The event, which took place on February 4 at Ferryhill Station, saw crowds gather to mark the installation of a four-meter-high Miners Lamp Sculpture.

The sculpture was designed by Andrew McKeown to commemorate the mining heritage of the town, creating a fitting tribute to Mainsforth Colliery, which operated from 1872 to 1968.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station, pictured Sculptor Andrew McKeown (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

It features occupation names and terms unique to the Durham Coalfield areas, such as Spragger or Trapper, Chargehand and Shifter around the column of the lamp, so that they can be kept alive for future generations to learn about.

The event began with a speech by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Carole Atkinson who welcomed everyone to the event and thanked everyone involved in bringing the project to life, which cost £35,000 to install.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station pictured Rev Elizabeth Catford and Cllr Carole Atkinson (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

The project was funded by a £20,000 grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £15,000 from the neighbourhood budgets of former county councillors Peter Atkinson and Curtis Bihari via the 4Together Partnership.

The event continued with a blessing of the Sculpture by Methodist Minister, Reverend Elizabeth Catford, which was followed by ‘The Miner’s Hymn – Gresford’ played by members of Ferryhill Town Band.

The Mainsforth Colliery Miner’s Banner was also displayed throughout the event by members of the Ferryhill Miners Banner Committee.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Deputy Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor Carole Atkinson said: “I would like to say a big thank you to everyone involved in this project and who attended the Celebration Event on what was a very cold day.

“A special thanks to Sculptor, Andrew Mckeown for all his hard work on the project, to residents who put forward occupation names and suggestions for the final sculpture design.

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Miner’s Lamp Sculpture unveiled at Surtees Corner, Ferryhill Station Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

“To Ferryhill Station Primary School for taking part in Sculpture Workshops, to Reverend Elizabeth Catford for blessing the Sculpture and to Ferryhill Town Band for playing the Miner’s Hymn at the event.

“Finally, I would like to say a huge thank you to the funders of the project; the National Lottery Heritage Fund and former County Councillors Peter Atkinson and Curtis Bihari and the 4Together Partnership, without whom the project would not have been possible.”

For more information about this or any other project delivered by Ferryhill Town Council please contact: Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

“It’s got that Northern Irish sense of humour but it’s a very different show”

Next week we will find out How to Get to Heaven from Belfast as Derry Girls creator Lisa McGee’s newest show drops on Netflix.

Following three friends who have remained thick as thieves since their school days, setting off on a “wild adventure” in their late 30s, How to Get to Heaven from Belfast arrives on the streaming platform on February 12.

Cast, crew and invited guests took to the red carpet in South Belfast’s Queen’s Film Theatre on Wednesday night for the premiere of the new eight-part series.

READ MORE: Lisa McGee says How to Get to Heaven from Belfast is about relationship between ‘older and younger self’READ MORE: How to Get to Heaven from Belfast release date confirmed as first trailer for Netflix series drops

Speaking to Belfast Live at the event, show creator Lisa McGee said she felt the pressure of showing the local crowd her newest project in the heart of the city where it is set.

She said: “I’m still pretty nervous, not excited – I’m anxious but I hope they will enjoy it.

“The characters for me are the main thing and I hope they connect with the three lead characters in it and see themselves or maybe their friendship group. I hope they find they relatable and funny.”

The mind behind the award-winning hit Derry Girls, Lisa added that she tried not to focus on following up the global success of the Channel 4 comedy when putting her all into How to Get to Heaven from Belfast.

“I tried not to think about that when I was writing it and making it and I think the little genre switch helped with that. I would be more nervous if it was another straight comedy but because it’s a mystery and a bit of a thriller,” she explained.

“It shares the Derry Girls DNA, it’s got that Northern Irish sense of humour but it’s a very different show.”

She said that she thinks this genre switch will be the most surprising thing audiences will take in when they tune into her newest creation.

“It’s a little bit eerie, a little bit creepy and a little bit darker but not depressing,” she laughed.

Belfast Live also caught up with one of the leads, Roisin Gallagher, who previously starred in Belfast-based romantic comedy series The Lovers.

On getting to share her hometown on the screen again, Roisin said: “It means everything – I just didn’t think it was something that would be possible.

“When I went to drama school, I was told ‘you’ll have to get rid of the little leprechauns in your voice if you want to work’ meaning you’re not going to work in your own voice and how wrong was that and how glad am I that that was a false prediction.

“I’m just delighted to be here, to be home, to have my mummy here and celebrate Lisa McGee’s incredible, brave, courageous work – it’s class.”

Playing TV writer Saoirse, Roisin described her as “chaotic clever, unfiltered” and added the could see parts of herself in playing the character.

Roisin added that she is excited for Belfast to be shared across the world once again in such an anticipated production.

“I am most excited for people to see the country looking well – absolutely looking gorgeous. It’s beautiful how they shot it. I’m looking forward to people hopefully getting what I got filming the flashback scenes.

“That there might be a bit of reconnection with our youngerselves when were watching it.”

‘How to Get to Heaven from Belfast’ will premiere on Netflix globally 12th February

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What’s On newsletter

The crash between a Seat Leon and a Citroen Picasso happened on Wigan Road in Deane in the early hours of Sunday, January 11, prompting an outpouring of shock across the borough.

In two simultaneous raids in Ladybridge and the town centre this morning (February 5), police officers arrested four people in connection with their investigation into the crash.

Detective Inspector Andrew Page, of Greater Manchester Police’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “Our investigation into this tragic incident is progressing and has led to four arrests from two warrants in Bolton this morning.

“We have undertaken significant prevention activity across Bolton, with local PCSOs on the streets to reassure the community, and they are on hand to answer any queries members of the public may have.”

Two simultaneous raids were carried out (Image: GMP)

The raids were carried out by police officers, along with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Trading Standards officers.

Officers say a 42-year-old woman and a 46-year-old man were arrested on suspicion of fraud offences.

A 22-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods, and an 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of aggravated vehicle taking.

All four are in police custody.

An arrest being made (Image: GMP)

Seat driver Mohammed Jibrael Mukhtar, 18, and his two passengers, Mohammad-Danyaal Ashgar-Ali, 19, and Farhan Imtiyaz Patel, 18, were all killed in the crash.

Another of the Seat passengers was injured.

Blackburn taxi driver Masrob Ali, 54, had been driving the Citroen Picasso and was killed in the incident.

Married couple Tom and Georgina Daniels, and two of their close friends, had all been travelling in the taxi and were badly injured.

Police on one of the raids (Image: GMP)

Police say that one of the women who had suffered life-changing injuries is now in a stable condition.

DI Page has appealed for anyone who may know anything to come forward.

He said: “We are still appealing for any witnesses to come forward. Anyone who saw the vehicle driving before the collision, witnessed the incident itself, or has dashcam/CCTV footage of the incident can share it with us.

“You can contact us directly on 0161 856 4741, quoting log number 111 of 11/01/2025. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

The incident took place on Roseneath Road in Great Lever yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, February 4, when a loose dog attacked Mina Bestun as she was on her way home from school.

She was taken to hospital and remains there today, Thursday, and is set to undergo an operation.

Nizamuddin Patel lives across the road from where the incident happened and helped Mina immediately after the attack.

Speaking to The Bolton News, he told of the “very scary” incident.

Mr Patel said: “I was sleeping and I could hear so much noise. When I woke up, I ran out, my son was outside, and I saw the girl on the floor, she was getting up and running towards her house.

Mina Bestun is in hospital after being attacked by a dog (Image: Family)

“I saw my neighbour, he was the one who helped the girl, he was trying to find something to use to get the dog away, he found a booster seat and threw it at the dog.

“The dog left the girl and ran towards him, then he went back into his car, and the dog went back towards where it came from.

“When I saw the girl, I didn’t know if she was injured, but someone said to call the police so I did so straight away.”

When he approached Mina, she was “covered in mud” and holding her right arm.

Mr Patel removed her coat to look at her arm and found it had “blood all down it”, and that the bite marks were clearly visible.

He added: “I was so shocked and called an ambulance straight away.

Police on Roseneath Grove (Image: Newsquest)

“Since then, I have been worrying when the children are playing outside.”

Mr Patel, who called the incident “very scary”, added a word of thanks to his neighbour who distracted the dog.

To see The Bolton News’ interview with Mina following the attack, click here.

Another neighbour added: “I was in the house, I didn’t actually hear anything, but got up to go to the kitchen and saw blue flashing lights.

“There were so many police that I thought there had been a murder.”

She estimated there to have been around “8-10” police cars, as well as dog units, tactical aid vans and an ambulance – she added that some police had guns.

She said: “That poor little girl, I feel so sorry for her. In fact, I am online, ordering a teddy bear to give to her.”

The attack took place on Roseneath Road (Image: Phil Taylor)

One other neighbour added that she was “scared to let her children out” following the attack.

A 52-year-old woman and a 28-year-old man have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control.

Police returned to the scene today at around 11.15am, with a van and a car parking up on Roseneath Grove, which runs off Roseneath Road.

Officers were seen in a huddle, discussing tactics.

A GMP spokesperson said: “Shortly before 3.30pm on Wednesday, February 4, officers were called to reports of a dog attack on Roseneath Road, Bolton.

“Emergency services attended, and a 10-year-old girl was taken to hospital with serious injuries, believed to be life-changing.

“Armed Response Vehicles and GMP Dog Unit were deployed, and two dogs have been detained.

“A 28-year-old man and a 52-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of possessing a dog dangerously out of control, and are currently in custody.

“Officers will remain in the area as they conduct further enquiries and to provide reassurance to the community.”

Reverend Dr Rachel Mann will be taking a step back from her ministry at the end of July to focus instead on writing, speaking and taking opportunities with the media after a period of ill-health to do with ongoing Crohn’s disease.

Archdeacon Mann served her entire ordained ministry within the Diocese of Manchester, beginning her curacy at St Matthew’s, Stretford, in 2005, before becoming Priest‑in‑Charge and later Rector of St Nicholas, Burnage.

Archdeacon Mann said: “This is not the end, just an end… I would like to believe I have much still to contribute to this diocese, the Church more broadly, and indeed to wider public life and culture.

“It has been the privilege of my life to serve as a priest in this diocese.

“St John famously said, God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.

“In my ministry in Manchester, I have been blessed with that most awesome gift of grace: Love.

“Thank you. … Please pray for me as I shall pray for you, and may Manchester Diocese be ever more marked and transformed by the love of Jesus Christ who is the heart of all good and hopeful things.”

Christ Church Walmsley, Egerton

Archdeacon Mann has had five major and around twenty minor operations and procedures for Crohn’s disease since 1999.

She spent around two months of 2025 in hospital, part of which was recovery from major surgery, the rest was ‘coming to terms with the implications of living with a new diagnosis: organ failure’.

Archdeacon Mann says that the kind of organ failure she has – intestine failure – does not have a cure, and there is ‘no prospect’ of a transplant.

The Archdeacon said: “I have found full-time ministry very challenging.

“At worst, I do a pretty substandard job. I can still do one-off pieces of work to a high standard, but I struggle with consistency.

“The workload has become just too much for my flagging body – to quote Indiana Jones: ‘It’s not the years, it’s the mileage.’”

It is alleged that the Cleveland Police officer breached bail conditions by attending the home address of Witness B.

The conditions prohibited the officer from contacting Witness B and from attending any address they believed Witness B may be at.

The officer is also accused of intentionally breaching restrictions imposed under a Regulation 17 notice by both contacting Witness B and attending the home address of Witness B.

According to the allegations, as a result of their own admitted actions, the officer, who is serving with Cleveland Police, finds themselves remanded to prison.

The allegations amount to breaches of the standards of professional behaviour relating to discreditable conduct, orders and instructions, and honesty and integrity.

If proved, the allegations are assessed as gross misconduct.

The Cleveland Police accelerated misconduct hearing will take place at Scotswood House, Thornaby Place, Stockton, tomorrow (Friday, February 6), starting at 10.30am.

Brad Karp, chairman of one of the country’s most prestigious law firms, has resigned from his position after the release of emails revealing his exchanges with Jeffrey Epstein, a high-profile departure in the fallout among those with ties to the late convicted sex offender.

A statement Wednesday from Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Garrison & Wharton did not explicitly mention any connection Karp had with Epstein, whom the firm has said it never represented. But Karp, who will remain at the firm where he has practiced for 40 years and served as chairman since 2008, said “recent reporting has created a distraction and has placed a focus on me that is not in the best interests” of Paul Weiss.

The Department of Justice last week released the largest batch of documents so far from its Epstein investigative files in compliance with a new law intended to reveal what the government knew about the millionaire financier’s sexual abuse of young girls, as well as his interactions with rich and powerful people.

Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have agreed to testify before a House committee investigating Epstein after Republicans pressed for criminal contempt of Congress charges against them. Bill Clinton, like a number of other high-powered men including President Donald Trump, had a well-documented relationship with Epstein in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Neither Trump nor Clinton has been credibly accused of wrongdoing in their interactions with the late financier.

The fallout has spread beyond the United States. A top official in Slovakia resigned after photos and emails revealed he had met with Epstein in the years after Epstein was released from jail, and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued an apology for appointing an ambassador to Washington who had ties to Epstein.

Among the newly released documents was a July 22, 2015, email in which Karp thanked Epstein for hosting an evening that the lawyer said was “once in a lifetime” and one he would “never forget.” Epstein responded that Karp was “always welcome,” adding, “there are many many nights of unique talents. you will be invited often.”

Later that day, Epstein told Karp he wanted to connect him with Larry Summers, whom he described as “funny and warm.” Summers is a former treasury secretary and Harvard University president who has been ostracized from a number of organizations after Epstein files made public earlier showed his close relationship with Epstein.

In 2016, Karp was trying to help his son, who was interested in a film career, and reached out to Epstein in hopes of making a connection with Woody Allen. Karp’s son sent several follow-up messages to Epstein, but it was not clear whether they connected further. In 2018, Karp was invited for dinner with Epstein. Karp said he could arrange to have a car outside to take him back to his office for a video call, before rejoining the dinner.

“Im easy,” Epstein, in suggesting arrangements. “I know you are,” Karp replied.

The messages between the two continued through the years.

In February 2019, Karp emailed with Epstein seeking advice on behalf of John Havens, the former Citigroup president who, according to Karp’s message, needed “immediate help” before Haven’s name came out in what turned out to be a Florida massage parlor investigation. Epstein also offered help finding a local lawyer for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in the matter, with Karp suggesting Kraft needed “the best there is.”

Both Kraft and Havens were among 300 men accused of being patrons of massage parlors engaging in prostitution.

A month later, Karp was apparently reviewing a draft court filing in which Epstein’s lawyers argued that his plea deal in a decade-old federal sex abuse investigation in Florida should not be reopened.

“The draft motion is in great shape. It’s overwhelmingly persuasive. Truly,” Karp wrote in a March 3, 2019, email to Epstein, according to documents published online by the Justice Department. “I particularly liked the argument that the ‘victims’ lied in wait and sat on their rights for their strategic advantage, knowing you were in prison, before they came forward.”

Epstein pleaded guilty to state charges in that case, spent 13 months in jail, paid settlements to victims and became a registered sex offender.

Paul Weiss was founded in 1875. The storied New York firm has advanced the cause of civil rights, handled the legal affairs of corporate power brokers and grown into a multibillion-dollar global enterprise.

In his return to the White House, Trump has sought to exercise retribution against firms whose lawyers have performed legal work with which he disagrees. Paul Weiss was among the targets. In March 2025, the Republican president issued an executive order threatening the suspension of security clearances for its attorneys as well as the termination of any federal contracts involving the firm.

That order noted that a former Paul Weiss attorney, Mark Pomerantz, had been a central player in an investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office into Trump’s finances before Trump became president.

Karp was initially prepared to sue over the order, saying his firm “would not be able to survive a protracted dispute with the Administration.” Karp later cut a deal with Trump, saying that he did so to save the firm. The move was ridiculed by lawyers outside Paul Weiss, and more than 140 alums of the firm signed a letter assailing it as well.

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Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP

There are four proposals that could shape the future of local government in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough

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The future of Cambridgeshire’s councils hangs in the balance as the latest proposals for local government reorganisation have highlighted divisions between councils. Authorities in the final areas invited to submit their preferences for new structures have been confirmed, with a consultation launched on 52 proposals across 14 geographical footprints.

The Government has pledged to end the two-tier local government system in areas which incorporate both district councils and larger authorities with responsibilities for services such as social care. A consultation allowing people to have their say on the proposals will run for seven weeks until March 25, 2026.

Cllr Lucy Nethsingha, Leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape what works best for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. LGR is emotive and views differ – this really matters – so we need as many people and organisations as possible to respond.”

The Government argues that the two-tier system “slows down local decisions, sees local economies fragmented with different councils responsible for different priorities, and means outdated boundaries stop our towns and cities from growing”.

But councils are split on how areas should be organised to improve efficiency and promote growth. Across the 14 areas which submitted proposals on November 28, five areas submitted five different proposals. These areas are Derby and Derbyshire; Devon, Plymouth and Torbay; Kent and Medway; Lancashire, Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool; and Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.

Councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough joined those in Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, and North East Lincolnshire in submitting four proposals. There were three separate proposals in five of the areas, and two proposals in two other areas.

The proposals from councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough are as follows:

• Cambridgeshire County Council submitted a proposal for two unitary councils.
• Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council submitted a proposal for two unitary councils.
• Fenland District Council and Peterborough City Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.
• Huntingdonshire District Council submitted a proposal for three unitary councils.

Launching the consultation, local government minister Alison McGovern said: “As set out in the invitation, these proposals include the areas of existing neighbouring small unitary councils. Some proposals were accompanied by requests for boundary change; whereby existing districts would be split. These will require careful consideration.”

Responding to the latest proposals, chair of the County Councils Network Matthew Hicks described the announcement as “an important milestone” and urged residents and stakeholders to engage with the consultation. “County councils have worked hard to put forward ambitious, evidence-based proposals that will improve services and deliver fewer, leaner councils: fully in line with the Government’s stated criteria,” Mr Hicks said.

“Conversely, some of the competing proposals put out to consultation risk splitting high-performing care services into smaller councils – well below the stated criteria. At the same time, they promise hundreds of millions in savings to adult and children’s services with little supporting evidence.”

Mr Hicks added that it was vital for the Government to “closely scrutinise and rigorously evaluate all proposals against their own statutory criteria”. Decisions on the proposals for areas in the devolution priority programme, which includes Essex, Hampshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cheshire, are due next month.

“The decisions will shape local areas for years to come, so it is vital they ensure any new councils are able deliver savings to reinvest in frontline services, safeguard care to the most vulnerable and foster the economic growth this country desperately needs,” Mr Hicks said.