Latest news with #countryside
News.com.au
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Apple heiress to be wed this week in $10.2 million countryside ceremony
Apple heiress Eve Jobs, 27, is set to tie the knot with Olympic equestrian gold medallist fiance Harry Charles, 26, this week — in a $6.7 million (A$10.2m), British countryside blowout, boasting family friend Kamala Harris on the guest list and a performance by Elton John. Describing the working model's big day as 'a multi-million-pound fairytale' in the making, one insider claimed that the elite event, planned by 'I do'-industry superstar Stanlee Gatti, was already 'turning rural Oxfordshire upside down.' The source told The Sun that the failed 2024 presidential contender — a close, personal pal of matriarch Laurene Powell Jobs — will be in attendance, alongside the likes of Jessica Springsteen, Arctic Monkeys' Matt Helders and Princess Beatrice. Tech scions Jennifer and Phoebe Gates are thought to be making the trip as well. 'The wedding is being planned like a military operation. The itinerary is scheduled so precisely, with guests starting to arrive all this week before the wedding celebrations begin on Thursday,' the insider said. Jobs' siblings — Reed, 33, and Erin, 29 — are also expected to attend the ultra-posh party, though sources close to the family were unsure whether or not the bride's half-sister, Lisa Brennan-Jobs, will be present. Though details regarding Jobs' wedding looks have been kept under wraps this far, many have speculated that the blushing bride will opt for a unique couture gown for the main event. The happy pair first publicly debuted their relationship at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where Charles was competing. Since graduating from Stanford University, where her parents first met, Jobs has walked Paris Fashion Week runways for luxury labels like Coperni, competed in equestrian World Cup Finals and followed in her mother's philanthropic footsteps. Jobs is currently signed with DNA Model Management. In recent years, she has appeared on the cover of Vogue Japan — as well as a splashy Louis Vuitton campaign. Notably, the offspring of the late tech titan Steve Jobs will not inherit the Apple architect's billions, it has been widely reported. Last month, the 27-year-old jetted off to Capri for a lavish Italian bachelorette weekend — alongside close friends like Olympian Eileen Gu, and fellow Stanford alums. Her fiancé's sister, Scarlett, and mother, Tara, also attended the glam girls' getaway.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi Are Selling U.K. Farmhouse for $30 Million—After Living There for Just One Month
Comedian Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, are preparing to list their sprawling U.K. farmhouse for a staggering $30 million—after living there for just one month before moving on to a larger, more modern estate. DeGeneres, 67, and de Rossi, 52, purchased the 43-acre property in June 2024 for $20 million and proceeded to carry out an extensive renovation. However, just one month after moving in, the duo had already decided to move on—having snapped up a much more extravagant dwelling that boasts a very different aesthetic from the historic stone farmhouse they have now put on the market. Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, DeGeneres explained that she and her spouse made the decision to purchase a second home because it offered more space for de Rossi's horses, which the couple had flown over to the U.K. after deciding to make the country their full-time home. 'When we decided to live here full time, we knew that Portia couldn't live without her horses,' she said. 'We needed a home that had a horse facility and pastures for them.' Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, are listing their U.K. farmhouse for $30 million—after living in it for just one month. (Google Maps) The dwelling that the duo is now attempting to sell is known as Kitesbridge Farm and is located in a tony countryside area known as the Cotswolds, which has long been home to some of the country's most celebrated stars. In a past listing, the property was described as 'an eco-farmhouse with the perfect modern rustic interior.' However, DeGeneres and de Rossi's listing agent, Andrew Barnes, noted that the farm was somewhat 'tired' when the couple purchased it. However, that didn't stop DeGeneres from falling in love with the home—reportedly paying around $3.3 million over the asking price to secure the dwelling, then enlisting a team of 70 workers to rush through renovations so it would be ready for her and de Rossi as soon as possible. Yet those renovations ran into several hurdles—with reports surfacing that she had run into resistance from residents in the area over her plans for the dwelling. In February, it was claimed that DeGeneres and de Rossi were facing objections from neighbors over their proposed development of the abode, with three local councilors raising concerns that an extension might 'increase flood risk in the village' and 'disturb Roman remains.' Meanwhile, other residents expressed concern that the hedge and wire fence at the comedian's home could lead to flooding if trash gets 'caught in the fence' and limits the 'flow across the field.' Despite the protests, a spokesperson for West Oxfordshire Direct Council insisted at the time that the Roman remains sit over 200 yards from DeGeneres and de Rossi's property and that the work was 'completed to a high standard.' The duo bought the property in June 2024 and spent several months renovating it. They ended up residing in the home for just one month before moving into a much more modern dwelling nearby. (ellendegeneres/Instagram) Their new abode boasts a much more modern aesthetic than the traditional farmhouse they are now selling. (Instagram/Ellen DeGeneres) The modern property boasts walls of glass that open to allow in farm animals. (Instagram/Ellen DeGeneres) 'The works at the property involved a single-story extension and garden landscaping,' the spokesperson told the New York Post. 'Although the extension technically breached permitted development rights, it was considered acceptable in planning terms. 'As the works were completed to a high standard with no impact on surrounding amenities or other planning concerns, no further enforcement action was necessary, and the case has been closed. 'Regarding concerns about Roman remains on Akeman Street, the site is more than 200 meters away from the Roman road, and no interference was identified.' It was later reported that the couple had suffered from a number of problems at the dwelling, including flooding. DeGeneres denied reports of floods at the time—and Barnes insisted that there has never been an issue with flooding at the property. The listing agent did, however, note that extensive work was carried out on the dwelling before the couple moved in, describing its original state as 'quite tired, with a quite basic finish.' The Journal reports that DeGeneres and de Rossi were originally given an 18-month timeline in which contractors believed the renovations could be completed—so they brought in 'about 70 workers' who were able to finish the work in about 10 weeks. Yet DeGeneres and de Rossi would end up spending just a matter of weeks living in the completed dwelling before moving on to a new ultramodern home that is located about 30 minutes away and has a more Malibu-esque aesthetic than the traditional stone dwelling they first purchased. Their second home, which DeGeneres has already started showing off on social media, is perched atop a hillside in Oxfordshire—making it much less prone to flooding—and features walls made entirely of glass. Their second abode is also understood to boast about 100 acres of land. (Instagram/Ellen DeGeneres) DeGeneres revealed that they purchased the home to have more room for de Rossi's horses. (ellendegeneres/Instagram) The dwelling boasts five bedrooms and a Japanese-style courtyard at its center. The immaculately landscaped yard leads down to rolling fields where de Rossi's horses can graze and run. Its incredibly modern design is in stark contrast to the traditional farmhouse that is now on the market. That dwelling dates to the 1700s and offers six bedrooms, as well as a party barn with its very own pub—ideal for anyone with a passion for entertaining who wishes to host friends away from prying eyes. The farmhouse also boasts a pool and a gym, both of which are located in another building on the property. DeGeneres initially revealed her plans to part ways with Kitesbridge Farm earlier this month, when she appeared at an event in nearby Cheltenham, during which she opened up to British broadcaster Richard Bacon about the reasons behind her move to the U.K. During that chat, she confirmed for the first time that she and de Rossi had made the decision to relocate to England full time after President Donald Trump won the election, explaining that they had initially been planning to use their British dwelling for only a few months out of the year. 'We got here the day before the election and woke up to lots of texts from our friends with crying emojis, and I was like, 'He got in,'' she explained. 'And we're like, 'We're staying here.' DeGeneres then announced her plans to sell her farmhouse, telling the audience at the Everyman Theatre: 'We decided we needed a different house, and now we are selling that house. 'So if anyone wants a house, it's a beautiful stone farmhouse. To clarify, I'm not selling the new one we now live in. I'm selling the old stone farmhouse.' Related Articles
The Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
So why DID pin-up Mel Sykes vanish from the public eye? Pals reveal all about her reclusive life amid ‘tough' few years
She was the ultimate 90s pin-up, the glamour girl with looks, brains and personality who was once voted the eighth sexiest woman in the world. But fast forward three decades and Melanie Sykes - once a successful model and presenter with a string of high-profile boyfriends and legions of male fans - has practically vanished from the public eye. 18 18 18 Now, the former Big Breakfast star, 54, spends her days painting - even dabbling in nude self-portraits - writing about her various health struggles and shunning showbiz parties after quitting the bright lights of the big smoke for a quiet life in the Yorkshire countryside. And pals insist she 'feels like a completely different person' to the bombshell brunette who kickstarted her career in an ad for Boddington's beer. A source told The Sun: 'She has had a really tough few years dealing with various health issues, and has openly admitted she has PTSD from working in the TV industry." Quit London for Yorkshire Mel has also openly documented her struggles with autism since being diagnosed in 2021, and publicly stated she believes she has Tourette's Syndrome too. The source added: 'She feels like a totally changed woman from the one that was on our screens for all those years, and she is focusing on healing from her trauma, as well as focusing on her health. Her life isn't anywhere near as glamorous as it once was, but she is much happier. She has found a love of painting, which has been really therapeutic for her. She's even painted some nude self-portraits of herself which she has shared on her social media. She finds it very liberating - she wanted to practice drawing the female form, so she figured why not make herself the model?' Mel's journey from lairy ladette to practical obscurity stems from a tumultuous time in the TV industry, most notably her experience on Celebrity Masterchef in 2021, which became the catalyst for her to quit the business for good. 'I was done' The brave mother of two sensationally walked away from her successful career after Gregg Wallace, who last week was sacked from the show following an enquiry into alleged misconduct, made inappropriate comments to her on set. Gregg Wallace is why I ended my TV career, Melanie Sykes says - as she slams 'jaw-dropping' behaviour on MasterChef set Mel claims that Gregg asked her if models eat, something she found 'ignorant,' before telling her that being on Masterchef would help her career. 'I didn't know what to say,' she wrote later. 'So I smiled and said: 'Yes,' but I was really thinking: 'Yes, you have finally helped me decide to end my television career once and for all. I was done.' She called Gregg's behaviour towards her 'unprofessional' and 'jaw-dropping', said she didn't like him being around her and even made an informal complaint against the former greengrocer. Earlier this month, 45 out of 83 allegations made against him during his tenure on the show were substantiated. But despite the victory for Gregg's victims, and his insistence that he is 'deeply sorry' for his actions, it's not likely to instigate a return to the limelight for Mel. These days, Mel prefers to keep in touch with her fans via online mediums where she is in control. 'Industry creates monsters' She boasts almost 300k followers on Instagram and 6.45k subscribers to her YouTube channel, also writes a regular Substack blog, following the closure of her magazine, The Frank, last year. 18 18 18 Using her various outlets, she regularly updates fans on her mental health, often sharing her artwork with hashtags such as 'recovery', 'blessed', and 'healing' or sitting down to address viewers with videos that cover everything from menopause and her autism diagnosis to her TV experiences and health woes. She spoke recently about suffering from an irregular heartbeat, which she claimed doctors ignored and also talked at length about a recent battle with alopecia, both of which she said were triggered by the allegations made against former Let's Do Lunch co-host Gino D'ACampo, earlier this year. After learning Gino was accused of misconduct, Mel 'didn't sleep a wink', she has said. 'This industry creates monsters,' she said on her YouTube channel, Melanie Sykes Is. 18 'I feel like I was in a war zone in that industry – 24 years of battling through an industry that didn't feel right to me anyway.' Since walking away from her lucrative telly jobs, Mel doesn't appear to be making the same money she did in her heyday, when she fronted shows such as Today with Des and Mel, Shop Well For Less and was the voice of the Blind Date reboot. But our insider insists she is getting by. The source said: 'Obviously she doesn't have the income she once had from all her TV and modelling jobs, which has been challenging and stressful at times, but she has savings and she makes money from writing her Substack newsletter, still has some royalties from her biography and she gets paid to speak at various festivals and events. 'She's also been getting funding for some film projects, which she is working on behind the camera and hopes one day to be able to make a living from her paintings.' 18 Mel, who came third in I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2014, was once a well-known face on the showbiz circuit. Her modelling career, followed by a successful stint as a reporter on MTV and The Big Breakfast, catapulted her to fame and lads' mags couldn't get enough of her. As a result Mel dated a string of famous faces, including Steve Coogan, Max Beesley and even Olly Murs. She was also in a long-term romance with Bros singer Matt Goss, which ended in 1997, when she discovered he was cheating on her. She went on to marry twice, once in 2001 to actor Daniel Caltagrione, father of her two sons, Roman, 23, and Valentino, 21 and later, in 2013, to roofer Jack Cockings, a union which lasted barely three years. She also famously enjoyed a romance with a 24 year old-gondolier, Riccardo Simionato, who she met on a canal in Venice in 2020. Now, however, those days of public romances are behind her. 'You won't catch Mel getting snapped with a lover again,' says a friend. 'She feels very scarred by how some of her romances played out in the media, and she feels like the way her love life was scrutinised impacted her relationships. These days, she is focused on putting herself first, not a man.' 18 18 18 As for her old TV pals, Mel still keeps in touch with a few people from the industry, including Alan Carr, but, according to our source, a lot of her 'showbiz friendships have fallen by the wayside'. 'Mel prefers to keep a small circle of close friends,' our insider said. 'Since being diagnosed as neurodivergent, she has learnt a lot about herself and realised she doesn't have the energy to cope with lots of casual, flighty friendships, she finds it really draining.' Looking to the future, feisty Mel has vowed to continue to use her voice to speak out about the wrongdoings in the TV industry with friends insisting she 'isn't afraid to call out the wrongdoings and BS she has experienced.' The source continued, 'It's really inspiring to see how far she has come. A lot of people who have been through what Mel has been through would have totally crumbled, but she is a survivor. "She's living proof that you can fall down in life and not only survive - but start all over again.' 18 18
CNA
19 hours ago
- General
- CNA
CNA938 Rewind - A Letter to Myself: Becoming a farmer in Japan, Ryhan Mohd Yazid balanced tradition with tenacity
Ryhan Mohd Yazid is currently working on her PhD in agricultural sciences from Kyoto University. Her journey began in 2019, when she packed her bags to work on a series of farms in the Japanese countryside — including a tea farm, where she helped translate a textbook on tea into English. Ryhan's journey has required her to steep herself in a completely different culture, which was challenging at the start. Ryhan shares how she eventually won over the locals with her tenacity and the deep respect she's gained for how much care Japanese farmers put into their work.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Decision day on 1,150 new homes on edge of Newton Abbot
More than 1,000 new homes could be built on countryside in Devon if plans are given the green want to build the homes, along with retirement accommodation, a primary school and a community centre, on land on the edge of Newton plans come in three applications to be decided by Teignbridge District Council - with one for an outline plan for up to 900 homes, another application for up to 250 homes and a third application for a new link Newton Abbot and District Civic Society has objected to the plans - describing them as "classic urban sprawl... closing the gap between the existing Newton Abbot area and the A38". Planning officers at Teignbridge have recommended approval of the plans for 900 homes while asking developer Clarence Developments Ltd to pay £1.5m for 15 gypsy and traveller pitches and another £500,000 for bus in five of the homes built would have to be 900-home planning application takes in both sides of Ashburton Road and runs up across fields past Seale Hayne and almost as far as Trago housing plans are separate from the other major developments around Newton Abbot at nearby Whitehill and south of the town at the controversial Wolborough Barton District Council's planning committee will meet to discuss the plans from 10:00 BST.
