Hundreds flocked to Bishop Auckland College on Saturday (June 13) as Bishop Auckland Pride kicked off its third year in the town. 

Rainbows and glitter were the norm amongst the lively audience as punters watched the likes of  Tess Tickle and The Dragettes and a Taylor Swift tribute act while the sun shone.

Music lovers – who were spoilt for choice with an array of stalls and even a fairground ride – then made their way over to the stage for former X Factor winner Joe McElderry.

Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: Chris Booth)

Amongst the audience was Alison Sample, who came along to pride with her family.

“It is great, everybody has got together and the whole community has come as one”, she said.

Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: Chris Booth)

Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: Chris Booth)

“We came last year and it is a lot busier this year. We come to support our family and friends and we don’t prejudice – it is great to see everyone having fun.” 

Her daughter Lauren Sample, 29, also was thrilled to be there – even donning a “straight but I don’t hate” t-shirt while wearing rainbow face paint. 

Lauren Sample at Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“I love it”, the Bishop Auckland mum-of-two explained. 

“I am straight but I just love it, it is so full of love. It is very busy compared to last year too. I got to bring my two kids here, we are only five minutes down the road. I just feel safe here.” 

Alison’s granddaughter Alyssa, 18, worked the event last year but was now enjoying it alongside her family. 

Alyssa Sample at Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“It is really nice to be here with everybody as part of something. It is not just LGBTQ+ people, it is about bringing people together. 

“I have seen people with England flags, everybody has got their own thing. It is nice to bring everyone together and have some fun.” 

Kendra Sowerby, 33, said the event was “really good” to see: “I actually went to this school back in 2010 and there was nothing like this then. Is it good that they have moved forward. 

Gina Bond and Kendra Sowerby at Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“I wasn’t expecting this many people here.”

Joe McElderry fans Carol Patterson, who are from Newton Aycliffe and Shildon, were another two people popping along for the day.

“We have just come to see what it is all about”, Carol said. “I think it is good for Bishop Auckland to have something like this – Durham has pride and Newcastle has pride.” 

North East ‘foodie couple’ Connar and Shiv, 34 and 34, were another two lapping up the atmosphere.

Connar and Shiv at Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“I love that it has gotten more people than last year”, Connar said. “It is family friendly, it’s nice to see little kids running around integrated.”

Shiv, who runs their @fussyandfearless Instagram page with Connar, added: “It is nice to come to a small town and see it is accepting. I like this kind of pride, it is the way it should be. 

The Bowburn man added: “It is a mix of celebration – and a bit of a protest at the end of the day too. It is a safe space.”

Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: Chris Booth)

‘This is what it is all about’

Thomas Wales, managing director of Baccanalia, said this year’s pride is expecting to see around 5,000 people flock to the event, up from 1,500 the first year and 3,000 last year.

Thomas Wales, managing director of Baccanalia (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

“It is about inviting all the community down to a shared space, enjoying some time together, no matter who you are, where you’re from”, Thomas told The Northern Echo. 

“It’s sort of a melting pot – and it is really good to see so many people here. We’ve already smashed previous years, the queue was all the way down past the second gate.”

Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: Chris Booth)

Bishop Auckland Pride (Image: Chris Booth)

He said it was “incredible” to see the event continue to go from strength to strength.

“Baccanalia is my company and I set it up from Bishop Auckland because I wanted things to happen when I was younger”, he explained.

“Not that much happened and there weren’t many cool things to do. 

“So this is exactly what it’s all about, communities having things to do, especially on the doorstep as well, without having to go to Darlington or Durham. 

“It is at a cheap price as well; we’re a community interest company, so part of our constitution is to make access as easy as possible for people. 

“I think this compared to other prides is a bit more family friendly, we have the family area and it’s free entry for children because we know a lot of them come down. 

“It is really brilliant to see everybody coming along and showing up.”

“You sort of worry about that these days so it’s really encouraging and nice to see that people just want to show up and have a good time.”

The production, titled Gerry and Sewell, is currently running at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal until June 13.

Anarchy Brewery, based in Heaton, has brewed a 4.2% session IPA also called Purely Belter to coincide with the show.

Phil Beaty, operations director at Anarchy Brew Co, said: “Beer and football go hand in hand, so we were over the moon when the show’s production company got in touch a couple of months ago.

“We’re all huge fans of the show – and the film and the book, too – and to be part of it in this way is a real honour.”

The beer is available on draught and in cans at the Theatre Royal’s bars, giving audiences the chance to toast the Tyneside tale in fitting style.

Gerry and Sewell, at the Theatre Royal, tells the story of two twenty-something fans trying to find money, by any means necessary, to get season tickets for home games of their beloved Newcastle United.

It is an adaptation of the 2000 film Purely Belter, which itself was based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket.

Jamie Eastlake, producer at Eastlake Productions, said: “Collaboration across regional businesses is always a great thing.

“The show itself is a gateway to theatre for non-traditional theatregoers, so to have a drinks offering alongside the football-themed show made lots of sense.”

Anarchy already has strong links to football through its Shearer’s Beer, named after the legendary goalscorer.

The brewery also makes a donation from every can sold of Shearer’s Beer to The Alan Shearer Foundation.

The new Purely Belter IPA can also be purchased online via the brewery’s website at anarchybrewco.com.

Tickets for Gerry and Sewell are available from the Newcastle Theatre Royal website.

For those who want to enjoy a pint with a side of nostalgia, Purely Belter promises the perfect match.

Tommy Fury announced his newborn son’s name with “Midas” emblazoned on his fight kit as he walked to the ring to take on former World’s Strongest Man Eddie Hall

Molly-Mae Hague and Tommy Fury have announced the name of their newborn son in style tonight.

Molly-Mae had suggested her partner would reveal the name on his fight shorts when he walked to the ring to take on strongman Eddie Hall in Manchester tonight. And Fury did exactly that with “Midas” emblazoned on his fight kit as he walked to the ring to England’s football anthem It’s Coming Home.

Fury and Hague, who met on the ITV dating show Love Island, had their first daughter Bambi in January 2023 with Hague announcing she was pregnant with their second child in February. On Wednesday, the pair revealed the news in a joint Instagram post which featured the trio admiring the new member of their family in a black and white photograph.

So what exactly is the meaning behind Midas?

The meaning behind Midas

Midas refers to a legendary king of Phrygia from Greek mythology who was granted the wish that everything he touched turn to gold.

In Greek and Roman legend, King Midas of Phrygia is famous for his foolishness and greed. After performing a favor for the god Dionysus, he was granted any wish and chose the ability to turn everything he touched into gold. He quickly realized the curse of this gift when he accidentally turned his food, drink, and even his daughter to gold.

This myth gave rise to the common phrase “the Midas touch,” which describes someone who is exceptionally successful or profitable in their endeavors.

It was a great night for Tommy, not only from a personal perspective, but from a professional stance as he controversially outpointed giant strongman Eddie Hall with fans left furious with the result.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

The Moon aligns with Saturn today, bringing a more serious edge to the day ahead. Now is the time for some important decisions to be made.

Aquarius, Sagittarius, and Scorpio, your thoughts and feelings hold extra weight. Don’t dismiss your emotions, as they could be telling you something imperative.

Focus will come in abundance. The cosmos understands the stakes are high today, so trust this.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Sunday June 14, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Your ideas sharpen into something purposeful, giving you a sense of direction and helping you to gather your thoughts. As the Moon in your sector of talk and thought aligns with Saturn in your sign, it’s an opportunity to use your words like tools to further your plans. Just give information, opinions, and an assessment before making any binding decisions.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Thoughts about money and values could echo in the quieter spaces within you. You’ll take such reflections seriously, and any insights could lead to steady action that improves how you feel about and handle financial matters. Want to develop self-worth and confidence at a deeper level? Saturn in a private zone might encourage you to link with a coach or mentor.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

The Moon in your sign and its tie with Saturn suggests that you’ll be more aware of how you present yourself and where you belong in your social circle. It’s time to thoughtfully choose your groups and your company. You may want to link up with someone or a crowd who is serious about the same things you are. A collaboration could be mutually beneficial.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Your thinking may drift behind the scenes but could still shape important decisions about your future or reputation. For a while today, you may feel less visible, but important groundwork is being laid. Although the current focus makes it tempting to stand out from the crowd, taking time to listen for deeper insights could be very valuable at this time.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

The Moon’s tie with prudent Saturn hints that a conversation could lead to a collaboration or group project that promises positive rewards. It might even seem that your social world is acting like a compass and pointing you towards ideas that genuinely matter to you. If you’re attending an event or connecting on social media, expect something interesting to show up.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

You’ll have plenty to say, but it’s what others share about you that really counts, and that can swing things your way. The strength of others’ approval and their willingness to put their support behind you can boost morale and help you be considered for a job, contract, or other opportunity. If you need more resources to support your important plans, just ask.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

A partner or friend may challenge you in a way that’s helpful. The Moon’s positive tie to Saturn hints that something you think is a good idea may need some dedicated input to enhance and improve it, and even to make it doable. Don’t take any criticisms to heart; instead, welcome them, because with this insight, an okay plan can become something truly amazing.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

You’ll realise that powerful emotions and the daily habits you often cling to for support are more connected than you imagined. An insight today could open the door to understanding why you do what you do. If you’re finding it hard to drop certain attitudes, today’s line-up could assist you in making changes, not because you have to, but because you want to.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Someone may encourage you to take your feelings, desires or creativity more seriously. This is certainly so if you have talents and have been worried about showcasing them. Saturn in your sector of creativity encourages you to overcome any fears related to self-expression, so sharing your concerns with someone could be a game-changer, inspiring you to be bold.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

Today’s Moon-Saturn tie-up suggests that a small adjustment to your daily schedule could restore peace at home. It might be a decision to create a regular routine for housecleaning that keeps everything on track without you feeling overwhelmed. You might also want to declutter paper hotspots. Even physically moving furniture around can open up new space.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

Take your thoughts seriously today, as even the wildest brainstorm could be a winner. Write the best ones down. A light-hearted conversation might lead to a significant project that really fires you up. Something you hear about or experience first-hand could set you thinking that with work and a sound strategy, you could achieve something similar, if not perhaps better.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

Home matters could prompt thoughtful conversations about finances, priorities or long-term plans. For the Moon’s link with Saturn encourages you to put your money to good use, and although you may have a list of things you think you need, a little thought can help you cut those items right back. Saving can seem like a better option than impulse buys.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of June here.

Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!

As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Advertisement

MORE: Venus in Leo starts off the 2026 summer of love — your star sign’s tarot horoscope

MORE: Daily horoscope June 13, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: Daily horoscope June 12, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

The scene grew tense as police tried to contain the group that had tried to break free of the barriers.

Advertisement

Rival protesters clashed in Glasgow on Saturday after thousands descended on the city for an anti-racism rally.

Some in the small counter-protest group performed what appeared to be Nazi salutes as the two groups gathered at Buchanan Street in the city centre.

Stand Up To Racism organised the “reclaim our streets – stand up to the far right” demonstration following disorder earlier in the week in the wake of the stabbing attack in Belfast.

Sudanese national Hadi Alodid, 30, appeared at Belfast Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, charged with attempted murder and was remanded in custody. Stephen Ogilvie lost an eye and suffered deep cuts to his head, face and back following the attack in Belfast on Monday, June 8.

He claimed asylum after arriving in Northern Ireland in 2023 and was granted leave to remain in the UK until 2028.

Police Scotland said disorder saw people in the city targeted due to the colour of their skin, while a Glasgow mosque was forced to lock worshippers inside for their safety.

Saturday’s rally saw thousands of anti-racism protesters gather alongside a significantly smaller group of counter-protesters who were fenced off from the main group by police.

Most of the counter-protesters, who were almost exclusively men, wore balaclavas or other face coverings.

The scene grew tense as police tried to contain the group that had tried to break free of the barriers.

The group eventually spilled out onto Bath Street under Buchanan Galleries.

Projectiles, including drink cans, were thrown towards the Stand Up To Racism group, while an egg appeared to be thrown towards the counter protesters.

Some of the counter protesters waved Union flags, and others waved Israel flags while the anti-racism side waved Palestinian, Ukraine and Scotland flags.

Some of the men who counter-protested shouted anti-Islam chants while anti-racism protesters shouted “Nazi scum off our streets”.

Several politicians attended the anti-racism rally, including Labour MSPs Paul Sweeney and Pauline McNeill, along with Green MSPs Iris Duane and Holly Bruce.

Former SNP equalities minister Kaukab Stewart and prominent human rights lawyer Aamer Anwar also attended.

Police Scotland said it had a “significant operation” in place to “ensure the safety of the public and to minimise disruption” and that the protest passed “without major incident”.

A 53-year-old man was arrested for threatening a police officer, while another officer was struck by an egg.

People were issued with city centre dispersal orders for their conduct following the protest, police said, but did not say how many.

A number of hate crimes which were reported will now be investigated.

Chief Superintendent Stevie Dolan said: “We did warn that officers would respond decisively and robustly to keep communities safe and I want to thank the public for their patience while the demonstration took place.”

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

Kynren – The Storied Lands, billed as the UK’s first live action show park, will open within the wider Kynren site in Bishop Auckland on Saturday, July 18.

The bespoke outfits for its four-legged performers are being produced by master saddler Shelley Musker Turner, founder of Battle Horse Ltd, whose leatherwork has featured in major international productions.

Costumes are being created for the attraction’s horses and riders (Image: Supplied)

The specialist company, which focuses on historic and fantasy saddlery and leatherwork for film and television, has previously worked on more than 40 major productions including Gladiator II, Napoleon, Rings of Power, Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker, and The Witcher.

Now, Shelley’s craftsmanship is helping bring the worlds of Kynren – The Storied Lands to life, with costumes being created for several of the attraction’s horses and riders, including elaborate pieces for Bishop Bek’s horse, mounted guards, and Bishop Flambard’s horse.

After spending time working with horses and camels in Spain and Austria during her teenage years, Shelley returned to the UK to formally train as a saddle maker before specialising in saddlery and leatherwork for the film and TV industry.

One of the Sketches for The Trusty Steed, an Equestrian Stunt show launching as part of Kynren – The Storied Lands (Image: Supplied)

Alongside her work in film production, she is also an internationally performing Celtic harpist who has toured across Europe and the United States with acclaimed Welsh folk band Calan, performing alongside major orchestras and artists including Sir Bryn Terfel.

Shelley said: “For me, both music and leatherwork are about storytelling and atmosphere.

“Whether you are creating a piece of costume for a horse or performing traditional folk music, you are helping create emotion, character, and immersion for an audience.

“Kynren – The Storied Lands is operating on a scale rarely seen in the UK, and there is an extraordinary level of detail going into every aspect of the production.”

Laurie Robinson, Director of Cavalry and Estates at Kynren, said the costumes form an important part of the visual storytelling throughout the new attraction.

“The horses play a major role within several of the experiences, and Shelley’s work brings an authenticity and craftsmanship that audiences immediately recognise,” she said.

“Horses are incredibly intuitive animals, and many of them know the moment the costumes appear that it is nearly showtime.”

Among the horses being fitted is Ufano, a 17-year-old Andalusian Spanish horse who will feature within the new productions.

Kynren – The Storied Lands opens on July 18, combining large-scale live shows, immersive environments, animals, mythology, history, and spectacle across what organisers describe as the UK’s first live action show park.

Santander, Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland are closing branches across the UK

Almost 250 banks are due to close in 2026 as the major banks continue their withdrawal from high streets and town centres.

By the start of June, 138 banks had closed across the UK in 2026. June is set to be the most destructive month so far, with 82 branches due to close this month alone, and more to follow throughout the year.

In total, closure dates have been fixed for 245 branches of the major banks by the end of this year.

Lloyds customers have been hardest hit, with 82 Lloyds branches already shut or scheduled to close this year, along with 43 branches of Halifax and 28 branches of Bank of Scotland.

That comes after Lloyds Banking Group announced it would close 166 branches in 2026 and 2027, including branches of Halifax, Bank of Scotland, and Lloyds Bank.

The decision was blamed on customers shifting away from in-person banking to using mobile services.

Meanwhile, Santander is closing 54 branches this year, and NatWest is closing 35 banks.

The closures affect every part of the UK, with 31 branches due to shut in Scotland, 16 in Wales, and four in Northern Ireland, with the rest spread across England.

Check out if your local branch is on the list by searching our interactive map below:

Since February 2022, when all major banking groups committed to a voluntary agreement to assess the impact of each closure, a total of 2,167 branches have either shut down or announced plans to close.

That’s an average of nearly 10 closures each week.

The LINK initiative was established to scrutinise each closure and ensure that vulnerable customers and small businesses were not left behind in the transition to cashless payments and virtual banking.

When closures leave communities without any local bank, banking hubs or free ATMs are set up to fill the gap. So far, LINK has recommended the opening of 277 bank hubs.

In May, the Government announced an independent review into access to banking, to be led by Richard Lloyd, the ex-Director General of Which? and the former interim Chair of the Financial Conduct Authority.

As part of the review, Mr Lloyd has launched a consultation on the impact of branch closures and what they mean for the future.

Currently, closure assessments focus on cash access and the potential gap left by a branch closure. But this assessment could be extended to include access to banking, which could mean recommending new banking hubs at branches that have already been assessed for closure, as well as at future sites.

Experts believe the previous commitment of 350 hubs could increase to 550 if these changes are implemented.

Nick Quin, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, LINK: “More people are choosing to bank and pay for things digitally. Many people rely entirely on their smartphones when they leave the home, and don’t carry cash or even a wallet. That means cash use is falling too, but it remains critical, and over £76bn was withdrawn from LINK cash machines last year.

“Whenever a bank branch does close, LINK will assess the impact to see if additional cash services are required. We’re committed to protecting the cash infrastructure for the millions of people who still rely on it.”

Gareth Oakley, CEO, Cash Access UK: “The way people are banking is changing as more people choose to bank and pay for things digitally. But for those people who still rely on cash and face-to-face banking services, the good news is that more banking hubs are opening every week. We’ve opened more than 200 now, including 100 in 2025 alone.

“What’s particularly brilliant about hubs is that we can serve the customers of all the major high street banks in one location. They’re getting busier too with on average around 150 customer transactions every day. There’s a real buzz about them. Hubs alongside deposit services and other new cash solutions will continue to help businesses and consumers to readily access and deposit cash when they need to.”

Environmental health officers have been busy this fortnight visiting businesses across the city to see if they are meeting hygiene requirements.

Based on guidelines set by the Food Standards Agency, inspectors look to see how clean the facilities are; what food safety management procedures are in place and how hygienic food handling is.

Ratings are then dished out from five to zero — with the higher score the better the result.

Five — Very Good

Cosy Club York in 19-22 Fossgate, rated 5 on May 28, 2026.

The Luxury Ice Cream Company in 20 Back Swinegate, rated 5 on May 28, 2026.

Waqif Arabian Kitchen at Unit 4 Spark York, Piccadilly, rated 5 on May 28, 2026.

Bird & Blend in 73 Low Petergate, rated 5 on May 29, 2026.

Holiday Inn in 53 Piccadilly, rated 5 on June 1, 2026.

Yahala Mataam at The Citadel, Gillygate, rated 5 on June 1, 2026.

Applefields School at Applefields School, Bad Bargain Lane, rated 5 on June 3, 2026.

Haxby Road Primary Academy at Haxby Road County Primary School, Haxby Road, rated 5 on June 3, 2026.

IFG t/a Hutchison Catering at Huntington Primary School at Huntington Cp School, North Moor Road, rated 5 on June 3, 2026.

Askham Grange Prison at Hm Prison Askham Grange, Main Street, rated 5 on June 4, 2026.

The Flames in 74 The Mount, rated 5 on June 4, 2026.

Hutchison Catering at St George’s RC Primary School at St Georges R C Primary School, Winterscale Street, rated 5 on June 5, 2026.

IFG/ Hutchison Catering at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs RC Primary School in Hamilton Drive, rated 5 on June 5, 2026.

NYES Catering at Carr Infant School at Carr Infant School, Ostman Road, rated 5 on June 5, 2026.

Red Tower – Community Cafe & Food Bank at Red Tower, Foss Islands Road, rated 5 on June 8, 2026.

Businesses may have been re-inspected since, and this will be reflected in our next round-up.

The White House is gearing up to host a UFC event as part of celebrations of 250 years of American independence. The fighters on the card are relying on body conditioning techniques that have been around for centuries to try to emerge victorious. Muay thai, karate and jiujitsu all use ancient practices that condition the body for their field.

The human body over time, and under the right stresses and strains, can become more resilient to physical and physiological challenges. One of the key scientific principles here is Wolff’s law – the idea that bone remodels itself in response to the loads placed on it. Studies have shown that in many sports the dominant limb develops denser bone than the non-dominant side. In martial arts, this effect is seen in both arms and legs.

In muay thai, fighters condition their shins by kicking banana trees – whose soft outer layers and substantial bulk make them ideal for the purpose. The repeated impact gradually adapts the tibia to the forces generated by kicking.

The tibia is the second-longest bone in the body. Like most bones in the body, it has a dense outer shell surrounding a cavity, crossed by tiny structural rods – a design that combines strength with minimal weight.

The thickness of the tibia is greatest at the points between 40-70% of its length from top to bottom, the outer (cortical) layer of bone is, on average, between 4-6mm thick in males and 3-5mm thick in females. No studies have directly compared tibia thickness in combat athletes and non-athletes. But in 2004, UFC fighter Shaun Strickland posted an X-ray image of his legs on Instagram showing noticeably thicker bone cortices – visible evidence of what years of shin conditioning can do.

Kick forces are high enough that opponents are warned against single-arm blocks – the impact can fracture the ulna, the longer bone in the forearm, which accounted for a quarter of all mixed martial arts (MMA) injuries in one study.

Even ancient traditions such as iron arm and wing chun, which exploit Wolff’s law to condition the forearms, may struggle to prevent these high-impact traumatic breaks.

Many athletes in combat sports also train their hands and arms. A popular way to do this is rice gripping: submerging hands in buckets of rice and performing various exercises against the resistance.

This works multiple muscle groups simultaneously, in ways that traditional gym exercises often deal with in isolation. As the forearms and finger muscles grow stronger, they pull hard on the bone, triggering Wolff’s law and causing bone to thicken.

Studies show that combat sport athletes have denser bones and more lean muscle in their limbs than both non-contact sports athletes and inactive people – evidence that this kind of training pays off both for delivering strikes and absorbing them.

Many people assume that combat sports require conditioning of the core muscles, such as the abdominal muscles to protect the organs from trauma. But this is only partly true. The other function is to increase the force generation, impact and accuracy of striking, as many striking blows initiated by the upper body start from the legs. Studies have shown that martial artists in a variety of combats improve in force, impact and accuracy from core strength training.

Not risk free

All this training has its risks. Even with gloves, fighters regularly damage the soft tissue and bones in the hands, these can be from a single heavy blow or repetitive strain or injury. For centuries, practitioners have used dit da jow liniment (bruise wine) in repairing the hands after combat.

One common injury is boxer’s knuckle, where the joint and tendons of the middle finger are damaged, causing inability to straighten the finger or snapping of the tendon across the bone. This knuckle is affected because it protrudes out the furthest in a clenched fist and is often the impact point.

It shouldn’t be confused with a boxer’s fracture, which sees the metacarpal of the little finger in the palm of the hand break due to impact trauma. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link, and in the hand it is always the bones of the little finger, because they don’t contribute the same weight in activities as their larger neighbours.

All this impact also affects the skin, which responds by thickening to protect underlying structures to present as knuckle pads. The skin in conditioned areas also adapts through neural desensitisation, where repeated exposure to painful stimuli causes the receptors in that area to recalibrate what they deem as a painful level of stimulus.

This is a well-studied area in conditions where small amounts of a stimulus cause a hyper-reaction. Strikes from combat or training to specific areas, particularly pressure points, can cause damage that can take years to heal.

For all the conditioning, whether using modern or ancient methods, the human body has its limits. There will always be weak spots. Women suffer more upper limb injuries, while men suffer more lower limb injuries. Head and neck injuries and their long-term effects are becoming a growing concern. If conditioning is something that you are interested in pursuing, slow and steady is the safest way to go, giving the body time to respond to what you are asking of it.

Beach Road Fisheries in Skinningrove currently holds a 4.5-star rating from dozens of online reviews, with many visitors describing it as one of the best places for fish and chips on the Yorkshire coast.

Located just a short walk from Skinningrove’s beach, the family-run takeaway has become a popular stop for people exploring the coastline, tackling the Cleveland Way or visiting nearby attractions including the Land of Iron museum.

Despite its relatively hidden location, reviewers regularly praise both the food and the friendly service.

One visitor described it as an “absolutely brilliant fish and chip shop”, adding: “The food is fantastic at really reasonable prices. Everything is cooked in beef dripping, which makes it crispy and full of flavour without being greasy at all.”

The use of traditional beef dripping is frequently mentioned in reviews and is one of the reasons customers say the shop stands out from competitors.

Beach Road Fisheries in Skinningrove (Image: TRIPADVISOR)

Another reviewer called it the “best fish and chips I’ve had by a country mile”, praising the “piping hot”, freshly cooked fish and crispy batter.

Others have highlighted the warm welcome they received from staff.

One customer who arrived shortly before closing said they were still offered freshly cooked food, describing the service as “lovely” and adding that the chips were among the best they had ever eaten.

Another visitor who discovered the shop after a beach walk said their first impression was how clean the premises were before going on to praise both the quality of the food and customer service.

The menu extends beyond traditional fish and chips.

Homemade corned beef pie has developed something of a following among regular customers, with one reviewer describing it as “absolutely amazing” and saying it was clear it had been made fresh.

Other popular choices include sausage rolls, curry sauce, mushy peas and haddock, with generous portions frequently highlighted by visitors.

One customer described receiving “the largest portion of chips I’ve seen”, while another praised the value for money, saying the portions were both “substantial” and “reasonably priced”.

The takeaway sits just moments from Skinningrove beach, a stretch of coastline often described as one of the Yorkshire coast’s “hidden gems”.

Many visitors combine a trip to the beach with lunch from the chippy, while walkers passing through the village on coastal routes often stop for a meal before continuing their journey.

Reviewers frequently describe the location as part of the appeal.

One customer who discovered the shop while walking from the nearby mining museum said they had stumbled upon it unexpectedly and were delighted by both the food and service.

Another visitor called it an “excellent seaside chippy”, praising the freshly cooked fish, traditional Yorkshire chips and friendly staff.