Latest news with #ScottWilson
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Dangerous discovery made 30cm under Aussie garden: 'Big issues'
When an Aussie woman dug 30cm deep into her backyard, she was surprised to find it lined with plastic shade cloth. After she shared images on social media, over 100 people responded, with some joking there could be a body underneath. Luckily, it wasn't hiding anything gruesome, but her discovery does point to a big problem buried beneath thousands of gardens. Shade cloth and black plastic have been used as weed mats for decades before we knew any better, and over time, they break down into tiny pieces called microplastics. Not only can they kill worms and be absorbed by plants, they can enter the human body when we eat food contaminated by them. Researchers have found them in brains, male genitals, and even breastmilk. Related: 🩸 'Scary' new disease linked to plastic consumption in Australia Dr Scott Wilson, the research director of the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project and honorary senior research fellow at Macquarie University, explained it's not just the plastics themselves that are a danger to plants and animals. Each could contain a deadly cocktail of chemical contaminants. 'For instance, colour dyes and plasticisers are released as the plastic breaks apart, and they can leach into the soil,' he said. 'The plastics themselves are harmful, but the chemicals are potentially more harmful. Talking generally, they can have a whole range of effects from impacting hormone systems, to reproduction, growth, and development.' Plastics vary greatly in terms of what sort of chemical cocktail they contain, making it hard to predict what their effect on the environment will be. Gardening photos highlight tiny sign trees are riddled with invasive species Warning as 212kg of plastic falls on international city Dirty secret lurking in water near popular Aussie beach If plastic is layered on the surface for a short period it's unlikely to be dangerous. And when it's layered deep in the deoxygenated zone of the soil, it poses less of a risk, because it's slow to break down. But most weed mats are placed closer to the surface where heat and microbes slowly break them up. 'The whole issue with plastics in the environment is they shed. Once they start breaking down they release microplastics. And that's the issue, they don't go away they just disintegrate,' he said. 'They just break up, not down. And they create big issues in your soil long into the future.' Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Agricultural show returns to Hutton, near Penrith, this July
Skelton Show is set to return to the Old Park at Hutton-in-the-Forest, near Penrith, this July. One of the biggest events in Cumbria's agricultural calendar, the show attracts more than 8,000 visitors each year and will take place on Saturday, July 5. The schedule has been released with competitors able to submit their entries for the variety of competitions that will be run throughout the day, as well as applications for trade stands and entries for vintage vehicle, equestrian, livestock and dog competitions. A variety of competitions will be held throughout the day (Image: Supplied) This year, entries will be taken through Skelton Show's new online system, the Showing Scene platform. Event organisers said that this platform was implemented to streamline the entry process for the 2025 event. Nina Oxley, Skelton Show chairman, said this came as a result of the standard of entries historically received by the event. She said: "We are pleased to advise that entries for the 2025 Skelton Show are now open. "This year, we have invested in and implemented the Showing Scene platform to streamline entry process. "While the setup took longer than anticipated, resulting in a delay in releasing the class schedules, we believe this enhancement will provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience for our exhibitors and competitors. "Entries can now be submitted online via Showing Scene, and for those who prefer traditional methods, manual entry forms remain available for download via our website. "I'd like to thank return competitors and exhibitors for their patience during this transition." At the event, there will be competitions for cattle, sheep, horses, and dogs, as well as horticultural and industrial exhibits on display in a large marquee and across the showfield. Last year, there were more than £13,500 in prize funds distributed to winning competitors. The 2025 event will feature staple attractions like the Inter-Hunt Challenge and performances from Scott Wilson, world champion trials bike rider. There will be children's entertainers, a dog show and a visit from the 'Biking Vikings' from Northumberland. One of the highlights in recent years has been the Taste@Skelton Food Hall, showcasing Cumbrian food and drink. There will be culinary demonstrations and artisan producers offering a range of products. The event will also feature a gift and craft tent with more than 150 trade stands, with businesses offering a range of rural crafts and goods. Vintage enthusiasts will be able to view the showcase of around 100 vintage vehicles, which is a popular feature of the show. Ms Oxley said: "Elsewhere on the field, preparations for our 129th show are well underway. "We are proud of our agricultural heritage and the high standard of entries we receive so with a little sunshine, it's sure to be another fantastic family day out." Tickets are available to purchase now for the event online. Early bird tickets are currently available on the showing scene website for attendees. The event organisers have asked visitors to bring cash on the day of the show as WiFi is limited at the rural venue. There will also be a bar and live music from Penrith Town Band. Skelton Show first took place in the 1800s as a small village gathering but has evolved into one of Cumbria's most popular agricultural events, welcoming more than 8,000 visitors each year. The show organisers said they are grateful for the support of their volunteers and extended a thanks to all those involved. Anyone who would like to support the show as a volunteer is encouraged to contact Emily McGrath, secretary, for more information. Anyone interested in attending can find more information on Skelton Show's website at
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Daily Record
Lorry crashes with Edinburgh Tram 'leaving shattered glass everywhere'
Edinburgh trams have alerted travellers to the incident. A lorry has smashed into the glass door of an Edinburgh tram, claims a commuter. The collision is understood to have taken place at around 5pm on on Thursday, May 22. An eye witness told Edinburgh Live the lorry was turning from Dalmeny Street when the back end of the vehicle hit the tram and smashed the glass. Glass " shattered everywhere" and passengers on board the tram were asked to disembark. An image appeared to show a part of the tram's outer casing sticking in between the smashed doors. Edinburgh Trams alerted travellers to the incident on social media with services now terminating at Balfour Street from Edinburgh Airport. They also advised customers a ticket sharing agreement is in place with Lothian Buses for those impacted. In a statement on X, Edinburgh Trams said: "Due to tram incident at Balfour Street, we are currently running part route between Edinburgh Airport and Balfour Street. "Customers travelling to Foot of the Walk, Shore, Port of Leith, Ocean Terminal and Newhaven. Ticket acceptance is in place with Lothian Buses." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "At 4.55pm on Thursday May 22, we received a report of a crash involving a tram and a lorry on Leith Walk in Edinburgh. "One man received minor injuries but did not attend hospital." Yesterday, in a separate incident, we reported that a 29-year-old man has been arrested by police in connection with a hit-and-run attempted murder on a Dumfries street. A 28-year-old man was seriously injured after he is said to have been deliberately hit by a car in the town's Criffel Road on Saturday, May 17, 2025. The emergency services raced to the scene, near to the town's Lincluden Road, at 11.20pm, after receiving a report that a car had deliberately crashed into a man. The 28-year-old was rushed to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary for treatment and a police probe was launched. Officers said the driver fled the scene, heading towards College Road and onto Newbridge Drive. They also said that a silver-coloured, five-door VW Golf with tinted rear windows was in the area at the time. And the force said today that a suspect had been arrested and charged. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal and the suspect is due to appear in the dock at Dumfries Sheriff Court tomorrow, Thursday, May 22, 2025 in connection with the case. The investigation into the incident continues. Detective Inspector Scott Wilson said at the time: "Extensive enquiries are ongoing and we have been gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding area, which is being reviewed. "Officers have also been carrying out door to door enquiries in the local area and will continue to do so. But I would also be very keen to speak anyone who was in the area at the time or has seen the car since then and may be able to assist our investigation. "I would also like to hear from anyone who has dash cam, private CCTV or doorbell footage from the Lincluden area around the time of the incident. "Any information, or footage, could prove vital, so please do pass it on to officers. Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting reference 4575 of 17 May. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
STV News
22-05-2025
- STV News
Hunt for three men after attempted theft of cash machine at Tesco supermarket
Police are hunting for three men in connection with the attempted theft of a cash machine at a Tesco supermarket in Annan. The men, two wearing dark clothing and a third wearing an orange boiler suit, were seen in the Scott's Street area around 3.30am on Wednesday when the incident was reported. They left in a black Mercedes A class. Detectives are looking to speak with anyone who was in the area and may have been seen anything suspicious. Detective inspector Scott Wilson of CID said: 'As part of enquiries, we are carrying out a review of CCTV and carrying out door to door enquiries. We have established that a black Mercedes A class was seen in the area around 1am prior to the attempted theft. 'I would ask residents to check doorbell footage to see if you have captured anything that can assist our enquiries. I would ask motorists to do the same and check dash-cam footage.' Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0375 of Wednesday, May 21 or alternatively anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Daily Record
Thieves try to steal cash machine from Scots supermarket as police launch appeal
Crooks attempted to nick the ATM from the Tesco store in Annan in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A police probe is underway after an attempt to steal a cash machine from a Scots supermarket. Crooks tried to nick the ATM from the Tesco store in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Three men were seen around the Scotts Street store at around 3.30am – two wearing dark clothing and the third wearing an orange boiler suit. The trio left in a black Mercedes A Class. Detective Inspector Scott Wilson of CID said: 'We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious. 'As part of enquiries, we are carrying out a review of CCTV and carrying out door to door enquiries. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. We have established that a black Mercedes A Class was seen in the area around 1am prior to the attempted theft. 'I would ask residents to check doorbell footage to see if you have captured anything that can assist our enquiries. 'I would ask motorists to do the same and check dash-cam footage.' Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 0375 of Wednesday, May 21 or alternatively anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
