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Anti-hunting protesters decry vote on fox hunting
Animal welfare campaigner Bill Oddie has said it is “ridiculous” that fox hunting has been put back on the agenda as hundreds of demonstrators marched through London. The Prime Minister has said she supports the outlawed activity and will renew a pledge to hold a free vote on overturning the ban. Oddie compared the possibility of changing the law on fox hunting to changing speed limits just because “people like driving fast”. Hundreds of anti-hunting protesters made their way from Cavendish Square to Whitehall, with many wearing fox masks and holding signs saying “May for fox sake keep the ban”.
Cheese champion on a roll with record-equalling win
A champion cheese chaser has equalled the all-time record for the most cheeses won in the death-defying Cheese Rolling Race. Chris Anderson, 29, has now taken home a total of 20 double Gloucester cheeses over the past 13 years. After winning all three men’s downhill races this year, he is now level with record-
holder Stephen Gyde and has set his sights on breaking the record next year. Mr Anderson left other daredevils trailing in his wake as he sprinted, tripped and tumbled down Cooper’s Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire. The women’s race was won by 18-year-old Keavy Morgan, also from Brockworth, who has now had two victories after first winning in 2015.
Orkney to commemorate sinking of HMS Vanguard
Relatives of those who lost their lives when a Royal Navy battleship was blown apart in Orkney are to take part in a special commemoration service on the islands. A series of internal explosions destroyed HMS Vanguard on the night of 9 July 1917. Just two of the 845 men on ship, which was anchored at Scapa Flow, survived. Military experts say the loss of Vanguard, a dreadnought battleship which had been involved in the Battle of Jutland, is one of the most tragic incidents in the history of the Royal Navy. Hundreds of casualties will be remembered on the centenary of the sinking of the vessel. Relatives of some of those who died will be among those taking part in the commemorative event this year.
Mystery over man whose body was found in sea
A man’s body has been discovered in the sea off the Kent coast. Officers were called at 10.12am yesterday following the discovery of a man’s body in the water near Deal Pier, police said. The death is not being treated as suspicious and police are working to establish the man’s identity. A spokesman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said an in-shore lifeboat was requested by the coastguard at 10.07am, and returned around 15 minutes later. The lifeboat was then launched for a second time at 10.45am, where it was assisted by another in-shore lifeboat. Both rescue boats had returned by 1pm, he said.