Latest news with #AprilFool'sDay
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Stalwart looks forward to focus on coaching
Shelley Duncan is leaving — but she is going nowhere. Duncan will tomorrow sign off as general manager of the Otago Golf Club after four years in the role. But she will clock in again on Saturday as the guest of honour at the appropriately named "Shelley's Stableford" tournament followed by a farewell function at the clubhouse, and she will be back at Balmacewen on Monday to begin the next stage of her golfing career. Duncan is returning to being a self-employed coach. She will still be based at the Otago club, alongside coaching professionals Mike Henderson and Callum Patrick, and she will continue to run the successful She Loves Golf programme on Tuesday nights and business house golf on Thursdays. "So I'm still doing stuff, but mainly for myself," Duncan said yesterday. "And there will be a lot less paperwork." Duncan has spent nearly 20 years at the Otago club — after starting her apprenticeship at Balmacewen then spending three years at Taieri Lakes — in the roles of coaching professional, director of golf and general manager. Her passion for coaching had simmered in the background while handling managerial duties but was reignited when she started working with a promising junior girl. "I think it's taught me that it would be nice to be able to coach, but actually not have to worry about any of this other stuff. "Just to be able to focus on my coaching and do some more learning ... and the other thing is I'll go and spend some time with other coaches like I did probably 20 years ago, where I just go and sit and observe and watch. Because that's probably the way I learn the best." It was April Fool's Day in 2021 when Duncan became general manager at the Otago club. Covid was no joke, obviously, but it had a silver lining when the club's 150th celebrations were delayed, allowing the new boss to really get her feet under the table. She had a ball at the celebrations, and hosting special guest Clive Brown, the captain of The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews, as well as other prominent faces. "Given that I've been here as sort of a member on and off since 1977, I felt like a big part of it, and it was exciting. "We had our old golf pro come back from Australia, and all sorts of people travelled. It was a lot of fun." Duncan will also treasure memories of a dinner that raised $50,000, driven by former prime minister John Key, a big supporter of the club. Covid, funnily enough, led to surging numbers at many New Zealand golf clubs, though Duncan said there were signs of a slowdown. A general manager role was challenging with the amount of paperwork and compliance, but she treasured the support of the governance at Balmacewen. "One of the best pieces of advice I had was from one of our members, a smart man in business. He said you don't know what you don't know when you take on a new role. "And it's so true. There's all these things that pop up all the time. 'I didn't know' was what I said for probably the first couple of months. And I'd been here forever. "GM in a club environment can be difficult because you have a board of governance, as we have at our club, and you have your staff layered underneath that and then your members as well. "It's just that balance between those dynamics. But I think at Otago we've been very fortunate with the board members that we've had and the member support." As well as the general manager, the Otago club has four greenkeepers, a fulltime chef and bar manager, a part-time administrator and casual staff. Duncan grew up in a house on the sixth fairway and had her first whack at Balmacewen in 1977. She played at the University of Oklahoma and was a touring professional in the United States from 1998 to 2000, a spell that included an appearance at the US Open. Playing as well as coaching more golf lies ahead. "In 20 years, I've probably averaged, I'd say, 15 rounds a year, which is ridiculous. So I am looking forward to getting back to playing some golf. "I was going to go and try and qualify for the US Senior Women's Open. But I got Covid-ed out about four years ago. "There's still a wee flicker in the back of my mind that I'd be quite keen to have a run at that. "All my college mates are doing it. "We'll see. Yeah, it could be quite fun." Drew Butcher is replacing Duncan as Otago Golf Club general manager.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Glasgow tenement collapse resident 'gutted' as he loses home of five years
Pete Macdonald lived in the flat for five years before a fire ripped through the building. The owner of a flat in Glasgow that was destroyed when the block collapsed says he is "gutted". Pete Macdonald's property on Albert Drive in Pollokshields in the city was lost when the derelict building crumbled to the ground. Several residents living nearby were evacuated while fire crews worked to secure the scene. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident of the flat which had been empty for a number of years after a fire. Peter owned one of the flats and had lived in the property before an accidental fire started on the roof on April Fool's Day in 2020. "The hope initially was that we were going to be able to restore the building, but essentially the damage was done to its roof," Pete explained. The 40-year-old musician has spent the past five and a quarter years trying to cope with the aftermath of the fire, as he and the other residents have been embroiled with various levels of insurance, and fire and water-damaged homes. Pete had a very comprehensive insurance policy, which allowed him to be covered for a good deal more than some of his neighbours. He said the costs associated with the repair works have escalated from an initial estimate of £1.5million to £4million. Pete said: "It would have cost three or more times what the properties were actually worth themselves. "So essentially, being able to reinstate the building ourselves with insurance, that possibility basically ended there." This left the residents all in uncharted waters, as they couldn't repair their building, and Pete, unintentionally, became the de facto leader of the now-ex-neighbours. They tried to explore the route of selling the building as a development opportunity but this didn't provide a solution. Pete said: "Private developers were not really interested, given the listed status of the building. "And the amount of money that would cost, the profit margins were probably zero at that point for them, when it came to reinstating it, it's a conservation area as well." They then enlisted the help of the council to help secure someone to take on the site, but when that didn't work out, Pete said they felt a bit "trapped." He explained: "The bottom line really was this building was disintegrating and it was getting worse." Pete appreciates the feeling that some locals had that the building was 'neglected' and that 'nothing was happening with the site', as it appeared that way from the outside. However, he was working away feverishly in the background to try and secure a viable solution for it and had almost secured a future for the site before the building eventually collapsed. They had secured a deal with Southside Housing Association to take over the property and develop the site before the building collapsed. Pete said they were so close to signing it over, he said: "We were within probably two weeks of this being completed. "So the building falling down was absolutely gutting. It was like a kick in the teeth after all of this. "It's like a horrific game of pass the parcel, unfortunately, because we are still, officially, the owners. "At the moment we are, you know, looking at up 10s and 10s of thousands of pounds at least each. "That two weeks in the scope of five and a quarter years is such a tiny amount of time, having gone from pretty much elation, I was able to relax for the first time in five and a quarter years, and then just to be kind of hit with this has been tough." MP for Glasgow South West, Dr Zubir Ahmed, has been supporting Pete and his neighbours since last year, he said: "I think we can't underestimate the toll this has taken on Pete personally as well as all the tenants, completely no fault of their own. "This was a kind of random act of a fire. It literally could have happened to any of us." Zubir is taking part in a meeting tomorrow to try and find a solution, which he says needs to be swift: "Some pragmatism and some discretion will need to be applied with the Council, the Housing association, perhaps third agencies to get to a complete resolution on this. "And I think it needs to happen quickly." Pete has also expressed concerns over others being caught in insurance 'grey areas' and says that work needs to be done to establish 'the best insurance mechanism should be for tenement buildings '. This call for a review of the insurance of Glasgow's Tenements was echoed by MSP Paul Sweeney, who said on social media: "It's frustrating that a second tenement building has now collapsed at Albert Cross after five years of limbo, despite being listed and in the East Pollokshields Conservation Area. "A lack of insurance and insufficient state support to facilitate repairs. We need a new Tenement Act." Pete added that they all "just wanted to move on with our lives," and hopes a solution can be found.
Scoop
4 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Fairview At 25: A Celebration Of Community And Care
Press Release – Digitalstream In 2000, John and Mary Gardner were appointed as village managers just as construction began. For the first few years, they were the heart of Fairview – handling everything from sales and security to cooking and care. From its humble beginnings as a muddy construction site – so sticky it earned the nickname 'Albany Gold' – Fairview Villiage has grown into one of the North Shore's most cherished lifestyle communities. In those early days, gumboots were a must, and navigating the construction was part of daily life. 'They were good days. It was wonderful. Looking back, some of our fondest memories were from those days when the village was just starting up and we all got into a lot of mischief.' recalls Mary. Even then, it wasn't just about the buildings, it was about the people and the spirit of community they created together. The Early Days: Foundations in Clay and Heart In 2000, John and Mary Gardner were appointed as village managers just as construction began. For the first few years, they were the heart of Fairview – handling everything from sales and security to cooking and care. 'We were everything in those days,' John says. 'Office staff, security staff, sales, cook, show producer.' They lived on site in a homestead that served as both their home and the village lodge. It wasn't glamorous – the site was difficult to navigate due to the remote location. As Mary remembers, visitors would often say it was 'too far out in the sticks,' worried they'd be isolated. 'I can remember the words one of the owners said to me, he said, Mary, one day this village will be in the centre of Albany.' Today, that prediction has come true. Plays, Pranks and Camaraderie: The Fun of the Early Years Bev Barnes, 96 years and a founding resident remembers those early days with great fondness. 'In the early days, even though we had few people here, we knew everybody else and we always worked out things to have fun with – we were resourceful.' 'It was mud, builders, mud, and we all had to have gumboots.' 'When a new resident came in, I was always on the welcoming committee. That was my job, making them feel they weren't on their own.' Mary and John weren't just managers—they were the glue that held the community together. 'Mary and John initially, because they were everything—salespeople, managers, nurses. Often cooks, they put on all the initial entertainment.' John was known for his wild sense of fun. ' John's a very—he was a very—what would you say—he's a person who wanted to have fun and I liked to start the fun. I was quite mischievous in the early days so I joined in. I still could be if given the chance!' 'John used to put on mad, mad plays and we had Stalag 21 in production one time—and I was a German guard. The costumes were incredible. All made by Mary. It was such a funny play. It was quite like Monty Python.' 'Every April Fool's Day we knew John would come up with something (a prank) and you never knew what it would be.' 'And the care was always personal'. Laying the Foundations of a Special Village From the very beginning, it was the people – not just the buildings – that made Fairview special. In John and Mary Gardner, along with residents like Bev Barnes, the village found its earliest champions. Together, they laid the foundations of a community infused with care, fun, and laughter. John and Mary brought dedication and heart to every task, from hosting dinners to providing entertainment. Residents like Bev Barnes, who moved in back in 2002, brought their own energy too. A former school principal and competitive hockey player, Bev helped form the first residents' committee, hosted bingo nights, and starred in John's plays Building a Village, Building a Community This spirit of care and fun created a culture that continues today—a place where everyone feels at home from day one. Their legacy isn't just in stories; it's in the culture that lives on today. The community they helped build still thrives – a place where people look out for one another and joy is found in the little moments shared. The physical village slowly took shape – villas, community spaces, and gardens all emerged from the mud – but it was the people who truly built Fairview A Night to Celebrate 25 Years On Wednesday 25 June, residents came together for a very special dinner in honour of Fairview's 25th anniversary. Chef Noris and the Relish Café team served a three-course meal, including poached salmon à la salsa verde and wine-braised beef medallions. Traditional date pudding with butterscotch sauce rounded out the night. The dining room was beautifully decorated, and residents arrived dressed for the occasion. Music by Jim Joll filled the air as speeches reflected on Fairview's journey and enduring spirit. No anniversary at Fairview would be complete without a cake by Mary Gardner. For this milestone, she designed one that wove together past and present—combining the original sunflower logo and the current leaf motif with her signature handcrafted flowers. It was a beautiful tribute to how far the village has come. Still a People Place At 96, Bev Barnes still paints, reads, plays the piano, and takes part in village life. She describes Fairview as 'a warm, caring place to be.' When surgery left her unable to drive, her neighbours Jim and Natalie stepped in, and five years later, they still help with her shopping. 'This is a people place,' she says. 'Each home is a home. Right from the word go, I said to my children, 'I've done the right thing.'' John and Mary now live at Fairview themselves, enjoying the very lifestyle they helped to build. 'Living in Fairview as a resident has been marvelous, ' Mary says. 'Just as we promised to all those who moved here.' Looking Ahead Fairview has changed over the past 25 years, but its heart remains the same. It's a place shaped by its people, built on laughter, friendship, and care. And if you ask those who helped lay the first bricks or stirred the first pot of soup, they'll tell you: the best part of Fairview isn't the buildings. It's the feeling of belonging that's grown here. As Mary puts it simply, 'Our hopes for Fairview are that it stays just as it is.' Why 25 Years Matters When Choosing a Village Fairview's 25-year journey isn't just a milestone, it's a reminder of the quiet strengths that come with an established village. While newer retirement villages may dazzle with their modern fit-outs, there's something deeply reassuring about walking into a place where the community is already thriving. Mature gardens, established trees, and park-like grounds offer a sense of peace and timeless beauty Wide walkways, open-plan homes, and generously spaced communal areas create comfort and ease of movement A culture of care and connection has been nurtured over decades – not invented overnight The truth is, choosing a retirement village isn't like booking a hotel—it's choosing a home. And once the initial excitement of something new fades, what will make the biggest difference day-to-day is how the place makes you feel. So many Fairview residents have said they knew immediately that this was the right place for them. There's a pull, an unspoken warmth, and a sense of belonging that's hard to define—but easy to recognise. When it comes to retirement living, the unseen things often matter most. As one resident put it, 'This is a people place. It's a place where people care.' That's the kind of home Fairview has been for 25 years—and continues to be today.
Scoop
4 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Fairview At 25: A Celebration Of Community And Care
From its humble beginnings as a muddy construction site - so sticky it earned the nickname 'Albany Gold' - Fairview Villiage has grown into one of the North Shore's most cherished lifestyle communities. In those early days, gumboots were a must, and navigating the construction was part of daily life. 'They were good days. It was wonderful. Looking back, some of our fondest memories were from those days when the village was just starting up and we all got into a lot of mischief.' recalls Mary. Even then, it wasn't just about the buildings, it was about the people and the spirit of community they created together. The Early Days: Foundations in Clay and Heart In 2000, John and Mary Gardner were appointed as village managers just as construction began. For the first few years, they were the heart of Fairview - handling everything from sales and security to cooking and care. 'We were everything in those days,' John says. 'Office staff, security staff, sales, cook, show producer.' They lived on site in a homestead that served as both their home and the village lodge. It wasn't glamorous - the site was difficult to navigate due to the remote location. As Mary remembers, visitors would often say it was 'too far out in the sticks,' worried they'd be isolated. 'I can remember the words one of the owners said to me, he said, Mary, one day this village will be in the centre of Albany.' Today, that prediction has come true. Plays, Pranks and Camaraderie: The Fun of the Early Years Bev Barnes, 96 years and a founding resident remembers those early days with great fondness. 'In the early days, even though we had few people here, we knew everybody else and we always worked out things to have fun with - we were resourceful.' 'It was mud, builders, mud, and we all had to have gumboots.' 'When a new resident came in, I was always on the welcoming committee. That was my job, making them feel they weren't on their own.' Mary and John weren't just managers—they were the glue that held the community together. 'Mary and John initially, because they were everything—salespeople, managers, nurses. Often cooks, they put on all the initial entertainment.' John was known for his wild sense of fun. ' John's a very—he was a very—what would you say—he's a person who wanted to have fun and I liked to start the fun. I was quite mischievous in the early days so I joined in. I still could be if given the chance!' 'John used to put on mad, mad plays and we had Stalag 21 in production one time—and I was a German guard. The costumes were incredible. All made by Mary. It was such a funny play. It was quite like Monty Python.' 'Every April Fool's Day we knew John would come up with something (a prank) and you never knew what it would be.' 'And the care was always personal'. Laying the Foundations of a Special Village From the very beginning, it was the people - not just the buildings - that made Fairview special. In John and Mary Gardner, along with residents like Bev Barnes, the village found its earliest champions. Together, they laid the foundations of a community infused with care, fun, and laughter. John and Mary brought dedication and heart to every task, from hosting dinners to providing entertainment. Residents like Bev Barnes, who moved in back in 2002, brought their own energy too. A former school principal and competitive hockey player, Bev helped form the first residents' committee, hosted bingo nights, and starred in John's plays Building a Village, Building a Community This spirit of care and fun created a culture that continues today—a place where everyone feels at home from day one. Their legacy isn't just in stories; it's in the culture that lives on today. The community they helped build still thrives - a place where people look out for one another and joy is found in the little moments shared. The physical village slowly took shape - villas, community spaces, and gardens all emerged from the mud - but it was the people who truly built Fairview A Night to Celebrate 25 Years On Wednesday 25 June, residents came together for a very special dinner in honour of Fairview's 25th anniversary. Chef Noris and the Relish Café team served a three-course meal, including poached salmon à la salsa verde and wine-braised beef medallions. Traditional date pudding with butterscotch sauce rounded out the night. The dining room was beautifully decorated, and residents arrived dressed for the occasion. Music by Jim Joll filled the air as speeches reflected on Fairview's journey and enduring spirit. No anniversary at Fairview would be complete without a cake by Mary Gardner. For this milestone, she designed one that wove together past and present—combining the original sunflower logo and the current leaf motif with her signature handcrafted flowers. It was a beautiful tribute to how far the village has come. Still a People Place At 96, Bev Barnes still paints, reads, plays the piano, and takes part in village life. She describes Fairview as 'a warm, caring place to be.' When surgery left her unable to drive, her neighbours Jim and Natalie stepped in, and five years later, they still help with her shopping. 'This is a people place,' she says. 'Each home is a home. Right from the word go, I said to my children, 'I've done the right thing.'' John and Mary now live at Fairview themselves, enjoying the very lifestyle they helped to build. 'Living in Fairview as a resident has been marvelous, ' Mary says. 'Just as we promised to all those who moved here.' Looking Ahead Fairview has changed over the past 25 years, but its heart remains the same. It's a place shaped by its people, built on laughter, friendship, and care. And if you ask those who helped lay the first bricks or stirred the first pot of soup, they'll tell you: the best part of Fairview isn't the buildings. It's the feeling of belonging that's grown here. As Mary puts it simply, 'Our hopes for Fairview are that it stays just as it is.' Why 25 Years Matters When Choosing a Village Fairview's 25-year journey isn't just a milestone, it's a reminder of the quiet strengths that come with an established village. While newer retirement villages may dazzle with their modern fit-outs, there's something deeply reassuring about walking into a place where the community is already thriving. Mature gardens, established trees, and park-like grounds offer a sense of peace and timeless beauty Wide walkways, open-plan homes, and generously spaced communal areas create comfort and ease of movement A culture of care and connection has been nurtured over decades - not invented overnight The truth is, choosing a retirement village isn't like booking a hotel—it's choosing a home. And once the initial excitement of something new fades, what will make the biggest difference day-to-day is how the place makes you feel. So many Fairview residents have said they knew immediately that this was the right place for them. There's a pull, an unspoken warmth, and a sense of belonging that's hard to define—but easy to recognise. When it comes to retirement living, the unseen things often matter most. As one resident put it, 'This is a people place. It's a place where people care.' That's the kind of home Fairview has been for 25 years—and continues to be today.
Glasgow Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Owner of Glasgow Albert Drive collapsed building speaks out
Pete Macdonald has given the stark warning after being "absolutely gutted" when the fire-damaged building crumbled just weeks away from being "saved". His home in Pollokshields was at the centre of a 999 response at the weekend after a derelict tenement at the corner of Albert Drive collapsed. Several residents living near the building were evacuated while fire crews worked to secure the area. There were no reported injuries as a result of the incident. He owned one of the flats in the building and had lived there for five years before an accidental fire started on the roof on April Fool's Day in 2020. "The hope initially was that we were going to be able to restore the building, but essentially the damage was done to its roof," Pete explained. The collapsed building on the corner of Kenmure Street and Albert Drive pictured on Saturday, July 12 (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) READ MORE: Residents evacuated after Glasgow building collapses The 40-year-old musician has spent the past five and a quarter years trying to cope with the aftermath of the fire, as he and the other residents have been dealing with various levels of insurance, and fire and water-damaged homes. Pete had a very comprehensive insurance policy, which allowed him to be covered for a good deal more than some of his neighbours. He said the costs associated with the repair works escalated from an initial estimate of £1.5million to £4million. Pete said: "It would have cost three or more times what the properties were actually worth themselves. So essentially, being able to reinstate the building ourselves with insurance, that possibility basically ended there." This left them all in uncharted waters, as they couldn't repair their building, and Pete, unintentionally, became the de facto leader of the now-ex-neighbours. They tried to explore the route of selling the building as a development opportunity; however, this didn't provide a solution. Pete said: "Private developers were not really interested, given the listed status of the building. "And the amount of money that would cost, the profit margins were probably zero at that point for them, when it came to reinstating it, it's a conservation area as well." Owner of Glasgow Albert Drive collapsed building speaks out (Image: Newsquest/Robert Perry) READ MORE: Pictures show aftermath after Glasgow building suddenly collapsed They then enlisted the help of the council to help secure someone to take on the site, but when that didn't work out, Pete said they felt a bit "trapped." He explained: "The bottom line really was this building was disintegrating and it was getting worse." He appreciates the feeling that some locals had that the building was 'neglected' and that 'nothing was happening with the site', as it appeared that way from the outside. However, Pete was working away feverishly in the background to try and secure a viable solution for it and had almost secured a future for the site before the building collapsed. Pete Macdonald, 40, owner of a flat in the collapsed building (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Government intervene in Glasgow O2 ABC site plans over risk to Art School They had secured a deal with Southside Housing Association to take over the property and develop the site. Pete said they were so close to signing it over, he said: "We were within probably two weeks of this being completed. "So the building falling down was absolutely gutting. It was like a kick in the teeth after all of this. "It's like a horrific game of pass the parcel, unfortunately, because we are still, officially, the owners. "At the moment we are, you know, looking at up 10s and 10s of thousands of pounds at least each. "That two weeks in the scope of five and a quarter years is such a tiny amount of time, having gone from pretty much elation, I was able to relax for the first time in five and a quarter years, and then just to be kind of hit with this has been tough." Dr Zubir Ahmed MP for Glasgow South West (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: 'Looking good': Popular Glasgow pub reopens after making 'exciting changes' MP for Glasgow South West, Dr Zubir Ahmed, has been supporting Pete and his neighbours since last year, he said: "I think we can't underestimate the toll this has taken on Pete personally as well as all the tenants, completely no fault of their own. This was, you know, a kind of random act of a fire. "It literally could have happened to any of us." Zubir is taking part in a meeting tomorrow to try and find a solution, which he says needs to be swift: "Some pragmatism and some discretion will need to be applied with the Council, the Housing association, perhaps third agencies to get to a complete resolution on this. And I think it needs to happen quickly." He has also expressed concerns over others being caught in insurance 'grey areas' and says that work needs to be done to establish 'the best insurance mechanism should be for tenement buildings'. It's frustrating that a second tenement building has now collapsed at Albert Cross after 5 years of limbo, despite being listed and in the East Pollokshields Conservation Area. A lack of insurance and insufficient state support to facilitate repairs. We need a new Tenement Act. — Paul Sweeney (@PaulJSweeney) July 12, 2025 This call for a review of the insurance of Glasgow's Tenements was echoed by MSP Paul Sweeney, who said on social media: 'It's frustrating that a second tenement building has now collapsed at Albert Cross after five years of limbo, despite being listed and in the East Pollokshields Conservation Area. 'A lack of insurance and insufficient state support to facilitate repairs. We need a new Tenement Act.' Pete added that they all "just wanted to move on with our lives," and hopes a solution can be found. Southside Housing Association did not comment on the situation.
