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The Cambridgeshire nursery where children ‘love to learn’ in a ‘home-from-home’ setting

Published

1 month ago

28 June 2026

The nursery has been rated ‘strong standard’ in all areas assessed by Ofsted in its latest inspection

A nursery has been rated ‘strong standard’ in all areas accessed by Ofsted. Flying Start Montessori in Fowlmere has been praised by inspectors for creating a “home-from-home” feeling at the setting where children “love to learn”.

The nursery, on Long Lane, underwent an Ofsted inspection in May 2026 and has been rated as at a ‘strong standard’ across six areas. These areas are: achievement, behaviour, attitudes and establishing routines, children’s welfare and wellbeing, curriculum and teaching, inclusion, and leadership and governance.

Inspectors praised the school, which caters to children aged between six months and five years old, for its “highly effective settling procedures” where “leaders and the staff team create a home-from-home feeling at the setting”.

The report, published on June 18, emphasises that “leaders have high expectations for all children” and “maintain regular, meaningful communication with parents”.

The report states: “All children feel relaxed and happy in the warm and inviting environment created by staff. They carefully consider what each individual child needs to feel at home. This promotes the wellbeing of all children. All children feel confident.”

Inspectors also praised leaders’ for having an “excellent overview of the well-designed, ambitious curriculum and ensure that staff implement it well”. This means that the pupils make “excellent progress” and are “well prepared for the next stage of learning, including starting school”.

The report adds: “Children at the setting love to learn. They are excited when staff join them at activities, questioning them and always wanting to know more.

“Older children delight as they are able to enter the ‘workstation’ independently, something which they have to earn. Children have secure relationships with all staff across the setting.”

A spokesperson for Flying Start Montessori said: ““It’s always great to have such positive feedback – it’s the staff, the children and our families which make the nursery what it is.

“Our success is down to the dedication and compassion of the staff. This, coupled together with the unfaltering trust that our parents have in us, means that we can work together to teach our children to be their best selves.”

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DAN HODGES: Burnham has dared to go where previous Labour leaders have feared to tread – but this is why there’s still a long way before he can claim to have gripped this small-boats crisis

Published

4 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Andy Burnham yesterday during a visit to HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Dover

By DAN HODGES, DAILY MAIL COLUMNIST

Published: 21:16 BST, 2 August 2026 | Updated: 21:32 BST, 2 August 2026

Andy Burnham has finally decided to go where previous Labour leaders have feared to tread. Namely the White Cliffs of Dover, to announce the French farce which has seen the British taxpayer handing £160million to Emmanuel Macron to stop the small boats – only to see them being waved off by Gendarmes from the beaches of Calais with a cheery ‘Bon Voyage’ – will finally end.

Yesterday, the Prime Minister defiantly declared that he would be ‘relentless’ in confronting the Channel crisis. ‘The public don’t like the idea that the border looks like it’s not controlled. We need to bring back that control.’

A senior aide spelt out what that meant in practice: ‘The bottom line is payment by results. If certain tactics aren’t working, the funding stops.’

This bold rhetoric stands in stark contrast to his immediate predecessors. Keir Starmer’s premiership began to properly fall apart after he admitted his infamous statement that Britain was becoming an ‘island of strangers’ was one that had been inserted into a speech by his aides and been delivered without him even bothering to read it. The tough immigration policy it was meant to frame was also quickly disowned.

Jeremy Corbyn believed robust immigration rules were anathema to his socialist principles. And the closest Ed Miliband got to getting to grips with the issue was to put the word, ‘Controls On Immigration’, on the side of a mug.

So Burnham’s statement yesterday, though typically short on detail, marks a significant departure for his party. His critics will claim – with some justification – he has been forced to speak out by recent events.

Last week, Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp was subjected to a hostile intervention from a French coastguard cutter, which unleashed a few live rounds as part of a ‘training exercise’ as he attempted to highlight a surge in small-boat arrivals.

And the dramatic incursion into the Spanish territory of Ceuta by 60,000 illegal migrants from Morocco highlighted Europe’s widening migration crisis.

Andy Burnham yesterday during a visit to HM Coastguard Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre in Dover

The Prime Minister defiantly declared that he would be ‘relentless’ in confronting the Channel crisis

But Burnham’s allies insist his intervention is more than just reactive political posturing. ‘During the by-election in Makerfield the issue of small boats came up again and again,’ I’m told. ‘He understands this is a major issue for working people.

‘And he’s said that in his first few weeks on the job he would be focusing directly on the big problems that have been ducked for too long and finally need to be addressed. Small boats is one of them.’

It also represents an answer to those within his party who have been expressing concerns that his priority will be to drag his party to the Left in order to shut down the threat from Zack Polanski and his insurgent Greens.

Worries that were heightened by the re-admission into his ranks of Left-wing firebrand Diane Abbott, and the appointment of three Left-wing MPs to the junior ministerial ranks of Parliamentary Private Secretary.

As another Burnham supporter joked: ‘How many Labour MPs have gone to Dover to highlight the small-boats issue? Apart from Andy, the only other person to do it is Mike Tapp.’

Tapp, the former Home Office Minister who recently left government after an unseemly scrap with Shabana Mahmood, is famed for his stridently populist stance on immigration.

What Burnham’s intervention also presages is a shift in focus in international affairs. Keir Starmer prized his cosy relationship with Macron and other European leaders.

Our new Prime Minister has indicated he’s prepared to ruffle some diplomatic feathers if necessary. And that his agenda is going to involve putting domestic priorities ahead of international ones.

There is a long way to go before Andy Burnham can claim to have gripped the small-boats crisis. But his more robust approach represents a welcome start. Vive la difference.

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Sandi Thom sports Saltire dress as she kicks off Commonwealth Games closing ceremony

Published

12 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Sandi sang ‘I’m proud to be from Scotland’ to the tune of her hit ‘I wish I were a punk rocker’ surrounded by pipes and drums.

21:40, 02 Aug 2026Updated 21:48, 02 Aug 2026

Scots Singer Sandi Thom kicked off the closing ceremony of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

She opened the show to chants of no Scotland no party.

She then sang ‘I’m proud to be from Scotland’ to the tune of her hit ‘I wish I were a punk rocker’ surrounded by pipes and drums.

Cammy Barnes then launched straight into Whisky Roll on the big screen asking whose up next just before Australian Delta Goodrem took over on the live stage.

Pyrotechnics fired off as a flurry of colour filled the stage representing each nation of the Commonwealth as she sang Ecliose form the Eurovision and Warrior.

Delta said: “Closing ceremonies have such a special energy – they’re a celebration of everything the athletes have achieved and of all the people who have come together through sport. It feels especially meaningful to return to a Commonwealth Games ceremony 20 years after performing “Together We Are One” at Melbourne 2006.”

Team Scotland proudly wore their cone heads as flags were waved in the air from around the Commonwealth.

Scottish rock legends Simple Minds are set to headline the closing ceremony before India receive the Commonwealth Games flag as the centenary edition of the multi sport event will be held in Ahmedabad in four years time.

Dance group Diversity are also due to show off some impressive moves, bringing their well known choreography and dramatic style to the Hydro stage.

Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, was in attendance at the closing ceremony.

He was seen chatting to First Minister John Swinney.

There was also a firework display along the River Clyde as the closing ceremony took place.

The Games, which saw around 3000 athletes from 74 nations take part, left Scotland in fourth place in the final medal table.

The competition took over the city for eleven days, with pop ups and special events at Glasgow cathedral, the City Chambers, Scotland House and the Merchant City.

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Andy Burnham insists Labour is restoring control of Britain’s borders despite 2,000 illegal migrant crossings since he became Prime Minister

Published

18 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Andy Burnham visited Dover this morning as he pledged to 'grip' the ongoing small boats crisis

Andy Burnham has insisted he wants to get a ‘grip’ of the small boats crisis, after more than 2,000 crossed the Channel into Britain during his first fortnight in power.

Mr Burnham travelled to Dover this afternoon for a visit to the country’s top migrant command room, as he championed a surge in border officers.

The new Prime Minister promised to ‘deal with it head on’ as he attempts to regain Labour’s credibility on illegal migration.

Speaking from the coast, Mr Burnham promised: ‘We have to deal with the issue rather than play politics with the issue. Just deal with it head on, grip it, and then make the changes that will bring that reassurance to the public.

‘The public don’t like the idea that the border looks like it’s not controlled.

‘We need to bring back that control, but also we need to offer support for people who genuinely need it.

‘It’s about changing the whole approach, and slowly but surely we are putting in place those building blocks of a very different approach to this issue. It’s working, but there’s more to be done.’

Hitting back, the Tories accused Mr Burnham of being ‘too weak’ to stop the ongoing migrant crossings, and called on him to follow their plan to quit the ECHR.

Andy Burnham visited Dover this morning as he pledged to ‘grip’ the ongoing small boats crisis

Visiting the migration nerve centre, Mr Burnham insisted Labour is tackling the crisis despite more than 2,000 migrants crossing the Channel since he became PM two weeks ago

Shabana Mahmood announced she has more than doubled the number of National Crime Agency officers taking on the people smugglers

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted: ‘77,000 illegal immigrants have crossed since the election, including over 2,000 since Andy Burnham became prime minister.

‘Labour has not smashed the gangs as they promised over two years ago. I saw for myself just last week hundreds of illegal immigrants departing a French beach while the gendarmes Shabana Mahmood is paying for stood by and did nothing.

‘The Conservative plan is to leave the ECHR so all illegal immigrants can be deported within a week of arrival. If Andy Burnham was serious he would do this – but he’s too weak.’

Mr Burnham’s fresh promise to grip the crisis and restore Britain’s borders came as the Home Office confirmed a surge in border guards.

Shabana Mahmood, who retained the job in Mr Burnham’s reshuffle, said that officers at the National Crime Agency tasked with tackling organised immigration crime have more than doubled since the start of 2025.

They have increased from 376 to ‘almost 800’, and contributed to almost 300 arrests last year as they target the people smuggling gangs.

The department also said NCA officers, working alongside international allies, have seized more than 1,100 small boats and engines before they could be used to transport up to 72,000 migrants across the Channel.

Ms Mahmood, who visited the NCA’s headquarters in Stratford, East London, said: ‘We have more than doubled the number of NCA officers working on immigration crime to tackle the gangs who profit from illegal small boat crossings.

‘We have seized over a thousand boats and engines, arrested thousands of criminals, and stopped tens of thousands of attempted crossings.

‘There is more to be done, but this Government is restoring control at our border.’

2,000 new small boat migrants entered Britain since Mr Burnham entered Downing Street just two weeks ago, including 326 in four dinghies today.

It brings this year’s numbers up to 14,526.

Mr Burnham said he had been in contact with Spanish premier Pedro Sanchez following the scenes of chaos in Ceuta this week, when around 60,000 Moroccans swarmed the Spanish enclave on the north coast of Africa.

The Prime Minister cited Mr Sanchez’s claim that around 98% of the number have already been returned to Morocco, but warned: ‘There’s a broader issue about the Schengen area and our relationship with it.’

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Jadon Sancho transfer statement released as Man United flop takes drastic action

Published

26 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Jadon Sancho is a free agent after being released by Manchester United and has been training with 10th-tier club Flixton FC

Non-league team Flixton has been forced to issue a statement about former Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho, who has been training at the club’s facilities.

United released Sancho at the end of June following the expiration of his contract at Old Trafford, and he was joined by the likes of Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia in leaving the club as free agents.

Sancho joined United in the summer of 2021 from Borussia Dortmund for around £73million, but went on to score just 12 goals across 83 appearances for the Reds.

Before his departure, Sancho had loan spells with former club Dortmund, as well as Chelsea and Aston Villa.

Without a club, Sancho has been training alone at Flixton FC in Greater Manchester. In a video posted on the tenth-tier club’s social media channels, he spoke highly of their facilities, sparking some light-hearted speculation that he might drop down to non-league football.

“You’ve got a nice layout here,” Sancho said. “It’s my first time around this area, and it’s the first time I’ve seen a nice pitch [in this area] apart from United and City.”

The club, whose assistant manager is Rhodri Giggs – brother of United legend Ryan – have moved to set the record straight. In an official statement, Flixton owner Christopher Garcia said: “Over the past few days, we’ve seen a number of posts and comments circulating regarding Jadon Sancho’s visit to Flixton FC.

“To clarify, Jadon was not on trial with the club and was not involved in any transfer discussions. He simply used our facilities for a private training session to maintain his fitness while preparing for the next chapter of his career.

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“We’re proud that the quality of our pitch and facilities made Flixton a place where a player of his calibre felt comfortable training, and he is welcome to train at Flixton FC whenever he wishes.

“During his visit, Jadon was nothing but professional, humble, and generous with his time. After completing his session, he happily met with young supporters, posed for photos, signed autographs, and left a lasting impression on everyone who had the pleasure of meeting him.

“Jadon is a world-class footballer who has achieved more in the game than most players could ever dream of. He deserves respect for both his accomplishments and the way he conducted himself during his visit, not the unwarranted criticism that has followed.

“We thank Jadon for choosing Flixton FC as a place to train and wish him every success in the next stage of his career, which will undoubtedly be at a level far above where we currently compete. Our doors will always be open to him.”

Sancho has not been linked with many potential new clubs so far, with Qatari outfit Al-Rayyan among the few sides to make an enquiry.

The winger is reportedly open to a move to the Middle East, where the Saudi Pro League remains a possibility, or alternatively remaining in Europe.

Countdown to Kickoff: The Ultimate 26/27 Sky Sports Bundle

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Sky’s Ultimate TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season with more than 1,400 live games across the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.

Every subscription now comes with 135 channels alongside free subscriptions to HBO Max, Netflix, Disney+, discovery+ and Hayu.

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Sad twist in Beckham family feud as Brooklyn and wife Nicola enjoy South of France holiday with his godfather Elton John… while his estranged parents David and Victoria relax on their yacht just miles away

Published

32 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz were pictured in the South of France with his godfather Elton John, just miles away from his estranged parents on Saturday

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz have joined his godfather Elton John on his yacht miles from where his estranged parents are holidaying in the South of France.

It marks the closest Brooklyn, 27, has been from his estranged family in months as they holiday just along the coast of the French Riviera.

Victoria and David were most recently seen on their yacht in St Tropez, 75 miles away from their son, who is staying on Elton’s boat near Nice.

Once again, Brooklyn skipped his family’s annual getaway on the £16million yacht once again after severing ties with his parents and siblings.

Instead, he united with Elton and his husband David Furnish, where they were spotted chatting on board the vessel.

Christmas 2024 was the last time the Beckham clan were pictured with Brooklyn and Nicola before they lost all meaningful communication.

During his trip, David appeared deep in thought as he wrapped his arm around his beloved son Romeo, while his eldest Brooklyn enjoyed a holiday without him.

Meanwhile, the aspiring chef appeared in high spirits as he was seen laughing and giggling with Nicola.

Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz were pictured in the South of France with his godfather Elton John, just miles away from his estranged parents on Saturday

David appeared deep in thought as he wrapped his arm around his beloved son Romeo… while his eldest Brooklyn enjoyed a holiday just miles away

The Beckhams and Elton have been pals for more than 30 years, with David affectionately calling the musician ‘Uncle Elton’ after the pair became friends in his football heyday

Before arriving in St Tropez, Victoria and David visited different parts of the Balearic Islands with Romeo on their luxury £16million yacht, Seven.

Instead of choosing to patch things up with his family, Brooklyn holidayed with his wife, Elton and other friends just a small distance away.

The Beckhams and Elton have been pals for more than 30 years, with David affectionately calling the musician ‘Uncle Elton’ after the pair became friends in his football heyday.

Yet Elton appears to be pledging an allegiance with Brooklyn and Nicola as they enjoyed a luncheon on the sundeck.

Brooklyn and Nicola, 31, put on a very tactile display as they held hands while stepping off the boat.

Nicola slipped into a lace white minidress and wore beige heels while Brooklyn cut a casual figure in denim shorts and a white T-shirt.

Elton appeared in high spirits as he was pictured smiling and laughing with Brooklyn and Nicola on the sundeck.

Elton seems to have acted as a mediator throughout the feud, with Brooklyn and Nicola seen holidaying with the hitmaker on multiple occasions.

The couple were also seen having a stern conversation at Elton’s exclusive Oscars viewing party earlier this year.

Brooklyn skipped his family’s annual getaway on the £16million yacht once again amid their ongoing family feud

Victoria and David are currently holidaying in Port de Saint-Tropez just a close 75 miles away from their distant son

Instead, he united with his godfather Elton and his husband David Furnish on their superyacht along the coast in Nice

Meanwhile, the aspiring chef appeared in high spirits as he was seen laughing and giggling with Nicola

Their separate yacht trips appears to be the closest the estranged family have been in proximity since the fallout

Instead of choosing to patch things up with his family, Brooklyn holidayed with his godfather and wife just a small distance away

Earlier in the day, the Beckhams were pictured relaxing on their luxury £16million yacht, Seven

David showed off his ripped physique as he enjoyed a dip in the sea

Elton was due to perform at the Beckhams’ wedding in 1999 before suffering a heart attack that prevented him from playing – yet he later sang at Brooklyn’s christening.

Victoria once disclosed that Elton inspired her to say goodbye to the Spice Girls, penning an emotional letter to her older self where she confessed that watching her friend perform made her realise that her true calling lay beyond singing.

Victoria and David recently followed the World Cup around the US with Romeo, Kim, Harper, 15, Cruz, 21, and his girlfriend Jackie Apostel, 30.

Despite living across the pond, their eldest son Brooklyn has avoided all family outings amid their ongoing estrangement.

In January, Brooklyn released a scathing six-page statement denouncing his parents and declared he was no longer part of ‘Brand Beckham’.

Brooklyn also claimed David and Victoria had controlled him for much of his life, attempted to drive a wedge between him and Nicola and left him embarrassed when his mother danced ‘inappropriately’ with him during the first dance at his wedding.

He has not acknowledged any of his parents’ birthdays or milestones publicly since their rift began, around the time of David’s 50th celebrations, and failed to share a post for Father’s Day this year.

It was previously reported that Brooklyn was ‘furious’ that his parents had included him in a Father’s Day post and wants them to ‘leave him alone’.

Shortly before Christmas last year, Brooklyn blocked his parents on Instagram, while his lawyers later wrote to the Beckhams’ team requesting all communication be conducted through legal representatives.

The Daily Mail contacted Brooklyn’s representatives for comment at the time.

Elton appears to pledging an allegiance with Brooklyn and Nicola as they enjoyed a luncheon on the sundeck

Nicola slipped into a lace white mini dress and wore beige heels while Brooklyn cut a causal figure in denim shorts and a white T-shirt

The couple couldn’t keep their hands off each other

Elton appeared in high spirits as he was pictured smiling and laughing with Brookyln and Nicola on the sundeck

Elton seems to have acted as a mediator throughout the feud

Brooklyn and Nicola seen holidaying with the hitmaker on multiple occasions

Nicola hugged a member of the crew on Elton’s yacht

Nicola caught some sunshine on the sundeck

She chatted with Brooklyn onboard

The couple headed out in the quaint streets

Nicola received a helping hand off the boat

Earlier this year, Brooklyn was accused of selling his family out for a big sum following the release of his two-part DoorDash commercial.

Five months after declaring that he and his wife Nicola want privacy, Brooklyn was savaged by fans, who branded him ‘classless’ after he collaborated with the food delivery firm for the sponsored video.

In the teaser clip for the advert released on June 15, Brooklyn smirks and says: ‘You’re probably wondering why I’m watching the Fifa World Cup 2026 from home… It’s a long story.’

It has been taken as mocking parents David and Victoria with whom he no longer speaks – and profiting off their name, while friends of the Beckhams have said the pair are ‘devastated and inconsolable’ by the jibe.

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Boxer in ‘critical but stable’ condition after being rushed to hospital following sickening knockout as promoter Frank Warren issues statement

Published

40 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Lee Reeves (right) was rushed to hospital after being knocked out by Gary Cully on Saturday

By LUKE AUGUSTUS, ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR

Published: 11:59 BST, 2 August 2026 | Updated: 21:11 BST, 2 August 2026

Boxer Lee Reeves is ‘critical but stable’ having been hospitalised after being knocked out during his defeat by Gary Cully on Saturday night.

In what proved to be an enthralling all-Republic of Ireland bout, Reeves was stopped in the 10th and final round by Cully – who sent him tumbling to the canvas with a huge left hand.

There was immediate concern from those inside the 3Arena in Dublin as Reeves stayed down for several moments as officials and medical staff quickly came to his aid.

The 31-year-old was given some oxygen before he left the venue being carried off on a stretcher and taken to hospital.

A spokesperson from Queensberry Promotions said on Sunday evening: ‘Lee Reeves is still in hospital, in a critical but stable condition.

‘We will know more in the coming days, and our thoughts and prayers remain with Lee and his family.’

Lee Reeves (right) was rushed to hospital after being knocked out by Gary Cully on Saturday

Reeves was immeadiately attended to by after being stopped in the 10th round of his defeat – he is now ‘stable but critical’

Taking to X to provide an update, Queensberry promoter Frank Warren had previously written: ‘All our thoughts and prayers are with Lee Reeves and his family at this time as he remains in hospital.

‘Everyone at Queensberry is thinking of him and we’re in constant contact with his team regarding his condition as we hope for positive news.’

Victory for Cully meant he claimed the BUI Celtic super-lightweight title but despite the victory, his thoughts were with Reeves.

‘My prayers and thoughts are with Lee Reeves, hopefully he’s okay,’ said a concerned Cully.

‘He came in there as a big underdog after fighting relatively at a lower level up until now, but he really showed that he can operate at a higher level. Huge credit to him.’

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Motorway slip closed as car destroyed by flames on Belfast’s M2

Published

46 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

This was the dramatic moment a car burst into flames on Belfast’s M2 tonight.

The incident happened at around 8.30pm on Sunday August 2 on the Fortwilliam off-slip in the north of the city.

Witnesses told Belfast Live that flames were shooting from the rear of the car before it pulled off the motorway and came to a halt.

People were then seen exiting the black Ford Fiesta and there have been no reports of injuries. Other motorists then alerted the emergency services and directed traffic away from the flames until 999 crews arrived.

This is a breaking news event, please stay with us as we keep you up to date.

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the wellness industry is coming for your pets

Published

54 minutes ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

the wellness industry is coming for your pets

I am a runner who loves being active alongside my dogs. Actually, I am more of a plodder – and one with very bad knees. Those knees benefit from regular physiotherapy and sports massage. You might not be surprised, then, to hear that I have regular physiotherapy appointments. The slight curveball is that the last three appointments I have attended have been with my dogs’ veterinary physiotherapist.

Yes, you read that right. Before sorting out my own physical ailments, I took each of my dogs for a full musculoskeletal assessment where they had an individual exercise plan prepared. They also each benefited from some canine sports massage and laser therapy during their session.

They were then driven home, resting on orthopaedic bedding, while wearing magnetic therapy coats. Once home, they were fed meals specifically prepared for their individual needs, topped with fresh ingredients and supplements intended to support specific aspects of their health.

Meanwhile, I, their chauffeur and chief carer, was drinking instant coffee, nursing aching knees and wearing an ancient hoodie complete with a few “fashionable” holes. At one point, as I stood up creakily, I even joked to their physiotherapist: “Do you do people?” She politely declined.

Perhaps my priorities are questionable, but I am not alone. There’s a term for it now: poochmaxxing – applying the same optimisation instincts (and spending) to a pet’s wellness that many of us now apply to our own. As the role of pets in society has changed, the way we think about their healthcare and management is increasingly beginning to resemble the way we approach our own health.

But what does this mean for our pets? Does the evidence support the growing number of lotions, potions and therapies marketed to improve their health and longevity?

Not so long ago, if you had a concern about your pet, you would make an appointment with your vet, discuss the problem and be offered treatment options. Today, the veterinary sector is supported by a range of professionals, such as physiotherapists and hydrotherapists, who work under veterinary referral and guidance.

Increasingly, pet owners choose to use these services as part of their animal’s healthcare regimen, particularly to support fitness, physical recovery and overall muscle and bone health. Additional therapeutic approaches can be useful alongside conventional veterinary care, particularly when supporting recovery from injury. Acupuncture, massage, shockwave therapy (high-energy soundwaves to stimulate tissue), and even kinesiotaping (using elastic tape to support movement) are among the options available to some pet owners.

Dog massage is available.
Rasulov/Shutterstock.com

The pet wellness sector mirrors the growth of the human wellness industry, which is now a US$6.3 trillion industry (£4.7 trillion). People are increasingly exploring ways to maintain and optimise health beyond traditional healthcare settings, and many are now doing the same for their pets.

Everyone wants their pets to live longer. Marketing suggesting that certain diets, supplements or equipment such as clothing and bedding can slow ageing or improve health can be highly attractive, especially to people who want to give their animals the best possible care.

Wellness washing

The challenge in both the human and pet wellness sectors is that many products and services are supported by limited or mixed scientific evidence rather than the kind of large, robust studies we would expect for medicines. This can lead to so-called wellness washing – marketing that uses the language of health and science to make products appear more effective than the evidence suggests. It can make it difficult for consumers to distinguish genuine evidence-led treatments from claims driven mainly by commercial interests.

There are also concerns about mislabelling and contamination of products that are marketed as having health benefits but are not regulated in the same way as pharmaceutical medicines.

The rise of generative AI use in marketing has added another layer of complexity. Targeted social media advertising can make products and services appear more credible, particularly when adverts feature apparently qualified pet professionals. In some cases, pet owners might even choose these options over primary veterinary care, which could delay appropriate treatment.

For pet owners, it really is a case of buyer beware in the wellness space.

Want to poochmaxx to maximise your pet’s healthspan and lifespan? There are some simple things you can do that are supported by science and do not cost a small fortune.

Keeping active helps both you and your pet stay healthy, and is linked to healthy ageing. Exercise might even make both of you happier.

Balance activity with a nutritionally complete diet appropriate for your pet’s species, age and health needs. Foods containing nutrients such as antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids may support aspects of healthy physical and cognitive ageing in cats and dogs.

Exercise also helps maintain a lean, healthy bodyweight in pets and people, which is associated with longevity. A healthy body condition can also reduce the impact of painful, age-related conditions such as osteoarthritis in pets. Regular monitoring of body condition and bodyweight, then adjusting diet and exercise when needed, is a simple, evidence-based way to support your pet’s health every day.

Training and playing with your pet is also good for physical and cognitive health, while helping to strengthen your relationship.

Your pet’s living environment matters too. For example, secondhand smoke has significant implications for pet health. Cats living with smokers have an increased risk of developing malignant melanoma, and dogs show signs of passive smoke exposure even when their owners smoke outside.

The health and wellbeing of our pets is important, but make sure you poochmaxx with purpose. Look for robust evidence supporting claims made about products and services. Remember too that many of the most effective interventions are simple and affordable, and are based around what pets naturally need.

A good walk with plenty of sniffing, some ball throwing, free running and time with four-legged friends – or a sound bath session with aromatherapy and yoga? I know which one my dogs will choose – and it’s the walk, not the sound bath, that the evidence supports for long-term health and wellbeing.

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Ariana Grande announces she will ‘take step back’ from public life

Published

1 hour ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

Ariana Grande announces she will 'take step back' from public life

Ariana Grande is ‘looking forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily’ (Picture: Jennifer Graylock/INSTARimages)

Ariana Grande has announced she will be ‘taking a step back from visibility’ after her tour ends.

The Thank U, Next singer currently on her Eternal Sunshine world tour, which is set to reach London in August, after sold-out dates in the United States.

Her agents confirmed she will pull out of West End revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George.

The superstar was due to tread the boards of the Barbican Centre next summer, opposite her former Wicked co-star Jonathan Bailey.

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Charity calls for ‘default’ 20mph zone within Cambridge city boundary to ‘improve road safety’

Published

1 hour ago

2 August 2026

NewsAdmin

CamCycle said a default 20mph limit would improve road safety

A cycling charity has called for proposals for 20mph zones to be extended to cover all roads within Cambridge’s city boundary. Cambridgeshire County Council is currently consulting on plans to introduce new 20mph limits on roads around the city – but CamCycle wants the plans to go further.

A new Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) would see 20mph limits introduced on nearly 20 extra streets, including Queen’s Road, Northampton Street, Chesterton Road until Mitcham’s Corner, Victoria Avenue, East Road and Lensfield Road. Additional streets and sections include the Mitcham’s Corner gyratory, Corona Road, Brooklands Avenue, and the northern part of Coldhams Lane.

A county council spokesperson said of the proposals: “Over 100 people have been seriously injured across these routes since 2017. This proposal follows on from widespread engagement to put in 20mph limits on roads across Cambridge in 2024. Since then, there has been a positive response from communities to more focussed proposals for new 20mph limits in residential areas including Orchard Park.”

However, CamCycle said the charity supports a default 20mph limit within the city boundary. A spokesperson said: “Although many of the proposed routes are residential areas or routes to school, many similar routes have been omitted, including some of those that were most strongly supported for 20mph limits in the 2024 consultation.”

The charity believes the following roads should also be included:

Gilbert Road;
The eastern end of Chesterton Road;
Barnwell Road;
Long Road;
Hills Road south of Brooklands Avenue;
Victoria Road;
Ditton Lane.

Local resident Barney Cox, who lives near the eastern end of Chesterton Road, said he finds it “strange” that most of the road is 20mph until a small section from Mitcham’s Corner to Elizabeth Way. He said: “It’s part of the route for my child to go and play on Jesus Green and Midsummer Common, to visit his relatives and to go into town, so I’d like to see it as safe as possible.

“More broadly, I’d like to see 20mph within Cambridge for the benefits it makes to the safety of pedestrians and cyclists and, as a motorist, I appreciate having the consistency: I don’t like chopping and changing.“

Mr Cox said he lived in Islington for a long time and when a 20mph zone was introduced there he found that it felt safer. He continued: “It made driving less stressful. As a cyclist and a pedestrian and a parent, it made things less worrying. The risk of someone doing serious harm to me or my family through excess speed was greatly reduced.”

Camcycle CEO Anna Williams said: “More 20mph roads would make walking, wheeling and cycling a safer and more attractive choice for more people and create a clear and consistent environment for drivers. Around 80% of those killed or seriously injured on Cambridge’s roads each year are people walking and cycling, and moving to a default 20mph is an important step towards eliminating this unnecessary suffering.

“It’s not clear why the council, when it claims to support safer journeys for children, has so radically watered down its initial proposals, leaving many busy residential streets intimidating and dangerous. It needs to expand its ambition for the city if it wants to meet its own goal of zero deaths and injuries on our roads and help more people choose active modes of transport.”

A Cambridgeshire County Council spokesperson said: “We’re welcoming all feedback and responses during the consultation period via our online platform. We will review all responses received once the consultation has closed.”

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