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Morris dancers give an uplifting performance at WI meeting
The Sarum Morris Dancers spoke about their history and performed at the SWANS WI February meeting, and members later continued with the group's usual business and refreshments.
Red carpet event in Bridgwater to celebrate new film My Bigfoot Life.
An invite-only red carpet for My Bigfoot Life will take place in Bridgwater on Friday 20 February 2026 at Victoria Park Community Centre, followed by a public meet-and-greet on Saturday 21 February 2026.
London is set to get its first wild swimming spot in the River Thames.
The government has proposed 13 new swimming sites across the UK, including a possible bathing spot at Ham and Kingston on the River Thames in Greater London. A six-week public consultation is under way and designation would bring regular water-quality testing during the bathing season.
Men jailed for life over plot against Jewish community
Two men were jailed for life after plotting an attack targeting the Jewish community; a third man was convicted of failing to disclose information about the plan.
Josie Baff wins Australia's second Winter Olympics gold in snowboard cross
Josie Baff, 23, won the women's snowboard cross at Milan-Cortina, giving Australia its second gold of the Games; Eva Adamczykova took silver and Michela Moioli bronze.
Tiredness dismissed as childcare, but it was breast cancer
Georgina Hayward, a 30-year-old mother, found a lump and was diagnosed with invasive grade three breast cancer; she has had a nipple-sparing mastectomy and is awaiting staging results.
Eden Project Morecambe set to open with two shell-shaped domes
Revised plans for Eden Project Morecambe, costing £100 million, have been submitted to Lancaster City Council and now show two domes called Realm of the Sun and Realm of the Moon. The attraction is expected to open to the public in 2028 after a delay from 2026.
Smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free places proposed in England
A government consultation in England proposes extending smoke-free, heated tobacco-free and vape-free rules to specified indoor and outdoor settings and runs from 13 February to 8 May 2026.
IBM to triple US entry-level hiring in 2026 and refocus roles around human interaction
IBM plans to triple entry-level hiring across the US in 2026 and will emphasise customer engagement and oversight of AI outputs; Dropbox says it will expand internship and new graduate programmes by about 25%.
Key inflation measure hits lowest level in nearly five years
The US Consumer Price Index showed annual inflation slowed to 2.4% in January, down from 2.7% in December, and core inflation also eased to 2.4%, the lowest core reading in nearly five years.
Met Office's new supercomputer could help avoid flight delays
The Met Office has upgraded its forecasting system with a new supercomputer that delivers clearer cloud, fog and rainfall predictions and extends severe weather forecasts from seven to 10 days.
Tories vow to build 80,000 affordable homes by 2031
The Scottish Conservatives have set a target to build 80,000 affordable homes by 2031 and propose cutting housing regulations and replacing the national planning framework with council-led policies.
Five new teams in Anglia to protect waterways from pollution
The Environment Agency has expanded its water enforcement workforce and set up five new regulatory teams across East Anglia to inspect Anglian Water sites and tackle pollution as part of a wider increase in roles and funding.
Seven new teams in the South East aim to protect rivers from pollution
The Environment Agency has added seven water industry regulation teams across the South East and expanded its water enforcement workforce from 41 roles in 2023 to 195 by March, completing over 8,000 inspections in the 2025/26 year.
Bee Lady Day returns to Hull to honour Jean Bishop.
Age UK Hull & East Yorkshire will hold a week-long Bee Lady Day in May 2026 to honour the legacy of fundraiser Jean Bishop, following a 2025 event that raised £15,000 for older people in the region.
Gaelic Day at Lairg exceeded organisers' hopes
Last month's Gaelic Day at Lairg Community Centre drew 232 participants across 15 workshops and a full-house evening concert, and the event received funding from Maoin nan Ealan Gàidhlig (The Gaelic Arts Fund). Organisers described the day as a major success.
Collingwood College community fundraises after pupil's death
More than £7,500 has been raised for the family of a Year 8 pupil who died after a medical emergency at Collingwood College, and the death has been referred to Surrey Coroner's Court.
Gym owner in India hailed after defending Muslim shopkeeper
On 26 January in Kotdwar, Uttarakhand, gym owner Deepak Kumar intervened when a 70-year-old Muslim trader was reportedly pressured to change his shop name; a video of the exchange went viral and Mr Kumar later said he received threats. A group of senior advocates and other supporters have offered sponsored memberships and pro bono legal help, while police say inquiries are ongoing.
Thames could get its first official swimming spot, but safety is unclear
The government has proposed designating a stretch of the Thames at Ham and Kingston as the river's first official bathing site, part of 13 new sites; sewage and other pollution mean the river still misses some legal water-quality targets.
Thames to open first designated river bathing site in May
A proposed Ham and Kingston bathing site on the River Thames is among 13 spots expected to open in May, and water will be regularly tested for E. coli and other bacteria.
Dame Vera Lynn's wartime archive will be shared with Imperial War Museum.
The Imperial War Museum has acquired Dame Vera Lynn's Second World War archive, which includes more than 600 fan letters and personal items such as her 1944 India tour diary; the museum says the collection will undergo a rigorous conservation and collection care process before items can be displayed.
Jesy Nelson says Little Mix bandmates reached out after twins' SMA1 diagnosis
Jesy Nelson said her former Little Mix bandmates reached out after her twin daughters were diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA1), and her Prime Video documentary Life After Little Mix explores her pregnancy, departure from the group and family life.
Hispanic culture club to launch at West College Scotland.
West College Scotland will launch a Hispanic culture club to celebrate the languages, histories and traditions of Spain, Portugal, Latin America and other Spanish and Portuguese-speaking communities, working with the Hispanic Society of Scotland.
Canada: Carney and opposition leaders to attend Tumbler Ridge vigil
Prime Minister Mark Carney and opposition leaders will attend a vigil in Tumbler Ridge on Friday to honour victims of a recent mass shooting, in which police say an 18-year-old killed two family members and then a teacher and five students before dying by suicide. Authorities say families have requested privacy and police briefly seized, then returned, firearms from the attacker's residence after an appeal.
Florida man rescues pregnant driver from pond before baby's birth
A passerby, Logan Hayes, jumped into a cold pond in Port St. Lucie on Feb. 6 to free 34‑week pregnant Sheldy Apollon after her car sank; she was taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood and delivered a daughter by emergency C-section hours later.
Refugee support group to hold fundraising jumble sale in Knighton
The Knighton and District Refugee Group will hold a jumble sale at St Edward's Hall in Knighton, with doors open from 2pm to 4pm and a £1 entrance fee that includes a cup of tea and a biscuit. Funds raised will help bring guests from Cardiff organisation Space4U for an away day of activities in Knighton.
St Catherine's Hospice opens new superstore in Crawley
St Catherine's Hospice has opened its largest-ever charity Superstore at 37-43 Queensway in Crawley, featuring more than 2,500 clothing items and a volunteer team of over 140.
Vaping in cars with children could be banned under new plans
The government has launched a 12-week consultation on proposals to restrict smoking and vaping in cars carrying children and medically vulnerable people. Officials say the findings will help shape regulations under the Tobacco and Vapes Bill.
Common epilepsy drug may prevent Alzheimer's disease
Laboratory research reports that levetiracetam, a widely used epilepsy drug, can halt early amyloid-related protein build-up linked to Alzheimer's, and scientists are developing a longer-acting formulation because the drug is metabolised very rapidly.
Charity dragon boat race returns to Ipswich Waterfront as festival expands.
The annual Dragon Boat Festival, organised by Brave Futures, returns to Ipswich Waterfront on June 6, 2026 and will expand into a full waterfront celebration. Funds raised will support Brave Futures' work with children and young people.
