This week’s list of unmissable news brand content includes Britain’s oldest skydiver, Jeremy Clarkson’s newest business venture and the return of Oasis…
1. “I don’t do fear.”
Manette Baillie celebrated her 102nd birthday by jumping out of a plane. Baillie, who served with the Women’s Royal Naval Service during the Second World War, raised more than £10,000 of her £30,000 fundraising target for the East Anglian Air Ambulance, Motor Neurone Disease Association and her local ex-servicemen’s club in Suffolk. After becoming Britain’s oldest skydiver, Baillie called the experience “wonderful”, adding: “I don’t do fear”.
2. Call for action: Making the streets safer for women
Police estimate that every year one in 12 women will fall victim to an instance of rape, domestic abuse, stalking or harassment, according to an Evening Standard report. With distrust of the police riding high, organisations are stepping into fill the gap.
Between 2017 and 2023, incidents of violence against women and girls rose by 40 per cent. A police chief called it an “national emergency”.
New resources are being created, many designed by women. WalkSafe is an app that allows people to choose a safer way home. Founder Emma Kay created it as a passion project in the aftermath of Sarah Everard’s abduction and murder at the hands of former police officer Wayne Couzens in 2021.
‘We believe technology, combined with our vision, can genuinely help save lives’, Kay tells the Evening Standard.
3. Return of Beetlejuice
Director Tim Burton admits he became ‘disillusioned’ with the movie industry ahead of working on Beetlejuice Beetlejuice and only became ‘re-energised’ while making the hit series Wednesday with actress Jenna Ortega.
The filmmaker, who is presenting the premiere of the sequel at Venice Film Festival, has had a storied career as a filmmaker with highly regarded movies, However, as Metro reports, he acknowledges more recent years have been tougher.
4. Oasis rises again
Liam and Noel Gallagher have confirmed Oasis will reunite next year — 15 years after their split — with a string of 14 UK and Ireland tour dates next summer. The band will not add additional dates despite calls from many of its fans who missed out in the general sale.
The Mirror confirms the 17 dates that sold out will be the only chance to see the band in Europe. It’s estimated that 14 million fans were aiming to gain tickets. Backlash started when tickets began appearing on resale sites hours later for prices up to £10,000.
Oasis plans on gigging outside of Europe next year, so fans who missed out will have the option to see the band if willing to travel.
5. Embarking on a new business
TV host and journalist Jeremy Clarkson recently embarked on a new business adventure, opening a new pub in the Cotswolds. The Farmer’s Dog reportedly cost £1 million, the Sun Showbiz shares with readers on its YouTube channel.
The former Top Gear star has been flooded with support from fans after making the grand reveal, with people travelling from far and wide to be one of the first through its doors. Read more here.
