The two-bedroom property is found within the old Magistrates Court in Wakefield, Yorkshire was listed on property website Rightmove earlier this month (1 SEP).

Though the ex-court appears to have a flash furnished interior upon first impressions, house-browsers will quickly notice the additional storage units available for separate rent in the basement.

The Old Court House – as the property is now called – is a brown stone building with a renovated interior.

The flat on offer features two bathrooms in addition to the two large bedrooms and a spacious living room featuring cornice designs and wall-mounted lights.

Though the ex-court appears to have a flash and well-furnished interior in the first few photos of the advert, they are followed by a bizarre photo of the courthouse basement.

Whilst the flat itself doesn’t particularly resemble a jail cell, living there enables access to a basement where the original holding cells remain intact.

For an unknown extra charge, the tenant can gain access to a cell to use for “additional storage”.

The cells are situated in a white brick corridor in the basement, which is lined on both sides with large, green metal doors, sealing off the rooms behind each.

The doors feature huge locks and a tiny window on each, whilst inside boasts the bare minimum, with a stone floor, raised platform and a barred window at the top of the wall letting in a thin stream of light.

The property is being listed for rent by OpenRent, who describe the flat as: “[A] contemporary two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment set within this brand-new conversion of the old Magistrates Court.

“Available to move in immediately, no parking but this property benefits from a locked bike store and intercom system.

“The building’s original holding cells are available to be used as storage at additional cost.”

The property was spotted by one amused house-hunter, who shared it to social media on Sunday (SEP 10) with the caption: “Prison basement, for those friends you really don’t like.”

The post has since racked up dozens of likes and comments from other users who were quick to crack jokes.

One user said: “Would be great for any aspiring dominatrixes. Wouldn’t even need to build their own cell.”

Another quipped: “Super secure storage. I was going to say you could rent one of the cells and use it as an office but I think it might be the most miserable commute and setting of all time.”

A third added: “I’d be advertising them as a prison experience night on Airbnb.”

Another replied: “That is f***ing mental.”

The post Crime fans offered £750pcm flat complete with jail cell in basement appeared first on Deadline News.

Harrison Webb decided to prank pal Sebastian Gomez with a trip to Ristorante Roma in Leicester Square, West London – an Italian eatery with just 1.5 stars out of five on TripAdvisor.

Despite 130 of its 179 ratings being “terrible”, and the duo being charged an eye-watering £27 for three tap waters, Harrison, 26, was left astonished by his mate’s final verdict of the restaurant.

The video begins with Harrison saying: “I took my friend to the worst restaurant in London and didn’t tell him.

“People were complaining and they even made us switch tables while eating, would you eat here?

“The twist of this video, I’m not going to tell him we’re going to the worst Italian restaurant, I’m just going to ‘forget’ to tell him and see what he does.”

The clip then cuts to Harrison meeting an ecstatic Sebastian as they shake hands and embrace before heading off to the restaurant.

The video then transitions to the pair inside the restaurant as Harrison says “Got the drinks, cheers”, before the pair clink their glasses together and Sebastian adds: “Cheers.”

Harrison then says “A little taste test” as the pair silently sip their alcoholic beverages before Sebastian gives his verdict.

Sebastian says: “One out of five British flags.”

Later, the food arrives to their table, consisting of a penne arrabbiata for Harrison whilst Sebastian opts for a margherita pizza and a truffle tagliatelle.

The video shows the pair trying to eat the pasta, as Sebastian struggles to fit it into his mouth, resulting in much of it falling out.

However, Harrison’s American pal then surprisingly says: “This is delicious, I really like it.”

Harrison asks “Yeah?” before Sebastian says: “Genuinely.”

Next, Sebastian can be seen grappling with the very cheesy margarita pizza as he pulls it apart saying: “It’s so cheesy, I’m burning my hand.

“You brought me to little Italy, I don’t know what this place is.”

Harrison duly responds: “This is Italy.”

Sebastian says: “This doesn’t even count as Little Italy.”

“Yes, it is”, says Harrison.

Despite his apparent love for the food, Sebastian appears to be unimpressed by the general standards, saying: “No. Bro, I don’t even know what to say, I’m in shock bro.”

The video then shows the pair carrying their plates to another table after bizarrely being made to move table mid-meal.

Harrison can then be seen evaluating the receipt – which came to £90 in total – as he shockingly reveals: “We’ve got three tap waters on there for £27.”

Finally, the video shows the pair walking out of the restaurant as Sebastian says: “It was delicious.”

Harrison then says to his friend: “Seb, I have something to tell you. So, I took you to the worst rated Italian restaurant.”

Sebastian then laughs and screams: “I effing knew it. There’s no way.”

Harrison uploaded the clip to social media on Friday with the caption: “I tried the worst reviewed restaurant in London.”

The video has since received over 16,500 likes and dozens of comments from shocked users.

One user wrote: “I thought it’s illegal to charge for tap water?”

Another commented: “Poor Seb is not gonna wanna go back to London.”

A third said: “Please don’t tell me you paid £27 for water.”

Another replied: “This is actually a very funny prank.”

A fifth commented: “You brought the nicest guy that even if he was brought the absolute wrong meal, he’d eat it with a smile.”

Speaking today Harrison said: “My friend Sebastian Gomez surprised me with a spontaneous trip to London, reaching out on the day he arrived.

“It had been years since we last met, so we decided to catch up. We went to Bondi Green by Daisy Green, one of my favourite places to enjoy a delightful meal.

“We ordered a variety of small plates, including steak, chicken, and pizza, along with a few margaritas to share.

“Sebastian absolutely loved the experience, which gave me the idea to purposely take him to the worst restaurant in London to see how he would react.

“A few years prior, I visited The Palace Cafe (the worst restaurant in London at the time) with my brother for a YouTube video.

“However, as I checked TripAdvisor to see if any new contenders had emerged, I stumbled upon Ristorante Roma, which is the one I took Sebastian to.

“Interestingly, I found out that they rebranded due to poor reviews, hoping to fool unsuspecting tourists in Leicester Square again.

“Deliberately heading to a bad restaurant knowing what you’re in for is a really odd thing to do, but I always try to be extra polite and not let anything bother me.

“Our order consisted of two mojitos, a Fanta, penne arrabbiata, truffle mushroom tagliatelle, and a margherita pizza.

“The pizza (£14.95) was a disappointment, the saying ‘even bad pizza is good pizza’ was proved otherwise by this place, it was drowning in cheddar cheese and grease on top.

“The arrabbiata (£14.95) was passable but tasted like a diluted store-bought sauce with some chopped peppers thrown in.

“The mushroom tagliatelle (£17.95) lacked any trace of truffle, I had expected at least a hint of truffle oil, but there was none to be found.

“Sebastian was gracious enough to express his enjoyment, but I remained unconvinced. The Fanta (£4.95) – I don’t think even Michelin star restaurants charge that much for a soft drink.

“The Mojitos (£13.90 each) – I couldn’t taste any alcohol it just tasted like a mint-flavoured sprite.

“While we were eating, a family of six arrived, and we were asked to move tables.

“It was unclear why they couldn’t have simply added a table on to the table next to us, but thankfully we recorded it as proof.

“As expected, we waited a while for the bill, observing other diners voicing complaints and leaving half-eaten plates behind. I don’t see myself returning unless it’s to play a prank on someone else.

“However, I doubt we’d be welcomed back, so I’ll keep an eye out for the next worst-rated restaurant.”

The post Hilarious video shows Brit tricking his friend to visit “worst restaurant in London” – with surprising results appeared first on Deadline News.

Rachel Clenaghan is currently 36 weeks pregnant with her second child, and received her expected box from the Scottish Government through the post on Wednesday.

The Scottish Government introduced the initiative in 2017, sending a box packed with supplies and essential items to help ensure babies in the country get the “best start in life“.

Rachel, from Dundee, decided to share the generous contents of her second care package online – prompting a slew of envious replies from users overseas.

The video begins with Rachel prizing open the cardboard box with scissors, as on-screen text reads: “Unbox my Scottish Baby Box with me at 36 weeks pregnant.”

Rachel explains: “Today we received our Scottish Baby Box, which every family in Scotland is entitled to when they are expecting a baby and it is free from the Scottish Government.

“So, I thought I would unbox it with you guys and show you what came inside.”

The large white box can be seen featuring drawings which are intended to be coloured in, which Rachel expands on.

She says: “The actual box itself comes beautifully illustrated and I think the whole point is so that the younger family can decorate it for the new arrival.

“Or, in my case I might actually go and get my colouring pens out and do it myself because that is just so tempting to colour in.”

Rachel then pops the box open to reveal well-packed layers of supplies and items to help mums and dads along on the start of their journey.

Rachel continues: “The point in the box is so that every baby has got the same start in life and the actual box itself is made so that a baby can actually sleep in it.

“Inside included an envelope on how to breastfeed, hand express for colostrum, safe sleep, a gorgeous wee poem and then a voucher for reusable nappies which is new because I didn’t get that with Junior.

“It also included some bits for mum, so some maternity pads and breast pads which I just think is such a lovely touch.”

All the contents inside the envelope offer mums an informative and detailed step-by-step guide to different aspects of motherhood, through useful graphics and drawings.

Rachel then reveals the baby’s side of things, with playmats, books and toys abound.

She continues: “There is a gorgeous play mat, which is absolutely massive by the way, and a tummy time book which wasn’t included last time either and I think that’s absolutely brilliant.

“There’s a lovely wee book to share and then something to go on the car seat or the pram, a teething toy and then this thermometer which we used through our whole time with Junior.

“Then a bath and a room thermometer which comes in handy. It also comes with some essential bits like a sponge, toothbrush and some nail files for your baby.”

Rachel then pulls out a giraffe-themed baby blanket as she quips: “If you’re from Scotland you know this baby comfort because they’re always on Facebook saying that they’ve gone missing and that they’re desperate to get them back.

“There’s a travel changing mat which comes in handy – this was the best thing and it’s a baby wrap, I used this though my whole newborn stage of Junior, it was absolutely brilliant.

“They give you an amazing selection of vests, long sleeves and short sleeves from newborn 0-3 months and 3-6 months as well, along with a couple of sleepsuits and then these romper-style outfits as well.

“Just a couple of pair lf grey leggings, so it’s all unisex and then this gorgeous cosy jacket.

“There’s also a bunch of essential baby accessories, so a hat, bib, muslin squares, mittens and then some socks. Some condoms as well and then a nice hooded towel.

“A cellular blanket for your baby is very similar to the one you get in the hospital and then two fitted sheets because it also gives you a mattress that goes inside the box that you can use as a bed.

“The fact that they even give you this mattress is brilliant.

“Honestly, I can’t believe we’re so lucky to receive something like this, I feel like it should be available everywhere.”

Rachel uploaded the video to social media on Wednesday with the caption: “So amazing we get all this it helps out lots.”

The clip has since received over 470,000 likes and more than 5,800 comments from users left stunned by the countless contents of the box.

One user wrote: “Not the American baby box search being parents dropping their kids off at a fire station.”

Another commented: “Free baby box, free prescriptions, free school meals, free university, only in Scotland.”

A third wrote: “I absolutely adore that every parent gets a baby box regardless of socioeconomic status.”

Another said: “I actually don’t mind paying higher taxes in Scotland for things like this.”

A supplier of the Baby Box replied: “We love being a part of Scotland’s Baby Box scheme. Every mum is so lucky to get this.”

Speaking today Rachel said: “This is the second one I received as I got one with my son, but it’s been updated so was still exciting to receive it.

“To get one, your midwife gives you a leaflet which has a stamp on it from your hospital to prove your pregnancy – this was given to me around the 24-week mark.

“You have to fill it out with your name, address and due date then the leaflet has free postage on it which you just pop in a letter box.”

NHS Scotland explain: “Every newborn baby born and living in Scotland can get a Baby Box.

“When you’re about 20 to 24 weeks pregnant, your midwife will fill in a Baby Box registration card with you at your regular antenatal appointment.

“You will receive your Baby Box about 4 weeks before your baby’s due date.

“Your Baby Box will be delivered to the preferred delivery address that you put on your registration card.

“You will get a text, an email or a letter a week before the delivery so that you will know the day the box will be arriving. Then on the day, you will get a time slot so you will know exactly when it’s coming.”

The post Social media users left shocked as Scots mum reveals contents of famous Baby Box appeared first on Deadline News.

Chloe Fitzpatrick was flying from Manchester to Ibiza last month and duly informed staff of her airborne allergy to strawberries – an ingredient which could cause her to go into anaphylactic shock.

Despite being common procedure to ensure staff have time to dispose of any products containing the ingredient, Chloe claims that the cabin crew manager was immediately “unhappy” about doing so.

The 23-year-old alleges that the manager was instead concerned about the “loss of commission” from being unable to serve drinks like rose wine and pink gin.

She claims that the staff ignored her pleas after a “degrading” 45-minute deliberation, instead choosing to continue serving the products and making Chloe wear a face mask and sit near a filtered vent.

Chloe alleges that after initially being asked to leave the aircraft so that staff could discuss whether she was “suitable to fly”, she was seen by an “extremely patronising” medic.

The medic – who Chloe claims was not a doctor nor an allergy specialist – allegedly told her that she should undergo tests before every flight to check whether she even still had the allergy.

It was then that Chloe says she was let back on the flight with a promise that her allergy would be announced over the speaker system.

However, upon finding their seats and taking off, Chloe claims it was clear that they had not removed any products with strawberries in them.

Instead, the cabin crew were allegedly only serving them to people not “in close proximity” to Chloe.

This left the holiday-maker “petrified” as she says she was left “thousands of feet off the ground surrounded by products that could potentially kill [her]”.

Taking to social media last week, Chloe shared the full story of her heartbreaking experience.

She wrote: “I am still in utter shock and disbelief following my recent experience on a Jet2 flight on Friday 18 Aug 2023. I flew out to Ibiza on Flight LS1731 departing 16:05.

“As most of you know, I have a severe allergy. Prior to making a booking and then at the check-in desk I have always been told to notify the onboard crew when boarding the aircraft.

“When it was time to board the aircraft the check-in staff scanned our boarding passes and we were allowed to board the plane with special assistance.

“This was to allow time for the crew to remove any strawberry products from the inflight food service.

“As soon as the cabin crew manager was notified, she instantly seemed unhappy about removing the strawberry products.

“The list of strawberry products consisted of rose wine, pink gin, strawberry daiquiris, Fruit Pastilles and Haribo sweets.

“I believe, because this was a Friday night flight to Ibiza, she was concerned more about the potential loss of commission from not being able to sell the alcoholic products than my welfare.

“We were then asked to exit the aircraft whilst the manager and the pilot discussed whether I was suitable to fly. This was so degrading, embarrassing and discriminatory against me.

“I understand that they cannot guarantee a strawberry-free flight as they have no control over what passengers bring on board.

“But the airline does have a duty of care to minimise the risk by stopping serving the products they have onboard and to make an in-flight announcement to ensure passengers who may have brought these products on themselves are aware of my allergy.

“I know I take a risk flying and in fact even leaving the safety of my own home is an informed risk I take every single day in order to live as normal a life as possible.

“I always have my two EpiPens with me to keep myself as safe as possible and to use in case of an emergency.

“I usually feel confident flying as all airlines usually assist with minimising the risk. I am still struggling to believe that on this particular flight to Ibiza Jet2 refused to do this.

“Eventually, the crew agreed to let me fly and explained that this would be at my own risk.

“They would make an announcement about my strawberry allergy, sit me near a filtered vent and give me a mask to wear.

“The flight eventually took off and an announcement was made about my allergy.

“But then it became clear that they had not removed the strawberry products from the inflight service.

“They had decided to only not serve these products to people on the rows in close proximity to us, not the whole of the flight.

“As you can imagine I was petrified. I was thousands of feet off the ground surrounded by products that could potentially kill me.

“This was also extremely distressing and heartbreaking for my sister too who was terrified that I could go into anaphylactic shock, rendering me unconscious and could potentially die in front of her.

“She felt absolutely helpless. In day-to-day life, I have the ability to physically remove myself from potential risk when strawberry products are in the vicinity.

“On an aircraft with recycled air, I cannot do this.

“The cabin crew did not make the conditions of the flight clear; had we known strawberry products were still going to be sold we would not have boarded the plane.

“The decision made by the crew put my life at risk.

“The decision to still serve those products was and remains dangerous, disgraceful, discriminatory and shows a lack of awareness with regards to life threatening allergies.

The post received over 900 likes, more than 800 shares and dozens of comments as many were left disgusted by Jet2’s alleged handling of the situation.

Maddie Knight wrote: “That’s so upsetting and dangerous. I hope you’re feeling okay now.

“The airline should consider themselves lucky that you didn’t have a serious reaction as it would have been 100% their fault.”

Kate Conboy said: “Utterly unforgivable treatment by a company who should know better.”

Sheila Elliot commented: “Glad you’re okay, Chloe. That’s so, so disgraceful.”

Breanna Alice added: “As if your life isn’t hard enough already as it is. What an absolute disgrace – I am so, so sorry that you and your family have had this awful experience.

Rachel Wilcock wrote: “So sorry that you had to experience this, Chloe. You would think after Natasha [Ednan-Laperouse] passed away on a flight, airlines would be doing all they can to do the right thing.

“Accepting that you can’t control what people bring onto a flight (a fear you live with every time you step out the door) the airline most certainly has a duty of care to keep you safe on that flight by controlling what they stock.

“The more I think about this, the more enraged I am. Sending you lots of love, sweetheart.”

Writing in conclusion to her situation, Chloe revealed that Jet2 had further confirmed via text that they were unwilling to stop selling strawberry products onboard her return flight.

She went on to add that she no longer felt safe on a Jet2 airplane, leaving her and her sister to book a flight home through Ryanair instead – who she said she was “so grateful” to, for following guidelines.

She added: “As per industry guidelines Ryanair ceased the sale of their in-flight products containing strawberries and made two announcements outlining to other passengers the risk of opening any strawberry based products on board.

“I believe this is an embarrassing reflection on Jet2 as a company.

“My recent experience has made me feel extremely anxious about flying with other airlines in case this happens again. It has affected my confidence and I am really afraid of any future air travel.”

Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, died in 2016 after suffering an anaphylactic shock to sesame seeds in a Pret a Manger baguette she had bought at Heathrow before catching a flight.

Her death led to the introduction of Natasha’s Law – put in place to protect people with food allergies who rely on the transparency of ingredients and food labelling for prepacked foods.

Jet2 has been approached for comment.

The post Jet2 passenger left “petrified” after staff allegedly ignore life-threatening allergy to continue serving in-flight food and drink appeared first on Deadline News.

The Balbirnie House Hotel in Glenrothes, Fife, was awarded the title by Haute Grandeur Awards for both hospitality experiences and layout of the romantic setting.

The hotel has celebrated an incredible 172 weddings alone, with a further 170 already book in advance for 2024.

However, the hotel’s grand title was not the only achievement for the winning establishment.

It has also been named ‘Best Country Hotel on a Country Level’, ‘Best Classic Hotel in Europe’, in addition to ‘Best Function Venue Hotel in Europe’. 

Speaking of the achievement, Balbirnie House Hotel Managing Director Nicholas Russell has said: “It is amazing to see the hard work and wonderful hospitality of so many people being recognised globally.

“We can certainly now reflect on an accumulated jaw-dropping history of celebrations, and long may it continue”.

Discussing what sets the Fife apart from other hotels, Russell continues: “What is the secret of this success?

“It is best described simply, as taking one very special day at a time, with many involved in doing their utmost to provide their absolute best warmth of welcome of Scottish hospitality”.

Founder and President of Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards, Marinique de Wet added: “More than ever before, recognition helps teams to remain positive and goal driven.”

The Haute Grandeur Global Hotel Awards are renowned for acknowledging outstanding accomplishments in providing consistently exceptional experiences within the global luxury hospitality sector.

Couple looking to find the ‘perfect’ venue in Fife are advised to book early as the hotel is quickly filling up dates in its diary.

The post Scots wedding hotel sets records for FOURTH time in a row appeared first on Deadline News.

International space companies have won the opportunity to develop an ambitious project that will see Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) collaborate with the UK’s pioneering space sector to boost knowledge sharing, technology transfer, trade and investment on both sides. The ambitious venture will lay the foundations for a new “Space Channel” that has the wider potential to inspire further UK international space collaboration across the region.

UK-headquartered AstroAgency has partnered with Dubai-based counterparts, AzurX, to spearhead a programme aimed at harnessing the UK’s world-leading Earth Observation (EO) expertise – the gathering of information about the planet from space.

Secured through the UK Space Agency’s International Bilateral Fund (IBF), the firms have been awarded £75,000 after proposing EO, data and analytics solutions that include water resources management, urbanisation and infrastructure planning, monitoring carbon credit allocation to support ESG initiatives, oil and gas leak detection, and natural disaster monitoring.     

The UK Space Agency is committed to developing a strong partnership with the Middle Eastern countries with the prospect of a burgeoning market appealing to local space firms.

Dr Paul Bate, Chief Executive of the UK Space Agency said,“Working with other space agencies and organisations across the globe through our International Bilateral Fund allows us to draw on skills that enhance our homegrown expertise and capabilities, drive up investment in the UK, and support world-class science and discovery.

“AstroAgency’s work on Earth observation data analytics with partners in the Middle East Projects highlights the many ways in which we can collaborate with the global space community to help humanity push the boundaries of space innovation and unlock commercial opportunities that will benefit our economy now and in the future.”

Space based Earth Observation is an area in which UK companies have considerable expertise, notably around supporting sustainability and the transition towards net zero, and can be a key driver in strengthening the UK space sector’s partnerships with the strategic and emerging space nations of the UAE and Bahrain, at the core of the IBF.

The project aims to develop new initiatives to harness EO, AI and machine learning capabilities with Bahrain and UAE, so that they can benefit from working with the UK’s fast-growing space sector. A potential outcome could see the partners secure up to £1.5 million to implement the developed concept with match funding potential from the Gulf.         

Daniel Smith, founder of AstroAgency, stated, “The UK Space Agency’s IBF initiative represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for international space sector collaboration. Our project will showcase the UK’s impressive Earth Observation capabilities to new markets, promoting commercialisation opportunities, sharing knowledge on all sides and supporting the protection of the environment. As a company already promoting the role of space in unlocking a more sustainable future across multiple countries, we couldn’t be more excited to drive this forward.”

AstroAgency and AzurX have collaborated previously to build new relationships between the regions, with the companies completing contracts to support a Scottish Development International delegation of space companies to take part in the UK Pavilion’s Space Week during Expo2020 in Dubai, providing programming and content for ‘Space Day’ in the UK Pavilion.

That event also saw the launch of Scotland’s inaugural space strategy, co-authored by Smith, aligned with the UK’s National Space Strategy. Together the two firms represent close to sixty of the biggest names in space, including Blue Origin, Spire Global, the UK Space Agency, Euroconsult and ClearSpace. With this newly announced project supported by the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) in Dubai and National Space Science Agency of Bahrain (NSSA), the two firms’ impressive list of global connections is further enhanced.

Anna Hazlett, founder of AzurX, added: “The UAE has one of the fastest growing space programmes in the world whilst Bahrain’s space programme is quickly unfolding, this international collaboration offers an opportunity for UK space companies to enter and service the GCC region,whilst creating strong international trade and investment ties for years to come.”

As one of its economic drivers to diversify its economy; the UAE intends to invest up to £800 million in its space capabilities, as it looks forward to developing a close relationship with space companies across the UK.

Adnan AlRais, Assistant DG – Space Operations and Exploration Sector, Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre said: “We are immensely proud to embark on this international collaboration, which signifies a monumental leap for the space industry. Partnering with Bahrain and the UK to drive innovation and development in space technology is a distinguished honour for the UAE. As we unite our resources, knowledge, and innovative capacities, we are setting the stage for a transformative trajectory in space innovation. This endeavour is not just about the immediate outcomes but the strategic blueprint it lays for the future of space exploration and commercialisation. We are confident in the potential of this project and eagerly await the pioneering milestones it promises to achieve.”

The Director General of MBRSC, His Excellency Salem Al Marri reiterated he stands committed to supporting collaborations between UAE-based specialists like AzurX, and other country specialists, acknowledging that working together can yield highly effective contributions to the global space community. Reaffirming the future of space exploration and research hinges on efforts such as this.

A Statement from The National Space Science Agency from the Kingdom of Bahrain highlighted the organisation’s delight at working with AzurX and AstroAgency on the UK Space Agency initiative. It added: “The project, which is focusing on Earth Observation and Data Analytics, aims in its first phase to investigate the national priorities of Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, then matching it with the United Kingdoms’ capabilities in the field of monitoring and attempting to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Gulf region. We believe that having Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre from the UAE as a regional partner is an excellent opportunity to serve the regions’ needs and further strengthen the international partnership and collaboration in the space sector between the three participating countries.”

During 2021’s World Satellite Business Week, AstroAgency and AzurX announced an MOU to seek new opportunities to bring the UK together with the UAE. The IBF initiative strengthens the partners track record of working on projects that have focused on international knowledge sharing, raising awareness of the benefits of space technology to Earth’s environments and the exploration of trade and inward investment opportunities. The current phase of the project will end in November.

The post Space firms to develop Gulf-UK “Space Channel” appeared first on Deadline News.

A sod cutting ceremony has been held to mark the beginning of the delivery of 100 new social homes for Sanctuary Scotland in South Queensferry.  

The properties are part of Lovell Partnerships’ The Crossings at Bridgewater Village development, which will bring around 400 homes to the area.  

The Crossings will be a mixed-tenure development of 398 homes and 14 commercial units, delivered in partnership by Lovell Partnerships, Sanctuary Scotland,  Sigma Capital, the Scottish Government and City of Edinburgh Council.

Development of the new site is expected to deliver around 200 jobs, directly by Lovell and through the supply chain.

Many of the new roles will be for apprentices, including joiners and bricklayers.  

Lovell is proud to support the local community everywhere they build and, in addition to creating jobs, has invested nearly £7million in local business. 

The sod cutting ceremony took place on Scottish Housing Day, which this year focuses on housing as a career. It was attended by City of Edinburgh Council Housing Convenor, Councillor Jane Meagher.  

The development is set to boost housing stock in the area, with several impressive views of the historic bridges crossing the Forth.   

Those properties not earmarked for Sanctuary Scotland will be rented by Sigma Capital or sold on the open market by Lovell Homes.  

The Crossings will include active travel infrastructure and measures such as rain gardens and green/blue infrastructure that work with the water cycle to promote the health of the site and proper water management.   

The homes will also be environmentally sustainable, using solar panels and energy efficient boilers.   

The Crossings will be a 20-minute neighbourhood, meaning that residents will be able to have most of their daily needs met within a short walk or cycle. 

Sarah Freel, Head of Partnerships at Lovell, said: “We are particularly proud to be working with Sanctuary Scotland to provide social housing at this development, which will go towards achieving the Scottish Government’s target of building 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.”  

“With views of the historic Forth bridges and great access to amenities, this development is certain to be one of Edinburgh’s most desirable neighbourhoods.  

 “Today’s sod-cutting ceremony marks the start of this exciting new community, which will become home to many families over the coming years.”   

Gillian Lavety, Sanctuary’s Development Director for Scotland, commented: “As a leading national housing association, we’re committed to ensuring local people have access to affordable, good-quality homes. 

“The Crossings at Bridgewater Village is an exciting development that will make a real difference, and we’re delighted to be working with our partners to help meet the established need for more affordable homes in the area.” 

Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, Councillor Jane Meagher said: “Today marks Scottish Housing Day and it is important to use this opportunity to reflect on this hugely important sector, not just here in Edinburgh but across the country.  

“It was fantastic to be able to mark the day by attending the ceremony to see the start of construction of one hundred social rented homes here in South Queensferry. 

“This exciting start represents an important step forward in the area’s development and will help to alleviate some of the critical pressures that face the Edinburgh’s housing sector.” 

The post Development Underway on 400 New Scottish Homes appeared first on Deadline News.

The Edinburgh based firm set out to attract fresh talent into the sector which is badly needed, according to recent research which suggests more than 60% of telecoms engineers are over 50.

This comes at the same time as research reveals 42% of telecoms businesses are reporting a skills gap in the external labour market.

In rural and island locations, finding employees with telecoms skills can be an even greater challenge.

As part of the Orkney International Science Festival, FarrPoint’s Alan Patterson, Nikki Robertson and Kristina Vard visited Kirkwall Grammar School to deliver two ‘Connectivity and the Internet of Things’ workshops for young people.

The youngsters who attended got the chance to explore the world of connectivity, check their mobile signal strengths and test some smart IoT solutions.

They also learned how to map 4G mobile signal using FarrPoint’s mobile mapping tool at the events over the last two weeks which finished yesterday.

Alan Patterson, Telecoms Consultant at FarrPoint said: “Everyone’s talking about careers in STEM more generally, as various industries try to attract more talent, but you don’t hear much about working in telecoms.

“It may not be the first career choice that comes to mind. However, it’s a sector that has seen huge developments recently and is fast-paced and exciting.

“A job in telecoms could be anything from a satellite engineer who plans and design telecoms infrastructure in space, to a design engineer running the television and internet coverage for major sporting events.

“A telecom leader planning how high streets and shopping centres function, or in the health sector where connectivity is hugely important to improving health care.”

Nikki Robertson, GIS consultant at FarrPoint added: “It was great to see so many young people get involved in our hands-on workshops, which we designed specifically to demonstrate that telecoms can be fun and engaging.

“There are so many routes into our industry, but if you have an interest in technology and how things work, that is an excellent start.

“Most of us have a smart mobile phone these days and can’t imagine a life without the Internet – it would certainly be a very different world to the one most young people are used to.

“But to keep that rate of progress going, we need more young talent to consider joining the sector.”

Maha Abhishek, Deputy Festival Director said: “We were thrilled to have FarrPoint join us at the Orkney International Science Festival’s Family Day for young people and their families to delve into the fascinating world of connectivity and the Internet of Things.

“Their presence added a unique and valuable dimension to our event, shedding light on topics that are often not commonly explored within the vibrant programme of science festivals.

“This opportunity was especially meaningful for remote communities in Orkney, as it allowed us to engage with these intriguing subjects in a way we rarely get to do.”

Andrea Rutherford, HIE’s head of policy for Digital Highlands and Islands, said: “The use of Internet of technology is growing all the time in industry, as more and more firms discover the business benefits it can bring.

“This emphasises the crucial nature of both digital connectivity and digital skills.

“Engaging young people at the Orkney Science and giving them an insight into how technology and connectivity is applied in business is a great way to encourage many of them to start thinking about potential technology-related career options.”

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A RENOWNED accountancy programme that can put a young candidate without a university background on the path to becoming a fully-fledged accountant is celebrating its fifth year.

Douglas Home & Co’s Professional Development Programme has so far helped nine young accountants from Hawick to Edinburgh forge a career in the industry.

The programme has now welcomed its sixth generation of trainee accountants and has been praised for giving young people their start in the accountancy sector, especially those who don’t feel that higher education is a path that suits them.

Since its establishment in 2018, all nine traineeship graduates have worked across various teams in the firm while undertaking further professional qualifications with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT).

Jake Kerr, one of Douglas & Co’s former trainees who now works in the firm’s Accounts Department said: “Upon leaving school, I was really unsure of what career path I planned to pursue but joining the traineeship scheme was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made – it made sense right away.

“I’ll likely be qualified at a similar time than if I had opted to go into further education but this way I’ve been able to earn and get really important workplace experience, which I’m confident will stand me in great stead.

“From the get-go, I was given all the right tools to learn the new trade and have been supported with advice and learnings ever since. The programme has given me an excellent foundation to grow into the industry and get fully qualified.”

The programme has been plauded for presenting trainees with the opportunity to embark on the first step on the accountancy career ladder, providing training in VAT and Bookkeeping, Account Preparation, and Tax Returns.

Another ex-trainee, Jody Cree was one of the first to go through DH&Co’s Professional Development programme. She has since risen through the ranks, now applying her expertise in the firm’s Trust and Estate compliance team.

Jody said: “I’m very grateful that Douglas Home & Co gave me the opportunity to be a part of their first trainee programme, I’ve never looked back.

“I’m personally very happy I took this route as opposed to further education. I’ve been able to learn new skills at my own pace and create bonds with the brilliant team here at Douglas Home & Co – it has been a brilliant experience so far.”

Applicants to the scheme are expected to be educated to National 5 or Higher level, but there is no requirement for higher education experience or qualifications. The scheme has supported on average two trainees per year since its inception.

Twoof the current company directors rose through the ranks in Douglas Home & Co, having started out as juniors in the firm.Darren Thomson and Sheryl Macaulay are both now Directors at Douglas Home & Co, carrying out their training while working at the company.

Sheryl, who joined as a junior at the firm in 2002, said: “I know first-hand the benefits of training in-house; it opens so much opportunity for daily learnings and provides an incredible support system and career stepping stone. It offered me an important career route into financial services without completing a degree.

“We’re very pleased that the Professional Development Programme continues to go from strength to strength as it celebrates its fifth anniversary this year, it’s rewarding to watch a breadth of young talent come through the system and add fresh-thinking to the firm.

“As we expand further, it’s important that we keep offering young adults these opportunities. The scheme embodies our belief in nurturing local talent, which is at the core of the Douglas Home & Co’s culture.”

As well as the Professional Development Programme, Douglas Home & Co also takes on Graduate Trainees, who gain professional qualifications with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) through an alternative professional development pathway.

Douglas Home & Co was founded in the 1983 in the Scottish Borders, where it remains headquartered. The firm has since expanded to set up offices in Edinburgh, East Lothian, Cumbria, and Northumberland. It prides itself on being a fast growing, forward thinking, local company which provides excellent career prospects.

To find out more about Douglas Home & Co, visit: https://www.douglashomeandco.co.uk/

To apply to the Professional Development Programme, visit: https://www.douglashomeandco.co.uk/careers/

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1. Your Home’s Age: It’s Got That Vintage Vibe  

If your home was built before the 1980s, there’s a chance it could contain asbestos. This mineral was wildly popular because of its heat-resistant, insulating, and fireproof qualities. Builders used it in everything from roof shingles to floor tiles. So, if your place is giving off serious retro vibes, you might want to dig a little deeper. But don’t dig too deep. Asbestos is toxic as the particles are disturbed and distributed throughout your home – companies like abruss.co.uk are trained to deal with it. 

2. Mysterious Floor and Ceiling Tiles  

That vintage 9-inch by 9-inch floor tiles and that throwback popcorn-style ceiling might be giving your home some character, but they also might be waving a caution flag about asbestos. Back in the day, asbestos was often a go-to material for these installations because of its durability and fire-resistant properties.  

So while you may appreciate the nostalgic charm they bring, you should be wary. But it doesn’t stop with just tiles and ceilings. Asbestos was a jack-of-all-trades in older homes. Take, for instance, the pipe insulation.  

If you venture into your basement or peek around older boilers, you might discover insulation that’s not just old but potentially hazardous. It’s a sneaky presence, often overlooked until renovations or repairs are needed. When in doubt about these suspicious materials, it’s always best to err on the side of caution. Before going all DIY, consider calling professionals for an asbestos assessment. 

3. Brittle or Crumbling Insulation  

If you’ve ever ventured into your attic or basement and stumbled upon insulation that’s looking a tad old-school—like it’s got an oddly fuzzy texture or is crumbling at the touch—you’re right to raise an eyebrow. It’s not just about the age, but the very nature of this insulation. Often referred to as “vermiculite,” this type of insulation has a granular, pebble-like appearance. While not all vermiculite contains asbestos, a significant portion mined from certain areas did. Moreover, time isn’t a friend to materials like this.  

As years go by, even the most solid-looking insulation can break down, releasing those potentially harmful asbestos fibres. So, if you find yourself face-to-face with some suspect insulation, don’t play hero and try to remove it yourself. Asbestos is sneakiest when it’s airborne, so it’s best to call in experts who can handle it safely. 

A Friendly Reminder 

While these signs can give you a heads-up, it’s always a good idea to call in professionals if you’re suspicious. They can provide thorough testing and guidance. Remember, it’s not the presence of asbestos that’s dangerous, but when its fibres become airborne. So, before you go tearing up tiles or insulation, make sure you know what you’re dealing with. 

It’s always best to consult a professional before dealing with anything that can cause damage to your health. Your lungs will thank you! 

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