Latest news with #HelenRoberts
BBC News
01-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Bluetongue restrictions' impact on Oswestry Show planning
Bluetongue restrictions will have an impact on the planning of an agricultural show, the event's chairman has introduced this month to prevent the spread of the potentially fatal livestock disease mean that cattle, sheep and goats need to test negative before they can be transported across the border from England to Kempster from Shropshire's Oswestry Show said it meant Welsh farmers were not willing to exhibit, because they would have to pay for their animals to be tested when they returned said it was "not ideal", but hoped to attract more English farmers to take their place this year. The restrictions were introduced by the UK government to prevent Bluetongue from spreading from England to animal which crosses the border into Wales has to be tested at a cost of up to £70 each and Mr Kempster said he recognised it was a "huge expense".He said he knew of many "very loyal supporters" of the show from the Welsh side of the border who had chosen not to attend this included Helen Roberts, who farms said her family had been "big supporters" of the show and had been bringing animals for more than three decades, but could not afford to visit under the current restrictions."It will be very disappointing that we can't go there and compete," she Kempster said: "It's not ideal for the show at all but we've got to live with it and we've got to do our best."He said his committee had been "working very hard to attract competitors from the English side of the border" and he thought that would include some English farmers who had chosen not to visit Welsh shows this show is due to take place on 2 August and he said it would be "100% going ahead as normal", with preparations at the showground starting on he added: "I think the whole farming community needs this one to be sorted out, we can't carry on with this situation." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Bluetongue restrictions worry farmers on Shropshire-Wales border
Farmers on the border between Shropshire and Wales are worried measures to stop the spread of the bluetongue virus will hurt cross-border restrictions, due to be introduced next month will mean cattle, sheep and goats travelling from England to Wales will need to test negative for the potentially fatal disease before they can be transported across the Bevan, the director Oswestry livestock auction on the English side of the border, said there was a lot of uncertainty and the measures could have a "massive impact" during sales of livestock in the MP for North Shropshire, Helen Morgan, said there needed to be greater clarity for farmers. While bluetongue has spread across large parts of England, it has yet to reach Wales this year and the Welsh government said it was attempting to hold it back "for as long as we can".At a market like Oswestry, where 80% of the livestock sold will cross over the border, every Welsh animal which does not sell will need to be tested before it can return to Wales, at a cost of up to £70 per test only last seven days before animals need to take a fresh one. Helen Roberts, who farms in Wales, said it would force her to look further afield for cattle auctions on the Welsh side of the border instead of Oswestry, which is just three miles said it was "just ridiculous".Ms Morgan said: "There are hundreds of farms that have land on both sides of the border, so it's really problematic and inconvenient for them and there's a lack of clarity over how they should manage that situation at the moment." Follow BBC Shropshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Powys County Times
15-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
NSA Welsh Sheep 2025 to take place near Hay on Wye
Sheep farmers from across Wales and beyond are set to gather near Hay on Wye for the NSA Welsh Sheep 2025 event. The technical event, which is a highlight in the calendar for sheep farmers, will take place at Tregoyd on Wednesday, May 21. This year, the focus is on sustainability, with an emphasis on boosting profitability and rewarding environmental gains. These topics will be central to the event's seminars, which are a key feature of the day. The event will also see the launch of a new product from Mayo Animal Health, alongside various equipment demonstrations. Helen Roberts, the event organiser, said: "This event will help demonstrate how the industry can adapt to new ideas and integrate sustainability into farming systems whilst still producing a quality product. "I am grateful for all the support from sponsors, exhibitors, and local people and to the hosts. "It will be a day to remember." Visitors will be entertained with competitions, sheepdog trials, and a demonstration of Welsh sheepdogs. There will also be farm tours to the higher ground, which rises to 1,200 feet, offering views of the Black Mountains and beyond. The host family will showcase their High Country flock of Romneys, which is a forage-only system. The family business is run in partnership by Penny Chantler and her sons, Sam and Will Sawday. The farm is split into several blocks of land, a mix of rented and owned, where forage crops are grown for winter feed for the ewes and then grass reseeded. The family will also highlight Farming Connect's Welsh Sheep Genetics Programme, which funds the collection of additional data such as back fat scanning, faecal egg counts, and IgA blood samples. Various sheep breed society stands will display many other breeds. Technical and policy information will be available, and there will be opportunities to address the latest trends and politics at seminars, marketing sessions, and trade stands. A Wool Hub will reflect Ms Chantler's passion for wool and her role with British Wool, showcasing innovative products and the sustainability of wool. The major sponsors are Mayo Healthcare and McCartneys. Mayo Healthcare products play a key role in the management approach at High Country Romneys. McCartneys have been a consistent presence in the rural economy, providing a broad range of support to farmers and businesses from the area. Their services include farm business consultancy, valuations, tenancy agreements and assistance with subsidy applications. The seminars will focus on how genetics and nutrition can be used to enhance profitability and sustainability in sheep farming, with regenerative farming also set to be discussed. There will also be discussion around whether the Welsh Government's Sustainable Farming Scheme (SFS) is likely to support improvements in whole farm profitability and sustainability. Education will play a key role in the event, with processor Castell Howell working alongside Powys County Council to serve lamb to children from the area during the week leading up to it. The British Army will have a stand and engage with secondary school pupils, while businesses from the area will also take part, including a butcher who will demonstrate how to butcher a lamb carcass. The NSA Next Generation Shepherd competition, along with shearing, stock judging and photography competitions, are already drawing interest.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
First maintenance visit of the year for giant chalk 'Map of Australia'
A chalk badge depicting the 'Map of Australia' near Salisbury has received its first maintenance visit of the year. The badge, carved into Compton Down by Australian soldiers during the First World War, was attended to by Map of Australia Trust volunteers on Saturday, April 19. The badge has been a significant feature in the landscape since its creation. Over the decades, it has experienced periods of decline and restoration, disappearing from view in the early 2000s due to lack of maintenance. READ MORE: Volunteers carry out maintenance work at chalk Map of Australia carved in WW1 The trust's volunteers maintain the badge throughout the year. (Image: Helen Roberts) In 2017, local resident Helen Roberts established the Map of Australia Trust to restore the badge. The restoration work was completed in 2018 under the guidance of Historic England, as it is a scheduled ancient monument. The trust's volunteers maintain the badge throughout the year, weeding and topping up with chalk. They also hold an annual Anzac Day service, a tradition that began on the hillside in 1917. This year's service will take place at 10am on Friday, April 25, meeting at Naishes Farmyard, A30, Compton Chamberlayne, SP3 5DL. Light refreshments will be available in the village hall, Compton Chamberlayne from 11.15am for those unable to make the climb up the hill. Full details can be found on the Map of Australia Trust website. The trust is always looking for more volunteers to help with the maintenance of the badge. Those interested can find more details on the website or email ww1australiamap@
ITV News
25-04-2025
- Business
- ITV News
Explainer: What is Liverpool's new Hotel Levy and how much will it cost?
Visitors to Liverpool will soon see a £2-a-night increase in the price of hotel rooms after a plan to introduce a 'hotel levy' in the city was approved by local businesses. The idea was put to a vote for 83 hotels in the city. Today the city's Business Improvement District confirmed the vote had passed. The change was supported by 26 votes to 18, with a turnout of 53% turnout. Laura Delaney of The Municipal Hotel and Spa says that guests will be well informed about the extra charge: "We'll have QR codes situated across the hotels, they can find out a wee bit more about what it is and why it is there, and they'll be presented with the bill at the end, it'll be added to their bill" Helen Roberts is the dual General Manager at Holliday Inn Express for Liverpool and Manchester, and she says it is a positive move which the city needs: 'There's a lot that the BID does already in terms of improving the public realm, security and major events, but Liverpool needs this to help it to thrive. "Liverpool isn't the biggest city but it does need to compete on an international stage. We have the same model in Manchester and there has been little or no reaction from guests. "The majority are used to it from their visits to European cities so there has been no negativity'. But what is it, and how will it work? What is a hotel levy? The levy idea is masterminded and managed by Liverpool's Accommodation Business Improvement District. The £2 City Visitor Charge is projected to bring in £9.2million over two years, of which £6.7 million will go towards supporting the city's visitor economy. The business improvement district model is the only one that allows for an overnight charge to be implemented in England. It allows for the raising of a levy, under government legislation, and requires a clear and transparent business plan for the proposed use of the funds. Those behind the charge say it'll also help to bring major events to the city. Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool BID Company, said: 'This £2 a night levy will be to help turbo charge Liverpool's tourism and visitor economy, helping the city attract bigger events who bring people to the city. "We have always said that the industry should have their say on whether they want this levy to come in, as they are administering it. The evidence of other European cities suggests this model will translate overnight stays into major investment, so that we can convert that into world-leading and world-beating events.' How will it work? The £2 charge will be managed and administered by hotels and serviced accommodation, either when guests check in or at the end of their stay. It'll be payable by anybody checking in, regardless of where they're from. It'll only apply in city centre hotels which are part of Liverpool's Accommodation Business Improvement District (ABID). The money generated will be administered by the Accommodation BID, a business improvement district governed by hotels and serviced apartment providers in the city, which is is overseen by an industry board. The Accommodation BID is managed by Liverpool BID Company, which includes two business improvement districts in the city centre and represents over 800 businesses in the city. When will it come into force? The charge will come into effect from June 1 2025 on hotels or serviced accommodation which are subject to the levy (those businesses with a rateable value of £45,000 or above). It comes after growing calls from Liverpool City Council for the city to introduce a full tourism tax, similar to charges being discussed in Scotland. Glaswegians are currently being consulted on plans, which would see tourists and other visitors pay an additional 5% on the price of overnight accommodation. Councillor Harry Doyle, Liverpool City Council's Cabinet member for Culture and Visitor Economy, said: 'This a positive step and lays solid foundations in our endeavour to formalise the establishment of a sustainable Tourism Tax, akin to what is being looked at in Glasgow and has already been introduced in other major European cities, which would be used to further strengthen our tourism offer.'
