'Rare' young Queen Victoria coin sells for £1,600 in Lichfield
"Depicting the young queen, this 1838 coin was the first half sovereign minted for Victoria," said specialist Phil Bridge."A huge amount of coins were lost due to being scrapped for bullion when gold prices started to escalate in 2011."We expected this example to perform well at auction but its rarity combined with it being in very good condition attracted lots of interest at auction and it made £1,600. A phenomenal amount of money for a half sovereign coin."Also recently valued at The Auction Café was a UK 1980 gold proof four coin set with certificate of authenticity from the Royal Mint.The set fetched £4,000 in the same sale at the auction centre off Wood End Lane, Fradley Park.
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Times
6 hours ago
- Times
British horse racing to go on strike over betting tax rise
British racing will take the unprecedented step of going on strike next month, cancelling all meets for a day in protest at the proposed rise to betting tax. Four events due to be staged on September 10 at Carlisle, Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, and Kempton and Lingfield Park in Surrey are to be scrapped. The first voluntary racing blackout in the sport's modern history is expected to cost the industry about £700,000. The chosen day is just before the start of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster, which prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria attended last year. The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) is campaigning against the Treasury's proposal to raise the 15 per cent tax paid by bookmakers on profits from racing and other sports bets placed in the UK to 21 per cent — the same level due on online slot and casino games. The sport is heavily dependent on the separate horseracing betting levy of 10 per cent paid by bookmakers on annual gross profits on racing wagers, which amounted to £108 million paid back into the industry in 2024-25. Industry bosses have warned that the government reforms could have catastrophic consequences. Jim Mullen, the chief executive of the Jockey Club, which owns the Kempton and Carlisle racecourses, warned the tax rise would cause 'irreparable damage that threatens a sport the nation is, and should be, proud of'. Industry experts say bookmakers are likely to seek to offset the impact of a tax hike by increasing prices, cutting bonuses and reducing advertising and marketing budgets while further promoting online gaming, which has lower overheads and fixed margins. Economic analysis commissioned by the BHA estimated the proposed 21 per cent tax rate would cause a £330 million loss in revenue to the industry in its first five years and put 2,752 jobs at risk in the first year alone. The nation's second-largest spectator sport is worth £4.1 billion to the UK economy, supports 85,000 jobs, and is attended by almost five million people a year. • Plan for betting tax will kill racing, warn sport's chiefs Gordon Brown, the former prime minister, has backed a separate plan proposed by the Institute for Public Policy Research to raise some betting taxes, including the duty on online casinos, from 21 per cent to 50 per cent. He said the moves would raise £3.2 billion a year, which could be used to lift welfare restrictions such as the two-child benefits cap. The collective decision to stop racing on September 10 is recognition of what the sport's differing factions regard as an existential threat. Race meetings in Britain usually take place on 363 days a year, with Christmas Eve and Christmas Day the exceptions. Although meetings have regularly been rescheduled due to adverse weather, and crises such as the equine virus outbreak and the Covid-19 pandemic have caused racing to be suspended in the past, this will be the first time in history the sport has decided to strike. The races will be rescheduled but the action, forecast to cost £500,000 in media rights and £200,000 in levy income, is designed to underline to the government the importance of betting revenue to the sport's health. Owners, trainers and jockeys will instead join racing leaders and MPs for a campaign event in Westminster. Mullen said: 'Our sport has come together today, and by cancelling racing fixtures, we hope the government will take a moment to reflect on the harm this tax will cause to a sport in which our country leads in so many ways.' Martin Cruddace, chief executive of Arena Racing Company, which owns Lingfield and Uttoxeter racecourses, described the threat of the tax as 'existential' to the sport. 'Unlike online casino games, British horseracing makes an enormous contribution to society and employment, has vastly different rates of gambling-related harm and is not available every ten seconds, 24 hours a day,' he said. 'We have always been taxed and regulated differently, and it is imperative for our future that we continue to be so. If the government wants Britain to be a world leader in online [casinos] and a world pauper in a sport at the heart of its culture, then tax harmonisation will achieve that aim.' • My audience with Frankel — king of racehorses Brant Dunshea, chief executive of the BHA, said: 'British racing is already in a precarious financial position and research has shown that a tax rise on racing could be catastrophic for the sport and the thousands of jobs that rely on it in towns and communities across the country. 'We haven't taken this decision lightly but in doing so we are urging the government to rethink this tax proposal to protect the future of our sport which is a cherished part of Britain's heritage and culture. 'Our message to government is clear: axe the racing tax and back British racing.' The Treasury argued in a consultation paper in April that a single duty would 'provide tax certainty and increase simplification for remote gambling'.
The Herald Scotland
a day ago
- The Herald Scotland
Ultimate guide to P&O Cruises' Britannia often seen in Southampton
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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Scotsman
Whisky experiences in Scotland: This is a must-visit distillery within easy reach of Glasgow and Edinburgh
Supplied Blend your own whisky, taste rare and exclusive malts, and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of one of Scotland's most iconic whisky destinations. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox 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... At the award-winning Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery, a world of discovery awaits—whether you're a first-time visitor or a lifelong whisky enthusiast. A Highland welcome awaits Located at the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, in the heart of beautiful Perthshire, Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery is more than just a stop on your journey—it's a destination in its own right. Less than 1 hour 45 minutes from both Glasgow and Edinburgh, and only 20 minutes from the vibrant town of Pitlochry, it offers the perfect base for a memorable day trip or a relaxing short break in whisky country. Supplied Built on legacy Founded in 1898 and nestled beside the crystal-clear waters of the Pitilie Burn—a tributary of the River Tay—the distillery continues to use the same gold-rich water source today. As you explore the site, you'll see history in every stone, from the original pagoda roof designed by renowned architect Charles Doig to the enduring spirit of craftsmanship that defines every drop of Aberfeldy whisky. Celebrating 25 years of whisky experiences This year marks a milestone: 25 years since the opening of the distillery's award-winning Visitor Centre. Seamlessly integrated into the original historic buildings, the experience invites guests to step inside the story of Dewar's—from its Victorian roots to its global legacy. The former maltings floor has been thoughtfully transformed into a welcoming café and bar, where you can relax with a locally sourced meal or enjoy a drink, a dram or a whisky flight in a beautifully atmospheric setting. As you move through the museum space, curated archive displays bring the brand's legacy to life—from vintage Dewar's adverts to rooms recreated in the style of founder Tommy Dewar's office. Whether you're just beginning your whisky journey or are a seasoned collector, Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery offers a range of engaging and enriching experiences. Enjoy a quiet dram in the lounge, fill your own bottle from an exclusive single cask, or browse the distillery shop for unique gifts and rare releases. Supplied For those keen to dive deeper, guided tours and tastings unlock the secrets behind Dewar's award-winning blends and Aberfeldy Single Malts. Highlights include: · Dewar's Blending Masterclass – craft your very own Scotch whisky blend to take home under expert guidance · Drams of Your Dreams – sample rare and aged expressions not easily found elsewhere · The Whisky Explorer Experience – an in-depth, multisensory journey through heritage and flavour Discover the craft behind the cask All experiences begin with an introductory film that sets the tone for what follows: a deeper understanding of Dewar's pioneering spirit. From there, visitors explore the heritage museum before embarking on a behind-the-scenes distillery tour—from grain to glass. You'll visit the atmospheric Old Filling Store and delve into the Aberfeldy Single Malt casking and maturation process, before stepping into the Blenders Bothy. Here, you'll learn about the innovative double ageing process behind Dewar's Blended Scotch and the refined four-stage maturation of the celebrated Double Double range. Here technology meets tradition. A life-sized, high-definition projection of Stephanie Macleod—six-time International Whisky Competition Master Blender of the Year—who shares her insight and passion for the craft. Guests will then be invited to discover their Dewar's persona through a multi-sensory flavour quiz culminating in a personalised tasting of Dewar's that matches their taste profile in the Tasting Rooms, alongside a tasting of Aberfeldy 12 Year Old Single Malt Scotch whisky. For those who wish to delve further into a tutored whisky tasting, the Whisky Explorer Experience concludes with five exceptional drams. Each one reveals something unique – depth, complexity, age, or rarity – providing a tasting that's as enlightening as it is enjoyable. Supplied Plan your visit Dewar's Aberfeldy Distillery is a place where whisky heritage meets Highland hospitality, and where every experience is designed to inspire, inform, and delight. Explore more about the distillery's rich history, book your experience, discover places to stay, and plan your perfect day trip from Edinburgh or beyond—visit the website today.
