Latest news with #Elizabeth
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Automotive
- The Herald Scotland
They feel unloved. They're angry. And they have very big tractors
'What's the most valuable cup you've got in here, then?' I venture to ask him. 'What do you think it is?' he replies a little enigmatically. My eyes alight on a large gold cup that looks much grander and elegant than anything you'll see being handed out to winning football teams. He doesn't quite say 'you've chosen wisely,' but I know that's what he's thinking. 'How much do you think it's worth?' he asks me. 'Maybe 25 grand,' say I. He's shaking his head. 'Add a zero and bit more on top,' he says. 'You're joking,' say I. 'Nope: £320,000.' It's called the Paisley Perpetual Gold Challenge Cup and it will go to the beast of the tournament. There's also a lovely, unadorned gold cup that was gifted by HM Queen Elizabeth (God rest her wee soul). But it's the tractors and the combine harvesters I've mainly come here for. At an agricultural exhibition last year I'd noticed entire squadrons of these metal amazons lined up in military formation as though set for battle. I hadn't realised how big their tractors had become and resolved to attend this Royal Highland Show to see them close up. You could chib castles with these machines and I've always wanted to drive one. Charlie Webber is the High Horsepower Product Tractor Product Specialist for CNS, one of the UK's top tractor outfits. It more or less means he's responsible for the big chaps. 'What are these coming in at, Charlie?' We're standing beside a gorgeous big red tractor that comes with its own ladders to access the cockpit. 'That one's about £400k,' he says. If you fitted it with machine guns, there's not much that would stop it, I'm thinking. He tells me the market's 'steady' right now, though there are still post-Covid challenges. 'People who are re-investing in their equipment are finding it a little more challenging to get a return on what they're producing,' he says. 'With inflation, everything's got more expensive.' They're beasts of burden though, which pay for themselves after several years of hard labour in all weathers. They literally and figuratively drive a farm's economy: rock solid investment vehicles, if you like. I've still retained my childhood fascination for them, though and so has Mr Webber. When you see one of these as a child you thrill to them and it never really leaves you. Same with the combine harvesters, especially when you see them threshing the barley and oats and spitting it out their chimneys. The Morris family (Image: Newsquest) 'If you're born on a farm or near a farm, your earliest memory is when you're sat inside one as a child as it works the fields,' he says. 'They're built for next-level comfort too because at the height of the seasons you'll be doing 16-hour days.' Neil Redpath's family firm have been making tyres to the agricultural industry for 45 years and I'm asking him why the tractors are getting so big. 'Basically, there aren't people putting their bums on the seats,' he says. 'Once, you might have had four tractors, now you have two doing the work of four, so they have to be bigger. That tractor has to do so many more different jobs, when once you'd have a separate one to do the spraying. There are fewer people wanting to work the hours. 'Covid was a watershed, but it's been happening since before then. More than 80% of people who leave us do so because we work Saturday mornings, 8 until noon, even though we pay double time plus 37 quid for coming out on a Saturday. They tell us it interrupts their weekends, especially if they've been out late the night before.' I'm thinking the social life in Scotland's more remote places must be a bit more jaggy and jumpy than I'd previously thought. 'Our main challenge as a tyre firm is to get all that power into the ground without the tyre collapsing. These machines have grown in tonnage and we need to calculate exactly what pressure you need to carry that piece of equipment.' Read more Welcome to our book festival. It's diverse, inclusive but don't forget your pronouns Then I spot a lad called Harrison Morris whose T-shirt, I've decided, wins best in show. The wee man's a wheelchair-user and his shirt bears the legend: 'Everything hurts and I'm dying'. He's down from Shetland with his family, including his grandpa, Bill and mum, dad and sister: Steve, Louise and Neveah. Bill, a retired chef, has been coming here for many years. 'It's the best show in Scotland,' he says. The Royal Highland Show has been going for more than 200 years. It's one of those events you've heard about often and meant to visit, but never quite got round to. Plus, being full of farmers and country types, you might struggle to acclimatise. What hits you first is the scale of this event. This showground, beside Edinburgh Airport, becomes not a circus or a village but a small township. Today, there are easily more than 50,000 which will build to almost 200,000 when it finishes tomorrow. More than 1,000 retail and hospitality units provide the esoteric weft and warp of rural life: their hardy, utilitarian apparel; their no-messing-about food: the glamping-pods and wooden tents. It's not your world, but you fall into step with it. And then there's the accents and dialects: the whas, the yins, the kens and the whitaboots that a persistent Glaswegian needs to hear once in a while as a release from our pure glo'al mono-verse. You need also to be reminded that around 80% of Scotland's land-mass is put to agricultural production and that you're not living in an urban townscape, but in a rural realm with the odd concrete settlement here and there. More than 70,000 Scottish jobs are directly sustained by Scotland's rural economy and around 350,000 others are dependent on it. Agriculture is the third largest employer in rural Scotland behind the public sector and the service sector. And right now, it's a community that feels unloved and under-appreciated. They remain angry at last year's inheritance tax rises, which they feel represented a cheap early broadside by a feckless Labour administration to soften up its core supporters, knowing they'd be taking an axe to social the social welfare budget a few months later. The trophy room (Image: Newsquest) The farmers have feared cuts in their livestock numbers ever since the Scottish Greens began throwing their weight around at Holyrood. The Greens hate everything to do with farming: the machinery, the red meat and the greenhouse emissions from coos' arses. A rule of thumb operates in Scotland though: if the Greens are against you then you must be doing something right. The UK's National Climate Change Committee has been pushing for a reduction in livestock numbers leading to fears among meat farmers that lower quality American beef producers will exploit this under the new trade deal. In this setting, Keir Starmer is perceived as a weak leader eager to do anything to please an excitable American president. Scottish Secretary Ian Murray is making an appearance at the UK Government's tented enclosure so I join in a mini agricultural media huddle gathered around him. Glen Barclay of the Scottish Farmer (supporting farmers in Scotland since 1893, by the way) kindly suggests a question I might ask to make it look as though I'm fully conversant with these issues. Mr Murray seems to be enjoying himself and looks relaxed. He even extends me an invitation to join him later in a dram at a Scotch Whisky Society event, which I must refuse. He bats away all the questions rather easily with variations on the theme of 'The UK Government won't be altering its inheritance tax provisions for anyone, but we've had friendly discussions with the National Farmers Union to show that we're at least listening to them.' I can't keep away from those tractors, though and Charlie Webber hesitantly permits me to climb inside one. It's got a big bouncy seat and there's plenty of room for your sausage rolls and ginger. Gordon the photographer sees my guard is down and begins snapping away with his vulpine grin, but I'm not giving one single flying f***.
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Toddler fighting for life after swim left her infected with deadly bacteria
A toddler has been left fighting for her life after contracting a deadly condition while swimming in a lake with her family during a day out as doctors fight tirelessly to keep her alive A two-year-old girl has been left in a critical condition after catching three dangerous strains of E. coli following a family day out at a lake. Little Elizabeth Faircloth became seriously ill just days after swimming and boating at Keystone Lake in Oklahoma, US, in early June. What began as a fun day in the sun quickly turned into a medical emergency. Doctors initially believed the toddler had strep throat and prescribed antibiotics - but the medication only worsened her condition, her heartbroken mum Suzanne Faircloth told US outlet KOTV. 'It blows our minds because we've never even heard of anything like this ever happening,' Suzanne said. READ MORE: Man, 55, diagnosed with dementia after doctor noticed one sign before diagnosis Further tests confirmed the devastating diagnosis. Elizabeth had contracted not one but three different strains of E. coli bacteria. The infection triggered Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), a rare and potentially fatal complication that can cause kidney failure, brain injury and liver damage. 'It's a nightmare,' Suzanne said. 'And it happened so fast, within like a week, we're here.' Doctors have since placed Elizabeth on dialysis and medically paralysed her to give her fragile body the best possible chance of recovery. The paralysis is a temporary state induced by medication to help reduce strain on her organs. Her aunt, Melissa Lynne, has been sharing updates online, revealing that her kidneys have been the most severely impacted. 'Although the prognosis is hopeful, it will be a very long battle to get her well again,' Melissa said. 'It's uncertain if she will ever recover 100 percent, or if there will be permanent kidney and/or brain damage.' To make matters worse, Elizabeth has also developed a lung infection, but her care team are unable to treat it with antibiotics over fears it could worsen her already fragile state. 'They are working night and day, the staff is amazing, just to keep her stable,' her mum said. 'It kind of feels like you're drowning and you get brief moments of air just enough to keep you alive - but there's no end in sight.' The family have launched a GoFundMe to help with medical expenses, raising more than $8,000 (£6.6k) of their $10,000 (£8k) target so far. In a heartfelt message, they urged other parents to be aware of the symptoms and act fast if their children fall ill after swimming in open water. 'We just can't imagine another child fighting for their life or parents living through this hell, when we could have warned families,' they wrote. 'Stay vigilant, parents, and get your kids in early if symptoms arise after a lake day. The faster you get your kids in, the better the odds.'
Business Wire
5 hours ago
- Business
- Business Wire
HarbourVest Partners Appoints Elizabeth Pritchard as a Managing Director
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--HarbourVest Partners, a global private markets investment specialist with more than $147 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2025, today announced the appointment of Elizabeth Pritchard as managing director and Head of Data and Analytics. In this role, Elizabeth will lead and grow the firm's data vision and strategy. 'We are excited to welcome Elizabeth to HarbourVest,' said John M. Toomey Jr., CEO, HarbourVest Partners. 'Data-driven decision making has always been at the core of how we operate and is crucial to delivering strong outcomes for our clients. As we enter the next phase of our data journey, Elizabeth will guide us in leveraging over 40 years of data to stay ahead in a constantly evolving market, and providing our investors with the level of data, transparency and insights they need to achieve their investment objectives.' Elizabeth has nearly 30 years of experience in finance, with extensive leadership experience in data analytics and AI, most recently as Chief Data and Analytics Officer for Liberty Mutual Investments. Prior to that, she was the founder and CEO of White Rock Data Solutions and has held additional leadership positions at organizations including Crux Informatics, American International Group, and Goldman Sachs. She is on the Board of Eagle Alpha as an Independent non-Executive Director. Elizabeth earned a BS in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University and an MS in Industrial Engineering and an MBA from Columbia University. HarbourVest Partners, LLC is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. The information on this site is intended solely for the benefit of firms and companies seeking private equity investment capital by providing general information on our services and philosophy. The material on this site is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer or solicitation to purchase any investment solutions or a recommendation to buy or sell a security nor is it to be construed as legal, tax or investment advice. Unless otherwise indicated, any information available through this site is as of the date indicated therein and may not be updated or otherwise revised to reflect information that subsequently becomes available. HarbourVest is under no obligation to update the information contained on this site. Additionally, the material on this site does not constitute a representation that the solutions described therein are suitable or appropriate for any person and HarbourVest does not accept any liability with respect to the information. ABOUT HARBOURVEST HarbourVest is an independent, global private markets firm with over 43 years of experience and more than $147 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2025. Our interwoven platform provides clients access to global primary funds, secondary transactions, direct co-investments, real assets and infrastructure, and private credit. Our strengths extend across strategies, enabled by our team of more than 1,250 employees, including more than 235 investment professionals across Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Across our private markets platform, our team has committed more than $63 billion to newly-formed funds, completed over $64 billion in secondary purchases, and invested over $47 billion in direct operating companies. We partner strategically and plan our offerings innovatively to provide our clients with access, insight, and global opportunities.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Toddler, 2, left fighting for life after holiday swim as she was infected with THREE strains of deadly bacteria
Elizabeth is now on dialysis and has been medically paralysed to give her the best shot at recovery 'NIGHTMARE' Toddler, 2, left fighting for life after holiday swim as she was infected with THREE strains of deadly bacteria Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LITTLE Elizabeth Faircloth was left fighting for her life after contracting three strains of deadly E. coli. Doctors now fear the two-year-old may suffer permanent brain or kidney damage after the infection ravaged her tiny body. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Elizabeth Faircloth (pictured), 2, was left fighting for her life after she contracted three strains of E. coli Credit: GoFundMe 2 Elizabeth's family shared heartbreaking photos of their daughter hooked up to breathing tubes Credit: GoFundMe "It blows our minds because we've never even heard of anything like this ever happening," Suzanne Faircloth, the girl's mum, said. Elizabeth had been swimming and boating at Oklahoma's Keystone Lake with her family in early June when she started feeling unwell. At first, doctors thought it was strep throat and gave her antibiotics. But the meds only aggravated the infection, the mum told KOTV. Some time later, the family were told Elizabeth had tested positive for three different strains of E. coli bacteria. This led to Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS) - a rare life-threatening complication from E. coli. It can cause severe kidney failure, liver damage, and brain injury. "It's a nightmare," Suzanne said. "And it happened so fast, within like a week, we're here." The toddler is now on dialysis and has been medically paralysed to give her the best shot at recovery, according to her aunt Melissa Lynne. This means doctors have used drugs to temporarily stop her muscles from moving, helping her body rest while she fights the infection. Melissa wrote in a social media post last week that Elizabeth's kidneys have been 'most severely' impacted. Food Standards Agency explains E Coli 'Although the prognosis is hopeful, it will be a very long battle to get her well again, and it's uncertain if she will ever recover 100 per cent or if there will be permanent kidney and/or brain damage," she added. Elizabeth is also now battling an infection in her lungs, but doctors can't give her antibiotics as it could worsen her condition, the family said in a Facebook post on Monday. "They are working night and day, the staff is amazing, just to keep her stable,' Suzanne added. 'It kind of feels like you're drowning and you get brief moments of air just enough to keep you alive, but there's no end in sight." The family have launched a GoFundMe in Elizabeth's name, which has so far raised $8,248 (£6.6K) of its $10K goal (£8K). What are the symptoms of an E. coli infection? Escherichia coli O157, sometimes called STEC (Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli), is a bacterial infection that can cause severe stomach pain, bloody diarrhoea and kidney failure. The NHS lists the symptoms as: Diarrhoea Stomach cramps Occasionally fever About half of people with the infection will have bloody diarrhoea. People usually notice symptoms three to four days after they' ve been infected. But symptoms can start any time between one and 14 days afterwards. These symptoms can last up to two weeks. A small number of people with E. coli O157 infection go on to develop a serious condition called haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). Symptoms of HUS include: Peeing less Tiredness Swelling Bruising This can sometimes lead to kidney failure and death, although this is rare. The risk of HUS is highest in children aged under five years. Some people become infected but don't develop symptoms. Speak to your GP if you or your child has diarrhoea and: It's particularly frequent or severe It lasts for more than seven days A severe or continuous stomach ache Weight loss Have passed a large amount of very watery diarrhoea Have signs of dehydration – including drowsiness, peeing less than usual, and feeling lightheaded or dizzy If you or your child has bloody diarrhoea contact your GP practice and ask for an urgent appointment or call NHS 111 '[We] just can't imagine another child fighting for their life or parents living through this hell, when we could have warned families,' they wrote. 'Stay vigilant parents and get your kids in early if symptoms arise after a lake day.' 'The faster you get your kids in, the better the odds.'
The Journal
2 days ago
- The Journal
Calls made to recognise Elizabeth Plunkett as a legal victim of Ireland's first serial killers
THE CASE OF Elizabeth Plunkett, the 23-year-old victim of Ireland's first serial killers, was raised today in the Dáil following the publication of a new podcast on her murder. Elizabeth's family are seeking a cold case review into her death. A new RTÉ podcast narrated by Roz Purcell was recently released which examines the 1970s murder. In 1976, Elizabeth, from Ringsend, was murdered by Ireland's first serial killers, John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans. The pair then killed a second woman, Mary Duffy. Shaw was convicted of Mary Duffy's murder but was never convicted of Elizabeth's. Elizabeth's sisters are now continuing their long fight for justice for their sister and want gardaí to open a cold case review and legally recognise them as victims. Raising the matter in the Dáil today, Labour leader Ivana Bacik noted that the pair, Kathleen and Bernadette, are not regarded as victims of the Parole Board, an issue that came to light in 2023. Advertisement She asked the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to rectify this issue and help bring some closure to the family. Responding to Bacik, the Taoiseach said he will ask the Minister for Justice to deal directly with her and with Elizabeth's family in an effort to bring closure. The killers In 1976, Englishmen John Shaw and Geoffrey Evans set out to rape and murder women in Ireland. The two men had fled to this island after being released from prison in the UK. According to Stephen Rae's book, Killers: Murders in Ireland, the two men were subject of a manhunt by British forces in connection with the rape of three girls, one of whom was the 16-year-old daughter of a police officer. They soon came to the attention of the authorities here and were up in court for a number of crimes including burglary. Shaw, already a father of three children at this point, had a string of convictions against him. He was previously imprisoned for attempted rape as well as for indecently assaulting a young boy. His partner in crime Geoffrey Evans, a father of two, also had a remarkable rap sheet. In 1975, Shaw was imprisoned for 18 months for burglary, while Evans served just three weeks. Upon their release in 1976, the two began to plan how they would go about finding, raping and murdering women. The two men would go on to abduct, torture, rape and murder, Elizabeth Plunkett (22) and Mary Duffy (24) in Wicklow and Mayo later that year. With reporting from Christina Finn Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
