Latest news with #Ailsa
Daily Record
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Wishaw school nets second Sportscotland Gold School Sports Award
To mark the golden moment, the Calderbridge Primary Sports Committee pulled out all the stops to host an unforgettable Sports Week. Calderbridge Primary School in Coltness has proudly secured the Sportscotland Gold School Sports Award for the second time. To mark the golden moment, the Calderbridge Sports Committee pulled out all the stops to host an unforgettable Sports Week. From high-energy events to new sporting experiences, the entire school community came together to celebrate fitness, fun and teamwork. The week began with a nutritious kickstart, thanks to the Welby Team and the local Costcutter, who joined forces to provide every pupil with a healthy breakfast—fuelling bodies and minds for the exciting days ahead. Throughout the week, pupils took part in a fantastic range of activities, from a vibrant sports day to trying out archery, New Age Kurling, rugby, speed stacking and Taekwondo (TKD) developing new skills and discovering new passions. It was a week bursting with smiles, sweat and school spirit. A special highlight was the Golden Celebration, where the entire school came together to mark the incredible milestone of achieving the Gold Award once again. The support of the school's Active Schools Coordinator, Ailsa, was fantastic and her enthusiasm and expertise added a huge amount to the success of the week. The school's headteacher Diana Osborne said: 'I am incredibly proud of all our children. Their teamwork, enthusiasm and sportsmanship throughout the week were truly inspiring. 'Achieving the Gold Award for a second time is a testament to their dedication and a shining example of our school's commitment to nurturing a strong, inclusive and lasting culture of sport and physical activity.' None of this would have been possible without the dedication and leadership of Mrs Wilson, Miss McGuiness, the Sports Committee and the countless volunteers who gave their time to ensure the week ran smoothly. Thankfully, the sun shone brightly throughout, adding to the success of this activity-packed celebration. *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Meet a metal dragon in Dumfries & Galloway this summer
In its first 21 years, Spring Fling attracted over 174,000 visitors who made around 546,000 studio visits. Over £10.2 million of art and craft was bought in studios and the event brought over £17.5 million to the local economy. This year's event will take place from May 24 to 26 and of the participants is young blacksmith Nate Robinson, who will be opening the doors of his forge. Read More: The 29-year-old works metal into designs of various shapes and sizes, at the small end are miniature Highland cows and cottages and at the other extreme are special commissions like the fantastic female dragon, which weighs in at 700 kgs, and is covered in over 1,000 individually hand-forged scales. One of the other characters visitors might meet is Ailsa, a black and white cat which is the model for the three-metre metal feline which is reaching high into a tree in the garden. Mr Robinson said: "Spring Fling should be lots of fun this year – I love creating things at a grand scale and will have plenty to look at with the dragon, dinosaurs, sheep and the cat. A ferocious dragon and a huge three metres tall cat – just two of young blacksmith Nate Robinson's mighty metal creations that visitors to his forge will be able to admire during Spring Fling open studios weekend in Dumfries & Galloway (Image: Colin Hattersley Photography) 'A lot of my work is specially commissioned, making just about anything people can imagine. 'A couple saw my work on social media and called me to ask if I could make them a dragon. It's been a brilliant challenge. 'They came round to see it a little while ago, decided it's a 'she' – I'm hoping she will look pretty impressive in their garden. 'And I really enjoy giving demonstrations of how I work in the forge. 'But the cat was a bit different – Ailsa loves climbing trees but isn't very good at getting down and often has to be rescued. So, I created a cat the size of a car, with a special tunnel inside which she can easily run up and down – she loves it.' Natasha Kinsella, Events and Exhibitions Development Manager for Upland CIC which runs Spring Fling, said: "Nate's work is a great example of the variety and the talent of artists and makers you can see in Spring Fling. 'On the Green Route alone you can discover everything from ceramics, tapestry and costume to painting and jewellery. And that's just the start, with five other routes to choose from, all packed with fascinating people, craft and contemporary art.'
