Latest news with #floodlights
The Guardian
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Third Test's day-night format should feel like home turf for Australia in Kingston
It's a strange concept, in a region known for sunshine, to end a Caribbean tour with a day-night Test. It's stranger still to choose Kingston, Jamaica, a venue that until a couple of months ago didn't even have floodlights. Up until two days before the match, there has been local conjecture about whether they would be adequate for the match, with a chance that plans would have to be changed. But one day out, the lights have been announced fit by sports minister Olivia Grange. Putting the pieces together, it's likely related to Jamaica's upcoming election and a sitting government that has worn plenty of whacks for not supporting cricket, having refused to bid for matches at last year's T20 World Cup citing expense. A cricket spectacle might be an attempt to recover some ground. It helps that Mexico, Canada, and the USA have host qualification for next year's football World Cup, opening up a potential spot for Jamaica's Reggae Boyz, who have also used Sabina Park recently. Barbados would have been the natural fit for a nocturnal venue, with its established lighting and its nightlife giving a higher chance of drawing a local crowd. In Jamaica, pessimism about attendance abounds. CWI chief executive, Chris Dehring, was downbeat on regional radio about local sales. The bulk of the Australian tour group members went home after the second Test in Grenada. Half of Sabina Park's seating will be closed to save costs. University students have been promised free entry, while a slate of Caribbean musicians have been hired to perform in the hope that people who wouldn't come for cricket will come for a party. But the bigger discouragement for West Indies as a cricket team might be the format. Yes, they knocked over Australia in a pink-ball match in Brisbane, but their batting having already been shot out inside 35 overs twice in the series by Australia's quicks, and the pink Dukes ball is reportedly doing far more in the nets this week than the pink Kookaburra generally does. West Indies have only hosted one pink-ball match before, Bridgetown in 2018, won after Sri Lanka's quicks ripped up the home side in the third innings for 93. Three of those players survive in the current team, compared to Australia's squad of relative experts. Of 23 day-night Tests around the world so far, the Australians have hosted 13. Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon have played every one. With them, Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood make up the four highest wicket-takers in the variant format. Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, and the benched Marnus Labuschagne are four of the top five run-scorers. Even accounting for variation in ball and conditions, the format in general will feel more like home turf for the visiting side. Sign up to The Spin Subscribe to our cricket newsletter for our writers' thoughts on the biggest stories and a review of the week's action after newsletter promotion That said, if the ball does talk then it could make things interesting. Australia's underperforming batting has been bailed out by their bowling in both Tests so far, and a session of carnage in a low-scoring game could throw things open. Khawaja, Sam Konstas and Cameron Green, assuming there are no changes, still need runs. The series may be decided but every Test match counts. For West Indies, the batting plan might shift to one of full-blown attack. After a second embarrassing finish in Grenada, captain Roston Chase spoke of wanting his player to embrace the old idea of 'Calypso cricket', and judging by the nets this week they have taken that to mean smashing the cork out of every possible ball. This way, if they get bowled out in two sessions, they might at least have made a halfway decent score first. If those two sessions happen to be on day one, with the evening session to bowl, it could make things interesting. Or perhaps all the day-night talk will prove to be hype, as we've seen plenty of times before, with the ball settling quickly and the runs racking up. Either way is OK, as long as the lights turn on.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Historic moment' for football club as floodlights installed after 28-year wait
Ian Johnson, with James and Kim Prestwood completing the fitting of the lights . (Image: Trevor Porter) Floodlights have been installed at Trowbridge Town Football Club's ground after a 28-year battle. Trowbridge Town Football Club - known as 'The Bees' - says it has been fighting "tooth and nail" to get lights installed at the club. Advertisement The club has a 125-year history that includes competing in the Football Conference and Southern League at its peak in the 1980s. However, in the late 1990s, its town centre ground was sold, and the club was relaunched after a one-year hiatus at Woodmarsh. It became the only County Town in England without a floodlit football facility. Now the 28-year wait is finally over, as £65,000 floodlights have been installed at its Woodmarsh ground. The money was given to the club by Trowbridge Town Council in 2023, after an agreement was reached with Wiltshire Council for the use of the cash. Ian Johnson, with James and Kim Prestwood completing the fitting of the lights .(Image: Trevor Porter) 'These facilities will mean we can get promoted and get back to where we belong – unlike in 2023, when we were Wiltshire Senior League Premier Division Champions but could not go up due to the lack of lights and other features," said Trowbridge Town FC chairman Andy Meaden. Advertisement 'Now we will have a ground worthy of the County Town's main football club and we can start to progress back to higher leagues." A spokesperson for the club added: "A day that some said would never happen, but we've fought tooth and nail, and the club has done what it set out to do. "There are so many people to thank, and we intend to do so soon - but right now, we just want to take it all in. Sports lighting specialist Kim Prestwood completing the fitting of the lights (Image: Trevor Porter) The floodlights have been 28 years in the making (Image: Trevor Porter) "We've waited 28 years and we're going to enjoy every second of this. Let's get to work. Advertisement "The project at The Stairway Joinery Ground will continue over the summer, and we look forward to updating supporters on the next phase of the project soon." The new floodlights have been met with enthusiasm by residents who claim it's a "historic moment" for the town club. Recommended reading: "10 years ago, I sat on a committee meeting when the main concern was whether U7 and U8 matches should be postponed," said resident Tim Gingell. "Roll on 10 years and floodlights have appeared! Massive amount of work by a lot of people but the last two years have been driven by Andy Meaden who has got what his efforts deserved." Advertisement Jeff Hooper added: "Good stuff Andy and your team, History makers."
Daily Mail
04-07-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Neighbour hits out at farmer over canopy that lights up 'like Blackpool illuminations' at night
A neighbour has hit out at a farmer over a canopy that lights up 'like Blackpool illuminations' at night, claiming it's ruining the tranquility of a picturesque valley in Sheffield. But the farmer at the centre of the row insists she's done nothing wrong and has accused the neighbour of making a fuss over nothing. The structure. built last autumn at Same Hill Farm on Hagg Lane in the scenic Rivelin Valley, features a metal-framed canopy over an equestrian training area. While planning permission was granted by Sheffield City Council last year, not everyone is happy. Sue Winger, 66, who has lived on nearby Tofts Lane for over three decades, says the building is an 'eyesore', especially when floodlights illuminate the night sky. The fuming resident said the lights 'lit up like Blackpool Illuminations', adding that photos she has taken from Tofts Lane and Roscoe Bank disprove the council's claim that 'the site is not readily visible from any direction given the context amongst woodland'. She added: 'I want the council to explain how their written words are so far from the truth. They need to explain what they have written'. The official report from the council had insisted that the site was 'located in a remote and discreet position, enclosed on all boundaries by trees and woodland within the surrounding Rivelin Valley'. It also said: 'There is no meaningful view of the site from any direction, other than glimpsed views, due to both the vegetation and topography of the area'. But Sue says that is nonsense, and she is furious that residents were not consulted before permission was granted. However, farm owner Rachael Brownrigg said she was unaware she needed planning permission for the lights, and after an amended application granted permission for the interior lights, used between 7am and 9pm, she removed the external ones and has not used the lights through the night. Rachael also said she only used the lights 'two or three times'. The farm owner said: 'She didn't know that this planning had been approved because she missed the notice period, and that's why she has got a bee in her bonnet about it. 'Why is she bothered about a canopy? If she wants to look at green fields, why doesn't she go and buy a house that's in the middle of green fields?' Rachael said Sue has 'caused her a load of hassle' as she applied for planning permission on a large extension to build a five-bed house. 'I would just say to her, 'Can you get a proper job instead of bothering everybody else?' Sue has also accused Rachael of tearing down trees to make way for the construction - something Rachael flatly denies. 'I have not taken any trees down at all, not a single tree,' Rachael said. But Sue isn't backing down. She's now escalated the issue to Sheffield Hallam MP Olivia Blake and contacted the Ombudsman, demanding an investigation into how the planning decision was made in the first place.
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Floodlights approved for County Durham football club
Plans for new floodlights at Chester-le-Street Town FC have been submitted. (Image: Google) Plans for new floodlights at Chester-le-Street Town FC have been approved by Durham County Council. The club, located at Moor Park House on Union Lane, will be replacing its current halide lights with new LED floodlights. Advertisement It will involve a slight alteration in height, from 16m to 15m, and lighting configuration, with the 16 current lamps being replaced by 12 downward-angled units. The application was approved by Durham County Council on June 25. According to a statement from the club, these changes will not impact flood risk or biodiversity, as the development falls under a "de minimis" exemption due to its small size. The lights will operate daily from 8am to 10pm, with different lighting intensities for matches and other times. The new lighting system, as outlined in the Design and Access Statement and accompanying drawings, includes lighting spillage modelling conforming to ILP guidance. Advertisement The council has stipulated that the work must commence within three years and must be carried out in line with the approved plans. These include the site plan and proposed floodlighting pitch levels and obtrusive light location plan. Recommended reading Additionally, internal shrouding must be implemented and retained. Statutory consultees such as Sport England, Environmental Health, and Ecology raised no objections to the proposal. No objections or representations were received from the public, with 16 neighbours consulted on the matter.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Herefordshire councillors approve pitch floodlights
Plans to install pitch flood-lights and refurbish a pavilion in south Hereford have been given the go-ahead by scheme at Belmont Wanderers' new 3G sports pitch is part of the Southside of the 15 Stronger Hereford projects, it is backed by £22.4m of government funding, with the aim of creating a mix of sporting and horticultural facilities on about nine hectares (22 acres) of open land along the Great Western Way Farm ward councillor Jacqui Carwardine said there had recently been "phenomenal" growth of the club's youth sides who would now benefit from the facilities. "If this wasn't on my patch, I would have a lot more anti-social behaviour to deal with," she city resident, Owen Jenkins, said he "worried about the potential impact on local wildlife, especially the bats and owls that nest in the nearby trees" from the new planning officer Heather Carlisle said the council's ecologist had not objected, adding: "Modern floodlighting is highly directional, and far less intrusive to the wider area," and would cease at the pitch at 22: voted unanimously to approve the plans, which had been put forward by Growing Local, a community interest company and partner in the project manager Louisa Foti said construction of the all-weather flood-lit pitch would soon begin alongside preparation of adjacent conventional grass Local meanwhile plans more facilities of its own including an on-site cafe, cook studio, vegetable cold store and volunteer facilities."For some children, coming here has been life-changing," Ms Foti said. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Hereford & Worcester on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
