Latest news with #SouthGloucestershire
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
World War Two veteran celebrates 100th birthday
A decorated World War Two veteran who carried out covert missions behind enemy lines has celebrated his 100th birthday. Henry Charles Francis, known affectionately as 'H', served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines after joining up aged 16. At his birthday party, Mr Francis was presented with a personal letter from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, acknowledging his extraordinary service. His daughter, Teresa Betton, said: "What he gave for this country, all the friends that he lost… I'm so proud of him. He tells the stories, but not all of them. He signed the secrets act and has stuck by it." More news stories for Bristol Watch the latest Points West Listen to the latest news for Bristol Mr Francis' family said the day was deeply emotional as they recalled stories of his daring missions. One tale involved being dropped into the wrong location in what was then Yugoslavia and spending five days finding his way out before being greeted by General Josip Broz Tito, who later became president of the country. Mr Francis, who lives in South Gloucestershire, was awarded the Yugoslavian military medal, which is one of many honours he earned over the years. In his letter, Gen Jenkins paid tribute to the "truly courageous" covert operations carried out by Mr Francis. He also referenced an incident in Burma when Mr Francis was injured by a bayonet before returning to the UK for a time to recover. Gen Jenkins said: "You are an incredible individual with an abundance of character, and you and all your generation are an inspiration to today's sailors and Royal Marines. "I am delighted to be able to send you the Royal Navy's best wishes for your 100th birthday." Asked for the secret to a long life, Mr Francis replied: "Before you argue with a man, make sure you can handle him." Follow BBC Bristol on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. Stories similar to this Celebrations for WW2 RAF veteran's 100th birthday Veteran appointed MBE days before 100th birthday 100th birthday tribute to AA veteran
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
World War Two veteran Henry Francis celebrates 100th birthday
A decorated World War Two veteran who carried out covert missions behind enemy lines has celebrated his 100th Charles Francis, known affectionately as 'H', served in both the Royal Navy and Royal Marines after joining up aged his birthday party, Mr Francis was presented with a personal letter from the First Sea Lord, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, acknowledging his extraordinary daughter, Teresa Betton, said: "What he gave for this country, all the friends that he lost… I'm so proud of him. He tells the stories, but not all of them. He signed the secrets act and has stuck by it." Mr Francis' family said the day was deeply emotional as they recalled stories of his daring tale involved being dropped into the wrong location in what was then Yugoslavia and spending five days finding his way out before being greeted by General Josip Broz Tito, who later became president of the country. Mr Francis, who lives in South Gloucestershire, was awarded the Yugoslavian military medal, which is one of many honours he earned over the years. In his letter, Gen Jenkins paid tribute to the "truly courageous" covert operations carried out by Mr also referenced an incident in Burma when Mr Francis was injured by a bayonet before returning to the UK for a time to recover. Gen Jenkins said: "You are an incredible individual with an abundance of character, and you and all your generation are an inspiration to today's sailors and Royal Marines. "I am delighted to be able to send you the Royal Navy's best wishes for your 100th birthday."Asked for the secret to a long life, Mr Francis replied: "Before you argue with a man, make sure you can handle him."
BBC News
3 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Olympian and experts call for major overhaul of PE kits
There needs to be a major overhaul of girls' PE kits to boost participation in sports, experts have comes as figures show less than half of secondary school-aged girls are meeting daily activity guidelines of completing an hour of physical activity every GB Olympian Tess Howard MBE has joined the campaign to improve girls' PE kits, working with University of Bristol researchers who have led a major study into the issue. They recommend that PE uniforms should be offered in a range of styles to suit all pupils and should not be Howard said: "Kit is a public health issue and it's a barrier that can be lifted." Ms Howard, founder of non-profit Inclusive Sportswear, added that far too often, traditional kit policies inadequately forget the purpose of sport, which she believes is to have who took part in the university's study called for more sportswear options, including being able to wear leggings and longer tops. The study, published on Thursday in BMJ Open, involved 12 to 13-year-old girls and PE teachers from mixed-sex schools in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. It found many girls feel self-conscious in compulsory PE kit items, particularly when they are tight or Alice Porter, from the University of Bristol, said: "Our findings clearly evidence that when girls don't have any choice over their PE uniform, this can be a deterrent to their participation, especially for girls who feel self-conscious and are lacking in self-confidence."One pupil we spoke to commented, 'you see other people and they look better in their PE kit than you do."The study's findings are already shaping a national resource, the Inclusive Sportswear Community Platform, which offers free advice for schools to design more inclusive PE policies.
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Telegraph
Five people charged over break-in during Palestine Action protest
Five people have been charged over a break-in at weapons firm Elbit Systems UK during a Palestine Action protest. The group is accused of forcing their way into Elbit's South Gloucestershire facility on Aug 6 last year, causing extensive damage and seriously assaulting staff and two police officers. Counter Terrorism Policing South East carried out a series of raids on Tuesday before arresting the five suspects. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges and said it will submit to the court that the offences were committed with a terrorist connection. Finn Collins and Harland Archer, both 20 and from Whitstable, Kent, and Salaam Mahmood, 19, Moiz Ibrahim, 27, and Louie Adams, 33, all from London, have all been charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. They are due to appear from custody at Westminster magistrates' court on Saturday. A sixth person, a 66-year-old man from Bristol, was also arrested during Tuesday's operation – but has since been released without charge. Ten people were arrested shortly after the incident in August 2024, and a further eight in November. All 18 were later charged and are awaiting trial. Elbit Systems UK, which is Israeli-owned, has been repeatedly targeted by Palestine Action, now a UK proscribed group, over its role in producing military technology.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Five people charged over alleged break-in during Palestine Action protest
Five people have been charged over a break-in at weapons firm Elbit Systems UK during a Palestine Action protest. The group is accused of forcing their way into Elbit's South Gloucestershire facility on August 6 last year, causing extensive damage and seriously assaulting staff and two police officers. Counter Terrorism Policing South East carried out a series of raids on Tuesday before arresting the five suspects. The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised charges and said it will submit to the court that the offences were committed with a terrorist connection. Finn Collins, 20, from Whitstable in Kent; Harland Archer, also 20 and from Whitstable; Salaam Mahmood, 19, from London; Moiz Ibrahim, 27, from London; and Louie Adams, 33, from London, have all been charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage and violent disorder. They are due to appear from custody at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Saturday. A sixth person, a 66-year-old man from Bristol, was also arrested during Tuesday's operation – but has since been released without charge. Ten people were arrested shortly after the incident in August 2024, and a further eight in November. All 18 were later charged and are awaiting trial. Elbit Systems UK, which is Israeli-owned, has been repeatedly targeted by Palestine Action over its role in producing military technology.
