Latest news with #BronzeMedal
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Skipinnish salute lifeboat heroes in new charity single
All proceeds from The Lifeboat will be donated to the RNLI. Tiree-born fisherman and musician MacPhail has spent his life on or around the sea and comes from a line of seafarers, including his father, uncle and grandfather. His brother is also a fisherman. Over the years, he has seen first hand the vital work of the lifeboat service and knows many who have been brought home to safety by the brave volunteer crews, and sadly, some who have not made it back to land. In composing The Lifeboat, MacPhail has captured the two hundred years of selfless courage that the service continues to deliver to save lives at sea, with crews often going above and beyond to bring seafarers home to their families. His lyrics also vividly describe the challenging weather and sea conditions they routinely face. READ MORE: There is also a poignant mention of some lifeboats and crews who, over the years, have headed on a rescue but sadly did not return to shore, having succumbed to the very dangers they battle on behalf of others. MacPhail ends by invoking a sense of pride and honour in the crews that set sail each time, emphasising the two centuries of courage and sacrifice and most importantly the sheer number of lives saved. Joining Skipinnish on the single is Fisherman's Friends, the renowned group from Cornwall who are known around the world for their sea shanties and traditional songs of the sea. The Fisherman's Friends name springs from the fact that they were a group of fishermen, lifeboatmen and coastguards who got together to sing and make music. The Lifeboat will be debuted live by the two bands at Skipinnish's headline concert at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow on Saturday September 27. The song will get its Cornish debut in May 2026 when Skipinnish appear at the Fisherman's Friends' very own festival. (L-R) Skipinnish's Angus MacPhail, Andrew Stevenson and Rory Grindlay watching the Anstruther Lifeboat head to sea (Image: Stephen Kearney) Angus MacPhail said: 'Of all the songs I have written over the years The Lifeboat feels one of the most personal. What the lifeboat service does every day is nothing short of remarkable and I wanted to capture the selfless sacrifice of the crews who step up at a moment's notice, despite often not knowing what scenario they are heading into. It is a huge honour that The Fisherman's Friends have joined us for this track. Their links with the sea, with fishing and with the RNLI are strong and there could not be a better musical addition to add to the message of the song.' Much inspiration for the song was from his close friend and business partner Donald William MacLeod MBE. Donald has been coxswain on the Barra Island lifeboat in the Western Isles for the last 25 years and is highly decorated for his bravery having received the RNLI's Bronze Medal for Gallantry and The Lady Swathing Cup for Outstanding Feat of Seamanship in 2007. He was awarded an MBE for Services to Maritime Safety in 2013. A highly capable seafarer and lifelong fisherman, Donald has executed his coxswain role with a quiet commitment to the service. He said: 'The Lifeboat beautifully captures the courage and bravery I see in my crew every time we set to sea to bring people home safely. Inevitably there is a sense of trepidation in what we are about to face but I know all on board will do their utmost to achieve the best outcome. This song will create a sense of pride and honour among crews as it'll act as a reminder of their constant sacrifice for others.' Martin Macnamara who volunteers with Anstruther RNLI and is the Regional Communications Lead for the RNLI in Scotland, commented: 'The work of the RNLI fills us all with such pride and respect for the selfless dedication to saving lives at sea. I was thrilled to receive the approach from Skipinnish regarding the song and we are all delighted Skipinnish and Fisherman's Friends have worked on this single, bringing together two different parts of the country but whose common understanding and respect for the sea, and support for the RNLI means a great deal to us. With the proceeds of The Lifeboat going towards our lifesaving mission, it will support the vital work we do across the UK and Ireland.' Fisherman's Friends' Jason Nicholas knows the beauty and bounty of the sea but also its power and cruelty having spent his life in the fishing industry and recently stepped down from the Padstow Lifeboat after 20 years' service. He said: 'For those of us who make a living from the sea, the RNLI is our emergency service, something we never underestimate or take for granted. To honour them in this way is hugely symbolic given how tales of the sea and heroism have inspired many songs through the ages. To be asked by Skipinnish to contribute to The Lifeboat was an easy decision for us as the song's sentiment resonates so strongly with us all.' All proceeds from digital purchases and streaming of this song will be paid in support of the RNLI.
Hans India
03-08-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Nirmal's Pembi block gets national award
Khanapur: Nirmal district's Pembi block, identified as a key performer among the NITI Aayog's proposed Aspirational Blocks, has been awarded the national-level Bronze Medal. On Saturday, during a ceremony held in Hyderabad, the award was presented by Governor Jishnu Dev Varma and received by District Collector Abhilasha Abhinav. State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, State Government Chief Secretary Ramakrishna Rao, SERP CEO Divya Devarajan, Additional Collector Faizan Ahmad, and other dignitaries participated in the event. Out of the 500 Aspirational Blocks selected by NITI Aayog, Pembi block secured the fourth position. Officials stated that the award was given in recognition of outstanding performance across six indicators: health, nutrition, agriculture, education, infrastructure, and others. On this occasion, Abhinav remarked that securing the fourth rank at the national level is a matter of pride for Pembi block. 'This achievement is a testament to collective effort and that Pembi has transformed from an aspirational block to an inspirational one, setting an example for all,' she said. As part of the Sampoorna Abhiyan initiative, Pembi block achieved 100% performance in registering pregnant women, diabetes screening, and distribution of supplementary nutrition. It also recorded 70% progress in issuing soil health cards and 94% progress in disbursing loans to women's self-help groups, the Collector explained.
CTV News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Windsor, Ont. Paralympian helps Team Canada clinch World Championships spot
Windsor, Ont. Paralympian Matt Debly is back home after helping Team Canada qualify for the Wheelchair Rugby World Championships. They didn't bring home a gold, but a memory of a lifetime is associated with Debly's bronze medal. Matt Debly Team Canada Wheelchair Rugby Team Canada at the Wheelchair Rugby Americas Championship with their bronze medals in Brazil. (Source: World Wheelchair Rugby/Facebook) 'We were getting better and better every time to the point where it looked like we'd been playing together our whole careers,' Debly told CTV News. His moment came in overtime of the bronze medal game. Trailing the entire match against Columbia at the World Wheelchair Rugby Americas Championship, Canada came back to send the game into an extra session. With time running out, he found a seam up the middle. A teammate saw him streaking and hit Debly with a pass, which he took in for the game-winning try with 3.8 seconds left. 'To actually be up on the court playing at that moment and contributing to a comeback win like that, in such an important game for us, was really special and it's something that I'm going to remember, hopefully up until the next one,' Debly said. Entering this one, Debly wasn't sure how Canada would fare. Four players dropped out before the tournament for various reasons, leaving Canada with eight on the roster. Debly said the team practiced for two days prior to the tournament and then it was game time. 'The fact that we were able to just pretend like nothing was different, and we all kind of came together, and we were really able to grind our games is really impressive,' Debly noted. Matt Debly Team Canada Wheelchair Rugby Windsorite Matt Debly seen playing a game of Wheelchair Rugby in Brazil. (Source: Matt Debly/Facebook) The win punched Canada's ticket to the world championships, being hosted in the same facility in Sao Paolo, Brazil next year. Debly said the Canadian team is going through a rebuild and has not matched the success of recent years. 'But it's also been a lot of fun and a nice challenge to try and build Canada back up onto that podium,' he said. Debly plays for a team in Seattle in one of the best leagues in the world. He'd like to see the formation of a pro circuit and is excited about the growth of the game, which pulled in about 14,000 fans per game at the Paris Olympics last summer. 'I love it when it's loud and I love it even more when it's loud against us. You know, it's a special feeling to try and quiet a crowd in a crazy stadium,' Debly said. 'We want fans. We want eyes on the sport, and we want to show that not only are we elite athletes, but Canada is one of the top countries in the world.' Debly now enters a training phase until early October when camp opens to select next year's team. He also looks forward to the first tournament of the season with Seattle on Halloween weekend.
Powys County Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Welsh border red wine Offa's Shadow wins national award
A family-run Shropshire vineyard nestled just on the Powys border, Kerry Vale Vineyard, is raising a glass to success after its 2022 vintage of Offa's Shadow was awarded a Bronze Medal at the prestigious WineGB 2025 Awards. The annual event highlights the best of English and Welsh wine, and this year's accolades reflect the growing excellence and innovation within the homegrown wine industry. Produced from the vibrant Rondo grape, Offa's Shadow is a smooth, fruit-forward red, barrel-aged in oak to add a rich, warming complexity. RECOMMENDED READING The wine's name nods to the vineyard's location beside the ancient Offa's Dyke, celebrating the heritage that winds through the landscape where England meets Wales and grapes flourish in the microclimate in Pentreheyling, between Sarn and Churchstoke. The award announcement came during English Wine Week (June 21 to 29), a nationwide celebration of the diversity, quality, and character of English wines. Organised by WineGB, the week encourages wine lovers to explore local vineyards, attend tastings and events, and discover the stories behind the bottles. It's a chance to champion the growing success of English winemaking and support the passionate producers behind it. Nadine Roach, Marketing and Events Manager at Kerry Vale Vineyard, said: 'We're incredibly proud of this recognition. 'Offa's Shadow is a wine that really tells a story — of our land, our climate, and the care we put into every stage of the winemaking process. It's fantastic to see an English red gaining this kind of recognition, and we're so looking forward to sharing it with visitors this weekend.' As one of the most south-westerly vineyards in Shropshire, Kerry Vale continues to build its reputation as a destination for wine lovers — offering tastings, vineyard tours, and partnerships with local artisans that champion the rich culture and produce of the Welsh Marches.
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- General
- Belfast Telegraph
Heroic NI firefighter who pulled driver from burning car seconds before it exploded to receive one of UK's highest bravery honours
John Shannon from Larne was off duty and on his way home from Ballymena Fire Station on the evening of May 5 last year when he came across a three-vehicle pile-up. One vehicle was on fire with an unconscious man trapped inside. Three other passengers were wounded but walking. Mr Shannon saw the fire spreading toward the car's fuel tank and, without any equipment, took immediate action to rescue the unconscious man. Despite the risk of explosion, he approached the burning vehicle, reached inside to undo the driver's seatbelt, and dragged him 20 metres up the road to safety. A police officer arrived at the scene and began assisting Mr Shannon when the car suddenly exploded. By that time, they had moved to a safe distance. The two provided initial treatment at the roadside before the man was taken to hospital. Praising Mr Shannon for his bravery, Andrew Chapman, Secretary of the Royal Humane Society said: 'What he did was incredibly brave. 'As a firefighter he knew better than others the dangers of going near a vehicle that is on fire, but his only thought was to save the man who was unconscious and trapped inside. 'As he was freeing the man and pulling him to safety there was a real danger that the fire could have reached the petrol tank and the vehicle would explode with him reaching inside it. "The reality off that risk can be seen in that it did explode a short time after the man had been pulled to safety. 'Mr Shannon was a true hero and richly deserves the our Bronze Medal which is one of the highest awards we make.' The roots of the Royal Humane Society stretch back nearly 250 years. Other than awards made by the Crown it is the premier national body for honouring bravery in the saving of human life. Founded in 1774 by leading medical figures William Hawes and Thomas Cogan, the organisation was established to promote life-saving resuscitation techniques – an innovative focus at the time. Over the years, the organisation's focus expanded beyond resuscitation, introducing an honours system to recognise acts of bravery in saving lives. The Society also awards non-health care professionals who perform a successful resuscitation. Since it was set up the Society has considered over 90,000 cases and made over 220,000 awards. The Society is a registered charity which receives no public funding and is dependent on voluntary donations.
