Latest news with #Derek
South Wales Argus
10 hours ago
- Health
- South Wales Argus
Pontypool dad nearly choked to death at Father's Day meal
Derek Parker, 66, had been enjoying a special meal with his family at the Harvester restaurant in Pontypool on Sunday, June 15. However, this joyous occasion took a turn for the worst when Derek started choking on a mouthful of his steak. Luckily for Derek the Pontypool community helped him and his family during this frighting ordeal. The Parker family out for a family meal (Left dad Derek Parker 66 with wife Susan Parker 67) (Right daughter Amy Parker 30 and brother Matthew Parker 31) (Image: Amy Parker) Speaking of the traumatic experience Derek said: 'I had the steak and on my second mouthful I couldn't get it back up. 'Our son (Matthew) did the Heimlich manoeuvre on me and managed to dislodge some of it. He has Autism, so he did very well but he was afraid he'd hurt me, but I was still choking.' Derek continued: 'Apparently this little boy ran up to his mother and said a man has fallen down and a woman came over. She was an off-duty nurse.' Thankfully for Derek and his family, the off-duty nurse was in the right place at the right time. Derek Parker and Wife Susan Parker outside their Pontypool home with a card and bunch of flowers gifted to them by the Pontypool Harvester team. (Image: NQ) Derek explained: 'She took over and I remember someone saying to me can you open your eyes, can you open your mouth. I couldn't do either. 'The next thing I remember was them lifting me into the ambulance and I had a quick scan in the Grange, and I was rushed up stairs for surgery.' Staff at the hospital thought the food had penetrated Derek's lungs. Rapidly responding to the incident, doctors performed an emergency surgery on Derek to help flush any food, vomit or blood out of his lungs. Derek has since fully recovered from the incident. The card written to Derek and his family from the Pontypool Harvester team. (Image: NQ) Derek's daughter Amy Parker, 30, witnessed her father choking in front of her. She told the Argus her account of events. 'It's a horrible feeling on any day but especially on Father's Day. I thought my dad was dying in front of me. 'At one point I could see he was coughing. I kept saying are you okay? Do you need a drink? Then the drink came through his nose, and he started turning blue. I was panicking. 'I couldn't remember how to do the Heimlich manoeuvre so I shouted out can somebody help.' Amy continued: 'Everyone was so helpful, one woman named Amelia helped calm my brother outside, another man named Stephen offered to pay for our meal which Harvester gave us for free. 'Louise the nurse was brilliant, she talked to the 999 operator and was telling me different things and reassuring me.' The family are incredibly grateful for the support given to them through this terrible ordeal. Derek said: 'I want to thank all the people involved. Many people moved their tables for me because I was on the floor. I was lucky.' Amy added: 'I will forever be grateful for everyone's help and support that we received during this difficult time. 'From the moment he started choking, up until when he got discharged the following evening, we could not fault the care and support we received. 'I genuinely thought I'd lose my dad on that day, but I'm so thankful he's still here with us, and that's down to all the action and care we received during this difficult time.'
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
A song that captures the vibe of Bengaluru's Cubbon Park
A young couple walks along a lane in Cubbon Park, each carrying a single long-stemmed rose, shoulders grazing, eyes interlocked, clearly in the courting stage. A few yards away, in the parking lot, a young man wearing silver cufflinks and a barrister's band, is getting into his car while on the lawns beyond, a few older men are in deep siesta, their rhythmic snores interjected by the squeak of bounding squirrels, the caws of crows and the rustle of leaves dancing in the wind. Adjacent to this, at Queen's Park, a young woman in a sari fixes her camera to a stand and begins recording her Bollywood-style dance moves, while tourists convene near the statue of Edward VII aka 'Bertie', their casual jeans, sneakers and backpacks, starkly contrasting with the former king's close-fitting breeches, long cloak and dapper shoes. It is this laidback, eclectic vibe of the park that a recently-released song, 'Cubbon Park', is trying to capture, explains Derek Mathias, who wrote this song last January while on a flight to Nagaland. 'I was on my laptop, and I thought I'd just write something because I hadn't written anything for a while,' says the Bengaluru-based musician and leader of the band, Derek & The Cats, as we settle on one of the benches situated amidst the undulating green of the park, insulated from traffic and the general bustle unfurling around it. The song made him feel ' content and happy… like a Sunday morning.' For Derek, a true-blue Bengalurean and trained classical pianist who began learning to produce and record his music in college, Sunday mornings are also inevitably linked to Cubbon Park. 'I was trying to visualise this Sunday morning feeling, and since I've come here on Sunday mornings, calling it Cubbon Park seemed like a really apt thing. This place has had a positive impact on my life.' 'Cubbon Park', which was released on YouTube on June 1, is an ode to the park, offering an immersive experience of what the city's green lung looks and feels like on a weekend morning. In the video, a live performance of Derek & The Cats at the park is interspersed with footage of trees and lawns, bounding dogs, people playing badminton and frisbee, taking a ride on the toy train or boat, having breakfast at Airlines Hotel, and some regulars offering sound bites about what makes the park special. 'You come to Cubbon Park in the morning, take your dog for a walk, enjoy the space, go to Airlines, relax under that big banyan tree, have masala dosa and coffee and go home,' says Derek. 'That is the full experience…the emotion I wanted to capture.' The journey The band, which consists of Derek on the piano, Adesh Vinod on the guitar, Joel Rozario on percussion, Vishal Varier on bass, Kenneth Besterwitch on drums, Gautam David on saxophone and Anand Murali on keyboard, began working on the music video in March this year. While they had already been playing the song at various venues nationwide, testing and modifying it based on how people responded to the music, Derek wanted to release it only once the video was ready. 'I was particular that it had to come out with a video,' he says, pointing out that since the band makes instrumental music, 'it is hard for someone to just hear a melody, and think, Cubbon Park. We needed to find a way to document it.' Since professional photography is prohibited in Cubbon Park, they had to get creative, using an iPhone 16 Pro, a GoPro, Insta360 and RayBan Meta glasses to document the park over several weekends. 'I am an engineer: jugaad is the way to do things,' he says, with a laugh. They even borrowed Appam, a friend's dog and attached the GoPro to his leash to 'document Cubbon Park through their (dogs') eyes,' he says. In May this year, the band performed at the century-old bandstand in Cubbon Park, which has been revived recently, 'one of the best gigs I've ever played,' admits Derek. Unlike in a regular gig, where the performance takes place in dark, smoky venues at night, this gig occurred early in the morning, he recounts. 'There was greenery, Sunday morning breeze, completely open…it felt so inspiring to perform our music there…such a great way to start the day,' he says. 'We were just really happy.' Derek hopes that 'Cubbon Park', which will be included in the band's second album that will be released in August, will make an impact. 'If a person from Bengaluru watches this video, they should feel nostalgic. And if someone from outside watches the video, they should say 'Wow, this is a place I'd like to go to',' he says. In his opinion, people do not know enough about Bengaluru, and he hopes the song will help change this. 'We are a Bengaluru band, and if a band from Bengaluru doesn't spread its culture, who will?' he asks. 'Most of us in the band are born and raised here, so it has to be us.' You can listen to Cubbon Park at
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- General
- Glasgow Times
Paisley school announced death of 'loved' English teacher
In a letter sent to parents and carers on June 24, St Andrew's Academy's headteacher, Kevin Henry, announced the 'very sad and sudden passing' of Derek Allison, the school's Principal Teacher of English. Derek, who was described as being an 'incredibly valued and trusted' teacher, began teaching as an English teacher in August 2012. READ MORE: Glasgow football club announced death of 'friendly' member The headteacher said: "I am incredibly sorry to inform you of the very sad and sudden passing of Derek Allison, Principal Teacher of English in St Andrew's Academy. "I know that this will be very upsetting news to our school community, where Derek was loved and respected by our young people and staff alike. "Derek started as an English Teacher in August 2012 and was always passionate about his love of the English language and the value of education. "He later became Principal Teacher of English and was an incredibly valued and trusted colleague to the staff of not only his department but the whole school community. "I know that this news will be upsetting to many of our young people as well as the full staff of the school." (Image: Google) Henry added: "To support any young people in the school tomorrow, who may require it, there will be educational psychologists and pastoral staff available. "Young people who need this support should come to the pastoral support corridor. "Father John, our school chaplain, will be in school to offer spiritual support to young people and staff. "We have a number of young people who are making their way back from trips today, and the accompanying staff will look after these young people as they become aware of this loss before returning to their families. "Senior staff will be at the school as these buses arrive. "We have passed our deepest condolences to Derek's family and will remember "Derek and his family in our prayers. May he rest in peace."
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Tributes paid to ‘incredibly talented' Scots high school teacher after sudden death
The English teacher has been remembered as "an incredibly talented and trusted" member of staff 'MISS HIM IMMENSELY' Tributes paid to 'incredibly talented' Scots high school teacher after sudden death Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a high school teacher who passed away suddenly. Derek Allison's death has left the pupils and staff at St. Andrew's Academy in Paisley in mourning. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 St Andrew's Academy teacher Derek Allison has sadly passed away Credit: John Kirkby - Scottish Sun The English teacher has been remembered as "an incredibly talented and trusted" member of staff. It is understood Mr Allison passed away last night. Today, headteacher Kevin Henry told children, workers and parents of his colleague's death. In a statement, Mr Hendry said: 'We are incredibly saddened by the passing of Derek Allison, principal teacher of English at St Andrew's Academy. Derek was loved and respected by our young people and staff alike. "He was always passionate about his love of the English language and the value of education. He was an incredibly talented and trusted member of our team. "Derek was a great friend and colleague and we will miss him immensely. Our deepest condolences are with Derek's family. "We will remember Derek and his family is in our prayers.' Mr Allison started teaching at St Andrew's in 2012 and was later promoted to principal teacher of English. The high school has offered pupils and staff support following Mr Allison's passing.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Tributes paid to 'loved and respected' Scots teacher after 'sudden passing'
Heartfelt tributes have been paid following the death of the beloved English teacher. Tributes have been paid to a "loved and respected" Scots teacher following their "very sad and sudden passing". Today, headteacher Kevin Henry of St Andrew's Academy in Paisley informed pupils, staff and parents of the untimely death of the school's Principal Teacher of English, Derek Allison. It is understood he passed away at his home last night. The educator started at the high school as an English teacher in August 2012 before later making the jump to head of the department. He was described as being "passionate about his love of the English language and the value of education". A statement from Headteacher Kevin Henry to the Record read: "We are incredibly saddened by the passing of Derek Allison, principal teacher of English at St Andrew's Academy. "Derek was loved and respected by our young people and staff alike. He was always passionate about his love of the English language and the value of education. "He was an incredibly talented and trusted member of our team. Derek was a great friend and colleague and we will miss him immensely. "Our deepest condolences are with Derek's family. We will remember Derek and his family in our prayers.' Parents and pupils were informed about the tragic passing today in a letter from the headteacher. It read: "I am incredibly sorry to inform you of the very sad and sudden passing of Derek Allison, Principal Teacher of English in St Andrew's Academy. "I know that this will be very upsetting news to our school community, where Derek was loved and respected by our young people and staff alike. "Derek started as an English Teacher in August 2012 and was always passionate about his love of the English language and the value of education. "He later became Principal Teacher of English and was an incredibly valued and trusted colleague to the staff of not only his department but, the whole school community. "I know that this news will be upsetting to many of our young people as well as the full staff of the school. "We have passed our deepest condolences onto Derek's family and will remember Derek and his family in our prayers. "May he rest in peace." The school has since offered support to students and staff who have been emotionally affected by the sad news. The letter continued: "To support any young people in the school tomorrow, who may require it, there will be educational psychologists and pastoral staff available. Young people who need this support should come to the pastoral support corridor. "Father John, our school chaplain, will be in school to offer spiritual support to young people and staff. "We have a number of young people who are making their way back from trips today and the accompanying staff will look after these young people as they become aware of this loss before returning to their families. Senior staff will be at the school as these buses arrive." Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!
