Egg sandwiches are a firm favourite for many people, but they can sometimes lack flavour. However, a HelloFresh recipe expert says there’s an unlikely ingredient you can add to boost the taste – and it’s not mayo

Many people love egg sandwiches, but what you might not realise is that there’s a technique you can use to make them even more delicious. While most people reach for mayonnaise to enhance the flavour of their meals, it turns out you may want to opt for an entirely different ingredient to improve the taste.

Egg sandwiches make a brilliant lunch or breakfast, being both tasty and satisfying; however, injecting flavour into them can sometimes prove challenging. There’s no need to fret though, as a straightforward recipe adjustment can help, and it’s an incredibly simple hack to put into practice once you know what to do.

This isn’t the first occasion food guidance of this nature has been offered either. Previously, it was discovered that incorporating an unlikely ingredient can also make a notable difference.

Now, advice has been provided by Mimi Morley, Senior Recipe Development Manager at HelloFresh, and she has some genuinely useful tips. The brand boasts thousands of followers on Instagram, making her someone well worth listening to.

According to her, one simple ingredient is all that’s needed to transform the taste of your sarnies. It’s even more straightforward than you could ever have imagined.

When asked what to add, Mimi said: “Marmite! Spread on your bread with your butter before adding your egg mixture. The saltiness with the egg is elite.”

As it happens, that’s all there is to it. Adding a touch of Marmite to your sandwiches could genuinely transform the flavour.

There are explanations for why this might be the case as well. The kitchen staple could prove transformative when it comes to elevating the dish.

Why do it?

Incorporating Marmite into egg sandwiches enhances their taste if you appreciate rich, savoury and salty flavours. Marmite contains concentrated yeast extract, which delivers a profound, umami flavour.

It balances the subtle taste of eggs. Beyond this, its saltiness offsets the richness of egg yolks.

What’s more, the textural contrast also benefits the dish considerably. Sticky Marmite works brilliantly with soft, creamy eggs.

There are two approaches you could adopt with the product. Firstly, you could thinly coat some on the bread before assembling the sandwich.

As an alternative, you could also prepare a Marmite butter. To achieve this, simply combine Marmite with softened butter.

Then apply it liberally on the bread before introducing the eggs. It genuinely is that straightforward.

You simply need to bear in mind to be cautious with the quantity you incorporate. A modest amount can frequently go a considerable distance.

The application, submitted by Be One Homes, will see 30 affordable houses built on land behind Doris Avenue despite strong opposition from nearby residents who raised concerns about contamination, subsidence and the loss of wildlife habitat.

Members of Bolton Council‘s Planning Committee voted to approve the scheme on June 18, citing the borough’s pressing need for affordable housing.

However, residents living closest to the site say their fears have been overlooked.

Jenny Young, of Doris Avenue, said: “The land is not suitable for dwellings.

“It’s disgraceful.

“It just seems like they don’t care a damn for residents and just want to stick up houses and get money for it.

“It sickens me. It honestly makes my blood boil.”

Fly-tipping on the land (Image: Jenny Young)

Residents claim the site has a long history of fly-tipping.

Opponents of the scheme had previously submitted a petition to the council objecting to the plans.

(Image: Jenny Young)

The same resident added: “If this development goes ahead, householders need assurance in writing that adequate compensation will be available should any damage occur to our properties.

Many objectors also questioned why green space was being targeted when other brownfield sites across the borough remain undeveloped.

“Whilst I appreciate there is a need for housing, it should not be at the expense of a rich wildlife habitat and profit should not come first,” said Ms Young.

“What about brownfield sites where buildings have been demolished and are lying idle? Developing those sites would revitalise urban areas and prevent the loss of natural habitats.”

Residents worry about the uneven land (Image: Jenny Young)

At the planning meeting, Cllr Martin Donaghy, representing Tonge with The Haulgh ward, spoke against the application on behalf of residents, although he is not a member of the planning committee.

Despite the objections, councillors voted to approve the plans, with the need for affordable housing carrying significant weight in the decision.

The development will now move forward, although many residents of Doris Avenue say they remain deeply concerned about its potential impact on their homes and the surrounding environment.

Abu’s, which has become one of Darlington’s best-rated Indian restaurants from its Duke Street base, has opened a new restaurant in Harrogate.

The Harrogate venue, on Cheltenham Crescent, holds a 5/5 rating on TripAdvisor.

Although the restaurant is still a new addition to the town, early diners have already praised its food, service and atmosphere, with every Tripadvisor review so far rated excellent.

The opening follows the success of Abu’s in Darlington, which previously built up a 5/5 rating from hundreds of reviews and was described by diners as “flawless” and “perfect”.

Abu’s in Darlington (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Now, the Harrogate sister site appears to be following a similar path.

One reviewer, from Harrogate, described it as the “best curry in Harrogate” after making a second visit to the restaurant.

They wrote: “Amazing food both times, tasty and fresh.”

Another diner, who visited with friends in June, described their first meal at Abu’s as “excellent” and said they would “definitely be returning soon”.

The reviewer praised the onion bhajis as “fresh, light, crisp and tasty”, while also highlighting the paneer tikka, mushroom paneer and paneer nawabi.

They added that the paneer nawabi, advertised as containing 21 spices, had “lovely, complex flavours”, while the garlic naan was “light and puffy”.

Other customers have also praised the restaurant’s welcome and service.

One visitor described Abu’s as an “amazing restaurant with an excellent menu”, writing: “Warm and friendly welcome, lovely atmosphere. Both service and food were incredible, delicious and presentation too.”

They added that the restaurant offered “so much choice” and “good portions”, advising diners to book during busy times.

Another Harrogate reviewer called it “one of the best Indian restaurants in H’gate” after trying Abu’s as a new addition to the town.

They said they were “warmly greeted” and praised the “top-notch” food, describing it as “flavoursome and authentic”.

The reviewer added that the mixed sizzler starter, lamb biryani, mixed balti, garlic naan and pilau rice were “more than enough for two”.

They wrote: “Meat in all the dishes was succulent and all was 10/10. Could not fault a thing and very reasonably priced for quality.”

The naan breads have also been singled out by several visitors.

One family reviewer said they visited after seeing Abu’s had opened in Harrogate and described the meal as “absolutely superb”.

They praised the chicken tikka, lamb nawabi and chicken korma, adding that the chicken was “melt in your mouth” and the lamb was “very, very tender”.

However, they said the naan breads were the highlight, describing them as “soft and fluffy with lots of flavour”.

Another early customer described Abu’s as an “amazing new restaurant” and said staff were “very friendly and welcoming”.

They added: “The food was amazing. Compliments to Abu’s Dad, who was the chef during our visit.”

With both restaurants now holding perfect Tripadvisor ratings, Abu’s appears to have carried its Darlington reputation into Harrogate.

Marcus Rashford scored England’s fourth on Wednesday night as they beat Croatia 4-2 in their World Cup opener. While Rashford could not have asked for a better start to the World Cup, his Manchester United future appears to be in tatters. It has been a whirlwind decade for the 28-year-old.

After bursting onto the scene in February 2016, Rashford has had a rollercoaster career full of highs and lows. With his time at Old Trafford potentially coming to a permanent end this summer, MEN Sport has taken a look at the rise and subsequent fall of Rashford at United.

February 2016

On February 25, Rashford makes his debut for the Reds against FC Midtjylland. He scored twice as United ran out 5-1 winners on the night, 6-3 on aggregate. The teenager takes to social media afterwards to write: “A dream debut, great to score twice and contribute to the team.”

Three days later, he scores another brace, this time in the Premier League against Arsenal in a 3-2 victory at Old Trafford. The game is also remembered for head coach Louis van Gaal flopping on the touchline in front of the fourth official. “This is my first game in the Premier League, so obviously it’s been amazing,” Rashford told Sky Sports.

“To score two has been a bonus, so hopefully we can carry it on and go again the next game. It was a shock playing midweek as well. But that maybe benefited me because I wasn’t thinking about the game too much. It’s just crazy.”

After the Arsenal win, MEN Sport christened Rashford as the heir to Wayne Rooney.

March 2016

On March 20, 2016, Rashford becomes the youngest ever goalscorer in the Manchester derby as his goal secures a 1-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. That morning, reports suggest Van Gaal will be replaced by Jose Mourinho in the summer.

May 2016

Despite leading United to the FA Cup, Van Gaal is sacked and replaced by Mourinho, on May 27. Three days later, Rashford signs a new contract until 2020 after ending his debut campaign with eight goals in 18 appearances.

He is named the Jimmy Murphy Young Player of the Year.

September 2016

Rashford finishes runner-up to Portugal’s Renato Sanches in the Golden Boy.

May 2017

Started the Europa League final that United won 2-0 vs Ajax. This wrapped up an impressive season for the Reds winning the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield.

He also played the most matches of any United player that season (53).

October 2017

Rashford finishes third in the Golden Boy behind winner Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele.

March 2018

On March 10, Rashford makes his first start of the year and scores twice as United beat Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford. Three days later, the Reds crash out of the Champions League against Sevilla and Mourinho is criticised in the media for continuously playing Rashford on the wing, rather than as a centre-forward.

August 2018

Following Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure, Rashford is awarded the No.10 shirt on August 5.

September 2018

Having not started all season up to that point, Rashford is told by Jamie Carragher that he might need to leave United. “Romelu Lukaku is in front of Rashford and I don’t see Rashford displacing him as long as he is there,” Carragher tells Sky Sports.

“But remember when Lukaku was at Chelsea and he had to come away and go to Everton. Then he ended up as top scorer and got his move to Man United.

“Possibly Everton is the sort of club you are looking at, just below the top six, for someone like Rashford, similar to what Lukaku did. Does he have to leave United? I think so.

“Is he good enough to displace Lukaku? Is Rashford good enough to be Manchester United’s centre-forward for them trying to win the Premier League or the Champions League? He may not be.”

Three days after Carragher’s comments, Mourinho fired back in a press conference on September 14. “People speaking about his minutes, they are a bit confused,” he said.

“Marcus Rashford is not [then Liverpool striker] Dominic Solanke. He’s not [then Chelsea midfielder] Ruben Loftus-Cheek. He’s not [then Everton forward] Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

“He’s Marcus Rashford, Manchester United player, with an incredible number of appearances and an incredible number of minutes played at the highest level in the best possible competitions.”

December 2018

On December 18, Mourinho is sacked by United and replaced, initially on an interim basis, by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Four days later, Rashford scores inside three minutes as Solskjaer wins his first match in charge 5-1 against Cardiff City.

Rashford continues his good form leading to praise from Solskjaer on December 30, 2018. “Marcus has been different class since I came,” he told Sky Sports.

“He’s scored two now in three. His work rate is unbelievable.

“He closes down, chases, runs in behind, and the skill for the first goal for Paul [Pogba]… the first thing, he holds the ball up, he hasn’t got the right to get past them. He’s got all the chances in the world, the potential of being a top, top, top striker.”

March 2019

Rashford scores his first competitive penalty for United as the Reds seal a stunning 3–1 win in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against Paris Saint-Germain. This sends the club through to the quarter-final on the away goals rule.

July 2019

Rashford signs a new contract on July 1, keeping him to the club until June 2023. There is an option to add a further year to the deal.

April 2020

On April 21, Rashford sheds light on the tough time he had under Mourinho. “It was tough but I think when you look back on it in five or six years, they’re the moments that give you that mental toughness,” he told the Utd Podcast.

“As an all-round player I’ve improved a lot and a lot of it is down to those two years under Jose. We had ups and downs. When I look back at it, it was a tough period but definitely a period that made me a better player.”

October 2020

Rashford scores his first United hat-trick in a 5-0 Champions League win vs RB Leipzig. Only the second hat-trick ever scored by a United substitute with the first being scored by his manager Solskjaer in 1999.

February 2021

He makes his 250th appearance vs West Ham. Rashford becomes the fourth youngest player to reach that milestone for United.

October 2021

Following Euro 2020, Rashford undergoes shoulder surgery and only returns to football on October 11. When he does come back, it takes some time for his form to return.

November 2021

Solskjaer is sacked on November 21 after a humbling defeat at Watford. Ralf Rangnick is appointed interim manager until the end of the season. He notably warns United they need ‘open heart surgery’ to return to their past glory.

July 2022

Erik ten Hag is appointed Solskjaer’s successor.

December 2022

After a good start to the season, Rashford’s contract is extended by a further year on December 20. However, on New Year’s Eve he is dropped for the game against Wolverhampton Wanderers after oversleeping and missing the team briefing.

Rashford shrugs that off to come on and score the winner in a 1-0 victory at Molineux.

May 2023

Rashford scores his 30th goal of the season against Chelsea on May 25. A couple of days later, Ten Hag said: “There’s a lot of room for improvement in his game.

“I’m convinced he could score even more. I think when you take, for instance, the last 10 games, he didn’t score so many goals. I think only two or three.

“We supported him where we could, with the way of play but also in his mental mindset, so we are happy with that. But, yeah, we have to push for more and I am sure he’s capable to score 40 goals in a season, to make also for him the next step.”

At the end of the season, he was voted by the club’s supporters and playing squad as the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year and the Players’ Player of the Year.

July 2023

He signs another new contract that expires in 2028 and makes him one of the highest earners at the club.

January 2024

Rashford calls in sick for the FA Cup clash against Newport County on January 28. Earlier that week he had been spotted on a night out in Belfast.

“Marcus has taken responsibility for his actions,” a United statement read. “This has been dealt with as an internal disciplinary matter, which is now closed.”

October 2024

Ten Hag is sacked by United and is soon replaced by Ruben Amorim.

November 2024

On November 24, Rashford starts and scores during Amorim’s first game but United draw 1-1 with Ipswich Town.

December 2024

During the Europa League clash with Viktoria Plzen, Rashford is replaced on 56 minutes. Three days later, on December 15, Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho are not picked in the matchday squad to face Manchester City.

United win and before and after the game, Amorim insists no disciplinary issues are taking place. Rashford then speaks to journalist Henry Winter, two days after the Manchester derby.

He expresses his disappointment at not playing and suggests he is ready for a ‘new challenge’. He is subsequently dropped and does not play for United for the remainder of December.

January 2025

After not playing in January, Rashford is brought up in a press conference at Fulham. “It’s always the same reason – the training, the way I see a footballer should do in life. It’s every day, every detail,” Amorim responded when asked about the forward.

“If things don’t change, I will not change. It’s the same situation for every player, if you do the maximum and right things we can use every player.

“You can see on the bench we miss a bit of pace on the bench, but I would put [United’s 63-year-old goalkeeper coach Jorge] Vital before a player who doesn’t give the maximum every day.” United insist afterwards that Amorim was making a broader point and not singling out Rashford in particular.

February 2025

Rashford joins Aston Villa on loan for the remainder of the season. An option to buy is included in the deal, priced at £40m.

July 2025

Villa do not sign Rashford permanently at the end of the season and the forward becomes part of a so-called ‘Bomb Squad’ at Carrington. On July 23, United agree a loan deal with Barcelona which includes a £26m option to buy.

June 2026

On Monday, June 15, Barca allow the £26m clause to buy Rashford, to expire. Instead, they purchase Anthony Gordon from Newcastle.

As things stand, United’s preferred option is to sell Rashford permanently.

Harry Kane and Dan Burn were among the England players who attended a concert of US country music star Ella Langley, but had to leave early to make their curfew.

Defender Burn said that captain Kane, who scored twice in England’s 4-2 win over Croatia in their opening World Cup match, is a “big country music fan”.

The England players were given a day off by manager Thomas Tuchel on Friday and Kane, Burn and goalkeeper Jason Steele used the opportunity to watch Langley in Independence, Missouri.

Langley is best known for her hit Choosin’ Texas, which hit the top of the US charts and has reached number 12 in the UK.

“We got asked to go and watch Ella Langley. I was the only person suited and booted with cowboy hat, jeans, the lot,” said Newcastle United’s Burn.

“Harry and Steeley managed to meet Ella before the gig, but I turned up a little bit later.

“But we missed the last three songs because we had to be back for curfew, which I was a bit gutted about because those are her best ones.”

He added: “Harry is a big country music fan. There’s a record player in the hotel and when it’s the captain’s pick a lot of it is country music.

“Ella was playing in West Palm Beach when we were there, but we weren’t able to go because we wouldn’t have got back for curfew so I’m glad we got another opportunity.”

Kane later posted pictures from the concert on Instagram, one showing him stood next to Langley who is holding an England shirt.

“Great to meet you @ellalangleymusic, thank you for having us!” he wrote.

“Amazing show, keep smashing it!”

‘That was one of the most underwhelming finales I’ve ever watched.’

Two years ago, the House of the Dragon season 2 finale left a bitter taste in the mouths of viewers across the globe.

Many had been hoping that the tension building between the Blacks (led by Emma D’Arcy’s Rhaenyra Targaryen) and the Greens (led by Olivia Cooke’s Alicent Hightower) would culminate in all-out war, including the highly anticipated Battle of the Gullet.

However, it felt as though the final episode had been cut short when it ended on an excruciating cliffhanger, with House Stark marching from Winterfell, and Rhaenyra and Alicent striking a secret bargain to end their feud once and for all. (Good luck to them).

Fans were livid. Where was the explosive Battle of the Gullet, a pivotal clash that takes place in George RR Martin’s book Fire & Blood, which will have major repercussions?

For some, this was the final straw. They declared that their dedication to House of the Dragon was over and that they’d be boycotting the series from now on. In my opinion, that reaction was extremely over the top.

I thought it then, and with season three dropping tomorrow, my mind hasn’t changed. Anyone who’s chosen to give this epic series the cold shoulder is missing out, and they’re probably going to regret it… that is, if they haven’t already backtracked on their word.

Nowadays, there are often times when it feels as though TV fans are too quick to throw in the towel when a show that they previously adored isn’t going their way. Not that House of the Dragon fans were wrong to share their complaints about the last batch of episodes.

It’s widely known that the second season of the Game of Thrones spin-off was cut short, as it was originally intended to span 10 episodes, instead of eight. This meant that one of the most significant battles in the story, which was supposed to mark the end of season two, was pushed back to the start of season three, two years later.

‘One of the things that came into play in season two is: What is the final destination of the series and where are we going? It was a combination of factors that led us to rebalance the season knowing now where we’re going,’ showrunner Ryan Condal told The Hollywood Reporter.

‘We wanted to rebalance the story in such a way that we had three great seasons of television [after season one] to round out and tell this story. When you’re trying to mount the show, which requires a tremendous amount of resources, construction, armor, costumes, visual effects … we are trying to give The Gullet — which is arguably the second most anticipated action event of Fire & Blood — trying to give it the time and the space that it deserves.’

The second season of the show had its fair share of brilliantly gripping moments. Princess Rhaenys Targaryen being an utter legend before her devastating demise. Three bastards with Targaryen ancestry claiming dragons. The tension you could cut with a knife between complicated brothers Aegon (Tom Glynn-Carney) and Aemond (Ewan Mitchell).

However, it felt as though it was building toward a huge climax at the end… only to leave viewers unsatisfied when the payoff they were hoping for never came. Even fans who enjoyed the lead-up to the finale couldn’t help but admit their disappointment.

‘Coming from someone who liked the season and definitely enjoys the show: it’s still absolutely bananas that they ended on a cliffhanger. They’ve built up a lot, had some good arcs going into this place, and the next season is going to be incredibly stacked, but this wait is just an objectively bad decision for maintaining your audience,’ nosayso wrote on Reddit.

‘This season could’ve been an email,’ Galahad_the_Ranger wrote scathingly, while GregorianShant, clearly still upset by the final season of Game of Thrones, added: ‘Classic “Fool me once”. After I got burned by GOT, I refuse to watch any Thrones media. I am happy with my choice.’

Despite agreeing that the finale felt incomplete, I was far from done with the show, or any Game of Thrones spin-off for that matter. I had faith that the third season would bring House of the Dragon back to the greatness that it began with – and as far as first reactions to season three go, I was right to remain hopeful.

Earlier this week, a screening took place where people watched the opening episode of season three for the first time… and the responses on social media have given us good reason to be very excited.

‘Just watched the first episode of House of the Dragon s3 at the world premiere…. I’m speechless. No one is ready…’ @watchwithdiya wrote on X.

‘HOTD S03E01 is nothing like we’ve EVER seen, not just in Westeros but in television in general. In the words of the phenomenal @thegenuinetoussaint “GIRD YOUR LOINS”,’ @gameofthroneshistorian shared on Instagram.

Some Game of Thrones fans had their doubts about the recently released spin-off, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, which blew their expectations out of the water with how fantastic it was. Proof that you shouldn’t judge these shows harshly before you’ve given them a chance.

Considering House of the Dragon is going to end after four seasons, if you’ve decided to give up at the halfway point, it’s your loss. Despite its dip, this is still one of the most spectacular shows on television, and I have a feeling that the final two seasons are going to remind us why we fell in love with Westeros in the first place.

House of the Dragon season 3 premieres on Monday June 22 on HBO Max, Sky and NOW.

A version of this article was first published on June 14, 2022.

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One of Netflix’s biggest dramas is coming to an end this year and fans finally know how long they need to wait for the final adventure

Get ready for one last explosive adventure with the Pogues.

Netflix has finally confirmed the release date of Outer Banks Season 5, which will bring one of the streamer’s biggest hits to its epic conclusion.

Set in an affluent beach town in North Carolina, the popular young adult series follows two rival gangs, the Kooks and the Pogues, who embark on a dangerous treasure-hunting mission.

When Pogues leader John B Routledge (played by Chase Stokes) learns his father has gone missing, he sets out to find him only to uncover clues to a legendary treasure while falling for rebellious Kook Sarah Cameron (Madelyn Cline).

After confirming the final season has concluded filming back in April, Netflix has now revealed the release date for Outer Banks Season 5 is Thursday, August 20.

Along with the release date, Netflix has also given fans their first glimpse at the epic conclusion with a handful of first-look images and a gripping teaser trailer.

All of fans’ favourite characters will be returning, bar one after the tragic conclusion of Season 4.

A synopsis teases: “Season 5 finds the Pogues at their absolute breaking point following the tragic loss of JJ (Rudy Pankow) in Morocco.

“Stranded far from home and mourning the heart of their crew, they’ve lost the Blue Crown and continue to face a gauntlet of familiar threats.”

Back for one last adventure are Kiara (Madison Bailey), Pope (Jonathan Daviss), Cleo (Carlacia Grant), and Rafe (Drew Starkey).

Meanwhile, JJ’s killer, his own father Chandler Groff (J. Anthony Crane), is still at large, with Dalia (Pollyanna McIntosh) and the Corsairs hot on the Pogues’ trail.

“The Pogues are in a desperate race to reclaim their future and finally win the freedom they’ve always been chasing,” Netflix goes on to tease. “It’s the Pogues against the world as they seek to avenge their best friend and bring it on home … one final time.”

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Sky is giving away a free Netflix subscription with its new Sky Stream TV bundles, including the £15 Essential TV plan. This lets customers watch live and on-demand TV content without a satellite dish or aerial and includes the new season of Beef.

Creators Josh Pate, Jonas Pate, and Shannon Burke told Tudum: “We are over the moon to be setting out on one last trip with the Pogues.

“Being back on set with our cast for this final round is nothing short of bittersweet and surreal. We can’t wait to show everyone what we have in store this season — it’s going to be a wild ride…”

Outer Banks Season 5 premieres Thursday, August 20 on Netflix.

Mexico’s Julian Quinones opened the scoring in this World Cup in a 2-0 win over South Africa on 11 June.

The goals have continued to fly in since that opening match in Mexico City.

From Germany’s 7-1 rout of debutants Curacao in Houston on 14 June to Canada’s 6-0 hammering of Qatar in Vancouver four days later, there has been an avalanche of goals.

One of the reasons for so many goals could be the Adidas ‘Trionda’ ball used in matches.

It appears as though several goalkeepers have already been caught out by the flight of the ball.

That was evident earlier this week when France captain Kylian Mbappe scored his second goal of the game – and longest of the tournament – by beating Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy from 30 yards.

It was one of five strikes from the first round of fixtures that were scored from more than 22 yards out.

Two of those goals were scored by Sweden’s Yasin Ayari against Tunisia – from 24.8 yards and 24.3 yards respectively.

Goals from Australia’s Connor Metcalfe (25.6 yards against Tunisia) and Ismael Saibari (24.7 yards against Brazil) make up the top five.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart, speaking to BBC Sport, has suggested goalkeepers are struggling to get to grips with the ball.

Hart noticed the ball rushing Jordan Pickford quicker than expected when Martin Baturina equalised for Croatia against England on 17 June.

More than 10 goals have been scored from outside the penalty area, not to mention tap-ins after keepers have fumbled swerving shots.

“There are one or two occasions where this football has not necessarily behaved as you would expect it to,” former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who is working at the World Cup for BBC Sport, said. “It is something to keep an eye on.”

It isn’t the first time World Cup balls have caused problems. During the 2010 tournament in South Africa, the ‘Jabulani’ became well known for its swerve, dip and drift, which was thought to have contributed to several long-range goals.

At the time, England’s David James was one of several players to criticise the ball, saying it would “allow extra goals” and “make some goalkeepers look daft”.

“The ball is dreadful,” said James. “It’s horrible, but it’s horrible for everyone.”

By the end of that tournament, 26 out of the 145 goals scored were from outside the area.

The story of Stonehenge starts around 5,000 years ago. But its famous old stones, some of which were transported all the way from south-west Wales to Wiltshire, are just part of the story.

Close to the beginning of its use, the site was a cemetery, with dozens of people laid to rest. That so many changes have been made to the site since – almost all involving huge commitments of human labour and creativity – is testament to Stonehenge’s significance to countless generations of people.

Its continuing fascination was demonstrated by a 2022 British Museum exhibition that attracted 190,000 visitors to its collection of prehistoric objects from 36 European institutions. Now, that physical exhibition has been brought to virtual life in a new collaboration between researchers at the University of Reading, including myself, and the museum.

Users of The Virtual World of Stonehenge – released to coincide with the summer solstice – can go deep inside Stonehenge and watch it change through time.

They can closely examine one of the bluestones that was very likely brought to Stonehenge from Wales, or an ancient pounder tool used to shape the sarsen stones that were excavated much closer to the site.

With the help of English Heritage, which manages Stonehenge, we have also reconstructed how this megalithic structure might have looked through different phases of its existence.

Users can also travel further afield to view the evolving landscape of ritual monuments around England – for example, to Neolithic flint mines at Grimes Graves in Norfolk. Here are some more of the ancient places and artefacts you can discover today without leaving your armchair.

The Coneybury pit

The pottery, animal bones and flint tools in this display were all excavated from a pit close to Stonehenge – but they pre-dated the stones by almost a thousand years. It was among the less spectacular assemblages in the 2022 exhibition, yet had a fascinating story to tell.

The pit held the remains of a feast enjoyed by hunter-gatherers and the first farmer communities some 5,900 years ago. Those gathered ate farmed beef and hunted venison.

Chemical analysis of the remains shows the cattle and deer consumed came from different places – and that the meat was prepared in different ways. As a coming together of worldviews, languages, customs and traditions, the remains of this shared meal marked the end of thousands of years of a hunter-gatherer way of life.

The virtual experience enables users to watch an animated video telling the story of this meeting, and explains how archaeologists pieced together its story.

Seahenge

In 1998, a well-preserved timber circle emerged from the shores of Holme-next-the-Sea, on the coast of Norfolk. It was soon dubbed Seahenge owing to its similarity to timber circles that had once stood in the Stonehenge landscape.

The Holme circle was originally built on a saltmarsh, between land and sea, and consisted of 55 large oak posts. A narrow entranceway was positioned exactly to align on the Sun’s path, so that the midsummer rising Sun illuminated the interior of the monument.

From a study of the tree rings, it is known that Seahenge was built in the spring or summer of 2049 BC, at a time when stone tools and weapons were rapidly being replaced by metal as the material of choice for social and economic life – and also for offerings to supernatural forces.

During that period, circles of wood and stone were in decline. Seahenge was constructed near the end of a religious tradition that had lasted for almost a millennium.

In the virtual experience, you can listen to the “Seahenge soundscape” created by the artists Rose Ferraby and Rob St John. Their work added a spine-tingling dimension to the British Museum’s display of these ancient timbers.

A 6,000-year-old leaf

A humble object that captured many people’s imagination during the British Museum exhibition was a single elm leaf. This delicate specimen fell around 6,000 years ago near an early farming settlement on the coast of Lancashire.

Deforestation has played a key role in European history ever since then. Hard-won clearances could be filled by trees in a human lifespan, while woodland continued to provide vital resources to support the farming way of life.

Near this ancient leaf, we displayed a wall holding 89 stone axes – each representing a generation of human lives during the primary period covered by the exhibition (circa 4000-1500 BC). Many would have been used to chop down trees thousands of years ago – clearing land for crops and monuments, as well as providing wood for building.

Folkton chalk ‘drums’

These three carefully-carved chalk treasures accompanied the body of a small child buried 5,000 years ago in Folkton, North Yorkshire. The eyes peering out from above abstract motifs on the largest and smallest of the sculptures might have been created with the fate and protection of a loved and vulnerable child in mind.

This enigmatic group of objects was excavated in the 1860s. The drums, placed carefully along the line of the child’s back, work well as a set: their size is incremental and all three have similar decorative schemes.

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The patterns share the same repertoire of concentric circles, lozenges, zigzags, chevrons and parallel lines found elsewhere across Britain and Ireland. But intriguingly, two of the drums have a motif of eyes with eyebrows insinuated in the design – hinting at a daring, possibly dangerous, reference to a person or spirit embodied within.

In The Virtual World of Stonehenge, you can explore these fascinating and intricately carved objects in 3D, along with a similar drum found much more recently at Burton Agnes. This one was placed with three children of different ages buried close together, the two youngest poignantly holding hands.

Free parking will be available from 3pm in four council-owned car parks

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A date has been confirmed for the launch of free parking in Peterborough city centre. Subject to approval by Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet, the first day of free parking in four council-owned car parks will be Monday, August 3.

These four locations will be:

• Bishops Road;
• Car Haven;
• Riverside;
• Pleasure Fair Meadow.

Parking at the above locations will be free after 3pm.

The scheme was pledged by Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Paul Bristow in his manifesto. The Mayor committed £1.5 million in his budget to bring free parking to both Peterborough and Huntingdonshire.

“I said I would bring free parking and it’s happening this summer,” Mayor Bristow said. “I made this pledge because I believe our city centre needs a lift.”

The aim of the free parking scheme, which will be run on a time-limited trial, is to bring in more footfall to support local businesses, and increase the health and vibrancy of the evening economy.

“Free parking after 3pm means more people choosing to come into the city for an evening out, to shop, to eat and to support the businesses that make Peterborough worth visiting,” the Mayor said.

Leader of Peterborough City Council, Councillor Shabina Qayyum, welcomed the scheme. “Subject to Cabinet approval in July, it is great that the free parking will be in place from 3 August in time for people to enjoy what our city has to offer during the school summer holidays,” she said.

“The free parking… will only help to encourage more people to visit our city centre which of course we welcome. “

The Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) is also working on a free parking scheme in Huntingdonshire.