Alice Cullinane

Six people—three men and three women—were arrested on suspicion of abducting two girls aged 11 and 12 after they disappeared from Rugby, Warwickshire. The girls were found safe and well in Cornwall after police inquiries and a helicopter search. All six suspects were known to the girls, and police said there was no wider threat to the community. Detectives are continuing inquiries in Rugby and investigating how the girls travelled more than 200 miles to Cornwall.

James Lewis has completed an over-80-day journey dribbling a football from Marrakesh, Morocco, to Rugeley in Staffordshire, raising more than £65,000 for St Giles Hospice, which cared for his father. He finished at The Chase pub after travelling nearly 2,000 miles, facing punctured balls, roadside sleeping and other hardships. Lewis described the return home as emotional and said the hospice’s care had made his father’s final days easier. St Giles Hospice said the challenge meant a great deal to the charity and that Lewis was likely its biggest individual fundraiser.

Three performers from the Black Country, known as Hilda, Letty and May, have become viral sensations for their humorous street dances and uplifting performances. Operating as Fizzog Productions, they aim to spread joy, encourage movement, and challenge assumptions about age and regional accents. Their work has garnered millions of online views, global audience reactions, and messages from people who say the group’s antics helped them smile for the first time in a long while.

Street pastors in Telford report earlier shifts as nightlife habits change, with fewer people going clubbing and less binge drinking. Volunteers provide support, listening, and hydration to night‑time revellers, especially during hot weather and World Cup celebrations. The group reflects on its 15 years of offering care-focused assistance across Telford and Wellington.

Wellness offerings at UK festivals are expanding as consumer spending on wellbeing continues to rise, with organisers incorporating activities such as yoga, run clubs and spa treatments to meet growing demand. Events like Boardmasters and OneRetreat Wellness report strong interest from attendees seeking balance, emotional stability and healthier routines during festivals. Longstanding gatherings such as the Mind Body Spirit Festival also continue to attract large audiences, reflecting a wider cultural shift toward prioritising wellbeing and healthier lifestyles.

UK music festivals are increasingly integrating wellness activities as consumer spending on wellbeing grows and demand for healthier, restorative experiences rises. The Boardmasters festival reports significant uptake in activities such as yoga, run clubs and spa treatments, prompting expanded wellness offerings. Market insights link the trend to increased health awareness, social media influence and a desire for emotional stability. Newer events like OneRetreat Wellness cater to attendees seeking accessible, in-person retreats, while long‑running gatherings such as the Mind Body Spirit Festival continue to draw large crowds with holistic health programming and alternative therapies.

Community groups expressed distress after The Billesley pub in Kings Heath closed unexpectedly despite an announced temporary maintenance shutdown. Crafting Voices Choir and Billesley Rock Club lost their rehearsal and event space, prompting emotional responses and disruptions to planned activities. Birmingham City Council provided a temporary venue for the choir, while Greene King confirmed the cessation of trading and said it was reviewing options for the site and supporting staff with alternative roles.