Latest news with #SteveThomas
South Wales Argus
2 days ago
- Climate
- South Wales Argus
What is the Float to Live technique? When to use it
The reminder comes ahead of World Drowning Prevention Day which takes place this week. More than 40 representatives from different organisations created a circle of life in the North Sea at Cullercoats Bay, North Tyneside, to demonstrate how people can avoid drowning if they get into difficulty in water. Everyone should know how to #FloatToLive. Thank you to our friends at @BDA_Deaf for supporting us 💙 Save and share our steps in the thread below 👇 Remember it. Practise it. Share it. #RNLI #WaterSafety #BeachSafety #RespectTheWater — RNLI (@RNLI) July 22, 2025 What is the Float to Live technique and how do you do it? The Float to Live technique is championed by the RNLI and others and it advises: Tilt your head back (submerging your ears) Relax (and control your breathing) Move your hands and legs (to help keep you afloat) Your legs may sink – that is okay (everyone floats differently) Practise floating (at a supervised location like a swimming pool) What is cold water shock and when does it happen? The RNLI has shared lots of water safety advice and information on its website. Explaining cold water shock, it said: 'When in cold water (anything below 15°C), your body can go into cold water shock. If this happens, you lose control of your breathing and movement. 'Cold water shock also causes your heart rate and blood pressure to quickly increase, which can lead to cardiac arrest. 'The average sea temperature around the UK and Ireland is just 12°C. Inland waters like lakes, rivers, lochs and reservoirs can be colder - even in the summer. 'Remember, if you find yourself in difficulty in the water, Float to Live.' Steve Thomas, head of prevention and education at Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, said: 'With the school summer holidays under way and continued warm weather, we know more people will be heading to the coast, rivers, and lakes to cool off and enjoy the water. 'Whether it's a day at the beach or a family break involving water-based activities, it's vital that everyone understands the risks. 'As a fire and rescue service, we're urging the public to be water aware. What starts as fun can quickly turn dangerous without the right knowledge. 'The Float to Live campaign provides simple, life-saving advice that can make all the difference in an emergency.' Nick Ayers, RNLI regional water safety lead, said: 'The Circle of Life event at Cullercoats Bay was a powerful visual reminder of the importance of water safety and partnership working. 'Seeing over 40 individuals coming together to promote floating shows just how committed we all are to reducing drowning. 'Float to Live is a simple but effective technique that gives people the best chance of surviving if they get into trouble in the water. 'When panic sets in, floating helps you to regain control, catch your breath and stay calm until help arrives or you can self-rescue.' When is World Drowning Prevention Day 2025? World Drowning Prevention Day will take place on Friday, July 25. Recommended reading: Jo Talbot, a director at the Royal Life Saving Society UK, said: 'A disproportionate number of people drown in the UK between May and August, and we see an increased number of drownings in periods of extreme heat. 'With the warmer weather and summer school holidays beginning, it is vital that everybody is aware of how to stay water smart and safe this summer. 'World Drowning Prevention Day serves as an important reminder to everyone to equip themselves with the tools and knowledge to stay safe around water.'
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Homemade scones off the menu at some National Trust houses
They are the real reason many of us love visiting National Trust houses. Fresh scones topped with cream and jam are often the highlight of any visit to a historic house, once their fine architecture, old rooms and beautifully tended gardens have been taken in. But the traditional, homemade favourites are now set to be replaced with bought-in alternatives at some properties amid job cuts. The National Trust is cutting 550 jobs as a higher minimum wage and the impact of Rachel Reeves's national insurance raid on employers has caused costs to balloon. It said costs had grown more quickly than visitor numbers to its historic houses, castles, parks and gardens and that it had no choice but to cut back. Chefs and catering staff at the least profitable cafes are set to lose their jobs, and food will instead be bought in. The National Trust said less than 10 per cent of cafes will be affected, but that has not stopped some volunteers from reacting with horror. One volunteer, who alerted The Times to the plans, said they would cause 'severe disappointment' among visitors. Steve Thomas, of the Prospect union, which is representing those facing redundancy, told the newspaper: 'Whether they are chefs or curators, National Trust staff are as integral to the experience of visiting our iconic historic sites as the properties themselves. 'Losing vital skills and experience would be a disaster for the Trust. It will be noticed by the public and could even reduce visitor numbers, which would only worsen the financial position. 'This process needs to be approached with the utmost caution so costly mistakes are avoided, and Prospect is engaging with the Trust on behalf of our members.' It comes after the National Trust was criticised for making its scones vegan, with some complaining they tasted like 'dry biscuits'. Maude Newby, a 64-year-old long-time member of the National Trust, said at the time: 'I can't stand the taste of the new scones. They are not like traditional ones at all – they are flatter, drier and have an unappealing texture.' The National Trust told The Times: 'The proposed changes would affect less than 10 per cent of our cafés, all of which are smaller outlets where rising costs are making it increasingly difficult to be financially sustainable. 'We would still have food and drink available at these cafés, however, and in more than 90 per cent of our cafés there would be no change to what we offer.'
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Homemade scones sold at the National Trust's sites could soon become history due to job cuts
They've long been a highlight of any trip to a National Trust site, their mouth-watering flavour crowning a historical day out. But the delicious scones served at the charity's cafes are set to become a thing of the past amid sweeping job losses. Some National Trust venues are planning to stop baking their own sweet treats, replacing them with products brought in from a central source, The Times reports. This has led to fears the new scones will lack their signature homemade freshness. One sceptical volunteer suggested the cost-cutting measure would lead to 'severe disappointment' among visitors across the country. The move is a concerning consequence of the National Trust's decision earlier this month to remove 550 jobs in a bid to slash its wage bill amid soaring costs. The conservation charity, which looks after 500 historic houses, castles, gardens and parks, cited Labour's move to hike employer national insurance contributions, as well as a recent increase in the minimum wage, claiming these policies had cost it £10 million. The National Trust insisted that less than 10 per cent of cafés would be affected by job cuts. But Steve Thomas, of the Prospect union which is representing staff facing redundancy, said: 'Whether they are chefs or curators, National Trust staff are as integral to the experience of visiting our iconic historic sites as the properties themselves.' He predicted that the move could put some people off visiting affected sites. Tasty scones have long been a key draw of National Trust properties and have even inspired a popular book and a dedicated website. In 2023, Sarah Merker completed a vast audit of the snacks, usually accompanied by a dollop of jam and clotted cream, visiting all 244 of the charity's cafes over the course of 10 years. She discovered that the National Trust's least popular locations served the worst scones. The charity said: 'The proposed changes would affect less than 10 per cent of our cafés, all of which are smaller outlets where rising costs are making it increasingly difficult to be financially sustainable. 'We would still have food and drink available at these cafés, however, and in more than 90 per cent of our cafés there would be no change to what we offer.' It comes after the National Trust told staff it needed to reduce the pay bill as well as finding savings worth £26m. The plans are expected to create a reduction in jobs of around 6 per cent across the charity's workforce of around 9,500 people. At least 550 full-time workers could face job loses and the charity has begun a 45-day consultation with its staff. In its most recent annual report, published in September last year, it revealed that total visitor numbers rose to around 25 million for the 2023/24 financial year, up 5 per cent compared with the previous year. It also revealed that there was a 12 per cent increase in non-members visiting the sites, paying on the day for individual trips.
Powys County Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Powys County Times
Hot air balloons fill the sky above Bristol ahead of annual fiesta
Almost a dozen colourful hot air balloons filled the skies above Bristol to mark the countdown to the city's annual fiesta. Balloons launched from College Green in the heart of the city on Friday morning, as commuters gathered to watch the inflation and ascent. The launch took in views of Bristol's City Hall, cathedral, historic harbourside and Temple Meads train station. The 47th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which is free to attend, will return to Ashton Court Estate from August 8 to 10, celebrating the city and its hot air balloon heritage. More than 100 balloons are expected to take part in this year's mass ascents, scheduled for 6am and 6pm each day, weather permitting. Speaking to the PA news agency, Steve Thomas, a pilot from the Hot Air Balloon Company, based near Bath, said: 'We had a perfect morning for flying over Bristol. 'Steady speeds out of College Green, perfect track all the way into Keynsham. 'The weather was perfect, with nice visibility across the city. 'It did get a bit hazy as the flight came on, so we dropped down our altitude as we came in to land.' Mr Thomas, who has been working as a hot air balloon pilot for around 10 years, said the team is really looking forward to the fiesta, describing it as an important event for the city. Hot air ballooning has been a historic part of Bristol's culture for many years, with the first recorded flight in the city dating back to the 18th century. This year's Fiesta programme includes the return of fan favourites, alongside new attractions making their debut. In the line-up will be beloved classics alongside new additions, including the Up balloon, Wallace and Gromit Moon Rocket, Thomas the Tank Engine and Sonic the Hedgehog. On both Friday and Saturday evenings, visitors to the festival can experience nightglows, where dozens of balloons inflate and use their burners to glow in time to music. Helen Godwin, the new mayor of the West of England, said: 'Those of us lucky enough to grow up here in the West Country know there's nothing quite like the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. 'Seeing our skies full of shapes and colours is truly special, whether you find balloons already flying overhead or hoping the wind will bring them your way.'
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Hot air balloons fill the sky above Bristol ahead of annual fiesta
Balloons launched from College Green in the heart of the city on Friday morning, as commuters gathered to watch the inflation and ascent. The launch took in views of Bristol's City Hall, cathedral, historic harbourside and Temple Meads train station. Pilots inflating the canopy as they prepare for flight (Ben Birchall/PA) The 47th Bristol International Balloon Fiesta, which is free to attend, will return to Ashton Court Estate from August 8 to 10, celebrating the city and its hot air balloon heritage. More than 100 balloons are expected to take part in this year's mass ascents, scheduled for 6am and 6pm each day, weather permitting. Speaking to the PA news agency, Steve Thomas, a pilot from the Hot Air Balloon Company, based near Bath, said: 'We had a perfect morning for flying over Bristol. The balloons took in the sights of Bristol (Ben Birchall/PA Wire) 'Steady speeds out of College Green, perfect track all the way into Keynsham. 'The weather was perfect, with nice visibility across the city. 'It did get a bit hazy as the flight came on, so we dropped down our altitude as we came in to land.' Balloon pilots check the interior canopy rigging as they prepare for flight (Ben Birchall/PA) Mr Thomas, who has been working as a hot air balloon pilot for around 10 years, said the team is really looking forward to the fiesta, describing it as an important event for the city. Hot air ballooning has been a historic part of Bristol's culture for many years, with the first recorded flight in the city dating back to the 18th century. This year's Fiesta programme includes the return of fan favourites, alongside new attractions making their debut. Hot air balloons over Bristol (Ben Birchall/PA) In the line-up will be beloved classics alongside new additions, including the Up balloon, Wallace and Gromit Moon Rocket, Thomas the Tank Engine and Sonic the Hedgehog. On both Friday and Saturday evenings, visitors to the festival can experience nightglows, where dozens of balloons inflate and use their burners to glow in time to music. Helen Godwin, the new mayor of the West of England, said: 'Those of us lucky enough to grow up here in the West Country know there's nothing quite like the Bristol International Balloon Fiesta. Hot air ballooning has been a historic part of Bristol's culture for many years (Ben Birchall/PA) 'Seeing our skies full of shapes and colours is truly special, whether you find balloons already flying overhead or hoping the wind will bring them your way.'
