blue

Northumberland village is one of the UK’s most picturesque fishing villages, boasting charming cottages, sweeping views of the sea and plenty of fresh air — perfect for a serene getaway.

Tucked away in the heart of the Northumbrian coast lies a charming fishing village with a dark history, seemingly frozen in time.

Located approximately six miles east of the lively market town of Alnwick, this historic fishing hamlet is a must-see for those looking to experience the UK’s natural splendour away from the masses. As the next village up the coast from Alnmouth, it offers a stark contrast to Alnmouth’s abundant facilities and leisure spots.

This captivating village is famed for its picturesque chocolate-box cottages and iconic blue coble fishing boats, which have been a hallmark of the region for centuries and are still utilised by local fishermen today. Interestingly, this fishing village doesn’t have a formal harbour, so boats are hauled ashore by tractors, making it an ideal location for rock pooling and coastal walks.

The beautiful coastal village of Boulmer boasts a small population (likely less than 120 residents) and primarily consists of a long row of cottages and houses providing uninterrupted views of the North Sea. It’s regarded as one of Northumberland’s last authentic fishing villages, and little has altered within its confines over the past century.

The tranquil village is an ideal spot for those seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of tourist hotspots, offering a peaceful setting for relaxation. However, Boulmer doesn’t offer much in terms of recreational activities, reports Chronicle Live.

The Fishing Boat Inn is the only place to eat and drink in this village. Despite its somewhat murky history, akin to Boulmer itself, it’s now a favourite haunt for locals looking for a pint and a bite to eat. Indeed, there isn’t a single retail shop in Boulmer, so anyone hoping for a shopping spree would need to travel approximately a mile and a half to the village of Longhoughton or 13 miles to the town of Alnwick.

Historically, a significant shift in the village’s routine came with the opening of the Royal Air Force (RAF) base in Boulmer. Located on the outskirts of the fishing village, RAF Boulmer became operational during World War II and is arguably more renowned than the village itself.

The base continues to play a crucial role in the UK’s defence and serves as a key search and rescue base for the Royal Air Force.

Aside from the arrival of the Royal Air Force, little has changed in Boulmer over the past century. It remains one of the few traditional fishing villages still found along Northumberland’s coast.

Nefarious past

Boulmer could be dubbed the smuggling hub of the North, given its rich and complex history with smugglers and pirates. The 18th and 19th centuries marked the height of smuggling activities in Boulmer, as pirates and smugglers from across the Northumbrian coast and Scotland flocked to the small fishing village to trade their illicit goods.

The Fishing Boat Inn was at the epicentre of this unlawful activity, serving as a base for these criminals.

In fact, during the 18th century, William Faa – also known as the King of the Gypsies and one of Britain’s most infamous smugglers – resided just 35 miles away from Boulmer, in the Scottish village of Kirk Yetholm. Reportedly, the landlords of the Fishing Boat Inn were quite accommodating during Boulmer’s smuggling heyday.

Nowadays, Boulmer is a tranquil fishing village boasting picturesque views, with the Fishing Boat Inn being its main attraction.

How to get there

Boulmer can be accessed by car via the village of Longhoughton or from the south through the village of Lesbury. Parking is available in the Fishing Boat Inn’s car park and directly on the seafront.

A limited bus service operates through the village, so visitors relying solely on public transport should check the latest updates and schedules before planning their trip.

The tiny Greek island is offering incentives to families and skilled workers to relocate there, including free food, accommodation, and a monthly stipend.

Ever fancied packing up and moving to a picturesque Greek island, complete with whitewashed buildings, a charming harbour, and shimmering turquoise waters?

It might seem like a pipe dream, but thanks to an initiative from the tiny island of Antikythera, it could become your reality.

Nestled in the Aegean Sea between Crete and the Peloponnese, this stunning island is rolling out the welcome mat for families and skilled workers, offering free grub, digs, and a monthly allowance.

In a bid to boost its dwindling population, Greece is dishing out €500 per month to newcomers on Antikythera for three years after they settle in.

That’s a tidy sum of €18,000 in total, or roughly £15,000. The island offers a tranquil, rural lifestyle, complete with breathtaking beaches and the balmy Greek climates.

“Antikythera has only 45 permanent residents as of now, so it’s a tranquil and close-knit community,” shares Wayne Mills, Head of Operations at Seven Seas Worldwide, an international shipping firm.

“They’re especially keen to attract young families to revitalize the island and bring back youthful energy, so you’ll no doubt be extremely popular as soon as you arrive!”

In response to falling populations and brain drains, numerous countries are laying out the welcome mat to lure new inhabitants to specific regions. Most of Antikythera’s residents are over 50, and children are few and far between.

According to Elxis, a Greek real estate and legal services provider, the scheme has been organised by the Greek Orthodox Church of Kythera, which also covers Antikythera, to attract bakers, fishermen, and families with children.

Aimed at a total of five families, applicants will be interviewed before receiving the financial incentive to relocate to Antikythera.

Andrea Harhalakis, the president of Antikythira, told Iefimerida.gr that “we need young families, large enough to make Antikythira alive and full of children’s voices.”

However, there is a catch. Whilst families wishing to relocate to the island will have their choice of a new house, the properties have not yet been constructed due to delays in paperwork.

As a result, Antikythira has not yet welcomed any families through this programme. For updates on construction progress, interested parties are advised to contact Kythira’s Tourism Department.

The island, covering a mere 7.89 square miles, can be reached by ferry from the nearby island of Kythira or from Kissamos port in Crete.

Antikythera, with its sparse population and secluded setting, offers an authentic taste of traditional Greek island life.

During the winter months, there’s only one small shop selling basic foodstuffs and vegetables. However, the island is equipped with electricity and internet access.

Antikythera is renowned for the Antikythera Mechanism, an ancient Greek analogue computer dating back to approximately 150-100 BCE.

This contraption was utilised to forecast astronomical positions, eclipses, and potentially other celestial events.

Unearthed in 1901 from a shipwreck off the island’s coast, it’s hailed as one of antiquity’s most significant technological relics.

The Antikythera shipwreck (around 70-60 BCE) ranks among the richest ancient wrecks ever discovered, brimming with artefacts such as statues, coins, and luxury items.

The island is also acclaimed for its raw beauty and wildlife. Antikythera serves as a crucial pit stop for migratory birds journeying between Europe and Africa, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.

DUNCAN James has revealed how Blue has managed to avoid the boyband curse and not hate each other’s guts ahead of their new album.

The four-piece formed in 2000 and have a wealth of hits to their name including All Rise, One Love and Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word.

To mark their 25th anniversary, Blue – which also consists of Lee Ryan, Simon Webbe, Antony Costa – are releasing a new album in January, and are stronger than ever.

Speaking to The Sun, Duncan, 48, said: “We’re very busy with the new album Reflections coming out.

“Then a big world tour for our 25th anniversary. I just can’t believe we have got to 25 years and we’ve never lost a member.

“We’ve stayed together for 25 years and we’re still there.”

Read More on Duncan James

one love

Duncan James breaks silence on finding love with toyboy five months after split

HIGH LIFE

Blue reveal new album as Duncan admits vodka sesh with A-lister at height of fame

He’s right – it’s a rare feat in boyband terms to not only have all original members in the band, but for there to still be a lot of love and respect for one another.

Original British boyband Take That famously lost Robbie Williams to a solo career in the mid-90s, and currently perform as a trio after Jason Orange decided to hang up his mic in 2014.

One Direction lost Zayn Malik partway through their world-dominating success, while Westlife lost Brian McFadden after five years and Five fell apart in spectacular fashion at the peak of their fame, before all of them finally reunited for their successful 2025 arena tour.

Meanwhile Boyzone has grabbed headlines in recent years after documenting the tensions behind-the-scenes and announcing a surprise farewell gig with all four remaining members agreeing to take part.

Despite Blue going on hiatus from 2005 to 2011, they reformed as a four-piece to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest, and have remained together ever since.

Revealing the key to their success in avoiding the boyband curse, Duncan said: “I’ve had these ups and downs and different things, we’ve all had a lot of ups and downs but we’re still together.

“For me, I think it’s because we have a lot of loyalty to one another. And I think boys as well, we never really argue.

“We don’t have these bitchy squabbles about clothing or who is going to have what.

“But I think honestly, it’s probably down to the fact that I’m an only child, so I never had any brothers and sisters.

“So when I got into Blue and at the height of it all it was just crazy, we were all over the place around the world, doing songs with Elton John and all that, and I think you just become really close like brothers.”

They’re brothers that I never thought I’d ever have, and we’re family. We always say that to each other, we’re family. And I think that’s the key.

Duncan James

Duncan, who came out as gay in 2014, continued: “They were there for me through everything that I’ve been through in my life, they are literally my brothers.

“They’re brothers that I never thought I’d ever have, and we’re family. We always say that to each other, we’re family. And I think that’s the key.

“There’s been a lot of stuff that’s gone on and we’ve always stood by each other and supported each other, and that’s what families do, don’t they?”

Because of this, the lads still all share a dressing room when they go on tour, but there is one thing they refuse to do.

Duncan, who spoke to us while attending the Children with Cancer gala, said: “The only thing we don’t do is sit next to each other on an aeroplane.

“We all like a window seat and so we all want that seat, and if you don’t get a window, it’s like ‘Oh for God’s sake!’, that’s when you could have an argument!”

New album Reflections, released on January 9, and lead single One Last Time, shows a more grown-up side to the band, who are fans of bands including The Killers and Kings of Leon.

Duncan previously told The Sun: “I think all of us collectively have always loved that rock sound.

“But when you’re put into a boy band, you’re given a kind of direction to go down.”

You won’t see a movie with better music and worse dialogue this holiday season than the bizarrely charming “Song Sung Blue,” a biopic about a husband-and-wife Neil Diamond cover band who were a fleeting sensation in 1990s Milwaukee.

If that plot synopsis isn’t a hook, the soundtrack is packed with them, as stars Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson belt over a dozen Diamond hits including “Forever in Blue Jeans,” “I Am…I Said,” and “Holly Holy.” Of course the couple they’re playing, Mike and Claire Sardina, a.k.a. Lightning & Thunder, also do “Sweet Caroline,” although they disagree over where it belongs in the set list. Mike prefers last, allowing them to showcase his idol’s range beforehand. Claire insists it come first after an incident when withholding it triggers a biker brawl.

Written and directed by Craig Brewer (“Hustle & Flow”), the movie is itself a cover of Greg Kohs’ 2008 documentary on the Sardinas, also titled “Song Sung Blue.” The original is a quirky little indie that reveals truth to be weirder than fiction. What happens to Mike and Claire is so outlandish that you’d roll your eyes if Brewer also included the facts that their real-life wedding climaxed with a concert for a thousand people at the Wisconsin State Fair and that the groomsmen wore tuxedo T-shirts.

Both films are love stories, even if the new version compresses Mike and Claire’s decade and a half marriage into two years. He’s a divorced auto mechanic and recovering alcoholic with a surly-but-sweet distant daughter named Angela (King Princess) and a bit of local renown. She’s a single mom to son Dayna (Hudson Hensley) and her own daughter, Rachel (Ella Anderson), when Mike struts into her life wearing lightning bolts on his jacket and tooth. His manager, Dave (Fisher Stevens), is also his dentist.

This is a script that shows and tells. If Mike jokes that Dave deserves a free oil change for missing out on a $10 commission, then you better believe the movie will cut to him under the car doing the job. Every character blurts out exactly what they want with the gusto of belting out ba-ba-baaaah at a certain Neil Diamond chorus.

“I gotta be Neil but I gotta be me too,” Mike says urgently. A couple scenes later, Hudson’s Claire turns to Rachel and pleads, “I just want to sing and feel happy and be loved!” Likewise, as soon as their kids are thrust together on an awkward playdate, the girls get stoned, trauma-bonding about their unstable parents, a cute and corny moment that ensures the audience knows the risks if Lightning & Thunder are forced to hang up their spangles.

The twosome are backed by a tour booker, Tom (Jim Belushi), who dreams of getting them a residency in Vegas, and a motley crew of fellow mimics including a Buddy Holly (Michael Imperioli) and a James Brown (Mustafa Shakir). Shyaporn Theerakulstit, Chacha Tahng and Faye Tamasa have some nice moments as Thai restaurateurs who welcome the Sardinas’ family into their own. Often though, you find yourself watching Anderson as the anxious Rachel who seems most in tune with reality. Can her mom and stepdad’s fantasies of fame actually pay their rent?

There’s a spoiler in the trailer that I recommend avoiding if you can. The argument for it must have been that no one wants to see a musical about two Midwesterners in rhinestones unless something bad happens to them. Most rock biopics have a similar rise-and-fall-and-rise arc; it’s a cliché that works, like plugging “Sweet Caroline” into a bar’s jukebox. But what gives “Song Sung Blue” a wonky kind of depth is that there’s only so high Mike and Claire can rise. When the real-life couple was fired from a steady booking, the club owner justified his actions by saying, “Especially being in Neil Diamond impersonation, your limits are Neil Diamond.”

Fans will counter that the songwriter’s gifts are so ceaseless that younger generations might not even connect each hit with his name. Bopping along to the movie feels like being at a pub trivia night where the answer is always Neil Diamond: That’s right, he also wrote The Monkees’ “I’m a Believer.” Begrudgingly, you half-buy into one of the script’s more ludicrous set-ups, that Lightning & Thunder will play their biggest show on the night Diamond is headlining at another venue in town. The greater metro population of Milwaukee is just shy of one and half million people. Sure, why not.

Grinding plot gears aside, the duo’s actual biggest gig is pretty awesome: In 1995, Eddie Vedder invited Lightning & Thunder to open for Pearl Jam. (“What’s a Pearl Jam?” Mike asks.) The quirky mash-up of sequins and flannel gets reenacted here, but this would be a richer movie if it explored why a Seattle grunge band rocketing toward mega-stardom would whisk this act along for the ride. Appreciation for Diamond’s lyrical craft? Respect for the Sardinas’ genuine talents? Or just kitsch?

That Lightning & Thunder peaked when Gen Xers were ascendant makes you yearn for Brewer to grapple with how much of their fan base was ironic. That question, along with Diamond’s ear worms, won’t stop wriggling in my brain. The closest answer I’ve found is in a “Simpsons” episode from around the same time where Homer takes the stage at a cartoon version of Lollapalooza. (“He’s cool,” a pierced punk says with a snort. A buddy asks if he’s being sarcastic, and the kid collapses like a hot air balloon: “I don’t even know anymore.”)

“Song Sung Blue” couldn’t be less cool. But the Sardinas were completely sincere and Jackman and Hudson honor their innocence by playing them straight. (Brewer, however, can’t resist a pratfall where Mike trips singing “Cracklin’ Rosie” in his skivvies.) Jackman looks and sounds so much like Diamond that the concert scenes feel like top-fleet karaoke, and Hudson more than holds her own, even as her Claire is tasked to stare at her husband with starry eyes that sparkle as much as her silver makeup.

Hudson encourages the audience to use Claire’s stubborn buoyancy and perky accent as a life raft when Lightning & Thunder are deluged by extremely bad luck. But the beat Hudson gets exactly right comes in a scene where you’re certain this klutzy melodrama is going to force her to sob. Instead, she refuses. She smiles, and that’s the detail that breaks your heart.

So I cried for her. Then I groaned some more and while I didn’t need an encore, I left the theater humming.

The 1999 romantic comedy is available to watch on Film 4 this evening

This much-loved romantic comedy is set to return to our televisions on Film 4 on Christmas Day.

Written by Richard Curtis, and starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, the nineties classic Notting Hill spins the tale of an improbable romance between a British bookshop owner and a world-famous American actress. The film features a fantastic supporting cast including Rhys Ifans, Hugh Bonneville, Emma Chambers, Tim McInnerny and Gina McKee, and remains a favourite for its feel-good factor, nostalgia and unforgettable quotes.

Its award-winning soundtrack, brimming with hits from iconic musicians, perfectly complements this heartwarming narrative. The life of travel bookshop proprietor William Thacker (played by Grant) takes a surprising twist when the beautiful and renowned US actress Anna Scott (portrayed by Roberts) walks into his Notting Hill, London shop to buy a book. Their lives couldn’t be more contrasting – Will, a divorcee, cohabits with his messy Welsh flatmate Spike (Ifans), while Anna stays at the Ritz hotel during her promotional tour for her latest film.

After Anna surprises Will with a kiss, a flirtation develops into a romance, leading her to meet his eccentric circle of friends. However, as in any love story, there are heartbreaking hurdles to surmount, and the couple find themselves separated due to misunderstandings and miscommunication. Packed with iconic one-liners, including the unforgettable “I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy”, the film became a runaway hit with both critics and cinema-goers when it premiered in 1999.

The rom-com hauled in £31 million at UK box offices alone, cementing its position as Britain’s biggest-grossing film of the time. The movie garnered numerous awards, including a BRIT Award for its outstanding soundtrack featuring numbers such as Ronan Keating’s When You Say Nothing At All, Elvis Costello’s She, and Bill Withers’ Ain’t No Sunshine.

Fans still adore every element of this treasured classic. On Rotten Tomatoes, where it boasts an impressive 84% rating, one critic wrote: “Charming, feel-good romantic comedy that still holds up. Notting Hill has just the right mix of humor, heart, and sincerity. “The chemistry between Hugh Grant and Julia Roberts is natural and warm, and the story – while simple – hits all the right notes. It’s light but not shallow, and there are moments that genuinely stay with you.”

Another admirer suggested it should be considered the definitive romantic comedy template: “Expertly written and brilliantly directed!” they said. “Classic that should be a sort of ‘model’ for love stories. With Roberts and Grant in the lead, what could go wrong hey? Razor sharp wit and spectacular characters, this is a winner.” A third viewer, who admitted they don’t usually gravitate towards romantic films, gave it a glowing five-star rating and remarked: “Not a rom-com type but this really worked for me. The two leads were superb / It’s perfect… one of the best rom coms of all time.”

Notting Hill is on Film 4 at 11.15pm on Christmas Day.

Mason Marchment scored two power-play goals, Kirill Marchenko had one, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Kings 3-1 on Monday night.

Jet Greaves made 23 saves and Damon Severson had two assists as Columbus snapped a four-game road losing streak.

Andrei Kuzmenko scored and Anton Forsberg made 27 saves as the Kings were held to fewer than three goals for the sixth straight game.

Columbus was without defenseman Zach Werenski, who is day to day with a lower body injury sustained blocking a shot against the Ducks on Saturday. Werenski leads the Blue Jackets in goals, assists and points, and his 14 goals are tied with Washington’s Jakob Chychrun for most in the NHL by a defenseman.

However, newcomer Marchment made up for it, scoring twice in the first period, giving him three goals in two games since being acquired from Seattle on Friday. He opened the scoring 4:07 into the game with a wrist shot off Forsberg’s blocker, before making it 2-0 with 23.5 seconds remaining in the first period when Boone Jenner’s shot took a double deflection and went in off Marchment’s shoulder.

Kuzmenko got the Kings on the scoreboard with 1:19 remaining in the second, but Marchenko added a third power-play tally for the Blue Jackets with 5:46 remaining in the third. The three goals with the man-advantage were a season high, and it was the third time the Blue Jackets had multiple power-play goals.

The Kings were playing for the first time since trading third-line center Phillip Danault to Montreal on Friday, but newly promoted bottom six centers Alex Turcotte and Samuel Helenius struggled to make a consistent impact with frequent penalties creating a choppy game flow.

Up next for the Kings: vs. Seattle at Crypto.com Arena on Tuesday.

Pavel Mintyukov slid a shot from the slot past Elvis Merzlikins with 3:29 left and the Ducks beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 on Saturday night.

Mikael Granlund threaded a pass from the right circle to set up Mintyukov, and also scored. Jacob Trouba and Mason McTavish added goals to help the Ducks move back into first place in the Pacific Division.

Ducks goalie Lukas Dostal made 23 saves. He was pulled Friday night in an 8-3 loss to Dallas after he gave up four goals on seven shots in the first 14½ minutes.

Dmitri Voronkov, Mason Marchment and Zach Werenski scored for Columbus. Merzlikins made 24 saves.

Werenski tied it 3-3 with 7:16 left, taking a pass from Denton Mateychuk and snapping a shot from the left circle over Dostal’s right blocker. He has five goals in three games and 14 overall.

Werenski was injured when he blocked a shot with 2:11 left and struggled to get to the bench, the Blue Jackets taking a penalty for too many men on the ice that stifled any comeback hopes.

Columbus tied it 2-2 when Marchment, acquired from the Seattle Kraken on Friday, redirected a waist-high, blue-line shot from Damon Severson past Dostal 3:39 into the second.

The Ducks took a 3-2 lead when fourth-line winger Ross Johnston slipped a pass from behind the Columbus net to McTavish, who snapped a shot from the slot over Merzlikins’ right shoulder with 6:24 left in the second.

Up next for the Ducks: vs. Seattle at Honda Center on Monday night.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Adam Fantilli scored with 1:28 left in overtime to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4–3 win over the Ducks on Tuesday night, breaking a five-game losing streak.

Zach Werenski scored twice and added an assist in his 600th NHL game, Boone Jenner had a goal and an assist, and Kent Johnson added two assists. Jet Greaves stopped 24 shots for his first win since Nov. 20.

Mikael Granlund had a goal and an assist, Ryan Strome and Jackson LaCombe also scored goals, and Ryan Poehling recorded two assists for the Ducks. Ville Husso made 24 saves as the Ducks dropped three games on their five-city trip.

Werenski gave Columbus an early lead at 8:21 of the first period, burying a feed from Jenner to extend his home point streak to 11 games.

Strome pulled the Ducks even with a wrister from the crease at 3:35 of the second period, but Columbus responded with two goals in a 43-second span. Werenski put the Blue Jackets back on top before Jenner backhanded in the rebound of an Ivan Provorov shot just 19 seconds later to make it 3–1.

After Granlund pulled the Ducks within a goal at 5:29, LaCombe tied the score with 3:16 left in the third. Fantilli then ended it in overtime with a wrister from the right circle.

The win was Columbus’ first over the Ducks in Nationwide Arena since Dec. 1, 2017.