Posts By napierradio
0 Irn Bru inspired recipes: not just a piece of cake
Hollie Smith
Second to the title of Scotland’s most famous drink, but no less enjoyed, is the country’s other national drink, Irn Bru. Loved all over the world by millions the ginger ginger is now being embraced in a new fashion, through the wonders of fusion cuisine.
First there was the Irn Bru flavoured square sausage, which made its mark in 2007. Since, the appetite for Irn Bru to be embraced into our every meal – and every course – has grown; and so has stemmed a variety of adventurous recipes all embracing the nation’s favourite fizzy.
And it is not just the Scots who are Irn Bru lovers, the drink ‘made from girders’ is growing in popularity south of the border. So much so, that a new Irn Bru factory is to be built, in England! So, to celebrate the news of our other national drink we have compiled a list of recipes using the country’s favourite ginger.
First up, Ginger Cupcake. The appetite for cupcakes has risen dramatically over the past few years; and now Scotland is putting its own twist on the dainty delight. Click here for th
e recipe.
Next up, Irn Bru Ice-cream Ripple. Imagine, you’ve just enjoyed your meal at Edinburgh’s finest fusion cuisine restaurant, you’ve had Irn Bru flavoured sausages, severed on top garlic and lemon mashed potato drizzled in a light gravy, but you’ve got a small space left, just hankering for ice-cream to wash it all down. Click here for the recipe.
Finally, it’s time for an after-dinner drink, It is called the Demeanor Cocktail and it tastes just like Irn Bru. Click here for the recipe.
0 Radio Napier News
Listen now to the day’s top stories in our full radio broadcast, with presenters Sarah Garden and Aly Fraser.
0 ‘Telpher Underpass needs CCTV’ argue Edinburgh residents
Ben Graham
With the number of knife-related attacks and robberies increasing, residents near the Telpher Underpass in Dalry have called for greater security measures.
Rashpal Sandher was the latest victim, being held up at knife point shortly after opening her store at around 07.30 yesterday morning. There have been a series of attacks in and around the tunnel, including the brutal rape of an Australian beautician just two years ago. MSP Sarah Boyack has joined citizens in demanding better surveillance of the area and greater police response when a crime is committed.
Police are investigating an attack on a 37 year old cyclist in Northern Edinburgh. The man was cycling past a group of around 20-25 youths when he was accosted and struck in the face. Police say his injuries are not threatening however they are seeking information that may help trace the suspect, who is said to be a white male, around 15, with a slim build. Further identification of the suspect is not yet possible because he wore a scarf around his face during the assault.
0 Campus Of the Living Dead
Poster adverts looking for people to ‘help make a Halloween movie in 48 hours’ have been mysterious popping up all over Edinburgh Npaier University’s campuses.
The curious posters have been spotted in various locations including around the Merchiston campus. The advert is calling on all budding directors, screenwriters, sound designers, video editors and sound designers to get in touch and help make the film. Lead actors are also needed along with more than 100 people willing to act as zombie extras. Special effects artists are also being called upon to help transform participants for their roles.
Anybody interested in taking part should email ia.smith@napier.ac.uk for more details.
0 Susan Boyle Musical
Claire White
Susan Boyle is set to feature in a musical based on her life. The star will host the musical titled ‘I Dreamed A Dream’ on selected dates as it tours the UK with an 11-week run.
Actress Elaine C Smith, famed for her role in Rab C Nesbitt, is set to play Susan Boyle. The show will be produced by Michael Harrison.
Speaking of the tour Susan commented;
‘I am happy that the musical is being produced, I never thought my life story would end up on the stage but a lot has happened in two years and it is a very exciting prospect. I hope everyone enjoys the show and I promise there will be a few surprises along the way.’
You can view the full list of tour dates by clicking here.
0 Almost… again
Christian McBride
Scotland comes so wonderfully close so often, in so many ways… but we always trip our own feet, or just fail to take hold of opportunities.
These are the top 4 times Scotland promised so much, and failed to deliver….
4. Andy Murray – For years Scotland had only entertained tennis as a pass time, Wimbledon was sort of close and those with the money might like to enjoy some champagne and strawberries down there. But other than that Scotland was disinterested. Even so far as to be the subject of a Monty Python flying circus sketch, where an alien invasion could only be thwarted with a Scotsman winning Wimbledon. Suddenly we had our own rising tennis star, a man who might bring the Wimbledon title back to Britain for the first time since Fred Perry. However year after year Murray succumbs to the Scottish mentality and all the ability in the world (which we’re told he has in abundance when he plays well) goes out the window and he bombs out.
3. Scotland v Argentina, 2011 Rugby World Cup – This one was a simple case of fulfilling our roll as the great bottle merchants. A win would have meant progress to the next round, a close game to the finish. Amorosino fumbles and knocks it into touch, Parks takes a kick that high school rugby players across the nation would swear they could make… and shanks it left. Scotland fail to progress past the group stages for the first time in any world cup.
2. Colin Montgomerie, 1995, PGA Championship, Riviera Country Club – Monty would birdie his last three holes to tie Steve Elkington and take it to a sudden death play off, but while in a far better position on the green Monty would miss his putt while Elkington sinks a 35 foot putt.
1. Football World Cup 1978 (and to an extent ’74) – Scotland has the best of the worst track records in regards to football World Cups, but in ’78 it was something special. Ally MacLeod had the nation believing they would come back with a medal. “We’re on the road with Ally’s army” was being sung across the nation. But in our opening two games we were sat with one point, and had to beat the Netherlands by three goals to proceed. That day Scotland would score three goals, one of which by Archie Gemmill would be considered one of the best goals of the tournament. However on that same day the Dutch would score two, dashing Scotland’s dreams of progression and putting us out on goal difference for the second world cup in a row.
0 Lucrative Euro football deals
Liam McGowan
Liverpool’s managing director, Colin Ayre, believes that it is important for English sides to be allowed to secure independent TV deals abroad so that they are not left behind by the top European clubs.
“The other European clubs just don’t follow that model. They will create much greater revenue to go and buy the best players”, he claims.
However several other clubs, including Manchester united and Chelsea, have distanced themselves from Liverpool’s proposal to break from the Premier League’s current model of collecting Television deals.
Manchester united’s chief Executive David Gill said: “The collective selling of the television rights has clearly been a success and it has made things more competitive [in the league].” A Chelsea spokesman also said, “We are supportive of the Premier League on this and want to continue with the way they sell [TV rights] collectively.”
It is understood that Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will continue to back the current model that last season awarded each club £17.9m.
While Liverpool had expected other clubs to back their stance, Ayre argues it would bring about a fairer distribution of funds than is currently the case. “Is it right that the international rights are shared equally between all the clubs? he asks. Isn’t it really about who people want to watch on that channel? We know it is us and others.”
Overseas revenues could outstrip the domestic deal, currently worth £2.1bn over three years, for the first time when the Premier League launches its tender process next year.
0 Liverpool’s boss urges British teams to chase the Euro
Liam McGowan
Liverpool’s managing director, Colin Ayre, believes that it is important for English sides to be allowed to secure independent TV deals abroad so that they are not left behind by the top European clubs.
“The other European clubs just don’t follow that model. They will create much greater revenue to go and buy the best players”, he claims.
But several other clubs, including Manchester United and Chelsea, have distanced themselves from Liverpool’s proposal to break from the Premier League’s current model of collecting Television deals.
Manchester United’s chief Executive David Gill said: “The collective selling of the television rights has clearly been a success and it has made things more competitive [in the league].” A Chelsea spokesman also said, “We are supportive of the Premier League on this and want to continue with the way they sell [TV rights] collectively.”
It is understood that Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur will continue to back the current model that last season awarded each club £17.9m.
It is thought that Liverpool had expected other clubs to back their stance, which Ayre argues would bring about a fairer distribution of funds than is currently the case. “Is it right that the international rights are shared equally between all the clubs? he asks. Isn’t it really about who people want to watch on that channel? We know it is us and others.
Overseas revenues could outstrip the domestic deal, currently worth £2.1bn over three years, for the first time when the Premier League launches its tender process next year.
0 Worldwide protests expected in Scotland
Jamie Mann
Public protests experienced on Wall Street in New York City are planned to go worldwide on October the 15th through organization on webpages and social networks.
Many websites have arisen including OccupyBritain.co.uk, wearethe99percentuk.tumblr.com and Occupytogether.org. 15october.net lists events in 670 cities in 67 countries including 4 in Scotland. Facebook communities have formed entitled Occupy Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Aberdeen respectively. Scotland’s capital has received the most activity with around 250 people confirming attendance to the event “Occupy Edinburgh” occurring this Saturday at 1PM in St Andrews Square; the square, surrounded by numerous banks and insurance companies is thought to be one of the major financial districts in Scotland.
Wall Street protesting began on September 17th on New York City’s Wall Street; the events are believed to be the result of an email distributed by activist magazine Adbusters in mid-July of this year. The Guardian confirmed that by October 8th, protests had reached 70 cities around the world.
A description of Occupy Edinburgh on the 15 October website says:
”A peaceful, NON-VIOLENT protest beginning on Saturday the 15th of October with the initial intent of occupying St Andrews Square and voicing our concerns about the way in which our banks and governments are structured and operated.”
The most prominent ‘occupy’ event in the UK in preparation is “Occupy The London Stock Exchange”. Facebook has over 4000 confirmed attendees, though how many will attend on the day remains to be seen.
Reuters confirmed that over 700 were arrested last Sunday while marching over Brooklyn Bridge and blocking traffic lanes in the process. Another 100 were arrested in Boston early on Tuesday morning as the campaigners had been camping in the city’s Dewey Square since October 1st.
Numerous viral videos from the hacker/activist group Anonymous have been released on YouTube addressing several different countries and sovereign states around the world. In a video posted on Youtube this message is delivered:
“All across the world on October 15th 2011 there will be simultaneous peaceful protests these will be in cities all around the world. These protests will be the peoples chance to voice their dissatisfaction with the system that has failed them. Anonymous UK in conjunction with Anonymous London Anoymous will be leading operation unity.”
The group have planned a march from speaker’s corner in London’s Hyde Park at 2pm heading to Parliament Square.. Anonymous are frequently described as only activists and hackers or ‘hacktivists’. Many members wear Guy Fawkes masks during protests which were popularized by the V for Vendetta motion picture and comic book . The group are also large supporters of Wikileaks and many were arrested in connection with ‘Operation Avenge Assange’ which involved an online attack on PayPal after they froze Wikileaks accounts. Over 20 were arrested in the US, the Netherlands and the UK according to the BBC. This included a sixteen-year-old boy from south London.
0 Jury visit Jo Yeates flat
Amy Anderson
The jury in the trial of Vincent Tabak have today been taken to visit the flat where it is alleged he killed Jo Yeates.
The 12-person jury was escorted from Bristol Crown Court to key locations that feature in the case to retrace the last steps believed to have been made by Yeates the night she died. In addition to the flat she lived in, the jury also visited the Waitrose store she was last seen shopping and past the Bristol Ram Pub.
Whilst Tabak has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, he denies murdering the 25 year-old in December last year. The trial is expected to go on for another four weeks.
0 Today’s Weather
Here is today’s weather for Edinburgh
A light rain shower will spread across the entire city in the daytime, but at night it will turn into cloudy Maximum temperature 9°C.
Thanks to everyone who sent in pictures of their favourite sunset, please keep them coming – they’re really brightening up our day.
0 Social Housing for Armed Forces
Jamie Mann
Ex-service personnel will have an advantage finding a home in Scotland’s capital. City of Edinburgh Council have announced that time spent in the armed forces will will be seen as equal to the time civilians have been awaiting a home on Edinburgh’s housing register, EdIndex. The partnership between the Council and 20 Housing Associations and Co-operatives in Edinburgh, EdIndex allows the public to apply for social and mid-rent housing as well as shared-ownership.
The decision was confirmed yesterday at the Health, Social Care and Housing Committee and was owed to the hardships of ex-servicemen and women in finding social housing following their time spent living abroad or in service accommodation.
Armed forces personnel will still be treated equally to civilians on the housing register however, those serving will have their time abroad taken into account. For example those who have served five years will receive the same consideration as someone who has been on the register for council housing for five years.
These new regulations will apply to service personnel whom have registered with EdIndex within three years of leaving the armed forces.
The City of Edinburgh Council website advises:
“There is not enough social housing in Edinburgh for everyone who applies for it. If you are not considered in priority need for social housing you could be waiting many years before you are successful for a house.”
In addition to the this agreement, it was also decided that the City Council and the Ministry of Defense would collaborate to provide specialist advice to armed forces personnel planning on living in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh’s Government notes that 16,600 new homes are required over a decade with an average of 138 bids for each Council and home advertise don the Key to Choice Website.
And what do you think?
Here’s what the general public thought when we hit the streets to find out:
0 Blackberry Blackout Reaches Third Day
Kay de Mabior
There is little, if any, doubt that devout blackberry users will be suffering from the early stages of withdrawal, as we reach day three of the Blackberry blackout. Since the beginning of the week users of the popular device found that their email, instant messenger (BBM) and internet services have slowed, halted or became completely unavailable.
RIM, the company responsible for Blackberry, has been dealing with the outage and is now blaming it on a “core switch failure within RIM’s infrastructure.” Users in Europe were the first to feel the effects of this crash, which eventually spread around the world. RIM went on to state that the malfunction was a result of a large backlog of data and claim that they “are now working to clear that backlog and restore normal service.”
These ongoing service disruptions are the worst of their kind, even surpassing a similar outage that swept North America in 2009, and comes on the week Apple prepares to release its iPhone 4S. After a plummet in share prices and a string of unfortunate quarterly results some investors are calling for a change in management, suspension and even a sale of the whole company. Some companies, who have subscriptions to RIM’s Secure Propriety Services, are opting out to explore alternative devices.
Frustrated users have been tweeting their anger, as RIM services continue their erratic substructure repairs. Entrepreneur and host of BBC TV series The Apprentice, Alan Sugar, tweeted his dismay at the fiasco, saying: “in all my years in the IT biz, I have never seen such an outage as experienced by Blackberry. I can’t understand why it is taking so long to fix.”
With over 70 million blackberry subscribers around the world, the way in which RIM deals with the ongoing outage will no doubt fault or further the company’s flagging reputation. The deluge of reactions on social networking sites suggest many users are considering a smartphone switch-up, creating new business opportunities for other smartphones such as Android’s Sony Ericson and Apple’s iPhone. RIM has not provided any recent information concerning the outage, but has apologized “for any inconvenience” and is promising to “continue to keep [users] informed.”
0 No Chaos, this year Claus
Catriona Howson
Edinburgh Council have published their Winter Maintenance plan and have advised residents to be familiar with what provisions are available. This is to avoid a repeat of last year’s Christmas chaos where traffic was left at a standstill.
Roads have been categorized and prioritized to allow maximum flow of services and provisions to continue. Therefore main roads such as the A1, Liberton Brae, Queensferry road are the highest priority. Surprisingly many roads have got dual classification yet no clarity has been given as to why.
Curious to know if you will be knee deep in snow, or on the fast track? The council’s list of roads can be found here.
Environmental Leader Councilor Robert Aldridge gives us his take on snow precautions, with commentary from Lauren Witherspoon
0 Professional Tennis Elbow
Liam McGowan
Andy Murray looked stunned yesterday, as he unveiled a terracotta warrior statue of himself, erected to commemorate his Masters series win in Shanghai last year.
The event was rather ironic, given the ongoing complaints of players that the yearly schedule puts unfair demands on the players.
Big names such as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have recently lamented the gruelling effects of the tour, which has no official off-season. And Murray himself recently made controversial claims that the situation could eventually lead to a players’ strike.
But speaking yesterday, he backtracked on his initial claim :”When I said it was a possibility, I didn’t expect that to be such a massive issue. It’s so far away from being at that level.
“Me, and not any of the players I know, want to strike.”
Murray is currently third in the world, and has won back-to back titles in the past two weeks.
1 Movember Moustache Madness
Hollie Smith
Movember sees men of all ages take to sprouting ‘taches of different forms. There’s the handlebar, the Chaplin ‘tache, the Super Mario ‘tache. The point is there are many iconic moustaches and no doubt we’ll be seeing all sorts growing over the month of November.
The popularity of Movember has undoubtedly grown each year, it’s now on trend every November; dare we say it may be unfashionable not to sprout your own mustache. If you’re a Movember debutant, this year, then fear not! Here are the vital things you need to know.
The aim of Movember is to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men.
“On Movember 1st, guys register at Movember.com with a clean-shaven face and then for the rest of the month, these selfless and generous men, known as Mo Bros, groom, trim and wax their way into the annals of fine moustachery. Supported by the women in their lives, Mo Sistas, Movember Mo Bros raise funds by seeking out sponsorship for their Mo-growing efforts.
Mo Bros effectively become walking, talking billboards for the 30 days of November and through their actions and words raise awareness by prompting private and public conversation around the often ignored issue of men’s health.
At the end of the month, Mo Bros and Mo Sistas celebrate their gallantry and valor by either throwing their own Movember party or attending one of the infamous Gala Partés held around the world by Movember.
So to get you inspired with Movember here’s a look the top 5 taches we could find. WARNING: May contain excessive hair growth, which some people may find disturbing.
We’ve also persuaded our radio Mo Sistas to Show off thier own Facial Foliage.
0 Who is Adam Werritty?
Christian McBride
“The requirement to declare a relevant interest at the appropriate time covers almost
every aspect of a Member’s parliamentary duties extending to correspondence and
meetings with Ministers and public officials”
– House of Commons Code of Conduct, Chapter 2, paragraph 85
So as Dr Fox faces intensifying questions relating to his relationship with he is left defending a trepiditious position. As more comes out about Adam Werritty the worse things look for Fox. Today Fox denies claims that it was Werritty that was his guest during the robbery at his London home. This has given rise to the usual sexual speculation that the boys in Westminster love so much. Fox has defended his sexuality rather passionately in the past, denying he was gay in an interview in 2005 with the London’s Evening Standard.
But who is this Werritty character? Fox’s flat mate and best man at his wedding, Werritty ran six businesses which made a combined total of just £20,000 profit, two of which have seemingly no purpose and one of which made just £6000 profit but managed to make a £10,000 donation to the Atlantic Bridge Research and Education scheme which group Fox had established. A group Warritty would go on to be director of and would pay him £90,000.
This coupled with the high profile meetings Warritty attended with Fox as his adviser (a title he would put on business cards) yet holding no official position has led to questions being raised about the nature of their relationship and whether it has constituted a conflict of interest. One of the more pertinent questions being the funding of Werritty’s travel expenses, which, if paid for with tax payers money, would constitute an abuse of his position.
0 Scottish Employment Rate Figures Released
Liam McGowan
The number of unemployed young people in Britain has reached an all-time high of 21.3%, according to official figures released today.
The statistics, which were released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), also reveal that overall unemployment in Britain has reached a 17-year high at 8.1%. Many analysts have criticised the UK government’s deficit reduction plan, and Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Liam Byrne is unconvinced by the coalition’s strategies. “[This is] a day of judgment for the government”, he claims. “Today’s figures are the clearest proof yet that the government’s decision to cut too far and too fast is hurting and just not working. Unemployment is soaring, and more young people are out of work than ever before.”
The Employment Secretary Chris Grayling denied that the statistics indict the government, claiming that Britain was now seeing “the impact of the international financial crisis”. He also said that, despite the UK not using the Euro currency, it is “not immune” to the problems currently being experienced in Greece and other Eurozone countries. Scottish unemployment figures, despite an increase of 7000 in the last quarter, are now at 7.9% which is just below the UK average of 8.1%. The Scots employment rate now sits at 71.2% , while the UK average is 70.4%
First Minister Alex Salmond has said that the figures reinforce the validity of the Scottish government’s demand that Westminster adopts a “Plan MacB” approach, lest Scotland be “Derailed by Westminster’s wrong-headed economic policy”.
“A Westminster ‘Plan MacB’ must deliver real action in the areas where Scottish government policy is making a difference – increased capital expenditure, improved access to finance for medium and small-sized businesses, as well as the introduction of measures to boost consumer confidence and economic security.”
However, Labour’s Finance Spokesman, is unconvinced by the reliability of the Scottish economic plan. “While Alex Salmond talks on the TV about ‘Plan MacB’, he is cutting capital investment more than even George Osborne, cutting key drivers of growth like colleges, and presiding over continuing stagnation in the Scottish economy”, he said. “Scotland is stuck between a Tory government cutting too fast and an SNP government whose economic policy simply isn’t working.”
Liz Cameron, the Chief of the Scottish chambers of Commerce, stated: “The second half of this year was always going to be a difficult one for employment in Scotland with public sector cuts beginning to take hold, cost pressures on the increase and growing concerns about the state of the US and Eurozone economies.
Prime Minister, David Cameron, argued that he did have a plan for cutting the deficit ; “if you don’t have a credible economic plan, you’re not at the races”, he sympathised with the unemployed saying “Every job lost is a tragedy”.
Opposition leader Ed Milliband struck back by casting doubt on Cameron’s plan; “to have a credible plan for the deficit, you need a plan for growth”.
0 There’s No ‘vember’ like MO.vember
Kay De Mabior
As the sun sets on our last few unexpected days of warmth a new dawn is fast approaching here in Edinburgh, moustache season, the time of year where “Mo-Bros” and “Mo-Sistas” will be uniting in order to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer. Under any other circumstances this dishevelled and unkempt demeanour would rouse suspicions of some sort of mid-life crisis from wives, girlfriends and mums. But throughout the month of November men the world over will be discarding all shaving clippers, trimmers and blades, to let ‘The month of the moustache’ rein.
This annual, month-long event was conceived by a group of Aussie gents in 1999, and christened ‘Movember’. In 2004 the Movember Foundation charity started running events for Men’s health magazine in Australia and New Zealand, and last year, in 2010, the Movember movement was taken to the world in countries such as Ireland, South Africa, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
The rules for the month-long moustache marathon have been carefully crafted and moulded by ‘The Movember Committee for the People of Movember’ in the Movember Manifesto. They are as follows;
• On Shadowe’en (October 31st), the complete moustache region, including the entire upper lip and the handlebar zones, must be completely shaved.
• For the entire duration of Movember (Movember 1st – 35th inclusive), no hair shall be allowed to grow in the goatee zone – being any facial area below the bottom lip.
• There is to be no joining of the moustache to sideburns.
• Failure to conform to all of these rules may, at the discretion of the official Movember Committee, result in instant blacklisting and may void invitation to the end of MOnth festivities (this year lip-marked for Movember 35th!)
• Movember Committee accepts no responsibility for lost jobs, rashes, food/beer encrustments or any other such mishaps caused to the wearer (or his partner) of a Movember Moustache. You grew it yourself.
Last year a record 112,000 Mo Bros and Mo Sistas took on the stash challenge in the UK, raising £10.3 million for the Prostate Cancer Charity, the Institute for Cancer Research and the Movember foundation. This year there are more ways to get involved including registering yourself, your organization or your school to participate via the website or you can make a direct donation. They say, there is no ‘vember’ like mo vember, and this year there will be event all over the city including, movember marathons, fundraisers and launch parties.
0 Asbsestos: The Dangers
Ben Graham
With the spate of recent asbestos scares across the UK, it comes as no surprise that the public is up in arms regarding the continued use of this material in public areas. There have been a number of incidents surrounding asbestos scares in Britain, and as our understanding of the diseases this mineral can cause grows, so does our need to instigate stricter measures.
Asbestos comes in three principle forms; brown white and blue asbestos. All three are still being manufactured despite strict measures being put in place to prevent workers being over-exposed.
Predominantly asbestos is mined from countries such as South Africa and Canada. Known for its high heat resistance and its ability to resist chemical and electrical damage, asbestos seemed perfect for insulation and plumbing when first commercialy use in the 19th Century.
However asbestos is now more commonly associated with lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis, as well as the shutting of schools, hospitals and public offices for its inevitable removal.
White asbestos was banned from use in public and work areas for a number of years now under the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act.
Asbestosis is the scarring of the lungs caused by tiny asbestos fibers being inhaled, which can cause shortness of breath in the short term and has serious medical ramifications in the long-term.
Despite the recent press, the asbestos scare is not a new threat to public health. There have been numerous different campaigns to cut this material from our environments.
In Novemeber of 2009 Edinburgh Council was forced to pay £14, 000 in damages to workers that had been exposed to the dangerous chemical whilst refurbishing the Castlebrae Community High School. On this occasion, the council admitted to breaching health and safety guidelines by not including the asbestos in their risk assessment of anything likely to cause harm to workers.
In Swansea the company Ammanford were reprimanded for what was described as ‘the worst case of asbestos ever seen’ in March of this year. Again the company was fined for their negligence but often these fines are too late or are simply insignificant in comparison to the health risks workers were exposed to.
There are also problems involved in the removal of asbestos, as there must be a replacement source of fire insulation and protection available at the time. Many companies have been fined for the illegal removal of asbestos, such as in Enfield 2009. In this case the two businesses found responsible were handed hefty fines, far exceeding what they would have had to pay to remove the asbestos legally.
Radio Napier 