I AM hoping your readers might be able to help me fill a deeply important gap in my family’s history.

I am searching for anyone who remembers my grandad, Melvyn Roy Medd, or his family.

Melvyn was a 24-year-old labourer living at 24 Morrison Road, Acomb (or perhaps Stuart Road), when he tragically lost his life following a road-works accident on Acomb Road (near the junction with Ridgeway) on March 21, 1969.

At the time of the accident, he was working on a North Gas conversion project, and he left behind his young widow, my grandmother Jane Medd.

Because he passed away so young, our family has very few personal memories, stories, or photographs of him from his time living and working in York.

I am appealing to your older readership – perhaps former neighbours from Morrison Road, old school friends, or former work colleagues from the regional gas board – to see if anyone remembers Melvyn or my family.

If anyone has any memories or photos they would be willing to share, it would mean the world to me.

I can be contacted at the details below.

Kellyann Dawn Medd

(kellyannbiggs43@gmail.com)

—

York meeting planned to support food security

WITH the government planning a new campaign to improve the nation’s resilience to extreme weather events and hostile attacks, we need to talk about food security.

The advice to stock up on tinned food is all well and good for those that can afford it, and have space for storage, but many people don’t have those kinds of resources.

Could York do more to support local people and produce its own food?

Planet South Bank and Clements Hall surveyed passers by on Bishopthorpe Road for an hour on a Sunday afternoon recently, and the overwhelming response was ‘yes’.

In contrast, when asked if the UK government is able to respond adequately to protect us from food shortages, or willing to act as needed, a majority of people said ‘no’.

Almost everyone wanted to know more about what is being done locally, and the response unanimously positive to the suggestion to come together and create a plan for South Bank.

The work begins to make that happen now, with a meeting at Clements Hall, Nunthorpe Road, York on Monday, October 5 at 7.30pm.

If you’ve got skills, ideas, energy, or time to give, please join us. Email enquiries@clementshall.org.uk to get involved.

Kate Lock,

Address supplied

—

‘Come on Andy, we all know you want to rejoin the EU’

OUR new Prime Minister eyes EU deals on farming and steel, the only problem being everyone is aware he is an ardent European whose ultimate aim through subterfuge is for us to rejoin this uneconomic, bureaucratic controlled cartel known as “the single market” but lacks the guts to ask the population if they wish to do the same.

Peter Rickaby,

Moat Way,

Brayton

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Snaking queues formed at the departure halls in Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport on Monday as stranded passengers sought refunds and tried to get updates on when they would be able to fly.

Finna, who was supposed to fly home to Jakarta from Malang, a city in East Java, on Sunday morning, described the frezny at the airport as flights got repeatedly rescheduled.

“It was very crowded because passengers from the morning flights had piled up, while those scheduled for later departures still didn’t know what would happen,” the 46-year-old told BBC Indonesian.

“We were all glued to the flight information screens.”

Not wanting to deal with the uncertainty, Finna eventually spent the night on two intercity trains before arriving in Jakarta at 03:00 on Monday.

“Everyone seems to be racking their brains [figuring alternative transportation options]”, said Jo Shaw, who was visiting Indonesia with members of her conservation charity Save the Rhino International.

Shaw’s team had axed their plans to camp out at Java’s Ujung Kulon National Park after authorities raised its alert level for the Anak Krakatau volcano.

“Being stranded in an airport hotel is a relatively minor inconvenience to be resolved in a few days hopefully,” Shaw said, adding that she was more concerned about the teams working on the ground with the rhinos under such environmental conditions.

A newly wed Malaysian couple who had just spent a week in Bali said they were told that the next flight back to Kuala Lumpur wouldn’t be until 11 September.

“What are we going to do here for another five days? We only prepared enough money for our honeymoon and [were supposed] to go home yesterday,” Amir Hamzah told Malaysia’s national news agency Bernama.

“We thought we would just sleep at the airport for a few hours and then take the morning flight home [on Monday]. We never thought we would end up being stuck here for days,” the 29-year-old said.

On Monday, Indonesia’s Geological Agency warned that “the probability of further eruptions in the coming periods remains high”.

Volcanic ash reached as high as 6,000m on the Java side of the volcano and 15,000m on the Sumatra side and in some parts of Java’s westernmost province Banten, the meteorological agency BMKG said.

Anak Krakatau sits on the Sunda Strait about midway between the islands of Java and Sumatra.

The most recent eruption occurred at 20:23 on Sunday, according to the agency.

“We ‌cannot ascertain when this ‌will end due to the dynamic weather,” Transport Minister Dudy Purwagandhi said in relation to the temporary closures of the affected airports.

Dudy said on Sunday that authorities across the airports have been conducting tests every 30 minutes “to anticipate whether the ash spread is widening or subsiding”.

Katie Holmes slipped into a tiny bikini as she enjoyed a romantic boat ride with boytoy Jason Bard Yarmosky during a lavish Lake Como getaway. 

The 47-year-old actress, who recently went Instagram official with the artist in August, shared a series of snaps to her main Instagram page on Sunday from the relaxing trip. 

In one image, the Dawson’s Creek alum could be seen cozying up to Yarmosky, 39, wearing a halter-styled black dress with a plunging neckline on the front.

He also opted for an all-black ensemble as the couple sat near the back of the boat as it cruised on the water during sunset. 

Another snap captured Holmes soaking up the warm sun while lounging on a soft cushion on the boat. 

She showed off her toned figure in a skimpy white bikini top as well as a pair of matching bottoms. 

Another snap captured Holmes soaking up the warm sun while lounging on a soft cushion on the boat

Holmes and Yarmosky sat close together as they paused for a selfie by taking a photo in the reflection of a window during the lighthearted boat day. 

The mom-of-one held a smile on her face as she looked out at the water and later shared a big laugh while laying next to the artist. 

The couple were later pictured taking in the scenic views of Lake Como as Yarmosky steered the boat. 

Another snap in the Instagram carousel showed Holmes doing a body bridge with the sunset in the background. 

More images captured the pair having a blast on the water as the summer season comes to an end. 

One showed the actress diving into the cool water and she later gazed towards the camera while resting on the boat. 

The joint post was also uploaded to Yarmosky’s Instagram account and he penned in the caption: ‘life is a friend of art.’ 

Daily Mail has reached out to reps for Holmes for comment, but has yet to hear back. 

The star donned a black halter-styled dress with a deep plunging neckline on the front for an outing 

Holmes and Yarmosky sat close together as they paused for a selfie by taking a photo in the reflection of a window during the lighthearted boat day

The mom-of-one held a smile on her face as she looked out at the water and later shared a big laugh while laying next to the artist

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The couple were later pictured taking in the scenic views of Lake Como as Yarmosky steered the boat

Another snap in the Instagram carousel showed Holmes doing a body bridge with the sunset in the background

More images captured the pair having a blast on the water as the summer season comes to an end

One showed the actress diving into the cool water and she later gazed towards the camera while resting on the boat

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The joint post was also uploaded to Yarmosky’s Instagram account and he penned in the caption: ‘life is a friend of art’

The actress donned a white top as she sat on a comfy seat while looking out one of the windows on the boat 

Last month in August, the pair went Instagram official with their romance as she reposted images that her beau had shared to his own account. 

Also that same month, Holmes was joined by Yarmosky at designer Michael Kors’s 45th anniversary dinner in East Hampton, New York. 

She dressed for the occasion in a vibrant purple dress while the artist opted for a long-sleeved black shirt and black trousers. 

The pair cozied up together as they took photos at the glitzy event. 

The actress also shared a sweet 39th birthday tribute to her boyfriend last week on Instagram. 

A photo captured the pair looking smitten as they took part in karaoke together on stage. She also shared a picture of a round cake topped with lit candles. 

‘Happy Birthday to the best of the best…,’ she wrote in the caption, followed by a red heart emoji. 

Back in July, Holmes initially fueled romance speculation as she was spotted holding hands with Yarmosky in the Hamptons.

The star was accompanied by the artist as they attended the premiere of The Invite in East Hampton.

Yarmosky glanced over at the camera whole wearing a green cap and shades on the boat

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Holmes was pictured sitting a table outside as they explored the area of Lake Como on the getaway

Last month in August, the pair went Instagram official with their romance as she reposted images that her beau had shared to his own account

Also in August, Holmes was joined by Yarmosky at designer Michael Kors’s 45th anniversary dinner in East Hampton, New York (seen above)

The actress also shared a sweet 39th birthday tribute to her boyfriend last week on Instagram

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The pair were seen arriving to the theater ahead of the screening and sweetly held hands as they stepped through the entrance.

Holmes and Yarmosky flashed big smiles on their faces as they were greeted by an individual in a lighthearted moment.

An eyewitness told People at the time that the NYC-based artist ‘was whispering in her ear, and she was laughing, they seemed very easy together and there was a smile on her face all night.’

Holmes and Yarmosky later made an appearance at an after party that same evening and mingled with close pals, per the insider.

The pair have also been spotted on other outings together in New York City.

A source told TMZ that Holmes first crossed paths with Yarmosky at a Tribeca Festival dinner in NYC in June.

The actress’s new romance with the artist comes nearly four years after her split from Bobby Wooten III.

It was recently revealed that Holmes’ daughter Suri Cruise has yet to be introduced to the star’s new boyfriend as both she and Yarmosky take the romance very slow.

‘Things are still pretty new between Katie and Jason, and they’re intentionally taking it slow,’ a source claimed to Page Six in July.

A source told TMZ that Holmes first crossed paths with Yarmosky at a Tribeca Festival dinner in NYC in June; seen in August in East Hampton, New York 

It was recently revealed that Holmes’ daughter Suri Cruise has yet to be introduced to the star’s new boyfriend as both she and Yarmosky take the romance very slow; Holmes and Suri seen in 2025 

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Holmes and Yarmosky have not taken ‘any major steps in the relationship yet’ and are ‘still in the dating phase for now.’

The insider added that the pair are ‘seeing where it goes.’

Their nearly 10-year age gap also ‘doesn’t bother’ Holmes and ‘hasn’t been a factor in their relationship whatsoever.’

Suri is currently a student at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, and will occasionally be seen spending time with her famous mom out in NYC.

A dinghy thought to be carrying 140 migrants was rescued in the English Channel on Sunday, sparking anti-migrant demonstrations in Portsmouth

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Riot police were deployed in Portsmouth as hundreds of demonstrators gathered in the streets to oppose the arrival of a small vessel believed to be carrying asylum seekers.

The single dinghy is understood to have been transporting 140 migrants who were rescued in the English Channel on Sunday. Those aboard the inflatable craft set off from the Normandy coast overnight before encountering difficulties in UK waters.

The French coastguard confirmed they were collected by two RNLI lifeboats after requesting assistance.

Demonstrators assembled in the coastal city attempting to prevent those on board from being taken to Kent for processing as new arrivals.

The large crowds were headed by Daniel Thomas, known as Danny Tommo.

Speaking on a livestream while standing in the water at Eastney beach, the associate of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson said: “Roads are all blocked, they are never going to be able to leave here.”

He continued: “It was only yesterday (at the protests in Dover) when we warned them that we will not accept this any more, and that this is no longer an option to tell us that the boat numbers are down.

“This isn’t about the numbers being down… this is about understanding that this has to come to an end now.”

However, despite demonstrators’ pledge to stay in position ‘all night’, police issued a Section 14 order at approximately 3am on Monday, which resulted in protestors dispersing.

Footage shared online shows riot police equipped with protective shields confronting the demonstrators. Early on Monday morning, a government spokesperson said: “We condemn the intimidating and thuggish behaviour we are seeing tonight.

“The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy, but it must never cross a line into disorder.

“We thank the emergency services who are working to safely manage this situation.”

Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, Joe Robertson, posted: “Extremely concerning to see an illegal migrant crossing this far west.

“We don’t know if this migrant boat was headed for the Isle of Wight but I’ll be contacting the Home Office first thing. We need to know exactly what happened and if new routes are being used for mega-dinghies by people smugglers.”

A Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokesperson said: “In response to a report on September 6 of a small boat heading towards the Hampshire coast, HM Coastguard sent lifeboats, an HM Coastguard helicopter, an HM Coastguard aeroplane and HM Coastguard Rescue Teams.

“Border Force, Border Security Command, Hampshire Police and South Central Ambulance Service were also sent.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “This Government is bearing down on dangerous small boat crossings and restoring control at our border. Joint efforts have seen over 48,000 crossing attempts prevented and 1,100 boats and engines seized since the election.

“We are making progress, with the number of small boat crossings down this year and the lowest number recorded for the month of July since 2020.

“But we must go further, which is why we have signed a payment-by-results deal with the French to put 40% more boots on the ground on French beaches.”

A win may not have been had, but it was still an emotional game that had it all

Back in 2002, Manchester was on a bit of a high. The city had just come off of hosting the celebratory Commonwealth Games, the Urbis had just opened and, quite remarkably at the time, Oasis hadn’t yet broken up.

But 24 years ago, that year did mark the disbanding of one of the city’s finest exports: Manchester Storm. For seven glorious years, the ice hockey club had played to thousands at the now AO Arena. And their split in 2002 had seemed somewhat final to most fans.

Yet there was no keeping the storm down, and the club was later revived in 2015 at Planet Ice Altrincham. Since then, they have gone from strength-to-strength and, in April, also reached the play-off finals for the first time since relocating.

Click here for the latest on Manchester’s food & drink scene, gigs and more in our CityLife newsletter

Earlier this year, it was announced that Storm would be heading back to where it all began and Sunday (September 6) marked their big homecoming return to the city in a pre-season match against Sheffield Steelers. It was a game that had it all – even if a win ultimately was not on the cards.

I remember going to see Storm play at the arena as a kid with my family. I recalled earlier this year how it was my first time seeing a match of such scope, and it had me hooked from the get-go as the fanfare took over the atmosphere. Seeing them in the arena again today instantly transformed me back to that time period – and it made me quite emotional, actually.

Bringing my nephew along for the ride for his ice hockey game, it was a special moment for us both as we relished in the pucks flying in the air, the wrestles of aggression from the players and the tension that carried over from the ice into the audience.

We were invited along to the match with Premium Tickets, which for us included The Mezz Bar Entrance and a chance to arrive early to order some food. For us, this consisted of a delicious roast topside of beef, with maple vegetables, roast potatoes and a Yorkshire pudding, followed by sticky toffee pudding. It came with the comfort of being able to roll right into our nearby seats after and also gives you the opportunity to pop into the bar again during the interval for extra drinks with minimal queues, which was certainly handy. That package starts from £47.95 each.

Getting into our seats, we had a perfect view of all the action – right by the goal manned in the first period by Storm’s goalie Drew DeRidder. For the first period and even within minutes, it was absolute scenes with fights and then the first goal coming from Storm’s Anton Karlsson.

The pandemonium of people cheering was absolutely fantastic as we all chanted ‘Let’s Go Storm’ in the face of playful boos from the Steelers supporters. Goals from Tim McGauley and JD Dudek quickly followed for a very triumphant start to proceedings from Storm – riding the momentum and support of the huge crowd.

And the crowd had certainly turned up to back Storm. Before the match, it had been announced that the club were on track to record the highest attendance for a game between two Motorpoint Elite League teams in history. And with barely any spare seats in my eyesight, I’d say they more than likely achieved that.

The second period started to get a little rocky for Storm as they perhaps were riding on the coattails of that initial hype, but it managed to include a goal from Storm’s Brady Gilmour. However, Steelers were able to close the gap with a 4-3 score to Storm at the end of period two, which was cut slightly short due to issues with the ice.

Period three saw another goal for Storm from Connor Lee, as well as some penalties thrown out for boarding and fighting as things got tense on the ice. With the Steelers picking up further momentum, the end of the match went into a penalty shootout with a score of 5-5.

As the penalty shootout proved to add any further goals to proceedings, the intensity of the match carried on through into sudden death before Mitchell Balmas won it for the Steelers.

Whilst it wasn’t the homecoming result Storm fans had wanted, it was a match that truly had it all – and the team truly did throw everything at it. Their strength and determination does bode well for what’s to come and I’m very excited to see how their first season at the AO Arena pans out.

The atmosphere of the whole game was electric: the chants, the rallies, the near misses and the scores were all just infectious and it was so delightful to see Storm back where I had initially seen them and in their element again.

Of course, it’s essential to remember everything Altrincham has done for them but it feels so good to see them back in a major arena level where they can really have tens of thousands of people root behind them.

Storm are back in the city – and it feels about time.

Manchester Storm have games at the AO Arena through to March 2027, with full fixtures and ticket information available via their website. Info is also available via the AO Arena website.

Around 20% of global oil traded passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the war, which sparked after joint US-Israeli strikes were carried out on several key Iranian site in February

The new head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said an “exclusion zone” will be announced outside the Strait of Hormuz aimed at vessels it believes are attempting to transit the waterway.

Speaking to Iran’s state broadcaster on Sunday, September 6, Mohsen Rezaei’s said Tehran plans to announce an “exclusion zone” but provided few details.

Just one day earlier, the US hit three Iranian oil tankers in response to Tehran launching ballistic missiles at American warships.

Experts called the launches a dangerous escalation after Iran’s previous attacks at sea targeted commercial shipping.

The US and Iran have been at war since February 28, when joint US-Israeli strikes were carried out on several key Iranian site.

Iran retaliated by striking US allies in the Middle East and closing the Strait of Hormuz, through which 20% of global oil passed before the conflict.

The US in turn implemented a blockade on Iranian ports in the strait.

The new zone should be announced in the coming days and weeks.

It “will begin from the line of the US naval blockade, extend toward the Strait of Hormuz, and from this side continue into the Persian Gulf,” Rezaei said.

“Any ship that enters this area with the intention of passing through the Strait of Hormuz and is identified will be placed on our sanctions list.”

It is not clear where Iran defines the location of the US blockade.

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The American military has said over 20 warships are supporting the blockade.

As of Sunday, the blockade had redirected 92 commercial ships and disabled three.

Also on Sunday, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said that on average, nine million barrels of oil a day are getting through the strait. This should help to relieve pressure on energy prices.

Wright told CNN that with oil also flowing through pipelines in the region, “we’re probably two-thirds or more of pre-conflict flows.”

Meanwhile, Rezaei in his interview with state TV claimed that “every day we are selling one million, one and a half million (barrels), as if Iran’s oil production and trade are continuing as usual.”

By ALEX DOYLE – SENIOR SHOWBUSINESS REPORTER and DOMINIQUE HINES

Published: 20:25 BST, 6 September 2026 | Updated: 03:30 BST, 7 September 2026

It has been one of their busiest years yet, travelling across the globe promoting box office films Spider-Man: Brand New Day and The Odyssey.

So you would think newlyweds Tom Holland and Zendaya would like nothing more than to jet off on a relaxing holiday.

But Tom’s father Dominic, 59, has revealed he and Zendaya, both 30, were left so exhausted by their country hopping to promote both films that they offered their no-expense spared trip to Japan to him and his wife Nicola, for free.

Dominic, who is a stand-up comedian and writer, said: ‘So, you know that Tom had a few films out recently he had The Odyssey out then he had Spiderman. 

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‘And he’s been tired, he’s been working unbelievably hard.

‘He and Zendaya have done probably twice around the globe to promote these films,’ he explained. 

Tom Holland gifted a luxury holiday to his parents after the Hollywood star and his wife Zendaya were too tired following back to back film promotion for The Odyssey and Spider-Man

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‘They were tired they’d probably done maybe 20, 10-hour flights and about three days after the London premiere, he said, “dad we’ve got this holiday to Japan” and I said “that’ll be nice Tom, you’ll enjoy it.”

‘And he said, “dad it’s too far and I’m too tired. What I thought I’d do dad is that I’d send you and mum instead.”

Speaking at Queen’s Park Book Festival in London, Dominic joked that staff were left disappointed when he turned up and not the Hollywood star.

He explained: ‘See, what you don’t understand is that being Tom Holland’s dad is… well, it was lovely going to Japan. 

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‘It was first class travel, posh hotel, but the thing is, all these restaurants and hotels are expecting Tom Holland and in the strata of disappointment they are expecting Tom Holland and they get Dominic.

‘The Japanese are very polite and servile people but even they went hmmm. Typical of me – here’s the thing… I’ve written 10 books and got exactly zero with me tonight which sums up my career.’

Last month it was revealed Tom and Zendaya tied the knot again at the five-star Beaverbrook Hotel in Surrey, which reportedly cost £500,000.

The location is nestled in the Surrey Hills and close to Mr Holland’s hometown Kingston-upon-Thames.

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The top secret occasion meant guests and members of staff were banned from using their mobile phones to stop any leaks.

The sprawling 370-acre venue, near Leatherhead, was owned by the late newspaper proprietor Lord Beaverbrook, who hosted powerful figures there including Winston Churchill.

His dad joked: ‘The thing is, all these restaurants and hotels are expecting Tom Holland and in the strata of disappointment they are expecting Tom Holland and they get Dominic’ 

Join the discussion

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Should celebrities prioritize family time or fan expectations when they’re exhausted from work?

It boasts 56 rooms and suites and its on-site Japanese restaurant has hot air balloon-styled dining tables.

Tom finally ended months of speculation about the couple’s marriage, telling Esquire UK in June: ‘I found my person, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.’

Zendaya and Tom have been romantically linked since 2016, after they first met on the set of Spider-Man: Homecoming.

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They kept their relationship extremely low-key for years, and enjoyed their first joint red carpet appearance in five years at a photocall for Spider-Man: Brand New Day in Madrid on Monday.

Tom previously told Men’s Health that he avoids walking the red carpet with his partner at premieres ‘because it’s not my moment, it’s her moment, and if we go together, it’s about us’.

The victim remains in a “serious condition” in hospital

A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a man sustained stab wounds to his back in Co Armagh.

At around 2.25pm on Sunday, September 5, it was reported to police that a man in his 40s had been stabbed in a property in the Grattan Street area of Lurgan.

Police officers attended alongside the Armed Response Unit. The suspect made off from the scene before being detained a short distance a way.

The victim remains in a “serious condition” in hospital, while officers remain at the scene this evening.

A PSNI spokesperson said: “Police have arrested a man on suspicion of attempted murder following a stabbing incident in Lurgan.

“A report was received at approximately 2.25pm today, Sunday 5th September, concerning a man aged in his 40s who had sustained stab wounds to his back at a property in the Grattan Street area.

“Officers attended, alongside colleagues from our Armed Response Unit (ARU). The suspect, a 34-year-old man made off from the scene and was detained a short distance away.

“The victim was taken onward to hospital where he remains in a serious condition at this time. Officers remain at the scene this evening as our enquiries continue into what happened.

“Anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has information which could help, including CCTV, dash-cam or other footage, is asked to contact police on 101, quoting reference number 855 06/09/26.

“A report can also be made online at: https://reporting.psni.police.uk/appeals

“Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at: www.crimestoppers-uk.org “

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He told presenter Jon Sopel: “We’re now in a country, Jon, where somebody who is – whatever she is – a far-left protester, goes into a party conference, tries to wreck the leader’s speech, and cries foul if a pensioner knocks her over the head with their Zimmer frame, I mean, come on, get a life.