Costa lambasted for strangling independent chains in the “Coffee Capital”
Costa Coffee has been lambasted for strangling independent chains after it opened its eleventh branch in Cheltenham despite 70 per cent of residents saying they don't want it. The High Street giant is about to open a new outlet immediately next door to rivals SOHO Coffee Co at a prime site in the so-called "coffee capital". It will mean a total of 19 big-name coffee shops in the centre of the spa town - in addition to a wide range of independent...
Lorries containing 45,000 litres of fuel burst into flames on industrial estate
Firefighters battled to put out a massive fire after five lorries containing 45,000 litres of fuel burst into flames at an industrial estate. Police were also at the scene to provide a safe cordon around the incident and launched the force helicopter to assist during the incident on Wednesday night. Describing the incident Bryan Stracey, 43, a tanker driver who was parked in a yard behind the fire said: "It was the biggest fire I've ever seen. "The flames were...
Vibrant Teddington cafe doomed by council law to protect vibrancy
A vibrant cafe in Teddington is under threat of closure because of a local council law designed to protect vitality and vibrancy in the area. The highly rated Fallow Deer was granted a two year license when it opened to be able to run as a cafe and restaurant and were led to believe by a Planning Officer that at the end of those two years it would be highly probable that an extension would be agreed. But the cafe owners say...
Insensitive plans for shooting range near Dunblane submitted
The father of a victim of the devastating school shooting in Dunblane has hit out at plans for a shooting range which will use automatic weapons. The mass-shooting at Dunblane Primary School, Stirling, killed 16 children and one teacher in 1996 and led to a ban on handguns across much of the UK. Doctor Mick North lost his five-year-old daughter Sophie in shooting and has been left devastated by plans for a shooting range to open in Falkirk - only...
Watch -“You’re stuck in dogma about grammar schools when rest of the education system is flailing around”
Education Secretary Justine Greening was given a very hard time by Charlie Stayt on BBC Breakfast, usually one for the more easy going interview, he decided to go at Greening and wouldn't let it lie. She didn't look like she was prepared for his attack. Presenter Mr Stayt told her: "You've used the phrase 'ordinary working families' in pretty much every answer. "The fact is, most people watching this programme who are from ordinary working families... we can assume that's...
Watch – Extremely rare quintuplets born to ewe
The incredibly rare set of five lambs were delivered on Sunday, March 26 at East Yorkshire stately home, Sledmere House and gave Head Stockman, Richard Clifford, a shock when he realised the true size of the brood. Now named Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon and Michael, the set of five are settling in nicely but have caused extra work for the farm as they need to be bottle fed around the clock. Describing the rarity of such an event, Richard, 42, said: "I've...
Wow! Pics Show Dolphins Riding The Waves Alongside Shocked Surfers In Cornwall!
A 15-strong pod of dolphins played in the water next to a group of surfers – and gave them a masterclass in their sport. The mammals delighted onlookers with their spectacular display at Sennen Cove in Cornwall. They leapt in the air and rode the waves and clearly appeared to be enjoying themselves. Their performance was captured on camera by holidaymaker Malcolm Barradell. The 61 year-old, from Newport in Wales who works in environmental conservation, said: “I was walking down...
Watch – Relic hunter launches appeal to reunite families of WW2 heroes using found dog tags
A relic hunter has launched an extraordinary appeal to reunite the families of over 14,000 WW2 heroes with their DOG TAGS – after he found them buried in a field. Dan Mackay, 37, discovered the military tags under the earth beside the site of a World War Two anti-aircraft battery just outside London. They represent almost every army regiment – including men who stormed the beaches of Normandy. He stumbled on the site as he looked for military relics and...
Thousands stranded alone after leaving mental health hospital – putting their lives at serious risk
Figures released today by the mental health charity Mind show that one in ten people discharged from mental health hospital after being admitted in crisis are not getting follow-up within a week of leaving – which is at least 11,000 people every year. Mind sent Freedom of Information (FoI) requests to all 56 mental health trusts in England (54 trusts responded) asking for information about how quickly people are followed up after being discharged from hospital. Follow up – usually...