2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on The best horse in the world absolutely smashed in for £1million race as bookies fear gigantic payout
A MASSIVE gamble is building on the world’s best horse – as bookies fear a punter onslaught at Sandown on Saturday.
John & Thady Gosden’s outstanding four-year-old Ombudsman has an official rating of 128.
ReutersOmbudsman was crowned best horse in the world after his awesome Royal Ascot win – and is being backed to repeat the feat in the Coral-Eclipse[/caption]
And, worryingly for his rivals, Thady says the Godolphin-owned colt is getting even better.
Ombudsman left his rivals for dead with a devastating turn of foot in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
And Paddy Power report it being one-way traffic in the betting ahead of the £1million Coral-Eclipse.
Ombudsman is all set to run – renewing his partnership with William Buick despite his 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court being among the list of potential runners too.
Victory for Ombudsman, who Paddy think could go off odds-on having been pumped in from 13-8 to 11-8 to evens, would be a killer for bookies.
They enjoyed a stellar Royal Ascot with a number of fancied runners getting turned over, memorably thanks to big-price winners such as 33-1 Cercene and 25-1 Time For Sandals.
But punters will be baying for blood in the 1m2f Group 1 at the Surrey track.
Paddy’s Paul Binfield said: “Ombudsman has really been the only horse that anyone has wanted since we adjusted the market at the five-day stage, arguably because of doubts about some of his possible rivals actually turning up on the Esher slopes and it’s now very possible that he’ll go off a shade of odds-on on the actual day.”
Race sponsors Coral currently hold the biggest price at 6-4 but that has been clipped in too.
The firm’s David Stevens said: “Although we don’t yet know the final line-up for Saturday’s first ever £1m Coral-Eclipse, we do know it’s all systems go with Ombudsman.
“And following his impressive Royal Ascot victory, he’s the clear pick with punters at this stage.”
Thady, who trains alongside his legendary dad John, was confident in the colt’s ability speaking on Tuesday.
He said: “He has come out of Royal Ascot in very good order and only had one run beforehand this season at Sandown in the Brigadier Gerard when he was second to Almaqam.
“He hasn’t had a hard season or really a hard career so far so we thought why not go for this?
“The Prince Of Wales’s was a very tough race with a lot of Group One horses in there.
“He is still relatively inexperienced and that was his first run in a Group One.
“We always thought he had the potential to be a horse of the class he has turned out to be and we found that out on the day at Ascot.
“He had a few traffic problems at Ascot but luckily has that turn of foot that Night Of Thunder seems to give them and he picked up really well.
“He has plenty of speed – he’s always had it. He has improved with every start and got the mile and a quarter well last time.”
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2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Traditional English seaside town reveals huge £1.8million pier transformation
THE historic Great Yarmouth Pier is in the midst of a makeover.
Its pier along the Golden Mile seafront has been open since 1901, and thanks to new funding, it has undergone a major transformation with more to come.
Britannia Pier in Great Yarmouth has undergone a transformationFacebook/National Piers SocietyAlamyIt’s ditched the bright orange lettering and big entertainment signs[/caption]
Britannia Pier was always recognisable from the huge advertisements of its upcoming shows and celebrity performers, to its orange 1970s style sign lettering.
After £1.8million worth of funding, it now has a new look.
The building is sleek and white with grey letters and detailing, looking worlds away from the facade it has had for a number of years.
The original wooden Britannia Pier was built in Great Yarmouth in 1858, but was demolished in 1899.
In 1901, a new steel and timber frame was constructed but was destroyed after a series of fires and rebuilt.
Then in 2022, the pier was bought by Triangle Amusements who applied for planning permission to upgrade the site.
Since then, there has been a new amusement arcade and a new front.
And a second phase of work is expected to start in October 2025, which will focus on the food stalls and cabin.
Despite the ongoing works, the pier is open during the summer and ready for business too.
Comedy acts including Jimmy Carr, top tribute acts including Abba, Whitney Houston, Queen and Elvis will be hitting the pier.
AlamyPhase two of the upgrade is set to go ahead in October[/caption]
There’s also a Summy Kids Party event (tickets £3) taking place every Wednesday from 6.30-9.30pm before the free fireworks display.
Great Yarmouth has everything you need for a classic British beach break.
Last year, Sun readers put together their favourite spots that you just cannot miss like the Joyland amusement park.
There you’ll find the Super Snails ride, Tubs, Jet Cars, Spook Express and Neptune’s Kingdom as well as slush drinks and ice-creams.
Another reader suggested the Breydon Water nature reserve.
When it comes to beaches, one of the favourites is the nearby Goreleston-on-Sea that they said is “considerably more quiet.”
They went on to add that it’s a “lovely sandy beach and has a nice restaurant called The Fig which is a pizzeria/Greek restaurant overlooking the beach.”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Game is shutting down MORE stores in just weeks with 20% off ‘everything must go’ sale
BRITISH retailer GAME has announced the closure of yet another store as it dials back its presence on the highstreet.
The retailer’s long-standing Chatham store, inside the Pentagon Centre, will shut in September.
Google mapsThe video game retailer has undergone significant restructuring and downsizinG[/caption]
The GAME shop in Victoria Centre, Nottingham, is also set to close its doors next month.
Stock in all stores must go, with most items being flogged at 20 per cent off.
GAMEsells a variety of video games, consoles and pop culture merchandise.
Shoppers in the Chatham store can get 20 per cent off all full price toys, board games, LEGO, video games, plushies and gaming accessories like headphones.
The Chatham branch narrowly avoided closure in 2020 when 40 locations across the UK were axed.
The retailer has shut a number of its locations across the UK in recent months.
TheFrasers Group, which acquired GAME in 2019 as part of a £52million deal, has been converting stores into concessions withinSports Directand other stores owned by the group.
The video game retailer has undergone significant restructuring and downsizing.
While plans don’t indicate that the stores will disappear from the British high street completely many locations are expected to close.
GAME, in Festival Place, Basingstoke, will also be holding a 20 per cent off everything closing down sale before shutting up shop for good on August 10.
The retailer has given no reason for the abrupt departures from shopping centres in the UK.
However, the decline comes amid a significant drop in sales of physical video games, compared to Game’s heyday in the early 2000s.
The Digital Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA) revealed that in 2022, nearly 90 per cent of all video games sold in the UK were digital downloads.
Why are retailers closing stores?
RETAILERS have been feeling the squeeze since the pandemic, while shoppers are cutting back on spending due to the soaring cost of living crisis.
High energy costs and a move to shopping online after the pandemic are also taking a toll, and many high street shops have struggled to keep going.
However, additional costs have added further pain to an already struggling sector.
The British Retail Consortium has predicted that the Treasury’s hike to employer NICs from April will cost the retail sector £2.3billion.
At the same time, the minimum wage will rise to £12.21 an hour from April, and the minimum wage for people aged 18-20 will rise to £10 an hour, an increase of £1.40.
The Centre for Retail Research (CRR) has also warned that around 17,350 retail sites are expected to shut down this year.
It comes on the back of a tough 2024 when 13,000 shops closed their doors for good, already a 28% increase on the previous year.
Professor Joshua Bamfield, director of the CRR said: “The results for 2024 show that although the outcomes for store closures overall were not as poor as in either 2020 or 2022, they are still disconcerting, with worse set to come in 2025.”
It comes after almost 170,000 retail workers lost their jobs in 2024.
End-of-year figures compiled by the Centre for Retail Research showed the number of job losses spiked amid the collapse of major chains such as Homebase and Ted Baker.
It said its latest analysis showed that a total of 169,395 retail jobs were lost in the 2024 calendar year to date.
This was up 49,990 – an increase of 41.9% – compared with 2023.
It is the highest annual reading since more than 200,000 jobs were lost in 2020 in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced retailers to shut their stores during lockdowns.
The centre said 38 major retailers went into administration in 2024, including household names such as Lloyds Pharmacy, Homebase, The Body Shop, Carpetright and Ted Baker.
Around a third of all retail job losses in 2024, 33% or 55,914 in total, resulted from administrations.
Experts have said small high street shops could face a particularly challenging 2025 because of Budget tax and wage changes.
Professor Bamfield has warned of a bleak outlook for 2025, predicting that as many as 202,000 jobs could be lost in the sector.
“By increasing both the costs of running stores and the costs on each consumer’s household it is highly likely that we will see retail job losses eclipse the height of the pandemic in 2020.”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Never buy deodorant again thanks to a 20p a go Boots buy that STOPS you sweating – yes even in this heat
A BEAUTY whizz has shared her top tip to put a stop to smelly pits this summer.
Elle McNamara (AKA Bambi Does Beauty) took to social media to share her summer hack just in time for the hot weather.
tiktok/@bambidoesbeautyElle shared her top beauty secret for summer[/caption]
GettyIt means you won’t have to worry about smelly pits[/caption]
The 34-year-old revealed that the buy stops your armpits from smelling, and it works even better than deodorant.
In the clip, she said: “You know when people say this beauty tip is going to change your life?
“Well this one actually will. Personal Hygiene Tip 101.
“If you use this face wash on your underarms, you won’t even need to wear deodorant.”
She recommended using a shower gel with 4% Benzoyl Peroxide.
She said the product, which is often used to treat bacterial acne, also kills the bacteria which causes your sweat to smell.
Instead of using it on your face, Elle recommended applying it to your underarms for a few minutes, like a face mask, before washing it off.
She added: “For my sweaty gals who want a non-stanky summer!
“Just make sure to use a separate washcloth to remove it cos benzoyl peroxide stains the life out of everything.”
It’s best to use a 4 or 5% product as any stronger may cause a rash under the arms.
TescoThe facewash kills bacteria on the skin[/caption]
She also recommended using it just once a week and it should be enough to keep the smell at bay.
You can buy the face wash Acnecide from Tesco for as little as £10 and it will cost less than 20p a go.
The clip went viral on her TikTok account @bambidoesbeauty with over 734k views and 31k likes.
People were quick to thank her in the comments.
One person wrote: “Yes, it definitely works but you need to wash it off super well otherwise it’s going to stain your clothes!”
How to keep cool in hot weather
Most of us welcome hot weather, but when it's too hot, there are health risks. Here are three ways to keep cool according to the NHS...
Keep out of the heat if you can.
If you have to go outside, stay in the shade especially between 11am and 3pm, wear sunscreen, a hat and light clothes, and avoid exercise or activity that makes you hotter.
Cool yourself down.
Have cold food and drinks, avoid alcohol, caffeine and hot drinks, and have a cool shower or put cool water on your skin or clothes.
Keep your living space cool.
Close windows during the day and open them at night when the temperature outside has gone down. Electric fans can help if the temperature is below 35 degrees. Check the temperature of rooms, especially where people at higher risk live and sleep.
Another commented: “They also have a spray that works well.”
“Tried it – works like charm! especially in the summer,” penned a third.
Meanwhile a fourth said: “It most definitely works 100%, I only use it like 2 times a week and it’s magic.”
“It’s amaaaaaaazing, hands down beats any product for sweat,” claimed a fifth
Someone else added: “I always love your hacks they always work so well for me.”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Wimbledon hit by travel chaos with SEVERE DELAY warning after fire alert
WIMBLEDON fans face travel chaos after Transport for London issued a “severe” warning on Tuesday.
A fire alert at Southfields – the nearest Underground station to the All England Club grounds – saw the District Line grind to a halt.
The worrying update was shared midway through day two’s exciting action in SW19, as temperatures reached a staggering 34C.
And TFL warned fans should expect “severe delays” with “no service” on a huge chunk of Tube track.
A TFL statement read: “No service between Parsons Green and Wimbledon and SEVERE DELAYS between Edgware Road and Parsons Green while we respond to a fire alert at Southfields.”
There’s also an issue further up the District Line, which could prevent some fans getting to or leaving the grounds.
The update continued: “NO SERVICE between Turnham Green and Richmond while Network Rail fix a signal failure at Gunnersbury.”
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2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Ten affordable UK beaches that are exotic dupes of Thailand and Australia – with 3-night stays from £36pp
WHITE sandy beaches, turquoise waters and palm trees gently swaying in the breeze – sounds exotic right? Except you don’t have to hop on a plane to get there.
The UK has more than 7,700 miles of coastline and around 1,500 beaches, with some of them even been named some of the best in the world.
AlamyThe UK has plenty of stunning beaches, like Barafundle Bay Beach in Pembrokeshire – that match exotic coastlines across the world[/caption]
AlamyBarafundle, above, is a dead ringer for the Caribbean island of Anguilla, pictured – a beauty spot loved by honeymooners that’s a nine-hour flight away[/caption]
So it’s no surprise that some of Britain’s beaches are just as beautiful as destinations further afield, in places like California and the Caribbean.
With some lesser-known beauty spots making the list, these lush locations will likely be less crowded than their tropical twins, too.
Plus, without the pricey air fare and school holiday scrum, you’ll end up sunning yourself for a fraction of the price.
From Australian coastlines to hidden Portuguese beaches, here are some of the best destination ‘dupes’ you can visit in the UK instead:
Barafundle Bay in Wales or the Caribbean?
Barafundle Bay (pictured above) has been compared to the exotic Caribbean islands, with images of the beach showing it looking similar to stunning coves in Anguilla (also pictured above).
Visit Wales says: “With swathes of golden sand and crystal clear waters, Barafundle has been voted many times as one of the best beaches in Britain, and the world – it’s often likened to a Caribbean beach.”
Being off the beaten track means you won’t see many crowds at this beach.
But it also means you won’t have any facilities like cafes or toilets, so make sure to bring everything with you. Everything you take has to be carried back up over the cliff.
However, there is a cafe and toilets at Stackpole Quay, where people can park before walking the rest of the way to the beach.
Where to stay: Book a quirky Yurt at Stackpole Under Stars, just a nine-minute drive from Barafundle Beach. Prices are £115 per night and sleep up to four guests.
Durdle Door, Dorset or Algarve, Portugal?
AlamyThe rock cliff arch near Marinha beach in Portugal is a busy spot on the sunny Algarve[/caption]
AlamyOur very own Durdle Door in Dorset is almost identical and the beach is beautiful too. However, both beaches are very popular in the summer.[/caption]
Found in the Algarve is Marina Beach, which has an almost identical natural rock arch formation in the sea, just like the beauty spot in Dorset.
Just be ready for a walk – with 143 stone steps down to the sand – and it gets very crowded during the summer season.
Locals from the area love this spot in the low season when it isn’t overrun with tourists.
Emily Luxton, who runs the local website dorsettravelguide.com says: “You don’t feel like you are in the UK. It seems more like Portugal or California.”
Where to stay: The family-run Durdle Door Holiday Park actually looks over the Durdle Door beach. Bunk up in a quirky Shepherds Hut, with prices starting at £120, sleeping four.
Scarborough or Australia?
AlamyBathing boxes – what the Australians call beach huts – along Brighton beach in Victoria[/caption]
AlamyThe colourful beach huts at North Sands beach in Scarborough have been recently renovated and can be rented out by the public[/caption]
Not many people would expect Scarborough to be compared to the famous Australian east coast.
However, the multicoloured beach huts of the English seaside resort look just like somewhere Down Under.
Yet Brighton Beach in Australia looks just like North Beach in Scarborough, thanks to its long line of multicoloured beach huts next to the sea.
Budget-friendly Scarborough has long been a favourite for Brits in summer; in fact, it was one of the first ever beach resorts in the UK.
The beach huts here have recently been lovingly restored to their former glory, and you can rent them for £50 for the whole day. A lot cheaper than a flight ticket south of the equator!
Of course, don’t expect the same Aussie weather in Scarborough, so remember to pack a jacket.
The Park Dean at Cayton Bay is just 14 minutes from Scarborough and a family caravan, sleeping six, starts from £73 per night, for a three-night stay.
Achmelvich Bay in Scotland or the Bahamas?
AlamyHalf Moon Cay island in the Bahamas is picture-perfect but it’s a fair way to travel.[/caption]
AlamyAchmelvich bay in Scotland is an almost-secret paradise right here in the UK[/caption]
Photographer Quintin Lake compared the beach to the Caribbean island after exploring the entire British coastline for five years.
He told Sun Travel: “Achmelvich Bay in Scotland literally looks like it belongs in the Bahamas because the sand is white.
“The sea looks turquoise, which you’ll see in the book.
“The water is a beautiful greeny blue – it doesn’t look like it belongs in this country at all.
“When I went, it was a sunny day and there were maybe six people there, so it was heaven. I couldn’t believe it.”
The beach was even listed in the annual World’s Best Beaches in 2023 – the only UK beach to make the top 50.
Stay virtually on the beach, with cute camping pods a stone’s throw from the sea. They start from £93 per pod, sleeping four.
Prices can soar in the summer, but there is also a youth hostel that is right on the beach that has private family rooms from £77 and beds in a shared (same-sex) dorm for £26.50.
Scotland or Thailand?
AlamyPeople can’t believe this stunning white beach is in Scotland, found on the Isle of Berneray in the Outer Hebrides.[/caption]
AlamyBerneray’s beaches are just as picture-perfect as Koh Chang Island in Thailand[/caption]
One tourist wrote online: “This place is truly Heaven on Earth. I spent two hours on this beach and despite it’s incredible beauty, I never saw another soul.
“The beaches of Harris are also amazing, but this is the best beach I have ever been to. It’s magical.”
This remote spot in the Outer Hebrides doesn’t have too many accommodation options nearby, but nab one of these self-catering cottages on the edge of the island for £120 per night, sleeping six.
Pedn Vounder in Cornwall or Bali?
AlamyPedn Vounder Beach in Cornwall looks like a tropical paradise and it’s never busy due to the hike down from the cliff.[/caption]
AlamyBali is a stunning destination, but Indonesia is no quick flight so it’s good to know there is a near-identical bay in Cornwall[/caption]
You might not expect a UK beach to be compared to somewhere in Indonesia, but the golden sand beach and crystal clear waters, hugged by a rugged green landscape, say otherwise.
This sunny stretch has even been named one of the world’s best beaches, according to the Big 7 travel website.
Part of the reason this beach is unspoilt and less crowded is that it’s not the easiest to get to with a steep climb down from the car park.
But, once you’ve staked your place in the sand, you can stay all day and bask in the Bali-esk breeze – just pack your own cocktail in a can.
A great option for families to stay close to the shores of Pedn Vounder is the Lizard Point Holiday Resort, with caravans from £53 per night, sleeping six people.
Rhossili Bay, Wales or Skiathos Island, Greece?
AlamyRhossili Bay in Wales is equally as beautiful as the beaches in Crete[/caption]
AlamyThe exotic Koukounaries bay on Skiathos island is one of Greece’s best beaches, but it gets very busy with day trippers[/caption]
Another sweet spot in Wales is the serene Rhossili Bay in Swansea.
Often cited in round-ups of the best beaches in the UK, Rhossili Bay was also celebrated in the Happy Place campaign this year, launched by Swansea Bay Trails.
A warm stroll on this coast in the sunshine could have you mistaking this spot for the exotic Koukounaries Beach in Skaithos, Greece.
Generally thought to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Greece, Koukounaries has a sweeping bay, lined with green trees and wildlife – exactly like our very own Welsh wonderland.
Go now before too many people find out about it.
People are so stunned by the beautiful Welsh beach, the council’s Visit Swansea Bay social media channels are watched by millions.
Its Facebook page has reached more than 6.4 million people this year, with the number of likes, shares, comments and link clicks up over 114% compared to 2022.
Take the family glamping just 25 minutes from Rhossili Bay at Three Cliffs Holiday Parks. You can camp in your own tent or rent a glamping yurt for £124 (sleeping four).
Eastbourne or Big Sur, California?
AlamyThe Seven Sisters cliffs is one of the UK’s most dramatic coastlines[/caption]
AlamyCalifornia’s Big Sur is a stunning vista from the famous Highway 1 that leads from LA to San Francisco[/caption]
Big Sur is one of the most dramatic coastlines in the USA, with sweeping views, towering cliffs and a scattering of secret coves and secluded beaches that you can claim almost to yourself if you know where.
While Big Sur stretches over 70 miles along the west coast of California, we have our own cinematic landscape here in the form of Seven Sisters Country Park and the South Downs National Park, known for their stunning coastal scenery and hiking trails.
Just outside Eastbourne, the Seven Sisters are a series of rugged cliffs that form one of the most recognisable coastlines in the UK.
Famous for its towering white chalk cliffs, the notorious Beachy Head is the highest in Britain, offering dramatic views of the English Channel and the coastline.
Known mainly for its beautiful vista, the Seven Sisters coast is not a top spot for sunbathing.
For those who love nothing more than a brisk walk with a beautiful view, this California counterpart is perfect.
For a budget break with easy access to Beachy Head and Seven Sisters Country Park, as well as the lively seafront, the Premier Inn Eastbourne has rooms from £68.
White Park Bay in County Antrim or Greek Islands?
AlamyThe stunning White Park Bay in Northern Ireland is close to the Giant’s Causeway where Game of Thrones was filmed, but it looks more like Greece[/caption]
AlamyBalons Lagoon in Crete is a true beauty spot, but it can be overrun with boats carrying daytrippers[/caption]
With a blanket of soft white sand and incredibly clear, blue water, this spectacular sandy beach is in an enviable spot, nestled between headlands on the North Antrim Coast.
Its secluded location means that even in the height of summer, there is plenty of room for a tranquil day by the sea.
The beach is also backed by protected, ancient sand dunes that provide a range of rich habitats for bird and animal life, managed by the National Trust.
You may even spot this spectacular spot as the famous backdrop to fictional Stormlands and Dragonstone, from the TV series Game of Thrones.
It’s so beautiful here, the location is a dead ringer for the idyllic Balos Lagoon on the Greek Island of Crete.
However, in the summer months, an abundance of tourist boats arrive in the bay, meaning it’s crowded and sometimes scattered with litter.
Certainly not worth the trip if you can enjoy almost identical views here without the three-hour flight and the over-tourism.
Make it even cuter with a stay in a cosy fairy pod cabin, sleeping four for £100 per night at nearby Causeway Coast Holiday Park
Villefranche Sur Mer or Dartmouth, Devon?
AlamyDarmouth in Devon is a quintessential British seaside town with postcard-perfect views and excellent fresh seafood[/caption]
AlamyVillefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera is stunning, but very busy in summer, and it’s difficult to explore on a budget[/caption]
Villefranche-sur-Mer is one of the most charming and colourful towns on the French Riviera.
Think cute, cobbled streets and crooked, character-filled houses that wouldn’t look out of place in a Disney movie.
However, just a short drive and bus ride from Nice, this is no place for a cheap weekend with sky-high prices in restaurants and bars, that’s if you can get a table.
Closer to home, the quintessential English seaside village of Dartmouth in Devon has all the charm of the fancy French beauty spot, but with no airport transfers and lots of affordable B&Bs, pub stays and restaurants with a view.
For outdoorsy types, there are walking trails straight out to the sea, plus you’ll have your pick of some of the best seafood in the UK. It’s a taste of the Med, in a thoroughly British setting.
If you don’t mind being a bit further away, Torquey, the Park Dean Torquay Holiday Park has some excellent deals from £59 per night, in a caravan sleeping six.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Virgin Media Ireland ‘delighted to announce’ welcome addition to summer TV schedule that’ll please rugby fans
VIRGIIN MEDIA TV has confirmed it will broadcast both of Ireland’s summer rugby tour matches against Georgia and Portugal.
Fans will be able to tune in live via Virgin Media One and Virgin Media Player online.
Paul O’Connell leads Ireland on their summer tour with the games live on Virgin MediaO’Connell takes the reigns as Andy Farrell is leading the Lions for the summer in Australia
Ireland’s senior men’s team will play back-to-back Summer Tour fixtures this July under interim head coach Paul O’Connell, taking on Georgia and Portugal.
The tour begins on July 5th in Tbilisi against Georgia, who are currently ranked 11th in the World Rugby Rankings.
A week later, Ireland will head to Lisbon to face Portugal on July 12th at the historic Estádio Nacional do Jamor.
Munster legend O’Connell takes charge of the side as Andy Farrell is tied up with the Lions on the Tour of Australia.
The Irish broadcaster released a statement on Tuesday afternoon as they confirmed details of the deal.
It read: “Virgin Media Television is delighted to announce it will broadcast both of Ireland’s summer tour fixtures against Georgia and Portugal on Virgin Media Play and Virgin Media One.”
The tour is aimed at developing younger and fringe players with 15 of Ireland’s senior squad competing on the Lions tour in Australia.
IRELAND SQUAD
Forwards (17) *- Denotes Uncapped Player
Tom Ahern (Munster)*
Ryan Baird (Leinster)(27)
Jack Boyle (Leinster)(2)
Thomas Clarkson (Leinster)(6)
Gavin Coombes (Munster)(2)
Max Deegan (Leinster)(2)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster)(1)
Alex Kendellen (Munster)*
Gus McCarthy (Leinster)(4)
Paddy McCarthy (Leinster)*
Michael Milne (Munster)*
Darragh Murray (Connacht)*
Tom O’Toole (Ulster)(16)
Cian Prendergast (Connacht)(4)
Stephen Smyth (Leinster)*
Tom Stewart (Ulster)(2)
Nick Timoney (Ulster)(3)
Backs (14)
Shayne Bolton (Connacht)*
Craig Casey (Munster)(captain)(18)
Jack Crowley (Munster)(24)
Nathan Doak (Ulster)*
Ciaran Frawley (Leinster)(8)
Hugh Gavin (Connacht)*
Stuart McCloskey (Ulster)(19)
Ben Murphy (Connacht)*
Calvin Nash (Munster)(10)
Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster)(8)
Tommy O’Brien (Leinster)*
Jamie Osborne (Leinster)(7)
Sam Prendergast (Leinster)(8)
Jacob Stockdale (Ulster)(38)
Training Panelists
James McNabney (Ulster)*
Jude Postlethwaite (Ulster)*
Zac Ward (Ulster)*
IRELAND TOUR FIXTURES
Saturday, 5th July: Georgia v Ireland, Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi (kick off 9pm local time, 6pm Irish time)
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Cool off with Ibiza-style party boats across the UK this summer – with DJs and BYOB
DANCING in the sunshine on the deck of a boat as it makes its way across the water with scores of Brits on board – it’s the stuff holidays are made of.
If you fancy recreating the holiday dream back here in the UK, there are plenty boat parties across the country -from themed sailings to all-inclusive offerings.
From themed sailings to all-inclusive offerings, the UK has many places to find cruises with parties sailing into the night
Princess River Cruises, Nottingham
Princess River Cruises in Nottingham offer a number of different events including a ‘sundown carvery cruise’ for £29.95.
But for those who want to feel the Napa vibe, there are party cruises too including ‘Midweek Madness Heaven’ with a DJ for £28 per person and a ‘Funky Friday’ cruise with a BBQ and DJ for £44 per person.
Depending on which cruise you head on, it will also include drinks and food.
If you fancy a more typical boat party, there is ‘The Original Boat Party’ with a DJ and BBQ, as well.
Dorset Cruises, Sunset Party
Heading out at sunset, Dorset Cruise’s Sunset Party allows 120 revellers to enjoy a night onboard Fortuna – the largest party boat in Poole.
The event is sponsored by Captain Morgan and starts at 6:50pm, with a rum punch delivered straight to your hand.
Ibiza sounds will play across the decks as the boat leaves Poole Quay.
Once out on the water, the volume rises, disco lights hit the dance floor and a DJ performs songs from multiple genres.
Guests can also upgrade to The After Party Package which allows them to queue jump and gives them free entry to Cameo Nightclub in Bournemouth to continue the party once back on dry land.
Tickets cost from £20 per partygoer.
London Party Boats
Onboard the Party Boat Cruise in London, guests can enjoy a night of drinking and dancing on the River Thames.
The added bonus of this cruise is that you also get to sight-see as you venture down the river, past some of London’s most famous landmarks.
The cruise lasts four hours, includes a light buffet, live DJ, an outdoor viewing deck and a large dance floor.
A standard ticket costs from £29 per person.
AlamyMany cities also offer party cruises – often with food included[/caption]
On the River Dee, ChesterBoat offers Party Nights Afloat most weekends, from 7:30pm to 10:30pm.
Included in the ticket is a hot buffet, disco with a live DJ and a glass of wine on arrival.
Either onboard the Mark Twain or Lady Diana, the cruises sail from the Groves on Souters Lane, next to Hickory’s Smokehouse and back to the same spot.
Tickets cost £38.50 per person.
Rhinestone Rodeo Boat Party, London
Rhinestone Rodeo is the UK’s biggest country music party and hosts events across the country.
And coming up, they are heading onto a boat to cruise the River Thames.
InstagramParty cruises in Edinburgh and London, for example, also sail past landmarks[/caption]
Following a successful cruise last year, the sailing will leave Butler’s Wharf Pier in London on July 26 and head to Tower Pier.
Onboard, guests can explore two indoor rooms and two outdoor terraces with “the usual Rhinestone shenanigans, plus a few curveballs…”, according to the organiser.
Tickets cost from £38.62 per person.
Blue Funnel Cruises, Southampton
Located in Southampton, Blue Funnel Cruises offers summer party cruises with themes like the 90s and noughties.
The boat has a large dancefloor and for when you work up a sweat, there is an outside deck too.
A ‘basket meal’ is included in your ticket, which includes a classic sausage and chips.
Tickets cost £35 per person.
InstagramAlternatively, you could head onto a comedy boat[/caption]
The Boat Show Comedy Club, London
Whilst primarily a comedy club, The Boat Show Comedy Club in London is a live comedy venue that features four comics on board a refurbished paddle steamer.
The boat boasts four bars and a nightclub and as the evening’s entertainment goes on, the party vibes increase.
Weekend shows also include entry to the nightclub as part of the ticket.
Upcoming acts include Hannah Byczkowski, winner of The Traitors and Matt Richardson.
Prices to events vary, but start as low as £14.50 per person.
Mersey Ferries, North West England
Offering evening cruises on the Mersey, Mersey Ferries has a range of themed night sailings from ‘Noughties to Now’ and the ‘Ultimate Rock Night’.
There are even drag cruises with FunnyBoyz – a drag cabaret act with cheesy tunes and live music.
The sailings last over two hours and cost from £24 per person.
AlamySome even host drag sailings, like Mersey Ferries in North West England[/caption]
Manchester River Cruises
Manchester River Cruises host a whole array of different sailings from your more classic party nights to events dedicated to just one artist such as Adele or Elvis.
The cruises aren’t just limited to the night as well, with some party cruises running during the daytime.
Tickets cost from £30 per person.
Cardiff Cruises, Wales
On Saturday nights, visitors can hop on the Cardiff Party Boat with a range of party, dance, current chart and sing-along music.
AlamyIn Manchester, there are party sailings dedicated to specific artists like Adele[/caption]
All cruises last three hours and there is a bar onboard.
Tickets vary depending on the type of sailing and it is for over 21s only.
Cannae Beat A Boat Party, Edinburgh
Coming up on July 12, is the ‘Cannae Beat a Boat Party in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Exploring the canals, the boat party will feature house music as it sails through Edinburgh’s scenic canals.
Live DJs will be onboard and unlike the other boat parties on this list, this one is bring your own booze – allowing you to cut the cost on bar prices.
Tickets cost from £15 per person.
These are four adult-only cruises to book now – with on-board spas, pyjama parties and archery-at-sea.
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Andy Farrell left ‘shocked’ after star ruled out of ENTIRE British & Irish Lions tour through injury
ANDY Farrell admits Tomos Williams will be a major loss for the Lions after he was forced off the tour with a significant hamstring injury.
Williams, one of only two Wales players picked, went home yesterday after Farrell revealed the damage incurred while scoring the second of his two tries against Western Force on Saturday will sideline him for the “medium to long term”.
The 50-year-old had to look for back-up to replace his injured scrum-halfWilliams was one of the stand-out performers in the opening matches
Ben White has been called up from the Scotland squad that is currently in New Zealand to fill the vacancy and arrived into camp last night.
He will be joined by Blair Kinghorn, who is now available after helping Toulouse win the Top 14 final.
For Williams, it is a case of what might have been, as the reigning Gallagher Premiership Player of the Year had been outstanding in his two appearances on tour.
His form placed him firmly in contention for a Test place against the Wallabies.
Farrell said: “It’s shocking news for us all. We’re not just going to miss an outstanding player — he played unbelievably well and it was some try that he was actually injured by.
“We’re also going to miss the bloke. We have only been together for a few weeks but his character is everything you want to have in your group on a Lions tour.
“He’s very popular and that makes it a little bit tougher.
“Ben will be devastated for Tomos, like we all are. But at the same time, he’s super excited.
“He obviously had ambition to get into the squad — as did many others who didn’t get selected – so now he gets his chance.”
Williams’ club Gloucester posted online: “Gutted for you, Tomos.”
The Welshman’s withdrawal is offset by Ireland No 9 Jamison Gibson-Park’s recovery from the glute issue that enables him to make his Lions debut against the Queensland Reds in Brisbane tomorrow morning.
Full-back Hugo Keenan and replacement lock James Ryan will also make their first appearances for the tourists after recovering from their respective calf and quad injuries.
Lions captain Maro Itoje returns to the second row after being stood down for the 54-7 victory over the Force. Itoje will form an engine-room partnership with Ollie Chessum.
The Reds match begins a hectic spell of four games in 11 days leading into the first Test against the Wallabies, also in Brisbane, on July 19.
Farrell added: “Here we go now. This is proper touring. Games are coming thick and fast, so this is the exciting part of the tour for us.
“We’ve been outlining to the lads what the weeks are going to look like — not much training, actually, just out there on the field and plenty of mental preparation.
“But if you ask any player, what would they rather do? Would they rather be involved in big games, playing for the Lions, or training every day?
“I know which I’d rather do. We see it as a great opportunity for ourselves to be fast-tracking our ambition, our potential as a team.”
2 weeks agoBlogsComments Off on Slain Quezon City cop was teacher before joining police force
MANILA, Philippines — Patrolman Harwin Curtney Baggay was a teacher before joining the Philippine National Police. Baggay, 28, was the police officer killed by a robber in Barangay Commonwealth, Quezon City early Monday morning. Hailing from Kalinga, he got a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Saint Louis University, according to the Quezon City Police
