Next month, the transept of Ripon Cathedral will come to life with a 1723 plea for freedom, written by an anonymous enslaved Virginian and almost certainly addressed to the Archbishop of Canterbury himself. The story behind its rediscovery is, in its own way, as remarkable as the play it inspired.

Property expert Sam Fox, founder of the UK Mortgage Centre, says a new wave of rate cuts is likely before the end of June, driven by falling funding costs, intensifying competition between lenders and the start of the busy summer moving season. However, he is urging borrowers not to let optimism tip into complacency.

The sad passing of David Hockney made me take stock of my life. As I approach 78, I realise I must fill each day with something meaningful. Ok, Hockney was what people call 'a good age', whatever that means. He was the sort of icon you imagine to be immortal, like David Attenborough and the Queen. I was surprised how many children were affected by his death.

There is no fixed schedule for trimming goats’ hooves. Much depends on the ground they are kept on. For example, if they are kept in wet, grassy paddocks, their hooves will require trimming more often than if they are kept on rough, rocky terrain where the hooves can wear down naturally.

Millions of British holidaymakers face delayed or cancelled flights every summer - and most never claim a penny of the compensation they're legally entitled to. New Civil Aviation Authority data reveals punctuality failures remain widespread across UK airlines, with package holiday giant Tui among the five worst performers for on-time departures.

Andy Burnham's landslide victory in Makerfield, followed by Keir Starmer's resignation, has accelerated speculation about his path to Number 10. If he gets there, Britain will have something it has not seen for a generation: a Prime Minister whose political identity has been shaped by the North of England rather than Westminster. For entrepreneurs, that matters.

Nick Hayes admits he is “a giant foodie”. “I regard food as not just sustenance but a form of entertainment." Nick, who is playing the role of Felicia/Adam in the tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, admits this is a very demanding role.

Few artists capture the complexities of human emotion quite like Scott Quinn. The British singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist returns with his poignant new single, Places in London, a heartfelt reflection on the hidden losses that linger after heartbreak.

Mazda has undoubtedly been one of the slower manufacturers to electrify their range. Up until fairly recently, the MX-30 had been the company’s only fully electric offering, and it has now been discontinued. Fear not, as I have just returned from the UK media launch of the new Mazda6e, and after a long drive through North Wales, I am ready to give my verdict.

There is a particular kind of Saturday lunch that announces itself before you've even sat down — the kind where the sun is doing something uncharacteristically Mediterranean to a British city centre, and the diners on the terrace have already decided the working week is somebody else's problem.

Few writers are able to nail the retrospective surreality of a place and time in history with the elegant efficiency of Bill Broady. Set against the backdrop of a seedy, institutionally misogynistic and terminally necrotic Leeds of the 1970s, the unnamed narrator of There’s No ‘F’ In Wonderful is a knowing flâneur, a recorder of the sociocultural zeitgeist.

Across an extensive catalogue, Andrews has explored themes of longing, vulnerability, faith, grief, and human connection through songs that often feel more like carefully crafted narratives than conventional indie compositions. Their latest release, Fragile World, continues that tradition while presenting a collection that feels remarkably immediate, intimate, and unguarded.

Some of Teeside's sporting legends have joined the push to bring the Olympic and Paralympic Games to the North of England. These legends, which include Olympians and Paralympians from the region, have joined forces with over 40 fellow sports stars by signing a joint statement to back the push to host the games in 2040.

Continuing his occasional series on whether bucket list destinations live up to expectations, Group Editor Andrew Palmer heads to Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the 2016 Olympics, chasing a city he first fell for thirty-odd years earlier, dangling from a cable car alongside Roger Moore. Blame Roger Moore.

In an era increasingly dominated by playlists and individual singles, Held Here Together feels refreshingly intentional. It invites listeners to slow down, absorb its narratives and appreciate the craftsmanship behind every arrangement. Bird has created an album that is elegant, heartfelt and quietly compelling—one that lingers long after its final notes fade.

That opening 'O Fortuna' is electrifying — dynamics are observed with real precision rather than mere brute force. Anyone of a certain age will recall its rather unlikely second life soundtracking a men's aftershave advert in the 1970s and '80s, which says something about how a single thrilling fragment can eclipse a far richer whole in the popular imagination. It's a pattern that feels uncomfortably familiar in other walks of life too – not least, dare I say, in the way British politics now rewards the soundbite over substance. Orff's wheel of fortune deserves more than fifteen seconds of fame.

The RSPCA is urging concerned animal lovers to call the police, not the animal welfare charity, if they spot an animal in a car during the UK’s mega heatwave - saying every second counts to save lives.

There's a particular kind of nostalgia that comes with good French cooking — the sort that conjures lazy lunches, clinking glasses, and the easy theatre of a proper bistro kitchen. As Bastille Day approaches this July, we've been getting reacquainted with those classics courtesy of Horsforth's much-loved neighbourhood bistro, Bavette.

Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel celebrates 25 years since landmark restoration and reopening With a constant year-round temperature of around 8°C, a trip through Standedge Tunnel provides the perfect escape from the summer heat and this year the Canal & River Trust is hosting celebrations to mark 25 years since the reopening of the UK's longest, deepest and highest canal tun…

H&M: More meaningful recovery possible in 2027; Bringing production closer to key markets should improve flexibility.

Focus4Hope was originally created as a community organisation but became a registered charity so it could respond to increased demand. It offers a range of services to help people avoid crisis points, including food distribution, advice and guidance, and a low-cost food market. But in extreme weather, crisis can become inevitable.

Women in the North West are highly involved in household finances, with more than eight in ten (81%) actively involved in managing daily finances but are less likely to take the lead on the longer-term decisions that shape future wealth, according to new research from St James’s Place (SJP).

Dear Editor, Around 3 million people in the UK are hearing aid users. With the temperature this week reported to reach in excess of 38C in some places, RNID, are encouraging hearing aid users to give their devices some extra TLC during the hot weather so they can soak up the sunshine without missing out on conversations.

Barrovians are being given the chance this month to help shape the future of The Cumberland. The building society is going out into the town to get the views of local people on banking in the 21st century. The Cumberland is bringing its green sofa and other props to the Bridge community hub in the third stop of its unique roadshow around the county.

Sir Keir Starmer's decision to step down has triggered a pivotal moment for Labour and for the future direction of public services, with Andy Burnham the leading contender to succeed him. Burnham has previously spoken about the need for stronger community-based services and reforms to health and social care, making the sector one to watch closely as the leadership contest unfolds.

Passengers are being offered a new ticket that allows them to switch between trains, buses and boats in Cumbria. It comes as a growing number of tourists are booking trips to the Lake District and other popular UK holiday destinations this summer, amid uncertainty over international travel.

To mark the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Nigel Gresley, former Chief Mechanical Engineer of the original LNER, a special Azuma train livery has been unveiled at Doncaster railway station.

This is a beautiful novel which evokes all sorts of emotions. Set in Trinidad and partly in New York City, it is written in a patois which has a musical lilt to it and which quickly becomes familiar. Likewise, although the dialogue is not punctuated, it is laid out in such a way as to make it easily readable.

While the world watches the FIFA World Cup, Chester is gearing up to host its own global tournament, and this one comes with bells on. Twenty-five town criers from across the globe will descend on the city this September for the World Town Crier Tournament, organisers Marketing Cheshire have confirmed. The details were announced, fittingly, by Chester Town Crier David Mitchell.

In boardrooms and conference halls across the UK and beyond, the phrase 'death by PowerPoint' has become shorthand for a common and excruciating experience, the dull, overwhelming, and often tedious business presentation.

She opens with the lyrical and rather lovely Handel Violin Sonata in D major — rhythmical and expressive, with delightful accompaniment from Bai. The playing throughout is perfectly balanced and crisply articulated, the dynamics judged with care, each movement elegantly shaped.

Whilst pot-bellied pigs are extremely affectionate and endearing, it is important to remember that caring for these small-breed pigs requires understanding and dedication. Pot-bellied pigs have wonderful personalities and are very clever animals; in fact, they are thought to be among the top five most intelligent animals in the world and are often considered much smarter than dogs.

Conservationists at Chester Zoo have welcomed a rare northern giraffe - and hope he'll prove quite the catch. Kris, a lively three-year-old male, has travelled from West Midlands Safari Park to meet the zoo's resident female herd. His introduction has been carefully planned, with conservationists matching the animals based on genetics, age and temperament.

An eye-watering seven million square kilometres, the Amazon River Basin covers around 40 per cent of South America and crosses eight countries. Home to the world’s largest rainforest, it teems with up to three thousand fish species including piranhas.

Mitsubishi stopped selling its range of vehicles in the UK in 2021, but now the Japanese company is back with two new vehicles. At the recent launch event, I got to sample both the L200 pickup and the Outlander PHEV. The latter is a story for another day. This is the seventh generation of the L200 and it has been on sale in other markets for quite some time.

Sleeping Through He wakes, reaches for my hand and says ‘it’s very morning’, which is true.

There’s no escaping it now: artificial intelligence has well and truly arrived in hospitality. From the moment a guest starts searching for somewhere to stay or eat to the follow-up review after they’ve gone home, AI is increasingly shaping the journey. It promises smoother bookings, sharper recommendations, and smarter marketing.

The Bank of England was widely expected to keep interest rates on hold this month. But the Monetary Policy Committee’s focus has now shifted towards digesting the implications of the US-Iran deal to extend the ceasefire and restore energy flows through the Strait of Hormuz.

As Drowning Prevention Week (13-20 June) continues, Yorkshire Air Ambulance is urging the public to take care around open water following a number of tragic incidents across the UK. The annual awareness campaign, led by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK), follows reports of more than 17 people losing their lives in open water incidents across the UK since the start of May.

Four in 10 adoptive families say they are facing severe challenges or are at crisis point as the Adoption Barometer 2026 calls for a legal right to lifelong, needs-led support. A major new report from Adoption UK has revealed that too many families are still being left without the support they need once adoptions are made, and adult adoptees continue to be overlooked by policymakers.

Father’s Day (21 June) can be a particularly difficult and lonely day for those whose baby has died, however long ago. Dads with other children may also have mixed feelings and worry about how to approach the day. Every day in the UK, 13 babies die shortly before, during or soon after birth.

Yorkshire Water is encouraging schools across the region to take part in its free water safety education programme as part of Drowning Prevention Week 2026, helping children and young people understand the dangers of open waters ahead of the summer holidays.