Danny Fullbrook

Live music promoter Luke Hinton and his wife Rachel have become co-owners of The Horn in St Albans, the venue where they held their wedding reception and first dance in 2015. They are running it with former general manager Shane Smith and his partner Abbie Whitrow after longtime owner Adrian Bell offered them the lease. Hinton says the takeover will preserve The Horn as a grassroots venue rather than allowing it to be converted into a gastro pub, while also creating opportunities for emerging performers and behind-the-scenes music professionals.

Asbestos debris was discovered around the site of a fatal bungalow explosion in Newton Longville, where Steve Woodward died several days after the 9 August gas blast. Buckinghamshire Council said the UK Health Security Agency considered the risk to residents low because airborne fibres would be diluted, but advised people to wash potentially contaminated clothing and garden items. Residents were told to report ash or debris for safe collection, or dampen, double-bag and properly dispose of it if moving it was unavoidable.

The historic de Havilland DH.88 Comet crashed while attempting to land during a flying proms air show at Shuttleworth in Bedfordshire. Its pilot was hospitalized and later discharged. The Shuttleworth Trust plans to rebuild the aircraft so it can fly again. The Comet, which won the 1934 England-to-Australia air race, has been part of the Shuttleworth Collection since 1965 and has flown from the site for decades.

Matt McKee, a 51-year-old man from Corby, died in hospital three weeks after being struck by a silver Hyundai i10 while walking on the A414 near Buncefield Lane in Hemel Hempstead. His family described him as a distinctive, loving and humorous father, grandfather and husband, as well as a passionate Manchester United supporter and keen pool player. Hertfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information about the events leading to the crash.

The Forest of Marston Vale Trust has been selected to help develop plans for a new national forest in the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, working with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the National Forest Company. The trust has increased tree cover across a 158-square-kilometre area of Bedfordshire from 3.6% to 16.9% since 1991, planting 2.75 million trees and shrubs. Its target is to reach 30% tree cover by 2050. The government plans to create three new national forests, with the other two located in the west of England and either the Midlands or northern England.

Businesses affected by a fire at the Kitchen and Bathroom Store on Selbourne Road in Luton may be allowed to reopen within days, once investigators finish and Luton Borough Council confirms the structure is safe. About 70 firefighters tackled the blaze, which forced supplier Butterfields to close and disrupted deliveries. Residents evacuated from nearby homes were allowed to return the same evening, while investigators continue working to establish the cause.

A Milton Keynes family narrowly avoided serious harm when their five-year-old portable air conditioning unit began beeping, caught fire and exploded during the night. Gregory Lawless unplugged the appliance and moved it outside shortly before its compressor exploded, protecting his wife and 10-year-old son. The family said the unit had been regularly cleaned and that there were no problems with their home’s electrical system; the manufacturer had gone into liquidation the previous year.

Northamptonshire Police has launched an operation in Kettering targeting the illegal use of privately owned e-scooters and non-compliant e-bikes. Officers plan to seize vehicles and issue tickets, following an earlier Corby operation that confiscated 23 e-scooters and two e-bikes. The crackdown follows a five-year-old boy’s serious injury after being struck by an e-scooter. Police say private e-scooters cannot legally be used in public, while e-bikes are permitted if riders are at least 14 and the bikes meet power and speed limits.

Bishop of Northampton David Oakley, 70, appeared via videolink at Westminster Magistrates’ Court accused of two counts of raping a female under 16. The alleged incidents are said to have occurred in Staffordshire between February 2000 and February 2001, when he was a Catholic priest. Oakley was not asked to enter a plea; the case was sent to the Old Bailey, and he was released on bail with conditions not to contact the alleged victim or her family. A plea hearing is scheduled for 10 September. Oakley has withdrawn from public ministry but retains his title as bishop.

Fourteen-year-old Aston Smith organized a solar-eclipse viewing party on his Overstone housing estate, attracting hundreds of neighbours. He set up two telescopes, distributed 400 pairs of eclipse glasses, helped children conduct light and temperature experiments, and raised more than £400 for UK Astronomy. Aston, who has been interested in stargazing since age two, estimated that 93.5% of the Sun was obscured from his location and hopes to work for SpaceX.

North Hertfordshire Council has granted Oasis reunion-tour promoter SJM Concerts an indefinite premises licence for events at Knebworth House. The licence permits live music and dance events for up to 125,000 people until 03:00, but no specific events have been confirmed. The decision has renewed speculation that Oasis could return to Knebworth in 2027, despite the band previously denying reports of a planned performance there.

North Hertfordshire Council has granted SJM Concerts an indefinite licence to host events at Knebworth House for up to 125,000 people, with live music and dance performances permitted until 03:00. The licence has renewed speculation that Oasis may return to the venue, although no events have been confirmed and the band previously denied reports of a Knebworth appearance. The Sun has reported an unconfirmed plan for six Oasis shows in September 2027, while the venue’s owner has previously expressed support for a 30th-anniversary concert.

A funeral was held in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, for Nothabo Zandile Tshuma and her daughters Natalie, 15, and Nala, five, who were found dead in their Great Denham home on 6 July. An inquest found that all three died from head injuries. Nothabo’s husband, Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, was arrested in Johannesburg and remains in custody in South Africa while UK authorities seek his extradition; he also faces a separate gun-related charge. The family is seeking justice, and the case is due to resume on 27 August, with Tshuma yet to enter a plea.

Three people—a 16-year-old boy and two men aged 25 and 36—have been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 26-year-old man died at the scene of a reported stabbing in Brooklands Road, Bletchley. Thames Valley Police said there was no current threat to the wider public and that officers were not seeking anyone else. The victim has not yet been formally identified, and police urged the public not to speculate while the investigation continues.

A 26-year-old man died at the scene of a reported stabbing on Brooklands Road in Bletchley, Milton Keynes. Thames Valley Police arrested a 16-year-old boy and two men aged 25 and 36 on suspicion of murder; all remain in custody. Police said they are not seeking anyone else, believe there is no wider threat, and do not currently believe the killing was racially motivated.

Luton Borough Council has approved outline plans by Goodman to demolish the former Vauxhall Motors plant on Kimpton Road and redevelop it into commercial space, with the first units expected to be ready in 2028. The scheme could create about 2,400 direct jobs and 400 indirect jobs in advanced manufacturing, logistics and digital industries. Councillors approved the plans subject to conditions covering noise, air quality and construction monitoring, while some expressed concern that the site could become overly focused on warehousing rather than manufacturing or offices. A café incorporating elements of the site's Vauxhall heritage is also planned.

Residents of Eskdale Avenue in Chesham are opposing a Buckinghamshire Council proposal to remove 15 street trees as part of plans to widen paths and improve pedestrian safety. A petition signed by around 50 residents argues that only some trees need to be removed and that the council’s justification for felling all of them is insufficient. The council maintains that retaining any of the trees would leave safety risks and says replacement trees would be planted nearby. A public consultation is open until 24 August.

Luton Borough Council is proposing a red route and expanded parking measures to address persistent safety, congestion and parking issues in Bury Park. Additional parking near Kenilworth Road stadium would be available except on match-related days. The plans, which aim to improve traffic flow and keep pavements and junctions clear, will go before the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Board on 27 July, with a final decision expected in August. Work continues on a nearby roundabout scheme intended to ease congestion on Hatters Way and Chaul End Lane.

Wham!’s 1985 tour of China is revisited through Andrew Ridgeley’s reflections and a new documentary highlighting how the concerts exposed Chinese audiences to Western pop music and inspired some to pursue careers in music. Ridgeley describes the emotional impact of learning the long-term influence of their visit and expresses regret that George Michael never saw those effects firsthand. The article details the band’s rise following the tour, their enduring friendship, and ongoing efforts to preserve Wham!’s legacy through recent film projects.

A 1570s gold signet ring associated with Queen Elizabeth I has been placed on display at Hampton Court Palace after being discovered in Ampthill by a metal detectorist. Acquired by Historic Royal Palaces through the Treasure Act, the ring features a phoenix emblem linked to Elizabeth and her mother, Anne Boleyn. Displayed alongside another Boleyn‑family ring, the artefact raises questions about its original owner and their proximity to the Tudor court.

The Care Quality Commission placed Thomas Edward Mitton House in Milton Keynes into special measures after an inspection rated it inadequate in safety, effectiveness and leadership. Inspectors found poor monitoring of rehabilitation progress, unclear goals and insufficient support when residents refused therapy, with some residents returning to hospital due to inadequate assessments. Brainkind, which took over the home in December 2024, stated it has begun addressing the issues through management changes and an improvement plan.

A mother, Nothabo Zandile Tshuma, and her daughters Natalie and Nala were found dead in their Great Denham home, prompting tributes from relatives describing profound grief and loss. A planned remembrance service was cancelled due to expected high turnout. Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma was arrested in Johannesburg and charged with three counts of murder. Family members praised the victims’ qualities and expressed devastation while placing trust in their faith as the investigation continues.

A mother and her two daughters were found dead in their Great Denham home, prompting an active police investigation. Bedfordshire Police are searching for Ndodana Mkhanyisi Tshuma, who left the UK for Zimbabwe shortly before the discovery. The family expressed gratitude for public support while awaiting official updates. Authorities continue to work with national and international partners to locate the suspect.

Volunteer specialists from the UK‑based charity MapAction are providing real‑time mapping support to search and rescue teams responding to the devastating Venezuela earthquake that killed more than 2,000 people. Two field members in the country and more than 70 remote volunteers are producing detailed maps to coordinate operations, identify searched areas and show which routes, medical centres and airports remain open. The organisation, which has assisted in more than 150 disasters since 2002, warns that declining humanitarian funding threatens its ability to continue life‑saving work.

Police arrested two London teenagers on suspicion of murdering a man found critically injured in a Cheshunt car park, who later died in hospital. Investigators traced the victim’s movements to the Waltham Abbey and Waltham Cross areas and recovered a silver MG ZS linked to the case. Detectives credited public assistance for progress in the investigation, with both suspects currently released on bail.

Drag performer La Voix improvised part of her act for a Pride-themed EastEnders episode, delivering 20 minutes of unscripted stand‑up filmed in the Queen Vic. She described the fast‑paced production as intense but said reuniting with cast members Harriet Thorpe and Michelle Collins eased her nerves. The storyline features her character being misled into performing at the Queen Vic instead of Walford’s LGBTQ+ bar, the Prince Albert.

Drag performer La Voix improvised parts of her appearance in an EastEnders Pride-themed episode after being encouraged to ad‑lib during filming at the Queen Vic set. Initially meant to perform at Walford’s LGBTQ+ bar, her character is tricked into appearing at the pub, but her nerves eased after reuniting with fellow actors Harriet Thorpe and Michelle Collins. She described the fast‑paced production process as intense but enjoyable.

Police in Hertfordshire are searching for a silver MG ZS linked to the death of a man in his 20s, found seriously injured in a Cheshunt car park on 22 June. Investigators believe the victim was last seen in the Waltham Abbey or Waltham Cross area and may have been assaulted. The car’s driver-side rear door is a different colour due to a replacement, and officers suspect it may have been abandoned locally. A man arrested in connection with the case has been released on bail as the investigation continues.