Industry

Hundreds of small explosives found in waterway

by Sebastian
written by Sebastian

Hundreds of small explosives have been recovered from a waterway by a bomb disposal team.

The railway detonators were found by a person cleaning in the River Nene area close to the Carlsberg brewery off Bridge Street, Northampton, on Sunday.

Police closed the road at 16:00 BST for three-and-a-half hours while the emergency team worked at the scene.

A total of 379 detonators, used as a loud warning signal to train drivers, were collected and taken away from the site, Northamptonshire Police said.

Market

'Teachers should have to take neurodiversity training'

by Faith
written by Faith

An autistic man wants all teachers to undertake training to help them better understand how to interact with neurodivergent students and employees.

Tom Howard's petition, calling on the government to make the training mandatory, already has more than 10,000 supporters.

The 29-year-old, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, hoped it would help make education more accessible, improve inclusion and safety, and ensure the mental health of neurodivergent students does not suffer like his did.

"At university, things became overwhelming, the lack of understanding and reasonable adjustments pushed me to breaking point," he told the BBC.

Supplied
Mr Howard is no stranger to running campaigns, having previously called on the government to reinstate the Disability Cost of Living Payment

According to the national charity Children's Society UK, it was estimated that between 15 and 20% of young people in the UK were neurodivergent.

This meant they had been diagnosed with either autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, dyspraxia, dysgraphia or Tourette's Syndrome, NHS England said.

Research by the National Autistic Society, meanwhile, showed just 14% of secondary school teachers have received more than half a day's training on autism.

Its education report also revealed that 70% of autistic young people said teachers don't understand enough about autism.

Joey Nettleton Burrows, policy and public affairs manager at the organisation, said it was "critical" for teachers to understand autism to ensure autistic pupils feel supported in the classroom.

"A lack of understanding about autism can lead to students feeling unsupported, or that their needs aren't being met, which can have a negative impact on their attendance and attainment," he said.

"Autistic children deserve the right help at school, and teachers should be supported to provide this.

"All teachers and school staff should receive mandatory autism training to improve understanding and ensure that all autistic children get the education they need."

Getty Images
The Department for Education said it was looking to "restore the confidence of families" of SEND children

Mr Howard said he feared struggles faced by neurodivergent students could contribute to "poor mental health and emotional distress" – something he wants to prevent from happening.

"I want teachers to have training so they can spot and understand the signs and symptoms and learn how to interact with people who are neurodivergent," he said.

"But it's not just about the interactions between teachers and students because there are more and more neurodivergent teachers and support staff in the workplace."

'Every student deserves to be understood'

Mr Howard received a "late diagnosis" for his autism in July 2016 when he was 20 years old and studying at university.

Before his diagnosis, the lack of quiet spaces for breaks, clear instructions, extended time for exams and coursework, flexible deadlines and the availability of assistive technology made studying difficult, he said.

He also struggled with changing timetables, not being allowed to leave class when he felt overwhelmed, and not having one-to-one mentoring sessions with a trusted staff member.

"This lived experience is what now drives me to campaign for change because no one should have to reach crisis before they're supported," he said.

"Every teacher deserves the tools to recognise and respond to neurodivergence—and every student deserves to be understood."

'Something will change'

Mr Howard surveyed just over 80 teachers and lecturers as part of research for his campaign and said he was "quite surprised" when 90% told him neurodivergent training would be useful.

Speaking about the petition, he said: "It is absolutely incredible, I have been overwhelmed by the public response, and I am looking forward to seeing what the government has to say.

"If I can get further cross-party backing and keep raising awareness, I think we will slowly chip away at it, and I am hopeful something will change."

The government is required to respond to petitions on the UK Parliament website with more than 10,000 signatures.

A Department for Education spokesperson said: "It will take time but, as part of our Plan for Change, we are thinking differently about what the Send [special educational needs and disabilities] system should look like, to restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for so every child can achieve and thrive.

"We are already making progress by investing £1bn into Send nationally and £740m to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools, paving the way for significant, long-term reform."

Industry

Frank Skinner gets married after four rejections from his now-wife

by Audrey
written by Audrey

Frank Skinner has revealed he has married his girlfriend Cath Mason after 24 years together.

The comedian and presenter shared the news on his podcast, Frank Off The Radio on an episode broadcast on Friday morning, alongside co-hosts Emily Dean and Pierre Novellie.

"You'll never guess what I did on Monday, I got married", the 68-year-old said, adding: "Don't be offended, we didn't invite anyone".

He confirmed that their only witness was their son Buzz, who was born in 2012, and that the marriage took place at Camden Town Hall.

Getty Images
Frank Skinner, 68, revealed he had proposed to his now-wife Cath Mason four times previously

Skinner previously said during an interview with The Sun in 2024 that he had asked Mason to marry him four times, but she had always declined.

"Maybe it's some terrible personal reason that I don't know about," he said, "that she doesn't actually like me as much as I think she does.

"Her parents got divorced, so she got a bit cynical about it and thinks if we get married it would be like a slight curse on the thing," he went on to add.

Skinner, who met Mason when she was working for his management company, says their wedding was not a traditional one at her request.

"I don't want a load of guests, I'm not going in a church. I don't want a ring," he says she told him.

He added: "The thing that no one ever says about getting married is it's quite embarrassing. How can I put it? It's a bit basic getting married."

Instead of a white dress, Skinner says "she wore a flowery dress" and they walked down the aisle to Lie Dream Of a Casino Soul by The Fall as the Manchester post-punk group "meant so much to me and Cath when we were in our early days".

He says Mason also kept her own name and does not wear a ring now that they are married.

Economy

'Enough is enough' says MP of road shut for months

by Violet
written by Violet

The continued closure of a road linking two major towns is having a "massive impact" on life in a Cheshire village, according to residents and business owners.

The B5470 between Macclesfield and Whaley Bridge in neighbouring Derbyshire had to shut in January after part of the carriageway collapsed following heavy rain.

Declining footfall at the Swan Inn has resulted in its licensee reconsidering his investment plans for the pub in Kettleshulme.

Cheshire East Council said it understood the "frustrating" situation and was "prioritising the reopening" of the road as soon as possible.

The Swan Inn lies on the B4570

During his 19 years as licensee, Robert Cloughley said he had invested in the 18th Century pub by adding a new kitchen and accommodation.

Mr Cloughley said the inn had suffered significantly this year as a result of the road closure.

"I don't think anybody realises how busy a road it is, and what a thoroughfare it is," he said.

"Something needs doing because it's impacting us an awful lot, along with businesses on both sides of the works."

Mr Cloughley said it had really made him think about the financial aspects of his business.

"The challenges are there, obviously with the [recent rises in] national insurance, minimum wage [and] business rates," he said.

"Those are three elements that have gone up massively in the last two months, and obviously we've now got a downturn in trade because of these road closures [which] I find unreasonable and unacceptable.

"It makes us think about employing new people, trimming hours back to try and restrain costs.

"We've invested a lot in the business and we have got thoughts about doing other things, but we just can't do it anymore because the cash flow is not there."

Sue Jeffrey said the diversion signs around the road closure were "inadequate"

Opposite the pub is David G Ross Nurseries.

The business has been here for 60 years and is now occupies a four-and-a-half acre (1.8 hectare) site.

"It's having a massive impact on us, in terms of our customers getting to us and to actually get our deliveries here," said operations manager Sue Jeffrey.

She said some drivers were "just not attempting to come to us" and complained that diversion signs erected around the road closure were "inadequate".

"At Whaley Bridge where the road starts, it just says 'road ahead closed', said Ms Jeffrey.

"It doesn't say that local businesses are not affected, so it's very frustrating for us as customers will see the 'road ahead closed' sign and not even bother to come to us."

She said the road closure was also causing issues for staff who have to take their children to school in Macclesfield.

Communication from the councol had been "zero", added Ms Jeffrey.

Neelanga Uggalle has concerns about safety on the diversion route, which is a single-track road in places

People living in the village also said they were worried about the ongoing road closure.

IT worker Neelanga Uggalle, who lives in Kettleshulme, said he travels to his company's office, near Knutsford, two days a week.

He contacted BBC North West to voice his concerns about the lengthy road closure.

Mr Uggalle said he now avoided going into Macclesfield at weekends because he believes the diversion – a single track in many places – is simply not safe.

"A lot of people I've noticed are not familiar with how to deal with it," he said.

"You just have oncoming traffic without slowing down, even though there is a passing place they could've used," he explained.

"Occasionally you have an HGV going through even though there is a clear sign on both ends saying it's not suitable.

"I think they thought 'Maybe because it's a B road – nobody's using it'.

"While villages like this have a smaller number of people this [road] is actually used to connect two major towns. Because of that there's a lot of traffic."

UK Parliament
MP Tim Roca raised the issue in a Parliamentary debate

Macclesfield MP Tim Roca raised the issue in Parliament and said the disruption to residents was "profound".

The Labour MP said a governor from a local primary school had told him the closure had caused major issues, with it being forced to cancel swimming lessons due to the longer round trip to the pool.

"The impact of the closure is widespread," said Roca, highlighting issues including the impact on the road being used as a diversion, extra carbon emissions from queueing traffic, and lost school and family time for residents.

After raising the issue, he said he was "grateful for the new sense of urgency" from the council's highways team.

Jon Pearce, Labour MP for the neighbouring High Peak constituency, said the road closure was "a nightmare" for many residents.

"Enough is enough," he said. "Cheshire East Council need to resolve this as we've been waiting for too long."

Future of Roads Minister Lillian Greenwood said she understood it was a difficult situation and urged more communication from the council.

"It is so important that local people understand the work that is being undertaken," she said.

"Sometimes things do take longer than expected, but [Cheshire East Council needs] to explain to local people what they are doing and how they will expedite these repairs."

The road links Macclesfield and Whaley Bridge

Mark Goldsmith, chair of Cheshire East's highways and transport committee, said: "Our teams have been working hard to get this road reopened following the large landslip. Unfortunately, we cannot simply repair the road.

"We have had to conduct extensive ecology and drainage surveys to understand how to create a secure platform for the new road to sit on.

"Other technical investigations will also take place over the coming weeks, which will then allow us to design the engineering solution needed to reinstate the road.

"Once we finalise this, we will then give the timescales for rebuilding and reopening the road."

Market

Attack on 85 graves treated as Islamophobic crime

by Andrew
written by Andrew

The damage caused to 85 graves in the Muslim section of a cemetery is being treated as an Islamophobic hate crime, police have said.

The vandalism to the plaques and graves at Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery in Hertfordshire – many belonging to babies and children – was reported on Sunday.

Ch Supt Jon Simpson said the force had explored several potential reasons for the damage and wanted to be careful how it was described to the public.

"However, now our inquiry has progressed we are confident that sadly, this was a religiously motivated act," he said.

"We would like to reassure those affected, and the wider Muslim community, that we are continuing to treat this crime extremely seriously."

Wadi Funeralcare
The damage is in the Muslim burial section of Carpenders Park Lawn Cemetery

Ch Supt Simpson's colleague Sgt Irfan Ishaq said he had been "listening to and recording feedback" from Muslim communities.

"We completely understand their frustration at the delay in confirming it as a hate crime and stand with them in their condemnation of this dreadful incident," he said.

"I'm sure the public can appreciate that as police, it is important for us to approach every incident reported to us with an open mind to ensure an unbiased and fair investigation."

Wadi Funeralcare
Damage included broken name plaques and headstones and the removal of top soil

Officers are working to identify families affected by the damage and a police presence is expected to remain in the area.

The cemetery is in the Three Rivers District, but owned by Brent Council in north London.

Earlier this week, Labour leader Muhammed Butt said the council would reinstate the damaged name plaques and return the cemetery to a "peaceful, quiet place of remembrance as quickly as possible".

Tech

Mental health trust still 'requires improvement'

by Louis
written by Louis

A mental health trust still requires improvement in relation to its adult wards, an investigation has found.

The Care Quality Commission said it found "pockets of improvement" when it visited wards at Dorothy Pattison Hospital in Walsall but said leaders still have work to do.

The Black Country Healthcare Trust had already been told to improve its mental health inpatient services after safeguarding issues were raised following an inspection in February 2023.

The trust's chief nurse, Carolyn Green, said she recognised some improvements were needed and was pleased the inspectors had noted some improvements.

The trust's chair stood down in October after a critical report by leadership firm Xytal found distrust among staff at all levels.

This latest unannounced inspection was carried out in May 2024. The CQC apologised for the delay in publication and said it was due to a large-scale transformation programme which resulted in problems with systems.

"The amount of time taken to publish this report falls far short of what people using services and the trust should be able to expect and CQC apologises for this."

It added any immediate action would not have been affected.

The inspection was prompted by concerns raised around the management of the medical team and a poor culture where staff could not speak up.

Inspectors said this had not been substantiated.

The overall rating for the service, and the rating for how safe the service is, has again been rated as requires improvement.

The rating for how well-led the service is has improved from requires improvement to good.

Some staff had not completed mandatory training including basic life support, inspectors said. The trust said all staff were booked in to complete this.

Inspectors also found some wards to be cluttered and some areas "shabby" and "damaged".

People were allowed to smoke in garden areas which led to a "a large quantity of cigarette ends and litter" and there were also exposed sharp edges on doors which people could use to hurt themselves, the report stated.

However, inspectors found staff felt supported and listened to and were confident in raising concerns.

Andy Brand, CQC deputy director of operations in the Midlands, said: "We clearly saw that Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust had made improvements in how management oversaw the service since our previous report.

"However, leaders still have work to do to make changes to support the trust's caring staff with good processes and systems to support them to keep people safe and wards running effectively."

"We recognise that some improvements are needed, and we are committed to deliver these, to provide the best possible service for our patients and working environment for our staff"," Ms Green said.

She said the hospital trust is launching a new approach to 'smoke-free' in summer.

Business

What was it like auditioning to be in the new Harry Potter TV show?

by Jose
written by Jose

Almost every child has dreamed, if only for a moment, of living in the world of Harry Potter.

When the cast was announced for the films back in the early 2000s, I remember feeling a pang of jealousy – Emma Watson was fine, but wasn't I the real Hermione Granger? I would have given anything for a casting director to have spotted me and whisked me away to Hogwarts to play the iconic witch.

For three young actors – Dominic McLaughlin, Arabella Stanton and Alastair Stout – that fantasy has become a reality after they were cast as Harry, Hermione and Ron in HBO's forthcoming Harry Potter TV adaptation.

The trio went through a process that lasted for months and included several rounds of auditions and workshops.

They were eventually chosen after more than 30,000 children applied to join the wizarding world through an open casting call. What was the process like, and what lies in store for the chosen few?

Daniela Tasker
Marcus Marinescu received a call back for the role of Harry Potter

Daniela Tasker saw the open casting call advertised on Facebook and encouraged her son and daughter to audition.

They were asked to submit two videos – a memorised monologue and a short introductory clip talking about their hobbies. Her son Marcus received a call back.

"Marcus wasn't very interested in Harry Potter but when he made it to the next stage he read all the books, watched the films and went through a phase of loving it," Daniela tells the BBC.

In October, Marcus was sent a script from classic 1982 film ET to perform – but after submitting his video, he didn't hear back.

Despite being "very sad" about the outcome, Marcus is now determined to apply for other acting roles and has his second-round script framed in his bedroom.

Getty Images
Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson were announced as the film actors in August 2000

Those who made it past the second round of auditions had to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), meaning they can't publicly reveal any information about the casting process.

However, one parent who spoke to the BBC anonymously said their son made it through several rounds of the process and was still attending auditions until recently.

'Dodged a bullet'

The young boy was given a script for the new series and attended in-person workshops with other children.

"We had a glimpse of what the show will be like and we are very excited for it," the parent says. "You can tell a lot of care has gone into the details."

But the parent started to "get cold feet" as the process went on when they realised how life-changing this role would be.

"It started to become more daunting and we realised the huge pressure that would be on our son if he got the role. He was a little disappointed to be unsuccessful but I think we've dodged a bullet."

Tech

Headlines: Car park walls and maternity unit closure

by Grace
written by Grace

Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of England.

We have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.

What have been the big stories in the West this week?

At the start of the week Bristol woke up to the news of a death at the half marathon event on the weekend.

ITV West Country reported 28-year-old rugby player Jon Devereux, from Chester, died after after collapsing and falling ill at the Great Bristol Run.

Bristol Live's article on the sudden closure of part of the Co-op car park in Westbury-on-Trym and some walls installed there also gained a lot of attention this week. Nearby residents are now calling for an investigation after the area was cordoned off with blue walls.

The body found in the search for missing 16-year-old Athrun got a lot of reaction from ITV West Country and Bristol Live audiences. Searches had been ongoing in the West Shore area of Llandudno following the sighting of a body on Tuesday.

Finally, news from The Dorset Echo, Somerset Live and ITV West Country on the temporary closure of Yeovil's maternity unit gained a lot of traction this week. In a statement the hospital trust told ITV West Country, it "cannot currently safely run the unit" or "safely provide care during labour and birth".

Top six stories for the BBC in the West

Market

'You just do it because it helps people'

by Brooklyn
written by Brooklyn

Most people celebrating their 80th birthday do not run the risk of being called away to a work emergency – but that will be a possibility for Gari Finch. The soon-to-be octogenarian from Great Ayton, in North Yorkshire, has been a volunteer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue for 54 years, and so far he has at least 1,500 call-outs to his name.

However, Mr Finch's teammates know better than to suggest that after this latest milestone, he should hang up his distinctive red uniform and enjoy retirement.

He says he will continue in the volunteer role he has done since the early 1970s "as long as I'm still of some use".

"I'm still in my 20s in my brain – it's the rest of my body that's not there," he says.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue was established in 1965, and is run entirely by a group of about 70 volunteers, with no paid members of staff.

A keen climber and walker, Mr Finch says he was inspired to join in 1971 to "put a little bit back into society".

"I thought, if I fall off a crag or have an accident, I would like someone to come and help me," he told Naga Munchetty on BBC 5 Live.

"So, consequently, when the opportunity came, I joined up."

Alongside his full-time teaching job, he was a search and rescue officer for over 25 years, responding to accidents and incidents across the North York Moors, the coastline between Sandsend and Hartlepool, and the Tees Valley.

Mr Finch was even part of the team sent to Scotland to help recover debris from the Lockerbie disaster in 1988, the UK's deadliest terror atrocity, when a bomb in the hold of a Pan Am flight to America exploded above the town.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue
Cleveland Mountain Rescue was established in 1965, and is run entirely by volunteers

In 2013, Mr Finch received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his dedication to mountain rescue services – although, according to him, it was "a team effort".

Mr Finch says his late wife, Sandy, also played a vital role in the operation of Cleveland Mountain Rescue, "taking up the reins" and speaking to emergency services in his absence if an urgent call came in.

She died nearly six years ago, and Mr Finch credits the friendships he has formed at the mountain rescue organisation for helping him through that difficult period.

"Apart from helping people, the camaraderie and banter and friends I've made over the years is brilliant," he explains.

"That's what's keeping me going, to be perfectly honest."

Danielrao/iStock/Getty Images
The area Mr Finch's team covers runs from the North York Moors (above) to the coastline of North East England and the Tees Valley

Cleveland Mountain Rescue has also reached a significant anniversary this year – 60 years in operation, making Mr Finch its longest-standing volunteer.

Grant Greive, public relations officer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue, says: "Gari joined the team in 1971, and 54 years later he is still an active member.

"He epitomises what volunteering is about: giving up his time, using his skills to help others."

To this day, Mr Finch still plays an active role in the team as a radio operator, helping to coordinate search and rescue efforts, as well as using his skills to train others.

"I think I'm still of some use," Mr Finch says.

"I'm still on the call-out list, so when there's a call-out, off I go to the base to prepare the Land Rovers and the radios.

"You don't do it for money or anything, you just do it because it's there to be done. It's something useful and it helps people."

Business

'Sea Cadets never let my sight loss get in my way'

by Caleb
written by Caleb

Issy always dreamed of joining her big brother as a Sea Cadet.

She joined the Loughborough branch in Leicestershire two days after her 10th birthday – the official joining age – and was hooked from the first night.

But at the age of 13, Issy's life changed when she suffered a deterioration in her sight overnight, leaving doctors mystified.

"I just woke up one day and my vision was super blurry," she said. "I've been to hospital, had checks with my brain and they can't find anything."

Supplied
Issy enjoys going out into the community

Issy explained she was released from medical care after a few years and "felt lost".

She added: "I thought it was going to change everything at cadets, I'll be a health and safety risk – but the staff were really good, they said 'what can we do to help?'"

Issy, now 16, said that prior to becoming visually impaired, she had "loved" her work with the cadets, and added: "You're learning in such a fun way you don't feel like you're learning, whilst at school it's so stressful.

"The tests you have to do, they make it seem so easy and do it in such a relaxed way."

It was the cadets that helped her after her eyesight deteriorated, as they let her join in all activities, even on the water.

"Boating I thought was going to be like end game, and I was going to have to sit on the side," she said.

"But no, it was really good, I always have someone to help me and they say 'let's just get on with it, we'll learn from our mistakes and keep going'.

"Now I've done every qualification I can do on the water."

Issy has had to adapt to her visual impairment in other areas, but, like her Sea Cadet career, she has continued to thrive.

She has just completed her first aid at work course and is getting ready to take her GCSEs.

At school, she uses large print to help her see the work. Her biggest problem is at night.

"In the dark, I can only see silhouettes and I can't tell who people are," she said. "I use a cane now to help me."

She has also praised the cadets for the adjustments they have made.

They painted white lines on all the steps and put glow-in-the-dark tape around all the light switches.

She added: "At first, at age 13 it was difficult, but I've learned to live with it. I had no idea what it would be like for the rest of my life. I've just tried to get on with it."

Supplied
Issy joined the Sea Cadets when she was 10

Now, Issy is helping her branch of the Sea Cadets by trying to encourage other people to come forward and volunteer.

The charity is having to turn away children because it does not have enough volunteers to support new recruits.

Stewart Thorpe, from the East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said the group wanted to "positively change the lives of more youngsters in the area".

He added Issy had been an inspiration and wanted to share her story "from having her world turned upside down when she woke up partially blind, to being made to feel like anyone else, thanks to volunteers".