Author: James Anderson, FRSA, CMgr MCMI

Plaster repair comes ready-mixed in a tub and is easier to apply and smooth out than normal plaster. If the job is too big for filler, plaster repair is what you need — unless, of course, only replastering will do. The area you are repairing should be clean, dry and free from loose material. Gloss surfaces should be sanded to provide a ‘key’ to help the plaster repair adhere, and then wiped clean. Paint any screw heads and nails with a little oil-based paint and, if you will be plastering over or around wiring, make sure it is insulated. It…

GREENWOOD, Ind., Dec. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — How can I prevent frozen pipes in the winter? In an article featured in HelloNation, plumbing expert Steve Winters of Winters Plumbing in Greenwood, Indiana, explains how homeowners can protect their plumbing during freezing temperatures. His guidance outlines practical steps that help prevent costly damage and the inconvenience of burst pipes. Frozen pipes are more than a seasonal annoyance. When water freezes inside a pipe, the expansion can cause cracks or ruptures that lead to flooding and expensive repairs. Winters notes that the key to prevention is preparation before the cold weather…

A former scaffolding business boss has been jailed for eight years after subjecting women to violence and rape during abuse spanning more than a decade.Cameron McGregor began committing crimes against women in 2008 when he was still a teenager and continued until 2022, with the offending committed in Dundee and Newport on Tay, in Fife. The 34-year-old from Dundee had denied a series of charges during an earlier trial but was convicted of six offences, involving five victims.During attacks on women, McGregor pushed, punched and struck victims. Others were subjected to repeated rapes.Defence solicitor advocate Kris Gilmartin told the court: “He…

James Castell, of High Street in Heathfield, came to the attention of Sussex Police in October, 2024, when he was linked to the online distribution of an indecent image of a child. The image appeared to have been created using artificial intelligence (AI). Shortly after, the 40-year-old was arrested by officers from the force’s Online Child Abuse Team (OCAT), who searched his home and seized several digital devices. The devices were found to contain over 3,800 indecent images of children, including 640 of the most serious Category A images. Indecent images in Category A depict penetrative sexual activity, bestiality and/or…

A prominent retail tiling supplier has expanded its operations with the launch of a new headquarters in the West Midlands. Tile Rite has signed a lease with landlord Goold Estates on a 50,000 sq ft warehouse, office and showroom at Beecham Business Park in Aldridge. The family-run tiling wholesaler offers a range of more than 350 products and a customer portfolio of more than 1,500 retailers. It is relocating to the mixed-use estate from existing premises in Cannock. Laura Harbidge, managing director at Tile Rite, said: “As one of the leaders in the supply of tiling tools and accessories, we…

The decision to authorise a Traffic Regulation Order for the Washington Roundabout, Pulborough, on the A283/A24 was made by Councillor Joy Dennis, the county council’s cabinet member for highways and transport on Wednesday (December 17). The order also includes a 50mph speed limit on the north and southbound approaches on the A24, visibility fencing on the north and south arms of the A24, and partial concentric road markings. A report from Matt Davey, assistant director for highways, transport and planning, showed that there had been 37 collisions on and around the roundabout between May 2019 and April 2024. The report added:…

Our BlackCore™ by Elevate product showcases true black frames against traditional brick, adding visual drama and emphasizing the home’s architectural character. With BlackCore™ by Elevate, the elegance of black windows extends beyond the exterior, creating a seamless connection between interior and exterior design. DALLAS, December 18, 2025–(BUSINESS WIRE)–“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower,” Steve Jobs said. Elevate Windows and Doors believes its BlackCore™ windows exemplify this philosophy. Not all black vinyl windows are created equal and Elevate’s BlackCore™, a new color option from the Elevate Inspire Series, proves it. Engineered for durability, long-lasting color, and modern performance, BlackCore™…

The Home Office plans to send the first group of asylum seekers to a military site in East Sussex in the new year, the Guardian understands.Discussions in Whitehall are under way to use Crowborough army training camp within weeks as part of efforts to end the use of hotels for asylum accommodation.The discussions have come despite angry protests from local people and threats of legal action from the council and a community group.Keir Starmer has pledged to end the use of hotels for asylum seekers by the next election, due no later than 2029. But recently the numbers have risen.…

The strategic collaboration positions A&T Enclosures, based in Pedmore Road, Brierley Hill, as the only enclosure manufacturer in the UK able to supply fully integrated arc flash detection, protection, and mitigation systems developed jointly with Transmag.A&T Enclosures & Transmag UK have announced an exclusive partnershipThe announcement comes as the electrical industry adapts to significant updates, incorporating instruction on the integration of arc flash detection and protection technology in all new switchboard and control panel designsTogether, A&T Enclosures and Transmag have embraced the shift, introducing a new generation of enclosures that seamlessly combine Transmag’s world-class arc flash technologies with A&T’s engineering,…

Illustrative example of a GDF’s surface facilities. For over seventy years nuclear technology has played a central role in the UK. Today it provides around 15 per cent of our electricity and plays a vital role across industry, medicine, and defence. As the UK works towards net zero and long-term energy security, nuclear power remains an essential part of the Government’s strategy. However, its use generates radioactive waste that must be managed safely and responsibly. Currently, the UK’s inventory of radioactive waste is safely stored at multiple sites around the country. That’s manageable in the interim but it’s not a…