Latest news with #Ivo
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why has an icon of British music turned its attention towards Swindon?
Music magazine NME has seemingly taken an interest in the future of the Oasis leisure centre thanks to an appeal from Ivo Graham. The stand-up comedian and writer has spoken out on a number of issues close to the heart of Swindon residents in recent months, including by lending his voice to the protest against Swindon Town FC owner Clem Morfuni. And now Ivo's most recent plea has captured the attention of one of the cornerstones of the British music industry. On Wednesday, Ivo posted a video of himself wearing a bucket hat and a Swindon Town replica kit, telling viewers it was their "final day to voice objections to the permanent demise" of the Oasis leisure centre. While Ivo urges the town's residents to make their voices heard, NME appears to have taken particular fascination with the comedian's moustache, stating: "Comedian Ivo Graham and his 'Nick Cave moustache' get into hot tub to fight to save Swindon leisure centre.' Save the Oasis! @SaveOasis — Ivo Graham (@IvoGraham) March 26, 2025 Read More: Aftermath of Swindon Londis incident as police cordon off area Ivo explains to the audience that he is growing the moustache for a 'Nick Cave party.' The second half of the video shows him in a hot tub wearing an orange swim cap, when he said: 'As a child, about as exciting as it got was spending my weekends at the Oasis Leisure Centre where I would shriek on the water slides, 'The long future of this place is being decided this week, and it is not looking good. These places are important for the community and sport. 'If you care about Swindon or water slides, or if the soul of where you grew up is being ripped up and sold to make flats, then check out Save Oasis Swindon.' The leisure centre already has links to another icon of British music, having inspired Liam Gallagher to change his band's name from The Rain to Oasis. Save Oasis Swindon released a statement also asking for residents to submit objections against the plans to demolish the sports hall and not replace it. Read More: 'Busy' GWH Hospital issues urgent A&E plea to Swindon public They said: 'The Multi-Purpose Hall hosted a wide variety of sports, boxing matches, comedy acts, music and more over its nearly 50-year lifespan. Seven Capital intends to demolish it and not replace it. "They have claimed viability but have never produced any evidence of their claims. They haven't even produced a feasibility study. Yet there is funding available from bodies like Sport England. 'The Oasis put Swindon on the map, please help to stop it becoming hemmed in by hundreds of flats and a shadow of its former self. The Oasis is a Swindon Institution and a famous site - to have an Oasis without a Hall is quite frankly unthinkable.'
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Famous comedian urges residents to help save Oasis sports hall
A writer a stand-up comedian has posted a video, rallying the Save Oasis campaign in Swindon. Ivo Graham posted a video, informing viewers that it is the 'final day to voice objections to the permanent demise' of the Oasis leisure centre. In the video, Ivo is wearing a bucket hat and a Swindon Town Football Club replica kit. The second half of the video shows Ivo in a hot tub wearing an orange swim cap, when he said: 'as a child, about as exciting as it got was spending my weekends at the Oasis Leisure Centre where I would shriek on the water slides. 'The long future of this place is being decided this week, and it is not looking good, these places are important for community and sport. 'If you care about Swindon or water slides, or if the soul of where you grew up is being ripped up and sold to make flats, then check out Save Oasis Swindon.' Ivo Graham is a long time Swindon Town fan and graduated from Eton College in Oxford. Save the Oasis! @SaveOasis — Ivo Graham (@IvoGraham) March 26, 2025 Save Oasis Swindon have also released a statement in line with the final day, Wednesday, March 26, for residents to submit objections against the plans to demolish the sports hall and not replace it. They said: 'The Multi-Purpose Hall hosted a wide variety of sports, boxing matches, comedy acts, music and more over its nearly 50-year lifespan. Seven Capital Intend to demolish it and not replace it. They have claimed viability but have never produced any evidence of their claims. They haven't even produced a feasibility study. Yet there is funding available from bodies like Sport England. 'Wednesday 26th March is the final day for people to submit their comments and objections against the plans to demolish the Sports Hall and not replace it. 'Sport England, South Swindon Parish Council, and many residents have already objected. Add your name to the list before it is too late. 'There is also a pending Asset of Community Value application for the Hall, so the pressure is really on Swindon Borough Council Planning department to approve this and decline the application to demolish the existing hall, unless a restoration or rebuild is proposed on the same site. 'The real reason Seven Capital don't want a Hall at Oasis is because it decreases their land available for apartments. 'The Oasis put Swindon on the map, please help to stop it becoming hemmed in by hundreds of flats and a shadow of its former self. The Oasis is a Swindon Institution and a famous site - to have an Oasis without a Hall is quite frankly unthinkable.'
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Western France battles worst floods in decades after triple storm assault
More than 1,600 people have fled their homes in western France as a third major storm in a week brought record rainfall and extreme flooding. Storm Ivo hit areas already struggling with flooding from storms Eowyn and Herminia. Red weather alerts remain active in three regions of Brittany – Ille-et-Vilaine, Loire-Atlantique and Morbihan. Their combined impact of the storms was exacerbated by the fact that the ground was already drenched from previous persistent rainfall. National weather service Météo France warned that the situation could get worse in the coming days and authorities are on high alert. The town of Redon, surrounded by two rivers, a canal and marshes, has been underwater since Vilaine river's level was hovering just below that of historic floods in 2001, but was expected to rise further, official alert body Vigicrues reported. "It's highly likely that the peak won't be reached today, but it will be in the next few days," Redon's Mayor Pascal Duchene told French news agency AFP. He said an estimated 750 residents could be affected. The Red Cross had set up an emergency shelter for 50 people at a local gym. A second shelter was being set up at another sports centre for 200 people, a Red Cross official said. Meanwhile, Ille-et-Vilaine's administrative centre Rennes experienced its worst flooding in 40 years, with rainfall around the city exceeding 178mm for January. The city of Rennes has already begun looking into ways to manage urban development and prevent flooding. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Number of cyclones steady, but storms more intense due to climate changeClimate disasters cost French insurers €6.5bn in 'worrying uptick'Why is northern France so vulnerable to treacherous flooding?
Al Bawaba
29-01-2025
- Climate
- Al Bawaba
Heavy floods in France, Italy amid Storm Herminia
ISTANBUL Storm Herminia has unleashed heavy rains and strong winds across Italy and France, leading to flash floods, landslides, and widespread disruptions. French authorities issued red weather alerts for three provinces late Tuesday, while Italian emergency services have been responding to damage in multiple regions. The French city of Rennes has seen severe flash floods, forcing residents to evacuate. The storm has brought torrential rain and high winds to western France, with Ille-et-Vilaine, Morbihan, and Loire-Atlantique placed under red alert due to rising floodwaters. Meteo France reported that strong winds reaching up to 110 kilometers per hour (68 miles per hour) hit coastal areas, and rivers such as the Vilaine and Seiche have already overflowed. Other regions, including Charente-Maritime, Cotes-d'Armor, and Gironde, remain under orange alerts for heavy rain, wind, and potential storm surges. Adding to the crisis, a new Atlantic depression, named Ivo, is moving toward the region, worsening conditions. Meteorologists predict continued heavy rainfall through midweek before an expected improvement by the weekend. France's meteorological service predicts a decrease in rainfall and wind intensity as an anticyclone from the Azores moves in. Italy struggles with floods, landslides, snow In Italy, the regions of Tuscany and Liguria have been particularly affected by Herminia's impact. Streets and underpasses in Florence were submerged due to flash flooding, while a wall collapse in Genoa prompted emergency searches to ensure no one was trapped underneath, La Repubblica reported. A landslide blocked the road between Busalla and Mignanego, while the Italian fire service reported that multiple vehicles were damaged. Emergency shelters have been arranged in Genoa for vulnerable residents affected by the storm. Further north, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, authorities reported flooding in Carnia, with houses inundated and trees uprooted. A house roof was torn off in Amaro, and several roads, including SR-PN 22, were closed due to landslides. Heavy snow has also been recorded in the Alpine regions, particularly along the Brenner Highway. The Civil Protection Agency in Italy continues to monitor river levels, with the Sieve River in Tuscany reaching its second alert level. Authorities warn of further potential flooding in western and northern Italy as heavy rainfall persists. In Bologna, public parks remain closed as officials assess tree stability following powerful winds. Some schools have been temporarily shut due to structural damage, and officials urge caution near affected areas. Authorities are urging residents to stay informed about weather and road conditions, warning of dangerous travel conditions caused by strong winds, heavy rain, and snow.
