Latest news with #Kempsey
BBC News
01-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Worcestershire church handed funding to replace bellringing ropes
A Worcestershire church has been given funding to replace its bellringing ropes. The ringing of the bells at St Mary's Church in Kempsey dates back to the 17th Century but the special ropes to help the dings dong are in need of County Council member Martin Allen has allocated £800 from the £10,000 pot that each councillor is allocated a year to support projects in their ward."I understand that the upkeep of such a worthwhile historic part of our history is not cheap, and I am delighted to have provided the funding to replace the worn-out ropes," he said. Mr Allen, Green, added: "It's important that traditions that make us what we are today continue."Tower captain at St Mary's Church Mike Harrison said: "Anyone who is interested in learning a new skill would be warmly welcome."Visitors with advanced notice can pop up the tower on Thursday evenings from 19:30 BST to watch a practice session or learn about how to join."We are currently fundraising for repairs and maintenance work to ensure their working operation for the next 100 years." Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Pink Floyd pilot and former army officer honoured for work combating PTSD
A FORMER Army Officer and Royal Navy Commando pilot, who works as the pilot for band Pink Floyd, has been honoured for his work combating PTSD. Tim Boughton, 54, who used to live in Kempsey but now lives in Hampshire was awarded an honorary degree by Middlesex University for his work with serving veteran and emergency services personnel. "It is humbling to be recognised in this way amongst a cohort of truly amazing people," said Mr Boughton. "I never thought that at 54 I would be able to receive such an honour, especially as I was not up to much through school. "For me the importance is using this platform to further the work in the mindfulness and mental health arena and to collaborate closely with the university to see how we can make peoples' lives better in an uncertain world. "Our ability to help others and understand how we can adapt amongst such uncertainty must be at the forefront of what we do." READ MORE: Hunt for good Samaritans who helped after woman reportedly fell into river READ MORE: Woman in her 90s left terrified after finding burglar in living room READ MORE: Boy injured in 'vicious' attack at food and music festival With a background in the army as an infantry officer and as a commando helicopter pilot with the Royal Navy, the 54-year-old overcame his own mental health issues -including PTSD - inspiring his mission to impower others. He has since become a speaker and global advisor in cognitive performance and mental health, alongside working as the pilot for the band Pink Floyd. In 2019, he was appointed as the specialist advisor to the British Army for mental health and has given evidence on numerous occasions to Parliament. He went on to complete a Master's degree in Mindful Based Cognitive Therapy at Oxford University, and is on the way to attaining a second Masters in psychology. His study of more than 280 mental health apps led to the creation of an award-winning six week programme that has saved lives and transformed approaches in trauma care for elite personnel in the military and sport.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cause of death revealed after man who murdered 'cheerful and kind' wife dies
A WIFE-murderer who hid her body in a septic tank and got away with it for almost four decades died of pneumonia, an inquest heard. David Venables, a former pig farmer in Kempsey, was convicted of the murder of 48-year-old Brenda in May 1982 after he hid her body in an underground septic tank on their 440-acre farm. An inquest at Shropshire Coroner's Court in Shrewsbury yesterday (Thursday) found the killer had died of pneumonia after battling urothelial cancer. The 92-year-old was jailed in July 2022, nearly 40 years since Brenda's murder, after her body was found during routine maintenance of the septic tank in 2019. David Venables hid his wife's body in a septic tank. (Image: West Mercia Police) Venables was arrested three weeks later for the murder, which he denied in court, instead blaming serial killer Fred West for her death. He was sentenced to spend the rest of his life in prison, but he only spent less than three years behind bars before his death at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on December 16, 2024. RECOMMENDED READING: A spokesperson for Shropshire Coroner's Court said: "David John Venables died on December 16, 2024, at The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Mytton Oak Road, Shrewsbury, Shropshire. "He died as the result of pneumonia. "Contributing to his death was the natural progression of urothelial cancer, obstructive uropathy and diabetes mellitus." The murderer had been imprisoned at HMP Stoke Heath, near Telford. CHEERFUL: Brenda outside her home in Kempsey. (Image: West Mercia Police) An investigation into Venables death by the Prison and Probation Ombudsman is currently in progress. In 2019, a murder investigation was launched and, through DNA testing, the remains found in the tank were identified as Brenda's. The condition of the remains meant her cause of death could not be established. MISSED: Brenda was described as a cheerful and kind-natured person. (Image: West Mercia Police) During the trial, the court heard that the couple were in an unhappy marriage and outlined the 14-year affair he had with another woman. In a 2022 statement, the family of Brenda said: "If Brenda had never met her murderer, we can imagine her cheerful and kind nature would have led her to much joy and happiness as an adult. "She would have continued her many friendships, from Young Farmers and beyond. "Her parents would have been spared the unending wait for her return, and been comforted by her continued care of them. "We continue to miss Brenda and we will never forget her. "Her characteristics live on in our family."
News.com.au
27-06-2025
- News.com.au
Teen, 16, charged after allegedly throwing headrests, rocks at cops pursuing stolen ute
A teenager has been charged after allegedly pelting headrests and rocks at police who were pursuing an allegedly stolen ute. Police were patrolling the Pacific Hwy near Kempsey about 4am on June 21 when officers attempted to stop a utility vehicle which had been reported stolen. A pursuit was initiated when the vehicle allegedly failed to stop, NSW Police said in a statement. 'Officers deployed road spikes to stop the vehicle; however, it continued driving and the pursuit was terminated after police lost sight of the vehicle,' a NSW Police spokesperson said. 'A short time later, the utility drove past Kempsey Police Station and a headrest was thrown from the utility, causing minor damage to a police vehicle.' It is alleged a second headrest was thrown at an officer inspecting the damage, hitting them in the abdomen. The officer was not injured. Officers continued to patrol the area and were approached by the ute when they stopped in West Kempsey, where more rocks were allegedly thrown at their vehicle. 'When police attempted to pursue the utility, it turned around and allegedly drove at speed toward the officer's vehicle, resulting in a collision,' the police spokesperson said. A large rock was allegedly thrown at the police vehicle again, smashing the front windscreen and rendering it inoperable. No officers were injured. It is alleged rocks and a headrest were then thrown from the ute at a different police vehicle in West Kempsey. Another attempted pursuit was terminated after police lost sight of the vehicle. About 5.45am that same morning, the ute was recovered on Jack Bond Cres in West Kempsey. 'The vehicle was seized to undergo forensic examination, and officers attached to Mid North Coast Police District commenced an investigation,' a police spokesperson said. Following extensive inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a home in West Kempsey on Friday, before arresting a 16-year-old boy in South Kempsey. He was taken to Kempsey Police Station where he was charged with two counts of be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner. He will front a children's court on Saturday.
Daily Mail
27-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Teenager arrested after an alleged violent ambush on a female police officer
A teenage boy been has been arrested following an alleged violent ambush on a female police officer during an early morning crime spree. The 16-year-old was taken into police custody on Friday, nearly a week after the events across Kempsey, on the Mid North Coast region of NSW, on Saturday, June 21. Police allege the teenager was linked with the group behind the Instagram account, 'Kempsey's Most Dangerous', which features videos of car theft and home invasions. The alleged spree began about 4am when officers patrolling the Pacific Highway near Kempsey attempted to stop a utility vehicle that had been reported stolen. A pursuit was initiated when the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed. Officers deployed road spikes to stop the vehicle, however, the pursuit was terminated when police lost sight of the vehicle. Some time later, a headrest was allegedly thrown from the utility vehicle at a police vehicle parked outside Kempsey Police Station. When an officer arrived to inspect the damage, a second headrest was allegedly thrown at him, striking him in the abdomen. The officer was not injured in the alleged attack. Officers continued to patrol the area and stopped in West Kempsey where the utility allegedly approached police and rocks were thrown at the police vehicle. Police attempted to pursue the utility which then turned around and allegedly drove at speed towards the officer's vehicle, resulting in a collision. Footage posted to social media depicted the moment an individual in a red jumper threw a large rock head-on at the windshield of the parked police car. A female officer inside could be seen raising her arm in defence as she ducked for cover, before the windshield shattered, leaving the vehicle inoperable. No officers were injured in the incident. Police allege that a short time later, rocks and a headrest were thrown from the utility at another police vehicle in West Kempsey. Officers initiated a pursuit but again lost sight of the utility. Police later recovered the stolen utility on Jack Bond Crescent in West Kempsey about 5.45 that morning. It was seized to undergo forensic examination and Mid North Coast Police District officers commenced an investigation. Following inquiries, police executed a search warrant at a West Kempsey home on Friday where they allegedly seized several items of interest. Some time later, police arrested the 16-year-old boy at another location in West Kempsey and he was taken to Kempsey Police Station. He was charged with with two counts of be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner and refused bail to appear at children's court on Saturday. Deputy commissioner Paul Pisanos told media police would continue to investigate until all offenders are brought to justice. 'It's an absolute disgrace,' Mr Pisanos said. 'We will not tolerate police being treated this way for simply doing their job. 'We'll keep going until we identify and arrest every person involved, and we will take action accordingly.'
