Latest news with #JackieThomas
BBC News
2 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Calls to report yellow-legged hornets in Kent
A council in Kent has joined calls for its residents to report sightings of the yellow-legged hornet, which has been described as a "highly aggressive'" wasp, also known as an Asian hornet, is an "invasive, non-native species" which has been sighted in the county over the past few has been found in places including Canterbury, Deal, Appledore, Ramsgate, Langley, Folkestone, Broad Oak, Nonington and and Hythe Borough Council is now asking its residents to log sightings on the government's Asian Hornet Watch app. Experts at the British Pest Control Association said in May people should tell the Non-native Species Secretariat "as soon as possible" if they spot the a highly effective predator yellow-legged hornets can cause significant losses to bee colonies, other native species and potentially are active between April and November, but especially in August and who suspect they may have seen the species are requested to report it with a photo and details online, but "should not disturb an active nest".Jackie Thomas, Dover and District Beekeepers' Association education officer, said: "They are quite distinctive – with the main feature being an orange face, a black body, striped back, yellow legs and about the size of a two pence piece."We would suggest people download the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs' free Asian Hornet Watch app where you can take a photograph and easily upload a picture of your sighting."
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ice rink on council's £350k shopping list
A Christmas ice rink is among the items on a shopping list from councillors after a local authority ended the financial year with a surplus of £350,000. Torbay Council's cabinet has drawn up a number of items which the authority could pay for after being told various departments had contributed to an underspend in the fourth quarter of the last financial year. Items highlighted by the cabinet included an ice rink for the Bay of Lights event run in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham at Christmas, surveying community centres, tackling weeds and investing in adult social care. The list of projects is set to be reviewed in July by the full council before a decision on what to spend the money on is made. More news stories for Devon Listen to the latest news for Devon Other schemes highlighted by councillors to receive funding were a community-focused "blitz" to tidy and improve Torquay's Castle Circus area and money to encourage new start-up shops and businesses, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. Councillor Alan Tyerman said while the money was a "tiny proportion" of the overall budget, it showed very good financial control from the authority. "For several years things have looked comfortable in Torbay's accounts, and long may it continue," the Conservative councillor for Churston with Galmpton added. Councillor Jackie Thomas, Conservative, Kings Ash, said an ice rink for the Bay of Lights project would be a "very exciting addition" to the event, which already featured a seafront illuminations trail and light show at Torre Abbey. She said "an ice rink would very considerably increase our winter wonderland experience and encourage more footfall". Councillor Darren Cowell welcomed the ideas and Torbay's "sound financial footing". However, the Independent member for Shiphay urged colleagues to look beyond town centres and seafronts to spend some of the money in other local communities. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Torbay harbourside opens in time for light trail South West Christmas lights switch-ons have begun Pier to shine with Christmas lights for first time Torbay Council
BBC News
19-05-2025
- BBC News
Devon beach awarded Blue Flag status for 38th year in a row
A popular shingle beach has won an internationally recognised Blue Flag award for the 38th year in a Beach in Torquay has been featured by the programme, which recognises well-managed beaches with excellent water quality and environmental education programmes, since it began in other beaches in Torbay also earned the award for 2025, including Broadsands Beach and Torre Abbey Jackie Thomas said the accolades "would not be possible without the continued hard work" of the harbour authority and other partners. 'England's favourite' She said: "There's a reason the English Riviera remains one of England's favourite resorts, thanks in part to the quality of diversity of our coastline."Torbay's continued recognition from Keep Britain Tidy reflects the ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, water quality, safety, education, and beach management.""I'd also like to thank all of you who visit and enjoy our beaches for doing your part to keep them safe, clean, and beautiful." To qualify for the Blue Flag award, beaches must satisfy standards in four categories with 33 individual targets covering environmental education and information, water quality, environmental management, and safety and Flag beaches also have to run a minimum of five educational activities each year making people aware of the importance of looking after the natural environment.A spokesperson for Torbay Council said: "All six of the Blue Flag winners have also been awarded the Seaside Award, alongside Goodrington Beach in Paignton."55 sites were awarded both a Blue Flag and Seaside Award, meaning 11% of England's best beaches are here in Torbay," they added.
BBC News
20-03-2025
- BBC News
Torbay airshow 2025 to feature Red Arrows and memorial flight
The Torbay airshow has announced the RAF Red Arrows and the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will lead its line up this RAF Typhoon will also feature among the aerial displays taking to the skies above Paignton in the free event on 31 May and 1 Council said the English Riviera Airshow had a "significant impact" on "the local economy and community" with it expected to attract thousands of visitors to the Jackie Thomas said: "Each year of the airshow we aim to make it bigger and better than the year before." 'Bigger and better' The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which was cleared to fly again on Friday after the planes dating back to World War Two were grounded following a fatal crash, is expected to include the Dakota, Spitfire and the cabinet member for tourism, culture and events and corporate services, added: "We are absolutely thrilled that we have secured three of the best RAF display teams for both the Saturday and Sunday of the event."The event is organised by Torbay Council with support from local Custerson, chief executive officer of English Riviera BID Company, which sponsors the airshow, said: "The event keeps growing and attracting tens of thousands of people to the area every year."What makes the English Riviera such a special place to host this event, is the natural amphitheatre, surrounded by dozens of viewing points."
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Surveys seek views on conservation area updates
Views are being sought on proposed updates for three conservation areas in part of south Devon. Torbay Council said online and paper surveys had been set up for the new conservation area appraisals for Torquay Harbour, Paignton Old Town and Brixham Town. In October, the council said it had decided to update the appraisals - which analyse elements of an areas' special architectural or historic interest - through a partnership with the National Lottery Heritage Fund's Heritage Places scheme. The council said the surveys would remain open until 7 April and public events to discuss the plans had been arranged in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham. Council bosses said the authority had entered into a 10-year partnership with the lottery in a bid to support the bay's heritage. It was decided to review the three chosen appraisals as they had not been updated for at least 15 years, the council said. The authority added the updates to the conservation area appraisals would include a review of the boundaries of each area. Councillor Jackie Thomas, cabinet member for tourism, culture and events, said the council would "love" to hear local views. She said: "As a council we are committed to protecting and celebrating our local heritage. "This work will also complement a range of other projects currently taking place in the Bay, such as the public realm works in Torquay and Paignton and investment in Brixham Harbour, as well as the delivery of the Torbay Heritage Strategy 2021-2026." The council said the first two public events to look at the plans would be held from 10:00 GMT to 14:00 in Unit 24 at the Fleet Walk upper gallery on Wednesday and Saturday. Events had also been planned at Paignton Library and Community Hub on 25 and 28 March from 10:00 to 14:00, officials said. Two sessions in Brixham had been organised at the Scala Hall on 1 April and in Fore Street on 4 April, both running from 10:00 to 14:00, they added. Follow BBC Devon on X, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to spotlight@ Dartmoor given funding boost for its heritage and nature Lottery grant funding set to boost heritage sites Totnes church wins £965k grant for restoration Torbay Council - New conservation area appraisals National Lottery Heritage Fund
