Latest news with #ITVNewsWestCountry
ITV News
a day ago
- General
- ITV News
Pride of Britain: How you can nominate a West Country hero fundraiser
ITV News West Country is launching this year's search for a champion fundraiser to nominate in the Pride of Britain awards. Each year, ITV West Country selects a winner for our West area (Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset) and from our South-West area (Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset) for the ITV West Country Regional Fundraiser of the Year award. They get to represent the West Country at the awards in London - where they are in with a chance of winning the overall Fundraiser of the Year award. Now, it is time for you, the public to say thank you to people who work tirelessly to support charities and good causes. How to nominate a West Country hero for the Regional Fundraiser of the Year Award You can nominate someone for the ITV West Country Regional Fundraiser of the Year Award by clicking here. Simply select "ITV Fundraiser of the Year" in award category and choose "West Country" as your region. Nominations may be individuals or groups of 2 people or more - they also must be 18 or over - anyone under the age of 18 has to get permission from a parent or guardian before they are nominated. Previous winners are not eligible and nor is fundraising for political organisations. Nominations close on 10 August 2025 at 11.59pm. Previous West Country regional winners include:
ITV News
23-05-2025
- Science
- ITV News
Maerl beds: the irreplaceable fish nurseries under threat from sewage and pollution in Cornwall
Marine experts have warned that Cornwall's ancient coral beds are being damaged by pollution. Divers have found that the previously "purple and beautiful" maerl beds off St Mawes are now covered in a brown algae caused by sewage and to Cornwall Wildlife Trust, this development is a "massive concern" for the essential ecosystems. What are maerl beds? Maerl is a purple-pink seaweed that forms a hard layer on the seabed over thousands of years. This spiky surface is an irreplaceable marine habitat which acts as a nursery for commercial fish and shellfish species, as well as being a vital carbon store. Maerl beds are fragile structures which can easily be damaged by human activities such as towed fishing gear, anchor damage and commercial extraction. Protections like the EU Special Area of Conservation apply within the Fal estuary, meaning mobile fishing gear and maerl extraction are both now banned. What has happened to the maerl beds in Falmouth Bay? However, water quality is also a key threat to the habitat, and an organised dive at the recent UK Maerl Forum found that the ancient maerl beds off St Mawes had suffered a serious deterioration. Sewage and agricultural run-off cause raised nutrient levels in the water, which can lead to this algae now covering the beds. Speaking to ITV News West Country, a Marine Conservation Officer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust, Matt Slater, explained: 'We were all absolutely shocked to find that instead of seeing a beautiful purple carpet of living mearl, it was absolutely smothered in brown algae, and you could tell that there was virtually no light getting through that seaweed." He added: "We really hope that it's going to survive, but we know from experience that was shared at the Maerl Forum, that in other parts of Europe where this has been witnessed, it has been really bad news." What can be done? According to Mr Slater, this deterioration should be "a wake up call that something needs to be done about water quality in the Fal". He noted: "It's great that there is work going on but we would love to see more of it, and quicker." Cornwall Wildlife Trust is working with farmers to reduce agricultural run-off and is encouraging sustainable fishing practises. South West Water has said it is working with the Environment Agency and Natural England to understand the sources and distribution of nutrients and chemicals. In a statement, the utility company added: "We are also planning to reduce the nutrient load at a number of wastewater treatment plants across our region, including at North Fal (St Stephen) and St Dennis, both within the wider Fal/Helford catchments, which will improve the quality of the water in the rivers that flow into the estuary. "We are reducing levels of phosphate in the treated wastewater that we return to the environment. We are serious about reducing the use of storm overflows and our plan is working, but there is more to do. We will be carrying out improvements at 16 Storm Overflows closest to the Fal Estuary area by 2030."
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
'It'll take time to heal': Community leader says fallout of riots still having big impact
The president of a Senegalese group says it's going to "take time" for communities like his to heal following last year's violent protests. Lamine Diop is the president of the Kora Association, a Senegalese group based on Stapleton Road in Bristol. In the wake of last year's violent protests across the country, including in Bristol, Lamine says the community was left scared and anxious in the city many of them call home. He told ITV News West Country: 'It's not really a nice thing to think about it because it was sad. 'It was sad, it was stressful, it was worrying, it was not good for the children as well.' Despite no further outbreaks of violence in the city since August last year, Lamine says it is still fresh on people's minds and will take a long time to mentally recover from. He said: 'The kids, because they're born here, they feel like this is home for them. 'When they see this thing [the protests] they feel like 'I'm not a part of this country, my colour is a problem here'. 'It was so worrying. They're scared about going to school, going out in the community. It was a sad feeling for them, it was tough. 'Even like going out to the shop, they're worried - they can't go to the shop by themself. 'Now they're worried. They prefer to stay home. Even going to school they need to go with friends like together and they can feel more safe.' Lamine, who works in a school, said it isn't just young people who felt the brutal impact of the unrest. He added: 'This place used to be busy and packed. But since the [protests] happened it killed the place. 'A lot of people are worried about coming out, they're not really going out anymore. Even the old people, they felt like 'do I need to go by myself'. 'They don't feel safe going out by themselves. It's not very nice to be honest. It'll probably take time to bring people back. A lot of people just stay home.' Asked if Bristol still felt like home to him, Lamine responded: 'It's not really. It used to be. But not now.' Lamine has lived in Bristol for 20 years and would frequently go out in the city at night and in the day, but admitted even he now thinks twice before going anywhere - especially on his own. He recently returned to Senegal to visit family and friends and said many people there now fear visiting the UK. He said: 'When I was there my family was worried. My wife and kids - when they see this video it was scary. 'They said 'are you guys safe there'. I say yeah we're safe. I want to bring them back here but they're worried, they say 'do you think I can go back to UK', I say 'yeah, of course'. 'They just worry. Kids are worried, wife are worried to come here. Maybe it take time to get the confidence back.' Asked if he could summarise the long term feeling this has left within minority communities, Lamine said: 'It's tough to describe. It's not a great thing. It's not a nice thing. 'One of the saddest things happening in life I've been through. One of the most horrible, nasty things I've been through in my life to be honest. That's how I feel. 'Especially when I see the kids as well - at home worrying about going out.'
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
'I was praying for my life': Asylum seeker recalls hiding inside besieged hotel during summer riots
Faustin Karake, known to his friends as Eric, fled the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2010 after his mother and father were murdered in their home during civil unrest. Now, 15 years on, he continues to live in limbo awaiting asylum - unable to work, get a home or settle into life in the UK. He attempted to build a life for himself in Plymouth before he was told he would have to move elsewhere in the country. On the evening of 4 August, the asylum hotel in Tamworth where Eric was being housed was targeted by anti-immigration protestors. A mob launched rocks, fireworks and petrol bombs at the windows of the hotel which had 180 asylum seekers inside. In an interview with ITV News West Country Eric, who has now been rehoused in Oxford, recalls the night he, and his fellow asylum seekers, feared they might die. 'Inside (the hotel) we've got some people that look after us. So they told us before what (was happening). 'They come to tell us - if anything going to happen here just be quiet, don't be scared, don't shout, don't come out of the house, you need to stay inside. 'Loads of (protestors came), loads of people was angry, they come with many things. '(They were) shouting, banging doors, throwing stones on the walls, the doors, the window. 'It was scary. It was really very, very, scary. 'When you're in that situation you've no option - you have to stay quiet and wait [to see] what is going to happen. It was very scary. 'I was scared. I was scared in case, if they're going to come in we're going to get killed or something. 'It was dangerous. You had to pray, put my knee down and pray, ask God to help me and that's it. 'I was praying for my life. Praying for the whole hotel as well. I encouraged people to pray - I tell people pray if you Muslim, pray if you Christian, pray, you need to pray, we need help from God as we can't do nothing. 'You could die you know, you could die easily, because people were very angry, very, very, very angry. 'The police were involved, so they tried to do their best. 'You can't say nothing [to the protestors]. Everything you say they're going to argue with, they're not going to accept it. By myself I can't do nothing. 'If the government can teach people how to love each other, to accept anything, change can happen. 'It's not everybody - you cannot blame a whole country. 'I've got hope, of course. I've still got hope.'
ITV News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- ITV News
Man jailed for role in Bristol's summer riots 'doesn't regret' attending protest
A man who was jailed for his part in the protests last summer has said he 'fundamentally regretted having altercations' but did not regret attending the demonstration. Dan Lock, 32, from Kingswood, South Gloucestershire, pleaded guilty to violent disorder after attending a demonstration in Bristol on 3 August. He was sentenced to two years in prison for his role in a 'violent situation' that unfolded outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in the city. Now, having served six months of his sentence, Mr Lock has spoken to ITV News West Country about his decision to attend a planned 'Stop the Boats' protest in August last year. Asked if he had regrets over what had happened, Dan said: 'I fundamentally regret having altercations with people, I should have dealt with it in a better way but I don't regret going down there, no. 'I firmly believe if you feel like you need to voice your opinion and you're worried about something then in this day and age there's nothing wrong with speaking out about it.' The demonstration was one of more than 30 across the country that broke out following the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe in Southport. Mr Lock is one of 48 to have been sentenced for his role in the Bristol unrest which began in Castle Park on 3 August 2024 before moving across Bristol Bridge, with a group ending up outside the Mercure Hotel. Prior to the protest, the self-employed electrician had been of previously good character and a court heard had never been inside a police station before. Reflecting on what happened that day he said: 'I went down there just to see what was going on really. It was a peaceful protest as far as I was aware. 'As time went on things started to get a bit more aggressive from both sides. Missiles were getting thrown, bottles of urine - from both sides.' Asked why he went, he said: 'I do firmly believe in Stop the Boats. I firmly believe in that. I feel like we are being overran. 'The country hasn't got much funding as it is and we're spending a lot of money on housing illegal immigrants at the minute. 'Money that could be spent on many other things - transport, my grandparents have just had their winter fuel cut, they've had their winter fuel payments taken away from them and we're housing illegal immigrants - spending billions and billions on it, I just don't see the logic in it at all.' Many asylum seekers are currently being housed in temporary accommodation, such as hotels. People are not illegal immigrants unless they have had an asylum claim refused and they remain in the country regardless. Mr Lock said he had hit a member of the 'anti-protest' after they had spat at him and allegedly called him a Nazi. Sentencing him at Bristol Crown Court for the altercation, Judge Michael Cullum said: 'You assisted and led in what became a violent situation, quite clearly you were intent in leading from the front row. 'That was entirely out of character, I don't know what it was about that situation that led you to behave to those people in a way that's very different to how you have previously acted to other people.' Mr Lock said during and following the protests people automatically assumed that he was racist, a far right supporter or a member of the English Defence League. Reflecting on his arrest he said: 'I was spat at. That's what initially started it, someone spat at me and called me a Nazi. 'Because I'm white and I'm bald, do I fit the agenda of someone who is being a Nazi and a racist?' He added: 'There were some people that were down there to specifically cause trouble, there's no doubt about that. 'But, you can't brandish everyone - just because people are walking around with an England flag - you can't brandish them all racists and far right.' Mr Lock said he regretted how the protest had panned out as it had had a 'major' impact on his life. 'I never thought I'd go to prison. Ever. I've never been involved in that sort of life,' he said. 'In later life I've always wanted to move to Australia, settle down in Australia - that's off the cards now because of what I've done. 'It's had a major impact on my life - I've been branded a racist, which I'm not. 'I've been branded far right, EDL, my girlfriend received threats, minor threats, but threats because of what happened.' He said that people should not feel sorry for him and that he did not feel sorry for himself but that he was now working on rebuilding his life. He said: 'It's a daunting period for me, it's a period that I'm not going to forget for a long, long, long time. 'Since I've come out life is just kind of back to normal. I'm keeping my head down and just trying to rebuild on the time that I've lost and the finances I've lost from being away. Asked if he sees violence erupting again, he responded: 'No, no, not with the sentences and the way that people like myself were treated, no. 'I think people would be ridiculous to do something like that. I for one lost six months of my life. I wouldn't go down there again.'
