Latest news with #CambridgeshireLive
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
BBC Escape to the Country couple 'confused' after Jules Hudson announcement
BBC Escape to the Country couple 'confused' after Jules Hudson announcement Escape to the Country house hunters Tracey and Jason were left gobsmacked by the price of their dream home Escape to the Country host Jules Hudson helped a couple find their dream home in Norfolk (Image: BBC ) An Escape to the Country couple was left gobsmacked upon discovering the price tag of their dream abode. In Wednesday's (April 30) episode of the beloved BBC programme, presenter Jules Hudson helped three generations of a family find their ideal rural retreat in Norfolk. Tracey and her husband Jason, along with their three children Daisy, Callum, and Eva, Tracey's mum Elaine, and the family dog Buster, were planning to relocate from Southeast London. The couple decided it was the perfect time for a complete lifestyle overhaul as John is due to retire from the police force at the end of the year, and their two eldest children are at crucial stages in their education. With a budget of £800,000, they were seeking a four-bedroom detached property. It was essential that the house either had an annex for Tracey's mum or the potential to build one, reports Cambridgeshire Live. Escape to the Country host Jules Hudson helped a couple find their dream home in Norfolk (Image: BBC ) They also desired between one and a half to two acres of land to accommodate a Shetland pony, a requirement that Tracey was adamant about. Jules arranged viewings for several properties, but the mystery house was clearly the standout favourite, immediately capturing the couple's hearts. This impressive Grade II-listed property, situated in Scottow, Norfolk, boasted a vaulted kitchen-breakfast room, a sophisticated lounge, and three additional reception rooms. Furthermore, it featured six bedrooms, including a stunning master suite, a self-contained annexe, and a spacious garden. They had a budget of £800,000 available for a four-bedroom detached house (Image: BBC ) The TV presenter enhanced the excitement by disclosing that the property was within their financial reach. He remarked, "Right, then, let's think about your budget of £800,000 and how far it will go." Jason speculated, "Think it's over 800. 825? ! Tracey jumped in: " Tracey interjected with her own estimate: "I'm going to go £850,000." Jules astonished the pair when he announced, "It's on the market for... £750,000." Stunned by the revelation, Jason exclaimed, "Wow. Are you kidding?" Tracey declared confidently, "We'll have that one." Tracey and husband Jason were making the big move from Southeast London to Norfolk (Image: BBC ) Tracey couldn't contain herself as she repeated, "Wow! Wow, wow, wow." Jason confessed, "A lot of stuff in this house and about this house would be on our 'not' wish list. Thatched roof, beams, period property listed." Tracey conceded: "It has all of those things and we love it. Now I'm really confused." Ultimately, it was evident that they had thoroughly fallen for the house. They decided to put forward an offer once their children and Tracey's mother also expressed their endorsement. Article continues below Jules later shared the joyful news that their offer had been accepted and that they were poised to move in just in time for the new academic year to commence. Escape to the Country airs weekdays from 3pm on BBC One and iPlayer
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Changes to DVSA driving penalties coming tomorrow
The DVSA is changing the company which allows it to take payments for roadside fines on Wednesday, May 28 - meaning it could be easier than ever to pay your fine The DVSA is shaking things up by switching the company it uses to process payments for roadside fines from tomorrow (May 28), meaning motorists will be able to use Apple Pay and Google Pay to settle their fines. You'll be able to use your smartphone at the roadside to pay for offences like: fixed penalties for vehicle defects and other offences, such as breaking the rules around drivers' hours immobilisation fees court deposits This revamp means the payment interface for plastic card transactions will get a fresh look. But luckily, users don't need to adapt the way they make payments, and many might not even spot the change. But the addition of Apple Pay and Google Pay options could streamline the process considerably. A DVSA spokesman has said: "Many people will find this quicker and easier than a standard card payment, especially when using a mobile phone." In the UK, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can give roadside fines (also known as Fixed Penalty Notices, or FPNs) for a variety of offenses related to how roadworthy your vehicle is, if you're abiding by driver hour regulations, and licensing —applicable to UK-based and international motorists alike, according to Cambridgeshire Live. Some common reasons for receiving a DVSA roadside fine include: Driver's Hours and Tachograph Offences Exceeding daily or weekly driving time limits. Not taking required breaks or rest periods. Failing to use a tachograph. Using a defective or tampered tachograph. Falsifying or failing to produce tachograph records. Vehicle Roadworthiness Driving with defective brakes, tyres, lights, suspension, or steering. Dangerous load securing or overloaded vehicles. Failure to carry out proper daily walkaround checks. Operating an unroadworthy vehicle (may result in a prohibition as well as a fine). Licensing and Documentation Driving without a valid driver's licence or correct entitlements (e.g., no HGV licence). Operating without a valid Operator's Licence. No MOT certificate (if required). Lack of vehicle insurance or road tax. Failure to produce required documentation (e.g. vehicle registration, insurance). Weight and Load Offences Overloading axles or gross vehicle weight. Incorrect or dangerous load securing. Incorrect use of trailers. Emissions and Mechanical Defects Emissions tampering (e.g., AdBlue cheat devices or DPF removals). Using a vehicle that does not meet emissions standards. Driver Conduct and Road Safety Using a mobile phone while driving. Driving without wearing a seatbelt. Poor vehicle condition leading to immediate prohibition. Excessive vehicle noise or emissions. Fines and Penalties Fines can range from £50 to £300 per offence, depending on severity. Multiple fines can be issued at once (e.g., for both driver hours and vehicle defects). In serious cases, vehicles may be immobilised until issues are resolved or fines are paid. Foreign drivers/operators may be required to pay on-the-spot deposits.
Wales Online
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Escape to the Country buyer breaks down in tears as they make 'hard' admission
Escape to the Country buyer breaks down in tears as they make 'hard' admission Wednesday's edition of Escape to the Country took place on the Norfolk/Suffolk border ETTC: Buyer 'in tears' just minutes into house search An Escape to the Country buyer was left "in tears" just moments into the property hunt on Wednesday (May 21). In the most recent episode of the BBC show, presenter Ginny Buckley met with married couple Debs and Colin, who were keen to relocate to the Norfolk/Suffolk border. The duo had resided in Surrey for 29 years, and had previously attempted to find their dream home seven years prior, but unfortunately, things didn't pan out as planned. "Today's buyers are no strangers to looking for their dream country home. They attempted it seven years ago. Unfortunately, it didn't work out," Ginny clarified. "Debs and Colin were on the verge of buying their dream home seven years ago when the sale fell through just as Colin's London-based work restoring antique furniture increased," reports Cambridgeshire Live. Debs was brought to tears just minutes into the property search Article continues below Escape to the Country buyers stunned as host makes admission minutes into search READ MORE: Debs added: "One minute we were doing it, we were even packed up, and then the rug was pulled from under our feet." With a budget of £500,000, Debs and Colin were hoping to secure a three-bedroom house with character. They desired a spacious kitchen and garden for entertaining their family, which includes ten grandchildren. They also required options for a workshop for Colin's business, as well as convenient transport links to London. Their property hunt kicked off in the town of Forncett End on the Norfolk side of the border. Upon arriving outside a large pink cottage, Debs was immediately moved to tears. "It's beautiful, it's really pretty, I love it. Oh, it's making me cry. It's making me a bit emotional," she confessed as Ginny quickly stepped in to console her. "Well, I'm glad that they're happy tears. Tears are good as long as they're happy ones," Ginny responded. Wednesday's Escape to the Country took place on the Norfolk/Suffolk border Later on, the host took the couple to visit a property on the outskirts of Tivetshall St Margaret. Debs became emotional again as she reflected on their challenging search for their dream home. "It's been a bit of a rough up and down journey and it's just got to be right, and it's got to be special," she said. "I want this dream to be in a house that I can bring my family and friends to and they go, 'Wow, you did it.' I'm crying again!" "It's fine, it's a big thing, it's okay to feel emotional. You've had a hard time, haven't you," Ginny compassionately said. At the end of the episode, Debs and Colin revealed that they would be keeping their eye on the first property and the mystery house, but were focusing their efforts on getting their current home sold. Article continues below Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on BBC One
Wales Online
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Escape to the Country buyers stunned as host makes admission minutes into search
Escape to the Country buyers stunned as host makes admission minutes into search Escape to the Country host Briony May Williams was on hand to help a pair of buyers find their dream home in Suffolk on Monday Escape to the Country presenter Briony May Williams had to reassure a couple after they were stunned by a property in Suffolk on Monday (May 19). In the latest instalment of the BBC programme, Briony met married couple Lucy and Charlie, who wanted to live in the picturesque Suffolk countryside. The couple both work as physiotherapists in the NHS and live in a two bedroom flat in south east London with their two-and-a half-year-old daughter Maisie, and three-month-old baby Oliver. "We probably outgrew that when Maisie was born, but certainly now that Ollie's arrived, we've definitely outgrown it," Charlie shared. With £525,000 at their disposal, Lucy and Charlie were in search of a home with historical charm - preferably a detached or semi-detached property with a minimum of three bedrooms and ample garden space. Monday's Escape to the Country took place in Suffolk Article continues below Their ideal location would place them within a 45-minute commute of Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds, where they aimed to secure new jobs, reports Cambridgeshire Live. Briony first showed them around a Coddenham property before leading them to a Grade II listed former pub nestled in Poslingford. The pub was thought to have been built in the mid-1800s, and was converted into a private home in the late 1980s. It had four reception rooms, four bedrooms, a double garage and a country kitchen with a utility area. As the trio approached the detached house, which was located on a quiet country lane that ran through the centre of the village, Lucy and Charlie were left speechless at its bright pink colour. "Oh wow!" they both exclaimed together, with Lucy adding: "It's big and pink! Colourful." Lucy and Charlie had a two-word reaction to a bright pink property Briony quickly reassured the couple, stating: "Now, this colour is basically synonymous with Suffolk." Charlie then joked: "If you said to me, 'What colour house would you have?' I wouldn't have gone pink. It wasn't the one." Lucy and Charlie were taken aback by the home's spacious interior, but had concerns about the safety of the garden for their young children. Article continues below Later, the couple told Briony that they were going to "rethink" their search, as they wanted to prioritise finding a property with more garden space for their children. "We definitely need to compromise somewhere. I think a slightly smaller property but with potential to gradually, over the years, add bits on or move around a little bit, will work better for us," Lucy concluded. Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on BBC One
Edinburgh Live
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Live
Prince George 'made huge decision' at VE Day event as plans become clear
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Prince George made an unexpected appearance at a VE Day event, earning praise from both experts and veterans. The young royal joined his parents on the Buckingham Palace balcony for the anniversary fly past, but also accompanied his father, Prince William, to meet World War Two veterans - an engagement he wasn't originally scheduled to attend. During this meeting, George interacted with individuals who served in a conflict that ended long before he or his parents were born. Hello! magazine reported that one veteran warmly welcomed George's presence. They told the prince: "It's very important you're here today. It's days like this that we should use to talk about things like this, so the younger generation can have some understanding." World War Two veterans weren't the only ones impressed by George. Author Robert Jobson also praised the strategy employed by his parents. He commented: "I thought it was a really good move by William and Princess Kate." He added: "They are preparing him for public life. Kids can find it difficult to meet people, shake their hands and look them in the eye, but he does it very well." Mr Jobson isn't alone in his observations as former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond suggested that the entire outing was part of a smart strategy by the Prince and Princess of Wales, reports Cambridgeshire Live. Speaking to The Mirror, she expressed her delight at seeing Prince George in a more relaxed setting. She said: "I love seeing [George] at football matches when he can let his hair down. "But at big events like this, he looks as if he is taking it all in, and understanding that his life will be punctuated by national occasions where his will be a key role. And I'm sure his parents have schooled him in how to behave and what it all means. "I think they had prepared him to sit down with some of the veterans, and he looked genuinely interested and concerned to hear their stories of the war." Jennie pointed out the significance of George's interactions with the veterans, noting that it was an experience not shared by his younger siblings, Princess Charlotte, 10, or Prince Louis, seven, but one that is essential considering his future responsibilities. She explained: "The VE Day commemorations may be the only opportunity George will ever have of speaking to men and women who served their King and country during the war. "One day he will be Chief of the Armed Forces himself, and he may well look back at some of those conversations and be glad that he had the chance to meet some of the few remaining veterans." Highlighting William's parenting approach, she observed: "It was noticeable that William sometimes put George first and foremost, letting him sit with veterans while he hovered behind. That was a clever and reassuring way for William to mentor his son."
