Blighty newsletter: The migration theory of everything

Blaise Metreweli is the first female head of Britain's spy service, too
A lottery decides where they will work
Blame James Joyce. And 'fashion'
English wine is changing the landscape
Cash for everywhere outside the M25
Answer: hospitals and tanks

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Time Out

an hour ago

• Time Out

Central Park's gorgeous Conservatory Garden has reopened after years of construction

For the past three years, tall fences closed off one of the most beautiful parts of Central Park. Now, after three long years of extensive restoration, the spectacular Conservatory Garden is open once again and is in full bloom. The Conservatory Garden is a six-acre formal garden located in the northeastern quadrant of the park known for its peaceful design and historic charm. The garden underwent at $25 million glow-up, the most significant investment in the space since it was built in 1937, the Central Park Conservancy announced this week. Go see it along Fifth Avenue between 104th and 106th Streets in Central Park. The garden's three distinct styles—French, Italian, and English—have attracted many weddings and photoshoots over the years. It's also a beloved spot for New Yorkers looking for a moment of tranquility in the city. Visiting feels like a taking stroll through a European garden without having to buy a plane ticket. In the springtime, peonies and lilacs surge into bloom at the Conservatory Garden. In the fall, look for a bevy of mums among the garden's neatly trimmed hedges. While many of the garden's horticultural elements were addressed in 1983, this restoration focused on the comprehensive renewal of its historic hardscape, such as restoring bluestone pavers, updating stormwater draining, modernizing fountains, installing ramps and realigning paths. This type of restoration work hadn't been done at the garden in nearly 90 years. In addition, staff also replanted the Italian Garden's iconic crabapple allées with disease-resistant trees and repaired the steel pergola. This is a big year for upgrades to Central Park. The long-awaited Davis Center at Harlem Meer is now open. And the historic Delacorte Theater (where Shakespeare in the Park is staged every summer) will soon reopen after reconstruction.

South Wales Argus

2 days ago

• South Wales Argus

Welsh translation error on Abergavenny street name sign

It's thought the mistranslated street nameplate had been in place for more than a decade when the error was picked up and reported to the local council. That saw the Welsh 'gwanwyn', meaning spring the season, placed on the nameplate alongside the English name Springfield Road. Monmouthshire County Council considered a complaint which was reported in its annual Welsh language standards and monitoring report covering April 2024 to March 2025. It stated: 'The word 'spring' had been mistranslated to reflect the season rather than a water source.' READ MORE: The council's Welsh language officer and the street naming and numbering officer investigated and following consultation with a translator, agreed on the corrected version 'Heol Cae'r Ffynnon.' The monitoring report said the nameplate will be corrected during the next round of nameplate updates. It stated: 'The original translation, made over a decade ago, predates current standards and no records exist explaining the initial decision for this translation. As a result, the council continues to strengthen its translation process through collaboration between officers and a dedicated translator, ensuring consistency and cultural sensitivity in all future street naming processes.'

Wales Online

2 days ago

• Wales Online

Princess Anne's carriage breaks down on way to Royal Ascot as aides rush in

Princess Anne's carriage breaks down on way to Royal Ascot as aides rush in A resident who came out to watch the carriage procession through Cheapside in Berkshire filmed the moment the carriage was forced to stop Princess Anne arrives by carriage on the first day of Royal Ascot. (Image: Tim Merry/Staff Photographer ) Princess Anne experienced a minor hiccup when her carriage got into difficulties en route to Royal Ascot. A local resident captured the moment on video as the carriage procession came to an unexpected halt in Cheapside, Berkshire. The footage showed royal aides hastily attending to the second carriage's reins, which had come loose, carrying Princess Anne, The Duke of Wellington, The Duchess of Wellington, and Mrs Annabel Elliot, the sister of Queen Camilla. Paul Arora, a local who was watching the procession, said: "It was a quintessential English scene where the King and members of the Royal Family made their way through a small village this morning for the start of Royal Ascot. ‌ "Many of the locals turned out to show their support and were blessed by the wonderful weather. However, the royals were not so blessed as one of the carriages had a horse break its reins." ‌ He told the Express: "We noted it had caused a delay for a few minutes, and royal rushed to help fix the problem, which they appeared to do so very efficiently," reports the Mirror. "Shortly after, the procession continued and all was well. After the mishap occurred, my friends were discussing the incident - it made quite the talking point!" The King's carriage was seen waiting further up the hill while repairs were made to Princess Anne's carriage. The local community, including school children, turned out in force to greet the Royal family, with the unexpected event adding excitement to the day's proceedings. Article continues below An Ascot local was in high spirits at a garden party held to celebrate the opening day of the esteemed racing event. The first carriage of the Royal procession included King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince Faisal bin Salman Al Saud and Lady Sarah Keswick. In a third carriage were Peter Phillips, son of Princess Anne, alongside Mr Anthony Horowitz and his wife. The fourth carriage carried Mr Henry Morton Jack, Lady Joanna Morton Jack, Lord Vestey and Lady Vestey. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the Royal procession, a tradition that dates back to George IV's reign in 1825, when he was accompanied by the Duke of Wellington. ‌ Upon their arrival at the renowned racecourse, Charles and Camilla expressed their excitement over the prospect of having a Royal Ascot winner. In the official programme, the King and Queen wrote: "Having experienced the thrill of victory at Royal Ascot ourselves in 2023, we can only wish all those competing this week the very best of luck and that everyone watching has a most enjoyable five days." The Royal couple will be eagerly anticipating the Ascot Stakes, where their horse Reaching High, trained by Willie Mullins, is set to compete against other thoroughbreds. Article continues below The horse is among the bookies' favourites and is one of several entries from the Royal pair this week. The late Queen was an avid owner and breeder of thoroughbreds, boasting over 20 Royal Ascot winners during her 70-year reign. Charles and Camilla have assumed responsibility for her stable of horses and celebrated their first Royal Ascot victory in 2023 when their horse, Desert Hero, won the King George V Stakes.