This week, ChronicleLive addressed key questions, including the police response at Benfield School and the impact of recent storms in the North East.
Walkergate: There’s been a lot going on in the North East this week. After Storm Eowyn, we’ve seen more action. We checked out the questions you’ve been asking and how we answered them.
Why were police called to Benfield School?
On Tuesday, January 28, around 7:50 am, Northumbria Police responded to a call at Benfield School. The school closed for the day as a safety measure, sending students home.
North East Academy Trust and Newcastle Council were informed. Police later confirmed it was a “malicious communication” that raised concerns. An email sent overnight was discovered that morning.
Details of the email remain undisclosed, but police believe it was a hoax. They evacuated the school as a precaution, and it reopened the next day.
Headteacher Anthony Martin stated that they prioritized safety and thanked everyone for their support. The issue was resolved, and classes resumed on January 29.
Police are still investigating the email’s origin and warned that anyone responsible for malicious communications will face legal consequences.
What was the impact of Storm Herminia?
Storm Eowyn hit the North East hard last Friday, and now Storm Herminia is causing concern. This storm started in Spain but didn’t bring warmer weather.
The UK Met Office issued a weather warning, mainly for the south west of England and Wales, predicting 70 mph winds and heavy rain.
They warned that the heavy rain could lead to flooding, especially on roads. While the damage wasn’t as severe as with Eowyn, we still saw a month’s worth of rain in one day.
In Spain, Malaga received 40mm of rain, while the north west faced the worst conditions. France experienced flash floods and landslides, prompting evacuations.
We’ll keep you updated on the storm situation as more bad weather is expected.
What is Spain’s ‘tourist ban’?
Spain isn’t banning tourists, but new laws may affect your next holiday. The so-called “tourist ban” targets new holiday rental registrations in parts of Malaga.
This legislation aims to limit the number of holiday rentals, which can be nearly 10% of properties in some areas. It mainly affects properties registered after February 22, 2024.
If you’ve booked a holiday apartment before, it might be harder to find one in the future. Protests against over-tourism are happening across Europe, including in Spain.
Malaga’s restrictions are part of a broader effort by Spanish cities to manage tourism. Alicante and Madrid are also implementing similar measures.
Ryanair plans to cut flights to Spain due to ongoing disputes over fees, adding to travel challenges for UK tourists.
Who is Wolf on The Masked Singer?
On The Masked Singer, a 90s music legend is rumored to be Wolf. Fans believe it’s Marti Pellow from Wet Wet Wet.
After Wolf’s latest performance, fans took to social media, convinced they recognized his voice. The guessing game is back for its sixth series, and Wolf is a strong contender.
What high-end restaurant has plans to open in Newcastle?
The Ivy, a famous restaurant chain, is considering opening in Newcastle. They initially planned to launch five years ago.
Now, they’re looking at potential sites, including the former JG Windows unit in Central Arcade. This site is available after the music business went into liquidation.
Meanwhile, Lloyds Bank is moving to Monument Mall, freeing up a historic building that could be perfect for The Ivy.
What was the result of the Set For Life Lottery draw?
The Set For Life lottery offers a chance to win £10,000 every month for 30 years, totaling £3.6 million. The next best prize is £10,000 a month for a year.
Other prizes range from £5 to £250, depending on how many numbers you match. The winning numbers on January 27 were 5, 16, 19, 21, 36, and the Life Ball was 8.
On January 30, the winning numbers were 8, 12, 17, 33, 42, with the Life Ball being 7. Don’t forget to check your tickets; an £83 million EuroMillions jackpot remains unclaimed!
