People used to think the cathedral was floating above a city

It would be crazy to think that a landlocked county like Cambridgeshire once had places surrounded by water. This was the case for Ely, which was once known as the Isle of Ely.

When it had this name, the historic city was surrounded by undrained fens and water. As the city stood on a high point of around 85ft, it was only reachable by boat. It was surrounded by water until the 17th century, until the surrounding fens were drained and converted into farmland.

Ely is well-known for its cathedral, and with the city once being surrounded by water, the cathedral had a nickname inspired by this fact. It was known as the ‘Ship of the Fens’ because it stands so high over the city and is also 26m above sea level.

When Ely was surrounded by water, it looked like the cathedral was floating. The cathedral can still be seen from miles away across the fens, from the roads or the railway.

It dates back to AD 672, when it was founded by St Etheldreda. The earliest parts of the building date back to 1083, and it became a cathedral in 1109.

The cathedral is considered architecturally outstanding due to its scale and style. It was built with a Romanesque style, but the galilee porch, lady chapel, and choir were rebuilt in an exuberant Decorated Gothic style.

Today, the cathedral is popular with tourists, attracting around 250,000 visitors every year. As well as people wanting to look inside the cathedral, there is also a hidden museum inside.

The stained glass museum is tucked away on the first floor of the cathedral. The museum is the only one of its kind in the UK. For anyone who hasn’t yet been to this iconic cathedral, then it may be worth the trip.

Answer: Haxby, of course.

This bank holiday weekend is the Haxby and Wigginton Scarecrow Festival. More than 150 scarecrows can be found putting their feet up (no crows to scare) in front of shops, homes and businesses throughout the two villages.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Many are clustered in and around The Village itself. Noah stands beside his ark on the lawn in front of St Mary’s Church. Shrek lounges on a chair in the sun in front of Reeds Rains.

A beautiful dryad decked with flowers sits in front of Thora’s, while a bit further along the street a cat-burglar with a ferocious feline head climbs out of the dormer window of a doll’s house beside the village café.

Perhaps most striking of all is a noble straw lion sitting propped against a low brick wall. “Please do not touch, thank you. He might fall over!” says a little note tacked up beside him.

Straw lion at the Haxby Scarecrow Festival (Image: Stephen Lewis)

This is the Scarecrow Festival’s 20th year – though, because of Covid, it is only the 18th festival.

But with the sun shining on the Saturday of the bank holiday weekend, Haxby  was filled with families and children, dashing excitedly from scarecrow to scarecow and filling in checklists so as to earn their Scarecrow Festival stickers.

“I love seeing the families with children going around,” said co-organiser Mike Brudenell.

Cat burglar at the Haxby Scarecrow Festival (Image: Stephen Lewis)

There are no fewer than five official scarecrow trails that you can follow. The shortest is just over a mile long – the longest more than six miles. You can buy the trail guides and checklists for £3 each – or the whole set of 5 for £12, with all the proceeds going to charity.

“Some people come back several times over the three days and do all five!” said co-organiser Janet Bowling.

The trails begin at the Haxby Methodist Church in The Village. You can also get refreshments here (including delicious bacon sarnies) and pick up your trail guides.

Haxby Scarecrow Festival organisers Janet Bowling, left, and Helena Rigby, right, at the Haxby Scarecrow Festival (Image: Stephen Lewis)

Lord Mayor Cllr Rowley was certainly having a ball. “This kind of thing is the reason you become Lord Mayor!” he said.

The Festival raises money for four charities each year -three local, one international.

The local charities this year are Candlelighters, Dementia Forward and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

Lord Mayor of York Cllr Martin Rowley with Karen Skouras of Dementia Forward with the Dementia Forward scarecrow at the Haxby Scarecrow (Image: Stephen Lewis)

The international charity, meanwhile, is Outreach EMR – a medical charity which provides a life-saving medical records system for rural clinics in some of the poorest countries on the world.

It may be international – but it is also very much a local charity. It was set up in 2014 after recently-retired York GP Dr Peter Smith spent time working in remote clinics in rural Uganda.

He was horrified to discover that they weren’t keeping proper medical records – and even more horrified when he realised that the paper records he was keeping after seeing patients were being torn up for use as loo paper in the latrine.

Dr Peter Smith of Outreach EMR with the charity’s scarecrow at the Haxby Scarecrow Festival (Image: Stephen Lewis)

When he returned to York, he got together with a friend who ran a software development company. Together, they developed a simple, drop-down electronic records system that could be installed on laptops and operated even in remote areas without access to the internet.

Now the charity’s system is being used in 23 clinics in nine of the poorest countries in the world – saving lives and improving patient care by ensuring medics have access to their patients’ medical details at a few clicks of a button.

For Peter, who spent his working life as GP in Haxby, the Scarecrow Festival represented a chance to meet up with old friends and patients.

A flower-bedecked Dryad scarecrow at the Haxby Scarecrow Festival (Image: Stephen Lewis)

“It has been really heartwarming!” he said. “There have been so many families and children here, learning about us – and I have seen so many former patients!”

Last year, the Festival raised more than £5,000, which was split between the four charities it was supporting.

Fingers crossed it can do just as well this year…

Haxby Scarecrow Festival continues through to Bank Holiday Monday with full details available on their website.

In a filing arguing for his release, defence lawyers wrote: “Moreover, the government, after essentially asserting that Mr Allen shot a Secret Service Officer in the criminal complaint, has apparently retreated from the theory by not mentioning the alleged officer at all in its memorandum.”

Anna Turley MP issued a rally cry in the face of difficult polling ahead of the May elections next week, pointing out Tony Blair lost around 1,150 councillors in 1999

Labour can win the next general election and MPs must rally behind Keir Starmer as he’s the “best person” for the job, the party chair has claimed.

Anna Turley MP issued a rally cry in the face of difficult polling ahead of the May elections next week, pointing out Tony Blair lost around 1,150 councillors in 1999.

Speaking to this newspaper, the Redcar MP urged her parliamentary colleagues to stay calm regardless of the result, and to focus on delivering “further and faster”.

READ MORE: Alastair Campbell hits out over Nigel Farage £5million gift from billionaireREAD MORE: Nigel Farage ‘must face probe over £5m he was given by crypto billionaire’

She said: “I 100% believe we can [win the next general election], because. Look back in the 97 election and there were challenges in 1999, Tony Blair lost a thousand councillors. It’s easy at that moment to just kind of look at polls, that are a snapshot.

“People will judge this government on the entirety of its record when we get to the next general election. And I absolutely know, and I can see it with every week and month that goes by the difference that we’re making to communities like mine”.

She was speaking just days after a top election expert warned Mr Starmer ’s Labour faces losing over 1,800 councillors in next week’s crunch local elections. The week has also seen rumours swirl over potential challenges to the PM, including from Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner.

In a plea to rise above the noise, Ms Turley added: “Let’s be resilient. Let’s pull together as a team. We’ve got the best person that can be in the job. we’ve got a leader recognized internationally for what he’s achieving. We’ve done so much, but we have so much to do. Let’s not get distracted. Let’s not keep looking at ourselves. Let’s focus on the things that really matter to the people that we represent. Let’s keep delivering on them, and let’s go further and faster.”

Making her pitch to voters, Ms Turley claimed next week’s election was between a party on their side in Labour, and Reform who would spread “hatred, division and toxicity”. She tore into Nigel Farage ’s party, and suggested he broke the rules over failing to disclose a £5million gift.

The Reform UK leader was given the sum by Thailand-based tycoon Christopher Harborne. Parliamentary rules state new MPs have to declare political donations and political gifts in the year before they enter Parliament.

She said: “I am desperately worried because this is not a party that cares about ordinary working people. This is a party that is funded by global crypto millionaires, we’ve just seen another five million that Nigel Farage didn’t even bother declaring.

“These are not people that are on the side of working people. This is a party funded by millionaires, run by rich blokes who have no interest in public services, which would bring an insurance system to the NHS, and we see at a local level the chaos and the carnage that they bring to the local councils that they inherit. They don’t care about things that matter to people. They’re just interested in their own advancement. This is all about rich blokes looking after themselves.”

But the headline attraction was in East Asia, where Inoue successfully defended his four belts in the 122-pound division for the seventh time in a thrilling super fight. ‘The Monster’, one of the sport’s modern pound-for-pound greats and most formidable knockout kings, added another exceptional chapter to his remarkable legacy on home soil, handing a first professional loss to three-weight world champion Nakatani, who started too slowly and then saw his rousing comeback attempts halted by a nasty cut.

Jan Rock, who set up Matrix Neurological in Stockton, was honoured for her dedication to supporting children and young people with acquired brain injuries.

The award was presented by the High Sheriff of the County Palatine of Durham, Dr Arnab Basu MBE DL, during a visit to Matrix on 23 April.

Dr Basu said: “One of the privileges of this office is the opportunity to recognise service in its many forms, and Jan’s work is an extraordinary example of that.

“After seeing at first-hand how difficult the road can be for children, young people and their families, she turned personal experience into action and created something of lasting value for others facing similar challenges.”

Jan Rock established Matrix Neurological in 2014, four years after her son, Callum, then aged 16, suffered serious multiple trauma injuries, including a severe traumatic brain injury, in a climbing accident.

Her experience of navigating his complex recovery highlighted the lack of specialist support, inspiring her to help other families facing similar challenges.

Through Matrix, Ms Rock and her team deliver community-based support tailored to each child’s needs, while raising awareness of the long-term and often hidden effects of brain injury.

Ms Rock said: “Acquired brain injuries are the biggest cause of death and disability in children and young people in the UK affecting an estimated 500,000 children nationally.

“Sadly, it is the least recognised, least understood and least supported disability post discharge from hospital.”

READ MORE: Deputy leader quits council role after 22 years as he hails financial stability

. Witham marks 180 years at heart of Barnard Castle with busy arts weekend

. Police investigating after blaze breaks out at former Co-op store in County Durham

Matrix Neurological has developed a specialist programme to help children and young people regain essential cognitive, sensory, communication, emotional and behavioural skills.

Dr Basu, who began his term as High Sheriff in March, is using his year in office to recognise and champion unsung community heroes.

Nominations for future High Sheriff’s awards can be sent to durham@highsheriffs.com.

The major UK white goods installation company has announced it is to cease trading with ‘immediate effect’ and has entered creditors’ voluntary liquidation

Advertisement

A major UK kitchen appliance company has stopped trading with ‘immediate effect’. Kaboodle Ltd has revealed that insolvency specialists at BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency have been appointed to help place the firm into creditors’ voluntary liquidation.

The firm, founded in 2005, has released a statement to all customers. The message, published on its website, said: “We regret to inform you that Kaboodle Ltd has ceased trading with immediate effect.

“Insolvency Practitioners, BRI Business Recovery and Insolvency, have been instructed to assist in placing the Company into Creditors’ Voluntary Liquidation. You will be contacted from them directly in due course in relation to the liquidation process including details on how to submit a claim for any monies owed, as applicable.”

Speaking to all of its portal users, the company said: “If you currently hold stock with us, please arrange for collection as a matter of urgency.” The message continued: “We strongly recommend that all stock is collected by no later than 08/05/2026.

“All collections must be pre-booked with the relevant site contact. Please provide a full and complete mandate of the items you are collecting prior to arrival. We are unable to provide stock holding lists at this time. Please ensure you arrange appropriate transport, handling equipment, and authorised personnel.

Advertisement

“Please note that after this date, we cannot guarantee access to or availability of your stock, as staff will be leaving the business and control of the premises may pass to the appointed liquidator and/or the landlord.”

Kitchens and Bathrooms Weekly reports that Kaboodle offered home appliance supply and installation services for retailers and manufacturers from five depots. Announcing the firm’s closure on LinkedIn, commercial director David Simpson said: “I’m sad to formally advise that Kaboodle is to be liquidated as a result of cash constraints. My thoughts and appreciation go to all those employees involved in the insolvency – it’s a distressing time for all.

“I’d also like to thank our manufacturing and retail customers for their loyalty. We were charged with restructuring the business to dedicate ourselves to the Home Installation market some time ago, meaning that we needed to exit our Housebuilder sector.”

Advertisement

Kaboodle founder and former managing director Matthew Pitt, who departed the company earlier this year, also responded to the news on LinkedIn, stating: “Sad to hear the news about the closure of Kaboodle today. It’s very disappointing to see a business with strong foundations end up in this position. There are a lot of talented people affected, and I hope they’re supported through what will be a difficult period.”

Over the past two decades, the company grew into a nationally operating white goods installation firm, boasting the capability to fit kitchen appliances anywhere across the country through its network of five depots. Those facilities are located in Highbridge, Basingstoke, Stevenage, Telford and Leeds.

The PILLOWTALK hit maker made the announcement weeks after he shared a picture of himself on social media from hospital and thanked the “incredible” staff who had looked after him, including doctors, nurses and cardiologists.

Zayn, who quit One Direction in 2015, didn’t disclose what was wrong with him at the time, but the photo shared in April showed him lying in a bed hooked up to various machines and monitors.

In his latest update on Friday (May 1) evening, the 33-year-old wrote on his Instagram stories: “To my fans: Thank you so much for all the love and support you’ve shown me on the album release and more importantly your love, prayers and well wishes for my health.

“I’ve felt it, and it’s meant the world.

“I’ve been at home recovering and I’m doing well and will be better and stronger than before.”

He added: “I’ve had to take another look at my schedule for the months ahead and have to reduce the number of shows on the KONNAKOL Tour.

“I want to make sure I still get out and see as many of you as I possibly can.

“I’m really looking forward to playing these shows for you, and I hope to see the rest of you around the world very soon.

“Big love, Z.”

Zayn Malik confirms new KONNAKOL Tour schedule after cancelling 3 UK shows

In another Instagram story, Zayn included a KONNAKOL Tour poster with an updated schedule of dates, some of which still take place this month (May).

Following the shake-up, he has cancelled his US tour dates, as well as shows in Dublin, Glasgow and Birmingham.

Plus, the tour will be starting later than planned as the original Manchester date has been moved.

On Zayn’s official website, a notice reads: “The updated KONNAKOL Tour 2026 schedule below reflects recent changes to the US and European dates.

“All current tickets will remain valid for the new Manchester date.

“For other shows, if you purchased through Ticketmaster, refunds will be issued automatically.

“If you purchased from a third-party reseller (StubHub, SeatGeek, Vivid Seats, etc.), please reach out to your point of purchase.”

Zayn’s new KONNAKOL Tour dates are now as follows:

• The O2, London – May 23, 2026
• AO Arena, Manchester – May 24, 2026 (new)
• Estadio Borregos, Monterrey, Mexico – June 14, 2026
• Arena VFG, Guadalajara, Mexico – June 17, 2026
• Estadio GNP Seguros, Mexico City, Mexico – June 20, 2026
• Movistar Arena, Santiago, Chile – October 2, 2026
• Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires, Argentina – October 6, 2026
• Allianz Parque, São Paulo, Brazil – October 10, 2026
• Costa 21, Lima, Peru – October 14

Are you seeing Zayn perform live in Manchester and London soon? Let us know in the comments below.

The Conservative leader said she did not sign off on the video, and that it was sent out by “very young people”.

Advertisement

Kemi Badenoch has apologised for footage from Bloody Sunday being used in a social media clip to criticise a bill on legacy issues in Northern Ireland.

The Conservative leader said she did not sign off on the video, and that it was sent out by “very young people”.

The video criticising the Northern Ireland Troubles Bill was posted to Mrs Badenoch’s social media channels on Tuesday, in which Mrs Badenoch says that the Labour Bill will “drag” Troubles veterans back to court.

READ MORE: Conservative Party apologises for Bloody Sunday social media videoREAD MORE: Use of Bloody Sunday footage in Kemi Badenoch video ‘disgusting’ says MP

Foyle MP Colum Eastwood said he was “shocked” that Mrs Badenoch had posted a video “trumpeting the service of British soldiers in Northern Ireland using footage from Bloody Sunday “.

Thirteen unarmed civilians were shot dead when members of the Army’s Parachute Regiment opened fire on civil rights demonstrators in the Bogside area of Londonderry on January 30 1972, which became known as Bloody Sunday.

The Conservative Party apologised on Friday for using the clips in its social media video, and said that as soon as it was brought to its attention, it was removed.

Asked about the clip during a visit to a hairdresser in south-east London, Mrs Badenoch said: “I have apologised. I did not sign off the video.

“It was about a vote in parliament where Labour are putting in legislation that is hounding the very elderly veterans for things that happened decades ago, often under the instruction of political leaders who are no longer around.

“We support our veterans, but the video was done by very young people who did not recognise the footage as being from Bloody Sunday.

“So I apologise as well that that video went out in error.

“It was removed as soon as the party understood that that was what had been put out.”

The Northern Ireland Troubles Bill aims to repeal and replace the controversial Legacy Act introduced by the previous Conservative government, ending the immunity scheme brought in under the law, which was ruled unlawful in the courts.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

A stunning seasonal product is back at M&S for the spring season, and shoppers are rushing to get their hands on it because it’s already sold out in some stores

Marks and Spencer customers have proclaimed it the “best time of year,” stating they’re rushing to purchase a beloved item they eagerly anticipate annually. Numerous shoppers are delighted the product has returned to shelves for them to savour.

Sharp-eyed customers have spotted that Jersey Royal potatoes are now in stock, and they’re adored by countless people for their distinctive taste. Jersey Royals are harvested young and typically have a unique, mildly sweet, nutty flavour with a firmer, waxier texture than many conventional new potatoes.

They can transform even the most basic dishes, and minimal preparation is needed to achieve exceptionally delicious results. They’re also associated with a brief, keenly awaited season, which generates significant demand for the small potatoes.

Since the genuine article isn’t available throughout the year, it creates enormous excitement surrounding them, and they’ve become an unofficial symbol of the spring season.

Naturally, for many people, Jersey Royals are rather nostalgic, as they recall enjoying them during childhood in delicious meals, such as Sunday roasts, barbecues and springtime suppers with delightful potato salads.

They complement classic flavours beautifully, including butter, mint, parsley, lemon, mayonnaise, smoked fish and grilled meat, and they also don’t break apart as readily as floury potatoes, making them perfect for salads and warm accompaniments where you want to bite into a whole potato, rather than a mash-like consistency.

Marks and Spencer wrote on Instagram: “New season Jersey Royals, Mini and Baby Jerseys have landed. Hand‐selected from rich Jersey soils and grown the old‐fashioned way.

“Best served classic – we recommend boiling them, smothering them in butter, seasoning them with salt and pepper and letting spring do the rest!”

In the comments, numerous shoppers said they’d be “running” to get their hands on them, while others described it as the “best time of year”.

A third remarked: “Super tasty cooked in lots of ways. You decide! These are fantastic, always”.

Yet some customers expressed frustration at the difficulty in getting hold of them, with many reporting they were already “sold out” owing to their enormous popularity.

A second fumed that they’re “sold out on Ocado,” while a third lamented that she wished they “could be shipped” to her area. “I love them, but they’re never in stock,” a fourth fumed.

Why do Jersey Royal potatoes sell out so quickly?

Being a strictly seasonal product, the first batch to arrive is invariably the most “wanted”. Many shoppers eagerly anticipate them as a sure sign that spring produce is back, so the moment they appear on shelves, people snap them up immediately, often grabbing several packs knowing they won’t be available for long.

Supply is also inherently limited and unpredictable. Genuine Jersey Royals are grown exclusively in one location, meaning early-season quantities are naturally modest.

Weather conditions, growing environments and harvest schedules can all influence how many reach the market each week, meaning supermarkets may only receive limited supplies, particularly at the start of the season.

Retail stocking patterns only add to the problem. Shops don’t receive unlimited deliveries throughout the day; stock arrives, shelves are filled, and once it’s gone, it’s gone until the next delivery.

If the potatoes are on promotion or displayed in a prominent position, they can sell out rapidly after restocking, giving the impression that they’re “always sold out”. Ultimately, they’re regarded as a modest premium treat that remains reasonably priced.

Even when the cost is higher than standard new potatoes, many shoppers are willing to pay it, firmly believing the flavour and texture are considerably superior. With most consumers not considering other varieties a comparable alternative, demand remains fierce while availability continues to be restricted.