Latest news with #ImperialHotel
BBC News
17 hours ago
- BBC News
The Stroud Hotel holds Berni Inn night to mark 1970s heyday
An historic hotel is celebrating its delayed reopening by holding a "Berni Inn night" on Friday - an event named after the famous steakhouse chain - to mark its 1970s Stroud, formally known as The Imperial Hotel, in its namesake town in Gloucestershire, only reopened earlier this year after redevelopment was delayed when the building was awarded Grade II listed status, by Queen Elizabeth II in protection added £1million to the renovation costs and delayed the reopening by several months. Laurence Saffer, one of the hotel's partners, said that the costs were worth it to properly preserve the "iconic" building. "In lockdown, we came across this building and we found out the Beatles had visited here when they were performing, and Her Majesty the Queen visited us in 1950."It was a great honour (to receive listed status), and it's something that we really do cherish," he added."It put us back about six months and at considerable cost, but we're really proud of what we've done - something that's got a heartbeat."There's a lot of life in this area and we thought that creating something which is warm and people want to go to would be a great idea." Local resident Kate Yates said she was excited to attend the 1970s throwback event having had her wedding reception at the venue in 1978."It was new, it was exciting. There weren't really many other places to eat," she said."I think we had orange juice to start. Then we had steak, and black forest gateau."I can't wait to try it again. We have done it at home to show them to my children what we used to have."My daughter has come in with me this evening to experience it too."
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- General
- Irish Examiner
Letters to the Editor: My mother had a happy experience of residential care
My mother's experience of senior residential care was happy. She felt safe there. My sister became her daily visitor, sitting with her and interacting with the staff and residents around her. In quick time, we all knew whether anyone from our area worked there. We knew what work the residents had done during their lives and how their families were noteworthy or/and connected to us in any ways. When we visited, we were introduced to everyone in their turn and made use of to benefit the community. I was called upon to supply poetry notes for someone's child sitting State exams, a small favour my mother or sister asked of me. In no time at all, a village atmosphere grew around us, with all the care and love that a village affords to its locals. My sister's commitment to my mother was immeasurable. I am humbled; as her infrequent brother, I turned up some of the time. Here, in Dungarvan, my father-in-law had an excellent experience of residential care. He was literally across the road from where we live. One of his daughters works in that facility and spent all of her days working around him. My wife became his daily visitor, dropping in for hours in the evening and visiting other residents in turn while she was there. His old school friends and dancing partners sat by the beds around him or made for lively banter in the day room. How they loved to party. Staffed by people, known to his children, whose parents and grandparents were the backdrop to his life, his carers loved to listen to his stories. Workers from across the world were treated with the same lively fun and given the 'céad míle fáilte'. Somehow, it became his personal and individual experience of being in care. Con O'Sullivan, Dungarvan, Co Waterford Kindness in wake of Air India bombing My mother, Barsa Kelly, was aboard the downed Air India plane in 1985. The anxiety of not knowing what to expect, combined with our terrible grief, was almost intolerable. The compassion, sympathy and support that we received from the moment we arrived in Cork somehow made our ordeal more bearable. The people of Cork made us feel as if it was their tragedy as well as ours. We were met by two wonderful ladies when we landed, a nurse and a sister — we think their names were Geraldine and Lorna. We met Garda Donal McCarthy at the then Cork Regional Hospital, and we will be forever indebted to him for his kindness and patience. His gentle way was a crutch for us. He later phoned us at the hotel to say how glad he was we had found my mother. We were extremely touched by this gesture. We are also indebted to Donal Cullinane and Dan Lordan who went above and beyond their required duty to help us. Without their keen observation regarding the matching of the identification forms, we would not have found mom. With their kind manner they made sure we were never rushed, yet everything they did was concise and professional. We would like once again to thank the staffs of the Imperial Hotel and of what's now Cork University Hospital, as well as the taxi drivers who refused to let us pay them. Not a person at the hospital passed me without asking if I needed something or just wordlessly put an arm around me. The death of my mother will scar us forever, but we will always remember the exceptional kindness with which we were treated by the people of Cork. We have never encountered kinder souls. Lorna Kelly, Ontario, Canada What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here EU's stance on Iran An open letter to Ursula von der Leyen: As an Irish citizen and, consequently, also a citizen of the European Union, I felt the need to write to you. I hope you will consider my following concerns, which I share with full respect. Irish radio news reported this week that after Israel's attack on Iran and after your conversation with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, you reported, while attending the G7 summit in Canada, that, in this context, Israel has the right to defend itself, Iran is the principal source of regional instability, and Iran is the source of terror in the Middle East. Naturally, I respect your right to have the belief that Iran is the principal source of regional instability in the Middle East. However, the events of history, including very recent history, also calls attention to the extraordinary source of terror and regional instability in the Middle East, which Israel's actions have so blatantly displayed. Regarding the longer history of Israeli abuses perpetrated against the Palestinians, I refer to the eye-opening work of the internationally respected Jewish Israeli historian Ilan Pappé. I am not suggesting that one should necessarily accept or reject what Prof Pappé shares. But I am suggesting that it is important that people at least allow themselves to become aware of his historical research and then, after having done so, to make up their own minds. Also, regarding what is occurring in the Middle East and beyond, I am reminded of Orwell's words from his book 1984: 'The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.' It is not only a fact that Israel has the right to defend itself, but it is also a fact that every country (even Russia) and every individual person has the right to defend themselves. However, the manner of how a country or an individual carries out their defence of themselves is not only a different fact but also a very different fact, especially if it includes barbarity, war crimes, and maybe even genocide against thousands of innocent civilians. In a radio interview I gave yesterday, the interviewer asked me to say something about the purpose of our Thinking Centre here in Ireland. I answered that one of our main objectives is to try to understand more deeply how prejudices (pre-judge) can so unknowingly take hold within our human minds and, consequently, unbalance how we perceive and speak about the events we encounter. I include myself in this as well. During this interview, I also drew attention to those enduring wise words from the Bible: 'Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.' However, in this conflict taking place between Israel and Iran, both sides not only throw stones at one another but also fall into that form of adolescent consciousness in which each side exclusively blames the other for the stones they themselves are throwing. I think outside forces strongly announcing too early the taking of sides of either combatant in this type of conflict can result in the unintended implication of injecting further energy into these 'adolescent' impasses. In these very dangerous situations, such as this war between Israel and Iran, I think the primary responsibility of all those outside powers not directly involved in the conflict is to participate in a manner that helps de-escalate the crisis before it gets even more dangerously out of control. Afterwards, when peace and stability return, then representatives of governments and institutions can indulge in the luxury of expressing their personal views on who was to blame, or who was most to blame. However, by so prematurely and so publicly announcing of the taking of the side of Israel against Iran, how can Iran be expected to listen, trust, or have any kind of constructive relationship with any peace initiative the European Union may later propose? This is why dialogue, especially the spirit of dialogue, is so important because otherwise people tend not to notice certain adverse implications that their contemplated actions can lead to until after they have taken their action. The words fusion and confusion are deeply linked. If over-repeated, this constantly repeated fact — Israel has the right to defend itself — can easily lead to perceptual confusion. It requires extra care and attention to avoid the illusion created by our human tendency to conflate two very different facts into the same perceptual space. Because this can so easily result in deflecting or obscuring our attention away from facing a fact that we are unknowingly trying to avoid fully facing. Or avoiding the uncomfortable responsibility of having to take the actions that are necessary for the preservation of integrity and overall justice. Wishing you much future success in the important role you have been entrusted with. Eddie O'Brien, Director of The Thinking Centre, Clonmel, Co Tipperary Welcome for Rose Here, in Portland, our version of the Rose of Tralee is called the Rose Festival. The new Queen of Rosaria, Ava Rathi, plans to attend Trinity in the autumn. Will the Government of Ireland demand access to her social media accounts? I kind of doubt it. Bill Gallagher, Portland, Oregon, US Read More Letters to the Editor: Death trap food aid centres in Gaza
Borneo Post
20-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Registration still open for Export Day Sarawak 2025 at Imperial Hotel Kuching
According to the organiser, the Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred), the deadline for registration is June 30. — Bernama photo KUCHING (June 21): Registration is still open for Sarawak-based entrepreneurs to participate in the Export Day Sarawak 2025, which will take place at Imperial Hotel here on July 2-3. The event will run from 8.30am till 5.30pm daily, with free admissions for all Sarawak micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). According to the organiser, the Sarawak Ministry of International Trade, Industry and Investment (Mintred), the deadline for registration is June 30. 'Are you a Sarawak-based entrepreneur ready to take your business global? Join us at Export Day Sarawak 2025, a two-day event designed to empower Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with the knowledge, tools, and connections needed to succeed in international markets,' said the ministry in a statement yesterday. Participants can gain insights into export readiness strategies, trade finance options for MSMEs, leveraging free trade agreements (FTAs), logistics support, pricing strategies and legal compliance. The programme also covers advice on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices for sustainable exports and the use of digital platforms for market expansion. In addition, the event will feature the unveiling of real success stories from Sarawak exporters and a town hall session with Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hasan, who is also the Minister of International Trade, Industry and Investment. The event is organised by Mintred in collaboration with Invest Sarawak and the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), with strategic partners including Affin Bank, Maybank, Redly Express, Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation (MGTC). The ministry said participants must attend both days to receive an e-certificate. Confirmation of participation will be emailed to successful applicants. Interested MSMEs are encouraged to register early to secure their spot by clicking the link: Export Day Sarawak 2025 Imperial Hotel lead registration
Calgary Herald
20-06-2025
- Climate
- Calgary Herald
How does a rockslide happen? 'The mountain that moves' was Canada's deadliest
Article content A large rockslide in Banff National Park left up to 15 hikers injured Thursday, leading to one potential death and raising a series of questions about how and why the disaster occurred. Article content With officials still working on rescue and treatment of survivors, it will be some time until an investigation concludes why the rockslide happened. But a look at published research and archive news articles on rockslides provides some general information about the dangerous occurrences. Article content Article content Article content Article content A rockslide happens when a large chunk of rock detaches itself from the mountain where it sits and begins sliding down the slope. Why does this occur? Well, natural erosion or seismic activity can cause a rockslide, as can heavy rainfalls. Human activity such as excavation, construction or mining can also lead to a rockslide. Article content As one chunk of rock begins its downward slide, it can quickly gain momentum and trigger massive amounts of other rock to also begin sliding, leading to devastating effects. Article content notes a landslide or rockslide can occur 'when gravitational and other types of shear stresses within a slope exceed the shear strength (resistance to shearing) of the materials that form the slope.' Article content What's the difference between a landslide and a rockslide? Article content A landslide occurs when sediment or loose dirt disengages from a hill or mountain and begins moving downwards. A rockslide, however, means solid rocks are also being swept down a slope during a similar type of event. Rockslides are also incredibly fast-moving, as they tend to move down a flat surface of a mountain. Article content Article content The Canadian Encyclopedia notes a rockslide can move up to 100 km/hr. Article content The most horrific rockslide in Canadian history occurred in 1903 when a huge slab of Turtle Mountain crashed down onto the town of Frank and Crowsnest Pass (about 250 kilometres southwest of Calgary). At least 72 known residents were killed in the natural disaster, as were an undetermined number of others visiting or passing through the area. Some historians thus put the death toll closer to 90. Article content An estimated 80 to 110 million tonnes of rock were involved in the deadly event that came to be known as Frank Slide. The rockslide only lasted about a minute and a half. Article content Newspaper clippings and archive stories from the rockslide describe the horrific results that led to the deaths of men, women and children. As those clippings note, information about the state of some of the victims was disturbing, but shed light on how powerful the rockslide was: 'The leg and hip of a man was found lying fifty yards from the Imperial Hotel.'
Irish Times
16-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
`I regret spending money on cars. It always feels like a financial black hole'
Bastien Peyraud has more than 20 years of experience in luxury hospitality across Ireland, Britain and Europe. In 2023, as manager of Cork's Imperial Hotel, he won the Supreme Winner Award at the Virgin Media Gold Medal Awards. He is now general manager of the G Hotel and Spa in Galway. Are you a saver or a spender? I'm definitely a saver. I like the security of knowing I'm not spending more than I have, and I avoid debt wherever possible. Aside from my mortgage, that is, which I see as an investment rather than a liability. I budget carefully so I can enjoy life without financial stress. What was the first job you received money for, and how much were you paid? I started as a kitchen porter during the summer in the south of France when I was 15. I earned around 5,000 French francs per month, though the exact figure is a bit hazy now! It felt like a fortune at the time, and I was so proud of saving every cent to pay for my studies. That first job taught me discipline, work ethic and the value of hard-earned money, which are lessons I carry with me to this day. Do you shop around for better value? Always, but value doesn't necessarily mean the cheapest option. I believe in quality over cost-cutting, whether it's groceries, hotels or bigger purchases. I'll research my options to make sure I'm getting the best deal without compromising on what matters to me. READ MORE What has been your most extravagant purchase, and how much did it cost? I've bought property and cars but my most extravagant – and least necessary – purchase was a Burberry coat when I was working in London. I think I paid just under £2,000 for it, which was certainly a splurge at the time. Nearly 20 years later, however, I still have it, and it just about still fits. Was it a luxury or a long-term investment? I'll let myself believe the latter. [ Laura O'Mahoney: 'I once paid €70 for a massive quiche as I was too embarrassed to say I only wanted a slice' Opens in new window ] What purchase have you made that you consider the best value for money? Buying my first flat was by far the best investment I've made. It was in terrible condition but we transformed it into a beautiful home, helped by my experience of working in luxury hotels. When we sold it, we made a great return, proving that a little vision and effort go a long way. Is there anything you regret spending money on? Cars. Every single one I've owned has depreciated the moment I drove it away from the dealer's. No matter how much I convince myself it's a necessity, it always feels like a financial black hole. Do you haggle over prices? Not really. If something is beyond my budget, I won't buy it. I respect the value of a product or service and trust that good quality comes at a fair price. Working in hospitality, I know how tight margins are, so I'd rather pay properly than try to undercut a business. Do you invest in shares and/or cryptocurrency? I don't. I've never fully understood the stock market or cryptocurrency, and I prefer tangible investments such as property. I'm sure I could have made good returns if I had taken the time to learn, but when you come from a modest background, you don't like to take risks with your life savings. Do you have a retirement or pension plan? Yes, though it's complicated! I've worked in multiple countries, so my pension is scattered across different systems. I started taking it seriously about six years ago and now make sure to save as much as I can to secure a comfortable future for my partner and family. What was the last thing you bought and was it good value for money? My wedding ring. I won't claim it was a bargain, but it was without a doubt the best investment I've ever made. Have you ever successfully saved up for a relatively big purchase? Yes, my partner and I are currently saving to buy a house. It's a slow process, but we're disciplined about it while still making sure we enjoy life along the way. With property prices skyrocketing, wherever we buy, it will be a big financial decision, so we're keeping a close eye on our savings target. [ Rick O'Shea: 'My wife and I come from very working-class backgrounds, so we think savings are important' Opens in new window ] Have you ever lost money? Plenty of times! Whether it's a €50 note disappearing from my pocket or a well-intentioned but ill-advised spend, I've learned that money can vanish faster than you expect. The key is to make sure the wins outweigh the losses in the long run. Are you a gambler and, if so, have you ever had a big win? Not at all. I once went to Las Vegas with friends and quickly realised gambling wasn't for me. Even when I won, I knew I was ultimately losing more than I was gaining. I work too hard for my money to risk it disappearing in a couple of hours. What is your best habit when it comes to money? And your worst? My best habit is planning. I track nearly every expense, monthly and yearly, so I know exactly what I can spend and where my money is going. My worst habit? Spending too much on food and drink. When I go out, I don't check the prices; I just want to enjoy the experience. If I can't afford it, I simply don't go. How much money do you have on you now? Absolutely none. I haven't carried cash in years. My phone is my wallet now – it's more convenient and a lot safer. In conversation with Tony Clayton-Lea
