The British Museum has announced new measures to address long queues and overcrowding at the Bayeux Tapestry exhibition, including longer opening hours, audio guides, additional seating, and clearer signage. The changes follow complaints from visitors experiencing lengthy waits and ticket holders being turned away due to earlier backlogs.
Summary headline: British Museum introduces changes to reduce Bayeux Tapestry queues and congestion
Wightlink's St Clare car ferry on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne route was taken out of service for specialist fumigation and cleaning after insects, believed to be fleas likely originating from a pet, were found in a passenger lounge.
Summary headline: Wightlink car ferry disrupted after fleas found on board
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has described herself as a 'classic old school Conservative' and a 'no-nonsense mum' at the start of her party's annual conference. Launching a 100-page statement of guiding principles titled 'The Right Way', Badenoch stated that the previous Conservative government failed because it did not know what it stood for and allowed the state to grow by stealth. New policy pledges include ending the childcare cliff-edge for parents earning over £100,000 and delivering 50,000 new prison places funded by reducing the overseas aid budget to £1bn a year.
Summary headline: Kemi Badenoch declares herself a classic old school Conservative as party conference begins
Time Team archaeologists and volunteers have uncovered the remains of what is believed to be one of medieval England's earliest and largest leprosy hospitals in Lincoln. The three-day dig on the South Common explored the site of the Hospital of the Holy Innocents, which dates back to the late 11th or early 12th century and housed up to 20 people. The findings include boundary walls and traces of small square features that may have been separate individual dwellings or yards.
Summary headline: Medieval leprosy hospital uncovered in Lincoln by Time Team archaeologists
The chief executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Prof Mel Pickup, told a council scrutiny committee that Bradford Royal Infirmary needs a new hospital because much of the building is over 100 years old. Speaking during a discussion on the Baroness Amos review into maternity care, officials highlighted that repairing and upgrading the ageing estate would likely cost more than building a new facility, while space constraints continue to affect services like maternity.
Summary headline: Bradford needs a new hospital as much of the existing infrastructure is over a century old, council told
A new video-enabled intercom system at a Changing Places specialist toilet in Bournemouth's Lower Gardens left a severely disabled user locked out on multiple occasions. The user's mother criticised the unreliable access arrangements after unanswered intercom calls forced them to abandon a day out. Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council apologised, citing a software error that has now been updated.
Summary headline: Bournemouth Changing Places toilet user locked out due to security system fault
The opening of the Event Central venue on Fargate in Sheffield has been delayed until 2027 due to the need to find an alternative permanent power connection for the building. Sheffield City Council confirmed the delay, noting that teams are working with Northern Powergrid and specialist contractors to find a safe and practical solution.
Public toilets at the bus station in Knaresborough have been temporarily closed following a sharp rise in vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Councillor Matt Walker described the damage as disgusting, noting that facilities are being targeted almost daily. Consequently, all public conveniences in the town will now close earlier at 18:00. North Yorkshire Council stated that the vandalism places extra pressure on resources and that they are working with North Yorkshire Police using CCTV to tackle the disorder.
Summary headline: Knaresborough public toilets temporarily closed after surge in vandalism
Following a successful debut that drew thousands of spectators and raised over £10,000 for charity, the Krazy Races soapbox derby is set to return to Telford Town Park on 11 July. Applications are now open for teams to design and build handcrafted karts for the downhill course.
Summary headline: Charity Krazy Races soapbox event to return to Telford next summer
Police have confirmed that a fire on Paget Road in Wolverhampton on Saturday, which sent a thick column of smoke visible for miles across the region, is being treated as arson. West Midlands Fire Service deployed six crews to the scene, and no injuries have been reported while an investigation is underway.
Summary headline: Wolverhampton fire that generated a massive smoke plume is being treated as arson
Oadby and Wigston Police are increasing patrols at Blaby Road Park in South Wigston following a recent surge in fires started by young people. Authorities recorded 11 fires in the park over the past three months, including six in the last month alone, and have warned that those responsible will be dealt with robustly.
Summary headline: Extra police patrols introduced following rise in deliberate fires at South Wigston park
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay has criticised the SNP's pursuit of Scottish independence as dangerously irresponsible, arguing that breaking up the UK would weaken national security amidst global threats. Speaking on BBC Scotland's The Sunday Show, Findlay urged First Minister John Swinney to respect the 2014 referendum result and focus on public services like the NHS and education, while also planning to criticise Swinney's recent engagement with Sinn Fein during a speech at the Conservative Party conference.
Katie Amess, the daughter of murdered Conservative MP Sir David Amess, has stated that politicians are still facing increased threats and questioned whether enough has changed regarding security since her father's death in October 2021. Speaking to the BBC, she highlighted ongoing dangers to members of parliament, pointed to other recent security incidents involving high-profile political figures, and reiterated calls for greater transparency and safety measures.
Summary headline: Daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess says politicians remain at risk
Plans have been approved to bring long-vacant units at Oxford's historic Castle Quarter back into use with new attractions, including a virtual reality history experience, a wine bar, and Formula One-themed driving simulators. The project by Oxford Unwrapped involves refurbishing empty premises such as the former La Tasca and Pizza Express units, aiming to boost activity and conserve the sensitive historic site.
Summary headline: Oxford's historic Castle Quarter approved for new virtual reality attraction, wine bar and motorsport simulators
Zookeepers at Longleat Safari Park are hoping for baby porcupines, known as porcupettes, following the arrival of a male prehensile-tailed porcupine named Gus. He has been introduced to the park's female porcupine, Pumpkin, with keepers reporting positive initial interactions.
Summary headline: Longleat Safari Park keepers hoping for baby porcupines
A mother whose daughter recovered from a rare form of bone cancer has written a children's book called Edie's Magic Hair and launched a crowdfunder to distribute copies to specialist paediatric cancer wards across the UK.
Summary headline: Mother writes children's book to help paediatric cancer patients cope with hair loss
Lancashire County Council is considering potential legal action, including a judicial review, regarding government plans to replace the county's 15 local authorities with four new ones by 2028. Although the government paused the transition timetable to check the lawfulness of its processes, the council has sought clarification on the evidence to determine whether to challenge the reforms before statutory time limits apply.
Summary headline: Lancashire County Council considers legal action over government devolution plans
Taxi drivers in the Telford and Wrekin area are showing reluctance to adopt a free council-funded CCTV scheme for their vehicles, citing privacy worries because many private hire cars are also used as personal family vehicles. Out of approximately 400 licensed vehicles in the borough, only 48 have had the safety cameras installed since the scheme's launch in 2022. Council officials have clarified that footage is only accessed in the event of a complaint or work-related incident, while councillors have praised the initiative for enhancing passenger safety, particularly for women travelling at night.
Summary headline: Telford and Wrekin taxi drivers hesitant to install free CCTV due to privacy concerns
The National Trust for Jersey has secured the rights to acquire a field near Maupertuis Farm in St Clement to extend a local 'green lung', aiming to provide space for wildlife, reduce pollution, and preserve the agricultural heritage of the built-up area.
Summary headline: National Trust for Jersey plans field purchase to expand urban 'green lung'
The Jersey Scout Band has launched an island-wide publicity campaign to recruit new players aged eight and above following a decline in membership. Leaders attribute the drop to increased leisure options, academic pressures, and members moving away for university or advanced musical careers. Operating since 1970, the band does not require new recruits to be Scouts or Girl Guides.
Summary headline: Jersey Scout Band launches campaign to increase membership numbers
