Wingates Brass Band will host Wallace & Gromit: A Grand Day Out – LIVE! at the Bridge Church on Saturday, May 16.

The hour-long concert of family favourites will begin at 2.30pm, before the classic Aardman Animations film is shown on screen, accompanied by the band.

The programme will include well-known music from Disney films such as The Jungle Book, Hercules and Frozen.

A Grand Day Out (Image: Supplied)

Wingates Brass Band is one of Bolton’s best-known musical organisations.

It has been described as world-famous and multi-award-winning, and ranked as the “sixth most successful brass band in music history”.

Based in Wingates near Westhoughton, the band has been a cornerstone of the British brass band movement since its formation in 1873.

The band regularly represents Bolton at local, national and international levels.

National Champions of Great Britain at the Royal Albert Hall in 1971

Its success has been shaped by influential conductors and musical directors.

In 2024, Matthew Ryan, an experienced brass band conductor, became musical director.

With a track record of directing contest-winning performances and an active role in brass band education, he brought renewed energy and artistic vision.

Matthew said: “Brass band music was central to my upbringing in Bolton as an alumnus of Smithills Schools.

“With this concert, we want to share some of the magic of brass banding with a new generation of families, alongside some iconic British animation.

“The programme we have selected will hopefully delight the young and the young at heart.”

A Grand Day Out (Image: Supplied)

Tickets cost £12 for adults and £8 for children, with free entry for under-threes.

They can be booked online via the Wingates Brass Band website or at https://www.tickettailor.com/events/wingatesbrassband/2072288.

Tickets will also be available on the door, although organisers advise booking in advance.

Free parking will be available at the church for those attending.

The Department of Veterans Affairs investigated whether an employee broke agency rules about press interactions after she attended a vigil for Alex Pretti and spoke to the media, according to a report.

Federal immigration agents fatally shot Pretti, a 37-year-old VA nurse, in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. Soon afterward, VA employee Becky Halioua attended a candlelight vigil for him in Augusta, Georgia, and spoke to local outlet WRDW.

The VA investigated whether Halioua violated agency policies about speaking to the press, CNN’s report says. The agency determined Halioua broke the rules because she had not requested permission before agreeing to speak to the media, she told the outlet.

Halioua said she didn’t talk to the VA because she was expressing a personal opinion and wasn’t speaking for the department. She told CNN: “I very strongly believe that I have not violated those policies.”

“The entire event was advertised very clearly as a vigil. It was not an action against the VA, against the government, against any organization. It was an event that was meant to honor the life of someone who had been killed,” she said.

Halioua also serves as president of a local chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees. Thomas Dargon, the union’s deputy general counsel, told CNN that Halioua exercised her First Amendment rights at the memorial event and that her actions were in line with the rules.

The VA has investigated three additional employees over media interactions, including one regarding Pretti, according to the report.

The Independent has reached out to Halioua through her union for comment. The VA declined to comment, citing privacy laws that prohibit the agency from discussing specific details about employees without their written permission.

Pretti was an ICU nurse who worked for the Minneapolis VA Health Care System. He was killed just weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, in the same city. Their killings sparked unrest and protests nationwide.

Pretti was “very upset” with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, his father told the Associated Press.

“He cared about people deeply and he was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset,” Michael Pretti said in January.

“He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street. He cared about those people, and he knew it was wrong, so he did participate in protests,” he added.

Expect international food stalls, arts and crafts traders and live entertainment for the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival 2026 at Keel Square and High Street West, which returns from June 5 to 7 and attracted more than 50,000 visitors last year.

Roberta Redecke, head of business services at Sunderland’s BIDs, said: “The entertainment, the live music and of course the amazing food and drink vendors ensure this event goes from strength to strength.”

This year’s entertainment programme will get underway on Friday, June 5, with performances from North East girl band Northern Daughters, vocalist Ami Vaziri, and Re-Live the 90s.

On Saturday, June 6, ABBA tribute act Voulez 2 will take to the stage alongside Will Jennison Country Roads and tribute acts, Katy Perry Live.

Sunday’s line-up includes Run to You – a Whitney Houston tribute – The Story of Styles, and a showcase by the Inspire Stage School.

Younger festival-goers will be kept entertained with a full programme of children’s activities and workshops, plus outdoor games and workshops.

This year’s festival will take place during an especially busy weekend for Sunderland, coinciding with Pride in Sunderland and the Makers & Bakers market at the Bridges shopping centre.

Ms Redecke thanked Stagecoach North East for joining as headline sponsor, saying “We are so grateful to Stagecoach North East for agreeing to sponsor the Food and Drink Festival which really helps us in delivering a memorable event.”

Steve Walker, Managing Director for Stagecoach North East, said: “We’re proud to be headline sponsors of the Sunderland Food and Drink Festival; a fantastic event that brings people together and showcases the very best of the city.

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“As a business operating right at the heart of everyday life in Sunderland, it’s important to us that we support events that are fun, inclusive and add real value to the community.

“With our bus services, we’re looking forward to helping even more people enjoy everything the festival has to offer.”

More information and updates can be found at sunderlandfooddrinkfest.co.uk.

The delivery driver who kidnapped and murdered a young girl was handed the death sentence as her family ‘try to honour the beautiful little girl whose life was taken in the most senseless and horrific way’

The FedEx driver who kidnapped and killed a 7-year-old girl has been handed the death penalty for his horrific crimes.

Tanner Horner, 34, was delivering parcels to Athena Strand‘s family home in Paradise, Texas in November 2022 before he kidnapped her in his truck and shut the door.

Athena, fought for her life in the back of his vehicle before he brutally killed her.

He pleaded guilty on April 7 to capital murder and aggravated kidnapping.

The jury took two hours and 50 minutes to decide whether Horner should be put to death.

When the decision was announced on Tuesday, May 5, Horner was emotionless.

After the execution was decided, Athena’s uncle Elijah Strand faced her killer directly, saying: ‘I want you to know that you are nothing.

“You are a footnote in Athena’s story.

“Her name will forever be remembered.

“Her name will forever be celebrated and everyone will forget you.”

Her uncle added that words couldn’t capture the devastation caused to everyone who loved Athena.

His actions forever changed who they are as a family and their trust in the world.

“Athena was more than a headline.

“She was laughter, curiosity, kindness,” Strand said.

“And she had dreams that she will never get to chase.

“Birthdays that she will never celebrate in a life she’ll never get to live because of his actions.

“Our family has been left with an emptiness that can never be filled.

“We are left to carry grief that never fades.

“We are left with questions that will still never have answers.

“And we are left trying to honour the beautiful little girl whose life was taken in the most senseless and horrific way.”

In the court on Tuesday, Wise County District Attorney James Stainton labelled seven-year-old Athena a ‘warrior’ for putting up a fight before her death.

Stainton showed the jury the shoes Horner was wearing on the day of the murder.

He said: “This is what it took [pointing at shoes] to beat the life out of her.

“If you want mercy, if you want someone to consider giving you life in prison when you gave no life to her, when you gave no mercy here.”

Stainton added that Horner is “proof why there is evil in society and we can never turn back” and the reason that Texas still has a death penalty.

Horner will be moved to the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in West Livingston, Texas with other inmates on death row.

More than an hour of video and audio that captured Athena’s final moments was played to jurors.

Previous evidence heard Horner calling Athena ‘sweetie’ and asking her about her school when he put her in the back of his van.

Horrifying audio heard the little girl ask her kidnapper: “Is this your house?” Horner replied: “No, I don’t live around here”.

“Where are we going? What are you doing?” Athena asked a few moments later.

Horner answered: “We are going to hang out for a while.”

Horner then ordered the girl to take off her top and hushed her when she asked why.

She began to cry and asked for her mother.

“Are you a kidnapper?” Athena asked through her tears and begs to go home. “Why are you doing this?”

Horner responded: “Because you are pretty. You know that?”

The seven-year-old’s body was found two days later, nine miles from her home.

During the trial, jurors also listened to the heart-wrenching testimonies of both of Strand’s parents.

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It was ruled that Athena died from blunt force injuries with smothering and strangulation.

The medical examiner’s report said Athena’s body did not show signs of sexual trauma.

However, former forensic analyst with the Texas Department of Public Safety, Jacqueline Ferrara, testified at Horner’s trial that male DNA had been found on swabs from Athena’s rape kit.

Originally, Horner said that he accidentally hit the girl with his van and strangled her in a panic.

Prosecutors ruled this an ‘absolute lie’ and said Athena was not hurt prior to the abduction, with footage from inside the truck showing the girl conscious and appearing unharmed.

England defender Guehi, who made a key error that led to Everton equalising in the second half through Thierno Barry, had posted on Instagram after the match, writing: “I need to do better, but we keep going and focused on the next. Thank you for your support as always. Thank you Jesus!”

Abusali Rahman, born 29/08/1989, a British national of Bangladeshi ethnicity from Salford, is remanded in custody after being charged with the following offences: 

• 12 counts of taking an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (images obtained by upskirting)
• 3 counts of publishing an obscene article (AI-generated sexualised images)
• 3 counts of making indecent photographs/pseudo-photographs of a child (making AI-generated images)
• 1 count of distributing an indecent photograph/pseudo-photograph of a child (sharing an upskirting image with another user)
• 1 count of attempting to meet a girl under 16 following sexual grooming (via online chat)
• 1 count of operating equipment beneath the clothing of another without consent (the act of upskirting)

Thirteen girls have been identified, who were aged between 13 and 16 at the time of the alleged offending, at seven high schools in Bury, Bolton and Salford.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) say four girls from two high schools have not yet been identified, and officers are continuing to work directly with those schools. 

The offences are alleged to have taken place between December 2023 and June 2025, and the upskirting charges relate to alleged offending in schools. 

All affected schools and the parents of the 13 identified girls have been informed.

GMP say all necessary safeguarding personnel have been made aware of the investigation, and of the specialist support that they and their partners are offering them throughout this case.

Officers say that if you, as a parent, have not been personally informed, your child has not been identified as a potential victim in this case.

If GMP receive further information relevant to the investigation, then they will sensitively and directly approach impacted schools, like they have done so far, to ensure that parents are informed.

GMP have been in contact with all schools that Mr Rahman has worked at as part of their enquiries.

He has not worked in schools since he was arrested in June 2025 after a concern was raised by a parent about an image of their child in a school uniform being circulated by a social media account.

The discovery of further images prompted an upskirting investigation by the force’s Online Child Abuse Investigation Team (OCAIT).

GMP say a significant amount of specialist and sensitive work has since gone into trying to identify girls on those images. 

Mr Rahman was charged and appeared at Wigan Magistrates’ Court in April 2026.

He has since been remanded in custody and will appear at Bolton Crown Court on Thursday, May 28. 

By law, alleged victims of sexual offences have a lifelong right to anonymity.

The force asks that people respect their privacy and protect the integrity of the case by not speculating or commenting on this case in-person or online.

Detective Chief Superintendent Rebecca McKendrick, head of GMP’s Public Protection Division, said: “I must start by stressing that the parents of the girls identified, and their schools, are being kept informed and supported throughout this process. If you were not aware of this case prior to today, then your child has not been identified as an alleged victim.

“We have been in contact with all schools we know Mr Rahman worked at in the North West since he became a qualified teacher in July 2023.

“No further alleged criminal offences have been identified at this time. The police, schools, the local authorities, safeguarding leads and specialist support services are working closely together throughout this investigation.

“I understand the concern and upset that will come with this news. It is so important that everyone refrains from speculation, as this is an active case where the girls affected have a right to lifelong anonymity, and the defendant has a right to a fair trial.

“The last thing that is needed now is speculation around this case – if you know something, please report it directly to us.”

Anyone who wants to report an offence or has any information on this investigation should contact operation.messina@gmp.police.uk or call 101 quoting Operation Pomerie.

You can also pass details anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Support available

If you or someone you know has been raped or sexually assaulted, we encourage you not to suffer in silence and report it to the police or a support agency so you can get the help and support available.

Saint Mary’s Sexual Assault Referral Centre, Manchester, provides a comprehensive and coordinated response to men, women and children who live or have been sexually assaulted within Greater Manchester. They offer forensic medical examinations, practical and emotional support, as well as a counselling service for all ages. Services are available on a 24-hour basis and can be accessed by calling 0161 276 6515.

Greater Manchester Rape Crisis is a confidential information, support and counselling service run by women for women over 18 who have been raped or sexually abused at any time in their lives. Call on 0161 273 4500 or email help@manchesterrapecrisis.co.uk

We Are Survivors provides specialist trauma-informed support to male victims in Greater Manchester who have experienced sexual abuse, rape, or sexual exploitation. Call 0161 236 2182.

Wayne Rooney, Daniel Sturridge and Theo Walcott all praised Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres for his role in taking the Gunners to the Champions League final.

Arsenal defeated Atletico Madrid 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium to record a 2-1 win on aggregate and reach their first Champions League final in 20 years.

Gyokeres was the main target man for the Gunners and it was his run in behind which kickstarted the move that led to Bukayo Saka’s winning goal.

Sturridge spoke highly of Arsenal’s ‘drive’ and ‘tenacity’ throughout the game but picked out Gyokeres as ‘best player’ on the pitch tonight.

“Myles Lewis-Skelly was brilliant, he was controlling the tempo and position of the play, [Declan] Rice was excellent.” Sturridge said. “[Viktor] Gyokeres, for me, was the best player for Arsenal.”

He went further by explaining: “He caused so many problems, took the stress off the defence. You launch it up top and you’re thinking can it stick? Can he get hold of it for us? Can he advance us up the field? He did it all for them.

“Those are the performances that define top players, he’s been questioned all season for the goals and all these types of things but the performance he put in tonight was a clear reason as to why he signed for the football club.”

Walcott was impressed with how Gyokeres worked the central defenders into different positions and made things difficult for them.

He built on Sturridge’s thought by adding: “He ran into the channels all day and as a centre-half you don’t really want to go out there. He takes players into positions where they’re uncomfortable. The centre-halves today will never have a harder game, ever.”

Rooney praised the ‘dirty work’ Gyokeres has done throughout the season and how his impact on the match played its part in Arsenal reaching the European final.

“He’s been under pressure this season, and he’s maybe not as pleasing on the eye as some of the other centre forwards around the world but what he does is all the dirty work,” Rooney said. “That’s so important to the team and he didn’t get his goal tonight but he played a massive role in Arsenal winning this game.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had the final word: “He was immense. You could see the reaction of the crowd. His work-rate and what he does in the team is incredible.”

Reform UK leader Dan Thomas is the only one of the main political leaders in Wales who hid away from the chance to answer questions

Dan Thomas was named the leader of Reform UK on February 5, 2026. Within days of him being appointed, questions were asked about where he lived and whether he had an address at Wales at all, or whether he was living in Bath.

In a bid to stem those questions, his spokesperson suggested a cup of tea at his home. Despite numerous requests, and more than two months on, that hasn’t happened.

Over the past few days, WalesOnline has been running interviews with the leaders of Wales’ biggest political parties. All the parties were initially approached on the same day, in January. All five other leaders agreed to provide time to be interviewed, with the exception of Mr Thomas.

The idea was for pieces that would show how the leaders’ backgrounds and shaped their politics. Labour’s Eluned Morgan met us at the Church of the Resurrection in Ely, where she was brought up. Plaid’s Rhun ap Iorwerth spoke about his approach to migration and populism, Darren Millar of the Conservatives told us how his faith had influenced his politics, the Lib Dems‘ Jane Dodds refused to say almost anything about her relationship with the party leader Ed Davey, which tells you far more than she’d have wanted. And we spoke to the Green Party’s Anthony Slaughter about the hot water his own party leader has got himself into.

But Reform UK’s Dan Thomas? Nothing. Since that offer of a cup of tea at his home, we have repeatedly asked Reform UK’s spokesperson to confirm a date. We have repeatedly been assured, in person, and via messages with their spokesman, it would be set up.

Mr Thomas did attend our WalesOnline leaders hustings, along with members of his team, where he took questions from you, our readers, along with the five other major political leaders. He has appeared on numerous other debates too.

We checked when he attended our event that the leader interview we would be set up, and were assured it would be.

When we made clear the interviews would be running this week, we asked Reform UK to explain why, and no response came to that question either.

The main role of a journalist, and particularly a political journalist in an election, is to hold those in power to account.

We had lots of things to ask Dan Thomas. About his previous record in Barnet Council, about his switch from the Tories, about his leadership style, about his hopes for his time in the Senedd, if he is elected on May 7.

We would have asked him, if it was this week, about Arron Banks, about the Reform UK candidates who have left the party or quit their hopes for election, in some cases by issuing scathing remarks.

We also wanted you, our readers, to get to know the man who could soon have a key role in politics in Wales. He is a man who could soon be putting his name forward for a vote in the Senedd about being elected as the First Minister of Wales and we know remarkably little about him.

When a candidate puts their name on the ballot paper, they are asking people to vote for their politics, yes, but them as a person.

Dan Thomas is a candidate in Casnewydd Islwyn, the people of that constituency deserve to know about him, the people of Wales more broadly do, given his rise to prominence in Welsh politics.

It goes without saying, our offer to Dan Thomas remains, we take our tea with milk, no sugar.

You can read the other interviews here:

Established in 1867 as The Bolton Evening News, the publication has a distinguished record of serving the community.

It was Britain’s first community evening halfpenny newspaper, with only the Shipping Gazette, published in South Shields, predating it among evening titles.

Today, The Bolton News remains one of approximately 40 daily newspapers still in circulation in the UK, reflecting the resilience of regional journalism amid an evolving media landscape.

While print continues to play a central role, the organisation is adapting to shifting audience habits, particularly the growing prominence of social media and video platforms as primary news sources.

Regional Editor for Newsquest North West, Richard Duggan, said: “The Bolton News has been at the heart of this community since 1867, and this new YouTube channel is a natural next step in how we tell Bolton’s stories.

“While our commitment to print and the written word digitally remains strong, we know more people are now discovering news through video and social platforms.

“By investing in video reporting, we’re making our journalism more immersive, more accessible, and better suited to how some audiences live today.

“It’s about taking the stories of Bolton beyond the page, reaching new audiences, and ensuring local journalism continues to thrive for generations to come.”

Recent content on the new YouTube channel includes behind-the-scenes footage from an interview with Graham Wilson at Gilly’s Antiques.

Every video will be paired with a full article on The Bolton News website, allowing readers to explore each story in greater detail.

Operating under the username @BoltonNewsNewsroom, the channel is in its early stages, with a small but growing subscriber base.

Despite its recent launch, it has already attracted more than 11,000 views.

The initiative represents a strategic step towards reaching wider audiences and amplifying Bolton’s stories on a global platform.

To find out more, visit: www.youtube.com/@BoltonNewsNewsroom

Available for over a year

Today, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the US-Iran ceasefire “is not over”, despite attacks in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.

Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom” aims to use the US military to guide stranded cargo ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. But, Iran insists that it controls the strait – and yesterday fired missiles and drones at military and commercial ships, according to the US. Adam is joined by chief presenter Caitriona Perry and business editor Simon Jack.

And, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said “every part of society” has a responsibility to tackle antisemitism in the UK at a summit in Downing Street. It comes after the stabbing of two Jewish men in Golders Green and a string of attacks at synagogues and other Jewish sites in recent months. Adam and Alex speak with special correspondent Lucy Manning.

You can now listen to Newscast on a smart speaker. If you want to listen, just say “Ask BBC Sounds to play Newscast”. It works on most smart speakers.

You can join our Newscast online community here: https://bbc.in/newscastdiscord

Get in touch with Newscast by emailing newscast@bbc.co.uk or send us a WhatsApp on +44 0330 123 9480.

New episodes released every day. If you’re in the UK, for more News and Current Affairs podcasts from the BBC, listen on BBC Sounds: https://bbc.in/4guXgXd

Newscast brings you daily analysis of the latest political news stories from the BBC. The presenter was Adam Fleming. It was made by Jack Maclaren with Anna Harris. The social producer was Gabriel Purcell-Davis. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The assistant editor is Chris Gray. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham.

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