Latest news with #NationalTrust-owned
Spectator
3 days ago
- Health
- Spectator
Walking, not working out, is the best exercise
These days almost everyone you meet is a member of a gym, and instead of attending church every week – as they did in days gone by – they make regular visits to these temples of the body beautiful: the new religion of our times. Yet despite these obligatory bouts of body worship, the general health of the nation – physical and mental – does not appear to be improving. The evidence tells us that obscene levels of obesity are at an all-time high, and everyone has heard stories of those struck down in the prime of life by strokes, coronaries or – most common of all – cancer, the plague of our age. Last week, for example, I heard of an acquaintance, thought super-fit by his friends, who wearied his girlfriend with constant demands for vigorous sex, and who suddenly dropped dead in the stairwell of his home – felled by a heart attack that apparently came from nowhere. And who of us has not heard of someone visiting a doctor with a mysterious pain, only to be given a deadly diagnosis of some fell disease and told they had just a few months more to live? Instead of ruinously expensive sessions in a gym, I would recommend a form of exercise that requires no membership fees, no purchase of expensive equipment, and no regular attendance at a given location. I mean the gentle practice of merely putting one foot in front of the other – and just walking. Walking – either alone, with a like-minded companion, or in one of many organised groups – is a safer, cheaper and more beneficial way of staying fit than going to gyms. And you get to see the superb sites of our gorgeous countryside, which you don't when lifting weights. It is the simplest form of exercise known to humankind, and makes no dangerous demands on the cardiovascular system, which gym visits, jogging, cycling or running a marathon entail. Moreover, walking slowly releases endorphins as well as leaving one with pleasantly aching parts of the body at its conclusion. Unless you can afford to keep a horse, walking is by far the nicest and easiest way of viewing our green and pleasant land. Last weekend, for instance, I visited a hill fort that inspired William Blake to pen that famous phrase when he wrote 'Jerusalem' while looking out towards the Trundle, a Bronze Age settlement on St Roche's hill near Goodwood in West Sussex. It is certainly not the north face of the Eiger, but ascending the 676ft Trundle still requires a steady half-hour climb. And it is not as demanding as two other beauty spots in the same area: Kingley Vale, whose grove of yew trees are reputedly older than nearby Chichester Cathedral; and Harting Down, a National Trust-owned area of the South Downs that really does take it out of the calf muscles. It is the simplest form of exercise known to humankind, and makes no dangerous demands on the cardiovascular system Even in overcrowded south-east England, it is still possible to explore hills, woods, fields and forests where you will meet few fellow walkers. And if panting your way up to a hill fort is not your idea of fun, how about a sandy stroll around the beautiful beaches of West Wittering, where only a yapping hound is likely to disturb your peaceful contemplation of the coast I have walked several of the maintained long-distance paths that cater to the more dedicated strollers. The South Downs Way between Eastbourne and Winchester is popular with both walkers and – annoyingly – mountain bikers. The Cotswold Way takes you past some of England's most beautiful towns and villages. More demanding is the South West coastal path around the Cornish peninsula between Poole on the English Channel and Minehead on the Bristol Channel. It features in the current film The Salt Path, about a couple who counter the double whammy of a terminal illness diagnosis and homelessness by simply setting out to walk the 600-mile path. As the poet Thom Gunn wrote in his signature verses 'On the Move': 'Reaching no absolute in which to rest/ One is always nearer by not keeping still.' It has been calculated that completing the South West coastal path is equivalent to ascending Everest three times, but you don't have to be a Hillary or a Tenzing to walk. A stout pair of boots and a map is all that is required. Whether in company or alone, it will certainly make you feel good – and it may even save your life.
West Australian
4 days ago
- General
- West Australian
Hundreds of historical artefacts unearthed during archaeological dig at Strawberry Hill at Barmup
More than 400 artefacts — including pieces of porcelain, slate and teeth — have been found during an eight-day archaeological dig at WA's oldest colonial farm, Strawberry Hill at Barmup. The project manager of the National Trust-owned site, Michael Wells, said the primary objective of the dig was to locate the flagstones that once formed the floor of old stables that were built almost 200 years ago at the Albany property. 'We didn't succeed in that so it remains a mystery as to whether those flagstones are still there but there was lots of other things found by the archaeologists,' he said. 'I believe there was about 400 artefacts, mostly just small items, that were uncovered and then they're going to be analysed and I'm sure they're going to help us to understand the history of Strawberry Hill at Barmup.' Marbles, fragments of porcelain, glass, slate and what are believed to be horse teeth were among the hundreds of items the team sifted through. Conducted by a team of three architects from May 22-29, the dig was focused on the areas to the west and east of the main house to ensure no heritage items or structures would be damaged during upcoming infrastructure upgrades. As well as the flagstones, the team were searching for remains of an old veranda that was once attached to the main house. The property was established in 1826 as a government farm before being developed into the family home for one of Albany's earliest residents, Sir Richard Spencer. 'What I loved about this whole thing is just the insight that it gives us into what it might've been like there in the 1830s,' Mr Wells said. 'I mean it was a working farm and they didn't have motorcars so of course they had horses. They needed a place to keep the horses so that conjures up all sorts of images and then moving forward in time, the remains of those stables were still there until the late 70s we believe. 'It went through a lot of transitions and it went from being used by horses to being used to repair motorcars and I think possibly to store motorcars, so it's a pretty interesting site which has got a lot to tell us about the long and interesting history of Strawberry Hill.' The site demonstrates many firsts for WA: first farm, first farmhouse, and first two-storey building. Before earning those titles it was a highly significant meeting place for Menang Noongar people, a fact honoured by the presence of Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation staff members at the dig, who kept an eye out for any significant Indigenous artefacts that may be unearthed. Mr Wells said though the findings still needed to be analysed, he hoped the artefacts could serve as part of the heritage property's attraction. 'We're moving towards a point next year when Strawberry Hill is gonna be transformed into quite a different place and we're really determined to make it a tourism drawcard the way that it isn't now,' he said. 'Artefacts like these can potentially be put on display and they can help to evoke for visitors that combination of colonial and Aboriginal history.'
Leader Live
06-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
Wrexham bakery awarded King's Award for Enterprise
The prestigious award was given to Jones Village Bakery for its impressive short-term growth in exports over the past three years. The bakery has recently expanded into new markets in Australia, the Middle East, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Norway. 18 months ago, the bakery's increasing international recognition secured it a contract to supply pancakes to Australia, following a £2 million investment in a new, modern pancake production line. The original agreement was to supply three varieties of American-style pancakes: buttermilk, blueberry and lemon. The pancakes have been such a hit that the bakery has now secured a deal to supply its Australian customers with Welsh cakes and pikelets as well. This is alongside supplying a global network of around 200 M&S stores – reaching as far as Hong Kong and Singapore – with crumpets, scones, pancakes, bagels, rolls, Welsh cakes and pikelets. The increase in exports over the past few years has helped create 100 new jobs at the bakery. The company, which celebrated its 90th anniversary last year, is now targeting Canada and Japan as potential new markets for further growth. This is the third time the Village Bakery has been honoured by King Charles, the first two occasions being before he ascended to the throne. Former company chairman Alan Jones, now retired, baked bread for the then Prince Charles in the old brick oven at Erddig Hall during a visit to the National Trust-owned stately home on the edge of Wrexham in 1977. Then in 2015, the Prince, as he was at the time, officially opened the company's new bakery on Wrexham Industrial Estate, where he and the then Duchess of Cornwall, now Queen Camilla, demonstrated their skill by learning how to flip Welsh cakes on the hot plate. Mr Jones' son Robin, who has led the export drive in recent years alongside his brother Christien, said he was delighted the company had once again been recognised by the monarch. Shareholder Robin said: "We were delighted and humbled to be recognised with a King's Award for Enterprise. "As well as being a hugely proud moment for the Jones family, the King's Award is also a fitting reward for our brilliant and dedicated staff who are the secret ingredient in our ongoing success." Glen Marriott, the company's commercial controller, played a key role in boosting overseas sales and was named an official export champion by the Welsh Government last year. He said: "In 2023, the Department of Business and Trade and Industry brought a delegation here, and that helped spur the growth we've seen in recent years. "Once the Welsh Government knew we were exporting to Australia, they were very helpful,l and that's opened up other doors over there. "They're also helping us quite a bit at the moment with Canada because we are looking at going there next." READ MORE: Why son's diagnosis spurred North Wales family on to set up website on rare disease Further momentum came last year when the company secured investment for a multi-million pound expansion plan from French bakery firm Menissez, a family-run business founded in 1965, a year after the Jones family took over the Village Bakery. Village Bakery CEO Simon Thorpe said: "We are in a very good place in terms of where we're heading. "We are now being recognised as one of the leading exporters in the Welsh food and drink sector. "As well as being a great honour, it is going to be a huge help in a practical sense. "Having the award will open so many more doors from an exporting perspective. "In terms of our standing in the export community, it will be brilliant. "The long term benefits to the business are going to be huge."
Scottish Sun
29-04-2025
- General
- Scottish Sun
Mystery deepens over infamous UK shipwreck that holidaymaker DROWNED trying to explore as probe is suddenly called off
The SS Vina washed up on shore in 1944 WRECK RIDDLE Mystery deepens over infamous UK shipwreck that holidaymaker DROWNED trying to explore as probe is suddenly called off MYSTERY is swirling over an infamous UK shipwreck where a holidaymaker drowned he tried to explore it. Raymond Mills died on August 17 last year while wading out to see wreckage of the SS Vina, which ran aground off the coast of Norfolk in 1944. 2 Raymond Mills died after getting caught out by the tide when he walked out to explore a shipwreck 2 The SS Vina once carried cargo between the east coast and the Baltic in the 1800s Credit: SWNS Mr Mills got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water. His granddaughter - who he was with at the time - managed to get back to safety. But Mr Mills' body was later recovered from the water by a rescue helicopter. During an inquest into his death earlier this year, his family called for additional safety measures to be made at the National Trust-owned beach. But the probe has been paused due to an ongoing mystery over the who owns the wreckage. The SS Vina lies 800 metres off Brancaster Beach in Norfolk and is exposed during low tides. It was built in 1894 and carried cargo between the east coast and the Baltic for decades. After being requisitioned by the military and later used as target practice by the RAF, the SS Vina ran ashore in her current resting place on Brancaster Beach. The vessel has become something of a notorious landmark in an area known as Wreck Sands, which can quickly become cut off by fast-moving tides. Mr Mills' family told the inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court earlier this year, the signage about the dangers of the wreck were inadequate. Watch wreck of 'most advanced ship before Titanic' emerge as it's found 132yrs after sinking with owner's family onboard Samantha Goward, an area coroner, too agreed that action needed to be taken to avoid a repeat of the tragedy. She said she would write to the National Trust to establish what signs there were. However, her investigations have exposed the mystery over who owns the wreck itself and raised questions over what can be done to improve safety. In her report, Mrs Goward said: 'During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.' The National Trust said it was not responsible for the wreck. Instead, Ms Goward's investigations indicated the Vina was owned and managed by Trinity House, the organisation responsible for lighthouses and other navigational aids around the coast. She contacted the organisation, as well as Natural England, which was understood to be responsible for the coastal area on which the wreck lies. However, it advised that because the wreck was submerged at high tide, a sign would be impractical. It also said that Trinity House may consider putting a sign on the mast. But Trinity House then told Ms Goward that it was not the legal owner of the wreck and had previously told the National Trust this. Upon further enquiry with HM Coastguard, Ms Goward was told the wreck was privately owned when it was requisitioned in the Second World War by the Ministry of Defence, but records do not show who currently owns it. It was suggested that the Department for Transport may be able to assist with ownership, and the report has been sent to them. Mrs Goward's report continues: 'I have therefore reached a point where I am unable to establish who may be the owner of this wreck and responsible for considering concerns over the lack of signage warning of risks. 'I am concerned that, in light of the above, there is no safe system in place to ensure that an organisation is responsible for the management and safety of such shipwrecks which are accessible by members of the public. 'With no clear system to ensure that the owners can be identified, there is no system to ensure that concerns can be raised with them when safety concerns arise. 'That that wreckage does not have sufficient warnings at the location to alert members of the public, particularly those who are not familiar with the tidal waters.' Mr Mills' widow welcomed the report, calling for the wreck's complete removal. She said: "I wonder how many more people need to lose their life before something is done." "Ideally the wreck should be removed. It's of no significant historical interest. "At the very least, clear signage should appear on the wreck and along the various access routes." Prior to his death, Mr Mills had planned his trip down to the last detail. However, he got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water. His granddaughter, who he was with at the time, managed to get back to safety. But sadly, Mr Mills' body was later recovered from the water by a rescue helicopter. He was then flown to Norwich Airport but was pronounced dead shortly after the aircraft landed.
The Irish Sun
29-04-2025
- General
- The Irish Sun
Mystery deepens over infamous UK shipwreck that holidaymaker DROWNED trying to explore as probe is suddenly called off
MYSTERY is swirling over an infamous UK shipwreck where a holidaymaker drowned he tried to explore it. Raymond Mills died on August 17 last year while wading out to see wreckage of the SS Vina, which ran aground off the coast of Norfolk in 1944. 2 Raymond Mills died after getting caught out by the tide when he walked out to explore a shipwreck 2 The SS Vina once carried cargo between the east coast and the Baltic in the 1800s Credit: SWNS Mr Mills got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water. His granddaughter - who he was with at the time - managed to get back to safety. But Mr Mills' body was later recovered from the water by a During an inquest into his death earlier this year, his family called for additional safety measures to be made at the National Trust-owned beach. read more in shipwreck But the probe has been paused due to an ongoing mystery over the who owns the wreckage. The It was built in 1894 and carried cargo between the east coast and the Baltic for decades. After being requisitioned by the military and later used as target practice by the RAF, the SS Vina ran ashore in her current resting place on Brancaster Beach. Most read in The Sun The vessel has become something of a notorious landmark in an area known as Wreck Sands, which can quickly become cut off by fast-moving tides. Mr Mills' family told the inquest at Norfolk Coroner's Court earlier this year, the signage about the dangers of the wreck were inadequate. Watch wreck of 'most advanced ship before Titanic' emerge as it's found 132yrs after sinking with owner's family onboard Samantha Goward, an area coroner, too agreed that action needed to be taken to avoid a repeat of the tragedy. She said she would write to the National Trust to establish what signs there were. However, her investigations have exposed the mystery over who owns the wreck itself and raised questions over what can be done to improve safety. In her report, Mrs Goward said: 'During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. 'In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken.' The National Trust said it was not responsible for the wreck. Instead, Ms Goward's investigations indicated the Vina was owned and managed by Trinity House, the organisation responsible for lighthouses and other navigational aids around the coast. She contacted the organisation, as well as Natural England, which was understood to be responsible for the coastal area on which the wreck lies. However, it advised that because the wreck was submerged at high tide, a sign would be impractical. It also said that Trinity House may consider putting a sign on the mast. But Trinity House then told Ms Goward that it was not the legal owner of the wreck and had previously told the National Trust this. Upon further enquiry with HM Coastguard, Ms Goward was told the wreck was privately owned when it was requisitioned in the Second World War by the Ministry of Defence, but records do not show who currently owns it. It was suggested that the Department for Transport may be able to assist with ownership, and the report has been sent to them. Mrs Goward's report continues: 'I have therefore reached a point where I am unable to establish who may be the owner of this wreck and responsible for considering concerns over the lack of signage warning of risks. 'I am concerned that, in light of the above, there is no safe system in place to ensure that an organisation is responsible for the management and safety of such shipwrecks which are accessible by members of the public. 'With no clear system to ensure that the owners can be identified, there is no system to ensure that concerns can be raised with them when safety concerns arise. 'That that wreckage does not have sufficient warnings at the location to alert members of the public, particularly those who are not familiar with the tidal waters.' Mr Mills' widow welcomed the report, calling for the wreck's complete removal. She said: "I wonder how many more people need to lose their life before something is done." "Ideally the wreck should be removed. It's of no significant historical interest. "At the very least, clear signage should appear on the wreck and along the various access routes." Prior to his death, Mr Mills had planned his trip down to the last detail. However, he got into difficulties in the strong currents near the ship and vanished beneath the water. His granddaughter, who he was with at the time, managed to get back to safety. But sadly, Mr Mills' body was later recovered from the water by a He was then flown to
