Latest news with #Hereford-based
Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
SAS witch hunts have led to recruitment crisis, former officer warns
The SAS is currently at the centre of an inquiry into allegations during the war in Afghanistan SAS witch hunts have damaged morale and led to a recruitment crisis within the elite regiment, says a former commanding officer. Brigadier Ed Butler, who commanded the SAS in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and led the regiment in Afghanistan in 2001, said it's 'not surprising' the Hereford-based unit is also failing to retain experienced troops. 2 Brigadier Ed Butler has warned morale in the SAS is low and faces a recruitment crisis Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Special forces sources have said that since the start of a series of so-called witch hunts against troops who served on operations in Northern Ireland 30-years ago the number of soldiers attempting SAS selection has fallen. They also claim that more troops are leaving the elite organisation in disgust at the treatment of veterans. Brigadier Butler, one of the SAS's most highly decorated and distinguished officers, told The Sun on Sunday: 'The politicians are happy to ask our Special Forces to prosecute government and foreign policies, in the most challenging and dangerous of conditions, to protect our democratic values and freedoms but are not prepared to stick up for them when the witch hunts start. 'Hardly surprising that morale is low, retention is a problem and now potential recruits are not trying SAS selection as they and their families are worried what might happen to them 10 or 20 years after fighting on the front line. You can't have it both ways.' The SAS is currently at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that members of the special forces routinely murdered civilians during the war in Afghanistan. Up to 20 SAS veterans, who served in Northern Ireland and shot dead armed IRA terrorists, are facing murder charges, according to senior members of the SAS regiment. The SAS Association have said: 'It is certainly true that there is real concern and extreme unease amongst SAS soldiers and commanders. "They operate on the front line, often in extreme danger, sometimes at the murky edges of the law. 'There is genuine and justifiable concern that an SAS man may bravely and legally do his duty today, and then, in decades time, be persecuted for it if some revisionist government moves the goal-posts in retrospect.' Figures relating to staffing levels for the SAS are kept secret but sources say there's been a 'noticeable and significant percentage drop'. SAS legend who stormed the Iranian Embassy forced to launch public appeal to pay crippling care home costs
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Irish Sun
SAS witch hunts have led to recruitment crisis, former officer warns
SAS witch hunts have damaged morale and led to a recruitment crisis within the elite regiment, says a former commanding officer. Brigadier Ed Butler, who commanded the SAS in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and led the regiment in Afghanistan in 2001, said it's 'not surprising' the Hereford-based unit is also failing to retain experienced troops. Advertisement 2 Brigadier Ed Butler has warned morale in the SAS is low and faces a recruitment crisis Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Special forces sources have said that since the start of a series of so-called witch hunts against troops who served on They also claim that more troops are leaving the elite organisation in disgust at the treatment of veterans. Brigadier Butler, one of the SAS's most highly decorated and distinguished officers, told The Sun on Sunday: 'The politicians are happy to ask our Special Forces to prosecute government and foreign policies, in the most challenging and dangerous of conditions, to protect our democratic values and freedoms but are not prepared to stick up for them when the witch hunts start. 'Hardly surprising that morale is low, retention is a problem and now potential recruits are not trying SAS selection as they and their families are worried what might happen to them 10 or 20 years after fighting on the front line. You can't have it both ways.' Advertisement READ MORE ON THE SAS The SAS is currently at the centre of an inquiry into allegations that members of the special forces routinely Up to 20 SAS veterans, who served in Northern Ireland and shot dead armed IRA terrorists, are facing murder charges, according to senior members of the SAS regiment. The SAS Association have said: 'It is certainly true that there is real concern and extreme unease amongst SAS soldiers and commanders. "They operate on the front line, often in extreme danger, sometimes at the murky edges of the law. Advertisement Most read in The Sun 'There is genuine and justifiable concern that an SAS man may bravely and legally do his duty today, and then, in decades time, be persecuted for it if some revisionist government moves the goal-posts in retrospect.' Figures relating to staffing levels for the SAS are kept secret but sources say there's been a 'noticeable and significant percentage drop'. SAS legend who stormed the Iranian Embassy forced to launch public appeal to pay crippling care home costs 2 The SAS Association says there are fears troops could be prosecuted decades on for what was legal at the time Credit: AFP
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
West Midlands firms celebrate Kings Awards success
A pioneering engineering firm is celebrating after receiving The King's Award for Enterprise in & Worrall is one of 12 businesses across the West Midlands to get a King's Award on Tuesday in various by the government as the UK's most prestigious business award, they recognise some of the best companies operating in the country in a range of sand casting specialists Grainger & Worrall, based in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, works with automotive and aerospace companies across the world. But it is the firm's cutting edge work in an area known as gigacasting that has attracted attention in recent years, particularly with electric vehicle (EV) car chassis have been produced from hundreds of parts which are then welded together by robots on a production gigacasting means casting structures in much fewer - often just two - very large parts which are then technique ultimately cuts manufacturing time and costs, as well as producing lighter structures, key for EV production, a spokesperson for the firm says. The firm has previously won three Queen's Awards and Mr Eldridge said they were all "very special".He said The King's Award "reflects the dedication, creativity and expertise of our talented team" and that there would be a chance for them to celebrate properly later in the year."We are putting Bridgnorth on the global map when it comes to producing components that will help drive sustainable manufacturing for years to come," he added. Hereford-based business Level Peaks received The King's Award for International by ex-UK Special Forces veterans, the firm supplies defence and security equipment to the UK government and governments Swinton, its business director, said the award served as a "meaningful recognition" of its growth."It stands as a testament to the commitment, professionalism, and contributions of the individuals within our organisation who have made that progress possible," she Pure Spring Water Ltd, also in Hereford, was recognised in the innovation category for launching the world's first spring water bottle made from 100% recycled aluminium. Matt Crocker, managing director, said the firm was thrilled with the accolade."Since launching four years ago, we have sold over 10 million bottles," he said."Innovation is at the heart of everything we do - not just in our products, but in how we think, how we work, and how we challenge convention to create real impact and become market leaders. "To win a King's Award is an extraordinary honour and a testament to the hard work and creativity of our entire team."The award programme, now in its 59th year, has recognised more than 8,000 companies since its inception in recognised in the innovation category wass TMT First, a Staffordshire-based business that offers a mobile component repair process, designed to reduce costs, improve sustainability and eliminate electronic waste.A spokesperson for the company said they aimed to keep "technology alive for longer". West Midlands recipients Berrington Pure Spring Water LTD, HerefordshireGrainger and Worrall Ltd, ShropshireTMT First Limited, StaffordshireKPM Marine LTD, BirminghamLevel Peaks Associates Ltd, HerefordshireMobell Communications Limited, StaffordshireBowers & Jones Ltd, BilstonExol (Holdings) Limited, WednesburyMade Media Ltd, BirminghamRunFlat International Limited, BirminghamSEADA Technology Ltd, WorcestershireFabweld Steel Products Ltd, Shropshire
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
King Charles praises Hereford childhood cancer charity
The King has praised the work of a charity that helps children who have been diagnosed with a reception held at Buckingham Palace on Thursday, the King told cancer charities they were "ensuring that a cancer diagnosis need never mean facing the future without hope and support".Among the charities represented was the Hereford-based Little Princess Trust (LPT), which makes real-hair wigs for young trustee Tim Lowe described it as "a genuine and heartfelt message". Mr Lowe was one of four attendees from the charity, alongside wig referrals manager Andrea Reese, health play specialist Penelope Hart-Spencer, and Kiya Kanani, a recipient of an LPT wig and ambassador for the charity. Ms Hart-Spencer presented the King with a copy of Anna Loses Her Hair, a book she wrote for children facing cancer treatment."King Charles was so complimentary about the work of The Little Princess Trust and the support for children with cancer," she King is undergoing treatment for cancer after being diagnosed in February last year. Royal sources say he is making positive Lowe said meeting the King and Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace was "a fantastic experience"."We had a chat about Kiya, who was wearing one of our wigs," he said. "I also asked: 'Would you grow your hair to three inches, so you can send us your hair?' which he quite liked." Wendy Tarplee-Morris MBE, who co-founded LPT in 2005 following the death of her daughter Hannah, praised the King's "lovely words"."He even spoke about himself as one of the statistics - and it kind of brings that close to home," she said. "There was a such a wide cross section of individuals there, all forming this amazing community of care that he spoke about."As a charity, we were so proud to be able to send four very deserving individuals along.""Despite the champagne, and canapes, and the palace, it was actually quite an emotional event," added Mr Lowe. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Hereford FC sponsorship deal "fantastic" for club, says chairman
A football club chairman has welcomed the confirmation of a new sponsorship deal with a local company, citing a boost for financial security and as-yet untapped commercial FC's home ground will become known as MandM Edgar Street Stadium after the club signed a five-year agreement with the Hereford-based online fashion retailer MandMDirect."It's fantastic," said club chairman Chris Ammonds. "We get brilliant support from the local business community and adding MandM to a group of fantastic sponsors is really good."MandM's chairman Mike Tomkins added that the firm was "incredibly proud" to partner with the club. "Football is a powerful force in bringing people together," Mr Tomkins said. "We see this sponsorship as a way to give back to the local community that has supported MandM for so many years."Under the deal, the firm will also become Hereford's official kit supplier, which Mr Ammonds said would give fans a greater choice of replica gear to buy in the club shop - such as training gear and tracksuits."One of the big things that we have always had an issue with is trying to get toddler and baby clothing that mirrors replica kits," he said. "Hopefully with MandM we will be able to look at that market."There's plenty of parents out there who have already asked that question."He added the agreement would also give the club some level of financial security."It's a really big deal for us," he said. MandM previously supplied the old Hereford United's kit in the late 90s and early 2000s, which Mr Ammonds described as "a really nice historic link"."We're a bit geographically challenged in terms of the football world because of where we are located," he said. "So the support from the local community and the local business community is fantastic."We're really looking forward to seeing how this relationship develops over the course of the next five years."As for Hereford's performance on the field, Mr Ammonds said he was still "a bit flat" after the side's home defeat to Scunthorpe on Saturday meant they missed out on a promotion play-off spot, but his "overarching feeling" was one of pride."I'm pleased with how things are going, and we have to look to kick on next year and go at least that one step further," he said. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
