Latest news with #PaulRogers
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Transgender 'Soho icon' fell to her death from Westminster bridge 'when she climbed onto the side to urinate' while wearing white Chanel suit, inquest hears
A trans woman who plunged off Westminster Bridge had probably climbed onto the side to urinate, an inquest heard. Natasha Reddington-Romanov's disappearance sparked dozens of missing person appeals when she vanished after leaving a nightclub last September. Friends said the 55-year-old hadn't had gender reassignment surgery and was known for peeing when drunk by cocking one leg thanks to her often complicated undergarments. After dinner with a friend on September 20 last year, she was walking home intoxicated in a white Chanel suit when she needed the loo. And she made a fatal mistake - lifting one leg over the side of the central London bridge in an attempt to relieve herself and slipping over the edge. It was theorised by coroner Paul Rogers that she may have plunged so far under the water she was caught by a strong 'riptide' which stopped her from surfacing. Her body was found a mile upstream by the steps of Vauxhall Bridge at around 11am the following morning, despite intensive searches which started minutes after she was seen to fall. The inquest at Inner West London Coroner's Court heard that Miss Reddington-Romanov, 55, was born in Dunstable, Beds, as John James Reddington. She had lived most of her adult life as a woman, with GP notes from 2003 showing she was taking hormones. She legally changed her name in May 2005 and had a wide circle of friends both in and outside London. She worked as a facilities manager for affordable housing provider the Guinness Partnership, with colleagues describing her as 'a wonderful woman whose kindness and warmth lit up every room.' The court heard that on September 20 last year, she went for dinner with the owner of Soho jazz club Trisha's, Patricia Bergonzi. Friend of 15 years, Vanessa Frank, 48, said that Miss Reddington-Romanov had been so busy at work that she hadn't had a drink for a month and said she wondered whether the alcohol she had consumed that night had affected her particularly strongly. After her friend's death, Ms Frank viewed CCTV footage showing her near the bridge and said she appeared 'inebriated in a way I hadn't seen her before.' She remembered a previous occasion where her friend had cocked her leg up to urinate in a doorway when they were on a night out in Soho. 'She didn't undergo gender reassignment surgery,' Ms Frank told the court. 'She literally would lift one leg at a right angle and brace against something and that would allow her to manoeuvre as she wanted to. 'I viewed the video and I was not 100% left without doubt, but my strongest feeling was that she'd done as she normally did and at one point she tried to cock her leg and she lost her footing.' She said she and all of Miss Reddington-Romanov's friends were truly shocked by what had happened and had seen no sign of depression or worry. 'She was emotionally pragmatic, in a way where she knew life didn't always give you roses,' Ms Frank said. 'She was loved by all who knew her. She was one of the most well-balanced people I knew. If she had a problem she'd meet with friends and vent and talk it through.' Metropolitan Police officer Sgt James Lewis, of the emergency response unit at Charing Cross, said Miss Reddington-Romanov's fall into the water was witnessed by people who crowded round the spot on Westminster Bridge just after 3am on September 21. The government's security CCTV control centre was alerted too when the crowd was spotted peering into the darkened waters by operators. Sgt Lewis said officers were on scene by 3.28am, two marine units were ordered as well as a police helicopter which was later stood down. 'Natasha couldn't be seen,' he said. 'It was a fast-moving tide.' He said the body of a man dressed in women's clothing resurfaced eight hours later and attempts to identify the individual began. Meanwhile Miss Reddington-Romanov was reported missing when she didn't turn up for work as usual that Tuesday. A huge search operation which included appeals went out, explaining that she had last been seen between Greek Street and Bateman Street in Soho at around 2am as she headed to her home south of the river in Southwark. Sgt Lewis recovered CCTV footage of what happened from several angles but it was jumpy and didn't cover the exact moment the 55-year-old fell. 'She put her handbag on the ground and she reached over, she climbed over the bridge,' he added. 'Unfortunately the footage itself was jumpy. 'All you can see is Natasha climbing onto the side of the bridge and all of a sudden she wasn't there.' Coroner Mr Rogers said the 'critical nanomoments' were missing, adding: 'It doesn't help me identify whether she jumped or fell.' However the transwoman wasn't attacked or injured and third party involvement was ruled out, he went on. A post mortem examination showed that she had bruising to the forehead, most likely from striking a parapet on the way down, and had suffered a heart attack when in the water. Aside from river water in the lungs and stomach, there were no other injuries and the cause of death was given as drowning. A toxicology report showed Miss Reddington-Romanov was significantly intoxicated with a blood ethanol reading of 211mg per 100ml of blood. The legal limit for driving is 80mg. Readings of between 200mg and 300mg per 100ml of blood are consistent with a comatose state, however the coroner said that post mortem redistribution of alcohol occurs, meaning he could not be sure how drunk she had been when she fell. The 55-year-old was well known in Soho for her vibrant dress sense. After her death, Trisha's put up a tribute to her on Instagram, saying: 'Our Natasha Reddington-Romanov. Soho icon, showgirl, forever and always in our hearts. 'There will never be another one like you and the streets of Soho forever less glamorous. We love you so very very much. 'It is beyond words to express how much insurmountable gratitude I personally have for everyone who has helped us search for her and showed the outpouring of love and support she deserved. 'Thank you with all my heart.' Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Mr Rogers said: 'Natasha enjoyed her life and cared for others. She had many friends and was valued in her working life. 'She was not known as someone who was depressed or struggled with life. She had been out for dinner with a friend that night and the friend also saw nothing out of the ordinary. 'Natasha was walking back in the early hours, she was unsteady and walking more slowly than usual. She stopped and lifted her leg over the parapet and then she was gone. 'Ms Frank described a previous occasion when Natasha had lifted her leg in a similar way wearing undergarments which made it more difficult with her male genitalia. 'She said she saw that same movement on the CCTV. Natasha was significantly intoxicated when she entered the river. She sometimes performed this awkward manouvre to urinate when drunk.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
WWF and Forestry England launch new Feel Good Forest Trails for families to connect with nature
WWF is supporting families to get their daily dose of nature. © Paul Rogers / WWF-UK WWF and Forestry England have launched 17 brand-new Feel Good Forest Trails across the country Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... WWF and Forestry England are excited to invite families across the country to explore their brand-new Feel Good Forest Trails - a fun, interactive way to connect with nature, boost wellbeing, and enjoy the great outdoors together. The Feel Good Forest Trails are packed with engaging forest-themed activities for children aged 6-12 and their families to learn about nature and discover how trees and forests around the world support a healthy planet. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each trail, which can be found on WWF's interactive map, encourages families to explore Forestry England's beautiful forests, while learning about the Amazon Rainforest on the other side of the world. More trails will be added to the interactive map throughout the year. © Paul Rogers / WWF-UK The 17 new trails are part of WWF's Prescription for Nature campaign, supporting families with ways to get their daily dose of nature to boost their wellbeing, and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. This comes after research commissioned by WWF last year found that 80% of the public wish they and their family spent less time on screens and more time in nature. Jack Abrey, Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK, said: 'Since joining the Scouts as a Beaver when I was six years old, forests have been a natural playground for me, helping to develop my love for nature, along with some of my earliest and happiest memories. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'By launching these brilliant new interactive trails in the incredible spaces cared for by Forestry England, I hope that young people and families can also develop their love and appreciation for forests and feel motivated to care and use their voice for our natural world, from the UK to the Amazon.' Designed for children aged 6-12, families can discover their nearest trail through a new interactive map. © Paul Rogers / WWF-UK Sarah Wood, National Learning Manager, Forestry England, said: 'We're delighted to partner with WWF on these Feel Good Forest Trails, which will help young visitors discover the magic of our woodlands while learning about the vital role forests play in supporting a healthy planet. 'From watching wildlife to exploring England's trees, these trails offer a wonderful opportunity for children to create lasting memories in nature and develop a lifelong passion for protecting our precious forest ecosystems.' For families looking to get their daily dose of nature, Forestry England's forests provide the perfect setting to unwind, explore, and connect with wildlife, and more trails will be added to the interactive map throughout the year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's not always easy for everyone to access natural spaces, so for families unable to visit a trail in person, WWF and Forestry England have created a free Feel Good Forest Activity Pack, filled with ideas to help families enjoy nature wherever they are. Whether exploring a local forest or learning from home, the Feel Good Forest Trails are an invitation for families to step outside, feel good, and connect with the natural world.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
WWF and Forestry England launch new Feel Good Forest Trails for families to connect with nature
WWF is supporting families to get their daily dose of nature. © Paul Rogers / WWF-UK WWF and Forestry England have launched 17 brand-new Feel Good Forest Trails across the country Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... WWF and Forestry England are excited to invite families across the country to explore their brand-new Feel Good Forest Trails - a fun, interactive way to connect with nature, boost wellbeing, and enjoy the great outdoors together. The Feel Good Forest Trails are packed with engaging forest-themed activities for children aged 6-12 and their families to learn about nature and discover how trees and forests around the world support a healthy planet. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Each trail, which can be found on WWF's interactive map, encourages families to explore Forestry England's beautiful forests, while learning about the Amazon Rainforest on the other side of the world. More trails will be added to the interactive map throughout the year. © Paul Rogers / WWF-UK The 17 new trails are part of WWF's Prescription for Nature campaign, supporting families with ways to get their daily dose of nature to boost their wellbeing, and foster a deeper connection with the natural world. This comes after research commissioned by WWF last year found that 80% of the public wish they and their family spent less time on screens and more time in nature. Jack Abrey, Head of Youth Engagement at WWF-UK, said: 'Since joining the Scouts as a Beaver when I was six years old, forests have been a natural playground for me, helping to develop my love for nature, along with some of my earliest and happiest memories. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'By launching these brilliant new interactive trails in the incredible spaces cared for by Forestry England, I hope that young people and families can also develop their love and appreciation for forests and feel motivated to care and use their voice for our natural world, from the UK to the Amazon.' Designed for children aged 6-12, families can discover their nearest trail through a new interactive map. © Paul Rogers / WWF-UK Sarah Wood, National Learning Manager, Forestry England, said: 'We're delighted to partner with WWF on these Feel Good Forest Trails, which will help young visitors discover the magic of our woodlands while learning about the vital role forests play in supporting a healthy planet. 'From watching wildlife to exploring England's trees, these trails offer a wonderful opportunity for children to create lasting memories in nature and develop a lifelong passion for protecting our precious forest ecosystems.' For families looking to get their daily dose of nature, Forestry England's forests provide the perfect setting to unwind, explore, and connect with wildlife, and more trails will be added to the interactive map throughout the year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It's not always easy for everyone to access natural spaces, so for families unable to visit a trail in person, WWF and Forestry England have created a free Feel Good Forest Activity Pack, filled with ideas to help families enjoy nature wherever they are.
Scoop
30-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Māori-Owned Construction Group Expands Nationally With Major Acquisition Of PAE New Zealand
In a landmark move for Māori enterprise and New Zealand's facilities management sector, Kā te Rama Switched On Group (majority owned by Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira) has acquired PAE New Zealand, one of the country's largest commercial facilities and asset management companies. The acquisition (effective 27 June) creates a uniquely iwi and New Zealand-owned Group with the scale and experience to deliver end-to-end facilities management, asset management and maintenance services (FMS) nationwide. It brings a Māori-owned, Amotai Registered business forward as a national provider for both the public and private sectors. 'Bringing PAE NZ's 30-year legacy alongside our Group's 40-plus years in construction and social housing will help us build more long-term partnerships with property owners who need a total facilities management solution. It's a huge opportunity for a Māori enterprise to deliver national FMS services to government and large commercial organisations,' says Kā te Rama Switched On Group Board Chair Paul Rogers (Ngāti Porou). The strategic acquisition showcases the capability of Māori-owned businesses to scale significantly and provide top-tier, national services across sectors. Ultimately the Group aims for its growth to enhance more living and working environments to achieve positive community outcomes. 'The growth of the Group aligns with our Ngāti Toa Rangatira intergenerational vision to advance wellbeing and prosperity to achieve a state of Mauri Ora. We work with partners who share our focus and values to achieve enhanced cultural, environmental, social and economic outcomes. Infrastructure plays a major role in influencing the wellbeing of communities, and this helps shape community outcomes that enable healthy and prosperous living,' says Ngāti Toa Rangatira Chief Investment Officer Boyd Scirkovich (Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Rakaipaaka). Switched On Group has long been a trusted provider of community housing facilities management, complemented by construction services including fit-outs, refurbishments, and new builds. The acquisition of PAE NZ significantly expands the Group's capability to deliver commercial and government contracts, while maintaining a commitment to local service delivery and local impact. 'Our people, trade partners, and the communities and local economies we work across will all benefit from our now national presence and impact, which is all part of our growth plan,' Rogers says. PAE NZ, established in 1991, has a strong track record in FMS, managing 4,000 buildings and completing more than 230,000 maintenance jobs annually. Previously owned by global corporations, the move to local shareholding is a strategic decision to grow the business further while continuing to deliver longstanding contracts with local clients. 'Our commitment to our clients remains unchanged, but now we're part of a 100% New Zealand Group that shares our focus and values. Together, we're creating a one-of-a-kind, kiwi and iwi-owned national facilities management provider that will benefit Aotearoa,' says Chris Pile, PAE NZ Chief Executive. The two organisations are already beginning to work together, having secured a significant multi-year opportunity where PAE NZ will manage the contract and care for large assets, and the Group will deliver specialist social housing FMS. 'Our emerging mahi together shows the immediate value of our combined strengths. We're now able to offer a more comprehensive, integrated service that enhances the quality and local benefits our clients expect' says Rogers. About Kā te Rama Switched On Group Kā te Rama Switched On Group is a whānau and iwi-owned construction and facilities management business, founded by the Hughes family in Christchurch in the 1980s. The Group has deep roots in social housing and has grown to deliver fit-outs, refurbishments, new builds, and FMS services across Aotearoa. In 2021, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira became shareholders, and the Group is now majority Māori-owned and Amotai registered.
CTV News
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Flatlanders Festival: Sip, support, and celebrate
Winnipeg Watch Paul Rogers and Dwayne Green highlight this year's biggest Flatlanders Beer Fest yet — all to support Manitoba youth.
