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Rockfall fears keep couple awake at night

According to Ross and Jill Darbyshire, a minor earthquake that occurred last month could be the cause.

A couple is experiencing sleepless nights due to concerns that the hillside behind their home may collapse, posing a significant threat to their safety.

Jill and Ross Darbyshire, an older couple wearing fleeces, stand outside their cottage home. Ross is bald with short white hair on the sides, while Jill's white hair is tied back, she is wearing glasses. The cottage is whitewashed with a black wooden porch.
Ross and Jill Darbyshire fear losing their home to tonnes of falling rock

On 28 January, Ross and Jill Darbyshire, residents of Rhewl, near Llangollen in Denbighshire, reported hearing a loud noise at the rear of their property, which was followed by the discovery of cracks in the slate bedrock.

The couple suspects that a small earthquake that struck Gwynedd earlier that night may have caused the damage, and they are worried that a large amount of rock could fall at any moment.

Ross, who is 75 years old, expressed his concern by stating that the collapse of the hillside is not a matter of if, but when.

According to the couple, they have been informed that the local council is unable to provide assistance with the issue, as it is located on their private property.

The Darbysheires purchased their 600-year-old former drover's cottage, situated near the remains of a corn mill, 10 years ago and undertook significant renovation work on the two-room building and surrounding land.

The hillside is directly against the rear of the cottage with cracks in the rock among the vegetation growing on it.
The hillside has recently shifted and cracks have appeared in the rock

However, due to the current unsafe conditions, they are considering the possibility of abandoning the property.

The couple has consulted with local builders to explore options for stabilizing the bank, but the narrow gap between the house and the rock face, which is less than 2ft (0.6m) wide, makes repairs a challenging task.

The wall of the house is threatened by sharp pieces of slate, which Ross likened to "dragon's teeth" due to their menacing appearance.

The couple has reported that small rocks frequently fall into the void, often hitting the roof, creating a disturbing noise.

A slate chunk which has fallen from the bank onto the floor next to the cottage
Slabs of stone are already falling down around the property

Jill, who is 68 years old, stated that the situation has made it difficult for her to sleep, adding to their overall distress.

She described the experience of hearing the sound of smaller stones falling, which her husband Ross stayed awake to listen to, and the louder thud of larger rocks.

On 28 January, a 0.9 magnitude earthquake was recorded in the Nantlle Valley, Gwynedd, by the British Geological Survey, with reports of the rumbling sound being heard as far away as Llangollen.

After hearing the loud bang outside their home, the couple remained awake until 02:30 GMT, unsure if it was safe to return to bed.

The Darbysheires believe that the earthquake caused the bank to shift and crack, and they fear that it is only a matter of time before it moves again.

They are concerned that further heavy rainfall or a landslide could exacerbate the situation and lead to disaster.

The house wall next to the hillside with barely any gap between the two. A series of ladders rest against the house wall.
Ross said the property was "unsellable" in its current position

Ross stated that the walls of their home are the only thing preventing the hillside from collapsing further, and if they fail, the consequences could be catastrophic.

Ross has had a long-standing affection for the area, dating back to his youth when he cycled to Llangollen with friends from his home in Staffordshire.

He recalled falling in love with the cottage when he first saw it, but now he is worried about their future.

Ross has come to accept that they may no longer be able to live in the cottage, although he is not resigned to the idea.

He expressed his reluctance to leave, stating that he has accepted the possibility of having to vacate the property, but it is not a decision he welcomes.

The couple considers themselves fortunate to have an alternative property abroad, which they could turn to if they are forced to leave their home suddenly.

The Darbysheires have deemed their Rhewl cottage "unsellable" in its current state, citing the need for repairs to both the wall and a nearby unstable former dam before it can be considered safe for occupation.

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Tudor to take interim charge of Tottenham

Igor Tudor has reached an agreement to take the reins as Tottenham’s interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Tottenham has reached an agreement with Igor Tudor to take the helm as interim head coach for the remainder of the current season.

For the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and perspectives from fans, look to Tottenham's recent news and discussion.

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UAE Defeats Canada to Enhance Super 8s Qualification Chances

The United Arab Emirates boosted their slim chances of advancing to the T20 World Cup Super 8s, securing a narrow five-wicket victory over Canada, thanks in part to Aryansh Sharma’s unbeaten 74.

In a crucial match for the United Arab Emirates, Aryansh Sharma achieved his fifth T20 international half-century, contributing to the team's victory over Canada.

The Men's T20 World Cup, being held in Group D in Delhi, saw an intense competition between the two teams.

Canada's innings resulted in a total of 150-7 after 20 overs, with Harsh Thaker scoring 50 runs off 41 balls, while Junaid Siddique took 5 wickets for 35 runs.

The UAE team responded with a total of 154 runs in 19.4 overs, led by Aryansh Sharma's unbeaten 74 runs off 53 balls and Sohaib Khan's 51 runs off 29 balls, despite Bin Zafar taking 3 wickets for 14 runs.

The United Arab Emirates secured a five-wicket win over Canada, boosting their chances in the tournament.

Aryansh Sharma played a pivotal role in the UAE's win, scoring an unbeaten 74 runs to help his team overcome Canada's total.

With four overs remaining, Canada seemed poised to defend their total, but Sohaib Khan's aggressive batting reignited the UAE's chase, as he scored 17 runs off Dillon Heyliger's bowling.

In the final over, the UAE required eight runs to win, and Aryansh Sharma eased the pressure by hitting a six off Jaskaran Singh's first ball.

Sohaib Khan was dismissed after scoring a rapid 51 runs off 29 balls, including four sixes, leaving the scores level.

Muhammad Arfan then sealed the victory with two balls to spare, hitting a four off Jaskaran Singh, as Aryansh Sharma top-scored with 74 runs off 53 balls.

The UAE now stands third in Group D with two points, but they face an uphill task in their upcoming matches against full members South Africa and Afghanistan to advance to the next phase.

Although the UAE has never beaten a full member in any World Cup format, their performance in this match has given them some confidence.

Earlier in the match, Junaid Siddique achieved the best bowling figures by a UAE player in a T20 World Cup, taking 5 wickets for 35 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.

Harsh Thaker's 41-ball half-century, which included three sixes and two fours, provided a solid foundation for Canada's total.

Thaker and Navneet Dhaliwal shared a 58-run partnership to help Canada recover from a difficult start, before Dhaliwal was run out for 34 runs.

After Thaker fell victim to Junaid Siddique's slower ball, Canada struggled to find boundaries against the UAE's tight bowling.

Shreyas Movva made a useful contribution of 21 runs off 21 balls, but Junaid Siddique took two wickets in the final over to claim his maiden five-wicket haul in T20 internationals.

In a separate match, Zimbabwe's Brilliant Muzarabani played a key role in his team's stunning win over Australia.

For more updates, notifications, and social media coverage, visit the BBC Sport website.

In another development, Paul Stirling has been ruled out of the remainder of the T20 World Cup due to injury.

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Guardiola Advocates for Cultural Embrace to Foster a Better Society

Pep Guardiola, the manager of Manchester City, has stated that accepting diverse cultures will lead to a more harmonious society, in reaction to comments made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.

As a player, Pep Guardiola earned 47 international caps for Spain, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, believes that embracing diverse cultures is essential for creating a more harmonious society.

Guardiola was questioned about his thoughts on comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants", sparking a debate.

Following criticism, Ratcliffe apologised for any offence caused, while still advocating for open discussion on the issue.

Ahead of Manchester City's FA Cup fourth-round match against Salford, Guardiola shared his perspective, saying that people seek better lives and opportunities, which can be found in their birthplace or elsewhere.

According to Guardiola, one's birthplace is not a determining factor in their potential or aspirations.

Many individuals are forced to leave their homelands due to problems in their native countries, rather than a desire to abandon their roots.

Guardiola emphasized that by genuinely embracing other cultures, society as a whole can improve, a notion he has no doubts about.

An examination of the facts behind Jim Ratcliffe's statements on immigration and benefits is also underway.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, a billionaire, has made headlines, but who is he and how did he accumulate his wealth?

Born in Santpedor, Catalonia, Spain, Guardiola has had a diverse career, playing in Spain, Italy, Qatar, and Mexico, before transitioning to management.

As a manager, the 55-year-old has had stints in Spain, Germany, and England, taking the helm at Manchester City in 2016.

Guardiola views the issue of immigration as a global problem, stating that it is a concern that affects many countries.

He believes that immigrants are often unfairly blamed for problems in their adopted countries, highlighting the fact that one's birthplace is often a matter of circumstance.

Guardiola reiterated that people from all backgrounds strive for a better life, seeking opportunities that may be available in their birth country or elsewhere.

He stressed that factors such as skin colour or birthplace should not be barriers to achieving one's goals.

For the latest news, analysis, and fan perspectives on Manchester City, please refer to our dedicated section.

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