Latest news with #GeorgeAndMildred
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Headlines: VE Day commemorations and play-off hopes
Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app. What have been the big stories in the West this week? The week was dominated by commemorations to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, or VE Day. ITV West Country spoke to members of Bristol's Sikh community who came together at the Sikh war memorial in Castle Park to reflect on their contributions to the war The Swindon Advertiser has spoken to a 99-year-old World War Two veteran about her VE Day memoriesA large 250-year-old oak tree felled in Bradford-on-Avon has upset some of its residents, according to the Wiltshire TimesBristol Rovers confirmed the return of Darrell Clarke this week as their new manager until 2028, six-and-a-half years on from his departure, reported Bristol Live. The previous head coach Inigo Calderon was sacked following the team's relegation from League finally, Gloucestershire Live reported a GoFundMe had started to raise money for a memorial in Bourton-on-the-Water, for two famous feathered citizens, George and Mildred - a pair of geese who were killed recently. Top five stories for the BBC in the West Something longer to read The impact of the recent local elections is still being felt in Gloucestershire. Gloucestershire Live and the Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to several ousted councillors, who gave reflections on what went wrong for their respective parties. The Liberal Democrats are now the largest group on the council with 27 councillors, with Reform the second largest at 11 councillors. Explore more with our daily roundups
BBC News
08-05-2025
- BBC News
Thousands raised for memorial to geese killed in Cotswolds crash
Thousands raised for memorial after geese killed Just now Share Save Bea Swallow BBC News, West of England Share Save Cheryl Agg There has been an outpouring of grief from villagers, with many writing poems and laying flowers at the crash site A fundraiser set up to help cover cremation costs and a memorial for two geese killed in a crash has raised more than £3,500. George and Mildred were cherished by the community in Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, and could often be spotted lounging on the riverbank together. The inseparable pair were hit by a driver on Landsdowne Road at about 17:45 BST on 30 April. The driver spoke to police voluntarily and will not face prosecution. Keith Steer, who lives opposite their riverside stomping ground, said he came upon the "shocking" scene and voluntarily paid £300 to have them cremated out of respect. "I thought we can't leave them where they are because it's so hot, and children might pass by, or the foxes could get them overnight. I couldn't let that happen," he said. "I had a tear in my eye when I saw them. I didn't understand how somebody could do that." Keith Steer Mr Steer said the geese would regularly spend time in his garden There has been an outpouring of grief from villagers, with many writing poems and laying flowers at the crash site. Mr Steer said the birds had called Bourton-on-the-Water home for the past four years, and residents felt they deserved a more dignified ending. The money raised will go towards installing a memorial on the riverside. Suggestions from the community include a mural, a pair of bronze statues, a wooden bench and plaque, or a road sign to remind drivers of the 20mph speed limit. "That could have been two small children or an older person trying to get across the road. It could have been horrific," Mr Steer said. "I didn't expect [the fundraiser] to reach the amount it has. It just shows how much people cared about them, and how much they'll be missed." Sarah Dugdale The geese were described by locals as "endearing characters" who were very protective of each other Resident Cleo Carruthers says "the community is in mourning" following their deaths. "People are really going to miss them, they brightened our days and it was so lovely to have them here," she added. "I felt so honoured that they came here and chose to stay. It's a tragedy as far as people here are concerned." Ms Carruthers said speeding was an issue in the area and urged both residents and visitors to "respect the wildlife and the rules of the road" to prevent another loss. 0:14 Residents have said the community "is in mourning" over the loss of the geese Cotswold Neighbourhood Policing team said the driver had voluntarily come forward with his details and would not face prosecution. "We understand the upset this has caused in the local community and want to reassure people that we are aware of the incident and enquiries are taking place," it added. "The investigation shows no offences in relation to the Wildlife and Countryside Act." Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.
The Independent
04-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Sitcom stars lead tributes to ‘wonderful' Man About The House actor Brian Murphy
George And Mildred and Man About The House star Brian Murphy has been remembered as a 'wonderful' actor by his fellow classic sitcom stars Jeffrey Holland and Vicki Michelle. Murphy died aged 92 at his home in Kent on Sunday morning with his wife, Hi-de-Hi! actress Linda Regan, by his side, his agent said. He also starred as Nora Batty's (Kathy Staff) neighbour Alvin Smedley in Last Of The Summer Wine, and appeared in a host of other TV shows, including comedy series The Catherine Tate Show, Benidorm and This Is Jinsy. Regan, who married Murphy in 1990 after they starred opposite each other in a play as husband and wife, said: 'I was lucky to have in my lifetime found my soulmate Brian, who I will love forever.' Murphy had not retired, and was filming for a comedy before Christmas and had been due to start production on a road movie in June in which he would star alongside Regan as a husband and wife duo. Hi-de-Hi! actor Holland wrote on X that he and his wife, On The Up actress Judy Buxton, are 'very sorry to hear of the passing of dear' Murphy. He added that he was a 'wonderful actor', and he had 'fond memories of appearing with him in Ray Cooney's (comedy play) Run For Your Wife in London's West End and Vancouver'. 'Our thoughts are with Linda at this sad time,' Holland added. 'Sleep well old friend.' 'Allo 'Allo! star and soap actress Michelle wrote: 'So so sad to hear of the passing of Brian Murphy. Great actor and gorgeous friend, always fun. 'My heart goes out to Linda and family. Such a wonderful couple. Lovely memory at my Lady Ratlings lunch in May. RIP Brian. Sending lots of love.' Murphy came to the public's attention with ITV's Man About The House, a popular sitcom that began airing in 1973, and spawned a US version called Three's Company. It saw Murphy play landlord George Roper, opposite the late Yootha Joyce as his wife Mildred Roper, who wants to climb up the social ladder and drives him crazy. The show, which ended in 1976 was considered controversial for the time because it featured two single women living with a man, and led to a spin-off with Murphy and Joyce starring in George And Mildred, which ran for five series until 1979. In the 1960s Murphy appeared in Z-Cars, a TV police drama also featuring Judy Matheson, who said in her tribute to him on X: 'Heartbroken about the death of my dear friend of over 50 years, Brian Murphy. ' One of the finest actors I have known, and one of the kindest.' Born on September 25 1932 on the Isle of Wight, he trained at The Royal Academy Of Dramatic Art after completing National Service with the RAF. He started his career in the 1950s as a member of the Theatre Workshop, founded by Joan Littlewood, and appeared in both the stage and 1962 film version of Littlewood's comedy Sparrows Can't Sing, the latter starring Barbara Windsor and James Booth. He also performed in First World War musical satire Oh! What A Lovely War. Murphy was a jobbing actor before appearing in TV shows including The Avengers and Z-Cars, and ITV sitcom The Incredible Mr Tanner in 1981 and BBC's L For Lester in 1982. In 1993, he starred in the first major stage version of The Invisible Man, based on the science fiction classic by HG Wells. In the noughties, he portrayed Maurice in The Booze Cruise alongside Martin Clunes and Neil Pearson, and from 2011 he appeared in The Cafe. In later years, he voiced the character Mr Lovelybuns for the animated series Claude, based on Alex T Smith's best-selling books. Murphy's agent Thomas Bowington told the PA news agency the actor was told he had cancer in his spine and shoulders after 'a sudden attack' that saw the actor develop a pain in his back around three weeks ago. His agent remembered him as a 'sprinkler of joy on stage, screen and in life' and as a person who was 'joyful, warm, kind and caring to everyone'. Murphy had shot scenes for a comedy series in November last year and was due to start filming for a feature film, with a working title of The Last Goodbye, directed by Jason Figgis, about 'life late in life', his agent said. Mr Bowington said Regan still plans to star in the film but they will 'need to take a breath first' before casting her co-star because he said 'Brian is not easily replaced'. Murphy is survived by his wife and two sons.
