Latest news with #AndrewWright
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Leyland housing estate plan rejected over road safety fears
Plans to build a new housing estate have been rejected by councillors amid concerns it could pose a danger to children walking to and from a application for a 23-home development on land off Cocker Lane in Moss Side, Leyland, was rejected by South Ribble Borough Council's planning Friends of Cocker Lane group said they were "relieved" by the decision but were prepared to "fight on" in the event of an Betteridge, acting on behalf of the applicants, said the development came with "a number of improvements to Cocker Lane…which will enhance [it] and provide a safer route for all users – not just those of the proposed development". He said it would be particularly beneficial for the schoolchildren who currently have "no choice but to walk in the road", the Local Democracy Reporting Service committee was told that up to 150 children used Cocker Lane to get to and from school at any one time, usually walking in the road, due to the lack of a footpath between the junction with Birchwood and the proposed development Adrian Dean said a proposed 1.8m-wide pavement was not enough to "safely accommodate the hundreds of school children that walk the lane every school day".Mother-of-two Abigail Saunders quoted a comment from Moss Side Primary headteacher Andrew Wright, in which he said the estate created a scenario "where an accident is near-certain to occur involving children, either outside our school or on the roads close by".Addressing committee members, Ms Saunders said: "Are you happy to roll the dice…with my child's life?"A plan submitted on behalf of applicant BW SIPP Trustees Ltd proposed the creation of a continuous pavement on the south side of Cocker Lane, to replace the narrow grass verge that currently exists, along with the removal of the equivalent strip of greenery on the north side to allow the road to be slightly Lane resident Michael Johnson told members that if a grass verge was removed as part of the plans then residents would need to stand in the road to trim their Johnson described it as "a plan that might seem to fit on a piece of paper, but is hazardous in practice".The proposal was refused on the grounds it would have a "detrimental" impact on the character of the immediate area, after councillors were advised it would be difficult to defend a rejection on road safety grounds as highways bosses at Lancashire County Council were satisfied with the the meeting heard it had taken seven reworkings of the blueprint to persuade the county council that the largely pavement-free route could be made safe for both construction traffic and the increase in vehicles generated by the new Devenish, a consultant from SCP acting on behalf of the applicant, told the committee that the repeated rethinks surrounding the road layout were a positive and it was normal for several revisions of a scheme to be submitted. 'Inappropriate application' Moss Side ward councillor Michael Green said this was "probably the most inappropriate application" he had ever seen in nearly 20 years representing the said the design "effectively shoehorns the scheme into the locality as tightly as you could possibly imagine".Councillor Phil Smith said his concerns about the plans had only been strengthened by a site visit after members deferred a decision at the last committee Elaine Stringfellow said she had seen children wearing headphones and looking down at their phones while walking in the road which left her thinking "how much better it would be if there was a pathway there…that was continuous". Permission was refused by six votes to two on character and visual appearance grounds. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Your limp vegetables will last longer and be revived if you use clever icy trick – and it's free
Paige Beresford, Digital Journalist Published: Invalid Date, WITH bills continuing to rise amid the current cost of living crisis, most of us will be feeling the strain on our budgets. Especially since the UK's inflation has unexpectedly climbed by 2.5 per cent this year, which is seeing the prices of household essentials skyrocket. And food prices are one thing that is rapidly increasing, including costs for staples like meat, eggs, butter and cereals. So finding ways to keep costs down on other things like our food shop and supermarket bills is key. And in a bid to help, experts have shared their top tips on how to reduce food waste and save money. Professionals at kitchen appliance brand Cookology revealed that there are six key ways that households make their food budgets stretch further. And one tip can actually help revive limp foods that save you from throwing them in the bin. Andrew Wright, Founder of Cookology, said: 'At Cookology, we understand the growing pressures faced by families across the UK. We believe that by sharing simple yet effective kitchen hacks, we can empower households to make their food budgets stretch further Andrew WrightFounder of Cookology "The recent inflation figures, highlighting the rise in food costs, are a real concern. "We believe that by sharing simple yet effective kitchen hacks, alongside providing quality, space-efficient appliances, we can empower households to make their food budgets stretch further and minimise waste. 'Our aim is to provide solutions, both through our appliance designs and by offering actionable advice, that help our customers make the most of their groceries and reduce unnecessary waste. "Our range is specifically designed to offer flexible storage solutions for any size kitchen, helping to keep food fresher for longer and maximise options for consumers." People are just realising there's a 'life changing' way to seal an open food packet without a clip Revive and Thrive As mentioned, the experts shared their key tip to save those veggies that are starting to get limp. And all you need is a bowl of ice water. They said: "Don't toss those wilting greens or limp carrots! "Soaking them in ice water can bring them back to life. "And that stale bread? A little moisture and oven heat can work wonders." The "Eat Me First" System This is a very simple, easy way that stops food from rotting in the fridge. It also works by bringing expired dates to attention, stopping them from being forgotten about. This stops food from being wasted and having to be thrown out. Andrew explained: "Combat forgotten leftovers and near-expiration dates by designating a visible 'Eat Me First' box in your fridge." Unlock Hidden Potential Most of us buy food and ingredients and then only use the part we need, and throw out the rest. But the experts say we should be using every part of our ingredients to get the most out of our money. They suggested: "Get the most out of your ingredients by using every part. "Roast chicken bones make delicious broth, broccoli stems can be peeled and stir-fried, and herb stems add flavour to sauces." DIY Savings It can be tempting to pick up ready-made snacks because it's so much easier. But experts say that making our own can save us all some cash. The experts say: "Skip expensive pre-made snacks and drinks by making your own granola, iced coffee, and trail mix at home." 2 Natural Powerhouse Cleaning We all know that cleaning products can take a huge chunk of cash out of our budgets. So, experts say we could actually try making our own with a few household items. Things you may already have in your kitchen can have an incredible amount of other uses. Andrew explains: "A simple solution of vinegar and baking soda can tackle many cleaning tasks, saving you money on commercial products." Grow Your Own Buying seeds and trying to grow our own food is a good way to get fresh produce. But did you know you can actually do it without buying seeds? All you need to do is keep small bits of scraps from your food waste. Experts say: "Extend your fresh produce by regrowing kitchen scraps like green onions, lettuce, and basil in water or soil." Hacks for Keeping Food Fresh in Your Fridge IF you want your food to stay fresh, you'll need to try out this useful hacks... Herbs in Water: Store fresh herbs like parsley and coriander in a glass of water, then cover with a plastic bag to keep them fresh for weeks. Wrap Greens in Paper Towels: Wrap leafy greens in paper towels before placing them in a plastic bag. The towels absorb excess moisture, preventing wilting. Use Mason Jars: Store salads, chopped vegetables, and even leftovers in mason jars. They are airtight and keep food fresher for longer. Revive Stale Bread: Sprinkle a bit of water on stale bread and pop it in the oven for a few minutes to make it fresh again. Baking Soda for Odours: Place an open box of baking soda in your fridge to absorb odours and keep food tasting fresh. Freeze Herbs in Olive Oil: Chop herbs and freeze them in olive oil using an ice cube tray. This preserves their flavour and makes them easy to use. Keep Cheese Fresh: Wrap cheese in wax paper instead of plastic wrap. Wax paper allows the cheese to breathe, preventing it from becoming slimy. Store Avocados with Onions: Place a cut avocado in an airtight container with a slice of onion. The sulphur compounds in the onion slow down oxidation, keeping the avocado fresh. Use Vinegar Wash for Berries: Rinse berries in a mixture of water and vinegar (one cup of vinegar to three cups of water) before storing. This kills bacteria and mould spores, extending their shelf life. Egg Freshness Test: To check if eggs are still fresh, place them in a bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, while old ones will float. Implement these clever hacks to maximise the freshness of your food and make the most of your groceries.
North Wales Live
13-05-2025
- Climate
- North Wales Live
'Beachwatch' idea in North Wales village fearing 'disaster waiting to happen'
Most wildfires in Wales this year were started deliberately and are costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of pounds, forestry custodians have said. Seven more incidents were reported in North Wales over the weekend. Already this year, fire crews in Wales have battled almost 1,400 wildfires. It's left some communities living in fear, with residents in Newborough, Anglesey, waging an almost daily battle to keep fire away from their seaside forest. Natural Resources Wales (NRW), which manages the Welsh Government's forestry estate, said that, between March 21 and May 11, it suffered 24 wildfires on or near its land. As a result, more than 222 acres of young trees went up in flames. 'That's roughly the equivalent of 130 football fields,' said NRW senior specialist advisor Andrew Wright, new chair of the Wales Wildfire Board. 'Along with many hundreds of metres of fencing, which is essential in helping us keep visitors to our forests safe.' In an online blog, he issued an impassioned plea for people to be more fire-aware. As well as not discarding cigarettes or glass bottles in the countryside, he urged visitors to refrain from lighting campfires and to only light barbecues in approved areas. But having seen several near misses in recent weeks, Newborough residents believe tougher action is needed to safeguard their National National Reserve. Online, some have called for hefty on-the-spot fines for illegal campers and "Beachwatch" bans akin to the National Pubwatch scheme. One wrote online: 'Much as we try to advise and educate, sadly people still light fires in places they shouldn't. At Llanddwyn beach and forest on Ynys Mon recently there have been various fires lit. How do we stop it? Despite reporting to NRW, and posting on social media nothing is being done. With the forest so close, a home to red squirrels and other wildlife, no rain for weeks, it's a disaster waiting to happen.' In the past six weeks, NRW has twice been forced to deploy a helicopter to tackle fires, including a large blaze on difficult-to-access land at Berwyn mountain. Forest fires have also raged in places like Beddgelert, Gwynedd, and Cwm Rheidol near Aberystwyth. At times, NRW also deploys machinery to create fire breaks and will carry out controlled burns to limit the spread of fires. So far this year, NRW's own fire bill is estimated at around £420,000. Mr Wright said: 'Whilst it's hard to fathom why, most wildfires in Wales are started deliberately and are classed as arson. Some are a result of carelessness through inappropriate use of BBQs. Very few are caused by accidents or natural causes. 'Deliberately set wildfires don't just inflict environmental damage; they also burn through the public purse. These devastating fires require substantial resources to extinguish and manage. 'Firefighting operations, including equipment, personnel, and helicopters are expensive and the financial burden falls on already stretched budgets. And this doesn't start to take account of the loss of income from our forestry crop nor the cost of replacement trees. 'Ultimately, taxpayers will foot the bill for these costly endeavours. While the full impact and cost of these fires is still to be determined, we know the physical scars of these events will be visible on the landscape for some time.' Last weekend North Wales Fire and Rescue Service attended three fires caused by disposable BBQs. It also tackled four incidents of garden or rubbish fires getting out of control. As well as urging people to discard BBQs properly, the service wants gardeners to think carefully before lighting a bonfire in dry conditions – and to contact the control room (01931 522 006) if they do. This will prevent false alarms being raised by neighbours, it said. Conservation charities worrry that mammals, reptiles and insects are being torched alive as wildfires rip through the countryside. Survivors not only lose their habitats, they may later perish from a lack of food. In the trail of devastation left behind by the flames, ash is washing into rivers and reservoirs, while land stripped of burnt vegetation become vulnerable to erosion. By releasing large amounts of smoke and carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, wildfires also worsen air quality and contribute to climate change. Mr Wright added: 'The loss of these precious ecosystems disrupts the delicate balance of nature, leading to soil erosion and habitat destruction and leave a scar on our beautiful Welsh landscape. 'Not only do wildfires have long-term consequences for forestry and nature, but they also put lives at risk - of those trying to control the flames and of communities living nearby. 'Prevention is much better than cure and there are actions that everyone can take to reduce the risk of wildfires.' Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox If you see or suspect a fire has been started deliberately, report it via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or to the Police on 101.
South China Morning Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong triathletes set National Games glory target, as China show run power
Head coach Andrew Wright has warned the leading Hong Kong male triathletes they have six months to make significant running improvements, or risk waving goodbye to National Games glory. Advertisement None of the city's men or women met the Games selection criteria at Saturday's Chengdu World Triathlon Cup, where Jason Ng Tai-long's 26th place was the best of it for Hong Kong. Wright said he will investigate why Oscar Coggins was off-colour, after the Tokyo Olympian recorded a heart rate 30-beats-per-minute lower than in his two previous races, and 'blew to pieces' on the running leg before a 40th-place finish. Robin Elg, who was hoping to receive his passport in time to compete in November's Games, finished 28th – six seconds slower than Ng's time of one hour, 41 minutes and 35 seconds. 'Robin was our stand-out performer,' Wright said. 'He ran a big personal best after coming back from a stress fracture. He'd have probably been top-20 if the race hadn't come together on the bike, which was a big disadvantage for him, because he's a swim-biker.' Advertisement Only one Chinese athlete, 16th-placed Fan Junjie crossed ahead of Ng and Elg, in a race won by 20-year-old Reese Vannerson, of the USA, on his Olympic-distance debut.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- General
- The Sun
I'm an interiors expert – here's 5 ways to make your kitchen feel bigger, follow my triangle rule for a start
WITH so much to pack into a kitchen, it can quickly feel cramped if you don't have a lot of space to work with. Luckily, interior experts have a few clever tricks up their sleeve to make the room feel bigger. 4 4 Andrew Wright, founder of leading tabletop appliance company Cookology, revealed it's all about creating the illusion of space. And one key way to do this is by using his foolproof 'triangle rule'. But there are four other things you can do if you want to maximise the space as much as possible. Andrew says: 'All properties differ in design, and kitchens are no different. "A small kitchen can be just as functional as any other large kitchen, with mini versions of everyday appliances available to make life just that little bit easier. "These tips are easy to implement and can make a huge difference to the way you engage with your kitchen day-to-day. "With simple enhancements such as lighting and removing clutter and debris, you can make a small space feel much more spacious quickly.' The triangle rule The idea behind the triangle rule is simple, but effective. Just split your kitchen into three areas or zones - cooking, preparation and washing up. This forms an imagined triangle so that if you were to look down on your kitchen from above, you should be able to connect each of these zones together with a virtual line. Each 'zone' should be as close to the next as possible, with only a few feet between them. I built my kids their own rooms with rookie DIY skills & Shein bargains - we didn't have to buy a bigger house either This makes your kitchen much more efficient - by placing the most heavily-used areas of your kitchen close to each other, you can reduce the amount of legwork required to prepare a meal, cook it and clear up afterwards. Andrew explains: "The triangle rule is nothing new, but it is important for making a small kitchen feel larger. "To put it simply, you create three key 'areas' within your kitchen for prepping, cooking, and cleaning, the idea being that you can use your kitchen more efficiently. "This can make your kitchen feel bigger due to having set areas for set tasks, and cleaning as you go, something restaurant employees use as an efficiency tool." Declutter your kitchen Another thing that the experts suggest is decluttering your kitchen. Mess can quickly make a room feel smaller, and getting rid of it can make the space feel bigger. Andrew advises: "Mess is the quickest way to way to make a room look smaller and less spacious. "In a small kitchen, often the workspace can fill up with shopping, cleaning products and other debris, so investing in storage to declutter will make a huge difference in making your kitchen feel roomier. "Kitchen counters can quickly become cluttered with appliances and your kitchen staples. "Dedicating some time to go through cupboards and clear your surfaces can make your kitchen feel larger." Use some light You might not realise it, but natural light can work wonders for any small room in the house. The experts suggest: "The easiest way to create the illusion of space in a kitchen is with light, especially natural light. "If you have blinds or anything blocking out natural light, then opening these to let light in will create the illusion of more space in your kitchen. "However, if you have a small kitchen with little to no natural light, then by using light colours in paint, tiles or cabinets, your kitchen will look and feel bigger due to the reflective nature of lighter colours. "To save even more space, utilise appliances that have a dual use, such as extractor hoods with built-in lights. "These are designed to provide extra light without taking up extra space." Under-cabinet lighting It's not just natural light that can transform your kitchen. Similarly to putting some lights in your extractor hood, adding some under your cabinet can make a huge difference. Andrew explains that it's all bout chasing away those shadows to make a room feel bigger. He said: "Cupboards can cast shadows and create dark chasms within a kitchen quickly, which can have a huge effect on smaller rooms. "Under-cupboard lighting is a quick and easy way to use light to create space on counter tops. "Not only can it bring a quiet charm to your kitchen, but also create a greater illusion of space." 6 ways to make a tiny bathroom look larger & feel cosier Olivia Crosher an expert interior designer at Naturewall, shared six ingenious tips to make your bathroom feel bigger. 1. Unified Colour Scheme - 'Choosing a light, soft hue and pale colours can further enhance this effect, making the bathroom feel airy and open." 2. Embrace Texture with Tiles or waterproof wall panels - "Opt for panelling or tiles with subtle, natural textures or patterns to add interest without overwhelming the space, it can add layers to the room, making it feel cosy.' 3. Strategic Mirror Placement - "Consider positioning it opposite a window or in a spot where it can catch and bounce light around the room. This not only makes the space appear larger but also brighter.' 4. Minimalist Fixtures - "Wall-mounted taps and sinks can save space while adding a modern touch that's both functional and stylish." 5. Smart Storage Solutions - "This helps maintain a serene and spacious atmosphere without sacrificing functionality.' 6. Soft Lighting for Warmth - "This approach allows you to adjust the lighting as needed and adds a cosy ambience that's perfect for relaxing baths.' Tabletop appliances It's a common thought that small kitchens can't have any appliances that those blessed with larger spaces can have. But experts have said that there's no reason they can't - as long as you embrace the space in the right way. And tabletop appliances are absolutely the way to go. Andrew says: "There's a belief that small kitchens are limited to what products you can have. "However, by embracing counter space efficiently and using smaller tabletop appliances such as tabletop dishwashers and tumble dryers, there is no reason that a small kitchen can't be fully functional too."
