How to quickly and cheaply fix a fence if the storm has blown yours over

With the first storm of the season set to hit the UK in the coming weeks, we”ve found an affordable and simple way to reinforce and repair your fence if it gets damaged in the rough weather

Shoppers have dubbed the fence repair kit as “brilliant”(Image: Getty)

Ahead of the first storm of the winter months, Amazon has slashed the price of an “extremely sturdy and hard-wearing” fence repair kit.

The Anmas Power Heavy Duty Steel Fence Post Repair Stakes kit has been reduced from £49.99 to £29.99, giving shoppers a massive 40% saving.

The kit, which is available in seven different sizes (with prices varying depending on kit choice), is engineered to be straightforward to use.

According to the Amazon description, users can “simply drive the ground spike into the ground using a hammer or mallet, providing a quick and hassle-free solution for repairing tilted or broken wood fence posts”.

READ MORE: Simple and cheap hack to keep bins from blowing away as first storm of season is forecast

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Anmas Power Heavy Duty Steel Fence Post Repair Stakes
Shoppers say the kit is easy to use(Image: Amazon)

The kit, which is crafted from “u-shaped steel”, is “suitable for various fence post sizes and types” and perfect for fixing a leaning or damaged fence post, delivering robust support to prevent tilting, reports Yorkshire Live.

Although the Anmas Power Heavy Duty Steel Fence Post Repair Stakes only have 108 reviews so far, customers have been thoroughly impressed by them.

One person said, ” My 6-foot fence nearly blew over with the strong winds a couple of months ago. I thought I would have to replace some of the fence. I bought these to try first. It took 15 minutes to fix the posts, and it feels solid. Excellent. I will probably buy a few more just to secure other posts in the future.”

A second added: “Brilliant, I spent half an hour and repaired a 35-year-old fence. I think it’s stronger now than when I built it.”

Meanwhile, one chuffed customer raved: “I was sceptical at first, but am so pleased I bought these. I thought the posts were past redemption, but I reckon we’ll get another 15 years out of them! Extremely sturdy and hard wearing.”

While most punters were thrilled with their purchase, a few had minor gripes. One such buyer pointed out: “The fence post repair kit arrived without the drill bit and driver bit for installation.”

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Another person chimed in: “Very easy to use, just need a big hammer.”

Robert Redford dead UPDATES: The Way We Were star dies surrounded by loved ones

Hollywood icon Robert Redford has died aged 89 as tributes have been pouring in for the Oscar-winning actor and director. He is said to have died early Tuesday morning alongside his loved ones.

Redford was at his home in Utah and a cause of death has not been shared. The actor, director, producer, and environmentalist is best known for his roles in classic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, and Out of Africa.

He won an Oscar for directing Ordinary People in 1980 and received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2002. Redford announced his retirement from acting in 2018, after starring in The Old Man & the Gun before making a cameo appearance in the TV show Dark Winds, on which he worked as an executive producer.

Robert awarded the highest honour in the US

In 2016, Robert was given the highest honour by President Barack Obama. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom as Obama said Americans “admire Bob not just for his remarkable acting, but for having figured out what to do next”.

The award is considered the US government’s highest civilian honour.

President Barack Obama presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Robert (Getty Images)

‘One of the all-time great movie stars’

Tributes have started to pour in for Robert, with broadcaster Piers Morgan branding him “one of the all-time great movie stars.”

Actress Marlee Matlin, who starred in Academy Award-winning 2021 film CODA, said the film “came to the attention of everyone” because of Robert’s Sundance Film Festival.

Inside Robert’s personal life – from two marriages to A-list romances

Robert’s personal life was every bit as colourful as his characters on screen. He was twice married, first to Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985 and later married Sibylle Szaggars in 2009.

Official statement on Robert’s death

Cindi Berger, chief executive and chairman of talent agency Rogers and Cowan PMK, said Robert Redford died on Tuesday September 16 at his home in Utah.

She said: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.

“He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”

Robert’s publicist has released a statement (Press Association)

Change of careers

Robert branched into directing in his 40s, and went on to win an Academy Award for Ordinary People. It also won Redford three other Oscars, including best picture.

Inside Robert’s illustrious film career

Regarded as one of the icons of the silver screen, Robert began his acting career on stage and television in the late 1950s and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before making his Broadway debut in the play Tall Story in 1959.

He went on to appear in several TV shows including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and Route 66. His breakthrough role came in Neil Simon’s Broadway hit Barefoot in the Park in 1963, which led to his film debut in War Hunt and meteoric rise to the top as one of Hollywood’s most dashing leading men.

Robert Redford starred in The Sting in 1973 (Getty Images)

Robert Redford dies

Plane passengers spot man talking to people on Ryanair flight – then realise who he is

Plane passengers saw a man standing in the aisle of a Ryanair flight from London Stansted to Malta, and when people finally realised who it was they started to praise him for flying budget

They couldn’t believe their eyes (Stock Image)(Image: 2021 Joel Guay/Shodanphotos via Getty Images)

Passengers on a Ryanair flight were left baffled when they spotted a famous face in the aisle. The man who had caught their attention was none other than Vybz Kartel, 49, the Jamaican dancehall artist also known as the King of Dancehall.

Vybz, along with his fiancée Sidem Öztürk, 32, were seen on the budget airline, much to the surprise of fellow passengers. The down-to-earth star was even seen stowing his own luggage in the overhead locker before taking time to chat and pose for photos with fans on the plane. Despite being able to afford a private jet, as many of his fans pointed out, Vybz chose to fly with Ryanair, fully aware that he would be recognised by his fans and followers.

The artist is enjoying a successful year, having recently won the Impact Award at the MOBO Awards and making his first UK performance in two decades at the Wireless Festival, where he was brought on stage by Drake.

His decision to fly budget has been met with praise from fans, who believe he makes these public appearances “for the fans”.

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An Instagram post by @theshadeborough read: “Talk about soul plane! #VybzKartel made these passengers’ journey after he was seen on a Ryanair flight”.

Fans were quick to commend him for his choice, with one man commenting: “He’s doing it for the fans. He can actually afford to take a private jet”.

“Imagine going to Malta to see Vybz and he’s just on your flight,” one fan excitedly shared.

Others praised him as “humble,” jesting that the “whole flight was about to be a concert”.

“Simplicity is key, save your money,” another person advised, commending Vybz for his choice of budget travel.

vybz
People praised him for being happy with budget travel(Image: WireImage)

Some even quipped that it was “Ryanair’s biggest achievement” to have the superstar onboard one of their flights.

A woman revealed that fans barely “gave him a second” to catch his breath on the flight before they swarmed him for selfies.

However, the dancehall sensation seemed to relish the attention, as did his fiancée, both appearing delighted to engage with their adoring fans.

“Since when does Ryanair have business class seats?” a man jested, implying that the star should be living luxuriously rather than opting for budget seating.

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Amanda Owen swipes at husband Clive as she reveals why they still haven’t split

Our Yorkshire Farm star Amanda Owen has explained the real reason she still hasn’t officially separated from her husband Clive after they called time on their 22 year romance in 2022

Amanda Owen has taken a brutal dig at her ex husband Clive(Image: Channel 5)

Amanda Owen has revealed why she still hasn’t split from her ex-husband Clive and admitted “it’s just not happening”. The Our Yorkshire Farm star, 51, found fame with Clive on their own television show that launched in 2018.

It followed the couple’s lives at Ravenseat Farm with their nine children, however things crumbled between Amanda and Clive with them calling time on their romance after 22 years. He has remained at the family farm, while Amanda decided to move a mile away.

Their lives are still very much intertwined, with them still welcoming cameras into their homes. However, Amanda has fully shut down any idea of a romantic reunion and even issued a bitter swipe at her ex in the process.

READ MORE: Our Yorkshire Farm’s Amanda Owen says ‘I don’t know if I dare’ after children’s savage reactionREAD MORE: Amanda Owen admits ‘risks’ on farm for her nine kids but is too busy to watch them

Amanda and Clive Owen
Amanda and Clive split in 2022(Image: Channel 5)

“What am I supposed to say, ‘We get on like a house on fire?’ Well, if we did, we wouldn’t want to separate, would we?,” she said when asked about a reconciliation.

“He’s still the same annoying old Clive that he always was. I’ve seen him just now, and he’s still annoying – I annoy him, and he annoys me,” she told Hello Magazine.

While her feelings on Clive are crystal clear, Amanda explained a divorce is not so straight forward. “I mean, how would we even divide that up? It’s just not even happening.

“Who would get custody of all the sheep and the dogs and the horses, and who would want custody?” She added it is “tricky” when their lives and businesses are “so intertwined”.

Amanda confessed she knows the setup is unconventional, but it works. The former couple are even currently working together on the renovation of a farmhouse nearby and are filming for their series Our Farm Next Door: Amanda, Clive and Kids.

The show returned last year as it followed Amanda and Clive with their children – Raven, 24, Reuben, 18 Miles, 15 Edith, Violet, 14, Sidney, 13 Annas, 10, Clemmie, nine, and Nancy, eight.

They both discussed their split on the show, with Amanda stating that whilst they’d endured an “incredibly hard” period they had “got through it”.

Clive admitted that it had been “a strange few years” for them, adding: “We are now in a place where although we are not actually together, we are still in business together, we still have these kids together.

“It’s a crazy situation but it isn’t – it’s the most sensible thing for everybody to do,” he said. Last week, Amanda opened up on her relationship with Clive while on Lorraine.

She revealed that her husband had just phoned her in a panic because he had confused washing up liquid for cooking oil. Amanda said: “He had fried eggs in some yellow washing up liquid so he was complaining that I shouldn’t buy washing up liquid in yellow.

“Washing up liquid should only be green. We are up against it, believe me, but the idea is that we’re just getting on with it, there’s plenty to do, plenty of space. Let’s be honest, that’s reality. That’s the reality.”

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READ MORE: Millions of Brits ‘scared to enjoy the outdoors’ due to common health issue

Who is Thomas Skinner’s wife Sinead? Strictly star admits affair has left her ‘humiliated’

The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has been married to wife Sinead since 2022 and the couple share three children together – but their relationship has been rocked by his cheating

From Strictly debut to marital strife: Thomas Skinner’s affair rocks his family life

Thomas Skinner’s wife Sinead has been keeping a low profile on social media over recent day following his extra marital affair being made public.

The Apprentice star, who makes his debut on Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, admitted his wife had been left “humiliated” after he recently confessed to cheating on her just days after their wedding in 2022.

Skinner brushed off his liaison with Amy-Lucy O’Rourke, 35, as merely “a moment of madness” but the beauty therapist insists she and the father-of-three developed genuine feelings during their brief romance.

In an interview, Amy-Lucy alleges she and Skinner behaved like a proper couple during romantic outings to pubs and eateries, with him even presenting her to acquaintances as his partner. According to Amy-Lucy, Skinner characterised his engagement to Sinead as a “relationship of convenience”.

READ MORE: Thomas Skinner exposed in damning Ring doorbell footage outside secret mistress’ houseREAD MORE: Strictly’s Thomas Skinner breaks cover after admitting cheating on wife

Thomas and sinead while pregnant
Thomas Skinner cheated on his wife just days on from their wedding (Image: iamtomskinner/Instagram)
Amy
Amy-Lucy O’Rourke claims they were in love during their time together (Image: instagram/amylucyclinic)

“I had no reason to believe he was lying to me about him and Sinead having nothing in common, being like friends, saying how unhappy he was at home,” she added to the Daily Mail. “He made out he would rather stay out anywhere, than go home to his life.”

Skinner and Sinead met in a London bar in 2018 and got engaged two years later. They welcomed son Henry, four, into the world before their May 2022 wedding and now also have twin girls, Darla and Roma, two.

Both Sinead and her husband have shared insights into their romance over the years, with the last post Sinead retweeted on Twitter (X) being one from Skinner celebrating their first wedding anniversary in May 2023.

“Happy Anniversary to my beautiful wife Sinéad. They always say behind every good man is an even better women,” the tribute from Skinner read. “Well that is 100% the case! From back when we first met and I made you bunk trains and drive about in my old rusty vans to present day being the best mum to our little Henry & soon to be twin girls, you a the love of my life and a fantastic women.

“To even put up with me you must be a saint! I love you, and I love our family. Enjoying my life with you and our family is all I’ll ever need. Your the best. Bosh.”

Tom sinead and three kids
Sinead hasn’t posted to social media for two weeks

Sinead has been more active on Instagram since welcoming children into the world with Skinner. “Mummy to Henry and identical twins Darla & Roma,” her bio reads on the platform and her page is filled with happy snaps of herself with Skinner and their three children.

But her last post to her 7,401 followers was shared two weeks ago, prior to her husband publicly announcing his infidelity. “Trade festival with the kids, not exactly how I remember festivals but it was a fun day out,” the mum-of-three caption the snaps of herself and Skinner as they enjoyed a day out with their offspring.

In 2023, one year on from his affair, Skinner revealed how his wife nearly died while giving birth to their twin daughters. Sinead was rushed into hospital for an emergency C-section four weeks earlier than planned.

Skinner was away managing West Ham Legends and unfortunately he missed the birth of his twins. Doctors warned if the C-section didn’t take place both Sinéad and the twins’ lives were in serious danger.

He told The Sun at the time: “The doctor said to me they noticed in a routine scan that Twin B had not gained any weight and hasn’t grown at all, and her heartbeat is really slow.

“He told me ‘there’s a significant risk to your wife’s life and twins’ life if we don’t get them out immediately. We need to get these babies out within the next 24 hours – latest – but I want to do it now.”

Skinner made the decision to go back to the match and manage his team as he couldn’t get another flight for five hours. However, things took another turn when Sinéad’s sister called Tom to tell him the twins’ heart rates had dropped and the babies and his wife were in “real danger”.

The Strictly star “broke down” at the airport and pictured the prospect of telling his then two-year-old son Henry “it’s just him and me now”.

Luckily, the operation went well and Skinner arrived at the hospital to meet his daughters although, at the time, they had “wires hanging out of them, all these tubes”.

Skinner admitted he has made “big mistakes” on Monday after coming clean about his affair, adding: “If you dig you’ll find more.” In a lengthy statement on X (Twitter), he wrote: “My life ain’t perfect…..far from it. I’ve made big mistakes, I’ve let people down, and done things I’ll always regret in my past.

“The worst was what I did to my wife three and a half years ago…..one stupid moment I’ll carry forever. It was nothing more and nothing less despite what is being said. I told her straight away. She had every right to leave me back then, but she forgave me…….and that forgiveness changed my life.

“Since then, we’ve built a new home, had two more beautiful children, and moved forward together. We are stronger. Family is everything to me. It’s what I do everything for.

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“But I’ve noticed I’ve become a target. Every part of my life is being dragged out….. even my families. People around me have been offered BIG money to sell stories. And I’ve noticed I’m being portrayed as public enemy number 1. They’re trying to break me and get me cancelled.”

Skinner said that he has got a “thick skin”, adding: “The abuse and death threats don’t bother me. In fact some lies make me laugh. I’ve got an extremely chequered past… more than most. I’ve never shied away from that. I’ve made mistakes and if you dig you’ll find more. But here’s the truth: most people have made mistakes. It’s okay to own up to them, it’s okay to talk about them and people do deserve second chances.”

Robert Redford dead: Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid film icon dies at 89

Robert Redford, the big-screen actor turned Oscar-winning director, has died at the age of 89. The screen legend died early Tuesday morning in his sleep at his home in Utah surrounded by loved ones.

The actor, director, producer, and environmentalist is best known for his roles in classic films such as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Sting, All the President’s Men, The Way We Were and Out of Africa. He won an Oscar for directing Ordinary People in 1980 and received an honorary lifetime achievement Oscar in 2002 for his services to film.

At his peak, Robert was a silver screen favourite and regarded as one of the most handsome men in Hollywood – with cinema goers swooning over his dashing good looks and boyish blond hair. But Robert wasn’t just a pretty face, and was praised for his versatility playing both heroes and flawed characters throughout his career.






Robert Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
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Getty Images)






Ronald Schwary and Robert Redford with their Oscars for the film Ordinary People


Ronald Schwary and Robert Redford with their Oscars for the film Ordinary People
(
Bettmann Archive)

Robert announced his retirement from acting in 2018, after starring in The Old Man & the Gun before making a brief cameo appearance in the TV show Dark Winds, on which he worked as an executive producer.

Regarded as one of the last remaining legends of classic Hollywood, Robert began his acting career on stage in the late 1950s and studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before making his Broadway debut in the play Tall Story in 1959.

He went on to appear in several TV shows including Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and Route 66. His breakthrough role came in Neil Simon’s Broadway hit Barefoot in the Park in 1963, which led to his film debut in War Hunt and meteoric rise to the top as one of Hollywood’s most dashing leading men.

Robert branched into directing in his 40s, and went on to win an Academy Award for Ordinary People. It also won Redford three other Oscars, including best picture.

He also directed The Milagro Beanfield War (1988), A River Runs Through It (1992) and Quiz Show (1994). Quiz Show, which dramatised a notorious 1950s TV scandal, was nominated for four Oscars

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Barbra Streisand and Robert Redford in the Way We Were


Robert Redford clashed with leading lady Barbra Streisand on their hit movie The Way We Were

In 1981, Redford founded the Sundance Institute, which is a nonprofit dedicated to cultivating fresh cinematic voices.

The festival has helped launched the careers of directors including Quentin Tarantino and Steven Soderbergh and provided a launchpad for films such as Reservoir Dogs, Sex, Lies And Videotape, The Blair Witch Project, Little Miss Sunshine and recent Oscar-winner Coda.

While maintaining a huge influence on cinema both off and on camera, Robert was also renowned for his colourful personal life . He was twice married, first to American producer Lola Van Wagenen from 1958 to 1985 before marrying German born environmentalist Sibylle Szaggars in 2009.






Robert Redford and Lola Redford attend the screening of All The President's Men


Robert Redford and Lola Redford attend the screening of All The President’s Men
(
Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images)






Sundance London Film and Music Festival launch London


Robert at the Sundance Film and Music Festival launch in London
(
PA Archive)

Before her first date with Robert, Sibylle said she rented ‘six or eight’ of his movies to watch incase he brought them up – admitting she was unaware of his huge fame.

“It was a wonderful beginning of a relationship, because it began as two human beings meeting each other and finding a connection as two human beings, rather than being coloured by success,” Robert said. The two tied the knot in a private ceremony in front of 30 family members and friends at the luxurious Louis C. Jacob Hotel in Sibylle’s hometown of Hamburg, Germany, in July 2009.

He has four children with Van Wagenen: the late Scott, Shauna, the late James, and Amy. He also had relationships with famous actresses including Sonia Braga and Lena Olin.

One of his most famous romantic roles was starring opposite Barbra Streisand in 1973’s The Way We Were. While the pair were seen falling in love on screen, off screen things were very different with the tempestuous leads coming to blows.






Robert Redford and wife Sibylle Szaggars


Robert Redford and wife Sibylle Szaggars
(
Getty Images North America)






Sundance Institute President Robert at the 2016 festival


Sundance Institute President Robert at the 2016 festival
(
(Credit too long, see caption))

Director Sydney Pollack recalled Robert voicing his concerns over working with Barbra from the start due to her perceived “controlling” reputation on set.

“She has never been tested,” Robert told Pollack. “Her reputation is as a very controlling person. She will direct herself. It’ll never work.”

He was also concerned about the Funny Girl star’s musical background, saying, “She’s not going to sing, is she? I [don’t] want her to sing in the middle of the movie.”

The tension between the stars continued during production, with Robert wearing “two athletic supporters for his love scene with Streisand, who chose to don a bikini” to not get too close with the actress, who was known for being romantically involved with her co-stars.






US actor and director Robert Redford


US actor and director Robert Redford
(
AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the tension, the movie went on to be a huge box office hit and was nominated for several awards.

While he went on to become one of Hollywood’s most in demand actors, Robert spoke about a number of ordeals he overcame during his humble upbringing including being diagnosed with polio as a child.

The devastating disease can lead to severe breathing issues, paralysis, and often death. “It wasn’t an iron lung case. It was a case of mild polio, but it was severe enough to put me in bed for two weeks,” Redford told NPR’s Fresh Air.

The star explained that he developed the disease after swimming in the ocean, saying, “I couldn’t move very well, but I was not paralysed.”

The actor would later pay tribute to Jonas Salk — the scientist who discovered the polio vaccine in the 1950s — as part of a 2014 short film series.

“I was around when the polio epidemic was still a threat,” Redford remarked in the documentary (via Express). “So when Jonas Salk invented the vaccine, it was just earth-shattering news.”

His teenage years also proved challenging with Robert bullied by a gang. He said on one occasion he was told to jump off a high building to prove his manliness and almost died in the process.

Speaking in his 2011 memoir, Robert Redford: The Biography” he reflected: “I toughened up fast if only for survival.”

Following the announcement of Robert’s death today, Meryl Streep has paid tribute. Streep, who starred in Out Of Africa and Lions For Lambs opposite Redford, said in a statement: “One of the lions has passed. Rest in peace my lovely friend.”

A statement from publicist Cindi Berger, chairman and chief executive of talent agency Rogers and Cowan PMK, announcing Robert’s death said: “Robert Redford passed away on September 16, 2025, at his home at Sundance in the mountains of Utah–the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.

“He will be missed greatly. The family requests privacy.”