bbcuk--2020-08-15--Scotland marks 75th anniversary of VJ Day

Commemorations are taking place across Scotland for the 75th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day .
VJ Day marked the end of the conflict in Asia and brought World War Two to a close in 1945 , four months after the fighting in Europe finished .
Millions of people from the allied countries took part in parades and street parties to celebrate .
But Saturday 's events will mean commemorating in a different way because of the ongoing pandemic .
• ' I regret atom bombs but they are why I 'm alive' VJ Day ended one of the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which tens of thousands of servicemen were forced to endure the brutalities of prisoner-of-war camps , where disease was rife and there was a lack of food and water .
For thousands of British civilians captured when British and Dutch Far East colonial territories were overrun , VJ Day was the end of illness , starvation rations and an uncertain future in the Japanese camps .
It is estimated that there were 71,000 British and Commonwealth casualties of the war against Japan , including more than 12,000 prisoners of war who died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Japanese military personnel and civilians are believed to have died over the course of the conflict .
'The war is over .
Japan has surrendered' Jenny Martin , 78 , was born in the Changi Prison Camp , in eastern Singapore , and spent the first three years of her life there with her mother , aunt and cousin .
She told BBC Scotland she could recall the moment she knew freedom would come and that she would never forget that day .
She was only three years old .
`` Unknown to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and then another on Nagasaki , '' Jenny said .
`` One day , the guards all disappeared and then a plane flew overhead and dropped from its undercarriage thousands of leaflets , which fluttered to the ground like snow .
`` Around me everyone was saying : 'Thank god , thank god ! '
and the leaflet read : 'The war is over .
Japan has surrendered .
We are coming for you very soon . '
A few days later , British soldiers arrived in trucks and they were taken to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she remembered sitting in a garden after she was free , fascinated by the plants , flowers and grass .
Along with her mother , she was reunited with her father .
She was on the first ship to leave Singapore to return to the UK .
She later studied in Edinburgh .
How is the anniversary being commemorated this year ?
Due to the ongoing pandemic , the events taking place in Scotland are different from those in previous years .
The Red Arrows will perform a flypast of Edinburgh in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
An online concert and service of remembrance will lead the commemoration .
The Royal Scots will hold a wreath-laying ceremony at Laurieston Castle , Edinburgh to remember their 496 serviceman who died in prisoner of war camps .
In Dumfries , a virtual service will go online and a video will be promoted across the council 's social media channels to mark the day .
Councillor Archie Dryburgh said : `` It is , of course , disappointing that there ca n't be an actual gathering but the safety of veterans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during Covid-19 .
`` Our alternative VJ Day arrangements demonstrate Dumfries and Galloway Council 's continuing support for and appreciation of our Armed Forces . ''
In a video message First Minster Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to the those who died in the Second World War and the men and women who served their country .
Ms Sturgeon also remembered those who spent time in prisoner of war camps and those who made sacrifices on the home front .
She added : `` Together , they ensured the freedoms that we enjoy today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be inspired by their service , resilience and bravery - as well as by their idealism , their determination to create a better world in the aftermath of the war . ''
A two-minute silence was also observed across the country .
Legion Scotland will issue medallions in honour of those who made a contribution to the war effort .
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey said the day would be a time for the nation to come together to remember the sacrifices `` which ensured the peace and freedoms we enjoy today '' .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ owes our current and ex-service personnel an immense debt of gratitude for their service and sacrifice . ''
Claire Armstrong , chief executive of Legion Scotland , said : `` This campaign saw some of the fiercest fighting of the Second World War and in some of the harshest conditions .
`` Many thousands of British and Commonwealth forces and civilians being taken as prisoners of war , enduring terrible mental and physical trauma . ''
Dr Armstrong added that VJ Day would pay tribute , not only to the British forces , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` without whom the defeat of Japan would not have been possible '' .


bbcuk--2020-08-15--VJ Day commemorations taking place across NI

Events are taking place across Northern Ireland on Saturday to commemorate the 75th anniversary of VJ Day .
The day commemorates victory over Japan , which finally brought World War Two to an end .
A national two-minute silence was observed at Belfast City Hall at 11:00 BST .
A wreath-laying ceremony is also taking place at the Northern Ireland War Memorial Museum .
The RAF Red Arrows will be seen over Belfast at 14:00 .
It is part of a flypast of the UK 's four capital cities .
A socially-distant wreath laying ceremony took place at the Cenotaph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Frank McCoubrey laid a wreath after the Last Post was played by a bugler .
Afterwards , Mr McCoubrey said it was frustrating that health restrictions had prevented the occasion being marked with a major event , but said it was important to avoid mass gatherings .
`` We 're in difficult times at the moment and there was n't very many people here but I think it was very , very important that we came out and remembered those who sacrificed their lives to give us our freedom , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ O'er at Enniskillen Castle in a dawn tribute that was also taking place in locations around the world .
A private commemorative service is being held at Enniskillen Royal Grammar School .
Of the 50 former pupils who were killed in the conflict , eight died in East Asia .
'One of the lucky ones' Among the guests are several WW2 veterans including 100-year-old Tommy McBrien who served in East Asia .
He joined the RAF in 1939 to serve as an electrician and was based in Singapore .
He said he was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who got out of Singapore just 24 hours before the Japanese invasion in 1941 .
`` I felt incredibly lucky and relieved to be evacuated , who knows how things might have turned out if I had been captured or wounded as many were , '' he said .
Other guests include relatives of the late Tommy Fisher who founded Fisher Engineering in Ballinamallard , County Fermanagh .
He also served in the RAF in Singapore but he was not so lucky .
Having been moved to Java , he was on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Australia when it was ambushed by Japanese paratroopers .
He returned to Singapore as a prisoner of war before being taken to Japan , where he was sent to work in a copper mine .
In August 1945 , he recalled seeing the vapour trails of American planes and hearing explosions around the time of the atomic bomb at Hiroshima .
On 28 August 1945 , an American bomber dropped leaflets , one of which his family still has , informing the prisoners that the Japanese government had surrendered .
Many Americans were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ those links will be recalled when a United States Navy Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft , a modified Boeing 737 , flies over Enniskillen at 12:00 BST .

"We're in difficult times at the moment and there wasn't very many people here but I think it was very, very important that we came out and remembered those who sacrificed their lives to give us our freedom," he said.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--A-levels and GCSEs: Free exam appeals for schools in England

The government will cover the cost of schools in England appealing against exam grades after 280,000 A-level students had their marks downgraded .
Ministers are also expected to set up a taskforce , led by Schools Minister Nick Gibb , to oversee the appeals process .
The government previously said it wants the process to conclude by 7 September .
But letting schools make appeals free of charge is `` cold comfort '' for pupils , the Liberal Democrats said , adding the move `` should never have been needed '' .
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson told The Times the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bid to ensure that head teachers were not deterred from making appeals .
There had been fears that the costs - which can reach £150 - could stop schools from taking on harder to prove cases .
The regulator , Ofqual , will give more details next week .
Nearly 40 % of A-level grades awarded on Thursday were lower than teachers ' predictions , prompting anger among schools , colleges and students .
'You have ruined my life' Mr Gibb promised that the appeals system will be `` robust '' after facing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Any Questions on Friday from a student who said she had been rejected by her chosen university .
Nina , from Peterborough , said her grades fell three grades lower than what she had been predicted .
She was predicted to achieve ABB and scored As and Bs in her mock exams but was handed three D grades .
She told Mr Gibb she was distraught after failing to meet her offer from the Royal Veterinary College .
`` You have ruined my life , '' she told him .
`` It wo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be sorted , I can assure you , '' Mr Gibb said .
He added : `` There will be these mistakes… we do know there are imperfections somewhere in the system as a result of this model .
There are no models that can improve on that , this is the problem . ''
Samantha Smith , a grammar school student from Telford , told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme that her results had been downgraded from As and A* grades to a B , E and U .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I did n't think I 'd be treated as if I did n't turn up for the exam , '' she said .
`` I 've now got no university places , because of the algorithm and the system of being treated as if your postcode matters more than your potential . ''
• Why did the A-level algorithm say no ?
While many students discovered they lost their university places , Oxford 's Worcester College said it will honour all offers it made to UK students , irrespective of their A-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it was `` the morally right thing to do '' .
Because students had not taken any exams , `` we took the view there was n't going to be any new information that could justify rejecting someone to whom we 'd made an offer '' , she said .
She said the algorithm used to adjust grades `` literally copied the inequalities that are currently existing in our education system '' , with a quarter of the college 's state school applicants being downgraded , but only 10 % of private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make the spread of grades look right at a national level , she said , but `` they ca n't possibly tell us that they 've given the right grades to the right people '' .
The Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement over appeals costs , but called on Mr Williamson to resign .
The party 's education spokeswoman , Layla Moran , said : `` For the young people who have worked so hard to not get the results they deserve , through no fault of their own , this announcement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` While this should never have been needed , it is right the government has listened to the Liberal Democrats and others and U-turned . ''
Ms Moran added : `` Ultimately , after Gavin Williamson 's botched handling of the process thus far , pupils will have no confidence in him to fix the broken glass .
Before he causes any more hurt , he must go . ''
Earlier , Labour called on ministers to act immediately to sort out an `` exams fiasco '' in England and stop thousands of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And some Tory MPs have challenged the fairness of how grades have been decided .
BBC News political correspondent Helen Catt said having `` an efficient and effective '' appeals process `` is going to be really important in making sure more Tories do n't join them '' .
After exams were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic , grades were awarded using a controversial modelling system , with the key factors being the ranking order of pupils and the previous exam results of schools and colleges .
This produced more top grades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A-levels , with almost 28 % getting A* and As , but head teachers have been angry about `` unfathomable '' individual injustices in the downgrading of some results .
In England , 36 % of entries had grades lower than their teachers predicted and 3 % were down two grades .
There has since been calls to switch away from this system and to use teachers ' predictions , in the way that the government U-turned in Scotland .
But England 's exam watchdog Ofqual has warned that using teachers ' predictions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would have seen about 38 % of entries getting A*s and As .
Labour said the lack of consistency in individual results was `` heartbreaking '' for those affected and the government was squarely to blame for sticking with a `` fatally flawed results system '' .
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has previously defended what he said were a `` robust set '' of grades and said that pupils who believed they were treated unfairly would be able to appeal or , if they wanted , sit exams in the autumn .
Schools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pupils ' mock grades were higher than their estimated results .
But the exam regulator Ofqual has still to say how a mock exam result can be validated - and head teachers have warned that mocks are not standardised or taken by all pupils , and could not be used as a fair way of deciding final exam results .

He added: "There will be these mistakes… we do know there are imperfections somewhere in the system as a result of this model. There are no models that can improve on that, this is the problem."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--A-level results: Ofqual 'reviewing' exam appeals guidance

Exams regulator Ofqual is reviewing its guidance published on Saturday on how to appeal against A-level and GCSE grades using mock exam results .
It comes just hours after Ofqual explained what constitutes a `` valid '' mock exam for students appealing against A-level results in England .
The regulator has now suspended that criteria , and further information will be published `` in due course '' .
Almost 40 % of A-level grades were marked down from teachers ' predictions .
Neither A-level nor GCSE students were able to sit public exams this year because of the coronavirus pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , where a written mock exam was not taken , it would consider other teacher assessments instead .
However , a statement published late on Saturday night on the regulator 's website read : `` Earlier today we published information about mock exam results in appeals .
`` This policy is being reviewed by the Ofqual Board and further information will be published in due course . ''
• Why did the A-level algorithm say no ?
According to BBC political correspondent Jonathan Blake , the Department for Education appeared to be unaware @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the criteria is likely to draw further criticism of the government 's handling of the exams process in England .
The criteria under which it would accept a `` valid mock assessment '' was stipulated earlier as : • Supervised , unseen and undertaken in conditions intended to secure the work as the student 's own • Either past assessments produced by the relevant exam board , or assessments developed by teachers • Completed before 20 March 2020 , when schools and colleges were closed • Marked using a mark scheme provided by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ line with the exam board 's examination standard Before results were released , the Department for Education announced a `` triple-lock '' , which meant that students could use the highest result out of their teacher 's predicted grade , their mock exam or sitting the actual exam in the autumn .
However , Labour complained that , under the Ofqual criteria , some students would not be able to use their mock results as the basis for an appeal if the assessment did not meet the criteria .
Shadow education secretary Kate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give students a triple lock , but instead he left many devastated by unfair exam results , and now his commitment to give them another chance is rapidly unravelling . ''
She added : `` Having promised that students will be able to use a valid mock result , the reality is that many will not receive these grades even if they represent a student 's best result .
`` The latest chaos is the inevitable consequence of this government 's shambolic approach to exams , which saw solutions dreamt up on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ announced barely a day before young people received their results . ''
The government is facing mounting criticism over its handling of A-level results , with thousands of students left devastated .
One student rejected by her chosen university after she was downgraded told Schools Minister Nick Gibb , `` you 've ruined my life '' .
The government announced on Friday that schools will not have to pay to appeal against exam grades .
But the policy was criticised by the Liberal Democrats , with Layla Moran , the party 's education @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comfort '' for pupils , adding the move `` should never have been needed '' .
It follows fears that the costs , which can reach up to £150 , could stop schools from taking on harder to prove cases .

"That is a huge mess. Goodness knows what is going on at Ofqual. It is the last thing we need at this time. This is just unacceptable in my view," he said.


bbcuk--2020-08-16--Coronavirus: Parents to be told schools safe for September return

A campaign aimed at persuading parents in England it will be safe for children to return to the classroom in September is being launched by the government .
Under the # backtoschoolsafely slogan , it will highlight the various measures being implicated to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission .
Boris Johnson said there was a `` moral duty '' to get pupils back to school .
But Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it is the PM 's `` moral responsibility '' to ensure that schools reopen .
Writing in the Mail on Sunday , Sir Keir said he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classroom in September `` no ifs , no buts , no equivocation '' .
`` It is the prime minister 's responsibility to guarantee children get the education they need and the benefit of being back with their teachers and classmates , '' Sir Keir added .
`` My offer to help the government reopen schools still stands , but responsibility for making it happen lies squarely at the door of Number 10 . ''
• Will pupils do a full school day next term ?
• Moral duty to get all children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'should be first to open , last to close' Last week , Education Secretary Gavin Williamson apologised to pupils who have missed out on several months of classes .
The campaign , which will involve newspaper , digital , radio and billboard adverts , will strive to emphasise the importance of organised learning to children 's development .
Some families remain concerned about the potential risks to children when they start the new school year .
Many will be starting at a new school altogether .
The government initiative will point to guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ensures schools are Covid-secure .
This guidance includes the introduction of staggered break times , increased hygiene and hand-washing , plus keeping pupils in consistent groups .
At the same time , staff and pupils are being encouraged to walk or cycle to school whenever possible .
The majority of pupils have been away from the classroom since March .
Getting schools up and running in September is being seen as a key test for Mr Williamson , already under pressure after thousands of students had their A-levels downgraded .
The saga @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night , after exams regulator Ofqual suspended its criteria for students wishing to appeal against A-level results - just hours after the guidance was published .
Speaking ahead of the campaign launch on Monday , Mr Williamson said : `` All children deserve to be back in school as it is the best place for their education and well-being . ''
He added : `` As the start of term approaches , now is the time for families to think about the practicalities of returning to school in September , whether that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place for their child to be , or planning the school run to avoid public transport where possible . ''
However , shadow education secretary Kate Green said it was essential the government had a fully effective test and trace programme in place if parents were to have the confidence to send their children back .
`` Labour has repeatedly called for every child to be safely back in school by September , but it has taken the government until now to realise that it has failed to reassure parents and teachers , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chaotic handling of school reopening puts the education and well-being of a generation of children at risk .
`` We need to see a credible plan for getting children back next month , which includes getting test , trace and isolate up to scratch , and ensuring pupils and staff are safe and feel confident , '' Ms Green said .
• LOCKDOWN EASING : All you need to know about the measures • TRAVEL : Where can I go on holiday and not quarantine ?
• BEAUTY SALON : Can I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What are the rules on weddings ?
Paul Whiteman , general secretary of the NAHT head teachers ' union , welcomed the announcement of a public information campaign .
`` Everyone wants to see children back in schools as soon as possible , but the success of this will depend largely on what happens in wider society and will be a gigantic national team effort , '' he said .
`` It is very important that everyone understands the part they will play , what their responsibilities are and what to expect @ @ @ @

"As the start of term approaches, now is the time for families to think about the practicalities of returning to school in September, whether that's reassuring themselves that school is the best place for their child to be, or planning the school run to avoid public transport where possible."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--St Annes Pier hunt for teenagers missing in sea

Rescuers are searching for two teenagers who were last seen in the sea near Lytham St Annes in Lancashire .
@ @ @ @ @ police were called to reports of three youths in difficulty in the water near St @ @ @ @ @ BST on Saturday .
A boy aged 15 managed to swim ashore and has received @ @ @ @ @ But a 16-year-old boy and a man aged 18 , both thought to be from @ @ @ @ @ are still missing .
Lancashire police said in a tweet : `` HM Coastguard and @ @ @ @ @ search to find them . ''

The coastguard, RNLI and police were called to reports of three youths in difficulty in the water near St Annes Pier just before 19:00 BST on Saturday.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--BBC presenter says music helped her 'to live' after brain haemorrhage

BBC presenter Clemency Burton-Hill has spoken about how music has helped her recover from a major brain haemorrhage .
The 39-year-old Radio 3 host underwent emergency brain surgery after she collapsed in New York in January .
Months later , she says music has played a key role , as she re-learns how to speak and walk .
`` Sometimes it is the thing that gives me solace , '' she says .
`` And sometimes it 's the thing that helps me to get up , and fight , and to live . ''
`` It is the ultimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is known by her friends and colleagues - told friend and journalist Sophie Elmhirst .
The presenter , who is behind Radio 3 's award-winning Classical Fix programme , as well as a regular face on the BBC 's Proms coverage , is currently living in New York where she is creative director at WQXR , the New York public radio classical music station .
At the start of the year , she suffered a massive brain haemorrhage caused by a previously undiagnosed condition : an arteriovenous malformation ( AVM ) , an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ meshing the arteries and veins in her brain .
It could have been fatal .
As it is , doctors removed half of her skull during emergency surgery at Mount Sinai West hospital in Manhattan , and she was unconscious for 17 days .
No one was certain how much of her brain would recover .
Throughout those early days , music played on a speaker by her hospital bed - the playlist compiled by her loved ones .
Before she showed any sign of consciousness , British opera singer Andrew Staples - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ New York when the presenter collapsed - recalls her left foot tapping along to some Brahms .
`` I remember it struck me as a non-typical piece to inspire toe-tapping , '' Staples recalls .
A week or so later , just as doctors were removing the tubes that had initially aided her breathing , one of Burton-Hill 's favourite pieces of music , Richard Strauss 's Morgen , happened to play through the speaker .
`` With her good hand she grabbed my wrist as I leant over her shaven head , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' says Staples .
`` We both cried a lot .
I was n't worried from then on about whether she was 'in there ' anymore . ''
While she ca n't remember that moment , Burton-Hill recalls how she seemed to make a choice of whether to give up or to live just as she was regaining consciousness .
`` It was literally : I can do this , I 'm going to get through this , '' she says now .
`` Music is the opposite of despair .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
As her recovery stepped up , friend and renowned violinist Nicola Benedetti came to visit and together they play Bach , with Burton-Hill - herself a violin soloist - playing the left hand on the violin and Benedetti bowing .
Astonishingly , the broadcaster still recalled all the notes .
`` It 's a clichéd idea that music is beyond language , '' she says , `` but from what I 've experienced in my own brain , I truly know that now . ''
Gradually , language and movement have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery thrown up by the coronavirus pandemic .
`` I really believe music is a part of my recovery because it uses both sides of the brain , '' says Burton-Hill .
`` It 's as though it trains your brain to be ambidextrous . ''

"With her good hand she grabbed my wrist as I leant over her shaven head, and I sang the words to her," says Staples. "We both cried a lot. I wasn't worried from then on about whether she was 'in there' anymore."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Chloe McCardel: Swimmer seeks to beat men's Channel record and quarantine

A cross-Channel swimmer is facing a new challenge in her latest record-breaking feat - quarantine restrictions between France and the UK .
Australian Chloe McCardel 's planned 10-hour swim starting on Saturday night will be her 35th Channel crossing , breaking the men 's record .
But she hopes her short stay on French soil will not require self-isolation .
`` Literally , I reach the shore and stand up on land for a couple of minutes , '' she said .
The 35-year-old is due to start from Dover at 20:00 BST on Saturday , with the 21-mile crossing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday morning .
She said that when she arrives , she will spend only a few moments on the French shore before swimming back out to her support boat for the return journey .
`` We do n't go anywhere near the border officials or passport control , so I 'm hoping technically the quarantine thing wo n't apply , '' she said .
`` I 've got a little celebration planned in England with the support crew , the team , the volunteers who have been so supportive throughout this .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do that without having to quarantine . ''
• Woman first to swim Channel four times non-stop • How an 11-year-old came to swim the Channel The Department of Transport said Ms McCardel should seek legal advice .
She says she has been advised by the Channel Swimming Association that her swim can go ahead .
`` They said channel swims are allowed as long as you observe social distancing when you land and do n't stay on the shore for more than 10 minutes , which is standard practice for us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shortly before embarking on the swim .
She said there was little risk of coming into contact with someone in France because her swims usually end in an area of boulders near Cap Gris-Nez .
`` I usually finish where there are large boulders and it 's inaccessible to people on land because you ca n't walk through the boulders .
There 's no sand , '' she said .
Ms McCardel already negotiated special dispensation from the Australian government to travel to the UK for her record attempt .
In recent weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taking her level with British swimmer Kevin Murphy , the current men 's record holder on 34 crossings .
She told the Daily Telegraph that she hopes that her latest feat can help to raise awareness about domestic violence , revealing that she is a survivor who has been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder .
`` What I 'm doing might seem like a superhuman feat , but I 'm just a normal , everyday person who 's had huge challenges , '' she told the paper .
Equalling the women 's record @ @ @ @ @ @ @ - Alison Streeter , the `` Queen of the English Channel '' , has swum the distance 43 times .
Ms McCardel holds multiple records for endurance swimming , including the longest ratified unassisted ocean swim in 2014 , when she covered 77.3 miles ( 124.4km ) in 41.5 hours in the waters around the Bahamas .
In 2017 , she became the first person to attempt a quadruple non-stop crossing of the English Channel , but she was not successful in completing the 84-mile journey .
The feat was finally achieved by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , last year - one year after she was treated for breast cancer .

"I would like to have a little celebration this evening in England. I'm extremely lucky to be surrounded by so much love and support, from my English host to my support boat captains and crew, and I'm excited to celebrate this achievement together with them."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Coronavirus: Birmingham 'can't drop guard' as infections double

New coronavirus infections have more than doubled in a week in Birmingham , the latest figures show .
The city council has warned `` we can not afford to drop our guard '' as the weekly number rose from 13.8 per 100,000 people to 28.1 , with 321 new cases .
In neighbouring Sandwell - which was previously identified as an area of concern by Public Health England ( PHE ) - rates have dropped to below 20 .
The rate is still significantly lower than the worst-hit areas .
In a joint statement on Friday with six other councils @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sandwell , Solihull , Dudley , Walsall and Wolverhampton - Birmingham City Council urged people and businesses to remain alert to the risks of coronavirus .
It also said , with thousands of university students expected to return to the region next month , social distancing would be fundamental to preventing campus outbreaks .
`` People right across Birmingham and the wider West Midlands still have a huge part to play if we 're going to avoid a further lockdown , '' council leader Ian Ward said .
`` We ca n't afford @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It comes as 19 workers at a DPD parcel delivery firm in Oldbury , Sandwell , tested positive for coronavirus .
West Midlands Police has also issued a warning after reporting that officers had to shut down 125 parties in the area last weekend in a crackdown on illegal gatherings .
The local authority called for `` continued vigilance to reduce the risk of a further significant spike '' .
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@ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to guard against them ?
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Send your story ideas to : newsonline.westmidlands @ bbc.co.uk

The city council has warned "we cannot afford to drop our guard" as the weekly number rose from 13.8 per 100,000 people to 28.1, with 321 new cases.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Coronavirus: France quarantine starts after race to beat deadline

Thousands of British holidaymakers have made a last-minute dash to get home before a 14-day quarantine requirement came into force for people arriving from France .
The isolation measure also applies to the Netherlands , Monaco , Malta , Turks and Caicos , and Aruba , amid concerns about a rising numbers of Covid cases .
Eurotunnel trains sold out and air fares were up to six times more than normal , but ferries increased capacity .
The Netherlands advised against all but essential travel to the UK once the restrictions came into force on Saturday , but said it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ countries were targeted for quarantine restrictions because their infections rates exceeded 20 cases per 100,000 people over seven days , Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said .
• I 'm in France right now - what do I do ?
• Lockdown to ease further in England from Saturday There were reported to be about 160,000 British holidaymakers in France when the changes were announced , and the deadline left many travellers in a frantic rush for plane , train or ferry tickets costing hundreds of pounds .
Kim Wells and his family were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arrive in the UK before the quarantine measures began - getting in to Newhaven from Dieppe in northern France with eight minutes to spare .
He told BBC Radio 4 's Today programme he had a `` pretty fraught 40 minutes '' online after hearing of the restrictions through a BBC News alert .
`` I ended up booking a ferry on a pretty unfashionable route ... it was impossible to get back on Eurotunnel , which was the way we went to France originally , '' he said .
Mr Wells is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ local government worker .
They felt they should cut their holiday short to avoid having to quarantine as they are key workers .
Mr Wells said he was frustrated by the short notice the government had given for the rule change , adding : `` I completely understand the decision , but I think 30 hours ' notice and announcing it at 11 o'clock in the evening French time ... was pretty unrealistic .
`` I do n't really understand why they ca n't be a little bit more clear with the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when we might perhaps be approaching the need to quarantine .
Why not 48 or even 72 [ hours ] just to allow those who need to or want to get home , get home without rushing dangerously . ''
Kate Mooney and her family arrived back at their home in Cornwall at about 01:00 BST after ending their holiday to France a week early .
`` Our immediate response was 'let 's just stay and finish our holiday ' , and then we started to really consider what quarantine meant , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be no way we could leave the house ... that 's when we decided we would come back . ''
Tom Duffell , who runs a small business and ended his family holiday in Nice four days early , told the BBC that social distancing had `` gone out of the window '' in the scramble for transport , with `` huge queues '' at the airport .
Eurotunnel , which increased its capacity , said 12,000 people had tried to book tickets for its Channel Tunnel trains in the hour after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about 22:00 BST on Thursday - compared with just hundreds normally .
It carried more than 30,000 passengers in the run-up to the deadline .
Additional staff were sent to the terminals to allow 11,600 vehicles to quickly load its shuttles throughout Friday .
P & O Ferries and DFDS Ferries also added an extra four departures .
Meanwhile , a group of musicians from Scotland found a creative way to beat the deadline with just 10 minutes to spare - by chartering a fishing boat to get them back to the UK @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight members of the Scotland-based Dunedin Consort arrived at Hayling Island in Hampshire at 03:50 .
They made the last-minute dash after a performance in Lessay Abbey , Normandy , on Friday night .
• SOCIAL DISTANCING : What are the rules now ?
• JOBS : Can my boss force me to go to work ?
• SYMPTOMS : What are they and how to guard against them ?
• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?
Some were unable to get back home in time .
One passenger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had passed told BBC Radio 4 : `` It 's ridiculous .
They 're leaving us high and dry .
We tried to change our flights ... impossible .
`` Me and the kids have been to Cornwall and the Lake District this summer and I do n't think that felt any more at risk than where we 've been - in a fairly rural part of France . ''
Another said : `` It 's a shame to have missed it by such a narrow margin but that 's life really , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on with it . ''
One woman is wondering whether her unusual journey from France to Britain later today will fall foul of the travel rules .
Australian Chloe McCardel , 35 , is aiming to complete her 35th endurance swim across the Channel .
If she 's successful , she will beat the current men 's record for the most Channel crossings , held by British athlete Kevin Murphy .
She is due to leave Dover at 20:00 BST and aims to make the 21-mile crossing to Calais in about 10 hours @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boat for the return journey .
Since she will only stand on French soil for a matter of minutes , McCardel hopes it wo n't be necessary to spend 14 days in self-isolation on her return .
`` We do n't go anywhere near the border officials or passport control , so I 'm hoping technically the quarantine thing wo n't apply , '' she said .
`` I 've got a little celebration planned in England with the support crew , the team , the volunteers who have been so supportive throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government allow us to do that without having to quarantine . ''
Gloria Guevara , president of the World Travel and Tourism Council , said the UK was lagging behind other countries that had `` shunned quarantines '' in favour of `` comprehensive '' testing programmes for everyone departing and arriving back into their respective countries .
Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said that while Labour supported `` evidence-based measures '' at the border , it was `` vital '' that No 10 had a `` joined-up strategy '' and `` urgently '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support the heavily impacted travel sector .
He added : `` That the government has still not put in place an effective track , trace and isolate system has made matters far worse and made it more likely that we are reliant on the blunt tool of 14-day quarantine . ''
The Foreign Office is now warning against all but essential travel to France .
According to data company Statista , Britons paid 10.35 million visits to France last year , putting it second behind Spain - with 18.12 million - in terms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules in France and other parts of Europe ?
• How will the world vaccinate seven billion people ?
• You finally got abroad , but was it worth it ?
A list of more than 50 so-called travel corridors - allowing movement between the UK and other countries without the need to self-isolate on return - was published at the start of last month and later expanded .
But quarantine measures were later re-imposed on several countries , including Spain on 25 July .
On Friday , France reported 2,846 new coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number since lockdown restrictions were eased .
The seven-day average increased to 2,041 , marking the first time it has surpassed 2,000 since 20 April , a 66 % week-on-week rise .
For the Netherlands , it was up 52 % .
And the increase for Malta was 105 % , while it was 273 % for Turks and Caicos and 1,106 % for Aruba .
• A LEVEL RESULTS : I did n't get the results I wanted ... What happens next ?
• 'MY MENTAL HEALTH CRASHED ' : The impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown Have you been affected by the recent quarantine changes ?
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"I don't really understand why they can't be a little bit more clear with the public about what the tipping point is, when we might perhaps be approaching the need to quarantine. Why not 48 or even 72 [hours] just to allow those who need to or want to get home, get home without rushing dangerously."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Man City 1-3 Lyon: Lyon stun Man City in Champions League

Manchester City 's Champions League ambitions are in ruins once more after Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola 's side in the quarter-final in Lisbon .
City started as firm favourites but came out second best against a fiercely determined Lyon in a game that swung on controversy and uncharacteristic errors in the closing stages .
Lyon went ahead in the 24th minute with Maxwel Cornet 's smart finish but City , lifeless as Guardiola chose to play a three-man central defence , looked to have been revived by Kevin de Bruyne 's precise strike from Raheem Sterling 's pass after 69 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , on as a substitute , restored Lyon 's lead in contentious circumstances 11 minutes from time , the video assistant referee ignoring what appeared to be an obvious foul by the goalscorer before he ran on to beat Ederson .
City pressed for the equaliser but Sterling was guilty of an atrocious miss , somehow sending his finish over the top of an open goal from Gabriel Jesus ' pass .
It proved to be hugely expensive as seconds later Lyon set up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich when Dembele scored @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from Houssem Aouar 's routine shot .
Guardiola has rightly been showered in plaudits for the wonderful football and success he has brought to Manchester City - but his biggest target remains elusive and this was a miserable night for the manager .
Guardiola , who has been accused of over-thinking his approach in the Champions League before , adopted a three-man central defensive system and chose to leave many of City 's creators and manipulators on the bench .
Lyon deserved respect after eliminating Juventus but this was a ploy that took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stuttering City lacking urgency and creativity .
He eventually introduced Riyad Mahrez after the break to some effect but Lyon were offered hope and encouragement by Guardiola 's approach and showed magnificent grit and resilience to secure the win .
City will rightly claim an injustice over the VAR decision that did not penalise what appeared to be a foul on Aymeric Laporte by Dembele but the team defending for the second goal was horrific , with every City player bar keeper Ederson in the Lyon half when the goal was created when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
City and Guardiola have suffered Champions League disappointment before but this may hurt more than any other - and make no mistake , the much-feted Catalan must take his full share of responsibility for a flawed game plan .
Lyon 's celebrations were wild at the final whistle - and who can blame them after a magnificent victory against many experts ' favourites after previously knocking out Juventus despite another stellar contribution from Cristiano Ronaldo ?
The French side dug deep , rode their luck at the right times , especially with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offered the opportunity put City away .
Dembele showed the poacher 's instinct that made him so highly prized at Celtic and has made him a success in France to score the two goals that saw off City .
Bayern Munich will be hot favourites after their astonishing 8-2 demolition of Barcelona but this revamped knockout format has already produced its share of surprises and Lyon have shown they must not be written off .
'We 're not getting carried away ' - reaction Goalscorer Moussa Dembele speaking to RMC Sport : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ means we have a great team .
`` We are taking it game by game , not getting carried away .
We will try to be ready for Bayern . ''
• Lyon 's Rudi Garcia is the first French manager to guide a French team to the Champions League semi-finals since 2009-10 ( Claude Puel with Lyon ) .
• Since progressing from his first seven Champions League quarter-finals as a manager with Barcelona and Bayern Munich , Pep Guardiola has been eliminated in each of his three with City .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ French teams ( PSG , Lyon ) and two German teams ( RB Leipzig , Bayern Munich ) .
It is the first time since 2012-13 that there are just two different nations at the semi-final stage .
• City 's Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in more goals in 2019-20 than any other Premier League player ( 38 - 16 goals , 22 assists ) .
• Lyon 's Maxwel Cornet and Moussa Dembele have scored four Champions League goals against City , a joint high with Lionel Messi .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ League appearance tonight , aged 25 years and 251 days .
The only Englishman to reach this milestone at a younger age was Wayne Rooney in 2010 ( 24 years , 115 days ) .
• Sterling provided his 11th assist for Manchester City in the Champions League - the joint-most for the club alongside De Bruyne .
• Fernandinho made his 58th appearance in the Champions League for Man City - the most of any City player in the competition .
• Vampire origins : Nine fangtastic facts on their history • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way we eat ?

Last updated on .From the section European Football
Four of Moussa Dembele's seven Champions League goals have been against Manchester City
Manchester City's Champions League ambitions are in ruins once more after Lyon shocked Pep Guardiola's side in the quarter-final in Lisbon.
City started as firm favourites but came out second best against a fiercely determined Lyon in a game that swung on controversy and uncharacteristic errors in the closing stages.
Lyon went ahead in the 24th minute with Maxwel Cornet's smart finish but City, lifeless as Guardiola chose to play a three-man central defence, looked to have been revived by Kevin de Bruyne's precise strike from Raheem Sterling's pass after 69 minutes.
Former Celtic striker Moussa Dembele, on as a substitute, restored Lyon's lead in contentious circumstances 11 minutes from time, the video assistant referee ignoring what appeared to be an obvious foul by the goalscorer before he ran on to beat Ederson.
City pressed for the equaliser but Sterling was guilty of an atrocious miss, somehow sending his finish over the top of an open goal from Gabriel Jesus' pass.
It proved to be hugely expensive as seconds later Lyon set up a semi-final meeting with Bayern Munich when Dembele scored his second after Ederson fumbled a shot from Houssem Aouar's routine shot.
Guardiola must take responsibility
Guardiola has rightly been showered in plaudits for the wonderful football and success he has brought to Manchester City - but his biggest target remains elusive and this was a miserable night for the manager.
Guardiola, who has been accused of over-thinking his approach in the Champions League before, adopted a three-man central defensive system and chose to leave many of City's creators and manipulators on the bench.
Lyon deserved respect after eliminating Juventus but this was a ploy that took it too far and resulted in a stuttering City lacking urgency and creativity.
He eventually introduced Riyad Mahrez after the break to some effect but Lyon were offered hope and encouragement by Guardiola's approach and showed magnificent grit and resilience to secure the win.
City will rightly claim an injustice over the VAR decision that did not penalise what appeared to be a foul on Aymeric Laporte by Dembele but the team defending for the second goal was horrific, with every City player bar keeper Ederson in the Lyon half when the goal was created when the game was finely balanced at 1-1.
City and Guardiola have suffered Champions League disappointment before but this may hurt more than any other - and make no mistake, the much-feted Catalan must take his full share of responsibility for a flawed game plan.
Lyon deserve credit
Lyon's celebrations were wild at the final whistle - and who can blame them after a magnificent victory against many experts' favourites after previously knocking out Juventus despite another stellar contribution from Cristiano Ronaldo?
The French side dug deep, rode their luck at the right times, especially with Sterling's ghastly miss, and when offered the opportunity put City away.
Dembele showed the poacher's instinct that made him so highly prized at Celtic and has made him a success in France to score the two goals that saw off City.
Bayern Munich will be hot favourites after their astonishing 8-2 demolition of Barcelona but this revamped knockout format has already produced its share of surprises and Lyon have shown they must not be written off.
Man of the match - Kevin de Bruyne
Kevin de Bruyne scored City's goal and attempted 17 crosses, almost three times as much as anyone else - although he only completed 23 of his 39 passes
'We're not getting carried away' - reaction
Goalscorer Moussa Dembele speaking to RMC Sport: "We are still in it, which means we have a great team.
"We are taking it game by game, not getting carried away. We will try to be ready for Bayern."
Match stats - Cornet and Dembele match Messi
Lyon's Rudi Garcia is the first French manager to guide a French team to the Champions League semi-finals since 2009-10 (Claude Puel with Lyon).
Since progressing from his first seven Champions League quarter-finals as a manager with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, Pep Guardiola has been eliminated in each of his three with City.
The Champions League semi-finals will see two French teams (PSG, Lyon) and two German teams (RB Leipzig, Bayern Munich). It is the first time since 2012-13 that there are just two different nations at the semi-final stage.
City's Kevin de Bruyne has been directly involved in more goals in 2019-20 than any other Premier League player (38 - 16 goals, 22 assists).
Lyon's Maxwel Cornet and Moussa Dembele have scored four Champions League goals against City, a joint high with Lionel Messi.
Raheem Sterling made his 50th Champions League appearance tonight, aged 25 years and 251 days. The only Englishman to reach this milestone at a younger age was Wayne Rooney in 2010 (24 years, 115 days).
Sterling provided his 11th assist for Manchester City in the Champions League - the joint-most for the club alongside De Bruyne.
Fernandinho made his 58th appearance in the Champions League for Man City - the most of any City player in the competition.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Skye climber 'critical' after nine-hour rescue bid

A climber is in a critical condition in hospital after being found unconscious and with serious injuries by a mountain rescue team investigating a rock fall .
Skye Mountain Rescue Team said the man had suffered a significant fall near Sgurr Dubh na Da Bheinn on Friday .
He was airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary during a nine-hour operation .
Rescuers said if another group of climbers had not alerted them to the rock fall the man might not have been found for a `` very long time '' .
The rescue bid began after Skye MRT were alerted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Coire Ghrunnda on Friday afternoon .
Twelve members of the team were winched on to the Cuillin Ridge by Stornoway Coastguard helicopter to search the area .
They found the badly injured casualty a few hours later .
He was treated by medics at the scene before being winched to the helicopter and flown to Aberdeen .
The rescuers said he is believed to be in a critical but stable condition .
In a post on Facebook , the mountain rescue team praised the climbers who initially alerted them to the rock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the climbers who did the right thing by contacting the emergency services , acting on what they heard , '' they said .
`` Without this initial report the casualty would not have been found for a very long time . ''

Rescuers said if another group of climbers had not alerted them to the rock fall the man might not have been found for a "very long time".


bbcuk--2020-08-15--World Snooker Championship 2020 final: Ronnie O'Sullivan leads Kyren Wilson

Last updated on .From the section Snooker Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was pegged back but leads Kyren Wilson 10-7 after a fascinating first day of the World Championship final .
Snooker 's showpiece saw the return of crowds in sport , with around 300 fans in attendance at the Crucible Theatre .
The best-of-35 final resumes on Sunday at 13:30 BST , live across the BBC .
The fourth and final session will begin at 19:30 , with the winner collecting the trophy and £500,000 in prize money .
Both players came through epic , final-frame deciders on Friday in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first final since 2014 , while Wilson is in his maiden world final .
Spectators had attended the first day of the tournament on 31 July but were barred thereafter because of changes in government guidelines , though this changed again in time for the final .
• None Relive the first day of the World Championship final Both players emerged through dramatic final-frame deciders in the semi-finals and O'Sullivan , who seemed to struggle with his cue action throughout , made breaks of 56 , 60 , 75 and 106 to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wilson was struck by nerves in the opening exchanges , failing to settle , and the signs started to look ominous when his opponent took a tense eighth frame on the black for a sizeable , four-frame advantage .
Wilson started the session with 53 but broke down , as O'Sullivan forced an error in a tactical exchange to extend his lead , as well as making 51 for five in a row .
But then came 'The Warrior ' Wilson 's revival , fighting back to punish an O'Sullivan - whose long @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 92 , 50 and 58 en route to reducing his arrears to two frames at 8-6 .
He was in again in the 15th frame but inadvertently knocked in the red when potting the blue , ensuring O'Sullivan guaranteed himself an overnight lead .
And although Wilson made a century on the penultimate frame of the day , missing the last red in the 17th frame proved costly as O'Sullivan cleared up for a three-frame overnight buffer .
Kyren will sleep the easier of the two players , Ronnie will be worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the morning to get his cue action back .
The picture of Ronnie walking off at the end , wiping his brow , shows you he has been through the mill today .
It is all very well thinking it comes easy to Ronnie O'Sullivan , but sometimes he has to sit and suffer when he goes off the boil and Kyren has his tail up .
An interesting set-up now but he has to come back on Sunday and generate some more action .
It is set up lovely , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be one-way traffic , they have another think coming .
Kyren Wilson won the second session but it was almost undone by that missed red , which you would not expect him to miss .
What a turning point this may prove to be in the whole match .
That could have been 9-8 but he has thrown the frame to Ronnie , who duly held his nerve and bottle .
He will be over the moon to be 10-7 up .
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on @ @ @ @

Betfred World Championship Venue: Crucible Theatre, Sheffield Final dates: 15-16 August Coverage: Watch live on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and Red Button, with uninterrupted coverage on BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website and BBC Sport app. Full details and times.
Five-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan was pegged back but leads Kyren Wilson 10-7 after a fascinating first day of the World Championship final.
O'Sullivan was gifted opportunities as he opened up an 8-2 lead but a rejuvenated Wilson responded by taking five of the next seven frames.
Snooker's showpiece saw the return of crowds in sport, with around 300 fans in attendance at the Crucible Theatre.
The best-of-35 final resumes on Sunday at 13:30 BST, live across the BBC.
The fourth and final session will begin at 19:30, with the winner collecting the trophy and £500,000 in prize money.
Both players came through epic, final-frame deciders on Friday in Sheffield, with O'Sullivan appearing in his first final since 2014, while Wilson is in his maiden world final.
Spectators had attended the first day of the tournament on 31 July but were barred thereafter because of changes in government guidelines, though this changed again in time for the final.
'The Warrior' battles back
Both players emerged through dramatic final-frame deciders in the semi-finals and O'Sullivan, who seemed to struggle with his cue action throughout, made breaks of 56, 60, 75 and 106 to go 5-2 in front.
World number eight Wilson was struck by nerves in the opening exchanges, failing to settle, and the signs started to look ominous when his opponent took a tense eighth frame on the black for a sizeable, four-frame advantage.
Wilson started the session with 53 but broke down, as O'Sullivan forced an error in a tactical exchange to extend his lead, as well as making 51 for five in a row.
But then came 'The Warrior' Wilson's revival, fighting back to punish an O'Sullivan - whose long potting was all over the place - with 92, 50 and 58 en route to reducing his arrears to two frames at 8-6.
He was in again in the 15th frame but inadvertently knocked in the red when potting the blue, ensuring O'Sullivan guaranteed himself an overnight lead.
And although Wilson made a century on the penultimate frame of the day, missing the last red in the 17th frame proved costly as O'Sullivan cleared up for a three-frame overnight buffer.
Analysis
Six-time world champion Steve Davis on BBC Two:
Kyren will sleep the easier of the two players, Ronnie will be worried and will be on the practice table in the morning to get his cue action back.
The picture of Ronnie walking off at the end, wiping his brow, shows you he has been through the mill today. It is all very well thinking it comes easy to Ronnie O'Sullivan, but sometimes he has to sit and suffer when he goes off the boil and Kyren has his tail up.
An interesting set-up now but he has to come back on Sunday and generate some more action.
1997 world champion Ken Doherty:
It is set up lovely, for all those who thought this was going to be one-way traffic, they have another think coming.
Kyren Wilson won the second session but it was almost undone by that missed red, which you would not expect him to miss. What a turning point this may prove to be in the whole match.
That could have been 9-8 but he has thrown the frame to Ronnie, who duly held his nerve and bottle. He will be over the moon to be 10-7 up.
Sign up to My Sport to follow snooker news on the BBC app.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--BBC Women's Sport Survey: How decisions on abortion and starting a family affect female athletes

`` It was a very easy decision to make .
The day after the operation , I won a race . ''
A BBC survey of elite British sportswomen has found that just over 4 % of respondents have had abortions , because they felt a baby would affect their sporting careers .
This is more than twice the average rate of abortions in England and Wales over the past decade , which stands at around 1.7 per 100 women .
`` I was 21 .
I knew life would be over for me doing what I wanted to do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , one of the 22 women of 537 survey respondents who said she has had an abortion .
`` You just could n't do what I went on to do .
The risks are high in my sport .
You 're either in or out .
It only really worked for me when I did n't have any responsibilities to anyone else .
`` I do n't regret it at all .
`` I very much kept it to myself .
I 've never spoken about it .
I never told anyone - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at such a young age that I just went and sorted it out and then carried on as if nothing had happened . ''
One rugby player , who had already had a baby , said she had a termination because she was concerned that a scar from a C-section might erupt as a result of repeatedly crouching in the scrum .
`` I wanted to have another child but I knew if I did I would n't be able to play my game any more , '' she says .
`` I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sport . ''
Others have not had to make that decision yet , but say they know what they would do .
`` Sadly that 's something that my partner and I have had to speak about - what if… ? ''
says Para-archer Jodie Grinham .
`` It 's a hard one .
I sit there with tears in my eyes because it 's so hard to say .
It 's really hard to say to your partner who really wants a baby : Look , I love you with all my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pregnant , we would n't be able to keep it .
`` It 's very hard to say : ' I love you but I would n't have your child right now . '
It 's awful , it really is .
`` We put so many measures in place to make sure that would never be able to happen .
I 've put my body under different stresses , different mood swings just so I make sure I can go and compete and have my career .
It 's bloody hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lucky we can . ''
Three years ago , American former Olympic 400m champion Sanya Richards-Ross revealed she had had a termination a day before leaving for the 2008 Beijing Games , where she won a gold and bronze medal .
She later said every female athlete she knew had had an abortion but the issue was `` not talked about '' and that she felt she had helped other women by speaking publicly about it .
According to the survey , just over one in three ( 34 % ) have delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ careers .
`` I would probably be pregnant now or trying [ if I was not an athlete ] , '' Grinham , 27 , says .
`` But I 'm not in that 9-5 job where it is more accepted that a woman will take some time off at some point in her career to have a baby - you get maternity cover for those kinds of jobs .
I do n't get maternity cover for my career ; no-one is going to be able to go and compete and shoot for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he and his wife decide to have a baby , he can literally have a baby at any point .
Sadly , if you compete you might miss the birth and that is rubbish but it does n't take a toll on his body , his physique , his training ability , not having to physically handle the pregnancy . ''
And for athletes who do decide to start a family during their careers , there is meticulous planning involved to hit the 'perfect timing ' .
And of course , no guarantees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baby I 'd need to have it the year after a Games year , or going into the Europeans year , so I can recover - because I need to be back the year before a Games year to win a quota place to then get ready for the Games , '' says Grinham .
`` The concern I 've got is if I do n't follow that structure and have a baby at the wrong point , then I 'm showing that my career is n't the priority .
`` Why would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going out partying every weekend , I would n't be seen to be a committed athlete .
For me , if I decide to have a baby a year before a Games , then I 'm not committed to going to the Games . ''
Grinham says she looks at her schedule for planning a family in four-year blocks , coinciding with the sporting calendar .
And the window of opportunity is incredibly small .
`` Say , if next year after the Games was the year we decided to have a baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ case of : We 're going to do everything we can , we 're going to have to check fertility , we 're going to have to do ovulation tests , we 're going to have to get this bang on .
Otherwise , sadly , we 're going to have to wait another four years , '' says Grinham , who says she has also considered freezing her eggs .
`` We have four months and if we ca n't do it in four months then we wait four years ! ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ you have to be the best' Just over a quarter ( 26 % ) of those who took part in the survey said they felt supported by their club or governing body to have a baby and return to their sport , but more than a third ( 36 % ) said they did not .
Of the 184 who said they had delayed starting a family , 29 % percent said they felt supported and 52 % did not ( the rest ticked 'not applicable ' ) .
Among the thoughts expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ None `` If I was n't doing sport , I can imagine I definitely would have settled down by now and had a family .
I just definitely would not do it now while I am doing sport . ''
• None `` I think it is a lot harder for women to have a family while playing sport .
No-one in our sport has ever had a baby and come back and therefore I do n't feel confident that I would have the support necessary to start a family , mainly financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athlete , I would have hoped to have been well on my way in a career and have already started a family . ''
• None `` I have n't pursued a family .
In some ways this is due to sport , but then I have always been self-funded - I wish I could have depended on an income in the sports I have been involved in . ''
• None `` I have always said to my fiance that I 'm not having babies until I 'm satisfied and until I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with sport .
I can imagine it 's hard to do what I need to after that .
My body clock is ticking in my head .
I do n't want to find out too late that it 's made it difficult to have children .
If I go and have a baby and have nine months off , then I 'm probably not going to be the best or the top .
If you come back and want to be picked , you have to be the best , but that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of many issues raised by the BBC Elite British Sportswomen 's Survey .
BBC Sport will be shining a spotlight on the others with coverage throughout the week on the BBC Sport website , BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC TV .
More information can be found here .

"It was a very easy decision to make. The day after the operation, I won a race."
That decision was abortion and Lucy - not her real name - was competing at the very top of her sport.
A BBC survey of elite British sportswomen has found that just over 4% of respondents have had abortions, because they felt a baby would affect their sporting careers. This is more than twice the average rate of abortions in England and Wales over the past decade, which stands at around 1.7 per 100 women.
"I was 21. I knew life would be over for me doing what I wanted to do in my sport," says Lucy, one of the 22 women of 537 survey respondents who said she has had an abortion.
"You just couldn't do what I went on to do. The risks are high in my sport. You're either in or out. It only really worked for me when I didn't have any responsibilities to anyone else.
"I don't regret it at all.
"I very much kept it to myself. I've never spoken about it. I never told anyone - it's bit of an amazing feat at such a young age that I just went and sorted it out and then carried on as if nothing had happened."
One rugby player, who had already had a baby, said she had a termination because she was concerned that a scar from a C-section might erupt as a result of repeatedly crouching in the scrum.
"I wanted to have another child but I knew if I did I wouldn't be able to play my game any more," she says. "I didn't want to give up my sport."
Others have not had to make that decision yet, but say they know what they would do.
"Sadly that's something that my partner and I have had to speak about - what if…?" says Para-archer Jodie Grinham.
"It's a hard one. I sit there with tears in my eyes because it's so hard to say. It's really hard to say to your partner who really wants a baby: Look, I love you with all my heart but if we were to fall pregnant, we wouldn't be able to keep it.
"It's very hard to say: 'I love you but I wouldn't have your child right now.' It's awful, it really is.
"We put so many measures in place to make sure that would never be able to happen. I've put my body under different stresses, different mood swings just so I make sure I can go and compete and have my career. It's bloody hard to have those conversations but we are so lucky we can."
Three years ago, American former Olympic 400m champion Sanya Richards-Ross revealed she had had a termination a day before leaving for the 2008 Beijing Games, where she won a gold and bronze medal.
She later said every female athlete she knew had had an abortion but the issue was "not talked about" and that she felt she had helped other women by speaking publicly about it.
Jodie Grinham won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Paralympics
According to the survey, just over one in three (34%) have delayed starting a family because of their sporting careers.
"I would probably be pregnant now or trying [if I was not an athlete]," Grinham, 27, says.
"But I'm not in that 9-5 job where it is more accepted that a woman will take some time off at some point in her career to have a baby - you get maternity cover for those kinds of jobs. I don't get maternity cover for my career; no-one is going to be able to go and compete and shoot for me.
"A man... if he and his wife decide to have a baby, he can literally have a baby at any point. Sadly, if you compete you might miss the birth and that is rubbish but it doesn't take a toll on his body, his physique, his training ability, not having to physically handle the pregnancy."
And for athletes who do decide to start a family during their careers, there is meticulous planning involved to hit the 'perfect timing'. And of course, no guarantees.
"In order to have a baby I'd need to have it the year after a Games year, or going into the Europeans year, so I can recover - because I need to be back the year before a Games year to win a quota place to then get ready for the Games," says Grinham.
"The concern I've got is if I don't follow that structure and have a baby at the wrong point, then I'm showing that my career isn't the priority.
"Why would I be selected? If I was going out partying every weekend, I wouldn't be seen to be a committed athlete. For me, if I decide to have a baby a year before a Games, then I'm not committed to going to the Games."
Grinham says she looks at her schedule for planning a family in four-year blocks, coinciding with the sporting calendar.
And the window of opportunity is incredibly small.
"Say, if next year after the Games was the year we decided to have a baby, it would have to be a case of: We're going to do everything we can, we're going to have to check fertility, we're going to have to do ovulation tests, we're going to have to get this bang on. Otherwise, sadly, we're going to have to wait another four years," says Grinham, who says she has also considered freezing her eggs.
"We have four months and if we can't do it in four months then we wait four years!"
'If you want to come back, you have to be the best'
Just over a quarter (26%) of those who took part in the survey said they felt supported by their club or governing body to have a baby and return to their sport, but more than a third (36%) said they did not.
Of the 184 who said they had delayed starting a family, 29% percent said they felt supported and 52% did not (the rest ticked 'not applicable').
Among the thoughts expressed in the anonymous survey were:
"If I wasn't doing sport, I can imagine I definitely would have settled down by now and had a family. I just definitely would not do it now while I am doing sport."
"I think it is a lot harder for women to have a family while playing sport. No-one in our sport has ever had a baby and come back and therefore I don't feel confident that I would have the support necessary to start a family, mainly financial. If I wasn't a full-time athlete, I would have hoped to have been well on my way in a career and have already started a family."
"I haven't pursued a family. In some ways this is due to sport, but then I have always been self-funded - I wish I could have depended on an income in the sports I have been involved in."
"I have always said to my fiance that I'm not having babies until I'm satisfied and until I have achieved what I want to do with sport. I can imagine it's hard to do what I need to after that. My body clock is ticking in my head. I don't want to find out too late that it's made it difficult to have children. If I go and have a baby and have nine months off, then I'm probably not going to be the best or the top. If you come back and want to be picked, you have to be the best, but that's just sport."
Abortion is one of many issues raised by the BBC Elite British Sportswomen's Survey. BBC Sport will be shining a spotlight on the others with coverage throughout the week on the BBC Sport website, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC TV. More information can be found here.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Blood cancer, my baby and me

Blood cancer, my baby and me

Within the same month , Máirín Geddis turned 30 years old , gave birth and was diagnosed with cancer .
She gave birth to her son on 5 November 2019 and nine days later she was diagnosed with lymphoma in her chest .
`` I had six rounds of chemotherapy and 15 rounds of radio therapy and I would be in hospital for a week at time , but the hardest thing was leaving my baby because he was tiny , '' she said .
`` It just felt like a lot of life happened at once - it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same time . ''
Máirín received a number of blood transfusions after chemotherapy to enable her to have the strength to go home and see her family again .
`` I 've given blood since I was 20 , but I never thought too much about who might use it .
I assumed it was somebody who had a car accident or someone having surgery .
`` So to then be the person with cancer who needed it , it really opened my eyes . ''
As well as for procedures such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ used after mothers give birth and patients ' post-cancer treatment .
The NI Blood Transfusion service ( NIBTS ) has said that as lockdown eases the demand for blood from hospitals has increased rapidly .
Máirín says she 's grateful for being able to benefit from donated blood .
`` I remember sitting there getting the transfusion thinking : 'Is n't it so magical that 's someone has essentially donated medicine to me . '
`` Thankfully now I 've finished my treatments , I 'm waiting on a final scan but I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added : `` People will say : 'How did you deal with all that ? '
And you do n't know you can until you have to and it makes you go , 'wow maybe I 'm a bit stronger than I think ' . ''
NIBTS is reminding the public that blood donations are still required and that travelling to give blood is classed as essential travel .
Details on donating blood can be found on nibts.org .

Within the same month, Máirín Geddis turned 30 years old, gave birth and was diagnosed with cancer.
"It just felt like a lot of life happened at once - it's a lot of things to happen at the same time."
Máirín received a number of blood transfusions after chemotherapy to enable her to have the strength to go home and see her family again.
"I've given blood since I was 20, but I never thought too much about who might use it. I assumed it was somebody who had a car accident or someone having surgery.
"So to then be the person with cancer who needed it, it really opened my eyes."
As well as for procedures such as emergency surgery, blood transfusions are used after mothers give birth and patients' post-cancer treatment.
The NI Blood Transfusion service (NIBTS) has said that as lockdown eases the demand for blood from hospitals has increased rapidly.
NIBTS is reminding the public that travelling to give blood is classed as essential travel. Details on donating blood can be found on nibts.org.
Video journalist: Niall McCracken


bbcuk--2020-08-15--A-levels and GCSE's: Student challenges schools minister over results

Like almost 40 % of student grades in England , Nina Bunting-Mitcham 's A-level results were lower than her teachers @ @ @ @ @ BBC 's Any Questions , and told schools minister Nick Gibb that he had ruined @ @ @ @ @ , she told BBC News that she felt disadvantaged schools were impacted disproportionately by the @ @ @ @ @ has said they will cover the cost of appeals and resits for schools .

Like almost 40% of student grades in England, Nina Bunting-Mitcham's A-level results were lower than her teachers predicted.
She called into BBC's Any Questions, and told schools minister Nick Gibb that he had ruined her life.
Later on, she told BBC News that she felt disadvantaged schools were impacted disproportionately by the new system.
The government has said they will cover the cost of appeals and resits for schools.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--VJ Day: Charles leads tributes on 75th anniversary

The Prince of Wales has led the UK 's commemorations on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day .
He attended @ @ @ @ @ the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire , alongside the Prime Minister Boris Johnson .

The Prince of Wales has led the UK's commemorations on the 75th anniversary of VJ Day.
He attended a service of remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, alongside the Prime Minister Boris Johnson.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--The black women in tech coding the future

A unique 'boot camp ' has been set up in the West Midlands to train black women to become software @ @ @ @ @ to increase digital skills and help create a more diverse workforce in technology , a @ @ @ @ @ has been put together by two start-ups run by black women ; NIYO Enterprise and @ @ @ @ @ secured funding of £250,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority Digital Retraining Fund .
The @ @ @ @ @ course is designed for women over-18 who are unemployed or employed with a salary below @ @ @ @ @ intended for 40 women , but after more than 300 applied , 50 are now @ @ @

A unique 'boot camp' has been set up in the West Midlands to train black women to become software developers.
The aim is to increase digital skills and help create a more diverse workforce in technology, a traditionally male-dominated industry.
It has been put together by two start-ups run by black women; NIYO Enterprise and Coding Black Females. They secured funding of £250,000 from the West Midlands Combined Authority Digital Retraining Fund.
The free, six-month, part-time course is designed for women over-18 who are unemployed or employed with a salary below £20,000.
Originally it was intended for 40 women, but after more than 300 applied, 50 are now taking part.
Video journalist: Catherine Mackie


bbcuk--2020-08-15--The Papers: Calls to 'sack' Williamson, and PHE to be 'axed'

Ahead of nearly five million GCSEs being awarded this week using a controversial model , the Observer reports that 97 @ @ @ @ @ million grades - will be assigned in England solely by the algorithm drawn up by @ @ @ @ @ than 280,000 students had A-level results downgraded on Thursday , prompting widespread anger among schools @ @ @ @ @ Education experts fear that even more GCSE results could be downgraded than A-levels , the @ @ @ @ @ is expected to face new legal challenges over its algorithm within days , the paper @ @

But on its front page, it glosses over the exams controversy, highlighting instead what it calls his "heartfelt" plea to get children back in their classrooms in time for the new term next month. The paper's headline is: "Children Must Come First".


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Eat out scheme causing 'hostility towards staff'

Some restaurants and pubs are withdrawing from the Eat Out to Help Out scheme because of `` hostility towards staff '' .
Under the scheme the government pays half of the bill on meals served from Monday to Wednesdays throughout August .
Owners says a surge in demand on these days has led to staff being shouted at , and `` physical and mental stress '' .
In tourist-heavy areas like the South West many say the scheme is not helping at an already busy time of year .
Some say fewer customers are dining on other weekdays as a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was working .
UK Hospitality , which represents the industry , said generally the feedback had been `` very positive for businesses who were staring ruin in the face '' .
However , The Tavern Inn in Newquay is one venue that has pulled out of the scheme .
Owner Kelly Hill said : `` It has brought us nothing but negativity due to the huge demand , causing long waits on food , tables over-running and hostility towards our staff .
`` People are ordering big , big meals ; they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; our staff are being shouted at for having no tables , or for the service being slow .
It 's put an awful lot of strain on our waiting staff and kitchen staff . ''
The Heron Inn in Truro has also opted out , saying on Facebook : `` Safety is our main priority , and with the increased amount of people visiting us , it is making it difficult for us to manage with social distancing rules in place .
`` We have received unpleasant comments and general unwelcome behaviour @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find a table due to us having reached capacity '' .
The Westleigh Inn near Bideford in Devon has also withdrawn because of the `` physical and mental stress it has put us and all our staff under '' .
Landlady Steph Dyer said that `` the idea is brilliant , but just not in August .
Do it in October .
Everybody I have spoken to is finding it difficult to maintain standards of service '' .
In Crantock near Newquay , the C-Bay bistro says the scheme has led to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ booking for the days when it is not running .
Owner Nina Eyles said : `` In July we were full every day , but now Mondays to Wednesdays are absolutely manic and we are much quieter than normal on the other days .
`` If it was in winter we would be so grateful and it would have been amazing . ''
The Treasury said the scheme was designed to protect jobs .
`` Sales for pubs and restaurants were up by a third for the first week of the scheme , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it said .

"People are ordering big, big meals; they are not willing to wait for their food; our staff are being shouted at for having no tables, or for the service being slow. It's put an awful lot of strain on our waiting staff and kitchen staff."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Coronavirus: National Trust awarded funding boost to save jobs

Almost 200 jobs have been saved at the National Trust for Scotland after it was awarded £3.8m by the Scottish government .
The money is designed to help the charity , which looks after places such as Culloden and Brodick Castle , recover from the impact of Covid-19 .
It will also help the NTS open 33 sites this month - five more than planned .
Despite the windfall , 232 redundancies are still expected to be made by the organisation .
The conservation group 's income has been decimated by the closure of properties and and it has seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plummet .
In May , the trust said its future was in doubt and it would look to sell off non-heritage land and property .
As part of the new deal the NTS has been told it must work with the Scottish government to consider the long-term sustainability of its operations and review its business model for future challenges .
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said the lockdown has been a `` deeply difficult '' time for the trust and vowed any government support was designed to support staff .
She said : `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that unfortunately not all jobs can be saved but this funding will go far to protect as many critical roles across the National Trust for Scotland estate as we can .
`` The funding will also ensure that some sites proposed for long-term closure by National Trust for Scotland can instead be reopened , and enjoyed once again by communities . ''
Ms Hyslop said the organisation is responsible for promoting and protecting many of Scotland 's most important natural and built sites , which are crucial to the heritage and tourism sectors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its new leadership so it is in a position to continue its `` vital work '' in the future .
The conservation organisation manages or owns about 130 properties in Scotland , including St Kilda , which is Unesco world heritage site .
About 40 places have reopened , including Glencoe visitor centre and Robert Burns Birthplace Museum , but smaller venues like Broughton House in Kirckcudbright remain closed .
It is expected to make 188 compulsory redundancies and 44 voluntary redundancies .
NTS chief executive Phil Long welcomed the funding which comes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charity 's 90-year history .
But he added : `` My joy at this announcement is tempered by the fact that the devastating effects of Covid-19 mean we still must say goodbye to friends and colleagues .
`` I wish it were not so , but redundancies are unavoidable , although this support helps keep them to the absolute minimum . ''
Mr Long said the organisation has been left with a `` resilient operating model to weather continuing uncertainty '' .
Richard Hardy , of Prospect union , paid tribute to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and welcomed the funding .
But he added : `` At the end of the day however , we can not and should not lose sight of the fact that over 200 people are still losing their jobs and this is bad news for the economy , for heritage and for Scotland . ''
The money is part of the £97m in UK government consequentials for the culture and heritage sector .

But he added: "At the end of the day however, we cannot and should not lose sight of the fact that over 200 people are still losing their jobs and this is bad news for the economy, for heritage and for Scotland."


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Coronavirus: NI reports 65 new Covid-19 cases as weekend updates return

The Department of Health has said a further 65 people have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland .
The figure covers tests carried out in a 24-hour period up to 10:00 BST on Friday .
The department stopped issuing updates on its online dashboard over the weekend earlier in the summer .
These updates resumed from Saturday , but only for information on the number of tests carried out and the proportion which came back positive .
Meanwhile , in the Republic of Ireland , the country 's Department of Health reported 200 additional cases , which is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day since the beginning of May .
No information was released on Saturday regarding any further deaths in NI , instead this data will be published on Monday .
There have now been a total of 6,364 people who have tested positive for coronavirus in Northern Ireland .
The latest data released by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency ( Nisra ) said the disease had featured on a total of 859 people 's death certificates in Northern Ireland by 7 August .
The Department of Health 's death toll by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 556 - more than 300 fewer .
The department 's statistics are calculated differently from Nisra and are based on a patient having previously tested positive for the virus .
However , the department 's toll has now risen to 558 after it recorded a death on 8 August and a further death of the patient aged under 40 on Thursday 13 August .
On Thursday , the Department for Health reported that the R number , which represents the number of individuals who , on average , will be infected by a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be between 1.2 and 2.0 .
In the Republic of Ireland , Acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Ronan Glynn said there were now `` multiple clusters with secondary spread of disease and rising numbers of cases in many parts of the country '' .
`` This is deeply concerning , '' he said , adding the organisation responsible for overseeing the coronavirus response in the country would be monitoring the situation `` extremely closely over the coming days '' .
In the Republic of Ireland , the total number of cases in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reporting period , it recorded zero deaths .
There have been 1,774 Covid-19 related deaths in the country .
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• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?

On Thursday, the Department for Health reported that the R number, which represents the number of individuals who, on average, will be infected by a single person with coronavirus, was estimated to be between 1.2 and 2.0.


bbcuk--2020-08-15--Coronavirus: Shielding paused for 130,000 in Wales

People with underlying health conditions say they have mixed emotions as shielding ends for about 130,000 in Wales .
Those most vulnerable to Covid-19 had been asked to stay inside since the beginning of the pandemic .
Richard Bluck , 37 , is so vulnerable he says he may not be able to hug his daughter until a vaccine is found .
People who were shielding are advised to pay strict attention to physical distancing and good hand hygiene .
And the Welsh Government has said the situation could change again in future if cases begin to rise .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday is too much of a risk , with transplant patients told by the Renal Association and Kidney Care UK to `` ignore government advice '' about ceasing to shield .
The Welsh Government advised those people to speak to their doctor .
• Gething sorry shield letters went to wrong address • 'Isolation felt like a parallel universe , but I 'm scared to leave' Mr Bluck , who has cystic fibrosis ( CF ) and underwent a double lung transplant in 2018 , has been shielding since early March .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who is a nurse .
`` It might be when a vaccine is found that 'll be the next time I 'll hug my daughter , '' he said .
`` The hardest part of the initial lockdown was not being able to see my daughter at all for quite a long time . ''
He added : `` Even when the lockdown finished , Evelyn came over to visit me in the garden but that was still at a distance and that 's a really unnatural thing , no hugs and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` When she turned eight in July , it was really strange not giving your daughter a cuddle on her birthday .
So that 's been the toughest part of all this . ''
Mr Bluck said his daughter mostly understands why their contact is so limited .
`` It 's so hard to say but it could cost me my life .
`` A child 's mind wo n't think forward in time like an adult does and there are tears and emotions from both of us .
`` I 'm just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen to daddy if I caught the virus .
`` Because she 's seen me close to death before , she knows I 've had a second chance of life .
`` She 'd never forgive herself if she thought she could be responsible for her father 's death , is basically what it comes down to .
So I do n't want to put her in that situation . ''
Mr Bluck , from Llysworney in Vale of Glamorgan , has lived with CF from birth and is on immunosuppressive therapy - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it from damaging or rejecting transplanted organs .
He almost died before his transplant , with his lung function decreasing as his CF worsened throughout his 30s .
By March 2018 , he was hospitalised at Llandough in Cardiff and remained there for six months until he was taken to the Harefield Hospital in London , the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK .
`` My left lung had started to disintegrate and the infection was leaking out of the lungs and into the blood stream which caused sepsis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack .
My only chance of survival was a transplant . ''
Mr Bluck was only on the waiting list for two weeks before a suitable set of lungs became available and he was able to have the transplant .
`` It gave me a second chance of life , so for me to be impetuous and say let 's forget about this virus for a moment is n't worth the risk .
`` I know some people find it very difficult and they will take that risk , but what I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only sensible option , so Evelyn can have her father around for a lot longer . ''
Mr Bluck has been working from home and will continue to do so after shielding ends - meaning he can choose to continue to shield .
`` I know a lot of people will think 'thank god for that , I 'm off on holiday , maybe even abroad ' , which is fair enough but for me personally the risk is still there , the virus is still out there . ''
Age Cymru is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feel about ceasing to shield , and said it had received a mixed response .
Chief executive Victoria Lloyd said : `` Many older people are looking forward to coming out of shielding so they can visit more places and see more people .
`` However , we know that many are concerned about re-engaging with their communities .
This concern seems to be fuelled by reports of people gathering in large numbers or not following government guidance .
`` Others have told us that they have lost their self-confidence and are worried @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or on public transport . ''
The charity is urging supermarkets to retain designated times for vulnerable people so they can continue shopping during quieter times , and that priority food and pharmaceutical deliveries should remain .
Frank Atherton , Wales ' Chief Medical Officer , said : `` At the moment we 're seeing very few new cases in Wales and that means we have scope now to say to the most vulnerable people ... they can start to reengage with society , start to get back to their normal lives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ shielding had a very low chance of coming into contact with coronavirus - and there was a window of opportunity in the warm weather while transmissions were low .
`` I 'm very grateful to those people who have been in the shielding group , they 've been protecting themselves and they 've been protecting the NHS by not getting sick .
`` They will naturally be very anxious about coming out , we need to make sure that we support people in their ability to do that .
`` We must n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tucked away and not able to engage with people . ''
He said the situation may change as winter approaches .

He almost died before his transplant, with his lung function decreasing as his CF worsened throughout his 30s. By March 2018, he was hospitalised at Llandough in Cardiff and remained there for six months until he was taken to the Harefield Hospital in London, the largest specialist heart and lung centre in the UK.


bbcuk--2020-08-16--A-level results: Ofqual reviewing exam appeals guidance

The exams regulator is reviewing its guidance on how to appeal against A-level and GCSE grades using mock exam results - hours after publishing it .
On Saturday Ofqual set out what constituted a `` valid '' mock exam for students appealing against A-level results in England .
But the regulator has now suspended that criteria , and further information will be published `` in due course '' .
Almost 40 % of A-level grades were marked down from teachers ' predictions .
Neither A-level nor GCSE students were able to sit public exams this year because of the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ education select committee , Robert Halfon , said the decision to review appeals guidance only announced on Saturday created a `` huge mess '' that left students and schools in confusion .
Meanwhile , the statistical model used by Ofqual to determine grades faces two legal challenges , which argue students were unfairly judged by the school they attend .
• Why did the A-level algorithm say no ?
Ofqual said earlier on Saturday that , where a written mock exam was not taken , it would consider other teacher assessments instead .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday night on the regulator 's website read : `` Earlier today we published information about mock exam results in appeals .
`` This policy is being reviewed by the Ofqual Board and further information will be published in due course . ''
BBC political correspondent Jonathan Blake said the Department for Education appeared to be unaware of the change and the review of the criteria was likely to draw further criticism of the government 's handling of the exams process in England .
The criteria under which Ofqual would accept a `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Saturday and then suspended hours later , had been stipulated as : • Supervised , unseen and undertaken in conditions intended to secure the work as the student 's own • Either past assessments produced by the relevant exam board , or assessments developed by teachers • Completed before 20 March 2020 , when schools and colleges were closed • Marked using a mark scheme provided by the relevant exam board • Graded in line with the exam board 's examination standard Before results were released , the Department for Education announced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that students ' final results could take into account their teacher 's predicted grade , their mock exam or the option of sitting the actual exam in the autumn .
However , Labour said that , under the new Ofqual criteria , some students would not be able to use their mock results as the basis for an appeal .
Shadow education secretary Kate Green said that the education secretary 's promise that students would have the `` safety net '' of their mock results was `` rapidly unravelling '' .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this government 's shambolic approach to exams , which saw solutions dreamt up on the back of a cigarette packet and announced barely a day before young people received their results , '' she said .
Labour is calling for the government to resolve the crisis by giving students the grades assessed by their teachers .
Mr Halfon , the education select committee chairman , said : `` Goodness knows what 's going on at Ofqual .
It sows confusion among pupils , head teachers and school teachers and it 's the last @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' He told BBC Breakfast he believed that every student who felt their results were unfair should have the right to appeal if their head teacher agreed .
Ofqual also faces two judicial review cases , with students challenging what they say is an `` irrational , arbitrary '' approach .
Student Curtis Parfitt-Ford was awarded his predicted grades but told the BBC he wants to challenge the `` completely ridiculous '' system .
He said his lawyers , from Leigh Day and Foxglove , believe Ofqual acted outside their statutory responsibilities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not `` individual achievement and attainment '' .
Six students are also being supported by campaigning legal group the Good Law Project .
One of the pupils , named only as Michael , saw his grades fall from a predicted three Bs to three E grades .
`` It is abysmal to think that the government , whose job it is to lead this country in the right direction , has allowed an algorithm to determine the futures of thousands of students , '' he said .
Geoff Barton , general secretary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , told BBC Breakfast that way grades have been awarded is `` simply not good enough '' .
He added that universities needed to stop being `` insular and self-protective '' and to `` step up '' , offering places to disadvantaged students who had been downgraded .
He also called for Ofqual to re-examine extreme cases , such as students downgraded from a teacher-assessed C to a failing U grade .
`` Young people , after two years on a course , should really not be coming out with a fail when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sit the exam , '' Mr Barton said .
He said the `` really big issue '' is what has gone wrong with the statistical model used to determine results and how it might affect GCSEs , where there are larger numbers of disadvantaged students waiting for grades .
The government announced on Friday that schools would not have to pay to appeal against exam grades .
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"That is a huge mess. Goodness knows what is going on at Ofqual. It is the last thing we need at this time. This is just unacceptable in my view," he said.