“A shift to a cooler north‑westerly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather”

The Met Office has said that parts of the UK could see snow next week after a sunny weekend.

As Northern Ireland enjoys blue skies and warmer weather on Saturday, the forecaster has said thay from Sunday the weather begins to change.

They explained that a “weakening band of cloud and patchy rain” will move southeast across the UK, followed by sunny spells and scattered showers in the north and that some of these showers may turn wintry over higher ground.

READ MORE: Northern Ireland set for warm and sunny weekend before cooler weather returnsREAD MORE: Seaside town named best place to live in NI by Sunday Times

Met Office Chief Forecaster, Steve Willington, said: “While the early part of the period brings warm sunshine for many, it’s not unusual to see colder spells and even some wintry showers in March.

“As we head into next week, a shift to a cooler north‑westerly flow will bring a drop in temperature and more unsettled weather, including some hill snow in the north and brisk winds at times.

“This pattern is entirely typical for the time of year.”

By Wednesday, the UK will be in a cooler and more unstable north‑to‑north-westerly flow, bringing frequent showers, some heavy and wintry over higher ground, the Met Office added.

Here is the outlook for the next couple of days across Northern Ireland:

Saturday night:

Increasingly cloudy with patchy rain across the far west at first, which gradually extends to the rest of the Province overnight. Westerly breezes. Minimum temperature 0 °C.

Sunday:

Cloudy start with some patchy rain. Clearing to brighter spells and showers from around mid-day with the bulk of the outbreaks confined to northern coastal districts. Maximum temperature 12 °C.

Outlook for Monday to Wednesday:

Fair start for Monday then rain reaching from west from mid-day. Rain soon clearing to showers Tuesday, these focused in west and turning wintry to quite low levels Wednesday.

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The Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has been facing calls to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he claimed an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square was ‘not welcome’

Kemi Badenoch has been accused of dragging the Tories “further into the gutter” after agreeing with her frontbencher who claimed Muslim prayers was an act of “domination”.

The Tory leader has been facing calls to sack Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy after he claimed an Open Iftar event in Trafalgar Square was “not welcome”.

The London landmark regularly holds events for worshippers of all faiths, and has been hosting the Eid event since 2006. Despite this, Mr Timothy branded the public Muslim prayer as an “act of domination and division”.

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READ MORE: Reform MP blasted after saying she would wear a ‘tartan burka’READ MORE: Kemi Badenoch accused of cowardice over backing vile Tory attack on Muslim event

Having previously described her under-pressure colleague as “fantastic”, Ms Badenoch has now told Times Radio she agrees with him. She said: “I do think that specific event was a domination of a public space in a way that I’m not sure is acceptable. Some people might agree or disagree. Trafalgar Square has been host to all religions having lots of festivities but they need to be done in an inclusive way and this is really not about religion, it’s about culture. Islam is celebrated in many different ways in many different countries. I think we need to start explaining what we think the rules should be about public prayer.

“I think people are confused they don’t know when they agree or disagree they don’t know when the public prayer is fine and when it’s, you know, troublemakers using it as a way to send a signal and this is where we need to have a debate, and I want the Conservative Party to lead that debate. If there are people who disagree, they should say so. He is a Member of Parliament, he has a right to express his opinion, and that’s why I support him. He’s a great shadow justice Secretary.”

Responding, Anna Turley MP, Chair of the Labour Party, claimed the Tory leader should be “ashamed”. She said: “Kemi Badenoch is dragging the Conservative Party further and further into the gutter. Instead of doing the right thing and sacking her Shadow Justice Secretary, she’s now pushing his abhorrent views as her own. The Tories have now joined Reform by adopting Tommy Robinson endorsed views over Muslims peacefully praying in London. The majority of Brits – including many Conservatives – will rightly be appalled by it. They should be ashamed.”

Sharing a video of Monday’s prayers, which featured Sir Sadiq Khan, Mr Timothy had said: “Perform these rituals in mosques if you wish. But they are not welcome in our public places and shared institutions.” Similar religious gatherings have long taken place in the capital, such as the Jewish celebration of Chanukah and Easter Sunday processions.

Liverpool begin the weekend in fifth place, which will be enough for a Champions League spot next season despite a disastrous week for teams at Europe’s top table, but with Aston Villa two points ahead, and more importantly, Chelsea one point behind – the pressure to pick up points is paramount for all involved.

The village is a great place to live for commuters since it has a railway station with direct trains into Cambridge and the capital

Nestled halfway between Royston and Cambridge, there is a beautiful village with a unique attraction perfect for animal lovers. The village of Shepreth, has a name meaning ‘the brook of the sheep’, referring to the river where sheep used to rest along the route to Cambridge.

If you have have a love for animals, and are looking for a new place to call home, then this village may be the one for you – especially since house prices have fallen over the last few years.

According to Rightmove, the historical sold prices in Shepreth over the last year were 10% down on the previous year and 44% down on the 2023 peak of £984,250. Over the last year, house prices in this rural village have an average price of £549,208.

You may be wondering what else Shepreth has to offer that would convince you to make the move. Well, good transport links, beloved pubs, and a family-friendly day out are three reasons why Shepreth is an attractive place to live.

The village is home to a wildlife park that has been open since 1984 as a refuge for injured and orphaned animals. Since then, it has become a much-loved destination, making for the perfect family day out. There are over 100 species of animals to meet, with keeper talks and demonstrations throughout the day, so that everyone can learn something new. The wildlife park also has a Hedgehog Hospital that rescues and takes care of hedgehogs.

Shepreth also has a railway station right on its doorstep that makes commuting to cities like Cambridge and the capital that much easier. This is especially ideal for those who want to bring up a family in the countryside, but still be able to access big cities for work.

It is also ideal for those who do not drive and rely on public transport to get around. Shepreth railway station has direct trains into Cambridge taking around 15 minutes and direct trains to London Kings Cross taking just over an hour.

The picturesque village is home to two pubs beloved by locals and visitors alike. The Green Man is a food‑led village pub featuring a garden with a children’s play area to keep the little ones entertained.

The Plough often has live performances by musicians from Cambridgeshire and beyond, along with hosting a number of local food trucks. One happy diner at The Plough wrote on Tripadvisor: “A great local pub with excellent customer service, locally sourced food, a chef with a passion to create great dishes and front of house staff that make the customer experience seamless.”

Officers say it’s been there for months, they’ve known about it for months and they are not responsible for moving it.

“We’re always grateful for your vigilance, and the information you provide us,” a spokesman said. “However, in this particular instance, there’s no need to call us or tell us about it!”

The car in the river off Sharow Lane, Sharow, Ripon, was first spotted by a member of the public on Christmas Eve.

Specialist water rescue units from Selby and Skipton and fire crews from Ripon and Harrogate carried out extensive searches in the river and on the bankside without finding anyone.

Police then confirmed separately that everyone in the car when it went into the river had got out safely and passed the incident to the Environment Agency to arrange for the car to be got back onto dry land..

The car has been in the river ever since – and people are still telling the police it is there.

Town End Farm Shop, in Airton, near Malham, has built up a loyal following among locals and tourists alike, earning a 4.6-star rating from more than 1,000 Google reviews, and 4.3 stars on TripAdvisor.

Located close to open countryside, the business combines a farm shop, tearoom, post office and online store, offering everything from breakfast and lunch to Yorkshire hampers, farmhouse cheeses and award-winning charcuterie.

The Town End Farm Shop sign (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

It has also attracted wider recognition beyond the Dales.

Town End Farm Shop featured on the BBC programme Top of the Shop with Tom Kerridge, which was filmed there over eight weeks, and was named best in the region for Yorkshire and the North East at the Farm Shop & Deli Retailer Awards.

Judges at those awards praised the business as a “small yet super dynamic farm shop”, highlighting its range of strengths and standout eco-credentials.

Visitors have been equally enthusiastic.

One reviewer said: “Amazing little Farm Shop and Tea Room, super friendly and helpful staff, dogs welcome in both the shop and tea room.

“Food in the Tea Room was of amazing quality and reasonably priced. Well worth a visit.”

Another described having a “wonderful experience”, praising the “warm and friendly” welcome and the owner’s passion for the business.

A third said the farm shop was “just fantastic”, while others have singled out the “excellent food and atmosphere”, “great location” and “plenty of parking”.

The tearoom appears to be a particular draw for customers, serving breakfast until 11.45am, lunch from 11.45am to 3pm, and tea and cake later in the afternoon.

Town End Farm Shop in North Yorkshire (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

It is also dog-friendly, adding to its appeal for walkers and day-trippers exploring nearby beauty spots such as Malham Cove and Malham Tarn.

Reviews frequently mention the quality of the food on offer.

One customer praised the “high quality ingredients” in what they called “one of the best full English breakfasts around”, while another said the carrot cake was “by far the best” they had ever tasted.

Others have highlighted the deli counter, handmade pies, local produce and selection of gifts, as well as the surrounding views across the Dales.

Town End Farm Shop has carved out a niche for championing Yorkshire produce, with hampers, cheese and charcuterie boxes available to buy online as well as in store.

Its butchery and charcuterie courses have also become a popular offering, marketed as ideal gifts for food lovers.

Among the products promoted by the business are Longhorn bresaola, Yorkshire chorizo, Yorkshire gin coppa and a range of farmhouse cheeses, helping reinforce its reputation as a destination for regional food and drink.

The farm shop has also picked up recognition through other awards, including success at the Deliciouslyorkshire Taste Awards and the British Charcuterie Awards.

Located in Airton, Town End Farm Shop is open Tuesday to Saturday from 9.30am to 5pm and on Sundays from 10am to 5pm, with the post office also operating on selected days.

It is closed on Mondays, apart from bank holidays.

Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike was forced off just seven minutes into the Premier League trip to Brighton to deal Arne Slot another injury blow after losing Mohamed Salah and goalkeeper Alisson this week.

Ekitike suffered what appeared to be a dead leg following a late challenge from the Brighton veteran, and Liverpool great, James Milner, inside the opening few minutes of the Premier League clash on the south coast.

Ekitike was left banging the turf in pain but was able to hobble to the sidelines. After despite a brief attempt to play on, Ekitike went down again and was replaced by Curtis Jones before heading straight down the tunnel.

The France international has been called up for the friendlies against Brazil and Colombia next week, but could be a doubt depending on the severity of the injury. Salah and Alisson have withdrawn from Egypt and Brazil’s squads, respectively, after both missing the trip to Brighton.

Salah, who was forced off late on in the 4-0 win over Galatasaray on Wednesday, faces a race to be fit for the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City following the international break, while Liverpool are hopeful that Alexander Isak could return for the Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.

Britain’s Got Talent fans are issuing the same demand after hearing the 12-year-old performer

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Britain’s Got Talent fans have demanded a young act is given the coveted golden buzzer.

The ITV variety competition has returned with a new series, as Stacey Solomon (temporarily stepping in for Simon Cowell), Amanda Holden, KSI and Alesha Dixon hunt for the nation’s next winner.

Every year, the judges and hosts Ant and Dec are able to award one auditionee a golden buzzer, which catapults the performer straight to the live semi-final shows.

And after watching a preview for an upcoming audition, fans have been making the same demand. 12-year-old James from Rye, East Sussex, was met with a roaring crowd after his rendition of Wicked’s Defying Gravity.

READ MORE: Britain’s Got Talent viewers fuming as ITV show dropped from schedule this weekendREAD MORE: ITV Britain’s Got Talent fans baffled as huge star fails to make main show

He admitted feeling a “bit nervous” before his performance, but clearly had no need to be, as he was met with a standing ovation, and the judges left gobsmacked, all on their feet as they applauded the young singer.

The emotional rendition had Ant and Dec screaming from the sidelines, as Alesha told him: “That was how you do it! Everybody loves that big moment at the end, I can’t tell you how many times my children have tried to attempt that last moment in the song, it is the magic moment, and you smashed it!”

KSI added: “James, I felt like I was watching a Disney kids show. You blew everyone away.”

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“I cannot believe that a little sausage like you has the pipes for something so huge, congratulations,” Amanda praised.

Stacey shared: “You think your kids are talented and then you’re like, no maybe mine aren’t so talented, when you see people like you, James. Your parents must be buzzing.”

She added: “That was absolutely phenomenal,” before Alesha branded James “a star in the making”.

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One fan wrote: “That’s out of this world for a 12 year-old boy. I felt I was watching one of those Disney movies. So beautiful. He is a star even without the Golden Buzzer.”

Another said: “Definitely deserved the golden buzzer,” while a third added: “Rarely does a kid have this level of vocal maturity. It moved me to tears. Should have gotten the golden!”

Someone else wrote: “Jeeeesuuuuus! Normally with kids, even trained kids, you can usually hear some bits that show underdeveloped voice and techniques, but my God, this boys control and technique was mind blowing!”

Yet another echoed: “How did he not get The Golden Buzzer?!! Unbelievable,” as someone else said: “When you have crowd reaction like that and all four judges standing, I felt that this was a golden buzzer performance. He nailed that song!!!”

Another viewer wrote: “Tears are flowing down my face listening to that young man. Hit every note.”

Someone else wrote: “THE PIPES ON THIS KID WHAT THE HECK, HOW DARE HE NOT GET GOLDEN.”

Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturday 6:45pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

Ronnie O’Sullivan won a tense deciding frame against China’s Wu Yize at the World Open in Yushan to reach a first ranking final in more than two years.

It came the day after he produced the sport’s highest-ever professional break of 153 in his 5-0 quarter-final victory over Welshman Ryan Day.

The seven-time world champion was never behind against Wu but struggled to break clear of the world number 11 before finally completing a 6-5 victory.

Wu had the first chance in the decider, opening a decent lead with a break of 43, but 50-year-old O’Sullivan punished a poor safety shot by sinking a long red then held his nerve with a clearance of 89.

The Englishman is into his 66th final in a ranking event – but his first since beating Judd Trump to win the World Grand Prix in January 2024.

On Wednesday, March 19, Simon Lycett, a leading UK floral designer known for his work at royal events and for clients such as Elton John, spent the day with floristry students at East Durham College’s Houghall Campus in Durham.

The visit followed the announcement that the college will represent the North East at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Scott Bullock, principal and chief executive of East Durham College, said: “We were incredibly proud to have welcomed Simon Lycett to East Durham College.

“His visit has provided our students with an invaluable opportunity to learn from one of the very best in the industry.

“Experiences like this not only inspire creativity but also build confidence as our learners prepare to showcase their talents on a national stage at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

“We are grateful to our staff and sponsors for supporting these opportunities and helping our students achieve their full potential.”

Mr Lycett spent the day reviewing student designs, offering professional feedback, and sharing experience from his high-profile career.

His input comes as students prepare to take part in one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural events.

The day also brought together staff, sponsors, and supporters, including MKM Durham, Durham Parish Council, Jewson’s, the National Trust, and Bon Bloeman, who were given a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the collaborative efforts between students and the college’s floristry team.

Mr Lycett said: “After being made an RHS Ambassador for floristry and floral art back in 2022 and the team asked me if I wanted to become a judge and I said no I don’t want to become a judge, I want to become a mentor because I’m getting old and we need more florists – and how fabulous to be up here amongst so may florists of every age.

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“I’ve never seen such a brilliant gathering of creatives.

“The designs they are working on are so exciting as they exactly fit the brief, what they are creating is so unique and each of them has come to it with their own ideas and thoughts.

“It’s become a fascinating and very collaborative project between the students and the floristry team, and it’s using lots of different techniques – it’s going to be a phenomenal showcase of the fabulous world of being a florist.”