Latest news with #Beddows
Hamilton Spectator
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
Gananoque lends its ears
GANANOQUE — There was no shortage of shouting in Gananoque over the weekend, but not a single tear in sight. The Ontario Guild of Town Criers descended on Gananoque for its Provincial Town Crier Championships, a lively competition celebrating a centuries-old tradition of voice-powered storytelling. Originally scheduled to take place outdoors, the competition was moved to The Royal Theatre due to rain and poor weather, but that didn't dampen the spirits, or the decibel levels, of participants. The weekend featured three competitive 'cries,' judged by rotating panels of five to six adjudicators per round. Some of the judges throughout the weekend included Gananoque Mayor John Beddows and Deputy Mayor Vicki Leakey, who helped evaluate the criers on everything from content and clarity to presentation and style. The championship kicked off Saturday with a 'Hometown Cry,' followed by a researched cry on Gananoque and the Thousand Islands. On Sunday, competitors delivered a humorous cry on what it means to be a Town Crier, before wrapping up with an awards ceremony. The event's top honours went to Chris Whyman, Kingston's Town Crier, who earned a first-place finish, while Liam Cragg, of Alnwick/Haldimand in Northumberland County, and Bill McKee, of Uxbridge, Scugog and the City of Oshawa, tied for second place. [caption id="attachment_3044231" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Chris Whyman, official Town Crier for the City of Kingston, takes top honours at the Ontario Provincial Town Crier Championships in Gananoque, earning first place with his commanding voice, presence, and historic flare. KEITH DEMPSEY/Local Journalism Initiative[/caption] As part of the two-day event, a special dinner was held Saturday evening. Criers Bill McKee, Andrew Welch (Orangeville, Caledon,Erin), Les Whiting (Petrolia), Mark Molnar (St. Catharines, Lincoln) and Bruce Kruger (Bracebridge, Wiarton, Owen Sound) all received their long service bars for many years in the guild. Steve Clark, the MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, attended the event's opening ceremonies alongside local MP Michael Barrett, Beddows, Leeds and the Thousand Islands Mayor Corinna Smith-Gatcke, and Gananoque Poet Laureate Gretchen Huntley. 'Kudos to host Town Crier Brian Mabee and everyone involved in bringing this wonderful event and showcase for this proud tradition to the community,' said Clark. And during a ceremonial moment, Beddows received warm greetings from Jennifer Templeman Olivero, official Town Crier for the Town of Hanover, who brought well wishes from Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson and Council. In return, Beddows extended greetings on behalf of the Town of Gananoque to the residents of Hanover, marking a moment of camaraderie and connection between communities. [caption id="attachment_3044214" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Gananoque Mayor John Beddows receives warm greetings from Jennifer Templeman Olivero, official Town Crier for the Town of Hanover, on behalf of Hanover Mayor Sue Paterson and Council. In return, Beddows shared well wishes from the Town of Gananoque to the residents of Hanover during a special ceremony held as part of the Ontario Provincial Town Crier Championships. SUBMITTED PHOTO[/caption] The competition was hosted by Mabee, Gananoque's own Town Crier and a Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands councillor, who led the organizing efforts. Town Criers were once known as the 'newspapers of the day,' dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Long before social media or print, these boisterous figures delivered royal decrees, public announcements, and news to the gathered masses, often starting with the trademark attention-grabber: 'Oyez! Oyez! Oyez!' The weekend's event attracted not only criers and officials but plenty of enthusiastic locals who embraced the tradition with open arms and ears. 'Congratulations Chris, Liam Cragg and Bill, and to Brian Mabee and Town of Gananoque for a fabulous competition!' said Olivero. 'We greatly enjoyed your wonderful hospitality and friendly community.' Deputy Mayor Vicki Leakey also praised the efforts behind the scenes. 'Congratulations Brian Mabee, this weekend event was enjoyed by all,' said Leakey. 'Thanks to you, Tina and all the other helpers that contributed to the success. Also a big shout out to the Royal Theatre for saving the day and providing a wonderful dry venue on a rainy weekend.' Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Hamilton Spectator
12-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Gananoque greenlights Kinsmen Community Hall renovations
A long-awaited expansion of local day-care services is officially underway in Gananoque, as the town moves forward with transforming the Kinsmen Community Hall into a new child-care facility. At a special council meeting held April 29, Gananoque council approved the tender award for the renovation of the interior of the Kinsmen Hall, located at 400 Stone Street North. 'This facility will provide a much-needed increase in day-care capacity in Gananoque,' said Mayor John Beddows. Exterior upgrades at the town-owned building – including paving, concrete walkways, and new eavestroughs – are already underway. The interior work is slated for completion by Aug. 8. Operated by the YMCA and supported by the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care program, the facility will add 39 day-care spots to Gananoque's inventory. 'This is a very exciting development that supports families, quality of life and affordability in our area and speaks to the commitment of both the federal and provincial levels of government to affordable day care,' said Beddows. He added that he looks forward to a 'long-term partnership with the YMCA and UCLG as we work together to support local families and the children who are the future of our community.' Keith Dempsey is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of the Brockville Recorder and Times. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
'Beachgoers leaving poo in our garden'
Residents are down in the dumps as they claim beachgoers have been leaving "human waste" in their gardens and jet-skiers have been seen "splashing about under the influence of alcohol". It comes as a beachside café submitted a bid to serve alcohol on and off its premises near Machroes Beach, in Abersoch, Gwynedd. A local man said that with public toilets located several hundred meters from Mickey's Beach Café, many visitors are using nearby bin areas and the garden where children play as makeshift toilets. Despite public objections, Cyngor Gwynedd's central licensing sub-committee approved the café's application on Wednesday, subject to conditions. How does a tourist town look when the tourists go? 'Sustainable tourism' call prompted by influx Beach hut goes on sale with £250,000 price tag At the meeting, property owner Jeremy Beddows also said he often collects broken glass from near the beach path. He noted a "fabulous increase" in powered watercraft such as RIBs, powerboats, and jet-skis. Mr Beddows also expressed concern about "inebriated people" drinking alcohol while sitting "with their feet dangling over a 200ft wall" – part of an old tin works, behind the café. Another resident Peter Baines feared alcohol would "change the feel" of the area, from people "having coffee and cake to ordering bottles of Prosecco and beer". Mr Baines also said it could escalate into parties and loud music, with a potential for increased disruption to a public car park due to increased deliveries. Llanengan Community Council also described issues over beach drinking, stating "machinery such as speed boats/jet skis and alcohol do not go together". It had expressed "grave concern" over the lack of toilets, and how the sale of alcohol could "increase the popularity" of the beach, resulting in more traffic on a narrow, winding road. Some residents reported an increase in rats and raised concerns about broken glass and plastic on the beach, which is "very popular with families". Lisa Gilligan, the legal representative for the applicant, said the café was not intended to be a "drinking destination" and had no plans to host loud music. She highlighted the successful use of temporary event notices to trial alcohol sales, and said there had been no objections from police or environmental health. Ms Gilligan also confirmed the venue has a toilet, a commercial waste system, and does not intend to use glass. After deliberation, the committee granted the café's owner permission to sell alcohol daily during the peak season, allowing service until 5pm on and off the premises from Monday to Sunday. Conditions included providing an on-site toilet, enforcing a Challenge 25 policy, ensuring staff are fully trained to sell alcohol, banning loud music and glass, requiring customers to leave quietly, and operating CCTV at the premises. Villagers 'cut off' from north Wales beauty spot Wales sees hottest start to May on record Beach parking warning after two vehicles submerged
BBC News
02-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Abersoch: 'Beachgoers leaving human waste in our garden'
Residents are down in the dumps as they claim beachgoers have been leaving "human waste" in their gardens and jet-skiers have been seen "splashing about under the influence of alcohol".It comes as a beachside café submitted a bid to serve alcohol on and off its premises near Machroes Beach, in Abersoch, Gwynedd. A local man said that with public toilets located several hundred meters from Mickey's Beach Café, many visitors are using nearby bin areas and the garden where children play as makeshift public objections, Cyngor Gwynedd's central licensing sub-committee approved the café's application on Wednesday, subject to conditions. At the meeting, property owner Jeremy Beddows also said he often collects broken glass from near the beach noted a "fabulous increase" in powered watercraft such as RIBs, powerboats, and Beddows also expressed concern about "inebriated people" drinking alcohol while sitting "with their feet dangling over a 200ft wall" – part of an old tin works, behind the café. Another resident Peter Baines feared alcohol would "change the feel" of the area, from people "having coffee and cake to ordering bottles of Prosecco and beer".Mr Baines also said it could escalate into parties and loud music, with a potential for increased disruption to a public car park due to increased deliveries. Llanengan Community Council also described issues over beach drinking, stating "machinery such as speed boats/jet skis and alcohol do not go together".It had expressed "grave concern" over the lack of toilets, and how the sale of alcohol could "increase the popularity" of the beach, resulting in more traffic on a narrow, winding residents reported an increase in rats and raised concerns about broken glass and plastic on the beach, which is "very popular with families". Lisa Gilligan, the legal representative for the applicant, said the café was not intended to be a "drinking destination" and had no plans to host loud highlighted the successful use of temporary event notices to trial alcohol sales, and said there had been no objections from police or environmental Gilligan also confirmed the venue has a toilet, a commercial waste system, and does not intend to use deliberation, the committee granted the café's owner permission to sell alcohol daily during the peak season, allowing service until 5pm on and off the premises from Monday to included providing an on-site toilet, enforcing a Challenge 25 policy, ensuring staff are fully trained to sell alcohol, banning loud music and glass, requiring customers to leave quietly, and operating CCTV at the premises.
North Wales Live
01-05-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
Abersoch beachgoers 'leaving human waste in our garden'
Beachgoers are leaving "human waste" in gardens and jet-skiers were "splashing about under the influence of alcohol", claim residents opposed to a beachside café being granted a licence to serve alcohol. The allegations were made at a Cyngor Gwynedd central licensing sub-committee meeting this week - after the owners of Mickey's Beach Café in Abersoch submitted a bid to sell alcohol on and off premises at the site near Machroes Beach. The application, which was approved, prompted objections from the public and Llanengan Community Council. Addressing the meeting, the owner of a property near the café, Jeremy Beddows said: "The public toilets are a couple of 100m from the café. A lot of people in their excitement and haste are not making that 'long' journey. "A strip of land where there are bins is also regularly used as temporary toilets. Get all the latest Gwynedd news by signing up to our newsletter - sent every Tuesday "People are also coming off the path into our garden leaving human waste, it's an area where young children visit," he claimed. Mr Beddows told the meeting he often picked up glass where people walked barefoot to the beach, and noted a "fabulous increase" of powered watercraft such as ribs, power boats and jet-skis. He added: "In a melee, these people splash about in the water, sadly, the same operators of these vessels are having alcohol before going out to sea." He was also "concerned" about "inebriated people" drinking alcohol while sitting "with their feet dangling over a 200ft wall" - part of an old tin works, behind Mickey's Beach Café. Another resident Peter Baines feared alcohol would "change the feel" of the area, from people "having coffee and cake to ordering bottles of Prosecco and beer," he said. "It could escalate into parties and loud music" he added, with a potential for increased disruption to a public car park due to increased deliveries. The community council also described issues over beach drinking, stating "machinery such as speed boats/jet skis and alcohol do not go together". It had expressed "grave concern" over the lack of toilets, and how the sale of alcohol could "increase the popularity" of Traeth Machroes, resulting in more traffic on a narrow, winding road. A lack of toilet facilities was also noted among public observations and an increase in waste could become "more of a problem" with more drinking. Some had seen "an increase in rats" and there were concerns over broken glass and plastic. The beach by the café was described as "very popular with families". Legal representative for the applicant Lisa Gilligan said the café was not aiming to be a "drinking destination" and they were not asking for loud music. She described the "successful use" of temporary event notices to sell alcohol to "test the water" noting there were "no objections" from the police or environmental health. She confirmed the venue had a toilet, commercial waste operation and they did not propose to use glass. It was also pointed out they had not been the operator in previous years. "We seek to work hard with the local authority in terms of the hours," she said, and they were happy to comply with a 5pm closure. "We also want to work with Mr Beddows and Mr Baines," she added, including discussions over access and bins. After deliberating, the committee granted the owners permission to sell alcohol daily during the peak season - subject to conditions. This meant it could serve alcohol until 5pm (on and off premises) Monday to Sunday. A toilet on site was required, as well as a "Challenge 25 Policy", fully trained staff selling alcohol, no loud music or glass, customers must respect local residents, by leaving quietly and CCTV must be used.
