Latest news with #AlBrown
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
George Clarke on his special Kiwi connections, and what makes our remote island builds so unique
While the Sunderland-born project professional is no stranger to our shores (his uncle lives locally), he had never set foot on some of our remote island paradises before his most recent visit. 'I think the consistent thing throughout is that many of the houses are sustainable, and they're very much connected with nature,' he says, marvelling at the ingenuity of some of the builds he witnessed. 'All the houses we featured on this series are on islands. You're in very remote locations, so when you're off grid and you're thinking about power and water and drainage and sewage and all of those things, by default you've got to have a sustainable approach to it.' A trip to Great Barrier was a very special experience for him, particularly because he had been reading up and learning about Māori culture and history beforehand. 'I met this amazing Māori guy called Rodney. He showed me around the community and the buildings that they had, as well as the symbolism around the architecture, and why a certain animal or bird that was carved into the timber would look in a certain direction and how it would provide protection. 'Architecture is such a powerful thing. It goes back thousands and thousands of years, and to see that alive and kicking and vibrant within the Māori culture was a privilege for me to witness.' George Clarke also spent time with his uncle, as well as chef Al Brown, while he was here. While some of his favourite moments were during filming and through meeting locals, Clarke also relished the opportunity to explore on his own. He gave a shout-out to the vibrant restaurants and bars of Ponsonby, and also one of our culinary greats. 'I went to chef Al Brown's bach, and I basically ate like a king, which was amazing,' he says. It's no secret that Clarke, who kindly zoomed in with the Herald during a packed schedule, lives and breathes architecture. When we spoke to him, he'd only just finished designing a building himself with his team. 'I'm an architect by trade, and I'll always be an architect. It's all I've ever wanted to be,' he says. 'Yes, now I'm a TV presenter, but I see myself as an architect on television. I don't really see myself as a kind of celebrity or a TV presenter. I'm an architect who makes TV programmes. I don't use the celebrity word, I can't stand it. It's just not me at all.' When asked about the latest trends in architecture, his response was given like a true master of his craft. 'I don't really do trends, because I think trends make it sound like it's all fashion, and I don't do fashion, I do architecture. For me, the best buildings are ones that are timeless and stand the test of time.' A house on the remote Rakino Island was one of the highlights for Clarke. We picked Clarke's brain for his best tips for a build, and he had an insightful response for any potential project starters as well. 'I'm not going to say it's a mistake because I can understand why people do it and I've done it myself, but sometimes you rule by your heart rather than your head,' he says. But often with risk and daring to dream comes an overwhelming sense of reward. 'Sometimes people get involved in projects and don't really fully understand what they've taken on. A phrase that I hear a lot is that if they realised how difficult it would have been at the beginning, they would never have taken it on, but they are glad they did.' Clarke says Homes in the Wild doesn't just aim to be educational, but also aspirational. He says the concept of escapism and exploring it in detail was incredibly fulfilling. 'It's about architecture, yes, it's about homes, yes, it's about design, yes, but it also felt like a bit of a travelogue.' And judging by how he recalls his eyes being glued to the screen at the beauty of the footage, overseas audiences and Kiwis are in for a treat. 'It's going to be one hell of an advert for New Zealand this series, I can tell you now.' George Clarke: Homes in the Wild launches on August 14 at 7.30pm on Sky Open, with all episodes available on NEON and Sky Go on that date. Mitchell Hageman joined the Herald's entertainment and lifestyle team in 2024. He previously worked as a multimedia journalist for Hawke's Bay Today.
Scottish Sun
24-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Brit grandad, 50, dies after being electrocuted during horror DIY accident in Mexico days before he was due to fly home
HOLS TRAGEDY Brit grandad, 50, dies after being electrocuted during horror DIY accident in Mexico days before he was due to fly home Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BRIT grandfather has died after he was electrocuted while doing DIY for a woman on a cycling trip around Mexico. Al Brown, 50, was tragically killed in the accident which unfolded on June 2, just hours before he was due to fly home. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up He had been set to travel back Norwich to meet his grandson for the first time. A heartbreaking statement shared by Al's friends on GoFundMe read: "We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that our dear friend Al Brown has tragically passed away following an accident in Mexico. "Al was just 50 years old, full of life, and known for his adventurous spirit and kind heart. "A passionate angler, he spent countless peaceful hours at Bawburgh Lakes, a place he truly loved. "In recent years, Al found a new passion in cycling, embracing the freedom and challenge it brought him. "Most recently, Al had been on an incredible journey, cycling through parts of America—a dream he had long held. "He completed his adventure just a few weeks ago, finishing in Mexico, where he sadly lost his life. We are setting up this page to raise funds to help those whose lives Al touched with the costs of bringing him home and giving him the farewell he deserves. "Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and will be deeply appreciated by all who knew and loved Al. "Thank you for your support during this incredibly difficult time." 1 Al Brown tragically died after being electrocuted on June 2 More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
The Irish Sun
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Brit grandad, 50, dies after being electrocuted during horror DIY accident in Mexico days before he was due to fly home
A BRIT grandfather has died after he was electrocuted while doing DIY for a woman on a cycling trip around Mexico. Al Brown, 50, was tragically killed in the accident which unfolded on June 2, just hours before he was due to fly home. Advertisement He had been set to travel back Norwich to meet his grandson for the first time. A heartbreaking statement shared by Al's friends on GoFundMe read: "We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that our dear friend Al Brown has tragically passed away following an accident in Mexico. "Al was just 50 years old, full of life, and known for his adventurous spirit and kind heart. "A passionate angler, he spent countless peaceful hours at Bawburgh Lakes, a place he truly loved. Advertisement "In recent years, Al found a new passion in cycling, embracing the freedom and challenge it brought him. "Most recently, Al had been on an incredible journey, cycling through parts of America—a dream he had long held. "He completed his adventure just a few weeks ago, finishing in Mexico, where he sadly lost his life. We are setting up this page to raise funds to help those whose lives Al touched with the costs of bringing him home and giving him the farewell he deserves. Advertisement Most read in The Sun Breaking Latest "Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and will be deeply appreciated by all who knew and loved Al. "Thank you for your support during this incredibly difficult time." 1 Al Brown tragically died after being electrocuted on June 2 More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Advertisement is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
The Sun
24-06-2025
- The Sun
Brit grandad, 50, dies after being electrocuted during horror DIY accident in Mexico days before he was due to fly home
A BRIT grandfather has died after he was electrocuted while doing DIY for a woman on a cycling trip around Mexico. Al Brown, 50, was tragically killed in the accident which unfolded on June 2, just hours before he was due to fly home. He had been set to travel back Norwich to meet his grandson for the first time. A heartbreaking statement shared by Al's friends on GoFundMe read: "We are heartbroken to share the devastating news that our dear friend Al Brown has tragically passed away following an accident in Mexico. "Al was just 50 years old, full of life, and known for his adventurous spirit and kind heart. "A passionate angler, he spent countless peaceful hours at Bawburgh Lakes, a place he truly loved. "In recent years, Al found a new passion in cycling, embracing the freedom and challenge it brought him. "Most recently, Al had been on an incredible journey, cycling through parts of America—a dream he had long held. "He completed his adventure just a few weeks ago, finishing in Mexico, where he sadly lost his life. We are setting up this page to raise funds to help those whose lives Al touched with the costs of bringing him home and giving him the farewell he deserves. "Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and will be deeply appreciated by all who knew and loved Al. "Thank you for your support during this incredibly difficult time." 1 is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Brit, 50, dies just hours before flying home to meet his newborn grandson after being electrocuted while doing DIY for a woman who gave him a place to stay while he was travelling Mexico
A 'kind-hearted' British grandfather died after he was electrocuted doing DIY for a woman who gave him a place to stay on a cycling trip to Mexico. Al Brown, 50, was killed in the accident on June 2 - just hours before he was due to fly home. Heartbreakingly, the Brit was jetting home to Norwich to meet his grandson - who had been born while he was away travelling. The grandfather-of-five accidentally touched a live overhead cable as he was sweeping the roof at the property in the small town of Tepoztlan, a popular tourist destination near Mexico City. Paramedics and the woman Mr Brown was staying with desperately tried to revive him, but he sadly died at the scene. Mr Brown's loved ones and friends have now started a GoFundMe page to raise money to bring his body back to the UK. Family friend Tony Bidwell told MailOnline: 'Al was a kind-hearted man who would do anything for anyone and was always smiling. He had a fantastic sense of humour. 'He had a passion for hiking and cycling long distances. 'He loved his children Chloe and Aaron, and his stepdaughters Vicky and Natalie - as well as his five grandsons. 'Sadly, Al passed away before meeting his youngest grandson, who was born while Al was away travelling. 'The main reason for Al wanting to come home was to meet his baby grandson for the first time as well as seeing all of his family, who he was missing.' Before his accident, Mr Brown, who was also a keen fisherman, completed the 2,650-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail which stretches from Canada to Mexico on his bike. He then had to have a hernia operation, which he funded himself, in Mexico. While recovering, Mr Brown went to stay on a workaway placement and carried out light household maintenance jobs at the house such as painting. Mr Bidwell said: 'Any money raised from the GoFundMe will go towards the costs to bring Al home to rest and to give his family and friends some peace. 'As you can imagine this is very expensive and complicated. 'His wife and two of his daughters are having to travel to Mexico for Al to be released and cremated in Mexico.' Mr Brown was a key member of the fishing community at Bawburgh Lakes, just outside Norwich. 'Any money which may be left over, the family would really like Bawburgh Lakes, where Al spent many years as a bailiff, to hold an open day for children to get a feel for fishing,' Mr Bidwell continued. 'This is something Al was very passionate about. To him it was more than just a hobby - it was a way of life. 'Whether casting a line at dawn or quietly observing the rhythms of the natural world, Al found peace and purpose in the great outdoors In every way. 'Al was well loved by his fishing friends. He wasn't just someone who fished at Bawburgh Lakes; he helped shape it. 'Al poured so much of himself into the lakes, working tirelessly to help create the beautiful complex we all enjoy today. 'He had a deep love for the surroundings and the wildlife, always taking time to appreciate the natural beauty that made Bawburgh so special. 'He was a massive part of creating what Bawburgh Lakes has become, and he was truly loved by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him. 'Of all seven lakes on the complex, his favourite was Bawburgh Lake, especially the island—his special spot. 'It's only fitting that this island will now be known as Al's Island, a lasting tribute to a man who gave so much and meant even more. 'Rest easy, Al. You'll always be with us, in every ripple of the water and every laugh shared.' The fishing community in Norwich also organised a memorial event this weekend to raise further funds to bring Mr Brown home. To donate to the GoFundMe page for Mr Brown - click here.
