Latest news with #Cheshire-based
Glasgow Times
11-05-2025
- General
- Glasgow Times
Eaglesham Mum raises concerns about battery storage facility
Last month East Renfrewshire Council gave Cheshire-based firm GPC 1337 Ltd, which is understood to be a subsidiary of Apatura, the go ahead to build and run a 40-megawatt battery energy storage system (BESS) on an agricultural site at the east side of Glasgow Road in Eaglesham. A previous application was refused last October after councillors raised concerns over the risk of fire from lithium-ion batteries. The company returned with a new plan, which council planners once again recommended for approval, but more than 300 people submitted objections to the scheme, including local MSP Jackson Carlaw. READ NEXT: Song celebrating Glasgow football club released for lifelong fan's 90th birthday READ NEXT: ScotRail peak fares to be scrapped in major change MSP Jackson Carlaw has previously stated his opposition to the decision (Image: Sourced) One of those vehemently against the BESS is Morag Hannan who has three young children and whose family is one of four households living metres from the site. The mum, who has described the increasing number of BESSs as an 'assault on the Scottish countryside,' is deeply concerned because when lithium batteries go wrong, they do so 'explosively' and 'have a tendency to reignite.' The 41-year-old said: 'We would have to evacuate towards the fire. We don't have any way to go out the back. 'It's barbed wire fences and our neighbour beside us has got a stone wall. He's in his eighties and he can't get over that wall. 'We would have to move towards the fire and the hydrant is directly outside our drive, so if fire engines got there first, we're trapped. We cannot get out." Morag Hannan with neighbour Kenneth Munro and husband Craig at the site (Image: Newsquest) 'The advice is to shelter in place, but it's a listed building with chimneys and obviously everyone's worried about the toxic fumes that come off battery fires," she added. 'We don't think that we could safely shelter in place and we don't know how we would get out either and these are things that the planning officer has ignored.' She pointed to the battery storage plant fire at Moss Landing in California earlier this year and last month at a battery recycling plant in Kilwinning to highlight the devastation that can occur in the event of a battery fire. Her concerns, however, are not just for her family and neighbours but for the long-term environmental and health impact a BESS and a fire would potentially have on Eaglesham, East Renfrewshire and beyond. She has also raised questions as to why this site has to be used, when it is connecting more than five miles away to a substation in Giffnock. Morag Hannan (Image: Newsquest) 'In Moss landing they tested the soil samples and there are dangerous levels of toxic metals in the soil since the fire,' said Morag, who also raised concerns about asthma and respiratory problems following battery fires. 'We're talking about the whole of East Renfrewshire being affected if this happens. 'The White Cart River is 170 metres downhill from this site. 'They said they will put in protection measures, but they keep chopping and changing and they can't tell us how these work. 'There's such a high safety issue, not to mention the noise, which they've kind of downplayed." Morag Hannan, neighbour Kenneth and her husband Craig (Image: Newsquest) A petition to overturn the decision was started by a non-Eaglesham resident, which Morag says shows that this is not just an Eaglesham issue and how many throughout the authority feel strongly about the issue. The petition, which highlights concerns about the establishment of a BESS on greenbelt land and potential land contamination, has attracted nearly 3,000 signatures. It states that the council had earlier rejected a similar proposal from the same company, with councillors 'raising concerns about the suitability of the site and pointing out that the energy produced may not necessarily be from renewable sources'. It further adds that their earlier judgment should have set a precedent, yet now, 'inexplicably', approval has been granted. An Eaglesham Community Action group has also been started by Eaglesham resident Tom Taylor in response to the decision. Tom has raised concerns about a high voltage electricity line and a high pressure natural gas line running through the site. An Apatura BESS (Image: Apatura) Andrew Philpott, chief development officer at Apatura, said: 'The points raised by residents are understandable, and when developing projects, we take all of the local communities' concerns extremely seriously. 'The proposed project at Eaglesham has been through a rigorous planning process, meeting all of the council's requirements and ensuring the proposed project is developed to the highest standard. 'This includes developing a comprehensive fire safety plan with the local Fire and Rescue Service (FRS), conducting environmental impact reports and extensive Noise Impact Assessments (NIAs). 'These steps minimise the impact on local communities and environments, whilst maximising the impact on Scotland's net zero targets. 'We also develop a community fund alongside all our projects, specifically designed to directly fund community projects and benefit local residents. Our goal is to ensure that the communities hosting our projects share in the rewards, contributing to a sustainable and equitable future for all. 'Battery Energy Storage Systems are a crucial part of decarbonising the UK's energy demand and directly support the vast amounts of wind and solar energy produced in Scotland - storing it when generation is high for when demand is at its peak - and help put an end to expensive curtailment costs. 'The Eaglesham project is critical infrastructure for the nation, and whilst we're still in the early stages of development, we look forward to working closely with the local community and the council to make sure it's beneficial for all parties involved.' An East Renfrewshire Council spokesperson said: "Having considered the application in full, permission was granted by our Planning Applications Committee with a number of conditions which must be met by the applicant."
Daily Mirror
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
'Leaving Hollyoaks was taken out of my hands after I joined OnlyFans'
Ex Hollyoaks star Sarah Jayne Dunn says it was "never her intention" to leave the soap and details how the decision "was taken out of her hands" after she joined OnlyFans Former Hollyoaks actress Sarah Jayne Dunn has opened up about how the decision to leave the Cheshire-based soap was made for her, after she joined risqué subscription website OnlyFans. The Manchester-born star, currently flying the flag for lingerie brand Raine & Bea's 'Theatrical flair for everyday wear' campaign, reveals the decision "was taken out of her hands" following her OnlyFans move. But Sarah, who now admits she feels sexier than ever, has decided to speak out to change the narrative surrounding OnlyFans. During an exclusive interview with New, Sarah openly addresses her early fame, her OnlyFans success, her body confidence and how her shock exit from the Channel 4 soap was misconstrued. Sarah says she's determined not to let age or what she calls 'social conditioning' stand in the way of her stripping off. She told the publication: "I feel so much more comfortable and confident in my body today. "I don't feel like I'm trying to tick any box of what I want my body to be, I just want to be strong and healthy and have longevity. I want to get older to still be fit and strong. I want to be able to play with my son, to continue to go to the gym, that's what's important." But Sarah says she's only become more confident in her own skin as she's gotten older and when she first started on screen when she was 14, she was still finding herself and her body was changing. She said of some roles she had when she was younger: "My body was being scrutinised and it was being edited without my permission. She continued: "You know, my boobs were being made bigger and my tummy was being made flawless. And all the natural things - and imperfections is the wrong word, because they're not imperfections - were removed. So I grew up not knowing what my body should or did look like. I'd see a picture of it in a lads' mag, then look at it in the mirror, and it was different." It's why Sarah wants to change the narrative surrounding OnlyFans. Speaking of her content on the website, she said: "I've got a lovely following and I create content that I was creating anyway but I do it now on my terms and it really works for me. I won't do it forever, but it's given me a really comfortable life and I enjoy it, so I don't see myself stopping it any time soon. "One of the reasons I've become a 'voice', is because I put my foot down against being sexualised and monetised by others and not benefiting at all, saying 'this isn't okay any more'. I think that resonated with a lot of people. I used to be a bit of a people pleaser, and I think a lot of us feel like that, so it's nice to see somebody set boundaries, take control and succeed. I've had lots of support, particularly from women." The actress is best known for having played Mandy Richardson on the long-running soap for more than two decades before her departure in 2021. She was given an ultimatum by Hollyoaks bosses when they insisted that she shut down her profile on OnlyFans, saying that her racy shots were not good for publicity. She refused to shut down her page, with the star then revealing she thinks she knows which of her Hollyoaks co-stars made an official complaint about her account on the adult subscription-based website. Sarah's character first appeared on Hollyoaks in 1996 and left the show when Mandy suddenly jetted off to LA. Sarah has been open about her OnlyFans career and what led to her departure from the soap. And now, she opened up about being 'sexualised' while working as an actress but 'not being allowed to do it on her own terms'. She added: "I never really left, it was sort of misconstrued. When I joined OnlyFans, it was never my intention to leave the show [ Hollyoaks ]. That decision was taken out of my hands, and widely publicised. When you're an actor, you don't ever 'leave', you're in-between jobs. I've auditioned for other stuff, and if the right job came along and it fitted into my life and schedule, then I'd do it. "I've been acting since I was a teen, so there's always going to be part of me that misses it. But I've got a lovely life now, loads of free time and I love being my own boss. One thing I do miss is the banter and the camaraderie of being with people and creating something together. But a lot of jobs involve working away from home, and I don't want to do that for long periods because of my son." Speaking about lingerie brand Raine & Bea's new campaign, Sarah said: "It's such an honour to be ambassador for the new Raine and Bea collection. I've been a fan of Jenna's work for years now and always love wearing her pieces, I'm so excited that she's bringing her work to the masses with her diffusion line and the collection is stunning. I felt a million dollars wearing one of her new designs on launch night. I can't wait to wear more of the collection soon!'
Telegraph
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Unlikely lads with stunning strike rate now targeting Grand National glory
It is a training partnership as unlikely as it is successful; Oliver Greenall, the scion of a brewing dynasty, and Josh Guerriero, son of a chef who came over to run an Italian restaurant in Penrith. But forget Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson for a moment, this Cheshire-based duo have a stunning 40 per cent strike-rate at the Cheltenham Festival – two winners from five runners – and, on Saturday, they are training their sights on the Grand National with their first runner and one of the big favourites, Iroko. Iroko is just one of a handful of horses they train which is owned outright by one person, JP McManus, because if they have a unique selling point it is their in-house management of syndicates – 47 own 60 horses – which has helped the Malpas-based stable become one of the rising forces in jump racing. Greenall, 38, would not argue with the fact that he had a privileged background but he has no airs and graces and has never been afraid to roll his sleeves up. His father, Lord Daresbury, was chairman of Aintree for a quarter of a century but Greenall spent his gap year at Mick Easterby's university of life and when he felt he needed to fill a gap in his knowledge before launching on his training career, he spent a summer working as stable lad for Sir Mark Prescott. By contrast Guerriero, 36, whose first language is Italian, spent the first 10 years of his life growing up outside Florence before his father returned to run Villa Bianca in Penrith. He had a riding lesson on a holiday in Italy, loved it, bought a horse which he 'barely knew how to look after' but learnt as he went. He got a Saturday job from school with Nicky Richards, spent eight years in the West Country with Philip Hobbs and Victor Dartnall and three with Dan Skelton all the time wondering how on earth he would ever get on the training ladder. Today we featured on the BBC North West, talking about Iroko and the build up to the Grand National. It was great to work alongside @TheJockeyClub, giving students from their community day the opportunity to learn about the racing industry. @BBCNews — Greenall Guerriero Racing (@G_G_Racing) April 1, 2025 Meanwhile, Greenall, who had been champion amateur a couple of times, had gone to Stockton Hall Farm near Malpas to try to make a living from cattle which he juggled with training a few pointers. 'I was full-time farming, on my own, new to the area, we had two cold winters, the pipes were bursting, the barns were old, a cow slipped over in my first week, I was getting up at stupid o'clock to get the cows done before I trained my pointers and struggling to get the farm into the state I wanted. I got down, the only time I saw anyone was at market once a fortnight, and I soon learnt horses were more my thing. 'But I knew I couldn't train all on my own – Mick instilled in me that you can't do it all yourself. Josh had been three years at Dan Skelton's and felt he would never be able to become a partner because it's a family business. We had a meeting and he came on board as a partner in the business but not on the licence. 'The first year was a bit weird, I think the staff found it hard Josh coming in, we both tried to do everything but Josh is a strong personality and wasn't going to change just for me and knew how he wanted to do things. 'But with horses someone has to have final say on certain things so Josh does entries, the declarations, trains the horses, runs the staff. I look after all syndicates, I go racing, I'm front of house, do owner events. We're both playing to our strengths and between us doing what a single person couldn't. The game changer was Josh coming on the licence because I was struggling with pretending I was doing everything.' 🗣️ "He seems cut out for it." Josh Guerriero @G_G_Racing on @RandoxHealth Grand National contender IROKO 💪 — Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) March 24, 2025 Neither man is unacquainted with Aintree. Guerriero won the Foxhunters over the big fences on a spare ride, Christy Beamish, while Greenall trained and rode Cool Friend to finish second in 2013. He was fourth when Guerriero won it. Ironically because his parents were entertaining at the meeting, having young children there was a hindrance rather than a help, so Greenall did not go to his first National until 1997 – the bomb scare year – and the first one he saw live was Papillon in 2000. The seven-year-old Iroko was sourced by Greenall for McManus. 'Dad and some friends buy 10 foals a year off a French breeder,' he says. 'They pick them, buy them, train them in France and the good ones they sell. They'd sold three quite good ones to JP. 'I saw AP [Sir Anthony McCoy, McManus's adviser in Britain] and said jokingly it would be great to train one for JP. He said: 'Well, actually you're on the radar anyway.' We left it at that but a couple of weeks later Iroko was second at Auteuil [to Intense Raffles who is also running in the National]. I sent AP a text. I said it might be worth a look and a week later they bought him.' Having won the Martin Pipe at the Festival in 2023, Iroko has already paid his way. Last year he made an impressive start over fences and went straight to Cheltenham without another run before finishing second to the subsequent Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin at Aintree. This year has been geared solely for the National. 🟢🟡 IROKO has his first try at a Grand National fence! 👀 @RandoxHealth | @G_G_Racing — Aintree Racecourse (@AintreeRaces) March 24, 2025 'It was always in our minds but he needed to tick a few boxes which he has done,' points out Greenall. 'It's not a race you can run in as an afterthought and, apart from Ascot, where he got knocked over in a four-runner race, it's all gone to plan.' Aintree is only half an hour from the yard. 'It's hard to imagine what it would feel like to win it,' says Guerriero. 'For young trainers like us it would do our profile a lot of good but we know how hard it is just to have a runner. We only have two horses in the yard rated high enough to get in the race. 'We might not get another chance like this for 10 years so we want to make it count. He's got all the attributes, he's a graded horse back in a handicap. I'd love it to go smoothly – if he's not good enough or doesn't stay that's fine but we just don't want a hard-luck story.' We all know, however, that in a National that is the biggest ask.
BBC News
18-03-2025
- BBC News
Alderley Edge: Five arrests in crackdown on illegal car meets
Five people have been arrested and several vehicles seized after a police crackdown on "wannabe racers" at an illegal sports car meet. Cheshire Police put a dispersal order in place on London Road in Alderley Edge at the weekend to curb a planned gathering of motorists that falsely claimed to have the force's backing. Officers arrested five people on suspicion of drug and dangerous driving offences, issued 59 warnings about antisocial behaviour and causing distress and seized three Insp Zoe Bowden said she hoped the action would "deter any future wannabe racers who think they can abuse the rules of the road and get away without any repercussions". The dispersal order was enforced after the event was heavily advertised on local social media channels that wrongly claimed it had the blessing of police, a force spokesman said. Officers received reports of illegally-customised cars driving in "an anti-social manner, racing and speeding well in excess of the 20mph speed limit for the road", he added. 'Showing off' More than 160 stop checks were later carried out with 23 traffic offences Insp Bowden said there were a "significant number of drivers and spectators flocking to the area" despite the dispersal said: "Some of those showing off their cars in front of crowds of people can be tempted to put their foot down."And that's when it becomes dangerous, not just for the pedestrians watching the spectacle but for innocent motorists who are also legally using the roads."Earlier, a Cheshire-based car meet group sought to distance itself from rule-breakers by stressing its events are organised in conjunction with police. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Yahoo
The 'historic gem' north west city named among 'world's most welcoming' for 2025
Chester has been named among the world's ten most welcoming cities for 2025 - alongside destinations in Thailand, Brazil, Italy and the USA, according to The Cheshire-based city was the only place in the UK to be featured in the list, which was published as part of the thirteenth edition of the Traveller Reviews Awards. Described as a 'historic gem', Chester is included in the list as it 'invites guests to step into the past' whether that's by 'exploring Roman ruins, enjoying scenic walks along the River Dee, or browsing through lovely independent shops.' READ MORE: The sunny island that's 22C in winter with £16 flights from Manchester Airport READ MORE: Budget airline to serve doner kebabs on flights from Manchester Airport praises the city's 'captivating blend of Roman, medieval, and Tudor architecture, all nestled within well-preserved city walls.' It highlights the city's Roman amphitheatre which is 'the largest in Britain', the Chester Rows, the city's 11th-century cathedral and its 'stunning Gothic architecture'. The entry adds: 'Chester was also a vital hub during the English Civil War, with key battles fought nearby. Strolling through its cobbled streets, visitors can uncover layers of history, from ancient fortifications to the elegant timber-framed buildings of the Tudor period.' points out the city's close proximity to Manchester - only a short 45 minute drive away - making it a practical place to visit for international visitors. Three other cities in Europe made it into the top ten: Cazorla in Spain, Orvieto in Italy, and Quedlinburg in Germany. Cazorla was described as a 'picturesque town in the south of Spain where history and charm come together'. Meanwhile Orvieto was called a 'hidden gem perfect for those seeking a blend of culture, history, and the authentic Italian 'dolce vita''. Germany's Quedlinburg was praised for its 'tranquil atmosphere perfect for exploration.' Sigiriya, Sri Lanka Cazorla, Spain Urubici, Brazil Taupo, New Zealand St Augustine, United States Orvieto, Italy Manizales, Colombia Quedlinburg, Germany Ko Lanta, Thailand Chester, UK For more of the latest What's On news, click here.
