Business

Bakery expands to help disadvantaged young people

by Austin
written by Austin

A bakery is expanding to be able to offer support to more disadvantaged young people.

Bakerman in Darlington opened in 2020 with the hope of mentoring young adults with learning and behavioural difficulties and create employment opportunities.

Co-founder and head baker Dan Booth said due to the popularity of the bakery they have been unable to offer as much support as they would have liked.

To address this, Bakerman has acquired the premises next door to the current site to allow them to create a dedicated baking and training facility.

Mr Booth said the plan was to expand the bakery, get bigger equipment and switch to daytime baking hours to "actually get these disadvantaged young adults through the door".

"The bakery just became such a huge success from day one that we were so busy and quickly ran out of space," he said.

"Baking through the night doesn't help either."

Leo Rotaru
Mr Booth said one plan was to switch to daytime baking hours

Mr Booth said there is a "real need for" helping disadvantaged young people gain skills in Darlington.

He used to work for the charity Clervaux Trust before being made redundant in 2020 and previously told the BBC he had seen how breadmaking can be "transformative".

"We've since proved a need for it by working with Darlington College and Darlington Borough Council," Mr Booth said.

"Hopefully we'll have people baking with us every day that we're open, once we get the expansion going."

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Market

'My Minecraft university helps autistic students'

by Sebastian
written by Sebastian

A university campus built in a Minecraft world is helping people with autism to settle into student life.

Parts of De Montfort University (DMU), in Leicester, have been recreated by student Eden Turner to provide a place for people to meet up and make friends while playing the hit video game.

A Minecraft Movie, which boasts a star-studded cast including Jason Momoa, Jack Black and Jennifer Coolidge, is currently taking cinemas by storm.

DMU said it hoped the film's success would shine a light on the virtual academic world Eden, 23, is crafting.

Eden Turner
How DMU's Kimberlin Library looks when made from Minecraft blocks

Since its test release in 2009, Minecraft has grown in popularity and is now the biggest selling computer game of all time. The game is set in an 'open world', allowing players to create almost anything imaginable out of blocks.

Eden, from Leicester, who uses "they" and them" as personal pronouns, has already recreated a university library through the game, and has been asked to start crafting other campus locations as a place where they and other autistic students can meet.

Eden's work on the Minecraft DMU campus is part of their final year of their educational studies degree.

Eden said: "It was a surprising and nice use of my time for an assignment. It's been really helpful in building my confidence.

"The opportunities to create [when playing Minecraft] are endless.

"It's such a fun experience to create with no limits and no one telling you what to build. There are no guidelines when you first spawn in the world."

The actual Kimberlin Library

Clare Squires, DMU's autism officer, said: "We use our Minecraft server to start building community and a sense of belonging.

"We use it with new applicants who haven't yet started at our university.

"Students can play with people they don't know, and they can start to make acquaintances and friends before they even set foot on campus."

She added: "Once they are with us, there are a lot of students that don't find socialising in clubs and pubs and bars a comfortable experience, so we use Minecraft as a way for them to socialise and meet other people

"As they are already playing Minecraft, they have something in common so they have a head start."

Mrs Squires said Eden's Minecraft version of the Kimberlin Library was "perfect".

"I know Eden is not happy with some of the little details, but it looks just like the real thing. It's incredible.

"We have big plans for them to build other parts of the campus.

"Anxiety is a big part of autism for a lot of people and that anxiety about going to a strange place and not knowing what to do or how to navigate. That will be alleviated by what Eden has done."

Reuters
Jack Black at the world premiere of ''A Minecraft Movie'' in London
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Innovation

Order to tackle anti-social behaviour on Derby day

by Taylor
written by Taylor

Anyone arrested for anti-social behaviour on Epsom Derby Day will face a £100 fixed penalty notice, a council says.

The Derby Festival begins on 6 June, with the Derby itself being run on 7 June.

Epsom & Ewell Borough Council is to impose a public space protection order (PSPO), which could be in force for up to three years across the district, in time for the festival.

The order applies to anyone harassing or threatening others, or continuing to drink alcohol after being ordered to stop by a police officer, community support officer or council officer.

The council voted through the order on Tuesday.

Shanice Goldman, chair of the crime and disorder committee, said: "The PSPO is a new tool specifically for the Epsom & Ewell area which will allow police and appropriate council staff to address anti-social behaviour effectively, without immediately resorting to arrests.

"I hope this order will ensure a more enjoyable experience for everyone on the day, as well as a safer environment in the borough."

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Global Trade

Area burned by UK wildfires in 2025 already at annual record

by Jayden
written by Jayden

The area of the UK burnt by wildfires so far this year is already higher than the total for any year in more than a decade, satellite data suggests.

More than 29,200 hectares (292 sq km or 113 sq miles) has been burnt so far, according to figures from the Global Wildfire Information System, which has recorded burnt area since 2012.

That is more than the previous high of 28,100 hectares for the whole year of 2019.

The prolonged dry, sunny weather in March and early April helped to create ideal conditions for widespread burning, according to researchers.

Wildfires are very common in the UK in early spring, with plenty of dead or dormant vegetation at the end of winter that can dry out quickly.

The switch back to wetter conditions over the past couple of weeks has largely brought an end to the spell of fires for now, but not before reaching record levels.

The figures from the Global Wildfire Information System only capture fires larger than roughly 30 hectares (0.3 sq km).

More than 80 such fires have been detected across the UK since the beginning of the year.

Most fires are deliberately or accidentally started by humans, but favourable weather conditions can make it much easier for fires to ignite and spread quickly.

"We had an exceptionally dry and sunny March," said Will Lang, head of risk and resilience services at the Met Office.

"This followed quite a wet autumn and winter, which can have the effect of increasing the vegetation that acts as fuel for any fire that does start."

A lack of rainfall in March and April can be particularly conducive to fires.

"The vegetation is coming out of the winter and it has gone dormant, so it's not growing, and therefore it's very dry and doesn't have water," explained Guillermo Rein, professor of fire science at Imperial College London.

"Then in the spring, before you start to collect the water into the live tissue, there is a period where it's very flammable."

The seven days from 2 to 8 April saw more than 18,000 hectares (180 sq km) burnt, the highest weekly figure on record.

The BBC has also analysed satellite images to illustrate two of the biggest burns this year.

In Galloway Forest Park, in south-west Scotland, an estimated 65 sq km burnt, nearly a quarter of the UK total.

A fire in mid-Wales, about 25 km (16 miles) from Aberystwyth, also burnt a large area of roughly 50 sq km.

Fires have also been detected by satellite imagery on the Isle of Arran, the Isle of Bute and the Isle of Skye in Scotland, as well as in the Mourne Mountains in south-east Northern Ireland. All occurred in early April.

These early season burns – predominantly grass, heath and shrub fires – have created great strain on fire services, but their ecological impacts can be complicated.

Not all fires, particularly smaller, lower-intensity burns, are necessarily catastrophic to long-term vegetation health.

Certain plants, such as heather, are adapted to fire-prone environments. But increasingly frequent or severe blazes can impair their ability to naturally recover.

Some researchers are concerned about the second peak of the fire season, which typically comes later in the year when temperatures are high and vegetation has dried out again.

"My number one worry is what is going to happen in the summer," said Prof Rein, when "there are fewer wildfires but they are bigger and they can actually be seriously catastrophic".

"You can have 100 [small] wildfires across the whole country and all of them can be handled in one day, or you could have one summer wildfire that actually cannot be stopped in a week and actually goes on to burn houses."

The recent widespread burns don't necessarily mean this summer will be a busy fire season.

But scientists expect the UK to see an increase in weather conditions conducive to extreme wildfires in a warming world, even though there's lots of variation from year to year.

A study led by the Met Office found that the extreme "fire weather" that helped spread the destructive blazes of July 2022 were made at least six times more likely by human-caused climate change.

Shifts in the way land is used can also play a key role in shaping fire risk.

"One thing that seems to have consensus is that we are likely to see more fires and possibly worse fires with climate change," said Rory Hadden, senior lecturer in fire investigation at the University of Edinburgh.

"We need to be prepared for this to become more common."

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Innovation

Villagers vow to fight 'unfair' council tax rise

by John
written by John

Some residents of a group of villages in Telford have vowed to fight boundary reorganisation plans which could mean they pay more in council tax.

Dawley Hamlets brings together a number of villages, whose residents pay less council tax than residents in neighbouring areas.

However, a proposal has been made to abolish Dawley Hamlets Parish Council and divide villages into neighbouring towns and parishes in time for the 2027 local elections.

Telford and Wrekin Council said its boundary review was in the consultation stage, meaning residents could still influence the final outcome, and that decisions on future tax levels would be for newly formed councils.

"Splitting us up will hit people in their pockets," said Cllr Bob Wennington, chairman of Dawley Hamlets Parish Council.

"We're individual communities but we gel together and residents are happy with what we do for them.

"All of Little Dawley and Aqueduct could be part of Great Dawley Town Council, but we feel like we don't have much in common with the town, although we do rely on them for some services," he added.

Councillor Bob Wennington said most residents were not aware of the proposed changes

The fee added on to council tax bills for 2025/26 by Dawley Hamlets Parish Council, known as the precept, is around £29 for a Band D property.

It is spent on local services, such as litter picking and the management of two nature reserves, and also organising annual events like remembrance services and summer parties.

However in the Great Dawley area to the north, residents paid £317 in town council precept, which contributes towards the running of the town hall, library, weekly market and Christmas lights switch on, to name a few of the services it provides.

The boundary change would increase the council tax of more than 6,300 voters.

'We could lose our identity'

The proposals also include moving the Small Hill area of Dawley Hamlets into Lawley & Overdale Parish Council, and Horsehay and Doseley into The Gorge Parish Council.

Lawley and Overdale Parish Council's precept fee was £108 this financial year, while The Gorge Parish Council added about £64.

"My fear is that we'll become part of the Ironbridge Gorge and lose some of our identity," said Angela Porteous from Horsehay in Dawley Hamlets.

"Ironbridge is a World Heritage Site, which is fantastic, but how much focus will be put on an area like Horsehay?"

Telford and Wrekin Council did not answer the BBC's specific questions on why it is proposing to abolish Dawley Hamlets Parish Council.

However, in a statement, it said its draft proposals were aimed at better reflecting community identities, addressing electoral imbalances, and ensuring effective local representation.

"The final outcomes of the Community Governance Review may yet change, depending on the feedback we receive," said Cllr Giles Luter, Chair of Telford and Wrekin Council's Boundary Review Committee.

"We would remind residents of Dawley Hamlets, and across the Borough, to make the most of our drop-in information sessions and complete the online survey," he added.

It challenged claims that council tax would necessarily rise, saying: "It would be the responsibility of any new parish council to set their council tax precept, so speculating around levels of precept in parish councils which do not yet exist is unhelpful and potentially misleading."

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Tech

IOM electorate offered a choice of where to vote

by Gabriel
written by Gabriel

Voters heading to the polls next week on the Isle of Man will, for the first time, be able to choose where in their constituency to cast their ballot.

Polling stations will be open from 08:00 until 20:00 BST on Thursday in five local authority general elections – Castletown, Douglas South, Patrick, Peel, and Ramsey North.

Following the successful trial of an app developed by the Government Technology Service at the 2021 House of Keys general election in Douglas South, people will be able to vote at any polling station in their constituency.

The software is used to check voters in at polling stations. A live link into the electoral register will ensure that voters can only cast one ballot.

'Accessibility needs'

In addition to offering convenience for voters, the elections team said the move would "allow voters with additional needs to identify a venue that best suits their accessibility needs".

Those with additional accessibility requirements have been advised to check the facilities of their polling station online or contact their deputy returning officer for advice.

There are 21 local authorities on the island and elections take place every four years.

All registered voters within the five contested local authorities or districts will receive a polling card by post.

This will detail their designated polling station as well as alternatives within the constituency.

Voters have been advised that while they do not need to bring their polling cards to vote, those who have not received one should contact their deputy returning officer.

The deadline to apply for a proxy vote is 17:00 on Wednesday.

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Global Trade

Headlines: Pat Lam's future and pioneering surgery

by Luke
written by Luke

Here's our daily pick of stories from across local websites in the West of England, and interesting content from social media.

Our pick of local website stories

Burnham-on-Sea.com reported on the fire which spread across two homes on Wednesday.

There are renewed appeals to find a 22-year-old man who has been missing from Yeovil since Boxing Day, reports Somerset Live.

Bristol Bears' Pat Lam is being discussed on Wales Online, as news emerged that the Welsh national team approached him about his availability.

And the story about the woman who had her eyesight saved in time for her wedding with pioneering surgery was reported on by ITV News West Country

Our top three from yesterday

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Economy

Mexican mayor arrested over alleged links to cartel training camp

by Abigail
written by Abigail

Prosecutors in Mexico have arrested the mayor of Teuchitlán in western Jalisco state as part of their investigation into a nearby cartel training site.

The mayor, José Murguía Santiago, is suspected of colluding with the New Generation Jalisco Cartel (CJNG), which he has denied.

The investigation was launched after activists discovered bone fragments and hundreds of discarded shoes, backpacks and items of clothing at the Izaguirre ranch outside the town in March.

Rights groups said that they feared the ranch had been used as an "extermination camp", where people were forcedly recruited and trained, and those who refused were tortured and killed.

The discovery by people searching for their missing relatives of what appeared to be evidence of mass killings at the site shocked the country, where cartel violence is rife.

  • Read: Ovens and bone fragments – BBC visits Mexican cartel 'extermination' site

Mexico's Attorney-General Alejandro Gertz gave a news conference last week updating journalists on the federal investigation into the ranch.

He confirmed that the site had been used as a training centre for recruits of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, one of the most feared and powerful transnational drug trafficking gangs, which has its power base in Jalisco.

However, he said that there was no evidence that it had been used as an extermination and cremation site.

According to the attorney-general, bone fragments discovered there were not recent and forensic tests suggested that the fires lit at the ranch would not have been hot enough to dispose of human remains.

Gertz's statements caused anger among "searchers", the name given to relatives looking for the more than 120,000 people who have been reported missing in Mexico over the past two decades.

Reuters
Activists searching for missing relatives said they want a "real" investigation into what happened at the ranch

They said that his news conference raised more questions than it answered and failed to address to whom the many abandoned shoes found at the ranch belonged and what had become of those people.

Gertz insisted that the authorities would continue looking into whether there had been any collusion between the CJNG and local officials.

The arrest of Mayor Murguía Santiago is part of that ongoing investigation.

Prior to his arrest, the mayor had said that he had nothing to hide. "If they want to investigate me, let them, I'm clean and willing to say what I know," he told local media.

But prosecutors allege that he knew of the existence of the training centre and did not act on that knowledge.

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Economy

Dog walker has fractured collar bone after attack

by Kristen
written by Kristen

A pensioner who was walking his dog was attacked by another dog walker and has been left with a fractured collar bone and facial injuries.

The man, in his 70s, was injured in the attack on parkland near Margaret Road, Penwortham, at about 17:00 BST on Tuesday, Lancashire Police said.

The force has released an image of a man detectives would like to speak to, who was wearing a distinctive yellow t-shirt and walking a very small dog off the lead.

Officers said he was aged between 30 and 40, about 6ft 2ins (1.8m) tall and had a large build.

BBC Sounds

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Business

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame picks Outkast but not Oasis

by Evan
written by Evan

Innovative rap group Outkast, pop star Cyndi Lauper and 1960s pioneer Chubby Checker have all won places in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

This year's inductees were revealed live on American Idol, with the UK represented by hard rock band Bad Company and gravel-voiced eccentric Joe Cocker, 11 years after his death from lung cancer.

However, Manchester bands Oasis and Joy Division/New Order failed to qualify from the shortlist.

Performers become eligible for inclusion 25 years after the release of their first commercial recording. The nominations are voted on by more than 1,200 music historians, industry professionals and previously inducted artists.

The full list of performers to be inducted this year is:

  • Bad Company
  • Chubby Checker
  • Joe Cocker
  • Cyndi Lauper
  • Outkast
  • Soundgarden
  • The White Stripes

Salt-N-Pepa, the first commercially successful female rap group, will also receive the musical influence award, alongside Warren Zevon – a cult singer-songwriter who was revered by Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.

The induction ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on 8 November, and will be streamed live on Disney+.

Getty Images
Mariah Carey and Oasis both lost out on a place in the Hall of Fame, despite two nominations in separate years

"Each of these inductees created their own sound and attitude that had a profound impact on culture and helped to change the course of Rock & Roll forever," said the Hall of Fame's chairman John Sykes.

"Their music gave a voice to generations and influenced countless artists that followed in their footsteps."

However, equal amounts of attention will be paid to the artists who didn't make it into the hallowed hall, which encompasses all genres of popular music.

Mariah Carey's omission, in particular, will be seen as an egregious oversight.

With 19 US number one singles, she is second only to The Beatles in terms of chart success.

Her self-titled debut album spent 11 weeks at the top of the Billboard chart in 1990, and her Christmas classic, All I Want For Christmas Is You, is the 11th best-selling single of all time.

This is the second time she has been overlooked by the Rock Hall's voters.

Asked for her thoughts on being snubbed last year, Carey said: "My thoughts are, I didn't get in."

A second snub will embolden critics who say the Hall of Fame has a poor record of admitting women.

Lauper, who did make it through the voting process, was the only other woman on this year's main ballot.

Getty Images
Chubby Checker waged a long campaign to win his induction to the Hall of Fame

Oasis were also passed over for a second time, having been nominated in 2024.

But singer Liam Gallagher has previously criticised the institution, saying he wasn't interested in receiving an award from "some geriatric in a cowboy hat".

Veteran jam band Phish also missed out on a place – despite winning a fan vote that counted towards this year's ceremony.

However, losing a nomination doesn't mean an artist is disqualified from future ceremonies.

Nile Rodgers and Chic have famously been included on the ballot 11 times. Although the band still hasn't been inducted, Rodgers was honoured at the 2017 ceremony with the Award for Musical Excellence.

Chubby protest

A similar story emerges this year for Checker, whose song The Twist became a global phenomenon in 1960.

The star, now 83, was ignored by the Rock Hall for years, even as contemporaries like Sam Cooke, Bill Haley, Wilson Pickett and Fats Domino were admitted.

In 2001, Checker took out a full-page ad in Billboard magazine calling on the Rock Hall to recognise him for the song that, he said, became "the biggest dance of the century".

"I want my flowers while I'm alive," he wrote. "I can't smell them when I'm dead."

Demanding a statue in the courtyard of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, he added: "I will not have the music business ignore my position in the industry."

That wish has finally been granted.

Getty Images
The White Stripes were inducted on their first nomination

This year's other inductees include Outkast – aka André 3000 and Big Boi.

Known for hits like Ms Jackson, Rosa Parks and Hey Ya!, their swampy Southern rhythms and bohemian take on hip-hop changed the sound of the genre in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Soundgarden, best known for grunge anthem Black Hole Sun, have also earned a place; as have The White Stripes – the garage rock band formed by Jack and Meg White in 1997, whose hits include Seven Nation Army, Hotel Yorba and Fell In Love With A Girl.

Fans will speculate about whether Meg, who hasn't been seen in public since 2009, will attend the induction ceremony.

There are also musical excellence awards for Thom Bell, an architect of the Philadelphia Soul sound, and English pianist Nicky Hopkins, who contributed to records by The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and The Who.

US guitarist Carol Kaye, whose fretwork can be heard on classic tracks like You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling and the theme to Mission: Impossible, receives the same honour.

Finally, record executive Lenny Waronker, who helped develop acts like Madonna, REM and Prince, will receive the Ahmet Ertegun award, given to non-performers who have had a major influence on rock music.

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