Florida Woman Fights Off Gator to Rescue Dog

A Florida woman turned a terrifying encounter into a testament of courage and quick thinking. Kim Spencer was walking her dog, Kona, near a lake in Tampa when an unexpected danger emerged—a 6-foot-6 alligator lunged from the water, clamping its jaws around Kona's head. "She’s facing it, it's facing her, and it jumped out and got her. She was in up to here; her whole head was inside its mouth," Spencer said. Without hesitation, Spencer sprang into action. She dove onto the alligator and straddled it, prying its jaws open to free Kona. Her fearless response saved the dog from what could have been a fatal attack. "I saw the eyes. I saw it turning itself around towards us, and I started pulling Kona away, saying, 'Let's go.’ But she’s a really strong dog," Spencer recounted. Both Spencer and Kona sustained injuries requiring stitches but are now on the mend. Thanks to Spencer's bravery, Kona is safe at home. “We just got lucky because just as quickly as it ran after us, it ran back into the water, and we were out of there,” she added.

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When Renovations Threatened a Food Bank, This Toronto Priest Turned Her Garage Into a Lifeline

When renovations began at the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Scarborough, Rev. Gerlyn Henry knew what was at stake. The church’s food bank served hundreds every week, and without it, many in the neighbourhood would be left without reliable access to food. “Food banks used to be an emergency service,” Henry said. “Now it’s an essential lifeline.” So she did what she felt she had to: she moved the food bank into her garage. After getting the OK from her spouse and others living in the rectory, Henry cleared out the garage behind the church and transformed it into a makeshift food bank. For the past six months, metal shelves stocked with canned goods, pasta, and bread have lined the space during Tuesday evening pop-ups, when up to 300 people arrive for support. Most of those who visit are from the local community — people Henry knows by name. “If the food bank were to close, I’d be wondering, ‘Did you eat today?’” she told CBC Toronto. The effort to keep the food bank close to its original location was intentional. Many clients walk to pick up food, and moving it too far could have cut them off entirely. Volunteer Linda Luciani said shutting down wasn’t an option. “Had we changed to a different location altogether or even shut down, then they wouldn’t have that opportunity anymore,” she said. “These people mean so much to us that it was important that we find a way to keep the process going.” Not everyone was on board immediately. The garage sits at the end of a residential dead-end street, and Henry said it took some explaining to reassure her neighbours. She reminded them that the people visiting the food bank aren’t strangers — they’re local. “These are your neighbours,” she said. “These are people you see on the street.” Suman Roy, who runs the food security network Feed Scarborough, said Henry’s situation reflects a broader reality for many community food banks across the city. Finding affordable and appropriate operating space is a major challenge, especially as demand grows. “This is the real story of what's happening with the whole system of food banks,” said Roy. “Normally the food bank operators on the ground are left to fend for themselves.” Roy added that neighbourhood food banks aren’t a burden on communities — they’re a support system that helps prevent people from falling through the cracks. “That is taking them one step away from a life of crime or a life of destruction,” he said. “Having a food bank in the neighbourhood is not a bad thing.” Back in Scarborough, Henry is hopeful the move is temporary. Renovations at the church are expected to finish in the summer of 2026, and the food bank will return to its old home when they’re done. Until then, Henry’s garage will stay open — stocked, staffed, and standing in the gap for those who need it most.

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Forget AI — This Dog’s Nose Might Be Better at Detecting Low Blood Sugar

As diabetes technology gets smarter with continuous glucose monitors, insulin pumps, and AI-powered alerts, one tool is proving to be just as powerful — and much furrier: a dog’s nose. Across the United States, specially trained diabetic alert dogs are helping people with diabetes stay safe by detecting dangerous changes in blood sugar before medical devices do. In some cases, these dogs are alerting their owners up to 30 minutes earlier than high-tech monitors, according to SWNS. One of those dogs is Kona, a 1-year-old Labrador retriever in Ohio, who lives with 7-year-old Kennedy Berce. Kona gently places a paw on Kennedy’s arm whenever her blood sugar starts to rise or fall — often before her continuous glucose monitor even sounds an alarm. “At just 7 years old, she can be full of energy even when her blood sugar is 45,” said Kennedy’s mom, Lindsey Berce. “That’s why Kona is such a lifesaver. He can sense the change before Kennedy feels anything at all, and often before we even know something’s wrong from her technology.” Kona completed two months of scent detection training and now works 24/7 as Kennedy’s companion and early-warning system. He’s one of hundreds of diabetic alert dogs now working across the country. These dogs are trained to smell the chemical changes that happen in the body when blood sugar drops too low or spikes too high — changes humans can’t detect. According to the American Kennel Club, alert dogs use signals like pawing, licking, or nudging to notify their person when something’s off. While continuous glucose monitors are a big step forward in diabetes care, they still have a key limitation: lag time. “One of the main limitations of current diabetes medical devices is the lag between what's going on in the body and the blood vessels,” said Dr. Frank Dumont, an internal medicine physician and executive medical director at Virta Health. Dogs, on the other hand, don’t rely on data or sensors. They respond to subtle hormone shifts and scent changes in real time — even when their person is asleep. That kind of speed can be critical. For people with diabetes, sudden drops in blood sugar can lead to seizures, coma, or even death. Dumont noted that early detection is especially important for those who don’t feel their blood sugar changing until it’s dangerously low. Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes involve high blood sugar, but the causes — and treatments — are different. Type 1 is caused by the body’s immune system attacking insulin-producing cells. Type 2 involves insulin resistance. “The treatment is very different,” Dumont said. “Sometimes we have to resort to medicines like insulin, but we're usually trying to do other things to help people get their nutrition right.” While diabetic alert dogs can be life-changing, they’re not a replacement for medical devices. They don’t give exact blood sugar readings, and they require ongoing training to stay accurate. Experts say anyone interested in getting one should first talk to their doctor. But for families like the Berces, the extra layer of protection — and companionship — is priceless. For Kennedy, that protection comes on four paws, with a nose that’s as smart as any machine.

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Escaped Reindeer 'Rudolph' Finds Himself on Sandy Beach

UK police came to the rescue of reindeer which had escaped a local Christmas event on November 29, local media reported. The reindeer was spotted by a National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter on Liverpool’s Formby Beach, Liverpool World reported. “Although capture proved difficult, the team successfully shepherded the animal into the sand dunes at Altcar Rifle Range […] The reindeer eventually settled, allowing a vet, supported by Royal Marines, to safely secure it,” the report said. Footage released by the NPAS North West Region showed the reindeer on the beach. NPAS said two vets gave the reindeer a check up after it was observed walking with a limp. In an update, police said, “Buddy who is now recorded on police systems under his seasonal name of ‘Rudolph’ is all good and resting back home.” “He’ll now have a good rest before helping Santa and his sleigh on the 24th,” they said.

Georgia High School Students May Have Created a Breakthrough Lyme Disease Test

When a group of high school students in Georgia set out to create a better way to detect Lyme disease, few believed they’d get very far. Their idea relied on CRISPR, a powerful gene-editing tool still unfamiliar to most high school labs. Even their own teacher warned them the plan was “high risk.” But the students at Lambert High School in suburban Atlanta didn’t back down — and now, scientists say their project could be the start of a major medical breakthrough. “We’re doing something in our high school lab that could potentially have a huge impact for millions of people,” said Claire Lee, a senior at Lambert. “This thing could help save lives.” Their project, which competed at the 2024 iGEM competition — a global synthetic biology contest dubbed the "science Olympics" — is built around one of the toughest problems in Lyme disease: early detection. Current tests often fail to identify the infection in its first two weeks, the critical window when it's easiest to treat. Using CRISPR, the Lambert team developed a system to flag a specific protein produced early in Lyme infection. Their idea was to use CRISPR to cut away irrelevant DNA, making the target protein easier to detect. From there, they designed a simple, kit-style test — something similar to a COVID-19 rapid test — that could identify the disease within just two days of infection. They even started work on a separate CRISPR-based treatment, aimed at attacking the Lyme bacteria directly, sidestepping antibiotics, which many patients become resistant to. Behind them was a cutting-edge lab — funded by local taxpayers and corporate sponsors — that rivals college-level facilities. Lambert is located in one of Georgia’s most affluent and high-performing school districts, and its synthetic biology program is among the most competitive in the country. About 100 students apply each year for just 10 spots. This year’s team, led by co-captains Sean Lee and Avani Karthik, was entirely Asian-American — most of them the children of immigrants. Their diverse skills included engineering, coding, and data analysis. And they put in the hours, often staying up all night as the competition neared. “There were a lot of people who said this wouldn’t work,” said Sean Lee. “But we knew we had to try.” That determination paid off. By September, just weeks before the competition deadline, the team had a working proof-of-concept. In lab tests using simulated blood serum, their system was able to detect Lyme as early as two days after infection — a massive improvement over existing diagnostics. The students flew to Paris in late October to present their work at iGEM, which this year drew over 400 teams from around the world, including 120 from Asia. Fourteen U.S. high school teams made the trip. Lambert was the only American school to finish in the top 10. The grand prize went to Great Bay High School from Shenzhen, China, for its work on an enzyme to treat indoor mold. But Lambert earned the top award for best software tool, and praise from leading scientists. Stanford professor Drew Endy, a co-founder of iGEM, said the diagnostic tool developed by the Georgia team was better than anything he'd seen before. “It’s not only applicable to Lyme disease, but anything you could find in your blood,” Endy said. Janet Standeven, who launched Lambert’s iGEM program and now leads iGEM’s global high school division, said the team’s work shows what’s possible when high school students are given the resources to solve real-world problems. She hopes to see synthetic biology programs like this in schools across the country — but funding is uncertain. Standeven had secured federal money to help bring programs like Lambert’s to other schools in Georgia. But that funding was recently cut by the Trump administration, which categorized it under diversity, equity, and inclusion. A court has temporarily restored it, but the future remains unclear. “Absolutely devastated. I was angry,” Standeven said. “Anybody that's involved in this work at the high school level realizes this is necessary work.” While the students’ Lyme test is still a prototype — and will require significant further testing to confirm results in real blood — it’s already being taken seriously by researchers. “If this holds up in clinical trials,” said one iGEM judge, “we’re looking at something that could change how we diagnose not just Lyme, but other infectious diseases.” For now, the Lambert team is back home in Georgia, back in class. But their work has already made waves — and shown that sometimes, the future of medicine starts in a high school lab.

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Scientists Find That Brain’s Own Immune Cells May Help Hold Off Alzheimer’s

A new study has found that certain immune cells in the brain can shift into a protective mode that slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease — a discovery researchers say could open the door to new treatments aimed at harnessing the brain’s own defenses. Scientists have long known that microglia, the immune cells that patrol the brain, are involved in Alzheimer’s. But their role hasn’t always been clear. Sometimes, microglia help by clearing away harmful proteins. Other times, they worsen inflammation and speed up damage. Now, researchers led by neuroscientist Pinar Ayata at the Icahn School of Medicine say they’ve identified a special version of microglia that kicks in when these cells get close to the clumps of amyloid-beta proteins — the sticky plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. “Microglia are not simply destructive responders in Alzheimer’s disease — they can become the brain’s protectors,” said Anne Schaefer, a neuroscientist at Icahn who co-authored the study. “This finding extends our earlier observations on the remarkable plasticity of microglia states and their important roles in diverse brain functions.” In the mouse models used for the study, these protective microglia had two defining features: lower levels of a protein called PU.1, and higher levels of CD28, a molecule better known for its role in the immune system. That specific combination seemed to matter. The microglia were not only better at slowing the buildup of amyloid-beta plaques but also reduced accumulations of another damaging protein called tau, which is also linked to Alzheimer’s. When researchers genetically blocked the production of CD28 in mice, the results were dramatic: the number of harmful, inflammation-producing microglia increased, and amyloid-beta plaques became more common. The finding backs up earlier studies showing that people with naturally lower PU.1 expression — due to genetic differences — tend to develop Alzheimer’s later in life than others. “These results provide a mechanistic explanation for why lower PU.1 levels are linked to reduced Alzheimer’s disease risk,” said geneticist Alison Goate, also from the Icahn School of Medicine. The protective state these microglia enter appears to be a kind of built-in defense system, one that slows the disease but isn’t strong enough to stop it completely. That’s where researchers hope future treatments can help — by boosting the number or activity of these protective cells. It’s a promising lead, but one that still needs to be confirmed in humans. For now, the research is based on mouse models, and microglia in human brains may behave differently. Still, the findings are part of a growing shift in how scientists think about Alzheimer’s. It’s not just a disease of the brain’s wiring — it also involves the immune system. And the body’s own cells may hold clues for how to fight it. Alexander Tarakhovsky, an epigeneticist at Rockefeller University, said the research draws a fascinating link between immune behavior in the brain and the rest of the body. The modified microglia resemble regulatory T cells, which help control immune responses in other parts of the nervous system. “This discovery comes at a time when regulatory T cells have achieved major recognition as master regulators of immunity, highlighting a shared logic of immune regulation across cell types,” said Tarakhovsky. “It also paves the way for immunotherapeutic strategies for Alzheimer’s disease.” The study was published in the journal Nature.

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Archaeologists Uncover Ancient Human Innovations in Bolivia's Amazon Basin

In one of the Amazon’s least-explored corners, a remote stretch of Bolivian wetland is rewriting what we thought we knew about human history in the rainforest — and offering powerful insights for its future. The Great Tectonic Lakes of Exaltación, located in the department of Beni, may not be a household name. But this wetland region, part of the Llanos de Moxos and the UNESCO-recognized Río Yata Ramsar complex, is quietly revealing a sophisticated story of ancient innovation, environmental stewardship, and Indigenous resilience that spans more than a thousand years. In September 2021, a multidisciplinary team of archaeologists, ecologists, and anthropologists embarked on a major expedition into this landscape. Organized by Bolivia’s Grupo de Trabajo para los Llanos de Moxos (GTLM), the team included experts from institutions like the Wildlife Conservation Society, Embrapa, the National Museum of Natural History, and the University of Bonn. Their findings, published after multiple field seasons and extensive LiDAR mapping, document a region shaped as much by human hands as by natural forces. Raised agricultural fields, fish canals, geometric enclosures, and interconnected ditches dot the grasslands around tectonic lakes like Rogaguado and Ginebra — signs of generations of Indigenous communities engineering the land to work with water, not against it. A Deeply Engineered Landscape Archaeological sites like Paquío, Isla del Tesoro, Coquinal, and Jasschaja reveal a long, layered history of settlement. Radiocarbon dating shows that people lived here continuously from around 600 CE to at least 1400 CE. They built complex water management systems, cultivated maize and palms, and relied on a protein-rich diet of fish, reptiles, and mammals. At Paquío, researchers found traces of early settlement followed by a more intensive phase around 1000–1200 CE, marked by dense ceramic debris and advanced wetland farming. Jasschaja, occupied in the 1300s, shows signs of even more extensive land modification and botanical diversity. Their innovations weren’t one-size-fits-all. From rectangular ditches to circular ponds and elevated planting platforms, communities adapted their earthworks to seasonal flooding, ecological shifts, and social needs. The result: centuries of sustainable food production and water control in one of the planet’s most flood-prone environments. Living Landscapes, Living Knowledge These achievements didn’t vanish into history. The Cayubaba and Movima peoples still live here, and their knowledge remains central to the region’s cultural and ecological identity. “Working with stingless bees, in some way, is working for that more profound purpose,” said Joaquim dos Reis Rodrigues, a beekeeper and smallholder in nearby Pará state, whose story echoes similar patterns of Amazonian stewardship. During the pandemic-era fieldwork, researchers collaborated closely with the Cayubaba Indigenous Council — which represents 21 communities — to ensure cultural sites were respected and local priorities were centered in the research process. This relationship wasn’t just a formality; it reflected a broader view of archaeology as a tool for strengthening Indigenous rights and environmental justice. Lessons in Resilience Today, the Llanos de Moxos are under threat from the same pressures facing much of the Amazon: expanding agriculture, cattle ranching, deforestation, and climate change. But the ancient infrastructure buried beneath these savannas holds a different vision of land use. Rather than clear-cutting forest or draining wetlands, the region’s past inhabitants developed strategies that embraced complexity. They worked with seasonal floods instead of resisting them. They grew food in raised beds above swampy soil. They wove together farming, fishing, hunting, and gathering into one adaptable system. That knowledge is valuable now, say scientists and community leaders. It challenges modern assumptions about what “development” should look like — and reminds us that innovation doesn’t always mean extraction. “These people didn’t just survive here,” said Daniel Santiago, an Embrapa researcher who has studied Amazonian stingless bees and agroforestry systems. “They thrived by listening to the land and understanding its cycles.” Protecting What Remains The wetlands of the Llanos de Moxos still perform vital ecological functions. They store carbon, support wildlife, and moderate the flow of rivers that stretch across the continent. Their continued health depends not just on fences or park boundaries, but on the survival of the human relationships that have shaped and cared for them. That’s why the GTLM project aims to link archaeological research with conservation, placing Indigenous stewardship and biocultural heritage at the center of Amazon sustainability planning. As the Amazon faces intensifying pressure, the quiet, grassy plains around Bolivia’s tectonic lakes offer a rare and timely message: The rainforest isn’t just a place of untouched wilderness. It’s a living archive of how people and nature can thrive together — if we listen.

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This Town Was Overrun by Elves in a Festive World Record Attempt

Weymouth looked a little more magical than usual this weekend as hundreds of people in pointy ears and red-and-green costumes flooded the seaside town, hoping to break the world record for the largest gathering of elves. From stormtrooper-turned-elves to hand-knit pom poms, the effort was serious—but despite the turnout, the UK couldn’t quite topple Thailand, the current record holders with 1,762 elves. “The record was 1,762 people and we got the numbers but just in the wrong order,” said Dawn Rondeau-Irvine, a local business leader who helped organize the attempt. Still, she’s hopeful Weymouth can try again in 2026. The whimsical parade saw elves of all ages led through the town by stilt walkers and Santa in his sleigh. Registration kicked off at Weymouth Pavilion, where aspiring elves had to pass a costume check before being issued a wristband. Those not quite elf-ready were sent to the ear-making workshop or to get make-up help. Some participants took things to the next level. Heather and Andy, visitors for the second year in a row, combined their love for cosplay with the holiday spirit. “Andy has taken his spare stormtrooper and turned it into an elf,” said Heather. “He’s done some upgrades this year with added lights.” Lorraine, a local, topped her elf hat with mistletoe and shared a quick kiss with Santa. “Only a small one,” she clarified with a laugh. For others, the prep started long before December. Three staff members from the Winchester School of Art said they had spent “months and months” planning their outfits. Claire, who grew up in Weymouth, brought her colleagues to her hometown for the event. “We even knitted our own scarves and all the pom poms that go on the end,” she said. “It took hours but it was so much fun.” Participants traveled from across the UK, including Wales and Yeovil, to be part of the festive record bid. Even though the title slipped through their fingers this year, the spirit of the day was undeniable. And with a few more elf ears and pom poms, Weymouth just might clinch the crown in 2026.

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Used Clothing Shops are Rebranding as Designer Stores, Boosting Sales and Surprising Shoppers

Walk into what used to be a typical charity shop in parts of Greater Manchester or Lancashire and you might think you’ve stepped into a boutique instead. That’s exactly what Ashira Denab was going for. The interior design graduate and charity shop manager in Northenden decided to throw out the old-school layout and turn her store into the kind of space she’d actually want to shop in. “People tell us they like it and they have never been in a shop like it,” she said. And clearly, it’s working — she and her assistant, both in their 20s, have seen profits double. It’s part of a wider rethink happening across the UK, where charity shops are moving away from the mismatched rails and cluttered corners many associate with secondhand stores. Instead, they’re leaning into stylish interiors, curated stock, and a focus on customer experience. Take Poulton-le-Fylde in Lancashire, where the charity Trinity Hospice has rebranded one of its shops as Attire. Located in the heart of the market town, it’s filled with high-end menswear and well-stocked bookshelves. But you wouldn’t necessarily know it’s a charity shop from the outside. “It’s quite urban. It’s quite funky,” said Paul Guest, Trinity Hospice’s head of retail and volunteer services. “So a lot of people like it because it doesn’t look like a traditional charity shop.” Nora Masefield, who lives nearby, agreed. “I didn’t know what it was at first, I was pleasantly surprised,” she said. “It looks nothing like the average charity shop — they used to look like jumble sales.” Attire’s “urban masculine” theme, complete with props and mood lighting, was designed to fill a gap in the town after high street retailers pulled out. According to Guest, menswear has long been underserved in charity shops, even though it sells for more on average than women’s clothing. “We had a lot of customers over the years who say we never had enough,” he said. Now, Trinity Hospice is cherry-picking the best menswear from its warehouse for the Poulton location and doing the same with women's fashion for its other shops in Lytham and St Annes. “It’s a totally different concept and people like it,” said shop manager Ash Kochar, who has two decades of retail experience. “Although we are a charity shop, we have brought menswear and a bookshop to a town which doesn’t have them any more.” Not everyone can afford the higher-end items. Sarah Bullough, a 20-year-old student, said some of the clothes were “a bit pricey,” but she and her friends still browse for books, DVDs, and CDs. “You can get some good bargains,” she said, holding a copy of Four Weddings and a Funeral. Guest said takings are up and that better-quality displays are drawing better-quality donations. He’s now working on another store in Great Eccleston that will resemble a Charles Dickens-style curiosity shop. “I’ve had a preview and it looks amazing,” he said. Elsewhere in Greater Manchester, Rick Hartley, retail and income generation manager for Age UK, is also pushing boundaries. With shops in Didsbury and Northenden, Hartley was given “free rein to be creative and a bit artistic” — and he ran with it. His Northenden shop, a modern glass-fronted space, was envisioned as a “statement building,” and Denab was the perfect person to bring it to life. She wanted to make it a place that felt personal, not generic. Hartley says innovation is the future of charity retail, especially as high street footfall continues to shift. “I quite like cheap charity shops,” he admitted, “but what I’ve noticed is that the really cheap ones don’t seem to last.” The reinvention is helping charity shops compete not just with fast fashion but also with online resale platforms. With stylish interiors and curated stock, they’re appealing to a younger crowd while staying true to their mission: raising funds and cutting waste. And if the results are anything to go by, it’s a strategy that’s paying off.

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This UK Christmas Tree Rental Business Halts Orders After Record-Breaking Season

A Christmas tree rental service in rural Leicestershire has become so popular that it’s had to stop taking new orders weeks before the holidays. Alastair and Diane Lucking, who run Love a Christmas Tree from their four-acre farm in Kirkby Mallory, say 2025 has been their busiest season yet. The couple, now in their 70s, started the business nearly a decade ago as a post-retirement project—and it’s grown well beyond their expectations. “It’s quite a buzz,” said 72-year-old Alastair. “Seeing their faces light up when they see their trees coming back again. That is fantastic.” The idea is simple: instead of buying a tree each year, customers rent one. It’s delivered to their home before Christmas, then picked up and returned to the farm, where it’s cared for until the following season. The trees—mostly Nordmann firs imported from Denmark—are planted in pots and reused year after year. The Luckings had to stop taking new orders more than two weeks ago after surpassing 300 customers. “It has been adopted and accepted by families, businesses, pubs—it is really amazing how people have bought into what we are trying to achieve,” Alastair said. When they launched in 2016, there were only a handful of tree rental businesses across the UK. Now, the idea has taken off as more people look for eco-friendly alternatives to traditional tree buying. The inspiration came after what Alastair called an “epiphany moment.” The couple were already managing a plot of land that had previously hosted animals, and they wanted a project that would be stimulating in retirement. Their sons, who live in the US, advised against going too big—but the couple now have more than 7,000 trees on site. At their peak, they’ve had as many as 15,000, though many are still maturing and not yet ready for rental. The rental trees start at £30 for the smallest size, and customers can choose their preferred height. Once the holidays are over, the trees are collected, maintained, and prepped for the next year—a process Alastair compares to a lawn care service. “If they can find someone that can look after their tree for them—it is a shrink wrap process,” he said. “It is an environmental approach. They know that the tree is going to come back year after year.” And that sustainability aspect is a major draw for many of their repeat customers. Instead of tossing out a tree every January, renters get the same tree back the next season, growing alongside their family. “It’s rewarding,” said Alastair. “It keeps the brain going, and it’s something that’s doing some good.”

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This Soccer Captain Balances Firefighting Duties With a Pro Football Career

Bow Jackson knows pressure. Whether it’s charging into a burning building or leading a team out onto the pitch, the Exeter City captain is used to high-stakes situations. But for her, it’s all about perspective. “If it’s a big game, I’ve got to try and relax and remember I’m not going to a fire – no one’s going to die,” she said. Jackson has spent the last seven years working for Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, first as a personal trainer and now as a full-time firefighter at Danes Castle Fire Station in Exeter. Alongside that, she’s also captaining Exeter City’s women’s team, who have climbed to their highest level ever – the third tier of the women’s game – since she joined in 2022. The two roles couldn’t be more different on paper, but Jackson says they complement each other. Firefighting, with its intense physical and emotional demands, has sharpened her mental resilience on the football field. Football, with its tactical challenges and team dynamics, has made her a more adaptable firefighter. “I’m probably exposed to pressures more than most people,” she said, “but it doesn’t mean I’m indestructible.” Her career has included stints at Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town in the Women’s Super League, plus a season at Calgary Foothills in Canada. But it’s now, with Exeter, that she says she’s enjoying football the most. That said, the demands of juggling both jobs can take a toll. “If it’s a quiet week, then actually you can manage the pressure quite well,” Jackson explained. “You’re still getting your sleep, you’re still getting the moments with friends and family.” But when work picks up – long shifts, overnight calls, and training sessions crammed in between – it’s not always easy to maintain top performance. “It really has an impact on that recovery and that ability to function at your highest capacity,” she said. Her colleagues in the fire service call her “Guppy,” a nickname from her early days at the station. On the pitch, though, she’s seen as the veteran – the one younger players look up to. “I’m learning so much from all my colleagues in the fire service,” she said. “But at football, I’m the one that people are asking questions of, so I’m trying to transfer those skills across the two.” She sees a common thread in both roles: teamwork and problem-solving. “In reality, both as a firefighter and footballer, I always try and solve problems with my team.” Exeter City’s women’s side has seen record attendance figures in recent years, a sign that the club’s momentum is real. And with Jackson as captain, they’ve continued their rise through the football pyramid. Despite her unusual double life and the praise she gets from fans and parents, Jackson plays down the idea of being a role model. “I’m just being me,” she said. “I’m just turning up and doing my job or turning up and doing my job as a footballer.” That hasn’t stopped people from letting her know she’s had an impact. “I’ve had a load of people speak to me and say how much that I’ve inspired their kids or inspired them and that’s fantastic and it’s really nice to hear,” she added. “I don’t want to take that for granted in any way, shape or form.”

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