Latest news with #KenSmith
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Partially sighted and blind North East veterans have VE day memories brought to life
A North East veteran has become one of 13 partially sighted former servicemen and women to have their VE Day memories brought to life as the country marks 80 years since the end of WW2. Charity Blind Veterans UK has released the illustrations, stories and photographs as part of its After the Darkness campaign, which looks to recognise their service and raise funds for war heroes living with sight loss. Among the veterans' memories of VE Day were humorous drunken tales — including a commander in a dinghy and a sailor stripping off on a crane — alongside more poignant stories, such as a fatal flight after the war ended. Ken Smith, from Houghton Le Spring, who was drafted to Aberdeen just before Churchill announced the end of the war. (Image: Collect/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) One of the members included is Kenneth Smith, 98, of Houghton-le-Spring near Sunderland, who was a young Royal Navy stoker when the war ended. Ken was drafted to Aberdeen and remembered that everyone was so 'merry and happy – they were celebrating in the streets'. Mr Smith recalled hanging out of a window and waving a flag, probably with a drink in his hand. The next day, he was sent off to board a ship, taking newly liberated prisoners of war home to their families, and he recalled some 'terrible sights'. Ken Smith, from HOughton Le Spring, who was drafted to Aberdeen just before Churchill announced the end of the war. (Image: Richard Cannon/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) Mr Smith said: 'My worst experience was seeing the poor state those poor devils were in. How people can be so cruel in this world, I do not know.' He added: 'On the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I'll be thinking of my old mates who are no longer hanging about – the people I had trust in and who trusted me.' Ken's VE memories brought to life. (Image: Martin Impey/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) Another veteran to share his story was Arthur Harkness, 98, of Whitley Bay in Tyne and Wear. Arthur started training in the Royal Army Service Corps days before VE Day and remembered celebrating in Sheffield, where he first met Nancy, his wife of 71 years. Mr Harkness said: 'It was just a chance meeting, but that's when it all started.' He added: 'I'll be thinking about her this VE Day.' 98-year-old Arthur Harkness, from Whitley Bay. (Image: Richard Cannon/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) Matt McKinnon-Pattison, 100, from Penrith in Cumbria, said he was behind enemy lines in the mountains of northern Italy when the war ended. He said: 'These things you didn't get told. It came through in drips and drabs, one way or another. Somebody would have a radio set and pick up a bit of news and then it would be passed down to you. 'There was no Army Colonel calling us all together and telling us, 'The war is now over'. That didn't happen.' The VE day memory of 98-year-old Arthur Harkness, from Whitley Bay. (Image: Martin Impey/Blind Veterans UK/PA Wire) He later joined the SAS, and his regiment was given an order to find Benito Mussolini and take him to a British base, but the Italian dictator had been killed before they got to him. The watercolour illustrations were created by Martin Impey, known for his artwork interpreting one of Wilfred Owen's war poems, who said he 'jumped at the chance' to get involved. He went on: 'It's so important that we commemorate this moment as one of the last times as a nation that we can show love, respect, and appreciation to a generation who gave so much for us all. It was an honour to connect with these heroes and to illustrate their memories of VE Day.' Claire Rowcliffe, director of engagement at Blind Veterans UK, said: 'As darkness descends and veterans find themselves losing their independence, they can often feel isolated, helpless, and unable to cope. Recommended: VE Day at 80: Events and celebrations in Darlington and County Durham Memorial Ferryhill Dambuster Ronald Batson and his brother 'Luckily, our charity is here to help them regain their confidence and independence so they can live the fulfilled, meaningful lives they so deserve. 'Each story is unique and not necessarily what one would expect. Yes, there was joy, jubilation, and partying in the streets, but there was also mourning for those who had been lost, quickly changing societal roles, and fear of the dreaded war in the Pacific.' The thirteen veterans' stories, illustrations, and portraits are featured in a special exhibition at The Cartoon Museum in London, which runs until June 29.
CBS News
17-04-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Temecula city leaders continue plea for answers after LA2028 committee opts for different equestrian venue
Temecula city leaders are still asking for answers after the LA28 Olympics Committee suddenly dropped Galway Downs from the list of venues that will be used for the summer games. "The use of words were, 'We're taking it away from you,'" said Ken Smith. He's owned Galway Downs for the last 15 years, and he's one of the many that were beyond excited when the Los Angeles City Council announced that their premier equestrian venue host some events when the Summer Games came to Southern California. He'd been handing out tumblers saying "Proud Host of the 2028 Olympics" in the days since. That was until the olympics planning committee made a sudden change. "We were approved, when through a three and a half year process, spent a lot of money to prepare for this," Smith said. "Disappointing that they say, 'We're pulling the Olympics from you for a host of reasons.' Well, what's one?" He has his own beliefs as to what really happened. "I think this was a unique situation where someone came to the table late in the game and made a deal," Smith said. "There's no question, I'm disappointed and I'm frustrated." Galways Downs is far from the only local institution feeling slighted after the decision was made official, when the list of venues was released on Monday. "Our hotels in Temecula, they completely blocked off the entirety of the equestrian Olympics," said Temecula Mayor Brenden Kalfus. "So we had to essentially unblock those rooms, a lot of the local businesses were expecting and planning for the Olympics to come here. ... For us, we were really excited to show the world what Temecula Valley has to offer." On top of the sudden let down for the prospective influx of money that would inevitably come with the games, Riverside County officials had already pledged $20 million to help provide the best possible experience to the 30,000 people expected to attend the games daily. "What sold LA28 on this location was that it was ready to go. It can host all three events and doesn't require a lot of money to be put into," said Supervisor Chuck Washington. Galway Downs is equipped for all three of the equestrian events slated to take place in the Olympics, a glaring difference from the Santa Anita Racetrack, which was selected as the final venue. They hosted the Olympics when they were in Los Angeles back in 1984 and LA28 says they'll be ready to do the same in three years.
Los Angeles Times
12-04-2025
- Business
- Los Angeles Times
Galway Downs ‘surprised' to learn it is no longer L.A. Olympics equestrian venue
Galway Downs was informed this week it will no longer host equestrian events for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the Temecula Valley organization announced Friday. The 242-acre site was approved by a Los Angeles City Council vote last month to host the 2028 Olympic equestrian competition. But after getting its venue masterplan approved Wednesday by the International Olympic Committee executive board, LA28, the private committee responsible for organizing and executing the Games, informed Galway Downs that the equestrian competition will head elsewhere. 'We are extremely surprised that we were suddenly removed from consideration,' Galway Downs owner Ken Smith said in a statement. 'We don't understand how, based on the March 28 City Council's vote of approval, that this could happen. When we started this process more than four years ago, we understood the equestrian venue selection for LA28 would be a highly competitive, evolving process. Being selected as the proposed equestrian venue put Galway Downs and Temecula Valley on the world stage. We're very proud of that, and we're just getting started. Galway Downs will continue to host elite national and international competitions as well as additional sporting events.' LA28's full venue plan has not been publicly announced. Equestrian was initially slated to take place at a temporary facility built in the Sepulveda Basin, but the plan shifted toward Galway Downs, where there was existing infrastructure to host dressage, eventing and jumping. 'Galway Downs has showcased its Equestrian Center in Temecula Valley as the superior venue capable of hosting all Olympic equestrian games,' Temecula Mayer Brenden Kalfus said in a statement. 'While the City is disheartened to learn of this abrupt change, particularly in light of LA28's venue approval granted by the Los Angeles City Council just two weeks ago, we remain confident that Galway Downs will continue its legacy and mission uninterrupted as a vibrant, world-class Olympic-caliber equestrian presence in Temecula Valley.'
