Latest news with #Breaks
South Wales Argus
25-05-2025
- South Wales Argus
Newport included in author's quest to find hidden gems
Ben Aitken, author of 'A Chip Shop in Poznan' and 'The Gran Tour,' embarked on a year-long exploration of "unfashionable places" that he thought could be "quietly brilliant." His book focused on such locations, titled Sh*tty Breaks, was written "not to take the mickey, or to stick the boot in, but to seek out the good stuff, to uncover the gems, to have a nice time." His adventure took him skiing in Sunderland, to the football in Wrexham, and saw him fall in love with Dunfermline. Sh*tty Breaks includes Newport (Image: Supplied) Each expedition aimed to shed light on the "underdog" towns and cities that often fly under the radar of avid explorers. According to Ben, there is "no such thing as a sh*tty break," and he promotes the idea of a less expensive and more sustainable brand of travel which "spreads its affection beyond the usual suspects". He champions the importance of shifting attention from overdone and overpriced travel hotspots to underappreciated destinations. His book has been described as an antidote to the "smug travelogues" of popular places, as Ben makes his way around the less celebrated cities of the British Isles. Author Ben Aitken (Image: Supplied) Kate Wickers, author of Shape of a Boy, said: "New York? "Pah! "After reading this, I'm off to Newport instead to see what's occurring. "With Aitken's trademark gentle humour and astute observation, this is a book about finding treasure in the most underrated places, and I absolutely loved it." While the author does not visit Newport in the book, setting aside only a few sentences to include the Isle of Wight, it is possible that more content could be included in the actual book. To celebrate his book launch, Ben chose to host an event in the city. Readers will get the chance to ask questions, interact, and get their book signed at Waterstones on Commercial Street on Tuesday, May 27, at 6.30pm.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Why coffee is more expensive
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Corey Gerlach, head roaster and co-owner at The Breaks in Sioux Falls, says coffee's rising price is not a new trend. 'This has been going on for years now in the coffee industry,' Gerlach said. 'It has consistently gone up in price.' And when it comes to why the price for coffee beans might go up, he says there are several factors. 'The farmers, the producers don't set the prices; speculation in the market sets the prices,' Gerlach said. 'So, things for like, geopolitical tensions, climate change, plant diseases in coffee plants, those things also affect the price of coffee. Supply and demand. If a large producing country has a bad crop that year, that's going to shoot the market up.' Coffee was expensive before the White House's tariffs of 2025. And Gerlach says tariffs aren't decisive in this equation right now. 'I wouldn't say tariffs is affecting the higher coffee prices directly at the moment,' he said. 'Over time, yes, they probably will.' Per the consumer price index from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics on the average price of a pound of ground coffee, in January 2021 the cost was $4.59. By January 2023, it had jumped to $6.36, and it reached $7.02 in January 2025. The latest available data, for April 2025, lists the average price at $7.54 per pound. Every business has to make its own decisions on what to do with prices they ask of their customers. For The Breaks, they have boosted prices to a degree. 'A little bit,' Gerlach said. 'For the most part, we've been absorbing those costs to not fully pass them on to our customer base and our clients. But we have in the past handful of months raised our wholesale pricing a little bit, our drink prices a little bit, our retail prices a little bit, but hopefully subtly enough to where people are okay with it.' Gerlach says tariffs will more directly impact the cost of a coffee roaster or an espresso machine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Charity raises over £2,000 in '73 challenge' fundraising initiative
A Cumbria-based cerebral palsy charity has raised over £2,000 throughout March for their '73 challenge fundraising initiative, which was organised to commemorate the organisation's 73rd anniversary. The Cumbria Cerebral Palsy charity challenged individuals and groups to fundraise 'their way', by doing 73 of 'something', such as walking or running 73 miles, baking 73 cakes or other skills such as swimming. Cumbria Cerebral Palsy is a local charity, formed in 1952, which supports adults, children and families with cerebral palsy and related disabilities across Cumbria. The charity's general manager, Emily Breaks, said: "We are so pleased that the local communities we serve responded so positively to our charity challenge to celebrate our 73rd anniversary year. 'The variety of challenges our staff and customers set was remarkable and was true to the idea of the challenge being: Your Challenge, Done Your Way.' (Image: Cumbria Cerebral Palsy) Each of the charity's four shops, and the Resource Centre at Lister House in Carlisle, came up with their own unique fundraising ideas. The Cockermouth store created pin badges and sold 90 throughout March, as the Brampton store sold houseplants and held a cake sale. The Wigton store hosted a four-day cycling challenge where they collectively cycled 73 miles, while a cupcake sale was held at the Resource Centre alongside a stall set up in the Lanes shopping centre. Breaks said: 'It is absolutely amazing to have raised this amount of money. It is an outstanding result and can I take this opportunity to personally thank each and every one who contributed in any way to making this challenge such a huge success.' The charity also received large donations from the Brampton and Longtown Rotary Clubs, alongside support from the Whitehaven Academy Sixth Form, who held a bake sale to help aid fundraising efforts. (Image: Cumbria Cerebral Palsy) The total amount raised in the month stands at a total of £2,055.65, following fundraising efforts and donations from the community. Emily Break said: "As we are a small independent charity any fundraising big or small makes a huge difference to us. "We have four charity shops that raise vital funds for us. We also have two community outreach workers who support adults, children and families across Cumbria who have cerebral palsy and related disabilities." Due to the success of the fundraising campaign, the charity are aiming to make the challenge a permanent attraction, Emily Breaks said: 'This may now have to become an annual fundraising fixture in March 2026 with, Charity Challenge '74" If you would like to fundraise for the charity, then get in touch with their fundraiser Mark on 07807 010339.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Festive tree of remembrance raises £5,000
A tree of remembrance installed in Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Shopping Centre over Christmas has raised more than £5,000 for charities, fundraisers have said. Shoppers were invited to leave a message for lost loved ones which went on display on the tree in exchange for a £5 donation. Up to 368 people were remembered this year, organisers City of Wolverhampton Rotary Club said. Lorraine McCarthy, Wolverhampton rotary president, thanked everyone who donated to the fundraiser, now in its 21st year. Sponsored Breaks, which offers those in need a free campervan holiday, Wolverhampton MS Therapy & Oxygen Centre, which helps with long-term medical conditions, Compton Care, which supports people with incurable conditions, and the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton Charitable Trust each received £1,250. "It was a pleasure to work with fellow rotarians, members of the public and our sponsors on this touching fundraiser," Ms McCarthy said. "In total £5,607 was raised and to all those who have supported this initiative in any way I extend our heartfelt thanks." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. City's annual Tree of Remembrance unveiled Wolverhampton Rotary Club
BBC News
13-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Wolverhampton festive tree of remembrance raises £5,000 for charity
A tree of remembrance installed in Wolverhampton's Wulfrun Shopping Centre over Christmas has raised more than £5,000 for charities, fundraisers have were invited to leave a message for lost loved ones which went on display on the tree in exchange for a £5 to 368 people were remembered this year, organisers City of Wolverhampton Rotary Club McCarthy, Wolverhampton rotary president, thanked everyone who donated to the fundraiser, now in its 21st year. Sponsored Breaks, which offers those in need a free campervan holiday, Wolverhampton MS Therapy & Oxygen Centre, which helps with long-term medical conditions, Compton Care, which supports people with incurable conditions, and the Rotary Club of Wolverhampton Charitable Trust each received £1,250."It was a pleasure to work with fellow rotarians, members of the public and our sponsors on this touching fundraiser," Ms McCarthy said."In total £5,607 was raised and to all those who have supported this initiative in any way I extend our heartfelt thanks." Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
