bbcuk--2020-08-11--Iron Age hillfort found in Chiltern Hills with help of 'citizen scientists'

An Iron Age hillfort hidden under trees and foliage has been discovered with the help of `` citizen scientists '' .
Members of the Beacons of the Past group identified the site , in the Chiltern Hills , from digital survey images last year and the hillfort was verified on 6 August .
It is thought the circular site dates from the early Iron Age in England , between 800BC and 500BC .
Work will take place to preserve the site .
The remains of the hillfort include a 9m ( 30ft ) -wide bank and an external ditch which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Its perimeter is more than 500m ( 1,640ft ) in length and it is thought it would have covered 7.5 acres .
Despite the name , hillforts are often neither on a hill , nor used as forts .
Archaeologists believe they may have been used as defended settlements , production sites , or stock enclosures .
The new site in the southern Chilterns was first identified through images from a large scale LiDAR scan of the area .
LiDAR technology can penetrate the ground and foliage which might hide archaeological sites , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Past 's trained volunteers , known as `` citizen scientists '' , helped look through LiDAR data to help identify sites .
The exact location of the hillfort has not been disclosed to protect the site and the landowner 's privacy .
Work will take place to preserve what remains of the hillfort , but there are no plans to excavate the site at present .
Project manager and archaeologist Dr Wendy Morrison said : `` Although one can never be certain of the age of a prehistoric earthwork without excavating for dating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and ditch , paired with its location , dominating views in the landscape , give me the confidence to say this is very likely to be an Early Iron Age univallate hillfort . ''
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Project manager and archaeologist Dr Wendy Morrison said: "Although one can never be certain of the age of a prehistoric earthwork without excavating for dating evidence, visual inspection of the rampart and ditch, paired with its location, dominating views in the landscape, give me the confidence to say this is very likely to be an Early Iron Age univallate hillfort."


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Coronavirus: Exam results day rituals put on hold

By any measure , this summer 's results days are some of the weirdest ever .
So how will the need for social distancing and extra hygiene impact some of the most emotionally charged days of the school calendar ?
`` You laugh , you cry , you celebrate with your friends , '' one teenager told the BBC .
But this year much of that is probably out .
• How will I get my exam results this year ?
• A-level and GCSE results to be higher this summer It 's the big moment .
You queue , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ open it ...
This year the big decision for schools has been whether to invite students in to pick up their results at all .
Many students are being asked to look out for an email or log in to the school portal at 08:00 - and to avoid their school or college .
But , equally , many schools are inviting students in .
`` It will be more important than ever this year to be able to congratulate students on their achievements , to console those who have n't achieved their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ them on the next steps , '' says the Association of School and College Leaders .
If schools and colleges do invite pupils in , they 're advised to minimise contact and mixing , keep them in small groups and observe social distancing .
And that is likely to mean ... .
Under social distancing hugging is out , unless you are living with the person you plan to hug .
Elbow or foot bumps might be better , if less satisfying in the moment .
Jumping in the air and waving your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you go to one of those schools with acres of pitches on which to socially distance your celebrations .
Bear in mind that if you jump too much you are likely to exert yourself and risk breathing any germs you might be carrying over anyone standing too close - so keep your distance .
And if you 're receiving results by email at home , jumping would inevitably be less spontaneous .
You 'd have to print out your own results sheet and then hunt down some classmates also willing to jump in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world laughs with you .
Cry and you cry alone .
This year some schools are only inviting in students who need to discuss their grades , so any crying will perhaps happen more privately than normal .
Many students who have missed their grades will appreciate the extra privacy , but others will miss being buoyed up by hugs and sympathy from friends .
At any rate , if you do cry , it 's pretty important not to dribble on anyone from outside your household .
Regular results day selfies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a row , expressing joy and amazement , are probably out this year .
Maybe this is the day to dust off the selfie stick for some high angled , socially distanced shots of you and your mates with your results sheets .
Alternatively you could just scrap the selfie idea and just ask someone else to take the photo , but maybe you should also think about antibacterial wipes for your phone and a plentiful supply of hand sanitiser .
Some parents like to gather at the school gates on results day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their grades .
But this year the government is asking schools that do decide to open to `` continue to make it clear to parents that they can not gather at entrance gates or doors or enter the site unless they have a pre-arranged appointment '' .
`` After GCSEs , we were in the school , laughing and crying and then we all went out as friends together , we all had a party at someone 's house .
It was nice I liked that experience . ''
But two years on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the virus means parties will have to be a bit more circumspect , particularly in areas where local lockdowns are in force .

"It will be more important than ever this year to be able to congratulate students on their achievements, to console those who haven't achieved their results they were hoping for and advise them on the next steps," says the Association of School and College Leaders.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--'Loyalty is really important to us' - Biffy Clyro on the fall-out behind their new album

`` Life has a weird habit of giving you stuff to sing about , '' says Biffy Clyro 's frontman , Simon Neil .
`` There 's always something to set the cat amongst the pigeons . ''
The band 's last album , 2016 's Ellipsis , was written after Neil suffered a number of bereavements and went through a period of crippling writer 's block .
Before that , the recording sessions for 2013 's Opposites were overshadowed by drummer Ben Johnston 's alcoholism , which nearly drove the Ayrshire band apart ( he 's since recovered ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a series of miscarriages .
Things were n't quite as bleak as they wrote and recorded their ninth album , A Celebration Of Endings - but there was a seismic disruption within the band 's inner circle that `` really shook our bones to the core '' .
`` Loyalty is really important for us , '' says Neil , `` and there were two long-term working relationships we had , that deteriorated in ways that we could n't have envisaged .
`` One guy was in the very , very inner circle @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the very start and I thought the relationship would last 'til the day I died , '' he says .
`` But we had the worst fall-out ever and the relationship just ended dead in its tracks .
`` It 's a really sensitive thing to discuss and I do n't want to disrespect him by naming him , because I do appreciate there 's two sides to every story .
`` The other person had been a part of our crew for years - and they basically [ chose ] money over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at a certain point , but that was really an eye-opener for me .
I felt like we 'd just been a money train or whatever for 12 years . ''
The group were forced to `` re-evaluate everything , '' he says , but the process ended up being liberating .
`` We said , 'Actually , all we need is the three of us ' .
`` And , looking back now , I 'm glad , because every album needs a spark .
When you do n't have something to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be hard .
`` But after we parted ways with those people , I felt so focussed .
It really cleared my mind .
And that has really been a wonderful realignment in the last year . ''
The trio , completed by Johnston 's twin brother James , met as teenagers in Kilmarnock , playing first as Screwfish before morphing into Biffy Clyro by the time they attended college in Glasgow .
The origins of the name remain shrouded in mystery ( although the best explanation is that it derives from Sir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cliffy 's Biro ) but their musical rise needs no explanation .
Mixing stadium-ready choruses with bone-crunching riffs , they 've established themselves as must-see festival headliners ; while quieter songs like Many Of Horror and Rearrange brought them new , mainstream audiences at the turn of the decade .
Their commercial breakthrough was completed when Matt Cardle covered Many Of Horror as his X Factor winner 's single in 2010 ; although the band only truly believed they 'd made it when Courtney Love grabbed them at the NME Awards to say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Her dad was one of the reasons we started making music , '' Ben Johnston recalled later , `` so that was mind-blowing . ''
All this success was achieved hand-in-hand with their Scottish road crew - which is why last year 's personnel changes hit them so hard .
The fall-out is all over the new record .
The Napoleonic charge of End Of pummels home the scathing goodbye : `` You would n't know how to be a friend / You 're ill-prepared . ''
Neil is more reflective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ door is open for reconciliation .
`` You took the money and run , '' he sings , `` But you could have made it right / There 's still time . ''
More generally , the album bristles with the confidence of a band who 've survived a crushing blow .
The first single , Instant History , doubles as their new mission statement .
`` This is the sound that we make , '' bellows Neil , resolute , even as the song ditches the band 's signature guitar riffs for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irony was n't lost on me , '' laughs the singer , `` but that 's exactly the sentiment : We 're always going to be a three-piece , kick-ass rock band , but we 're always going to have different flavours to what we do . ''
Biffy 's experimental turn should n't come as a surprise to fans .
On their very first single in 2001 , they were wilfully eclectic - switching from the pop-rock title track ( 27 ) , to a darkly-coded metal opus ( Instructio4 ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Breatheher ) .
They 've got better at song titles in the intervening 19 years , but their appetite for adventure has remained constant .
Neil says he deliberately goes out of his way to listen to music he does n't like or understand , to stop him writing by rote .
`` I could write a song inspired by Nirvana in my sleep , '' he says , `` but I want to feel unsure about what I 'm doing .
That 's a key thing - taking a leap of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a lot of old school Tina Turner at the moment , and a lot of hip-hop .
`` Then there 's a band from the States called Imperial Triumphant , who are kind of death metal but their album starts with a barbershop quartet .
And then they have jazz trombones and trumpets playing really brutal riffs . ''
Instant History , he says , was directly inspired by the clattering industrial funk of Janet Jackson 's Rhythm Nation .
`` The production of that album , it 's so messed up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's one of the most avant-garde pop records , one of the best-recorded pieces of music I 've ever heard .
`` Obviously , our song does n't sound like Janet Jackson , but it 's about getting yourself out of that zone of sticking lots of guitars on things .
Let 's move forward , let 's break new ground . ''
Neil has been inspired to apply that message to all aspects of his life .
He sees the coronavirus lockdown as a giant reset button , bringing communities together and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` I 've felt a strength from the fact we 're all communicating , '' he says .
`` There 's moments during this lockdown where I 've felt less alone then I ever have .
I think we 've all woken up , and we 're at a new level of decency . ''
He recognises `` there are still portions of people that want division '' but believes many of us have a newfound scepticism for the `` false prophets '' who `` do n't trust the experts , or do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promise to fix all your problems in one fell swoop '' .
`` And so we 're embracing stuff that we would never have embraced before .
Like the Black Lives Matter protests : I think the reason they 've taken such root this time , and will not be ignored , is because of lockdown . ''
Those beliefs have seeped into his music for the first time .
Several songs on A Celebration Of Endings encourage activism , most notably The Champ , which rails against the `` grey man '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ultimately loses `` every little thing that you 'd always cherished '' .
Lyrics like those were written as a response to Brexit and the Scottish referendum , but `` the meaning of them have changed beyond recognition , '' says Neil , and he is itching for the chance to sing them with an audience .
For now , though , he 'll have to content himself with a live stream , arranged for 15 August in an `` iconic Glasgow venue '' .
In preparation , he 's been living in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last few weeks .
`` We were the first people who saw each other when that first phase of lockdown lifted , and we were hugging each other like we were children in nursery school , '' he laughs .
With no audience to consider , the band have been indulging some of their more outlandish ideas for the concert , with several stages and set-ups being built within the venue .
`` Do n't get me wrong , I would do anything to be able to stand on that stage and have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of people , '' the singer laughs .
`` I miss everyone so , so much , but it is about making the best of a tricky situation . ''
And when the band do get back on the road next year , how will the new record fit into their live show ?
With nine albums under their belt , are there any songs that can get dropped from the setlist without disappointing fans ?
`` I do n't think we 'll quite be Springsteen level but our next tour will probably @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil .
`` I wo n't apologise for that , it 's a good problem to have - because there 's plenty of bands that still end with a song from their first record 20 years ago , so I feel really fortunate that people connect with our new songs as well . ''
Biffy Clyro 's new album , A Celebration Of Endings , is out on 14 August .
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"One guy was in the very, very inner circle. He'd worked for us from the very start and I thought the relationship would last 'til the day I died," he says. "But we had the worst fall-out ever and the relationship just ended dead in its tracks.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--'This is a crucial moment for young black people'

As a 10-year-old in the 1970s , Tracey Gore recalls coming out of a shop in Lodge Lane in Toxteth , Liverpool and having racist abuse directed at her .
It came from the mouth of a police officer as he walked past .
She says these experiences were typical of the treatment meted out to young black people at that time .
Now some 50 years later she says racism is still a problem in her home city and she 's determined to see that change .
Liverpool has the longest established black community in the UK , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Matter movement , the city 's mayor has set up a new Race Equality Taskforce to be headed by Tracey .
Having spent her working life in housing , for the past 17 years as director of the Steve Biko Housing Association in Toxteth or Liverpool 8 , as it 's always known locally , she knows the community well and has done a lot to improve things .
But ask her if there is still racism in Liverpool and her response is unequivocal .
`` Yes there is and I say that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says .
`` There are two sides to this .
On one hand , the far-right will try to come and march in this city and we will turn out in droves to stop them .
And I am really proud that happens .
`` But on the other side we have still got systemic racism .
`` So our kids are still being excluded from school , we still ca n't get jobs and if we have a job , we find it difficult to progress .
We 're more likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be in jail . ''
Figures from Merseyside police show in the 12 months to March 2020 , a black person was twice as likely to be stopped and searched as a white person .
And for the same period , according to the annual population survey , the unemployment rate for white people in Liverpool was 3.2 % .
For those from BAME backgrounds it was 11.6 % .
Tracey believes there is an assumption that black people ca n't achieve .
She says when she was at school she never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from her background .
Age 12 in her first year at secondary school , she remembers being told by a teacher that she would never be any good at maths and never pass her exam .
She believes she was being written off at a young age because of the colour of her skin .
But having worked for qualifications after she left school , she was appointed as Riverside Housing Association 's first black housing manager at the age of 27 , before going on to the city council and starting higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And she was determined to ensure her two daughters had opportunities denied to her .
Both went into higher education and one is now a barrister .
Walking down Lodge Lane with Tracey , there are smiles and waves and people who want to chat .
The 10-year-old who suffered racist abuse is now a leader , determined to be an enabler for others .
She will now step down temporarily from her role at Steve Biko to concentrate on the taskforce .
Her team , which she will be establishing , will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including early years , employment , housing and health .
`` This is about our city leaders agreeing and ensuring that whatever actions and recommendations are made , they follow them through and implement them , '' she says .
`` This is an absolutely crucial moment for young black people in this city because we are also going into probably one of the worst recessions we 've had .
It 's unacceptable that our young people do n't feel part of this society .
`` If the circumstances and the opportunities change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be lifted .
`` I 'm really proud that the majority of our citizens are saying this has to change . ''
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"So our kids are still being excluded from school, we still can't get jobs and if we have a job, we find it difficult to progress. We're more likely to be arrested, we're more likely to be in jail."


bbcuk--2020-08-10--Coronavirus: Brass band survival fears as lockdown eased

Some brass bands may die out unless they can rehearse in person again , musicians have warned .
In recent months , bands across Wales have been creative , practising and putting on concerts online .
But there are concerns players may have already given up , and young players may not join unless rehearsals restart , creating a future talent gap .
The Welsh Government said bands were permitted to meet outdoors if they followed social distancing rules .
But it warned there were risks of transmitting coronavirus through `` aerosol and droplets '' when playing instruments close to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pritchard , said : `` I think the biggest worry we have , not just as a band but as a banding community is people having spent months without playing a note , deciding that 'you know what , it 's time to give up ' .
`` If we 're not able to rehearse , then we 're going to lose the younger generation and if we lose the younger generation well then there wo n't be a band in 10 years ' time . ''
Since 3 August groups of up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outdoors , and sports clubs have had guidance from ministers on how to resume meet ups with social distancing .
But bands and choirs have told BBC Wales they believed , despite the changes , they were not allowed to meet up , and had been waiting for official guidance from the Welsh Government .
There were fears that because of the way the virus is thought to spread through particles in the air , singers and musicians - such as those who play wind instruments - could be at risk .
At @ @ @ @ @ @ @ while there was nothing illegal about people singing or playing instruments outdoors , it would not advise it , due to it being a high-risk activity .
But now that stance has changed , with the Welsh Government advising that if members maintain social distancing and carry out a risk assessment they can practise outdoors .
Guidance remains that bands should not meet inside to play , however .
'People were coming out of their houses to listen' When Brecon Town Concert Band met for their first rehearsal last week , far from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they had an audience .
Playing in the car park of Theatr Brycheiniog , where they would rehearse in normal times , people running and cycling down the canal stopped to watch and people came out of their homes .
The outdoor rehearsal , which only involved half of the band 's members due to lockdown rules , came as a surprise to many bands and choirs across Wales , who had thought they were not allowed to meet yet .
Musical director David Jones said the band had sought guidance and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the band appointing a coronavirus officer and carrying out a risk assessment for every player .
`` We 're lucky in that we have our own trailer and chairs , so it was just a case of bringing down the trailer , putting a mask and gloves on and setting out all the chairs , '' he said .
`` Everybody knew where they were going to be sat beforehand . ''
Clarinettist Kathryn Powell said : `` It felt wonderful to be back out and doing what the band enjoys doing .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ We were able to sit 2.4m away from each other and play in the open .
Baritone saxophonist Nigel Annett said it was nice to meet up again after being apart for so long , but that it was hard hearing the full ensemble when they were sat so far apart .
`` They 're the nicest group of people you can meet , so it was really good to see everyone again , '' he said .
`` I can not see us getting together as we used to anytime soon , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be no concerts any time soon .
I do n't think we 'd have an audience any time soon , so I think this is the future for the coming months , maybe even the next year . ''
During lockdown the Cory Band , based in Treorchy , were one of many to have been creative in keeping practising and performing apart .
The band have been hosting online concerts and performances and are putting on an online championship contest .
Euphonium player Sion Jones said : `` The videos that Cory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passion perhaps into brass bands .
`` We 're not just playing marches or hymn tunes or boring stuff - they 've realised we can do so much more than that . ''
Under Welsh Government guidelines , wind instruments and singing are not advised in worship or at weddings due to a `` possible additional risk of infection '' , and there are currently no plans in place to allow people to rehearse indoors .
Some bands have said - while it is great to be able to get together outdoors - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could make it hard to attract new members .
Mr Pritchard said with sports clubs and swimming pools open it felt like brass bands had been `` forgotten '' by ministers .
`` We may not have as many members as sports clubs , but I think we are a vital part of the cultural community , '' he said .
`` It 's vital for mental health and well-being , and it 's not just for now - it 's for the future too .
`` And if you get rid of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 'll be no senior bands in the future , in 10 years time . ''

"We're lucky in that we have our own trailer and chairs, so it was just a case of bringing down the trailer, putting a mask and gloves on and setting out all the chairs," he said.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Facial recognition: What led Ed Bridges to take on South Wales Police?

What leads a man to take a police force to the High Court ?
Father-of-two Ed Bridges decided to contact civil rights group Liberty after twice being caught on camera by South Wales Police 's automatic facial recognition ( AFR ) van .
`` I did n't wake up one morning and think , you know what I really want to take my local police force to court , '' he said .
`` It was n't the case that I had planned to get particularly involved in , but it developed organically . ''
On Tuesday , the Court @ @ @ @ @ @ @ facial recognition ( AFR ) technology by South Wales Police was unlawful .
Mr Bridges , a former Liberal Democrat councillor for Gabalfa in Cardiff says his image was first captured while he was on his lunch break in Cardiff city centre in 2017 .
But it was after it happened for a second time , a few months later while he was on a peaceful protest at an arms ' fayre at Cardiff International Arena , that he decided to take action .
`` On that occasion the facial recognition van was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` We felt it was done to try and deter us from using our rights to peaceful protest .
`` I take the view that in this country we have policing by consent and the police should be supporting our right to free protest , rather than trying to intimidate protesters .
`` And so it was at that point that I got in touch with Liberty . ''
The technology does not capture and store the images of those who are not on a watchlist - something Mr @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , feels the force had not communicated effectively to the public .
`` I certainly think South Wales Police might have made life a lot easier for themselves if they had done a proper public consultation , '' he said .
`` I would rather not have to bring this case .
But we brought it because there was no other route for us to challenge the way that this technology is being used , '' he said .
`` As a law abiding member of the public who just wants to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this is oppressive mass surveillance being deployed on our streets . ''
The 37-year-old , who crowd funded towards the costs of the legal action , said he wanted the UK government to act to ensure `` discriminatory technology like this is banned for good '' .
`` We have policing by consent in this country , '' he said .
`` The police need to have the support of the public in what they do and my concern is that by using a technology that is discriminatory and not being used in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the police then lose the support of the public .
And that 's not in anyone 's interest . ''
He is sympathetic to the task facing UK police forces : `` Our argument has always been that we recognise the police are doing a difficult job with dwindling resources , but there is a balance to be struck between their need to fight crime and the public 's need to feel reassured , and that their rights are being respected .
`` The court of appeal was really clear that that balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moment . ''
But could he ever have imagined that a decision made at a protest would lead to a landmark ruling ?
`` I 'm not sure at the start I realised just how significant that the case was going to be , '' he said .
`` But what matters , really , is that the point of legal principle that we helped to demonstrate .
`` I 'm very pleased to have brought it and to have made a small mark on our legal history , but it 's the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will matter . ''

"The police need to have the support of the public in what they do and my concern is that by using a technology that is discriminatory and not being used in accordance with the law, that actually the police then lose the support of the public. And that's not in anyone's interest."


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Coronavirus: What is a recession?

Coronavirus: What is a recession?

Experts think that many countries , including the UK and the US , are facing one of the worst recessions @ @ @ @ @ the coronavirus pandemic .
BBC Business reporter Lora Jones explains what exactly the term means @ @ @ @ @ mean for you .

Experts think that many countries, including the UK and the US, are facing one of the worst recessions seen on record because of the coronavirus pandemic.
BBC Business reporter Lora Jones explains what exactly the term means, and what it could mean for you.
Motion graphics by Jacqueline Galvin
Produced by Soraya Auer


bbcuk--2020-08-11--The Papers: 'Pick your grades' and Stephen Lawrence probe ends

The Financial Times ' splash reports that the Chancellor is considering delaying his autumn Budget if Britain is hit by @ @ @ @ @ .
Allies of Rishi Sunak say he wants to get on with setting a path @ @ @ @ @ Budget , which is expected to allocate spending for the rest of parliament and outline @ @ @ @ @ finances .
The paper says fears of a rise in unemployment once the furlough scheme @ @ @ @ @ to have added to the Chancellor 's concerns over whether the autumn is the right @ @ @ @ @ tax rises or spending cuts .

The paper says the payouts - which make up less than one per cent of all those handed out - were either too high or should not have been issued at all. It's estimated the mistake could cost the Treasury up to £47m.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Coronavirus spread fear of Sheffield carer who went untested

A carer who was unable to be tested for coronavirus until July said she feared she may have spread the disease into care homes despite showing no symptoms .
Alison Taylor , from Sheffield , recently tested positive for antibodies indicating she once had coronavirus .
She now fears she may have worked while contagious and even visited her mother , who later died with suspected Covid-19 .
The Department of Health and Social Care said protecting staff and residents at homes was a top priority .
Miss Taylor , 51 , said : `` I find it really hard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it to care homes , to residents , to my family .
`` I could be responsible for other people 's deaths without knowing . ''
As a health care assistant , she has looked after vulnerable people throughout the pandemic .
Miss Taylor , who is employed by an agency , worked at four different homes before regular testing was introduced for care workers and residents without symptoms .
She said she was first tested for coronavirus about a month ago and has since had two tests in the past two weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an antibody test that returned a positive result which , according to NHS England , meant she has had the virus .
She said if she had any idea she had been infected then she would have stayed at home rather than going to work .
Miss Taylor said : `` I 've continued working throughout with no symptoms so I do n't know if I 've passed it on or not .
`` I 'm really uncomfortable that I could have gone into care homes , worked with however many residents and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid . ''
During the period when she might have been self-isolating , Miss Taylor went to the supermarket and visited her vulnerable parents .
She said she last saw her 82-year-old mother , who had Alzheimer 's disease , just before mother 's day , in March .
Miss Taylor said her mother was `` really good '' at the time but died less than a month later on 16 April .
She was never tested so there was no way of knowing whether she had coronavirus .
Miss Taylor said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after a resident was treated in hospital for a fall .
She added : `` Now I know that I 've had it and I saw my mum , I 've got some sort of guilt maybe , because I just do n't know .
`` I 've got a fear that I 've passed it on to my mum maybe , to people that I 've been caring for in my work place , with no idea whatsoever that I 've been positive . ''
• GLOBAL TRACKER : Where are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : What is school life like now ?
• THE R NUMBER : What it means and why it matters • UK LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
At the start of the pandemic , health care workers reported difficulties with getting tested for coronavirus .
Routine testing for care home workers and residents was announced on 3 July .
However , the government has admitted regular testing would only reach all homes for over-65s and those with dementia by 7 September .
Miss Taylor said : `` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that residents are as safe as they can be .
`` If we 're not tested and we do n't know who 's got it , who 's had it , it 's just going to continue , it 's just going to roll on . ''
• More could have Covid immunity than tests suggest • More news and stories from Yorkshire Last week , the Department of Health and Social Care said a `` combination of issues '' had limited the number of testing kits available for care homes and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` do as much asymptomatic testing as we want '' .
A spokesperson has now added : `` Protecting care home residents and staff has been one of our top priorities throughout this unprecedented pandemic .
`` We are doing all we can to ensure tests are available to everyone who needs one .
We are issuing at least 50,000 tests every day to care homes across the country , while working around the clock to minimise any disruption to routine retesting . ''
Follow BBC Yorkshire on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bbc.co.uk or send video here .

"We are doing all we can to ensure tests are available to everyone who needs one. We are issuing at least 50,000 tests every day to care homes across the country, while working around the clock to minimise any disruption to routine retesting."


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Scottish school pupils have results upgraded

Tens of thousands of school pupils are to have their exam results upgraded after the Scottish government agreed to accept teacher estimates of scores .
The government U-turn follows an outcry from pupils after a moderation system saw 125,000 estimated results being downgraded .
All results that were downgraded will now be withdrawn and replaced by the original estimates .
The move affects about 75,000 pupils across Scotland .
There had been claims that the moderation system unfairly penalised pupils at schools which had historically not performed as well .
And many pupils said they had been given lower grades @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at the start of the year .
• How grades were worked out for Scottish pupils Education Secretary John Swinney said he was sorry for the `` feeling of unfairness '' caused by the downgrading , adding that it was `` deeply regrettable we got this wrong '' .
Mr Swinney and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had both previously argued that basing grades on teacher estimates alone would damage the credibility of this year 's results compared to previous years .
Opposition parties in the Scottish Parliament are pushing for a vote of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labour and the Conservatives calling for him to quit .
The coronavirus lockdown saw all of Scotland 's school exams cancelled for the first time ever , with the Scottish Qualifications Authority ( SQA ) drawing up a new system to calculate results .
This was to be based on teacher estimates for each of their individual pupils , based on their work during the school year .
But these estimates were then fed through an SQA moderation system , which downgraded the marks handed out by teachers to bring them closer in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an outcry from students , particularly when it emerged that the Higher pass rate for pupils from the most deprived backgrounds was reduced by 15.2 percentage points , but only by 6.9 percentage points for the wealthiest pupils .
Mr Swinney accepted there was `` clear anger and frustration from young people and their families '' about this , saying it had `` left many young people feeling their future had been determined by statistical modelling rather than their own ability '' .
He said he would now direct the SQA to reissue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lecturer judgement '' .
Fresh certificates will be issued and the university admissions body informed of the changes so applications can be processed .
A review of what has gone wrong will also be held , as well as a longer-term study of how future qualifications should balance exams and teacher assessments .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon had previously said that accepting teacher estimates without moderation would lead to an exceptionally high pass rate compared to previous years , which she said would not be `` credible '' .
And Mr Swinney said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ often `` optimistic and aspirational '' about their pupils ' abilities , while an exam system `` does something different '' .
This year 's Higher pass rate will now sit at 89.2 % , up 14.4 percentage points on 2019 , while the Advanced Higher pass rate is at 93.1 % , up 13.7 points from the previous year .
At Ms Sturgeon 's coronavirus briefing on Tuesday , she said she now believed concerns about the credibility of the unusually high pass rate were outweighed by the risk of students thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' .
'My medical dream is alive again' A Motherwell pupil whose dream of becoming a doctor appeared to have been shattered by downgraded Higher results will now get the five As that she needed .
Olivia Biggart believed she was downgraded to two As and three Bs because her school is in a deprived area .
The 16-year-old said she cheered at John Swinney 's announcement that she would now get her original estimated grades .
She will now be able to apply for medical school in October .
`` I am @ @ @ @ @ @ @ justice and I can pursue my career , '' she said .
`` I am happy with what he said - and glad he apologised to us . ''
Labour are pushing for a vote of no confidence in Mr Swinney , likely to be held at Holyrood later in the week .
The party 's education spokesman Iain Gray said Mr Swinney had left students `` twisting in the wind for a week '' , and urged him to `` take full responsibility for it happening in the first place and resign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Mr Swinney 's statement had been `` the longest resignation speech in history , minus the resignation '' , and Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie said the education secretary was `` part of the problem , not the solution '' .
The Scottish Greens said Mr Swinney had `` refused to listen '' to earlier concerns , but welcomed that he had met the conditions the party had set for backing him in any confidence vote - likely securing his future .
This decision in Scotland puts the cat among the pigeons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the UK - where A-level results are due on Thursday .
If Scotland 's students are given higher grades based on teachers ' predictions , how will it be fair if they 're competing for the same university places as students from England , Wales and Northern Ireland ?
Will the newly-boosted grades of Scottish students bump others out of university places , whose results have been pushed down by the moderation process ?
And if pegging pupils ' results to the previous achievement of their school is unfair in Scotland , how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A-levels in England , Wales and Northern Ireland .
These grades are for life , important for jobs as well as higher education .
And it raises the question which is more important , fairness for the individual , or the smooth running of the exam system ?
Scotland 's change of heart will pile on the pressure for changes in the rest of the UK - but like turning an ethical Rubik cube - any change will generate other patterns of unfairness .
In England using teachers ' predictions would have meant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A at A-level this year - and below that average there will be some teachers who have been very tough and others very generous .
That would risk creating even more inequalities that could fill court rooms for years .
Until now England 's Department for Education has rejected any change of plan , but the stakes have been raised .
How has the moderation system affected your exam grades ?
Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk .
Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ terms & conditions and privacy policy

In England using teachers' predictions would have meant almost 40% getting an A* or A at A-level this year - and below that average there will be some teachers who have been very tough and others very generous. That would risk creating even more inequalities that could fill court rooms for years.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Coronavirus: Concern over 'increasing number' of cases in NI

Health Minister Robin Swann has expressed concern at the `` increasing number '' of Covid-19 cases in Northern Ireland .
Forty-eight new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours and 194 people tested positive in the last seven days .
Mr Swann said there was now an average of 27 cases per day , compared with three a `` few short weeks ago '' .
He also expressed concern that nine people with the virus have been admitted to hospital .
`` Two of them are currently in ICU , '' he said .
`` This highlights the continuing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do everything within our power to tackle this . ''
The majority of the 48 new confirmed cases of Covid-19 recorded in the last 24 hours were in Antrim and Newtownabbey , where 14 more people were diagnosed .
In total , 557 people have died of Covid-19 in Northern Ireland and there have been 6,188 confirmed cases .
Mr Swann said contact tracing remained key to tackling the virus .
He also urged people to use the new Stop COVID NI app which , he said was `` fundamental in this fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there have been over 230,000 downloads .
However I am urging everyone to share the app with friends and family who have not yet got it , '' he said .
`` The more people that have it , the more effective it will be . ''
The health minister stressed that it was vital for people to continue washing their hands , wearing face coverings and keeping their distance .
As of Monday 10 August , wearing a face covering became mandatory in shops and other enclosed spaces in Northern Ireland .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ users of public transport .
As schools prepare to reopen , Belfast Royal Academy ( BRA ) has announced that it plans to make wearing face coverings mandatory for both pupils and staff .
Education Minister Peter Weir said the executive was not recommending masks for pupils .
However , Northern Ireland 's Chief Scientific Adviser Prof Ian Young later said he believed it would be of benefit for older children .
In the Republic of Ireland , authorities reported one new death on Tuesday , bringing the total number of Covid-19 related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35 new confirmed cases , 24 of which have been confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case and five of which have been identified as community transmission .
RTÉ has reported that a series of economic measures are expected to be announced later this week to help counties Laois , Offaly and Kildare .
They have been subjected to more severe restrictions since last Friday , after a spike in Covid-19 cases in the region .
It is understood that the Irish government is to begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take the country through the next six or nine months of living with the virus Weekly testing for Covid-19 will be rolled out at all meat plants and direct provision centres across the country .

There are also 35 new confirmed cases, 24 of which have been confirmed to be associated with outbreaks or are close contacts of a confirmed case and five of which have been identified as community transmission.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--A-levels: Mass exam result upgrade 'not expected' in Wales

Mass upgrading of A-Level results should not be needed in Wales despite some predicted grades being lowered , a minister has said .
On Thursday some pupils will get lower results after teachers ' predicted grades were deemed `` too generous '' .
In Scotland , tens of thousands of results are of results are being upgraded after outcry over the standardisation process .
But the Welsh Government said the system here was `` very different '' .
The National Union of Students ( NUS ) has called the moderation of grades a `` postcode lottery '' and called for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reversing the lowering of grades .
NUS Wales President Becky Ricketts warned : `` It would be deeply unfair that thousands of students face being marked down because of where they live . ''
Exams were cancelled due to coronavirus , with results being based on how teachers predict a student would have performed , and formula then applied by the exam board .
Qualifications Wales , the exams watchdog , has already said thousands of A-level and GCSE results will be lowered to account for teachers being `` generous '' and inconsistency @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of learners would receive their estimated grade and a small percentage would receive a grade that is higher , it said .
The rest , it said , would receive a lower grade , with `` a small percentage '' of final grades `` two or more grades lower '' than they had been estimated .
Analysis by the regulator showed that , based on the estimated grades , more than 40 % of A-levels would have been awarded at A* or A compared with 27 % in 2019 .
At GCSE , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to C grade , compared with 62 % in 2019 .
In Scotland , about 75,000 pupils will have their results upgraded , after a government u-turn following protests from pupils after results were lowered .
There were concerns that the moderation system unfairly penalised pupils at schools which had historically not performed as well .
There were also concerns that any pupils said they had been given lower grades than they had achieved in preliminary exams at the start of the year .
• Could results be affected by bias ?
Welsh @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insisted that Wales used different modelling to Scotland and that nearly half of pupils ' final mark was based on AS-levels completed last year .
Speaking during the weekly Welsh Government coronavirus briefing on Tuesday , Ms James , said she was confident pupils ' grades would be `` robust '' due to the system used by the examination board WJEC and exam regulator Qualifications Wales .
`` I 'm really happy to reassure every learner in Wales that the modelling in Wales is very different , '' she said .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completed by the students .
For example , here in Wales we 've never let go of AS-levels .
`` If you took A-levels this year then you would have had your AS-level results last year and they contribute 40 % to A-level grades .
`` So , the model for standardising those grades are developed by the WJEC and approved by Qualifications Wales to ensure that learners are treated fairly and will be able to progress with confidence . ''
She said that schools would be able to appeal if they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` too early to say '' what the level of appeals might look like .
Plaid Cymru 's education spokeswoman Siân Gwenllian , said was pleased the Scottish Government had recognised their process `` was flawed '' .
`` The Welsh process was not dissimilar , '' she said .
`` When the Centre Assessment Grades were deemed to be too 'optimistic ' , a similar standardisation process was implemented , which used data from previous years .
`` As with the situation in Scotland , this may well lead to unfairness for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Welsh Government to recognise that and to announce what steps they propose to take to rectify the situation . ''
`` Individual learners should not suffer because of a flawed system . ''
Nervousness about Thursday 's exam results wo n't be limited to pupils and parents .
Within government , the watchdog and exam board there will be apprehension about the reaction when results are published .
They have emphasised there are important differences between the Scottish model for 'standardising ' exam grades and the process in Wales , particularly when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ results .
But Qualifications Wales have already confirmed that thousands of the grades originally estimated by schools and colleges have been lowered as a result of the process due to 'generous ' assessments by teachers .
They say that 's essential for consistency , fairness and the credibility of the qualifications , but it is inevitable that some will be unhappy .
What 's happened in Scotland will have put everyone on high alert .
And the reaction in England and Northern Ireland which , like Wales , have GCSEs and A-levels and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could also have an impact come results day .

She said that schools would be able to appeal if they need to do so, but it was "too early to say" what the level of appeals might look like.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Two bodies in sea after empty boat discovered off Lancing

The bodies of two men have been found in the sea after an empty boat was discovered drifting off the Sussex coast .
The green inflatable dinghy was found at about 14:00 BST on Monday in the sea off Lancing and Shoreham .
An inshore lifeboat recovered a man 's body from the sea near Hove at about 15:10 .
A second body was found by the RNLI and coastguard on Tuesday , Sussex Police said .
Three lifeboats were deployed during the nine-hour search on Monday .
Inshore lifeboats and a helicopter resumed the search on Tuesday for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discovered during inquiries into the identity of the first man that his friend was also missing .
Brighton RNLI said the empty dinghy had been found `` out to sea '' by a passing vessel .
Crews searched the area until about 23:00 BST on Monday and resumed at 06:00 on Tuesday .
The empty boat contained `` some personal effects appearing to belong to someone living in Sussex '' , a Sussex Police spokeswoman said .
At about 08:45 on Tuesday the second man 's body was spotted by the crew of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the Shoreham lifeboat crew .
The body has not formally been identified , but is believed to be that of the missing man , a Sussex Police spokesman said .
Follow BBC South East on Facebook , on Twitter , and on Instagram .
Send your story ideas to southeasttoday @ bbc.co.uk .

Inshore lifeboats and a helicopter resumed the search on Tuesday for a second person in the water after police discovered during inquiries into the identity of the first man that his friend was also missing.


bbcuk--2020-08-12--UK officially in recession for first time in 11 years

The UK economy suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June as coronavirus lockdown measures pushed the country officially into recession .
The economy shrank 20.4 % compared with the first three months of the year .
Household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close , while factory and construction output also fell .
This pushed the UK into its first technical recession - defined as two consecutive quarters of economic decline - since 2009 .
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the BBC that the government was `` grappling with something that is unprecedented '' and that it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time '' .
But shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds blamed Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the scale of the economic decline , saying : `` A downturn was inevitable after lockdown - but Johnson 's jobs crisis was n't . ''
How are ordinary people being affected ?
Kate Treglown , 44 , of Walthamstow in east London , is currently out of work as a result of the coronavirus crisis .
She was made redundant from her advertising job at the end of July after being on furlough .
`` I worked for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted live events .
The work totally dried up in May , '' she told the BBC .
Kate says she feels `` stuck in limbo '' - keen to try something new , but unsure of when her children- who she has been home schooling - will return to school .
`` There is work .
There are jobs available .
But when I look on LinkedIn , every single job has hundreds of applications , so competition is very stiff , '' she says .
`` I feel women are really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regards to the childcare , whether working or not .
It 's made me feel quite depressed at times .
`` My redundancy money is only going to last so long and I 'm scared of what the future holds for us at the moment . ''
• Jobless in the pandemic : 'It 's hard to stay positive' Is there any sign of things getting better ?
The Office for National Statistics ( ONS ) said the economy bounced back in June as government restrictions on movement started to ease .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 8.7 % in June , after growth of 1.8 % in May .
But Jonathan Athow , deputy national statistician for economic statistics , said : `` Despite this , gross domestic product ( GDP ) in June still remains a sixth below its level in February , before the virus struck . ''
Which parts of the economy have suffered most ?
The ONS said the collapse in output was driven by the closure of shops , hotels , restaurants , schools and car repair shops .
The services sector , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suffered the biggest quarterly decline on record .
Factory shutdowns also resulted in the slowest car production since 1954 .
• How could a recession affect me ?
• Is there such a thing as a 'good ' or 'bad ' recession ?
• PM warns of 'long , long way to go ' for UK economy The economic decline was concentrated in April , at the height of lockdown .
What is the government doing about it ?
Official jobs figures released on Tuesday showed the number of people in work fell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But in a BBC interview on Wednesday , Mr Sunak did not waver on ending the government 's furlough scheme of job subsidies , which is winding down and is due to end entirely after October .
`` I think most people would agree that that 's not something that is sustainable indefinitely , '' he told the BBC .
The chancellor said the government should not pretend that `` absolutely everybody can and will be able to go back to the job they had '' and said there would be support for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposition has been critical of the government 's handling of the economy during the pandemic .
Ms Dodds said : `` We 've already got the worst excess death rate in Europe - now we 're on course for the worst recession too .
That 's a tragedy for the British people and it 's happened on Boris Johnson 's watch . ''
Referring to the tapering of the furlough scheme , she said the government had `` snatched away wage support for businesses that had n't even reopened yet '' .
Laura @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maman Bebe , told the BBC that the trading performance of her 90 stores was showing huge variations , with those in urban locations suffering from a lack of office workers and tourists .
`` Those like York , Windsor , central London , Reading , Norwich - those ones are absolutely dire , really really awful , '' she said .
`` I mean , some days we take no money , put it that way .
But some of the village stores , the community stores , they 're actually doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think we have six stores in the portfolio that actually are trading up on last year . ''
Ms Tenison founded her business in 1993 , during a recession .
`` This is my third recession in my relatively long life in retail , '' she said .
`` We still have to be entrepreneurial , '' she added .
`` We have had to close down some areas of business because of Covid .
We 've had to close our American business , which is just a massive sadness to me .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ look at their overheads , but be creative .
Look at those opportunities out there .
Recessions bring opportunities . ''
What are other people saying ?
Business groups urged the government to do more to support the economic recovery .
Alpesh Paleja , an economist at the Confederation of British Industry , said many companies were struggling to pay their bills on time .
He said : `` A sustained recovery is by no means assured .
The dual threats of a second wave and slow progress over Brexit negotiations are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data suggest the recovery is gaining traction , the Bank of England does not expect the economy to get back to its pre-pandemic size until the end of next year .
The Office for Budget Responsibility , the government 's official forecaster , expects the recovery to take even longer .
How does the UK compare with other nations ?
The UK 's slump is one of the biggest among advanced economies , according to preliminary estimates .
The economy is more than a fifth smaller than it was at the end of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as bad as the 22.7 % decline in Spain , but about twice the size of contractions in Germany and the US .
The chancellor told the BBC that the UK economy had performed worse than its EU counterparts because it was focused on services , hospitality and consumer spending .
`` Those kinds of activities comprise a much larger share of our economy than they do for most of our European cousins , '' he said .

UK officially in recession for first time in 11 years Published 12 August 2020
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This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Rishi Sunak: "We're grappling with something unprecedented"
The UK economy suffered its biggest slump on record between April and June as coronavirus lockdown measures pushed the country officially into recession.
The economy shrank 20.4% compared with the first three months of the year.
Household spending plunged as shops were ordered to close, while factory and construction output also fell.
This pushed the UK into its first technical recession - defined as two consecutive quarters of economic decline - since 2009.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak told the BBC that the government was "grappling with something that is unprecedented" and that it was "a very difficult and uncertain time".
But shadow chancellor Anneliese Dodds blamed Prime Minister Boris Johnson for the scale of the economic decline, saying: "A downturn was inevitable after lockdown - but Johnson's jobs crisis wasn't."
How are ordinary people being affected?
Kate Treglown, 44, of Walthamstow in east London, is currently out of work as a result of the coronavirus crisis. She was made redundant from her advertising job at the end of July after being on furlough.
"I worked for 16-and-a-half years for an advertising agency that promoted live events. The work totally dried up in May," she told the BBC.
Image source, Kate Treglown
Kate says she feels "stuck in limbo" - keen to try something new, but unsure of when her children- who she has been home schooling - will return to school.
"There is work. There are jobs available. But when I look on LinkedIn, every single job has hundreds of applications, so competition is very stiff," she says.
"I feel women are really carrying the burden of this pandemic with regards to the childcare, whether working or not. It's made me feel quite depressed at times.
"My redundancy money is only going to last so long and I'm scared of what the future holds for us at the moment."
Is there any sign of things getting better?
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said the economy bounced back in June as government restrictions on movement started to ease.
On a month-on-month basis, the economy grew by 8.7% in June, after growth of 1.8% in May.
But Jonathan Athow, deputy national statistician for economic statistics, said: "Despite this, gross domestic product (GDP) in June still remains a sixth below its level in February, before the virus struck."
Which parts of the economy have suffered most?
The ONS said the collapse in output was driven by the closure of shops, hotels, restaurants, schools and car repair shops.
The services sector, which powers four-fifths of the economy, suffered the biggest quarterly decline on record.
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, What is a recession?
Factory shutdowns also resulted in the slowest car production since 1954.
The economic decline was concentrated in April, at the height of lockdown.
What is the government doing about it?
Official jobs figures released on Tuesday showed the number of people in work fell by 220,000 between April and June.
But in a BBC interview on Wednesday, Mr Sunak did not waver on ending the government's furlough scheme of job subsidies, which is winding down and is due to end entirely after October.
"I think most people would agree that that's not something that is sustainable indefinitely," he told the BBC.
The chancellor said the government should not pretend that "absolutely everybody can and will be able to go back to the job they had" and said there would be support for creating jobs in new areas.
The opposition has been critical of the government's handling of the economy during the pandemic.
Ms Dodds said: "We've already got the worst excess death rate in Europe - now we're on course for the worst recession too. That's a tragedy for the British people and it's happened on Boris Johnson's watch."
Referring to the tapering of the furlough scheme, she said the government had "snatched away wage support for businesses that hadn't even reopened yet".
How are businesses coping?
Laura Tenison, founder of clothing firm JoJo Maman Bebe, told the BBC that the trading performance of her 90 stores was showing huge variations, with those in urban locations suffering from a lack of office workers and tourists.
"Those like York, Windsor, central London, Reading, Norwich - those ones are absolutely dire, really really awful," she said.
"I mean, some days we take no money, put it that way. But some of the village stores, the community stores, they're actually doing better than we anticipated.
"I think we have six stores in the portfolio that actually are trading up on last year."
Ms Tenison founded her business in 1993, during a recession. "This is my third recession in my relatively long life in retail," she said.
"We still have to be entrepreneurial," she added. "We have had to close down some areas of business because of Covid. We've had to close our American business, which is just a massive sadness to me.
"Of course, everyone has to look at their overheads, but be creative. Look at those opportunities out there. Recessions bring opportunities."
What are other people saying?
Business groups urged the government to do more to support the economic recovery.
Alpesh Paleja, an economist at the Confederation of British Industry, said many companies were struggling to pay their bills on time.
He said: "A sustained recovery is by no means assured. The dual threats of a second wave and slow progress over Brexit negotiations are also particularly concerning."
This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Media caption, Anneliese Dodds: The UK has not seen “a big enough bounce back and we really need one”
While more recent data suggest the recovery is gaining traction, the Bank of England does not expect the economy to get back to its pre-pandemic size until the end of next year.
The Office for Budget Responsibility, the government's official forecaster, expects the recovery to take even longer.
How does the UK compare with other nations?
The UK's slump is one of the biggest among advanced economies, according to preliminary estimates.
The economy is more than a fifth smaller than it was at the end of last year. This fall is not as bad as the 22.7% decline in Spain, but about twice the size of contractions in Germany and the US.
The chancellor told the BBC that the UK economy had performed worse than its EU counterparts because it was focused on services, hospitality and consumer spending.


bbcuk--2020-08-12--'Serious injuries' after passenger train derails near Stonehaven during storms

`` Serious injuries '' have been reported after a passenger train derailed near Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire as storms caused disruption in Scotland .
The incident sparked a major response from emergency services , with about 30 vehicles - including air ambulance support - called to the scene .
Smoke can be seen coming from the area .
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon described it as an `` extremely serious incident '' and said there were early reports of `` serious injuries '' .
`` All my thoughts are with those involved , '' she said .
Torrential rain and thunderstorms have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parts of central and eastern Scotland .
British Transport Police said its officers had been called to the scene of the derailment at about 09:43 .
It said paramedics and the fire brigade were also in attendance .
A ScotRail spokesperson added : `` We 're assisting the emergency services with an incident near Stonehaven , and will provide more information when available . ''
Are you in the area ?
Did you witness the incident ?
If it is safe to do so please share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist .
• Please read our terms & conditions and privacy policy

"Clearly the most important thing now is that the British Transport Police, who are in charge of the investigation, find out exactly what happened and we all work together to make sure nothing like this ever happens again."


bbcuk--2020-08-12--Replacement A-level grades 'no lower than mock exams'

A-level and GCSE students in England are being promised their final results will be no lower than their mock exams .
The Department for Education announced a `` triple lock '' - so results will be the highest out of their estimated grades , their mocks and an optional written exam in the autumn .
It follows Scotland 's decision to switch to teachers ' predicted grades .
Head teachers attacked the last-minute change as `` panicked and chaotic '' .
The change means that if pupils get an estimated grade lower than their mock exam they can appeal - @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their school , with the terms for approving appeals to be decided by the exam watchdog , Ofqual .
Geoff Barton , leader of the ASCL head teachers ' union , said the move `` beggars belief '' and that mock exams were carried out in many different ways and were not consistent enough to be used to determine A-level and GCSE results .
`` The government does n't appear to understand how mock exams work .
They are n't a set of exams which all conform to the same standards .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Mr Barton .
How grades are being decided around the UK • England and Northern Ireland : the key information will be how pupils are ranked by their school and results in their schools and colleges in previous years .
• Plus a `` triple lock '' with the highest grade out of the estimated grade , an autumn written exam or a mock exam , dependent on a successful appeal through a school • Scotland has switched to using teachers ' predicted grades • Wales is using AS-levels as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The move in England comes after 76,000 pupils in Scotland had their results upgraded after being lowered by a moderating system which critics claimed was a `` postcode lottery '' as it linked pupils ' results with their schools ' past performances .
• Students want exams to be upgraded across the UK • Universities told to hold places while pupils appeal over grades • How will exam results day work this year ?
It drew accusations that high-achieving pupils in low-performing schools would lose out - and that this would particularly discriminate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Scottish government has apologised and results will now be based on teachers ' predicted grades .
England 's schools minister Nick Gibb told BBC Breakfast being able to appeal on the basis of their mock results was `` an extra safety net for a small group of pupils '' .
He rejected concerns about confusion and said he would `` apologise to nobody for finding solutions - even at the eleventh hour '' to stop students being disadvantaged .
It will mean that mock exams will now have an impact on A-level @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ireland , alongside how pupils are ranked on ability and the share of grades that their schools and colleges have achieved in recent years .
The Welsh government has told A-level students that their approach to results is `` fair '' , with nearly half of pupils ' final mark based on AS-levels completed last year .
Mary Bousted of the National Education Union warned the diverging paths meant students in different parts of the UK were applying for the same university places with results based on `` completely different criteria and wildly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it mean for university places ?
With A-level results only a day away , Universities UK says it is seeking `` urgent clarification '' about what these changes will mean for deciding on places .
Universities have been told if students miss out on grades , but their schools are appealing , places have to be kept open until that appeal has been decided .
But the universities organisation says it is far from clear how this will work for appeals over mock exams - and is asking whether results based on mock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ equal status '' in deciding who gets accepted or rejected .
They also warn about the practical complications , such as trying to allocate accommodation .
`` Never in recent memory have we been faced with such uncertainty and challenge on the eve of A-level and BTEC results day , '' said Anja Hazebroek from the University of Hull .
But it is still expected to be a good year for students looking for university places - with an anticipated fall in overseas students leaving many places to be filled .
`` Those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one or two grades , universities are being super-flexible about that , '' said Clare Marchant of the Ucas admissions service.. England 's exam regulator Ofqual warned that relying on teachers ' predictions would unfairly inflate results .
Using teachers ' predictions would have meant about 38 % of entries would have been A* or A grades this year - considerably higher than the previous record of 27 % .
`` Every young person waiting for their results wants to know they have been treated fairly , '' said England 's Education Secretary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the safety net of their mock results , as well as the chance of sitting autumn exams , we are creating a triple lock process to ensure they can have the confidence to take the next step forward in work or education '' .
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer warned that the approach to this year 's exams risks `` robbing a generation of young people of their future '' .
Never on the eve of results for students have the goalposts moved so rapidly as in this shift - which could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instead of the grade calculated after a lengthy process .
Students would have to go through an appeal .
Geoff Barton of the head teachers ' union said it beggared belief that changes were being made now .
I understand that universities have not been consulted either .
Many of their admissions decisions will have been made since they received A-level grades last Friday to prepare for clearing .
Northern Ireland has also said it would now accept mock exams as a basis for appeals .
Labour says there needs to be more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The party says GCSE pupils in England should have a guarantee they wo n't face compulsory re-sits in maths or English if they fall below grade 4 .
• SCHOOLS : Which are re-opening , when ?
• RULES : Which lockdown rules will change next - and when ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?
• LOOK-UP TOOL : How many cases in your area ?
Are you expecting to receive your exam results on Thursday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ affect you ?
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The change means that if pupils get an estimated grade lower than their mock exam they can appeal - but this will have to be through their school, with the terms for approving appeals still to be decided by the exam watchdog, Ofqual.


bbcuk--2020-08-12--More pupils return as Scottish schools reopen

Thousands more pupils returned to Scotland 's schools on Wednesday morning - after almost five months away from the classroom .
Schools have only been open to children of key workers since restrictions were put in place on 20 March .
Many schools are having pupils return on a phased basis .
Councils have been given some flexibility but the Scottish government wants all schools fully open by 18 August .
On Tuesday the first pupils returned to school in the Borders and Shetland .
Except for children of key workers , most of the country 's 700,000 pupils have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in March .
• Is it safe for Scotland 's schools to reopen ?
• What 's your council 's plan for the return to school ?
• Has your child returned to school ?
Email haveyoursay @ bbc.co.uk As students returned , additional hygiene and safety measures , such as one-way systems were put in place .
While there is no requirement for physical distancing between pupils , teachers should remain 2m apart from students or other adults .
Older secondary pupils are also being encouraged to maintain distancing where possible if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full-time learning .
Face masks will only have to be worn by staff who can not effectively social distance , however anyone who wishes to wear one should be allowed .
School buses are treated as part of the school building , so normal distancing or face covering rules do not apply to pupils , but they will have to sanitise their hands prior to boarding .
How are the schools in my area reopening ?
Local authorities across Scotland are taking different approaches with the time frame for reopening .
Argyll and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , East Renfrewshire Council and Moray Council welcomed all pupils back full time on Wednesday .
Many children who attend school in the Aberdeen City , Aberdeenshire , Angus , Clackmannanshire , Dundee City , East Ayrshire , East Dunbartonshire , East Lothian , Edinburgh City , Falkirk , Fife , Glasgow City , Highland , Inverclyde , Midlothian , North Ayrshire , North Lanarkshire , Orkney Islands , Perth and Kinross , Renfrewshire , South Ayrshire , South Lanarkshire , Stirling , West Dunbartonshire , West Lothian and Western Isles council areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basis .
All pupils will be back in school on a full-time basis by Tuesday 18 August at the latest .
The reopening of a number of schools in Fife and the north east has been delayed due to flooding .
Fife Council said some schools , which were due to accept pupils for the first time since lockdown , had been affected with power and building problems .
Glenrothes and Lochgelly high schools are closed , as are Auchtertool , Benarty Burntisland , Cardenden , Collydean , Denend , Kinghorn , Kinglassie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Valley primary schools and their associated nurseries .
Freuchie Nursery is also closed , while Fair Isle Primary School is partially closed .
In Aberdeenshire , Mackie Academy in Stonehaven said it could not accept pupils after roads to the town became impassable .
Dunnottar school also said it could not reopen after lockdown after the area around the building was completely flooded and impassable even on foot .
Banchory-Devenick School , Carronhill School , Glenbervie School , Hillside School , Johnshaven School , Lairhillock School , Mackie Academy , Mearns Academy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Peterhead Central School , Portlethen Academy and School and Rothienorman School will also all remain closed .
In one council area , teachers were seeing double as nine sets of twins started school .
The 18 pupils entered primary one in Inverclyde on Wednesday , with eight of the sets posing for photographs on Tuesday .
A total of 16 sets of twins were eligible to start school in the area this month but the parents of seven pairs decided to defer until next year .
Inverclyde Council said the area was increasingly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incidence of multiple births in 2015 - the year the majority of this year 's new starters were born - at 2.25 % locally compared to the Scottish average of 1.15 % of live births .
Ahead of the majority of schools reopening , Scotland 's largest teaching union - the EIS - lodged grievances with two councils over what it claimed were failures to facilitate the phased return of pupils .
The Scottish Borders and Moray local authorities have , the union said , failed to properly consult and reach agreement with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said a lack of discussion around the flexibility of phased returns meant staff were under `` intense pressure '' over schools reopening .
A Scottish Borders Council spokesman said it was `` extremely disappointed '' and that the action would create `` unnecessary concern for parents and pupils '' .
A Moray Council spokesman said : `` There are arrangements in place across our schools to help pupils and staff phase back to normal in the first few days , including staggered starts and soft introductions to the curriculum , particularly for those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
• SCHOOLS : Which are re-opening , when ?
• RULES : Which lockdown rules will change next - and when ?
• FACE MASKS : When should you wear one ?
• TESTING : Who can get a test and how ?
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A Moray Council spokesman said: "There are arrangements in place across our schools to help pupils and staff phase back to normal in the first few days, including staggered starts and soft introductions to the curriculum, particularly for those in transition years of P1 and S1."


bbcuk--2020-08-12--Dawn Butler: Met condemn 'trial by social media' over car stop

A senior Met Police official has condemned the `` trial by social media '' faced by officers who stopped a car carrying a Labour MP .
Former shadow equalities minister Dawn Butler accused the force of racial profiling after the stop on Sunday .
She shared footage of the incident on her Twitter account , which has spread widely on social media .
Deputy Commissioner Sir Steve House defended the officers , who he said `` acted professionally and politely '' .
He said while officers `` expect to be scrutinised '' , there are `` existing , appropriate and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Steve said : `` The increasingly routine trial by social media is unfair and damaging to individual officers and has the potential to undermine the role our communities need us to do to protect them , and keep them safe from violence . ''
The Met said the stop was a mistake caused by an officer incorrectly entering the car 's registration number .
Ms Butler said the BMW police stopped on Sunday was being driven by a black male friend .
Officers said the car was registered in North Yorkshire and took @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
They then admitted there had been a mistake , that it was registered to the driver and apologised , she said .
Sir Steve said : `` The officers were not initially aware of this problem and as a result felt , with good reason , that they should do further checks on the car by stopping it and engaging with the occupants .
`` I expect officers to have professional curiosity and I would have done the same . ''
Earlier this week Ms Butler said she had agreed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` taking the bias out of the system '' .
• What is stop and search and what are my rights ?
Sir Steve said he had discussed with Ms Butler her concerns over why the stop was made , adding she had no complaint about how it was conducted .
He said the officers were from the Violent Crime Task Force and were in the area `` as part of our proactive work to protect communities from violence '' .
Sir Steve went on to condemn `` the abuse that some on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Butler .
Police are `` working to support '' her over the online abuse , he added .
Ms Butler has been approached for comment .

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bbcuk--2020-08-12--'Major incident' declared in Fife after thunderstorms

A major incident has been declared in Fife after torrential rain and thunderstorms battered many parts of central and eastern Scotland .
Emergency services said 28 people were rescued after a landslide at Pettycur Bay Holiday Park .
That also resulted in caravans being evacuated and 218 people spending the night in emergency accommodation .
A number of homes have also been flooded and many schools in the area are closed .
It comes as emergency services were called to a train derailment near Stonehaven .
The alarm was raised at about 09:40 and emergency crews remain at the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there are also reports of homes in North Lanarkshire and Perthshire being flooded .
Scotrail said lightning strikes had also caused power outages and disruption across the network .
Fife 's Local Resilience Partnership ( LRP ) was activated following a number of incidents across the Kingdom .
After a major landslide at Pettycur Bay Holiday Park , 28 people had to be rescued in the early hours with 218 people evacuated from their caravans overnight and given emergency accommodation .
Police , fire and council services are currently dealing with flooding issues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kinglassie , Culross and Lochgelly .
As a result , a number of road closures are in place and local diversions are in operation .
A number of people have been evacuated from their homes , and various schools and roads are closed across the Kingdom .
The main East Coast rail line is also closed due to the landslide .
Superintendent Sandy Brodie from Fife 's LRP said : `` Public services are working together to deal with this incident and taking guidance from public health to make sure all current guidance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` I want to reassure residents that we are working to get services back up and running as quickly as possible and will continue to monitor the situation .
In the interim , I would ask people not to travel unless absolutely necessary '' Overnight flooding at Victoria Hospital car park was an unwelcome surprise for NHS staff coming off night shift .
An NHS Fife spokesman said : `` Our staff have worked tirelessly overnight to manage the unprecedented flooding at our Victoria Hospital site .
`` It has been mainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have been affected by the flooding in car parks A and B and all staff have been provided with transport to get them home safely this morning after their shift .
`` A recovery effort is now under way to remove the damaged cars . ''
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it was called to multiple reports of flooding in the Perthshire area , with many domestic properties affected .
Perth and Kinross Council said several roads in the area were still impassable due to flooding .
Thunderstorms and torrential rain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North-east .
Many schools , which were due to open for the first time in five months , have remained closed .
The intensity of the rainfall left the drainage system on many roads in Aberdeenshire unable to cope , leading to huge pools of standing water .
A number of residents in Aberdeen became trapped by the rising water and had to be rescued by dinghy .
Several Schools , including three academies in Aberdeenshire are shut .
Dozens of rail services to and from the North-East have been cancelled .
A @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Stonehaven after streets in the city centre were flooded in the early hours .
One business , the Carron Fish & Chip Bar was completely under water .
The owners said it was their fourth flood in nine years and it had caused extensive damage .
Dunnottar school also said it could not reopen after lockdown after the area around the building was completely flooded and impassable even on foot .
A Met office yellow weather warning for thunderstorms is in place from 15:00 to 21:00 .
It warned that some places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thunderstorms '' , but with `` significant uncertainty in location and timing '' .
Meanwhile the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency ( Sepa ) issued flood warnings for Aberdeenshire , Dundee and Angus and Tayside .
The fire service said a number of homes were flooded in Airdrie , while they also attended flooding on the M8 after the dual carriageway was inundated with water between junctions five and seven .
Police were advising people to avoid the area completely as diversion routes were also becoming flooded and impassable .
A Police Scotland spokesman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of flooding on the M8 between junctions 5 and 6 in Lanarkshire shortly before 4am on Wednesday , 12 August .
`` No injuries have been reported and officers have assisted partner agencies . ''
Matty Gale , from Lincolnshire , said he woke up in his hotel in Falkirk to find his car under water .
He told the BBC : `` I think my car is pretty much a write-off now .
The water is up to the wheels .
I can hear car alarms going off - the water has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't get a wink of sleep last night because of how loud the thunder was and the lightning was blinding .
`` I might have to get the train home . ''
Several Primary schools in the Stirling Council area were left without internet access due to the impact of the storms .
The fire service control room in Edinburgh said they had received more than 500 calls through the night amid widespread thunder and lightning and torrential rain .
All flights due to land at Edinburgh Airport are being diverted or delayed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a major outage at an exchange in Edinburgh , caused by the weather , was affecting about 100,000 customers ' broadband on BT , EE and Plusnet in the city and surrounding area .
It was reported at 06:30 and engineers were on site working on the issue .
Highland Council said it was having `` major issues '' with internet and network issues following the thunderstorms .
It said the problems affecting its sites and home working access were due to the flooding of the exchange in Edinburgh .
Sumburgh Airport was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Wednesday morning due to the adverse weather conditions but remained open for emergency flights .
In Perth , heavy rain caused flooding which affected the city 's railway station .
ScotRail posted pictures of the water covering the tracks on social media .
Some routes were not operating trains at all .
At 09:25 , ScotRail said there were no trains operating on the following routes :


bbcuk--2020-08-12--More Sussex homes without water as heatwave continues

Water has been lost to further homes in Sussex , where more than 300 householders have been without supplies since Friday .
South East Water said some customers in East Sussex had low pressure or no water due to a burst pipe .
It said , however , that supplies had been restored overnight to the areas of West Sussex which had been without water for five days .
Bottled water stations have been set up by the company .
The latest problems are hitting customers in Rotherfield , Crowborough , Mayfield , Hadlow Down and Five Ashes , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walker , from Warninglid , said he had been forced to `` manually remove waste from the toilet and bury it in the garden '' .
Di Holwood from Bolnore near Haywards Heath said it had been `` horrendous '' living without water since Friday , but her supply had returned about 02:00 BST .
`` I have no confidence this water is going to stay on for more than a few hours . ''
Customers in Haywards Heath , Cuckfield , Warninglid , Slaugham and Bolney in West Sussex have seen water @ @ @ @ @ @ @ head of central operations for South East Water , apologised and said : `` Supplies have been restored overnight and we are more hopeful we will be able to maintain those supplies throughout the day .
`` We are continuing to ask customers to only use water for essential use . ''
He said more than 150 million litres of extra water was being pumped into the network as the UK heatwave continues .
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"It's been shambolic and diabolical. People have arrived at water stations to find no water there, no details what time they're open or closed. This could've been much better. It's been absolutely abominable and it's been embarrassing for South East Water."


bbcuk--2020-08-12--Coronavirus: Severe mental health problems rise amid pandemic

Doctors are seeing a rise in people reporting severe mental health difficulties , a group of NHS leaders says .
It follows a more than 30 % drop in referrals to mental health services during the peak of the pandemic .
But there are predictions that the recent rise will mean demand actually outstrips pre-coronavirus levels - perhaps by as much as 20 % .
The NHS Confederation said those who needed help should come forward .
But the group , which represents health and care leaders , said in a report that mental services required `` intensive support and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be able to help those who needed it .
The NHS Confederation 's mental health lead , Sean Duggan , said that when coronavirus cases were at their highest , people stayed away from services , as they did from other parts of the NHS .
`` A & E numbers were down , GP numbers were down .
The same occurred in some of our mental health services , '' he said , as people tried to ease the burden on the health service and sought to avoid catching the virus .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ leave problems they can get worse . ''
This may explain some of the rise in more severe cases coming forward .
As well as people whose conditions deteriorated during lockdown , NHS services also expect an increase in demand for mental health services as a direct result of the pandemic itself , the report said .
• Coronavirus : How to protect your mental health It flagged isolation , substance use , domestic violence and economic uncertainty as factors that might contribute to the need for extra support .
There are also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in accessing services and recovery rates that black and minority ethnic communities face will be exacerbated '' , the report said .
Mental health providers report that as well as seeing patients with `` more significant needs '' , a higher proportion of their referrals are patients who are accessing services for the first time .
Meanwhile , providers predict infection control and social-distancing measures will mean they have an estimated 10-30 % less capacity than normal .
Mr Duggan said he did not want to `` medicalise everything ...
It 's perfectly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at such an uncertain time .
But nevertheless , there was a `` real '' increase in people needing mental health services , he added .
NHS England last week published the next phase of its response to Covid-19 , acknowledging that `` mental health needs may increase significantly '' .
Its plan includes expanding Improving Access to Psychological Therapies ( IAPT ) services - the route for treating the most common , mild to moderate conditions , into which people can refer themselves .
It also said people being looked after by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with greater needs - should have their care reviewed .
People with severe mental illness should receive more therapy and support , it said .
NHS England also pointed to its mental health and wellbeing service launched for all health staff .

"A&E numbers were down, GP numbers were down. The same occurred in some of our mental health services," he said, as people tried to ease the burden on the health service and sought to avoid catching the virus.


bbcuk--2020-08-11--Trowels in lay-bys for 'urgent toilet breaks'

Trowels are to be left in 90 lay-bys in part of the Highlands to help tackle problems with outdoor toileting .
Lochbroom Community Council is also to install signs directing visitors to where there are public toilets .
Chairman Topher Dawson said the trowels would offer an `` emergency , last resort '' for those who desperately need the loo to dig a hole and bury the waste .
He said some of the many `` welcome visitors '' came to area without knowing there would be few facilities .
• Plea to visitors to 'leave only footprints' • Visitors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stops The community council covers a large part of the north west Highlands around Ullapool and Dundonnell .
The Highlands have been a popular destination for tourists following the easing of some lockdown restrictions .
Mr Dawson said some people might not know available public toilets were `` thin on the ground '' before they travelled to the region and they should be offered help .
He said a temporary `` urgent solution '' was needed and 90 plastic garden trowels had been ordered .
He hoped people would first consider finding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We have about 100 lay-bys in our area but 90 trowels were all that were available to buy . ''
The community council plans to put up signs in all the lay-bys with a map showing where public toilets were located and advice from Mountaineering Scotland on considerate camping behaviour .
Mr Dawson said it was hoped more public toilets would be available next year .
Trowels and signs could start appearing in lay-bys from the weekend .
Last week , Highland Council and community groups appealed to visitors to `` leave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in recent weeks with `` dirty camping '' where tents have been abandoned and litter and human waste left at beauty spots .
Last month , Western Isles local authority Comhairle nan Eilean Siar urged tourists travelling the islands in campervans to plan ahead for toilet breaks due to facilities still being closed because of the coronavirus pandemic .

Mr Dawson said some people might not know available public toilets were "thin on the ground" before they travelled to the region and they should be offered help.


bbcuk--2020-08-12--Europe's earliest bone tools found in Britain

Archaeologists say they 've identified the earliest known bone tools in the European archaeological record .
The implements come from the renowned Boxgrove site in West Sussex , which was excavated in the 1980s and 90s .
The bone tools came from a horse that humans butchered at the site for its meat .
Flakes of stone in piles around the animal suggest at least eight individuals were making large flint knives for the job .
Researchers also found evidence that other people were present nearby - perhaps younger or older members of a community - shedding light on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There 's nothing quite like Boxgrove elsewhere in Britain : during excavations , archaeologists uncovered hundreds of stone tools , along with animal bones , that dated to 500,000 years ago .
They were made by the species Homo heidelbergensis , a possible ancestor for modern humans and Neanderthals .
Researchers found a shin bone belonging to one of them - it 's the oldest human bone known from Britain .
Project lead , Dr Matthew Pope , from UCL 's Institute of Archaeology , said : `` This was an exceptionally rare @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as it had been left behind by an extinct population , after they had gathered to totally process the carcass of a dead horse on the edge of a coastal marshland .
`` Incredibly , we 've been able to get as close as we can to witnessing the minute-by-minute movement and behaviours of a single apparently tight-knit group of early humans : a community of people , young and old , working together in a co-operative and highly social way . ''
The researchers were able to reconstruct the precise type of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the chippings left at the site .
However , the humans must have taken the tools with them - as they had not been recovered .
At the inter-tidal marshland , which was on what would have been Britain 's southern coastline , there was a nearby cliff that was starting to degrade , producing good rocks for knapping - the process of creating stone tools .
Silt from the sea had also built up here , created an area of grassland .
Dr Pope added that it was still unclear how the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` Horses are highly sociable animals and it 's reasonable to assume it was part of a herd , either attracted to the foreshore for fresh water , or for seaweed or salt licks .
For whatever reason , this horse - isolated from the herd - ends up dying there , '' Dr Pope told BBC News .
`` Possibly it was hunted - though we have no proof of that - and it 's sat right next to an intertidal creek .
The tide was quite low so it 's possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But shortly after , a high tide comes in and starts to cover the site in fine , powdery silt and clay .
It 's so low energy that everything is left as it was when the hominins moved away from the site . ''
The horse provided more than just food .
Analysis of the bones by Simon Parfitt , from the University College London ( UCL ) Institute of Archaeology , and Dr Silvia Bello , from London 's Natural History Museum , found that several bones had been used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said : `` These are some of the earliest non-stone tools found in the archaeological record of human evolution .
They would have been essential for manufacturing the finely-made flint knives found in the wider Boxgrove landscape . ''
Dr Bello added : `` The finding provides evidence that early human cultures understood the properties of different organic materials and how tools could be made to improve the manufacture of other tools .
She explained that `` it provides further evidence that early human population at Boxgrove were cognitively , social and culturally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ members of the group - which could have numbered 30 to 40 people -were nearby .
They might have joined the hunting party to butcher the horse carcass .
This might explain how it was so completely torn apart : the Boxgrove humans even smashed up the bones to get at the marrow and liquid grease .
Dr Pope said that , far from being an activity for a handful of individuals in a hunting party , butchering could have been a highly social event for these ancient humans .
The project has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Arts and Humanities Research Council with support from the UCL Institute of Archaeology , the Natural History Museum and the British Museum .
The detailed findings have been published in a book called The Horse Butchery Site .

"Possibly it was hunted - though we have no proof of that - and it's sat right next to an intertidal creek. The tide was quite low so it's possible for the humans to get around it. But shortly after, a high tide comes in and starts to cover the site in fine, powdery silt and clay. It's so low energy that everything is left as it was when the hominins moved away from the site."