I think was the perfect way to finish the season.”

From free prescriptions, swimming and community meals to £2 cinema trips and a little-known free passport, MoneyMagpie’s Vicky Parry reveals the valuable over-60s perks that are remarkably easy to miss

Reaching 60 does not automatically bring the bus pass, slippers and peaceful retirement we were once promised.

Plenty of people are still working, caring for relatives and wondering how on earth the supermarket shop became so expensive. However, turning 60 can unlock some genuinely useful freebies, discounts and concessions.

A few are well known. Others are hidden in the small print of NHS schemes, local council websites and loyalty programmes.

One little-known scheme can cover NHS wigs, medical supports and journeys to hospital. Some councils offer free swimming, while Britain’s oldest residents may even qualify for a completely free passport.

The important thing to understand is that “over 60”, “pensioner” and “state pension age” do not all mean the same thing. Some perks begin on your 60th birthday, while others depend on your income, postcode or the part of the UK in which you live.

Here are 13 worth checking:

1. Free NHS prescriptions from 60

In England, NHS prescriptions become free when you turn 60. You do not need to wait until you reach state pension age.

You should tick the correct age-exemption box on your prescription form and may be asked for proof of age.

Prescriptions are already free for everyone in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, regardless of age.

This can represent a substantial saving for someone who needs several regular medicines. If you are approaching 60 but have not reached it yet, check whether an NHS prescription prepayment certificate would cost less than paying for each item separately.

You can check your entitlement using the NHS eligibility service.

2. Free NHS sight tests

People aged 60 and over are entitled to free NHS sight tests in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. NHS eye examinations are free for everyone in Scotland.

In England, eligible adults are normally offered a free test every two years, although an optometrist can recommend more frequent examinations where clinically necessary.

Tell the optician you are over 60 when making the appointment. Do not simply assume the exemption will be applied when you arrive.

The eye test is free, but glasses are not automatically included. Help with glasses and contact lenses depends on your income, benefits and personal circumstances.

3. Free dental care, NHS wigs and hospital travel

This is one of the most valuable and least-known parts of the system.

People receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit may qualify for:

• Free NHS dental treatment
• Help towards glasses or contact lenses
• Necessary travel costs for NHS treatment
• NHS wigs
• Certain fabric supports, including surgical bras and abdominal or spinal supports supplied through a hospital

People who do not receive Pension Credit may still qualify through the NHS Low Income Scheme.

An HC2 certificate provides full help with eligible NHS costs, while an HC3 certificate provides partial help. You do not necessarily have to receive another benefit to apply for the Low Income Scheme.

If you want to claim hospital travel expenses, keep your appointment letter, tickets and receipts. Check the conditions before booking an expensive taxi, as not every journey or form of transport will be reimbursed.

4. Free bus travel – but the age depends on where you live

People in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can generally apply for an older person’s bus pass from the age of 60.

In England, the national older person’s bus pass is normally available when you reach the female state pension age, regardless of whether you are a man or woman.

London residents can apply for a 60+ London Oyster photocard from 60, although this has different terms from the Older Person’s Freedom Pass.

There is also a separate disabled person’s bus pass, which you may be able to claim at a younger age. From April 2027, eligible disabled bus passes are due to become valid around the clock across England. MoneyMagpie explains who can claim free bus travel and how the rules are changing.

Apply through your local council and avoid websites that charge an unnecessary application fee.

5. Free swimming in selected council areas

This is the sort of perk I wish councils would shout about rather more loudly.

A number of councils provide free swimming sessions for older residents, but there is no national scheme and the qualifying age varies.

Manchester residents aged 60 and over can currently use eligible public swimming sessions for free at participating pools. Free or subsidised schemes also operate in areas including Southwark, Three Rivers, Hinckley and Bosworth, Pembrokeshire and Merton.

Some schemes are restricted to residents, particular pools or quieter times of day. You may also need to register and provide proof of age and address.

Search your council website for “free swimming over 60” or ask your local leisure centre. Even where swimming is not completely free, there may be a heavily reduced senior rate.

6. Cinema tickets from £2 with tea and biscuits

It may not be entirely free, but a film, cup of tea and biscuits from £2 is certainly more cheerful than paying the full evening ticket price.

ODEON Silvers screenings are designed for guests aged 60 and over. Tickets start from £2 at participating cinemas and include tea, coffee and biscuits before the film.

Showcase, The Light and many independent cinemas also hold senior screenings under names such as Silver Screen, Senior Cinema or Classic Matinee.

Prices and age requirements vary by cinema. Some community venues and councils also organise occasional free screenings, so check local libraries, theatres and older people’s programmes.

7. Free community meals

You do not always need to receive benefits or prove that you are struggling to get a free hot meal.

FoodCycle runs community meals using surplus food at locations around the UK. Meals are generally open to everyone, with no means test or referral required.

Sikh gurdwaras also traditionally provide a free vegetarian communal meal known as langar. Visitors from all faiths and backgrounds are normally welcome, although guests should follow the individual gurdwara’s guidance, which may include covering their head and removing their shoes.

Churches, warm spaces, charities and community centres may offer free or donation-based lunches too. These meals can provide something just as important as food: the chance to sit down and talk to somebody.

MoneyMagpie has a regularly checked guide to free food and cheap meals for pensioners and people over 60.

8. Free museums, galleries and local events

Many of Britain’s major museums and permanent gallery collections are free to visit, regardless of age.

They include the British Museum, National Gallery, Tate Britain, Tate Modern, National Museum Cardiff, National Museum of Scotland and the Ulster Museum.

Special exhibitions may carry a charge, but the permanent collections can provide hours of entertainment without costing a penny.

Libraries, universities and local museums also host free talks, exhibitions, book clubs, craft sessions and local-history events. These are not always aimed specifically at older people, but being able to visit during quieter weekday hours can be a welcome advantage.

Check your council’s events calendar and library noticeboard rather than assuming everything interesting requires a ticket.

9. A free hot drink through loyalty schemes

A free cup of tea or coffee can make an inexpensive day out feel considerably more civilised.

MyWaitrose members can currently claim a complimentary hot drink from participating stores, subject to the scheme’s conditions. Membership is free, and customers should bring a reusable cup to avoid buying one.

This is not an over-60s offer, but there is no reason to leave it unclaimed simply because it is available to younger shoppers too.

Other cafés and garden centres run loyalty cards that provide a free drink after a certain number of purchases. If you visit regularly, ask whether there is a card rather than allowing another stamp to escape.

10. Save 10% at Iceland every Tuesday

Iceland offers shoppers aged 60 and over 10% off their in-store shopping every Tuesday.

There is no minimum spend, although you need an Iceland Bonus Card and may be asked to show proof of age. The discount does not normally apply to online shopping.

A £40 shop would therefore cost £36. That may not sound revolutionary, but using the discount every week could save more than £200 over a year.

Offers can change, so check the current conditions with Iceland before relying on it for a particularly large shop.

11. A free TV licence for some over-75s

A TV licence does not become free automatically when you turn 75. To qualify, you must be aged 75 or over and either you or your partner living at the same address must receive Pension Credit.

The free licence covers the household, meaning a younger partner or relative living with you can also watch television under it. You can check the rules and apply through TV Licensing.

Be wary of calls, emails or text messages asking for bank details. TV licence scams frequently target older people, so use the official website or telephone number.

12. A completely free passport

This is perhaps the most surprising freebie on the list, although it is restricted to Britain’s oldest residents. British nationals born on or before 2 September 1929 can receive a standard passport without paying the normal application fee.

The exemption applies to a first passport or a renewal, although applicants must still meet the usual nationality and identity requirements. There may also be separate costs for photographs or optional services.

A friend or relative can help with the paperwork. Contact HM Passport Office for the correct application form and current guidance.

It applies to a relatively small group, but it is worth knowing if your family is planning a special trip with an elderly parent or grandparent.

13. Attendance Allowance worth up to £114.60 a week

Attendance Allowance is not technically a freebie, but it is far too valuable to ignore.

It is available to people who have reached state pension age and need help or supervision because of an illness or disability.

You do not need to have a paid carer. In fact, you do not need to be receiving the help you require before making a claim.

Attendance Allowance is not means-tested, so your income and savings will not stop you from qualifying.

For the 2026/27 tax year, it is worth either £76.70 or £114.60 a week. The rate depends on whether you need support during the day, at night or during both.

The payment is tax-free and could also increase your entitlement to Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction.

When completing the form, explain the help you need with washing, dressing, eating, medication, using the toilet, moving around safely and coping during the night. Describe difficult days honestly rather than completing it based solely on your best day.

The one claim that can unlock several more freebies

Pension Credit is not only for people with no savings or private pension.

It is designed for people over state pension age on a lower income, but disability, caring responsibilities and certain housing costs can affect the calculation.

Receiving Pension Credit may unlock:

• Free NHS dental treatment
• Help with glasses and hospital travel
• A free TV licence if you are 75 or over
• Cold Weather Payments when the conditions are met
• Council Tax Reduction
• Help with housing costs
• Access to some cheaper broadband tariffs
• Other local grants and concessions

Claims can normally be backdated by up to three months if you were eligible during that period. Use the Government’s Pension Credit calculator or call the Pension Credit claim line on 0800 99 1234.

Please do not assume you will be rejected

The sentence I hear repeatedly is: “Somebody else needs it more than I do.”

Claiming something to which you are entitled does not take it away from another person. These schemes exist because retirement, poor health, heating a home and getting around can be expensive.

Start with a free benefits calculator from Turn2us, Entitledto or Policy in Practice. Citizens Advice and Age UK can also help you check your entitlement and complete forms.

A free eye test may save £25. A weekly swim could improve your health as well as your finances. Regular use of a bus pass might save hundreds of pounds, while Attendance Allowance could be worth almost £6,000 a year at the higher rate.

The best first step costs nothing: check.

Benefit rates, concessions and commercial offers can change. This article was checked in September 2026. Confirm the latest eligibility rules with the relevant government department, NHS body, council or provider before applying.