Latest news with #Alan
Irish Examiner
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Wedding of the Week: Cork couple head 'over the rainbow' for Kerry castle celebration
Considering this bride has herself joined many couples' hands in matrimony, the ceremony was always going to be important Cork couple Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Alison, a celebrant and solemniser with Bespoke Words and Alan, a primary school teacher, exchanged vows in Ballyseede Castle, Tralee, Co Kerry, which is where the reception also took place. Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan 'I live and breathe weddings, and because I'm a celebrant myself, the ceremony was such an important part of the day,' says Alison, from Ballinlough. She and Alan, from Parklands, were wed by Linda Foley (@lindafoleycelebrant on Instagram). Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan "Linda was absolutely incredible and our ceremony was phenomenal," says Alison." Alan and I wrote our own vows. We kept them secret from one another, so it was so lovely to hear them. "One standout moment in the ceremony was our hand-tying ritual — this is a reimagining of a Celtic tradition. We had some friends and family come up one by one to place a length of ribbon over our hands. We also used a tie that belonged to Alan's late dad.' Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan Singer Lily MacMonagle (@lily_m_music on Instagram) and violinist Rebecca McCarthy Kent (@rebeccal08 on Instagram) performed during the ceremony. 'Lily sang 'Blue Moon' in honour of Alan's dad as we lit the remembrance candle.' Photographer Seán Lordan of Studio Lordan captured the occasion on camera, as did videographer Tom Halpin (@whitephoenixweddingfillms on Instagram). Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan 'The weather co-operated with us — we even got a rainbow!' adds the bride. 'My two older sisters were my bridesmaids, along with my best friend, and my niece was my flower girl. Alan had four groomsmen made up of his good friends from school, college and the GAA club.' The bride and groom's paths first crossed a decade ago. 'We connected on Tinder in 2015 and met first in The Bowery,' says Alison. Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan A romantic break in Paris seven years later set the scene for their engagement. 'Alan proposed with a beautiful vintage emerald promise ring from Caragh Jewellers in Killarney, one that I had admired passing by about six months previously. That December, we were in town to sign our contracts for our house when I spotted a stunner of a ring in Diana O'Mahony Jewellers on Winthrop Street, which is my forever ring. I wore both my emerald and my diamond on the wedding day.' Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan "Colour, fun and relaxed vibes" were the event's theme, says Alison. 'I am totally horizontal and really wanted a chilled atmosphere for everyone. We went with bright pink, orange and yellow as our palette. We also leaned into Alan's family name, Bell, and named our tables with 'bell' connotations like Bell's Field, 'belle of the ball', and Bellinis. I did a lot of DIY to bring my vision to life.' Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan The New Brass Kings (@thenewbrasskings on Instagram) filled the dance floor. 'Our first dance song was 'Pencil Full of Lead' by Paulo Nutini,' says Alison. The bride looked super-elegant in a Fara Sposa gown, which she sourced in Amore in Youghal. 'The outermost layer of the skirt and the sleeves are polka dots, which I was weak for,' she says. Alan's tux was from Tom Murphy's, Patrick Street. Alison Driscoll and Alan Bell. Pictures: Studio Lordan Makeup artist Siobhan Murphy (@ on Instagram) and hairstylist AnneMarie Fitzgerald of @TietheKnotBridalHair 'kept everything ticking along nicely', adds Alison. Alison also hired a content creator, Lucy (and_somethingblu). 'I obviously knew what it entailed, but — oh, my God — the content she has captured is insane.' Maura Sheehy of Maura's Cottage Flowers created the floral arrangements for bride Alison Driscoll. Pictures: Studio Lordan Maura Sheehy (@maurascottageflowers) created the floral décor. The cake was from Ruairi's Kitchen. The newlyweds, who live in Ballinlough, honeymooned in Portugal. If you would like your wedding featured in Weekend email
Scotsman
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Listen to Alan Partridge's new podcast series for free on Audible
Aha! A new Alan Partridge series lands on Monday - and you can stream it for free This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. Steve Coogan's comic creation returns on Monday - here's how to make sure you don't miss an episode Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... You might know him as the presenter of a military-based quiz show on cable TV called Skirmish, or you might have heard his dulcet tones on Mid Morning Matters, broadcast across the whole of North Norfolk. But it has been a while since we've seen or heard anything from veteran broadcaster and "man of the people", Alan Partridge. But he's bounced back, and he's due to deliver another basket of pearls of wisdom in a new series on the streaming platform Audible. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Alan Partridge's award-winning podcast series From the Oasthouse will make a return next week for its fourth series, landing on Monday, June 30. And there's a way to listen in for free. Alan has settled into life in his countryside pad, and he invites listeners in for a tour | Audible Audible has recently announced a summer promotion, offering three months of free membership instead of the usual 30 days. It's available to Amazon Prime members and it gives you three credits to spend on audiobooks, regardless of their cost. It means you could download, stream, and own a title costing more than £30 each every month for three months - but, importantly, you also get access to Audible's suite of exclusive podcasts. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And among these podcasts is Alan Partridge's original series, in which he gives listeners access to his life, in a substantial rural house. Alan Partridge has already published four seasons of From the Oasthouse, and his fourth one will land soon In previous series, Alan has let listeners in on events in his life that have included tackling an intruder, befriending a magpie, and going off in search of his friend Michael - who he thought was dead. While he is giving little away about his new series, Alan promised in the series description that it will "delight listeners by casting his net over some of the smallest issues in the UK". The description explains: "What will this series offer that the first three didn't? Nothing, that's not the point. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "Instead it will continue, just as before, to draw back the curtain, open the cupboard and provide full loft access to the life of one of the most fascinating men in north Norfolk (Alan Partridge)." Audible's three-months free offer is timed to coincide with Amazon Prime Day, a four-day sales bonanza offering discounts across the retail platform. The Audible trial offer will expire at the end of January, so there is plenty of time to sign up, but pre-orders for series four of From the Oasthouse are already open, so it's worth signing up now. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad And all previous series of the podcast are also available for streaming, in case you want to catch up before diving into series four. To find out more about the podcast or to sign up to Audible for free, click here.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Suzanne Somers' widow Alan Hamel dating her Hollywood Wives co-star Joanna Cassidy
Suzanne Somers' widow Alan Hamel is dating the late actress' Hollywood Wives co-star Joanna Cassidy. The Three's Company star had been married to producer Alan, 88, for 36 years when she passed away on October 15 2023, at the age of 76, following a battle with breast cancer. However, almost two years on from her death, Alan has a new woman in his life in Joanna, 79, who starred alongside his late wife in the miniseries based on the 1983 novel of the same name by Jackie Collins. Confirming his new romance with the New York Post's Page Six column, he admitted: 'I don't know where this relationship is going." The new couple were photographed arm-in-arm in Malibu on Monday (23.06.25). Alan added: 'I have known Joanna Cassidy for over 45 years. 'Joanna was a guest star on [daytime talk show] 'The Alan Hamel Show' in Canada in the '70s. She was a great guest and it was a dynamic show, and we liked each other, not romantically, but mainly with respect. Both of us were married at the time.' Alan previously recalled that despite his and Suzanne's "mad fights", they would never put a stop to their love. He told Page Six: "For the first few years of our love affair, we fought like mad dogs. But we always returned to our passionate love for one another. After one of our fights, Suzanne said to me, 'No matter how bad it gets, let's never break up.' And we never did." The TV host recalled that he and Suzanne would always hold hands when they were asleep and he would spend the early morning just admiring her before she woke up. He said: "We always went to sleep every night holding hands, and in the morning I would always awaken a few minutes before Suzanne and I would just lie there, staring at her beautiful face." Meanwhile, Alan previously revealed that he had been getting signs from Suzanne and eventually accepted that she was "safe" in the afterlife. He told Fox News Digital: "One day I'm in the kitchen with my family, and all of a sudden, Suzanne's favorite song comes on the audio system; the audio system wasn't even turned on. It's a Latin song, and it's written and performed by someone no one's ever heard of. It's a song we used to dance to in the kitchen. It just came on all by itself. And then, when it was over, that was it. The audio system stayed off. "Later that day, the fireplace started by itself. "It stayed on for an hour and then it turned off. "Then one day, a hummingbird flew into our house. It goes to our little breakfast nook where there's a photograph of Suzanne and me where we're looking at each other. The hummingbird hovers in between our two faces. Then it flies up and sits on top of the photo. "A few weeks later, I opened all the doors and windows and I saw the same hummingbird – they all have very distinctive colorings… I walked over and extended my hands. The hummingbird jumps into my hands, and she tucks in her little feet. All I felt was her belly. She felt safe."
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THEY might not be the most instant transformers. But climbing plants can be a brilliant way to hide ugly fences or walls, and there are seven in particular that gardening pro Alan Titchmarsh recommends. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the seven climbing plants that are perfect for covering up ugly walls and fences Credit: YouTube 3 They provide pretty flowers and gorgeous fragrance when trailed on fences Credit: YouTube "Climbing plants are wonderful for transforming ugly sheds, walls and fences with a mass of flowers, foliage and fragrance," he said in an installment of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh video series on YouTube. "The wonderful thing about climbers is that there's a climber for every situation!" The former Ground Force presenter went on to detail his favourite climbing plants, as he explained where and when they can be used. At the very top of his list is the Clematis 'Shimmer', which is perfect for growing in full sun or partial shade. It produces large flowers, in this instance purple, and does that a couple of times per year. Second on the list, the Clematis 'Montana'. These "very, very vigorous" plants will "cover the side of a cathedral", Alan said, and can grow up to 12 metres in height. So they definitely aren't the ones to choose if you've got a small area you want to cover. With both the Montana and Shimmer varieties, they like their "roots in the shade and heads in the sun". "When you plant them, a little bit of flagstone laid on the area around the roots will stop the sun from striking it and drying the soil out," Alan explained. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either If you've got a spot in the shade that needs covering with a climbing plant, it's worth considering Lonicera 'Scentsation' (Honeysuckle). The "woodland native" that's "happy in dappled shade" produces spidery flowers and "the most glorious" honeysuckle scent. It can grow to between four and nine metres, and flowers the most during spring and summer. "It has twining stems, so loosely loop them in as they grow to cover the area you want to," he added. Or, if you want a "reliable" climber, then the Hydrangea petiolaris is a good choice. It's suitable for shade, and can grow up to eight metres wide. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. And the main draw of the plant is that it's a "self clinger", that "glues itself to the wall as it spreads". "It will cover quite a large area on a wall that's often too shady to cover with anything else," Alan continued. The Thunbergia 'Black Eyed Susan' is up next, and grows up to 2.5m tall. While the majority of the plants Alan has recommended are perennial, this is annual - meaning it only survives for one year. But it makes a pretty addition to a garden for "late spring, early summer and right through to early autumn". The sixth plant on Alan's list, which can top 9m in height, is the Rhyncospermum Jasminoides. "This is another plant for a sunny, warm fence," he said. "Give it sun and you'll get these glorious white flowers and a fabulous scent." The seventh and final climber Alan recommends is the Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's more of a "shrubby" climber that doesn't cling, you have to train it to grow where you want it to. And he added that it's also a good choice if you're short on space, as there's a nifty way you can train it for a smaller area too.
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Alan Titchmarsh's top 7 plants that ‘transform ugly fences with gorgeous flowers & fragrance' & they grow for years
THEY might not be the most instant transformers. But climbing plants can be a brilliant way to hide ugly fences or walls, and there are seven in particular that gardening pro 3 Alan Titchmarsh has revealed the seven climbing plants that are perfect for covering up ugly walls and fences Credit: YouTube 3 They provide pretty flowers and gorgeous fragrance when trailed on fences Credit: YouTube "Climbing plants are wonderful for transforming ugly sheds, walls and fences with a mass of flowers, foliage and fragrance," he said in an installment of his Gardening With Alan Titchmarsh "The wonderful thing about climbers is that there's a climber for every situation!" The former Ground Force presenter went on to detail his favourite climbing plants, as he explained where and when they can be used. At the very top of his list is the Clematis 'Shimmer', which is perfect for growing in full sun or partial shade. Read more Gardening stories It produces large flowers, in this instance purple, and does that a couple of times per year. Second on the list, the Clematis 'Montana'. These "very, very vigorous" plants will "cover the side of a cathedral", Alan said, and can grow up to 12 metres in height. So they definitely aren't the ones to choose if you've got a small area you want to cover. Most read in Fabulous With both the Montana and Shimmer varieties, they like their "roots in the shade and heads in the sun". "When you plant them, a little bit of flagstone laid on the area around the roots will stop the sun from striking it and drying the soil out," Alan explained. The four easy steps to get your tired lawn lush for summer & you don't need to worry about pigeons ruining it either If you've got a spot in the shade that needs covering with a climbing plant, it's worth considering Lonicera 'Scentsation' (Honeysuckle). The "woodland native" that's "happy in dappled shade" produces spidery flowers and "the most glorious" honeysuckle scent. It can grow to between four and nine metres, and flowers the most during spring and summer. "It has twining stems, so loosely loop them in as they grow to cover the area you want to," he added. Or, if you want a "reliable" climber, then the Hydrangea petiolaris is a good choice. It's suitable for shade, and can grow up to eight metres wide. How to encourage wildlife into your garden THE Woodland Trust shared five top tips 1. Grow wild Let nature take its course to create a more attractive environment for all things wild. You don't have to leave your plot to develop into a small jungle – wildlife will thank you for just a small corner, border or planter. 2. Plant trees and shrubs Research has shown that gardens are more attractive to wildlife if they have trees. And those trees can bring a host of other benefits too, from reducing noise and flooding to fighting climate change. 3. Create homes If you want to attract a particular species, a ready-made home can look especially appealing to any wildlife passing through. 4. Offer a water source Water is crucial for wildlife. Making some available in your garden could be a lifeline, especially in extreme weather. 5. Serve an extra meal One of the best ways to persuade a plethora of wildlife to your patch is to give them access to an easy meal. And the main draw of the plant is that it's a "self clinger", that "glues itself to the wall as it spreads". "It will cover quite a large area on a wall that's often too shady to cover with anything else," Alan continued. The Thunbergia 'Black Eyed Susan' is up next, and grows up to 2.5m tall. While the majority of the plants Alan has recommended are perennial, this is annual - meaning it only survives for one year. But it makes a pretty addition to a garden for "late spring, early summer and right through to early autumn". The sixth plant on Alan's list, which can top 9m in height, is the Rhyncospermum Jasminoides. "This is another plant for a sunny, warm fence," he said. "Give it sun and you'll get these glorious white flowers and a fabulous scent." The seventh and final climber Alan recommends is the Solanum crispum 'Glasnevin'. It's more of a "shrubby" climber that doesn't cling, you have to train it to grow where you want it to. And he added that it's also a good choice if you're short on space, as there's a nifty way you can train it for a smaller area too. 3 You need to consider whereabouts the area is that you need to cover when choosing a climber Credit: Getty
