Latest news with #LauraDavies
The Sun
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Terrified mum shares the chilling nursery snap of her toddler that saved his life – but can you spot the hidden killer?
LAURA Davies claims a photo of her son playing at nursery "saved his life" by revealing a potentially fatal hidden cancer. The picture caught a strange cloudiness in two-year-old Sidney's eye, which was actually a sign of retinoblastoma, a rare eye cancer that can affect young children. 6 6 6 "I've got to be honest I probably wouldn't have noticed it [without the picture]," the 39-year-old mum-of-two from Flintshire, said. Laura said her husband Tom Davies, 39, first noticed a strange cloudiness in their two-year-old son Sidney's left eye in April when it hit the light. "He was basically sat in his high chair opposite the French doors in our kitchen and my husband was like, 'his eye doesn't look right," she recalled. The mum searched online for information relating to cloudy eyes but all that came up was information about cataracts so she just made a mental note to keep tabs. But when Sidney's nursery took a snap of him as he enjoyed a day in the sensory room, the camera flash revealed his left eye was cloudy compared to his right. "It was almost like it was reflecting the light, it's really hard to describe. It was like his eye wasn't there, it was like a mirror," Laura said. After a visit to her GP and Specsavers, Sidney was eventually referred to Birmingham Children's Hospital and had an ultrasound. He was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, a cancer which starts in the retina, the inner layer in the back of the eye, on May 19. Doctors diagnose around 40 to 50 children with retinoblastoma in the UK every year, according to Cancer Research UK. Almost 99 to 100 out of every 100 children diagnosed survive for five years or more after they are diagnosed. "It was horrendous," the mum said. "We were so worried." Docs decided the best course of action would be to remove the eye and brave Sidney underwent the op on 27 May. Initially this really concerned Laura. "All the thoughts run through your head of how they are going to cope in school and kids are horrible and things like that. "But I was also looking at it [the eye] and thinking, 'I just want it out' because you could literally see it [the cancer]." She said it was "so scary" to watch their young so endure so many operations. "I think we went into mum and dad mode," she explained. "You kind of just get through it. 6 6 "Afterwards when we found out that he was okay and he didn't need any chemotherapy then it all hit me if I'm honest. "I burst out crying [when he got the all clear]. It was such a relief." Sidney currently has a temporary plastic shell fitted in his eye socket called a conformer but is undergoing another operation in July to have a prosthetic eye fitted. Laura said docs also discovered Sidney's retina was torn and had come away from the back of his eye, which can cause vision loss. They were not sure how long it had been since he had been able to see out of his left eye. "I don't know whether it was bothering him before, whether it was blurry. We'll never know really," the mum said. 'A new lease of life' The tot will have to wear protective goggles when he plays sport but other than that Laura hopes her son will be largely unaffected by the prosthetic. "In terms of the effects on him it's been quite minimal because he's already dealt with that himself, not being able to see out of that eye," she explained. "He will go down the steps very carefully unlike my other son who is older and who's like a bull at a gate. "You sort of think back and think, 'maybe that's why?' but he's a happy boy, he showed no signs of this. We didn't notice that he couldn't see out of his eye." She added: "It's funny because people have said when they see him on the school run and things that he's got a new lease of life. Laura's husband is taking part in a sponsored walk up and down Moel Famau, the highest hill in the Clwydian Range, 12 times in 12 hours with family and friends to raise money for Birmingham Children's hospital. The have launched a JustGiving page, wich has already raised £955 of it's £1000 target. The distance will be around 40 miles in total and Laura said she and their two children are planning to join him for the last summit. Symptoms of retinoblastoma Most children with retinoblastoma seem fine. But two common signs that parents first notice in their child are that: they have a white glow or white reflection in the centre of their eye (pupil) - this is also known as leukocoria their eyes are not looking in the same direction (a squint) - also known as strabismus The pupil might look white, like a cat's eye reflecting light. This is sometimes noticed in photos when a flash is used. The pupil appears white rather than the typical red colour. Other less common symptoms might include: you or the school noticing your child can't see properly inflammation and reddening of their eye uncontrollable movement of their eye from side to side (nystagmus) Children do not usually complain of any pain. In very few cases, a child might be referred to a specialist children's doctor (paediatrician) because they are: not gaining weight developing normally During their tests, the abnormal retinoblastoma gene usually shows up in a blood test. Specsavers Broughton Park Ophthalmic director Kelly Gibson said: "We're incredibly grateful that Laura attended with her son, Sidney, to see us after being alerted by a concern from his nursery. "It's reassuring to know that I was able to ensure he received the urgent care he needed. "We're relieved that his condition was caught early, and he received treatment in a timely manner. "Stories like this are a powerful reminder of how important it is to attend for an eye examination if you ever notice a change or feel that something isn't quite right with your eyes. "It also highlights the importance of eye examinations for children, whether it is due to a concern or a routine review, we look after all ages. "An eye examination can sometimes uncover signs of more serious health conditions, and acting early can make all the difference." 6
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
All the Pembrokeshire County Open tennis winners
The finalists in the Pembrokeshire County Open 2025 (Image: Ceri Coleman-Phillips) Tom Richards and Sarah Newman clinched singles titles in the Pembrokeshire County Open. The Haverfordwest Tennis Club head coach, Richards, who was a finalist last year, beat Marco Coronado in the men's singles final, securing his third title after previous wins in 2015 and 2016. Advertisement After receiving a semi-final walkover due to the retirement of 2022 champion Mathieu Evans, Coronado put up a strong fight in the final. However, Richards managed to take the first set 6-4 and the second 6-2. In the ladies' singles, Sarah Newman successfully defended her title for the third consecutive year. She overcame former Welsh athletics hurdler Vicky Lloyd 6-1, 6-0 in the final. Despite only taking up the sport a year ago, Lloyd had managed an impressive semi-final comeback against 2021 champion Ceri Coleman-Phillips. Richards and Newman also tasted success in the doubles finals. Richards and Nathan Jones won the men's title after the Evans duo had to withdraw due to injury before the final. Advertisement Newman, teaming up once again with Laura Davies, comfortably won the ladies' doubles final against Sarah Keogh and Coleman-Phillips. The match ended with a 6-0, 6-1 scoreline, much to the delight of the spectators. For Davies, it was her 24th Open title, placing her just one short of Danny Spurr's record of 25. In the mixed doubles final, Coronado stepped in for the absent Jeremy Cross, partnering with Coleman-Phillips. They faced off against Newman and Jones in one of the most competitive mixed finals in recent memory. Despite trailing 5-1 in the tie-break, Coronado and Coleman-Phillips held their nerve to secure the victory, marking Coronado's first title. Advertisement The plate finals saw Jones narrowly defeating William Howarth 7-5, 7-5. Teenage surfing star Josie Hawke claimed the ladies' plate after a tough match against Chloe Tickle. Tickle also made an appearance in the ladies' doubles plate final alongside Liz Reed. The duo narrowly lost in a championship tie-break to Helen Groves and Ceri O'Shea. The men's doubles plate final was a thrilling match, with Dean Richards and Andy Beazley coming from behind to secure victory in the tie-break. The trophies were presented by club president Brian Hearne, who expressed thanks to the tournament referee and all the volunteers for their efforts. The club is preparing to host the Junior County Open from July 13-19, featuring the best young talent in the area. The club's 90th anniversary celebration is also scheduled for July 26.
CTV News
02-05-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
‘Bureaucracy and inaction': New high school for Warman still up in the air after 3 years
Parents in Warman, Saskatchewan are saying the area can't wait any longer to build a new joint-use high school, which was proposed three years ago. 'This is being held up due to bureaucracy and inaction,' said Laura Davies, a concerned Warman parent. 'All parties need to come to the table.' Discussions for a new high school began in 2022. Similar to Saskatoon's Tommy Douglas Collegiate and Bethlehem Catholic High School, an application from the Prairie Spirit School Division and Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools to the Ministry of Education for funding to build a joint-use high school that would have a Catholic and public high school in one location was submitted. The preferred location is an area between Martensville and Warman on the R.M. of Corman Park land near Township Road 384 to service both communities. When the application for funding was submitted, all three local municipalities supported the application via a signed memorandum of understanding. However, at a council meeting later that year, the City of Warman decided not to write a letter of support. Three years later, council's main concern is still the proposed location. 'Right now, every student would need to be bused,' Warman mayor Gary Philipchuk said. 'So we're moving from 600 students that have services and have restaurants and everything else from Warman, and it would probably have the same amount for Martinsville, that will need to go there and back on a regular basis,' Philipchuk said. Philipchuk would ideally prefer to have a school in Warman and a school in Martensville or have the joint-use school within city limits, where infrastructure is already in place. Warman High School Prairie Spirit School Division says enrolment at Warman High School is currently at 103 per cent with 751 students attending the school as of last fall. (Keenan Sorokan/CTV News) With so many details to be worked out, he's unsure of how costly the project could become and how that will be divvied among all the parties. 'That becomes a challenge. There's a lot of things that need to be spent and a lot of unknowns as far as the total expenses to be able to make something like that happen with cities of our size,' Philipchuk said. Philipchuk is a former vice-principal of Warman High School and understands the need for a new school in the coming years. He supports the project and wouldn't be surprised if it's announced as part of next year's provincial government budget, but he wants his residents to know that the challenges he's highlighting will ultimately fall to their tax bill if they're not addressed ahead of time. 'If it's building a school and our community wants a school (and) it doesn't matter where it's located, then we have to listen to that,' he said. Davies, who created Future Forward for Warman Education as a parent-led coalition to get a regional school built, wants Philipchuk and his counterparts to make a deal happen. 'If there has been hesitancy by anyone involved, they've had three years to sort that out,' she said. 'At this point in time, us as parents, we want these people coming to the table, ironing out their details and then getting shovels in the ground as soon as possible.' Long known as the province's fastest growing city and one of the fastest growing cities in Canada, Warman's rapid expansion has led to rapid enrolment growth. Prairie Spirit School Division says enrolment at the school is currently at 103 per cent with 751 students attending the school as of last fall. In the 2025-2026 budget tabled earlier this year includes $191 million for school capital and five new schools, but the regional school near Warman wasn't included. The school is listed at the top of the Ministry of Education's Top 10 major capital priorities for the year, but there's no indication if the school will be included in next year's budget. 'Our government will continue to collaborate with school divisions to ensure that the location for a new school is one that best serves the need of students and families in the surrounding area,' a statement from the ministry read. Davies says construction needs to be a top priority for everyone involved before learning outcomes are compromised. 'This is the solution that's on the table, and this is the critical need that we have that we all have to address,' she said.
Daily Record
25-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Scotland's newest whisky distillery to open near Glasgow with bold new flavours
A sleek new whisky distillery just under an hour from Glasgow has announced its official opening date. Ardgowan Distillery, located in Inverkip near Greenock , will open its doors on Friday, June 20, becoming the latest addition to Scotland's lowland whisky scene. The launch marks a major milestone for the team behind the project, who describe the moment as the result of years of 'vision, determination and hard work'. Running from 3pm to 7pm, the event will invite visitors to explore the striking new distillery, meet the people behind the whisky, and enjoy an afternoon of live music, street food and top-notch drams, Glasgow Live reported. One of the highlights will be the unveiling of the Ardgowan Infinity Cask, a bespoke vessel designed for ultra long ageing. 'At the heart of it all are our signature Infinity Casks, a testament to our dedication to creating truly great whisky,' the team said. Crafted to mature whisky over decades, the cask reflects Ardgowan's bold and thoughtful approach to flavour, time and legacy. The opening will also see the debut of a new range of Clydebuilt bottlings, available in limited numbers for the first time. These whiskies, which are matured and blended on site, are described as being 'crafted with the same care and character that will define our single malt. "Predominantly sherry led and always bottled at a minimum of 46 percent, natural colour and no chill filtration – these whiskies are the forerunner of what's to come from Ardgowan Distillery.' Led by Distillery Manager Laura Davies, the team prides itself on precision and patience. 'We craft exceptional whisky with pure spring water, malted barley, yeast, and the expertise of our skilled whisky makers – but above all, with time,' they added. 'We prioritise quality, ensuring every cask is matured to perfection before bottling.' Beyond the whisky itself, the building has also been designed to impress. 'The Ardgowan Distillery build was a real feat of engineering, resulting in a striking and truly unique site that will become a landmark for whisky lovers,' the distillery states. Sustainability is central to the design, with clever efficiencies like Thermal Vapour Recompression (TVR) helping to reduce its carbon footprint . Initially, it will produce around one million litres of spirit per year, with capacity to grow to two million in time. The distillery benefits from its setting on the Ardgowan Estate, drawing on natural spring water and coastal air. 'Ardgowan Estate's natural spring provides pure, sweet water, ideal for whisky production. "Situated close to the sea and the warming Gulf Stream, our distillery benefits from a unique maritime environment, giving our whiskies distinctive coastal character.' First approved in March 2017, Ardgowan Distillery takes its name from a long-lost distillery nearby, originally founded in 1896. New CEO Roland Grain said: 'This is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved with Ardgowan Distillery. I'm honoured to lead the team as we build on Scotland's whisky legacy. We can't wait to welcome visitors to experience our craft first-hand when we officially open this June.' More information about the opening day is available on the Ardgowan website .
BBC News
21-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Chew Valley named south west's best place to live by The Times
The Chew Valley in North Somerset has been named the best place to live in the south west of England by The region pipped seven other places to the top spot including Hotwells and Cliftonwood in Bristol, Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire and Malmesbury, Times Best Places to Live judges praised its "combination of beautiful landscapes and forward-thinking rural enterprises."Saffron Walden in Essex was named the overall best place to live in the UK. Judges added that in the Chew Valley: "Community is to the fore in its picture-perfect villages and the proximity of Bristol brings creative energy and keeps the buzz and convenience of the city within easy reach."Laura Davies from Valley Arts in Chew Valley told the BBC: "There's lots going on - we've got plenty of places to socialise and amenities on our doorstep and events going on, but equally you're also in the middle of beautiful countryside where we can go for lovely walks." Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire was also praised as one of the best places to live."The community spirit in this pretty town of golden stone properties with a splash of thatch and a dash of timber is both charitable and seriously fun," said the judges. Hotwells and Cliftonwood in Bristol was said to offer "a nice mix of houses, not too much passing traffic and a superlative community spirit, where volunteering is a big part of life."While Malmesbury in Wiltshire had "a good choice of properties, good connections, and a creative, energetic community, making Malmesbury a reliable place to settle down and raise a family rather than just somewhere to gaze at the magnificent abbey and the hilltop views of timeless countryside."The Sunday Times Best Places to Live is produced annually.
