Latest news with #Halls
Time Out
2 days ago
- Business
- Time Out
East London is getting a massive new M&S this week
Back in April Marks and Spencer announced that it would be pumping a whopping £90 million into its London stores – and that the capital would soon receive six new M&S Food Halls. This week one of those supermarkets will officially open its doors in a prime east London location. Marks and Sparks' new Food Hall will open on Leytonstone High Road this Thursday, July 17 at 9am. The store, which is spread over 12,000 feet and takes over the site of an old Matalan, will boast a bakery, coffee station and flower and wine shops – as well as, of course, M&S' usual food offerings. A total of 55 new jobs have been created for the store, including 14 from M&S's Marks and Starts youth training scheme. The scheme is run with The King's Trust and helps 16 to 30 year-olds gain retail experience. Commenting on the new opening, Councillor Ahsan Khan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing at Waltham Forest Council, said: 'Supporting our young residents into employment is a priority for us at the council, and I am delighted that Waltham Forest residents have secured new jobs through the Marks and Start programme. Our employment teams have worked closely with M&S in the past, so it's great that we have been able to work together again to help even more young people gain employability skills. 'This has been made possible by our regenerative work in the borough, looking at new opportunities for our town centres, attracting reputable retailers like M&S to expand locally.' Marks and Spencer Food Hall, 829-837 High Road, E11 1HH.
Hamilton Spectator
7 days ago
- Sport
- Hamilton Spectator
Hometown Champion: A passion for pickleball leaves a lasting legacy
When Dave Hall returned to his hometown of St. Thomas in 2012, he couldn't find anywhere to play his favourite racket sport. Sure, there were tennis courts scattered across the Railway City, and a few squash courts at local health clubs, but nothing for pickleball, despite its nascent popularity. At that time in St. Thomas, there was nowhere to play and nobody with whom to play. 'When we first came down here (from Manitoulin Island) in October of 2012, we had been playing pickleball for many years,' wife Helen Hall said. 'And then when we moved down, we thought, 'Well, we'll start to see how many people know about pickleball in St. Thomas.' 'Well, nobody knew anything about it.' That would soon change. The couple put ads in the newspaper seeking other players while booking time slots at the then-Timken Centre so they could teach others to play. 'By the end of 2013 (in) about October, we had 41 people that we had taught to play, and we decided to form the (St. Thomas Pickleball Club),' Helen said. Twelve years later, and two years after Dave's death at the age of 76, that same club is working to honour his enduring legacy. City council is considering a club proposal to rename the eight pickleball courts in Pinafore Park in the city's southwest the Dave Hall pickleball courts. 'He introduced the sport. He gave lessons to people. He arranged for us to have places to play on a regular basis. . . . He was the driving force behind having (the Pinafore Park pickleball courts) built here and bringing the love of pickleball to St. Thomas,' St. Thomas Pickleball Club secretary Catherine Upfold said. Combining elements of other racket sports, such as tennis, ping pong and badminton, pickleball boasts fewer – and more straightforward rules – than many of its counterparts, making it easier to learn. Played with a perforated plastic ball on a badminton-sized court with a dividing net in singles and doubles matches, the sport also requires less specialized equipment, making it widely accessible to new players. Dave served as president of the club he co-founded for nearly a decade, lobbying city officials for court time while organizing multiple pickleball events. 'Before the new courts were built, we used to go to the old tennis courts. The city gave him permission to do that, to chalk the lines on and bring portable nets,' said Upfold, noting Dave was 'a very dedicated man.' That dedication also resulted in the 2017 installation of those eight Pinafore Park courts, where Dave, Helen and other club members taught 'hundreds of people to play.' Upfold estimates Dave, who also served on Pickleball Ontario's board of directors, may have taught nearly a thousand people to play the sport he loved. The Halls also were interested in bringing pickleball to a wider demographic by encouraging local high school students to take part in their annual pickleball tournament for the Dave and Helen Hall Cup. The couple integrated their passion for the sport with philanthropy by using pickleball tournaments to collect donations for the local food bank. 'We always think we should put back into the community, because this city has been so good to us,' Helen said. Dave was born in St. Thomas in November 1946. A graduate of Guelph University, he worked as a high school teacher, spending most of his career in nearby Woodstock. After his retirement, the Halls moved to Manitoulin Island — the largest lake island in the world — where they operated a bed and breakfast for nearly a decade. Not surprisingly, they also helped found a pickleball club on the Lake Huron island in 2009 which is still thriving. The Halls had embraced the sport while spending that previous winter in The Villages, Fla., a community that offered more than 100 dedicated pickleball courts. While St. Thomas council is still considering renaming the Pinafore Park courts in Dave's honour, Mayor Joe Preston said the proposal reflects the inspiration that comes from honouring a hometown champion by putting their name 'on a building or park or something like that.' The mayor lauded Hall's role in building the sport – one Preston described as a 'recent phenomenon' – in St. Thomas. 'Mr. Hall was certainly well in line when someone said, 'Why don't we name the pickleball courts after him as a recognition of his contribution for pickleball in our community?'' Preston said. 'We actually constructed pickleball courts before many communities and have a plethora of them now, and the demand is there for maybe more. We also ... have more people starting that sport at all ages,' Preston added. The mayor also voiced support for naming more locations in St. Thomas after people who have contributed to the well-being of the community. While citing a few more recognizable names – like NHL hall-of-famer Joe Thornton, whose name now graces the recreation centre, and Hollywood star Rachel McAdams – Preston emphasized the importance of also honouring local community builders. 'We continue to want to recognize St. Thomas's favourite sons and daughters, but we also want to recognize those who may not be known outside of our community, too,' the mayor said. As part of the city's parks and recreation naming policy, a 30-day consultation period is required before a final decision can be made on renaming the pickleball courts in Hall's honour. City residents are urged to review the proposal and share their thoughts online by the July 31 deadline. Regardless of council's final decision, Upfold said Hall's influence on the sport's popularity and his contributions to St. Thomas are 'undeniable.' 'It's very incredible what he has done,' Upfold said. 'He did a lot for the club. He did a lot for the community.' bwilliams@ Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Daily Mirror
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Beautiful UK village named a perfect seaside spot but it's 94-miles from the sea
This village in Derbyshire is known as the "seaside town without the sea" but its beloved fish and chip shops, cable car rides and theme park make it a quintessentially British holiday destination This famous town in Derbyshire has all the makings of a great seaside town, except the sea. Located 94.4 miles away from Skegness, this unique destination still has plenty to offer, including fish and chip shops, cable car rides and an exciting theme park. The official Visit Peak District & Derbyshire TikTok account posted a video spotlighting the town of Matlock Bath, referred to affectionately as the 'seaside town without the sea'. The video documents how visitors can spend a day in the colourful and charming town. The TikTok video reveals that Matlock Bath is 'known for its colourful shops and fish and ships restaurants'. One must stop destination highlighted is Halls of Derbyshire, the traditional ice cream and confectionery shop. Halls is a must-visit stop for anyone passing through the area, easy enough to spot with colourful balloons outside and a window full of cotton candy. Another spot highlighted in the video is Kostas Fish Bar, which happens to be right next door. Despite not being particularly close to the sea, Kostas' over 50 years of combined history in the fish and chip industry means that the menu is sufficient to satisfy your seafood craving. According to the video, Matlock Bath has a 'seaside vibe despite being landlocked'. This is most likely due to its position along the River Derwent. The 66-mile long river flows between Matlock Bath and Derby, with Matlock Bath situated in the middle of the river's path. Visitors to the area can enjoy a stroll along the river's path or opt for an elevated view of the town by taking a cable car ride up to the Heights of Abraham. As documented in Visit Peak District's TikTok video, visitors can take a cable car up to the clifftop country park to enjoy picturesque views. There are also caverns, trails and playgrounds to explore for those who make it to the hilltop park. Those interested in more family-friendly activities can also check out Gulliver's Kingdom - a small theme park located on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Gulliver's Kingdom is ideal for a short-term break, full of kid-safe rides and attractions. Matlock Bath's Explorer Package might be a cost-effective option for those planning to visit both the theme park and the hilltop park, as both are included in the cost of some accommodation bookings. That said, you can probably enjoy much of the town in an afternoon and staying overnight isn't necessary given the convenience of its transport options. As shared in the TikTok video, Matlock Bath is easy to get to by bus or train. If you're looking to explore more of Derbyshire, another stop to add to your list is Castleton - considered one of the 'prettiest' villages in the Peak District. Despite its small population - less than 700 residents - the village draws plenty of tourists each year with its quaint pubs, tea rooms and stunning stone architecture.
Powys County Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Buyers from across UK compete to buy Powys border dairy herd
A packed ringside of buyers from across the country competed for quality cattle from a Powys border dairy herd. T. A. Wainwright and Son, from Groton, Marton, near Welshpool saw his herd of 165 in-milk Holstein and Brown Swiss cows and heifers go under the hammer at a dispersal sale, held as part of Halls auctioneers' weekly livestock auction in Shrewsbury yesterday (Tuesday). Allen Wainwright sold the herd to focus on arable farming. His grandfather moved to Groton from Oswestry with his dairy herd in 1921 and three generations of the family bred cows for 'very good legs, feet and udders with strength, not extreme stature, plenty of milk with kilos of fat and protein'. The Groton Herd included 72 cows and heifers freshly calved since February. The trade peaked for the pick of the herd, the hugely admired Red and White Summerfield Awesome Cherry Chip Red, who won the pre-sale show and sold to a Cheshire buyer for the day's top price of £3,400. Calved for the second time on April 29, she was giving 42kg of milk. Fresh calved heifers from the dispersal peaked at £2,700 for a Sandy Valley Earthshaker daughter who calved on April 25. One of the very last cows in the ring was January calved Summerfields Addison Pistolwhip who she sold for £2,550. December to February calved cows and heifers sold from £1,700 to £2,200, depending on quality. 'The sale really took off with the cows due to calf from June to October, with demand significantly sharper than the spring calved,' said auctioneer Jonny Dymond, Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager. 'No doubt this was enhanced by the cows being in calf to British Blue and the farm's reputation for quality calves. 'The Wainwrights have always been great supporters of Shrewsbury Auction Centre with their calves which are firm favourites among the buyers.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app A third calved De-Su Hartley daughter, due with her fourth calf in August, sold for £3,050, a second calver by De Su Reginald, due in July, made £2,800 and a heifer by Skywalker Stark, due in October, achieved £2, 700. A total of 208 dairy cattle were sold at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on the day, with Alisdair Drinkall from Wettenhall, Cheshire taking the reserve champion prize with a heifer that sold for £3,120. Show judge was James Williams from Nantwich. 'It was another highly successful dispersal sale here at Shrewsbury where Halls has drawn new customers to its dairy department,' added Mr Dymond. 'An entire herd has been sorted, sold and delivered all in one day. 'It's emotional selling your cows, so you don't need hassle or a drawn-out sales process. I would encourage any other dairy farmers considering selling their herd to contact me.' For more information about the herds, contact Mr Dymond at Shrewsbury Auction Centre on Tel: 01743 462620 or 07803 412617.
Powys County Times
19-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
More than 150 cattle for sale at Powys border dispersal sale
More than 150 cattle from a Powys border dairy herd dispersal sale will be going under the hammer. Halls auctioneers at Shrewsbury Auction Centre will be holding a dispersal sale for a herd from near Welshpool tomorrow (May 20). The Dairy Herd from Groton, Marton, comprising 165 in-milk commercial Holstein and Brown Swiss cows and heifers is being told for T. A. Wainwright and Son on Tuesday, May 20 at 11.15am. Allen Wainwright's grandfather moved to Groton with his herd from Oswestry in 1921 and ran a mixed farm until 1966. Sue and John Wainright, Allen's parents, then took over and increased the herd to 100 using higher yielding genetics provided by Brian Challinor. When Brian retired, the family moved to Genus, and Sue and John semi-retired in 2000. This was when Allen took over the breeding policy and the Groton Herd has been on RMS with Genus ABS for the last 15 years. Jonny Dymond, Halls' dairy auctioneer and Shrewsbury Auction Centre manager, said the company is delighted to be selling the Groton Herd on behalf of the Wainwright family 'The Wainwrights began milk production at The Groton in 1921 and now the time has come to remove the daily workload that comes with dairy farming and look for an easier life in the arable sector,' he said. 'This is a modern, healthy and vibrant herd of cattle displaying supreme legs and feet and udder attachment. Sixty-nine have calved since February 1, with 33 due July to September and 46 due in the winter months. 'The Wainwrights have always been great supporters of Shrewsbury Auction Centre with their calves which are firm favourites among the buyers. With this in mind, the fact that all pregnancies are to British Blue of Angus is sure to appeal. 'I recommend this herd most highly for both traditional systems and indoor units where their potential is limitless.' Help support trusted local news Sign up for a digital subscription now: As a digital subscriber you will get Unlimited access to the County Times website Advert-light access Reader rewards Full access to our app Cows have been bred for very good legs, feet and udders with strength, not extreme stature, plenty of milk with kilos of fat and protein. The herd has used top proven and Genomic sires from Genus following the GMS mating programme using a sexed and beef strategy. Fed a TMR diet with cake in the parlour, cubicle housed and grazed in the summer, the herd is currently producing an average of 30kg of milk per day on an AYR calving pattern. The calving interval is 372 days and 305 day averages are 8,414kg of milk with 4.42% butterfat 3.32% protein and 120 cell count. The herd is vaccinated for BVD, IBR, LEPTO and Black Leg and was TB tested on March 31, having been TB free for more than four years. This auction will be followed by the dispersal of nearly 500 pedigree Holsteins from the Lilleshall Herd for S. M. Gilman and Partners, Abbey Farm, Lilleshall, Newport on Friday, May 30 at 10am.
