Somerset in pictures: Luke Littler, Mr Darcy and stunning sunsets
As with much of the country, Somerset has been bathed in blue skies and sunshine this week, even if the nights stayed frosty.There was delight for thousands of fans at the UK Open in Minehead as Luke Littler won the UK Open darts at Butlins.Over in Bath there were stylish scenes thanks to a Mr Darcy lookalike at the Jane Austen Centre.And down in Taunton a very special NHS member of staff was being rewarded for years of dedication.
Gorgeous sunrise: Local journalist Harry Mottram captured these swans swimming on Cheddar Reservoir at dawn.
Pride and Prejudice: History was brought to life by a Mr Darcy lookalike and others in period costume at the Jane Austen Centre in Bath this week, ahead of the 250th anniversary celebrations of her birth later this year.
All's Wells that ends well: This peaceful rural scene was captures near Wells on one of the several sunny days this week.
Amazing job: Pip Quinn, a midwife at Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton, said she was "overwhelmingly proud" to have been awarded a national Cavell Star for her 30 years' service.
Read all about it: Staff and pupils at St John's School in Clevedon made a real effort for World Book Day this week, although judging by some of the placards the teachers had mixed feelings about being at work.
Sunny morning: A hot air balloon was captured above Charlcombe near Bath as the weather turned good enough for pilots to take to the air.
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Daily Record
3 hours ago
- Daily Record
World Cup of Darts 2025: Saturday schedule as Luke Littler and Luke Humphries hit stage in Germany
The duo have been been given MBE's ahead of their opening tie against Germany English star duo Luke Humphries and Luke Littler hit the stage on Saturday as the World Cup of Darts moves into the business end. The duo have been been given MBE's ahead of their opening tie against Germany after the draw for the last 16 was made following the completion of Friday evening's action. Reigning champions England, led by Humphries alongside debutant Littler, face Martin Schindler and Ricardo Pietreczko, while two-time champions Scotland, who have Gary Anderson and Peter Wright starring, will play Netherlands in another crunch clash. Wales begin their bid for a third World Cup crown against Philippine, fourth seeds Northern Ireland go up against South Africa for a place in the last eight and 2022 champions Australia pitted against Argentina. Former finalists Republic of Ireland meet Switzerland, Hong Kong play Sweden, as Malaysia and Czechia also collide. Following Saturday's second round, the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final will then take place during a bumper double session on Sunday, as the remaining eight nations compete for the coveted title at the Eissporthalle. WHERE TO WATCH The BetVictor World Cup of Darts is being broadcast on Sky Sports for viewers in the UK & Ireland, through the PDC's international broadcast partners, including DAZN and Viaplay, and on PDCTV for Rest of the World Subscribers. Saturday June 14 Afternoon Session (12 noon UK time) Second Round x4 Malaysia v Czechia Hong Kong v Sweden Switzerland v Republic of Ireland Northern Ireland v South Africa Evening Session (6pm UK time) Second Round x4 Wales v Philippines Scotland v Netherlands England v Germany Argentina v Australia All matches best of 15 legs
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Luke Littler breaks his silence on his MBE as he receives honour alongside rival Luke Humphries - before making World Cup debut against Germany
Luke Littler hailed it as a triumph for himself and for darts as he picked up his MBE. The Nuke, 18, was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours on Friday alongside Luke Humphries. Their awards show the growing influence of darts in the year that Littler became the youngest-ever World Champion while Humphries claimed his maiden Premier League crown. A peak audience of 3,680,000 tuned in for their World Championship final in 2024, which Humphries won, and they have gone from strength to strength since. The pair become the sixth and seventh darts stars to receive the distinction after Fallon Sherrock, Keith Deller, John Lowe, Trina Gulliver, and the late Eric Bristow. 'I'm very happy for myself. I didn't think I'd ever receive one,' Littler told Sky Sports. Luke Humphries and Luke Littler react to being awarded MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours 🤝🎖️ — Sky Sports Darts (@SkySportsDarts) June 13, 2025 'And obviously Fallon Sherrock, she received one for her World Championships in the past. But for myself and what I've done, it's unbelievable and for my sport. 'I'm happy, my family is happy, and I can't wait to receive it. 'This award that we've got, it doesn't come very often. Like we've said, we're the sixth and seventh darts players that have ever received one. 'For myself, like we've said, so early in our careers, but what I've done for myself, opened up my own darts academy, seeing the younger generation come up, it's a massive boost for us two coming into the World Cup this weekend.' Littler and Humphries pair up and will face Germany on Saturday as they enter the World Cup in the last 16 in Frankfurt. Last year Humphries and Michael Smith teamed up and beat Austria in the final to claim the crown in a tournament which has been dominated by British teams since its inception in 2010. Humphries added on his MBE; 'I'm incredibly proud. It's obviously a proud moment for my family as well. I didn't expect to get it. When I got the letter it was quite unexpected for me. 'It's not something I was thinking about so soon in my career,' said the 30-year-old. 'Usually you get it quite later on in your career but me and Luke have had a massive impact on the workd of darts, especially Luke, he has brought in an incredibly young generation of darters that will build the sport massively more than it is now. 'It really is a privilege. Really excited to go and receive it. 'It's a fantastic achievement. You don't get an MBE for nothing, you have to have brought so much to a sport or provided so much. 'I feel like I've done that with the way I've gone through it a lot in the last four or five years and manage to shoot myself up the rankings and win so many major titles. 'And then Luke, his first major final at 16, we've come up at the same time and it's nice that we get to share the moment together. This is a special moment for our families because we've achieved so much in darts but when you achieve something of the highest order, it really is a privilege. 'It gives us a little bit more fire as well. It makes us want to get out and perform even more now because it's quite a special achievement and it would be lovely to finish the weekend off with another World Cup medal for us both.' Humphries has come close to quitting darts in the past due to anxiety and panic attacks and even admitted in April that the demanding schedule is 'not good' for his 'mental state'. Receiving an MBE underlines the impact that he and Littler have had on a sport which is exploding in popularity and commercial potential.
Telegraph
6 hours ago
- Telegraph
Step aside Luke Littler: Here are the most bizarre sporting honours
Some earn a title for achievements of indisputable brilliance. Some lobby tirelessly for recognition and attempt to fast-track the process, ironically by joining a long queue. Some are simply talented at mental arithmetic and tuning out the noise of crowds, many of whom are dressed as Papa Smurf and singing a song about Kolo Touré. Congratulations, then, to Luke Humphries and Luke Littler, given MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours List. Huge reward for their years of toil to reach the top of their sport, all 18 of them in Littler's case. 'For services to darts' is not a justification which has appeared often in the history of the honours system, although knighthoods were introduced by the Normans. Every chance they rewarded similarly impressive work with the arrows to the chap who saw off King Harold. Litter said: 'This is an amazing and unexpected honour but one which I am very grateful for. To receive a recognition like this is something I had never thought would be possible, and it is a proud moment. 'It's unbelievable what I've done for my sport; I'm happy, my family is happy and I can't wait to receive it. Congratulations to Luke Humphries on receiving an MBE, too – he's a fantastic ambassador for darts, and although he's a rival, I can't wait to partner him in the World Cup this weekend.' The Lukes join fellow darts stars Fallon Sherrock, awarded the MBE two years ago, Trina Gulliver, Keith Deller, Eric Bristow and John Lowe, recognised with the same in 2018 for his achievements in darts, charity work and walking on to Whitesnake's Here I Go Again. There are a few other surprising names when perusing the list of honoured sportspeople. Of course we all share fond memories of John Beresford's role as the only sane member of Kevin Keegan's entertainers, does that merit an MBE? Perhaps not, but it was his anti-racism work which was being recognised. Cricketer Sir Neville Cardus never played in a first-class match but was an era-defining journalist of his sport. Good news for Nick Hoult. And there is still some minor rancour about Sir Gareth Southgate's knighthood from those who disliked his England reign, although Thomas Tuchel is doing his best to place his achievements into context. But who are the most unusual honour recipients in sporting history? Ronald Ross You deserve recognition for being the best at your sport, without question. But just how far down the list of popular sports are we going with honours these days? Ross, as you are no doubt aware, is a pretty big deal in the world of shinty, even described as the 'Ronaldo of the Glens'. His Messi equivalent is seething. Norman Hunter For services to leg-biting. Actually made an MBE in 1967 along with every other member of England's victorious World Cup squad of 1966, despite not playing a minute. Has that in common with Peter Bonetti, Ron Springett, George Eastham and Ron Flowers. Hunter was unquestionably brilliant, but from an era of football quite at odds with the genteel world of the British establishment. Pat Partridge Beloved football referee in a time before that was a contradiction in terms. Worked as a farmer when not wearing the traditional all-black kit with an inexplicably massive collar. One of several from his era to receive recognition, in his case a British Empire Medal. Norman Burtenshaw and Jack Taylor are among the other honoured refs, given OBEs. Feels like the moment has passed. Difficult to imagine Mike Dean with a sword on his shoulder, although Howard Webb is also an MBE. Paul Collingwood Cricket has an uneasy relationship with the honours system. When given a CBE in 1992, Alec Bedser, England's best fast bowler of the Forties and Fifties, said: 'A knighthood? They're for fancy dan batsmen.' He had one five years later anyway. Paul Collingwood's MBE for his part in the 2005 Ashes victory was cut down to size by Shane Warne. Collingwood had only been drafted in for the final Test and Warne said later: 'You got an MBE, right? For scoring seven at the Oval? That's embarrassing.' It was 17 in fact, across both innings, but the point stands. David Moyes An OBE as of this year, so there is hope yet for Erik ten Hag and the many other post-Sir Alex Ferguson failures at Manchester United. Clearly Buckingham Palace puts a high value on the Europa Conference League and steadying the ship at Everton. Naseem Hamed Having prince in your name is usually a good route towards preferential treatment from the royals, unless it is followed by Harry. Bit of a grey area if you have added it yourself in inverted commas to make yourself look hard. A star in his heyday, less heralded these days and was also stripped of his MBE after serving 16 weeks of a 15-month prison sentence for dangerous driving.
