Plans to restore two historic buildings in Plean Country Park could see them brought back to life to boost the park and local area.

Plean House and Stables have been in a ruinous state for over 50 years after a fire destroyed the house.

But the ambitious plans, lead by Plean resident Jackie Stewart, hope to bring the buildings back to life and make them a landmark for the village.

Jackie said: “The plans could see a cafe, gift shop, living exhibition space and meeting place in the renovated buildings.

“They could also be used as a meeting space for groups or for weddings and functions.

“If people have other ideas of what we could do with the buildings we really want to hear their views and encourage them to take part in our consultation.

“The results of this will help us shape what is done with the buildings.”

Plean House and Stables were built over 200 years ago by Francis Simpson and the grounds are now what is Plean Country Park.

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Wallace Thorneycroft took over ownership of the estate in 1894 and was the pit owner of Plean Colliery. The family moved away in the 1970s when ownership transferred to the National Coal Board. Vandals set fire to the house and it has been derelict ever since.

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Stirling Council bought the land in the 1980s and turned it into a country park. It is the only country park Stirling Council own and operate.

Jackie added: “The buildings have stood here for 200 years and if we get this right they will be here for another couple hundred years.

“There is so much history in this area and it is important that we tell the story. By restoring these two buildings we would be able to do that and make them a landmark for the village.”

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The ambitious plan would be to develop the buildings in two phases - with the stables being developed first over five years and then attention turned to the house.

Once the consultation is complete, the next stage would be to set up a trust and start the process of pursuing ownership of the buildings as well as fundraising.

Around 35 people have expressed an interest in joining the group with around another 15 offering to be volunteers.

Jackie said: “We are looking for people with different skills to help with the project - no experience in restoring buildings is necessary - and if anyone is interested we would love to hear from them.”

Anyone interested can email pleanhouseandstables@gmail.com.

The consultation is currently open and runs until the end of May - https://surveymars.com/q/lyrx6N1Mi

The Five Churches Festival has announced its return for a fourth year.

The five churches of the Glaven Valley on the North Norfolk Coast – Blakeney, Cley, Glandford, Letheringsett and Wiveton - each with their own unique architecture, history and atmosphere, host a varied and exciting programme of classical music.

Featuring musicians of international acclaim alongside established professionals from across Norfolk, the Festival provides five days of high-level concerts and events.

Blake (Image: Supplied)

Featured artist for 2026 is international cellist Guy Johnston, bringing to Norfolk his current UK tour of Bach and Britten Cello Suites as well as appearing in recital with Festival Artistic Director Brenda Blewett and resident string quartet, Chaos Collective.

Michael Chance (Image: Supplied)

The big Festival highlight promises to be a spectacular evening given by Classical Brit Award winners, Blake in the magical setting of Bayfield Hall.

Expect rousing music, popping corks and all in the setting of one of Norfolk’s most beautiful estates.

Also hear award-winning young musicians in concert, and acclaimed duo ‘Flutes and Frets’ in atmospheric Glandford Church.

Witness a family concert with live illustration by James Mayhew or hear Schubert’s haunting tale of The Fair Maid of the Mill, sung by Julian Godlee, in collaboration with Letheringsett Mill.

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A celebratory Festival Finale features  Norwich Baroqueand trumpeter Simon Munday in a feast of Baroque concertos. 
Five Churches Festival is thrilled to announce its first patron is celebrated countertenor Michael Chance, CBE.

In the 2026 Festival Michael will talk about his distinguished operatic career and give a public vocal masterclass.

Priority booking for Friends is open. General booking opens on April 6. Website: fivechurchesfestival.com

A PUB is celebrating its history with a family festival.

The Plough, on Mill Lane in Warrington, will host a free family heritage festival on Saturday, May 2, to mark its 250-year history.

The event, which will take place in the Houghton Green pub's beer garden, includes First World War soldiers and Georgian Redcoats, a Viking combat display, and a local beer stall.

The heritage festival will feature displays (Image: Supplied)

Activities will be free to participate in, giving visitors a hands-on experience with the past.

The festival is organised by the pub and national events company, Lives of the Past, specialists in historical education and entertainment.

Activities will be free (Image: Supplied)

The festival is open to all and will run from 12 pm to 6 pm.

Dua Lipa has been named curator of this year’s London Literature Festival.

The singer and book lover will curate a series of events in the opening weekend, as well as programmes across the whole festival with her book club Service95.

Lipa said reading was one of her “greatest obsessions” and that she could not “wait to dive into the imaginations of some of my favourite authors in one of London’s most iconic cultural spaces”.

The festival, which is the longest-running celebration of literature and spoken word of its kind in the capital, takes place at the Southbank Centre every October.

Organisers said they hoped Lipa’s curation would help connect wider audiences “to our finest writers”.

The Grammy and Brit award-winning singer set up her book club in 2023 as part of her Service95 editorial platform, which offers content on culture, restaurant recommendations and travel tips, as well as political essays.

Each month, she picks her favourite novel and interviews the author for her Service95 Book Club podcast.

Lipa’s fiancé, the actor Callum Turner, is also known to be a bookworm.

Last year, Turner revealed the pair had met over drinks in Los Angeles and bonded after realising they were reading the same book.

He told The Sunday Times: “We sat next to each other and realised we were reading the same book, which is crazy.

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“It’s called Trust [by Hernán Díaz] and I had just finished the first chapter and I told her and she looked at me and said, ‘I just finished the first chapter too.’

“I said, ‘So we’re on the same page.’”

The 19th year of the literature festival will coincide with the Southbank Centre’s 75th anniversary and Department for Education’s National Year of Reading.

It is the longest-running literature festival in London and has featured prominent guests in previous years, including Ai Weiwei, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, Margaret Atwood, Philip Pullman, Tom Hanks and Yulia Navalnaya.

Lipa said: “Reading has anchored me through every chapter of my life – from being the new kid at school in a new country to finding quiet refuge on tour. Curating the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival is a dream come true.

“I’m thrilled to indulge one of my greatest obsessions: books and the brilliant minds behind them.

“I can’t wait to dive into the imaginations of some of my favourite authors in one of London’s most iconic cultural spaces.”

Mark Ball, the artistic director of the Southbank Centre, said: “Dua Lipa is a global cultural force with millions of fans around the world, and her passion for the written and spoken word has inspired a new generation of readers.

“We’re absolutely thrilled that Dua will take the reins of our flagship London Literature Festival, applying her incredible creative talent, her advocacy and her reach to connect audiences to our finest writers.”

Ted Hodgkinson, head of literature and spoken word at the Southbank Centre, added: “In the National Year of Reading, we’re delighted to be collaborating with Dua for the Southbank Centre’s London Literature Festival, to draw fresh audiences into our iconic spaces. It promises to be a momentous year for the festival and a highlight of our 75th anniversary.”

The festival will run at the Southbank Centre from Oct 21 to Nov 1.

Beloved Britain's Got Talent star Susan Boyle celebrated turning 65 years old on April Fool's Day and appeared completely different to the woman who shocked the judges on the UK talent competition 17 years ago.

Born on 1 April 1961, the Scottish singer soared to fame when she delivered a surprising rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream' from the West End show, Les Misérables. She became a global household name and underwent a significant transformation as her star rose.

The star keeps her hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers in the loop as she shares updates from her low-key, yet very lavish life, jetsetting to Rome, attending Wimbledon and recording in the studio.

Over recent months, fans have been mesmerised by the singer's appearance and her transformation as she dyed her hair from a deep brunette to a caramel blonde, with many claiming it made her look "years younger".

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As she took one step closer to 70, Susan seemed to be ageing in reverse and was worlds away from the curly-haired 47-year-old hopeful who graced British TV screens in 2009.

Underneath pictures on her Instagram profile, fans posted things like: "Susan, you look awesome, your new colour is perfect on you, took some years away!" and "You have such a beautiful glow lately. Your hair colour looks fabulous on you as well as your style!"

"Susan, you are looking great. Can’t wait to see your surprises for this year. I love you!," another fan posted underneath a picture of the star wearing a charity sports jersey.

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Dubbed one of the 'Greatest Living Britons' by Hollywood actor and Kylie Jenner's boyfriend, Timothée Chalamet, Susan has been quietly enjoying her fame for almost two decades.

Despite having sold more than 19 million records and supposedly having more than £22 million to her name, the star chose to remain somewhat ordinary and lives in a humble home in Blackburn with her two cats.

She addressed Timothée's comments in an Instagram post and said: "This has been so incredibly touching to read. I’m very flattered, @tchalamet. Those early days were quite something, and to know that moment meant something to you all these years on truly humbles me.

"We all start somewhere, with a dream and a bit of hope, don’t we? We should all dream big! I wish you every success as you continue to dream your own dream. Thank you for your kindness and for remembering that moment so fondly."

Ten years after finding fame, the singer revealed how she was handling the continued attention during an interview with The Sun. She told them at the time: "I’m managing things a lot better now. It was a slow process. Everything is with me.

"But I’m coping inside a lot better now, and I’m ready, more than ready, for what’s coming."