Latest news with #Shapland
Daily Mail
03-08-2025
- Daily Mail
We live next door to Britain's 'poshest migrant hotel' - it was a lovely place but it's out of bounds now
Locals living near what has been described as the UK's 'poshest' migrant hotel have spoken out after an expose revealed four-star luxury for asylum seekers. Jaw-dropping footage posted online showed the inside of the hotel with four poster beds, a lavish buffet style canteen and rooms containing PlayStations and computers. There also appeared to be evidence of drug taking, and beer cans also littered several rooms of the four-star Copthorne Hotel near Gatwick, West Sussex. The clip filmed by a contractor called Aston Knight, who worked there between October and December 2024, has been widely shared among nearby residents who have been left livid. Richard and Tina Shapland, who live over the road from the village green in the quintessential English village – which also has a pub, post office and golf club, expressed their outrage to the Daily Mail. Mr Shapland, 74, said: 'It's so intimidating for us, and it's frightening. I open my door and there are groups just standing on the green looking very suspicious. 'What also really annoys me is they just urinate wherever they are standing, right on the green and there are children playing there. 'It's just not on and we have complained but no one has done anything about it – our feelings are just being rode over roughshod.' Mrs Shapland, 68, said: 'We've heard all sorts of stories about them shoplifting, stealing apples from trees and vegetables from the allotment and people aren't happy. 'I opened my curtains once and I saw a group just standing there on the green urinating, and that's not what I want to see when I look on the green. 'No one seems to listen to us, and the feelings of local people aren't being taken into consideration at all, there is a lot of anger building up. 'I'm not saying they are all bad, but it comes to a point where people just urinate on the green or in the stream at the bottom and no one does anything about it.' On the local village Facebook page one resident posted about the footage: 'A very good video. Shows exactly what it is like in there and how they get treated. 'They get given everything and even have the audacity to complain!! Why wouldn't they come here? But it's nearly all single males. Very worrying. One local named Nick Kent, added: 'I think it wouldn't hurt if we were to hold a protest as I'm sure many of you agree I don't feel it's safe for the children any more.' His fears were echoed by Janine Eaglestone, 55, who lives nearby and who now locks her doors and windows at night after spotting groups of migrants peering over her wall. She said: 'I'm sure the majority are very nice but there are some that just make me feel very intimidated but not just me, also other women and especially the young girls. 'It's the summer and the younger ones are walking around in their short skirts and tops and you see groups of men just staring at them, and these are young girls, it's not right. 'We are thinking about holding a protest because it's just got too much, it's unnerving and especially for someone like me who lives on their own. 'I now lock my gate at night, and I never used and the windows as well and the time of year you want the windows open, but I won't because I just don't feel safe. 'Quite a few of the young girls, 12–13-year-olds have had issues, especially with groups that gather on the green and you can just see them staring and it's always at the women and girls.' Mrs Eaglestone added: 'The video that went round showing how they are living has really riled a lot of people – especially as when you think some in the village are on the breadline and relying on foodbanks.' Groups of the asylum seekers have been known to gather on the green drinking and smoking drugs until the early hours of the morning leaving mountains of litter when they go, according to locals whose houses look onto the area. One local the Daily Mail met walking his dog on the green and who refused to be named, said: 'It's such a shame what's happened to the (Copthorne) hotel, I've lived here for years, and it really used to be the place to go. 'Because of its location near the airport cabin crew would use it and then people playing at the golf club would also stay there, people with money to spend and it used to have a really good reputation. 'But now we can't get anywhere near it, there is security and fencing and it's also quite intimidating for people who are on the green walking their dogs. 'In the summer we used to get loads of kids here playing but now it's not as many and it's because parents are worried about who is on the green. 'I'm not racist and I have no problem with people genuinely trying to escape war or famine, but the problem is we just don't know who all these young men are.' Local businesses have also reported an increase in shoplifting with both Morrisons and the Premier store being targeted. A few weeks ago, more than £800 worth of chocolate was taken from Morrisons after one asylum seeker distracted an employee and another helped himself to several boxes. A source there said: 'It's crazy, they are fed and watered and then they come here and help themselves to boxes of chocolate and other bits and pieces, I can only think they sell it on somewhere. 'Some of them have also been pulling the old short change scam, where they pocket the fiver and claim they haven't been given the right change, and the shop has lost hundreds of pounds. House prices have also reportedly taken a hit in the area with Rightmove showing a nine per cent drop in the last year despite figures from the Office for National Statistics for the south east showing a rise of 4.6 per cent 'But the staff are young and mainly girls and they just don't want to argue with a couple of blokes who are much bigger than them saying they have made a mistake because they feel threatened.' Lily Gomez-Drader, 72, who was having her hair cut in the village salon, said: 'The mood of locals is one of growing anger, people have just had enough. 'We've lived here for years and used to go to the Copthorne to play squash and then have breakfast in the restaurant because it was really good but that's stopped now. 'If you speak to some of the residents who have lived here a while they will tell you what a lovely pace the hotel was for locals but it's out of bounds now.' House prices have also reportedly taken a hit in the area with Rightmove showing a nine per cent drop in the last year despite figures from the Office for National Statistics for the south east showing a rise of 4.6 per cent. The four-star Copthorne hotel – which is a 16th century farmhouse - is part of the Millenium hotel and has been housing asylum seekers for more than four years and a message on its website says it is 'not accepting reservation requests'. A review describes it being just five minutes from Gatwick Airport although it 'feels a world away' with more than 100 acres of nearby woodland and 227 rooms and it was also used as a quarantine hotel during Covid. One of the last reviews six years ago from when the site was used as a hotel was from an airline employee who said: 'We had a relaxing 24 hour stay here. 'Despite the large number of rooms, the place was pervaded with a sense of tranquillity. The staff were helpful and kind. Very nice indeed.' While another said: ' We had a Christmas do there. I have to say it was amazing, the food was really nice, and the service couldn't have been better.'
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Appeal hearing into Thrapston solar farm set to begin
A public inquiry is set to get under way following the rejection of plans for a major solar farm in Northamptonshire. The proposed facility would cover 145 acres (59 hectares) alongside the A14 near Northamptonshire Council turned down the plans in October 2024, against the advice of its planning officers. Following an appeal from the developer, the Planning Inspectorate will now hold a public inquiry over two days, starting on Tuesday. What are the plans? The proposed site of Wood Lodge Solar Farm would span 145 acres (59 hectares) near the A14 at applicant said the development was designed to generate enough power for up to 15,000 Lodge Solar Project Limited also claims it will deliver green energy that saves 21,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil has said the proposed site is the "lowest grade land within reach of the grid connection point" and the project "represents a forward-thinking solution that supports the country's transition to renewable energy". Who is campaigning against it? Campaign group Staunch is opposed to the plans and is fighting the appeal as a Rule 6 party, which is when a group other than the appellant and local authority has permission to take an active part and provide Shapland, group chair, said: "In principle, Staunch are in favour of renewable energy and recognise its importance. "However, solar farm developments should not be taking place on good agricultural land which is so vital in securing the future needs of our country." What does the council say? Planning officers had advised the council to approve the project, arguing the renewable energy benefits outweighed potential the council's planning committee voted against the proposal in October after hearing from residents and campaigners who claimed the solar farm would dominate the countryside and consume valuable February, North Northamptonshire Council said it would not be defending its decision at the Smithers, then council leader, said at the time: "The planning inspector will hear all views, evidence and facts before making a decision."The council will support and co-operate fully with the Planning Inspectorate, including working on a statement of common ground which will establish those matters which are agreed with the main parties, and which will assist the planning inspector in their decision." What will happen in the inquiry? The hearing is due to begin on Tuesday at the council chamber of North Northamptonshire Council in Thrapston. It is expected to last two days and will hear from the appellant and interested planning inspector's verdict will be released on an unspecified date following the hearing. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
West suburban program offers a teens a taste of philanthropy
For the past year, 17-year-old Sebastian Amin, a junior at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn, has received added training — entirely outside the classroom — about the world of philanthropy. It's part of a new program that offers participants the opportunity to learn more about giving, including vetting and selecting nonprofit community groups to receive some portion of a pot of $10,000. 'It's a cliche, but helping people is a good thing. It makes you feel good, but it makes other people feel better,' Amin said. 'It's coming together for a common good.' Amin is one of 27 juniors at Glenbard West who are part of the inaugural class of the Teen Philanthropy Network, a nonprofit organization formed by a group of interested Glen Ellyn and Wheaton residents. Founded by retired real estate executive Rich Cline, who serves on the board of trustees of the DuPage Foundation, and his daughter, Sara Howland, the Teen Philanthropy Network was inspired by a similar philanthropic endeavor for high schoolers in Oak Park. Cline and Howland immediately saw the opportunity to bring the idea to Glen Ellyn, and they partnered with that Oak Park-based group, Three Pillars Initiative, to launch the Teen Philanthropy Network at Glenbard West. Offering hands-on learning, the Teen Philanthropy Network is a two-year program that starts at the ground level, teaching students what philanthropy is and what the nonprofit sector is and then working with them to identify worthy recipient organizations that address causes about which they are most passionate. 'It feels good knowing we can help many nonprofits and fix whatever they're trying to fix,' said Glenbard West junior Mimi Simon, 16, who said she takes great interest in any organizations devoted to children. 'From this program, I learned I have a lot more interest in philanthropy than I thought.' The Teen Philanthropy Network's day-to-day work is guided by its program coordinator, Abby Shapland. Over the past year, Shapland worked to implement the Three Pillars Initiative's curriculum within the Teen Philanthropy Network and made sure that each session was meaningful for the teens. In addition, eight community members, including Cline and Howland, agreed to serve as mentors assigned to groups of seven or eight students. 'The mentors were monumental in getting the organization off the ground,' Shapland said. By the end of the year, the teens had identified and vetted groups that they were interested in, and ultimately selected four grant recipients: Glen Ellyn Youth and Family Counseling Services, Glen House Food Pantry, Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center and District 93 Kids Foundation. Each recipient group received between $1,000 and $3,000, presented at a capstone ceremony on April 27. 'When it came time to allocate the money and make decisions, the kids rocked it out of the ballpark,' Shapland said. 'They were awesome. The decision was totally theirs, and they had to work together to reach consensus as a group, which is a difficult thing to do when you have 27 different kinds with different viewpoints and different perspectives, but they did it with flying colors.' One grant recipient, the District 93 Kids Foundation, is a group providing support to at-risk youngsters in Community Consolidated District 93, which covers Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Hanover Park. The teens awarded $1,000 to the foundation. 'In their grant application, they stated that any money awarded to them would be used to ensure students with the most significant needs would have access to essential resources for both academic success and personal well-being, (including) school supplies, winter coats and clothing and emergency assistance,' said Glenbard West junior Claire Nielsen in presenting Dist. 93's communications director, Ryan McPherrin, with the grant. 'The foundation addresses critical needs in order to empower these students to thrive in numerous aspects of life and foster a more equitable and supportive community. … We were impressed by the substantial impact of the program and the detailed analysis he provided for us.' Another nonprofit, the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center, received $3,000. The center provides programming outside of school hours to assist under-resourced students from kindergarten through high school. Students are eligible to participate in the Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center's programs if they qualify for a free lunch program at school. The Teen Philanthropy Network's grant will help support the center's general operations, including after-school tutoring and a summer camp. 'As an after-school tutor myself, this program encourages (Teen Philanthropy Network) members to support the community, as I see rewarding benefits from volunteering for the (Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center),' said Glenbard West junior Charlotte Franz. Next year, the Teen Philanthropy Network's inaugural class will spend their senior year focusing on fundraising, including writing appeals, hosting events, exploring corporate partnerships and holding one-on-one conversations with potential donors. Every dollar they raise will be used for future Teen Philanthropy Network grants. 'It's powerful to think about what this means,' Howland said. 'High school students are making real, meaningful financial decisions that will ripple through our community.' The Teen Philanthropy Network's founders also will welcome a new junior class next year.
The Guardian
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland review – a fantastic debut of forbidden desire
Set during the late 1980s, against prevailing Aids paranoia and the Tories' Section 28 bill forbidding the promotion of homosexuality in education, Anthony Shapland's taut debut novel about the relationship between two men in the Welsh valleys packs a considerable punch. In an interview, Shapland suggests there was 'a generational howl of film and literature about that era when legislation combined with moral attitudes and misconceptions'. Indeed, there are echoes of 80s queer cinema, such as the work of Derek Jarman and My Beautiful Laundrette, in the forbidden liaison between the men, who are known only as B and M throughout. The difference here is that their world is not metropolitan but suffocatingly provincial, a fact that adds considerably to their predicament. The novel begins on New Year's Eve 1987, a time when 'Don't Die of Ignorance' HIV information leaflets were being pushed through letterboxes, with their melodramatic images of icebergs and black marble slabs, warning 'the virus can be passed from man to man'. At the time, B is living with his father in a cul-de-sac near a 'man-made mountain' of coal waste, a 'place to be alone with this feeling he's different to the others'. In the pub, he meets the 'good-natured M' from the ironmonger's, who is 11 years his senior, and with whom he feels an immediate spark. They agree to meet the following day on the mountain, where they begin an intense and tender love affair, which plays out against the backdrop of a postindustrial landscape, captured in Shapland's muscular prose: 'a brownfield slicked in frost above the river and road, railway and town … The valley is shrinking. Houses fall apart, worthless. A place of industry now sagging, underfed, starved of purpose.' Respected in the community, M has a daughter who lives with her mother and stepfather, and thus has a lot to lose from this risky affair. Before long, he offers B a job and lodgings at the ironmonger's shop, where the younger man 'handles stock, bulky farm deliveries, paint orders'. Soon he can 'signwrite, sharpen knives, occasionally turns his hand to shoe repairs … A language of admiration builds between the two men.' Much of the novel's tension derives from the duplicitous life B and M are forced to live in the homophobic, close-knit community. The risk of exposure is a constant threat. The titular room above a shop is in reality two rooms, one for each of them, though 'nobody comes up here to discover only one bed unmade'. From adolescence, B has learned to pass as straight with other men in the dominant pub-culture: 'Men with men, mates. He understands how to behave, what to talk of, how far apart to sit.' To come out in this world would be suicidal. With a litany of slurs, he acknowledges that men like him are seen as 'against nature, effeminate, weak. Light in their loafers, shirtlifters, nancies, benders'. He finds he and M are 'always lying. Exposed, they would be shamed. Shamed in the town that knows their fathers and their mothers.' It's a situation that ultimately proves corrosive to their love. While the novel covers territory familiar from the early work of Alan Hollinghurst and others, it takes stylistic risks with its fragmentary structure, allowing a nimble alternation between the points of view of B and M. In spare sections and single standalone lines, Shapland's prose achieves a poetic intensity, shifting from vivid evocations of sex to childhood memories. B and M's fraught but freeing first coupling is full of 'spit and awkwardness … This thing is happening. They are both laughing, smiling. Kissing.' Later, Shapland distils the freedom of a 1970s upbringing into a single paragraph: The summers were full of falls and leaps and forfeits. Of scabs picked at the edges and tarmac-grit grazes, dock-leaf salve on stings, breath held underwater. Of running alongside trains and freewheeling bikes down the steep rutted tracks. Summers of dares and whispers of what men do and what women do, and who has seen what. With its poignant rendering of a loving relationship undertaken against great odds, compounded by a hostile political climate, A Room Above a Shop is a powerful and luminously pure novel. At 53, Shapland has arrived with his talent fully formed. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Jude Cook's novel Jacob's Advice is published by Unbound. A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland is published by Granta (£14.99). To support the Guardian and the Observer buy a copy at Delivery charges may apply.
The Guardian
09-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
A Room Above a Shop by Anthony Shapland review – a striking story of concealed love
Finding a distinctive voice that stands out and speaks clearly is an essential test for a novelist, and it's one that Welsh artist and writer Anthony Shapland effortlessly passes in his impressive debut. A Room Above a Shop opens in south Wales in the late 1980s, where a young man, B, is feeling excited, about to make a big decision. It will take him away from the sense of provisionality that's embodied by his council house with its 'doors with weightless cardboard interiors and hollow aluminium handles'. He's going to meet an older man, M, to view the sun from a hill on New Year's Eve. But he's not really going for the sun. 'He'll go to hell for what he wants, but still he climbs.' M and B edge closer to each other, certain and uncertain at the same time, heading towards an intimacy they can't speak aloud. 'The hunger for another body, for a person to know, to see what he knows, to share.' Over time, M, who owns the local hardware shop, gives B a job there and invites him to stay in the room above the shop. Thus, mutely expressed, begins an affecting love story that picks up force as it progresses. The relationship is in their bodies and the consequences in their heads: B imagines, but only imagines, introducing M to his father. They do the weekly shop separately, at different times. Government leaflets on Aids come through the letterbox, and 'papers shout of abominations, a disease, a cancer, a time bomb, a plague, of men like that swirling in a cesspit of their own making'. In a world of division – shop v home, public performance v private life – M is 'ashamed of his own shame'. The challenge is to find a language that expresses B and M's inability to articulate their own feelings. (This, after all, is a world where concealment is so ingrained that even the main characters' names are withheld.) Shapland does this with brevity, and a style intimate and impersonal at the same time. 'He slips into the water low and soundless. All otter. The cold grips lungs tight until shoulders slide in rippling beats across the deep.' The pithy approach means Shapland can evoke multitudes in a single line: when M and B go on holiday, we learn that the B&B owner assumes they're father and son with the simple words: 'Sorry, the family twin's taken. Takes after you, doesn't he?' Shapland was mentored by Cynan Jones, the best in the business at this laconic style, and you can see Jones's influence. But there's more here, a Beckettian – or Eimear McBride-ish – shaking of syntax to reflect the men's head-spun emotions but also to slow the reader down and make the descriptions sink deeper. 'Tense, the flex and judder, and seaweed smells of semen and spit and blood and food all capsize as they slump and sink sleep-deep.' The atmosphere conjured by the language means that when the plot's payoff comes, it hits hard, sending the reader reeling. A Room Above a Shop is a sticky book: memorable, striking, dark, beautiful and one of the best debuts I've read in years. A Room Above a Shop is published by Granta (£14.99). To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at Delivery charges may apply
