News about John Wilkins

I was swept out to sea during a walk along the beach and clung to rocks to survive - I prayed I wouldn't drown

www.dailymail.co.uk, April 22, 2024
Julia Wilkins, from Llanber, Wales, (left) was on the way to see her parents' grave when she took a walk along the coastline for peace and privacy. However, the tide suddenly came in and she got caught up in the waves. Julia was able to find a rock with a crevice and attempted to grip on in a bid to save her life (right). But the water was rising rapidly and eventually went over her head which resulted in the pensioner being lifted off her feet. It was in that moment that the 85-year-old started praying for a miracle, as she was a matter of 'seconds' away from being dragged out to sea. (Pictured inset, Julia winched to safety on a helicopter).

As he announces the closing of six bars, BrewDog CEO James Watt slams the 'clueless' government

www.dailymail.co.uk, September 1, 2022
James Watt (pictured right), a no-holds-barred writer, warned the UK's hospitality industry faced'sheer rabbit in the headlights paralysis' from "this zombie government," he described. Due to rising energy prices and significant cost hikes, half of the UK's bars, pubs, and restaurants could be forced to shut down,' according to the entrepreneur. He also revealed that his own brand, the UK's biggest craft brewer, will be closing six of its bars in London (pictured inset: Three of the closing locations, three in London and three in Scotland). It comes just two weeks after the Aberdeen-based chain opened what it claims to be the UK's biggest bar at Waterloo station. The new site is kitted out with ping pong tables, a duckpin bowling alley, and a 10ft spiralling slide (photo left: BrewDog's new Waterloo site), as well as other lavish facilities, such as an old school icecream van. Mr Watt, the company's founder and chief executive, said it was "heartbreaking" to have to close the six sites. However, he believes that it would'be simply impossible to get these bars even close to financial independence' in the foreseeable future.

We could lose the British pub forever if the venue is closed down by thousands.'

www.dailymail.co.uk, August 31, 2022
In several states, bars across the country are cutting their hours and closing as electricity bills rises by tens of thousands of pounds, with landlords describing it as a 'even bigger issue than Covid' and the potential demise of the British pub. It comes as pub and brewery bosses were warned of gas and electricity prices rising by up to 30 percent, wiping out revenues and forcing many to shut down. In an open letter released yesterday, six of the country's top pub and brewing company leaders press for urgent intervention by the government. The Fontmell, the upmarket Dorset gastropub that appeared in the 2022 Michelin Guide, announced yesterday that it would close 'with immediate effect' as the bill went up by an astounding £58,000. Meanwhile, the Royal Oak in Burford, Cotswolds (top right), has seen its electricity bill rise by 'thousands'.

How a Briton launched the space race in the 1640s

www.dailymail.co.uk, July 18, 2009
In the 1640s, John Wilkins, a British explorer, initiated plans to bring a manned wooden 'chariot' to the Moon, which was blocked by gunpowder, feather wings, and springs. Convinced that the Moon was inhabited by a group of people named Selenites, he was determined to visit them in order to establish trade contacts.