Latest news with #NorthWestEngland
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Why cruising is the most accessible way to travel overseas
It was day one of our week-long cruise to the Norwegian fjords, and barely 90 minutes since we'd handed over our passports at P&O Britannia's accessible check-in quarters, we were already in our cabin. 'How fast was that?' I enthused to my partner, Paul, a wheelchair user since a spinal injury at the age of 21. He nodded enthusiastically, still thrilled that he'd been able to bring a second back-up chair, and by the generously sized wet room which had greeted us. We cracked open our bottle of champagne – part of the 'one bottle of wine per person' we were permitted to bring with us – and settled into our accessible cabin on deck 11, preparing to spend the following day at sea cruising along the inky blue waters off North West England. We used this day to explore the ship, finding that it was – on the whole – wonderfully easy to get around, with plenty of other wheelchair- and scooter-users amongst our fellow passengers, and specific tables at the buffet and lifts between floors reserved for wheelchair users (though not everyone observed these rules). Satisfied that our on-board experience would be a pleasant and easily navigable one, our attentions – and anxieties – turned to whether the same would be true of the various shore excursions ahead. We needn't have worried. P&O had clearly given much forethought to the ports which would prove most accessible for disabled passengers, with each destination offering step-free and (mostly) flat roadways and paths, allowing us to explore each without incident. Amongst our stops were the cities of Stavanger and Kristiansand – both delightful and very scenic – but it was the small farming village of Skjolden which really stood out. Gliding up the calm, crystal clear Sognefjord, we passed tumbling waterfalls and hillsides dotted with pretty wooden homes – then, as we neared the shore, we heard the bells of mountain sheep ringing as farmers toiled their lands nearby. Having disembarked, we followed a beautiful accessible tarmac road which wound around the feet of rugged, snow-capped mountains – a stunning place, and everything we'd hoped a cruise around Norway would offer. We stopped for a picnic at a little bench by the water, taking it all in as other cruisers – on foot, in wheelchairs or on scooters – passed by, deciding which of the various pathways ahead took their fancy as mountain goats and highland cows watched from the nearby fields with interest. That evening, we returned to the ship and watched the sun set from the rear deck, the sky and still waters streaked with the same deep hues of burnt orange and bruised purple. But it wasn't all plain sailing. As we'd been supping our champagne on that very first day, a wheelchair disaster of sorts had been unfolding below us on deck seven. Fellow passenger Alan Rogers, who has multiple sclerosis, had gone for some fresh air on the rear deck in his P&O-approved chair. While rolling himself down a too-steep ramp, he had come crashing out of it and was left lying on deck, helpless and in pain. Paul had tried to access the rear deck via this same ramp some days later, and also found it much too steep, saying that he'd needed two strong men 'to lift up the wheelchair and get me out'. When asked, P&O told us that their safety officer has no issues with the ramp, having recently been aboard the Britannia and found it all in order and within their specifications. 'But why don't they consult the wheelchair users who need these facilities?' says Alan. 'And if the ramps can't be fixed, what about a buzzer to call staff to hold open doors and to hold the wheelchair as you go through them?' P&O's newer ships, he told us, are better on this score. 'My first trip with my wife, Rachel, was on the Iona,' he says of another of the line's ships, launched in 2020. 'It was brilliant, with a decent-sized wetroom and electric buttons to press for the doors and balcony. I don't fly any more, and though cruises are definitely more accessible than a flight, I'm still limited in what I can go on.' He hopes that by speaking out, P&O might be prompted to adjust the ramps on the older ships to ensure the safety of other passengers. Nevertheless, overall Paul and I were impressed. Thanks to the all-encompassing nature of a cruise, this was the first holiday I had successfully organised myself, and the price – £899 per person, including all meals – had been manageable on my part-time salary. This approach also meant that we had been able to entirely avoid flying (which, with Paul's wheelchair and my own mental illness, which makes me claustrophobic in airports, is often an ordeal) or renting a car, but still get right into the heart of the rugged fjords and snowy mountains in all their beauty. Cruising is still a welcome lifeline for many wheelchair users who want to travel – but with just a few small tweaks, it could be even better.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Met Office issues yellow weather warning for thunderstorms in Bolton this weekend
A yellow weather warning for thunderstorms has been issued and it covers Bolton and other parts of Greater Manchester. The weather warning, which covers most of England, is in place from 9pm on Friday, July 18 until Saturday, July 19 at 6pm. The Met Office said: 'Areas of heavy, thundery rain may lead to disruption to transport and travel from late Friday through much of Saturday'. Yellow warning of thunderstorm affecting North West England — Met Office - NW England (@metofficeNWEng) July 17, 2025 Yellow thunderstorm warning issued for Bolton Here's what you should expect while the warning is in place: Spray and sudden flooding could lead to difficult driving conditions and some road closures Where flooding or lightning strikes occur, there is a chance of delays and some cancellations to train and bus services Power cuts might occur and other services to some homes and businesses could be lost Flooding of homes and businesses could happen quickly, with damage to some buildings from floodwater, lightning strikes, hail or strong winds Fast flowing or deep floodwater is possible, causing a danger to life Some communities might become cut off if roads flood Staying safe during a thunderstorm Areas in the north west affected by the warning Here are all the north west areas that come under the weather warning: Blackburn with Darwen Lancashire Cumbria Cheshire East Cheshire West and Chester Greater Manchester Halton Merseyside Warrington The Met Office explained: 'Thundery rain will reach the south of the warning area later Friday before spreading north to affect much of England through Saturday. 'Rain will likely be locally torrential, bringing 20-30 mm in less than an hour in many places, with 60-90 mm in less than three hours possible in a few places. What different Met Office weather warnings mean 'Whilst rain will clear from the south of the area by early Saturday afternoon, further thunderstorms are likely to develop here. 'As well as heavy rain, impacts from frequent lightning, gusty winds and large hail are also likely.' What to do as thunderstorm expected in Bolton The forecaster has provided advice on what to do during the weather warning: Consider if your location is at risk of flash flooding. If so, consider preparing a flood plan and an emergency flood kit. Prepare to protect your property and people from injury. Before gusty winds arrive, check to ensure moveable objects or temporary structures are well secured. Items include; bins, garden furniture, trampolines, tents, gazebos, sheds, and fences. Give yourself the best chance of avoiding delays by checking road conditions if driving, or bus and train timetables, amending your travel plans if necessary. People cope better with power cuts when they have prepared for them in advance. It's easy to do; consider gathering torches and batteries, a mobile phone power pack and other essential items. Recommended reading: Startling images show low reservoir levels as hosepipe ban begins across the Pennines The Met Office added: 'If you find yourself outside and hear thunder, protect yourself by finding a safe enclosed shelter (such as a car). 'Do not shelter under or near trees, or other structures which may be struck by lightning. 'If you are on an elevated area move to lower ground. Be prepared for weather warnings to change quickly: when a weather warning is issued, the Met Office recommends staying up to date with the weather forecast in your area.'
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
E-commerce SME funding surge in north-west England
Revenue-based lender 365 Finance has observed an 'unprecedented' surge in demand for small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) funding from e-commerce businesses in north-west England. According to the UK-based company, the development underscores the region's expanding digital economy and the influence of investments in tech hubs. The median advance for online businesses in the region has risen by 483% year-on-year, reaching £175,000 ($240,884). The region has also experienced an increase in the number of funding applications from e-commerce business owners. 365 Finance said the average monthly card sales for companies funded by it in the sector now stand at £110,000, surpassing other sectors. The group recently appointed Jagriti Singh as its new head of credit. Formerly the head of risk analytics strategy at Virgin Money, she has experience in overseeing change programmes, including data aggregation and reporting transformation, and driving automation to support compliance. Commenting on the development, Singh said: 'The most rewarding thing for us as a responsible lender is to be able to truly facilitate the growth of SMEs across the country, and to support those businesses which are both entrepreneurial and reinventing themselves. 'The north west's digital sector is currently experiencing unprecedented growth, with our data showing remarkable expansion in funding scale and frequency. The statistics show a real shift in the region's digital economy.' In February, 365 Finance secured a £150m debt facility with Pollen Street Capital, enabling the company to support more than £300m in annual loan originations. The facility included an Euro-denominated line to expand lending to Irish SMEs, furthering the company's reach. "E-commerce SME funding surge in north-west England – 365 Finance " was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mail
21-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE I got recruited by a county lines gang when I was just nine-years-old - I saw friends kidnapped and was repeatedly threatened with guns and knives - but I never thought I was being exploited
A boy who was recruited by a vicious county line drugs gang at the age of just nine today reveals his harrowing story. The youngster, who lives in north-west England but asked to remain anonymous to avoid reprisals, said he was persuaded into joining the gang by an older member he considered his 'best mate'. At points, they made £2,000 a day smuggling cocaine and cannabis on trains using child couriers, with pupils in school uniform targeted for recruitment because they were considered less suspicious. The boy tells MailOnline of being repeatedly threatened with guns and knives by rivals and seeing a friend being kidnapped. Yet, given his age, he says he never realised he was being exploited until he managed to leave the gang after eight years. Now safe and in full-time work, his testimony is a rare insight into the inner workings of a county lines gang and the tactics they use to groom vulnerable youngsters. Nearly 3,000 children were involved in county lines in the year up to March 2024, according to the latest official figures. The term refers to urban gangs moving drugs to suburban or rural areas in order to expand their market. 'I was nine when I first got involved,' said the boy, who is helping social care provider Next Stage Youth Development train professionals to spot the signs youngsters may be involved in county lines. 'My dad had left and I felt like it was on me to provide for my mum and my sisters. It all started with my best mate. He was a bit older, someone I looked up to - he always had the nice trainers, always had a bit of cash and never seemed worried . 'One day, he just said to me, ''Let's run our own line''. And when you're young and desperate to help your mum, that doesn't sound like a trap – it sounds like an opportunity. 'At first, it was just the two of us, we'd make calls, sort the gear, hit the road, cook it up and move it, day in, day out. We were pulling in some serious money - £2,000 a day sometimes.' As the gang grew, more and more vulnerable children were recruited and made to traffic drugs. The boy said: 'My mate told one of his boys, ''I'm putting you on'' – meaning, you're going to do the legwork now - be the grafter, go out and sell. He'd give them a percent of the phone, a cut of the earnings, enough to keep them loyal. 'Then that boy would bring in his own mate, and so on. That's how they spread so quickly and unnoticed. 'This is where the exploitation begins, in the familiarity because we're all ''friends,'' no one questions it. When I was in it, I didn't think I was being exploited. I thought I was being helped. 'I had no money, and no prospects, so someone I trusted was showing me a way to survive. 'We used kids even younger than me - 14, 15 - in school uniform, because they didn't get stopped by police as much. We'd tell them to take off their blazers so their schools wouldn't get involved. 'If a kid got caught too many times, they became a liability and we would just find another one.' The boy described the most dangerous part of his role as 'going OT' - or 'out of town' - which refers to moving to a new area outside the gang's typical turf in order to deal drugs there. 'You're in an area you don't know, with people you barely trust so the lines blur fast. It's just two of you sometimes, dropped into a place where no one cares if you don't make it back,' he said. 'I'd lie to social care staff and say I was staying at a mate's house. If I didn't have a real address, I'd pull one off Google Maps because going ''missing'' brought attention, which was dangerous. 'If we saw the police got too close, I'd have to move all the gear from where we were. We called them ''shots gaffs'' - places where users let us stay and work. I'd cook and sell from there. 'Violence wasn't just a threat, it was normal. I saw my friend kidnapped. I've been threatened with guns and knives, all for grafting where I wasn't meant to.' The boy eventually left the gang after the associate who had first recruited him was sent to prison. 'I was running it on my own. But by being in care and moving around a lot, I eventually got moved out of the area which saved me as I handed the phone to the next in line,' he said. Now in his late teens, he is working full-time and living independently. He is supported by Next Stage Youth Development, which provides accommodation for young people in the North West and West Yorkshire. The youngster hopes his input into a training programme being developed by the company will help professionals working with children help other people in his situation. 'I know others who've gone through the same. I've recruited kids myself from being in different areas and across care, where many kids are looking for a chance to make money,' he said. 'If people like teachers or transport police took a closer look and asked questions when kids are tired, withdrawn, showing up with new clothes and no explanation, you can get an idea of what that child might be facing,' he said. 'If we're sitting on a train looking out of place, don't just turn away – think about whether they might be in trouble.' The Child Criminal Exploitation Bill, which is currently going through Parliament, plans to create a new offence of exploiting children for criminal activity, with a maximum sentence of ten years' imprisonment. Paul O'Rourke, managing director of Next Stage Group added: 'This young person's bravery and insight have shaped a training resource that is already changing how professionals understand exploitation.' 'While we welcome the new CCE Bill as a crucial ethical step forward, real change will come from recognising the deeper issues - poverty, coercion and lack of choice that drive young people into these situations. 'Legal reform must go hand-in-hand with proactive, compassionate approaches that divert young people from the criminal system before it takes hold.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Florian Wirtz looks ready-made to be a key piece of the puzzle at Liverpool
When the Bayern Munich charm offensive starts in earnest, few players are impervious to it. When months of public flattery and declarations of interest in Florian Wirtz continued past the Rekordmeister's title celebrations in Marienplatz and the departure of Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen, the whole of German football felt they knew which way the wind was blowing. So it is an unpleasant surprise to Munich's finest to see the red jersey Wirtz is holding up for the camera is not theirs, but that of Liverpool, who have signed him in a record £116m deal. Make no mistake: this is an authentic coup for the Premier League champions. How Wirtz came to choose a future in north-west England rather than southern Germany tells us much about the personality, as well as the player. Advertisement Related: Florian Wirtz seals Liverpool move from Bayer Leverkusen in club record £116m deal The 22-year-old has been in the full glare of the limelight since he was 16. He made the controversial move from Köln to Leverkusen, was fast-tracked to the first team and given a full debut by Peter Bosz to surpass Kai Havertz as the club's youngest player a fortnight after his 17th birthday. Nineteen days later he became the club's youngest goalscorer in a defeat by Bayern. Wirtz has made every stage – becoming a regular starter, playing European football, making his Germany debut at 18 – look easy without the peacocking that often goes with such extravagant talent. When his pre-Euro 2024 ranking of potato dishes on the German football federation's TikTok account went viral (he put a 'normal' potato at No 1, with much public amusement following), he grumpily remarked: 'I don't find it entertaining at all.' No one needs to tell Wirtz that what he is doing on the pitch is what pays the bills. His father, Hans, is his agent and adviser but Wirtz Jr knows his own mind. Hans has had a number of conversations with Bayern's honorary president, Uli Hoeness, in recent months and it has been reported that when Vincent Kompany felt Florian was not convinced by Bayern's pitch, Hans convinced his son to sit down with the Bayern brass for one more meeting. Florian agreed to do so but was not swayed. Liverpool remained his choice. A move to Munich would have been understandable, even if it would have been a miserable sight for many Bundesliga fans. Staying in Germany a year before the World Cup, and reprising the partnership that he and his friend Jamal Musiala have for the national team as dual No 10s under Julian Nagelsmann, would have had much to recommend it. Not to mention, as many in Germany have, the possibility of a lighter physical load playing for the most dominant team in the Bundesliga as opposed to the clatter and crunch of a debut season in the Premier League. Wirtz is 5ft 10in but is relatively slight and, having taken 10 months and then plenty of match practice to come back to his best after an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022, there is the feeling that he will need to be looked after, protected and carefully managed. Advertisement This, along with his game-winning ability, is why Alonso told the Guardian in November 2023 that, while all his Leverkusen players had the remit to interpret their roles as they saw fit, 'Flo gets a bit more freedom'. Wirtz has proved worth every bit of that extra licence to thrill, whether as a No 10, drifting in from an inside-left position, or even nominally employed as a false 9. Whereas many in his role are there to feed a star striker, his ability to be decisive in any ways needed, be it the last pass, the finish or a silky dribble to open up the opposition, means he is the star that the team should revolve around. He has reached double figures in goals and assists in each of the past two seasons (10 and 12 respectively in the league alone last term) and turns up in the big matches. Wirtz adapted to his first season in the Champions League in 2024-25 as if he had always played there, scoring six times in nine starts before injury curtailed his involvement. It was his hat-trick against Werder Bremen in April 2024 that clinched Leverkusen's first Bundesliga title. He will be stepping into an existing, and winning, hierarchy at Liverpool. His social media rubbishing of reports he wanted Alexis Mac Allister's No 10 shirt showed his respect for that. Yet it is not a leap to imagine him as an instant key piece. A front three of Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz or Cody Gakpo would bring the champions in line with the amorphous attacking trios looking set to dominate the Champions League. Wirtz dropping into a 10 role to allow Salah plus one to create a de facto front two could work well, and relieve the Egyptian of some of his creative load. When it comes to a big decision, the Wirtzes take their time. That was the case when he joined Leverkusen in January 2020. Indignant as Köln were – believing their near neighbours had reneged on a tacit agreement not to take one another's players – they knew Wirtz's departure was in the post when, as with this move, the player and his family spent time running the clock before deciding to move 15 minutes up the road to the BayArena. When Wirtz takes his time to make a decision, it usually works out. When it's time to take the field, he is far more speedy and decisive.
