Latest news with #MattCole
New York Post
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Swingathon boss lifts the lid on England's notorious ‘sex festival'
If you think festival season is all about flower crowns and muddy fields, think again. Deep in England's Lincolnshire countryside, there's a gathering in the sleepy town of Allington that only those 'in the know' dare to visit. Dubbed by The Sun's sex writer as 'Glastonbury with orgies and Love Island-style beauties,' Swingathon, now in its fifth year, isn't your typical festival. But speaking to In the Newsroom podcast, its organizer, Matt Cole, insists it still has elements of a standard festival. 12 Deep in England's Lincolnshire countryside, there's a gathering in the sleepy town of Allington that only those 'in the know' dare to visit. News Licensing / MEGA 12 Matthew Cole organizer of Swingathon, Grantham, Lincolnshire, Britain's biggest swingers festival. Tom Maddick / SWNS 12 But speaking to In the Newsroom podcast, its organizer, Matt Cole, insists it still has elements of a standard festival. News Licensing / MEGA 'It's got live music and entertainment, but it's for people in the lifestyle,' Cole told the podcast. For those not familiar with 'the lifestyle,' swinging involves people from all walks of life – LGBTQIA+, queer, couples, and anyone willing to explore non-monogamy. The three-day event held last weekend marked its biggest turnout yet, with nearly 1,000 revellers descending on the small town – which was more than the entire local population. But despite its fun ethos, the event drew serious complaints last year from nearby residents who claimed they heard loud, hours-long 'moaning' sounds coming from the campgrounds. Cole insists that this was only half true. 'Yes, we had (moaning), but the complaints are basically a lie. We are three miles (4.8km) from the nearest village, so if anyone can scream that loud … that's a scream,' he laughed. 12 For those not familiar with 'the lifestyle', swinging involves people from all walks of life – LGBTQIA+, queer, couples, and anyone willing to explore non-monogamy. Kerry Voellner / SWNS 12 The three-day event held last weekend marked its biggest turnout yet, with nearly 1,000 revellers descending on the small town – which was more than the entire local population. News Licensing / MEGA 12 But despite its fun ethos, the event drew serious complaints last year from nearby residents who claimed they heard loud, hours-long 'moaning' sounds coming from the campgrounds. Tom Maddick / SWNS He believes that much of the negative press comes from locals disagreeing with the festival's premise. The event is mainly made up of couples, with a two-person ticket setting you back around $470 AUD ($308 USD) and singles around $400 ($263 USD). This year, there were around 100 single men and 50-60 single women in attendance. In terms of the age bracket, the average age is 37, which is much younger than many would expect. 'The youngest that we let in was 21 and the oldest guy was 69,' he shared. So what actually goes on behind the gates? 12 The event is mainly made up of couples, with a two-person ticket setting you back around $470 AUD ($308 USD) and singles around $400 ($263 USD). News Licensing / MEGA 12 In terms of the age bracket, the average age is 37, which is much younger than many would expect. News Licensing / MEGA 12 This year, there were around 100 single men and 50-60 single women in attendance. News Licensing / MEGA By day, the festival – which sees people rock up in anything from their birthday suits, lingerie and fancy dress – hosts lots of different events. 'We have a UV party, a social night, workshops, live talks, and demonstrations,' Cole explains. But they're not just standard demonstrations. 'Some of them might be like flogging, wax play or rope play,' he says. 'Or pole dancing, burlesque classes and massage classes'. There are also hot tubs, sex games, foam parties, and mobile dungeons. Butt plug bingo is one of the more interesting events, which is bingo with a cheeky twist to it (you win the adult-themed toy at the end). 12 By day, the festival – which sees people rock up in anything from their birthday suits, lingerie and fancy dress – hosts lots of different events. Kerry Voellner / SWNS 12 Matt and Stacey, founders of the Swingathon Festival. News Licensing / MEGA 12 Butt plug bingo is one of the more interesting events, which is bingo with a cheeky twist to it (you win the adult-themed toy at the end). News Licensing / MEGA In terms of the actual swinging, there are sanctioned tents where people can go if they're interested in exploring some adult fun. 'It's all controlled,' Cole explains. 'There's group tents, then there's voyeur tents – all sorts of tents for everybody'. But before you think it's all debauchery, Mr. Cole says that many don't even go for that reason. Many simply attend for the liberating, body positivity aspect. 'They just go to be around like-minded people,' he says. 'It's not what people think. You don't just turn up and start swinging. A lot of friendships get made, and people leave with so much more confidence than when they started.'
News.com.au
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Swingathon boss lifts the lid on England's notorious ‘sex festival'
If you think festival season is all about flower crowns and muddy fields, think again. Deep in England's Lincolnshire countryside, there's a gathering in the sleepy town of Allington that only those 'in the know' dare to visit. Dubbed by The Sun 's sex writer as 'Glastonbury with orgies and Love Island -style beauties,' Swingathon, now in its fifth year, isn't your typical festival. But speaking to 's In the Newsroom podcast, its organiser, Matt Cole, insists it still has elements of a standard festival. 'It's got live music and entertainment, but it's for people in the lifestyle,' Mr Cole told the podcast. For those not familiar with 'the lifestyle', swinging involves people from all walks of life – LGBTQIA+, queer, couples, and anyone willing to explore non-monogamy. The three-day event held last weekend marked its biggest turnout yet, with nearly 1000 revellers descending on the small town – which was more than the entire local population. But despite its fun ethos, the event drew serious complaints last year from nearby residents who claimed they heard loud, hours-long 'moaning' sounds coming from the campgrounds. Mr Cole insists that this was only half true. 'Yes, we had (moaning), but the complaints are basically a lie. We are three miles (4.8km) from the nearest village, so if anyone can scream that loud … that's a scream,' he laughed. He believes that much of the negative press comes from locals disagreeing with the festival's premise. The event is mainly made up of couples, with a two-person ticket setting you back around $470 AUD and singles around $400. This year, there were around 100 single men and 50-60 single women in attendance. In terms of the age bracket, the average age is 37, which is much younger than many would expect. 'The youngest that we let in was 21 and the oldest guy was 69,' he shared. So what actually goes on behind the gates? By day, the festival – which sees people rock up in anything from their birthday suits, lingerie and fancy dress – hosts lots of different events. 'We have a UV party, a social night, workshops, live talks, and demonstrations,' Mr Cole explains. But they're not just standard demonstrations. 'Some of them might be like flogging, wax play or rope play,' he says. 'Or pole dancing, burlesque classes and massage classes'. There are also hot tubs, sex games, foam parties, and mobile dungeons. Butt plug bingo is one of the more interesting events, which is bingo with a cheeky twist to it (you win the adult-themed toy at the end). In terms of the actual swinging, there are sanctioned tents where people can go if they're interested in exploring some adult fun. 'It's all controlled,' Mr Cole explains. 'There's group tents, then there's voyeur tents – all sorts of tents for everybody'. But before you think it's all debauchery, Mr Cole says that many don't even go for that reason. Many simply attend for the liberating, body positivity aspect. 'They just go to be around like-minded people,' he says. 'It's not what people think. You don't just turn up and start swinging. A lot of friendships get made, and people leave with so much more confidence than when they started.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NYSE Texas Lists First ETFs With Strive Asset Management
649E92 Five months after its launch, NYSE Texas is debuting its first exchange-traded funds. On Thursday, the NYSE named the 13 funds that will be listed on the Dallas-headquartered exchange and dual-listed by Strive Asset Management. The funds will also continue to trade on the NYSE. 'We are delighted to welcome Strive as the first ETF issuer to dual-list on NYSE Texas,' Timothy Reilly, head of exchange-traded solutions at the NYSE Group, said via a press release. 'ETF listings on NYSE Texas will further support the capital market community emanating from the state of Texas.' The 13 Dual-Listed Funds The funds that are coming to NYSE Texas are: Strive International Developed Markets ETF (STXI) Strive Mid-Cap ETF (STXM) Strive U.S. Energy ETF (DRLL) Strive Natural Resources and Security ETF (FTWO) Strive U.S. Semiconductor ETF (SHOC) Strive 500 ETF (STRV) Strive 1000 Dividend Growth ETF (STXD) Strive Emerging Markets Ex-China ETF (STXE) Strive 1000 Growth ETF (STXG) Strive Small-Cap ETF (STXK) Strive 1000 Value ETF (STXV) Strive Enhanced Income Short Maturity ETF (BUXX) Strive Total Return Bond ETF (STXT) The Growing ETF Market in Texas In February, the NYSE announced its plans to relocate its Chicago operations to Dallas as the Lone Star State emerged as the state with the largest number of NYSE listings (more than $3.7 trillion in market value, according to the exchange's announcement at the time). Separately, the Texas stock exchange is planning to launch in early 2026 as more financial firms establish new operations on so-called 'Y'all Street.' The moves south mean that investors are getting more ways to invest in the booming financial hub, including BlackRock's iShares Texas Equity ETF (TEXN) which launched in June and has $12.32 million assets under management (AUM). 'At Strive, we believe capital markets thrive when they prioritize innovation, meritocracy, and maximizing shareholder value,' Matt Cole, CEO at Strive said via Thursday's news release. 'That's what's happening with NYSE Texas, and we're proud to be the first ETF issuer listed on the exchange.' Strive didn't immediately respond to request for comment, and the NYSE pointed the news outlet back to Reilly's comment from the press | © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bitcoin Rises Past $107K as FHFA's Pulte Orders Crypto Consideration in Mortgage Applications
Bitcoin BTC continued its gentle rise on Wednesday as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — which play a pivotal role in issuing mortgages to U.S. homeowners — were ordered by the William Pulte, Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), to prepare to accept cryptocurrencies as part of applicants' assets. Back above $107,000, the top cryptocurrency is up 2.2% in the last 24 hours, and outperforming the CoinDesk 20's 0.5% advance. Bitcoin Cash (BCH) was a notable outperformer, rising 7.4%. Alongside, BTC's dominance keeps going up, now with almost 66% of the total crypto market value now parked in the orange coin, up from 39% in November 2023. Today's move may be partially due to FHFA Director William Pulte sharing on social media that borrowers would soon be able to take advantage of their crypto holdings for loan purposes. "This is important on two levels," Strive CEO Matt Cole posted on X. "[It] makes it substantially easier for holders of bitcoin to purchase a house without selling their bitcoin. [And] the U.S. government is taking Bitcoin risk on its own book as the U.S. government implicitly guarantees Fannie/Freddie mortgage loans." The ceasefire secured by Trump between Israel and Iran may also be pushing bitcoin's price higher, despite the asset's reputation as a potential safe haven investment. 'Gold likes war, while bitcoin prefers peace,' said Charlie Morris, founder of financial services firm ByteTree. 'Gold peaked ahead of hostilities in the Middle East, while bitcoin sank. Once it seemed likely that military actions were contained, bitcoin rallied, and gold dropped back.' Crypto stocks, meanwhile, have remained relatively subdued, with the notable exceptions of bitcoin miner CleanSpark (CLSK), up 6.7%, while fellow miner CoreWeave (CORZ), slid the same amount. There was also Circle (CRCL), which declined another 11% today and is now down by about 33% since peaking Monday just shy of $300 per share. At the current $198.62, the stock is still up more than six-fold from its IPO price of $31.
Daily Record
12-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Call for RTS meter switch-off to be delayed to protect Scots living in rural communities
Scots are being urged to double check their energy meters ahead of the June 30 deadline. Scots living in rural communities could be left without hot water or heating when ageing energy meters are switched off at the end of the month, campaigners have warned. Households still reliant on Radio Teleswitch Service (RTS) meters are being urged to make an appointment with their energy provider as soon as possible to arrange for a replacement. The system dates back to the 1980s and uses a radio signal to tell meters to switch between different electricity price rates. Most households across Scotland, including those with older meters, will be unaffected by the change over this month. But homes that use electric storage heaters or pay different electricity rates at different times of the day are more likely to have RTS equipment fitted. From June 30, the radio signal that controls them will start to be switched off - with a risk customers could be left without heating and hot water. The Scottish Fuel Poverty Advisory Panel is now calling for a delay in the switch-off to ensure more households are prepared. "The switch-off should only happen once all critical RTS meters have been replaced, this removes the risk for households across Scotland, but particularly in many remote rural and island communities," said Matt Cole, the panel's chairman. "We recognise the RTS service uses old technology and its time is limited, but the priority must be to accelerate replacement of old RTS meters with newer smart meters before the radio wave service is switched off. "Some of the most vulnerable households in acute fuel poverty live in remote rural areas where RTS meters are common and we cannot risk disrupting their energy supply." Charlotte Friel, retail pricing director at Ofgem, said: "We have been continually monitoring the industry's efforts to replace RTS meters as this ageing infrastructure reaches the end of its life. "Last year we decided more needed to be done so convened the sector and made clear to suppliers they have to move faster. Following that intervention, the rate of meter replacements has increase from around 1,000 a month to more than 1,000 a day. "However suppliers need to do more and ensure customers are protected from detriment, which is why industry is putting in place a phased area-by-area shutdown beginning from June 30. "We have made clear that the signal serving a specific area should not be switched off until suppliers have demonstrated that they are ready and able to respond quickly to any issues customers experience. 'While this carefully managed phaseout should reassure customers that they will be protected, it remains crucial that these meters are replaced so I would urge customers to engage with their supplier when offered an appointment – even if it is after the June 30 date that marks the beginning of the process."
