The Daily: May 3
MasterChef Triumph for Part Time DJ
She's a credit controller, part time disc jockey and self confessed tomboy, but it's the quality and consistency of Natalie Coleman's cooking skills that have brought her the MasterChef title. The 29 year old Cockney is only the third female to win the coveted prize. Despite the accolade, Natalie's feet are firmly on the ground. She doesn't believe it's realistic to expect to open her own restaurant but does hope her success will be rewarded with a career in a professional kitchen. Meanwhile, Natalie will be appearing at the NEC's BBC Good Food Show Summer in June. Her recipes, which have satisfied so many judges, will be included in the book, MasterChef: The Finalists, due to be published in the autumn.
Inspirational Visit by The Queen
When The Queen visited Headley Court Military Rehabilitation Centre she met up with a Guardsman with whom she once danced at the Ghillies' Ball. Guardsman Watson, who has previously been based at Balmoral, insisted The Queen's support of wounded soldiers provided an uplifting moment. Prince Phillip was also in attendance. Headley Court is a former RAF base in Surrey which has also been visited by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry. It treats over 85 wounded personnel each week and became the UK's main tri-service rehabilitation centre in 1996.
Sixty Seven and Still Absolutely Fabulous
As a national institution it is only right to mark special occasions in style. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Joanna Lumley celebrated her 67th birthday at Clarence House. In the company of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall she attended a drinks reception for The Samaritans to mark its 60th anniversary. Prince Charles has been patron of the charity since 1999. Joanna, who is no stranger to Royal company, reflects, "You can get quite scared about going to a royal thing but it's fascinating. They are the best fun – kind and funny people. They laugh a lot and have a good time."
War Time Heroism of British Sisters Revealed
Sisters, Secrets and Sacrifice by Susan Ottaway tells the heroic story of two sisters who formed a vital part of the Special Operations Executive in war torn France. Didi and Jacqueline Nearne played a crucial role in sabotaging German communications, their Morse code messages passing details of troop movements to the allies. They survived capture, torture by the Gestapo and concentration camps yet their modesty meant few people here knew of their bravery. Didi returned to Ravensbruck in 1993 to unveil a plaque in honour of those who had died there. Neither sister married.
Aping Around
He's playful and flirtatious. He's never had a girlfriend and eats his greens. So far so good. Now the staff at London Zoo are hoping that Zumbuka, a 29 stone gorilla, will play his part in rekindling numbers of an endangered species. The 15 year old western lowland gorilla arrived from Paignton Zoo just a couple of weeks ago and, although he had not previously been exposed to females, has been using his time getting to know several potential mates. Kumbuka is seven feet tall and replaces his predecessor, Keso, who is currently enjoying retirement at Longleat Safari Park along with his brother, Alf.
She's a credit controller, part time disc jockey and self confessed tomboy, but it's the quality and consistency of Natalie Coleman's cooking skills that have brought her the MasterChef title. The 29 year old Cockney is only the third female to win the coveted prize. Despite the accolade, Natalie's feet are firmly on the ground. She doesn't believe it's realistic to expect to open her own restaurant but does hope her success will be rewarded with a career in a professional kitchen. Meanwhile, Natalie will be appearing at the NEC's BBC Good Food Show Summer in June. Her recipes, which have satisfied so many judges, will be included in the book, MasterChef: The Finalists, due to be published in the autumn.
Inspirational Visit by The Queen
When The Queen visited Headley Court Military Rehabilitation Centre she met up with a Guardsman with whom she once danced at the Ghillies' Ball. Guardsman Watson, who has previously been based at Balmoral, insisted The Queen's support of wounded soldiers provided an uplifting moment. Prince Phillip was also in attendance. Headley Court is a former RAF base in Surrey which has also been visited by Prince Charles, the Duchess of Cornwall, Prince William and Prince Harry. It treats over 85 wounded personnel each week and became the UK's main tri-service rehabilitation centre in 1996.
Sixty Seven and Still Absolutely Fabulous
As a national institution it is only right to mark special occasions in style. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that Joanna Lumley celebrated her 67th birthday at Clarence House. In the company of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall she attended a drinks reception for The Samaritans to mark its 60th anniversary. Prince Charles has been patron of the charity since 1999. Joanna, who is no stranger to Royal company, reflects, "You can get quite scared about going to a royal thing but it's fascinating. They are the best fun – kind and funny people. They laugh a lot and have a good time."
War Time Heroism of British Sisters Revealed
Sisters, Secrets and Sacrifice by Susan Ottaway tells the heroic story of two sisters who formed a vital part of the Special Operations Executive in war torn France. Didi and Jacqueline Nearne played a crucial role in sabotaging German communications, their Morse code messages passing details of troop movements to the allies. They survived capture, torture by the Gestapo and concentration camps yet their modesty meant few people here knew of their bravery. Didi returned to Ravensbruck in 1993 to unveil a plaque in honour of those who had died there. Neither sister married.
Aping Around
He's playful and flirtatious. He's never had a girlfriend and eats his greens. So far so good. Now the staff at London Zoo are hoping that Zumbuka, a 29 stone gorilla, will play his part in rekindling numbers of an endangered species. The 15 year old western lowland gorilla arrived from Paignton Zoo just a couple of weeks ago and, although he had not previously been exposed to females, has been using his time getting to know several potential mates. Kumbuka is seven feet tall and replaces his predecessor, Keso, who is currently enjoying retirement at Longleat Safari Park along with his brother, Alf.