Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

Tributes to a crane hero, a blind marathon runner and the Beckham's plans for their country home were all among our most read stories in the south of England this week.

We have picked five articles from the past seven days across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire to keep you up to date.

The quick-thinking crane operator who lifted a man to safety from a burning high-rise building in 2023 has died.

Glen Edwards was working at the Station Hill development in Reading, Berkshire, when the large fire broke out in November 2023 but was always keen to play down his heroics.

Edwards, from Egham, Surrey, was in his late 60s and was helped by charity Bucket List Wishes after he was diagnosed with spine cancer.

It said it was "heartbroken" to share news of his death but that it was "truly an honour and a real joy for us to know him", adding he would "always hold a special place in our hearts and remain a true hero".

A neighbour of Sir David and Lady Beckham has compared plans to install pond lighting at the couple's Cotswolds home to the Blackpool illuminations.

Former England captain Sir David and Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer Lady Beckham plan to install the festooned lighting around the pond at their home in Great Tew near Chipping Norton.

But those living nearby have raised concerns about the impact it will have on light pollution, wildlife and the surrounding area.

One neighbour, James Worthington, said in a comment on the Beckhams' planning application the plans were "more akin to Miami or Florida not Great Tew".

Visitors will be able enjoy a stroll on Bournemouth Pier for free after the entry charge was suspended.

The pier will remain free to enter for more than three years, as part of a £700,000 investment by Adventure Attractions, which runs the attractions, in partnership with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council.

The move aims to increase footfall, support tourism, and strengthen the local economy.

Despite many UK piers, including Brighton and Hythe in Southampton, having entry fees, Bournemouth's charge was temporarily suspended 2025, to improve accessibility for both residents and visitors.

A blind runner plans to run a marathon using technology that allows sighted people to see what he sees - and to give him directions - in real time.

By day, 45-year-old Clarke Reynolds is a creator who turns braille into works of art to help raise awareness of sight loss.

But he said that running has given him "another opportunity to spread the word".

He previously completed the London marathon with the help of a physical guide runner - but plans on running his next with the help of a worldwide network of virtual volunteers.

A thief who stole a giant Christmas Nutcracker doll from TK Maxx in broad daylight has avoided jail.

Ross Smith, 47, of Falcon Road, East Cowes, pleaded guilty at Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court to one count of theft from a shop.

Smith entered TK Maxx in Newport on 3 December before walking off with the statue, which was valued at £249.99.

At a hearing on 17 March, Isle of Wight magistrates extended an existing suspended sentence to 15 months.