Latest news with #Hants
The Sun
5 days ago
- General
- The Sun
Huge ‘Jack & the Beanstalk' tree towers over our homes – it's grotesque & irresponsible… but council won't chop it down
A GIANT "Jack and the beanstalk" tree is ruining locals' lives - but the council won't chop it down. Residents in Winchester, Hants, slammed the "grotesquely irresponsible" and "ludicrous" 45 foot high oak. 9 9 9 They say the tree was planted around 50 years ago by a previous homeowner on Canon Street who just "wanted something to do". But now it has branched into an "out of proportion" eyesore which overshadows the gardens of nearby properties - where the average house price is more than £600,000. However, the council have refused to cut it down and placed it under a protection order. The authorities said residents from a neighbouring street "appreciated" the tree. The decision has sparked outrage among locals who are actually dealing with the daily repercussions of such an overwhelming tree. Orla Williams, 40, moved into her terraced Grade II Listed home with her partner around two years ago. The doctor said after moving in, several residents went to her about the oak. She explained: "They were concerned that it is getting very large and that it could cause damage to their properties and potentially harm to people if it gets any larger, so they wanted it to be taken down. "We applied to the council to have it removed and someone came to look at it. "[The tree officer] said that they want to put a tree protection order on it." The mum-of-two also told how an "awful lot of detritus" falls from the tree in autumn and winter. She added: "We appreciate that the tree is beautiful but it's the wrong tree in the wrong place. "It is quite sad to remove something like that but it is only going to get bigger and potentially cause damage to lots of properties which is the main concern. "The council said they were concerned about removing it because it's one of the only trees in the area. 9 9 9 "All of the local residents seem to be of the opinion that unfortunately, it's the wrong tree in the wrong place." According to a council report, the tree officer visited Orla after receiving notice from the couple that it was due to be felled. But he found the tree met the criteria for a provisional protection order, which was issued in February of this year. A Winchester County Council meeting will take place next week to decide whether the tree status will change or not. There are nine residents in total who have objected to the order. Mark Pocock, a retired resident living on Canon Street, slammed the council's decision to protect the tree as "ludicrous". He said: 'As trees grow older they become more brittle. "If it were to fall and damage properties or persons, I would say the responsibility would be entirely with the council – not the owners of those properties. "I think putting a tree protection order on is grotesquely irresponsible of the council. 'It could be a danger to property and life." Nick Goff, 80, said he fears if the tree continues to grow, the roots underneath will damage a medieval wall in his garden, which was built in the Tudor era. The retired British Airways pilot said: "The issue is that in 10 years time, that will be double the height and double the width. 'It put on six feet last year it it's going to put on another six feet this year." He commissioned an independent report from a tree consultancy business. The report stated while the tree, which is still a "teenager" is in "good physiological condition". But the officer also found it is "a large sized tree in a very small area" and so the tree protection order is "unjustified". The report also stated "the possibility of longer term damage to the retaining walls and footings of the adjacent properties as entirely foreseeable". "Some guy planted this as something to do 40 years ago," Mr Goff continued "Now, we have got Jack and the Beanstalk. "It's not a historic tree – it's a silly mistake." However, the council report issued ahead of next week's meeting claimed these concerns were "speculative" and the tree "contributes meaningfully to local biodiversity and visual amenity". It added: "It is also the last significant tree in an area of land between Canon Street and St Swithun's Street, enhancing the character of the conservation area." Retired resident Graham Rule, 62, blasted the decision as "irresponsible". He said: "We all love trees but that shouldn't be there. "The people who want the protection order, they don't live here – its totally irresponsible." Winchester County Council was contacted for comment. 9 9 9
CTV News
26-05-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Risk of frost Monday night followed by set of warmer, late spring days in the Maritimes
Following a cool and soggy weekend, there is a risk of patchy frost in Nova Scotia Monday night. The good news is the Maritimes won't be caught out in the cold when it comes to some much warmer air returning to the country this week. Frost advisory Environment Canada has issued a frost advisory for the area of Nova Scotia including Halifax County, Hants, Cumberland, Colchester, the Eastern Shore, the North Shore, and Cape Breton. The advisory cautions of low temperatures falling to near one degree at lower elevations by early Tuesday morning. The chilly temperature in combination with a clearing sky and light wind will give a risk of frost formation. Frost advisory A frost advisory is in effect for much of Nova Scotia Monday night. The weather agency suggesting to 'cover up plants, especially those in frost-prone areas.' The warmer temperatures expected should eliminate the risk of frost for the rest of the week in the Maritimes. Northern areas of New Brunswick may need to be alert for cooler nighttime temperatures this upcoming weekend. Chilly and soggy weekend but much warmer days ahead The past weekend was characterized by below-average temperatures and periods of wet weather for the Maritimes. Rain totals Friday through Monday morning ranged 10-to-30 mm for much of the region. Some communities picked up totals of 30-to-40 mm of rain. Rain totals Rain totals from select volunteers and weather stations Friday through the weekend. Moving through the week, a broad ridge in the jet stream, northward movement of fast-moving winds high in the atmosphere, will allow for some plumes of warmer air to move into Canada out of the United States. The Maritimes will peak with this warm-up in the Tuesday through Thursday period of this week. High temperatures on Tuesday will reach the low-to-mid 20s for most of the Maritimes. Highs may be held closer to the high teens for a few areas, including Prince Edward Island, Cape Breton, and direct coastal locations. Tuesday A sunnier and warmer day, region wide, on Tuesday. Temperatures step up another few degrees on Wednesday and it could very well be the warmest day of this week. Daytime highs are expected to the range pf mid-to-high 20s for most of the Maritimes. Direct coastal locations will see high-teens and low-20s. Will there be a shot at some reaching 30 degrees? I'd say so. A few communities I'd watch for include Fredericton and Miramichi in New Brunswick. Increasing cloudiness from the west may bring temperatures down a few degrees on Thursday. It is still expected to be warm though with daytime highs reach the low-to-mid 20s, mid-to-high teens on parts of the Bay of Fundy coastline in New Brunswick and the Atlantic coastline of Nova Scotia. Rain and showers cool for Friday and the weekend The long-range forecast favours back-to-back low-pressure systems arriving for the Maritimes Friday and Saturday. Friday A low-pressure system moving out of the northeastern U.S. is expected to bring some rain and showers to the Maritimes Friday. Cloudier conditions with periods of rain and showers are expected on both those days. The change in weather conditions is likely to bring high temperatures back into the mid-to-high teens for most of the Maritimes. It won't be exactly cold but also not nearly as warm as Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are expected to be. After that, another ridge, and the return of warmer air, is possible next week. That is a fair way out in the extended forecast though and so subject to a higher chance of change.
The Sun
15-05-2025
- The Sun
Shocking moment dog walker drags animals by their leads & hurls them into home as owner's pal slams ‘sickening' footage
THE RSPCA is investigating a sickening video of a dog walker dragging pooches by their leads and throwing them into a home. Shocking footage showed the professional handler appearing to manhandle three pets while taking them out in Totton, Hants. 3 Katrina Frampton claimed her friend's Ring doorbell clip captured former British Army soldier Mike Johnston, of 3D Dog Training. She posted the recording of the incident, which took place shortly before 7pm on May 7, on TikTok to warn other dog owners. Mum-of-one Katrina, 33, told The Sun: 'It just makes you feel sick, doesn't it? "I understand there's accidents, but he's a dog trainer as well as a dog walker. "As a dog trainer, you know if they don't have recall or aren't obedient, you shouldn't have them all out together anyway. "He's got dogs of his own as well, so that's even worse. I think four or five dogs. He's an ex-soldier. "He's saying that his customers are standing by him - I'm sorry, but that's ridiculous." Katrina, from nearby Holbury, claimed Mr Johnston removed his social media accounts after the video went viral. The administrator said one woman commented on her video saying she was no longer using his services after watching it. On why she chose to share the footage, she added: "It was more so for the fact that we trust and pay these people to look after their dogs, and a lot of people don't have home security and stuff." Mr Johnston left a Facebook comment claiming he 'acted on impulse' and has 'nothing but love for all animals I would not do any of the sick things that you are all assuming'. He wrote: 'This was the beginning of an evening walk. All four of these dogs have no recall, no general obedience and the bulldog can be dog reactive and will lunge and go for other dogs. 'Two of the harnesses, both the same terrible design, failed as all four pulled to get out of the front door. I had a split second to react as there was now two dogs off lead with no training. 'One dog had run to the end of the driveway and turned right. I acted as quickly as possible to avert any further potential complications. 'If Huge the bulldog had run off and into the road or into the path of another dog it would have been much worse. RSPCA reveals some essential dog grooming tips you can do at home 'I acted on impulse and got the three back inside the front door as quickly as possible. Unfortunately it looks bad but the fact is they were picked up quickly and placed down inside. 'They were not harmed or shook by the incident in any way. Once the three were safe, I closed the door over and proceeded calmly down the driveway to retrieve Bella. 'There is a lot of hate circling but there is also a lot of support from my clients who had the decency to call me and ask for the context. 'Knowing that there is absolutely no way I would have done that if I didn't feel there was a need.' He added: 'This was an unfortunate and freak incident where I acted quickly and impulsively.' Katrina claimed the incident had been reported to the police, local dog warden and RSPCA, which has launched an investigation. A spokesperson for the animal charity said: 'We're unable to comment when enquiries are ongoing. 'We understand how frustrating that is for animal lovers but releasing information could prejudice investigations or could lead to us being fined. 'However, we would like to reassure people we will always investigate any complaints made to us about animal welfare.' 3
BBC News
31-01-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Brown named Hampshire's red ball captain
Hampshire wicketkeeper Ben Brown has been named the club's captain for the 2025 County Championship 36-year-old takes over the role from James Vince, who has moved to a white ball Sussex skipper Brown moved to Hants from their south coast neighbours in 2022 and has made 69 appearances across the County Championship and One Day Cup for the will continue to lead the T20 Blast side, while Nick Gubbins remains skipper of the One Day Cup squad."It's an honour and I feel incredibly privileged to be elected as captain for the County Championship. Coming in and seeing the pictures of those who have done it before me, it feels surreal to be part of that history," Brown said."As a club, we're desperate to win the Championship. James Vince has been a tremendous leader, and will continue to be in the Blast, and hopefully I can continue our winning mentality as we continue to push for the four-day title."
