Latest news with #MrBloom
Press and Journal
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
All you need to know about this year's Aberdeen Highland Games
Thousands will descend on Hazlehead Park for the return of the Aberdeen Highlands Games later this month. It will feature an array of traditional events, including the caber toss, tug o' war and hammer throw, together with field events and running. In addition, there are piping competitions and Highland dancing, with hundreds of competitors involved. It will hopefully be a triumphant return for the event, which had to be cancelled last year amid torrential rain, leading to disappointment for many. All being well, the Aberdeen Highland Games will take place on Sunday June 15, beginning at 10am. Here is all you need to know ahead of the event. Tickets are available to purchase from the Aberdeen City Council website via Eventbrite. There will be a free shuttle bus service from two locations – Union Terrace and Kingswells Park & Ride. The shuttle bus will stop at the turning circle near Hazlehead Park, with a five minute walk to the event entrance. In addition to the shuttle buses, other useful routes include the First Bus 11 service and the Stagecoach X17 service. Free parking is available at Hazlehead Park, but spaces are limited so anyone hoping to take advantage is advised to arrive early. Blue Badge holders should make themselves known to the car parking stewards upon arrival. Dogs are welcome, but must be kept on a short lead at all times. Owners must take responsibility for their dog at all times and pick up any mess left behind. More than 80 stalls will be dotted around the park, both trade and charity, selling an array of food, drinks and craft items or offering services and advice. Food and drink stalls include: The Wee Brown Mouse Bakery, Carnoustie Distillery, Ellon Spirit Company, Pomology, Kilted Fudge Company and Allan's Chilli Products. Product and gift stalls include: Teeny Tartans, Mabel and Millie Candle Co, Tots Gear and the Sewing Bothy, Boni Be Boutique, Riverside Silver and La Bomba BC. Charity stalls offering advice and support will also be on site including the NSPCC, the Archie Foundation, Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance and the RSPB. This year's main act will be popular children's character Mr Bloom, with musical performances from Aberdeen Music Service, The Rock Choir and Vienna. To find out more about this year's Aberdeen Highland Games, visit the council website.
CBS News
6 days ago
- General
- CBS News
San Francisco man dons bee suit as part of his mission to save the city's bees
In a city where you can see just about anything, a man in a bee suit on a one-wheeler still manages to turn heads. It looks like a plea for attention, and it is — just not from people. Shalaco McGee is trying to attract bees. "When I see weeds, I spread seeds. sprinkle, sprinkle," McGee said. He calls himself Mr. Bloom, and he has made it his mission to plant wildflowers in the forgotten corners of the city. His method of choice is an old Parmesan shaker filled with native wildflowers, the kind that make San Francisco bees feel right at home. "This is a great way to connect and learn about the world around you and help support it just with the flick of the wrist," he said. It's a little bit of costume, a little bit of armor, and just ridiculous enough to work. Asked what the bees thought of his attire, he said, "Who knows? The world doesn't revolve around me. Those are busy bees." It started with a simple idea: beautify the city and bring back the bees. And somewhere between the sidewalk and the seed tosses, it took root. Before long, his social media accounts started blooming too, with nearly a million followers watching the city come back to life, and not a moment too soon. A March 2025 report shows bees aren't buzzing like they used to; more than 22 percent of native pollinators in North America are now at an elevated risk of extinction. But not everyone is on board with this kind of behavior. Daniel Montes of San Francisco's Rec and Parks Department said a little buzz can be a good thing, but only to a point. "It's not something we encourage. But it's great to see the enthusiasm and the passion, and it's great to see that he's inspiring people," said Montes. That might sting, but it hasn't stopped Mr. Bloom from suiting up. "It's beautiful. I'm just here being myself," he said.
BBC News
18-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Mental health day for Kempston Send pupils 'incredible'
Mental health workshops and activities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) have been "incredible", a head teacher said. BBC Three Counties Radio's Headfest event was held in Kempston, Bedfordshire, at the Rivertree Free School, which opened in February. Children got a chance to plant cress with Mr Bloom, from CBeebies, see animals at a mobile farm, make art, play sports and take part in musical movement sessions. Head teacher Clare Breare said the event had given her pupils many "rich experiences" they would not normally be able to access. Ms Breare said being able to host the event was "unthinkable" and her pupils had called it "party day" . "To have the names and the activities that have been offered- it's inexplicable," she added."Our children wouldn't necessarily go out on trips to see Mr Bloom and they wouldn't necessarily spend much time at the farm with their families, so to have it in a safe place, with safe adults, and know they're going to access something that's just incredible for their wellbeing, I cannot tell you how excited I am." Children from Grange Academy also took part. Lily played football and basketball and said the day had made her feel "happy". Cody, 11, said he liked visiting a new school and said it made him feel happy as he had made new friends. Samuel, 12, made some art and said it was "good to see the animals". Mr Bloom, from CBeebies, held a number of gardening workshops. He said gardening can help your mental healt,h and children tell him that it makes them feel calm, happy, positive, good and relaxed. "Nature is absolutely fantastic, we depend on it, and it gives us everything we need," he said. "It just makes us feel good, if we take care of nature, nature will take care of you." Catherine Assink, the chief executive and executive principal of Bedford Inclusive Learning and Training Trust, which runs the school, said the "ethos of mental health and wellbeing" was in everything it does. She said the day was amazing and added: "What an opportunity [we've had] to share with our local community our schools, and having other main stream schools coming in to share the day and to celebrate mental health and what we can do to belong as a community and to raise the profile of our Send pupils." Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
