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Blenheim Palace Restoration Uncovers Century-Old Graffiti, Sparking Public Interest

Blenheim Palace Restoration Uncovers Century-Old Graffiti, Sparking Public Interest

Conservators at Blenheim Palace in the UK have uncovered a series of mysterious graffiti inscriptions dating back to the 19th century during restoration work. These inscriptions, found on the ceilings of the Great Hall and Saloon, include names and phrases left by past workers. The discovery challenges previous assumptions that the current restoration is the first access to these ceilings in centuries. The restoration project, led by OPUS Conservation and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and the Blenheim Foundation, aims to address material and structural instabilities in the palace. The project, costing £12 million, includes a £1 million allocation for the restoration of paintings by Baroque artists James Thornhill and Louis Laguerre. The palace is seeking public assistance to identify the individuals behind the graffiti, which includes names like 'J F Brennan 1968' and 'T Harwood Plasterer 1843'.
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Shaw Gibbs Acquires Reality HR to Expand Advisory Services

Shaw Gibbs Acquires Reality HR to Expand Advisory Services

Shaw Gibbs Acquires Reality HR to Expand Advisory Services
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CAMRA Releases Film Highlighting Community-Owned Pubs' Impact

CAMRA Releases Film Highlighting Community-Owned Pubs' Impact

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has released the third and final film in its documentary series focusing on community-owned pubs, with the latest installment highlighting the Yr Heliwr pub in Nefyn, North Wales. The film documents the community's efforts to save the pub, which had been closed for a decade before reopening in 2021. Through interviews with locals and stakeholders, the film showcases the pub's role in revitalizing the town's social and economic life. The series, created by filmmakers Katie Greenhalf and Rachel Auty, aims to inspire other communities to consider community ownership as a viable option for preserving local pubs.
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Leicestershire Horse Sanctuary Faces Threat Due to Rising Hay Prices Amid Record Heatwave

Leicestershire Horse Sanctuary Faces Threat Due to Rising Hay Prices Amid Record Heatwave

Pablo's Sanctuary, a horse sanctuary located in Long Clawson, Leicestershire, is facing significant challenges due to the soaring prices of hay. The sanctuary, which cares for 85 horses, has been hit hard by a dry spring and a summer drought, leading to a shortage of hay. Carole Fielding, who has been running the sanctuary for 30 years, reports that the current hay prices are the highest she has ever seen. The sanctuary uses about 20 large round bales and 100 smaller bales of hay weekly, with prices for large bales now between £90 and £100, and smaller bales costing between £9 and £10, up from the usual £4. The situation is exacerbated by the summer of 2025 being the warmest on record since 1884, affecting hay yields. Some farmers have resorted to importing hay from Europe to meet demand.
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Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Extends Suspension of Home Births, Causing Panic Among Expectant Mothers

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust Extends Suspension of Home Births, Causing Panic Among Expectant Mothers

The Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has extended the suspension of home births for at least six months due to safety concerns over staffing levels. This decision has caused significant distress among expectant mothers, including Bethany Pollock, who was 38 weeks pregnant and planning a home birth for her third child. The Trust emphasized that the safety of women and babies is their top priority. The suspension aims to allow staff retraining and the implementation of a new model of care. Despite the suspension, midwife-led care remains available at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital Birth Unit and Stroud Maternity Hospital. The decision follows a government review of maternity care at underperforming services, with Gloucestershire included in the review.
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UK Beef Prices Surge Due to Supply Pressures Amid Rising Costs

UK Beef Prices Surge Due to Supply Pressures Amid Rising Costs

The UK has experienced a 27.4% increase in beef prices over the past year, marking the sharpest rise since national tracking began in 1988. This surge is attributed to higher feed expenses, increased labor bills, and elevated energy costs, exacerbated by the ongoing war in Ukraine. The number of cattle farms has declined by 8.5% since 2020, further straining the sector. As a result, beef output has dropped to its lowest level in a decade, while pig production has seen a slight increase.
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BIMCO Report Highlights Geopolitical Sanctions and New Ships Impact on Tanker Market

BIMCO Report Highlights Geopolitical Sanctions and New Ships Impact on Tanker Market

The tanker market is facing a complex landscape as it approaches the end of 2025, influenced by geopolitical factors and fleet changes. According to BIMCO's Tanker Shipping Market Overview & Outlook, the crude tanker market is expected to maintain a balance between supply and demand despite lower-than-anticipated cargo volumes. This balance is attributed to slow fleet growth and increased sailing distances. However, the product tanker market is experiencing a weakening supply/demand balance due to new ship deliveries outpacing cargo volume growth. The report also notes that increased oil production in the Americas and OPEC countries is contributing to an oil surplus, potentially boosting demand for crude tankers. Meanwhile, sanctions on Russian oil exports by the US, UK, and EU have not significantly reduced exports but have increased Russian oil in floating storage. The report anticipates a 2% to 3% demand reduction if tankers return to Red Sea routes.
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Menfulness Charity Expands to Support Men's Mental Health in North Yorkshire

Menfulness Charity Expands to Support Men's Mental Health in North Yorkshire

Menfulness Charity Expands to Support Men's Mental Health in North Yorkshire
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Fashion and Beauty Brands Leverage Community Building to Enhance Customer Loyalty

Fashion and Beauty Brands Leverage Community Building to Enhance Customer Loyalty

Fashion and Beauty Brands Leverage Community Building to Enhance Customer Loyalty
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UK ICO Seeks Clarity on Facial Recognition Bias in Police Use

UK ICO Seeks Clarity on Facial Recognition Bias in Police Use

The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) has requested urgent clarification from the Home Office following a report revealing racial bias in police use of retrospective facial recognition (RFR) technology. The National Physical Laboratory's report found higher false positive rates for Asian and black subjects compared to white subjects. The Home Office is taking steps to address these biases, including acquiring a new algorithm. The ICO emphasizes the importance of public confidence in technology use and the need for transparency to prevent discrimination.
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Babcock and HII Collaborate to Advance Royal Navy's Autonomous Fleet Capabilities

Babcock and HII Collaborate to Advance Royal Navy's Autonomous Fleet Capabilities

Babcock International Group, a defense company, has announced a partnership with HII, the largest military shipbuilder in the United States, to support the UK Royal Navy's ambitions for a next-generation autonomous fleet. This collaboration aims to develop the ARMOR Force, a system of autonomous and remotely operated maritime platforms. The initiative is part of the Royal Navy's strategy to integrate advanced autonomy, modular systems, and digital innovation into its operations. The ARMOR Force will include large Uncrewed Surface Vessels (USVs) and modular containerized systems for rapid deployment and mission autonomy. The project is expected to enhance the Royal Navy's capabilities in anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and strike operations, with deployment anticipated by the end of 2026.
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Somerset Council Faces Scrutiny Over Chaotic Red Brick Factory Project Funding

Somerset Council Faces Scrutiny Over Chaotic Red Brick Factory Project Funding

The Somerset Council is under scrutiny for its handling of the Life Factory project in Glastonbury, which was intended to transform a derelict factory into a community events space and offices. Despite the project being paused in January 2024 due to management concerns, the council continued to make payments totaling £420,000 between May and December 2024. The project, managed by the Red Brick Building Centre and its subsidiary Beckery Construction Company Ltd, has faced financial difficulties, with Beckery entering voluntary liquidation. An independent audit criticized the council's governance and financial management, urging a review of other projects to prevent similar issues. The council is cooperating with police investigations and considering terminating the grant to recover funds.