Latest news with #MsBrown
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Yahoo
'Post Office IT scandal destroyed my health'
A woman thought to be the oldest victim of the Post Office's Horizon IT scandal said the ordeal "destroyed" her health. Betty Brown, 92, from County Durham, ran the Annfield Plain branch with her late husband Oswall in the 1990s and early 2000s and they spent more than £50,000 of their savings to cover shortfalls that did not exist. Ms Brown was speaking on the day the first volume of the report from the official inquiry into the scandal was published - revealing the scale of the suffering caused to hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly prosecuted over money said to be missing from their accounts. The Post Office apologised "unreservedly" and said it would carefully consider the report. Overseen by Sir Wyn Williams, it found the situation had a "disastrous" impact on those accused with at least 59 people having contemplated suicide at various points. Ten attempted to take their own lives and more than 13 people may have killed themselves due to the scandal. Recalling her own situation, Ms Brown said: "We had a nice office, nice atmosphere, nice customers and everything was fine, no problem. "And then we were told about this wonderful advancement in technology and we would get a system put in called Horizon that would half the workload. "Then the very first night, the balance was £500 short, but they thought something had been missed in the accounts or whatever and that was just let go. "Then it began eventually that there were so many mistakes in the system that it was concerning, and these losses were coming out in amounts of £1,500, £1,600 every week, and we were having to put this money in and make it good because that's what you sign up for." Post Office scandal had 'disastrous' impact on victims Five things we now know about the Post Office scandal Exhausted, angry, heartbroken: Postmasters react as horror of scandal laid bare Ms Brown said the ordeal caused her to lose her voice while the anxiety disrupted her husband's cancer treatment. He died a year after they sold the post office, which Ms Brown said they felt forced to do. "The stress was unbelievable," she said. "You would go to bed at night and you couldn't sleep." Ms Brown and her husband moved away to Consett after the ordeal, saying there had been a "stigma" and that it forced them to keep "a low profile". When people asked the couple what they had previously done for work, they would evade giving an answer, she said. Ms Brown was one of the original 555 victims who took part in the landmark group legal action led by Alan Bates against the Post Office. She is campaigning for full compensation after originally being offered less than a third of what she had claimed for. Earlier this year she said she received a new offer of 60%, which she also rejected. Praising the report, she said Sir Wyn had "done a wonderful job". She added: "He has felt the pain, he's felt the anxiety, he's felt the agony, he's felt everything that sub-postmasters felt and he has been able to bring that with all his skill into a meaningful book. "I hope that the Post Office will take this on board." Chris Head, who became the youngest sub-postmaster when he took over the branch in West Boldon, South Tyneside, at the age of 18 was falsely accused of stealing more than £80,000 in 2006 before the criminal case against him was dropped. He said he was concerned about how the government would respond to the report. "It's a great day for everybody being here listening to it and obviously being vindicated. "The problem is, will it be acted upon? And that is a huge concern because it'll take the government many months to respond to these recommendations." Mr Head believes the Post Office "hasn't addressed the wrongs of the past" and warned there was "no trust". He added: "I think you can't get closure until people are held accountable for their actions. But at the same time that is so slow. "So what we need to do in the meantime is get this redress paid out to people, get it as full and fair as what has been promised, and allow people the opportunity to try and rebuild their lives while that accountability process takes place." A Post Office spokesperson said: "The inquiry has brought to life the devastating stories of those impacted by the Horizon Scandal. "Their experiences represent a shameful period in our history. "Today, we apologise unreservedly for the suffering which Post Office caused to postmasters and their loved ones. "We will carefully consider the report and its recommendations." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram Post Office scandal had 'disastrous' impact on victims Five things we now know about the Post Office scandal Oldest Post Office scandal victim rejects higher payout as 'still not good enough' Post Office
Western Telegraph
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Western Telegraph
Welsh artist to showcase new work during open studio event
Sarah Jane Brown will showcase new creations as part of an open studio event. The artist will welcome visitors into her studio for four days from Friday, May 23. The public will be able to attend at any time between 10:30am and 5.30pm from then until Monday, May 26. This will offer people the chance to get a sneak peek behind the scenes, viewing her newest artworks. Ms Brown will also be giving a free painting demonstration on Sunday, May 25, at 3pm. This will offer enthusiasts and novices alike the opportunity to learn from a professional. Original pieces, prints, and art gifts will be available for purchase during the event. Ms Brown, who resides and works in Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, draws inspiration from her surroundings to create coastal landscape oil paintings. She said: "Walking every day in this dramatic environment with its rocky shores, high cliffs, big skies and unpredictable seas, can be a truly humbling experience. "It reminds me how nature can be both diminishing, showing you how small you are in such a vast landscape, whilst also uplifting and transformative." Located at the Brawdy Business Park, just off the A487 between Penycwm and Solva, the studio is easily accessible and well signposted. Free parking and toilets are available, and the studio is fully wheelchair accessible. Those wishing to visit the studio at another time can do so by appointment, after calling 01437 623123 to arrange. A former fine art student at Carmarthen School of Art, Ms Brown graduated with first-class honours. Her achievements include a full membership of the Guild Society of Artists and exhibitions at the Royal Cambrian Academy and London's Mall Galleries. Her artwork has featured on Channel 4's TV series 'The UK's National Parks with Caroline Quentin' and BBC Radio 4's 'The Shipping Postcards.' Currently, her work is being celebrated in a group art exhibition at the West Wales Arts Centre in Fishguard, running until May 31. Ms Brown is also represented by the Etcetera Gallery in St Davids, Pembrokeshire and Art Unlimited in Bridport, Dorset. Her artwork is internationally collected and she has regular open studio events and painting workshops. For anyone interested in learning more about Sarah Jane Brown or her art, further information and online learning options are available on her website. The open studio event is an opportunity to view her latest works and see where they are created, all while soaking in the atmosphere of Pembrokeshire's scenic beauty. This event promises to be a delightful experience for art lovers, enthusiasts, and casual visitors alike.
Scotsman
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Scotland's Home of the Year: Look inside stunning New Town two-level apartment with Dean Bridge views
In the case of Rebecca Brown, applying to appear on Scotland's Home of the Year was a rather impromptu decision. IWC Media 'It was closing the next day, and they replied very quickly to ask if I'd send some photos,' says the property developer and profit coach. 'Then I got a call to say that the producer is in Edinburgh next Thursday. 'Can she come and see you?' And then the next thing, yes, I was in. It happened really quickly, and I had got a camera crew at my house before I knew it'. Ms Brown and her New Town two-level apartment will be starring on episode three, East, and will be going up against an extended bungalow in Anstruther, and a tenement flat in Stockbridge. To make the shortlist is a real thrill for Ms Brown, as she is a huge SHOTY fan. She even watches the Welsh version of the series, and her favourite judge on the Scottish round is Anna Campbell-Jones. 'I like her because she's consistent, but I think Banjo is good fun too,' says Ms Brown, who lives in her garden flat with her husband, Derek. On a superficial level, you don't see the amount of work that's gone into this couple's property. They bought it in 2021, and had to completely reconfigure the space before actually moving in. They used GLM Architects in Edinburgh to do the work, since the company are specialists in historic buildings and the flat is A-listed. In what might be considered an unusual move, they changed it from a four bedroom property, to a two bedroom, in order to get the living spaces that they wanted. 'It took us two years to get planning, to get the warrants in place and decide what we wanted to do, and then it took 12 months to actually get the work done,' she says. 'So on the ground floor, which is the floor you come in on, we basically reconfigured it to give us a bigger entrance hall, and then we reconfigured the master bedroom. Downstairs, the kitchen was a bedroom and utility room. To do the work, we took out three supporting walls, so we were propping up the whole six storey property'. Thankfully, the nearby residents aren't at home very often, so didn't complain about any noise. 'We were quite lucky in that the neighbours immediately above us don't live there very often, but I mean, we did disturb the neighbours., there's no doubt about it. It could have been worse though,' she says. As far as the interior decor goes, Ms Brown, who owns a vast back catalogue of 25 Beautiful Homes Magazine, likes to think of her style as 'understated elegance'. This is evident throughout the chic property. 'I've never been a dan of clutter and I'm not really into twee,' says Ms Brown, who has just signed up for an interior design course to develop her part-time passion. Her flat mainly features white walls, and judiciously placed artworks, including Vettriano prints. The colour palette includes just a few of Brown's favourite hues. 'Green is my favourite colour, definitely. And then in the sitting room, I've got the gold, which also appears in the bathroom,' she says. 'In the sitting room, there's a bespoke rug that's pink and it was lovely to put that splash in there, and then the cushions pick up on all those colours'. There are some lovely and tactile soft furnishings around the flat, but the most sybaritic room is probably the bathroom, with its gorgeous slipper bath. The couple loved this piece so much that they bought it from The Albion Bath Company a year before the property renovation was finished, and had to move it from room to room while the work was completed. However, Brown's favourite space of all is probably the downstairs kitchen, which was inspired by a New York apartment. It contrasts against the rest of the flat, as it has an industrial feel. 'The comfortable and understated style has always been what I've wanted for sitting rooms, bedrooms and so on, but the kitchen was my chance to do something different,' she says. 'I've always wanted to go slightly more industrial, and this was a chance to do it, because we completely gutted the place'. So, there's granite and a dark floor, bare lightbulbs and a pair of glossy black tables that Brown had specially made. The look is softened with plants, and colourful prints. It's dramatic and extremely cool. 'We love entertaining friends and family there. I do love the kitchen, but then I also love my sitting room because it's cosy, and my bedroom because I can just sit and see the view to Dean Bridge,' she says. However, we're sure that many viewers of Scotland's Home of the Year will be most jealous of the couple's vast wine cellar, which is under the pavement. Let's hope the judges haven't taken a corkscrew with them. 'I think they'll like that space,' says Ms Brown. 'I don't know if many people have still got the original wine cellars and are using them for that purpose. The people we bought the property from, they just used it like a shed, as storage, with tools and stuff in there. I wanted to use it as a sort of larder, and my husband said, no, we'll start collecting wine'. The couple might have to have a little snifter before watching their episode. After all, Ms Brown has the pre-fame jitters, and the couple will be coming back from holiday that day, and are hoping to get to the flat on time. 'I'm slightly wondering what I've done,' she says, 'I wasn't even expecting to get on the show'. Episode three of Scotland's Home of the Year is on BBC One Scotland on Monday May 5 at 8.30pm-9pm, 1 . Rebecca Brown outside the property IWC Media Photo: IWC Media Photo Sales 2 . The cooking area in the kitchen and dining area, with hanging plants and marble work surfaces IWC Media Photo: IWC Media Photo Sales 3 . The man bedroom with ochre cushions IWC Media Photo: IWC Media Photo Sales 4 . The bathroom with its slipper bath and gold wallpaper IWC Media Photo: IWC Media Photo Sales
Scotsman
25-04-2025
- Scotsman
Lorry driver who killed pregnant nurse in M8 crash jailed
HGV driver veered off motorway and on to hard shoulder where motorist was stopped Sign up to the daily Crime UK newsletter. All the latest crime news and trials from across the UK. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A lorry driver who killed a heavily pregnant nurse in a crash on the M8 has been sentenced to more than two-and-a-half years in prison. Trevor Norgate was driving an HGV when it veered off the motorway just west of Hermiston Gait and into the hard shoulder where 41-year-old Evelyn Brown had stopped her car. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Ms Brown was 34 weeks pregnant at the time of the incident, which occurred at 9.08am on December 18, 2023. After continuing in the hard shoulder for some 88 metres, the truck ploughed into Ms Brown's parked car, killing her and her unborn baby. Norgate's lawyer said his client had been 'momentarily distracted for seven or eight seconds at most' prior to the collision. The 58-year-old pleaded guilty to causing death by dangerous driving at a hearing on March 27. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The High Court in Edinburgh | PA Sentencing Norgate at the High Court in Edinburgh on Friday, judge Lord Armstrong told him that as a result of his actions, 'two lives have been lost' and the lives of Ms Brown's close relatives had been 'materially impacted in significantly detrimental ways'. He added: 'The fact remains this is a very serious matter. 'No sentence I can impose can in any sense be a measure of the value of the lives that have been lost, nor provide a comfort to the family whose own lives have been devastated as a result. 'I have read and take into account victim impact statements by Ms Brown's mother and stepsister, which are eloquent in their terms, explaining the extent of their tragic loss and their difficulties in coming to terms with it. 'As the result of your actions, their lives have been changed radically for the worse.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He acknowledged the fact Norgate had 'accepted responsibility' for his actions at an early stage, and that it was he who called 999 following the incident. However he said he had 'no alternative' but to impose a prison term, and sentenced him to two years and eight months in prison. READ MORE: United US flights from Edinburgh Airport to Washington DC increased in major new deal He also disqualified Norgate from driving for four years and eight months, and said he would have to complete an extended driving test before being allowed to drive again. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Norgate, dressed in a blue fleece and purple tracksuit bottoms, showed no emotion as the sentence was handed down. Norgate's lawyer David Nicolson KC said his client was 'utterly devastated' by what happened, and that he will 'never, ever get over what he did on this particular morning'. READ MORE: Major rally and march to be held by workers striking at prestigious Scottish university over 700 job cuts
