
First trees planted in Plymouth city centre after felling
The first trees have been planted as part of a regeneration project in Plymouth, two years after the felling of more than 100 trees in the city centre.Plans to redevelop Armada Way sparked controversy March 2023 when the then Conservative-run council ordered more than 100 trees to be cut down at night for the work.A total of 169 trees will now be planted, with the first three silver limes having been anchored on Monday, said Plymouth City Council.The authority said 1m (3.3ft) deep tree pits had already been dug at the site and ground workers would backfill the planted trees with soil.
'Incredible pace'
Council leader Tudor Evans said: "We wanted to mark this moment – it is a big deal. "Anyone who has been in the city centre recently will know that the scheme is cracking on at an incredible pace."There's a lot still to do but this marks the start of the regreening of Armada Way."The council said the trees were semi-mature on arrival and would be put into position by mechanical excavators.

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Scotsman
a day ago
- Scotsman
Edinburgh resident celebrates over a century of life in Auld Reekie
Isabella Mitchell, a resident at Forthland Lodge Care Home in Edinburgh has celebrated an extraordinary milestone – her 102nd birthday. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Edinburgh born and bred, Isabella is proud to have spent over a century in the city and has lived a life full of love, community, and rich experiences. Isabella attended Milton House School on the Canongate, where she met her future husband, Andrew. They spent many happy years together, proudly celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary in October 2008 and receiving a letter from the Queen. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad After school, Isabella built her life in Edinburgh, with her first job at Duncan's Chocolate Factory. Isabella Mitchell celebrates her 102nd birthday at Forthland Lodge Care Home To mark the special occasion, the team at Meallmore-run Forthland Lodge held an afternoon celebration with balloons, cake and flowers. She was delighted to spend the day with her much-loved daughter, Isobel, as well as her nephew Billy and his wife, Lorraine. Wendy Forbes, care home manager at Forthland Lodge said: 'Isabella's deep ties to the city of Edinburgh and the life she has built here over more than a century are a testament to her enduring spirit and character. Her 102 years represent not just personal longevity, but a living connection to Edinburgh's history and the countless memories that make up a life well-lived. She's an inspiration to all of us, and we were honoured to share her special day and host a little party that was as fabulous as she is. Forthland Lodge, situated in the North of Edinburgh, is run by one of Scotland's most trusted providers of elderly and specialist care, Meallmore Ltd and provides excellent standards of care for its residents, including those living with mobility issues and dementia.

South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- South Wales Argus
Hundreds gather at Cosmeston lake to protest Aqua Park
At the heart of the protest was 22-year-old Ciara Hay, who spoke through tears about how much the lake has meant to her since childhood. 'They say they are doing this for young people, but no one I know my age wants this' 'I remember seeing all this wildlife as a kid, and the passion that I have for nature and bird life is so deep in my spirit, and I've seen the decline of the birds throughout my whole life now, and especially five years ago with the bird flu that happened here, so many swans have moved on, so many birds have died, and It's just started recovering. 'There's one family of moorhens that have chicks on that side of the lake, one, and there used to be so many, and it's so sad to see in my lifetime the decline of wildlife here, and I'm thinking, it's already a very delicate ecosystem as is, and just doing this is going to scare off so many animals, and it's going to frighten them, and it's going to be loud and noisy.' Ciara Hay protesting at Cosmeston lake (Image: Nikita Singh) Ciara fears younger generations won't experience the beauty and stillness she grew up with. She also shared a traumatic memory from her teens. She added: 'There's a sign right there saying do not swim in the water, this has never been a safe place to swim, there is jagged metal in this water, and you can't see it. When I was about 15, I went swimming over there and I got a massive cut in my leg just from swimming, and there being a jagged piece of metal in the water, it's not safe. And there's so much virus and bird poo in the water, I don't know how they have justified that after years, literally decades of them saying it's not safe to swim, it's ridiculous'. One of the organisers, Sar Williams, urged people to focus their anger. 'As much as we are all angry, we have to redirect our anger to very specific areas and very specific people. This is going to create enough of a whirl to actually stop this aqua park. We need people, we need to hear what you feel.' 'I've even heard there was a zipline planned for the park once. It was passed but then taken back because of strong opposition. We will do the same again'. Protesters say they are not against the idea of an Aqua Park, but strongly oppose its location on Cosmeston Country Park's eastern lake. Concerns have been raised about the environmental impact, including the release of microplastics into the water from the inflatable structures, which could harm the already fragile ecosystem. Aqua park development at Cosmeston lake (Image: Nikita Singh) South Wales Central MS Andrew RT Davies criticised the plans, calling them 'an out of touch proposal from an out of touch council.' He said the Labour-run Vale of Glamorgan Council is pushing the project despite strong local opposition and insufficient consultation. The Vale of Glamorgan Council stated that water safety testing has been carried out, and that the Aqua Park will be staffed with lifeguards and security to ensure visitor safety. They highlighted that the Aqua Park will offer new leisure activities for local residents and support conservation efforts within the park. Work on the Aqua Park began today, despite ongoing protests. The next demonstration is planned for Saturday, June 14.


Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Glasgow Times
Coleen Rooney says Unicef support for Ukrainian families is a ‘lifeline'
The media personality recently travelled to Poland with Unicef to see how Soccer Aid donations have directly supported Ukrainian families who were forced to flee their homes. The 39-year-old said she could not 'imagine' what Ukrainian refugee families must be going through, emphasising how important it is to stand with them. She said: 'I can relate to being a mum and the first thing (you would do) in that situation is to get out of danger, to make sure that the kids are OK and we can find somewhere. 'I couldn't imagine what was going through their heads… the emotions.' While in Krakow she visited the Spilno Hub, which helps families find accommodation and offers access to a range of services such as psychosocial support and legal assistance. The Unicef-run centre has helped people such as Yuliia Karpenko, her sister Olisia and Yuliia's four-year-old daughter Anastasiia 'Nastia' who were forced to flee Ukraine with just one bag on an evacuation train. She said: 'Hearing about the lasting effect the war in Ukraine has had on Yuliia and her family will stay with me for a long time. 'Her determination to create a safe and supportive community for her family in Poland really shone through. 'Thanks to Unicef, she's been able to meet other mums, learn Polish and find work in a kitchen. 'And her daughter, Nastia, has been able to make friends with other children and spend time playing, just as any four-year-old should. Coleen Rooney with children and workers of the Sun Centre during classes (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) 'It was a privilege meeting Yuliia and her family and to see how money raised by Soccer Aid for Unicef really is changing lives. 'Leaving their home and not knowing when they'll be able to return was so hard for them. 'But spending time at the Spilno Hub has helped them to feel safe. 'It supports families who've fled the war in Ukraine in so many ways. 'It's a very special place.' During the trip, Rooney visited the Education Rehabilitation Centre, a specialist school funded by the children's organisation which supports young people with disabilities. There she met a young autistic boy, Murat, who could not talk when they first left Ukraine and has since been able to say a few words. She said: 'It's such a calming place and the teachers there are so supportive and caring. Coleen Rooney (right) with Murat during a sensory therapy class (Unicef/Brykczynski/PA) 'Kateryna (Murat's mother) told me that the changes she's seen in Murat have been incredible. 'When they left Ukraine he wasn't able to talk but he's now started to say some words and can communicate with other children too. 'She said that when they arrived in Poland she felt hopeless but, thanks to Unicef, she can now see a future there for them.' Donations made to Soccer Aid for Unicef will be doubled this year up to £5 million thanks to the Children's Investment Fund Foundation. Rooney said: 'As a mum myself, I couldn't help but think of my own boys when I met children like Nastia and Murat. 'Seeing them smile and play despite everything they've been through was incredibly moving. 'Hearing their stories really reminded me how important it is that we stand with families who've been through so much, every child deserves a safe space to play – as a parent this is all you want for your child.' To donate to Soccer Aid for Unicef and support children around the world, visit