Latest news with #BlueMonday
TimesLIVE
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Caterham bids adieu to Ford Sigma engine with Seven 310 Encore
Aero and styling updates include a 620-model nose cone, CUP grille, carbon fibre front wings and Caterham's black pack detailing on the windscreen surround, headlight bowls and exhaust heat shield. The chassis is finished in gunmetal grey and the car rides on 13" black Apollo alloy wheels shod with aggressive Toyo R888R performance tyres. Customers can choose from six colour schemes, each named after a well-known pop or rock song: Blue Monday, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Green Light, Orange Crush, Back in Black and White Noise. Inside, the Encore features black leather seats with grey stitching, a carbon fibre dashboard, Encore-branded dials, a removable Momo steering wheel and a four-point harness. Each car includes a unique numbered plaque mounted behind the seats. UK pricing starts at £39,995 (R969,726).
Daily Record
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
West Lothian schoolboy joins big bunch of jokers at the Scottish Parliament
P3 pupil John McGlynn from Livingston left MSPs in fits of laughter A Livingston schoolboy was one of 32 pupils from across the country who left MSPs chortling after cracking jokes at the Scottish Parliament. John McGlynn, a P3 pupil at St John Ogilvie RC Primary School, left them in fits of laughter as he represented West Lothian at the VoiceBox grand final. The national joke-telling competition is organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), with a regional winner representing each local authority in the final. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. Ezra Pasifull, who's in P3 at Oakbank Primary School in Perth, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian after leaving MSPs in stitches. The winning joke, delivered with confidence and impeccable timing, was: 'I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, who returned for her second year with the competition. Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. Following a strong nation-wide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning, and life outcomes. Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The 2025 final marks the second year VoiceBox has been held at the Scottish Parliament, following its January launch on Blue Monday, a date chosen to brighten the calendar and kick-off joke competitions in classrooms nationwide. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, the UK's leading whole-school primary reading programme. The overall winner's school received £500 worth of Collins Big Cat books, while the runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School, Kilwinning, North Ayrshire, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary, Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. In addition, the top three finalists received toy gift cards – £100 for the winner, £75 for second place, and £50 for third place.
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stirling pupil Ru gives MSPs at Holyrood a welcome laugh
The Allan's Primary youngster was one of just 32 finalists from thousands who entered the national joke telling competition, with the final being held at the Scottish Parliament. A P1 pupil from Allan's Primary School in Stirling had MSPs in fits of laughter recently at the VoiceBox grand final – a national joke-telling competition. Ru McCallum had taken part in the contest, organised by the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT). The final, which took place at Holyrood, featured 32 pupils from across Scotland, with a regional winner representing each local authority. Every finalist performed their joke live before an audience of MSPs, families, and supporters. The final followed a nationwide call for entries that saw thousands of jokes submitted by pupils from hundreds of primary schools. Ru's joke, which earned a place in the final, was: 'Why did the banana go to the doctor? Because he wasn't peeling very well!' VoiceBox was created by the RCSLT to spotlight the importance of early speech, language and communication development and the power of speech and language therapy. While rooted in fun, the competition's purpose is to raise awareness of the vital role communication plays in a child's confidence, learning, and life outcomes. Ezra Pasifull, of P3 at Oakbank Primary School in Perth and Kinross, was crowned Scotland's funniest young comedian after leaving MSPs in stitches. The winning joke, delivered 'with confidence and impeccable timing', was: 'I bought 10 bees but the beekeeper gave me 11 bees. I asked him why there is an extra bee and he said, because that one's a 'Free Bee!'.' Glenn Carter, Head of RCSLT Scotland, said: 'While the event is full of joy and laughter, its purpose is serious. Speech, language and communication are essential skills that underpin a child's learning, relationships, and long-term opportunities. VoiceBox shines a light on this by showing just what children can achieve when they're supported to express themselves.' The final was hosted by the Presiding Officer, Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, and compered by BBC journalist and comedian Zara Janjua, who returned for her second year with the competition. Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: 'It was a pleasure to welcome so many young people from across Scotland to their Parliament. Following a strong nation-wide competition, I want to congratulate all our finalists. The effort, imagination and thought that went into their contributions was extremely impressive. I'm pleased that once again the Parliament was able to support such a worthwhile competition.' The 2025 final marks the second year VoiceBox has been held at the Scottish Parliament, following its January launch on Blue Monday, a date chosen to brighten the calendar and kick-off joke competitions in classrooms nationwide. Each of the 32 finalists received £100 worth of books from sponsors Collins Big Cat, the UK's leading whole-school primary reading programme. The overall winner's school received £500 worth of Collins Big Cat books, while the runner-up, Freya McVie Branley from St Winning's Primary School in North Ayrshire, and third-place winner, Craig Speirs from Shortlees Primary School in East Ayrshire, were awarded £200 worth of books for their schools. In addition, the top three finalists received toy gift cards – £100 for the winner, £75 for second place, and £50 for third place.
Powys County Times
28-05-2025
- Powys County Times
Lake Vyrnwy nature trail and farmer's market coming up
Families visiting Lake Vyrnwy during the May half-term will be able to test their nature knowledge. The visitor site will host its 'Move with Nature Trail,' inviting everyone to explore and enjoy the surroundings. Participants can engage in a nature quiz and try out some of nature's key movements. The trail, free for all, will run from Monday, May 26, to Sunday, June 1. There is no trail sheet for the week; participants are asked to follow the markers around the Dam Trail. Griff Watkins, Lake Vyrnwy visitor site manager, said: "Lake Vyrnwy is a fantastic place for families to visit during the half-term holidays with lots to explore and do. "But we wanted to make sure there was something a little extra for everyone to take part in. "The trail is a really fun way to engage the whole family and also use it as a learning experience for everyone as well. "We look forward to welcoming everyone along during the holidays and hope they have a fantastic time." Blue Monday's coffee and cake trailer will be stationed at Rhiwargor car park on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for visitors to enjoy. In addition to the trail, the next farmer's market is set to take place on Saturday, June 7. The market brings together local businesses and food producers to celebrate some of what Mid-Wales has on offer. Visitors can come along anytime between 10am and 3pm to discover new products and learn about Lake Vyrnwy through the Vibrant Vyrnwy project. During the holidays and events, more people are expected to visit Lake Vyrnwy, enjoy the spectacular scenery, and have a good time with the walking routes on offer. However, visitors are asked to take note of the accessible routes as the clean-up after Storm Darragh continues. Teams have been on site since the storm, working hard to clear the debris and remove the fallen trees. This important work will continue during the half-term. Rhiwargor Car Park has now reopened for visitors to use, although the circular road remains closed. Storm Darragh hit Lake Vyrnwy early in December last year, causing significant damage with many trees uprooting and falling, blocking many of the trails and a large section of the perimeter road. The Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Artisan's café, The Chocolate Cabin, and the toilets are open, and the main car park and trails near the village are open and accessible. For regular updates on the works and what is happening on site with the clean-up, follow Lake Vyrnwy and Hafren Dyfrdwy on social media. Anyone interested in having a stall at the market should get in touch by emailing VisitorSites@
GMA Network
20-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DOJ commemorates National Refugee Day
The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Tuesday launched an event in commemoration of National Refugee Day in June, saying it is reaffirming its commitment in aiding refugees, asylum seekers, and stateless persons in the Philippines. The event was attended by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla, DOJ Refugees and Stateless Persons Protection Unit head Dennis Arvin Chan, Presidential Communications Office Assistant Secretary for Legal Aristotle Valera, UNHCR Philippines Head of National Office Maria Ermina Valdeavilla-Gallardo, and Syrian refugee Abdulkarim Alhalabi. 'As the Secretary of Justice, I pledge to further strengthen our systems, expand our partnerships, and uphold the rights of all persecuted people who seek asylum,' Remulla said in his speech. 'Let the upcoming National Refugee Day renew our commitment to compassion, to inclusion, and to justice, as this is not merely an act of policy, but an act of solidarity,' he added. The DOJ said that the week of National Refugee Day will open with a Blue Monday commemoration, followed by a National Refugee Conference. Other activities that will take place in the week include: • PhilSys Registration Day in coordination with the Philippine Statistics Authority; • Solidarity Bazaar featuring refugee-led businesses; • 3rd Refugee Film Festival and Solidarity Football Match in partnership with UNHCR Philippines, Football for Humanity, and San Beda University; and • Orientation on Local Integration and an information session on facilitated naturalization for newly recognized refugees. According to the DOJ, Presidential Proclamation No. 265, s.2023 declaring June 20 of every year National Refugee Day. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA Integrated News
