Latest news with #NorthYorkshire-based
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Former PoW camp to host event weekend to mark VE Day 80th anniversary
A former Second World War prisoner-of-war camp is set to celebrate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Eden Camp, now a modern history museum, will host a weekend of events from May 3 to May 5, 2025, to commemorate the milestone. The North Yorkshire-based museum will offer a range of activities inspired by the 1945 "street party spirit," in the words of a spokesperson. Young visitors can make their own flags to wave at the afternoon street party, and traditional lawn games will be available throughout the weekend. Each day will end with a dance and sing-along inside the heritage hall. Nick Hill, museum manager at Eden Camp, said: "VE Day is one of the most important milestones in modern history, and this 80th anniversary is a chance to reflect, remember, and celebrate. "We're proud to be bringing the community together - especially young people - to share in the stories and the spirit of the time. "We look forward to welcoming everyone to Eden Camp for what promises to be a memorable few days." Visitors can also explore the new memorial garden (which has been funded by donations) and the exhibitions at Eden Camp. Tickets for the season are priced at £19 for adults on the day, or £17 if booked in advance. READ MORE: Lasting legacy created to honour the Sycamore Gap tree Hurworth Moor Darlington new-build homes damaged in incident Person airlifted to hospital after falling from Roseberry Topping Children's tickets are £15 on the day, or £14 in advance, with free entry for children under five. Family tickets, and offers for groups, are also available. For more information, please visit
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ed Miliband to hand taxpayer billions to wood-burning power stations
Ed Miliband is poised to announce billions in new subsidies for wood-burning power plants to prevent Britain losing a critical source of electricity. The Energy Secretary is understood to be set to offer support to Drax and other biomass operators, with a decision due as early as Monday. Environmentalists are likely to see continued support for biomass fuel as a betrayal of Labour's promises to focus on clean energy. Mr Miliband is a key advocate of net zero within the Government but is still expected to back wood-burning as a major source of energy, amid fears Britain may be unable to keep the lights on without sites including North Yorkshire-based Drax, the UK's largest power plant. The Drax power station is a biomass plant, which generates power by burning wood. Biomass, which generates more than 10pc of Britain's electricity, is classed as carbon-neutral as trees can be planted to replace those burned for fuel and new trees absorb carbon while they grow. However, the power source is seen as controversial because it still generates immediate emissions and has been blamed for fuelling deforestations. Drax has been accused of cutting down forests in North America to keep Britain running. Much of the existing subsidy regime for biomass is scheduled to end in 2027, threatening the ability of generators to invest in their power plants and so potentially undermining a key source of baseload power in the grid – the steady supply of electricity that does not rely on intermittent sources such as the sun and wind. A decision is needed soon on whether to continue to offer taxpayer support. The National Audit Office (NAO) last month said Drax had received £6.5bn of subsidies from government since 2002. Drax won permission last year to build carbon capture facilities at the plant with the aim of preventing its emissions from entering the atmosphere, in a sign of continued support for the facility. However, the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) this week raised concerns about carbon capture, warning it was a high-risk 'gamble' on 'unproven' technology that will have a significant impact on bills. The NAO has separately raised concerns about the environmental credentials of biomass power. It said: 'Burning biomass derived from plants and trees releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in much the same way as burning fossil fuels. However, provided that the biomass came from a sustainable source, such as a well-managed forest, the carbon can be re-absorbed as it regrows in a relatively short time. 'In our view, the lack of an evaluation of how effective these arrangements have been, particularly given the long supply chains involved, means the Government cannot demonstrate that its current arrangements are adequate to give it confidence industry is meeting sustainability standards.' Mr Miliband's expected support for wood-burning power plants comes after he performed an about-turn on Heathrow, abandoning his long-held opposition to a third runway to instead back the Government's new support for an expansion of Britain's biggest airport. The Energy Secretary told Sky News: 'I abide by collective responsibility and what the Government has done, I do support what the Government is doing, which is that we have asked Heathrow to come forward with their plans.' Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, threw her support behind a Heathrow expansion as part of a broader package of pro-growth measures meant to boost the economy. It suggests the weakness of the economy and fragility of the public finances have given pro-growth members of the Cabinet the edge over the environmentalists who favour placing net zero above all other priorities. A Department for Energy Security and Net Zero spokesman said: 'The situation we inherited for large-scale biomass generators was unacceptable. 'When energy prices spiked as a result of Putin's weaponisation of gas supplies, some biomass generators made excessive profits. 'We are considering this issue carefully – we want a sensible solution that delivers for billpayers and we will provide an update shortly.' Drax declined to comment. In the past, the company has said it is 'committed to ensuring the biomass we source delivers positive outcomes for the climate, for nature and for the communities in which we operate'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
