Alex Dunlop

Fire crews are expected to remain at Holme Fen nature reserve near Peterborough until mid-September after a blaze that began on 8 August burned about half the site. The fire has been contained, but it continues to smoulder underground in peat, potentially several metres below the surface. Firefighters are working with forestry specialists to clear fallen trees, use temperature probes and dig trenches to locate hotspots. The operation has involved services from across the country, with crews managing dangerous heat, falling trees and complex logistical demands. Local organizations have supported the response with food and welfare assistance.

Laura, a 36-year-old lupus patient from Norfolk, says experimental CAR-T cell treatment at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge has dramatically improved her life after two decades of severe symptoms and unsuccessful treatments. The therapy removes immune cells, modifies them in a laboratory and reinfuses them after chemotherapy, aiming to reset the immune system. Cambridge specialist David Jayne said her unusually treatment-resistant case had responded well. A second phase of the trial is due to begin, potentially giving more lupus patients access to the treatment.

The restoration of Great Yarmouth's Winter Gardens, the UK's last surviving seafront Victorian glasshouse, is expected to exceed its £18m funding package. Surveys found that the Grade II-listed structure requires more extensive work than anticipated, including restoration to the original structure and replacement of century-old sewage pipes. Great Yarmouth Borough Council is exploring further funding while also addressing climate resilience, temperature control and water management. Council leader Carl Smith hopes the landmark can reopen by the end of 2028 and attract more visitors, although the additional cost has not yet been determined.

The restoration of Great Yarmouth’s Winter Gardens, the UK’s last surviving seafront Victorian glasshouse, will exceed its original budget after surveys found more extensive structural work and century-old sewage pipe replacement were needed. The Grade II-listed building has secured more than £18 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Government’s Towns Fund and Historic England, but the council cannot yet quantify the additional funding required. Great Yarmouth Borough Council hopes to reopen the landmark by the end of 2028 while also addressing climate-change resilience, sustainable operation, temperature control and water management. The council views the restoration as a potential boost to tourism and the town’s cultural ambitions.

John Constable’s 1821 painting The Hay Wain is displayed in Suffolk for the first time to mark the 250th anniversary of the artist’s birth, on loan from the National Gallery. Exhibited at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich, the work anchors the second in a series of three shows celebrating Constable’s life and legacy. Curators, local officials and visiting schoolchildren describe the significance of the painting’s arrival, highlighting its emotional impact, historical value and influence on contemporary artistic inspiration.

John Constable’s 1821 painting The Hay Wain is displayed in Suffolk for the first time to mark the 250th anniversary of the artist’s birth, on loan from the National Gallery to Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich. Curator Emma Roodhouse and local officials highlight the exhibition’s significance, while artists and visiting schoolchildren express admiration for the work’s detail and historical importance. The display forms part of a three‑exhibition series celebrating Constable’s life, influence, and continuing relevance.

Stroke survivors and people with brain injuries attending Anglia Ruskin University’s free weekly music therapy sessions report improvements in mobility, cognition and wellbeing. Participants describe gains such as lifting a hand again, reduced fatigue, improved memory and increased independence. Research at Addenbrooke’s Hospital shows positive neuro‑rehabilitation outcomes, and ongoing work includes developing an app to support home therapy.