Latest news with #UniversityofCumbria
Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Science
- Daily Mirror
Alarming warning of killer whale attacks on British coast after close shave
Two sailors sent out a mayday distress call after their French yacht Azurea was attacked by killer whales off the coast of Spain on Monday, sparking concern about orca British sailors have been warned today about the risk of being rammed by killer whales after orcas attacked a yacht in Spain. Skippers should switch off their engines if they encounter killer whales in water off the coast of Britain, experts have stressed. Two sailors sent out a mayday distress call on Monday after their vessel called Azurea was attacked by orcas off the coast of Spain. The French yacht was rammed at about 2pm local time, two nautical miles from the town of Deba. Rescuers who saved the pair, one of whom was a 60-year-old man, said such incidents were "uncommon" so high up in the Atlantic. However, an expert at a British university did not rule out that similar incidents could occur in future. Professor Volker Deecke, an academic at University of Cumbria in the conservation of marine mammals and behavioural aspects of conservation biology, said: "UK sailors transiting the hotspots should definitely familiarise themselves with the guidance. The same guidance applies for sailors encountering any killer whales in Cornish waters." The academic told the Daily Telegraph the guidance given to sailors in the Strait of Gibraltar includes to stop the boat engine and lower the sails immediately if orcas are spotted, turn off autopilot and echo sounders and not to make loud noises in an effort to scare the creatures away. Other advice includes avoiding hotspots in the first place and, most crucially, to stay in shallow waters of about 20 meters in depth. Earlier this month, wildlife experts confrmed the first sighting of Iberian orcas in Cornish waters. This again has led to concern British sailors should take care in waters around the Southwest of England in particular. It is thought incidents like Monday's close shave have reduced off the coast of Spain following efforts by authorities to remind sailors of the safety protocol. Dr Javier Almunia, director of the Loro Parque Foundation, told The Telegraph: "The behaviour has reduced, at least in the Gibraltar Strait, by around 90 per cent following the recommendations of the Spanish authorities." But killer whales are known to approach vessels from the stern and hit the rudder before losing interest once they have stopped the boat, in a phenomenon that scientists have struggled to fully explain. Some marine biologists believe that the whales may be attacking out of boredom. Prof Deecke, whose Master's degree at a Canadian university was about killer whales, added: "During interactions, the animals remain cool, calm and collected without any of the behavioural signs of aggression such as splashing or vocalisations."
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Plea to drop 'abused' Lake District heritage title
A conservationist is campaigning to get the Lake District's world heritage status revoked, claiming too many tourists are damaging the land. Ecologist Lee Schofield, who owns farmland near Haweswater, has written to Unesco saying the area is being "abused" by increased tourism, second-home ownership and unsustainable sheep farming. The area was given the status by the United Nations agency in 2017, with its beauty, thriving farming businesses and inspiration for artists and writers being praised. Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, said losing the status would be a "hammer blow" to tourism and farming. Unesco has been approached for comment. The Lake District was the 31st place in the UK and overseas territories to be put on the heritage list, joining the likes of the Grand Canyon, the Taj Mahal and Machu Picchu. About 18 million people visit the area each year, spending a total of £1.2bn and providing about 18,000 jobs. It is home to England's largest natural lake - Windermere - and highest mountain - Scafell Pike. Mr Schofield said: "Some areas need a rest, maybe for quite a long period of time to allow the habitat to recover again and then it will be able to support more livestock again in the future. "The designation is also really damaging in terms of tourism, it's a much bigger contributor to the rural economy than farming is but it reaches a point when it has a really damaging impact on wildlife and the communities that live in these places." He also said there was a "massive problem" with second-home ownership driving up property prices, meaning locals could not afford to buy homes. Julia Aglionby, professor of protected areas from the University of Cumbria, disputed the claim there was "over-tourism". She said it was important it was managed properly and that was the role of the "hard-working" Lake District National Park Authority. Hannah Wadsworth, who helps run Lakeland Maze Farm Park, near Kendal, said the status had boosted her business. She said: "The World Heritage Status has been really helpful for us bringing people into the farm park. "If it was to go it would be really unfortunate and [we] would really struggle to maintain our livelihood." Other UK Unesco sites include Stonehenge, Durham Castle and Cathedral, and the city of Bath. Farron said he was against the campaign and that it was a "misguided and poorly judged attack" on hill farmers. He said: "Stripping the Lake District of the status and removing sheep from the fells would be hammer blow for Cumbria's tourism and farming sectors - both of which are utterly vital to our economy. "It would also be damaging to our heritage and diversity." Mr Schofield added: "I'm one of many people who have raised these concerns - this is not a personal campaign, I'm certainly not alone in this." Follow BBC Cumbria on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram. Nature crusader steps down after mini-stroke Prince marks Lakes' world heritage status Lake District awarded Unesco status Unesco
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Cumbrian medical school receives gift to support future doctors
A medical school has received a gift designed to support the next generation of Cumbrian doctors. The Pears Cumbria School of Medicine (PCSM), based at the University of Cumbria, has received funding from the Angela Pattman Scholarship Trust, administered by the Genesis Research Trust, founded by Lord Robert Winston. The scholarship will help remove financial barriers for students hoping to pursue a career in medicine. Lord Robert Winston and students at St John Henry Newman (Image: Supplied) During a recent visit to the school, Lord Winston took part in a campus tour and a session with students and university leaders. Professor Julie Mennell, vice chancellor at the University of Cumbria, said: "We are honoured to welcome Lord Robert Winston to the University of Cumbria and very grateful for the generous gift to support aspiring doctors training in and for Cumbria, serving patients and our communities now and in the future. "His visit has been inspirational and offers an opportunity for young people in Carlisle to engage with one of the UK's most distinguished scientists and communicators. "Lord Winston's insight will leave a lasting impression, reminding us all of the vital role science plays in shaping our future." Lord Winston in the maternity room at UoC (Image: Supplied) During the visit, Lord Winston met students from St John Henry Newman Catholic School in Carlisle and spoke about science, and the value of medical education. The school's involvement was arranged by Hello Future, a University of Cumbria-led partnership of 16 education and skills organisations from Cumbria and Lancashire that supports 11 to 18-year-olds with information about higher education and career pathways. The new bursary scheme is designed to offer opportunities to students who may otherwise struggle to access the profession. The PCSM is a collaboration between the University of Cumbria and Imperial College London. Lord Winston, professor of science and society and emeritus professor of fertility studies at Imperial College London, is widely recognised for his pioneering work in fertility treatment, including advances in IVF and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. He is also known for his broadcasting career on BBC programmes such as Your Life in Their Hands and The Human Body. A spokesperson for the Pears Cumbria School of Medicine said: "This generous gift supporting PCSM bursaries represents an important step in fostering inclusivity in medical education, opening doors for students who may otherwise face challenges in accessing the profession. "PCSM are very grateful to Lord Winston and the Angela Pattman Scholarship Trust for their support and for the significant impact this offering will make on the futures of our medical students." Lord Winston also toured the university's medical and science facilities during his visit. The school aims to train doctors who will go on to serve communities across Cumbria and the North West, with a focus on meeting the specific healthcare needs of the region. It is part of a broader effort to address the shortage of medical professionals in underserved and rural areas. The University of Cumbria has described the scholarship as an 'important step' towards making medical careers more accessible.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
University of Cumbria degree show 2025 opens
The University of Cumbria is opening its doors this week and invites visitors to enjoy the work of its final year creative and media arts students. The university's Institute of Education, Arts and Society is inviting people to its undergraduate degree show 2025 - Made in Carlisle – taking place on its Brampton Road campus in Carlisle, where studio spaces have been transformed into exhibition galleries that are free and open to visitors. The exhibition showcases the work of this year's 70 final year students from across a range of subjects including Film and Television, Fine Art, Games Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Wildlife Media. READ MORE: Reform UK to win majority of seats in Cumbria says polls | News and Star Dr Ruth Harrison-Palmer, Dean of the Institute of Education, Arts and Society, said: 'We're so pleased to share our students' work publicly and celebrate their success as they progress. "The annual Degree Show is both a celebration of students and their work, and a critical point in their professional careers."
Business Mayor
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
How Dalefoot is saving the earth with clever composts and peat bog restoration
Whether they are producing Dalefoot, an organic peat-free compost brand much favoured by gardeners, restoring ravaged peat bogs to carbon capturing glory or raising rare breed ewes, spreading good is second nature to entrepreneurs and Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winning icons Jane Barker and Simon Bland. With a compost formula that's a slow release nutrient mix of harvested, potassium-rich bracken, hydrating wool fleece and herbal booster comfrey, there's no need for additional fertilisers and this operation is now part of a unique group business model the couple have developed. Underpinned by the environmental science expertise of Barker, a University of Cumbria professor, and Bland's as a seventh-generation Cumbrian hill farmer, from its Penrith site the company makes and despatches a wide range of compost blends. These cover most gardening needs from sowing seeds and growing veg to clay busting best seller Lakeland Gold. Sales are direct to consumers and through retailers, garden centres and nurseries while folk in the Falklands are also fans. Harvesting bracken makes good use of a 'highly invasive plant that has a negative impact on sensitive habitats', says Barker while composted wool offers an alternative use for a commodity that once powered the British carpet industry and 'helps the threatened culture of hill farming', Bland explains. Coupled with fully-traceable Dalefoot is their Barker & Bland venture. One of the UK's most experienced peatland restorers with 45,000 hectares revived to date, the business reverses the damage caused by extraction, over grazing and climate change through its partnerships with environmental heavyweights such as Natural England, NatureScot, the RSPB and wildlife trusts. Read More Co-operative Bank goes to Coventry in £780m takeover Healthy peatlands can store 20 times more carbon than trees and 'restore the bog from within the bog is our ethos. We hold a patent for an innovative method of bare peat restoration, the most carbon emitting part of a degrading bog, so instead of carbon release into the atmosphere there is carbon storage,' declares Barker. Their work planting sphagnum moss on fragile landscapes such as blanket bogs in Scotland and the north of England is painstaking and complex. 'We shun carbon hungry helicopters and use our own specifically designed and fabricated machinery,' says Barker. 'Engineering specialist equipment lighter than a human footprint is needed because surfaces are so delicate.' A £2.1 million group turnover is forecast for 2026/27 and a lighter pellet format compost is in the pipeline. 'This will save on plastic and transport costs,' explains Bland and he and Barker consider a move into river restoration. Future proofing is now a top priority as the business works with the RSPB to deliver bog restoration across all fronts. 'Biodiversity, water quality, flood management, not just carbon but deep-rooted change not sticking plaster,' spells out Barker whose top compost-buying tip is to avoid those containing low nutrient coir. READ SOURCE
