Latest news with #AlanWilcock
BBC News
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
West of England headlines: A rich sailor and banned phones
Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app. What have been the big stories in the West this week? A former sailor has had some good fortune this week: Bristol 247 spoke to 75-year-old Alan Wilcock who won £1 million after buying a National Lottery scratchcard from his local Co-op in Salisbury Journal reported that Ringwood School will ban smartphones for Year 7 pupils. The ban follows concerns raised in the Channel 4 documentary Swiped, which highlighted the negative impact of smartphones on young people's mental Avon & Somerset Police officer was filmed urinating in a woman's garden, Somerset Live reported. He was reported after being seen near the scene of a "very serious crime in Taunton. A police spokesperson wanted to reassure the public that "this incident is being looked into".There was a lot of interest in the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard's article about Prince William's upcoming appearance on Jeremy Clarkson's TV show, Clarkson's Farm. Whilst filming an episode on location at Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire, he revealed that Prince George will be among the fans tuning Live ran a feature about the "chilling similarities" between the plot of Netflix's drama, Adolescence, and the murder of her daughter by an ex-boyfriend. Carole Gould said she hoped the series would raise more conversations between parents and their children. Top five local stories for the BBC in the West Something longer to read The Bristol Cable reported on How a 19th-century journalist revealed the extent of poverty in Victorian Bristol. An article published in 1883 gives a fascinating insight into working-class Bristolian life at a time of severe economic depression and was "the first real instance of investigative reporting in the city. Explore more with our daily roundups
BBC News
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Retiree who was 'careful with pension' wins £1m on scratchcard
A retired sailor says he can enjoy his "independence and freedom" after winning £1m on a National Lottery scratchcard. Alan Wilcock's life changed forever after he bought the winning scratchcard from his local Co-op on Coronation Road, 75-year-old celebrated the win on the SS Great Britain, one of the city's most famous landmarks and a fitting location considering his 15 years of experience in the Merchant Navy."I've gone from being careful with my pension to having choices I never thought I'd have again," he said. "Retaining my freedom and independence is priceless." Mr Wilcock now plans to buy a new mobility scooter and throw a party for his said: "It's not just about what I can buy, it's also about ensuring I can continue to enjoy my independence and freedom to live life on my own terms." Mr Wilcock said he was left shaking after he discovered the win. He headed back to the shop as fast as he could and was told to call the National Lottery to collect his winnings.A son of one of his friends had to find the details, as Mr Wilcock does not have a said the scratchcard did not leave his side until he received the £1m for future plans, Mr Wilcock has said he is still finalising his wishlist but a celebration is on the cards."I know that I want to use the winnings to enjoy life, and that starts with a party for my friends," he said."I'll hire a place, put my card behind the bar and simply say to everyone 'Enjoy'."It'll be a great night and we'll be raising a few glasses of Guinness, toasting the win and my friends."
The Independent
26-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Retired sailor reveals first thing he'll buy after winning £1m on scratchcard
A retired sailor is excited by the opportunity to chart a new course in life after winning £1 million on a National Lottery scratchcard. Alan Wilcock, 75, who often relies on a mobility scooter to get around, discovered his life-changing win at home after purchasing the scratchcard from his local Co-op store in Bristol. 'When I realised I'd won, everything changed in an instant,' Mr Wilcock said. 'I've gone from being careful with my pension to having choices I never thought I'd have again. 'It's not just about what I can buy, it's also about ensuring I can continue to enjoy my independence and freedom to live life on my own terms. 'To help me to do that, I'd like a new set of wheels… in the form of a brand-new mobility scooter. 'My current one does the job to an extent but now I have the means to choose exactly the right one for me, with cost being no object. 'Retaining my freedom and independence is priceless.' Mr Wilcock spent 15 years seeing the world during his time in the Merchant Navy. In keeping with his many years of seafaring, he celebrated his win on the SS Great Britain, Isambard Kingdom Brunel's revolutionary 19th century steamship now moored in Bristol. 'It's great to be back on board a ship again, having spent so many years on ships of varying shapes and sizes, but none quite so historic as this one,' he said. Mr Wilcock has not yet finished his wishlist of what he wants to do with his newfound wealth, but will be celebrating in style with close friends. He said: 'I know that I want to use the winnings to enjoy life, and that starts with a party for my friends. 'I'll hire a place, put my card behind the bar and simply say to everyone 'Enjoy'. 'It'll be a great night and we'll be raising a few glasses of Guinness, toasting the win and my friends.' Recounting his winning story, he said that after he had bought the scratchcard, he took it back home to his 8th floor flat before revealing the life-changing win. 'I was in shock, I couldn't believe it and I was shaking,' he said. 'Even though I had to go back down eight floors, I just had to get back to the shop and ask the question, 'Is this scratchcard really a winner?'. 'They duly checked it and returned it to me saying, 'Yes, it looks like it is. You'd better phone the National Lottery.' 'It was then back into the lift, into my flat and, because I don't have a smartphone – I don't even text – the son of a friend checked the National Lottery website for all the details and then I called and had my win confirmed.' The lucky scratchcard then never left his side until he met one of lottery operator Allwyn's advisers to pay out his win. 'I put the scratchcard in a plastic sleeve and kept it on me at all times, both in the house and out and about. It was too special to let go,' he said. Mr Wilcock bought his winning Mega Multiplier scratchcard at the Co-op store in Coronation Road, Bristol.
