Latest news with #MarkWebster
North Wales Chronicle
4 days ago
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Glynllifon students honoured for success at annual Prize Day
The annual Prize Day ceremony recognised award winners from each course at the land-based campus, with the highlight of the event being the announcement of the Student of the Year. This year, Winston Evans clinched the prestigious Glynllifon Student of the Year title, walking away with the Cwpan Goffa John Tudor CBE. He was also the winner of the Level 2 Agriculture course. Farm, Forestry and Innovation Manager, Rhodri Owen, praised Winston's 'total dedication and enthusiasm,' adding that he 'excelled' in all areas of work and had 'strong potential for success in the future.' Mr Owen added: "He is a true individual who is ready to work in all weathers, and farm staff are extremely grateful for the hard work he has done over the past year." Winston is set to return to Glynllifon in September to further his studies in Level 3 Agriculture. Other notable winners at the ceremony included Will Aaron Lloyd, who was awarded the 'Special Contribution' Madryn Glynllifon Alumni Cup, and Mark Webster who was named Welsh Baccalaureate Learner of the Year. A special presentation was made to Glynllifon's rugby team, who won the North Wales under-18s Cup, beating Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor 38-7 in the final. Team captain Huw Watkins accepted the cup on behalf of the team who also finished second in the inaugural Welsh Agricultural Colleges competition in Aberystwyth earlier in the season. The guest speaker of the day, former president of the Farmers' Union of Wales, Glyn Roberts, handed out the prizes. Rhys Jones director of sponsors OBR Construction said: "It is fantastic to see so many learners going on to further study or moving on into work." READ MORE: MS hails care worker who served Indian feast at Caernarfon care home The full list of award winners is as follows: Special Contribution: Will Aaron Lloyd Welsh Baccalaureate Learner of the Year: Mark Webster Level 3 Agriculture Learner of the Year: Glesni Wyn Jones Shearer of the Year: Owain Jones Machine Shearer of the Year: Osian Pierce Machine Shearer of the Year: Teagan Cairns Agricultural Machinery Level 3 Learner of the Year: Deio Llwyd Edwards Agricultural Machinery Level 3 Practical Learner of the Year: Iestyn Jarman Engineering Project of the Year: Twm Jôs Hughes Level 2 Engineering (Cwpan Goffa Ieuan Ifor Williams): Cynan Parry Level 3 Forestry and Arboriculture Woodman of the Year (Gwobr Goffa Gerallt Edwards): Misha Fox-Maderson Level 3 Forestry and Arboriculture Best Practical: Mark Webster Level 3 Forestry and Arboriculture Most Improved: Sarah Williams Level 2 Forestry Learner of the Year: Tristan Jones (Tristan also won the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Student of the Year award) Level 2 Forestry and Arboriculture Most Improved: Rhys Pearce Level 3 Animal Management Learner of the Year (Year 2): Joshua Michael Roberts-Higgins Level 3 Animal Management Learner of the Year (Year 1): Lois Chapman Level 2 Animal Care Learner of the Year: Louise Wilkinson Level 1 Animal Care Learner of the Year: Zara Lewis Jones Life and Work Skills Learner of the Year: Jamie Williams.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Company makes game-changing breakthrough that could solve common issue with plant-based food — here's what you need to know
Let's be honest: Plant-based protein doesn't always taste great. Even if you love the idea of eating less meat for your health and the planet, the weird aftertaste of some plant-based meats can be hard to ignore. But that might be about to change. According to FoodNavigator USA, the flavor company T. Hasegawa USA has developed a high-tech, natural flavor that tackles the unpleasant "off" notes of plant proteins such as pea and soy. The whole technology (and science) behind it is pretty impressive. When meat sizzles in a pan or bread gets crispy in the toaster, the Maillard reaction creates craveable aromas and flavors. But plant proteins such as soy and pea don't react the same way during cooking, which can leave them tasting bland or, worse, beany and bitter. If companies want people to go for meat alternatives, there's a need to focus on options that taste good and have pleasant textures. As Mark Webster, vice president of sales and marketing at T. Hasegawa, said, "That is where the headwind is." The T. Hasegawa team tackled this problem by developing a natural flavor technology called Plantreact that increases Maillard reactions — the chemical processes that give so-called browned foods their flavors. This innovation doesn't stop with fake meats. The same flavor solution can also recreate creamy, dairy-like notes in alternative milks and other nondairy products. That's huge for people who love the idea of oat or almond milk but miss the full-bodied taste of cow's milk. Plantreact has been in the works for a while, but it's now ready to hit the market. T. Hasegawa is already working with food brands to roll it out in products. Better flavor means plant-based foods are more enjoyable, which makes it easier for more people to cut back on animal products and reduce pollution, conserve water, and shrink their carbon footprints. This tech is already being explored by plant-based brands looking to improve their products, and it may soon appear in alternative meat and dairy products at your local grocery store. Combined with the work of companies such as Meati and Perfect Day, this kind of innovation helps build a future in which eating more sustainably doesn't mean compromising on taste. Why do you eat plant-based foods? The health benefits It's cheaper It's good for the planet I prefer the taste Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
BBC News
20-06-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Cleveland Police confirms new chief constable as Victoria Fuller
A deputy chief constable will step up to the top job after her nomination was unanimously Fuller had been named as the preferred candidate to replace Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster when he retires next area's police and crime panel, which is made up of elected and independent members, had the power to ratify or veto the Police and Crime Commissioner's proposed candidate, but said it was impressed with her "vision for the force".Mrs Fuller joined the force in May 2022, having started her career at Durham Police in 1999, where she served for 23 years. Chair of the all-party panel councillor Tony Riordan said she had been enthusiastic about continually improving the force during her hearing."We felt she impressed us all with her wealth of operational knowledge, her vision for the force and her passion for providing the people of Cleveland with a first-class police service," he chief constable Mr Webster had been appointed in 2022, and helped lift the troubled force out of special force had been described as "clueless" and was found to be putting the public at risk, before eventually being assessed to have made "significant" improvements by and Crime Commissioner Matt Storey said: "She brings stability to Cleveland Police at a time when it is more important than ever to maintain the outstanding progress highlighted during the force's last inspection."Mrs Fuller is expected to take up her post in July when Mr Webster retires. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
06-06-2025
- BBC News
Cleveland Police's deputy chief constable to take top job
A deputy chief constable is to step up into her force's top job, it has been Fuller has been named as the preferred candidate to replace Cleveland Police Chief Constable Mark Webster when he retires next Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey said the selection followed a rigorous recruitment and assessment process ahead of a confirmation hearing to be held on 20 Webster became the force's seventh top officer in less than a decade when he was appointed in February 2022 and helped lift it out of special measures. The organisation covers areas including Hartlepool, Redcar, Stockton and Fuller began her policing career in the neighbouring Durham force in 1999 where she became its first female senior investigating was appointed Cleveland's assistant chief constable in 2022 and then deputy chief constable the following said she "demonstrates a clear passion for making the Cleveland area safer and her current leadership role has given her an excellent understanding of the challenges the area faces". He praised Mr Webster, who he described as having led with "dedication, professionalism and focus", turning the force into "one of the most improved in the country".His retirement comes after 34 years in was tasked with turning around Cleveland's fortunes, with HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services warning it had been "putting the public at risk".In September 2023, the watchdog said Cleveland had made "significant improvements in its approach to preventing crime and antisocial behaviour", meaning oversight arrangements could be brought to a in February this year the PCC said he would conduct a "deep dive" after inspectors found serious failings in the force's child safeguarding efforts. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Forbes
Should You Say Please And Thank You To ChatGPT?
Should you say please and thank you to ChatGPT? Being polite to ChatGPT is costing OpenAI tens of millions of dollars in computing power, the company's CEO Sam Altman said on social media last week, calling the money 'well spent.' A significant number of users are saying please and thank you to the AI tool in their chats. But are the niceties necessary? I've spent hundreds of hours talking to AI models over the past year, sharing my best prompts with entrepreneurs. I've tested different approaches to see what works best. As founder of Coachvox AI, I know that the relationship between humans and AI is never straightforward. Especially when it comes to manners, which are drilled into us as kids. But is being polite a good use of your time with ChatGPT? When you're juggling client calls, strategy sessions, and growing your business, time is your most valuable asset. Every unnecessary word you type is a micro-drain on your productivity. But many of us can't shake the habit of treating AI like a person. A recent survey by Future, the publisher that owns TechRadar, found that around 70% of AI users are polite to AI systems. In the UK, that number reaches 71%, while for American users it's 67%. The majority do it simply because "it's the right thing to do." Some people, like Reddit user jayinfidel, take politeness to an extreme: "I even ask if it has time for me before we start a convo. What is wrong with me?" Others maintain their manners out of jokingly admitted fear, including 18% of the people surveyed, who are banking on their previous politeness as a means of survival when AI overpowers the human race. Founder of Authority Hacker Mark Webster confesses, "Being British I'd hate for anyone or any machine to think I'm impolite. And on the off chance AI takes over the world, it might help." But does saying please and thank you actually make AI perform better? There is growing evidence that being polite-using words like "please" and "thank you" when interacting with ChatGPT and similar AI models can lead to better responses. Multiple studies and user experiments have found that polite prompts are more likely to yield higher-quality, more detailed, and better-formatted answers compared to blunt or rude requests. However, the improvement is not because the AI has feelings. Polite phrasing often provides more context and mirrors the style of human communication found in its training data, which tends to produce richer responses. Notably, research shows that "moderate politeness" works best. Excessive flattery or formality can actually reduce response quality. AI systems don't have feelings to hurt or egos to stroke. They're powerful tools designed to help you, not colleagues requiring social niceties. If you're being clear with your prompting, the specific words 'please' and 'thank you' might be surplus to requirements. Copywriter Rebecca Nelson, whose work uses extensive psychology-based AI systems, puts it perfectly: "Thankfully, AI unlike humans doesn't have complicated emotions that you need to tend to. Use it to free up your schedule, save time and put your energy elsewhere. Save your Ps and Qs for your barista." Nelson's prompts are detailed and logical without being overly polite. When you're building a business, every keystroke counts. Those extra words add up. If you're using AI multiple times daily, those pleasantries could be costing you hours each month. Engineering consultant Jed Tabaczynski shared: "I generally don't say please or thank you in my prompts, it just feels like apologizing to a spreadsheet for quality of data or giving it pep talks to get more accurate calculations." One Reddit user agrees, "I also don't thank my refrigerator for keeping my drinks cold." AI doesn't work harder because you're nice. It doesn't feel appreciated when you say thanks. It doesn't remember your manners from one conversation to the next. Some successful entrepreneurs aren't thinking about the output of ChatGPT when they are saying please and thank you in the chat. Instead, they find value in treating AI with respect. They see it as maintaining a habit that serves them elsewhere. Sam Floy, head of partnerships at WorkflowGPT, explains, "I say please because I often use AI for tasks that I'd otherwise use an intern for. I'd always say 'Please can you...' to a person I ask to help me with a task and I find that starting that way helps me write and frame clearer requests." One Reddit user said their politeness is "not wasted because it continues to build and support my habit of politeness and that's never a waste." Others, like business coach Willo Sana, take it even further: "I feel so heard and supported by ChatGPT. I'm saying thank you to her all the time and giving her major props for being so amazing!" For some, politeness creates a relationship framework that helps them engage more effectively with the tool. Parent coach Martijn Reintjes admits, "When I'm working and use Chad as a 'colleague' I can't help to be polite. It's not so much about saying please all the time, it's more about expressing my gratitude for some insights or good work." Your approach to AI should maximize your results with minimum friction. While AI doesn't have feelings to hurt, there's a definite connection between politeness and effectiveness, including all-important output: Clarity matters more than courtesy. Polite language often includes complete sentences and better context, which naturally helps AI models understand what you want. When you frame requests clearly, you get better answers. A calm tone keeps the focus on your goal rather than creating ambiguity. Treating the exchange like a real conversation can guide ChatGPT to respond more helpfully, even if the please and thank you parts are unnecessary. But don't mistake correlation for causation. If your politeness helps you frame better prompts, keep it. If direct commands get you cleaner results faster, go with that. The best approach is the one that serves your success. Choose what works for you and stick with it.
