Bethany Lodge

Hull singer and mother of two Nichola Birjoo has been shortlisted in the Timbaland X Orbiiit Global Talent Search after submitting a homemade recording of her original song “It’s Not Easy.” The song reflects her experience of being diagnosed with ADHD and autism in adulthood and recognising similar traits in her neurodivergent son. Public voting will determine whether she advances, with the eventual winner receiving $100,000, the chance to record with Timbaland and an appearance on his next record. Voting runs until August 31, and Birjoo says she will continue writing and performing regardless of the outcome.

Stroke survivor and vascular dementia patient Bob McKenna has regained confidence and purpose by helping Alexandra Court care home's maintenance worker, Callum, paint and decorate an office. After previously spending months in bed and avoiding social interaction, the 70-year-old now uses a wheelchair to take part in DIY projects, has his own uniform and name badge, and hopes to undertake more work. The care home used dementia mapping and person-centred support to identify and encourage his goals, with manager Joycelyn Tskepo highlighting the positive impact on his engagement, independence and sense of achievement.

Hull City centre-back Charlie Hughes is sponsoring his former grassroots club, Golborne Sports in Wigan, with funding for new training kits and equipment. The package is intended to benefit hundreds of young players across the club’s age groups, reflecting Hughes’s gratitude to the coaches and volunteers who supported his development. Club chairman Daniel Walker described the sponsorship as a significant investment in Golborne Sports’ future.

Drivers are being urged to avoid Allison Lane on the B1242 between Ulrome and Lisset because the road is closed while Humberside Police and other emergency services respond to an ongoing incident. Air ambulance helicopters were reportedly at the scene.

Molly Mangan’s upstairs fan zone in Hull will reopen for Hull City’s Premier League opener against Manchester United on August 22. Supporters can watch without booking, while an early-bird package costing £28, or £35 at general admission, includes pie and mash and bottomless house lager, Stella or Magners during the 90-minute match, with Guinness available for a £5 upgrade. A half-time raffle for a signed Hull City shirt will raise money for Hull and East Yorkshire Mind, and live music will continue after the match.

Hull-born musician Will Dooley is running 130 miles from Liverpool to Hull over ten days while performing gigs each night, raising money for the Teenage Cancer Trust in memory of his childhood friend David Kay, who died of cancer aged 18. The Miles2Mic challenge also aims to encourage men to talk more openly about grief and emotions. Supported by Dave Duffy and Tom Turney, Dooley will perform eleven shows, including a surprise free event in Goole and a final gig at Molly Mangan's Irish Bar in Hull, with donations collected at each performance.

John Banyard describes how funeral director Robert Bush handled the death and cremation arrangements for his friend John Carlill, including refusing access to Carlill’s body and pressuring him for payment. Six months later, police told Banyard that the ashes he had been keeping did not belong to Carlill; DNA from Carlill’s watch helped identify his body at Bush’s Hessle Road premises. A second funeral was organised with East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s assistance. Banyard says Bush’s apology letter is intended to make him appear remorseful and reflects regret only because he was caught, while praising Humberside Police officers for their compassion and professionalism.

Bridlington ambassadors and local businesses reject a Which? survey ranking the town as Yorkshire's worst seaside resort. They highlight its extensive sandy beaches, working harbour and shellfish fleet, convenient coastal location, events at Bridlington Spa, cultural attractions, museums, holiday parks and appeal to families, retirees and pet owners. Martyn Coltman says substantial investment and volunteer efforts are improving the town and promoting it as a major Yorkshire destination.

Families affected by disgraced funeral director Robert Bush’s crimes have rejected his apology letter as callous, empty and insincere. Bush, sentenced to 20 years in prison for 67 offences including fraudulent trading, denying 30 people proper burials and giving relatives ashes belonging to strangers, said he regretted the distress caused and accepted responsibility. John Banyard, whose friend John Carlill was found unburied, accused Bush of trying to control the narrative and disguise greed as remorse. Katie Woolston, who received ashes falsely identified as those of her baby, said the letter reopened painful wounds rather than providing closure, while another family member chose not to read it.

Hull Maritime Museum will reopen on 8 August 2026 after six years closed and a £20.4 million refurbishment. The project has doubled public space, restored the Grade II former Dock Offices and created immersive galleries, interactive exhibits and a new planetarium covering more than 800 years of maritime history. Around 1,300 objects will be displayed, including a North Atlantic right whale skeleton, Shackleton-related artefacts, scrimshaw collections, Erik the polar bear and the Sirius figurehead. More than 8,000 visitors have booked free tickets for the opening month, with the first weekend fully booked, although limited walk-up entry will be available. The reopening forms part of Hull's wider heritage regeneration programme, which also includes work on Spurn Lightship, Queen's Gardens, maritime collections facilities and the Arctic Corsair.

Barbara Buttrick, a 96-year-old Hull-area boxer known as “The Mighty Atom,” was the world’s first recognised female boxing champion, winning the world bantamweight title in the United States and founding the Women’s International Boxing Federation. Her granddaughter, illusionist Maddy Stamp, credits Barbara’s resilience and advice with helping her pursue a performing career despite criticism and financial challenges. Stamp and performance partner James Long will bring their internationally toured show, “Expect the Impossible,” to Hull for two performances in August, while Barbara’s life has also inspired the play “Mighty Atoms.”

Tyler Cone, a 20-year-old from West Hull with pancreatic and liver cancer, has been told that treatment is no longer working after two years of chemotherapy and pioneering treatment. His sister Millie and childhood friend Macy-Jay Stainton will climb Mount Snowdon on August 29 to raise money for WISHH and the Teenage Cancer Trust, which have supported Tyler and his family. They hope to exceed their £1,000 fundraising target while highlighting Tyler’s courage and the support available to young people with cancer.

Families affected by Robert Bush’s Legacy Independent Funeral Directors scandal have described his 20-year sentence as disappointing because he could be released after serving about half of it. Bush pleaded guilty to 67 charges involving the improper storage of more than 30 bodies, fraudulent funeral plans and theft of charitable funds. Relatives are considering an appeal against the sentence and are supporting a petition calling for independent oversight, mandatory standards, licensing and a Commissioner for the Dignity of the Deceased. The Department of Health and Social Care has pledged urgent work with the Ministry of Justice and Law Commission to regulate funeral operators, review criminal law concerning the deceased and consider new offences.

The charity STAND will bring its Legs on Tour 2026 appeal to Hull as part of a UK-wide drive to collect unused prosthetic components. The equipment will be refurbished and sent to clinics in sub-Saharan Africa, where up to 95% of amputees in low-income countries reportedly lack access to prosthetic legs. STAND is seeking £20,000 to fund the collection and care programme, with Blatchford matching the first £2,000 donated. Beneficiaries from Ghana describe regaining mobility, confidence and the prospect of returning to work.

Conservation worker Alex Walker was issued two £27 unpaid toll charges after attempting to pay £2 tolls for two Humber Bridge crossings but experiencing connectivity problems. After he appealed and provided evidence of his payment attempts, the Humber Bridge Board located the unsuccessful transactions, apologised and refunded the administration fees. Walker criticised the bridge’s online payment system and said he planned to avoid the bridge and possibly Lincolnshire in future.

Mark Hotham’s family describe their distress after his body was left for around six months in the warehouse of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, run by Robert Bush. His severely decomposed body was ultimately identified through the serial number on his hearing aid after DNA, clothing and hip-replacement checks failed. Nigel Hotham condemns Bush and says the family will never forgive him for denying Mark dignity. A second funeral, supported by Hull City Council, has now taken place and Mark has been properly laid to rest.

Lucy’s Pop Choir, founded by voice coach Lucy McClean in York in 2013, is inviting singers of all ages and abilities to join its groups in Cottingham and Beverley. The choir requires no auditions, music-reading skills, uniforms or solo performances, and members can attend multiple sessions through a monthly membership. With around 22 groups across England and Ireland, the organisation is preparing to expand into East Hull, where new instructor Jessika-Mae Martin will lead a future session. Hull groups will also perform at Hull Pride and regularly support charity events.

Children aged five to 15 will travel free on buses in East Yorkshire throughout August 2026 under the Government’s Great British Summer Savings Scheme. Young people aged 16 to 19 will receive half-price travel through Mayor’s Fares tickets funded by Hull and East Yorkshire mayor Luke Campbell. Stagecoach East Midlands and East Yorkshire Buses are participating, with councils and transport operators highlighting the scheme’s benefits for household finances, access to summer activities and more sustainable public transport use.

Erik, a stuffed polar bear captured by the crew of the Dundee whaling ship SS Erik more than 150 years ago, will return to Hull Maritime Museum when it reopens on 8 August 2026. The specimen has been out of public view for six years during the museum’s £20.4 million redevelopment and will be displayed in the new Age of Sail gallery under a long-term loan from The McManus in Dundee. Conservation work previously found 1874 newspapers inside the bear, revealing Victorian preservation techniques. Museum and council representatives say Erik remains a popular exhibit and helps explain Hull’s historic links to Arctic whaling while prompting reflection on changing attitudes toward wildlife and conservation.

Ron Marsh says his 98-year-old mother Joyce Moulton’s body remained in Robert Bush’s Legacy Independent Funeral Directors warehouse in Hull for six months after her funeral, despite the family paying about £900 for cremation. Joyce was identified by the hospital bracelet still on her wrist among more than 30 bodies discovered at the premises. Hull City Council subsequently arranged her cremation, and her ashes were scattered in Hull. Marsh describes the treatment of his mother’s remains as “despicable beyond belief” and is calling for compulsory registration, training and regulation of funeral directors so families can track what happens to bodies after death.

Katie Woolston says ashes returned by disgraced funeral director Robert Bush were not those of her baby, and police told her there was no evidence the baby had been cremated. Bush, who had cared for two of her babies, pleaded guilty to 67 charges including preventing a lawful and decent burial, fraud, fraudulent trading and theft, but has not been charged specifically over the premature babies' remains. The unidentified ashes given to Katie and her partner Tom Buck were placed in a memorial garden, while the family continues to seek answers and justice.

Bridlington RNLI volunteers interrupted their open day on 25 July to rescue a father and daughter whose paddleboards had been blown out to sea off Fraisthorpe beach. The crew quickly located the pair, provided precautionary care to the daughter and returned both safely to shore, where they were handed over to HM Coastguard. The father, Gareth, described the response as lifesaving. The RNLI reminded paddleboarders to use flotation devices, carry a waterproof means of calling for help, check conditions and avoid going alone.

Hull illusionists James Long and Maddy Stamp are bringing their show, Expect the Impossible, to Social on Humber Street for their first public performances in their hometown on 21 and 23 August. The pair have performed in more than 80 countries, including on major cruise lines, and will present large-scale illusions and close-up magic using four tonnes of specialist equipment. Both performers credit their Hull education and early mentors with helping launch their careers and hope their success encourages young people to pursue performing arts.

Hull City Council is installing six outdoor parklets near hospitality businesses across the city centre following a trial that began in 2023. The spaces are intended to provide extra seating, encourage visitors to spend more time in Hull and support the local economy. The first was installed outside The New Clarence Pub, with the remaining sites due to follow. The parklets may remain for up to two years, with businesses responsible for furniture and routine maintenance while the council handles structural repairs. Some parking bays will be removed, and the council is considering replacement parking nearby.

Keith Key spent months in 1994 creating a doctored photograph by replacing the faces in a 1930s Hull FC image with those of friends. He secretly installed it at Ye Olde White Harte in Hull on Christmas Eve using a concealed pump-action screwdriver, intending to prank landlord Bernard, who failed to notice it until his retirement party years later. The image has survived multiple changes of ownership and remains displayed above the pub's window seat. Key has now revealed the story to current landlord Mike Woollas, who plans to preserve the photograph as part of the historic pub's legacy.

A guide reviews all 14 state-run secondary schools and Hull College 14+ in the Hull City Council area using their latest Ofsted inspections. St Mary’s College and Ron Dearing UTC retain the strongest records, while several schools, including Liberty Academy, Sirius Academy North and The Boulevard Academy, have significant areas requiring improvement. Most schools are rated good or have met the newer expected standard, but recurring concerns include attendance, behaviour, curriculum delivery, safeguarding records and support for pupils with SEND. Since September 2024, Ofsted has replaced overall effectiveness grades for newly inspected state schools with newer evaluation measures.

A Community Hub pilot will offer Bridlington residents face-to-face access to housing, safety, health, employment, money, addiction and community support. The hub will operate every Monday from 3 August to 14 September 2026, excluding the 31 August bank holiday, at Bridlington Town Council Office. Developed through the Clear, Hold, Build programme, the initiative aims to improve access to services, address crime and anti-social behaviour, and strengthen community connections.

Sixteen-year-old Logan Palmer from Kingswood has built an impressive amateur boxing record after beginning training at age three with his father Carter's gloves. He has won national, county and Yorkshire titles, several Box Cup competitions and most recently gold at Dublin's Monkstown Box Cup. After training with City of Hull Boxing Academy and St Paul's Boxing Academy, his development accelerated at Tommy Coyle Academy. His success has also inspired Carter to gain an England Boxing Level 2 coaching qualification, while the family supports Logan's ambition to progress to the highest levels of the sport.

A paddleboarder who was unable to return to shore off Bridlington was rescued by Bridlington RNLI after HM Coastguard requested assistance shortly after 5pm. A three-person volunteer crew located the paddleboarder, brought them safely aboard, and returned them to the beach near the Premier Inn on the north beach. The lifeboat was back in service later that evening. RNLI helm Ash Traves urged paddleboarders to check weather and tide conditions, wear flotation devices, carry a means of calling for help, and tell someone their plans.

Claire Richards performed Steps hits including “Stomp” and “Tragedy” at Pride in Hull’s main-stage afterparty, alongside the Cheeky Girls and a range of drag and music acts. The event marked Pride in Hull’s 25th year and drew large crowds to Hull city centre, following a parade featuring hundreds of participants and spectators.

Clive Pocklington, a 102-year-old Hull resident, recounts surviving the Blitz, including hiding under a bed with his mother during a bombing raid near Bilton. Rejected by the RAF because of an enlarged heart, he served instead as a Home Guard member and radar technician maintaining Lancaster bombers. After the war ended in Europe, he was sent to India, where he witnessed civil unrest and enjoyed trips to the Himalayas. Returning to Hull, he became a primary school teacher and deputy headteacher. He credits his longevity to his genes and occasional cream sherry and continues to live at home despite mobility problems.

Terminally ill Hull mother Charlie Norman, 33, is raising money to take her four children to Disneyland Paris and create lasting memories. Diagnosed with stage-three cervical cancer during pregnancy, she underwent emergency delivery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy before the cancer returned. Friends launched a GoFundMe campaign seeking £5,000, alongside a fundraising event at The Bowery Pub on August 2, where Charlie plans to shave her hair before further treatment.

A woman from West Hull who was left paralysed on her left side after a stroke took ten supported steps for the first time in six years, motivated by the memory of family members lost to suicide. Her family assisted her effort, which follows a long struggle with loss of independence and mental health challenges. Her daughter co-runs the charity Mysterious Minds, which helps families affected by suicide, and the walk was dedicated to loved ones who had died.

The Government has reversed plans to shift Coastguard Rescue Officers to an expenses‑only volunteer model following widespread opposition from officers, trade unions, coastal communities and MPs. Maritime Minister Keir Mather confirmed current payment arrangements will continue after admitting the evidence for the proposed change was insufficient. MPs Graham Stuart and Joe Robertson, who supported the Save Our Coastguard campaign, argued the plan threatened public safety and could drive experienced officers away. The Government will now re-engage with stakeholders to develop a long‑term model that ensures Coastguard officers remain properly compensated.

A Bridlington woman received a 10‑year ban on keeping animals after pleading guilty to five Animal Welfare Act offences involving 24 cats found living in squalid conditions. RSPCA officers reported severe ammonia smells, overflowing litter trays and widespread flea infestations, with several cats suffering anaemia, conjunctivitis and skin disease. One kitten died shortly after rescue. The court noted wilful neglect and imposed a ban, fines and costs, with the RSPCA noting previous unsuccessful attempts to provide support.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council warns residents to be vigilant of rogue traders who often target households during summer with fake services such as tree cutting, roof repairs and gutter cleaning. The council advises seeking recommendations, verifying traders’ credentials, obtaining multiple written quotes and avoiding large upfront payments. Councillor Lyn Healing urges residents to take precautions to prevent substandard or overpriced work, while Citizens Advice is provided as a source for further guidance and reporting concerns.

Two Hull entrepreneurs, Benjamin Lopez and John Levesley, have launched a new local dating platform, To Hull and Back Dating, which already has more than 1,200 members. The service focuses on real, verified local users and offers exclusive discounts at restaurants and shops to help people plan dates. The platform provides both free and premium tiers and aims to support community connection and mental well‑being. An app version is in development, and the founders plan ongoing additions based on user feedback.

A couple who mistakenly attended the wrong performance at Hull New Theatre after their tickets were incorrectly accepted were offered a £50 credit by Hull Culture and Leisure, which partially upheld their complaint. The organisation acknowledged staff failed to complete proper ticket verification and provided additional training. Paul Laverack rejected the offer, citing concerns about security and poor customer service, and is considering taking the matter to the small claims court. Hull City Council declined to comment.

A 16-year-old girl installed a suicide prevention bench at Hull Marina to honour her mother, who died by suicide in 2024. She raised funds by running 120 miles and partnered with the charity Legends on the Bench. The bench includes helpline information, QR codes sharing her mother’s story and lighting to symbolise hope. The unveiling event will feature local figures, and the tribute aims to support others experiencing mental health crises.

A small fire at Winifred Holtby Academy in Hull triggered the school’s sprinkler system and prompted a two-engine response from Humberside Fire and Rescue. The incident led to the school closing for the remainder of the day, though the fire was already extinguished upon crew arrival. The Consortium Academy Trust confirmed students were sent home safely and announced the school would reopen as normal the following day.

A garden fire in Hull caused by a barbecue placed too close to a fence spread to a neighbouring property, resulting in smoke damage to two homes. Humberside Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the blaze and emphasised precautions for safe barbecue use during warm weather, urging residents to position barbecues away from structures, avoid accelerants, and ensure they are fully extinguished before disposal.

Two Hull fish and chip shops, Pollards Plaice and Cave Street Fisheries, won major honours at the English Fish and Chip Awards. Pollards Plaice earned Best Fish Fryer of the Year and will represent England in a fry‑off against Scotland at the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards in Glasgow, while Cave Street Fisheries was named City Centre Chip Shop of the Year. Judges, including Steve Peel, Aldo Zilli and Danny vs Food, praised the high standards of both shops, highlighting Hull’s strong showing in the competition.

A two-year-old boy from Marfleet underwent limb reconstruction surgery after living for a year with a fractured leg caused by Congenital Pseudarthrosis. His parents describe the long wait for surgery, the difficulty in managing his mobility, and the uncertainty of whether the bone will heal or require further surgery or possible amputation. Carson is recovering in a wheelchair and engaging in activities adapted for him. The family is raising funds for Sheffield Children’s Hospital and the British Limb Reconstruction Society in gratitude for the care he received.

A Hull event medic who survived a non‑cancerous brain tumour is preparing for a demanding trek to Everest Base Camp to raise awareness of tumour symptoms and honour Macmillan Cancer Support for its help during his treatment. Matt Carpenter, diagnosed at 28 after an earlier scan missed the tumour, continues taking on extreme challenges while managing long‑term effects including brain injury, diabetes and scoliosis. He aims to inspire other survivors by showing life continues after surgery, while fundraising through events such as Tough Mudder and promoting his book about climbing Kilimanjaro. He is also beginning paramedic studies at the University of Hull after reassessing his capabilities post‑treatment.

Southfield Holiday Park Ltd was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay additional costs and a victim surcharge for erecting two unauthorised advertising signs on the A1079 near Wilberfoss. Streetscene enforcement officers found the signs had been placed on public verges without permission, leading to prosecution under the Highways Act 1980. East Riding of Yorkshire Council warned that illegal roadside advertising can pose hazards to motorists and affirmed its intention to investigate and remove such signs, with costs recovered from offenders.

Hull City Council will begin a nine‑week programme to resurface deteriorating footpaths on six Orchard Park streets starting 13 July. Work will be completed in phases to minimise disruption, with closures in place but resident access maintained. Councillor Mark Ieronimo said the upgrades will improve safety, accessibility and reduce future repair costs. The scheme forms part of the council’s Capital Maintenance Programme and will be carried out by PBS Construction.

A Hull pub, The Ship Inn on Hodgson Street, will open through the night for England’s 1am World Cup match against Mexico, offering fans free chips if England win. The independently run pub aims to provide a communal place for supporters and highlight the role of local pubs, with licensee Dean Kirk emphasising its long-standing community focus. Food and a range of alcoholic and alcohol-free drinks will be served throughout the night, with doors open from Sunday afternoon until after the match ends.

More than 1,000 Squeezy Dumpling toys were seized and destroyed in Hull after tests found high levels of carcinogenic benzene. Trading Standards and the Office for Product Safety and Standards issued a product recall, urging parents to immediately dispose of the toys due to immediate and long‑term health risks. Hull City Council plans further inspections while businesses are told to withdraw affected products and verify compliance markings. Officials emphasise vigilance and purchasing only from reputable retailers to protect children from unsafe toys.

A Hull couple, Courtney Reen and Josh Grant, have repeatedly been denied NHS-funded IVF because Courtney’s BMI of 16 falls below local eligibility criteria, despite multiple dieticians and GPs stating she is healthy. After seven years of trying to conceive and three unsuccessful appeals, they have launched a GoFundMe to fund private treatment. NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB explained that BMI guidelines are based on safety and treatment effectiveness recommendations from NICE, stressing that weight-related health factors can be complex and support is available for patients outside the recommended range.

National NHS guidance has been updated after the death of two-year-old Lyla Story from undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes, following a campaign led by her parents. NICE revised its guidelines to reflect that children can present with diabetic ketoacidosis without a prior diagnosis, while GP surgeries are now required to maintain blood glucose testing equipment. The Care Quality Commission strengthened its requirements, and NHS England will review early diagnosis failures through a GIRFT report. Additional measures include increased distribution of awareness materials and new training resources. Ministers acknowledged that these changes were driven by the Story family's advocacy, who continue to campaign for further accountability under a proposed Lyla’s Law.

A Bridlington council flat on Haworth Walk received a three‑month closure order after reports of intimidation, drug‑related activity, and persistent disturbances. Beverley Magistrates’ Court granted the order following an investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council, which found frequent visitors accessing the flat via a ladder and residents experiencing criminal damage and theft. Only authorised personnel may enter the property, and unauthorised entry could result in fines or imprisonment. Local officials encouraged residents to continue reporting anti‑social behaviour for further action.

British Transport Police released CCTV images of a man they want to identify after a racially aggravated assault at Hull Paragon station in which a woman’s hijab was pulled tightly around her neck, causing bruising. The attack occurred on 8 June, and officers are appealing for information, asking anyone who recognises the man to contact them or provide details anonymously via Crimestoppers.