Latest news with #JamesEvans
Press and Journal
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Press and Journal
The Drive at Haddo: First look inside car café near Methlick
The Drive at Haddo, the much anticipated car café near Methlick, will be opening in the next two weeks. That's according to director James Evans, who has been leading the preparation efforts at the Aberdeenshire café. Since the news broke of the cafe's opening, social media has erupted with excitement. 'It has gone mental,' James says, 'It has blown up. 'On a daily basis we've got people coming here to ask when we're opening.' The café is kitted out with three flat-screen TVs to display Formula 1, MotoGP and Le Mans. There is also a gaming station for children – and adults – to brush up on their Gran Turismo racing simulation skills on PS5. The cafe, owned by Haddo Estate, is situated on the B9170 near the Tarves turn-off. The site was formerly known as Formartine's Shop and Eatery, which closed in 2021. The renovated space is now fully decked out with tables and chairs at around 100 covers, plus new flooring and décor, and will be ready to open in the next fortnight. The car café, one of the few of its kind in Scotland, has gained 3k Facebook followers in a matter of weeks. It will be a space for car meets, where automotive enthusiasts and car clubs can congregate to display their vehicles. One Instagram user said: 'Can't wait, great to see more car enthusiast locations!' While another added: 'Exactly what Aberdeenshire needed! Can't wait for this to open.' While it is certainly a hit with car enthusiasts, James insists that the café will be a space for everyone. He adds: 'I want people to understand that they don't have to like cars or motorbikes to come here, it's not just for that – it's for everyone. 'I know we're trying something new here – it's not what people are used to – but I think the area absolutely needs it. 'It is different, I understand that. But I hope everyone loves it. 'I want the local community to know they can come here at any time and enjoy the space. 'I have tried to be as inclusive for everyone as I can: dog owners, café lovers, coffee lovers, food lovers.' James shared further details on the cafe's menu, which will feature a wide variety of burgers and racetrack-themed loaded fries. Each plate of loaded fries will depict a different racetrack. For example, Knockhill Racing Circuit in Fife will be represented by haggis loaded fries, and the German Hockenheimring circuit by a currywurst-inspired loaded fries. Huntly family-run business Rizza's will be providing the cafe's ice cream, with dairy-free and dog-friendly ice cream also available. Milkshakes, coffee, cakes, pies and pastries will also be on offer. It will be counter service at the new café, which will be open 8am-6pm every day when it opens. The sleek interior of the café is paired with outside seating perfect for the summer weather. The team are considering adding awnings later in the year too. The café will be dog-friendly outside and in the lounge area, but not in the main café space. Dogs can get fed too, as there's a little treat station and water bowls for your furry friends. The outside play area at The Drive at Haddo is shaping up, with tyres donated from local farmers. There's also an inside play area with toy cars, a blackboard, books, a play kitchen and more. Last minute preparations are now underway before the café opens in the next few weeks. You can keep an eye on their Facebook page for the opening date. We will also be reviewing the cafe's menu soon. Meanwhile, the café are looking for cooks to join the team. If you're interested get in touch with James via email here: thedrivehaddo@
Black America Web
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Guess These Black TV Dads!
Source: i-one / I-One This weekend it's a lot to celebrate. Birthdays, Juneteenth, and please don't forget Father's Day. Make sure you celebrate the father, uncle, mentor, and/or male figure who has been a major figure in your life. For some that include our favorite TV Dads. From Uncle Phil to James Evans. George Jefferson and yes, Heathcliff Huxtable, the Black father has held us down. For the daddy's special day, take our quiz below and see if you can guess these TV dads. Some of which should be easy while others are new pops who have held the fathers down for this generation of TV watchers. Happy Father's Day Fellas! SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
Powys County Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
MS calls for clarity after livestock ban at Royal Welsh Show
Livestock entries have been banned from certain areas at this year's Royal Welsh Show and an MS is calling for clarity. The decision follows the introduction restrictions due to the spread of the bluetongue virus, which could result in around 40 per cent fewer cattle taking part in the event. James Evans MS raised the issue in the Senedd and called on the Welsh Government to issue a clear statement on its approach to the outbreak. Mr Evans said: "We need clarity from Welsh Government as to their approach on tackling Bluetongue. "We should be following the lead of England on this. "Many farmers in my constituency are cross-border, accessing markets in Hereford, and we need to ensure that farmers are not punished. "I hope that the much-needed clarity will come before the Royal Welsh Show and that this decision may be reconsidered. "This is not the first time the show has been beset with restrictions due to disease, and I am sure the show will go on."
Pembrokeshire Herald
05-06-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Taxpayers hit with £5.25m bill for botched power station contract
PATIENTS who miss two appointments without good cause will be removed from waiting lists for NHS treatment, Wales' health secretary announced. Jeremy Miles warned more than 700,000 appointments are missed each year, with 14% of all outpatient appointments lost because people do not turn up or cannot attend. 'That's not right and it's not sustainable,' said the Labour politician. 'And it doesn't help us to make sure the public gets faster access to the care they need. 'So, in future, we will provide patients with two offers of dates for an NHS appointment. If those appointments are not kept without a good reason, they will be removed from the list so that their place can be taken by somebody else. 'Every person's circumstance will be considered. Patients who are vulnerable and children will be protected but we want patients to keep their appointments or to cancel in good time so their place can be taken by someone else.' James Evans, the Conservatives' shadow health secretary, responded: 'I tend to agree with that. We need to make sure the public do actually take a bit more responsibility with their appointments within the NHS but I do urge a little bit of caution. Conservative MS James Evans 'And I just need to make sure… this policy is not going to unfairly penalise vulnerable people, those who struggle to get transport, especially in Powys, for example, where people have to rely on public transport to get to appointments. It's not always readily available. Mr Evans cautioned that people who struggle with their mental health sometimes cannot go to appointments, with the minister reiterating that vulnerable people will be protected. Urging people to do all they can to keep appointments, Mr Miles added: 'It is really important that that capacity is available for patients who are able to take up those appointments. We all want to see access to care becoming faster, and so that's an important part of the solution. 'It's a partnership approach between the [Welsh] Government and the NHS on the one hand and the public on the other, and my anecdotal reading of it is that people do understand that that is an important part of the way forward.' In a Senedd statement about waiting lists on June 3, Mr Miles stressed that reducing long waits is his number one priority as he pointed to some signs of good progress. 'We've seen the waits of more than two years falling by two-thirds,' he said. 'At the end of March, long waits fell to… just under 8,400. This is the lowest level since April 2021. 'The size of the overall waiting list had reduced for the fourth month in a row.' Mr Miles, who was appointed in September, said the health service will commission the private sector to carry out a significant number of treatments. He recognised the problem is most acute in north Wales and emphasised : 'I expect the health board to meet its plans to significantly reduce long waits.' Mr Miles told the Senedd: 'We will reset and reduce the overall size of the list by March 2026, bringing it back towards pre-pandemic levels. 'It is within our grasp to reduce the size of our waiting list by as much as 200,000 pathways over the next year.' But Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru's shadow health secretary, warned Welsh ministers have failed to hit their own targets from 2022 despite moving the goalposts multiple times. Plaid Cymru MS Mabon ap Gwynfor He asked: 'What measure of success is seeing over 8,000 people waiting over two years… after promising that no person would be waiting for more than two years by March of 2023?' Mr ap Gwynfor added: 'With finite resources, we must prioritise the right things, rather than introducing a wide range of baseless targets.' He called for a fair funding settlement for Wales from next week's UK spending review, saying: 'The current system and settlement fail entirely to provide resources in proportion with the needs of Wales: older people, more ill health and greater poverty levels.' Mr ap Gwynfor welcomed a recent improvement but pointed out that 600,000 people – almost one in five of the population – continues to wait for treatment. Labour's Hannah Blythyn welcomed positive progress, with two-year waits down 67% over the past three years and more than 12,000 patients coming off the list. She said: 'We should be honest here that the progress has been made possible thanks to additional investment made possible by two Labour governments working together.' Rhys ab Owen, an independent, expressed concerns about a shortage of anaesthetists, warning it will ultimately lead to the cancellation of treatments and longer waiting lists.
Pembrokeshire Herald
05-06-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
NHS Wales to remove no-show patients from waiting lists
PATIENTS who miss two appointments without good cause will be removed from waiting lists for NHS treatment, Wales' health secretary announced. Jeremy Miles warned more than 700,000 appointments are missed each year, with 14% of all outpatient appointments lost because people do not turn up or cannot attend. 'That's not right and it's not sustainable,' said the Labour politician. 'And it doesn't help us to make sure the public gets faster access to the care they need. 'So, in future, we will provide patients with two offers of dates for an NHS appointment. If those appointments are not kept without a good reason, they will be removed from the list so that their place can be taken by somebody else. 'Every person's circumstance will be considered. Patients who are vulnerable and children will be protected but we want patients to keep their appointments or to cancel in good time so their place can be taken by someone else.' James Evans, the Conservatives' shadow health secretary, responded: 'I tend to agree with that. We need to make sure the public do actually take a bit more responsibility with their appointments within the NHS but I do urge a little bit of caution. Conservative MS James Evans 'And I just need to make sure… this policy is not going to unfairly penalise vulnerable people, those who struggle to get transport, especially in Powys, for example, where people have to rely on public transport to get to appointments. It's not always readily available. Mr Evans cautioned that people who struggle with their mental health sometimes cannot go to appointments, with the minister reiterating that vulnerable people will be protected. Urging people to do all they can to keep appointments, Mr Miles added: 'It is really important that that capacity is available for patients who are able to take up those appointments. We all want to see access to care becoming faster, and so that's an important part of the solution. 'It's a partnership approach between the [Welsh] Government and the NHS on the one hand and the public on the other, and my anecdotal reading of it is that people do understand that that is an important part of the way forward.' In a Senedd statement about waiting lists on June 3, Mr Miles stressed that reducing long waits is his number one priority as he pointed to some signs of good progress. 'We've seen the waits of more than two years falling by two-thirds,' he said. 'At the end of March, long waits fell to… just under 8,400. This is the lowest level since April 2021. 'The size of the overall waiting list had reduced for the fourth month in a row.' Mr Miles, who was appointed in September, said the health service will commission the private sector to carry out a significant number of treatments. He recognised the problem is most acute in north Wales and emphasised : 'I expect the health board to meet its plans to significantly reduce long waits.' Mr Miles told the Senedd: 'We will reset and reduce the overall size of the list by March 2026, bringing it back towards pre-pandemic levels. 'It is within our grasp to reduce the size of our waiting list by as much as 200,000 pathways over the next year.' But Mabon ap Gwynfor, Plaid Cymru's shadow health secretary, warned Welsh ministers have failed to hit their own targets from 2022 despite moving the goalposts multiple times. Plaid Cymru MS Mabon ap Gwynfor He asked: 'What measure of success is seeing over 8,000 people waiting over two years… after promising that no person would be waiting for more than two years by March of 2023?' Mr ap Gwynfor added: 'With finite resources, we must prioritise the right things, rather than introducing a wide range of baseless targets.' He called for a fair funding settlement for Wales from next week's UK spending review, saying: 'The current system and settlement fail entirely to provide resources in proportion with the needs of Wales: older people, more ill health and greater poverty levels.' Mr ap Gwynfor welcomed a recent improvement but pointed out that 600,000 people – almost one in five of the population – continues to wait for treatment. Labour's Hannah Blythyn welcomed positive progress, with two-year waits down 67% over the past three years and more than 12,000 patients coming off the list. She said: 'We should be honest here that the progress has been made possible thanks to additional investment made possible by two Labour governments working together.' Rhys ab Owen, an independent, expressed concerns about a shortage of anaesthetists, warning it will ultimately lead to the cancellation of treatments and longer waiting lists.
