Lionesses and Oasis boosting long summer of hope in London, says National Lottery
Neil Trotter, from Coulsdon, near Croydon, spoke as a new National Lottery survey suggested the feel-good start to summer is boosting hope and optimism across the capital.
According to the research, 72% of Londoners say they feel more upbeat when the nation comes together around a unifying event.
England's women face Sweden in their Euro 2025 quarter-final on Thursday evening, while Noel and Liam Gallagher's Britpop band plays at Wembley Stadium later this month.
Half people in the city currently describe overall level of hopefulness in the UK as high, despite economic pressures and global conflict.
Mr Trotter, 51, bagged his massive win - at the time the fourth biggest ever - with a Lucky Dip in March 2014.
In an eerie premonition, he had told staff at his father's office on the eve of his jackpot 'this time tomorrow' he'd be a millionaire like namesake, Del Boy Trotter from Only Fools And Horses.
'I've always thought I'd win big and I'd had a good feeling all week,' he said.
It allowed Mr Trotter to pursue his passion for motorsport, following the British Touring Car Championships and buying a McClaren 650S Spider supercar.
He and partner Nicky Ottaway also invested in a Grade II-listed manor house with 500 acres of land and six lakes.
Author and psychology expert Miriam Akhtar said: 'Humans are social creatures, so it's natural that shared moments, such as major sporting events, have a significant impact on national levels of hope.
'Optimism is infectious and like hope, these positive emotions spread through people in a phenomenon known as 'emotional contagion'.
'So when the country is celebrating a Lioness win or enjoying the nostalgia of Oasis playing again, it takes hold nationally very quickly.'
Andy Carter, senior winners' advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, said: 'We're fully embracing this wave of optimism.
'For anyone who has their fingers crossed for things to go your way, we hope that seeing our installations brings a renewed sense of optimism and inspires you to believe it could be you.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
Watching Viktor Gyokeres: Quick bursts, direct dribbling and a tactical challenge for Arteta
The excitement at the Emirates was palpable as Arsenal returned from their pre-season tour of Asia. They lost 3-2 to Villarreal but after years of waiting for a centre-forward, supporters were ready to welcome their newest addition to the front line home. Viktor Gyokeres was in town, making his first start in Arsenal colours. Greeted with applause when his name was announced just before kick-off, within a minute of play there was a glimpse of why that excitement was genuine and not just charity for a new face. Advertisement With the game barely settled, the Sweden international made a quick burst into the Villarreal penalty area. He was found, and despite having his cutback cleared, it seemed like a precursor of what could be expected later in the game and throughout the season. Expectations are just that, though. The reality was that while those moments presented themselves on the odd occasion, there were other moments that showed this new marriage may need time to click. 'He's been with us only a week or so,' manager Mikel Arteta said post-match. 'But I already saw a lot of things and a lot of purpose, especially the way he was attacking in certain spaces.' Arsenal's new dilemma on whether to stick or twist in attack was evident multiple times in the first half. There was one chance to break as goalkeeper David Raya threw the ball out to Myles Lewis-Skelly, who played it backwards instead of mounting an attack while Gyokeres was on the move. Lewis-Skelly received a similar throw from Raya later in the half and was patient in his play once again. This time, however, Arsenal progressed play well and the left-back threaded a ball in behind for Gyokeres from a more advanced position. The audible anticipation around what Gyokeres would do turned into pleasant surprise as he weaved past two challenges before trying another cutback that needed a runner from midfield. Last month, Coventry City captain and Arsenal academy player Ben Sheaf spoke to The Athletic about what it was like adapting to Gyokeres as a team-mate. He spoke about how Coventry liked having the ball but would also play to the Sweden international's strengths, before adding: 'The way the season progressed, it swayed more towards, 'This is what he's doing, he's doing it well, let's keep doing it and get better at it'. 'I get what people are saying about how is he going to fit in, but people probably said the same thing about Erling Haaland when he went to (Manchester) City and that turned out quite well. I think under good managers and better players, Viktor's only going to get better and add more to his game anyway, so I wouldn't say that's a concern really.' Advertisement It was clear from Wednesday's performance that the 27-year-old's qualities can be of use to Arsenal, but finding the best way to accentuate them is now the big challenge. Arsenal's collective performances this pre-season have been mixed. They were lax when defending set pieces in their 1-0 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur, and Arteta admitted that against Villarreal they were 'naive, especially the way we have defended open spaces'. Individually, Martin Zubimendi and Ethan Nwaneri have grown into their midfield roles — mainly because they have played with personality. Zubimendi's insistence on passing forward whenever he is on the pitch has been encouraging. Nwaneri has started three of the four pre-season games so far, and has impressed by going off-script with nutmegs, quick bursts of pace and reversed passes to move Arsenal up the pitch, while also showing a better understanding of his role out of possession against Villarreal. Part of why individuals have shone and the collective have stuttered will come down to the make-up of Arteta's line-ups. Most have been a mix of players who would be considered regular starters and squad players. For example, the midfield trio of Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice have not yet started a game together. They have had minutes alongside one another, going back to the first pre-season game against Milan, but they have always been after substitutions have been made. It was also not until the final half-hour of the Villarreal game that Gabriel, who has played more than 200 games for Arsenal, made his return from a hamstring injury. Even later in the match, Noni Madueke's inclusion on the left wing showed there are still elements of this new-look squad for Arteta to work out. 'Noni is very comfortable playing right and left,' the Arsenal manager added. 'We want to have inverted-footed players (left-footers playing off the right, for example). We can do that, and he's a real threat. But… (if) we want to find something else, playing with natural-footed, he's going to give us that solution. Today you've seen already a couple of balls that he put in the box, the pace and the quality he can deliver.' Advertisement With such important facets of Arteta's squad coming together at different times, the final game of pre-season against Athletic Club on Saturday should make for interesting viewing. Arteta is hopeful Kai Havertz, Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard will return from their respective injuries. But will he finally manage to field an XI that resembles his strongest selection before the season gets under way at Old Trafford on August 17? Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Salford Lads and Girls Club given incredible news months after facing closure
Salford Lads and Girls Club has been awarded a grant of £438,000 - nine months after it faced closure. The money will be used for essential repairs to the Grade II-listed building in Ordsall. The cash is the biggest grant the 122-year-old institution has ever received and will ensure its future for generations to come. It was saved at the end of last year following a Manchester Evening News fundraising campaign. In just six weeks, £273,000 was raised. Donations included £100,000 from Salford council; £50,000 from Morrissey; and £30,000 from the gas company Cadent. Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here The new grant of £437,961 is one of six awarded in the north west by Historic England which total £2.4m. The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund - led by the public body and funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport - rescues listed buildings and sites facing dereliction or demolition. Projects range from Victorian market halls to medieval churches Leslie Holmes, projects manager at Salford Lads and Girls Club for 23 years, said: "Getting recognition from people like Historic England is amazing. A lot of brick work on one side of the building needs repairing. We have had a lot of erosion and damage by strong winds. "There are quite a few bricks that need replacing. On the top of the building we have copings which are showing their age and need rebedding. Whenever there is a big storm we get water in the building. We are going to put an extra hopper on each of the downspouts which carry rainwater from the gutters. "After 23 years working to save the future of this remarkable building, this is by far the largest grant we have ever been awarded. In 2003 Salford Lads and Girls Club was listed as the rarest surviving example of a pre-First World Ward working lads clubs still in use. "This award from Historic England is another step in securing the club for future generations of local families and for the thousands of music fans from across the world who walk down Coronation Street to stand in front of the famous sign and who now come inside to share our special story." Laura Slingsby, chief executive officer at the club, said: "This support from Historic England is incredibly important for us. It's a place that families have walked through for generations. This investment will allow us to keep it standing strong for another 100 years. "We're not just preserving bricks and mortar, we're keeping alive a space that inspires pride, tells Salford's story of resilience, and provides our local community and young people with access to heritage and opportunities they wouldn't find elsewhere. It's a game-changer for the building, our club, and the entire community." Nick Abbot, a partner in the Simon Fenton Partnership, appointed as Quantity Surveyors for the restoration, attended the club as a youngster. He said: "Salford Lads and Girls Club isn't just bricks and mortar - it's a lifeline, a memory-maker, and a symbol of pride for so many in the community, including me. To play a part in preserving it for the future is incredibly special." In 1985, the club was used as the setting for an iconic image of Manchester band The Smiths. The picture, taken by Stephen Wright, has brought the club global recognition and a source of funding from fans of the group. To this day, fans from all over the world make a pilgrimage to the venue. It offers sport and other activities six days a week to more than 200 young people in one of the most deprived areas of the country. A unique archive contains the records of over 22,500 members since its opening in 1903 displayed on a remarkable five metre Wall of Names. In the north west, projects receiving grants as well as Salford Lads and Girls Club include the restoration of the upper seating areas at Morecambe Winter Gardens; and the conservation of the Grade II-listed pump house at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port. The fund operates alongside Historic England's existing Heritage at Risk programme, targeting sites requiring immediate action to prevent further deterioration. Louise Brennan, director of regions at Historic England said: "Thanks to the extra funding from the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, we are able to breathe new life into neglected historic buildings in the north west that we haven't been able to help through our existing grant schemes. "This initiative will not only boost economic growth but also create amazing opportunities for people in some of the region's most disadvantaged areas. We're thrilled to support projects that harness the power of heritage to make a real difference where it's needed most."
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man United fans make their thoughts known on Ineos' tenure
Manchester United fans have spoken on how they view new owners Ineos' time at the club to date. Ineos takeover There is no question that United's majority owners, the Glazer family, are deeply unpopular but the jury is out on Ineos. The company owned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe bought a minority stake in the club in 2023 and have been at the centre of some huge changes at the football club. There has been a complete revamp of the football structure, the manager and coaching team and numerous new signings at senior and youth team level. Mixed reviews According to a poll undertaken by The Peoples Person, 32% of respondents felt that 'the good outweighs the bad' in what Ineos have done at Old Trafford. Despite a terrible season last year, head coach Ruben Amorim is a popular figure amongst fans and many new signings such as Leny Yoro and Matheus Cunha have been welcomed by supporters. United have also seen the revamp of their Carrington training ground and plans put in place for a new 100,000 seater stadium. Storm clouds have gathered Nonetheless 24% of fans claimed that they have been average while 18% believe that Ineos' tenure has been 'mostly disappointing.' The garden has not always been rosy for Sir Jim Ratcliffe as The 1958 have been very active in protests against some of the club's decisions and they are planning a demonstration against the British billionaire before the opening game of the Premier League season. What's more, the club have also taken some deeply unpopular decisions such as large-scale job cuts, the increase of matchday ticket prices and the removal of Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial role. Finally, some people have taken more extreme views with 16% agreeing with the statement that Ineos have been responsible for an 'absolute sh**show' while 10% feel they have been 'excellent' and a 'breath of fresh air.' Mixed bag All in all, the majority fans view Ineos as a mixed bag. 42% of readers view the new owners as generally positive, while 34% see them in a generally negative light. That leaves 24% of people who haven't really made up their mind as of yet. With the signing of Benjamin Sesko looking likely and the links to Brighton and Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba heating up, Ineos will be hoping to convince a few more fans with an incredibly successful summer window. Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images online polls Follow us on Bluesky: @
