‘That was one of the most underwhelming finales I’ve ever watched.’

Two years ago, the House of the Dragon season 2 finale left a bitter taste in the mouths of viewers across the globe.

Many had been hoping that the tension building between the Blacks (led by Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen) and the Greens (led by Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower) would culminate in all-out war, including the highly anticipated Battle of the Gullet.

However, it felt as though the final episode had been cut short when it ended on an excruciating cliffhanger, with House Stark marching from Winterfell, and Rhaenyra and Alicent striking a secret bargain to end their feud once and for all. (Good luck to them).

Fans were livid. Where was the explosive Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal clash that takes place in George RR Martin’s book Fire & Blood, which will have major repercussions?

For some, this was the final straw. They declared that their dedication to House of the Dragon was over and that they’d be boycotting the series from now on. In my opinion, that reaction was extremely over the top.

I thought it then, and with season three dropping tomorrow, my mind hasn’t changed. Anyone who’s chosen to give this epic series the cold shoulder is missing out, and they’re probably going to regret it… that is, if they haven’t already backtracked on their word.

Nowadays, there are often times when it feels as though TV fans are too quick to throw in the towel when a show that they previously adored isn’t going their way. Not that House of the Dragon fans were wrong to share their complaints about the last batch of episodes.

It’s widely known that the second season of the Game of Thrones spin-off was cut short, as it was originally intended to span 10 episodes, instead of eight. This meant that one of the most significant battles in the story, which was supposed to mark the end of season two, was pushed back to the start of season three, two years later.

‘One of the things that came into play in season two is: What is the final destination of the series and where are we going? It was a combination of factors that led us to rebalance the season knowing now where we’re going,’ showrunner Ryan Condal told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘We wanted to rebalance the story in such a way that we had three great seasons of television [after season one] to round out and tell this story. When you’re trying to mount the show, which requires a tremendous amount of resources, construction, armor, costumes, visual effects … we are trying to give The Gullet — which is arguably the second most anticipated action event of Fire & Blood — trying to give it the time and the space that it deserves.’

The second season of the show had its fair share of brilliantly gripping moments. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen being an utter legend before her devastating demise. Three bastards with Targaryen ancestry claiming dragons. The tension you could cut with a knife between complicated brothers Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell).

However, it felt as though it was building toward a huge climax at the end… only to leave viewers unsatisfied when the payoff they were hoping for never came. Even fans who enjoyed the lead-up to the finale couldn’t help but admit their disappointment.

‘Coming from someone who liked the season and definitely enjoys the show: it’s still absolutely bananas that they ended on a cliffhanger. They’ve built up a lot, had some good arcs going into this place, and the next season is going to be incredibly stacked, but this wait is just an objectively bad decision for maintaining your audience,’ nosayso wrote on Reddit.

‘This season could’ve been an email,’ Galahad_the_Ranger wrote scathingly, while GregorianShant, clearly still upset by the final season of Game of Thrones, added: ‘Classic “Fool me once”. After I got burned by GOT, I refuse to watch any Thrones media. I am happy with my choice.’

Despite agreeing that the finale felt incomplete, I was far from done with the show, or any Game of Thrones spin-off for that matter. I had faith that the third season would bring House of the Dragon back to the greatness that it began with – and as far as first reactions to season three go, I was right to remain hopeful.

Earlier this week, a screening took place where people watched the opening episode of season three for the first time… and the responses on social media have given us good reason to be very excited.

‘Just watched the first episode of House of the Dragon s3 at the world premiere…. I’m speechless. No one is ready…’ @watchwithdiya wrote on X.

‘HOTD S03E01 is nothing like we’ve EVER seen, not just in Westeros but in television in general. In the words of the phenomenal @thegenuinetoussaint “GIRD YOUR LOINS”,’ @gameofthroneshistorian shared on Instagram.

Some Game of Thrones fans had their doubts about the recently released spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which blew their expectations out of the water with how fantastic it was. Proof that you shouldn’t judge these shows harshly before you’ve given them a chance.

Considering House of the Dragon is going to end after four seasons, if you’ve decided to give up at the halfway point, it’s your loss. Despite its dip, this is still one of the most spectacular shows on television, and I have a feeling that the final two seasons are going to remind us why we fell in love with Westeros in the first place.

House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on Monday June 22 on HBO Max, Sky and NOW.

A version of this article was first published on June 14, 2022.

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One of Netflix’s biggest dramas is coming to an end this year and fans finally know how long they need to wait for the final adventure

Get ready for one last explosive adventure with the Pogues.

Netflix has finally confirmed the release date of Outer Banks Season 5, which will bring one of the streamer’s biggest hits to its epic conclusion.

Set in an affluent beach town in North Carolina, the popular young adult series follows two rival gangs, the Kooks and the Pogues, who embark on a dangerous treasure-hunting mission.

When Pogues leader John B Routledge (played by Chase Stokes) learns his father has gone missing, he sets out to find him only to uncover clues to a legendary treasure while falling for rebellious Kook Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline).

After confirming the final season has concluded filming back in April, Netflix has now revealed the release date for Outer Banks Season 5 is Thursday, August 20.

Along with the release date, Netflix has also given fans their first glimpse at the epic conclusion with a handful of first-look images and a gripping teaser trailer.

All of fans’ favourite characters will be returning, bar one after the tragic conclusion of Season 4.

A synopsis teases: “Season 5 finds the Pogues at their absolute breaking point following the tragic loss of JJ (Rudy Pankow) in Morocco.

“Stranded far from home and mourning the heart of their crew, they’ve lost the Blue Crown and continue to face a gauntlet of familiar threats.”

Back for one last adventure are Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), Cleo (Carlacia Grant), and Rafe (Drew Starkey).

Meanwhile, JJ’s killer, his own father Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), is still at large, with Dalia (Pollyanna McIntosh) and the Corsairs hot on the Pogues’ trail.

“The Pogues are in a desperate race to reclaim their future and finally win the freedom they’ve always been chasing,” Netflix goes on to tease. “It’s the Pogues against the world as they seek to avenge their best friend and bring it on home … one final time.”

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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets customers watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes the new season of Beef.

Creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke told Tudum: “We are over the moon to be setting out on one last trip with the Pogues.

“Being back on set with our cast for this final round is nothing short of bittersweet and surreal. We can’t wait to show everyone what we have in store this season — it’s going to be a wild ride…”

Outer Banks Season 5 premieres Thursday, August 20 on Netflix.

Mexico’s Julian Quinones opened the scoring in this World Cup in a 2-0 win over South Africa on 11 June.

The goals have continued to fly in since that opening match in Mexico City.

From Germany’s 7-1 rout of debutants Curacao in Houston on 14 June to Canada’s 6-0 hammering of Qatar in Vancouver four days later, there has been an avalanche of goals.

One of the reasons for so many goals could be the Adidas ‘Trionda’ ball used in matches.

It appears as though several goalkeepers have already been caught out by the flight of the ball.

That was evident earlier this week when France captain Kylian Mbappe scored his second goal of the game – and longest of the tournament – by beating Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from 30 yards.

It was one of five strikes from the first round of fixtures that were scored from more than 22 yards out.

Two of those goals were scored by Sweden’s Yasin Ayari against Tunisia – from 24.8 yards and 24.3 yards respectively.

Goals from Australia’s Connor Metcalfe (25.6 yards against Tunisia) and Ismael Saibari (24.7 yards against Brazil) make up the top five.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, speaking to BBC Sport, has suggested goalkeepers are struggling to get to grips with the ball.

Hart noticed the ball rushing Jordan Pickford quicker than expected when Martin Baturina equalised for Croatia against England on 17 June.

More than 10 goals have been scored from outside the penalty area, not to mention tap-ins after keepers have fumbled swerving shots.

“There are one or two occasions where this football has not necessarily behaved as you would expect it to,” former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who is working at the World Cup for BBC Sport, said. “It is something to keep an eye on.”

It isn’t the first time World Cup balls have caused problems. During the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the ‘Jabulani’ became well known for its swerve, dip and drift, which was thought to have contributed to several long-range goals.

At the time, England’s David James was one of several players to criticise the ball, saying it would “allow extra goals” and “make some goalkeepers look daft”.

“The ball is dreadful,” said James. “It’s horrible, but it’s horrible for everyone.”

By the end of that tournament, 26 out of the 145 goals scored were from outside the area.

The story of Stonehenge starts around 5,000 years ago. But its famous old stones, some of which were transported all the way from south-west Wales to Wiltshire, are just part of the story.

Close to the beginning of its use, the site was a cemetery, with dozens of people laid to rest. That so many changes have been made to the site since – almost all involving huge commitments of human labour and creativity – is testament to Stonehenge’s significance to countless generations of people.

Its continuing fascination was demonstrated by a 2022 British Museum exhibition that attracted 190,000 visitors to its collection of prehistoric objects from 36 European institutions. Now, that physical exhibition has been brought to virtual life in a new collaboration between researchers at the University of Reading, including myself, and the museum.

Users of The Virtual World of Stonehenge – released to coincide with the summer solstice – can go deep inside Stonehenge and watch it change through time.

They can closely examine one of the bluestones that was very likely brought to Stonehenge from Wales, or an ancient pounder tool used to shape the sarsen stones that were excavated much closer to the site.

With the help of English Heritage, which manages Stonehenge, we have also reconstructed how this megalithic structure might have looked through different phases of its existence.

Users can also travel further afield to view the evolving landscape of ritual monuments around England – for example, to Neolithic flint mines at Grimes Graves in Norfolk. Here are some more of the ancient places and artefacts you can discover today without leaving your armchair.

The Coneybury pit

The pottery, animal bones and flint tools in this display were all excavated from a pit close to Stonehenge – but they pre-dated the stones by almost a thousand years. It was among the less spectacular assemblages in the 2022 exhibition, yet had a fascinating story to tell.

The pit held the remains of a feast enjoyed by hunter-gatherers and the first farmer communities some 5,900 years ago. Those gathered ate farmed beef and hunted venison.

Chemical analysis of the remains shows the cattle and deer consumed came from different places – and that the meat was prepared in different ways. As a coming together of worldviews, languages, customs and traditions, the remains of this shared meal marked the end of thousands of years of a hunter-gatherer way of life.

The virtual experience enables users to watch an animated video telling the story of this meeting, and explains how archaeologists pieced together its story.

Seahenge

In 1998, a well-preserved timber circle emerged from the shores of Holme-next-the-Sea, on the coast of Norfolk. It was soon dubbed Seahenge owing to its similarity to timber circles that had once stood in the Stonehenge landscape.

The Holme circle was originally built on a saltmarsh, between land and sea, and consisted of 55 large oak posts. A narrow entranceway was positioned exactly to align on the Sun’s path, so that the midsummer rising Sun illuminated the interior of the monument.

From a study of the tree rings, it is known that Seahenge was built in the spring or summer of 2049 BC, at a time when stone tools and weapons were rapidly being replaced by metal as the material of choice for social and economic life – and also for offerings to supernatural forces.

During that period, circles of wood and stone were in decline. Seahenge was constructed near the end of a religious tradition that had lasted for almost a millennium.

In the virtual experience, you can listen to the “Seahenge soundscape” created by the artists Rose Ferraby and Rob St John. Their work added a spine-tingling dimension to the British Museum’s display of these ancient timbers.

A 6,000-year-old leaf

A humble object that captured many people’s imagination during the British Museum exhibition was a single elm leaf. This delicate specimen fell around 6,000 years ago near an early farming settlement on the coast of Lancashire.

Deforestation has played a key role in European history ever since then. Hard-won clearances could be filled by trees in a human lifespan, while woodland continued to provide vital resources to support the farming way of life.

Near this ancient leaf, we displayed a wall holding 89 stone axes – each representing a generation of human lives during the primary period covered by the exhibition (circa 4000-1500 BC). Many would have been used to chop down trees thousands of years ago – clearing land for crops and monuments, as well as providing wood for building.

Folkton chalk ‘drums’

These three carefully-carved chalk treasures accompanied the body of a small child buried 5,000 years ago in Folkton, North Yorkshire. The eyes peering out from above abstract motifs on the largest and smallest of the sculptures might have been created with the fate and protection of a loved and vulnerable child in mind.

This enigmatic group of objects was excavated in the 1860s. The drums, placed carefully along the line of the child’s back, work well as a set: their size is incremental and all three have similar decorative schemes.

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The patterns share the same repertoire of concentric circles, lozenges, zigzags, chevrons and parallel lines found elsewhere across Britain and Ireland. But intriguingly, two of the drums have a motif of eyes with eyebrows insinuated in the design – hinting at a daring, possibly dangerous, reference to a person or spirit embodied within.

In The Virtual World of Stonehenge, you can explore these fascinating and intricately carved objects in 3D, along with a similar drum found much more recently at Burton Agnes. This one was placed with three children of different ages buried close together, the two youngest poignantly holding hands.

Free parking will be available from 3pm in four council-owned car parks

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A date has been confirmed for the launch of free parking in Peterborough city centre. Subject to approval by Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet, the first day of free parking in four council-owned car parks will be Monday, August 3.

These four locations will be:

• Bishops Road;
• Car Haven;
• Riverside;
• Pleasure Fair Meadow.

Parking at the above locations will be free after 3pm.

The scheme was pledged by Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow in his manifesto. The Mayor committed £1.5 million in his budget to bring free parking to both Peterborough and Huntingdonshire.

“I said I would bring free parking and it’s happening this summer,” Mayor Bristow said. “I made this pledge because I believe our city centre needs a lift.”

The aim of the free parking scheme, which will be run on a time-limited trial, is to bring in more footfall to support local businesses, and increase the health and vibrancy of the evening economy.

“Free parking after 3pm means more people choosing to come into the city for an evening out, to shop, to eat and to support the businesses that make Peterborough worth visiting,” the Mayor said.

Leader of Peterborough City Council, Councillor Shabina Qayyum, welcomed the scheme. “Subject to Cabinet approval in July, it is great that the free parking will be in place from 3 August in time for people to enjoy what our city has to offer during the school summer holidays,” she said.

“The free parking… will only help to encourage more people to visit our city centre which of course we welcome. “

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is also working on a free parking scheme in Huntingdonshire.

As Ecuador forward Enner Valencia raced through on Curacao’s goal inside the opening three minutes, the outcome seemed inevitable.

About 10 yards out and with just the keeper to beat, he looked certain to score. It would give Curacao a mountain to climb – and, as it did in the 7-1 defeat by Germany in their World Cup opener, could well set the tone for what was to come.

But goalkeeper Eloy Room anticipated where Valencia’s shot was headed, stooped low to his left and clawed the ball around the post. It was an improbable, barely believable save.

And the tone was, indeed, set.

By full-time, BBC Sport pundit and former Arsenal defender Martin Keown was joking a calculator might be needed to tot up the number of times Room had bailed his team out.

Yet it was Ecuador who were left counting the cost of their missed chances as World Cup debutants Curacao celebrated their first-ever point in the tournament.

Room, the 37-year-old Miami FC keeper, produced a remarkable and record-equalling performance, making 15 saves to keep his country level and eventually secure a goalless draw which will live long in the memory of the island nation.

Since records began in 1966, no goalkeeper has made more stops in 90 minutes of World Cup action, according to Opta.

Only Tim Howard has made as many in a single game but, unlike Room, he failed to keep a clean sheet after conceding twice in extra-time for the USA against Belgium in 2014.

Room joked after the 0-0 draw that Howard would have been “sweating at home” watching the game and his performance means he “needs a statue in Curacao”.

“Take a bow, Room,” added Keown on BBC One. “Absolutely magnificent.

“The number of saves, you were almost getting a calculator out at the end of the game to count them up.

“It just became a shopping list of saves. His reactions were first class. He seemed destined to keep a clean sheet all night.”

It was a performance that inspired Room’s country to their biggest-ever result.

Baytown Coffee Company is based just outside Whitby, where an old cowshed was converted into a roastery in 2019.

The business is run by Nick and Ann Louise Hartley from Moorgate Leas Farm, and produces coffee for customers, cafes, restaurants and shops.

Two of the coffees that The Baytown Coffee Company offer (Image: SUBMIT)

The company says its coastal location is a “central part of its identity”, with several of its blends named after places and landmarks in the area.

One of its best-known coffees is Boggle Hole, named after the cove south of Robin Hood’s Bay.

Today, the beans are brought into the area and roasted on the farm before being packed and sent out to customers.

Baytown began after Nick Hartley, who grew up in North Yorkshire, returned to the area after spending many years working in London.

He had previously spoken about wanting to start a coffee business in the region and create employment in an area where many jobs are linked to seasonal tourism.

The business first operated from the coast near Robin Hood’s Bay before developing its roastery near Whitby.

Baytown says it works with farmers and importers who share its values around traceability and fair prices.

The company also says its packaging is recyclable.

Its website says the business aims to make coffee “straightforward” for customers, rather than “overcomplicated”.

Customer reviews for the company often mention the freshness and value of the coffee.

One reviewer described it as “absolutely first-class coffee”, while another said Boggle Hole was the best coffee they had tried after buying beans in Helmsley.

The company also has links with local community projects and has previously supported the Dalewood Trust in Whitby, a training centre for adults with learning difficulties.

Baytown has said it wants the business to contribute to the area as well as sell coffee.

The Crown Inn at Hutton-Le-Hole received the one-star rating, meaning major improvement necessary, from North Yorkshire Council following a visit on May 6.

However, following a re-inspection on June 12, the rating has been upgraded to four, meaning good.

Pub owner, Richard Murray Wells, told The Press: “We had a very disappointing, but we thought fair, inspection at The Crown.

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“We have taken the comments on board, replacing old equipment and altering out-dated systems.

“We were reinspected recently and have been awarded a four-star rating.”

The Crown Inn at Hutton-Le-Hole now has four stars, meaning good, for food hygiene. (Image: Street View)

The Crown Inn is a traditional country pub noted for ‘great food and real ales with friendly service and warm welcome’, according to TripAdvisor.

In addition to food and drink, it also offers luxury letting rooms and has space for caravans and camper vans.

The venue is a Traveller’s Choice winner, achieving 4.5 stars out of five, based on 900 reviews.

Google awards The Crown Inn 4.7 stars out of five, based on 994 reviews.

The black poplar, once a common sight across the English countryside and immortalised in John Constable’s 1821 painting The Hay Wain, now faces extinction with only around 7,000 trees left across the British Isles—just a handful of which survive in North Yorkshire.

Ambrose Greenfield from Forgotten Flora said: “If anything the problem is a bit worse than it seems because of the 7,000 or so trees left, only about 600 are female and the rest male.

Ambrose Greenfield with one of the few remaining mature black poplar trees in the Howardian Hills Nationla Landscape in the background. He is holding a young sapling propergated from this tree.. (Image: Supplied)

“This severely limits natural seed reproduction.

“We’ve taking cuttings from the two mature trees we do know of in the Howardian Hills, one of which is female.

“We are nurturing these in our polytunnels at Terrington, near Malton, and they are growing well.”

Across the 79-square-mile Howardian Hills National Landscape, a conservation effort led by the Forgotten Flora project and funded by the Howardian Hills Partnership is working to change the black poplar’s fate.

Ambrose Greenfield with one of the few remaining mature black poplar trees in the Howardian Hills Nationla Landscape. (Image: Supplied)

Partners include the North York Moors National Park’s woodland team.

Wetland creation is a key element.

The species, which once thrived along riverbanks and damp floodplains, has declined mainly due to habitat loss.

Conservationists hope to replant the new saplings within the Howardian Hills over the next year or two.

Mr Greenfield said: “Hopefully we’d be looking to plant these out over the next year or two at suitable sites within the national landscape, with some also going to the national park’s woodland team.”

Ambrose Greenfield from Forgotten Flora Project with a black polar sapling, part of a bid to revive the threatened tree. (Image: Supplied)

Wetland creation is a key element in giving the species a stronger foothold. The Howardian Hills Partnership has recently helped restore 40 acres at two sites along with funding hydrology surveys and pond creation.

The black poplar can reach 100 feet in height and live for more than 250 years.

It is known for its deeply fissured bark, leaning trunks, and triangular leaves.

Male trees produce red catkins, while females show yellow and green, and the leaves carry a faint scent of balsam.

The wood has traditionally been used for floorboards, cart wheels, and wagon bottoms because of its springiness and shock resistance.

Forgotten Flora is also working to propagate other declining species, including creeping willow and bay willow.

The Howardian Hills National Landscape was designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in 1987 and was renamed as a National Landscape in 2023.

The firm will relocate from its current premises on Clifton Green to a larger, more modern office at Colonia House, Toft Green, which it says will support future expansion.

The new office has also been designed to offer improved meeting facilities, enhanced accessibility, and a comfortable space where clients can discuss their financial plans with confidence.

Mark Fisher, Managing Director at Ardent said: “Our move to Toft Green marks an exciting next chapter for Ardent. The new office gives us the space and environment to continue growing our team, while creating a professional and welcoming place for clients to meet with us.

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“It also reflects our long-term commitment to York and to building a values-led financial planning firm that serves our clients, our people and the wider community for many years to come.”

During the relocation, clients can expect business as usual, with no interruption to services.

Ardent Financial Planning’s new office will officially open on Wednesday June 24 at Colonia House, Floor 2, 16 Toft Green, YO1 6JT.