This England: Return from Oz
BBC News (Amanda Welles)
Play the gooseberry
This year marks Holmes Chapel's bicentennial gooseberry fair, at which contestants compete for the prized 'premier berry' award, bestowed upon the grower of the most weighty fruit. At its peak, the prize was the equivalent of a month's wages but organisers now describe it as just 'a quirky and frivolous activity'.
BBC News (Daragh Brady)
Where are you Frome?
Residents in Frome, Somerset, have vented frustration about people moving in from London, who have been dubbed FILTH – Failed in London, Try Here. One business lady in Frome has said the newcomers want to turn the town into 'café central' with outdoor dining and additional pedestrian roads. One gentleman remarked, 'We don't want any more Londoners. We've fulfilled our quota, now we're feeding them to the pigs.'
Somerset Live (Adam Robertson)
[See also: The politics of murder]
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Daily Record
7 hours ago
- Daily Record
King Charles to make historic address in tribute to thousands who died in war
King Charles will make a historic address to the nation next week as he honours the thousands of British soldiers who perished for our freedom during the Second World War. The King is set to deliver a historic speech marking the 80th anniversary of VJ Day, when allied forces triumphantly celebrated victory over Japan and brought the Second World War to its conclusion. King Charles will mirror the sentiments of his grandfather, King George VI, who honoured the thousands of British servicemen who gave their lives for our liberty on August 15, 1945. Charles will present an audio message, to be issued by Buckingham Palace, on the morning of next Friday's anniversary. Sources reveal the King has personally crafted the statement, eager to acknowledge the "duty and sacrifice of our greatest generation". The King spearheaded the nation three months ago during the VE Day commemorations, when 80 years previously in 1945, Britain and its allies rejoiced in defeating Nazi oppression following six years of conflict which left Europe teetering on the edge of ruin, reports the Mirror. On August 15, 1945, King George VI addressed the nation to announce the dawn of a fresh chapter for Britain and Europe, declaring: "Japan has surrendered, so let us join in thanking Almighty God that war has ended throughout the world, and that in every country men may now turn their industry, skill, and science to repairing its frightful devastation and to building prosperity and happiness. "Our sense of deliverance is overpowering, and with it all, we have a right to feel that we have done our duty. I ask you again at this solemn hour to remember all who have laid down their lives, and all who have endured the loss of those they love." George also took a moment to acknowledge the grief felt even by our adversaries, following the devastation Hitler's war machine inflicted across Europe and subsequently Asia through Japan's participation in the conflict. As part of nationwide commemorations next week, the nation will observe two minutes' silence to mark the 80th anniversary of VJ Day. Numerous commemorative events have been arranged, with a remembrance service scheduled at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on August 15, featuring a 400-strong military contingent, a Red Arrows display and historic aircraft from the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Coordinated alongside the Royal British Legion (RBL), the remembrance ceremony will welcome Second World War veterans. The event will also include representatives from VJ associations, senior politicians, and military leaders, according to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Tom Berry, a 101 year old Second World War veteran and RBL ambassador from Cheshire, who served aboard HMS Tartar during Japan's capitulation, remarked: "For veterans like me and all those who carried on fighting until VJ Day was announced, this will be a very emotional day – a moment in history." Prime Minister Keir Starmer is urging citizens to remain at home and watch the ceremony on television. He stated: "I'll be watching the service at home, and I'd ask the country to do the same – to stop and remember all those who gave so much for our freedoms, and those who never made it back." As part of this year's commemorations, the 76 year old King travelled to Poland in January to mark 80 years since Auschwitz-Birkenau's liberation. The monarch declared "the act of remembering the evils of the past remains a vital task" whilst meeting Holocaust survivors in Poland. Whilst VE Day on 8th May 1945 signalled the end of European warfare, the battle against Japanese forces across Asia and the Pacific raged on for another three months, with thousands of British and Commonwealth soldiers still engaged. Throughout four days of London commemorations, King Charles received some of the final surviving WWII veterans alongside their families at Buckingham Palace for a special ceremony honouring their sacrifice. At a Horse Guards Parade concert, he reinforced his grandfather's sentiments, declaring: "His words echo down through history as all this week, and especially today, we unite to celebrate and remember with an unwavering and heartfelt gratitude, the service and sacrifice of the wartime generation who made that hard-fought victory possible. While our greatest debt is owed to all those who paid the ultimate price, we should never forget how the war changed the lives of virtually everyone." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Buckingham Palace is collaborating extensively with the government on numerous special events next week to mark the occasion, representing one of the final major anniversaries alongside survivors of the war's atrocities. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated: "Those who continued to fight bravely in Asia and the Pacific in those last few months of the Second World War must never be forgotten. It is so important for us as a nation to come together on this important anniversary to remember our VJ Day veterans and hear their stories first-hand so we can ensure that their legacy is passed on to future generations and their sacrifice is never forgotten." Defence Minister John Healey remarked: "VJ Day was the final victory in a war that changed the world, and we honour those who served in the Far East with enduring gratitude. Just as we proudly marked VE Day, we reflect on the courage, sacrifice and resilience shown by so many to secure peace. Their legacy must never be forgotten, and it's our duty to pass their stories on to future generations."
Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Quality Radio trustee to fly Spitfire to raise funds
Norman Ross, a trustee of Quality Radio, will take on the challenge at Biggin Hill Airfield in Kent, which was an RAF base during the Second World War. A lifelong fan of aircraft and the RAF, Norman sees the Spitfire challenge as a lifelong ambition. Read more: Children take on medical roles with Renfrewshire care home residents He said: 'When I was very young, born just after WW2, my father took me and my brother on days out to watch the aircraft at Abbotsinch, near Paisley, which was an RAF base that became HMS Sanderling in 1943. 'My brother joined the RAF and we lost him in 1975. 'I was always connected to Spitfires and the amazing sacrifice of the young men in the Battle of Britain. 'So, it has been my life challenge to fly a Spitfire.' The Spitfire that Norman will fly was built at Castle Bromwich in the Midlands in 1943 as an LF MK IXc. It entered service with 441 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force, serving with the RAF. Its first operational sortie was flown on September 25, 1944, from advanced landing ground B70 in Belgium. Not content with just flying the plane, Norman also hopes to perform a Victory Roll in the Spitfire over the airfield. Through completing this challenge, he hopes to raise funds for Quality Radio Enterprise, a registered charity, to help them continue their work promoting the health and well-being of the community. You can support Norman and the Wellbeing Hub by donating online through JustGiving here: Read more: Theatre production inspired by herring trade coming to Paisley this autumn Norman said: 'Quality Radio engages with listeners, providing music therapy to those who may live alone, to hospitals, sheltered housing residents, and it also provides a Quality Wellbeing Hub for those who need help and advice. 'When I retired, I took the opportunity to learn to fly, and now I have the opportunity to fly an original Spitfire at Biggin Hill Airfield in Kent, one of the main bases that saw so much action in WW2. 'Part of my challenge is to perform a Victory Roll, and I would hope that the people of Renfrewshire can support me by donating to help others at the Quality Wellbeing Hub for Renfrewshire.'
Scotsman
10 hours ago
- Scotsman
World War Two D-Day code-beaker, aged 100, returns to old Port Edgar barracks
Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... One of the last surviving Wrens has told of her pride at representing the generation who 'gave their all' as she visited the site of her former barracks near Edinburgh. Dorothea Barron, aged 100, said she felt her departed comrades 'watching me' as she marked the start of construction work at the old barracks near Port Edgar, which is being transformed into affordable homes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Barron served as a visual signaller in the Women's Royal Naval Service, playing a key role in training personnel ahead of the D-Day landings. Second World War veteran Dorothea Barron, 100, during her to visit to the site of the former Port Edgar barracks in South Queenferry. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire On Thursday, she laid the first brick as construction began at the site, saying: 'This is so exciting, I feel so honoured.' She arrived in a black cab driven by the Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, remarking: 'It's worth being 100 for this.' Ms Barron was humble about her own role in the war, saying: 'I don't do this on my behalf, it's on behalf of everybody of every armed force. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I feel their bodies watching me – having lived to 100 I'm still representing that generation, which went totally, totally devotedly to war to protect the British isles. Second World War veteran Dorothea Barron, 100, holds a picture of herself taken in 1943, during her to visit to the site of the former Port Edgar barracks in South Queenferry. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire 'I'm so proud still to be able to represent all my generation, who gave so much. They gave their all. 'They were prepared to die for their country.' With the anniversary of VJ Day approaching, she said the end of the war had felt like a 'burden being lifted'. The veteran said it is 'tremendous' the old barracks site would have a new lease of life as housing and community centres. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Second World War veteran Dorothea Barron, 100, places the first brick at the new redevelopment, during her to visit to the site of the former Port Edgar barracks in South Queenferry. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire She remembers arriving at the 'beautiful' location as a young member of the Wrens who did not mind the fact their accommodation was in 'very rudimentary' corrugated iron huts. Ms Barron enlisted in the Wrens when she was 18, having been a schoolgirl in London during the Blitz. She was so determined to serve she faked her height in order to pass the Wrens' entrance requirements – stuffing cardboard inside her shoes to make her appear taller. During the war she spent much of her time at naval sites in Scotland, initially at Port Edgar on the Firth of Forth and then Rosyth in Fife, Aberdeen, and Campbeltown on the Kintyre peninsula. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The centenarian, who now enjoys yoga and lives in Hertfordshire, specialised in reading morse code and semaphore, and was stationed at the site from November 1943 to June 1944 when it was known as HMS Hopetoun. Working in other parts of Scotland as well as Port Edgar, Ms Barron's main job was to help naval personnel learn signalling techniques at sea. Her visit to Port Edgar is part of a special trip organised by The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans, run by volunteer London black cab drivers. As well as the old barracks building, she will be taken to other sites around Scotland where she served during the war. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The old barracks buildings have sat derelict for years and are now being transformed by the project by Lar Housing Trust. Lar chief executive Ann Leslie said: 'We're absolutely delighted to welcome Dorothea to our Port Edgar development – she is a remarkable lady with a fund of stories to tell about her time here. 'This project has captured the imagination of so many people with historic and family links to the barracks, and it's a special moment for us to meet Dorothea and hear about her memories of being stationed here.
