Latest news with #NeilHope
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
UK ‘tent city' battered by poverty to get £23.7million revamp in huge boost for area
Locals say the once bustling high street is now riddled with drug and alcohol abusers MAJOR UPLIFT UK 'tent city' battered by poverty to get £23.7million revamp in huge boost for area A UK town dubbed 'tent city' with bouncers patrolling the streets is set for a £23.7 million revamp. Once one of the world's richest mining towns, the area has been battered by poverty and drug abuse in recent years. 2 The once bustling high street now has many boarded up shops Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 2 The town has been dubbed 'tent city' Credit: Neil Hope However, things look like they're on the up for Cambourne in Cornwall, thanks to a multi-million pound investment. The cash boost is part of the Town Investment Plan, which was awarded £23.7 million in 2021. The final plans for the project, which will boost the town's appearance and accessibility, have now been approved, with work expected to begin in October. In a huge boost for the area, paving repairs will take place in Commercial Square, enhanced lighting and CCTV will be installed as will cycle parking. The amount of free on-street parking will also be extended, a new zebra crossing will be installed and there will be more seating on Trelowarren Street and Commercial Square. Tent city Residents have complained that Cambourne has been neglected in recent years, whilst nearby St Ives thrives. The churchyard of the medieval St Martin and St Meriadoc's Church is now overrun with rough sleepers, dubbed tent city. Once a bustling high street with thriving businesses is now home to a handful of shops where alcohol and drug abusers congregate, claim locals. Tracey Rail, 60, a lifelong resident told The Sun: "I think it's sad what's happened to Camborne, it's pretty rough and desolate now. 'Lots of shops are closed down, all we have is charity shops, estate agents and betting shops. I don't think there's a lot for young people to do. 'I've heard tales of how it's not safe to walk around Camborne in the night time but I've not done it myself for that reason. 'Employment is one of the major problems, we used to have the industry from mining, now it's basically just retail and a lot of the employment opportunities are temporary because they're holiday industries. 'It's definitely got worse in the last couple of years, lots of the shops are empty and there are homeless people sleeping in the doorways. 'It's not comfortable to walk up through Camborne sometimes because of the number of homeless. "The fact they are homeless is shocking and dreadful and terrible. 'I walk through the churchyard to access the town and the amount of tents is quite uncomfortable that people have to live like that. "But the question is where are the services?'
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
UK ‘tent city' battered by poverty to get £23.7million revamp in huge boost for area
Locals say the once bustling high street is now riddled with drug and alcohol abusers MAJOR UPLIFT UK 'tent city' battered by poverty to get £23.7million revamp in huge boost for area Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A UK town dubbed 'tent city' with bouncers patrolling the streets is set for a £23.7 million revamp. Once one of the world's richest mining towns, the area has been battered by poverty and drug abuse in recent years. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 The once bustling high street now has many boarded up shops Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 2 The town has been dubbed 'tent city' Credit: Neil Hope However, things look like they're on the up for Cambourne in Cornwall, thanks to a multi-million pound investment. The cash boost is part of the Town Investment Plan, which was awarded £23.7 million in 2021. The final plans for the project, which will boost the town's appearance and accessibility, have now been approved, with work expected to begin in October. In a huge boost for the area, paving repairs will take place in Commercial Square, enhanced lighting and CCTV will be installed as will cycle parking. The amount of free on-street parking will also be extended, a new zebra crossing will be installed and there will be more seating on Trelowarren Street and Commercial Square. Tent city Residents have complained that Cambourne has been neglected in recent years, whilst nearby St Ives thrives. The churchyard of the medieval St Martin and St Meriadoc's Church is now overrun with rough sleepers, dubbed tent city. Once a bustling high street with thriving businesses is now home to a handful of shops where alcohol and drug abusers congregate, claim locals. Tracey Rail, 60, a lifelong resident told The Sun: "I think it's sad what's happened to Camborne, it's pretty rough and desolate now. 'Lots of shops are closed down, all we have is charity shops, estate agents and betting shops. I don't think there's a lot for young people to do. 'I've heard tales of how it's not safe to walk around Camborne in the night time but I've not done it myself for that reason. 'Employment is one of the major problems, we used to have the industry from mining, now it's basically just retail and a lot of the employment opportunities are temporary because they're holiday industries. 'It's definitely got worse in the last couple of years, lots of the shops are empty and there are homeless people sleeping in the doorways. 'It's not comfortable to walk up through Camborne sometimes because of the number of homeless. "The fact they are homeless is shocking and dreadful and terrible. 'I walk through the churchyard to access the town and the amount of tents is quite uncomfortable that people have to live like that. "But the question is where are the services?'
The Irish Sun
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
I went on UK's only NUDE cruise where cops and docs frolic… they say it's all fun and games but there's one golden rule
The Sun was exclusively invited on the naked cruise where the £22 ticket includes a free hot pasty - for those brave enough to risk spillages! NAKED TRUTH I went on UK's only NUDE cruise where cops and docs frolic… they say it's all fun and games but there's one golden rule THE boat hadn't even moved 6ft from the dock when the shout to strip off went up - within seconds all 120 passengers were completely starkers. I had just hopped on board for the 13th annual 'Nude Cruise' - a three-hour, bare-all boat trip to celebrate naturism - and already it was NOTHING like I'd imagined... Advertisement 11 Tanis and Kevin Little were among 120 naturists who stripped off for the naked cruise along the River Exe Credit: Neil Hope 11 The trip, organised by Bare West Events, has been an annual fixture for 13 years Credit: Neil Hope 11 The Sun was invited on the trip Credit: Neil Hope As the double decker ship meandered along the River Exe estuary in Devon, dozens of smaller pleasure boats sail alongside us, their passengers cheering us on - and some of them even stripping off, too. Considering the wall-to-wall nudity involved, organisers were keen to emphasise from the outset that they are not swingers - and anybody caught trying to act inappropriately would be banned for life. Advertisement This has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven't got your clothes on Organiser Rachel Wick Rachel Wick, 50, a local authority administrator who has organised the annual boat trip alongside her partner Nigel since 2012, said: 'It's really sad that a large percentage of the population equate being naked only with sex - it's not. 'If they came to our event, they would see it's clearly not what it's about. 'If somebody misbehaves, they will be on our banned list. Not that it's ever happened but we're always mindful that this has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven't got your clothes on. 'One of the things I love about it is you can't tell from looking at all of us whether we are rich or poor, working or retired. When you can't judge people's status, we're all on a level. 'People think you have to be beautiful but we're all normal people of different shapes and sizes.' Advertisement Nigel said the group regularly organises nude events at a variety of venues, and businesses are always happy to accept the 'buff pound' because guests are respectful and unlikely to go elsewhere to eat and drink. He added: 'The nudist world is a real mix of people, from prison officers to barristers and doctors. 'It is the sense of freedom and being relaxed in your own body that draws people in. It's a very friendly environment. Inside Britain's most notorious naked village: with nude vicars, bush wars and strict sex rule 'If we go to a hotel, people generally don't go out, they stay all day. 'We have never had any trouble at any event. It's an older group and if anybody started a fight, they're likely going to break a hip.' Advertisement What struck me most about the trip was how remarkably normal it all was - apart from the obvious naked elephant in the room, this could have been any other boat trip organised by a local village church group. Upstairs, the nude guests - many of whom were pensioners - mingled and chatted while one volunteer sold raffle tickets. Downstairs, the naked disco was in full swing with some patrons shimmying to Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen while others lined up for the cash-only bar - with some sporting special pouches to carry their bank notes and phones. The £22 cruise ticket also included a free hot pasty, for those brave enough to risk spillages! My employer and child would be shocked if they knew Dee from Plymouth Members believe events like this are becoming more popular as Brits slowly relax their up-tight attitudes towards nudity. Advertisement An Ipsos poll found 14% of those surveyed identify as naturists or nudists while a BBC report suggests there are 6.7 million naturists in the UK. 11 Organiser Rachel Whick waves at passing yachts Credit: Neil Hope 11 A naked cruise goer grabs a drink on deck Credit: Neil Hope 11 Some members said they had to keep their naturalism secret for fear of judgement Credit: Neil Hope However, another poll for YouGov found four in 10 (59%) said they felt uncomfortable with being naked, with women being more likely to feel that way than men. Advertisement Some guests said they couldn't speak openly about naturism, believing their bosses would take a dim view if they found out. Dee, from Plymouth, said: 'My employer and child would be shocked if they knew I was doing this. 'For some reason, a lot of people for some reason associate what we do with swinging but it doesn't mean that. 'It's just people wanting to take their clothes off and enjoying the freedom, nothing else.' Another passenger - who declined to be interviewed - explained: 'Half of my family don't know I'm a nudist.' Advertisement At the turnaround point, the skipper steered the boat past the pubs and restaurants in Topsham, much to the delight of hundreds of waiting punters who had gathered - some in fancy dress and others wearing very little - to cheer on the naturists. I feel people who are naturists should be allowed to express themselves and should have a space to do it. Events like this allow that Martin Niebroj Mark Carroll, who has been a lifetime naturist, explained how he recently introduced his partner Claire Stone to the community. Claire said: 'I love it. I do a lot of naturist beaches but this is the first time I have done a community event. 'Times are changing - it's becoming more popular but the younger generation are still quite prudish. 'My teenager asked where I was going tonight. I said, 'A naked cruise,' and he just replied, 'Ok then' but didn't want to ask any further questions.' Advertisement Mark added: 'People are more relaxed than they were, our generation is more comfortable with it all. 'The more people hear about it, the more they want to get involved.' 'Many Brits are too repressed' Kevin Little, 61, from North Dorset, who has been a naturist since 1997, revealed he saves a fortune not having to pay for extra luggage on flights. He said: 'It's quite addictive. I love being on a beach and just connecting with nature. 'When we go on holiday, we can get on a flight with no luggage - we can take a little rucksack for a month. Advertisement 'We get frustrated by the cliched, seaside-postcard, t*ts-and-willy jokes but it's been that way for so long, it's hard to get away from. 'A lot of people tell me: 'I wish I could do that'... Well, you can. But people are very body conscious, although nobody cares.' His wife Tanis, 61, said: 'One of my sons is always trying to get his friends to do naked runs - he's tried to get younger people involved." One of the few under 40s onboard was Martin Niebroj, 39, who revealed he finds nudity freeing but admits it can be problematic in less organised settings. He said: 'I really like the social part of it. Technically it's not illegal to be naked in public in Britian, but it always causes a lot of interest. Advertisement 'I feel people who are naturists should be allowed to express themselves and should have a space to do it. Events like this allow that.' Martin, originally from Czechia and now living in Exeter and working in marketing, said many Brits are too repressed about nudity. He said: 'If you go into a public sauna in England you always need to have swimwear. In continental Europe, people generally are more liberal.' After three hours, the boat returned to the dock and the passengers dressed again… some more reluctantly than others. 11 The trip set off from Exmouth Credit: Neil Hope Advertisement 11 A member waves at a passing boat Credit: Neil Hope 11 Like-minded individuals enjoyed live music, some drink - and a pasty Credit: Neil Hope 11 Claire Stone and Mark Carroll enjoy a drink on the water Credit: Neil Hope
Scottish Sun
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I went on UK's only NUDE cruise where cops and docs frolic… they say it's all fun and games but there's one golden rule
The Sun was exclusively invited on the naked cruise where the £22 ticket includes a free hot pasty - for those brave enough to risk spillages! NAKED TRUTH I went on UK's only NUDE cruise where cops and docs frolic… they say it's all fun and games but there's one golden rule THE boat hadn't even moved 6ft from the dock when the shout to strip off went up - within seconds all 120 passengers were completely starkers. I had just hopped on board for the 13th annual 'Nude Cruise' - a three-hour, bare-all boat trip to celebrate naturism - and already it was NOTHING like I'd imagined... Advertisement 11 Tanis and Kevin Little were among 120 naturists who stripped off for the naked cruise along the River Exe Credit: Neil Hope 11 The trip, organised by Bare West Events, has been an annual fixture for 13 years Credit: Neil Hope 11 The Sun was invited on the trip Credit: Neil Hope As the double decker ship meandered along the River Exe estuary in Devon, dozens of smaller pleasure boats sail alongside us, their passengers cheering us on - and some of them even stripping off, too. Considering the wall-to-wall nudity involved, organisers were keen to emphasise from the outset that they are not swingers - and anybody caught trying to act inappropriately would be banned for life. Advertisement This has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven't got your clothes on Organiser Rachel Wick Rachel Wick, 50, a local authority administrator who has organised the annual boat trip alongside her partner Nigel since 2012, said: 'It's really sad that a large percentage of the population equate being naked only with sex - it's not. 'If they came to our event, they would see it's clearly not what it's about. 'If somebody misbehaves, they will be on our banned list. Not that it's ever happened but we're always mindful that this has to be a safe environment because you can feel quite vulnerable when you haven't got your clothes on. 'One of the things I love about it is you can't tell from looking at all of us whether we are rich or poor, working or retired. When you can't judge people's status, we're all on a level. 'People think you have to be beautiful but we're all normal people of different shapes and sizes.' Advertisement Nigel said the group regularly organises nude events at a variety of venues, and businesses are always happy to accept the 'buff pound' because guests are respectful and unlikely to go elsewhere to eat and drink. He added: 'The nudist world is a real mix of people, from prison officers to barristers and doctors. 'It is the sense of freedom and being relaxed in your own body that draws people in. It's a very friendly environment. Inside Britain's most notorious naked village: with nude vicars, bush wars and strict sex rule 'If we go to a hotel, people generally don't go out, they stay all day. 'We have never had any trouble at any event. It's an older group and if anybody started a fight, they're likely going to break a hip.' Advertisement What struck me most about the trip was how remarkably normal it all was - apart from the obvious naked elephant in the room, this could have been any other boat trip organised by a local village church group. Upstairs, the nude guests - many of whom were pensioners - mingled and chatted while one volunteer sold raffle tickets. Downstairs, the naked disco was in full swing with some patrons shimmying to Dancing in the Dark by Bruce Springsteen while others lined up for the cash-only bar - with some sporting special pouches to carry their bank notes and phones. The £22 cruise ticket also included a free hot pasty, for those brave enough to risk spillages! My employer and child would be shocked if they knew Dee from Plymouth Members believe events like this are becoming more popular as Brits slowly relax their up-tight attitudes towards nudity. Advertisement An Ipsos poll found 14% of those surveyed identify as naturists or nudists while a BBC report suggests there are 6.7 million naturists in the UK. 11 Organiser Rachel Whick waves at passing yachts Credit: Neil Hope 11 A naked cruise goer grabs a drink on deck Credit: Neil Hope 11 Some members said they had to keep their naturalism secret for fear of judgement Credit: Neil Hope However, another poll for YouGov found four in 10 (59%) said they felt uncomfortable with being naked, with women being more likely to feel that way than men. Advertisement Some guests said they couldn't speak openly about naturism, believing their bosses would take a dim view if they found out. Dee, from Plymouth, said: 'My employer and child would be shocked if they knew I was doing this. 'For some reason, a lot of people for some reason associate what we do with swinging but it doesn't mean that. 'It's just people wanting to take their clothes off and enjoying the freedom, nothing else.' Another passenger - who declined to be interviewed - explained: 'Half of my family don't know I'm a nudist.' Advertisement At the turnaround point, the skipper steered the boat past the pubs and restaurants in Topsham, much to the delight of hundreds of waiting punters who had gathered - some in fancy dress and others wearing very little - to cheer on the naturists. I feel people who are naturists should be allowed to express themselves and should have a space to do it. Events like this allow that Martin Niebroj Mark Carroll, who has been a lifetime naturist, explained how he recently introduced his partner Claire Stone to the community. Claire said: 'I love it. I do a lot of naturist beaches but this is the first time I have done a community event. 'Times are changing - it's becoming more popular but the younger generation are still quite prudish. 'My teenager asked where I was going tonight. I said, 'A naked cruise,' and he just replied, 'Ok then' but didn't want to ask any further questions.' Advertisement Mark added: 'People are more relaxed than they were, our generation is more comfortable with it all. 'The more people hear about it, the more they want to get involved.' 'Many Brits are too repressed' Kevin Little, 61, from North Dorset, who has been a naturist since 1997, revealed he saves a fortune not having to pay for extra luggage on flights. He said: 'It's quite addictive. I love being on a beach and just connecting with nature. 'When we go on holiday, we can get on a flight with no luggage - we can take a little rucksack for a month. Advertisement 'We get frustrated by the cliched, seaside-postcard, t*ts-and-willy jokes but it's been that way for so long, it's hard to get away from. 'A lot of people tell me: 'I wish I could do that'... Well, you can. But people are very body conscious, although nobody cares.' His wife Tanis, 61, said: 'One of my sons is always trying to get his friends to do naked runs - he's tried to get younger people involved." One of the few under 40s onboard was Martin Niebroj, 39, who revealed he finds nudity freeing but admits it can be problematic in less organised settings. He said: 'I really like the social part of it. Technically it's not illegal to be naked in public in Britian, but it always causes a lot of interest. Advertisement 'I feel people who are naturists should be allowed to express themselves and should have a space to do it. Events like this allow that.' Martin, originally from Czechia and now living in Exeter and working in marketing, said many Brits are too repressed about nudity. He said: 'If you go into a public sauna in England you always need to have swimwear. In continental Europe, people generally are more liberal.' After three hours, the boat returned to the dock and the passengers dressed again… some more reluctantly than others. 11 The trip set off from Exmouth Credit: Neil Hope Advertisement 11 A member waves at a passing boat Credit: Neil Hope 11 Like-minded individuals enjoyed live music, some drink - and a pasty Credit: Neil Hope 11 Claire Stone and Mark Carroll enjoy a drink on the water Credit: Neil Hope
The Irish Sun
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Our UK seaside village is inundated with tourists after TV show made us globally famous – it's forcing us out our home
A POPULAR TV show is forcing residents to leave their picturesque coastal village - because it has become a mecca for tourists. Residents in the Cornish village of Port Isaac have fumed that droves of Doc Martin fans arriving each year have made their town unlivable. 9 Tens of thousands of Doc Martin fans flock to the village each year Credit: Neil Hope 9 During summer months, the town is so crowded that locals steer clear Credit: Neil Hope 9 Over the past two decades, house prices in the area have quadrupled Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Tens of thousands of 'Clunatics' - the nickname for fans of the show and star During the summer months, the town's narrow winding lanes are so crowded that locals steer clear of the historic harbour. Fans from the UK, To some in Port Isaac, this has brought new opportunities including walking tours, cafes and merchandise shops. Read more News Rubber-necking tourists reportedly flock to view iconic landmarks such as the home of Martin Clunes ' character Dr Martin Ellingham, and Aunty Ruth's cottage above Squeezy Belly Alley. But locals have suggested that their home has become a "victim of its popularity". Over the past two decades, house prices in the area - renamed Port Wenn on the show - have quadrupled. Mum-of-two Anne Wilce, 44, a lifelong Port Isaac resident, told how it had become "unrecognisable". Most read in The Sun She fumed: 'It is horrific, there is no affordable housing available for anybody now. 'My sons are 19 and 22 and they won't ever be able to afford to buy a house at this rate. 'Without more affordable housing in the village the younger generation will move away because there is nothing here for them. 'My house is 30 years old and it's part of the last affordable housing that has been built here. Martin Clunes announces sad death of Doc Martin co-star live on air - two years after hit ITV show ended 'I don't go down to the village centre, I have no reason to because it's all second homes. "Even when something does come up for sale it's ridiculously priced - nobody around here can afford it. 'Doc Martin brought a whole load of money into the village which has created jobs for people and helped this community. "But it is also a victim of its popularity and it doesn't feel like our village any more.' Tourism has long since overtaken fishing as Port Isaac's main industry. Local businesses have thrived as a result of the town's worldwide fame. 9 Local resident Anne Wilce worries about her children finding homes in the area Credit: Neil Hope 9 Locals have suggested that their home has become a 'victim of its popularity' Credit: Neil Hope 9 To some in Port Isaac, Doc Martin has brought new business opportunities including walking tours, cafes and merchandise shops John Cleave, who was brought up in the village and runs the Boathouse fashion and gift shop, agrees that the show has changed village life. "The locals talk about BDM – that's Before Doc Martin. "It was always favoured by comparatively few people who simply saw it as a beautiful, typical Cornish fishing village. "As a business you could close your doors from October to Easter and it wouldn't make a lot of difference. "Thanks to Doc Martin we now have all-year-round trade." The British comedy-drama first aired in 2004. On the outer edge of the village - next to Port Isaac's real GP surgery - sits a small housing estate containing some of the village's only affordable homes. They were constructed around 30 years ago and according to residents they were the last affordable homes built in the village. There are now just two active fishing boats remaining in the village - compared with 174 holiday lets on Airbnb alone. In the past year, semi-detached properties in Port Isaac sold for an average of £810,000, with terraced properties fetching £616,250, according to Rightmove. Shop worker Elisha Scott, 19, and her family have lived in the area for 10 years. She said: 'Nobody my age can afford to rent let alone buy a house here, all my friends still live with their parents. 'I'm not really thinking about house prices though because I don't think I'll stay here for a long time, there just aren't the job opportunities. 'Doc Martin definitely made a difference to Port Isaac, there are always fans of the show looking around the village. "What has come with that is a lot of people buying second homes here which has made it too expensive for locals.' Earlier this month a new plan was unveiled to build more affordable homes for local people. Tre Haven Community Land Trust (CLT) has started negotiations with Cornwall Council to purchase land for 25 affordable housing developments. The proposal has support from the area's Lib Dem MP Ben Maguire and local celebrity chef Nathan Outlaw. But critics point out the site sits on a main road several miles from the village - with almost no public transport links to shops or schools. Unemployed Ciaran Patching, 20, said: 'It took me two years of searching and I feel incredibly lucky to be here, before that I was living with my mum in the town. 'I would love to be able to buy my own house here but it doesn't feel like that will ever be an option at the moment. 'Port Isaac is definitely very popular in summer but in winter it can be dead. "The popularity of Doc Martin has helped a lot of businesses around here but it has made it hard for year round residents.' 9 Resident Ciaran Patching lives in affordable housing in the area Credit: Neil Hope 9 John Cleave hailed the show's positive impact on local businesses Credit: Neil Hope 9 Ferne Cottage - which appears in the series as Doc Martin's home Credit: Neil Hope
