MORE than 100 residents fighting a high-tech industry and business park proposed for Somerville have signed a petition saying it would destroy the area’s “natural beauty” among other concerns The proposed development at 79 and 83 Bungower Rd in Somerville by Procter Investments Pty would see a community hub created with cafes it is expected to provide up to 1100 jobs with the aim of addressing a “critical shortage” of industry land on the peninsula The site comprises two property titles totalling nearly 37 hectares which are zoned as special use port related but deemed surplus to the Port of Hastings needs in 2018 It was declared regionally significant industrial land by the state government in 2019 Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors at their 25 February meeting decided to refer all submissions to a planning panel which will be appointed by Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny – with a panel hearing is expected to be held for a week from 12 May. Following the hearing, the panel will prepare a report with recommendations for council to consider, but the state government will ultimately decide whether to approve the proposal or refuse it. Among the supporters of the proposal is Cr Kate Roper, who, as reported by The News, said while she understood resident concerns, the benefits of such a project were “well supported” and would be an “important driver” for employment on the peninsula. However, a group of concerned citizens have since launched a petition since the council meeting, citing the long-term environmental damage if the proposal was to proceed, traffic impacts, and that the site should be protected by green wedge values. “There is a risk that concentrated rainfall runoff into groundwater, may affect the salinity of nearby paddocks, affecting soil fertility and livestock. “This runoff could potentially pollute Western Port Bay, which has been identified as an ecologically sensitive Ramsar Wetland,” the petition, signed by 105 people, said. “Council could benefit from maintaining these green wedge areas for potential revenues from tourism and not for short term gain of leasing contracts for industry.” “Respondents are of the opinion that a technology park in both Somerville and Hastings would cause leasing competition, with the potential for neither site being able to run at sufficient capacity for success. There are already significant warehouses for lease in Hastings and Somerville industrial areas.” According to concerned residents supporting the petition, a 400-strong petition was originally signed in 2020 to oppose the proposed development, noting that it was the “community’s understanding this project was not going ahead and council’s own research suggested Hastings was a better option near Bunnings”. Residents told The News they “felt blindsided by the current proposal as they felt the issue was done and dusted”. Of the 114 submissions, supporters expressed interest in the land use and employment opportunities, “while many of the opposing submissions raised concerns about traffic impacts on Bungower Road and future industrial uses on the land,” the report said. Concerned resident Simone Nash said the land on Bungower Rd bordered on green wedge zoning.“This proposal conflicts with state planning for the Mornington Peninsula. State planning has specified that the Mornington Peninsula is to be preserved for it conservation, tourism and townships,” she said.“It seems pointless to me that the land would be downgraded to industrial instead of upgraded for market gardens or residences.” Opponents intend to have their voices heard at a community ward meeting on 1 May at Somerville Community House, which is being hosted by Beek Beek Ward Cr Kate Roper from 6pm to 7.30pm. First published in the Mornington News – 29 April 2025 Established in 2006, Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated, independent media company. MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News, Mornington News, Southern Peninsula News, Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News. MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids. CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) SaveSave this storySaveAlong the wild western coast of Ireland’s County Galway lies Connemara Oscar Wilde once praised the region’s “savage beauty,” a phrase you will encounter at least a dozen times reading about its rugged expanses of mountain to all of which its 30,000 or so residents appear proudly subordinate Hovering the place on Google Maps takes you over craggy ranges and flowering heath ruins of castles and nunneries straight out of Gothic romance novels Here the modern world bears a striking resemblance to the ancient world of myth overlaid with field recordings of the rush of wind and sea settling comfortably alongside the masterpieces of the canon The word “time” appears more frequently than I can count: On “Spring,” it comes in waves that ebb perpetually away and on the breathtaking “Garden,” she swims through time itself past dark caves and out toward warmer waters there is a holisticism to the hero’s journey on which Somerville embarks—a feeling that you’re not alone All products featured on Pitchfork are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Our community in Somerville consistently highlights road safety as a high concern A review of the Somerville local area (including crash statistics) highlighted several road safety risk factors This project aims to improve safety and reduce future crashes on the local road network through a combination of traffic calming treatments and a proposed 40 km/h area speed limit The scope of works includes a series of raised safety platforms The Shire’s Traffic Team has completed community consultation for the proposed scope of works Concept design has been completed with all treatment locations finalised Detailed design commenced in early December and is expected to be completed in early 2025 to allow construction to be undertaken from mid 2025 onwards Please review Frequently Asked Questions(PDF, 1MB) if you would like further information Somerville-Concept-Plans-02.12.24.pdf(PDF, 14MB) Frequently asked questions(PDF, 1MB) Towards Zero Road Safety Strategy Mornington-Peninsula-Towards-Zero-2020-2025-–-Our-Road-Safety-Strategy.pdf(PDF, 3MB) Safety First Road Safety.pdf(PDF, 2MB) Service centre and connection point operating hours and days vary by location Mornington Peninsula Shire acknowledges and pays respect to the Bunurong people the Traditional Custodians of these lands and waters Remove items from your saved list to add more Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime Sorry-not-sorry if you want to keep Cptn Jack’s to yourself. This brilliant waterfront hideaway is a secret no longer. The pretty shack at little-known Yaringa Boat Harbour sees chef Matt Knoops (ex-Pt Leo Estate) cooking local ingredients over wood-fire in a country-coastal restaurant an hour from the city. Why have we never heard about the seaside delights of Somerville? Probably because when longtime boatbuilder Malcolm Hart and wife Lizzie bought the harbour in 2018, it was a rundown little boat-park carved into mangrove swamps on Western Port Bay. The empty restaurant at the top of the wharf was a rather shambolic shack. In the years since, Malcolm has sharpened up the shipping side of the enterprise and is set to move his Mornington factory here (he supplies police and pilot boats around the world). Lizzie Hart, who ran an interiors shop in Mt Eliza, took her husband’s suggestion that she apply a lick of paint to the restaurant rather more seriously. She rebuilt the kitchen with a wood oven, gave the chefs a cheery sea view, then turned the dining room into a refreshingly cliche-free but still evocatively nautical destination with an old rowboat skeleton strapped to the ceiling and brass ship fittings dotted here and there. It’s a pleasure to be here, whether you’re in the main dining room with its stone fireplace or closer to the water on the sheltered deck. Local oysters from Flinders.Simon SchluterManager Fabio Candolo (previously at Flinders restaurant Moke) runs the dining room with a keen, friendly team that is still schooling up on a few hospitality basics, such as how to efficiently clear and reset tables. Knoops runs an unfussy menu that leans towards seafood and Mornington Peninsula producers. Thursday is locals night (but you can go, too); the $49 set menu of shareable comfort food is extraordinary value. You might snack on excellent rock oysters and a fried bun scented with rosemary and stuffed with duck liver parfait. There’s always flatbread topped, perhaps, with smoky eggplant or burrata and pistachio-basil butter. Wood-fired flatbread.Simon SchluterBarramundi might be served with almond and capers, or with parsley and confit lemon, while wood-roasted prawns are doused with chilli butter. House-made tagliatelle is tangled with spanner crab. Desserts are simple: maybe chocolate mousse with peanut butter parfait, or mini pavlova with seasonal berries. It’s generous food, never tricky, well-seasoned and buttery, leaning Mediterranean in the lee of Western Port. Cptn Jack is an old sea dog character Lizzie Hart concocted with her sister. “He’s every woman’s dream man and the guy every man wants to be,” she told me. Jack loved many ladies but none more than the mermaid he followed to the bottom of the sea. I won’t suggest you model yourself on Jack but I will happily advise you to visit his namesake restaurant for good food and fine cheer. Get hands-on with this sushi platter with a difference at this 10-seat city restaurantTiny Temaki Sushi joins Melbourne’s growing number of Japanese specialty venues. The mash-up of cuisines at this suburban winery makes our critic ‘giddy’ (in a good way)Clara Luna serves bar food, but it’s also soul food; Middle Eastern and South American, but also Australian. Fun drinks, disappointing duck: Critic sees red at new modern Asian hot spotThe mood-lit restaurant plays it safe with a selection of greatest hits from Michael Lambie’s pan-Asian playbook. news and the hottest openings served to your inbox Victoria is on the market for $850,000 to $935,000 It’s a fraction higher than the suburb median of $820,000 and buyers would need to sink extra money into renovations – but for that price Tower House is a building with deep significance for the local community an English-born landowner who migrated to Victoria during the gold rush Tower House was one of the first official council headquarters in the Frankston area White paint is peeling from the weatherboard walls and filagree latticework The wooden front steps are overgrown with grass But many locals still have fond memories of Tower House “This house has been in Somerville for a long time. Its blue gable roof and bright white wooden weatherboards have been a mainstay of the old-style architecture,” local resident Elena Vitale writes on the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council’s planning website.  Dilapidated Paddington terrace with horse stables sells for $3 million Abandoned house in Tasmania’s rugged west listed for $150,000 Crumbling, derelict house in upscale Sydney sells for $3 million “Everyone who has grown up in Somerville during the past 100 years has loved this house,” shares resident Tanya Pascoe.  “There is always an outpouring of love and concern for its upkeep and stories of parents and grandparents visiting and loving this house.”  In 2019, plans to demolish the house to make way for units were met with strong objections from many locals. There are hopes that the future buyers will restore Tower House to its original grandeur.  The vendors have plans available for a lavish renovation, which includes extending the original house, adding an elegant front garden with a water feature, and building a swimming pool and garage in the backyard.  The property is for sale with John Rault from Eview Real Estate Frankston. The information on this website is intended to be of a general nature only and doesn't consider your objectives, financial situation or needs. where we are privileged to live and operate Following a brief hiatus after branch fell a few weeks ago, Perth Festival has announced the reopening of Lotterywest Films at UWA’s Somerville Auditorium this week the festival’s Tuesday two-for-one ticket offer is also being extended to Thursday for this week “We’re happy and relieved to announce the return of the Lotterywest Films program we can’t wait to welcome audiences back to enjoy world-class cinema under the stars once again It’s fantastic to have our much-loved summer tradition back.” The festival was forced to pause screenings from February 1 while remediation works were carried out on the venue to “ensure its long-term safety.” This week the festival is screening Levan Akin’s multi-award-winning whichi will be preceded by a live performance from Turkish three-piece band The program will then continue as scheduled with new screenings for the postponed film Black Dog now taking place at Somerville from Monday 31 March-April 6 The program of critically acclaimed international films then continues as scheduled Find out more and check the rest of the program at perthfestival.com.au Shaping the next generation of global leaders By Professor Jenny Gregory AM and Liz McGrath paving works and artificial turf have been successfully installed who moved to WA from New South Wales in 1895 served as the workers' representative on the WA Arbitration Court for 21 years from 1905,” Professor Gregory says Image: (left) Figure 2 1928 Temple of Trees and (right) Figure 1 2060P William Somerville in 1926 eventually sourcing his Norfolk Island pines from the State Nursery after the original seeds failed to germinate Image: Figure 9 1953P First performance in the Somerville Auditorium with William Somerville on stage (to the right) the venue expanded its offerings to include film screenings beginning with the French historical drama Mayerling (1936) starring Charles Boyer and Danielle Darrieux based on real-life events that led to the deaths of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria and his lover Baroness Mary Vetsera Image: Renovations complete and ready for another action-packed season under the stars For more information about UWA's history, please visit the UWA's Historical Society's website and its Oral History Portal which includes more than 80 interviews with former staff members and UWA graduates Image at top of page: Figure 6 4431P Somerville Auditorium Spring 1945 35 Stirling HighwayPerth WA 6009 Australia (+61 8) 6488 6000 Emergency(+61 8) 6488 2222 The University of Western Australia acknowledges that its campus is situated on Noongar land and that Noongar people remain the spiritual and cultural custodians of their land Indigenous commitment Interested in trying out city biking? Join in for a beginner friendly workshop and bike ride through Somerville. MassBike Coalition will be leading a workshop on riding a bike in Somerville. Learn how to navigate the city streets, safety 101, and street etiquette. The workshop will be followed by a short bike ride. If you don’t have a bike that’s ok, free blue bike codes will be provided. All are welcome, interpretation will be provided to all who want it. Pizza provided. First published in the Mornington News – 11 March 2025 In the midst of deadline season, there’s nothing better than spending an evening unwinding at a gig with a pint in hand. I traded a miserable Thursday evening at the library for a much more appealing gig at Strange Brew. This wasn’t your typical gig, as it was marketed as a double-headline show. This meant that both acts Good Sad Happy Bad (GSHB), and Maria Somerville played hour-long sets, instead of the usual opening set being shorter. GSHB, formerly known as Micachu and the Shapes are a supergroup composed of film score composer Mica Levi on guitar, Mount Kimbie member Marc Pell on drums, solo artist Raisa Khan on main vocals and keys, and multi-instrumentalist CJ Calderwood on saxophone, recorder, midi pad controller and backing vocals. Five years after their album Shades, they are now touring their latest album All Kinds of Days, which was released in late 2024. I would describe the band’s music as jazzy, textured and layered with choral harmonies, jangly guitar, synth, and sax. Think of a cross between Broadcast, and Radiohead with a dash of indie rock. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @goodsadhappybad Maria Somerville is an upcoming Irish musician whose music is a fresh redefinition of dream-pop, fusing Irish folk motifs with post-punk and hypnotic drones. Think of a mixture of Cocteau Twins, and Slowdive with some drum beats similar to Yo La Tengo. Somerville and her band were up first. This performance fell on the eve of the release of her new album Luster, which Pitchfork has just named Best New Music. As this was a double-headline gig we were graced with 12 songs and even heard some unreleased tracks like ‘Halo’ and ‘Spring’. At times I found myself geeking out at the drummer’s use of a bow on the crash cymbal, which created this eerie noise I had never heard before. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @maria__somerville I don’t know if my brain was fried from staring at my diss on my laptop all day but boy did this performance make me sleepy. I don’t mean this negatively, dream-pop sometimes has that effect on you. Despite only being a three-man band, Somerville’s music hypnotises you, sucking you into this trance and only releasing you once the song is over. I was soon reawakened by the playful noise of GSHB. Starting strong with the track ‘After.Spirit’ from their latest album, GSHB doesn’t give you a chance to feel tired. View this post on Instagram A post shared by @goodsadhappybad falling under three minutes but are extremely intimate and tight The band’s dynamic creates this striking paradox by being simultaneously messy yet extremely precise I was most excited to hear their new track ‘DIY’ and was really impressed with the drummer He makes this extremely challenging task look effortless this on-the-nose moment meant that we got to hear the song again as they restarted They also played crowd favourites from their previous albums such as ‘Star’ and ended with another classic ‘Shades’ which primarily features Calderwood’s haunting sax Despite all the members being extremely talented and masters of their instruments Their music hits you with the full force and power of their combined skill Was it because of my sealed fate at the library the following morning Do you still enjoy gigs during exam season Independent marketing network Hardie Grant Media is pleased to announce the appointment of Craig Somerville as its new group managing director who will transition into the role of managing director at Hardie Grant Currently serving as managing director and co-founder of Hardie Grant Media’s digital marketing agency Reload Media Somerville brings 17 years of experience in digital marketing and leadership His expanded role will now encompass oversight of Hardie Grant Media’s agency network leading a team of 110 staff across Melbourne “It’s an exciting time to be leading the network We’ve got an incredible team that is one of the most experienced in Australia a roster of agencies that are industry leaders in their respective spaces and amazing clients who are increasingly using us to solve a broad cross-section of marketing and creative challenges,” said Somerville who has led Hardie Grant Media for the past seven years will now oversee Hardie Grant’s broader business “Our agency network has been reimagined with our clients’ needs at the core and Craig has played a pivotal role in bringing this vision to life I’m excited to see how he continues to drive the business forward in this new position we’re navigating an evolving media and publishing landscape We’re confident we have the right foundations in place and exploring acquisitions where they make sense,” said Hardie-Grant Hardie Grant Media is an independent marketing network that connects top-tier brands with creative solutions through its diverse group of agencies and specialist services From communications and content creation to digital marketing and production the network provides a broad range of capabilities to meet the ever-evolving needs of its clients The client portfolio includes Mercedes-Benz Maria Somerville is a singer-songwriter who grew up in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland She later relocated to Dublin to attend college and released her first LP ethereal collection of ambient pop songs called All My People Her music drew inspiration from the landscape of her youth settling into a house near where she was raised she also started hosting the Early Bird Show every Monday and Tuesday morning on NTS Radio and enlisted the help of artists including J and author who came up in our conversation wrote: “Often when visitors ask me what they should see in this region I am at a loss The memory of an old song about a drowning Ultimately I have to tell them that this is a land without shortcuts.” Maria Somerville takes her time We caught up with Maria Somerville for the latest edition of our Artist Spotlight series to talk about moving back to Connemara How do you feel now that you’ve started playing the new songs live There’s a vulnerability to releasing the music; even just releasing singles or song after song and there’s been such nice audiences so far People have naturally traced a line between your two albums: a feeling of homesickness turning into a kind of homecoming Listening to Luster makes me feel like that line is actually blurred – like some part of that longing is fulfilled but there’s also something new created in its place how were things different than you expected What were some things you appreciated not just about being there you don’t really appreciate things; I just wanted to leave and be anonymous and explore I met a lot of great people that were formative for music the stillness and the pace of life were very important so I was picking up things that I wouldn’t in the city I don’t necessarily know in terms of music how it affected what was coming through me Was there a different kind of anonymity in going back than what you sought in the city and the landscape – it’s not just buildings I had a good group of friends as well who had moved back There’s other groups who are putting on shows A lot of people in Ireland didn’t quite get the hang of learning Irish so we have other friends who are kind of spreading that teaching There were just things that we were doing while I was there There’s obviously older people in the community who I would have grown up with I feel like I’m not answering your questions properly too – even though you may say it’s an inward-looking album I’m curious how separated the process was between workshopping the songs on your own and fleshing them out with your collaborators I would work on that for a long time and have lots of ideas floating that I then come back to and try and flesh out I did a sound engineering course in Galway many years ago so I had that basic recording set up as a foundation It was fun for me being able to do it in Connemara rather than a studio because I got to engineer things like the harp or some of the guitars from my friend Henry Earnest on ‘Garden’ I would go to their house and do some sessions there like ‘Halo’ and ‘Carrib’ were pretty much the first take The ‘Garden’ vocals are the demo that came out; I tried to rerecord it A lot of it is a mixture of my own recordings and stuff that I did with others In terms of establishing a routine and the music you were consuming did hosting the Early Bird show on NTS feed into your songwriting process so that was a nice anchor to have every Monday and Tuesday Getting up at six is a nice part of the morning I was exposed to so much music that there wasn’t really a break when I was also writing some of the stuff on Luster is pretty Early Bird there’s something in there from being exposed to and influenced by different sounds the more I appreciate its flow and sequencing It seems to almost follow the order in which the songs were written How intuitive was putting together that flow There were actually quite a few different sequences ‘Stonefly’ was always the last on the sequences before the final one I’d always be happy to take collaborators’ advice on those things But there was an instinct at the very end – I changed the whole sequencing The two sides have different feelings and different tones and sounds and frequencies But how to articulate that in a way that makes sense did you feel like the record encapsulated the wave of time in which you recorded the album I feel like it’s a capsule of that period of writing and making and feeling and being and the way it appears on the album cover really sets the tone for it I love that it’s a different texture on the actual physical copy I’m always leaning towards minimal artwork The view from my window at home – there’s these beautiful rocks that the light shines off It felt like it also summed up the music and the place He was just sending ideas and saw that font; I’d been asking for something hand-drawn I love the texture and the photo of the insert There are varying levels of clarity in your lyrics in terms of how they’re heard in the music I’m curious how conscious you are about which words peak out in the mix and which drift into it more; ‘Halo’ I understand that intentionality is harder to articulate but are there limits to what you feel comfortable expressing through language it’s probably more similar to some of the tracks on All My People it was whatever served the song; I had somebody who was mixing who thought that it was good to clean up the vocals but it was a purely creative production decision to keep it this way It’s important to hear and have the lyrics or the voice more upfront But maybe there is something in me that I’m still uncomfortable with expressing certain deeper themes Is that something you’re conscious of when it’s just words on a page I generally always start with guitar and voice; I wouldn’t start with words So I’d start first with the guitar melody It just depends on the style of song I’m writing ‘Trip’ was obviously more of a ballad-y kind of tune ‘Halo’ was drenched in reverb when I was demoing it Generally just whatever happens from the start There’s always a magic in the first take that when I try to go back and change it Whereas things like ‘Projections’ – I’m indebted to people who worked on it with me That was a nice part of the process with Luster – I could only take things to a certain stage and it was brilliant to work with people to see where things could go One thing that makes the record not feel so insular is that you sing about everything that is inviting you to be a part of your surroundings That’s a thread that you draw across the album What makes you curious about the ways the world is Maybe that’s one thing from spending more time in Connemara I was definitely reading a lot John O’Donohue I suppose it was just coming through me from being there and having time Is there a part of that perspective that you’ve carried over into your life now especially as you take these songs on tour you can still see something beautiful somewhere I remember there was a line by this artist not to be looking at it.” And they were talking about the bug and the earth “I want to be in it – in it physically,” like “I don’t want to just paint beautiful landscapes.” She finds things that are washed up in the sea things that maybe people don’t find as interesting I remember that stuck with me for a long time I suppose taking your time – I was feeling that there It’s definitely harder for us all on tour There is a lot of into with this record – I guess that’s the yearning It’s not just about one specific place This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length Maria Somerville’s Luster is out now via 4AD. All our content is free to read; if you want to subscribe to our newsletter to keep up to date, click the button below. © 2025 Our Culture Mag Limited. All rights reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (updated 2/1/2025) and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement (updated 2/1/2025). The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Our Culture Mag Limited. Still unable to find what you need? Contact us using our Enquiry/feedback form. The Government of Western Australia acknowledges the traditional custodians throughout Western Australia and their continuing connection to the land, waters and community. We pay our respects to all members of the Aboriginal communities and their cultures; and to Elders both past and present. Watch 30s'ICE has been going crazy in Somerville' says organizer of rally supporting Tufts student detained. HomeTributes & FuneralsView PhotoDeath NoticesSOMERVILLE Dearly loved wife of John ''Jack'' (dec'd) Cherished mother and mother-in-law of Cheryl 32 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren Myra's family would like to thank the staff at the Wagga Wagga Base Hospital Aged Care Unit A Service Celebrating the Life of Myra Somerville will be held at the Wagga Wagga Crematorium Chapel Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend condolence messages may be left on the website: SOMERVILLE residents and business owners have been left disappointed yet again after its bid for federal government funding to help improve mobile phone coverage in the area was rejected.Despite their persistent fight for better connectivity particularly in the east Somerville area for the past ten years the federal government did not include the suburb in its second round of funding through the peri-urban mobile program.Funding of $40.9 million was allocated to the program which aims to improve mobile connectivity in bushfire and other natural disaster-prone areas.Communications Minister Michelle Rowland announced on October 3 that the program had approved 47 mobile tower infrastructure projects across the country – however Somerville was notably absent who has been advocating to seek much-needed funding to address the mobile black spot “Despite long standing issues with connectivity in Somerville the Albanese Government has failed to allocate a single dollar to addressing the lack of reception in the area,” she said “With residents unable to access internet banking phone calls dropping out multiple times in a single call the lack of reception in Somerville is profoundly affecting the lives of the 18,000 residents “I have met with all the major Telcos and written to the Minister for Communications asking them to address the lack of reception in Somerville.”Somerville Business Group secretary David Livingstone said it was a huge blow for the community are suffering from the dire lack of reception,” he said Mr Livingstone said mobile phone reception was “extremely poor” in southeast Somerville extending south of Eramosa Rd East and east of Jones Rd “It’s been an ongoing issue for ten years,” he said adding he would not give up in seeking better mobile phone coverage to help small businesses.As reported last month in The News residents said a lack of a reliable service was more than just an inconvenience; it also posed a safety risk if people had difficulty contacting emergency services (Stranded … Somerville residents face mobile phone woes The News 25/09/24).In the latest round of government funding Ms McKenzie observed that of the 16 sites in Victoria granted approval “This compares to round one of the program which came out in 2022 under the previous Coalition Government and included multiple sites on the Peninsula and St Andrews Beach.” The second round of funding did not include any sites along the Mornington Peninsula The closest sites approved funding were Pearcedale south and Tooradin north west.In September Telstra told The News that it was aware of some indoor coverage challenges in some parts of Somerville A Telstra spokesperson said in a statement that it was committed to building a new site in southeast Somerville “to uplift coverage in the area and have a project underway to locate the land required to build a new mobile site” The statement added there were “some differences in coverage for mobile virtual network operators “The coverage you receive on these networks depends on your location the specifications or the capabilities of the mobile device you’re using and how you are using it,” it said.Optus confirmed two new mobile sites were being planned to go online next year to provide further connectivity with one next to Bungower Rd An existing Optus phone tower is located near Eramosa Rd East and Lower Somerville Rd A proposed 35-metre mobile phone tower in Webbs Lane was rejected in the past year after it was vehemently opposed by residents who did not want it on green wedge land as well as citing visual and health impacts First published in the Mornington News – 22 October 2024 Mornington Peninsula News Group (MPNG) is a locally owned and operated MPNG publishes five weekly community newspapers: the Western Port News Frankston Times and Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News MPNG also publishes two glossy magazines: Peninsula Essence and Peninsula Kids SOMERVILLE Recreation Reserve would be upgraded under a $5m plan if Flinders MP Zoe McKenzie is re-elected and the Liberal Party takes office at the federal election The proposed revamp would benefit the football whose hall is in desperate need of repair.Currently public toilets and a bowls club.But McKenzie said many of these clubs were relying on facilities “that belong in the last century”.“Somerville deserves world-class sporting facilities,” she said after announcing the $5m pledge last week.“This commitment by the Coalition will enable that to happen in this fast-growing part of the Mornington Peninsula.” McKenzie added with a growing population and increased demand for sporting and recreational spaces “we can only expect the number of local residents utilising the reserve to rise” we can give our aspiring athletes the best possible chance to become the next generation of sporting superstars.”Mornington Peninsula Scouts’ district commissioner Paul van Bergen said Somerville Scouts had welcomed the news as scouting numbers were growing on the peninsula “Families today expect modern facilities,” he said “We welcome support from Ms McKenzie and all politicians so that more young people can get the life-changing benefits of the Scout program.” First published in the Mornington News – 18 February 2025 we’re sharing what our writers are playing obsessively and highlighting some of the Pitchfork staff’s favorite new music The playlist is a grab-bag of tracks: Its only guiding principle is that these are the songs you’d gladly send to a friend Maria Somerville: “Spring”Lorde: “What Was That”Kara-Lis Coverdale: “Freedom”Fine: “I Could”1100 Himself: “RIP Brownsville Ka”Buscabulla: “El Camino”Joviale: “Moonshine”BunnaB: “Bunna Summa”Niontay: “Top da Top”Zukenee: “Cut Ya Hand”Sickboyrari: “Rock da Glock Like Its Fendi”Lunchbox: “Nothing Gone Last”Anthony Naples: “Uforia2”Feng: “Princess”Maiya Blaney: “Honey I”Sarah Register: “Right” The Lincoln County News Serving Maine and Lincoln County for over 140 years Security camera footage shows an altercation between select board member Don Chase (second from right) and budget committee member Michael Cox (right) during the budget committee’s March 25 meeting in the Somerville town office Cox resigned from the select board following the event Cox remains a member of the budget committee An altercation at the Somerville town office led to violence during a March 25 budget committee meeting The incident was preceded by a discussion about broadband internet funding and followed by verbal threats according to security footage reviewed by The Lincoln County News “I’m going to beat you to a (expletive) bloody pulp,” budget committee member Michael Cox repeated twice to Somerville Select Board member Don Chase as he was escorted out of the town office by select board Chair Willard Pierpont immediately after the altercation The footage was captured on an ADT security camera installed at the office the week before the incident The camera records video and audio in roughly 30-second intervals each of which is followed by a gap of at least 30 seconds during which no recording is made The portion of the evening’s footage reviewed by The Lincoln County News begins at approximately 5:30 p.m. when Somerville Select Board members Willard Pierpont and Kathryn Jennings were seated in the town office discussing budget procedure with Treasurer Sandra Devaney and Town Clerk Russell Gates The joint Somerville Select Board and Somerville Budget Committee meeting planned for 6 p.m that evening was intended as a session to familiarize both groups with the budgeting process followed by budget committee members Cathy Ladd and Bobbi Creamer; Chase; and residents Joseph LaMacchia and Chris Johnson the group can be heard discussing the budget before turning to the town-owned broadband network and its finances and Jennings seemed to be engaged in a separate inaudible conversation on one side of the table can be heard discussing broadband finances on the other The conversation centered on broadband operating costs that Pierpont said had not been budgeted for “We’re 25,000 in the hole,” Pierpont said in the last recorded clip preceding the video of the altercation itself The next clip begins more than one minute later who were directly across from one another at the square table are walking around the table toward one another who was also standing and is now between the two She stumbles before catching herself on a chair they raise their hands and appear to brace against one another before Chase leans forward and falls to the ground The fall causes the pair to be partially obscured by a wall Chase lands on the ground and cannot be seen Cox appears to strike at Chase several times with a closed fist Pierpont reaches the two and attempts to move Cox toward the door As Cox is guided toward the door by Pierpont saying he will beat him before telling Chase to “bring it … outside.” “I’m going to get you on an assault charge,” Chase responded The next recording shows budget committee members sweeping up debris from the floor in the area of the altercation while Chase places a call take seats around the table while Chase waits to one side The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene Both Cox and Chase were charged with disorderly conduct Chase resigned from the Somerville Select Board the following morning Pierpont said he discussed Cox’s seat on the budget committee with the other members the evening of the altercation and the members present – the entire committee except Creamer — had concluded that Cox should remain a member of the committee it’s a witch hunt,” Chase said when reached by phone on March 27 He said he believed the ongoing discussion about broadband funding was not based on real concerns and was a symptom of ongoing communication problems He recounted the events leading to the altercation saying Cox had insulted him personally and he had responded “I shouldn’t have come out with hard words but I told him to go ‘ef’ himself,” Chase said Chase held the seat of second select board member from 2012 until his resignation in March Cox declined to comment when reached by phone The next meeting of the Somerville Select Board will be held at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, May 7, at the town office. For more information, go to somervillemaine.org or call 549-3828 To stay informed on local happenings, sign up for our newsletter! and goings-on in Lincoln County with our twice-weekly email newsletter SOMERVILLE, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — 3 Little Figs in Somerville was recently named the best brunch spot in Massachusetts in a new list by the Yelp Elite Squad The Yelp Elite Squad is a subset of Yelp reviewers to whom the site has given "elite" status for writing high-quality reviews taking exemplary photos and "playing well with others" on the platform Yelp Elites recently compiled a list of the top brunch spots in each state and they named 3 Little Figs the best in Massachusetts Owner Katie Rooney called the recognition "a great honor." "I do think that we offer a real sense of family vibes and community," Rooney said 3 Little Figs serves a wide array of sandwiches The cafe has been at its location on Highland Ave but Rooney said the line still stretches out the door on a regular basis WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasMMJ) reports it doesn’t change too much,” Maria Somerville says “I’m sure that just being there influences the music subconsciously in some way.” Having lived away from her native Connemara—away from the luscious greenery and serene almost motionless atmosphere—for quite some time returning home could only be described as a warm velvet embrace You can hear the subtle vividness of nature in between the washes of ambient drones and rumbling feedback on her recent singles retreating then drawing out as though waves on an isolated beach Sparse drums make way for Somerville’s isolated vocals to wander about like a spirit wandering Ireland’s countryside Luster is a representation of all these scenes Whether it be long walks up the boreen or breathing the air of Inir Óirr music can be found anywhere if you’re willing to find it and some of the songs written there made it onto Luster The slow pace definitely helps with the process,” she says her 2019 debut—the independently released All My People—most accurately reflects this wandering persona the record captures an immense yearning that draws comparisons to empty fields on a cold overcast Sunday morning perfectly reflects Somerville during this period “‘All My People’ was much more introverted—both in the way I was writing and how it was made—whereas Luster has a lot of collaboration.” signing to a major label is bound to come with complications pressure to homogenize one’s sound for mainstream appeal is an internal duress many artists struggle with signing with 4AD has only led Maria Somerville to reveal a more accurate representation of herself “I can only make music and write what comes naturally,” she explains The difference between her debut and Luster is not its dense production nor her improved songwriting but her newfound adoption of ‘movement.’ Her recent music videos perfectly reflect this idea. “Stonefly,” directed by Daniel Swan sees Maria Somerville roaming a desolate hillscape with mist coating the foreground and moving clouds as lackadaisical drums motion the track to a quick decrescendo An immense light beckons Somerville as she inches closer to it before encapsulating the screen in white Tracks from Luster remove the remote stillness that encompassed her previous record while retaining its ethereal ambience  Dozens of moving parts constantly weave and scatter throughout the record something entirely distinct from her more ambient-folk inspired debut Several musicians and collaborators helped cultivate this transition Producer Diego Herrera assisted in giving “Garden,” its driving shoegaze sound Henry Earnest and Finn Carraher McDonald accompanied Somerville in bringing the record to its fullest and Margie Jean Lewis can be found sporadically throughout the record collaboration has been crucial component in cultivating a fuller sound “Collaboration has become a much bigger part of my process on this record “It’s nice to have a sense of openness by layering sounds in ways that don’t crowd each other Luster contains a duality that persists throughout It retains the open-ended space of All My People while pulsating through condensed rhythms Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources Somerville uses them not to capture a sound but to capture a feeling “A lot of classic records and playing with friends and locally in Ireland probably naturally filtered in as well The process was so collaborative; the influences came from all over and everything on Irish label wherethetimegoes I’m a big fan of Sinead O’ Connor and the power her voice holds and mbv.”  That “feeling” is purposefully ambiguous because in reality Maria Somerville will never tell you what Luster is about “I’d definitely leave it open to interpretation And it’s something that will take on new meanings for me over time,” she explains her intimate lyrics may reflect a certain moment in her life The varying inspirations on Luster will take on a meaning that differs from person to person Luster invites the imagination to ruminate in its waves of feedback; To imagine a dreamscape entirely distinct from our own reality she leaves it as open as the music that surrounds her Luster is out April 25th on 4AD.  Issue 73 featuring Pinhead Gunpowder is available now This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website  Learn more Anyone who has read a murder mystery has heard of Agatha Christie. Along with Dorothy Sayers, Margery Allingham, Josephine Tey, and some less-remembered authors like Gladys Mitchell she is one of the British women who made up the Golden Age of Mystery in the early 20th century And anyone who has heard of Agatha Christie most likely has heard of Miss Jane Marple she studies human nature with a keen and jaundiced eye Not for her the sleuthing of a Sherlock Holmes nor the “little grey cells” of Christie’s other famous detective it’s noticing how people act and react that reminds her of other people she has known “The Moving Finger (Miss Marple #3)”by Agatha Christie we meet most of the characters before Miss Marple does They appear at first to be types: the injured war hero the unworldly vicar and his practical wife the types come to life with idiosyncratic traits and hidden depths “If I misjudged this person the first time or two I met them Perhaps they are really the murderer?” The quiet little village of Lymstock seems the perfect place for Jerry Burton to recuperate from his flying accident under the care of his sister who would probably be more at home in London They settle in for a round of daily walks and conversations with everyone else in the village who are curious about the newcomers – they don’t see many But soon a series of vicious poison-pen letters destroys the village’s quiet charm eventually causing one recipient to commit suicide Do they happen because of the accusations (false or true) made in the letters Which of these seemingly quirky people in this apparently bucolic town wants to kill other people’s reputations … or simply kill them One of the townspeople knows our Miss Marple and invites her to stay but not until three-quarters of the book is done we really have come to know and care about the villagers and their visitors and the portrait of their lives is the best part of the book The solution – with the characteristic Agatha Christie twist but it’s also in some ways beside the point read this book if you enjoy British mysteries but be prepared for it not to follow the usual pattern of detective novels This is probably not the page you’re looking for Stage 1 of the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail was completed in 2011 and Stage 2 completed the circumnavigation This complex stage involved building two bridges and minimising disruption to the fragile riparian zone 03 Mar 2025 • 1m read • View Author Narrabeen Lagoon is the largest coastal lagoon in Sydney. It is a precious natural asset and recreational resource enjoyed by canoeists, windsurfers, paddle boarders, swimmers, fishers, day trippers and residents. Stage 1 of the Narrabeen Lagoon Trail was completed in 2011. Stage 2 was the missing link that finally allowed complete circumnavigation of the lagoon.  It was also the most complex stage of the development, requiring the construction of two bridges across bushland creeks and the resumption of land used by the Sydney Academy of Sport & Recreation and Cromer Golf Club. All with minimal disruption of the fragile riparian zone, the interface between the land and water. Download this case study to find out how FORGE's involvement in this project has help to complete the loop for one of Sydney's most precious natural assets.  Using DecoBatten®’s latest profile on The Seaside Sanctuary Solid Nordic softwood in interior design: Sustainable solutions for joinery, flooring and wall panelling Construction of resort-style clubhouse begins at AVID’s over 50s lifestyle precinct in Fraser Coast Sign up to our newsletter for the latest industry news, products and inspiration. A mother accused of stabbing her two young children was allegedly high on a cocktail of meth cannabis and prescription medication at the time Megan Jayne Somerville, 37. appeared in Adelaide's Supreme Court via videolink on Monday from a closed mental health facility Somerville has been detained at the facility since the alleged attempted murder of her sons on the city's North-South Motorway on August 15 Emergency services were called to the motorway at about 11.30pm following reports Somerville had been detained by members of the public who had intervened It's alleged Somerville had pulled over her silver Honda sedan removed her children from the car and stabbed them 'a number of times' with a knife The boys were rushed to the Women's and Children's Hospital in Adelaide the Modbury Heights mum pleaded not guilty to two charges of attempted murder due to mental incompetence Justice Sandi McDonald heard that Somerville would likely not contest the fact that she allegedly attacked her children despite reports prepared by the defence concluding that she was mentally incompetent at the time Professor Jason White told the court on Monday that Somerville was believed to be a 'frequent' or 'daily drug user' Significant amounts of both illicit and prescription drugs were found in her system both 85 minutes and 14 hours after the alleged stabbings The tests found 0.39mg of methylamphetamine per litre of blood meaning it could have been as high as 0.43mg at 11.30pm 'Methylamphetamine was detected in the blood sample that is both a therapeutic and an illicit drug,' Professor White told the court Therapeutic concentrations (of the drug) typically are in the range of .02 to .05 so (her results) were about ten times that.'  which is the main active compound in cannabis.' Prescribed antipsychotic medications were also detected Professor White believes the high concentration of drugs found in Somerville's system could have made her impulsive He also concluded the drugs could have worsened an un underlying mental condition The court also heard that a friend had given evidence that of Somerville's had 'obtained' an '8-ball' of meth the night before the alleged attack Justice McDonald will hear further evidence later this week Major terror attack 'was just HOURS away' before it was foiled by the special forces and police:.. Victim of acid attack 'plotted by his ex-partner who teamed up with a gang' dies in hospital six.. We are trapped in unsellable newbuild homes after a £52m dual carriageway was built on our.. Horror as $4.5M influencer-laden yacht SINKS off Miami.. Pub is forced to pay family £75,000 after wrongly accusing them of 'dine and dash' over £150.. How Meghan's biggest cheerleader brokered Harry's disastrous BBC interview - three months after.. Woman dead and three others including a child injured after car ploughed into pedestrians: Man 'It's a rather giant f*** you.' Royal insider's furious reaction to Meghan's Instagram salvo as.. Woman who was missing for more than 60 years is found 'alive and well' decades after vanishing.. American tourist suffers horrific fate while attempting to capture selfie at Rome's Colosseum The towns being ruined by day-tripper invasions Selfie-loving tourists cause traffic hell and the.. Revealed: The reason behind Fred & Rose West kids' bitter family rift as siblings have 'nothing to.. How can I see the Red Arrows' iconic flypast Map reveals when and where planes will be visible over.. 'raped by personal trainer influencer in her own home after being released' William and Kate honour selfless devotion of Britain's wartime heroes as they lead.. who was knifed to death in French village says her affair is a.. rallied in defense of Tufts University Ph.D student Rumeysa Ozturk The 30-year-old Fulbright scholar and graduate of Columbia University was kidnapped by six unidentified US immigration agents and disappeared into an unmarked SUV Surveillance footage of the kidnapping showed the agents all wearing masks to shield their faces below the eyes ambushing Ozturk as she was walking on the sidewalk after she left her house to attend Iftar the fast-breaking evening meal of Muslims during Ramadan Without identifying the agency they were with or what crimes Ozturk was alleged to have committed twisted her wrists and grabbed the phone that was in her hand “You are hurting me!” as the agents continued to surround and eventually handcuff her A visibly distraught Ozturk is heard repeatedly telling the police I’m a student.” As the agents handcuff her A resident filming the abduction yelled back in reply: The agents did not reply or remove their masks As the masked thugs disappeared with Ozturk into the unmarked SUV The kidnapping of the unarmed student and the fascistic character of her detainment have provoked outrage in the United States and internationally especially in Turkey where all of Ozturk’s family lives Immediately following the kidnapping of Ozturk filed a habeas petition in a Massachusetts federal court to get the student out of detention Khanbabai noted that no charges have been filed against her client and that Ozturk’s F-1 student visa is still valid US District Court Judge Indira Talwani ordered the government to keep Ozturk within the state of Massachusetts and not remove her without giving the court prior notice She also ordered the government to provide her an answer by Friday as to why Ozturk was detained in the first place Nearly 24 hours after Ozturk was disappeared by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) her lawyer Khanbabai still did not know where she was The ICE locator did not show her location through Wednesday morning In a statement to the Boston Globe Wednesday afternoon Khanbabai confirmed that Ozturk had been flown out of Massachusetts to a for-profit immigration detention facility in Louisiana operated by the GEO Group in apparent violation of Judge Talwani’s order I don’t understand why it took the government nearly 24 hours to let me know her whereabouts Why she was transferred to Louisiana despite the court’s order is beyond me Rumeysa should immediately be brought back to Massachusetts and allowed to return to complete her Ph.D and it does not appear she has previously been arrested in the United States She has been targeted solely for her opposition to the genocide in Gaza And it’s obviously having the opposite effect It’s not antisemitic to be protesting genocide But this is the scare tactic they’re using her arrest comes just days after she was identified by the shadowy “Canary Mission,” an Israeli-based operation that almost exclusively harasses and doxxes students and faculty who oppose the brutal oppression of the Palestinian people The organization has never disclosed its financial backers noted the organization received $100,000 from the Helen Diller Family Foundation which Reuters describes as “a prominent Jewish American philanthropic organization.” Reuters reported that the Diller Foundation gave “$100,000 to the Central Fund of Israel earmarked ‘Canary Mission for Megamot Shalom.’” The outlet noted that Megamot Shalom was founded in 2016 “to preserve and ensure the national strength and image of the State of Israel,” according to documents from Israel’s corporations registry The Times of Israel and other outlets have reported that under the guise of “defending Israel” and exposing “antisemitism,” the far-right Canary Mission website began publishing dossiers in 2015 which have been used by the Israeli government to question or ban people attempting to enter the country The dossier of Ozturk recently posted on the site claims she engaged in “anti-Israel activism,” an activity protected by the First Amendment regardless of immigration status To support the claim of “anti-Israel” activism the website hyperlinked an op-ed that Ozturk had co-authored with three other students last year for the school newspaper which called on Tufts University President Sunil Kumar to uphold resolutions passed by the Tufts Community Union Senate The resolutions passed by the student body called on Kumar to recognize the genocide in Gaza divest from Israeli companies and stop selling products from Sabra because its co-owners have provided material support for Israel’s Golani Brigade Any claim that the op-ed is “antisemitic” is pure fiction The words “Zionist,” “Jew” or “Jewish” do not even appear ICE and Department of Homeland Security officials have refused to detail any alleged crimes or specific activity Ozturk engaged in to warrant an immediate visa suspension and deportation In a statement posted on X Wednesday afternoon Rumeysa Ozturk is a Turkish national & Tufts University graduate student granted the privilege to be in this country on a visa DHS + ICE investigations found Ozturk engaged in activities in support of Hamas a foreign terrorist organization that relishes the killing of Americans Glorifying and supporting terrorists who kill Americans is grounds for visa issuance to be terminated Ozturk is one of several students who have been targeted by the Trump administration for deportation for exercising their First Amendment rights a graduate student at Columbia University and legal resident was kidnapped by plainclothes ICE agents in New York City and flown to a Louisiana immigration detention facility away from his eight-and-a-half-month pregnant wife a 21-year-old Columbia University student and legal resident of the United States sued the Trump administration on Monday over its efforts to deport her to South Korea a country she has not visited since she emigrated to America when she was seven years old Chung was not a prominent anti-genocide protester during last year’s campus encampments but she was arrested on a misdemeanor charge by police earlier this month for participating in a non-violent pro-Palestinian protest at the main library at Barnard College The Trump administration is also currently trying to deport Cornell University graduate student Momodou Taal Taal is being targeted for protected political speech and for suing the Trump administration over two executive orders Trump signed earlier this year that have been used to justify the kidnapping of anyone deemed “anti-Israel.” On Thursday March 27, the World Socialist Web Site will be hosting an online meeting featuring Taal WSWS International Editorial Board Chairman David North and Socialist Equality Party (US) National Secretary Joseph Kishore Readers and defenders of democratic rights are encouraged to attend (All releases featured here are independently selected by our editors When you buy something through our affiliate links “Death sucks but we gotta learn to celebrate it and send our loved ones off properly with love,” he said in press materials still tryna have fun and carry my Ole boy's name and legacy on to the furthest extent despite the ‘reality’ of the situation.” Mavi Somerville returned to her native Connemara to montage together a series of demoes with collaborators including co-producer Suzanne Kraft and but later tracks like the acoustic “Anima Hotel” ground Tyler back in his roots Recorded with Waxahatchee and Bon Iver collaborator Brad Cook collects a scrapbook of wistful tales of romantic resilience including her latest viral single Fly Anakin’s solo follow-up to 2022 debut Frank is billed as a creative rebirth for the maverick Virginia rapper executive-produced by Quelle Chris with contributions from Pink Siifu Lead single “My N*gga” showcased the tripped-out jazz and soul grooves that coexist with a dizzying assortment of lush psychedelic textures across the LP Samia opens Bloodless—the follow-up to her 2023 breakout album, Honey—with “Bovine Excision,” an anthem about the socially ordained trappings of femininity incisive lyrics to folk-flecked indie-pop is typical of an album held taut between the introspective and the spectacular a record of self-discovery that takes audible pleasure in discovering new frontiers for her sound Christian Lee Hutson and Raffaela contribute songwriting to the LP which is co-produced by Caleb Wright and Jake Luppen “I wanted to make it almost metaphysical like creating sci-fi with classic cyberpunk anime Ghost in the Shell being a core inspiration,” he said in press materials Nearly a decade since their first collaborative LP, Automaginary, the astral jazz space force of Natural Information Society and Bitchin Bajas have reconvened for Totality As captured in lead single and album closer “Clock No Clock,” their new collaborative work is continuous and hypnotic pushing their improvisational instincts until fluttering synth and cymbal crashes are as expected as the song’s steady Totality is a guided meditation with no words The album weaves short stories of social minutiae into compositions mixing psychedelic folk and spectral bedroom pop “the awareness that we are just one element in the collective (taba) and yet each individual’s invisible experiences and memories remain somewhere Long established as a key engine of south London’s ascendant jazz scene, Emma-Jean Thackray continues to trespass genre borders on her expansive second album The Yorkshire-born composer and multi-instrumentalist splashes funk and streaks of anarchic grunge into the record balancing “confessional poetry” with “lush jazz harmony and a pop punk silliness,” as she put it in press materials “When you centre in on the silliness it’s easier to speak on your pain New York–based singer and pianist Eliana Glass inhabits a netherworld between smoky basement jazz clubs and the melting vistas of surrealist art on her debut album steeped in what she calls the “condensation of everyday life,” are covers of Carla Bley and Annette Peacock as well as a tribute to Emahoy Tsegué-Maryam Guèbrou and her 2006 Éthiopiques entry I’m ashamed to admit that I have only taken daily SPF application seriously for the last year or so And not for lack of trying—I spent years experimenting with countless brands to find one I could stand to keep on my face Kate Somerville's new Illuminating SPF 50+ Drops have changed everything I thought I knew about facial sunscreens Seems like too much to ask for in one humble product but these illuminating drops prove that an SPF can do far more than protect the skin I have to start with a word of warning: this suncream feels quite oily when first applied I say that because I know people can be very fussy about the texture and finish of facial sunscreens and tend to hate anything that feels like it's sitting on the skin what I mean is that the Illuminating Drops have a very thin lightweight liquid texture with lots of slip particularly when that texture provides a gorgeous glow The simple squeezy bottle also means it's easy to get the right amount for your face and it can be applied directly to the skin or onto your hands first There's nothing worse (for me) than a thick chalky SPF that takes forever to properly sink in and doesn't lend itself to make-up application This Kate Somerville formula is the total opposite—it disappears into the skin and provides a thoroughly hydrated base to apply foundation and concealer on top of The glow also shows through lighter base products so it gives foundation a more natural look I can also confirm that these drops don't cause my make-up to slip and slide around my face and don't seem to impact wear time at all But I love wearing this SPF on days when I don't want to bother with any base at all and it makes me feel instantly polished and more human But aside from how it looks and feels on the skin I never wear less than SPF 50 on my face if I can help it so this level of protection is a must for me—and it's essential to keep your skin healthy during the summer months the formula contains 24.5% non-nano zinc oxide meaning it works to form a shield against harmful UV rays without a white cast It is also infused with sheer mineral pigments, which is what provides that beautiful glow and helps to even out skin tone and texture, as well as hero ingredient ectoin, which provides a hydration boost and protects from environmental aggressors I don't think I've gone a single day since getting my hands on this product without wearing it which was unheard of in my former SPF-loathing life hydrating texture and unrivalled glow that could be mistaken for a BB cream it makes my skin look incredible with just a few drops—and who can say no to the skincare benefits this is one of the more affordable luxury SPFs I have tried and well worth the price tag if it means you can skip primer or even foundation when wearing it Considering how comfortable and weightless it feels on my skin and that it can be trusted to provide enough sun protection during the summer months A gentle cleanser that wouldn't dream of stripping the skin and suits all skin types Multi-tasking serums are becoming more and more popular and this is one of the original heroes If you're looking for a retinoid serum recommendation One of the *best* moisturisers on the market for sensitive skin Amelia YeomansJunior Shopping EditorAmelia is currently Acting Junior Shopping Editor at Marie Claire UK With a keen eye for lifestyle trends and a focus on quality over quantity she is very clued up on the best products and brands on the market She previously worked as a senior writer for woman&home covering everything from product reviews and nail art trends to reporting on fashion weeks and the best-dressed celebrities at red carpet events Get important news about your town as it happens Get the top stories from across our network Are you sure you want to unsubscribe from daily updates A Union County teacher was arrested for possessing child sex abuse images and paying or offering to pay a minor for sex a Plainfield history teacher who lives in Somerville was charged with possession of child pornography and two counts of enticement of a minor He made his first court appearance before U.S Hammer in Newark federal court and was detained Wilder had been communicating with a minor victim using a mobile payment app Wilder “advised he would pay the minor victim to engage in sexual activity,” according to court documents The minor later sent Wilder sexually explicit pictures Wilder returned from an international trip on a flight that landed in New York Law enforcement searched his phone and found a video depicting child sexual abuse along with sexually explicit conversations between Wilder and others who said they were minors Wilder offers to perform oral sex on the boy The quick exchange ends with the boy saying: "And btw I told you I was 17 I’m contacting law enforcement," the complaint says The charge of possession of child pornography carries up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine Each enticement charge carries a mandatory minimum of 10 years and a maximum of life in prison The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations Newark and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S Here’s a rundown of new albums and EPs on DSPs and physical releases in record shops this week Nialler9 keeps a rolling list of Irish album releases for 2025. The long-awaited second album from Connemara artist and NTS radio host Maria Somerville finds the music moving further into a fog nu-gaze dreamy pop style that recalls the best of the label she now calls home – 4AD Luster features collaborators Ian Lynch of Lankum Finn Carraher McDonald (aka Nashpaints)  and producers J Brendan Jenkinson and Diego Herrera aka Suzanne Kraft The followup album to Rebecca Lucy Taylor’s smash breakthrough album Prioritise Pleasure is filled with female voices and “is about taking control of your life ” It expands the sound of the Self Esteem project with more obviously 21st century pop and dance sounds and production It’s a record filled with affirmations explorations of self and not having the answers Self Esteem is on tour in September and October. the married couple of Alina Moore and Patrick Riley call it a day on their 15 year long retro indie pop project The US/Japanese quartet celebrate 31 years as a band by continuing to do their off-kilter rock thing as wildly kaleidoscopic and near jazzy as they ever have been on album number 19 The Big Thief singer releases a 43-track 120 minute live album featuring three nights performances from the 2024 Bright Future tour with fan favourites Lenker played with Nick Hakim (piano) and Josefin Runsteen (violin) Stockholm post-punk band Viagra Boys release their fourth album on their own Shrimptech Enterprises. The band’s The Infinite Anxiety Tour comes to Dublins 3Olympia for two dates next week. A debut album released on Foehn Records from the Irish project Cushla which brings the voice of sean nós singer Nell Ní Chróinín together with traditional Irish music EDM and classic electronica with ambient textures The band are a collaborative project between Marc Fernandez (Akkan with Ní Chróinín the voice of the project Cushla are playing Focus Wales in May and Primavera Sound in June Prolific Irish electronic producer POSER releases his debut mixtape featuring previous singles ‘All That Jazz’, ‘Good Time’ and Something New’ “This mixtape focuses on all the different areas of electronic music that have influenced me or that I love to hear when I’m out,” says POSER “It’s essentially a love letter to the sounds that have shaped my musical journey.” More mystically-subscribed Irish folklore inspired trad music here as Caoimhín Mac Uaid releases his debut album which translated means ‘Land of the Fairies’ and Manchán Magan Siobhán De Paor and Jenny Ní Ruiséal feature on it “The album interweaves traditional Irish music with elements such as nature-based spirituality psychedelia and modern electronic music production.” There are tour dates around Ireland in May Your support enables us to continue to publish articles like this one make podcasts and provide recommendations and news to our readers and be a key part of the music community in Ireland and abroad We use cookies to enhance your browsing experience We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website and provide the content and advertisements that are relevant to you These cookies will only be stored in your browser with your prior consent You can choose to enable or disable some or all of these cookies but disabling some of them may affect your browsing experience Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns Other cookies are those that are being identified and have not been classified into any category as yet We use third-party cookies that help us analyze how you use this website you can opt out of these cookies by checking "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" and clicking the "Save My Preferences" button you can opt in again at any time by unchecking "Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information" and clicking the "Save My Preferences" button.