Uplifting stories'They never thought I'd speak, let alone sing'Stirling-born singer Brodie Brown defies the odds and wins the prestigious John Lennon Songwriting Contest.ScotlandInterest in school football soars after club successA head teacher at a school with a new football academy says it feels they are "part of the club".Beds, Herts & Bucks'It's aspara-madness'All aboard the Asparagus Express - a surreal event marking the start of the Asparagus Festival.GloucestershireTaylor Swift fans 'overwhelming' London pubA south London pub named on Taylor Swift's new album describes the reaction as "crazy".LondonOctogenarian 'on top of the world' on UK coast trekDerek Adams is aiming to complete the 4,500-mile (7,242 km) walk in stages before his 85th birthday.EnglandPet cat 'on a mission to keep Britain clean'Stevenage cat Tofu brings home rubbish he finds elsewhere as "gifts" for his owner.Beds, Herts & Bucks'Wanderlust' cat safely brought home by policePixie, 15, is an adventurous old lady who is "very street smart" and loves fuss, her owner says. Beds, Herts & BucksLondon Landmarks Half Marathon breaks £50m markThe 13.1-mile race, held for the seventh time on Sunday, is organised by baby loss charity Tommy's.LondonRunaway rhea caught after four-month escapadeThe rhea is returned home having swum across a river to a neighbouring county.England