Couple take pet parrots to the shops, opticians - and even pub lunches
By Josie Adnitt
A couple take their pet parrots to the shops, opticians, supermarket, Chinese takeaway - and the pub.
Anne Spider-McKeown, 64, and partner Spider Spider, 66, who changed his name by deed poll to reflect his love of animals, rescued three Macaws in early 2020.
The trio – Chester and bonded pair Charlie and Elwood – were initially adopted by Anne and Spider after they had to give up their motorbike hobby after coming down with Covid in January 2020.
Sadly, Macaw Elwood, who was disabled and looked after by Charlie, passed away in July last year.
Chester had bonded with Anne, and after Elwood’s death Spider says he became better friends with Charlie.
Charlie doesn’t fly, as Elwood couldn’t fly and Charlie would look after the fellow bird – but since Elwood’s death, the couple have been trying to help him find his wings.
Now, Anne and Spider are regularly spotted out and about with the parrots – going to the supermarket, B&Q and even the local pub together.
Spider, from Birmingham, said: “Whenever we go pub for lunch with the birds, we always take them.
“Going out with them turns any shopping trip about three times longer – we don’t mind though, we love people asking questions, it’s great to interact with people.
“It’s an eye-opener for people, lots of people are gobsmacked that the birds are real and I'm not walking around with a stuffed parrot on my shoulder.
“Anne loves birds and always wanted a blue and gold Macaw since being a child, so we thought we could rehome a couple as a new hobby.
“It's like having two three-year-old kids in the house.
“Charlie used to come with us to all sorts of places and then a bit later we decided we would harness train Chester so he could have same element of freedom.
“Generally, they’re very happy to interact with people, when they’re both in the right mood they’ll let strangers give them treats – people are surprised they’re so gentle with their big beaks.”
The retired couple have made some changes to their garden to accommodate the birds, installing a huge bird net nine feet high outside.
They say they wanted to make sure the parrots could have some freedom, so they let them out into the garden under supervision.
Spider says the birds have big personalities – and says Chester is very protective of Anne, even telling Spider off if he goes near her.
And he says he’s been amazed by Charlie’s changed personality – saying the relationship between human and bird is like human and child.
Spider said: “When we lost Elwood, Charlie very distraught so i Ia lot of work into letting him know he had a friend in me.
“Now Charlie has become my best pal. Charlie says hello, hello Charlie and will sing in his own way which is something he never did before.
“Chester will talk more readily than Charlie, when the phone rings Chester is the first to say hello.
“We have a lot of fun with them, they’re loveable characters.”
21-year-old gives OAP boxing lessons
By Samuel Wightwick
A 21-year-old is helping the elderly stay fit - by giving them boxing lessons.
Bailey-Greetham Clark started his company 'Be Great Fitness' in 2020 when he was just 17.
It all started when he was asked to speak at 'Flourish', a day center for adults with educational needs.
After this experience, Bailey realised that people from vulnerable groups do not have the same access to sport and fitness as others.
So Bailey set up his own wellbeing company to make sport and fitness accessible to schools, hospitals, community centers and care homes.
Bailey, from Lincolnshire, Grimsby, said: "I realised that these groups needed the help pretty quickly.
"Coming out of the pandemic, care homes were the last to come out of full lockdown.
"We thought it was essential to bring fitness into them especially, just to spread some joy and cheer.
"Sport and exercise cheer people up, we make jokes and have a laugh with everyone, and we make their day better."
Bailey takes his fitness classes to 20-30 different care homes, and runs one hour sessions with the residents.
These range from simple boxing drills to hand eye coordination games- everything to improve the residents fitness and mental health.
Since posting videos on social media of these sessions, the interest in the business has never been stronger.
With videos ranging from 1,000 to 700,000 views, it has lead to lots of interest, and Bailey has never been busier.
He said: "We started by putting ourselves forward to care homes, but now we get tons of enquiries, my calendar is insane at the moment!
"We’re trying to get more people added to our team and roll sessions out nationally, and we're working with partners at the minute to build on that.
"I just want to ensure that the people have my passion and enthusiasm- that's the next challenge, but it's a great one to have!"
Bailey struggled with a challenging upbringing, and was taken in by his grandparents - kickstarting his passion for helping the elderly
When he was 14, he was forced to take a year out of school, which lead to him struggling with his weight.
But when he discovered boxing and running as a way to keep fit- his whole outlook changed.
He returned to s=chool, achieved his GCSE's and started working at his local boxing club- setting him on the pathway to where he is today.
Bailey said: "Seeing first hand the genuine impact we make is insane.
"We can go into homes and show our ability to bring spirits up of not only residents, but the staff too.
"One of the care homes recorded a video saying how much they enjoyed the session, and one woman said how much she loves my legs!
"That genuine impact on people you don’t always get in other industries, and we can really see the benefit.
"It's beautiful and it keeps me going, it sounds corny but it genuinely does!"
Banksy street bollard could fetch $50k
A Banksy ‘Gangsta Rat’ artwork on a street bollard could fetch $50k.
An auction features the mysterious artist’s work he sprayed on the street furniture in hometown of Bristol in 2009.
The black aerosol stencil painting shows a rat with a boombox, with the animal representing an uprising of the masses against capitalistic society.
The piece will feature in a sale by Los Angeles-based Julien’s Auctions, along with other of Banksy’s works.
A ‘Placard Rat’ drawn on a newsagents board in Grays Inn Road, London, in early 2004, is estimated to fetch $40k – $50k.
While a rat wearing a bowler hat, painted by Banksy on a steel door in Berlin in 2004, has been estimated $30k – $50k.
Banksy’s work is joined by other iconic artists including Shepard Fairey, known for his Barack Obama Hope poster, and Invader, whose mosaic artworks have appeared in cities around the world.
David Goodman, CEO of Julien’s Auctions, says: “Julien’s has put together an unrivalled collection of the most fearless and stirring underground works of rebellion from the streets’ most legendary guerrilla art warriors.
“From Banksy’s signature Rats to Invader’s beloved Aliens to Shephard Fairey’s Hand of Doom, their defining works represent the street art movement’s most powerful and provocative statements of all time.”
The Street Art Invasion auction will take place on 11 July.
"We got pregnant a month after dating - now were married and couldn't be happier"
By Ben Barry
A couple who fell pregnant just a month after they started dating say they've "proved doubters wrong" and are now happily married.
Connor Neal, 24, met his partner, Chloe, 21, in October 2023 after they bonded over their struggles with ADHD.
A month later on November 4, the couple made their relationship official and found out Chloe was expecting in December - just four week later.
When their friends and family found out about the pregnancy the couple say some were understandingly sceptical - as they hadn't met the other's partner.
After finding out he was going to be a dad, Connor popped the question on New Year's Eve 2023 and the pair tied the knot on April 6, 2024, in a small ceremony surrounded by 35 guests.
The pair are now "happily married" and excited to welcome their baby boy - who they've already named Albie - this August.
Connor, a soldier in the British army, from Ipswich, Suffolk, said: "It was a mixture of emotions when I found out Chloe was pregnant.
"We were so soon into our relationship.
"I saw she was my life partner within that month and I saw a lot of positives in her.
"I thought 'why not have the baby?'. We have been given this opportunity that many people don't get the chance to get."
Connor and Chloe, an operating department support worker, started messaging each other through TikTok after he posted about his struggles with ADHD.
Connor said: "Chloe commented with 'my every day struggles'.
"I then found her on Instagram and she sent me a direct message that said 'hello my ADHD boyfriend'.
"I liked the confidence and we ended up FaceTiming for a week or two."
After speaking constantly the pair decided to meet in person in October 2023 and spent the weekend at Mersea Island, Essex.
Connor said: "She drove down to Essex and we spent the weekend together.
"We went down to the beach together and got to know each other.
"We instantly clicked and became official a month later."
In December 2023, Chloe took a pregnancy test which revealed she was expecting her first child with Connor.
Chloe said: "I have worked out the dates and the day that Connor asked me to be his girlfriend was the night our baby was conceived which is so sweet.
"Originally I was shocked and I called my mum straight away.
"The following weekend Connor came up to meet my parents.
"Connor is very confident and he can take confrontation well.
"He was happy to speak to my parents about his plans for us and not be uncomfortable about it and my mum liked that."
After finding out Chloe was pregnant, Connor knew she was the woman he wanted to marry and planned to pop the question on New Year's Eve.
He said: "When we found out about the pregnancy Chloe told her mum and dad and I told mine.
"We were worried about how they would take it, her mum was shocked as she didn't know me at that point but they were very supportive."
Connor and Chloe spent New Year's Eve in Weymouth, Dorset, at Connor's sister's house.
Connor said: "I took Chloe to a nice little pub for mocktails as she couldn't drink.
"Whilst we were there, my sister, Shannon, was setting up the engagement - she had no idea."
Chloe added: "I don’t cry in social situations but when this happened it took me by surprise so much that I cried.
"That is when I knew I wanted to be with him and he was the one
"I was so happy I couldn’t stop giggling and laughing – I was so warm inside."
The couple had a small wedding at the town hall in Ipswitch surrounded by 35 of their closest family and friends in April 2024.
Chloe said: "As soon as I saw him I cried my eyes out.
"I could see him at the end and he was crying himself.
"I couldn’t have wished for it to be any better, I reminisce about it all the time
- if I could do it all again I would."
Connor added: "It was perfect, the reason I wanted to get married is I wanted to show her that I meant everything I had said to her.
"I wanted to prove how much I loved her and how much I was willing to be with her."
Connor and Chloe are sharing their journey on TikTok @conandchloo
Witness one of the world's largest whisky collections
By Elizabeth Hunter
These stunning photos show one of the world's largest whisky collections - featuring more than 3,000 bottles of Scotch.
The collection, which contains 3,384 bottles of Scotch whisky, was curated by Claive Vidiz, a Brazilian whisky enthusiast who dedicated 35 years to collecting bottles of various types, costs and rarities.
Images of the unique set have been released ahead of World Whisky Day being held tomorrow (Saturday).
Vidiz, who spent his career working in the pharmaceutical industry, was introduced to the booze by a Scottish colleague, who visited with six bottles of Islay Malt - and began his obsession.
In 2006, the collection was purchased by whisky distiller Diageo, and stored at the Scotch Whisky Experience in Edinburgh.
Vidiz said after the purchase: "We have an expression in Brazil - ‘the good son returns home’ - and in my view the collection is back with its family now"
Now housed in Scotland's capital city, visitors to the Scotch Whisky Experience can study every bottle in the collection - which includes a 22 year old Glen Grant, produced by a now-defunct Glasgow distillery.
A representative from the Scotch Whisky Experience said: "One of the most unique aspects of this collection was Claive’s desire to collect as wide a range of whisky as possible, from the most accessible to the rarest, including eccentric and unusual items.
"Having been preserved in its entirety, we have an invaluable insight into the recent history and branding of Scotch whisky; a unique “snapshot” of 35 years of the Scotch whisky industry."
Guide dog has £5k operation to regain eyesight after going blind
By Jake Meeus-Jones
A former guide dog has undergone a £5k operation to prevent her going blind.
Alice, a 14-year-old Labrador Retriever cross, had a four-hour procedure to remove ulcers on her eyes.
Owner Michelle Earl, 52, took in Alice after her career as a guide dog came to an end five years ago following her previous owner's death.
Michelle, a nanny, from Sevenoaks, Kent, said: "She was just amazing at what she did as a guide dog.
"We took her to see an eye specialist last week and he thinks she's had a problem since birth.
"She's always had cloudy blue eyes but more recently she's had ulcers in both eyes and they haven't cleared up and unless she had this operation she'd be totally blind.
"The consultant said he's never seen a lab as fit and healthy as Alice apart from her eyes."
Alice has had problems with her eyes since birth but they have deteriorated in recent years.
"In the end she wasn't a rubbish guide dog but because of her sight she wasn't quite up to it she didn't quite hit the grade anymore," said Michelle.
The operation took place at Medivet in Sidcup on Friday (03/05), and Alice will need her eyes bandaged for four or five weeks while she heals.
Michelle added: "Prior to the op she was just really subdued and quite sad and not really wanting to do much.
"I don't think she could see very well but because she was used to her surroundings it made it easier.
"She'll get the majority of her eyesight back after a few weeks.
"Hopefully she'll be okay, we'll be making sure she has someone with her at all times."
You can support Alice's recovery here: https://gofund.me/a56852bf
Serial Gen-Z job hopper says staying in a role for "stability" is "miserable"
By Emma Dunn
A Gen-Z job hopper who has changed roles 17 times says older generations want her to be "miserable" by staying in a job for "stability".
Mich Marie, 26, has job hopped since she had her first job in a supermarket aged 14.
She spent her school years in different part-time roles such as in retail and restaurants.
After graduating with a degree in human services from New York City College of Technology, Brooklyn, Mich went on to try different positions such as a case manager, window install assistant and care coordinator.
Mich's longest role was a direct support professional which she held for two years and she tends to stay in her jobs for no longer than six months.
By doing so she has tried out a variety of positions and has increased her salary from $9-an-hour to $25-an-hour.
She hopes to one day be self-employed so she can escape 9am to 5pm work hours.
Mich, who is currently working as a behavioural advocate at a health insurance company, from New York City, US, said: "I job hop to see what makes sense.
"I'm still working out what things I like.
"Job hopping has a lot to do with being overworked and underpaid.
"Job hopping gets a bad reputation.
"People who are older than I am, the older generations, they see it as people who job hop are never going to be have security and stability.
"These people want us to be miserable and want us to stay in a job that no longer suits us."
Mich started working at a young age so she had her own money to buy what she wanted.
She said: "I started working at 14 - I did retail, a host in a restaurant, admin work."
Mich started studying for her human services degree in 2017 and held down a part time job working with individuals with disabilities throughout.
After graduating in 2020 she went down a more corporate route doing roles in case management and health insurance.
Mich has been in her current role for six months but usually moves on around this time.
She said: "Jobs get at least six months out of me.
"If they're going to take advantage of you, I'm going to leave."
Mich's first job at 14 started on $9-an-hour and now she makes $25-an-hour but can find the work "overwhelming".
She said: "I definitely see myself being in the public eye.
"I want to be a model, or content creator or to own a business.
"I want to do something that I enjoy. I want to make an impact.
"It's depressing when you work a job you don't want to do."
Mich feels there is a lot of shame surrounding job hopping but she would rather shop around than spend years miserable in one role.
She said: "I don't have kids or responsibilities. Why can't I do what I want and figure out what I want to do?
"I'm taking advantage of this time and creating something for myself.
"Job hopping has never impacted me getting a job. I'm very extroverted and open minded to learning about different fields.
"I've had the ability and advantage of meeting so many different individuals.
"You can be whatever you aspire to be, no matter where you’re from."
List of her job roles -
Supermarket cashier/stock
Retail
Sales
Babysitting
Administrative assistant
Restaurant host
Summer Youth
Hotel maintenance (cleaning job)
Window install assistant
Electrician Intern
Direct support professional (working with individuals with disabilities)
Case manager
Case worker
Substance/ behavioural advocate
Health insurance
Customer service representative
Care coordinator
"We surprised our family and friends at our engagement party by getting married"
By Ben Barry
A couple surprised family and friends by inviting them to their engagement party - and tying the knot there and then.
Julia Polley 29, and her partner, Kevin, 32, invited 120 of their nearest and dearest to 12twelve events in Whitby, Ontario, Canada, for a party to celebrate on April 27.
But while making a speech - thanking them for attending - Julia joked it would be easier to wed there and then.
She told guests "if you give me 20 minutes to change my dress, we could make it work" - before dashing off to get into her gown.
The couple exchanged vows and say there wasn't a dry eye in the house.
Julia, a digital marketer, from Toronto, Canada, said: "We have always been different in the way we do things in general.
"When we got engaged we knew we didn't want to do something that was traditional.
"I love going to my friends' weddings but I knew I wouldn't be the bride to enjoy that environment.
"We wanted to do something special but we always wanted to prioritise what was important to us - using that money for a fun experience and to put towards the rest of our lives."
Juliavmet Kevin, a sprinkler fitter, when they were both working at McDonald's in 2010 and they hit it off but didn't start dating until 2014.
They got engaged in May 2023 whilst they were holidaying in Rome, Italy.
Julie said: "When I first met Kevin, I thought he was so funny.
"We both love travelling and we both love music.
"We have been travelling together and we enjoy doing fun things - we are up for anything.
"Kevin popped the question in Rome - we woke up early as we heard the Trevi Fountain was stacked with tourists.
"It was about 6am and there was nobody there.
"We were standing there and enjoying it - I was setting up my phone to take pics of us and that is when he asked the question.
"When we got home everyone was asking us when the big day would be."
Julia and Kevin knew they wanted to have an engagement party and joked about surprising their family with the wedding.
Julie said: "I thought it would be amazing and I quietly pitched the idea to Kevin and he said it sounded fun.
"The only thing we made sure was that we told our parents beforehand to make sure they were not offended with the decision.
"They were so excited for us - they thought it was insane and were incredibly supportive.
"Overall they were excited for us.
"I am the youngest child so my wedding was huge news for them and them not being able to tell anyone was hard."
Julia said their big day was "incredible" and one to remember.
She said: "We told everyone to arrive at 6pm and we put a note in the invitation to say be on time.
"We said there was an open bar and everyone needed to take advantage of it.
"We mingled and gave a welcome speech where we made the announcement.
"It was hysterical, everyone was screaming and cheering - I felt like a celebrity giving a speech."
After they made the announcement, Julia went to change into her dress and the place was transformed for the ceremony.
Julie said: "It was an incredible day - I hoped it would be so much fun and it was way more fun than I could have imaged.
"All of our loved ones had so much fun.
"We have such a supportive circle of family and friends - we are blessed."
Astronauts preparing to explore Moon - by pushing buggy around Arizona
By Dean Murray
Astronauts are preparing to explore the Moon - by pushing a buggy around the Arizona desert.
NASA are conducting a week-long field test in the lunar-like landscape of San Francisco Volcanic Field near Flagstaff to practice moonwalk scenarios.
The space agency say the exercise expands on previous field tests the team has performed and is the highest fidelity Artemis moonwalk mission simulation to date.
Astronauts Kate Rubins and Andre Douglas are serving as crewmembers and wearing mockup spacesuit systems as they traverse through the desert, completing a variety of technology demonstrations, hardware checkouts and Artemis science-related operations.
NASA uses field tests to simulate missions to prepare for deep space destinations. The Arizona desert has been a training ground for lunar exploration since the Apollo era because of the many similarities to the lunar terrain, including craters, faults and volcanic features.
During the test, two integrated teams work together as they practice end-to-end lunar operations. The field team consists of astronauts, NASA engineers, and field experts in the Arizona desert conducting the simulated moonwalks, while a team of flight controllers and scientists at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston monitor and guide their activities.
“Field tests play a critical role in helping us test all of the systems, hardware, and technology we’ll need to conduct successful lunar operations during Artemis missions,” said Barbara Janoiko, director for the field test at Johnson. “Our engineering and science teams have worked together seamlessly to ensure we are prepared every step of the way for when astronauts step foot on the Moon again.”
The test consists of four simulated moonwalks that follow operations planned for the Artemis III mission and beyond, as well as six advanced technology runs.
During the advanced runs, teams will demonstrate technology that may be used for future Artemis missions, such as display and navigation data stream capabilities in the form of a heads-up display using augmented reality or lighting beacons that could help guide crew back to the lander.
Ahead of the field test, the science team at Johnson that was competitively selected and tasked with developing the science objectives for the field test, followed a planning process designed for Artemis missions. Their preparation included generating geologic maps, a list of science questions, and prioritised moonwalk locations for both the primary and back-up “landing sites” for the test.
“During Artemis III, the astronauts will be our science operators on the lunar surface with an entire science team supporting them from here on Earth,” said Cherie Achilles, science officer for the test at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. “This simulation gives us an opportunity to practice conducting geology from afar in real time.”
The test will evaluate gaps and challenges associated with lunar South Pole operations, including data collection and communications between the flight control team and science team in Houston for rapid decision-making protocols.
At the conclusion of each simulated moonwalk, the science team, flight control team, crewmembers, and field experts come together to discuss and record lessons learned. NASA will take these lessons and apply them to operations for NASA’s Artemis missions, commercial vendor development, and other technology development.
This field test is the fifth in the series conducted by the Joint Extravehicular Activity and Human Surface Mobility Test Team led out of Johnson.
Through Artemis, NASA will land the first woman, the first person of color, and its first international partner astronaut on the Moon, paving the way for long-term lunar exploration and serving as a steppingstone for astronaut missions to Mars.
Dancing with the Stars professionals are having a baby
By Jake Meeus-Jones
A pair of professional dancers from Dancing with the Stars are having a baby together.
Stephen Vincent, 34, and Kylee Vincent, 29, are expecting a new arrival in October - which they say is the "first ever Dancing with the Stars baby".
The couple met 11 years ago touring with the Burn The Floor dance show, tied the knot in 2017, and joined the show's Ireland cast in 2019.
With the gender still unknown, they have yet to decide on a name but are both keen on Archie if it is a boy.
Kylee finished as runner-up on series six of the show in 2023 when she was partnered with Irish singer and actor Damien McGinty.
Manchester-born Stephen also finished in 2nd place on series five in 2022, when he was paired up with Irish paralympic swimmer, Ellen Keane.
Kylee, originally from South Africa, but now living in Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, said: "We're both really, really excited about the baby.
"Touring and working in the industry we are in meant we put it aside for a while.
"But it felt like the right time now.
"We don't know the gender yet, we get to find out at the beginning of June.
"Because we've moved to Northern Ireland, we're going to go back to South Africa at the beginning of June to have a big gender reveal party.
"We have thought of a few names but Stephen and I can't seem to agree on the same names just yet.
"We both like Archie, but if it's a girl, we haven't settled there yet!
"Growing up in the dance industry, you're always away from home for a long time anyway.
"Stephen and I had always decided to settle in South Africa but after the last season of Dancing with the Stars in Ireland, we fell in love with it and there's so much opportunity in the industry there.
"It's all happened so quickly and we've moved within a year.
"Doing the series every year gave us six months in one place and we started really enjoying that feeling of not moving to a different hotel every day.
"We wanted to start growing roots, not in 50 different countries, but in one!"
Kylee and Stephen - who have also both toured with Strictly Come Dancing professional, Giovanni Pernice - hosted a mini photoshoot to announce their big news.
Stephen is hoping to feature on another series of Dancing with the Stars.
Kylee, who would love to be a judge, said: "If the series does come back, Stephen would definitely love to be a part of it.
"Rehearsals usually start in November so I'm not sure how possible it will be for me, but if I can I would love to be a part of it."
Looking back on her four series on the show, Kylee said it was "so nice" to be able to share it with Stephen.
She said: "I've had quite a diverse set of partners on the show.
"With touring sometimes Stephen and I are partnered together, sometimes not.
"But moving into the TV work together has been so nice as we get to come home together and talk through what happened on each day.
"Because the experience takes so much of your time and energy, we still get to see enough of each other which is great."
