Latest news with #ITVBorder
ITV News
3 days ago
- General
- ITV News
Grandfather overwhelmed by 'astronomical' support following allotment fire
A west-Cumbrian grandfather has said that he is overwhelmed by the "astronomical" support shown to him by members of the public following a fire which destroyed his allotment. Alan Coulter's allotment in Whitehaven went up in smoke following a battery fire from a power-bank which was thought to have failed. Speaking to ITV Border about the situation, Alan Coulter said: "I got a phone call out of the blue and one of the guys down here on the allotment site gave me a ring to say it was on fire. "I rushed up here and of course all of the traffic lights were on red and it felt like it took me a lifetime to get here." Alan explained the reasons behind what started the fire, he said: "We believe that what happened was I had a power-bank in one of the far end sheds and it was being charged by solar panels and I think the battery management system has failed and allowed electricity to come into fully charged batteries. "They overheated, melted the plastic and then I believe it ignited which caused the devastation." The general public have rallied around Alan and provided him support since the fire. He said: "I was ready to throw the towel in but thanks to the generosity of the general public and my family and the support that I have had from the community which has been astronomical. "We have decided now we are going to make it bigger and better and onwards and upwards. "It was never a paradise but it was my paradise, it was like any allotment really, cobbled together with the best I could with what I could afford."
ITV News
19-06-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Scottish Fire and Rescue paying 'buckets of money' to private company due to staff sickness
Scotland's Fire and Rescue Service is paying 'buckets of money' to a private company to run its wellbeing department – because so many staff members are off sick or have quit. ITV Border can reveal that Heales Medical is providing key services because of absences and resignation. It follows our investigation earlier this year, which revealed that one in five people working for the fire service had either experienced or witnessed bullying or harassment. Simon Macfarlane, of the trade union Unison, said: 'We know there's a real issue with the culture in the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and that's evident in the wellbeing department because it's certainly not living up to his name. 'Our members have taken tribunals, they've left employment and they've put in a collective grievance.' He said an internal investigation had been carried out into how wellbeing service was run and making changes to service as a result. Heales were initially brought in to help deal with firefighters and staff members' records failing to meet 'the required standard'. This was in November and the firm's remit has expanded significantly as workers in the occupational health department were signed off or quit altogether. Macfarlane added: 'We're meeting the service [on Thursday] to discuss pay and I can anticipate they'll be telling us they don't have enough money. 'Yet there's buckets of money going out the door to Heales to provide a service that there are staff – our members – trained and well equipped to do. 'If we want to keep firefighters safe, it's better having staff who are motivated by public service than private profit to do that work.' In April, an ITV Border investigation uncovered a 'toxic' culture and a series of concerns around discrimination and harassment which has worsened in recent years. Multiple frontline firefighters and civilian staff have raised concerns internally either through formal grievance procedures, informally notifying managers or in some cases submitting dossiers chronicling instances of individuals being targeted in ways that were perceived as being unfair. At that time, first minister John Swinney said he was 'concerned' by the report and urged the fire service to address the concerns. A report was published on Wednesday by HM Fire Inspectorate in Scotland about the service's culture. It made a series of recommendations and 'areas for consideration' and finished by saying: 'We would encourage the service, its managers and commanders to consider clearly articulating and acknowledging, through relevant communication, that everyone's contribution is equally important and valued.' Brian Whittle, the South Scotland MSP and Conservative public health spokesman, said: 'There's a certain irony that the people who are supposed to keep people in the fire and rescue safe are the ones that are off ill at the moment. 'It is a worry. It speaks to a wider problem, it speaks to stress, it speaks to strain on the system, it speaks to the cuts that have been made to the system over a period of time by the SNP.' Fiona Ross, the fire service's director of people said: 'During an audit of our health assessment records, we identified a number of records which did not meet the required standard. 'We have notified all colleagues whose records are impacted. An in-depth recovery plan is being implemented, and we are taking steps to ensure this does not happen again. 'This includes moving all records to an electronic system and a review of our governance and auditing processes. 'The health and safety of our employees is the utmost priority. We have contacted the Health and Safety Executive and aim to resolve the situation as quickly and effectively as practicable, while ensuring we continue to deliver our emergency response.' She added: 'We have built upon an existing working relationship with Heales Medical to assist us in this process. 'We explored options with other external providers. However, due to the vast size of the SFRS and geographical spread, it has been difficult to find providers to support the full extent we require.'
ITV News
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
ITV Border archive: Celebrating the King's official birthday
Watch ITV Border archive footage of King Charles as he visited our region in the 1970s and 80s. Saturday 14 June marked the King's official birthday with celebrations and the Trooping the Colour parade taking place in Central London. Military pomp and pageantry was on display in London to mark the milestone but the event also remembered those killed in the Air India plane crash. A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said the King requested amendments to the Trooping the Colour programme 'as a mark of respect for the lives lost, the families in mourning and all the communities affected by this awful tragedy." Trooping the Colour saw more than 1,000 servicemen taking part in the military display who when not performing ceremonial duties are fighting soldiers. The colour – regimental flag – being trooped this year is the King's Colour of Number 7 Company, Coldstream Guards, a prestigious regiment known as the sovereign's bodyguard which is celebrating its 375th anniversary this year. ITV Border archive footage from 1977 showcases the King on Ullswater's dry ski-slope. In 1981 he visited south-west Scotland where one spectator was lucky enough to get a kiss off of the future King. Four years later he was in Whitehaven where retrieved a women's hat before returning it to her.
Time of India
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who is India Willoughby, the newsreader at loggerheads with J.K. Rowling?
(Image: Instagram) India Willoughby is a popular TV personality in the UK. Born on September 2, 1965, in London and raised in Carlisle, Cumbria, India has carved a unique path as a journalist, broadcaster, and reality TV personality. She holds the distinction of being the UK's first transgender national television newsreader and the first trans co-host of the all-women talk show, Loose Women. In March 2024, India became embroiled in a public dispute with author J.K. Rowling. Rowling referred to India as a "man" on social media, prompting India to file a police complaint, alleging that Rowling's comments constituted a hate crime under the Equality Act and the Gender Recognition Act. Rowling defended her statements, citing her gender-critical views and freedom of speech. Northumbria Police reviewed the complaint but concluded that it did not meet the criminal threshold. "For J.K. Rowling to deliberately misgender me knowing who I am is grossly offensive. It is a hate crime. I don't know if (the police report is) going to be treated as a hate crime, malicious communications, but it's a cut-and-dried offense, as far as I'm concerned," she had told the media. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Meanwhile, after this Rowling had posted on X about having a "clearly winnable case against India Willoughby for defamation" and added that "India's obsessive targeting of me over the past few years may meet the legal threshold for harassment. " What is India Willoughby's real name? India Willoughby was born as Jonathan Willoughby. Her journey from Jonathan to India is a testament to her courage and determination to live authentically. Before her transition, Jonathan Willoughby was a familiar face on ITV's Border News, covering major stories in Carlisle, Cumbria. India's journey in journalism began in the late 1980s. She worked as a TV reporter at ITV Border, covering news in the North East and Cumbria. In 2010, she left ITV Border and, for a period, led a double life: living as a woman in Newcastle during the week while presenting as male in Carlisle on weekends. This period of personal conflict culminated in her decision to transition. In 2015, she underwent gender reassignment surgery , aligning her physical self with her gender identity . Post-transition, India's career reached new heights. Her appearance on Loose Women in 2017 marked another milestone, as she became the show's first trans co-host. India's candid discussions about her experiences brought visibility to transgender issues and opened up conversations in mainstream media . In 2018, India participated in Celebrity Big Brother, a season themed "Year of the Woman" to commemorate the centenary of women's suffrage in the UK. Her time on the show was marked by frank discussions about gender identity. Despite being the first contestant evicted, India's appearance further solidified her status as a prominent transgender figure in British media . India has been an outspoken advocate for transgender rights, using her platform to address issues of representation and equality. However, her visibility has also made her a target for online abuse. In 2023, she reported receiving a death threat from the neo-Nazi group National Action, leading to police protection under the Counter Terrorism Command . India is a mother to one son and has been open about her journey, including undergoing facial feminization surgery in order to align her appearance with her gender identity .
ITV News
20-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Cumbrian woman's 20 year journey to tackle severe pain leads to endometriosis diagnosis
Watch this report by ITV Border reporter Katie Templeton-Knight A Cumbrian woman's 20 year journey to find the source of severe pain she was suffering on a daily basis has came to an end following robotic surgery. Lauren Siddle was diagnosed with severe endometriosis and a couple of weeks ago had life-changing robotic surgery to fix it. She had previously seen her doctor on numerous occasions but was often dismissed. Speaking to ITV Border, she said: "I did go to the doctors about it but they just said that everyone's pain tolerances are different. "So I just thought that I couldn't deal with the pain of my period. I ended up taking a lot of pain medication and that is the only thing that could get me through my cycles. "Every month was the same, the pain was never really worse one month to another and my husband having to call an ambulance out to the house numerous times just to give me anti-sickness injections to stop me being sick so I could get some pain medication. "My husband would fill up my hot water bottle all through the night for me just trying to burn the pain away." What are some of the symptoms of endometriosis? Pelvic pain Painful periods that interfere with everyday life Heavy menstrual bleeding Pain during or after sex Painful bowel movements/when having a poo Pain when urinating/peeing Difficulty getting pregnant Fatigue, with one or more of the above symptoms Lauren eventually went to a private doctor to get a diagnosis after severe back pain led to long days on her feet which became unbearable. She said: "The diagnosis that I had was that my ovaries had stuck to my spine which was causing all the pain in my back. I had to be referred for robotic surgery because it was really severe. "So the difference with robotic surgery and standard keyhole surgery is that when you have standard keyhole surgery it is burnt away but robotic surgery gets cut down to the root of endometriosis so it is less likely to come back. "It had gone into the cavity of my bowel which I just keep thinking back if I didn't have the back pain it absolutely would have went into my bowel and that is when they have to remove your bowel and other organs depending on where it had gone to. "I am in a way thankful I had the back pain because it really pushed me to take it into my own hands." The surgery Lauren had cost ten thousand pounds with the treatment also available on the NHS. Waiting times though for an endometriosis diagnosis can be around eight years, with Lauren feeling fortunate that private healthcare was an option for her. She said: "Obviously I was lucky I have had private healthcare for years and I know I could have used it this whole time to get answers but I feel like when you go to your local doctor and you are told it is just period pain and everyone goes through this, I kind of felt like you just believe it and that is the answer. "I remember walking out thinking I really can't deal with pain and I must be really weak with my pain level." A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Too many women are facing unacceptable waits for gynaecology treatment, and we know that more needs to be done to support women with endometriosis. 'We are overhauling women's healthcare through our Plan for Change to make sure the NHS is there for all women when they need it, including utilising the private sector to cut gynaecology waiting lists. 'This government is committed to prioritising women's health as we build an NHS fit for future. We will ensure that women's voices are listened to, and that women's health is never neglected again."
