Jeff Blair died in hospital having suffered serious injuries in what has been described by his employer as “a shocking and horrendous incident” on Dent Street in Shildon.

The Northern Echo understands that the 55-year-old former police officer was working at the time of the attack shortly after 1pm on Tuesday (March 10). He died shortly after arrival at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

Jeff Blair, 55, died following a suspected assault in Dent Street (Image: DURHAM POLICE)

Robert Davies, 49, of Dent Street, Shildon, was arrested on Tuesday. He has tonight (Thursday, March 12) been charged with murder, possession of an offensive weapon, and affray.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court tomorrow, March 13.

Jeff, a former Durham Constabulary police officer, had worked as a response PC across the south of the county for 22 years before retiring in 2017.

Police searching drains on the scene today (March 12) (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Detective Chief Inspector Sharon Alderson, who is leading the investigation, said: “This has been a deeply upsetting incident which has caused a great deal of shock to the local community.

“Our thoughts are with Jeff’s family and all those who knew and loved him at this difficult time.

“We will continue to have a police presence at the scene, and I’d like to thank the public and nearby residents for their patience, understanding, and cooperation while we work to establish exactly what has happened.

“We are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that could help the investigation and has not yet spoken to us.”

Dent Street, Shildon (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

A spokesperson for HM Courts and Tribunals Service said earlier: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Jeff Blair’s family, friends and those who worked with him.

“This was a shocking and horrendous incident. Violence against our hardworking staff is completely unacceptable, and we are providing support to our colleagues affected by this tragedy.”

It is understood a review into working practices will now take place to decide whether further protections are needed for bailiffs.

A police van and police car were still in place at the cordon on Dent Street this afternoon (Image: ANDY FUTERS)

Following his death, Jeff’s family paid tribute to him, saying: “Jeff was a much-loved son, brother, father, partner, uncle, and good friend to many.

“His ability to apply humour and laughter to any situation and lighten the mood will be irreplaceable to our family.

“We are devastated to lose Jeff in such tragic circumstances, and he will be forever missed and remembered always, with much love and affection.”

Darlington Storm Basketball Club said Jeff was a former player, coach and committee member.

In a tribute shared on social media, the club said: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this very traumatic and troublesome time.”

Durham County Council is set to approve the changes as part of plans to make tenancies “fairer and more flexible” for plot owners. 

Vehicles, parts and caravans are currently banned, but a transition rule allows tenants who already have a caravan to keep it until their tenancy ends or the caravan becomes a hazard.

The proposals follow a public consultation carried out by the local authority earlier this year, which received 343 responses from the public. 

Nicola Lyons, cabinet member for stronger communities and belonging, said: “Your feedback has helped to shape these proposals, which we believe will result in fairer and more flexible tenancy agreements that not only reflect modern growing practices, but the need to ensure allotments remain tidy and productive.”

Cabinet members will be asked to agree to several changes to its allotment policy, transition rules and tenancy agreements at a meeting on Wednesday (March 18). 

Also included in the proposals are plans to reduce the minimum cultivation level from 75 per cent to 50 per cent, including what is grown in greenhouses and polytunnels. 

The qualifying period for co-workers to automatically gain the tenancy of a plot if the lead tenant gives it up would be reduced from five years to three.

Demand for allotments remains high in County Durham, with more than 2,300 people on the waiting list.

Meanwhile, the current ban on cockerels due to noise nuisance is set to be lifted. 

Cllr Lyons added: “Allotments are valued community assets, providing a space for people to grow their own food and experience the health benefits of time spent outdoors. They also bring families together and create a sense of connection among people of all ages.

“We know how much allotments mean to people; that’s why we were so keen to hear from tenants and anyone with an interest in allotments before making any changes. I would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation.

When Nicky Chance-Thompson first visited the Piece Hall in Halifax, it was in a ‘terrible state of disrepair’. Today it’s the town’s ‘golden goose’ welcoming some of the biggest names in music

A huge 66,000 square foot open-air courtyard, Halifax’s Piece Hall is unlike anywhere else in the world – and that’s a fact. This Grade-I listed Georgian cloth hall is the only one of its kind, but that’s not the only thing which makes this stunning tourist attraction so special.

As well as being a piece of history, it’s very much grounded in the present as one of the North’s major music venues hosting some of the biggest names in the world. This year the line-up includes Madness, The Kooks, David Byrne and CMAT to name but a few.

Another string to its bow are the Christmas markets it puts on every festive season, which welcome thousands of visitors. Oh, it’s also worth mentioning that it’s home to a diverse range of independent shops, cafes and bars which operate all-year round.

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A 40-minute train ride from Manchester, Halifax has become a popular destination for Mancunians, whether it’s for a market visit or to head to an open-air gig in the summer months. The Piece Hall has played a huge part in that success.

It recently welcomed its 20 millionth visitor and it’s on track for a surplus of £300k this financial year. Not bad considering that just under 10 years ago it wasn’t even open to the public.

Over the last couple of decades the Piece Hall has been transformed from a tired, unused space into an engine for economic growth and a major tourist destination. One of the masterminds behind its transformation is the current CEO of the Piece Hall, Nicky Chance-Thompson.

Nicky moved up to Yorkshire in 2006 from London as her husband’s family is from Halifax, and the Piece Hall was one of the first buildings he took her to as it was somewhere his family were connected to because of the markets.

At the time the Piece Hall was in a “terrible state of disrepair”. Nicky had been working on major projects across the world in her day job and she thought the piece hall could really do with some TLC, “it wasn’t a place where people would visit or hang out”.

In 2010 Calderdale Council was awarded funding by the Heritage Lottery fund to restore and redevelop the Piece Hall with restoration beginning in 2014. Funding also came from the Garfield Weston Foundation and the Wolfson Foundation.

Nicky describes this move by the Council as a “brave decision” at the time, given the austerity measures of 2010-2012. “I think they thought that this could be a really valuable asset, which needs to be nurtured, cherished and protected. If done correctly it could be a catalyst for regeneration in the area – a bit like what Covent Garden has done in London.”

Initially Nicky was a trustee, balancing the role alongside her day job working in major infrastructure projects across the USA, Europe and the UK. In 2017 the CEO left the business and Nicky was brought in as the interim CEO thanks to her skillset with the goal of creating a plan to get the building open.

Realising the mammoth task at hand, eventually Nicky quit her day job and took a “significant pay cut” in the process and gave up dreams of buying a property in France, which meant she could “get this marvellous building open again”.

The Piece Hall officially opened on August 1, 2017 – fittingly on Yorkshire Day. Since then – in Nicky’s words – it’s gone “from strength to strength” and now welcomes some of the biggest names in music. In fact the Piece Hall has become so renowned as a music venue that artists actually ask to play there, rather than the other way round.

She told the M.E.N: “This year we’ve got our biggest music series yet with 42 concerts of high calibre acts, including Johnny Depp and Hollywood vampires, Empire of the Sun, who are my personal favourite this year – and I believe they’re only doing three shows, one of which is the Piece Hall.

“We’re not seeing these types of the acts of this calibre performing at other venues of a similar capacity elsewhere, certainly not at the scale that we’ve got with a capacity of 6,000. Obviously Manchester can pull in these big names because you have these big venues, yet we’re managing to do it and actually break even or make money.

“We’ve got a great partnership with Live Nation and I work closely with Daniel Cuffe and Peter Taylor [who founded Cuffe & Taylor, now part of entertainment company Live Nation], we share the same dream and the same vision. For example, they agreed to allow our tenant bars to remain open when the concerts are taking place allowing them to benefit from the gigs. They understand that community is so important to us.”

Of course, it helps having such a unique building to offer, which drives “curiosity”, as Nicky puts it. “The Piece Hall was kind of known as a hidden gem and people hadn’t heard of it – so there’s this interest to see this amazing building. It’s a beautiful building and to experience music here, in this space, is quite ethereal and magical.

“You get goosebump moments here, where you’re standing in history, in this phenomenal building, listening to your favourite bands – in my case Duran Duran. But whoever that may be, you still get that same feeling.

“It’s almost like this place was built for concerts, because it’s got this kind of amphitheatre feel to it. The sound is unbelievable, it echoes and bounces.”

The Piece Hall isn’t just known for its music scene, every winter it holds Christmas Markets for the course of five to six weeks. “These bring in around 300,000 people, and the markets are almost like stepping back in time. It feels like a Dickensian film, especially when it’s snowing, it’s really beautiful and we’ve got high quality producers too. As a series of market towns, it’s in our DNA to love markets, and we’ve been told we’re rather good at them now.”

Naturally running a building as unique as the Piece Hall comes with its challenges, and the biggest one is “balancing the books”. Nicky highlights that the building is very expensive to run, but they do not rely entirely on public funding, instead operating at a model which is around 70 per cent commercial and 30 per cent public funding.

Unlike other historic buildings, the Piece Hall doesn’t charge for entry due to the shops and facilities within, and it doesn’t have a car park which is another way of generating revenue. “We’re not the only ones that feel this pain, but we try to be as self-sustaining as we can, and I believe that we have been over time. But it would be madness to suggest that we could be self-sustaining without public funding – for example there are other cultural assets out there which don’t generate 300,000 visitors [like the Piece Hall], charge entry and receive £90,000 of government funding,” Nicky said.

“You’d say, well where’s the national funding for this important asset that’s doing two things: it’s preserving this marvelous building for future generations and creating economic and socioeconomic uplift for the area.

“But it’s not just about the money, it’s also about opportunity. We have the Academy which takes on young people and nurtures creative skills, we deliver events, we’re extending into TV and film – so on that basis, you could argue that if you want this to be a regional and cultural asset it will always require some level of public funding. The question of where from will always be asked, and that’s very much an ongoing debate.”

Nicky explains that even though the Piece Hall puts on these huge music events, they also bring huge costs such as the infrastructure and security. Even the weather can have an impact as the better it is the more likely people will spend in the bars.

She added: “I think the challenge going forward is recognising that this is Halifax’s golden goose, and you want to preserve the golden goose that’s doing these wonderful things for the economy, then you need to support it. It’s always going to require some formal support in the future. Obviously when we set out with these plans all those years ago the world was a very different place back then, so we need to adapt. Will we ever be self-sustaining? No, but we can always strive to minimise the pull on the public purse as much as we can.”

Transforming a local landmark and attracting visitors doesn’t just benefit the building itself, it has repercussions for the wider economy, as well as boosting civic pride, as Nicky explained: “I think a lot of people in Halifax are proud of the Piece Hall, they love and cherish it, and they’re proud of what we’re doing. There are a few voices of discontent, but I think that happens with any success story and there’s always a difference of opinion of how it should be run and how it should be used. We’ve got a sustained high street because of the Piece Hall – Lloyds Bank have stayed here, M&S have stayed here, so that shows that we’re sustaining employers in the area.”

The Piece Hall is part of a huge tourism boom in the Calderdale region which has also benefitted nearby towns like Hebden Bridge and Todmorden, boosted by TV writer Sally Wainwright’s creations such as Gentleman Jack, Happy Valley, Last Tango in Halifax and Riot Women. According to Visit Calderdale, in 2024 the region welcomed 7.179 million day visitors, worth £469.86m to the local economy. “These have all given a sharp focus to the area, we’re really rich in history, rich with interesting stories and there’s a lot which is yet to be told,” Nicky explained. “Cultural assets like these create a sense of place, create narrative, and create stories that people are fascinated by, which means you get tourism.”

One thing which is clear is Nicky’s passion for the Piece Hall, no doubt a key part in its success. “I’m aware of the responsibility we have and we take this very seriously, but looking after this building is a side of life which is about fun. We’re creating magic for people, memories, experiences and allowing them to enjoy this building – which is the only one of its type left in the world. It’s like our Eiffel Tower.

“I believe it deserves more spotlight, that’s what our next ambition is.” Nicky indeed has big plans; she travelled to India last year as part of a delegation following Keir Starmer’s visit, focussing on businesses with a common interest with India – which the Piece Hall has through its history with trading cloth and textiles. Nicky was invited to speak about the topic of culture and heritage, discussing the role of people and culture as a unifier. “If we’re going to be a world-class destination, we need to ensure that we are engaging and having relationships with other parts of the world.”

The Piece Hall’s transformation offers a blueprint for other ‘unloved’ historic buildings across the North and Nicky has been invited to share her expertise elsewhere. She added: “I’m often invited to go to places to help them understand their strengths and how they can play into them. I think Andy Burnham once said he’s not envious of anything in Yorkshire except the Piece Hall – which is a bit naughty but we’ll take the accolade.

“I think the sense of place is the really important thing, you need to ask what’s important to the people, what are the stories of the place? When you prioritise that you’re reinforcing the community. Many places have lost that social infrastructure – I’m very envious of places where there’s a strong sense of community. I think Liverpool is a good example of this, they have a strong sense of who they are, and they’re proud of it. Some of that has been carved out of adversity, but some of that has also been carved out of a love of place – and we need to start doing more of that in the UK.”

Nicky reveals that they do see a lot of visitors from Manchester, but they’re keen to encourage even more. “The Piece Hall is just a part of their heritage as much as it is the heritage of the people of Halifax. Own it, be proud of it. Many of the artists who perform here are Manchester artists and they love it. Johnny Marr said to me that this is all people talk about, The Charlatans, they love it here. We have some great independent traders who are working really hard to make this a wonderful attraction and a really wonderful place to come.”

For more of the latest What’s On news, click here.

It’s official. Air fryers have become a British kitchen staple, with 51 per cent of UK households owning one. But just when you thought these hot commodities couldn’t get any hotter, along come the best dual air fryers to prove otherwise.

Dual-basket air fryers, with twice the cooking capacity of single-drawer designs and able to cook two (or sometimes more) dishes at once, are suited to lively kitchens. “Dual air fryers can significantly reduce cooking time, since you can make entire meals at once rather than cooking in batches,” says Clare Andrews, author of The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook. “You can cook different dishes simultaneously, even if they require different temperatures or times,” the expert adds. “This is perfect for multitasking during meal prep.”

The only problem? There’s a seemingly never-ending list of these handy energy-saving appliances to choose from. To help separate the great from the good, I’ve tried and tested the latest dual air fryers from market leaders like Ninja, Tefal, Instant Pot and more. I’ve included options for small kitchens, large families and those on a budget. You can read my in-depth reviews below, followed by answers to some frequently asked questions. But if you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick look at my top five:

The best dual air fryer: At a glance

How to choose a dual air fryer

Here’s everything you need to know about dual air fryers before you invest:

Capacity

Dual air fryers hold between eight to 11 litres of food. This is usually split evenly across the two baskets, although some have a single large basket with a divider in the middle, meaning it can also act as one big drawer for a large dish like a roast chicken. Which size works best for you will depend on how many people you’re planning to feed and how ambitious a cook you are.

Special features

Consider whether you can match the settings for each basket, so they cook for the same length of time and at the same temperature, or whether you can sync them so that dishes cook differently but are ready to be eaten simultaneously. This is especially useful if you’re cooking meat in one basket and vegetables in the other.

Practical points

Other considerations include the fryer’s size and weight as they are relatively large appliances.Make sure you have enough counter space if you don’t want to continuously lift it to and from your kitchen cabinets. If energy saving is on your mind, also check the Wattage for an idea of how much electricity each model uses.

Budget

Price-wise, you can pick up a decent two-drawer air fryer for around £50. Premium models, with multi-use zones and high-spec cooking functions, can cost up to £270.

How we test dual air fryers

The Friday letters page doesn’t think parents pay enough attention to age ratings for games, as one reader wishes John Carpenter hadn’t made Toxic Commando.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Simultaneous release
So Project Helix is a codename, but what do we think Microsoft is really going to call the new console? For a start, they need to get rid of all that Series X/Series S nonsense, because that was terrible. Just call it Xbox something. Xbox Infinite always seemed a good one to me, but I’m fine with calling it Xbox 6, because at this point who’s counting?

I don’t want to get into a PlayStation vs. Xbox thing because I think if Project Helix is different enough it can exist alongside the PlayStation 6. But releasing them both at the same time seems like a really bad idea.

If Helix is more expensive and PlayStation 6 has actual proper exclusives I don’t think anyone is going to pick Xbox unless they’re hardcore fans. And I don’t even know if there’s many of them left.

Microsoft was probably aiming to get Helix out before PlayStation 6, but I wonder if Sony fast-tracked their console when they found out. That doesn’t bode too well for either the hardware or the launch games.
Focus

Force themselves
Strange how quickly Battlefield 6 has fallen out of favour. Beating Call Of Duty one minute and then going free to play the next. I guess for all its faults Call Of Duty probably knows how to keep people playing better and as much as fans hate all the wacky skins at least that gives you something eye-catching to promote the game with.

EA said they’re going to keep everything in Battlefield 6 realistic but if that’s the case how many camouflage outfits do you really want to pay for? I was going to buy the game when it was cheap, so I guess I’ll try it out for free and then by the time that’s over it’ll probably be discounted enough for me.

I feel this improves the chances of Star Wars: Battlefront 3 though. EA’s likely to see it as a quick and obvious way to reuse the same tech in a new game. One where you can do as many wacky skins as you like and no one’s going to complain. Not saying they’ll definitely do it but it does seem more likely to me now.
Taylor Moon

Price block
I don’t like to be negative about something we haven’t see yet but I have to agree with other readers that I’m already sick of hearing Microsoft talk about Project Helix. The arrogance and complete lack of humility hasn’t changed at all since the exit of Phil Spencer, proving it was always just the company standard.

I think the real cynicism is coming from the price though. I just don’t see how you get past the fact that Helix is going to be more expensive than any other format, including Steam Machine. People would be taking a risk on Helix, and when you’re doing that you don’t generally want to be spending more money than you would have otherwise. I don’t care what the marketing campaign is like, there’s not getting over that.
Heston

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Free money
Of all the games that John Carpenter could’ve put his name to it ended up being a Left 4 Dead clone? I don’t believe for one minute that Toxic Commando was his idea. If you know the man, he often talks about how he enjoys putting out his hand and getting free money for doing nothing, every time a company wants to remake one of his films. It happens so often he just treats it like a joke.

I think he must’ve been the same with this game. Someone phoned him up and asked him if he could do a soundtrack and sketch out some hokey story. That’s money for old rope as far as he’s concerned. The only downside is he has to put his name to the game, when it might not be that great, but they didn’t make him do any press for it, that I’ve seen, so it’s pretty low risk/low effort.

It’s a shame because I don’t think he’s got it in him to make a new movie, but a game could’ve been something else. A slower paced survival horror would’ve been absolutely perfect for him, but I don’t think it’s ever going to happen. He is attached to the Halloween online game, but I think that’s just going to be another free handout.
Saltie

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Artificial temptation
The worst thing about Microsoft not mentioning AI, when talking about Project Helix, is that we all know it’s going to be there, but they know it’s not popular, so they’re trying to pretend otherwise. I’ve got a genius level idea: maybe if people don’t like something you shouldn’t do it? Especially if you’re trying to hawk your ultra expensive PC in a box.

We all know that Project Helix is going to be a failure, but I predict it will be over AI. It’s going to be too expensive already, but you know Microsoft can’t stop themselves from pushing games made by AI and they’re all going to be horrible. The Microsoft boss is a nut for AI, there’s no way he won’t force them to do it.
Goose

Wrong number
Interesting to see the change in age ratings for games like EA Sports FC. Although I would be absolutely shocked if more than 10% of adults paid even the slightest bit of attention to a game’s age rating, and I’m probably greatly overestimating that amount.

I used to work at a games shop when I was a student and not only did parents not care they would get violently angry if you pointed out that a game was above the age of their kid. This happened so many times with GTA that my boss told me not to bother, even though it was supposed to be policy that we did.

It was obvious why they were angry too. They knew what they were doing was wrong, but they didn’t care because games are too good a babysitter to give up just on the off chance that it turns their kid into a badly adjusted person.

I also can’t say how many times I heard parents try to argue that the number was the difficulty of the game, as if I wouldn’t be the one to know that it definitely wasn’t that.

To anyone out there reading this, that’s a good parent and careful about what their kids play I salute you, because I can tell you that you are the minority.

Of course, nowadays you have Roblox instead, which is a thousand times worse and doesn’t have any age ratings, but thankfully that’s not my problem.
Coolsbane

Strange selection
Has Bafta ever commented on why they always try and ignore Japanese games as much as possible? It’s so blatant I really don’t know how they justify it. Although the real insult is not doing it and yet also nominating something as milquetoast as Ghost Of Yōtei as game of the year.

That’s just rubbing your face in it, especially when they didn’t even nominate Hollow Knight: Silksong or Hades 2, which I think most people would say were easily a lot better.
Hibby

Day of the plumber
Nintendo has finally recognised the day GameCentral and their viewers have been celebrating for years! It’s MAR10 Day (earlier in the week)! I usually get newsletters from Nintendo quite regularly, but it’s the first, if I remember correctly, that I have seen this from Nintendo as a form of advertising.

There is definitely cause for celebration with Pokémon Pokopia and their 2.2 million sales of the game, which appears to be a considerable success story if ever I saw one. It’s a very cutesy game to look at, with the charm and not too over complicated gameplay mechanics to enjoy and experiment with. The setting up of one’s home looks a wee bit convoluted and a wee bit messy, but apparently completing the story mode gives you a useful skill to help craft and build your home better.

It appears also, that Resident Evil Requiem has been a big success, and we’re only in March, but two very different games have hit their mark in only a short space of time. Very well deserved too and I can’t wait to be getting back to this amazing franchise soon, after my little backlog has been lightened.

With the Super Mario Galaxy movie coming out soon, it’s the latest adaptation to follow Fallout, Borderlands, Sonic The Hedgehog, and Resident Evil films, along with the excellent Castlevania and Tomb Raider animations.

I saw an awesome movie based on a game the other day, called Iron Lung, by YouTuber Markiplier and despite it having its critics, it basically follows the Iron Lung story and gameplay perfectly, including the environment it’s set in. Will be definitely getting the Blu Ray when it’s released.

So hopefully everyone had a fantastic MAR10 day and wow, what an amazing start to the year for games, and movies inspired by games, setting up 2026 to be one heck of a year!
Alucard

GC: Nintendo has been using Mario Day to promote things since 2016.

Inbox also-rans
I think Marathon is going to be hit. I’ve completely enjoyed everything I’ve played of it so far and I’m very much looking forward to the big update. I don’t think it’s as good as Destiny 2 but it is good.
Carpetnator

Does anyone else wish Capcom would remake Resident Evil 3 again before moving on to other stuff? That one was so bad and it was almost nothing like the original, which is weird because all the other remakes have been good.
Icchi boo

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As the weather promises to get warmer, experts have compiled a list of the top beaches in the UK

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As the weather looks set to improve, thoughts turn to seaside excursions. There’s nothing quite like hearing the sound of crashing waves and feeling sand between your toes – but with so many wonderful locations across Wales and the UK, how do you decide where to visit?

For the ideal spring beach outing, you’ll want as much sunshine as possible, with mild weather and minimal rain – and that’s where the specialists at Go Outdoors can assist. They have put together a list of the finest beaches in the UK based on average spring temperatures, rainfall, sunshine hours and Google reviews to identify the very best and two on their list are in Wales.

Each beach on this list was given a score out of 10 based on its weather, rainfall and reviews.

Taking first place is Cuckmere Haven with a score of 9.60. This breathtaking beach is situated in East Sussex and boasts a remarkable 7.8 hours of daily spring sunshine with just 52mm of rainfall per month.

Those visiting the beach can first take in a spectacular view of the Seven Sisters – England’s iconic white cliffs that overlook the channel – and then enjoy a picturesque walk along the Cuckmere River which winds towards the sea. Hear the cry of gulls above, and savour the fresh sea air on your face, reports the Express.

In second place is Southwold Beach with a score of 8.68 out of 10. This expanse of sand extends from the mouth of the River Blyth, past the Southwold Pier, which offers plenty to discover.

There are arcade games and numerous cafes and restaurants to pop into for a bite or a beverage. Securing third place, and boasting the highest Google review score amongst all the beaches, is Druridge Bay Beach.

The secluded Barafundle Bay Beach in Pembrokeshire and Rhossili Bay Beach with its three-mile stretch of golden sands in Gower also made the list, with only minor differences in the scores.

Google reviews rate this coastal spot at 4.9 out of five, while the Go Outdoors study awarded it an overall score of 8.53 out of 10.

The beach extends for seven miles, and the surrounding woodlands are teeming with wildlife including roe deer and red squirrels.

The UK’s best beaches to visit this spring:

Rank

Beach

Location

Country

Avg. spring temper-ature (°C)

Avg. monthly spring rainfall (mm)

Avg. daily spring sunshine hours

Google review score /5

Overall score /10

1

Cuckmere Haven

East Sussex

England

9.5

52

7.8

4.8

9.60

2

Southwold Beach

Suffolk

England

8.9

48

8.0

4.7

8.68

3

Druridge Bay Beach

Northumberland

England

7.9

57

7.3

4.9

8.53

3

Pentle Bay

Tresco

England

10.3

59

7.2

4.8

8.53

5

Thornwick Bay

Flamborough Head

England

8.2

52

7.7

4.8

8.48

6

Kimmeridge Bay

Dorset

England

9.7

56

7.7

4.6

8.33

7

Rhossili Bay Beach

Gower

Wales

9.3

84

7.4

4.9

8.23

8

Barafundle Bay Beach

Pembrokeshire

Wales

9.4

69

7.0

4.9

8.22

9

Camber Sands

East Sussex

England

9.8

50

7.1

4.6

8.18

10

Porthcurno Beach

Cornwall

England

10.0

65

7.3

4.8

8.17

In a war increasingly determined by the flow and price of oil, one country is already emerging as a winner – and it’s not even a combatant.

As US-Israeli strikes on Iran have sent the oil price soaring and raised questions about the American appetite for a prolonged price shock, Russia is already reaping the benefits of higher oil revenues.

The transformation in Russian fortunes, literal and metaphoric, has been dramatic. Just a fortnight ago, Vladimir Putin was under increasing pressure as sanctions tightened.

Iran war latest – follow live

Today, with plentiful supplies of crude oil unconstrained by the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Russia is cashing in.

Not only has the price of Urals crude soared, but the discount Russia was forced to offer as a consequence of sanctions has been erased, delivering a windfall to the Kremlin and its campaign against Ukraine.

Russian oil revenues fell 18% last year, according to the Centre for Research & Clean Air (CREA), and appeared to be declining further in January, placing genuine pressure on the Russian economy.

At a stroke, the attacks on Iran have eased the pressure, with revenues increasing 17% in the last two weeks and exports from northern Russian ports up 24%.

The change in fortune can be illustrated by the passage of a single vessel in the Russian shadow fleet.

In February, Sky News intercepted the Kousai, a Sierra Leone-flagged tanker, as it passed through the Strait of Dover.

With a capacity of around 750,000 barrels, its cargo was worth around $40m when it was loaded with crude at Ust-Luga in the Baltic on 2 February.

By the time it passed Dover, eight days later, it was potentially worth $42m, as Urals crude traded at $56 a barrel, $13 below Brent crude.

Nine days into the Iranian war, Urals reached a peak of more than $100 a barrel, so as the Kousai passed Sri Lanka en route to India on 9 March, its cargo was worth $75m. On Thursday morning, as it approached Paradip, it was back to $65m, reflecting a barrel price of $87.

Events of the last fortnight have alleviated pressure that has been building since the invasion of Ukraine to curb Russian oil revenue.

Sanctions from the UK, EU, Australia, Canada and the US have targeted thousands of Russian individuals and companies, and hundreds of tankers in the so-called “shadow fleet” it relies on to move crude around the world.

A lift from sanctions

With Western nations closed for business, India and China became the biggest customers for Russian crude, but US sanctions against New Delhi introduced in February appeared to have delivered a serious blow.

Last week, however, the US offered India a 30-day waiver to those restrictions, a tacit acknowledgement that, with 20% of global supply choked off by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, Indian demand could further push up prices.

Russia is also benefiting from the interruption of supply to China, which sources close to half of its oil imports from Gulf states, currently unable to send tankers through the Gulf.

Read more:
UK weighs options to defend shipping in Strait of Hormuz
US Navy to escort oil tankers through Strait of Hormuz
What we know about the deadly Iran school strike

“The spike in energy prices triggered by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz is boosting the Kremlin’s oil and gas revenues, helping fund its war chest. In effect, geopolitical turmoil and policy loopholes are handing Russia a windfall just as sanctions were beginning to bite,” said Isaac Levy of CREA.

“The US waiver allowing India to keep buying Russian oil from sanctioned companies will blunt the impact of sanctions. Discounts on Russian crude have almost vanished, and tankers that were idling are now preparing to unload at Indian ports again.”

The longer the Iran conflict goes on, the more Russia is likely to profit.

Having spent a lifetime squeezing and holding drive and motion bars while mowing, Bosch’s cordless Rotak was a revelation: it’s operated via push-button controls built into the height-adjustable handle, making it much less tiring to manoeuvre.

Its seven cutting heights are easily interchangeable, but what wins it our top spot is that it stripes your lawn as it goes, courtesy of a plastic roller mounted just behind the cutting deck. It’s effective – even if the straightness of your stripes depends on your powers of concentration.

The brushless motor means you’ll never have to replace carbon brushes and they’re also more efficient so the battery charge lasts longer. If you already have a 36-Volt Bosch appliance like a grass trimmer or leaf blower, you can use the battery from that. Otherwise, the sets range from about £125 to £220, depending on the duration.

The only quirk I encountered was that the collapsible grass boxes couldn’t hold the full 50 litres advertised. When the “grass full” indicator showed red, there was always lots of empty space left, which meant I had to empty it more often that I would have liked.

It’s remarkably quiet and the grass combs in front of the cutter let you mow close to the lawn’s edge with consistent quality. The 44cm cutting deck is a terrific compromise between large-scale lawn-munching ability and nimbleness. My narrow, grassed banks, which were too tricky for the bulkier Stihl to navigate, proved easy meat for the Bosch.

A cheaper version of this mower without a rear roller might have wider appeal, but if striping is a must-have, this model’s combination of performance, lightness and clean cuts makes it one of the best choices out there.

Also in this range:

Bosch’s Rotak rotary mowers come in corded and cordless model. The range-topping model tested is designed for 750 square metre gardens, whereas the entry-level EasyMower 18V-32-150 (£198, Wickes) is designed for 150 sq metre gardens. We tried that last year and gave it a score of 8/10. Only the most recent Bosch models are called Advanced, which refers to the brushless motor and the ProSilence engineering which reduces noise by a third.

Bosch mowers can use batteries from any of their other power tools as long as they’re the same voltage (18V or 36V). It’s a neat trick which has seen Bosch pop up in our guides to the best cordless drills and best pressure washers.

Key specifications

• Weight: 16.5kg
• Cutting width: 44cm
• Cutting height: 25-80mm
• Grass collector: 50 litres
• Power source: Cordless electric
• Warranty: Three years

Which features should you look out for in a home security camera?

First, look for high resolution. “1080p Full HD is the most common camera resolution,” advises Anna Forbes, Smart Home buyer at Currys. “It’s easily high enough for seeing a parcel at the door or watching the pets at home. But if you want to capture more detail of faces or number plates, then 2K, 3K or 4K cameras [offering two, three or four times the resolution of Full HD] are a better bet.”

Second, you’ll want a decent field of view. “If a user has a specific area they want to monitor, they will need a security camera whose field of view matches the area’s size,” advises Stephanie Fort.

Third, consider storage: some cameras have in-built memory but these aren’t always the best choice. “As long as you have a solid internet connection, cloud storage is generally safer than using local storage,” says Anna Forbes. “There’s always a risk of theft or physical events – like fire or flood – wiping out video stored on the latter.”

Finally, think about whether your camera can integrate with other home tech. “If your outdoor camera detects motion, a smart home can then switch lights on to give the appearance you are at home. Some systems can even recognise family members and then switch the entrance light on in response.”

What video resolution do I really need (1080p, 2K, 4K)?

For indoor security, 1080p is usually a sufficient resolution. It will deliver clear images for general monitoring and it is cost-effective with lower storage and bandwidth needs. If you want to make sure you can capture fine details for identification, such as facial features, then a 2K or 4K camera is a better choice.

Do I have to pay a monthly subscription for home security cameras?

It depends on which security camera you buy as to whether you will need to pay a monthly subscription. Most require you to if you want to store your video history, but some options have local storage with a microSD that doesn’t require a subscription.

Is it better to have wired or wireless security cameras?

“If you have a lower budget, or want something a bit more affordable and flexible, then a wireless camera is better,” advises AOs Stephanie Foat. “If you rent your current home, for example and want to take your security system with you when you leave, then wireless cameras are the best way to go.

“If you’re after something with higher quality footage and more permanently installed in your home, or have patchy Wi-Fi, then wired cameras are recommended. Having cameras hardwired into your home also ensures strong video and audio signals that won’t degrade over time.”

What’s the difference between CCTV and wireless home security cameras?

“Wired CCTV cameras work as a direct camera-to-monitor system, but can be trickier to install as they rely on physical extension cables and connectors,” cautions Stephanie Foat.

“Wireless cameras, on the other hand, transmit images to your phone, tablet or computer using digital technology. So long as you have a solid internet connection, they’re generally the better option as it’s far more convenient for households to receive video footage direct to their phones.”

“I very vividly remember those images of Michael Forsyth, who was then a leading Conservative politician, walking with George Robertson, a leading Labour politician who himself lived in Dunblane, showing the depth of unity across Scotland that not only must this never happen again, but that we needed to support the families in their campaign for action.”