Latest news with #JamesHughes
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Penarth: Derelict Victorian hotel on most-endangered list
A Grade II listed hotel has been placed on a list of the 10 most endangered buildings in the Hotel in Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, dated back to about 1865 as part of the Mercantile Marine Offices and played a central role in the town's industrial, maritime, and social the surrounding area's transformation into a thriving marina and past proposals for redevelopment, the hotel remains derelict. Now on sale for £2.25m, the Victorian Society, which compiled the list, said it may be the "final opportunity to restore a vital piece of Penarth's maritime and architectural heritage". Griff Rhys Jones, president of the Victorian Society, also expressed disbelief that the "handsome hotel" in a "posh and sought-after" area still awaits restoration. He said the "elegant" building was a valuable heritage asset in need of care. According to Mr Jones, Penarth's rise as a prosperous Victorian town began with the construction of its docks in 1865, which also helped it thrive as a seaside resort. Built at the same time, Marine Hotel served dock workers, tourists, and likely Allied forces during World War since the early 1980s, the once-grand Grade II listed building has remained derelict for over 40 years as previous redevelopment plans, including a £6m boutique hotel scheme, have failed to materialise. James Hughes, Director of the Victorian Society, said Marine Hotel is an "irreplaceable link to Penarth's proud dockside past". "After four decades of decay, this sale is a last chance to bring the building back from the brink and give it the future it deserves," he said.
BBC News
22-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Berkshire's Aldermaston Court joins endangered buildings list
A Victorian mansion with an "extraordinary" history that includes being involved in Britain's atomic research programme has been placed on a list of the county's most endangered Court, in Berkshire, has been added to the Victorian Society's list of 10 buildings in need of protection in the said the history of the manor house's estate dates back to 1299, and most recently it was a hotel until Ellis Leah, from the society, said: "We can only preserve our historic buildings when we use them." Society director James Hughes said: "Aldermaston Court is a remarkable building with a lofty historical and architectural legacy. "From its medieval roots to its role in Britain's nuclear history, this estate has shaped and reflected our past in profound ways."It must not be allowed to deteriorate further." The 19th-Century Aldermaston Court features a Jacobean ornate staircase, stained glass, and chimney was commissioned by Daniel Higford Davall Burr who was renown for keeping exotic pets such as snakes and World War Two, it became a barracks for the Women's Land Army and the United States Air Force, complete with anti-aircraft the war, the site was adapted for scientific research, and became a focus for anti-nuclear marches when the adjacent airfield evolved into the UK's Atomic Weapons Research Ellis Leah said: "People think these buildings are expensive and I think we're scared when we hear the word expense. "It is important that we preserve what we have because there is a reason they are still standing."This building has meant a lot to people, particularly over the last 100 years the fact that it is still standing is a real testament to that social fabric."When we knock that away and we turn it into rumble, we completely eradicate that history.""We must preserve these buildings for future generations." Griff Rhys Jones OBE, Victorian Society President, said: "A lengthy period of inactivity is dangerous for the building and wholly unnecessary."It currently remains unoccupied and has been up for sale for five years with Vail Williams, the society have had interest from education establishment, training centres, film studios, corporates wanting to build a bespoke facility, residential developers, house converters and hotel leisure users. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Health boards suspend Scots nursing agency amid HIV blood fears
A probe revealed 57 ICU and neo-natal staff have no virus checks Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A NURSING agency has been axed over fears nearly 60 hospital staff were not tested for deadly blood-borne viruses like HIV. Four health boards have have launched probes after a whistleblower at H1 Healthcare exposed how crucial records meant to show employees were infection-free were missing. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 A major nursing agency has been axed from the NHS Credit: Alamy 2 H1 Healthcare has been suspended amid health board probes Credit: Alamy Last night Tory MSP Sandesh Gulhane — also a GP — said it was 'terrifying' that unscreened staff could have been allowed near patients. Insiders warned bosses they risked losing their contracts after an internal review revealed fears they were unable to prove that 57 ICU, neonatal and A&E staff did not present a risk to patients. Health chiefs in Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Fife and Grampian healthboards have suspended the firm. And a source last night accused agency bosses of putting 'profit before safety'. They told The Scottish Sun on Sunday: 'Rules are strict for a reason. "Nurses can cut themselves on instruments, needles, bits of bone or teeth and expose patients to their blood. 'This agency is sending staff into operating theatres, critical care wards and to look after newborns and women who have just given birth with apparently no idea of the risks. 'To even consider sending them in knowing the checks are missing is disgusting and dangerous. 'Imagine going into hospital for treatment or to have a baby and coming out with HIV or hepatitis. 'This is profit before safety.' I was forced out of my job as NHS nurse after patient claimed he got me pregnant We can reveal agency operations manager James Hughes flagged discrepancies to bosses last August — warning they risked failing an NHS audit. He insisted action was needed on 'incorrect' fitness to work credentials which could see the company lose contracts. He urged leaders to 'make a decision' because the firm would likely lose nurses if 'we advise' 'they have to get these immunisations' because they are 'expensive and can take time to get results back'. In an email, Mr Hughes also raised concerns that 168 workers who completed e-learning courses on 'infection control' and patient 'safeguarding' had no levels on their certificates. He also told chiefs how four overseas workers had not handed over criminal records checks and insisted H1 should have carried out checks. The firm — whose parent company posted a £15.5million turnover and gross profits of £3million last year — went on to fail an audit late last year. A whistleblower shared Mr Hughes' email with health chiefs who care for a combined three million people. Last night NHS Lanarkshire was assessing 'any potential risks' while NHS Grampian was probing 'concerns'. NHS Fife chiefs were confirmed to be checking on 'certification of nursing staff' supplied by the firm. A spokesman added: 'We have sought clarity from H1 Healthcare regarding these allegations and have suspended use of the agency while these claims are fully investigated.' It emerged chiefs in NHS Lothian and NHS Ayrshire and Arran both previously used the agency. Last night Tory shadow health secretary Dr Gulhane called for Health Secretary Neil Gray to act. He said: 'It's terrifying that unscreened staff may have been allowed anywhere near patients. 'This reckless failure could have put the most vulnerable people, including children, at risk of potentially serious harm. 'Neil Gray must guarantee he will urgently investigate to ensure that this serious issue never happens again.' The firm's spokesman said: 'H1 Healthcare is co-operating fully and is confident the investigation will confirm there are no patient safety concerns.' Procurement body NHS National Services Scotland said: 'NSS has been made aware of concerns regarding the supply of agency nursing staff from H1 Healthcare and are collaborating with health boards to assist ongoing inquiries.' The Scottish Government said agency staff should only be deployed by NHS bosses as a 'last resort'. A spokesman said: 'All agencies are required to satisfy certain conditions designed to ensure the suitability of workers deployed in NHS settings. 'Each board has arrangements for ensuring all agency workers meet requirements designed to ensure delivery of high-quality patient care.'
The Age
28-04-2025
- General
- The Age
My suburb is one of Melbourne's most liveable, though nobody seems to know it exists
Most people don't know my suburb. It's not Oakleigh or Murrumbeena. Nor is it Chadstone or East Bentleigh. It's nestled between them and easily overlooked. When I explain to someone where Hughesdale is, 15 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, the first thing people usually say is 'Oh, I think I've driven around it'. We are bordered on three sides by Dandenong, Warrigal and North Roads, all major routes for commuters, tradies and truck drivers as well as shoppers heading to Chadstone Shopping Centre. Perhaps we residents of Hughesdale are lucky that few seem to know about our quiet pocket of around 8000 people. It recently came in sixth on an analysis of Melbourne's most 'liveable' suburbs – well ahead of all those neighbours – so maybe that will change? For a long time, Hughesdale was a suburb not of Melbourne, but of Oakleigh, dating back to the late 19th century when it was a country town. This explains why we have gorgeous early 20th-century cottage strips in Carlisle Crescent, and Calembeena and Moorookyle Avenues that wouldn't look out of place in Yarraville or Prahran. On the map, you can see traces of two early failed railway lines to Hughesdale – the abortive Rosstown Railway running east from Elsternwick, and the Outer Circle Line that carved a diagonal route from Fairfield to today's Boyd Park. But trains did arrive, and have been key to the area's growth, first in the late 19th century and then again in the years between the wars, when the area became known as Hughesdale after former Oakleigh mayor James Hughes. Today the city is only 20 minutes away on the new trains, running at least every 10 minutes for most of the day. Thanks to the new Metro Tunnel opening this year, they will soon run direct to Swanston Street. This no doubt contributes to our liveability rating and is why Hughesdale residents are among Melbourne's greatest users of trains. I moved here from Sydney in 2008, joining my wife, Carolyn, in the suburb where her family has a history going back more than 100 years. It was an easy switch. Living near Sydney Harbour and taking ferries to work had been magic, but once I discovered the beautiful parks, gardens and streetscapes here in Hughesdale, I was sold. We also have easy access to the bay at Brighton to the west, and Mentone to the south, and it's simple to jump on any of the local bus routes, like the 630 or the 903, and find somewhere pleasant to walk and picnic without having to drive. Hughesdale may have seceded from Oakleigh, but two of its schools retained the name. Oakleigh Technical School closed as part of the 1990 selloffs, but its playing grounds became Argyle Reserve, home to many happy off-leash dogs and Monash Villarreal, which has the unusual distinction of being directly affiliated with a Spanish La Liga soccer team. Oakleigh Grammar maintains its historic connection to St Anargiri Greek Orthodox Church. We also have Sacred Heart Girls' College, which now extends beyond its 1954 modernist building designed by Frederick Romberg during his celebrated partnership with Sir Roy Grounds and Robin Boyd.
Sydney Morning Herald
28-04-2025
- General
- Sydney Morning Herald
My suburb is one of Melbourne's most liveable, though nobody seems to know it exists
Most people don't know my suburb. It's not Oakleigh or Murrumbeena. Nor is it Chadstone or East Bentleigh. It's nestled between them and easily overlooked. When I explain to someone where Hughesdale is, 15 kilometres south-east of Melbourne's CBD, the first thing people usually say is 'Oh, I think I've driven around it'. We are bordered on three sides by Dandenong, Warrigal and North Roads, all major routes for commuters, tradies and truck drivers as well as shoppers heading to Chadstone Shopping Centre. Perhaps we residents of Hughesdale are lucky that few seem to know about our quiet pocket of around 8000 people. It recently came in sixth on an analysis of Melbourne's most 'liveable' suburbs – well ahead of all those neighbours – so maybe that will change? For a long time, Hughesdale was a suburb not of Melbourne, but of Oakleigh, dating back to the late 19th century when it was a country town. This explains why we have gorgeous early 20th-century cottage strips in Carlisle Crescent, and Calembeena and Moorookyle Avenues that wouldn't look out of place in Yarraville or Prahran. On the map, you can see traces of two early failed railway lines to Hughesdale – the abortive Rosstown Railway running east from Elsternwick, and the Outer Circle Line that carved a diagonal route from Fairfield to today's Boyd Park. But trains did arrive, and have been key to the area's growth, first in the late 19th century and then again in the years between the wars, when the area became known as Hughesdale after former Oakleigh mayor James Hughes. Today the city is only 20 minutes away on the new trains, running at least every 10 minutes for most of the day. Thanks to the new Metro Tunnel opening this year, they will soon run direct to Swanston Street. This no doubt contributes to our liveability rating and is why Hughesdale residents are among Melbourne's greatest users of trains. I moved here from Sydney in 2008, joining my wife, Carolyn, in the suburb where her family has a history going back more than 100 years. It was an easy switch. Living near Sydney Harbour and taking ferries to work had been magic, but once I discovered the beautiful parks, gardens and streetscapes here in Hughesdale, I was sold. We also have easy access to the bay at Brighton to the west, and Mentone to the south, and it's simple to jump on any of the local bus routes, like the 630 or the 903, and find somewhere pleasant to walk and picnic without having to drive. Hughesdale may have seceded from Oakleigh, but two of its schools retained the name. Oakleigh Technical School closed as part of the 1990 selloffs, but its playing grounds became Argyle Reserve, home to many happy off-leash dogs and Monash Villarreal, which has the unusual distinction of being directly affiliated with a Spanish La Liga soccer team. Oakleigh Grammar maintains its historic connection to St Anargiri Greek Orthodox Church. We also have Sacred Heart Girls' College, which now extends beyond its 1954 modernist building designed by Frederick Romberg during his celebrated partnership with Sir Roy Grounds and Robin Boyd.
