Latest news with #Ros
Otago Daily Times
29-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Hall of fame honour for Canterbury Subway operators
Gideon and Ros outside the Rangiora Subway franchise. PHOTO: JOHN COSGROVE Rangiora Subway franchisees Gideon Aldridge and Roslynne Levell have become the first New Zealanders to be inducted into the Subway Hall of Fame. They were presented with the honour at the recent SUBCON25 Convention in Australia. The award celebrates franchisees who have made a lasting impact on the brand's success across Australia and New Zealand. It is presented during the Gala Awards Dinner, which was attended by more than 1000 Subway franchisees, suppliers and staff. ''Ros and I are absolutely thrilled to receive this honour,'' co-owner Gideon says. ''We've been part of the Subway family in New Zealand for over 23 years and have proudly owned and operated the Rangiora restaurant since 2006.'' He says in that time they have served over 1.6 million customers. ''Being part of the local community and providing great food and service has always been our top priority.'' Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon says he knows how hard Ros and Gideon work. ''This award is a truly fitting recognition of the dedication you've given, not just to growing a successful business, but to supporting your staff, serving your customers, and giving back to our community. ''It is wonderful to see the commitment celebrated on such a large stage.'' The director of franchise operations for Subway NZ praised the pair for their outstanding dedication. ''They are incredibly deserving of this honour and we thank them for the enthusiasm and leadership they bring to the Subway brand every day.'' The award highlighted their commitment not only to business excellence but also to the people they serve daily.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Safety – Horse Riders Honour Lives Lost
Press Release – PWASNZ Health New Zealand figures show Forty people aged between 10 and 79 years died whilst riding or driving a horse drawn vehicle on the road between 2000 and 2019. 43 equestrians and horses pay their respect to the 43 lives lost whilst riding or driving a horse on New Zealand's roads as part of Road Safety week 2025. 'Most motorists are great but you only need one driver who doesn't take account. To me it's very personal because I was hit by a motorbike whilst riding once and my horse was killed. Pass Wide and Slow. It is a matter of life and death.' Ros, Waimakariri Riding Club member. Recently obtained statistics by Pass Wide & Slow NZ (PWASNZ) have revealed the true extent of suffering on New Zealand roads and equestrians are determined to lead positive change. 'We know far more people have been killed than previously thought. Health New Zealand figures show Forty people aged between 10 and 79 years died whilst riding or driving a horse drawn vehicle on the road between 2000 and 2019. There is an even split between men and women,' says PWASNZ Founder Julia McLean PWASNZ subsequently learned of a further three lives lost between 2022-2024 that currently sit with Worksafe New Zealand. 'Road safety is a collective responsibility and kotahitanga/ unity is key to leading change. We wish to acknowledge the aroha and respect shown by Waimakariri Riding Club members in preparing this photo to illustrate the equestrian community's loss of life,' says McLean 'One death is one too many, but this degree of suffering is tragic. We feature in this country's Road Toll and yet no authority has ever spoken of these statistics to inform road safety or enforcement improvements, ' McLean says Health NZ uses an internationally recognised coding system to record deaths and says these deaths are transport accidents and they may involve no collision, or could involve cycles and pedestrians, or trains, or even stationery objects. Pass Wide & Slow New Zealand has been established to fill the void of no targeted Driver Education on how to approach and safely pass a horse and rider on the road. 'We know this important road safety message will save lives. Our website is a destination for resources, stakeholder and community support and is giving a voice to people who no longer need to suffer in silence. We are strongly advocating for enforcement and driver education improvements to improve road safety outcomes for this vulnerable group of people,' says McLean.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Road Safety - Horse Riders Honour Lives Lost
43 equestrians and horses pay their respect to the 43 lives lost whilst riding or driving a horse on New Zealand's roads as part of Road Safety week 2025. 'Most motorists are great but you only need one driver who doesn't take account. To me it's very personal because I was hit by a motorbike whilst riding once and my horse was killed. Pass Wide and Slow. It is a matter of life and death.' Ros, Waimakariri Riding Club member. Recently obtained statistics by Pass Wide & Slow NZ (PWASNZ) have revealed the true extent of suffering on New Zealand roads and equestrians are determined to lead positive change. 'We know far more people have been killed than previously thought. Health New Zealand figures show Forty people aged between 10 and 79 years died whilst riding or driving a horse drawn vehicle on the road between 2000 and 2019. There is an even split between men and women,' says PWASNZ Founder Julia McLean PWASNZ subsequently learned of a further three lives lost between 2022-2024 that currently sit with Worksafe New Zealand. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading 'Road safety is a collective responsibility and kotahitanga/ unity is key to leading change. We wish to acknowledge the aroha and respect shown by Waimakariri Riding Club members in preparing this photo to illustrate the equestrian community's loss of life,' says McLean 'One death is one too many, but this degree of suffering is tragic. We feature in this country's Road Toll and yet no authority has ever spoken of these statistics to inform road safety or enforcement improvements, ' McLean says Health NZ uses an internationally recognised coding system to record deaths and says these deaths are transport accidents and they may involve no collision, or could involve cycles and pedestrians, or trains, or even stationery objects. Pass Wide & Slow New Zealand has been established to fill the void of no targeted Driver Education on how to approach and safely pass a horse and rider on the road. 'We know this important road safety message will save lives. Our website is a destination for resources, stakeholder and community support and is giving a voice to people who no longer need to suffer in silence. We are strongly advocating for enforcement and driver education improvements to improve road safety outcomes for this vulnerable group of people,' says McLean.
BBC News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
The 83-year-old runner who has finished every London Marathon
One week ago, Mac Speake lined up at the start of the London Marathon and prayed his body would carry him to the 83, the retired GP is the eldest of a dwindling band of men, known as the Ever Presents, who have run every London Marathon since it began in 1981."I hope I will be able to do it again next year but I haven't decided yet. I would be a bit lost without it. It's been a huge part of my life, but this year was really hard," he is speaking from his home in Kettlebaston, Suffolk, where he has spent the past seven days recovering."I was doing really well until 22 miles when I blew it. I lost my balance and it all went a bit pear-shaped," he says. During his 45 marathons, he has run with broken bones and norovirus so bad he vomited "gallons". But he also has "the greatest memories", with his personal best of two hours and 44 minutes achieved in 1983. His wife Ros has been to support him every year, apart from one, when she had a recalls their four children hanging off the gates of Buckingham Palace during the first event in 1981, when just 6,500 runners took part, compared to 56,000 this year."It was raining and the children were soaked and I couldn't get to the finish line to give Mac his clothes to change into. So it was a bit stressful," she decades on, supporting Mac is still a bit stressful for Ros. Along with their daughter, she had to almost carry him across the line this finished in nine hours and 14 minutes, half an hour quicker than last year - a race Mac went into with a bad back and which he describes as "catastrophic"."I worry that his body can't take it anymore. But I could never stop him from doing it," says Ros. After the 15th London Marathon in 1995, the group of 42 men who had completed every event were given a special medal and guaranteed entry to future there are only has a strong bond with the other Ever Presents, and affectionately describes 66-year-old Chris Finill from Surrey as the baby of the group. "Part of me doesn't want to be defined by the club but I have been doing this event since I was 22 and now I'm a grandfather," he joined Harrow Athletics Club at the age of 15 and still runs for them, taking the race just as seriously now as he did when he was younger. "The elites and the people in fancy dress get a lot of attention but I like to think we represent the club runners who were at the core of that very first marathon," he says. Chris has witnessed many changes to the marathon over the years, from the landscape, particularly around Canary Wharf, to the number of competitors and the the early days, it was difficult to find out how well you had performed."Chip timing wasn't a thing so if it took you a few minutes to reach the start line, that would be added on," Chris says."The Times used to publish a list so you would either read your official time in the paper the next day, or have to wait for it to arrive in the post." In 2018, Chris completed the race despite breaking his arm in four places less than four miles (6km) in."I fell to the ground and landed on my arm straight and it was just hanging there. I got a sling and just carried on, then I went straight to hospital from the finish line."He completed this year's race in three hours and 15 minutes and says there is some sadness as the group inevitably gets of the group died between marathons, while another was hit by a motorbike and could not take have started the race knowing they would get a DNF (did not finish) while others have chosen a DNS (did not start), knowing they would not be able to complete it."Some have been persuaded by their friends and family that they are not quite strong enough. Everyone deals with it in a different way," he nearly became five this year, when David Walker thought he would have to drop out after pulling a muscle in he managed to complete the marathon virtually in just under 10 hours near his home in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, with the help of his sons. Chris tries not to think about the day when he might be the last one standing."At the moment I'm not looking much further ahead but I would be thrilled if I got to 50 [races]. You have to take it one race at a time," he is full of admiration for Mac and the other Ever Presents, who he describes as a brotherhood."We're all trying to conquer the distance and we all want to see each other succeed."To me, as the youngest, it is a big deal seeing Mac and David out there on their feet for so many hours. "I can only hope I'll be doing the same when I'm their age."Hugh Brasher, chief executive of London Marathon Events, says: "The Ever Presents are a very special part of London Marathon history. "For most people, training and taking part in just one marathon is a monumental challenge. For these six individuals to have done it 45 times is simply incredible."We salute them all and hope to see them on the TCS London Marathon start line for many years to come." The six men are part of a club they dread having to leave; one you can easily leave but no longer join."Nobody else can ever get in," Mac says. "There is almost a pressure to carry on, it has given me so much."I look back at my life and think 'I'm not very good at many things but at least I've achieved something.'"I have to be careful because Ros is looking at me, but I think, on balance, I will give it another go next year." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Scottish Sun
24-04-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Closed UK airport reveals new reopening plans with first direct train station for passengers
Plus, the other recent announcements about the airport UP & AWAY Closed UK airport reveals new reopening plans with first direct train station for passengers Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MAJOR new UK airport reopening next year has released plans for new rail links connecting the north and Midlands to the airport. Doncaster Sheffield Airport (DSA) was forced to close in 2022 over financial concerns. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Doncaster Sheffield Airport has revealed plans for rail links to the airport Credit: Doncaster Free Press 4 The proposed rail links will connect Lincoln and the Midlands to the airport Credit: Wikipedia 4 The airport has been closed since 2022 Credit: Getty However, the airport recently got the green light to reopen in 2026 following £30million in investment. The City of Doncaster Council mayor, Ros Jones has announced the masterplan for Doncaster Sheffield Airport, with proposals for a rail link. Taking to social media, the mayor said: "We are working on an updated masterplan for what the airport alongside Gateway East could look like once fully developed. "[T]his also includes land allocated for a rail link and station to connect with both the Lincoln Line and East Coast Mainline (ECML), which would dramatically increase access for the region and beyond to our airport." The council is currently in conversation with the UK government and SYMCA around future transport investment. This includes plans for DSA rail link to both the Lincoln Line and ECML, as well as other schemes across Doncaster. Ros added: "The first step is of course to reopen our airport, then we can invest to improve connectivity and deliver the successful international airport that we know DSA can be!" In 2022, under the previous government, £30million of City Region Sustainable Transport Settlements (CRSTS) funding was announced for a rail link to the Lincoln Line. In total, a rail link to both the Lincoln Line and ECML is estimated to cost £1billion. Earlier this month, the government backed plans to reopen Doncaster Sheffield Airport with £30million in funding. I went to the world's best airport with a huge new terminal - and found tropical gardens & even an indoor swimming pool The airport is predicted to boost the economy by £5billion and contribute £2billion to wider benefits, by 2050. It has sat unused since 2022, which is when it closed. One airline that could relaunch flights from the airport is TUI, as it operated the last flight from Doncaster Sheffield Airport. A spokesperson for the airline said: "TUI has always supported Doncaster Sheffield Airport, proudly flying customers from the region and were disappointed when the airport closed." They added that they were "excited about actively engaging with stakeholders about a potential re-opening". The airport also used to fly to destination like Berlin, Dubrovnik, Paris, Alicante, and Majorca. The airport has also revealed plans for five airlines to launch flights ahead of reopening next year. And it could relaunch popular and cheap routes.
