Latest news with #CliftonBrown
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Big Ben light turned on to mark wartime anniversary
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has switched on Parliament's historic Ayrton Light to commemorate the moment his predecessor did the same thing 80 years ago towards the end of the Second World War. The light which sits above the Big Ben bell at the top of the Elizabeth Tower, was switched off at the outbreak of war in 1939 to comply with blackout regulations. The rules were aimed at reducing any light which could help Germany bombers find their targets. In 1945, then Commons Speaker Col Clifton Brown interrupted a parliamentary debate to tell MPs that after five years, seven months and 23 days, he was turning the light back on. Addressing the Commons, Clifton Brown said: "I pray that with God's blessing, this light will shine henceforth not only as an outward and visible sign that the Parliament of a free people is assembled in free debate, but also that it may shine as a beacon of sure hope in a sadly torn and distracted world.' Big Ben's light to be switched off Striking out: It's time to repair Big Ben's home Cumbrian clock company to turn back Big Ben To mark the anniversary, Sir Lindsay recreated the switching on, accompanied by Chelsea Pensioners John Morris, 103, and Tony Hunt, 85. Mr Hunt was seven years old on VE (Victory in Europe) day and recalled his memories of blackout regulations being lifted. "One minute we were making sure the blinds were down and diving into air-raid shelters for safety in the dark because the sirens were sounding – the next, cars and buses had their headlights on, and it was a different world. 'We had street parties, played cricket in the streets, and families were reunited – it was a very special time." Mr Morris joined the Army at the age of 17 and during the war served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Royal Artillery. He later joined the Raiding Support Regiment and fought in Italy and Yugoslavia. Sir Lindsay said it was "an incredible privilege to recreate such a symbolic moment in our history, with two Armed Forces veterans who remember what it was like to realise that peace was returning after six long years at war. "Turning on the Ayrton Light was important to Speaker Clifton Brown because it showed that democracy had survived the war and it is something we have held dear ever since." The Ayrton Light is switched on to signify that either the House of Lords or the House of Commons are sitting. It was installed in 1885 at the request of Queen Victoria who wanted to be able to see from Buckingham Palace if her parliamentarians were sitting after dark. The light was named after Acton Smee Ayrton, Commissioner of Works between 1869 and 1873. It was switched off in 2017, for the first time since the war, to allow repairs to take place. The entire light was dismantled and sent to a Sheffield workshop to be restored and was turned back on in 2022.
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Speaker turns on famous Big Ben light to mark wartime anniversary
House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has switched on Parliament's historic Ayrton Light to commemorate the moment his predecessor did the same thing 80 years ago towards the end of the Second World light which sits above the Big Ben bell at the top of the Elizabeth Tower, was switched off at the outbreak of war in 1939 to comply with blackout rules were aimed at reducing any light which could help Germany bombers find their 1945, then Commons Speaker Col Clifton Brown interrupted a parliamentary debate to tell MPs that after five years, seven months and 23 days, he was turning the light back on. Addressing the Commons, Clifton Brown said: "I pray that with God's blessing, this light will shine henceforth not only as an outward and visible sign that the Parliament of a free people is assembled in free debate, but also that it may shine as a beacon of sure hope in a sadly torn and distracted world.' To mark the anniversary, Sir Lindsay recreated the switching on, accompanied by Chelsea Pensioners John Morris, 103, and Tony Hunt, Hunt was seven years old on VE (Victory in Europe) day and recalled his memories of blackout regulations being lifted."One minute we were making sure the blinds were down and diving into air-raid shelters for safety in the dark because the sirens were sounding – the next, cars and buses had their headlights on, and it was a different world.'We had street parties, played cricket in the streets, and families were reunited – it was a very special time."Mr Morris joined the Army at the age of 17 and during the war served as an anti-aircraft gunner in the Royal Artillery. He later joined the Raiding Support Regiment and fought in Italy and Yugoslavia. Sir Lindsay said it was "an incredible privilege to recreate such a symbolic moment in our history, with two Armed Forces veterans who remember what it was like to realise that peace was returning after six long years at war."Turning on the Ayrton Light was important to Speaker Clifton Brown because it showed that democracy had survived the war and it is something we have held dear ever since."The Ayrton Light is switched on to signify that either the House of Lords or the House of Commons are sitting. It was installed in 1885 at the request of Queen Victoria who wanted to be able to see from Buckingham Palace if her parliamentarians were sitting after dark. The light was named after Acton Smee Ayrton, Commissioner of Works between 1869 and 1873. It was switched off in 2017, for the first time since the war, to allow repairs to take entire light was dismantled and sent to a Sheffield workshop to be restored and was turned back on in 2022.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Old Etonian attacked ex-girlfriend who ‘belittled' him in front of friends
An Old Etonian threatened to throw his former partner down a well at his family's country estate after claiming she 'belittled' him in front of her friends. Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, repeatedly punched Camilla Welby as he drove her to a remote location after they left a drinks party in August 2023. Clifton Brown, a cousin of Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the North Cotswolds MP, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the attempted murder. Sentencing him, Judge Alice Robinson told him he carried out the assault after becoming enraged when his ex-girlfriend 'underplayed' the part he had played in her daughter's wedding. After leaving the gathering at a friend's house, Clifton Brown drove past the turning for Miss Welby's home and said he would 'drop her off at the next village and she could walk home in the dark'. She refused to get out of the car, however, and he started driving again, Norwich Crown Court heard. 'On the way you were angry, shouted and repeatedly struck her in the face,' the judge said, noting that Miss Welby's nose was broken and her eye sockets were bruised. Addressing Clifton Brown, she said: 'You said you were going to take her (Miss Welby) to a disused well at High House, throw her in it then yourself.' The High House Estate, now a wedding venue near Congham in Norfolk, has been in his family for generations. The judge said Clifford Brown had 'recently topped up the water in the well, it was in a remote wooded location'. Once they arrived at the estate, Clifton Brown drove to the well and stepped out of the car. Miss Welby told the court she was in 'complete terror that she was about to be killed'. The court heard she was able to grab her scarf and wind it round Clifton Brown's neck to get him off her. The judge described the incident as an 'angry, drunken and petulant, albeit extreme, reaction to the perceived slight from Ms Welby earlier in the evening and likely a build-up of antagonism during your relationship'. The judge said that on the day of the incident, 'everything was fine until she (Miss Welby) got in the car'. 'You accused her of belittling you in front of your friends when describing her daughter's wedding and felt she had underplayed your role,' she said. 'Although what precipitated the argument may have been trivial, your reaction was not.' The court was told Clifton Brown and Miss Welby had been in a relationship for about 15 years until he broke it off with her while on holiday in Greece in the summer of 2023. Upon their return, Miss Welby 'wanted an amicable separation' and said Clifton Brown could stay at her home for two months while he found a place to stay. The judge said that she accepted Clifton Brown's ADHD 'may have played a part in the offending by impairing your ability to exercise appropriate judgment'. Clifton Brown was found guilty of attempted murder at an earlier trial, and had previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill. The judge said Clifton Brown would be entitled to be released on licence after serving two thirds of his 24-year sentence. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Telegraph
Old Etonian attacked ex-girlfriend who ‘belittled' him in front of friends
An Old Etonian threatened to throw his former partner down a well at his family's country estate after claiming she 'belittled' him in front of her friends. Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, repeatedly punched Camilla Welby as he drove her to a remote location after they left a drinks party in August 2023. Clifton Brown, a cousin of Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, the North Cotswolds MP, was sentenced to 24 years in prison for the attempted murder. Sentencing him, Judge Alice Robinson told him he carried out the assault after becoming enraged when his ex-girlfriend 'underplayed' the part he had played in her daughter's wedding. After leaving the gathering at a friend's house, Clifton Brown drove past the turning for Miss Welby's home and said he would 'drop her off at the next village and she could walk home in the dark'. She refused to get out of the car, however, and he started driving again, Norwich Crown Court heard. 'On the way you were angry, shouted and repeatedly struck her in the face,' the judge said, noting that Miss Welby's nose was broken and her eye sockets were bruised. Addressing Clifton Brown, she said: 'You said you were going to take her (Miss Welby) to a disused well at High House, throw her in it then yourself.' The High House Estate, now a wedding venue near Congham in Norfolk, has been in his family for generations. The judge said Clifford Brown had 'recently topped up the water in the well, it was in a remote wooded location'. Once they arrived at the estate, Clifton Brown drove to the well and stepped out of the car. Miss Welby told the court she was in 'complete terror that she was about to be killed'. The court heard she was able to grab her scarf and wind it round Clifton Brown's neck to get him off her. The judge described the incident as an 'angry, drunken and petulant, albeit extreme, reaction to the perceived slight from Ms Welby earlier in the evening and likely a build-up of antagonism during your relationship'. The judge said that on the day of the incident, 'everything was fine until she (Miss Welby) got in the car'. 'You accused her of belittling you in front of your friends when describing her daughter's wedding and felt she had underplayed your role,' she said. 'Although what precipitated the argument may have been trivial, your reaction was not.' The court was told Clifton Brown and Miss Welby had been in a relationship for about 15 years until he broke it off with her while on holiday in Greece in the summer of 2023. Upon their return, Miss Welby 'wanted an amicable separation' and said Clifton Brown could stay at her home for two months while he found a place to stay. The judge said that she accepted Clifton Brown's ADHD 'may have played a part in the offending by impairing your ability to exercise appropriate judgment'. Clifton Brown was found guilty of attempted murder at an earlier trial, and had previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill. The judge said Clifton Brown would be entitled to be released on licence after serving two thirds of his 24-year sentence.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Yahoo
Old Etonian who threatened to throw woman in disused well at family estate is jailed
An Old Etonian who threatened to throw his ex-partner down a disused well has been jailed for 24 years for attempted murder. Douglas Clifton Brown, 56, attacked Camilla Welby and put her in "complete terror that she was about to be killed", a court heard. Judge Alice Robinson, sentencing him at Norwich Crown Court, said Clifton Brown became angry about a perceived slight while driving after drinks at a friend's house. He was supposed to be taking her home, but instead drove past the turning for Miss Welby's house. The judge said Clifton Brown, from Congham, in , told Miss Welby he would "drop her off at the next village and she could walk home in the dark", but then started driving again after he "tried unsuccessfully to get her out of the car". "On the way, you were angry, shouted and repeatedly struck her in the face," the judge said, noting that Miss Welby's nose was broken and her eye sockets were bruised. She told Clifton Brown: "You said you were going to take her (Miss Welby) to a disused well at High House, throw her in it, then yourself." The High House Estate has been in his family for generations and is now a wedding venue. The judge said the defendant had "recently topped up the water in the well. It was in a remote wooded location". Clifton Brown drove right up to the well, got out of the car, and Miss Welby was in "complete terror that she was about to be killed", the judge said. She said Miss Welby was able to grab her scarf and wind it round Clifton Brown's neck to get him off her. Read more from Sky News: The judge described the incident as an "angry, drunken and petulant, albeit extreme, reaction to the perceived slight from Ms Welby earlier in the evening and likely a build-up of antagonism during your relationship". "I accept that the impulsivity associated with ADHD may have played a part in the offending by impairing your ability to exercise appropriate judgment," she said. Clifton Brown was found guilty of attempted murder after an earlier trial and had previously admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent and making a threat to kill.
