The event on Saturday, April 25, and will include a dedicated “quiet hour” for families with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) from 10 am to 11 am.

During this time, the station will offer a calmer environment before opening up to the wider public.

Billy McAloon, station manager, said: “Our station open days are always one of highlights of the year.

Darlington Fire Station will host a community open day a dedicated quiet hour (Image: CDDFRS)

“It is a great way for residents to meet their local firefighters who work around the clock to keep them safe and ask them any questions about the role.

“There’s also the chance to look around the fire station, see some of our crews in action during demonstrations, and enjoy some family entertainment with rides and food.

“It is so important to us that we are an inclusive Service and everyone feels welcome.

Darlington Fire Station will host a community open day a dedicated quiet hour (Image: CDDFRS)

“That’s why we have launched a quiet hour for SEND families to be able to enjoy everything the open day has to offer before it opens to the general public.

“It is the first time we have done this and we hope it creates a relaxed experience for families who come along.”

Up to 25 SEND families can register to attend the quieter session, which is designed to be less busy and more accommodating.

The open day will then run from 11 am to 3 pm, featuring fire service demonstrations, food and drink stalls, and games.

Next week, Steve Tandy will name his Wales squad for the summer Tests.

Given there’s four matches to play, with the uncapped game against the Barbarians preceding the Nations Championship fixtures with Fiji, Argentina and South Africa, Tandy might opt to name an extended squad before whittling it down. Given he’s unlikely to have access to English-based players immediately, that would make sense.

The question is who will form that squad – one that will be answered in the coming days.

However, ahead of time, here’s who could be in the frame to make Tandy’s squad…

Props

Starting in the front-row, there’s six nailed on names.

Rhys Carre, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Tomas Francis and Archie Griffin should be in there.

If there’s other names to be included, Cardiff loosehead Rhys Barratt – tipped for a big future – could be one.

On the tighthead, it’s harder to see who the next cab off the rank is. Sam Wainwright was called up in the Six Nations, while Ben Warren has also been brought in at times in the last year.

Rhys Carre, Nicky Smith, Gareth Thomas, Rhys Barratt, Keiron Assiratti, Tomas Francis, Archie Griffin, Ben Warren

Hookers

Assuming Dewi Lake misses out through injury, Wales’ hooker stocks are still relatively strong.

Elliot Dee could be in line for a recall, given he continues to be a consistent performer, while Ryan Elias is powerful.

Beyond that, Liam Belcher, Evan Lloyd, Brodie Coghlan and Lewis Lloyd are all options. The Wales coaching staff seem to like Cardiff captain Belcher.

Lloyd would be an exciting choice, but Dragons’ Coghlan could be the pick.

Ryan Elias, Elliot Dee, Liam Belcher, Brodie Coghlan

Second-rows

There was a changing of the guard in terms of the starting second-rows during the Six Nations.

Ben Carter usurped Adam Beard in Tandy’s starting side, but the Montpellier lock isn’t likely to fall out of the squad altogether just yet.

Teddy Williams still isn’t back from injury yet, but Rhys Davies could well join Tandy’s Six Nations options next week.

Dafydd Jenkins, Ben Carter, Adam Beard, Freddie Thomas, Rhys Davies

Back-rows

This week, Jac Morgan noted how competitive the back-row is – talking about selection as if he’s not guaranteed a place.

Of course, it would be the bombshell to end all bombshells were Morgan not in the squad next week. He’ll captain the side, but it’ll interesting to see what Wales do upon his return.

James Botham was very good at openside in the Six Nations. Josh Macleod and Harri Deaves could fight out for the third spot in that position, given Tommy Reffell seems to be persona non grata.

On the blindside, Alex Mann enjoyed a fine Six Nations. Taine Plumtree has a Test players’ credentials hidden somewhere behind a spate of yellow cards, while Ryan Woodman deserves more time with the squad.

As for No. 8, Aaron Wainwright is one of Wales’ best players right now. Olly Cracknell is a solid option too. Kane James, if he’s fit and that’s a big if as he’s not returned yet, should be an option as he’s understood to have thrown his lot in with Wales.

If not, do Wales look at Morgan Morris? Let’s not forget about Morgan Morse, either.

Jac Morgan (captain), James Botham, Harri Deaves, Alex Mann, Olly Cracknell, Taine Plumtree, Aaron Wainwright, Kane James, Ryan Woodman

Scrum-halves

There’s probably likely to be little change at scrum-half.

Were Che Hope fit, he could have pushed. As it is, the same three as the Six Nations seems likely.

Tomos Williams, Keiran Hardy, Reuben Morgan-Williams

Fly-halves

Dan Edwards remains the first-choice after the Six Nations.

However, there’s some concerns beyond him. Sam Costelow and Jarrod Evans are both sidelined – so Tandy will have to get a prognosis on both of those before naming his squad.

If they aren’t fit, Callum Sheedy is probably the next cab off the rank, while Joe Hawkins – despite being Wales’ first-choice 12 in the Six Nations – is playing 10 week-in, week-out for the Scarlets.

Dan Edwards, Callum Sheedy, Joe Hawkins

Centres

If Hawkins is seen as a 10 this summer, that could open things up for a more physical centre pairing.

Eddie James was very good at 13, but he could move to 12 to bring Max Llewellyn back into the fold.

Expect Louie Hennessey to see more minutes after some big outings for Bath, while Joe Roberts has looked good for the Scarlets after missing the Six Nations.

Eddie James, Ben Thomas, Louie Hennessey, Max Llewellyn, Joe Roberts

Back-three

Back-three ended up being an interesting one in the Six Nations, with Louis Rees-Zammit being handed the 15 jersey.

However, could Tandy rethink full-back? Jacob Beetham, albeit on the wing, has shown the sorts of traits you’d want from a Test full-back for Cardiff, while Angus O’Brien has made his case across the campaign.

On the wing, there’s injury doubts about Ellis Mee and Mason Grady.

Rio Dyer should come back into contention, while Gabriel Hamer-Webb deserves another chance after being amongst the tries for Leicester.

Josh Adams, Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Tom Rogers, Rio Dyer, Blair Murray, Louis Rees-Zammit, Jacob Beetham, Angus O’Brien

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One of the UK’s first gay surrogate parents has been charged with human trafficking and sexual exploitation, along with another man.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow, 57, was charged with the offences yesterday following an investigation by Essex Police.

The reality TV star rose to fame in 1999 when he welcomed a child with his ex-husband through a surrogate mother, becoming one of the first gay couples to do so.

Drewitt-Barlow is the co-owner of Maldon and Tiptree football club together with Scott Drewitt-Barlow, 32.

Both men face charges of arranging or facilitating travel of another person with a view to exploitation and a spate of sexual offences, including rape of a man.

Detectives were seen at the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium earlier in the week, home to Maldon and Tiptree FC in Essex, while Barrie Drewitt-Barlow’s mansion was also searched.

Essex Police said its serious crime officers carried out co-ordinated searches at premises in Danbury, Maldon and Braintree on Wednesday, and two men were arrested.

The force said the two men have since been liaising with the CPS.

Meanwhile, the Drewitt-Barlow Stadium was meant to be used as a polling station during the local election yesterday, but voting was relocated.

Doug Wilkinson, Maldon District Council’s deputy returning officer, said the decision was made to relocate polling to Blackwater Leisure Centre instead ‘in light of an ongoing police investigation.’

ITV has now shelved a planned TV show about the football club co-owners called Up The Jammers.

The six-part series follows the pair in their pursuit to take the the Isthmian League North Division team ‘to the grand heights of the English Football League within four years,’ according to an earlier ITV press release.

Barrie Drewitt-Barlow said in the release: ‘We didn’t get into football to play it safe, we got into it to build something big, and ITV is the perfect platform to bring that story to life.

‘Nothing has been hidden. The pressure, the decisions, the ambition, the ups and downs, it’s all there. This is the reality of football ownership, unfiltered, and people are going to see exactly what it takes to try and take a club to the next level.’

ITV’s spokesperson confirmed today that it has decided to remove Up The Jammers from the upcoming schedule, and it won’t be airing on ITV4 or ITVX.

Both men, of Danbury, Essex, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court at a later date.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

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Chef Jose Andres claims adding one ingredient to eggs makes the ‘best omelette in the history of mankind’ – and it’s a surprisingly simple recipe to try at home

Omelettes make a swift and straightforward meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, proving both delicious and satisfying at any hour.

Toppings such as onions, peppers, mushrooms, or small pieces of ham can be added, but one particular ingredient is certain to transform your omelette from pleasant to extraordinary. The only caveat is that it might appear slightly different from your typical flat omelette. However, provided it tastes delicious, does that really matter?

Chef Jose Andres, a Spanish-American chef and restaurateur, has dedicated himself to introducing the bold and vibrant tastes of Spain to a global audience. This recipe is no exception.

He claimed that preparing the omelette this way will produce the “best in the history of mankind,” which is a pretty bold claim!

Yet the secret ingredient isn’t milk or butter. It’s something likely already sitting in your cupboard or fridge.

It’s mayonnaise. Who would have imagined that a generous dollop of mayonnaise could elevate an omelette to new heights? According to Jose Andres, it absolutely does, and it’s definitely worth attempting in your own kitchen.

Simply place one egg and one large spoonful of mayonnaise into a ramekin dish, then add a small amount of oil or butter. Combine the ingredients thoroughly, and it’s ready to cook.

“Put it in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds,” and what emerges will be “the best omelette”.

It certainly differed from a ‘normal’ omelette when @arranmtaylor sampled it himself, appearing considerably thicker and having clearly adopted the form of the container he’d heated it in.

He seasoned it with salt and pepper before tasting. Arran commented: “That’s pretty good,” giving it his stamp of approval.

Others similarly commended the recipe. One remarked: “I tried it, and it’s very good. Never would have thought. I put a little shredded cheese in mine and 2 eggs”.

Nevertheless, some weren’t convinced by the preparation method. One commented: “Microwaved eggs never taste as good”.

Should you share similar reservations about microwaving eggs, don’t worry. Another food enthusiast noted: “Using a microwave pretty much shut me down from this; however, I did the same mixture and cooked it in my pan per usual, and it was okay”.

So when you next fancy a speedy breakfast that’s rich and full of flavour, why not give this straightforward recipe a try.

New research published by the American Heart Association has identified 10 factors that may be linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline

Experts have identified 10 factors that could heighten your risk of developing dementia. A newly published report has shed light on some of the elements that can impact brain health.

It is estimated that nearly one million people across the UK are currently living with dementia. Most prevalent in those aged over 65, it can present itself through symptoms including memory loss, changes in behaviour, and difficulties with speech, amongst others.

While the precise cause of dementia remains unknown, research has demonstrated that certain lifestyle choices and medical conditions can elevate your risk of cognitive decline. A new report has now pinpointed 10 such contributing factors.

Published by the American Heart Association (AHA), the statement outlined 10 factors that can negatively affect the health of a person’s brain. These are:

• Early life infections
• Adverse childhood experiences
• Socioeconomic factors
• Chronic medical conditions
• Stress
• Anxiety and depression
• Pollution and environmental exposures
• Chronic inflammation
• Disruption of the gut microbiome (dysbiosis)
• Poor sleep quality

As reported by Medical News Today, these factors can impact the body in numerous ways, which in turn affects brain health. In light of the findings, researchers are urging governments to introduce policies aimed at tackling some of these issues. This encompasses tackling air pollution and enhancing air quality, as well as championing routine vaccination programmes to help individuals steer clear of infections that can harm brain health. Experts not involved in the research shared their thoughts on the significance of the findings.

Speaking to Medical News Today, Dung Trinh from MemorialCare Medical Group and Chief Medical Officer of the Healthy Brain Clinic, said: “The main takeaway is that brain health is not determined only by age or genetics.

“It is shaped across the entire lifespan by a combination of physical health, mental health, sleep, lifestyle, social support, environment, and access to care. The American Heart Association statement is important because it reframes brain health as something we can influence much earlier and more broadly than we used to think.”

Melinda Patterson, an assistant professor of neurology with the University of Rochester Medicine, added: “Many of the habits we think of as ‘heart healthy’ turn out to be ‘brain healthy’ too. This statement reinforces that idea, while also highlighting factors that do not always get enough attention in research or in everyday clinical care.

“One of the most important messages is that brain health is shaped across our entire lives and not just in old age. Experiences and choices made early in life can have a real impact decades later. That also means there is good news: no matter what stage of life you are in, there are steps you can take to lower your risk of stroke and cognitive decline.”

Supporting research

These findings are backed up by a landmark report published by The Lancet in 2024. The study revealed that approximately 45 per cent of all dementia cases could be prevented through certain lifestyle changes.

It also identified 14 risk factors for dementia. These were:

• Less education
• Hearing loss
• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Depression
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Traumatic brain injury
• Air pollution
• Social isolation
• Untreated vision loss
• High cholesterol

If you or someone you know is showing signs of dementia, you should consult a GP.

This year’s local polls in Oldham saw 20 council seats up for grabs, with one in each ward.

The turnout stood at 46.67 per cent, over ten per cent higher than the 35.58 per cent recorded in 2024.

However, no overall control of the council was reached, meaning days of decision-making are ahead to reach an agreement as to the council’s leadership.

Werneth:

Mohammed Imran Ali (Irish Imy) (Ind) 864​

Fida Hussain (Lab & Co-op) 1748​

Stuart Illingworth (Reform) 247​

Rangzib Nazir (Oldham Group) 1602​

Rangzib Pendlebury (Lib Dem) 102​

Mycul Trelore (Green) 364​

Turnout- 51.28 per cent

Labour held the seat.

ELECTION COVERAGE

Reform’s wins have shaken the already rocky foundations of the Labour administration, which currently runs the council. The group lost their overall majority at the 2024 elections in large part due to a collapse of the Pro-Palestine Muslim vote in Labour strongholds around the town centre. 

They have since run the council with the support of four independents. But after losing a further nine councillors to Reform, independents, and the Oldham Group during the election this year, their tenure in leadership could be at an end.

During the count, one member described the group’s general demeanour as “like the walking dead with red rosettes”. 

A mum who says the UK is ‘becoming racist’ has vowed to ditch Britain for Bali by the end of the year.

Beth Ware, 28, said she doesn’t want her children to grow up in an ‘environment that promotes so much hatred’.

Her comments come as this year’s local election results are announced, showing early signs of promise for Reform UK – something Ware blames for an ‘increase in hostility’ she claims to have noticed gripping the country.

Beth, who lives in Kent, said: ‘The UK is becoming racist.

‘I know that racism has been around for a very long time in the UK, and I feel so sorry for people who have experienced it more under the radar, but now it’s a lot more out in the open and people are feeling ok to make these kinds of comments.

‘I regularly see posts in my area of people warning about ‘mixing of breeding’, ‘mixing ethnicities’ and how white British people soon won’t be white.’

The mum-of-two, whose children are mixed race, finds this change particularly concerning.

‘As a mother of mixed children, that language is so frightening, and it’s just not something I would expect to hear in 2026 whatsoever,’ she added.

Ware, a mindset coach, says she ‘knows she can’t bubble wrap her children’ and that ‘racism exists everywhere’. ‘But I really want to get out before it could possibly become like the USA.’

She has now begun liquidating her assets and has started reaching out to hotels and resorts on the Indonesian island in search of work.

Ware’s decision to leave the country comes as votes in the local, Scottish and Welsh elections are counted.

With Labour looking set to suffer catastrophic losses, Nigel Farage’s Party is expected to be the main beneficiary in the largest test for Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership since the entire country went to the polls back in 2024.

Beth is concerned not only about Reform’s immigration policies, but also comments made by former Reform candidate Matt Goodwin in favour of a ‘negative child benefit tax’ on adults who do not have children.

Though not reflective of official Reform policy, Goodwin’s comments proved controversial during his ultimately unsuccessful by-election campaign in Gorton and Denton earlier this year.

The Party has also outlined plans to scrap the Equality Act and reimpose the two-child benefit cap.

‘One thing is the racism that Reform is promoting, but the other thing is that they are looking to start teaching girls at a young age the importance of having children early,’ Ware added.

‘That’s so scary to me, that’s giving The Handmaid’s Tale, the fact that they are looking at taxing women more who don’t have children.’

She added: ‘I’m very proud to be British. I have generations and generations of very noble British men, British women, but the problem is I feel the flag is being used as a weapon.’

Reform UK has been contacted for comment.

MORE: New Reform councillor forgets which party he is in post election Freudian slip

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Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr is a new constituency for this Senedd election. It is one of 16 constituencies made up by pairing the 32 Westminster constituencies.

This constituency pairs up the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare and Pontypridd constituencies, and therefore includes places like Abercynon, Aberdare, Llantrisant, Merthyr Tydfil and Pontypridd.

Each of the 16 constituencies will elect six politicians and people will be asked to vote for a party, not a person, and the result is being calculated via a method of proportional representation called the D’Hondt method.

Here, Labour incumbent Vikki Howells hopes to be elected, as does Plaid Cymru’s Heledd Fychan, who was a regional member in the last Senedd. Former Labour MP Beth Winter is standing as an independent here, having left the party.

The result in this constituency is estimated to be around 4pm, but this is approximate. We will update this page with the result as soon as it is available.

LIVE: Updates, reaction and quotes as the votes are counted across Wales

RESULTS: Wales’ Senedd Election results in full as it happens

Vote totals in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr

To be updated when the votes are counted

Senedd Members elected in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr

To be updated when the votes are counted

Turnout in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr

47.28%

Results

Constituency map of Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr

The full list of candidates in Pontypridd Cynon Merthyr

Conservatives

1. Adam Robinson
2. David Jones
3. Roxanne Rees
4. Lee Davies
5. Oliver Morgan
6. Jayne McKenna

Green Party

1. Angela Karadog
2. James Bennett
3. John Dane
4. Georgina Budd
5. Zara Siddique
6. Jeff Baxter

Gwlad

Stefan Morgan

Heritage Party

Julie Lloyd

Independents

Anthony Biddulph

Dai Williams

Beth Winter

Labour

1. Vikki Howells
2. Lloyd John Watkins
3. Chris Binding
4. Mitch Theaker
5. Mustapha Maohoub
6. Anna Williams-Price
7. Jane Allison Gebbie

Liberal Democrats

1. Neil Feist
2. David Seale
3. Alec Dauncey
4. Nick Beckett
5. Chris Passmore
6. Hayden Lewis

Plaid Cymru

1. Heledd Fychan
2. Lis McLean
3. Sara Crowley
4. Ian Gwynne
5. Farrell Perks
6. Ioan Bellin

Reform UK

1. Jason O’Connell
2. David Hughes
3. Mark Lawrence
4. Martin Roberts
5. John Ball
6. Jamie Loftus

The Ebor Inn at Bishopthorpe will open on Wednesday May 13, the same day as York Racecourse stars racing for its Dante Festival.

The Sam Smith’s pub will be managed by Sally Watkins, whose father Gordon Watkins ran the pub to much acclaim for nearly 40 years until his sad dead from Covid in 2021, aged 71.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Sally Watkins to re-open Ebor Inn in Bishopthorpe in days

For several years the pub remained closed, and after short period of being open, closed again last year.

During the latest closure the brewery then carried out renovations to the premises, which date back to the mid-1700s, including removing white rendering to expose the original brick, giving it a whole new look.

When she announced her plans to take on the pub, Sally Watkins added on social media that she planned to re-open in time for start of the racing.

Sally posted on the pub’s Facebook page last night: “SIX sleeps and COUNTING until we OPEN.”

He served a prison sentence for stalking

The public have been urged to not approach a 28-year-old man who is wanted on recall to prison. Jordan Affleck, 28, was recently released from prison after serving a sentence for stalking and was yesterday (May 6) reported to be behaving “aggressively and threateningly”, according to Cambridgeshire Police.

Police are now appealing for the public’s help to locate Affleck but have urged the public not to approach him. Affleck is known to frequent Abbotsley and Wyboston, near St Neots, but could also be in the surrounding areas. He is described by police as white, 5’8 with short dark brown hair and dark facial hair.

Anyone who believes they have seen Affleck or know his whereabouts is asked to call police on 101 quoting reference CC-29042026-0052 or report online. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555111 or report online.