'Oldest' papergirl Maureen Burton marks 80th birthday on zip wire
A woman who thinks she could be the oldest papergirl in the region marked her 80th birthday by crossing a lake on a zip wire.Having already completed one zip-wire challenge in her forties, Maureen Burton celebrated the occasion by repeating the feat on 12 April at North Yorkshire Water Park.She also raised £3,700 for her local church, St Michael's in Bempton, Bridlington, which was four times her original target."It was absolutely amazing," she said.
Despite not having the most elegant landing, she said she would be up for doing it again."I didn't end very lady like," she said. "I went in a somersault but I'd do it again, definitely."Maureen volunteered to deliver newspapers in her village three years ago after there was a danger the service could be lost.Her daily round ranges from six to 12 deliveries and is spread across the village."It's the distance," she explained. "It's not the amount because you go from one end of the village to the other. I keep fit, I keep walking and I keep mobile."She does not get paid for her rounds, but said she donated all her Christmas tips to the church after it supported her following her husband Neil's death five years ago.She wore a T-shirt with his picture on during the challenge after he cheered her on at her first attempt.The money raised will pay for alterations to the church and graveyard to make it accessible for wheelchairs and walking aids.
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
7 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Martin Lewis helped me get £14k in council tax but I'm not happy
One of the consumer champion's fans shared a story on how he successfully challenged his council tax payment, only for there to be a sting in the tail Consumer champion Martin Lewis was heaped with praise online after his sage advice helped a man claim back more than £14,000 in excess council tax payments – yet the story took a bittersweet turn. One of his followers heeded the expert's advice and was over the moon to get tens of thousands of pounds back after discovering his property was placed in the wrong council tax band, only later to share there was a "sad" twist to the tale. Martin had initially uploaded a video on his X account encouraging the public to tune in to the latest instalment of his self-titled BBC Sounds podcast. In it, he complained about the council tax band system in England and Scotland. His message was paired with the caption: "Are you in one of 400,000 homes that are in the wrong council tax band? If so, you could be due £1,000s back!" He added: "It really is quite unbelievable that if you live in England and Scotland, the council tax band you are in today is still dictated by a stop-gap, drive-by valuation done back in 1991 that was only meant to last a couple of years. "And when I say drive-by, I'm literally talking a couple of estate agents in a car often, with a clipboard in second gear going, 'Band C, Band D, Band E' – and that is still in place today. So no surprise up to 400,000 homes are in the wrong band. If you're in the wrong band and if you challenge it, not only can you get it lowered, you can get a backdated payout back to when you moved in or 1993, whichever was sooner." The expert, who also hosts The Martin Lewis Money Show on ITV, later told people not to dispute their council tax band without doing their research first, adding: "However, don't just do this speculatively because then you could get it wrong and they put your band up or even your neighbour's band up. You need to follow my full, step-by-step check and challenge process that I go through in detail in the podcast." Taking this advice on board, one fan, Rob Dean, sought about correcting the council tax band for not only his mother's property but also that of his neighbours. He replied to Martin's video: "Did that for my mum following your guidance and got £6000+ back and then told the three neighbours who were also in the wrong band. Overall total was £14.5k. Only sad part is that we'd all overpaid the water rates too!" He made no suggestion that he had managed to claw back any of that money. Others also shared their experiences of challenging their council tax bands. One person said: "I've been waiting for a decision for more than six months," while another follower added: "Just checked mine as I've always thought it seemed too high – turns out I am in the right band, but right at the bottom of it!" A third person sought Martin's help, saying: "My sister challenged her band last October. VOA [Valuation Office Agency] said it can take up to a year before they decide!! Is this right??" Challenging your council tax band Martin's Money Saving Expert website offers a comprehensive guide on how to contest your council tax band, detailing the steps homeowners can take to secure a refund if they believe they've been incorrectly categorised. For an in-depth look at the procedure, click here. But in brief, he proposed two approaches for those looking to challenge their council tax band. The first step is to compare your band with that of neighbours in similar or identical properties, with resources available on his website for residents in England and Scotland to facilitate this comparison. The second step involves a valuation check, where individuals can use the Money Saving Expert site to estimate the value of their property back in 1991, which was when the current bands were established, despite the tax being introduced in 1993. Martin pointed out that anyone who purchased their home after 1991 can "use its price and date of sale" as a basis for valuation. However, he warned: "This can't be used as evidence if you challenge your band. But it enables you to check out various property prices on your street and is an important test that you're on the right track." If both criteria are met, Martin said that you can then present a challenge to the VOA, either formally or informally, recommending the formal route although acknowledging it's "available to fewer people". Those eligible to lodge a formal challenge must have "lived in the property for six months or less (it doesn't matter whether you own or rent, though if renting you should notify the landlord as a courtesy)". For individuals who can't make a formal challenge, Martin suggested: "Over the years we've heard feedback from people who've been told they can't challenge as they've lived in their property too long – yet the VOA has a statutory duty to uphold the integrity of Council Tax bands list. "This means you can still submit a request for an 'informal review' of your Council Tax band, though the burden is on you to provide compelling evidence that your band is wrong, to persuade the VOA to do the review."
Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Alison Spittle brings new solo show 'Big' to Edinburgh Fringe
Irish comedian and writer Alison Spittle is set to return to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer with her brand-new solo show 'Big', running at Monkey Barrel 1 from the 29th of July to the 24th of August. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Known for her work on stage, screen and radio, Spittle's latest hour takes a bold and candid look at body image, self-worth and identity, drawing on a turbulent and transformative year in her life. After a chance encounter on a train triggered a serious health scare, Spittle began an unexpected weight-loss journey—now the subject of this heartfelt and hilarious new show. Big explores what happens when the world treats you differently because of your body, and whether changing yourself can ever really be the answer. Spittle reflects on her experiences as a working-class fat girl trying to fit into a middle-class, mid-sized world. With her trademark mix of honesty and humour, she asks how much of ourselves we're willing to lose in order to feel accepted—and whether it's possible to love who you were as much as who you're becoming. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Audiences can expect sharp, relatable storytelling as Spittle navigates everything from missing trains to fitting on rollercoasters, alongside moments of emotional insight drawn from a year that changed everything. Alison Spittle (c) Matt Stronge A familiar face from Pointless Celebrities, Richard Osman's House of Games, and Celebrity Gogglebox, Alison is also the co-creator of the popular BBC Sounds podcast Wheel of Misfortune, and has written and starred in her own sitcom Nowhere Fast. Big marks her highly anticipated return to the Fringe following two successful back-to-back runs with her previous shows Wet and Soup. Alison Spittle: Big runs at Monkey Barrel 1 from 29th July to 24th August (not 12th) at 4.45pm.
BBC News
5 days ago
- BBC News
French Open semi-finals: Irate Sabalenka loses lead over Swiatek in first set - radio & text
Update: Date: 14:55 BST Title: Swiatek breaks to level first set Content: Sabalenka 4-4 Swiatek* But it is Iga Swiatek who takes the fifth point for another look at a break... And would you believe it, Aryna Sabalenka double-faults! From 4-1 down, Swiatek is back level in the first set. What a momentum swing. Update: Date: 14:54 BST Title: 'Sabalenka is getting a little bit frustrated with her serve' Content: *Sabalenka 4-3 Swiatek Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds Aryna Sabalenka is getting a little bit frustrated with her serve here. She is straining and I'm not sure whether she has seen that Iga Swiatek has gone back behind the baseline. She tends to lose patience when her opponent is able to extend the rallies over and over again, we saw that in the Indian Wells final. Update: Date: 14:53 BST Title: Post Content: *Sabalenka 4-3 Swiatek Now it's Aryna Sabalenka shouting at her team. The world number one, despite retaining a position of authority in this first set, is beginning to feel the heat under the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier. After a double fault is followed by a miss, Sabalenka lets out a huge roar as she gets level and tries to psych herself up for anther couple of points. Update: Date: 14:51 BST Title: 'Swiatek has adjusted to the heaviness of these shots' Content: *Sabalenka 4-3 Swiatek Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds You can just tell that Iga Swiatek has adjusted to the heaviness of these shots from Aryna Sabalenka. She is reacting a lot better and her eyes are sending the reactions to her brain quicker. Update: Date: 14:50 BST Title: Swiatek holds serve Content: *Sabalenka 4-3 Swiatek That could be huge for Iga Swiatek. A first hold brings the defending champion within one game of Aryna Sabalenka for the first time. It's game on! Update: Date: 14:49 BST Title: 'Swiatek has just glanced up to her box quizzically' Content: Sabalenka 4-2 Swiatek* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds That's not an easy situation for Aryna Sabalenka at all. She thought she was up 5-1 and we could see the tension leaving her body for a second. Iga Swiatek has just glanced up to her box quizzically, asking what to do with her serve because she hasn't held serve as yet. I'm not sure whether she got any tactical advice. Update: Date: 14:49 BST Title: Post Content: Sabalenka 4-2 Swiatek* A run of unforced errors from Aryna Sabalenka, who makes a really poor miss at the net, gives Iga Swiatek three chances to complete her first hold of serve. Sabalenka closes to within a point with a backhand into the corner. How Swiatek could do with this next point... Update: Date: 14:47 BST Title: Post Content: Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros It's disappointing to see Court Philippe Chatrier not completely full for a match of this magnitude between the two biggest stars in the women's game. There are gaps in the posh seats closest to the action, as well as empty sections in the top part of the lower bowl. Tickets at Roland Garros have increased slightly this year, with the main show-court costing either €330 (£280) or €445 (£375) for today's action. Perhaps those lucky enough to afford them are saving their energy for French hope Lois Boisson later... Update: Date: 14:46 BST Title: Swiatek hits back again Content: Sabalenka 4-2 Swiatek* Iga Swiatek strikes back... again! The defending champion may have not managed to hold serve yet, but she is at least getting stuck in to Aryna Sabalenka's now. There is still a lot of work to do but, crucially, it means she is not out of this first set. Update: Date: 14:44 BST Title: Break point Swiatek Content: *Sabalenka 4-1 Swiatek Iga Swiatek dials up the pressure by reaching break point, which Aryna Sabalenka swiftly dismisses with a powerful first serve. Swiatek then fires back with a blistering backhand return to prevent Sabalenka escaping to a 5-1 lead, before forcing a second break point. Update: Date: 14:41 BST Title: Deuce on Sabalenka serve Content: *Sabalenka 4-1 Swiatek Iga Swiatek is having a stern word with herself between points as she desperately searches for some rhythm out there. Aryna Sabalenka thinks she has wrapped up a hold with a brutal ace at 40-30 but a late let call by the chair umpire means her joy is short-lived. Swiatek capitalises, taking a free swing at the end of a game she thought she had already lost to reach deuce. Update: Date: 14:41 BST Title: 'Swiatek has adjusted her return stance' Content: *Sabalenka 4-1 Swiatek Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds Interestingly enough, Iga Swiatek has adjusted her return stance. She is now standing a few feet further back behind the baseline, allowing herself more time to react to Aryna Sabalenka's serve. It is the same thing she did against Elena Rybakina when she was down 6-1 2-0 - and we all know how that ended. Update: Date: 14:36 BST Title: Sabalenka restores double break lead Content: *Sabalenka 4-1 Swiatek Frustration for Iga Swiatek, but relief for Aryna Sabalenka just as it had begun to look as though her opponent had stolen the momentum - or at least part of it. Swiatek nets on the second break point to put Sabalenka back in absolute control. Update: Date: 14:35 BST Title: 'Glimpses of a strategy from Swiatek' Content: Sabalenka 3-1 Swiatek* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds We are catching glimpses of a strategy here from Iga Swiatek. She is using her backhand inside-out into Aryna Sabalenka's forehand. Sabalenka's forehand is a huge weapon, but in Madrid and Rome it was a little bit awry and shaky at times. Swiatek has not only arrived on the board, she has also arrived in this match. Update: Date: 14:35 BST Title: Break points Sabalenka Content: Sabalenka 3-1 Swiatek* Perhaps I spoke too soon... Iga Swiatek may have gained a foothold on Aryna Sabalenka's serve, but she continues to struggle to handle pressure in her own games. A double fault gifts Sabalenka three break points for a 4-1 lead. Update: Date: 14:33 BST Title: How much can stars glean from practice sessions? Content: Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros Intense rivalries are what make sport tick - we all know that. Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka have created the pre-eminent duel of this WTA era, having dominated the tour since Ashleigh Barty retired three years ago. Getting a closer look at your main rival in practice sessions has become an increasing trend and it's interesting this pair have been sussing each other out as recently as a fortnight ago here. Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka practised on Court Simonne Mathieu before the tournament began So what can we read into that? "When you play with rivals, you try a few things out that you wouldn't in a match - just to see how they react," says former world number nine Andrea Petkovic, who is covering the semi-final for BBC Radio 5 Live. "Both of them will have gained some new knowledge in those practices. "But Roger Federer never really cared in practice and then 'whoopsie' turned it on in a match. So there has to be some caution with what happens." Update: Date: 14:32 BST Title: 'Swiatek should try to stay in rallies longer' Content: Sabalenka 3-1 Swiatek* Andrea PetkovicFormer world number nine on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds I do think Iga Swiatek is rushing a bit here. She should try to stay in the rallies longer. It would help her to take some pace out of these shots. You can just see some nerves creeping in. We have even seen her opt for a backhand on a ball that was landing on her forehand side. Update: Date: 14:32 BST Title: Swiatek gets one break back Content: Sabalenka 3-1 Swiatek* Yep, it feels as though Iga Swiatek has arrived now. An assured cross-court backhand hauls Aryna Sabalenka back from game point, and another sets up a second break point. This is the competitive match all inside Court Philippe Chatrier anticipated! After a return to deuce, Swiatek continues to frustrate Sabalenka by reaching a third break point and catches the line to get up and running. Update: Date: 14:27 BST Title: Sabalenka saves break point Content: *Sabalenka 3-0 Swiatek Another impressive winner from Iga Swiatek, hammering a forehand down the line to move level before arriving at a first break point. She's unable to take her first opportunity, but this is much more promising from the former world number one. Update: Date: 14:25 BST Title: Post Content: Jonathan JurejkoBBC Sport senior tennis reporter at Roland Garros Blimey. Sabalenka means business. The pace of her returns means time is being taken away from Swiatek. And she does not like being hurried. Sabalenka is not just simply a ball-basher these days, though. She is illustrating that by coming forward and showing some touch.
