Latest news with #PaulRenton
BBC News
03-08-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
'Frustration' in Hull communities remain a year on from UK riots
A year on from the UK riots and people in Hull, where a hotel housing asylum seekers was targeted, believe frustration and tension still continue in the violence erupted on 3 August - fuelled by misinformation - following the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a dance class in Southport, fear and vexation gripped Royal Hotel on Ferensway was attacked after an anti-immigration protest in the city centre rapidly turned vicious with bins and vehicles being set on fire and high street shops looted - the worst unrest seen in than two miles away from this once grand looking building is The Malt Shovel pub on Anlaby Road, where Paul Renton is sipping his pint outside on the terrace under the midday sun."I'm scared for my grand kids," he said. "I don't blame the people for doing stuff like that. It's getting worse and worse now. It's all about the illegals." Mr Renton was on a trip to Bridlington when missiles were thrown at the hotel and the adjacent train station, which was forced to shut with workers barricading themselves in to prevent rioters surging onto the concourse and platforms."All the trains got cancelled and it cost us a lot of money to get back," said the Mr Renton does not condone the violence, he believes "British people have had enough" of those arriving on smalls boats from France and being housed in is one of the most divisive issues in the than 25,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel since the start of the year, according to the Home is the first time the 25,000 threshold has been reached since records began in 2018. Feelings of frustration and anger centred on immigration housing have remained high in parts of Hull, though some show empathy and numbers of asylum seekers in UK hotels had been increasing since 2020, and reached a peak of more than 50,000 in 2023. In March 2025, the asylum hotel population stood at 32, previously said the government wanted to end the use of hotels by 2029 and was trying to move people into cheaper types of Renton is not alone in his views, the same are echoed by other pubgoers. George Ketley watched disturbing scenes of the hostility and rage unfold in his home city via TV. Like Mr Renton he condemns the violence, but said at its core was the issue of asylum accommodation."It's just disgusting when we - working people - can't get a house and they're putting them in hotels. It's wrong."Hull City Council leader Mike Ross said he understood the "frustrations" over the Royal Hotel housing asylum seekers "for quite some time" and had recently written to the government requesting the hotel stop being used."They're in the process of closing down hotels across the country. We think this [Royal Hotel] should be one that closes now." Sitting on a nearby table outside the same pub terrace is former serviceman Jodie and his friend serving his country, Jodie "got into a bad place" and spent time in jail. A single parent, his life descended into further chaos when he became homeless with his six-year-old son in said he sympathised with the rioters, having felt let down by the government due to the lack of support for him and his son when they "struggled" with homelessness."I'm not going to lie, I might have been there if it weren't for my little boy."[I've] not had one bit of help off any kind of government."His friend Matt maintains he is "not a racist", before saying: "I think the frustration is still there."These guys are coming over here... living for free."When I work for myself, I'm paying my taxes and going out every day on the roof. That's the bit that gets me."However, he believes prison was justified for some rioters but "the actual lengths [were] absurd". According to Humberside Police, there have been 78 convictions relating to the disorder and a further nine adults who are charged but yet to be "dealt with by the courts".While that might provide some comfort to those affected by the rioting, others still feel they are looking over their Seihili is a support worker at Welcome House, which offers help and support to asylum seekers and said attitudes had changed for the better despite the air of negativity towards migrants, many of whom were fleeing warzones or "dangerous situations"."Some people are nice, they help. They give us opportunity. But some people say 'go back to your country'."I feel like they don't like me and I'm scared."They don't know that we work hard, pay council tax, we pay for everything. They think that we came here just to take the money and the benefit from the government." Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
The Herald Scotland
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Riders from King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rehearse complex VE Day routine
The artillery were then seen practising a complex procedure known as a Musical Drive, where mounted gun teams performed choreographed manoeuvres before mock-firing 13-pound First World War-era guns. Sergeant Paul Renton, 41, from Coventry, told the PA news agency that the unit is training in more complex manoeuvres than those they will perform at the VE Day parade. A member of The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery prepares the horses (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'If we can do a Musical Drive, the ceremonial parade is a walk in the park,' he said. In a Musical Drive, six-horse teams pull wheeled field guns at speed, echoing First World War military traditions, and perform technical moves such as the 'scissor' where gun teams cross. 'We cannot afford to get it wrong,' Sgt Renton said. 'We are the senior regiment of the British army and it is nice to know that.' Following VE Day, the unit has a long summer ahead which will see them appear at the Royal Windsor Horse Show between May 15 and May 18. The rehearsals took place at Woolwich Garrison (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Captain Iain Ritchie, who served in Nato's enhanced forward presence in Estonia, said the VE Day celebrations feel important, given the context of the war in Ukraine. 'Today, I think the sacrifices that those men and women made 80 years ago is even more relevant,' he said. Captain Ritchie described how his grandfather, who was in the Royal Navy, influenced his ambition to join the forces, saying: 'I have his medals in my office and his pocket watch that he carried with him throughout the war still sits with me today. 'I'm sure VE Day means different things to all the soldiers but, you know, we've got to remember the sacrifices that those men and women made for us.' Lance Bombardier Harry Hoult, 21, from Leicestershire, will be riding as the lead driver of a gun team in the VE Day parade. 'It's an incredible opportunity for me,' he said. 'My grandad is really proud. He had relatives who would have served in the war. 'He told me how proud he is of me. He is shocked really that people like me, so young, are on parade – front and centre. 'It is a chance of a lifetime,' he added. A horseshoe is made in the forge (Jordan Pettitt/PA) Gunner Sallyanne Burberymayes, 27, from Brighton, described how excited her father, Alan, is to see her involved in the historic day, as he also served in the past. 'He is just as passionate as I am about it. He's my number one fan,' she said. Gunner Burberymayes, who as a first-year apprentice farrier is learning the skilled craft of shoeing cavalry horses, added from her spot in the forge: 'The family are telling people to look out for me on TV.'
Belfast Telegraph
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Belfast Telegraph
Riders from King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rehearse complex VE Day routine
Troops on 48 Irish draught horses performed a display on Parade Square, at Woolwich Barracks, south-east London, on Thursday. The artillery were then seen practising a complex procedure known as a Musical Drive, where mounted gun teams performed choreographed manoeuvres before mock-firing 13-pound First World War-era guns. Sergeant Paul Renton, 41, from Coventry, told the PA news agency that the unit is training in more complex manoeuvres than those they will perform at the VE Day parade. A member of The King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery prepares the horses (Jordan Pettitt/PA) 'If we can do a Musical Drive, the ceremonial parade is a walk in the park,' he said. In a Musical Drive, six-horse teams pull wheeled field guns at speed, echoing First World War military traditions, and perform technical moves such as the 'scissor' where gun teams cross. 'We cannot afford to get it wrong,' Sgt Renton said. 'We are the senior regiment of the British army and it is nice to know that.' Following VE Day, the unit has a long summer ahead which will see them appear at the Royal Windsor Horse Show between May 15 and May 18. Captain Iain Ritchie, who served in Nato's enhanced forward presence in Estonia, said the VE Day celebrations feel important, given the context of the war in Ukraine. 'Today, I think the sacrifices that those men and women made 80 years ago is even more relevant,' he said. Captain Ritchie described how his grandfather, who was in the Royal Navy, influenced his ambition to join the forces, saying: 'I have his medals in my office and his pocket watch that he carried with him throughout the war still sits with me today. 'I'm sure VE Day means different things to all the soldiers but, you know, we've got to remember the sacrifices that those men and women made for us.' Lance Bombardier Harry Hoult, 21, from Leicestershire, will be riding as the lead driver of a gun team in the VE Day parade. 'It's an incredible opportunity for me,' he said. 'My grandad is really proud. He had relatives who would have served in the war. 'He told me how proud he is of me. He is shocked really that people like me, so young, are on parade – front and centre. 'It is a chance of a lifetime,' he added. Gunner Sallyanne Burberymayes, 27, from Brighton, described how excited her father, Alan, is to see her involved in the historic day, as he also served in the past. 'He is just as passionate as I am about it. He's my number one fan,' she said. Gunner Burberymayes, who as a first-year apprentice farrier is learning the skilled craft of shoeing cavalry horses, added from her spot in the forge: 'The family are telling people to look out for me on TV.'
Leader Live
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Riders from King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery rehearse complex VE Day routine
Troops on 48 Irish draught horses performed a display on Parade Square, at Woolwich Barracks, south-east London, on Thursday. The artillery were then seen practising a complex procedure known as a Musical Drive, where mounted gun teams performed choreographed manoeuvres before mock-firing 13-pound First World War-era guns. Sergeant Paul Renton, 41, from Coventry, told the PA news agency that the unit is training in more complex manoeuvres than those they will perform at the VE Day parade. 'If we can do a Musical Drive, the ceremonial parade is a walk in the park,' he said. In a Musical Drive, six-horse teams pull wheeled field guns at speed, echoing First World War military traditions, and perform technical moves such as the 'scissor' where gun teams cross. 'We cannot afford to get it wrong,' Sgt Renton said. 'We are the senior regiment of the British army and it is nice to know that.' Following VE Day, the unit has a long summer ahead which will see them appear at the Royal Windsor Horse Show between May 15 and May 18. Captain Iain Ritchie, who served in Nato's enhanced forward presence in Estonia, said the VE Day celebrations feel important, given the context of the war in Ukraine. 'Today, I think the sacrifices that those men and women made 80 years ago is even more relevant,' he said. Captain Ritchie described how his grandfather, who was in the Royal Navy, influenced his ambition to join the forces, saying: 'I have his medals in my office and his pocket watch that he carried with him throughout the war still sits with me today. 'I'm sure VE Day means different things to all the soldiers but, you know, we've got to remember the sacrifices that those men and women made for us.' Lance Bombardier Harry Hoult, 21, from Leicestershire, will be riding as the lead driver of a gun team in the VE Day parade. 'It's an incredible opportunity for me,' he said. 'My grandad is really proud. He had relatives who would have served in the war. 'He told me how proud he is of me. He is shocked really that people like me, so young, are on parade – front and centre. 'It is a chance of a lifetime,' he added. Gunner Sallyanne Burberymayes, 27, from Brighton, described how excited her father, Alan, is to see her involved in the historic day, as he also served in the past. 'He is just as passionate as I am about it. He's my number one fan,' she said. Gunner Burberymayes, who as a first-year apprentice farrier is learning the skilled craft of shoeing cavalry horses, added from her spot in the forge: 'The family are telling people to look out for me on TV.'
