A remote island just off the coast of the Isle of Man is calling on volunteers to move there and countseals.
While there’s no denying it’s not going to be the role for everyone, the Manx Wildlife Trust has put out a call to find two “enthusiastic volunteers” who are willing to temporarily relocate to the Calf of Man and count seals for its annual survey, and is hoping it’ll be ideal for those looking for a quiet life with virtually no one around.
Unfamiliar with the Calf of Man? Don’t worry, you’re not alone, as this is a tiny remote island just off the southern coast of the Isle of Man that not many people know about.
The island is home to just three people on a seasonal basis, and doesn’t have any permanent residents.
With its 18 glens, 32 beaches, and 95 miles of coastline, the Isle of Man attracts a wide variety of marine life, such as whales, dolphins, and basking sharks, thanks to its location in the gulf stream – but one of the most common animals to spot are seals, which are usually seen from the middle of May to the end of August.
According to the Manx Wildlife Trust, the Calf of Man – which is approximately 600 acres – is the perfect spot for the seal population to live, breed, and raise their pups.
Volunteers wanted to move to remote island and count seals / Credit: Manx Wildlife Trust
ITV Granada is reporting that it’ll be the job of the two new “enthusiastic volunteers” to relocate to the island for nine weeks to conduct the yearly seal survey and get a better understanding of the seal population, and then complete two weeks of data analysis of their findings.
With accommodation and a £40 weekly allowance towards both provided, some of the role’s responsibilities include daily visits to pupping sites to count the number of births, recording the developmental stage of the seal pups, and taking pictures of each adult seal, as well as each pup with its mother, to compare their images with an ID catalogue.
Applications for the volunteer positions are now open, and if you fancy it, you have until 18 August to apply – with a start date in early September.
Leeds Christmas Markets is returning to the city centre in just two months' time and some major plans and changes have been announced.
Although Pop Princess Zara Larsson might want us to believe "Summer isn't over yet", it's safe to say that the recent downpours we've had across West Yorkshire disagree.
Leeds Christmas Markets are also ringing in the new season with a jam-packed video posted to social media announcing all the current plans and changes for its 2026 schedule.
This year, outdoor events company Thor’s Tipi are stepping up as the all-new operators of this Christmastime spectacular and are organising a celebration where 'even if you’re not from Yorkshire, you’re going to leave being from Yorkshire'.
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November with plenty of Yorkshire-centric stalls / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Although Leeds locals already know that Yorkshire is 'God's Own Country', the Leeds Christmas Markets team are making sure that the county is represented through its food, drinks and wider stalls.
In a video uploaded to its social accounts, foodie expert and Little Bao Boy Founder James 'Jimmy Chews' Ooi was given the honour of revealing all these exciting plans.
Informing everyone that "You best come hungry", Ooi noted that some of the phenomenal vendors taking part include La Grassa and The Savvy Baker.
Real Markets Yorkshire and Stump Cross Caverns are also getting into the Christmas spirit and setting up their own stalls at Leeds City Square this November.
La Grassa is just one of many familiar foodie faces returning to Leeds Christmas Markets / Credit: The Hoot Leeds
Rated restaurants and bars are contributing to the festive frenzy too, like Cabaret Thursdays at Italian restaurant Bibi's and beer garden destination Green Room are hosting singalongs at Leeds Christmas Markets.
There will be plenty of activities for families happening all around the unofficial capital of West Yorkshire like elf-themed scavenger hunts, various elves on various shelves and lots of live music.
If it wasn't apparent already, in the words of Jimmy Chews himself, there's about to be "So much Christmas that Mariah Carey is going to look like the Grinch".
Leeds Christmas Markets are returning to Leeds City Square from Thursday 19 November and there will be plenty of exciting announcements to the upcoming celebrations ahead of the big day.
Aldi has announced a ‘special’ 62-hour closure of all its 1,000+ stores across UK
Emily Sergeant
Aldi has confirmed it'll be closing the doors of all of its stores across the UK for 62 hours this year.
Christmas is always known to be one of the busiest periods of the year for the retail industry, and Boxing Day has a reputation for being the ultimate day for shopping deals and discounts in the UK - but this year, just like it has done on several years in the past, Aldi has made the decision to close all of its stores nationwide on this bank holiday.
The supermarket retailer says it wants to thank its colleagues 'for all their hard work' throughout the year by giving them some extra time to spend with their families.
This means that all Aldi stores will be closed on both 25 and 26 December.
That's not all though, as stores will also be closed on New Year’s Day, and will reopen once again on Saturday 2 January 2027.
Aldi has announced a 'special' 62-hour closure of all its UK stores / Credit: Aldi UK
Opening hours at different Aldi stores across the UK will vary in the lead-up to Christmas, so it's important to check the times for your local store, but the retailer has confirmed that most branches will be operating extended hours to 'ensure customers can stock up ahead of the big day'
In the interim period between Christmas and New Year, stores will reopen as usual on Sunday 27 through to Wednesday 30 December, with reduced hours also likely on Sunday and New Year's Eve.
Speaking on the decision to shut up shop for a full 62-hour period this festive season, Rachel Geary, who is the Communications Director at Aldi UK, said: "Christmas is a special time for our customers, but it is also one of the busiest periods of the year for our teams.
"Our colleagues work incredibly hard to ensure customers can pick up everything they need ahead of the big day.
"We never take that effort for granted. Closing our stores on Boxing Day is one way of saying thank you and giving colleagues a proper chance to rest, switch off and spend more time with the people closest to them."
The Hoot -
10th August 2023 
