Tech

Volunteers are celebrating after breaking their own record for tree planting in a single season.

Each year, Stroud Valleys Project (SVP) in Gloucestershire plants trees to support national and regional environmental targets.

Founded in 1988, SVP works with communities and organisations throughout the district to improve green spaces and protect habitats.

In the 2022/23 season, the team planted 6,000 trees and hedgerow plants. The following year, they increased that number to 8,500 but between November 2024 and March 2025, they managed 19,139 trees.

"We're incredibly proud of all the trees we've planted throughout Stroud and the surrounding towns and villages," said Clare Mahdiyone, SVP's CEO.

"Not only have we exceeded our target, we think it's fair to say we absolutely smashed it."

She credited project officer Stuart Roweth for helping the team reach their ambitious goal.

Voters heading to the polls next week on the Isle of Man will, for the first time, be able to choose where in their constituency to cast their ballot.

Polling stations will be open from 08:00 until 20:00 BST on Thursday in five local authority general elections – Castletown, Douglas South, Patrick, Peel, and Ramsey North.

Following the successful trial of an app developed by the Government Technology Service at the 2021 House of Keys general election in Douglas South, people will be able to vote at any polling station in their constituency.

The software is used to check voters in at polling stations. A live link into the electoral register will ensure that voters can only cast one ballot.

'Accessibility needs'

In addition to offering convenience for voters, the elections team said the move would "allow voters with additional needs to identify a venue that best suits their accessibility needs".

Those with additional accessibility requirements have been advised to check the facilities of their polling station online or contact their deputy returning officer for advice.

There are 21 local authorities on the island and elections take place every four years.

All registered voters within the five contested local authorities or districts will receive a polling card by post.

This will detail their designated polling station as well as alternatives within the constituency.

Voters have been advised that while they do not need to bring their polling cards to vote, those who have not received one should contact their deputy returning officer.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 17:00 on Wednesday.

People are heading to the polls to pick the next president of Gabon, where for the first time in decades a Bongo family member is not on the ballot.

Former President Ali Bongo was forced from power 19 months ago by coup mastermind Gen Brice Oligui Nguema, who in turn has changed the constitution to allow him to run in Saturday's election.

A total of eight candidates are in the running to become president, with only one woman in the race – Gninga Chaning Zenaba.

Other presidential challengers include former Prime Minister Alain Claude Bilie-by-Nze, who served under the Bongo regime, as well as two stalwarts of the former ruling PDG party, Stéphane Germain Iloko and Alain Simplice Boungouères.

Election results could start being announced on Sunday, but officials can continue the count into next week.

Close to one million people are expected to vote in Gabon and its diaspora.

• Who is Gen Brice Oligui Nguema?
• Why Gabon's coup leader is bucking a trend by embracing democracy

The small oil- and timber-rich central African nation is home to just 2.5 million people. Despite its resources, about 35% of the population still live below the poverty line of $2 (£1.50) a day.

During the two-week campaign period, most of the candidates prioritised reacing voters in the interior while rallies in the capital, Libreville, were limited.

Yet large numbers of posters and billboards for Oligui Nguema dominate Libreville's streets, with very few of his rivals' adverts visible.

"I will vote for the builder Oligui Nguema," reads a campaign message on the top of taxi driver Landry Obame-Mezui's vehicle, who likes the junta leader because he "came in with a new way of doing things – action before speeches".

But critics of Oligui Nguema say he has presided over an unfair transitional and electoral process, ushering in a new constitution and electoral code designed to favour his own candidacy in the election, despite his promise to hand over power to civilians.

An upper age limit was also introduced, making one of Oligui Nguema's most popular opposition rivals Albert Ondo Ossa ineligible.

Go "back to the barracks," was the jibe from the man seen as Oligui Nguema's closest rival in the vote, Bilie-by-Nze. He considers himself the change the country needs, but his closeness to the ousted regime still attracts criticism from some.

After 55 successive years under President Omar Bongo and his son Ali Bongo, Gabonese people have told the BBC that all they have wanted is an end to the embezzlement, cronyism, indebtedness and unemployment they have endured.

"Our expectation is to have a new Gabon that is well-governed, well-managed, where there is social justice, equity and equal chances," said registered voter Noel Kounta. "We want a developed and prosperous Gabon".

"I would like the [next] president to focus more on jobs," said 30-year-old pharmacist Shonnys Akoulatele, who also said she was underpaid in her current profession.

"The unemployment rate is so high, so they should at least show some compassion towards this issue, especially in the private sector."

Polls are set to close at 18:00 local time (17:00 GMT) on Saturday.

More BBC stories on Gabon:

• Why does France have military bases in Africa?
• Self-medicating gorillas may hold new drugs clues
• Gabon's predators on the pitch: Inside a paedophile football scandal

The Times leads on an interview with the prime minister, with the headline "Starmer hails Brexit reset". According to the paper, Starmer will announce his EU youth mobility plans when he welcomes European leaders to London on Monday, as part of a wider deal with the bloc.

The Conservatives and Reform UK have warned the scheme, under which young people could move for up to two years, would bring a return of free movement. The prime minister has told the paper that isn't the case.

In an interview with the Guardian, the Chancellor Rachel Reeves suggests the government is looking for closer ties with the European Union. It's headline reads: "UK on path to deeper EU relationship." Reeves is quoted as saying Monday's UK-EU summit would not be a one-off.

Prime Minister Starmer is prepared to make a U-turn on his plans to cut winter fuel payments, according to the Daily Express, which has "Finally some sense" in its headline.

The Daily Mirror also welcomes "new hope on winter fuel". It says the prime minister has refused to rule out making more people eligible for the allowance.

Parking fines could "rocket" to more than £120, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says ministers are reviewing the cap on tickets issued by councils in England and Wales, in what it calls a "major blow for millions of hard-pressed motorists".

The Financial Times says the pharmaceutical firm, Novo Nordisk, has fired its chief executive. Shares in the company – which makes the obesity drug, Ozempic – have halved in the past year, according to the paper. Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen told the FT that he didn't regret his decisions as head of the company.

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A man accused of climbing up the clock tower housing Big Ben and staying there for more than 16 hours has pleaded not guilty to public nuisance and trespass.

Daniel Day, 29, is accused of scaling the Elizabeth Tower barefoot at around 07:20 GMT on 8 March.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site when he appeared at Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Day was released on conditional bail and is due to appear in the same court for trial on 8 June 2026.

Candidates standing in Guernsey's general election are being encouraged to submit their manifestos for submission in a voter booklet.

The States Assembly and Constitution Committee said it had increased the number of pages available to candidates and had extended the submission window.

It said candidates had the option to provide two or four pages in the manifesto booklet, with submission due between 7 and 14 May.

Guernsey's general election is set to take place on Wednesday 18 June.

Deputy Carl Meerveld, the committee's president, said: "The key message to prospective candidates is please review the guidance, prepare your entry for the manifesto booklet in advance and submit early within the submission window."

The committee said the booklet would be delivered to all homes where at least one person was registered on the electoral roll.

Website option

Instructions, guidance and timelines for entries are available on the States' website.

It said each manifesto would have a summary on the first page and the information reproduced exactly as it has been submitted, with no design support offered by the States.

That means entries must be submitted in line with the specifications outlined in the online guide, said the committee.

Every candidate will also have the option of having their own page on the general election website.

A festival that celebrates a city, its diversity and "all the reasons we love it" is expected to welcome about 20,000 people, organisers have said.

Peterborough Celebrates is hosting its fourth annual event at Ferry Meadows this weekend with a "full-on" schedule of performances and activities.

It is free to attend and has been funded largely by Nene Park Trust with sponsorships from local businesses, but parking charges apply and donations are being welcomed.

Creative producer Simon Hollingworth said the event was a "unique experience" and the country park would be "buzzing" with activity.

'Amazing party'

Preparations have been under way over the past few days for one of the biggest events in Peterborough.

A silent disco was held on Friday in support of the Sense charity, ahead of the festival kicking off in full on Saturday morning.

Mr Hollingworth said the festival would have four large stages – the Community Stage, Big Top, Hay Bale Stage and Centre Stage – with almost 60 acts performing.

"It is going to be buzzing. Full of colour and full of people with so much going on," he said.

The Community Stage line-up will feature performances from local groups such as Lucy's Pop Choir, Bharat Hindu Samaj, Ritu Ranga, Wansford Ukelele Folk and two up-and-coming bands featured by BBC Introducing. There will also be traditional Filipino and Lithuanian dancers.

There will be a variety of other musical and circus acts performing during the weekend, with food and drink on offer from around the world.

Additionally, there will be fairground attractions and passenger boat rides at Overton Lake, and a chance to take part in climbing, archery, martial arts, rugby, football, and arts and crafts.

Mr Hollingworth added: "On Saturday night we have a Bhangra dance party – East meets West – in the big top led by this Punjabi dance troupe from Bradford.

"It is going to be an amazing party."

Following its success last year, the festival finale on Sunday will be marked with a Hindu Holi celebration, where people can throw coloured paints and streamers.

"Over the years we have had somewhere around 20,000 people [attend]," said Mr Hollingworth.

"We would hope to get similar numbers this year – you get people from such a range of communities that represent the city.

"It is a unique experience to bring everyone together."

A guide on getting to the festival, what to expect and a festival map and access information, has been put together on Nene Park Trust's website.

The 10th annual Pride celebrations in the Channel Islands are set to take place in June, a local LGBTQ+ organisation has announced.

Channel Islands Pride said it was "thrilled" to reveal the celebration was due to take place on Saturday 21 June at the People's Park in Jersey.

The 2025 celebration's theme had been chosen as "louder, prouder, stronger" – which a spokesperson said was "both a celebration and a rallying cry".

Christian May, director of Channel Islands Pride in Jersey since its inception in 2015, said: "When we held the very first Channel Islands Pride in 2015, we had no idea just how much it would grow in a decade, both here in Jersey, and in Guernsey."

'Reflect on progress'

He added: "What began as a small but determined march has become a vibrant, inclusive celebration that brings together thousands of people from across our islands and beyond.

"As we mark 10 years of Pride, it's a moment to reflect on the progress we've made – not just in visibility, but in building a stronger, more united LGBTQ+ community here in the Channel Islands.

"But it's also a moment to acknowledge the challenges we continue to face, both locally and globally."

Mr May said he hoped the event would be attended by islanders and allies from "every corner of our community".

Conservationists have called on people to look for water voles that were reintroduced at a nature reserve last year.

A total of 116 water voles that were bred in captivity were released at Nene Wetlands in Northamptonshire.

However, follow-up surveys along parts of the River Nene are yet to record sightings.

Emily Luck, the water vole officer at the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), said people often mistook them for rats but they were "more charismatic than rats".

"We are asking for volunteers to let us know where they are so we can target our conservation work," she said.

PTES is asking for vole-unteers to report sightings of the rodents across England, including Northamptonshire.

The population has declined by about 90% since the 1970s.

Last year, 113 sites across Britain were surveyed, with water voles found at 47 of them.

Historically water voles thrived along the River Nene, but PTES says habitat loss and predation by the non-native American mink are responsible for the fall in numbers.

The charity sited Dallington Brook in Northampton as one of the potential vole locations that was under-recorded.

Vole-unteers can choose from more 700 pre-selected riverbanks and streams or register their own location.

They are asked to record signs of water vole presence such as droppings, burrows, footprints, or the distinctive "plop" as the animal enters the water.

Ms Luck added: "[Voles] can live in almost any waterway so as long as they've got fresh vegetation, good soil to burrow into… it's ideal."

The survey initiative runs until 15 June.

A new "community champion" scheme offering free use of leisure centres in parts of Surrey for local projects is calling for people to apply.

Everyone Active, which runs leisure centres in Haslemere, Godalming, Farnham and Cranleigh, has launched its Community Champions initiative, aiming to "recognise the dedication of those who go above and beyond".

Those involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are urged to apply for the scheme, which is run in partnership with Waverley Borough Council.

Successful applicants will secure use of facilities at their local leisure centres to help them carry out their projects.

Steve Little, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We want to highlight the work of everyday heroes who are changing people's lives and inspiring others to make a positive impact in their communities.

"We encourage local people, community projects and charitable initiatives to get their applications in so we can support the fantastic work that you do."

Applications close on 12 June.

Those selected could also be shortlisted for the provider's Champions Awards in autumn.

Kika Mirylees, Waverley's councillor for community services, leisure and EDI, said it was a "fantastic initiative" highlighting "the incredible work being done by individuals who work tirelessly in our community".

She added: "It's an opportunity to celebrate their dedication and provide them with the resources they need to continue making a positive impact.

"I urge people to go ahead and apply at the soonest."