BBC weather forecasters have shared their verdict on whether we will experience any more heatwaves in the coming months across Wales and the rest of the UK.

Simon King and Sarah Keith-Lucas, the broadcaster’s lead weather presenters, said that the early forecasters suggest it’s not the last time we’ll see hot weather this summer.

Mr King and Ms Keith-Lucas said the forecasts suggest “an increased chance of heatwaves and heat-related impacts” later in the summer and that “above-average temperatures” are expected for each month of July and August, and “significant bursts” of heat are expected in the UK, and across Europe.

Wales got their summer campaign off to a winning start with a 33-31 victory over the Barbarians at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Tries from Kieran Hardy, Dan Edwards (twice), Reuben Morgan-Williams and Ellis Mee, along with a combined eight points from the boots of Edwards and Sam Costelow, got Wales over the line.

Here are your winners and losers.

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Winners

George North

The 34-year-old has enjoyed a phenomenal career and will quite rightly be considered one of Welsh rugby’s modern-day greats.

Tandy could do a lot worse than persuade North to delay his retirement for another year because he could still do a job for Wales at Test level.

The north Walian caused havoc as soon as he took to the field with his size, pace and explosive power proving too hot to handle for Wales at times.

North finished his international career in the same manner as it started against South Africa 16 years ago with two tries.

He even kicked a conversion at the end of the game.

A class act.

Aaron Wainwright

Wainwright was a class apart again and thoroughly deserves his player-of-the-match award.

The Wales No 8 carried well and made significant post-contact metres while he also made two linebreaks.

Wainwright has developed into arguably Wales’ most important player and is a leader within this side.

If Wales are to beat Fiji next Saturday they will need Wainwright to be at his best.

Kieran Hardy

The Ospreys scrum-half was outstanding and played a pivotal role in Wales’ victory.

Hardy did the basics well but was hugely influential throughout and was a significant threat with ball in hand.

The 30-year-old looked dangerous, scoring a try after just four minutes.

He also had a hand in two other tries with his long pass putting Edwards over for his first before his kick into space resulted in the outside-half’s second try.

We all know Tomos Williams will start the big games but Hardy has done his chances no harm at all.

Dewi Lake

The Wales captain had a fine game and carried extremely well throughout while also winning the majority of collisions.

Wales’ lineout also functioned extremely well which in large part is down to the accuracy of Lake’s throwing.

Lake will be a key player if Wales are to continue to improve this summer.

Rhys Barratt

The 24-year-old made a big impact upon coming onto the field with one very explosive carry which scattered the Barbarians’ defence.

Barratt was a bundle of energy around the park, getting through a huge amount of work.

The Cardiff loosehead is certainly a player who impressed Tandy and it will be interesting to see whether he makes the final squad for the Nations Championship.

Rhys Carré and Nicky Smith are nailed on for the 23 against Fiji but it wouldn’t be that much of a surprise if Tandy decided to retain Barratt in the squad.

Losers

Wales’ scrum

Wales’ scrum was one area of the game which came off second best, especially in the first half.

Georgian tighthead Giorgi Kharaishvili shoved Dillon Lewis backwards at a couple of scrums while Gareth Thomas got penalised twice.

The scrum did improve slightly after the break but Wales must improve in this aspect of play if they are to get their Nations Championship campaign off to a winning start.

Allianz Stadium attendance

Tandy’s side needed a hitout to blow away the cobwebs before facing Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium next Saturday.

But the decision to play this game in London is a real head-scratcher.

With swathes of empty seats and little sense of occasion, the Allianz Stadium hardly provided the backdrop the fixture deserved.

Taking the game to Cardiff City Stadium or the Swansea.com Stadium would almost certainly have delivered a bigger crowd and a far more vibrant atmosphere.

Before anyone suggests this was the Barbarians’ home fixture, it is worth remembering that the Barbarians do not have a home.

As an invitational team, they are perpetual visitors, playing wherever they are invited. Whether the venue is Twickenham, Durban, Buenos Aires or Auckland, they are always the away side.

Wales’ defence

In his post-match press conference Tandy did admit Wales need to be better if they are to start turning promising performances into victories.

This was Peter Murchie’s first game as defence coach and he hasn’t had much of an opportunity to stamp his authority on proceedings.

But Wales will need to tighten up in defence against a dangerous Fiji backline which will include the likes of Josua Tuisova, Jiuta Wainiqolo and Kalaveti Ravouvou.

Wales missed 26 tackles and that will need to be better next Saturday or Fiji will punish Tandy’s severely.

Murchie has a lot of work to do.

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Wimbledon is the only grand slam tennis tournament where there are rules against late-night finishes due to the tournament’s strict 11pm curfew.

Andy Murray’s 4am finish against Thanasi Kokkinakis at the 2023 Australian Open remains the latest grand slam match on record, while singles matches concluding well after midnight is not uncommon at the French Open and US Open, either.

The All England Club operates on a different set of rules, however, and has done so since the construction of Centre Court roof in 2009. A roof over Court No 1 was then completed in 2019, allowing play on two courts to be staged under the lights.

Wimbledon is based in a residential area, so the curfew exists out of consideration for local residents as fans travel home at the end of the day’s play.

So although the roofs on both Centre Court and No. 1 Court allow extra tennis to be played into the evening, there can still be disruptions of matches approaching the curfew.

When is the Wimbledon curfew?

The Wimbledon curfew is at 11pm local time (6pm ET) and has been in place since 2009 when Centre Court’s roof opened, introduced by Merton Council in order to obtain planning permission for the roof.

A statement from Wimbledon in 2018 read: “The 11pm curfew is a Planning Condition applied to balance the consideration of the local residents with the scale of an international tennis event that takes place in a residential area.

“The challenge of transport connectivity and getting visitors home safely is also a key consideration.”

What are the curfew rules?

The rules state that a match is not permitted to go beyond 11pm (6pm ET).

Matches that have been paused include Novak Djokovic against Rafael Nadal in their 2018 semi-final after the third set, having started at 8pm. Andy Murray’s last ever singles match at Wimbledon, against Stefanos Tsitsipas in 2023, was also held overnight due to the curfew.

Last year, Alexander Zverev’s match on Centre Court was paused after two sets while, more controversially, Taylor Fritz’s first round clash against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard was suspended at 10:18pm with one final set left to play.

Fritz was furious to be dragged off court, and appeared to place the blame at the feet of his opponent afterwards: “They would’ve let us play if my opponent agreed to, I said I wanted to, he didn’t,” Fritz posted on Instagram.

Is there any exception to the curfew?

The curfew was pushed slightly back in 2012. Andy Murray beat Marcos Baghdatis with the clock striking 11:02pm local time. Murray was just one game from victory at 11pm.

Merton Council’s leader Stephen Alambritis commented at the time, stating: “flexibility and common sense prevailed”.

“We were in touch with the All England Club from 10pm onwards and there were discussions between our planning officers and the tournament director,” he said.

“We have always said these prearrangements were to be used with discretion, so I was pleased flexibility and common sense prevailed, because we have a duty to both the residents as well as the tennis.”

The next latest match to finish was in 2010 when Novak Djokovic beat Olivier Rochus with two minutes to spare, finishing at 10:58pm.

Here is your round-up of cases heard before courts around Northern Ireland from June 22-26

This week the Northern Irish courts saw one of the most high profile cases in decades as former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson was found guilty of child sex offences.

Alongside this, a man admitted a number of offences connected to a firearms incident linked to an off-duty police officer and two men were sentenced for a “terrifying” home invasion on the “wrong house”.

A man was jailed for series of sectarian and racist outbursts in Belfast City Centre and another was jailed for a violent assault at a Co Antrim bowling club.

Here is your round-up of cases heard before courts around Northern Ireland from June 22-26

Jeffrey Donaldson guilty of 18 historical sex offences including child rape

Former DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson was convicted of 18 historical sexual offences against two women who were minors at the time the abuse took place on Monday, June 22. A jury at Newry Crown Court found the 63 year old guilty of one count of rape, 13 counts of indecent assault and four counts of gross indecency, following a trial spanning several weeks.

Throughout the proceedings, two women, identified as Complainant A and Complainant B, provided testimony claiming they had been subjected to abuse by him during their childhoods. The former MP spent two days in the witness box, consistently denying the allegations levelled against him

His wife, Eleanor Donaldson, 60, of Dublinhill Road, Dromore, Co Down, faced separate allegations of aiding and abetting her husband. She underwent a trial of the facts on mental health grounds. The court determined that she had carried out the acts relating to the charges of aiding and abetting.

Man jailed for spitting at shop mannequin dressed in Celtic kit

A man was jailed on Tuesday for spitting at a shop mannequin dressed in a Celtic football kit as part of an “appalling” sectarian and racist outburst in Belfast city centre. Neil Henry, 32, also subjected a group of black teenagers and hospital staff to a tirade of offensive abuse.

Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he began causing drunken disturbances outside a sports store on Castle Place. PSNI officers called to the scene observed him spitting on the shop window where a mannequin was wearing a Celtic strip.

The defendant admitted having spat at the dummy, with a security guard also targeted. As officers spoke to Henry he stated that he “f***ing hated Celtic” and declared himself “the biggest f***ing Rangers supporter”.

Henry also directed racial invectives at a group of up to seven teenagers in nearby Castle Junction.

A Crown lawyer said he pointed at the youths, all believed to be around 16 years old, and shouted: “Black Fenian Arab b******s.”

Man who said he was ordered to store cocaine to pay off a drug debt avoids jail

A West Belfast man who said he was ordered to store cocaine at his home to pay off a drug debt narrowly avoided immediate custodyon Wednesday.

Dylan Kelly was handed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for three years after he pleaded guilty to possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply. He further admitted possessing small quantities of cannabis and Ecstasy tablets and £1,350 in criminal property.

A prosecution lawyer said officers went upstairs to a front bedroom and seized a number of items, including £1,350 in cash in a bedside drawer. Police also uncovered ‘deal bags’, white powder which was suspected Class A drugs and cannabis grinders. “There was a black revolver, weighing scales and a further handgun,” said the prosecutor.

During subsequent interviews, Kelly told police that he lived in the front upstairs bedroom, he didn’t work and was in receipt of Universal Credit. He said he owed a drug debt of around £1,000 but refused to say who he owed the debt to.

Judge Philip Gilpin said he had decided not to send Kelly into jail immediately as he had no previous convictions for drug offences and he is also the father of a young child.

Teen shouted sectarian abuse, exposed his genitals and tried to hijack car while in ‘cannabis-induced psychosis’

A Co Antrim man who committed “bizarre” offences after he “lost his mind due to the effects of cannabis” was made the subject of a two-year Probation Order on Wednesday.

Joel Moore, who is from a Protestant background, shouted sectarian abuse and exposed his genitals to a jogger wearing a Linfield top and tried to hijack a moving car.

The court heard that around 5pm on May 23, 2024, a male wearing a Linfield raincoat was running along the path between Hazelbank and Lough Shore in Co Antrim when he was accosted by Moore. Moore asked the jogger, Do you know this country is Catholic?’ then said to him ‘This country is supposed to be Catholic, you orange b*****d, you’re full of s**t.’

He then shouted, ‘Do you want to see my d**k?’ and proceeded to drop his tracksuit bottoms and expose himself.

Following this, he then encountered a male and female, asked them whether they believed in God, then made off down the Shore Road, where he was almost knocked down. At this point Moore approached a grey Nissan which was in slow-moving traffic, grabbed the handle of the door and tried to pull it open.

Man accused of leaving threats to kill messages about Jamie Bryson refused bail

A man accused of issuing new threats to kill loyalist campaigner Jamie Bryson must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled on Wednesday.

Robert Beck, 63, was refused bail amid claims he left “sinister” messages about the high-profile activist at a Co Down business premise s. Beck, of Bloomfield Crescent in Belfast, also allegedly stated that he planned to destroy vehicles belonging to the firm.

He is charged with six counts of threats to kill, along with making threats to damage property and breaching a restraining order earlier this month.

Beck was on release at the time while facing prosecution over separate allegations of harassing BBC broadcaster Stephen Nolan and pestering Mr Bryson.

Man convicted of sending menacing message to family of Bloody Sunday victim jailed

A Belfast man convicted of sending a menacing message directed at the family of a Bloody Sunday victim has been jailed for six months.

Dean Portis, 42, faced prosecution over a social media posting seen by the three brothers of William McKinney, one of those shot dead by the British Army in Derry. He was also banned from intimidating or harassing them as part of a two-year restraining order.

Police were alerted to a Facebook posting allegedly attributed to Portis, who also uses the name Dean Martin, early on in Soldier F’s trial last year.

Above a newspaper report and photograph of Mr McKinney’s three brothers, Joe, Mickey and John, attending the hearing in Belfast a message stated: “If yous continue to target the British Armed Forces including the PSNI the consequences will be swift and deadly.” The posting added: “Yous have been warned.”

Portis insisted the message was not directed at or about the brothers, instead claiming his intention was only about creating a platform for debate.

Sentencing Portis today, Deputy District Judge John Rea imposed three months custody for the offences. He also activated a previous suspended term and ordered the defendant to serve a further three months behind bars.

Adventure Park volunteer who allegedly exposed himself to young girls said it was ‘unfortunate accident’

An adventure park volunteer who allegedly exposed himself to a group of girls said it was an “unfortunate accident” involving a damaged zipper, the High Court heard on Thursday.

Owen Lindsay, 23, is accused of targeting four members of a youth club attending the activity centre in Co Antrim earlier this month. Prosecutors claimed he deliberately sought out a role at the facilities to give him access to children.

Lindsay is accused of exposing himself to the girls while working on a coffee stand at the site on June 13. He also allegedly asked them to take off their bibs following an activity, helping one of them to remove her apron while saying, “I bet you can get undressed quicker than that”.

During interviews, he accepted being at the centre and helping to organise equipment used by the children. He denied intentionally exposing himself or any sexual motivation for his behaviour.

Claiming his trousers were faulty, he told police he does not wear underwear and had removed tracksuit bottoms due to the heat. Lord Justice Treacy described the account provided as “very unusual”.

Granting bail, Lord Justice Treacy indicated there were issues which need to be addressed outside of a custodial environment.

Co Antrim man who ‘has a serious problem with temper’ jailed over bowling club attack

A Co Antrim man who “clearly has a serious problem with temper” was jailed for 16 months on Thursday for assaulting another man in Carrickfergus Bowling Club.

David Hilditch, 43, of West Street in Carrick, admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm on the injured party and was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court by Judge Patrick Lynch KC.

The charge arising from an incident in Carrick Bowling Club on January 15, 2023 where both Hilditch and the injured party were socialising.

The two men did not know each other and during the course of the evening Hilditch approached the other male, who was sitting with his son. Words were exchanged between the injured party and Hilditch, who walked away.

Hilditch then returned to where the father and son were sitting and after further words were exchanged, the injured party stood up and grabbed Hilditch. Hilditch responded by punching the injured party in this face, which caused him to fall backwards into his seat and resulted in a fracture injury to his right leg which required multiple surgeries.

The incident was captured on the Club’s CCTV and Hilditch was identified from the footage.

Man pleads guilty to firearm offences linked to incident with off-duty police officer

A Co Antrim man pleaded guilty to firearm offences linked to an incident with an off-duty police officer last year.

Kyle Knell was produced from custody for an arraignment hearing after his bail was revoked last week for drug offences. In court on Thursday, defence counsel Barry Gibson KC said following discussion with the prosecution, the matter had now been resolved by both parties.

After he was formally identified by the clerk of the court, Knell pleaded guilty to two counts of causing grievous bodily harm, possession of ammunition in suspicious circumstances, false imprisonment and trespassing a Co Antrim dwelling with a Glock 17 firearm. On the new ninth count, Knell entered a guilty plea to possessing the Glock 17 handgun in suspicious circumstances.

Mr Gibson said the defence had already commissioned a psychiatric report on the defendant which he intended to share with the prosecution.

Following the hearing, Judge Gilpin listed the plea and sentence hearing for September 3, 2026 and remanded Knell back into custody.

Bangor man found with indecent images after being stopped by police for defective light, court hears

A Co Down man was found with indecent images on his phone after police stopped his car for having a defective light, a court heard on Wednesday.

Thomas Windrum, 43, of Bryansford Meadow in Bangor, was handed a two-year probation after he admitted 17 charges of making indecent images of children. Belfast Crown Court heard on May 31, 2021, police stopped Windrum’s car in east Belfast as the vehicle had a defective light.

A prosecution lawyer said Windrum was arrested for a separate matter and his phone was seized for examination. A triage of the phone found 37 indecent images of children. Seven were in the highest category A, nine in category B and 21 in the lowest category C.

He told police that no one else had access to his phone and he didn’t remember downloading the images. Windrum said he was “ashamed” and for what happened he described it as “wrong”.

Belfast Recorder Judge Philip Gilpin said he was satisfied that there was “culpable delay” of around four-and-a-half years in the case and this delay would be reflected in his sentencing. Windrum was placed on the sex offenders register for a period of five years but Judge Gilpin said he did not believe a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) was proportionate to impose in the case.

Men ‘caught red-handed’ after drunken and “terrifying” invasion on wrong flat

Two West Belfast men were sentenced on Friday over a drunken and “terrifying” flat incursion while armed with knives.

Conor Patrick Bradley, 35, of Altan Park, Dunmurry, was jailed for a year and he was told by Judge Gordon Kerr KC that he will spend a further 12 months on supervised licence on his release from custody. Co-accused Michael Valliday, 27, of Albert Street, received a combination order of 60 hours unpaid work along with a two year probation order.

Prosecution barrister James Johnston said that at 9.10 am three “intoxicated” individuals entered the store and were verbally abusive towards staff and customers while stealing various items valued at £30. The three males – which included Paul Valliday who is now deceased – made their way to The Mill apartment block also on the Crumlin Road.

A man told the court he saw the defendants with knives dragging a tarpaulin before they attempted to open a security door.

The court was told a female was in her mother’s apartment and heard loud banging from outside their door.

She looked out the peep hole and saw the three men on the landing. She described them as the ‘skinny one’ (Michael Valliday), the ‘fat one’ (Bradley) and the ‘scruffy one’ (Paul Valliday). She told police that she could see Michael Valliday had a kitchen knife in his hand and he was kicking her door and shouting: “Open the door. Where’s Shorty? Where is f***ing Shorty?”

The court was told the victim’s mother came out of her bedroom to see the three males with their hoods up standing in the hallway. Her appearance startled the intruders and this caused Bradley to say to his accomplices: ‘We’ve got the wrong house”.

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

The former Verve frontman arrived on the Yorkshire coast on Saturday (June 27) with the clear intention of giving his adoring fans what they wanted: a hit-laden set. And he duly obliged!

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Richard Ashcroft at Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026 (Image: Cuffe and Taylor)

Opening with Weeping Willow, Sonnet and Space and Time, he then followed with such solo hits as A Song For The Lovers and C’mon People (We’re Making It Now) and a range of hits from his solo work and The Verve days, before a finale of The Drugs Don’t Work, Lucky Man and the iconic Bitter Sweet Symphony.

Richard was supported on the night by former Kasabian frontman Tom Meighan and Leeds’ very own indie stars Apollo Junction.

TK Maxx presents Scarborough Open Air Theatre 2026, which sees a record 26 headline shows from some of music’s best-known stars, continues on Sunday (June 28) with Billy Ocean and special guest Marti Pellow.

GK Barry fronts a new BBC documentary investigating Tattle Life and the real-world harm caused by online gossip

Tattle Life stands as one of Britain’s most infamous gossip forums.

Now Grace Keeling, more widely recognised as GK Barry, is presenting a BBC documentary that puts the spotlight on the platform to examine where online discussion crosses the line into real-world damage.

The I’m A Celebrity personality brings her own experience to the film, GK Barry: Toxic Gossip, exploring a topic she’s all too familiar with. Boasting millions of social media followers, she’s no stranger to having every facet of her life dissected online – including on Tattle itself.

Throughout the documentary, she investigates whether it serves as a platform for anonymous contributors to subject influencers to unrelenting criticism and attack public figures, or whether, in certain instances, it provides legitimate scrutiny of online personalities.

She speaks with people who claim their lives have been profoundly impacted by online gossip, including the wife of a man accused of fabricating a cancer diagnosis – accusations that persisted even following his death, reports the Mirror.

During a discussion with Sophie Dickson, mother of Princess Dickson, who tragically took her own life earlier this year, Grace learns directly about the harrowing consequences of the commentary posted on the platform. She also engages with a Tattle Life contributor to understand what truly motivates individuals to post.

As GK delves further, she scrutinises allegations that a culture of hearsay, conjecture and malice can flourish under the protection of anonymity, prompting broader questions surrounding responsibility and oversight within online environments.

Resolute in her quest to establish accountability, she examines how the site functions and attempts to locate Tattle Life’s elusive owner, who seldom speaks in public.

Grace, 26, a familiar face on the panel of ITV’s Loose Women, said: “Having read so much online and in the news about Tattle Life, and personally been spoken about on it, I wanted to speak to the people whose lives have been affected by the comments to understand the impact they have had.”

Rachel Platt, BBC Commissioning Editor, said: “GK Barry might not be your typical BBC investigative reporter but that’s exactly what makes her the perfect guide through this story. She brings candour, curiosity and a sense of humour to a subject that’s often anything but funny.”

Colette Foster, Executive Producer of Full Fat Television, which is producing the documentary, said: “GK really gets to the heart of how our obsession with influencer culture can so easily turn from gossip and entertainment to heartbreak and tragedy.

“Part investigative sleuth, part accidental detective, she’s made every twist and turn of this film an unforgettable rollercoaster ride.”

Tattle Life will land on the BBC’s YouTube channels and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 1 July

A road in Fallowfield has been shut off this morning after reports of a serious incident overnight.

Photos sent to the Manchester Evening News show a major police cordon in place on Moseley Road, close to the junction with Birchfields Road. Witnesses have said the cordon was in place after a serious crash ‘involving a pedestrian’.

The collision happened in the early hours of Sunday morning (June 28). Travel services show the road remains shut off this morning.

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Drivers have been warned to avoid the area. Photos from the scene show a silver car at the centre of police investigations.

Greater Manchester Police have been asked for more information on the incident.

Further updates will be posted in our live blog below.

In The Mixer’s World Cup special

Everything you need to know about the World Cup – England updates, the games to watch and stories you missed – in five minutes, at 1pm, every day.

Smudge, a domestic short-haired cat, has been in the care of the RSPCA York since March 4 after her previous owner could no longer keep her.

Staff say the female neutered cat found the transition to rescue life ‘daunting and overwhelming’, and struggled to adjust to the cattery environment, causing her to become shy and withdrawn.

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To help her settle, Smudge was moved to a quieter isolation unit away from the hustle and bustle, where she has slowly begun to build confidence and come out of her shell.

The team has been working patiently to gain her trust, and Smudge is starting to show her affectionate personality.

‘Sassy but sweet’ Smudge has been at RSPCA York since March. (Image: RSPCA York)

She will now greet visitors with “sweet little chirps” although she can still become overwhelmed and will let people know when she has had enough attention.

A spokesperson said: “She enjoys gentle fuss and attention, although she still has a sassy side and isn’t afraid to let you know when she’s had enough! A little hiss, a turn of the tail, and she saunters back to bed with an almost wonderfully snobbish air.

“Smudge is a sweet girl with a sassy side, she keeps us entertained and it’s so lovely when we see her softer side as she learns to trust us. We would love to see her settled in a new loving home.”

Smudge needs a quiet and calm home. (Image: RSPCA York)

They believe she would thrive in a quiet, adult-only home where she can be the only pet and live as a permanent indoor cat.

Adopters are asked to provide her with a calm environment, including a spare room or quiet space while she settles in at her own pace.

The team say that, given time and patience, Smudge has the potential to become a loyal and loving companion.

Ruth McCabe, animal centre manager, said: “Smudge is a sweet girl with a sassy side, she keeps us entertained and it’s so lovely when we see her softer side as she learns to trust us. We would love to see her settled in a new loving home.”

Anyone interested in offering Smudge a home can find out more at rspca-yorkhome.org.uk/adopt-an-animal/smudge1/ or email reception@rspca-yorkhome.org.uk.

Frosterley marble is not a true marble at all, but a black carboniferous limestone studded with white fossil corals that lived 325 million years ago, and it has been cut and polished here since at least the 12th century, sent to churches, palaces and cathedrals across Britain and as far as Mumbai and Brisbane.

The village that produced it sits on the River Wear between Wolsingham and Stanhope, 18 miles west of Durham City, and it rewards a proper visit.

Getting there

Frosterley is on the A689 in lower Weardale, County Durham. The postcode for the village station and the Frosterley Inn is DL13 2SL.

St Michael and All Angels Church in Frosterley. (Image: SUBMITTED)

Free parking is available at Frosterley Station, with further spaces in the village centre.

Frosterley is also a stop on the Weardale Railway, an 18-mile heritage line running between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope, with steam and diesel services running on selected dates throughout the year.

What Frosterley marble actually is

Frosterley marble is carboniferous limestone laid down approximately 325 million years ago when this part of County Durham lay under a warm tropical sea.

The fossils of coral colonies, principally Dibunophyllum bipartitum, are preserved in the black matrix and when the stone is sliced and polished they glow white against the dark background with a beauty that has been prized by builders and church-makers for almost a thousand years.

A document from 1183 refers to “Lambert the marble cutter” of Stanhope, almost certainly a reference to the working of this stone.

It was used for the columns of Durham Cathedral’s Chapel of the Nine Altars from around 1350, for flooring and fonts in churches across the North East, for the chapel of St Peter’s at Auckland Castle, and for the base of the pulpit in St Thomas Cathedral in Mumbai. After the railways arrived in 1847, demand exploded and the stone travelled the world.

You can see the stone in its raw, unpolished form at the natural outcrop in the Bollihope Burn at Harehope Quarry, just outside the village, where the fossil-dense limestone is exposed in the riverbed.

There is also a large polished sample in the car park in the centre of Frosterley, and a piece at the railway station sculpted to mark the station’s reopening in 2004.

What to do

Frosterley Marble Walks — Durham County Council has mapped three waymarked walks starting from Frosterley Station, ranging from a short 1.3-mile circuit visiting the church and quarry sites, to a five-mile route with views across Weardale and a return alongside the Bollihope Burn.

A third five-mile route follows a quiet limestone valley with ancient yew trees and wildflowers.

Rogerley Mine — Just west of the village on the north side of the A689, Rogerley is the only mine in Britain operated commercially, solely for mineral specimens.

It is the world’s most celebrated source of Weardale fluorite, vivid green crystals that glow an intense purple in daylight due to the presence of rare earth elements in the rock.

Specimens from Rogerley sit in natural history museums worldwide, and the mine holds open collecting days for the public on selected dates each year.

Weardale Railway — The heritage line that stops at Frosterley opened on August 8, 1847, built specifically to extract limestone from the quarries here, and Frosterley was its original western terminus.

Today it runs heritage diesel and steam services between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope, and a journey up the dale on a clear day is one of the best ways to see the Weardale landscape.

Hamsterley Forest — A 5,000-acre forest about five miles east of Frosterley, Hamsterley has walking, cycling, running and play trails to suit all abilities, cycle hire, and is one of the best places for families in the Durham Dales.

The blue mountain bike trail runs nine miles through the forest and is well-suited to those building confidence on two wheels.

Where to eat and drink

The Frosterley Inn, Front Street — The village pub is a traditional, dog-friendly local with home-cooked food, real ale, a pool table, a quiz night on Tuesdays and live music.

Open from evenings on weekdays and from noon at weekends, it is a reliable and welcoming option after a day on the fells.

For a wider choice of restaurants, Stanhope is two miles up the valley and Wolsingham three miles to the east, both with cafés and pubs serving food.

Worth knowing

St Botolph’s Chapel in Frosterley, excavated in recent years, has confirmed an 8th-century Saxon settlement connected with the monks of Monkwearmouth, the same community that produced Bede.

The village is also a small, linear settlement of stone terraces built for quarrymen, and its character still reflects that working past in a way that feels entirely unperformed.