Kate Bradbrook

Low rainfall has prompted the Canal & River Trust to close the Northampton Arm of the Grand Union Canal and restrict lock operating hours at Braunston, Long Buckby and Stoke Bruerne. Boaters say the measures require careful planning, particularly to access water and waste facilities, while queues have formed at restricted locks. Canal businesses using short routes without locks have largely avoided disruption. The trust says it is reallocating available water and conserving supplies to keep as much of the network open as possible during the dry spell.

The Imperial War Museum at Duxford hosted an event marking 50 years since the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird established still-unbroken world speed and altitude records. Former US Air Force pilot Buz Carpenter described operating the aircraft from RAF Mildenhall during the Cold War, when its strategic reconnaissance imagery was shared with US and NATO leaders. Former Lockheed Martin engineer Steve Justice explained the technological challenges behind its stealthy, high-altitude design, while the museum's Brandon Gregory called its Blackbird the collection's crown jewel.