National News: New Safety Advice Issued on Electric Gates

Installers, designers, maintenance firms and manufacturers of electric gates, are being urged to seriously consider new safety advice issued by the Health and Safety Executive today, following the recent deaths of two children involving these gates.The safety alert points out that limiting the closing forces of gates alone will not provide sufficient protection to meet the relevant standards, and installers must fit additional safeguards to gates in public areas. HSE's Director of Field Operations, David Ashton, said:"Electric or automatic gates are designed to stop if... Read full story

Fundraising Efforts Launched to Build Farm for Disabled Children

A series of car boot sales have been announced as the first fundraising efforts to create an activity farm for disabled children near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.Nick and Nicola Laister have started work on Fairytale Farm, which will be the first family farm attraction where everything is designed around the needs of children with sensory, learning and physical disabilities. Inspired by their 12-year-old daughter, who has cerebral palsy, Nick explains the concept:“As parents of a child with severe disabilities, we have become only too aware over the past few years that there... Read full story