Tech

Headlines: Car park walls and maternity unit closure

by Grace
written by Grace

Here's our weekly roundup of stories from across local websites in the West of England.

We have a daily round up as well. Make sure you look out for it on the website and the local section of the BBC News app.

What have been the big stories in the West this week?

At the start of the week Bristol woke up to the news of a death at the half marathon event on the weekend.

ITV West Country reported 28-year-old rugby player Jon Devereux, from Chester, died after after collapsing and falling ill at the Great Bristol Run.

Bristol Live's article on the sudden closure of part of the Co-op car park in Westbury-on-Trym and some walls installed there also gained a lot of attention this week. Nearby residents are now calling for an investigation after the area was cordoned off with blue walls.

The body found in the search for missing 16-year-old Athrun got a lot of reaction from ITV West Country and Bristol Live audiences. Searches had been ongoing in the West Shore area of Llandudno following the sighting of a body on Tuesday.

Finally, news from The Dorset Echo, Somerset Live and ITV West Country on the temporary closure of Yeovil's maternity unit gained a lot of traction this week. In a statement the hospital trust told ITV West Country, it "cannot currently safely run the unit" or "safely provide care during labour and birth".

Top six stories for the BBC in the West

Market

'You just do it because it helps people'

by Brooklyn
written by Brooklyn

Most people celebrating their 80th birthday do not run the risk of being called away to a work emergency – but that will be a possibility for Gari Finch. The soon-to-be octogenarian from Great Ayton, in North Yorkshire, has been a volunteer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue for 54 years, and so far he has at least 1,500 call-outs to his name.

However, Mr Finch's teammates know better than to suggest that after this latest milestone, he should hang up his distinctive red uniform and enjoy retirement.

He says he will continue in the volunteer role he has done since the early 1970s "as long as I'm still of some use".

"I'm still in my 20s in my brain – it's the rest of my body that's not there," he says.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue was established in 1965, and is run entirely by a group of about 70 volunteers, with no paid members of staff.

A keen climber and walker, Mr Finch says he was inspired to join in 1971 to "put a little bit back into society".

"I thought, if I fall off a crag or have an accident, I would like someone to come and help me," he told Naga Munchetty on BBC 5 Live.

"So, consequently, when the opportunity came, I joined up."

Alongside his full-time teaching job, he was a search and rescue officer for over 25 years, responding to accidents and incidents across the North York Moors, the coastline between Sandsend and Hartlepool, and the Tees Valley.

Mr Finch was even part of the team sent to Scotland to help recover debris from the Lockerbie disaster in 1988, the UK's deadliest terror atrocity, when a bomb in the hold of a Pan Am flight to America exploded above the town.

Cleveland Mountain Rescue
Cleveland Mountain Rescue was established in 1965, and is run entirely by volunteers

In 2013, Mr Finch received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his dedication to mountain rescue services – although, according to him, it was "a team effort".

Mr Finch says his late wife, Sandy, also played a vital role in the operation of Cleveland Mountain Rescue, "taking up the reins" and speaking to emergency services in his absence if an urgent call came in.

She died nearly six years ago, and Mr Finch credits the friendships he has formed at the mountain rescue organisation for helping him through that difficult period.

"Apart from helping people, the camaraderie and banter and friends I've made over the years is brilliant," he explains.

"That's what's keeping me going, to be perfectly honest."

Danielrao/iStock/Getty Images
The area Mr Finch's team covers runs from the North York Moors (above) to the coastline of North East England and the Tees Valley

Cleveland Mountain Rescue has also reached a significant anniversary this year – 60 years in operation, making Mr Finch its longest-standing volunteer.

Grant Greive, public relations officer at Cleveland Mountain Rescue, says: "Gari joined the team in 1971, and 54 years later he is still an active member.

"He epitomises what volunteering is about: giving up his time, using his skills to help others."

To this day, Mr Finch still plays an active role in the team as a radio operator, helping to coordinate search and rescue efforts, as well as using his skills to train others.

"I think I'm still of some use," Mr Finch says.

"I'm still on the call-out list, so when there's a call-out, off I go to the base to prepare the Land Rovers and the radios.

"You don't do it for money or anything, you just do it because it's there to be done. It's something useful and it helps people."

Business

'Sea Cadets never let my sight loss get in my way'

by Caleb
written by Caleb

Issy always dreamed of joining her big brother as a Sea Cadet.

She joined the Loughborough branch in Leicestershire two days after her 10th birthday – the official joining age – and was hooked from the first night.

But at the age of 13, Issy's life changed when she suffered a deterioration in her sight overnight, leaving doctors mystified.

"I just woke up one day and my vision was super blurry," she said. "I've been to hospital, had checks with my brain and they can't find anything."

Supplied
Issy enjoys going out into the community

Issy explained she was released from medical care after a few years and "felt lost".

She added: "I thought it was going to change everything at cadets, I'll be a health and safety risk – but the staff were really good, they said 'what can we do to help?'"

Issy, now 16, said that prior to becoming visually impaired, she had "loved" her work with the cadets, and added: "You're learning in such a fun way you don't feel like you're learning, whilst at school it's so stressful.

"The tests you have to do, they make it seem so easy and do it in such a relaxed way."

It was the cadets that helped her after her eyesight deteriorated, as they let her join in all activities, even on the water.

"Boating I thought was going to be like end game, and I was going to have to sit on the side," she said.

"But no, it was really good, I always have someone to help me and they say 'let's just get on with it, we'll learn from our mistakes and keep going'.

"Now I've done every qualification I can do on the water."

Issy has had to adapt to her visual impairment in other areas, but, like her Sea Cadet career, she has continued to thrive.

She has just completed her first aid at work course and is getting ready to take her GCSEs.

At school, she uses large print to help her see the work. Her biggest problem is at night.

"In the dark, I can only see silhouettes and I can't tell who people are," she said. "I use a cane now to help me."

She has also praised the cadets for the adjustments they have made.

They painted white lines on all the steps and put glow-in-the-dark tape around all the light switches.

She added: "At first, at age 13 it was difficult, but I've learned to live with it. I had no idea what it would be like for the rest of my life. I've just tried to get on with it."

Supplied
Issy joined the Sea Cadets when she was 10

Now, Issy is helping her branch of the Sea Cadets by trying to encourage other people to come forward and volunteer.

The charity is having to turn away children because it does not have enough volunteers to support new recruits.

Stewart Thorpe, from the East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association, said the group wanted to "positively change the lives of more youngsters in the area".

He added Issy had been an inspiration and wanted to share her story "from having her world turned upside down when she woke up partially blind, to being made to feel like anyone else, thanks to volunteers".

Market

Trump deep sea mining order violates law, China says

by Megan
written by Megan

Donald Trump has signed a controversial executive order aimed at stepping up deep-sea mining within US and in international waters.

The move to allow exploration outside its national waters has been met by condemnation from China which said it "violates" international law.

Thursday's order is the latest issued by the US president to try to increase America's access to minerals used by the aerospace, green technology and healthcare sectors.

The deep sea contains billions of tonnes of potato-shaped rocks, called polymetallic nodules, which are rich in critical minerals like cobalt and rare earths.

Tech

Hearing set for man accused of murdering girl

by Emily
written by Emily

A man will appear in court in July charged with the murder of a nine-year-old girl in Lincolnshire.

Lilia Valutyte died after being stabbed as she played with a hula hoop in the street outside her mother's shop in Boston town centre on 28 July 2022.

On Thursday, a hearing was held at Lincoln Crown Court.

Deividas Skebas, 25, formerly of Thorold Street, Boston, is due at the same court on 28 July – the third anniversary of the stabbing.

Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds latest episode of Look North here.

Market

Tribute paid to 'family man' who died on cruise

by Andrea
written by Andrea

The family of a man whose death on a cruise ship sparked a police investigation have said he had "a heart of gold".

James Messham, from Shoreham-by-Sea in West Sussex, was reported dead about two-and-a-half hours after MSC Virtuosa departed Southampton on 3 May.

In a tribute to the 60-year-old his family said they are "heartbroken" and struggling with "unanswered" questions.

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary arrested a 56-year-old man from Richmond, London, on Sunday on suspicion of manslaughter.

Family handout
His eldest daughter Charmaine Messham described her father as a "fantastic role model"

He was the second man to be arrested in relation to the death, after a 57-year-old man from Exeter, Devon, who was arrested on suspicion of murder on 5 May was released on bail.

The vessel left Southampton at 18:00 BST for a two-night voyage to Bruges, Belgium, returning at 06:00 on Monday 5 May.

The police have said they wanted to hear from anyone who was aboard the ship.

The family of Mr Messham have issued a statement for their loved one.

They said: "James was a loving father to 8 children the youngest being only 10 years old. The unbreakable bond between us will never be forgotten. He was a family man.

"He was there for us all daily. He also had 10 grandchildren that he doted on. He will be very dearly missed by so many people. He had a heart of gold and would do anything to help anyone.

"Our lives will never be the same without him. His wife and all us children and grandchildren are heartbroken. All of us are struggling with so many unanswered questions in relation to what happened that night aboard MSC Virtousa."

Family handout
"He was born a showman from the fairground" Mr Messham's daughter said

His eldest daughter Charmaine Messham described her father as a "businessman" who turned his hand to many trades to provide for his family, most notable was his work as a wall of death showman for a fairground.

"He was born a showman from the fairground. He travelled with a wall of death show all over the world. The show has been in the Messham family for 5 generations."

The wall of death is a carnival sideshow featuring a wooden cylinder, which typically sees motorcyclists travel along the vertical wall and perform stunts.

Ms Messham said her father had a "cheeky" sense of humour and that he "taught all of his children everything we know".

"He was a fantastic role model," she said.

Global Trade

Flood wardens warn residents of upcoming risks

by Lillian
written by Lillian

A team from a council agency will be visiting homes to raise awareness of the risk of flash flooding.

Cheltenham Borough Council, the Environment Agency and Charlton Kings Parish Council will share information with residents on what to do during flash floods.

Some of the properties in Charlton Kings are in a rapid response catchment which means rivers and tributaries near their homes are prone to flooding after heavy rain, even before flood warnings are issued.

Louis Krog, head of public protection for the borough council, said: "Within these areas, the advanced notice doesn't often happen, so these wardens will help give them an action plan so they can do what they can to prepare."

Global Trade

Councillor 'honoured' to lead local authority

by Miles
written by Miles

A newly elected councillor said it was an "honour and a privilege" to be chosen to lead a local authority.

Reform UK members on North Northamptonshire Council selected Martin Griffiths for the top job after the party seized control from the Conservatives in the local elections.

Griffiths, who once led the now defunct Wellingborough Borough Council as a Conservative, will have his position confirmed on 22 May.

"The people of this county have given us a clear mandate for serious change and we fully intend to deliver that," he said.

Reform UK made history during the elections, winning 39 of the 66 seats up for grabs at North Northamptonshire Council.

The unitary authority had previously been run by the Tories, who saw their 50 councillors slashed to 13.

Griffiths left the Conservative Party in 2021 to sit as an independent in North Northamptonshire, before joining Reform in December.

He now represents the Croyland and Swanspool ward, and was selected to lead his new party after a group meeting.

Edward McDonald, councillor for Gretton and Weldon, was chosen as his deputy.

Reform UK won 677 of about 1,600 seats contested at last week's local elections.

Griffiths said: "We have an incredible team of councillors with professional experience from all walks of life.

"It's the most experienced team I've ever worked with in my time in local government, and I am excited by what we can deliver for local people."

Griffiths said what his party achieved was "incredible", after it also won West Northamptonshire Council.

"From a standing start we now have full control of both Northamptonshire councils," he added.

Industry

Private SEN assessments refunded by council

by Connor
written by Connor

A county council has reimbursed a total of £26,475 to parents who used private educational psychologists due to a backlog.

Surrey County Council paid out to 27 families of children with special educational needs who had to go private between the 2023 summer term and May 2024.

This was due to a lack of qualified professionals able to create educational care plans, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The council said it was now operating at over 90% "timeliness" and able to meet demand.

In one case, the local government and social care ombudsman upheld that the authority refused to reimburse a mother who used a private educational psychologist in support of her son's education health and care needs assessment.

The ombudsman also upheld the council delayed making payments for her son's tutor and that its communications were poor, and further complaints about delays at Surrey County Council in completing needs assessments due to the national shortage of educational psychologists.

The ombudsman's office said it had since been satisfied with the steps being taken to resolve the issue.

Between the 2023 summer term and May 2024 Surrey County Council said it temporarily agreed to reimburse private reports due to its backlog.

'Cover the cost'

Clare Curran, cabinet member for children, families and lifelong learning, said she was not able to comment on any individual children, but the council accepted the findings from the report and apologised to the family affected.

A spokesperson for the council added: "Where we used the private educational psychologist report as the sole advice during that time at the parent/carer's request we would cover the cost.

"However, if we did not use it as the sole advice then we would not reimburse."

Global Trade

Exhibition looks at how Shakespeare began to write

by Charlotte
written by Charlotte

Curators are putting together an exhibition that aims to show people how William Shakespeare came to write his plays.

The exhibition, called Becoming Shakespeare, opens in Stratford-upon-Avon later this month.

It has been described as a look at the influences that helped to shape the dramatist when he was young, and what inspired him to create his work.

Rachael North, chief executive of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, said it would focus on the playwright's "formative years".

She said visitors would be able to "feel a personal connection to the beginnings of his extraordinary journey".

Bradley Wynne, creative director at Sarner International, which has been working on designs for the exhibition, said Shakespeare's Birthplace, in the Warwickshire town, was "one of the most literary heritage sites in the world".

The exhibition opens on 24 May and organisers said prebooking was recommended.

Sam Allard / Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
The building has been described as "one of the most literary heritage sites in the world"

The Shakespeare's Birthplace website describes how the bard was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564.

His father was a glove-maker, holding civic positions in the town, which meant he was likely to have sent his children to the local grammar school.

The young writer would have lived with his family at their Henley Street house, until he turned 18.

He then married Anne Hathaway, who was eight years older than him and already pregnant when they tied the knot.

Experts have said it is a mystery how he got to London, but by 1592 his reputation in the capital was established.

His success made him "considerably wealthy" and he went on to buy the largest house in the borough of Stratford.

Researchers now believe Shakespeare spent more time in Stratford than previously thought, lodging in London and dividing his time between his hometown and the capital, in what could have been a two or three-day commute.