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Telegraph
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Britain's 10 most genteel seaside towns, perfect for a weekend away
While there's a certain nostalgic joy to the type of coastal resort that's all candy floss, waltzers and slot machines, there's arguably greater pleasure in towns that have the seascapes and the golden sand but that are more cute than kitsch. More sourdough than doughnut. More vibrant arts scene than end-of-the-pier innuendo. More artisanal ice cream than Mr Whippy. Below, we've selected – in no particular order – 10 lovely British seaside spots where you can promenade in a posher fashion. 1. North Berwick, East Lothian Welcome to the 'Biarritz of the North'. When the railway arrived in the 19th century, North Berwick became a fashionable holiday hotspot, tourists drawn to its two sandy bays and its seaside links – the venerable North Berwick Golf Club was founded in 1832. The town, still only 30 minutes by train from Edinburgh, is increasingly attracting younger folk priced out of the capital, adding a cosmopolitan edge. Do the classics: the Scottish Seabird Centre, a boat trip to Bass Rock. But also find exquisite pastries at Bostock, hip coffee at Steampunk and award-winning gelato at Alandas. Where to see (and be seen) Fringe by the Sea (1-10 August 2025) for an eclectic mix of talks, music and more in leafy Lodge Gardens. Where to stay Built in 1875 but fresh from a refurb, the sea-gazing Marine (01620 897300) has B&B doubles from £194pn. 2. Lymington, Hampshire The clank of boat masts, the cluster of cobbled streets, the views across the Solent, the New Forest spreading behind – Lymington has a plum location and oodles of maritime chic. Indeed, the latest Lloyds Coastal Homes Review found it to be the country's fifth most expensive spot (average house price: £608,253). Join the yachtie crowd at the marinas and sailing clubs, or book a skippered charter. Alternatively, stick on land browsing the Georgian High Street: pop into Stanwells award-winning womenswear boutique or come on a Saturday for one of the country's oldest markets. Finish with an exhibition at the St Barbe Museum. Where to see (and be seen) The Elderflower, enjoying the three AA rosette-awarded restaurant's imaginative modern-British tasting menu. Where to stay Stanwell House (01590 677123) is a handsome pile on the High Street; B&B doubles from £188pn. 3. Padstow, Cornwall Peaceful fishing village turned foodie phenomenon, Padstow is the British coast's tastiest choice. Rick Stein is the main man about town, of course. His original Seafood Restaurant turns 50 this year, but has since been joined by a smorgasbord of other venues; for sociable platters served with Camel Valley sparkling, try his Seafood Bar & Fishmongers. For fancy, opt for Paul Ainsworth's Michelin-starred No 6, while BinTwo is the wine bar/bottle-shop of choice. Balance all this consumption with a walk along the cracking coast path and a ferry trip over to – even posher? – Rock, 'Britain's Saint-Tropez'. Where to see (and be seen) Gorging on greenhouse dinners at Padstow Kitchen Garden, created by former Rick Stein chef and seventh-generation farmer Ross Geach. Where to stay Opened in 2025, Plum Cottage (01841 521175) is an exquisitely restored, Grade-II listed, antique-filled hideaway. Three nights cost from £600, sleeping four. 4. Deal, Kent Is there a prettier seaside spot than this? Deal is one of the country's best-preserved medieval towns, its centre a tight-knit cluster of cute. The Middle Street Conservation Area protects the best bits, from handsome Georgian terraces now housing antique shops and indie stores to grand Victorian villas and even a castle, one of Henry VIII's finest forts. All of this sprawls alongside a long pebble beach where you'll find colourful beach huts, waterfront bistros and a 1950s pier that's home to Deal Pier Kitchen – book early for its weekend steak and lobster nights. Where to see (and be seen) Sitting at the Blue Pelican, the hottest table in town since opening in 2024, where fine Kent produce is given a delectable Japanese spin. Where to stay The Rose (01304 389127) has eight individually-designed bedrooms plus a lauded restaurant; B&B doubles from £105pn. 5. Aberaeron, Ceredigion Designed in 1805, Aberaeron was one of Wales's first planned towns – and those Georgians did a good job. It's still a handsome old harbour, lined with elegant townhouses painted in appealing rainbow hues. More recently, Aberaeron's gained a foodie reputation: there's excellent honey ice cream at the Hive; local organic veg at Watson & Pratt's; and creative dining at the indigo-blue Harbourmaster, the Quay's most striking building. Major flood defence works, due to be completed by summer 2025, are preserving the town's historic character and will provide a new breakwater to promenade. Also, stroll up the River Aeron to visit elegant 18th-century Llanerchaeron. Where to see and be seen With an aperitif in the piano bar at Y Seler, crowned Restaurant of the Year at the Food Awards Wales 2024. Where to stay The Harbourmaster (01545 570755) is the height of modern-nautical chic; B&B doubles from £150pn, 6. Southwold, Suffolk According to Land Registry data, Southwold is Suffolk's most expensive address. And it's easy to see why. It has a traditional pier, a working harbour and a mile and a half of soft, blonde sand that's backed by a cheeriness of beach huts and an understatedly elegant town. There's a lighthouse right in the middle (which you can tour) plus a venerable brewery and many charming independents. Browse the high street, from classy womenswear boutique Collen & Clare to the UK's oldest amber specialist. Pit-stop for pastries at Two Magpies, which also runs doughnut-making classes. Where to see (and be seen) Eating fresh crab and prawns at the newly reopened Sole Bay Fish Company, down at Southwold's working harbour. Where to stay The Swan (01502 722186) is a Michelin-key Georgian inn offering an urban-hip seaside stay; B&B doubles from £220pn. 7. Lytham, Lancashire Though just miles from Blackpool, Lytham is a very different kettle of fish. This is the Fylde Coast's more refined side – the town's icon isn't a flashing tower, but a white-washed windmill. There's heaps of green space spreading down to the huge beach; it's lined with red-brick mansions and home to the century-old Lowther Pavilion Theatre. Lytham's comely centre also offers plenty of appealing independents and cafes – if you're a pistachio iced latte kinda person, the Courtyard is your stop. There's also a glorious Palladian manor, which serves excellent afternoon teas. Where to see (and be seen) Swinging a driver at the Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club – this world-class course has hosted ten Open Championships. Where to stay Lytham's grand dame is the 19th-century classical-styled Clifton Arms Hotel (01253 739898; overlooking the seafront; B&B doubles from £210pn. 8. Burnham Market, Norfolk Burnham Market isn't right by the coast – though it's only a mile away (aim for beautiful Brancaster Beach). Still, this small but but idyllically-formed little town/large village has earned the nickname Chelsea-on-Sea. London types pour in to amble its quaint 17th- and 18th-century streets and its surfeit of delightful places to shop, eat and drink. Don't miss Gurneys for fresh fish, the Tuscan Farm Shop for Italian goodies and the Gun Hill Clothing Company for a countryside-chic makeover. Where to see (and be seen) Dining on superb small plates at Michelin-listed Socius – book the 'Kitchen Table' to watch the chefs at work. Where to stay The classic choice is the smart, 17th-century Hoste Arms (01328 738 777), which also serves great food and has its own cinema; B&B doubles from £99pn. 9. Lyme Regis, Dorset Lyme Regis – the 'pearl of Dorset' – is a seaside gem. It gained its royal charter in the 13th century and was once a bigger port than Liverpool; now it's a much more genteel spot, perfect for promenading the iconic Cobb and pretty seafront – popping into Swim for brunch – or walking further along the UNESCO-listed Jurassic Coast. Alternatively, join a guided fossil walk and visit the statue of local-born palaeontology pioneer Mary Anning. Eating and drinking is excellent: Town Mill Bakery for bread; Lyme Regis Brewery for craft beer; Red Panda for bao buns. Also, catch a show at the historic Marine Theatre. Where to see (and be seen) At Michelin-listed Lilac, eating super-seasonal small plates in a 400-year-old cellar. Where to stay Perched up on the cliffs, the contemporary-classic Alexandra Hotel (01297 442010) has B&B doubles from £125pn. 10. Tenby, Pembrokeshire Tenby's four, beautiful Blue Flag beaches are enough to attract anyone. But the cliff-top town behind is a looker too. Here old stone walls encircle pastel-painted Georgian and Victorian houses, many of which are now neat little shops, bars and cafes. Top choices include the Harbwr Brewery, Môr Tenby, for Welsh goodies and Stowaway Coffee, tucked into a harbour-side arch. For culture, pop into the Museum and Art Gallery and visit the 15th-century Tudor Merchant House before eating at Plantagenet, fine-dining in a 1,000-year-old building. Where to see (and be seen) Sweating at Sea and Steam – take a fabulous four-mile walk along the coast path to Saundersfoot, to jump on the sauna trend. Where to stay Freshly reopened from a major refurb, the 120-year-old cliff-top Imperial Hotel (01834 843737) has doubles from £99pn room-only.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Committee discussion on trans student rights highlights questionable interpretation of Title IX
A transgender student who asked not to be identified stands outside the hearing room of the Judiciary Committee in the State House in Augusta. The committee held hearings on proposed bills to restrict transgender rights on May 8, 2025. (Photo by Jim Neuger/ Maine Morning Star) Lawmakers who heard hours of public testimony on transgender rights in schools were divided on whether transgender girls should be allowed to compete on girls' sports teams. But they overwhelmingly rejected broader efforts to roll back rights for transgender students, including bills that would restrict pronoun use or remove gender identity as a protected class under Maine law. The legislative debate unfolded amid national attention, fueled by President Donald Trump's administration claiming that Maine is violating Title IX — the federal law that prohibits sex-based discrimination in education — by allowing trans girls to compete in girls' sports. The discussion included how the proposed bills would impact the state's compliance with Title IX, with several legal experts explaining to committee members Tuesday that affirming trans students is not a violation of federal law, despite the administration's interpretation and threats. Transgender teens and allies crowd State House to fight anti-trans bills To what extent Title IX protects trans students' rights in schools per legal precedent is unclear, according to Mary Bonauto, acclaimed civil rights attorney and senior director of civil rights and legal strategies at GLAD Law. 'I think this raises the bigger issue, which is what constitutes sex discrimination, and is it sex discrimination to exclude a transgender student from a meaningful opportunity for girls and young women,' she said. She pointed to the U.S. Supreme Court's 2020 decision in Bostock v. Clayton County, which found that discrimination based on sexual orientation or transgender status is inherently rooted in sex, and therefore violates Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which is related to employment law. 'When you want to forbid somebody from participating in sports…because they're transgender, the first thing you're thinking about is their sex,' she said. 'You essentially, at that point, are penalizing somebody for a trait or action that would be acceptable if they were the other sex.' Bonauto noted that while Bostock applied to employment law, its reasoning has significant implications for education law under Title IX. Alternately, Erica O'Connell from the conservative Christian law firm Alliance Defending Freedom told the committee that Bostock decision can't be applied to Title IX directly, because girls have been historically discriminated against, and allowing trans athletes to participate in girls' sports takes away opportunities from cisgender girls. 'One boy taking a part on a team that belongs to a girl, is eroding that equal protection in education,' she said. Judiciary Committee members were split on that issue, with a 6-6 vote on two bills restricting the rights of trans athletes — LD 233 and LD 1134. These bills would cut funding to school districts that allowed trans girls to participate on girls teams and use school facilities aligned with their gender identity, including bathrooms and locker rooms. Rep. Dani O'Hallaran (D-Brewer) broke from the Democrats on those bills, although she voted against all other anti-trans legislation. Debate centers on fairness and safety during hearing on transgender sports bills 'You're making a choice to transition. And I'm struggling to understand why that person's choice has the ability to take away a right position from a biological girl,' she said. 'To me, in some sense .. I guess the phrase is 'you can't have it all.'' A third bill, LD 868, proposing co-ed teams as an alternative for trans students was defeated 7-5, but O'Hallaran said she would have voted in favor of the bill if it was amended. Other Democratic lawmakers on the committee raised concerns about the lack of options for trans students, and the dangerous precedent these bills set for scrutinizing all girls and targeting those that don't present as stereotypically feminine. 'There is no choice in this. For those who do not identify according to their biological marker, they get one choice, and that's called co-ed,' said Sen. Rachel Talbot Ross, explaining her opposition to the bill. 'And if the school does not have the resources or can't put a regional team together, then we have de facto just discriminated against those students because we have not given them choice — choices.' Rep. Ellie Sato (D-Gorham) said her concern was with the enforcement of the bills. 'It would backtrack the progress that we've made in how we're surveilling girls' bodies, because I'm very concerned that girls that do not present feminine with feminine attributes — cis or trans — will be targeted regardless, because they don't fit into the model of what we believe a woman or a girl should look like,' she said. Rep. Rachel Henderson (R-Rumford) voted to support the restrictions on trans students because she said she believes in 'the truth of the biological reality of two sexes,' although the American Medical Association recognizes trans people and supports their right to affirming spaces. 'My hope is that my vote on these doesn't define me as someone who hates members of the LGBTQ community or wants to be cruel towards minors who are struggling with gender ideology, because it's simply not true,' Henderson said. Some Republican lawmakers including Henderson voted against the broader rollback of trans rights. These included LD 1002, which would mandate that educators use the name and gender listed on a students' birth certificate even if it doesn't align with their gender identity, and two bills (LD 1337 and LD 1432) that aim to remove gender identity as a protected class under the Maine Human Rights Act. Those bills will head to the full Legislature with a recommendation from the committee to reject them. . Rep. Mike Soboleski (R-Phillips) said the intention behind LD 1432 is to retain gender identity protections under the umbrella of sexual orientation under the Maine Human Rights Act, but not designate gender identity as a separate protected class. He said he wanted to make the change to align with Title IX. Barbara Archer Hirsch, executive director of the Maine Human Rights Commission, which enforces the act, disagreed. She said she doesn't think removing the gender identity language 'does anything to align or not align with the current administration's interpretation of Title IX. Since gender identity and sexual orientation are not the same thing, she said protecting gender identity under the broader umbrella of sexual orientation would make complying with the Human Rights Act harder if the bill were to pass. 'I think that would create a lot of confusion,' she said. 'I think we would be getting more and more calls from folks not knowing what's covered and what's not, which was what was happening beforehand.' O'Hallaran asked whether there was a way to retain gender identity protections while still making it clear that trans girls can't play in girls sports. As an example, Hirsch pointed to religious schools, which because of exemptions do not have to follow the protections for gender identity and sexual orientation, as long as they don't receive state funding. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Perth Now
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
'Sold the dream': Bostock centred on life as Dolphin
Dolphins winger Jack Bostock has his sights on a positional move but moving from the club that backed him as a teenager is not on his agenda. The 21-year-old was Dally M rookie of the year in 2024 after a breakout season. He was signed to the Dolphins as a 19-year-old in late 2022 around the same time halfback prodigy Isaiya Katoa inked his deal. Both players were regarded as potential club "lifers" and Bostock ideally wants to realise that goal. Bostock, formerly in the St George Illawarra system, played centre for the Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball Cup and has the desire to switch to the position in future and emulate the feats of his current centre partner Herbie Farnworth, also an England international. "It has been good playing outside Herbie. Obviously he is a great player and back-to-back (Dally M) centre of the year," Bostock said. "He will always help me out where he can. He started his career on the wing and one day I would like to transition into the centres. I am taking stuff out of his game and he helps me along the way. One day (I would like to play centre) but I am happy on the wing for now." The former NSW under 19 representative, signed at the Dolphins until 2027 and boasting 18 tries in his 33 NRL games, elected to get out of his comfort zone when he joined the club. The opportunity to start and possibly finish his career at a new franchise held immense appeal. "It would be great to stay here (for life)," Bostock said. "We have a lot of young boys, not just Izzy (Katoa), and a few who haven't played NRL but will for a long time so I'd love to stay here and keep building on what we've done the last three years. "I grew up in the Illawarra and I'd never moved away from home. Me and my old man came up and met with (former recruitment boss) Peter O'Sullivan and (former coach) Wayne Bennett. "Wayne sold the dream. I've loved it ever since. I knew what Wayne had done in the past and I wanted to be a part of it." The Dolphins take on the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night in Magic Round, chastened by their most recent loss. The side collapsed in a heap in the second half of their 40-28 defeat to Canberra last week after securing three wins in a row. Throwing away a 28-18 halftime lead, Bostock said they had learned a harsh lesson about what happens in the NRL when a team switches off. In team news, named prop Felise Kaufusi (knee) and utility Kurt Donoghoe (calf) will need to prove their fitness at Thursday's captain's run to play the Roosters.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Yahoo
‘Discrete acts' can lead to hostile work environment, California court holds
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. A federal district court in California refused on April 22 to dismiss a former employee's lawsuit against the U.S. Postal Service alleging she was harassed and discriminated against because she is a transgender woman (Scannell v. DeJoy). When the employee started working at USPS's Culver City station, she presented as a man while privately undergoing gender transition, according to court documents. After a co-worker saw a photo of her on a messaging app and outed her, other employees called her homophobic slurs, shared unwanted personal information and made threats, she alleged. The station postmaster then allegedly removed her from a supervisory role and replaced her with someone who wasn't outwardly gay or transgender. The employee was briefly able to transfer to another station but ordered back to Culver City, court documents said. Fearing this would exacerbate her depression, she allegedly requested leave as an accommodation but never got a response. Ultimately, she resigned, citing intolerable working conditions, and sued the USPS for subjecting her to a sex-based hostile work environment in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and for disability discrimination under the Rehabilitation Act, among other charges. Experts have cautioned employers that despite the Trump Administration's order requiring federal agencies to recognize 'the biological reality' of two sexes — male and female — and the EEOC's corresponding retreat from enforcing the federal employment rights of LBGTQ+ individuals, Title VII still prohibits these rights from being violated. The U.S. Supreme Court clarified this in a 2020 ruling, Bostock v. Clayton County, which held that Title VII's ban on sex discrimination in the workplace includes protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, Tripp Scott attorneys Paul Lopez and Brittany Hynes explained in a February op-ed to HR Dive. It's important for employers 'to acknowledge that discrimination against transgender and nonbinary individuals remains illegal under federal law, as well as under many state and local laws, and employers need to continue to take measures to ensure that these rights are protected,' Lopez and Hynes wrote. 'Unless the Bostock decision is reversed, employers can anticipate that charges of discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity will continue to be filed,' the attorneys said. In this case, the Postal Service didn't assert that the employee wasn't protected by Title VII. Instead, it made a procedural argument — that certain allegations had to be struck from the lawsuit because they were based on 'discrete acts' and discrete acts can't form the basis of a hostile work environment claim. The court disagreed and allowed the employee to include the allegations in her lawsuit. In a 2002 decision, Nat'l R.R. Passenger Corp. v. Morgan, the Supreme Court explained that a 'discrete discriminatory act,' such as a termination, failure to promote, denial of transfer or a refusal to hire, is a distinct action that occurs on the day it happened. By contrast, a hostile work environment claim 'is composed of a [series] of separate acts that collectively constitute one 'unlawful employment practice,'' the justices said. However, they didn't specifically hold that allegations of discrete acts could not support a hostile work environment claim, the district court noted here. Rather, based on a February ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal, the district court denied the USPS's motion to dismiss the allegations of discrete discriminatory acts. In the 9th Circuit case, the appeals court, which covers federal cases in California, Alaska, Arizona, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington state, found that an alleged discrete act can also be 'part of the series of actions that cumulatively constituted a hostile work environment,' the district court said. The court also rejected the Postal Service's argument that allegations pertaining to three incidents were barred due to the employee's failure to seek timely EEO counseling. These included: the order to return to Culver City; not providing the employee with leave for her depression; and charging her with AWOL when she missed work because of the depression. Additionally, the court refused to dismiss the employee's claims that a Postal Service EEO counselor retaliated against her by allegedly waiting to process one of her claims until after the deadline had passed and by allegedly encouraging her representative to withdraw her EEO case. Sign in to access your portfolio
The Independent
15-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Durham target Hundred team with Ben Stokes despite questions over tournament expansion
Durham are eager to host a Hundred team and believes star player Ben Stokes would be keen to lead the charge, but they acknowledge that the expansion of the tournament may not happen until 2029. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is currently in negotiations with private investors who have committed £520 million to the competition. However, key details, including the possibility of expanding beyond the existing eight teams, remain unresolved. Durham have long been vocal about their desire to join the Hundred and bring the fast-paced format to their home ground, the Riverside. While the ECB's director of business operations, Vikram Banerjee, has expressed support for expansion, some potential investors are hesitant about the impact on future broadcast revenues. Despite the uncertainty, Durham chief executive Tim Bostock remains optimistic. He believes the Hundred will eventually come to the north east, with Stokes as a potential figurehead, but concedes that expansion may be tied to the current broadcast rights deal, which runs until 2028. 'The way the sales have gone, with the money that has been committed, the clear message is they are unlikely to expand before the end of the broadcast deal,' Bostock told the PA news agency. 'I think there will be expansion and when that day comes we are ready. In terms of facilities, demographics, having an international stadium, likely investment, putting a team together, we are ready to go. 'Look at the quality of players we produce for England. We have high-profile players who may be interested in fronting up a Durham franchise…we've got the England captain here. 'I'm sure at some stage Ben would jump at the chance at being the face of it, definitely. All of that works. It's all about timing, but I don't see a better candidate than us.' Stokes has been aligned to the Headingley-based Northern Superchargers since the Hundred launched but has played only a handful of games. He opted out of this year's edition in a bid to manage his fitness and therefore was not retained. Bostock believes adding a ninth team would be a relatively straightforward change and could be done without adding to the tournament's overall footprint. At present teams play their nearest geographical rivals home and away and every other side once. Yet he also expects an expanded fixture list to be on the agenda sooner rather than later as investors seek to maximise value. 'Nine is actually a better number than eight, everyone plays each other once, so it can be done quite easily,' he said. 'But they might decide there is a demand for more games. I don't think they'll be happy with just four home matches. 'The traditional county watcher might fear for the 27 days (the competition's current window). It would be naive to think they won't get more days, but I don't think it will ever be an IPL situation of two or three months. 'There are two ways to increase the matches, more games between themselves or bring more teams in. I think it will organically happen.'
