Affordable Online Flower Delivery Services Across the UK

Affordable Online Flower Delivery Services Across the UK

Discover the best value flower delivery options for budget-friendly blooms and beautiful bouquets.

Flowers have always been a timeless gift, capable of expressing sentiments ranging from love to sympathy. In the Victorian era, the language of flowers—known as Floriography—was used to convey specific emotions, with flowers like red roses symbolising love and bluebells representing kindness. Today, flowers remain a cherished way to brighten someone’s day, whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to lift the spirits.

Although flowers have historically been a symbol of femininity, they are a gift anyone can appreciate. However, high-quality flowers can often come with a hefty price tag, especially when purchasing from renowned markets like London’s Columbia Road, where prices can reach £15 for a single stem. Fortunately, online flower delivery services provide an affordable alternative, offering fresh, fragrant blooms delivered straight to your door at a fraction of the cost.

Here are some of the best budget-friendly flower delivery options in the UK, bringing you beautiful arrangements without breaking the bank:

Bloom & Wild – Starting at £19, Bloom & Wild pioneered letterbox flowers, offering convenient and stunning bouquets delivered straight to your door. They also provide premium collections and a subscription service for regular floral gifts.

Arena Flowers – From £22, Arena Flowers offers a variety of beautiful bouquets, including letterbox-friendly options made with Fairtrade roses, ensuring fresh flowers arrive looking pristine even without water.

Bunches – Prices from £21.45. Known for their eco-conscious approach, Bunches delivers flowers wrapped in recyclable paper and includes compostable flower food. Their bouquet “Charlotte” is a perfect gift to send, mixing pink carnations and white gypsophila.

Moonpig – Starting at £20, Moonpig offers a great selection of letterbox flowers, with beautifully balanced arrangements of roses and chrysanthemums. Their flowers come with a freshness guarantee and are perfect for any occasion.

Waitrose Flowers – From £20, Waitrose’s selection of letterbox flowers includes stunning pink and orange roses, delivering freshness for up to five days. Delivery is included in the price, making it a great option for a thoughtful gift.

Smith & Munson – Starting at £25, this family-run business specialises in premium flowers, including tulips and roses, which are wrapped in recyclable materials. They offer high-quality blooms for a luxurious gift.

Flowercard – Prices from £29.99, Flowercard offers unique flower arrangements presented in charming cards or tea cups. Their “Thinking of You” collection makes for an ideal and personal gift for loved ones.

Prestige Flowers – From £22.99, Prestige Flowers offers a range of bouquets, including both letterbox flowers and extra-large options, with next-day delivery. Their springtime selection is a beautiful choice for any occasion.

Flying Flowers – Prices from £35, Flying Flowers has been in the business for over 40 years, providing a variety of bouquets for every occasion. They’re known for high-quality flowers and their partnership with Marie Curie.

Freddie’s Flowers – £25 per box (weekly subscription). Freddie’s Flowers delivers fresh flowers every week, with a subscription service that can be paused or cancelled at any time. They include instructions for arranging your flowers, allowing you to enjoy a florist-quality bouquet.

These affordable flower delivery services bring high-quality blooms directly to your door, so you can share the joy of flowers without spending a fortune.

Rob Burrow’s Legacy Shines Through, Says Widow Lindsey

Rob Burrow’s Legacy Shines Through, Says Widow Lindsey

Lindsey Burrow reflects on the profound impact her husband had on the world, following his passing from motor neurone disease.

Lindsey Burrow has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late husband, Rob, calling him someone who “made the world a better place to be.” Rob, the former rugby league star, passed away at the age of 41 after bravely battling motor neurone disease (MND) for over four years.

In an emotional interview on BBC Breakfast, Lindsey shared how overwhelming it had been to witness the outpouring of tributes from around the world. She said, “Despite the grief and sadness, we have so much to be thankful for, for having Rob in our lives. He brought hope to so many and created an incredible legacy.”

Lindsey described Rob as an inspiration to many and expressed pride in his ability to unite people, not only from the Leeds Rhinos community but across the entire rugby league world. “It was humbling to see how far his influence stretched,” she remarked. “Rob brought a community together.”

Throughout his career, Burrow achieved legendary status with Leeds Rhinos, winning eight Super League titles. After retiring in 2017, he dedicated himself to raising awareness of MND and supporting its research, which led to him being awarded an MBE in 2021 and later a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours.

Transit Bus Engages in Lengthy Chase with Police Following Dispute in Atlanta

Transit Bus Engages in Lengthy Chase with Police Following Dispute in Atlanta

Officers in Atlanta pursue a transit bus across counties after responding to a dispute onboard, leading to a dramatic standoff.

A transit bus in Atlanta sparked a wild pursuit when it fled from officers responding to a dispute on board. The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon near downtown Atlanta, as the bus sped through traffic, prompting police to chase it across county lines.

The chase, which lasted for some time, was captured by news helicopters. According to police, the incident began when officers were dispatched to a dispute on the bus around 4:30 p.m. Despite attempts by law enforcement to intercept the bus, it continued to evade them, at one point swerving into oncoming traffic.

Footage from the scene showed the bus colliding with several vehicles while officers followed closely behind. A police vehicle appeared to try to block the bus, but the suspect continued to drive recklessly.

The pursuit ended when the bus was finally stopped in DeKalb County, a neighbouring area, where police arrested an individual. Authorities have not confirmed whether there were any injuries, and further details are yet to be released by the Atlanta police.

Spanish Race Walker’s Early Celebration Costs Her Bronze Medal

Spanish Race Walker’s Early Celebration Costs Her Bronze Medal

Laura Garcia-Caro’s premature celebration ends in heartbreak at the European Athletics Championships

In a dramatic turn of events at the European Athletics Championships, Spain’s Laura Garcia-Caro lost out on a bronze medal in the 20km race walk, after celebrating prematurely just moments before crossing the finish line.

Garcia-Caro, who had been holding third place as she entered the final stretch at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, began waving the Spanish flag and celebrating what she thought was her bronze finish. However, as she was just five metres from the line, Ukraine’s Lyudmila Olyanovska surged past her, leaving the 29-year-old devastated as her premature joy quickly turned to despair.

The moment, which was widely shared on social media, captured the agony of Garcia-Caro as she missed out on a podium finish.

“I am really disappointed,” Garcia-Caro admitted after the race. “I struggled in the early stages, but managed to recover. As I approached the final 10 metres, I thought the bronze was mine, but it wasn’t to be.”

She went on to express the emotional toll of the experience, stating, “Now I need to process what happened and heal my heart.”

Italy’s Antonella Palmisano and Valentina Trapletti claimed gold and silver respectively in a race that saw 35 athletes from 14 countries compete.

Former Child Welfare Worker Sentenced for Role in Illinois Boy’s Death

Former Child Welfare Worker Sentenced for Role in Illinois Boy’s Death

Ex-employee of state welfare agency receives six-month jail term after failure to act on signs of abuse

A former Illinois child welfare worker has been sentenced to six months in jail in connection with the death of a 5-year-old boy, Andrew “AJ” Freund. Lake County Associate Judge George Strickland handed down the sentence on Thursday, which also includes a $1,000 donation to a children’s advocacy centre and 200 hours of community service, as reported by the Chicago Tribune.

Carlos Acosta, who previously worked with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, was convicted of child endangerment in October after it was determined he failed to act on clear signs of abuse before AJ’s death in April 2019. Although Acosta was acquitted of reckless conduct, the judge found that his inaction contributed to the boy’s tragic fate.

The boy’s mother, JoAnn Cunningham, has already been sentenced to 35 years in prison for murdering her son, while his father, Andrew Freund Sr., received 30 years for concealing the crime by burying the child’s body.

AJ’s death followed an earlier intervention by police in December 2018, when an officer discovered a large bruise on the boy’s hip during a domestic dispute at his home. Despite a recommendation from a doctor to keep AJ in protective custody, Acosta decided to release him back into his father’s care. Investigations revealed that Acosta had overlooked critical signs of abuse, such as bruising on the child’s face, and had failed to report the poor living conditions at the family home.

In his defence, Acosta’s legal team argued that the prosecutors had unfairly relied on hindsight and speculation regarding the child’s death, accusing them of scapegoating Acosta and the Department of Children and Family Services for systemic failures.

Bride Removes Sister from Wedding After Prank Backfires

Bride Removes Sister from Wedding After Prank Backfires

A practical joke leads to tension and a family feud ahead of the big day

What was intended to be a lighthearted prank has left a bride-to-be rethinking her relationship with her sister. A recent Reddit post has gone viral after a woman shared how her sister’s prank, involving sending fake wedding invitations, led to her being uninvited from the ceremony altogether.

The bride explained that her sister, Jenny, is known for playing pranks, but this one, she felt, crossed the line. Jenny sent out bogus invitations to relatives and friends, claiming the wedding was going to be a “casual backyard BBQ,” with guests asked to bring a dish to share. It wasn’t until the bride received a call from a confused family member inquiring about what to bring that she realised what had happened.

In contrast to the informal gathering suggested in the fake invitations, the bride had meticulously planned a formal celebration at a prestigious venue. “I couldn’t believe Jenny thought it was okay to send out these fake invites,” she posted, expressing her disbelief at the prank.

When confronted, Jenny laughed it off and assured her that the real invites would be sent soon. The bride, however, expressed her disappointment, explaining the stress and confusion caused by the prank. “I told her it wasn’t funny, but she didn’t seem to understand the harm,” the bride wrote.

After much consideration, the bride decided to uninvite her sister, feeling she couldn’t trust her not to cause more disruptions on the big day. “I don’t want to spend my wedding worrying about what she might do next,” the bride shared. Jenny reacted strongly, claiming her sister was overreacting and that the prank was just meant to be fun. Meanwhile, their parents criticised the bride for excluding Jenny, calling it cruel and unnecessary.

In response, Reddit users overwhelmingly supported the bride, with many commenting that the prank was inappropriate and disrespectful. One user remarked, “Pranks are only funny when everyone is laughing. If the target of the joke isn’t laughing, it’s not a joke anymore; it’s bullying.”

Several users sympathised with the bride, pointing out that her sister’s actions could have ruined the wedding plans for everyone involved. “She tried to sabotage your plans, and even if that wasn’t her intention, that’s what could have happened,” one commenter wrote. Others even suggested retaliating by sending Jenny a fake invite in return, with the wrong address, as a humorous way to “teach her a lesson.”

Ultimately, many agreed that the bride had every right to set boundaries, particularly on such an important day. The situation has left the family divided, with tensions running high as the wedding day approaches.

Debate Erupts Over Lack of Transparency as Anchorage Police Withhold Bodycam Footage from Three Shootings

Debate Erupts Over Lack of Transparency as Anchorage Police Withhold Bodycam Footage from Three Shootings

Authorities’ decision not to release footage of recent police shootings fuels public outcry for accountability

A series of police shootings in Anchorage, Alaska, has sparked a heated debate over transparency, as local law enforcement officials have withheld bodycam footage from three separate incidents that occurred within three weeks. Despite the introduction of body cameras to the department earlier this year, the Anchorage Police Department has not released any video footage of the shootings, raising concerns about accountability.

Anchorage Police Chief-designee Bianca Cross, who holds the legal authority to release the footage, has stated that she intends to withhold the video until after both departmental and state investigations are completed. This process could extend over several months, and during a recent press conference, Cross suggested that the footage might never be made public.

The Alaska Black Caucus, along with family members of Kristopher Handy, one of the men killed in the police shootings, have voiced strong calls for the footage to be released. Handy’s family believes that security camera footage from a neighbour contradicts the police’s account of the incident.

Celeste Hodge Growden, president of the Alaska Black Caucus, expressed her frustration, stating, “The body cameras were introduced for transparency and accountability, but right now, we are missing that crucial element.”

On May 13, four officers opened fire on Kristopher Handy in a parking lot outside an apartment complex. Police claim Handy raised a long gun at them, though they have yet to specify the firearm’s make. Security footage, which was shared online, appears to show Handy holding the gun in a downward position when he was shot multiple times.

Chief Cross has responded by suggesting that relying solely on the neighbour’s video clip to draw conclusions is misleading. She explained that the video doesn’t capture the full context, including what happened before and after the 33-second recording, nor does it reveal the officers’ perspectives or any other vital information outside the frame.

At a protest outside police headquarters in Anchorage, Handy’s family, along with other community members, demanded the immediate release of the bodycam footage. Travis Handy, the deceased’s brother, voiced his belief that the footage would support their version of events, further fuelling the growing suspicion that its withholding is due to concerns about its potential implications.

The controversy comes amid a larger conversation about police accountability in the city, which led to the approval of a $1.6 million tax levy in 2021 to equip officers with body cameras. However, delays in implementing the technology prompted legal action by the Alaska Black Caucus, and officers only began using the cameras last November.

The three shootings in question occurred in quick succession, adding to the urgency of the calls for transparency. In the most recent incident, Tyler May, 21, was killed by police after reportedly refusing orders to drop his weapon. Another shooting occurred late at night in downtown Anchorage, after a man, Kaleb Bourdukofsky, was involved in an argument outside a bar. After turning and shooting into a crowd, Bourdukofsky was shot by police and wounded.

As investigations into these incidents continue, the growing demand for transparency from law enforcement remains a central issue in Anchorage’s ongoing debate about police accountability.

Harry Kane Eases England Concerns Ahead of Euro 2024 After Injury Setback

Harry Kane Eases England Concerns Ahead of Euro 2024 After Injury Setback

Captain confident after missing end of Bayern season, now ready for Euro 2024 opener

Harry Kane has reassured England fans as the countdown to Euro 2024 intensifies, following concerns over an injury scare that saw him miss the final games of Bayern Munich’s season. Despite a stellar 44-goal campaign, the Three Lions’ captain faced a back issue that kept him out of the last two Bundesliga fixtures, sparking doubts about his fitness ahead of the European Championship.

The 29-year-old last played in Bayern’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Real Madrid in early May, before sitting out the final league games against Wolfsburg and Hoffenheim. The worry was that England’s key forward might not be at peak condition when the team heads to Germany for the tournament in June.

Kane, however, dispelled any concerns after his brief return in England’s warm-up match against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Newcastle. While he didn’t start the friendly, the striker made an impression with a 30-minute cameo off the bench, scoring a goal to seal a 3-0 victory for the Three Lions. The win followed an earlier goal from Cole Palmer and a Trent Alexander-Arnold volley, as England came alive in the second half.

Ahead of England’s final pre-Euro match against Iceland at Wembley, Kane expressed confidence about his fitness, confirming that the rest from the end of his club season was beneficial. “It’s been a good chance for me to rest after a long season,” Kane explained. “Missing the final part of the season has worked out in my favour. It gave me a bit more recovery time, which I needed.”

With the tournament opener against Serbia on June 16 in Gelsenkirchen on the horizon, Kane is expected to return to the starting XI, with no lingering injury issues. “I’m feeling good,” he added, easing any fears that he might not be ready for England’s crucial Euro 2024 campaign.

AI Tool Could Revolutionise Early Detection of Heart Failure, Say Researchers

AI Tool Could Revolutionise Early Detection of Heart Failure, Say Researchers

New AI-powered algorithm predicts heart failure risk, offering earlier diagnoses and better treatment options.

Researchers suggest that artificial intelligence (AI) could be key in identifying patients at risk of heart failure, enabling earlier interventions and improved outcomes. An AI algorithm, developed to analyse patient health records, could potentially diagnose heart failure up to two years earlier than traditional methods, giving patients a crucial head start in receiving treatment.

The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation (BHF), used the medical records of over 560,000 UK adults to train the AI, called Find-HF. This algorithm was then tested on a separate database of 106,000 patient records from Taiwan National University Hospital.

The AI was able to accurately predict which patients were most likely to develop heart failure and who might need hospital care within five years. This breakthrough could help general practitioners (GPs) identify high-risk individuals sooner, allowing for timely intervention before the condition progresses.

Professor Chris Gale from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust explained, “The data gathered from patients during their healthcare visits provides a unique resource. AI like Find-HF can help bring forward heart failure diagnoses, providing a vital opportunity for effective treatment before the disease advances.”

Currently, more than a million people in the UK suffer from heart failure, a condition that impairs the heart’s ability to circulate blood. Often, heart failure is diagnosed too late, making treatments less effective, particularly for women and older patients.

The research team believes Find-HF could serve as an early warning system for GPs, alerting them to patients who might be at risk. These individuals could then be tested earlier for heart failure, leading to quicker diagnoses and improved treatment outcomes.

Dr Ramesh Nadarajah, a health data research fellow at the University of Leeds, presented the findings at the British Cardiovascular Society Conference, highlighting the potential of AI in revolutionising how heart failure is detected and treated.

Professor Bryan Williams from the BHF stressed the importance of early diagnosis: “Heart failure often isn’t diagnosed until it’s too late, severely affecting patients’ lives. Early diagnosis, aided by AI, will allow for better treatment options and better management of the condition, improving quality of life and potentially preventing hospitalisation and death.”

The researchers are now working to refine the platform and plan further tests to confirm the algorithm’s accuracy and effectiveness in real-world settings.

New UK Government Must Focus on Economic Growth Within First 100 Days, CBI Urges

New UK Government Must Focus on Economic Growth Within First 100 Days, CBI Urges

Business group calls for clear growth plan to attract investment post-election.

The Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has urged the incoming UK government to prioritise a robust economic growth strategy within the first 100 days of taking office. With a turbulent few years behind UK businesses, the CBI stresses the need for a comprehensive plan to draw investment and secure sustainable growth.

Following the General Election in July, the business group is calling for immediate action, particularly in light of the challenges posed by rising interest rates, which have hit a 16-year high of 5.25%, and a fragile consumer market after high inflation levels.

Rain Newton-Smith, CBI’s chief executive, emphasised that the government must act swiftly to revitalise ‘brand Britain’ and boost the UK’s competitive edge in global markets. She stated, “The first priority should be sharpening the pitch for investment in the UK to ensure we remain at the top for global investments.”

The CBI is urging the new administration to focus on three critical areas: tax, planning, and the labour market, all within the first 100 days. By addressing these key enablers, the government can provide a clear roadmap for businesses to thrive.

“Now is the time for bold leadership,” said Newton-Smith. “We need a fresh investment strategy that not only supports the UK’s competitiveness but also tackles our climate commitments and unlocks opportunities in the green energy sector.”

In its pre-election “business manifesto,” the CBI also called for a net-zero investment plan, aimed at creating jobs tied to energy security and efficiency. Additionally, the organisation highlighted the importance of aligning future industrial and trade strategies with regional priorities to harness the potential of UK regions and local mayors.

Newton-Smith pointed out that the UK economy has endured multiple shocks in recent years, from Brexit to the COVID-19 pandemic, and now the global energy crisis. As a result, economic efforts have focused more on stabilising than on growth.

“However, a change in government presents an opportunity to shift focus and prioritise the long-term decisions that can secure a decade of sustainable growth for the UK economy,” she concluded.