Harry Wilson says the style of play under Wales boss Craig Bellamy suits him as the team continue to collectively strive to fill the void left by Gareth Bale’s retirement in January 2023.
Fulham forward Wilson and his Wales team-mates host Liechtenstein in Cardiff on Friday before facing Group J favourites Belgium in Brussels three days later in their quest to reach the 2026 World Cup.
Wilkinson said assessment of Rhiannon Roberts is also “ongoing”, with the 79-cap defender suffering a fitness issue on the eve of the 1-0 loss in Odense that confirmed the side’s relegation from the top tier of the Nations League.
But the Wales boss said neither were being ruled out at this stage, with the squad for the Euros being named on 19 June.
However, Wilkinson did say Ingle is “on track” to be part of that selection after the “milestone” of training with team-mates in a session before the game with Italy.
“It was great to see her back,” said Wilkinson of the 141-cap former captain, who is also continuing rehabilitation at Chelsea despite announcing her departure from the Women’s Super League (WSL) champions following the end of the season.
“Any injury is a lonely place to be… and one of the big gains is not just being back on the field with the ball, but being back with team-mates.
“She’s done it with her club and now she’s done it with her international team-mates.
“That milestone is such a boost and you could see it in her, it was a big moment.”
But with Wales’ match with Italy their final fixture before they open their Euro 2025 campaign against Switzerland – and Ingle having not played a competitive match for so long – Wilkinson said she would remain cautious.
“She’s in a great space and she doesn’t feel like she’s overextending herself, because when players in stressful situations try to rush back from major injuries that’s when you can see reoccurrence,” Wilkinson said.
Wilkinson added that Ingle will be part of a training camp in Portugal in the tournament build-up,
“That’s why we want to do it properly. It’s very obvious we want her with us in Switzerland, everything is tracking that way, but she will not be rushed or pushed,” said Wilkinson.
“The most important thing is being able to play, not 90 minutes, but can she contribute?
“She’s aware there will be conversations coming up to the tournament and she’s doing everything she needs to, to be coming to Switzerland with us.”
Fellow defender Lois Joel added: “Sophie’s such a core part of our group, so well respected, so it’s great to have her back in whatever capacity.
“It was great to see her smiling and kicking a ball – and she barely looks rusty.”
A popular seaside town stung by negative reviews of being ‘tatty and rundown’ has almost finished its huge £10.8million refurb plan to bring the resort back to life
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Almost £11m is being pumped into the town(Image: Getty Images)
A snubbed seaside resort described by visitors as ‘tatty and rundown’ has unveiled ambitious plans to come roaring back to life.
Situated in the centre of the dramatic Ceredigion coastline in Wales, Aberystwyth (also known as Aber) has been a popular holiday destination for decades. Famed for its crescent-shaped beach, historic pier, and pastel-coloured homes, the town – in theory – ticks all the must-haves for any successful coastal resort.
In the summer, the promenade sees music, choirs, and other performances liven up the street, while Constitution Hill, snuggled at the quieter northern end of the Promenade, features a cliff railway with the largest camera obscura in the world. “On clear days, the beach offers wonderful views of North Wales, including the peaks of the Llyn Peninsular and Snowdonia,” Visit Wales states.
The seaside towns has garnered mixed reviews online(Image: Getty Images)
However, just like many seaside towns up and down the nation – Aber has struggled keeping its pristine reputation. Just three weeks ago, one traveller left a scathing review of the town’s seafront on Trip Advisor – stating he was ‘really disappointed and pretty disgusted too’.
“Very difficult to find parking and the seafront and town streets were filthy,” the user wrote. “I have honestly never seen so much dog poo on the pavements anywhere in the whole of Britain.” Older reviews from 2023 describe the town as ‘drab, grey, and run down’ while other say it’s not somewhere you should go ‘out of your way’ to visit.
Work to ‘revitalise’ the promenade started last year(Image: Getty Images)
But, last year, Aberystwyth started revamping the promenade as part of a £10.8 million investment funded by the UK Government. Work started on October 9, 2024, and has already seen new lighting foundations along the promenade as well as the installation of a slate poem celebrating the town’s ‘deep connection with the sea, history, and community spirit’.
Other works include kerb-line replacements, creating more parking spaces, and widening the promenade between the Hut and Castle Point. “The road and widened footways along the promenade opened to the public on December 20, 2024, meeting the goal of completion before Christmas,” the council stated. “Remaining tasks, including cobble-effect surfacing for table tops, bollard reinstatement, and street furniture installation, will be addressed later.”
The Old College is also being revamped following a deadly fire(Image: Daily Post Wales)
£43 million is also being pumped into restoring Old College, a Victorian university building which was gutted by a fire which killed three people. Upon completion, it is expected to attract 200,000 visitors a year and become a centre for ‘learning, heritage, culture and enterprise’ as well as homing a four-star hotel.
Councillor Bryan Davies, Leader of Ceredigion County Council said the revitalisation of the promenade and the development of the Old College are ‘pivotal projects’ for the town’s future. “Thanks to UK Government funding, we are seeing the physical and economic transformation of our town, enhancing opportunities for residents and visitors alike,” he added.
Dame Nia Griffith MP also welcomed the investment plans, arguing the UK government is ‘committed to investing’ in Wales. “Projects like the Old College and the improvements to Aberystwyth Promenade are crucial for driving local economic prosperity and creating spaces that benefit the whole community,” she added.
Visiting Aberystwyth – everything you need to know
Located some 238 miles from London, getting to Aber from the Big Smoke takes around five and a half hours in the car. However, you can slash 45 minutes off the journey by taking the train – which will usually include a stopover in Birmingham. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fares for as little as £31.50.
For example, a weekend’s stay (Friday, June 20-22) at the Starling Cloud Hotel will set you back £239. This is based on two adults sharing a Standard Double Room. If you’re looking for a more luxurious stay – check out the five-star Awel Mor Holiday Apartments. Here, a three-bed apartment with a sea view will cost £690 on the exact same dates.
*Prices based on Trainline and Booking.com listings at the time of writing.
Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.
KINGS of Leon have been forced to cancelled their UK and European shows after frontman Caleb Followill suffered a “freak accident” while playing with his kids.
The Grammy-winning group had been due to perform across several countries this summer, including stops in Cardiff and Lancashire, as well as shows and festivals in Spain, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Croatia, Belgium and Portugal.
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Kings of Leon have been forced to cancelled their UK and European showsCredit: Getty
But Caleb, 43, has been sidelined after breaking his foot and requiring emergency surgery, giving the band no choice but to pull out of all appearances in June and July.
In a video posted to the band’s Instagram account, he explained: “Hello to everyone out there, especially our European fans that are coming to see us this summer. Unfortunately I regret to inform you that those shows will have to be cancelled due to a freak accident that happened the other day.”
“I broke my foot pretty bad just playing with my kids… It’s pretty gnarly and I’ll spare all the details. But we’re fortunate enough to have some great doctors here in Nashville that gave me emergency surgery.”
Caleb, who shares two children with model Lily Aldridge, revealed that he’s been told to stay off his feet for around two months.
read more on Huge US bands
He added: “I’m on the mend, but they’ve told me that I can’t be on my feet, travelling, or anything for the next eight weeks or so. That’s a big bummer.”
The singer looked visibly frustrated as he continued: “We were so excited. We’ve been preparing for this tour for a long time, we’ve been preparing for a lot of things.”
“We’ve been in the studio recording, we have a bunch of new songs, we were going to debut a few of them on this run. We had a lot of exciting things planned and now we’re going to have to pivot and find a new way to continue the work that we’ve started.”
Despite the disappointment, Caleb ended the message on a more hopeful note.
He said: “I’m very excited for when we do get to show you the stuff we’re doing, and in the meantime we’re going to do whatever work we can while I have these limitations.”
“Exciting stuff is coming, I know this isn’t the message anyone wants to hear, and it’s certainly not the message I want to be sending, but it’s going to be alright. Everything is going to be good. Hopefully, we will see y’all soon.”
The clip ended with a shot of Caleb’s foot in a cast.
His bandmates, Nathan, Jared and Matthew Followill, issued a separate statement, confirming the necessary recovery time.
They said: “Kings of Leon are updating fans that Caleb Followill has recently sustained a serious injury, shattering his heel and requiring a significant emergency surgery, that will prevent him from travelling and performing.
“The anticipated recovery process is expected to take eight weeks, under strict guidance of expert orthopaedic specialists.”
“The band regrets to report that they will need to cancel all upcoming UK and European festival headline shows in June and July of this year.”
The tour had been set to include a high-profile headline slot at Lytham Festival in Lancashire, where they were billed alongside Justin Timberlake and Alanis Morissette.
Organisers have since confirmed the festival will be reduced from five days to four, as it’s too late in the day to book a replacement act.
They also wished Caleb a “speedy recovery”.
More to follow… For the latest news on this story, keep checking back at The U.S. Sun, your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, sports news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures, and must-see videos.
After starting 30 minutes behind the elite runners, Case had no idea she had crossed the finish line in the fastest time.
She laughed: “The race officials came to me and they were like, ‘You actually won.’
Moment Scot crosses finish line as he completes 32 ultramarathon challenge
“They asked me ‘Can you run through the tape again for the cameras?'”
Case added: “I’m not extraordinary.
“I had a baby, I ran a race. It should be a totally normal thing.
“Everyone has an opinion about what new mums should or shouldn’t be doing, and that doesn’t open up a lot of. space for out there ideas like running an ultra.
“I’m lucky to be physically okay after childbirth. Others aren’t so lucky.
“There is no ‘comeback’ after childbirth. There is just the next phase.
“And whatever it looks like, whether on or off the trail, it’ll be right for you.”
According to Met Office meteorologist Becky Mitchell, though, that seasonal abnormality has come to an end.
She said: “Last night’s rain won’t have brought May much closer to average.
“That being said, we still have a week left of May and we expect to see rain every day, so by the end of the month we could be closer to the monthly average.”
Fellow meteorologist Zoe Hatton added that showers will sweep across the country from Sunday onwards.
She said: “Across the north of the countryside of Scotland is likely to be wet and quite miserable initially.
“A band of rain will be moving eastwards overnight lingering in the far north of Scotland. Elsewhere it’s not going to be widely wet.
“There’s going to be low cloud in places which could produce outbreaks of rain across the Pennines and across higher ground in the south of England, but the main focus will really be northern Scotland.
“As the day moves on that band of rain will move eastwards and we’re going to see showers arriving from the west.
“The most likely places affected will be Northern Ireland, Scotland and the north of England, and some quite frequent blustery showers across parts of the country, but drier further south.”
Heavy winds peaked at 50mph in the north of England on Saturday, while temperatures across the country will peak at a meager 15C on Sunday.
Some southern areas, including London, could experience highs of 21C, though, on Wednesday and Thursday.
However, Becky has warned that the warmer weather might not return until the school half-term.
Temperatures will begin to rise after June 2, bringing an end to what is believed will be a very wet week.
Over the last few months, Britain has experienced a variety of rare weather conditions with meteorologists warning of a tornado on May 21.
One spokesperson said: “It’s not out of the question that we could see a funnel cloud, maybe even a brief tornado across parts of the South East.”
UK could be hit by tornado, Met Office warns as thunderstorms & heavy rain bring end to dry spell – check areas at risk
Tornadoes form when hot, humid air collides with cold, dry air.
The cold air heads downwards, while the hot air rises – creating a funnel, which eventually spirals into a tornado.
DO you know someone who should be crowned Britain’s best dad?
To celebrate Father’s Day on June 15, we are launching a search for the bravest, kindest or most devoted dad out there.
Perhaps you know a real-life superhero who is always helping others, or maybe a superstar who has raised a fortune for charity.
The one lucky winner will be showered with nearly £7,000 worth of fantastic prizes, including four tickets worth £1,000 in total to the star-studded Butlin’s Big Weekender music festival this summer, where the headline acts include Chesney Hawkes, Blue and Billy Ocean.
Safari tent
On top of that, Britain’s top pop will be spoiled rotten with a £500 relaxing trip to Celtic Manor hotel in Newport — with dinner, bed and breakfast for two and a round of golf all thrown in for good measure.
We are also giving away a £700 stay in a luxury safari Tent at Lovat Parks in Cornwall or the New Forest.
Also up for grabs are four tickets to the spooktacular Shocktober Fest, Europe’s largest Scream Park held in Sussex this Halloween — worth £150 each.
And there is a family set of four Micro Scooters to be won, worth £1,000, along with a £1,200 home technology upgrade from Netgear, £400 of fabulous Rock Face men’s grooming products, a £149.99 top-of-the-range Instant Pot Grind and Brew coffee machine, family-sized multi-cooker worth £250, a brand new Char-Broil gas barbecue worth £665 and the Vax SpotWash Home pet and car cleaning kit, worth £220.
To win the lot, tell us why your dad, or someone you love just like a father, deserves all these prizes!
How to enter
Email s[email protected] with “Dad Idol” in the subject line telling us why you believe he is a super dad.
Include your name, address and contact number together with a photo.
STUDENTS in the South of England are nearly twice as likely to get three A* A-level grades than those in the North, data reveals.
Just 5,800 of the 258,000 who sat the exams last year came away with three or more top grades.
Of those, 3,779 were from the South and 2,021 in the North.
Nine out of ten of the best areas for A-levels were in the South. Pupils in reading, in Berks, came out top — with seven per cent hitting the highest grades.
Dozens in London suburbs Kingston, Newham, Sutton and Barnet also got top marks.
The Government stats show Salford, Gtr Manchester, fared the worst, with a single set of three A* grades.
Social mobility expert Professor Lee Elliot Major called it a national scandal, saying: “These figures lay bare a brutal truth — your chances of the highest academic success at school are still shaped more by where you live than what you’re capable of.
“This A-star divide highlights the vast differences in support offered to today’s children and young people both outside and inside the classroom.
“Increasingly A-level grades are as much a sign of how much support young people have had as much as their academic capability.
“This isn’t just a North-South education divide. It’s a London and South East versus the rest Divide.”
The spot is everything you’d want from a fishing village – tiny, charming, and always serving up the catch of the day
There’s so much to see, do and eat in Little Haven(Image: Getty)
Nestled in a picturesque crevice of Wales’ rugged coastline, Little Haven doesn’t strive to impress, but that’s precisely why it does. This quaint fishing village in Pembrokeshire exudes a certain charm with its delightful pubs, authentic seafood sandwiches, and a charming cove that ebbs and flows with the tide.
During the warmer months, locals and tourists alike flock to the slipway with ice creams and pints, creating a relaxed atmosphere. But there’s more to Little Haven than seafood sandwiches and seaside pints. The village has a deep-rooted lifeboat heritage.
In 1882, the RNLI established a base beneath Goldtrop Head, launching lifeboats directly from the water.
This changed in 1903 when proper facilities were finally constructed. The station shut down in the ’20s, but by 1967, lifeboats returned, this time darting out from the newly christened Little and Broad Haven Lifeboat Station, reports Wales Online.
In addition to its maritime history, Little Haven is situated along Pembrokeshire’s enchanting coastline and serves as an idyllic location for a refreshing swim or coastal walk.
Little Haven’s beach may be small, but it boasts layers of rock pools, soft sand and a changing shoreline that unveils routes to adjacent coves at low tide. It forms part of a stretch of coastline designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest due to its intriguing geology and marine life.
Little Haven boats plenty of natural beauty(Image: Getty Images)
The surrounding cliffs and rock formations enhance the picturesque beauty, offering ideal spots for picnics, sunbathing, and coastal strolls. The beach also provides excellent conditions for water sports, including kayaking, paddle boarding, and surfing.
It’s also increasingly become a favourite spot for wild swimming, though you should always be careful and follow Adventure Smart guidance when taking a dip.
For walkers, the Pembrokeshire Coast Path cuts straight through the heart of Little Haven, so if you’ve packed your boots and your waterproofs, you’re in the right place.
Jump on the trail and stride in either direction to enjoy secluded coves, sandy bays and you might even spot a seal if you’re lucky. Head north for a hike to Broad Haven or Nolton Haven, or swing south past The Swan Inn to reach The Point, a cracking clifftop lookout.
Pembrokeshire is having an absolute moment when it comes to food(Image: Portia Jones)
Little Haven has also emerged as a small foodie hotspot, thanks to a popular seafood deli and a seaside pub serving home-cooked food.
Seafood in Little Haven and the wider Pembrokeshire area is a culinary highlight, with its coastal offerings reflecting the village’s rich maritime heritage. Pembrokeshire has a growing reputation for fresh produce and coastal cuisine supplied by an emerging wave of independent producers and dining establishments.
Lobster and MôR in the small village of Little Haven is a chic takeaway café(Image: Lobster and MôR)
Lobster and MôR have become a popular feature in Little Haven, attracting people from miles around to enjoy a fresh roll smothered with Welsh seaweed butter and filled with succulent crab meat or lobster meat. Freshly caught, whole lobster can also be bought alongside Caws Cenarth cheese, ice cream and their locally distilled Tir and Môr gin.
A trip to this deli is a must when visiting Little Haven. Here, local produce merges effortlessly with nautical gifts, picnic essentials and delicious deli items.
If you’re not in the mood for a lobster roll, other sandwich options like smoked salmon and cream cheese are also on offer and go perfectly with their takeaway coffee or, if you’re feeling indulgent, a bottle of their seaweed and spice gin.
For those looking for a pint with a view, there are several pubs in and around Little Haven that serve a range of home-cooked dishes and seafood specials.
The Swan Inn, a 200-year-old pub with a waterside location, focuses on local diver-caught scallops and St Brides Bay crab.
St Brides is another popular pub in the centre of the village, serving Welsh and local Pembrokeshire ales.
This family-run establishment is full of charm and even has a unique secret – behind a door in the bar is one of Little Haven’s original freshwater wells. Opposite the pub, there’s a sun-soaked beer garden perfect for lazy lunches and relaxed weekend sessions.
A SERIAL thief has been barred from every Greggs in England and Wales after repeatedly targeting the same bakery in a shameless crime spree.
Patrick Verry, 33, is now forbidden from entering any of the high street baker’s hundreds of branches following a court order brought by the Met Police.
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Greggs in Palmers Green North London where a member of staff has been hailed a hero after scaring off shopliftersCredit: Simon Jones
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One thief caught in the act at Greggs on Shields Road, BykerCredit: North News
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Another thief caught in the act — fwrite ilmed during a broad daylight raid on 8 May 2025Credit: North News
He was caught in the act last week by officers inside a Greggs shop in Wood Green, North London, after striking the location seven times.
Verry was arrested on the spot and brought before Highbury Magistrates’ Court the following day, where he admitted to six counts of theft from the same Greggs store.
Police described him as one of the capital’s “most prolific shoplifters” — and now he’s banned from every Greggs outlet across the country in a move to protect staff and customers.
The order comes as part of a new Met Police blitz on retail crime amid soaring shoplifting rates nationwide.
Chief Inspector Rav Pathania, the Met’s retail crime lead, said: “The Met is focused on tackling the most prolific shoplifters like Verry.
“They cause fear to retail workers and their offending has a negative impact on communities.”
He continued: “We continue to work with local business owners to investigate reports of shoplifting, understand concerns and use different tactics to crackdown, including targeted operations and regular patrols.”
The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streets.
Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylight, with some stores experiencing a theft every 20 minutes.
At one busy location in South London, a thief was seen stuffing doughnuts and drinks into his pockets before barging past staff and walking out unfazed.
In another shocking clip filmed in Tooting, a brave female Greggs manager tried to stop a thief who was carrying several bottles of Coca-Cola.
She shouted: “You’re not having all of that,” as the crook tried to leave.
He coolly replied: “Yeah I’m walking out with them, watch me.”
Customers looked on in silence, too scared to step in. A witness said: “There were two grown men just stood by the tills.
“Everyone was just silent.
“No one said a word. People are just afraid now.”
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Local officers worked with retailers in Greenwich to identify and arrest Winston Wright who stole more than £2,500 worth of goods from stores in the area over four monthsCredit: Metropolitan Police
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Our undercover investigation found Greggs shops across the country being stripped of stock in broad daylightCredit: Metropolitan Police
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The ban on Verry comes as The Sun lifts the lid on the true scale of the shoplifting crisis crippling British high streetsCredit: Metropolitan Police
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In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasonsCredit: Metropolitan Police
The Met later confirmed it was not alerted to the Tooting incident, which happened in August, highlighting just how many shoplifting cases go unreported.
Our reporters saw similar scenes play out in branches from Newcastle to Brighton, with thieves helping themselves to hot food, drinks and sandwiches without even trying to hide it.
In Stockwell, South London, one man was caught on camera filling his coat with products before grabbing two boxes of jam doughnuts worth £3 each and fleeing during the lunchtime rush.
A cookie grab, then fist bump
THEFTS we saw in just two days at Greggs bakery in Stockwell South London.
Wednesday, 11.45am: Man strolls in, picks up a box of doughnuts and walks out.
1.30pm: A man lines his pockets with doughnuts and products from the fridge.
A shop worker pleads with him to pay. The thug threatens him and barges out.
3.45pm: Two men raid the fridges, with one pinching Lucozade bottles, while the other scoffs chicken bites.
4pm: A pair of teenage schoolchildren take a Lucozade drink and hot food.
Thursday, 11.10am: Two men walk in and start grabbing hot food and drinks. They appear to queue before also taking doughnut and walking out without paying.
11.30am: An OAP pretends to be on the phone before snatching hot food.
1.30pm: A man grabs three bottles of Lucozade, hot food and cookies. Challenged, he gives back the food and drink, gives the worker a fist bump and strolls out eating a cookie
2pm: A man steals two baguettes and a bottle of Coca-Cola. As he leaves, a public address states: “Shoplifting will not be tolerated.”
In Worthing, West Sussex, two men repeatedly walked in and out of Greggs helping themselves to hot food from the display cabinets.
On Brighton’s Queen’s Road, one crook walked off with two trays of wedges in front of a stunned staff member. “Average day,” the employee said when asked about it.
Minutes later, another thief ran out with two trays of wedges and a sandwich, while yet another masked man sprinted off carrying food as helpless staff shouted after him.
In Southampton, a man entered just after midday, grabbed four hot food items and said: “Sorry guys, I’m homeless, I need to eat,” before walking straight out the door.
In many cases, Greggs staff are told not to intervene directly with thieves for safety reasons.
One insider told us: “They’ve been told not to chase anyone, not to engage. It’s heartbreaking for the team.”
Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six months.
Of those, only 111 received immediate or suspended jail time — and most had long criminal records.
Greggs has started introducing extra security measures in stores hit hardest by crime.
That includes removing self-serve fridges, placing chilled food behind the till, and trialling bouncers in some branches.
55k thefts every day across UK
By Julia Atherley
BRITAIN is facing a shop- lifting epidemic with a record 55,000 incidents a day.
In 2024, it cost retailers £2.2billion, up from £1.8billion in 2023, figures show.
Offences reported by police in England and Wales have jumped 23 per cent to more than 492,000 in the past 12 months, says the Office for National Statistics.
The scourge is being driven by the perception that offenders are rarely caught or punished.
Graham Wynn, of the British Retail Consortium, described shoplifting as a “major trigger for violence and abuse against staff”.
Mr Wynn said: “The rise in organised crime is a significant concern, with gangs hitting stores one after another.
“Sadly, such theft is not a victimless crime; it pushes up the cost for honest shoppers and damages the customer experience.”
Labour has promised to make assaulting a retail worker an offence and treat more seriously thefts of goods worth less than £200.
One staff member said: “It’s like we’re on the front line. You’re trying to sell sausage rolls but you’re looking over your shoulder constantly.”
Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to police.
“We’ve now got a system where we can take photos of people committing theft on the shop floor and that then instantly goes to the police,” she told The Sun.
The bakery chain is also investing in body cameras for workers and running trials with a 24-hour shoplifting helpline.
A Greggs spokeswoman said: “Shoplifting is an industry-wide issue and we take it extremely seriously.
The safety of our colleagues and customers remains our absolute priority.”
Politicians have backed The Sun’s investigation.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is an important and timely investigation from The Sun, exposing just how bad the shoplifting epidemic has become.
“There has to be consequences for this appalling criminality.”
Policing Minister Dame Diana Johnson added: “Retail workers should never feel unsafe at work. That is why we’re taking robust action to tackle shop theft and protect workers.”
She confirmed new laws are coming under the government’s Crime and Policing Bill, which will create a specific offence for assaulting shop staff and scrap the £200 threshold that previously gave low-level shoplifters “effective immunity.”
Meanwhile, the Met has released dramatic new footage showing suspects sprinting from stores clutching bottles, sandwiches and snacks as part of a wider crackdown on repeat retail offenders.
And police chiefs say they’re not stopping with Verry, more bans could be coming for other prolific shoplifters as efforts ramp up to restore order on Britain’s battered high streets.
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Astonishingly, just 350 people have been prosecuted for stealing from Greggs in the last six monthsCredit: PA
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Greggs boss Roisin Currie confirmed the company is now using facial recognition technology to catch thieves and pass images to policeCredit: Solent
A WOMAN who stabbed her boyfriend to death after she found him speaking to his wife has been jailed for 16 years.
Joanna Wronska plunged a kitchen knife into partner Marcin Koziol’s heart – only to ring the emergency services and tell them he “injured himself”.
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Joanna Wronska has been jailed for 16 years for killing her partnerCredit: WNS
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Wronska stabbed her partner Marcin in the heartCredit: WNS
Wronska was jealous and “possessive” of Marcin’s ongoing contact with his estranged wife and attacked him in an “explosive loss of temper”, the court heard.
She then made a 999 call claiming her partner had “injured himself with a knife”.
When the cops arrived, they found Marcin naked and bleeding on the bed in the flat in Wrexham, North Wales.
And despite the best efforts by the paramedics, Marcin tragically died from the wounds.
Wronska is said to have gone to great lengths to cover her crime.
She maintained that her partner stabbed himself in an attempt to take his own life.
But Home Office forensic pathologist Dr Brian Rodgers said it was “highly unusual” to sever your own ribs when stabbing yourself.
Cops also found a large “freshly washed” knife in the kitchen sink, which matched the wounds inflicted on Marcin.
Prosecutor Andrew Thomas KC said: “This was a knife with an eight-inch blade that was thrust with severe force towards the chest and through the rib cage – penetrating the heart and lung.
“Her actions, in removing the knife and washing, “strongly suggest” she stabbed Mr Koziol and tried to hide the evidence of her involvement”.
Knifeman on loose as 5 stabbed ‘at London party’ in early hours sparking major hunt
In the 999 call played to the jury, Wronska is heard saying: “My partner dead…please help me now.”
She kept saying “Marcin, Marcin, Marcin” over and over again before saying the word “gone”.
It is believed that in a drunken temper, Wronska took the knife and stabbed her partner.
Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “[The attack followed] an explosive drunken loss of temper on your part, to which you stabbed the victim to the chest with a kitchen knife, you then washed the knife in the sink.”
He said the blow from the knife had been delivered “with severe force”.
Detective Chief Inspector Eleri Thomas said: “Joanna Wronska senselessly and needlessly ended Marcin Koziol’s life – her partner whom she claimed she loved deeply.
“It was a cruel and violent attack on a man who had sought support from her.”
Marcin’s wife Marta said: “Joanna has taken all of this from me, I have seen no remorse, she has not even admitted the fact she has done it and I can’t understand this senseless crime
“I can’t understand why she has done it, Marcin was harmless and wouldn’t hurt anyone. I can’t understand why someone would do this and that Marcin has been taken away and I can never bring him back.”
The court heard Marcin and Marta had separated after he suffered an injury at work and fell into depression after losing his career.
But she said he was a “gentle giant” who would not hurt anyone, and they had remained in contact.
Wronska was jailed for life and told she must serve a minimum of 16 years behind bars less the time she had spent on remand.
Domestic abuse – how to get help
DOMESTIC abuse can affect anyone – including men – and does not always involve physical violence.
Here are some signs that you could be in an abusive relationship:
Emotional abuse – Including being belittled, blamed for the abuse – gaslighting – being isolated from family and friends, having no control over your finances, what you where and who you speak to
Threats and intimidation – Some partners might threaten to kill or hurt you, destroy your belongings, stalk or harass you
Physical abuse – This can range from slapping or hitting to being shoved over, choked or bitten.
Sexual abuse – Being touched in a way you do not want to be touched, hurt during sex, pressured into sex or forced to have sex when you do not consent.
If any of the above apply to you or a friend, you can call these numbers:
Remember, you are not alone.
1 in 4 women and 1 in 7 men will experience domestic abuse over the course of their lifetime.
Every 30 seconds the police receive a call for help relating to domestic abuse.
Conservationists say numbers of water voles have declined by 90% in the past 30 years
Endangered water voles in Wales are being fed edible glitter in a bid to save them from extinction.
Once commonly found across south Wales, water voles are now effectively extinct in all but a few locations, according to the Wildlife Trust.
With their future hanging in the balance, conservationists have been looking for new ways to track the naturally shy individuals in the wild – which is where the glitter comes in.
Nature Conservation Cymru hopes that by offering the animals something sparkly to eat, the sparkle should come out the other end – providing some much-needed answers.
Rob Parry, chief executive of Nature Conservation Cymru, said his team had consulted with vets to ensure the edible and biodegradable glitter – the type used to decorate cakes – would not be harmful to the semi-aquatic creatures.
“It’s something that we’ve done in nature conservation before for other species, for badgers in particular where we use pellets to put in with peanuts, which badgers love,” said Mr Parry.
“So we’ve taken that idea and scaled it down to water vole size, which means using glitter.”
Water voles are being fed edible glitter in the hope that conservationists can track their movements
The hope is that if the water voles are willing to consume the glitter then it will come out in their poo, allowing the small mammals – which are often mistaken for brown rats – to be tracked by conservationists.
Different colours of glitter could be used to allow conservationists to track different families of water voles and how far they range.
It might sound like a fun idea, but Mr Parry and his team could not be more serious.
If they can track where water voles are located in the wild, they can make adjustments to the environment – like removing invasive conifers from wetland habitats or fencing off certain riverbanks to stop sheep grazing.
Measures like this could help the species to disperse through the landscape undisturbed and potentially be a life-saving intervention.
“We’ll be able to see the types of territory, the size and where they go in,” said Mr Parry.
“Are they just using the linear features, the ditches, or are they spreading out into the bog and the molinia grassland habitat?
“That will be really crucial for when it comes to planning for our upland habitats.”
BBC News
The edible glitter is the same as the type used on cakes
The team is first testing out their theory on some captive-bred water voles which are part of a wider Natural Resources Wales (NRW) project to reintroduce colonies into the wild.
The glitter is spread onto chunks of apple, not part of their normal diet in the wild, but a food the animals love and do well on in captivity, according to Richard Davies from NRW.
“They get everything they need from apples, carrots, and some dried rabbit food as well,” he said.
He has successfully bred hundreds of water voles which have been reintroduced into the wild, though he said their release was no guarantee of survival.
“Most predators in the UK would quite happily take a water vole. They need to be able to cope with this heavy predation and replace themselves a lot,” he said.
Rob Parry says humans have made water voles endangered, and believes it is up to us to help them
With a BBC News camera present, the glittery purple apple was placed on top of the straw bedding which covered the water voles’ pen.
After 20 minutes, the food remained untouched, but an hour later most of it had disappeared.
The success of the project, however, does not just depend on the appetite of the water voles, but how well the glitter can retain its shine from end to end.
Mr Parry said without interventions like this, the future for water voles was uncertain.
“It’s been a perfect storm of bad things that’s happened to water voles in the last few decades,” he said.
“We have drained an awful lot of their wetland habitat, forced them into linear ditches where we find them now, and then the biggest problem is the American mink, an invasive species that was let out and released from pens and they just turned out to be the perfect water vole predators. The water voles don’t stand a chance, really.”
But now, at least, he is more hopeful.
The water voles, known for being nervous about any changes to to their environment, had not rejected the glitter.
So, did the experiment work?
Just 24 hours later, a tiny glittery poo was spotted.
RAIN is set to fall in just hours in parts of the UK, marking the end of the remarkably dry start to spring, the Met Office has forecast.
Some areas could even see thunder as the skies open up amid the driest start to the season in nearly six decades.
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Rain could be on the way today across major cities in the UKCredit: Alamy
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It comes amid the driest start to spring in six decades, with Brits enjoying temps as high as 29C over the past few weeksCredit: Alamy
The Environment Agency has also warned there could be a risk of a drought this summer without sustained rainfall, with millions of households told they may face water restrictions in the coming months.
As of Friday, just 80.6mm of rain has been recorded for the UK this spring – that’s almost 20mm less than the record low of 100.7mm, set in 1852 for the full season.
However, this could change imminently, as the Met Office has warned of showers landing in the north of the UK throughout Monday.
Met Office meteorologist Kathryn Chalk explained showers hit across southern Scotland and northern England overnight on Sunday, with some reaching as far south as Wales.
Heading into Monday morning, there are expected to be “much-welcome” showers across the central belt of Scotland, northern England, and Northern Ireland.
Cities such as Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland could be washed out by the rainfall, as could Manchester in the north of England.
Met Office meteorologist Dan Stroud added that Monday would see sunny spells in the west develop widely with a “few scattered showers developing across the north during the course of Monday afternoon”.
He added: “One or two of those could be heavy, potentially thundery, but most places are going to be warm and dry.”
However, from Tuesday onwards there could be “an increasing chance of showers across southern areas of the country,” Dan said.
“Then beyond that, Thursday and Friday are likely to become dry, fine and sunny again, with good deals of sunshine for much of the country.”
Conditions in the UK this spring had been “remarkably dry up until now”, Dan explained.
However, as we approach the final week of May, which is also when schools break for half-term, the weather is “looking increasingly changeable, with areas of cloud and rain arriving from the west”.
The Met Office explained the prolonged warm and very dry spell, which has seen Brits enjoy temperatures as high as 29C, was primarily caused by high pressure.
However, by Tuesday, changing conditions could see “occasional heavy and potentially thundery showers developing across parts of Wales and the Midlands, with one or two of those breaching into London“.
Discussing Wednesday’s forecast, Dan said: “It will be a bit of a chilly start across England and Wales with plenty of sunshine to kick the day off.
“But showers will develop across England and Wales, with some of those showers potentially heavy and thundery and breaching into the London area.”
Met Office forecast
Today: Cloudy at first, but turning brighter with warm, sunny spells developing for most.
Mainly dry, though showers bubbling up in the west, perhaps turning heavy or thundery during the afternoon.
Tuesday to Thursday: Sunshine and showers for some on Tuesday and Wednesday, these perhaps heavy and thundery at times.
Drier on Thursday with bright or sunny spells. Locally chilly overnight.
MILLIONS of bank customers face being left stranded after a damning report revealed 6,000 branch closures over the past decade.
A whopping 13million customers used bank branches last year, according to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
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More than 6,000 bank branches have shut over the past decadeCredit: PA
The data shows that most users remain “reliant on bank branches for essential services,” despite the move toward online banking.
The FCA report revealed that an eye-watering 9.7million people visited a specific site at least once a month.
Experts fear that the trend of branch closures will leave customers stranded with around 3.3million account holders never banked online.
Around 63 per cent of those are over the age of 85, which raises further concern, according to the FCA.
The report also found that people from low-income households – as well as those with cancer, multiple sclerosis, or HIV — were less likely to engage with digital banking.
Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, said: “The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to maintain their independence.”
The main reasons people avoided online banking were concerns about security and a preference for speaking to someone face-to-face.
A staggering 21 per cent of account holders surveyed said their regular bank branch had closed.
Consumer group, Which?, showed that more than 6,000 branches have shut in the past decade.
Jenny Ross, money editor at Which? said: “As the UK’s bank branch network continues to be cut to the bone, more people are finding it difficult to access banking services.”
Major high street bank axing key service
Former pensions minister Ros Altmann added: ‘Millions of British citizens cannot and do not use online or mobile banking, and indeed don’t even have a smartphone.
Despite the rising bank closures, Nationwide has committed to keeping all of its branches open until 2028.
The major bank has seen the number of customers rise by 4 per cent, which appears to be partly driven by other bank closures.
Which bank branches are closing in June?
Halifax:
Bitterne: 400/402 Bitterne Road SO18 5RS – June 9
Bournemouth: 335/337 Wimborne Road BH9 2EA – June 4
Felixstowe: 85 Hamilton Road IP11 7BQ – June 2
Fleetwood: 4 Poulton Street FY7 6LR – June 22
Gainsborough: 32 Lord Street DN21 2DQ – June 2
Launceston: 1 Southgate Street PL15 9DP – June 3
Leek: 16 Derby Street ST13 5AB – June 4
Letchworth: 1 Commerce Way SG6 3DN – June 3
Littlehampton: 68 High Street BN17 5EA – June 23
London (North West): 469 Kingsbury Road NW9 9ES – June 2
Bank of Scotland:
Bathgate: 50 Hopetoun Street EH48 4EU – June 30
Cowdenbeath: 349/351 High Street KY4 9QJ – June 24
Linlithgow: Regent Centre Blackness Road EH49 7HU – June 23
Lloyds:
Alcester: Stratford Road B49 5AX – June 25
Ashbourne: Compton DE6 1DY – June 24
Dorchester: 1-2 High West Street DT1 1UG – June 19
Launceston: 13 Broad Street PL15 8AG – June 3
Liverpool: 188-190 Breck Road L5 6PX – June 4
Over the rest of the year, another 40 branches are closing.
Barrow-in-Furness: 133-135 Dalton Road LA14 1HZ – September 10 Bexleyheath: 131 Broadway DA6 7HF – October 23 Blackpool: 283/287 Lytham Road FY4 1DP – October 29 Bolton: 23/27 Knowsley Street BL1 2DG – November 20 Brentwood: 12 High Street CM14 4AE – September 10 Bristol: 15 Kings Chase Shopping Centre BS15 8LP – October 8 Carmarthen: 121/122 Lammas Street SA31 3AE – October 6 Castleford: 68 Carlton Street WF10 1DB – September 8 Cirencester: 10/12 Cricklade Street GL7 1JH – September 25 Crewe: The Market Centre CW1 2HU – October 14 Derby: 39 East Street DE1 2BL – October 23 Epsom: 51-52 The Ashley Centre KT18 5DB – September 15 Erdington: 221 High Street B23 6SS – September 24 Folkestone: 70-72 Sandgate Road CT20 2AA – October 9 Hayes: 45/47 Station Road UB3 4HH – October 6 Hexham: 20 Priestpopple NE46 1XH – November 5 Hove: 86/87 George Street BN3 3YE – October 20 London (South East): 165/169 Eltham High Street SE9 1TT – October 29 London (South East): 9-13 Powis Street SE18 6HZ – October 1 London (South West): 6 St Johns Hill SW11 1RU – September 23
Bank of Scotland:
Edinburgh: 206 St John’s Road EH12 8SH – October 29
Lloyds:
Biggleswade: 35 High Street SG18 0JD – November 5 Blandford: 6 Market Place DT11 7EE – November 10 Bristol: 16 Highridge Road BS13 8HA – November 6 Bury: 45 The Rock BL9 0JP – October 21 Chard: 27 Fore Street TA20 1PS – November 11 Coventry: 531 Foleshill Road CV6 5JN – November 4 Dunstable: 12 High Street North LU6 1JY – November 4 East Grinstead: 1/3 London Road RH19 1AH – November 12 Fakenham: 27 Norwich Street NR21 9AH – July 1 Falmouth: 11-12 Killigrew Street TR11 3RA – November 13 Feltham: 40 The Centre TW13 4AX – November 4 Ferndown: 84 Victoria Road BH22 9JB – November 17 Hexham: Priestpopple NE46 1PA – November 5 Kidderminster: 1 Vicar Street DY10 1DE – October 16 Leeds: 1 Cross Gates Centre LS15 8ET – August 20 Leeds: 52 Town Street LS12 3AE – September 8 Leominster: 9 Corn Square HR6 8LT – November 18 London (East): 180 – 182 High Street E17 7JH – October 22 London (South West): 12 Mitcham Road SW17 9ND – October 8 Loughton: 11 The Broadway IG10 3SW – November 12 Manchester: 64 Old Church Street M40 2JF – November 5
Since June 2022, Lloyds Banking Group has shut 537 bank branches across its three brands.
It has previously said all workers at the affected branches will be offered jobs elsewhere in the company.
UK banks and building societies have closed about 6,293 branches since January 2015, according to research by Which?.
This works out as almost two branches shutting every day for the past decade.
Barclays is the individual bank that has reduced its network the most, with 1,227 branch closures.
What to do if your local bank is set to close
If your nearest branch is closing, you should still be able to access banking services without going to another town.
For example you could check if there is a Post Office near you.
Here you’ll be able to do basic banking tasks, although you won’t be able to open a new bank account or take out personal loans or mortgages.
You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder.
Many banks also offer a mobile banking service where they bring a bus to your area that offers services you can usually get at a physical branch.
Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services.
You may want to contact your bank to see what mobile services they have available.
Another option is to check if there’s a super ATM near you.
These have been rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services.
These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash.
Banking hubs are also being opened across the country with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025.
What services do banking hubs offer?
BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches.
Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries.
Each hub features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks.
Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week.
Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.
MPs will debate a bill to legalise assisted dying in England and Wales for the first time since significant changes were made to it.
The bill passed the first stage of the Commons last November – but since then the details have been pored over and dozens of amendments added by both sides.
A vote to pass or reject the bill is not likely to take place on Friday, but rather in June.
Friday’s debate comes as the government quietly made changes to its impact assessment on assisted dying, admitting errors in calculating how many people could take up the service if it becomes law.
It reduced its upper estimate for the number of assisted deaths in the first year from 787 to 647.
Several MPs opposed to the bill have described the process as “chaotic”.
But Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP behind the bill, said it was coming back to the Commons “even stronger”.
She urged MPs to “grasp this opportunity with both hands”.
“The law as it stands is not working for dying people or their loved ones; that much is clear,” she said.
“A majority of MPs recognised this when they backed my bill in November. When they come to debate it once again today, they can be confident that it returns even stronger.”
The bill is at report stage, where MPs will debate and vote on various amendments.
On Friday, MPs could vote on amendments that:
Ensure there is no obligation on anyone, such as medical staff, to take part in the assisted dying process
Prevent doctors from discussing the option of an assisted death with under 18s, unless the patient has raised it first
Requiring the government to prepare and publish an assessment of the availability, quality and distribution of palliative and end of life care
MPs have been given a free vote, meaning they can decide based on their conscience rather than having to follow a party line.
The issue has split Parliament, with strong opinions on both sides.
Those opposed to assisted dying say the mood has altered among MPs, but so far only a handful have said they’ve changed their minds since November and it would take dozens to block the bill.
The Commons is unlikely to vote to give the bill final approval until 13 June at the earliest.
On 2 May, the government published its long-awaited impact report on the bill – projecting NHS savings ranging from £919,000 to £10.3 million.
But on Wednesday, officials published a “correction notice” at the bottom of the 150-page document.
The change revises the upper estimate for the number of assisted deaths in the first year after the bill is published from up to 787 to 647.
Labour MP Melanie Ward, who previously voted against the bill, told the BBC: “This shows just how chaotic this whole process has been.
“With the bill being amended by supporters just days before it is debated and the impact assessment being quietly corrected, MPs on either side of the debate can’t really know what they are being asked to vote on.
“It calls into question again whether this bill is fit for purpose and whether this private member’s bill process is suited to deal with such significant and profound issues of life and death.”
Independent peer Paralympian Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who has campaigned against the bill and will get a vote if the bill goes to the Lords, said it had been “very disappointing to see this process”.
The amended impact assessment “has come out the night before very important debates,” she said.
“It might make the numbers look marginally better but it’s a significant error – what else have they got wrong?”
Meanwhile, Sarah Pochin, Reform’s newest MP after winning the Runcorn by-election earlier this month, confirmed she would support the bill, telling ITV she was “confident” there were enough checks and balances to ensure terminally ill people were protected.
Broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen, who has been campaigning for assisted dying after revealing her terminal lung cancer diagnosis last year, accused opponents of having “undeclared personal religious beliefs which mean no precautions would satisfy” their concerns.
Labour MP Jess Asato, who voted against the bill, described Dame Esther’s comments as “particularly distasteful” and “disrespectful to those with faith and without”.
Rebecca Wilcox, a broadcaster and Dame Esther’s daughter, told the BBC’s Breakfast programme she was concerned about the “scaremongering”, “blatant lies” and “myths” circulating about the bill.
She said that while she appreciated there were concerns over coercion and how the proposed legislation could affect vulnerable or disabled people, the bill was “full of safeguards”.
“This is a game-changing moment to show what a caring culture we can be,” she said
The new bill in England and Wales would allow any doctor to be involved in assisted dying. GPs are often a large part of the practice in countries where it is legal.
Of the 1,000 GPs who responded to a survey conducted by the BBC, 500 said they were against an assisted dying law, with 400 saying they were in favour.
The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) said it believed there were “concerning deficiencies” with the bill that would need addressing, including tougher safeguards such as using doctors known to the patient for prognosis, face-to-face checks to prevent coercion and no cuts to other care.
IF ONE person knows where you can find the best beaches in the UK, it’s Quintin Lake.
For his new book The Perimeter, Quintin travelled for five years around the entire coastline of mainland Britain which covered 6800 miles and he was armed with nothing but hiking gear and a camera.
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Quintin walked on and off for five years taking pictures of the UK coastline and found incredible beachesCredit: Quintin Lake
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Some of the beaches look like they belong in other countries – like Achmelvich Bay in LochinverCredit: Quintin Lake
Photographer Quintin travelled through Wales, up to Scotland and across England, finding beautiful coastal spots and he took 1,300 pictures.
Along the way, Quintin saw all sorts, including beaches that you wouldn’t believe were in the UK – and one that looked like it was in the Caribbean, was actually in Scotland.
Quintin told Sun Travel: “Achmelvich Bay in Scotland literally looks like it belongs being in the Bahamas because the sand is white.
“The sea looks turquoise, which you’ll see in the book. The water is a beautiful greeny blue – it doesn’t look like it belongs in this country at all.
Read More on Scottish Beaches
“When I went, it was a sunny day and there were maybe six people there so it was heaven. I couldn’t believe it.
“All the northwestern and Sutherland beaches have white sand, and if you go off the beaten path you can easily find a hidden bay that you’ll have all to yourself.”
Quintin isn’t the only one to recognise Achmelvich Bay for its tropical beauty, in 2023, the beach was recognised as being one of the World’s Best Beaches.
It came in at number 45, and is the only UK beach to ever be placed in the top 50.
Scotland doesn’t just have beautiful beaches, it’s also known for its very striking landscape.
“Faraid Head in Scotland is beautiful too, especially with the dramatic cliffs that come down to the sea.”
UK beach named one of the top 100 in the world
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Scottish beaches also have dramatic coastlines like on Faraid Head in DurnessCredit: Quintin Lake
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The journey took a total of five years and Quintin wild camped along the wayCredit: Quintin Lake
He continued: “Then on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula in Scotland there’s a single road where you’ll come to a volcano from thousands of years ago.
“The top has blown off and you wouldn’t even believe it’s in Britain, the beach is so remote and eagles fly overhead – it’s very dramatic.”
Quintin added: “I mean in northwest Scotland, it’s really easy to find a beach where there’s no one there for days on end.”
Applecross Beach in Scotland is a remote sandy stretch that visitors have sometimes referred to as being the ‘edge of the world’.
The area is known for its wild and untamed landscape, with rugged mountains, lochs, and beaches.
A recommendation from Quintin for any holidaymakers who want to avoid beach crowds this summer is Three Cliffs Bay in Wales.
The beach is on the Gower Peninsula and spans for 0.6 miles in low tide. In 2023, Three Cliffs Bay came ninth in Big Seven Travel‘s 50 Most Beautiful Places in the UK.
Quintin added: “It’s just beautiful, I mean, if you’re from Wales, it’s probably quite well-known but that beach was magical and it’s huge.
“It would be great for families because it’s not one of those places where everyone’s on top of each other all the time.”
Quintin’s book, The Perimeter is out now and available to buy here.
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Quintin has documented his journey in The PerimeterCredit: Quintin Lake
If you’re looking to book a UK self-catering getaway this year, we’ve found a charming holiday cottage in Anglesey, Wales, that has travellers coming back again and again
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
We’ve found a cottage with stunning coastal views(Image: Sykes Cottages)
With staycations on the rise – especially when the weather’s as nice as it is at the moment – we’ve been searching out some of the best UK holiday rentals homes and cottages to inspire you’re next British break – and we think we’ve found a gem with this charming Anglesey escape.
This four-bedroom, eight-person Sykes Cottages holiday home in on the coast of Anglesey, Wales, stood out to us for its stunning sea views, outdoor hot tub and high quality decor, not to mention the perfect customer score of five out of five stars. Even better, there’s still availability in June through to August, including during the school summer holidays.
Yr Hen Feudy house in Anglesey(Image: Sykes Cottages)
The single-story Yr Hen Feudy house is available to book via Sykes Cottages’ website, and is located on the beautiful east coast of the Welsh Isle of Anglesey in the seaside village of Moelfre. Here you’ll find a picturesque port, a shingle beach and stunning views, perhaps even spotting seals or dolphins out at sea.
The house itself features four bedrooms, three bathrooms, an outdoor hot tub and an electric vehicle charging port, making it the perfect base for groups of friends or family holidays.
What especially impressed us were the glowing reviews from previous visitors, many who clearly have booked this place year after year. “We returned to this stunning cottage and it was as lovely as in previous visits,” one five star review reads. “The cottage is spotlessly clean and is finished to a very high standard. The views are fantastic. Good food at the local pub too. The owners are wonderful. We will be back again.”
Yr Hen Feudy house sleeps up to eight people(Image: Sykes Cottages)
“The views were amazing and the house was so clean and comfortable, definitely a home from home!” another person wrote. “We loved our stay, and we look forward to going again!”
A third person called it “such a gem“, writing: “This was our second visit to this property” and added, “Great location with amazing views from the comfort of the sofa. Facilities are just as you would expect. The house is kept in immaculate condition too. Can’t wait for our next visit.”
In fact, the only negative comment listed appears to be about some confusion about the number of guests staying – however the commentor does say that “the place is beautiful and well-maintained, and we had a very pleasant stay.”
At the time of writing, Yr Hen Feudy cottage still had availability on dates including 2-5 June, 25-28 July and 4-8 August, however is these dates don’t work for you or get booked up, there are plenty of other lovely Anglesey options on Sykes Cottages, including Chapel House, Swyn Llyr and Sea La Vie.
A 125-year-old Jacobean-style mansion is hitting the auction block for just £288,000.
The catch? Prospective buyers can only view it from a distance.
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The Jacobean mansion in north Wales has been put up for sale for just £288,000
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Originally constructed of stone in 1899 at the cost of just £4,453, a later extension was added to the incredible mansion in 1912
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The building had been used as office accommodation for a number of years but it is now set to be sold at auction between May 20 and 22
Shire Hall, in Llangefni on the island of Anglesey, north Wales, was built in 1899 and sits overlooking the Afon Cefni river.
It was originally constructed of stone at a cost of £4,453, with an extension added in 1912.
Once used as office space, the building is now derelict following a serious fire, and is considered unsafe to enter.
It’s set to be sold at auction between 20 and 22 May.
Viewings are restricted due to the building’s dangerous condition, including a collapsed roof and major structural damage.
Paul Fosh Auctions, which is handling the sale, says the site has planning permission in place for six riverside apartments.
However, they note that a more extensive development could be possible, depending on future discussions with the local council.
Gemma Vaughan from the auction house said: “The lot offers a most unusual and exciting opportunity for an investor/developer to acquire this historic building in the heart of Llangefni.”
Shire Hall stands on Glanhwfa Road, about a mile from the A55 expressway, which links the island to the rest of north Wales and Cheshire.
Anglesey is well known for its coastal walks and sandy beaches, although Shire Hall itself is far from the seaside charm – with only ruins remaining of its former grandeur.
The sale includes Shire Hall, along with around 90 other lots, in an online auction hosted by Paul Fosh Auctions, starting at 12 noon and running from May 20 to 22.
Another property has left Brits scratching their heads – not because of its price, but also because no one’s allowed inside.
Dubbed the “mansion you can’t go inside,” the eerie estate sits behind locked gates with no signs of life, yet manages to attract curious onlookers and conspiracy theories in equal measure.
Locals say the sprawling home has been sealed up for years, with perfectly manicured gardens but not a soul ever seen entering or leaving.
There’s no for-sale sign, no public records of recent ownership changes, and absolutely no explanation as to why the doors remain firmly shut.
Despite the mystery, the mansion has become an unlikely tourist magnet, with visitors travelling miles just to snap a photo at the gates.
It may not be Britain’s most expensive or oldest home, but it’s certainly one of the strangest, and its secrecy only adds to the eerie fascination.
This comes as Britain’s “loneliest house” went on the market for £250,000, but it comes with a huge catch.
Meanwhile, viewers of Britain’s Most Expensive Houses were left baffled by a rather unusual tactic used in a bid to sell a jaw-dropping £29m mansion.
Plus, the “UK’s smallest house“, measuring less than 2.5 metres wide, has hit the market for £200k – proving once again that when it comes to British property, size, access, and logic don’t always apply.
Top ten most affordable places in England and Wales
THE affordability ratio is the average number of years of salary needed to buy a house.
A lower figure means the area is more affordable.
Here are the top ten most affordable places in England and Wales:
1. Blaenau Gwent (Wales): affordability ratio 3.75 – £130,000 average house price – £34,635 average wage
BUYING a used car involves lots of decisions. What size and style do you want? Are you petrol, diesel, hybrid or EV? Should you buy as cheaply as possible or invest as much as you can?
We can’t answer any of these questions, but we can tell you what the UK’s most popular car for sale on Sun Motors is.
When it was launched, this compact crossover SUV pretty much defined the category. It’s nearly 20 years old but remains as popular as ever.
I’ve driven the Nissan Qashqai and I’ll give you my honest opinion of its good points, bad points and anything else I can remember that’s relevant.
What are the most popular used cars?
Sun Motors is a nationwide marketplace that connects thousands of buyers and dealers. We keep track of every purchase and can reveal our list of the 10 most popular used cars in the UK.
You already know that at the top of the charts is the Nissan Qashqai. Here’s a list of the rest…
Nissan Qashqai
VW Golf
Mercedes A-Class
Mini (all models)
Kia Sportage
BMW 1 Series
Ford Kuga
BMW 3 Series
Audi A3
Hyundai Tucson
Buying a used car? Find cars for under £200 on Sun Motors here.
Nissan Qashqai used car review
The Nissan Qashqai may have a name that you’ll struggle to spell, but its appeal isn’t hard to spot.
It’s a crossover SUV, which means it looks like a car that’s capable of running off-road and has an elevated driving position, but in reality, it’s a pretty refined and reliable city car.
We’re going to talk about the second-generation (and subsequent) models that launched in 2013.
With this version, Nissan ironed out all the faults and created the UK’s favourite (sort of) SUVs.
It’s now beloved by middle managers, school-run mums and dads and anyone for whom a MINI was just a little bit too small.
Modern versions are even more aggressive-looking but, for our money, don’t look as good.
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Models such as this Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi n-tec+ SUV 5dr Diesel Manual 2WD Euro 6 can be found on Sun Motors for as little as £130 per month – it has 68K miles and is from 2015
The high-up driving position offers great visibility, and the responsive handling makes the car manoeuvrable enough to slide into that supermarket parking spot.
OK, so it’s not going to knock your socks off or make you smile too much, but it’s a family car, so we never expected it would.
Sun Motors: Buy your next vehicle today
If you’re part of the 3.3 million Brits looking to buy a used vehicle this year, Sun Motors is an ideal place to start
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Enjoy:
A choice of fuel type whether it’s petrol, diesel, electric or hybrid
A range of models from convertible, estate, saloon and many more
A range of top brands such as Ford, Volkswagen, Toyota and BMW
There have been far too many engine variations (including petrol, diesel, hybrid and the latest e-POWER powertrain) for us to run through them all.
Reviewers seem to favour the 1.3-litre DIG-T 140 mild-hybrid petrol engine, and we won’t argue.
Bad points are, as you’d expect, few and far between. The Qashqai is quite expensive as a used car, with other makes and models perhaps a little cheaper to buy, run and insure.
The Qashqai is, like lots of crossovers, a bit of a fake too. It’s not really an off-roader like the Range Rover, but not many people need that sort of performance (or can afford the price).
Are Nissan Qashqais reliable?
The Nissan Qashqai isn’t quite as reliable as the bullet-proof Nissan cars of old, with the 2014-21 diesel models in particular suffering from engine and exhaust problems.
Overall though, it’s a sturdy family motor that shouldn’t leave you stranded by the roadside.
Try to buy one with a full service history, ensure all recalls are done and check receipts for any work.
How much is a Nissan Qashqai?
Nissan Qashqais start from £5,000 for a 10-year old (2015) model with over 100,000 miles on the clock. Nearly new models, including the e-POWER version, can cost over £35,000.
As a ballpark, expect to pay around £15-17,000 for a 2020 Qashqai.
It’s not the cheapest car on the market, with some used models that are as expensive as a new Dacia Duster, for example, but it’ll hold its value.
Is Nissan Qashqai a 4×4?
The Nissan Qashqai isn’t a true 4×4 like a Land Rover, Range Rover, etc, but you can find both front-wheel drive (FWD) and four-wheel drive (AWD) models on the market.
In off-road mode the 4×4 Qashqai will tackle difficult terrain like mud and gravel, more much more confidently than the 2WD version.
Most drivers who really need 4WD performance should look elsewhere. In the end, they probably already were.
Used Nissan Qashqais for sale
We’ve scoured Sun Motors to find three top used cars for sale. You’ll need to get in quick to secure these…
This isn’t the cheapest Qashqai on the market, but it’s arguably one of the best-value used motors we’ve seen.
Don’t let the 60,000+ miles on the clock put you off. This Acenta Premium model comes with 17” alloys, a good touchscreen and parking sensors.
It’ll do 55mpg all day long, too. That’s why this is our bargain buy.
Awesome auto: Nissan Qashqais SUV 1.3 DIG-T Tekna
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Reviewers love the 1.3 litre DIG-T petrol engine for its power, control and reliability.
This automatic Qashqai is in Tekna trim, featuring cool 18-inch alloy wheels, a Bose sound system, and a head-up display. Nice.
High-class hybrid: Nissan Qashqai 1.5 E-Power Acenta Premium 5dr Auto
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The 2024 Qashqai is a thoroughly modern car. Its petrol/electric hybrid motor produces an impressive 188bhp.
It’s quiet, quick and has the mean look of the new Qashqai.
This particular car has fewer than 5,000 miles on the clock, so it’s as nearly new as it gets.
Buying a used car? Check out Sun Motors and find your next vehicle today. Whether you’re looking for automatic, manual or electric, use Sun Motors to decide on your next model.
