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Irish Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Air India plane crash - photos capture devastating aftermath and destruction
Irish officials have confirmed that they are 'closely monitoring' the aftermath of a horror plane crash that sent plumes of black smoke billowing into the sky. The plane travelling from India to the UK with 242 people on board crashed minutes after take-off from the western city of Ahmedabad, according to the airline and police. The aircraft was en route to London Gatwick Airport, Air India said. It crashed in a residential area near Ahmedabad airport, according to police. The 242 people on board included 217 adults and 11 children. They include 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese and one Canadian, Air India said. A Department of Foreign Affairs spokesperson in Dublin said: "The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of an air incident involving a flight from Ahmedabad to Department, including the Embassy of Ireland in India, is closely monitoring the situation and stands ready to provide consular assistance." For updates as they happen see our live blog. Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs Simon Harris has said that his department is monitoring the situation in India (Image: X) 1 of 12 Pictures from the BJ Medical college student hostel mess, where the Air India plane crashed just after take off (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) 2 of 12 Black smoke could be seen billowing from miles around (Image: AFPTV/ESN/AFP via Getty Images) 3 of 12
Wales Online
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
I spent a day in the latest Omaze dream home - a sprawling £5.5m country farmhouse
I spent a day in the latest Omaze dream home - a sprawling £5.5m country farmhouse The Omaze house draw promises not just a luxurious new home, but the chance to become a millionaire overnight - for a little as a tenner Express journalist, Frances Millar, explores the latest Omaze house in the heart of the Cotswolds (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) The nation has been captivated by a multi-million pound house raffle. The Omaze house draw offers not just a plush new abode, but the opportunity to become an overnight millionaire, all for as little as £10. For the first time ever, the Express was given exclusive access – a sneak peek inside the latest grand prize before the new owner steps foot in it. This is the 38th property Omaze has offered in its five-year history, and of the previous fortunate winners, many have chosen to sell rather than settle down. Previous properties have ranged from a sleek Cornish cliffside dwelling, a grand Georgian townhouse in central London to a Highlands mansion. This time around, it's a 17th-century farmhouse in the Cotswolds boasting five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two living rooms, a spacious kitchen-diner, a boot room, two utility rooms, a couple of extra rooms, plus a separate guest cottage. It comes mortgage-free, with all stamp duty and legal fees covered, plus a cool £250,000 in cash to help with the bills, reports the Express. Alternatively, an overnight stay at a country pad might scratch the quiet life itch. On Airbnb, there's a Cotswold Manor House, set in its own grounds in a beautiful National Trust Village on the River Thames. It comes with a cool price tag starting from £1,200 a night, but it can fit up to 16 guests, which works out at £75 per person per night. The bespoke kitchen (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) It has six bedrooms (with 11 beds) and five bathrooms, which makes it ideal for a big group gathering. For days out, look to the National Trust. Much of Downton Abbey's 2019 movie and original TV series was filmed in National Trust places, and fans can visit a lot of the locations, for example, Basildon Park is the real-life Grantham House. Back to the Omaze property, journalist Frances Millar was granted exclusive access to the sprawling property. Here's her thoughts on the country pad: With only a few hours to play 'Lady of the Manor', I took the opportunity to have a thorough look around, half-hoping for a minor mishap like a loose door handle to give me a small sense of schadenfreude. However, everything was in perfect condition. The crunching gravel drive leads you to a Cotswold stone farmhouse bathed in honey hues, adorned with wisteria and rambling pink roses, all set within lush cottage garden borders. The only sounds were the birdsong and my own gasps: "Oh my god, it's huge." Covering over 6,000 square feet, this expansive property sits on a generous plot of rolling countryside, complete with a wildflower meadow and an orchard ripe for scrumping when harvest season arrives. Additional features include a large greenhouse, stable blocks, separate garages, and a heated outdoor pool. Inside, the decor is tastefully done, as if lifted straight from the pages of Country Life Magazine. The entrance hall (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) Imagine soothing sage greens, cream, duck egg blues, luxurious soft furnishings paired with flagstone floors and timber beam ceilings. It's the epitome of English countryside glamour, but as a born-and-bred Londoner - and a self-confessed scruffbag - could I see myself living here? I must confess, I found myself pondering: What would that exquisite marble bathroom look like covered in soap scum? And how would this pristine sofa fare under a layer of cat hair? Or the massive custom-made kitchen island strewn with half-drunk cups of tea and unopened post? Under my supervision, it would only take a day or two for it to be cluttered with odds and ends. However, given the size of the property, even I would struggle to make a mess of it. But the garden - now that's where I could truly feel at home. With all that space, I'd go full Good Life - just hand me a spade and call me Barbara. As an avid gardener, I couldn't resist mentally planning it out with an allotment plot, a chicken coop, perhaps even a goat. And that enormous greenhouse - the greenhouse of dreams - would be filled to the brim with citrus trees, tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines. I might even try growing melons. Oh, the things I'd cultivate. The marble bathroom (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) I could almost envision myself filming a segment for Gardeners' World, trying not to sound too self-satisfied as I explained how I gradually replaced the lawn with a lush herbaceous border to rival Great Dixter. As for the pool, well naturally, I couldn't resist a cheeky swim - the first person to do so. The temperature was, of course, absolutely spot on. That's coming from someone who's a bit of a wimp when it comes to cold water. And it's so private, you could skinny dip without a care in the world if that's your thing. Heck, you could go full Saltburn, blast Murder on the dance floor at full volume, and dance naked, as there's not a neighbour in sight to bat an eyelid. As with every Omaze house raffle, it's all for a good cause. This draw is in partnership with Guide Dogs UK, and the charity will receive at least £1 million, potentially much more depending on ticket sales, which will fund 675 puppies during their first eight weeks of life and help people with sight loss gain greater independence. During my brief visit, I had the delight of meeting Jean Jordan, who has been volunteering with Guide Dogs UK for an impressive 32 years. She brought along Mazey, an 18-week-old lab-retriever cross, who has just embarked on her guide dog training journey. Jean, hailing from Bristol, helps manage her family's gas engineering business, but in her spare time, she welcomes future guide dogs into her home, giving them a loving start in life. Frances with 18-week-old Mazey (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Express ) She fosters these pups, providing early training and care before they transition to a specialist centre for the next phase of their journey, eventually finding their forever partner. She said: "Mazey has been a joy to raise. She's bright, affectionate, and already showing signs of being a brilliant guide dog. It's hard not to get attached, but knowing she'll go on to help someone makes it all worth it." Two million people are affected by sight loss in the UK and with the number projected to double by 2050, the work that these dedicated volunteers contribute is invaluable. But let's return to the million-pound question: is this my forever home? Would I stay or would I go? Can you picture me, living in this idyllic £5.5m Cotswold dream, just me and my cat Maggie? All those rooms! The hoovering! Article continues below I can barely manage my one-bedroom flat. The house is absolutely stunning - but still, I'd take the money and run off into the sunset, giggling all the way. *You can enter the Omaze house draw until midnight on Monday, 26 May by visiting the website: The winner will be announced on Friday, June 6.
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Our worst service station is an ugly duckling but sometimes you just need Greggs
Mirror journalist Adam Aspinall visited Bridgwater and Gloucester services, considered Britain's worst and best... (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) Comparison is the thief of joy, it's often said. Measuring yourself against others is often a sad dead end but one you just can't help exploring. And this was certainly the experience I had during a recent jaunt up the M5 where I pit-stopped at Bridgwater services before having lunch at Gloucester services. Posh Gloucester, often crowned Britain's best service station, feels like a rustic foodie haven. Situated between junctions 11A and 12 on the M5, it's like you have stumbled upon the Tellytubbies set as the sun shines and ducklings waddle between your feet beside the idyllic pond. A middle-class farm shop on steroids, it just bursts with local pride offering up salivating treats from nearby producers like artisanal cheeses and homemade pies. READ MORE: Britain's 'best and worst' motorway services revealed including one with 'urine' smell Gloucester services is a 'middle-class farm shop on steroids' (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) The vegetarian scotch egg is a particular crowd pleaser. Open plan, airy and welcoming with a giant car park and more EV charge points then Elon Musk could shake a stick it genuinely feels like a destination in its own right. And to be honest, it is exactly what all service stations should aspire to be, it is probably closest to that 1950s idyll early motorway farers hoped travel across the country would offer. Gloucester 'feels like a rustic foodie haven' (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) In comparison poor old Bridgwater, located just off junction 24 of the M5 in Somerset, really is the ugly duckling. But if there's one thing we know about the ugly duckling is that it's everyone's favourite plucky underdog. Bridgwater 'really is the ugly duckling' (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) Yes, it's ugly. Yes, it's not that pleasant to drive into off a tangled roundabout and yes, the parking is, odd. However as we slipped in there for a morning coffee, it was packed to the rafters with happy students on a jolly, as builders in overalls off to the work site mingled with families in their finery off to a wedding. Bridgwater 'was packed to the rafters with happy students on a jolly' (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) No one seemed to particularly care if the hotel overlooked the car park or that the same car park, styled like a WWII German pillbox, felt ever so slightly flooded because the place just worked. The staff were happy and hard working, the toilets were clean and tidy and the whole place ticked over nicely. 'Sometimes you just want a good solid Greggs' (Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror) It did exactly what it said on the tin and made you remember not everyone wants a focaccia flatbread, isn't browsing for a Fair Isle woolen jumper, or needs some luxury biscuits when they stop on the motorway. Sometimes you just want a good solid Greggs and some petrol - and that's absolutely fine by me.
