Latest news with #MikeAtkinson
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
Mike Atkinson, bomb-disposal officer who was targeted by the IRA after defusing a powerful device
Major Mike Atkinson, who has died aged 67, was a bomb-disposal officer who dealt with more than 1,000 explosive-related incidents in a career which saw him defuse bombs in Northern Ireland, as well as reportedly the largest bomb to date in Germany, as a result of which he was targeted for assassination by the IRA. It also saw him parade naked for Margaret Thatcher, as well as becoming an acknowledged authority on military medals and the designer of the British Iraq war medal in 2003. Atkinson was an expert on Napoleon Bonaparte and possessed one of his personal medals. Asked what he was thinking as he attempted to defuse a bomb – which might at any millisecond atomise him – he replied that he simply thought of it as a series of small problems to address and solve, one after the other. Michael Neil Atkinson, always known as Mick, was born on September 14 1957 in the British Military Hospital Gibraltar into an Army family. His father, Maurice, was a sergeant-major and his mother, Sylvia, who was born in Madras, had been in the Women's Royal Army Corps. Atkinson had a peripatetic childhood, with his father's postings to West Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore and back home in the UK. In 1974 he enlisted in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Army Apprentices College, Chepstow, graduating in 1976 as an ammunition technician responsible for maintaining the safe use, storage and disposal of ammunition and explosives. He completed two gruelling tours of bomb-disposal duties (Explosive Ordnance Disposal, or EOD) in Northern Ireland in 1979 and 1984. In his first tour he worked in Belfast, where the tempo of operations was intense. On a single day, July 4 1979, he blew up six suspect vehicles using a remote-controlled robot nicknamed the 'wheelbarrow' – resulting in the eventual loss of the robot. Atkinson's second tour was based in Armagh, including the 'Bandit Country' of South Armagh, where he defused a number of large IRA improvised explosive devices, or IEDs – including a 300lb car bomb, and a 600lb landmine deliberately planted to kill the EOD team. From the end of 1982 until the middle of 1986 Atkinson was based in West Germany with the British Army of the Rhine, then 55,000-strong. With a great deal of live-firing training, the demands upon ammunition technical staff were exacting. On a subsequent tour in Germany, in May 1990, Atkinson was responsible for defusing the most powerful IRA bomb discovered in Germany, at Langenhagen Barracks in Hanover, consisting of more than 100lb of Semtex high explosive. During the subsequent court proceedings his personal details were disclosed, and this was to have serious consequences for Atkinson and his family. Some time later, back in the UK, his wife saw two men in their garden; they were later identified as IRA terrorists on a reconnaissance mission with the intention of assassinating him. He and his family were immediately relocated. In 1986 Atkinson completed a short tour in the Falkland Islands, where he was kept busy with the explosive and ammunition left-overs, principally Argentinian, from the 1982 conflict. On one occasion, on what was officially known as a Counter Improvised Nuclear Device Emergency Response (CINDER) demonstration, Atkinson, thanks to a tear in his protective clothing, had to complete the full decontamination drills – which included him having to shower naked in front of Mrs Thatcher. In June 1992, after a six-month posting to Belsize, Atkinson, by then a Warrant Officer (Class 1), was commissioned as an Ammunition Technical Officer. In 2000 he resigned his commission and accepted the offer of a post as a Retired Officer and deputy in charge of the Army Medal Office in Droitwich. With his interest and expertise in medals and his usual enthusiasm he was well-suited for the job as it entered possibly the busiest time in the history of the office. There, he was described as an enthusiastic perfectionist with a deep knowledge and passion for medals. He designed the 2003 Iraq War medal which features on the reverse an image of Lamassu, an ancient Assyrian deity with the head of a man and the body of a bull, above the word 'IRAQ'. He said the idea came to him while he was lying in his bath. Atkinson was an expert on Napoleon and regularly lectured on the man, his battles and his leadership. The subject allowed him to combine two of his great enthusiasms, the studies of history and of medals. Atkinson bought what he believed was a medal which had once belonged to the Emperor and made it his mission to prove its provenance – in which he succeeded. His research also included the Royal Flying Corps and German First World War medals. In 2005 he updated the Queen's Royal Medals Collection. He was a member of the Orders and Medals Research Society and the Birmingham Medals Society. He also regularly briefed new bomb disposal officers and lectured at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham in Oxfordshire. Atkinson was a modest and generous person who for many years acted as a carer and friend for a soldier injured by a bomb in Oman in the early 1970s. He was always fit – he ran for the Army, was a keen walker and took part in the demanding Nijmegen Marches, which claim to be the world's largest multi-day walking event. Mike Atkinson is survived by his wife Christine and their son. Mike Atkinson, born September 14 1957, died March 31 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Aussie campsite 'more expensive than a three-bedroom house' as major change looms
An eye-opening example of the proposed new camping fees in NSW national parks shows how Aussie families will be expected to fork out almost $700 for a week-long camping trip during the school holidays. The shocking increase has experts fearing it will bring family traditions to an end, and rule out camping as the cheap holiday option that it once was. Adventurer and filmmaker Mike Atkinson, also known as Outback Mike, explained in a video to his followers that under the proposed changes, a campsite in high season would cost $679 per week. Comparatively, he found a three-bedroom house for rent just outside the national park that is listed at $600 a week. 'The main reason I was making that comparison is that someone is renting out this house and making a profit with all of the infrastructure and building that's gone into a house, and all National Parks has done is clear a patch of ground and put some dunnies and some facilities nearby,' Mike told Yahoo News. He also counted 89 campsites on the map, and concluded that a fully booked campsite would create more than $55,000 in revenue in just one week. Mike believes if the changes go through, there's no going back. 'It's never going to get cheaper after this,' he said. 'It'll block a whole bunch of people out that just will never be able to afford it. And it will also just discourage young people. Basically anyone who's not middle class with spare cash will really struggle to camp, so it'll just be a trend that less people camp, and it's for rich people or middle class. It'd be devastating, really, for a lot of people. 'It'll affect your kids your grandkids and everything. So it's really important.' The proposal will categorise all campsites into six tiers based on the facilities available, with each tier being more expensive. A simple clearing with no facilities will remain free, while campgrounds from tier 2 to tier 5 (which make up 85 per cent of sites) will range from $22 per night in high season for the most basic campground to $65 for sites that have water and access to a flushable toilet. The top campsites, tier 6, which have hot showers and BBQ facilities, will cost $89 per night. Campsite charges would also be linked to the consumer price index, meaning they'll increase annually. Seasonal pricing will also apply, with higher rates during peak periods and cheaper fees in the off-season. It would mark the first major fee update since 2017. Last week, the chance for residents to have their say about the controversial changes came to an end, with more than 23,000 submissions made. While it has caught the attention of politicians, Mike feels like it's still not enough and has now launched a new ePetition that residents of NSW can sign to keep momentum going. In the petition, Mike is pushing to keep camping affordable for all Australians and calls for three key changes: The NSW Government should fund national parks adequately instead of relying on camper fees Booking systems for campgrounds that did not have one prior to Covid should be removed An increase in the number of campsites commensurate with park visitation Once an ePetition has more than 20,000 signatures, it must be mentioned in Parliament. Mike is hoping for as many as possible, and said he would be thrilled to see 100,000 signatures. The motion is being backed by Nationals MP Scott Barrett, who said it is essential that national parks are 'accessible to as many people as possible'. 'They're everyone's assets, not just the top echelon,' he told Yahoo News. 'Everyone should be able to get into a national park, stay there the night, light a fire, roll out a swag and enjoy some of the best country that this state has to offer.' Mr Barrett recently spent six months with his family travelling around Australia with camper trailer where he stayed in national parks, and says this fight 'is personal'. 'We should be encouraging people to get out into these areas, not making it out of reach of a lot of people,' he said. If you're a NSW resident who is interested in signing the petition, you can find it here. It will remain open until August 21, 2025. Last week, NPWS assured Yahoo News "all feedback will be carefully considered" now the feedback window has closed, and "consistency and equity" for campers remains at the forefront of what authorities are trying to achieve. "No decisions have been made on the proposal," the NPWS spokesperson said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shocking camping price rise sparks new petition: '$679 a week'
An eye-opening example of the proposed new camping fees in NSW national parks shows how Aussie families will be expected to fork out almost $700 for a week-long camping trip during the school holidays. The shocking increase has experts fearing it will bring family traditions to an end, and rule out camping as the cheap holiday option that it once was. Adventurer and filmmaker Mike Atkinson, also known as Outback Mike, explained in a video to his followers that under the proposed changes, a campsite in high season would cost $679 per week. Comparatively, he found a three-bedroom house for rent just outside the national park that is listed at $600 a week. 'The main reason I was making that comparison is that someone is renting out this house and making a profit with all of the infrastructure and building that's gone into a house, and all National Parks has done is clear a patch of ground and put some dunnies and some facilities nearby,' Mike told Yahoo News. He also counted 89 campsites on the map, and concluded that a fully booked campsite would create more than $55,000 in revenue in just one week. Mike believes if the changes go through, there's no going back. 'It's never going to get cheaper after this,' he said. 'It'll block a whole bunch of people out that just will never be able to afford it. And it will also just discourage young people. Basically anyone who's not middle class with spare cash will really struggle to camp, so it'll just be a trend that less people camp, and it's for rich people or middle class. It'd be devastating, really, for a lot of people. 'It'll affect your kids your grandkids and everything. So it's really important.' The proposal will categorise all campsites into six tiers based on the facilities available, with each tier being more expensive. A simple clearing with no facilities will remain free, while campgrounds from tier 2 to tier 5 (which make up 85 per cent of sites) will range from $22 per night in high season for the most basic campground to $65 for sites that have water and access to a flushable toilet. The top campsites, tier 6, which have hot showers and BBQ facilities, will cost $89 per night. Campsite charges would also be linked to the consumer price index, meaning they'll increase annually. Seasonal pricing will also apply, with higher rates during peak periods and cheaper fees in the off-season. It would mark the first major fee update since 2017. Last week, the chance for residents to have their say about the controversial changes came to an end, with more than 23,000 submissions made. While it has caught the attention of politicians, Mike feels like it's still not enough and has now launched a new ePetition that residents of NSW can sign to keep momentum going. In the petition, Mike is pushing to keep camping affordable for all Australians and calls for three key changes: The NSW Government should fund national parks adequately instead of relying on camper fees Booking systems for campgrounds that did not have one prior to Covid should be removed An increase in the number of campsites commensurate with park visitation Once an ePetition has more than 20,000 signatures, it must be mentioned in Parliament. Mike is hoping for as many as possible, and said he would be thrilled to see 100,000 signatures. The motion is being backed by Nationals MP Scott Barrett, who said it is essential that national parks are 'accessible to as many people as possible'. 'They're everyone's assets, not just the top echelon,' he told Yahoo News. 'Everyone should be able to get into a national park, stay there the night, light a fire, roll out a swag and enjoy some of the best country that this state has to offer.' Mr Barrett recently spent six months with his family travelling around Australia with camper trailer where he stayed in national parks, and says this fight 'is personal'. 'We should be encouraging people to get out into these areas, not making it out of reach of a lot of people,' he said. If you're a NSW resident who is interested in signing the petition, you can find it here. It will remain open until August 21, 2025. Last week, NPWS assured Yahoo News "all feedback will be carefully considered" now the feedback window has closed, and "consistency and equity" for campers remains at the forefront of what authorities are trying to achieve. "No decisions have been made on the proposal," the NPWS spokesperson said. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Stan Atkinson's son Mike, colleague Roy Stearns remember news legend
Stan Atkinson's son Mike and former KCRA colleague Roy Stearns recall Stan Atkinson after the legendary journalist's death.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Big change looms for camping in national parks with major deadline from today
Avid campers and lovers of the great outdoors have only hours left to have their say about controversial changes to how camping grounds are managed by authorities in NSW as a proposed overhaul to booking systems is set to see travellers pay more to stay in public national parks. The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has invited community feedback on the comprehensive overhaul with the deadline for public consultation ending on Sunday, May 25. The proposal includes pegging fees to increases in the consumer price index, meaning prices would rise each year. It will also categorise all campsites into a hierarchy, with each tier being more expensive. A simple clearing with no facilities will remain free while campgrounds from tier 2 to tier 5 (which make up 85 per cent of sites) will range from $22 per night in high season for the most basic campground to $65 for sites that have water and access to a flushable toilet. The top campsites, tier 6, which have hot showers and BBQ facilities, will cost $89 per night. The proposal has seen critics take to social media with many worrying about the disappearance of an "affordable way to have a holiday". Aussie council makes major caravan rule change to tackle housing crisis Warning as major camping fee hike will 'price ordinary Aussies out' Caravan dad 'blown away' by sketchy problem at Aussie campsites Among those who have voiced concerns about the changes is Mike Atkinson, who appeared on the popular survivalist TV show Alone Australia and produces content about life in Australia's outdoors. "The really serious thing is that they are introducing camping fees to an enormous percentage of campgrounds that never had them before," he told Yahoo News earlier this month. "Never in the history of parks has there ever been a camping fee there... and now my guess is 60 to 70 per cent of campgrounds will have fees for the first time ever. I feel that the executives in NSW National Parks are running it like a business, and it's not, it's a public service." The higher costs are needed due to record investment in campground infrastructure, increased park management costs and changing community expectations, the National Parks and Wildlife Service says. The NSW parks service manages 895 parks and reserves which make up roughly 10 per cent of the state's total land mass. According to the consultation paper, visitation has grown 49 per cent over the last decade, and there are now more than 50 million visits to national parks every year, including 1.8 million overnight campground stays. In a recent video, Mike highlighted the Thredbo Diggings Campground in the Kosciuszko National Park which he believes will go from $6 to as much as $54 under the proposed system. Part of the justification is to tackle the issue of ghost bookings, which has been a problem in campsites across the country where booking systems have been introduced. The perception of ghost bookings is a big part of the reason Victoria is not renewing its free camping initiate from July. Another keen camper, Jay from CampingMates, highlighted the same site in a video discussing the overhaul and calling on people to provide feedback, and shared his own anecdote of ghost booking. "Out of 41 campsites at Thredbo Diggings, when I was there 30 campsites were booked but I was the only person for the entire campsite," he said. Those opposed to the changes say there is other ways to tackle the problem without raising prices on campers, such as automatic reminders and prompts to ensure cancellations are made. With hours left to provide feedback, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says all public input will still be considered. You can do so here. "All feedback on the proposal, which aims to introduce more consistent and simplified state-wide camping fees and bookings for NSW national parks and reserves will be carefully considered," a spokesperson told Yahoo News. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
