Latest news with #Gillingham
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Mayor thrilled to be publicly and hilariously mocked by comedy royalty
The questions were absurd, random and insulting. But that's how clueless, comically corpulent and cringe-inducing television celebrity interviewer Jiminy Glick rolls. And for Winnipeg's mayor, who bore the unrelenting brunt of the bloated, fictitious character's improvised comedy chaos at Assiniboine Park Saturday evening, it was an over-too-soon dream come true. 'I've never been a part of anything like what I experienced Saturday night,' Scott Gillingham said Monday, still basking in the glow of the exquisite pain he endured sitting on stage opposite one of Canadian comic actor Martin Short's beloved over-the-top characters. '(It was) really a cool thing for a Canadian who's been a fan of Martin Short's for decades.' MIKE PETERS PHOTO Winnipeg mayor Scott Gillingham is interviewed by Martin Short character Jiminy Glick at the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival at Assiniboine Park Saturday. MIKE PETERS PHOTO Winnipeg mayor Scott Gillingham is interviewed by Martin Short character Jiminy Glick at the Great Outdoor Comedy Festival at Assiniboine Park Saturday. The 75-year-old Short was one of the headliners at the weekend's Great Outdoors Comedy Festival. Gillingham's appearance as Glick's victim came as a surprise for the audience, as did former mayor Brian Bowman's star turn during Short's 2015 performance at the Club Regent Event Centre. 'You were adopted,' Glick asked/told Gillingham in his obnoxious, declarative and high-pitched voice. The mayor responded that he, in fact, had not been adopted. 'Oh, sorry, I hate for you to find out this way,' came the reply. MIKE PETERS PHOTO Gillingham (left) said of his interview by Martin Short: '(It was) really a cool thing for a Canadian who's been a fan of Martin Short's for decades.' MIKE PETERS PHOTO Gillingham (left) said of his interview by Martin Short: '(It was) really a cool thing for a Canadian who's been a fan of Martin Short's for decades.' The conversation also at one point entered a 'lightning round.' The questions included, 'If you grew another nipple anywhere in your body, where would you put it?' and 'Are we putting breath mints in the wrong end?' The mayor answered with 'in the middle' and 'next question,' respectively. 'As the one being interviewed by Jiminy Glick, you don't really say a lot. It just kind of comes at you like a firehose. You laugh and you cringe and you try to have some sort of witty response, but it's over in a heartbeat. But it's a lot of fun,' said Gillingham, adding he was laughing too hard to answer some of the questions. It was a nice change from his day job, he said. 'What I like about, obviously, about that experience, but the comedy festival as well, is that there's so much that is heavy and serious in our lives and in our community, in our world right now. Being able to come together as a community and laugh is kind of refreshing,' he said. The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival, which also features John Mulaney, Whitney Cummings, Jeremy Piven and the Trailer Park Boys, among others, is visiting multiple Canadian cities (along with Spokane, Wash.). Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'To see Winnipeg as being central to the vision of the nationwide festival brings a spotlight to Winnipeg. That's really good,' Gillingham said. 'Obviously, it brings economic spinoffs to the community, as well. Whether it's people coming in from out of town to watch the shows and hotel nights, restaurants. It just brings a buzz to the city.' Gillingham said he's hopeful organizers will expand the local portion of the event in the future. 'They absolutely see a future here in Winnipeg and (a) goal to continue to grow the comedy festival here in our city,' he said. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Kent NHS trust apologises over ear, nose and throat delays
A trust has apologised after it said nearly 9,000 patients waiting for ear, nose and throat (ENT) referrals at hospitals in Kent have experienced "unnecessary delays".The delays are at the Medway Maritime Hospital in Gillingham and the Darent Valley Hospital in patients impacted include 4,279 adults and children waiting for a first outpatient appointment, and 4,570 existing patients waiting a follow-up appointment, diagnostic test or procedure. Medway NHS Foundation Trust apologised and said it had commissioned a full investigation "to understand how the error occurred and if anyone has come to harm as a result". It said on Friday it found 8,849 patients waiting to be seen by ENT specialists whose referrals had not been correctly managed in line with NHS waiting time standards. First reported by the Health Service Journal, it is believed that some patients have waited up to five years for an patients impacted are predominantly in the Dartford, Gravesham, Swanley, Bexley and Greenwich areas. 'Immediate action' It is understood that when the referrals were first received, they were reviewed by a clinician and assessed as routine, meaning that no urgent concerns, such as cancer, were identified at the Wade, interim chief executive of Medway NHS Foundation Trust and chief executive of Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, apologised for the delays."We have taken immediate action to ensure referrals to this service are correctly managed, with stronger oversight and improved systems in place," he Wade said the hospitals were contacting patients to make arrangements for them to be seen as quickly as possible.
Metro
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Olivia Attwood reveals how burglars chose 'opportune' moment to target mansion
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Olivia Attwood has been left shaken up after a break-in at the home she shares with husband Bradley Dack. The former Love Islander and her Gillingham footie star husband, 31, whom she wed in 2023, reside in a £1million mansion in Cheshire. And it's a good job the couple has top-notch security in place, as Olivia has revealed thieves waited for the perfect moment to make their move. Taking to social media, the Loose Women and This Morning presenter, 34, told her followers this morning: 'Our house got broken into last night, and I just did a 5am gym sesh 'cause I need to get through some of the rage, and I need to get ready for the busiest f***ing day of my life. 'So, obviously, I can't go into too much detail 'cause it's like an open investigation now, but some scumbags basically smashed a second-floor window, went in. 'Security team got the notification within 30 seconds and were there in two minutes with dogs, and the little scumbags ran off.' On what was taken, she added: 'They got some stuff, but they didn't get what they came for, and now I have to just show face, because it's a really important work day, and I feel a bit tired.' Later on, Olivia defiantly posted that this is the reason why she and Bradley 'pay through the nose for private security', praising the 'incredible' North West police officers who weren't 'far behind'. 'We saw your faces, we have your foot prints, and finger prints', she wrote, addressing the perpetrators directly. 'And sorry what you were looking for isn't actually kept at the property [sic]'. Olivia also took to TikTok to thank her followers for their support, assuring everyone that she, Bradley, and their two dogs are safe. 'We weren't there, the dogs weren't there, and obviously, you know my dogs, the rescue shepherd and Rottweiler; no one's getting into my house and not getting unalived if my dogs are there. 'So these f***ing disgusting vermin were obviously tracking the house, and they obviously went at a time they knew the dogs weren't there. They didn't know we had security with a dog team, so they came down so quickly, thank God, and it's just a horrible thing, isn't it? The feeling someone's been in your house, even if they didn't take the most valuable things.' Olivia then shared that this isn't the first time the pair have been victims of a break-in. 'This has happened to us before, in Manchester. It's like the third time we've been burgled, to be fair. 'It's just a sad society, isn't it?' However, in true Olivia fashion, the Price of Perfection host is remaining strong, declaring, 'Life goes on.' 'There's a lot worse that can happen, so we keep it moving.' She proceeded to throw herself into work today, shrugging off the 'upset and stress' she felt. More Trending 'My head's gonna hit the pillow tonight, and I'll be out,' she signed off, stating that there are now people at her home 'looking after everything'. Olivia and Bradley celebrated their second wedding anniversary last month, having met in 2019. Their special day was then documented for the nation to watch, with all the ups and downs of wedding prep and beyond filmed for her ITV series, Olivia Marries Her Match. Prior to dating Bradley, Olivia was in a relationship with Chris Hughes, 32, with whom she was coupled up on Love Island in 2017. He is now dating JoJo Siwa, 22. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Abbott Lyon's top-rated Fidget Ring is the chic accessory to soothe anxiety
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
New wellbeing hub launched at leisure centre
RiversMeet Active in Gillingham has launched a community-first wellbeing hub. The facility aims to support the physical, mental and social health of the community. The hub is part of a growing national trend toward community-based health solutions. These initiatives aim to ease the pressure on the NHS. RiversMeet Active's general manager, Jake, said: "We are very excited to be building on this impressive scheme whilst working in partnership with vital local resources. We are on a mission to improve the health of our community, watch this space." The hub is integrated with RiversMeet's GP referral programme. It offers low-impact classes for those recovering from illness or injury, living with long-term health conditions or looking to improve their overall wellbeing. The sessions are designed to be inclusive and accessible to all community members. Dorset Mind, a local charity supporting mental health, will operate from the hub every Monday. They will provide a drop-in mental health service, working in conjunction with the existing GP referral pathways. READ: Gym shuts suddenly as 'new partner' sought to take over existing brand Integrated with RiversMeet's GP referral programme, the Hub offers low-impact classes for people recovering from illness or injury. (Image: Plans for additional services at the hub include physiotherapy, sports massage, counselling, nutrition groups, anxiety and parent support sessions and discreet contraception services for students. The hub is a collaborative effort, with support from Gillingham-based company, Dextra Group. They hope the hub will be a valuable resource for their employees, their families and the wider community. The hub is designed to be an inclusive and accessible space for everyone, including those with long-term health conditions, students, carers and older adults. It aims to be more than just a gym, but a key community resource for Gillingham and beyond. It is hoped the hub will promote health, connection and support within the community. This project represents a significant step towards improving community health and reducing the strain on NHS services.
Winnipeg Free Press
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Gillingham says he'll run again to usher through key projects
Mayor Scott Gillingham says his work on key projects is far from done, so he plans to run for re-election. In an interview Thursday, Gillingham confirmed he will seek a second term, after becoming mayor in the fall 2022 election. 'Completing several key projects is going to take more than a year and a half. There are many important projects for the City of Winnipeg that I really would like to see through,' he said. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Mayor Scott Gillingham says he plans to run for re-election. The mayor listed the long-awaited $3-billion north end sewage treatment plant upgrade as a top priority; it would greatly reduce pollution released by the plant and boost sewage capacity. The city estimates it would have just four to six years of capacity left to process sewage sludge without the upgrade. Gillingham said construction projects slated for Route 90/Kenaston Boulevard, the Chief Peguis Trail and the Arlington Bridge are also key, ongoing priorities. While he campaigned on promises to reduce homelessness, Gillingham said that issue has posed the greatest challenges so far. 'The sticking point, the bottleneck, is we don't have enough housing units to move people out of encampments and into housing with wrap-around supports… The province is working on getting more housing units available (and) we, as a city, have made significant zoning changes and reforms to get more housing built more quickly,' he said. Gillingham narrowly won his initial mayoral term with 27.5 per cent of the vote, while former Winnipeg mayor and Ontario MPP Glen Murray claimed second-place with 25.3 per cent. Incumbent Winnipeg mayors have proven tough to beat. Meanwhile, Gillingham has faced some criticism over the past year for backing off some of his election promises. After initially saying he would respect a non-binding plebiscite in which 65 per cent of Winnipeggers voted 'no' to reopening Portage and Main to pedestrians, the mayor changed his mind last year. The intersection reopened on June 27. 'My mind changed, I think, for good and practical reasons, and that was a $73-million cost to repair the membrane and five years of traffic delays at the intersection. When we looked at that, it made more sense practically to open the intersection,' said Gillingham. The mayor also promised during his campaign to raise property taxes by 3.5 per cent per year. Instead, the 2025 budget imposed a 5.95 per cent increase, marking the largest annual tax hike since the 1990s and adding $121 to the bill for owners of a sample single-family home. That was followed by two other major fee hikes that took effect April 1. The annual per-home garbage fee rose to $254 (prorated to $190.50 for 2025) from $93, and the typical home's sewer rate increased by $18.67 per month, which will add up to $168.03 for the remainder of 2025. When combined with the tax hike, a sample home will pay $386.50 more this year. When asked if large tax and fee hikes could be expected in the next council term, Gillingham said no decision has been made yet. 'We made difficult decisions in the last several months when it comes to rates and taxes because we're doing what needs to be done. We have a growing city (with growing costs),' he said. Murray, the mayoral runnerup, did not respond by deadline to questions about whether he will run again. Kevin Klein, a former Winnipeg city councillor and Manitoba cabinet minister who finished third in the 2022 vote, also did not respond to a request for comment. Social enterprise expert Shaun Loney, the fourth-place mayoral candidate in 2022, said he will not run in 2026. In an interview, Loney said he had hoped the current city council would explore how social enterprises could make the city safer, such as by helping people who have committed crimes find jobs. Loney said initial discussions with the mayor on that topic didn't produce action and he'd now prefer to focus on his current work as a consultant who helps organizations set up social enterprises. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. 'My door remains open to working with mayor and council, but they first have to recognize that in order to get the city we want, we have to deploy different strategies,' he said. Past mayoral candidate Don Woodstock said he will run for mayor again. The next Winnipeg city council election is scheduled for Oct. 28, 2026. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
