Latest news with #RichardBurton
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Business
- CTV News
More amenities wanted along Windsor's riverfront
From railways to natural beauty, the city's waterfront is one of Windsor's most scenic spots. 'This to me is our Niagara Falls.' contends city councillor Renaldo Agostino. The riverfront is a draw for residents from near and far. 'There's so much to see in Windsor,' said Richard Burton who was visiting from London. 'Windsor has a lot of potential, I think, for sure.' Burton enjoys driving the 401 to the Rose City and riding the trail between the Ambassador Bridge and Walkerville but, like many, feels there could be more to offer visitors in that stretch. 'I just think more places to stop, have a drink or a, you know, something to places and that. Anything just to bring the people down. It's so beautiful.' In fairness, there are places to stop for a beverage or bite to eat but options are limited to the stretch between Janette and McDougall. Renaldo Agostino asked a council question earlier this month looking for a review on the food truck bylaws. The ultimate goal is to have some scattered in the downtown core and along the riverfront. 'This would make a great space to have like a food truck village where maybe once or twice a week or maybe on the weekends, or maybe it's a fixed thing where people could come, different vendors, could come and use preexisting, trucks that are here.' said Agostino while at the parking area near the Spirit of Windsor. In other parts of the Riverfront, Agostino says temporary solutions possibly involving shipping containers may work like he has seen in other cities. 'Imagine having a shipping container that is, for example, a coffee shop, and then you have a couple shipping small market retailers that are available to anybody in the city to use.' Agostino said. 'Something like this will generate money, which means we can generate tax dollars, which means we could generate rent. People are going to want to be down here.' Courtney Fischer has cycled the riverfront paths on both sides of the border, as have many others, and agrees there are improvements that could be made. 'On the Detroit side, they have a lot of, stations where if you run into trouble or you feel uncomfortable, you can call for help, like emergency buttons.' Fischer said while also pointing out attention to trail cleanliness is prevalent in Detroit, security is visible and there's even a splash pad. 'Even somewhere to grab water, or if you're walking your dog more stops to, like, have dog water stations. Those are really helpful.' Agostino would like to see more happening along the riverfront. 'You could do games. You could do fun. You could do so many different things. A beach volleyball court down there would be fantastic.' Agostino says there is no timeline for administrations report but feels getting approval for food trucks is the first move in opening up more opportunities. 'Hopefully administration comes back with a positive report and then we move forward from there.'
Yahoo
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
John Goodman Reveals Elizabeth Taylor Talked About Epic Hollywood Love Affair on Movie Set
John Goodman revealed that Elizabeth Taylor talked about her tumultuous romance with Richard Burton when they worked together in the 1994 film, The Flintstones. The Hollywood legend played Wilma Flintstone's mother, Pearl Slaghoople, in the 1994 live-action comedy, marking her final film role in an iconic 60-year career. According to Taylor's official website, the famed actress spent five days shooting The Flintstones, where she 'navigated the set like the pro she was.' 'She made final touches to her own makeup, received daily gag gifts from the crew, and made light of stressful situations,' the site teased. Goodman, who played Fred Flintstone in the film adaptation of the classic 1960s cartoon series, told People magazine that he was starstruck when Taylor spoke to him about Burton during a filming break. "Elizabeth Taylor was my mother-in-law in The Flintstones," the actor recalled. "She took a fall in the film, so we were just squatting around her, talking to her. I just got her talking about [Richard] Burton a little bit when she was on the floor, and it was wow." "There's old-school movie stars and then there's Elizabeth Taylor,' Goodman added. 'She was at the zenith in her life and in films. I never thought I'd ever get to meet her." Taylor and Burton were the most iconic celebrity couple of the 1960s and '70s. They met on the set of Cleopatra in Rome in 1961 when they were both married to other people (him to Sybil Williams and her to Eddie Fisher). The two made 11 films together, including The Taming of the Shrew and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? They married for the first time in 1964. Taylor and Burton's legendary romance ultimately ended in two divorces—one in 1974 and another in 1976 In the 2010 book Furious Love: Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, and the Marriage of the Century, Taylor told authors Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger that Burton was her greatest love and continued to send her passionate letters up until his death at age 58. Burton's final love letter to Taylor was sent to her Bel-Air, CA, home three days before he died in Switzerland on August 5, 1984. 'In my heart, I will always believe we would have been married a third and final time,' Taylor reflected in the book. 'From those first moments in Rome, we were always madly and powerfully in love.'John Goodman Reveals Elizabeth Taylor Talked About Epic Hollywood Love Affair on Movie Set first appeared on Men's Journal on Jul 21, 2025
Daily Mail
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
The sexy European blueblood so magnetic that a classic British actor begged her to marry him - and why the Princess turned down King Charles' attempts to court her
In his courting days, King Charles was more than happy to be seen with her on his arm. Sexy Princess Elizabeth of Yugoslavia was the most alluring blueblood that postwar Europe had ever seen, and he revelled in the attention. Her list of conquests was already long and to Elizabeth, her second cousin Charles was just another date. She'd been married - twice - so was out of the running to become the future Princess of Wales when they were spotted together at polo in 1975. Plus the stunning Elizabeth was twelve years older – though she didn't look it. The daughter of the last Regent of Yugoslavia, Prince Paul, she was a first-cousin of the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra. But though she could turn on the 'princess' bit when required, Elizabeth preferred the company of red-blooded men, not blue-blooded princes. One conquest was the serial bed-hopper Warren Beattie. Another was British actor Richard Burton - who in between his stormy first and second marriages to Elizabeth Taylor, became so smitten by the princess he begged her to marry him. 'I'm not a star. I have no career. There will be no separations in our lives, so I do not see how this cannot last,' gushed the princess about Britain's leading actor as they announced their engagement in November 1974. But it was all over before you could say 'Cut!' The engagement was a risky step for both. She'd already been married – to New York fashion czar Howard Oxenberg, then to Oxford-educated banker Neil Balfour. (With Oxenburg she had a baby girl, Catherine, who'd rise to become an international star playing Amanda Carrington in the fabled TV series Dynasty). Burton had been also married twice – to his first wife Sybil, then sensationally to Elizabeth Taylor, the Queen of Hollywood. For Taylor, Richard was to be her fifth marriage, and their nuptials followed a scandal when the couple, who'd got together on the 'Cleopatra' film set, were accused by the Vatican of 'erotic vagrancy'. Both were still married at the time. The couple divorced in 1974, with Taylor having been the one to introduce Princess Elizabeth to Burton. Within five months of the decree absolute, the princess and Richard were engaged – even though Burton confessed he was scared of her. 'She is very pretty & sexy but impertinent,' he confided to his diary. 'Very self-sufficient, brittle. I'm not absolutely sure she mightn't be a little bit nasty behind one's back. A touch of the daggers – until I get to know her better I shall wear armour on my back, where the daggers go in. 'Elisheba [his pet name for her] is after Warren Beatty. Bess [Elizabeth Taylor] warned her off - but naturally when a women is set on a certain course of action, order turns into chaos, and logic into insanity.' Despite this, Burton managed to push Beatty to one side and grabbed the volatile, alluring princess for himself. He couldn't wait to get her up the aisle, and neither could she - when they announced their engagement to the world's press, Elizabeth was still married to Balfour. She took him to Paris to meet her parents. Prince Paul, the head of state when World War II broke out, was a committed Anglophile having studied at Oxford, and took to Burton immediately, nodding enthusiastically when the subject of marriage came up. Elizabeth's mother, Princess Olga, was the snooty sister of Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent – both sisters were granddaughters of King George I of Greece – and from the very first moment of their meeting looked down her nose at the Welsh actor, despite his colossal box office success and considerable riches. In a taxi, she burst into tears and 'cried all the way home', according to biographer Robert Prentice. 'Thoughts and worries raged through her mind that night.' She went to see a spirit medium in London who got in touch – so she thought – with various dead relatives. They helped her through the crisis which, as it turned out, had been all for nothing. Richard Burton's diaries – never less than brutally honest about himself and others – are curiously silent about what happened next. But within weeks of the engagement, it was over. No explanation was ever made, though within weeks of their getting together Burton was having an affair with the actress and former Playboy centrefold Jeannie Bell. And, according to Elizabeth's daughter Christina Oxenberg in an article for Avenue magazine: 'She went on to squire many others around. I did not meet all these paramours, but rather only the serious boyfriends, and there were quite a few [of those].' Put simply, they were two ships passing in the night.
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Blue plaque honour for Richard Burton and mentor in Neath Port Talbot
Blue plaques are set to be unveiled in recognition of Hollywood actor Richard Burton and his adoptive father and mentor, Philip will be on display in Neath Port Talbot to celebrate the impact the area had on Burton's plaques will be installed during the Richard Burton Centenary Week later this year, which will celebrate 100 years since the actor was born in Pontrhydyfen, near Port Talbot. Richard's granddaughter, Charlotte Burton, said the family was "so excited" to see the plaques and thanked the community for "making this possible". The campaign for the blue plaques was brought forward by the community in partnership with Neath Port Talbot council as part of a heritage who died in 1984, aged 58, starred in Hollywood blockbuster Cleopatra, and was known for his powerful performances in Dylan Thomas's Under Milk Wood and Shakespearean stage centenary celebrations will mark Burton's life and legacy. His mentor and adoptive father, Philip Burton, is also being honoured after taking in a wayward schoolboy, then named Richard relationship was recently shown in a film starring Harry Lawtey as a young Burton and Toby Jones as Philip, telling the story of the actor's formative highlighted the profound influence Burton the elder had on Richard's career and success after spotting his talent for drama. The actor's granddaughter said: "We are so excited that two blue plaques will be unveiled in honour of Philip and Richard Burton."Councillor Cen Phillips said the council was "delighted" to grant the plaques."We know that the creative spirit runs deep in Neath Port Talbot, the dramatic heart of Wales."By honouring both men, we are recognising the importance of mentors and teachers to our communities," he plaques will be installed during the centenary week in November.
Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Welsh town that famous actors call home named one of the most affordable places to live
Welsh town that famous actors call home named one of the most affordable places to live In the shadow of the steelworks lies a town that is full of hidden gems Aberavon Beach is known to be one of the longest beaches in Wales (Image: John Myers ) Ask anyone what springs to mind when they think of Port Talbot, and chances are you'll hear the same answer echo back - the steelworks. Towering chimneys and plumes of steam that have long defined the town's skyline. Yet beyond the shadow of this great steel giant, lies a different side of Port Talbot that many people who are not local to the area, may not even know about. One that is rich with natural beauty, local history and hidden gems waiting to be explored. With that in mind, it shouldn't be shocking that recent research from the online property company Zoopla has revealed Port Talbot as one of the most popular, affordable places to live in Great Britain. The famously industrial town ranked fourth in a list, based on how often three-bedroom homes were viewed online, combined with how affordable those homes are compared to local earnings. Port Talbot sits just behind Neath, Llanelli, and the Scottish town of Glenrothes, proving it's more than just steel drawing attention. One of those reasons is Afan Argoed, also known as Afan Country Park - a haven for walkers and cyclists with its miles of scenic trails, winding through the Valley's ever changing landscape. This place was a childhood favourite of mine that holds memories of long dog walks with my granddad and rare sunny day picnics down Rhyslyn car park. Afan Valley - locally known as Afan Argoed is known for its fantastic walking and cycling trails (Image: Forestry Commission Picture Library/Isobel Cameron ) Article continues below Speaking of Rhyslan car park, this is also the starting point of a fantastic walking trail, that certainly put me in my paces growing up. The route forms a figure of eight, giving walkers the choice to complete the full loop or opt for one half - perfect if you're after a shorter, three-mile stroll. The first section is a treat for fans of Richard Burton, guiding you past landmarks tied to the legendary actor who was born just down the road in Pontrhydyfen. As a kid, reaching the portrait bench was always a bit of a milestone - a quiet clearing where three steel figures stand proud: Mr Burton himself, Gavin and Stacey actor Rob Brydon and former Afan Valley head ranger Dick Wagstaff. The sculptures were chosen by the local community and installed in 2010 by the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. Just beside the figures, visitors will find a small but powerful surprise - a listening post that plays a snippet of Richard Burton's iconic voice, reading Dylan Thomas' famous poem: Under Milk Wood. To hear his rich, haunting tones echo so close to where he once roamed is a moment that sticks with you. A trail is available in Afan Argoed in tribute to honour legendary Hollywood actor Richard Burton (Image: Martin Ellard ) The second loop of the trail leads deeper in the heart of the Afan Valley's forest, where the tall evergreens and fern-lined parks makes it easy to see why the area is often called 'Little Switzerland'. Beyond that, there are many other trails for cyclists and walkers just waiting to be explored. Stay informed on everything Neath Port Talbot by signing up to our newsletter here Aberavon Beach needs little introduction; it is a beloved stretch of coastline that has been drawing both locals and visitors for generations. With its long, sweeping sands and a sleek modern promenade overlooking Swansea bay, it's easy to see why it remains a firm favourite. That being said, the reintroduced parking charges have taken a bit of a shine off for some - but its still hard to stay away, especially during these flashes of warm weather. The beach itself is huge - one of the longest in Wales - and provides endless activities for all ages. The northern end is usually alive with sand yachting and kitesurfing making the most of the wind and waves. There is nothing better than a trip to Aberavon Beach on a warm summer's day (Image: John Myers ) What I love most about this beach is how it's a proper family spot. There are two decent play parks that provide safe, fun spaces for children to burn off energy, although Aberavon Aqua Splash might be the real highlight - complete with fountains, jets and "waterfalls" that is the perfect relief during those blistering (albeit rare) heatwaves. A site that must be a part of every local's childhood is the iconic blue whale and penguin statutes that you can check out during your walk along the beach. These relics have been here for as long as I can remember - if you know, you know. For those older kids, there's also crazy golf on the beachfront, which is a good laugh and of course the Reel Cinema; my absolute go-to. Rarely crowded, with a good choice of snacks and the added bonus of being able to wander straight onto the beach after a film for an ice cream - what's not to love? Reel Cinema sits on Aberavon seafront and for me, one of the best around (Image: Google ) Dog owners aren't left out either. While the main beach is not available to dogs during the summer months, the strong line up of cafes and restaurants are more than welcoming. Francos - a popular fish and chip shop, that is a highlight of any beach trip - is completely dog-friendly, offering your furry companion their own menu and abundance of water bowls. Memo Beach Café and Café Remos also welcomes dogs. These are the perfect places to stop for some lunch and coffee, while your dog chills at your side. Personally, a trip to Cafe Remos always has to involve their freshly made ice cream - their strawberry cones are a ten out of ten. Meanwhile, there is also The Front, which has grown quite popular over the years for their tasty burgers and reasonable prices. It's just next door to cinema and even has it's own drive-thru, which is sometimes a must as it's always super busy. If you asked most people about the best spots in Port Talbot, I am willing to bet that Aberafan Shopping Centre wouldn't be too high on the list. But I'm going to say it... there's actually quite a lot going for this place! The ageing shopping centre may be under some scrutiny, but there's a lot to love there (Image: Richard Williams ) One of its biggest claims to fame right now is Spud Fam, a baked potato business that's been making waves on TikTok. The shop is a real family operation - owned by Jordanna Landeg and her husband David, with Jordanna's brother Jude and their mum - all pitching in. Their videos give a behind-the-scenes look at the day to day running of the shop, including some of the interesting spud combos and orders that they serve up; showing just how creative - and delicious - a loaded potato can be. With a loyal following of over 12,000 on TikTok, they've made a name for themselves with their ridiculously loaded baked potatoes and fries. From classic cheese and beans to more adventurous options like beef brisket and their very own "Spud Fam's Bol", they've turned simple comfort food into something a bit more fun. Also in the shopping centre is Portablo Coffi, a coffee shop run by former steelworker Cassius. Opening at the start of this year, its already become a staple of the town thanks to its great coffee and warm, welcoming atmosphere. A wander round B and M's and Home Bargains with a coffee in one hand and a spud from your local independents in the other... sometimes it really is the simple things in life. Just a short drive from Port Talbot, lies Margam Country Park; which while not part of Port Talbot itself, is close enough to feel like an extension of the area's history. At the centre of Margam Park is the magnificent 19th century Tudor Gothic mansion, designed by architect Thomas Hopper for Christopher Rice Mansel Talbot. Built between 1830 and 1840, this Grade I listed mansion is packed with stunning features, from its soaring staircase hall to the distinctive octagonal tower. Margam Castle and it's estate was once owned by the illustrious Talbot family (Image: Robert Melen ) Margam Castle's outbuildings now house the Visitor Centre, which includes a café, gift shop and other handy facilities. Visitors can also explore the Entrance Hallway and the grand Staircase Hall, stepping back into much more opulent times. As a child, I remember Margam being the subject of plenty of ghost stories - the kind that made passing by places like the Castle and Margam Monastery a little spine-tingling. However, those eerie feelings have faded with time, replaced by a real sense of wonder at this beautiful, historic spot. There's lots more to see during a visit to Margam Park beyond the Castle itself. One of my childhood haunts was the Fairytale Village - which although a bit crusty and dusty, still has a certain charm. I loved wandering through, checking out the miniature houses inspired by classic folklore tales. For families, another must is the farm trail. It offers the chance to get up close to a variety of animals from alpacas and donkeys to pigs and pygmy goats. Even in my twenties, I had to take a stroll round there during a recent visit - although I will warn visitors to not go too close to those gates as I was almost victim to alpaca spit! Visitors to Margam also have the opportunity to feed the alpacas (Image: Margam Country Park ) My last bit of advice when visiting is - if you ever get the chance, don't miss the outdoor cinema experience. Watching a film beneath the shadow of Margam Castle is something magical; the atmosphere and setting make it an unforgettable night. Article continues below
