Latest news with #Crossan
Otago Daily Times
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Surf lifesavers bound for canoe world champs
Five Taylors Mistake surf lifesavers are trading ocean waves for river racing as they prepare to represent New Zealand at the Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Portugal next month. Stella Crossan and brothers Dylan and Lewis Monk will compete in the U18 division, while siblings Thomas and Natasha MacGibbon are racing in the U23 events. They all race for Arawa Canoe Club, along with Madison Garrett who was also selected in the New Zealand team. 'It's definitely a big step up from any other competitions, so it's a pretty amazing experience to just get out there and race against the best junior paddlers,' Crossan said. 'I'm beyond excited to give it a crack.' The Christchurch Girls' High School student, 17, will race in the women's K2 500m and K4 500m. Crossan made her world championship debut last year as a development athlete and now has her sights set higher – aiming to make the final in the K4 500m. 'That is our dream goal – that would definitely be something that we are shooting for,' she said. The road to get there is nothing short of rigorous, the athletes are currently training six days a week and canoeing an average of 110km weekly. The team heads to Auckland next week for a two-week training camp before travelling to Spain for another camp ahead of the world champs. 'I just love the feeling when everything comes together, when all the hard work pays off, it makes everything worth it,' Crossan said. Said Thomas MacGibbon: 'Training's pretty hard at the moment. It's definitely making us battle a bit of pain.' MacGibbon, 22, will compete in the K1 200m and 500m – where he is aiming for a podium finish – as well as the K2 500m. His top achievement so far was placing 10th in the K1 200m at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Uzbekistan last August. Natasha MacGibbon, 19, is competing in the K1 1000m and K1 500m. The two share a competitive but supportive training relationship. 'If one of us feeling down, we drag the other one along to training, so it's pretty good to have someone to make you always show up,' Thomas said. Crossan heads into the world champs with plenty of confidence off the back of a three gold medal haul at the Asia Pacific Cup in May, winning the K2, K4 and U18 mixed relay. 'It was a great feeling to do it as a team and do it for each other. 'Winning in a team just makes it that much better,' she said. For Lewis Monk, 17, competing alongside his brother Dylan, 18, makes the experience even more meaningful. 'It is still pretty unreal because we never would have imagined this when we started,' he said. 'We both push ourselves and train hard against each other. Competing with my brother is fun and there's always a bit of banter – it will be good to be racing.' The Monk brothers are racing together in the K4 mixed 500m, while Lewis will also compete in the K2 500m. Crossan, Natasha MacGibbon and the Monk brothers all started canoe racing as off-season winter filler training for surf lifesaving. 'I just fell in love with kayaking and fell in love with competing. It just kind of stuck,' Crossan said. 'I love being able to push myself hard on the river, I love working with my team and the opportunity to travel and compete against the world's best paddlers.' Her ultimate goal is to be an Olympian – eyeing up the 2032 games in Brisbane. 'I'll be gunning for that one.'
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- General
- Scotsman
East Lothian Council to keep two village schools closed for another year
Watch more of our videos on and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Visit Shots! now Two village schools in East Lothian will remain closed for another year after fewer than five new pupil requests were received by each of them. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Humbie Primary School and Saltoun Primary School were both mothballed last year as the cost of educating pupils soared to three times the county average. The low numbers attending the schools, both of which had less than 10 primary school students across all years when they were closed, meant the cost of educating a pupil at Saltoun was £26, 210 each year while Humbie pupils cost £21, 129. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Humbie Primary School will remain closed for the next school year | Google Maps The average cost of educating primary school pupils in East Lothian is £8, 096 over the last year. East Lothian Council said the situation at the two village schools would be reviewed in 12 months time. Pupils who would have attended the school will continue going to Pencaitland Primary School with free home-to-school transport provided for those livingmore than two miles away. East Lothian Council's Head of Education Nicola McDowell has written to families to confirm the decision to extend the mothballing of the buildings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad She said: 'This decision is based on the best possible educational experience for children, given the very small rolls that would exist. Educational benefits and the quality of learning for children is compromised when operating with such small numbers. 'As an authority we also have a responsibility to ensure that we are providing best value throughout our services and across East Lothian. Having schools operating significantly below capacity does not represent best value for our council or demonstrate equitable allocation of fifinancial resource across the county. 'I would like to thank Pencaitland Primary School Head Teacher, Ms Crossan, and the entire school community for the warm welcome that Humbie and Saltoun children have received.'
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EP Wealth expands in California with NBS Financial Services
California's EP Wealth Advisors has strengthened its regional footprint with the purchase of NBS Financial Services. Financial specifics of the deal were not revealed. Westlake Village, California-based NBS Financial Services, established in 1981, offers financial, tax, estate, retirement, education planning, as well as investment management services. The addition of this firm bolsters EP Wealth's existing office located in Westlake Village, California, and contributes over $230m in assets to its books. Geordie Crossan, who has been with NBS since 1986 and serves as its president, will transition to EP Wealth's Westlake Village office along with two other team members. Commenting on the move, Crossan said: 'Joining EP Wealth allows us to strengthen our commitment to helping families achieve their financial goals. 'We look forward to continuing to serve the Westlake Village and Conejo Valley communities under the EP Wealth name.' This acquisition represents EP Wealth's fifth partnership in 2025. EP Wealth CEO Ryan Parker said: 'When identifying new partners, we prioritise firms deeply rooted in their communities. 'With over 40 years of dedicated service in the Conejo Valley, NBS shares our commitment to personalised, high-quality service. We're thrilled to welcome them to the EP Wealth family.' EP Wealth Advisors, a fee-only RIA, has over 50 offices across 17 states. As of 31 March 2025, the firm oversaw more than $32.6bn in assets. The firm is employee-owned and provides a comprehensive range of services, including financial, tax, estate planning, and investment management. "EP Wealth expands in California with NBS Financial Services" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
BBC News
24-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Cotters Park: Glamping site 'a field of nightmares' for residents
A County Antrim 'glamping' site is under investigation by a local council following allegations it has breached planning Park, near Randalstown, was pitched to Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council as "a back-to-nature, sustainable" food-tourism people living nearby have described it as a "noisy party venue" and a "field of nightmares".A Cotters Park spokesperson said they "completed a robust planning process" and that they are "facilitating environmentally responsible" tourism for the area. The owners of Cotters Park had originally pitched a 'food-tourism concept' where visitors could attend cookery demonstration nights hosted by local chefs.A planning statement said guests would get an "opportunity to sample local produce" and "purchase produce from the local farm shop".However, since opening in December 2023, it has hosted hen parties, a wedding and other events with DJs, bands and live were not listed as potential uses in the original planning application and Cotters Park did not deny they had taken place when asked by BBC media posts offered "catering, entertainment, bar services etc" but Cotters Park didn't have an entertainment licence.A cabin was also built in the middle of an island on the site which the developer said would "remain intact" for the benefit of cabin was promoted on social media as "a bar and events space" or "party room on the island".Residents say it at times adopted "a Love Island theme". The Residents Opposed to Cotters Park group said: "What has been built bears little or no resemblance to what planning permission was granted in terms of scale and usage".The site was given planning permission for six pods and a welcome centre but there are currently seven pods available as accommodation on are also saunas, hot tubs and other units which were not originally Park is applying for retrospective planning permission to retain those. Neighbours have also compared the site to an airport's landing strip and say its festooned lights are having "a significant adverse impact on the rural character of the area".They have complained that neon lights on the front of cabins are having an impact on Ecological Impact Assessment published in February found "the numbers of bats and levels of activity have declined dramatically..."This is due in large part to the current amenity lighting arrangements, which are unsatisfactory," the report said. 'A living nightmare' Bernie Crossan is a member of the local opposition group and said the developer "has engaged in virtually unconstrained development of the site, far beyond the planning permission that was granted"."The facility has turned into a living nightmare for many local residents who have lived in the area for many years," Ms Crossan said."We now need the local Council to intervene as soon as possible to end this nightmare," she and Newtownabbey Borough Council confirmed the site remains under enforcement investigation.A spokesperson added: "The council takes all matters of enforcement seriously and cannot provide specific details of the investigation... as it may have an adverse impact upon any legal proceedings." Local politician 'somewhat misled' The Alliance Party MLA John Blair previously supported the development but said he feels "somewhat misled" about its intended use."Clearly, what has transpired is very different to what was promised to me at the outset," he told BBC News NI."Neon lights, party themes, music on site and light pollution are far removed from what I expected. In addition, an island, originally highlighted to me as a nature feature, has now been built upon."Mr Blair said the development "is neither suitable or proportionate in terms of sustainable rural development and rural economy". 'Committed to environmental stewardship' A Cotters Park spokesperson said they "completed a robust planning process"."The council conducted an inspection of Cotters Park and found that permitted cabins comply with planning approval and Caravan Act requirements. Cotters Park is engaged with the council on a further planning application for the site," they added."Historic social media references to bar, events or party space at the site have been removed and a liquor license is not required as alcohol is not supplied at Cotters Park."Cotters Park said they have now installed "red bulbed, low-wattage and hooded lighting to enhance wildlife and bat activity in the area".The spokesperson added that Cotters Park is committed to environmental stewardship and that they have invested in ways to support local habitat including the installation of owl, bird and bat nesting."Ecology reports confirm that hedgerows, pond and other vegetation of considerable biodiversity value and conservation importance have been retained and enhanced at greater value to wildlife at the site."The spokesperson added: "Drinks packages are not offered at Cotters Park and there is a Noise Management Plan in place at the site."
