Business

Historic lido open for summer after £250k refurb

by Aurora
written by Aurora

The only riverside saltwater tidal swimming pool in England is reopening with a new £250,000 children's "splash pad" water play area.

The Strand Lido and Leisure Park, in Gillingham, Kent, will welcome families back for the summer on Saturday.

Now recognised as "historically significant" by Historic Pools of Britain, the leisure complex includes an outdoor leisure pool, six 25m lanes for swimming, a 300m lazy river, a café and play areas.

But the most excitement will be around the new £248,283 children's water feature, which uses 30 sensor-activated waterjets in a beach-themed play area.

Councillor Nina Gurung, the council's portfolio holder for heritage, culture and leisure, previously said: "We are proud to have invested in this exciting project to improve the already great offering and add a brand new fun feature for our children and families to enjoy both this summer and for years to come."

The Strand opened in 1896 and the refurbishment was funded by money given to Medway Council by housing developers, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

The refurbishment was done using £248,283 of section 106 money, which is made up of contributions from housing developers to Medway Council.

The leisure complex is now open each weekend until the end of summer and every day during the school summer holidays.

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Industry

Damages awarded after school's balls land in garden

by Jennifer
written by Jennifer

Balls repeatedly kicked over a fence from a school into a neighbouring property's garden were a nuisance, a High Court judge has found.

Mohamed and Marie-Anne Bakhaty were awarded damages after bringing a legal claim against Hampshire County Council regarding the footballs from Westgate All Through School in Winchester.

Mrs Bakhaty told the court in a witness statement that about 170 balls came over the fence over a period of 11 months.

But High Court Judge Philip Glen, sitting in Southampton, did not grant an injunction stopping the use of the all-weather play area.

The play area, built in 2021, is parallel to, and about 2m (6.6ft) from the boundary of the Bakhaty's house, which has a large garden and swimming pool.

They are separated by a 1.8m (5.9ft) wooden fence.

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The balls came from an all-weather pitch at The Westgate School

In his written ruling Judge Glen said: "I recognise that they are extremely fond and proud of what is on any view a beautiful home.

"I fear, however, that they have become sensitised by the noise from the school in a way which has caused them to become over-invested in their belief that they are victims of a wrong. In short, they have lost perspective."

Judge Glen added that while use of the £36,000 all-weather play area did not give rise to "actionable nuisance", the "frequent projection of balls over the boundary" from the play area was a nuisance.

He ordered the council to pay the Bakhatys £1,000 in damages when there was "excess use" of the area, and when "significant numbers of balls were crossing the boundary fence".

He said he was satisfied that the noise from the school, with or without the play area, was "substantial, in the sense of not being trivial or transient", and that a substantial number of balls crossed the boundary fence before measures were put in place in 2022.

The headteacher of the school wrote to the couple to offer to fence off the area to create a buffer zone, put up a ball net, and restrict use of the area at certain times of the day.

The couple did not respond, but the school took action anyway.

Judge Glen added: "If a net was erected to prevent balls and other objects from crossing the boundary fence, I cannot necessarily see that there could be any real objection to opening this area up altogether."

He also said he did not consider that the defendant "threatens and intends" to "continue the nuisance".

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Innovation

Speedway rider 'thankful' for support after crash

by Ellie
written by Ellie

Speedway bikes have one gear, no brakes, a clutch, a 500cc engines running on methanol fuel and can accelerate up to 60mph, faster than a Formula 1 car.

Heeps said the incident "felt like forever".

"I knew I was going in, it was just [about] when it was going to stop.

"By the time it stopped, I felt I was going very fast and it knocked the wind out of me."

He went to hospital straight after the meeting. His his X-rays had all come back "all clear" but he had been "in quite a bit of discomfort".

"The doctor said I'm going to be very sore and said I have a lot of internal bruising," adding that he was "managing the pain".

"The first two days I didn't really move … it was horrible, I felt useless but I'm staring to get back on my feet."

Heeps said initially his back, ribs and stomach had hurt the most.

"That's all coming down now and it's more my ankle."

Oxford Speedway
Oxford Speedway Supporters Club have raised more than £3,000 so far to help replace his damaged bike

Heeps said he hoped to be back "as soon as I can", potentially for the meeting at home to the Edinburgh Monarchs on 18 June.

He said he was "confident" he would get over the issues.

"It might take one or two races to calm down a bit and not be so tense on the bike.

"But if you are riding well previous to your crash, then it will all click back in and you will be straight back into the swing of things."

Oxford Speedway Supporters Club have raised more than £3,000 so far to help replace his equipment.

"I can't say how thankful I am," Heeps said.

The club said it was "relieved" that he had not suffered any breaks even though "Cam says he feels like he's been hit by a train".

"We wish Cam a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on track soon!"

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Market

Staff praise 'incredible' new emergency department

by Isabella
written by Isabella

A new emergency department has been described as "incredible" by staff as they start to care for their first patients.

The purpose-built facility within Royal Bournemouth Hospital is part of a £500m investment in Dorset NHS sites.

This new A&E will eventually serve both Bournemouth and Poole and doctors working in the new facility said it was just what they "hoped it would be".

The emergency department officially launched earlier in May and has begun seeing new patients in the £91m BEACH building.

The branch is twice the size of the previous Bournemouth and Poole emergency departments and is part of a huge shake up to University Hospital Dorset sites.

Robert was one of the first patients to be cared for after a fall at home.

He said: "I felt strange and wobbly which is something that's happened a lot to me. I've been to a lot of hospitals all over the world this is streets ahead, much better."

David Martin, a consultant in emergency medicine, said the new facility was "incredible"

David Martin, consultant in emergency medicine, said: "It is incredible, it's just what I hoped it would be and I can already see the benefit, I can already see our patients benefitting and actually the staff as well.

"No patient ever wants to be in the emergency department, you don't want to be unwell, but if you're unwell you want to be in a clean, dignified environment and that's what we can now provide."

'Helps massively'

Staff said patient waits for care should fall thanks to a quicker triage system and the new layout design meant quicker access to scans.

One nurse said the site was "brilliant", while another added the extra space "helps massively with the flow of the department".

Currently, the new department is only caring for Bournemouth patients, with Poole emergency department remaining open for an estimated eight more months.

Juliet Browning, a consultant in emergency medicine, said: "Poole is still very much open for business. It's still the emergency department as it was previously, still the area's trauma unit and still has paediatrics on site.

"So if you would normally go to Poole hospital, still go to that emergency department."

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Industry

Man driving 111mph says he was in holiday rush

by Savannah
written by Savannah

A driver travelling at 111mph (179kmh) with three children in the back of the vehicle told police he was in a hurry to get to the coast for a holiday.

The man, who was driving a Range Rover, was stopped on the A47 at Terrington St John, Norfolk, on Friday at about 21:05 BST.

He told officers from Norfolk and Suffolk Roads and Armed Policing Team he was heading to King's Lynn for a caravanning holiday.

Norfolk Police said he was issued with a traffic offence report while a decision was made on how to progress with the offence.

Speeding can result in a court hearing and a driving disqualification, the force added.

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Economy

New hotel to be built at city centre site

by Thomas
written by Thomas

A new hotel is set to be built on the site of a former city centre inn that was knocked down after it became structurally unsafe.

The Central Plaza in Carlisle was demolished by the former city council in 2020 due to fears it could collapse.

Whitbread, the owners of the Premier Inn chain, has acquired the land from Cumberland Council to build a hotel, although plans will need to be approved.

Council leader Mark Fryer said this was an "important step forward for the regeneration for Carlisle city centre".

Whitbread said it intended to submit a planning application for the new hotel this summer with a view to opening by the end of 2028.

The site had been subject to escheat by The Crown Estate, meaning the owners died without a legal heir.

Cumberland Council had been in talks to acquire the site and undertake some work to enable future development, such as repairing the gable wall of the Green Room Theatre, located on West Walls.

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Business

Bomb disposal expert killed in Ukraine 'died a hero'

by Erin
written by Erin

An Isle of Man bomb disposal specialist who was killed while volunteering in Ukraine has been described as a "hero" who saved "countless lives".

Chris Garrett died after he was involved in an incident near Izyum, in the east of the country, on Tuesday.

The 40-year-old, who had been working to clear mines and train Ukrainian troops since 2014, had co-founded a humanitarian and mine clearance charity called Prevail Together with his partner Courtney Pollock.

Board member Shaun Pinner said Mr Garrett's "legacy will carry on" through the charity's work and he would be "like a talisman" for the organisation.

He praised Mr Garrett, who was known as "Swampy" to his friends and leaves behind a young daughter, for his record clearing some 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes of land mines throughout his time in the war-torn country.

He was a "very disciplined and motivated person" who "loved talking to people and making new friends", Mr Pinner said.

The death was "like losing a family member", he added.

SHAUN PINNER
Shaun Pinner and Chris Garrett worked together in the war-torn country

"He was doing one of the most dangerous jobs in the world. He will be immensely missed."

Originally from the Manx town of Peel, Mr Garrett had previously volunteered in Burma.

In Ukraine he also helped in civilian evacuations and the procurement of humanitarian supplies.

ADAM READ
Chris Garrett had worked to make Ukraine safer for more than a decade

Karolina Davison from the Manx Support for Ukraine charity said Mr Garrett was "a hero" and one of the most "humble and selfless" people she had known.

It was "a big loss" and he would "always be remembered", she said.

A statement issued by the charity's board of trustees said Mr Garrett's "unwavering courage, deep humility, and relentless drive embodied the very spirit of humanitarian service".

ADAM READ
Chris Garrett co-founded the Prevail Together charity

"Chris's legacy will endure in every life saved, in every mine cleared, and in every act of humanitarian compassion inspired by his example. Rest easy, Swampy," they said.

"You showed us how to lead with heart and we'll honour that everyday."

Isle of Man Chief Minister Alfred Cannan said he was "shocked and deeply saddened by the news" and Mr Garrett's "heroic, selfless and tireless work" had "undoubtedly saved many lives and eased suffering".

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Global Trade

Shoppers still experiencing cyber-attack impact

by Ivy
written by Ivy

Shelves are still not full in Co-op and Marks & Spencer branches across Kent due to recent cyber-attacks.

Shoppers were unable to purchase items such as crisps, mayonnaise and pet food after hackers interrupted supply chains and stole personal information from the retailer's customer database three weeks ago.

M&S chief executive, Stuart Machin, said the firm was writing to customers to inform them that some personal customer information had been taken, but that there was no evidence it had been shared.

A Co-op spokesperson said all of its stores were open and trading, but due to sustained attempts by hackers to access its systems, it had taken steps to keep systems safe, which was temporarily impacting how many deliveries it could make to its stores.

Jackie Lamb said she was disappointed that she was unable to order products online from M&S

Customers at M&S in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells accepted that cyber-attacks could happen, but were worried about their personal details being shared.

Kerry Smith, from Aylesford, told BBC Radio Kent: "I received an email from M&S telling me what personal information has been compromised.

"It does make me concerned about what it could be used for, but I think they'll get it sorted soon."

Meanwhile, Jackie Lamb, from Tunbridge Wells, said she could not believe that the problems were ongoing.

"It happened weeks ago and I cannot order anything online still. The lady in front of me in the queue was trying to settle the balance on her account but couldn't due to the outage.

"They must be losing lots of money."

June James had to travel to a nearby town for shopping as many items were not available in her local Co-0p

At the Co-op in East Peckham village centre, the shelves were depleted.

June James, who has lived in East Peckham all her life, said the stock levels were improving.

"However, my daughter had to drive me to the nearest big supermarket as there were lots of things on my shopping list that I couldn't get. I hope it returns to normal soon," she said.

The National Cyber Security Centre warned that criminals launching cyber-attacks on British retailers were impersonating IT help desks to break into organisations.

Lisa Barber, tech editor at consumer group Which?, said it was concerning that criminals had gained access to information that could be used for identity fraud.

"It's always a good idea to change your password as soon as possible if there's been a security breach, and to ensure your new password is unique from any other online accounts," she said.

Matt Hull, head of threat intelligence at cyber security company NCC Group, said attackers who had stolen personal information could use it to "craft very convincing scams".

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Economy

Conspiracy to commit murder arrests after crash

by Morgan
written by Morgan

A 17-year-old boy and a 36-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder after two men were injured in a crash involving an e-bike and a car.

Dorset Police said the crash, in Bournemouth, happened near the Cherford Road junction of Kinson Road, on Thursday at about 13:10 BST.

The car, a blue Mercedes, failed to stop at the scene.

The men, aged in their 20s and both believed to have been on the e-bike, were taken to hospital, one with life-changing injuries, the other with less serious injuries.

The arrested teenager and woman remain in custody, along with a 37-year-old woman arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. All three are from Bournemouth, police said.

Det Insp Ian Allen said: "The incident is believed to involve people who are known to each other and is the subject of a detailed investigation by detectives.

"Anyone who saw the manner of driving or riding, of either the car or the bike in the moments before or after the collision, I would ask you to please contact us."

The force also wants to hear from drivers with dashcam footage and residents with doorbell or CCTV footage to come forward.

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Market

Charity launches fundraiser 'to make Pride happen'

by John
written by John

A charity has launched a fundraising campaign to host an alternative Pride event in Liverpool after the annual celebration and march in the city was cancelled.

LCR Pride announced last week that the march, due to take place in July, would no longer happen because of financial challenges.

Ant Hopkinson, the chief executive of the Sahir House charity, said it had pledged to raise money to help facilitate an alternative event because "Liverpool deserves a Pride".

"Pride is a protest, pride is a celebration. It means many things to different people," he said.

"We've realised as a city that no one organisation should own and operate something like Pride."

Ant Hopkinson said Pride should be "owned by everyone"

Mr Hopkinson said the charity had been approached by lots of "disappointed and concerned" people.

He said a range of potential cash-generating ideas had been suggested but there was a "very significant challenge" of only seven weeks to arrange an event in time for July.

"We have a list of aspirations – we are currently pulling together community stakeholders, partners and local people to see what's possible," he said.

With ideas ranging from a rally and a peaceful march to a street festival, Mr Hopkinson said the community "would be at the heart of the plans".

"Liverpool is all about community," he said.

"Pride is owned by everyone. Let's have a Pride that centres around community.

"The idea of working as a collective, as a collaborative of individuals and organisations, works much better and actually feels more Scouse and more authentic."

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