Tech

Nature therapy centre targeted again by vandals

by Natalie
written by Natalie

Vandals have caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage at a nature therapy centre.

A group broke into a polytunnel filled with seedlings at The Flower Patch in Middlesbrough and caused "as much destruction as possible".

Founder Nicky Morgan, 57, said the "mindless" attacks had been happening since February and it was the same group of youths every time.

The crime has been reported to police and CCTV footage has been handed over. Cleveland Police has been contacted for comment.

The vandals ruined 40% of the seedlings that were growing in the polytunnel, Ms Morgan said, and hundreds of hours of volunteer time has been wasted.

She explained: "When we looked at the CCTV coverage it looks like they came with one aim, to cause as much destruction as possible.

"They had everything covered. They had gloves on, you couldn't see their faces, we watched the whole thing play out on video.

"What you've got to appreciate is that it has taken us five years to get to where we are now.

"In terms of volunteer time since February we are talking hundreds of hours.

"It is completely mindless. There is no rhyme or reason for it."

Industry

Tourism gets boost from industry body accreditation

by Michael
written by Michael

Tourism in Wiltshire has been given a boost after the county become an accredited member of a scheme aimed at growing the sector.

Wiltshire now has Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEP) status, which gives it access to a range of resources to attract greater footfall.

At the moment, Wiltshire's tourism is worth around £1.5bn annually, with sites such as Stonehenge, Avebury Stone Circle, Stourhead, Salisbury Cathedral and the Westbury White Horse among its attractions.

It's new LVEP means it will be included marketing activity and public relations opportunities set up by British tourism authority VisitBritain, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Market

Jill Dando good news initiative aims to go global

by Nicole
written by Nicole

A good news initiative set up in memory of murdered TV journalist Jill Dando is aiming to "go global".

Journalist, presenter and newsreader Jill Dando was murdered outside her London home 26 years ago, but her legacy continues to live on among younger generations of budding journalists.

Jill Dando News is a positive news stories platform, founded in Jill's home town of Weston-super-Mare, that now wants to have a global presence after spreading to Malawi.

Shane Dean, 52, founder of Jill Dando News said: "Everybody's got a huge determination to take this global."

  • Timeline of Jill Dando's murder
  • Jill Dando: The golden girl of TV

Jill Dando was one of the highest profile members of on-screen BBC staff and was named the corporation's Personality of the Year in 1997.

Her murder remains one of the country's most high-profile unsolved murder cases, with more than 2,000 people having been named as potential suspects.

She is remembered for being the "nations sweetheart" by many.

In 2017 two student journalists and Mr Dean, a former journalist, came up with the idea to start Jill Dando News to honour her memory.

It grew from a good news initiatives at Priory Community School in Weston-super-Mare and Worle Community School – where Jill had been a pupil.

Jill Dando News Centres are now in place across 11 schools in Somerset but have now also expanded to include a school in Malawi.

Jill Dando was a well-known newsreader in the UK

Mr Dean, 52, from Weston-super-Mare said: "Everybody's got a huge determination to take this global.

"The children want to take this global. We're in Malawi now and I've been talking to schools in America.

"It is a watch-this-space situation."

Mr Dean added that Jill's love of positive stories is inspiring the students, improving their self-confidence as well as working to tackle the "epidemic" of poor mental health among young people.

"Instead of young people sat doom scrolling all day long, if we get the help of the government and business leaders I think we could have a day in a few years where the children are sat there scrolling good news stories, or even better, that they're writing them.

"Jill's legacy has been one of positive journalism," he said.

He added that her "courage and determination" to reach the heights of journalism gives hope to all students that they can achieve anything.

"She has inspired students with her unbelievable story while at the same time remaining humble.

"She never changed from being Jill."

Global Trade

South Londoners roll up their sleeves to save lives

by Anna
written by Anna

Blood donors across south London may have potentially saved around 11,000 lives in the three months since Brixton's new blood donor centre first opened to the public, according to data from NHS Blood and Transplant.

Between December 2024 and February 2025, 3,773 people donated at the centre in south London, providing more than 3,000 units of blood. Each unit can save up to three lives.

Around 1,000 first-time donors were among those who chose to give blood in Brixton, and 50% were under 35 – twice as many as the national average.

More than half of black heritage blood donors have the RO blood sub-type, which is needed by people with sickle cell disease.

'I wake up in pain'

For Calvin Campbell, who has sickle cell disease, regular blood donations keep him alive.

"One of the main things about sickle cell is pain," he said. "I am always in pain; I have been in pain every second, every minute of every single day of my life since I was six months old.

"I go to sleep in pain, I sleep in pain and I wake up in pain.

"If it wasn't for the people who donate blood, people who have never met me, I literally would not be having this conversation. The only reason I am sitting here now is because of regular blood exchanges."

Calvin Campbell is kept alive by the contributions of blood donors

Leitita, from Lewisham, has been donating blood since she was 18.

"As soon as I was able to give blood, I was so excited to start doing it," she said,

"It is really amazing, especially hearing that there's so few black heritage donors that are donating. It makes it even more important for myself to continue keeping myself healthy so that I can continue donating.

"I have got a sub-type, the RO sub-type, and knowing that it helps a specific segment of my community was even more motivating for me to continue donating my blood."

Rexford Osei-Bonsu says a visit to donate blood takes no longer than an hour

Rexford Osei-Bonsu, manager of the Brixton donor centre, is encouraging more people to come forward to donate their blood.

"We have the capacity to deliver more than 1,000 appointments a week and are happy to work round your availability, whether that's on your way to work, during your lunch break or as you head home," he said.

"Giving blood is quick and painless. The entire appointment takes no longer than an hour and, in most cases, is much quicker. The actual time spent in the donation chair can be around 15 minutes.

"Donors can only give three to four times per year, so recruiting more donors is vital to securing London's blood stocks."

About sickle cell disease

  • Sickle cell disease causes red blood cells to form into sickle or crescent shapes and become stuck in blood vessels, causing episodes of severe pain known as crises, as well as serious or even fatal complications, including organ damage and strokes.
  • Many sickle cell patients rely on regular blood transfusions or full blood exchanges to proactively manage their symptoms, while others are given transfusions as an emergency treatment.
  • A single patient receiving regular full blood exchanges can require blood from up to 100 donors each year.
Market

Uppies lead Downies in 'no rules' football series

by Laura
written by Laura

The first game in this year's traditional no-rules mass football series has taken place in Cumbria.

The 2025 Uppies and Downies series started on Good Friday in Workington, with players from the upper part of the town competing with rivals from the lower end for local pride and to win a specially made ball.

Match ball sponsor Billie Saffill's seven-year-old son Brodhie "threw off" the ball to mark the start of the three-match series.

Friday's opener was won by the Uppies. The remaining clashes will take place on Tuesday and on 26 April.

Ms Saffill said this year's ball was dedicated to Graeme Dixon, known as Willox, who died following a cardiac arrest during last year's series.

Uppie Richard Hodgson said he remembered Mr Dixon for always being in the scrum.

Patrick Carr, a Downie, added: "He was an absolute diamond of a person."

Family handout
Graeme Dixon died during one of the matches in 2024

Friday's game saw the Uppies clinch victory, with Shane Roe managing to get the ball after the scrum stalled at the cricket club.

The Uppies won last year's series 2-1.

Records of the game go as far back as the mid-1600s.

Originally it was a challenge between the dockers, now the Downies, and the miners, now the Uppies.

To win, the Uppies have to try to get the ball to Workington Hall, while the Downies need to take it to a ship's capstan at Workington harbour.

Uppies and Downies is one of a few surviving mass football games still played in the UK.

Others include the Shrovetide Football game in Ashborne, Derbyshire, and the Ba' Game played in Kirkwall, Orkney.

Elvin Jarvis
Shane Roe "hailed the ball" at the Good Friday game

Uppies and Downies in Workington remains the only medieval football game to neither have official organisers nor rules.

Participants turn up for each match at 18:30 at The Cloffocks.

Players do not wear uniforms or identifying colours, making it difficult to know which team they belong to.

There is a gentleman's agreement that cars must not be used to take the ball away from the scrum.

The game is played all across town and the game only ends when the ball is hailed – thrown into the air three times – by the winner.

The Downies will be trying to avoid another defeat on Tuesday

A ball is made especially for each game, with an inscription of the date and the name of the ball maker.

For more than 40 years, it has been made by Mark Rawlinson.

Three families sponsor each of the three balls in the series.

As a thank you, they choose who throws off the ball from the little bridge between the Black Path and Allerdale House, where the game traditionally begins.

The winner keeps the ball as a trophy and becomes a town hero for the night.

Market

Sloth has pioneering surgery to cure toothache

by Mia
written by Mia

A sloth has had pioneering dental surgery to cure toothache.

Rico is believed to be the first sloth to undergo such an operation, which was carried out by a team at Chester Zoo working alongside dental experts from Newcastle University.

The two-toed sloth went under the knife after keepers noticed swellings on the sides of its face, with investigations showing two root abscesses.

Dentist Fiona Beddis said the university's team had never carried out the procedure on a sloth so it "really was a step into the unknown, so we are all delighted with the successful outcome".

Chester Zoo
Rico is thought to be the first sloth to undergo the operation
Chester Zoo
Rico underwent a three-hour operation at Chester Zoo
Chester Zoo
The team had to work carefully to carry out the dental work

Ms Beddis said treating Rico had been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it was "a great privilege to treat such a rare and beautiful animal".

Rico, who is 25 years old, had a three-hour operation at Chester Zoo's animal care centre, with the infected tissue surrounding two of the sloth's teeth removed.

Unlike a typical root canal, the dental experts went in through the bottom of Rico's tooth.

Global Trade

Care home resident finds 'purpose' at charity shop

by Emily
written by Emily

An 87-year-old care home resident with dementia has found a "sense of purpose" since volunteering at a local charity shop.

Shirley Wolfe, who lives in Dukes Court Care Home in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, helps out once a month at Niamh's Next Step in the town, a children's cancer charity boutique.

She used to work as a sales assistant for John Lewis in her youth.

"It gives her a sense of purpose," said Kate Singleton, the well-being and activities coordinator from Dukes Court Care Home.

Ms Wolfe added: "I worked for John Lewis and I used to sort out [the customers]. I loved it and the people were fantastic."

Her responsibilities at the charity boutique include dressing mannequins, arranging shop displays, and greeting customers as they arrive.

Ms Singleton continued: "We're seeing a definite difference in Shirley.

"There's an immediate smile and a glow about her."

Sam Curry, manager at Niamh's Next Step, added: "You can tell she enjoys being back in the retail environment.

"She's been doing really well – she seems to be having a lovely time."

Kate Bradbrook/BBC
Shirley Wolfe used to work in retail for more than 30 years
Innovation

'When will government ban plastic in wet wipes?'

by Kelly
written by Kelly

A charity has called for the government to commit to a date when plastic will be banned in wet wipes, to help prevent the effect they are having on the River Thames.

Thames21 says wet wipes are not only creating artificial islands, harming wildlife and impacting water quality; they are reshaping the waterway itself.

The charity said although plans were announced last year to ban the sale of plastic wet wipes, progress had halted following the general election.

A spokesperson for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said: "Plastic wet wipes clog up our sewers, pollute our waterways and harm our treasured wildlife. That is why the government will ban them."

Beside Hammersmith Bridge, volunteers gathered with Thames21 to survey the wet wipe problem and gather data to send to government

Liz Gyekye from Thames21 said: "Wet wipes are a massive problem, it's devastating.

"The principal challenge is that people flush the wet wipes down the toilets, then you get sewage overflows after heavy rain that chuck them into the river.

"They then destroy wildlife because it ingests these microplastics when they break down."

Ms Gyekye said the charity wanted the government to act "urgently".

"We had the previous Conservative government last year commit to banning plastic in wet wipes, and now we're calling on this government to implement this ban," she said.

Asked why the public were still flushing wet wipes despite the obvious damage being caused, Ms Gyekye said: "I think the issue is over labels – some labels say they are 'flushable' – but there is no marine biodegradable standard out there – so they should all just go in the bin."

She added: "Consumers need to do their part and dispose of their waste correctly, flushing down only the 3 Ps (pee, poo, and paper)."

One of many islands of wet wipes and litter that has formed along the River Thames

The director of sustainability at the Port of London Authority (PLA), Grace Rawnsley, said the new Thames super sewer "should help" cope with flushed wet wipes, but said the ban on plastic in wet wipes was "key" to achieving a cleaner river.

Volunteer Janice Bruce-Brande said that although the wet wipe island she was surveying was "soul destroying", she had noticed a possible improvement since the introduction of the super sewer.

But she said it was still "so disheartening" to see the wet wipe problem.

'We will ban them'

In response to Thames21's calls, a Defra spokesperson told the BBC: "Plastic wet wipes clog up our sewers, pollute our waterways and harm our treasured wildlife.

"That is why the government will ban them.

"This is part of our wider plan to clean up our rivers. We have passed our landmark Water Act, introducing two-year prison sentences for polluting water bosses, and banning unfair million-pound bonuses."

Industry

Nine officers face racism probe misconduct hearing

by Asher
written by Asher

Nine police officers face a gross misconduct hearing following an internal investigation into alleged racial discrimination against a colleague, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has confirmed.

An inquiry was launched by the force's Professional Standards Directorate in July 2024 after a report was made that an officer in the Bury district had been subjected to racist remarks by some colleagues in December 2023.

GMP said it had suspended eight officers who remained off duty. A ninth officer has been restricted from working in Bury during the investigation.

A date for the hearing will be set as soon as possible, the force added.

'Deeply concerning'

Meanwhile a separate probe, by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), is examining an unrelated incident of alleged racial discrimination against an officer, also in the Bury district.

GMP said that investigation involved seven officers, of whom five remained suspended.

"The GMP and IOPC investigations relate to deeply concerning allegations into racist remarks about two officers in unrelated incidents," said GMP's head of professional standards, Det Ch Supt Mike Allen.

"We have conducted a thorough investigation and have fully supported the IOPC with their work, too.

"Ensuring we uphold the highest standards of professional behaviour across GMP is essential, and it is only right that when matters such as these are reported to us, we take all necessary action.

"We now await the outcomes of these ongoing proceedings."

GMP said it had worked extensively with officers, staff and the community in Bury to improve cultural awareness.

Business

Mum's marathon hospital heart wait 260 miles from home

by Morgan
written by Morgan

A woman with a life-threatening heart condition has spent seven months in a hospital more than 260 miles away from home as she waits for a transplant.

Nicola Allen, 51, from Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, was born with two holes in her heart but it was only after she gave birth in 2010 that she was diagnosed with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy.

She was admitted to Newcastle's Freeman Hospital, the UK's leading centre for complex congenital heart conditions, when her condition deteriorated in October.

"I have already started to look forward to the clanking of the tea trolley on the ward," she said.

Ms Allen, a family support worker, said the hardest thing about her hospital stay was being so far away from loved ones.

"Living away from home has its own kind of pain, being away from my family and friends – especially my daughter," she said.

"I feel like I am missing a piece of myself every day. I think of her all the time."

Nicola Allen
Nicola Allen was diagnosed with ischaemic dilated cardiomyopathy after having her daughter in 2010

The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service said 13 people had died waiting for a heart transplant in 2023-24 and there were currently 306 people waiting for a heart-only transplant.

The average waiting time for a heart transplant for those on the non-urgent list is about six years, according to NHSBT.

However, this falls to 47 days for those on the urgent list and just 11 days for those on the super-urgent list.

"There are not enough donated organs which sadly means some people wait years for a transplant or never receive one at all," an NHS spokesperson said.

"Waiting lists are at their highest level in a decade.

"We urge everyone to confirm their decision to be an organ donor on the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell their family they want to save lives."

'Days blur together'

Ms Allen said she realised quickly after admission she would need to establish a routine for the sake of her mental wellbeing.

The routine includes getting dressed every day, going for a walk for fresh air in the hospital courtyard and writing a daily blog.

"This has helped me to motivate myself and have a sense of worth," she said.

She added that going for medical procedures had become "like a day out".

Despite being given her own room with an en-suite and a window, Ms Allen said she often felt claustrophobic.

"The days blur together," she said.

"Sometimes I think about escaping – not far, just far enough to feel like I am somewhere else.

"But for now, I stay where I am, I wait and I hope."