Latest news with #StLeonards
BBC News
5 hours ago
- General
- BBC News
Threatened bee species get lifeline through coastal habitat project
Four threatened bee species will benefit from new coastal habitats created by volunteers and conservationists in East project, in Hastings and St Leonards, has established wildflower meadows, hedgerows and specialised nesting sites to support several species, including the tormentil mining bee and long-horned bee. Natural England said the species have suffered severe population declines due to habitat loss across Boast Millar, from Natural England, said a "bee corridor' had been created along the East Sussex coastline by the organisation working with working Groundwork South, Hastings Borough Council, ecologists, and 185 volunteers. She added: "The initiative includes new wildflower meadows, restored woodland edges, enhanced hedgerows and urban habitat improvements in community spaces and allotments."Natural England said the project demonstrated the impact of government investment in species recovery, with the project forming part of Natural England's £13m Species Recovery Programme Capital Grants said the grant had funded 63 conservation projects in England between August 2023 and March 2025, directly targeting the most threatened wildlife.A spokesperson added: "The initiative demonstrates how community involvement can deliver conservation outcomes for England's most vulnerable wildlife. "Comprehensive bee surveys will monitor the success of habitat enhancements and track population recovery of the target species."
BBC News
13-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Oasis's photographer opens new exhibition of the band's photos
Noel Gallagher once called Jill Furmanovsky "the best photographer ever".From Oasis's early concerts to the height of their powers, she was granted unprecedented access to chronicle one of rock and roll's most creative yet combustible now the woman dubbed 'Oasis's unofficial official photographer' has a new exhibition of her pictures at the Lucy Bell Gallery in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, which runs until the end of Oasis 1994-2009, it coincides with the ongoing and much-hyped reunion of the Manchester group Furmanovsky admits to "having loved since the start". She said: "The first time I saw them was at the Cambridge Corn Exchange in 1994."I found them very intriguing because there was tremendous excitement at the concert, almost hysteria."Yet when the singer wasn't singing he'd just sit on the drum riser."It was most peculiar and yet the atmosphere was electric, so I was intrigued."Furmanovsky's next assignment was photographing the band as they worked on the video for their single Live Forever."They were respectful to me because I had photographed a lot of their heroes," she said. "I think Noel had an instinct that he needed someone to document what was happening." And from her unique viewpoint Furmanovsky captured the band's highs and lows, including a tension-filled photo shoot in Paris."On the day when we were supposed to meet up and do the shoot Liam couldn't be found in the hotel," she said."It transpired he hadn't gone to bed that night and had been in the bar drinking. "I had to send in an assistant to go and fetch him and he still had a glass of wine in his hand when we went off in the bus. "Noel was not in a good mood at that point."And, while Oasis would play giant concerts at Glastonbury and Knebworth, they eventually split in acrimony in 2009. Last August though, Noel and Liam announced Oasis were getting back together, revealing details of a major UK tour this said: "I'm thrilled, the same as any fan."They've kept their souls and their integrity as artists, and I think that's what people respond to."She added she will be at the band's upcoming Wembley Stadium is more, she will be taking her camera with her.
News.com.au
18-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Half done bungalow relocation dangles dual water frontage carrot
A California bungalow relocated from Melbourne to a bayside property with dual water frontages could prove an asset or liability. Buyers will have to roll up their sleeves to complete the vendor's unfinished vision of a renovated character home on St Leonards' front row. The house is uninhabitable in its current state but comes with a 2021sq m block on a narrow strip of land between Port Phillip Bay and Salt Lagoon that offers a big upside. Half renovated Geelong house selling with no kitchen Stockdale & Leggo, Drysdale agent Daniel Lamanna said the $1.45m to $1.55m listing price essentially reflected the land value of property at 422 The Esplanade, St Leonards. He said while the bungalow had beautiful character it was not yet at lockup stage, with only the stumping and roofing completed, along with some of the plumbing work. Inside, the original lath and plaster walls have fallen off. 'It obviously requires a lot of work and all the plans and permits are in place with council,' Mr Lamanna said. 'The removalists have gotten it to this point where they have met their obligations and they have now completed what needs to be done to move the home there. Now it's a case of the owner completing this beautiful renovation. 'His plans have changed so now we have half an acre on the waterfront with a property that the house may or may not add value. 'We have really priced it at land value and really added no value for the house because its either going to be an asset or a liability for someone so we are really leaving it for the buyers to make a decision on that.' A 23m frontage opens the door to a potential two-lot subdivision, several of which have already been constructed along that stretch of The Esplanade, subject to council approval. The vendor had originally planned to make the relocated house liveable with a view to undertaking a larger renovation down the track. Either way, the new owners will get to enjoy sweeping water views, with sunrises over the bay and sunsets over the lake. Mr Lamann said there had been strong inquiry during the first week of the campaign, with several potential buyers weighing up their options to add value to the site.
BBC News
07-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
St Leonard's tower blocks residents concerned over redevelopment
Residents in four East Sussex tower blocks that are due to be demolished have voiced concerns over where they will be Housing plans to redevelop Four Courts in Stonehouse Drive, St Leonards, a 1960s social housing scheme comprising Bevin Court, Roosevelt Court, Kennedy Court and Churchill Eastwood, who moved in to her flat 27 years ago, described the situation as "very upsetting".A Southern Housing spokesperson said the provider remained "strongly committed" to supporting residents throughout the transition. Residents held a meeting on Saturday to discuss future Eastwood said she needed help each day from her daughter, who lives down the said she was worried about where she would move to and "didn't understand it all"."It's devastating, I love my flat," she Housing said nine households had already moved into permanent new homes, with residents of Bevin Court the first to be Bevin Court resident had a dedicated resettlement officer and every household received one-to-one visits, it added. Simon Lee is one of those who has been relocated and said he was happy with his new flat but said he had a friend who was "distraught"."I think they have massively underestimated the social impact this is having on people," he redevelopment is estimated to take around 12 years, and is needed due to "the significant shortcomings of the existing blocks", according to the housing association."Many homes lack proper accessibility, presenting real challenges for those with mobility needs," a spokesperson said."We've carefully considered all options and believe this is a unique opportunity to create new, high-quality social homes that better serve the needs of current and future residents. "We encourage any resident with concerns or questions to get in touch with our team so we can continue to provide the support they need."
The Guardian
28-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Sussex police officers cleared of assault against one-legged 92-year-old man
Two police officers who used a Taser and synthetic pepper spray on a one-legged 92-year-old man in a care home have been cleared of assault but will now face gross misconduct hearings. PC Stephen Smith, 51, and PC Rachel Comotto, 36, were found not guilty of assaulting Donald Burgess during a confrontation at Park Beck care home in St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, in June 2022. Jurors returned their unanimous verdicts at Southwark crown court after around two hours of deliberations on Wednesday. Speaking outside court afterwards, Sussex police's assistant chief constable, Paul Court, said the officers will face gross misconduct proceedings. 'I recognise and understand the impact that this case has had on public confidence. It is with profound regret this happened,' Court said. 'The officers in this case have been held accountable to a criminal threshold and we respect the jury's decision. While this concludes the criminal investigation, both officers will now face gross misconduct proceedings.' Jurors found Smith not guilty of two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm for his use of Pava spray and for using a baton, while Comotto was found not guilty of one count for deploying her Taser. The care home called 999 after Burgess, a single-leg amputee and wheelchair user, reportedly grabbed a knife he was given to cut his food and threatened to stab staff. The court previously heard this was 'out of character' for Burgess. 'The reason for his behaviour that day, we now know, is that he was delirious as a result of a urinary tract infection,' Judge Hehir told jurors. Smith sprayed synthetic Pava pepper spray into Burgess's face and used his baton to try to knock the knife out of Burgess's hand, with Comotto deploying her Taser, all within a minute and 23 seconds of entering the pensioner's room, the court heard. Burgess was taken to hospital after the incident and later contracted Covid, dying 22 days later aged 93. The court heard both Smith and Comotto repeatedly asked Burgess to drop the knife. Smith told jurors he did not see that Burgess was disabled and using a wheelchair until after the incident as he was focused on the knife the pensioner was holding in his hand. He added he believed Burgess 'could clearly understand what we were saying to him'. Comotto said she believed using the Taser was the safest way to 'protect' Burgess as she feared her colleague using the baton again would cause more harm. 'I'm not a trigger-happy officer,' she told the court. 'It's the first time I've fired my Taser.' The Independent Office for Police Conduct said it would liaise with Sussex police about the misconduct hearings now criminal proceedings are over. It said both officers should face a gross misconduct hearing for potential breaches of the police standards of professional behaviour relating to use of force, and authority, respect and courtesy, with Comotto facing a further misconduct allegation relating to comments she made on social media after the incident.
