childrens

The star, who died aged 76, also presented the schools show Our World and pioneering deaf community shows Listening Eye and Insight.

One of the stars of Children’s ITV has died aged 76. Tributes are being paid to Peter Llewellyn-Jones, who played Mr Grimley in The Riddlers, which was a teatime fixture throughout the Nineties.

The Riddlers featured the adventures of Marjorie Dawe, played by Victoria Williams, her neighbour Montgomery Lancelot Grimley, played by Llewelyn-Jones, and two Riddlers – puppet creatures – called Mossop and Tiddler.

The show, which was produced by Yorkshire Television, was a huge success, running for 224 episodes on ITV from 1989 until 1998. Five videos, two DVDs and a series of Riddler books were also released.

Away from Riddleton End, Llewellyn-Jones also presented on Our World, an ITV schools series about how children approach life that ran during the Eighties and Nineties.

He was also a prominent British Sign Language (BSL) advocate and appeared in the children’s TV show Insight, which produced sketches and short stories for deaf and hard of hearing young people from 1980 to 1984.

Llewellyn-Jones also appeared on its successor, the BBC’s Listening Eye, a pioneering show for the deaf community which later became Sign On.

The British Deaf Association paid tribute in a signed video, saying: “Today the British Deaf Association is deeply saddened by the passing of Peter Llewellyn-Jones, a BSL champion and strong ally of the deaf community for over 50 years.

“Peter had a long and valued association with the BDA, supporting our work and contributing to BDA events over many decades.

“From the early BDA Summer Schools through to wider national Deaf community events, he played an important role in improving communication and access between Deaf and hearing people.

“Peter was a visionary leader and pioneering advocate for linguistic rights.”

One fan responded to the news, writing: “Sad to hear that Peter Llewellyn Jones has passed away, I love The Riddlers and I remember buying it on video, when I was a kid.”

Opening statements in a landmark US case brought by a bipartisan coalition of 29 states against Meta – the parent company of Facebook and Instagram – began on Tuesday, with Colorado, California, New Jersey and Kentucky arguing that the company’s popular social media apps were designed in ways that harmed the mental health of young users.

The trial, which is expected to last several weeks, began in a US federal court in California before District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. While there is an eight-person jury, the group is serving in an advisory role as Judge Rogers will ultimately decide the case.

Megan O’Neill, a deputy California attorney general, in her opening statement said that the company designed its products to “hook the users, hold them for as long as they can, harvest their data, and then hide the truth from the public”.

She added that it worked “especially well for kids”.

The lawsuit, which was first filed in 2023, alleges that Meta made decisions to design its apps to hook users and facilitate excessive use among the platforms’ youngest users. The coalition also alleges that the company collected data on children under the age of 13 in violation of federal law.

“Meta needed kids, and it needed to reassure the people who cared about those kids that the kids are safe,” O’Neill said.

‘Limited claims’

Meta has long pushed back on allegations against the Silicon Valley social media behemoth.

In a statement before the trial, a Meta spokesperson said the states’ claims are unsubstantiated, and the company stands by its record of creating strong protections for teenagers, including launching Instagram Teen Accounts in 2024, which limit who can contact underage users, as well as a feature that allows parents to set time limits on usage.

“The State AGs may call this a landmark case, but their limited claims are unsubstantiated and their financial demands are vastly disproportionate,” Stephanie Otway, a Meta spokesperson, told Al Jazeera in a statement.

“The AGs offer no proof anyone in their states was misled, claim benign features like having an additional Instagram account somehow harmed their residents, and attempt to penalize Meta for industry-wide challenges like age verification. Rather than sticking to the facts or the law, the states have instead decided to chase an outlandish payout.”

The potential impact on Meta’s bottom line is existential. The company could face fines as high as $1.4 trillion, which is just shy of its $1.5 trillion market cap. However, the coalition is seeking fines of roughly $200bn.

Meta has already been ordered to pay $942m in fines in a separate New Mexico lawsuit – $375m in civil penalties in a March jury verdict and $567m ordered by a judge earlier this month.

Meta has acknowledged that the lawsuits it faces, including those related to youth social media addiction, could lead to “substantial monetary damages or fines” in a Securities and Exchange Commission filing in January.

A long time coming

Meta, along with other social media giants, has faced a growing slate of cases across the United States, including from cities, states, school districts and even individuals.

The coalition of states is asking Meta to make changes to its platforms, including introducing new age restrictions and cutting the infinite scroll.

The case’s impetus came from a US Senate committee hearing in 2021, when whistleblower Frances Haugen, a former data scientist at Facebook, claimed that the company knowingly pushed products that could impact the health of young users as the Mark Zuckerberg-led company pursued higher profits.

Meta has repeatedly tried to end the coalition lawsuit, including in 2024 and as recently as June, when it sought summary judgement – a decision that a court might make without going to trial – which would have ended the lawsuit.

The case is impacting the company’s stock. On Wall Street, the social media giant is down more than 3 percent in midday trading.

Aug. 5 (UPI) — The Justice Department announced Wednesday that Connecticut Children’s Medical Center has agreed to stop offering gender-affirming care to minors amid the Trump administration’s crackdown on treatment supported by every major U.S. medical organization.

The Justice Department has been investigating doctors and clinics providing gender-affirming care to minors nationwide since at least July 2025, when it announced that the department had issued more than 20 subpoenas. The investigation followed a President Donald Trump executive order directing the department to prioritize investigations into alleged fraud, consumer deception and federal drug-law violations involving such care.

The order separately directed federal agencies to take steps to ensure that medical institutions receiving federal research or education grants end such care for people under 19.

The Justice Department did not identify the statutes or specify what federal laws Connecticut Children’s allegedly violated, but said Connecticut Children’s denies claims.

The Justice Department added that there was no determination of liability.

In the agreement announced Wednesday, which resolves the Justice Department’s allegations, Connecticut Children’s also agreed to pay an undisclosed monetary penalty and dedicate an additional $500,000 in medical care for individuals “living with the harmful consequences of ‘gender-affirming care,'” the Justice Department said.

UPI has contacted Connecticut Children’s for comment.

Gender-affirming care, including for minors, is supported by every major medical association in the United States. It includes a range of therapies, including psychological, behavioral and medical interventions, with surgeries for minors being exceedingly rare. According to a 2024 Harvard study, cisgender minors and adults were far more likely to undergo analogous gender-affirming surgeries than their transgender counterparts.

Contrary to medical guidance, Republicans over the past few years have sought to restrict and ban gender-affirming care, while spreading misinformation concerning such treatment.

Upon returning to the White House, Trump implemented a series of policies targeting transgender Americans, including issuing an executive order on his first day in office directing government policy to recognize only male and female as sexes and stating that they are “not changeable.”

Eight days later, he signed a second executive order, “Protecting Children From Chemical and Surgical Mutilation,” directing federal agencies to withhold funds from medical providers that offer gender-affirming medical care, such as puberty suppressants and hormones, to anyone under the age of 19.

In December, the Department of Health and Human Services announced proposed rules that would ban hospitals from performing gender-affirming care on minors as a condition of participating in Medicare and Medicaid programs.

The Connecticut Children’s agreement follows similar agreements reached by Texas Children’s and Cleveland Clinic with the Justice Department to stop providing gender-affirming care to minors.

While getting an emergency passport is usually straightforward for adults, as long as you can get an appointment, families are being warned that the process is more complex for under 16s

Families travelling with children have been warned it’s especially important to check the passports of under 16s before you fly due to a rule that’s often overlooked.

Brits who book a last-minute break, or leave it until the day before to check their passports, may find they need to get an urgent replacement if there are issues such as damage or not enough validity left on the document.

Generally, adults can get a replacement passport using the Passport Office’s one-day premium service, subject to appointment availability. This means your passport is ready to collect from the office in around four hours.

But many parents don’t realise this service is only available for those renewing an adult passport. It can’t be used for new passports, and it’s not available for under 16s.

The fastest service available to get a new or replacement child passport is one-week fast track, and you’ll still need to make an appointment and visit a passport office to use this service. Usually, you can get a next day appointment after you apply, but it’ll depend on availability.

According to airport transfer provider Welcome Pickups, who highlighted the issue during the peak summer holiday season, the reason kids can’t get a last-minute passport is due to safeguarding. Their details must be in the Passport Office’s system for at least five working days before the document can be issued.

It also revealed that more than 705,000 UK passports currently have fewer than three months’ validity remaining, which would cause issues when trying to travel to the vast majority of countries from the UK. Another 350,000 passports were issued over 10 years ago, meaning that why they may be within their validity date, they would be rejected for travel to the EU.

Alex Trimis, CEO of Welcome Pickups, says: “The rules around children’s passports exist for good reason, but very few parents realise you can’t simply rush an appointment the way you could with your own passport.

“Our advice is simple: check the issue date, not just the expiry date, especially if you’re heading into Europe. And if anyone in the family needs a new passport before a trip, start the process the moment the holiday is booked, not the week before it starts.”

4 key passport checks to make now

• Issue date – passports cannot be more than 10 years old even if it hasn’t expired yet. Many countries, including those within the Schengen Area won’t accept passports that breach this rule
• Six/three-month rules – if you’re travelling to the Schengen Area you also need three months of validity left after your planned departure date. Some countries are stricter and ask for six months
• Damage – torn pages, water damage, or heavy wear and tear can also see your passport get rejected
• Full pages – some countries ask that your passport has a certain number of blank pages so they can stamp you in and out. If you travel a lot, consider paying extra for a frequent traveller’s passport with more pages

Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com

BEAUTIFUL Britain is packed with postcard towns and villages that look like they’ve been plucked straight from the pages of a storybook.

From chocolate-box cottages tucked away in the Cotswolds to hidden Highland havens and medieval bridges – you don’t need to board a flight to find a little bit of magic.

Even better, a fairytale escape doesn’t have to come with a royal price tag.

Whether you fancy sipping craft ales by a roaring log fire in Scotland, playing a game of Poohsticks in the Peak District, or exploring a village dedicated to cheese, you can also do it on a budget.

Our travel team has rounded up the most enchanting UK villages to visit this summer – with stays starting from £20 per night.

The Scottish Highlands

Head of Travel, Lisa Minot

It’s a little slice of Highland heaven. A picture-perfect scene of a babbling brook and ancient bridge surrounded by pine forests – but it is one with a slightly darker past.

The village of Carrbridge in the Cairngorms National Park is known for its famous Packhorse Bridge.

First built in 1717, it was used to transport coffins across the raging River Dulnain when waters rose.

Over time, what is now the oldest stone bridge in the Highlands has fallen into disrepair but looks all the prettier for its decrepit state.

The village itself, set in the grand, wild majesty of the Cairngorms, has other claims to fame including the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship.

Every October, chefs from around the world descend on the village hall to battle over oatmeal concoctions.

For travellers looking to refresh after a hike through the surrounding mountains, The Cairn is a lively pub in the heart of the village with a roaring open fire, huge selection of single malt whiskies and craft ale and lots of local game on the menu.

There’s also plenty of artisan treasures to pick up at the Carrbridge Artists Studio.

And keep your eyes peeled when you wander the village and surrounding Ellan Wood.

Massive wooden sculptures of red squirrels, owls and folklore figures abound, created in the annual chainsaw carving championships that are hosted in the village every year.

Ashford in the Water, Peak District

Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

Set in the picturesque Peak District National Park, Ashford in the Water is a pretty village that looks like something from a children’s picture book.

At the heart of the village is Sheepwash Bridge, a medieval stone bridge that stretches over the River Wye. As the name suggests, the river was once used by farmers to wash their sheep before shearing.

Take a stroll over the hump of historic cobbles to watch the ducks drift past. Visit England even named this spot the best place in the country to play a classic game of Poohsticks.

Head further into the village to find charming limestone cottages with manicured gardens, as well as the Holy Trinity Church, which dates back to the 12th century.

The village hosts several unique events throughout the summer, too. The Well Dressing & Flower Festival in June sees the villages’ wells adorned with flower displays, while the Ashford Sheepwash lets you watch the farmers guide their ewes through the river.

Head to the Riverside House Hotel and sit down to a tasty breakfast starting from £8. The hotel dates back to 1620, and its stone exterior is covered with a blanket of climbing ivy.

Five minutes down the road you’ll find the market town of Bakewell, where it would be rude not to try a famous cherry-topped tart.

Rye, East Sussex

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey

When the town’s own main road is called Mermaid Street, it’s no wonder Rye is often compared to the storybooks.

It is steep and cobbled so leave the princess heels at home. 

But let down your hair at the aptly named Mermaid Inn, at over 800 years of age, it’s one of the oldest in the UK – even visited by some British queens too.

(Live out your princess dreams up Ypres Tower too, for some of the best port views).

There’s souvenir shopping galore so pick-up some artwork, books, or homeware.

Don’t forget a decadent hot chocolate at Knoops – this was the original shop before its rollout across the UK and worth the price.

Cheddar, Somerset

Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski

A village named after one of Britain’s favourite foods – what could be better?

Cheddar takes its name seriously and the main road that cuts through the village centre, leading up to the famous Cheddar Gorge, is littered with themed pubs, cafes and shops dedicated to the dairy product.

It’s all a little cheesy, but you’ve just got to embrace it.

In need of a new frock? Gorge-ous Boutique is the place to head. Feeling peckish? I’m still dreaming of the cheese rarebit that I devoured at Cafe Gorge a few months back.

Although very little cheddar is actually produced in the village nowadays, you can still get your hands on some local stuff at The Cheddar Gorge Cheese Company – the only place to still sell it.

I’d recommend opting for the cave-aged variety which is left to mature in Gough’s Caves for a year or so, giving it a deep and rich flavour.

Pop into the caves while you’re here, too. It’s pretty cool to be able to take in such an ancient structure – the stalactites in here are a staggering 500,000 years old.

Westmill, Hertfordshire

Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill

If you didn’t know it was there, you’d miss it. But just next to the larger town of Buntingford is the charming village of Westmill.

To get to it, you’ve got to head down a bumpy track, or walk across rolling fields.

There’s no noisy traffic, in fact, it’s so incredibly quiet you’re likely just to hear the bleating of sheep.

Westmill has thatched-roof cottages, a village green, a charming tea room and a pub loved by locals called The Sword Inn Hand.

In fact, it’s been rated among the Top 100 Restaurants for Outdoor Dining in the UK for 2026 by OpenTable.

And it was also named the ‘Best Pub’ in Hertfordshire by The Telegraph thanks to its “cheerful crackling log fires in winter, a pretty garden with country views in summer, generous portions of good locally sourced food, local ales and superb service”.

Knaresborough, North Yorkshire

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey

Knaresborough might technically be a town, but to me it gives big village vibes.

Not only does it feel small, but its postcard-perfect viaduct feels like something from a storybook, especially when a train runs along the top at the same time as errant row boats underneath.

Even its main attraction Mother Shipton’s Cave sounds like it’s make-believe.

One of England’s oldest tourist attractions, it is the “birthplace of a famous prophetess” with magic seemingly woven throughout…

Otherwise the historic market town is perfect for a souvenir or two followed by afternoon tea.

Cockington, Devon

Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding

YOU wouldn’t believe that this stunning, quaint village is just a short walk from the beach and bustling towns on the English Riviera…

Cockington is a small village set back from Torquay seafront, where you will find thatched cottages, open meadows, a manor house and a thatched pub with a sprawling garden.

It is the ideal day out or retreat from the busy seaside.

Head to The Drum Inn for a tipple or if you prefer to keep it Devonshire, make sure to visit The Weavers Cottage Tea Garden for a traditional cream tea including freshly made scones.

At the top end of the village you’ll find Cockington Court, with stables home to a number of independent makers including glassblowers and blacksmiths.

Ballygally, Northern Ireland

Travel Reporter, Jenna Stevens

Picture a 17th century castle facing the sea, backed by rolling green hills of farmland – that’s the storybook village of Ballygally in County Antrim.

Right on the castle’s doorstep lies a golden crescent of beach, watching the morning mist roll over the Irish Sea.

Head in the opposite direction of the sea and you’ll find bright green hills dotted with grazing sheep that look, from a distance, like cotton wool balls with legs – the kind you’d draw as as child.

To make your visit all the more magical, venture out by car to Glenariff Forest Park. Here there are waterfall walks and gorges connected by old wooden bridges, where deer and red squirrels wander.

The beachfront castle of Ballygally is now a Hastings Hotel, and is the only 17th century castle in Northern Ireland in which you can stay overnight.

It’s famously haunted by resident ghost Lady Isabella Shaw. Brave guests can even peek inside her untouched ‘Ghost Room’ in one of the castle’s turrets.

If that’s not enough whimsy for you, then you can sit down to a Game of Thrones-themed afternoon tea for £36pp, or explore the property’s enchanting gardens hidden behind its weathered stone walls.

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Assistant Travel Editor, Sophie Swietochowski

The charming Corfe Castle, named after the old fortress ruins that are tucked away at the edge of the village, has a cutesy, old-world feel to it.

Sat a little way back from the coast in Dorset, this place is filled with artsy tea shops selling homebaked cakes piled high with buttercream and boutiques flogging antiques and second-hand goods.

I visited in peak autumn which made the village come alive with colour – fiery red ivy was dripping from the stone cottages and crunchy leaves were littering the winding paths.

Pop into the wonky Castle Inn for a pint in the cosiest setting. It’s all stone interiors and timber beams smothered in multi-coloured fairy lights.

The castle is a National Trust site and well worth a visit.

Its crumbling ruins are perched high on a hill and great fun for little kids with a wooden pillory for posing in and giant catapult.

For a properly good cuppa and wedge of cake, head to By the Castle.

Burford, Cotswolds

Deputy Travel Editor, Kara Godfrey

You can’t get much more of a quintessential Cotswolds town than Burford.

The cobbled high street is littered with old school sweet shops and quaint cafes (Huffkins and Hunters are popular with the locals).

At the end of the road is a tiny bridge running over the River Windrush – perfect for taking the kids to feed the ducks.

Its reluctance for any big chains has kept it feeling like stepping back in time, instead the town is mainly taken up with whimsical honeysuckle-lined cottages and churches.

The Prince of Burford is one of the classier hotels, with four poster beds in the pub rooms if you need somewhere to stay.

Make sure to pop into Burford Garden Centre too – it’s one of the fanciest in the country and you might even spot a celeb or two.

Totnes, Devon

Travel Reporter, Cyann Fielding

OVER the years Totnes in Devon has earned many nicknames as the hippy capital of the UK.

But this unique town is like no other I’ve ever visited, with a high street clear of major brands – instead you’ll find independent coffee shops and lots of local artists selling their work.

At the bottom end of the high street, you’ll also find the River Dart, which makes for a nice walk to watch the boats bob up and down.

Half-way up the high street, you can visit Totnes Castle too, which is a motte-and-bailey castle.

Make sure to peruse the bookstores too – there are many of them, each with their own specialism.

Grantchester, Cambridgeshire

Travel Reporter, Alice Penwill

Having watched episodes of Grantchester growing up, I was looking forward to visiting and seeing whether it had that charming old England feel to it. And it did.

The village just south of Cambridge is filled with old-fashioned pubs like The Green Man where lots of the residents enjoy a tipple.

I’ve never seen anything like the Orchard Tea Garden which is set literally in an apple orchard surrounded by trees and filled with fold out deckchairs and picnic tables.

If you’re a fan of the countryside like I am, take a stroll through the meadows by the River Cam.

*Prices correct at the time of publication.