U-turn by insurer as it agrees to pay NI farmer's £55k Storm Eowyn damages claim in full
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Daily Record
12-08-2025
- Daily Record
Charity warns of loneliness impact during closure of storm-hit £22million Helensburgh Leisure Centre
The £22million state-of-the-art Helensburgh Leisure Centre has been out of bounds since it was decimated by Storm Eowyn back in January. The closure of Helensburgh Leisure Centre may be worsening feelings of loneliness and isolation amongst residents, a local charity has warned. The £22million state-of-the-art facility has remained closed since being ravaged by Storm Eowyn in January. The storm-hit centre lost its roof when winds reaching 100mph battered the country. Argyll and Bute Council announced in June that the building's entire roof would need replacing at the venue, which had only reopened in September 2022. Visiting Friends – a Helensburgh -based charity which provides one-to-one volunteer befrienders for adults in the area – has now raised concerns that the continued closure could heighten loneliness and isolation and could have a wider impact on those struggling with mobility and inflammation. Charity manager Jayne Burnett explained they recognise how losing such a vital community hub impacts people of all ages. She said: "We're acutely aware of the impact of loneliness and the loss of a resource that provides connection for all ages in our community. "Not many of our clients use the leisure centre directly, unless they go there for a cuppa, but our volunteers do, and they have expressed frustration at the lack of pool especially. "Not everyone can afford the privately-run alternatives and travelling with three kids on a bus to Dumbarton is just not an option for any families on a low income. "The summer must have been really long without the pool – it's even a lack of opportunity for children to experience independence with their peers – summer is usually the time you meet your pals and go to the pool together without the adults in tow." According to the latest Office of National Statistics (ONS), the age group experiencing the most loneliness is 16 to 25-year-olds. Jayne added: "It would be interesting to know the ways in which the loss of the centre has impacted this group. "I really think the impact of the loss of the leisure centre over such a prolonged period will be immeasurable. The expression 'use it or lose it' is particularly pertinent as we age – even a few weeks of being unable to do low impact exercise in a swimming pool has an impact on our mobility and inflammation. "Pain impacts our mobility, our mood and ultimately our ability to stay connected. Add this to the loss of social connection and we have a recipe for longer term isolation and loneliness. "The leisure centre is one of the few places you can go on your own and feel like you're part of something – not everyone likes sitting in a café on their own, but using the leisure centre café after a swim, watching another class take place is a more organic and less stigmatising experience." A spokesperson for Argyll and Bute Council said: 'It's heartening to hear the benefits that the leisure centre is delivering to people in the community. We sympathise with everyone affected by the impact of the storm. 'Live Argyll has put some alternative arrangements in place and is still offering a comprehensive programme of 66 fitness classes in Helensburgh. 'While the leisure centre is closed to the public we would also urge anyone feeling lonely to make use of the public cafe at Helensburgh Civic Centre to ensure they socialise with others, or indeed the warm spaces available at Helensburgh Community Hub, Helensburgh Temporary Library at Hermitage Park Pavilion or various other spaces outlined on the Argyll and Bute Third Sector Interface website. 'We are doing everything we can to reopen the centre as soon as possible. We are bringing in extra resources to carry out necessary repairs, and at the moment, it is expected that the centre could reopen by March 2026. 'You can keep up to date with the latest monthly updates on the council website.' Nearly 60 per cent of the outer roofing materials were destroyed during the storm and an internal rainwater capture system has been installed to minimise further damage to the building. As yet, no firm timeline for completing the repairs has been provided, but the council reckons it could be March next year before it reopens to the public. The charity has been active in the town since 2013 and gained Scottish registered charity status in 2018. Its befriending services are offered free of charge to any adult aged 18 and over. "In essence Visiting Friends is a Scottish registered charity that provides one-to-one volunteer befrienders for adults in Helensburgh and Lomond", Jayne said. "Our volunteers visit once a week and provide company and the chance to go out for a cuppa or a drive etc if the person they're visiting is able. "We carefully match our clients – who can self-refer or be referred by anyone – with one volunteer and support the friendship as it grows. "We also hold coffee mornings throughout the year and pay particular attention to issues like transport to ensure as many of our clients and their friends as possible can come along. "We're a small friendly charity that really values our volunteers and we are always looking for more. We don't currently cover Dumbarton but we do get calls asking if we can."
Belfast Telegraph
04-08-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Flights cancelled as Storm Floris begins to batter NI with 70mph gusts but how long will stormy conditions last?
The Met Office has warned Storm Floris will bring gusts of up to 50mph widely across the country, with up to 70mph winds in some places. As a result, a several flights arriving into Belfast City Airport have been cancelled, including the 9.15am Edinburgh flight, the 9.40am from Leeds Bradford and the 9.50am from Birmingham. This morning TrafficWatch NI also confirmed due to wind speeds there is now a ban on high sided vehicles from using the Foyle Bridge in Londonderry. A yellow warning for wind is set to conclude at midnight on Monday. It had initially been due to end at 6am on Tuesday. Floris is the first storm to hit the UK and Ireland since Storm Eowyn in January, which sparked a rare red warning here. The Met Office said: 'Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK on Monday. 'The highest winds are expected across Scotland between late morning and early evening. In some areas high winds will be accompanied by heavy rain. Wind will then slowly start to ease from the west later. 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50 mph with 60 to 70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland.' Storm Floris to bring 'unseasonably strong winds' to parts of UK While the country is being hit by stormy conditions today, as the week goes on the weather will improve with temperatures expected to rise. The Met Office has forecast temperatures to increase, with Tuesday ranging between 12C and 19C. On Wednesday, a maximum of 21C is to be expected with a chance of showers on Thursday morning. Light winds will prevail throughout the week with strong gusts of up to 39mph slowly decreasing as the weekend approaches. Saturday will see sunny intervals and mild temperatures with a small chance of rain throughout the day. The Met Office said Storm Floris' gusts could reach 85mph on exposed coasts or hills in Scotland. An amber weather warning is in place for the majority of Scotland between 10am and 10pm on Monday. Train operator LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday. Services are likely to be impacted in Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Haymarket, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. Motorists in those regions have been urged to slow down in the poor weather and avoid Highland and coastal routes. Shaun Jones, of the AA breakdown service, said: 'If you're planning a journey – especially through exposed or rural areas – it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected.' In the Republic, Irish forecaster Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow weather warnings, which are due to come into effect from early tomorrow morning. The forecaster issued a wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, valid from 2am tomorrow until 1pm. Another such alert was announced for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim, in place from 4am until 4pm tomorrow. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August.
Belfast Telegraph
03-08-2025
- Belfast Telegraph
Storm Floris set to batter NI with 70mph gusts but how long will stormy conditions last?
Gusts of up to 50mph are predicted across much of Northern Ireland, with 70mph in some places. A yellow warning for wind is set to conclude at midnight on Monday. It had initially been due to end at 6am on Tuesday. Floris is the first storm to hit the UK and Ireland since Storm Eowyn in January, which sparked a rare red warning here. The Met Office said: 'Storm Floris will bring a spell of unusually windy weather for the time of year across the northern half of the UK on Monday. 'The highest winds are expected across Scotland between late morning and early evening. In some areas high winds will be accompanied by heavy rain. Wind will then slowly start to ease from the west later. 'Across the warning area, many inland areas are likely to see gusts of 40 to 50 mph with 60 to 70 mph possible along exposed coasts and high ground, especially Scotland.' Storm Floris to bring 'unseasonably strong winds' to parts of UK However, as the week progresses the Met Office has forecast temperatures to increase, with Tuesday ranging between 12C and 19C. On Wednesday, a maximum of 21C is to be expected with a chance of showers on Thursday morning. Light winds will prevail throughout the week with strong gusts of up to 39mph slowly decreasing as the weekend approaches. Saturday will see sunny intervals and mild temperatures with a small chance of rain throughout the day. The Met Office said Storm Floris' gusts could reach 85mph on exposed coasts or hills in Scotland. An amber weather warning is in place for the majority of Scotland between 10am and 10pm on Monday. Train operator LNER has warned passengers not to travel north of Newcastle on Monday. Services are likely to be impacted in Lancaster, Oxenholme, Penrith, Carlisle, Lockerbie, Motherwell, Haymarket, Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. Motorists in those regions have been urged to slow down in the poor weather and avoid Highland and coastal routes. Shaun Jones, of the AA breakdown service, said: 'If you're planning a journey – especially through exposed or rural areas – it's worth checking the latest forecast, allow extra time, and be prepared for the unexpected.' In the Republic, Irish forecaster Met Éireann has issued Status Yellow weather warnings, which are due to come into effect from early tomorrow morning. The forecaster issued a wind warning for counties Clare, Galway, Mayo and Sligo, valid from 2am tomorrow until 1pm. Another such alert was announced for counties Cavan, Donegal, Monaghan and Leitrim, in place from 4am until 4pm tomorrow. Storm Floris is the sixth named storm of the 2024-25 naming season, which runs from early September to late August.
