In our fast-paced, modern world, a good night's sleep is often considered a luxury. Yet, quality sleep is an essential pillar of overall health and well-being. While the importance of sleep is widely acknowledged, many people still struggle to achieve a restful night's sleep. So let's explore the factors that contribute to a good night's sleep and provide practical tips to help you unlock the secrets to better rest. Understanding the Sleep Cycle Before we delve into tips for improving your sleep, it's essential to understand the sleep cycle. A typical sleep cycle consists of four stages: NREM (non-rapid eye movement) and REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. The NREM stages are crucial for physical restoration, while REM sleep is essential for cognitive functions and emotional well-being. Numerous factors can disrupt our sleep patterns, making it challenging to enjoy a full night of rest. These factors include: Stress and Anxiety : Worries and stress can keep the mind racing, making it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep. Poor Sleep Hygiene : Irregular sleep schedules, excessive screen time before bed, and an uncomfortable sleep environment can hinder sleep quality. Diet and Lifestyle : Consuming caffeine or heavy meals close to bedtime, lack of physical activity, and overuse of electronic devices can negatively impact sleep. Medical Conditions : Certain medical conditions like sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, or chronic pain can interfere with sleep. Now, let's explore some strategies to enhance your sleep quality. These are some of the ways to help you get a better night of sleep: Consistent Sleep Schedule : Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This helps regulate your body's internal clock. Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine : Engage in calming activities before bedtime, such as reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation exercises. Optimise Your Sleep Environment : Ensure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and at a comfortable temperature. A comfortable mattress and pillows are essential. Limit Screen Time : Reduce exposure to screens before bed, as the blue light emitted can interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. Watch Your Diet : Avoid caffeine, heavy or spicy meals, and alcohol close to bedtime. Opt for a light, healthy snack if you're hungry. Manage Stress : Practice stress-reduction techniques like mindfulness, meditation, or yoga to ease a racing mind. Stay Active : Regular exercise can promote better sleep, but avoid vigorous workouts too close to bedtime. Seek Medical Advice : If you consistently struggle with sleep, consult a healthcare professional to rule out underlying medical conditions. Getting a good night's sleep is essential for maintaining physical health, mental well-being, and overall quality of life. By understanding the sleep cycle and implementing these practical tips, you can improve your sleep quality and enjoy the benefits of a restful night's sleep. Remember that achieving good sleep may take time and persistence, but the rewards for your health and daily life are well worth the effort. Sweet dreams!

Elevated levels of air pollution cause more children to be admitted to hospital with respiratory problems, a new study has found. Professor Jill Belch, from the University of Dundee’s School of Medicine, says that youngsters are sustaining irreparable damage to their lungs due to the inhalation of harmful particulates emitted by vehicles. She has advocated the expansion of Low Emission Zones (LEZs) throughout the UK as a means of reducing the levels of nitrogen oxides in urban areas following the findings, which showed spikes in hospital admissions in under-16s for respiratory problems following periods of high air pollution. These admissions occurred at levels which did not affect adult admissions, providing crucial evidence of how sensitive children are to pollution. “Children are so much more susceptible to air pollution as their cells are dividing as they grow, and thus are more easily damaged by the toxins, never to recover,” said Professor Belch. “NO2 is a chemical that inflames the lungs and produces sticky mucus, which congest the lungs causing infections a few days later – around six or seven days - which means that parents may not often associate a respiratory problem with air pollution." “What is especially worrying is that these admissions occur at pollution levels which leave adults unaffected, thus stressing the vulnerability of this group.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that air pollution contributes to 6.7 million premature deaths a year, with Nitrogen oxides (NOx), made up of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), nitrogen oxide (NO) and other smaller fractions of pollutants having been linked to health conditions such as asthma and chronic lung disease. Using publicly available records from between 2004 and 2017, Professor Belch and colleagues from the Tayside Pollution Research Programme (TPRP) cross-referenced data on almost 35,000 admissions into Dundee’s Ninewells Hospital with the average daily nitric oxide level recorded from local air monitoring sites. The results showed that respiratory admissions in children were associated with cumulative 14-day exposure to NOx, NO2 and NO, particularly for acute respiratory infections. The team concluded that children may be at a higher risk of hospitalisation at lower levels of NOx pollution exposure than adults due to the increased susceptibility of immature lungs to toxins, and children’s tendency to be outside more frequently than adults, increasing their exposure to polluted air. The findings come amid the continued rollout and expansion of LEZs throughout the UK. This includes what is already the world’s largest LEZ in London in an effort to encourage drivers to own less-polluting vehicles and improve public health in inner city areas. “LEZs are undoubtedly the best way to get rid of air pollution, but it does come at a price to local authorities in terms of installation, monitoring and enforcement. That is why community pressure is so important for having these zones adopted. But the benefits to a child’s health, from the evidence we have gathered, is clear." “The health effects can take two or three years to emerge but if you look at Germany and France then they are already showing benefits, and the same will apply in cities like London and Dundee in years to come." “We already have some data from London which is showing an increase in walking and cycling to school because it is safer, so there are additional health benefits to LEZs.” Dr Munro Stewart, a GP at Dundee’s Nethergate Medical Centre and co-author of the study, added, "Our study shows that keeping pollution within safe limits could reduce paediatric respiratory admissions by 40%." “While Scotland has the tightest air pollution regulations in Europe, we must ensure that they are actually enforced with measures such as LEZs to protect the wellbeing of our children, because we know that the air they breathe now will also affect them for the rest of their lives.”

A new pilot TV show created to ‘celebrate and showcase food businesses in south Warwickshire’ is being launched at a special event in Leamington next week. Bia’s Kitchen Show promises to highlight some of the best of the area’s foodie scene when it is streamed to audiences twice monthly on YouTube, Spotify, Instagram and Facebook. The passion project is the creation of self-taught chef and entrepreneur Bianca Perry, who wants to support the spa town which she now calls home – 15 years after emigrating from her native Brazil – in the best way she knows how. The show is an extension to her successful Bia’s Kitchen brand, and will feature local independent chefs and restaurateurs cooking signature dishes as well as her own top tips and recipes. It marks the latest chapter on a journey of reinvention for the now 43-year-old mum-of-three, who walked away from a high-flying career in marketing in Rio de Janeiro – after falling in love with a Leamington man who was holidaying with friends. Growing up on a farm, Bianca’s love for cooking started in her childhood and continued to be a big feature in her life and work. She commented: “As a farm girl I learned to cook as well as look after the land. I loved going harvesting, picking up fresh vegetables and herbs and cooking with my grandma. I've never been scared of work. My first job was when I was 12, I picked up vegetables from the farm and set up a little store in front of my house. Growing up on the farm was amazing. . . but I always dreamed bigger!” After a short spell at boarding school, her ambitions led her to Rio where she worked in a mobile phone shop while studying for a degree. She soon realised her ambitions by partnering in a successful marketing company, securing major clients including what was at the time South America’s biggest water park. Drawn back to her foodie roots, she also established and ran a restaurant on the site. Seven years later Bianca moved on again to Miami where she took the opportunity to work on her English while helping her cousin run his restaurant. But it was in 2009, after resettling in the UK as the new Mrs David Perry, that signalled the start of a difficult period for newly-expectant Bianca who spent much of her pregnancy in hospital with crippling sickness. Her daughter Lauren later faced her own serious health issues which resulted in surgery to remove of one of her lungs at the age of just four. Since then Bianca and husband David have been keen to give back through fundraising and free professional support to Ronald McDonalds House which took the couple in through Lauren’s two-month treatment and recovery at Birmingham Children’s Hospital. And it wasn’t until their youngest child, William, was two that they learned he had been born deaf. Today he has managed to recover some of his hearing with the help of hearing aids. Out of the blue, in 2020, the family were then hit with the tragic suicide of David’s older brother Oli Perry. Throughout all of this, Bianca continues to fall back on her lifeline of cooking - and is again ready to step out of the shadows of her busy Cubbington kitchen into the limelight – this time to share her passion with the adopted community she has come to love. She explained: “In Brazil I was someone. I came to England and suddenly all that was gone. I was now a pregnant wife, not used to the culture or the weather and with no support network because my family and friends are all in Brazil." “Also, if you’re a businesswoman in Brazil, you don't worry about cleaning the house and tidying up and you have people to help with the kids, you can continue your career, free to focus on work. It was all a big shock for me. I lost my identity. I didn't know who I was let alone what I was going to do.” So she started cooking for friends, hosted cooking classes in Warwick and even a pop-up restaurant in Kenilworth. Buoyed by the positive feedback - and a win on Channel Four’s Couples Come Dine With Me TV show - she launched herself as a private chef and reignited her entrepreneurial spirit with successful businesses - Fresh to Freeze, a pre-cooked food delivery business which thrived throughout the pandemic – and Bia’s Kitchen. She recalls: “Throughout this period though I had to do homeschooling as well. It all eventually became too much and I went into a very dark place for a while. I just didn’t think I could do this any more. I was also going through post-natal depression and lost 30% of my hair due to stress-induced alopecia. My faith and prayer eventually helped pull me out of that place.” Bia’s Kitchen Show show is being unveiled in front of specially invited guests at a launch event at 1 Mill Street on January 18th. She said: “I am excited about combining my knowledge of food and international flavours, and marketing and production in a way that also involves my community. I have a passion for telling people’s stories. It’s about creating a buzz around the local foodie scene." “I never studied to be a chef, apart from independent cooking technique courses, but I picked things up really quickly throughout my life working around food. I'm a very fast learner and everything comes back to food for me. I thrive off feeling other people’s energy and passion for food. After all, cooking is the universal language of love.”

A care home in Garforth has welcomed back 89-year-old Frances Bugg and her husband John to the home Frances once worked at as a carer. Frances joined the care team at Springfield Garforth, now a 69-bed care home on Lowther Road in 1975 where she worked for 25 years. Founded in 1967, the care home was originally the family home of Graeme Lee, CEO of the Springfield Healthcare group, which today includes 7 unique care home located across Yorkshire. Graeme grew up in the care home with his parents, moving bedrooms every time a new resident moved in. Frances said, “I remember Graeme when he was just a nipper." “The home had a wonderful atmosphere and I loved working for the Lee family – they were so kind and welcoming.” Over the 57 years of caring for older people in the local community, Springfield Garforth has undergone numerous extensions and transformations and is now a popular choice for many local residents. Before her time as a carer at the home, Frances was a sewing machinist and then joined the RAF with her twin sister. She married her husband, John in 1953 at the age of 19. Frances began her career as a carer at Springfield Garforth when she was 41. As a carer at the home, Frances looked after the residents’ health and wellbeing needs. Frances added, “I knitted with residents and even took home their woolies to wash. Believe it or not, I am now teaching the other residents how to knit – I’ve gone full circle!” She continued, “When John and I knew we needed some extra care, there was only one place we would choose to live. I have such fond memories I just couldn’t stay away - and it’s wonderful to see Graeme again.” CEO of Springfield Healthcare, Graeme Lee said, “I remember Frances used to babysit for me and would always make me tea and toast. She was a great carer, very kind and compassionate and would always go the extra mile." “She used to do a 4pm-8pm shift and her husband John would always drop her off and pick her up." “Frances worked for my family at the care home for 25 years, so it is amazing to welcome her back now as a resident where we can hopefully provide her with the same care she delivered to the residents 50 years ago.”

Toyota Gazoo Racing celebrated their first stage victory at Dakar 2024, courtesy of Lucas Moraes and Armand Monleon, who won the tough third test in their GR Hilux EVO T1U. The pair started the stage, which took the crews from the bivouac at Al Duwadimi to the town of Al Salamiya, as the ninth car on the road, but powered to a win thanks to a clean run with no punctures, as well as pin-point navigation. Moraes and Monleon took victory by just 9 sec over their nearest competitor, despite having covered more than 270 racing miles. Their performance not only bagged them the stage win, together with a good haul of W2RC points, but also raised them to fourth in the overall standings. Their deficit to the overall leader is now 9min 17sec. The race leader – Yazeed Al Rajhi – is driving a near-identical, privately entered Toyota Hilux T1U. Stage 3 brought trouble for TGR’s Giniel de Villiers and co-driver, Dennis Murphy. They suffered two punctures early on and were forced to slow significantly. They also had to deal with the dust thrown up by the cars that had passed them while they changed the tyres,. The best they could muster in the circumstances was the 16th-fastest time, 19min 42sec behind Moraes and Monleon. As far as the overall standings go, they are in 14th place, 36min 56sec behind the leaders. While de Villier and Murphy were disappointed, they suffered one fewer puncture than teammates Seth Quintero and Dennis Zenz. The American driver lost three tyres over the course of the stage and had to wait for assistance. Help arrived swiftly in the form of Moraes and Monleon, who paused briefly to hand one of their spares to their teammates. This show of camaraderie could have cost them their stage win, but their good deed was rewarded, and Quintero and Zenz were able to continue. Even though Quintero and Zenz had one fresh tyre on their car, they still had to be cautious over the closing miles, and in the end, they lost 22min 42sec on the day. This dropped them down the order and out of the top 10 in the overall standings; they now trail the race leaders by 27min 18sec. Stage 3 also brought a challenge for TGR’s young gun, Saood Variawa, and his French co-driver, Francois Cazalet. The pair started the day as the 40th car on the road but fought their way through the dust of slower cars and into 21st place on the stage. They also struggled with navigation in two places, having to double-back to find waypoints. Despite this, they relinquished only 23min 37sec to the stage winners, and are in 18th place in the overall standings. TGR’s final crew, Guy Botterill and co-driver, Brett Cummings, had a great start to Dakar 2024, but Stage 3 bit hard. The pair had their first puncture barely 30 miles into the special stage; and a second 60 miles further on. This forced them into survival mode, as they were out of spares, only to suffer a third puncture 90 miles from the finish. Luckily this one didn’t fully deflate the tyre, and the crew were able to nurse their GR Hilux EVO T1U home by. They lost 31min 53sec in the process and are in 17th place overall. The route was also the start of a ‘mini-Marathon’ stage for the race, as the technical crews were given only two hours to repair and prepare the cars for Stage 4. To compound the challenge, the race crews camped at a remote bivouac without the support of their teams after Stage 3, before taking on the next stage. This will consist of a liaison of 123 miles, joining the remote bivouac at Al Salamiya with the start of the route. Next up will be a timed section of 186 miles, run mainly on dirt tracks, with a small dune section in the mix. Finally, the crews will cover a second liaison of 125 miles to reach the bivouac at Al-Hofuf. Team quotes Shameer Variawa, SVR Team Principal: “Any day where you win a Dakar stage is a good one, and I would like to congratulate Lucas and Armand on winning a very tough stage indeed. For the rest of our crews, the day was largely ruined by punctures, though we were happy to see them all at the two-hour service without any major mechanical problems." "While they are a bit further back than we’d have liked, this has been a particularly tough start to the race, and reaching this point without any problems is testament to the toughness of our GR Hilux EVO T1U.” Lucas Moraes: “It is really unbelievable! But the day goes to Armand. The navigation was insanely hard, but we hit our marks. I just managed to keep the car in one piece and no punctures, with a good rhythm for sure. But Armand was really on point, and we must thank the whole team. One more, one less day, as we say in Brazil, and I gotta keep going!” Seth Quintero: “I didn’t want to play the ‘rubber band game’ today, but unfortunately got unlucky with a couple of punctures and that kind of just ruined our day, to be honest. But there’s a long way to go and I can’t get too upset. I mean, we’re here. We didn’t lose too much time. We’re probably still up there. So yeah, I think just got a little unlucky today. Just need some luck on our side. Hopefully tomorrow we’re up there, but I don’t want to continue playing this flip flop game. We’ve been off the podium every other day. So, maybe tomorrow we’ll get back on the podium, and hopefully we can keep it that way for the rest of the rally.” Guy Botterill: “That was really difficult for us. Around 50 km in we got a puncture, and then maybe another 100km later, we got another, and then we were out of spare wheels. With about 130km to go we had another flat, but we were watching it on the monitoring system. The tyre was going down slowly, so we had to keep on stopping and putting air in the tyre. We weren’t racing today – we were surviving.” Giniel de Villiers: “Another tough day. Unfortunately, we had two punctures after 70km, and then it was party over. Then, we were in the dust, and I just had to cruise. It was impossible to push, because if you have another flat tyre, you have a big problem. You won’t see the end. So it was very frustrating, but we made it to the end.” Saood Variawa: “It has been a tough three tough three days so far. Today, we went into the stage and wanted to up our pace to catch the guys ahead. Which we did in the first part. We caught quite a few guys and overtook them. Unfortunately, there were two waypoints that were a bit tricky. We lost quite a bit of time there, and also in the last one that we couldn’t find. We came back through a canyon and one of the other competitors overtook us, so we were stuck in his dust from then on.”

A new report examining how the rising cost of living is impacting the sport and physical activity sector has found people from lower income backgrounds are more likely to have seen their levels of activity negatively affected. The rising cost of living and its impact on sport and physical activity was produced by experts at Sheffield Hallam University on behalf of Sport England to help activity providers understand the impact cost of living is having on their participants. Rising living costs in England have been caused by various factors including Covid, the war in Ukraine, supply chain problems and higher interest rates, as well as inflation and low wage growth. The report found: Participation rates in physical activity have remained stable compared to pre-Covid levels. The increased cost of living has led to people changing their behaviours in relation to activity, and these changes are unlikely to be reversed until household finances improve. People from the most deprived areas and from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are more likely to say their levels of physical activity have been negatively affected by cost-of-living increases. Club activities are nearing pre-Covid levels, but cost pressures, especially from rising energy prices, affect club finances which in turn, is making access less affordable for some. Some facility providers are reporting concerns regarding increases in utility costs and are responding by reducing sessions and increasing fees. Cost of living pressures are also having an impact on the sport and physical activity workforce with some people volunteering less due to time constrains, meaning that other people are volunteering more due to demand. Paid staff, especially those with low wages or in casual positions, are leaving for better opportunities elsewhere, while some employers are considering redundancies and closures due to budget constraints. David Barrett, research fellow in Sheffield Hallam University’s Sport Industry Research Centre, said: “We welcome being able to be report on this critical issue for Sport England, particularly as cost of living pressure continue to affect people’s ability to participate in sport and physical activity." “While the headline rate hasn’t changed significantly, there are some subtle but notable long-term shifts in participation patterns evident in the data. Covid brought into sharp focus the gap between the most and least active sectors of the population, and the combined effect of inflation, interest rates and energy prices has been to widen that gap." “One of the most interesting aspects of the research is the response of voluntary clubs to cost pressures. These organisations withstood the impact of Covid lockdowns by adapting their provision swiftly and decisively. Their ability to learn those lessons and continue to innovate in response to these new pressures with skill and ingenuity, proves that they are among the most resilient organisations in the sector.” Nick Pontefract, chief strategy officer at Sport England, said the report demonstrated how the cost of living was changing the way some people are choosing to engage with sport and physical activity. “Today’s report shows that in common with much of the economy, the cost of living is impacting on affordability of physical activity and sport particularly for the most disadvantaged,” he said. “While these headwinds inevitably impact all areas of life including work to increase physical activity and participation, the sector has been remarkably resilient and creative in sustaining opportunities for people to keep active." "We also know there are plenty of low and no cost options for getting active, whether that's running for free with parkrun, using outdoor gym equipment that can be found in many parks or simply going for a walk." “At Sport England, we’re doing everything we can to support the sector through this time.” Read the full report here:

Cameron Mason retained his national championship title on home turf in Falkirk, while Anna Kay secured her first elite title in the female race on the first day of the British National Cyclo-cross Championships. Corran Carrick-Anderson and Ella Maclean Howell secured the under-23 titles, while Cat Ferguson and Oscar Amey took the junior podiums after strong performances. Elite Open Cameron Mason (Cyclocross Reds) took his second consecutive national title in style after a brilliant solo effort that saw him cross the line a minute ahead of Thomas Mein (Hope Factory Racing), while Lewis Askey (Groupama-FDJ) came home third after a great battle with under-23 winner Corran Carrick-Anderson (T-Mo Racing). A rapid start saw the elite open race strung out in the opening lap, with Mein the front runner up ‘The Wall’. Mein was followed closely by Carrick-Anderson and Toby Barnes (Ribble-Verge Sport), with home favourite Mason and under-23 rider Dan Barnes (Team Spectra Cannondale) just behind. On the second lap, Mein went solo as Mason took it up a gear, overtaking others with ease and keeping the National Trophy winner in his sights. Just after a technical section, Mason made his move to overtake Mein and storm ahead in pole position. With only a handful of seconds between them, Mein kept calm and continued the chase with Mason in his reach. The two were comfortably ahead of the field, with Carrick-Anderson sitting in third as Askey, Dan Barnes and Simon Wyllie (Team Spectra Cannondale) chased. Mason racked up his gap to 30 seconds with Mein securely in the place for silver. The closing stages of the race saw Mason maintain his gap on Mein, while Askey caught and overtook Carrick-Anderson in the bronze medal position. Coming into the finish line, Mason finished one minute and 15 seconds ahead of Mein, shouting in relief to take his second national title – all the more special on home turf. North East rider Mein came in second with a smile, while Askey secured the third spot on the podium after a fantastic chase. Speaking after his win, Mason said: “What a crazy day! I really felt the pressure today and just wanted to do what I knew I could do. I know how to ride this course in order to get the most out of myself. My plan was to kind of let the race unfold and not go too deep, too early." "I’ve raced on this course for the last 10 years or so, but I am just happy to execute the plan and get it done. That's exactly why I ride a bike – the feeling of winning is just so awesome.” Carrick-Anderson came home fourth to see the Scotsman take the under-23 title, while Wyllie’s sixth place saw him take the silver, and despite dropping his chain three times, Dan Barnes was able to take the bronze with a seventh place finish. Elite Female Anna Kay (Cyclocross Reds) showed pure dominance from start to finish in the elite female race to take her first ever elite national title, while Ella Maclean Howell’s (Hope Factory Racing) second place also saw her win the under-23 title as Grace Inglis (Muckle CC) finished in a brilliant bronze position. Kay was off the front from the gun and led the pack by a huge margin within the first lap. Junior rider Imogen Wolff (Trinity Racing), Millie Couzens (Fenix-Deceuninck), Maclean Howell and Inglis chasing, and Nikki Brammeier just off the back of them. Kay continued to push on her lead, attacking ahead alone as Couzens, Maclean Howell and Inglis trailed 50 seconds behind, and Brammeier 20 seconds behind them. The Cyclocross Reds rider remained calm and composed in the final two laps, while a chasing Inglis started to put the power down, but Maclean Howell counterattacked and managed to get away as the solo chasing rider to Kay. The bell lap saw Kay maintain a 45 second gap as Maclean Howell continued to battle on alone behind, while Inglis and Couzens were neck-and-neck for the bronze. Kay raised her arms in elation as she crossed the finish line 50 seconds ahead of Maclean Howell to take the national title. A valiant battle for Maclean Howell saw her take second, while a last lap spurt from Inglis secured the bronze. Speaking after her win, Kay said: “I still don't believe it. It's my first elite title in any discipline, so I'm really happy. I knew it was going to be fast and I just felt good on the first lap, so I thought, ‘yeah, why not just go?’ It's such a good for spectators and it's good for us as riders because we get support everywhere.” Maclean Howell’s second place was enough to secure her the under-23 victory. A fourth place from Couzens allowed her to take the silver. Wolff’s commendable ride saw her finish in seventh place to round off the under-23 podium in bronze. Junior Female Cat Ferguson (Hope Tech Factory Racing) had a sensational ride to win the junior female race. She finished almost four minutes ahead of silver medallist Alice Colling (Shibden CC) as Esther Wong (Shibden CC) took the bronze. Ferguson fired off the start line, stringing out the bunch from the off to put the pressure on the pace. Summiting ‘The Wall’ for the first time, Ferguson was already 45 seconds up on the field, with National Trophy Series winner Colling and teammate Wong chasing behind, with the two working together well. On the second lap, Colling pushed on to form a gap ahead of Wong, while Ferguson extended her lead to over a minute. Ferguson continued to put the pressure on, gaining a two-minute advantage over Colling, who maintained the silver medal position from a chasing Wong. Coming into the bell lap, Ferguson was lapping the riders at the back and had almost three minutes on Colling, and took it to the limit to cross the line three minutes and 47 seconds ahead of second place. Ferguson crossed the line with a bow, asserting her dominance with clear enjoyment, while Colling took a sensational silver medal and Wong finished in third, 30 seconds back after a strong race. After her podium presentation, Ferguson said: “To come away with a title today is really special. It’s quite a challenging course physically and technically, so I wanted to just lead from the start and to see what gap I could get and just extend it throughout the race." "In that final lap, I just wanted to enjoy it and take in the crowd. There were so many people out there supporting me today and I’m just really grateful.” Junior Open Oscar Amey (GKR Racing) reflected his talent from the National Trophy Series to take the national title ahead of defending champion Sebastian Grindley (Trinity Racing), while his brother Alfie Amey (GKR Racing) took home the bronze. The junior open race kicked off the weekend, with the peloton firing off the start line. Oscar, Alfie and Grindley were the clear favourites, escaping off the front in the opening lap of the race. Grindley was spearheading the front of the race, but a slow bike dismount saw the Amey brothers make a big attack, but it wasn’t enough to get rid of the Trinity rider. With two laps remaining, Grindley and Oscar pushed on with Alfie unable to match the pace, taking the bell lap 10 seconds behind. The three were well ahead of the rest of the field with the medal positions practically decided. Oscar put the power down in the final lap, pushing on to forge a gap on Grindley, taking the technical sections with ease and clocking up the seconds on his lead. The GKR Racing rider crossed the line to take the win 10 seconds ahead of Grindley to claim the national title, while Alfie finished third 30 seconds behind him. Oscar said: “We were all kind of attacking each other for most of the race, and just on that last lap, I managed to get away from the technical section and just hold it to the finish. After Alfie made a mistake on The Wall, I tried to wait for him a bit, but Seb attacked on that section, so it just worked out really well.” Veterans In the veteran over-50 open race, Nicholas Craig (SCOTT Racing) was dominant from start to finish, firing off the start line with Ian Taylor (Shibden CC) hot on his wheel, with Nicholas Whitley (Team Enable - M.I.Racing ) chasing behind. On the second lap, Craig pushed on the pace, and formed a gap which he continued to extend with pure power, crossing the line over a minute ahead of Taylor to claim the national title. Taylor took the silver, while Whitley finished almost 20 seconds behind to round off the podium. Grant Johnson also had a dominant day, lapping the field in the veteran over-60 open race. Johnson stormed to the win ahead of Simon Hime (Finchley Racing Team) and John McGrath (Team TMC - Strada Wheels). Full Podium Results Elite Open Cameron Mason Thomas Mein Lewis Askey Elite Female Anna Kay Ella Maclean Howell Grace Inglis Under-23 Open Corran Carrick-Anderson Simon Wyllie Dan Barnes Under-23 Female Ella Maclean Howell Millie Couzens Imogen Wolff Junior Open Oscar Amey Sebastian Grindley Alfie Amey Junior Female Cat Ferguson Alice Colling Esther Wong Veteran Over-50 Open Nicholas Craig Ian Taylor Nicholas Whitley Veteran Over-60 Open Grant Johnson Simon Hime John McGrath Photo Credits: SWPix

Researchers led by the University of Oxford have developed a new test to assess how dangerous robotic lawnmowers are to hedgehogs. They hope this will lead to a certification scheme that will allow consumers to choose ‘hedgehog-friendly’ mowers to help protect these lovable mammals. Robotic lawnmowers are becoming increasingly popular, however many are concerned that running these, especially at night when most hedgehogs are active, could pose a threat to European hedgehogs. This species is already in serious decline, with reasons including habitat loss, road traffic accidents, intensive agriculture, and injuries from dog bites and garden strimmers. In recent years, many hedgehog rehabilitation centres have reported a significant increase in the numbers of hedgehog injuries caused by robotic lawnmowers. Lead researcher Dr Sophie Lund Rasmussen (University of Oxford), also known as ‘Dr Hedgehog’, said: "There is an urgent need to identify and phase out models of robotic lawnmowers that pose a threat to hedgehogs. Our new standardised safety test will greatly aid hedgehog conservation, by enabling manufacturers of robotic lawnmowers to ensure their models are 'hedgehog friendly' before they are put on the market." Dr Rasmussen was inspired to develop the test after carrying out collision tests between robotic lawnmowers and dead hedgehogs. The dead hedgehogs had been collected from hedgehog rehabilitation centres, and had been too injured or unwell to be saved. Dr Rasmussen said: "All the robotic lawn mowers I tested had to physically touch the hedgehog in order to detect it, and some did not even detect the dead hedgehog. In mild cases, the robotic mower would lightly nudge the hedgehog then change direction, but in the worst-case scenario, the machine ran straight over it with the blades still running, causing extensive damage to the hedgehog carcass." The new safety test uses specially designed hedgehog ‘crash test dummies’ to find out whether a robotic lawnmower would be capable of avoiding a real hedgehog, and if not, how much damage it would cause in a collision. To make sure the test was as realistic as possible, the researchers worked with a hedgehog rehabilitation centre in Denmark to establish how live hedgehogs, which had been in care and were ready for release back into the wild, tend to react to robotic lawnmowers. They tested the responses of fifty hedgehogs in an enclosed environment to a disarmed (bladeless) robotic lawnmower that was stopped 50 cm away from the hedgehog. Overall, the hedgehogs showed three distinct responses: running away from the mower; standing rigidly in front of it partially curled up; or sniffing the lawnmower inquisitively. Generally, younger hedgehogs were more bold than adult hedgehogs. Dr Rasmussen said: "Each hedgehog was tested twice and, interestingly, they tended to act more shyly on their second encounter. This is hugely important, since it suggests that hedgehogs may learn from their first encounter with a robotic lawnmower." "Potentially, if a hedgehog survives its first encounter with a robotic lawnmower, it is less likely to be injured in the future because this may cause it to avoid them. So, the more hedgehog friendly mowers out there, the more chance there is that the first mower a hedgehog meets is a hedgehog friendly one. If these hedgehogs meet a mower again later in their lives, they will then likely be more cautious." Using the findings, the researchers identified the key positions that a crash test dummy should be placed in, to simulate the main responses of a live hedgehog during a lawnmower safety test. The dummy was designed based on the initial collision tests, and is made from a soft rubbery plastic that closely mimics the body composition of a real hedgehog. The researchers intend to make the crash test dummy design publicly available for 3D printing, so that robotic lawn mower companies can use it in the process of developing hedgehog friendly robotic lawnmowers. Ultimately, they hope that the hedgehog safety test using the dummies will become integrated into the official testing protocols approving the robotic lawnmowers for sale on the European market. This could enable a certification scheme that will allow consumers to choose ‘hedgehog-friendly’ models. Dr Rasmussen added: "A key first step is to improve the sensors, so that they detect the hedgehogs and avoid them. Developing additional technologies such as camera recognition could eventually allow the robotic lawn mowers to detect hedgehogs at a distance and change direction before they get close. It is also important that the blades of the mowers are pivoting, so that they fold away under a protective surface when hitting something harder than grass." Dr Stephan Meyer, R&D manager at STIHL (one of the industry partners supporting Dr Rasmussen’s research) and member of the project team said: "STIHL highly values the effect of these findings on the development of robotic lawn mowers, and we are using the learnings from this interactive project to improve the situation for people and animals. The results of the studies will form the scientific basis for the development of a safety standard to protect hedgehogs." A spokesperson from Husqvarna, who manufacture robotic lawnmowers, said: "At Husqvarna we have a 30-year-old history in robotic lawn mowing and safety has always been our top priority. We were early to introduce the light-weight pivoting blades, which research has proven to be more 'hedgehog-friendly.' Today, technology is moving faster than ever and all learnings we can get from the research conducted by Dr Rasmussen and her team will help us develop functions that will even more help to cater for keeping wildlife safe in our home gardens." Phasing out robotic lawnmowers that are a threat to hedgehogs could have a significant impact on the survival of this iconic species. In the meantime, owners of robotic lawnmowers can help protect hedgehogs by checking for any hedgehogs on the lawn before turning on the mowers and only running these machines during daylight hours, since hedgehogs are predominantly nocturnal. Co-author of the study Dr Anne Berger (Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Germany), who has researched the frequency of hedgehog injuries from robotic lawnmowers in Germany, said: "Cut injuries from robotic lawnmowers are placing an enormous burden on many hedgehog care centres and using up important resources, as these injuries often require above-average care and treatment. Moreover, the majority of hedgehogs with cut injuries are found days or weeks after the accident happened and therefore have to endure considerable suffering, pain and harm until they are found. The development of 'hedgehog friendly' models could therefore help prevent a considerable amount of animal suffering." Fay Vass, Chief Executive at the British Hedgehog Preservation Society added: "We are pleased to have been involved in funding this important piece of research. The population decline of hedgehogs is alarming and unsustainable so it is crucial to find out which potential dangers are actually causing problems, and which are not. We can then focus our efforts on issues that are impacting on hedgehog numbers to help minimise the threats against them. Hopefully, the results of this work will stop or drastically reduce the risk of robotic lawnmowers causing harm to hedgehogs."

As the weather turns colder and the winter frost blankets the landscape, a vibrant array of winter greens emerge as nutritional powerhouses, packed with goodness and providing a welcome burst of healthy vitamins and minerals during the colder months of the year. From kale and spinach to Swiss chard and collard greens, these leafy wonders offer a plethora of benefits, making them a must-add to meals on the winter plate for many. Kale, often hailed as the king of greens, has a strong, robust flavour and exceptional nutrient profile, packed with vitamins and minerals like iron and calcium, supporting the immune system and bone health. Its versatility in salads, smoothies, or even baked as crispy chips makes it an easy addition to any winter menu and it continues to grow in popularity as a winter staple too. Spinach, another winter green hero, boasts a delicate texture and plenty of nutritional benefits as well. Spinach is rich in iron and magnesium and spinach promotes cardiovascular health and aids in preventing anemia. Whether sautéed as a side or blended into a comforting soup or included in a winter salad or pasta supper, spinach effortlessly elevates winter dishes. Sprouts, something that are often simply loved or loathed, again have plenty of goodness packed into them and are a versatile vegetable in the kitchen too. Perfect on their own as a side to a roast or sliced and added to other dishes (pastas and oven bakes), they add colour and texture to a dish too. Swiss chard, with its colourful stems and dark, leafy greens, adds a touch of elegance to winter meals. Swiss chard is full of vitamins A and K, as well as fibre, supporting eye health and aiding digestion. Its slightly earthy flavour enhances soups, stews, or can be enjoyed on its own as a sautéed side. Consuming winter greens during the colder months means eating produce that is in season which is good for the environment and helps people buy produce locally too, reducing food miles and the time taken from farm to plate at the same time. Winter greens can also be a good choice form a health perspective too as they are full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants which helps fortify the body against seasonal illnesses, providing a natural defense during the flu and cold season. Not only do they offer an array of health benefits, their seasonal availability means they are fresher, tastier, and more environmentally sustainable. Including winter greens in your diet adds a burst of colour, flavour, and nutrition whilst embracing seasonal produce so there are plenty of reasons to let winter greens become the star of your plate.

The government outlines plans for the biggest expansion of nuclear power for 70 years to reduce electricity bills, support thousands of jobs and improve UK energy security – including exploring building a major new power station and investing in advanced nuclear fuel production. In the 2 years since Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, the government has doubled down on security of supply to protect the country from price volatility and hostile foreign regimes and bolster the UK’s energy independence. The Civil Nuclear Roadmap will give industry certainty of the future direction of the UK’s ambitious nuclear programme, on top of the government’s historic commitment to Sizewell C and world-leading competition to develop small modular reactor (SMR) technology. The roadmap sets out how the UK will increase generation of this homegrown supply of clean, reliable, and abundant energy by up to 4 times to 24 gigawatts (GW) by 2050 – enough to provide a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs. The plans include next steps for exploring a GW-scale power plant as big as Sizewell in Suffolk or Hinkley in Somerset, which are capable of powering 6 million homes each. The government will also invest up to £300 million in UK production of the fuel required to power high-tech new nuclear reactors, known as HALEU, currently only commercially produced in Russia. As the first country in Europe to launch a HALEU programme, the UK will lead the way from its North West production hub to provide the world with this form of uranium fuel, with the first plant aiming to be operational early in the next decade. This builds on the ambition to return uranium conversion to the Springfields nuclear fuel site, both of which are critical to pushing Putin out of the global market. An additional £10 million will be provided to develop the skills and sites needed to produce other advanced nuclear fuels in the UK, helping to secure long term domestic nuclear fuel supply and support our allies. The roadmap also includes a government ambition to secure 3 – 7GW worth of investment decisions every 5 years from 2030 to 2044 on new nuclear projects. The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, said: "Nuclear is the perfect antidote to the energy challenges facing Britain - it’s green, cheaper in the long term and will ensure the UK’s energy security for the long-term." "This is the right long-term decision and is the next step in our commitment to nuclear power, which puts us on course to achieve net zero by 2050 in a measured and sustainable way. This will ensure our future energy security and create the jobs and skills we need to level up the country and grow our economy." Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Claire Coutinho, said: "Strengthening our energy security means that Britain will never again be held to ransom over energy by tyrants like Vladimir Putin. British nuclear, as one of the most reliable, low-carbon sources of energy around, will provide that security." "We’re making the biggest investment in domestic nuclear energy in 70 years. Our £300 million plan to produce advanced nuclear fuel in the UK will supply nuclear plants at home and overseas – further weakening the Kremlin’s grip on global energy markets." "From large gigawatt projects to small modular reactors, the UK’s wider nuclear revival will quadruple our nuclear capacity by 2050 – helping to power Britain from Britain." Plans to streamline the development of new power stations and introduce smarter regulation could speed up the overall process and, as a result, the delivery of nuclear power in the UK. This includes allowing regulators to assess projects while designs are finalised, and better join-up with overseas regulators assessing the same technology. Ministers will bring together the brightest and best from the nuclear industry and beyond as part of a ‘hackathon’ event to come up with ideas on how government and industry can accelerate new nuclear projects, while maintaining the highest levels of safety and security. These plans will help build new supplies of affordable and clean domestic power so the transition to net zero doesn’t mean higher prices, protecting households from global instability. The government is also today publishing 2 consultations, one on a new approach to siting future nuclear power stations and another on supporting the sector and encouraging private investment to roll out advanced nuclear projects. The proposals will attract investment in the UK nuclear sector by empowering developers to find suitable sites rather than focusing on 8 designated by government. Community engagement will remain critical to any decisions, alongside maintaining robust criteria such as nearby population densities. Following its launch last year, Great British Nuclear (GBN) will drive the UK’s nuclear ambitions forward, including through the game-changing SMR competition which will soon invite short-listed companies to tender. Unlike conventional nuclear reactors that are built on site, SMRs are smaller, can be made in factories, and could transform how power stations are built by making construction faster and less expensive. Alongside large gigawatt power stations, SMRs will play a key role in delivering on the expansion of UK nuclear capacity. As well as powering homes, innovations in the nuclear sector could provide direct heat for industry, energy for green hydrogen production, and medical isotopes for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Analysis by the Nuclear Skills Strategy Group suggests that to reach up to 24GW, the civil and defence nuclear workforce will need to double over the next 20 years – supporting around 80,000 additional skilled jobs across the UK. The Nuclear Skills Taskforce will shortly set out plans to meet the demand of an industry - already worth £6 billion to the British economy - which is likely to include increasing the numbers of graduates and apprentices and attracting mid-careerists with relevant skills and expertise. Minister for Nuclear Andrew Bowie said: "The government’s investment in nuclear will ensure the UK remains at the forefront of technological developments." "Our plans will give investors the confidence to back new UK projects, with a simpler process for locating new schemes and clear support for private sector companies developing innovative new technologies. " " By meeting a quarter of our electricity demand with nuclear, we will strengthen our energy independence, reduce bills and support jobs across the UK." The roadmap will also confirm plans for decommissioning to make sure they remain suitable for new nuclear technologies and protect future generations from bearing the costs. Tom Greatrex, Chief Executive of Nuclear Industry Association, said: "We welcome the publication of the roadmap - the commitment to explore a further large-scale project beyond Sizewell C in parallel with the deployment of SMRs is very welcome." "We will need both large and small nuclear at scale and at pace for our energy security and net zero future. Allowing developers to engage with the government about Regulated Asset Base funding models should also make it cheaper to finance projects, cutting costs to the consumer. Decisions on 3-7GW in each 5 year period provide the greater clarity and predictability, which in turn enables supply chain investment and more UK content in the future fleet." "The commitments to maximise our use of regulatory assessments already undertaken overseas will help get innovative reactor designs into construction faster and reduce the duplication in regulatory activity that eats up time for no additional benefit." Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect trade union, said: "Commitment to a long-term investment in new nuclear capacity is most welcome." "Nuclear is an essential part of a low carbon, secure energy strategy that should also deliver good, clean jobs at scale. Investment in both GW-scale power plants as well as SMRs is critical to ensuring a nuclear renaissance, as is reducing our exposure to Russian nuclear fuel production." "Prospect looks forward to playing an active role in delivering this mission that is critical to meeting our net zero and energy security goals." Babcock’s CEO for Nuclear Harry Holt said: "The UK’s Nuclear Roadmap will provide opportunities for the whole civil nuclear sector. Babcock, through our Cavendish Nuclear business, is committed to developing UK capability, jobs and skills and this is a great step in the right direction." Carol Tansley, Vice President of UK New Build Projects at X-energy, said: "We’re delighted this ambitious roadmap recognises the vital role in the UK energy mix for advanced modular reactors (AMRs)." "The announcement of funding for an advanced fuel enrichment facility is also a very welcome demonstration of commitment to deliver the next generation nuclear technologies in the UK. We look forward to engaging in the forthcoming consultations to create a blueprint for successful deployment." Gwen Parry-Jones, CEO of Great British Nuclear said: "Since Great British Nuclear started the SMR technical selection process last July, we have moved strongly forward and are on track to complete vendor selection later this year. Shortly we will invite the six companies we have selected to submit tenders." "The Civil Nuclear Roadmap provides a framework for GBN to help deliver more safe, clean and affordable UK nuclear power to UK consumers. Together with industry, we will enthusiastically take up the role the government has set out for us in delivering and advising across the UK’s nuclear programme. We are actively building GBN’s capability to take on the challenge ahead." Chris O’Shea, Group Chief Executive, Centrica, said: "The UK’s ambitious net zero targets will only be met if we utilise all of the tools at our disposal, including nuclear power generation. Centrica has invested in nuclear power generation for almost 15 years and we know the benefits it can create for customers and the country. We welcome the roadmap set out by the government today as we look to support the UK’s efforts to create a more secure, resilient energy system for the future." Dr Fiona Rayment OBE FNucI, President of the Nuclear Institute, commented: "I am delighted to see the publishing of the Nuclear Roadmap. It not only continues to provide a strong signal from government on nuclear, but reaffirms the only way to achieve carbon neutrality for energy whilst maintaining both energy and national security is through nuclear as a significant part of the UK energy mix." "Reaching 24GW by 2050 is achievable but challenging and recognising the need to address the skills and capability challenges in enabling this is key. The Nuclear Institute, as the professional membership body for the sector, assists in creating this capability and we are proud to support our nuclear workforce in the years ahead." Andrew Murdoch, UK Managing Director of Advanced Modular Reactor developer, newcleo, said: "newcleo welcomes today’s announcements by government which offer strong support for our sector and outline a clearer future for nuclear energy policy in the UK, be it big, small or advanced. We now look forward to participating in the government’s consultations on both siting and the routes to market for advanced technologies ahead of developing our first of a kind advanced modular reactor here in the UK by 2033." "newcleo is ready to invest billions of pounds of private money in the UK and create thousands of high value jobs in local communities with our innovative reactors. Today’s announcements help to provide the framework in which the industry and government can work together to realise the ambition to deliver 24 GW of much-needed nuclear power by 2050."

Volvo Cars is expanding its sustainability strategy, setting new ambitious goals for 2030 and 2040. The company is also boosting its focus on biodiversity, and by 2025 the company aims to have 100 per cent of its debt linked to its Green Financing Framework or in a sustainability-linked format. “Taking actions to combat climate change is non-negotiable and going fully electric is an important step on our pioneering journey,” says Jim Rowan, CEO of Volvo Cars. “As we move to further reduce emissions throughout our value chain, we have a responsibility to do more and address our biodiversity footprint as well as help improve people’s lives. Our updated strategy has been designed to help us do just that.” Volvo Cars’ new sustainability ambitions for 2030 in short: Reduce its CO2 emissions per car by 75 per cent (compared to 2018 levels) Reduce energy usage in its operations per average car by 40 per cent (compared to 2018 levels) Reach 30 per cent average recycled content across its fleet, with new car models having at least 35 per cent recycled content Reduce water use in its operations by 50 per cent average per car (compared to 2018 levels) At least 99 per cent of all waste from its operations to be either reused or recycled Since the release of the sustainability strategy in 2019, Volvo Cars has made progress towards its climate action targets. For example, 69 per cent of company operations are now powered by climate-neutral energy compared with 55 per cent in 2019, and 100 per cent climate-neutral electricity is now used across its manufacturing plants globally compared with 80 per cent in 2019. Additionally, Volvo Cars has reduced its CO2 emissions per car by 19 per cent since 2018. Net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 Volvo Cars’ aim now is to reach zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040. This expands upon our previous ambitions of being climate neutral by 2040, and clarifies the company’s intention to use carbon removals only to mitigate any unavoidable emissions. The company’s first priority remains to reduce real emissions before turning to carbon removals, and it encourages its suppliers to do the same. This will be underpinned by an ambition to achieve 100 per cent green debt or sustainability-linked financing of assets by 2025 – in recognition of the fact that finance plays a critical role in advancing sustainable development. 2030 is a milestone year for the company. By then it plans to be a fully electric car company while also aiming to reduce CO2 emissions per car by 75 per cent compared with its 2018 baseline. The company believes that through a combination of selling only fully electric cars and reducing emissions by 30 per cent from both its supply chain and operations, it will be on track to meet the CO2 reduction goals. Working towards becoming a circular business by 2040 At Volvo Cars, embracing the circular economy has been in focus since 2019. Recycled material already comprises a larger proportion of materials in newer Volvo cars than ever before. For example, nearly 25 per cent of all aluminium in the Volvo EX30 is recycled, while approximately 17 per cent of all steel and plastic in the car comes from recycled sources as well. Volvo Cars aims to use 30 per cent average recycled content across its fleet by 2030, and for new car models released from 2030 to contain at least 35 per cent recycled content. The company is also striving to ensure that by 2030, 99 per cent of all its waste is either reused or recycled compared with recycling 94 per cent of global production waste in 2022. Striving to be net positive and to contribute to a nature positive future Volvo Cars believes in taking a complete value chain approach to its impact on biodiversity. In addition to taking action to reduce impact, it will also pursue restorative actions. To uncover how Volvo Cars’ actions affect biodiversity, the company conducted an impact assessment using production and sales data from 2021 to estimate its annual biodiversity footprint using the ReCiPe model. Using the findings as a baseline, Volvo Cars is now setting a long-term ambition to strive to be net positive across its value chain and to contribute to a nature positive future. This will require a mixture of short-term and long-term measures that Volvo Cars is currently developing, such as avoiding and reducing the impacts of its value chain, designing a programme for restoration and conservation activities within ecosystems where it operates/sources from, and working together with supply chain partners to establish awareness on biodiversity issues. Help protect people’s lives within and beyond the value chain Volvo Cars wants to have a positive impact on society. The company has, for example, taken steps to help protect people by focusing on its injury rate (LTCR). The current injury rate (LTCR) is 0.07, an industry-leading effort, but the goal is to further reduce the workplace injury rate to 0.02 by 2030. Throughout its value chain, Volvo Cars is also working hard to help safeguard human rights through risk-based due diligence processes to trace, identify, assess and address human rights risks. Together with like-minded partners, Volvo Cars looks forward to unveiling new social and environmental initiatives in the year ahead, aimed towards helping protect people and the planet.

Nestlé Girvan has donated £1,327 to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), a vital life-saving charity. The donation was made to the RNLI Girvan Lifeboat Station, situated off the Southwest coast of Scotland, where the charity plays a crucial role in lifeboat search and rescue, lifeguard provision, water safety education, and flood rescue.   The Girvan factory team, responsible for supplying milk crumb to Nestlé’s confectionery factories in York and Halifax, engaged in various fundraising initiatives throughout the year, demonstrating their dedication to supporting the RNLI. They raised £1,052 by walking up Goat Fell, the highest point on the Isle of Arran. The team also raised an additional £275 through a Nestlé hamper and voucher raffle.  Operations Manager at the Girvan Factory, Fraser Haldane, wished to give thanks to the RNLI Girvan-based charity: “Nestlé is committed to being a force for good in our local community. We are thankful for the vital work of the RNLI and hope our donation supports their extraordinary efforts in ensuring the safety of our coastal areas."  John Tait, volunteer crew member and Treasurer at RNLI Girvan, said: “Once again we are grateful to Nestlé Girvan and their employees for selecting us as their chosen charity in 2023. Being associated with Nestlé, the world's largest food and beverage company, is an honour. Their ongoing local support has made a significant impact on local groups and charities, including our own. We thank you for your valuable contributions."