Latest news with #Hallowe'en
Powys County Times
a day ago
- General
- Powys County Times
Rhayader Fire Station praised for making town a safer place
FIREFIGHTERS in Rhayader have been showered with praise, for raising thousands of pounds for local charities and making the town a safe place live, as part of Volunteers' Week. The praise has come from the local community support group, The Arches, as part of its recognition of local groups and individuals in Rhayader during the week, taking place from June 2-8. Multiple individuals and businesses in Rhayader have been singled out by Rhayader & District Community Support throughout the week, but the tributes to the town's firefighters and station was particularly poignant. 'This group of retained firemen have raised thousands of pounds for local charities in Rhayader and surrounding area,' read a post on The Arches Rhayader & District Community Support Facebook page on Wednesday. 'They have provided a safer place for us to live and become our first responders in the absence of the St John's Ambulance and saved many lives and enriched others. 'Alongside their day job, this group provides safety, comfort, vital attendance at cardiac arrest, falls in the home, road traffic accidents and the odd fire. 'They do car washes, quizzes, fundraising events and provide the infamous 'It's a Knockout' assault course in carnival week for the whole community to enjoy." 'This group give their time 24/7. They provide support to doctors, police, and take the pressure off the NHS by responding to calls and providing onsite CPR, keeping people alive and in reasonable condition while waiting for additional support. 'Not only this but they have raised money for the Bracken Trust, thus providing funds to continue alternative therapy to cancer patients by hosting quizzes and car washes. 'They also put on a community Hallowe'en evening which is free for all, allowing a safe and accessible environment for children to enjoy a Hallowe'en experience. 'As a public service the group provide a valuable service to our community.' Other recognised by The Arches this week so far include: Julie Carrod, who volunteers with St John Ambulance Cymru Rhayader and Wye Kids; Julia Wozencraft, a member of the local Knit and Natter group; Julie Davies, who has raised a lot of money for local groups and volunteers at Rhayader Town Football Club; Linda Knox, who has worked at The Arches for several years; Gill Williams, a very active member of the community who is a befriender, volunteer and Rhayader Luncheon Club volunteer; Katy Cronin, who is involved with youth groups and raises funds for numerous organisations; Ty Morgan's and their staff, who among other things, work tirelessly to provide a hot dinner for members of the community aged 65 and over around Christmas.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Trudeau can't run away from embarrassing himself
Justin Trudeau isn't the prime minister of Canada anymore. He's not a Liberal MP. He stayed out of the fray during last month's federal election. He's been under the radar for months, and is reportedly renting a home in Ottawa. Other than a brief excursion to a Canadian tyre store, which led him to take a predictable selfie, he's largely disappeared from public life. Everything came to a crashing halt this week. Trudeau proved once again that he can't run away from embarrassing himself. Literally, in fact. Trudeau was one of three former prime ministers who attended King Charles III's throne speech to open the new session of parliament. He chatted a fair bit with Stephen Harper. He sat within proximity of Kim Campbell. He brought his mother, Margaret, to hear the speech – which was a nice touch. The TV cameras then panned down to his shoes, only to discover he was wearing trainers. You read this correctly. Trudeau's footwear was a pair of green Adidas sneakers. In the Senate of Canada. To hear a speech by King Charles to open a parliamentary session in the country Trudeau led for almost a decade. Some people may not perceive this to be a big deal. To those individuals, I pose one simple question: 'Was anyone else in attendance doing this?' The answer is a resounding 'no,' and it shouldn't be difficult to figure out why. This isn't the first time that Trudeau has embarrassed himself in this respect, either. Three older instances of Trudeau wearing blackface received domestic and international scorn and derision – and deservedly so. His obsession with colourful socks wasn't unique among world leaders, but he kept doing it inappropriately in the House of Commons and elsewhere. Trudeau and his family also wore traditional outfits to India during a February 2018 trip. They were torn apart by the media. 'He wore an elaborate and heavily worked sherwani, more in tune with what a bridegroom would a Bollywood film,' the BBC's Ayeshea Perera amusingly wrote. The Canadian publication Maclean's called him 'The Mr. Dressup prime minister,' using the moniker of the late children's entertainer, Ernie Coombs, who wore various costumes plucked from his tickle trunk. Maclean's also included photos of Trudeau in other ridiculous costumes. This ranged from a Superman outfit worn inside the House of Commons on Hallowe'en to another inappropriate traditional outfit worn during the Chinese New Year. With respect to King Charles's speech, why would Trudeau do something so disrespectful during this important moment in Canadian history? Was it yet another desperate plea for media attention? Was he trolling his haters, as the kids might say? While there were probably elements of this in his thinking, the answer is quite simple: Trudeau doesn't give a tinker's dam about tradition and decorum in politics. He may be a former head of government, but his attitude and outlook on life often resemble the lowest common denominator. And that's why most Canadians are glad he's gone. Michael Taube was a speechwriter for former Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper 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.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
Security guard at gay nightclub ‘raped Christian woman saving herself for marriage', court hears
A security guard at a gay nightclub in central London raped a 19-year-old Christian woman who wanted to remain a virgin until marriage, a jury has heard. Morenikeji Adewole, 31, is accused of attacking his alleged victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, after she was denied entry to the Heaven nightclub on Hallowe'en last year. CCTV allegedly showed the defendant in hi-vis, later walking alone with the teenager who was stumbling and occasionally falling in the street. In a police interview played to the court, the alleged victim told officers she was a Christian who was 'saving herself until marriage' and felt 'violated'. The complainant contacted the police at 3pm on Nov 1 and told officers she had been raped, the court heard. The woman had queued for about two hours with five friends but only three of the group were allowed into the club, Southwark Crown Court heard. She was one of those left on the street and was 'very drunk', Marion Smullen, the prosecutor told the court. CCTV played to the jury showed Mr Adewole, from Dartford, Kent, approaching the group, Ms Smullen said. The next video played to the court allegedly showed him walking with the complainant and one of her friends along Villiers Street. Ms Smullen said: 'After a while, she wanted to get her other friends and just go home. She remembers speaking to a security guard about getting into the club to get her other friends and just go home – he said he would let her into the club, just come this way.' Another clip features what appears to be the defendant and the woman standing in a tunnel behind a shutter near York Buildings. Ms Smullen said the woman looked 'very drunk' and could be seen stumbling and bending over while holding her hands on her knees. It is alleged that Mr Adewole left the tunnel and later returned in his Lexus. He then drove the teenager to a small road called Adelphi Terrace in Westminster, where 'there are homeless people sleeping', which is where the alleged rape occurred, the court was told. The complainant described falling asleep in the back seat of the car and waking to find him on top of her, Ms Smullen added. During a police interview, which was played to the court, the woman said she attempted to push the security guard away but he carried on. The complainant said she felt that he was wearing a condom. She told officers that she does not recall leaving the vehicle but does remember meeting her friends. In the interview, she described thinking at the time: 'I can't believe this is happening to me, because I'm a Christian and I was saving myself until marriage, and I've done all this hard work to resist'. Asked how she felt walking back to the club, she appeared to wipe back tears and said: 'I felt disgusting, felt violated, I felt so f---ed off. I was so, so upset, I was bawling my eyes out.' Officers traced Adewole through his car and he was arrested at Heaven on Nov 11 last year. The Lexus keys were in his possession and he answered no comment to almost all questions when he was interviewed by police, the hearing was told. Mr Adewole denies rape and the trial continues. 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.
Irish Independent
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
‘Big-hearted' Wexford woman retires from historic pub after 80 years behind the bar
Now 93 years old and with nearly 80 years of experience at the pub in Craanford, Maryanne Doyle has finally decided to take her due leave and retire. "She's very well-known around the countryside for her hospitable welcome. She's heavily involved with all the community activities here and was always known as the place where the kids from GAA would stop off after matches. She's very generous and always made sure there was sweets and drinks there for the kids from Craanford GAA,' said her nephew, Will Doyle. Maryanne's long stint at the pub began when she was a young girl and returned home from boarding school to work at the pub alongside her aunt who ran it at the time. In 1965, she took over the pub from her aunt, making her the fifth generation of her family to manage the pub since the 1780s. Incredibly, this tradition will continue into the next generation of her family, as her grandnephews are now taking over from her after all these years. "She'll still be in the background giving guidance and support as she's very interested in the pub but is happy to let the new generation push ahead with it going forward,' said Will. One of the truly unique elements of the pub is its thatched roof. 'She's very proud of the history of the pub and keeping the heritage and thatch in place so it's as traditional as possible. Up to last year there were only bottles available in the pub and was one of the only bottle pubs left in Ireland. Even Guinness were shocked when we rang to ask about getting the taps because we hadn't had taps before,' said Will. The pub is also known for being a hub for traditional Irish music, with regular sessions held there over the years. Maryanne has always been heavily involved with the local community and was a member of the ICA and Tidy Towns. Furthermore, up until the 1980s, she ran the farm as well as the pub. "She's very big-hearted. She was always a popular stop for the children at Hallowe'en because they always got lots of sweets, drinks and a bit of money too. She loved everything about Hallowe'en. She was a very hospitable landlady and her regulars were very good to her and she was very good to them,' said Will. One of the pub's claims to fame is when James Bolger, the Prime Minister of New Zealand in the 1990s, popped in for a drink with his family. "Randomly, he'd be a descendent of the first owner of the pub, so she was very proud of that when he visited. We're descendants of the Kenny family. Moses Kenny was the original owner of the pub and James Bolger would be a descendant of him on a different side,' said Will. With everything she had going on, Mary Anne still found the time for her loved ones and Will said she is an amazing aunt. 'Her nieces and nephews used to come down to her to have lunch after school time. She was a great hostess and every Christmas time, she had a big party for her family at the pub. She's always been very family focused,' said Will.
Irish Independent
12-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
Wexford man Tom Carroll was a devoted family man who always stayed true to his Blackwater roots
Tom, the eldest son of the late Denis and Mary Carroll nee Corrigan, was born in June, 1940. A Blackwater man and more importantly a proud Ballyconnigar man; Tom never strayed far from his roots or his love and understanding of nature. He attended Blackwater National School before embarking on a life of farming on the family farm. The sandy, dry land and small fields were a feature of the landscape of Ballyconnigar back then, allowing Tom to nurture his skill of ploughing and working the land. In his youth he enjoyed attending dances across the county and was a member of Macra na Feirme. In 1978 Tom married Rita Byrne of Crosshue, and the arrival of their four children meant they were inseparable while leading a busy and devoted family life together. Despite the hard work, there was always time for fun and family day's out. Tom also loved joking and playing tricks – dressing up for Hallowe'en, April Fool's Day jokes and in latter years Easter Egg Hunts for his grandchildren and their friends. Tom's love of the land and farming was evident throughout his life from milking cows twice daily, knowing their names and individual personalities to trips to the mart becoming a whole day out. His understanding of nature was ahead of his time from the germination of early potatoes to never cutting down a tree without planting at least one more. His lifelong knowledge and respect for the sea, tides and moon phases was never far from his mind, from time spent herring fishing and sea-prizing to understanding that all living creatures come into this world on a rising tide and leave on an ebbing tide. One of his favourite past-times was driving down to the strand to look out at the sea. Tom was a devoted member of St. Brigid's GAA Club Blackwater from his playing days right up to more recently being on the sideline supporting teams of all ages across all codes. From watching countless training sessions at the local pitch to trips to Croke Park supporting our county teams through good and bad days. A post-match analysis was essential - either to celebrate the successes or debate the questionable calls. Tom was an active member of Blackwater Ploughing Match Committee, Blackwater Game Protection Association and in more recent years Blackwater Vintage Club. These all related back to his lifelong love of nature and the land. Tom loved socializing and meeting people; he had a word for all ages and was never first to leave an event. He was well known by all visitors to Blackwater and was renowned for selling early spuds to the bathers (from either Enniscorthy or Dublin)! Family was very close to Tom's heart, and this was evident in the strong relationship with his brother and five sisters. He took pride in being head of the family and always kept in touch with cousins and the wider family circle. His sociable and welcoming nature meant that there was a steady flow of visitors to the family home over the last few weeks of his life. These visits by family members, neighbours and friends were thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated. Tom's family takes great comfort and pride in the fact that he spent his final days at home, as he had wished. They would like to express their gratitude to all who assisted in this being possible. Tom was laid to rest in Blackwater Cemetery on Saturday April 19, following his Funeral Service in St. Brigid's Church. He was interred with his parents Denis and Mary who had passed away in the early 1980's. A beautiful rendition of Horses and Plough was sung by Senan Lillis, Matty Murphy and John Furlong during the burial; a fitting tribute to Tom's years working the land. Tom is mourned by his beloved wife Rita, his daughters Catherine (Vallely), Marion (Murphy) and Oonagh (Rowe) and son Denis. He is also sadly missed by his brother Mike, sisters Margaret (Hawes), Catherine (Howard), Anne (McLoughlin), Mary (Gillespie) and Stasia (Bevan); adored grandchildren Mikey, Tom, Luke, Aidan, Conor, Michael, Tomás, Mary Kate, Orlaith, Finn, Harry; sons in law Sean, Paul and Eddie, daughter in law Siobhán; sisters in law Carmel and the late Annie Walsh, brothers in law Roy, John, Austin, Charlie and Dave; nieces, nephews and extended family, neighbours and friends. Tom's Month's Mind Mass will be celebrated in St. Brigid's Church, Blackwater at 7pm on Saturday May 17. The Mass may also be viewed online on
