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North Wales Live
5 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Live
Lorry depot that can't house trucks a 'stain' on North Wales council's reputation
A Mochdre HGV depot that has cost taxpayers £240K a year for nine years has been branded a stain on the local authority. Conwy took on the contract for the purpose-built Mochdre 'shed' in May 2016, meaning the authority has spent around £2.2 million on rent and counting – despite never being able to use the building for its intended use. The depot's floor is unsuitable to sufficiently accommodate HGVs, yet the council is locked into the 35-year lease until 2031 – when the agreement can be broken. An independent, external review found that there were process failings in the way the council took on the lease at Mochdre Commerce Park, which was presented to a special meeting in March 2019. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. But despite the huge cost to taxpayers, a Conwy County Council spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter: 'The council is not able to comment on a matter that is the subject of ongoing litigation.' Counicllor Phil Ashe, the Colwyn Bay Town councillor for Dinerth, a ward bordering the site, urged the council to be transparent with taxpayers. 'The Mochdre shed is a stain on the county of Conwy,' he said. 'The local authority has made many mistakes over the years that have cost the county millions, and that is why it is in the mess it is in. Mochdre is a prime example. They've wasted thousands of pounds a month, millions of pounds for something we've never been able to use, and the lack of transparency from the local authority is awful. 'The taxpayers are funding this, and they haven't got the nerve to come out and explain what is going on. They keep hiding behind the legal case when in reality people have made mistakes and need to be held to account.' Should Conwy continue to honour the rent payments until 2031, the total expenditure on the depot would reach around £3.6m. Conwy has increased council tax by around 30% in three years while slashing services. Initially leased from Conygar Investment Company PLC, R.R Sea Strand Limited now serves as the landlords. The facility was used for storing pandemic-related equipment and even prepared as an emergency temporary morgue during the height of the COVID crisis but has been largely left unused. An independent report with Newcastle-based DWF LLP was commissioned by Conwy in 2021. The report was initially not made public but was eventually released following an FOI request, documenting a "lack of leadership, ignored or misunderstood policies, and a lack of accountability". Reflecting on the debacle, Conwy's then-chief executive, Iwan Davies, described the decision to lease the unusable building as "highly regrettable," while Cllr Anne McCaffrey labelled it "a shaming catalogue of errors."
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Lorry depot that can't house trucks a 'stain' on North Wales council's reputation
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A Mochdre HGV depot that has cost taxpayers £240K a year for nine years has been branded a stain on the local authority. Conwy took on the contract for the purpose-built Mochdre 'shed' in May 2016, meaning the authority has spent around £2.2 million on rent and counting – despite never being able to use the building for its intended use. The depot's floor is unsuitable to sufficiently accommodate HGVs, yet the council is locked into the 35-year lease until 2031 – when the agreement can be broken. An independent, external review found that there were process failings in the way the council took on the lease at Mochdre Commerce Park, which was presented to a special meeting in March 2019. Sign up for the North Wales Live newsletter sent twice daily to your inbox. But despite the huge cost to taxpayers, a Conwy County Council spokesperson said it was unable to comment on the matter: 'The council is not able to comment on a matter that is the subject of ongoing litigation.' Counicllor Phil Ashe, the Colwyn Bay Town councillor for Dinerth, a ward bordering the site, urged the council to be transparent with taxpayers. 'The Mochdre shed is a stain on the county of Conwy,' he said. 'The local authority has made many mistakes over the years that have cost the county millions, and that is why it is in the mess it is in. Mochdre is a prime example. They've wasted thousands of pounds a month, millions of pounds for something we've never been able to use, and the lack of transparency from the local authority is awful. 'The taxpayers are funding this, and they haven't got the nerve to come out and explain what is going on. They keep hiding behind the legal case when in reality people have made mistakes and need to be held to account.' Should Conwy continue to honour the rent payments until 2031, the total expenditure on the depot would reach around £3.6m. Conwy has increased council tax by around 30% in three years while slashing services. Initially leased from Conygar Investment Company PLC, R.R Sea Strand Limited now serves as the landlords. The facility was used for storing pandemic-related equipment and even prepared as an emergency temporary morgue during the height of the COVID crisis but has been largely left unused. An independent report with Newcastle-based DWF LLP was commissioned by Conwy in 2021. The report was initially not made public but was eventually released following an FOI request, documenting a "lack of leadership, ignored or misunderstood policies, and a lack of accountability". Reflecting on the debacle, Conwy's then-chief executive, Iwan Davies, described the decision to lease the unusable building as "highly regrettable," while Cllr Anne McCaffrey labelled it "a shaming catalogue of errors." Public notices in your area
The Advertiser
7 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
Sharing and repairing is caring for the planet and your bottom line
Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead. "The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says. Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers. Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies. "The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says. The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops. Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings. "Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says. Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade. Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family. "With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says. "Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes." The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October. "We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says. The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals. Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains. The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community." The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July. "This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says. "Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says. Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending. "Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says. Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm. Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures. "The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council. The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies. Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge. Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead. "The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says. Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers. Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies. "The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says. The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops. Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings. "Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says. Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade. Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family. "With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says. "Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes." The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October. "We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says. The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals. Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains. The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community." The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July. "This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says. "Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says. Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending. "Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says. Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm. Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures. "The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council. The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies. Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge. Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead. "The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says. Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers. Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies. "The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says. The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops. Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings. "Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says. Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade. Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family. "With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says. "Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes." The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October. "We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says. The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals. Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains. The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community." The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July. "This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says. "Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says. Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending. "Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says. Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm. Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures. "The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council. The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies. Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge. Whether you're seeking to save money or space, reduce waste, buy less, or contribute to the circular economy, there are many local initiatives in the Hunter where you can hire, borrow, or repair what you need instead. "The Share Shop is a 'library of things' that enables members to borrow infrequently used items as needed," volunteer president Lanah Maruff says. Inspired by the Renew Newcastle movement, The Share Shop came to life through the efforts of a handful of forward-thinking Novocastrians in 2018. Originally based at Clyde Street, it moved to Pachamama House in Hamilton in 2019 and is a wholly community-run initiative staffed by a dedicated committee of 15 volunteers. Membership costs $15 for three months or $52 annually and gives members access to a wide range of items, including garden and power tools, camping gear, kitchen appliances, board games, and party supplies. "The Share Shop exists to help people own less and live more. We do that by offering a service that helps people save money, space in their homes, and reduce waste to landfill," Maruff says. The Islington-based Newcastle Push Bike Library was established in 2007. Here, locals can buy, borrow, hire, swap, or trade bikes and access parts, repairs, advice, and workshops. Dan Endicott, the bike library's coordinator, is a passionate advocate of cycling and the many health, well-being, social, and sustainability benefits it brings. "Many high-quality bikes from the late '80s still last a lot longer than low-quality bikes," Endicott says. Thousands of older bikes have been fixed through the bike library over the last decade. Newcastle Toy Library is a not-for-profit, volunteer-run organisation that was established in 1975. It's located in the New Lambton Library and is open every Saturday from 9.30am to 11.45am. It offers over 1,500 toys, including puzzles, sensory toys, baby toys, active toys, games, and building toys, for children up to eight. One-year membership costs $45 per child or $55 for a family. "With the current cost-of-living pressures facing our community, our toy library offers families affordable access to quality toys, games, and puzzles," committee president Erin Rheinberger says. "Toy libraries are a real-life example of a circular economy - play, return, repeat. They give every toy a longer and more meaningful life, reduce waste, and cut down on clutter in homes." The Full Circle Collective is a Newcastle-based not-for-profit enterprise and circular economy hub that opened last October. "We showcase and sell products and services from over 50 local makers and innovators, who creatively use circular economy principles to design out waste and keep resources in use for longer," The Full Circle Collective's sustainability director, Bianca Bartlett, says. The store offers a range of products, including jewellery, home decor, paint, planters, and BYO container refills for cleaning and laundry products. It also hosts projects and events, including clothing swaps and community waste-to-art projects, offered on a pay-what-you-want basis. The Full Circle Collective launched its Repair Cafe in April. Held in-store on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm, people can bring items such as clothing, toys, or timber furniture in for repair by skilled professionals. Newcastle Libraries launched The Library of Useful Things in December 2024. "Nicknamed LOUT, it is a special collection curated to inspire inclusivity, sustainability and creativity," Emma Callaghan, who oversees LOUT, explains. The Share Shop already served the need for tools, machinery, and camping supplies. Callaghan says, "Newcastle Libraries wanted to offer a collection of other useful things not available from The Share Shop, but requested by our community." The collection includes fidget spinners, braille games, home energy kits, and Aranet4 air-quality monitors. It is ever-growing, with new items to be added in July. "This is a community-driven collection offering a chance to try a new, useful product before deciding to buy it, and a chance to use one-off equipment you may not want to purchase outright," she says. "Newcastle Repair Cafe is a place where skilled repairers teach non-repairers how to fix much-loved broken household items," Christina Robberds of Repair Cafe says. Launched in March 2022 by Newcastle Libraries, the Repair Cafe events are free and held every two months at various community locations across Newcastle. Residents can bring items such as textiles, toys, small tools, and furniture for repair or mending. "Community members are encouraged to have a go at fixing the item themselves, or repairers fix the item for them and talk through the repair process, offering tips and advice to build skills and confidence in our attendees," Robberds says. Bike repairs will be trialled at the upcoming Repair Cafe at Hamilton Community Hive (152 Beaumont St, Hamilton) on June 14 from 9.30am to 12pm. Lake Macquarie City Council offers residents a range of services designed to reduce waste and help alleviate cost-of-living pressures. "The Library of Things is just an extension of what libraries already do. We purchase items that libraries haven't traditionally purchased in the past and make them available for loan," says Kieran O'Donoghue, collection development leader at the council. The list of items available for loan is diverse and ever-growing, including jigsaws, games, baking and cooking accessories, sports equipment, tools, safety gear, and party supplies. Regular Repair It Lake Mac events are held across the city. Residents can bring in toys, household goods, furniture, and clothes to be repaired free of charge.
Scottish Sun
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Greggs mania as legions of JAPANESE fans desperate to visit UK to try firm's £1.30 sausage roll
Bemused Japanese journalists even interviewed families scoffing sausage rolls outside a branch in London LAND OF THE RISING CRUMB Greggs mania as legions of JAPANESE fans desperate to visit UK to try firm's £1.30 sausage roll Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) GREGGS has won a legion of followers in Japan after Madame Tussauds displayed a waxwork version of the bakery chain's sausage roll. Japanese expat influencers have been trying the British pastry favourite and waxing lyrical about it on TikTok. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Greggs has become a surprise hit in Japan, with the store even featured on national television Credit: 4 Japanese influencers have even travelled to the UK to test out sausage rolls Credit: 4 The interest in Japan was sparked by Greggs featuring at Madame Tussauds Credit: And their countrymen are now desperate to travel halfway around the world to try one for themselves. In one video, a Japanese TikTok influencer living in the UK tells her 10,000 followers she eats Greggs twice a day and says: 'If you plan to go to England, please try this.' Another said: 'Pretty sure it's a legal requirement in the UK to eat at least one Greggs.' The Newcastle-based chain became so well-known online that Japanese news channels have run TV reports explaining what it is. On one item on the popular Nippon TV network, a reporter tells viewers: 'Madame Tussauds, the wax museum that is one of London's popular tourist attractions, features numerous wax figures of British royal family members and world-famous celebrities. 'This time, the new exhibit is not a human, but a sausage roll — a popular snack in the UK. 'June 5 is designated as National Sausage Roll Day in the UK, and Madame Tussauds has created a wax replica of a sausage roll made to look just like the one sold by Greggs, a British chain. 'Greggs' sausage rolls are a beloved snack in the UK, with around one million sold each day. "The wax figure production team spent several months completing the piece, going through trial and error to recreate the flaky pastry layers and crisp texture of the sausage roll.' Greggs taste test Bemused Japanese journalists even interviewed families scoffing sausage rolls outside a branch in London, and asked why they liked them so much. One man, identified by the channel only as 'person eating', told viewers: 'The crust is crunchy, crispy and soft. The seasoning is really good.' Greggs was asked to comment on its new-found fame in the Far East. But after the waxwork was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in central London last week, Greggs CEO Roisin Currie, said: 'Seeing our sausage roll receive the celebrity treatment is a proud and slightly surreal moment for all of us.'
The Advertiser
05-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'I was going downhill fast': breast cancer drug gives new lease on life
Mayfield's Madelaine Atkins has a new lease on life from a drug trial that aims to treat advanced breast cancer. She's been part of the FINER clinical trial through the Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials for three and a half years. It aims to keep metastatic breast cancer under control for longer. "I feel fantastic. It's created a quality life and freedom for me," said Ms Atkins, 67. "Before I went on the drug trial, I was going downhill fast. My weight was dropping and I was feeling sick and weak." The trial enrolled 250 female and male patients with "advanced ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer". The results showed that the addition of the drug ipatasertib to standard treatment "controlled the progress of metastatic breast cancer for almost three times as long". "The main objective of this study was to examine whether treatment with ipatasertib plus fulvestrant was better than fulvestrant alone." Associate Professor Andrew Redfern, chair of the FINER trial, said the results were "significant for these patients with advanced disease". "It could potentially help up to 1500 people in Australia every year who are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer," A/Prof Redfern said. "We now need to confirm these results with longer follow-up of the patients on this trial, as well as further research." Ms Atkins was diagnosed at age 50. "I did chemotherapy, radiation and breast removal," she said. "When I was 60, the little devil came back. It was in my shoulder and started to go up my neck." FINER is a "double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial". "You don't know which one you get [the drug or placebo]. But here I am, touch wood, in fabulous health with no complaints. It has truly been a blessing to me. "I'm a very positive person. My ethos was I'm not finished yet, so let the game begin." As part of the trial, she receives an "injection in my bottom" each month at Lake Macquarie Private. "We're very lucky to have such great nurses and doctors in Newcastle, let alone Australia," she said. "They'll do anything they can to make your journey that little bit better." She said her partner's support and staying social helped her health journey. "I've been fortunate not to need to work, so I've gone into semi-retirement. "We get away every couple of weeks. It adds that life balance. I'm blessed with great family and friends. "I've enjoyed my life. There's nothing I'd want for except a nice life expectancy." She said there was an upside to going through health challenges. "It shatters you to hear those words [a cancer diagnosis], but it's a strange thing how it can be a blessing," she said. "It wasn't like I got hit by the 207 Merewether bus. If you get hit by a bus, you never get to say goodbye." She said early intervention was key. "I rubbed my neck and it felt like a little pimple the size of a pinhead," she said. "Get it while it's timely and we've got a chance. Let it get to the size of a pea and it's a bigger battle. Get to a strawberry and it's a longer journey." Mayfield's Madelaine Atkins has a new lease on life from a drug trial that aims to treat advanced breast cancer. She's been part of the FINER clinical trial through the Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials for three and a half years. It aims to keep metastatic breast cancer under control for longer. "I feel fantastic. It's created a quality life and freedom for me," said Ms Atkins, 67. "Before I went on the drug trial, I was going downhill fast. My weight was dropping and I was feeling sick and weak." The trial enrolled 250 female and male patients with "advanced ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer". The results showed that the addition of the drug ipatasertib to standard treatment "controlled the progress of metastatic breast cancer for almost three times as long". "The main objective of this study was to examine whether treatment with ipatasertib plus fulvestrant was better than fulvestrant alone." Associate Professor Andrew Redfern, chair of the FINER trial, said the results were "significant for these patients with advanced disease". "It could potentially help up to 1500 people in Australia every year who are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer," A/Prof Redfern said. "We now need to confirm these results with longer follow-up of the patients on this trial, as well as further research." Ms Atkins was diagnosed at age 50. "I did chemotherapy, radiation and breast removal," she said. "When I was 60, the little devil came back. It was in my shoulder and started to go up my neck." FINER is a "double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial". "You don't know which one you get [the drug or placebo]. But here I am, touch wood, in fabulous health with no complaints. It has truly been a blessing to me. "I'm a very positive person. My ethos was I'm not finished yet, so let the game begin." As part of the trial, she receives an "injection in my bottom" each month at Lake Macquarie Private. "We're very lucky to have such great nurses and doctors in Newcastle, let alone Australia," she said. "They'll do anything they can to make your journey that little bit better." She said her partner's support and staying social helped her health journey. "I've been fortunate not to need to work, so I've gone into semi-retirement. "We get away every couple of weeks. It adds that life balance. I'm blessed with great family and friends. "I've enjoyed my life. There's nothing I'd want for except a nice life expectancy." She said there was an upside to going through health challenges. "It shatters you to hear those words [a cancer diagnosis], but it's a strange thing how it can be a blessing," she said. "It wasn't like I got hit by the 207 Merewether bus. If you get hit by a bus, you never get to say goodbye." She said early intervention was key. "I rubbed my neck and it felt like a little pimple the size of a pinhead," she said. "Get it while it's timely and we've got a chance. Let it get to the size of a pea and it's a bigger battle. Get to a strawberry and it's a longer journey." Mayfield's Madelaine Atkins has a new lease on life from a drug trial that aims to treat advanced breast cancer. She's been part of the FINER clinical trial through the Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials for three and a half years. It aims to keep metastatic breast cancer under control for longer. "I feel fantastic. It's created a quality life and freedom for me," said Ms Atkins, 67. "Before I went on the drug trial, I was going downhill fast. My weight was dropping and I was feeling sick and weak." The trial enrolled 250 female and male patients with "advanced ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer". The results showed that the addition of the drug ipatasertib to standard treatment "controlled the progress of metastatic breast cancer for almost three times as long". "The main objective of this study was to examine whether treatment with ipatasertib plus fulvestrant was better than fulvestrant alone." Associate Professor Andrew Redfern, chair of the FINER trial, said the results were "significant for these patients with advanced disease". "It could potentially help up to 1500 people in Australia every year who are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer," A/Prof Redfern said. "We now need to confirm these results with longer follow-up of the patients on this trial, as well as further research." Ms Atkins was diagnosed at age 50. "I did chemotherapy, radiation and breast removal," she said. "When I was 60, the little devil came back. It was in my shoulder and started to go up my neck." FINER is a "double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial". "You don't know which one you get [the drug or placebo]. But here I am, touch wood, in fabulous health with no complaints. It has truly been a blessing to me. "I'm a very positive person. My ethos was I'm not finished yet, so let the game begin." As part of the trial, she receives an "injection in my bottom" each month at Lake Macquarie Private. "We're very lucky to have such great nurses and doctors in Newcastle, let alone Australia," she said. "They'll do anything they can to make your journey that little bit better." She said her partner's support and staying social helped her health journey. "I've been fortunate not to need to work, so I've gone into semi-retirement. "We get away every couple of weeks. It adds that life balance. I'm blessed with great family and friends. "I've enjoyed my life. There's nothing I'd want for except a nice life expectancy." She said there was an upside to going through health challenges. "It shatters you to hear those words [a cancer diagnosis], but it's a strange thing how it can be a blessing," she said. "It wasn't like I got hit by the 207 Merewether bus. If you get hit by a bus, you never get to say goodbye." She said early intervention was key. "I rubbed my neck and it felt like a little pimple the size of a pinhead," she said. "Get it while it's timely and we've got a chance. Let it get to the size of a pea and it's a bigger battle. Get to a strawberry and it's a longer journey." Mayfield's Madelaine Atkins has a new lease on life from a drug trial that aims to treat advanced breast cancer. She's been part of the FINER clinical trial through the Newcastle-based Breast Cancer Trials for three and a half years. It aims to keep metastatic breast cancer under control for longer. "I feel fantastic. It's created a quality life and freedom for me," said Ms Atkins, 67. "Before I went on the drug trial, I was going downhill fast. My weight was dropping and I was feeling sick and weak." The trial enrolled 250 female and male patients with "advanced ER-positive and HER2-negative breast cancer". The results showed that the addition of the drug ipatasertib to standard treatment "controlled the progress of metastatic breast cancer for almost three times as long". "The main objective of this study was to examine whether treatment with ipatasertib plus fulvestrant was better than fulvestrant alone." Associate Professor Andrew Redfern, chair of the FINER trial, said the results were "significant for these patients with advanced disease". "It could potentially help up to 1500 people in Australia every year who are diagnosed with this type of breast cancer," A/Prof Redfern said. "We now need to confirm these results with longer follow-up of the patients on this trial, as well as further research." Ms Atkins was diagnosed at age 50. "I did chemotherapy, radiation and breast removal," she said. "When I was 60, the little devil came back. It was in my shoulder and started to go up my neck." FINER is a "double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial". "You don't know which one you get [the drug or placebo]. But here I am, touch wood, in fabulous health with no complaints. It has truly been a blessing to me. "I'm a very positive person. My ethos was I'm not finished yet, so let the game begin." As part of the trial, she receives an "injection in my bottom" each month at Lake Macquarie Private. "We're very lucky to have such great nurses and doctors in Newcastle, let alone Australia," she said. "They'll do anything they can to make your journey that little bit better." She said her partner's support and staying social helped her health journey. "I've been fortunate not to need to work, so I've gone into semi-retirement. "We get away every couple of weeks. It adds that life balance. I'm blessed with great family and friends. "I've enjoyed my life. There's nothing I'd want for except a nice life expectancy." She said there was an upside to going through health challenges. "It shatters you to hear those words [a cancer diagnosis], but it's a strange thing how it can be a blessing," she said. "It wasn't like I got hit by the 207 Merewether bus. If you get hit by a bus, you never get to say goodbye." She said early intervention was key. "I rubbed my neck and it felt like a little pimple the size of a pinhead," she said. "Get it while it's timely and we've got a chance. Let it get to the size of a pea and it's a bigger battle. Get to a strawberry and it's a longer journey."
