Lewiston's Soccer Team is Bringing the City Hope After Tragedy

Despite the recent tragedy of a shooting in Lewiston, Maine, the local Lewiston High School Blue Devils soccer team has brought a ray of light to the city by winning the state title. In a thrilling Class A state championship game against Deering High School Rams, the Blue Devils emerged victorious with a 3-2 win. The team, motivated by a desire to uplift their city, dedicated the victory to the community, providing a positive moment amid challenging times.

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This New Mid-Rise Apartment Design is Set to Speed Up Housing and Target “Missing Middle”

Airy courtyards, cross-ventilation, and clean Scandinavian lines could soon shape the future of Sydney housing, as the New South Wales government rolls out nine new mid-rise apartment building designs to help tackle the state's growing housing shortage. Unveiled on Monday, the new designs form part of the government’s broader low and mid-rise (LMR) housing reforms aimed at supporting the construction of 112,000 new homes over the next five years. The goal is to fill Sydney’s “missing middle” — the lack of medium-density housing that sits between sprawling suburban homes and high-rise towers. The buildings will be three to six storeys high and include options for small lots, large lots, and corner blocks. Designed by leading Australian and New Zealand architects, the plans focus on energy efficiency, light-filled spaces, shaded balconies, and community-friendly layouts. The government says these “pattern book” designs echo the spirit of Sydney’s beloved art deco and red brick walk-ups — while offering a modern, liveable alternative. Planning Minister Paul Scully said the designs allow more homes to be built “sympathetically with the size and scale that people like to see,” noting that Sydney’s urban landscape has always evolved. “There will be evolution and change in our cities as a matter of course,” he said. The NSW government is offering the plans for $1,500 to $2,500 for the first six months — roughly 1% of the cost of a bespoke architectural design. After six months, the price will rise to 10% of typical market cost. That pricing, officials say, is meant to boost uptake among developers and streamline approval processes. And the process is expected to get faster. While the designs still require a development application (DA), councils have been given guidance to halve average assessment times. The government says even faster approvals are on the way next year, thanks to new planning reforms recently passed in parliament. The release follows the popularity of the low-rise pattern book designs, launched in July. More than 17,000 low-rise plans have been downloaded for $1 each, though it's unclear how many have led to actual projects. Scully said early proposals are now beginning to move through the planning system, but acknowledged that mid-rise developments take more time to deliver. Abbie Galvin, the NSW Government Architect, noted the mid-rise designs are tailored for smaller sites — with 85% of eligible lots being under 20 metres wide. “That also means no larger developments that take a long time to deliver,” she said. The initiative comes as Sydney faces a mounting affordability and supply crisis, with younger generations increasingly priced out of the city. Premier Chris Minns highlighted a recent NSW Productivity Commission report that found 45,000 young people left the state last year, many citing housing pressures. “A lot of people in Sydney went: ‘Well, we’re open to apartments in our suburb — but not if they look like the ones we’ve already seen’,” Minns said. “The onus is on us, builders, and architects to design buildings that are beautiful, stand the test of time, and respond to that most urgent of needs.” The government is betting that high-quality, mid-rise homes—built faster and at lower cost—could be a critical step toward solving Sydney’s housing crunch.

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The World’s First Kiss Happened Millions of Years Before Humans Existed, Study Finds

Long before humans ever locked lips, kissing was already a thing—at least according to new research tracing the origins of the behavior back as far as 21.5 million years. A peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society claims the earliest form of kissing likely emerged in the common ancestor of great apes, well before Homo sapiens entered the picture. That places the first recorded kiss sometime between 21.5 and 16.9 million years ago. Researchers Matilda Brindle, Catherine F. Talbot, and Stuart West titled their paper “A Comparative Approach to the Evolution of Kissing”. Their conclusion? Kissing is an ancient, evolutionarily conserved trait that likely began with large apes after they diverged from smaller apes on the evolutionary tree. The study defines kissing as a non-aggressive, within-species oral-oral interaction involving some lip or mouth movement, but no food exchange. It's a behavior the researchers say has been observed widely across the animal kingdom, particularly among large apes and Afro-Eurasian monkeys. “Kissing can be observed across the animal kingdom,” the authors noted, adding that similar actions—though not quite meeting the scientific definition—have also been spotted in birds, fish, insects, and other mammals. So why does any of this matter? The researchers believe that understanding the evolutionary history of kissing could shed light on its biological functions, especially in relation to mating systems and social bonding. Their early data suggest a potential link between kissing and species with intense postcopulatory sexual selection—basically, animals where competition for mates continues even after mating occurs. “This conclusion is consistent with kissing having been observed in a variety of animals,” the researchers wrote. “We highlight promising future avenues of enquiry for understanding why kissing evolved.” They’re not saying your smooch with a partner is the same as what two chimps might do—but they are saying the behavior likely has deep evolutionary roots, possibly dating back to a shared ancestor of modern apes and extinct human species. In short, kissing may not be as uniquely human—or as modern—as we tend to think. It could be one of the oldest social behaviors we share with the rest of the animal kingdom.

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Can Cheese Consumption Predict Future Dementia Risk?

A new study out of Japan suggests that adding a little cheese to your diet could do more than please your taste buds—it might also help protect your brain. Researchers tracked nearly 8,000 people aged 65 and older for three years and found that those who ate cheese at least once a week were less likely to develop dementia than those who didn’t eat any cheese at all. Out of the cheese-eaters, 3.4% developed dementia, compared to 4.5% of non-cheese eaters. That’s roughly 10 to 11 fewer cases per 1,000 people—not a massive difference, but one that researchers say could have a real impact when scaled to the population level, especially in countries like Japan where cheese isn’t a dietary staple. “These findings are consistent with prior observational evidence linking dairy intake to cognitive health,” said lead researcher Seungwon Jeong of Niimi University in the published paper. Importantly, the researchers controlled for factors like age, sex, education, and income—common variables that can influence dementia risk. They also adjusted for overall diet quality, since those who skipped cheese tended to have less healthy eating habits overall. Even then, the cheese link held up. That doesn’t mean cheese prevents dementia—but it’s another clue in a growing body of research showing how diet may influence brain health. So what’s the possible link? Cheese contains several nutrients thought to support cognitive function, including vitamin K, which has been associated with brain health in older adults. It’s also full of beneficial bacteria that support the gut microbiome, and emerging science continues to connect gut health to dementia risk. Fermented dairy products like cheese are also linked to better heart health—and good cardiovascular health is known to protect against cognitive decline. While the study didn’t dig into the biological “why,” the researchers believe it’s likely a combination of these factors working together. And they’re not finished: They plan to continue investigating how different types of cheese and different amounts might influence the brain, and whether any specific mechanisms can be pinpointed. For now, the message is simple: cheese alone won’t prevent dementia, but it might be a small, tasty part of a larger strategy that includes exercise, social connection, and a nutritious diet. As the world’s population continues to age—particularly in countries like Japan—these insights matter. According to the UN, over 50 million people worldwide are currently living with dementia. That number is expected to grow sharply in the coming decades. “Further research is warranted,” the study notes, “to clarify dose-response relationships, cheese subtypes, and underlying mechanisms.” In the meantime, if you’re looking for one more reason to enjoy a slice of cheddar or a bit of brie, this might just be it.

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Nine-Year-Old Rio Conquers Everest Base Camp in 12-Day Trek with His Dad

While most kids were easing into the school term, nine-year-old Rio from Spondon, Derby was climbing to 5,364 metres above sea level. Alongside his dad Jake, 34, Rio completed a 12-day trek to Mount Everest Base Camp on 15 November—drawing applause from seasoned climbers around the world as he arrived at the iconic Himalayan outpost. “It was basically doing the Yorkshire Three Peaks every day,” Jake said. “It was like climbing Ben Nevis every single day up and down.” Each day of the journey involved a minimum of six hours of climbing. As they climbed higher, oxygen levels dropped to as low as 76%—making even simple tasks harder. “We struggled to breathe,” Jake said. But Rio kept going. The father-son team fueled their climb with “munch bags” packed with flapjacks, raisins, chocolate, biscuits and other quick snacks. Days started at 6am with breakfast, followed by hours on the trail until dinner. The trek started with a twist. Their flight to Lukla from Kathmandu was cancelled due to bad weather, so the pair had to hitch a helicopter ride instead. “We weren’t expecting it, so it was a nice little surprise,” Jake said. Rio is no stranger to a challenge. He’s already climbed the UK’s three highest peaks—Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa), Ben Nevis and Scafell Pike—as well as completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge. Still, Everest Base Camp was another level. Jake expected he might have to carry Rio’s bag at some point—but never did. Rio insisted on carrying his own five-kilo day pack, filled with water, snacks, waterproofs and gloves. “He wanted to show that he was self-sufficient,” Jake said. “I was so proud of him.” The most gruelling part of the journey, according to Jake, was the early climb to Namche Bazar, where they gained more than 1,000 metres of elevation in a single day. But even as fatigue set in, Rio kept going. “If anything, it was the adults that started to wane a bit,” Jake admitted. As they reached base camp, Jake was overwhelmed with emotion. “I cried happy tears,” he said. For Rio, the challenge was “epic.” And he’s already planning what comes next. “We had so many laughs,” Jake said. “We’ve had some tough times climbing. The best thing for me is always spending time with my lad and adventuring together.”

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At Just 16 Years Old, This Actress is Making History in Miss Saigon

Bea Ward never imagined she’d make theatre history at 16—but that’s exactly what she’s done. The teen actress from Leominster, Herefordshire, has become the youngest performer ever to take on the lead role of Kim in Miss Saigon, which opened its UK tour this week at Birmingham’s Alexandra Theatre. “It’s kind of crazy,” Ward said. “I never thought I’d do that. I’m just really grateful.” The role of Kim, a young Vietnamese woman caught in the chaos of war and love during the fall of Saigon, is typically played by actresses closer to 18. Ward, still just 16, wasn’t expecting to be considered at all. “When I got the call back and kept getting them and the email saying they wanted to see me back again, I started to realise it was getting real,” she said. Her performance in Miss Saigon comes after an already impressive start to her career. Ward previously appeared in Hollywood’s production of Wicked and describes the ride so far as a “wild journey.” “I never thought I’d be here in my life but I’m just soaking it all in.” Despite her rising star status, Ward has never had any formal acting or vocal training. She’s learned everything on the job—observing, absorbing, and trusting her instincts. “I just take on what is given to me and learn from other people, feel what’s wrong and what’s right,” she said. For anyone dreaming of following in her footsteps, Ward has simple advice. “This sounds really cringey,” she said, “but if you believe in yourself and you have that inner confidence, you can truly do anything you want to do.” The story of Miss Saigon—a sweeping love story inspired by real events during the Vietnam War—resonates deeply with Ward, who called the show an “epic love story journey.” “It follows this 17-year-old runaway from war and falling in love with an American guy, which is such a true story for so many Vietnamese people during the fall of Saigon,” she said. “I’m really honoured to share the story and continue its legacy.” As the curtain rises on the UK tour, Ward’s name is already etched in the show’s history—and she’s just getting started.

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Bowhead Whales Might Hold the Key to Fighting Cancer — Here’s Why

Bowhead whales can live for more than 200 years. That longevity, combined with their massive size and millions of cells, should make them prime candidates for developing cancer. But they don’t. In fact, there’s never been a documented case of a malignant tumor in a bowhead whale. That mystery led researchers to take a closer look. What they found, published in Nature, could open up new ways to prevent or treat cancer—not just in whales, but potentially in humans too. “This charming little whale is doing something remarkable,” said biologist Vera Gorbunova from the University of Rochester. “Instead of eliminating malignant cells, they maintain their cells better so they don’t accumulate as many mutations.” It’s part of a growing field known as comparative oncology, which looks at how different species evolve resistance to cancer. The central mystery it tackles is called Peto’s paradox—the idea that large, long-lived animals should get more cancer than small ones, simply because they have more cells and more time for those cells to mutate. But they don’t. Gorbunova and her team set out to investigate what the bowhead’s secret might be. Instead of finding lots of tumor-suppressing genes like in elephants—who carry 20 copies of a gene called p53, compared to just one in humans—they discovered something else entirely: superior cell maintenance. The whales produce large quantities of a protein called CIRBP, short for cold-inducible RNA-binding protein. It helps fix breaks in DNA, which is crucial because if breaks aren’t repaired correctly, they can lead to cancer. And bowhead whales are very good at DNA repair—two to three times better than humans, according to the study. “They were not losing pieces of DNA,” Gorbunova said. “They were fusing the ends correctly.” The team took it a step further. When they made human cells overproduce CIRBP, those cells became more efficient at repairing DNA damage. When they did the same in fruit flies, the insects lived longer and became more resistant to mutations. That’s where things get interesting for humans. “The most important take-home message for us is that there is room for improvement,” Gorbunova said. “If we understand the mechanism of longevity in this exceptionally long-lived mammal, maybe we can find a way to clinically translate this mechanism to benefit human health.” Gorbunova credits the Indigenous Iñupiaq community in Barrow, Alaska, for making the research possible. Bowhead whales are hunted there for subsistence, and with permission, her team was given small tissue samples to study. In turn, she hopes this research could one day help the Inuit, whose communities face rising cancer rates. The CIRBP protein is triggered by cold—fitting for whales that thrive in frigid Arctic waters. Instead of constantly eliminating damaged cells, as elephants do, bowheads seem to avoid damage in the first place by focusing on long-term cell upkeep. “The strategy of the whale is to invest in maintenance rather than clean up,” Gorbunova explained. Scientists outside the study say it’s a promising development. “We want to be able to treat cancer better in humans,” said Amy Boddy, an evolutionary biologist at UC Santa Barbara. “And so it’s really exciting to know that animals have evolved different pathways to live long and defend against cancer.” Boddy also sees a conservation angle here. “We should protect against poaching because they are these amazing, magical creatures that can maybe one day help human health,” she said. Still, there are limits. DNA repair is energy-intensive, and there are likely trade-offs. And as evolutionary biologist Vincent Lynch pointed out, this is just the start. “We have literally uncovered a handful of the mechanisms that are responsible for their cancer resistance,” he said. “There’s going to be a whole lot more to identify, which is cool because it gives us something to do.” For Gorbunova, that’s exactly the point. “If we only study very short-lived organisms, we cannot really find longevity mechanisms because they don’t have them,” she said. It turns out, animals that survive for two centuries may have a lot to teach us about staying alive.

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Study Finds Cheap Daily Supplement Boosts Brain Function In Older Adults

A scoop of fiber a day could be doing more than just keeping your digestion in check—it might also be helping your brain. A first-of-its-kind study from King’s College London found that daily doses of common plant-based fiber supplements improved memory in people over 60, offering a potentially affordable way to support brain health in aging populations. Researchers studied 36 pairs of twins, giving one twin from each pair a mix of prebiotic fiber and protein daily, while the other received a placebo. After three months, the twins who took the real supplement scored higher on memory and learning tests—specifically the same visual test often used to flag early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. “We are excited to see these changes in just 12 weeks,” said Mary Ni Lochlainn, a geriatric medicine researcher at King’s College London. “This holds huge promise for enhancing brain health and memory in our aging population.” The supplements tested were inulin and fructooligosaccharide (FOS)—two types of prebiotic fibers that are widely available over the counter and often used in food products. Prebiotics aren’t digested in the stomach; instead, they travel to the colon where they help fuel the growth of healthy gut bacteria. One such group of microbes, Bifidobacterium, appeared in greater numbers in those taking inulin or FOS. Studies on mice have suggested that Bifidobacterium may help reduce cognitive decline by supporting communication along the gut-brain axis. “Unlocking the secrets of the gut-brain axis could offer new approaches for living more healthily for longer,” Ni Lochlainn said. The study, published in Nature Communications, adds to a growing body of research linking gut health and brain function. Some scientists now refer to the gut as the body’s “second brain” due to its influence on the nervous system, immune function, and mental health. But exactly how this relationship works is still largely unknown. King’s College London hosts the UK’s largest adult twin registry, giving researchers a unique chance to examine how genetics and environment affect health. By studying twins, the team could isolate the impact of the supplement more clearly. While cognitive performance showed improvement, the supplements didn’t appear to help with muscle mass or physical strength, which had also been monitored during the trial. Still, researchers believe the changes in gut bacteria could play a key role in protecting cognitive function. “These plant fibers, which are cheap and available over the counter, could benefit a wide group of people in these cash-strapped times. They are safe and acceptable too,” said Claire Steves, a geriatrician at KCL. Researchers now plan to expand the study to include larger and more diverse groups, and to test whether the improvements hold up over longer periods. Most of the participants in this initial trial were female, a factor the researchers accounted for, though they acknowledge it may have introduced some bias. On the other hand, women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s, which adds weight to the findings. Other recent research has linked the gut microbiome to conditions like multiple sclerosis. In 2025, scientists found that people with a lower ratio of Bifidobacterium to Akkermansia had more severe symptoms, both in humans and in mice. That broader connection between gut health and disease is gaining ground. Feeding your microbiome with the right fibers might eventually help in fighting a range of conditions—not just cognitive decline. For now, the study offers an intriguing takeaway: what’s good for your gut might also be good for your brain. And that might start with something as simple as a scoop of fiber in your morning smoothie.

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Man Runs 95 Miles in Storm to Raise Awareness for Men's Mental Health

Running through wind, rain, and freezing cold for 24 hours might sound like a punishment to some. For Oliver Gooch, it was personal. The 35-year-old from Blackpool ran more than 400 laps around Stanley Park's sports track last weekend—through the height of Storm Claudia—to shine a light on men’s mental health. He ended up clocking 95 miles (about 153 kilometres), the same distance as running from Blackpool to Manchester and back. "I wanted to do it in memory of him," Gooch said, referring to a close friend who died by suicide five years ago. “Wanting to bring a change is something I’m passionate about.” This isn’t his first endurance feat. Last year, Gooch ran nearly 250 miles (about 400 kilometres) from the Blackpool pier to Brighton’s seafront. That effort raised £2,500 for Movember, the global charity focused on men’s health. This time, the run was about more than just fundraising—it was about confronting a crisis in his hometown. A recent national study of coroners' court data showed that Blackpool has the highest rate of deaths in England linked to alcohol, drug abuse, and suicide. Between 2019 and 2021, about 46,200 people in England died in this way—roughly 42 deaths every single day. Blackpool topped the list with a rate of 83.8 such deaths per 100,000 people, compared to just 14.5 in Barnet, Greater London, the area with the lowest rate. "It was important for me to do it in Blackpool as it's my hometown," Gooch said. He began his run at 5pm on Friday and battled relentless conditions through the night. “The middle of the night was probably the hardest,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire. But people showed up. Friends and supporters ran laps with him. That, he said, kept him going. "I think there's still a stigma about men talking about mental health," he said, "but I think year on year there's improvements being made." Gooch doesn’t claim to have all the answers, but he hopes his actions get people talking. And maybe, for someone out there struggling, that could be the difference.

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UK Health System Opens Boxing Gym to Boost Mental Health — No Fighting Required

In a first-of-its-kind move, the NHS has opened a dedicated boxing gym in south-east London aimed at improving mental health — not through sparring, but through the therapeutic, non-contact side of the sport. The gym, located at the Goldie Leigh site in Abbey Wood, Bexley, is part of a 10-year partnership between the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and mental health charity Off The Ropes. It will serve a wide range of users, including those living with learning disabilities, Parkinson’s, dementia, and other neurological or mental health conditions. The initiative is the brainchild of Warren Dunkley, a former professional boxer and NHS occupational therapist with 25 years of experience. He founded Off The Ropes after discovering how powerful boxing could be as a mental health tool while working on a ward. “A few [clients] found out that I used to box and then said, ‘Can you bring your pads in, can we do some boxing training?’ and then it has kind of just took off from there,” Dunkley said. The sessions are strictly non-contact, focusing on movement, rhythm, and focus — and for many, they’ve become a lifeline. “It’s ticking two boxes for me,” Dunkley said. “I like helping people and I like my job as an occupational therapist, but I get to do my passion of boxing as well.” A Workout for the Mind What began with one weekly session has expanded to three sessions a week across acute, intensive care, and female wards. Now, with its own dedicated gym space on the NHS estate, Off The Ropes has a home to grow. Josh Nelson, who was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder as a teenager, has been boxing for 15 years and is now a coach at the gym. “I can have a manic episode where everything is really heightened. I can also be the total opposite,” he said. “Boxing has helped a great deal. It’s instilled discipline in me, focus, to keep working hard and not giving up.” Lauren Louise, another long-time participant, says boxing helped her find a confidence she didn’t know she had. “Boxing brings out a side to me that I never used to think I had. It brought out my confidence,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what level of boxing you are. It’s the fact that you can come here and do what you’re capable of doing.” Rethinking NHS Spaces With the number of people accessing NHS mental health, learning disability and autism services rising sharply — up nearly 40% since before the pandemic — Oxleas chief executive Dr. Ife Okocha says the need for innovative, community-rooted approaches is greater than ever. “What we don’t want is people struggling to find commercial properties when we can support them and make sure that the NHS estate is also not just a health facility, but a wellbeing facility for communities that we serve,” said Dr. Okocha. He hopes the Off The Ropes gym will serve as a model for other NHS trusts — a way of reimagining unused spaces as hubs for healing and empowerment. For Dunkley, it's simple: “Boxing gives people a sense of control. A sense of progress. And in mental health, that’s everything.”

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Historic Sycamore Gap Tree Offsprings To Be Planted

The first young trees grown from seeds of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree — felled in an act of vandalism that shocked the country — will be planted this weekend, as part of a nationwide effort to turn destruction into hope. Five saplings will be planted on Saturday in Coventry, Staffordshire, Berkshire, Cambridge, and Strabane. More will follow next week in Leeds, Sunderland, and Hexham, near where the original tree once stood beside Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. The plantings are part of the National Trust’s Trees of Hope initiative, which aims to distribute 49 saplings — one for every foot of the original tree’s height — to communities across the UK. Nearly 500 groups applied to receive one. The original Sycamore Gap tree became a national symbol of quiet beauty and endurance before it was cut down in September 2023. Two men from Cumbria, Daniel Michael Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, were sentenced to four years and three months in prison this past July after being convicted of criminal damage. Hilary McGrady, director general of the National Trust, said the saplings would serve both as homes for nature and as reminders of resilience. “There are always good things worth fighting for, even after something so senseless,” she said. The first wave of trees will be planted during National Tree Week, which runs from 22 to 30 November. One sapling will go to The Tree Sanctuary in Coventry, founded by three teenagers aiming to protect urban trees. Another will be planted at a site in Staffordshire commemorating the Minnie Pit mining disaster, and others will go to Greenham Common in Berkshire, the Lisnafin Community Centre in Strabane, and the community pollinator project Coton Loves Pollinators in Cambridge. Martina Irwin, a co-founder of The Tree Sanctuary, said their sapling would be planted among other trees previously saved by the group. “It will serve as a beacon to inspire respect, understanding, and a sense of responsibility toward all trees,” she said. Next week, saplings will be planted at the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds, Hexham General Hospital, and the Veterans in Crisis charity in Sunderland. In early December, one sapling will be planted at Henshaw Church of England Primary School — the closest school to where the Sycamore Gap tree once stood. Fifteen more saplings will be planted in 2026, each one going to one of the UK’s national parks. That includes Northumberland National Park, where the original tree grew and where its absence is still deeply felt. Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust’s Hadrian’s Wall properties, said seeing the first saplings planted felt emotional. “It’s incredible to think that this weekend the first ‘offspring’ of this very famous tree will be planted,” he said. “It feels like just yesterday that those tentative first shoots appeared.” One sapling — the very first grown — was gifted last summer to King Charles III. According to the National Trust, it will be planted for the nation at a later date.

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