This England: With a couple of kookies…
Wales Online (Amanda Welles)
Suite oblivion
A sofa dumped in a Gloucestershire village has become an unexpected tourist attraction – with fans taking photos and giving Tripadvisor reviews. The two-seater was abandoned on waste ground in Lydbrook, but photographer Alex Elton-Wall saw potential in the forlorn furniture – and has since taken the portraits of more than 150 locals. 'It's taken on a life of its own,' Alex said, but he expects the fly-tipped seat will soon be disposed of properly. 'All good things come to an end,' he said.
Metro (Daragh Brady)
Forced to eat crow
The owner of a cockerel that awoke neighbours early has been ordered to pay nearly £4,000. Harold Brown let the bird make 'unacceptable levels of noise' disturbing their sleep 'from as early as 5am each day,' said New Forest District Council. Mr Brown's bid to quash a conviction for non-compliance was dismissed at Southampton Crown Court.
BBC (Michael Meadowcroft)
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[See also: This England: One previous owner]
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The Guardian
5 hours ago
- The Guardian
The Guardian view on Berlin's ailing club scene: a unique inheritance needs protecting
Reflecting on his burst of musical creativity in 1970s West Berlin, David Bowie reportedly said that recording albums in a studio close to the Wall gave him a 'sense of being on the edge … I need the dangerous level, emotionally, mentally and physically'. During the 1970s and 80s, Bowie was not alone. The divided, fascinating city was famously a magnet for young people drawn by a music and club scene unique in Europe. Sadly, living on the edge has these days taken on a different meaning for Berlin clubs struggling to survive in altered times. In a sobering dispatch at the weekend, the Guardian reported that one of Germany's oldest and most important gay dance clubs has just declared itself bankrupt. Founded in 1977 – the year Bowie brought out his classic Low album – SchwuZ became a pioneering presence in the development of Berlin's LGBTQ+ networks, and a symbol of the freedoms available in a city with a thriving counterculture. It will stay open until October and has launched a fundraising drive, but the prospects look bleak. More broadly, Clubsterben (the death of clubs) is becoming an unhappy fact of Berliner life. Industry organisations warn that a combination of factors is undermining a proud cultural inheritance. Some clubs have failed to recover from the impact of the pandemic. Inflation and higher electricity costs have further ratcheted up the pressure. Soaring commercial rents and gentrification – in a city once described by its mayor as 'poor but sexy' – are cumulatively taking their toll. Busche, another famous gay and lesbian club with its roots in communist East Berlin, closed last month, citing rising costs. Wilde Renate, part of a more recent wave of 21st-century household names, will close at the end of the year, after unsustainable rent rises in the down-at-heel Friedrichshain district. Changing habits among the young may also be playing a part. One recent survey of Berlin club owners found that the estimated average age of clubbers was 30, with less buy-in from those aged 18 to 21. Generation Z loves an outdoor festival, but its relish for hedonistic excess in smallish independent venues may not be as pronounced as in previous generations. Cost-of-living related issues have undoubtedly contributed to a fall in overall club attendance numbers. In October, a celebratory festival will make the case for the 'long-term visibility and recognition' of the city's clubs. A fightback on their behalf is surely overdue. Last year the federal government added Berlin's techno scene to a list of Germany's 'intangible cultural heritage', compiled for Unesco. But the dangers faced by a sector that risks tipping into sad decline are all too tangible. Regulating commercial rents for locations deemed to be of cultural importance would be one significant way to offer a lifeline. From the Cabaret-style glitz of the Weimar era to 1990s techno startups based in urban wasteland, Berlin nightlife has always known how to adapt to the times. But a history so precious should not be abandoned to the whims of market forces. In recent years, many Berliners have mourned the demise of thousands of traditional corner pubs, or Kneipen, as rents have gone up and leases have not been renewed. The city's remarkable, historic club scene deserves to be treated with more care and respect. Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
American in the UK baffled by Jaffa Cakes but everyone tells her the same thing
Though both countries speak the same language, there are many differences between life in the US and here in the UK - and one American woman couldn't wrap her head around Jaffa Cakes An American who moved to the UK to 'protect her peace' has been left baffled after spotting Jaffa Cakes in the supermarket. Despite speaking the same language as our friends across the pond, there's still a world of cultural differences between the US and the UK. Many Americans often take to social media to share their surprise over unexpected or unusual products they've spotted, the social rules and etiquette they've encountered, their battles with weather, and much more after relocating to England. One woman found herself perplexed after she saw Jaffa Cakes being sold in the biscuit aisle. The trusty Jaffa Cake, by best-selling biscuit manufacturer McVitie's, is a British icon. The sweet and tangy treat is concocted with a sponge base with a chunky layer of orange flavoured jam, which is then topped with a generous dark chocolate layer. The first Jaffa Cake was created almost 100 years ago and now they're a firm favourite in many supermarkets and stores across the nation, with in-house versions aplenty. Regardless of whether it's the original McVitie's Jaffa Cake or an own-brand version, they're typically found in the biscuit aisle despite being legally considered a cake after a 1991 VAT ruling. This is where American woman Elizabeth Walker's confusion stemmed from. In a popular TikTok video, the content creator penned: 'Protected my peace so hard I moved to another country and now drink hot tea in 40 degree weather (sometimes I'll put the milk in first) but am really confused as to why Jaffa Cakes are called cakes and not biscuits." The video was inundated with reactions, amassing more than 7.3 million views, 449,000 likes, 10,900 saves and over 2,000 comments from people keen to share their thoughts. One person said: 'When stale, biscuits go soft and cakes go hard. It was a legal case that Jaffa won with that argument to keep the name cake." Someone else said: 'For tax reasons mostly! And they are cakey on the bottom.' A third person commented: 'Anyone that tells you Jaffa Cakes are biscuits want to see you fail they're literally made with sponge cake." Someone else explained: 'McVitie's went to court, where it was decided by the judge that Jaffa Cakes were a cake, not a biscuit. That meant 0% VAT (cakes), rather than 20% (biscuits).' Another person simply added: 'Because they're cakes." After the strong reactions, Elizabeth created a follow up video in which she lip-synched to the lyrics 'it's me, hi, I'm the problem, it's me' from Taylor Swift 's hit 2022 song, Anti-Hero. Over the top of the footage, she added the text: 'I was genuinely confused about Jaffa Cakes. Everyone in the comments: hold my beer." In the caption, Elizabeth quipped: 'Just a confused girl standing in front of TikTok asking it to not scream at her about milk in tea and tax codes.' In the comments section, one TikTok user replied: 'Ha! You did start it." Elizabeth replied: 'I didn't know what I was starting," with a crying laughing emoji.
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
The One Show's Alex Jones supported by fans after major career milestone
The One Show presenter Alex Jones has been on the BBC programme for 15 years after making her debut back in 2010. Back in 2010, Alex Jones stepped into the presenter's chair on The One Show, taking over from Christine Bleakley. Ever since, BBC audiences have watched her chat with an array of famous faces, from Helen George and Don Warrington to Matt Damon and Catherine Zeta Jones, who recently left viewers utterly stunned. This month signals Alex's 15th anniversary at the helm of the programme, something she acknowledged during Monday's opening, reports Wales Online. As the show began, the 48-year-old warmly welcomed back co-host Ronan Keating following his extended absence. She declared: "Look who is back for one night only, it's lovely Ronan." He responded: "Alex, thank you, it's good to be back. Especially, as this month marks 15 years of you on this show." Alex exclaimed: "Stop! Stop, I can't believe it, they're going to send me back any minute." The Boyzone singer remained tight-lipped as he informed BBC watchers his mouth was zipped, though hinted more details about the anniversary would emerge on Friday's episode. It appears a special celebration is being planned as the programme's official Instagram account honoured Alex, suggesting bigger things are coming. The footage featured a collection of the host's moments through the years, spanning from her 2010 debut right up to recent times. The post read: "15 fabulous years of smiles, stories, and sparkle! Here's to Alex Jones-the heart of The One Show throughout the years! Join The One Show to help celebrate this Friday, August 8th, on BBC One." The post quickly earned comments, with a host of celebrities praising Alex for her long tenure on The One Show. Zoe Ball expressed: "Adore you, Al. Happy anniversary. Queen of the green sofa." Lauren Laverne chimed in with: "Happy anniversary, Queen Al! Xx". Steph McGovern exclaimed: "LOVE THIS ICON" and Jason Manford added: "You're the best xxx." The One Show's fans were also swift to comment on the post, with one viewer stating: "Love Alex she is so much fun never know what she is going to say next but a hoot. I love her genuine empathy too she is a communicator a real people person." Another fan noted, "Amazing presenter, especially during the early days of the pandemic, she kept our spirits up." The One Show is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
