Market town on the River Stour, long a glass-making hub
There are major grass fires near Stourbridge and in Salford Priors, Stratford-upon-Avon, with around 60 firefighters tackling the blazes. The Met Office has issued an amber heat warning as temperatures reach near-record highs.
Northern leaders are steering a push for investment and culture to rejuvenate the region, with Andy Burnham’s influence and a revived civic approach guiding new projects like local food festivals and arts hubs. The pieces highlight Todmorden and Ouseburn as exemplars of a broader northern renaissance in outdoor spaces, culture and community cohesion.