Latest news with #AlanRichardson
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Trees removed from memorial site landscape plan
A peace deal has been struck between the City of Belmont and the local RSL over landscaping plans for a war memorial. Trees had been proposed to be planted in the forecourt of the Belmont war memorial in Faulkner Park during works to revamp the area around the park's ornamental lakes. New features in the park would include timber decking, new seating and shelters, lighting upgrades and an extensive pathway network. Your local paper, whenever you want it. The war memorial, gazebo and Six Seasons sculpture in the park were integrated into its $4.75 million redesign. The city's site said they would be retained and protected during the works. But City of Belmont RSL Sub-Branch president Alan Richardson raised concerns at the city's April 15 meeting about four grass trees proposed to be planted in the memorial's forecourt, claiming they were not in the plans originally presented to the group. A floral tribute from the City of Belmont on Anzac Day. Credit: City of Belmont He said the original concept plan showed terracing out the front and a new platform which would take troops in front of the memorial. Mr Richardson told PerthNow this week the trees had since been removed from plans. 'It was negotiated very quickly and all resolved,' he said. 'They've removed the grass trees and reinstated the forecourt as it was. It will still be complementing the works behind it.' He said at the meeting that forecourts in the 4000-plus memorials across Australia were clear of any plantings. 'You look at Parliament House; there's 5.7km straight through that avenue in Canberra. Not one tree or anything is in front of it,' he said. City CEO John Christie told PerthNow the original design for the Ornamental Lakes project included more grass tree throughout the park. 'This included areas around the City of Belmont war memorial to integrate it with the landscape design throughout the park,' he said. 'These designs were shared with key stakeholders, including the local RSL, prior to construction. A plaque of the Belmont war memorial's history. Credit: Michael Palmer 'Following feedback from the local RSL, the trees near the front of the war memorial were relocated to other locations within the park.' Mr Richardson said the works behind the memorial prevented a form-up and march being part of this year's Anzac Day service but expected it to be sorted by next year. He said he had attended services at the memorial since 1967 when it was originally on Great Eastern Highway. 'It was moved from the highway up into its present location because of the crowds that used to form up on Great Eastern Highway,' he said. 'When we moved up here and we placed the memorial in the gardens in approximately 1973-75, there was plenty of room in the forecourt for parades. 'People would march from the front of the memorial around and they would congregate in front of the memorial.' The Faulkner Park revamp is expected to be completed in June.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rapids 'capable' of deep run in Blast
Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson says his squad head into this season's T20 Blast with "a lot of belief" they can go deep in the competition. The Pears, who play as the Worcestershire Rapids in white-ball cricket, start their campaign against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday (18:30 BST) on the opening night of the revamped competition. The club won the Blast in 2018, beating Sussex in the final, and were runners-up the following year to Essex, narrowly failing to become the first team to successfully defend the trophy. The most recent of their six quarter-final appearances came in 2023 and Richardson is optimistic his squad can be in the mix for the knockout stage again. "I'd like to think so," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "Worcestershire, over recent years, have shown that we can. "We've got to a few quarter-finals and obviously we had 2018 and 2019 when we got to Finals Day and the final. "So we should go into the competition with a lot of belief." Revamped T20 Blast ready to ignite Pears sign New Zealand bowler Duffy for part of 2025 Worcestershire re-sign Dwarshuis for T20 Blast The Rapids have re-signed Australian left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis for this year's competition after he took 15 wickets in his first spell at New Road in 2021. He joins New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy who has been part of the County Championship side so far and will be available for the first eight Blast games. "T20 cricket is the most volatile [format of the game] and you have to roll with the punches," Richardson said. "This rollercoaster tends to be a lot quicker, and scarier at times, but the boys love it and enjoy it for what it is. "It's a long competition, so there will be plenty of opportunity for us to get some momentum together and play an as exciting brand of cricket as we can." This season's Blast is split across two blocks, with eight games being played before the red-ball Championship returns for two rounds in late June. The remaining six group games then take place in July. While Richardson accepts that changing formats is tough, he is embracing the challenge. "I think [the fact that] these competitions keep coming in and out really energises the players and being in their own mini blocks is really good," he said. "We'll have two Championship games in the middle, which brings its own challenges, but the idea that we have 14 T20 games in just under two months is something we really enjoy. "We're practising new skill sets and thinking about the change in mindset and the language about how we go about our cricket. "It's the same game but it feels like a completely different one at times and as a coach you have to see it positively as a challenge. "We've got a squad that's capable of being competitive and get towards those knock-out stages."
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Rapids 'capable' of deep run in Blast
Worcestershire head coach Alan Richardson says his squad head into this season's T20 Blast with "a lot of belief" they can go deep in the Pears, who play as the Worcestershire Rapids in white-ball cricket, start their campaign against Lancashire at Emirates Old Trafford on Thursday (18:30 BST) on the opening night of the revamped club won the Blast in 2018, beating Sussex in the final, and were runners-up the following year to Essex, narrowly failing to become the first team to successfully defend the most recent of their six quarter-final appearances came in 2023 and Richardson is optimistic his squad can be in the mix for the knockout stage again."I'd like to think so," he told BBC Hereford and Worcester. "Worcestershire, over recent years, have shown that we can. "We've got to a few quarter-finals and obviously we had 2018 and 2019 when we got to Finals Day and the final."So we should go into the competition with a lot of belief." The Rapids have re-signed Australian left-arm fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis for this year's competition after he took 15 wickets in his first spell at New Road in joins New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy who has been part of the County Championship side so far and will be available for the first eight Blast games."T20 cricket is the most volatile [format of the game] and you have to roll with the punches," Richardson said."This rollercoaster tends to be a lot quicker, and scarier at times, but the boys love it and enjoy it for what it is."It's a long competition, so there will be plenty of opportunity for us to get some momentum together and play an as exciting brand of cricket as we can."This season's Blast is split across two blocks, with eight games being played before the red-ball Championship returns for two rounds in late remaining six group games then take place in July. While Richardson accepts that changing formats is tough, he is embracing the challenge."I think [the fact that] these competitions keep coming in and out really energises the players and being in their own mini blocks is really good," he said."We'll have two Championship games in the middle, which brings its own challenges, but the idea that we have 14 T20 games in just under two months is something we really enjoy."We're practising new skill sets and thinking about the change in mindset and the language about how we go about our cricket."It's the same game but it feels like a completely different one at times and as a coach you have to see it positively as a challenge."We've got a squad that's capable of being competitive and get towards those knock-out stages."
STV News
11-05-2025
- Sport
- STV News
5,000 cyclists take part in Highland event for Cancer Research
Thousands of cyclists from across the UK pedalled across the Highlands to raise money for Cancer Research. On Sunday, around 5,000 cyclists took part in Cancer Research UK's Etape Caledonia feat, which started in Pitlochry. The event branched off into 40, 55, and 85-mile routes, meaning riders of varying degrees of experience could take part. PA Media Gold medal holder and Olympian Hailey Duff MBE (front centre) skipped to the start line of Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia to lead the pack of around 5,000 cyclists (Alan Richardson/PA) Organised by Motiv Sports UK, the fundraiser attracted cyclists from all backgrounds and the closed-road event meant participants could cycle without fear of traffic or disruption. Each route offered views of the Highlands' lochs, forests and hilly backdrop. Gold medal Olympian Hailey Duff MBE officially started the event at 6.30am, leading the throng of cyclists off on the course. She powered over the finish line as the first female just two hours, 30 minutes and 54 seconds later, smashing her target time of 3.5 hours. Dentist Alanna Cameron from Inverness took the top time, setting a new course record for the 40-mile route of two hours, 19 minutes and 16 seconds, knocking a slim five seconds off the previous record set by Louisa Brown. Female riders led the pack this year on performance with a second impressive course record set for the 55-mile route by Sharon McNicol from Troon who came in at three hours, one minute and five seconds on the 55-mile route, smashing almost 26 minutes off the previous route record held by Kate Woodward. Among the standout participants was Nathan Grove, a Scottish RAF engineer and bowel cancer survivor, riding the 55-mile route to raise awareness and money for Cancer Research UK and finishing in three hours, 47 minutes and 24 seconds. Originally from Tain in the Scottish Highlands and now living in Letham, Angus, he has raised nearly £13,000 for the charity across several endurance events. Event director Jo Dytch, who has been involved with the event since its launch in 2007, said: 'Cancer Research UK Etape Caledonia is more than a cycling event, it's a celebration of strength, solidarity and community. Stories like Nathan's remind us why this event matters. 'Taking part in a sportive of this scale, in stunning surroundings and peaceful closed roads is a tremendous experience, and all the more meaningful if cyclists have been riding to raise money to help transform lives through funding cancer research. 'Thank you to the community of Highland Perthshire who came out in their droves to support the cyclists and offer a warm Scottish welcome. 'Congratulations to everyone who took part today. We're already looking forward to our landmark 20th edition in 2026!' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
05-05-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
The 'innovative' hospital celebrated in new V&A Dundee exhibition - from keyhole surgery to IVF
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, 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... A wooden prosthetic leg made in 1947 and stories of dozens of doctors, nurses, hospital porters and other staff are to feature in an exhibition about Dundee's medical history to mark the anniversary of Ninewells Hospital. Ninewells Hospital: Care, Community and Innovation, at the V&A museum in Dundee, explores the breadth of design at the hospital, from the architecture of the building itself to the ground-breaking innovations developed within its walls and across Tayside. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad As the first hospital in the UK to embed a medical school within its design, Ninewells Hospital, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, pioneered a forward-thinking approach to healthcare. Its innovative architecture allowed for future expansion and ensured every floor had ground-level access due to its slope-side location. Felix Mulholland enjoys the keyhole surgery interactive display at V&A Dundee's Ninewells Hospital exhibition. | Alan Richardson Told through an interactive, visual timeline dating back to 1798, the free exhibition also highlights some of Dundee and Tayside's broader medical milestones, alongside the breakthroughs and contributions of visionary individuals. The timeline showcases globally significant advancements in personalised medicine, education, and research – from keyhole surgery and smear tests to innovations in cancer care – many of which stem from the University of Dundee's close ties to the hospital and have shaped the delivery of everyday care worldwide. The exhibition also features an array of surgical artefacts and medical instruments, including prototype keyhole surgery tools designed at Ninewells, where the technique was pioneered. Many of these items have been donated by NHS Tayside and the Tayside Medical History Museum. An historic photograph of a commissioning ward bay in Ninewells Hospital is part of the exhibition. | V&A The essential role of design in developing bespoke mobility aids will be showcased through a spotlight on the Tayside Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Technology Centre, the only facility in Scotland to offer in-house assessment, design and production of custom prosthetics, orthotics and mobility aids. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad To illustrate the evolution of design techniques, a prosthetic leg made in Dundee, crafted from wood and metal in 1947, will be displayed alongside a contemporary prosthetic leg featuring a Bluetooth microprocessor created specifically for the exhibition. A new film explores the intersection of traditional craft techniques and modern healthcare through the creation of mobility aids. Louise Dickson, assistant curator at V&A Dundee, said: 'Dundee has long been home to medical innovation, changing lives across the globe. From pioneers in IVF and keyhole surgery to revolutionary hospital design, the exhibition showcases the city's ongoing legacy of progress and care. It highlights how Ninewells Hospital continues to evolve, delivering healthcare around the clock to thousands of people. 'Most people living in Dundee or Tayside have a connection to Ninewells. Whether you or a family member were born there, studied there or know someone who has been treated there, it touches all of us. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This exhibition will spark memories, pride and powerful conversations, but its story doesn't end here. Dundee and Tayside continue to inspire and influence the future of healthcare worldwide and, as Scotland's design museum, we are delighted to celebrate that.'
