Ingredients
200g butter
200g mini marshmallows
200g milk chocolate
Topping
400g mixed milk and dark chocolate
As many mini eggs as you want
Mix all the base ingredients and top with the melted chocolate. Chope eggs and sprinkle over. Cut into squares as soon as topping starts to set
By ELIZABETH HAIGH, SENIOR NEWS REPORTER
A pet dog helped solve a notorious 160-year-old murder case after digging up a bottle of poison buried in the garden.
Stanley the Labrador unearthed the Victorian-era blue vial under his lawn in Clyst Honiton, Devon.
His owner Paul Phillips, 49, thought it was a pipe - until he saw the words 'Not To Be Taken' on the glass.
It is believed to be linked to a famous murder case from 1865, which saw a woman who used to live two doors down to him, Mary Ann Ashford, murder her husband William.
She poisoned his tea so she could inherit his money and be with her young lover - who worked for her husband.
Ashford was later hanged in front of 20,000 people, but her execution almost went wrong and it took her several minutes to die.
It was said to have turned opinion on public hangings and was key in ending them in Britain.
Mr Phillips said: 'It is fascinating that we have found a bit of history in my garden from a woman that was instrumental in the end of corporal punishment 160 years ago.
Stanley the Labrador unearthed the Victorian-era blue vial under his lawn in Clyst Honiton, Devon
The bottle is believed to be linked to a famous murder case from 1865, which saw a woman who used to live two doors down to him, Mary Ann Ashford, murder her husband William
'We kept patching up and even at one point had to put a paving slab over it but he was insistent there was something there he wanted.
'One day I went outside and Stanley had exposed a pipe, so I got on my hands and knees, had a rummage around, did some mini-excavation and realised it was a bottle.
'It was a bright blue bottle in perfect, mint condition and said the words, "Not To Be Taken" on the glass.'
Mr Phillips researched the bottle, which revealed it was from Victorian times and was widely used from the mid-19th century.
Recalling hearing about a historic hanging in the village, he then found an old newspaper article about the case, which revealed the couple had lived next door to the village's police station.
He said: 'It was there I believe Mary and her husband used to live and she was having an affair with a guy that worked at the local bakery.
'I think our property used to be a big cider barn and there would have been more land.
'But it is so weird, if you had bought that bottle for the right reasons - like killing rats or something - why would you bother burying it?
Mr Phillips researched the bottle recovered from his garden (pictured) which revealed it was from Victorian times and was widely used from the mid-19th century
Since discovering the bottle, Stanley has stopped digging up the spot in the garden, owner Mr Phillips said
'The fact there was a murder due to poisoning in the next door down from us - you have to put two and two together!
'The fact it was buried and not thrown away shows someone was trying to hide it.'
Mary as executed in front of the County Gaol at Exeter before a crowd estimated to be 20,000 on Wednesday the 28th of March, 1866.
She was killed for the 'murder by arsenic poisoning of her husband of 20 years, 45-year-old William at their home at Honiton Clyst in Devon on the 4th of November 1865', local media reported.
She is said to have killed him to 'indulge a guilty passion for one of his workmen'.
William Ashford was a shoemaker by trade and had an estate valued at £120, with his wife the sole beneficiary of his will.
She was hoping to use this money to set up home with her lover Frank Pratt.
Newspaper reports suggest Will started feeling ill and was regularly given medicine for undiagnosable sickness.
He suddenly died and his wife was arrested by the police officer living next door.
Tests later showed his wife had traces of arsenic and strychnine on her clothes.
Mr Phillips said the 'brutal' story about Mary's killing her has left him not wanting to keep the bottle inside the house.
He added: 'It is in the garage at the moment which is a shame because its lovely but I bet it comes with some weirdness!
'My family are totally engrossed with the story, and the neighbour, a dear friend and councillor, loves it too.'
Mr Phillips said Stanley has not been digging in the spot since the discovery and hopes a local historian will help the family find out more information about the unique story.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/crime-desk/article-15664245/Dog-solves-murder-bottle-Victorian-poison-garden.html
From last-minute trims and blow-dry sessions to perfectly placed ribbons and gravity-defying hairstyles, the world's most pampered pooches are being primed to perfection as they prepare to strut into the spotlight at Crufts.
Backstage at the world-famous dog show, Shih-tzus sport wacky topknots, poodles are fluffed and blow-dried into immaculate clouds of curls, and Yorkshire terriers sit patiently as their owners fuss over their silky coats.
The grooming frenzy is all part of the meticulous preparation for the prestigious competition, where every strand of fur is carefully combed, brushed and styled before the dogs take to the ring.
And the spectacle has even won over celebrities, with television favourite Claudia Winkleman declaring that hosting the event had been 'the best day of her life' - even better than her own wedding.
The Traitors presenter joined veteran host Clare Balding as part of Channel 4's live coverage, wandering the bustling arena to chat with proud owners and meet the canine contenders.
Crufts, held at Birmingham's NEC, brings together thousands of dogs from across the globe each year, with more than 150,000 visitors expected over the four-day celebration of all things canine.
From last minute trims an blow-dry sessions to perfectly placed ribbons and gravity defying hairstyles, the world's most pampered pooches are being primed to perfection as they prepare to strut into the spotlight at Crufts
Backstage at the world-famous dog show, Shih-tzus sport wacky topknots, poodles are fluffed and blow-dried into immaculate clouds of curls, and Yorkshire terriers sit patiently as their owners fuss over their silky coats
The grooming frenzy is all part of the meticulous preparation for the prestigious competition, where every strand of fur is carefully combed, brushed and styled before the dogs take to the ring
A poodle wearing ski goggles poses for a picture at Crufts dog show in Birmingham
A woman grooms a Shih Tzu ahead of competition on day three Crufts
And the spectacle has even won over celebrities, with television favorite, Claudia Winkleman declaring that hosting the event had been 'the best day of her life' - even better than her own wedding
A Miniature Poodle rests in a pen on day three of Crufts
A Poodle waits to be groomed on day three of Crufts
This year's show features over 18,600 dogs
A Shih Tzu resting before its big moment at Crufts
A woman grooms a Shih Tzu ahead of competition on day three of Crufts
A poodles wears pink wraps around its fur
A woman grooms a fluffy white Poodle on day three of Crufts dog show
A toy poodle is groomed by its handler
Crufts, held at Birmingham's NEC, brings together thousands of dogs from across the globe each year, with more than 150,000 visitors expected over the four-day celebration of all things canine
A Shih Tzu rests its head on a pillow as it's groomed by its handler
A man holds a Bolognese on day three of Crufts dog show
A Women groom a Tibetan Spaniel
A poodle being prepared for the show
A Yorkshire terrier wears a red bow as it's groomed at Crufts
A pair of Shih Tzu dogs pose for a picture
A Poodle waits to be groomed on day three of Crufts
A poodle stands proudly before taking to the show ring
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15623967/Hairdryers-ribbons-glow-ups-worlds-pampered-pooches-ready-big-moment-Crufts.html
