Latest news with #Caerphilly
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Lloyds Bank wouldn't let me withdraw £600 in branch and insisted I use a cash machine outside
I went to my local branch of Lloyds Bank in Caerphilly to withdraw £600 in cash at the counter only to be told that due to new rules I had to go to the outside cash machine. If I wanted to be served at the counter I would have to request withdrawal of £800 minimum. The member of branch staff said all customers had been notified of this new procedure in March 2025. Looking at the current Lloyds website it states there is no limit for withdrawals over the counter just give advance notice if the request is for over a certain amount. Checking on my correspondence from Lloyds Bank I can find no notification of this change of policy. I wanted to withdraw it from the counter, as I felt vulnerable getting out such a large sum of cash outside - and I didn't think I'd be able to withdraw such a large sum from an ATM anyway. Helen Kirrane of This is Money replies: Lloyds is one of the few banks which does not have a maximum limit on how much cash customers can withdraw from the counter, according to advice it gave This is Money earlier in the year. Customers need to be able to provide identification if they are withdrawing lager sums. It sounds like you were given the wrong information by the member of branch staff at the counter. Lloyds has not changed the amount that can be withdrawn at the counter - or set a new minimum. What it has changed is the amount customers can withdraw from the ATM if using a Lloyds debit card. Customers can now withdraw amounts up to £800 in cash at the ATM and this has steadily been increasing. Previously, the amount which could be taken out at the ATM was £500. But you should still have been allowed to withdraw an amount of less than £800 at the counter without being made to go outside to use the ATM, which you said you did not feel comfortable doing for such a sum of cash. I don't blame you. Lloyds' branch staff will let customers know the options available to them for carrying out banking with it, but I am surprised a staff member thought the best way for you to withdraw £600 was to go outside and do it at the ATM. A Lloyds bank spokesman said: The amount you can withdraw at a cash machine is £800 per day if you hold a Lloyds Bank debit card. Helen Kirrane adds: Lloyds said you should have been able to withdraw the money over the counter. Earlier this year we asked the big high street banks how much customers can withdraw in cash at the counter. HSBC does not have a maximum limit for how much cash a customer can withdraw from the counter, providing it has the amount you require in cash at your branch. For cash withdrawals up to £5,000 you will not need to give any advance notice to Santander to get your money. Customers can withdraw amounts up to £5,000 over the counter during its opening hours on Monday to Friday – though not on Saturdays. There's no limit to how much money you can take out over the counter in a Barclays branch – as long as you've got the money in your account. Withdrawals up to £2,000 can be made at a Nationwide branch counter without giving prior notice to the building society.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Daily Mail
'Show-off' driver who revved engine before flipping his car and killing grandfather who was walking his dogs is jailed
A 'show off' driver revved the engine of his powerful car before killing an innocent grandfather walking his dog has been jailed. Daniel Boucher, 28, bragged about the horsepower of his Peugeot 207 moments before a deadly crash. He lost control of the car after taking a bend too fast, flipping the vehicle and ploughing into 66-year-old David Paul Chaplin. Mr Chaplin, who had been walking two dogs in Nelson, near Caerphilly, South Wales, was struck with devastating force. Emergency crews raced to the scene, including officers, paramedics from the Welsh Ambulance Service, the Welsh Air Ambulance, and South Wales Fire and Rescue. But despite their efforts, the grandfather died at the scene. Prosecutor Owen Williams said Boucher had finished work when he bragged to colleague Scott Williams about the 165 and 170 horsepower of his 'turbocharged' car. He said Boucher had been driving 'way too fast' after leaving work and crashed a short way into his journey. Boucher was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving having admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving. Hashim Salmman, defending, said Boucher was genuinely remorseful. Judge Vanessa Francis told him: 'This was a tragic miscalculation of what speed was safe to negotiate that bend and your ability to control the car and keep other road users safe as is your responsibility.' Boucher, of Argoed, Blackwood, was jailed for four years and banned from driving for five years. Speaking after the sentence Mr Chaplin's daughter Abby Hillberg, said her father was 'more than just a victim of a tragic and heartbreaking event, he was an amazing dad, and outstanding grandfather, a partner and a friend to many.' She said: 'Today we remember and honour the life of the amazing and wonderful Paul Chaplin, whose life was tragically cut short on 18 April 2023 due a road traffic collision. 'His life was cruelly taken from him far too soon, and the shock and impact of this loss has affected everyone who loved and knew him. 'He was the main function of our family, our whole world and more. 'He was more than just a victim of a tragic and heartbreaking event, he was an amazing dad, and outstanding grandfather, a partner and a friend to many. 'He brightened every room he walked in, made a positive impact on everyone who met him and, most of all, brought happiness to those around him. 'No words will ever explain the heartache and sorrow that we felt and still feel to this day, but in remembering our Dad and Bampi we hold onto the joy and love he brought into our lives and remember all the memories we share and that remain in our hearts forever. 'There is not a day that goes by where we don't think of him, tell him we love him or reminisce on our happy memories. He really was one of a kind, a true gentleman and an honourable man. 'We hope for this tribute to serve as a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of road safety and acknowledgement of pedestrians. 'Every life lost is a family shattered and a future rewritten. Rest in peace and keep showing us daily that you are with us. You will never be forgotten, we love you always.' Sergeant Shane Draper, the senior investigating officer from the serious collision investigation unit, said: 'This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life. 'The facts of the case are that, after leaving work, Boucher drove dangerously, far too quickly for the road and lost control of his vehicle. 'Boucher was showing off and his failure to drive to the required competent and careful driving standard has caused devastating consequences - the death of Mr Chaplin, who was simply walking his dog on the pavement. 'The importance of driving carefully and to your ability at all times is never more poignant than in this case; the collision was so unnecessary. Dangerous driving ruins lives. 'This is a reminder to everyone who gets behind the wheel - your responsibility isn't just to ensure your own safety, but the safety of everyone around you. 'Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr Chaplin.'
The Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Huge banking giant to slash opening hours in HALF at 36 high street branches within days
A HUGE banking giant is about to cut opening hours in half at 36 branches within days. Santander is set to change the opening hours of dozens of its branches from June 30. This move comes as part of a broader restructuring, which also includes the closure of 95 branches and the conversion of 18 to "counter-free" service desks. Currently, most of these branches are open Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3pm, with many also open Saturday mornings from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Going forward, these branches will be open only three days a week. Of the affected locations, 21 branches will adopt a Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday timetable. These include branches in Bicester, Braintree, Durham, and Stevenage. This means that, from June 30, these branches will open just three days a week - instead of six. An additional 14 branches will adopt a Monday, Wednesday, and Friday timetable, opening from 9.30am to 3pm on these days. Branches affected by this change include Banbury, Great Yarmouth, Newark, and Washington. Meanwhile, the final branch on the list, located in Caerphilly, will see its hours cut further, from every week day to just Tuesdays and Thursdays, with opening hours from 9.30am to 3pm. Our map above reveals exactly which branches are reducing their hours and which days they'll be open from the end of June. Inside the hubs restoring high street banking and reversing the tide of mass branch closures The bank says the changes are due to changing customer behaviour and a significant increase in digital transactions. A spokesperson for Santander UK, said: "As customer behaviour changes, we are ensuring that our branches remain fit for the future. "Our new combination of full-service branches, alongside Work Cafés, counter-free branches and reduced hours branches, aims to provide the right balance between digital banking and face-to-face money management and guidance. "As a business, we must move with customers and balance our investment across all the places where we interact with customers, to deliver the very best for them now and in the future." The bank, which serves over 14million UK customers, announced in March that it plans to close 95 branches across the UK. Following the shake-up, just 349 branches will remain on the high street. What you can do if your local bank is set to close There are still a number of ways people can access basic banking services without having to venture to another town with a branch. You can use one of the Post Office's 11,684 branches to perform basic banking tasks — but not to open new bank accounts or take personal loans and mortgages. You can find your nearest Post Office branch by visiting Meanwhile, many banks offer a mobile banking service - where they bring a bus to your area offering services you can usually get at a physical branch. Other banks use buildings such as village halls or libraries to offer mobile banking services. It's worth contacting your bank to see what mobile services they have available, and when they might next be in your area. New super ATMs are being rolled out across the UK where branch closures have left residents unable to access essential banking services. These ATMs will allow customers to withdraw funds, access their balance, change PIN numbers and deposit cash. Bank of Scotland, Barclays, Halifax, Lloyds, NatWest, Royal Bank of Scotland and Ulster Bank are already signed up to allow deposits, at the super ATMs. Banking hubs are also being opened across the UK with 250 set to be available by the end of 2025. These sites typically feature a counter service operated by the Post Office as standard, enabling customers to conduct routine banking transactions conveniently. Each hub also has a private area where customers can consult with staff representing their banks for more complex matters. What services do banking hubs offer? BANKING hubs offer a range of services to bridge the gap left by the closure of local branches. Operated by the Post Office, these hubs allow customers to perform routine transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, and balance enquiries. Each hub also features private booths where customers can discuss more complex banking matters with staff from their respective banks. Staff from different banks are available on a rotational basis, ensuring that customers have access to a wide range of banking services throughout the week. Additionally, customers can receive advice and support on various financial products and services, including loans, mortgages, and savings accounts.
Wales Online
17-06-2025
- Wales Online
Hundreds of plants found at three-floor cannabis factory
Hundreds of plants found at three-floor cannabis factory They were seized after police carried out a raid on the property The discovery was made at an address on Commercial Street in Pontllanfraith (Image: Google ) A three-floor cannabis factory has been uncovered at an address in Blackwood. Neighbourhood officers from Gwent Police carried out a warrant an address on Commercial Street in Pontllanfraith on Friday afternoon (June 13) and found the huge cannabis cultivation. After forcing entry to the building, officers discovered and seized 287 cannabis plants in total. Gwent Police thanked the public for providing information which helped them to execute the warrant. Enquiries are ongoing after the discovery. No arrests have been made. Stay informed on Caerphilly news by signing up to our newsletter here PC Conor Stripp, neighbourhood ward manager for Blackwood, said: "Our enquiries are ongoing and we will continue to disrupt the activities of those suspected of being involved in criminality because of the impact and misery it brings to our communities. "Every cannabis factory we dismantle helps prevent a vicious cycle of crime. It stops plants from being sold into our communities and the profits from going on to fund other crime. Article continues below "Operations like this are made possible by the vital part our communities play in telling us about their concerns. "We hope this warrant demonstrates that information the public can provide around illegal drugs has the potential to make a huge difference, so please continue to report your concerns and information to us. "If you have any concerns about illegal drugs in your area, you can report it to us via our website, call us on 101 or send us a direct message on our Facebook or X social media pages, so that we can act." Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111, with information or visit their website. Get daily breaking news updates on your phone by joining our WhatsApp community here . We occasionally treat members to special offers, promotions and ads from us and our partners. Article continues below
Daily Mail
10-06-2025
- Daily Mail
British father, 32, plunged to his death in Turkey hours after he was escorted off plane following drunken row with his partner, inquest hears
A British father plunged to his death just hours after he was escorted off a plane in Turkey after getting in a drunken fight with his partner, an inquest has heard. Ben Crook, 32, was reported missing after he flew out to Antalya to celebrate his 32nd birthday with his partner Jess Jenkins and her two children on September 23. He began drinking after setting off from his home in Abertridwr, Caerphilly county, and continued to do so inside Bristol Airport and onboard the plane. Having also taken cocaine, he behaved erratically on the flight by shouting at a male air steward when they refused to serve him more alcohol on the plane. A drunken row with his partner then followed and he smashed both their phones which led him to being escorted off the plane when it landed in Turkey, the inquest at Gwent Coroner's Court heard. His partner Jess Jenkins was advised to go to their family hotel with her two children and wait for Ben, but he never arrived. The inquest heard Ben messaged his father to ask for the name of the hotel they were staying in. However, the message was never received as it went to his spam folder. He was discovered on Cumhuriyet Street (pictured) in the Selçuk area of Antalya - less than a mile from the hotel where the family were staying Ben was last seen Kaleiçi, the old town district of Antalya, before he disappeared 'looking shaken and hungover'. He was discovered the following day on Cumhuriyet Street in the Selçuk area - less than a mile from the hotel where the family were staying. After raising the alarm over his disappearance, Jess received a message from a woman who had seen Ben near Kaleici Harbour. The woman wrote: 'He said he smashed up his phone and had brought a new one but it was not ringing for some reason. He used my phone to send a message to his friend and we gave him our number if he needed more help. 'He looked shaken and hungover. After the Facebook message and ringing his friend, he crossed the harbour and walked, we presumed, to the police station for help.' Ben was found laying on rocky ground at the bottom of a tall building and died at Antalya Training and Research Hospital at 2.15am on September 25. His father had flown to Turkey after learning of his son's disappearance only to be told of his death on arrival A post mortem examination carried out at the Antalya Forensic Institute on September 24 revealed Ben had suffered external injuries and lacerations which were in keeping with a fall. Ben's body was repatriated to the UK where a second post mortem was carried out and gave his medical cause of death as fractured skull and pelvis caused by blunt trauma as a result of a fall. A toxicology report revealed the presence of cocaine, alcohol, ketamine and cocaethylene in Ben's blood, with the ketamine likely administered during his treatment. Dr Rashid recorded the medical cause of death as fractured skull and pelvis caused by blunt trauma as a result of a fall. The hearing heard he may have fallen while smoking. In a statement read out to the court by senior coroner Caroline Saunders, Jess said Ben had started drinking alcohol before they arrived at the airport and bought duty free alcohol at the airport which they planned to drink at their hotel. The flight was delayed so the couple began drinking the duty free alcohol. Jess said her partner was a 'nervous flier' but they were 'chatting and joking' before take off. Ben's sister Amy said her brother had had issues with drugs and alcohol and his consumption had increased in the months before his death. She said her brother also suffered with his mental health, which was impacted by his drug and alcohol use, but Jess said there was nothing to suggest he would take his own life and leave his two children without a father. Delivering her conclusion, Ms Saunders said: '(Alcohol and drugs) may have caused disorientation and poor judgement but this is insufficient to determine he fell as a result of the drugs he had taken. 'I find the fall was an accident, the exact details of which are unknown... 'On September 24, 2024, Ben Crook fell from height whilst on holiday in Turkey and sustained severe head and pelvic injuries and died on September 25, 2024. The conclusion I reach is that of an accident.'
