buried

WHEN it comes to the Cotswolds, everyone heads to the same towns of Bibury and Bourton-on-the-Water.

But an alternative town often overlooked is Winchombe – and it’s hiding a huge royal secret.

Found near Cheltenham, the town is called the “hidden jewel in the Cotswold crown,” by the tourist board.

It is a popular visit for walkers due to its location on seven famous footpaths.

This includes the Cotswold Way and Gloucestershire Way, as well as Windrush Way and Kenelm’s Trail.

It now even holds a walking festival every May in celebration.

HIDDEN GEM

Inside my affordable Cotswolds dupe 1 hour from London… set to be world-famous

CELEB SPOTS

The UK neighbourhoods where you could be rubbing shoulders with A-list stars

There is the free-to-visit Winchombe Museum which talks of the town’s history dating back billions of years.

Otherwise you can also visit St Peter’s Church which dates back to the 1400s.

Just outside the town in the parish of Sudeley is Sudeley Castle.

As well as its beautiful 10 gardens set across the 1,200 acre estate, it has been owned by a number of kings over the years including King Edward IV and King Richard II.

King Henry VIII also visited with his then wife Anne Boleyn – and also made it the resting place of Queen Katherine Parr after her death.

This makes it the world’s only privately owned castle to have a queen buried onsite.

Sadly the town no longer has a functioning train station with scheduled passenger trains.

It did have its own back in 1906 which was on the line of Cheltenham to Birmingham.

Sadly it closed in 1960 and was dismantled in the 1980s.

However, it as since been partially restored for heritage trains such as themed trips and Christmas events.

Kids will love the Royal Mail model railway there too which has a Thomas & Friends train track as well as a small cafe.

You aren’t short of pubs in town either if you want a pint and a burger, from The Royal Oak to The Pheasant Inn.

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, options include The Lion Inn and White Hart Inn as well.

For something more fun, on the outskirts is The Lodge at Winchcombe, a beautiful country house with en-suite bedrooms.

SHOP TO IT

Shoppers race to grab kitchen set scanning for just £6 with huge £50 off

MURDER PROBE

‘Murdered’ businessman found dead inside his own home just weeks after wife

Trains to Winchcombe take around 1hr30 from London, followed by a 30 minute drive from Honeybourne.

Here is another Cotswolds town that is loved by locals.

JAPAN has released a terrifying AI-generated video showing residents what could happen if Mount Fuji erupted.

The footage, created by Tokyo’s Metropolitan government, warned locals that their city could one day be buried under ash as it urged them to remain vigilant.

5

5

5

5

If Mount Fuji erupts, the ash is estimated to start pouring down on Tokyo within one to two hours, building a layer up to 10cm thick over the city.

Volcanic ash is formed during explosive eruptions when dissolved gases expand in magma and escape into the atmosphere.

The AI clip shows a huge grey cloud engulfing the sky as it mushrooms over the capital’s high-rise buildings.

Thick black ash spreads over the city covering cars, houses and roads.

A voiceover over the clip says: “The moment may arrive without any warning.

“Volcanic ash is made up of fine, jagged particles. Its unique qualities pose many hazards to health and society.”

Covered in smog, Tokyo appears at a standstill with planes and trains grounded as thick soot blankets train tracks and runways.

Video shows locals holding umbrellas and wearing masks, while cars sit parked in heaps of the volcanic cinders.

In a bid to educate Tokyo’s locals on how to prepare for the colossal event, the clip shows a family opening up a store cupboard full of provisions.

It comes as the government’s cabinet office released a separate video on Tuesday in which it urged residents to “visualize specific scenarios” so they could be better prepared.

And in March, the government issued recommendations suggesting residents keep a two-week supply of essentials in their home.

Officials have stepped up their warnings to locals amid ongoing fears the country is due an environmental disaster.

Estimates suggest eruption damages would cost over $16 billion as areas are plunged into darkness and houses collapse under the ash.

The video has sparked fear among locals who say the prospect of an eruption is “terrifying”.

One resident said: “The thought of volcanic ash causing transportation chaos in the Tokyo metropolitan area is terrifying.”

Some experts have criticised the video for stirring up irrational worry and potentially deterring tourists from visiting.

Japan is no stranger to volcanic eruptions though, as seen in 2022 when plumes of ash spewed into the air after mount Sakurajima burst into life.

And about ten per cent of the world’s active volcanoes can be found in Japan as it lies inside the ‘Ring of Fire’ – one of the most active seismic zones in the world.

A chain of six volcanoes were set off in the perilous zone earlier this month with explosions sending ash as high as 5.28 miles above sea level.

Klyuchevskaya Sopka, the largest volcano in the region, exploded at three miles with a stream of scalding lava.

This was followed by four other volcanoes in the region – the Krasheninnikov, Shiveluch, Bezymianny and the smaller, Karymsk – which each spewed colossal columns of ash.

5

JACK Osbourne has revealed the touching way tributes left by Ozzy’s fans will be saved, with flowers to be buried at his final resting place.

The late rock legend’s son shared a heartwarming clip to Instagram and explained how hand-written letters, memorabilia, and merch are being “carefully preserved”.

13

13

13

They were left at the Black Sabbath Bridge after news of Ozzy’s death broke and during his funeral procession through Birmingham last week.

Jack told how every item will be recorded on a digital database and given to the Osbourne family.

A video showed all the tributes laid out in rows, being photographed and logged.

“Here’s how tributes for Ozzy Osbourne are being carefully preserved by Central BID,” read the caption.

“All items from the Black Sabbath Bridge and Navigation St Mural have now been moved to a secure location.

“Every piece is being laid out individually, catalogued and treated with care.

“Our team has been working to respectfully sort the items ensuring they’re preserved in the best possible condition.

“We will be working to create a digital record of every tribute over the next few weeks to be sent to Ozzy’s family.

“The flowers are being mulched and bagged, with the compost to be included at Ozzy’s final resting place.

“Thank you for all of your tributes.”

One emotional fan penned: “Such a beautiful way to respect us fans and allow the family to see how much your Dad was adored.”

Another wrote: “Imagine all the different stories in those letters and cards from people old and young, all over the world all being bought together by one person who had an impact on their lives in some way.”

“That is so awesome, Ozzy touched so many people all over the world. What a wonderful way to acknowledge his fans,” shared a third.

Someone else agreed: “This is amazing and show just how much you loved your dad and also respected his fans. You should all be proud of what you did for his legacy.”

13

13

13

13

“Wow and wow what an awesome tribute to your dad. God bless you Jack and your family,” added a fifth.

It comes after Jack paid an emotional tribute to his dad and told how his heart has “hurt too much” to speak out.

Ozzy’s youngest son shared a short video compilation of clips and photographs of himself and his father.

The 39-year-old was seen supporting his mum Sharon and his sisters Kelly, 40, and Aimee, 41, at their dad’s funeral.

He appeared on the American reality TV show The Osbournes as a child alongside his father, sisters and mother.

Jack said: “I haven’t really wanted to post anything since the passing of my father.

“My heart has hurt too much. I’m gonna keep this short because he certainly hated long rambling speeches.

“He was so many things to so many people, but I was so lucky and blessed to be a part of a very small group that got to call him Dad.

“My heart is full of so much sadness and sorrow, but also so much love and gratitude.

“I got 14,501 days with that man and I know that is such a blessing. I think this quote best describes my father.”

The tribute was followed by a quote from Hunter S. Thompson, known for writing Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

It reads: “Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well-preserved body… but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming, ‘Wow! What a ride!'”

Jack went on to say that the quote from the American author summed up his dad, adding “he lived his life fully.”

Meanwhile Sharon earlier revealed Ozzy’s poignant final words about his fans following his farewell Black Sabbath concert.

She told Pollstar: “It was the first time, I think, that anybody’s gone into retirement and done it, where the show is streamed and it goes to charity.

13

13

“So it’s the first time anybody has said goodnight like that, it’s the perfect way, when you’ve had such a long career, to end it – I never wanted Ozzy to just disappear without some big event.

“He [Ozzy] turned around and he said to me that night, he said, ‘I had no idea that so many people liked me’.”

Last Thursday, an “incredibly emotional” funeral service was held for the rocker, a family friend told The Sun.

The family home was decorated with pictures of Ozzy, and mourners were given a photograph of him to take home.

The singer’s nearest and dearest attended, joining his wife Sharon and his children Jack, Kelly, Aimee, and Louis, his son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.

His official death certificate lists ‘acute myocardial infarction’ and ‘out of hospital cardiac arrest’ under the cause of death section.

It also listed coronary artery disease and Parkinson’s disease with autonomic dysfunction as “joint causes” of Ozzy’s death.

The document described his occupation as a “rock legend, songwriter and performer” in a heart-warming nod towards Ozzy.

13

13

13

13

OZZY Osbourne has been buried near bat boxes – and it feels “like Ozzy had the last laugh”, a family friend said.

The Black Sabbath legend, who died on July 22 at the age of 76, was laid to rest next to the lake in his Buckinghamshire home on Thursday.

8

8

8

A family friend told the Mirror: “This was like a classic Ozzy move. The man loved humour and this sure would have tickled him pink knowing how close friends reacted to this bat situation.

“After all those decades caught up in this drama around bats and animal rights groups, here at his final resting place there are bespoke bat boxes to help encourage the animals thrive in the UK countryside.

“It has prompted quite a few laughs and funny ­reactions. It is just like Ozzy had the last laugh.”

They added that the bat boxes – installed in trees by the lake a few years ago – have brought moments of laughter to the grieving family.

One of the most controversial moments of the heavy metal singer’s career came in January 1982, when he famously bit the head off a bat on stage.

Something small and black landed near him on stage during a show at Des Moines’ Veterans Memorial Auditorium.

Believing it was a rubber toy, Ozzy picked it up and bit into it.

In his 2010 autobiography I Am Ozzy, he wrote: “Somebody threw a bat. I just thought it was a rubber bat. And I picked it up and put it in my mouth. I bit into it.

“Immediately, though, something felt wrong. Very wrong,” he added.

Ozzy said he deeply regretted the incident as he had to have daily rabies shots for months.

It remains unclear whether the bat was alive or dead – in a 2006 interview with the BBC, Ozzy described it as a “dead real bat”.

Buckinghamshire – home to many brown long-eared and pipistrelle bats – has recently taken steps to improve bat conservation.

On Thursday, an “incredibly emotional” funeral service was held for the rocker, a family friend told The Sun.

Tents were erected on the 250-acre grounds of the house Ozzy and Sharon bought in 1993, along with a stage where tributes were paid to the rocker.

8

8

8

8

The home was decorated with pictures of Ozzy, and mourners were given a photograph of him to take home.

110 of the singer’s nearest and dearest attended, joining his wife Sharon and his children Jack, 39, Kelly, 40, Aimee, 41, and Louis, 50, his son from his first marriage to Thelma Riley.

Stars at the service included Ozzy’s Black Sabbath bandmates, Metallica’s James Hetfield, punk singer Yungblud and Sir Elton John.

Rock icon Marilyn Manson flew in from the US to attend, alongside Ozzy’s guitarist Zakk Wylde and Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor.

The family friend said: “Everyone at the service just wanted to support Sharon and the kids, it has been an awful time.

“Toasts were raised, memories were shared – it was a very fitting goodbye.

“Ozzy wanted his final place of rest to be at home and he is buried at a beautiful point on the lake.

“As well as the ‘Ozzy f***ing Osbourne’ wreath, which made people smile, there was another floral tribute which spelt out ‘Ozzy’ that was placed by the fountain on the lake.

“There was a stage where people including Yungblud, who grew very close to Ozzy in recent years, were set to pay tribute to him.

“The day was incredibly emotional. Pictures of Ozzy were dotted throughout the house and a photograph of him was given to everyone who attended to take home with them.”

Guests were sent a simple black invitation featuring a cross and the words: “In loving memory of Ozzy Osbourne.”

The road leading to the couple’s Buckinghamshire home near Gerrards Cross was closed from 1pm.

Mourners were transported from The Crowne Plaza and The Bull in Gerrards Cross to the house at 2pm, with the service starting at 3pm.

The day before, thousands of fans gathered in the streets of Birmingham to pay tribute to Ozzy.

8

Muhammadu Buhari, who was the country’s democratic leader between 2015 and 2023, died aged 82 in London on Sunday.

Nigeria’s former President Muhammadu Buhari will be buried in his hometown of Daura in the northern state of Katsina, once his body is repatriated from the United Kingdom, the state governor has said.

The remains of the ex-leader, who died aged 82 in London on Sunday following a prolonged illness, will reach Nigeria on Tuesday, with his burial taking place later the same day, according to Dikko Umaru Radda.

Preparations for the burial were under way in Daura on Monday, while the country’s Vice President Kashim Shettima was in London organising the repatriation of Buhari’s body.

Buhari, who first ruled the country as a military leader between 1984 and 1985, served consecutive presidential terms between 2015 and 2023. He was the first opposition politician to be voted into power since the country’s return to civilian rule.

The self-described “converted democrat” is being remembered by many as a central figure in his country’s democratic evolution. However, some critics have also noted his failure to improve Nigeria’s economy or its security during his presidency.

Paying tribute to his predecessor on Sunday, President Bola Tinubu called him “a patriot, a soldier, a statesman”.

“He stood firm through the most turbulent times, leading with quiet strength, profound integrity, and an unshakable belief in Nigeria’s potential,” Tinubu wrote in a post on X.

“He championed discipline in public service, confronted corruption head-on and placed the country above personal interest at every turn.”

Tinubu added that all national flags would fly at half-mast for seven days from Sunday, and said Buhari would be accorded full-state honours.

Radda also paid his respects to the former president, describing him as “the embodiment of the common man’s aspirations”.

Ibrahim Babangida, a former military ruler who ousted Buhari in a coup in 1985, also released a statement after his death was announced.

“We may not have agreed on everything — as brothers often don’t — but I never once doubted his sincerity or his patriotism,” Babangida said.

Speaking to Al Jazeera, Alexis Akwagyiram, managing editor at Semafor and a longtime observer of Nigerian politics, noted that Buhari was popular for his “personal brand of integrity and honesty”.

However, Akwagyiram also highlighted Buhari’s shortcomings on the economy and security, saying that insurgencies from groups such as Boko Haram had “proliferated under his tenure”.

Swiss authorities say they have rescued everyone who was buried in a “severe” avalanche that occurred on the Eiger mountain on Saturday, and that there are no missing people.

The avalanche at the Swiss Alps took place shortly after midday on Saturday, prompting police to launch a large-scale rescue operation.

“All people have been flown out,” Bern Cantonal police said on Saturday evening, without specifying the number. Authorities had deployed several teams.

The Eiger is a 3,967m (13,000 ft) peak near the tourist resorts of Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, and Wengen.