The former England captain, who revealed his own MND diagnosis last year, is riding from Newcastle to Twickenham over seven days as part of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge.

He is being joined by family, friends and a group of high‑profile rugby names as the team makes its way south.

Lewis Moody at the start at Kingston Park on day one of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge (Image: Owen Humphreys)

Riders gathered early this morning in Newcastle before beginning the day’s stage to Ripon, North Yorkshire, where they will start on their way to Worksop tomorrow.

The challenge will finish at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Saturday, June 20, where the group will deliver the match ball ahead of the Gallagher PREM Rugby Final.

The 500‑mile ride is raising money for vital MND research and forms part of Moody’s support for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, established by the late Scotland international Doddie Weir. Weir’s wife Kathy and son Hamish are joining the challenge, riding alongside Moody’s own family.

Lewis Moody, second right, with wife Annie Moody, right, Kathy Weir, left, and Hamish Weir at the start at Kingston Park on day one of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge (Image: Owen Humphreys)

The wider line‑up includes a number of rugby greats who will join different stages of the route, including Jonny Wilkinson, Martin Johnson, Jason Robinson, Phil Vickery, Martin Corry and Tom Croft.

Several former teammates and friends of Moody are completing the full route, among them fellow MND campaigner Kenny Logan, former Ireland international Geordan Murphy and adventurer Alan Chambers.

The ride will pass through clubs and communities connected to Moody’s rugby career, including Leicester Tigers, Bath Rugby and Bracknell RFC.

Lewis Moody, centre, with participants at the start at Kingston Park on day one of the Lewis Moody XV Cycle Challenge (Image: Owen Humphreys)

One of the most significant moments will come on Tuesday when Moody returns to Oakham School, where he boarded as a teenager before going on to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003.

Moody has described the challenge as a show of unity within the rugby community and a way of continuing the work started by Weir.

He said the involvement of the Weir family was “incredibly powerful” and that the ride aimed to demonstrate continued determination to push forward research into MND.

The My Name’5 Doddie Foundation has committed more than £23.5m to MND research since its creation in 2017.

Durham County Council’s cabinet has approved plans for a public consultation on a scoping report which will help shape a new County Durham Plan, setting out long-term priorities for housing, infrastructure, economic growth and environmental protection.

The consultation, due to run between June and August, follows national changes to planning policy which have significantly increased estimated housing need across the county.

Council leaders said the exercise would ensure the new plan reflected local priorities before more detailed planning policies were drawn up.

Andrew Husband, Reform council leader, said the new plan would be developed as a “united effort” to create a long-term vision for the county while ensuring it reflected the priorities and aspirations of local communities. 

Speaking at a cabinet meeting, he said councillors wanted the plan to address issues affecting towns and villages across County Durham, including housing, employment, transport and the environment.

“Crucially, it must support strong and sustainable economic growth, helping attract investment, create good jobs and bring new wealth into County Durham,” he added.

The authority formally began the plan-making process in March and is among the first councils in England to start updating its local plan following the government’s planning reforms.

Council officers said a new local plan could provide significant economic and financial benefits by giving greater certainty to investors, developers and infrastructure providers, while supporting the delivery of new homes, employment land and essential services.

The document is also intended to align with the council’s Strategic Place Plans, which are being developed to create long-term visions for towns across County Durham.

Cllr Husband added that public involvement at an early stage would be vital to the success of the plan.

He added: “Early engagement is essential to getting this right, and this scoping stage is the first step in ensuring that our communities shape the opportunities ahead.”

Following the consultation, further public engagement will take place on proposed planning policies and a draft version of the plan. The council hopes the new County Durham Plan will be adopted from March 2029.

A Cabinet minister has suggested that more money will be allocated for defence, saying she did not believe new defence secretary Dan Jarvis “would have taken the job were he not confident that we could meet the moment”.

It comes after John Healey dramatically resigned from the role earlier this week, accusing the prime minister of being “unwilling to commit the resources” needed to keep Britain safe in the defence investment plan.

No 10 sources said Mr Jarvis will be taking another look at the defence investment plan in the wake of Mr Healey’s resignation.

“You’d obviously expect him to have chance to look at the Dip, and consider issues such as whether Healey had the right balance on how money spent”, they said.

It came as culture secretary Lisa Nandy told Sky News that government departments are already looking at further cutting their budgets to help fund defence, insisting the country’s safety remained ministers’ top priority.

While she sidestepped questions on whether more money would be offered to new Mr Jarvis than to his predecessor Mr Healey, she said: “I don’t think he would have taken the job were he not confident that we could meet the moment.”

“There’s a clear picture emerging from this government that we have moved resources from other departments in order to fund defence, that includes mine and it includes other departments as well, and we’re continuing to do that”, Ms Nandy said.

“So defence remains the highest priority, and I don’t agree that we’re not committing the resources that we need. But when the threat level changes, when the global situation changes, we have to change our approach as well.”

However, the culture secretary disagreed with Mr Healey’s claim that Sir Keir Starmer failed to commit the resources the country needs to defend itself at a time of rising threats.

“I don’t agree with him on that point, because these are discussions that are currently being had,” she said.

It comes after Dan Jarvis – a former soldier himself – vowed to get the armed forces the funding they need after his predecessor quit over the issue, saying he had a “big responsibility” towards troops who risk their lives for the country.

Mr Healey, followed by armed forces minister Al Carns, resigned over the long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip) on Thursday significantly denting his chances of seeing off a leadership challenge.

Speaking to the Sunday Telegraph, Mr Jarvis said: “I think you will appreciate that this is pretty early days for me, and I’m working through the detail of all of that – but I am absolutely determined to make sure that we deliver for defence.

“It’s a moment of challenge. It’s the responsibility of our government to rise to meet the moment of that challenge, and that is what I will be working to achieve.

“The defence of our nation is a shared endeavour… I have a big responsibility in that regard now, but so do all of those people who expose themselves to risk tonight, tomorrow, next week, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.”

The new defence secretary added: “I have a responsibility now to them to make sure that they get what they need, and people should be very clear about my determination to fulfil those duties, to make sure that they do [get] precisely what they need.”

Andy Burnham, who hopes to return to Westminster in the Makerfield by-election and has made no secret of his Labour leadership ambitions, has already said he would not be “squeamish” about reducing the welfare bill to fund defence spending.

The Greater Manchester mayor said “the world has changed” and it was “obvious” the government would have to adjust its assumptions about defence spending in response.

Clare and Lucy Bulmer, founders of lifestyle brand Luce and Bear, are finalists in the Family Business category at the 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards, which celebrate women in business across the UK.

The national recognition carries personal meaning for the sisters, who grew up in Northallerton, where their late father, Trevor Bulmer, ran Smirthwaites garage.

Clare, left and Lucy, right celebrate being Finalists in the EVA Awards (Image: Supplied)

They said: “He taught us the importance of hard work, getting to know your customers, treating everyone with respect, and always taking pride in what you do.

“Those lessons have stayed with us throughout our lives.”

The sisters, who launched Luce and Bear during the pandemic, say the award nomination feels like a continuation of their father’s legacy.

Now based in Harrogate, they credit values learned during childhood visits to Smirthwaites and time spent with their father for shaping their approach to business.

Clare, left, and Lucy, right at the House of Lords (Image: Supplied)

Their nomination for the Enterprise Vision Awards was submitted confidentially by someone who believed their story deserved wider recognition.

It highlighted not only the business success they’ve achieved, but also Lucy’s determination to grow the brand while living with chronic illness.

As part of the awards process, Clare and Lucy attended a Westminster Reception at the historic House of Lords, where they joined female entrepreneurs from across the UK.

There, they enjoyed afternoon tea on the terrace and heard from high-profile speakers, including Theo Paphitis of Dragons’ Den.

A train breakdown almost kept them from attending, but they managed to arrive in time despite the disruption.

Clare said: “Our train broke down before we even got to York.

“We ended up racing across London on one of the hottest days of the year and only just made it through the airport-style security at the House of Lords in time.

“The setting was incredible; we had drinks on the terrace overlooking the Thames followed by a very fancy afternoon tea.

“It’s a day we’ll never forget.”

The sisters will now interview with a judging panel ahead of the awards ceremony in October.

Lucy said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be named finalists.

“To be up for Best Family Business means so much because we had strong family values instilled into us from a young age and these have always been at the heart of everything we do.

“We’re incredibly proud of our Northallerton roots and of the legacy left by Dad.

“We hope he would be proud to see us carrying those same values forward in our own way.”

Luce and Bear has grown a loyal community of customers who appreciate the brand’s warmth, grit, and humour.

Their signature SOS (Story of Sisters) design was inspired by Lucy’s experience living with late stage Lyme Disease and has become a symbol of strength and hope for many customers.

The business has attracted plenty of recognition in the past year.

It was named Best Women’s Style in Yorkshire at the Muddy Stilettos Awards, won a Small Business Sunday Award from Theo Paphitis, and received the Judges’ Choice Award at the national Woman Who Achieves Awards.

Judges praised the sisters’ positivity and proclaimed “we predict a very bright future for this dynamic duo.”

The 2026 Enterprise Vision Awards ceremony will be held at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on October 2.

The sisters said: “The best bit is that whatever happens, we get to put our glad rags on and go to the awards ceremony.

“We’ll definitely be raising a glass to Dad, our hero, a man of great, quiet dignity, who truly hated fuss, but deserves all our thanks.”

Luce and Bear products are available online and at regular pop-up events across Yorkshire.

Upcoming appearances include the North Yorkshire County Agricultural Show on June 21.

The sisters use their social media pages to announce new product launches and event dates.

Their brand is built on spreading encouragement and “good old-fashioned customer service.”

They said: “Our aim has always been to design products with positive messages, that hopefully make people smile, even on the tough days

“We are also big believers in good old fashioned customer service and that laughter really is the best medicine! We’re just so happy the judges can see potential in our small brand.”

A frustrated resident has shared how their inconsiderate neighbour does the same thing at 2.30am every single weekend, and people on Reddit were baffled by the news

Most people have a degree of patience when it comes to their neighbours. The occasional party or a bit of noise is generally something most of us are willing to overlook.

But what would you do if your neighbour was repeatedly disturbing you at 2.30 in the morning every single weekend? That’s precisely the situation one frustrated resident found themselves in, after their neighbour began engaging in a remarkably anti-social habit during the early hours, week after week.

They suspected the neighbour worked unusual shifts, but felt this was no justification for his behaviour. They wrote: “I assume my neighbour works midnights. I only think that as his car is at the house all day and gone at night. Well, he cuts his grass every weekend. I have been woken up quite a few times.

“He cuts both front and back at very bizarre hours of the night. I know I can not be the only one who hears it; there are other houses near. It’s been going on for the past few months. I don’t hear it every time, but many times I’ve been woken up.

“This morning it happened again. Should I go up to him and talk c*** next time it happens?”

Commenters were quick to point out that making excessive noise beyond certain hours was simply not on, with many urging the poster to “call the police”, reports the Mirror.

One respondent cautioned: “I hear you about calling the police, but sometimes I get the feeling that without saying it, sometimes they convey who called.”

One person commented: “If someone is running a lawnmower at 3am, we’re past the ‘maybe they’re unaware’ stage. One polite conversation is reasonable; after that, I’d start looking up local noise ordinances.”

A woman shared: “I just asked my husband if he could imagine a neighbour doing this, he said yes, so and so.. I said immediately I’m calling the cops. No questions asked, he can be p***** at me, I don’t care. 6am is disrespectful, but we live in a hot climate, so I get it.

“At 3am, I’m calling the cops and waiting outside the door with them to cuss you out, I don’t care. I love my sleep too much, and I’m a chill neighbour outside of this.

“Same neighbour burns his trash and weeds, during the fall when it’s actually nice enough to have the windows open, I don’t complain, I just close them and turn on the AC (air conditioning). But [impact] my sleep…we’re beefing for life”.

One Redditor stated: “At 3am, this stops being a matter of personal preference and becomes a matter of basic consideration.

“Noise ordinances exist for exactly this reason… when one person’s routine starts affecting dozens of other people trying to sleep…Being courteous matters, but so does respecting everyone else’s right to a quiet night.

“The fact that this has been going on for months makes it even crazier,” another person raged. “One time is weird; every weekend is a choice.”

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

These are all the significant planning developments tabled with councils across the city-region

Plans to build hundreds of new homes right next to Strangeways prison are among the biggest developments tabled with local authorities recently.

The area around the prison on the edge of Manchester city centre has been earmarked for a major new housing development for more than 300 people. The future of Strangeways remains unclear, but this latest scheme would see the warehouse off Dutton Street repurposed.

The warehouse building is currently on the land which is used by Pure Padel under a temporary agreement. The new proposals could see that building knocked down to make way for the residential tower block, according to planning reports.

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Here is a breakdown of each borough’s recently submitted public notices…

Bolton

Town centre shisha lounge seeks planning permission to stay open

A shisha lounge in Bolton town centre has applied for planning consent.

Rizla’s Cafe Lounge, on Basil Street is seeking temporary two-year consent from the council to ‘allow the site to remain active pending future redevelopment proposals’.

The site was formerly used as a car sales pitch before the current business occupied it.

The premises have operated as a shisha lounge and hot food takeaway since late 2024.

A design and access statement, published on behalf of applicant, Mr A Ali, said: “The current application seeks a temporary planning permission for a period of two years only, pending the owner’s longer-term redevelopment aspirations for retail development on the site.”

Manchester

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Strangeways area could transform under huge housing plans

Massive changes could soon be on the way in Strangeways with plans for a major new housing development for more than 300 people.

An application has been made to Manchester council to build a part 20-storey building with 189 homes at 24 Dutton Street. It is located close to Strangeways prison.

The proposals fall into an area designated for major regeneration, known as the Strangeways and Cambridge Strategic Regeneration Framework, a joint project from Manchester and Salford councils.

New Five Guys restaurant set to open in Manchester

A new Five Guys burger restaurant is set to open in Manchester.

Planning documents have appeared on Manchester council’s website showing new signs for the fast food chain at the Manchester Fort shopping centre in Cheetham Hill. It would be based at unit 35, which used to be a Pizza Hut based just off Cheetham Hill Road.

Rochdale

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Rochdale estate hit by nightmare parking and cars clogging up the pavements for years – until now

A housing estate in Rochdale has been overrun by cars for years, according to members of the community. But that is all about to change following a successful campaign to find an alternative to cars clogging up the pavements.

The Smallbridge estate, around Armstrong Hurst Close, Ditton Mead Close and Stonie Heyes Avenue, has struggled with the volume of families using cars, and councillors said this left residents fighting for spaces.

Now, the plan for a new car park for the estate has been signed off and will cost £200,000. The new car park will have 23 standard parking spaces and two disabled spaces on the land to the west of Stonie Heyes Avenue – next to the children’s play area.

Stockport

New electric bus depot planned for Stockport

Plans for the Bee Network’s first purpose-built electric bus depot have been revealed.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is proposing to build the new fully electric facility in Stockport ahead of the current depot being demolished to make way to support the wider regeneration of the town centre.

The former Lex Autolease site on Heathside Park Road has now been identified as the location for the new electric vehicle (EV) depot, which will support Greater Manchester’s growing fleet of zero-emission buses.

It comes after the latest orders of new electric Bee Network buses were confirmed last month, putting Greater Manchester on track to have a fully electric bus fleet by 2030.

Wigan

Two ‘hazardous and winding’ roads in Wigan are set to see speed limits slashed by a third

Two rural routes on the outskirts of Wigan where vehicles ‘persistently’ leave the road are set to see speed limits reduced.

Wigan council said that after concerns were raised by local residents it intends to make the entire length of Tuckers Hill Brow and Meadow Pit Lane, Aspull into a 40mph limit. Tuckers Hill Brow is currently de-restricted, so the national speed limit of 60mph governs it.

At its eastern end, just as the route enters Little Scotland, the speed limit reduces to 30mph prior to the road entering a residential area. At its northern end, on Riley Lane / Meadow Pit Lane, the speed limit was recently reduced by the council from 60mph to 40mph, in response to a number of fatal road accidents occurring along the route over a short period of time.

Emergency services were called to the Pilton area of the capital after the fire broke out last night.

A woman has been taken to hospital after falling from a window during a flat fire in Edinburgh. A number of residents were evacuated as a precaution after the blaze broke out in Pilton last night.

Emergency services were called to a block of flats on West Pilton Avenue shortly after 9.15pm on Saturday, June 13. At its height, up to 20 firefighters were on scene to tackle the blaze.

Four fire crews including a specialist height appliance were dispatched by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to bring the fire under control. Images shared with Edinburgh Live from the scene show flames leaping from a first floor window.

Thick smoke was seen billowing above the homes with black scorch marks on the side of the building as the fierce fire took hold. Despite the best efforts of emergency crews, a 43-year-old woman fell from a first floor window.

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She was subsequently taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment. Her condition is unknown.

Speaking to our sister title, one local said: “It looked pretty bad. You could see and hear the intensity of the fire. It’s just terrifying what can happen. I just hope everyone is ok.”

The cause of the fire is unknown and enquiries are ongoing. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 9.40pm on Saturday, 13 June, 2026, we were called to a report concern for a woman who had fell from the window of a flat in West Pilton Avenue, after a fire started within the property.

“The 43-year-old woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. A number of residents in the block were evacuated as a precaution.

“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the cause of the fire.”

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Flight AC937 has turned back towards Scotland after declaring an emergency over the Atlantic Ocean.

An Air Canada flight from Edinburgh has turned back after declaring an emergency over the Atlantic Ocean. Flight AC937 was due to arrive at Montreal-Trudeau Airport at 2.50pm UK time but is now heading back towards Scotland.

The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed the capital shortly before 10am – around 40 minutes later than original scheduled. About an hour into the flight, the general emergency 7700 squawk procedure was initiated and the pilots turned the aircraft around.

Data from flight tracking app FlightRadar24 shows the plane traveling east over Atlantic Ocean several hundred miles off the coast of the Western Isles at the time. It is currently flying back over the Hebrides towards the Central Belt.

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The nature of the emergency is currently unknown and it is not known whether the aircraft will return to Edinburgh Airport or land elsewhere. Emergency response squawking 7700 means a general emergency has been declared.

It can cover a range of scenarios including a technical or medical emergency. The procedure allows air traffic controllers and ground crews to respond to the emergency in the most effective manner.

Air Canada has been contacted for comment.

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Thirteen floors, 1,240 rooms, 80,000 square metres: a colossal mega-hotel on the Baltic Sea is about to open.

On Wednesday, June 17, the five-star Gołębiewski Pobierowo will open its doors to guests.

While it won’t be the largest in Europe – narrowly beaten by the Royal National Hotel in London (1,630 rooms) and the Rin Grand Hotel in Bucharest (1,459 rooms) – it comes a respectable third place.

Rooms at the hotel, in the Polish resort of Pobierowo, can already be booked, starting at £300 (€350) per night. Suites go up to £775 (€900).

Marketing chief Marta Maslowska says more than 2,000 bookings were made in the first 24 hours alone.

There is, however, a catch. Of the 1,240 rooms, only 500 have been completed, according to German outlet BILD.

But for guests who do stay, there’s a lot to look forward to.

As well as a vast outdoor pool, 104 metres long and 60 metres wide (more than double the size of the Olympic standard), there is a water park with whirlpools, water slides, a sauna, and a salt grotto.

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In addition to the wellness area, local media reports that the hotel is planning to have a cinema and a supermarket, and activities for travellers who can’t sit still: climbing walls, a bowling alley and volleyball courts.

There will also be a pianist serenading guests in the lobby, and a disco and entertainment area for children.

On the hotel’s website is the promise of four-themed restaurants, though it’s not clear what the themes will be.

It’s all set on the banks of Plaża w Pobierowie, a two-and-a-half mile long beach with soft white sand and the dazzling waters of the Baltic Sea.

A short drive down the pretty coastal roads there are charming seaside villages such as Trzęsacz, famous for its 15th-century church and an interactive museum, which brings visitors on a journey to the past.

A half-hour walk is the town of Pobierowo. In the summer, it has an outdoor inflatable park and treetop climbing experience, and it’s a popular destination for active breaks.

The hotel, which will be the largest in Poland, is the brainchild of the late entrepreneur Tadeusz Golebiewski.

He started out as a waffle baker, then in 1972 founded the biscuit manufacturer Tago and later built up a hotel empire.

An Instagram account for the hotel, curated in Polish, already has more than 9,000 followers.

Pobierowo is about an hour from Solidarity Szczecin-Goleniów Airport, which is served by Ryanair from Liverpool and London Stansted.

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With flight times of under two hours from London, this Polish seaside gem could become popular with Brits looking for a short seaside break.

In recent years, Poland’s Baltic region has seen an uptick in visitors, as tourists increasingly shun the sweltering heat of southern Europe in favour of milder climates.

For the past two summers, visitors have packed Gdańsk’s historic old town, lounged on Sopot’s long beaches, and wandered the cliffs near Gdynia.

‘Poland’s coast increasingly attracts tourists from further abroad,’ said Katarzyna Smierzchalska, marketing manager at Hotel Nadmorski in Gdynia.

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She noted that international guests are looking for relief from intense heat elsewhere.

Further east along the Baltic Coast, resorts in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuaniaare also seeing a rise in visitors.

Lithuania’s tourism board reported that the capital Vilnius clocked a record 10 million international arrivals in 2025.

Coastal regions such as Palanga are also increasingly popular with holidaymakers who want a beach break without the Mediterranean heat, and crowds.

Our writer Lucy Daltroff recently travelled there and said she has never been rewarded with ‘such inviting beaches, beautiful nature and consistently good food’.

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Ryanair flies direct to Palanga from London Stansted from around £88 return.

You can read Lucy’s full report on what to do, and where to stay, here.

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