WATCH the satisfying moment a farmer seemingly gets revenge on alleged flytippers as he returns their rubbish.
The farmer is said to have tracked down the alleged fly-tipper after she left boxes on his land.
In a rookie error, the ‘flytipper’ failed to notice that her address was still left on the boxes.
Taking the opportunity to exact revenge, land manager Graeme Upton went to her postcode, where he then recognised the car.
He filmed himself dumping the rubbish back on her front garden.
According to Graeme, the woman had apparently gone to the effort of driving 25 miles to dump her boxes on Graeme’s land – leaving her none-too-pleased to have it returned to her.
Graeme said in a Facebook post, that he had first noticed the woman idling in a car on his property in Redhill, Surrey when he was moving bales of wheat.
When asked what she was doing, he claims she said she was only stopping “for a wee”.
It was only after she’d driven off that Graeme noticed the pile of cupboard dumped on the ground at the edge of his field.
Graeme explained the backstory as part of a video showing him returning the boxes to the woman.
In the video, Graeme can be seen knocking on the woman’s door and pointing out the familiar car.
A man answers and says he hadn’t been driving the car when the rubbish was allegedly dumped.
Graeme then begins to sarcastically explain the situation to the man, beginning “It’s a bit bizarre“.
He says: “While she was having a wee, all of this stuff clearly fell out of the car and it’s got your address on it.”
The man then goes back into the house before telling them to “drop it all there”, pointing at his driveway.
Graeme and another man then begin dumping loads of boxes from their van onto the drive.
As a woman leaves the house, Graeme says: “I bet you didn’t think you’d see me again quite so quick.
“I’m just returning what was dropped off in my gateway.”
As Graeme and his friend leave, he adds: “That’s all yours.
“A word of advice, make sure you take off your postcode.”
He wrote: “The silly cow had left loads of delivery boxes with a post code on and hadn’t made a good job of cutting out the address on some boxes or her name !!!
“So I punched the post code into sat nav and lo and behold it took me to her house.
“So myself and two neighbours then collected their rubbish and returned it. They weren’t so happy.”
In the video, the woman who left her cardboard boxes on Graeme’s property stood by her husband, both with their arms crossed and shaking their heads as they watched the rubbish be returned to them.
VILLAGERS at war with a nightmare 60ft tree have lost their latest battle to get it chopped down.
Plans to fell the protected oak, which sits just metres from thatched cottages in Kings Newton, South Derbyshire, have been axed.
Residents living next to the “frightening” behemoth in Sleepy Lane have fumed that it could crush their homes.
They claim it also causes major sewage issues, problems with the road surface and blocks huge amounts of natural light.
It was planted 34 years ago after a 109-year-old tree in the same spot was deemed to be in a dangerous condition and felled.
DerbyshireLive reported that the sleepy village is divided by the new oak, which sits next to a public footpath leading into the picturesque countryside.
Paul Hackney, whose house is dwarfed by the 30-foot-wide tree, saw his proposal to have it cut down rejected earlier this week.
Almost 80 rejection letters were submitted at a South Derbyshire District Council meeting.
Opposition was led by Melbourne Parish Council and the Kings Newton Residents Association.
The “nuisance” tree is expected to reach 300 years old, much to the horror of some locals.
Mr Hackney told how the shrub had proved to be a hazard to vehicles after it was recently hit by an Ocado delivery van.
He said: “Ultimately it is a tree that has outgrown its position.
“It would be better for the residents to resolve the issue and be involved in the future planning of a new tree (if required) without the understandable stress and worry of the current situation.”
But John Jackson, chair of the residents association, argued that the oak was healthy and did not pose a risk.
Councillors understood the frustrations of locals living in its shadow, but defended keeping the “healthy” tree.
Cllr Andrew Kirke said: “I do have some sympathy for the neighbours.
“We have many very large trees but we can’t just chop them down in case there is a strong wind.
“We have lots of periods of strong wind while it has been there and trees have fallen down but it has stayed up through all of that.
“There is no reason to chop down such a healthy specimen.”
Cllr Jayne Davies added: “It is such a glorious tree.
“It has a tree preservation order for a reason and the applicant can come back for a crown or lift or another suitable solution.”
It comes as a similar ‘Jack and the beanstalk’ tree continues to frustrate homeowners in Winchester, Hampshire.
Locals in Canon Street slammed the “grotesquely irresponsible” and “ludicrous” 45 foot high oak.
But now it has branched into an “out of proportion” eyesore which overshadows the gardens of nearby properties – where the average house price is more than £600,000.
However, the council have refused to cut it down and placed it under a protection order.
The authorities said residents from a neighbouring street “appreciated” the tree.
The decision has sparked outrage among locals who are actually dealing with the daily repercussions of such an overwhelming tree.
South Derbyshire District Council has been approached for comment.
A MONSTER who knifed a tragic 14-year-old boy to death and slashed at cops in a horrifying sword rampage has been jailed for life.
Marcus Arduini Monzo ambushed Daniel Anjorin on April 30 last year as he made his way to school in Hainault, East London.
The youngster suffered a “devastating and unsurvivable chopping injury” to his neck and face during the horror.
Monzo also tried to kill Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, Henry De Los Rios Polina, Sindy Arias and Donato Iwule in the 20-minute attack.
The Brazilian “mystic” has now been jailed for life with a minimum of 40 years after he was found guilty of murder and three counts of attempted murder.
In a victim impact statement, Daniel’s family said nobody should have to lose their child to such “savagery”.
His dad Dr Ebenezer Anjorin also revealed the moment he discovered his son’s body after he was attacked near their home.
He added: “‘I ran outside of the house, crossed the road and saw a hunched up body on the side of the road.
“I didn’t know it was Daniel but as I got closer I recognised the school sports clothes.
“He was lying in a pool of blood and had a wound to his neck. He was motionless and I knew at once he was dead and lent down and held his head.”
Dr Anjorin said Daniel’s mum arrived soon after and began screaming when she saw the tragic youngster.
He also branded Monzo as “danger to society” and hit out at the killer for showing no remorse or apologising for the horror.
The grieving sad said: “We cannot begin to describe the pain and anguish we as a family feel.
“Daniel was a much loved son and had two siblings with four years between all three.
“As a parent one of the most painful aspects is seeing the pain of Daniel’s loss in our children’s eyes- something we wouldn’t wish on anyone.
“This was a completely random, unprovoked and savage attack on a schoolchild and people going about their business.
“The scale and savagery of this attack shocked the local community and the whole country.”
Jurors heard Monzo killed, de-boned and skinned his own cat in a cannabis-induced psychosis before setting off on the rampage.
He believed he was in the “Hunger Games” and that he was being controlled by “evil lizard type aliens”.
The killer had shown a warped interest in toxic influencer Andrew Tate and shared Incel posts online.
Monzo carried out the attack with “murderous intent” over a 20-minute period on April 30.
Footage released by police shows Monzo “deliberately” smashing into Donato in his van.
As he was knocked into a garden, Monzo got out the van and slashed his neck with the Samurai sword.
The victim could then be seen running away screaming as the killer calmly followed him clutching the sword.
Donato managed to escape as emergency crews were scrambled to the residential street.
Meanwhile, Daniel was walking to school “minding his own business” when his life was “snuffed out in an instant”.
The harrowing footage shows the attempts by brave officers to stop Monzo as Daniel lay gravely injured on the ground.
One officer yelled “drop it” but the so-called “mystic” replied: “Do you believe in God?”
He then fled through nearby gardens before being chased down an alleyway by PC Mechem-Whitfield.
The footage shows the brave cop approach Monzo, who then slashes at her with a sword as an officer yells “police officer stabbed”.
He also stabs another cop in the arm as they desperately tried to block the sword with a baton.
Monzo then burst into a house to attack a couple in their bedroom as their child slept next to them.
He shouted out “do you believe in God?” about four times then began to attack Henry De Los Rios Polania with the sword before attempting to stab his wife.
Jurors were told their lives were only spared because their child woke up and started to cry.
The court heard the “talented” martial artist spent nearly £1,000 on swords in December 2023 before cancelling the order.
He then bought two handmade Katana swords for £427.80 on February 21, 2024, with delivery coming through to his home in early April.
Footage showed Monzo branding a sword “freaking sexy” as he lunged around holding the weapon.
NHS systems were checked and revealed there were no documented mental health concerns or access to mental health services by Monzo.
But his brother Eduardo told the court Monzo had consumed ayahuasca – a hallucinogenic plant-based drink commonly used in South America – during a stay at a remote retreat in the Amazon.
Security guard Donato Iwule was run over by a van and then ran screaming for his life when Marcus Monzo came at him with a sword.
In a victim impact statement, he said: “The attack I endured has profoundly disrupted my life on every level, physically, mentally, emotionally and financially.
“I’ve had to manage physical pain, emotional trauma, anxiety – all from one violent and traumatic event.
“I am still in the process of healing – it has changed how I live, how I feel, and how I see the world around me.”
Pc Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield was severely injured after being struck repeatedly with a sword by Monzo.
She said: “Since the 30th April 2024 the injuries I sustained during this incident have had a significant and permanent effect on my life which has taken away my independence.”
She described facing “numerous challenges” in the wake of the attack, including struggling to dress one-handed, and preparing her hair.
She said: “I find this emotionally devastating every morning as I try to cover the scar and dent on the left side of my head.
“I no longer want to travel by myself or go out of the house without someone being with me. I have a fear of being attacked again and not being able to defend myself.”
Sindy Arias was asleep with her then partner Henry De Los Rios Polania when Monzo burst into their room, with their young child nearby.
She said she suffered “deep, persistent fear” and although she was not physically hurt, the emotional consequences were profound.
“No other family or person should have to go through such a complex, painful and destabilising experience,” she said.
Inspector Moloy Campbell sustained a serious hand injury when he ran in to confront Monzo with his baton raised after learning that one of his colleagues had been hurt.
Reading his statement at Monzo’s sentencing on Friday, he said: “The community that my team and I are tasked to protect was under attack. My team, the line which stood between peace and chaos, safety and danger, was being breached.
“This is a scary and lonely place to be in. There was no help in that moment – we were the help.
“I had a choice to make: to contain Mr Monzo and line my officers up for slaughter, or confront Mr Monzo, thereby putting mine and other officers’ lives at risk. This is a horrible decision which no-one should have to make.
“When I challenged Mr Monzo, I knew it may be the last decision I would ever make, but one that had to be made.
“It’s a horrible feeling, being in a confrontation which feels like a ‘him or me’ situation. When I felt the slash to my hand I looked down and saw the inside of it. I had no choice but to withdrawn due to a catastrophic bleed but I felt I had failed.”
Mr Campbell was treated in hospital and came round believing the team had achieved their goal to preserve life.
Describing his feelings on learning that was not the case and schoolboy Daniel Anjorin had died, he said: “I have never had the wind knocked out of me like that moment. I felt I was being sucked down into my hospital bed.”
He said he was “concerned” as the drink has caused a “negative response” in some people.
Eduardo said his brother began to withdraw from his family when he returned from the retreat.
The court heard no trace of DMT – the hallucinogen found in ayahuasca – was detected in Monzo’s system.
But prosecutors said his “conduct was brought about by self-induced intoxication in the form of drugs” that led to a “psychotic disorder”.
Monzo, of West Beckton, Newham, denied murder, four counts of attempted murder and one of wounding with intent.
A TEENAGE boy who drowned while swimming with pals was remembered as someone who “brought joy and smiles” to everyone as he was laid to rest today.
Talented footballer Kofi Owusu, 15, was enjoying the hot weather with pals in Co Meath last Friday when tragedy struck.
His body was recovered from the River Nanny on Friday night — three hours after the alarm was raised.
It is understood that he had jumped into the river with a number of other children from the footbridge in Laytown when he got into difficulty in the river.
Kofi, who also went by the surname of Jackson, was from the Blackrock area of Dundalk and had travelled from the northeast town to Laytown with his pals to enjoy the sunshine.
Mourners described the young man as caring, kind, respectful, talented, well mannered and a “credit to his family” in heartbreaking tributes this week.
He is deeply missed by his heartbroken parents Tony and Maria, sisters Faith and Esther, the extended family and his friends.
The teenager was laid to rest today following an emotional service at The Redeemed Christian Church of God in Dundalk where the young man was remembered as someone who loved his family, friends, school, football, basketball and the congregation at his church.
Kofi had just finished completing his Junior Certificate in Colaiste Chu Chulainn earlier this month.
And in a heartbreaking tribute as symbols of Kofi’s life and achievements were brought forward in his memory, school Principal Tomas Sharkey told how he “loved school and the school loved Kofi”.
Addressing a school report that had been written about Kofi just as he was about to start secondary school, Mr Sharkey said it read: “Kofi is a central figure within our class and displays strong leadership skills
“His positive attitude to school and learning has been very beneficial for all of his peers. Kofi’s a very capable young man. And I’m confident that he has the skills to thrive in your secondary school.'”
Mr Sharkey told how Kofi was due to go to Madrid in Spain as part of a school trip taking place in October.
He said: “Kofi was going to learn the language, the culture, the history, and have the craic with the lads and teach them how to play football. He was going there for the sunny weather.”
Telling how Kofi “always followed the sun”, Mr Sharkey told how sunflowers were being taken up to the altar in his memory.
The principal said: “Kofi always followed the sun. Where Kofi went, the smiles followed.
“He brought joy and smiles to every student, every day at school. Because Kofi came to school every day.
“Two years ago, the Minister for Health, Minister Jennifer Carl MacNeill, who’s with us today, gave Kofi an award for being one of school’s best attenders.
“He came to school every day because he had discipline and Maria made him.”
Mr Sharkey told of Kofi’s love of sports as his number six basketball jersey and a Football Association of Ireland medal was presented to celebrate his achievements.
The principal said: “Kofi was central to all of our school’s successes in the sports.
“And Kofi always had great faith. He spoke about this church at school.
“He told us about his community here at church. Kofi knew Jesus. When Jesus was a young boy, he helped Joseph in the carpentry workshop. And Kofi loved woodwork.
“He loved his carpentry. And we’re passing up Kofi’s junior cert woodwork project. It’s a beautiful piece with two pieces of different timber, perfect dovetail joints, finely sanded joints, varnished to perfection. Kofi’s woodwork piece has an extra element, a mirror.”
Speaking at the packed service this afternoon, Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill told how she had previously met Kofi when she presented him with an award for his “extraordinary” attendance and commitment to his school.
She said: “My heart goes out to all of his school friends, his whole school community, the teachers who loved him, his principal Tomás who loved him, and this whole community who loved this very, very fabulous boy.
“To his family, Tony, Maria, Esther, Faith all of you, I’m just so sorry for your loss. I really am truly sorry for your loss.
“I thought he was the most beautiful boy. We spoke together about the value of just turning up and showing up every day, which is the way that he lived, his commitment to his life, to his school, to his football, to his basketball, to his friends, and to your good selves.
“It’s wonderful to see how this whole community in this room and many, many, many people outside have turned up for you today to show their love for your son and to show their love for you.
“My heart is with you in the next such difficult days. Thank you for allowing me to be here.”
The Redeemer Celtic Football Club in Dundalk, which Kofi was a member of, set up a GoFundMe to raise funds to cover his funeral after his passing last week.
The online fundraiser has surpassed its goal ahead of Kofi’s funeral service this afternoon.
WALT Disney World have filed plans to add a fifth theme park to their Florida resort – which is major news for families heading to Orlando.
Disney is already big business in Florida, heavily contributing to the 75 million tourists who arrived in Orlando last year, so as a Disney expert, I took a look at what to expect from the new park.
As someone who has visited the theme parks in Florida more than 50 times, this is exciting news and could potentially change everything when it comes to theme park holidays – especially for Brits.
Heading to Florida is not a cheap trip, with many families I speak to through my website passportstamps.uk saying they save up for ten years or more for a chance to visit.
For some, a potential new theme park opening is brilliant news, as once you’ve booked and paid to get to the US, you’ll be getting even more for your money.
But, in reality, this means your Disney holiday will cost you even more, as a new theme park will likely mean a longer trip is necessary and even more cash needed for food, drinks and hotels.
Ultimately, this is what Disney really wants – to welcome guests and keep them exclusively on their expansive resort, which already has four theme parks, two water parks, restaurants, a sports facility, a campsite and over 30 hotels.
Walt Disney World is already Florida’s unofficial city, bigger in size than Miami.
So first-timers to the resort often have no idea what to expect and it can feel overwhelming.
As someone who first went to Walt Disney World at the age of eight and has returned almost every year since, I have seen every change made to the parks over 30 years, so I’m excited.
With Disney acquiring franchises like Pixar, Lucasfilm, The Chronicles of Narnia and National Geographic, the potential for this new theme park is endless.
With Universal Orlando Resort opening the new Epic Universe earlier this year, pressure has been on Disney to double down on the magic and make its next move.
However, it’s unlikely that we’ll see the impact of that change for another ten years or more.
Some reports are suggesting the ‘fifth gate’, an insider name for a completely new theme park, won’t open until 2045!
My children are now five and eight, meaning they could be in their mid-twenties by the time it opens. I will be 60!
However, I think things will move a lot faster.
Epic Universe, which opened in May 2025, is now the biggest theme park in the US, becoming a villain in Disney’s long-running fairy tale.
However, Disney still have some magic up their sleeve, with the announcement of the new Villains Land at Magic Kingdom.
This land, based on Disney baddies such as Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty and Hades from Hercules, will add a new dynamic to the existing park and change the pace from cute characters and pretty princesses to a darker, more mischievous vibe.
After first being announced in 2019, Universal Orlando officially opened Epic Universe in only seven years, which is fast for the creation and construction of a theme park and three themed hotels. Especially since work was halted during the pandemic.
Using this as a guide, realistically, we won’t see the gates open to the new Disney park until at least 2035.
Disney fans can, however, look forward to a new area of the Magic Kingdom Park themed on Disney’s Cars, called Piston Peak National Park and a re-themed Tropical Americas area at Disney’s Animal Kingdom, inspired by the movies Encanto and Indiana Jones.
This will happen much sooner, rumoured to be opening in 2027.
This expansion itself will be the largest in Magic Kingdom’s history, so there is plenty to get excited about in the short term.
Like many other theme park enthusiasts and Disney fans, I have some ideas on what the new Disney park will feature.
From cutting-edge tech and immersive, live-action encounters, these are my predictions on what we might get to experience at Walt Disney World in the next 10 years:
The original Disneyland Park in California opened in 1955 and back then, attractions and lands were themed on classic animated movies, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Wind in the Willows.
Fast forward 70 years, and both the movies and the theme parks have come a very long way.
Disney’s live-action movies have made over $7bn at the box office since 2010, and franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean are only growing in popularity, with a new movie rumoured to already be in the making.
So, it makes sense that Disney will want to have a modern, high-tech theme park, based on the most popular live-action Disney films, such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast.
Attractions are likely to be similar in style to the new, jaw-dropping Harry Potter and Battle at the Ministry at Epic Universe.
I expect the attractions to be fully immersive, featuring state-of-the-art video projections that use the original actors, an animated queue line and a physical ride.
One entertainment space that Disney Parks have not yet fully explored is the concept of immersive gaming.
This is a dedicated theme park land, based on a video game, or games, that incorporates a gaming element into the lands, projections and rides.
Think Super Nintendo World at Epic Universe or the Illuminations attraction, Villain Con Minions Blast at Universal Studios Florida, which lets guests play a larger-than-life physical game as they move through the attraction and compete with other guests in the park via the Universal app.
In 2024, Disney announced they were collaborating with Epic Games, who own the worldwide phenomenon, Fortnite.
At the time, Robert A. Iger, Chief Executive of The Walt Disney Company, said: “This marks Disney’s biggest entry ever into the world of games and offers significant opportunities for growth and expansion.
“We can’t wait for fans to experience the worlds they love in groundbreaking new ways.”
Epic Games already works with Unreal Engine, a software developer, and Disney has hinted they will collaborate on an all-new games and entertainment universe.
Unreal Engine was used in the creation of more than 15 Disney Parks attractions, including Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. So watch this space.
In the new development plans, Disney have requested space for the new theme park as well as two ‘small’ theme park spaces, which could very well be used for a new water park.
Disney currently has two water parks, Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon, but neither is heavily themed on a particular Disney movie.
Moana is the most-streamed Disney movie on Disney+, surpassing 1.4 billion hours.
The film, which is set on a fictional Polynesian island, would be ideal to create a water park around, but incorporating modern elements like a water coaster, as seen on The Disney Cruise Line, as well as pools and classic water slides.
One of the most unique Disney parks in the world is Japan’s Tokyo DisneySEA.
This is an entire theme park, which sits alongside Japan’s other Disney park, Tokyo Disneyland, and is themed solely on Disney movies that have a water element.
This would be ideal after the success of Disney’s live-action The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Finding Dora and Moana.
Plus, Florida DisneySEA would be a totally unique addition to the existing Walt Disney World parks: Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Magic Kingdom Park, Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
None of the existing parks have a specially-themed water area, so this would be a perfect addition.
Plus, the plans include requests for an underground basement level. Could this be to build a lake and river that would need to be below ground, for visual effect and purification?
Marvel is a hotly debated topic in the realm of Florida theme parks, with Disney’s biggest rival in Orlando currently holding the rights to original comic book brands, such as Spider-man and Hulk in Florida.
Universal Orlando Resort already has a world called Marvel Superhero Island, at their second theme park, Universal’s Islands of Adventure.
While Disney now own Marvel and can create commercial properties with the brand in Europe, Asia and on the US’s West Coast, they are not permitted to use the Marvel brand in the east of the US, where Walt Disney World is located.
However, since Disney’s acquisition with Marvel in 2009, there are some loopholes to the rule.
Marvel movies and characters that didn’t exist when the intellectual rights were drawn up, are free to be utilised by Disney.
That led to the opening of Guardians of the Galaxy : Cosmic Rewind in 2022.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is the highest-grossing film franchise of all time.
There is no doubt Disney will want to create a modern theme park with this theme, which lends itself perfectly to the modern lands and attractions we have come to expect in the digital age.
Rumours have been circulating for years that Universal will sell the Marvel brand back to Disney and re-brand their space at Islands of Adventure into something entirely new.
This could lead to an entire Marvel Cinematic Universe theme park in the next 20 years, and that would thrill fans the world over.
Finally, the size of the proposed theme park at Walt Disney World could make way for a new version of EPCOT’s World Showcase.
This classic area of Disney’s EPCOT park features pavilions themed on 11 different countries around the world.
With diversity at the forefront of Disney’s movie projects, this could lead to an animated Disney World Showcase at the new park, made from the fictional worlds of Disney’s most popular films.
The most obvious franchise would be Frozen.
Hong Kong Disneyland opened Arendelle: World of Frozen in 2024, with a smaller version coming to Disneyland Paris next year.
The picturesque, snow-covered fictional kingdom would be perfect if set around an Epcot-sized lake.
Other animated film pavilions could include a Mexican-themed Encanto, Italian-inspired Luca, Machu Picchu from The Emperor’s New Groove and San Francisco from Inside-Out – another huge, yet under represented Disney movie across the parks.
Disney has yet to comment on the new plans but, like fans around the world, we can dream!
AN outdoor swimming pool that has been abandoned for three years will finally reopen – and will now be bigger.
Dartington Swimming Pool (DSP) in Meadowbrook Park, Devon was left abandoned after a structural failure back in 2022.
Now plans for the pool to reopen have be released, with a different shape and design than before.
Plans will see the pool fully refurbished, as well as the pool’s facilities upgraded.
The outdoor pool is heated and measures 25metres long.
The pool will be kitted out with equipment that is easy to use and reliable.
The project also aims to upgrade the small existing pavilion to provide facilities for sports and events.
Phase one of the project will see the development of a new ‘fit for purpose’ facility with an up-to-date, heated pool.
There design of the pool will be changed to allow for multiple uses including lane swimming, children’s swimming and accessible swimming including wheelchairs.
The pool will be extended to 25metres too and modernised changing facilities will be created.
As part of the plans, renewable energy will be used to heat the pool as well.
Phase two will start once the main pool upgrade has been done.
The pool would plan to be open to the public from May to October.
According to Devon Live, volunteer Helen Alipaz said: “That pool was a lynchpin of local life.
“And we think it’s high time it was brought back into service.”
The pool originally opened back in 1973 and used to be 20metres long and 10metres wide.
At the deepest end, it would reach 1.85metres and it was unheated.
At the time, it cost only around £3,000 to build.
The football pavilion was then built in 1998, after a fire destroyed the original in 1996.
Later in 2019, new management took over the pool and operated it through the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, in 2022, the pool liner gave way in several places and the pool was closed.
This weekend Meadowbrook Park will be hosting an Extravaganza to raise the £500,000 funds needed for the new pool.
There will be DJ sessions, bouncy castles, workshops and activities and even a new sauna to enjoy, near to the old swimming pool.
Tickets are donation based, with £5 suggested per household.
The pool is located just on the outskirts of the village of Dartington.
The picturesque village has a small community of only 876 people.
It is located to the west of the River Dart and south of Dartington Hall – a medieval Great Hall, Courtyard and Grade II* Listed Gardens.
Despite only being a small village, there is so there much to explore.
Growing up, Dartington Estate was a great day out and I even had my school leaving event in the gardens.
In the grounds there are food and drink venues, Deer Park trails and events.
There is even a cinema too in an old barn.
People can stay at Dartington Estate too – with a range of B&B options, hostel rooms, glamping and camping.
Over the summer months there are live music sessions on the expansive lawn and makers markets in the Great Hall.
The pool is also located within walking distance of The Cider Press Centre which has a focus on arts and crafts and boasts a curated selection of locally-sourced food and drink.
Many a summer I would spend in the independent Green Table Café with plenty of outdoor tables in the sunshine.
It is the perfect spot to grab a Devon cream tea, too.
Just down the road is also the beautiful historic market town of Totnes – which ties in to the perfect day out with Dartington and is home to many charity shops and independent gems.
I grew up in Totnes – but tourists always overlook it for flashier neighbours.
Plus, the stunning UK holiday hotspot with shipwrecks, seals swimming offshore and horseshoe-shaped waterfalls.
RTE star Donal Skehan has shared an emotional tribute to his wife as they celebrated a major milestone.
The Irish chef and his wife Sofie tied the knot back in 2015 in Dublin’s City Hall, surrounded by their loved ones.
The happy couple, who now have two children together, marked their tenth wedding anniversary today.
Donal took to his Instagram to pay a heartfelt tribute to his wife on the special day.
The dad-of-two posted a series of gorgeous throwback snaps from their wedding day.
In the caption of his post, the TV star gushed over the “incredible” journey they’ve been on together.
He wrote: “Happy anniversary Sof. Ten years married today! From Paris to Dublin City Hall to Lisnavagh House, and somehow we’re still standing – what an incredible bloody rollercoaster it’s been. If these two kids above could have known what was coming down the tracks!”
Donal also reflected on some of the highs and lows they’ve faced as a couple.
He said: “We’ve had two brilliant boys, four house moves, five years in LA, bought our first home, the cookbooks, the shows, the travels and one or two meltdowns (mostly mine), and a whole lot of figuring it out as we go.”
The 37-year-old then opened up about his admiration for Sofie as he added: “It’s not always been easy – but it’s been real, and full, and ours.
“Sofie is the calm in the storm, the better half by a mile, and the one who keeps the show on the road when I’m off chasing the next big dream!”
Fans and friends flocked to the comment section to share their love and congratulate the pair.
RTE star Arthur Gourounlian wrote: “Happy anniversary, you beauties. We love you both very very much. Sofia, your husband of 10 years, better be spoiling you big time because he even forgot the date he thought it was the 26th.”
Virgin Media’s Brian Dowling joked: “Happy anniversary guys!!! Sofie you DESERVE the Nobel Peace Prize for this.”
Theresa said: “Congratulations on ten years of togetherness. And many adventures along the way. Enjoy celebrating… and dreaming the next ten years.”
Suzanne gushed: “Beautiful words, congratulations.”
Another added: “Happy anniversary to you both! Wonderful words!”
Last week, Donal teased fans with a release date for his latest TV project.
The popular Irish chef is renowned for his easy recipe cookbooks and food shows – and there’s plenty more to come.
To the delight of his fans, Donal revealed that he had a series of major projects coming up over the next few months.
Taking to Instagram, the Dublin native shared a snap of himself enjoying some “downtime” with his two sons.
The 37-year-old wrote: “Happy Saturday! We’ve just finished filming 30 brand new recipes from the new book.”
The culinary star went on to share that his new cooking programme Real Time Recipes was coming to RTE “this autumn”.
He gushed: “It’s been full on but it’s shaping up to be the best yet can’t wait for you to see it.”
