Latest news with #Greenfinch
Spectator
13-07-2025
- Spectator
Norman Tebbit, forgiveness and my father, the IRA bomber
Norman Tebbit, who died this week at the age of 94, embodied a sterner Britain. His political career was remarkable but it paled in comparison with his unyielding love for his wife Margaret, whom he wheeled through life for four decades after the IRA's Brighton bomb paralysed her body in 1984. Tebbit never forgave those who nearly killed him and left his beloved wife in pain for the rest of her days. My dad met Tebbit several times, earning his 'hero of the week' nod in his Sun column for exposing the IRA My father, Sean O'Callaghan, was an IRA bomber who turned against his comrades and, in doing so, saved countless lives. He thwarted a bomb plot in 1983 aimed at Prince Charles and Princess Diana. Yet his early sins – planting bombs, plotting murders – haunted him to his grave. Tebbit's death stirred something deep, not just in me but in the regulars of my Oxfordshire pub who trickled in after news of his death emerged on Tuesday, their voices thick with memories of Tebbit. It stirred thoughts of forgiveness – or its absence – and what that word demands of us. My dad met Tebbit several times, earning his 'hero of the week' nod in his Sun column for exposing the IRA. Tebbit respected him, not least for his refusal to soften his edges. But could a man like my father ever find redemption in the eyes of someone like Tebbit, who had paid such a terrible price for the IRA's campaign of terror? In 1974, my father helped kill Eva Martin, the first Greenfinch, female Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) soldier, who died in the 'Troubles', and murdered RUC detective Peter Flanagan. Until his dying day, these events shadowed him. Yet he sought redemption with fierce resolve, handing himself into the police in 1988 to face his past. He confessed to murders and other felonies in Britain and Northern Ireland, pleaded guilty to all and was sentenced to 539 years in prison. He was released in 1996 after being granted the Royal Prerogative of Mercy by Queen Elizabeth II having served seven years. My father's road was brutal, but he achieved what few do. He knew his worth, understood his flaws, and faced them unflinchingly. Despite his guilt, I am proud to be his son. He pursued redemption with a single-minded ferocity that consumed him, body and soul. He risked his life, his freedom, living as a hunted man to warn authorities, thwart attacks, and dismantle the IRA's machinery of death. Each act was a plea for atonement, a brick laid on a road towards a destination he never felt he reached. His drive tore through our family like a storm – years of fear, fractured bonds, lives upended by his choice to stand against terror. Yet many forgave him. To police, victims' families, even strangers, he was a living testament to redemption through action, a man who bled for his amends. Still, he never forgave himself, his guilt a shadow he couldn't outrun. Tebbit, too, carried a debt, not of guilt but of loyalty to his wife and principle. He never forgave the IRA, nor did he pretend to. Forgiveness, he seemed to say, must be earned through deeds, not words. Contrast this with others who've faced terror's scars. Jo Berry, whose father Sir Anthony Berry was murdered in the Brighton bombing, forgave Patrick Magee, the bomber. She built a dialogue with him, seeking understanding over retribution. Gordon Wilson, whose daughter Marie was murdered in the 1987 Enniskillen bombing, forgave the IRA publicly, his voice breaking with Christian charity. Their acts of forgiveness were noble, even saintly, but they jar in my taproom, where regulars – carpenters, farmers, old soldiers – judge a man by his actions. Magee's 'regret' for murdering Berry feels like a hollow sham. You regret spilling milk, not murder. His vague contrition, peddled, it would seem, in order to pose as a commentator on peace and reconciliation, exploits Berry's overwhelming grief – a raw, fathomless wound he's gaslighted for his own gain. Unlike my father, who surrendered everything to save others, Magee offers no genuine sacrifice, no deeds to match his words. Redemption demands action – prison served, lives saved, remorse proven – not empty platitudes. Tebbit's life was a testament to love forged in adversity. He cared for Margaret without pity or fanfare, his devotion a quiet rebuke to a world that mistakes sentiment for strength. In my pub, where stories of loss and loyalty flow as freely as the ale, his example resonates. A regular, Mick, told me of his brother, killed in Belfast in 1982. 'No one's said sorry,' he growled, 'so why should I let it go?' His words echo Tebbit's resolve: forgiveness without accountability is surrender. My father, too, understood this. His meetings with Tebbit, though private, were marked by mutual respect – not for shared views, but for shared clarity. Neither believed in absolution without cost. Britain's soul, like its pubs, thrives on honesty, not platitudes. Labour's recent follies – surrendering Chagos, ceding fishing grounds – show a government too eager to appease, too quick to forgive slights against our sovereignty. Tebbit would have scorned such weakness. His Britain demanded respect, not apologies. So, as I stack crates and scrub taps, I raise a quiet toast to Tebbit. Forgiveness is no salve unless it's earned through remorse, restitution, and action. My father knew it, sacrificing all for redemption, forgiven by many but not himself. Mick knows it, nursing his pint and his pain. In this pub, where truth is poured as freely as beer, we know it too. Tebbit's legacy, like a well-pulled pint, is clear, strong, and unyielding. Let's not water it down.
Scottish Sun
10-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Ring is giving away FREE outdoor cameras worth £80 – and it only takes 30 seconds to apply
Don't miss important tips to help the cause at the bottom DING DONG Ring is giving away FREE outdoor cameras worth £80 – and it only takes 30 seconds to apply RING is giving away free video cameras to selected Brits as part of a special initiative. The Ring Outdoor Camera Battery is a stick up cam device that would normally set you back £79.99. 2 Ring wants to support birdwatching across the UK Credit: Ring 2 Bird species like Greenfinch have experienced declines in recent years Credit: Ring / RSPB But Gen Z and Millennials can apply to get one totally free in an effort to encourage help with an important conservation effort. The Amazon-owned firm is mostly associated with home security. But it turns out hundreds of Ring users are using their cameras to monitor garden wildlife too. In a fresh twist, Ring has teamed up with RSPB to support remote birdwatching in the UK. Data from the RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch survey shows that Starling numbers have dropped to their lowest recorded levels, while Song Thrush and Greenfinch populations have also experienced significant declines over the past 40 years. "The decline of key British bird species like the Starling and Greenfinch highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts across the UK," said Emma Marsh, the RSPB's director of digital technology and communications. "Remote birdwatching plays a crucial role in raising awareness and connecting people to nature, and every sighting contributes to our understanding and protection of these vital species." A study suggests a growing interest in birds among younger generations, with a quarter (24 per cent) of under-35s planning to begin birdwatching. So, Ring is giving away 50 video cameras to those aged between 18 and 35 years-old. All you have to do is fill out a quick form and give a short 50 word reason why you want to birdwatch. Ring introduces new doorbell security features Those who have a Ring Home subscription and manage to capture footage of priority species - including Starlings, Song Thrushes, or Greenfinches - are encouraged to share their footage with the RSPB. "Ring is best known for keeping neighbourhoods safer, but we're always impressed by how our devices can capture remarkable wildlife footage," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring. "We hope that collaborating with the RSPB will raise important awareness of declining bird species, while encouraging customers of all ages to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature from wherever they are."
The Irish Sun
10-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
Ring is giving away FREE outdoor cameras worth £80 – and it only takes 30 seconds to apply
RING is giving away free video cameras to selected Brits as part of a special initiative. The Advertisement 2 Ring wants to support birdwatching across the UK Credit: Ring 2 Bird species like Greenfinch have experienced declines in recent years Credit: Ring / RSPB But Gen Z and Millennials can apply to get one totally free in an effort to encourage help with an important conservation effort. The Amazon-owned firm is mostly associated with home security. But it turns out hundreds of In a fresh twist, Ring has teamed up with RSPB to support remote birdwatching in the UK. Advertisement Read more about Ring doorbells Data from the RSPB "The decline of key British bird species like the Starling and Greenfinch highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts across the UK," said Emma Marsh, the RSPB's director of digital technology and communications. "Remote birdwatching plays a crucial role in raising awareness and connecting people to nature, and every sighting contributes to our understanding and protection of these vital species." A study suggests a growing interest in birds among younger generations, with a quarter (24 per cent) of under-35s planning to begin birdwatching. Advertisement Most read in Tech So, Ring is giving away 50 video cameras to those aged between 18 and 35 years-old. All you have to do is Ring introduces new doorbell security features Those who have a Ring Home subscription and manage to capture footage of priority species - including - are encouraged to share their footage with the RSPB. "Ring is best known for keeping neighbourhoods safer, but we're always impressed by how our devices can capture remarkable wildlife footage," said Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring. Advertisement "We hope that collaborating with the RSPB will raise important awareness of declining bird species, while encouraging customers of all ages to enjoy the benefits of connecting with nature from wherever they are." RSPB tips to support bird conservation Install bird-friendly habitats, like nest boxes and feeding stations Keep gardens and green spaces wildlife-friendly by planting native flora Submit your sightings from Ring devices of key species like Song Thrush and Greenfinch using the 'Share' feature Image credit: Ring / RSPB
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Research sheds light on surprising connection between solar farms and bird species: 'The only sensible path'
A new study reveals a surprising connection between solar farms and biodiversity. Per a report at researchers from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the University of Cambridge have established that solar farms in the United Kingdom can actually benefit bird diversity when those farms are properly managed. Published in the journal Bird Study, the research examined solar farms located in East Anglia, a mainly agricultural area. According to their findings, hectare for hectare, this area had a greater number of bird species than nearby agricultural lands. "These numbers varied dramatically with solar farm management, with areas with a greater mix of habitats, managed specifically for nature co-benefits, having the greatest diversity — nearly three times as many birds compared to adjacent arable land," wrote Paul Casciato, from the University of Cambridge, at According to their findings, the researchers believe that by providing wildlife additional spots for covering and perching, solar farms support bird populations and habitats. They also attributed the relationship between bird diversity and solar farm management "to increased floral diversity providing food via seeds and invertebrate prey." As a result, the researchers concluded that solar farms can support wildlife biodiversity in areas that are "mixed-use landscapes." "Our study shows that if you manage solar energy production in a certain way, not only are you providing clean energy but benefitting biodiversity," said Dr. Catherine Waite. Waite is a researcher at the University of Cambridge and co-author of the study. Threatened bird species in the U.K. include the Corn Bunting, Greenfinch, Linnet, and Yellowhammer. Researchers believe that solar farms could help support their survival. Increasing solar farms throughout the U.K. is part of the country's plan to reach net zero by 2050. Transitioning toward clean energy may help to reduce the nation's carbon footprint while also aiding conservation. This new research underscores yet another benefit of solar energy. When properly managed, solar farms can combat rising global temperatures and promote biodiversity in areas where species are threatened. Do you think more places of worship should embrace clean energy? Yes — it sets a positive example Only if it saves money No opinion Absolutely not Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "Delivering a future that safeguards nature, tackles climate change, ensures food security and resilient farm businesses, and enables sustainable development is the only sensible path," said Beccy Speight, CEO of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. "This research shows that it is possible to balance competing needs." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
