Woman in tears after conversation in Liverpool pub led to her dreams ‘coming true’14:26, 20 May 2026Updated 14:50, 20 May 2026Maria Boner, 22, will be representing Liverpool in the 2026 Mary From Dungloe International Festival(Image: Liverpool Echo)For generations, Liverpool and Ireland have shared family ties, humour and culture across the Irish Sea, and now a Liverpool midwife will represent both at a festival watched by thousands. Maria Boner, 22, is hoping to put the city at the heart of one of Ireland’s biggest cultural festivals after being chosen to represent Liverpool in a competition she has dreamed of entering since childhood.The Mary From Dungloe International Arts Festival is a 10-day celebration of Irish culture, music and community spirit held annually in Donegal. As well as hosting a wide variety of musical, cultural, children’s, sporting, arts, and novelty events, at the heart of the festival is a contest where young women, endearingly titled “Marys”, represent different communities from around the world.Every year, the festival hosts 20 women from all over the world who have been nominated to represent their area during local contests before travelling to Dungloe to compete for the Mary from Dungloe crown.During the 10 days of the festival, the “Marys” tour around Donegal, get involved in various community and charity events, attend festival events with young and old, and spend their evenings among the Dungloe community.Rather than a traditional beauty pageant, competition judges evaluate the contestants based on their personality, community spirit, and ability to act as goodwill ambassadors for the festival and promote Irish culture.The winning “Mary” is crowned on the final Sunday of the festival andwill act as a goodwill ambassador for Dungloe as well as the city that she represents. The chosen winner holds the title for the year, receives prizes, travels globally to promote the festival and Irish heritage, and acts as an good will ambassador for the festival, Dungloe, and Donegal.Originally from Fintown in Donegal, but now living in Liverpool city centre, Maria said becoming a Mary is something she has dreamed of since she was a little girl.She told the ECHO: “I grew up around the festival. I went every year, and I idolised being a Mary, and now I am one. It’s very surreal and very special.”The festival, which began in 1967, sees women from cities around the world represent their communities during 10 days of events, interviews, charity appearances and celebrations before one contestant is crowned the “Mary” for the year ahead.Representatives travel from places including New York, Philadelphia, Dubai, Dublin and London, but this year Liverpool will have its own Mary for the first time in more than 10 years.Maria said becoming a Mary is something she has dreamed of since she was a little girl(Image: Liverpool Echo)Maria said: “During the festival, all the Marys get together. We travel around Donegal, get involved with small businesses and community events and make ourselves known around the festival.“The atmosphere is like no other. People travel from America and Australia just to be there for the festival.”Maria moved to Liverpool five years ago to study midwifery and quickly fell in love with the city.She said: “I thought I was going home after university, but I fell in love with Liverpool when I came here.“It’s become a home away from home. When you walk down the street, and you hear someone who is Irish, it makes you so proud of the community here.“I definitely feel like I’m representing both Donegal and Liverpool because I’m so proud of where I come from and so proud to live here.”Despite now calling Liverpool home, Maria said Donegal remains deeply important to her identity, and she is proud to represent the two places through the festival.She said: “You can’t explain Donegal until you’re in it. It’s insane. It’s such a special place.“I think Irish culture is still very strong in Liverpool because there are so many people like me who came over to study and never went back home. It’s important for us to keep that culture alive.”Maria first became involved after being encouraged to apply by staff at Molly Malone’s, where the Liverpool selection event was held earlier this year(Image: Liverpool Echo)Maria first became involved after being encouraged to apply by staff at Molly Malone’s, where the Liverpool selection event was held earlier this year and who are also sponsoring Liverpool’s Mary.She competed against eight other women by taking part in an interview process before being chosen by festival organisers and the current reigning Mary to represent Liverpool.She said: “There was tears in my eyes when I found out I was going to be Liverpool’s Mary. The first thing I thought of was my dad. A couple of weeks before, he’d asked me why I was doing this because it’s a bit out of my comfort zone.“But I wanted to do it for myself and because I knew how proud he’d be.“I rang him straight away afterwards. My mum and dad had no words. My dad is so proud that I can finally call myself a Mary.”Alongside preparations for the festival, Maria is balancing shift work as a midwife at Liverpool Women’s Hospital.She said: “Everyone at work calls me Mary now.“It is hard juggling both, but work has been really supportive. The good thing with shift work is I can plan around it.”Despite now calling Liverpool home, Maria said Donegal remains deeply important to her identity(Image: Liverpool Echo)Outside work, Maria has also launched an Instagram page to help promote Irish culture in Liverpool, support local businesses and raise awareness of the festival ahead of July.She hopes to work with Liverpool organisations, charities and independent businesses over the coming months.She said: “I feel like I have a role to promote this festival. I want people in Liverpool to know what it’s all about because it’s not very well known here at the moment. Then hopefully in years to come it will become something we’re proud to represent.”Maria also said she hopes younger girls watching this year’s competition might see themselves in her journey, just as she once looked up to previous Marys as a child.She said: “There are little girls involved now, and that was me years ago. I still remember sitting watching the crowning on television and dreaming about it. To think I’m now in this position is unbelievable.“It’s going to be such an amazing experience even to just be involved in this level. I’ve looked up to the Marys for so many years. If I did bring the title back, I’d be so proud to be the Mary from Dunlough for 2026. It’s all I’ve ever dreamed of.The festival begins on July 26 and runs for 10 days across Donegal, featuring live music, sports days, fashion shows, Irish language events and community celebrations before the final crowning ceremony.
Author: admin
‘Everyone at work calls me Mary now’ after surreal moment in Liverpool
Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire welcome new canine recruits
New police dogs join the team across four countiesAuthor: Grace McGachy Published 4 hours agoFour new police dogs have successfully completed their training and are now part of the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire (BCH) Dog Unit.The canine recruits, Murphy, Madden, Dixon, and Muzza, along with their handlers, Sergeant Dan Amos, PC Dale Jenkins, PC Josh Westgate, and PC Liam Mandrell, officially joined the team following a ceremony at Hertfordshire Constabulary’s headquarters earlier this month. The intense 13-week General Purpose Initial Course equipped the dogs with essential skills in scent tracking, searching, obedience, agility, chasing, and detaining. Notably, PD Muzza and PD Murphy were named in tribute to two BCH Armed Policing Unit officers, Sergeant Dan Murphy and former PC Paul Murray, who both passed away last year. Family members of the late officers attended the ceremony, where they received special commemorative plaques, marking the legacy of their loved ones. Chief Superintendent Jon Hutchinson, speaking at the event, highlighted the officers’ profound impact on policing, complementing their professionalism and dedication to service.According to Chief Inspector Declan McDonagh, who leads the BCH Dog Unit, the new recruits embody the legacy and commitment of the officers they honour.“I am incredibly proud to welcome four new dogs to the team, who will be out on the streets sniffing out crime and helping to protect the public alongside their handlers,” he said.Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.
Brindley takes on Lepas in Wolverhampton replacing Honda on site
Brindley Group has taken on the Chery-owned Lepas franchise in Wolverhampton, replacing the Honda dealership at the location.
The site is to be overhauled to accommodate the brand’s arrival, displaying an initial lineup of three models when sales officially begin.
Despite the switch to Lepas at the site, Brindley said its relationship with Honda was intact and it continues with the franchise in West Bromwich and Cannock.
To minimise disruption, a Honda aftersales and servicing division will continue operating directly out of the West Street location.
Che Watson, chairman of Brindley Group, said: “Bringing Lepas into our portfolio is a highly rewarding moment for the entire company.
“This progressive expansion enables us to deliver the latest breakthroughs in vehicle styling and technological capability to our client base, whilst simultaneously protecting the long-term prospects of our business and our workforce.
“The introduction of this brand highlights our ongoing dedication to shifting alongside a rapidly changing industry, ultimately presenting local motorists with unparalleled variety, exceptional value, and genuine innovation.”Four weeks of roadworks coming to Cambridgeshire street
The work is likely to cause delaysThe road will be closed (stock image)(Image: ChronicleLive)Overnight roadworks along a Cambridgeshire street are set to cause nearly four weeks of disruption for motorists. The roadworks will take place on Norwich Road in Wisbech from May 18 between the hours of 8pm and 6am.The road will be closed to all motor vehicles so that resurfacing works can be carried out. The work is set to be completed by June 13. According to Cambridgeshire County Council’s notice of the closure, the roadworks are ‘likely’ to cause delays.Motorists are advised to follow diversion routes and allow extra time for journeys during the closure period. Drivers are advised to take a diversion route via Lynn Road that takes you through to Churchill Road, according to traffic monitoring system one.network.A spokesperson for Cambridgeshire County Council’s Traffic Management Centre said: “Norwich Road, Wisbech will be closed to all motor vehicles from the 18th May until the 13th June between the hours of 8pm and 6am nightly for works.”
Staffordshire college group named in vocational skills reforms > A Little Bit of Stone
A Staffordshire college group has been named as part of a new West Midlands group helping to shape the rollout of new vocational qualifications.Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group, which includes Stafford College, is one of three West Midlands organisations listed by the Department for Education as “Qualification Practitioners”. The group has been set up to help share best practice as colleges and schools move towards new post GCSE qualification routes.
The announcement comes alongside a wider government package aimed at creating more construction industry placements and supporting new vocational qualifications.
The Department for Education says £96 million will be allocated nationally to create tens of thousands of placements on building sites for learners starting construction courses from September.
The funding forms part of the government’s £625 million Construction Skills Package, which aims to train up to 60,000 skilled workers by 2029.
The government says the construction industry is facing shortages, with Office for National Statistics figures showing more than 35,000 vacancies.
The changes also include plans for V Levels, which are due to sit alongside A Levels and T Levels from 2027.
V Levels will be equivalent to one A Level and are intended to allow students to combine academic and vocational subjects where they have not yet chosen a specialist route.
New subjects announced for delivery from 2028 include V Levels in construction design, engineering design and engineering manufacturing.
The government has also announced new Occupational Certificates in subjects including bricklaying, painting, plumbing, accounts and finance, and adult care worker.
Foundation Certificates are also planned in engineering, health, legal services and social care.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said
“We’re removing the snobbery from hands-on learning and putting it on par with academic to break down barriers for young people to get rewarding jobs.
“Our landmark vocational qualifications and placements will create a strong pipeline of workers by equipping young people with the real-world skills that employers need and that will fuel the jobs of the future.”
The other West Midlands organisations named in the Qualification Practitioners group are Heart of Worcestershire College and Three Spires Trust.
The Department for Education says new guidance has also been published to reduce restrictions around T Level industry placements, including removing limits on the percentage of remote hours a student can complete and how many employers they can work with.
For students in Stone and across Staffordshire, the changes could affect the range of post GCSE routes available through local colleges and training providers in the coming years.
Liverpool Council Plans Surplus, No Staff Cuts
Liverpool City Council has released a draft budget that plans for a healthy surplus with no staff cuts, improved services, and a massive capital works program.Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun said the Council is setting a clear roadmap for investment, growth and service delivery across one of Australia’s fastest-growing cities.”Our priority is to ease cost-of-living pressures wherever we can,” Mayor Mannoun said.”We recognise that, like households across our community, Council’s budget is under strain. That is why we are managing it with discipline and care, ensuring it remains strong while honouring the commitments we have made to keep the budget in good shape.
“Notwithstanding the challenges, we continue to enhance the services we deliver, doing so responsibly and within our means.””Number one, the budget for a surplus of $1,239,360 million. Given that we are on track to reach our budgeted surplus of $800,000 this financial year, we are on track for two consecutive positive years of operation.”Now that includes no staff cuts and no cuts to events and includes record spending on capital works,” he said.For 2026–2027, Council is delivering an operating budget of $303 million and a capital works program of $244 million, ensuring continued investment in essential infrastructure, community facilities and frontline services.”The capital works program includes major projects such as the $44.3 million Brickmakers Creek revitalisation, the $57.7 million Carnes Hill Aquatic and Recreation Centre, city centre streetscape upgrades and critical flood mitigation works.Mayor Mannoun highlighted the program is strongly supported by external funding, with $188 million in capital grants and contributions helping reduce pressure on ratepayers.Council will also continue to deliver strong service outcomes, with more than one million annual visits to its libraries, leisure centres and cultural venues, alongside high-performing early childhood, waste and maintenance services.Mayor Mannoun said the plans reflect Liverpool’s unique identity and future ambitions.”What makes Liverpool special is the strength and diversity of our people,” he said.”This is not simply a plan, it is a commitment to deliver on what our community expects of us as their local government as we build a stronger, more connected Liverpool, together.”Mayor Mannoun said the proposed measures focus on practical improvements residents will notice day to day.”The inaccurate prediction of 140 job losses was just that: inaccurate,” Mayor Mannoun said.”We know households are under pressure from rising living costs, and Council has a responsibility to keep rates as low as possible while carefully managing spending and continuing to deliver the services residents expect in a growing city.”Initiatives to be considered include:Employee costs of $114,948,671, representing a 7.6 per cent increase from 2025/26 with no staff cuts.Allocating $650,000 from the General Reserve to begin implementing a neighbourhood model (The Neighbourhood Response Network) focused on compliance and local presentation.Providing an additional $675,000 to Parks to support enhanced services such as lawn mowing during peak periods.Increasing household clean‑up services from two to four collections per year, with a maximum two‑week service period, subject to community agreement.Lowering the eligibility threshold for a red bin upgrade from six to five household members.Filling 26 vacancies within the Operations Directorate.
“These are the services that shape how people experience their city,” Mayor Mannoun said.”Whether it’s cleaner streets, better maintained parks, improved waste services or stronger local compliance, Council is focused on delivering the basics well and ensuring Liverpool continues to grow as a clean, safe and liveable city.”Detailed financial and operational modelling is now underway, and Council will continue to keep the community informed as the proposals progress.Residents are invited to view and provide feedback on the draft Operational Plan and Budget from 19 May 2026 to 15 June 2026 at Council’s libraries or online at www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au.
Plans submitted for 180-home Potton scheme
A proposed residential development could deliver new homes, affordable housing and green space on the edge of Potton.
Bellway Strategic Land has submitted outline plans to Central Bedfordshire Council for a development of up to 180 homes on a 22-acre site north of Myers Road.
The proposals include a mix of one to five-bedroom properties, including bungalows, with almost a third earmarked as affordable housing through low-cost rent or shared ownership.
Alongside the homes, more than ten acres of green infrastructure would be created, including public open space, children’s play areas, and new walking and cycling routes.
The scheme could support the future expansion of the Potton Green Wheel, a long-term project aimed at improving links between green spaces and public routes around the town.
Plans also include a new access road from Everton Road, an emergency access point via Myers Road, and upgrades to nearby junctions and pedestrian links, including routes to Potton Primary School.
Matthew Gransbury, strategic land and planning associate for Bellway, said: “There is a significant and growing need for new housing in Central Bedfordshire.
“Our proposals for the site at Myers Road would help to address this identified shortfall across the district whilst also meeting the recognised demand for smaller-sized properties for first-time buyers and downsizers within Potton itself.
“With almost 3000 households on the district’s housing waiting list, the need for affordable homes is particularly acute.
“This development would provide 30 per cent affordable housing in line with the council’s policy requirements.
“Prior to submitting our planning application, we conducted an extensive consultation process which involved engagement with the local planning authority, ward councillors, Potton Town Council, and residents.
“Feedback received during this process was integral in shaping the proposals to balance the requirement for new housing with the need to respect the countryside setting.
“As a result, the maximum number of homes proposed has reduced from 200 to 180, allowing for an increased green buffer between the development and the existing properties on Myers Road.
“Proposed allotments have been changed in favour of more tree planting and community orchards, which could serve as outdoor educational spaces to connect residents with nature.”Want your business, product or service to be seen regionally and nationally? Bdaily helps you get your story in front of the right audience, every day.
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‘Wholesale’ Leicestershire drugs network dealers locked up
All had pleaded guilty on the second day of trial.Galloway, 31, of Myrtle Road in Leicester, was given 11 and a half years in prison; Jahed, 30, of Coleman Close in Leicester, was sentenced to eight years and three months in jail; and Senior, 31, of Thorpe Field Drive, Leicester, was jailed for six years and three months.Leicestershire Police said Galloway and Jahed had each supplied at least 5kg of drugs, while Senior had handled 1kg of cocaine.In addition, Khusal’s partner, Saffron Franklin, pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possession of criminal property. He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, suspended for two and a half years, and handed 150 hours’ unpaid work and a 15-day rehabilitation programme.From their Hazeldene Road home, Khushal would buy cocaine and heroin from Lancashire in wholesale amounts, then split it to supply both drug dealers and users in Leicestershire.
Calls for new recycling centre to end ‘ridiculous’ Northern Ireland waste deal
A council faces calls for a new recycling centre to end a “ridiculous” agreement to send waste 400 miles away for sorting. Cambridge City Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council’s recycling waste has been transported to Newry in Northern Ireland since March 2025.Susie Williams, a member of the public, asked Cambridgeshire County Council how likely it is that a recycling centre could be built in Cambridgeshire and when this could happen. She said: “The trucks generate considerable amounts of carbon emissions and particulates, which is not really acceptable for two councils who are aiming to become net-zero.”
Cllr Ros Hathorn, chair of the county council’s environment and green investment committee, said that the waste market and providers “do not serve the East of England particularly well” and don’t have “sufficient capacity” to take their recycling.
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The Liberal Democrat councillor said the waste partnership, Recycling in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough (RECAP) which includes all local authorities in Cambridgeshire, is starting to look at other solutions.
She said: “It is not as straightforward as just building an industrial unit, putting some kit in there and switching it on – it’s a long, expensive process. It requires a licence from the Environment Agency, which is not straightforward to get.“It needs to get planning permission and, as a new facility would create significant traffic in its area, there is likely to be objections to it.”
Cllr Ros Hathorn speaks at a meeting of Cambridgeshire County Council(Image: YouTube)
Cllr Hathorn said that the upcoming local government reorganisation “has slowed down the prospects of any big project being started in the near future”.
The council was asked to approve a new strategy document for RECAP. Cllr Darren Green said he was “very encouraged” to see it recommended recycling take place locally.
The Green Party councillor said: “I think this council must do everything it can to change this. Other counties can process their blue bin recycling locally – why can’t Cambridgeshire?”
Cllr Darren Green(Image: YouTube)
Cllr Mike Black said that “everyone can see that this looks ridiculous”. He called it an example of market failure and “privatisation not working”.
The Labour councillor said: “I don’t like hearing local government review as an excuse for doing nothing or delaying things. We have a new government after 15 years of the same, we have a vast need for change – and we need to change quickly.
“I don’t think we should be saying that local government review stops councils from being innovative and planning for the future. Indeed, I think on these sorts of issues, we should be trying to get things done as quickly as possible.”Cllr Steve Tierney disagreed, saying “things aren’t always as simple as they appear”. The Conservative councillor said: “It’s not market failure when markets don’t deliver the outcome you want – that’s market reality – it would only be failure if they simply couldn’t do it.
“It’s not ideal to send things to Northern Ireland, I accept that. I would like to see a change that changes that, but only if it’s cost-effective for the taxpayer.
“If this works out to be the cheapest way to do it for the taxpayer, then I’d carry on supporting doing it – for the simple reason I don’t think we need to be layering costs upon the tax payer for virtue projects.”
HS2 Staffordshire latest as Government admits project could rise to £102 billion
A timetable has been laid outNeil Lancefield, Will Meakin-Durrant and Abbie Llewelyn, Press Association and Dave Knapper West Midlands Content Editor14:56, 19 May 2026The cost of HS2 has shot up(Image: PA)High-speed trains between London and Staffordshire won’t be running for at least another 14 years. The announcement comes as Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has announced the HS2 project could end up costing more than £100 billion.The Cabinet minister told the Commons she was “angry” about the “obscene increase in time and costs”, which she blamed on “the failures of successive Conservative governments”. She said the expected cost of completing the high-speed railway was between £87.7 billion and £102.7 billion (in 2025 prices).That means it will be more expensive than the Artemis II mission to send four astronauts to the Moon, which is estimated to have cost 93 billion US dollars to date (£69 billion). Constructing HS2 from London to Birmingham – plus the now abandoned onward legs to Leeds and Manchester – was initially estimated to cost £32.7 billion (in 2011 prices), but the budget has spiralled.Services were planned to launch in 2026, but the new target schedule is between May 2036 and October 2039. Ms Alexander also announced that HS2 trains will run slower than planned to save money.She said the maximum speed of services will be 320km/h (199mph), down from the original design of 360km/h (224mph). She branded the previous plans a “massively over-specced folly, with the prospect of the fastest trains anywhere in the world tickling the fancy of Conservative ministers”.Services will still be among “the fastest trains in Europe” despite the top speed being cut, she told MPs. Ms Alexander said the cost increase is mostly because of “past misunderstanding of the work required, underestimation and inefficiency, issues within the control of HS2 Ltd, some of its suppliers, and previous governments”.HS2 services between Old Oak Common in west London and Birmingham’s Curzon Street station are expected to start running between May 2036 and October 2039.Meanwhile in Staffordshire and the high-speed trains will not run between Euston station in central London and Handsacre Junction – which sits between Rugeley and King’s Bromley – until between May 2040 and December 2043. Handsacre Junction is where HS2 trains are planned to leave the dedicated high-speed tracks and merge onto the conventional West Coast Mainline.Ms Alexander said the overall budget includes work at Euston, but the Government was still seeking a private investor for the site. The revised cost and schedule for HS2 follows a comprehensive review by HS2 Ltd chief executive Mark Wild, who began his role in December 2024.A major review published following the announcement found that “gold plating” HS2, including by focusing on achieving the “highest possible speeds”, is among the faults that contributed to the project’s woes. Sir Stephen Lovegrove, the former national security adviser, criticised the “original sins” in the decision-making behind the scheme.Labour ministers commissioned an internal review into whether scrapping the entire project would be better value for money than continuing with it. This found that abandoning the scheme – which has already cost an estimated £40 billion – would cost at least as much as completing it.Get daily headlines and breaking news emailed to you – it’s FREEEnsure our latest headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search
