Latest news with #Anglesey
The Sun
8 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Dangerous toxic blobs that look like ‘giant chunks of earwax' wash up on UK beaches as dog owners warned ‘stay AWAY'
VILE toxic blobs that look like 'giant chunks of earwax' have started washing up on UK shores. The disgusting debris can be dangerous to dogs and pet owners have been warned to stay away. 4 4 4 The blobs were spotted on Anglesey's beaches throughout the week, with some people describing them as looking like giant fossilised eggs. The chunks gave off a strange smell prompting residents to report the slime to the Coastguard. Deposits have been found at beaches all over the area including Porth Diana beach in Trearddur Bay and Porth Tywyn Mawr (Sandy Beach). After analysing the sludge, it was discovered that they were congealed pieces of palm oil. Since palm oil rocks have a sickly sweet smell, dogs are often attracted to them. The edible vegetable oil is often used in cosmetics and processed foods and, although it isn't poisonous to dogs, it can have serious consequences if consumed. Dogs who eat the blobs could become seriously ill, with mild cases resulting in diarrhoea and extreme cases causing pancreatitis. In very severe cases, intravenous fluid treatment will need to be administered to dogs if consuming the blob causes gut blockages. Even worse, the blobs can absorb diesel, chemicals, sewage and harmful bacteria before arriving on the shores. The debris discovered at Porth Tywyn Mawr has been described as being 'soft and smelling of diesel' meaning dog owners should stay away. Tragedy as two women die hours apart after being pulled from the sea at nearby popular UK beaches Often, the chunks can appear in smaller forms - looking similar to orange or white pebbles with a waxy texture. HM Coastguard has said they look like 'giant chunks of earwax'. Less than half of dogs who eat palm oil fall ill but taking the risk isn't worth it, given how dangerously ill it can make your pooch. The news comes as a town in North Wales dubbed 'Costa Del Dole' gets a £200 million refurbishment. Rhyl in North Wales was dubbed one of the worst seaside towns in the UK, after experiencing 'rapid decline' and vanishing tourism. Some have even described it as 'Blackpool after a neutron bomb', with locals saying they aren't surprised that the town was ranked so low on the Telegraph's worst seaside town list. However, Denbighshire County Council has said that a £200 million cash injection will give the town a much needed boost. Over £100 million has already been spent on upgrading sea defences to protect against coastal flooding, with a new children's play park also being constructed to replace the outdated Drift Park site. 4
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
OAP driver, 81, kills walking couple and himself after accidentally pressing accelerator instead of brake
An 81-year-old driver killed a walking couple and himself after accidentally pressing the accelerator pedal instead of the brake. Reverend Stephen Burch and his wife Katherine, both 65 and from Alcester, Warwickshire, died in a collision in Anglesey, on August 28 last year. 7 7 The couple were mowed down on the street after motorist Humphrey Pickering lost control on a sharp bend. He accidentally hit the accelerator instead of the brake in his Audi A8 automatic, an inquest heard. Mr and Mrs Burch were both pronounced dead at the scene. Ex-librarian Mr Pickering, from Colwyn Bay, also died at the roadside after his car smashed into the front of a house on Alma Street. He was not wearing his seat-belt and sustained fatal chest injuries. Caernarfon Coroner's Court heard the 81-year-old driver had been trying to navigate exiting a tight parking space. He was maneuvering the vehicle to allow for his wife Margaret to get into the passenger seat. However, a witness told the inquest he "lurched forward" and "appeared to panic" before the car "shot off down the road". CCTV footage revealed the Audi accelerate "abruptly" into four pedestrians, two of which were left minor injuries. Meilir Hywel, a forensic collision investigator for North Wales Police, told the hearing Mr Pickering's car had continued to accelerate on Alma Street. He nearly crashed into two cars before losing control on a 90 degrees right bend. Data recovered from the Audi revealed the accelerator was being pressed, while the brake was never activated. Mr Pickering was barrelling through the 20mph zone at 55mph before the fatal smash. It was previously reported that one witness said she had been in a hotel overlooking the scene when she heard a "loud bang". 7 7 7 She then watched "people trying very, very hard to do CPR". She said: "Everybody really rallied around, diverting the traffic and trying their best to give the people dignity, but it was pretty horrific." "The town is absolutely full of tourists and people walk down that street. It's just a beautiful, beautiful place." Another resident said on social media: "It happened right in front of us on the road beside the pier. "It's an utter tragedy for those directly affected by the crash. No warning, it happened completely out of the blue." Mr Hywel concluded the sudden acceleration was because of "pedal misapplication in applying the accelerator instead of the brake pedal in error". He said: "He was then unable to correct his error while driving a powerful vehicle." Mr and Mrs Burch's daughter Sarah Packwood told the inquest her mum "always put others first" and was "passionate about serving her community". She remembered her dad as someone who "actively shared his faith throughout his life" and was an "avid sports fan". But Ms Packwood did raise concerns over whether Mr Pickering had been fit to drive at the time. Mr Pickering's daughter, Helen Baxter, said he was an "active member of the community" who was "out in the garden every day in all weathers" and had "good" mental agility. She said he "loved to travel" and had four upcoming holidays booked. Senior coroner for north-west Wales, Kate Robertson, said she was satisfied the "most likely explanation" for the collision was the "pedal missapplication which has led to a sudden and unintended acceleration". She told both families: "There are no words that I can say that will ease the pain and suffering you will no doubt be feeling, have felt and will continue to feel, but you have all acted with huge dignity. "I am incredibly sorry for your loss in these tragic circumstances." Heartfelt tributes poured in for Mr and Mrs Burch after news of the tragedy broke. A spokesman for the Diocese of Coventry said: "It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Steve and Kathy Burch have been tragically killed while walking along Beaumaris Pier on the Isle of Anglesey. "Steve was a popular member of our diocese and well known for his good humour and unwavering faith and many will also know Kathy well from her work with CPAS and worship ministry. As a couple they were still very active in retirement, running an alpha course leading to baptism and confirmations. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve and Kathy's family at this time especially their children, David, Jonathan and Sarah as they come to terms with this devastating, unexpected loss." A tribute from the Great Alne Cricket Club read: "Steve has been a GACC member for well over 20 years, holding various positions including Sunday captain, secretary, and most recently, chairman. A cherished member of the club, Steve racked up 1190 runs since records began. "Best known for his unperishable forward defensive, he also took 15 wickets during his bowling days. His efforts in the field were unquestionable, and commitment to ensuring that the club succeeded in whatever format shall remain legendary. "Both Steve and Kathy were vital members off the field, too. Steve would regularly score for the Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday teams; a role which is invaluable but often forgotten. Kathy was well known in Great Alne for her tremendous cricket teas, enjoyed by all who were able to tuck in."
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
Driver, 81, dies and kills pedestrian couple after accidentally pressing accelerator instead of brake pedal to take powerful Audi from 25mph to 55mph in just five seconds, inquest hears
A retired managing director killed himself and a married couple after accidentally pressing the accelerator instead of the brake pedal on his powerful new Audi, an inquest heard today. Eye-witnesses said Humphrey Pickering, 81, mistakenly 'floored' the Audi A8, which hit a group of pedestrians walking along the seafront in the town of Beaumaris, on the island of Anglesey, at 55mph – 35mph over the 20mph speed limit - last summer. Reverend Stephen Burch and his wife Katherine, both 65, who were visiting North Wales from their home, in Alcester, Warwickshire, died at the scene. Mr Pickering, who was not wearing a seat belt, also suffered fatal chest injuries. Police crash investigator Meilir Hywel told an inquest, in Caernarfon, that Mr Pickering had pressed the accelerator pedal of his automatic grey car three times, causing it to accelerate sharply from 25mph to 55mph in just five seconds before the fatal collision, close to the town's historic pier. CCTV footage showed no brake lights were activated as the car swerved erratically for 100 metres (330ft) along Alma Street in the resort, ploughing into four people, at 2.45pm on August 28 last year. 'Mr and Mrs Burch didn't have enough time to react and move to safety,' Mr Hywel said. 'For them the collision was probably unavoidable.' Two other pedestrians suffered minor injuries. The court heard that Mr Pickering had been trying to move his car from a parking space on Wall Street, near the Bulkeley Hotel, so his wife could get into the passenger side when the accident happened. 'The most likely explanation for the collision is a pedal misapplication,' Mr Hywel added. Holidaymaker Jamile Serrano, who witnessed the accident, said the Audi came out of the narrow road slowly at first, but suddenly picked up speed. He was knocked to the floor and then heard a loud bang. One woman said it was 'like a firework had gone off'. Another eye-witness, Francis O'Rourke, described the car as being 'floored' and swerving erratically. Mr Pickering avoided a parked car and a horse-drawn carriage but collided with Mr and Mrs Burch before crashing into a nearby property, causing structural damage. 'The scene was complete chaos,' Mr O'Rourke said in a statement. 'It was just so shocking.' Pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson said Rev Burch, who had recently retired, and his wife, a charity worker, died of multiple injuries. The couple had two sons and a daughter and were grandparents, the court heard. Kate Robertson, senior coroner for North West Wales, recorded all three deaths due to a road traffic collision. She said: 'The most likely explanation is the pedal misapplication which has led to the sudden, unintended acceleration. There's no evidence before me the incident was deliberate on the part of the driver.' The coroner told relatives who attended the hearing: 'This is one of the most traumatic cases I am sure I have come across in the circumstances before me. 'There's nothing I can say which will ease the pain and suffering you will all no doubt be feeling.' Mr Pickering, a former librarian, of Colwyn Bay, was described as being 'active' and was involved in his local Rotary Club. But in a statement, Mr and Mrs Burch's daughter, Sarah Packwood, said the family had concerns about his ability to handle and operate such a powerful car 'given the driver's age.' Her father was Vicar of St James, in Fletchamstead, Coventry, for 19 years before he retired at the end of 2023. He was also the chairman of the Great Alne Cricket Club, Ms Packwood said. Mrs Burch, described as a talented musician and baker, also worked with the Church Pastoral Aid Society (CPAS) and worship ministry. Describing her mother as 'a woman of deep Christian faith,' Ms Packwood added: 'She was a 'loving and dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. She had a servant heart….and was passionate about serving her community.' Following the couple's deaths, a spokesman for the Diocese of Coventry said: 'It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Steve and Kathy Burch have been tragically killed while walking along Beaumaris Pier on the Isle of Anglesey. Steve was a popular member of our diocese and well known for his good humour and unwavering faith and many will also know Kathy well from her work with CPAS and worship ministry. As a couple they were still very active in retirement, running an alpha course leading to baptism and confirmations. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Steve and Kathy's family at this time especially their children, David, Jonathan and Sarah as they come to terms with this devastating, unexpected loss.' A tribute from the Great Alne Cricket Club read: 'Steve has been a GACC member for well over 20 years, holding various positions including Sunday captain, secretary, and most recently, chairman. A cherished member of the club, Steve racked up 1190 runs since records began. 'Best known for his unperishable forward defensive, he also took 15 wickets during his bowling days. His efforts in the field were unquestionable, and commitment to ensuring that the club succeeded in whatever format shall remain legendary. 'Both Steve and Kathy were vital members off the field, too. Steve would regularly score for the Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday teams; a role which is invaluable but often forgotten. Kathy was well known in Great Alne for her tremendous cricket teas, enjoyed by all who were able to tuck in.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Couple and driver killed after pedal mix-up crash in Beumaris
A couple who were visiting a north Wales town were killed after a driver "lost control of his vehicle" while speeding, an inquest has and Katherine Burch, both 65, died in the crash in Beaumaris, Anglesey, in August driver, 81-year-old Humphrey John Pickering from Colwyn Bay, also died from major chest and internal injuries after he "applied the accelerator rather than the brake" and his automatic Audi collided with the hearing in Caernarfon on Thursday was told Mr and Mrs Burch had no chance to react and avoid the collision, while Mr Pickering was not wearing a seatbelt and was driving "well in excess" of the 20mph speed limit at the time. Mr Pickering was was unable to correct his error pedal in time, having accelerated from "25mph to 55mph in the five seconds before the collision", the inquest was three were pronounced dead at the scene following the collision on Alma Street 28 August and Katherine Burch were visiting Beaumaris from Alcester, Warwickshire, at the time. Mr Pickering, a "physically active" retired librarian had been trying to manoeuvre out of a parking spot on Wall Street at about 14:45 BST that afternoon, to allow his wife – who was unable to enter due to its proximity to the wall – to get in to the and CCTV footage showed Mr Pickering "picking up speed" and "accelerating quickly" down the narrow road, knocking two pedestrians to the ground - who managed to escape also avoided a parked car and a horse-drawn carriage while "swerving erratically", before colliding with Mr and Mrs Burch and crashing into a property, causing structural eyewitness described the noise as "like a firework had gone off".Pathologist Mark Atkinson said Mr and Mrs Burch sustained "multiple injuries". A police investigation found Mr Pickering was "conscious and active" at the time, with vehicle data showing "repeated pressing and depression of the accelerator".Eyewitnesses also noted Mr Pickering had an "angry facial expression" but that both of his hands were on the steering the hearing, Mr and Mrs Burch's family raised questions over the Hywel, a forensic collision investigator with North Wales Police, told the hearing that neither the weather nor road condition were factors and that the most likely explanation was "a pedal misapplication", with Mr Pickering having "reacted by applying the accelerator rather than brake pedal".Coroner Kate Robertson said there was no evidence to suggest a deliberate attempt by Mr Pickering to harm himself or others, adding it could not be determined if he was wearing his glasses or recorded the cause of death as a motor vehicle collision and described it as "one of the most traumatic cases I've come across".She thanked both families for acting "with huge dignity" throughout proceedings, adding there were "no words that will ease the pain and suffering you will all be feeling".
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Childcare costs push families out of work and into poverty
High childcare costs are pushing more families into poverty and out of work, according to new research. A report by the Bevan Foundation said the soaring cost of childcare in Wales is beyond the reach of many, with some families now limiting the number of children they are having due to comes as parents call upon on the Welsh government to extend funded childcare to young children between nine months and two years old, like in a statement, the Welsh government said it was investing more than "£150m" in childcare provision and more was available in "the most disadvantaged communities". Catrin Hughes holds sessions where mums can spend time with their babies in Menai Bridge, Anglesey, and says the soaring childcare costs are a hot topic among new mums."Sometimes we [mums] go without because the cost of childcare is massive," said Ms Hughes."People are living further away from their families, so they haven't got that additional support, and grandparents are working longer so the pension age is a lot higher."We'd just like the government to look again at their policies and bring them in line with England."In Wales, children between three and four years old qualify for 30 hours of free childcare for 48 weeks of the year if their parents either work or are in eligible two-year-olds will be able to qualify for 12.5 hours of care a week under the Flying Start initiative, but this is yet to be rolled out England, children between nine months and two of working parents can qualify for 15 hours of free Jones, 33, said she has decided to only have two children due to the rising said balancing everything is "really hard", as there has been "rises in everything". "We can only afford two children to give them the best we can give them in a way," she said. "It's a system that isn't working for anyone in it," said Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy at the Bevan Foundation."The costs are expensive for families across Wales and there is a lack of support there for families with the youngest children."That means families are being pushed out of work and locked into poverty and mean children miss out on all the opportunities that childcare provides." Children's Commissioner for Wales Rocio Cifuentes described the rising costs as a "major concern", adding that poverty among children in Wales has reached "a new low". Mudiad Meithrin, a voluntary movement specialising in Welsh-medium early years development, has joined calls upon the Welsh government to fund childcare earlier."There is an element of a postcode lottery when it comes to the two-year-olds because Flying Start is still being rolled out," said its chief executive Dr Gwenllian Lansdown."There's no funded hours for under two years of age so it's difficult for those parents who want to go back to work because there's nothing available."The system is onerous, complex and overly bureaucratic."In response, the Welsh government said it was increasing spending with more than £150m for childcare initiatives, including the childcare offer and Flying Start childcare. "Flying start childcare focuses on our most disadvantaged communities, in the first instance, ensuring that support reaches families in greatest need," it said. "Our childcare offer provides up to 30 hours per week of government-funded nursery education and childcare for eligible parents of three and four-year-olds, for up to 48 weeks of the year. "Unlike in England, it is available to parents in training and education as well as those in work. It is available 48 weeks per year, compared to England's 38 weeks, and includes some flexible holiday provision which can be taken throughout the year."The spokesperson added it was committed to investing in Wales' future to create a "fairer, more equal" Wales where "every child has the opportunity to achieve their potential".
