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Conor McGregor’s controversies: From civil rape case to racism allegations before UFC 329

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Belfast Live

Conor McGregor suffered a disastrous return to the octagon after a five-year absence on Saturday night, when he lost to Max Holloway at UFC 329 in Las Vegas.

The Dubliner has pledged to return to the octagon despite sustaining yet another significant injury.

The former two-division UFC champion lasted just 69 seconds before apparently injuring his knee. Supporters quickly speculated that McGregor was carrying an injury entering the bout, but the Irishman maintained he was fit – and vowed he would be back.

“I was so sharp and so ready for this fight I cannot believe what has happened,” he posted on social media. “The talk of me being off while walking into the fight is nonsense.

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“I was calm, ready, and confident. I am in shock what has taken place. The devil is literally staring at me right in front of my face here. I am not engaging. I will be at church tomorrow. I will overcome this. I will not be deterred. I will return.”

Any suggestion that the Dubliner’s pulling power had waned in America over recent years was swiftly put to rest at the pre-fight press conference, where McGregor was met with a thunderous reception from a packed crowd at the T-Mobile Arena.

Yet back home in Ireland, his standing has taken a considerable knock following a string of incidents over the past decade.

Here is a list of controversies McGregor has been embroiled in since his 2017 boxing bout with Floyd Mayweather:.

November 10, 2017: Attends a Bellator MMA event at the 3Arena in support of his SBG Ireland teammate Charlie Ward. Following Ward’s win, he jumps into the cage in celebration before shoving referee Marc Goddard when told to leave, as he was not an official cornerman

April 5, 2018: Launches a dolly at a bus window carrying UFC athletes to a press event at New York’s Barclays Center. The shattered glass leaves several fighters injured, including Michael Chiesa and Ray Borg, forcing them to withdraw from UFC 223, scheduled just days later.

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McGregor is subsequently charged with three counts of assault and criminal mischief. Following a plea deal, McGregor pled guilty to a single charge of disorderly conduct.

The agreement required him to complete five days of community service, undertake an anger management programme and pay full restitution to the bus company for damages.

September 20, 2018: Ridicules Khabib Nurmagomedov, a devout Muslim, after the Russian declined to drink a shot of his Proper 12 Whiskey at a press conference. He then labelled Nurmagomedov’s Egyptian manager Ali Abdelaziz, also a Muslim, a ‘terrorist rat’.

October 6, 2018: His loss to Nurmagomedov is marred by a mass brawl, leading to McGregor being handed a $50,000 fine and six-month suspension from the Nevada State Athletic Commission for his role in the incident.

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March 11, 2019: Arrested and charged with strong-armed robbery and criminal mischief after an altercation with a fan in Miami who was trying to photograph him. Both charges and a subsequent civil action are later dropped.

March 26, 2019: Reports emerge that he faces investigation over an alleged sexual assault at a Dublin hotel in December 2018. This subsequently results in civil proceedings being brought to court by Nikita Hand.

Shortly after the story emerged, McGregor declared his retirement from MMA for the second time.

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April 3, 2019: Once again targeted Nurmagomedov’s faith by posting an image of the Russian fighter with his wife in a niqab from their wedding, captioning it: “Your wife is a towel mate”. The post was subsequently removed, with McGregor stating: “I want to move forward, with my fans of all faiths and all backgrounds.”

August 15, 2019: Footage emerges showing him punching 50-year-old Desmond Keogh at The Marble Arch Pub in Dublin after Keogh refused a shot of his whiskey.

November 1, 2019: Admits guilt to assault in relation to the pub incident and is handed a €1,000 fine.

September 10, 2020: Detained on the French island of Corsica following allegations of sexual assault and indecent exposure connected to a reported bar incident. The charges were later dropped in April 2021 owing to insufficient evidence.

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July 10, 2021: After his second loss to Dustin Poirier in six months, McGregor, while sitting on the canvas with a broken leg, yelled that the American’s wife had been messaging him.

September 12, 2021: Got into an altercation with American rapper Machine Gun Kelly on the red carpet at the MTV Video Music Awards at Barclays Center. McGregor tried to hit Kelly but didn’t make contact.

October 16, 2021: Italian musician and television personality Francesco Facchinetti claimed McGregor attacked him at a Rome nightclub. Facchinetti alleged that McGregor broke his nose and later filed charges.

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McGregor’s representatives never publicly provided a comprehensive response to the allegations, and the matter has remained a private legal issue since.

March 22, 2022: Held on driving-related charges in Dublin, with Gardaí seizing his Bentley.

November 22, 2022: Faces legal action from former friend and training partner Artem Lobov over unpaid earnings from the sale of his Proper Twelve Whiskey business. The high-profile High Court case reaches a settlement in April 2026, though the terms of the agreement were not made public.

January 24, 2023: An Irish woman alleges McGregor attacked her aboard his yacht in Ibiza during July 2022, claiming he hit her and threatened to drown her. McGregor denies the allegations.

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Her vehicle is subsequently set alight weeks later before she withdraws her civil proceedings.

June 9, 2023: Punches Miami Heat mascot Burnie during a comedy skit at Game 4 of the NBA Finals, landing a further blow after the mascot falls to the ground. The individual inside the costume is taken to hospital.

June 11, 2023: Faces allegations of sexually assaulting a woman at the basketball game in Miami. She claims he “aggressively kissed her” while attempting to pressure her into sexual activity.

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McGregor denies the accusation, with charges later dropped several months on due to insufficient evidence.

November 23, 2023: Declares Ireland is at “war” following a stabbing attack in Dublin. The incident sparks the Dublin riots, with McGregor tweeting: “Do not let any Irish property be took over unannounced. Evaporate said property.”

In the aftermath of the riots he writes: “You reap what you sow”.

July 31, 2024: Admits guilt at Blanchardstown District Court to dangerous and careless driving offences relating to an incident in March 2022. He is handed a five-month suspended prison sentence, a €5,000 fine, and a two-year driving ban.

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November 22, 2024: A High Court jury finds McGregor civilly liable for the assault of Nikita Hand, who alleges he raped her in a hotel room in 2018. She is awarded close to €250,000 in damages.

March 17, 2025: Launches an anti-immigration tirade before meeting Donald Trump at the White House on St Patrick’s Day and criticises the Irish government. He claims “Ireland is on the cusp of losing its Irishness” and that an “illegal immigration racket” is “running ravage on the country”.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin condemns the comments.

July 31, 2025: His appeal against the Nikita Hand jury verdict is rejected.

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September 15, 2025: Withdraws from the Irish presidential election, though insists it won’t be the last election he contests.

October 7, 2025: Receives an 18-month ban from the UFC anti-doping programme Combat Sports Anti-Doping (CSAD) following three missed drug tests between September 2024 and June 2025. The suspension is backdated and expires on March 20, 2026.

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How Haxby’s Ethel Ward Playing Fields got their name

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How Haxby's Ethel Ward Playing Fields got their name

ETHEL Ward Playing Fields have been a talking point of late after locals were left with a massive clean up following a short stay by a group of Travellers.

The fields have been a popular attraction for generations of local people people in Haxby, featuring play equipment and sports grounds and facilities.

They are currently held in trust and managed by Haxby Town Council.

This weekend will see the playing fields host the annual Haxby Carnival, which will take place on Saturday.

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But when did the playing fields actually open – and why are they named in honour of Ethel Ward?

Ethel Ward Playing Field, Haxby. Image: Google Maps

A dip into The Press archive reveals the story.

Ethel Ward was the late wife of Kenneth Ward, former resident of the now-demolished Haxby Hall.

Haxby Hall was a grand Grade-II listed house on York Road, dating from 1790 which sat in 22 acres (89,000 m2) of land. It was used to house evacuees from Hull during the Second World War.

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A postcard dating from the 1910s shows its grandeur.

Postcard showing Haxby Hall, probably taken around 1910, demolished in 1960 and replaced by the Haxby Hall Residential Home in 1965

Following Ethel’s death in 1944, Kenneth donated a large proportion of the house’s grounds to the town, on the proviso the new playing fields would be forever named in her memory.

The playing fields opened and hosted their first cricket match – between Haxby and Wigginton and local rivals New Earswick – on May 8,1948, and The Press has an account of it, and photos.

The actual match ended in a draw – but what it may have lacked in excitement, made up for in sheer importance.

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It marked the beginning of an enduring memorial to Kenneth’s wife.

The ‘new’ pavilion at the Ethel Ward playing field, opened on August 27, 1964

When Kenneth gifted the land his one stipulation was that the playing field be “for ever hereafter… known and designated as the Ethel Ward Playing Fields”.


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On that May day, the new playing fields were officially opened by former Yorkshire and England cricketer Maurice Leyland, who said most great cricketers began their careers on a village ground.

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“I started my cricket in a back street and the dustbin lid was knocked off many a time,” he said.

“Through the generosity of Mr Ward you have got some beautiful grounds and a good start.

“There is no reason why, at some future date, Haxby or Wigginton should not produce a cricketer for England.”

Maurice Leyland bowling the first ball of the inaugural cricket match at the Ethel Ward playing fields between Haxby and Wigginton Cricket Club and New Earswick Cricket Club on May 8, 1948. Photo: Haxby and Wigginton History GroupMaurice Leyland bowling the first ball of the inaugural cricket match at the Ethel Ward playing fields between Haxby and Wigginton Cricket Club and New Earswick Cricket Club on May 8, 1948. Photo: Haxby and Wigginton History Group

Mr Leyland then went on to bowl the opening over of that inaugural cricket match.

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New Earswick romped to a total of 141 all out, with opening bat H Freer scoring 33. In reply, Haxby and Wigginton scored 87 for 8 before the match was declared drawn.

As for Haxby Hall itself, it was demolished in 1960, and replaced in 1965 by the 52 bed Haxby Hall Residential Care Home, with an ambulance station next door.

Mrs M Butterfield receives the title deeds for teh Ethel Ward Playing Fields. Also on the front of the platform at the official opening ceremony were (l-r): Sir William Worsley; Mr Maurice Leyland; Alderman RS Butterfield and Mr Kenneth WardMrs M Butterfield receives the title deeds for teh Ethel Ward Playing Fields. Also on the front of the platform at the official opening ceremony were (l-r): Sir William Worsley; Mr Maurice Leyland; Alderman RS Butterfield and Mr Kenneth Ward

On its website, Haxby Town Council, outlines its responsibility for the Ethel Ward Playing Fields, and the current facilities on offer.

It posts: “Ethel Ward Playing Field is held in trust by Haxby Town Council, and is administered by the playing field committee which consists of two town councillors and representatives of each user club.

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“There are two football pitches, two netball courts, a multigames wall and a children’s play area. The sports pavilion incorporates changing facilities, and also houses a nursery school.

“The council employs groundsmen, who maintain the pitches, play area, and pavilion on a day to day basis.”

Share your memories of the Ethel Ward Playing Fields in the comments section below…

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At least 27 dead and 22 fighting for their lives after massive fire breaks out in pub in Bangkok: Shocking footage shows flames bursting from door as revellers flee

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Shocking footage showed the pub engulfed in flames in Bangkok, Thailand

At least 27 people have died and another 22 are fighting for their lives after a huge fire engulfed a pub in Bangkok, officials said.

In total, 90 people were killed or injured in a pub fire in Bangkok on Sunday night.

A fire broke out in the popular local venue Rong Beer Na Lat Phrao, with a musician reporting that it started from near the stage.

The fire escalated rapidly as revellers scrambled to evacuate the premises, but within moments the building erupted into flames.

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The inferno was so powerful that it was described as watching a ‘jet engine exhaust’ come out of the door as huge flames spread into the street. 

By the time rescuers arrived at around midnight local time, the fire had already burned through the building.

Casualties were lined up outside the pub, many tragically placed in body bags. 

Firefighters tackled the remaining blaze for around half an hour before bringing it under control. 

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Shocking footage showed the pub engulfed in flames in Bangkok, Thailand

Photographs from inside the building show the charred ramins of the tables and chairs

Photographs from inside the building show the charred ramins of the tables and chairs

Firefighters and paramedics pictured outside the pub urgently trying to treat victims who were caught in the blaze

Firefighters and paramedics pictured outside the pub urgently trying to treat victims who were caught in the blaze

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‘The fire spread very quickly, reaching up to the ceiling. Smoke was likely the main cause of death,’ Bangkok Governor Chadchart Sittipunt told reporters outside the venue on the outskirts of the Thai capital.

He said 27 people were killed and 63 were hospitalised with injuries, including 22 in critical condition, adding that authorities had launched an investigation.

Among those killed, 18 were reported to be women and nine men.

A number of the victims were found near the fire exit and authorities believe there may have been obstructions blocking it, he said.

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Laotian tourist Kan Kutirat, said: ‘I heard loud screaming from a lot of people inside – chaos happened.’

He shared a video on Facebook that showed patrons – several with their shirts ablaze – fleeing into the street as flames surged out the door.

Mr Kutirat said he was drinking alone at the bar at around 10pm on Sunday when he noticed smoke rising near the stage.

‘I never experienced anything like this before,’ he said. ‘The images are still stuck in my mind.’

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He said he helped carry a woman out of the bar.

He added: ‘I could only get one person out. I tried my best. I’m sorry.’

Inside the bar, witnesses described seeing a row of stools and bottles of beer still on tables covered with white dust.

The smell of burned plastic lingered over the area several hours after the fire broke out, while most of the windows of the bar were blown out.

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A small crowd of people gathered behind the cordon of metal barricades and police tape, some of them in their pyjamas.

Thai national police said in a social media post at around 2am Monday (7pm GMT) that the fire had been ‘brought under control’.

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul had earlier visited the scene.

He said musicians at the venue described ‘smoke from a circuit breaker near the stage followed by the power going out and an explosion’.

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‘Most of the victims ran to the back, to toilets with no exit. It could be because of panic because there was fire and smoke in the restaurant,’ Anutin told reporters.

Rescue teams outside the site of the fire in Bangkok after it was brought under control by firefighters

Rescue teams outside the site of the fire in Bangkok after it was brought under control by firefighters

Witnesses said the fire started at the front of the stage in the venue where smoke was reported coming out of a circuit breaker

 Witnesses said the fire started at the front of the stage in the venue where smoke was reported coming out of a circuit breaker 

Damaged beer bottles stand covered in the thick dust and ash created by the smoke inside the pub

Damaged beer bottles stand covered in the thick dust and ash created by the smoke inside the pub

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Footage showed the huge blaze raging out of the front door of the building in the northern part of the Thai capital, as a huge black cloud of smoke was sent billowing into the sky. 

Photos from the aftermath show the charred remains of tables and chairs and the interior damaged by smoke. 

Social media footage of the blaze showed flames bursting out of the front of the pub and into the street like a blowtorch.

Revellers fled the building in fear as the front of the building rapidly changed from a cloud of smoke into an inferno.

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Video taken later shows the aftermath of the blaze, with charred chairs and tables covered in ash.

Several people can be seen lying across the road outside as officers attempt to provide emergency care.

Another video showed the moment as revellers ran away from the building as the flames exploded into the street.

They returned to the front door where smoke was still coming out and tables and chairs had been knocked over from the impact.

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The inside of the building remained alight with a burning red glow.

One social media user described the fire as resembling an ‘exhaust thrust from a jet engine’. 

Firefighters from the Phaholyothin, Phaya Thai, and Huai Khwang fire stations battled the inferno with three water hoses.

The bar is located in the Chatuchak District and is a well-known and popular entertainment venue and restaurant in the area, according to local outlet The Daily News.

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Members of the public have been urged to call a hotline if they believe friends or relatives were at the venue. 

A police officer stands guard after a massive fire engulfed a bar in Bangkok

A police officer stands guard after a massive fire engulfed a bar in Bangkok

Investigators inside the building try to ascertain the cause of the deadly blaze

Investigators inside the building try to ascertain the cause of the deadly blaze

A shoe left outside the pub where the fire caused catastrophic damage

A shoe left outside the pub where the fire caused catastrophic damage

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The family of a waitress, originally from Laos, who was working at the venue, told Sky News, that she is still missing.

‘They told us that many of the workers inside this venue were from Laos, of course, in this southeast Asian region.

‘But at the moment you just get a sense of the enormity of this blast. And here, just people still lingering around hoping to get further information.’

A Foreign Office spokesperson said: ”We are in contact with the local authorities regarding a fire in Bangkok and stand ready to provide consular assistance to any affected British nationals affected by the incident.’

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Thailand has seen similar tragedies in the past.

In 2022, 14 people were killed by a fire at a music pub in the eastern part of the country.

And more than a decade before that, 66 people were killed and more than 200 were injured in a fire during a 2009 New Year’s Eve celebration at the Santika nightclub in Thailand’s capital.

That blaze was said to be sparked by an indoor fireworks display.

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May and June heatwaves linked to more than 2,700 deaths in UK as climate experts issue fresh warning

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May and June heatwaves linked to more than 2,700 deaths in UK as climate experts issue fresh warning

More than 2,700 people are estimated to have died as a result of record breaking temperatures during the May and June heatwaves, a study has suggested.

Of those deaths, it is thought just over 40 per cent died as a direct result of climate change, researchers at Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine found.

Temperatures hit 35.1C in West London in May and following three consecutive days of record-breaking temperatures, highs of 37.7C on 26 June at Lingwood, Norfolk were recorded amid numerous red health heat alerts across England.

The heatwaves forced several hospitals to declare critical incidents and London Ambulance Service faced its busiest day on record with significantly more life-threatening emergency calls.

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But the UK is now regularly experiencing temperatures beyond historical norms, researchers said.

“It’s time we woke up to the fact that we now live in a country with dangerously hot summers. To protect people during future extremes, we must urgently adapt to the reality of the climate we now have, and double down on global efforts to reach net zero emissions to stop this from getting worse,” Dr Clair Barnes, research associate in extreme weather and climate change, Imperial College London said.

Where the heatwave hit 35C in England and Wales in May
Where the heatwave hit 35C in England and Wales in May (Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

For the study, researchers used a statistical model which uses historical records to show how the risk of dying due to elevated heat changes with temperature in each of around 35,000 very small regions across England and Wales.

This allowed the experts to estimate the number of heat related excess deaths that are likely to have happened during these recent heatwaves, using recorded temperatures.

Researchers then factored in how much the UK has warmed due to human-caused climate change and used the data to estimate how many excess deaths would have been expected if the heatwaves had occurred in a world without human-caused climate change.

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Where the heatwave hit 35C in England and Wales in June
Where the heatwave hit 35C in England and Wales in June (Imperial College London, the Met Office and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine)

Modelling suggests that from May 21-29, there were around 550 heat-related excess deaths across England and Wales and about 330 of those would not have occurred in a world without climate change – accounting for around 60 per cent of the deaths.

Similarly, during the second heatwave between June 18-28, estimates suggest there were almost 2,200 heat related excess deaths. But about 800 (40 per cent) of those deaths would not have occurred in a world without climate change, according to analysis.

In comparison, estimates for summer 2025 suggest there were 1,504 heat-related deaths, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).

It comes as the third heatwave of the year hits the UK, with temperatures yet again exceeding 34C.

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The forecasting agency said it makes 2026 a record year for the most days to reach 34C or higher in a calendar year. It beats the previous record of seven days set in both the summer of 1976 and 2020.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended that authorities in Europe plan for extreme heat in the same way they do for winter flu and study authors have suggested heat deaths could eventually match the rate of deaths during the winter months.

“More deaths do happen when it is cold, but they’re not necessarily directly linked to the cold, they are often flu deaths. Whereas we see a direct link between spikes in heat and spikes in mortality,” Dr Barnes said.

Dr Ross Thomson from UKHSA added: “Heat seems to be increasing at a higher rate than perhaps the cold is, we might get to a point where our summer heat excess deaths are actually at a level of cold excess deaths, which is unprecedented.”

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The Environment Agency has described heat as the largest and most urgent climate hazard for human health. It increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, lung problems as well as death from drowning.

“Heatwaves can be fatal because of the strain placed on the heart and other organs”, said Jess Beagley, policy lead at the Global Climate and Health Alliance told the Independent: “High temperatures present a particular risk for people with existing health conditions including cardiovascular diseases, as well as on babies as they are less able to regulate their body temperature, and outdoor workers as they are most exposed.”

Ms Beagley stressed the UK is not prepared for hotter summers. Homes and hospitals do not protect the public from high temperatures and we need better insulation, natural shading and air conditioning.

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“We must also remember that the increasing severity of heatwaves is primarily driven by the burning of fossil fuels – there are limits to how much we can adapt to heat and other climate impacts so it’s vital that we transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, or hazards will continue to increase,” she added.

However, people do not just die from heatstroke, the bulk of people suffer from strokes, heart attacks and sudden cardiac death, Hugh Montgomery professor of intensive care medicine, University College London explained.

However, he stressed climate change can kill people in other ways, including crop failures from drought and flooding, which causes food prices to increase affecting the most vulnerable.

“We are now in a death spiral,” the expert on health and climate change told the Independent, stressing that we need to stop burning fossil fuels: “It takes 400,000 years to fully clear the CO2 we emit today, so if everyone stopped emitting, these are still the foothills of catastrophe. That coupled with impacts on food, power, transport and natural ecosystems, could cause civil unrest,” he added.

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CHRISTOPHER STEVENS reviews The Dark: This scary Scottish noir is as fierce and satisfying as a neat malt whisky

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From L-R Catherine McCormack as Gloria Maclennan, Laura Donnelly as DI Monica Kennedy, Mark Rowley as DC. Connor Crawford

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The Dark (ITV1)

Rating: Four out of five stars

When was the last time you saw a stuffed bear in a pub? Not so long ago, hundreds of country inns had one, usually by the door, paws raised, like a bouncer ready for some argy-bargy.

Where they all came from was a mystery, since bears have been extinct in Britain since Roman times. And where they went is a puzzle, too. 

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You can hardly leave a seven-foot furball out for the binmen. Perhaps they were eaten whole by moths.

The decor at The Thistle Moor, a bleak Scottish hostelry in The Dark, is heavily reliant on taxidermy: stags’ heads on the walls, weasels fighting under glass domes, that kind of thing.

But it’s the bear by the entrance that lets us know this is not a pub for soft southerners. The white wine is several degrees warmer than the welcome.

Nothing about The Dark will leave you anxious to book a weekend break in the Highlands. 

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Unlike BBC1’s Shetland, whose spectacular photography has boosted the islands’ visitor numbers by 50 per cent, this six-part thriller makes its remote rural setting look as brutally cold and damp as it is murderous.

But for fans of nasty noir, it’s as fierce and satisfying as neat malt whisky.

From L-R Catherine McCormack as Gloria Maclennan, Laura Donnelly as DI Monica Kennedy, Mark Rowley as DC. Connor Crawford

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The Dark, is a British ITV six-part crime drama television series, adapted from the novel From the Shadows by GR Halliday, about a serial killer who is stalking the Scottish wilderness. Pictured is Ack Hesketh as Owen Maclennan

The Dark, is a British ITV six-part crime drama television series, adapted from the novel From the Shadows by GR Halliday, about a serial killer who is stalking the Scottish wilderness. Pictured is Ack Hesketh as Owen Maclennan

Mark Rowley as DC. Connor Crawford

Mark Rowley as DC. Connor Crawford

Based on a novel by G.R. Halliday, The Dark introduces his taciturn heroine DI Monica Kennedy (Laura Donnelly), a single mother who seems to have upset just about everyone she’s ever met — including bereaved couple Barclay and Bethany, played by Emun Elliott and Helen Baxendale.

At the cinema, DI Kennedy’s small daughter Lucy asks whether the film features monsters. ‘Monsters are scared of me,’ she retorts and, to prove the point, she sends one packing a couple of minutes later with a bone-chilling threat.

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‘I will take you and I’ll bury you somewhere you’ll never be found,’ she warns a wild-eyed woman who makes the mistake of approaching her family. Nothing about her manner suggests this is empty bluster.

No self-respecting serial killer in a Scottish noir will be content with merely murdering the locals. 

Heavy rock of the weekend: 

Dripping in gore and swagger, the French spies-and-superheroes thriller The Sentinels (BBC4) is like a Marvel Comics version of Peaky Blinders.

Set during World War I, it features music as loud as artillery on the Front.

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Their bodies have to be displayed naked, in poses that hint at occult rituals. So far, we’ve had just the one corpse, a teenage male drugged, strangled and laid face down on a ridge with his hands stretched out as if in prayer.

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But it’s not looking good for barworker Rob (Aaron McVeigh), who bicycles home from a pub shift to find a cup of tea waiting for him in his bedroom — which he takes to be an uncharacteristic act of kindness by his dad (Cal MacAninch, a reliably unsettling presence in any crime drama).

Rob knocks back the cuppa. Five minutes later, he’s paralysed and staring in frozen terror as a masked maniac forces his way in through the window — a scene so scary, it tipped right over into horror movie territory. 

Unless, of course, it turns out the bear dunnit.

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Charity slams ‘inexcusable’ postcode lottery of care for breast cancer patients

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Belfast Live

Patient Kathryn Hulland urged health leaders to agree a deal on the drug, saying that it is “heartbreaking” to know that there is a treatment “just out of reach”.

There is an “inexcusable” postcode lottery of breast cancer care, leading to patients in England, Wales and Northern Ireland being “robbed of precious extra time” with their loved ones, a charity has said.

Some patients with incurable breast cancer which has spread to another part of the body have “died waiting” for Enhertu to be made available, Breast Cancer Now said.

The treatment has been available in Scotland for more than two years and the drug is now available in 26 European countries, the charity said.

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Patient Kathryn Hulland urged health leaders to agree a deal on the drug, saying that it is “heartbreaking” to know that there is a treatment “just out of reach”.

The 47-year-old mother said the drug would give her more time with her eight-year-old daughter Grace.

Ms Hulland, from Devon, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2019.

She was told she has metastatic breast cancer in her lung and lymph nodes in 2023.

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“Living with incurable breast cancer is frightening enough without being told you can’t get the groundbreaking medicine you need,” she said.

“Every extra month matters to me because it’s another month with my young daughter, another chance to make memories together, another month to be her mum and see her grow.

“Knowing there’s a treatment that could help people like me, but that it remains out of reach, is heartbreaking. We shouldn’t be here caught in a deadlock between decision-makers.

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“Too many women, mums and daughters like me, have already died waiting for Enhertu. It’s time for all parties to come together and find a solution so families like mine can have what every family wants which is simply more precious time together.

“My life, and my eight-year-old daughter’s happiness, are in the hands of decision-makers. So please, make Enhertu available now for people like me living with incurable breast cancer.”

It is the first licensed targeted treatment for patients with HER2-low breast cancer that cannot be removed surgically or that has spread to other parts of the body, also known as metastatic breast cancer.

Clinical trials have found that women with breast cancer who took the drug survived for around two years, compared with 17.5 months for those who had chemotherapy.

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Breast Cancer Now said thousands of people across England, Wales and Northern Ireland have “missed out” on the drug.

The charity, along with metastatic breast cancer charities METUPUK and Make 2nds Count, reiterated calls for health officials to strike a deal to make it available for NHS use.

It comes as a new poll, conducted on 2,000 UK adults by CensusWide, found that 78% said they were concerned that people cannot access the drug when it is already available elsewhere.

And four in five (82%) said the drug should be made available on the NHS.

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“It’s inexcusable that Enhertu remains out of reach for people with incurable metastatic breast cancer, robbing them of the chance of precious extra time to live. Many have tragically died waiting,” Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said.

“This is why we’re relentlessly campaigning to see Enhertu made available on the NHS in England for those who so desperately need it.

“The public have clearly spoken with three out of five (60%) declaring the postcode lottery around access to life-extending cancer drugs unacceptable, and four out of five (82%) want to see Enhertu made available on the NHS to people with HER2-low metastatic breast cancer, giving them the chance to live longer.

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“People living with this devastating incurable disease don’t have time to wait.

“The clock is ticking and we need to see this unacceptable and tragic situation put right, now.

“Changes to how much the NHS can spend on new medicines have created a new opportunity for Enhertu to finally be made available. There can be no more excuses. Daiichi Sankyo, AstraZeneca, Nice and NHS England must come together urgently and agree a deal – these women need Enhertu now.”

A Nice spokesperson said: “Enhertu for HER2-low metastatic breast cancer is the only breast cancer treatment Nice has been unable to recommend in the last eight years, having made 25 positive recommendations since April 2018.

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“In 2024, we concluded that, at the price offered by the company, the treatment was not cost effective, as the cost was too high relative to the benefits it would provide to patients.

“However, following the US-UK trade deal announced in December 2025, Nice is now applying a new, higher threshold for cost-effectiveness decisions. In light of these changed circumstances, discussions between Nice, the company, and NHS England have resumed, with the aim of reaching a commercial agreement that would make Enhertu cost effective.

“Nice stands ready to review its guidance should new evidence be put forward by the company, including a new commercial offer.

“We remain committed to ensuring patients receive the best possible care, and we recognise the significant impact this decision has had on the breast cancer community.”

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A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “Our deepest sympathies go out to all those impacted by breast cancer.

“The independent body Nice (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) ensures patients can access the latest treatments at a price that is fair for the NHS and taxpayers.

“Enhertu has been the only breast cancer treatment that Nice has been unable to recommend for patients in the last eight years.

“As part of the US-UK trade arrangement, Nice is now using a new higher cost-effectiveness threshold, allowing discussions with manufacturers of the drug to resume.”

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Chinese evacuates more than 1 million as Typhoon Bavi makes landfall

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Chinese evacuates more than 1 million as Typhoon Bavi makes landfall

BEIJING (AP) — Typhoon Bavi made landfall in China’s eastern province of Zhejiang late on Saturday night and was expected to gradually weaken, according to China’s national weather center.

Bavi previously brought strong winds and rain to Japan’s southern islands and Taiwan. It was the second typhoon to impact China in just over a week’s time. The first, Maysak, made landfall in southern China on July 3.

Chinese authorities have evacuated more than 1.7 million people as of Saturday and issued high alerts while eastern China braced for Bavi, which had maximum sustained winds of 144 kph (89 mph) near its center.

After passing north of Taiwan on Saturday and making landfall in the coastal city of Yuhuan in Zhejiang, Bavi is expected to move northwestward inland, the National Meteorological Center said.

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Earlier, at least 17 people were killed in the southern Philippines, mostly due to landslides that were set off by seasonal monsoon rains that Bavi intensified before the typhoon blew away toward Taiwan, Philippine officials said Saturday.

China evacuates over 1.7 million people

Authorities in Zhejiang had evacuated more than 1.7 million people by Saturday morning, the official Xinhua News Agency said. By noon, Shanghai, also on China’s eastern coast, relocated around 34,000 residents from high-risk areas, according to Xinhua.

Southeastern Chinese cities near the coast prepared for the impacts. In Ningde in Fujian province, more than 3,700 people were relocated from high-risk onshore areas as of Friday evening, Xinhua said. Authorities in Fujian province placed over 17,000 emergency rescue workers on standby.

China’s weather center issued an orange typhoon alert, the second-highest on a four-tier level, with many schools and ferry services suspended. Hundreds of flights have been canceled, and some high-speed railway services halted.

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The center on Saturday also issued the first red alert for rainstorms of the year, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

Chinese authorities said Saturday they have allocated 40 million yuan ($5.9 million) in central natural disaster relief funds to support Zhejiang and Fujian provinces’ typhoon prevention and emergency rescue and relief efforts.

Landslides kill more than a dozen in the Philippines

In the Philippines, a landslide set off by monsoon rains that Bavi intensified hit a village before dawn Friday in the coastal town of Malapatan in southern Sarangani province, killing at least 10 villagers and leaving three others missing, Office of Civil Defense spokesperson Diego Mariano said.

A separate landslide in Calanogas town in southern Lanao del Sur province before dawn on Friday killed five people, with six others missing, he said.

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Two people drowned in floodwaters Wednesday in the southern province of Bukidnon, Mariano said without providing other details.

Office of Civil Defense deputy administrator Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV said about 11,000 villagers moved to 77 emergency shelters mostly in southern Philippine provinces in recent days due to the stormy weather.

More than 110 people injured in Taiwan as high winds hit Japan

As of Saturday at 7 p.m., Taiwanese authorities registered at least 113 injuries from Typhoon Bavi, some sustained while riding motorcycles in rain and winds on slippery roads.

More than 14,200 people had also been evacuated around the island, including from the eastern county of Hualien and the central city of Taichung. Schools and offices in most parts of Taiwan were suspended Saturday.

Across Japan’s southern islands in the prefecture of Okinawa, local authorities earlier warned of high waves, strong winds and storm surges, with more than 200 flights canceled across the region, according to Japan’s public broadcaster NHK. Strong winds and rain had hit islands including Ishigaki.

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I, Jack Wright viewers taken by surprise just minutes into BBC drama

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Wales Online

John Simm and Nikki Amuka-Bird star in the BBC’s new murder mystery drama I, Jack Wright

BBC viewers were quick to react to the BBC’s new crime drama.

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Penned by Chris Lang, the acclaimed writer behind Unforgotten, Innocent, The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, I, Jack Wright is a gripping whodunnit featuring Nikki-Amuka Bird, John Simm, Daniel Rigby, Ruby Ashbourne-Serkis, Zoë Tapper, Percelle Ascott, Harry Lloyd and Liz Kingsman.

A synopsis reads: “I, Jack Wright, is a propulsive whodunnit with family secrets at its core. The apparent death by suicide of high-powered businessman Jack Wright (played by Trevor Eve) sends shockwaves through his family, leaving a mystery that pits greed, loyalty and suspicion against one another.

“As his many wives and children fight over the remains of his estate, a dogged police detective investigates – and uncovers the shocking truth about this well-heeled clan.”

Just minutes into the opening episode on BBC One on Sunday, July 12, fans were taking to social media to have their say.

And it seems they were taken by surprise that legendary actor Eve’s character was killed off no sooner had the opening credits stopped rolling.

One said: “Eddie Shoestring didn’t last long in this,” referring to Eve’s ’80s private detective TV drama Shoestring.

Another commented: “Looked at the cast for #IJackWright and thought ooh, nice! Then one of my favourite actors character was dead in the first 5 minutes! Hopefully there’ll be some flashback scenes.”

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But despite Jack Wright’s quick demise, viewers seemed to like the whodunit with one saying: “It’s a bit like Cluedo.” Another said: “ooh blimey! Binge time!”

The drama was shot in London, specifically Holborn and Lincoln’s Inn Fields, Paris, and Hertfordshire. The Wright family’s principal residence, Marston House, was filmed at the Mansion House North Mymms Park.

I, Jack Wright originally launched in April 2025 on UandAlibi before being snapped up by the BBC. This means not only will series one be re-aired by the channel, but they’ve also secured series two, which is currently in production.

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The first series comprises six episodes in total. The opening episode launched on BBC One on Sunday, July 12, with a double bill.

Those who enjoyed the opening two episodes won’t face a lengthy wait, as episodes three and four will be broadcast on Monday, 13 July. Episodes five and six are expected to air on Sunday, 19 July.

I, Jack Wright airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer

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The locations where Blue-Green algae has been reported this year in Northern Ireland

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The locations include Lough Neagh and Castlewellan Lake

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There have been 77 reports of Blue-Green algae in Northern Ireland this year at more than 35 locations.

Blue-Green algae continues to be a problem in waterways across NI with dozens reports of the toxic cyanobacteria since March 18, 2026. The majority of reports of have been in Lough Neagh, Castlewellan Lake and Brantry Lough.

In recent years, the algae blooms in Lough Neagh, which provides 40% of NI’s drinking water, have caused great concern with it being labeled an environmental crisis. This year, algae has been reported at 13 different locations around the lough with the most recent being at Kinnego Marina on June 25.

The cause has been put down to an excess of nutrients from a number of sources, including waste water, septic tanks and agriculture, exacerbated by climate change and the invasive species zebra mussels.

In July 2024, DAERA launched the Lough Neagh Action Plan which aims to address the issues leading to the crisis in the UK and Ireland’s largest freshwater lake.

The locations where Blue-Green Algae has been confirmed in Northern Ireland

  • Black Glen Lake – Castlerock
  • Brantry Lough
  • Castlewellan Lake
  • Church Road Reservoir
  • Clay Lake
  • Copeland Reservoir
  • Craigavon Lakes
  • Hillsborough Park Lake
  • Lough Aghery
  • Lough Island Reavy
  • Lough Neagh – Antrim Bay
  • Lough Neagh – Antrim Boat Club
  • Lough Neagh – Ardboe
  • Lough Neagh – Ballyronan
  • Lough Neagh – Battery Harbour
  • Lough Neagh – Deep point
  • Lough Neagh – Derryadd
  • Lough Neagh – Derrycrow
  • Lough Neagh – Kinnego Marina
  • Lough Neagh – Oxford Island
  • Lough Neagh – Rea’s Wood
  • Lough Neagh – Washing Bay
  • Lough Neagh – White Horse Flats
  • Lower Bann – Bracknamuckley Forest
  • Lower Bann – Newferry
  • Lower Bann – Portglenone
  • Lower Bann – Seatons Marina
  • Lower Conlig Reservoir
  • Lower Holywood Reservoir
  • Portmore Lough
  • Race Course Lough, County Fermanagh
  • Six Mile Water
  • Tunny Cut
  • Unnamed pond, Loughmallon Road
  • Upper Ballysallagh Reservoir
  • Upper Conlig Reservoir
  • Upper Lough Macnean

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Mainsgill – The Farm shop near Darlington, the A1(M) and A66

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Mainsgill - The Farm shop near Darlington, the A1(M) and A66

Mainsgill Farm Shop, located off the A66 near Richmond, was named best farm shop or deli in Yorkshire at the Muddy Stilettos Awards 2026 in June.

The awards celebrate independent businesses across the UK, with finalists chosen before winners are decided by public vote.

For Mainsgill, the recognition adds to an already glowing reputation among shoppers, families and travellers who regularly stop off at the site between North Yorkshire, County Durham and Cumbria.

Outside Mainsgill (Image: SUBMIT)

The farm shop, four miles from Scotch Corner, has become a landmark on the A66 and is popular with both residents and people passing through the area.

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On its website, Mainsgill describes itself as being “brimming with the finest local and unique foods”, with produce fresh from its home-reared stock and products made in-house.

The site sells a wide range of products, including fresh meat, cheeses, fruit and vegetables, pies, sausage rolls, cakes, deli items and gifts.

Visitors can also browse its gift hall and clothing department, with homeware, kitchenware, pottery, cushions and other items on offer.

But the farm shop is only part of the appeal.

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The site is also home to the Mainsgill tearoom, where visitors can stop for breakfast, hot meals, cakes, scones and drinks.

Families are also drawn to the animals on site, where visitors can see animals including camels, alpacas and ostriches, making it a popular stop for children as well as food shoppers.

Online reviewers have repeatedly praised the farm shop, tearoom and wider visitor experience.

One Tripadvisor reviewer said they “cannot speak highly enough” of their visit, praising the tearoom, farm shop, staff and the overall experience.

They wrote that there was a “lovely selection of food and drinks” and said the service was “absolutely great”.

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Another visitor described it as “such a great day”, while others have praised the choice of produce, the butchery and the chance to see the animals.

Mainsgill’s scale is another reason it stands out.

Inside Mainsgill (Image: SUBMIT)

The business began in the 1990s after Andrew and Maria Henshaw moved from Lancashire and started selling home-reared meat.

It has since grown into one of the largest farm-retail operations in the North of England, covering more than 20,000 square feet of retail space and farming more than 1,200 acres of land.

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The shop first opened in a converted garage before expanding into a permanent site, with further developments added over the years.

Recent improvements have included a major extension, upgraded food-processing facilities and additional seating, helping the business cope with its popularity.

Its position close to Scotch Corner also makes it a convenient stop for people travelling between Teesside, North Yorkshire, County Durham and Cumbria.

Its focus on home-reared meat, regional suppliers and in-house products has helped it stand out at a time when shoppers are increasingly interested in where their food comes from.

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The Muddy Stilettos win places Mainsgill among Yorkshire’s standout independent food destinations.

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‘Greatest political folly since Second World War was Brexit

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'Greatest political folly since Second World War was Brexit

MR Ryder, (Letters July 6, 2026), tells us that Burnham’s plan is a ‘folly’.

Not true Mr Ryder. The greatest political folly since the second world war was Brexit.

If we had stayed in the EU, the Treasury would have had an extra £90 billion per year to spend on welfare, defence, education etc. without creating new taxes or raising tax rates. No nation in living memory has acted so foolishly in peacetime. Our international friends and allies still cannot believe we actually did it.

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A Conservative government was elected on May 11, 2010 with David Cameron as PM. On July 5, 2024, Labour, with Keir Starmer as PM, thankfully ended the most disastrous 14 years and 61 days of UK politics that I have ever witnessed in my 86 years. They left the UK economy as a busted flush.

Labour has three more years to prove themselves before the next General Election is due in July 2029.

I say that we should all (including Mr Ryder) cut Labour some slack as, so far, they have done well with a very difficult economy.

If Labour MPs feel that a new leader is needed for the next three years, then so be it.

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Quentin Macdonald,

Manor Farm, Church Lane,

Nether Poppleton,

York

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