Latest news with #Seb
Otago Daily Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Rowers on world stage
Wakatipu High's Seb Watson, left, and Harry Lightfoot proved their rowing chops with a record win in the U18 double sculls at this year's Maadi Cup on Lake Karapiro. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Two Wakatipu High 17-year-old rowers are furiously training and fundraising to represent New Zealand at world under-19 champs this winter. They are Arrowtowner Harry Lightfoot and Queenstowner Seb Watson, who sensationally broke a record of about 20 years' standing when they claimed gold in the U18 double sculls at this year's national secondary schools Maadi Cup regatta. Following trials, Harry's made NZ's team for the U19 worlds in Lithuania in August, which will be preceded by six weeks' training in Cambridge. He'll row in the double with Nathan Strachan, from Auckland's Macleans College, who won the U18 single sculls at this year's Maadi. Seb, meanwhile, has made the U19 NZ development team who are off to the Continental Challenge Cup regatta in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the United States, where he'll compete in multiple events including a mixed eight. Both trips are solely self-funded, Harry's costs reaching $20,000 and Seb's $8500 — a Givealittle page is running for the pair who are also fundraising themselves, including a raffle in Harry's case. Both have been rowing since year 9 at Wakatipu High, but have come on particularly over the past two years under Whakatipu Rowing Club coach John Morrison. Last year they won golds at Maadi in the U17 double and coxed quad, and they repeated the dose at U18 level on Cambridge's Lake Karapiro this year. For their upcoming worlds they've upped their training to 10 or 11 times a week including gym, rowing machine and on-water work. "Normally there's the big group trainings but at the moment there's just like me and Seb in a double or we'll be in singles, and it's freezing," Harry says. Both boys say they enjoy the social side of rowing — "I just enjoy being with my mates", Seb says — but also the competitive side. Both intend carrying on when they finish school this year, initially with the Whakatipu Rowing Club this next season — Seb's off to Canterbury University, and Harry's still deciding his next move. Harry follows in the wake of local rowing star Marley King Smith who competed at the past two U19 worlds.
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Emmerdale return 'sealed' as star teases new Robert and Ross twist
Emmerdale actor Mike Parr has teased whether his character Ross Barton will feature in new scenes with Robert Sugden on the ITV soap, and whether it might lead to a return There could be another big return on the way on Emmerdale, months on from some heartbreaking death news. Just recently we saw the surprise comeback of Robert Sugden, with actor Ryan Hawley reprising the role for the first time in six years. He tried to halt his ex Aaron Dingle's wedding to secret killer John Sugden, his half-brother. Robert ended up back behind bars though, having been in prison since his sentencing in 2019. The huge and unexpected return has caused quite the buzz for viewers and for cast members. Now one actor on the show has discussed whether his character and Robert will appear together, after their history. Mike Parr teased Ross Barton may even unite with the character despite past dramas. Ross himself only came back to the village late last year after some time away, and he delivered the shocking news that his partner Rebecca White had died. Her son Seb, Ross' stepson and Robert's biological son, moved away with a relative for a new life. It turned out Robert had allowed this to happen as he remained in prison, leaving Ross in turmoil. But now that Robert is back, might Ross encourage him to get custody of his son, sparking a village return for Seb? Speaking exclusively to The Mirror, actor Mike hinted this could happen, and it would be interesting to play out. Like many, Mike was excited to see his co-star back on the show, and he wondered whether Seb would be a topic of discussion for the pair once they see each other. Surely Ross may question whether Seb can come back now that Robert is a free man, when he returns that is. We asked Mike about Seb and what the future holds for Ross who helped raise him away from the village. He shared: "When you get a character who you maybe haven't always been involved with but you know it's gonna be a huge positive for the show, it's going to be huge. For the audience it's so important, and it's someone they're loud over. "I knew that they would be over the moon and I'm so happy for them." His co-stars Bradley Riches and Natalie J Robb also shared their approval, telling us: "Hashtag Robron!" With that, we asked Mike what Robert's return could mean for Ross after he had to say goodbye to Seb last year offscreen. Might we see the pair at war? Or could they maybe team up to get Seb back on the show? He teased: "That was my first question. I thought surely either we are gonna be fighting over this kid or we will try to get him back. I don't know which I would rather, I mean I tried to shoot him, he stole my weed the last time he was there. "They are always fighting but they might be a good team to work together, and maybe it would be good if they did join forces."
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wales lock Davies joins Dragons from Cardiff
Dragons have signed Wales lock Seb Davies from Welsh regional rivals Cardiff for next season. The 28-year-old, who can also play in the back row, made his Wales debut against Tonga in 2017 and has been capped 17 times so far. Davies made his professional debut for Cardiff during the 2014-15 season and made his 150th appearance for them earlier this season. Fly-half Reed among Dragons departures Welsh rugby's Judgement Day shelved for a season Dragons head coach Filo Tiatia said: "We're really pleased to be able to bring Seb into our environment and excited by what he'll bring to our squad. "Seb brings a vast amount of playing experience, having also featured at international level, and is a powerful second row who has real versatility to his game. "His best rugby years are ahead of him, and I know he is very motivated to make an impact at our club in the seasons to come." Davies becomes Dragons' eighth new signing, alongside Tinus de Beer, Thomas Young, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Fine Inisi, Levi Douglas and Harry Beddall.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Best Extendable Dining Table (2025): Castlery Recognized as Leading Modern Furniture Brand by Expert Consumers
Expert Consumers has recognized Castlery as a leading modern furniture brand in its 2025 review of the best extendable dining table NEW YORK CITY, May 15, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Expert Consumers has recognized Castlery as a leading modern furniture brand in its 2025 review of the best extendable dining table. The announcement highlights Castlery's Seb and Dillon Extendable Dining Tables as prime examples of how thoughtful design can meet the evolving needs of modern households. Best Extendable Dining Table Castlery - offers a solid collection of extendable dining tables that blend universal design sensibilities with real-life resilience As living spaces become more dynamic and compact, versatile furniture solutions have grown increasingly important. Extendable dining tables, in particular, offer a practical way to maximize everyday living areas while ensuring that hosting guests remains a seamless experience. Castlery's approach to furniture design reflects these needs, offering flexible, space-conscious options without compromising on craftsmanship or aesthetic appeal. Since its founding in 2013, the Singaporean-owned brand has built a strong reputation for offering accessible luxury, combining classic mid-century modern inspiration with contemporary influences to suit a wide range of interiors. While brands such as West Elm, Crate & Barrel, and CB2 have long catered to design-conscious consumers, Castlery distinguishes itself through its direct-to-consumer model, allowing it to deliver well-crafted, design-forward pieces at more approachable price points, without compromising on quality or aesthetic versatility. The Seb Extendable Dining Table, part of Castlery's mid-century-inspired Seb Collection, exemplifies the brand's ability to fuse form and function. Crafted from solid acacia wood and finished in a muted honey tone with a wire-brushed, distressed texture, the table offers a cozy yet sophisticated presence. Available in two size configurations - 59" extending to 78.7" or 74.8" expanding to 94.5" - the Seb can accommodate gatherings from four to eight people with ease. A butterfly leaf mechanism ensures smooth transitions, while the option to purchase coordinated seating further enhances its flexibility in varied home environments. For those requiring more capacity, the Dillon Extendable Dining Table offers a larger format solution. Measuring 74.8" at its base and extending to 110.2", the Dillon seats up to ten guests when fully opened. Built with a solid oak leg frame and an engineered wood top with oak veneer, the Dillon balances substantial durability with a streamlined profile. Its subtle tapered legs and clean lines allow it to integrate seamlessly into minimalist, transitional, and modern spaces alike. Both tables reflect broader trends in furniture design, where adaptability, quality materials, and understated aesthetics continue to define consumer preferences. As homes become increasingly multipurpose - serving as workspaces, entertainment hubs, and personal sanctuaries - the demand for furniture that can transition effortlessly across these roles has never been greater. To aid customers in visualizing how pieces would fit within their homes, Castlery offers a free Room Designer Tool. This online feature enables users to digitally arrange furniture selections against customized floor and wall settings, reducing uncertainty and supporting more confident purchasing decisions. As personalization and convenience become increasingly central to the home furnishing experience, tools like these play an important role in bridging the gap between inspiration and reality. Since its establishment, Castlery has demonstrated a consistent ability to evolve alongside the changing needs of homeowners. While rooted in the elegance of mid-century modern aesthetics, the company's expanding catalog now speaks to a broader spectrum of styles - always prioritizing designs that are timeless rather than trend-driven. This philosophy allows customers to create homes that not only reflect their personal taste but also grow and adapt with them over time. As compact living spaces, urban lifestyles, and flexible work environments continue to shape furniture needs, extendable dining tables stand out as a practical and stylish solution. Castlery's recognized offerings in this space reaffirm its position as a brand that understands the intersection of beautiful design, durability, and functionality. Castlery's upcoming Summer 2025 collection, launching May 15, introduces new additions across living, dining, and decor categories, further diversifying the brand's lifestyle offerings. In line with the season, a Memorial Day sale will also run from May 12 through July 1, featuring savings of up to $600 across the site. The full review of Castlery's extendable dining tables is available at Expert Consumers. About Castlery: Founded in 2013, Castlery is the largest furniture retail brand to emerge from Singapore, with operations spanning 6 countries. Targeting urban millennials in the USA, Australia, and Singapore, Castlery offers a wide range of high-quality, designer furniture through direct-to-consumer channels. With over 1 million products sold and more than 7,000 SKUs launched, the brand is committed to making luxury living attainable, empowering customers to create spaces where they can thrive through every season of their lives. About Expert Consumers: Expert Consumers provides news and reviews of consumer products and services. As an affiliate, Expert Consumers may earn commissions from sales generated using links provided. CONTACT: Drew Thomas (press@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Child star who sang 'washing machines live longer with Calgon' has new job
Seb Sargent, 21, went viral mimicking train voices on TikTok - but he started young, singing the Calgon jingle at just two-years-old that foreshadowed his future career Seb Sargent's voice is probably more familiar to you than his face. At just 21, the Salford-based broadcaster and voice artist has lent his vocal cords to everything from rapper Central Cee's stage shows to shop announcements and official railway messages. But it all began with a famous jingle - delivered during nap time at daycare when Seb, aged two-and-a-half, sat bolt upright and sang: "Washing machines live longer with Calgon!" Now, with over 57,000 TikTok followers, Seb blends behind-the-scenes voiceover work with viral impressions of famous UK transport voices. "People call me the 'voice of the UK' or the 'voice of the trains,'" he laughs. "It's surreal." Diagnosed with ADHD as a child, Seb credits his neurodivergence with fuelling his fast-paced life, which juggles voice gigs, songwriting, a Master's degree, journalism training, and restaurant shifts. READ MORE: Elite star's new Netflix thriller is being called 'the worst movie ever' as viewers left furious His early fascination with TV adverts and slogans turned into a career at just 13, when he recorded his first professional voiceover - a voicemail greeting for a wedding car hire company. Seb's big break came at 18, when he recorded voiceovers for Central Cee's London Underground-themed sets at Parklife and Wireless festivals. "I was a uni fresher listening to his tracks at student nights," Seb recalls. "Next thing, my voice was echoing through stadium speakers." Since then, his portfolio has expanded to include official work for the Department for Transport, including safety announcements for the rail network, and in-store messages for retailers like B&M. But it was during the 2020 lockdown, out of boredom, that Seb found an online audience. A TikTok video mixing his real railway announcements with uncanny impressions of other voice artists quickly went viral. "I made a spoof suggesting I was the single voice behind every train announcement. I'm not, of course - but people loved the idea," he says. "I still don't confirm which bits are real and which are impressions. That's part of the fun." One of his most popular videos shows Seb being recognised by a train manager on an Avanti West Coast service. Invited to take the mic, he delivered a live announcement at Manchester Piccadilly - first mimicking a fellow voice artist, then switching to his own voice. "People were staring," he says. "They knew the voice but couldn't quite believe it was coming from me." Despite his growing fame, Seb remains grounded. He recently graduated from Cardiff University with a journalism degree and is now pursuing a Master's in Salford while working shifts for the BBC. "There's a running joke at work that I never shut up," he jokes. Seb hopes to one day voice the Metrolink Bee Network in his home city. "That would be the dream," he says. "I'm already trying to convince them."
