Latest news with #Bedfordshire
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Co-op's Biggleswade depot has thousands of solar panels installed
A supermarket firm has installed almost 7,000 solar panels on the roof of its largest regional distribution said the panels on its depot in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire were part of its journey to increase the amount of renewable power that it procures approximately 6,744 solar panels are expected to generate 2,500 MWh of renewable energy annually to help power its Thomas, group property & sustainability director at Co-op, said the project was a "landmark moment" and demonstrated "how businesses can make impactful changes to protect the planet". Co-op said the project reflected its ambition to lead the charge in businesses investing in renewable energy and to continue to combat climate retailer has committed to reaching net zero across its operations by 2035 and entire business by zero means no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere."By harnessing renewable energy, we are not only reducing emissions but also setting a strong example of best practice on how sustainable energy can be effectively integrated into day-to-day business operations" said Ms Thomas."We believe every business should be playing its part in accelerating the greening of the grid, by reducing energy demand and investing directly in renewable electricity generation." Co-op recently published research with Green Alliance on the role of businesses as energy organisation has previously announced it planned to install solar panels on up to 700 sites across its food, funeral services and logistics portfolio over the next three years. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
21 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Owner whose dog died from attack wants compulsory pet insurance
A woman whose cockapoo died following an attack by a larger dog has launched a national campaign calling for mandatory pet Newbury from Bedfordshire said pursuing the dog's owner for £3,500 of vet fees had been "absolutely horrific" after Murphy died in had been walking him along a country lane when an off-lead dog "went for him", leaving Murphy with fatal injuries."I wouldn't want anyone to go through the trauma of this, but also the financial implications – it could ruin someone," she said. Her own pet insurance covered more than half of the £10,000 vet fees, but she was still left with a bill of £3,500."No one should go through the financial pressure of the other person not having the correct insurance," she said. Ms Newbury had raised Murphy from a pup and said the 10-year-old was "a loving little boy".The self-employed bookkeeper said: "I work from home, so he was with me all the time. He was quite anxious and just wanted to feel safe and loved."She said it was "a normal day" when they took a walk down a country lane, before spotting two large dogs off their leads in a neighbouring field."I thought I'd avoid the field, as Murphy was anxious," she said."But one of them came charging at him and just went for him. He didn't stand a chance."I was screaming and begging the dog's owner to put it back on a lead." Warning: this report contains some distressing details Ms Newbury could see Murphy was bleeding, but the extent of his injuries was not clear until she took him to the animal discovered four broken ribs, internal bleeding and extensive crush back was punctured and the muscle severely emergency surgery, Murphy's heart stopped two days later and he passed away."They hoped he would pull through, but it was too much for him," Ms Newbury said."He went through hell." She has now launched a petition calling on the government to introduce "Murphy's Law" - requiring all dog owners to have third-party pet the other dog's owner admitting fault, Ms Newbury said they had refused to cover the cost of Murphy's treatment."Financially, I think I shouldn't be in this situation when I was responsible and had insurance," she said. "They owned up, went to the police, did what they had to do, but it's all on me to chase everything. It's exhausting, especially while grieving." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
a day ago
- Health
- BBC News
Bedfordshire woman with ME criticises health plan for condition
A woman living with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME) said she has "lost faith" in receiving "meaningful support" after the government released a new support plan for the also known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), is a neurological disease which affects about 390,000 people in the UK. On 22 July the government launched a new delivery plan to improve education around the illness, as well as increase funding, research and medical training for health practitioners. Maddie Walker, 51, from Bedfordshire, said she was "disappointed" in how the plan lacked any "real change to improve the quality of life for sufferers". Ms Walker said she was healthy and active before she developed severe ME and was now unable to leave the house without a wheelchair and has carers visit her multiple times a described living with the condition as "mind-numbing" and that she felt "despondent". The condition's symptoms include fatigue, muscle and joint weakness, cognitive dysfunction and post-exertional malaise. Misdiagnosis Ms Walker was initially diagnosed with fibromyalgia with fatigue, a condition causing muscular pain all over the body. As a result of the crossover in symptoms, Ms Walker's ME was not recognised initially, leading her to be recommended treatment that was not tailored to both conditions."Something I feel really strongly about is people being given the right information at the point of diagnosis because if I had known what I was doing was harmful, I might not be in this situation."Ms Walker said she has a "terrible, really poor quality of life" and that "hundreds of thousands of people have once again been let down" by the new delivery plan. "We just aren't important enough," she said. The ME Association (MEA) said the government must go "much further" to improve medical care and funding for "much needed" biomedical research. It added that currently most research studies for ME/CFS are funded by the charity added there were numerous strengths to the plan, including the approach to broaden education about the illness in the NHS and in schools. Dr Charles Shepherd, a medical adviser with the MEA, said the plan does not align with the 2021 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines, which suggested making referral services more accessible in hospitals. Ashley Dalton, the MP for West Lancashire and minister for public health and prevention, said: "[The] plan will help tackle the stigma and lack of awareness of this condition through improved training for NHS staff." A spokesperson of Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said: "We acknowledge there is more to be done and will continue to build on the foundations of these actions well beyond the publication of this plan."There was a "clear commitment" to achieving "meaningful change" for the ME/CFS community, it using neighbourhood health services, the DHSC said it will ensure patients can access quality care closer to home. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Two men jailed for their involvement in killing a man in Luton
Two men have been jailed over the fatal stabbing of a rival drug "runner" in Luton. Dean Fountaine, 37, from Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, was stabbed on Ashton Road on 19 June 2023 and died in hospital the following Janoski, 45, of no fixed abode, was sentenced for murder to life in prison with a minimum term of 27 years in prison at Luton Crown Myrie, 21, of Hallwicks Road, Luton, was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison for the manslaughter of Mr Fountaine. Janoski was found guilty of murder and Myrie guilty of manslaughter after a trial at Luton Crown Court in said the pair had plotted to rob Mr Fountaine, who officers described as a runner in a rival drug gang, before stabbing Fountaine's mother said she felt unimaginable pain after her son's speaking after the sentencing, she said: "Nothing will bring our beloved son back, but today's sentencing has brought the slightest bit of justice to myself, his dad and Dean's brothers, Ashley, Benjamin and Daniel."As horrific as it is having to relive that awful day, we're just grateful that we finally have closure. Now we must try to navigate a life without Dean."Det Ch Insp Sam Khanna, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit, said: "After a lengthy investigation and nine-week trial working to secure this result, I would also like to thank all the officers and staff involved."It is an important reminder of the impact that the illicit drugs trade has in Bedfordshire." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Doughty set to complete Lions switch
have reached an agreement with Luton Town for the permanent signing of , according to reports. The 25-year-old is expected to complete a medical with the Lions in the coming days, and the wing-back is tipped to operate in more attacking areas for the south London side next season. The Charlton Athletic academy product had spells at Stoke and Cardiff before signing for Luton in the summer of 2022 for an undisclosed amount - the left-footer going on to become a key figure in the Hatters team that clinched Premier League promotion. Doughty recorded an outstanding eight Premier League assists in the top flight in 2023/24, but was unable to prevent the Bedfordshire side slipping straight back into the Championship, and the Hatters were subsequently relegated to League One last term after a torrid campaign. The talented wide man suffered an injury-plagued campaign last season. He missed over two months of football towards the end of last year and then suffered a hamstring tear which ruled him out from mid-April onwards. However, Doughty still managed to weigh in with four Championship assists and, in addition, supplied 2.4 key passes per game - more than any player to play more than 200 minutes in the second tier last season.
