From a Michelin-listed tasting menu on Silver Street to riverside brunch spots with cathedral views, Durham’s eating scene is better than it has ever been.

For a special occasion: Faru, 29 Silver Street

Opened in 2023 by husband-and-wife team Jake and Laura Siddle, Faru sits just off Silver Street in the cobbled city centre and has quietly established itself as one of the finest restaurants in the north of England.

The Michelin Guide described it as a restaurant where chefs “show their talent across colourful, precisely executed dishes that utilise punchy flavours like Sichuan pepper, onion ketchup and an intense duck jus.”

The no-choice tasting menu runs to around ten courses, and reviewers on Tripadvisor note that “a Michelin star cannot be far away.”

Book well in advance — the restaurant has around ten tables and Saturday lunch sittings are limited to a single sitting from noon.

For riverside views: Cosy Club, The Riverwalk

If you want a table with a view of Durham Cathedral while you eat, Cosy Club on The Riverwalk is one of the most crowd-pleasing options in the city.

Open from 9am until late, it serves everything from brunch and coffee to cocktails and dinner, making it equally well suited to the morning before the racing or a long evening after it.

One Tripadvisor reviewer summed it up as “stylish yet relaxed” with “food and drinks that were excellent and every detail handled with care.”

For brunch on the riverbank: Riverview Kitchen, Silver Street

Tucked below Framwellgate Bridge on the Silver Street riverbank, Riverview Kitchen is a compact, dog-friendly cafe that does some of the best pancakes in the city.

Open from 9am at weekends, it is the sort of place you stumble upon and keep coming back to, with a relaxed atmosphere and direct views across the Wear.

One reviewer described the food and service as “excellent” and the setting as “superb”, adding: “Put this on your list if you haven’t already.”

For a hidden gem: The Cellar Door, 41 Saddler Street

Set within a 13th-century building on the main street up to the cathedral, The Cellar Door is, as one reviewer put it, “a blink and you’ll miss it establishment” that rewards those who find it.

The menu is European in character, the set lunch is considered excellent value at around £30, and the atmosphere is warm and unhurried.

Open Monday to Saturday until 9:15pm and Sunday until 4:45pm, it suits both a lazy regatta lunch and an evening dinner.

For coffee and brunch: Flat White Kitchen, Saddler Street

The go-to brunch spot for anyone who wants excellent coffee and a beautifully presented plate in a characterful setting.

Flat White Kitchen occupies a renovated 17th-century townhouse and is widely regarded as serving some of the best coffee in the north-east.

The menu is short but very well executed, with strong gluten-free options and a rotating selection of cakes.

Open from 9am on Saturday and 10am on Sunday, closing at 4pm, it is best suited to a regatta morning rather than an evening.

For steaks and cathedral views: Marco Pierre White Steakhouse, Old Elvet

Located in the historic Old Shire Hall on Old Elvet, with views across to Durham Cathedral, Marco Pierre White’s Durham restaurant is a reliable choice for a celebratory dinner.

The menu combines signature steaks with British and French classics; one reviewer wrote that “the food was amazing, the decor and ambience were all perfect.”

A short walk from the regatta enclosure on Old Elvet, it is a natural choice for an evening booking after the Saturday racing.

For Italian-American small plates and cocktails: Notch Americano, 96 Elvet Bridge

Sitting right on Elvet Bridge, Notch Americano brings Italian-American small plates and signature cocktails to one of Durham’s most prominent streets.

Reviewers describe it as a “perfect spot along the bridge” with friendly staff and a chilled atmosphere.

Open from noon on both Saturday and Sunday, the location puts you directly on the route between the regatta enclosure and the city centre.

Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods QPM, the UK’s most experienced officer of that rank, was awarded a CBE in recognition of his many years of service.

Bolton-born DCC Woods started his career as a special constable before joining Lancashire Police in 1996, eventually rising to the National Police Chiefs Council’s lead for Police Driving.

DCC Woods said: “I am extremely humbled and proud to be receiving an honour from His Majesty the King.

“I would particularly like to thank my wife and family who have supported me over many years, making countless sacrifices, as is the case for so many Police families.

DCC Woods is renowned across the country for his experience and expertise (Image: GMP)

“I would also like to pay tribute to the thousands of Greater Manchester Police officers and staff who work tirelessly around the clock to keep the public safe, all of which have my deepest respect and recognition for their constant dedication and sacrifice.”

DDC Wood’s roles with Lancashire Police included response, specialist operations, neighbourhood policing and safeguarding,

He was promoted to Assistant Chief Constable in 2017, and later Deputy Chief Constable in 2019, before joining Greater Manchester Police in September 2021.

Having been awarded the Queen’s Policing Medal in 2021 DDC Woods has become well know for his role as the National Police Chiefs Council’s lead for Police Driving.

He was forked to help transform standards, bring in legislative change and has worked hard to bring all 48 forces into full compliance.

The force says his work has contributed to public safety and provided more recognition and legal protections for police officers for the risk they are willing to take.

DCC Woods has also often been sought out for advice on UK specialist command training and operations and for organisations outside of policing.

GMP says that DCC Woods is known as a strong and engaging leader, with a rare combination of high competence and high proficiency and driving for organisational improvements. 

Whenever time allows, he is often to be found working shifts with one of the many teams across the force. 

The force says he is genuinely liked and admired by those who work with him and for him.

GMP Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson said: “I am delighted to see Deputy Chief Constable Woods recognised for his contributions to policing.

“He is an officer of exceptional calibre, with significant achievements that markedly exceed the requirements of his role, both locally and nationally.

“DCC Woods has been at my side at Greater Manchester Police, almost from the beginning of my tenure.   

“His drive and effectiveness have been central to the improvements we have seen over the past five years.

“He has worked diligently through programmes of complex change, while driving up core standards and performance in what is genuinely one of the most challenging operating environments in UK policing.”

Among the most prominent names is Professor Carol Brayne of the University of Cambridge, who is appointed a Dame Commander for services to medicine, medical research and public health

Advertisement

Cambridgeshire’s King’s Birthday Honours list is led by several nationally and internationally recognised figures from medicine, mental health, science and public service, alongside a wide range of academic, NHS and community contributors across the county.

Among the most prominent names is Professor Carol Brayne of the University of Cambridge, who is appointed a Dame Commander for services to medicine, medical research and public health. She is joined by Mind chief executive Dr Sarah Hughes, recognised for services to mental health and civil society, and senior Cambridge-based pharmaceutical scientist Dr David Rees, honoured for services to chemistry and innovation.

The list also includes senior industrial relations figure Clare Chapman, alongside Cambridge academics and innovators such as Professor Susan Sentance and cyber policy specialist Jen Ellis, reflecting the region’s strong research and technology footprint.

The remaining honours recognise a broad spread of public service and community impact, including NHS clinicians, foster carers, magistrates, heritage trustees and voluntary sector leaders, with Cambridge University Hospitals staff and Peterborough-based contributors featuring prominently across health, justice and education.

Dames Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE)

• Professor Carol Elspeth Goodeve Brayne CBE. Professor Emeritus and Senior Visiting Fellow, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge. For services to Medicine, Medical Research and Public Health. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)

• Professor Ian David Abrahams. Professor, University of Cambridge. For services to Mathematical Sciences. (Nantwich, Cheshire)
• Clare Moira Chapman. Chair, Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. For services to Industrial Relations. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Dr Sarah Joan Hughes. Chief Executive Officer, Mind. For services to Mental Health and to Civil Society. (St. Neots, Cambridgeshire)
• Dr David Charles Rees FMedSci. Lately Chief Scientific Officer, Astex Pharmaceuticals. For services to Chemistry and Innovation. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)

Officers of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

• Professor Susan Elizabeth Sentance. Research Professor and Director, The Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre, University of Cambridge. For services to Education. (Royston, Hertfordshire)

Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

• Nafiza Aktar Anwar. Co-Founder and Director, Association of South Asian Midwives. For services to Charity and to Healthcare. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Dr John Richard Buscombe. Lately Consultant in Nuclear Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Nuclear Medicine. (London, Greater London)
• Dr Azhar Mahmood Chaudhry. General Practitioner, Thistlemoor Medical Centre, Peterborough. For services to the community in Peterborough. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
• Emily Cherry. Chief Executive, Bikeability Trust. For services to Active Travel for Young People. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Jen Ellis. Founder, NextJenSecurity. For services to Cyber Policy. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Maureen Greene. Foster Carer, Peterborough City Council. For services to Foster Care. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
• Stephen Greene. Foster Carer, Peterborough City Council. For services to Foster Care. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
• Dr Arun Kumar Gupta. Consultant in Anaesthesia and NeuroCritical Care, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Director, Cambridge Digital Health and Surgical Training Centre and Affiliated Associate Professor, University of Cambridge. For services to Medical Education. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Michael Howard Levy. Volunteer Educator and Author. For services to Holocaust Education. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Dr Roderick Mackenzie. Consultant in Emergency Medicine and Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. For services to Pre-Hospital Emergency Medicine. (Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire)
• Dr Colin Duncan Prosser. Principal Specialist Geoheritage and Geoconservation, Natural England. For services to Geoconservation. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)
• Suzanne Elizabeth Raine. Trustee, Imperial War Museum. For services to Heritage. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Tracy Sortwell JP. Magistrate and Chair, Magistrates’ Association’s Family Court Committee. For services to the Administration of Justice. (Peterborough, Cambridgeshire)

Medallists of the Order of the British Empire (BEM)

• Rex Ormonde Freeman. For services to the Arts and to the community in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. (Cambridge, Cambridgeshire)
• Lorna Bridget Williams. Chief Executive Officer, British Adhesives and Sealants Association. For services to the Chemicals Industry. (Ely, Cambridgeshire)

Simple-but-captivating debut flick for writer-director Alison Locke.

The Apology is a hard film to review as its simple-but-captivating story is best left unspoiled.

All you really need to know is it’s a thriller and the general plot sees recovering alcoholic Darlene (Anna Gunn) marking the 20th anniversary of her daughter’s disappearance at Christmas time when her estranged former brother-in-law Jack (Linus Roache) unexpectedly arrives on her doorstep.

With its single house location and miniscule cast, The Apology is reminiscent of a stage play – and like theatre’s best, heavily relies on the quality of its cast.

Breaking Bad’s Gunn and Mandy’s Roache are absolutely sensational throughout two very different performances.

The pair have a past and endure just about every emotion imaginable as the unforgettable winter night unfolds.

The only other main cast member is Janeane Garofalo ( Gretchen ), an actress I have always been a fan of, and the New Jersey-born star plays a small-but-important part in proceedings.

After helming a pair of short films, writer-director Alison Locke makes her feature-length flick debut with a very powerful piece of work.

Setting it during Christmas tugs on reflective family heart strings and the blizzard battering outside ensures the claustrophobic belief that no-one can go anywhere.

If I was to be uber critical, Locke’s film does start to run out of steam before the climax as there is only so much mileage you can get out of such a small cast and the developments between them.

Overall, however, I am not sorry to say I really enjoyed The Apology . As much as it’s great to get swept up in blockbusters like The Mandalorian and Grogu or the latest MCU offering, sometimes taking a step back to small scale fare is just what the movie doctor ordered.

● What are your thoughts on flicks with a small cast and single location? Do you prefer the intimacy, or larger scale filmmaking?

Pop me an email at ian.bunting@reachplc.com and I will pass on your comments – and any movie or TV show recommendations you have – to your fellow readers.

Cara Gilhooley got in touch to say: “Scarpetta on Amazon Prime is a great show. As a fan of the books it is based on, they nailed all of the main characters really well.”

● The Apology is showing on Shudder.

*Don’t miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.

And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

Here are all six roads closed in and around the town this weekend: 

Bull Wynd

Bull Wynd will be closed from June 13 to June 14.

The restrictions are set to remain in place for carriageway.

Faverdale

Faverdale will see a road closure starting on March 9 and continuing until September 7.

Restrictions are expected to remain in place for highway improvement works.

North Road West Back

North Road West Back will be closed from June 1 to June 14.

The restrictions are scheduled to remain in place for carriageway planing and resurfacing.

Jesmond Road

Jesmond Road will be closed from June 13 to June 14.

The restrictions are set to remain in place for carriageway.

Harrowgate Village

Harrowgate Village will be closed from March 31 to July 31.

Restrictions are expected to remain in place for highway improvements.

Beaumont Hill

Beaumont Hill will be closed from March 31 to July 31.

The restrictions are scheduled to remain in place for highway improvement works.

Being handed an honour by the monarch is widely considered a huge achievement there are plenty of well-known faces who have spurned the advances of Buckingham Palace

They are often considered the pinnacle of recognition for those who might have achieved pretty much everything in their field whether they be well-known sportspeople or entertainers or regular working people and volunteers whose dedication has had a huge impact.

Twice a year the honours lists see thousands of people bestowed with things like CBEs, MBEs, and OBEs or made a knight or dame. The latest King’s honours birthday list has been published and will once again see worthy candidates across numerous fields and from all parts recognised for their excellence.

But while the New Year and birthday honours bestowed by the King or Queen are celebrated by some there are plenty of others who have palmed off the offer of a gong. It may not be considered the ‘done thing’ to publicly refuse an honour there have been plenty of instances of that trend being bucked whether by formal statement or on occasions through leaks.

There have also been high-profile instances of honours being handed back by recipients.

Proposed honourees are written to ascertain they are happy to be put forward for recognition in a bid to avoid any hiccups.

During Queen Elizabeth II’s lengthy reign many thousands of people – some well-known and many lesser-known – were recognised in the biannual honours lists. This year’s New Year’s list will of course again be King Charles‘ honours announcement.

Over the years there have been a wide range of big names who have turned down the possibility of a trip to the palace including authors, painters, and music stars like Cardiff-born author Roald Dahl, singer David Bowie, and film director Alfred Hitchcock. The artist LS Lowry declined four different honours on five separate occasions, which is currently a record.

In 2012 the Cabinet Office confirmed 277 people had declined a New Year or birthday honour from 1951 to 1999. Although once rare to admit publicly after the official list was released it became more common for stars to speak out. In 2020 the Guardian reported, based on a freedom of information request, that the number of people refusing an honour that year was 68 out of 2,504 offered equating to 2.7%.

Who has refused an honour?

Nigella Lawson

The celebrity chef has revealed in the past that she turned down the offer of an OBE in 2001 saying: “I’m not saving lives and I’m not doing anything other than something I absolutely love.”

Stephen Hawking

Advertisement

In 2008 Hawking said he had been approached with an offer of a knighthood in the late 1990s but had turned it down. His decision was later said to have been down to the government’s dealing with science funding and cuts. He had already been appointed a CBE.

Paul Weller

The musician rejected his CBE in 2006. In a statement his spokesperson said: “Paul was surprised and flattered but it wasn’t really for him.”

John Lennon

The Beatle initially accepted an MBE but later, in 1969, he decided to return it in protest of Britain’s foreign policies. In a letter he explained: “Your Majesty, I am returning this in protest against Britain’s involvement in the Nigeria-Biafra thing, against our support of America in Vietnam, and against Cold Turkey slipping down the charts. With Love, John Lennon of Bag.”

John Cleese

The Monty Python star was offered a CBE in 1996 but said they were “silly”. He was offered a peerage by Lib Dem leader Paddy Ashdown in 1999 but declined because he felt staying in England during the winter months to fulfil his role as a working peer was “too much of a price to pay”.

George Harrison

Advertisement

The former Beatle turned an OBE down in 2000 – after Paul McCartnery was awarded a knighthood. Every Beatles member was awarded an MBE in 1965 though John Lennon returned his. It’s thought he was put forward for his contribution to music but there was speculation Harrison would have been insulted that bandmate McCartney got his knighthood three years before. “Whoever it was who decided to offer him the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive,” friend Roy Connolly told the Independent. “George would have felt insulted – and with very good reason.”

Ken Loach

Ken Loach turned down an OBE in 1977. His films focus on social issues such as poverty and homelessness. He told the Radio Times in 2001: “It’s all the things I think are despicable: patronage, deferring to the monarchy, and the name of the British Empire, which is a monument of exploitation and conquest. I turned down the OBE because it’s not a club you want to join when you look at the villains who’ve got it.”

Jon Snow

Having declined an OBE in 2000 the former Channel 4 News presenter Jon Snow went on to make a documentary in 2002 entitled Secrets of the Honours System. He remains critical of the use of the term ‘empire’ in our honours system. “I tried to find out why I’d been given it and was unable to get a clear answer or, indeed, to find out who had proposed me,” he said afterwards.

Danny Boyle

Film director Danny Boyle turned down an honour because he thought it was “was wrong” to claim credit for his work as the man behind the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. “It’s just not me,” he said, adding that thousands of people were involved in executing the ceremony.

“You can make these speeches about: ‘This is everybody’s work, blah blah blah’. And you’ve got to mean it, and I did mean it, and it is true, and it’s the only way you can carry on something like that: through the efforts of all the people. I don’t know whether I’ll ever get invited back to the palace.”

Bernie Ecclestone

The former Formula One Group’s chief executive, who pleaded guilty to fraud for failing to declare £400m held in a trust, turned down an honour in the early 2000s stating in a 2019 interview that while he was glad if he had done some good this was not his main intention when setting out in business so he did not feel he deserved an honour.

LS Lowry

The famed painter is believed to hold the record for the most refusals having reportedly turned down five honours including a knighthood, a CBE, and an OBE. His close friend Harold Riley later revealed the artist was a private and guarded person who would not have wanted to change his name, which contributed to his decision not to accept the honours.

Huw T Edwards

The Welsh trade unionist and Welsh Labour politician was uncomfortable with honours and refused a knighthood on at least two occasions in subsequent years. He had previously accepted an MBE before later renouncing it.

Rudyard Kipling

Advertisement

The writer and poet declined a knighthood in 1899 and again in 1903. His wife said that Kipling felt he could “do his work better without it”. Kipling also declined the Order of Merit in 1921 and again in 1924. Kipling expressed his own view on the importance of titles and poetry in his poem The Last Rhyme of True Thomas.

Honor Blackman

Before her death in 2020 the Bond actress was a vocal supporter of Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state in the UK – so it’s hardly surprising that she turned down a CBE in 2002. Blackman also publicly criticised fellow Bond star Sir Sean Connery for his tax-evading habits. “I don’t think you should accept a title from a country and then pay absolutely no tax towards it,” she said in 2012. “I don’t think his principles are very high.”

Benjamin Zephaniah

The poet, who died in December 2023 aged just 65, publicly rejected an OBE in 2003 in protest at British government policies and the British Empire. Writing in the Guardian he said the word ’empire’ “reminds me of slavery, it reminds of thousands of years of brutality, it reminds me of how my foremothers were raped and my forefathers brutalised”. The writer described himself as “profoundly anti-empire”.

Jim Broadbent

The national treasure turned down an OBE in 2002, humbly stating that he wasn’t comfortable with actors receiving Royal recognition. “I think [honours] ought to go to those who really help others,” he told the Telegraph. “Besides I like the idea of actors not being part of the Establishment. We’re vagabonds and rogues.” Broadbent then went on to take issue with the system’s subtext, saying: “I don’t think the British Empire is something that I particularly want to celebrate.”

Michael Sheen

Advertisement

After receiving a Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2009 for services to drama the Welsh actor quietly handed back the award in 2017 after looking into the history of the relationship between England and Wales for a lecture. “By the time I had finished writing that lecture…I remember sitting there going: ‘Well, I have a choice – I either don’t give this lecture and hold on to my OBE or I give this lecture and I have to give my OBE back,’” Sheen said in a conversation with The Guardian columnist Owen Jones in 2020.

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders

The comedy pairing turned down OBEs “for services to comedy drama” in 2001. It was only later they explained they had rejected the honour. Saunders subsequently told Source magazine: “If I felt I deserved a damehood I’d accept it. At the time we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun. It didn’t seem right somehow. We didn’t deserve a pat on the back. It felt a bit fake to stand alongside people who devoted their lives to truly worthy causes.”

David Bowie

Bowie himself later explained his decision not to join the list of musical knights including Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Paul McCartney, and Sir Elton John. He said: “I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for. It’s not what I spent my life working for.” When asked about Jagger accepting the honour he said: “It’s not my place to make a judgment on Jagger – it’s his decision. But it’s just not for me.”

Roald Dahl

The Cardiff-born author of some of the world’s best-loved children’s books, like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and James and the Giant Peach, rejected a knighthood in the 1986 New Year’s honours. The information was revealed by a freedom of information request by the Telegraph. However the reason for turning down the honour wasn’t included.

Albert Finney

Advertisement

The late actor declined a CBE in 1980 and a knighthood in 2000. In a scathing attack on the honours system the Bourne star described the idea of knighting people as a disease, adding that it “perpetuates snobbery”.

Andrew Davies

The Welsh screenplay writer, best known for House of Cards and his adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, is reported to have turned down an honour but no reason has been given.

Alan Rickman

The late actor is said to have turned down a CBE during his career. However he never made his reasoning public at the time. There has since been a posthumous campaign to get Rickman knighted but so far there’s been no talk of it happening.

John Lydon

The famously anti-establishment star was reportedly offered an MBE. A few decades before he was part of the Sex Pistols when their song God Save the Queen was released in the week of the Queen’s silver jubilee. Not surprisingly he turned it down.

Jody Riley, 37, from Formby, had a panic attack after she received a call from Kids Planet Crosby nursery saying a grandad had mistakenly collected her sleeping two-year-old daughter Rosie

A mum has described living through every parent’s worst nightmare after receiving a phone call telling her that a stranger had collected her daughter from nursery.

Jody Riley, 37, from Formby, was working in a nearby café on Wednesday, June 10, when she got the call from Kids Planet Crosby, the nursery attended by her toddler Rosie McDonald. Jody said: “My phone rang at around 2.20pm and it took a while for the staff member to tell me what had happened, but she eventually told me somebody had picked Rosie up and they were still investigating it.

“They let me know she was back at the nursery safe and everything felt like a blur from there. I had a panic attack and I had to try and calm myself down to go and get her. Getting that call is every parent’s worst nightmare and I feel like I’ve had a taste of what that is like now.”

Jody revealed she was informed it was another child’s grandfather who had taken her sleeping two year old Rosie and driven off with her for at least 10 minutes before anyone realised the mistake. She said: “Rosie is a light sleeper and wakes up when you pick her up so I’ve just been trying to piece everything together because none of it makes much sense to me.

“I don’t understand how he was able to get through two security doors, enter the toddler room, pick up my sleeping child, and then leave the building, strap her into his car and drive off with her without anyone noticing it wasn’t his child.”, reports the Liverpool Echo.

Jody and her partner Gary McDonald, 40, both run their own businesses and typically collect Rosie from nursery at either 3pm or 5pm. Jody described how facial recognition technology grants her entry when she arrives, before she knocks on the toddler room door to pick up her daughter.

She said: “You have to walk past the office and they tell you where your child is. Apparently his granddaughter was downstairs in the nursery garden so I don’t understand how this has happened or how he’s been able to walk out of the room with no one stopping him or seeing who had picked her up.

“By the time I got to the nursery she was upstairs, back in the room and when they brought her down to see me she was shouting ‘mummy’ and wrapping her arms around me. You could just tell she knew something had happened and it definitely wouldn’t have been nice for her because she’s really clingy with me and her dad.”

Jody said she’s still awaiting answers to numerous questions about how he was able to collect her daughter. She said: “The staff were shook up and couldn’t apologise enough but they didn’t have any answers for me. At that stage I was still mid panic attack and in shock so I wasn’t asking all the questions I could because I just wanted to see my daughter.

“Obviously I knew she was safe which was the main thing, but in a situation like that you start to worry about everything. I just kept thinking about how long she was missing for before either the nursery or the man noticed and I wouldn’t wish that feeling on anyone. I barely slept last night and I feel like the more I process it and the more it sinks in the more questions I have. I still can’t figure it out.”

Jody confirmed Rosie wouldn’t be going back to the nursery and she would be caring for her full-time for the time being. She said: “She’d only been there for a few months because we really struggled getting her a nursery place. Trying to balance work with looking after her will impact me massively because I won’t be able to get her into another nursery now until at least September.

“At the minute I just want to keep her with me at all times because even though she’s fine and happy, I feel so shaken up.”

A spokesperson for Kids Planet said: “We can confirm that an incident occurred at our Crosby setting in which a child was mistakenly released to a grandparent who is known to staff, has passed all required security vetting and who is an approved collector for a different child, who was also onsite at the time.

“The child was returned safely to the nursery within minutes, and we are in direct continuous contact with the families involved to offer our sincere apologies and to provide ongoing support while a full investigation takes place.

“The safety and wellbeing of the children in our care is our highest priority, and we take this unprecedented matter extremely seriously, which is why we have implemented immediate measures including supervised working for the team and additional security protocols, as well as working to revise our policies and training.

“In line with our safeguarding procedures, we have made immediate self-referrals to Ofsted and the Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) and are cooperating fully with both organisations. As this remains an active investigation, we are currently unable to offer further comment.”

The cast of West End musical Wicked were parachuted in to launch this T20 World Cup, caked in green make-up, decked in elaborate costumes and accompanied by fireworks that left a smoky haze for a good 10 minutes afterwards.

But after a spell-binding 105, the only person defying gravity at Edgbaston was Danni Wyatt-Hodge – and it will take some time for her to come back down to earth.

The England opener marmalised an overwhelmed Sri Lanka attack on her way to the seventh century in women’s T20 World Cup history, just 23 days after she became a mum to daughter Daisy.

Wyatt-Hodge was at pains to stress this is all about the team, rather than her own moment of glory, and an 87-run win on a sun-kissed night was a dreamy start to a tournament England have high hopes of winning.

They might be underdogs at their own World Cup, with Australia the favourites and India and South Africa highly-fancied, but this was an emphatic statement, even if it came against a Sri Lanka team who were out of their depth.

To watch Wyatt-Hodge bat, however, made one wonder who could stop her anyway.

The 35-year-old was on maternity leave during a warm-up series against New Zealand and a match against India after wife Georgie gave birth to the couple’s first child, but with 305 England appearances and this her eighth T20 World Cup, she hardly needed a knock-up.

Her innings was electric. There were 13 fours and one huge six in the 62-ball knock, part of which formed a 135 opening-wicket stand with Amy Jones.

England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt then came in at first drop and delivered a superb 22-ball cameo, plundering six fours and a six in an unbeaten 46 as England finished on 219-1.

Wyatt-Hodge smacked successive boundaries at the end of the 16th over, the first a slap through the covers and then a glance off her hip down the leg-side, to reach 90 not out.

But Sciver-Brunt dominated the strike thereafter, with boundaries rather than singles leaving Wyatt-Hodge still stranded four runs short at the beginning of the final over.

Fortunately for her, Malki Madara had a nightmare. She bowled three wides and a no-ball, giving Sciver-Brunt time to get off strike, and, with the penultimate ball, Wyatt-Hodge swung a full ball past short fine leg to cue the celebrations, which included a cradle-rocking motion to the camera.

“That was for Daisy and I hope TV got it there, a little cradle. That was for her,” she said.

“We spoke about how important it is what to start well. Our bowlers did really well to keep them to that score.

“I still can’t believe it. It is always a nice wicket here at Edgbaston. The first game, there obviously a few nerves around. We really wanted to start well and we did with 220 runs on the board.

“I can’t ask for more than that and then our bowlers did really well to keep their total low.”

This is a new England team, rebuilt under Charlotte Edwards since she took the head coach position after the difficult end to Jon Lewis’ reign.

They are fitter and sharper in the field, as demonstrated by Wyatt-Hodge herself, who sprinted backwards from square leg to take a stunning over-the-shoulder catch.

To add to her perfect day, when she brushed the hair from her face and spat the grass from her mouth after that acrobatic grab, she turned around to see it was Sri Lanka’s dangerous Chamari Athapaththu trudging back to the pavilion.

Confidence is growing in the England camp. They came into this tournament off the back of successive 2-1 series victories over New Zealand and India, even chasing 181 to win the decider against the latter.

Alice Capsey and Heather Knight were the stars there and there are players contributing up and down the team, with Wyatt-Hodge just the latest.

“[We were] really composed and thought about the game in a really good way,” Sciver-Brunt said.

“Then in the second innings, starting off with three wickets and a power play is going to make it difficult to chase that score down. A massive win for us and really happy that first game is done.”

Freya Kemp finished with four wickets, including three in an over, to leave Sri Lanka on 92-8 and though Nilakshi de Silva’s spirited 39 helped her side’s net run-rate, they were eventually bowled out for 132.

But with just two teams from six going through to the semi-finals, and defending champions New Zealand also in the group, their chances are already long.

England will face taller tasks than this, including their match with the White Ferns on June 27. But as starts go, this was just about perfect.

Follow the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at https://www.icc-cricket.com/

Professor Stephen Leveson, one of the founders of York Against Cancer, was awarded by King Charles for his services to Cancer Patients in North Yorkshire.

Prof Leveson said the honour is “as much for the charity as it is for me – I’m very glad to accept it on their behalf”.

The retired consultant surgeon said he “wasn’t expecting” to receive an MBE, which had come as a “nice surprise”.

Prof Leveson who founded York Against Cancer in 1987 with John Craven and Colin Garner, and the charity now supports cancer patients in York, North and East Yorkshire.

More than £22 million has been raised by the independent charity to help local people affected by the disease.

York Against Cancer founder Stephen Leveson with his wife Pat at the opening of the charity’s Leveson Centre in Huntington (Image: York Against Cancer)

Prof Leveson said the charity was set up to fund research, improve cancer care and provide information about cancer.

“At the time York Against Cancer was set up, chemotherapy was in its infancy and there were no specialist nurses to assist with patient care,” he said.

Prof Leveson said he had not envisaged the charity having the impact it has had.

“It’s all come as a surprise, but a pleasant surprise,” he said. “Being able to raise those funds from a small town is amazing.”

He praised the generosity of people in York and praised those who have volunteered to the charity. 

Meanwhile, Barrie Stephenson, co-founder of the York homeless charity Restore charity, was made an MBE in the king’s birthday honours for services to people experiencing homelessness in York.

Mr Stephenson has been trustee and director of the charity for the past 15 years – many of those years as chair of the board.

Restore has helped more than 475 people out of homelessness, many of them moving on to a home of their own.

Homeless charity Restore co-founder Barrie Stephenson who has been made an MBE (Image: Restore)

Mr Stephenson said he was “deeply humbled” by the honour, adding: “It is not just for me, it’s for everyone who has made Restore the success it is today.

“Restore has exceeded all my expectations and it is down to the dedicated staff and trustees who have given so much to bring this about.

“I may be the only person who has been with the charity from its inception but I have worked with so many others who should share this honour, especially Ed Hambleton, our co-founder, who gave up a secure job to pioneer Restore with me.

“Without their sacrificial work Restore would not be the highly respected and valued service for the relief of homelessness in the city of York.”

People from across York and North Yorkshire awarded in honours

Elsewhere in the honours, Angela MacDonald, deputy chief executive officer and second permanent secretary at HM Revenue and Customs from York, was made a companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for her public service.

Kristian Barnfield-Guest, deputy director of business effectiveness at the Ministry of Justice from York, was made an officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to diversity and inclusion.

Catherine Handcock, founder of Creative HEAD from York, was made an OBE for services to the hairdressing industry and to entrepreneurship.

Diane Margaret Heritage, chair of trustees at the New Collaborative Learning Trust from Selby, was made an OBE for services to education.

Susan Elizabeth Hunter, from York, was made an MBE for services to the community in York.

Angela Tattersall, county president of the North Yorkshire and Teesside St John Ambulance from York, was made an MBE for voluntary services to St John Ambulance.

Christopher Hailey-Norris, chief executive officer of Up For Yorkshire from York, was made an MBE for services to charity and to the community in Yorkshire.

Esther Louise Lagden, a programme manager at Network Rail from York, was made an MBE for services to rail safety.

Graeme Robertson, from York, was made an MBE for services to the community in York.

Friends and family of Daniel Morgan said he had a huge “sense of adventure and a heart larger than life” in touching tributes

Advertisement

A man is believed to have died in a horror paragliding accident ‘at a location he loved’ on the cliffs in Wales.

Daniel Morgan, from Cross Hands, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene in Rhossili Bay, on the Gower Peninsula, on Monday, May 11.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, Mr Morgan could not be saved, reports Wales Online.

In touching tributes, his grief-stricken family and friends have described him as “loyal”, “honest” and of having a “a heart larger than life”. His friends are also planning a “Gower Epic”, a two-day-long event with climbing and cycling to raise money for the Coastguard for coming to Mr Morgan’s aid.

South Wales Police confirmed officers were called by HM Coastguard following reports of a fatal incident on the cliffs at Rhossili, Swansea.

A spokesman for the force said: “South Wales Police were called at 9pm on Monday, May 11, by the coastguard to report of an accident at the cliffs in Rhossili, Swansea.

“Despite the best efforts of the coastguard and air ambulance 42-year-old Daniel Morgan from Cross Hands died at the scene.

“Investigations into the incident are ongoing.”

The death of Mr Morgan is now the subject of an inquest.

Senior coroner for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot Aled Gruffydd confirmed the inquest into the death of Daniel Lewis Morgan was opened on May 18 and adjourned until November 4 at 10am.

Mr Morgan’s family and friends have paid tribute to him through two fundraisers, describing him as someone who “truly lived life to the absolute fullest”.

In a statement they said: “He approached the world with open arms, a sense of adventure, and a heart larger than life.

“It was during one of these adventures, doing what he loved, that Daniel was involved in a tragic paragliding accident.

“It brings us some comfort that he was in the company of his friends at a location he loved, Rhossili Bay.”

They described him as a “fiercely loyal, honest, and deeply caring brother, son, and friend” who was always willing to help others and support those around him.

The family are raising money in Mr Morgan’s memory for Wales Air Ambulance and the Coastguard as a thank you to the emergency services who attended the scene.

They said: “We want to extend our deepest most heartfelt gratitude to HM Coastguard.

“They were the ones who showed up for Daniel in his moment of need and we will forever be grateful for their swift response, bravery, and dedication.”

“His presence in my life went beyond his place in the climbing community. He always had a place at my table, a hot cup of tea when he wanted one, and hours of conversation to fill any long car journey,” a friend penned in the GoFundMe.

“From climbing to paragliding to base jumping this outrageous, courageous man had a unique outlook on life and he lived it to the fullest. Dan was a key part of his communities and his mark will remain as long as we embrace his selflessness.”

The link to the GoFundMe raising money for the Coastguard can be found here and the JustGiving page for Welsh Ambulance is here.