logo
Picture of England's fattest man Edward Coltman to be auctioned

Picture of England's fattest man Edward Coltman to be auctioned

BBC News19-06-2025
A painting depicting a vicar said to have been the fattest man in England is to be auctioned later.The Reverend Joseph Coltman weighed 43 stone at his heaviest, according to York-based auctioneer Duggleby Stephenson. By the age of 19, while a student at Trinity College Cambridge, he was so heavy he had to commission a special bicycle to help him move around.When he began working at Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire in 1813, the floors at the parsonage had to be strengthened because of his weight and the doors widened. A portrait of his silhouette will be sold at auction by a private seller who has owned it for years. Bidding is expected to begin at more than £500.
Mr Coltman earned the title of England's fattest man on 21 June 1809 when the 52 stone Leicester prison warden Daniel Lambert died at the age of 39 in the Waggon and Horses Inn at Stamford, in Lincolnshire, after a day at the races. He remained the heaviest man in England for 28 years until he died, said the auctioneer.During his time at Beverley Minster, he had a team of vergers who would help him move to the front of the church to give sermons. Mr Coltman moved around using a strengthened velocipede, which is a type of bicycle which does not have pedals.
'Celebrity status'
Holly Hammond, the paintings specialist at Duggleby Stephenson, said: "The Reverend Coltman's silhouette causes amazement even today, but 200 years ago the public was completely enthralled. "Coltman and Lambert had a sort of national celebrity status. Everyone wanted to see them."Despite his size, he [Mr Coltman] was a respected scholar and clergyman who played a notable part in the life of Beverley Minster, the town and the wider Yorkshire area. "He championed local education, helped establish schools, supported charitable institutions and was a vocal advocate of the abolition of slavery and Catholic emancipation."
Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Plymouth charity asks people to donate bedding directly
Plymouth charity asks people to donate bedding directly

BBC News

time2 hours ago

  • BBC News

Plymouth charity asks people to donate bedding directly

An animal charity is asking people to stop putting bedding into its off-site donation points due to health and hygiene Cats and Dogs Home in Plymouth said it was grateful for the much-needed donations but asked if people could take them directly to the charity instead. Manager Claire Sparkes said the collection bins, located at supermarkets and stores across the city, were becoming "overfull" with items including large said it meant people could not get smaller items, such as pet food and litter into the collection boxes. She said: "Duvets are quite big and take up a lot of space, but we do need duvets at Gables."The Greyhounds especially love them - as long as they're not feather ones - because as you can imagine, the chaos it causes. "When one gets ripped open the feathers go everywhere, and the staff spend hours trying to clean it all up."Ms Sparkes said they always needed duvets, towels, and blankets, as well as food, treats and toys for the said: "We always need old towels because we wash the dogs, especially if they get a bit muddy or wet." The collection bins also have a sign which states "no bedding in here please".Ms Sparkes said the charity had more than 100 cats and kittens in its care, some in foster homes, and between 45 to 50 dogs at the centre. "We are asking people to donate anything that we can use for animals like cat and dog treats and anything that we can spoil them with," she added.

My 52p recipe is the perfect dupe for viral M&S Chunked N' Loaded cookies – I reckon they taste even better
My 52p recipe is the perfect dupe for viral M&S Chunked N' Loaded cookies – I reckon they taste even better

The Sun

time4 hours ago

  • The Sun

My 52p recipe is the perfect dupe for viral M&S Chunked N' Loaded cookies – I reckon they taste even better

THEY'RE chunky, gooey, and wildly popular, but at £2 a pop, M&S's viral Chunked N' Loaded Cookies don't come cheap. To help fans recreate the indulgent flavours at home for a fraction of the price, Ann Cooper, who owns a family-run bakery called Wonderberrys has recreated the viral favourite She created three affordable, bakery-style cookie recipes for QRFY, in Raspberry Cheesecake, Pistachio, and Chocolate & Hazelnut, that can be made at home for as little as 52p per cookie. She says: 'In order to successfully make this type of stuffed cookie, the filling needs to be frozen and then added to the cookie mix just before going into the oven. 'This process maintains the stability of the centre and stops it from melting into the cookie dough. Obviously, people could just add it to the dough, but it won't maintain a soft centre after cooking.' She adds that making them yourself can make them taste all the better. Ann adds: "Many people like to enjoy a sweet treat now and again and baking your own cookies can provide a sense of satisfaction and achievement." Scroll down for the recipes, the method is the same for all three cookies and can be found after the ingredients. Pistachio Cookie (Makes 6 large cookies): 275g plain flour 115g unsalted butter 1 egg 175g light brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ⅓ tsp bicarbonate of soda 60g pistachio cream 100g white chocolate chips Chopped pistachios (small handful) Chocolate & Hazelnut Cookie (Makes 6 large cookies): 275g plain flour 1 tbsp cocoa powder (approx. 15g) 115g unsalted butter 1 egg 175g light brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ⅓ tsp bicarbonate of soda 60g Nutella 100g milk chocolate chips Chopped hazelnuts (small handful) The simple chocolate cake recipe using only TWO ingredients - it's sweet and you won't even need to put it in the oven Raspberry Cheesecake Cookie (Makes 6 large cookies): 275g plain flour 115g unsalted butter 1 egg 175g light brown sugar ¼ tsp baking powder ⅓ tsp bicarbonate of soda 30g cream cheese 30g raspberry jam 100g white chocolate chips Method for all three cookies Freeze the filling (cheesecake mix, pistachio cream, or Nutella) in 10g blobs until solid (about 1 hour). Cream butter and sugar, then add the egg. Mix in dry ingredients. Combine by hand. Divide into 6 balls. Press a hole in the centre, insert the frozen filling, and seal the dough completely. Bake at 180°C (fan) on a preheated tray for 11–14 minutes, removing just before browning for a gooey centre. Let cool on the tray and enjoy - why not try adding some tasty toppings too?

Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it
Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Do YOU live in a Japanese knotweed hotspot? Here's how to spot and get rid of it

Bristol is the Japanese knotweed 'capital of England', new data from Environet shows. In the year to date, there have been 1,440 reported sightings of Japanese knotweed in the South West city, according to the findings. Merseyside is another hotspot for Japanese knotweed, with 2,963 sightings reported, but spanning a less dense area, at 11.87 episodes per square mile compared to 33.91 in Bristol. Greater London is the third most prevalent Japanese knotweed hub, with 4,687 reported sightings and 7.74 incidents per square mile. Lancashire came out in fourth place, seeing a hefty 8,612 sightings spanning 7.25 episodes per square mile. Residents in Greater Manchester also need to be on high alert for Japanese knotweed, with the area seeing 3,558 Japanese knotweed reports, translating to 7.22 incidents per square mile. Spanning further afield, the Isle of Man, a self-governing British crown dependency, also reached the top 10, as did the Channel Islands, Isle of Wight, Derbyshire and Nottingham, followed closely by the West Midlands and Surrey. What is Japanese knotweed? According to the Royal Horticultural Society, Japanese knotweed is a persistent, clump-forming herbaceous perennial, which was introduced to Britain as an ornamental garden plant but has since become an invasive weed subject to legal control measures. Japanese knotweed first arrived in Britain in the Victorian times in a box of plant specimens delivered to Kew Gardens and was quickly adopted by gardeners and horticulturalists, who were unaware of its invasive nature. Since then it has spread widely, with an average of 1.1 occurrences in every square mile of England and 3.9 in Wales, according to Environet. Japanese knotweed can grow in most soil conditions found in Britain, particularly in man-made habitats, such as roadsides, waste ground, railway embankments and cuttings and spoil tips. It is also commonly found along rivers and streams. Why is Japanese knotweed common in locations like Bristol? Speaking to This is Money, Emily Grant, a director at Environet, said: 'It's likely that Japanese knotweed is most prolific near ports such as Bristol, Liverpool and Cardiff, because of historical shopping and trading practices.' She added: 'In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries ships would return from all over the world carrying ballast, which often included soil containing non-native plant material like knotweed. 'That was then dumped to make way for the next cargo, and it quickly took hold. It may also have been planted deliberately to stabilise railway embankments and slag heaps. 'In industrial areas like Manchester, Lancashire and the Midlands, extensive soil movement from mining and construction accelerated its spread.' How can I spot Japanese knotweed? Japanese knotweed begins to emerge in early spring, quickly growing into lush green shrubs with pink-flecked stems, heart-shaped leaves and bamboo-like canes. In August it starts flowering with bunches of tiny creamy-white blooms that hang in tassels. It can pose serious problems for homeowners, with underground rhizomes that can grow up to three metres deep and spread up to seven metres horizontally, emerging through cracks in concrete, tarmac driveways, pathways, drains and cavity walls. While serious damage to property is rare, mortgage lenders require knotweed to be dealt with when a property is sold, meaning it can cause legal disputes between neighbours and reduce a property's value. Environet estimates that the presence of Japanese knotweed at a property can reduce its value by 5 per cent, though this is variable and will depend on the scale of the problem. A 2023 Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs report put the cost of tackling knotweed to the economy at nearly £250million per year. What should I do if I suspect Japanese knotweed? The government's website states: 'You must stop Japanese knotweed on your land from spreading off your property. 'Soil or plant material contaminated with non-native and invasive plants like Japanese knotweed can cause ecological damage and may be classified as controlled waste. 'You do not legally have to remove Japanese knotweed from your land unless it's causing a nuisance, but you can be prosecuted for causing it to spread into the wild.' If you do notice knotweed, you do not need to report it, but if it is on your property you should act sooner rather than later. 'The more it grows, the more it will cost to remove', Grant told This is Money. You will not be able to sell your property until you have had any Japanese knotweed professionally dealt with, and you could be at risk of a legal claim from a neighbour if you leave it to spread. Grant added: 'From there a treatment plan can be put in place, whether it's herbicide, removal, or a combination of both. 'Whatever option you go for, be sure to get an insurance-backed guarantee so if it starts to regrow you know you're covered – and that's what mortgage lenders will expect when you come to sell your property.' Japanese knotweed must be carefully disposed of carefully. If you cannot dispose of it suitably on site, you must send it to a landfill site or incineration facility that has the correct type of permit. It is best not to try and tackle a Japanese knotweed invasion yourself, unless you have appropriate training, skills and equipment. How to find a new mortgage Borrowers who need a mortgage because their current fixed rate deal is ending, or they are buying a home, should explore their options as soon as possible. Buy-to-let landlords should also act as soon as they can. Quick mortgage finder links with This is Money's partner L&C > Mortgage rates calculator > Find the right mortgage for you What if I need to remortgage? Borrowers should compare rates, speak to a mortgage broker and be prepared to act. Homeowners can lock in to a new deal six to nine months in advance, often with no obligation to take it. Most mortgage deals allow fees to be added to the loan and only be charged when it is taken out. This means borrowers can secure a rate without paying expensive arrangement fees. Keep in mind that by doing this and not clearing the fee on completion, interest will be paid on the fee amount over the entire term of the loan, so this may not be the best option for everyone. What if I am buying a home? Those with home purchases agreed should also aim to secure rates as soon as possible, so they know exactly what their monthly payments will be. Buyers should avoid overstretching and be aware that house prices may fall, as higher mortgage rates limit people's borrowing ability and buying power. What about buy-to-let landlords Buy-to-let landlords with interest-only mortgages will see a greater jump in monthly costs than homeowners on residential mortgages. This makes remortgaging in plenty of time essential and our partner L&C can help with buy-to-let mortgages too. How to compare mortgage costs The best way to compare mortgage costs and find the right deal for you is to speak to a broker. This is Money has a long-standing partnership with fee-free broker L&C, to provide you with fee-free expert mortgage advice. Interested in seeing today's best mortgage rates? Use This is Money and L&Cs best mortgage rates calculator to show deals matching your home value, mortgage size, term and fixed rate needs. If you're ready to find your next mortgage, why not use L&C's online Mortgage Finder. It will search 1,000's of deals from more than 90 different lenders to discover the best deal for you. > Find your best mortgage deal with This is Money and L&C Be aware that rates can change quickly, however, and so if you need a mortgage or want to compare rates, speak to L&C as soon as possible, so they can help you find the right mortgage for you.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store