Ollie Samuels

Drought, hot weather and long-standing leaks have reduced water levels on the 41-mile Lancaster Canal by at least 20cm, prompting navigation restrictions since 9 July and a week-long full closure. Boaters say parts of the canal are now impassable, while cruise operator Kingfisher Cruises has cancelled bookings and lost at least £1,500. The Canal and River Trust says it is managing leaks and supplying 20–25 million litres of water daily from Killington Lake, but abstraction licences limit how much more water can be added.

A decommissioned 1968 signal box in Hest Bank has been converted into a STEM education centre that teaches railway operations and local ecology, equipped with live train‑movement displays and serving more than 50 local schools. The £14,000 project, funded by Network Rail and several train operators, repurposes a structure once destined for demolition. Educators and community rail partners highlight its value for hands‑on learning and rail‑safety education.

A couple from St Helens celebrated their wedding day with a church ceremony, a pub visit and a trip to see Pitbull headline the final night of the Lytham Festival before ending the night watching England’s World Cup victory over Mexico in Warrington. They had moved their wedding forward for an ill family member who was unable to attend, making the day bittersweet. Their festival outfits, including a second wedding dress and a bald cap, drew friendly attention from other fans. The pair are now heading to the Cotswolds for their honeymoon.

A St Helens couple spent their wedding day attending Pitbull’s headline show at Lytham Festival after marrying in Warrington, turning their celebrations into a 15‑hour party that ended with England’s World Cup win over Mexico. They advanced their wedding date to allow an ill family member to attend, though the relative was ultimately unable to make it, making the day bittersweet. Gifted festival tickets, the pair changed into second‑hand wedding attire for the show, attracting attention from fellow fans. Their celebrations continued into the early morning before departing for a honeymoon in the Cotswolds.