Latest news with #MidandWestWalesFireandRescueService
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
What happened to Grand Designs' most expensive and infamous homes?
A Grand Designs house described as "the perfect home" has gone on the market for the first time. Five-bedroom Green Dragon Barn in Blackawton, Devon, is on sale for £1.5m. It first featured on the Channel 4 programme in 2001, and was revisited by the show in 2022 after 20 years of work from owners Sue Charman and Martin Whitlock. The 4,600 sq ft property was created from three linked barns and has an "eco-conscious design." It is now on sale after Charman died in 2023, with Whitlock saying: "Sue was passionate about environmental issues and we were determined to make the house as natural and sustainable as possible. It was a matter of principle but also very much in the spirit of the building." Here, Yahoo News UK looks at some of the most expensive, and infamous, homes to have also featured on the show. Pavello, a 5,533 sq ft five-bedroom mansion, was the largest ever home featured on Grand Designs. The property in Colgate, West Sussex, was on the programme in 2015 and built by Clinton Dall, a cleaning services business owner who bought the initial plot of land for £850,000 in 2013. Presenter Kevin McCloud said the project risked "financial ruin' but it was ultimately successful, with him saying it was "modernist architecture at the top of its game… an absolutely exquisite experience". Dall sold it for £3.45m in 2019 and it went on the market again five years later, selling for £3.95m in October last year. Chesil Cliff House in Saunton, Devon, is one of the most expensive and infamous properties to have featured on the show. The lighthouse, originally covered in 2019 and revisited in 2022, is considered one of the saddest stories to have been told on Grand Designs. It took 11 years to build, left its owner Edward Short in £7m of debt and cost him his marriage. "It was a nightmare from the moment the first spade hit the ground," Short reflected last year. "We were up against it from day one, with the really vulnerable cliff in front of the house." It was originally listed for £10m in 2022, but last year was on the market for nearly half that amount. It is not currently listed. A 2016 episode told the story of Simon and Jasmine Dale, who set out to build an eco home in Pembrokeshire, Wales, with a budget of £500. Perhaps unsurprisingly, they failed... but still managed to complete the project spending just £27,000. However, it was destroyed by a fire in 2018, with the Dale family unhurt. Dai Swan, from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said at the time: 'It's utterly heartbreaking for the crews seeing how much workmanship has gone into these [house] frames. Each piece of this building is bespoke, it's done to a beautifully high standard and to see it damaged by fire is just heartbreaking.' A JustGiving page raised £35,271 for the couple. Another property which went over budget - but on a bigger scale - was the so-called "Hux Shard" in Huxham, Devon, which featured on Grand Designs in 2021. It was described as a home "that looks like a huge piece of art, with 34 enormous angled zinc shards". Joe and Claire Priday's project cost four times its £835,000 budget at £2.5m. And McCloud said they had 'more money than sense' when they spent £125,000 on the kitchen alone. The heat pump planning permission rule change that could affect millions, explained (Yahoo News UK) What I learnt on a grand tour of the least loved cities in the British Isles (The Telegraph) Kevin McCloud's guide to Akureyri and intrepid Iceland (The Standard)
Wales Online
5 days ago
- General
- Wales Online
Crews return to tackle building fire hours after putting it out
Crews return to tackle building fire hours after putting it out The fire sevice had left the scene after putting out the fire, but it reignited again a few hours later The farmhouse that caught fire (Image: Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service ) A fire at an unused farmhouse in Pembroke last week sparked emergency response involving crews from multiple fire stations. Though the fire service had initially left after putting out the fire, they had to return when it reignited. The alarm was raised when crews from Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to a fire in Monkton, Pembroke at 11.43pm on Friday, May 30. Crews from three fire stations - Pembroke Dock, Milford Haven, and Tenby - were dispatched to deal with the fire. Fire service crews had to use multiple equipment to put out the fire and left after over three and half hours for the first time. The unused farmhouse had two storeys and measured 10 metres by 10 metres. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here The fire service had to use four hose reel jets, two main jets, three thermal imaging cameras, one triple-extension ladder, small tools and scene lighting to put out the fire. Article continues below After extinguishing the fire, crews from the service left the scene at 3.20am on Saturday, May 31. However, crews from Pembroke Dock and Milford Haven crews were dispatched once again at 7.34am on Saturday as the fire had reignited at the property. This time, the fire and rescue teams had to dampen down the entire property. They set up a water shuttle system and utilised one hose reel jet, and two breathing apparatus sets to extinguish the fire. The fire service continued monitor and investigate the property by using thermal imaging cameras. The final crew from Mid and West Wales Fire service left the scene nearly five hours later at 12.35pm taking the total time spent by crew at the property to over eight and half hours. Article continues below Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. See our Privacy Notice
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Climate
- Powys County Times
Firefighters tackling 40-acre forest fire near Machynlleth
Firefighters are tackling a nearly 40-acre forest fire near Machynlleth that is 'well alight'. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service have sent four different fire crews with assistance from English teams to tackle a major forest fire at Glaspwll near Machynlleth. Crews were called to the scene just after 10am this morning (May 15) and the service has reported the fire it is tackling a blaze covering 15 hectares (37 acres). RECOMMENDED READING: A spokesperson for Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: 'At 10.01am on Thursday, May 14, the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Machynlleth, Aberystwyth, Llanidloes, Tregaron Fire Stations were called to an incident in Glaspwll in Machynlleth. 'This incident is currently ongoing. 'Supported by Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service, crews are currently dealing with a forest fire, with approximately 15 hectares of trees and grass that is well alight.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Shropshire Fire and Rescue confirmed it has sent support across the border. In its latest update, a spokesperson for the service said: 'At 10:37 on Thursday, May, 15, Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service Fire Control received a call reporting a fire classified as Fire In Open in Glaspwll, Machynlleth . 'One fire appliance including the Water Carrier was mobilised from Oswestry. 'Oswestry assisting Mid & West Wales Fire Service with forest fire.'
Western Telegraph
13-05-2025
- General
- Western Telegraph
Huge emergency service presence at Withybush Airport
Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service (MAWWFRS) crew members from Haverfordwest and Milford Haven fire stations took part in the exercise, named 'Red Kite', at Withybush Airport in Haverfordwest on Wednesday, April 29. The exercise was deemed a success, allowing the crews to practice rescue responses and refine their preparedness for real-life incidents. The crews made use of the foam carrier and water bowser, and practised incident command procedures, performing a challenging rescue at an airport, and working as part of a team using different operational crews. Station manager Aled Lewis said: "Exercise 'Red Kite' was an excellent learning opportunity for the crews, providing them with training designed to enhance readiness for real-life scenarios and strengthen teamwork. "We like to thank Withybush Airport for the use of location for this exercise, it provided us with a realistic environment for the crews to practice." MAWWFRS is currently recruiting at all on-call fire stations. Visit the MAWWFRS website for more information or to fill out an expression of interest form.
Wales Online
12-05-2025
- General
- Wales Online
Emergency services called to rescue Bruce the 800kg bull from Welsh farmland
Emergency services called to rescue Bruce the 800kg bull from Welsh farmland It took several hours to free Bruce the nine-year-old bull from the muddy bog Bruce was freed after two and a half hours thanks to the joint effort from fire crews, vets, and farmers A bull that goes by the name of Bruce and weighs around 800 kilograms was the subject of an extensive rescue mission on Sunday after getting stuck in a bog in mid Wales. Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to help Bruce, a nine-year-old stock bull, who got into difficulty near Llanfihangel Nant Bran in Brecon, Powys, at about 11:30am on May 11. Bruce was rescued after several hours of efforts by firefighters, his owner, friends, neighbours and vets after he had become stuck up to his chest in the bog. "Crews utilised animal rescue lines, slings, straps and trowels," the fire service said. Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here An array of people were involved "At 11.36am on Sunday, May 11, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Brecon and Pontardawe Fire Stations were called to an incident in Llanfihangel Nant Bran in Brecon. "Crews responded to assist Bruce, a nine-year-old stock bull, weighing approximately 800kg, who had become stuck up to his chest in a bog. Article continues below "The all-terrain vehicle and pick-up truck from Brecon Fire Station, along with the animal rescue team from Pontardawe Fire Station, were mobilised to the scene. Mission save Bruce, a bull weighing approximately 800kg "Crews were assisted by Honddu Vets, as well as Bruce's owner's friends and neighbours. Crews left the scene at 5.45pm and Bruce's owner, Marilyn Jones, thanked the rescuers. Fire crews responded to assist Bruce, a nine-year-old stock bull, weighing approximately 800kg, who had become stuck up to his chest in a bog. She said: "Thank you so much to everyone who has been involved in rescuing Bruce today. Article continues below "Bruce is now happy eating in his field, having been for a long walk since being rescued." Bruce was free after two and a half hours and the joint effort from fire crews, vets, and farmers
