The plans proposed that the building would include a health and wellbeing centre and a café, and it would also be used as a community space and for events. The applicant said the Crescent Wellness Club would bring a “historic building back into use”.
They also said the space would provide a “welcoming and inclusive environment supporting physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, alongside community and creative use”. The wellness space will offer mental health and wellbeing workshops, therapy and group support sessions.
The basement area will also be used for yoga, Pilates, reformer Pilates and sound healing. Fenland District Council has now approved the plans.
Before approval, there was a mix of objections and support for the application. A resident in Lerowe Road objected to the plans as they said there was “no provisions made for wheelchair access”.
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The Wisbech Society said they “welcomed” the plans, but they did raise some concerns. One of these concern was about a potential “nuisance” to neighbours.
A spokesperson for the society said: “The design and access statement notes long operational hours of 7am to 9pm with a café in operation from 8am to 5pm with a capacity for 50.
“Also, an estimate of a possible 208 users at one time. We wish the enterprise well, but this will have a significant impact on neighbouring residents in this prime location in Wisbech.
“We wish to have assurance that all measures will be taken to alleviate any disturbance; including use of on street parking and noise.”
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Another resident in Union Place was in support of the plans. They said: “It is refreshing to see a large public building and period property being restored and put to use in the community when so many others in town are derelict and slowly going to ruin.”
Djokovic, meanwhile, now 39, had to overcome a sticky first-round against unknown Chinese player Yibing Wu – who took a set off the veteran – before he breezed past Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets in the second. He was stretched to four sets by French 25th seed Arthur Rinderknech in his most recent outing, but his star quality showed in a flawless tiebreak to seal a morale-bolstering win. Keep up to date with all the latest on Centre Court with our live blog below, with expert insight and analysis from Oli Gent at Wimbledon.
Police are looking into reports that two people walked out of an upmarket seafood restaurants without paying a reported £115 bill.
A man and a woman visited the El Puerto restaurant in Penarth, Wales, on Monday evening, with CCTV footage showing them park up and enjoy food and drinks, before leaving without appearing to pay the bill.
The duo reportedly ordered an all day set menu for £32, including a Dover sole meal for £52.10, calamari for £9.50 and eight Coca-Colas for £22. The bill’s total came to £115.60, according to BBC Waleswho managed to get hold of the outstanding bill.
As of Sunday, the bill has remained unpaid.
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El Puerto called on the couple to pay their bill in a post on social media after the incident, saying: “A polite request to two customers who visited The Custom House today…We’d kindly ask you to return and settle your outstanding bill.
The duo could be seen eating on CCTV (The Custom House)
“We’d much rather resolve this directly and appreciate you getting in touch with us as soon as possible.
“We have your vehicle registration on record. Please return or contact the team to arrange payment.”
South Wales Police confirmed they had received a report of theft from The Custom House and called on anyone with information to get in touch, quoting 2600206060.
Tanny Martinez, owner of the restaurant, told local media that the incident had been “hugely disappointing” for the entire team.
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CCTV footage captured their number plate (The Custom House)
“The hospitality industry is already facing an incredibly challenging economic climate, with rising costs and pressures across the sector, without having to deal with situations like this,” he said.
“It’s incredibly frustrating when the hard work and dedication that goes into creating great experiences for our customers is not respected.”
Martinez added the impact of dine-and-dash crimes “goes beyond the financial loss”.
“Situations like this can also have a real effect on the team’s morale and wellbeing, especially when so much care and effort goes into every service.”
A chef has shared his tips for the perfect cheese toastie recipe on social media
Cheese toasties make for a delightful lunch, and they’re relatively simple to prepare at home. While you might typically grab whatever cheddar happens to be in your fridge, one chef has suggested a three-cheese blend that will take your toastie to new heights.
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In a TikTok video, Andy Hearnden, who shares content on the platform as @andy_cooks, revealed his recommendations for the ultimate cheese toastie.
Grating and chopping his selected cheeses, Andy explained: “These are the best cheeses for your next grilled cheese.
“We’ve got mozzarella for creaminess, taleggio for amazing funk, and red cheddar for sharpness.” Chop all those up and mix them together in a bowl.”
Once the cheese is combined, place it between two slices of bread. Instead of using sourdough, Andy chooses shokupan, a Japanese milk loaf that can either be prepared at home or purchased from specialist retailers or Marks and Spencer.
Having assembled the sandwich, add some clarified butter to your pan, then grill the cheese until it has melted on both sides.
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Describing this as the “best grilled cheese you’ll ever have”, Andy suggests you can enhance it even more by incorporating some crispy chilli oil.
While the TikToker employs clarified butter in his method, the experts at The Culinary Cartel suggest using mayonnaise instead of butter for the ideal golden crust.
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The reasoning given was that mayonnaise is easier to spread than butter, reduces the risk of the bread tearing, and with its higher smoking point, it is far less prone to burning.
Concert-goers were left less than impressed by the Glasgow Subway service
Thousands of music fans leaving My Chemical Romance’s Glasgow Summer Sessions concert claimed they were left “stranded” after lengthy queues formed outside Ibrox Subway station following the show.
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Concert-goers who attended the gig at Bellahouston Park on Saturday night (July 4) took to social media to vent their frustration, with many claiming the Subway had closed while hundreds of people were still waiting outside the station.
Ahead of this year’s Glasgow Summer Sessions, organisers confirmed the Subway would remain open until 1am on concert nights to help fans travel home safely. ScotRail also announced extra carriages would be added to trains running between Dumbreck and Glasgow Central to cope with increased demand.
However, several attendees claimed the transport did not go as expected, with many claiming they were left stranded after the Ibrox Subway station closed.
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A TikTok video shared by user @pah_der17 quickly gained attention online after showing large crowds gathered outside the subway station. The clip was captioned: “Closed the subway while hundreds were queuing.”
The footage show hundreds of concert-goers waiting outside the station entrance, with some sitting on the pavement after seemingly giving up hopes of getting inside.
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Others can be seen checking their phones, appearing to search for alternative ways to get home as the queues continued to grow.
The video sparked a flood of comments from frustrated fans, with many criticising the city’s late night transport options. One person fumed: “Mental how in 2026 public tranaport canni be 24/7 or at least run into the early hours.”
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Another claimed soaring taxi prices left them with little choice, commenting: “Even ubers/taxis were ridiculous, had no choice but to pay £53 for a 15 min journey from the subway to garscadden. F**king jokeeeee.”
A third claimed that train passengers also experience similar issues, writing: “Trains were the same we were told extra trains were put on and not a single train showed up for over an hour to then find out the one everyone was waiting on was the very last one which wasn’t meant to be the case so loads of folk behind in the queue would’ve been stranded.”
Meanwhile others questioned why services ended despite the extended opening hours having been advertised before hand.
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With one comment reading: “That’s ridiculous it was advertised clearly that for all summer sessions it would be running until 1 like fair enough if it’s not running that late as that’s usually not the case but the fact it was advertised as running that late but then didn’t? that’s crazy.”
However, not everyone agreed with the criticism with some arguing the situation had been exaggerated. With one user stating: “Stranded is a bit of an exaggeration, barely an hour walk to the city centre.”
While another added: “I mean, Primark doesn’t stay open because there are loads of customers, they have a closing time and they shut doors at that time. There was the option to pre-book coaches or book a taxi if you didn’t want to miss the last song.”
ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Hundreds of firefighters battled wildfires in Portugal and Greece Sunday, with Spain and Italy sending reinforcements to Portugal to help battle a massive blaze burning for more than three days.
In Greece, authorities on Sunday urged residents of parts of Thessaloniki, the second largest Greek city, to remain indoors and shut their windows and doors due to toxic smoke from a burning recycling plant that was engulfed by a wildfire on the outskirts of the city.
In central Portugal’s Vouzela area, more than 1,200 firefighters backed up by nearly 400 vehicles and 15 aircraft tried to put out a blaze that broke out on Thursday, according to the country’s Civil Protection authority. The wildfire had burned across an area of 12,000 hectares (120 square kilometers, 46 square miles) by Sunday, information from the European Union’s Copernicus satellite mapping agency showed.
The European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid said Spain sent 120 firefighters and 45 vehicles as reinforcements to Portugal on Friday, while three firefighting aircraft from Italy and Spain were also dispatched to help.
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Toxic smoke from wildfire in northern Greece
On the other side of southern Europe in Greece, a fast-moving blaze at a recycling plant broke out Saturday evening near the Oraiokastro suburb of Thessaloniki, triggering evacuation alerts for three suburbs and a facility housing 157 people with special needs.
Strong winds fanned the flames, and around 160 firefighters were deployed to battle the flames through the night until water-dropping aircraft could take off at dawn, the fire department said.
Oraiokastro mayor Pandelis Tsakiris said on Greece’s state broadcaster ERT that several businesses and homes were damaged by the fire, but that a clearer picture would emerge after authorities conduct a full evaluation.
A 76-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of having started the blaze through negligence by generating sparks with his vehicle that set vegetation near the road alight, the fire department said. He was due to appear before a prosecutor Sunday.
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The fire came days after another wildfire in a nearby area killed a 12-year-old boy and his father.
Fire department spokesman Brig. Ioannis Artopoios, speaking on ERT television Sunday, said that about 85% of wildfires in Greece were caused by negligence, including through sparks generated through the use of agriculture machinery, discarded cigarettes and the use of outdoor barbecues. “This means most of them could have been avoided,” he said.
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Greece suffers frequent, often devastating, wildfires during its hot, dry summers. In 2018, a blaze east of Athens killed more than 100 people, while a massive fire in 2023 which tore through a remote nature reserve in northeastern Greece was the largest wildfire recorded in the European Union.
The country has increasingly turned to technology to combat the threat of fires, exacerbated by climate change. It is integrating an array of four satellites, launched into low orbit in May, that will monitor for wildfires.
So far this summer, Greece has been spared the heatwaves that have scorched much of western Europe in recent weeks. But it has still seen dozens of blazes across the country, both on the mainland and the country’s islands.
An England player is without a club after his contract came to an end at the World Cup
John Stones is among several high-profile free agents featuring at the World Cup, having reached the end of his contract at Manchester City. The 32-year-old currently finds himself without a club, but will be eager to add to his 91 England caps when the Three Lions face Mexico at the tournament.
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The centre-back spent a decade at the Etihad following a lucrative transfer from Everton, joining in the same summer that Pep Guardiola took charge. During his time with City, Stones won 15 major honours, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Once a cornerstone of City’s backline, the England international slipped down the defensive pecking order after struggling with injury last season. With Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov establishing themselves as a dependable partnership, and Nathan Ake preferred ahead of him for the Carabao Cup final triumph, Stones confirmed in April that he would be leaving at the end of the campaign.
“They say all good things must come to an end… but this thing we have had has been the greatest and it will remain a part of me forever,” Stones wrote on Instagram.
Stones confirmed his decision shortly after Guardiola had publicly addressed the defender’s fitness issues. “I don’t have doubts with John,” the City boss said.
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“When he reaches his level, he is a top central defender. Unfortunately, I only want him fit and unfortunately, like last season, a lot of the time it is not possible.”
Despite making just five league starts, including an emotional farewell on the final day of the season, Stones earned a place in England’s World Cup squad. Furthermore, Thomas Tuchel opted for the experienced centre-back ahead of his City teammate Guehi for the Three Lions’ opening win against Croatia.
Stones has since lost his place in the England side but will be pushing for a starting berth in the country’s round of 16 clash with Mexico. However, the defender left his club future unresolved before travelling to the World Cup and has become a free agent during the tournament.
At the start of July, Stones and three other players officially departed City upon the expiry of their contracts, leaving his next destination up in the air. BBC Sport has reported that former club Everton and AC Milan are among the sides linked with his signature.
In the build-up to the World Cup, the centre-back made clear his determination to prove Guardiola wrong following his limited playing time. “I was fit enough 100 per cent, it comes down to various things, the manager (Guardiola) and that’s something I can’t control and I think it’s always difficult to pick an XI and I say to this to him,” Stones said last month.
“He knows how much I wanted to play, how much I wanted to be there and you can look at it in so many ways. I think I feel as good as I’ve ever been before a tournament.”
Stones joins Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, Manchester United star Casemiro and Croatian icon Luka Modric in the list of World Cup stars currently without a club. His former City teammate Bernardo Silva, meanwhile, has recently joined Real Madrid as a free agent.
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National Highways has confirmed one lane remains closed on the M3 while the other two lanes are now open.
In a post on X, it said: “Lane 1 (of 3) remains closed on the #M3 westbound in #Hampshire between J12 #Eastleigh & J13 #Southampton following a collision.
“Lanes 2 & 3 are now open past the scene. Emergency services are working on scene. Current delays of 60 minutes, 6 miles of congestion on approach.”
A new forensic test – that can get DNA when others in the past could not – is being carried out to look for other suspects.
A man serving life sentences for the brutal murders of Lin Russell and her daughter Megan is having a new DNA sample taken to find another suspect and prove he was never at the scene.
The test, which includes taking his saliva, coincides with the 30th anniversary of the two murders which took place in July 1996.
Stone has repeatedly asked for new DNA tests since new techniques have been developed, including one where they can now separate male DNA in mixed samples.
If new male DNA is found, it could be compared to serial killer Levi Bellfield, who has previously confessed to being the real killer behind the two murders.
Stone is currently in HMP Frankland in Co Durham, serving three life sentences for what was seen as among Britain’s most brutal murders.
Dr Lin Russell, 45, was walking her two daughters Megan, six and Josie, nine, home from school, along a country lane near the pretty village of Chillenden in Kent.
A car pulled up and a man got out, tying them up, dragging them into a copse and beating them with a hammer. The mum and her youngest child were killed. Josie was the only survivor after suffering severe head injuries. The family’s dog, Lucy, was also killed.
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According to the Sunday Times, a new forensic strategy by a scientist at the laboratory Eurofins was shared with Stone’s lawyers last week.
Samples from a bloodstained plimsoll lace which was used to tie Lin Russell’s wrist are of particular interest to the new scientist on the case, they say.
Tapings taken from Lin and Megan’s bodies are also marked ‘top priority’ according to the Sunday Times, because they were recovered directly from the victims’ skin and have not been tested since 1996, reducing the risk of contamination.
Some exhibits including a plastic lunchbox with a bloody fingerprint on it, have gone missing while others were contaminated. Many of the items were tested for DNA in 1996 but no matches were found for any suspects.
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One of the items put under the microscope could be a boot lace, which was stained with the victims blood and found 45 metres from the horrifying murder scene. In 2010 the lace was said to be missing, with just an empty envelope left. It was also claimed at one point it had been tested to destruction.
But it was then discovered in 2020 by police and this is thought to be one of the items which will be looked at again.
It is believed some other items of evidence have not been tested at all, including fingernail scrapings from Lyn’s left hand and samples from the family dog, from its teeth and its back.
Stone, a former heroin user with previous convictions for violence, has always protested his innocence over the murders and his conviction for the attempted murder of Josie Russell.
One year after the attack an e-fit of the suspect was shown on the BBC’s Crimewatch. It led to Stone, a heroin user with previous convictions for violence, including a previous hammer attack on a man, being identified as a possible suspect by his psychiatrist.
He was put in an identity parade, but Josie did not pick him out. However Stone had no alibi and said he could not remember what he was doing at the time of the attack.
At his trial fellow prisoners testified they’d heard him confess, one through the heating pipe. But a day after the trial one inmate said he’d made it all up.
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Stone appealed and a retrial was ordered and he was convicted again despite there being no DNA evidence linking him to the crime. Stone had an appeal against his conviction turned down in 2019.
According to the Sunday Times the new specimen from Stone is needed to conduct newly developed tests that isolate male DNA even if a sample is a mixture of DNA from a female victim and an unknown man.
The same advances in DNA testing were used to prove the innocence of Andrew Malkinson, who was in prison for 17 years for rape, a crime he didn’t commit.
In this case scientists tested for new DNA from the victim’s clothing and this helped quash Malkinson’s conviction in 2023 and the real culprit was later jailed.
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Stone’s legal team believe that if the DNA of another man is found, it could lead to another suspect being identified in his case.
Levi Bellfield, the serial killer who murdered the schoolgirl Milly Dowler in 2002, allegedly confessed that he was responsible for the Russell murders but later retracted the claim.
Since then, he is said to have made a further detailed written confession after talking to prison psychologists. It was claimed Bellfield wanted relatives of those who were killed to have ‘resolution’.
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The CCRC, the only body with the power to send cases back to the Court of Appeal, has said Bellfield’s claims were not credible and that he had made false confessions to other crimes.
Mark McDonald, Stone’s barrister, told the Sunday Times: “Michael Stone has been in custody for 29 years for a murder he did not commit. He is innocent.”
The new forensic investigation will rely on two techniques. The first is DNA-17, a test that only became commonplace in 2014 and can isolate male and female genetic material.
The chance of two unrelated individuals sharing the same DNA-17 profile is less than one in a billion.
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The saliva from Stone is reportedly needed for another test called Y-STR, verifying male line relationships. This can separate even trace amounts of male DNA from a mixed sample. Results from this cannot be searched on the police database but can be used to search against specific alternative suspects.
If scientists find male DNA that does not match Stone or Lin Russell’s husband, Shaun Russell, it could lead a new suspect.
If the CCRC wants to compare the sample with Bellfield’s DNA, it has been advised that it might need to obtain a new sample from him – or use old material from cases where he was convicted.
Stone’s lawyer pointed out to the Sunday Times, how his client had been pushing for more forensic work on the case for decades, saying: “A guilty man doesn’t do that”.
The Global Passport Index for 2026 has been released.
The index, published by Global Citizens Solutions, analyses 200 countries using 15 indicators across three pillars: enhanced mobility, investment potential, and quality of life.
Global Citizens Solutions said: “The Global Passport Index provides the most comprehensive and data-driven assessment of nationalities worldwide, evaluating how each country empowers its citizens to move, invest, and thrive across borders.
“Unlike traditional rankings, the Global Passport Index evaluates not only a passport’s access to travel freedom, but the stability, quality of life, and economic opportunity it enables.
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“Using up-to-date data, this edition measures passport strength across three core pillars—Enhanced Mobility, Investment Potential, and Quality of Life—reflecting the real advantages that citizenship and residence provide in today’s world.
“With 200 countries analyzed through 15 key indicators, the Global Passport Index offers a holistic and updated snapshot of global freedom, economic opportunity, and personal well-being, helping individuals, investors, and policymakers understand how nationality shapes access to a globalized world.”
Sweden topped the Global Passport Index 2026. (Image: Getty Images)
UK has “one of the most desirable passports in the world”
The UK passport ranked eighth in the 2026 index.
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It was praised for its high scores in investment potential and quality of life.
Global Citizens Solutions said: “The United Kingdom passport currently ranks in 8th place according to the Global Passport Index 2026.
“It provides visa-free access to 114 countries.
“This makes it one of the most desirable passports in the world, with very high investment and quality of life scores.
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“United Kingdom passport holders have visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to countries such as United States, Germany, France, China, Japan, Andorra, Belize, and Switzerland, allowing almost instant travel worldwide.”
UK passport holders enjoy widespread mobility, but there are still around 15 countries where a visa is required for entry, including:
The Central African Republic
Republic of the Congo
Algeria
Eritrea
Ghana
Honduras
Iran
The UK held the same eighth-place position in the 2025 rankings.
Do you have any holidays booked this year? Let us know in the comments below.
Townspeople historically claimed there was a witch among them
A South Cambridgeshire village has an unusual connection to a witch, townspeople historically claimed. Willingham is a charming village just outside the Fens which offers an array of local amenities and a pretty atmosphere – but its history is by far more intriguing.
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Local legend has it that a man, named Jabez Few, was branded by townspeople as the witch of Willingham. Historically, Mr Few kept white mice, which was deemed peculiar by his fellow villagers. The ‘witch’ died in the 1920s and locals shared a strong belief that his mice were his familiar spirits.
They tried and tried to get rid of them, but the mice just would not flee. The locals reportedly resulted in eccentric measures to get rid of them – by holding them over running water.
Although this historic witchery does not paint the picture of a calming village, nowadays, it is a highly sought-after place to live. The village hosts a primary school, library, doctor’s surgery, post office and restaurants. It is also home to a historic house believed to date back to the 15th-century.
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In 1933, there were reportedly still seven pubs operating before it reduced to five in 1982. Nowadays, the village has three pubs called The Porterhouse, The Duke of Wellington and The Bank.
Ideally located, Willingham offers transport links through the A14, bus services and Waterbeach railway station, less than 20-minutes away by driving. The village is neighbour to Northstowe, a planned ‘New Town’ of up to 10,000 new homes.
House prices in Willingham are cheaper than south Cambridgeshire as a whole. Willingham house prices had an overall average of £373,746 over the last year, according to Rightmove. Meanwhile, the average house price in south Cambridgeshire was £433,000 in April 2026, according to the Office for National Statistics.
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