Latest news with #SarahParker
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Special needs school garden wins flower show gold
A special needs school's kitchen garden has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). Dubbed "the Living Larder", the garden – comprising a mix of vegetables and flowers – has been created by students from Scunthorpe's Trent View College. It received a gold award at RHS's flower show, which is being held at Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire. Head teacher Sarah Parker said gardening helped young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to develop employability skills. Students spent months growing plants from seed to create the display, which was transported to the flower show. According to a description on the RHS website, key features of the garden are "white flowers, purple vegetables and green foliage". The charity said this resulted in a "striking visual impact through a carefully considered interplay of colour, texture, and structure". All the produce grown is due to be donated to a local food bank. Kyla, 18, one of the students involved in the project, said: "I enjoy planting, watering and growing from seed." Her teachers said gardening had helped her become more independent. Ms Parker said: "One of our main aims [of gardening] is to support as many young people as possible into employment." Gardening gave her students "value and purpose", she added. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices Related internet links RHS Flower Show Wentworth Woodhouse
BBC News
20-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Scunthorpe special needs school garden wins gold at RHS Flower Show
A special needs school's kitchen garden has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).Dubbed "the Living Larder", the garden – comprising a mix of vegetables and flowers – has been created by students from Scunthorpe's Trent View College. It received a gold award at RHS's flower show, which is being held at Wentworth Woodhouse in South teacher Sarah Parker said gardening helped young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to develop employability skills. Students spent months growing plants from seed to create the display, which was transported to the flower to a description on the RHS website, key features of the garden are "white flowers, purple vegetables and green foliage". The charity said this resulted in a "striking visual impact through a carefully considered interplay of colour, texture, and structure".All the produce grown is due to be donated to a local food bank. Kyla, 18, one of the students involved in the project, said: "I enjoy planting, watering and growing from seed."Her teachers said gardening had helped her become more Parker said: "One of our main aims [of gardening] is to support as many young people as possible into employment."Gardening gave her students "value and purpose", she added. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Wales Online
06-07-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
The 'frozen in time' world hidden beneath a slate-covered Welsh hillside
The 'frozen in time' world hidden beneath a slate-covered Welsh hillside The scars of the slate trade remain etched on the sides of mountains - the grey a stark contrast to the lush green countryside Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) Tucked away beneath a slate-covered hillside lies "a working world frozen in time", a sight seldom seen by many. At the height of its boom in the late 19th century, the Welsh slate industry provided jobs for nearly 20,000 individuals. However, as the more accessible slate reserves were depleted and competition from foreign slate and less expensive roofing materials grew, the majority of quarries shut down. Today, the industry persists in areas like Bethesda and Blaenau Ffestiniog, but the workforce has dwindled to mere hundreds instead of thousands. The remnants of this once-thriving trade are etched into the mountainsides, with grey scars standing out against the verdant countryside. Yet, hidden beneath these hills are the echoes of past labour - the vestiges of a bygone era. Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) "It was like the miners had just downed tools and left," remarked Sarah Parker, who recently embarked on an exploration at Maenofferen in Blaenau Ffestiniog, reports North Wales Live. Article continues below Mining operations at the site commenced in the early 1800s, and throughout the 19th century, the quarry thrived, expanding its reach underground and down the slopes towards Blaenau Ffestiniog. By 1897, the mine boasted a workforce of over 400, nearly half of whom laboured beneath the earth's surface. The slate extracted here was transported via the Ffestiniog Railway for use on roofs across Britain and beyond. Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) The quarry was acquired by the neighbouring Llechwedd quarry in 1975. Subterranean operations at Maenofferen came to an end in November 1999, marking the conclusion of major underground slate extraction in north Wales. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here . Sarah Parker, who delights in discovering Wales' natural and artificial landscapes, recounted her experience. Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) She explained: "Deep beneath the mountains of North Wales lies a world that few ever get to see. As you step inside the old abandoned slate mine, everything changes - the air grows still, the light disappears, and silence surrounds you. "It's eerie, beautiful, and genuinely unsettling. I wouldn't recommend going in unless you're fully prepared - it's unstable, dark, and incredibly dangerous in parts. There are deep drops, crumbling floors, and collapsed tunnels that make you realise how unpredictable these old places can be. "But for us, it was an unforgettable adventure. With torches lighting the way, we passed rusting machinery, scattered tools, and the remains of a working world frozen in time - like the miners had just downed tools and left. Some of the underground chambers are vast, towering and echoing like hidden cathedrals deep within the earth. Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) "It's humbling. You feel the weight of history all around you - a glimpse into the lives of those who toiled in darkness. "And a reminder of how quickly nature begins to take things back." She emphasised that these locations should not be treated casually and warned that such sites pose multiple hazards. Above ground, she also explored the cutting sheds where much of the expert craftsmanship took place. Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) Sarah remarked: "The abandoned slate cutting sheds here are like something out of a film set - rusted machinery still in place, decaying timber beams, and moss slowly reclaiming everything. "Wandering through the remains of the old slate works, you can almost hear the echoes of the past - the clatter of slate being cut, the grind of machinery, and the rhythm of hard work that once powered this entire area. "It's eerie, peaceful, and absolutely fascinating. Maenofferen slate quarry in Blaenau Ffestiniog (Image: Sarah Parker ) "Getting there involves a bit of a climb through the quarry terrain, so decent footwear and a good sense of direction are a must. The slate is sharp and unstable in parts, and as always with abandoned industrial sites, it's vital to stay cautious and respectful - the buildings are crumbling, and there are steep drops and hidden hazards everywhere. Article continues below "Still, for lovers of industrial history, urban exploration, or just dramatic, off-the-beaten-path places, this is a powerful place to visit. Maenofferen isn't just an abandoned quarry - it's a piece of Welsh heritage slowly being reclaimed by nature."
North Wales Live
06-07-2025
- General
- North Wales Live
The 'frozen in time' world beneath the hillsides of North Wales
Hidden beneath a slate covered hillside is "a working world frozen in time" which very few get to glimpse. The slate industry employed close to 20,000 people in Wales at its peak in the late 19th century. But nearly all the quarries closed over time as the more easily accessible supplies were exhausted and there was competition from overseas slate and cheaper roofing alternatives. The industry does remain in places like Bethesda and Blaenau Ffestiniog but the workers can now be counted in their hundreds rather than their thousands. The scars of the trade remain on the sides of mountains - the grey a contrast to the lush green countryside. But beneath those hills - where men once toiled - lie the remnants of their working lives. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox "It was like the miners had just downed tools and left," said Sarah Parker, who went for an explore recently at Maenofferen, Blaenau Ffestinog. Work at the mine was first started in the early 1800s. During the nineteenth century the quarry flourished and expanded, extending its workings underground and further downhill towards Blaenau Ffestiniog. By 1897 it employed more than 400 people with almost half of those working underground. Slate was sent on the Ffestiniog Railway to be used on roofs around the UK and further afield. The quarry was purchased by the nearby Llechwedd quarry in 1975. Underground production at Maenofferen ceased during November 1999 and with it the end of large-scale underground working for slate in north Wales. Sarah Parker, who loves to explore the natural and man made surroundings of Wales, described her visit. She said: "Deep beneath the mountains of North Wales lies a world that few ever get to see. As you step inside the old abandoned slate mine, everything changes — the air grows still, the light disappears, and silence surrounds you. "It's eerie, beautiful, and genuinely unsettling. I wouldn't recommend going in unless you're fully prepared — it's unstable, dark, and incredibly dangerous in parts. There are deep drops, crumbling floors, and collapsed tunnels that make you realise how unpredictable these old places can be. "But for us, it was an unforgettable adventure. With torches lighting the way, we passed rusting machinery, scattered tools, and the remains of a working world frozen in time — like the miners had just downed tools and left. Some of the underground chambers are vast, towering and echoing like hidden cathedrals deep within the earth. "It's humbling. You feel the weight of history all around you — a glimpse into the lives of those who toiled in darkness. "And a reminder of how quickly nature begins to take things back." She reminded these were not places to be taken lightly and these sites contain numerous risks. Above ground she also went around the cutting sheds where much of the skilled work was done. Sarah said: "The abandoned slate cutting sheds here are like something out of a film set — rusted machinery still in place, decaying timber beams, and moss slowly reclaiming everything. "Wandering through the remains of the old slate works, you can almost hear the echoes of the past — the clatter of slate being cut, the grind of machinery, and the rhythm of hard work that once powered this entire area. "It's eerie, peaceful, and absolutely fascinating. "Getting there involves a bit of a climb through the quarry terrain, so decent footwear and a good sense of direction are a must. The slate is sharp and unstable in parts, and as always with abandoned industrial sites, it's vital to stay cautious and respectful — the buildings are crumbling, and there are steep drops and hidden hazards everywhere. "Still, for lovers of industrial history, urban exploration, or just dramatic, off-the-beaten-path places, this is a powerful place to visit. Maenofferen isn't just an abandoned quarry — it's a piece of Welsh heritage slowly being reclaimed by nature."
BBC News
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Jersey teams to race from St Malo to Prague for charity
A Jersey charity has set up a challenge inspired by a BBC One Jersey Employment Trust (JET) said its Race Across the World challenge would see teams of two race from St Malo to Prague over one weekend in 2024, the JET Jaunt saw 17 teams raced from St Malo to Monaco to support islanders with disabilities or long-term health conditions in the workplace, raising £24, fundraising manager Caroline Spencer said it wanted to build on last years event. She said: "The Jaunt is a great way to challenge yourself, think on the hoof, and see how you and your team-mate cope with the added pressure of a race."For most of us these days, we travel with quite a fixed itinerary - this throws that out of the window. "You can't pre-book buses or trains because you don't know what we might ask you to do along the way."Race Across the World is currently available to stream on iPlayer. The JET Jaunt challenged teams to take a selfie in a certain street in St Malo, take a photo of the Owl of Dijon and take a team photo at the statue of F1 driver Juan Manuel in 2024 Lucy Gomes and her friend Sarah Parker said the challenge was "too good an opportunity to miss".Ms Gomes said: "It was so much fun, we really enjoyed the challenges and loved seeing each city along the way. "The time restrictions and the unknown put us both out of our comfort zones, which certainly kept the adrenaline going through the race." 'Exhilarating and challenging' Joanne Vandermerwe-Mahon travelled with her 12-year-old daughter Eleanor - the youngest competitor."We took part because we thought it was a great cause and we are fans of the TV show."The race was exhilarating and challenging - it really made us think and plan ahead and at a few points we had to be very sneaky and strategic."Registration is open with an event capacity of 50 teams of two racers.
