By Health Correspondent Nearly one-third of people who adopted and adhered to a healthy diet did not lose any weight, but still reaped many health benefits, according to a new study led by researchers at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Ben Gurion University, Israel. Independent of
By Jill Dando News Last week Noah's Ark Zoo Farm celebrated a very special milestone ... Janu the African elephant turned 20 years old! Born in July 2005 at Howletts Wild Animal Park in Kent, Janu later moved to Port Lympne before joining Noah's Ark in 2014.
By Jill Dando News Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) has acquired an Anglo-Saxon silver penny; an incredibly important object which marks the beginning of modern Exeter. The penny was made in Exeter around 895-899 (over 1,100 years ago) on the orders of King Alfred the Great. It is the
By Community Correspondent Local housebuilder Barratt David Wilson Homes South Wales has announced a £14,000 donation from the Barratt Foundation, to The Gathering Place — a Methodist church and community centre in St Athan, Vale of Glamorgan. The donation will fund a huge Wi-Fi upgrade for the local hub — ensuring
By Jill Dando News The professionalism and community spirit that defines London's black cab trade was on full display this week as 65 licensed taxi drivers coordinated seamlessly to transport over 200 special needs children and their families to Hertfordshire Zoo for the London Taxi Drivers' Charity
By Jill Dando News Weston‑super‑Mare, Somerset, was a scene of swirling red and black yesterday as thousands of ladybirds descended on the town’s beaches, gardens, and promenades. The unseasonal swarm surprised locals and sparked a flurry of curiosity. “I was trying to hang out the washing,” said
By Community Correspondent In a heartening example of creative collaboration and youth empowerment, a group of emerging filmmakers has joined forces with the London Early Years Foundation (LEYF) to co-create a joyful short film that reimagines how society talks about childcare. The project was sparked through a call-out on Social
By Community Correspondent An intrepid group of veterans created history by becoming the only team of limbless swimmers to cross the English Channel twice. The former forces team, each missing a leg, completed their epic crossing in just 14 hours and 40 minutes in nine foot swells and swimming through
By Community Correspondent Three Merseyside Police officers have been honoured with the prestigious National Police Bravery Award 2025 for their courageous actions in responding to a serious incident in Southport. Sergeant Gregory Gillespie, Constable Luke Holden, and PCSO Timothy Parry were recognised for their exceptional bravery and swift response while
By Jill Dando News Aberdeen is celebrating a conservation success as red squirrels make a strong comeback, with sightings across the city increasing — and grey squirrel numbers plummeting. Only one grey squirrel has been caught in Aberdeen during the first half of 2025, a dramatic drop from six in 2024.
By Jill Dando News Heal Somerset is thrilled to announce a landmark moment in its rewilding journey: the first confirmed sighting of a baby beaver born onsite. The appearance of the baby beaver — known as a kit — was captured on trail camera footage earlier this week and marks the first
By Community Correspondent Ovacome, the UK ovarian cancer support charity, is hosting a free Health and Wellbeing Day at the Mercure Norwich Hotel on Saturday 19 July 2025. The event is open to anyone affected by ovarian cancer, including those diagnosed and their loved ones. The day will include expert-led
By Education Correspondent Dozens of passionate new teachers have been celebrated as they graduated from Futura Learning Partnership’s Early Career Teachers (ECT) programme, marking a proud milestone in their journey into the teaching profession. The graduation ceremony, held at Clevedon School, brought together mentors, headteachers, and senior leaders from
By Community Correspondent Vital support services for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness can continue with newly secured funding for Cambridge Cyrenians. Thanks to generous grants from the Garfield Weston Foundation, the Ann Docwra fund Cambridgeshire Area Quaker Meeting, Cambridge City Council’s Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) scheme and
By Community Correspondent Birmingham Airport has supported care experienced young adults into work, as part of a specialised Midlands-wide initiative aimed at tackling youth unemployment. The regional transport hub hosted six care leavers aged 18 to 25 for a two-week work experience placement, providing them with a valuable insight into
By Josh Bell, Charitable and Schools Correspondent A moving tribute unfolded on Thursday evening as a new community defibrillator was officially unveiled in memory of Roy Chell, the beloved husband of Christina Chell. The device is part of the Defibrillator Legacy Programme, which places life-saving defibrillators across the region while
Animals
By Jill Dando News There’s a bear-y special new face at Edinburgh Zoo! Last week Edinburgh Zoo welcomed Cipísek, Scotland’s one and only sloth bear, who arrived from Zlín Zoo in the Czech Republic. At just two years old, Cipísek is already showing off his playful personality. While
Mental Health
By Mental Health Correspondent Founders of an award-winning Derbyshire consultancy have shared key findings on how to encourage more men and over-50s to get help for their mental health after working with the NHS on the issue. Matt Clutterham and Jenny Jarvis, founders of brand and human transformation company Q
Business
By Business Editor Blinds by Mark, a trusted name in premium window and shading solutions, is proud to announce the expansion of their product range with a stylish and highly functional collection of retractable awnings, now available for both domestic and commercial clients. Known for their craftsmanship and customer-first service,
Science
A new study by researchers at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Université Paris Cité has revealed how ants actively adapt their wax layer to protect against dehydration, especially in rising temperatures. While it’s known that insects use a wax coating to retain moisture and communicate, this study is the
Science
By Science Correspondent A new study in collaboration with BAS scientists reveals for the first time that zooplankton migration contributes significantly to carbon storage in the Southern Ocean – a process currently overlooked in climate models. A ground-breaking study published in Limnology and Oceanography reveals that small, but mighty, zooplankton—including
Animals
By Jill Dando News In a heartwarming video created in collaboration with Lilo & Stitch, experts at Woodgreen answer queries from a curious owners about their new ‘dog’s’ antics because nobody gets left behind or forgotten, even mischievous pets. Some of the rather unusual questions posed to Woodgreen – home
Health,
By Health Correspondent A new toolkit to support babies, children and young people in healthcare access high quality health play services was launched at UCLH last week with UCLH chief nurse Vanessa Sweeney welcoming visitors from NHS England and the play charity Starlight. Therapeutic play helps safeguard children against the
People
By Community Correspondent A community sewing group in Atherton has committed to hand making 100 reusable menstruation product packs to support people experiencing period poverty. The Salvation Army in Atherton hosts a weekly sewing group, at its church and community centre on George Street, with members coming together to work
People
By Ellise Hollie-Haywood, Disabilities Editor Daisy is 14 years old and lives life with confidence, strength, and a cheeky smile that’s never far away. She’s outgoing, driven, and has always loved being in front of a camera—whether it’s for fashion, media, or just for fun. But
Animals
By Jill Dando News 12 lucky rescue dogs, searching for their forever home have been handpicked to be top models in a new campaign for Manchester based clothing brand Uskees. In a unique fashion shoot, human models were paired with canine companions from Manchester-based Dogs 4 Rescue, showcasing the dogs
Animals
By Jill Dando News In a powerful display of wildlife conservation, Australia Zoo’s Crocodile Rescue Team has successfully rescued two large saltwater crocodiles from devastating welfare conditions in the Solomon Islands, giving them a second chance at life. Both crocodiles, over two meters long, had tragically spent their entire
People
By Jill Dando News Kieran is hoping to get a few steps closer to achieving his bucket list with a craft fair fundraiser at Priory Community School in Somerset this Saturday! After he was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease complex one three years ago, Kieran and his mum decided to start
Education
By Jill Dando News Students from Priory Community School enjoyed a special trip to St Georges Care home in Worle, just a stone's throw from their school, to learn from the care profession and interact with residents there. Icing cakes and strawberries were just the ticket as many
Jill Dando news
By Sofia W, Oliver M, and Theo K, Jill Dando News centre at St Anne’s Church Academy Pupils at St Anne's Church Academy in Somerset, taking part in the Archbishop of York’s Young Leaders Award, have been working on a special community project to raise awareness
People
By Community Correspondent After nearly two decades behind the wheel as a Bristol bus driver and with a background in policing, Carlos Santos saw firsthand how quickly a life-threatening emergency can unfold. But it was the sudden death of a fellow bus driver from cardiac arrest in late 2024 that
Animals
By Jill Dando News An extremely rare pygmy shrew with an albino mutation was found by Anita McMillan near St Austell, Cornwall, while out for a walk. “I went for a walk with my zoom lens, hoping to capture some good photos of birds or butterflies,” said Anita. “This was