Latest news with #Nicholson
BreakingNews.ie
3 days ago
- Business
- BreakingNews.ie
European protected status a ‘game-changer' for Armagh Bramley apple growers
Recognition with an elite European protected status has been a 'game-changer' for the Armagh Bramley apple, a grower of the speciality has said. Armagh Bramleys are one of just three products from the North – along with Comber new potatoes and Lough Neagh eels – to be recognised by the European Union's protected geographical indications (PGI) scheme. Advertisement It means that only Bramley apples grown, picked and packed within the Armagh area can carry that name, similar to how Champagne must come from the Champagne region of France, or Parma ham from Italy's Parma province. The pride of the Orchard County obtained the status in 2012 and since then has given its growers a 'real edge'. Armagh Bramley apples growing at the orchards at Ardress in Co Armagh (Philip Magowan/PA) Armagh traces its relationship with apples back to evidence of them growing close to the historic Navan Fort as far back as 1000 BC. The real turning point came in 1884 when Henry Joseph Nicholson of Crannagael House returned from Nottingham with 60 Bramley seedlings. Advertisement They thrived in the local soil, laying the foundation for what is now more than 4,000 acres of thriving orchards across the region, and the county's nickname. This legacy is celebrated at Armagh's annual food and cider weekend every September putting the Bramley in the spotlight. Greg MacNeice, a fifth-generation apple grower and founder of Mac Ivors Cider, said while Bramley apples have always been a local favourite, PGI status boosted demand. 'The orchards have been here at Ardress since 1855 and my father, Sammy, still helps – just like his father did. Apples are part of who we are,' he said. Advertisement He explained that Armagh has got the right soil, the right slopes, a mild, damp climate and cooler temperatures that slow things down, adding that helps the apples develop 'that sharp flavour and firm texture people love'. 'It's not just the conditions though – it's the generations of knowledge, care and pride that go into every crop,' he said. 'PGI status has helped protect the heritage of our apple and given us a real edge in the market. 'If it's not grown in Armagh, it's not a true Armagh Bramley. That means consumers are guaranteed something authentic – fruit with a unique taste and texture you can't find anywhere else. It's also boosted demand – both at home and abroad – for a product that is trusted, traceable and rooted in place. Advertisement 'It's one of only three products in Northern Ireland with PGI status and one of just a few across the island of Ireland. That's something we're incredibly proud of as a region.' The apples also sparked a craft cider industry in Armagh. Mr MacNeice said his family grow and press a blend of Armagh Bramley alongside bittersweet cider apples like Michelin, Dabinett and Harry Master's Jersey, as well as dessert apples such as Worcester Pearmain and Golden Delicious. They have also started using foliar nutrition to feed their trees more precisely, keeping bees safe during blossom season, and are encouraging biodiversity by planting native trees and wildflowers throughout the orchards. Advertisement The Armagh Bramley apple continues to shape the landscape and identity of the region, offering visitors a unique lens through which to explore its agricultural heritage. This year's food and cider weekend, including events from tastings and guided food trails to orchard tours, will take place from September 4th to 7th. A highlight of the weekend is an evening at Crannagael House, where local chefs from 4 Vicars create a menu paired with Mac Ivors cider and accompanied by insights from cider expert Gabe Cook.
NZ Herald
5 days ago
- Sport
- NZ Herald
Bay of Plenty dragon boat festival in Tauranga aids Coastguard
This year, 13 teams have entered. 'A slight dip from our usual numbers due to many New Zealand paddlers competing at the World Championships in Germany,' Nicholson said. The Bay of Plenty Dragon Boating Club in action. Photo / supplied 'Nonetheless, we're thrilled to welcome competitors from across the Bay of Plenty, Waikato, and Auckland regions.' The regatta will involve two divisions, a mixed category and a women's category. The first year the club hosted the regatta in 2021, six teams competed. 'Last year's event had 16 teams from as far as Wellington and Taranaki competing,' Nicholson said. However, this year's event would be slightly different. Instead of being at the end of Tauriko's Caslani Lane, the event has shifted to The Strand at the Tauranga Waterfront for more public visibility. 'We're even hoping to offer the public a chance to hop aboard and experience the boats first-hand. 'The Strand is such a beautiful area. Hopefully, it works both ways in bringing a spectacle down to the waterfront as well as exposure for our sport. 'Only experienced paddlers affiliated with regional dragon boat clubs are invited to ensure high-calibre racing and safety on the water.' Paddlers range from 12 to older than 70. This event would give people the opportunity to come out of winter hibernation and get back on the water, Nicholson said. 'Many of our teams are using the off-season to recover, so this gives our people the chance to get back out there. 'But also, one of the most critical impacts is that it allows people to reconnect with their second families, aka their teammates, whom they start to miss about now,' Nicholson said. 'For most of us, dragon boating is about more than racing. It's the spirit of teamwork, the exhilaration of physical challenge, and a deep connection with the water.' The public is welcome to watch the races and can find more information about the club on its Facebook page.
Business Insider
7 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
Bell Potter Reaffirms Their Buy Rating on Praemium Ltd (PPS)
In a report released today, Hayden Nicholson from Bell Potter maintained a Buy rating on Praemium Ltd, with a price target of A$1.00. The company's shares closed today at A$0.73. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. According to TipRanks, Nicholson is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 23.9% and a 75.00% success rate. Nicholson covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Praemium Ltd, HUB24 Limited, and COG Financial Services Limited. In addition to Bell Potter, Praemium Ltd also received a Buy from Canaccord Genuity's Warren Jeffries in a report issued today. However, on the same day, Wilsons maintained a Hold rating on Praemium Ltd (ASX: PPS). The company has a one-year high of A$0.89 and a one-year low of A$0.42. Currently, Praemium Ltd has an average volume of 1.17M.
Yahoo
21-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Maryland homeless students feel the brunt of housing unaffordability
BALTIMORE — A mother and 11-year-old daughter fleeing domestic violence moved to a Baltimore-area safe house in March. They had been homeless for more than a year, after a series of lost jobs and lost places to stay. 'It kept happening, and as far as I could see, I couldn't stop it,' said the 11-year-old, who enrolled in and attended three middle schools in the span of one year. 'So, instead of fighting it, [I] just accept it and move on.' She is one of thousands of students who have become homeless since 2019. In that time, Maryland has seen a 24% rise in homeless students during that time, due to ever-increasing rental and housing costs. At the same time, federal funds allocated to assist homeless students, like tutoring, after-school programs, transportation and school supplies, are being rolled back, further imperiling these children. The National Association for the Education of Homeless Children and Youth is a Georgia-based nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that advocates for educational equity for homeless youth. 'Many people don't understand that youth homelessness is even an issue in our country,' Executive Director Deirdre Nicholson said. 'It creates the pipeline to adult homelessness.' Higher housing costs, growing rates of homelessness among students Under the federal McKinney-Vento Assistance Act, homelessness doesn't simply mean living outdoors — it includes students who live in emergency shelters, cars or motels, as well as those who are 'doubling-up:' staying with friends or relatives. While there are about 1.3 million students identified under McKinney-Vento, that number only scratches the surface — there are an estimated 4.2 million youth experiencing homelessness nationwide, Nicholson said. Although the school systems have better tools to identify them, a majority aren't provided services, she said. Homeless students in Baltimore City accounted for 5,732 of the student body population for the 2023-2024 school year. Baltimore County came close behind with 2,791, followed by Montgomery County with 1,804, according to Maryland State Department of Education data. And as inflation has increased, along with the cost of living, so, too, has the cost of housing. In Maryland, the average rental price rose 20.5% between 2019 to 2024, according to an analysis by The Sun of the Apartment List rent estimates monthly report. Since 2000, the increase in rents and home prices has risen faster than income in the country, according to a 2024 analysis by the U.S. Treasury. Simultaneously, there's a larger demand for housing than available supply due to increased construction costs, local land-use and zoning restrictions and changing demographics, the Treasury analysis found. School supplies, laundry: services for homeless students Students enrolled in McKinney-Vento services can remain in and/or enroll in their school of choice, while also providing transportation, academic support, and other necessary services. The 11-year-old's new school helped some, the mother said. It gave them $200 for clothes, as well as school supplies and a new gym uniform under the federal program, the mother said. The school's guidance counselor also worked with her daughter. (The Baltimore Sun is not disclosing the names of the mother and daughter to protect their safety.) Schools also connect families with outside resources and organizations to get them back on their feet. Jennifer Cox founded Empower4life, a Baltimore-based nonprofit organization that provides education and health programs for homeless youth. This school year, she helped launch a laundry service at one Baltimore County school after a student whose family currently lives in a motel asked to wash his and his siblings' clothes at school. Now, a lot of families come in to use the laundry machines. It might sound like a simple thing to go to a laundromat, but families might not even have the funds for it, she said. Cox said she has observed an increase in the needs of homeless students and families for the services her foundation provides over the past few years. 'These kids are coming home from school and they're coming to really, really loud, stressful, chaotic, sometimes toxic environments,' Cox said. 'These kids are not playing sports. They're not going to the Boys and Girls Club.' Homelessness leads to worse academic performance Homelessness has a drastic impact on young people's academic progress and well-being, said Melissa Kull, a senior researcher focusing on youth housing instability and mental health at the nonpartisan, nonprofit social science research organization American Institute of Research. The stressful environment of cycling in and out of stable housing affects cognitive and social development in children, too, Kull said. Younger children are more likely to develop anxiety and depression, and score lower on early academic tests than students not experiencing housing instability, she said. While, older children are better able to weather changes, because they're missing school, she said, they may not graduate on time, or at all. While the data shows an increase in the number of Maryland students experiencing homelessness, the numbers don't tell the whole story. Some people whose children would qualify for services under McKinney-Vento never report their lack of fixed housing, out of fear, confusion or something else. Carla and her children became homeless nine months ago after experiencing domestic violence, which landed her and her children in a safe house. She switches among friends' homes, and her children split time between wherever she's staying at the time and their father's home. Carla didn't tell the school they had become homeless since she signed a contract with the safe house not to disclose their location, she said. She said she didn't know her children were eligible for services. As a result, they didn't receive any — and at the same time, her children suffered the emotional and academic impacts that homeless children often do. Her youngest son is autistic and had more frequent outbursts and triggers while in the shelter. Her 12-year-old son's grades dropped significantly at that time, from As to Cs, she said. But now that they are in more stable conditions, his grades have bounced back. He couldn't concentrate and was uncomfortable in their new environment, she said. She has been unable to find a job that can accommodate her youngest son's needs as well as pay enough to cover basic needs. She hasn't applied for housing assistance because spaces are 'nonexistent,' she said. The complex that would allow her children to remain in their school is waitlisted — and the waitlist is closed. Others have been luckier, finding support at school and even housing. LovRico Johnson Jr. and his 8-year-old daughter arrived at a Baltimore County shelter, located behind an abandoned school, three weeks ago. They became homeless four months ago after suffering domestic violence. She has changed schools twice and their experience with housing instability, moving between shelters and hotels, has taken its toll. Her grades dropped, she refused to do homework and occasionally acted out. Johnson said he told his daughter's last school that they were homeless, but that they did nothing more than tell him about some resources. Her new school gave her book bags, school supplies and helped them find a new home they'll go to at the end of the month, Johnson said. She is excited to start the third grade soon and is enjoying summer camp in the meantime, she said. One day, she hopes to become an astronaut and go to the moon. Solve the daily Crossword
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Tottenham begin reinstalling iconic stadium feature after 10 years locked away in storage
TOTTENHAM have announced White Hart Lane's iconic Bill Nicholson Gates will be reinstalled at their new ground. The Premier League club aim to get the gates up at their new home, the Burnley on August 16. Advertisement 4 The iconic Bill Nicholson Gates will be making a return Credit: Instagram @spursofficial 4 The former Spurs player and manager's ashes were buried beneath the pitch at Tottenham Hotspur's new stadium Credit: PA:Press Association 4 Now his gate will be reinstalled at the new ground too The gates are named after former Spurs player and manager Nicholson, who had a 38-year association with the club and won eight major trophies in his 16 years in charge. Nicholson became synonymous with the gates thanks to Peter Robinson taking a photo of him holding them in the 1970s. The gates stood until 2015, when they were placed into storage ahead of building began on Tottenham's new stadium - but now they are set to be brought back out for use. In a Advertisement read more "As such, we have taken our time in finding the most appropriate location to reinstate the gates within the new stadium environs - mindful of the significant levels of construction and change the area has seen over the past decade. "Working in close consultation with our Fan Advisory Board (FAB), we have identified a location - within PAXTON17, between the Ticket Office and historic buildings at the north of the stadium - at which the gates will be reinstated. Club chairman Daniel Levy said the club did not want to rush deciding where to put the famous gates. He said: 'The Bill Nicholson Gates are such a significant part of our Club's heritage and I am extremely proud they will be returning home this summer . Advertisement Most read in Football BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'We were never going to rush into a decision as to where they should be reinstated, given the huge amount of works that have taken place in the area over recent years. 'We have undertaken a carefully-planned process, working with our architects, construction partners and Fan Advisory Board, and I believe we have found a fitting solution. 4 Nicholson helped establish Spurs as one of England's top sides Credit: Getty - Contributor Advertisement 'We look forward to welcoming fans back to the stadium for the coming season - as well as Bill's family members and former players - to see the gates and feel that close connection between our Club and its rich history ." Nicholson is the club's most decorated manager, winning the League Cup and FA Cup double in 1961. Two years later, Spurs became the first English side to win a European title when they picked up the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1963. He was also a key player in Arthur Rowe's trailblazing 1950/51 League title winning side. Advertisement Nicholson passed away at the age of 85 in 2004.
