He also received France’s Legion D’Honneur — but says he has never been invited to the top services in London.
The former gas worker, who was born on the day of World War One’s famous 1914 Christmas Eve truce, so turns 110 on Tuesday, said: “I’d like to have been asked.
“I’m not one for dressing up but I could have gone.”
The Royal British Legion said Donald was not on its records, but his local branch in Ilkeston, Derbys, is upset.
Secretary Arthur Norman said: “It doesn’t seem fair. There are many D-Day veterans but he doesn’t get a mention.”
Local mayor Kate Fennelly says many people have written to the RBL over the years about Donald.
Staff at his care home say he would love to be at a service attended by royals.
An RBL spokesman said it has since connected with Donald and can now “keep him informed of events”.
SWNSDonald Rose feels snubbed — as the World War Two hero has not been invited to landmark Remembrance events[/caption]
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Tyson Fury at centre of huge row as Oleksandr Usyk’s team furious his BEARD ‘grossly violates’ strict rules
TYSON FURY is at the centre of a huge world-title rematch row — over his BEARD!
Champion Oleksandr Usyk has accused Fury of “grossly violating” strict rules on the length of facial hair and demanded he gets his razor out.
GETTYTyson Fury rematches Oleksandr Usyk in Saudi Arabia on Saturday night[/caption]
PAThe Gypsy King is sporting a massive beard for the do-or-die rematch[/caption]
GETTYTeam Usyk have kicked off over the size of Fury’s beard and demanded he trim it[/caption]
Britain’s Gypsy King, who weighed in at a massive 20st 1lb — FOUR STONE heavier than his rival — is sporting a full, bushy beard after refusing to shave for 12 weeks.
But Usyk’s promoter, Alex Krassyuk, fumed: “The beard rule is being grossly violated.
“The WBC rules clearly say, ‘A boxer may espouse a trimmed beard as long as the hair thickness does not cushion or affect the impact or trajectory of punches, or cause cuts or abrasions to his rival’.
“So, Tyson’s beard has to be trimmed. We will push it further.”
Fury’s matchmaker, Frank Warren, refused to back down.
The Queensberry Promotions chief blasted: “He has a beard and there have been a lot of fighters over the years who have fought with beards, and that’s it.”
When SunSport quizzed the British Boxing Board of Control, which has trained and supports the Middle East chiefs in charge of the WBC, WBA and WBO clash, they said Fury MUST trim his beard if Usyk complained at yesterday’s rules meeting.
Yet WBC supremo Mauricio Sulaiman insisted: “The matter was discussed and the final decision is with the local commission.
“We do not feel Fury gets any advantage. We do not think there will be a problem.”
Fury, 36, won an earlier squabble when undefeated Usyk, 37, was told he could not have his cherished monk’s crucifix in his corner.
He kissed it for inspiration during his split-decision triumph in May’s first Riyadh tear-up.
But Warren insisted: “If there’s anything other than water that goes to the fighter’s lips then the inspector will take it away.
“If anything is seen to be not correct it will be dealt with.”
SunSport understands Usyk’s team have accepted the banning of the cross but are digging in their heels over Beardgate.
Fury weighed in at a career-heaviest — a stonking 19lbs bigger than the first fight, while Usyk tipped the scales at 16st 2lbs, just three pounds up on last time.
There was another argument around the judges after Miami’s Fernando Barbosa withdrew ill.
The warring parties were at loggerheads over whether American Steve Weisfeld or Panama’s Ignacio Robles — who jetted in as emergency cover — would sit alongside Patrick Morley (US) and Puerto Rican Gerardo Martinez.
Warren, who wanted Robles, said: “I’ve suggested we toss a coin.”
He added: “There’s going to be a war tomorrow.”
GETTYTyson Fury and promoter Frank Warren are refusing to back down in the beard row[/caption]
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on I tested retro-flavoured drinks for Christmas…£13 winner was a rich & indulgent treat that tasted like a boozy milkshake
THERE is a nip of festive nostalgia in the drinks aisle this holiday season.
From Snowball cocktails to traditional sloe gin and even Gingerbread booze, if you’re in the market for some wind-the-clock-back liquid memories then you’re in luck.
Helena Nicklin tested out a collection of festive flavoured drinks, with a retro spinOliver Dixon
Aldi has even released its own version of Christmas classic Advocaat for less than a tenner a bottle.
Here, Helana Nicklin rates some of the best seasonal slurps, all available now on our supermarket shelves.
M&S Advocaat
£13, 70cl, M&S
5/5
M&S Advocaat was the top scoring drink in our taste testSupplied
ADVOCAAT is a Dutch drink made with egg yolks, sugar and brandy. It is sometimes referred to by Brits and Americans as Eggnog.
This Marks and Spencer spin on the classic creamy liqueur pays off.
Made with free range eggs, it is rich and indulgent with a sprinkle of vanilla.
A bit like a boozy milkshake. Slurp it down as it comes, with or without ice. Great price – and full Marks!
Warninks Advocaat
£15.50, 70cl,Tesco
3/5
The original Advocaat compared less favourably to the M&S versionSupplied
BIG brand Advocaat is the famous original that sets the standard. But after tasting the M&S version, it actually feels and pours a bit thin.
There is a whiff of fresh egg when you decant that is part of the appeal to many – like a rich, sugary, custard with an added kick from the brandy.
You can slurp this neat or on the rocks, and either way the retro fave now has some serious competition.
Asda’s pre-mixed Snowball won Helena over after her initial doubtsSupplied
Snowball Lime & Lemonade
£6.50 for 4, Asda
4/5
A CLASSIC Snowball is the ultimate retro festive cocktail. Usually made with equal parts Advocaat and fizzy lemonade, served over ice, sometimes with a squeeze of lime.
I was suspicious of this 200ml premixed snowball as you want it to look great and taste fresh, but it actually won me over.
Saves the faff of buying all of the ingredients in pieces.
Cherry And Almond Spritz
£3, 75cl, Morrisons
2/5
Morrisons’ Cherry and Almond Spritz tastes comforting but lacks punchSupplied
ANYTHING cherry and almond feels retro to me, and this spiced Spritz tastes and smells like a boozy cherry bakewell.
Heavy on the cherry and very sweet, this looks very pretty and festive but is lacking punch.
At only 3.4 per cent ABV, it is not strong at all, so if you wanted to, add an extra splash of sparkling vino for added oomph.
Not bad at all for three quid.
Cherry Bucks Fizz
£2.75, 75cl, Iceland
2/5
This Cherry Bucks Fizz is a better idea than the executionSupplied
BUCKS Fizz has always had a celebratory, slightly Seventies feel to it – and this version has had a cherry-scented upgrade.
For £2.75, it’s a nice idea and for me this punches above its weight for prettiness.
What’s inside is not sweet and sickly. You can taste the cherry and get all the theatre of popping the bottle and watching it foam into flutes. But it goes flat very quickly.
Gingerbread Mulled wine
£3.79, 75cl, Aldi
3/5
Aldi’s gingerbread mulled wine is the perfect Christmas combinationSupplied
GINGERBREAD and wine? That sounds like a classic Christmas combo.
I love Gingerbread and I love mulled wine, so I had high hopes for this combo.
For the price tag I was pretty happy – this does a decent job, rather like a subtle, lighter version of a normal mulled wine.
The ginger could be stronger but it is well put-together and balanced. Lovely warmed but nice cold too.
Marksologist Sloe Gin Sour
£18, 50cl, M&S
4/5
Sloe gin from M&S is ready to enjoy straight away – but it is expensive compared to othersSupplied
SLOE gin is not just a retro drink to enjoy over the festive season, it’s historic!
It first became popular in the 18th Century when we began to add sugar and sloe berries from blackthorn bushes to homemade gins.
This cocktail version is lovely for parties.
Well balanced and textured with a lovely tang. It’s ready to drink – just pour in a posh glass. But a bit pricey.
Babycham Sparkling
£3 for 4, Sainsbury’s
2/5
Babycham bottles are ideal servings at Christmas parties, and don’t cost a lotSupplied
WHEN it comes to festive tipples it doesn’t get more retro than Babycham.
The little 200ml bottles of bubbles fit the brief perfectly for a sparkly bash.
OK, there are posher drinks and more sophisticated fizzes. But a Babycham is so nostalgic and fun that it’s guaranteed to make you ready to party!
It’s cheap as chips and will put a smile on your face.
TikTok/brittanmackenzieBrittan Mackenzie shared her experience with a Cadillac dealership[/caption]
GettyShe claimed the dealership increased the price by $6k in response to her interest[/caption]
In a viral TikTok that garnered some 150,000 views, she told her followers that she would “pass on buying from” the Bayway Cadillac Southwest dealership in Houston, Texas she used to buy a new Cadillac.
At the start of the video, a text overlay lays out her frustrations with the dealership.
“When a dealership tries to raise the price of a car just because you’re interested,” she writes.
Mackenzie said she found the car – a pre-owned 2021 Cadillac Escalade ESV – online and then reached out to the business.
“I got some pictures of the interior and then I asked about the price,” she said, before adding that she had already checked the price online.
The Cadillac was listed on the dealership’s website at $63k.
At this point in the video, Mackenzie moves out of the way of the screenshot placed in the clip via the app’s green screen feature.
The screenshot appears to show that the dealership upped the price of the car by $6k in response to added interest in the vehicle.
“We have priced our vehicle very aggressively and we have been getting a lot of inquiries just today,” the dealership’s message reads.
It adds that for this reason, the “price may go up. Our selling price with dealer adds is $69,278.00 + TT&L fees.”
Mackenzie responded expressing her frustration at the car salesperson.
“So you just magically raise the price 6k cause someone is interested?” she asked.
“Seems like a solid way to do business.”
The dealership responded by saying that “all dealerships have their own cost,” and that only the “internet price” was listed at $64k.
Mackenzie then cuts to a screenshot of the company website detailing the cost of the vehicle.
Dealership Tips
Here are some expert tips when purchasing a car from a dealership lot:
1. Set your price: Ensure you’ve calculated your monthly budget before going to the lot. You should include the car’s loan payment, insurance costs, fuel, and regular maintenance.
2. Research: Make sure you know which cars you’re interested in test driving before you reach the dealership.
3. Pre-approval: Secure financing before you go to the dealership. Dealerships may give you a better interest rate if they are competing with an outside bank.
4. Test away: Get behind the wheel before making any payments. A car purchase will be worth thousands of dollars – drivers should ensure they like the drivetrain, steering feel, and comfort of the car before taking it off the lot
5. Haggle: Drivers should always try to negotiate the price. There are so many good cars on the American market – buyers have a strong hand when negotiating price.
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on HOA demands homeowners take down Christmas decor – but they vow ‘we’re leaving them up’ despite facing fines
A HOMEOWNERS’ association has been accused of acting like Ebeneezer Scrooge this year after reportedly ordering residents to remove their Christmas lawn decorations.
One resident said she was “bummed out” after being handed a violation notice by her HOA last week over her Christmas display in her front yard.
AZ FamilyCindy Choquette was ordered to remove the Christmas yard display from her house[/caption]
AZ FamilyShe received a letter from her HOA in Gilbert, Arizona informing her of the rules[/caption]
The letter from the Cooley Station Community HOA in Gilbert, Arizona, said the decorations in front of Cindy Choquette’s house violated the community’s rules and regulations and she had to remove them.
“I was kind of bummed out because we provide so much cheer around here,” she told Gray Television affiliate AZ Family.
“Every day people walk around and express the joy we provide putting up decorations.”
Choquette was one of several homeowners in the community ordered to take down their decorations.
Some claimed they had been putting up decorations in their yards for years without any pushback.
However, the HOA says that it has a new management company that strictly enforces the rules.
One of those rules includes no artificial turf decorations.
Cooley Station HOA did not respond immediately to The U.S. Sun’s requests for comment.
The HOA president earlier said that it would rescind the notices and allow decorations to stay up if they don’t damage the turf.
But FS Residential, the new management company, put out a statement indicating it was sticking to its plans to ban yard decorations.
“While we encourage our residents to celebrate the holidays and decorate their homes, the safety of our residents and preservation of our property values are top priorities,” the statement read.
“Our community’s rules prohibit decorations on the artificial turf and trees between the sidewalk and the curb that are maintained by the association, and any power or extension cords on sidewalks that can pose a trip hazard for our residents, guests, and staff.”
But Choquette insists she will keep the decorations up until New Year’s.
She insisted that they were doing nothing wrong, and were simply “spreading joy” in their community.
What is an HOA?
One in five Americans live in an area with a Homeowners' Association - or HOA. But what exactly is it that they do?
An HOA is a homeowner’s association – an organization that aims to maintain a clean and cohesive place to live for its residents.
Entire neighborhoods, subdivisions, condominiums, family homes, or townhouses within “a planned development” will often make up an HOA.
They also act as a governing body for tenants, who run and fund the HOA through monthly fees.
Their principal aims are to keep the community functioning and visually appealing and to maintain property values.
They primarily focus on common areas of a neighborhood, such as roads, parks, and pools – but may also stipulate what residents can do with their properties, such as yards and driveways.
Often these restrictions enforce uniformity on properties, for example, ensuring most houses look the same and all driveways are clear of weeds.
An HOA rulebook of covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R) is distributed to all residents, and an elected volunteer board of directors enforces these regulations.
Breaking these rules can result in penalties such as fines and even litigation – as most HOAs are incorporated and subject to state law.
HOAs are often the subject of controversy, with some members feeling that the rules are too punitive and restricting, or that the leadership has too much power.
But others like that HOAs give communities the power of self-governance, and can ensure a degree of harmony between residents.
The Cooley Station HOA’s example is far from unique among HOAs.
Most homeowners associations place a ban on decorations deemed to be too large.
Many HOAs prohibit inflatable Christmas decorations specifically as they are usually on the larger side.
They are also often deemed by HOAs as tacky and outdated and therefore are banned on the grounds of protecting property values.
Some HOAs also set specific dates on when homeowners can start putting up holiday decorations and when they must be brought down by.
It is common for decorations to be prohibited from going up earlier than a month prior to Christmas, nor kept up more than two weeks after December 25.
3 days agoUSA UpdateComments Off on Senate Clears Bill Freeing Up Filming in National Parks
The measure was passed a day after a lawsuit was filed against the government accusing it of censoring speech by making filmmakers pay to shoot in national parks just because their work is commercial. It now heads to President Biden's desk.
