Latest news with #countryside
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Meet the Macclesfield grandad sharing his love of the outdoors online
Here in the North West we are fortunate to have incredible countryside, bustling cities, award-winning beaches and not forgetting incredibly friendly year I wanted to reflect on the pride we have of our wonderful region and the people that make it such a fantastic place to I came up with BBC North West Tonight's 25 in 25, a series showcasing some of the best people and places in the north-west of week I met up with Roger Hordley - an 81-year-old walking, photo-taking grandad whose photographs have earned him a following online. Roger's daughter Daniele emailed me about her dad, who enjoys nothing more than walking in and around Macclesfield Forest.I live in Marple. Macclesfield is, as we always say, "down the road" and yet somewhere I am ashamed to say I have never really a morning spent admiring the views I know it is a place I will be returning to - especially with my girls who would love the chance to build a den in the forest, like the one me and Roger stumbled not everyone has that opportunity and that's one of the reasons why Roger takes photos for his blog. "I take maybe 30 - 50 photos during a walk, I'll whittle them down to 15 or 20, put them into a montage and share them."The family can see them and, apparently, I have followers who like them."At the age of 81, some might think it's a time to sit back and relax but not Roger."Why do I walk? To keep fit? No. To keep the joints moving. I'm 81 and it keeps my limbs loose."Walking like this is for my knees, the future me is happy." Roger has walked five miles a day, at least five times a week for the past 10 years, so what motivates him?"Look at it. It's absolutely glorious."The walks are good, the exercise is good. It's just lovely. Who would not want to walk in a place like this?"Throughout our walk, Roger uses an app on his phone which tells him the name of the flower or bug he has stumbled across cotton grass, which looked like cotton wool balls on top of in the cotton a bug hid, Roger's app established it was a slow bug."I see something new every time I come on this walk, no two walks are the same." His advice to those that perhaps haven't got the motivation he shares?"The only thing I would say is don't think of the walking, think about what you're seeing."I wouldn't rather be sat inside watching the telly, I'd rather be here, watching this view." Read more stories from Cheshire on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC North West on X. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Our lives will be ruined by billionaire's £30,000-a-night wedding venue in quiet village – it'll be a 24/7 party site
A 'LORD of the Manor' billionaire has infuriated villagers by launching a mega party centre which they claim threatens to destroy their peace and quiet. Many of the 150 locals say that hugely-wealthy Jon Hunt - who sold his estate agency Foxtons for millions - has turned his country estate in the heart of the Suffolk countryside into a giant retreat called Valley Farm where guests can drink and dance round the clock. 9 9 9 In the latest confrontation with villagers in Huntingfield near Halesworth, critics claim he is creating an unsuitable 24-hour-a-day venue – with booze on tap at all hours – that will ruin their tranquil lives. The latest addition to the sprawling 8,000 acre estate - an 18-bedroom wedding venue called Blyth Barn - is a string of converted linked buildings that can accommodate more than 200 guests and is just two minutes walk from the peaceful village green. In a meeting earlier this month, Huntingfield Parish Council's planning committee voted in favour of a motion to approve the part-retrospective application submitted by The Wilderness Reserve. However, there were conditions that limited the number of events with more than 180 people per year, and there will be no marquees outside the building area, reports the Beccles & Bungay Journal. The plan related to the reconfiguration of three approved holiday lets into the single guest house. But locals are seriously worried that what they describe as a 'glorified holiday camp' they claim will ruin their rural peace and quiet. Local Helen Cannon told The Sun this week: "They know how to work the system – they apparently said it wasn't going to be a party place but that is exactly what every other property on the estate has been turned into. 'This new place will apparently have 18 rooms and be able to host hundreds of people – that will inevitably involve disruption and late-night disturbance for every local living here.' The new 'party central' development – which also boasts a swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, gym and party room will be available for a reported £30,000 a night and have parking for more than 100 cars. It previously won permission from the district council to sell alcohol 24 hours a day, sparking more fears among some locals of round-the-clock noise and disturbance. Your kids are breaking law if they kick their ball over neighbour's fence, High Court rules after couple sued next door It is being advertised as 'grand-scale entertainment' and despite local objections, has been granted a licence for music until 1am. Villagers Lori Kingsley Adams and her daughter Nina Roe, 39, are among local objectors – they claim it has grown well beyond the 'rural retreat' originally pitched. Ms Adams, 61, who has lived in Huntingfield since 2017, said: "We feel like we have been ignored and our views not considered – all in the name of money. "This is a very old village and a small farming community and we thought this development would be a good thing for the village. 'But we have already endured four years of construction disturbing the peace and calm of the village. "It has been distressing and Huntingfield has been ruined - Mr Hunt presents himself as a philanthropist but he's not. We feel our views have been ignored – all in the name of money.' Ms Adams previously told the MailOnline: "It's a David and Goliath battle." Another villager said: "No-one has thought about the effect on all our lives – the traffic, light-pollution noise and the effects on wildlife. "Some guests will arrive in helicopters – we have all been misled about the 'green' nature of this development." 9 9 Parish council chairman David Blackmore raised concerns at a recent meeting about 'the huge amount of traffic, noise and light pollution' caused by the guests. He said: 'We are not anti-development just anti the wrong development – and a huge wedding venue and party space has no place in our small village.' And a report from a planning consultant said that the venue 'will inevitably cause a great deal of noise and disturbance to the local area with loud music and and a massive increase in traffic.' Adding a claim that 'the council failed to take any action or issue any enforcement notices for the current development not being in accordance to the approved plans.' But not everyone is against the new facility – furniture maker Chris Kerridge, who lives in the village, said: "I come from here and lots of my family live around here. "Mr Hunt is creating jobs, employing lots of local people and is saving the place in a traditional way. 'He is restoring disused old buildings and putting them to good use – he has deep pockets and can afford to do that.' The Wilderness estate is described in its brochures as 'an eco-holiday resort for grand-scale entertainment' and famous guests who have already stayed there include Jack Whitehall and Zoe Sugg. Mr Hunt makes this year's recent 'Rich List' with a fortune of £1.427 billion pounds which means he is the 114 th richest person in the country. The planning committee also approved an application for an extension and modification One bid is for the extension and modification of the car park which had received 40 objections from the public. It was heard in the meeting that the proposal includes 53 parking spaces and the overflow car park was removed from the application in response to objections. The other proposal was a part-retrospective application for a building to house management services and overflow accommodation. The committee voted in favour to approve both the applications. A spokesman for Wilderness said: "We have been part of the community around Huntingfield for many years, supporting local businesses and jobs as well creating new natural habitats for wildlife. "We look forward to continuing to work with the local community to deliver more of these benefits in the future." 9 9 9
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Danny Dyer gushes about daughter Dani's 'amazing' husband-to-be Jarrod Bowen in hilarious confession
Danny Dyer gushed about his daughter Dani's 'amazing' husband-to-be Jarrod Bowen in a hilarious confession on Friday. The EastEnders star, 47, even admitted to being 'slightly in love' with the West Ham player, 28, ahead of the wedding. Dani, 28, and Jarrod are set to marry in the English countryside on Saturday during an intimate ceremony. Giving his verdict on his son-in-law in an interview with The Mirror, Danny joked: 'I have met every single boyfriend that has walked through my door - and then she brings home the West Ham captain. 'I have gone from the lying scum, and I hate them, to a man who I would not mind tonguing myself! A strong man. If he lent in I would put my lips on this geezer.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. He added: 'He is amazing. I can't wait to give her away. What a touch. But if he was to make a move on me before… I think I'm in love with him, slightly.' Dani recently revealed she is putting the finishing touches on her upcoming wedding to fiancé Jarrod. The former Love Island star revealed finalising her seating plans has been the most stressful part of the nuptials. Speaking to Heat magazine, she said: 'I have finally done my table plans now. Until you are in there writing names out, making sure you have tables of 10, it's the most stressful experience ever - that's the only thing I've not enjoyed.' Dani also revealed she will take on a double-barrell surname after the wedding, becoming Dyer-Bowen. She said: 'I am going to keep the Dyer - I am going to do Dani Dyer-Bowen just because of my work. I feel like if I am Dani Bowen, it takes that thing away from me. We are double-barrelling it.' The wedding will undoubtedly be an emotional day for Dani's father Danny Dyer, with the reality star saying he and West Ham star Jarrod are very close. 'We've joked so many times that Jarrod is marrying the wrong Dani Dyer!' she said. The mother-of-three added she has really enjoyed the build up to the big day, which included a recent hen night in Ibiza with her pals. Sparing no expense with her lavish nuptials, the bride-to-be shared a glimpse of her wild celebrations on Instagram, which included a boozy brunch, a boat trip and a raucous night in the lavish nightclub Ushuaia. A source told The Sun that Dani really splashed the cash during her hen celebrations, including a VIP night at Ushuaia that cost at least £8,000. The insider said: 'Dani might have flown on a commercial flight but they splashed the cash when they landed. 'She spent Friday night at Ushuaia where they were on a VIP table with a minimum spend of £8,000. The next day they hired a boat to go around the coast before spending the rest of the time chilling at the Hard Rock hotel. 'Dani also had a boozy brunch at Beso Beach where her mates put on Jarrod masks and sang ABBA songs with her. 'They spent their last night at super club Hï Ibiza where they had a VIP booth. There were some sore heads when they touched down at City airport.' Dani reportedly splashed out an eye-watering £20,000 on her hen party in Ibiza, as she prepares to tie the knot with footballer Jarrod Bowen this weekend Meanwhile, Jarrod jetted off to Las Vegas for his stag do as he prepares to marry the Love Island star. Explaining the timeline on their Live And Let Dyers podcast, Dani explained: 'I literally get back from my Hen on the Monday and then I get married on the Saturday. And if you can go, Jarrod gets back Thursday and then married Saturday.' That's when Danny cheered and shouted out: 'Strippers!,' much to his daughter's dismay. 'No, you're not,' insisted Dani, who went on to explain that at a different Hen she attended, they had a butler in the buff. Dani said: 'We had to draw him, we had to draw the naked man. It's different, it's so different. I don't care.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Hollyoaks star 'marries businessman fiancé' she met on a plane - as her co-star watches the countryside nuptials
Hollyoaks star Caroline Koziol has reportedly tied the knot with her fiancé Phil Thornett. The actress, who played Katja in the Channel 4 soap, met businessman Phil on an aeroplane and fell in love. And six years after going public with their relationship, the happy couple have made things official by becoming man and wife, reports The Sun. The countryside nuptials were said to be witnessed by the couples family and friends including Caroline's former Hollyoaks co-star Rory Douglas Speed, who plays Joel Dexter on the soap. The pair grew close during Caroline's short stint on Hollyoaks, and she's said to have described Rory as a 'brother from another mother'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. MailOnline have contacted Caroline's representatives for comment. While she's kept her romance with actor and writer Phil under wraps, she has spoken about him in the past, praising his 'kindness' in an interview with Shoutout LA. Describing him as her 'best friend', she said: 'He believed in me more than anyone else. I feel blessed that I had a chance to meet him. 'His kindness towards people and me was beyond, but I guess a part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.' Carolina, who appeared on Hollyoaks for a number of months in 2021, portrayed Polish immigrant Katja. Her stint saw her act as an unsuspecting van driver of laptops that Warren Fox, Felix Westwood and Brad King had planned to steal. Amid their scheme, she was directed into a garage by Felix dressed as a policeman, however, she became suspicious of his identity when she noticed he wasn't wearing a stab vest. In his panic, Felix tied her up and placed her in the back of the van, however, a scuffle ensued and Katja managed to escape. She had jumped into the van to flee but in her hurry, she accidentally knocked over Maxine Minniver, leaving her unconscious. Prior to Hollyoaks, Caroline began her career in the theatre and was even nominated for a Best Actress award at the Los Angeles Film Festival for her role in 2020 short film Dream Catcher. Caroline's first major role was as Mariana in Line of Duty back in 2019. She's since gone on to become a Bollywood star, appearing in over 20 Bollywood films. Caroline has also become a TikTok and YouTube sensation in recent times, going viral in 2024 thanks to her GP Receptionist and Builder videos.
Vogue
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Louis Vuitton Resort 2026 Menswear Collection
From Met Gala to pet gala: dog lover Pharrell Williams retreated to the countryside for this year's canine-inflected Louis Vuitton menswear resort collection. Although the offer wasn't quite as dense with dog accessories as 2025's equivalent, there were dog graphics; bags shaped after a pointer, a fox, and a beagle; a trunk/dog bed hybrid; more dog collars; doggy-do bag holders; a brass-doored Speedy pet trunk; dog bowls; a quilted leather dog jacket; and a spiffy cap with built-in earholes. While Williams was not on hand to walk through the collection, its footprints nodded to some classic tropes of Anglomania via many dandyish diversions specific to his design direction. His nods to le style anglais included a Prince of Wales check tweed puffer, microcheck tailoring in the house's serendipitously tweedy hues of brown cut in denim or wool and patterned with widely spaced monogram logotypes, a tailored top coat in herringbone, commuter-friendly quilted jackets, and a check collarless jacket. Jackets that distorted the gridded geometry of the house pattern with raindrop circles were true reflections of the LV team's inspirational source territory. There was a riff on the cricket sweater. Foxes and crowns decorated a woven print jacket. Beyond that Williams presented a broad palette of materially elevated casual pieces. Parkas, chore jackets, windbreakers, varsity jackets, and bombers were all humble templates delivered in rich materials, the highlight of which was a cropped fitted trucker-like jacket in olive-dyed shearling. His denim and tailoring was cut in the house boot-cut, the better to accommodate handsome lug-soled boots. Top-to-toe workwear outfits were made in what looked like felted suede peppered with more monogram pattern. This was an appealing and leisurely stroll across the expanding landscape of Williams's menswear design.
