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UK's biggest family friendly rave to relaunch at six locations this summer with live DJs, rides and kids events

UK's biggest family friendly rave to relaunch at six locations this summer with live DJs, rides and kids events

The Sun20-06-2025
THE UK'S biggest family rave is to relaunch this summer with a huge DJ line-up and funfair rides.
Raver Tots has unveiled a massive family festival tour for 2025, heading to six locations.
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Across July and August, the festival will be heading to Reading, Bexley, Bristol, Southend, Brighton and Richmond.
The line-up includes performances from So Solid Crew's Romeo, Lisa Maffia and Dan Da Man.
There will also be performances by General Levy, Artful Dodger, Matt Jam Lamont, The Wideboys, Mollie Collins, Charlotte Devaney, Nicky Blackmarket and more.
There will be a range of activities at the festival too, and even confetti canons.
The attractions this year will also be bigger than usual, with a free funfair, giant inflatables, games, crafts with Scola Kids and LYRA, face painting and glitter art, a dance tent, street food and a bar for the grown-ups.
Saoirse Holland, Raver Tots director, said: "We're so excited to launch our biggest summer festival yet!
"This year is all about celebrating life with the people we love.
"We've pulled out all the stops so there is something for everyone; music, fun, colour, energy and we can't wait to see families back on the dancefloor together!
"All Raver Tots festivals sold out last year with no tickets on the door and thousands on the waiting list.
"This year, more than half of all tickets have already gone on the release day - so if you are coming, early purchase is strongly advised."
Waterpark to have Wave Festival this summer
Tickets start at £5 for babies, £20 for kids and £25 for adults.
All the music played at the event will be a child-safe sound levels and there will be inclusive spaces for kids to explore, play and rave alongside their grownups.
Raver Tots is the UK's original family rave and festival.
Each year around 15,000 people head to each event, which all raise money for charities supporting children with autism, ADHD and more.
One former attendee said: "For those of us that felt like our raving days were behind us because we burdened the world with our spawn, Raver Tots is sick.
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"They accommodate for the kids and adults, the music is sick and you can relive some your youth whilst introducing your kids to the DNB raving scene.
"My 18-month-old loved it!"
The full festival dates and locations are:
20th July – Reading, Prospect Park
10th August – Bexley, Danson Park
17th August – Bristol, Amphitheatre & Waterfront Square
25th August – Southend, Garon Park
25th August – Brighton Beach, Madeira Drive Parking
31st August – Richmond, Old Deer Park Car Park
These are all our favourite camping buys tried and tested for festivals and family holidays – starting from just 15p.
Plus, how to have a 'no-spend summer holiday' with a family of four – free festival tickets, meals at Bella Italia and more.
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Shoppers are rushing to Morrisons to nab world's first Dubai chocolate cocktail in a can – and it comes in under £2
Shoppers are rushing to Morrisons to nab world's first Dubai chocolate cocktail in a can – and it comes in under £2

The Sun

time35 minutes ago

  • The Sun

Shoppers are rushing to Morrisons to nab world's first Dubai chocolate cocktail in a can – and it comes in under £2

LOOKING for that perfect Saturday night tipple? Well you might want to head to Morrisons to nab their latest offering that's set to be a hit with anyone with a sweet tooth. The Drinks Bureau, a female mixologist founded, ready-to-drink cocktail brand, has launched the world's first Dubai Chocolate Style Espresso Martini in a can, exclusively in the supermarket. This limited edition cocktail captures the viral Dubai chocolate phenomenon that's trending across social media ll for only £2.50/can or £1.80 with a More Card. The new cocktail combines vodka and dark roast coffee with moreish notes of chocolate and pistachio, delivering a rich, smooth and nutty twist on the classic espresso martini. At 8% ABV in a generous 200ml serving, it celebrates being mid-strength – punchy but easily quaffable, with a delicious balance of the chocolate and pistachio flavours. Along with being seriously tasty, this sumptuous sipper is faff-free, with no ice or cocktail shaker needed. To drink, simply chill, give a little shake and sip straight for the can, making it the perfect cocktail to pack for summer events. Or if you're feeling fancy, pour into a martini glass. The Drinks Bureau Founder and mixologist Frankie Snobel said: "We want to have some fun with our cocktails and this exciting launch really showcases our love of innovation and playfulness. 'We've captured a delicious viral trend and canned it for a rich, indulgent and utterly Instagram-worthy treat. It's a limited edition though, so you'll need to move quickly to get some before they're gone.' Those hoping to get their hands on a can will have to hurry as according to the brand's Instagram page they are proving popular. Commenting on a post about the drink, one fan wrote: 'ahh so exciting!!! i can't wait to try these, they sound unreal.' 'Obsessed with the idea of this!!' added another, while a third warned, 'None in my local store!' Shoppers in frenzy over cheapest Dubai chocolate arrival in major Irish store at just €1.79 The Dubai chocolate trend has exploded internationally, with major coffee chains like Costa and Starbucks launching Dubai chocolate-inspired drinks. Dubai Duty Free sold over 1.2 million bars in the first quarter of 20251, generating $22 million in sales. The limited edition Dubai Chocolate Style Espresso Martini is available exclusively in Morrisons stores nationwide from 30th July while stocks last. How to save at Morrisons Buying a delivery pass can slash the cost of shopping online if you're a Morrisons regular. You also get priorities for Christmas delivery slots. How much it costs depends on which you get anytime or mid-week, and if it's for the year, six-months or monthly. You'll need to work out the cost compared to how much you spend on delivery without one to see if it's worthwhile. Morrisons does a range of wonky veg that can work out cheaper than the main range. Check websites like Quidco and TopCashback BEFORE you place your order. Cashback websites PAY you to shop. All you have to do is click through their links and the money is added to your online account. Search for discount codes on websites like and to see if you can get money off at the till. Follow your favourite shops on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and sign up to its deals newsletter to get the latest on any offers. We post the best deals in our Sun Money FB group too. Try switching all of your branded or premium goods for lower level ones and see if you notice the difference. Morrisons regularly adds new products to its 'own-brand "savers" range. This is its value range where prices start from as little as 20p. It includes all sorts of products including peas, spaghetti, marmalade, jaffa cakes and washing up liquid. Swap your usual items for savers alternatives and see if you can tell the difference. Shoppers can earn points with the More Than loyalty scheme when they spend online or in store. How many points you earn will depend on the offers available at the time, plus you get five points for every litre of fuel at Morrisons petrol stations. Reach 5,000 points and you get £5 off your shopping, plus there are other offers and coupons and the checkout and via the app. Shoppers also get cheaper prices that are just for members.

Biddy Baxter obituary: Blue Peter's formidable editor dies aged 92
Biddy Baxter obituary: Blue Peter's formidable editor dies aged 92

BBC News

time35 minutes ago

  • BBC News

Biddy Baxter obituary: Blue Peter's formidable editor dies aged 92

Biddy Baxter, who has died at the age of 92, turned Blue Peter into a television recipe of pets, charity appeals, gymnastic displays, foreign travel reports and occasional history lessons stood the test of of course, for more than 25 years, she introduced generations of children to sticky-backed plastic and the pleasures of making rockets from plastic was passionate about getting her viewers involved in the programme, long before audience participation became an industry she also gained a reputation as a formidable figure: a tyrant who fell out with presenters and jealously guarded the Blue Peter brand. Make do and mend Joan Maureen Baxter was born in Leicester in May 1933. Her father was the director of a sportswear company and her mother a were too many Joans in her class at school, so a nickname was made up on the upbringing during the war instilled in Biddy an ability to make-do and mend which later became part of the Blue Peter ethos."My friends and I held bring-and-buy sales for the Spitfire fund and put on plays and concerts for the British Red Cross and Aid to France." She was educated at a local grammar school before going to St Mary's College, Durham University in 1952. At that time, only 6% of undergraduates were experience shaped the rest of her life. "For three memorable years, Durham was my life."Baxter had intended to become a prison officer or a social worker. But, by chance, she noticed the BBC was advertising for turned down suggestions from a university careers officer that women were best suited to teaching or secretarial work. Listen with mother "He said to me, 'No-one from Durham has ever worked for the BBC,' so I applied. I really should be grateful to him."She joined the BBC in 1955 as a radio trainee studio manager, creating sound effects. She was promoted to producing Schools Junior English programmes and Listen With Mother in had a brief spell in children's television to cover a period of illness and applied for a permanent job soon after. One radio colleague branded her a traitor for defecting to 1962, she was asked to take over as producer of Blue Peter, a programme whose life expectancy was as something for children who had outgrown Watch with Mother, its survival was resting on the fact it was cheap to programmes, which lasted 15 minutes, were presented by Christopher Trace and a former Miss Great Britain, Leila Williams. Pets Williams was fired just before Baxter joined the programme and a new presenter, Valerie Singleton, was recruited to work with tore into the programme like a whirlwind. Within a year she had introduced the iconic Blue Peter badge after commissioning a young artist called Tony Hart to design the ship also decided to recruit a dog, so viewers who did not have a pet could share in a sense of ownership. Unfortunately, the animal died just two days after its first appearance at Christmas and her producer, Edward Barnes decided not to inform the viewers but instead substituted a sad-looking mongrel they discovered in a south London pet audience, innocent of the switch, were asked to come up with a name for the puppy. They chose years later when children were asked to write in for a photo of the dog, more than 60,000 applied. Editor When Petra died in 1977 there were newspaper obituaries worthy of a film star."Fur and feather are more important than flesh," she used to tell was reported that she once threw her handbag at a director who failed to get a close up of Goldie, the programme's golden stroke of genius was to tap the resources of her viewers by asking them to contribute ideas for things they wanted to see in the letters poured in and Baxter set up a complicated card index system so children would get personal replies rather than a formatted letter. "We could check the index and reply, 'Last time you wrote, your hamster had a sore paw. I do hope it's better.' It's only a tiny thing, but children aren't stupid."Baxter later estimated that 75% of the show's content was based on ideas submitted by its was appointed the programme's editor in 1965 and the transformation of Blue Peter filming was introduced, more pets appeared, and appeals were launched to collect old toys and silver paper for good causes. It was early example of recycling and designed so that even the poorest viewers could take part. With ratings improving, Blue Peter was now on twice a fought hard for the programme, insisting on the best studios and found a piece of waste ground behind Television Centre, and created a garden. Michael Grade - now Lord Grade - crossed her path when he was Controller of BBC1."Her life was that show." he recalled "Without that obsessional talent, the programme would never have maintained the quality that it did.' Stiletto heels The iconic Blue Peter annuals began to appear with their mixture of entertaining but also informative abolished gender stereotyping before the phrase was invented. Male presenters were expected to take their share of cooking while the presenters were the public face of Blue Peter there was never any doubt about who ran the show and most of her team were in awe of her. One studio manager recalled that her habit of striding across the studio in stiletto heels damaged the floor but no-one had the courage to tell firmly believed no presenter was bigger than the programme and gave short shrift to any of them who she felt had fallen below the standards she expected."They can always go and work somewhere else," she once Purves, who joined Blue Peter as a presenter in 1967 recalled: "This woman controlled our lives, and she didn't do it very nicely."Valerie Singleton complained she treated presenters like children. John Noakes called her awful: "She was a bully who treated me like some country yokel from Yorkshire. I couldn't abide her." Old Fashioned One former producer was once asked whether there was a hierarchy. "Yes," he replied. "There was Biddy at the top and everyone else at the bottom."Noakes famously fell out with Baxter when he left Blue Peter. He'd intended to appear with his excitable dog, Shep in pet food commercials. Baxter was horrified."I think it would have been immoral," she said. "How can you have a Blue Peter presenter on commercial television advertising dog food so children think, 'I must buy this.'" In the event, Noakes did the adverts with a lookalike by 1980, Blue Peter was looking decidedly old-fashioned against brash newcomers to children's TV like ATV's Tiswas. Childhood was changing and it was decidedly uncool to admit to watching the also came under attack from commentators who bemoaned its lack of diversity and claimed it peddled middle-class values."All these people who witter on," exclaimed Baxter. The bottom line is do people want to watch it? They did and do in their millions. Therefore I do not believe it's smug, self-satisfied and class-ridden." Biddy Baxter left the programme in 1988. There are different stories about her departure. At the time, it was reported that she decided to leave when her husband, the musicologist John Hosier, was offered a job in China and she decided to go with him. But Richard Marson - her colleague-turned-biographer - insisted that she was was "manoeuvred out in the summer of 1988 by a new head of children's programmes who wanted the show to evolve without its all-powerful matriarch."She was devastated, but did not complain in public. On her departure she was awarded a Blue Peter Gold Badge, the programme's highest honour. She worked as a freelance consultant to various BBC Directors General until her retirement in 2013, she was given a special BAFTA award. One former BBC chief told the Guardian that "somehow she was overlooked. If anyone deserves to be recognised she does. Blue Peter is a legend and she is Blue Peter."Peter Salmon, a senior BBC executive who worked on Blue Peter as a junior producer, summed up what he thought was the secret of Baxter's success."She got the diet just right for Middle England - meat and potatoes, all the greens in the right place. And sponge pudding to follow. It's comfortable and regular. Sometimes you'll even enjoy it."

Is Prince Louis following in Prince Harry's comedic footsteps? The young royal shares a sense of humour with the Duke of Sussex and the late Queen
Is Prince Louis following in Prince Harry's comedic footsteps? The young royal shares a sense of humour with the Duke of Sussex and the late Queen

Daily Mail​

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mail​

Is Prince Louis following in Prince Harry's comedic footsteps? The young royal shares a sense of humour with the Duke of Sussex and the late Queen

When it comes to brotherly banter, it seems Prince Louis is following in the footsteps of his uncle, Prince Harry. Harry has long held the reputation for being the 'resident joker' of the Royal Family. Before he stepped down as a working royal and moved to California, the Duke of Sussex would go to great lengths to lighten the mood at official events. While Princes Harry and William are rarely seen laughing together these days, they once shared a close bond, particularly after losing their mother, Princess Diana, when they were just 12 and 15 years old. And like any brothers, Harry and William would taunt and tease each other, often to the amusement of the world's press. In Channel 5 's Lipreading the Royals: The Secret Conversations, forensic lip reader Khalil Anwar commented on a previously unheard exchange between William and Harry at their father's wedding to Camilla. Khalil said that William opens the dialogue by saying his 'hair is a right mess' to which Harry responds 'woah!' He reportedly said: 'Woah, it's gone like that!' while gesturing outwards and laughing at William. Khalil added that Harry then downplayed his reaction and said, 'no it's ok, it's alright'. William, who was later crowned the world's sexiest bad man for two consecutive years, apparently responded to Harry with a cheeky smile and said 'don't'. The lipreading expert said: 'We see the brotherly nature of their relationship here. 'They do have the normal banter that all brothers do have and they're allowed to have the odd dig and poke at each other.' Royal historian Dr Tessa Dunlop added: 'William with hair, I mean now that's a bit of a novelty. 'I think one of the reasons it's a bit wayward is because it's clearly falling out, isn't it? It's a bit thin. 'He's realising he's having a bad hair day and Harry's loving it.' A similar interaction between Princes Louis and George was caught on camera earlier this year at VE Day celebrations. Prince Louis, seven, was pictured chatting with Prince George, 12, at Buckingham Palace. While the pair sat next to each other, Louis was spotted catching a glimpse of his brother gently brushing the hair from in front of his face. Seconds later, his younger brother copied him - but added a little of his trademark cheeky flair to the movement as he swished his hair to the side while pulling an over-exaggerated facial expression. It's unclear whether the young royal was looking up to his elder brother in a bid to be just like him, or just teasing George - but royal fans were left in stitches either way. This is not the first time Louis's similarities to his uncle have been pointed out. In the 1980s, a young Harry was often photographed sticking his tongue out at events, just as Louis is often seen stealing the show with his faces. At just 15 months old, Louis's personality was already shining through when he stole Kate's sunglasses and delighted the crowds by smiling, laughing and toddling off to chase horses. Like Louis, the late Queen was known for her sense of humour and well-timed delivery, keeping her cards close to her chest and choosing her words wisely. At just 15 months old, Louis's personality was already shining through when he stole Kate's sunglasses and delighted the crowds by smiling, laughing and toddling off to chase horses in July 2019 Louis was photographed sticking his tongue out at his mother, Kate, while they attended the Platinum Pageant on The Mall on June 5, 2022 It seems Louis, who is pictured pulling a funny face, is taking the 'family joker' crown from Harry One of the most amusing photos of the two royals together came from June 2022 when Louis stole the show during the RAF flypast to mark Her Majesty's 70 years on the throne. He saluted the planes and then screamed and put his hands over his ears as they flew over making an incredible noise. Usually a stickler for good behaviour, the Queen was highly amused by her adorable great grandson. The Queen was also known as a top-class mimic and loved to impersonate people, which is clearly a trait Louis has taken on. Royal author Ingrid Seward wrote in her 2023 book, My Mother And I: 'The Queen's stern look, inherited from her grandmother Queen Mary, belies the wonderful sense of humour we got to see more and more as she got older. 'The Queen could be extremely funny, in a slightly mocking way. 'She was also a first-class mimic, particularly of politicians, but never to anyone's face. She could only laugh or state her opinions in private, and some of them were pretty forceful.' Even the Queen's dressmaker, Angela Kelly, was reportedly blown away by the Queen's ability to copy her scouse accent. Usually a stickler for good behaviour, the Queen was highly amused by her adorable great-grandson at Trooping the Colour in 2022 Royal author Ingrid Seward wrote in her 2023 book, My Mother And I: 'The Queen could be extremely funny, in a slightly mocking way' Seward went as far to suggest that the Queen's sense of humour was the secret to her and Philip's long and happy marriage. 'I think the secret is they laugh together. I think the Queen is the comedian,' she said. For many, Louis's cheeky antics are the highlight of royal events, providing light relief and a much needed touch of reality in formal situations. At just seven years old, his timing is impeccable and would certainly give the late Queen a run for her money. ELIZABETH II'S BEST ROYAL GAGS TEA WITH PADDINGTON BEAR In the final months of her life, Her Majesty delighted audiences at the televised BBC's Platinum Party at the Palace after kicking off the festivities with an appearance alongside the fictional character Paddington Bear - in which they both enjoyed a chaotic cream tea at 'Buckingham Palace '. Paddington and the Queen were pictured sat opposite each other in ornate chair at a table, laid for afternoon tea, covered with a white linen cloth in an opulent room. Accident-prone Paddington was shown causing mayhem by accidentally depriving the understanding sovereign of another cup of tea and spraying cream from a chocolate éclair over a Palace Footman. The Queen's secret sketch was the result of months of planning, and saw the duffle-coat wearing bear show the monarch how he ensured he always had his favourite treat on him just in case, lifting up his red hat to reveal his snack. Her Majesty responded by revealing 'So do I' before opening her bag and declaring 'I keep mine in here' to show her very own ready-made supply of the bread and marmalade. The bear, from deepest darkest Peru, congratulated the Queen on her reign of 70 years, saying: 'Happy Jubilee Ma'am. And thank you. For everything.' The modest Queen replied: 'That's very kind.' Filmed at Windsor Castle, the Queen spent around half a day filming the secretly pre-recorded, humorous two-and-a-half-minute sequence, according to The Telegraph, and the comic sketch was a surprise even to some of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. ELIZABETH 007 The Queen showed the world she was still full of surprises in 2012 when she agreed to take part in a comedy stint to open the London Olympics. A clip played during the ceremony showed the Queen, then 86 years old, being picked up at Buckingham Palace by Daniel Craig, playing James Bond, and then being 'parachuted' into the stadium for the opening ceremony. The recorded sequence opened at Buckingham Palace, where a tuxedo-wearing Craig as 007 was presented to the Queen by her personal footman as she was writing a letter and training her corgis Monty, Willow and Holly to roll over. After greeting the fictitious spy with an 'Evening, Mr Bond,' the Queen, wearing a glitzy pink dress, was escorted out of the Palace onto a helicopter by Craig. At the time, Danny Boyle, who directed the short clip, said: 'The Queen made herself more accessible than ever before.' It was her first ever film role, and it was a comedy hit, proving the elderly Monarch had a great sense of humour. To this day the clip, which is available on YouTube, has been watched more than 51 million times across the globe. QUEEN OF ONE-LINERS At the 2021 G7 Summit in Cornwall, the 95-year-old was dancing circles around World leaders, showcasing her wit and her good humour. As she posed for pictures with the likes of Boris Johnson, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the Monarch was heard saying: 'Are you supposed to be looking as if you're enjoying yourselves?' which provoked laughter around her. It was her first major public event together since the funeral of Prince Philip, the Queen's husband of more than seven decades, which made the joke even more poignant. 'THIS IS MORE UNUSUAL' Also during the Cornwall G7, the Queen showed she had lost nothing of her panache when cutting a cake with a ceremonial sword with her daughter-in-law the Duchess of Cornwall and her grandson Prince William's wife Kate Middleton. She had been presented with a giant cake in Cornwall to celebrate her official birthday and was given the sword to cut it.

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