CAST your mind back to March 2020. Faced with the prospect of an indeterminate government-imposed period of solitary confinement due to Covid, you did one of two things – you either bought a dog or a jigsaw.

The result of this is that half the population now own a dog and charity shops experienced a boom in the sale and return of jigsaws.

As I had no desire to turn out in the rain and cold to swing a bag of poo from my arm on a half hour walk, I turned to little pieces of funny- shaped printed card which all fit together to eventually create a lovely picture.

Although the rising costs of jigsaws has its own parallels with the rising costs of owning a pet, eventually you become what my wife and I have become – addicts. Yes I admit it – I’m a jigsaw freak with one in various stages of completeness on our dining table every day of the week.

Jigsaws have been around in one form or another since 1760, offering countless generations a way of relaxing the mind and filling their leisure time.

Invented by John Spilsbury in London, the first puzzle was a map glued to a flat piece of wood and then cut up so it could be reassembled as a teaching aid.

And I remember one of the first jigsaws I ever did in the sixties was a picture of the British Isles with little lozenge-shaped gaps where you inserted the names of towns and cities.

In the 21st century puzzles have been developed into an art form. You can get circular jigsaws, ones with specially shaped pieces resembling cats and dogs, 3D jigsaws which enable you to build an object such as Big Ben, jigsaw programmes on your computer or smartphone, and they have even strayed into the rock and pop world with a 3D world globe featuring on the cover of The Seahorses No 2 album, created by the guitarist John Squire. However there seems to be a big gap in the market as not many jigsaw designs appeal to young people, although a quick trawl on Google and Ebay reveal quite a few Taylor Swift designs.!

It’s certainly true that the older generation tend to drive the sales of jigsaws. With more time on their hands and a need to keep their minds active, plus a winter pastime which doesn’t involve much movement, jigsaws are ideal. But there is much more to it than that! There is a whole science and psychological background to puzzling and just “doing a jigsaw” doesn’t even scratch the surface!

Take my own experience. Good jigsaws now cost upwards of £15, so it’s no surprise to find that second-hand puzzles are flourishing in charity shops, or that places like The Works are shifting cut-price versions by the bag-load.

Everyone has their own way of doing them and my wife and I extract maximum value from each thousand piece one by dividing the picture in half and effectively completing a five hundred piece puzzle each day. And our brains are wired differently – some people separate all the different colours, some the different shapes, some the straight edges and some just connect random areas – the beauty of a puzzle is that there is no set procedure or right and wrong way.

You can hunt for used Jigsaw puzzles in charity shops

In our house, here’s how it works. First you buy your nice new puzzle or your charity shop bargain. Most charity shops now have their own quality control and tattered faded unsealed boxes with dubious chances of being complete usually don’t make it to the shelves.

I avoid puzzles that are monotonous – a three foot by two foot picture of a thousand baked beans or a geometric pattern leaves me cold. Likewise trains, planes, machinery or twee fluffy kittens although I appreciate they have their fans and everyone’s tastes are different. An incredible array of talented artists have their work turned into jigsaws and it’s rewarding to see that picture gradually appear in front of you as you complete the puzzle.

Jigsaw puzzle boom: why adults are hooked again

On getting the box home, if it is second hand, you can immediately tell if another fan has had it before you – the inner bag is sealed and intact, the pieces are broken up properly and even in some cases the straight edges have been separated and are in a bag of their own. We are lucky enough to have a large dining table, so the pieces are tipped out and the edge pieces separated first. To make things equal, we count 13 down one side and 12 down the other.

Every other piece is turned face up. Now we get to the science of brain function! I prefer to start with block colour, usually sky, working from one corner to another in a regimented way. My wife will pick a person in a blue coat or a green car or a flower bed and complete them on the side before adding them in later. She also checks each piece against its place in the picture and puts it in its approximate position on the table. It’s no secret that we race each other – however even though we do things differently we usually finish about the same time.

John Fletcher explains why he is addicted to jigsaws

But one of the biggest advantages of a jigsaw is its therapeutic value. You are totally “ in the zone” as you search for that elusive piece. You don’t think about bills, housework, that leaking tap or the fact that the grass needs cutting!

You are completely focussed on finding that small section with “a bit of green and a white patch” and there are maybe three disappointments before that tiny adrenaline rush of fitting in the correct one. You need that little rush, and you get it a thousand times by completing the picture – that’s why they are so addictive.

John Fletcher explains why he is addicted to jigsaws

There are downsides of course – having that fix nine hundred and ninety nine times and finding a piece is missing is a huge let down. All is not lost however. I keep a stock of various thicknesses of card and once a puzzle is complete I slip a paper underneath, make a pattern, cut the shape out on card with a craft knife, fit it, and then colour it in to match its surroundings. I always put a note in for the next recipient to say there is a homemade piece, but better that than the crushing disappointment of hours spent on an incomplete puzzle.

What about meal times I hear you ask? True addicts don’t let eating get in the way of puzzle completion – the plate goes on top of the pieces and we carry on. Family coming? No problem. A cloth on the top of the table does the trick, although the grandchildren wonder why their drink glasses seem to be all wobbly!

Motorist Victoria Chesworth had more than four times the legal limit of cocaine in her blood when stopped by police

A cocaine-fuelled driver has been banned from the roads after she was more than four times over the legal drug-drive limit. Victoria Chesworth was spotted “driving erratically” on London Road, in Stoke-on-Trent, on July 18.

Officers pulled over the 46-year-old and said they “smelled alcohol”. It was then they discovered a small amount of powder in the back of her car, reports StokeonTrentLive.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard Chesworth was found to have 45mu g/L of cocaine in her blood, well over the legal threshold of 10mu g/L. She also had a staggering 800b ug/L of benzoylecgonine in her blood – the breakdown product of cocaine – which is 16 times the legal limit.

Prosecutor Sherrie Henry told the court: “This matter occurred shortly after 11pm. Officers saw the defendant’s red Toyota Yaris which appeared to be driving erratically along the A52. She could be seen swerving repeatedly between lanes. Officers pulled the defendant over and smelled alcohol.

“They attempted to perform a breathalyser test. They were unable to get her to complete it successfully. A small amount of powder was found in the back of the defendant’s car. She was taken back to the police station where a drug test was performed.”

Chesworth, of Swallows Nest Close, Blurton, admitted two counts of drug-driving. Representing herself in court, Chesworth told magistrates her interim driving ban has left her ‘struggling financially and with transport’, asking for leniency.

She told the court in tears: “The swerving in and out of lanes, I disagree with, because I was following the one-way system. I believed the van behind me was getting too close. I didn’t realise it was the police.

“I only learned that later after they pulled me over. They could smell wine on me because I had made a beef bourguignon earlier that evening.”

“I struggled to do the breath test because I had a stroke last year. I agreed to do the blood test. The white powder they found in the car is a drug I take to manage my stroke symptoms.”

Magistrates handed Chesworth a 17-month driving ban alongside a 12-month community order incorporating 20 rehabilitation days. She has also been ordered to pay £239 in costs.

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They were left injured after falling from the cliffs at Skipsea, south of Bridlington, at 8.30pm on Saturday, Bridlington Coastguard Rescue Team said.

The coastguard and paramedics were called to the scene.

A spokesperson for the coastguard said its crew was lowered onto the cliff face to reach the injured person, then helped lift them to safety on a stretcher.  

“Although access to the casualty at the cliff base was possible, safely recovering them was another challenge entirely,” they said.

“Using specialist rope rescue equipment, the team established a technical rescue system from the cliff top.

“A coastguard rescue cliff technician was then carefully lowered down the cliff face to reach the injured casualty, package them safely into a stretcher, and carry out their recovery back to the top.

“Thanks to the teamwork, training, and professionalism of everyone involved, the casualty was successfully handed into the care of Yorkshire Ambulance Service and taken to hospital in a stable condition.”

The coastguard urged people to “keep well back” from cliff edges and to “supervise children and dogs at all times”.

For Sunderland, the win completes a stellar first season back in the top flight, exactly one year on from the day when they confirmed their promotion from the Championship. Catch up with the action as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, with expert insight and analysis from Arthur Ferridge.

The Gunners avoided the crippling anxiety of a final-day shootout after Manchester City’s draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday, and their coronation here, Oliver Glasner’s last home fixture as Palace boss, started with 1,000 Arsenal fans lining Holmesdale Road to greet the champions’ two coaches.

The Richmond and Northallerton MP is normally seen in his running shoes at the annual race, joining hundreds on a route through the town.

Last year he finished the 10k route in a time of 47 minutes and 20 seconds, but this time was on crutches, watching from the sidelines as those taking part faced 24-degree heat.

Rishi Sunak MP attends Northallerton 10k (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Mr Sunak revealed last month he had hurt his leg over Easter while “showing off” to his daughters on the slopes.

Posting on social media after the accident, he said: “Pushed my luck on the slopes this Easter, showing off to my daughters.

Rishi Sunak MP on crutches (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“I’m already on the mend and determined to keep up with my meetings and constituency work.”

The Northallerton 10K raises money for Pendragon Community Trust, with organisers saying 100 per cent of entry fees are donated to the local charity, which supports people with physical, mental and emotional difficulties and their families.

This year’s Northallerton 10k event was won by Lee Davies.

Police were called to Ayton Crescent at about 11pm on Saturday (May 23) where the victim was found with significant injuries. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

A 39-year-old woman was arrested after the police helicopter was launched. She remains in police custody while police say they attempt to locate a second suspect.

Police say they are treating it as an isolated incident and there is no risk to the public.

(Image: CHRIS BOOTH/NORTHERN ECHO)

In an update at 6pm police confirmed efforts to locate the second suspect is ongoing.

A cordon remains in place on Ayton Crescent and Mansfield Road with crime scene investigators working at the scene.

(Image: CHRIS BOOTH/NORTHERN ECHO)

(Image: CHRIS BOOTH/NORTHERN ECHO)

Superintendent Daryll Tomlinson said previously: “This is a fast-moving investigation, and we have quickly made an arrest. I would like to thank members of the public who have come forward with information, as well as the National Police Air Service for their support through the night.

“I would like to reassure the community that this is an isolated incident, with no wider risk to the public. Officers will remain at the scene in Ayton Crescent, and there will be an increased presence in the area.”

The North East Ambulance Service confirmed it attended on Saturday night.

A spokesperson said: “We received a call at 11.22pm on Saturday to an incident at a private address on Ayton Crescent in Eston.

“Police attended the scene and we dispatched two emergency ambulance crews, a duty officer, a doctor and the Medicar.”

Anyone with information that could assist this police is asked to call 101 quoting reference SE26098497 or report anonymously via Crimestoppers

When we asked why his takeaways had shut, Sam Ransom claimed he had just sold them for £850,000. Papa Johns told us a different story

Pizza chain Papa Johns has cut ties with a man who owned several of its takeaways in south Wales. The shops closed after our court report from last weekend revealed the franchisee, Sam Ransom, had terrorised his ex-girlfriend and her family after she dumped him.

Ransom, 35, was handed a community order after repeatedly sneaking onto the family’s property at night to damage their cars, security lights and other items. We understand he was already on a final warning from Papa Johns following our 2022 report on how he sent vile messages calling one of his teenage employees a “loser”.

The franchisee said he owned Papa Johns shops in Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Newport, and two in Bristol.

After we published the court report, Ransom’s branches were shuttered and barricaded with steel screens by a firm that secures vacant properties.

When we contacted Ransom for comment, he vehemently denied the closures had anything to do with his court case or with how the Papa Johns head office felt about his offences. The shops happened to be shut that week because he had just sold them for a total of £850,000, he told us, in what he claimed to be purely coincidental timing.

Ransom initially offered to provide us with proof of the supposed sale, but none materialised. And when we ran his claims by Papa Johns, the business gave a rather different version of events.

A spokesman for Papa Johns said: “Mr Ransom’s conduct fell far short of the standards and values we expect of our franchise owners and, as a result, we have terminated his franchise agreement and ended our association with him. The restaurants are temporarily closed as we actively seek new ownership.”

Last week Ransom was sentenced at Cardiff Magistrates’ Court after he was found guilty of a theft and criminal damage spree targeting his ex-partner. He was furious about the end of their long-term relationship and decided to cause havoc at her family’s Bridgend home on three consecutive weekends.

One of the victims, the father of Ransom’s ex, watched the sentencing from the public gallery. When Ransom entered the courtroom at the start of the hearing, he gave the dad a long stare and smirk.

Prosecutor Laura Thomas said the woman had been in a relationship with Ransom for around 10 years. After their breakup Ransom turned up at the home on each of the first three weekends of January 2025.

The spree started with him ripping down a house sign that had been screwed onto the entrance to the property’s driveway. “A replacement sign was put up a few days later and that, again, was taken down and thrown into a river near the house,” said Ms Thomas.

“The defendant and another person entered the driveway multiple times on the evening of January 11. They damaged the lights that edged the driveway leading to the house, and again caused damage to the house sign.”

In that incident, Ransom and his accomplice threw stones at the property, causing damage to a downpipe and dents to the paintwork of a Kia Niro belonging to his ex-girlfriend’s brother.

The following weekend Ransom returned and again ripped off the house sign before turning his attention to his ex-partner’s Toyota Aygo.

It was night-time and the family were in bed when they heard an “almighty bang and smashing noise”, said the prosecutor. “They called police, petrified, and a neighbour came out to check what was going on. They could see the rear window of the Toyota had been completely smashed. The two bricks that caused the damage were still lying on the driveway.”

Ransom, of Station Road in Nantybwch, Tredegar, pleaded not guilty to three counts of criminal damage and one of stealing house signs and security lights, but the magistrates found him guilty of all offences. The victims made an application for £4,043 in compensation for damage.

The court heard Ransom had previous convictions, dating back to 2024, for assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing police. In that case he had received a community order.

Ransom’s solicitor Declan McSorley said: “My client is particularly hardworking, running a series of businesses from multiple locations across south Wales. He fits his relationships into his work, which is excessive in hours, as opposed to working on relationships.”

Mr McSorley said he agreed with the probation service’s recommendation of a community order. The magistrates decided to follow that recommendation, imposing a 24-month order with rehabilitation activity, 150 hours of unpaid work, and restraining orders protecting the victims for two years each. No compensation was ordered because a civil case is anticipated.

When we approached Ransom for comment, he messaged us from a WhatsApp account with a profile picture that showed US President Donald Trump alongside the words “fake news”.

After he answered our call, we asked if he would like to express any remorse for his actions. He replied: “I can’t because I’m gonna go for a retrial.”

Ransom claimed he was somewhere else at the time of the crimes. When we asked if he had anything to say on his previous conviction, for assaulting an emergency worker and obstructing police, he said: “I’ve got nothing to say about that one.”

In our 2022 report on Ransom’s previous controversy, we revealed one of his staff – a 17-year-old earning minimum wage – had asked for a free pizza while working an overtime shift only for Ransom to brand him a “loser”, order him to “stop looking for handouts”, brag about his own wealth, and then sack the teen.

If you would like to contact us about a story we should be investigating, email us at conor.gogarty@walesonline.co.uk

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