NewsBeat

Win a two-night staycation at this adults-only hotel and spa in Wales

Published

2 hours ago

6 April 2026

Win a two-night staycation at this adults-only hotel and spa in Wales

A relaxing getaway in the Welsh countryside awaits (Picture: Brook Aurora)

Picture this. You open your eyes in a cosy bedroom that feels like a ship’s cabin, slowly waking to the gentle sound of a flowing river and the scent of freshly baked bread. The only place you have to be today? The spa.

If this sounds like what you need, read on.

Metro has teamed up with a top-rated Welsh hotel to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a restorative escape in the heart of the British countryside. 

We’re giving away a two-night B&B stay at Albion Aberteifi in Cardigan, voted best hotel in Wales by the Times & Sunday Times in 2023.

You’ll also get cocktails for two at the hotel bar and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at fforest Farm (Welsh spelling, not typo), a short drive or a walk through a nature reserve.

For your chance to win this gorgeous spring getaway, enter your details into the form below before midnight on Sunday, April 19.

And don’t forget to sign up to The Getaway Expert, our seven-day guide to becoming a more confident traveller.

Housed in an old shipping warehouse, Albion Aberteifi is inspired by the rich maritime heritage of Cardigan, the charming town that sits at the mouth of the River Teifi as it flows into Cardigan Bay in West Wales.

The hotel is full of quirks that tell the story of its seafaring history, from its salvaged timber furniture, 19th-Century graffiti and wrought iron frame that protects the Grade II-listed building’s original masonry, to its ghostly residents, said to be from the brig Albion which set sail for Canada from Cardigan in 1819.

One of the cosy bedrooms at Albion Aberteifi (Picture: Heather Birnie)

But you won’t be disturbed by any bumps in the night, snuggled up in your cosy double bedroom. Each en-suite, wood-lined cabin boasts a stunning river view, Welsh wool blankets, handmade furniture and a super comfortable king-sized bed for a restful stay.

Guests have raved about the ‘fabulous hotel’, praising in particular the ‘thoughtful attention to detail’ in everything, down to the complimentary Aesop toiletries in the bathroom.

Relax with a handcrafted cocktail in the hotel bar (Picture: Heather Birnie)

The breakfast is unique: they serve up a Scandi-style feast, with a buffet of delights including sourdough, smoked salmon and charcuterie to graze on.

In the evening, head to the Albion’s bar for delicious handcrafted cocktails for two.

Up close and personal with nature

It’s the perfect place to take respite from everyday life. Recent guests have used their time at the hotel to complete a novel, take on the local famous coast path walks, birdwatch in the local nature reserve, or to learn traditional Welsh weaving at local craft workshops.

Just a ramble away on the other side of the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is fforest Farm, a trendy hybrid of Welsh farm and Japanese forest retreat, where you can get up close and personal with nature.

Last year, they opened The Nature Spa, a woodland oasis where you’ll find everything you need for R&R, including individual cedar saunas, wood-fired hot tubs and cold plunge barrels.

Sweat it out in one of fforest farm’s cedar barrel saunas (Picture: Brook Aurora)

Wild swimming is encouraged(Picture: fforest Farm)

There’s also a tranquil spa lounge area, where you can curl up by the fire in the cosy lodge or relax on the sunlit terrace, along with complimentary herbal tea, showers and locker access.

For the more adventurous, wild swimming in the river Teifi or the hidden coves of the nearby West Wales coast is encouraged.

The area is the gateway to famous clifftop walks along the Ceredigion Coast Path, where you’ll find spectacular views over sandy bays, rugged rock formations and woodland gorges.

An artisan haven

Back in Cardigan, or Aberteifi as it’s called in Welsh, you’ll find one of the coolest up-and-coming towns in West Wales.

Once an old-fashioned merchant town, its colourful streets are now a haven for creatives and artisans, with galleries, theatres and cinemas.

Discover the fascinating history of the region at the recently renovated 900-year-old Cardigan Castle, peruse traditional Welsh crafts and artsy modern pieces in the local boutiques and market stalls, and pop into one of their gorgeous cafes for specialty coffees and indulgent handmade bakes. In the evening, head to the Castle Inn for a cosy pint of locally brewed beer and pizza.

What you need to know

How to get there: Although there’s no train station in Cardigan, it is easily accessible via car or bus from Carmarthen, Fishguard or Aberystwyth.

Address: Teifi Wharf, Bridge Warehouse, Cardigan SA43 3AA

Rooms at Albion Aberteifi from £185pn B&B.

Terms and conditions

A CHANCE TO WIN A TWO-NIGHT STAY PLUS NATURE SPA EXPERIENCE FOR TWO IN WEST WALES

 Conditions of entry

This prize draw (the ”Promotion“) is only open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland). Any employees or agents of either the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator and/or any company connected with the production or distribution of this Promotion, as well as any members of their immediate family (e.g., spouse, parent, child, sibling) and persons living in the same household as them, whether or not related, are not eligible to enter this Promotion. All bookings at Albion Aberteifi and Fforest Farm, including redemption of the Prize and the winner’s stay, are subject to the Promoter’s standard terms and conditions and rules of stay.

Entrants must be aged 18 years or over at the time of entry. Proof of eligibility must be provided upon request.  By entering the Promotion, you are deemed to accept and be bound by these terms and conditions.

Enter between 00:01 GMT 6th April 2026 to 23:59 GMT 19^th April 2026 inclusive (the “Promotion Period”).

The Promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required.

To enter, entrants must visit this page and submit their full name, email address, phone number, date of birth and postcode into the form on the page

Only one (1) entry will be accepted per person.

Winner

There will be one (1) winner of the Prize. The winner will win a two-night bed and breakfast stay in one (1) double bedroom at Albion Aberteifi (the “Hotel”) for two (2) adults, cocktails (max one cocktail (1) per person) for two (2) adults at the Hotel bar, and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at Fforest Farm, Cwm Plysgog, Cardigan, Cilgerran SA43 2TB for two (2) adults (“Prize”).

The Prize must be redeemed by 31^st May 2026 and is subject to availability. No pets are allowed.

The winner will be selected in a random draw, conducted by a computer process that produces verifiably random results, from all eligible entries, held on 20^th April 2026.

Excludes travel and transfers to (and from) the Hotel and Fforest farm. All extras (e.g., mini-bar items) taken are to be paid for by the prize winner on departure. Preferred dates subject to availability.

The Albion Aberteifi will contact the winner directly to book their stay, which must be taken by the 31st May 2026. Once the winner has booked their stay directly with Albion Aberteifi or Fforest Farm, any cancellation of that booking by the winner will result in the Prize being forfeited.

The winner will be notified by the Prize Administrator by email within one (1) week of this date and will be given details of how to accept their Prize.  Reasonable efforts will be made to contact the provisional winners, but it is each winner’s responsibility to monitor their email address (including spam folder). Failure by the winner to accept the Prize in the manner specified within fourteen (14) days of the Prize Administrator’s email will make any claim invalid and the Promoter will then select another winner using the same random process.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Prize does not include travel/transportation, accommodation, food, beverages, souvenirs, gratuities, car parking charges, or any other costs of a personal nature (including spending money) that are not explicitly set out in these Terms and Conditions and neither the Promoter nor the Prize Administrator nor any provider of any part of the Prize will be responsible for any such costs.

Gifts, prizes and other promotional items can only be redeemed once, are not transferable nor exchangeable for cash, may not be re-sold and are subject to availability.

Once the winner has booked their stay directly with Albion Aberteifi, any cancellation of that booking by the winner will result in the Prize being forfeited.

The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion to substitute any such gift, prize or item with a gift, prize or item of equal or greater value.

By entering the Promotion, each entrant acknowledges that in the event of a win, their surname and county of residence may be disclosed to persons enquiring, where permitted by law. Provided no objection is received from the winners, a winners list will be made available by the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator four (4) weeks after the end of the Promotion Period, for a period of eight (8) weeks. To request the winners list, please email competitions@mailnewspaper.co.uk. Without prejudice, the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator will provide winner information to the Advertising Standards Authority when requested by them.

Entrants agree to provide reasonable cooperation to allow the Promoter and the Prize Administrator to use the name and/or likeness of the winner for advertising and publicity purposes in connection with this Promotion including but not limited to publication of the winner’s name and photograph on the Prize Administrator’s and the Promoter’s websites. In addition, by submitting an entry and in consideration of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator granting a right to enter the Promotion, entrants agree to grant the Promoter and the Prize Administrator a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sub-licensable right and licence to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute and exercise all copyright and publicity rights with respect to any materials contained in the entry (including but not limited to text, images or video materials) (the “Materials”) worldwide and/or to incorporate the Materials in other works in any media now known or later developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in the Materials. By submitting Materials to the competition, an entrant:

warrants that the Materials are its own original work and that it has the right to make them available for all the purposes specified above; that it does not infringe any law; that it is not obscene or libellous; and that it does not violate the rights of any third party;

agrees to indemnify the Promoter and the Prize Administrator against all legal fees, damages and other expenses that may be incurred as a result of a breach of the above warranty; and

agrees to waive any moral rights in the Materials for the purposes of its submission to, and publication by, the Promoter and the Prize Administrator and the purposes specified above.

Personal information

Any personal information provided to us during the entry process (including but not limited to your name, e-mail address, telephone number and date of birth) must be correct. We accept no responsibility for any incorrect personal information provided to us.

The Prize Administrator will hold your personal information in accordance with these terms and conditions and its privacy policy (available here).

The Prize Administrator will only share your personal information with the Promoter where you are the winner of the Promotion or where you have opted in to receive direct marketing from the Promoter (if relevant). The Promoter will hold your personal information as a separate controller in accordance with its privacy policy (available here) and shall implement and maintain appropriate technical and organisational security measures in compliance with the GDPR and any other applicable law.

General

The determination and decision of the Promoter and the Prize Administrator on all matters shall be final and no promotional correspondence or discussion will be entered into.

The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right in their reasonable discretion:

to disqualify any claimant, competitor or nominee whose conduct is contrary to the spirit of the rules or the intention of the promotion and to declare as void any or all of their claims or entries based on such conduct;

to declare as void any claims or entries resulting from any printing, production and/or distribution errors (including but not limited to any error(s) on any website of the Promoter and/or the Prize Administrator, any game cards and/or other printed materials) or where there has been error(s) in any aspect of the preparation for or conduct of the promotion materially affecting the result of the promotion or the number of claimants or the value of claims;

to add to or to waive any rules on reasonable notice; and/or,

to cancel the promotion or any part of it at any stage in the event of circumstances beyond the Promoter’s and/or the Prize Administrator’s reasonable control.

No entries will be accepted in bulk, from agents or third parties.

To the fullest extent permitted by law (and subject to paragraph 27 below), the Promoter and the Prize Administrator hereby exclude all warranties, representations, covenants and liabilities (whether express or implied) relating to this Promotion and/or the Prize.

The Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with any social media platform or any other third party. All third-party trademarks and other intellectual property rights are hereby acknowledged. Use of and entry to promotions via social media platforms is always subject to the rules, terms and policies of those platforms. By participating in the Promotion, entrants are providing information to the Promoter and the Prize Administrator, not to any relevant social media platform. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the relevant social media platforms shall have no liability to any person in connection with or arising out of the Promotion howsoever caused, including for any costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities.

Nothing in these terms and conditions shall exclude the Promoter’s or the Prize Administrator’s liability for:

death or personal injury as a result of its negligence;

fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation; or

any liability that cannot be limited or excluded by law.

The Promoter and the Prize Administrator reserve the right, in their discretion, to modify, suspend or cancel the Promotion should virus, bugs, tampering, fraud or other causes beyond the reasonable control of the Promoter or the Prize Administrator corrupt or hinder the administration, security or proper play of the Promotion.

If any of the provisions of these terms and conditions are held to be invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part that part shall be severed from the remainder of the provisions and the validity of the other provisions and the remainder of the provision in question shall not be affected.

These terms and conditions shall be governed by the laws of England and Wales and any dispute shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales, except that residents of Scotland may also bring proceedings in the Scottish courts.

Promoter 

The Promoter is Albion Aberteifi, Cardigan Quays Limited, Bridge Warehouse, Cardigan, SA43 3AA (company number 03855973) (“Promoter”).
The Prize Administrator is Associated Newspapers Limited, Northcliffe House, 9 Derry Street, London, United Kingdom, W8 5HY, (company number 00084121) (“Prize Administrator”).

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Totti, Maldini, Giggs, Adams: Ranking football’s greatest one-club men

Published

2 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Graphic showing Carragher, Giggs, Totti and Maldini

Every year at San Mames, the iconic home of Athletic Club in Bilbao, local fans pause to recognise and celebrate players not from their own club, but those who share a unique value with the Basque outfit – loyalty.

Athletic Club – famous for only fielding players born or raised in the region – introduced the One-Club Award in 2015, honouring those who dedicated their entire professional career to a single team.

“We wanted to create an award that recognised most kids growing up dream of playing for one club,” explains Dan Parry from the La Liga side’s communications department.

“On the other side, we wanted to show despite all the big-money transfers in modern-day football, there are top players all over the world who want to become one-club players.

“It’s an individual award, but it’s also an award that celebrates the union between the football team, fans and the player.”

Keeping those values in mind, then, this week I’m ranking football’s top 10 one-club men – you can have you say below, too.

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Fire TV Stick users left confused by ‘random app’ on device

Published

8 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The Amazon Fire TV Stick hack to fix buffering issues

The app named ‘Music Videos’ is said to have shown up on some Brits’ devices but many of them have said they never installed it in the first place.

TikToker Free Tech Official recently shared a video investigating the app’s surprise appearance with a few suggestions on why it may have happened.

He claims the app has been automatically installed onto your Fire Stick by Amazon themselves, and the global shopping giant have now confirmed this is true.

Top 10 Best British TV Series

The TikToker claims that it may be the company’s push towards getting their customers to use ad-supported free streaming platforms.

He says Amazon would rather you use a streaming music app where they can gain a revenue rather than you using a different app to stream your tunes from.

Amazon confirmed that pre-installed apps and experiences are an industry standard practice across consumer electronic devices as they help create a better experience for customers.

The app ‘Music Videos’ offers customers quick access to music videos, which represent unique content that isn’t always readily available on traditional music streaming services

Amazon states that offering free, ad-supported content is one way they make it easier for customers to access content on the Fire TV Stick.

Free Tech Official claims that when some users click on the app it may freeze or doesn’t even launch and while TV Fire Stick users are saying they never downloaded the app in the first place, he points out that annoyingly it cannot be uninstalled.

Free Tech Official said: “A random app is appearing on Fire Stick and Fire TV devices and I’ll be interested to know if you see this app as well.

“On your Fire Stick if you go to the app section on the right hand side, go to the three squares and the plus icon and click on that.

“It’ll bring up lots of your apps and channels which you’ve got installed.

“And if I go down to the end, you can see one here that says ‘music videos watch free now’.

“Most of the people that are seeing this haven’t actually installed the app and a lot of people are wondering how it got there?

“And there is a reason for this. But first of all, if I click on this app, it takes me straight to the Amazon app store to download it.

“But it is showing in my app section like I’ve got it installed.

“Other people can open it and it works, some people open it up and it just freezes and doesn’t even launch.

“And this is actually being installed automatically by Amazon.

“So it’s nothing you’ve done or it’s nothing somebody else might have done.

“Another interesting thing with this as well is you can’t remove it, you can’t uninstall it.

“Now Amazon’s really pushing towards ad supported free streaming and I suppose they’d rather you use something where they gain a revenue rather than you going to different apps and streaming music from there.”

An Amazon spokesperson said: “The Fire TV experience is designed to get customers to what they want to watch—fast.

“With access to over 1.5 million movies and TV episodes, all major streaming apps, and AI-powered search and recommendation features, Fire TV helps customers navigate endless entertainment options and discover content they’ll love across all their apps and subscriptions. Music Videos is another way we’re giving customers access to more free content.”

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Woman with kidney disease desperately needs a donor, then something amazing happens

Published

15 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

There is nothing worse than a member of your family or a close friend becoming unwell or being diagnosed with a life-long illness such as kidney disease

Abigail Nicholson Content Editor

06:04, 06 Apr 2026

A woman with kidney disease who desperately needed a doner for a transplant was amazed when doctors found a doner hiding in plain sight.

There is nothing worse than a member of your family or a close friend becoming unwell or being diagnosed with a life-long illness. Although it is gruelling for the person having treatment, it can be awful for their loved ones as they feel helpless.

That was the same for one husband, who stood by his wife when she went into acute renal failure and was forced onto dialysis.

There is no cure for kidney disease, with the only option of recovery often being a transplant. He wrote about what happened on a Reddit thread which asked married users ‘ what did the “for worse” look like in your marriage?’.

The husband said: “ My wife of thirty years suddenly came down with acute renal failure and was forced onto dialysis.

“Dialysis keeps you alive, and slowly kills you. There’s no cure to kidney disease, but there is a treatment: get yourself a transplant. And get it from a living donor, because cadaver donors have already spent some time being dead and that’s not good for kidneys.

“Well, guess who was a perfect match. Hello, it’s me! And thank the Lord for that, because I would do anything for that woman, and I consider myself lucky that I could do this for her after all she’s done for me.”

After surgery, the husband said their life took “a turn for the worse” as she didn’t fully recover and her anti-rejection medication was causing her to be “wobbly and in pain”.

He continued: “But she’s not on dialysis, and she’s not going to die, and the kidney I gave her should see her all the way through. We will be able to grow old together, as best we can, and that’s a gift beyond measure.

“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when I promised for better or worse, in sickness and in health, I f****** meant what I said.”

Other Reddit users became emotional when reading the post, with one user saying the husband was a “legend”.

One commenter said: “You’re a legend dude, so much fierce love in this message.”

A second said: “That’s so amazing and beautiful. I have a good friend who donated a live kidney (she also did a liver donation too) one of the most selfless people I’ve ever met. Best wishes for you and your wife to have many years yet cheers.”

A third added: “Holy f*** this is what I love.”

A fourth said: “Omg this is SO CUTE god bless you you are real husband, I hope I have a husband like you in the future. Your wife is lucky to have you. God bless you both.”

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Popular restaurant set to open in Cambridgeshire city this summer

Published

21 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

It will replace a pub which closed at the end of February

One of the UK’s most popular restaurant chains is set to open a branch in Cambridgeshire. Hickory’s Smokehouse is set to open the first of its kind in Cambridgeshire and is expected to create around 100 new jobs.

It will be located in Hampton, Peterborough, replacing a former pub called Mulberry Tree Farm. The pub, which closed on February 28, is currently undergoing a major refurbishment inside and out ahead of opening.

Hickory’s has confirmed its new restaurant is set to open early this summer on Kempley Close in Hampton. The new restaurant will include a mix of seating to suit every visit alongside a chef’s bar, where you can watch the chefs in action.

Outside will feature a secluded garden inspired by Southern outdoor living complete with a covered dining terrace ideal for the summer months. Additionally, a ‘neighbourhood bar’ offering a selection of cocktails, craft beer and their very own ‘Hickory’s Pale Ale’ will be on offer for guests to enjoy.

The bar will also have screens for the sport lovers to relish in with a drink in hand. A special feature for young guests includes a movie room where they can come and go as they please.

When it comes to the main event (the food), visitors will be able to indulge in their classics including Memphis ribs and 16-hour smoked Texas-style brisket. Their appetisers and desserts include Brisket Popcorn Bites and Frickles as well as their Peach Jam Jar Cheesecake and Table Toasted Campfire Marshmallow.

In their recent blog, it said: “Get ready to enjoy authentic flavours that’ll whisk you away on a journey into the hear of the Southern States.”

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Manchester’s trendiest new dessert was obscene – just in the best possible way

Published

27 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

The modern-day food scene is no stranger to what you might call fads. Sushi tacos, Dubai chocolate, cronuts, cruffins, brookies: all manner of novelties that would make a time traveller from the 2000s scratch their head and shrug.

The same can perhaps be said of Manchester’s food scene. With the likes of Fat Pats (huge sandwiches weighing approximately the same as a small mammal), Get Baked (Matilda-inspired chocolate cake by the £20 slice) and Gooey (Hong Kong French toast), there’s no shortage of places turning new twists on old favourites into internet virality – and then real-life queues out the door.

Every year it seems like there’s a new trend you have to try – the tiramisu drawer, the £15 sub, hot chocolate served inside a biscuit cup…

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So when a tantalising clip of a concept known as ‘sweet focaccia’ hit my Tiktok page this week, I can’t say I was surprised – but I knew I had to try it.

This newest Frankenstein creation comes from the team at Ferma pizza bakery. This Brewski off-shoot began life as Foldies, on Booth Street in the city centre and a stone’s throw from St Peter’s Square.

They’ve expanded from their folded pizza-style sandwiches to a whole range of pasties, muffins and sausage rolls, plus the full gamut of coffees, juices, crisps and snacks.

There’s also something interesting called a pizza bomb, a bready pocket stuffed with pizza toppings – and all made from pizza dough. That’s not what drew me there, though, but rather their focaccia offering.

Not just dotted with garlic and rosemary to be used as a sandwich, it’s now a vehicle for all kinds of customisable sweet toppings, from caramel/biscoff to Jammie Dodger, tiramisu and, inevitably, Dubai chocolate.

A quick Google tells me this idea isn’t exactly new, but it’s the first time I’ve ever heard of it. “Sweet focaccia?” I said to my boyfriend doubtfully on the phone on the way to the shop one Tuesday afternoon. “Will that really work?” But I would soon be eating my words.

Extremely hungry by 3pm, I looked over Ferma’s offering, which by then was some-what picked over by the crowd that had their lunch at a reasonable time. There wasn’t loads left, though the margherita pizza bomb sounded tempting – but then my eye fell on the shelf below, on a caprese focaccia sandwich approximately the size of a small book.

With just a few simple ingredients – mozzarella, tomatoes, pesto and rocket – this classic sandwich wasn’t about to set TikTok on fire. But I’m a believer that one of the best ways of judging a pizza place is to order a margherita; in other words, see if a place can get the essentials right.

And boy did Ferma get this one right. For £6.75, I’m served an absolute door-stop of a sandwich, two thick slices of focaccia whose crisp, flakey top gives way to a fluffy, airy interior which perfectly soaks up sweet balsamic vinegar and peppery olive oil.

Inside, there’s more peppery rocket, fresh tomato slices and creamy slabs of mozzarella topped with garlicky pesto. For the heft of the bread and the fresh, delicious simplicity of the filling, I’d be hard pressed to think of a better workday lunch.

Its sweet counterpart might have you falling asleep at your desk though. At £5.50, I opted for the caramel and biscoff version, and again my eyes widened at the size of the behemoth that awaited me in the box.

Another enormous slab of bread, this one looked positively obscene, positively swimming in biscoff and caramel sauce, topped with snowy mounds of cream and yet more biscoff drizzle and crumbs.

As to whether focaccia dough works in a dessert? I needn’t have worried – rather ask myself why no-one had thought of this sooner.

The soft, chewy dough – made every morning with a touch of cinnamon and caramel that gave it a warming, buttery note – was the perfect vehicle for absorbing all that addictively sweet Biscoff sauce.

Imagine a more cake-y cinnamon roll that actually soaks up the icing and toppings, rather than letting it meekly slide off.

After polishing off about half the portion, I was defeated, and took the other half home. But I’ll definitely be back to Ferma to try more, the next time I’m in town and need a fresh, tasty bite to keep me going.

Or I also might be paying another visit when I need a ridiculously indulgent but delicious treat to drown my sorrows in.

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Royal recognition for resident’s gardening at Mickle Hill

Published

34 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Royal recognition for resident's gardening at Mickle Hill

Lucy Holburn, 85, was one of the first residents to move into Mickle Hill, a retirement village for over-60s, nearly 10 years ago.

Since then, she has become known for transforming and maintaining parts of the village’s landscaped grounds.

Her long-standing commitment to gardening earned her a personal letter of recognition from King Charles in October 2025.

Ms Holburn said: “I’ve always been a really keen gardener, I find it so therapeutic and it allows me to take some time for myself and be at one with nature.

“Getting to be so creative is just wonderful, and the picturesque surroundings here lend themselves perfectly for having green fingers.

“The letter from the King means so much to me.

“Often my neighbours and friends compliment my gardening work, but having such a special message from the King was just brilliant.”

During the first Covid-19 lockdown, she completely transformed one of the hedgerows outside after having a chat with one of the gardeners.

Ms Holburn said: “Many residents said they found it uplifting to see the view outside their homes changing, during what was quite a dull time.”

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Yorkshire riverside village among UK best to visit in spring

Published

47 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Yorkshire riverside village among UK best to visit in spring

Stamford Bridge, which has the River Derwent running through it (located close to Dunnington), is said to feel “especially vibrant” during this time of year, according to London North Eastern Railway (LNER).

The travel experts shared about its latest seasonal guide: “Spring is the perfect time to explore somewhere new.

“The days are longer, the blossoms are showing off, and suddenly the urge to get away is impossible to ignore.

“So why not swap the usual rush for winding lanes, market squares and views that look like they’ve been freshly painted for the season?

“We’ve rounded up the UK’s best spring villages to visit by train, looking at everything from walking trails and nearby gardens to the variety of flowering plants and how easy it is to reach each village from the nearest train station.

“We also considered how each village comes to life in spring, from bursts of colour to those picture-perfect moments you’ll want to linger in a little longer.”

Why is Stamford Bridge among UK’s best spring villages?

LNER explained: “Just outside York, Stamford Bridge is a laid-back riverside village that feels especially vibrant in spring.

“The River Derwent runs right through it, with wildflowers lining the banks and plenty of spots to slow down and take it all in.

“The Stamford Bridge Nature Walk is a circular route linking the village’s two historic bridges, taking you along a stretch of river protected for its wildlife.

“Keep your eyes peeled, and you might spot kingfishers flashing across the water, swans gliding by or even the occasional otter along the banks.

“And the best bit? It’s an easy hop from York with a direct bus connection, perfect when you fancy swapping city buzz for something a little calmer, even just for an afternoon.”

Stamford Bridge is also home to Dreamery Gardens, which has been described as “the most magical day out”.

In a video on Facebook, Yorkshire-List.com shared: “If you’d like to get lost in the mystical world of forest fairies, then a trip to Dreamery Gardens is a must”.

“Situated just outside of York, you’ll find an enchanted wood home to forest fairies, elves and sprites, a whimsical afternoon tea and the country’s only fairy museum.

“Expanding over 100 acres, discover fairy villages, inhabited bridges and hobgoblin burrows, all set within the beautiful nature reserve home to over 100 species of birds.”

The Yorkshire content creator added: “After exploring the gardens, head to the Dreamery Kitchen, home to the most whimsical afternoon tea – a feast for the eyes and the hungry explorer.

“No matter the season, you’re sure to find magic around every corner at Dreamery Gardens.”

Just some of the other highly rated foodie spots in Stamford Bridge (according to Google Reviews) are The Three Cups, No. 10 Cafe Bar & Bistro and The Square Bakehouse.

Meanwhile, if you wanted to explore the village even further this spring, you might want to check out the Stamford Bridge and the River Derwent Circular.

This easy (and flat) walk rated 4.3/5-stars takes around an hour and a half to complete, and offers a combination of countryside and urban paths with views and historic sites.

Its AllTrails profile continues: “You will have the chance to explore the history of the village, including the site of the Battle of Stamford Bridge and the old rail line, plus a long peaceful stretch alongside the idyllic River Derwent.”

This person wrote in a review: “Nice easy walk with a mix of riverside, village lanes, farmland and woodland.

Expect a ‘long peaceful stretch alongside the idyllic River Derwent’ on this walk (Image: AllTrails/Hannah Kate)

“We were here on a weekday and hardly saw anyone else.”

Another posted: “A lovely walk, easy to find and very relaxing.”

One walker put: “Lovely easy stroll around the characterful viaduct and along the river.

“Free parking and plenty of cafe and pub options in Stamford Bridge. Around half is roadwalking, albeit quiet roads.”

It’s important to note that some of the paths can get muddy and slippery after wet weather, so wear appropriate footwear.

Will you be heading to Stamford Bridge this spring, including Dreamery Gardens? Let us know in the comments below.

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Old York photos of York City’s old Bootham Crescent home

Published

54 minutes ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Old York photos of York City's old Bootham Crescent home

That was, of course, in the days when York City still called Bootham Crescent home.

The turnstiles clicked shut in 2021 to the dismay of generations of fans for whom the ground had been like a second home.

Aerial view of Bootham Crescent when York City played Colchester United in Division. (Image: The Press)

Licensee Dave Beavers told The Press that Burton Lane Club could soon be forced to shut its doors because of a continued drop in footfall over recent years.

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York’s Millennium Bridge at 25 – old photos as it took shape

He said it had lost about £25,000 annually since York City moved to the LNER Community Stadium – the fall in match-day trade had come amid a drop in footfall and interest generally, meaning the club was no longer viable.

January 1985 York City apprentices. (Image: The Press)

If that sad day comes, it will be the final chapter for a club which has been in the city for more than 100 years.

It seems fitting to look back and share some old photos from Bootham Crescent before the final whistle signalled the end.

York City fans clear snow at Bootham Crescent in readiness for the FA Cup. (Image: The Press)

Both Burton Lane Club and Bootham Crescent live on for many in their memories of great games, and past-match drinks – not least that incredible 1-0 victory over mighty Arsenal in the fourth round of the 1985 FA Cup.

Police keep fans off the pitch at York City’s FA Cup tie against Huddersfield Town on (Image: The Press)

Others still treasure items of memorabilia, sold off from what had been York City’s home since 1932 as housebuilder Persimmon looked to redevelop the site.

Football fans watching York City play Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup in 1938. (Image: The Press)

These Press archive photos focus on the ground itself, the grainy terraces pressed tight against terraced streets, the scarves lifted under winter skies, boots churning mud.

Straw being used at Bootham Crescent to protect the pitch from frost in 1985. (Image: The Press)

They may be a happy reminder for older readers of the massive crowd that turned out for the 1938 FA Cup tie against Huddersfield – 28,123 people which was a record attendance at Bootham Crescent.

A more unusual sight is our photo of straw laid out to protect the pitch from frost before City’s February 1985 FA cup tie against Liverpool – a game that ended in a 1-1 draw, before Liverpool went on to win the return leg 7-0 a few days later. Remember that?

York City fans in the car park at the Shipton Street end of Bootham Crescent in 1984. (Image: The Press)

Or perhaps you were one of the devoted fans pictured who helped clear snow from the pitch ahead of that famous Arsenal game?

We hope these photos bring back some happy memories…

WE hope you like our collection of historic photos of York.

If you love delving into York’s past and seeing photos and reading stories from yesteryear then make sure you check The Press every day for its regular nostalgia stories. And don’t miss our eight-page nostalgia supplement every Wednesday in the paper.

We also have more than 3,000 members in our online nostalgia group on Facebook, Why We Love York – Memories.

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‘I was diagnosed with this hidden disease after months of unexplained pain and uncertainty’

Published

1 hour ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

She has opened up about her brave battle to raise awareness and is now determined to help others

Mel’s shock multiple myeloma diagnosis

After months of unexplained pain and uncertainty, last May, Mel Walker received the devastating news that she had multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that affects plasma cells, a crucial part of the immune system. Symptoms can include persistent pain, fatigue, unexplained bruising or bleeding, frequent infections and bone damage, but they often start subtly, making the disease difficult to detect.

Diagnosis can take on average five months, longer than any other cancer. Multiple myeloma is the third most common blood cancer in the UK and Northern Ireland, with around 173 people diagnosed here each year. While it is currently incurable, it can be managed with treatment, care and ongoing support.

Mel’s journey began with persistent shoulder pain, but looking back, other warning signs were there, fatigue, ongoing discomfort and symptoms that were not improving. By the time she received her diagnosis in May 2025, Mel, from Comber in Co Down had developed blood clots and bone damage.

Mel explained: “The diagnosis was a huge shock. Before this, I had never even heard of multiple myeloma. I had a sense of fear and uncertainty, but also a feeling of relief at finally knowing what was wrong, after months of not knowing.”

Since her diagnosis, Mel has undergone chemotherapy, ongoing treatments and a stem cell transplant: “It has been physically and emotionally challenging, but I have responded well to treatment and I am now focused on recovery and raising awareness.”

Determined to make a difference, Mel has used her experience to campaign for greater awareness of multiple myeloma, including speaking out at Stormont to highlight the need for earlier diagnosis and improved understanding of the condition.

Mel is also part of a local support group, Myeloma Forward, with groups in Belfast and Ballymena, creating a vital network for people affected by the condition.

Recognising the importance of early detection, Mel hopes her story will encourage others to pay attention to their health: “Multiple myeloma is often diagnosed late because symptoms can be vague and mistaken for other conditions. Greater awareness, both among the public and healthcare professionals can make a real difference in outcomes.”

Mel has been fortunate to have had strong support from her family, friends, medical and nursing teams, which has been vital during treatment and recovery. Through Myeloma Forward, she is now helping others access that same sense of support and understanding.

She added: “It has been incredibly valuable to connect with others who understand this journey. Myeloma Forward offers a safe space to share experiences, advice and encouragement.”

South Eastern Trust, Haematology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Emma Kerrigan highlights the importance of being aware of the signs and symptoms of myeloma and seeking prompt medical advice.

She said: “Anyone experiencing persistent bone pain, extreme tiredness, recurrent infections and unexplained weight loss should speak to their GP without delay. Recognising these symptoms early can help speed up the diagnostic process and get onto the right management pathway.”

Mel also paid tribute to the team who have supported her throughout her treatment: “I cannot thank the staff at the Ulster Hospital enough. From the very beginning, they have shown care, compassion and professionalism. They supported me through every stage of my treatment and made an incredibly difficult time that bit easier.”

Encouraging others who face a diagnosis, Mel said: “You are not alone. A multiple myeloma diagnosis can feel overwhelming, but support is available and treatments are improving all the time. Take things one step at a time, ask questions and do not be afraid to lean on others. There is a whole community ready to support you.”

For further information on Myeloma Forward, contact melwalker01@btinternet.com or myelomaforward@gmail.com.

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.

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Millions set to receive game changing financial support

Published

1 hour ago

6 April 2026

NewsAdmin

Millions set to receive game changing financial support

From April 6, some financial firms will be able to offer targeted support, giving people more tailored guidance on what to do with their finances, based on what the firm would typically recommend to others in similar situations.

Under the change, banks, pension providers and other authorised firms will be allowed to give suggestions aimed at groups of customers who share common characteristics, rather than only offering generic information.

This targeted support is intended to bridge the gap between broad, general guidance and fully personalised, paid-for financial advice, so that more people can make confident, informed decisions.

Customers will receive “ready-made” options designed for groups, without undergoing a full, in-depth assessment of their individual circumstances.

In December, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that at least 18 million people could be offered extra help with their investments and pensions over the next decade with the introduction of targeted support.

According to FCA data, around seven million adults in the UK with £10,000 or more in cash savings could be missing out on the benefits of investing throughout their lives.

Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments at the FCA, said: “Too many people aren’t getting the help they need to navigate their financial lives.

“Without the right support to make decisions about their investments and pensions, many people risk falling short in retirement.

“Targeted support is designed to change that. It will help millions of people make better informed decisions and understand the potential rewards and any risks, including of not investing.”

Chira Barua, chief executive of Scottish Widows said: “The arrival of targeted support is a game changer for people who want help with their money but don’t know where to start.

“It bridges the gap between doing nothing and getting full financial advice, empowering millions to make better financial decisions.

“Technology will be key to making that support available at scale.

“Our AI (artificial intelligence) agent in the Scottish Widows app will work like sat nav, by helping people understand their options and choose a route that makes sense for them, based on others on a similar journey.”

A survey commissioned by KPMG UK found that more than two-fifths (44%) of people are confident they will use targeted support if it becomes available to them.

More than half (58%) of people surveyed said they have never sought professional advice on pensions or long-term savings and a similar proportion (53%) said they would welcome being offered targeted support.

Jane Wilson, targeted support lead at KPMG UK, said: “The fact that almost one in two consumers want to receive targeted support creates a once-in-a-generation opportunity to close the advice gap and support the UK’s ambition to create a nation of savers.”

KPMG found that of those consumers who have never sought professional financial advice, nearly a third (31%) feel they do not have enough money to make advice worthwhile, while around a quarter (26%) said it would be unaffordable.

When looking across the age brackets, people aged between 25 and 44 who were surveyed were most open to using targeted support, with 58% of 25 to 34-year-olds saying they are likely to use the support and 56% of 35 to 44-year-olds also saying this.

Those over 65 were the least inclined to access targeted support, at 22%, which KPMG suggested is driven by this age group being particularly likely to have already made pension decisions.

Ms Wilson added: “The notion that financial advice is only needed if you have notable wealth is simply not true; people with modest finances perhaps need support more than anyone else.

“Retirement no longer means handing in your lanyard and putting on your slippers; people work part-time, take on new challenges, or dip in and out of work to suit their changing lifestyles or meet their financial needs.

“The strong appetite for targeted support amongst the young shows there’s a chance to move people beyond saving and give them the confidence to invest for the long term.

“Done well, this can help individuals grow their wealth in line with their ambitions, while also channelling capital into the parts of the economy that drive sustainable growth.”

KPMG commissioned OnePoll to carry out the survey among 2,000 people across the UK in March.

Tom Shields, senior policy adviser, long-term savings policy at the Association of British Insurers (ABI) said: “We’re delighted to see targeted support now becoming a reality.

“After years of collaboration between industry, government and the FCA, this new approach is a significant step towards helping people get the support they need through their financial lives.

“We look forward to continuing to work closely with our members and the regulator as more firms bring the service to market.”

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