Latest news with #BlueMonday
Powys County Times
28-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Lake Vyrnwy nature trail and farmer's market coming up
Families visiting Lake Vyrnwy during the May half-term will be able to test their nature knowledge. The visitor site will host its 'Move with Nature Trail,' inviting everyone to explore and enjoy the surroundings. Participants can engage in a nature quiz and try out some of nature's key movements. The trail, free for all, will run from Monday, May 26, to Sunday, June 1. There is no trail sheet for the week; participants are asked to follow the markers around the Dam Trail. Griff Watkins, Lake Vyrnwy visitor site manager, said: "Lake Vyrnwy is a fantastic place for families to visit during the half-term holidays with lots to explore and do. "But we wanted to make sure there was something a little extra for everyone to take part in. "The trail is a really fun way to engage the whole family and also use it as a learning experience for everyone as well. "We look forward to welcoming everyone along during the holidays and hope they have a fantastic time." Blue Monday's coffee and cake trailer will be stationed at Rhiwargor car park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for visitors to enjoy. In addition to the trail, the next farmer's market is set to take place on Saturday, June 7. The market brings together local businesses and food producers to celebrate some of what Mid-Wales has on offer. Visitors can come along anytime between 10am and 3pm to discover new products and learn about Lake Vyrnwy through the Vibrant Vyrnwy project. During the holidays and events, more people are expected to visit Lake Vyrnwy, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and have a good time with the walking routes on offer. However, visitors are asked to take note of the accessible routes as the clean-up after Storm Darragh continues. Teams have been on site since the storm, working hard to clear the debris and remove the fallen trees. This important work will continue during the half-term. Rhiwargor Car Park has now reopened for visitors to use, although the circular road remains closed. Storm Darragh hit Lake Vyrnwy early in December last year, causing significant damage with many trees uprooting and falling, blocking many of the trails and a large section of the perimeter road. The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Artisan's café, The Chocolate Cabin, and the toilets are open, and the main car park and trails near the village are open and accessible. For regular updates on the works and what is happening on site with the clean-up, follow Lake Vyrnwy and Hafren Dyfrdwy on social media. Anyone interested in having a stall at the market should get in touch by emailing VisitorSites@
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ commemorates National Refugee Day
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday launched an event in commemoration of National Refugee Day in June, saying it is reaffirming its commitment in aiding refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons in the Philippines. The event was attended by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, DOJ Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit head Dennis Arvin Chan, Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary for Legal Aristotle Valera, UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, and Syrian refugee Abdulkarim Alhalabi. 'As the Secretary of Justice, I pledge to further strengthen our systems, expand our partnerships, and uphold the rights of all persecuted people who seek asylum,' Remulla said in his speech. 'Let the upcoming National Refugee Day renew our commitment to compassion, to inclusion, and to justice, as this is not merely an act of policy, but an act of solidarity,' he added. The DOJ said that the week of National Refugee Day will open with a Blue Monday commemoration, followed by a National Refugee Conference. Other activities that will take place in the week include: • PhilSys Registration Day in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority; • Solidarity Bazaar featuring refugee-led businesses; • 3rd Refugee Film Festival and Solidarity Football Match in partnership with UNHCR Philippines, Football for Humanity, and San Beda University; and • Orientation on Local Integration and an information session on facilitated naturalization for newly recognized refugees. According to the DOJ, Presidential Proclamation No. 265, s.2023 declaring June 20 of every year National Refugee Day. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA Integrated News
Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Young Stirling joker secures ticket to Holyrood after quip earns spot in final
His top gag earned him a spot in the national competition where a pupil from each of the 32 council areas will compete for the crown. A Stirling primary school pupil has turned a good gag into a golden ticket for Holyrood after being named a finalist in a national joke-telling competition. Ru McCallum, a Primary One pupil at Allan's Primary School, has been crowned the winner of Stirling's regional heat in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition – a national joke-telling contest celebrating the power of communication. With a joke that had judges in stitches, Ru now heads to the Grand Final at the Scottish Parliament on June 5, where 32 of Scotland's funniest primary school pupils – one from each local authority – will compete for the title of VoiceBox Champion 2025. Ru's joke which earned a place in the final, was: 'Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling very well!' The event will be hosted by Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, with Zara Janjua, BBC journalist and stand-up comedian, taking the mic as compère. Now in its second year, VoiceBox launched on Blue Monday – the so-called 'saddest day of the year' – with a very different energy, thanks to last year's winners from Cockenzie Primary in East Lothian. Since then, schools across Scotland have been submitting their funniest entries in a joyful celebration of confidence, creativity and communication. Ru has already secured £100 worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school, and is also now in the running for the top prizes: £500 of books for the winning school; £200 of books for second and third place; plus, a £100 toy gift card for the top three finalists. Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said the competition is about more than making people laugh, explaining: 'We're incredibly proud of all the regional winners who've earned a place in the national final. 'VoiceBox is about much more than making people laugh. 'It's about highlighting the vital role that communication plays in every part of a child's life. 'Speech, language and communication, skills are the foundation for learning, social connection, mental wellbeing and future employment. 'Yet too many children still struggle without the support they need, often going unnoticed. 'Competitions like VoiceBox show just how powerful a child's voice can be when given a platform and why it's so important that we continue to invest in speech and language therapy to support children's communication. ' 'These children aren't just telling jokes. 'They're showing us how the ability to communicate can positively impact confidence, creativity and connection.'
Glasgow Times
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow pupil reaches final of national joke contest
Hedi Hemin, a primary four pupil at Knightswood Primary School, was crowned the winner of Glasgow City's regional heat in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition. The national contest is designed to celebrate the power of communication through humour. Read more: Glasgow ranked as second funniest city in UK Hedi's winning joke has earned them a spot in the grand final at the Scottish Parliament on June 5, where 32 of Scotland's funniest primary school pupils will compete for the title of VoiceBox Champion 2025. The event is set to be hosted by the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, with BBC journalist and stand-up comedian, Zara Janjua, as compère. VoiceBox, now in its second year, launched on Blue Monday, the so-called "saddest day of the year", bringing a different energy to the day. Since then, schools across Scotland have been submitting their funniest entries in a testament to confidence, creativity, and communication. Read more: Calling all Glaswegians — Lidl wants your voice at its self-checkouts Hedi has already secured £100 worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school and is now in the running for the top prizes, which include £500 of books for the winning school, £200 of books for second and third place, and a £100 toy gift card for the top three finalists. Glenn Carter, head of RCSLT Scotland, said: "We're incredibly proud of all the regional winners who've earned a place in the national final. "VoiceBox is about much more than making people laugh. "It's about highlighting the vital role that communication plays in every part of a child's life. "Speech, language, and communication skills are the foundation for learning, social connection, mental wellbeing, and future employment. "Yet too many children still struggle without the support they need, often going unnoticed. "Competitions like VoiceBox show just how powerful a child's voice can be when given a platform and why it's so important that we continue to invest in speech and language therapy to support children's communication. "These children aren't just telling jokes. "They're showing us how the ability to communicate can positively impact confidence, creativity, and connection." Lizzi Jones, head of sales and marketing for HarperCollins Scotland, said: "Supporting VoiceBox allows us to champion children's literacy and communication, all through the simple joy of telling a joke. "We can't wait to hear all the jokes at Holyrood."
Daily Record
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ayrshire pupils making laughs on way to national joke telling competition final
Ayrshire pupils have been named among the finalists by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Three Ayrshire pupils have named as finalists in a national joke telling competition. Saffron Barrett of Glenburn Primary in Prestwick, Freya McVie Branley of St Winning's Primary in Kilwinning and Craig Speirs of Shortlees Primary in Kilmarnock won their regional heats in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists' (RCSLT) VoiceBox competition to reach the final. With a joke that had judges in stitches, P1 Saffron, P7 Freya and P5 Craig now heads to the grand final at the Scottish Parliament on June 5. In total, 32 of Scotland's funniest primary school pupils – one from each local authority – will compete for the title of VoiceBox Champion 2025. Freya's joke which earned her a place in the final was: 'I walked into Primark, there was a bra on the floor. I stepped on it and fell over. It was a boobie trap.' Saffron's joke was: 'There are 100 cows in the field – which one is going on holiday? The one with the wee calf.' Craig's joke was: 'What did a pig say on a hot day? I'm bacon!' The event will be hosted by Alison Johnstone, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, with Zara Janjua, BBC journalist and stand-up comedian, taking the mic as compère. Now in its second year, VoiceBox launched on Blue Monday – the so-called "saddest day of the year" – with a very different energy, thanks to last year's winners from Cockenzie Primary in East Lothian. Schools across Scotland have been submitting their funniest entries in a joyful celebration of confidence, creativity and communication. Each pupil has already secured £100 worth of Collins Big Cat books for their school, and is in the running for the top prizes which include £500 of books for the winning school, £200 of books for second and third place plus, a £100 toy gift card for the top three finalists Glenn Carter, head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'We're incredibly proud of all the regional winners who've earned a place in the national final. 'VoiceBox is about much more than making people laugh. It's about highlighting the vital role that communication plays in every part of a child's life. 'Speech, language and communication, skills are the foundation for learning, social connection, mental wellbeing and future employment. Yet too many children still struggle without the support they need, often going unnoticed. 'Competitions like VoiceBox show just how powerful a child's voice can be when given a platform and why it's so important that we continue to invest in speech and language therapy to support children's communication. 'These children aren't just telling jokes. They're showing us how the ability to communicate can positively impact confidence, creativity and connection.' Lizzi Jones, head of sales and marketing for HarperCollins Scotland, added: 'Supporting VoiceBox allows us to champion children's literacy and communication, all through the simple joy of telling a joke. We can't wait to hear all the jokes at Holyrood.'
