Emily Harrison: Miss England Finalist Making Impact After Family Tragedy
Emily Harrison from Longbridge, Birmingham, is raising funds for stillbirth support charity Sands after losing her sister Lottie to a stillbirth seven years ago. The 27-year-old beauty queen, who stands at 5ft, has become the first UK beauty queen to compete in international pageants for shorter women. Having switched from various jobs to glamour modelling and pageantry in 2022, Emily's work now aims to empower shorter women and pave the way for more petite models in the fashion industry. She will be part of Birmingham Fashion Week this October.
The Retreat Spa in Leek Closes Amid Rising Costs
The Retreat, a spa and beauty salon in Leek, Staffordshire, has closed due to increased costs and falling demand. The business shut down on June 1 and will operate a temporary pop-up salon, Heaven Culture, for six months at Getliffe's Yard in Leek to honor existing bookings and vouchers. The spa has apologized for any inconvenience caused.
Katrina Lindsay to Launch Race for Life After Cancer Battle
Katrina Lindsay, a 50-year-old breast cancer survivor from Bucknall, will signal the start of the Race for Life event at Trentham Estate on June 4. Diagnosed with stage two breast cancer in February 2023, she underwent chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy. Katrina also cared for her fiancé's mother, who sadly died of pancreatic cancer during Katrina’s treatment. This will be her fourth year participating in the event.
Fears Over Cultural Hub Impact on Blyth's Voluntary Groups
Voluntary sector leaders in Northumberland have raised concerns that a new £11 million cultural hub in Blyth could negatively impact existing local organizations. The development, which will include a cinema and event space, is set to be completed soon, with the foundation work already laid and the steel frame expected to go up this month. The matter will be reviewed again in November.
Zachary Quinto Banned From Toronto Restaurant Over Staff Dispute
Actor Zachary Quinto has been banned from the Manita restaurant in Toronto after allegedly berating the staff, reducing the hostess to tears. Known for his role as Spock in the Star Trek reboot, Quinto is required to issue a formal apology before being allowed back.
New Service Charges May Push Average Pint Cost Over £5 in the UK
Research by hospitality technology brand Three Rocks indicates the average cost of a pint in the UK could exceed £5 due to new service charge rules. From October 2024, all tips and service charges must be given to staff, potentially increasing costs for businesses. Cities like London could see average pint prices rise to £7.15.
AI Algorithm Could Predict Heart Failure Two Years in Advance
Researchers funded by the British Heart Foundation have developed an AI algorithm called Find-HF, which can identify patients at risk of heart failure up to two years earlier than current methods. Tested on 565,284 UK adults and 106,026 Taiwan National University Hospital records, the technology could improve early diagnosis and treatment outcomes.
Stoke City Appoints Lee Darnbrough as Head of Recruitment
Lee Darnbrough, former Hull City recruitment chief, has joined Stoke City in a similar role ahead of the summer transfer window. Known for impressive signings during budget cuts and a transfer embargo at Hull, Darnbrough is expected to bring his expertise to Stoke's recruitment strategies under head coach Steven Schumacher and sporting director Jon Walters.
Kieran Trippier Reflects on Injury and England Match at St James’ Park
Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier discussed his struggle with a calf injury that disrupted his season during an interview following England's 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina at St James’ Park. Trippier, who received a standing ovation, looked forward to upcoming matches at the European Championships in Germany.
Homophobic Attackers Spared Jail Time in Hanley Nightclub Incident
Joshua Downs and Shaun Williams have received suspended sentences for a homophobic attack at Gossip nightclub in Hanley. The two defendants verbally abused and physically assaulted a man in the club’s toilets and later outside. Both have also been ordered to complete community service and other rehabilitative activities.
Gunman James Bedson Jailed for Terrorizing Newcastle Street
James Bedson, 22, has been sentenced to five years in prison for firing an air weapon twice and dangerous driving in Newcastle. The incidents occurred months after Bedson drove into a man at an Asda car park in Wolstanton. He was also under a suspended sentence for previous offenses.
Leazes Park Light Trail Northern Lights to Return in Newcastle
The Northern Lights light trail, which attracted 100,000 visitors last year to Leazes Park in Newcastle, is set to return with a reimagined route and new displays for the festive season. Tickets cost £19.50 for adults and £13.95 for children.
DIY Mosquito Repellent with Essential Oils
Experts suggest a homemade mosquito repellent using lavender essential oil, vanilla extract, and lemon juice to keep mosquitoes away. This natural solution is both effective and safe for most environments.
Gastric Bypass Helps Elaine Johnson Lose Half Her Body Weight
Elaine Johnson from Scunthorpe has shed nearly half her weight after undergoing gastric bypass surgery in Latvia. Elaine struggled with her weight and a failed gastric band before achieving her current weight of nine stone 10 pounds.
Comedian Aisling Bea Announces Pregnancy with Celebrity Help
Irish comedian Aisling Bea announced her pregnancy on Instagram with the help of celebrities including Sheryl Crow and Paul Rudd. Bea has been in a relationship with composer Jack Freeman for nearly two years.
HMRC Apologizes for Delayed Child Benefit Payments to 500,000 Parents
HMRC has issued an apology and promises compensation for a processing error that delayed Child Benefit payments to approximately 500,000 families. The issue has been resolved, and payments are now scheduled for June 5.
Tips for Cleaning Oven Glass with Baking Soda
Erin from Lemons Lavender and Laundry recommends using baking soda and water to clean dirty oven glass effectively. The mildly abrasive nature of baking soda helps remove tough stains without scratching the surface.
Northumberland County Council Defends Decision to Close Keel Row Shopping Centre
Deputy leader of Northumberland County Council, Richard Wearmouth, has defended the closure of Blyth’s Keel Row shopping centre. The site will be demolished to make way for the Energy Central Institute, aiming to boost the clean energy sector in town.
Almost Half of Men Mistaken About Prostate Cancer Testing
Prostate Cancer UK highlights that nearly half of men incorrectly believe a rectal exam is necessary to detect prostate cancer. The charity’s Find it Earlier campaign emphasizes that a simple PSA blood test can be used for early diagnosis.
Morpeth Opens New Police Response Hub
A new police office has opened at Sanderson Arcade in Morpeth, aimed at improving response times in rural Northumberland. The hub will house dedicated response officers and neighborhood policing teams.
HMRC Cracks Down on Holiday Homeowners for Overseas Asset Tax Evasion
HMRC is increasing scrutiny on taxpayers with overseas assets as part of a £60 million tax evasion crackdown. The agency has doubled its information requests to foreign tax authorities compared to 2018-19.
Air Travel Alcohol Restrictions Suggested for Heart Health
Researchers suggest airlines consider restricting alcohol on long-haul flights to protect passengers’ heart health. A study found that combining alcohol with cabin pressure at cruising altitude increases heart rate and reduces blood oxygen levels.
Newcastle United Hosts Successful England Friendly at St James' Park
Newcastle United’s St James’ Park successfully hosted an England friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina, attended by co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi. The venue is set to be one of the host stadiums for the 2028 European Championships.
Bladeless and Tower Fans Most Energy-Efficient for Cooling
Electrician Andrai Carcu recommends bladeless and tower fans as the most energy-efficient options for cooling homes. Bladeless fans cost around 14p for 10 hours of use, while tower fans cost about 9p for the same duration.
Stoke-on-Trent Council Finds No Evidence of Disturbed Graves at Former Church
Following public concerns about disturbed graves at the disused St John's Church in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent City Council officials found no evidence confirming such disturbances. The church is set to be converted into a mosque.
Gateshead Man Jailed for Savage Assault and Witness Intimidation
Tony Atkinson from Gateshead has been jailed for over eight years for a brutal attack that left a man severely injured and witness intimidation. Atkinson, who has a history of violent offenses, was declared a dangerous offender by Newcastle Crown Court.
Join BirminghamLive's New Birmingham City WhatsApp Group
BirminghamLive has launched a WhatsApp community to share Birmingham City FC news, interviews, and updates directly with fans. Members can receive the latest stories as they happen.
Martin Lewis Advises on HMRC Child Benefit Compensation
Money-saving expert Martin Lewis has provided advice to 500,000 parents affected by HMRC’s delayed Child Benefit payments. He recommends submitting claims for financial losses incurred due to the delay, which is expected to be resolved by June 5.
Survivor Pays Tribute to Friends Killed in Staffordshire Car Crash
Brooke Varley, the sole survivor of a car crash in Penkridge, Staffordshire, paid tribute to her deceased friends Dafydd Huw Craven-Jones, Morgan Jones, and Sophie Bates. The crash occurred on May 25, claiming the lives of all three teenagers.
Asda Given Alcohol License for New 24-Hour Store in Stoke-on-Trent
Asda’s new store in Shelton, Stoke-on-Trent, has been granted permission to sell alcohol between 6am and midnight daily. The £750,000 investment is set to create up to 30 jobs, despite some community objections about the potential increase in crime.
Waiter Embraces Furry Fandom with Family Support
Owen Mullett, a 24-year-old waiter from Darlington, shared his journey of becoming a furry. His family has been supportive since discovering his involvement in the fandom, with his mother even participating in his TikTok videos.
Newcastle's Central Station Bus Lane Cameras Fine Thousands
Bus lane cameras near Newcastle Central Station have issued over 14,000 fines in the past year. The top spot for penalties in Tyne and Wear is still Askew Road, Gateshead, which saw nearly 12,000 fines issued.
FSA Issues Recall for Exploding Cans of Juice Forsyth
The Food Standards Agency has issued a recall for Brew York’s Juice Forsyth after reports of exploding cans. The recall affects 440ml cans with batch code Gyle 1036 and a best-before date of July 23, 2024.
Japanese State Visit to UK to Proceed Amid General Election
The Japanese state visit to the UK, hosted by King Charles III, will proceed with minor adaptations due to the upcoming general election. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are set to arrive on June 25 for the visit.
Birmingham Hit Hard by Nationwide Bank Closures
Birmingham has lost over 20 bank branches since February 2022. Nationwide, nearly 1,500 banks have closed in the past two years, causing concerns about access to financial services for vulnerable populations.
Rob Burrow’s Final Message Urges People to Dream Amid Terminal MND Battle
Rob Burrow, the rugby league legend who passed away recently, left a final message urging people to cherish every moment and dream big. His battle with Motor Neurone Disease highlighted the need for more awareness and research.