Latest news with #Wallingford
BBC News
14-07-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
High temperatures bringing loads of ladybirds, say experts
Warmer temperatures are behind an increase in the number of ladybirds this year, says ladybird expert Professor Helen Hoy says "very high numbers" have been seen because the warm weather has increased the number of aphids, which ladybirds feed on.A group of ladybirds are known as a 'loveliness', and Tim Coulson, professor of zoology and head of biology at the University of Oxford, said we should "learn to love" these little bugs."They are effective predators of aphids, which can be a major pest of many plant species," he do you think? Have you spotted many ladybirds around this year? Let us know in the comments. Earlier in July, these little ladybirds caused a lot of disruption at a cricket match at Lord's Cricket match between India and England was paused while swarms of ladybirds and flying ants invaded the Professor Coulson said the arrival of extra numbers of ladybirds shouldn't be seen as a bad thing."A swarm of ladybirds in a cricket game, even against India, should remind people of the role that predators play in keeping the ecology of Earth in a healthy state," he expert Professor Roy, from the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology in Wallingford, says there are a number of ways you can help look after ladybirds."If people want to help insects and other wildlife in this weather they can leave shallow dishes with a little water for them," she said. "Also, we encourage people to leave the aphids in their garden on roses and other plants so there is plenty of food for ladybirds."
BBC News
11-07-2025
- Health
- BBC News
New Wallingford GP surgery alongside 65 homes proposed
A new medical centre and dozens of homes could be built in an Oxfordshire Oxfordshire District Council is considering plans to build 65 homes and a new centre to replace an existing GP surgery which is "no longer fit for purpose".Berkeley Homes (Oxford and Chiltern) Limited submitted the application to the council for the land north of A4130 Wallingford site forms part of Berkeley Homes' ongoing 502-home development at Winterbrook Meadows, which is walking distance from Wallingford town centre and the River Thames. The medical centre would replace the existing Wallingford Medical Practice off Reading Road, which has an "acute need for expansion" due to the increasing developers' design and access statement said: "The existing facility is significantly undersized and includes outdated facilities which do not comply with current NHS guidance and are no longer fit for purpose."With an expanding population and increased pressure on primary care in general practice the practice is seeking to develop a new building from which to provide services."It also said the new facility would be "future-proofed" by increasing capacity to meet present and future demand, would have dedicated parking for staff and patients, and be more energy efficient to decrease running homes would be a mixture of one to five bedroom houses all at market developer's planning statement added the proposal "represents exceptional circumstances and public benefits to justify no physical provision of affordable housing on or off site".The first phase of homes on the Winterbrook Meadows development have been completed and welcomed its first residents in town mayor Ros Lester previously said the medieval town had enough developments for now and its infrastructure may struggle to cope.A consultation on the plans closes on 23 July. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Schoolboys are 'heroes' after canoe trip rescue
A group of quick-thinking students have been hailed as "heroes" after saving a man's life while on a school canoeing trip. The six students, from Claires Court School, in Maidenhead, were on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition near Wallingford on 30 June when they heard a call for help from a capsized canoeist. Two members of the group assisted the man, keeping his head above the water, whilst others communicated the situation to nearby support staff. In a statement following the rescue, the school praised the boys for their "courage and quick thinking" and described them as "local heroes". The "dramatic rescue" unfolded after the group of Year Nine students heard shouts from the canoeist who had drifted "perilously beneath a raised jetty", the school said. James Wragg, head of outdoor education at the independent school, said the boys "immediately rushed to his [the canoeist's] aid" and radioed teaching staff nearby. The school said the two boys first on the scene "demonstrated incredible composure under pressure" as they helped the man cling to the jetty. The also fashioned a makeshift stirrup - allowing him to keep his head above water. Having arrived at the incident, teaching staff supervising the Duke of Edinburgh trip were then able to pull the man from the water and asses his condition. The rescued man revealed he had been stranded in the water for 25 minutes, whilst his foot was trapped under his boat. "Luckily, our boys arrived just in time and no doubt saved his life," Mr Wragg said. All the students involved, along with the rest of the participants, successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition - which the school said was a "testament to their resilience and the values instilled by the programme". Those involved in the rescue, including four students who made staff aware of the incident and shared details, were all separately given outstanding achievement awards by the school. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Claires Court School
BBC News
06-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Maidenhead schoolboys are 'heroes' after canoe trip rescue
A group of quick-thinking students have been hailed as "heroes" after saving a man's life while on a school canoeing six students, from Claires Court School, in Maidenhead, were on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition near Wallingford on 30 June when they heard a call for help from a capsized members of the group assisted the man, keeping his head above the water, whilst others communicated the situation to nearby support a statement following the rescue, the school praised the boys for their "courage and quick thinking" and described them as "local heroes". The "dramatic rescue" unfolded after the group of Year Nine students heard shouts from the canoeist who had drifted "perilously beneath a raised jetty", the school Wragg, head of outdoor education at the independent school, said the boys "immediately rushed to his [the canoeist's] aid" and radioed teaching staff nearby. 'Saved his life' The school said the two boys first on the scene "demonstrated incredible composure under pressure" as they helped the man cling to the also fashioned a makeshift stirrup - allowing him to keep his head above arrived at the incident, teaching staff supervising the Duke of Edinburgh trip were then able to pull the man from the water and asses his rescued man revealed he had been stranded in the water for 25 minutes, whilst his foot was trapped under his boat."Luckily, our boys arrived just in time and no doubt saved his life," Mr Wragg the students involved, along with the rest of the participants, successfully completed their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh expedition - which the school said was a "testament to their resilience and the values instilled by the programme".Those involved in the rescue, including four students who made staff aware of the incident and shared details, were all separately given outstanding achievement awards by the school. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Residents near RAF Benson warned of overnight-flying Chinooks
Residents living near an RAF airbase are being warned helicopters will be flying into the early hours over the next few weeks as students complete their Benson said 28 (AC) Squadron would be flying Chinnocks away from the base near Wallingford, in South Oxfordshire as much as possible but they would also be flying local residents for their "cooperation and continued support" the base said it wanted to flag the night flights due to the hot weather and ongoing exam RAF said the helicopters were currently scheduled to fly until 02:00 and for four weeks from Monday 23 June until 18 July until 03:00. Night flying usually takes place Monday - Thursday. You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
