St Paul's Charity in Crewe has launched the 'Not on my Watch' appeal, asking for monthly donations of £2 as it faces rising demand and increasing costs for its food bank service. The charity spends about £1,000 a week on food while donations have dropped due to the cost-of-living crisis. Operating from three sites, the charity provides nine services, including food support, furniture provision, shoe distribution, and a hospital discharge support scheme.
Summary headline: Crewe food bank launches appeal as costs rise and donations fall
The Environment Agency's investigation into white foam that appeared on the River Thet in Thetford, Norfolk, causing the death of about 1,000 juvenile fish, is still ongoing one year later. While the source of the October incident was stopped, a similar incident occurred in December where the source could not be identified. Restoration efforts are underway, including plans to stock the rare chalk stream with a total of 15,000 fish.
Summary headline: Investigation into foam-covered river in Thetford continues a year on
Jay Jhaver, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, is travelling 5,000 miles to England to watch West Bromwich Albion play Blackburn Rovers at The Hawthorns for the first time. Jhaver became a supporter after randomly selecting the club while playing a Fifa video game and has spent years waking up before dawn to watch matches from the US.
Summary headline: Arizona resident travels 5,000 miles to watch West Bromwich Albion after starting support via a Fifa video game
Hannah York is campaigning for earlier rare cancer diagnoses following the death of her 19-year-old daughter, Liberty, from an aggressive angiosarcoma. Liberty, from Stratford-upon-Avon, first experienced symptoms including fatigue and nausea in May 2024, followed by breast swelling that was initially misdiagnosed or attributed to other conditions like mastitis and hormones. By the time a 10lb tumour was surgically removed, the cancer had already spread to her lungs, and she passed away on 1 June 2025. Hannah is now supporting the Child Cancer Smart campaign by CCLG to improve the recognition of soft tissue sarcomas in young people.
A public inquiry has heard that mental health patients in Essex units had to wait up to 72 hours for a clinical team to decide whether bedroom monitoring cameras could be switched off. The Lampard Inquiry examined the use of the Oxevision system by the Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), which has now acknowledged its approach to consent was wrong and changed its policy in May 2025.
Summary headline: Essex mental health patients waited up to 72 hours for bedroom cameras to be turned off
Emanuele Ziglioli, a 50-year-old cyclist from Bristol, spent ten days in a coma and underwent emergency surgery for a brain haemorrhage after crashing his bicycle on an uneven section of the Bristol and Bath Railway Path near Warmley. The accident was caused by tarmac damaged by tree roots. Following his public post about the incident, numerous other cyclists reported injuries on the same stretch, with complaints regarding the root damage dating back over a year. South Gloucestershire Council has since installed warning signs and stated that repairs will be carried out as soon as possible.
Summary headline: Cyclist calls for urgent repairs on Bristol and Bath Railway Path after crash leaves him in a coma
During a Westminster Hall debate, Mid Sussex MP and Liberal Democrat care spokesperson Alison Bennett urged the government to deliver better support for the UK's estimated 5.8 million unpaid carers. Highlighting findings from Carers UK, Bennett noted that over a million carers live in poverty and face severe stress. While acknowledging recent government initiatives such as the Carers Action Plan, she stressed that practical improvements are urgently needed. Health and Social Care Minister James Frith responded that the government is taking action to ensure proper support and reduce burdens, though opposition figures argued that more detailed proposals are still required.
Summary headline: Mid Sussex MP Alison Bennett calls on the government to provide greater support for the UK's unpaid carers
Dedicated Care East Anglia, a care provider in King's Lynn supporting adults with physical and learning disabilities, has been downgraded from outstanding to inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and placed in special measures following an inspection in August.
Summary headline: King's Lynn care provider Dedicated Care East Anglia downgraded to inadequate
Louis Fensome, a 27-year-old gravedigger from Bridgnorth in Shropshire, has been shortlisted for the Gravedigger of the Year category at the Good Funeral Awards. Having worked in the funeral sector since he was 17 and running his own business for six years, Fensome digs about 300 graves a year across Shropshire, Herefordshire, and the Black Country. The winner will be announced at the Good Funeral Awards on 24 October.
Summary headline: Bridgnorth gravedigger shortlisted for national award
Derbyshire County Council has stated it will continue to monitor a roundabout in Long Eaton after an anonymous couple decorated it with garden gnomes to bring joy to the local community. The pair started a petition to officially rename the location 'Gnome-man's land' following positive public feedback, while the council confirmed the display must adhere to standard safety and maintenance requirements.
Summary headline: Council to monitor Long Eaton roundabout decorated with gnomes
An ancient iron cauldron recovered from the River Wear at Offerton, near Sunderland, has been transported to York for conservation work and radiographic examination. Discovered by underwater archaeologist Gary Bankhead, the artefact is estimated to weigh around four to five stone and may date back to early medieval times. Experts hope the rare item will eventually be displayed in a local museum following further research.
Summary headline: Iron cauldron lifted from River Wear near Sunderland could go on local display
The charity behind the new Dorking Bandstand in Meadowbrook Park has confirmed the structure is safe, stating that cracks in the flooring are purely cosmetic and caused by extreme weather conditions. The contractor is set to repair the damage for free now that the summer events have concluded.
A London Assembly transport committee report warns that driverless taxis could worsen congestion, threaten jobs, and cause safety concerns. The report calls for Transport for London (TfL) to be granted greater regulatory powers, including the ability to issue permits, cap vehicle numbers, and monitor empty miles when regulations take effect in 2027.
Summary headline: Transport for London needs more powers on driverless taxis, report warns
Durham County Council has approved the reinstatement of a town-twinning link between Bishop Auckland and Ivry-sur-Seine in France, alongside a new relationship between County Durham and Castiglione dei Pepoli in Italy. Discussions for a potential link with Tauranga in New Zealand are also underway. Despite its Reform UK administration's anti-EU stance, council officials emphasised that the partnerships are based on community ties, shared heritage, and culture rather than opposing Europe itself.
Summary headline: County Durham approves new town-twinning links with France and Italy
Phil Davies, owner of Downcast Studios in Gateshead, stated that street closures and diversions linked to the demolition of the Gateshead Flyover nearly forced his business to permanently shut, reducing revenue by 80% and forcing him to close the site's restaurant. While Gateshead Council offered compensation and alternative accommodation to nearby residents affected by the works, it stated that it does not compensate businesses for disruption caused by roadworks.
Summary headline: Gateshead business owner claims flyover demolition diversions slashed revenue by 80%
The Happy Mums Foundation in Cumbria warns that funding pressures threaten its in-person support groups, which could leave vulnerable new mothers suffering from postpartum mental health challenges and suicidal thoughts with nowhere to turn.
Summary headline: Cumbrian charity fears closure could leave new mums without vital mental health support
Valerie Harvey, an 87-year-old care home resident with dementia who bought her first motorbike in 1957, was able to ride in the sidecar of a vintage 1928 Panther Sloper 600. Staff at Heath Lodge Care Home in Holt arranged the experience, supported by local motorcycle clubs, allowing her to reconnect with her past.
Summary headline: Former biker, 87, enjoys nostalgic sidecar ride in Norfolk
People across the UK with severe mobility issues and worsening conditions are facing complex and difficult processes when trying to renew their blue badges every three years. Applicants, including amputees and those with severe osteoarthritis, have reported being asked repeatedly for additional medical evidence despite permanent conditions, prompting concerns that the renewal system lacks common sense and places an undue burden on disabled individuals.
A patient at Lakelands Hospice in Corby, Northamptonshire, has described the facility as a welcoming and vibrant place rather than a gloomy environment. The hospice provides palliative and end-of-life care, relying entirely on donations and fundraising with annual running costs of £550,000. As it approaches its 25th anniversary, the hospice is expanding its services through a new Living Well programme in partnership with Cransley Hospice, offering activities such as gardening, yoga, mindfulness, and specialized courses for COPD and heart failure.
Summary headline: Lakelands Hospice in Corby offers a welcoming and social environment contrary to common expectations
Nine schools are participating in a 12-week programme called Cobblers Play Fair, run by the Northampton Town Community Trust with support from the Premier League and the Professional Footballers' Association Players' Fund. The initiative aims to combat online abuse and discrimination in football, while also addressing topics such as disability and women in the sport.
Summary headline: Northampton school programme launched to tackle online abuse in football
