Latest news with #Alnwick
The Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Medieval UK town with ‘magical' castle used for Hogwarts in Harry Potter films set for multi-million pound investment
A MAGICAL UK town, complete with a medieval castle featured in the Harry Potter films, is set for a multi-million pound investment. Once home to the beloved fictional wizard, the mystical site is about to undergo an exciting revamp. 9 9 9 Harry Potter fans flock to famed castle Alnwick town, Northumberland, has long been steeped in history, but it was the medieval castle featured in the Harry Potter franchise, which put it on the map. The castle grounds set the stage for Hogwarts in the first two films, and was notably the location where Harry had his first quidditch lesson. Today, Alnwick welcomes tourists from far and wide who are keen to immerse themselves in the wizarding world. Beyond exploring the site featured in The Philosopher's Stone and The Chamber of Secrets, visitors can also follow in Radcliffe's footsteps and take a broomstick lesson of their own. Harry Potter fans have even dubbed the day out one of the UK's most immersive experiences outsides of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour. Council reveals regeneration plans Now, Northumberland County Council plan to make improvements to the town in an exciting new regeneration plan. Last month, it was revealed that over £270,000 in funding had been approved to kick start a multi-million pound project. As part of the Borderlands Place Programme, plans have been revealed to build a new museum in Northumberland Hall. The council also revealed that this work could commence in a matter of months, subject to approval of other funding bids. The museum promises to boost tourism even further in an area that is already a popular hot spot. New Epic Universe theme park reveals fifth new land based on Harry Potter Beyond the town's ties to J K Rowling's famed wizarding world, Alnwick is also brimming with medieval history, reports The Northern Echo. Built more than 900 years ago, the castle remains the ancestral seat of the Dukes of Northumberland, with one of England 's most powerful noble houses, The Percy Family, still calling it home. In addition to this, the town boasts many impressive landmarks like Bondgate Tower, Hotspur Gate, and St Michael's Church. Visitors can also explore one of Britain's largest second-hand bookshops, Barter Books, which is also famed for rediscovering the iconic "Keep calm and Carry On" WWII poster. Alnwick Garden is also home to Europe 's largest treehouse restaurant. As well as welcoming a brand new museum, the plans also hope to develop a transport hub. With a further £90,000 approved for this, work could be well underway by early 2026. Both these projects, part of a bid totalling around £7.7million, have been well received by the community. At a community event held earlier this year, 84% of respondents backed the proposals. It comes on the back of the new 'Town Investment Plan' which was approved by the Borderlands Partnership following development locally by the Place Partnership Group. The Borderlands Place Programme includes up to £3m of Growth Deal and County Council combined investment Alnwick, and six other neighbouring towns. Once funding awards are in place, there will be detailed consultation with businesses and residents that may be affected by any construction works prior to them starting. 9 9 9 Councillors express excitements for proposed plans Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet member for Regeneration and Chair of Alnwick Place Partnership Group said: 'This is a fantastic step forward for the town, giving our backing to kick start significant investment in the town centre. 'Alnwick already has great assets including major tourism attractions and businesses and our aim is to bolster this by introducing new attractions to the town centre and making it easier and more attractive to visit the town on public transport. 'This is just the start for the Borderlands Place Programme with a range of new schemes in development across all seven towns in the programme we are expecting further projects for approval in Bedlington, Prudhoe and other towns later this year." While Alnwich County Councillor Martin Swinbank added: 'We have been pushing for improvements to the bus station for many years and I'm pleased to see this next step in securing new investment. 'The bus station is an important community facility and also the first view of Alnwick many visitors see as they step into the town." Fellow Alnwick County Councillor Gordon Castle said: 'Our tourism offer is an important component of the local economy and working together to bring the Northumberland Hall back into use, at the same time as bringing the Bailiffgate Museum into the heart Alnwick is a great solution." Jean Humphrys, Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery Chair of Trustees, added: 'This support is an important milestone for our innovative proposals to create a new cultural and creative hub in the town. 'We're working over the summer to secure backing for our exciting plans for this building to bring much needed investment into the town and a long-term home for the amazing story of Alnwick.' Earlier this month, Alnwick honoured its magical past with a screening of the franchise in the castle grounds. ChronicleLive reported that fans would be able to attend a special viewing where they could watch the action play out near the location where it actually took place. The castle grounds has also been the backdrop to countless other beloved films. Among the popular titles in which it has been featured, is the 2019 film of Downton Abbey, Transformers: The Last Night, and even the upcoming Mark Wahlberg and Sir Anthony Hopkins film. 9 9 9
Scotsman
7 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
English Curry Awards 2025: Winners unveiled in curry industry celebration
The awards celebrates the curry industry in England 🍴 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... The winners of the 14th English Curry Awards has been announced The ceremony took place on Monday August 11 The ceremony was delivered by Oceanic Awards The English Curry Awards 2025 delivered by Oceanic Awards has announced its winners in a prestigious culinary event, celebrating the excellence of the English curry industry. On Monday August 11 at Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, the exceptional achievements of those working in the curry sector were recognised and celebrated, which included shining a light on restaurants, takeaways and individuals. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Irfan Younis, a spokesperson for The English Curry Awards 2025 said: 'It was another memorable event that honoured the dedication and hard work of the nominees and celebrated the rich tapestry of flavours that the curry industry brings to the English culinary landscape. 'The awards provide a platform to applaud the exceptional efforts of those who have made significant contribution to the curry sector and continue to elevate the nation's love for curry. 'We would like to congratulate all of our winners on their incredible accomplishments.' English Curry Awards 2025: Winners unveiled in curry industry celebration - full list | Adobe Stock / English Curry Awards Here is the full list of winners at the English Curry Awards 2025: Curry Restaurant of the Year (North West) Aroma Asian Restaurant, Burnley Curry Restaurants of the Year (North East) Sher Khan, Alnwick Curry Restaurant of the Year (Yorkshire and the Humber) Khandan Restaurant, Wellington Curry Restaurant of the Year (East Midlands) Everest Lounge, Market Harborough Curry Restaurant of the Year (West Midlands) Lavang, Solihull Curry Restaurant of the Year (East of England) Spice Valley, Norwich Curry Restaurant of the Year (South East) Spice Route, Andover Curry Restaurant of the Year (South West) Mattancherry, Taunton Curry Restaurant of the Year (Overall Winner) Sher Khan, Alnwick Best of Newcastle Sanskrit Newcastle Best of Manchester Spice n Spirits Best of Leeds Delhi Wala Food Best of Liverpool Da Mount Gurkha Best of Sheffield Prithiraj Best of Nottingham Anoki Restaurant Best of Birmingham Titash Best of Southampton Padharo Indian Restaurant Best of London Masala Inn Nepalese Restaurant of the Year Taste of Himalayan, Rowley Regis Bangladeshi Restaurant of the Year Ahar Restaurant, Whitley Bay South Indian Restaurant of the Year Thira, Blackburn Afghani Restaurant of The Year CHARSI DERA, Birmingham Pakistani Restaurant of The Year Lala's Restaurant, Leeds Indian Restaurant of The Year Bombay Spice, York Vegetarian Restaurant of the Year Tangoe Restaurant, Leicester Street Food Cafe Food of the Year Karak Chaii, Rugby Street Food Restaurant of the Year Aarti Restaurant, Leeds Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year Masala City, Chichester Local Restaurant of the Year The Indian Queen, Banbury Kitchen of the Year Jilani Majestic Indian Dining, Sudbury Family Friendly Restaurant of the year Samrat, Seaham Customer Service of the Year Gurkha Imperial Dining, Bromsgrove Customer Favourite of the Year International Restaurant, Bradford Takeaway of the Year Dilshad Tandoori, Stakeford Takeaway and Delivery of the Year Pavilion Express, Bacup Curry Champions of the Year Spice Garden, South Shields Outstanding Restaurant of the Year Purple Pakora, Hazel Grove Curry Kings and Queens of the Year Akbars Team of the Year Kiplings, Sowerby Bridge Manager of the Year Buraq, Kirkham Curry Entrepreneur of the Year Bombay Lounge, Winsford Chef of the Year Spice & Spirits, Basingstoke Chef Of The Year – Editor's Choice Pipasha Restaurant, Cambridge Outstanding Indian Restaurant of the Year Everest Lounge, Oakham Recommended Restaurant of the Year Shah's, Gateshead Outstanding Chef of the Year Blue Tiffin, Stoke on Trent Emerging Restaurant of the Year Khyber Pass, Surrey Organiser's Choice Restaurant of the Year Babaji, Sunderland
The Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
England's best curry restaurants revealed in big industry awards – did your local make the list?
THE best curry restaurants in the UK have been revealed, check to see if your favourite spot is on the list. The English Curry Awards have announced its winner for the top curry restaurant of the year. The awards, organised by Oceanic Awards, aim to showcase the talents of chefs, restaurateurs, and takeaway services who serve the beloved dish. The overall winner for the best curry restaurant went to Sher Khan in Alnwick. The Northumberland restaurant has a strong 4.7 rating on TripAdvisor, with fans praising its "friendly reception" and "tasty food". Fans of the eatery can tuck into a range of dishes including jalfrezi and tandoori chicken. The hot spot was also crowned the best of its kind in the North East. Up next was Aroma Asian Restaurant in Burnley, which won the award for the best curry spot in the North West. Diners have praised this restaurant for its "reasonable prices" and "fabulous food". The spot offers both dine-in and takeaway options, with a range of options including Vegetable Karahi and Channa Massala. In Yorkshire and the Humber, Khandan Restaurant was crowned the best of the region. The traditional restaurant offers flavours of both Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine. Chef shares his Chicken Keema Karahi recipe Those looking for a deal can also try out its Banquet night every Wednesday, which costs £14.95 per person. Meanwhile, Lavang in Solihull was named as the best curry restaurant in the West Midlands. The haunt describes itself as a "culinary haven of South East Asian cuisine" and offers both eat-in and takeaway options. Heading to the East of England and Spice Valley in Norwich took the crown. In the South East, Spice Route in Andover was named the number one spot in the region. The spot serves up traditional Indian cuisine and has been praised by diners for its "bold spices and creative dishes". In the South West, Mattancherry in Taunton was given the top spot. Diners have raved about the restaurants"superb" food and service. Awards were also handed to the best spots in cities across the UK. You can check out the list below: Newcastle - Sanskrit Newcastle Manchester - Spice n Spirits Leeds - Delhi Wala Food Liverpool - Da Mount Gurkha Sheffield - Prithiraj Nottingham - Anoki Restaurant Birmingham - Titash Southampton - Padharo Indian Restaurant MORE TOP EATS There are plenty of other top restaurants in the UK which are worth trying out. Uber Eats has announced 128 of the best takeaway restaurants in the UK and Ireland for 2025. One of this year's finalists is Smokeworks, a casual barbecue restaurant specialising in slow-cooked meats, burgers, and American-style comfort food. Located in Cambridge, customers can devour a menu filled with ribs, wings, pulled pork, and hearty sides. Pizza places also made the list, such as Scaramantica Pizzeria in Cardiff, Pizzarova in Bristol, and Dough Bros in Cleethorpes, Yorkshire, where a 12-inch margherita costs just £10.
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Calvin Harris and Vick Hope welcome son into the world
Calvin Harris has become a father for the first time. The Feel So Close hitmaker and his wife Vick Hope welcomed their son Micah into the world two weeks ago and the DJ has praised his spouse as a "superhero" after being by her side throughout the water birth. Sharing a selection of photos from Micah's birth, including a graphic shot of the placenta and it subsequently being turned into capsules of powder, Calvin wrote on Instagram: "20th of July our boy arrived. Micah is here! My wife is a superhero and I am in complete awe of her primal wisdom! Just so grateful. We love you so much Micah." Vick reshared Calvin's photo of himself and Micah on her own Instagram Story and wrote: "My boys." The BBC Radio 1 presenter confirmed her pregnancy on her radio show in May. She said: "I should probably also say this is my final week before I go on maternity leave." Co-host Jamie Laing replied: "You're an amazing friend, an amazing person, and you're just going to be an amazing mum." Calvin, 41, and Vick, 35, got married in an outdoor ceremony at Hulne Priory in Alnwick, Northumberland, in September 2023. After their vows, guests including 'Big Brother's AJ Odudu and DJs Vernon Kay, Scott Mills and Jordan North were treated to a Glastonbury-style reception that included a live performance from Nile Rodgers and Chic, who flew in from the US especially for the celebrations. According to The Sun newspaper, Calvin told Vick during their vows: 'I promise to be your teammate, best friend and companion for life'. In return, his bride said: 'The pure, unadulterated euphoria I was seeking when we met? I found it instantly in you. 'I promise to keep us laughing together and to keep us meditating on and glowing in it every day for the rest of our lives'. During the reception, teepees were set up for guests to relax, and a variety of food trucks offered burgers, pizzas, and Nigerian dishes. Nile kicked off his set with Luther Vandross' 'Never Too Much' before playing hits by Madonna, David Bowie, Beyonce and Pharrell Williams and ending on his own song, 'Good Times'. Revellers then enjoyed a 10-minute firework display and there were 80 tents set up for them to camp on site overnight. A source said: 'Calvin and Vick's wedding was a day none of their guests will ever forget.'
BBC News
25-07-2025
- BBC News
Alnwick child molester caught by sending victim message
A child molester who triggered his young victim's trauma by messaging her about the abuse years later has been jailed for three and half Johnson was a teenager when he subjected the girl to sexual abuse, Newcastle Crown Court being convicted of groping a second girl, Johnson, now 23, sent his first victim a message asking if she remembered what he had done to her, which prompted her to report it to police, the court from Alnwick, Northumberland, denied five child sex offences but was found guilty by jurors. He was given a community order in 2020 for sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in 2018, Judge Robert Spragg said, with the court viewing it then as an "isolated incident".But unbeknown to prosecutors, Johnson had also been molesting a younger girl, the judge said. 'Ridiculous excuses' The second lot of offences came to light when Johnson sent the girl a message about his actions in 2023, which was also a breach of a sexual harm prevention order (SHPO) made in 2020, the court the message, Johnson asked the girl if she could "remember what they were doing", the court message was "highly traumatic" with the victim then reporting the abuse to police, the judge said, with the girl saying she had feared she would not have been believed before Spragg said it was "very worrying" Johnson felt it appropriate to contact the victim, with the sex offender then lying to jurors and "coming up with ridiculous excuses" for sending the posed a "high risk" of sexual offending, the judge was jailed for three years for the sexual offences against a child and a further six months for breaching the was also made subject to another SHPO for 10 years and must sign the sex offender register indefinitely. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
