Temperatures across the UK have been hotting up this week and there’s nothing Brits love more than a BBQ in the back garden during the summertime.
We’ve had the hottest day of the year so far recorded twice this week and it’s truly started to feel like summer.
As we head into July and the further lifting of lockdown restrictions on 4th July edges closer and closer, there’s definitely a smell of barbecues on the horizon and if you’re looking to take your BBQ game up a couple of notches, then we’ve found some must-have tools and equipment pieces on Amazon that are pretty cost-effective and definitely worth getting your hands on.
If you’re going to have a BBQ, you might as well have a bloody good one, right?
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BBQ Stainless Steel Tool Set
Amazon / Fixget
This 20-piece set really is the ultimate all-round BBQ starter kit.
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It comes with all you need to get right into grilling in just one package and is manufactured with premium quality stainless steel to make it a worthwhile purchase that’s long-lasting under the right care instruction. It’s a sturdy and durable set that won’t bend, break or rust and is really easy to clean up after using too.
The set comes with BBQ tongs, a BBQ fork, skewers, grill brushes and more, and is retailing at £20.39 + postage/packaging.
You can get your hands on the Fixget 20Pcs BBQ Tool Sethere.
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BBQ Tools Apron Set
Amazon / NJ
If you’re looking for convenience and you’re also prone to a spillage or two when cooking up a feast, then you really need look no further than this 2-in-1 BBQ Apron / Tools Set.
This set is perfect for all budding outdoor chefs and it comes with a spatula, fork, tongs, cotton glove and salt & pepper shakers, all which sit in their own individual compartments of a heavy-gauge nylon apron. The apron also has adjustable locking fasteners and extra built-in storage pockets too.
It’s retailing at £24.90 + postage/packaging and is also eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the NJ 7Pcs BBQ Grill Apronhere.
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Heat Resistant BBQ Gloves
Amazon / AOMEES
The ideal purchase for the accident prone amongst us – we all know one.
Sitting firmly at #1 on top of Amazon’s Best Seller list, these BBQ gloves are specially designed to not only be resistant to extreme heat, but they’re also resistant to cuts too. They’re non-toxic, anti-slip, flexible and are perfect for all types of outdoor grilling and barbecuing
They’re retailing at £12.49 + postage/packaging and they’re eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the AOMEES BBQ Gloveshere.
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XL Heavy Duty Grill Tongs
Amazon / Mountain Grillers
If you’re pretty serious about upping your BBQ game, these is what you need to be forking out for.
The heavy duty grilling tongs are extra long extra long metal tongs with a non-slip grip. The quality design allows for easy handling at safe distances from the flame and the varying size gives your tong set the versatility that all great grill masters look for in their tools.
You get x2 tongs in this set – a 12″ pair and a 16″ pair.
They’re retailing at £9.69 and they’re eligible for FREE delivery too at the moment, so that’s worth taking advantage of.
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You can get your hands on the Mountain Grillers Heavy Duty Grill Tongshere.
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Beer Bucket / Drinks Cooler
Amazon / Bar Craft
If the temperatures are hotting up, then let’s make sure the drinks are ice cold.
This large acrylic bucket is ideal for chilling bottles of beer, wine, champagne and soft drinks. It has a huge 10 litre capacity, twin handles for easy lifting, and the tub is tough enough to be used for all BBQ’s, parties and get-togethers with confidence.
It’s retailing at £16.96 + postage/packaging, is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
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You can get your hands on the BarCraft Large Drinks Coolerhere.
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Cool Plate
Amazon / Tomorrow’s Kitchen
If you’re going to be spending prolonged periods of time outside whilst you’re barbecuing, which of course you are – it’s summer – then this ‘cool plate’ is perfect for keeping food fresh.
It’s ideal for meat, poultry, fish, cheese, cakes, salad and many other foods that require low temperatures.
It includes a removable cooling element that is stored in the freezer for six hours, before being applied to the stainless steel plate, in order to keep food as fresh as possible and ready to serve whenever.
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It’s retailing at £34.70 + postage/packaging, is listed as an Amazon’s Choice product and is eligible for Amazon Prime delivery perks too for those subscribed to the service.
You can get your hands on the Tomorrow’s Kitchen Cool Platehere.
News
Harry Maguire extends Manchester United stay with new contract
Danny Jones
Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has committed his future to the club for at least another year, signing a new contract extension.
The Man United centre-half and England international had been the subject of much speculation over the past year or so, with many expecting him to leave last summer.
Several Premier League clubs were said to be interested in acquiring the experienced centre-half’s services then, as were there other suitors this past January, but after surviving a period out of the first-choice XI, he’s since been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance.
All that being said, the board have now decided to reassure their faith in Maguire even further, offering him a fresh one-year deal with an option to extend by another season.
Now 33, it was thought that INEOS might try and cash in on the Yorkshire-born CB while they could still get a reasonable transfer fee for him, especially as a player now supposedly leaving the so-called ‘peak’ for a professional footballer.
Then again, plenty of players have certainly challenged that timeframe over the years, and if anything, this past 18 months or so has been one of the best periods in his United career.
Having not only regained a more consistent level of fitness and form, helping shore up the defence in the absence of others along the backline, he’s also continued to prove himself an aerial threat, chipping in with multiple big goals and more than one match-winner.
It’s also worth noting that he showed huge resilience after not only a fair amount of abuse from football fans and also some of his own team’s supporters, but following the saga in Greece on a family holiday in the aftermath of Euro 2020.
This bounce-back, among a number of other factors, is why he now looks like he could be back in the frame for the 2026 World Cup, making it into the Three Lions squads this past March.
Speaking in a club statement, Maguire said: “Representing Manchester United is the ultimate honour. It is a responsibility that makes myself and my family proud every single day. I’m delighted to extend my journey at this incredible club to at least eight seasons and continue to play in front of our special supporters to create more amazing moments together.
“You can feel the ambition and potential of this exciting squad. The determination throughout the whole club to fight for major trophies is clear for everyone to see, and I am confident that our best moments together remain ahead of us.”
Jason Wilcox, Manchester United director of football, went on to add: “Harry represents the mentality and resilience required to perform for Manchester United. He is the ultimate professional who brings invaluable experience and leadership to our young, ambitious squad.
“Harry, like everyone at the club, is completely determined to help Manchester United to achieve regular and sustained success.”
NHS urges public not to delay getting medical help as ‘difficult’ resident doctors strike begins
Emily Sergeant
The NHS is urging the public not to delay seeking any medical help they may need despite the resident doctors strike beginning today.
Industrial action by resident doctors – who are members of the British Medical Association (BMA) – officially started today at 7am (Tuesday 7 April) and is set to run for six full days until 6:59am on Monday 13 April.
This is the fifteenth round of strike action being taken by resident doctors – formerly known as junior doctors – over pay and jobs.
The NHS says hospital teams across the country are working to minimise disruption for patients.
From 7am today and continuing into next week, some NHS services will be affected due to strike action.
Here’s what you need to know about accessing NHS care during this time ⬇️
However, the health service has conceded that this particular round of strike action is expected to be ‘particularly challenging’ due to the shorter notice period it was given – which also includes bank holidays – and the action itself falling during the Easter school holidays.
But it insits ‘plans are in place’ to continue urgent and emergency care as normal, while keeping as much planned care going as possible.
In addition to prioritising urgent and emergency care, cancer, and maternity services, the NHS says it has shown in previous strikes that it can keep the vast majority of services running for patients.
With this being the case, the NHS is insisting that patients should attend planned appointments unless they have been contacted to reschedule.
The NHS is urging patients to still keep coming forward for care if they need it / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
“Staff across the NHS will be doing everything they can this week to keep patients safe and ensure people can continue to get the care they need,” commented Professor Ramani Moonesinghe, who is the National Clinical Director for Critical and Perioperative Care at NHS England, ahead of strike action beginning today.
“We know this round of industrial action will be difficult, coming straight after the Easter weekend, but patients should come forward as normal and attend any appointments unless they are contacted otherwise.”
GP practices, NHS 111, and urgent and emergency care services will continue to be available during the strike period, so anyone who needs urgent but not life-threatening care should use 111 online in the first instance, where they will be directed to the most appropriate service for their needs.
Patients with life-threatening emergencies should continue to call 999 or attend A&E as normal.