The prevention quiz has been developed by a charity to help people get personalised advice
Amber O’Connor Money and Lifestyle reporter U35s
19:00, 15 Mar 2026
Anyone who can spare 10 minutes could learn how to reduce their risk of breast cancer by taking a free quiz. Breast Cancer UK offers a prevention quiz designed to help people ‘reduce’ their ‘risk of breast cancer’ by offering a personalised action plan based on their risk factors.
While the quiz is not a diagnostic tool, and anyone requiring medical advice should speak to their GP, it could help people understand their risk factors and become aware of changes they can make to improve their health.
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Breast Cancer UK says that around 55,000 women and 400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year in the UK. Recommending the quiz, the charity explains: “While some risk factors (like age and genetics) are beyond our control, research shows that many everyday habits can meaningfully affect our breast cancer risk. Understanding those factors is an important first step towards prevention.”
Available online for free, the quiz typically takes about 10 minutes to complete and is aimed at people aged over 18. You need to know your height and weight before starting the questions.
The quiz has five sections to complete and covers a broad range of topics, including your family history of breast cancer, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and other lifestyle factors. As you complete the quiz, you will be offered advice about each topic, based on the answer you select, reports the Mirror.
For instance, when the quiz asks participants to share their age, the charity clarifies that the older you are, the higher your risk, but it is ‘never too soon and never too late to reduce your risk’.
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Further into the quiz, the charity asks if people are aware that some everyday products, including cosmetics and cleaning products, contain chemicals that may be linked with breast cancer. If you select ‘no’, the answer names chemicals that could affect hormones and may increase breast cancer risk.
A further question asks participants whether they spend time outside in the sunlight year-round. The charity explains: “Sunlight is the best way for you to take in Vitamin D, which is good for your overall health and has been shown in some studies to reduce breast cancer risk.”
The guidance continues: “It is also good for you to be outside and active, even in the colder months, but always take care to not spend too long in the sun to protect your skin.”
Once completed, the quiz highlights key areas to consider before building a personalised prevention plan with specific recommendations, such as adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet or cutting down on processed meats. The results are then shared by email, with additional guidance available on the Breast Cancer UK website.
Having pride in what your local area can offer and hoping it can improve in the future can go hand-in-hand, and Pontypridd has a chance to achieve this
20:38, 15 Mar 2026
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I’ve visited, worked in and lived near Pontypridd my entire life.
In recent times, I’ve lived just three miles down the road and found myself frequently visiting the town frequently once more and fell in love it all over again. While the high street has seen better days no doubt, I believe Ponty – as I have to call it, because it’s what I always have – is a brilliant choice for UK Town of Culture 2028.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, in partnership with Pontypridd Town Council and the Town and Culture Partnership, are joining forces to submit Ponty for the inaugural Town of Culture, which, if successful, will see the winning town will receive £3 million to deliver an ambitious cultural programme in 2028, running for approximately six months.
I’ve seen what the town has to offer go from strength-to-strength over the past six years I’ve lived nearby. While new ideas, businesses and people move into the town, the iconic mainstays of Ponty stand strong. For 200 years it’s been a hive of activity thanks to its place at the heart of south Wales’ booming coal and metal industries and drew visitors from all across the valleys.
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The markers of days gone by are all around if you look hard enough, the 1756-built old bridge at the Trallwn edge of town, the red sculpture sitting atop where Brown Lenox chainworks once stood – one of the last hurrahs of Ponty’s iron, steel and tin histories that drew thousands into the area to work. Just to the north of Pontypridd, you’ll find Hetty Winding House, a vivid and physical reminder of the area’s coal mining history, as it sits on the former Great Western Colliery site.
That’s currently looked after by Great Western Colliery Preservation Trust and is an impactful, and rare reminder of why communities were forged and families immigrated into the valleys for work, all those centuries ago.
Culture-wise, you can’t move for it in the town.. The revamped Muni, a long-standing arts space has now reopened. I’ve seen shows from Blur, Rhod Gilbert, there in the past and in 2024 it reopened after a long time shuttered, thanks to £5.4m from UK Government’s Levelling Up fund. It’s a place where you can book onto film nights, comedy clubs and live music and local acts, singers can be seen on the bill there, too.
Across the road you’ll find YMa, where community assemblies, poetry, wellness events and a massive range of activities are available.
These two community and performance-led venues go to show that Ponty is striving to harness culture – be it music, theatre, poetry, talents that are long-held in the area. Let’s not forget one of our country’s greatest songs, Cwm Rhondda was written just on the town limits at Capel Rhondda in Hopkinstown – a staple of rugby matches, choir concerts and anyone enjoying a flush of hiraeth.
Let’s not even forget Ponty has its own museum, the ideal place to find out more about the town and its industrial history. Here you’ll find a plethora of industrial history detail, but also Ponty’s Celtic artefacts, local art exhibitions and coffee mornings for history buffs and new keen beans!
When it comes to representing culture through food, Ponty’s got it in heaps. We’ve got excellent coffee bar, Zucco, on Mill Street – which is a great little corner for dining and shopping at independent shops like Storyville Books and Martha’s Homestore.
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The Mill Street collective proves to be a corner of Ponty that believes it, and the town have a lot to offer locals and people coming in from further afield, and mixes the traditional with modern shopping and dining out lifestyle – who doesn’t want their neighbourhood town to have a fresh Italian pizza spot, unique, locally made gifts, cards and art, and a local book store?
Around the corner Pontypridd’s Market Quarter is a testament to a town that kept the faith in the traditional indoor market. Owned by the John family, the 150 year-old market is home to traditional butchers, fruit and veg stalls, Welsh cakes, bakers and more to keep your kitchen stocked but it also has books, memorabilia stalls, music and a card shop.
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While shopping and eating might not be directly the arts, they still show a creative, willing passion to improve, to push Ponty forward and appeal to different generations, while holding onto Ponty personality.
A jewel in town’s crown is Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, which played host to the epitome of Welsh culture two years ago, the National Eisteddfod.
A massive green space in the centre of town, it’s home to tonnes of wildlife, beautiful trees and plants and tennis courts, a cricket pitch and acres of open space to explore. The lido play area is a brilliant playground for the kids, too.
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Speaking of the lido, the art deco swimming pool was reopened in 2015 after a multi-million-pound redevelopment. Now called National Lido of Wales, it’s become a premier attraction in the town that’s too often written off. Pontypridd’s Ynysangharad Park has just been awarded a prestigious Green Flag Award, which recognises green spaces that reach “international quality standard”, for the 13th year running, and has always been an idyllic outdoor space to escape the hustle and bustle of the shopping centre of Taff Street..
So while, like any other town in Wales, or indeed the world, Pontypridd isn’t perfect, but it’s got so much going for it and the voices who talk it up hopefully outnumber those who don’t. And if you needed any more reasons to marvel at Pontypridd, it’s also had the world’s longest platform after a reconstruction in 1914, it’s impressive red brick railway station is still a pretty attractive construction!
The UK Town of Culture is a new, UK-wide initiative led by the Department for Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS), building on the success of the UK City of Culture programme. For the first time, towns of all sizes are invited to showcase their creativity, cultural heritage and unique stories, with a strong emphasis on inclusive and accessible culture.
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If you think Pontypridd will be a great recipient of the 2028 UK Town of Culture title email me your thoughts on kathryn.williams@reachplc.com
French animation has a rich history. But it has yet to achieve the same widespread recognition as American, British or Japanese animation. Arco could change that. The film’s accessible Studio Ghibli-esque story, unique visual imagination and surreal tone marks it out from run of the mill family fare.
Arco is a 2D hand-drawn time travel fantasy film set in 2075 and 2932. The eponymous hero is ten-year-old boy who steals a cape and gemstone that enable him to travel back in time. Arriving in 2075, Arco meets Iris, an inquisitive girl whose primary caregiver is a robot. It’s a substitute for her parents who work away from home and are only present through holograms. Having lost the gemstone, Arco and Iris try to find a way for him to return home.
As this plot description might already suggest, Arco displays admiration for the Studio Ghibli films of Hayao Miyazaki from the first frame. With its pre-teen protagonists, collision of fantasy with reality, environmental themes and bumbling comedic supporting characters, viewers will be reminded of Laputa: Castle in the Sky (1986), Porco Rosso (1992), Spirited Away (2001) and Ponyo (2008) among others.
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The trailer for Arco.
Arco’s depiction of wide-open blue skies accompanied by delicate piano music and later apocalyptic scenes of climate disruption also share an audio-visual heritage with Ghibli films. But far from a mere imitation, the film also offers a distinctly French take on animation.
French animation legacy
France can lay claim to one of the earliest innovators of animation – cartoonist Émile Cohl’s 1908 short Fantasmagorie was the longest and most elaborate animated cartoon to date. In 1973 the surreal sci-fi Fantastic Planet captured the trippy psychedelia of its time, and remains a cult favourite today. More recently, internationally acclaimed and financially successful French animated feature films have included The Triplets of Belleville (2003), Persepolis (2007) and My Life as a Courgette (2016).
These films are all very different. But what unites French animation is not a consistent style or thematic concern. Rather, it has a quirky sensibility that embraces the capacity of animation to look at the world from new perspectives and explore outlandish stories that couldn’t be made any other way.
An important part of the success of Arco is in balancing that distinctive French sensibility with commercial appeal. Like Studio Ghibli films, that includes using big star names for the English-language dub. This is essential to reach family audiences who might be unable or unwilling to read subtitles.
One of the film’s producers is actor Natalie Portman, lending the production Oscar-winning credibility and contacts. Portman herself voices Iris’ mother, joined by Mark Ruffalo as Iris’ father, America Ferrera as Arco’s mother, and a triple-act comedic turn from Will Ferrell, Andy Samberg and Flea as eccentric cultists.
Future thinking
Despite Arco’s fantastical story elements, its most significant achievement is in tackling timely contemporary environmental themes. Where most cli-fi cinema (science fiction that depicts climate change) often dwells on apocalyptic gloom, Arco’s take is both incisive and uplifting.
The time-travel themes allow for a subtle consideration of the need for long-term “future generations” thinking, while reinforcing the need for human, rather than technological, solutions.
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The landscapes of Arco are inspired by Studio Ghiblin films. Neon
The makers of Arco will no doubt be hoping for a reprise of last year’s surprise animated feature film Oscar, when the low budget Latvian computer animation Flow beat out the usual suspects of Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks. It signalled a new openness of academy voters to international and creatively adventurous animated films.
A win would be well deserved. Just as Arco’s colourful rainbow styling underpins its hopeful vision for the future of humanity, the film’s present day success signals a bright future for animation production in Europe and beyond.
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The UKHSA said it was notified of 13 cases with signs and symptoms of meningitis and septicaemia from Friday (March 13) to Sunday (March 15) in the Canterbury area of Kent. And in an update shared on Sunday, it was revealed that two people are known to have died.
The UKHSA and the NHS are arranging antibiotics for some students at the University of Kent following a number of cases of invasive meningococcal disease although the specific strain has not yet been identified.
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The UKHSA said ‘very occasionally’ the meningococcal bacteria can cause serious illness, including inflammation of the lining of the brain and blood poisoning, which can rapidly lead to sepsis.
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said: “We understand that many people at the university and in the wider community will be affected by this sad news and we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family involved.
“Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure.
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“Advice and support is being offered to the wider student community, and to local hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.”
Issuing a warning amid the outbreak Mannes shared that as the disease can ‘progress rapidly’, it is ‘essential’ that everyone remains alert to the symptoms.
The UKHSA regional deputy director warned: “Meningococcal disease can progress rapidly, so it’s essential that students and staff are alert to the signs and symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia, which can include a fever, headache, rapid breathing, drowsiness, shivering, vomiting and cold hands and feet.
“Septicaemia can also cause a characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass. Students are particularly at risk of missing the early warning signs of meningitis because they can be easily confused with other illnesses such as a bad cold, flu or even a hangover.
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“That’s why it’s vital that, if a friend goes to bed unwell, you check on them regularly and don’t hesitate to seek medical help by contacting their GP or calling NHS 111 if they have these symptoms or you’re concerned about them. This could save their life.”
Symptoms of meningococcal meningitis and septicaemia
The UKHSA has warned that the disease can progress quickly, so it is important to recognise the warning signs. The symptoms can include the following:
Fever
Headache
Rapid breathing
Drowsiness
Vomiting
Cold hands and feet
A characteristic rash that does not fade when pressed against a glass
The UKHSA warned that it is ‘vital’ to check on friends if they go to bed unwell.
Everything we know about symptoms of meningitis after two people die amid UK outbreak – Manchester Evening News
Need to know
Another 11 people are being treated in hospital amid the outbreak
Two people have died amid a meningitis outbreak in Kent(Image: Jeff Moore/PA Wire)
Everything we know about symptoms of meningitis after two people die amid outbreak
Trish Mannes, UKHSA regional deputy director for the South East, said: “We understand that many people at the university and in the wider community will be affected by this sad news and we would like to offer our condolences to the friends and family involved. Students and staff will understandably be feeling worried about the risk of further cases; however, we would like to reassure them that close contacts of cases have been given antibiotics as a precautionary measure. Advice and support is being offered to the wider student community, and to local hospitals and NHS 111, and we’re monitoring the situation closely.”
Symptoms of meningitis develop suddenly and can include a high temperature, being sick, a headache, a rash that does not fade when a glass is rolled over it, a stiff neck, a dislike of bright lights, drowsiness or unresponsiveness, seizures.
According to the NHS, meningitis is an infection of the protective membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord (meninges). It can affect anyone, but is most common in babies, young children, teenagers and young adults. It can cause life-threatening sepsis and result in permanent damage to the brain or nerves.
The NHS advises that meningitis is usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Bacterial meningitis is rarer but more serious than viral meningitis. Infections that cause meningitis can be spread through: sneezing, coughing, kissing. Meningitis is usually caught from people who carry these viruses or bacteria in their nose or throat but are not ill themselves. It can also be caught from someone with meningitis, but this is less common.
People with suspected meningitis will usually have tests in hospital to confirm the diagnosis and check whether the condition is the result of a viral or bacterial infection. Bacterial meningitis usually needs to be treated in hospital for at least a week.
The NHS advises people to call 999 for an ambulance or go to your nearest A&E if you think you or someone you look after could have meningitis or sepsis. “Trust your instincts and do not wait for all the symptoms to appear or until a rash develops,” the NHS advises.
Almost everyone carries microscopic mites on their skin. They live inside pores and hair follicles, feeding on skin oils and dead cells.
When people first hear this, the reaction is often disgust or alarm. It is easy to imagine infestation, poor hygiene or something going wrong.
In reality, these tiny organisms are a normal, lifelong part of being human and part of the natural balance of the skin.
Nearly all mammals host follicular mites that live inside the pores of the skin. They are absent only in monotremes, egg-laying mammals such as the platypus and echidna, which have different skin and mammary structures. In humans, mites inhabit hair follicles and sebaceous glands, feeding on skin oils and dead cells. Healthy skin can host large numbers without any symptoms.
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These organisms exist in a symbiotic relationship with us. We provide a protected environment and nutrients, while their presence forms part of the wider community of microorganisms that helps the skin function normally.
We acquire our mites from our mothers through early close contact, including birth, breastfeeding and skin-to-skin care. Babies begin life with very small populations. Numbers increase through adolescence and adulthood, and by later life almost everyone carries them.
Creatures of the night
Humans carry two main species of follicular mite: Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Both are tiny, around 0.2 millimetres long, roughly a third to half the width of a typical human hair, and invisible to the naked eye. D. folliculorum tends to cluster near the openings of hair follicles, while D. brevis lives deeper within sebaceous glands. Both remain inside pores and are most active at night.
At night, when levels of melatonin (the hormone that helps regulate sleep and circadian rhythms) rise, demodex mites move between pores and reproduce. This activity is microscopic and cannot be felt. Males and females mate at the openings of hair follicles, and several mites can share a single follicle without causing any symptoms.
Mites are not the cause of most skin problems. Evidence suggests they are opportunistic rather than causal. When inflammation or changes in the skin’s microbial balance occur, mite populations may increase because the conditions favour them.
Only in certain circumstances do demodex mites become linked with disease. In people who are immunocompromised, mite populations can increase dramatically and contribute to irritation and inflammation. Even then, they are usually part of a broader shift in the skin environment rather than the sole cause.
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Rosacea sits in a similar grey area. People with rosacea often have higher numbers of demodex mites on affected skin, and some research suggests they may help sustain inflammation. But they are unlikely to be the original trigger. Rosacea appears to involve interactions between the immune system, the skin barrier, microbes such as bacteria and fungi, and environmental factors such as ultraviolet exposure, temperature extremes and stress, with mites sometimes contributing to that wider process.
Online forums are full of claims of “infestations” and advice on eliminating mites. Many of these claims are not grounded in science. Some people become convinced they can feel mites crawling on their skin. In certain cases this can be linked to delusional parasitosis, a mental health condition involving persistent sensations of infestation despite no medical evidence. The distress can lead to excessive scratching and skin damage.
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Beyond the skin, humans interact with many other mites. House dust mites live in bedding, carpets and clothing, especially in warm and humid environments. They feed on shed skin cells and microscopic fungi. Some people develop allergies to proteins in dust mite waste. This reaction is caused by immune sensitivity rather than the mites attacking the body.
There are also mites that genuinely cause disease. Scabies mites burrow into the skin, causing intense itching and spreading through close physical contact. These infections are more likely where people are vulnerable, such as in overcrowded living conditions, limited access to healthcare or weakened immunity. Scabies is a medical condition, not a sign of poor hygiene or personal failure.
Understanding the difference between symbiotic mites and parasitic ones is important. Most mites that live with us are part of a natural system and do not need to be eliminated. Attempts to remove them aggressively with harsh chemicals or excessive cleansing can damage the skin barrier, leading to dryness, irritation and flare-ups of conditions such as eczema or acne.
In everyday life, simple hygiene is enough. Washing with water or mild products supports healthy skin without disrupting its ecosystem. Heavy use of strong cleansers or cosmetics may reduce mite numbers temporarily but does not necessarily improve skin health.
There is one condition directly linked to high numbers of demodex mites called demodicosis. This occurs when populations become unusually dense and contribute to redness, scaling and rough patches. It is uncommon and usually associated with weakened immunity or existing skin disorders. Treatment focuses on restoring skin health and, when needed, using targeted medications rather than trying to sterilise the skin.
Our skin is not sterile. It is a living habitat that supports bacteria, fungi and microscopic animals. This community helps regulate inflammation, maintain balance and protect the skin.
Within that ecosystem, mites are not invaders but long-standing companions in a shared biological environment. In most cases, their presence simply reflects healthy, functioning skin.
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Strange Health is hosted by Katie Edwards and Dan Baumgardt. The executive producer is Gemma Ware, with video and sound editing for this episode by Sikander Khan. Artwork by Alice Mason.
In this episode, Dan and Katie talk about a social media clip via TikTok from prettyspatricia.
Listen to Strange Health via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here. A transcript is available via the Apple Podcasts or Spotify apps.
The Other Bennet Sister is based on author Janice Hadlow’s best-selling novel of the same name.
Hayley Anderson TV Reporter
19:52, 15 Mar 2026
Five things about The Other Bennet Sister’s Ella Bruccoleri
Period drama fans and devotees of classic literature are eagerly anticipating the BBC adaptation of The Other Bennet Sister.
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Set during the early 19th Century, The Other Bennet Sister offers a fresh take on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, this time narrated from Mary Bennet’s (portrayed by Ella Bruccoleri) perspective.
Whilst her sisters pursue matrimonial prospects, Mary embarks upon a journey of self-discovery, attempting to reinvent herself and forge a new independent existence.
The Other Bennet Sister episode schedule in full
The Other Bennet Sister makes its debut this evening, Sunday, March 15, at 8pm on BBC One, assuming the primetime slot previously occupied by Call the Midwife.
Audiences will be treated to not just one but two episodes on March 15, with a double bill of The Other Bennet Sister broadcasting consecutively.
Every Sunday, viewers can look forward to two half-hour instalments of the period drama, with the final pair scheduled for Sunday, March 12 on BBC One, barring any scheduling changes.
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Here’s a complete breakdown of The Other Bennet Sister transmission schedule:
Episodes one and two: Sunday, March 15
Episodes three and four: Sunday, March 22
Episodes five and six: Sunday, March 29
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Episodes seven and eight: Sunday, April 5
Episodes nine and 10: Sunday, April 12
However, if waiting a month to discover how Mary Bennet’s tale concludes doesn’t appeal, there’s another option.
The opening five episodes of The Other Bennet Sister became available on BBC iPlayer from 6am on March 15.
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Audiences must await the final five instalments, which will arrive on BBC iPlayer when they premiere on Sunday, March 29, likewise at 6am.
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Beyond existing within the same world as Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice, the BBC adaptation boasts a cast of familiar faces.
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Taking the lead role as the “seemingly unremarkable” Mary Bennet is actress Ella Bruccoleri, recognised primarily for portraying Sister Frances in BBC’s Call the Midwife.
Her previous credits include appearances in programmes such as The Chelsea Detective, Disney+’s Extraordinary and Bridgerton’s third series as Miss Barragan.
Bruccoleri shares the screen with Gavin and Stacey icon Ruth Jones as Mrs Bennet, The Capture’s Indira Varma as Mrs Gardiner and Prime Video’s Young Sherlock star Donal Finn as prospective love interest Mr Hayward.
The Other Bennet Sister is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
But while it’s based in North Yorkshire, there is a surprise German twist to the venue.
Describing itself as a country inn, B&B, bistro and restaurant, The Buck Inn sits just 2.5 miles from Clay Bank and is billed as the closest inn to Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast walk.
The Buck Inn, Chop Gate (Image: TRIPADVISOR)
It also lies close to the Cleveland Way, making it a natural base for long-distance hikers.
Owned by Helen and Wolfgang, the inn offers six traditional en-suite rooms alongside a bar and restaurant specialising in home-cooked food, fine wines and an extensive selection of German beers, sourced directly from Germany.
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The Buck Inn’s location is central to its appeal.
Many guests are tackling either the Coast to Coast or the Cleveland Way, and reviews frequently highlight the inn’s walker-friendly approach.
One reviewer described it as a “great stay on the Coast to Coast”, while another said Wolfgang “went out of his way” to provide an early breakfast and a lift back to the trail.
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Another guest called it a “fantastic place to stay”, praising the comfortable rooms and the hospitality from the owners.
What sets The Buck Inn apart from many traditional moorland pubs is its strong German influence.
German beers on offer at the Buck Inn (Image: TRIPADVISOR)
Wolfgang’s cooking and beer selection regularly draw comment from visitors, with Bavarian dishes featuring on the menu alongside English classics.
One reviewer described the food as “very good and different, Bavarian a speciality”, while another singled out the “fantastic food” and praised the bar team for their warm welcome.
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The inn is also listed in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, reflecting its reputation among real ale and beer enthusiasts.
With 586 reviews on TripAdvisor and an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5, The Buck Inn ranks as the top-rated inn in that part of North Yorkshire.
Guests frequently describe it as “quirky”, “authentic” and welcoming to dogs.
Rooms are described as “comfortable and practical”, offering what walkers need after a long day on the hills.
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Stand-out features include free parking, Wi-Fi, a bar and restaurant, and pet-friendly accommodation.
With its combination of food, German beer and a prime position on one of North Yorkshire’s most scenic roads, The Buck Inn has proved to be a hit for visitors.
Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea lost at home to Newcastle United (Picture: Getty)
Liam Rosenior has been told he made himself look ‘stupid’ by saying he would contact PGMOL after referee Paul Tierney was in the centre of Chelsea’s latest ‘ridiculous’ pre-match huddle.
Chelsea’s inconsistent form continued afterwards as they were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle, with England star Anthony Gordon scoring the only goal.
Rosenior criticised Tierney after the game and confirmed he would be contacting the PGMOL to ‘try to get an understanding of what happened’.
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‘I’m respectful to the game,’ the Stamford Bridge boss said. ‘My players made a decision that they wanted to be around the ball, to respect the ball and show unity and leadership.
‘That is not my decision. That is a decision between the leadership group and the team. There is nothing that they’re doing with that huddle that is disrespectful to the opposition.
‘If Paul had focused more on his job, which was to make the right decision, we’d have a penalty today. I don’t think anyone can say that Woltemade doesn’t kick Cole Palmer down in the box.
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Paul Tierney in the middle of Chelsea’s huddle (Picture: Getty)
‘I didn’t speak to Paul today, I didn’t think it was the right thing. But I’ll be speaking to PGMOL. I’ll be speaking to the refs. Just trying to get an understanding of what happened.’
Ex-Chelsea midfielder Craig Burley believes his former club should stop doing the pre-match huddle and says Rosenior made himself look ‘stupid’ after the Newcastle defeat.
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He told ESPN: ‘I’m intrigued by this, when Liam Rosenior contacts Howard Webb, what does he expect Webb to do?
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‘You’re not going to demote a referee because he was standing in a stupid huddle. How stupid does it make you sound as a coach of a team in the Champions League and spends billions of pounds that you’re biggest concern after the game is the referee getting in the way of your ridiculous huddle.
‘I mean come on… come on! I don’t know what the referee is doing there but Rosenior wants to talk to the PGMOL about this?
‘He should be worried more about his team’s performance, he should be worried about conceding five goals in Paris, he should be worried about their Champions League chances.
Antony Gordon earned Newcastle a 1-0 win over Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
‘Huddling around the ball for unity, what is this nonsense? He thinks he knows more than everyone else but he’s overthinking everything.
‘Come on, he’s got more to worry about than reporting the referee.’
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Burley also claimed the Chelsea players would be ‘giggling behind Rosenior’s back’ at some of his antics as Stamford Bridge boss.
‘Unless this Chelsea dressing room are soft and weak and will accept anything, they have to be giggling like schoolkids behind this manager’s back,’ he added.
‘We know what goes on, we’ve all been in dressing rooms. These players will be having a field day with the manager.’
Rosenior’s side were level with the Champions League holders until PSG scored three late goals to put one foot in the quarter-finals ahead of the return leg at Stamford Bridge.
For all their struggles this season – both on and off-field – Celtic appear to be hitting form at the right time.
Under interim manager Martin O’Neill, the Parkhead outfit won away in Stuttgart in the Europa League, drew 2-2 at Rangers in the league before knocking their Glasgow rivals out of the Scottish Cup on penalties.
They then saw off the challenge of Motherwell in front of their own fans on Saturday, no mean feat given the way Jens Berthel Askou has got the Steelmen playing this term.
“Right now, Celtic have the better momentum of the three,” Lovenkrands said.
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“With [Hearts] losing three away games in a row and Celtic closing the gap, Hearts are in a tough position.
“Rangers have got the better fixtures in the next two games, so it could go anywhere.”
Hearts host Dundee and Motherwell either side of a trip to Livingston before the split, Celtic are away to both Dundee sides before hosting St Mirren, while Rangers host Aberdeen and Dundee United before going to Falkirk.
Celtic have kept themselves in the hunt despite injuries to key players this season and Allan believes that adversity will have built strength in the Parkhead camp.
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“Celtic have missed Alistair Johnston, Cameron Carter Vickers, Jota and still ground out results,” he said. “To go without [Callum] McGregor and [Kieran] Tierney to Ibrox and still take the result, that’s a winning dressing room.
“I think they have something that the others don’t.”
Indeed, when asked who they were backing to top the table on 16 May, both pundits agreed.
“If I’m putting money on it, Celtic,” Allan said.
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“I’m the same,” Lovenkrands responded. “Before this weekend, I thought Hearts were the ones to lose it, but now, I think it’s swung towards Celtic.”
