London garden centres prepare for busiest weekend of the year
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
6 minutes ago
- CTV News
First Nations youth head to Europe for hockey tournaments
Players from the First Nations Voyageurs U16 Elite AA/AAA hockey team are seen at a farewell ceremony in Edmonton on Aug. 3, 2025, as they head to Europe to play against teams in Germany and Czechia. (CTV News Edmonton/Connor Hogg) First Nations hockey players from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are headed to Europe Monday to compete against teams in Czechia and Germany. Players from the First Nations Voyageurs U16 Elite AA/AAA gathered in Edmonton on Sunday for a send-off ceremony, celebrating the team's achievements as they begin their journey representing their nations on an international stage. Juliann Yellowbird, the team's manager, said the team is compiled of all young players who are First Nations with treaty status. 'These are the best of the best,' Yellowbird told CTV News Edmonton. The team was formed after Tobias Monaco of Germany and Kehewin First Nation Chief Gordon John reconnected in 2024. John had previously hosted Monaco for six months as an exchange student. In the fall of 2024, Monaco and John gathered allies in Canada and Germany to create an annual cultural sports exchange for young First Nations athletes in hockey and other sports. First Nations and sponsors help the players with funding for equipment and travelling. But the team is about more than just playing a game. 'The brotherhood that is created with this team is amazing,' said Yellowbird, adding that they include tradition, prayer and ceremony in their play. Lincoln Kitchemonia of Okanese First Nation, who has been playing Canada's game since he was six-years-old, said he feels more comfortable playing on an all-Indigenous team. 'You're more shy when you're playing with non-Indigenous people,' Kitchemonia said. 'Playing with this team, I feel comfortable … there's a whole different connection.' Friends, family and community members gathered at the Kihchihkaw Aski Sacred Site to see the 20 players off on their big adventure across the pond. Easton Houle from Dene Tha' First Nation said he has never been on a plane, let alone out of the country – but the nervousness is cut with excitement. 'I'm really excited because I get to see the world … not everybody gets that and I'm very grateful for that.' He said the support from his community at Sunday's farewell motivates him to accomplish his dreams. 'That's one thing about our culture, we have a strong community all the time.' With files from CTV News Edmonton's Connor Hogg
Canada News.Net
4 hours ago
- Canada News.Net
British travelers discover many faces of China
One of the things she appreciated most about China was its variety. "From green mountain villages to vibrant city streets, every part of China has something new to offer," she said. LONDON, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) --John Coles, managing director of a London-based travel agency, said he had heard a lot, sometimes quite negative things, from Western media about China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region before he set his feet on the land for the first time. "But for me, one of the great thrills of traveling is to go and see things with my own eyes." And what he saw defied all the headlines. From vast grasslands to snow-capped mountains and sweeping deserts, Xinjiang's landscapes left Coles deeply impressed. "The real surprise," he noted, "was the alpine scenery in the mountains. It looked like something from Switzerland or the Canadian Rockies." As his journey continued, Coles found himself drawn not only to the scenery but to the deep historical resonance of the Silk Road. "Many European and Western tourists are fascinated by the Silk Road, its history and romance as a trading route," he explained. "But it carried more than goods. It carried ideas." In remote corners of the region, he encountered crumbling ancient cities, their ruins still whispering the stories of the past. "These are incredible, hidden places," he said. "Deserted cities, full of history, waiting to be seen." Yet what surprised him most was the pace of contemporary change. From cutting-edge infrastructure to enormous wind farms stretching across the landscape, Coles was struck by the scale and speed of development. "The size of the wind turbines was almost unbelievable. The transformation is happening so fast." He also spoke of the openness he experienced. "I wandered freely through neighborhoods. That was one of the most delightful parts of the trip -- I could actually see and feel the place for myself." Coles had been to China before. Two decades ago, when he was based in Singapore and working in the aviation sector, he visited China frequently. At the time, he said, "Leaving Singapore to go to China felt like going back in time." But things have changed. "The infrastructure is astonishing. People are polite and friendly. The transformation is far beyond what I expected. " Coles shared these reflections at a travel experience sharing session held in London on Saturday, hosted by the China National Tourist Office London. Nearly 20 British travelers gathered to exchange stories about the surprises and discoveries they found in China. Alex Outhwaite visited China's Guizhou Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in May. She said it was her first time in China, and an unforgettable one. "We visited many traditional Miao and Dong villages, and what stood out most was the pride people had in their culture and how generously they shared it with us," she said. The group explored local music, cuisine and even joined a friendly football match with villagers. "We saw domestic and international tourists all learning together, about music, dancing, art and traditional dress. It was a real cultural immersion," Outhwaite said. The diversity also struck her. "Not just in terms of landscape, though the karst formations were stunning. But also the contrast between peaceful countryside and the bright lights of the cities." Photographer Anok Deb showed a video from Guizhou Province that has since gained more than 500,000 views online. "I often explored on my own and met so many local people," he said. "In a way, I fell in love with China. It's strange -- I didn't speak the language, didn't grow up in the culture, but I felt completely at home. I can't wait to go back." For some, the experience had a more personal meaning. Hari Krishna Daggubaty brought home a traditional Miao doll for his niece, thinking it was simply an exotic souvenir. "But she immediately told me it was a Miao doll." Daggubaty later found she learned it from TikTok. For Emily Grace Lymath, now a senior Asia specialist at a bespoke travel company, returning to China's Guangxi was a journey down memory lane. From 2012 to 2014, she had taught English at a local university. She was even invited to a traditional wedding by one of her former students. "Everyone was so excited." "Every time I return to China," she added, "I'm surprised by how fast it's developing." Nicola Clare Armstrong, who had also lived and worked in China, said she was busy teaching others how to use mobile payments on her recent trip to China. "In China, if you've got an idea, you can make it happen. All you need is a QR code," she said. She recalled chatting with street vendors, reflecting on how digital payments had become more than just a way to buy things. "They're the key to unlock the finance needed to take your business to the next level." One of the things she appreciated most about China was its variety. "From green mountain villages to vibrant city streets, every part of China has something new to offer," she said.
CBC
17 hours ago
- CBC
Here's what's open and closed this Civic Holiday in London
Social Sharing It's the Civic Holiday on Monday, Aug. 4. Here's a look at what's open and closed this long weekend in London. Recreation There's a whole list of free program offerings at London community centres from sports, science and arts and crafts. Public outdoor swimming pools are open across the city, along with recreational swimming at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre. Neighbourhood splash pads will also be running. Go for a train ride or bounce on a leaping lily pad at Storybook Gardens in Springbank Park from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. London Children's Museum is open and is featuring an open studio in their Discovery Lab. Ready for some adventure? East Park and Boler Mountain are both open on Monday. City-run golf courses will be open. London Public Library's Central Branch will be closed for the holiday. Library branch locations are open Tuesday to Saturday. Shopping, Drinks and Food RibFest is happening at Victoria Park, serving up food, fun and line dancing. White Oaks Mall, CF Masonville Mall and Westmount Shopping Centre will be open with reduced hours for the holiday. Covent Garden Market will be closed. Some liquor, beer and grocery stores may be closed or have reduced hours. Check hours with your local store. Labatt Brewery's Store will be open. Transit Banks and Government Services Banks will be closed for the Civic Holiday. All Canada Post offices will be closed Monday, Aug. 4. There will be no City of London garbage collection on Monday, Aug. 5. Waste pickup is rescheduled for Tuesday.
