The Lord of the Rings star led the ‘Commonwealth Walk of Shame’ in London on Saturday, May 30, starting outside the Nigeria High Commission.

The movement was in protest against the criminalisation of LGBT+ people in 29 Commonwealth member states under colonial-era laws originally imposed by Britain.

Sir Ian who was born in Burnley, said: “No one should face prison, violence, or death simply for being themselves and loving another person.

“Yet across most of the Commonwealth, LGBT+ people are still treated as criminals.

“Many of these laws are relics of the British Empire.

“The least we in Britain can do is stand in solidarity with those fighting to overturn criminalisation.”

The protest highlighted colonial-era laws originally imposed by Britain that still criminalise same-sex relationships.

In six Commonwealth countries, the legal maximum sentence is life in prison, while in Uganda, Brunei, and parts of northern Nigeria, people could face the death penalty.

Many of those at the London march were LGBT+ refugees who fled Commonwealth countries because of such laws.

The Peter Tatchell Foundation organised the protest along with Out and Proud Africa LGBTI, Let Voice be Heard (Bangladesh), Gay Indian Network (GIN), and the African Equality Foundation.

Marchers protested outside the Nigerian High Commission and seven other Commonwealth High Commissions.

Deborah Birunji Nabisere, a lesbian and member of Out and Proud Africa LGBTI who fled persecution in Uganda, said: “I know what it means to live under laws designed to erase your humanity.

“We are marching because silence has protected persecution for far too long.

“Commonwealth leaders cannot celebrate unity while millions of LGBT+ citizens live in fear.

“For many LGBT+ people across Africa and the Commonwealth, these laws are not abstract.

“They shape every part of daily life: whether you can speak openly, whether you can find work, whether you are safe walking home.”

Peter Tatchell, human rights campaigner and founder of the Peter Tatchell Foundation, said: “For decades, Commonwealth leaders have failed to end the persecution of LGBT+ people.

“We urge the new Commonwealth Secretary-General, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey of Ghana, to begin her tenure by making clear that anti-LGBT+ victimisation is incompatible with Commonwealth values.”

The Nigeria High Commission has been approached for comment.

Coronation Street actor Michael Le Vell, 61, has married his long-term partner Louise Gibbons, 50, with several of his Corrie co-stars in attendance.

The 61-year-old, who plays Kevin Webster in the ITV soap, tied the knot to his partner of 12 years at Sale Registry Office in Trafford, Greater Manchester whilst the sun was shining on Saturday (May 30).

The Corrie legend, who first appeared on the cobbles in 1983, sported a beige suit with a white shirt and a brown tie, whilst his new wife looked beautiful in a traditional white frock with feathered sleeves.

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Several of Michael’s co-stars were in attendance at the ceremony including Sally Dynevor, who plays his on-screen ex-wife Sally Metcalfe and Alan Halsall, who plays his best pal Tyrone Dobbs.

Joe Duttine, who plays Sally’s on-screen husband Tim Metcalfe, was also at the wedding alongside his wife Sally Carmen, who he wed in July 2022.

Michael’s on-screen younger sister Debbie Webster, played by actress Sue Devaney, was also there to show her support.

Yesterday, Michael was spotted enjoying a few pints at a pub in Sale the day before his wedding.

Away from Weatherfield, Michael often keeps his life private however Louise has remained a key source of support for the actor through periods in his life that included checking into a rehab facility in 2014.

The couple, who got engaged in 2017, do not have any children together, but Michael who was previously married for 25 years to actress Janette Beverley share two children with her.

Michael has been in Coronation Street for over 42 years. He made his first appearance on the show in October 1983 and has played the iconic character Kevin Webster ever since.

His tenure spans multiple decades, making him one of the longest-serving actors on the long-running ITV soap opera. His character has been through a lot during his time in Weatherfield, surviving various tragedies and affairs.

Some of Kevin’s biggest storylines include his affair with Molly Dobbs who gave birth to their son Jack before her tragic death, his relationship with Sally Webster coming to an end, and his heartbreaking prostate cancer diagnosis.

Families love this little zoo in a countryside setting, and an added bonus is that its neighbour is an award-winning ice cream farm

It’s the region’s newest zoo, but it’s already being hailed a “great day out” and “fantastic experience” by families who have visited its location in the heart of rural Cheshire. Holmes Chapel Zoo is a burgeoining animal centre set in a field right next door to another popular attraction in the area, the Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm.

The zoo has only officially been open here for just over a year, but has big plans for expansion in the years to come. For now, it might best be described as a mini zoo with big ambitions.

It houses a host of animals in enclosures across its outdoor field site, including meerkats, tortoise, skunks, owls, deer and wallabies. There are also animal talks with the zoo’s team held across each day, and the chance for children to hold some of the creatures like lizards, guinea pigs and snakes during regular intervals each day.

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It’s a reasonably priced attraction for families, with adult tickets at £8.50 and child tickets and concessions for £6, while under-2s go free. There’s also a family advance saver ticket for two adults and up to three children for £26 if booked 36 hours in advance of your visit.

For those who want an even more hands on day at the zoo, you can also add on “Zoo Keeper Experiences” as well as more personalised meetings with the meerkats, skunks, birds or the reptiles (from £45 per person).

Owners have created a rustic play area at the site, using recylced tyres for them to bound over and crawl through.

There’s also a tent where children can colour in a host of pictures of the animals that they’ve just seen around the zoo, which they can then take home as a keepsake. On the way out you’ll walk through a gift shop with lots of cute animal toys too.

Despite the rural location, it’s only four miles off the M6 at Junction 18, and with a main line train station down the road at Goostrey, so it’s pretty accessible for people to get to.

It has won a number of rave reviews on Tripadvisor, and now ranks as the number one thing to do in Holmes Chapel.

Writing on Tripadvisor, pengwerns wrote: “Lovely experience. We visited the farm with our son, daughter-in-law and two grandsons and really enjoyed it.

“The zoo is fairly small but there were quite a few different animals to see. The staff were very friendly and informative and we learned quite a lot. There are different experiences to do.

“Our grandsons stroked a lot of the smaller animals and the older one held an owl – which was the highlight of his day.”

Joan R wrote simply: “Our youngest daughter ABSOLUTELY LOVED this experience!”

Katy G called it an “enjoyable afternoon” writing: “Lovely little zoo. Both my boys 13 and 10 had a lovely afternoon. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable.”

Angela Allan headlined her review: “Do not hesitate to visit this new zoo, it’s so cool”, In the review she wrote: “This was such a brilliant experience. We took our grandchildren. (8+6) who absolutely loved it, as did we. We spent 4 hours there and made the most of the day. Went to some talks about the animals which were fantastic. The staff are obviously so keen and informative.

“Although the zoo is in its infancy, it has some interesting species that the bigger zoo doesn’t have, ie Kookaburras and skunks to name a few. Absolutely brilliant. The neighbouring cafe and facilities are excellent and just a couple of minutes walk away.”

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Evelyn L wrote: “We didn’t know what to expect, the admission prices are very reasonable. The zoo is small but perfectly formed, the staff are very personable and well informed.

“Some zoos can be overwhelming for children by their sheer size and you only ever get a snapshot of the animals. There is a play area and you can take a picnic and also go to the Bidlea dairy for food and drink. All in all a great day out in the heart of Cheshire.”

Travellers169 described it as: “Lovely small zoo with a good selection of animals for its size! There are activities throughout the day but at the moment this is probably a couple of hours for the regular visit, but being next to Bidlea Dairy you have a nice cafe to visit as well.

“Loved the friendly staff and my daughter had such a good time meeting the animals. Can’t wait to see how it grows. More than happy to pay a bit extra for holding the animals to help that.”

The ice cream farm next door

As if the zoo were not exciting enough, there’s also the large Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm next door too. It not only boasts an epic array of award-winning flavours of ice cream, but boasts a full cafe area with hot drinks, cakes and savoury treats like toasties and pie of the day too.

The ice cream farm first opened in 2021 and has expanded since then to now include big seating areas outside, including an upstairs terrace that boasts incredible views of one of Cheshire’s most famous landmarks, Jodrell Bank.

They open every day til 7pm, but are even able to cater for your dairy fix after hours too – as they have 24 hour milk and ice cream vending manchines at the farm.

The diversification into ice cream was a true turnaround story at The Orchards Farm, which is run by Ray and Jill Brown and their son’s Adam and Ryan and their wives, both called Becky.

Over a decade ago the Brown family were witnessing what looked like a critical decline for dairy farming with supermarkets offering their lowest ever price for their cow’s milk at 16p a litre.

So they decided to start processing and pasteurising their own milk with the creation of an adjoining dairy on Twemlow Lane – with milk pumped over the road by a supply line straight from the free range pedigree cows into the dairy to produce fresh milk 24 hours later, supplied to local farm shops and wholesalers.

It would be a fortuitous decision, and when lockdown came into force in March 2020, demand for fresh milk surged and Bidlea partnered with local delivery surfaces across Cheshire to get their product direct to customers.

And the idea to do ice cream came as another knock-on from lockdown. They invested in ice cream equipment and started to experiment with flavours before launching their product.

And just via word of mouth and social media, crowds began to flock to the farm for the artisan ice cream.

You can choose from a raft of daily changing flavours of ice cream, with 24 on offer each day from a full roster of 80. Expect the likes of Biscoff, turkish delight, bubblegum, gold top and mint choc chip – with single scoops from £3.30, double scoops for £4.30 or go large with a triple scoop for £5.30. They also offer the option of one or two of your choice of flavours blended into a bespoke milkshake topped with whipped cream for £6.25.

How to get there

Bidlea Dairy Ice Cream Farm is open every day from 9am to 5pm, on Twemlow Lane, near Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8DS. It’s around a five minute drive from Junction 18 of the M6 motorway.

It’s free entry and free parking at the ice cream farm and cafe.

Holmes Chapel Zoo is just behind the ice cream farm, and is open 10am to 3pm on weekends, and from 11am to 3pm on weekdays. Tickets can be purchased online in advance which is recommended, although can also be bought on the door.

The nearest train station is at Goostrey, which is on the main line between Manchester Piccadilly and Crewe, which is then a one mile walk to the zoo and ice cream farm location.

This roundup of The Conversation’s environment coverage was first published in our award-winning weekly climate action newsletter, Imagine.

I’m thinking of painting my roof white. It’s not about making it look prettier, it’s because my bedroom is right underneath a flat roof and every summer it gets unbelievably hot. Last summer I ended up hugging a hot water bottle filled with cold water in bed, and even that was not enough to help me nod off.

As those who live in Mediterranean countries know, painting your home white helps keep it cooler by reflecting back the heat. A dig in our archives found a fascinating article by Rosa Schiano-Phan, reader in architecture and environment design at the University of Westminster, about why this works – as generations of people who live in stark-white villages in Spain and Greece will testify.

It might be worth giving it a go to get some cooler summer nights, and a tin or two of white paint is not a high price to pay.

The past few days of hot weather have been concentrating my mind on any simple (and cheap) steps I might take in my home to help keep cool. Another great find from 2025 has suggestions. Mehri Khosravi, an energy researcher at the University of East London, digs into ways to keep people cooler and avoid big energy bills. She suggests looking at shutters and shades as a cheaper alternative to air conditioning units, noting:

“In Rome … window shutters are so common you barely notice them, yet they dramatically reduce the need for mechanical cooling.”

Wildfire risks

Countries that have traditionally not sweltered in the summer are starting to understand what it feels like. Already in 2026, wildfire warnings have been issued in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Scotland. These nations are traditionally associated with soggy summers rather than sweltering ones, but all three – as Will Hayes, postdoctoral research associate in fire governance at Royal Holloway, University of London, notes – have already seen significant wildfires break out in 2026.

One reason for this is the changing patterns of those who tend farmland. Agricultural workers are getting fewer and older, which means far less clearing of vegetation is taking place. As in Italy, this has contributed to the growing risk of wildfires. While less grazing and natural regeneration of the landscape can mean more biodiversity, heavier vegetation can also be more flammable. As Hayes writes:

“These same changes may also increase wildfire risk where vegetation becomes dense, continuous and unmanaged. The challenge is therefore not choosing between farming or conservation, but finding ways to support landscapes that can sustain biodiversity, rural livelihoods and wildfire resilience together.”

As well as the heat, The Conversation’s environment desk has been very focused on bees recently, as World Bee Day came and went – and heat was a factor there as well.

Bees are being hit by heatwaves in a surprising way. In a University of Hull lab, a study recreated three days of heatwaves from July 2022. The team tracked how red mason bees in the study reacted, along with a control group that wasn’t subjected to these high temperatures. James Gilbert and colleagues initially thought all the bees were fine, and there was nothing to see there. But nine months later, it became clear that there was something significant to consider.

In the group of bees subjected to heatwave temperatures, sperm activity had dropped by half compared with the control group, and sperm counts by one third. In females, there was a 15% reduction in both the size and number of developing eggs.

The heatwave had wrecked their fertility. While this in itself was shocking for the trial bees, the long-term implications for bees more generally – and the humans that rely on their pollination – is immense. Until now, research on heatwaves and their impact on bees had just focused on fatalities. This new study shows that some bees will not even be born because of rising temperatures.

Meanwhile, in the Pennine hills in the north of England, there’s an unusual project taking place that is also about reacting to the changing climate. Hundreds of holes have been dug across the area, creating something of a moonscape effect.

This is part of a huge plan to return this area back to its boggy past. Industrial expansion in this region in the 19th century left the wetlands stripped of their moisture, as coal smoke from nearby mills left heavy metals behind that degraded and dried out the soil. But in the past few years, scientists have started to revive its sogginess, using the impressive qualities of Sphagnum moss – a sort of super moss which can hold up to 20 times its body weight in water. The moist, peaty wetlands will help protect the area from wildfires, as well as absorbing the CO₂ being created by industrial fossil-fuel use, which is warming the atmosphere.

Working in hot temperatures

Life generally doesn’t stop in heatwaves. Many people are required to continue with their jobs in high temperatures, without any respite or option to find a cooler space. Research across seven countries shows that governments need to do more to help people cope in extreme temperatures. Recommendations include creating maximum workplace temperatures, and creating more cool places where people can escape to during heatwaves, such as public buildings.

It seems almost impossible to ignore the relationship between extreme heat and our lives right now. But at least some academics are using innovation sparked by their scientific research to recognise – and help tackle – some of the problems these heatwaves are causing. And no doubt there will be more.

Arsenal may have already won their first Premier League title for 22 years, but that has made them hungrier for the Champions League, not complacent.

Mikel Arteta said: “The ambition is bigger. We have one, and now we want the second one. That’s all we’ve been talking about. There has to be a platform to reach bigger destinations and to aim for more.

“And the team is capable, because we’ve shown it in the last two seasons, in this competition. What we’ve done this season in the competition, and I want the players to be so confident that we’re going to win.

“I think it’s the opportunity to own the moment, because, as you said, it’s the second time in our history that we are here, and we have the opportunity tomorrow to write a new chapter in the history of this football club.”

One of Mani’s favourite bands, the reunited Manchester rockers Puressence, will play Manichester later on today.

Mani was close pals with the band, who share the same hometown of Failsworth where a huge mural to the star was recently revealed. Mani produced music with the band, and has previously appeared in their music videos.

A statement from organisers said of the band’s involvement: “Manichester is a one-day celebration of Mani’s life, music and legacy, created in close collaboration with his family and a community of artists connected to his story and influence.

“Today sees a band closely connected to Mani’s journey join the bill — Puressence, a longtime favourite of Mani’s and a band he worked with as a producer, will perform a special featured set as part of the day.”

Mani’s brother, Greg Mounfield, added: “Having Puressence involved is a personal request — our kid not only produced records with the lads, he toured China with them and even popped up in a few of their videos. For me it’s a no-brainer, and I know our kid would’ve loved it.”

The farm shop has a huge food hall and a fun barn for kids to explore

Summer is very much on its way, and there’s plenty to do in our wonderful county that really matches the weather. One popular farm shop even had a celebrity visit today!

Stacey Solomon was pictured taking a trip to Bury Lane Farm Shop in Melbourn this morning (May 30). Bury Lane Farm Shop is a spot where you can get all of your grocery shopping done in its massive food hall.

It also has a garden shop and runs pick-your-own flower events throughout the year, which seems to be what Stacey Solomon took part in! For children, there is a fun barn to explore and even a man-made beach open through spring and summer.

After spending a few hours at Bury Lane Farm Shop, you can visit the on-site café for a hot drink and a slice of cake. Stacey visited the pick-your-own peony fields and even got some meat from the farm shop’s very own butchers.

The farm shop shared on its socials: “We’ve had a very special visitor to the pick your own peony fields this morning, thank you @staceysolomon for bringing your warm smile and charm to Bury Lane. We loved having you here. We hope you enjoy the burgers and sausages from our Butchers at your Champions League party tonight!”

Will we have a hosepipe ban in 2026?

How can I start to prepare now for possible hosepipe bans?

What if I don’t have room for a water butt?

The claim about Lady Eleanor Donaldson’s alleged actions emerged during evidence at today’s hearing

Jeffrey Donaldson’s wife planted a listening device in his car because she suspected he was having an affair with a constituent, a court has heard.

The claim about Lady Eleanor Donaldson ‘s alleged actions emerged during evidence at today’s hearing at Newry Crown Court.

Jeffrey Donaldson, 63, is on trial at Newry Crown Court accused of rape and several counts of gross indecency and of indecent assault.

The ex-MP has pleaded not guilty to the 18 alleged offences.

The charges span a time period between 1985 and 2008 involving two alleged victims.

Eleanor Donaldson, from Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, denies several charges of aiding and abetting.

She is facing a trial of the facts after Judge Paul Ramsey ruled her unfit to stand trial on mental health grounds.

The trial of the facts will test the evidence in the case, but cannot result in a criminal conviction.

In the morning session of the trial the woman who alleges she was sexually abused byDonaldson when she was a child insisted “facts are facts” when challenged by the former DUP leader’s barrister over her claims.

The woman, known as complainant A, was cross-examined by Kieran Vaughan KC throughout Friday at Newry Crown Court at the sex offences trial of the ex-MP and his wife.

Donaldson sat in the dock wearing a dark grey suit and yellow tie, occasionally taking notes.

The jury heard a claim that a letter written by Donaldson to complainant A in 2020 expressing “regret” was “nothing to do” with the allegations she has made against him.

The trial had previously heard that Donaldson had written the letter to the complainant expressing “how much I truly regret all the hurt, pain and distressed I have caused”.

On Friday, the barrister asked the woman why she had not handed the letter to police when she had first been interviewed.

She told the court that she “wasn’t sure it was relevant at the time”.

He said: “Are you suggesting it is relevant or not relevant to the allegations?”

She said: “I think it is very relevant.”

The barrister said the letter had “nothing to do with you and sexual assault”, but instead related to other behaviour by Donaldson.

The woman said while the letter did not mention sexual abuse, it had “heavy connotations of guilt and shame, and asking for forgiveness”.

She added: “I believe that letter is a letter of apology for what he did to me over the years.

“He is a very clever man, he would never write in writing what he had done but he could heavily suggest.”

Mr Vaughan also referred to an allegation made by the woman that Donaldson had touched her breasts on a number of occasions when she was of primary school age.

He asked about her claim that she had been touched “skin on skin”.

She said: “Mostly, one or two occasions when it was over the top of a bra, but mostly skin on skin.”

The barrister drew attention to a meeting complainant A had had with a police officer where she mentioned “touching over clothing”.

She said: “If that is what she has written, that is what was said.”

Mr Vaughan said: “On the face of it that is inconsistent with what you told the jury yesterday, about touching under clothes.”

She said: “The facts are the facts, I am sticking to that.”

The barrister said the complainant “would have known what he was doing to you was wrong”.

She said: “Not necessarily, abuse is a very complicated thing.”

The barrister asked her if she was suggesting she had not known until she was an adult that what she claimed had happened to her was wrong.

She responded: “I began to piece together factually there were things that happened as normal that I should not have accepted as normal practice.”

The barrister then referred to an incident where the woman had claimed Donaldson had “perched” over the top of her, using a light to look at her “private parts”.

When challenged about her account, she said: “The light was focused on my genital area.”

Mr Vaughan said: “I suggest that is not true.”

The barrister added: “You were confused and you were not sure of what you had seen.”

She said: “To this day I am still confused … I am honest about that.”

After lunch, the woman said she had spoken in 2023 to a safeguarding figure within the Presbyterian Church in Ireland and also a police officer.

Mr Vaughan asked why she had then waited until 2024 to lodge a formal complaint about the sexual abuse allegations.

She said she was not, at that point, ready to make a formal complaint.

She said: “It was a huge decision.

“I knew this would be an extremely public affair, involving media. It was a huge, huge decision.”

Complainant A said she had been “extremely anxious” about reporting the allegations to police.

She said: “I had doubt about doing this, I very nearly changed my mind.”

The woman is due to be questioned by a barrister representing Eleanor Donaldson next week.

The trial, which is expected to last between three and four weeks, will resume on Monday.

Jeffrey Donaldson, a former long-standing MP for Lagan Valley, was arrested and charged at the end of March 2024.

He resigned as DUP leader and was suspended from the party after the allegations emerged.

Weeks before his arrest, he had led the DUP back into devolved government at Stormont after a two-year boycott of the powersharing institutions.

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