Latest news with #Mellor
Forbes
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Forbes
Aston Martin 'Spy Car': Spy And Mistress Tour Europe Stealing War Plans
Now "Ulster bodied", this Aston Martin's wartime spy secrets can now be revealed. Tell me the plot, I say. "A British Army intelligence officer drives around Europe, just before World War 2, with his mistress, who's actually somebody else's wife and pretending she's Dutch, but really German," says retired construction company CEO Neil Pickstone. "They're masquerading as tourists in a 1935 Aston Martin, which has been fitted with secret compartments engineered by Aston and the Royal Automobile Club. "They befriend young, wealthy German army officers, steal German war plan documents, take photos of military installations, smuggling them back to Britain in those hidden compartments, and never get caught despite being stopped and the car being dismantled by the Gestapo." It sounds like a Netflix or Apple TV thriller. Except it's true, actually rather more extensive, and thoroughly documented, coming to light when two men from Cheshire, England, Pickstone and friend Simon Isles, bought the seen-better-days Aston in 2022. They'd been told the car was used to smuggle currency out of Nazi Germany, but became increasingly aware things didn't add up... Originally an Aston Martin Mark 2 Sports Saloon, the spy car chassis is retained under the "Ulster" ... More body. The car is now a faithful recreation of an "Ulster-bodied" 1930s Aston Martin race car. In the hands of British Army intelligence officer Robert William Fenton "Tony" Mellor it was a 1935 Aston Martin Mk2, but the original body way beyond repair. So Pickstone and Isles rebodied it, but retained its secrets. "Its original owner, Lieutenant, later Major, Mellor was born to a wealthy family. Come the threat of a second World War, back then there was no government budget for intelligence work. Much of it was self-funded by well-off military officers," said Pickstone. "Buying the Aston Martin in 1937, at 25, was a considered decision: in 1930s Germany, army officers were also from wealthy backgrounds. They enjoyed racing their cars, so when Mellor and mistress Ellen Magnee turned up in Germany in the the Aston, seemingly as rich tourists, German officers recognised it as a fast car and engaged in conversation; Mellor got to know them, taking opportunities to gather all sorts of intelligence". The only known image of Major Tony Mellor and his Aston Martin "spy car" comes out of storage. In parallel with deceiving German military officers, Mellor was developing close ties to the French Resistance. The Aston Martin became key to some of their missions, so appearances, especially during night-time car-bound exploits, were crucial. Fenton fitted Bosch headlights to replicate the look of a German staff car at night. He also stole a German military vehicle "exhaust whistle", diverted exhaust gasses sounding their imminent arrival at checkpoints, barriers lifted in advance, Mellor and his French Resistance passengers hurtling through at 80mph leaving guards little chance of spotting the night-time ruse. Such antics were just part of the documented story, archived in files that came with the Aston and in Mellor's Cheshire Regiment museum. "The car came with a story about helping Jewish people pre-war, smuggling silver and currency out of Germany," said Pickstone. "It came with the secret compartments, the altered exhaust, and all the bits and pieces that made it special. "But the story about smuggling currency was fabricated. This was a spy story." Pickstone and Isles knitted together Mellor's memoires, the car's history file and archived accounts of then-fellow officers to piece together an extraordinary tale. It also raised the question of why, when a senior officer spoke about recommending Major Mellor for the Victoria Cross (the highest military bravery honour) there was a resounding silence from then military chiefs. However, Mellor was awarded the Croix de Guerre with Vermilion Star for his contribution to the French war effort. One of the secret compartments, the large tube, in situ. The Gestapo missed its hidden secrets even ... More after dismantling the Aston. In the car's file is a letter from Aston Martin to Mellor. It notes his attendance at the Aston Martin factory where he was instructed in repair and maintenance of the car on his European "tours". "The letter to Mellor is for, whatever purpose, from Aston Martin to confirm he spent time working in the factory on his car. We believe it's to document what he'd allegedly been doing for six weeks while out of barracks. We believe he was actually designing secret compartments," said Pickstone. "The first modification was a cross tube on the chassis. It had a locking mechanism that couldn't be spotted unless you knew what you were looking for," said Isles. Meanwhile, the Royal Automobile Club provided a battery. It worked normally, but also had a hidden compartment. "Just pre-war he was travelling around Europe with Ellen Magnee and got stopped by the Gestapo. They stripped the car, but found nothing," says Pickstone."In the archives there's evidence he said it was a good job because he had the plans for the Siegfried Line hidden in the secret compartments." The restored German Army officer staff car exhaust whistle. Mellor Captures 500 German Soldiers On His Day Off While he left the Aston in Holland for much of the war, his antics continued. He was one of the first British soldiers onto Sicily in 1943 where he is believed to have had a brief dalliance with a local countess. But he was also part of the spearhead during 1944's Normandy landings. "Soon after he was granted 24 hours leave to see 'friends' in a nearby village. He took a wireless man, a jeep and a driver. We believe he was meeting a previous girlfriend, and to gather intel about what the Germans were doing," said Pickstone. "En route they came across the Eighth Army, parked up approaching a bridge where there was a report of a German Tiger tank which had destroyed several Allied tanks. The commander of the Sherman tank at the head of the column refused to go any further. "Mellor and a French freedom fighter went to have a look, but the 'Tiger' was just a tracked vehicle. They captured it, just as a German staff car appeared; the Sherman opens fire, the staff car crashes, and the occupants captured too. "More freedom fighters appeared and proceeded to capture 200 Germans in the woods, locked them in a barn while they went to help defend a nearby town, but ended up capturing 300 more German soldiers. 'They were terrified of the French, so wanted to surrender to a British officer. Mellor ended up capturing 500 Germans on his day off...' The question remains: was Major Mellor the inspiration for James Bond? While it's mainly Cheshire lanes that pass under the Aston's wheels these days, you wonder what other tales of derring-do war-time archives, due to be opened under the UK Government's "100 year rule" in the 2030s, could reveal. Major Mellor retired to an Oxfordshire village, but evidence remained of his past. Upon his passing, his cottage was sold, the new owners discovering a secret compartment in the basement, evidently designed to store the tools of a spy's trade. Asking Pickstone and Isles if they thought Mellor, a neighbour of 007 creator Ian Fleming, a fellow intelligence officer, was the basis for James Bond they simply said I should draw my own conclusions. I'll simply let you draw yours...
The Courier
11-05-2025
- The Courier
Angus laird sentenced for building makeshift shotgun crow-scarer
An Angus laird who fashioned a makeshift shotgun in a bid to deter crows from munching on his pig feed has been sentenced. Stephen Mellor's 40-acre Gagiewell Estate in Kellas was scoured by police who uncovered faulty air rifles and a German pistol dating back to the early 1900s. The 44-year-old was also caught with a military-issue knife outside a Spar shop. He was fined and ordered to complete unpaid work by a sheriff who warned him of needing 'organisation and discipline'. Dundee Sheriff Court previously heard a friend of Mellor's flagged to the authorities the laird's 'rambling' and 'goading' WhatsApp messages. Mellor – who keeps pigs and sheep on the estate, runs a firewood business and lets others shoot on his land – sent a video of himself using the smooth bore 'slam fire' shotgun he'd crafted. Like Mellor, the friend served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, which maintains the equipment of the British Army. Gagie Castle, where he lives, was combed by police and the 'slam' gun was found in an underground chamber in a rifle bag with a rope tied to the drain. Tests were carried out and ballistics experts ruled it 'could prove hazardous' to anyone firing it. Two recovered air rifles were found to be 'corrosive' and the search also uncovered pellets and an antique German pistol. In February, Mellor pled guilty to three charges of possessing the smooth bore slam fire shotgun without holding a shotgun certificate, possessing three air weapons without a certificate and having a knife between August 25 and October 2 2023. He returned to the dock to be sentenced and solicitor Jim Caird explained his client often welds together farming implements, having constructed a snow plough, a grubbing tool and a trenching device. 'Mr Mellor's initial idea was to make a bird scarer. 'He's extremely embarrassed and anxious about the matter. 'This has all taken place on quite a large estate. 'He's actually been on a curfew for a year and a half. 'He's got an engineering background.' Mr Caird added: 'One of the reasons he was so upset and he was fixated upon the crows was because the price of feed went up and he was losing a lot of feed to the crows. 'I'm not trying to suggest what Mr Mellor did was reasonable or even sensible but there's a context to it.' Regarding the knife charge, he said: 'He was working with animals on his nearby farm when he had this knife about him. It's a knife which is a sheepsfoot style. 'It was designed for trimming hooves. 'These knives are issued by NATO or something. They're very popular in maritime navy. 'He simply had it about his person. When he's on the estate, it's something he carries about all the time.' 'I must admit he's not thought very clearly about all these things.' Sheriff Paul Brown ordered Mellor to complete 300 hours of unpaid work as a direct alternative to imprisonment. The sheriff also granted forfeiture of a slew of seized items and fined Mellor £1,000 plus a £40 victim surcharge. Mellor's sentence was imposed as a direct alternative to imprisonment. The sheriff was shown the makeshift device in court and watched a video of Mellor discharging it. Sheriff Brown also warned Mellor that working with knives 'requires organisation and discipline.'
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Yahoo
Put a spring in your step this season with the Millstone at Mellor
Treat yourself this spring to a visit to Thwaites' award-winning inn, The Millstone at Mellor. From spring-inspired Sunday lunches to a two-night getaway with friends, now's the time to embrace the longer more of your weekend and spend quality time with the one you love with the inn's Sunday night getaway package. Check in from 3pm and relax in the lounge, before enjoying a drink or two from the bar prior to your delicious evening meal. Once fully relaxed, retire to one of the inn's boutique bedrooms for a great night's sleep. Wake up feeling refreshed the next morning and set out to explore the beautiful area that surrounds Mellor. Small details make a big difference, which is why Thwaites ensures every room comes with a few little extras, including deliciously crumbly biscuits and fresh milk for a morning brew. (Image: Thwaites Inns)Based on two people sharing, prices for a one-night Sunday B&B getaway start from £135 per room* *Subject to availability and prices may vary. Dog-friendly rooms As dog lovers, the teams across Thwaites' inns take care of canine companions from the moment they check-in to the moment they 'wag' their tail goodbye. The inn has a dedicated number of dog friendly room and beloved pets receive their very own comfy bed as well as an exciting 'Waggy Tails' welcome pack – complete with food bowl and dog biscuits*. The Millstone at Mellor has recently won the accolade for 'Dog Friendly Business of the Year' at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024. *£20 charge. Subject to availability and welcome packs may vary. (Image: Thwaites Inns) The Millstone has a range of menus available. Whether you want to sink your teeth into the tandoori chicken, savour grilled sea trout or just indulge your sweet tooth with a lemon posset, you'll find something that takes your fancy. For hungry little eaters with big appetites, they also have an action-packed children's for things to do in Lancashire? For those who enjoy walking, explore the Tolkien Trail, visit Brockholes Nature Reserve, or indulge in retail therapy at Clitheroe Market. (Image: Thwaites Inns)About Thwaites Established in 1807, Lancashire-based, family-owned Thwaites boasts a unique collection of award-winning inns, hotels, and spa hotels across England. Spring adventures await you across Thwaites' portfolio of four- and five-star inns -
Telegraph
28-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
The 10 ultra-processed foods you should never buy again
A 2023 study, led by Imperial College London, examined the diets of 200,000 people and tracked their health for a decade. It uncovered an association between higher consumption of ultra-processed foods and an increased risk of both developing and dying from cancer. From instant noodles, sweets and biscuits to mass-produced bread, The National Food Survey reports that purchase of ready meals and convenience foods has increased five-fold over the last 40 years. Ultra-processed-foods are, in essence 'all foods made from ingredients that have been through multiple processes', says Duane Mellor, registered dietitian and senior lecturer at Aston Medical School. The bad news is that these foods make up half of the typical British diet. It is not entirely straightforward, though: 'People who tend to have higher intakes of ultra-processed foods, also tend to have lower incomes,' says Mellor. While the study did try to control for these, it may be that other lifestyle factors contribute to the association. The fix More research is required to locate the root of the association between UPFs and cancer. 'Is it what's in the food, or what's lacking from it?' asks Mellor. He thinks it is 'probably a little bit of both.' Eating UPFs often means consuming a lot of saturated fat, salt, and free sugars at the expense of consuming fruit, vegetables, fibre and essential nutrients. So if you craving the occasional ready-meal, balance it out with meals high in vegetables, pulses, nuts, seeds, fruit, and wholegrains. How to avoid ultra-processed foods Yeo believes it's instinctively easier to make gradual changes rather than completely overhauling your diet, especially if you're the cook in the house or responsible for feeding the family. His top tips are: Consider a Trojan horse approach: Gradually sneak more fibre and protein into your meals to make them more nutritious and balanced. 'This is particularly good if you have young children,' Yeo says. 'They may not notice anything has changed, but before you know it, everyone has 10 more grams of fibre in their meals and is consuming five per cent more protein each day'. This could involve blending vegetables into a pasta sauce or opting for a savoury breakfast with eggs. Think about the beneficial swaps you can make rather than focusing on what you shouldn't eat: 'If you want to eat a frozen lasagne, consider whether you can buy one which is perhaps better in class,' he suggests. 'Can you buy one which is higher in protein and fibre, and lower in fat, salt and sugar?' Moderation is key: Rather than completely removing anything from your diet, learn how to include it in a balanced way. 'Clearly white bread is lower in fibre and not as good for us than wholemeal or oatmeal bread,' Yeo says. 'But some people still prefer white bread – they shouldn't completely cut it out, but should focus on eating less of it, in moderation.'
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Drought emergency declared in Central Washington: 'This is the new normal'
The Brief A new drought emergency has been declared across parts of Central Washington, and experts warn this is just the beginning. The declaration goes for the Upper and Lower Yakima and Naches watersheds, citing low snowpack, early snowmelt, and limited water storage. YAKIMA, Wash. - Warm spring weather has many Washingtonians heading outdoors—but state officials are sounding the alarm: a new drought emergency has been declared across parts of Central Washington, and experts warn this is just the beginning. The Washington State Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration for the Upper and Lower Yakima and Naches watersheds, citing low snowpack, early snowmelt, and limited water storage. "This is the new normal—more rain, less snowpack, earlier springs, hotter, drier summers," said Casey Sixkiller, director of the Washington State Department of Ecology. Although the region experienced some April showers, this year's warm winter took a toll on Washington's critical snowpack. In 2023, a hot May melted snow rapidly and prompted early irrigation. This year has seen below-average snowfall and lower-than-normal precipitation, raising serious concerns for the coming months. "If you kind of look at the green colors at the bottom part of the screen, the Lower Yakima Basin is actually doing okay. They're at 99% of normal as of yesterday," said FOX 13 Meteorologist Abby Acone. "But it's the Upper Yakima Basin that's really struggling. They're super behind average right now. They are at 73% of normal." Water storage levels in federal reservoirs are also down, further compounding the problem. According to Caroline Mellor, drought lead for the Department of Ecology, that's already impacting farmers. "Reclamation announced earlier this month that folks with that type of water right will only receive 58% of their normal water allotment, and that is very alarming for irrigators," Mellor said. Agriculture in the Yakima Valley—a region that produces $4.5 billion in goods—is especially vulnerable. "These types of irrigators, they work on hops, you know, the hops we need for the beer we love to drink in the summer, as well as grapes and cherries and apples," Mellor said. "Major crops that people love and are a huge part of the economy, not just for Yakima, but for the state of Washington." Beyond farming, the drought has environmental impacts as well. Lower stream flows can result in warmer water temperatures, threatening salmon and other cold-water species. "They do not like warm water or hot water," Mellor said. "So these lower flows in parts of the river that we're expecting to see, potentially earlier in Yakima Basin could have impacts on fish later on in summer as well." While the emergency declaration applies specifically to Yakima and Naches, several other counties—Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, Okanogan, and Chelan—are under drought advisory status. Though they haven't met the threshold for emergency declarations, officials say conditions can deteriorate rapidly. "Droughts are becoming more frequent, more complex and more damaging," Sixkiller added. Why you should care Mellor also cleared up some common confusion: a drought declaration doesn't mean the state can impose water use restrictions — that's up to your local utility. But it does unlock critical resources. "It triggers drought emergency response funds for public entities and tribes and allows Ecology to expedite drought permits and water transfers," she said. However, state officials warn that those resources are tied to federal partners like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is facing uncertainty under the Trump administration. "Right now those systems are being thrown into chaos and its jeopardizing our ability to do the work that people across the state depending on," Sixkiller said. "Without accurate data and consistent support from these agencies we cant reliably forecast water supply or take timely action, and when that happens it limits the ability to farmers, water managers and entire communities to plan ahead, adapt and reduce impacts." What you can do Even if your water comes from a solid system like Seattle, Everett or Tacoma, Mellor said everyone can play a role. "Start thinking of drought-tolerant plants, low-water-use gardening, and conserving water in your home. Don't run the dishwasher or laundry until it's full. Small things matter," Mellor said. "Be thoughtful not to move rocks around in rivers or streams — that can impact fish passage. Just be mindful." The Source Information in this story is from the Washington State Department of Ecology and FOX 13 Seattle reporting. 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