It wasn’t all bad

A 43-year-old vet has become an unlikely hero of the public health emergency in Wuhan, by rescuing some 2,000 cats from starvation. Lao Mao stepped in after seeing frantic messages on social media from people who were trapped outside the quarantined city, and could not get home to feed their pets. Most were able to send him their keys or door codes, but in some cases, he and his helpers have shinned up drain pipes and climbed through windows to feed the animals.

One of Liverpool’s most magnificently ornate buildings has become the first purpose-built pub in England to be given Grade I listed status. The Philharmonic Dining Rooms – better known as “The Phil” – was built between 1898 and 1900 by architect Walter W. Thomas. Historic England said that it was regarded as a “cathedral among pubs” on account of its grand exterior and richly decorated interior, which includes a spectacular men’s lavatory. A Liverpool institution, it was a haunt of the Beatles. Asked once what was the worst thing about fame, John Lennon replied: “Not being able to have a pint in the Phil”.

A mentoring scheme set up by a 22-year-old Oxford graduate has helped 60 underprivileged youngsters win Oxbridge offers. State-school-educated Joe Seddon decided to use the £200 he had left over from his grant to help others like him navigate Oxbridge’s “scary” admissions process. The Access Oxbridge app puts Year 12 pupils in touch with current students, who give them one to one advice in hour-long online tutorials. “It’s the sort of preparation that students who attend private schools and top state schools get,” he says.