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Market

Daughter of mural artist 'delighted' with repaint

by Louis March 17, 2025
written by Louis

A mural on the side of a wall in a car park for nearly 20 years has been re-painted to the delight of the daughter of the original artist.

Rebekah Newton, 37, said she was initially nervous when told her father's street art of Locomotion No 1 was going to be restored for the 200th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

But she said she was grateful and relieved to discover artist Jess McGowan planned to follow the original lines.

Stockton Council is going to use the Bishop Street car park mural as the backdrop for a railway-themed party on 28 September.

Zak Newton moved to Stockton from Northampton in 1990 and his daughter said he was "really passionate about history and culture" in the area.

"He did so much research before painting a mural, he was always going to the library," she said.

"He would see a wall and think a mural would look good on that."

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council
Rebekah Newton and Jess McGowan in front of the restored mural

Miss McGowan, 28, worked on the mural for four weeks to get it back to its former glory.

She said: "It was really challenging with how the wall was, all the paint was peeling off.

"We managed to get some good references and chat to people who first saw it when it was done.

"We wanted to make sure it was true to how it was originally painted."

Miss Newton was invited to see the repainting work in progress.

"I have got to admit that I was initially a bit sceptical," she said.

"But when I saw that the artist had followed his lines I was so grateful.

"She has done an absolutely amazing job, I'm delighted.

"I'm really proud of his work and it's great it has been given new life."

March 17, 2025 0 comments
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Market

How scarves could help to save a rare Scots sheep breed

by Rebecca March 17, 2025
written by Rebecca

Rebecca McLellan is trying to safeguard the future of a rare breed of sheep one scarf at a time.

She fell in love with the Castlemilk Moorit and now has her own flock of 18 on the farm where she and her husband live in Rockcliffe on the Solway Firth.

Rebecca was keen to look at ways to help ensure the long-term survival of the sheep, which are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) "at risk" list.

That was when she hit on the idea of learning to weave to try to encourage other potential breeders to follow her lead.

Colin Hattersley
Rebecca has put the fleeces to a wide variety of uses

She was born in Kenya and worked in London before moving to Scotland to a house which had been in her husband's family for about a century.

"With that came the responsibility and the stewardship for that land," she said.

"The reality was it had always been grazed by sheep, so we took a look at it and thought, well, there we go, that's the answer – we've got to get some sheep."

After that they had to narrow it down to what type.

"Some native breeds in Scotland are becoming ever rarer, and I'm mad about my conservation," she said.

"We started to look for rare breed of sheep that were native specifically to this corner of Scotland and settled on the Castlemilk Moorit."

Chocflock
Rebecca hopes scarves made from the fleeces will encourage others to breed Castlemilk Moorits of their own

The brown-coated, curly-horned sheep were originally bred in the 1920s by Sir John Buchanan-Jardine for his Castlemilk estate in Dumfriesshire.

They are on the "at risk" list, with an estimated breeding population of between 900 and 1,500.

Rebecca said they were originally bred as a "park sheep".

"They are an elegant-looking breed of sheep," she explained.

"They've got sweeping back horns, they've got neat legs and a sort of gazelle or deer-like head.

"So they grace the field – but they also have this practical side with the fleece.

"It is a soft fleece – I blend it to make it go further – but it's a soft mocha colour, it is cream at the tip down to chocolate at the base."

She describes the sheep as "quite flighty" but also "quite curious".

"If you do anything in the field or anywhere near them within a blink of an eye, they're all standing around in a circle, watching," she said.

Colin Hattersley
Rebecca and husband Hamish have a flock of 18 Castlemilk Moorits at Rockcliffe

Rebecca turns their fleeces into tapestries, knitwear and upholstery and hopes her work can help save the breed by showing the value they can offer.

"We've got breeds that have developed and evolved in Scotland particularly – but across the UK – which suit the geographical nature of our landscape," she said.

"So you're not trying to raise a breed of sheep that isn't suited to where you are from.

"There's a reality that these are breeds that need to be helped to survive and not sort of forgotten in the rush to have ever more economical sheep which are good for raising just for meat."

Rebecca is throwing open the doors to her workshop as part of the Spring Fling open studios event across Dumfries and Galloway between 24 and 26 May.

Visitors will get a chance to see what she produces, how she does it and meet the rare breed itself.

In the process, she hopes it might convince a few more people that the Castlemilk Moorit deserves to flourish in the years to come.

March 17, 2025 0 comments
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Tech

'Why I choose to spend time with dying strangers'

by Andrew March 17, 2025
written by Andrew

Spending time with someone who is dying is something most of us will only have to experience maybe a handful of times in a lifetime.

For Hazel Orchard, it is a weekly occurrence.

Hazel is a hospital companion and volunteers her time offering a friendly ear to end-of-life patients.

The role involves listening, discussing challenging topics such as care plans and simply being present when family members need to rest or step away.

She said although it brought her grief and sadness it had also enriched her life.

"It is very emotional, I won't dilute that in any way, shape or form," said Hazel from Cardiff.

"But to support people on their journey as their body ebbs ever flowing to its final resting place is nothing other than a privilege."

Marie Curie
Hazel says some end-of-life patients find it easier to open up to a volunteer than loved ones

Hazel, 65, began volunteering for Marie Curie in September and since then has supported 10 patients, three of whom have now died.

"I do go and sit and light a candle for them and their families," she said.

"It is important to for me to express my own grief in a way… to be able to refuel and recharge and to be able to continue to give what is needed to the patients I support."

Although Hazel is passionate about the work now, when she first heard about the opportunity on social media she was far from keen.

"My first thought was 'I can't think of anything more horrific' and I bypassed it," said Hazel, who is retired after a career in children's services.

"However, interestingly it never really left my mind during the ensuing week and I found myself at times thinking about it."

"I then went back to it and thought 'why not?'."

After receiving training and getting her Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check she began volunteering at Cardiff's University Hospital of Wales.

"The very first patient that I was allocated was given 48 hours but I had the privilege of being able to visit with him and support him for two weeks," she said.

She said his death had an impact on her.

"We'd started to get to know each other quite well and to have difficult conversations about dying and death," she said.

Another patient she was supporting found it difficult to talk about her situation.

Hazel discovered she enjoyed word searches so made some for her using words that could serve as potential conversation-starters.

Since January she has been supporting a man who has lung and blood cancer.

He has been discharged so she now visits him weekly at home.

"We have deep conversations about life," she said.

"He talks comfortably with me about his diagnosis and cancer and I would say that our relationship is ever-evolving and I'm privileged that I'm still able to journey with him."

March 17, 2025 0 comments
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Global Trade

Cyclist is seriously injured in village collision

by Taylor March 17, 2025
written by Taylor

A village road was closed for some time after a serious collision involving a car and a cyclist.

The emergency services were called to Bungay Road, in Holton, Suffolk, at about 07:16 BST on Wednesday after reports of a crash.

A spokesperson for the East of England Ambulance Service said: "The cyclist, an adult male, was transported by road to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with serious injuries."

Suffolk Police said on Facebook the road was expected to remain closed for some time and motorists were advised to find alternative routes.

March 17, 2025 0 comments
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Global Trade

Arrest made after man dies in 'fall from height'

by Michael March 16, 2025
written by Michael

A man has been arrested following the death of a man who "fell from height" in the early hours of the morning, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The man was pronounced dead at about 03:10 BST on Danecourt Road in Holme Wood, Bradford, after police were called to reports he was seriously injured.

A 25-year-old man was arrested and is being held in police custody.

The force said inquiries were under way to establish the circumstances of the man's death.

West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

March 16, 2025 0 comments
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Market

Hedgehog charity seeks £50k for new 'hogspital'

by Noah March 15, 2025
written by Noah

A couple who started a hedgehog rescue project in their back garden say they are now trying to raise £50,000 for a new, larger hospital.

Rachel and Dominic Matthews set up Deanshanger Hedgehog Rescue on the border of Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire in 2021 and look after about 250 of the creatures each year.

They say they have now outgrown their current base, which includes two sheds and three hutches, and need bigger premises to run their charity.

At the moment, they say they are having to turn away animals because they do not have enough room.

The rescue centre was set up after the pair found a hedgehog that was clearly unwell.

They discovered that the nearest rescue facility was more than an hour away, so they decided to set one up in their own garden.

The current facilities include areas for first aid, treatment and rehabilitation to hedgehogs that have been found unwell, abandoned or injured.

Rachel and Dominic Matthews set up the rescue centre in 2021

Mr Matthews said: "We're going on a big fundraising drive – we've got some land secured and we're just looking to build a bespoke 'hogspital'."

He said they wanted "to raise about £50,000 so we can find a more permanent home – we've just outgrown our sheds really.

"Last year, we saw over 250 hedgehogs. In the summer, we have to turn a lot of them away just because we're full so we're looking to double our capacity by having a more permanent home."

The rescue centre is currently based in sheds in the couple's garden

Their dream centre would have a small reception area, a large intensive care unit with incubators and a neonatal section for hoglets, and a rehabilitation room.

It would be around 12m (39ft) long and 4m (13ft) wide.

The charity hopes businesses will sponsor the centre and individual donors will also contribute.

The couple say they are having to turn some hedgehogs away as they have no room

Mr Matthews said it was worth protecting the small prickly animals because "they are a signal species – so if you've got hedgehogs in your environment, your environment's doing well.

"They're very good at pest control, so they will clear all your little caterpillars away, and they're just really great to have in your garden," he added.

March 15, 2025 0 comments
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Economy

Trago Mills loses staff after Bodmin bus route cut

by Nicole March 14, 2025
written by Nicole

A discount store branch in Cornwall has lost members of staff after the "tragic" cutting of a bus route, managers say.

Go Cornwall Bus has dropped the number 11 service that used to run from Bodmin Parkway railway station to Liskeard along the A38 and drop into the Trago Mills store in the Glynn Valley en route. Passengers now are asked to travel from Bodmin Parkway to Liskeard via train and catch a bus from there.

Cornwall Council said passenger numbers "had reduced significantly" and the route was "no longer sustainable".

Go Cornwall Bus said bosses were "genuinely sorry" over Trago job losses, but it could not reinstate the service unless funding could be found to support its cost.

Ellie Robertson said the end of the No 11 bus service "couldn't have come at a worse time"

Ellie Robertson, business developments director at Trago Mills, said: "We weren't approached by the bus company in any way, shape or form.

"The first thing we knew about it was a new timetable was put down on the bus stop.

"We wrote to the bus company and to Cornwall Council and tried to fight the decision, but, unfortunately, they have gone along with the changes, which has meant we have lost staff over it.

"It's really sad on top of the redundancies that we've just gone through. It couldn't have come at a worst time. It's tragic."

Ms Robertson said they a post on their social media had had a huge response.

She said: "Dozens and dozens of people saying they used to shop with us but they no longer can, which is heartbreaking to hear. We need every sale we can get at the moment.

"We put memos up on the staff notice board so that people could put their name forward for car sharing. We've had a little bit of an uptake on that.

"But it's really hard because everyone works in different departments and has different start and finish times and different shift patterns.

"Fortunately, one of our members of staff that has been with us for 40 years, who was going to have to leave because he couldn't get the bus anymore, we did manage to get a car share for him, so we do get to keep Steve the gardener."

Jenny Day said a woman that she worked with was forced to leave

Jenny Day, catering assistant at the store, used that service and said: "Initially I could catch one bus into work at a decent time and one bus home. Now I have to catch two buses to get into work and rely on lifts to get home.

"If I miss a bus or there's a bad connection, it means getting a taxi into work, which from Liskeard costs £12, which is what happened the other day.

"People from Bodmin, and one in particular that I worked with, had to leave.

"In fact, two or three people have had to leave because there is just no bus service anymore," she said.

Bob Winn, from Wadebridge, was a regular passenger on the former service, despite having his own car.

He said: "So, if you want to go Trago Mills, you want to go Liskeard, Saltash or Plymouth, hard luck.

"You have to go on the train, and we all know how much the train costs, so we just don't go anywhere. That's it."

Bob Winn said he does not go anywhere now by bus since the timetable changed

Cornwall Council said: "Commercial bus services and those subsidised by the council on the supported network need passengers to be financially viable and ensure we can maximise the allocation of our limited resources.

"Services continue to run between Padstow, Wadebridge, Bodmin and Bodmin Parkway.

"Passengers can continue their journeys on to Liskeard and Plymouth by rail."

"These bus services are timed to ensure passengers can make reasonable connections with the trains at Bodmin Parkway."

March 14, 2025 0 comments
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Economy

Footballer says parents key to Adolescence success

by Miles March 14, 2025
written by Miles

A Derby County footballer who runs mentoring sessions in schools says Netflix show Adolescence has highlighted how parents may not know what their children are up to behind closed doors.

Midfielder Ben Osborn said the drama about a 13-year-old boy charged with the murder of a female classmate had done a good job highlighting some of the dangers children faced online.

Netflix has said it will make the series available to screen for free in secondary schools.

Osborn said while showing the programme in schools "isn't going to do any harm", it was key the issues opened up discussions for parents.

He said: "The scary thing about Adolescence is it blindsided the parents – the stuff that they're getting up to on social media or online, how can you police that?"

Osborn, of Spondon in Derby, visits primary and secondary schools through his company EFD Sport & Education, which he set up with former Nottingham Forest academy team-mate Jack Andrews.

PA Media
The cast of Netflix drama Adolescence have been praised for their performances

He added: "Across the country, suspensions are at an all-time high, permanent exclusions are increasing year on year, and you are definitely seeing a rise in behavioural issues.

"If I spend an hour on X or social media, I'm confused, I don't know what to think because the algorithm gives you a load of different stuff.

"It's confusing, let alone if you're an impressionable teenager. It can be scary."

The enterprise has a team of mentors that visit schools in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire using sport to help improve behaviour, attendance and engagement.

Osborn said: "You have to educate young people because the world is changing, you can't just say log off your phones and let's live in this real world, but a lot of the time it's fake realities they're seeing online and that's the issue.

"Adolescence is a very difficult programme to watch but I'm pleased that it's showing people what life for some young people can be like.

"We've been talking about this for a long time and people are now seeing that for themselves. That's very welcome, but it's long overdue."

March 14, 2025 0 comments
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Innovation

Hundreds of unvetted staff in police force – report

by Avery March 13, 2025
written by Avery

A police force has 313 workers who have not been properly vetted, a report has said.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary, which employs nearly 6,000 people, has been ordered to improve its vetting procedures by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

The cases involve existing staff whose vetting has expired or who have been promoted without higher level clearance, the report added.

The force said it had recruited a further 12 staff to make checks and had "robust processes" to identify unsuitable new applicants.

At the time of the inspection, the force vetting unit did not have enough staff to meet demand, the report said.

Fourteen analysts and three senior staff were working on 223 applications, with a further 462 cases pending, it added.

In a review of vetting decisions on new joiners, inspectors agreed with 18 out of 25 outcomes but said some risks were not identified.

The force was rated as "requires improvement" for vetting, but "adequate" for other integrity standards including challenging misconduct and tackling corruption.

However, an HMICFRS review of 40 cases identified three where potential crimes were missed.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary
Acting Chief Constable Sam de Reya said she welcomed the report

These included an officer who tested positive for drugs and one who sent misogynistic, homophobic and racist texts.

Both later resigned, but the report gave no outcome for a third case involving an allegation of aggravated assault.

In a statement, Acting Chief Constable Sam de Reya said she welcomed the inspection.

She added: "We had already recognised and responded to the challenges around our vetting arrangements, particularly around ensuring we had sufficient resources to meet demand.

"Our ambitious recruitment programme to increase the number of police officers within the force required us to also bring in more staff to carry out vetting checks.

"The report recognised our efforts to increase capacity within the team, and we have recruited a further 12 staff since the inspection.

"Importantly, our robust processes ensure that only those who are suitable for policing are able to join the force."

The senior officer added that the force's internal investigations had been found to be "good", with "proportionate, consistent and fair" outcomes.

March 13, 2025 0 comments
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Economy

'Brave' father and son shopkeepers stopped robbers

by Andrew March 13, 2025
written by Andrew

Two robbers who were thwarted in their attempt to rob a corner shop by a "courageous" father and son have been jailed for three years each.

Gary Brown, 38, thrust a Stanley knife towards a shopkeeper as he and Mark Robson, 43, tried to steal money from a store in South Shields in November, Newcastle Crown Court heard.

After initially managing to grab some cash, the pair were overpowered by the father and son who ran the shop.

Both the accused, of Beach Road in South Shields, admitted robbery with Brown also pleading guilty to possessing a knife.

The pair entered the shop at about 20:00 GMT on 17 November and demanded money, prosecutor Ian Cook said.

The shopkeepers, an adult father and son, were "showing some bravery" when they tackled and "got the better" of the robbers, Mr Cook said.

'Particularly unpleasant'

In statements read to the court, the shop owners said they were now fearful of future robberies and the risk that posed to their younger relatives who regularly worked there.

They had also spent a lot of money installing new security measures including a £70 a month panic button alarm system, the court heard.

In mitigation, the court heard both men were living in a hostel at the time, were fuelled by drink and were "deeply ashamed" of their actions.

Recorder Peter Makepeace KC said it was a "particularly unpleasant" crime which had had an ongoing impact on the victims.

He said the shopkeepers had shown "courage" but their fears for their younger workers were understandable.

Both Robson and Brown were also made subject to restraining orders banning them from contacting the two victims or going to the shop for 10 years.

March 13, 2025 0 comments
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