Headlines: NHS staffing issues, plane trouble and closing shops
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Nursing staff at the Bristol Royal Infirmary are already "stretched to the limit" and are under more pressure because of budget cuts, as reported by Bristol Live.A couple flying from Tenerife to Bristol were escorted off a plane because their card wouldn't process a £7 payment, reported Somerset Live. Ann-Marie Murray said she and her partner had decided to buy a bottle of Coke, water and Pringles while onboard the flight but the card they attempted to use failed to process the payment, and they'd used up all their cash on holiday.A vintage shop in Bristol is to close after 41 years of trading, reported Bristol 24/7. Kate Territo, the owner of Uncle Sam's, said it was down to a decline in footfall on Park Street.Gloucestershire Live reported on a BBC Countryfile episode which will focus on the Stroudwater Canal restoration project.An 89-year-old woman is going to celebrate her 90th birthday by walking the entire length of Hadrian's Wall. Mary Nicholson will take on the 84 mile challenge in aid of The Beacon Cancer Centre in Taunton, as reported by Burnham-on-Sea.com.
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Swindon Town has announced it will wear a one-off charity kit for their game against Bradford City – supporting the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.A neurosurgery robot at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children has been named 'Captain Cortex' after more than 700 submissions for ideas.Graffiti tags have been removed from Stapleton Road says Bristol City Council to "help residents feel safer in their community".
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South Wales Argus
4 days ago
- South Wales Argus
The 'real-life Disney castle' in South Wales
Castell Coch, or "Red Castle", is well-known for its highly decorated interiors and rich furnishings. It is a popular attraction, regularly voted by the public as their "favourite building in Wales", according to Cadw. Describing the South Wales castle, the Welsh Government service added: "Given free rein by the third Marquess of Bute, architect William Burges didn't hold back. "The highly decorated interiors and rich furnishings of Castell Coch make it a dazzling masterpiece of the High Victorian era. "But it's no exotic folly. Underneath the mock-medieval trappings you can still trace the impressive remains of a 13th-century castle, once used as a hunting lodge by the ruthless Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare." The history behind Castell Coch Castell Coch, which is located above the village of Tongwynlais and can be seen from the M4, dates back to the 11th century. You can see Castell Coch from the M4. (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto) A Norman castle was originally built on the site to protect Cardiff and the route along the River Taff. The ruins of this castle were then acquired by John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, in 1760, as part of a marriage settlement, BBC Countryfile explains. "He commissioned the architect William Burges to rebuild the castle as a country residence – after having commissioned Burges to also design the reconstruction of Cardiff Castle," the BBC experts added. Burges then set about creating a "magnificent medieval fantasy" built around the two towers and a lofty hall from Gilbert de Clare's 13th-century fortress. Cadw explains: "He rebuilt the gatehouse, raised the height of the towers and equipped them with conical roofs topped with copper-gilt weathervanes. "He installed a wall-walk and a timber fighting gallery. "But this authentic recreation still came with all mod cons, including central heating. There was even a metal bell-pull for visitors to tug." However, the Earl of Bute fell out of love with the project before its completion, and with Burges dying suddenly in 1881, some rooms were never finished. The castle eventually fell into disuse until it was requisitioned for British and American troops during World War II. In 1950, the 5th Marquess of Bute placed the castle in the care of the Ministry of Works, and gave Cardiff Castle to the city, according to BBC Countryfile. The castle is now cared for by Cadw. Which TV shows and movies have been filmed at Castell Coch? Castell Coch recently featured on a list of "the 10 utterly breathtaking, real-life Disney castles from around the world", released by BBC Countryfile. And while it hasn't featured in any Disney movies or TV shows, it has played host to various film crews. The BBC used Castell Coch for the filming of Wolf Hall, starring Damian Lewis, while The Worst Witch was also filmed there. RECOMMENDED READING: The South Wales castle has also featured in several episodes of Doctor Who, according to IMDb, including: Journey's End The Vampires of Venice Nightmare in Silver You can visit Castell Coch all year round, with ticket prices starting at £7.50 (free for Cadw members). For more information, visit the Cadw website (a link to which can be found above).
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
I'm an American living in the Cotswolds – JD Vance will have a dream vacation here (despite the terrifying roads)
'I couldn't believe some of the narrow roads were two-way.' American Audrey Ann Masur has lived in the Cotswolds, England, for almost five years and she's still surprised at how cars manage the slender roads. 'I was terrified of driving at first,' she tells me. So the motorcade drivers for JD Vance will have their work cut out in August during his summer family vacation to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which spans parts of six counties (Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Warwickshire, Wiltshire, Worcestershire and Somerset). But Audrey has a message of reassurance for the Vice President: 'It's hard to go wrong with the Cotswolds. ' In fact, the 37-year-old admits: 'I still pinch myself some days.' Audrey says it 'now feels totally normal to drive along narrow roads and pull over for passing', and has built a following of over 11,000 on Instagram with upbeat posts that lift the veil on what life is like in picture-postcard England for someone from a rural farm community in Indiana. Audrey moved to the Cotswolds because her husband landed a job on one of the US bases in the area, though they live with their children in a Gloucestershire village off-base. Aside from the driving, did any other surprises pop up? Audrey says: 'Some household differences would be having no screens on the windows and no [electricity] outlets in the bathrooms. 'A few cultural differences would be how much people chat about the weather, the fact that you need to offer your friend cake two or three times instead of believing their initial refusal and the way everyone ends texts with 'xx'.'. As for the Cotswolds itself, Audrey remarks that while it's an expensive life, 'the quality of living is very good'. She continues: 'I knew it would be lovely, but it has exceeded my expectations. Doing everyday life in such a gorgeous setting lifts your spirits. I'm an old soul, so I really enjoy the local village traditions and events, particularly in the summer and at Christmas.' Audrey also loves to explore — and Mr Vance might like to make a note of some of her favorite sights and villages. The digital creator reveals: 'Stow-on-the-Wold is one of my favourite places to shop or get a coffee. And there you can also visit the 'Tolkien Door' at St Edward's Church [so named because it looks like it's been warped in from the author's Middle-earth]. I love the public footpaths around Winchcombe, and Sudeley Castle is a special place. 'Also, an afternoon at Chastleton House never disappoints and I love a little mooch — a new word in my American vocabulary — around Daylesford Farm and Eleven Bibury [an upscale destination in the village of Bibury comprising a café, shop and tearoom].' Audrey is also a fan of TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson 's Diddly Squat Farm, just outside the village of Chadlington. The farm featured on an Amazon Prime Video series and is now open to the public. Audrey comments: 'I'm from an agricultural community and have farmers in my family, so I think Clarkson's farm has done a great job raising awareness and conversation about what farmers are facing right now. 'We all love a bit of entertainment, and even better when it can do some good. Of course, it's not the most aesthetic place to visit in the Cotswolds, but clearly people love the show and I think that's a positive thing.' Mr Vance is, of course, already sold on the idea of a Cotswolds vacation, but Audrey believes more Americans should follow in his, and her, footsteps. She says: 'Often called a storybook or fairytale setting, the Cotswolds' natural beauty truly is outstanding, and the honey-colored buildings are well-maintained. The views — stunning! It's a place that encourages people to slow down, to literally stop and smell the roses. 'Rolling hills — a patchwork of green, yellow, and even purple — surround us everywhere we go.' But tread carefully, warns Audrey. She cautions: 'It is important for tourists to remember that these villages are not theme parks. 'Real people live here and need to carry out their everyday lives. On my Instagram page, I often encourage tourists to be respectful, particularly with parking, rubbish, and interactions. It's an amazing place to vacation when you keep those things in mind.' Audrey and her family will have to say goodbye to the area within the next few years, and it'll be a sad moment. She tells us that she and her family have made friends 'through church, work, and school' and 'even have some surrogate grandparent figures for the children'. She adds: 'I love the Cotswolds not only for the beauty, but because it's home now and I'm a part of the community. It's where my children are growing up and it will always remain very dear to my heart.'
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Daily Record
Dad's holiday to Greece turns to nightmare as desperate family make plea
Alan Kirby had flown to the holiday hotspot with his family on Thursday, July 3, but soon became unwell and was shocked to learn he may have cancer. A British dad is stuck in Greece with pneumonia and suspected cancer after a dream holiday turned into a nightmare earlier this month. Alan Kirby, 67, had flown to the holiday hotspot with his family on Thursday, July 3, but soon became unwell and was shocked to learn he may have cancer. Alan, from Somerset, checked into a clinic on Sunday, July 6 and was told he needed antibiotics for a chest infection. However, as reported by Somerset Live, after being transferred to a hospital his step-daughter says he was bluntly told "antibiotics won't cure cancer". Liza Whitmore says he needs to be home in the UK for a biopsy, where doctors will be able to confirm a cancer diagnosis and give more details plus a prognosis. However, while Alan's insurance covered a flight from Zante Hospital to a general hospital in Athens, it does not cover a flight to the UK. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. He is now being treated for pneumonia, but needs to be home for cancer treatment, according to his family. Liza, who was forced to go home to the UK without him, said: "Time is not on our side. If it is cancer, we need to get him home for treatment." Liza has approached the British Embassy for help, but they were not able to finance Alan's return to the UK. They advised her to set up a fundraiser to cover costs for his treatment in Greece and for a flight home. At time of writing, the fundraiser has raised £1,703. However, Liza owes €14,194.74 to Athens Hospital where he is still being treated with half of it due today and the other half due in August - and more still is needed for a flight home. Liza has warned others about planning carefully before going on holiday. She says they did not declare a benign tumour that Alan was diagnosed with the year previously as he felt well and they did not believe it was relevant - but now it appears this declaration failure has made their insurance void. She also urged people going abroad to remember to bring a valid EHIC card (European Health Insurance Card), to declare everything on their travel insurance application and to request a 'fit to fly' certificate if necessary.
