Latest news with #Crook
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
'Devastated' family-run tea room fights back over double yellow line plan in village
The "devastated" owners of a County Durham tea room are fighting back against plans to add double yellow lines in their village - fearing it will put off punters. The Quarry Tea House, in Hunwick, has been going from "strength to strength' since rebranding from The Quarry Burn four years ago. But the Hemlington Square deli now faces a battle after Durham Council announced plans to add double yellow lines directly outside and on nearby streets. The council said the bid, which is only in the planning stages, is in response to complaints from residents over concerns about parking and the risk of an accident. But Julie Bell, who runs The Quarry Tea House with husband Martin, 55, fears the plans could deter people from coming because they have no parking facilities, leaving visitors having to use on-street parking. The 51-year-old wants to work with villagers to 'oppose these restrictions every step of the way' while coming up with a solution to the parking problems. The Quarry Tea House in Hunwick, near Crook (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) She said: 'I do not think the yellow lines will help because a lot of residents park there too. 'The council added white lines and dropped kerbs, but nobody adhered to them and they still park over them - the dropped kerbs are covered by cars.' Julie, who has lived in the village all her life, thinks the answer could be a car park. She said: 'We need to find a solution and to try to work with the residents. 'We are bringing people to the village and it is an asset to the village. [The yellow lines] could deter people from coming to us. The approximate location of proposed yellow lines in Hunwick (Image: GOOGLE)'We need a village car park for residents and for visitors - but some say they don't want to lose the village green and said there should be parking bays.' Julie, who is a mum-of-two to Grace, 19, and Taylor, 23, said she first found out about the plans after receiving a letter from the council last week. The letter described how the scheme was hoping to 'reduce congestion and improve visibility at the proposed location'. She said: 'When I first got it, I half expected it. There's been a lot of complaints previously, I knew something was going to have to be done. But Julie is concerned about the impact on the tea room, which employs between 12 and 15 staff members, boasts two beauty rooms upstairs, and is getting 'busier and busier'. She has since organised a meeting with local councillors. 'We don't want to upset any residents', she said. 'We just want to work with them all. The Quarry Tea House (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) 'There has been a lot of support, which is why we have gone to social media. A lot of people are saying they will never stop coming.' Staff member Katie Butler, 42, who also opposes the plans, said: 'I just think it needs to be a solution for the village. It is a small village - we need a solution for everybody. Hunwick (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) 'Everything has outgrown itself, the village has outgrown itself. We get a lot more people on weekends and school holidays. 'But we cannot be responsible for the way people park.' Katie, who has worked there for 22 years, said she thinks the village could benefit from spaces that everybody could use: 'A car park would be great - we don't have the space. 'The residents will benefit from extra parking spaces.' Residents feel parking woes - but plan 'will make no difference' While the tea room is against the plans, it has sparked a mixed response from residents. Dale Gould, who has multiple sclerosis and lives near the green, says he understands the plans and hopes it will help him continue to easily get to his home. The 55-year-old said: 'It is the way people park. They park on both sides of the road itself and it is very hard to pass the gap they have left. 'I have multiple sclerosis and I need easy access.' The village green in Hunwick (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO) But the Hunwick resident said he understands the tea room's concerns, and thinks it needs parking spaces of their own, adding: 'There is a little bit of a space opposite the tea room that would be spot on for a parking space. 'They get a lot of people because it has got a hell of a reputation. A car park would be good but mostly for customers.' However, one married couple, who have lived in the village for 50 years and wished to remain anonymous, said they can't see it making any difference. 'All they are going to do is put yellow down here and move the cars over there', the man said. His 70-year-old wife added: 'Many times we have nowhere to park. We have to carry out shopping from up [the road] and it is difficult. 'We understand the yellow lines at the junctions because people do park at the junctions and that is a problem. It is getting worse, car parking, and a car park would solve problems.' Her husband, who is also aged 70 and disabled, noted how the tea room was great for the village, but understood the concerns over parking. He said: 'If there is nowhere to park, then that's the trouble. 'Sometimes I can't get past myself - and if emergency service vehicles come down they will struggle. Some have even gone across the grass.' Lines are 'in response to complaints' Plans seen by The Echo show how yellow lines would be added along one side of Hall View and Oxford Street, along junctions on West End, and outside the tea room. If approved, and so long as there are no loading restrictions, people will still be able to park over lines for as long as necessary if they are "actively dropping off, picking up, loading, and unloading, vehicles". Meanwhile, blue badge holders can park for three hours on double yellow lines, so long as there are no loading restrictions and they are not causing an obstruction. Dave Lewin, the council's strategic traffic manager, said: 'The proposed measures of double yellow lines in Hunwick are in response to complaints we have received since 2022 from residents over parking in the area, and the risk of an accident. "The works would formalise the existing white, advisory, keep-clear marks on junctions into Helmington Square, Oakfield and Oxford Street. Read more: Review to be launched into 'reckless' scrapping of town's free hour parking Plans to extend town's Aldi supermarket into chemist next door move forward Diggers move in as work gets underway on controversial new McDonald's drive-thru "Restrictions are also proposed on the eastern side of Oxford Street to maintain traffic flow in this area by ensuring one side of the road is kept clear. 'The double yellow lines would keep these junctions clear to improve road safety and ensure dropped kerbs in the area are accessible. "The scheme is still in the planning stages, so we welcome any comments from residents with any relevant concerns over the proposals.'
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Betaworks' third fund closes at $66M to invest in early-stage AI startups
New York City-based Betaworks has closed its $66 million Fund III, which will focus on investing in early-stage AI companies. Betaworks has been investing in AI since at least 2016 and, through its investment program Camp, has backed companies such as Huggingface and Granola. Jordan Crook, a partner at the firm (and former TechCrunch employee), said the new fund will focus on agents, native AI interfaces, and application-layer AI. 'Around these themes, we will continue to do straight seed investing and the Betaworks Camps,' Crook said. Fund III will seek to invest in at least 25 pre-seed to seed investments, as well as make at least 50 investments into startups as part of the Betaworks Camps program. 'Thus far, we've done around 37 deals,' Crook said, adding that the average check size was around $500,000. Crook called the current fundraising environment 'frothy' for startups, and 'spiky' for funds, but she noted that Fund III saw many of the firm's previous limited partners returning to invest. 'The fundraising environment in venture was challenging in 2024, and we weren't exempt, given that we were upsizing our fund,' she said. Betaworks previously raised a $46 million Fund II in 2020, and a $48 million Fund I in 2016. It launched in 2008 as a venture studio, and has since become a staple in the New York City tech ecosystem, launching its Betaworks Camps program in 2016. The firm's other notable investments include Tumblr and Kickstarter.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Arjan Bajwa: Typecasting is one of the most painful things that exists in our industry
Arjan Bajwa, recognized for his diverse roles across film and web series, addresses the industry's typecasting challenge. Arjan Bajwa , known for films like Fashion , Crook , Son of Sardar , Bobby Jasoos , Rustom , and Kabir Singh , as well as web series Bestseller and State of Siege: 26/11 , continues to approach his career with a clear mindset. With upcoming OTT projects including The Wives , Demon Hunters , and Second Chance , Bajwa reflects on the importance of relevance and the challenge of typecasting in the industry. 'Typecasting is one of the most painful things that exists in our industry,' he says. 'While there are filmmakers who see you as a talent and try to mould you into different characters, most others just look at your last film and offer similar kinds of roles.' On the subject of staying relevant, Bajwa emphasises that it is a personal choice. 'Some stay relevant just to be seen, to be around, and to remind people that they are still part of the business. Others strive to remain relevant through their work by evolving as actors and through the kind of films they choose to do,' he explains. 'One cannot pinpoint a single way to stay relevant. But yes, being visible to the audience and filmmakers is important so they think of you when casting. ' He also acknowledges the role of social media in the current scenario. 'Nowadays, social media has made it easier to stay relevant, but it's definitely not a measure of talent.' Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your IQ Is 140 If You Can Answer 10 of These Questions Correctly. IQ International Undo by Taboola by Taboola When it comes to experimenting with roles and appearances, Bajwa remains unfazed. 'People need to understand that an actor can take on any look or role if required — that's why he is called an actor. I've done many varied roles with different looks and personalities, and whatever comes my way, I do it with utmost conviction.'
The National
10-07-2025
- Sport
- The National
Rangers 'keen' on Brighton goalkeeper Carl Rushworth
talkSPORT's Alex Crook reports that the Ibrox club are interested in the 24-year-old keeper. Rushworth has already had five loan spells at this early stage of his career. He's racked up over 100 games playing for Worthing, Walsall, Lincoln City, Swansea City and Hull City. Crook states that Brighton have already knocked back a bid from a Championship club for Rushworth - who wants to determine where he plays next season. Read more: Crook wrote on X: "I also understand #Rangers are keen on Carl Rushworth on loan. #BHAFC have already rejected a bid from one Championship club and lots of others are interested. "He wants to determine where he goes as opposed to the club and felt his form in training warranted minutes last season."
Metro
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Toby Jones reveals disappointing update for BBC series hailed 'one of the best'
Toby Jones has poured cold water on hopes that the cult-followed BBC comedy Detectorists might return. Misfit detectorists – never metal detectors, that's what they use – Andy (Mackenzie Crook) and Lance (Toby Jones) were last seen scouring the fields in the show's supersized 2022 Christmas special. Touted as the show's swansong, Jones has now said that a return after the feature-length episode is highly unlikely. The cult series, which was written and directed by star Crook, first aired in 2014 on the Beeb, but found a whole new section of fans during the Covid lockdowns and then again when the episodes dropped on Netflix. In a new interview, Jones laughed as he referred to the show's final special, telling Deadline: 'Once you've maybe found the Holy Grail there's very little place to go.' He continued: 'The idea of coming back after that would be very hard and also… it's very British and not very American – but there is a certain virtue to leaving people wanting more.' The show centred around middle-aged hobbyists Andy and Lance's time away from their nine to five, as they combed the field of the (fictional) town of Danebury looking for trophies long-lost from the Romans or Saxons. This low-key charm proved infectious. 'Those who found it felt they'd discovered something special,' Crook told the Guardian about the show's slow-burn success. After a scene-stealing stint in The Office, Crook said that when writing Detectorists, it was exactly that type of comedy he wanted to avoid. 'I deliberately set out to write something uncynical and removed from the awkward 'cringe comedy' that was prevalent at the time,' said Crook. Instead, Detectorists leaned into a witty but heartfelt rapport between its leads to find the laughs. Crook also addressed the possibility of the show's return in the same interview, recognising that there is fan demand for more, but reiterating that he has hung up his metal detector. 'I won't be making any more Detectorists, but nobody should be sad,' he told the publication. 'We made just the right amount. Having said that, I know Toby is keen to do a live stadium tour…' The show was met with glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike, currently holding an 100% Rotten Tomatoes score. TV viewers took to Google reviews to gush about the show, labelling it one of the best comedies of late and one they keep coming back to. 'I admit I have rewatched the whole series several times now and still laugh at the same things,' wrote Elli Jilek. 'One of the best comedic series to come out in recent times. More Trending 'If you want some genuine entertainment for your soul and mind, it's a must-see!' Jason Crowther shared another rave review, writing: 'I can honestly say that I have not viewed such a beautifully crafted show in years.' Duncan Spencer chimed in writing: 'How many times can you watch a Brit TV comedy? As it turns out, quite a lot. It's my favourite comedy EVER.' View More » Detectorists is available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: BBC addresses fury after legendary band's final ever show wasn't filmed at Glastonbury MORE: BBC Play School presenter Donald Macdonald dies aged 86 MORE: Women's Euro 2025 TV channel schedule: How to watch every game in the UK
