Latest news with #LucyTaylor
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Travellers move on from supermarket car park
A large group of travellers have moved on from a supermarket car park in a Suffolk town. It is believed that around 15 caravans pitched up at the Asda car park in Wilkes Way in Stowmarket late on Monday evening. However, the travellers have since moved on from the site after concerns were raised. The travellers have moved on (Image: Lucy Taylor) On Tuesday Mid Suffolk District Council said they were doing everything they could to move the travellers on. A spokesperson for Mid Suffolk District Council said: 'We are aware there is an unauthorised encampment on Mid Suffolk District Council's Meadows Centre car park in Stowmarket town centre. "We appreciate the concern this is causing within our community, especially as this is a critical area for town centre retailers and attractions during the school summer holidays." Suffolk police were also aware of the encampment and said they were working with partners to secure the removal of the occupants.
Daily Record
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Law and District AAC athletes excel in various competitions
Athletes have taken part in several events across the country Law and District Amateur Athletics Club athletes have performed well in various different events across the country. Under-15 Alexander Wotherspoon achieved a personal best time of 4.27mins in 1500m at the British Milers' Club in Loughborough. Senior Lesley Graham took part in the 100-mile ultra marathon from Bamburgh Castle to Edinburgh Castle, completing the gruelling course in 32hours 13mins, finishing 37th female from a field of almost 600 runners. Under-17 Blair Beverley competed in 1500m at the GAA Miler Meet at Crownpoint in Glasgow, and finished in 4:34.39, on Wednesday, July 23, his third personal best at that distance in two months. Law and District's under-16s excelled in the 2.2km at the annual Carnwath Agricultural Show. Blair Beverley finished first, Jamie Mackie second, followed by Lucy Taylor (1st female), Abbie Boyle (2nd female) and Olivia Taylor third. Allyssa Bennet, James Bennet, Oliver Taylor, Blake Carmichael, Oscar Taylor, Libby and Lexi Boyd also competed. In the senior 5.5km race, Emily McNicol finished first female, with Grant Mackenzie, coaches Rich Beattie, John O'Leary and Elaine Boyle also competing. A number of young athletes competed in various track and field events at the Scottish National Athletic League in Grangemouth. Results were: 200m - Sol Stewart (22.28), James McClafferty (23.16), Matthew Gillon (23.69), Sophie Evans (26.13), Hannah Kulke (27.62) and Erin McGurk (27.01). 800m - Cameron Chambers (2:04.72). Mile - Blair Beverley (9:57.54). 100m - Sol Stewart (10.87), James McClafferty (11.49), Matthew Gillon (11.63), Luke Evans (12.16), Sophie Evans (12.64), Hannah Kulke (13.54), India Wood (14.42). 1500m - Lucy Taylor (5:00.03). 300m - India Wood (48.39) 400m - Cameron Chambers (55.13). Shot put - Kyle Ferguson (8.60m), Ross Ferguson (11.96), Graeme Ferguson (10.42). Discus - Ross Ferguson (34.41). Several athletes took part in the Birmingham U20 England Championships at the new Alexander Stadium. U20 Owen Murphy reached the 100m and 200m semi-finals, finishing sixth in both. U15 Cara Murphy, competing in para events, was fifth in 100m, which was a new season best, and fourth in 200m, equalling her season's best. U20 Lauren McNair, representing Law and District AAC, finished sixth in her 200m heat.
BBC News
08-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lincolnshire sunflower farm faces changing weather difficulties
A sunflower farmer says her crop has been helped by hot and dry conditions, but the changing climate means farms need to diversify to Taylor, manager at Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, grows about 1.5 million sunflowers a year for use in bird fifth-generation grower said that because of "varied weather and politicians", farmers have to find new ways of becoming economically viable."It's been a very dry year here – dry and hot especially in the early part of the summer – and that's really benefited our sunflower crop," Ms Taylor said. "But the last couple of years we've struggled with the wet, too much rain." Vine House Farm grows crops that thrive in different conditions, such as wheat, barley, potatoes and sugar beet, so "we're not just reliant on one product", Ms Taylor said."I think every farm is going to have to diversify and become broader or specialise in what it does to make sure it's economically viable going forward."The sunflower fields have become a visitor attraction, with people taking farm tours for days out."I think our sunflowers are a perfect example of how we've diversified," she said."It's that broad spectrum that I think will help farmers going forward." The sunflowers, which have been in colour for about a fortnight, are normally harvested in October by combine."We like to think they'll be right at the start of October this year, or maybe even late September," Ms Taylor field is colourful because they are being grown for seed, so they do not need to be cut early."When you're cropping sunflowers for flowers, you want them to look the best for the customer, not in your field, so they've already cut them before they become a beautiful sea of yellow," Ms Taylor said. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
The Independent
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Dry summer boosts sunflower crop but varied weather ‘puts farms under pressure'
A sea of sunflowers has been helped by hot and dry conditions this summer but increasingly varied weather patterns are putting farms under pressure, a fifth-generation grower has said. Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas near Spalding in Lincolnshire grows the flowers for the seeds to be used in bird feed. Lucy Taylor, manager at the family firm, said there are around 1.5 million sunflower heads grown over an area the equivalent of 65 football pitches. The 47-year-old said: 'It's been a very dry year here, dry and hot especially in the early part of the summer, and that's really benefited our sunflower crop. 'Sunflowers are obviously more traditionally known for mainland Europe, southern France and that sort of area. 'The above average temperatures have certainly helped them mature earlier than they normally do.' But she continued: 'The last couple of years we've struggled with the wet, too much rain. 'I think what we're finding is – although Donald Trump may not agree with me – the weather patterns are becoming more varied.' Ms Taylor said the farm has crops that thrive in different conditions, such as wheat, barley, potatoes and sugar beet, so 'we're not just reliant on one product'. 'Farming's under a lot of pressure at the moment, not only from the politicians but due to the weather,' she said. 'We've got quite a diverse business here and I think every farm is going to have to diversify and become broader or specialise in what it does to make sure it's economically viable going forward.' Ms Taylor said around 100 people came on farm tours last weekend to see the sunflower fields. 'I think our sunflowers are a perfect example of how we've diversified and we've got a farm shop and cafe now and things like that,' she said. 'We've got solar panels on our shed roofs and things like that. 'It's that broad spectrum that I think will help farmers going forward. 'The weather's getting so unpredictable that we're going to have to have other revenue streams.' Ms Taylor continued: 'There's a lot of farms up for sale around here already, I think because of the poor weather conditions, because of the very wet weather conditions we've had in the last two years. 'I think there's a lot of challenges and the farming lifestyle isn't for everybody, it can be pretty hard and pretty lonely for a lot of farmers. 'It's not something everybody wants to go into. 'Round here locally we're seeing a lot of farms up for sale, because perhaps the next generation isn't interested, can't see the benefit, the financial rewards of farming.' She said she believed things could change in the coming years. 'Maybe potatoes will get grown further north in Scotland,' Ms Taylor said. 'The ability to water crops will become increasingly important in the future. 'Then obviously we've got the challenge of manual labour and mechanisation.' She added: 'The two biggest variables are the weather and the politicians.' The sunflowers, which have been in colour for around a fortnight, are normally harvested in October by combine harvester. 'We like to think they'll be right at the start of October this year, or maybe even late September,' Ms Taylor said. She explained that the reason for the sea of yellow is because they are being grown for seed, so need not be cut early. 'When you're cropping sunflowers for flowers you want them to look the best for the customer, not in your field, so they've already cut them before they become a beautiful sea of yellow,' Ms Taylor said. 'That's the advantage of growing them for the seed – we get to see the lovely sea of yellow.'
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Dry summer boosts sunflower crop but varied weather ‘puts farms under pressure'
A sea of sunflowers has been helped by hot and dry conditions this summer but increasingly varied weather patterns are putting farms under pressure, a fifth-generation grower has said. Vine House Farm in Deeping St Nicholas near Spalding in Lincolnshire grows the flowers for the seeds to be used in bird feed. Lucy Taylor, manager at the family firm, said there are around 1.5 million sunflower heads grown over an area the equivalent of 65 football pitches. The 47-year-old said: 'It's been a very dry year here, dry and hot especially in the early part of the summer, and that's really benefited our sunflower crop. 'Sunflowers are obviously more traditionally known for mainland Europe, southern France and that sort of area. 'The above average temperatures have certainly helped them mature earlier than they normally do.' But she continued: 'The last couple of years we've struggled with the wet, too much rain. 'I think what we're finding is – although Donald Trump may not agree with me – the weather patterns are becoming more varied.' Ms Taylor said the farm has crops that thrive in different conditions, such as wheat, barley, potatoes and sugar beet, so 'we're not just reliant on one product'. 'Farming's under a lot of pressure at the moment, not only from the politicians but due to the weather,' she said. 'We've got quite a diverse business here and I think every farm is going to have to diversify and become broader or specialise in what it does to make sure it's economically viable going forward.' Ms Taylor said around 100 people came on farm tours last weekend to see the sunflower fields. 'I think our sunflowers are a perfect example of how we've diversified and we've got a farm shop and cafe now and things like that,' she said. 'We've got solar panels on our shed roofs and things like that. 'It's that broad spectrum that I think will help farmers going forward. 'The weather's getting so unpredictable that we're going to have to have other revenue streams.' Ms Taylor continued: 'There's a lot of farms up for sale around here already, I think because of the poor weather conditions, because of the very wet weather conditions we've had in the last two years. 'I think there's a lot of challenges and the farming lifestyle isn't for everybody, it can be pretty hard and pretty lonely for a lot of farmers. 'It's not something everybody wants to go into. 'Round here locally we're seeing a lot of farms up for sale, because perhaps the next generation isn't interested, can't see the benefit, the financial rewards of farming.' She said she believed things could change in the coming years. 'Maybe potatoes will get grown further north in Scotland,' Ms Taylor said. 'The ability to water crops will become increasingly important in the future. 'Then obviously we've got the challenge of manual labour and mechanisation.' She added: 'The two biggest variables are the weather and the politicians.' The sunflowers, which have been in colour for around a fortnight, are normally harvested in October by combine harvester. 'We like to think they'll be right at the start of October this year, or maybe even late September,' Ms Taylor said. She explained that the reason for the sea of yellow is because they are being grown for seed, so need not be cut early. 'When you're cropping sunflowers for flowers you want them to look the best for the customer, not in your field, so they've already cut them before they become a beautiful sea of yellow,' Ms Taylor said. 'That's the advantage of growing them for the seed – we get to see the lovely sea of yellow.'
