The Whinchat hops into our #SpringArrivalSpotlight today, breeding in the north and west of the UK.

With its striking eye stripe and warm breast, it's a joy to spot in our grasslands and meadows.

Iran ceasefire deal a partial win for Trump - but at a high cost The path to the two-week ceasefire with Iran may have fundamentally altered the way the rest of the world views the US.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Today’s #SpringArrivalSpotlight glides in quietly...it’s the Garganey!

A rare and elegant dabbling duck, the male’s white eye-stripe and scalloped flanks are a springtime treat.

Favouring quiet, shallow wetlands, they migrate from central Africa to breed in the UK each year.

Iran's 10 point plan seems to put them in a better position than they were in before the war
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/a...

Finally detailed mixed-media illustration of a mature Crab-apple growing in a natural environment in full bloom under a blue sky

‘Crab Apple’
Trees (1963)
Artist: S R Badmin

Reform cold calling public in bid to find ‘paper’ candidates for local elections Guardian journalist among those to get surprise request, though Farage denies party are ‘begging’ people to stand

Not that it was ever in doubt, but this is the answer to the question "Why are so many Reform councillors so unfamiliar with the job and so unaware of their responsibilities, and end up quitting soon after being elected?".

The question "Why do people ever vote for this shower?" remains unanswered.

Starmer to refuse Trump access to British bases for mission to obliterate Iran The British Prime Minister has pledged to stay out of any offensive action against Iran and will refuse Trump access to British bases for his horror 'Power Plant Day' operation

Thank f*** for that

www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-n...

This is such a bad idea. So of course the FA are going to do it.

Idyllic, quintessentially English fantasy view of a path leading through fields and rolling hills to a distant village church. In the foreground a red squirrel perches on a fence post while a cock pheasant looks on.

The road to Ladybird Land ...

Artist: Robert Ayton (1977)

Jim Clark, the legendary Scottish racing driver was killed 58 years ago today.
He achieved so much.
This signed picture is one of my most treasured souvenirs.

UK government caps student loan interest rates at 6% Minister says change for plan 2 and 3 loans in England and Wales will ‘protect borrowers’ from impact of global conflict * UK politics live – latest updates The interest rate on plan 2 and plan 3 student loans will be capped at 6%, the Department for Education has announced. Graduates with plan 2 loans currently pay interest rates based on the retail price index (RPI) measure of inflation, plus up to 3% based on their earnings. Current students on plan 2 and plan 3 loans attract an interest rate of RPI +3% while they are studying. Continue reading...

UK government caps student loan interest rates at 6%

Year Of Beer 2026- April Cask

Meet Quasar, a bright European Pale Ale with a light, crisp body and beautifully balanced hop character. It’s an elegant, easy-drinking pint. 👌

It’s already starting to appear on bars, keep an eye out for it pouring throughout April 👀

'Condenses thousands of years into an accessible survey … Groom's combination of pace and scope has the advantage of letting us see a massive swath of history in time lapse.' Review of THESE ISLES in the @financialtimes.com. www.ft.com/content/a9c3...

Why would he be? He'll have made enough money out of this presidency to live in comfort in Israel, Russia or anywhere else where they won't send him to The Hague.

Yes absolutely, I like to be organised too. I hope you get sorted soon.

Oh no! 🤦 If possible, maybe an excuse for a break somewhere not to far away. Here's hoping a speedy recovery for the fitters.

I've just read an article that about AI in education and the teachers talk about how it helps them do stuff that just doesn't seem to add any educational value or that couldn't be better achieved in other ways, such as reading a teaching book or thinking for yourself. It's a kind of 'make work'. 2/2

Think early on it was clear patience would be in order for Chesterfield, and the key to avoid beating themselves.

They did that and eventually their break came (albeit with a helping hand.)

Like Friday could’ve extended their lead late on but again, the 1-0 victory will more than do.

#Spireites

Two more wins and two more clean sheets for Oldham since last week’s convincing win over Chesterfield.

One goal conceded in nine now for a supremely impressive off-the-ball side; the 18 scored in that time show they’re effective with it too.

Absolutely a promotion contender.

With the distribution of points weighted towards the top of the table, games vs those bottom five clubs become increasingly important to keep pace.

Chesterfield currently have the joint-worst points per game record in such match-ups.

They have a couple of crucial chances to address that coming up.

Big take-aways are that top half teams are all either outperforming or matching their positional average and have collected ~31 points more than average combined.

As for why that is, teams in the bottom five are significantly underperforming against the same metrics:

Massive thanks to anyone who read/supported this!

As a TL;DR (and because I spent an unreasonable amount of time on it 😅) I'll drop some of the key data here.

The League Two table after 40 games (or as close as due to postponements) from the last 10 seasons, barring the curtailed 2019/20 campaign:

🚨Confirmed Chesterfield team news for today’s League Two fixture against Cheltenham Town 🚨

XI: Boot; Mandeville (IN), McFadzean, Swinkels, Owolabi-Belewu; Braybrooke, Naylor, Stirk; Markanday, Berry; Dickson

SUBS: Hemming, Donacien, Curtis (OUT), Fleck, Duffy, Dobra, Bonis.

#Spireites

🎥 Your preview from the SMH Group Stadium, where Chesterfield host Cheltenham Town in League Two this afternoon.

Provided by @bensportstory.bsky.social

#Spireites

Hopefully Chesterfield’s battle against the breeze goes better than mine 😅

Some pre-match thoughts ⬇️

#Spireites

Not necessarily the easiest conditions but in a crucial couple of weeks for Chesterfield’s season, they had to find a way today.

With back-to-back wins and clean sheets (both firsts in 2026) they did that, and could’ve extended their lead during what was a strong finish.

The reports ⬇️

#Spireites

Amandaland - Series 1: 1. House Party After moving from Chiswick to So-ha (South Harlesden), Amanda rekindles her friendship with Anne and tries to schmooze a celebrity chef at her kids’ new secondary school.

Anyone who hasn't watched Amandaland is missing out on an absolute treat!! 👏 👏 👏
Amandaland, Series 1: 1. House Party: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0025ydz via @bbciplayer

The Peakite • Derbyshire Cricket independent news

Sadly, Derbyshire have run out of time and the match against Worcestershire ends as a draw.

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thepeakite.counterpress.media

A view looking down on a small farmyard with oast house in early spring. A small herd of cows returns from the milking shed

Other work by the Ladybird artists.
Spring in Kent
Artist: Ronald Lampitt