Innovation

Grangemouth refinery stops processing crude oil

by David
written by David

Scotland's only oil refinery has stopped processing crude oil at Grangemouth after a century of operations, its owner Petroineos has confirmed.

In September, the company announced refining activities would cease in 2025 as it transitions to becoming an import terminal for finished fuels.

The site on the south bank of the Firth of Forth is home to the UK's oldest oil refinery, dating back to 1924.

It is being closed down by Petroineos, with the loss of 430 of the 2,000 jobs based at the sprawling 1,700-acre industrial complex.

The union Unite said political leaders had "utterly failed" the workers and the Grangemouth community, and would face "electoral wrath".

The SNP has called for the refinery to be nationalised, a demand rejected by the UK government.

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Business

Drive-in cinema brings 'Bollywood to Bradford'

by Roman
written by Roman

A drive-in cinema in Bradford is bringing Bollywood to the big screen this weekend.

The event at Cannon Mills will include modern movies and comedies, and all will be shown in Hindi with English subtitles.

Each car will be given a speaker to allow passengers to listen to the soundtracks.

A DJ will play sets before films start and there will be food and drink stalls serving classic cinema snacks.

The drive-in is part of City of Culture 2025, in partnership with the National Science and Media Museum as well as the British Film Institute.

Aman Dhillon, curator for the Bollywood titles, told the BBC how she picked the movies being shown.

She said: "I looked at what would be popular titles, did some community engagement to find out what titles would be favourites.

"I tried to programme something for everybody, families, couples, classic films and some newer releases."

Provided by distributer via Bradford 2025
Jab We Met and Bajrangi Bhaijaan are the other two movies on offer

Dhillon added: "A drive-in cinema is different to the typical screening you would have in a cinema venue.

"It's a real immersive experience. You can sit in your car and feel like you're immersed in the film, but you're having a dance."

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Tech

Conservationists want to track voles at wetlands

by Jessica
written by Jessica

Conservationists have called on people to look for water voles that were reintroduced at a nature reserve last year.

A total of 116 water voles that were bred in captivity were released at Nene Wetlands in Northamptonshire.

However, follow-up surveys along parts of the River Nene are yet to record sightings.

Emily Luck, the water vole officer at the People's Trust for Endangered Species (PTES), said people often mistook them for rats but they were "more charismatic than rats".

"We are asking for volunteers to let us know where they are so we can target our conservation work," she said.

PA Media
Last year, 113 sites across Britain were surveyed, with water voles found at 47 of them

PTES is asking for vole-unteers to report sightings of the rodents across England, including Northamptonshire.

The population has declined by about 90% since the 1970s.

Last year, 113 sites across Britain were surveyed, with water voles found at 47 of them.

Historically water voles thrived along the River Nene, but PTES says habitat loss and predation by the non-native American mink are responsible for the fall in numbers.

The charity sited Dallington Brook in Northampton as one of the potential vole locations that was under-recorded.

Vole-unteers can choose from more 700 pre-selected riverbanks and streams or register their own location.

They are asked to record signs of water vole presence such as droppings, burrows, footprints, or the distinctive "plop" as the animal enters the water.

Ms Luck added: "[Voles] can live in almost any waterway so as long as they've got fresh vegetation, good soil to burrow into… it's ideal."

The survey initiative runs until 15 June.

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Global Trade

UK and France in talks over migrant returns deal

by Logan
written by Logan

The UK government is in negotiations with France on a scheme to return illegal migrants who have crossed the Channel in small boats.

In return, the British government would accept legal migrants seeking family reunion in the UK.

The French interior ministry told the BBC this would be a pilot scheme based on "a one-for-one principle", with the aim of discouraging smuggling networks.

The Conservatives said Labour's decision to scrap the Rwanda deportation agreement last year had removed a deterrent to illegal immigration.

UK Transport Minister Lilian Greenwood said the government was talking to France about migration issues but did not comment on the possibility of a removals deal.

She told Sky News: "I can confirm that there are discussions ongoing with the French government about how we stop this appalling and dangerous trade in people that's happening across the English Channel."

The talks with France were first reported by the Financial Times.

"France's interest is to discourage migrants and smuggling networks from attempting to reach the UK from France," the country's interior ministry told the BBC.

The ministry suggested the pilot scheme could pave the way for an agreement on migrant returns between European Union member states.

"It is based on a one-for-one principle: for each legal admission under family reunification, there would be a corresponding readmission of undocumented migrants who managed to cross [the Channel]", a spokesperson for the ministry said.

Peter Walsh, senior researcher at the Migration Observatory, said the "deterrent effect of this measure is likely to depend on how many small boats arrivals are transferred" from the UK back to France.

"In the short term, it won't reduce our responsibility for the number of asylum seekers we take in," Mr Walsh told the BBC.

"The hope would be if we send sufficiently large numbers back to France, that would have a deterrent effect."

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Industry

'Trench coat' stalker kept diary about victims

by Oscar
written by Oscar

An "obsessive" man who stalked women while wearing a trench coat and face mask has been sent to prison.

Travis Ward, 22, "pursued and intimidated" his victims as they walked home or took their children to school in Hull, before writing about them in a diary.

Four women reported Ward to the police and he pleaded guilty to four counts of stalking, sexual assault and possession of extreme animal pornography.

Ward, of Grange Lane, Londesborough, was jailed for three years and four months during a hearing at Grimsby Crown Court on Friday. He was also given a seven-year sexual harm prevention order.

Det Sgt Sam Cunnington, of Humberside Police, said "methodical" Ward made notes and plans to prey on the women and kept the diary for his "sexual gratification".

"Before he went out on his hunt, he donned a trench coat, red hoody and face covering to alter his persona and was seen multiple times on CCTV wearing the same clothing as he pursued and intimidated women, who were strangers to him, as he followed them home or as they took their children to school," he said.

Ward was caught after a woman called police while she was being followed by him in the Porter Street area of central Hull. He was arrested nearby later that day.

'Brave' victims

Det Sgt Cunnington said Ward's phones, computers and hard drives were seized and examined, which revealed videos of "extreme animal pornography, as well as a digital diary full of derogatory and offensive language highlighting who he was planning to target".

The detective praised the victims for coming forward.

"It is because of their bravery we were able to stack up the evidence against him, leading to Ward deciding to plead guilty," he added.

"The streets of Hull will be much safer without him."

Ward was placed on the sex offenders' register for seven years and given a 10-year restraining order.

Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Soundslatest episode of Look North here.

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Economy

Parking charges planned for beauty spots

by Christopher
written by Christopher

Free parking in some parts of a national park could end next year as plans for charges are being made.

Forestry England said the car parks in the New Forest, Hampshire, had become increasingly expensive to maintain in the last few years.

It said it only received 20% of its core funding from the government and needed to use car parks to help generate much-needed income.

The area is popular with dog walkers and some argue they should be offered discounts.

Totton South Councillor, David Harrison, said Forestry England needed to raise between £1.5m and £2m a year.

"They are under-resourced by government – they are being pressed to generate income and car parking is one of the obvious ways of doing that," he said.

Even though he is against the proposals, he said it had been in the works for some time.

"There is no such thing as a free car park, we know that," he continued.

"Forestry England have managed to generate smaller amounts of income by franchising things like ice cream vans and coffee vans in the New Forest car parks.

"Their plan is to introduce parking charges by the Autumn of next year, 2026."

It is not clear what the money will be spent on but Mr Harrison believes it will pay for fixing issues like potholes.

Areas of the New Forest are popular with dog walkers who use the free car parks regularly.

Dog walkers often use the Deerleap, Whitefield Moor and Longslade Bottom car parks.

Mr Harrison believes there is an argument they should get a discount card.

Local resident Ken Davis said people who lived near the national park were seeing their open space "swallowed up" by development, and as a result were even more reliant on the park itself.

"Charging New Forest District Council tax payers for car parking would be yet another burden on residents living within NFDC area but outside of the National Park boundary," he said.

He said residents should be exempt from the parking charge.

In a statement, Forestry England said: "With less than 20% of our core funding coming from government Forestry England needs to raise the majority of funds for car parks, trails and all of the work we do, ourselves.

"A sustainable approach to funding is needed if we are to going to be able to continue to do this vital work and provide these facilities."

It has not yet commented on the idea of a discount card.

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Economy

I gave Welsh government what it wanted, says chancellor

by Lily
written by Lily

Rachel Reeves has defended the UK government's spending plans for Wales, telling BBC Wales she delivered what the Welsh government had asked for.

Opposition parties have been critical of the chancellor's spending review, calling the money earmarked for the railways a "drop in the ocean" compared to what the country needs.

The chancellor said the plan to spend £445m on Welsh railways was a "significant package" and defended the £118m earmarked for coal tips, which is short of estimates previously made by the Welsh government.

Reeves denied the spending review had left Wales short changed and said Wales was getting a "record" amount of cash.

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Tech

Community champions urged to apply for new scheme

by Natalie
written by Natalie

A new "community champion" scheme offering free use of leisure centres in parts of Surrey for local projects is calling for people to apply.

Everyone Active, which runs leisure centres in Haslemere, Godalming, Farnham and Cranleigh, has launched its Community Champions initiative, aiming to "recognise the dedication of those who go above and beyond".

Those involved in mentoring, promoting health and wellbeing, supporting inclusivity or leading environmental or cultural projects are urged to apply for the scheme, which is run in partnership with Waverley Borough Council.

Successful applicants will secure use of facilities at their local leisure centres to help them carry out their projects.

Steve Little, Everyone Active's contract manager, said: "We want to highlight the work of everyday heroes who are changing people's lives and inspiring others to make a positive impact in their communities.

"We encourage local people, community projects and charitable initiatives to get their applications in so we can support the fantastic work that you do."

Applications close on 12 June.

Those selected could also be shortlisted for the provider's Champions Awards in autumn.

Kika Mirylees, Waverley's councillor for community services, leisure and EDI, said it was a "fantastic initiative" highlighting "the incredible work being done by individuals who work tirelessly in our community".

She added: "It's an opportunity to celebrate their dedication and provide them with the resources they need to continue making a positive impact.

"I urge people to go ahead and apply at the soonest."

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Business

Anti-sewage campaigners stage 'paddle out protest'

by Elizabeth
written by Elizabeth

Water quality campaigners have staged a "paddle out protest" on Bristol Harbour to demand an overhaul of the water industry to cut sewage spills.

Organised by environmental charity Surfers Against Sewage, protestors gathered at Baltic Wharf with signs reading "species not faeces" and "waste in the water – otterly disgusting".

It was one of more than 40 similar protests around the UK calling for an end to raw sewage discharge into waterways, and clearer monitoring and transparency of spills.

Wessex Water said it was spending £3m a month to reduce the use of storm overflows, which it said discharged "mostly rainwater or groundwater" and were used "to protect properties from flooding".

One protestor said she just wanted to be able to swim in the waters around Bristol "without thinking I'm going to get ill".

Surfers Against Sewage
Paddle boarders say they risk getting sick using Bristol's waters

Anna Steele-Perkins told BBC Bristol: "It's actually quite an anxious experience to swim around Bristol -I've got to keep my head above water and I've got a lot of friends who have got quite ill from doing it."

She added that she monitors sewage spills on the SAS app, but added: "I don't want to have to do that, I just want to be able to swim."

SAS Bristol member Karlie Evans said: "I'm a huge water user. I'm a rower, I paddle board, I surf, I swim. I just want to be able to use the water safely."

The protest coincides with the start of the official bathing season in England and Wales, which runs from 15 May to 30 September.

Anna Steele-Perkins wants to swim without having to check for sewage spills

Water companies spilled raw sewage for a record 3.61m hours into sea and rivers in England in 2024, according to data from the Environment Agency.

Giles Bristow, chief executive at Surfers Against Sewage said: "Another year, another summer of swimming and surfing in sewage while our shameless water companies laugh all the way to the bank."

He added: "Our failing water industry has been trumpeting billions in investment to clean up their act, but we know that these fat cat bosses can't be trusted to keep their promises."

Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Steve Reed, said: "I share the public's anger about the appalling state our waterways have been left in after years of neglect."

Karlie Evans said she just wants to use the water safely

He added: "The landmark Water Act is now law, meaning polluting water bosses face up to two years in prison and undeserved multi-million-pound bonuses will be banned."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "Last year, nearly 92% of bathing waters met minimum standards, but we all want to see better bathing water quality.

"That's why we welcome the opportunity to improve their management through the incoming reforms and the re-opening of new site applications."

The water companies serving the region, Thames Water and Wessex Water, have been approached for comment.

A Thames Water spokesperson said the company will investing a record amount over the next five years to increase treatment capacity, reduce the number of discharges caused by storms and also tackle nutrient pollution.

The spokesperson said: "We are committed to seeing waterways thrive, but we can't do it alone.

"Farming, industry, road runoff, wildlife and increasingly extreme weather also play a role in river health."

They added: "We understand that all untreated discharges are unacceptable, even when they are permitted, the sewage system was historically designed to prevent sewage backing up into people's homes.

"Transparency is at the heart of what we do, and we were the first water company to publish a real time data map on our website, before it became legal requirement to do so."

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: "Storm overflows operate to protect properties from flooding and discharge mostly rainwater or groundwater, but we agree they are outdated and we're spending £3m every month on schemes to reduce how often this happens in our region.

"Our investment will massively increase in the coming years and must be supported by environmental policymaking that promotes better rainwater management at source."

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Market

Club's plea to help fans travel to Wembley final

by Jack
written by Jack

A football club has launched a campaign to help its fans travel to Wembley to watch it play in the FA Trophy final.

Spennymoor Town FC are set to play Aldershot Town on 11 May and the club has said it wants as many of its fans as possible to be there in person.

It has launched the Back The Fans, Fill the Stands campaign to pay for coaches to take fans to London.

Spennymoor's partnerships manager Stephen Gilling said he wanted everyone from the "council to the corner shop" to chip in to make travel affordable.

He said he was asking local businesses and sponsors to pay for coaches to help "create a wall of black and white to roar the players on".

"I'm now asking for them to back the club and its fans in any way they can with this campaign and play a real part in what is a historic occasion for everyone in the town," Mr Gilling said.

The club has already subsidised coach travel to a number of away fixtures throughout the season.

The Back The Fans, Fill the Stands campaign allows people and businesses to donate directly to the club's PayPal account, with all donations going towards fan transport to Wembley.

Spennymoor beat Rochdale AFC 5-4 on penalties to secure their place in the FA Trophy final.

However, Rochdale later condemned a pitch invasion which took place after the final whistle and led to "unacceptable behaviour" from fans from both teams.

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