Cardiff Council has issued nearly 47,000 postal vote packs for the upcoming Senedd election, with over 26,500 already returned. This timing is particularly crucial as voters may face delays in receiving their ballots due to the holiday.

The suspension comes after Royal Mail faced criticism for previous delivery delays, resulting in a £21 million fine from Ofcom in October 2025. Daniel Kretinsky, Royal Mail’s owner, acknowledged service issues during a parliamentary inquiry.

To address these problems, Royal Mail plans to invest £500 million to achieve 90% First Class delivery within a year. This strategy aims to enhance service reliability and restore customer trust.

In addition to these operational changes, Royal Mail is introducing 600 new parcel postboxes across the UK. However, recent events have also seen some of these postboxes vandalized, such as the first King Charles postbox in Ireland being redecorated with anti-imperialist stickers by Lasair Dhearg.

The delivery operations will resume on May 5, but uncertainties remain regarding how this holiday suspension will affect voter turnout and overall mail efficiency. Cardiff Council expressed regret over any inconvenience experienced and emphasized their commitment to ensuring that all affected voters can still participate in the election.

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The forecast indicates that thunderstorms will begin on May 3, 2026, with conditions changing significantly from the warm temperatures earlier in the week. On Monday, temperatures had reached as high as 26 degrees Celsius, but the situation will shift dramatically as cooler air moves in.

Key predictions:

• 22 UK counties are expected to experience thunderstorms.
• Temperatures will drop to predicted highs of 17 to 19 degrees Celsius.
• Overnight lows could fall between 9 to 10 degrees Celsius.

The Met Office advised residents to avoid using landlines during thunderstorms due to lightning risks. Mark Sidaway, a deputy chief forecaster at the Met Office, stated that it would be a wet start for many parts of England and Wales. He mentioned that Monday would remain changeable with lingering cloud and scattered showers.

Weather mapping service Ventusky has predicted that thunderstorms will likely hit southern England and Wales around 7 PM on May 3. This mixed weather picture comes after a prolonged spell of dry and sunny conditions during the preceding days.

As these storms approach, residents should prepare for potential disruptions. The Met Office has published safety advice for those facing thunderstorms, emphasizing caution during severe weather events.

The uncertainty surrounding the exact timing and intensity of these storms remains. Authorities urge people to stay informed about changing weather conditions as they plan their activities for the Bank Holiday weekend.

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Heavy downpours with thunderstorms are likely across the UK during the bank holiday weekend. Widespread and heavy rain will spread across much of England and Wales on Saturday evening, according to the Met Office.

Key weather forecasts:

• Temperatures expected to fall below 20C across the country by Monday.
• On Saturday, parts of the East Midlands may see maximum temperatures of 25C.
• Average highs in northern England are forecast at around 15C.
• The south of England may reach up to 17C.

Greg Dewhurst noted, “Temperatures are starting to come down but in the sunnier moments it is still above average for the time of year.” Meanwhile, Grahame Madge warned about potential heavy, thundery showers moving into southern England on Saturday.

The northern areas might remain largely dry through the weekend, while southern regions brace for showers. On Monday, lingering cloud and scattered showers are expected across southern and central areas.

In some parts of northern Scotland, temperatures could drop to the low teens. Dan Harris explained that rain will reach southern England during the morning and spread north into much of England and Wales later in the day, again heavy at times with a small risk of thunderstorms.

As always, it wouldn’t be a Bank Holiday weekend in the UK without a bit of rain.

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The question on many shoppers’ minds is: Is B&Q open Easter Sunday? The answer is no; B&Q will be closed on Easter Sunday.

This closure is in accordance with legal mandates that require large stores in England and Wales to shut their doors on Easter Sunday. This law is designed to allow retail workers a day off to celebrate the holiday.

Interestingly, smaller shops—those under 280 square meters—have the flexibility to choose their own opening hours on this day. However, B&Q, being a larger retailer, is not afforded this option.

In addition to B&Q, other major retailers such as Wickes, Dunelm, Home Bargains, B&M, and The Range will also remain closed on Easter Sunday. This collective closure reflects a broader trend among large retailers to respect the holiday.

Easter Sunday is recognized as a bank holiday in the UK, further emphasizing its significance. Many families take this opportunity to spend time together, often participating in traditional Easter activities.

For those planning DIY projects or home improvements, B&Q will reopen on Easter Monday, providing customers with the chance to shop for their needs after the holiday.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, the adherence to these laws highlights the ongoing dialogue about work-life balance for retail employees.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any changes to store hours in the future, but for now, shoppers should plan accordingly.

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