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Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tribute to couple who dedicated their lives to North East park unveiled
A commemorative bench has been unveiled in memory of a couple's lifelong dedication to a North East park. Doreen and John Fearns, long-standing members of the Friends of Stewart Park in Middlesbrough, were honoured with the bench for their service and community spirit. The couple were deeply involved in fundraising and community activities through the Friends group, which has supported the park since 2007. Chairman of the Friends of Stewart Park Tom Mawston (Image: Supplied) Tom Mawston, chairman of the Friends of Stewart Park, said: "Organisations like the Friends of Stewart Park can't exist without people like Doreen and John. "They were well-known and much-loved figures in Marton, and John's tweed hat even earned him the nickname 'the man in the hat' among Parkrunners. "This bench is a deserved and lasting tribute to their selfless dedication to their community." Mr Fearns was also a regular volunteer at the weekly Stewart Park Parkrun, serving as a steward on the course where the bench now stands, near the Lower Lake. The plaque commemorating the contribution of Doreen and John Fearns as long-term members of the Friends of Stewart Park (Image: Supplied) Mrs Fearns contributed to the wider community as a member of the Marton Community Centre Group and chair of the Afternoon WI. The plaque on the bench reads: "In Memory of Doreen and John Fearns, Friends of Stewart Park and the Park Run." Councillor Philippa Storey, Middlesbrough's deputy mayor and executive member for education and culture, attended the unveiling. Cllr Storey said: "We need to be better at thanking our community volunteers, and this is a great example of how to do that. "People who dedicate their time to making the community better, like volunteering to steward the Parkruns, deserve our thanks. READ MORE: Families demand TEWV inquiry update as minister fails to meet own decision deadline Darlington hair salon forced to pay out thousands for THIRD time this year Village businesses 'devastated' after roadworks 'block' location off from customers "The beautiful bench organised by Tom Mawston and the Friends of Stewart Park is a fitting tribute." A second bench has also been installed in the park's Rose Garden to commemorate the collective efforts of the Friends of Stewart Park. The Friends group continues to support Stewart Park through fundraising, volunteering, and community events.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Bicester Garrison completes 24-hour static bike ride for charity
Personnel from Bicester Garrison have completed a 24-hour static bike ride to raise more than £1,500 for The Firefighters Charity. The event was organised in response to the recent tragic loss of two firefighters in a fire at Bicester Motion. On the evening of Thursday, May 15, a fire started – for reasons not yet known – that blazed throughout the night and led to the deaths of three people. Local police supporting the fundraiser (Image: MoD) These were firefighters 38-year-old Martyn Sadler and Jennie Logan, 30, and member of the public and father-of-two Dave Chester, 57. Two more firefighters also suffered severe injuries from the fire. Sergeant Kamal Shrestha, supported by 1 Regiment RLC, led the initiative, with service personnel across garrison units volunteering for one-hour cycling slots to ensure non-stop pedalling. Static bikes were placed in Bicester town centre for four hours to promote the challenge on the day of the event. Volunteers taking part in the challenge (Image: MoD) The main effort took place at the Garrison Hub in Ambrosden, running continuously from 11am on July 16 to 11am on July 17. The finish was marked by a celebratory gathering attended by garrison commanding officers, the deputy mayor of Bicester, and children from Five Acres School. Special guest Hari Budha Magar - a double amputee and Mount Everest summiteer - attended the event to inspire and support participants. The funds raised will be donated to The Firefighters Charity, which provides vital support and rehabilitation services to serving and retired firefighters and their families.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Conservation efforts spark revival of rare flower on the Island
A rare plant is making a strong comeback thanks to focused conservation efforts. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust is celebrating the return of field cow-wheat (Melampyrum arvense) at St Lawrence Field Nature Reserve on the Isle of Wight. The plant, once widespread in southern England, has declined sharply due to habitat loss and changes in farming practices. Now found at just four UK sites, St Lawrence Field is the only location where the species is believed to have survived without reintroduction. Field cow-wheat (Image: Dominic Price) Emma Hunt, senior reserves officer for Wilder Wight and Solent at the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, said: "The display of flowers this year was absolutely incredible. "It's so great to see the field cow-wheat in such abundance here. "Field cow-wheat thriving at this scale is hugely encouraging. "This tiny but mighty reserve is proving how even the smallest spaces can have big impacts for biodiversity when managed sensitively." READ MORE: Wildlife trust backs campaign to ban bottom trawling near the Island The population survey, carried out by the trust in partnership with the Species Recovery Trust, highlights the success of targeted habitat management. This has included rotational cutting and careful scrub control to maintain the open, species-rich grassland the plant needs. Dominic Price, director of the Species Recovery Trust, said: "Field cow-wheat is not only a spectacular plant but is also now one of our rarest wild blooms, with this site now considered to be the only surviving native site. "So, to see it growing this well, especially in a year where many sites have been stricken by drought and high temperatures, is just amazing." St Lawrence Field Nature Reserve was designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) in 1993 to protect its population of the plant. Verity Foster, reserve officer (Isle of Wight), said: "This species is clinging on at just a handful of sites in the UK, and to witness such a strong recovery here fills me with hope." The trust encourages the public to support conservation efforts and explore nearby nature reserves.
