Campaign celebrates 50 years with poster campaign through jcdecaux

Juliana Sargeant always thought she was too busy to volunteer. But when the South Canterbury woman saw first-hand the importance of volunteering, after she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer, she decided to get involved. In the past few weeks, volunteers and the vital work they do has been celebrated in South Canterbury with two events. Joining in the celebrations was Sargeant, now a South Canterbury Plunket co-ordinator, who shared her story to the 50 attendees at Volunteering Mid and South Canterbury’s 15-year-anniversary event. READ MORE: Volunteering a family affair for two Timaru sisters Plunket Timaru to move its six sites into one hub Temuka woman retiring from voluntary role after almost 32 years “Everyone’s too busy these days, too busy working, too busy earning money, but there’s always things you can do,” Sargeant said. “Obviously being a mum of three, it’s hard to find the time do anything.” However, several years ago, she needed help looking … [Read more...] about South Canterbury woman journey from ‘too busy’ to volunteer co-ordinator

By Justin Parkinson Published 15 April 2015 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing In 1955 the first McDonald's franchise restaurant opened in the US. Now it is the world's biggest fast food chain, employing 1.9 million people. The word "McJob" has become a term of derision, but what's it like to actually work there? "Hello, can I help you?" asks the smiling young woman behind the counter. Within about 20 seconds of receiving the order, an Egg and Sausage McMuffin is on the counter. The woman smiles again and moves on to the next customer. The restaurant's only part-full but the serving area is still busy. That's the way McDonald's likes it. Staff are set time targets for service. Efficiency and profit margins are key. It's fair to say that, in the 60 years since the first franchised McDonald's restaurant opened, portrayals of its workplaces have not been universally … [Read more...] about What’s it really like to work at McDonald’s?

Published 17 February Share close Share page Copy link About sharing A group of environmental campaigners are protesting against raw sewage entering the River Severn. Residents in Ironbridge demonstrated outside a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSOs) near Dale End. Campaigner Kevin Bundy said they were fed up of the "poo-llution" and would be holding a public meeting on Friday to discuss the issue. Severn Trent Water said it believed that particular CSO did not affect "the river's ecological status". Water companies are legally allowed to discharge sewage into rivers at certain times. CSOs were developed as overflow valves to reduce the risk of sewage backing up during heavy rainfall , and flooding people's homes. A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: "Sewage pollution can be devastating to human health, local biodiversity and our environment. "Where there is … [Read more...] about Ironbridge protesters highlight River Severn sewage

Published 1 day ago Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Olivia Newton-John, who has died aged 73, began her career as the sweetheart of country-flavoured pop. It all changed when she donned black spandex for Grease, one of the most successful film musicals of all time. Her new raunchy image found its peak in her 1981 album, Physical. But a diagnosis of breast cancer saw her move to an introspective style and she devoted more time to humanitarian causes. Actress and singer Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73 Olivia Newton-John was born in Cambridge on 26 September 1948. Her Welsh father had been an MI5 agent during World War II attached to the Enigma project at Bletchley Park. Her mother was the daughter of the German Nobel laureate, Max Born, and had fled with her family when the Nazis came to power in 1933. In 1954 her father took up a post as a … [Read more...] about Obituary: Olivia Newton-John

By Rachel Flint Published 15 August 2021 Share close Share page Copy link About sharing Related Topics Coronavirus pandemic There are fears rules making it easier for pop-up campsites to open during the Covid pandemic have led to a "free-for-all", harming rural communities. Landowners can open campsites for up to 56 days without planning permission, after rules were relaxed. While owners say the sites are boosting tourism, some residents claim their communities have been damaged after campsites "sprang up overnight". The Welsh government said the rules were helping the tourism sector. With more people holidaying within the UK this summer, because of Covid rules on travel abroad, demand for camping in parts of Wales has risen , with reports of popular sites being booked up for months. During the pandemic the Welsh government temporarily relaxed planning … [Read more...] about Covid: Pop-up campsite rules ‘harming communities’

Published 26 April Share close Share page Copy link About sharing An angler says urgent action is needed to clean up the River Severn after finding "shocking" levels of pollution. Glyn Marshall, who also campaigns to protect rivers, said Severn Trent Water was not removing phosphate at its treatment plant at Diglis, Worcester. He fears pollution will lead to algae growth and wildlife dying. Severn Trent said its permit did not require it to remove phosphate at the site, but the plant was being upgraded to allow it to do this by May 2026. Mr Marshall, 65, said data from the river sewage map showed untreated waste went into the Severn at Diglis 81 times last year. "The residents of Worcester need to realise that what's going into our local river is horrible and it's not getting any better," he said. The river had become increasingly polluted and one example was reduced … [Read more...] about Worcester angler calls for pollution action to ‘save’ River Severn