NewsBeat

York man’s memories of TB and Fulford’s open-air school

Published

1 day ago

12 July 2026

York man's memories of TB and Fulford's open-air school

IN the autumn of 1944 I fell ill and I was diagnosed as having Tuberculosis (TB).

My mother was devastated and confused. TB was associated with poverty, bad sanitation and a poor diet; none of these things applied to me, but the social stigma directed to parents of children contracting the disease didn’t discriminate.

To add to my mother’s worries, in late September my father was reported ‘missing in action’. It would be four months before she learnt he was safe.

At that time the only treatment for TB was extensive bed-rest and exposure to clean, fresh air. So I was confined to bed on a verandah at the rear of the County Hospital, Monkgate. Unfortunately, fumes from the nearby Gas Works prevented exposure to clean air, my condition gradually deteriorated and the TB spread to my spine.

Ivan Martin pictured in 2011.

As a consequence, in late 1945 I was transferred to the Adela Shaw Orthopaedic Hospital at Kirkbymoorside where I was confined to a bed with a frame to restrict my movement, the bed was then situated on a verandah open to the elements.

There I stayed, throughout the severe winter of 1947 until early1948 when I was assessed as ‘cured’.

Upon which I was freed from the bed and then, with the aid of the nurses, I learnt to walk, before returning home.

Meanwhile, in 1945 my father was liberated and came back to York to return to my mother and his trade as a carpenter/joiner.

He had seen me briefly in 1943, it would be 1948 before we saw each other again.

My memories of Fulford’s open-air school 1948-1950

York’s outdoor Open-Air School

When I left Kirkbymoorside I was fitted with a leather back support which was kept in place with two shoulder straps and a waist belt. I had to wear this all day even at night in bed.

My mother had to sew an insert into the back of my shirts to enable the shirts to fasten at the front.

My trousers would not hold up with a belt, so I had to use braces instead.

To hide the modified shirts and the embarrassing braces, my mother knitted special sweaters and sleeve-less pullovers with big chest sizes.

I wore these sweaters and pullovers as much as possible, even on hot days. With these clothes you couldn’t see the back support.

In the September of 1948 my mother first took me to board the school bus to go to the Fulford’s open-air school.

We got off in Fulford near the ‘Cross’, an adult escorted us up a lane before entering the school on the right, which I remember was a collection of dark wooden huts, surrounding a hardened central area.

The huts became our classrooms, they had very large windows which were wide opened most of the time, even during winter. In summer lessons were taken outside on the various grass lawns at the back of the huts.

Each day was the same, starting with a breakfast, usually porridge and toast followed by short walk to our classroom for lessons. Then mid-day ‘dinner’. The stew I remember, with mashed potato, followed by a pudding and custard, then we were always given an apple to eat afterwards.

After ‘dinner’ we were all required to lay down on a camp bed to rest or sleep for an hour. A mass of camp beds were laid out on the hard central ground even in the coldest of weathers (my Kirkbymoorside experience meant I never felt cold).

Pupils like Ivan Martin tooks naps outdoors at Fulford Open-Air School in York

The day concluded by being taken back down the lane to queue next to the ’Cross’ for the bus home.

I didn’t make many friends at the school. Most children knew each other away from school, I didn’t. They were obviously from poorer families, their unkept appearance with dirty clothes and poor personal hygiene, contrasted with a minority of other children, better dressed, but all strangers to each other.

It was to this group I gravitated. There was also a marked division between the ‘have’s’ and the ‘have-nots’. Bullying and petty theft was a problem; I ‘lost’ my gloves, my balaclava, colouring pencils and a penknife. My mother wrote to the school but I never got them back.

There was little time for lessons between meals and the ‘sleep’. Most of the lessons were taken outside sitting on the grass.

I didn’t like sums (maths), reading or writing which was all new to me, but enjoyed drawing, painting and colouring which I had done before in hospital. I also remember enjoying playing with, and stroking the pet rabbits. Academic achievement did not appear to be important, there was no ‘marking’ of work and no tests or reports. Parents were not made aware of needs, progress or lack of it.

Life after Fulford Open-Air School

I left Fulford Open-Air School in the early summer of 1950 and left behind friends that I never saw again. In the September, I went to the Glenn Junior School (later amalgamated with the Avenue School to become Tang Hall Junior School), I didn’t like it.

The lessons I found very difficult (except drawing and painting) and still wearing a back brace made me different, the centre of attention and cruel remarks, especially when I couldn’t play like the other boys.

I was not happy. The first Christmas report to my parents was not very good, I was marked bottom of the class for most subjects (except art) with nothing at all complimentary. The Open-Air School had done me no academic favours.

Recommended reading:

My father took hold of the situation. For months each evening I had to either read to him, copy writing, do simple maths, learn to spell words or explore facts about countries or people.We played games with a maths element like darts and dominoes. He was firm but gentle – I never came bottom of the class again.

The stigma of having had TB was a difficult burden; no-one called for me to ‘play out’ like the other local children did. I was an only and lonely child, spending much time on my own, drawing or painting.

When I was ten, I finally lost the need for my back brace and so dispensed with all movement restrictions.

Ivan Martin is pictured here with the Evelyn cup handed over by chair of YAYAS Rosemary Sutill, to president of York tennis club, John Scott, also pictured are David Brinklow and Ian Drake. Photo – York Press

At last I was the same as all the other boys at school. I now had the physical freedom to learn to play various sports from my father like table tennis, tennis and cricket.

Eventually, playing these sports would give me confidence – the platform for lasting friendships, respect (I played cricket for the school) and many happy times.

At the age of 15, I was finally discharged from the Children’s Health Clinic, ready for the adult world.

In 1964 the Fulford Open-Air School closed. In 1970 the Adela Shaw Hospital also closed. Thankfully the need for both was finally over.

History of York’s open-air school

Children taking classes at York’s outdoor Open-Air School

FULFORD’S open-air school was a very special school in York. It’s official name was Fulford Road School for Delicate and Partially Sighted Children.

In fact, the school was designed for children battling tuberculosis. It was based in a converted army hut in grounds at Fulford Cross.

It opened in Fulford in 1920 but was first established in 1913 in Castlegate – originally in the same building as the Tuberculosis Dispensary, with classes held in a garden next door. In 1919, records show there were 39 children enrolled.

At Fulford, extra accommodation was made and by 1956, 108 children were on the register.

Open-air schools were established across the UK and abroad between the world wars.

Their aim was to tackle the rise of tuberculosis (TB) during that time, under the belief that fresh air would improve health. The schools tended to be away from city centres and sources of pollution.

Children were taught in classrooms with open doors and windows, or outside. And sleeping was done outside or in wards that were exposed to the elements.

Source link

NewsBeat

Confirmed! Taylor and Travis’s VERY lucky pup is spotted joining them on honeymoon after the Daily Mail first revealed the pet

Published

4 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's dog emerging from the pop star's plane in Florida on Sunday

The mystery surrounding Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce‘s rumored dog has now been solved – after photos obtained by the Daily Mail confirmed their new pet.

The couple are indeed the owners of a fluffy white Samoyed after the pooch was seen enjoying a VIP travel experience into Florida.

Pampered and happy as can be, the lucky dog was seen emerging from Swift’s private jet alongside Kelce after landing at President Donald J Trump International Airport in Palm Beach on Sunday.

Clearly, the dog is living the high life.

The pet’s existence was first revealed by the Daily Mail in exclusive footage from inside the couple’s wedding, which showed a picture of the happy couple posing with their furry friend.

Now, the pooch appears to be accompanying his owners on their honeymoon.

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s dog emerging from the pop star’s plane in Florida on Sunday

The pet enjoyed quite the VIP travel experience as it arrived into Palm Beach on Sunday

Kelce tended to his belongings on the tarmac at President Donald J Trump International Airport

Swift was not pictured, but her new husband was seen emerging from the jet before tending to his belongings, which had been placed on the ground.

The Kansas City Chiefs tight end wore a white top and a red cap, along with slouchy cream slacks that draped over his colorful Nikes.

A source told the Daily Mail that ‘it seems that Travis made it happen’ regarding the dog and that the name is rumored to be a ‘character they both like or a sports figure.’

Clues about the pooch’s existence had been dropped prior to the wedding.

In a 2025 episode of the Fitz and Whit podcast, Kelce’s brother Jason, 38, told hosts Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth how much Swift has influenced Kelce’s interior design choices, sharing a story that inadvertently revealed the truth.

He said Kelce had gone all in on a pair of designer couches that he described as ‘green velvet, over-the-top couches.’

He pushed his brother on the price tag: ‘I’m not gonna say the dollar amount – but I’m like, dude, what are these couches?’

Kelce defended the purchase: ‘It’s an investment. It’s art, Jason.’ But when Jason came back to Kelce’s house around six months later, one of the couches had been pushed to the wall.

‘He just got a puppy,’ Jason told the podcast. ‘The puppy had chewed a hole in the back of it.’

Whitworth – himself a friend and former teammate of Kelce’s – couldn’t resist adding: ‘Investment gone! Investment’s over.’

Still, clues about the pup’s identity have been mounting for months.

In March, a white Samoyed was spotted at Westchester County Airport hopping out of Swift’s silver Chevy Suburban surrounded by her security detail.

The dog’s existence was first revealed by the Daily Mail in exclusive photos taken from inside the couple’s wedding, which showed the happy couple posing with their furry friend

Clues about the pup’s identity have been mounting for months. It will be Swift’s fourth pet

The dog followed after its owner as it disembarked the private plane on Sunday

The fluffy pooch trotted alongside the football star on the tarmac

A security guard kept the dog, who is clearly living the high life, on tight grip on its leash

Kelce carried a duffle bag across the tarmac

The couple married in an extravaganza in Madison Square Garden on July 3

Swift and Kelce have been together since 2023 and got engaged in August last year

The footage showed the happy-looking pooch jump down from the vehicle and sniff the ground as a security guard kept a tight grip on its leash.

Just months earlier, however, Swift had appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and denied having a dog in her life.

Asked about rumors she had been spotted walking a mystery dog, she shot it down: ‘I have never walked a dog in Florida or maybe ever,’ she told the late-night host.

The dog is now Swift’s fourth pet.

She famously has three cats – Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button.

The cats have appeared in her music videos and graced magazine covers, becoming celebrities in their own right.

The happy-looking pooch walked down the stairs of the aircraft

Swift’s husband wore a white top, a red cap and slouchy cream slacks with colorful Nikes

The pooch now appears to be accompanying his owners on their honeymoon

The couple’s Love Story began three years ago this week, when Kelce first laid eyes on the singer at her Kansas City Eras Tour concert on July 8, 2023

The couple’s luxurious belongings were removed from the aircraft

After months of teases, rumors and conflicting reports, the couple finally married in front of 1,000 of their closest friends – and the world’s biggest stars – in a colossal blowout at Madison Square Garden on July 3. Both the bride and groom were dressed in Christian Dior, her publicist announced.

There were no bridesmaids, instead, Swift’s brother Austin acted as her ‘man of honor’, and Jason was the best man.

The couple’s Love Story began three years ago this week, when Kelce first laid eyes on the singer at her Kansas City Eras Tour concert on July 8, 2023.

The dog will be joining Swift’s pet squad of three cats

Her three cats – Meredith Grey, Olivia Benson and Benjamin Button – have also become famous

The Chiefs’ tight end tried to meet Swift that evening, bringing along a friendship bracelet that contained his phone number. However, his attempt at handing her the jewelry was unsuccessful.

At the same time, Swift was at her own professional peak, traveling the world for her sold-out stadium shows, with Kelce flying in to support her.

Despite their hectic schedules and intense public interest in their romance, Kelce claimed that he felt calmed by both his girlfriend’s presence and down-to-earth nature.

‘Whenever I’m with her, it feels like we’re just regular people.… When there is not a camera on us, we’re just two people that are in love,’ he told GQ.

Source link

NewsBeat

Solicitor said people in Welsh town were ‘shovelling cocaine down their necks’

Published

16 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

A solicitor accused of being concerned in drug dealing supported a friend who had been barred from policing for life after testing positive for cocaine said the residents of a Welsh town were “shovelling (cocaine) down their necks”.

Ben Garvey, 38, of Port Talbot, is also accused of supplying steroids and of encouraging his friends to purchase cocaine in messages found in a WhatsApp group named ‘The Old C***s’.

He later went on to represent his cocaine dealer Daniel Baker, 34, who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and passed on messages from Baker’s runner Jake Blackburn, 28, to his client while he was incarcerated, Bristol Crown Court has heard.

A trial heard Garvey was a solicitor and was previously a partner at David W Harris Solicitors & Co based in Swansea, Pontypridd, and Talbot Green. Don’t miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here.

The court heard the defendant’s association with Baker began in the summer of 2021 when it is alleged Garvey purchased cocaine from Baker on behalf of himself and his friends.

On Monday, the trial heard messages from the What’s App group ‘The Old C****s’, which included Garvey and David Kingdon, a former South Wales Police officer who was barred from the profession after testing positive for cocaine.

In a message to the group, Mr Kingdon told his friends he was “doing fine” after news of his misconduct hearing had spread.

In response, Garvey said: “It doesn’t need to be said brother but f*** everyone. We are your brothers and we will defend you to the hilt. Every c*** in Port Talbot is shovelling it (cocaine) down their neck week in, week out.

“If I see any cheeky c*** try and say anything they will be put in their place. We love you lots brother, that’s all you need to know. Chin up and crack on.”

In his opening to the court on Thursday prosecutor Ray Tully KC said: “[Garvey] was planning for a big night out and there was the suggestion they would need to have access to cocaine to have the use of during their big night out.

“The prosecution’s case is Daniel Baker, as of the summer of 2021, was the organiser of an organised crime group and that group was instrumental in the supply of cocaine.

“He came to be arrested in 2021 and following his arrest and seizure of electronic items messages came to light of Mr Garvey, the solicitor, arranging to meet with Mr Baker for the purpose of purchasing cocaine from him.”

It is alleged there were two meet-ups between Garvey and Baker in a 12-hour period during which the former purchased cocaine from the latter for himself and others. It is also alleged Blackburn sold cocaine to Garvey on Baker’s behalf when he was not available to do so.

Mr Tully said the most serious charge was of perverting the course of justice, which all three defendants are accused of.

Following Baker’s arrest on August 18, 2021, he asked to be represented by David W Harris Solicitors & Co. Mr Tully said: “He would have known Mr Garvey was a solicitor who acted for that firm and came to be represented by Mr Garvey, represented by someone he knew and supplied drugs to in the past.”

The court heard Garvey was in frequent phone contact with Blackburn following Baker’s remand in prison. One message from Blackburn to Garvey read: “Tell Dan Oxford’s sorted, everything else by tonight.”

Another message from Blackburn to Garvey read: “iCloud username and password.”

As a result of messages discovered on Baker’s phone Garvey and Blackburn were arrested and their electronic devices were seized.

It is alleged that messages on Garvey’s phone reveal he was concerned in the supply of steroids in 2013 and was part of a WhatsApp group called ‘The Old C***s’ in which he encouraged and “egged on” friends to purchase cocaine. Images taken from the group included photos and videos of cocaine and people using cocaine.

Garvey, of Vivian Park Drive, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice, being concerned in the supply of Class A and C drugs, and encouraging or assisting in the commission of an offence.

Baker, of Silver Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice. He previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

Blackburn, of Chrome Avenue, Sandfields, Port Talbot, denies perverting the course of justice but changed his plea to guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

The trial continues.

Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here. We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice.

Source link

NewsBeat

Latest on Ann Widdecombe death as the home secretary gives update

Published

23 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has given an update

Eleanor Storey and Margaret Davis, Press Association and Annette Belcher

17:08, 13 Jul 2026Updated 17:17, 13 Jul 2026

A 28-year-old man arrested following the death of veteran politician Ann Widdecombe was “not known” to the government’s Prevent programme, the Home Secretary has confirmed.

Shabana Mahmood shared the update after counter-terrorism detectives officially took over the investigation into the death of the 78-year-old former MP and Reform UK spokesperson.

Ms Widdecombe was found dead inside her home in Dartmoor, Devon, triggering a major police search. Following initial enquiries, a suspect from South Yorkshire was tracked down and detained by officers over the weekend.

The 28-year-old white British man, who was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday, has since been rearrested under the Terrorism Act on suspicion of the commission, preparation, or instigation of acts of terrorism.

The former Conservative minister and later Reform UK spokeswoman, 78, was found dead at her home in Haytor on Dartmoor at about 11.40am on Thursday after sustaining serious injuries.

Mr Taylor said: “Building on the progress made by our colleagues in Devon and Cornwall Police, we now have new information and evidence that means Counter Terrorism Policing is now leading the investigation.

“We are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack.

“Our priority is progressing this investigation quickly, with all the capabilities we have available to us. If anyone has any information, please share it with the police.

“We would like to thank local communities, the wider public and the media for their ongoing support and patience, and would ask them to continue to support us in the next stage of the investigation.”

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said on X that she will update the House of Commons this afternoon.

She said: “The police are pursuing multiple lines of enquiry to establish the motivation for this attack. I will be updating the House further this afternoon.

“My thoughts today remain with Ann’s family and friends, and all those who loved her.”

Police are asking anyone with information to come forward.

Information, images or footage can be reported via the Major Incident Public Portal https://mipp.police.uk/operation/50DC26S51-PO1 or to Devon and Cornwall Police on 101.

To remain anonymous, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or online.

Source link

NewsBeat

EastEnders star to leave 20 years after she took on the role

Published

31 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

EastEnders star to leave 20 years after she took on the role

Belinda Owusu only recently came back to the show to reprise her role as Libby Fox after she first left EastEnders 10 years ago.

Libby returned to Albert Square last month after her mum Denise was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).

Libby has been involved in several dramatic storylines since she came back.

Why is Libby Fox leaving EastEnders?

As well as dealing with Denise’s diagnosis, her sister Chelsea has had to cope with her son Jordan being hit by Ian Beale after he had been drinking.

Libby has been trying to help her sister with her money problems by trying to repair the relationship between Chelsea and Jordan’s other grandmother, Sheila Atkins, who had been sending her cheques.

Chelsea had not been spending the cheques because she did not want to be associated with Sheila and Jordan’s dad, Gray Atkins, who was a serial killer.

Sheila had lied to Chelsea about not seeing Gray in prison so she could remain in Jordan’s life.

Viewers will see Denise return to the soap this week after spending some time in hospital, and Libby leaving again after her short return.

Libby could come back again to the show, as Denise is keeping it a secret that her treatment is not going well and she will have to do another round.

Belinda first joined the cast in 2006 and has appeared in many episodes of the soap over the years.

Libby was seen earlier this year in the flash-forward episode set on New Year’s Day 2027, after she left the show in 2017.

As well as starring in EastEnders, Belinda is best known for her role in Holby City, playing Nicky McKendrick.

She has also appeared in other popular shows, including Trigger Point, Father Brown, and Doctor Who.

Will you be sad to see Libby Fox leave EastEnders? Let us know in the comments below.

Source link

NewsBeat

What Wicklow’s Tailteann Cup victory might mean for teams in Division Two next season

Published

36 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

The ramifications of Wicklow’s remarkable comeback win will be felt in every corner of the country. Not just in Down. Every single team in Division Two will be looking over their shoulder in 2027

16:52, 13 Jul 2026Updated 16:58, 13 Jul 2026

The outpouring of joy and emotion from Wicklow on Saturday evening was in sharp contrast to the pain and anguish written on the faces of the Down players at Croke Park.

As Oisin McConville stated afterwards, one team wanted Sam Maguire football, the other wanted the Tailteann Cup. Now Wicklow have both.

The ramifications of Wicklow’s remarkable comeback win will be felt in every corner of the country. Not just in Down.

Trailing by 13 points at the early stages of the second half following Shane Annett’s point, Wicklow pulled off another remarkable fightback to turn Down’s Sam Maguire dream into a recurring Tailteann Cup nightmare.

The stark reality for the Mournemen is there is every chance they’ll be back in the second tier competition next summer, partly due to Wicklow winning the Tailteann Cup.

That might make Conor Laverty think long and hard about whether he will remain in situ as Down manager.

They pulled off one of the results of the summer by beating the-then Ulster champions Donegal in Letterkenny.

One week later they were hammered by Armagh. That’s the cut-throat nature of the Ulster Senior Football Championship. The draw might be kinder to them in 2027 or it could be every bit as tough.

It isn’t just Down who’ll be dreading another summer in the Tailteann Cup.

Every single team in Division Two will now be scrambling to rethink their approach to next season.

There’s no chance of timing a run for the Championship.

For Division Two teams, the Championship starts in January.

When Tyrone were struggling for form earlier in 2026, there was almost a giddiness at the prospect of the Red Hands dropping into the Tailteann Cup. It was a long shot.

Not in 2027.

Malachy O’Rourke’s men, who are set to have four games away from home next season, will need to be on it from the word go.

The same goes for Derry who’ll be out to recover from yet another season that promised much and delivered little.

Louth might have been in the All-Ireland semi-finals last weekend. Next summer, they could be in the Tailteann Cup.

What a set-back that would be for Gavin Devlin’s men?

Monaghan are making excellent progress under Gabriel Bannigan. They’ve defied the doubters and coped with the retirement of a host of legendary figures in recent years.

Ulster finalists in 2026. Tailteann Cup 2027? It could happen.

So too could the unthinkable. It isn’t beyond the realms of possibility that Dublin aren’t involved in the Sam Maguire in 2027.

Despite Ger Brennan urging his elder players not to rush into any retirement decisions, Ciaran Kilkenny confirmed he is stepping away less than 24 hours after their All-Ireland semi-final loss to Kerry.

If others follow suit, Brennan could have a proper rebuild on his hands in year two.

Finishing in the top six in Division Two next season might not be enough.

There’s every chance the bottom three teams in Division Two next year drop down as it would only take one of Westmeath, Kildare or Offaly reaching a Leinster final to throw a proverbial spanner in the works.

The eight provincial winners get into the Sam Maguire along with the Tailteann Cup winners. The final seven places are filled according to the final League standings.

Westmeath reaching the Leinster final this year meant that Division Three champions Down were demoted to the Tailteann Cup.

Next season, Wicklow, as a Division Four side, will be in the Sam Maguire. Any Division Three or Four teams reaching a provincial final will put the squeeze on those finishing at the wrong end of the Division Two table.

Cavan made it into the Sam Maguire by the skin of their teeth this year. Dermot McCabe’s men might not be so lucky next season.

Tyrone accumulated just one more point in the League than the Breffnimen.

There’s also a crucial decision pending in Munster regarding the seeding in their provincial football Championship.

They deferred introducing seeding on the basis of League performance and, therefore keeping Kerry and Cork apart for the 2026 Championship.

Another deferrial isn’t out of the question given the backlash the mooted decision garnered from the likes of Clare and Limerick.

The Banner reached three Munster finals in a row. If Munster go with an open draw for 2027, that could, potentially, take another Sam Maguire slot away from the lower-ranked Division Two teams.

The 2026 Championship has been a rollercoaster of thrills, excitement, shocks and entertainment that reaches a crescendo on Sunday, July 26 when Kerry put their title on the line against Mayo at Croke Park.

For eight teams, their 2027 Championship season will begin in earnest in the depths of winter when the National Football League resumes in January.

Want to see more of the stories you love from Belfast Live? Making us your preferred source on Google means you’ll get more of our exclusives, top stories and must-read content straight away. To add Belfast Live as a preferred source, simply click here .

Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the latest sports news, headlines and top stories

Source link

NewsBeat

Wales breaking news plus weather and traffic updates (Monday, July 13)

Published

44 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

An army of pigeons perch atop Wales’ biggest hospital, many dozens of them surveying the patients and staff below. The birds flit in and out of gaping holes in the canopy over a staff entrance.

The state of Cardiff’s University Hospital of Wales – a chronic problem for years – became a talking point again this week when pictures of the decaying canopy were shared online.

Large panels are missing from the sides, while a plastic sheet hangs in a forlorn attempt to cover an absent chunk of the underside.

“It’s absolutely disgusting,” wrote the Reddit user who posted the images. “This part of the hospital needs tearing down, otherwise it’s going to collapse at some point and cause serious injury or even (God forbid) death.” Full story here.

Holes in the canopy at University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff(Image: WalesOnline)

Source link

NewsBeat

Trump unveils surprise candidate to fill Lindsey Graham’s shoes

Published

54 minutes ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

President Donald Trump with Senator Lindsey Graham at a South Carolina campaign event in January 2023

By JON MICHAEL RAASCH, WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT

Published: 16:00 BST, 13 July 2026 | Updated: 16:46 BST, 13 July 2026

President Donald Trump wants late Senator Lindsey Graham‘s sister to fill the vacant seat left behind after the South Carolina lawmaker’s sudden passing.

‘I recommended, to Governor Henry McMaster, Lindsey Graham’s wonderful sister, Darline, to serve as interim Senator from the Great State of South Carolina,’ the President wrote on social media.

‘This would be a fabulous tribute to Lindsey, who loved her dearly!’

Darline Graham Nordone, the late Senator’s younger sister, has never served in public office.

The South Carolina Governor is expected to speak Monday afternoon about the late Senator and the vacancy in Congress left by his passing.

McMaster is allowed to appoint a replacement to serve the remainder of Graham’s term, which ends on January 3, 2027. The Governor may decide to appoint a ‘caretaker’ to the role who will not run for the seat in the midterms later this year.

It is unclear whether Darline’s appointment would be a ‘caretaker’ selection or if she would formally announce a run for his seat in a special primary election.

Graham’s death kicks off a one-week registration period for a special primary election so that a new candidate can swiftly fill the vacancy, according to South Carolina law.

President Donald Trump with Senator Lindsey Graham at a South Carolina campaign event in January 2023

Senator Lindsey Graham waves while riding in a golf cart to a television interview with his sister Darline Graham Nordone, center, in 2015

Trump said that he would like South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster to appoint Darline Graham Nordone to her late brother’s vacant Senate seat

The special primary election registration is slated to begin July 21, and the election would be held two Tuesdays later, on August 11.

If there is a runoff for the special primary election, it would follow two weeks later on August 25.

The winner of the special primary election would go on to face Democratic candidate Annie Andrews in the November race.

Already there is speculation about which South Carolina politicians may hop into the special primary election.

Lieutenant Governor Pamella Everette, Fox News host and former Congressman Trey Gowdy, Congresswoman Nancy Mace, Congressman Ralph Norman and more have been mentioned as possible candidates.

Lindsey and Darline Graham were incredibly close, and after the siblings’ parents died 15 months apart in the 1970s, the Senator, then 21, legally adopted his teenage sister and helped raise her.

The Senator never married or had children but noted that he did have a family, namely his younger sister.

The pair were raised in Central, South Carolina, near Clemson University. Their parents operated a bar and pool hall. The young Graham siblings lived in a room in the back of the establishment.

Graham and Trump were known to golf together. Above they are pictured playing at one of the President’s resorts last year

Graham was on Air Force One with Trump a day after the US military raid that captured former Venezuelan dictator Nicholas Maduro. Graham cheered on the Presidnet’s use of force

‘He’s kind of like a brother, a father and a mother rolled into one,’ Darline told the New York Times in 2015.

The Senator kept close tabs on his younger sister as the two grew up without their parents.

The Republican’s law school friends told NPR that Lindsey would visit his sister on weekends and would inquire about if she was keeping curfew and who she was spending time with.

After joining the Air Force as a military lawyer, he adopted Darline, ensuring that if anything happened to him that his benefits would flow to her.

Source link

NewsBeat

Serious crash shuts M4 in both directions – live updates

Published

1 hour ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

South Wales Police has released the following statement.

A spokeswoman said: “We’re at the scene of a serious collision on the M4, junction 33 A4232 to junction 34 Miskin, Cardiff.

“The road is currently closed in both directions, east and westbound.

“It is expected to remain closed for some time; please avoid the area and use alternative routes where possible. We’re grateful for your patience.”

Source link

NewsBeat

Doctor Who Behind-The-Scenes Clip Puts Doomsday Scene In A New Light

Published

1 hour ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Doctor Who Behind-The-Scenes Clip Puts Doomsday Scene In A New Light

A new behind-the-scenes clip has lifted the lid on the making of one of the most heartbreaking Doctor Who moments of its modern era.

Just be warned, you might not be able to see it the same way once you’ve watched it.

Back in 2006, viewers were left heartbroken at the farewell between David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler, played by Billie Piper, in the episode Doomsday.

In the devastating sequence, the Time Lord was seen fading away before he had the opportunity to tell his companion that he loved her back.

The Doomsday sequence is still considered by Who-vians to be one of the long-running sci-fi series’ biggest ever tear-jerkers, and to commemorate the episode’s 20th anniversary, the official Doctor Who social media accounts shared a new video from the set, revealing how the effect was achieved.

And it turns out that it mostly involved David running out of shot the second the camera wasn’t on him.

Props to Billie Piper for not just keeping a straight face, but actually managing to let out some guttural sobs, despite having just been subjected to her co-star’s silly little run…

In the two decades since Doomsday aired, Billie has made occasional appearances in Doctor Who – most notably in its most recent season finale, when Ncuti Gatwa’s Time Lord regenerated into a mysterious figure played by the I Hate Suzie star.

It’s also been revealed that “the BBC will put Doctor Who out to competitive tender this year”, meaning a new production company could be taking it over.

“Doctor Who remains an important part of the BBC and this tender underpins the BBC’s continued commitment to Doctor Who ensuring audiences will enjoy the show for years to come,” the BBC insisted at the time, noting that “details of the tender will be announced in due course”.

Source link

NewsBeat

Prince Harry is feeling ‘really energised’ after visiting King Charles with Meghan and his children for first time in four years

Published

1 hour ago

13 July 2026

NewsAdmin

Harry was said to be absolutely thrilled to have reconnected with his father in a meeting that saw Meghan, Lilibet and Archie also see the King for the first time since 2022

Prince Harry is said to be ‘buoyed’ and ‘really energised’ following his family reunion with King Charles.

The Duke of Sussex is ‘very happy’ that his wife and children joined him to spend time with his father and stepmother, Queen Camilla, at Highgrove, friends said.

Harry and his family are believed to have met the King and Queen between 3.30pm and 4pm on Friday, remaining with the couple for more than an hour.

The King is said to have been determined to see his grandchildren for the first time in four years during a week in which Harry suffered a crushing defeat in his privacy court case against the Daily Mail.

Friends of Harry claimed he was ‘buoyed, very happy and really energised’ after the meeting, which also marked the monarch’s first time meeting with Archie and Lilibet in four years.

His wife Meghan Markle, who was famously accompanied down the aisle by her father-in-law the King on their wedding day in 2018, was also present after secretly flying the family to Britain.

But the Duchess of Sussex skipped all of Harry’s Invictus Games engagements amid his ongoing dispute with the Government over taxpayer-funded police protection in the UK.

King Charles has faced criticism in some quarters for meeting Harry and Meghan after suffering years of potshots at the Royal Family from California since Megxit, including claims of racism.

But a royal source responded that ‘blood is blood’ when asked about the decision to meet.

‘Every journey of a thousand miles begins with one footstep,’ the source added.

Harry was said to be absolutely thrilled to have reconnected with his father in a meeting that saw Meghan, Lilibet and Archie also see the King for the first time since 2022

Charles III and Queen Camilla (pictured at London Zoo last week) spent around an hour with the Sussexes on their visit

Harry and his family are believed to have spent around an hour at Highgrove with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

The gathering was particularly significant because it marked the first time that Meghan, Archie and Lilibet had seen the 77-year-old monarch – who is still undergoing treatment for cancer – in person since 2022.

Earlier in the day on Friday, there had been clues that something important was unfolding when Harry arrived at an engagement for the Invictus Games at the National Exhibition Centre, near Birmingham.

An observer said: ‘Harry turned up at Invictus with a massive smile plastered all over his face.’

The family reunion at Highgrove had clearly put Harry in high spirits following a week dominated by negative headlines, including a row over his security and a crushing defeat in his court case over privacy against the Daily Mail.

On Saturday, after the visit to Highgrove, the Duke of Sussex was all smiles as he appeared at Scotty’s Summer Festival at Maxstoke Castle in Warwickshire.

Harry is the global ambassador for the charity Scotty’s Little Soldiers, which supports bereaved children from military families.

During the festival, Harry posed playfully with children as he took part in ‘goat yoga’, surrounded by the animals. At one point, he joked: ‘Is there health and safety? Do they bite?’, before taking his place on a mat and performing the tree pose on one leg while miming goats’ ears with his hands.

As Harry lay on his back and the goats trampled over his body, someone in the crowd quipped that his security team should step in to ‘protect the crown jewels’.

The Sussexes are believed to have been staying at the Althorp Estate in Northamptonshire – the ancestral home of Princess Diana’s family and where she is buried on a private island in the middle of a lake.

It is not known if the Sussexes have left the UK.

Harry and Meghan, who quit as senior royals in 2020 and moved to California, have spoken about their wish to introduce their children to their British roots.

During his visit to Warwickshire, Harry said: ‘I love being here, this is the highlight of my month. Actually probably the last few months. It’s very easy to sit in your grief, to sit in your stress but, guys, if you are feeling it, share it.’

The meeting with the King and Queen came after weeks of speculation and uncertainty about whether Meghan and the children would accompany him to the UK.

The family had reportedly been on holiday in Portugal, staying at a beachside villa they own there.

During his visit to Warwickshire on Saturday, Harry said he loves ‘being here’ and called his visit ‘the highlight’ of his month

Harry initially turned down an offer to stay at Buckingham Palace only to change his mind at the last minute. He was then told that the offer had been rescinded because Palace officials said it was impossible to prepare rooms for him at short notice.

The Duke arrived in Britain on Monday. The following day, he lost his High Court case which alleged wrongdoing by Associated Newspapers, the publisher of the Daily Mail. The company was vindicated on all 97 counts brought by Harry and other claimants, including Sir Elton John, Elizabeth Hurley, Sadie Frost, Sir Simon Hughes and Baroness Doreen Lawrence.

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Friday that the meeting at Highgrove had taken place but declined to disclose any details of the ‘private family occasion’.

Earlier in the week, palace officials had privately described the prolonged drama surrounding the Sussexes’ trip as ‘wearying’.

Prince Harry has also recorded an episode on The Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler’s podcast as part of his trip to the UK.

The Duke of Sussex recited his rarely used full name in the new interview, before poking fun at Marler’s co-host.

In a teaser for the upcoming episode of Joe Marler Will See You Now, the royal is asked for his full name by the former rugby player.

‘Henry Charles Albert David, Duke of Sussex,’ Harry replied, to which podcast co-host Jake Bhardwaj quipped: ‘It’s a long one.’

Harry quickly responded: ‘Alright, Jake,’ causing huge laughter from the podcast hosts and crew members behind the camera.

The teaser then showed the podcast hosts chanting ‘Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke, Duke’ as he arrived on the set before Marler says, ‘what the f*** was that’.

Marler and Bhardwaj will speak to the prince about trauma, coping mechanisms, identity and grief, as well as lighter topics.

The Duke of Sussex recited his rarely used full name in the new interview with Joe Marler

The former England rugby player said: ‘We try to pride ourselves on the ability to go from light to dark to serious to fun, because, for me, it’s just one big conversation.’

Since launching last year, Joe Marler Will See You Now has amassed 9.5million long form streams and 170million social media views to date, and previous guests have included his fellow Celebrity Traitors contestant Nick Mohammed, comedian Katherine Ryan and former QI presenter Stephen Fry.

The full podcast episode is set to be released at 5pm on Monday, July 13.

Source link