4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Inside 483-year-old world’s oldest tennis court which can still be played on from just £10
FORGET Wimbledon, the real history of British tennis lies at the world’s oldest tennis court in Scotland.
Some 483 mile drive north of the home of Wimbledon sits the 483-year-old venue that only plays a sport coined “real tennis”.
The court is completely different from what you would expect[/caption]
Players play on a paved surface surrounded by four walls[/caption]
The Falkland Palace Royal Tennis Club in Fife is home to the world’s oldest tennis court, built in 1539 under the command of King James V of Scotland.
The incredible course doesn’t even nearly look how you would think it would.
Swap out the pristinely cut grass and perfect white lines for a paved floor and four walls surrounding the entire court.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that the court was used for a different sport altogether, and truthfully it is.
The historic club’s 50 members play a 500-year-old version of tennis named “real tennis” or “royal tennis“.
The unusual sport is thought to be the origin of what we are used to now and is played within the confines of four walls.
While it uses intricate wall and floor markings for scorekeeping in a completely different system to today’s tennis.
Speaking to the Daily Record, club member Kevin Gilbert explained how it differentiates from the popular game of today.
The unusual venue has been around for almost 500 years[/caption]
Markings on the floor show how players of ‘real tennis’ can earn extra points[/caption]
He said: “It’s played quite differently to lawn tennis, which originated in the 19th century.
“The game involves hitting the ball off a penthouse roof, and you’re allowed to hit it onto the walls and there are other quirks of the game that can win you points.”
There’s thought to be only 50 “real tennis” courts remaining worldwide with around half of them dotted up and down the UK.
Remarkably, anyone wanting to play on the historic course at Falkland Palace only has to pay £10 to get out on the court.
However there is one very large caveat to that tiny price – you have to know the rules of “real tennis” with no “absolute beginners” allowed.
The court is now looked after by the National Trust of Scotland but it’s the tennis club who are tasked with keeping a 500-year-old tradition going.
Gilbert added: “We get visitors from all over the world who visit us, and sometimes write or email us asking if they can have a game on the court and we always include them.
“We’re trying to keep alive the tradition of many centuries of play.”
Players can join in on the facilities for just £10[/caption]
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Huge BBC sports presenter set to join Stephen Fry and Tom Daley on Celebrity Traitors
FORMER jockey and BBC favourite Clare Balding is in the saddle for Celebrity Traitors, The Sun can reveal.
The long-standing TV and radio host and commentator, 53, is set to appear in her first reality show after shunning several previous offers.
Clare is set to join stars including Olympic diver Tom Daley, 30, on the show[/caption]
TV personality Stephen Fry, 67, will also appear on the first celebrity version[/caption]
Sources said she agreed because she is taken with the guile and cunning of Claudia Winkleman’s murder mystery game staged at Andross Castle in the Scottish Highlands.
Clare is poised to join stars including Olympic diver Tom Daley, 30, and TV personality Stephen Fry, 67, for the first celebrity version.
The source said: “Clare is an absolutely brilliant signing because she’s always turned down reality offers flat.
“As such, this will offer the first real glimpse into what she’s like as a person.
“She’s known to generations of TV viewers from fronting everything from racing and the Olympics through to Crufts and occasionally Countryfile.
“And could anyone really believe that the Beeb’s dependable, sensible face of sport could be a treacherous liar?”
Clare has told previously that she was approached to take part in the Beeb’s Strictly Come Dancing and ITV’s I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here!” She declared: “I wouldn’t do it.
“If they were building a school in Africa or something worthy I’d do it.”
She has proven to be good to her word and did go on Sports Relief Does The Apprentice in 2008 and has featured on Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer for three years since 2022 with wife Alice Arnold.
The second series of The Traitors attracted up to four million viewers a night.
A BBC spokesman declined to comment on “speculation” over Clare’s appearance.
Clare has told previously that she was approached to take part in reality shows[/caption]
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Real Madrid ‘edit Kylian Mbappe OUT of new promotion’ after star slams ‘fake news’ over ‘rape claim in Sweden’
REAL Madrid has edited Kylian Mbappe out of a charity promotion just a day after a rape complaint was made against the star footballer.
Two almost identical images posted to Instagram show the French striker in and out of a photo for the club’s Artist Pack promotion.
English forward Jude Bellingham shared this image of the campaign to his Instagram[/caption]
Real Madrid posted the edited image without Mbappe on Tuesday[/caption]
Mbappe trained with his Spanish club side on Tuesday[/caption]
A complaint of an alleged rape has been made against the star footballer in Sweden[/caption]
The first image was posted by English striker Jude Bellingham to his Instagram and showed him and Mbappe with a group of artists.
But Bellingham swiftly deleted the group snap.
Real Madrid then posted an almost identical image to its main Instagram account on Tuesday – but now with Mbappe missing.
The edit comes a day after news broke that a rape complaint was reportedly made against the star player on Saturday in Stockholm.
Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet reported Monday that the French forward, 25, is being investigated by cops over the complaint.
Mbappe slammed the report as “fake news” and implied the report had emerged just as he was set to enter a dispute with his former club.
In a post on X, Mbappe addressed the report Monday saying: “FAKE NEWS !!!! It’s becoming so predictable, just before the hearing as if by chance.”
The Real Madrid player seemingly referred to a hearing he is set to face over unpaid wages he is disputedly owed.
Mbappe claims he is owed 55million Euros (£45million) by his former club Paris Saint-Germain.
Claims have emerged online that Mbappe was edited out of the promotion as he is sponsored by Nike and the campaign is run with Adidas Football.
But other Nike-sponsored Real Madrid footballers remained in the ad, like Eduardo Camavinga.
Neither Real Madrid or Nike responded to The Sun by deadline.
Real Madrid posted new snaps of Mbappe training on Tuesday to its Instagram account following the edited post.
Mbappe’s representatives at PR firm Patricia Goldman told Reuters on Tuesday: “These accusations are totally false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
Mbappe went clubbing while in Stockholm[/caption]
Mbappe strenuously denies the claim[/caption]
“Kylian Mbappe will under no circumstances tolerate his integrity, reputation and honour being sullied by unfounded insinuations.”
Mbappe’s lawyer Marie-Alix Canu-Bernard also appeared on French TV on Tuesday and said they had not received any documents.
Canu-Bernard claimed that Mbappe was never alone during the evening and was surrounded by security guards.
She said: “We still don’t know who it applies to. An action is not reality.
“A deed is not proof of anything.”
Canu-Bernard said the footballer is now considering bringing a defamation case following the claim.
France’s manager Deschamps, 56, responded to the allegations against his captain as he warned people to avoid spreading “anything and everything” in regards to Mbappe.
After being quizzed on the allegations at the post match press conference Deschamps said: “Everyone is free to write what they want but there is a negative atmosphere around the French team.”
Stockholm police spokeswoman Carina Skagerlind said Monday: “In general, if we have received a complaint and decided to conduct interviews and we make it known (to the public), those involved in the case may take actions that delay and complicate the investigation.”
Forensic police were seen on Monday outside Bank Hotel – where the star stayed between Wednesday and Friday.
Expressen reported that Mbappe on Thursday dined at the Chez Jolie restaurant and went to the V nightclub in Stockholm with pals.
The outlet reports police are investigating an alleged rape at the Bank Hotel that night.
Mbappe’s entourage shot back in a statement sent to AFP: “Today, a new slanderous rumour is starting to spread across the web from the Swedish media Aftonbladet.
“These accusations are completely false and irresponsible, and their propagation is unacceptable.
“In order to put an end to this methodical destruction of (the) image (of Kylian Mbappe), all necessary legal actions will be taken to re-establish the truth and pursue any person or media involved in the moral harassment and defamatory treatment that Kylian Mbappe is suffering repeatedly.”
Mbappe is currently injured and did not play in France’s Nations League fixtures last week.
Real Madrid said the Artist Pack is a clothing line that seeks to blend art, sport, and social inclusion.
Mbappe stayed in the Bank Hotel in Stockholm while in the country[/caption]
Mbappe’s lawyer said he is now preparing a defamation lawsuit in response[/caption]
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on US Army unveils ‘battlefield of the future’ with Mad Max-style vehicles, attack drones & jammers in new era of warfare
THE US Army is testing cutting-edge technology as it aims to be the driving force behind a new era of electronic warfare on future battlefields.
The pristine attack and defense weaponry are being experimented with in the deep woods of the Fort Johnson base in Vernon Parish, Louisiana. by the Army’s 101st Airborne Division, which specializes in air assault operations.
The 101st Airborne is exploring new ways the technology can be used on the battlefield, including surveillance and attack drones, decoy, and remotely-operated electronic jammers that operate from a laptop or cell phone.
Some of the innovations were influenced by the raging war overseas between Russia and Ukraine.
“We’re [here] to create those tactics, we’re [here] to create those standard operating procedures so that the next generation of soldiers understands from our mistakes and can be even more effective with the systems,” Sergeant First Class Anthony Clark told CBS News.
Clark admitted that a lot of the methods being executed were experimental and are a work in progress.
And the Army’s new vehicles are being described as something out of Mad Max.
“Even in World War II, they were using brand new equipment, brand new methods, and they were extremely successful, and they learned from their mistakes,” Clark added.
The command post is experimenting with new defense systems that will allow the soldiers to detect intruders attempting to infiltrate the base from several feet away.
The base runs fiber-optic cables to antennas hundreds of yards away from the command center, according to CBS News.
To mislead potential enemies, they spread decoys and off-the-shelf circuit boards that are made to look like laptops and cell phones.
“Just the other night, the enemy was completely deceived by that and put an artillery barrage on just a bunch of decoys that were out in a field, and then this command post stayed safe and sound,” Major General Brett Sylvia said.
The security system allowed the command post to remain safe.
The base is experimenting with robotic vehicles controlled by nearby soldiers to add to its arsenal of defense weaponry.
“There’s no reason to trade blood for blood when we can trade blood for steel,” Lieutenant Parker Mitchell, who is operating the robotic vehicles, told the outlet.
Mitchell described the command center’s efforts as the future of warfare.
What is electronic warfare?
Electronic warfare is a military and intelligence activity that uses electromagnetic energy to control the electromagnetic spectrum and attack enemies, according to Lockheed Martin.
The defense and attack method can allow the military to detect, deceive, delay, and disrupt enemy radar while protecting fellow troops and command posts.
Electronic warfare uses radio, infrared, and radar signals to sense, protect, and communicate with allies.
“I mean, it gives me chills thinking about it right now,” added Specialist William Bateman.
“We’re in the middle of molding the future and participating in history being made.
“It’s absolutely stunning.”
The large-scale operation comes after the Army sped up the Next Generation Squad Weapon rifle distribution in late September, according to the Army Times.
The program will include replacing the army’s current 5.56mm M4 and Squad Automatic Weapon with a new 6.8mm rifle and automatic rifle.
The 101st Airborne Division will be one of three battalions, including the 1st Brigade and the 506th Infantry Regiment, to receive the packages in the coming months.
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Brendan Cole wades into Strictly’s Wynne Evans scandal saying star was UNDER marked by judging panel
FORMER Strictly dancer Brendan Cole has waded into the Wynne Evans scandal, saying the star was under marked by the judging panel.
The Welsh opera singer, 52, danced the Tango to Abba‘s hit track Money, Money, Money with pro Katya Jones on Saturday’s show.
Former Strictly dancer Brendan Cole has waded into the Wynne Evans scandal, saying the star was under marked by the judging panel[/caption]
Katya and Wynne received impressive scores on Saturday night[/caption]
The judges praised him for his high energy routine, with Anton Du Beck saying it was “tremendous”.
And Craig and Anton scored Wynne an 8, while Shirley and Motsi gave him a nine, making it his highest score so far.
But former Strictly pro Brendan, 48, has shared his thoughts and said that he thinks the opera singer was in fact undermarked.
He told Sky Vegas: “Wynne did a really good Tango – that was the proper technique for this dance.
“When you dance Tango, there is an action that allows you to have power while moving from foot to foot. That is what Tango is.
“He delivered that perfectly on his own and in hold. Sarah [Hadland] gave no technique for a Foxtrot; I’m surprised the judges didn’t give it fives.”
Strictly fans were disputing Wynne and Sarah’s scores online, with one person writing: “”So they’re giving 8s and 9s for Wynne, yet Sarah (imo) did WAY better and got criminally undermarked!! this show is so inconsistent.”
A second fumed: “Overmarked again. Four weeks in a row this show has overmarked him.” Ridiculous over praise of the BBC employee…”
A third baffled fans commented: “9 ?..my arse…ffs. I’m so sorry but i would’ve given Wynne a 6? so overmarked in my opinion, I love the characterisation i just felt needed more sharpness to it,”
Another shared: “I can’t take some of the scoring seriously this evening.”
Someone else echoed: “Crazily over marked!! What is going on this week?”
While this viewer asked: “Why are the judges throwing out 9’s like they’re confetti?”
Speaking on the Strictly spin-off this evening, Katya verified his account, telling host Fleur East she “can’t bear” the fan frenzy that’s followed.
After being asked how she found their routine on Saturday, the ballroom pro replied: “Sorry Fleur, sorry. I will get on to dancing I promise, but can you at least let us get something out of the way that I feel overshadowed our performance for absolutely no reason.”
She then went on to fight Wynne’s corner, telling the X Factor alum that the wanted to set the record straight for viewers.
Katya said: “Quite frankly, I actually can’t bear sitting here watching this man being portrayed as someone he’s not and in fact it couldn’t be further away from the truth.
“I have to make this absolutely clear that this whole incident with the hand and the high five on Saturday night, it was an inside joke between Wynne and I. Was it a silly joke? Yes. Was it a bad joke? Yes.”
Wynne added: “Yeah, I watched it back and I can see how people may have misinterpreted it.”
Katya continued: “However it was a joke and even the idea that it made me feel uncomfortable or offended in any way is total nonsense.
“And those that have doubts, you guys have got it wrong. So, hopefully this will be the end of it and can you just keep making me smile please because my Sunday was pretty boring without you making me belly laugh.”
Viewers said the dancing duo were overmarked[/caption]
Katya and Wynne found themselves at the centre of a ‘grope’ scandal[/caption]
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Huge sports star could quit BBC and move to US after ‘lack of support’
ALEX Scott’s BBC future is in jeopardy over a perceived “lack of support” surrounding Football Focus.
The star was said to be “deeply hurt” by the Corporation’s handling of the situation after she was blamed for falling viewing figures – prompting the star to make a complaint to bosses last year, The Sun can reveal.
The ex-England footballer, 40, is now “considering other offers” – including a possible move to America – as her contract comes up for renewal next year.
A source said: “Alex has never been happier than she is right now, she’s just turned 40 and embracing a new chapter in her life, and the decision to part ways from Children In Need – an event she is hugely proud to have been a part of – was entirely mutual.
“She wants to concentrate on her ambassadorships with UNICEF and Refuge right now, and is also contemplating a move to America with her girlfriend, Jess [Glynne].
“There are no guarantees she will be with the BBC next summer – her contract is up for renewal and she is in talks for a raft of other exciting projects.
“Football Focus turns 50 this year and Alex is now seriously contemplating moving on from the show.
“Last year she was hugely hurt by unfair criticism about falling viewing figures – and felt she was thrown under a bus. The viewing figures were not as reported and she feels no-one backed her up and issued the correct viewing figures.
“The viewing figures are actually super healthy, and Alex raised her concerns as she has been in this business long enough now to stand up for herself.”
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Traitors winner is booted off SAS Who Dares Wins after being exposed as total LIAR
HE managed to hoodwink every Faithful on The Traitors, but I can reveal that series two winner Harry Clark met his match on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
The former Army boy was rumbled as a porky-teller on Channel 4’s military show — which will air next years — when he reached the interrogation round and faced a grilling by the trainers.
Harry had to try to bluff his way through the process, just as he had on BBC One’s The Traitors, but slipped up as he approached the final hurdle.
Appropriately enough, it was at the point in the competition where they had to find a “traitor in their midst”.
A TV insider said: “This will make for delicious viewing for his fellow competitors on The Traitors who felt hoodwinked by him all the way through the second series.
“The baby-faced assassin had them all fooled, letting his easy charm lull them into a false sense of security — and bagging himself the jackpot of £95,000.
“But despite his own military background, he just crumbled in the face of experts, who know how to spot a fibber.”
Harry’s episode of SAS: Who Dares Wins was filmed recently but is not going be on screens until 2025.
Other contestants include dancer Louie Soence, who left within hours after be taken by surprise by just how gruelling the course is.
Harry got quite a bit further, but his downfall will be particularly enjoyed by Mollie Pearce, who finished runner-up on The Traitors after falling for his lies.
She can console herself by the fact she’ll be appearing on Dancing On Ice next year which, however gruelling, won’t be quite as arduous as SAS: Who Dares Wins.
And she might just end up winning this time.
HARRY will have time to reflect on his SAS: Who Dares Wins exit after signing for BBC Two show Pilgrimage.
It sees stars walk old pilgrim routes in the UK, roughing it and stopping at places of worship to pause for thought.
Harry will be joined by TV host Jeff Brazier, Ab Fab actress Helen Lederer, The Wanted singer Jay McGuinness, Paralympian Stef Reid and BGT comic Daliso Chaponda.
The show’s first series, last year, starred Christine McGuinness, Tom Rosenthal and Michaela Strachan in Wales.
Courtney Love is standing in as captain on Never Mind The Buzzcocks[/caption]
She joins regulars Noel Fielding and Jamali Maddix for tonight’s opening episode[/caption]
But it looks like panellist Joel Dommett is a little less chuffed to appear alongside Courtney.
The hellraiser took a liking to hunky comedian Joel and my snap shows her cosying up and grabbing his chubby cheeks.
A source told me: “As a telly hunk who often shows off his rippling muscles, Joel is used to female attention.
“But even he wasn’t prepared for the attention of Courtney and it made for hilarious scenes.”
Former Sex Pistol Glen Matlock is also on the show, which airs on Sky Max and NOW tonight at 9pm.
GREG’S OWN RISE AND FALL
HE might be a maestro on the radio, but Greg James’ recent venture into reality TV proved a ratings flop – with Rise And Fall axed after just one series.
But Greg blames Channel 4 bosses, who he feels rushed the show out.
Greg James’ recent venture into reality TV proved a ratings flop[/caption]
He told the Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake podcast: “It came along at the same time as The Traitors.
“It was made by the same people, and the idea was good.
“I think they rushed it out.
“I said, ‘You should have given it six months and edited this. This could have been really good’.
“But, you know, these things happen.”
The 18-episode series saw 16 players split into Grafters and Rulers – with grafters carrying out tasks to build a £100,000 prize pot that could only be won by a single Ruler.
IDEA’S A BANGER, VICKY
YOU’VE heard of wedding superstition “something old, something new . . . ” but Vicky Pattison took it to a whole new level with her big day.
When a dismal weather forecast threatened rain, she took the very novel step of, ahem, burying a sausage.
Vicky Pattison with Ercan Ramadan[/caption]
In hilarious scenes on My Big Fat Geordie Wedding tonight on E4, Vicky tells her fiancé Ercan Ramadan: “I heard that if you bury a sausage the night before your wedding, in the ground, you’re guaranteed good weather the next day.
“Needs must.
“I can’t sit idly by and do nothing.”
Alas, it seems that the trick failed to deliver – but Vicky reckons she knows the reason.
Her dog Milo unearthed the banger to snack on.
Laughing, Vicky adds on the show: “I don’t know the rules once it’s dug up.”
They will appear alongside Ade Adepitan, Mel Giedroyc, Chris Ramsey and Lenny Rush for the night of money-raising fun, which airs on BBC One on November 15 from 7pm.
A DOG’S LIFE ON CORRIE
CORONATION Street stars clearly haven’t heard the warning that you should never work with children or animals.
Because behind the scenes of the ITV soap, the green room is packed with pooches.
Elle Mulvaney plays Amy Barlow on Coronation Street[/caption]
Elle Mulvaney, who plays Amy Barlow, told the Oh My Dog podcast: “We have these things every year when it’s ‘bring your family to work day’, but now you can bring your dogs. And they have dog competitions.”
Amy adores her pooches, Bowie and Ziggy, who are named after David Bowie, and revealed they once got a shout out from TV host Lorraine Kelly.
She said: “They are spoiled. Lorraine brought them up on TV. My mum videoed it, but they weren’t interested.”
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Sarina Wiegman insists Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly has ‘built enough credit’ to keep her Lionesses spot
SARINA WIEGMAN says Chloe Kelly’s position in the Lionesses squad was not in doubt with the winger facing a battle to start for Manchester City.
Today the forward, 26, was named in Wiegman’s 25-strong group before the team’s friendly duels with Germany and South Africa.
Chloe Kelly has been included in Sarina Wiegman’s 25-strong squad for England’s two friendly games in October[/caption]
But her club and country goalkeeper team-mate Khiara Keating has been left out following her inclusion in the squad that qualified for next year’s Euros.
In July the reigning Euros champions secured automatic qualification for the tournament in Switzerland.
They did so via a 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland and a 0-0 draw with Sweden.
Kelly, who scored the winning goal for England in their Euros final defeat of Germany at Wembley two years ago, has faced a fight to start for City this season.
The forward, who reportedly attracted interest from Paris Saint-Germain this year, has made one start in her two top-flight appearances this term.
City’s summer swoops for Japan ace Aoba Fushino along with the impressive form of Mary Fowler and Jess Park, has cranked up the battle for starting spots in Gareth Taylor’s side.
They are top of the WSL and a point ahead of title rivals Chelsea and beat Barcelona 2-0 in the Champions League group stage on October 9.
However, Wiegman insists Kelly, who has seven senior caps, has earned enough credit for national selection.
The England boss, 54, said: “Chloe is in a hard position. There is huge competition going on there at the very highest level.
“She’s competing for that too, not getting the minutes that of course she hopes for and we do.
“But she built credit for us that she wasn’t in doubt for us to bring her in.”
The Lionesses are due to face Germany at Wembley on October 25 for the first time since beating them there in the Women’s Euros finals in 2022.
The match will be preceded by a special tribute to former England and Man City skipper Steph Houghton who retired at the end of last season.
Wiegman’s side will also take on South Africa at the CBS Arena in Coventry four days later.
Both matches will serve as warm-up preparations ahead of their attempt to win a second successive Euros trophy.
The England chief added: “We’re really happy that we’ve qualified for the Euros because now we can play four friendlies this Autumn and have very good games.
“Facing Germany, the USA, South Africa and Switzerland over two camps – that’s challenging, it’s really good and it will show us where we are.
“With bringing in 25 players, we can see a few more players and how they relate to each other in our environment and training sessions.
“But we can also try out some more things in the game and see different connections.”
Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker has been recalled into England’s squad for the first time this year.
However, City starlet Keating, 20, misses out.
The shot-stopper, who won last year’s WSL Golden Glove, is yet to start in the league this term.
Wiegman wants Khiara Keating to get sharper and fitter[/caption]
Her club pal Ayako Yamashita is currently preferred between the sticks having played four league games for City so far this season.
Wiegman adds: “We all know Khiara is a very talented goalkeeper. We want her to get fitter and sharper.
“That’s the message she got and it’s better to do that in her own environment.”
4 weeks agoNewsComments Off on Israel faces ‘serious’ interceptor missile shortage: report
Israel is facing a potential shortage of interceptor missiles needed to fend off strikes from Hamas and Hezbollah — all while preparing for future battles with Iran, according to a new report.