Latest news with #Saxons
Daily Mirror
25-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Urgent appeal as elderly couple found dead after car pulled from reservoir
John and Marilyn Saxon, both 78, were found dead after a vehicle was recovered from Crook Gate Reservoir in Denshaw, Saddleworth, on March 15, according to police Police have launched a fresh appeal after a "kind and generous" elderly couple were found dead when a car was pulled from a reservoir. Detectives are continuing their inquiries into the heartbreaking incident that saw John and Marilyn Saxon, both aged 78, lose their lives after their car was discovered in a Saddleworth reservoir. Emergency services were called to Crook Gate Reservoir, Denshaw, in the wake of the incident on Saturday, March 15, around 10am. It is believed the couple were driving on Huddersfield Road when their car left the road and ended up in the water. As the ongoing probe seeks to uncover the events leading to the crash, an appeal for CCTV footage earlier this week sought two individuals who may hold vital information. Yesterday, the Greater Manchester Police shared a new CCTV image, hoping it would help find two further people who could provide crucial evidence for the case. In gratitude for communal assistance, a GMP spokesperson said: "Officers would like to thank the public for their support in sharing the previous CCTV appeal as they were able to identify the two witnesses who we were previously appealing for help to locate." "Officers are now in a position in their investigation to release a further CCTV image of two more witnesses they would like to speak to who were also at Junction Inn car park, Rochdale Road in Denshaw at around 7pm on March 14, 2025, and it is believed they may have information, as witnesses, that could assist investigators. "If you are the individuals in the image, know who they are, or can provide any information about this incident please contact us, the Serious Collision Investigation Unit can be contacted on 0161 856 4741, quoting log 851-150325. "Alternatively, details can be shared on our LiveChat function on our website or via the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555 111." The family of the Saxons previously paid tribute to what they described as a "kind, caring and generous" couple, according to Manchester Evening News. Previously, a spokesperson for their family paid tribute to the couple, saying: "The family of John and Marilyn want to pay tribute to a kind, caring and generous husband and wife who sadly passed away following an incident at the reservoir on Saturday. The family ask for privacy during this difficult time."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A Metal Detectorist Found a 1,200-Year-Old Cross Pendant in a Field. Its Details Are Astonishing.
Here's what you'll learn when you read this story: A medieval Saxon pendant that was once worn by a high-status figure was discovered in a field in Leeds, England. The ornament is made of silver and covered in a thin layer of gold leaf; it features an intricate interlacing design typical of Saxon style. The pendant is one of many recent discoveries that deepened researchers' understanding of Yorkshire history. In recent years, researchers have made a string of discoveries shedding light on the history of medieval Leeds, England. According to a press release from the Leeds City Council, in 2012, a metal detectorist found seven important objects, including high-quality gold jewelry that would've been worn by wealthy Saxons. In 2023, a 1,600-year-old lead coffin was discovered in a cemetery along with the remains of 60 people from the late Roman to Early Saxon period. The most recent discovery added to the list of finds is an intricate Saxon cross pendant. Though one of the four arms is broken off and the center jewel is missing, the pendant is still an incredible relic. The cross is made of silver and covered in a thin layer of gold leaf and bears a complex interlacing pattern that is typical of traditional Saxon styles. Crosses have historically been worn by various groups for various reasons, even before the rise of Christianity. For Egyptians, the ankh (often referred to as the 'first' or the 'original' cross) is a symbol of eternal life. Pagans used the (Celtic) cross in rituals worshipping the sun. The cross found in Leeds may have been a 'badge of office' for an important member of society. Kat Baxter—Leeds Museums and Galleries' curator of archaeology—explains that the design of the pendant is indicative of who would've worn it. 'The cross is beautifully decorated on both sides, which suggests it was designed to hang around the neck with the suspension loop on the missing arm,' Baxter said in the release. 'It would certainly have been worn by someone of high status and is an outward display of religious identity.' Baxter also explained that the jewelry was likely made at a time when Leeds was part of the Saxon Kingdom of Northumbria. Northumbria was one of the most important kingdoms in Anglo-Saxon England's history, extending all the way from the Irish Sea to the North Sea at its peak. The 'golden age'—or the height of religious, intellectual, and artistic achievement—in Northumbria happened between the 7th and 8th centuries. Though it was a northern powerhouse, the unity in the kingdom eventually fell apart after attacks from the Danes. Excitingly for researchers, there's still much to learn about the time period, and the pendant likely isn't the last artifact of its kind. 'There are certainly more objects out there waiting to be discovered, and responsible metal detectorists and The Portable Antiquities Scheme are playing a really important role in increasing our understanding of local history,' Baxter said. 'Without them, this beautiful piece of Saxon metalwork, and many others like it, would never have been found and made available for future generations.' The Saxon pendant has since gone through the Portable Antiquities Scheme Treasure process and is set to go on display at Leeds City Museum later this year. You Might Also Like The Do's and Don'ts of Using Painter's Tape The Best Portable BBQ Grills for Cooking Anywhere Can a Smart Watch Prolong Your Life?
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Now a state champion, a Ferris junior had no concept of her 'deaf culture' before taking an ASL class
Apr. 29—With the aid of her twisting, beaming face and unyielding eye contact, Bethany Hultz's hands tell stories. The Ferris teacher of American Sign Language, or ASL, learned to sign in fifth grade while experiencing progressive hearing loss. Now deaf, she finds ASL to be a much more expressive, creative and visual way to communicate than speaking in English. "I feel like it is my heart language," Hultz said through an interpreter. "I was raised and exposed mostly to English, and I love to read. I like to write. I like all of that, but ASL is where I feel at home and where I feel like I can fully express myself." Hultz led a team of four students to the statewide ASL competition in Ellensburg on April 19 for the first time in the school's history. The four Saxons returned to Spokane well-decorated; the team collectively placed second in the state for their combined scores in four different testing and performance areas. Alternate teammate Sophia Sivo placed second in the expressive competition that has to do with telling a story based on a random image, followed by freshman Kayla Paulus in third place. Junior Grace Oakley earned the top award in the competition for the highest combined scores, as well as first place in the expressive category and second in a written test on grammar, interpreting, history and deaf culture. "I think a lot of people don't realize that ASL is fully its own language. It's not signed English; it has its own grammar structure and culture, and that's been super cool to learn about," said Junior Charlotte Thomsen, on the winning ASL team and in Hultz's most advanced ASL class. "We've been fully an immersive classroom, fully signing, so we've gotten good exposure to that culture and history." The team is mixed in their connection to deaf culture. Thomsen is hearing but passionate about the language since she took her first ASL class three years ago. Paulus is also hearing, but she's "CODA," or a "Child of Deaf Adults." Both her parents are deaf, and she signed before she learned to speak English. "To me, it just really felt normal; it's just like having your parents speak Spanish or any other language," Paulus said. "I always had to interpret for them, like I was always ordering at drive-thrus or when they would go to the doctor." Though she can discern sounds to communicate in English, Champion Oakley is hard of hearing. She lives with two different types of hearing loss that have progressed over the years, she said. As a toddler, she was diagnosed with juvenile idiopathic arthritis, in which her bones fuse together, leaving her with conductive hearing loss, compounded by dying cilia on her cochlea preventing sound frequencies from reaching her inner ear. Hultz is deaf, though she can hear some very low frequencies and can speak in English and read lips when necessary. She had progressive hearing loss and learned to sign after enrolling in a completely immersive school for deaf kids. "Signing is very important for me. ASL is very important, that's how I access communication and language," she said through an interpreter. Until Hultz's ASL class a few years ago, Oakley never considered that her hearing loss could connect her to an entire culture of those who share her experience: difficulty distinguishing between an 'S' and a 'T' sound, trouble shaping her mouth to pronounce some words, asking people to repeat themselves, or what she called the "deaf nod": " where you have no idea what someone said, but you just nod, because you're done trying to figure it out," she laughed. "I didn't know deaf culture was a thing," Oakley said. "And then I got into it, and it kind of felt like it really explained a lot of the things I struggled with growing up." A reflection of Oakley's integration into her culture, Hultz recently gave Oakley her "sign name," a specific sign personal to someone used to refer to them in ASL. Oakley's is the sign for her initials: "G" circling into an "O," which mirrors the circling motion in the sign for "busy" or "on the go." "My schedule is insane," Oakley explained her sign name. "It's given to you by a deaf person; it's like a symbol that you're involved in the deaf community," Oakley said. "You're involved enough, you respect the culture, you are really passionate about it,' and your sign name is a symbol of that." Hultz's sign name includes the sign for her last initial in a twisting motion by her face to illustrate her bouncy curly hair. Her most advanced ASL class, ASL three, includes around a dozen students, a little less than half who are deaf or hard of hearing. On Monday morning while chatter emanates from other rooms in Ferris' halls, Hultz's is completely silent save for the layered sounds of hands brushing together and frequent bursts of laughter. Students sit on the floor in small groups, rapidly signing and twisting their faces in exaggerated expressions to match the stories they tell with their hands. They're playing a language game, trying to think up as many signs as possible to match a motion Hultz gives. Any emotional context missed through the lack of voice intonation is completely made up for by students' bright faces, almost mesmerizing as they quickly pucker their lips, scrunch their eyebrows and widen or squint their eyes along with their dexterous hands. Facial expressions are integral to communicating in ASL, eyebrow position may mark the difference between a question or a delighted exclamation when paired with the same sign. Widening of the eyes could modify a sign between "smart" and "really smart," Oakley explained. Similar movements mean completely different things depending on the signer's face. Eye contact is also critical — one of Hultz's beginner assignments is five minutes of uninterrupted eye contact with a peer. While initially awkward at first, it quickly breaks down barriers for kids, Hultz signed. "You have to keep the eye contact, otherwise, you lose half of the whole language, lose half the signs," Oakley said. Thomsen noticed while learning ASL, it made her a more effective communicator in English, better at eye contact and more expressive while speaking. "You have to really fully be present in the conversations, and we're kind of losing that with technology and things these days, like checking your phone or whatever," Thomsen said. Hultz became Ferris' ASL teacher two years ago, transitioning from a teacher of the deaf at Ferris. Her classroom is a "deaf space," she explained through signing. Each of her ASL classes is completely immersive: she only speaks in English when she really needs to get her point across with beginners, who can communicate with whiteboards if their hands aren't doing the trick. "It means voices off, hands up the entire time," Hultz said through an interpreter. Posters in her classroom remind visitors to keep the space "deaf-friendly" by making sure students stay in each other's line of sight and keep communication visual. Her chairs are arranged in a ring around the room so that students can see their peers and their hands at all times. "We have a shared language we can fully access," Hultz sad through an interpreter, referring to ASL. "I always say, if you don't know sign, you can learn to sign; deaf people cannot learn to hear." An interpreter visits weekly for her advisory period that includes non-ASL students, though she speaks to them in English. Slowly but surely, ASL is spreading around Ferris. There are 327 students who are deaf or hard of hearing in Spokane Public Schools identified through annual hearing tests, 29 of them at Ferris. The use of ASL spreads well beyond them. In the cafeteria, deaf and hearing students share tables together using ASL- and laughter to communicate. Kids will offer Hultz a sign in greeting as they see her between classes. Another strikes up a full conversation with Hultz in the hallway, asking about a project in her advisory class. Kids will stand at opposite ends of a room and sign to communicate rather than yelling. The increasing proliferation of the language and culture around Ferris is encouraging to Oakley and Hultz, who hope more people can learn to speak with their deaf and hard-of-hearing peers. "All day they're around kids who have no idea how to sign, no idea how to communicate with them, so it becomes very isolating," Oakley said. Oakley's parents are both hearing, as is the case for most people who are deaf or hard of hearing. It's extra motivation for her to improve her proficiency to communicate with more people in her culture. "That could be a big challenge for a lot of deaf kids growing up, which I think is why this class is so cool, because it gives all those kids a chance," Oakley said. "And not all of them grew up without the language and the culture and everything, but it kind of gives them that opportunity to have everyone that they can sign with." While it may not be the case in public or other "hearing spaces," signing in Ferris doesn't get a second glance from hearing folks in the hallways of their school. "It's become the new normal here at Ferris," Oakley said. Elena Perry's work is funded in part by members of the Spokane community via the Community Journalism and Civic Engagement Fund. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
A Former Hospital Or A Dog Hotel? Quirky Listings Hit The Property Market
Article – RNZ The properties up for sale in Wellington and North Wairarapa each have unique features and intriguing backstories. A former hospital, student accommodation and luxury doggy daycare have hit the property market in the lower North Island. The properties up for sale in Wellington and North Wairarapa each have unique features and intriguing backstories. Pahīatua's not-so-haunted former hospital The former Pahīatua Hospital closed its doors to patients in 1998. Eight years ago, it became home to Cathy and Andy Vaughan, when they purchased the property in a bid to get out of the hustle and bustle of Auckland. The building was expanded in 1940 and again in 1960. This extended the property to a 2330 square metre footprint, with 30 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, the Property Brokers listing said. In 1998, the former hospital went into private ownership and became known as the Master's Hall. The Vaughans came across an online advertisement for the property. 'When we first saw the property advertised, we didn't even know where Pahīatua was,' Cathy said. A few months later, on a trip to visit friends in Palmerston North, the pair decided to view the property. 'When we first looked at it, it was quite overwhelming,' Cathy said. 'The thought of taking it on was daunting.' The couple tossed up the idea, but didn't make the leap until they returned home to Auckland. 'We had ground to a halt in a traffic jam,' Cathy said. 'By the time the traffic started flowing again, we just looked at each other and said, 'Let's go for it'. 'It was the best decision we have ever made.' Over the years, the couple had hosted more than 30,000 people at the property, with events ranging from medieval re-enactment groups with Templar knights and Saxons, vintage car enthusiasts, motorcycle clubs, sewing groups, school sports teams and retirement villages. 'People often ask jokingly if the place is haunted,' Cathy said. 'I always say it's not. 'There's a real feel of peace and serenity here.' The Master's Hall had also been used for conferences. 'We've had everything from equestrian behavioural specialists to the Variety Club fundraising bash tour.' In November last year, the town acknowledged the 80th anniversary of the arrival of 783 children and their caregivers, who evacuated Poland and arrived in Pahīatua. The children, many now in their 90s, stayed at the hall, alongside their children and grandchildren. The property had captivated, not only the owners, but guests as well, with about 60 percent coming back more than once. 'We have such a diverse range of guest groups and people coming to stay,' Cathy said. 'It has been amazing meeting all the different community groups and hosting them here.' While the Vaughans had enjoyed their time at the property, they were moving closer to a real hospital to accommodate Cathy's 91-year-old mother. 'It's ironic, considering we live in a hospital,' she said. The property will be sold by negotiation. Former student halls of residence The Helen Lowry Hall, which housed Wellington University students in the suburb of Karori for nearly 75 years, is on the market. In 2023, Helen Lowry Hall's website announced it would cease operation as a university residential hall. A release issued by real estate company Bayleys said the Ministry of Education owned the site and put it up to be sold through tender. The former hall was made up of three blocks and five houses that sat on a 5694 square metre site, and could house 112 people, the Helen Lowry website said. Run as a not-for-profit, the Helen Lowry Hall offered a range of different room options. A large, single and fully catered room cost $490 a week, while a non-catered room cost $390 a week. Additionally, there were lower-cost options for double and triple-share rooms, as advertised on the Helen Lowry website. The website also stated the hall was established in 1948, after Reverend Martin Sullivan suggested: 'The accommodation in Wellington for tertiary students was inadequate in both quantity and quality.' The halls opened after Sullivan, the Student Christian Movement chaplain at Victoria University, sparked the idea with others, who were on board with the development. His wife owned the vacant orphanage, which was developed into the halls. Sullivan approached friend Helen Lowry and requested help with donation collection to finance the restoration. Instead, Lowry herself gave £1500 and the hall was then named after her. 'Woofington' Castle – the former luxury doggy daycare Once a luxury dog hotel, a hilltop castle has been put up for sale. The distinct, pale yellow building at 430 Hawkins Road – above a landfill – blended 'medieval charm with modern comfort', the listing by real estate company Sotheby's said. Described as 'a listing like no other', the 900-square-metre floorplan consisted of wrought iron chandeliers, timber beams, vaulted ceilings and even a commercial-grade kitchen. As well as the four bedrooms and four bathrooms, additional features included a workshop, gym, studio and bar. A temporary transformation in 2015 saw Woofingtons, a dog hotel, open its doors at the castle to provide 'ultimate in luxury accommodation at an affordable price', its social media read. While no longer a hotel for dogs, the castle will become a home for a new owner, when sold under tender that will close at noon on 30 April.
Scoop
22-04-2025
- Business
- Scoop
A Former Hospital Or A Dog Hotel? Quirky Listings Hit The Property Market
A former hospital, student accommodation and luxury doggy daycare have hit the property market in the lower North Island. The properties up for sale in Wellington and North Wairarapa each have unique features and intriguing backstories. Pahīatua's not-so-haunted former hospital The former Pahīatua Hospital closed its doors to patients in 1998. Eight years ago, it became home to Cathy and Andy Vaughan, when they purchased the property in a bid to get out of the hustle and bustle of Auckland. The building was expanded in 1940 and again in 1960. This extended the property to a 2330 square metre footprint, with 30 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, the Property Brokers listing said. In 1998, the former hospital went into private ownership and became known as the Master's Hall. The Vaughans came across an online advertisement for the property. "When we first saw the property advertised, we didn't even know where Pahīatua was," Cathy said. A few months later, on a trip to visit friends in Palmerston North, the pair decided to view the property. "When we first looked at it, it was quite overwhelming," Cathy said. "The thought of taking it on was daunting." The couple tossed up the idea, but didn't make the leap until they returned home to Auckland. "We had ground to a halt in a traffic jam," Cathy said. "By the time the traffic started flowing again, we just looked at each other and said, 'Let's go for it'. "It was the best decision we have ever made." Over the years, the couple had hosted more than 30,000 people at the property, with events ranging from medieval re-enactment groups with Templar knights and Saxons, vintage car enthusiasts, motorcycle clubs, sewing groups, school sports teams and retirement villages. "People often ask jokingly if the place is haunted," Cathy said. "I always say it's not. "There's a real feel of peace and serenity here." The Master's Hall had also been used for conferences. "We've had everything from equestrian behavioural specialists to the Variety Club fundraising bash tour." In November last year, the town acknowledged the 80th anniversary of the arrival of 783 children and their caregivers, who evacuated Poland and arrived in Pahīatua. The children, many now in their 90s, stayed at the hall, alongside their children and grandchildren. The property had captivated, not only the owners, but guests as well, with about 60 percent coming back more than once. "We have such a diverse range of guest groups and people coming to stay," Cathy said. "It has been amazing meeting all the different community groups and hosting them here." While the Vaughans had enjoyed their time at the property, they were moving closer to a real hospital to accommodate Cathy's 91-year-old mother. "It's ironic, considering we live in a hospital," she said. The property will be sold by negotiation. Former student halls of residence The Helen Lowry Hall, which housed Wellington University students in the suburb of Karori for nearly 75 years, is on the market. In 2023, Helen Lowry Hall's website announced it would cease operation as a university residential hall. A release issued by real estate company Bayleys said the Ministry of Education owned the site and put it up to be sold through tender. The former hall was made up of three blocks and five houses that sat on a 5694 square metre site, and could house 112 people, the Helen Lowry website said. Run as a not-for-profit, the Helen Lowry Hall offered a range of different room options. A large, single and fully catered room cost $490 a week, while a non-catered room cost $390 a week. Additionally, there were lower-cost options for double and triple-share rooms, as advertised on the Helen Lowry website. The website also stated the hall was established in 1948, after Reverend Martin Sullivan suggested: "The accommodation in Wellington for tertiary students was inadequate in both quantity and quality." The halls opened after Sullivan, the Student Christian Movement chaplain at Victoria University, sparked the idea with others, who were on board with the development. His wife owned the vacant orphanage, which was developed into the halls. Sullivan approached friend Helen Lowry and requested help with donation collection to finance the restoration. Instead, Lowry herself gave £1500 and the hall was then named after her. 'Woofington' Castle - the former luxury doggy daycare Once a luxury dog hotel, a hilltop castle has been put up for sale. The distinct, pale yellow building at 430 Hawkins Road - above a landfill - blended "medieval charm with modern comfort", the listing by real estate company Sotheby's said. Described as "a listing like no other", the 900-square-metre floorplan consisted of wrought iron chandeliers, timber beams, vaulted ceilings and even a commercial-grade kitchen. As well as the four bedrooms and four bathrooms, additional features included a workshop, gym, studio and bar. A temporary transformation in 2015 saw Woofingtons, a dog hotel, open its doors at the castle to provide "ultimate in luxury accommodation at an affordable price", its social media read. While no longer a hotel for dogs, the castle will become a home for a new owner, when sold under tender that will close at noon on 30 April.
