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'Wildfire sent years of work up in flames'

by Julian June 9, 2025
written by Julian

The blaze began on Thursday 10 April and was not fully extinguished until the following Sunday.

By the time the fire was out it had destroyed 27,000 trees as well as killing hundreds of reptiles.

Much of the Glen Rosa valley was left looking like a charred and blackened moonscape, with little sign of the years of work from the National Trust for Scotland, which is responsible for the area.

According to the trust, thousands of years ago the glen would have been a native woodland but it was left bare by human intervention such as grazing sheep and deer.

It has been trying to restore the woodlands by introducing downy birch, sessile oak, hazel, willow, aspen and alder as well as endangered tree species such as Arran whitebeam.

The firebreak where firefighters managed to halt the progress of the blaze can be clearly seen.

Then, two weeks ago, Ms Sampson could do nothing but watch as years of effort were destroyed.

She was at the scene within minutes of the blaze starting on grassland at the bottom of the valley.

"It was shooting up the hill really fast because of the dry conditions and the wind," she told BBC Scotland News.

"From then on in, it was disaster management."

Kate Sampson is the National Trust for Scotland's senior ranger on the Isle of Arran

As well as firefighters, local volunteers worked around the clock to try to keep the wildfire under control.

Ms Sampson said: "The moorland was so tinder-dry and we had so much dead bracken and Molinia grass, so it just spread really fast across the moorland.

"There wasn't much we could do to stop it."

In the days after the fire, Ms Sampson and a group of naturalists surveyed the land to assess the potential impact of the wildlife.

"It's quite tough to see, it's not just the trees that are gone, all the wildlife in the glen has been devastated too," she said.

"We had a group come and we monitored the glen but instead of monitoring live animals we had to record dead bodies.

"We had 72 dead slow worms, 25 dead adders, countless frogs and lizards, all dead as well."

Thousands of hectares of the valley were burnt in the fire

As we walked through the valley, Ms Sampson discovered a live frog and long worm in among the scorched grass.

In the two weeks since the fire, she's only come across a handful of reptiles still alive.

"It's hard to know the long-term impacts but the ecology has been totally disrupted and it's going to take a long time for that to recover," she said.

What caused the wildfire?

Initial investigations have suggested the fire could have started when dry ground was ignited when sun shone through a discarded glass bottle but the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) has not confirmed a cause.

The SFRS had put a wildfire warning in place covering all of Scotland a week before the Glen Rosa blaze.

Ricky Donachie from the fire service said the blaze was classed as a "significant wildfire"

Ricky Donachie, the SFRS station commander for Arran, told the BBC the blaze was classed as a "significant wildfire".

"Over the wildfire warning period, which lasted from 3 – 9 April, our control rooms received over 5,000 calls," he said.

"Over 1,000 of them were for grassland and wildfire callouts, with 19 of them in the significant category. It shows the importance of heeding any warnings."

Mr Donachie warned against lighting fires and barbeques in the countryside.

It will take years for the conservation work to establish again

Despite the devastation to the conservation work in Glen Rosa, Ms Sampson remains positive.

"If we can get it restarted then we might be able to make this land more resilient to fire," she said.

"If we can establish really good woodlands here, it will not only have great benefits for wildlife and biodiversity but the woodland itself can act as a firebreak."

Work to replant trees in the Glen Rosa valley has already begun and a fundraising appeal to help revitalise the area has so far raised £12,000.

This weekend, a group of almost 100 volunteers helped plant 6,000 trees.

A rare Arran whitebeam plant survived the wildfire

Beside the beauty spot of the blue pool at Glen Rosa, a shoot from one of the newly-planted trees stands out on the blackened hillside.

"It's an Arran whitebeam plant." Ms Sampson says.

"It's one of the rarest trees in the world and we only have them here on Arran. This can be our first tree of hope."

June 9, 2025 0 comments
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Industry

Geothermal energy plan for university buildings

by Sarah June 9, 2025
written by Sarah

A project to use geothermal heat to decarbonise a university's campus has been launched.

The University of York scheme, which has been allocated £35m in funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, will also look at ways to reduce fossil fuel use across the city.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Charlie Jeffery said the campus's location on a site of "significant geothermal potential" made it an ideal place for the plan.

He said: "This geothermal project is more than just a sustainable energy initiative; it is a living laboratory that will drive research, educate our students and benefit our community."

The initial three-year phase of the project would focus on developing a sustainable heat source to supply the majority of the university's buildings, while also "fostering a new generation of sustainable energy experts", the university said.

The next phase of the project would "delve into the potential for on-campus electricity generation and the expansion of heat capacity to benefit the wider York community".

The funding came from the government's Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, delivered by Salix Finance.

The university said assessment work for the project had been done, with the next phase being the planning process and regulatory approvals.

June 9, 2025 0 comments
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Industry

'No warning' over cladding evacuation, couple say

by Benjamin June 5, 2025
written by Benjamin

A couple who had to leave their home after fire inspectors found dangerous cladding and issues with fire escapes have said they had "absolutely no warning".

Sixty people, including eight children, had to leave the 46 flats at Barbourne Works in Worcester after inspectors found dangers "so significant and the risk to residents was so severe" a prohibition notice was issued.

Ashley Gurr and Niamh Gillen, both 25, said they had lived at block for two years and news that it was not safe came as a shock.

Management firm First Port said the concerns related to defects from when the former factory was converted 20 years ago.

Residents affected included 52 adults and eight children – 47 of them went to stay with friends and family and 13 went to a rest centre at Perdiswell Leisure Centre before they were put up in hotels, fire service group commander Simon Cusack said.

"It was just sprung upon us with absolutely no warning," Mr Gurr said.

He said he got home from work to be told by a neighbour the building was being evacuated.

There were police cars with council workers there, he said, but added: "It took about an hour for them to actually tell us what was happening."

Worcester apartment building evacuated

Ms Gillen said: "Everyone was congregating in the hallway trying to work out what was going on.

"We packed as much as feasibly possible for a night, and when they spoke to us eventually, they said 'you'll be allowed in to get stuff, but not that often and not too long', so it was about trying to get the essentials."

"We have no idea where we'll end up or for how long, so it's quite nervy," Mr Gurr added.

He said discovering the issues with the cladding and fire escapes had been "scary", after being resident there for two years.

Mr Gurr and Ms Gillen are staying with a friend for the weekend, but after that they need to find temporary accommodation.

"It is a bit unnerving, especially as we both work," Ms Gillen said, adding that their accommodation would have to allow them to get to their jobs.

They currently have no timescale for their return, she added.

'Out of the blue'

The fire service had said safety concerns also involved "the ability of residents to be able to escape safely should a fire occur".

City councillor Mel Allcott said the evacuation came "out of the blue" and people would have woken up to a normal day on Wednesday, but come home to find everything had changed.

"It will be really tough for them, I think. It's just quite shocking, very unexpected," she said.

She said Barbourne Court was five storeys high, and not a tower block, but added: "It may seem quite heavy-handed, but it's really important that they keep people safe, and with the cladding and the fire escape routes both being an issue, they had to act."

Jacques Cheong, who owns a flat that is currently empty, said he found out about the evacuation at about 21:00 BST.

"I was horrified," he said, "because that was the first time I actually heard about it."

He said he waited to hear information from First Port but went to the building himself after he didn't hear anything.

"I found a security guy. There was no representative," he said, adding he'd received "no texts, no email, no nothing".

The site was evacuated on Wednesday evening

Worcester City Council provided rest centre facilities on Wednesday evening and arranged emergency accommodation as requested.

A council spokesman said: "The rest centre has now closed and we will continue to support those in emergency accommodation."

'It just wasn't safe'

The building is described by local estate agents as a converted Grade II-listed building that used to be a factory.

The 19th Century building, which has an internal courtyard, is a former printing plant that was later used as a depot by a clothes manufacturer.

Mr Cusack said a fire safety inspection team had visited the building and had worked with the building management company First Port, the architects and the fire engineers before the notice was issued.

"Essentially, this is down to cladding," he said.

Referring to the Grenfell Tower fire, he said: "There's timber cladding on the building, which is an issue, and aluminium composite material cladding on the building as well."

He confirmed both materials were flammable.

"Really, it just wasn't safe for the residents to remain there until this has been resolved," he said.

He said the residents were "so, so understanding", as the building was cleared.

Asked when they could go back home, he said a series of meetings would take place.

He added: "As soon as some of our concerns have been alleviated and some remedial work has taken place, then we will be able to lift the prohibition notice, but really it's down to the building management company – the timescale is in their hands."

A number of fire safety concerns were identified, the fire service said

Police assistance was sought by the fire service at about 16:30, the West Mercia force said.

Ten officers from the safer neighbourhood team helped to clear the building during the evening.

A statement from the force said: "Senior officers were also involved in a tactical co-ordinating group with partners who led on the evacuation and the temporary rehousing of residents."

'Already on cladding list'

A spokesman for First Port, a managing agent appointed by Resident Management Company (RMC), said: "We understand how disruptive this situation is for residents. However, this action was taken with their safety as the highest priority."

He said the firm was committed to providing support and regular updates.

The building safety inspection that identified concerns was carried out on Wednesday, he added.

"During the inspection, the fire service identified concerns relating to historical building defects from when Barbourne Court was converted into flats 20 years ago.

"As a result, the fire service issued a prohibition notice on the building with immediate effect."

Under the notice, the building must not be used for any residential purpose until necessary remedial works have taken place.

The building had already been accepted into the government's Cladding Safety Scheme and First Port had been supporting RMC on that, the spokesman added.

The government scheme is a fund that addresses fire risks associated with cladding on residential buildings.

First Port said it was not yet known how long residents would be relocated, but the firm would provide updates.

June 5, 2025 0 comments
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Innovation

Weekly round-up: Five stories you may have missed

by Noah June 4, 2025
written by Noah

Thousands of people marking 80 years since Victory in Europe (VE) Day around the south of England was among our most read stories.

We have picked five articles from the past seven days from Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Berkshire and Oxfordshire to keep you up to date.

VE Day 80 comes to close as beacons lit

BBC South Today weather presenter Alexis Green broadcast from a street party in Witney

Beacons were lit across the region to mark VE Day on Thursday.

From remembrance ceremonies to woolly postbox toppers, thousands of people marked the 80th anniversary.

Meanwhile BBC South Today broadcast live from a street party in Witney, Oxfordshire.

Strictly pro teaches BBC presenters to Lindy Hop

Strictly Come Dancing's Kai Widdrington teaches Edward Sault and Sophie Law to dance like it's VE Day

Sticking with the VE Day theme, our BBC presenters were taught how to Lindy Hop by a Strictly Come Dancing professional.

The dance began in New York City in the late 1920s and was born out of those from the swing genre, such as the jive.

Watch Kai Widdrington teach BBC South Today's Ed Sault and BBC Radio Oxford's Sophie Law how to perform.

From Martin Fowler to Mr Darcy

Michael Wharley
James Bye (second left) plays Mr Darcy in Death Comes to Pemberley

He is best known for playing EastEnders' market stall holder Martin Fowler, who was dramatically killed off in the TV soap's live 40th anniversary episode in February.

Now the Basingstoke-born actor James Bye has a new role as one of literature's biggest heartthrobs.

He has donned a tailcoat and breeches to play Mr Darcy in the crime thriller Death Comes to Pemberley, at the Mill at Sonning theatre in Berkshire.

Tip shut after ordnance found at scrapyard

Dorset Council Waste Services
The object is thought to be a WW2-era tank round

Dorchester's recycling centre was closed after a suspected unexploded ordnance was found at a scrapyard next door.

Wessex Water treatment works in St George's Road was also evacuated following the discovery on Thursday.

Dorset Council said the object was thought to be a World War Two-era tank round, although it had not been confirmed.

UK-first technology used for brain tumour patients

Oxford Hospitals Charity
The electromagnetic coil cost £115,000

Hundreds of brain tumour patients will become the UK's first to benefit from a new way of carrying out MRI scans to plan specialist radiotherapy treatment.

The technology will lead to quicker MRI scans and more precise and targeted radiotherapy, Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust said.

Oxford Hospitals Charity has funded the new equipment, which cost £115,000, at the Churchill Hospital.

June 4, 2025 0 comments
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Economy

Maternity care for black women must improve – MP

by Michelle June 2, 2025
written by Michelle

An MP has said maternity care for black women "has to improve" after an inquiry into services got under way.

Paulette Hamilton, who represents Birmingham Erdington, said one in four black women receiving maternal care were "dying or having poor outcomes" across England.

The Labour MP's comments came after the health and social care select committee, of which she is acting chair, launched its inquiry into black maternal health earlier this week.

"Mothers go into hospital and it's supposed to be a happy occasion," she told BBC Politics Midlands.

"But they're coming out with no children, dying or are disabled for some reason. It has to be improved."

Ms Hamilton defended the government on the issue and said it was committed to improving maternity services in the NHS.

'Not really fair'

Councillor Ade Adeyemo, leader of the Liberal Democrat group on Solihull Council, agreed people from ethnic minorities "do extremely badly in maternity".

He criticised the government's reorganisation of integrated care boards (ICBs), which he said would distract health leaders from improving services.

"The focus is not going to be on maternity care," he said. "By the time they finish sorting out the reorganisation, we've got mothers, parents, families who are having to go through bad experiences with their maternity which is not really fair."

Ex-Conservative MP Theo Clarke, who represented Stafford from 2019 to 2024, recently criticised the government for its lack of progress in improving maternity care.

Theo Clarke
Ex-MP Theo Clarke has been campaigning for improvements in maternity care

She suffered severe blood loss and needed emergency surgery following a 40-hour labour to deliver her daughter at the Royal Stoke University Hospital in 2022.

Staffordshire's Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Ben Adams praised Ms Clarke for raising an issue that many first-time mothers "didn't feel comfortable raising".

"Having a child is such a wonderful thing but it is a traumatic, massive act and I think fundamentally we need the NHS and others to listen very carefully about what Theo has said about how they can improve," he added.

'Greater needs'

As a result of a landmark review into maternity care at the Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, NHS England said it would increase spending on maternity care by £95m a year.

But analysis of NHS funding for this year, carried out by the Health Service Journal, showed just £2m of the £95m was to be ringfenced for 2025-26.

Health and Social Care Minister Stephen Kinnock defended the government's decision and said decisions about funding should be made locally by ICBs.

He told BBC Politics Midlands: "They are best placed to determine how best to manage care across their areas. There will be greater needs in some parts of the country than others."

June 2, 2025 0 comments
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Business

'My father never forgot Newcastle United'

by Stephanie June 2, 2025
written by Stephanie

The daughter of Newcastle United's first overseas player has said he would be "very proud" of a book written about his life and career.

The new book, called Postcards from Santiago, chronicles George Robledo's life, from his early years in Chile to his prominent playing career.

He lifted back-to-back FA Cups with the Magpies, the first in 1951 and the second when he scored the winner against Arsenal at Wembley a year later.

"In a world where footballers are superstars, my dad was just normal and I think the book highlights that," Elizabeth Robledo said.

Handout
George Robledo (centre-left) scored 82 times for Newcastle United between 1949 and 1953

Robledo came to England from Chile as a child in the early 1930s with his mother and brother Ted Robledo, who also played for Newcastle.

Ms Robledo said: "He loved his time in Newcastle and never forgot the city and I know the fans call it the glorious '50s."

During the 1951-52 season, he set a record for most goals scored by an overseas player in English football – a record which stood for almost 50 years.

Sports journalist and author Spencer Vignes heard a stat about Robledo during a pub quiz and knew he wanted to write the book.

"He was the first South American to win the FA Cup, he was the first South American to score in the FA Cup. He was a trailblazer and deserves to be remembered," Mr Vignes said.

Elizabeth Robledo hugs supporter David Kemp, who wore his Robledo strip to the book signing in Newcastle

Robledo died in April 1989 but is still fondly remembered by Newcastle fans, who flocked to the city's Back Page book shop to pick up their copies of his biography.

Fans hugged and thanked Ms Robledo when arriving at the book store.

David Kemp, from Brampton in Cumbria, said: "He was my favourite player growing up as a kid, he was for me what Bruno [Guimaraes] is to kids nowadays."

"I've been very emotional, I know my father would be very proud," Ms Robledo said.

June 2, 2025 0 comments
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Global Trade

Farmers send 'respect livelihoods' plea to TT fans

by Jasmine June 1, 2025
written by Jasmine

Farmers have implored motorsport fans visiting the Isle of Man for the TT festival to "respect their livelihoods" amid warnings about foot and mouth disease (FMD).

The Manx National Farmers Union (MNFU) issued the plea due to a growing outbreak of the disease in Europe.

Earlier this year, restrictions were put in place on the island which ban the importation of meat and dairy products for personal use from anywhere outside of Great Britain.

MNFU secretary Sarah Comish said she was concerned both about the highly contagious nature of the disease and the fact that there will be "so many people travelling from Europe to the island" for the two-week festival.

FMD is a highly infectious virus that causes blisters inside an animal's mouth and under their hooves, and can cause lameness and problems feeding.

Ms Comish said that while the threat level "now seemed to be under control" it remained vital for travellers not to bring dairy and meat products to the Isle of Man.

She also asked TT spectators not to leave any food waste lying around.

Spectators often watch the racing from farmland, added Ms Comish, "so it is just about respecting the environment you are in".

'Huge impact'

An FMD outbreak would have a "huge impact" on livestock farmers, said Ms Comish, since the Isle of Man is "heavily dependent on export trade".

The TT festival was cancelled in 2001 following outbreaks of the disease in the UK.

This week saw the first seizure of meat and dairy products brought in from Europe.

Four kilograms of meat and 800g of cheese found in a campervan were confiscated by customs and immigration officers in Douglas.

The seizure could lead to a "significant fine" if the matter proceeds to court, the government said.

The recent discovery of bluetongue disease "right next door" in Lancashire has also "caused worry" in the Isle of Man's farming community, said Ms Comish.

Bluetongue disease can cause cattle to become infertile and even be fatal.

Since it is spread by midge bites, its spread is "more difficult to control", she added.

June 1, 2025 0 comments
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Global Trade

Man wanted over indecent exposure near landmark

by Liam May 31, 2025
written by Liam

A man is being sought by police in connection with an incident of indecent exposure near a historical landmark in North Yorkshire.

It happened at about 16:00 BST on 5 May, Bank Holiday Monday, near The Strid at Bolton Abbey in Wharfedale, a police spokesperson said.

The man involved was described as white, in his late 20s to mid-30s, about 6ft (2m) tall, balding and slightly overweight. He was also believed to have been wearing a grey hooded top with a white stripe down it, and dark jeans.

Anyone who saw what happened, or who had any information about the incident, was asked to get in touch with police.

The North Yorkshire Police spokesperson added that officers were treating it as an isolated incident.

May 31, 2025 0 comments
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    June 9, 2025
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    June 9, 2025
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    June 9, 2025
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  • 'Wildfire sent years of work up in flames'

    June 9, 2025
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    June 5, 2025
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    June 9, 2025
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