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englishmix 
Posted: 29-Dec-2010, 11:48 AM
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Miss Scotland Nicola Mimnagh at festive party for brave youngsters
Wishaw Press
Dec 22 2010
Graham Miller, Wishaw Press


MISS Scotland was among the celebrities who helped make it a special Christmas for brave youngsters at the annual festive party organised by charity fundraiser Les Hoey from Wishaw. Stunning Nicola Mimnagh put a smile on kids’ faces as she attended the party held at Fir Park, Motherwell.

Pantomime star Darius Campbell took some time away from the production of Aladdin at the King’s Theatre in Glasgow to make sure the children had a fantastic time. Many of the youngsters have life-limiting conditions and the party gives them an event to look forward to.

Wishaw schoolboy Colin McLaren, who suffers from the rare genetic illness adrenaleukodystrophy, had a great time and enjoyed the opportunity to meet famous faces.

His dad Grant said: “Once again we have to say a big thank you to Les for all his efforts. Colin and all the other youngsters had a wonderful time and every one of the celebrities and sports people who came along were great fun.” The party, in Fir Park’s Centenary Suite, was attended by celebrities including footballers and Scottish TV stars.

Everyone enjoyed a fun-filled day of party games and treats. Each child received a special present, with gifts including X-boxes and PlayStation 3s, TVs, iPods, BlackBerry mobile phones and concert tickets for Westlife and the X Factor tour.


http://www.wishawpress.co.uk/wishaw-news/l...76495-27864207/
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englishmix 
Posted: 04-Jan-2011, 12:03 PM
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Vital hospital link among services cut to save cash
Evening Times
4 Jan 2011


Dozens of bus services across Glasgow and the Central Belt are to be axed or have major service reductions. First Group will make changes to at least 50 routes from January 16 to slash costs. Among those hit will be an evening service linking Glasgow city centre to Stobhill Hospital, which is used by relatives visiting patients.

The 6.30pm journey of the No 3 service to Stobhill – the last of the evening – and the 7.20pm and 8.20pm buses returning from the hospital will be cut. The X2 service from Cumbernauld to Glasgow will also be completely withdrawn. The 64 bus between Glasgow city centre and Carmyle/Halfway will be axed after 7pm Monday-Saturday and completely on Sundays, while the 43 between Glasgow city centre and Craigend will also be stopped daily 7pm.

First said the service changes were being made to “better match supply with demand”. The cuts were approved by the Competition Commission despite objections from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.

Bus bosses are also scrapping the 165 service between the city and Cambuslang. The Sunday service of the 45A from Auchinairn to Govan will also be withdrawn, while the entire 230 Hamilton-Coatshill service and the X6 Glasgow-Bridge of Weir routes will also be stopped. The bus giant is also making modifications to a series of other routes. Instead of waiting 15 minutes to catch the X1 between Glasgow and Hamilton, buses will run every 20 minutes at peak times.

Other cuts include the 36 between Glasgow and Abronhill in Cumbernauld. It will stop at Muirhead on a Sunday and after 7pm during the week.

The X4 between Glasgow and Cumbernauld will also be stopped after 7pm. Other services with timetable revisions include the 31 from Glasgow to Lindsayfield, East Kilbride; the 119 between Glasgow and Baljaffray; and the 255, which links Glasgow city centre and Newarthill.

Some routes are being reduced to an hourly service, including the No 17 Govan-Paisley; the No 29 Mansewood to Shawlands and the No 32 Craigend-Parkhead.

A First statement said: “First in Glasgow is to introduce a number of changes to our bus service network across Greater Glasgow from January 16, primarily designed to better match supply with demand on routes in the city.

“While the majority of our customers are not expected to be impacted to any great degree by these changes, it will result in a number of services being reduced in frequency or, in a few cases, will see the withdrawal of a route.”

The routes that will be affected... [about70 routes]
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englishmix 
Posted: 05-Jan-2011, 11:49 AM
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Muirton’s elderly imprisoned by deep freeze
Perthshire Advertiser
Tuesday Jan 4 2011
by Denis Brown


ELDERLY Perth residents who fear falling on icy pavements have been rendered virtual prisoners in their homes, a community councillor claimed yesterday.

Already livid about apparent inaction on frozen footpaths, last Friday’s PA report about Perth and Kinross Council spending its £2.8m winter maintenance budget pushed Sheila McIntyre over the edge. The incensed secretary of Muirton and North Inch Community Council said:

“I’m very angry because I think it’s absolute rubbish what council leader Ian Miller is saying. “I just don’t understand how they could have set their budget for clearing the roads and pavements at an inappropriate level. It’s not like the council weren’t warned about another bad winter, so wouldn’t it have been better to make proper provisions for it than leave things to chance? Cllr Miller says the council has contingency plans and people shouldn’t be concerned, well – too late.”

Mrs McIntyre painted a bleak picture of pedestrian mobility in Muirton, saying only one pavement along Balhousie Street had been cleared of ice, with many other footpaths untouched. Pedestrian access to Asda via Carnegie Place was a “sheet of ice”, with people forced to hang onto fences to avoid slipping.

“Okay, some pavements have been gritted, but not enough, and it’s practically impossible for anyone who’s elderly to walk to Asda – it’s like a suicide mission. A friend of mine who lives on Magpie Way is too frightened to go out, so a lot of people are prisoners in their own homes – and it’s just as bad in Letham and Fairfield.”


She said PKC was fortunate people falling on icy footpaths no longer had the recourse to seek injury compensation from the council, as total claims from this winter could be avalanche-like. “It’s actually safer to walk on the roads than the pavements – it’s just not good enough and I’ll be bringing this up at the next community council meeting.”

A pensioner in her 70s who lives on an elevated cul-de-sac in Letham’s Strathtay Road told the PA she had been too scared to leave her house for a fortnight. “I can't get any further than my gate because the pavements and the road are completely covered in ice,” she said. “I'm just very lucky I have family around as I don't know what I would have done. They've been bringing my groceries up in the car. I can't remember it ever being as bad as this and I'd like to know why the council haven't been up here to grit the pavements.”

In Friday’s PA, Cllr Miller said the prolonged severe conditions had devoured PKC’s winter maintenance budget for the third year running, with unforseen costs including a rescue centre to shelter stranded motorists. He said any financial shortfall would be drawn from reserves.

Last August, PKC cut its winter maintenance budget – down to £2.795m from last winter’s £2.888m – for the first time in four years, despite its total spend in 2009/10 reaching £5.085m.

During the big freeze, the PA has been inundated by residents slamming PKC’s snow and ice clearance efforts. Cllr Bob Band, however, argued PKC was facing an even bigger challenge than last winter. “We’ve never had conditions like this and in my time I’ve never seen so much snow frozen on the pavement in large piles,” he said.

A PKC spokesman said the council was doing all it could to clear roads and pathways of snow and ice with available resources. He explained the council operated a priority system and cleared the most well-used roads and footpaths first, which were then kept clear to ensure the two counties kept moving.

------------------

The continuing saga of "global warming" catastrophy in a "socialist" state.

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englishmix 
Posted: 13-Jan-2011, 11:54 AM
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Chilly cops given nod to don beanies
Jan 7 2011 by Denis Brown,
Perthshire Advertiser Friday


COPS feeling the winter chill have been given the ‘heads up’ to wear beanies for the first time in the force’s history. A Tayside Police spokeswoman confirmed that Perthshire-based officers now had the option of ditching official hats during sub-zero conditions in favour of cosier beanie-type hats.

Meanwhile, in an effort to ensure continued police presence on the region’s snow and ice-encased roads, the force has drafted in a fleet of 4x4s from the private sector to supplement its own pool of vehicles. The spokeswoman told the PA that 13 Land Rovers had been hired in the lead up to Christmas from two dealerships, one based in Auchterarder and another at Killin. “These vehicles helped ensure that an efficient operational response was in place for officers across the force’s area during the extreme weather conditions,” she said.

On the topic of shivering cops being given the official nod to don beanies, she confirmed officers were now allowed to wear “plain black hats during adverse weather”. “It's impossible to say how many are wearing their hats at any given time as this is a personal decision,” she said.

Instead of being supplied with official police-issue beanies, cops are permitted to bring in their own warm hats, in a move that should avoid any fashion faux pas.

Controversially, back in 2006, Tayside Police was forced to return almost 1500 pairs of newly-issued trousers after the baggy cargo-style breeches sparked a revolt from cops who refused to wear them. Fashion-conscious officers complained that the flared ‘breeks’ made them look like they were stepping back to the ‘70s disco fever era, resembling fictional colleagues in hit BBC TV show, Life on Mars.

At the time, a police spokesman admitted the supplier had agreed to alter 1474 pairs of trousers at no additional cost.

“The description 'inconsistencies in sizing' is accurate, in that without measuring every pair of trousers it was impossible to ascertain whether the sizing was accurate,” he said. “It was considered that there was an excess of material at the knee or hem on occasions. No other defects were identified, and the manufacturer worked quickly with us when this was highlighted to rectify the problem.”
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englishmix 
Posted: 20-Jan-2011, 11:57 AM
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Stolen paintings recovered from sale at city auctioneers
Edinburgh Evening News
20 January 2011
By SUE GYFORD


Stolen paintings worth more than £200,000 have been recovered by police after one of them was spotted for sale at an Edinburgh auctioneers. Wooded Landscape With Figures, by French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, was spotted for sale in the Lyon & Turnbull catalogue in November by one of the senior curators for Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow.

Lothian and Border police investigated and removed the painting from the auctioneers, who told police they had also sold a landscape by post-impressionist painter Samuel Peploe, which had been put up for sale from the same source, who has not yet been named.

The Peploe, which had been bought by Ewan Mundy Gallery in Glasgow, was seized by Strathclyde Police on December 21. It has been reported that police also investigated at the home of the source and discovered a work by Italian Renaissance painter Federico Barocci, which was retrieved on Friday. However, a spokesman for Lothian and Borders Police was unable to confirm this today. The stolen paintings are being held by Glasgow Museums.

The spokesman confirmed that two paintings had been recovered and said enquiries were ongoing.

The investigation follows allegations made 15 years ago that art from Glasgow's publicly-funded galleries and museums was being sold on the black market. A confidential 1996 auditors' report into Kelvingrove Art Galleries, the Museum of Transport and Maryhill stores revealed concerns over alleged thefts from the museums and said arrangements for recording artefacts and their locations were unsatisfactory.

Glasgow City Council launched an inquiry after an anonymous letter claimed paintings were "being taken by at least one member of staff and sold on the black market" in an operation going on for "at least the past six years".

A spokesman for Glasgow Life, the agency which runs the city's museums, libraries and leisure centres, praised the curator for spotting the painting and said it would continue to work with police.
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englishmix 
Posted: 04-Mar-2011, 05:11 PM
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Sheriff sets unusual bail conditions for Old Firm fans
BBC Scotland
4 March 2011

Three fans arrested during Wednesday's ill-tempered Old Firm Scottish Cup replay at Celtic Park have been released on unusual bail conditions.

The trio were told to sign in at local police stations during the first half of any match their team is playing in. Celtic fans Gerard Fulton and Barry Aird and Rangers fan Scott Faulds were also told not to enter any SPL ground or Hampden Stadium in the interim. They deny the charges against them and were released pending a later trial.

Mr Faulds, from Cambuslang, South Lanarkshire, is charged with breaching the peace by shouting sectarian remarks during the game. The 22-year-old is also alleged to have tried to punch a police officer.

Match arrests

Mr Fulton, 32, from Greenock, Inverclyde, is accused of shouting racist abuse at a police officer, assaulting a man and committing a breach of the peace.

Mr Aird, 28, from Knightswood, Glasgow, is also alleged to have breached the peace by shouting sectarian remarks.

Police made 34 arrests at Celtic Park during the match which also saw three red cards and several confrontations on the touch-line and tunnel.

Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond has agreed to host a summit next week between the clubs and the Scottish Football Association in a bid to address growing police concerns about Old Firm-related disorder.
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Patch 
Posted: 07-Mar-2011, 06:50 PM
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It would appear that the Scotts take their football seriously!!!

Slàinte,    

Patch    
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englishmix 
Posted: 22-Mar-2011, 07:18 PM
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Yea, perhaps a little too ...
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englishmix 
Posted: 22-Mar-2011, 07:22 PM
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Litter problem as bad as ever, says villager
John O'Groat Journal and Caithness Courier
18 March, 2011


A LOCAL chef has criticised the thoughtless actions of people who drop litter in and around Watten.

Jim Cowie, who owns the Captain's Galley restaurant in Scrabster, said his efforts to clean up his home village have gone to waste. Mr Cowie grew so tired of seeing rubbish being disregarded in the area that, last year, he decided to do something about. He contacted the Highland Council to ask for the use of a litter picker and some bags so he could tidy up the litter.

However, despite his efforts, he said the problem is now as bad as ever. He told the John O'Groat Journal: "Last year, when I was picking up the litter around the village, I counted that I had picked up over 250 bottles and cans. I didn't want to criticise anyone, all I wanted to do was make Watten a better place to live. However, I see all the mess and I think to myself, 'what was the point?' I put in a lot of hard work to make the place look clean, but it looks like I had never made any effort at all."

On a number of occasions Mr Cowie has witnessed people throwing rubbish out of their cars, and he has hit out at motorists for showing a complete disregard to the environment. He still regularly cleans around the village and is asking for people to be more considerate when disposing of their rubbish and to take more pride in their surroundings. He said: "People come out to this area in their cars to look at the countryside and then drop chip papers and drink cans out of their window. I enjoy where I live and, by collecting the litter, I feel like I am giving something back to the community. I take pride in where I live and all I am asking is for people to do the same."

Keep Scotland Tidy has meanwhile launched its National Spring Clean initiative which will involve over 55,000 volunteers from 39 locations across the country in Scotland's largest co-ordinated litter pick. Valerie Carson, Keep Scotland Beautiful's National Spring Clean co-ordinator, said: "Some environmental issues seem too big for the average person to feel they can do anything about, but litter is something that we can all take simple action against by not dropping it and by helping with the mammoth task of clearing it up."

A number of events will be taking place in Caithness with the first at Lybster Primary on Thursday, March 31, at 12.30pm.
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englishmix 
Posted: 19-Apr-2011, 04:16 PM
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Latest in plans to create luxury resort at Taymouth Castle
Apr 15 2011
Alison Anderson
Perthshire Advertiser


TAYMOUTH Castle developers have lodged plans to convert the A-Listed landmark and its 173-hectare grounds into a luxury, year-round resort. New Taymouth Estate owners Meteor Property Fund have now included a significant addition to ill-fated 2005 plans to create a six-star hotel and resort – an additional 71 luxury properties.

These will be built for sale, which the applicants assert is necessary to finance the castle’s renovation. If the planning process goes unhindered, the 173-hectare estate at Kenmore will be home to 167 properties, including 160 new builds – planning consent already exists for 89. Seven existing properties would be redeveloped.

Among a raft of proposals, the newly-submitted plans also seek planning consent for the formation of spa facilities, erection of a restaurant and a bridge, alterations to the golf course and modification to existing consent to allow a change of house type on the estate.

Meteor hope Perth and Kinross Council will grant planning consent in time to allow a summer start. Meteor’s development manager Martin Mortimer pledged responsible public access to the estate would continue.

“It is expected that responsible access to the estate will be allowed – beyond the statutory requirements – and Meteor is working with the local community to decide the best ways of policing this to ensure that everyone’s enjoyment of the estate is unspoilt, ” he said.

Remedial work to ensure the safety of a Chinese Bridge linking both banks of the River Tay has been completed.
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englishmix 
Posted: 20-Apr-2011, 10:27 AM
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Murdered man’s headstone vandalised
Apr 14 2011
Leona Greenan
Hamilton Advertiser


VANDALS have desecrated the headstone of a Hamilton man who was murdered in Hillhouse just over a year ago. In an incident at Priestfield Cemetery, Blantyre, the gravestone of Kevin Black was defaced and a ceramic photo of him was removed and smashed. It is thought vandals struck between 3.45pm on Friday, April 1, and 4pm on Monday, April 4. A member of the public contacted Strathclyde Police to report the incident last Monday.

South Lanarkshire Council, who manage the cemetery, were also made aware of the vandalism. It is believed no other graves were attacked. A spokeswoman for South Lanarkshire Council said: “We can confirm there has been damage to the headstone of Kevin Black at Priestfield Cemetery, Blantyre.”

Meanwhile, police this week appealed for witnesses to the vandalism as their inquiries continued. Anyone with information is asked to contact Constable Gail Struthers at Hamilton police office on 01698 483300.

Kevin Black was killed in a flat in Dunkeld Place on March 1, 2010, by Paul Kiernan and John Crawford during a row over money. Last year the High Court in Glasgow heard that all three men were in the flat when tempers flared. The 34-year-old was stabbed five times. The fatal blow to the left side of his neck running from his ear to his throat and severing his jugular vein and carotid artery.

When police arrived on the scene they found Kevin’s body and beside it a Skean Dhu sheath and a broken Buckfast bottle. Kiernan (34), of Paisley, and 43-year-old Crawford, whose address was given as c/o Addiewell Prison, West Lothian, were convicted of the killing in March this year. They are facing life sentences.

Crawford’s son, also John Crawford, (20), from Larkhall, was convicted of attempting to defeat the ends of justice. He disposed of clothing worn by Kiernan and Crawford. Both murderers were also convicted of attempting to defeat the ends of justice by disposing of the knife or knives used in the killing. Throughout the trial they denied the charges against them.
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englishmix 
Posted: 30-Apr-2011, 11:19 AM
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Earthquake felt on Argyll island
BBC News Scotland
29 April 11 07:19 ET


An earthquake has been recorded on the island of Mull in Argyll.

The British Geological Survey (BGS) said the 2.1-magnitude quake was felt on the island and in Oban on the mainland.

The earthquake was recorded at 2126 BST on Thursday and came just days after a 1.9-magnitude event was record east of Yell on Shetland.

In January, people in Inverness, Skye and Oban reported tremors when a 3.5-magnitude quake struck in Glenelg.

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englishmix 
Posted: 30-Apr-2011, 06:30 PM
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SNP ahead of Labour in latest poll
Dumfries & Galloway Standard
May 1 2011


The SNP [Scottish National Party] is ahead of Labour in the race for Holyrood, according to a new opinion poll. The Scottish Mail on Sunday survey shows Alex Salmond's party in the lead in both the constituency and regional list vote with less than a week to go before the election.

According to the poll, carried out by Progressive Scottish Opinion, the nationalists were out front on 24% in the constituency vote with Labour on 19%. The Tories have 5% of the vote while the Lib Dems scored 3%. Scottish Socialists and the Greens both have 1%.
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englishmix 
Posted: 16-Aug-2011, 10:49 AM
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Ordained bishop speaks of his ‘privilege and joy’
The Press And Journal
By Catriona Webster
Published: 16/08/2011


Hugh Gilbert is ordained as the north-east’s new Roman Catholic leader by Cardinal Keith O’Brien at St Mary’s Cathedral. Colin RennieA congregation of hundreds packed St Mary’s Cathedral yesterday to watch as the new Bishop of Aberdeen was ordained.

Hugh Gilbert, who spent 19 years as abbot of Pluscarden Abbey, near Elgin, was installed by Cardinal Keith Patrick O’Brien, leader of the Roman Catholic Church in Scotland. He was nominated by Pope Benedict XVI as the 11th Bishop of Aberdeen in June, succeeding Bishop Peter Moran, who has served since 2003.

For the full story, pick up a copy of today’s Press and Journal or read our digital edition now
http://pagesuite.pressandjournal.co.uk/
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englishmix 
Posted: 30-Oct-2011, 09:39 PM
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Whisky sold to mark 110th birthday
Falkirk Herald
Published on Sunday 30 October 2011


The first of 11 special bottles of Glenfiddich whisky to be auctioned to mark the 110th birthday of the grand-daughter of the firm's founder is expected to raise at least £30,000.

Auctioneers at Bonhams have predicted interest from collectors across the world when the bottle of 55-year-old single malt goes - carefully - under the hammer in Edinburgh on December 14. The bottles of 55-year-old single malt are being auctioned around the world in the coming months to honour Janet Sheed Roberts, the oldest person in Scotland, and grand-daughter of William Grant, founder of the Glenfiddich distillery.

Proceeds from the sale in Edinburgh will go to Water Aid, the charity which campaigns for safe and clean water around the world.

Peter Gordon, chairman of Glenfiddich and great-nephew of Janet Roberts, said: "The Glenfiddich Janet Sheed Roberts Reserve is one of the rarest whiskies Glenfiddich has ever released and a real part of the family's history. My great-aunt has witnessed great change at the Glenfiddich distillery over the past 110 years, so it seems fitting to honour her remarkable life in this way."

Martin Green, of Bonhams, said: "It's not often a whisky of this nature comes up at auction. The rarity and quality of the liquid, the exquisite bespoke packaging and the story behind its creation makes this a collectible that is hard to value, but I wouldn't be surprised if it reaches in excess of £30,000."
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