With a mighty crack and a cloud of smoke the first shot fired across the river in front of a historic palace and beside an iconic symbol of Britain. On the stroke of noon at the Tower of London a battery manned by the Honourable Artillery Company began a solemn Death Gun Salute to mark the passing of a Prince. And for the next 40 minutes shots rang out across the UK and the Commonwealth as serving military personnel paid their tribute to a wartime hero. Crowds had lined the Tower of London to watch this salute to the Duke of Edinburgh while many others flocked to lay tributes at royal palaces. But as they honoured his extraordinary life of service their thoughts, and prayers, were with his widow. For while Britain has lost a national icon, Queen Elizabeth has lost her tower of strength, and her grief must be immeasurable. Yet still her first concern was for her people. Just hours after losing Philip the Queen urged mourners to stay at home, mindful of the pandemic … [Read more...] about ‘Prince Philip represented sacrifice, duty and respect as Armed Forces mark his death’
To have reservations
When do swimming pools open?
SWIMMING pools were shut after the coronavirus pandemic forced the nation into lockdown. But when are they reopening and how will social distancing be maintained ? Follow our UK politics live blog for the very latest news and updates... When will swimming pools reopen? Outdoor swimming pools and open water venues were allowed to open from March 29. The next easing of restrictions beginning tomorrow, on April 12, 2021, will see indoor pools reopen for individual use or within household groups. But Boris Johnson will reserve the right to slam the brakes on lifting lockdown constraints if a new variant of the virus emerges or if the four-step plan steers off course. When will kids' swimming lessons restart? Indoor activities for children, including club sessions for under 18s in aquatic sports and learn to swim lessons, will also be allowed to resume from April 12. This will be a welcome change for many parents and children, after close to a year … [Read more...] about When do swimming pools open?
Amanda Holden TURNED DOWN by Blind Date contestant 30 years ago – but he married her lookalike
A BLIND Date contestant who turned down Amanda Holden 30 years ago went on to marry a woman who looks just like her. Barnaby Hands had the chance to date the star back when they both appeared on Cilla Black's iconic show, but rejected her on prime time TV in favour of another potential love interest. Amanda was just 19 an an unknown drama student when she went on the ITV programme 'for a laugh', dressed in a slinky black halterneck top. Now, Barnaby has shared his thoughts on turning down the Britain's Got Talent judge in front of 14 million viewers back in 1991. Speaking to the Mail on Sunday , he said: "I still get teased about it to this day. When she became famous everyone kept telling me, 'You idiot!' "My brother used to tease me so much. He said, 'I can’t believe you turned down Amanda Holden!' She used to do some modelling in men’s magazines and he would phone me up and say, 'What were you thinking?'" Barnaby, who works as an executive at film giant … [Read more...] about Amanda Holden TURNED DOWN by Blind Date contestant 30 years ago – but he married her lookalike