Latest news with #WillStone
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
100 jobs to be created as drone company Stark plans new factory
Swindon will soon be at the forefront of the high-tech defence industry when German company Stark starts manufacturing its cutting-edge military drones here. The move will create around 100 jobs for the town. The Swindon factory will be the first facility Stark has outside of Germany and will build the company's AI-assisted unmanned drones. Mike Armstrong, managing director of Stark UK, said: 'The UK and Germany are world leaders in new technology that will define the battlefields of the future. We need rapid and scalable production to protect our people, defend our sovereignty and deter aggression. That means resilient supply chains which stretch across Europe.' Be the first to know with the Swindon Advertiser! 📱 💡 Our flash sale brings the latest local happenings directly to you. Save over 50% on an annual subscription now. 🔗 #SpecialOffer — Swindon Advertiser (@swindonadver) July 4, 2025 'That is why Stark has chosen the UK as our first production location outside of Germany – taking advantage of the vast technological, industrial and defence expertise that exists here to create AI-powered, unmanned systems to defend Europe and NATO.' Will Stone, MP for Swindon North, himself a former soldier and at one time a defence sector 'business champion' for the government, said: "I'm proud to be working alongside STARK to bring defence manufacturing back to Swindon, a town with a proud military legacy and key producer of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire. It's fitting that the defence is returning to our town. This is the direction of travel: creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs and putting Swindon back at the heart of Britain's industrial future. This is just the start, with more businesses to follow." The 40,000 square foot factory will be in north central Swindon. Stark was set up only last year, partly as a response to Russia's 2023 invasion of Ukraine. Its 'Virtus' drone has a strike range of up to 100 km, and it carries a five-kilogram payload. Mr Stone said the move was aligned with the government's increased spending on defence and its ambition to make the UK a leader of innovation in NATO, expressed in the Strategic Defence Review. Swindon Borough Council leader Councillor Jim Robbins was also very pleased at the announcement. He said: 'This is fantastic news for Swindon and a strong endorsement of our town's growing reputation in advanced manufacturing and innovation. Stark's investment is a major step forward in our ambition to position Swindon as a national leader in advanced defence manufacturing. 'I'd like to personally thank Swindon North MP, Will Stone, who has played a pivotal role in bringing this investment to our town. I'm excited to see this cutting-edge UAV technology take shape right here in Swindon.'
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Drone manufacturer STARK to begin production in Swindon
A German defence technology company will soon begin producing drones in the UK, it has been which makes the unmanned weapon systems for NATO, is set to open a new 3,700 sq m (40,000 sq ft) factory in Swindon in expansion is expected to create more than 100 skilled jobs and will be the company's first site outside MP Will Stone said he was proud that STARK would "bring back defence manufacturing" to Swindon, which has a "proud military legacy". Mike Armstrong, managing director of STARK UK, said both the UK and Germany were "world-leaders in new technology" and the expansion will help "define the battlefields of the future"."We need rapid and scalable production to protect our people, defend our sovereignty and deter aggression. That means resilient supply chains which stretch across Europe," said Mr Armstrong said STARK, which was founded in 2024, wanted to take advantage of technological and defence expertise in the which helped produce the Supermarine Spitfire in the Second War, will once again be part of defending Europe, he company said its flagship loitering munition system 'Virtus', which has vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities, has a strike radius of up to 100km (62 miles) and a 5kg weapons payload. "This is the direction of travel: creating high-skilled, well-paid jobs and putting Swindon back at the heart of Britain's industrial future," said Mr Stone, the MP for Swindon North."This is just the start," he Borough Council leader Jim Robbins said the news was a "strong endorsement of our town's growing reputation in advanced manufacturing and innovation. He said the investment was a "major step forward" in the ambition to position the town "as a national leader in defence advanced manufacturing"."I'm excited to see this cutting-edge UAV technology take shape right here in Swindon," he announcement comes as the UK and Germany expand their defence and security relationship, building on the Trinity House Agreement set in 2024.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Police aim to tackle crime on 'stigmatised' estate
Police have said there is work going on to tackle crime in an area portrayed by some media as a "notorious estate". Penhill in Swindon has been described as "stigmatised" and has already been identified by police as an anti-social behaviour (ASB) hotspot. Wiltshire Police have more foot patrols and mobile police station visits, as well as specialist services to target young people most at risk of committing crime or becoming a victim. Local pastor David Childs-Clarke said: "People in Penhill often think of themselves as being considered less than other parts of Swindon." He wants to see the estate's reputation reversed: "One of the reasons people struggle in Penhill is because there's a reputation associated with being in one of the areas beginning with P." The pastor of Penhill Community Church believes that cleaning up and fixing things in the area would help to show it was loved. He is not the only one who feels like this. Christine, who struggles to walk, said "things don't get done", such as fixing pavements and cutting back hedges. "I can't go out without someone being with me, in case I fall." One of the ways a clean-up might happen is in the form of a big cash injection - Penhill has been named by Chancellor Rachel Reeves as a deprived area which will get up to £20m to spend in the community over the next decade. Local Labour MP Will Stone will be setting up community forums. "I'm been told to get my skates and start working as quickly as possible. "It has to be community-led." Meanwhile, Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson hopes residents will start to feel safer with more visible policing in Penhill. A Safer Streets Summer initiative has also just launched - not just in Swindon, but in Salisbury, Trowbridge, Chippenham and Marlborough as well. It means additional patrols in known hotspot areas and increased enforcement of public space protection orders. More news stories for Wiltshire Listen to the latest news for Wiltshire Mr Wilkinson said: "Being safe and feeling safe are two different things, and I recognise those really valid feelings that some residents will have who live and work in those areas of Swindon." He added that they are working with others to "address the root causes of crime and gang culture". Yvonne is worried about safety: "My family don't want me going out in the dark." Her and her friend Doreen told the BBC they see a lot of police cars, but would like to see police on the streets. Kerrie Barrett, from the Penhill Chronic Pain Group, is a bit more positive. She said lots of people do like living there because of a good community spirit. With the money, she said they could "help more people; the elderly, the people struggling with pain, young families are a big thing as well". Vicky Edwards is part of the same group: "For me, growing up in Penhill was always safe. There's not enough for the kids to do any more." Follow BBC Wiltshire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630. 'People here see themselves as less important'
New York Times
11-07-2025
- Health
- New York Times
For Some Men, Treating Hair Loss Comes With Fertility Issues
Soon after Will Stone and his wife, Brittany, got married in 2021, they started trying to have a baby. But early attempts didn't pan out, and by the next year, they went in for testing. Ms. Stone's results came back normal. But Mr. Stone's were more disappointing. His sperm count was about 2 million per milliliter, far below the 10-million threshold his doctor told him was optimal for the couple to try intrauterine insemination, or I.U.I. He was referred to a urologist, who asked what medications he was taking. When Mr. Stone, a data analyst in Austin, Texas, mentioned he took a 1 milligram dose of finasteride, a daily pill for hair loss, the urologist interrupted him. 'He told me to stop taking it immediately,' Mr. Stone, now 32, said. Finasteride, sometimes sold as Propecia, is the most widely used prescription medicine for male-pattern baldness. Prescriptions have reportedly tripled in recent years alongside the rise of direct-to-consumer telehealth companies popular among young men. For many, the medication comes with no issues and can provide newfound confidence, but it does carry side effects. Mr. Stone had known there was a small possibility of reduced libido and erectile dysfunction (between 1 and 2 percent), but he didn't know that the drug might be linked to his fertility struggles. Finasteride is prescribed at higher doses to treat enlarged prostates and has been known to mildly affect sperm counts. But Dr. James Kashanian, a urologist and the director of male sexual health at Weill Cornell Medicine, said the drug has also 'significantly affected' some patients' sperm quality, even at 1 milligram, the dose typically prescribed for hair loss. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MPs wear Swindon Town shirts in Parliament to support campaign
Swindon MPs wore Swindon Town shirts at the Palace of Westminster to support the 'My Town, My Shirt' campaign. Town launched their new home shirt on July 4 with a campaign alongside TrustSTFC, the Swindon Town Official Supporters Club and the Football Supporters Association. Advertisement The campaign celebrated the diversity of Swindon fans, with photos of supporters from many backgrounds in iconic Swindon locations. MP for Swindon South, Heidi Alexander, and MP for Swindon North, Will Stone, lent their support to the campaign by wearing the new shirt at Parliament. Alexander said: 'People often ask me what best represents Swindon, and I always say that nothing captures its spirit more than the roar from the County Ground on a matchday. I was really proud to bring a part of that into the heart of Westminster this week.' Stone added: 'It's great to be able to bring Swindon Town's new kit to Parliament for the My Town, My Shirt campaign. Football brings communities together from all walks of life, which is why I think it's fantastic that this campaign showcases our amazing fans across Swindon.' Advertisement Nick Coote, TrustSTFC board member, said: "When we talk about belonging, we're talking about creating space for every voice. "This campaign isn't just about football kits – it's about who we are as a town and how football brings us together."
