A charity worker killed in a road crash was “beautiful on the inside and out”, her family has said.Bedfordshire Police said Marian Bicknell was a pedestrian when the collision happened on the southbound B658, near Broom, at 20:30 BST on Sunday. She died at the scene.It involved a black and red Aprilia motorcycle and its rider, a man in his 20s, remained in hospital with serious injuries, the force added.Her family said the 55-year-old, known as Maz, was an “incredibly special” woman who worked for the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) in Sandy.”Maz was an incredibly special person, so bright and intelligent,” the family said in a statement.”She was full of life, laughter, love and kindness.”Maz was beautiful on the inside and out. Her smile; contagious. Maz was so caring and will be sorely missed forever by everyone who was blessed to know her.”The RSPB said the senior administrator had been an “integral” member of staff for many years, “helping and supporting our conservation teams and was a powerhouse of knowledge and positivity”.”She will be very much missed,” a spokesperson added.Det Con Kevin Drury, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Serious Collision Investigation Unit, appealed for anyone with information to get in touch.”We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have dashcam footage that could assist our investigation,” he added.The village of Broom is located about two to three miles south-west of Biggleswade.Do you have a story suggestion for Beds, Herts or Bucks? Contact us below.Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.Related internet links
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Charity worker killed in crash was ‘incredible’
Moment bungling fly-tipper caught on camera dumping sofa in West Midlands
Jayden Williams has been handed a court bill topping £1,700Fly-tipper fined £2k for dumping sofa he strapped to his carThis is the moment a bungling fly-tipper was caught on camera dumping a sofa in Wolverhampton.Jayden Williams was filmed as he carelessly pulled the sofa from the roof of a BMW and flung it onto the side of the street.He then rushed to the driver’s seat of the vehicle before fleeing the scene in Racecourse Road.Footage, which has now been released by Wolverhampton Council, helped bring Williams to justice.The recording was handed over to the council by a local business.READ MORE: The disturbing digital trail left by racist monster who raped Sikh woman he thought was MuslimThe council said: “The fly-tipping incident happened at around 10pm on August 22 last year.”Two men were captured on CCTV unloading the black sofa from the roof of a BMW and driving off.”Footage was supplied to the council by a local business and officers investigated, tracing Williams as the registered keeper of the vehicle.”A fixed penalty notice (FPN) of £1,000 was issued to him.”Williams contacted the council to acknowledge the FPN but said he was unable to pay in full immediately.”Council officers granted an extension, but the fine was still not paid and Williams did not reply to further correspondence from the council.”Jayden Williams was caught on camera(Image: City of Wolverhampton Council )Williams was brought before Dudley Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 17.The defendant said he had been helping a friend clear out their house and did not think of the potential consequences of his actions when he dumped the sofa.He described how he had ‘made a stupid decision’ and had ‘no excuse for it’, the council said.Williams, of Low Hill Crescent, admitted one count of depositing controlled waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1990.He was fined £730 and ordered to pay a £292 victim surcharge, as well as £700 costs.READ MORE: Secret to getting the best of BirminghamLive’s storiesCouncillor Qaiser Azeem, cabinet member for resident services at Wolverhampton Council, said: “Fly-tipping has a real impact on our city and on our residents – it causes environmental harm and can affect community pride.”This successful prosecution sends a clear message that the thoughtless dumping of waste will not be tolerated in Wolverhampton.”Our teams work hard to investigate incidents, gather evidence and bring offenders before the courts.”We are committed to protecting our communities and ensuring our city is a clean, safe place to live, work and visit.”We are investing in enforcement and anyone caught fly tipping can expect to face the consequences.”The council said costs paid by Williams ‘will be reinvested back into its environmental crime service’.Don’t miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here.
UROKODIA! 518-million-year-old fossil shows beginning of spider’s bite | News | University of Leicester
1 July 2026
The earliest evidence of spiders’ fangs has been identified in a 518-million-year-old fossil by scientists at the University of Leicester and Yunnan University.
From the infamous Black Widow spider to the radioactive spider that gave Spider-Man his superpowers, the arachnid’s bite has been a key part of its enduring image and chilling reputation.
Now, the evolution of the powerful fangs that make spiders such formidable hunters has been traced back to its earliest known appearance in the fossil Urokodia, detailed in a new study for the journal Nature published today (1 July).
Spiders, along with scorpions and ticks, form part of a group of invertebrates known as chelicerates, currently comprising over 100,000 described species. They have jointed limbs and external skeletons but are particularly noted for the specialised limbs called chelicerae at the front of the animal which are used as pincers or fangs for stabbing prey.
The fossils of Urokodia were recovered from the famous Chengjiang fossil site of Yunnan Province in southern China and this latest study is published on the 42-year anniversary of the discovery of the site. Urokodia was quite small at around 2-3 cm long with large eyes protruding on stalks from the front, a segmented skeleton and jointed limbs strung from the underside of its slender body. At first glance, it doesn’t resemble the spiders and scorpions that are its modern-day descendants.
Using X-ray analysis, the team of scientists at Yunnan University, China, and the University of Leicester probed the rock in which the fossil was entombed, revealing that most of its soft anatomy was still mummified after hundreds of millions of years.
Their analysis also revealed two pincer-like limbs emerging just behind its eyes that are the beginnings of chelicerae. Urokodia also shows some features on its legs that suggest they were acting as book gills for breathing, similar to modern aquatic chelicerates like the horseshoe crab.Chelicerates are one of the most successful groups to live on the land and in the sea. On land they have become remarkable hunters and the fossil record shows that their ancestors have been doing this for hundreds of millions of years.
But while monster movies such as Arachnophobia portray spiders as a horrifying threat to humans, most spiders are completely harmless to us because their bites and venom are designed for much smaller prey.
The study was led by Professor Yu Liu of Yunnan University who is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Leicester.
Professor Liu said: “We were using x-ray tomography analysis of these fossils to reveal their soft anatomy buried in the rocks for hundreds of millions of years, when suddenly we noticed the pincer-like limbs at the front of the animal. We knew immediately that this was a very exciting fossil and indeed a distant ancestor of living chelicerates like scorpions and spiders.”
Co-author Professor Mark Williams from the University of Leicester School of Geography, Geology and the Environment said: “Urokodia was part of an ancient ecosystem of over 200 different types of animals living in the seas over 500 million years ago. These spectacularly preserved fossils provide real insights into how life was evolving on our planet at the very dawn of animals.”This study was supported by a grant from the Department of Science and Technology of Yunnan Province (202401BC070012) to Professor Yu Liu, who is further funded by the Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program.
Former nurses’ home could be turned into new SEN school
The school could accommodate up to 72 pupils and have 12 classrooms07:00, 02 Jul 2026Updated 07:12, 02 Jul 2026Part of the former Queen Mary’s Nurses Home in Church Lane, Papworth Everard (stock)(Image: Google)A former nurses’ home could be turned into a new school for over 70 pupils. Outcomes First Group has proposed to turn the former Queen Mary’s Nurses Home in Church Lane, Papworth Everard into a SEN school.The nurses’ accommodation was used for staff at Royal Papworth Hospital. The applicants, which are a national provider for purpose-designed SEN schools, seek to change it into a new school for up to 72 pupils.The school would cater for children who have autistic spectrum conditions (ASC), complex needs and learning disabilities. The application said: “Whilst the site is likely to be registered with Ofsted for up to 72 pupils, in practice the school would not have all pupils on the site at any one time, as pupils would also engage in off-site activities and learning and some would not attend on a five-day a week basis.“In addition, the school would gradually build to its full quota of students over a two-year period. It is anticipated that the number of staff on site at the school at any one time would be in the order of 40.”If approved, the school would have up to 12 classrooms, breakout rooms, dining facilities, staff areas, kitchen, reception and a medical room. Pupils would be educated in small groups and by specialist teachers.Another big part of the plans is a change of the garden into a multi-use games area and play space for “recreation and education purposes”. The school will be open from 8am until 4.30pm on Mondays to Fridays. Staff would be there for longer between 7am and 6pm. Parking has also been considered in the plans.The applicant added: “It is proposed to retain the existing areas of hardstanding on site with some adaptation to meet car parking and access requirements. Parking and manoeuvring space will be regularised as shown on the submitted plans and will include the widening of the access off Church Lane and provision of a one-way system to facilitate drop-off and pick-up of pupils.“Electric vehicle charging points will be provided within the car park along with parking for mini-buses.”
Why £30m Leeds target is the perfect replacement for Pascal Struijk
Leeds United officially confirmed that central defender Pascal Struijk has been sold to Premier League rivals Brighton & Hove Albion on Tuesday. The Dutchman had one year left on his contract at Elland Road and opted against putting pen to paper on an extension at Elland Road, which left the club with little choice but to cash in on him. Because the left-footed star joined on a free transfer from Ajax in January 2018, the £20m transfer fee for him represents pure profit for the club and will help them with their PSR situation.Without boring anyone with the intricate details of how it works, the Whites can bank the transfer as pure profit because they did not sign him for a transfer fee, which would not be the case if they sold a player who had been bought for £5m or £15m. Now, though, the West Yorkshire outfit must use that money wisely to replace the former Ajax ace, as they are now down a left-footed centre-back option.
Leeds are in talks to sign LaLiga starStruijk, who made 196 appearances for the first-team in all competitions during his time at Elland Road, was the only naturally left-footed centre-back in Daniel Farke’s squad.
Now, the club are reportedly looking at a player who could arrive in West Yorkshire this summer as the perfect replacement for the £20m-rated star.
According to journalist Fran Campos Vazquez, Leeds United are one of the teams interested in a deal to sign Real Betis centre-back Natan in the summer transfer window. The reporter claims that the Whites have already made contact with the LaLiga side to enquire and open talks about what a deal for the Brazilian star could look like this off-season.He adds, though, that fellow Premier League side Brentford and Italian giants Roma are also eyeing up the 25-year-old, which means that it will not be an easy deal to get over the line. Earlier this summer, Mundo Deportivo reported that Real Betis are looking for a fee of up to €35m (£30m) for the central defender, who has also been looked at by Barcelona.
How Natan can be an upgrade on Pascal Struijk for Leeds UnitedOne factor to consider when replacing Struijk is that he offered a natural left-footed balance when playing out from the back in the left-sided centre-back role.
Natan is a left-footed central defender and would perfectly replace the Dutchman to offer balance when playing out on that side, having completed 88% of his attempted passes in LaLiga in the 2025/26 campaign. The £30m-rated star was described as an “elegant left-footed CB” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, which is backed up by his 88% pass accuracy and 95% pass accuracy inside his own half.
25/26 season
Natan (LaLiga)
Struijk (Premier League)
Appearances
33
34
Tackles + interceptions
2.1
2.0
Clearances per game
6.6
6.1
Dribbled past per game
0.3x
0.5x
Blocks made per game
0.7
0.6
Fouls committed per game
0.8
0.8
Natan is not only a ball-playing centre-back, though, as he also posted more impressive defensive numbers in LaLiga than Struijk did in the Premier League for Leeds, outperforming him in a host of metrics. Only three players made more clearances in the Spanish top-flight than the Real Betis star, who made 217 clearances in 33 matches, which speaks to both his positioning and his reading of the game.
He could arrive at Elland Road to be an upgrade on the Dutchman, who only left this week, by being more consistent defensively, whilst being as impressive as a ball-playing left-footed centre-back.
At the age of 25, he would also join as an experienced player who has proven himself over several seasons, including in the 2024/25 Conference League campaign.Natan played 15 matches in the Conference League in the season before last and won 68% of his ground duels and 57% of his aerial duels, which shows that he can be a dominant presence on the European stage, if Leeds get there in the future.
He also won 65% of his physical battles across 31 appearances in LaLiga that season, dominating attackers on a regular basis, which shows that he has two impressive seasons of LaLiga football under his belt. That is why the Whites should now push to beat Brentford and Roma to his signature in the coming days, because he would arrive as the perfect replacement for Struijk, potentially even being an upgrade.
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Not Butterton or Barlaston – England’s second prettiest village is near Stoke
The Potteries has plenty of pretty villages up its sleeve, from the lovely Barton-under-Needwood and Butterton in the Peak District National Park, to the fetching BarlastonThe beautiful village of Ilam in the Peak District(Image: Getty Images/Graham Custance)The prettiest village in Staffordshire has been named.When it comes to easy-on-the-eye villages, the Potteries have a lot going for them.There is, of course, the lovely Barton-under-Needwood. Located in the east, this village is packed with history. It boasts over 40 Grade II-listed buildings, a beautiful marina, and lovely independent shops.Butterton is another classic, nestled as it is within the Peak District National Park. It is famous for its charming sandstone cottages, historic church spire, and a picturesque ford where the road crosses the River Manifold.Barlaston may also be near the top of your personal list. Situated just five miles from Stoke-on-Trent, this quaint settlement has a traditional English village feel. It sits right beside the World of Wedgwood, combining rural beauty with world-famous pottery heritage.Ilam in the Peak District is a beautiful village(Image: Google)However, none of these have been placed at the top of the pretty pile.”If you’re seeking lush English landscape and a dash of alpine flair in Staffordshire, look no further than Ilam. In the 19th century, the owner of Ilam Hall commissioned architect Sir George Gilbert Scott to create a ‘cottage orné’ estate village inspired by the Swiss Alps,” writes Love Exploring, which placed Ilam at number two on its list of the prettiest villages in England.”The result? A gobsmacking collection of Swiss-style houses that lend a quirky edge to the Victorian Gothic Ilam Hall and its surrounding Italian gardens.”Ilam is basically the gateway to Dovedale, one of the most scenic river valleys in England that is made up of limestone gorges, the River Dove, and the famous stepping stones. It’s one of the most-visited beauty spots in the Peak District, so Ilam makes a great base for walking without needing to go deep into the national park.The village itself feels oddly transplanted. It was rebuilt in the 19th century in a quaint, Italianate style by a wealthy landowner, complete with an ornate stone cross-shaped monument in the centre. Ilam Hall (now partly a youth hostel, run by the National Trust) sits in landscaped parkland along the river.The village is a gateway to Dovedale(Image: Jake Thornley)The Ilam Park estate has manicured gardens, riverside walks, and grounds that are free to wander, althoughparking has a fee. It’s a relaxed spot for a picnic or a gentle stroll before or after tackling Dovedale properly.There’s a bit of pilgrimage history. St Bertram’s Well and the small church of the Holy Cross are linked to a local Saxon saint, giving the village some quiet historical and spiritual interest beyond just scenery.The feel is Ilam is compact, picturesque, and low-key. There is not much beyond a café, church, and hall ,but it’s less about the village itself and more about using it as a launchpad for classic Peak District walking country, particularly Dovedale and the Manifold Valley nearby.The best villages in EnglandDevon: ClovellyStaffordshire: IlamWiltshire: Castle CombeCornwall: MouseholeWest Yorkshire: HaworthWest Midlands: BournvilleSuffolk: LavenhamNorth Yorkshire: Thornton-le-DaleNorfolk: ThornhamLancashire: DownhamGloucestershire: PainswickDorset: Cerne AbbasTyne and Wear: TynemouthDerbyshire: TideswellCumbria: GrasmereSomerset: DunsterEast Sussex: AlfristonEast Riding of Yorkshire: ThixendaleCounty Durham: StaindropSouth Yorkshire: WentworthWest Sussex: AmberleyKent: ChiddingstoneWorcestershire: InkberrowIsle of Wight: GodshillHertfordshire: KimptonHerefordshire: PembridgeGreater Manchester: WorsleyGreater London: HampsteadBerkshire: Sonning-on-ThamesBuckinghamshire: TurvilleOxfordshire: FaringdonSurrey: ShereBedfordshire: WoburnLincolnshire: TealbyLeicestershire: QuornCheshire: ChristletonMerseyside: Port SunlightEssex: FinchingfieldBristol: WinterbourneWarwickshire: Barton-on-the-HeathCambridgeshire: EltonNottinghamshire: EdwinstoweShropshire: Much WenlockHampshire: Hurstbourne TarrantNorthumberland: AlnmouthRutland: SeatonNorthamptonshire: Stoke Bruerne
Hertfordshire County Council agrees salary hike for top official ‘to stay competitive’
Hertfordshire county councillors have agreed to a pay increase for the executive director for growth and environment to stay competitive in the jobs market.The current salary range for the role is £137,729 to £154,740 – with the current holder reported to be at the top of that wage bracket.At the latest meeting of the council’s employment committee (June 19), councillors agreed that the current salary be increased by £5,590 – and that the range available for the position should be increased, to a maximum of £167,864.County Hall, HertfordAt the meeting, it was reported that the role was currently paid the least of the county council’s executive directors.It was reported that benchmarking showed the average salary amongst the top five comparable councils – including Essex, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Kent – was £166,000.And it was reported that Essex County Council has recently advertised for an executive director of place and customer with a salary of “up to £179,000”.
Electrical fault caused Leicester Victorian warehouse fire
A fire at a Leicester landmark building that led to a number of city centre streets being closed was accidental, an investigation has found.Fire crews were called to Alexandra House in Rutland Street at about 10:00 BST and found an area on the fourth floor alight.No injuries were reported and the fire was found to have been caused by an electrical fault which then spread to nearby clothing, the fire service said.Alexandra House is a highly ornate four-storey Victorian warehouse, built for Faire Bros Ltd, who were at the time one of the largest boot and shoe lace manufacturers and exporters in the world.
Two lanes closed on A1 after crash
Traffic is queueing along the road18:20, 01 Jul 2026Updated 18:28, 01 Jul 2026Traffic on the A1 between Sawtry and Yaxley(Image: National Highways)Two lanes are closed on part of the A1 following a crash. The lanes are closed along the A1 near Sawtry.National Highways confirmed it was a single-vehicle crash near Yaxley at around 4.50pm today (Wednesday, July 1). The National Highways spokesperson added that “recovery is on scene” and the road is expected to reopen within the next half an hour.Traffic monitoring site Inrix reports traffic is queueing along the road. It said: “Two lanes closed and queueing traffic due to accident on A1(M) Northbound before J15 Toll Bar Way (Sawtry).”Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in .
Leeds United soften Pascal Struijk transfer blow with new detail – Could be worth millions
Leeds United have confirmed the exit of Pascal Struijk to Brighton this week, as it’s confirmed the Whites had to fast-track a sale to comply with PSR.
United’s summer transfer window is all about strengthening further to consolidate in the Premier League under Daniel Farke.
However, there’s an added priority on the agenda now. The club are forced to replace Pascal Struijk with another left-sided centre-back.
Leeds United confirm Pascal Struijk exit to Brighton – Contrasting fee reports emerge
Ever since the season’s end, there’s been consistent reports suggesting that Struijk leaving wouldn’t be that much of a shock.
Heading into the final 12 months of his contract, United were at a crossroads. Either convince him to extend his contract, or we’d be forced to sell him in order to avoid a free transfer exit next summer.
Brighton are the club that have pushed through a sale at the end of June. Contrasting reports from each side of the deal mean there’s a slight difference in what the actual fee is.
Sky Sports’ Zinny Boswell cites both Leeds and Brighton sources, with the former claiming it’s £18million plus £2million in add-ons, while Seagulls sources claim it’s £15million up front with £3million in add-ons.
Leeds United forced into PSR sale on Pascal Struijk – But included important sell-on clause
Such a fee for someone who has been as consistent as Struijk is a hard pill to swallow. When you see the absurd fees being spent on players elsewhere, Struijk should be going for so much more.
But, it’s clear that Leeds were in a tight PSR situation that forced our hand into selling. That’s outlined by the club’s statement on Struijk’s exit.
“Last summer, the decision was taken to keep all key players at Elland Road, to give the club the best possible chance of Premier League survival, with the expectation that player sales would be needed to remain PSR (Profit & Sustainability Rules) compliant over a three-year accounting window ending 30th June 2026.
“The club’s higher than expected 14th place finish and run to the Emirates FA Cup semi-final vindicated this decision, with the increased income and single sale of Struijk ensuring the club remains within PSR limits.”
Importantly, Leeds’ fairly underwhelming fee for Struijk is softened by the inclusion of a sell-on clause. United didn’t confirm the percentage we’re entitled to from any future sale, though.
As is typical of these clause, Leeds will earn a percentage of any profit made on Brighton’s £18million signing of Struijk. Given their track record of selling players for inflated sums, it’s a potentially smart clause to include.
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