Meet the 10-Year-Old Pioneer Who is Using Mind-Control Technology

Imagine controlling your environment with just your thoughts. For kids with disabilities in Ontario, this sci-fi concept is becoming a reality. Ten-year-old Irelynn, who is non-verbal and has limited mobility, can now make her toy play music by simply thinking about clapping. Her father, Jeff, calls it "probably the best thing I've ever seen." CBC News decided to keep their last names private for safety reasons. The technology making this possible is called brain-computer interface (BCI). It uses a black headset with circular sensors that detect electrical signals in the brain. Susannah Van Damme leads the clinical BCI program at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital in Toronto. She explained how Irelynn has trained software to recognize her thought command associated with clapping. This innovation recently made its way to the John McGivney Children's Centre in Windsor, where Van Damme led a session with Irelynn. The center is among the first outside of Holland Bloorview to experiment with this tool, thanks to a $30 million donation from the Slaight Family Foundation. Jodi Fischer, manager for occupational therapy and physiotherapy at McGivney, says the early stages of training have been "very exciting." Kids are discovering new ways to interact with their surroundings. Fischer recalled one boy who used the technology to make a machine throw a ball—an activity that could eventually let him play with his family or join group programs. "It is very emotional," she said, noting similar reactions during various demonstrations. While promising, the technology isn't flawless yet. Adjusting Irelynn’s headset properly takes time and requires moving her hair around so that each electrode makes good contact with her skull using saline-soaked felts for better conductivity. Once connected, they train the system to respond accurately when she wants to activate her toy. Van Damme mentioned that current headsets were designed for adults; improvements are on the horizon as they tailor these devices more specifically for children like Irelynn. Irelynn's father shared how this technology opens new possibilities despite her STXBP1 disorder diagnosis—a rare genetic condition identified when she was just a toddler. He believes it shows that children are capable of much more than we often realize. Both Jeff and Fischer expressed optimism about future technological advancements for people with disabilities. Fischer summed up their sentiments: "Who knows where it will go?"

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This Record-Breaking Gooseberry Grew 10x Bigger Than Its Typical Size

In the small village of Egton Bridge, North Yorkshire, a local gardener has achieved an impressive feat. Graeme Watson broke the record for the largest gooseberry ever grown, with his fruit weighing 65.5 grams. The average gooseberry weighs about 3 to 6 grams, which makes Watson's achievement even more remarkable. The record was set at the Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show, an event that has been running for 225 years. Watson, who is also the chairman of the show, expressed his excitement over the new record. "I was hoping it might be close," he said, "but I was surprised when it was nicely over." Watson had previously held the record at 64.56 grams and managed to surpass his own accomplishment by nearly one gram. He admitted that he struggled to sleep before the event due to anticipation about his gooseberry's potential. Arthur Hall, another competitor, had a heavier gooseberry initially weighing 67 grams. However, it fell off its tree four days before the competition and lost weight as a result. This meant Watson edged out Hall’s entry by just three grains—approximately 0.19 grams—to claim victory. As stormy weather approached, Watson decided to pick his berries two days before the show to protect them from damage. "The show being Tuesday," he explained, "I daren’t leave them any closer to Monday." He credited sunny weather conditions for helping produce such a large fruit this year. Gooseberries that don't make it into competition are sold at the event for £3 per pound (453 grams). They sell out fast as spectators eagerly snap up these sweet treats within 45 minutes of availability. "When they’re as ripe as this they’re very very sweet," Watson shared about their taste during showtime compared to earlier in the year when they're tart and suitable only for pies or crumbles. The Egton Bridge Gooseberry Show continues its long-standing tradition with each passing year showcasing not just giant fruits but fierce friendly competition among growers like Graeme Watson and Arthur Hall who strive each season towards setting new records while delighting locals with their harvests.

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Meet The Pint-Sized Entrepreneur Running A Successful Ice Cream Business

At Scooper’s Dairy Bar in Brudenell, Prince Edward Island, the sight of a petite 11-year-old behind the counter might raise eyebrows. But for Roya Cooper, running her own ice cream shop is just another day on summer break. She's not just playing store; she's managing inventory, scooping delightful sundaes and keeping her finances straight. Roya didn't just stumble into this business. She put up some savings and secured a loan from the Community Business Development Corporation to get things rolling. "I thought ice cream was really cool," she says with a grin. "I liked eating it, and I wanted to start a business." It’s not her first venture either; at six years old, she was already selling handmade French books to tourists for five dollars each. Her entrepreneurial spirit seems to be inherited from her parents, who operate multiple businesses in the area, including Brudenell Riding Stables right next door. "We're super proud," says her father, Carson Cooper. Her mother, Ambyr, adds that Roya's dedication is impressive: "It’s a way harder job than you think it is." The work isn't easy for Roya. Scooping ice cream takes effort, and managing employees older than herself can be challenging. Recently, one of her staff members left because there was too much cleaning involved. "Some are like, 'I don’t really need to do this because I don’t need to listen to you,' but others actually respect me," Roya explains. For now, she's holding down the fort seven days a week until school starts or she finds new help. Most customers leave satisfied with their treats. One patron even shared their favorite: "I love the ice cream. And the chocolate, of course." Even when faced with picky customers who demand bigger scoops or want things redone, Roya says she takes it in stride. She continues innovating with creations like nacho ice cream, a big scoop topped with sprinkles, sauce, and waffle chips, although her personal favorite remains peanut butter fudge crunch. After hours spent at the dairy bar, Roya doesn’t rest on her laurels. She goes home and crafts earrings shaped like mini ice-cream cones, which she sells from a small stand outside the shop, another source of income for this budding entrepreneur. Roya dreams of serving many more sundaes as she grows older and hopes that her business will grow alongside her ambitions.

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Unexpected Catch: Angler Reels in 700-Year-Old Sword Instead of Fish

A fisherman in Poland was hoping for a bite and pulled up a medieval sword instead. The Capital Conservator of Monuments in Warsaw announced the find, calling it a rare glimpse into warfare in the Middle Ages. In a Facebook post, the office said the angler hooked the weapon in the Vistula River. “It was supposed to be this big a fish – but it turned out to be this big a sword!” the post read. “As you can see, the Vistula hides some real treasures.” The fisherman handed the sword to local authorities, who passed it to specialists for conservation and study. “A sword this old, found in what is now Warsaw, is unique.” Early descriptions are already telling a story. The weapon has survived almost to its full length, with a spherical pommel and a cross mark on the grip identified in initial inspections. Conservators will stabilize the corroded metal before researchers move on to closer analysis. Anna Magdalena Łań, a chief specialist with the city of Warsaw, told Fox News Digital that the team is still working through the details. “The sword is dated to the 13th or 14th century, which is the time when Warsaw was founded,” Łań said in an email translated from Polish. “A more precise date may be determined thanks to the cross mark, which is the ‘signature’ of the blacksmith who made it,” she added. “Research is ongoing.” Łań said the sword measures a little over 79 centimetres from tip to hilt. “I don’t know the weight, but the sword is quite light because [of a] very large extent of corrosion,” she said. That corrosion is expected for an object that likely spent centuries in a riverbed, yet the form seems intact enough to help scholars pin down style, origin and use. What the river cannot reveal is context. “The sword was found in a river, meaning it was discovered without context – that is, without other artifacts that could tell us more about it,” Łań said. With no associated finds, archaeologists cannot say if the sword was lost in battle, dropped in transit, or discarded. Łań also noted that depositing swords in water was not a Christian-era practice in 13th-century Poland, which makes a ritual explanation unlikely. Even without a clear backstory, the piece is drawing attention as a Warsaw-area rarity. The period dating links it to the city’s formative centuries, when fortified settlements along the Vistula were growing into a regional centre. If researchers can match the grip’s cross mark to a known maker, it could narrow the origin to a workshop or region and refine the date. The find also joins a run of eye-catching discoveries in Poland. In Gdańsk, archaeologists recently uncovered a medieval knight’s tomb beneath a former ice cream parlour. Earlier this year, two pedestrians stumbled on a 2,500-year-old dagger along the Baltic coast. Each discovery adds a puzzle piece, from everyday objects to elite burials, to a picture of life and conflict across the region’s long history. For now, the Vistula sword is in the lab, where conservators will clean, document and stabilize it so it can be safely handled and studied. If all goes well, the team expects to share more once the corrosion is mapped and the maker’s mark is fully recorded. Until then, the fisherman’s haul stands as a simple reminder of what rivers keep and sometimes give back.

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Rare "Bakewell Blues" are Making a Comeback: The Unexpected Revival of Britain's Nearly Extinct Cows

Emma and Andrew Warren, farmers from Beetham Farm near Chard in Somerset, have stumbled upon a remarkable find. They are now the proud owners of two Albion cows, Maude and Margo. This breed was once thought to be extinct after a foot and mouth disease outbreak decimated their numbers in the 1960s. Emma Warren recounted her surprise upon learning about the rarity of her new bovine companions. "I had no idea they were that rare," she said. The breeding population for Albions is staggeringly low with only about 300 remaining across the UK. The Albion cow's origins trace back to Derbyshire near Bakewell in 1916, according to the Albion Cattle Society. Originally called "Bakewell Blues" due to their slightly blueish mottled appearance, they were renamed Blue Albion in 1921. Susannah Mannerings from the Albion Cattle Society highlighted the challenges faced by this breed over the years. "It was a bad time," she said, referring to past events like the agricultural depression and World War II that impacted farming severely. The 1960s outbreak of foot and mouth disease further endangered them. Despite these setbacks, some determined farmers managed to keep the breed alive, albeit quietly. The Warrens' acquisition has brought renewed attention to these rare cows. In an interesting twist of fate, Emma Warren shared that her father served on HMS Albion before it was decommissioned. A footplate from this Royal Navy ship now occupies a place of honor at their home’s entrance, linking their family history with their newfound agricultural venture. Maude and Margo are not just rare; they represent hope for increasing Albion numbers as both have calves already and Maude might be expecting again soon.

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How A Band Director Turned Heartbreak Into Harmony Through Music And Community

After a new school year starts, you never know what is coming next. The Robbinsdale Cooper High School band in Minnesota learned that the hard way. “One of my earliest memories of my father is being on his shoulders while he walked through his marching band,” said Cooper band director Markus Hahn. In October, Markus’ parents, Richard and Jeanette Hahn, were driving to a funeral when they died in a collision with a dump truck. Before retiring, Jeanette taught middle school choir in St. Francis. Richard spent nearly 30 years as the band director at Forest Lake High School. “They were his best friends,” said Jennifer Hahn, Markus’ wife. “He called his dad every day on the way home from work to talk about what they were playing, ways to inspire kids.” The Hahns did more than talk. “My dad never missed a concert,” Markus said. They were there for every performance as he earned his music degree at the University of Minnesota. When Markus chose the University of Nevada, Las Vegas for his master’s, his father kept showing up. “He flew down to UNLV for every concert,” Markus said. The support did not stop when he started teaching. “When I had my first job at Triton High School in southern Minnesota, my parents drove the hour-and-a-half, and the hour-and-a-half back, for every concert,” Markus said. Jennifer summed them up simply. “They always showed up.” They kept showing up after Markus took over the Cooper band. Richard and Jeanette became familiar faces at concerts and Friday night football. The running family joke became a line Markus still repeats. “The football team performs before and after the band,” he said. Students knew them well enough to nickname Richard “Papa Hahn.” “The best relationship - father-son relationship - I’ve ever seen,” said junior D. J. Cannon. “He would talk about him in band,” added senior Gabe Cummings. After the crash, colleagues in the Robbinsdale School District covered Markus’ classes so he could grieve. Students wanted to help too. They pinned on gold ribbons for Richard and Jeanette, who loved the University of Minnesota. “The football players, even they were wearing gold stickers on their helmets," junior Kendall Carscadden said. Then they did something more personal. “They showed up to the wake,” Markus said. “I remember looking over there and seeing just a line of my students starting to walk through the door." For many, it was the first time seeing their teacher in that setting. “A lot of tears, a lot of tears by everybody,” Kendall recalled. “He was shocked,” Jennifer said. Band, for Markus, is family history as well as a job. Twice his father directed Forest Lake at the Tournament of Roses Parade. Markus joined him on the second trip in 1992. “I was six years old,” Markus said. “He made a bed for me in the aisle of the bus.” His grandfather was also a band director. “I’m the third Mr. Hahn,” he said, holding the nameplate from his grandpa’s office at Minot State Teachers College in North Dakota. Now a fourth generation is learning the beat. Markus shared a video of his three-year-old daughter, Shelby, pretending to conduct, a trick from her grandma Jeanette. “I would love for her to develop the same musical appreciation my parents instilled in me,” Markus said. Spring brought a familiar routine back to the band room, warmups, tuning, last checks before the final concert of the year. Markus thanked his students for carrying him through the worst months of his life. He told them, “I told dad in September that I just got a great group of three bands, I really mean that.” On stage, the bands played to family and friends in the Cooper auditorium. Shelby sat on Jennifer’s lap, keeping time with her feet. If life were different, her grandparents would have been next to her. “I definitely believe they’re smiling down,” Markus said before the concert. The finale would have suited them. Cooper closed with “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” the same piece Richard used to end every concert he conducted. Markus lifted his father’s baton and brought the first entrance in. The crowd stood at the end with a long ovation. He turned to his students. “Nice job, everybody,” he said with a big smile. The loss is still fresh. The habit of showing up is even stronger. Students wore ribbons, stood in line at the wake, and showed up again for rehearsal and performance. Colleagues covered classes. A community did what Richard and Jeanette modeled for decades, they showed up. The family is making sure the Hahns keep doing that for other young musicians. Markus and his sister, Laurie Ganser, have created scholarships in their parents’ names for students pursuing music degrees at the University of Minnesota. The Richard and Jeanette Hahn scholarships will help the next generation step onto the same stages the Hahns never missed. School years end, and concerts end too. The good ones stay with you. In a season that started with a devastating phone call, Markus closed the year holding his dad’s baton and looking at students who had his back. The notes faded, the applause rose, and the band director who used to call his father on the drive home could at least say what his dad always said after a strong night of music. “Nice job, everybody.”

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How One Brain Injury Survivor Is Changing Lives with 22,000 Bike Helmets for Kids

In Fergus Falls, Minnesota, Kids are often seen on bikes weaving around traffic cones in a YMCA parking lot. A police sergeant calls out instructions. At a folding table nearby, Mike Heikes lines up blue helmets and starts fitting them one by one. “I’ve been doing it most of my adult life,” he says. For two hours, the slender man with the gentle manner hands out helmets for free. He has done this at bike rodeos and school visits for years, a mission that began with a crash that nearly killed him. “My brain injury happened when I was 18,” he says. The year was 1982, a week before he was due to start college on a scholarship. “Yep, not a care in the world,” he says. Then came a night of celebrating, too many drinks, and a curve taken too fast. The Mustang driven by a friend spun and rolled. “I was thrown through a closed window and landed on the highway,” Heikes says. “There was a trail of blood about 20 feet where I slid.” At the hospital, his condition was so dire that a clinician handed his mother a bag of his shaved hair. “She was supposed to give it to the funeral home,” he says, “and they were going to put it back on my head to make me look presentable.” He lived. The memory loss and planning problems that followed still shape his days. His home is peppered with reminders. “Use up canned meat,” reads one Post-it. Another says, “Take a loaf of bread out.” He laughs and shows his palm. “My favorite place to write notes is on my hand,” he says, revealing the inked reminder, he tells the visitors. “Otherwise, I’ll forget.” The crash also gave him a purpose. Unable to drive, Heikes took up cycling. Seeing children ride without helmets bothered him enough to act. “If you live through a brain injury, you don’t want to see anyone else have a brain injury,” he says. “I started in 1999, and I’ve given over 22,000 away,” he says of the helmets stacked in his garage. He buys them in bulk. “They cost $10 a piece,” he says, pulling another from a box. Semis have delivered to his driveway. He keeps the money flowing with donation jars at local businesses and grants from service clubs. When the math does not work, he shrugs. “That’s what home equity loans are for,” he says. At the YMCA rodeo, he adjusts chin straps and coaches kids to tug the buckles tight. He pauses to explain why he does this. “I hurt my brain in a car accident, but it could happen on a bike just the same,” he tells one boy. Organisers see the same quiet resolve. “He’s one of our local treasures,” says Patrick Hollister, who helps run the event. Last year, a headline announced that Heikes was retiring from helmet giving. That did not last. “I need speech therapy,” he jokes as he hands out another. “I have a hard time saying ‘no.’” He grins, picks up a pen, and writes a single word on his palm. “RETIRE.” He might mean it next year. People who know him are not betting on it. For now, he keeps showing up with boxes of bright lids and a story he shares without pity. A survivor who needs notes to keep his day on track, he remembers a road, a window, and a trail of blood. He also remembers what a helmet can prevent. On an early spring afternoon, that is enough to fill a table and send another group of kids riding out safer than they arrived.

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Shanghai's Newest Fitness Craze: A Gym Just for Dogs

Dogs on treadmills are not a common sight in Shanghai. That might change soon. A canine fitness centre called Gogogym has gone viral after posting clips of dogs jogging on treadmills, and it is about to open its doors. Built by Singapore-based Heal Petcare, Gogogym bills itself as a wellness space designed for dogs. The facility includes a fitness zone, a spa and rehabilitation area, a massage room, and a retail section. It is set to open in late June, and staff say trial operations are already under way. The pitch is simple, keep pets active and prevent illness with regular exercise. Professional trainers will be on site to assess each dog and create personalised workout plans. A March job listing showed the team hiring certified pet fitness coaches and therapists, with a preference for candidates experienced in canine rehabilitation or veterinary care. Gogogym has also been building a community before launch. On April 19, it rolled out a dog fitness model contest on social media. The top three winners received three-month passes, and the top 10 got early access to classes. Staff say membership pricing is still being finalised, but people who take part in pre-opening events will receive complimentary gym passes. Pet owners have embraced the idea. Jren, who has a two-year-old corgi, said she brings her dog to improve posture, bone health, and burn off energy. “My dog was nervous at first, but ended up loving the treadmill. I was thrilled,” said Jren. Another prospective member, Zhang Baixiang, says he plans to buy a five-year membership when the gym officially opens. The reaction online has been lively. “Now dogs can eat hotpot, got to gyms, and even get married. This shows how far animal welfare has come,” one netizen said. Another added a request many cat owners will recognise. “When will there be a gym for cats? Mine is getting way too chubby,” said another. Experts say the concept fits a broader shift toward preventive care. A pet rehabilitation therapist, surnamed Yang, in Hubei province told the Post that slow treadmill walks, swimming, and hurdle jumps are ideal exercises for most dogs. For puppies, Yang advises sessions of 15 to 30 minutes, and warns that over-exercising, especially with large breeds, can harm bone development. “The right kind of exercise depends on a pet’s age, size, breed, and health,” he added. China now counts more than 120 million pets, and spending is tilting from basic care to wellness and fitness. According to the White Paper on the Pet Industry, pet market spending topped 300 billion yuan, about US$42 billion, in 2024. Gogogym is trying to tap into that demand with a mix of training, recovery, and retail under one roof. The treadmill videos have done their job, pulling attention to a facility that looks as much like a human gym as a kennel. Inside, staff say owners will be able to book assessments, get tailored plans, and choose from classes that match a dog’s age, size, and medical needs. Whether this becomes a fixture across Chinese cities will depend on price, outcomes, and repeat visits. For now, early adopters are already treating it like a new routine. Jren’s corgi now trots happily on a moving belt. Zhang is ready to sign long term. And the comment sections keep filling with people imagining a version for cats. The doors open later this month. Until then, the treadmills keep turning for trial runs, and the videos keep spreading. If the reception carries over offline, Shanghai’s dogs will soon be swimming laps, hitting step counts, and finishing sessions with a massage, all under the eye of a coach who knows their plan by heart.

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Atlanta’s youngest certified farmer, 10, gets full-ride scholarship to SC State

10-year-old farmer from Atlanta just added a college scholarship to her harvest. Kendall Rae Johnson, celebrated as Georgia’s youngest certified farmer, has been awarded a full ride to South Carolina State University after a campus visit that turned into a surprise ceremony. Kendall’s love for growing food started early. As a toddler, she gardened on a small patio with her great-grandmother, Laura “Kate” Williams, planting cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and collard greens. At four, her parents built a larger garden bed at home. That simple upgrade changed everything. Kendall expanded her plots, learned fast, and began inviting friends to help with harvests, turning her backyard into a kid-powered farm project. By six, she earned recognition as Georgia’s youngest certified farmer. In 2023, the state marked her impact by designating March 23 as “Kendall Rae Johnson Day.” She also founded a nonprofit, Kendall Rae’s Green Heart, to teach children about farming, sustainability, and entrepreneurship. The group’s message is straightforward, start small, grow together, and share what you learn. This summer, Kendall joined a national college tour through a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Virginia State University. The final stop was South Carolina State University, where she toured research farms and learning centers and spent time with faculty. According to Fox 5 Atlanta, university officials surprised her at the end of the visit with a scholarship worth 83,500 dollars that covers tuition, fees, and room and board. Kendall cheered, “Thank you!” as the news landed. SC State President Alexander Conyers said the decision was about recognizing genuine talent and drive. “We were genuinely inspired by Kendall Rae’s focus and maturity. It’s not every day you meet a 10-year-old who talks about microorganisms, crop counts, and longhorn cattle. She’s remarkable.” Kendall’s path shows what early exposure and family traditions can spark. Gardening with her great-grandmother gave her skills and confidence. Support from her parents gave her space to experiment and scale up. Recognition from the state encouraged her to think bigger, including starting a nonprofit that puts kids in the soil and lets them see results with their own hands. The scholarship also signals how universities are courting young students who already show commitment to food systems, from soil health to agribusiness. Kendall talks about the science behind healthy crops and the practical work of planting, counting, and harvesting. That mix impressed faculty who met her on the tour and saw how comfortable she was around research and equipment. For Kendall, though, the best moment of the day was simple. She loved riding a tractor. Back home in South Fulton, she keeps growing fruits and vegetables on her family’s farm and brings friends into the work. The harvests go to her household and to the community, and the farm doubles as a classroom for peers who might be picking up a trowel for the first time. The scholarship gives Kendall a future campus to aim for, but her focus remains on what is growing right now. Seeds go into soil, vegetables come out, and more kids show up to help. The formula works. The applause on campus was loud, yet the lesson she keeps modeling is quiet and steady, plant, care, share, repeat.

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His 42-Year Journey at NASA Changed How We See the Universe

Wade Sisler spent over four decades at NASA, where he became a key figure in science storytelling. Starting as a student photographer at Ames Research Center in California, he eventually took on the role of executive producer at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. His career was marked by a knack for translating complex scientific data into compelling visual narratives. Sisler saw the potential of videography early on. “The fidelity of the story you could tell with pictures through video was so impactful,” he said. He transitioned from still photography to video, which allowed him to convey the awe of space missions more effectively. During the 1980s and 1990s, Sisler worked on various projects that communicated intricate research through short documentaries and educational broadcasts. One memorable assignment involved working with astronaut Mae Jemison on how frog embryos develop in microgravity aboard the space shuttle. As Sisler moved to NASA Headquarters, he helped revamp NASA TV, shifting its focus from purely mission-related content to newsworthy stories that captured public interest. A pilot project featuring the Hubble Space Telescope's images of the Eagle Nebula proved wildly successful, as it was used thousands of times across media outlets. At Goddard Space Flight Center, Sisler collaborated with scientists and artists to transform abstract data into stunning visualizations and animations. His team achieved significant success with an El Niño visualization in 1998 that enhanced public understanding of the climate phenomenon. These efforts made scientific concepts accessible and engaging for wider audiences. Sisler also played a pivotal role in forming creative partnerships that introduced NASA science into cultural arenas. Through "Cosmic Cycles," a collaboration with the National Philharmonic, he helped pair music from a live symphony with high-resolution NASA imagery, creating an experience that resonated both emotionally and intellectually. In recent years, Sisler supported projects like "Beyond the Light," an art show developed with ARTECHOUSE and James Webb Space Telescope communications lead Laura Betz. This initiative turned cutting-edge astrophysics into an immersive sensory experience within gallery spaces. Despite his many achievements, Sisler's proudest accomplishment is his work with interns at NASA Goddard’s Office of Communications. “The thing that stays with me most is seeing where our former interns have landed,” he noted. Many have gone on to lead their programs within NASA or contribute to science literacy beyond the agency. Sisler began his own career journey as an intern while studying journalism at Baylor University in Texas. His passion for visual storytelling led him to refine his skills at Rochester Institute of Technology before returning to NASA Ames. Throughout his tenure, Sisler focused on empowering others by providing mentorship and opportunities for creative freedom. As he put it: “All the interesting stuff happens at the intersections of people’s passions.”

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A Secluded Welsh Island Fort Transformed Into a Luxury Off-Grid Haven is Now Up For Sale

If seclusion is what you’re after, Thorne Island might just be the ultimate escape. Three nautical miles off the coast of Pembrokeshire in west Wales, the 2.49-acre private island is home to a fully restored 19th-century fort — and it has just been listed for sale with offers invited over £3 million ($4 million), according to Strutt & Parker. The Grade II-listed fort, originally built between 1852 and 1854 to guard against a possible Napoleonic invasion, once housed 100 soldiers. Today, it blends historic military architecture with modern luxury, sleeping up to 20 guests across five plush bedrooms, and offering features like a sea-view office, grand dining rooms, sheltered terraces, a rooftop bar, a games room, and even a helipad. Over the years, the fort’s role shifted from defense to hospitality, serving as both a hotel and a private residence. Its current owner, British tech entrepreneur Mike Conner, bought it in 2017 for £500,000 ($670,000) after spotting a YouTube video about the property. At the time, the building had no windows, no utilities, and was waterlogged. “I underestimated a lot of things,” Conner told CNN, citing the sheer challenge of installing basics like flushing toilets. The restoration required four years of work, with builders living on-site in the original barracks. Getting materials to the island was a feat in itself — 350 helicopter trips over two days were needed to ferry in everything from topsoil to heating equipment. Sandblasting the stone walls alone took six months, and moisture trapped in the granite caused flooding during early works. The £2 million-plus ($2.7 million) overhaul included £300,000 ($400,000) in renewable energy systems, solar panels, battery storage, and a biodigester, making the fort entirely off-grid. The design also ensures it can withstand the harsh salt air and storm-force winds of the Celtic Sea. Conner, who has a background in industrial design, calls the project “a healthy mid-life crisis” and now sees it as ideal for luxury retreats, celebrations, or anyone wanting complete isolation. “I’ve enjoyed the journey,” he said, “and I think I would like to find another basket case.”

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