Latest news with #racecourse
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Queen Camilla refuses to let the rainy weather dampen her spirits as she visits 'the most beautiful racecourse'
The Queen has braved the rainy weather to visit what she called 'the most beautiful racecourse' and open a new stand that has been named in her honour today. Despite the downpour, Camilla, who took shelter under a sheer umbrella, was on jolly form and smiled broadly as she chatted to locals after touring privately-owned Hexham Racecourse - Northumberland's only track. The Queen was shown around the venue, 600ft above the town, which boasts views across the county and an undulating jump track which sits in a natural amphitheatre. Camilla, under a photograph of the late Queen's horse No Trumps, which won a race at the course in 2019, said she hoped to come back with a runner one day. She wore a pale-blue Bruce Oldfield outfit and a horseshoe brooch marked Minoru, which was a horse owned by Edward VII. After officially opening the Queen Camilla Stand, she said: 'How thrilled I am to be here in Hexham. 'I haven't been here, I am ashamed to say, before but it really is the most beautiful racecourse. It has the most wonderful views. 'Unfortunately, I didn't bring the weather with me, I can imagine what it is like on a sunny day because it looks pretty good on a day like this. Next time, I hope to come back with a runner. Hopefully it emulates No Trumps.' The Queen spoke to racing industry figures including trainer Charlie Brooks, who said afterwards: 'She is very engaged in racing issues and, without putting words in her mouth, is understanding of the challenges – she knows her stuff.' Robert Whitelock, racecourse manager, showed the Queen around the site and said afterwards: 'It is wonderful that she came up here and I think she is delighted about the stand being named in her honour.' Racing has been held in Hexham since 1670 and National Hunt Racing started at the current site in 1890. The Queen, like her late mother-in-law before her, is a long-standing supporter of horse racing and has loved horses since she was a girl. She once told ITV Racing: 'I could probably ride before I could walk.' A follower of jump racing from her teenage years, Camilla recognised the odds were against being a winning racehorse owner. Camilla (pictured greeting members of the public following her visit), under a photograph of the late Queen's horse No Trumps, which won a race at the course in 2019, said she hoped to come back with a runner one day After officially opening the Queen Camilla Stand, the royal (pictured left) said: 'How thrilled I am to be here in Hexham. 'I haven't been here, I am ashamed to say, before but it really is the most beautiful racecourse. It has the most wonderful views' Speaking to the channel in 2021, she said: 'I think people go into racing who don't know a lot about it and think 'Oh, we will buy a horse and it will win a race', but it's terribly difficult to win any race anywhere. 'The odds are actually stacked against winning, aren't they?' Meanwhile, King Charles braved the rain in east London as he visited a creative cultural festival on Thursday, where he met Hollywood actor Ben McKenzie. The royal, 76, travelled to Old Spitalfields Market, for the city's first ever SXSW festival where businesses and individuals involved in music, technology, screen and culture come together. Charles attempted to keep himself dry in the typical British wet weather by holding up a large brolly as he strolled through the streets of Shoreditch. As he arrived, the monarch beamed as he met with Karen Gibson of The Kingdom Choir - the same group who sang at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 's wedding in 2018. The event originated in Texas but has evolved into a broader festival encompassing some of the key figures in the creative arts and technology industries. The King looked typically stylish and dapper as he stepped out in a navy pinstripe suit paired with a crisp white shirt and a blue tie. The Queen (pictured left), like her late mother-in-law before her, is a long-standing supporter of horse racing and has loved horses since she was a girl Charles greeted and shook hands with American actor Ben McKenzie, who handed the king his book, Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud. The OC star - who was sporting a beige suit with a light blue shirt - and Charles beamed as they chatted to each other inside the venue. Charles appeared to be in high spirits as he made his way around the SXSW festival, which thousands of people have visited over the past week.
BBC News
07-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
RBWM council rejects new 5G mast near Ascot racecourse
Council rejects new 5G mast near racecourse 7 minutes ago Share Save Ruth Lucas Local Democracy Reporting Service Share Save Getty Images The council admitted a new mast was needed A council has refused plans to install a new 5G mast close to a racecourse. The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead (RBWM) rejected Cornerstone's proposal to use land at Winkfield Road, near Ascot Racecourse. It argued the 17.5m (57ft) high tower would be overly bulky for the scenery of the area. The telecoms firm said it was reviewing its options and added it had given "great consideration to the location and design". It said it had been given a tenancy notice at its current base at St George's Landfill, to allow for redevelopment at the site. RBWM admitted the new mast was needed "to avoid an urgent situation where there is no coverage for the operator in this busy location". But it refused the plans on 24 April, with planning officers saying the applicant had not demonstrated that alternative sites had been assessed, and whether the site proposed was the "least harmful option available". Representatives from Ascot Racecourse objected to the plans. It wrote to the council stating the tower would have "a considerable detrimental impact". A spokesperson said the racecourse "contributes significantly" to the town's tourism industry and is a large employer in the area, and takes "considerable care" of the appearance of the site. Sunninghill and Ascot Parish Council also raised concerns with the plans. It suggested other sites like Ascot United Football Ground would be more suitable. A Cornerstone spokesperson said the firm understood its mobile infrastructure "impacts communities and can lead to concern about proposed developments". "For this reason, we give great consideration to the location and design of our infrastructure," they added. "Cornerstone are reviewing the options locally to ensure that members of the public, businesses and visitors to Ascot can access the most up-to-date digital services." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, , or Instagram. More on this story Chinese-owned masts to be replaced on tower block
