ALL around the world, International Day for Monuments and Sites is observed today.

The aim is to ‘raise awareness of cultural heritage diversity, the vulnerability of sites and monuments, and the measures needed to maintain and conserve them’.

READ MORE: Alfie Joey on the disappearance of jobs for youngsters

So let’s join in and pay tribute to our own monumental landmarks.

However, when you make a list for our region, you soon find the North East is lavishly littered with follies, forts, towers and columns. I’ve limited myself to compiling my top ten list to mark today.

If I’ve left one of yours out, please feel free to send me a strongly worded email…’’Oy..where’s Ludworth Tower!!!’’ Or …’Ey marra, why no Apollo Pavillion in Peterlee??’’

We’ll start up north and work our way down.

Bamburgh Castle, brooding magnificently over the North Sea, looking out for its siblings Lindisfarne and Dunstanburgh Castle, up and down the coast. No surprise at all it is a much sought after movie location – Transformers and recent Indiana Jones adventures have used this as their back drop.

We move a little further south to Alnwick Castle, another movie star of a monument (used in some series about a boy wizard apparently??) with spectacular grounds but make sure you don’t try eating a plant in the Poison Garden!

The Column of British Liberty towers over the tallest treetops in the National Trust grounds of Gibside. Like many a folly, when you stumble on it, you wonder, who on earth plonked this here?

If you’re a Toon fan, the city of Newcastle revolves around St. James’ Park. However, if you are meeting someone, there is only ONE place to convene and that is Grey’s Monument. It stands tall and striking, like a huge pin in a map, it is the city’s unofficial meeting point or place of protest.

Let’s move across to South Tyneside and enjoy the sight to behold that is the Herd Groyne, a Victorian lighthouse built on sturdy legs/stilts in 1882 and still used for navigational purposes today. Worth the trip to South Shields alone.

Down the coast to the dramatic Northern Spire Bridge over the River Wear in Sunderland. The crossing opened to pedestrians (I was one of them) on August 28, 2018, before opening to traffic the next day.

As tall as this bridge is, another monument looks down on it is the North East’s own Parthenon, Penshaw monument. When my two were toddlers I used to love taking them up here for a mighty hike and hot chocolate out of the flask as a reward when you got to the top. The views are cracking on a clear day!

Down the A19 to Teesside for our 8th Whey Aye Wonder as we enjoy the stunning grounds of Wynyard Hall. I was staying there for work recently (I’ve had worse gigs!) and went for a run.

As well as spotting plenty of deer and rabbits bouncing around the fields I was amazed to find the Wellington obelisk pop up from nowhere. Some 40 metres high, it proudly commemorates the visit of the Duke of Wellington to the estate in 1827.

And of course, NO list of North East monuments is complete without Durham Cathedral. It is not just a monument, but a masterpiece.

I remember my first trip to the top with my Uncle John who pointed down to the grounds of Durham prison where you could see the inmates like ants in the exercise yard.

Finally, back up the A1 for our last stop as we give a great big high five to the Angel of the North, which welcomes all visitors to the heart of our great land with open arms.

Ten monuments. Ten towering inanimate objects that bring history, heritage and memories to life.

Go on then…which ones did I leave out?

Facts and Footnotes:

• The Herd Groyne Lighthouse has an operational fog bell.
• The central tower of Durham Cathedral was built in two stages in the fifteenth century.
• The Angel of the North stands at an impressive 20 meters (66 feet) tall and has a wingspan of 54 meters (177 feet).

You can email Alfie via www.AlfieJoey.com and subscribe to his free newsletter there.

The Aurora Borealis is truly a sight to behold if you are lucky enough to catch it on a clear night.

According to reports from the Met Office, Scots may be lucky enough to see the Northern Lights sweep through the skies tonight (April 19). A dream event for stargazers, the space event will paint the sky in a variety of beautiful colours that you won’t want to miss.

Out of those living in the UK, Scots are generally the most likely to see the Aurora Borealis, which dazzles onlookers with bright greens, pinks, blue and violets. While the intensity of the solar event can vary, the brighter, more widespread displays occur during strong geomagnetic events.

The best time to usually see the Northern Lights in the UK is during the Equinox and Solstice, which fall in March/April and September/October. This means the likelihood of seeing an aurora in the coming weeks is higher than usual.

In order for the phenomenon to occur, solar activity needs to take place. The sun emits charged particles known as solar winds, which can interact with particles in the Earth’s magnetic field. If the solar wind’s polarity is opposite to Earth’s, the mixed particles are funneled towards magnetic poles.

As these energetic particles collide with gases in the upper atmosphere, they release energy to form light, which are the colours we are able to see in the sky. Oxygen is said to produce green auroras, and sometimes rare red at higher altitudes. Meanwhile, nitrogen creates blue and purple hues.

For those who are avid watchers of the Northern Lights or you haven’t had the chance to gaze upon the phenomenon yourself, tonight may be your lucky night.

The Met Office has released its aurora forecasts for today (April 19), which states that Scots may be able to see spells of aurora visibility this evening.

The national forecaster’s Northern Hemisphere forecast reads: “Ongoing fast solar winds are likely to bring spells of aurora visibility across northern parts of the UK overnight Sunday into Monday (UTC), and similar geomagnetic latitudes.

“This activity will ease through Monday and into Tuesday, with any viewing becoming more restricted to highest latitudes, and fading to background by Wednesday.”

It should be noted that while Saturday night (April 18) was the prime time to see the lights in action, there is still a chance Scots could see them tonight under the right circumstances.

Yesterday’s aurora forecast read: “The auroral oval is expected to remain at or near background levels until a fast wind arrives early 18 April UTC. This brings an increased chance of enhanced auroral activity Saturday night and to a lesser extent Sunday night.

“Aurora will be potentially visible across Scotland, perhaps northern England, and similar magnetic latitudes where skies are clear.”

How to view the Northern Lights

In the UK, the Northern Lights are the most visible in Scotland, northern England, north Wales, and Northern Ireland. However, during intense solar storms the lights can also be seen much further south.

The best chances of seeing the aurora are when there are dark, clear skies. Light pollution and cloud cover can obscure the view, so it is recommended that you find a remote area such as north-facing coasts or a rural spot that offers a good vantage point.

While the lights are most active around the Equinoxes, strong solar activity can occur throughout the year, bringing stargazers plenty of beautiful surprises.

Irita Marriott Auctioneers and Valuers will return  to The Barlow on Sunday, April 19, offering expert advice and free auction estimates.

Running from 11am to 4pm, the event invites visitors to bring along their treasured items to discover their potential value.

Specialists will be on hand throughout the day to provide insight into the auction process and guidance on selling.

Irita Marriott Auctioneers and Valuers will return to offer auction estimates.

A spokesperson said: “This is a great opportunity to uncover the value of your items and learn more about the auction process.

“Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a long time enthusiast in Bolton.”

Organisers say it is designed to be both informative and accessible, whether you are attending for the first time or have a long-standing interest in antiques.

Peaky Blinders star Paul Anderson showed off a drastic new look while at Comic Con in Paris recently – including a number of cuts on his legs.

The actor, best known for playing Arthur Shelby Jr. in the hit BBC drama, has made headlines for his turbulent past outside of the show.

This began in 2023 with complaints of misconduct from a colleague – allegations which the star denied.

Then, on Boxing Day that year, he was caught in possession of crack cocaine and amphetamines after allegedly using drugs in a pub toilet.

Since pleading guilty to the charges, Anderson’s acting work has largely dried up, with his character even being omitted from this year’s spin-off film, The Immortal Man.

The actor has now shocked fans after appearing at a Comic Con event in France, where he showed up with bleached hair and scarred legs.

In pictures obtained by The Daily Mail, Anderson could be seen wearing a dark jacket over a white Casablanca brand t-shirt.

He also wore a pair of cropped trousers, which showed off a series of cuts and scars to his legs when he sat down to chat with the audience.

His hair had been bleached blond, in a stark change from his tightly trimmed Peaky Blinders look.

This is not the first time Anderson’s appearance has alarmed fans, after previously looking disheveled in London, weeks after he pleaded guilty to crack cocaine possession.

In February 2024, he addressed worried fans, sharing a selfie from the back of a car.

‘Back to business and back on set today’ he wrote in an Instagram story, adding: ‘Thank you for all your love and concern to everyone. I was and have been absolutely flattened by the flu. #nofilter.’

In June 2024, he shared another update, telling his followers in a video that there is ‘no story without struggle.’

He continued: ‘Take it from me, I have struggled, and I struggle today, the same way you do, and we deal with it.

‘If I can help you deal with your struggles, then let’s do it together, let’s make this the first of many conversations, because you can’t do it on your own, you need help.

‘And I will say this one more thing to you, you can help others, in turn, it will help you. It’s called service.

‘So turnaround my friend, look for somebody else who also is suffering, and hard as you may find it, help them, because you’ll find it helps you more, believe it or not.

‘Remember this, we are amazing. You are unbelievable.’

It’s where the best-loved, most re-bought, genuinely useful products are listed, and once you find it you’ll never go back.

It’s packed with smaller items that are perfect for getting you over the postage limit – if you’re a fiver short of that magic £50 free postage, it can be worth grabbing some staples to get you over the line.

It’s called “Lakeland Loves” – and it’s a secret page packed with star buys – those who’ve discovered it treat it like a shortcut to the good stuff.

This isn’t about trends or gimmicks. It’s about the items people rely on so much, they automatically add them to their basket without a second thought.

What are the best buys on Lakeland Loves?

Take the Daily Shower Spray. At £4.99, it’s one of those quietly transformative products: no scrubbing, no rinsing, no wiping.

Just spray after your shower and walk away while it gets to work preventing soap scum, water marks and mould. It’s the kind of low-effort habit that keeps bathrooms looking freshly cleaned for far longer.

Then there are the world’s best washing up gloves – a surprising favourite, perhaps. They’re extra tough, completely latex- and rubber-free, and lined for comfort, making them ideal for sensitive skin. Not the most glamorous purchase, but one people consistently come back for. I don’t buy any others since trying them.

Bakers, meanwhile, tend to stock up on Lakeland’s piping bags. Designed with a textured, non-slip exterior, they offer better grip and precision when icing — and they’re strong enough to handle more demanding kitchen tasks too. I first tried them on a baking workshop and never went back – it’s that rare mix of professional quality and everyday practicality. They’re £9.99, so the priciest thing on my list, but there’s 50 in a pack and they are worth every penny.

The Lakeland Loves products customers buy the most (Image: Lakeland)

Another staple hiding in plain sight is the Wrapmaster refill range. If you’ve ever battled cling film that refuses to cooperate, this is where things change. The cling film is strong and stays put, while the foil – around 30% thicker than most – is built to last. The foil is a must for jacket potatoes and the clingfilm wraps sandwiches like a dream.

For those with the dispenser, these refills are less of a luxury and more of a necessity, at £8.99 for cling film and £5.99 for foil you’ll never go back.

Cleaning essentials feature heavily on the page too, including the microfibre dual kitchen sponges, £4.99. With one soft side for non-stick pans and a tougher abrasive side for stubborn grime, they’re designed to tackle everything from delicate surfaces to heavy-duty scrubbing — and they can be machine washed and reused.

The Lakeland Loves products customers buy the most (Image: Lakeland)

Slightly under the radar, but no less useful, are the optical lens wipes, £3.99 – so popular they were brought back due to demand. Perfect for my glasses, they also cut through smudges on phone screens, camera lenses and more, making them a handbag essential for many shoppers.

The Lakeland Loves products customers buy the most (Image: Lakeland)

And for a quick bathroom refresh, the Vamoose cleaner, £4.99, has built a following of its own. Its deep-foaming formula clings to surfaces like sinks, showers and taps, breaking down soap scum with minimal effort – just spray and wipe. (Those in the know often pick up the kitchen version, also £4.99, at the same time.)

The appeal of the “Lakeland Loves” page is simple: it takes the guesswork out of shopping. These are the products people don’t just try – they stick with.

So next time you’re browsing Lakeland, it might be worth seeking it out.

Because once you find it, you’ll probably never shop there quite the same way again.

Pontyclun came out on top in a dramatic WRU Division 4 Cup final, winning 27-21 against Llangadog

Pontyclun edged out Llangadog in a dramatic WRU Division 4 Cup final on Sunday, winning 27-21 at the Principality Stadium.

Two tries from openside Josh Clarke and 12 points from the boot of Nicky Theaker laid the platform for cup success for Pontyclun, with player of the match Joe Williams pulling the strings.

Mid Walians Llangadog were a worthy opponent, with victory slipping through their fingers right at the end.

Wales flanker Harri Deaves had been up early on Sunday morning, having helped the Ospreys to a vital URC win over the Sharks the previous night, to prepare the bacon rolls for Pontyclun’s trip to the Principality Stadium.

Even after ascending to Test rugby earlier this season, the 24-year-old has remained a constant at his local rugby club – coaching, doing the laundry and helping out however he can. Almost immediately after he had won his first Wales cap against the All Blacks this season, Deaves was back in Pontyclun’s clubhouse to celebrate.

Along with the 37 youth players he coaches, Deaves would have been delighted as his hometown club won a dramatic final at the home of Welsh rugby.

In particular, the efforts of openside Clarke would have caught his eye.

“It’s unbelievable,” admitted Clarke afterwards. The flanker has played for Neath at the stadium before, but doing it for his hometown club “hits a little bit different”.

“It’s a surreal experience, this is my boyhood club. We’ve got over 1,000 supporters here. They’re over the moon!

“I think one or two of them had flares on the way in! The coppers drove past, so they were a bit lucky not to get stopped! The other coaches have come down from Pontyclun, from the juniors to the old people. You can’t fault that.

“I’m supposed to me in college on an electrical course on Monday. I did hint they might not see me until the afternoon!”

After a nervy start to the final, Llangadog settled sooner – with scrum-half Tom Bailey opening the scoring.

The 31-year-old support worker danced his way over from the back of a scrum to touch down.

Having not had much of a sniff, Pontyclun ended the half in fine fashion.

Fittingly, given Deaves’ presence, it was openside Clarke who turned the game in their favour with two scores before the break.

The first saw him, in a similar vein to the Ospreys back-row, burst through a gap and evade the final man to stretch over.

Then, after the delightful hands of fly-half and captain Williams put centre Theaker through gaps twice in quick succession to get the Badgers within touching distance of the line, Clarke burrowed over the line to end the first-half with his second score.

Pontyclun remained on top after the break, with full-back Adam Lewis finishing off a fine move out wide.

After Llangadog had dared to run it from deep, Clarke got over the ball for a penalty – which Theaker knocked over to build their lead.

However, Llangadog weren’t finished, with full-back Rhodri Davies latching onto a kick-pass after some red-zone pressure to score their second try.

Then, with 25 minutes to go, Deian Thomas took down a high cross-field kick in one hand to race away.

That score reduced Pontyclun’s lead to just three points, with the momentum having firmly shifted once again.

Ceri Williams had a chance to level the scores, but his penalty clattered the uprights.

Theaker made no mistake with a penalty of his own to make it a six-point game heading into the final 10 minutes.

Llangadog had chances in the dying minutes, throwing everything at Pontyclun.

With the clock in the red, it looked as though Llangadog would snatch victory – hammering away at the Badgers’ line time and time again.

However, a huge effort saw Pontyclun win a scrum against the head to seal victory.

Llangadog

Tries: Tom Bailey, Rhodri Davies, Deian Thomas; Cons: Ceri Williams x3

Pontyclun

Tries: Josh Clarke x2, Adam Lewis; Cons: Nicky Theaker x3; Pens: Nicky Theaker x2

Llangadog: Rhodri Davies; Iestyn Williams, Rhys Thomas, Kasper Anderson, Ben Morgan; Ceri Williams, Tom Bailey; Llyr Thomas, Daniel Morse, Telor Dyer, Rhys Evans, Owen Williams, Tom Davies, Ioan Hughes, Charles Handford.

Replacements: Ioan Lewis, Tom Llewellyn, Steff Thomas, Gruff Jones, Cian Thomas, Guto Price, Lewys Jones, Deian Thomas.

Pontyclun: Adam Lewis; Jacob Dennis, Luke Rose, Nicky Theaker, Morgan Stevens; Joe Williams, Morgan Lloyd; Henry Legg, Sam Barclay, Iestyn Herridge, Morgan Parsons, Morgan Rose, Evans Cooke, Josh Clarke, Dan Hemmens.

Replacements: Dan Ruggles, Simon Pilkington, Tom Fry, Jack Theaker, Gareth Hooke, Tom Harrison, Harri Deaves, Harri Stiff.

Hundreds of people descended on the city centre

‘Acts of violence’ which escalated during demonstrations in Manchester will be investigated further by Greater Manchester Police. It comes after the force was criticised by the Northern Police Monitoring Project for what it described as ‘thuggish’ tactics used against counter-protesters who rallied against Britain First supporters on Saturday (April 18).

GMP says around 1,000 people turned out for the two demonstrations combined. Supporters of the far-right political group were largely kept well away from anti-racism counter-protesters during a heavily policed afternoon in the city centre.

Hundreds of flag-waving Britain First supporters marched from Store Street to St Peter’s Square. Counter-protesters assembled in Piccadilly Gardens before heading to another part of St Peter’s Square, separated from Britain First by multiple fences and police lines, while officers blocked off multiple streets between the two demonstrations.

Click here to get the biggest stories straight to your inbox in our Daily Newsletter

Three people were arrested during the protests, which GMP said had attracted a smaller turnout than expected. One male counter-protester was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which allowed officers to require the removal of face coverings, while another male counter-protester was arrested on suspicion of assaulting a police officer.

A woman was also arrested on suspicion of breaching the peace, with GMP unsure if she was part of either demonstration. In an update issued today (Sunday), the force said all three people had since been bailed.

Since the demonstrations took place, video footage has emerged online showing flashpoints involving GMP officers and counter-protesters. The Northern Police Monitoring Project, which had observers at the demonstration, criticised the force’s actions towards counter-protesters.

In a statement, the group said: “Officers behaved thuggishly, with consistent and serious aggression and violence – overwhelmingly directed at antifascist counter-protesters, not at the far-right fascist marchers they were facilitating. This included numerous punches, kicks and violent attempts to remove masks, in some cases causing injuries, as well as repeated use of batons and PAVA spray, and the deployment of horses against protesters.”

The group claimed GMP used PAVA spray ‘repeatedly, in significant volume, without warning, and without lawful justification’, while it also claimed officers were on occasion ‘blocking medical assistance’. GMP says it will further investigate specific incidents from the protest in the coming days, as it did following the previous Britain First demonstration and counter-protests in February.

A force spokesperson said: “During what was a very busy day in Manchester city centre, officers responded to several incidents and intervened in altercations between groups. On some occasions this spilled over into acts of violence and disorder, and these will be fully investigated.

“We will utilise a range of criminal and civil powers to bring offenders to justice, ensuring that those who wish to protest peacefully can do so. We would also encourage anyone with mobile phone or CCTV footage from the protests to report it to us as it could assist our enquiries. Our priority is always to protect public safety while supporting people’s right to protest peacefully.”

In a statement issued on Saturday evening addressing the use of force and PAVA spray, GMP added: “The vast majority of both sides caused no issues for our officers. Force was required when counter-protesters had tried to break police lines and attempted to throw punches.

“PAVA spray was deployed as a tactic instead of using further additional force. A small breakaway group of protesters had made their way down the side of the Town Hall. Officers were later met with resistance as they moved them away from the nearby counter group and some force was required.”

Police horses, riot vans and specialist units from police forces across the country were all mobilised to police Saturday’s demonstrations. A Section 34 dispersal order remained in place until 8pm on Saturday night. The number of arrests was fewer than the 11 made during the February 21 demonstrations, which had multiple flashpoints across a larger route.

GMP says it has a ‘duty to support people’s right to protest peacefully’. While accepting the march had to be allowed due to freedom of expression, both council leader Bev Craig and mayor Andy Burnham issued statements ahead of the protests, insisting that ‘racism and hatred have no place’ in the city.

Officers arrested the man in his 30s moments before the bout began at Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium last weekend.

A well-known celebrity was arrested on suspicion of rape while he was attending Tyson Fury’s fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier this month. Moments before the bout began, police swooped on Tottenham Hotspur’s stadium.

The man in his 30s, who has not been named, was arrested on suspicion of the rape and sexual assault of a female victim at a home in North London earlier this year. The man has since been bailed.

A Met spokesperson told The Mirror: “A 30-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of rape, sexual assault and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent on Saturday, 11 April.

“This relates to sexual offences which reportedly occurred at an address in Golders Green in January. A female victim is being supported by specially trained officers. The man has been released on bail as enquiries continue.”

Tens of thousands of boxing fans were at the London venue to watch The Gypsy King’s bout against Makhmudov. Fury, 37, came out of retirement to beat the Russian, 36.

Heavyweight champion Tyson has tried to give up boxing for good on a number of occasions over recent years, but he made his much anticipated return against Arslanbek Makhmudov last weekend.

Advertisement

After defeating Dillian Whyte in April 2022, the Gypsy King first proclaimed he was ‘going out with a bang’, announcing: “I fulfilled everything I’ve ever wanted to fulfil. I will retire as only the second heavyweight in history, after Rocky Marciano, to retire undefeated. I was unbeatable at this game.”

However, his time away from the sport lasted mere months, and by December that year, the Manchester fighter was competing again, this time against Derek Chisora.

He then faced Francis Ngannou in October 2023 before suffering his first professional defeat in May 2024 after nine gruelling rounds with undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Tyson’s Dad, John, has slammed his son’s plans to restart professional fighting, saying:“I think he’s past his best. I’m a no-filter kind of guy – I say it how I see it.

“I love him, but there are too many people patting him on the back and telling him things that aren’t true, building him up like he’s invincible. He’s not and he hasn’t been for a while.”

John added that “boxing destroyed” their relationship. Tyson took his dad’s comments on the chin, saying in response, “I just take his comments as those of a concerned parent. My dad wanted me to retire six years ago, after a while, he said even two years would have been enough.”

However, Tyson admitted it wasn’t money or something to “prove” that led him back to the ring, but simply love for the sport.

“It’s about the love of the game and the love of this fight business that I’m in,” he said, adding, “As for the naysayers who say, ‘Oh, he might be finished,’ then obviously I want to prove them wrong.

“But more than that, I just want to enjoy it, have fun in there, and do what I’ve always done – enjoy it and have fun.” He also said he is ready to “put on a show” for his fans, “as always”.

Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google’s preferred sources. Click HERE

Emergency services were called to a collision on the A189 between Burradon Road and the Moor Farm Roundabout, north of North Tyneside, just into Northumberland, shortly after 1.30am on Saturday (April 18).

It was reported that, for reasons yet to be established, a pedestrian was on the northbound carriageway when he was struck by a white Seat Alhambra car.

Emergency services attended the scene and the pedestrian, a man in his 20s, was found to have sustained life-threatening injuries.

He was taken to hospital for emergency treatment, but his death was confirmed later in the day.

His next of kin have been informed and continue to be supported by police.

The driver of the vehicle involved remained at the scene to assist with police inquiries, and an investigation was launched.

Officers from Northumbria Police’s Roads Policing Unit today (Sunday) appealed for witnesses to the collision to come forward.

They are particularly keen to hear from anyone with CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident itself, or the moments leading up to the collision.

 Sergeant Steven Chappell, of Northumbria Police, said: “Our thoughts are with the man’s family and loved ones at this incredibly difficult time.

“I would like to express my heartfelt condolences following this tragic incident, and we will continue to support them in any way that we can.”

Sgt Chappell added: “A range of inquiries are under way as we look to establish exactly what happened in the moments leading to this collision.

“As part of this, we are keen for any motorists or witnesses who were travelling in the area at this time to come forward.

“We are particularly keen to hear from those who may have dashcam footage which may have captured the collision or may show the man in the area of the A189.

 “I would urge anyone who has information about the incident, no matter how small you feel it may be, to get in touch with us if you have not yet done so.”

Anyone with information or footage should get in touch by sending Northumbria Police a direct message on social media, or by using ‘live chat’ and ‘report’ forms on the force website.

If anyone is unable to make contact in those ways, they should ring 101.

Callers are asked to quote reference number: NP-20260418-0078.