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It said the road would remain closed for safety until work has been completed.
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The Independent
4 hours ago
- The Independent
Public urged to look out for exotic Jersey Tiger moths in parks and gardens
The public is being encouraged to look out for the exotic-looking species of Jersey Tiger moths that have been surging in numbers. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation said the day-flying moths appear to be doing well as people record butterflies they see for its annual butterfly count. The initiative, which takes place over three weeks in summer and is currently under way until August 10, gets members of the public to spend 15 minutes recording those they see in their garden, parks or countryside. This year, the charity is urging people to take part in what it describes it as a 'nationwide rescue mission' for the UK's ailing butterfly species. As the count reached its mid-way point, Butterfly Conservation said people have recorded seeing 5,300 Jersey Tiger moths, compared with a total of 3,496 for the whole of last summer's count. This marks a 78% rise from 2024 when measured as an average per county, with the increase attributed to the warm, dry conditions, which likely helped the species spread their wings in abundance and settle in parts of the UK they usually would not. The moths are recognisable by their black and white tiger stripe forewings and vibrant red-orange or yellow hindwings adorned with bold black spots. Butterfly Conservation said the Jersey Tiger was largely restricted to the Channel Islands, the south coast of England, London and south-east Wales just a decade ago. But now they are frequently spotted across southern England and are continuing to spread through East Anglia and into the Midlands, with the charity saying they have been photographed this year in Cardiff, Birmingham, Cambridgeshire and Essex. It comes in the wake of last year's record low numbers which were partly down to the wet spring and cool summer but conservationists warned they come on top of long-term declines in the UK. More than 80% of butterfly species have declined since the 1970s, with experts warning they have been hit by damage to their habitats, climate change and the use of pesticides. Butterfly Conservation said that while the looks of Jersey Tiger moths have caught the public's attention this year, sightings in unexpected places also tell an important story about climate change. Dr Richard Fox, the charity's head of science, said: 'Butterfly and moth numbers fluctuate naturally each year depending on the weather, and this summer's warm, sunny conditions have created a much more favourable environment than last year's cool, wet season, which saw numbers recorded during Big Butterfly Count plunge to record lows. 'It's certainly uplifting to see more butterflies and moths this summer, but one good year can't undo the long-term decline many species are facing.' Dr Fox said populations peaks during good years have grown smaller over the past five years, while bad years have seen low numbers dip further. He added that the increase in Jersey Tiger moth sightings is an example of how climate change 'is reshaping the distribution of wildlife'. 'While it's a delight to spot such a vibrant moth in gardens, parks and green spaces, it's also a reminder of how rising temperatures are altering our natural environment,' he said. 'This is why the Big Butterfly Count matters. The more people who take part, the more we can learn about how species are adapting, or struggling, in the face of climate change and extreme weather.' Data collected by members of the public during the Big Butterfly Count directly informs national conservation strategies, helping protect not just butterflies and moths, but the wider ecosystems they support.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
The 5 signs your marriage is failing – and how to save it, from a top divorce lawyer
In the UK, around 42% of marriages end in divorce.* Knowing the warning signs while things are still unravelling can make the difference between beating those odds or your relationship coming to an end. 6 "You can learn a lot about keeping things together by watching how they fall apart," says James Sexton, New York divorce lawyer and author of How Not To F**k Up Your Marriage. "I've had hundreds of people sitting across from me telling me very candidly what went wrong in their marriage." Through decades of conversations with divorcing clients, James has identified ways to "reverse-engineer" failing relationships and bring back the joy that first sparked them. Of course, for some married people, he admits divorce can be the best option. "The goal isn't to stay miserably married," he says. "I don't see marriage as an endurance race. "The goal is for marriage to add value to us, to help deepen our connection to ourselves, to the world, to each other, to our family." Here, James shares his biggest predictors that your marriage will fail, and tells you exactly what to do to save it. You've stopped noticing your partner 6 "If I could give one piece of advice to anyone in relationships, it would be two words: pay attention," says James. "It's so easy to stop seeing your partner because they're there all the time, and to stop hearing them because they're always talking around you." When we stop noticing our partners, we don't show them they're appreciated. "Feeling love towards someone is great, but acting towards that person with love is important." Relationship expert shares three tell-tale signs your relationship is falling apart James uses the example of a client who realised her relationship was over when her husband stopped buying her favourite granola, which was only available in one shop. "Every time I ran out, there would just be a new bag," James' client told him, explaining that she felt loved every time she saw it. "Then, one day, the granola ran out. He didn't replace it." How to fix it: Only you know – or should do – the small things your partner loves. Keep doing them to show your other half you always remember them. For James, that means sprinkling cinnamon on his partner's morning coffee. For her, it means sharing a picture with James whenever she lands at the airport after a trip. It could be leaving a thoughtful note in the morning before leaving for work. "This tells someone: 'I still like you, I'm thinking of you.' It's such a low-percentage investment," says James. Plus, it often leads to reciprocity. Criticism is a reflex 6 Criticism makes your partner clam up and get defensive. It can cause any problem to snowball – and that includes constructive criticism. James says: "I'm not saying that when our partner is doing something we think should be changed for their good, or for the good of the relationship, that we shouldn't do something about it." However, being able to see your partner as your own personal cheerleader and a safe space from the daily criticisms of the workplace or general hardship, is how relationships thrive. How to fix it: "Raise the positive," says James. "Try to shift your partner's behaviour or perspective in a way that doesn't feel like criticism." That means reinforcing positive behaviour through compliments, rather than focusing on the negative behaviour you want to see altered. James gives the example that if you prefer your partner freshly shaven, rather than endlessly telling them how much you hate their stubble, wait until they have just shaved and pile on the compliments, avoiding criticism and creating a sense of closeness. You've lost yourself 6 Something James always hears people say when they're getting divorced is: "I lost myself in this relationship, I don't remember who I am any more." When we spend all our time with one person or only act in one role (as a wife and/or a mother), it is easy to lose sight of our own wants and needs. Long-term, this can fuel resentment and complacency. "Part of the fun of another person is the mystery of them," says James. "It's really fun to be interested and interesting." Maintaining a life and identity outside your relationship can help keep this interest alive and build deeper connections. How to fix it: Dedicate time to yourself. "Learn something from happily divorced people – there is time when you're the parent, time when you're a single person, time for all those multitudes inside you. You don't have to give up a relationship to have that." Allow yourself that Saturday once a month to go and do the thing you love. Monogamy has become monotonous 6 You know what you like, and you do it every time – is it any wonder you don't do it that much then? "Even with good intentions, people ruin their own sex lives when they are monogamous," says James. "I'm a fan of monogamy, but I think that people unintentionally make monogamy into monotony." When you figure out what your partner enjoys in the bedroom, things become more "efficient" and sex becomes routine. How to fix it: Switching things up sexually can be tricky when you've already established the script of your relationship. James says that telling your partner outright what you wish you had more of in bed can feel like criticism. Instead, he suggests finding ways to talk about your sex life indirectly. "One of the things I suggest is saying: 'Oh my god! I had a sex dream about you last night,'" says James. And using that as a way to share your fantasy. If your partner doesn't seem on board, this also gives you space to backtrack. "It's a dishonesty, but one with really honest intentions – the intention is deepening connection, sharing our authenticity with our partner in a strategic way." You're not doing relationship maintenance 6 Amid the gestures of goodwill and intimacy chats, James says the strongest marriages also continuously evaluate and address any issues as they arise. Otherwise, you run the risk of letting things reach crisis point before realising a lot of work needs to be done. "Preventative maintenance is everything, it should really be the subtitle for my book," says James. "It's a whole lot easier to keep something good than it is to let it fall apart and then try to fix it. "It's really easy to maintain your weight, it's much harder to gain a load of weight then try to lose it. "Think of it like having the oil changed on your car – it's not sexy, it's not complicated." How to fix it: You can make working on your relationship a conscious practice by checking in with one another on a regular basis, and being curious about what role you can play in improving your relationship. James suggests going on a "walk and talk" regularly with your partner, where you can share things that made you feel loved that week and any issues that arose. "It's kind of a praise sandwich, with some good alongside things to work on," he says.
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Prince George a step closer to Eton after being allocated a house - despite Prince and Princess of Wales being 'plagued by indecision' over their choice of school for the young Royal
Prince George has been allocated a house at Eton College –despite the Prince and Princess of Wales being 'plagued by indecision' about their choice of school, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. Although the £63,000-a-year public school is still the 'clear front-runner', leadership changes – including a six-month leave of absence for headmaster Simon Henderson – has left the royal couple uncertain if Eton is right for their eldest child. Mr Henderson, 49 – who earned the nickname 'Trendy Hendy' after being accused of launching an 'aggressively woke ' bid to overhaul the 585-year-old institution – was absent from his post for unspecified reasons between last August and January. It was during this period that Kate was seen visiting several other possible schools, including two in North London. It has long been assumed that Eton – where Prince William was educated – would be the first choice for 12-year-old George when he leaves Lambrook, his preparatory school in Berkshire, next summer. But sources have told the MoS that Mr Henderson's absence left William and Kate feeling 'unsure' about the direction the school would take upon his return – or if he would return at all. Just before the headmaster's leave began, the Provost of Eton, former Tory minister Lord (William) Waldegrave – Mr Henderson's close friend and mentor – also unexpectedly stepped down after 15 years in the role. And while the Waleses were thought to have been 'reassured' when Sir Nicholas Coleridge, chair of Historic Royal Palaces, was appointed Provost last year, they are said to have wanted to wait until Mr Henderson returned before making a final decision. While an announcement by Kensington Palace is expected soon, it is understood the Waleses settled on a house for George with the help of Sir Nicholas. A source said: 'Eton has been going through much transition lately so that's perhaps why it wasn't an easy decision. 'There has been a lot going on that isn't public knowledge but which Catherine would, of course, have been informed of. 'She has been wise to wait and observe for a few more months for things to settle down, which it has thanks to Nicholas Coleridge's hand on the tiller and Simon Henderson's return – though that has its own dilemmas because he's not everyone's ideal Eton headmaster.' Last month, a source close to the school told the MoS that 'all roads lead to Eton' for George. Eton has 25 houses, including the main college where the prestigious King's Scholars – the brightest academic pupils – are housed. The others – which include Angelo's, The Hopgarden, Cotton Hall House and Hawtrey House – are dotted in and around the college campus and the village, which the college technically owns. Each accommodates around 50 boys, with ten from each year, which encourages pupils to mix with other age groups. Princes William and Harry both lived in Manor House, which was founded in the early 18th Century. One of its earlier members was the Duke of Wellington. Unlike many public schools, each pupil has an individual study bedroom from the age of 13 to encourage them 'to organise themselves and to develop self-discipline in meeting tasks and deadlines'. They are catered for in their house and can make themselves snacks within in-house kitchens. Houses dip in and out of popularity, insiders say, often according to how well liked a particular housemaster is. An announcement about George's schooling is now eagerly awaited – mainly by parents who have children the same age as him. One parent at Marlborough College said: 'We are all hoping an announcement will be made soon because there's a huge waiting list at Marlborough. 'Once everyone finds out that George is going to another school that backlog will disappear.'
