“Our daughters and granddaughters must be better informed than previous generations of women.”

A Northern Ireland woman diagnosed with ovarian cancer five years ago is urging others to learn the symptoms of the disease which claims the lives of 122 women every year here.

Pauline Donnelly, 62 and from Maghera, received a late stage (known as 4b) diagnosis of ovarian cancer in 2021. She experienced symptoms of fatigue, abdominal discomfort and urinary issues, and credits her GP for being aware of ovarian cancer symptoms and asking the right questions. This led to a quick diagnosis, which is not the case for so many women.

“The disbelief, and dare I say anger, I feel that whilst I was aware of the symptoms of breast cancer and cervical cancer and attended regular screenings for both, I had little to no awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer,” Pauline said.

READ MORE: Women urged to recognise early signs of cancer often mistaken for other common conditionsREAD MORE: ‘I’m living with cancer and even on the darkest days you have to hold on to hope’

“After my diagnosis, and with the benefit of hindsight and further knowledge, I realised I had experienced more symptoms than those I had previously mentioned. Discussions must be had with women during their cervical smear tests, as many women wrongly believe this test will detect ovarian cancer.

“Opportunities like this should not be missed. I feel awareness of the symptoms of ovarian cancer is so important – because knowledge is power. If we don’t know, we don’t act quickly enough and can easily pass symptoms off as being ‘age related’ or some other less serious condition.

“I want the future of ovarian cancer awareness to be as prominent as breast cancer, bowel cancer and cervical cancer. I want to read about it in magazines and newspapers, highlighting what women should be mindful of with regards to symptoms of ovarian cancer.

“I want to see leaflets in GP surgeries, ideally handed out to women having their smear tests so they can be reminded/informed that it won’t detect ovarian cancer, and educate them on the symptoms and how they may present. I want GPs to be better educated in recognising symptoms, so women are not dismissed as menopausal.”

Advertisement

Pauline added: “I want to see public figures speak on TV about their personal experience of ovarian cancer, as we have seen with breast and bowel cancer. We cannot delay any longer in taking action to raise awareness around this disease.

“Our daughters and granddaughters must be better informed than previous generations of women. Early detection of ovarian cancer is vital, especially in the absence of any accurate screening mechanism, so that better outcomes can be achieved, and lives saved.”

Symptoms of ovarian cancer

What are the symptoms?

• Persistent bloating – not bloating that comes and goes
• Feeling full quickly and/or loss of appetite
• Pelvic or abdominal pain (that’s your tummy and below)
• Urinary symptoms (needing to wee more urgently or more often than usual)

Occasionally there can be other symptoms:

• Changes in bowel habit (eg diarrhoea or constipation)
• Extreme fatigue (feeling very tired)
• Unexplained weight loss

Any bleeding after the menopause should always be investigated by a GP.

Symptoms will be:

• Frequent – they usually happen more than 12 times a month
• Persistent – they don’t go away
• New – they are not normal for you

Target Ovarian Cancer will be at Stormont Park on Sunday, June 7 to raise awareness of ovarian cancer to help prevent further deaths from the disease. Ovar-Dressed Belfast is a key event for the charity in which participants run or walk a 5k route to raise money for the charity which funds support, education and research into ovarian cancer.

In its latest research, Pathfinder Northern Ireland: Faster, further, fairer , the charity revealed that only a third of women in Northern Ireland could name bloating as a key symptom of the disease, and nearly half (46%) wrongly believe that a cervical screening will detect it.

The event is an opportunity for the charity to empower everyone with the knowledge of ovarian cancer symptoms, of which 200 women are diagnosed with every year in Northern Ireland.

Sinead Grimes, Events Fundraising Manager, at Target Ovarian Cancer said: “Knowledge is power and it is imperative that women know the symptoms of ovarian cancer, and how to get it diagnosed early. The commitments shown from the Department of Health have been promising, however we know more can be done to help women identify symptoms and receive an earlier diagnosis.”

Recent campaigning efforts by Target Ovarian Cancer and its supporters have led to working with the Minister of Health, Mike Nesbitt MLA, to improve knowledge about the disease and raise awareness of its symptoms.

Sinead continued: “We’d encourage anyone who wants to find out more to join us at Stormont Park on Sunday 7 June for Ovar-Dressed Belfast. Walk, run and dress up (or just wear your free Ovar-Dressed t-shirt) to raise awareness and money to help save lives.”

To sign up to Ovar-Dressed Belfast on Sunday 7 June at Stormont Park, or to find out more, visit: https://join.targetovariancancer.org.uk/event/ovar-dressed-belfast-2026.

To ensure you don’t miss out on all the latest from Belfast Live, be sure to make us your preferred source on Google .

The 29-year-old endured a difficult 2025, dropping from 24th in the world to outside the top 100, and she lost her British number one ranking amid injury issues.

Searching for a fresh start, she split from her long-time coach Biljana Veselinovic and appointed Michael Joyce – the former coach of Maria Sharapova – in early 2026.

After a first-round exit in January’s Australian Open, Boulter returned to the world’s top 100 with a WTA 250 title in Ostrava and a run to the third round in Miami.

But her form remained inconsistent and she had won just three WTA Tour-level singles matches from four clay tournaments in the build-up to the Paris major.

Unforced errors flew freely from both players’ racquets and the pair twice traded breaks in the opening set before Boulter served it out at the second time of asking.

Back-to-back double faults from Boulter put Urhobo on the front foot early in the second, and although Boulter levelled the scores mid-set, the Florida-born player restored her advantage immediately and forced the decider.

Both players raised their level in the third and the quality improved somewhat as Boulter stamped her authority on the contest with a break in the fourth game.

Once again, the Briton failed to serve out the set and she eventually grabbed the win – after two hours and 10 minutes – by breaking Urhobo’s serve for a sixth time.

Ultimately, 58 unforced errors to Boulter’s 35 proved too costly for rising star Urhobo, who broke into the top 200 for the first time earlier this year.

Thousands of people have been pictured at Barry Island on Monday as Wales enjoyed another day of blazing sunshine to cap off bank holiday weekend.

The popular seaside destination was packed with families, tourists and day-trippers making the most of the exceptionally warm weather, with beaches crowded from early on Monday morning and queues forming for ice cream stalls, cafes and fairground rides.

Hundreds of people were stuck in traffic entering Barry – some claiming it was the worst traffic they have ever seen in the seaside town.

Pictures from the island showed sunseekers covering the sandy beach with deckchairs, towels and windbreakers while children played in the sea under clear blue skies.

From Ched Evans to a former senior BBC employee convicted of possessing indecent images, these are some of the clients Kieran Vaughan has represented

Having previously been described as “possibly the best KC of our generation,” Kieran Vaughan KC will represent former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson as his trial gets underway at Newry Crown Court on Tuesday.

Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has pleaded not guilty to 18 historical sexual offences, including one count of rape, alongside allegations of indecent assault and gross indecency. These charges involve two alleged victims and span a 23-year period between 1985 and 2008.

His wife, Lady Eleanor Donaldson, faces a ‘trial of facts’ on charges of aiding and abetting, which she has formally denied. Last week, she was deemed unfit to stand trial after the legal proceedings against her had already been delayed twice before due to mental health issues.

Kieran Vaughan is widely recognised as one of the UK’s top criminal trial and appeal barristers, working on some of the most high-profile fraud, murder, terrorist, sexual offences and serious crime cases to come before the UK courts.

Sean Hoey

In 2007, Kieran Vaughan represented Sean Hoey, who was cleared of the murder of 29 people in the 1998 Omagh bombing.

Usman Khan

Kieran Vaughan previously represented the London Bridge attacker, Usman Khan, prior to the 2019 attack. In 2012, Vaughan defended Khan, who faced a number of terror-related charges connected to a plot to bomb the London Stock Exchange.

Tomas “Bomber” Kavanagh

Vaughan also represented Tomas Kavanagh, who is said to be the Kinihan Cartel’s UK lieutenant, when he pled guilty to being the head of an international conspiracy to import cocaine.

Reiss Nelson

Former Arsenal footballer Reiss Nelson previously instructed Kieran Vaughan in a case involving a dangerous dog.

Ched Evans

Kieran Vaughan was instructed by professional footballer Ched Evans in his appeal against a conviction of rape, which led to the conviction being quashed.

Christine Connor

Christine Connor had been described as a “lone-wolf” dissident republican who had been convicted over an alleged terrorist plot where she posed as a Swedish model to lure men into supporting her attempt to kill police officers. After a three-day appeal, her convictions were quashed.

Michael McKevit

Kieran Vaughan KC advised and represented Michael McKevit in an appeal against the findings of a High Court civil case that he was responsible for the 1998 Omagh Bomb.

Mina Dich

Mina Dich, her daughter Kizlaine Boular and their friend Khawala Barghouthi were jailed for plotting a knife attack on members of the public outside the Palace of Westminster in London. The trio were the first ever female terrorist cell in the UK.

Irfan Naseer

Vaughan represented Irfan Naseer, the ringleader of a terror cell who plotted to detonate rucksack bombs in an attack that would rival 9/11 and the 7/7 attacks in London.

Unnamed retired senior BBC employee

Kieran Vaughan previously represented an unnamed retired senior BBC employee who was handed a suspended sentence for the possession of indecent images.

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

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has rules for Universal Credit claimants if you’re planning to travel abroad on holiday this summer

Universal Credit claimants planning a summer holiday should be aware of Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) rules concerning time spent abroad. Those receiving the benefit can travel outside the UK for up to one month without jeopardising their Universal Credit payments – however, they must notify the DWP in advance.

This is generally done by logging a change of circumstances in your online journal, or by contacting the Universal Credit helpline directly. Despite this, claimants must continue to fulfil their claimant commitment while away. This means job-seeking activities may need to continue throughout your time abroad.

Those in the intensive work search category are typically expected to spend 35 hours per week looking for employment, according to the Mirror, Birmingham Live reports.

Certain exceptions do apply, such as travelling overseas for medical treatment, which allows absences of up to six months. In the event of a close family member’s death, claimants are permitted one additional month abroad.

Universal Credit consists of a standard allowance, which is the base payment received before any additional elements – such as having dependants or being unable to work due to ill health – or deductions are taken into account.

Deductions may apply if you have savings or are in debt to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). For those in work, a taper rate reduces your maximum Universal Credit payment as your earnings increase.

The taper rate is 55%, which means 55p is deducted from your maximum Universal Credit entitlement for every £1 you earn. Some claimants qualify for a “work allowance” – a set amount you can earn before your Universal Credit is reduced.

Turton High School introduced a “Year 6.5” support programme three years ago to help pupils entering Year 7 with weaker literacy and numeracy skills from missing out.

Now, staff say demand for the extra support has led to plans to expand the scheme from September.

Laura Bryant, a teacher who is part of bridging these gaps, said some children were still feeling the effects of disrupted learning years after lockdowns ended.

Laura Bryant, who bridges learning gaps from the pandemic, and Alice Lane, Deputy Headteacher. (Image: NQ)

Ms Bryant said: “When children returned to school, they then obviously had gaps in their learning.

“Primary schools did their absolute best to try and plug those gaps. But then inevitably there’s been that lag and gaps that have appeared in children’s learning.”

The specialist support programme sees selected pupils spend part of their week in mainstream Year 7 lessons and part in smaller sessions focused on rebuilding missed knowledge from primary school.

Year 8 pupil Sadie Flitcroft said lessons during lockdown were more difficult because children were learning remotely.

She said: “In maths and English, it was harder. You can’t really hear them as well because of computer speakers.

Alice Lane, Deputy Headteacher, Sadie Flitcroft, Laura Bryant and Jackson Brierley. (Image: NQ)

“Some things, because of Covid, we didn’t learn in primary. But then, when we were introduced to this, we really learned everything.”

She added that being placed in the additional learning, away from her usual friendship group, had initially been difficult.

Sadie added: “I didn’t get put in it with any friends, but I made more friends by not having any because we became really good friends with most of the girls.”

Year 9 pupil Vinny Rimmer said the support had helped improve his confidence in lessons.

He said: “My maths got way better. My reading got better.

Year nine pupils Georgia Walmsley and Vinny Rimmer were the first to join the original classes. (Image: NQ)

“Because you were only in Year 5 and Year 6 during Covid, you didn’t know everything then, and you didn’t have that support from the teachers.”

Staff said the approach was designed to help pupils catch up academically without affecting friendships or confidence during the move to secondary school.

The school, which has around 1,600 pupils, works closely with primary schools to identify children who may benefit from the scheme before they move up to Year 7.

Ms Bryant said: “This HUB provision that we’ve got is that stepping stone for these children to build up their confidence, to step back into the curriculum, and so that they can then be successful as they then go throughout the rest of Key Stage 3.”

Teachers said some pupils had previously become disengaged after struggling with the jump from primary to secondary education.

Year nine pupils Georgia Walmsley and Vinny Rimmer with Ms Bryant. (Image: NQ)

Staff also said they were continuing to see issues linked to missed classroom learning during the pandemic, including difficulties with handwriting, maths and reading analogue clocks.

The school is currently interviewing candidates for the new role, with the successful applicant expected to start in September.

One senior member of staff said bringing in teachers with different backgrounds could help schools develop new approaches to learning support.

They said: “I think it’s something that we would always invite — new specialisms or someone with just a different slant on something.”

Michael Duxbury JP, who lives in Deighton, discovered the rubbish over the weekend of May 16 and 17 while walking his dog in Naburn Lane, just off the A19 in the village near the York to Selby cycle path popular with families and children.

The illegal dumping was reported by Mr Duxbury and by ward councillor Christian Vassie and contractors from City of York Council covered the area with tarpaulin.

City of York Council said it was at the site on Monday, May 18 conducting a search of the waste and investigations have opened.

Recommended reading:

Mr Duxbury, 80, said: “This is a disgraceful act by someone who wants to avoid paying for disposal.

“I believe in protecting the outdoors and in doing something about this irresponsible criminality.

“We used to be better than this.

“I have come across it in different parts of York, where my wife and I still walk extensively.

“I think it’s a general malaise.”

As reported by The Press, it comes after York has seen 1,150 fly-tipping incidents from January to April in 2026 – a six per cent increase from the same period in 2025.

Mr Duxbury is former senior legal officer at Leeds City Council until 1988 and said his section would occasionally be instructed to prosecute this type of offence, along with other departments who held sweeping powers.

He said: “With this type of fly-tipper you would always try to find identification.

“If you’re going to do something about it you have got to investigate.

“However, if there’s any power to prosecute it’s going to cost the taxpayer money to do so.”

Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie said it is “tragic that criminals are willing to destroy the environment just to save the few quid for taking the rubbish to a council tip.” (Image: Councillor Christian Vassie)

Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie said: “It is tragic that in this country criminals are willing to destroy our own environment like this, just to save the few quid charge for taking the rubbish to a council tip.

“Doubly worrying is the presence of asbestos in this fly-tipped waste.

“This is at the end of a footpath used by villagers and their dogs and children.

“I am glad that council officers are investigating and already have an idea of who is responsible.

“The community will hope that the perpetrators are caught and that CCTV will dissuade others from doing the same thing on other rural roads across York and beyond.”

A spokesperson for City of York Council said: “We can confirm neighbourhood enforcement officers attended the site on Monday (May 18) and conducted a safe search.

“Following this, the fly tip was reported for clearing along with a notification of the presence of asbestos. 

“Investigations are continuing and we’d like to remind readers that fly-tipping penalties (under s33 Environmental Protection Act 1990) carry a Fixed Penalty of £1,000 (reduced to £500 if paid within ten days).

“If prosecuted and convicted further penalties are available to the court including up to £50,000 in fines and 12 months imprisonment.”

The May high record was surpassed in: Heathrow, Greater London (34.4C); Northolt, Greater London (34.2C); Teddington Bushy Park, Middlesex (34C); Benson, Oxfordshire (33.6C); Wisley, Surrey (33.3C); Reading University, Berkshire (33.2C); Wellesbourne, Warwickshire (33.2C); Cippenham, Berkshire (33.0C); Brize Norton, Oxfordshire (32.9C); Charlwood, Surrey (32.9C); Houghton Hall, Norfolk (32.9C) and Santon Downham, Suffolk (32.9C).

Firefighters were called to the River Ure at Aldborough, near Ripon, at around 9am on Sunday (May 24), following reports of two dogs who had got into difficulty.

Fire crews from Knaresborough, Ripon and Richmond attended the scene and found the dogs in a drainage ditch.

Using ladders, firefighters were able to rescue both dogs and reunite them with their owners.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said: “Crews from Knaresborough, alongside Ripon and Richmond swift water rescue, responded to reports of two dogs stuck in the river, on arrival the dogs were found in the drainage ditch.

“Crews used a triple extension ladder and crew power to safely rescue the dogs and reunite them with their owners, safe and well.

This is the perfect walk to embark on in the sunny weather

The sunny weather makes it the perfect time to go on a walk. Across Cambridgeshire, there are many picturesque spots that are best viewed while on a walk. In Cambridge, there is one circular walk that is described as the city’s “best kept secret”. The Coton Corridor features a part of the Great Walk series.

The walk takes visitors through Coton Countryside Reserve, which covers over 300 acres. When planning permission was granted in the late 1990s to create the reserve, it established diverse wildlife habitats, including woodland, bird boxes, ponds, hay meadows, and even an orchard.

The reserve, which forms part of the Cambridge Green Belt, offers people the chance to enjoy great views of the surrounding area of Cambridge.

The route starts at the park in the Cambridge PPF Martin Car Park on Grantchester Road, Coton. To enjoy the walk in full, here is the route you need to take:

• Start at the barn adjacent to the car park, turn left along a concrete track for a few metres and then turn right along a muddy track up to a farm bridge over the M11 motorway. Continue straight across two fields to a lane leading to Barton Road.
• Turn left and walk along Barton Road. Remain on the left-hand side of the road for approximately half a mile to a point where you see a footpath adjacent to Bin Brook immediately after the second house (number 116).
• Follow the footpath to the end, which brings you onto Gough Way. Turn right for 50 yards and cross the road, and turn left into the footpath after number 50, along Bin Brook, turning right, left and right to reach the end of Cranmer Road. Walk down Cranmer Road to the corner of Grange Road next to Selwyn College.
• Turn left and follow Grange Road, past the University Rugby Ground, as far as Adams Road.
• Turn left and follow Adams Road to the corner of Wilberforce Road and the entrance to the university athletics ground, where you will see the start of the footpath in front of you. Follow the footpath, with the West Fields on your left and the University of Cambridge West campus on your right.
• Cross over the M11 footbridge. Shortly after the bridge, either go through a gate on the left through the coppice parallel to the footpath, or stay on the footpath to reach The Plough pub.
• From The Plough, cross the recreation ground in a south-easterly direction, heading for the corner of the bowls club hedge. Walk along with the hedge on your right to the edge of the Rec, turn half right past a yellow house and walk through the plantation to a kissing gate and a footpath alongside Bin Brook. Turn left, and cross the meadows with the brook on your right for about 700 metres, passing through 2 more gates, to return to the CambridgePPF car park.