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A stonemasonry student said companies had told her she could not join the profession "because she's a girl".

Alice, who is 17, was one of the students who took part in a competition for apprentices at Moulton College in Northampton on Thursday.

Industry experts have said 19,750 extra construction workers are needed in the East of England by 2028 to meet government housebuilding targets.

However, some students, like Alice, said they still faced barriers which made it difficult to pursue a career in construction.

The SkillBuild competition, organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), tested apprentices and trainees in a variety of tasks, from furniture making to tiling.

Alice, from Weston Favell in Northamptonshire, inherited her interest in architecture from her grandfather and wanted to work on some of the UK's greatest stone buildings – cathedrals.

But she said her journey had not been easy.

"I've tried to contact some companies to get onto that kind of work, but it hasn't really worked out," she told the BBC.

"The main thing is that I'm a woman and a lot of companies have told me 'you can't do this because you're a girl – you're not strong enough, you won't be able to do the heavy labour'."

Another competitor, Maizie from Bury St Edmonds in Suffolk, wanted to encourage more women to join the industry.

The 17-year-old goes to college in Colchester and said: "In my class it's actually a pretty good mix, but in the industry as a whole, it's definitely a big imbalance.

"People need to realise the value of these industries, and we need to push more young people to go into it. It can be a bit inaccessible at the beginning, especially for young people, since working in these workshop environments can be quite dangerous."

The first obstacle in the competition for Rugby man Sean, 18, was having to "scavenge" for the right tools to make a porch roof, having brought the wrong ones.

The bigger issue for him, generally, was the lack of opportunities for young people.

He said: "There's not enough apprenticeships – it took me two years to get here, and I feel like that's one of the biggest problems.

"The amount of houses they're trying to build; they definitely need more apprenticeships."

A CITB report published this month said 19,750 new workers were needed in the region.

Robert Smith, from the CITB, said "we really need to make that attractive so that they know there are jobs for the future, secure opportunities and great career pathways".

The figures suggest there is a long way to go before there is a gender balance in the industry.

According to The Office for National Statistics, women comprise just 15.8% of the construction workforce and only 2% of workers onsite.

There is some hope, though, with the number of women as a proportion of the overall construction workforce increasing by 36.9% since 2012.

The government said construction would be one area to benefit from a "record-breaking £3bn apprenticeship budget".

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Tanzania's opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason a day after he was arrested following a rally he held in the south of the country.

The charge is connected to his nationwide campaign pushing for electoral reform under the slogan "No Reforms, No Election".

The country is due to go to the polls in October when Lissu is expected to challenge President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

When Samia first came to power in 2021, after the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, she was praised for reversing some of his more authoritarian tendencies. But she has since been criticised after some opposition members have been targeted with arrests and abductions.

In a series of public appearances, Lissu has been saying that there is no chance of a free-and-fair election in six months unless there are reforms.

The leader of the Chadema party wants the make-up of the electoral commission to change. He has argued that it should not include people appointed directly by Samia.

• Why Samia's hesitant reforms are fuelling Tanzanian political anger
• What President Samia has achieved in her first year
• Tanzanian minister sacked after poll rigging remarks

The authorities have described the campaign as inciting the public against the holding of the general election.

Lissu has been arrested several times in the past.

In 2017, during Magufuli's presidency, he survived an assassination attempt during which he was shot 16 times.

He then went into exile and returned briefly in 2020 to run against Magufuli in that year's election. He left after the results were announced, complaining about irregularities.

He then returned in 2023 after changes that Samia introduced to allow more freedom for the opposition.

Earlier on Thursday, the police used tear gas to disperse Chadema supporters while blocking the party leaders from holding a press conference regarding Lissu's arrest.

Some party supporters told the BBC that nothing would stop them from demanding electoral reforms ahead of the elections.

"We are surprised that the police are harassing us when our rallies are peaceful," one supporter said.

"We know the ruling party, CCM, is behind all this. We will fight for changes before elections."

Rights groups have condemned the use of force and accused the government of using state institutions to silence critics.

A lawyers' association said the arrest of Lissu and the crackdown on his supporters was an abuse of power and showed a lack of political tolerance.

Lissu's treason case has been adjourned until 24 April.

More stories from Tanzania:

• 'Robbers stole the crosses from my daughter's and my mother's graves for scrap'
• Tanzania's fuel revolution slowed down by lack of filling stations
• All aboard the sparkling railway breaking new ground for East Africa

The world premiere screening of a film detailing the life of rock legend Ozzy Osbourne will take place in Birmingham.

The Nine Lives Of Ozzy Osbourne will be shown at Millennium Point on 4 July, the day before he and Black Sabbath reunite one last time for a fundraising concert at Villa Park in the city.

People will have two opportunities to see the film on the day, at either 16:00 or 18:30 BST, with profits donated to charity.

The film traces Ozzy Osbourne's life, from his childhood in the city through the rise of Black Sabbath and ensuing success as a solo artist, the venue said.

At the end of the Friday evening, special guest Jack Osbourne, Ozzy's son, will be appearing live for a Q&A with those attending the later screening.

Proceeds from the event will go to the Cure Parkinson's, Acorns Children's Hospice and Birmingham Children's Hospital charities.

Heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath formed in Birmingham in 1968 and held their first rehearsal at Newtown Community Centre, a stone's throw from Villa Park.

The band will headline a one-day festival at the stadium on 5 July, featuring dozens of bands they inspired, including Metallica, Pantera, Slayer, Gojira and Anthrax.

It will mark the first time Black Sabbath's original line-up – Osbourne, Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Bill Ward – have played together in 20 years.

Osbourne has largely been forced to stop touring due to a combination of Parkinson's and spinal injuries.

A man died in a house fire after his clothing caught fire on a gas heater due to a build up of flammable skin cream, an investigation has found.

Jim Rownsley was killed in a blaze at his home in Kempton Gardens, Mexborough, on 20 February.

South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service (SYFRS) said it was likely a build up of residue from an emollient cream he had been using had caused his clothes to become more flammable.

Following his death Mr Rownsley's family urged people to be aware of the potential dangers of skin creams.

His granddaughter Sherrie-Leigh Higgins, 25, said: "My grandad always used his gas heater to stay warm, but we didn't know that the cream he used for his legs could be so dangerous.

"These creams, often used for treating skin conditions, can easily soak into clothes if you use them regularly and become a fire risk.

"If someone you love uses these creams, please make sure you and they know how they can keep themselves safe. I don't want anyone else to go through the same trauma that we did."

Chris Tyler, from SYFRS's community safety team, said some skin creams contained paraffin and natural oils, which while not flammable on their own could make combustible fabrics such as bedding, clothing, or dressings "even more flammable".

He said: "What this means is that in cases where somebody uses these creams on a regular basis and/or spends an extended amount of time in their bed or armchair, their fire risk can increase dramatically.

"Anyone using emollient or skin creams regularly should keep well away from fire, naked flames, or heat sources.

"They shouldn't smoke and need to be careful near hobs, candles, and heaters."

South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds

Police have arrested two 18-year-old men after a woman was found injured in a busy road in Leicester.

Officers were called to the incident in Corporation Road at 14:54 BST on Sunday.

The woman, in her 30s, was taken to hospital and remains in a critical condition, according to Leicestershire Police.

A man from Leicester was arrested on Tuesday night on suspicion of robbery, causing grievous bodily harm and theft of a motor vehicle, and a second man – also from the city – was arrested on Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and robbery.

Both men have been released on bail.

The force said the theft offence connected to the first suspect related to a moped believed to have been stolen from the New Parks area on Wednesday 28 May.

Police added the woman had been riding an e-bike but this was not at the scene when they arrived.

Inquiries are continuing into how the woman was injured and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Plans for a new tram route through north-east London have stalled due to a lack of funding at the local town hall.

Havering Council had said it would investigate the possibility a north-south tram through the borough, as most of the area's Tube and rail connections only provide for east-west connections with central London or Essex.

In August 2023, the council's leader, Ray Morgon, said the Havering Residents Association-run authority would commission a new feasibility study to "scope out" whether a tram or other transport upgrade could become a reality.

Almost two years on, the authority said no further research into the concept was carried out "because we do not have the finances to do so".

'Not been idle'

A council spokeswoman said: "We have as yet not commissioned the further phases of the study, which would include an assessment of options and developing a strategic outline business case.

"However, we are expecting some positive developments in the borough which will enable us to fund further work on this through obtaining Section 106 monies and other funding."

The mention of "Section 106 monies" is a reference to funding secured by the council under so-called Section 106 agreements, where developers agree to provide a sum of cash to improve local services as a condition of being granted planning permission for a new housing or infrastructure scheme.

While a precise route for the tram has not been detailed, the council previously suggested it could run from Harold Wood through Romford and Upminster and on to the proposed railway station at Beam Park in Rainham – the location of a new housing development encompassing thousands of homes.

Havering's spokeswoman added: "We have not been idle around this and have been lobbying for greater investment in our infrastructure."

In February 2024, just months after Morgon had confirmed the council's plan to press ahead with exploring the concept, Havering was said to be on the brink of bankruptcy.

The authority was only able to sign off on its budget for the coming year thanks to a £54m government loan after agreeing to cost-cutting measures, including a review of bin collections, dimming streetlights and funding of Christmas decorations.

London's Euston station will be closed for three days over the Easter weekend for engineering works, Network Rail has said.

No trains will run between Euston Station and Milton Keynes Central on Saturday, Sunday and Monday due to upgrades on the West Coast Main Line.

Euston station will be closed on these days, and a reduced timetable will operate on Friday.

Amanda Webster-Uz, Network Rail's head of Euston station operations, said there was a "significant amount of work happening" at the station and urged passengers to check their journeys in advance.

While the railway to Euston is closed, Network Rail said it would make "essential improvements" to the toilet facilities and install updated signage in the station.

The station will shut again over the Spring Bank Holiday weekend from 4 to 5 May, with fewer services running on 3 May.

Train services in south London will also be disrupted over the Easter weekend due to a major programme of railway upgrades.

A railway junction at Battersea will be rebuilt, a new signalling system in Lewisham will be installed and new track will be laid on the Bromley North branch line.

Southeastern trains to and from London Victoria will be diverted to London Cannon Street, London Charing Cross or London Blackfriars from 18 to 21 April. Brixton station will also be closed.

Network Rail urged passengers to plan ahead, external for the Easter period, with Thameslink, Southern and Southeastern trains all due to be affected.

Gordon Driver was 12 when VE day was announced and remembers "a lot" of parties with neighbours gathering together and "long wooden tables full of goodies".

Former vicar Mr Driver lives in a care home in Chippenham in Wiltshire, but when war broke out was living near Danson Park in south east London.

"On VE Day there was a tremendous spirit and everybody joined in the celebrations. There were flags and trophies of victory, and the whole atmosphere was magnetic," he added.

Mr Driver, now 92, said the war had been "quite frightening" to endure as a child, but that he felt lucky to stay with his parents throughout the conflict.

Mr Driver's father was a plumber at Stone House Hospital in Kent, a mental illness treatment facility, so could not enlist in the military as he needed to be available in case it was bombed or hit by explosives.

"The work he was doing was essential for the operation of the hospital, and they had to deal with people who were very scared and could not understand what was happening," said Mr Driver.

With his father around, he said there was "a better sense of security at home because the family was not split up".

'You're staying at home'

The Drivers had planned for their son to be an evacuee, and Gordon remembers being taken to the registration centre "dressed up and labelled as an evacuee with my mask which made you look like a frogman".

He found the centre "quite frightening" because he was entering the unknown and there was a lot of noise and activity.

"All of a sudden mum tugged me and said 'you're not going. I've just decided I'm going to keep you here at home'."

Mr Driver has clear memories of gathering with the family's neighbours in an air raid shelter dug by the local men.

"They put an electric light inside and it was made homely, with carpets and cushions and all the things you needed, like food, bread, milk and things to drink", he said.

He said hearing German bombers overhead ould be "quite frightening" and people would try to pacify him with sweets, he said.

"The flak that they were receiving from the British guns were exploding in the air all around, and there was a certain degree of danger."

'High explosives'

He said if he saw the V1 flying bombs that became known as doodle bugs you knew to "either run for your life as far and fast as you could, or go down an air raid shelter".

"The V Rockets were a different element altogether as you didn't see them coming but when a rocket went off relatively near you, you knew all about it. And if they landed in a street they would demolish practically all the street."

Mr Driver said his mum would sometimes send him off on his bicycle to check on the damage and when he spotted shrapnel he would collect it in secret as they were not allowed to keep "trophies".

"I was very proud of my collection, because they were all shapes, sizes and I kept it in a fire grate at home.

"But then after the war my father said 'I don't want to disappoint you, but I'm going to take them all away because I don't want any memory of what we have been through', which really upset me," he added.

He said some of his strongest memories through the war were of the strength of community.

"The friendliness was so kind and considerate. Everybody helped everybody else and you would share what you had," he said.

"And everyone seemed somehow much happier, generally speaking, than they are today, even though everything had a cloak of fear around it.

"Through a child's eyes some things you didn't quite understand, but I remember that sense of community and kindness."

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A South African children's choir has been performing across the west of England as it takes part in a cultural exchange tour.

Made up of 20 school children from the Madadeni Township in South Africa, the choir is visiting the UK as part of Project Zulu, an initiative by the University of the West of England (UWE).

Raising funds for their schools back home, they have showcased their traditional Zulu song in a number of West Country locations, including a Bristol Bears game and in Bath and Bristol city centres.

Project leader, Ben Knight, said their final performance would take place at the Bristol Beacon on 5 June.

Project Zulu arranges for choirs from South African townships to tour the UK every two years.

Mr Knight said UWE students studying professions such as teaching, engineering and occupational therapy were sent out to the township in South Africa annually to "spend a few weeks making valuable contributions to the educational life of schools in the township".

Then every two years a choir, made up of children from two partnership schools, are brought over to Bristol to spend three weeks performing and sharing their talent and culture.

"They've been busking, they've put on concerts," he said.

Mr Knight explained the tour aimed to raise money for the two schools involved.

"They are over here sharing their extraordinary talents and culture but also earning money to develop their educational opportunities back home," he said.

He said this year, one school planned to use the money to develop solar energy and the other hoped to buy IT equipment.

"Every penny that is made goes directly back to their schools," he said.

"A little bit of your money goes a really long way in South Africa," he added.

Mr Knight said "right at the heart of the project" was a "desire to bring people who live a long way apart, and lead very different lives, together".

In the sunlit conservatory at the Garnetts' house, afternoon tea is in full flow.

The four residents are recounting the good times – a trip to London for ABBA Voyage, Sunday lunches at the rugby club, and mishaps while decorating the Christmas tree.

But this is not your standard family of four.

Over the last 27 years, Kym and Roger Garnett have welcomed 38 people into their quiet Banbury home under Oxfordshire County Council's Shared Lives scheme.

It sees paid carers supporting adults with additional needs, like autism or learning disabilities, and helping them to gain independence in the setting of a family home.

Those people include Sarah Hopwood – currently munching a bakewell tart – and Phil Law – cracking a somewhat cheesy joke.

The pair of them have been calling the Garnetts' house home for at least a couple of years, and the experience has changed their lives.

"I was put where the council put me. I never had a home of my own," Phil says of the time before he joined Shared Lives.

"Everywhere I went it was hard – ugly and not nice. Even with my parents, when they were alive, I was beaten up, smashed, destroyed.

"But now I live with Roger and Kym, they have turned my life around. And I am grateful for them."

Sarah struggled with using public transport before she came to the Garnetts two years ago, which meant she was isolated and dependent on getting lifts.

Now she is not only able to get around on the bus but she has even landed herself a job.

"I have come on leaps and bounds since I have been here," she says.

"I am more independent and more confident now.

"Kym and Roger have been really supportive."

That support ranges from help with finances and appointments to everyday tasks like setting the washing machine.

And though the Garnetts earn money through the Shared Lives scheme, they are not motivated by the wage.

"For us it is a way of life," says Kym.

"I personally like to see them grow and be able to blend in with society.

"We had one client who used to be so shy, and we supported him from hiding away being isolated in a big farmhouse, to be able to actually sit and chat with our friends and our family when they come round."

"You make friends with them as well," adds Roger, "one of the original ones still has contact with us."

And yet the couple know that for all the people they have helped, there are always more who would benefit from a home like theirs.

Sally Ellis from Oxfordshire County Council said: "We are always looking for more Shared Lives carers so if anyone is thinking 'I could possibly do this', we would love to hear from them."

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