A trip to the zoo, an acrobatics show, a stroll around one of London’s first indoor markets, or perhaps just a swim in a historic Lido.

These are just some of the unique activities you might stumble across in Wandsworth in South West London.

It seems that it’s becoming increasingly popular with movers, too, as in 2025, a study analysing more than 23,000 moves found that it was the most popular London borough.

Now, it’s not exactly a cheap enclave to move to. Over the last year, house prices in Wandsworth have averaged at out at £810,224, towering over the current national average of £269,900 (according to Zoopla’s figures).

Plus, renting here certainly costs a pretty penny, as Compare My Move’s research found that the average monthly payment comes in at £2,526.

So, just what’s all the fuss about?

‘There’s a great feeling of peace’

Fiona Harrold has lived in Wandsworth for just over two years now, having moved back to London from Somerset in 2024.

She knew she wanted to be somewhere more lively than a village, but needed to be able to switch off and seek clarity amid nature, which is precisely why she ended up choosing South West London.

‘You can come home from a busy day of meetings in the centre of town, turn a corner and there’s suddenly a feeling of peace with a great green expanse of a park or heath,’ the 58-year-old PR tells Metro.

‘What’s special about it is the village feel as well as the convenience of Pilates studios, cafes and hairdressers that are open seven days.’

In her view, it feels like it’s outside of London – but in reality, it’s only 15 minutes from Waterloo on the train.

She now lives in a mansion block, and many of her neighbours have lived there for 20 years. Taking in each other’s parcels is the norm, and many of them have looked after her cat while she’s been away travelling.

‘I wouldn’t want to live in any other part of London,’ she says.

A love of greenery is also why 42-year-old Holly Stevens, who is originally from Wimbledon, chose Wandsworth. She wanted somewhere that felt familiar, but had a slower, more family-friendly pace of life.

‘King George’s Park, Wandsworth Common and Clapham Common are all on the doorstep, and they completely shape daily life, especially with children,’ Holly, who has two children, shares.

‘The schools are another big draw. There are some fantastic options locally, and that naturally brings in lots of young families. There’s a real sense of community here, you see familiar faces at the school gates, in the parks and in local cafés. It feels supportive and neighbourly.’

‘Wandsworth feels like possibility’

While Alicia Drabble-Castellano now lives in neighbouring Wimbledon Park, one minute from the border, she lived in Wandsworth when she set up her business.

The area gave her exactly what she needed for her idea, women’s clothing brand Single Swan, to thrive: space, energy, and community.

‘It’s full of people quietly building something. There’s a real entrepreneurial undercurrent, founders working from cafés, creatives collaborating after school drop-off, women in their 40s starting second acts,’ she tells Metro.

‘You’ll see river runners at sunrise, toddlers in tow by 9am, and start-up meetings happening over flat whites by 10.’

In her experience, Wandsworth feels ‘layered’ in that there are long-standing locals, but also new arrivals.

‘Local conversations turned into collaborations. It’s a place that allows you to grow quietly, steadily, and confidently,’ she adds.

Housing in Wandsworth

When it comes to explaining why it’s so popular despite the relative price tag, Damien Jefferies, founder of Jefferies London, has a few theories.

As Damien tells Metro, it ‘combines lifestyle appeal with relative affordability given its favourable location.’

He explains: ‘Families are attracted by the excellent schools, plentiful green space and riverside setting, while professionals value the fast connections into central London, particularly with the Northern line extension, as well as the up-and-coming buzz that has come from the redevelopment of the Battersea Power Station and surrounding area of Nine Elms.’

In his mind, it channels an essence of London’s ‘prestige’ without the champagne budget associated with nearby Chelsea and Fulham.

Damien adds that, between 2024 and 2025, the average sold price across Wandsworth actually fell by 6.4%, which he says is ‘in line with the slowdown seen across the wider London market.’

However, this has actually fuelled the borough’s popularity even further, as the average number of monthly housing transactions rose by 10.1% in 2024 and 9.3% in 2023.

Things to do in Wandsworth

From quirky food markets to a vibrant clubbing scene, there’s plenty to explore down this neck of the woods. It was also named the London Borough of Culture for 2025 by Mayor of London Sadiq Khan, hailed for being ‘vibrant and diverse,’ as well as teeming with creativity.

Tooting Market is worthy of a visit alone, being one of South London’s first indoor markets, opening in 1930.

For those who like to party, Exhibit in Balham and Tram and Social in Tooting are two standout clubs, offering karaoke, bottomless brunches, comedy nights and more.

And those who prefer the great outdoors can enjoy the area’s green spaces like Wandsworth Park, Battersea Park and the River Wandle. Alternatively, why not take a dip in the famous Tooting Bec Lido?

FORSSELIUS, Prudential, Parker & Watson, and Thornton’s Antiques – just some of the businesses readers may remember from this part of York.

Long-lost shops and firms of Blossom Street over the years are being remembered in a new project.

Clements Hall Local History Group have been finding out more about the history of Blossom Street for their latest book.

Forsselius Garage in York in 1982 when it was put up for sale

They’ve been tracing the history of all the traders in the street through time, with some very familiar names, such as Forsselius. He installed the first automatic petrol pump in York in September 1921, with two petrol pumps and storage for 800 gallons. Across the street from the Odeon cinema was Shearsmith’s, mainly a motorcycle dealer, but they also sold toys at Christmas, especially Hornby trains, Dinky Toys, and Meccano construction kits.

Edwin Story near Micklegate Bar was a leading bookseller with a lending library.

Blossom Street and Micklegate Bar and Edwin Story shop – photo supplied

There were some well-known grocers before Sainsburys on the corner with the Crescent. Thompsons had an overhead device for sending money from the assistant to a central cashier booth, with wires and pulleys across the shop.

Recommended reading:

11 photos that show changing face of this key street in York

How York has changed since the 1950s – 10 fabulous old photos

How York has changed since the Swinging ’60s – 9 old photos

Do you remember Parker & Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street in the 1960s? How about Thornton’s antiques, and Almgill’s sweet shop?

Parker and Watson chemist on the corner of Queen Street – photo from York Press

There was Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry next to the Bay Horse, from 1921 to 1959, and their son, who became Harry Dewar, was a famous teacher in York.

Fong Cheong’s Chinese laundry was next to the Bay Horse from 1921 to 1959. This photo from Explore York dates from 1935

Prudential House, next to the cinema, was built in the 1960s, a base for The Man from the Pru’, eventually replaced by the Premier Inn, with another storey added.

Prudential House – next to the Odeon cinema around 1970 – Prudential PLC Archives

Local people have memories of the English Martyrs School and the Odeon cinema, can you add to these and tell the Group your stories about any of the old traders?

Please send them your memories and any old photos, either by email at clemhallhistory@gmail.com or leave a message at Clements Hall on 01904 466086.

Delroy Lindo, from left, Miles Canton, Wunmi Mosaku, Omar Benson Miller, Jayme Lawson, Li Jun Li, Lola Kirke, Francine Maisler, Michael B. Jordan, and Jack O’Connell accept the award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture for Sinners (Chris Pizzello/AP)

AP

Hawkins, who was beaten by John Higgins in the 2018 final, took control early on, winning the opening frame with a break of 105.

And although Lisowski drew level in the second frame, Hawkins would then go on to win six in a row.

Another century break in the fourth frame came in between three half-century breaks of 67, 76 and 88.

The afternoon ended with another Hawkins frame, as he led Lisowski 7-1 going into the tournament’s final session.

Lisowski, who was playing in his first Welsh Open final, showed great fight when the game restarted, putting together back-to-back century breaks to remind his opponent there was still work to do.

The 34-year-old then came out on top of a 40-minute frame which swung both ways to reduce Hawkins’ lead to 7-4.

But Lisowski’s momentum was ended in the following frame, as a long safety shot from Hawkins resulted in a red ball finding the bottom left pocket of the table.

And Hawkins made the most of the opportunity, putting together a break of 68 to put him on the cusp of victory.

Lisowski managed to win one more frame, with a break of 53, before Hawkins clinched the Welsh Open title in the 14th frame of the final.

“I was very poor despite trying my best,” said Lisowski.

“Barry was by far the better player today and he deserves his win.

“He’s been great to me my whole career, even when I was very young. He’s always given me the time of day so I’m very happy for him.”

One person said the high street “isn’t the place it used to be”

Locals say their town’s high street needs to be improved, as it has “no banks” and they have to travel further away for a “big food shop”. People in Chatteris have said their hometown is “charming”.

However, as in many high streets across the UK, they say that their shops are disappearing and places are being left vacant. Like many others, people living in Chatteris wish to see their high street improved.

Andrea Moat, who runs the “busy” Elizabeth’s Florist in Chatteris, said it is a “pity” the high street is looking more empty. She said: “It’s a pity there is not a big supermarket closer. People have to travel further out of town. There are also no banks. It’s harder for older people.”

People are able to use Chatteris post office for banking, which Elizabeth said is “really good”. However, the nearest bank is Lloyds in Ely, which is a 21-minute drive away, or Nationwide in St Ives, which is a 28-minute drive away.

Andrea doesn’t run an online service for her florist. She added: “We have a website, but if you want to order then you have to come into the shop. I think there should be a personal service. We are always busy.”

Joan Bridges said Chatteris is a “really lovely place”, but it “lacks somewhere for a big food shop”. She added: “You tend to have to travel a bit for a supermarket. It isn’t the worst thing, but for someone like me who’s a bit older, it tends to be a bit harder.”

Rob Hudson believes the town “isn’t the place it used to be”. He said: “When I first moved here, it was a great place full of friendly people. Now the high street is more empty. The people are the same and friendly, but the high street isn’t the same.”

The alleged attack followed the death of Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei

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Iran’s Revolutionary Guards say they have attacked the American aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Gulf following strikes that killed the country’s supreme leader.

“The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles,” the Guards said in a statement carried by local media, warning that “the land and sea will increasingly become the graveyard of the terrorist aggressors.”

Authorities in the US have not confirmed the claim of the alleged strike.

However US Central Command has blasted the claim as a “lie” the Mirror reports, as authorities in the US have not confirmed the claim of the alleged strike. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said in a statement carried by local media: “The US aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln was struck by four ballistic missiles.”

They also added: “The land and sea will increasingly become the graveyard of the terrorist aggressors.” This follows the death of the country’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

CENTCOM, the US Central Command, has said in a ‘fact check’ that The Lincoln “was not hit” and has slammed the claim as a “lie”.

The statement on X reads: “Iran’s IRGC claims to have struck USS Abraham Lincoln with ballistic missiles. LIE. The Lincoln was not hit. The missiles launched didn’t even come close.

“The Lincoln continues to launch aircraft in support of CENTCOM’s relentless campaign to defend the American people by eliminating threats from the Iranian regime.”

It comes as CENTCOM confirmed three US service members had been killed in action, with five more seriously wounded, since Operation Epic Fury began yesterday. As US-Israeli missiles rained down on Iran, killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in the process, Tehran has launched retaliatory strikes across the Middle East – targeting US bases in Dubai, Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait.

In a statement, the US military said: “Three U.S. service members have been killed in action and five are seriously wounded as part of Operation Epic Fury. Several others sustained minor shrapnel injuries and concussions — and are in the process of being returned to duty.

“Major combat operations continue and our response effort is ongoing. The situation is fluid, so out of respect for the families, we will withhold additional information, including the identities of our fallen warriors, until 24 hours after next of kin have been notified.”

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BANGKOK (AP) — The U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran rattled world markets on Monday, with U.S. futures initially falling more than 1% and oil prices soaring, though both moderated as trading picked up.

The futures for the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average were down about 0.8% by mid-morning in Bangkok.

Asian shares opened lower.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 index initially fell more than 2%, but by midday Tokyo time it was down 1.5% at 57,981.54.

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng lost 1.6% to 26,215.91, and the Shanghai Composite index was flat at 4,163.01.

Taiwan’s benchmark lost 0.6% and Singapore’s dropped 1.9%. In Bangkok, the SET fell 2.1%.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 shed 0.3% to 9,173.50.

Markets were closed in South Korea for a holiday.

The price of gold, usually viewed as a safe haven for investment in times of uncertainty, rose 2.4% to about $5,371 per ounce.

Traders were betting the supply of oil from Iran and elsewhere in the Middle East would slow or grind to a halt. Attacks throughout the region, including on two vessels traveling through the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf, have restricted countries’ ability to export oil to the rest of the world.

“Roughly one-fifth of global oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) flows squeeze through the Strait of Hormuz. This is not an obscure canal. It is the aorta of the global energy system,” Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said in a commentary.

The price of a barrel of U.S. benchmark crude oil initially surged about 8%. It later was trading 5.9% higher at $71.00 per barrel. Brent crude jumped 6.2% to $77.38 per barrel.

A prolonged war would likely result in higher prices for other fuels and gasoline and could cascade throughout the global economy, adding to production costs overall.

Likewise, prolonged interruptions to oil flows through the Middle East would have “huge implications for oil and LNG and every market everywhere if it occurs. Energy is an input to ALL production,” RaboResearch Global Economics & Markets said in a report.

Iran exports roughly 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, mostly to China. It may need to look elsewhere for supply if Iran’s exports are disrupted, another factor that could increase energy prices.

But China has ample oil reserves of up to 1.5 billion barrels, and it can offset a decline in oil from Iran by increasing imports from Russia, said Michael Langham of Aberdeen Investments.

The attacks were anticipated, with a massive buildup of U.S. forces in the Middle East, so traders had adjusted their positions to take that risk into account.

The conflict has shifted attention, for now, away from issues surrounding artificial intelligence that have dominated markets in recent months.

On Friday, the S&P 500 fell 0.4% to finish just its second losing month in the last 10. The Dow industrials dropped 1.1%, and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.9%.

Treasury yields fell in the bond market as investors sought safer places for their money.

“When markets are fragile, they do not need a knockout blow. They just need another weight on the bar,” Innes said.

Also hurting the broad market was a report Friday showing that inflation at the U.S. wholesale level was at 2.9% last month, much higher than the 1.6% that economists expected.

That could pressure the Federal Reserve to hold off longer on its cuts to interest rates. Lower rates would give the economy and prices for investments a boost, but they risk worsening inflation at the same time.

In other dealings early Monday, the U.S. dollar rose to 156.34 Japanese yen from 156.27 late Friday. The euro slipped to $1.1789 from $1.1762.

People turned up in their dozens to cheer on runners taking part, of which there were 850.

The Bolton half-marathon and 10k made its debut in town today.

Today’s event winners both coming from the Bolton and East Lancashire area.

But all good sporting events need an adoring and enthusiastic crowd to spur them on, and the half-marathon and 10k was no exception.

Clio Parkinson came out to support her husband, Connor Butterworth, competing in the 10k. 

Clio Parkinson, supporting her husband Connor Butterworth (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “It is the first run event he has ever done, and his first ever 10k. 

“He is hoping for an hour, but we will see how it goes. It is good to see this here.” 

Clio said they came from Chorley for the race, but that they are originally from Westhoughton. 

She added: “He signed up to the Chorley 10k but thought he would do this one first as well.” 

To see the event as it happened, click this link for our live blog: https://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/25896923.live-bolton-half-marathon-takes-place-town-today/

Nicola Harris came out to support her husband, John Harris, but also ran into a former student, Trinity Halliwell, who is competing, as well as some of the children she currently teaches, supporting their families in the race. 

Schoolteacher Nicola Harris, middle, with her pupils and daughter (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “It’s brilliant. I’m glad it is dry, it is ideal running weather and is well-supported by people. 

“Hopefully it will raise a lot of money for Bolton Hospice and any other charities people are running for.” 

Chris Neill, who is in training for the Manchester Marathon himself, was cheering from the sidelines for his girlfriend, Sarah Scales. 

He said: “She is running the 10k with her mate. We are both very much into our running.” 

Louisa and Craig Sedgwick (Image: Newsquest)

He added that, with both of them being from Bolton, the event is a good thing for the town, saying the turnout of 850 competitors is “great for a first event”. 

Louisa and Craig Sedgwick were out on Spa Road, cheering on their family and friend on the half marathon, having come down from Bromley Cross. 

Speaking about having the event on their doorstep, Louisa said: “It’s amazing, it is brilliant, they do Manchester, but it is a faff to get in and get parking, and you don’t see as much. 

“They definitely need to do it more.” 

Belgian forces seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet vessel in the North Sea with the help of the French navy on Sunday.

Defence minister Theo Francken said the oil tanker was thought to be sailing with a “false flag and false documents”.

The vessel, named Ethera, had long been on the US, EU, and UK sanctions list, and has since been escorted to the port of Zeebrugge.

“Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukrainians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of aggression stops,” Mr Francken said.

Volodymyr Zelensky praised Belgium and French forces for the “decisive decision”, adding that “Russia operates like a mafia organisation, and the response must match that reality.”

Western sanctions imposed on Russia have led to the rise of a “shadow fleet” of tankers helping Moscow to keep its crude exports flowing.

Emmanuel Macron said the seizure, which was assisted by French navy helicopters, was a “major blow” to Russia’s fleet.

“Europeans are determined to cut off the sources of funding for Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine by enforcing sanctions,” the French president said.

Russia condemns US-Israel strikes on Iran as ‘unprovoked act of armed aggression’

Russia has condemned the US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a pre-planned and unprovoked act of armed aggression against a sovereign and independent UN member state,” demanding an immediate halt to the military campaign and a return to diplomacy.

In a statement posted to Telegram, the Russian foreign ministry accused Washington and Tel Aviv of “hiding behind” concerns about Iran’s nuclear program while actually pursuing regime change.

It warned the attacks risked triggering a “humanitarian, economic and possibly radiological catastrophe” in the region and accused the US and Israel of “plunging the Middle East into an abyss of uncontrolled escalation.”

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 04:27

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Watch: Zelensky calls Ukrainian air defence skills ‘irreplaceable’ amid Europe’s growing role in Iran conflict

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 04:00

Zelensky says changes in Iran must be used properly

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has called for the changes in Iran brought about by US and Israeli strikes to be “used properly” to ⁠benefit the country’s people who had withstood violence from their authorities.

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It is important that this chance for change for Iran be used properly, he said.

Zelensky, speaking in his nightly video address, said Iran’s authorities had killed “tens of ⁠thousands of its own citizens just in recent months”.

“The Iranian people have long effectively been alone against violence – against the Iranian regime. This regime, which has killed tens of thousands of its own citizens just in recent months, which has always fueled and organised wars in the region, which provided Russia with ‘shaheds’ and the technology for their production – this regime has brought this attitude upon itself,” he said.

He added: “I thank everyone who is trying to prevent the war from expanding and who is defending against strikes from Iran. And I also thank everyone who tells Russia – now, based on the experience of the Iranian regime – that justice does come.“

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Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:45

Next three-way peace talks depend on security situation and diplomacy, says Zelensky

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said the time and place of the next round of peace talks between the US, Russia and Ukraine would depend on the security situation in the Middle East and the level of “real diplomatic possibilities”.

Zelensky said he would issue fresh directives to Ukraine’s negotiating team at the talks, without detailing what they were.

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On Thursday, he had said the next round of talks would probably take place in Abu Dhabi in early March.

However, the UAE has since been caught up in hostilities after the US and Israel launched aerial attacks on Iran.

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:40

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Belgian defence minister shares footage of Russian shadow fleet vessel capture

Belgium’s defence minister has shared a video of its forces boarding a Russian shadow fleet oil tanker on Sunday.

The armed forces had seized the vessel, which was suspected of sailing with a “false flag and false documents”, said defence minister Theo Francken.

Dubbed the “Operation Blue Intruder”, he said the mission showed “courage, precision, and determination.”

Francken said: “Without his shadow fleet Putin can’t wage war against innocent Ukranians. So we take these vessels out. One by one. Till his war of agrgession stops.”

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Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:31

Ukraine to help shoot down Iranian drones in Gulf, says Starmer

Prime minister Keir Starmer said Ukraine’s expertise against Russian use of Kamikaze Shahed drones will be used in the Middle East conflict as Ukrainian experts will now provide guidance on intercepting Iranian drones.

“We are not joining these strikes, but we will continue with our defensive actions in the region,” Starmer said on Sunday night.

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“And we will also bring experts from Ukraine, together with our own experts, to help Gulf partners shoot down Iranian drones attacking them,” he said.

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:15

Russia has lost 1.26M troops since war started, Ukrainian defence ministry says

Russia has suffered an estimated 1,266,770 troop casualties since its invasion of Ukraine in 2022, according to the figures released on Sunday.

The Ukrainian ministry of defence said the number includes 870 casualties that Russian forces suffered over the past day.

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It has also lost 11,709 tanks, 24,108 armoured tanker vehicles, and 80,510 vehicle and fuel tanks, it said.

Ukraine’s defence ministry has not revealed its own losses, but CSIS estimated that Ukraine has seen 500,000 to 600,000 military casualties, including up to 140,000 deaths.

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 03:00

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Ukrainians made it through winter, says Zelensky

Russia hit Ukraine with more than 14,670 guided aerial bombs, 738 missiles, and nearly 19,000 attack drones over winter, Volodymyr Zelensky has said.

In the last week of February alone, it used more than 1,720 attack drones, nearly 1,300 guided aerial bombs, and over 100 missiles to attack Ukraine.

Ukrainian civilians have faced their toughest winter yet as Moscow repeatedly target’s the country’s energy system, leaving hundreds of thousands without power for long periods.

“But despite everything, Ukrainians made it through this difficult winter, when Russia did not even try to seek justification for its bestial strikes on civilian critical infrastructure,” the Ukrainian president said.

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“Evil must be confronted in every part of the world. When the United States and other partners show enough determination, even the bloodiest dictators ultimately pay for their crimes. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine defend itself and save lives.”

Arpan Rai2 March 2026 02:50

How Starlink became the backbone of Ukraine’s war

Harriette Boucher2 March 2026 02:00

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Ukraine hit with record number of missiles in February

Russia fired more missiles at Ukraine in February than in any other month for at least three years, according to new analysis.

Figures from AFP claimed that Russia hit Ukraine with 288 missiles in February, an increase of around 113 per cent compared to the 135 missiles launched in January, The Moscow Times reported.

The previous record was set in October 2025, when Russia launched 270 missiles at the country, according to Kyiv.

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Harriette Boucher2 March 2026 01:00