Latest news with #SamuelThomas
CBS News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Tinley Park opens Harmony Square, new downtown plaza with concert venue, ice rink, rooftop bar
Thousands rocked out in Tinley Park Friday night as the village opened Harmony Square, a brand new multi-use plaza. Harmony Square is the result of 10 years of planning. Construction on the $38 million venue started a year ago. The plaza officially opened on Friday, and will be home to various events year-round in downtown Tinley Park. "It's going to be all year round, 250 days a year. In the winter, we're going to be have an ice rink," Mayor Michael Glotz said. "I'm really excited about Harmony Square and what Tinley has to offer; just the fun, the folks, the community in itself," visitor Samuel Thomas said. Harmony Square is equipped with a rooftop bar and Studio 67, a venue for private parties. Most events will be free at the plaza. Other events throughout the summer and fall this year will include yoga, kids' performances, movie nights, and seasonal light shows. In the winter, it will have an ice skating rink and curling lanes.
The Sun
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kym Marsh strips topless for saucy holiday pictures after quitting Waterloo Road
KYM Marsh has gone topless in a brand new racy photo from her sun-soaked holiday. The actress ensured all eyes were on her as she ditched her top in order to turn heads on her Instagram profile. 5 5 5 Kym, 49, is currently enjoying a summer break with friends but turned up the heat when she indulged in the eye-popping mini photoshoot. Ditching her bikini top altogether, Kym could be seen pulling her best sultry pose in the water on holiday. The soon-to-be grandma of four could be seen facing a waterfall-like feature as she threw her head back and crouched seductively in the water. The former Coronation Street actress added the caption: "Just casual, Fun in the sun!!" As well as her nearly-naked photograph, Kym shared some images of her hanging out with her pals on the trip. Kym and her friends were staying in a luxury villa which appeared to come complete with its own private pool. The celebrations continued well into the night as Kym shared a snap of a slew of bottles of alcohol along with the caption: "Summer nights." Her much-needed trip away comes after it was confirmed that she had quit her role in BBC school-based drama, Waterloo Road. Kym was revealed to have walked away from the role in the wake of her split from her toyboy boyfriend, Samuel Thomas. The three-times married star was one of the BBC drama's biggest signings but The Sun told this year how she had already recorded her final scenes. Kym Marsh quits HUGE TV job after overhauling her personal life A source said: 'Kym is in a new chapter of her life. 'She's heading towards 50 and wants to try as many new things as she can. 'One of the reasons she dumped Samuel was because she just wanted to have some fun and see where her work takes her. 'She's already got a busy work and family life and is very much enjoying her freedom and being able to take on exciting new projects wherever they may take her.' The former Coronation Street actress has moved into presenting over the last couple of years. She is a regular on BBC's Morning Live and has a travel show on Channel 5 with Richard Arnold. 5
The Irish Sun
24-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
I visited the UK's happiest place to live with the country's best pizza and cosy pubs
YOU have probably heard of Sutton Hoo, the Suffolk site where a huge Anglo-Saxon ship was discovered under ancient grassy mounds. Excitement around the medieval treasure trove grew in 2021 when 3 Enjoy Woodbridge harbour with its sail boats Credit: Alamy 3 Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per night Credit: Supplied But it's not just ancient artefacts, old textiles and traditional silverware that make this area so special. The site sits close to Woodbridge, an off-grid market town on the banks of the River Deben that was recently crowned the UK's happiest place to live by Rightmove. Having spent a weekend soaking up its moreish cocktail of history, gorgeous views and cracking food — including one of the best pizzas I've ever had — I'm inclined to agree. It was a short trip for me and my partner across the Essex/Suffolk border, where we checked into one of Woodbridge's best-known hotels, The Crown. Read More on Travel The charming inn features ten comfortable boutique rooms, with enormous beds and grand panelled bathtubs. The property's position, smack bang on the thoroughfare of the town, is perfect for soaking up the best Woodbridge has to offer, within walking distance of a high street scattered with independent shops. Swing by The W Gallery if you get a chance. We were captivated by a huge canvas of an avenue of neon orange trees by artist Samuel Thomas. Most read in Family A few doors down, at Bois Jolie, the owner explained how he went from market researcher to owning his own woodcraft business. Now, rather than staring at spreadsheets and pie charts, he spends his time creating interesting coffee tables and beautifully grained yew lamp stands, topped by his wife's colourful handmade shades. north wales staycation If we weren't convinced before, we certainly were after that: Woodbridge really is a town of happy people — and they love to chat. We had made sure we were well fuelled for our first day of adventure with a huge brekkie of juicy local sausages and perfectly poached eggs at the hotel. Make sure you book in here for dinner one night, too. The Crown's restaurant and bar are buzzing with locals on a Saturday night. If you ever tire of the hotel's jam-packed burgers, fish and chips and flavoursome salads, you won't need to venture far for a decent meal in Woodbridge. I recommend The Woodyard Ltd, where the air was thick with the lip-smacking scent of smoke and garlic. Its wood-fired pizzas are something special and we were grateful for our cold beers after devouring a Vesuvio — all charred dough, spicy nduja sausage and fiery salami. The queue for tables stretched out of the door and, after eating, it was easy to see why. The Anchor proved the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday roast. My plate came piled high with pork, doused in a stock-rich gravy that was so good I would have happily drunk it from a mug. Once we were finished feasting, we walked it off along Woodbridge's River Deben and the marina, where hundreds of colourful boats are moored. 3 The Crown serves cracking food Credit: Supplied Take a peek at the tide mill on your wander. The Grade I listed mill is one of the few remaining in the country and has a history stretching back 800 years. We then made our way towards Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland. This National Trust area is full of wildlife and we spotted a heron motionless at the water's edge while, in the distance, deer darted between the trees. While we didn't get the chance to visit the mounds of Sutton Hoo itself on the other side of the river, its connection to the town is deepening. It's thought the ship and its treasure were hauled three miles up to the burial site from Woodbridge in the 7th Century, and now a community-led project is rebuilding the ancient craft in all its 90ft glory. The locals are brilliantly enthusiastic about the mission, and you can take a look at the impressive work in progress in The Longshed. After a weekend of eating, walking and soaking up the charm of this riverside town and all its history, I reckon Woodbridge is quite possibly the happiest place to live in the UK. And it's just as great to visit. It may even feature frequently on my property searches . . . GO: WOODBRIDGE STAYING THERE: Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per night. See OUT & ABOUT: Sutton Hoo is open daily, with tickets from £17 for adults, £8.50 for children, under fives go free. See
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I visited the UK's happiest place to live with the country's best pizza and cosy pubs
Make your way to stunning Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland HOO KNEW? I visited the UK's happiest place to live with the country's best pizza and cosy pubs Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) YOU have probably heard of Sutton Hoo, the Suffolk site where a huge Anglo-Saxon ship was discovered under ancient grassy mounds. Excitement around the medieval treasure trove grew in 2021 when Carey Mulligan starred in a Netflix movie about the discovery, The Dig. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Enjoy Woodbridge harbour with its sail boats Credit: Alamy 3 Double rooms at The Crown at Woodbridge are from £115per night Credit: Supplied But it's not just ancient artefacts, old textiles and traditional silverware that make this area so special. The site sits close to Woodbridge, an off-grid market town on the banks of the River Deben that was recently crowned the UK's happiest place to live by Rightmove. Having spent a weekend soaking up its moreish cocktail of history, gorgeous views and cracking food — including one of the best pizzas I've ever had — I'm inclined to agree. It was a short trip for me and my partner across the Essex/Suffolk border, where we checked into one of Woodbridge's best-known hotels, The Crown. The charming inn features ten comfortable boutique rooms, with enormous beds and grand panelled bathtubs. The property's position, smack bang on the thoroughfare of the town, is perfect for soaking up the best Woodbridge has to offer, within walking distance of a high street scattered with independent shops. Swing by The W Gallery if you get a chance. We were captivated by a huge canvas of an avenue of neon orange trees by artist Samuel Thomas. A few doors down, at Bois Jolie, the owner explained how he went from market researcher to owning his own woodcraft business. Now, rather than staring at spreadsheets and pie charts, he spends his time creating interesting coffee tables and beautifully grained yew lamp stands, topped by his wife's colourful handmade shades. north wales staycation If we weren't convinced before, we certainly were after that: Woodbridge really is a town of happy people — and they love to chat. We had made sure we were well fuelled for our first day of adventure with a huge brekkie of juicy local sausages and perfectly poached eggs at the hotel. Make sure you book in here for dinner one night, too. The Crown's restaurant and bar are buzzing with locals on a Saturday night. If you ever tire of the hotel's jam-packed burgers, fish and chips and flavoursome salads, you won't need to venture far for a decent meal in Woodbridge. I recommend The Woodyard Ltd, where the air was thick with the lip-smacking scent of smoke and garlic. Its wood-fired pizzas are something special and we were grateful for our cold beers after devouring a Vesuvio — all charred dough, spicy nduja sausage and fiery salami. The queue for tables stretched out of the door and, after eating, it was easy to see why. The Anchor proved the perfect spot for a relaxed Sunday roast. My plate came piled high with pork, doused in a stock-rich gravy that was so good I would have happily drunk it from a mug. Once we were finished feasting, we walked it off along Woodbridge's River Deben and the marina, where hundreds of colourful boats are moored. 3 The Crown serves cracking food Credit: Supplied Take a peek at the tide mill on your wander. The Grade I listed mill is one of the few remaining in the country and has a history stretching back 800 years. We then made our way towards Kyson Hill, where the sun-drenched river is framed by salt marshes and ancient woodland. This National Trust area is full of wildlife and we spotted a heron motionless at the water's edge while, in the distance, deer darted between the trees. While we didn't get the chance to visit the mounds of Sutton Hoo itself on the other side of the river, its connection to the town is deepening. It's thought the ship and its treasure were hauled three miles up to the burial site from Woodbridge in the 7th Century, and now a community-led project is rebuilding the ancient craft in all its 90ft glory. The locals are brilliantly enthusiastic about the mission, and you can take a look at the impressive work in progress in The Longshed. After a weekend of eating, walking and soaking up the charm of this riverside town and all its history, I reckon Woodbridge is quite possibly the happiest place to live in the UK. And it's just as great to visit. It may even feature frequently on my property searches . . .
