From A-list parties to the classroom: my new life as a teacher
'But — can I just check?' I asked the group. 'There's no suggestion here that you're going to try to change …' One of the children, the class straight-talker, shrugged and smiled widely.
'We can't change,' she
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BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Luton couple with white peacock in garden desperate to find owner
A married couple said they were desperate to find the owner of a white peacock which has taken up residence in their 83, and Bernie Deamer, 81, from Cockernhoe, Hertfordshire, said when it arrived last month, they went online to try and find its owner but got no both said it was a beautiful and friendly bird, which they named "Snowy" as it is completely said police told them that it was possible it had been stolen and then dumped. Mrs Deamer said when Snowy "landed" at their home near Luton, it jumped next door, but when they started putting out food for the pheasant, it came back."He was very, very loud when he first arrived – it was like a strong screech," she said."He just eats the clover and the pheasants' food, and he has never gone for a flower."The couple phoned nearby Hatfield House and Luton Hoo to ask if they owned the bird. They also contacted the RSPCA, but Ms Deamer said it was "not interested as it is not hurt".The RSPB said: "Whilst they can be seen in the wild in India, a lot of white peacocks are bred to be white to be used at events/weddings etc for their colouration."Ms Deamer said the bird is not ringed and they "cannot give it away as it is not our bird".She wanted someone to come and get it, but at the same time, admitted she would miss it if someone did claim it. Mr Deamer said the bird must belong to someone and added: "It could be microchipped, but you need to get close to him to check."He wanders about, and then he disappears. It is a stunning bird"Mrs Deamer said: "The fascinating thing is, at night, it goes about 60 feet up a tree and then comes down the next morning and straight into the garden."She is worried the peacock "won't survive in the winter as it is too open and we have foxes and it will be horrific". Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Thaxted gold pendant find sheds light on county's history
The discovery of an early medieval gold coin pendant "literally sheds a light" on a period of a county's history about which little is known. The piece of jewellery is a 6th Century replica of a Byzantine coin and was found by a metal detectorist near Thaxted, was minted in Europe and then brought over to England. A coroner has declared the find treasure and Saffron Walden Museum hopes to acquire it. Historian Lori Rogerson said it was one of a number of recent finds which were "flipping what we thought we knew about Essex at this time on its head". "Because in this period we have no written record for the county, it really is in the dark for people working in archaeology and heritage - so this find literally shines a light on that time," the county finds liaison officer added. The coin is an imitation of one struck in the name of the Byzantine emperor Justin II, who ruled from AD565 to Rogerson said the replicas were minted in several of the post-Roman Empire kingdoms by various European tribes to "give the impression they had the same level of authority as the empire".Similar objects from the 6th and 7th Century are rare finds in Essex, unlike in Kent, Suffolk or Norfolk, she said. "The gold is really high quality and it is an elite object, but we don't get these high status objects found through commercial archaeology, so if this hadn't been found, we'd have had no idea there were these elite groups of people in this area at this time," she explained."We know there are high status individuals at Prittlewell, but we are now getting glimpses of where else they were in Essex." Miss Rogerson was referring to a complete burial chamber of a man dubbed the Prittlewell Prince, which were found near Southend-on-Sea in 2003. Archaeologists unearthed a burial chamber dated AD580 to 605 - full of amazing objects. "Without the discovery of other high status burials in Essex, it's these chance finds that fill in the gaps for us which are missing in the archaeology," she said."The Thaxted pendant means we've got evidence of elite early medieval people from all four corners of the county now - including lots from Colchester, a finger ring from Epping Forest, the Prittlewell burial, and a couple from Chelmsford." Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
8 minutes ago
- BBC News
Gorleston primary school still assessing extent of fire damage
A primary school that had to be evacuated after fire broke out on the last day of the summer term is still assessing the extent of the from Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service were called to Ormiston Cliff Park Primary Academy in Orde Avenue, Gorleston, at about 13:16 BST on 18 a letter to parents, principal Louise Watkins said pastoral support would be offered to pupils and staff upon the school's return. A fire service spokesperson said: "Our fire investigation has determined accidental cause and that the fire started in the roof." The school, part of Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT), was evacuated with all children accounted for while the fire was brought under control. Over the weekend, parents were able to collect children's belongings and the school said any uncollected items, including bikes and scooters, would be stored securely until the start of the new school year in September. Former pupil Myleene Klass, now an ambassador for the school, shared WOra post of support to her Instagram with a picture of smoke billowing out of the building. She said: "To Cliff Park teachers and pupils, I'm glad you're all safe."I'm told teachers did a phenomenal job of getting you out. I'm sorry your last day of term looked like this, I'm relieved you're all ok. Sending my love." In her letter to parents, Mrs Watkins said the school was still in the early stages of "understanding the impact of Friday's fire".It said: "Despite the challenges we must now navigate, I am confident that the unity and spirit shown will help us return stronger than ever. "None of us could have anticipated the final day of term unfolding as it did. Despite it being managed to the best of our ability, it was of course a very worrying experience for all involved."While our firm ambition and intention is to re-open our provision fully as planned in September... given the extent of the fire, the work required is complex and will take time."It said some less essential parts of the building would need ongoing work from September but that the school would make sure disruption was "minimised". OAT said: "Our aim remains to welcome all pupils back to school as planned in September, ready to learn in a safe and supportive environment."We will continue to keep parents and carers updated over the summer and are doing everything we can to ensure a smooth return." Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
