Teachers at Llantwit Major High are walking out on Thursday with a second strike next week if talks fail

A Welsh secondary school will be closed to most pupils as teachers go on strike on Thursday. Members of the NEU are walking out in a row over a cut in the time they are given to prepare lessons and mark work.

The NEU said around 30 members will be on strike with a picket line outside the school first thing. The Vale of Glamorgan Council, which runs the 900-pupil school for 11- to 18-year-olds, confirmed it will be shut to most pupils on March 12.

Union officials said members voted overwhelmingly for strike action after the school and governors confirmed a decision to cut planning, preparation, and assessment time (PPA) to the absolute stautory minimum allowed. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here.

Those times depend on the number of hours individual teachers are contracted to work.

In Wales teachers are statutorily entitled to a minimum of 10% of their timetabled teaching time for PPA, which must take place during the school day.

This time is non-contact, must be in blocks of at least 30 minutes, and cannot be used for cover. Some schools offer above the stautory minimum.

“Our members are clear that by taking this action longstanding behavioural issues at the school will get worse as sufficient PPA time is essential for dealing with these issues,” the NEU said.

“Whilst there have been meetings between union officials, the school leadership, and local authority, and despite numerous warnings that taking this action would result in strike action, the school have decided to proceed with this cut regardless.”

Daniel Maney, senior Wales organiser for the National Education Union Cymru, said the mood among those on strike was “resolute” with another walkout planned for March 19 if no resolution is reached.

He acknowledged pupils were approaching a key exam period.

”NEU members have taken strike action due to a lack of commitment on protecting existing terms and conditions,” Mr Maney said.

“Our members are not asking for anything unreasonable – just to be treated fairly and in keeping with longstanding entitlements. We remain committed to reaching a negotiated outcome but equally will not stand by when they are facing detriment.”

He said there were longstanding behavioural issues at the school including “unruly behaviour and disrespect to teachers”.

While the union acknowledged the head and school leadership were taking measures to address this he said cutting planning and preparation time would only make these matters worse.

When the school was last inspected in 2017 it was rated ‘good’ – the second-highest outcome possible – by inspectors.

A second teaching union, NASUWT Cymru, was meeting on Wednesday afternoon to discuss its response to the cuts to PPA.

A spokesman for the Vale of Glamorgan Council said: “Llantwit Major School will be closed to most pupils on Thursday, March 12, due to industrial action being taken by some staff.

“The strike action is being coordinated by the National Education Union (NEU). The school’s leadership team, board of governors, and the Vale of Glamorgan Council have been negotiating with union representatives in the hope of avoiding this strike action but this has not been possible.”

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Sir Billy Connolly, 83, said his baby great-grandchild in Scotland gave him hope when people described the world as “a terrible place”.

Sir Billy Connolly has spoken of his joy at being a great-grandfather and how seeing a new life come into the world gives him hope for the future.

Connolly, 83, said his baby great-grandchild in Scotland gave him hope when people described the world as “a terrible place”. An image of a baby features in his latest limited edition series of artworks, Born on a Rainy Day, The Collector Series, released today through Castle Fine Art.

The picture, titled “A Peep at the Past”, originally created between 2012-13, shows an infant playing on the floor with a snow globe like those Connolly has loved and collected for much of his life. Speaking from his home in Florida, the comedian, actor and musician who has five children and two grandchildren, said the picture now reflects his own experience of becoming a great-grandfather, and the joy of seeing a new life enter the world.

He said: “It’s a little baby person playing on the floor with one of those lovely crystal balls that change, with the snow. They’re lovely things. I used to collect them (snow globes). It’s wonderful, and these things give babies hours of entertainment and I always wonder what they see when they look in.

“I have a baby that size in Scotland – I’m its great-grandad. I’m a great-grandfather and it’s a joy. Another life coming into the world and you’re partly to blame. It’s a great thing.

“People say ‘the world’s a terrible place’. I say ‘no it’s not’, That’s the world, up near Loch Lomond, playing with a sparkly ball. That’s the world. That’s the world that’s going to be. It’ll be in their hands.”

Connolly, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, retired from comedy in 2020, and has since concentrated on creating art at his home in Florida.

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Connolly has said: “Drawing has given me a new lease of life. I managed to get pictures together and people like them, which surprises me and amazes me and delights me.”

His new collectors’ series features six giclée artworks each in a “boutique edition” run of only 50, priced at £1450 each. The series has a variety of inspirations.

One was titled “Just a Thought”, after a phrase Connolly admitted he dreaded hearing during his long career in stand-up and music, whenever he thought a task was completed and he was ready to go home.

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Offering an insight into the picture of a person sitting pondering, he said: “There’s been managers and people in charge of my work on the live stage – the promotion side of things – who seem to think they know what you’re going to do. They always, when they’re talking to you, use little phrases like that – ‘Oh Billy, just a thought’.

“You think you’re finished and you want to go. You’ve got your gear packed and you hear ‘just a thought’. ‘Oh f***’. It’s just a thought – don’t panic‘.”

Other pictures in the series include “The Waving Tree” and “Waiting To Be Discovered”, which was inspired by archaeological excavation programmes Connolly loves watching on TV. Another, “Angel And Pillar Of Salt”, depicts the Biblical tale of Lot’s wife who was turned to salt as a punishment for disobeying the angels’ warning.

And “A Chat At The Gym” depicts two women combining their exercise routine with a chance to laugh, chat and enjoy time away from everyday responsibilities.

Connolly, who admits gym memberships have not always been the best use of his time or money, added: “If you go to a gym anywhere, you’ll see those two people. These are women, messing about, passing a ball to each other and not really building their bodies or getting fit. They’re having a laugh, having a chat.”

“They’re going through the motions of doing exercises and most of the money spent on gyms is squandered – people do it up to the point where they think they’re looking right, and it’s a good thing. It does you just as much good as going for it.”

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Score: 9/10

We like: Simple to use and easy for beginners to get to grips with

We don’t like: Lacks extras

If you want a straightforward VPN, ExpressVPN is hard to beat. It lacks a few extras offered by rivals, but those are mainly for advanced privacy needs and are unnecessary for most users.

What ExpressVPN does offer is a far-reaching server network, extending to servers in 105 countries. In our tests, it performed quickly whether accessing sites or streaming videos.

It’s also beginner-friendly. Some VPNs overwhelm with menus and technical jargon, but ExpressVPN keeps things simple, with a large on/off button front and centre.

The service supports a wide range of devices, including computers, phones, Apple TV and even Wi-Fi routers, though you’re limited to five devices per account.

Like most VPNs, it keeps no logs of user activity. The company highlights a case in Turkey where authorities seized servers as part of an investigation, but found no data, since nothing is stored on disk.

There are no advanced features such as the ability to choose a dedicated IP address. There is, however, a useful kill switch which stops all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects unexpectedly.

Key specifications

• Free tier: No
• Devices: Five
• Features: No logs, kill switch, threat protection

The council’s 2026 garden waste subscription service is now open, with brown bin collections set to run from Tuesday, April 7, to November 13.

The annual fee is £41 for one bin, with up to three additional bins available at £27 each, plus the cost of the extra bins.

Residents who subscribe by Monday, March 23, will receive eight collections in total.

Councillor Owen Riddle, Chair of Hartlepool Borough Council’s Neighbourhoods and Regulatory Services Committee, said: “I’d like to thank the thousands of residents who have signed up annually for this service since it was launched.

“As a local authority, we are committed to increasing our recycling rates, so we would encourage even more people to support us by subscribing as soon as possible.”

Residents signing up after March 23 will receive fewer collections but will still pay the full fee.

Cllr Riddle said: “Last year, just over 13,000 households subscribed and 1,831 tonnes of garden waste was collected and taken to be composted at a local facility.”

Only loose, compostable garden waste should be placed in brown bins, the council say, and garden waste should not be placed in plastic bags or other packaging, as this affects the composting process.

Non-subscribers can continue to use the Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) on Burn Road free of charge, although a booking system is being reintroduced.

The council says brown bin collections remain the most convenient option for regular garden waste disposal.

For more information or to subscribe, visit hartlepool.gov.uk and navigate to the garden waste subscription service.

Everyone loves fresh, everlasting flower bouquets but they aren’t the easiest arrangements to care for and their maintenance can take up a lot of time. Thankfully, there’s another option: dried flowers.

These natural blooms are a more sustainable choice, offering longevity and guaranteeing forever-artful arrangements with low maintenance. Like fresh flowers, dried blooms or preserved flowers are available in a surprising range of vivid tones. As an interiors and DIY specialist, I’ve always found them the easiest go-to option for home decoration. With Mother’s Day approaching, they also make superb gifts, since they’re hardy and travel well.

Several retailers across the UK offer beautiful bunches, from well-known names like Bloom & Wild and Lisa Angel to more boutique options such as Grace & Thorn. Prices vary widely, from as little as £11.66 to over £100 for a bouquet. These florals make lovely mantelpiece or side-table decorations, eye-catching centrepieces or simple gifts for mum and dad.

You can read my reviews of the best dried flowers below, followed by answers to the most frequently asked questions about their care and upkeep. But first, here’s a bit more detail about how I ranked them.

Best dried flowers: At a glance

The council will soon be asking Wishaw locals to help shape their community priorities over the next decade.

Wishaw residents are set to be given the chance to create community projects for the next 10 years.

The council will soon be asking Wishaw locals to help shape their community priorities over the next decade.

Your views will guide what NLC will focus on with local communities and partners across the public and voluntary sector, including Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue Service, NHS Lanarkshire and Voluntary Action North Lanarkshire.

As the council gets ready for this next stage, NLC are shining a light on projects that the public helped bring to life over the past few years.

These included the new outdoor gym in Overtown and the new King George V Community Garden in Wishaw.

The council state: “A new outdoor gym in Overtown is giving local residents a free and accessible space to stay active and enjoy exercising outdoors. The project was shaped through community engagement, with residents highlighting the need for more opportunities to support health and wellbeing in the area.

“The new equipment provides a welcoming space for people of all ages to build fitness, spend time outside and connect with others in their community.

“The outdoor gym has already been well received and is becoming a popular addition to Overtown’s local amenities, reflecting ongoing investment in spaces that encourage healthier, more active lifestyles.

READ MORE: North Lanarkshire Council writes off almost £3.6 million in taxes

“The new King George V Community Garden in Wishaw was officially launched as part of Mental Health Awareness and Green Health Week, offering a welcoming space for residents to connect with nature and support their wellbeing.

“The garden was created through close collaboration with local groups, who helped shape a space designed for relaxation, community activity and outdoor learning.

“The launch event brought together partners, volunteers and community organisations who have played a key role in bringing the project to life.

“Their involvement has helped create a garden that not only enhances the local environment but also provides meaningful opportunities for people to come together, support their mental health and enjoy time outdoors.

“The project reflects ongoing investment in community‑led spaces that promote wellbeing, connection and a healthier lifestyle for people across Wishaw.”

READ MORE: Police found cannabis plants worth £150,000 when they raided house in Wishaw

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Martin Lewis has urged everyone with a mobile phone to dial a five-digit code and screengrab the result

It’s so rare that you’ll know someone who doesn’t own a mobile phone these days. These little squares have become a vital component of daily life, which is why it can be all the more annoying when they get stolen.

The devices that feel like that our whole lives are in, can be snatched in the blink of an eye and be a major inconvenience. And with technological advancements, it’s easier for thieves to target bank accounts.

But there are ways owner can protect their devices, as well as important information and one way to do this is by using a simple code. The useful tip has been backed by finance guru Martin Lewis, who previously explained why every phone owner should dial it as soon as, reports the Express.

The Money Saving Expert founder shared this advice on his ITV show in 2025, following reports at the time that phone thefts have surged by 40 percent, as criminals increasingly target individuals’ financial information via their mobile devices.

He stressed the importance of immediate action to secure handsets against unauthorised access in the event of theft, thereby reducing the risk of thieves draining bank accounts through stolen phones.

Martin advised viewers to modify key settings on iPhone, Samsung and Google phones for enhanced protection, including text message settings.

Speaking on his March 11 episode of Martin Lewis Money Show Live last year, he said: “Mobile security tips – thefts are up 40 percent in London but they’re going up right across the country too.

“Now the crucial thing, they’re not just trying to nick your phone, some of them are trying to access your financial data from your phone.”

“You have to protect yourselves on this, folks.”

Martin recommended the use of remote tracking apps such as Apple’s Find My, Samsung’s SmartThings or Google Android’s Find My Device to locate stolen phones and suspend payments.

He further suggested enabling biometric features like fingerprint ID sign-in on both mobile devices and banking apps, and emailing oneself a screenshot after dialling the provided code.

Martin advised: “Now, this one sounds a bit peculiar. Dial *#06# to get your IMEI image then take a screenshot and save it.

“That’s what you’ll need to provide to the police if your phone is stolen. Screenshot it and assuming you can access your email not just on your phone, I would just email it to yourself so you’ve got a copy somewhere.”

Lastly, Martin emphasised that ‘possibly the most crucial’ tip is to ensure two-factor authentication does not appear on your lock screen.

He explained: “Many people have that appear on their lock screen so when your phone’s locked, the code still appears. You don’t want that. It means if someone gets your phone they can get the code. So what you need to do to prevent that is turn off your ‘preview notifications’. It will still tell you you’ve had a message but it won’t display your code on your message. Everyone please do that one. It’s a nightmare if you’ve not done it.”

The Martin Lewis Money Show Live episode from March 11, 2025, is still available for viewing via ITVX.

Aldi is serving up the role of pie-tester to celebrate the launch its Specialbuy range of 13 pies, which is now available across all stores.

The Pie Tester will play a pivotal role in understanding the desirability of each pie, assessing everything from the crust quality and filling consistency to the flavour balance and overall harmony of the ingredients.

Their insights will be shared with customers to help guide them when making that crucial pie-purchasing decision and will be used to help inform the selection of Aldi pies in the future.

To be considered, pie-lovers simply have to provide a short summary of what makes them suitable for the position. As a thank you for their efforts, the final candidate will also be treated to a year’s worth of free pies. To apply, they should visit the Aldi website here.

Julie Ashfield, Chief Commercial Officer at Aldi UK said: “At Aldi, we take our pies very seriously. Our range has been carefully crafted to appeal to Britain’s love of pies, combining high-quality baking with much-loved local flavours.

Aldi looking for pie-tester

“Our Pie Tester will have the enviable task of tasting and reviewing the range to help us understand which flavours really hit the spot. If you’re passionate about pastry and serious about sampling, we want to hear from you. No previous pie-tasting experience required!”

On sale now are Steak & Ale, Chicken & Mushroom and Cheesy Bean pies, to elevated options like Venison & Merlot, Hog Roast, Stuffing & Apple, and BBQ Pulled Pork pies, shoppers are urged to act quickly to avoid missing out, with pies in stock for a limited time only.

The deadline for applications is Friday 27th March 2026.

More information can be found on Aldi’s website.