Latest news with #Fife
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
£3.6m EuroMillions prize remains unclaimed in UK
EuroMillions ticket holders have been told to search through their handbags and trouser pockets, as a prize worth a staggering £3.6 million is yet to be claimed. The winning ticket was bought in the local authority area Fife in Scotland for the draw on Friday 13 June. The winning numbers on that date were 2, 28, 40, 43, 45 and the Lucky Star numbers were 3 and 7, with the missing ticket holder matching the five main numbers and one Lucky Star number. The lucky ticket holder now has until 10 December 2025 to claim their prize. 'It's time to search through handbags, purses, trouser pockets and the car – everywhere and anywhere – as a ticket is lurking which is worth £3.6M,' said Andy Carter, senior winners advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery. He urged those who live or work in the area to take a minute to find their ticket and join the other lucky £3.6M EuroMillions winners. The jackpot on Friday 13 June was the largest EuroMillions prize ever up for grabs in the UK and Ireland and had been capped at €250m – or £208m. The record prize was rolled over after nobody won the jackpot. In total, more than 92,000 players in Ireland won prizes in the EuroMillions and Plus games. Anyone not in possession of their ticket, for whatever reason, but who believes they have a genuine claim can still make a claim in writing to Allwyn, but it must be within 30 days of the draw. If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the prize claim deadline, then the prize money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go to help National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.
The Independent
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
£3.6 million EuroMillions prize remains unclaimed in UK
EuroMillions ticket holders have been told to search through their handbags and trouser pockets, as a prize worth a staggering £3.6 million is yet to be claimed. The winning ticket was bought in the local authority area Fife in Scotland for the draw on Friday 13 June. The winning numbers on that date were 2, 28, 40, 43, 45 and the Lucky Star numbers were 3 and 7, with the missing ticket holder matching the five main numbers and one Lucky Star number. The lucky ticket holder now has until 10 December 2025 to claim their prize. 'It's time to search through handbags, purses, trouser pockets and the car – everywhere and anywhere – as a ticket is lurking which is worth £3.6M,' said Andy Carter, senior winners advisor at Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery. He urged those who live or work in the area to take a minute to find their ticket and join the other lucky £3.6M EuroMillions winners. The jackpot on Friday 13 June was the largest EuroMillions prize ever up for grabs in the UK and Ireland and had been capped at €250m – or £208m. The record prize was rolled over after nobody won the jackpot. In total, more than 92,000 players in Ireland won prizes in the EuroMillions and Plus games. Anyone not in possession of their ticket, for whatever reason, but who believes they have a genuine claim can still make a claim in writing to Allwyn, but it must be within 30 days of the draw. If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the prize claim deadline, then the prize money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go to help National Lottery-funded projects across the UK.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Do YOU know how to spot Britain's 'most dangerous plant'? Giant hogweed can leave you and your pets with pus-filled, golf ball-sized blisters - here's how to avoid it
'Britain's most dangerous plant' has hit its scorching peak, experts have warned - and it could leave children, parents, and even pets with gruesome burns. The sap of the giant hogweed stops our skin protecting itself against the sun, meaning victims face painful, pus-filled blisters if exposed to daylight. And because it causes no immediate pain, those affected may continue to enjoy the good weather, unaware of any problem until the first burns appear. The plant reaches its greatest extent in June and July, according to Callum Sinclair, project manager with the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative. 'By the time we get to this time of year, they're pretty impressively-big plants and impressively-dangerous plants as well obviously,' he said. 'They're probably close to sort of maximum height now and mid-summer, July and August.' At this time, even the professionals like to keep their distance, he added. So, would you know how to spot giant hogweed? Giant hogweed is an invasive species that is frequently confused with cow parsley. Reginald Knight, Head Gardener at Fife Zoo, told MailOnline it was originally introduced to the UK in ornamental gardens and is 'renowned for its umbrella formations of white flowers and large leaves'. Seeds from the plant are dispersed in the wind, which is why giant hogweed can now be found all over the UK. The plant is often found near rivers, but can also be spotted near hedges or by roadsides. While giant hogweed looks very similar to common hogweed, it is much larger and will often reach heights of over 16 feet. Sharing tips on how to distinguish between the two plants, Mr Knight said the plant has 'long stems topped with umbrella-like clusters of tightly packed white flowers'. 'The large stems are covered in tiny white hairs and there are purple spots randomly dispersed all over the stem too with each branch tending to have a patch of purple colouration where it meets the stem,' he said. Giant hogweed seedlings usually appear in March or April, at which point they're much smaller and easier to manage. How to spot giant hogweed While the plant looks very similar to common hogweed, it is much larger and will often reach heights of over 16 feet. Sharing tips on how to distinguish between the two plants, Mr Knight said the plant has 'long stems topped with umbrella-like clusters of tightly packed white flowers'. 'The large stems are covered in tiny white hairs and there are purple spots randomly dispersed all over the stem too with each branch tending to have a patch of purple colouration where it meets the stem,' he said. 'The reason we treat them earlier in the season is because they are smaller obviously and less dangerous because we can get in amongst them with protective clothing,' Mr Sinclair explained. 'But once you get to the height that they are now in the summer time, and they're large with big leaves, they're dangerous to get in amongst. 'So now, in the summer time, when obviously schools are on holiday and people are active in the summer, is the time we would really be warning to keep well back from them basically.' The plant is rife all across the UK, with countless reports of nasty encounters. Chloe Douglas, from Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, woke up with rashes on her hands and neck, which grew into blisters 'the size of grapes' after touching the plant. 'The recovery was extremely painful,' she said. At the other end of England, in Fordingbridge, Hampshire, it left a chihuahua-pug cross, Peanut, with 'weeping blisters that looked red and sore', according to owner Sue Earley. And in Somerset, mum Samantha Morgan recently described how her two-year-old son was left screaming in agony as medics cut away his giant hogweed blisters. Injuries have also been documented in Wales and Ireland, north and south. Meanwhile, Scotland has been home to some of the most horrifying cases. Last summer, Ross McPherson was left with a blister as big as an orange and struggling to dress himself after brushing past a giant hogweed in Dunbar, East Lothian. He described the pain as 'absolute hell'. And in Glasgow, retired lifeboat officer George Parsonage, 80, recently described how he was still tormented by an old giant hogweed wound from the 1960s. Mr Sinclair emphasised that giant hogweed often causes long-term injuries. He said: 'This plant can cause painful blistering or burns, and also those things can actually come back year on year. 'So it's not a once-and-for-all damage that they can cause to you. 'And if you do happen to come into contact with it and do get burned, you need to cover the contact point up because the sunlight will make it worse. 'And then you need to probably wash the area to rid the sap from it with water and soap.' The giant hogweed is native to the Caucasus, but was introduced to Britain as an ornamental plant in 1817, and its spread has now got out of control. Mike Duddy, of the Mersey Basin Rivers Trust, said in 2015 that the giant hogweed was 'without a shadow of a doubt, the most dangerous plant in Britain'. Mr Sinclair said it was most easily distinguished from its native cousin, the common hogweed, by its sheer scale – growing eight to 10 feet in size. He encouraged those who see the plant to report it to the local authority or responsible landowner, while those in Scotland can also report it to the Scottish Invasive Species Initiative.
Times
4 days ago
- Times
Five of Scotland's best sea pools
Scattered along Scotland's dramatic coastline lie some magical sea pools — perfect for brave wild swimmers or daydreaming paddlers. Some are carved by nature, others are architectural gems from a golden age of outdoor leisure. The team behind Wild Guide Scotland share some of their favourite spots. Hidden at the base of the cliffs at the western edge of one of Fife's prettiest fishing villages, this is a special slice of coastal nostalgia. Built in 1895 and popularised during its 1950s heyday, it features an amphitheatre-style design, with steps set into the surrounding rocks. After years of neglect, recent community-led renovations have brought the pool back into use. Early risers are rewarded with soul-stirring sunrises over the North Sea, while hardy swimmers brave the chilly water year-round. Perched on the edge of Wick Bay, the Trinkie is as beloved as it is bracing. Named from the Scots word for 'trench', it was transformed from a former quarry into a swimming spot in the 1930s — a chilly but cheerful community hub. Each year, local volunteers clean and repaint the pool, keeping its vibrant charm alive. From its edge, swimmers can gaze across the Moray Firth, sometimes even spotting migrating orcas in late spring and early summer. • Five of the best coastal walks in Scotland Enjoy a scenic walk from Glengorm Castle to the rugged north coast of Mull and discover the historic site of Dun Ara — a ruined medieval stronghold built on the remains of an ancient dùn. Tucked among the rocky outcrops not far below lies an irregularly shaped bathing pool. Flanked by other sheltered inlets and with far-reaching views, it's perfect for a refreshing dip. The surrounding shallows are also a prime spot to see seals and otters. Just along the coast from Pittenweem, St Monans has its own tidal pool, below a sea wall and wrapped in windswept clay-coloured rock. When the tide's in and the sun's out, the water glows with a mysterious, greenish hue. Add the backdrop of the historic windmill and fishermen's cottages,and it's a quietly atmospheric place for a swim. Set in a spectacular spot beneath rocky cliffs, Tarlair Lido is one of only three known surviving outdoor swimming pool complexes in Scotland. The striking art deco structures opened in 1931 and featured sea-fed pools and a pavilion tearoom, drawing crowds until its closure in the 1990s. After decades of decline, the community-led group Friends of Tarlair has spearheaded a remarkable revival. The terraces and inner boating pool have been restored and the pavilion reopened in March as a café and community venue. Plans are under way to restore the main pool but, for now, saltwater swimmers can break the waves just round the bay at Salmon Howie. Taken from Wild Guide Scotland by Kimberley Grant, Richard Gaston & David Cooper (£18.99, To order a copy go to Free UK standard P&P on orders over £25. Special discount available for Times+ members
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Serious concerns raised about Fife care home in Kirkcaldy
A Fife care home could lose its registration if it fails to make a raft of improvements following "serious and significant concerns" raised by the Care Lodge Care Home in Kirkcaldy must make six changes to the way it operates by 13 Care Inspectorate found failings around the health, welfare, and safety of the Scotland News attempted to contact the home but had no response. The improvement notice said the home must make sure it has effective laundry systems in place to minimise the risk of the spread of infection while ensuring all areas are thoroughly cleaned. Action plan It must also develop comprehensive cleaning schedules, have an action plan for refurbishment and give staff has also been told to ensure there is a sufficient quality assurance system in place to continually monitor and evaluate the quality of the there must be protocols for the appropriate and safe administration of also said the care home must "accurately reflect the assessed current health and care needs of the service user, with particular attention being given to stress and distress, end-of-life care, medication management, pain management, bowel management and nutrition".A Care Inspectorate spokesperson said: "An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at Bennochy Lodge Care Home in Kirkcaldy."We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their families and staff at the service."However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of residents."The spokesperson added: "We are in contact with the service and with Fife Health and social care partnership, and are monitoring the service to follow up on the required improvements."
