Latest news with #Bagnall
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- General
- North Wales Live
A Level 2025 results, reaction, clearing and more
Thousands of school and college pupils across North Wales will find out what their next step in life could be, after receiving their A Level results today (Thursday). Following months of hard work and study - followed by a much deserved summer break - today is the culmination of many youngsters efforts, who are eagerly awaiting their results. Hopefully that will mean happy faces, smiles, cheers and hugs, as students plan what next in their lives, when they find out their grades. A record number of 18-year-olds are likely to be successful in securing their first choice of university this A-level results day – even if they narrowly miss their grades, the head of Ucas told the PA news agency. Jo Saxton, chief executive of the university admissions service, said it was a 'good year to be a UK-domiciled 18-year-old' that wants to go to university. She has suggested that British universities are keen to recruit UK school and college leavers because there is more 'uncertainty' around the international market and which overseas students are going to turn up. This is a breaking news story. We will bring you all the latest as we get it via the live blog below. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. If you have some information you can contact us by following our Twitter feed @northwaleslive - the official North Wales Live account - real news in real time. Or like - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the North Wales Live. Don't forget you can also keep up to date with the latest via the free North Wales Live app. Download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here. 07:40Steve Bagnall 'We must brace ourselves for stark divides in A-level results this year' Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said A-level grades have returned to a 'consistent standard' since the pandemic and he would expect that to 'broadly continue' this year. But Mr Di'Iasio told the PA news agency: 'Unfortunately, we also expect to see the continuation of persistent inequities in terms of performance gaps between different regions and students. 'This is a product of longstanding socio-economic factors which require a much more concerted society-wide effort to fix.' He added: 'The legacy of Covid is part of this picture, with the disruption caused by the pandemic likely to have had the greatest impact on students from disadvantaged homes. 'Schools and colleges have put huge efforts into supporting these young people, but without sufficient Government action to help them, and in the face of an extremely difficult situation caused by funding and teacher shortages. 'The current Government has made the right noises but unfortunately this has so far not been matched by the improved investment in education which is so clearly required.' Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said: 'We must brace ourselves for stark divides in A-level results this year — not only between state and private schools, but also between London and other regions such as the South West and North East. 'In recent years, the gap in top grades — As and A*s, the passports to the most selective universities — has grown alarmingly, undermining efforts to widen access. 'These inequities are being driven by a toxic mix of the cost-of-living crisis, rising poverty, persistent school absence, and the long shadow of Covid. 'Unless we act, we risk locking in generational divides that will shape life chances for decades, with all our social mobility indicators now flashing red.' 07:18Steve Bagnall Students set to get their A Level results today amid concerns over 'attainment gap' School and college leavers are waking up to their long-awaited A-level results, with more than a quarter of entries expected to score the top grades. Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving grades to help them decide whether to progress to university, an apprenticeship or work. Last year, 27.8% of UK A-level entries were awarded an A or A* grade – the highest proportion outside the pandemic-affected years of 2020-22. The Covid-19 pandemic led to an increase in top A-level grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. In 2019 – the last year that summer exams were taken before the Covid-19 pandemic – 25.4% of UK A-level entries were awarded top grades. Leaders in the education sector have warned of the possible continuation of 'stark' divides in A-level results between different regions across the country because of the legacy of the pandemic and socio-economic factors. The Education Secretary has said she will not 'stand by and accept the entrenched inequalities' that blight the life chances of many young people. The Government's plans for turning around the attainment gap between white working class children and their peers is due to be set out in the autumn. Students who are receiving their A-level and level 3 vocational and technical qualification results were in Year 8 when schools closed because of the pandemic. This cohort of school and college leavers received their GCSE results in 2023 – the first year that grading was returned to pre-pandemic levels in England. In Wales and Northern Ireland, exam regulators returned to pre-pandemic grading in 2024 – a year later than in England.
Chicago Tribune
15-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Pavilion is among new features at Porter County Fair
A new pavilion is waiting to greet visitors to the Porter County Fair, which begins Thursday. The permanent pavilion replaces a tent used for free entertainment, the veterans recognition program and other events. 1st Source Foundation provided a $50,000 grant to help construct the pavilion, named The Pavilion: Your 1st Source for Entertainment. Porter County Agricultural Society Secretary Holly King, who led the fundraising effort, said the pavilion will see a ceiling installed after the fair is over. It has open sides to let breezes through. 'It's a good place for people to take a break with their kids,' King said. She's happy with the permanent structure. 'Every year we put up a tent, and we just wanted something for the community,' she said. The 60 feet by 66 feet structure will be a savings, too, with the fair no longer having to pay thousands of dollars to rent the tent that was previously used. 'We started planning it right after the fair last year,' she said. The stage isn't brand new, but it has been used only twice, Fair Director Dave Bagnall said. The stage had been put up for auction with the seller asking $40,000 for it, he said. Bagnall put in a bid, but no bid met the minimum. The Ag Society ended up paying a fraction of the asking price. Look around at the fairgrounds, and you'll see a large number of buildings. All except the Expo Center and Expo East were built by the Ag Society, which maintains the buildings in lieu of rent. The county owns the fairgrounds. The pavilion is just one of the changes this year. Every year, after the fair is over, fair officials talk about what could be improved. 'We're always looking to improve ourselves and make ourselves better,' Bagnall said. This year, there will be fewer food vendors to allow people to circulate more freely. The vendors are top quality, Bagnall said. 'We hand-select them to make sure they have a great product at a fair price.' Visitor experience is important. Knowing that food vendors need to be able to process electronic payments, a separate Wi-Fi network has been set up exclusively for their use. 'Cash isn't king anymore,' Bagnall said, which, for security reasons, is a blessing. Porter County Fair's average annual attendance is about 150,000 and growing every year, King said. Bagnall puts the fair among the top five in the state in terms of attendance, revenue and 'making people happy.' 'People come to our fair and say, Wow, this place is really clean, and they feel safe,' he said. The fair hires about 50 county police officers throughout the 10-day fair to provide security. 'We have the largest carnival operator in the United States,' North American Midway, Bgnall said. The Farmland, Indiana-based company has 260 rides companywide, requiring 850 vehicles to transport everything. Imagine the time it takes to buy license plates for 850 vehicles, Bagnall said. Something else new this year is the Northern Indiana Historical Power Association's village. A corn sheller used to remove the dried kernels from the cob will be in use during multiple daily demonstrations. Corn shellers were rendered obsolete by combines. The fair is all about the 4-H'ers and their exhibits, of course, but the grandstand acts are what draw people. Christian Lembke, a teacher at Washington Township, was supervising students setting up chairs Tuesday in front of the bleachers while another crew set up the large stage. 'We're going to try to get all the chairs set up today,' he said. King doesn't like to use the 'R' word, but weather happens. 'We don't want anybody to get wet,' she said, so she and others have been known to use towels to wipe off seats before a show. Last year, they had help from people waiting to be seated who grabbed towels to wipe off chairs on the way to their seats. 'There's not a bad seat in the house,' King said. All told, the grandstand seating is more than 8,000, she said. That's good. Because there have been about 8,000 tickets already sold for Zach Top, a TikTok fan favorite, and more than 6,000 for Lauren Diagle. Other concerts feature Jordan Davis, Ludacris and Maddox Batson. In addition, grandstand shows include the traditional rodeo, tractor pull, demolition derby and monster trucks. A combine derby will join the bus derby at the fair. 'We spend well over $1 million on entertainment, and we want to make sure we recover that money,' Bagnall said. He has been booking acts for the fair for the past 15 years. Performers can have weird acts sometimes, like insisting all their M&Ms be green or a puppy to play fetch with, but the contract riders this year don't have anything unusual. 'They always want to go to the gym and maybe play golf,' Bagnall said. During the concerts, fair officials hold an auction, selling guitars, shoes and other memorabilia to raise funds for the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana. Add that money to the 15,000 pounds of meat donated each year, and that's $133,000 donated to the food bank, Bagnall said. Admission is $10 per person for everyone age 10 and older. Children 9 and younger are admitted free. Admission is free for everyone before noon. On Monday, Kankakee Valley REMC customers can get $2 off admission by showing their bill. On Tuesday, individuals with special needs and a companion are invited to ride carnival rides for free from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Lights will be dimmed and sound reduced for a sensory-friendly environment. On Wednesday, seniors 62 and older and veterans will be admitted free. A seniors program will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the pavilion, with a Valparaiso Community University Concert Band performance at 6 p.m., followed by a speaker for veterans starting at 7 p.m. The last day of the fair is July 26. For more information on this year's fair, go to
The Advertiser
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
'Locals blame us': rural SES volunteers 'hated' over emergency services levy
Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy." Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy." Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy." Some State Emergency Service volunteers in regional Victoria say they are "hated" by many locals for the organisation's role in the government's Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund levy. The volunteers said rural residents, especially farmers, blamed VICSES for the divisive new levy even though many rural VICSES members were strongly against the measure. VICSES has advocated strongly for the new levy and appears on track to benefit from the $2.9 billion in extra revenue to be collected over the next four years. But many rural VICSES members said they were sceptical the funds would reach their underfunded units and were "appalled" country residents were footing so much of the bill. "It's a bloody disgrace," one northern Victorian member said. One south-west unit controller said "we are very unpopular out here in the country". "We are hunted people now. I don't know how we are going to recruit," the controller said. A VICSES spokesperson said the organisation had "no role in the development or the specifics of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund". "How specifically VICSES and the emergency services sector is funded is a matter for the state government," the spokesperson said. The spokesperson said VICSES and its volunteers had been advocating for "greater support" from the government, but denied a role in the levy. "The suggestion that VICSES helped shape the levy is strongly rejected," the spokesperson said. But VICSES has long advocated for a new or expanded levy to bring it similar funding to the Country Fire Authority and reduce its heavy reliance on fundraising. VICSES executives and paid staff aren't allowed to lobby the government for money because they are Victorian government employees. But a group of volunteers had led a "Fund VICSES" campaign to specifically lobby for a levy to fund the organisation. The vision for a broader levy is explained on the Fund VICSES website. "This could be done by extending the existing Fire Services Levy to an Emergency Services Levy, or could be done separately. It would be collected alongside existing property rates by local councils," the campaign's FAQ said. The leader of the campaign - Footscray unit controller Michael Bagnall - spoke to the ABC to endorse the levy on May 15, 2025, the day it was voted through. "Members of Victoria's State Emergency Service hope a bill to boost their funding will be passed by the state parliament today," the article read. Many volunteers told ACM - publisher of this masthead - they were furious to see one person seeming to speak for all volunteers on such a divisive issue. "That bloke doesn't speak for me, I'll tell you that much," one northern Victorian volunteer said. Mr Bagnall told ACM he hadn't claimed to speak on behalf of all VICSES volunteers. "I understand there are a range of perspectives on the levy itself," he said. "Not all will feel the same impact from this levy and the views of those impacted, most need to be fully respected." But while Mr Bagnall was able to speak publicly in support of the levy, other volunteers told ACM they were ordered to stay quiet. Dozens of CFA brigades started going offline in protest as the levy was passed on May 15. But when VICSES units tried to do the same, they were told they "weren't allowed" by senior operations. A Melbourne-based volunteer said members had been "ordered to stay neutral" on the topic of the levy and not to comment publicly about it. Dozens of volunteers took to the closed VICSES Facebook page to express frustration at having to remain "apolitical". These volunteers all agreed VICSES desperately needed more funding, but said the levy would "cripple many who are already struggling". "SES are somewhat conflicted as we badly need the funding," one volunteer wrote. "However, I'm not supportive of the other changes to the levy, such as shifting the cost burden from general revenue to the levy and disproportionately being paid by regional Victoria." A VICSES spokesperson denied any order or request for volunteers to remain apolitical. "VICSES members are permitted to respectfully advocate for their needs," the spokesperson said. "VICSES acknowledges the growing pressures on rural communities, especially emergency services volunteers in those communities, where drought is having a profound impact on their livelihoods." But an internal message to all members from VICSES chief executive Rob Purcell on Friday May 16 specifically asked them to stay out of the debate. "I understand there are a range of passionate views on this topic and people have their personal political beliefs as well. I ask and remind us all to remain respectful [and] apolitical whilst representing VICSES and act in line with our VICSES values at all times," it said. There were also volunteers on the VICSES Facebook page who argued strongly for the levy and said the furore would blow over. "My advice is to keep calm. Wait three weeks and the news media will have moved on," one volunteer said. One rural volunteer told ACM this was the same advice he'd been given when he told VICSES senior staff about the hostility he'd experienced from locals since the levy passed. "They just said 'oh you know, we expected some push back from the regions, but they'll back down and it'll all happen come July'," the volunteer said. But the volunteer said he wasn't so sure. "It's really widened that gap between the city and the country. All those Melbourne members pushing for this levy when they knew it would be toxic," he said. "And it's the volunteers out here who get blamed. Well, we've had a gutful of this stuff. "You're not going to get new members to come if no one's happy."
North Wales Live
11-05-2025
- North Wales Live
Live major search updates for boy missing from Llandudno beach
A major search is ongoing to locate a teenage boy, who vanished from a Llandudno beach. North Wales Police said the boy, named Athrun, who is said to be vulnerable, had last been seen on West Parade Beach at 2pm on Saturday. The Coastguard are also involved in the search. This is a breaking news story. We will bring you all the latest as we get it via the live blog below. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you. If you have some information you can contact us by following our Twitter feed @northwaleslive - the official North Wales Live account - real news in real time. Or like - your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the North Wales Live. Don't forget you can also keep up to date with the latest via the free North Wales Live app. Download it for Apple devices here and Android devices here. 09:23Steve Bagnall Police urge anyone who has information to get in touch North Wales Police released this statement late last night, as they urged the public to get in touch if they have any information: North Wales Police would like to thank members of the public for contacting 101 for potential sightings and information. We have increasing concerns for Athrun as he is a vulnerable person. Athrun was last seen at 14.00 hours today (Saturday 10th) at West Shore Beach in Llandudno. He is 6 foot, brown hair, and has blue eyes. He was wearing blue and white patterned swim shorts only, no footwear. He is not wearing hearing protection as featured in the image. Inspector Rachel Hare would urge people residing in the vicinity to check their gardens, sheds and outbuildings. ''I would like to thank the public for the potential sightings so far, these have been checked out and negated.'' Please call us on 101 or webchat with any potential sightings, reference C067064.
BBC News
10-04-2025
- BBC News
Emma Bamber: Horse trader avoids jail after delay in case
A horse dealer who fraudulently sold horses to people all over the UK has been given a suspended 18-month prison Bamber, 42, with an address at Bridge Street, Garstang in Preston, adamitted seven charges of fraud by false representation and one of engaging in misleading commercial offences were carried out on various dates between January and December at Antrim Crown Court, Judge Fiona Bagnall said Bamber "played a vital role" in a series of frauds and her actions "illustrates her capacity for extremely deviant and manipulative of behaviours". The judge said the delay in concluding the case justified suspending the sentence for two years. She said the offending was "a reasonably large scale operation" with the eight victims spread across the Bagnall said that in June 2018, police in the Limavady area of County Londonderry started receiving complaints naming an Emma Bamber from Glendra Sports Horses based in nearby Feeny as having committed numerous alleged fraud offences."Over the following weeks and months numerous complaints were made against the defendant," said the judge and the court heard that due too the size of the investigation and because "the victims of this offending are situated all over the British Isles, the investigation was dealt with by CID," Judge Bagnall the financial impact of each individual sale was not that significant, the impact on the victims was more than financial, the judge added."Some of the horses were being bought for novice riders and were clearly inappropriate for that role," said Judge Bagnall, adding that "it is fortunate that no one had been badly hurt through the actions of the defendant". The court was told the particulars of the offending revealed Bamber told one a victim a horse was "suitable for her grandchildren" when, in fact it, was an also claimed a horse she sold was an Irish sports horse when it was another occasion, Bamber claimed an animal called Bridie had "a full set of x-rays and five stage vetting" when it did not, and further claimed that Bridie was "an 'extremely talented show jumping horse and sound in all ways", when, in fact, it was also took deposits for horses she did not have and did not transport. Passing sentence, Judge Bagnall said it was clear that despite her claims that she was repeating information her bosses had told her, Bamber had not only "held herself out as knowing about horses, but also told lies after lies to clients in order to sell what were completely inappropriate horses to a susceptible purchasers"."This further reinforces my view that the defendant knew that what she was doing was misleading clients in order for them to purchase horses which were not as described, and further that at times were not being delivered after sale," said the judge.
