Latest news with #BillyTaylor
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Sweet moment oblivious 'christening' guests learn they're actually at a secret wedding
Oblivious christening guests were left in tears after it was revealed they were actually attending a wedding. When Joe, 27, and Tori Taylor, 25, from Studley, Warwickshire, invited their friends and family to the christening of their six-month-old son Billy, only a handful of people knew about their heartwarming planned surprise. The disguised groom told their guests that the Billy's mother was 'running late' - when in fact the bride was just preparing to walk down the aisle in Studley Parish Church, Warwickshire. Then 10 minutes after the 95 guests had taken their seats, Tori walked down the aisle to their shock in an radiant wedding dress. The couple came up with the idea to combine their son's special day with their wedding day while planning Billy's celebration, saying it 'just felt right'. They have since said the moment was 'magical' with Tori revealing the audible gasp when loved ones saw her walk down the aisle gave her 'goosebumps'. The couple revealed only their parents, the best man, and the maid of honour knew about their secret plan. Tori said: 'We told them our idea right from the start, they were all very supportive of us getting married this way, they loved the idea of the surprise.' She added: 'It wasn't easy (to keep the secret) but no one was asking questions which helped. 'Our friends and family really had no idea. Only one friend joked that we might be "the type to do a surprise wedding" but otherwise no one suspected a thing. 'The atmosphere in the church at that moment they all realised, is something we'll carry with us forever.' Joe and Tori have told they came up with the surprise whilst planning their son Billy's christening. They had been planning to tie the knot ever since Joe popped the question and said combining the moment 'felt right'. Joe said: 'We were already planning our son's christening for July when the idea came to us - why not get married during the same ceremony. 'We've always wanted to be married simply to be united as a family, without the stress or fuss that can come with a traditional wedding. 'We decided to keep it a surprise, only telling our parents, the maid of honour, and the best man. The couple, from Studley, came up with the idea to combine their son's special day with their wedding day whilst planning Billy's celebration, saying it 'just felt right' 'The people who would be there to celebrate our son were the very people we'd want to witness our marriage - so it just felt right.' Though to the shock of the newlyweds, they have revealed that planning the event in this way was 'surprisingly easy' only taking them three months setting the date for July 19 2025. Tori said: 'No guests were expecting a wedding so there was zero pressure and no set expectations. It turned into a relaxed, stress-free experience which was nice.' When the day arrived, Joe welcomed guests to the church as if it was just a christening, but was coming up with 'excuses' for why Tori was running late. Then 10 minutes after the 95 guests had taken their seats, Tori walked the aisle with her dad, Bill. Recalling the moment Tori said it was 'magical'. She said: 'It was honestly more magical than we ever imagined. The audible gasp from our family and friends gave me goosebumps. 'Our friends and family were shocked in the best possible way - they were emotional and so happy for us. 'But most of all our grandparents' reactions meant everything to us. Having them there on such a meaningful day was incredibly special, and seeing their surprise and emotion is something we'll never forget.' The couple worked alongside wedding videographer Karl Mitchell, 32, to capture the emotional moment. Karl, from Stockport, in Manchester, said: 'Seeing that moment when the penny dropped for the guests and the emotion just filled the room - you can't script that. 'Also knowing that it was so important to Tori and Joe to have those reactions on film made it even more special as the person capturing it all. 'Keeping it a secret was definitely a challenge but also really exciting. 'A few guests were curious on the day about what I was doing, so I had to think on my feet and when they asked me, I said I was filming promo material for the church.' 'I have filmed a lot of special moments over the years but this was the first time I had been part of a surprise wedding like this. 'The ceremony is always quite heartfelt anyway but this one was something else. It honestly gave me goosebumps.' Following the wedding Billy was christened and the family enjoyed celebrations at their reception. Karl has since posted the clip onto social media page, Mitchell Films, and it has since clocked over 600,000 likes. He said the reaction to the video has been 'overwhelming'. He said: 'I have had messages from people halfway across the world saying it moved them to tears.' One person commented on the video saying: 'I'm not sure what is more beautiful, the fact that they are getting married or the fact so many people turned up for them.' Another said: 'Can you image being so deeply loved by that many people? They will carry that forever.' One other person commented: 'Crying for internet strangers.'
Daily Mail
27-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
California's cheapest place to live looks beautiful and an average home is $286,500 but there's a big drawback
It looks like it offers an idyllic lifestyle with beautiful scenery, small-town living, and rock-bottom prices - but the enclave recently named the most affordable place to buy in California comes with one major caveat. Lassen County, with a population of nearly 30,000, has officially been ranked the cheapest housing market in the state, according to the California Association of Realtors' latest report. The median price for an existing single-family home in Lassen was just $286,500 in June 2025 - a fraction of the $899,560 statewide median and the $1.4 million average seen across the Bay Area. While Lassen offers striking high desert landscapes and unbeatable value, some buyers may be surprised to learn that the local economy has long been tied to the state correctional system. 'There's a large prison there,' said Billy Taylor, a real estate agent based in neighboring Plumas County, 30 minutes from Lassen County. 'A lot of the locals work as prison guards, and others move there to be closer to incarcerated loved ones.' The facility - High Desert State Prison - has been one of the region's largest employers since it opened in 1995. But long before the prison arrived, Lassen County was known for something else entirely. 'It's a very rural town known for cattle ranching and timber harvesting,' Taylor said. 'That's what it was built on - it was strictly ranching before the prison came in.' It's also a draw for outdoor enthusiasts, he added, with 'world-class hunting and fishing,' including large mule deer and the famous Eagle Lake trout, a prized species unique to the area. Susanville, the county seat, has a population of nearly 10,000 and still reflects that rugged, frontier identity - one that may appeal to buyers looking for space, affordability, and access to nature. Taylor emphasized that Lassen County offers exceptional value, particularly for those priced out of more populated markets. 'You can't build a house for what existing homes are selling for,' he said, noting that buyers can find ranchettes with acreage and 'elbow space' at prices rarely seen elsewhere in California. Most homes, he added, are selling below asking price, typically within 5 to 10 percent of list. Known for its high desert terrain and mountain ranges, Lassen County attracts outdoor enthusiasts and budget-conscious buyers alike Lassen isn't the only county offering relative bargains – four others also posted median home prices well below the statewide average, according to the Realtors' report. Lake County at $301,380; Trinity County at $311,000; Siskiyou County at $315,000; and Plumas County at $328,750 are the most affordable in the state. Plumas, in particular, is attracting buyers from Nevada and the greater Reno area, thanks to its mountain views, small–town feel, and access to Lake Almanor – a quiet resort community locals call 'what Tahoe was 30 years ago.' According to Zillow, California's average 30–year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.88 percent as of July 18. But in Lassen and other rural areas, sellers are showing more flexibility. Jordan Levine, senior vice president of the California Association of Realtors, said homes are staying on the market longer, and sellers are more open to negotiation. 'Amid stabilizing home prices and a greater availability of homes for sale, California's housing market rebounded in June, but remained below year-ago levels,' the Realtors Group said in a news release. Heather Ozur, California Association of Realtors president, added: 'With more properties on the market and price growth flattening, conditions have become more favorable for prospective buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines to re-enter the market and take advantage of increased negotiating power.' With scenic terrain, low prices, and a slower pace of life, Lassen County may offer an appealing alternative for budget–conscious buyers – as long as they're not deterred by its prison–town identity.
Daily Mail
26-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
California's cheapest place to live has a hidden drawback
By The median price for an existing single-family home in Lassen was just $286,500 in June 2025 - a fraction of the $899,560 statewide median and the $1.4 million average seen across the Bay Area. While Lassen offers striking high desert landscapes and unbeatable value, some buyers may be surprised to learn that the local economy has long been tied to the state correctional system. 'There's a large prison there,' said Billy Taylor, a real estate agent based in neighboring Plumas County, 30 minutes from Lassen County. 'A lot of the locals work as prison guards, and others move there to be closer to incarcerated loved ones.' The facility - High Desert State Prison - has been one of the region's largest employers since it opened in 1995. But long before the prison arrived, Lassen County was known for something else entirely. 'It's a very rural town known for cattle ranching and timber harvesting,' Taylor said. 'That's what it was built on - it was strictly ranching before the prison came in.' It's also a draw for outdoor enthusiasts, he added, with 'world-class hunting and fishing,' including large mule deer and the famous Eagle Lake trout, a prized species unique to the area. Susanville, the county seat, has a population of nearly 10,000 and still reflects that rugged, frontier identity - one that may appeal to buyers looking for space, affordability, and access to nature. Taylor emphasized that Lassen County offers exceptional value, particularly for those priced out of more populated markets. 'You can't build a house for what existing homes are selling for,' he said, noting that buyers can find ranchettes with acreage and 'elbow space' at prices rarely seen elsewhere in California. Most homes, he added, are selling below asking price, typically within 5 to 10 percent of list. Lassen isn't the only county offering relative bargains – four others also posted median home prices well below the statewide average, according to the Realtors' report. Lake County at $301,380; Trinity County at $311,000; Siskiyou County at $315,000; and Plumas County at $328,750 are the most affordable in the state. Plumas, in particular, is attracting buyers from Nevada and the greater Reno area, thanks to its mountain views, small–town feel, and access to Lake Almanor – a quiet resort community locals call 'what Tahoe was 30 years ago.' According to Zillow, California's average 30–year fixed mortgage rate stood at 6.88 percent as of July 18. But in Lassen and other rural areas, sellers are showing more flexibility. Jordan Levine, senior vice president of the California Association of Realtors, said homes are staying on the market longer, and sellers are more open to negotiation. 'Amid stabilizing home prices and a greater availability of homes for sale, California's housing market rebounded in June, but remained below year-ago levels,' the Realtors Group said in a news release. Heather Ozur, California Association of Realtors president, added: 'With more properties on the market and price growth flattening, conditions have become more favorable for prospective buyers who have been waiting on the sidelines to re-enter the market and take advantage of increased negotiating power.' With scenic terrain, low prices, and a slower pace of life, Lassen County may offer an appealing alternative for budget–conscious buyers – as long as they're not deterred by its prison–town identity.
The Independent
10-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Former firefighter to row 5,500 miles across Indian Ocean for dementia charity
An ocean-rowing event manager is to row 5,500 miles across the Indian Ocean within 100 days to remember his friend who died after living with early onset Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD). Billy Taylor, 52, from Selsey in West Sussex, will row from Exmouth, Western Australia to Mombasa in Kenya in early June – and he will be joined by three other crew members on a 29ft by 5ft carbon fibre boat. They aim to raise £500,000 for Race Against Dementia (RAD), an organisation focused on research to find a cure for the disease, and Rock2Recovery, a mental health charity supporting veterans and those in Armed Forces. The former firefighter wants to raise awareness about early onset dementia and Parkinson's disease after his school friend, Alex Flynn, died in 2022 after living with PDD, whom he credits for inspiring him to take up ocean rowing. 'I'm not smart enough to do the research myself and I don't have a lot of money to give to research and charity, but I could do something like this (row) to try and raise awareness and raise money for people that are doing real good stuff,' he told the PA news agency. Mr Taylor's friend was diagnosed aged 34, which forced the pair to have 'some very long, honest, open and frank conversations about what it was going to mean for him'. It is estimated around 982,000 people live with dementia in the UK – while more than a third do not have a diagnosis, according to Alzheimer's Society. The ocean rower said speaking to people with loved ones living with dementia 'struck me that this (disease) is so prolific'. 'It's horrific. It robs people of the person they are,' he added. He hopes his ocean row will help others learn about the impact of dementia on people and their families, and raise funds towards vital research into the disease. 'That half a million is a lot to charities like Rock2Recovery because it's a small charity so that can make a huge difference,' he said. 'With that £10,000 or £50,000 for RAD you can pay for a fellowship or you can pay for a research project for years.' The crew will row in pairs rowing for two hours and breaking for two hours maintaining that pattern every day over 100 days, all while facing giant waves, sea wildlife, being capsized and sweltering temperatures. Mr Taylor said he made a conscious choice to choose a crew which is made up of two men and two women to represent men and women equally. 'There's two guys and two girls and we've deliberately gone for a completely mixed crew just because there's a lot of divide between men and women. It certainly seems to be that way,' he explained. 'It's quite the levelling platform the the ocean, so it was nice to represent the girls and guys getting on well together and achieving something together.' His upcoming challenge will mark Mr Taylor's sixth ocean row having rowed the Indian Ocean once before, once across the Pacific Ocean from California to Hawaii and three times across the Atlantic. He said being 'disconnected' from technology while ocean rowing helps him to 'realise his potential'. 'It's an opportunity to decompress and switch off,' he said. 'The other thing is you can't get off (the boat) so it doesn't matter how hard (the row) is. 'You know you've got to keep going, so when you get to the other side it forces you to realise what your potential is. 'I think that's an incredible thing to be able to achieve.' My Taylor said the crew are also working with the Michigan University to collect samples to measure how much plastic is in the Indian Ocean and they are collaborating with thousands of schools in UK sharing their journey to classrooms via video link.
