Weak UK pound an early Christmas present for Irish shoppers

A border crossing south of Newry, Northern Ireland, is marked only by billboards for money-changing kiosks and cut-price fuel in this image taken Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. The introduction of the European Union common market allowed the Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom to remove all customs searches and import restrictions from the 310-mile Irish border a quarter-century ago.

Swindon author writes what he likes to read

Jim Ody, 40, is the author of two self-published thrillers, Lost Connections and The Place that Never Existed. He recently had a story printed in an anthology called Dark Minds, sold in aid of charities Hospice UK and Sophie’s Appeal, where it appears alongside works by other authors including Amazon best-seller Louise Jensen.

Motorcyclist Andy Cochrane.

A MOTHER whose son was killed in a crash in Weymouth last year is campaigning for a change in the law that would see all dangerous drivers have to retake their test. Andy Cochrane, 50, of Broadmayne , was involved in an accident with a white Vauxhall Vivaro van at the junction of Littlemoor Road and Louviers Road on Tuesday, June 23 2015.

After school club children given pre-Christmas treat

Over 40 children who use Oscars at the West Rugby Club, in Catcote Road, enjoyed a Christmas buffet, party games and a visit from Santa. Sandra Robinson, out of school coordinator, at Hartlepool Borough Council, which runs the scheme, said: “We have a great group of children who attend Oscars and they fully deserved their pre-Christmas treat.

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Churches will be holding Christingles and midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day services. Children can bring a noiseless toy to St Andrews Church, Worden Lane, Leyland, Sunday from 10.30am.

12 killed after truck rams Berlin Christmas market crowd

A truck rammed into a crowded Christmas market in central Berlin on Monday evening, killing at least 12 people and injuring around 50 as it tore through tables and wooden stands. Police said a suspect believed to be the driver was arrested nearby and a passenger died as paramedics were treating him.

Trees felled by vandals in Brechin

An appeal has been launched by Angus Council and Police Scotland after several trees where felled in Brechin Public Park. A statement from Angus Council said: “Three trees have been felled at Brechin Public Park in an inexplicable act of vandalism.

101-year-old man jailed for historic sex crimes, becomes Britain’s oldest ever convict

A 101-year-old man, who last week became the oldest Briton to be convicted of a criminal offence, was jailed for 13 years on Monday for a string of historical sex crimes against two young sisters and their brother. Retired truck driver Ralph Clarke was found guilty of raping and abusing the sisters in the 1970s and early 80s, having earlier admitted indecently assaulting their brother and attempting to rape him when he was a schoolboy.

Mother-of-three avoids jail for causing crash that left woman with life changing injuries

Claire Pringle lost control of her car as she overtook on double white lines on a sharp bend, swerving into the grass verge and hedge on the A358 Chard to Taunton road in the Peasmarsh area. Her car ended up at a 90 degree angle to the road, hit a car on the opposite side of the road and veered into the path of a car coming in the opposite direction, while two other cars also collided, Taunton Crown Court heard on Friday.

Council shake-up as Conservative councillor switches to Greens

WELCOME: Cllr Claudia Moore, second left, with Cllr Jon Orrell, Cllr Clare Sutton and Green campaign coordinator Caz Dennett Picture: GARDIA PHOTOGRAPHY THE Green Party has gained another councillor in Weymouth and Portland after Claudia Moore crossed the floor from the Conservatives. Cllr Moore, who has been a councillor for Weymouth West since 2014, said she felt “more closely aligned with the Greens”, but also expressed concern about some Tory decisions.

Scotland to Propose Plan to Stay in EU, Curb Brexit Damage

Scotland will publish proposals this week for how it can remain in the European single market after Britain leaves the European Union in order to avoid the “national disaster” of a “hard Brexit,” the Scottish government said Sunday. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal process of leaving the EU, by the end of March to kick off two years of exit talks.

Scotland to Propose Plan to Stay in EU, Curb Brexit Damage

Scotland will publish proposals this week for how it can remain in the European single market after Britain leaves the European Union in order to avoid the “national disaster” of a “hard Brexit,” the Scottish government said Sunday. British Prime Minister Theresa May has said she will trigger Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, the formal process of leaving the EU, by the end of March to kick off two years of exit talks.

‘Saturday Night Live’ Pokes Fun at Trump’s Misspelled Tweets,…

A three-year-old Arkansas boy was fatally shot in a road rage incident Saturday night while on a shopping trip with his grandmother, police said.The gunman… — A new royal portrait to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday year has been released. Photographed by British fashion photographer Nick Knight, the Queen si… This week, former ASA Governing Committee member and Wisconsin farmer Kevin Hoyer provided public comments on behalf of the American Soybean Association in front of an Environ… Dubuque, Ia.

‘Saturday Night Live’ Pokes Fun at Trump’s Misspelled Tweets,…

A three-year-old Arkansas boy was fatally shot in a road rage incident Saturday night while on a shopping trip with his grandmother, police said.The gunman… — A new royal portrait to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s 90th birthday year has been released. Photographed by British fashion photographer Nick Knight, the Queen si… This week, former ASA Governing Committee member and Wisconsin farmer Kevin Hoyer provided public comments on behalf of the American Soybean Association in front of an Environ… Dubuque, Ia.

Landmark building to become housing

A LANDMARK building in Royal Wootton Bassett town centre is to become a 10-bed house of multiple occupation after developers won planning permission. The Grade II listed Touchdown House in the high street, once the town’s visitor centre, will be repaired and improved, according to developers SCH Ltd, as unsympathetic alterations are removed.

Post Office strike will affect local town store

Talks between the company and the Communication Workers Union have broken down and five days of industrial action will begin on Monday. Chorley’s Cleveland Street site is the only remaining ‘Crown’ post office which will be affected by the proposed stoppages.

UK faces strike-hit Christmas by post, train and air

The United Kingdom faces a Christmas of discontent as labour unions threaten to disrupt airports, rail services and mail deliveries. The Unite union and aviation services company Swissport announced negotiation plans Saturday intended to avert a Dec. 23 walkout by 1,500 baggage handlers, check-in staff and other workers at 18 regional airports from Belfast to Bournemouth.

Lions hope sleigh outings beat previous festive fundraising efforts

KINGSWINFORD and Stourbridge Lions hope to beat previous festive fundraising efforts with this year’s Christmas sleigh outings with a brand new Santa mobile. The charitable group has been treated to an all-new sleigh this time – thanks to sponsorship from a number of local businesses and organisations including NatWest Bank, West Bromwich Building Society, Asda, Stourbridge Motor House, Imperial Commercials, Crown Butchers.

Festive misery for travellers as airport crews vote to strike

TENS of thousands of festive travellers are facing the prospect of holiday misery after unions announced a series of strikes at Scotland’s three biggest airports in the days running up to Christmas. Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen are among 18 UK airports targeted by the Unite union as more than 1500 check-in staff, baggage handlers and cargo crew stage a 48-hour walk-out in the runup the December 25. Members of Unite employed by Swissport will walk out on December 23 and 24 at other airports including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Bournemouth, Cardiff, Doncaster, East Midlands, Gatwick, Heathrow, Leeds/ Bradford, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Southampton and Stansted.

Businesses in Swindon wear it festive for charity

Nationwide, in Pipers Way, raised money for its charity partner Shelter – which seeks to end homelessness in the UK – with a variety of activities including festive treats, quizzes, and employees dressed in their favourite Christmas jumpers. Stephan Uden, head of social investment at Nationwide, said: “It’s great to see all our people coming together to help make a difference to end homelessness in the UK.

New York New York

New York City is known for path-blocking, slow-moving tourists and cursing city-dwellers trying to get past. Despite the tightness of the avenues and squares, every year on the city street corners you’ll see guys parked all week long, selling Christmas trees of various shapes and sizes on the footpath.

Salon raided for A 1,500 worth of hair products

Victoria, Alex and Sandra Stevens, owners of Tops Salon, were shocked to discover the shop had been ram raided over the weekend AN EARLY morning ram raid on a hair salon in Melksham was just one of a spate of car crimes at the weekend as west Wiltshire experiences a mini crimewave. Alex Stevens and her family were woken by a phone call from Wiltshire Police in the early hours of Saturday alerting them to a break-in at Tops salon on the High Street.

Sundance Screenwriters Lab Unveils 15 Writers It Will Support

Making the cut is Iranian writer-director Massoud Bakhshi true story ‘Yalda,’ which centers on a woman convicted of killing her husband who agrees to appear on a popular TV show to ask her husband’s daughter for forgiveness. The Sundance Institute has selected the 15 emerging screenwriters and their 12 feature film projects that it will support through the 2017 Screenwriters Lab.