Artists Find New Use For Shuttered Shops

By Lucy Cotter, Arts and Entertainment Correspondent

Artists are breathing life into the ailing British high street by displaying performance and installation works in unused shops.

The Rogues' Galleries project includes 15 pieces commissioned across Chester, which has some of the oldest shopping streets in the country.

The brief was to celebrate Chester's history as a shopping destination and the hope is the art will attract visitors as well as highlighting the issues of the high street at the same time as filling disused premises.

Amber Knipe, the Programme Manager at Chester Performs, the company behind the project, told Sky News the response has been very positive.

She said: "From the public's point of view it creates something different, something vibrant on the high street and it's opening up those spaces that have been sat empty, some of them for six years or so.

Katerina Radeva and Alister Lownie are selling their possessions

"There are no arts venues, so we as an organisation are always exploring and celebrating the different and unique features of the city and creating site specific work."

Katherina Radeva and Alister Lownie from Two Destination Language are two of the artists taking part. They have transformed one of the empty shops into a living room and are selling their possessions in exchange for cash and for stories, in part to explore the meaning of value.

Alister said: "The objects all have histories and we're interested in talking about them with people who come and visit us here and learning about them and sharing ourselves and about the way in which they perceive value to come to those objects or to be lost from them."

Carol Hanson has set up Chester's first pop-up cartoon laundrette, Florence and her Machines, and she told Sky News this type of initiative should be encouraged a lot more.

Organiser Amber Knipe says the propject has been a success

She said: "It's nice to see rather than an empty shop just a bit of interest there and I've had no budget. It's amazing what you can do with no budget and a bit of imagination." 

Art Critic Richard Cork agrees that is could also encourage more people to enjoy art.

He said: "I think it's a great idea because we're so used to only having art in galleries or museums and a lot of people find that rather off-putting, even now.

"These museums they're rather grand and foreboding, whereas if you're walking down a high street and there's the shop that you've known all your life and you wander in and wow there's a whole new experience going on, something extraordinary and weird and wonderful, you don't even need to think of it as art, you can get the experience and then gradually get the whole point of art from that and I think that's really an excellent thing to do."

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Casey Morgan: Hunt For 'High Risk' Offender

Police in Northern Ireland have appealed for help in tracking down a teenager described as a "high risk violent offender".

Casey Morgan, 18, has been missing in breach of his licence conditions since the morning of Wednesday March 13.

A spokesperson for the Police Service of Northern Ireland said: "Police have this evening taken the step of warning the public about a high risk violent offender Casey Morgan and to ask for assistance in identifying his current whereabouts as there is a licence recall order out for his arrest and he poses a high risk of causing serious harm."

He is described as being around 5ft 11in tall, of medium build, and with short dark brown hair. He has a pierced left eyebrow.

When last seen Morgan was wearing dark coloured tracksuit bottoms, a white coloured sweat top with red and black bands, black zip jacket, black trainers and a camouflage print baseball cap.

Police warned the public not to approach the teenager and to contact them immediately on 0845 600 8000 if they think they may know of his whereabouts.

Officers are also appealing to Mr Morgan to hand himself in at the nearest police station.

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'Mumpreneurs' Could Be Lifeline To Recovery

By Poppy Trowbridge, Business and Economics Correspondent

Companies run by mothers contribute around £7bn a year to the economy but there are calls for the Chancellor to introduce measures to make it easier to start a business from home.

It has been five years since the depths of the financial crash and still the key to kick-starting growth eludes the coalition Government.

The British economy started 2013 with zero momentum, but could helping mums open businesses help get Britain growing again?

According to StartUp Britain, a group that supports entrepreneurs, 60% of small businesses are started from home.

And a growing number of those are being started by women who have left the workforce to have, or care for, their children.

Julia Hunter is a former City bond trader, and mum. Starting a family prompted her to start a business.

"I was looking to start my own business rather than work for somebody else purely because of the family side of things. It is important to me to just be around."

Mum-run companies are contributing a significant amount to the economy already.

According to Mumpreneur UK, there are 300,000 mum-run companies in the UK today.

As a group, they add about £7.4bn a year to the economy. Yet the average startup cash they require is only £500.

That's a low-risk, high-reward ratio that the Chancellor would admire.

Ms Hunter says British business needs more support from the Chancellor. She believes cutting VAT would be one way to encourage enterprise in the upcoming Budget.

Becky Jones from StartUp Britain says big banks and established companies should be encouraged more to support smaller startups.

She told Sky News: "Giving them support at the early stage can be a complete game changer for the life of a small business."

After all, these are the firms that will hire, produce, sell and export - at each stage contributing to the tax that the Government so desperately needs to slowly pay down debt.

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Jessie J Has Hair Shaved Off For Charity

Singer Jessie J said goodbye to her famous locks when she had her head shaved to help raise money for a good cause.

The Price Tag star underwent the daring deed on live TV during Red Nose Day.

Comedian Lenny Henry started off the process of cutting off Jessie's hair to a length of just 0.5mm, before the singer's hair stylist took control of the clippers.

After she was left bald, Jessie touched her head several times, apparently in disbelief.

Speaking to host Dermot O'Leary, the singer said: "It's the weirdest feeling."

Jessie J with her once trademark locks

She had admitted being nervous beforehand, but told viewers: "It feels so liberating. But this isn't about this (gesturing to her head), it's about donating."

She added: "I wanted to do something that wasn't just for today and wasn't just for five minutes, it's going to last a few months. It will remind me and hopefully others that everyday you should do something good if you can."

Jessie, who has visited Comic Relief-funded project Body & Soul which helps young people living with HIV, so far raised more than £500,000 by having her head shaved.

She said it was "amazing" to have raised so much cash, and added: "Everyone's crying. My mum's back there, crying with happiness."

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Victoria Cross Award For L/Cpl James Ashworth

A soldier killed protecting his comrades in Afghanistan is to be awarded the Victoria Cross - the UK's top bravery medal.

Lance Corporal James Ashworth's courage was hailed as "beyond words" by friends who served with him until his death last June.

The 23-year-old died in a grenade attack during a fierce battle with the Taliban in Helmand's Nahr-e Saraj district.

He was on foot patrol and battling his way through compounds against enemy fighters when he was fatally wounded.

The cross was first bestowed during the Crimean War

It is expected that the rare VC award to the soldier from Kettering, Northamptonshire, will be officially announced later this month.

The VC has been awarded 10 times to British soldiers since World War Two and only once for bravery in Afghanistan.

At the time of L/Cpl Ashworth's death, his family said: "We are devastated by the loss of our son, brother, uncle and boyfriend. He meant the world to everyone and has left an irreplaceable hole in our hearts."

His father Duane was also a Grenadier Guard, while his younger brother Coran is also a soldier.

He also left behind his mother Kerryann, sisters Lauren and Paige, brother Karl and four-year-old niece Darcy, as well as his girlfriend, Emily.

His company commander, Captain Mike Dobbin, praised the soldier's actions.

He said: "Lance Corporal Ashworth was killed while fighting his way through compounds, leading his fire team from the front, whilst trying to protect his men and he showed extraordinary courage to close on a determined enemy.

"His professionalism under pressure and ability to remain calm in what was a chaotic situation is testament to his character."

Lance Corporal Ashworth's body being repatriated

Guardsman Jordan Loftus also paid tribute to his friend's bravery.

He said: "Selfless, brave, courageous ... words like these don't come close to what Ash demonstrated that day. He will be missed by all as a commander, but most of all a good mate."

L/Cpl Ashworth's Commanding Officer in the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, Lieutenant Colonel James Bowder said: "Lance Corporal Ashworth was an outstanding soldier whose loss has moved us all. A real self-starter, he excelled in everything that he undertook.

"Fit, strong and brilliant at his job, he set the bar very high. Indeed, such was his calmness under pressure, his charisma, and his selflessness that he made an exemplary junior leader."

The previous recipient of the VC in Afghanistan was 29-year-old Corporal Bryan Budd of 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment, who died when he single-handedly stormed a Taliban position in Sangin in 2006.

The last living recipient was L/Cpl Johnson Beharry of 1st Battalion the Prince of Wales's Royal Regiment, who twice saved the lives of colleagues under enemy fire in Iraq in 2004.

The medal is the British military's highest bravery award and was first bestowed on troops during the Crimean War in 1854-55.

Johnson Beharry is the last living recipient of a medal

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Primary School Teacher On Child Sex Charges

A primary school teacher has appeared in court charged with sex offences against children.

The 31-year-old defendant was said by North Yorkshire Police to have worked in three primary schools in York.

The man, who appeared before magistrates in the city, has been charged with 23 offences.

They include possessing indecent images of children, voyeurism, making indecent images, sexual touching and sexual activity with a boy under 13.

North Yorkshire Police said he was granted conditional court bail to an address outside the county.

He is due back at York Magistrates' Court for a committal hearing on May 9.

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JT McNamara: Jockey 'Stable' After Surgery

Irish jockey JT McNamara, who was seriously injured on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, is in a stable condition after surgery.

The leading amateur rider was injured in a first fence fall from Galaxy Rock in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup on Thursday.

He was airlifted to hospital after being treated by medics at the Gloucestershire course.

The 37-year-old was conscious following the fall but was put into an induced coma before his transfer to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol.

McNamara was airlifted to hospital after the fall

He underwent surgery on his fractured C3 and C4 neck vertebrae on Friday.

A statement on behalf of the McNamara family has been issued by Dr Adrian McGoldrick, the Irish Turf Club senior medical officer, and Lisa Hancock, CEO of the Injured Jockeys Fund.

It read: "We can report that following lengthy surgery yesterday JT McNamara is in a stable condition. He remains in an induced coma at Frenchay hospital, Bristol.

McNamara has more than 600 wins to his name

"No further updates will be released until Tuesday, March 19. [The family] would ... like to thank everyone for their kind support and best wishes for JT."

McNamara, first names John Thomas, has more than 600 wins to his name, including four victories at Cheltenham.

Galaxy Rock's owner, JP McManus - with whom McNamara has a long association - was said to be in tears when he heard about his injury.

The horse was not injured in the fall.

Speaking after his horse At Fishers Cross won the Albert Bartlett Novices Hurdle, McManus said: "We're all thinking of JT and what he's going through.

"We feel guilty being here ... we feel we should be doing something for him. All our prayers are with him and hopefully they will be answered."

Victorious jockey Tony McCoy said it was very hard to be happy with his win after the accident.

He added: "I'm very pleased to ride a winner for JP as he was in tears ... over what had happened to John Thomas."

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Wales v England: Cardiff Six Nations Showdown

By Charlie Thomas, Sky Sports Presenter

So much history, and so much at stake; whatever the outcome at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon, it will be a great occasion.

How can it fail to be? The Grand Slam, the Six Nations and the Triple Crown are all up for grabs. Rugby matches don't come much bigger than this.

Wales, after a stuttering start to the tournament, have shown plenty of character to keep alive their title ambitions.

England, meanwhile, have maintained their upward trajectory since Stuart Lancaster took over, their unconvincing display against Italy notwithstanding.

Now they find themselves one match away from a first Grand Slam since their annus mirabilis of 2003.

The size of their task cannot be underestimated.

Not only will they face a resurgent Wales, full of confidence after victory away to Scotland last weekend; they must also do what no England team has managed previously: that is, to win the Grand Slam in Cardiff.

Five of their 12 Slams have been won away from home: three in Paris, one at Murrayfield and one in Dublin.

Wales after their win against Italy

The permutations are thus: an England victory will secure the Slam, regardless of the margin; an England defeat by six points or fewer would be enough for them to win the Six Nations; if they lose by seven points but outscore Wales by three tries or more, they would also win the title.

But, a Wales victory by seven points or more, providing they stay ahead of England on tournament tries (7 to 5 so far), would see Wales retain the title.

Oh, and there's one more: If Wales win by seven points but England score two more tries then the title would be shared. Clear?

I said at the beginning that it would be a great occasion. But will it be a great match? That's something nobody can predict.

If I had to hazard a guess, I would say it will be brutal, nail-biting and desperately close, with point-scoring at a premium.

That is, after all, the pattern which has been set throughout the tournament.

Penalties rather than tries have been settling matches: so far there have been 31 tries compared with 72 penalties, an unhealthy imbalance.

At Murrayfield alone last weekend an astonishing 28 penalties were awarded, a Six Nations record.

This has merely served to underline the impression that international rugby has become solely about brute force, with the finer subtleties now a thing of the past.

Barry John in 1971

This feeling was brought home to me earlier in the week while watching a poignant documentary about the great Wales fly half Barry John.

Known in his heyday simply as the King, John retired 40 years ago, at the peak of his powers.

The footage showed him ghosting between players, leaving them clutching at air. He seemed to find space where there was none.

But where are those pulse-quickening arts of the sidestep, the dummy and the feint now?

Modern players barely consider going round an opponent; the sole aim is to hammer into them as hard as possible, setting up yet another interminable phase. Progress? I think not.

So while being impressed by the extraordinary fitness and physicality on display at the Millennium Stadium this afternoon, a part of me will be mourning the absence of the kind of brilliance that once brought crowds to their feet and at which Barry John was the undisputed master.

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Phone Hacking: Whistleblower's Fresh Claims

By Tom Parmenter, News Correspondent

A whistleblowing suspect has given detectives hundreds of new leads in the phone-hacking inquiry.

Detectives from Scotland Yard's Operation Weeting inquiry are now working through the wealth of new evidence.

Sky Sources understand the data relates to new potential victims as well as fresh allegations surrounding people who thought their particular case had been dealt with.

The suspect allegedly has first-hand knowledge of the hacking of celebrity phones.

It is believed they have provided information that relates to both News International and Mirror Group newspapers.

Earlier this week, senior journalists connected to Mirror Group titles were arrested, questioned and bailed by detectives.

Richard Wallace, former Mirror editor, has been questioned by police

They were James Scott, former deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror and current editor of The Sunday People and Nick Buckley, the former head of news at the Sunday Mirror and now deputy editor of the Sunday People.

Former editor of the Sunday Mirror Tina Weaver was also questioned, as well as Mark Thomas, former deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror and former editor of the Sunday People.

On Friday it emerged that former editor of the Daily Mirror Richard Wallace had also been to a south London police station to be questioned by detectives.

The Mirror Group has always denied any wrongdoing in connection with the hacking scandal.

The Metropolitan Police said they were primarily focusing on activities at the Sunday Mirror between 2003 and 2004.

Scotland Yard declined to comment officially on the new developments - but Operation Weeting is now likely to run far longer than originally thought.

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Missing Prisoner John Anslow Arrested In Cyprus

A prisoner who had been missing since he escaped from a police escort van in January 2012 has been arrested in Northern Cyprus.

John Anslow, 32, had been wanted by police since he absconded near HMP Hewell in Worcestershire while on his way to court.

He is accused of the murder of 27-year-old businessman Richard Deakin in Chasetown, Staffordshire, in July 2010.

Anslow, from Tipton, West Midlands, was arrested on Wednesday in Alancak in Northern Cyprus for immigration offences and deported by the Turkish Cypriot authorities.

He was then arrested at Heathrow Airport on Saturday morning and has been transferred to a high-security prison.

He will appear via video link at Stafford Crown Court on Monday for failing to appear at court in January 2012.

In the past three weeks, nine men have been arrested and charged by West Mercia Police in connection with Anslow's escape.

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