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Hamilton Spectator
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
'Skater' celebrates local change-makers
Several residents gathered on the grounds of the Bell Homestead in July for Brant Theatre Workshops' performance of 'Skater.' 'Skater' is a teenage girl living by her own rules. With a self-destructive attitude and hidden past that she guards close to her heart, the young girl finds herself in hot water when she throws a rock through the window of the local police station. While mourning her family, Skater falls asleep at their grave site and is discovered by an officer she calls 'Battle Axe Kate.' Skater is taken into custody and sentenced by a judge to live in a group home known as 'Sue's Place,' a nod to Brantford's Why Not City Missions' Charlie's Place. It's there she meets Hot Dog, a former resident of Charlie's Place who found a way to put his talents to good use. On top of her new living conditions, Skater is instructed to complete community service at the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead and National Historic Site in St. George. During her time at the museum, Skater meets Rae and learns more about Adelaide Hunter Hoodless, the loss of her young child, and the many contributions she made throughout her lifetime. In real life, Hunter-Hoodless' youngest child died at the age of 14-months old after complaining of stomach pains. Living in Hamilton at the time, she discovered that the city was using unpasteurized milk. Growing up on a farm, she knew the dangers of milk if not properly prepared and she set out to spread the word. She would go on to be an educational reformer and was known as the co-founder of the Women's Institute, the National Council of Women, the Young Women's Christian Association and the Victorian Order of Nurses. Her work played a large role in providing education for women to help protect their families from harm. During the intermission, Karen Stewart, executive director of Why Not City Missions, said she was enjoying the show. 'It's really well done and I like that it's combining services that are available in town with unique pieces of our local history,' she said. 'I had no idea Adelaide Hunter Hoodless was sort of the fuel for all those things so that's been really cool to learn. I'm also really liking all the interactions and how they're talking about grief as being a catalyst for a lot of different behaviors and turning that into growth. It's a really neat play so far and I'm looking forward to seeing how it ends.' Following intermission, Skater learns more about 'Battle Axe' Kate's story, her battle with grief and how she triumphed over own circumstances. Inspired by the stories of the two women, Skater learns how to take her grief and turn it into something that can help others. Skater later tells Hot Dog about her Anishinaabe roots, and asks him if he could make her a ribbon skirt for an upcoming Ladies Who Lead event. It's there she shares more about the loss of her family and advocates for proper fire prevention education in First Nations communities. 'Adelaide Hunter Hoodless once said 'educate a boy, and you educate a man. Educate a girl and you educate a family,'' said Skater. 'Let's follow Addie's example, let's educate a community. We can educate the girls, our leaders and communities. Let's be the leaders who can make a difference.' In the end, despite all that she's gone through, Skater shows resilience in the face of adversity and along the way, finds support in Hot Dog, 'Battle Axe' Kate and Rae, building a community of her own and turning her grief into something more. Vincent Ball, the Brantford-based playwright who penned 'Skater,' is known for creating works that not only reflect local history, but communicates a message with viewers as well. With plays like 'Doing Our Bit,' 'Veteran of Vimy,' 'Sisters of Solace,' and 'Footlocker' already under his belt, Ball wrote 'Skater' after Nancy Carubba, Manager for the Adelaide Hunter Hoodless Homestead asked him if he would be interested in doing so. 'The homestead has a tough gig; number one, they could use some capital funding just to keep the building going, but also they need some operational costs too,' he said. 'I was asked, 'what would you do to raise Addie's profile?' and I said, 'well, I could write a play but make it more modern, and make it more relevant to younger people or other people, and pose the questions of, 'what would Addie do today?' So that was the whole idea behind this, to try and boost the homestead and boost its profile in some way, and shape the story in a more modern while, at the same time, paying homage to Addie and her legacy.' When asked how important it was to him to pay tribute to the Brantford-Brant area and its history by weaving in several existing organizations into the story, Ball said that he wanted to highlight different organizations that are often overlooked. 'There's a lot of really great organizations that do a lot of stuff around here but I don't think that they get a whole lot of publicity for what they do. They all have a really important role, and they're all relevant to what Addie would see as an important part of our society,' he said. 'Organizations like Why Not City Missions are often stepping up to fill a need, right? And you've got Ladies Who Lead who are also stepping up to fill a need and so all of those things are important and they deserve a little bit of a plug for what they do and how they do it because they're very important. Overall, Ball said he was happy with the play and how the Brant Theatre Workshops' actors were able to bring the story to life. 'The cast is doing such a marvelous job, they really are and I can't say enough about them. We went through a few rewrites and so on and so forth, and the cast was just awesome,' he said. 'They're really, really great, and Peter Muir's done a great job working with them. I couldn't be happier with the way the production has turned out.' Kimberly De Jong's reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative. The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at . Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
South Wales Argus
08-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Argus
Volunteer to use award as platform for women and girls' rugby
Emily Dean has been recognised in the 'Connecting the Community' category at the Honda Volunteer of the Year Awards, which celebrate those who have had a major impact in their clubs and communities and demonstrated their commitment to the game. Dean has been fundamental in growing opportunities for female players of all ages at Driffield, organising regular fixtures for girls' teams and fostering a growing relationship with the Women's Institute to make the club more approachable. 'When I took [the volunteering] on, I didn't expect to be recognised for it, but it is a platform that allows other clubs to see what is possible,' she said. 'It gives you the opportunity to say, making rugby more community based rather than just being a rugby club has worked, and it is working really well. It gives us a platform to shout about that. 'I love what rugby has given me. A team sport like rugby gives you so much more than the team aspect. You walk into a club and you are a part of a family automatically. 'When you get the opportunity to share that with other clubs and with other women, that's something that I feel very passionately about. It's given me so much more than just a team sport.' Dean was driven to start a now flourishing girls' section in order to ensure the women's team could continue running long into the future. It means that what was formerly a male-oriented community at the rugby club has become an inclusive space that is now promoting opportunity for all through sport. Yorkshire seal the Gill Burns Women's County Championship division 1! 🔥 June 21, 2025 'We wanted to future proof the women's game,' Dean added. 'We had enough for a team when we started, but it was obvious to me that we didn't have anyone coming through. 'The girls could play up to under-11s, but then they had nothing in the juniors, so we didn't want to lose them. 'We started the girls' section, and we have pulled players from all over. We've built such a good pathway. 'We had two girls from under-18 picked for PDG (Player Development Groups) and two girls at under-16. They're growing the game themselves because they're showing the younger girls that this can happen for you.' Such is the success of the club, Driffield now make sure they can play competitive matches by taking additional players to lend to the opposition. Dean has also ensured there is a female presence across the whole club by bringing the Women's Institute on board to build a community at the club that extends off the pitch to volunteers and supporters. 'When you have put multiple people together, you can come up with so many more ideas. They've had lunches, they've had dance classes and there's things in the pipeline to be part of a breast cancer awareness afternoon tea in August,' added Dean. 'We noticed that we haven't got many women within the club who are over a certain age, but actually through increasing that footfall, some of them have come and watched us play. 'We've also worked with a Syrian refugee group through the WI. During half term, they came with their children, and we had a group of 20 outside playing a game of football together even though they didn't necessarily understand each other's language. It's increasing the depth of community.' Volunteers are the backbone of grassroots rugby in England. If you'd like to get involved and make a difference at your community club, visit:
Yahoo
01-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Abbey Wood has - or hasn't - changed with three years of the Elizabeth line
Ahead of the opening of the Elizabeth line in 2022, the people of Abbey Wood were promised that the new railway would spark regeneration in the area. Three years on, the News Shopper visited the south east London town to see what, if anything, had changed. Abbey Wood station was completely rebuilt in 2017, offering a modern, sleek gateway to central London. At that time, it would take just under an hour to reach most destinations in the heart of the capital on suburban railway routes. READ MORE - Abbey Wood station was rebuilt in 2017 (Image: Newsquest) Now, passengers boarding an Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood can be in Tottenham Court Road in half that time. Among those taking advantage of the route today (May 29), were four pensioners from the Women's Institute. They spoke to the News Shopper before setting off on a day trip to Horniman Museum in Dulwich. 'It's brilliant,' said Patricia Moriarty. 'We don't use it particularly because none of us work now, we're all retired. 'But so many people use the line now. I just wish it had been here when I was working.' An Elizabeth line train at Abbey Wood station (Image: Newsquest) Transport for London (TfL) has said that since 2022, Abbey Wood has emerged as one of the 'largest regeneration areas in London', with a six per cent increase in new homes. But Ms Moriarty said that although thousands of new homes are being built in neighbouring Thamesmead, there had not been much noticeable development in Abbey Wood. 'There's not lots of new shops yet, but I think that's coming,' she added. Next to the station, lies the sleepy shopping parade in Wilton Road. At 9am, some stores still had their shutters down and only a handful of people were walking down the street. The shopping parade in Wilton Road (Image: Newsquest) But one unit open for business was Abbey Wood Dry Cleaners, which first opened 43 years ago. Owner Farooq Ahmed said that despite the quiet street scene that morning, business had been good over the last three years. 'It's getting busy - new people are coming to live in Abbey Wood, so we're getting new customers,' he explained. 'Canary Wharf is only ten minutes away now, and it's cheaper here than the City. That's why people are moving here.' Farooq Ahmed, owner of Abbey Wood Dry Cleaners (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE - He added that while he welcomed the increased footfall, rental prices in the area, including for his own shop, had gone up as a result of the influx of new people. According to Rightmove, the average house price has also risen by seven per cent over the last three years, from £384,000 in 2022 to £411,000. 'The rent is going up, that's the only issue we have with the Elizabeth line,' Mr Ahmed said. 'Everything has gone up, but new customers hopefully cover it up.'
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mums and grandmas sacrificing own health in NHS dentist crisis - read horror stories in full
A Women's Institute report has found mums and grans have been disproportionately hit by the NHS dentistry crisis, sometimes going without care to pay for a loved one to go private Dental horror stories from mums and grandmothers have been revealed in a damning report which finds women are being hit hardest by the NHS crisis. The survey by the Women's Institute showed how the lack of access to NHS dentists is hitting women who are more likely to be poor, have caring responsibilities and worse teeth. Its national survey of women exposed how juggling caring responsibilities means they are sacrificing their own health, sometimes going without dental care so they can afford to pay for private care for a loved one. Accounts from 1,000 respondents reveal new mums are more likely to lose teeth due to lack of access while elderly women report downsizing their home so they can pay to go private. The WI's Dental Health Matters report highlights that women are: Sacrificing seeing a dentist themselves to afford private dental care for their loved ones due to the lack of access to NHS dentistry. Self-medicating with online-purchased temporary fillings, over the counter remedies, and overdosing on painkillers to alleviate oral pain. Forced to go to A&E for dental pain due to a lack of access to preventative care, including severe infections. Travelling up to 250 miles across the UK and even abroad to find affordable dental care, Taking loans, using credit cards, and even downsizing homes to release income to afford dental care. Missing out on vital dental care during pregnancies and failing to find any dentists willing to see their children as NHS patients. The Mirror has launched the Dentists for All campaign calling for a return to universal access. Jeryl Stone, Chair of the National Federation of Women's Institutes said: 'Women up and down the country have been left at breaking point by the crisis in dental care. The hundreds of women who took part in our research have shared heart-breaking stories of personal sacrifice, and at the risk of personal health. 'We at the Women's Institute stand united in demanding a fair and accessible NHS dental healthcare system for every woman and their community – this requires urgent reform to NHS dental contracts and offering more training spaces for our dentists of the future. Dental health matters, and so do we.' The WI said its report is the first of its kind looking at the disproportionate impact of the NHS dental crisis on women. One woman said: 'When we first moved I tried every dentist within a 20-mile radius. I am currently on a four-year waiting list for an NHS dentist!' Another woman responded: 'The NHS Dentist left the practice I attend; they advertised for over 18 months with no success for a replacement… if we want to stay with the practice we have to join Denplan.' Even survey respondents who have managed to register for NHS dental healthcare are finding that appointment availability is limited. One said: 'We have now been told that we can only see the dentist every two years for a checkup, which I think is far too long. But I'm too scared to complain in case they take us off their books.' Another woman carer said: 'My 87-year-old mum can no longer afford private dental insurance. There are no NHS dentists taking on patients in her area so for the first time in 70 years she no longer has any dental care.' The report cited previous medical research showing pregnant women are more vulnerable to dental issues due to hormonal changes that increase gum sensitivity, leading to pregnancy gingivitis. The report stated: 'Research has found that there is some truth to the old wives tale 'have a baby, lose a tooth'. Studies tracing historical medical records do indeed indicate that the more children a women had, the worse her dental problems.' Elevated estrogen and progesterone can cause gums to swell, bleed and become inflamed. One mum said: 'I cannot find an NHS dentist within a 20-mile radius of my home for me or my two young children. During both pregnancies, I've not had access to a dentist. I'm on so many waiting lists for an NHS space that I've lost track. Neither child has seen a dentist and my oldest is four.' One respondent's 82-year-old husband had to go private after being unable to find an NHS dentist, while another paid £2,000 for treatment after their NHS dentist became private. Pensioners on fixed incomes reported downsizing their homes to afford dental care, with one person paying over £6,000 for dental implants. One pensioner said: 'I was 74 when my NHS dentist closed. For weeks I rang NHS dentists all over the North East within 30 miles trying to secure a new one. Most had huge waiting lists of 1,000 - 2,000 and no chance of a space for years. 'Shortly after I tripped on a raised pavement and broke my tooth. I had to go private. £155. Six months later I needed a filling and had a check-up. Cost £255. I don't have a huge pension so that kind of money has an impact. I've been lucky all those years as my dentist was very local. Now there is no possibility of getting an NHS dentist in my lifetime. I'm 75 now. It's a terrible state of affairs.' The WI's Dental Health Matters campaign, calls on the government to recognise and act on the impact of this dental health crisis on women, caused by a dental health service unfit for purpose - by reviewing NHS contracts and providing more dental training Crouch, chair of the British Dental Association, said: "The crisis in NHS dentistry is having a unique impact on women up and down the country. "From pregnancy to menopause, as parents and as carers, access problems often hit women hardest. This service can have a future, but only if ministers are willing to pick up the pace and keep their promises. Until then, patients — especially women — will continue to pay the price." 'I'd waited seven years for an appointment so yanked out my own teeth' The report comes after the story of a pensioner who yanked out three of her own teeth after waiting nearly seven years on an NHS dental waiting list. Linda Colla, 76, moved from Nottingham to Devon in 2018 and found that local practices were not accepting new NHS patients. Linda, who receives pension credit, says she couldn't afford to seek private treatment. Speaking last year, she said: "I didn't have any other option. I started looking for an NHS dentist, and couldn't find one, so I phoned the NHS and they put me on the list. I've been here since April 2018, and I started looking for a dentist in June or July that year - and I've still not got one. "Three teeth started to work loose, and it was not very comfortable. It was painful to eat, so I had to pull them out. They were getting looser and looser, so one at a time, I took them out. It was two back teeth and a canine, and they had quite long roots. It was very painful.' Linda told how she wrapped a piece of tissue around the teeth to give her grip and managed to pull her teeth out with her bare hands. She had a dentist and received regular treatment on the NHS before moving to Devon. When she arrived, she was put on a waiting list and regularly called around local surgeries to ask if they had space for her. She said she was prepared to travel 20 miles. She said: 'One receptionist said they'd love to take more NHS patients, but with the budget given by the government they can only take a certain amount.'
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Women's Institute celebrates 79 years as it looks to the future
GLAZEBROOK Women's Institute is to vote on changes to its constitution following the 79th birthday celebrations of the group. The meeting, led by President Maureen Banner, featured various activities, most notably a "reverse raffle" where participants did not necessarily keep the prizes they won. The popular items shifted among participants until the end, with wine and champagne being particularly sought after. Other business discussed included correspondence from the headquarters in Chester about the impending updates to the Women's Institute's (WI) constitution aimed at better reflecting societal changes. The new constitution is to be discussed and voted on at the annual general meeting in June. The resolution "Bystanders Can Be Life Savers" is also on the agenda for the June meeting, along with a forthcoming poster competition and green agenda/climate issue. The group also paid tribute to its social secretary, Doreen Herridge, who has recently moved into a care home. Her significant contributions to the WI and the broader community were acknowledged, with many remembering her being awarded the British Empire Medal. Glazebrook meetings, held at 2pm on the second Wednesday of each month, currently have vacancies for new members. President Maureen Banner extended an invitation to anyone interested in joining the largest women's non-denominational group in the UK, which has been in existence for over a century. As well as companionship, the WI offers its members theatre visits, parties, various talks, and learning opportunities. Meetings take place at Rixton-with-Glazebrook Community Hall.
