Latest news with #RebeccaDrake
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Brace Yourself, Mind-Blowing Tech And Crazy Experiments; STEMFest Is About To Take Over Tauranga!
A vibrant celebration filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences for all ages. Its a chance to ignite curiosity, spark wonder, and connect with the innovators who are shaping our future. Tauranga, New Zealand – Get your tickets! The highly anticipated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Festival is returning to Tauranga on Sunday 28th September 2025 in Durham Street. This free, family-centric event is a must-attend for the community, drawing thousands of visitors from across the region and all of Aotearoa New Zealand. After winning multiple awards it is recognised as one of the major STEM events in the Southern Hemisphere. Imagine a day where thousands of families gather at an indoor and outdoor festival that spans a block of the CBD, to explore eGaming, robotics, aviation and marine science and so much more. A vibrant celebration filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences for all ages. It's a chance to ignite curiosity, spark wonder, and connect with the innovators who are shaping our future. This year Ballance Agri-Nutrients has been confirmed as the Headline Sponsor for Tauranga STEM Festival 2025! The organisers are on a mission to create an unforgettable experience that will resonate with families and students for years to come. Rebecca Drake, STEMFest 2025 Ambassador and Project & Innovation Lead at Ballance, will be the voice of the festival – sharing exciting updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the buzz leading up to STEMFest 2025. 'As someone who grew up and went to school in Tauranga, I wished I had the same opportunity to see science and technology as something fun and available to everyone, which STEMFest offers. ' Rebecca Drake, STEMFest Ambassador 2025. The festival has also secured much needed support from Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund. Other confirmed sponsors include: the University of Waikato, Beca, Downtown Tauranga, and Basestation. STEMFest will feature: Over 50 Interactive exhibits and demonstrations from local scientists and engineers Engaging hands-on workshops tailored for all ages Informational activities promoting local STEM education programmes and career pathways Inspirational talks and presentations from industry professionals STEM based businesses are invited to be part of this powerful community event to inspire the next generation and build the future workforce, one discovery at a time. Join STEMFest and help bring science to life.
Scoop
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Brace Yourself, Mind-Blowing Tech And Crazy Experiments; STEMFest Is About To Take Over Tauranga!
Tauranga, New Zealand – Get your tickets! The highly anticipated Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Festival is returning to Tauranga on Sunday 28th September 2025 in Durham Street. This free, family-centric event is a must-attend for the community, drawing thousands of visitors from across the region and all of Aotearoa New Zealand. After winning multiple awards it is recognised as one of the major STEM events in the Southern Hemisphere. Imagine a day where thousands of families gather at an indoor and outdoor festival that spans a block of the CBD, to explore eGaming, robotics, aviation and marine science and so much more. A vibrant celebration filled with hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and inspiring experiences for all ages. It's a chance to ignite curiosity, spark wonder, and connect with the innovators who are shaping our future. This year Ballance Agri-Nutrients has been confirmed as the Headline Sponsor for Tauranga STEM Festival 2025! The organisers are on a mission to create an unforgettable experience that will resonate with families and students for years to come. Rebecca Drake, STEMFest 2025 Ambassador and Project & Innovation Lead at Ballance, will be the voice of the festival - sharing exciting updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the buzz leading up to STEMFest 2025. 'As someone who grew up and went to school in Tauranga, I wished I had the same opportunity to see science and technology as something fun and available to everyone, which STEMFest offers. ' Rebecca Drake, STEMFest Ambassador 2025. The festival has also secured much needed support from Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund. Other confirmed sponsors include: the University of Waikato, Beca, Downtown Tauranga, and Basestation. STEMFest will feature: Over 50 Interactive exhibits and demonstrations from local scientists and engineers Engaging hands-on workshops tailored for all ages Informational activities promoting local STEM education programmes and career pathways Inspirational talks and presentations from industry professionals STEM based businesses are invited to be part of this powerful community event to inspire the next generation and build the future workforce, one discovery at a time. Join STEMFest and help bring science to life.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Petition to reinstate Tilbury to Gravesend ferry to be debated
Businesses are backing calls to reinstate the river crossing service between Gravesend in Kent and Tilbury in the operator of the service, announced last year it would not renew its Party member Rebecca Drake started a petition, which collected more than 2,400 signatures, and has been submitted to Kent County Council (KCC) to be debated at a council cabinet meeting on 17 KCC says it remains "committed" to working with other partners to explore "a sustainable, long-term solution for a replacement service, should funding become available". Ms Drake said she started her campaign last year after speaking to residents about how the closure had impacted them. "The service was a lifeline to the communities. Gravesend businesses have reported a noticeable downturn in revenue," she Drake, who ran as a parliamentary candidate in Gravesend last year, added: "Reinstating the ferry means there are more alternative transportation options and less pressure on roads." Glen White, owner of gaming cafe The Mug and Meeple in Gravesend, said the ferry was a "vital service" for businesses and residents in both towns."It was a shame the ferry stopped operating. It was a cost-effective way of travel for work, school and shopping," he Langley, owner of Gravesend Models & Wargames, said he had seen a fall in customer numbers visiting his shop."Many people, especially older people, came to Gravesend for shopping because it was convenient," he than 100,000 passenger journeys were made every year on the ferry service, according to KCC. A spokesperson for KCC said: "We understand the disappointment surrounding the withdrawal of the Tilbury ferry service. "Without joint funding from Thurrock District Council, we are currently unable to support the service independently due to ongoing budget constraints."Thurrock Council has been approached for a comment.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Watch the moment mum's £3 B&M mug EXPLODES two days after she bought it – as she says it ‘could've blown up in my face'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MOTHER has been left gobsmacked after a B&M mug spontaneously exploded and sounded 'like a bomb', just two days after she purchased it. Rebecca Drake, 33, caught footage of a glass mug exploding with no one near it and claims it could have blown up in her face. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 A mother has been left "spooked" after her new £3 glass mug from B&M exploded, just two days after she bought it Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 Rebecca Drake, 33, caught footage of the "bomb-like" explosion of her new stylish mug Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 She explained there were bits of "tiny, tiny glass everywhere" and it even went in her dogs' fur Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 She claimed could have "really hurt" her 11-year-old daughter if she had been near it at the time Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media The mum-of-one picked up two glass mugs and glass tumblers from the bargain chain on May 6th and used the cup for the first time just two days later on May 8th. She took a sip of her cold matcha latte, before putting the £3 mug down and popping into the garden. But when she returned, she found it shattered and the contents splattered across her table. Pointing the finger of blame at one of her two Sproodle dogs, the cake business owner looked at her dog camera footage and was stunned to see it had spontaneously exploded, sounding 'like a bomb'. After sharing the now-viral clip on Facebook, social media users were whipped up in a paranormal frenzy, urging her to flee the property and suggesting she contact famous psychic Derek Acorah. While the mother admits the explosion was 'spooky', she believes a chip in the glass was a more likely cause - and simply wants a refund from B&M. Rebecca, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, said: "At first I thought maybe it could be a ghost, it was spooky. "I had one of the radio stations on and they were literally talking about poltergeists as I was cleaning it up. "But nothing has ever happened in my house before which has made me think that it's haunted. "I thought I'd check the dog camera to see if one of them jumped up and knocked it. I tried a viral hack promising to save hundreds on my B&M trolley but it was a total con - I scoured for 2 HOURS & only saved a tenner "I checked the camera and the sound was as if a bomb had gone off, I just couldn't believe it. It took my breath away how it did it on its own and how loud it was. "There were bits of tiny, tiny glass everywhere, it was all in the dogs' fur and there were big chunks of it all on the table. "I was only outside for four minutes, I was drinking out of it three minutes before it exploded.' Not only this, but the shocked woman then added: "It could have literally exploded in my face or in my hands. 7 Rebecca had popped in the garden whilst the explosion happened Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 She claimed "it's really scary to think what could have happened if myself or my daughter were holding the mug" Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 Rebecca simply wants a refund from B&M for the ordeal Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 'I've got a daughter who's 11 and if she'd had it in her bedroom it could have really hurt her. "It's really scary to think what could have happened if myself or my daughter were holding the mug. "If there was hot liquid inside it could have scalded anyone. It's really dangerous. "I've wrapped up the other ones I bought and I'm going to take them back - I don't want them in my cupboard and I don't want them in my house." Stunned Rebecca, who bought the mugs from the Dewsbury branch of B&M in West Yorkshire, is unsure of the cause but believes damage in transit may have weakened the glass. It's really scary to think what could have happened if myself or my daughter were holding the mug Rebecca Drake Rebecca explained: "One thing that did confuse me a bit was that they wouldn't let me wrap them up when I bought them. "I asked if I could get some packaging so that they didn't get any chips in them but they said that they don't keep packaging and they just chuck it all. "If they're getting damaged then anything could happen. "Even if it gets the tiniest little chip that can cause the glass to have a weak point. I'm going to take the other mugs back. I don't trust them anymore." Footage shows the mug on the table as Rebecca's dogs, Suki and Cooper, watch her through the patio doors before a loud smash can be heard. The mug can be seen exploding as the contents of the matcha latte spills out across the kitchen table - with no one near it. Social media users react After sharing the video on Facebook, it has now racked up more than 407,000 views, likes and comments. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, you'll want to visit your local branch at 10am on a Wednesday too. Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner. Viewers shared their theories as to what caused the mug to shatter, with many suggesting it was most likely a manufacturing issue. One wrote: "Probably a fault in the glass or cold drink not helping." Whilst a second chimed in: "It's material fatigue. If it's tempered glass, then it doesn't tolerate scratches, micro-cracks etc well. "Or could be a fault while tempering glass too, uneven tension distribution, if it's manufacturing fault, there would be at least one piece that's much different from the rest.' However, at the same time, others looked to paranormal reasons. One simply wrote: "Poltergeist', whilst another commented: "I reckon you need to get Derek Acorah involved." There were bits of tiny, tiny glass everywhere, it was all in the dogs' fur and there were big chunks of it all on the table Rebecca Drake And alongside a ghost emoji, someone else claimed: "I'd move house.' A B&M spokesperson has since said: "Product safety is our highest priority. 'This glass mug has undergone rigorous thermal shock testing by an independent laboratory, with all samples passing the required safety standards. "We are in direct contact with the customer and are actively investigating the issue." Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
The Irish Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Watch the moment mum's £3 B&M mug EXPLODES two days after she bought it – as she says it ‘could've blown up in my face'
A MOTHER has been left gobsmacked after a B&M mug s pontaneously exploded and sounded 'like a bomb', just two days after she purchased it. Rebecca Drake, 33, caught footage of a 7 A mother has been left "spooked" after her new £3 glass mug from B&M exploded, just two days after she bought it Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 Rebecca Drake, 33, caught footage of the "bomb-like" explosion of her new stylish mug Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 She explained there were bits of "tiny, tiny glass everywhere" and it even went in her dogs' fur Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 She claimed could have "really hurt" her 11-year-old daughter if she had been near it at the time Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media The mum-of-one picked up two glass mugs and glass tumblers from She took a sip of her cold matcha latte, before putting the £3 mug down and popping into the garden. But when she returned, she found it shattered and the contents splattered across her table. Pointing the finger of blame at one of her two Sproodle dogs, the cake business owner looked at her dog camera footage and was stunned to see it had spontaneously exploded, sounding 'like a bomb'. Read more B&M stories After sharing the now-viral clip on Facebook, social media users were whipped up in a paranormal frenzy, urging her to flee the property and suggesting she contact famous psychic While the mother admits the explosion was 'spooky', she believes a chip in the glass was a more likely cause - and simply wants a refund from B&M. Rebecca, from Mirfield, West Yorkshire, said: "At first I thought maybe it could be a ghost, it was spooky. "I had one of the radio stations on and they were literally talking about poltergeists as I was cleaning it up. Most read in Fabulous "But nothing has ever happened in my house before which has made me think that it's haunted. "I thought I'd check the dog camera to see if one of them jumped up and knocked it. I tried a viral hack promising to save hundreds on my B&M trolley but it was a total con - I scoured for 2 HOURS & only saved a tenner "I checked the camera and the sound was as if a bomb had gone off, I just couldn't believe it. It took my breath away how it did it on its own and how loud it was. "There were bits of tiny, tiny glass everywhere, it was all in the dogs' fur and there were big chunks of it all on the table. "I was only outside for four minutes, I was drinking out of it three minutes before it exploded.' Not only this, but the shocked woman then added: "It could have literally exploded in my face or in my hands. 7 Rebecca had popped in the garden whilst the explosion happened Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 She claimed "it's really scary to think what could have happened if myself or my daughter were holding the mug" Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 7 Rebecca simply wants a refund from B&M for the ordeal Credit: Kennedy Newsand Media 'I've got a daughter who's 11 and if she'd had it in her bedroom it could have really hurt her. "It's really scary to think what could have happened if myself or my daughter were holding the mug. "If there was hot liquid inside it could have scalded anyone. It's really dangerous. "I've wrapped up the other ones I bought and I'm going to take them back - I don't want them in my cupboard and I don't want them in my house." Stunned Rebecca, who bought the mugs from the Dewsbury branch of It's really scary to think what could have happened if myself or my daughter were holding the mug Rebecca Drake Rebecca explained: "One thing that did confuse me a bit was that they wouldn't let me wrap them up when I bought them. "I asked if I could get some packaging so that they didn't get any chips in them but they said that they don't keep packaging and they just chuck it all. "If they're getting damaged then anything could happen. "Even if it gets the tiniest little chip that can cause the glass to have a weak point. I'm going to take the other mugs back. I don't trust them anymore." Footage shows the mug on the table as Rebecca's dogs, Suki and Cooper, watch her through the patio doors before a loud smash can be heard. The mug can be seen exploding as the contents of the Social media users react After sharing the video on Facebook, it has now racked up more than 407,000 views, likes and comments. How to save money at B&M Shoppers have saved hundreds of pounds a year by using B&M's scanner app. The scanner lets you see if an item's price is cheaper than advertised on the shop floor label. Products that are typically discounted are seasonal items and old stock that B&M is trying to shift. The app is free to download off the B&M Stores mobile app via Google Play or the Apple App Store. According to one ex-B&M manager, Here's how you can join the B&M bargain hunt: Download the B&M app for free on any smartphone with an App Store or Google Play. Once you've installed it on your device, click on the option labelled "more" on the bottom, right-hand side of the app home page. You'll then find an option that says "barcode scanner". Click on this and you'll open a camera screen. Use the camera to hover over the barcode of the product you wish to check. If the price comes up as lower, take it to the cash desk and it will automatically scan at the lower price. You don't need to sign up to the B&M app to use the barcode scanner. Viewers shared their theories as to what caused the mug to shatter, with many suggesting it was most likely a One wrote: "Probably a fault in the glass or cold drink not helping." Whilst a second chimed in: "It's material fatigue. If it's tempered glass, then it doesn't tolerate scratches, micro-cracks etc well. "Or could be a fault while tempering glass too, uneven tension distribution, if it's manufacturing fault, there would be at least one piece that's much different from the rest.' However, at the same time, others looked to paranormal reasons. One simply wrote: "Poltergeist', whilst another commented: "I reckon you need to get Derek Acorah involved." There were bits of tiny, tiny glass everywhere, it was all in the dogs' fur and there were big chunks of it all on the table Rebecca Drake And alongside a ghost emoji, someone else claimed: "I'd move house.' A B&M spokesperson has since said: "Product safety is our highest priority. 'This glass mug has undergone rigorous thermal shock testing by an independent laboratory, with all samples passing the required safety standards. "We are in direct contact with the customer and are actively investigating the issue." Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club
