Latest news with #JennyJones
The Guardian
26-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
California gardeners plant native species in parks to prevent wildfire spread
Volunteers plant native species in parks throughout California in an effort to restore biodiversity and slow the spread of wildfire Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian Test Plot, a project launched in 2019 by the landscape architecture firm Terremoto, has built eight plots in Elysian Park a recent Friday morning, volunteers were pulling out invasive grass and black mustard to make room for wildflowers and other drought-resistant, native species Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian This garden is a response to a challenge vexing parks departments across the American west: how to adapt to a changing climate with limited resources? Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian 'It's an experiment in design through maintenance,' said Jenny Jones (pictured), director of Test Plot. 'We bring our skills as designers to the park, but do it in a more immediate, low-budget, low-tech way that is very community friendly' Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian In southern California, native flora tends to tolerate drought, making it more resistant to wildfire Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian By contrast, many invasive species tend to dry up, becoming kindling during wildfires, which have become more frequent and severe in recent years as the planet heats up Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian Terremoto's Burn Scar Test Plot, also in Elysian Park, was covered in black mustard and eucalyptus, two non-native and flammable species that burned during 2023 fires Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian The gardens are attracting pollinators and birds such as red tailed hawks and red-breasted hummingbirds Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian Some 500 volunteers have volunteered in Elysian Park over the last few years. 'It's not, just a one-time tree-planting on Earth Day,' said Jones. 'It's a years-long relationship with the land.'Here, volunteer Rebecca Crane and her dog June at the Elysian Test Plot Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian 'In Los Angeles, we see a lot of people fleeing the film and TV industry, which is struggling right now, and finding purpose in care and stewardship,' Jones said. 'It gives you a place to put your energy.'Pictured: a lacy phaecelia plant in front of elegant clarkias at the Elysian Test Plot Photograph: Philip Cheung/The Guardian
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'We tested every large SUV on sale in the UK and there was one obvious winner'
A group of motoring experts has tested every large SUV on sale in the UK and compiled a top 10 of the best, with the winner beating the likes of Land Rover and BMW A group of motoring experts have come together to assess the best large SUV on sale in the UK. Large SUVs are becoming increasingly popular in Britain as people seek safety and security in larger cars. As a result, manufacturers are building them to cater to the trend and help motorists have more choice. After taking into account a large range of factors the experts at Auto Express crowned the Skoda Kodiaq as the victor. Commenting on why the Skoda had won, they said: "The Skoda Kodiaq embodies all that the Czech firm stands for: solid value for money, quality, practicality, and a few little surprises that add to the ownership experience. "The Kodiaq is a little unusual in the large SUV sector for still offering a diesel engine, alongside a petrol with mild-hybrid assistance. "The diesels can manage around a combined 50mpg, while you can also have plug-in hybrid power for an electric only driving range of up to 62 miles and a six percent Benefit-in-Kind rate for company users. The Kodiaq is a great long distance cruiser." The all-electric Kia EV9 came second the expert's rankings. While Skoda's offerings begin at a more economical £39,000, you'll need to part with at least £65,035 for the Kia, reports the Express. The experts remarked: "The cavernous interior fits seven plus luggage, so there have been minimal compromises in packaging all that EV technology. "The EV9's headline 349-mile range should be more than enough for most owners, and make longer jaunts relatively comfortable, although a figure in the 200s is more realistic, and the EV9's size means it's not especially efficient." With large SUVs now rivalling the popularity of small hatchbacks from two decades previous, not everyone is cheering. Safety advocates and other specialists caution that our roads might struggle to handle vehicles whose bulk harks back to World War 1 tanks, posing challenges both to navigating traffic and parking. Discussing these concerns with the Guardian, Oliver Lord, the UK head of Clean Cities, voiced his apprehensions. He said: "Cars are getting bigger every year – while our streets are not. "We need carmakers to prioritise normal-sized cars that can be parked more easily and are less dangerous to people walking around. It's only fair if you want to buy a massive SUV that you should expect to pay more for the space it takes up." Safety concerns extend beyond parking spots, as pedestrians worry about the devastating consequences of being struck by one of these enormous vehicles. Green Party peer Jenny Jones recently launched an anti-SUV alliance, she said: "SUVs pollute and are often owned and driven by wealthier citizens at the expense of those in less wealthy areas. They feel safer to drive, but are much less safe for any pedestrians and cyclists they collide with."
Western Telegraph
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Narberth Jazz welcomed back the Dick Hamer Quartet
The group returned to the Plas Hotel, Narberth, on April 17, with a set list showcasing its talent. The evening began with Wayne Shorter's Yes or No, followed by Recado Bossa Nova. Jenny Jones, known for her work with the Capital City and Morriston Big Bands, then took the stage with Big Band classics All of Me and Hoagy Carmichael's Georgia. The evening continued with instrumental pieces by Lee Morgan, including the salsa-infused Ceora, allowing the quartet to demonstrate their improvisational skills. Ms Jones returned with renditions of Peggy Lee's Do Right, Smile, and Bluesette. The quartet continued with Star Eyes and ended with Cherokee. The group's performance was supported by Dave Jones on piano, Alan Vaughn on bass, and Nick Hislam on drums. The event also saw an increase in younger audience members. The Plas room was transformed into a jazz club-like atmosphere with subdued lighting and table lamps. A spokesperson for Narberth Jazz said: "Altogether a wonderful evening of musicianship and entertainment." Next month, Narberth Jazz will feature the trumpet of Tomos Williams and his trio. Mr Williams, who previously performed with the Seven Steps quintet, will take the stage on Friday, May 30. Tickets for the event can be purchased from the Narberth Jazz website.
The Independent
04-04-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
A million cars sold in UK each year are too big for normal parking spaces
More than a million cars sold in the UK each year are too big for normal parking spaces, new research has revealed. And the numbers are only rising, meaning that new cars are increasingly outgrowing cities and towns, according to Clean Cities. The campaign network found that 4.6million cars have been sold in the country since 2021 that are larger than an average urban parking space. The trend for big cars is also concerning because they are more deadly in crashes – due to their weight and tall front ends that can trap people underneath – as well as because of the greater quantities of toxic gases they pump into the air. UK head of Clean Cities, Oliver Lord, told The Guardian: 'Cars are getting bigger every year – while our streets are not. We need carmakers to prioritise normal-sized cars that can be parked more easily and are less dangerous to people walking around. It's only fair if you want to buy a massive SUV [sports utility vehicle] that you should expect to pay more for the space it takes up.' Large SUVs – which are over 1.8 metres wide or 4.8 metres long – are too large for most parking spaces, create more potholes, and can be more dangerous for the public, yet they are becoming evermore popular, with a record 1,213,385 cars that were wider than 1.8 metres sold in 2024. With some cities already cracking down on the vehicles, the campaigners from Clean Cities have issued calls for more charges to be imposed on SUVs in light of the damage they cause to roads and environments as well as the extra space they take up. Green party peer Jenny Jones, who launched a cross-party anti-SUV alliance last week, said: 'Sales of SUVs have leapt up in the last two decades, yet many urban streets and car parking bays are simply too small to accommodate the increasing girth of these vehicles. 'I like what Paris has done to discourage their use, by charging the largest cars as much as three times more to park. In the UK, Bath and Islington councils have introduced similar measures. The government should encourage other councils to replicate these efforts. 'SUVs pollute and are often owned and driven by wealthier citizens at the expense of those in less wealthy areas. They feel safer to drive, but are much less safe for any pedestrians and cyclists they collide with.'
