Latest news with #HMSWarrior
BBC News
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Who will win Radio 1's Giant Face Off? - A Friday finale awaits Greg James and Jamie Laing
Update: Date: 17:43 BST Title: We're wrapping up coverage for the day Content: See you tomorrow at 7am for the big finale. Here's a round up of today's action The day started with a 'flag in a haystack' game on Tom the Young Farmer's farm. Dean McCullough (Team Greg) managed to win a flag for his side. "This victory feels sweet, with a hint of manure," he said. Here's Dean holding the tiny flag in triumph Listener Lily then secured another flag for Team Greg via a Cornish bakery. Everything was looking rosy for our Breakfast Show host. But the scores were narrowed again via Katie, who made her way to Happy Bottom Nature Reserve after clues were spotted via BBC Bristol Our DJs Charlie Hedges and Lauren Layfield were summoned to play a daft game involving eggs. They had to create contraptions that would protect an egg being thrown from the top of HMS Warrior. No idea why, but Lauren won the game with a very nice feat of engineering. Another win for Team Jamie. And after more shenanigans and flag-finding in the Shetland Islands, a showdown awaited our DJs in North Wales. First one down a 100mph zip wire would secure a flag - Team Greg knew they needed just one more flag to win the whole game. But it was the awesome Ore who won the North Wales race, zooming via zip wire to pick up a crucial flag for Team Jamie. This means the game will reach its summit tomorrow morning (Fri 25 July) in Newcastle. Update: Date: 17:36 BST Title: Greg and Jamie have been summoned to the North East Content: A new message from the mysterious studio phone You're at a 9-9 split. There's a big gap in the North East. The weather in Newcastle is looking pretty good tomorrow. Maybe check it out. Also, why don't you bring one of your teammates for you? Lots of love, phone. Update: Date: 17:29 BST Title: Get Involved Content: Can't believe it. Ore's already at the top?! Rachel in Birmingham I'm team Greg! I thought we had it in the bag! Jade in Hastings I think we all need to take a collective breath Sam MacGregor, Team Jamie For those wondering, Alyx still got to go on the zip wire Update: Date: 17:23 BST Title: "One of the best experiences of my life" Content: Our victor of the latest flag, Ore Olukoga, is buzzing to have won a crucial flag for Team Jamie. We don't have confirmation of this yet, but we think this means the game continues until Friday! Ore wins it for Team Jamie Update: Date: 17:19 BST Title: New flag for Team Jamie! Content: Via a 100mph zip wire Alyx (Team Greg) knew that if she got to the zip wire first, she would get the 10th - and final - flag for her side. The game would be over. But by the time she arrived on site, she spotted her rival Ore (Team Jamie) already by the flags. He'd already completed the zip wire! Much to Alyx's dismay. "I can't swear because I'm live on Radio 1, but..." It's 9-9. So this game is going right to the (zip) wire. Update: Date: 16:51 BST Title: Alyx Holcombe is speeding to the zip line Content: Can she bag the final flag team Greg needs? Our latest clue points to the zip wire in Penrhyn Quarry and we heard from Ore Olukoga who is running to get that flag for team Jamie, but Sam and Danni were struggling to get through to Alyx Holcombe who is repping team Greg. Luckily for Greg, we've just heard from Alyx who was struggling with patchy phone signal. She said she's just 20 minutes away from the zip wire but will she get there in time to bag the win for Greg? The whole game hinges on who gets this flag as Greg just needs one more to win the entire game. Danni pointed this out to Alyx for a bit of motivation, to which she replied: "It's quite a lot of pressure though isn't it Danni!" Update: Date: 16:33 BST Title: Ore's been briefed to get the next flag via a zip wire Content: Meanwhile, nobody can get hold of Alyx Holcombe on Team Greg Ore OlukogaTeam Jamie "Ok, I've never done a zip wire in my life. Oh my word." "I'm here to win. I can worry about my fear of heights a bit later." Update: Date: 16:20 BST Title: A new clue! Content: A new clue's popped up on Netflix's socials, tagging Greg and Jamie, external. It features a clip from comedy show I Think You Should Leave - a funny sketch in which Tim Robinson's character is in a Love Island-style villa, but only wants to use a zipwire. Netflix's caption reads: "are you only here for the zipline?" And subtitles on the clip are in Welsh. So we think this means our Wales-based presenters, Alyx and Ore, need to head to zip world in Penrhyn Quarry. A new clue posted by Netflix UK Update: Date: 16:15 BST Title: We have entered 5-a-side territory with the latest score Content: Next goal wins? Update: Date: 16:13 BST Title: New flag won for Team Greg! Content: One flag away from glory Listener Chloe moved quickly - she's at the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse in Shetland. Chloe was in the middle of baking a cake when she heard about Shetland's involvement in the Giant Face Off. She had two flags to choose from, as per. And she went for Team Greg! "I hope your cake is absolutely disgusting," joked Team Jamie rep Sam MacGregor. 9-8 to Greg Update: Date: 16:04 BST Title: To the lighthouse! Content: Shannon from Shetland (who has a Shetland pony called Aoife) is 15 minutes' drive from the lighthouse. She just picked her daughter up from childcare - she says she's going to head over and find out what all the fuss is about. Go on Shannon! Update: Date: 15:52 BST Title: It would take Sam MacGregor 22 hours to drive to the Shetland Islands Content: So he needs your help - text/WhatsApp 03700 100 100 Sam MacGregorRadio 1 DJ (Team Jamie) "If you live there, good for you, it looks beautiful. But do us a job please. We need you to find the flag on the lighthouse!" Update: Date: 15:41 BST Title: Here's what's at stake Content: Giant Face Off forfeits Greg JamesBBC Radio 1 Breakfast host If I win, I also get to become godfather of Jamie Laing's child. If he wins, I go back and do the Going Home show, like it's 2015. And Jamie has also promised to stop all the avenues of joy in my life. I'm quite worried about that, actually. Update: Date: 15:30 BST Title: It's 8-8 - all square Content: Matt EdmondsonRadio 1 presenter (Team Jamie) Two flags to win it, first to 10. It was looking bad for Jamie earlier, but it's looking up now. Is it going to get done today? It very well might do. Update: Date: 15:09 BST Title: Any listeners in Shetland? Content: We're 99% sure our latest clue is directing Teams Greg and Jamie to the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse. Text/WhatsApp 03700 100 100 to get in touch (full contact details here). Update: Date: 15:00 BST Title: We've passed the 3pm deadline for flags being 'stolen' by another team Content: So that's it, Greg has 8 flags, Jamie has 8. Any more flags won need to be new and previously undiscovered - no funny business. One is in North Wales, and now one appears to be on a lighthouse in the Shetland Islands. That's where those new cryptic coordinates are pointing to. We're hoping to hear from Ore Olukoga and Alyx Holcombe (pictured below next to team colours) soon to find out how their Wales ventures are going. Update: Date: 14:57 BST Title: A new clue: Where do these coordinates point to? Content: Radio 1's in-house studio phone just rang, and it's given us another clue. The latest message says: It's me, your best friend, the phone. We've only got 3 more flags to find. How about you try looking here.. 59.8543N 1.2746W Update: Date: 14:47 BST Title: We finally have visuals on the egg contraptions Content: The moment you've been waiting for We've been sent some pics of Charlie and Lauren's #egggate inventions. It very much looks like a low-budget episode of Taskmaster, and we're here for it. Lauren's was the winner. An engineering triumph. We hope she's kept hold of it. Update: Date: 14:24 BST Title: It's a flag win for Team Jamie! Content: The scores are level again This wasn't an easy flag to win. Our Portsmouth-based presenters were tasked with making egg vessels out of recyclable goods. The eggs, in their parcels, were to be be dropped on the floor from the top of the HMS Warrior, and the presenter with the most eggs still in fact wins a flag. Lauren (Team Jamie) attempted something daring, an engineering feat - a yoghurt pot attached to a plastic bag, with blown up rubber gloves underneath the pot. Charlie (Team Greg) went with coffee cup with lots of bubble wrap inside, resembling a handbag in design. But who won the game? Both receptacles landed relatively comfortably. An independent adjudicator declared this a win for Team Jamie. "As predicted, a hot air balloon would perform better than a handbag." Update: Date: 14:10 BST Title: What exactly is Radio 1's Giant Face Off? Content: We are three days in to a very chaotic, daft game on Radio 1. If you're new to the Giant Face Off, allow Greg James to explain... This video can not be played Greg James explains the rules for Radio 1's silly game of the summer.
Daily Mirror
17-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
British coastal city is among cheapest places to go on holiday in UK at £108
Holidaymakers can snag a night in Portsmouth for a mere £108 (Image: Westend61 via Getty Images) Brits eager to soak up the summer sun are eyeing weekend staycations, with many on the hunt for the most budget-friendly spots within the UK. Aqua, a credit card company, has divulged its top picks for the most economical UK destinations. Portsmouth emerges as a standout choice, boasting a blend of rich history, stunning scenery, and affordability. Aqua highlights: "From the historic charm of the Spinnaker Tower to the vibrant waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, this coastal city offers plenty to see and do without breaking the bank." This south coast haven is celebrated for its naval heritage and picturesque docks, ranking high among the UK's top three cost-effective staycation locations. Travellers can enjoy a night's stay in Portsmouth for as cheap as £108 (Image: Getty) According to the research by Aqua, holidaymakers can snag a night in Portsmouth for a mere £108, narrowly undercutting Eastbourne's £112 lodgings, and trailing just behind Blackpool's even more modest £82 rate, reports the Express. But it's not all about the savings; Portsmouth's enchanting historical quarters, especially the charming Old Town with its traditional cobblestone lanes, are drawing more and more Brits to discover its unique allure. One Tripadvisor reviewer highlighted the area's charm, mentioning the opportunity for a "nice walk to do and view the old town" and commending it for being "very well maintained," which "gives an idea of what it was like." This view was shared by fellow travellers, with one visitor describing it as "a lovely place for a chilled walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A great selection of pubs, shops and places to eat." For holidaymakers wanting a blend of heritage experiences and seaside relaxation, Portsmouth proves an excellent destination. The city offers walkable streets and numerous budget-friendly or complimentary attractions, alongside the obvious coastal pleasures. The Millennium Promenade connects major waterfront spots via a spectacular seaside route packed with family attractions including the Historic Dockyard, the Spinnaker Tower, and nearby Southsea Castle. 'Charming' UK coastal city is one of cheapest summer staycations with £108 stays (Image: Getty) The Historic Dockyard features engaging exhibitions and legendary vessels such as HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, creating an excellent full-day experience for youngsters and grown-ups alike. Budget-conscious visitors will appreciate that several on-site museums offer joint admission deals, enabling guests to discover various exhibitions. A brief walk leads to the Spinnaker Tower, which provides spectacular panoramas across Portsmouth Harbour and the Isle of Wight. Thrill-seekers can experience the glass-floor skywalk. Entry fees remain affordable, with reductions frequently offered for advance online purchases. Southsea Castle, built for Henry VIII, is nestled within stunning grounds and houses a modest museum that delves into its tumultuous past, including the accidental explosion that caused significant damage to the castle.
Daily Mirror
18-06-2025
- Daily Mirror
Picturesque UK coastal city one of cheapest summer staycations
One UK coastal city has been listed as one of the cheapest summer staycation destinations, with travellers able to enjoy a night's stay for just £108, according to a new study Brits keen to soak up the summer sun without venturing far are eyeing up weekend staycations, and they're on the hunt for a bargain. For those weighing their UK getaway options, it seems certain spots are emerging as wallet-friendly winners. Credit card company Aqua has revealed where thrifty travellers should be heading, with Portsmouth said to stand out for its deal for its history, stunning views, and affordability. Aqua explained: "From the historic charm of the Spinnaker Tower to the vibrant waterfront at Gunwharf Quays, this coastal city offers plenty to see and do without breaking the bank." Portsmouth, with its legendary maritime heritage and picturesque docks, is one of a trio of top budget-friendly staycation destinations across the nation. Visitors can enjoy Portsmouth without busting the budget, says the study, with a night's stay available for as little as £108, just ahead of Eastbourne's £112 accommodation, but a bit more than Blackpool's frugal £82 rate, reports the Express. However, it's not just about the price, as the postcard-worthy charm of the city's Old Town with its cobblestone lanes is pulling in Brits. One Tripadvisor user highlighted the charm of the area, picking out the "nice walk to do and view the old town" and praising it for being "very well maintained," which "gives an idea of what it was like." This sentiment was mirrored by other travellers, with one user describing it as "a lovely place for a chilled walk away from the hustle and bustle of the city. A great selection of pubs, shops and places to eat." For those seeking a blend of cultural activities and seaside relaxation, Portsmouth is a top pick. It offers a pedestrian-friendly layout and a range of free or reasonably priced attractions, not to mention a day out at the beach. The Millennium Promenade, connecting key seafront spots, is a breathtaking coastal path filled with family-friendly highlights such as the Historic Dockyard, the Spinnaker Tower and the nearby Southsea Castle. The Historic Dockyard is packed with interactive exhibits and iconic ships like HMS Victory and HMS Warrior, making it an ideal all-day destination for both children and adults. For those looking to get value for their money, many of the on-site museums offer combined ticket options, allowing visitors to explore multiple exhibits. A short walk away, the Spinnaker Tower provides stunning views over Portsmouth Harbour and the Isle of Wight. For the more daring, there's a glass-floor skywalk. Tickets are reasonably priced, and discounts are often available for online bookings. Southsea Castle, a historic fortress built for Henry VIII, is nestled amidst stunning grounds and houses a quaint museum that explains its tumultuous past, including an accidental explosion that caused significant damage to the castle.
Telegraph
09-03-2025
- General
- Telegraph
‘A bloke with tattoos on his face started on me over an umbrella': My day of drinking in Britain's pub capital
The HMS Warrior stands proud in Portsmouth Harbour as rain raps the windows of the Lady Hamilton. It's Friday afternoon and the dockside pub is busy with a mature crowd. Perfectly permed ladies and besuited gents tuck into roast dinners – served here seven days a week – while a kettle boils on the bar. It's a snapshot of a bygone Britain that's fading away. Also fading is the certificate above the bar reminding patrons that the Lady Hamilton – named after Nelson's mistress – was voted the third best pub in Portsmouth in 2018. Past glories. 'Pompey' has plenty of those. Oscar Whild has a few, too. The Navy veteran, who's drinking in the pub with family and friends, has the rare distinction of having captained the HMS Victory. Yes, the ship that Nelson died on in the Battle of Trafalgar. It's in dry dock in the nearby Historic Dockyard and is – technically – still in service. 'It's the oldest commissioned warship in the world,' says Whild, proudly, as a nearby fruit machine makes promises of riches. 'If it all kicks off in Ukraine, we're ready to go.' It might come to that the way things are going. Only the Victory would 'sink in seconds' if they put it on the water, says Whild, who oversaw ceremonial events and maintenance. 'It's just a constant replacing of wood,' he says. Whild also served in the Gulf War and Falklands, where he was hit by shrapnel on the deck of HMS Broadsword during an Argentinian air raid. 'It was only a scratch,' he says. 'My family got a message to say that I'd been injured and was coming home on the QE2 to Southampton. It wasn't true; the lines of communication had got mixed up. They went down [to Southampton], but I wasn't there.' It's not every day that you get to meet a former captain, let alone of such a distinguished vessel. But pubs are great levellers, you never know who you might find in one. And Portsmouth – birthplace of Charles Dickens, who liked a drink – reputedly has more per square mile than anywhere else in Britain. Other cities make similar boasts – including St Albans, scene of another pub crawl for this paper – but the (contested) data appears to support Pompey's claim. For now. 'We've lost a lot of them,' says Whild. 'You never used to walk more than 100 yards for a pub.' Portsmouth's taverns used to be rich pickings for Navy press gangs, who went around the city preying on drunk men in the 17th- and 18th-centuries. 'They'd club them over the head, drag them to the ships and take them to fight the French before they sobered up,' says Whild. Back then Portsmouth was the world's greatest naval port. It's still a naval base today, but no ships have been built here since 2013, when 500 years of shipbuilding came to an inglorious end. 'I don't know who the biggest employer is now,' sighs Whild. 'It's probably the DHS.' I leave the Lady Hamilton and head towards Old Portsmouth, passing Gunwharf Quays on the way. The sprawling retail complex rose from the rubble of a former ordinance site, but the only firepower here nowadays is Nandos' peri-peri chicken. Old Portsmouth's pretty, cobbled streets are a welcome contrast to the rough and ready harbour. I dive into The Dolphin opposite the cathedral, which claims to be Pompey's oldest pub. There, under the low-beamed ceiling, a stag party is playing où est le poulet? (Where is the chicken?). The game involves dressing the stag up as a chicken and sending him off to hide in one of 10 pre-agreed pubs. While he's there, spending a kitty that the rest have paid into, the other lads split up and look for him. 'You have to have a pint in every pub you look in,' says Freddy Urquhart, the surprisingly sober stag, who's dressed as Snow White. 'They didn't have a chicken costume,' he explains. Urquhart, who's from Oxford and works for an animal charity, is with three pals who have found him already. 'Three others are still looking for me.' I leave them to it and head to nearby Still & West, a shipshape Grade II-listed gastro pub at the harbour entrance. 'We're a bit of a tourist attraction,' coos Barry Martin, a manager at the pub, as Isle of Wight-bound ferries sail past the window. 'People sit here for hours watching the ships go by.' It certainly beats doom scrolling on X. I join them for a bit before returning to the harbour. Big mistake. Dockside Pompey is a different beast. Gone are the genial pensioners. It's a boisterous, blokey affair now, especially in the Ship Anson, long a favoured haunt for rowdy sailors. Recalling a tip from Martin, I head instead to Albert Road in nearby Southsea, following tree-lined streets where birds twitter in bushes and stout Edwardian homes have me scrolling Rightmove. In the distance, a wheezing hovercraft sets off for the Isle of Wight. Albert Street is lined with bars and restaurants and has a welcome buzz. There's a theatre, a live music venue – the Wedgewood Rooms – and proper boozers, including the Duke of Devonshire, where I arrange to meet my old pal 'Disco', a proud Pompey lad. As I walk into the pub, I immediately upset a bloke with tattoos on his face because I have an umbrella. He gets up and walks towards me but is intercepted, mercifully, by a woman I presume to be his wife. 'It's only an umbrella, dear,' she says, calmingly. He sits back down as the Stones come on the jukebox. The mood lifts. At the bar, a friendly lady called Deborah* sidles over to me. She's old enough to be my mum. She came out for a drink 'about a day ago', she says, but is still out. She whispers some French into my ear and tells me that it's 'nice to meet someone sane', proving she's a bad judge of character. I make my excuses and find a table near some guy who looks like an extra in Peaky Blinders and a bloke in a Hawaiian shirt. It's 5C outside. Characters – there just aren't enough of them these days. Speaking of characters, in walks Disco. I tell him about my day in Portsmouth's pubs; about the Navy veteran, Snow White, Deborah, the guy a few tables over who nearly started on me. He sips his pint and laughs. 'Classic Pompey,' he says. 'You've got to love it.' Love's a strong word, but in the haze of a tipsy hour, I feel a certain soft spot for the salty old seadog. *This name has been changed
BBC News
13-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Valentine's Day: Meet the couples in Coventry ready to spread the love at mass celebration
Valentine's Day will be a particularly special occasion for 79 couples this year who are getting ready to reaffirm their love for each other in a BBC-hosted event at Coventry Cathedral. The celebration, organised by BBC Radio CWR, will see them simultaneously redeclare their commitment to each other on Friday. Each of the couples have their own unique love stories and their own motivations for taking part in the occasion and here are some of them: Michelle and Adam Bird Michelle and Adam had an unconventional start to their love story, first meeting at a bus stop as school children. When she was 16, Michelle said she decided to ask her future husband to marry her, despite the pair never dating. This year marked their 30th year of marriage and the couple are looking to reaffirm their love in these special circumstances after a dream trip to Hawaii, five years ago, was cancelled due to the pandemic. Richard and Karin Burke Richard and Karin first went on a blind date more than 20 years ago in a Coventry nightclub after a Gavin and Stacey-style meet over the phone at all did not go to plan as Richard had told Karin he looked like the presenter and actor Richard misheard and so said she was surprised when they met as she thought her future husband said Richard Bacon - and she was looking for a lookalike to the almost separating a year ago, they have decided Friday is the time to show their commitment to their love. Angela and Chris Egan Angela and Chris, from Mancetter, will affirm their commitment to each other after he reproposed to her- with a Haribo ring. The couple of 25 years got married on HMS Warrior in December 2001 which docked in the USA. Their wedding was followed by a private blessing in the New York district of the Bronx while on honeymoon. Gloria and James Davies Gloria and James Davies got married 50 years ago last August after meeting at the Court Ballroom Dancing School in pair have travelled all over the world, living in Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt as well as Ho Chi Minh, said they wanted to mark their golden wedding anniversary by celebrating their marriage at Coventry Cathedral. Kirsty and Donovan Shears Kirsty and Donovan Shears met completely by chance in 1998. Donovan, who had been given his first mobile phone for his 18th birthday, sent random texts to a few made-up numbers. Out of several messages to the unknown numbers which he made from the Coventry pub where he was working that night, Kirsty in Cleethorpes was the only one to reply."That single moment led to over 20 years of love, laughter, and partnership," Kirsty said. Donovan said they are looking forward to celebrating their love as a family on Valentine's can hear full coverage of this special event on BBC Radio CWR from 06:00 GMT on Friday as well as coverage online on the BBC website and BBC Midlands Today. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
