fb777 011 COPPER MOUNTAIN, Colo. — For a pair of lower-level downhill events, this sure had plenty of Olympic medal-capturing and World Cup-winning ski racers. The stage belonged to Lindsey Vonn, the 40-year-old who took another step on her comeback trail Saturday with her first races in nearly six years. Vonn wasn't particularly speedy and finished in the middle of the pack on a cold but sunny day at Copper Mountain. Times and places weren't the mission, though, as much as getting used to the speed again and gaining the necessary points to compete on the World Cup circuit this season. Vonn accomplished both, finishing 24th in the first downhill race of the day and 27th in the second. She posted on social media after the FIS races that she had enough points to enter World Cup events. The timing couldn't be more perfect — the next stop on the women's circuit is Beaver Creek, Colorado, in a week. Vonn, who used to own a home in nearby Vail, hasn't committed to any sort of timetable for a World Cup return. “Today was a solid start and I had a blast being in start with my teammates again!” Vonn wrote on X. “While I’m sure people will speculate and say I’m not in top form because of the results, I disagree. This was training for me. I’m still testing equipment and getting back in the groove.” Her competition — a veritable who's who of high-profile ski racers — applauded her efforts. “I don't expect her to come back and win — just that she comes back and she has fun,” said Federica Brignone of Italy, a former overall World Cup champion and three-time Olympic medalist. “She's having fun, and she’s doing what she loves. That’s the best thing that she could do.” In the first race on a frigid morning, Vonn wound up 1.44 seconds behind the winning time of 1 minute, 5.79 seconds posted by Mirjam Puchner of Austria. In her second race through the course later in the morning, Vonn was 1.53 seconds behind Cornelia Huetter of Austria, who finished in 1:05.99. Huetter is the reigning season-long World Cup downhill champion. “It’s really nice to compare with her again, and nice to have her (racing) again,” Huetter said. “For sure, for the skiing World Cup, we have a lot of more attention. It's generally good for all racers because everyone is looking.” Also in the field were Nadia Delago of Italy, who won a bronze medal in downhill at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, and Puchner, the Olympic silver winner in super-G in Beijing. In addition, there was Marta Bassino of Italy, a winner of the super-G at the 2023 world championships, and two-time Olympic champion Michelle Gisin of Switzerland. “For me, it was really a training, but it was fun to have a World Cup race level right here,” Gisin said. “It was a crazy race.” Vonn remains a popular figure and took the time after each run to sign autographs for young fans along with posing for photos. When she left the sport, Vonn had 82 World Cup race victories, which stood as the record for a woman and within reach of the all-time Alpine record of 86 held by Swedish standout Ingemar Stenmark. The women’s mark held by Vonn was surpassed in January 2023 by Mikaela Shiffrin, who now has 99 wins — more than any Alpine ski racer in the history of the sport. Shiffrin is currently sidelined after a crash in a giant slalom event in Killington, Vermont, last weekend. Vonn’s last major race was in February 2019, when she finished third in a downhill during the world championships in Sweden. The three-time Olympic medalist left the circuit still near the top of her game. But all the broken arms and legs, concussions and torn knee ligaments took too big a toll and sent her into retirement. She had a partial knee replacement last April and felt good enough to give racing another shot. “It's very impressive to see all the passion that Lindsey still has,” Gisin said. Also racing Saturday was 45-year-old Sarah Schleper, who once competed for the United States but now represents Mexico. Schleper was the next racer behind Vonn and they got a chance to share a moment between a pair of 40-somethings still racing. “I was like, ‘Give me some tips, Lindsey,’” Schleper said. “She’s like, ‘Oh, it’s a highway tuck, the whole thing.’ Then she’s like, ‘It’s just like the good old days.’"LSU outlasts UCF 109-102 in triple-OT affair

SKOPJE, North Macedonia (AP) — A political party in North Macedonia on Saturday demanded authorities ban social networks whose content incites violence and self-destructive behavior after several young people were seriously injured in connection with the popular “Superman challenge” on TikTok. Health authorities said at least 17 students, ages 10 to 17, were brought to hospitals in the capital Skopje and other towns over the past week with broken bones, contusions and bruises. The children were injured after being thrown into the air by their friends to fly like superheroes and get applause on the internet. The Liberal-Democratic Party, which was part of the left-led coalition that ruled the country from 2016 to earlier in 2024, issued a press statement Saturday strongly condemning “the irresponsible spread of dangerous content on social media, such as the latest TikTok 'challenge' known as ‘Superman,’ which has injured six children across (the country) in the past 24 hours.” “The lack of adequate control over the content of social media allows such ‘games’ to reach the most vulnerable users,” the party statement said. It demanded the “immediate introduction of measures to ban content that incites violence and self-destructive behavior, increase surveillance, and sanction platforms that enable dangerous trends.” North Macedonia’s education minister Vesna Janevska said students should focus on education, not TikTok challenges. “The ban on mobile phones in schools will not have an effect. Phones will be available to children in their homes, neighborhoods and other environments,” she said. Psychologists have warned that the desire to be “in” with the trends on social networks, combined with excessive use of mobile phones, is the main reason for the rise in risky behaviors among children. They urged parents and schools to talk with students.Repealing no-fault divorce has so far stalled across the US. Some worry that'll changeNone

Daily Post Nigeria realme unveils realme C61 the most durable smartphone in its segment, setting new standard for resilience and performance Home News Politics Metro Entertainment Sport Sponsored realme unveils realme C61 the most durable smartphone in its segment, setting new standard for resilience and performance Published on November 30, 2024 By Daily Post Staff Youth-favourite smartphone brand realme has launched its all-new realme C61 with the tagline “Hard to Break”, offering ultimate durability and superior performance in this segment. The device features anti-drop protection, water splash resistance and Rainwater Smart Touch capability that ensures unparalleled longevity and reliability. The IP54 rating of realme C61 ensures that the device withstands dust, water splashes, and everyday wear and tear, ensuring reliable performance in diverse environments. Alongside its robust build quality, the device features 24GB RAM (8GB+16GB Dynamic RAM) and 256GB of expandable internal storage. The realme C61 also enables rapid app launches, smooth multitasking, and improved background app retention. Its powerful 5000mAh battery provides all-day power, effortlessly lasting through two full days of use on a single charge. The 50MP AI camera of realme C61 comes with two new filters – Cinematic and Crisp. The ultra-slim profile, high-quality materials, and innovative manufacturing techniques make realme C61 a fashion statement, perfect for long-term mobile gaming and everyday use. The realme C61 comes in two stunning colours: Sparkle Gold and Dark Green. The realme C61 is not just a smartphone; it’s a leap forward in user experience. Powered by the AI Boost Engine, this device seamlessly adapts to your usage patterns, ensuring smooth performance whether you’re multitasking, gaming, or navigating apps. With innovative Air Gestures, the C61 allows for touchless interactions, making it easier to control your phone without physically touching it—ideal for situations where convenience is key. The Dynamic Button allows you to personalize physical interactions, making your device truly your own. Plus, AI Noise Reduction uses cutting-edge algorithms to filter out background noise, ensuring crystal-clear audio even in noisy environments. Experience the future of smartphones with the realme C61 where durability, performance, and style converge to create an unparalleled user experience. Related Topics: Promoted Don't Miss How to stream BetOnline Mosconi Cup Live and TV Broadcast Team USA vs Europe Pool Tournament You may like How to stream BetOnline Mosconi Cup Live and TV Broadcast Team USA vs Europe Pool Tournament IFIC Conference: Access Bank wins Financial Inclusive Bank of the Year Award OGSTEP trains SARC staff, gender officers on efficient handling of GBV issues Zenith Bank Expands Global Footprints With Paris Branch Launch Celebrate the holidays with Xiaomi Carnival – The top 5 gifts for a Merry Christmas Guinness Nigeria announces 33 new beneficiaries of its 2024 Undergraduate Scholarship Scheme Advertise About Us Contact Us Privacy-Policy Terms Copyright © Daily Post Media LtdLindsey Vonn takes another step in comeback at age 40, competes in a pair of downhillsHezbollah fires about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in heaviest barrage in weeks

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Married couples across the U.S. have had access to no-fault divorce for more than 50 years, an option many call crucial to supporting domestic abuse victims and key to preventing already crowded family courts from drowning in complicated divorce proceedings. But some advocates for women worried as old comments from now Vice President-elect JD Vance circulated during the presidential campaign opposing no-fault divorce. After President-elect Donald Trump and Vance won the election, warnings began popping up on social media urging women who might be considering divorce to "pull the trigger" while they still could. Some attorneys posted saying they saw a spike in calls from women seeking divorce consultations. Donald and Ivana Trump pose in May 1988 outside the Federal Courthouse in New York after she was sworn in as a United States citizen. Trump — who is twice-divorced — hasn't championed overhauling the country's divorce laws, but in 2021 Vance lamented that divorce is too easily accessible, as have conservative podcasters and others. "We've run this experiment in real time and what we have is a lot of very, very real family dysfunction that's making our kids unhappy," Vance said during a speech at a Christian high school in California, where he criticized people being able to "shift spouses like they change their underwear." Marriage rates held steady but divorce rates of women age 15 and older declined from 2012 to 2022, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released in October. Despite concerns, even those who want to make divorces harder to get say they don't expect big, swift changes. There is not a national coordinated effort underway. States determine their own divorce laws, so national leaders can't directly change policy. "Even in some of the so-called red states, it hasn't gotten anywhere," said Beverly Willett, co-chair of the Coalition for Divorce Reform, whose group unsuccessfully attempted to convince states to repeal their no-fault divorce laws. A couple exchanges wedding bands Oct. 11, 2018, at City Hall in Philadelphia. Matt Rourke, Associated Press Mark A. Smith, a political science professor at the University of Washington, said while many Americans became accustomed to no-fault divorce being an option, Vance's previous comments on making it more difficult to separate from a spouse could help jump-start that effort. "Even though he's not directly proposing a policy, it's a topic that hasn't gotten a ton of discussion in the last 15 years," Smith said. "And so to have a national profile politician talk that way is noteworthy." Meanwhile, Republican Party platforms in Texas and Nebraska were amended in 2022 to call for the removal of no-fault divorce. Louisiana's Republican Party considered something similar this year but declined to do so. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | SoundStack | All Of Our Podcasts A handful of proposals were introduced in conservative-led statehouses over the years, but all immediately stalled after they were filed. In January, Oklahoma Republican Sen. Dusty Deevers introduced legislation that would have removed married couples from filing for divorce on the grounds of incompatibility. Deevers backed the bill after writing a piece declaring no-fault divorce was an "abolition of marital obligation." Sen. JD Vance smiles as his wife Usha Vance applauds Nov. 6 at an election-night watch party at the Palm Beach Convention Center in West Palm Beach, Fla. Evan Vucci, Associated Press Similarly, in South Carolina, two Republican lawmakers in 2023 filed a bill that would have required both spouses to file for a no-fault divorce application rather than just one. In South Dakota, a Republican lawmaker attempted to remove irreconcilable difference as grounds for divorce since 2020. None of the sponsors of these bills responded to interview requests from The Associated Press. All are members of their state's conservative Freedom Caucus. Nevertheless, some Democratic lawmakers say they remain worried about the future of no-fault divorce. They point to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022 as an example of a long-accepted option that was revoked through a decades-long effort. "When you choose to be silent, you allow for this to creep in," said Democratic South Dakota Rep. Linda Duba. "These are the bills that gain a foothold because you choose to be silent." Before California became the first state to adopt a no-fault divorce option in 1969, married couples had to prove their spouse violated one of the approved "faults" outlined in their state's divorce law or risk a judge denying their divorce, said Joanna Grossman, a law professor at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Qualified reasons varied from state to state, but largely included infidelity, incarceration or abandonment. Donald and Marla Trump wave to photographers Dec. 20, 1993, as they enter their wedding reception in New York's Plaza Hotel. Kathy Willens, Associated Press The system was a particular burden on domestic violence victims, who are often women who could be stuck in dangerous marriages while they try to prove their partner's abuse in court through expensive and lengthy legal proceedings. "If there was any evidence that the couple both wanted to get divorced that was supposed to be denied because divorce was not something you got because you wanted it, it was something you got because you've been wronged in a way that the state thought was significant," Grossman said. To date, every state in the U.S. adopted a no-fault divorce option. However, 33 states still have a list of approved "faults" to file as grounds for divorce — ranging from adultery to felony conviction. In 17 states, married people only have the option of choosing no-fault divorce to end their marriages. Photo Credit: shisu_ka / Shutterstock Marriage—and divorce—in the U.S. today are starkly different than in earlier eras of the country’s history. A series of economic, legal, and social shifts reshaped marriage in the second half of the 20th century. More women began working outside of the home in the post-World War II era, which provided avenues to financial security and independence outside of marriage. Greater emphasis on postsecondary educational attainment and career development have led young people to wait longer to enter marriage. States began to adopt no-fault divorce laws throughout the 1960s and 1970s that made it easier to end a marriage. Meanwhile, changing social and cultural attitudes have made it more common for couples to cohabitate, combine finances, and raise children prior to getting married—or without getting married at all. These trends have contributed to a decline in the overall number of marriages and to delays in when people get married for the first time. In the U.S., there are currently only 6.5 marriages per 1,000 people each year , compared to 10.9 five decades ago. For those who do choose to get married, the age of first marriage is happening later. As late as the early 1970s, the median age for a first marriage in the U.S. was just 22. By 2018, that figure had increased to 28.8. These shifts have also affected how likely married couples are to stay together. As women entered the workforce in the mid-20th century and feminism and the sexual revolution took hold, rates of divorce rose quickly throughout the 1960s and 1970s. From 1960 to 1980, the divorce rate per 1,000 people in the U.S. more than doubled from 2.2 to 5.2. But the rate began to fall steadily after 1980, and as of 2018, the rate of divorce had dropped to 2.9 per 1,000 people. Shutterstock The link between rates of divorce and age at first marriage has been borne out over time, but it also explains geographic differences in rates of divorce. Today, most of the states with the lowest rates of divorce are also those with a higher median age for marriage. States like New Jersey, New York, California, and Massachusetts all stand out for having fewer than 10% of adults divorced and an age at first marriage above 30. One exception to this is Utah, which has the lowest overall median age for first marriage at 25.5 but also the third-lowest share of divorced adults at 9%, likely due in part to the state’s strong religious ties to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . In contrast, Maine and Nevada lead all states in the share of the population currently divorced at 13.9% and 13.8%, respectively. And at the local level, many of the cities with the highest levels of divorce are found in Florida, Appalachia, and the Southwest. The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2020 American Community Survey . To determine the most divorced locations, researchers at ChamberOfCommerce.org calculated the percentage of adults currently divorced. In the event of a tie, the location with the higher percentage of adults currently separated was ranked higher. To improve relevance, only cities with at least 100,000 residents were included. Additionally, cities were grouped into cohorts based on population size: small (100,000–149,999), midsize (150,000–349,999), and large (350,000 or more). Here are the most divorced cities in the U.S. Photo Credit: Jacob Boomsma / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 12.7% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.0% Percentage of adults currently married: 46.1% Percentage of adults never married: 34.9% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 12.8% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.7% Percentage of adults currently married: 28.5% Percentage of adults never married: 50.3% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 12.9% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.3% Percentage of adults currently married: 45.1% Percentage of adults never married: 34.2% Shutterstock Photo Credit: photo.ua / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.0% Percentage of adults currently separated: 1.5% Percentage of adults currently married: 49.9% Percentage of adults never married: 31.1% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Jonny Trego / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.0% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.0% Percentage of adults currently married: 41.9% Percentage of adults never married: 36.6% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Tupungato / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.3% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.2% Percentage of adults currently married: 39.7% Percentage of adults never married: 39.7% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 1.9% Percentage of adults currently married: 45.9% Percentage of adults never married: 33.4% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Kevin J King / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.4% Percentage of adults currently married: 38.5% Percentage of adults never married: 40.5% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Sean Pavone / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 3.4% Percentage of adults currently married: 24.7% Percentage of adults never married: 52.3% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Galina Savina / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.5% Percentage of adults currently separated: 3.5% Percentage of adults currently married: 36.8% Percentage of adults never married: 39.8% Shutterstock Photo Credit: f11photo / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 13.8% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.0% Percentage of adults currently married: 43.8% Percentage of adults never married: 35.3% Shutterstock Photo Credit: CHARLES MORRA / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 14.0% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.2% Percentage of adults currently married: 42.3% Percentage of adults never married: 35.8% Shutterstock Photo Credit: LHBLLC / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 14.3% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.3% Percentage of adults currently married: 35.7% Percentage of adults never married: 42.5% Shutterstock Photo Credit: Valiik30 / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 14.6% Percentage of adults currently separated: 2.5% Percentage of adults currently married: 42.2% Percentage of adults never married: 34.7% Shutterstock Photo Credit: turtix / Shutterstock Percentage of adults currently divorced: 15.1% Percentage of adults currently separated: 1.4% Percentage of adults currently married: 39.8% Percentage of adults never married: 38.2% Shutterstock

MISSOULA — After battling tooth-and-nail for almost four quarters with arguably the best mid-major program in the country, the Montana women's basketball team went cold when it mattered most Saturday in squandering a rare opportunity. Reigning Summit League Player of the Year Brooklyn Meyer piled up 32 points in leading South Dakota State to a 78-70 win at Robin Selvig Court. The Jackrabbits, ranked No. 1 in the collegeinsider.com mid-major poll, improved to 7-2. All things considered, it was hard for Montana coach Brian Holsinger to be anything but proud of his team afterwards. Yes he would have loved to have seen the Lady Griz pull the upset, but there were extenuating circumstances following Montana's Wednesday loss at North Dakota State. "We didn't practice before this game. We had travel issues," he told 406 MT Sports. "We got back (Friday), no practice before this game. We were stuck in Denver for 36 hours. "Our effort in a situation where we didn't get to prepare at all — we had a ton of adversity trying to get home and for us to come out and play as hard and as tough as we did, I was really proud. They're a really good team and at some point you gotta tip your hat to a really good team with juniors and seniors who made plays down the stretch." Trailing 68-67 with just under 2 minutes left, Montana had a chance to take the lead on a Mack Konig drive to the bucket. Her layup attempt banked hard off glass and Meyer made Montana pay on the other end with two free throws to give the Jackrabbits a three-point lead. Konig tried to answer with a 3-pointer but it fell off the rim and South Dakota State came up with the loose ball. The Jackrabbits then seized control with a 3-pointer by junior Haleigh Timmer. From there it was a free-throw contest. South Dakota State hit six of seven foul shots in the final 30 seconds. Montana hit three of four but ultimately paid the price for missing all three of its shots from the floor in the last two minutes. Of Meyer's 32 points, 19 came in the second half. The 6-foot-2 junior forward from smalltown Iowa went 12 for 15 from the field and 8 for 9 from the free-throw line. "We picked our poison a little bit with the post and she's good," Holsinger said. "I mean, she's the (Summit) player of the year last year and the (Summit) defensive player of the year and she's the reason why they almost go to the Sweet 16 (in 2023). "Could we have done a better job? Probably. We have to learn how to get a few stops here and there. But we had multiple shots to swing the momentum and couldn't quite make it." Montana fell to 4-5 (2-5 against NCAA Division I competition). The Lady Griz have dropped three of their last four and the win came at home against NAIA Evergreen State. Still, the team is playing like a serious contender for the Big Sky Conference title. The Lady Griz beat the Big Ten's Washington Huskies earlier this season and Saturday's performance was just as inspiring, all things considered. Montana shot a respectable 44.1 percent from the floor (26 for 59 overall, 11 for 25 from 3-point range). Four players scored in double figures, including Helena native Dani Bartsch with 19 points, Adria Lincoln with 12, Avery Waddington 11 and Izzy Zingaro 10. Of all those numbers, Zingaro's 10 points stands out as another important positive since she was being defended by Meyer. Zingaro scored a career-high 25 points in Wednesday's loss at NDSU and delivered another impact performance in her first start Saturday. "She's getting healthy," Holsinger said, alluding to Zingaro's ankle injury. "She's a really good player. She's just been hurt. "She's going to be tough inside and she was tough for them to stop inside at times when we could get it to her. We have to continue to get her in better shape and she'll be a major force for us hopefully." South Dakota State's inside game was key to the outcome. The Jackrabbits finished with a 35-23 edge in rebounds and a 36-28 edge in points in the paint. Montana will take a long break now before playing in the West Palm Beach Classic in Florida on Dec. 19-20. The Lady Griz will face Michigan State and Tulsa in that event. Bill Speltz is Missoulian sports editor. Contact him at bill.speltz@406mtsports.com or on Twitter @billspeltz Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sports Editor {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.( MENAFN - PR Newswire) BEIJING, Dec. 15, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- JA Solar's Bycium+ cell has achieved a significant breakthrough, having reached a new high in cell efficiency and set a new record with an open-circuit voltage of 748.6mV-the highest in the commercial TOPCon PV cell sector. Certified by the German Institute for Solar energy Research in Hamelin (ISFH), the new record demonstrates a passivation level on par with HJT PV cells and surpasses the BC cell's open-circuit voltage record. This milestone not only demonstrates the immense potential of TOPCon technology but also establishes a new benchmark for the development of crystalline silicon PV cells. The improvement of PV cell efficiency typically focuses on two areas: optical gain and electrical gain. Electrical gain is driven by reducing recombination losses and contact resistance. Open-circuit voltage is directly linked to recombination and is a key indicator of a cell's performance. Higher open-circuit voltage leads to better efficiency and affects the temperature coefficient of PV modules. Passivation technology is key to improving open-circuit voltage and cell efficiency by reducing internal recombination losses and enabling more electrical energy to be extracted. JA Solar has continuously optimized the passivation structure of its TOPCon cells, minimizing surface, bulk, and metal recombination. By integrating innovations in metallization, new materials, and processes, JA Solar has achieved a record-breaking open-circuit voltage. This advancement pushes TOPCon technology closer to its theoretical efficiency limit and supports the future growth of the PV industry. "This milestone with our Bycium+ cell is not just a testament to JA Solar's commitment to technological innovation, but also a contribution to advancing the PV industry as a whole," said Aiqing Yang, Executive President of JA Solar. "By setting a new benchmark for TOPCon cell open-circuit voltage, we aim to inspire broader progress across the industry, driving the development of high-performance, cost-effective PV solutions that accelerate the global transition to clean energy." SOURCE JA Solar Technology Co., Ltd. MENAFN15122024003732001241ID1108995612 Legal Disclaimer: MENAFN provides the information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.Scientology Expands Its Impact in Santo André, the Industrial Heart of São Paulo

From Christmas lights to rock and roll, Herefordshire has it all! Here's what's on and when. Ross-on-Wye Christmas lights Ross-on-Wye's Christmas lights switch-on is coming this weekend, and the town council is delighted to announce they have picked their switch-on stars, after plenty of nominations! The town's Christmas Fayre lights switch on sponsors REHAU and Dawleys picked this year’s winners, outstanding locals Charlie Bowden and Tom Dudziec to turn on the lights at the event on Sunday, December 1. The Christmas Fayre will run from 11am to 5pm in Ross town centre, with the switch on at 4.30pm Charlie Bowden has been on a mission this year to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support following his mother’s bowel cancer diagnosis a few years ago. The family has been through a tough time, and it has been quite a journey but after a major operation and numerous treatments his mum, Sarah, is now cancer free. Charlie has set a fundraising target of £12,000 and has raised almost £9,000 so far. To raise funds, he has organised various events including a tennis tournament and netball tournament, cake sale and benefit gig, as well as spending his summer doing gardening jobs. But perhaps his biggest event to date was climbing Kilimanjaro with his Father, Tony, in October. They both reached the summit in good time however it wasn’t without drama after Tony fell ill and was airlifted from base camp. He has since made a full recovery. Fellow switch-on star Tom has been a volunteer coordinator for Hereford and Worcester Community First Responder’s Ross-on-Wye Scheme for over 12 years, and has committed up to 1000 hours annually to supporting the community of Ross. He ensures all the local community first responders are up to date with new procedures and training, and has a real commitment to educating the public. Christmas at Queenswood This Christmas, Queenswood Country Park and Arboretum invites you to experience a magical blend of festive fun and relaxation while getting out and exploring nature. On December 21 and 22 December, the much-anticipated Father Christmas’s Woodland Grotto is back, offering a unique festive experience. Guided by elves, families will follow a trail through the woodland to discover Father Christmas in his cosy grotto, warmed by a roaring log burner. Throughout the weekend, there’s a jam-packed array of family-friendly fun to enjoy, including story-telling and Christmas crafts. The Gruffalo trail at Queenswood (Image: Paul Ratcliffe) For families looking to add an extra layer of adventure, the Hidden Elf Trail invites you to explore the wintery woodland in search of cheeky elves hiding in the trees. It’s a fun and engaging way to encourage children to spend time outdoors while enjoying the festive spirit. The trail is available throughout December. The Woodland Cafe will be serving up hot refreshments, while the gift shop will be selling cards, local produce, stocking fillers and books, with late-night shopping and a Christmas choir on December 12. Showaddywaddy Rock and roll band Showaddywaddy return to the Courtyard in Hereford in February. Formed in 1973 in Leicester, from two groups, Choise and Golden Hammers, they have sold more than 20 million records and have toured all corners of the world extensively. Showaddywaddy’s live show is dynamic and uplifting and features all of their biggest hits such as Under The Moon of Love, Three Steps to Heaven, Hey Rock & Roll, When, Blue Moon, Pretty Little Angel Eyes, and many, many more. Showaddywaddy is heading to the Courtyard (Image: The Courtyard) The band features Romeo Challenger on drums, Andy Pelos on lead vocals and guitar, Billy Shannon on lead vocals and guitar, Dave Graham on sax and guitar, Tom Bull on bass, and Sam Holland on guitar and drums. Showaddywaddy will be in The Courtyard’s Main House on Saturday, February 1, at 7.30pm. To book tickets, or for more information contact the Box Office on 01432 340555 or visitwww.courtyard.org.uk.