Stuart Rust

Swan Uppers on the River Thames anticipate another increase in cygnet numbers despite a winter bird flu outbreak. The five‑day survey from Sunbury to Abingdon follows rises in cygnet counts between 2024 and 2025, with King’s Swan Marker David Barber expressing optimism for continued recovery. The census team will count and examine swans, fit cygnets with tracking rings from the British Trust for Ornithology, and involve local school visits. The event proceeds through several Thames towns during the third week of July.

A 70-year-old man whose hoarding escalated after personal loss became homeless when accumulated items made his rented home uninhabitable. After intervention from local authorities, long-term support from the charity Response and assistance from a home care service helped him clear his property, manage anxiety around letting go of items and reduce the risks associated with hoarding. Continued guidance through regular meetings and gradual behavioural changes has enabled him to maintain safer living conditions and avoid returning to homelessness.