Latest news with #BenStevens
The Sun
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Inside dark history of abandoned asylum that starred in blockbuster Hollywood thriller as it plans £22m transformation
A SINISTER abandoned asylum which has starred in several blockbuster films is set to receive a massive £22million make-over. The creepy Medfield State Hospital was left rotting for years after it was set up in the 19th century to treat thousands of psychiatric patients. 13 13 13 13 And the asylum turned filming location is now set to benefit from a multimillion-pound facelift which will once again change its purpose entirely. When it was cosigned to the dustbin of history in 2003, the hospital in Massachusetts, US, seemingly shut down for good. The nightmarish 128-acre site saw its 27 buildings closed down and boarded up. But that was until its ruins were chosen by filmmakers to appear on the big screen. The deserted asylum featured in Hollywood blockbuster Shutter Island, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, in 2010. The eerie site made a perfect filming spot for Martin Scorsese's heartstopping psychological thriller. The blockbuster film chilled viewers to the core - and the striking effect was only possible with the help of the historical site. In the film, Ashecliffe Hospital is the fictional asylum used to house the Criminally Insane. So Medfield Hospital, with its creepy and empty vibe, served as the perfect shooting location for the fictional asylum. Brit explorer Ben Stevens travelled to the long-abandoned hospital - which used to be known as the Medfield Insane Asylum. He ventured there after learning it was used as the shooting location for Shutter Island. The Brit told What's The Jam: "It felt very cool to be there as I'm a very big film fan. "I found out about it because I wanted to know where they filmed Shutter Island." He added: "Obviously, they dressed up a lot of the building as a set for the movie. "But I just liked the whole feel of the place, it felt very New England with the red buildings and the leaves." And the list of Medfield's big screen appearances doesn't stop there. The sinister island has provided ambient filming locations for movies such as The New Mutants and The Box. Chilling images of the historical hospital, which once accommodated as many as 2,200 patients, have also been revealed by Stevens. 13 13 13 13 After entering the former infirmary's haunted walls, Stevens came across lots of old equipment which were abandoned along with the hospital. Dusty wheelchairs stood motionless in corridors, alongside derelict beds which hadn't been used for years. Stevens, 31, detailed: 'I even found a patient's shoes. The whole place was very sinister because I know they conducted a lot of experiments on their patients. "They also had a very high security wing, which apparently mobsters were sent to, which is pretty cool." Medfield State Hospital opened in 1896 and was the first of its kind to adapt a cottage-style design - which ironically maximised daylight, fresh air, exercise and socialistion. This image stands in stark contrast to its haunted and silent reputation today. The location was used by local dog walkers - as well as film crews from across the country. Its destiny is set to be reshaped again - as a local nonprofit is hoping to transform the site into a hub for music and education. Seemingly unable to escape the entertainment industry, Medfield State Hospital is facing plans to become a brand new venue. The nonprofit has already hosted a variety of live music and festivals on the hospital grounds. The town of Medfield purchased the property in 2014, with discussions over what to do with it already ongoing. There were also concerns over how to handle a contaminated portion of the location. 13 13 13 After four years of collecting public input, the town completed a master plan in 2018. And in 2020, the Bellforge Arts Center secured a 99-year lease with the town on two signature buildings at the core of the new campus. Bellforge Arts Center programme director Paul Armstrong said: 'We're not here to copy what's being done, we're here to surprise, challenge expectations of a suburban art center and try to create something truly different for both the artists, the audiences, and the community.' The nonprofit is still raising funds for the £22million megaproject, which will involve renovating the Lee Chapel and Infirmary, linking two buildings with a glass annex, and developing surrounding green space for outdoor performances and community events. The groundbreaking performance venue will also feature a 300-seat auditorium for music, theatre, and dance. The flexible space will accommodate lectures, films, readings, community and business meetings, as well as special events like weddings. It will also hold indoor art exhibits, a kitchen and office space. The construction is starting this summer and is set to last about 16 months. Aside from the two buildings that will become an arts centre, the other 25 are set to become apartments. 13 13
Daily Mirror
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Sinister' abandoned asylum filled with shoes of patients who were experimented on
The long-deserted Medfield State Hospital makes for a haunting site, inspiring filmmakers for years with its dark, shadowy corners and long, and often sorrowful, history Eerie photos show the interior of an abandoned asylum, which has featured in several seriously creepy films. Urban explorer Ben Stevens ventured to the long-deserted Medfield State Hospital, formerly known as the Medfield Insane Asylum, after learning it was used as a shooting location for the 2010 psychological thriller, Shutter Island. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Shutter Island sent a chill down the spines of moviegoers, not least because of its depiction of the strikingly eerie Ashecliffe Hospital for the Criminally Insane. Like the fictional Ashecliffe, Medfield treated many thousands of psychiatric patients over the years, from 1892, right up until April 2003. Nowadays however, it lies empty and silent - and is said to have a 'sinister' feel. Brave Ben Stevens told What's The Jam: "It felt very cool to be there as I'm a very big film fan. I found out about it because I wanted to know where they filmed Shutter Island. 'Obviously, they dressed up a lot of the building as a set for the movie. But I just liked the whole feel of the place, it felt very New England with the red buildings and the leaves.' As well as Shutter Island, Medfield, situated just outside of Boston, in the US state of Massachusetts, has also provided an atmospheric filming location for movies such as The New Mutants and The Box. And photos snapped by Ben aptly demonstrate why it's the ideal site for jump scares. Once inside the former infirmary's walls, Ben, from Cambridge, UK, came across plenty of old equipment left behind when the last patients left, forgotten and gathering dust. This included long-disused wheelchairs parked motionless in corridors, and beds which hadn't been slept in for years, complete with mattresses. Ben, 31, revealed: 'I even found a patient's shoes. The whole place was very sinister because I know they conducted a lot of experiments on their patients. "They also had a very high security wing, which apparently mobsters were sent to, which is pretty cool.' Extraordinary photographs taken by Ben show the derelict state of the asylum, which once housed as many as 2,200 patients. The gloomy interior is in a well-worn state, and it's difficult to believe so many people once lived and worked there. Many rooms are extremely dark, and certainly not for the faint of heart. Continued deterioration ultimately led to Medfield closing its doors one final time. However, it's also understood that concern from Medfield residents over criminally insane patients brought over from Bridgewater State Hospital, also in Massachusetts, also contributed to this decision. Those who wander the grounds may come across The Medfield State Hospital Cemetery, the final resting place of 841 residents who passed away between the years 1918 and 1988. Established after the Great Influenza outbreak of 1918, as per John Thompson's A Short History of Medfield State Hospital, 1890-2016, up until 2005, gravestones were marked only by small concrete squares bearing a number. Then, in September 2005, more personal markers, complete with names and dates, were added to each of the graves. Following restoration, the grounds of the old facility are now open to the public, making this the only abandoned asylum in the US where the grounds are free to roam. Trespassing past dark is forbidden; however, with local Medfield Police tasked with patrolling the facility at night to ensure it remains as quiet as the grave.
New York Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
UEFA delays extend Crystal Palace's summer of uncertainty into pre-season
Crystal Palace's players will this week report back for pre-season training still unclear on which European competition they will be competing in next season. UEFA's decision to postpone a ruling on whether or not to admit Palace into the Europa League until Lyon's appeal against their relegation to Ligue 2 has been heard will be a source of frustration at Palace and has the potential to cause problems planning for next season. The date for that appeal to be heard is still to be determined. There is something of a stasis at Palace right now as a result of this uncertainty. It is not a crisis and there is no sense of panic, but there is an absence of certainty surrounding the new campaign. A replacement for sporting director Dougie Freedman, who left in March, has yet to be appointed, although the team with whom he worked remains largely in place and much of the work to prepare for this summer will have been done in advance. Advertisement Freedman's assistant, Ben Stevens, is leading the work alongside Iain Moody, who has worked as a consultant at the club for several years and worked closely alongside Freedman, albeit more in the negotiation process for new and existing players rather than identifying new talent. Manager Oliver Glasner has repeatedly stated how the club's late transfer business and disrupted pre-season in respect of players returning from international tournaments are problematic for his preparation. It was, he believed, a significant part of Palace's slow start to last season, where they failed to win for eight Premier League games. Chairman Steve Parish told reporters after the FA Cup semi-final win over Aston Villa that the club was looking to avoid a repeat of that disruption last summer and said after the cup final win over Manchester City that they must match Glasner's ambition. 'We're trying to do what we can this season to have a better pre-season and not make some of the mistakes we made again (where four players arrived on transfer deadline day),' he said. Palace's best-laid plans may now be frustrated by the continued wait for a decision on whether they will compete in the Europa League or drop down into the Conference League due to the possible conflict of the multi-club project Eagle Football, via its principal owner John Textor, owning significant stakes in both Palace and Lyon. Financially, there will be a difference between the two competitions, which may come into play, too. The profile of players Palace are targeting has not changed drastically from what it always has been: younger talent with something to prove and significant potential who can contribute now but then be sold on for a profit. Those players are more likely to be attracted to playing in the Premier League than in which European competition Palace are competing. Advertisement They have already signed the goalkeeper Walter Benitez to provide cover for Dean Henderson and compete for the No 1 spot. That deal is one Palace had earmarked for some time, though, with the Argentinian out of contract at PSV this summer. So it is more likely to impact potential departures than incoming transfers. Marc Guehi's situation is most unclear, with the club captain out of contract next summer and so far having expressed no inclination to renew. There is interest in him and offers are expected to arrive this summer. Should Palace play in the Europa League — the more prestigious competition — then they may hope to persuade him to sign a new deal with the club and enjoy a season showcasing his ability on the highest stage yet and then leave with their blessing next summer. That would be a similar situation to the one which played out with Michael Olise, who signed a new deal with a release clause and left a year later for Bayern Munich in a deal which earned Palace £50million ($68.6m). Likewise, Jean-Philippe Mateta harbours hope of playing for France; it's something he believes is far more likely by playing in a European competition. Following a superb 18 months in which he has scored 27 league goals since Glasner's arrival last February, he too may have offers this summer from teams playing in the Europa League. Perhaps less affected by where Palace will play next season is Eberechi Eze, who still has two years left on his contract. He is also expected to attract offers this summer, but his future is not linked as much to playing in the Europa League compared to the Conference League. Clearly, though, none of this is helpful for Palace, and it may have a knock-on impact on the immediate future of some of their younger players on the fringes of the first team. Advertisement The players will remain focused on returning to the fitness levels required for the intensity Glasner demands as they begin their preparation for the new campaign, but any distractions, however minor, are unwelcome. For the fans, the euphoria of their FA Cup victory remains but it risks being slightly overshadowed by a lack of clarity and the agonising wait. This summer should have been one for them to bask in the glory of their most successful Premier League season and winning their first major trophy. Palace may not be completely hamstrung as the wait goes on, but it is an unwelcome side note in a summer that should have been one of excitement about their European adventure. That much is unfortunate at least.
South Wales Argus
12-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Tesco sales accelerate despite ‘intensely competitive' grocery market
The UK's largest supermarket chain said it has increased its market share further after investing more in pricing to bring in more customers. The company said group sales grew by 4.6%, on a like-for-like basis, to £16.4 billion for the 13 weeks to May 24. This was buoyed by growing demand for own-brand and premium products, with sales of its Finest range up 18% year-on-year. Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy (Ben Stevens/Parsons Media/PA) This was supported by the launch of 350 new own-brand products during the quarter, as shoppers continue to turn more frequently to supermarket own-brands over branded rivals. As a whole, the business saw food sales grow by 5.9%, while non-food sales, excluding toys, rose by 6.2% amid a boost from new ranges and warmer weather. Tesco stressed that growth has come as it maintained its 'strong price positioning' relative to its rivals, continuing to invest in its Aldi Price Match scheme and around 9,000 Clubcard price deals each week on its loyalty scheme. It comes amid continued pressure on pricing from rival supermarkets, with Asda slashing prices this year in a bid to help turn around its fortunes. In April, Tesco said it expects to make as much as £400 million less in profit this financial year due to heightened competition. Ken Murphy, chief executive of Tesco, said: 'We are pleased with our performance across the first quarter. 'Our continued commitment to delivering great value, quality and service for our customers has contributed to like-for-like sales growth across all parts of the group. 'The market remains intensely competitive, and we are committed to ensuring customers get the best value in the market by shopping at Tesco.'
Glasgow Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Tesco sales accelerate despite ‘intensely competitive' grocery market
The UK's largest supermarket chain said it has increased its market share further after investing more in pricing to bring in more customers. The company said group sales grew by 4.6%, on a like-for-like basis, to £16.4 billion for the 13 weeks to May 24. This was buoyed by growing demand for own-brand and premium products, with sales of its Finest range up 18% year-on-year. Tesco chief executive Ken Murphy (Ben Stevens/Parsons Media/PA) This was supported by the launch of 350 new own-brand products during the quarter, as shoppers continue to turn more frequently to supermarket own-brands over branded rivals. As a whole, the business saw food sales grow by 5.9%, while non-food sales, excluding toys, rose by 6.2% amid a boost from new ranges and warmer weather. Tesco stressed that growth has come as it maintained its 'strong price positioning' relative to its rivals, continuing to invest in its Aldi Price Match scheme and around 9,000 Clubcard price deals each week on its loyalty scheme. It comes amid continued pressure on pricing from rival supermarkets, with Asda slashing prices this year in a bid to help turn around its fortunes. In April, Tesco said it expects to make as much as £400 million less in profit this financial year due to heightened competition. Ken Murphy, chief executive of Tesco, said: 'We are pleased with our performance across the first quarter. 'Our continued commitment to delivering great value, quality and service for our customers has contributed to like-for-like sales growth across all parts of the group. 'The market remains intensely competitive, and we are committed to ensuring customers get the best value in the market by shopping at Tesco.'
