Residents in a village that flooded during Storm Dennis say they feel “angry” and “abandoned” after flood defences were rejected due to their cost. Building a taller flood wall or buying the most at risk houses in Ynysybwl, Rhondda Cynon Taf was “not economically viable”, said the environment body, Natural Resources Wales (NRW). Home owners said they were left fearing for the safety of their families. NRW said it would “not walk away from the community”. Paul Thomas has lived on Clydach Terrace in Ynysybwl for 40 years. His home was flooded during Storm Dennis in 2020. He said: “They may…
Author: dmnews
Major incidents have been declared and dozens of people rescued in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire as heavy rains caused severe flooding in the Midlands on Monday. Firefighters in Leicestershire received hundreds of calls on Monday, and rescued 59 people, while in Lincolnshire 50 children were taken to safety after their school was cut off by floodwater. Meanwhile, police in North Yorkshire found the body of a man in floodwaters in Beal, close to Eggborough and Knottingley. Almost 200 flood warnings have been issued in parts of England including a new severe warning introduced in Leicestershire on Monday evening indicating “large-scale evacuation…
Two primary schools set to shut over the falling rolls crisis have been saved after the admissions watchdog found “serious” shortcomings in councils’ decisions. But leaders have hit out at the “untold damage” caused by the proposed closures – with one school having just five pupils down to start this September. Robbie Cruikshanks, senior researcher at the Education Policy Institute, said councils “must carefully consider how school closures or amalgamations will affect their local communities and, of course, ensure that they follow the statutory process”. “As pupil numbers continue to decline in many parts of the country, this issue is…
Labour’s schools bill reforms which propose rolling back academy freedoms have been heavily criticised by many, including high-profile trust bosses and former ministers. The issue has dominated national newspaper coverage and parliamentary committees. But who are the trust leaders fighting for the government’s reforms? We asked the Department for Education for the names of CEOs who supported their bill and would be happy to talk about it. They provided us with six names. We also tracked down some others. Here’s what they had to say … Academy freedom changes ‘prevent race to bottom’ Labour’s wellbeing and schools bill is one of two…
Long Waits for Special Needs Support Plans as Fewer Than Half Issued on Time Children and young people with special educational needs in England are experiencing increasing delays in receiving crucial support plans, with fewer than half being completed within the required timeframe, new government data reveals. According to the Department for Education (DfE), just 46% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were issued within the statutory 20-week deadline in 2024. The government attributed the delays to local authorities being “overwhelmed” and announced that it would introduce comprehensive reforms this autumn. However, the news has sparked concern among parents…
East Cleveland Community Basketball Club has was awarded £30,000 by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council to upgrade its basketball equipment. The club used the money, secured through the Grassroots Sports Grant, to install two FIBA-standard gameday baskets for use by its three senior teams and three junior teams, as well as six height-adjustable side baskets to support the development of young players in the area, enabling the club to offer sustainable opportunities for both recreational and competitive basketball to participants aged seven upwards. Following significant growth in its first year, East Cleveland hopes the investment will support its expansion to running seven…
Jonny Bunyan hopes to get Caledonia Gladiators’ men’s team “back to where it should be” after being appointed head coach. The 33-year-old had returned to the club as interim boss in January, replacing Robbie Peers. The East Kilbride-based team ultimately missed out on last season’s play-offs. Bunyan was captain when the Gladiators won the Super League Basketball Trophy final in 2023. The point guard made more than 400 Gladiators appearances and represented Scotland, leaving the Playsport Arena for Falkirk Fury in 2024. “I’m really honoured to be taking on the role of head coach at the Caledonia Gladiators – a…
The Dallas Mavericks selected 18-year-old college star Cooper Flagg with the first pick in the NBA draft. At 18 years 186 days, the guard is the second-youngest player to be selected first in draft history – LeBron James was eight days younger when picked by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003. Dallas had the first pick after winning the draft lottery in May, despite having only a 1.8% chance because they finished 10th in the Western Conference. “I’m feeling amazing. It’s a dream come true,” Flagg said. Flagg, who plays shooting guard or small forward, helped Duke University reach the National…
Sir Andy Murray says he is trying to keep his children away from “damaging” social media platforms as he backed calls for more action to prevent abuse of sport stars. His appeal comes after British tennis player Katie Boulter spoke to BBC Sport about the scale of unsavoury and hurtful comments she has received online, including death threats. Three-time Grand Slam winner Murray, who retired from professional tennis in August 2024, said the prevalence of social media abuse “hasn’t really changed”, despite athletes speaking out on the subject for many years. The 2013 and 2016 Wimbledon champion added that by the…
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from Eastbourne with a thigh injury just four days before her SW19 title defence begins. The Czech was taken to three sets in both of her matches on the south coast, beating Britons Harriet Dart and Jodie Burrage in round one and two respectively. She was set to face France’s Varvara Gracheva in the quarter-finals but pulled out before the match began. Two-time major singles champion Krejcikova initially felt the issue on Wednesday and said it had “got worse” overnight. “I’m very sorry to have to withdraw as I’m having some soreness in my…