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Press and Journal
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Original 106's Pete: 'My son was born on day 1 of lockdown, now he's starting school'
Born the first day of lockdown 2020, Banchory's Jax McIntosh is now five-and-a-half and gearing up for another momentous first… his first day of big school. But waving him off into the hustle and bustle of the primary school playground couldn't be a greater contrast to that of the day Original 106 Breakfast Show host Pete and wife Hannah brought their firstborn home. 'There wasn't a person on the road,' Pete, 47, said. Born into a world on pause, Jax arrived a healthy 8lbs 1 ounce on March 24 2020, two months after the first cases of Covid 19 were reported in the UK, and just a week after the country was told to avoid all 'non-essential contact'. 'The rules were slowly changing when we were in hospital,' Siemens project manager Hannah explained. 'I feel very lucky that Pete got to come in at all.' 'Jax didn't come quickly so Hannah was in for a few days,' dad-of-two Pete added. 'I would go home and come back, but was able to be there for Hannah's labour and Jax being born. The day Jax arrived was the first official day of full lockdown. 'I remember the drive home was like a ghost town.' Having a 'bubble baby', Hannah, 36, recalls how odd and at times difficult it was in those early days as a family of three. 'I mean, it definitely wasn't a normal time. My maternity leave was really impacted. 'There were none of the things you hope for or imagine as a new mum, like baby groups or going to lunch with friends. No visitors coming round to meet your baby for the first time either. 'We were fortunate that we live in the country, so we did our one walk a day in a beautiful setting. It wasn't easy, though. Jax had colic and there was a sense of isolation, for sure. 'People often go for a drive or go multiple walks in a day when they have a colicky baby. We couldn't do that. And we couldn't ask anyone to come and give us a break.' It was three months before Jax met his grandparents. 'It feels a bit like a dream that our parents could only peer in the patio doors to see their grandchild,' radio presenter Pete recalls. 'We certainly made use of Zoom and video calls. 'In other ways, it was quite nice, though. 'While we missed that support from wider family, it was a funny kind of privilege to have so much time with Jax in those early days. 'What we thought would be two weeks of working from home turned to two years.' It meant more cuddles between calls and seeing Jax for extended periods that dads often don't get today. Now big brother to two-and-a-half-year-old Emily, those formative years exploring the country seem to have rubbed off on digger-daft Jax. 'He absolutely loves being outside and he's a very energetic little boy. He loves to climb and build. He's great with Lego. 'I think he's excited to start school and play with his friends. 'I had no idea that things have changed so much from my days in primary one… now the focus is more on learning through play, so he'll love it,' Pete said. Do they have any worries that their lockdown baby won't be ready for such a big step up? 'Not at all,' Hannah said. 'He's had trial days where they practise lining up and he's been to nursery so will know people already. 'To be honest, I think babies born early in lockdown, like Jax, had a tricky start, but were probably less disadvantaged than older babies who maybe missed nursery.' In researching this article, we spoke to parents who decided to defer school starts for their pandemic-born children. 'Jax is ready. Maybe if he had been just four-and-a-half I'd do the same, but he's five and full of beans. 'The biggest issue we'll have is explaining to Emily. I think she's jealous and would quite like to be joining her brother already,' laughs Hannah. For now, the Banchory family are making the most of their last few days of holidays before school drop-offs are added into their busy schedule. 'I leave here at 5am,' Nairn-born Pete says, 'To get to work to present the show in Aberdeen with Claire. I then finish presenting and usually have a full day after that. 'So weekends and holidays are really precious to me. 'I love being out on the bikes with Jax and we all enjoy family walks together.' But are the pair ready to wave off their firstborn? 'Well, we'll see,' Pete says. 'It's certainly a big milestone.' Original 106 takes top spot as north-east's number one radio station Life in lockdown 4 years on: Aberdeen University students look back on 'eerie' chapter
The Irish Sun
21-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Who was cab driver George Murdoch aka Dod and what do we know about his ‘cheesewire' killer?
A NEW Channel 5 documentary reveals the advancements in forensics that could lead cops to the door of the infamous 'cheesewire' killer who brutally murdered an Aberdeen cabbie more than 40 years ago. George Murdoch, 58, was battered and choked to death by the fiend in a quiet street in the city in 1983. 1 The killer used cheesewire to brutally murder George Murdoch Who was George Murdoch aka Dod? George, known affectionately to everyone as Dod, had been working as a taxi driver for about a year. On September 29 1983 he radioed his office to say he had picked up a fare to the Culter area of the city. Witnesses called cops to say they'd seen him getting beaten up on Station Road in the Pitfodels area of Aberdeen, about four miles from his destination. He was found at the scene lying in a pool of blood and had suffered horrific injuries after being garotted by the cheesewire. READ MORE IN NEWS George's wife Jessie never got over his murder before she died in 2004, and all his closest relatives have passed away. His nephew Alex is determined to get answers and last year offered up part of a £50,000 reward. The retired procurement manager, of Banchory, Aberdeenshire, said in September: 'I dream about the day [the cops] phone up to say, 'We've got him.'' In a statement posted on a Facebook page dedicated to securing justice for George and his family in December 2024, campaigners also told of a £10,000 incentive to catch the killer. Most read in The Sun It read: 'In some families, dark secrets may lie buried for many years. The killer may only have told one who was very close to him. 'It is possible that this secret was known only to them and never shared with others. 'Hence why this new form of familial DNA testing can be so useful in tracking killers, no matter how many years may have passed.' It added: 'By offering this £10,000 reward sum, our hope is that it might act as an incentive and encourage everyone to comply.' Another key part of the probe is a man who was seen wearing an Man who stabbed woman to death as she slept confesses to her murder Detective Inspector James Callander, who is in charge of the investigation, said: 'I would ask everyone to think back to when George was murdered. If you have any concerns at all from around that time, please don't dismiss them and contact us. 'The solving of this horrific crime requires the help of the public. I would urge anyone with information to please come forward. We want to give George's family some much needed closure.' What do we know about his 'cheesewire' killer? A massive hunt for the killer, said to be slim and in his 20s or 30s, got underway and cops spoke to 10,000 people. The murderer has been on the loose for decades, but did leave some of his DNA at the scene. No one has ever been arrested but advances in technology allowed the team to identify the partial DNA profile last year. That didn't match with anyone on the national database but the evidence has now been expanded to identify potential close relatives. This is based on the theory that DNA is inherited and all family members share certain aspects of it. Last year, detectives revealed they can use this vital genetic clue to track down the monster's family and the new two-part documentary delves into these advancements. DI Callander said at the time: 'This new DNA data is significant and will help take us a step closer to getting justice for Mr Murdoch's family. 'The familial DNA links identified will assist in tracing people who can help with our enquiries. 'I want to make clear these individuals are not suspects, but we hope they may be able to help with our ongoing investigation.' Presented by journalist
Press and Journal
30-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup draw revealed
Holders Brora Rangers will start their defence of the R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup against Strathspey Thistle in the preliminary round. The draw for the prelim round and first round took place on Friday at the headquarters of the competition sponsors in Banchory. The Cattachs, who have won the League Cup in the past two seasons, will face the Grantown Jags at Dudgeon Park on Saturday September 13. In the other preliminary round tie Forres Mechanics will take on Wick Academy at Mosset Park. The first round ties will be played on Saturday November 8 with Inverurie Locos v Buckie Thistle and Brechin City v Clachnacuddin among the standout fixtures. Trevor Mutch, the managing director of R Davidson (Banchory), said: 'We're delighted to be associated with the Highland League Cup. We really enjoyed our first season sponsoring the competition. 'We saw a lot of different grounds and we saw some really good games so we're looking forward to the new season. 'There's some really good first round ties. Inverurie against Buckie is one that jumps out, while there's the potential for Wick v Brora which I'm sure would be a friendly affair! 'This year the final was between two of the form teams in the latter part of the season (Brora and Fraserburgh) and it was really well-attended. 'Hopefully the 2025-26 tournament throws up something similar.' The Highland League Cup preliminary round draw (ties to be played on Saturday September 13): Brora Rangers v Strathspey Thistle, Forres Mechanics v Wick Academy. The Highland League Cup first round draw (ties to be played on Saturday November 8): Inverurie Locos v Buckie Thistle, Banks o' Dee v Deveronvale, Huntly v Nairn County, Brechin City v Clachnacuddin, Turriff United v Rothes, Formartine United v Lossiemouth, Forres Mechanics/Wick Academy v Brora Rangers/Strathspey Thistle, Keith v Fraserburgh.
Press and Journal
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Steven Mackay's pride as Brora Rangers bow out of play-offs
Brora Rangers boss Steven Mackay was proud of his players despite their pyramid play-off defeat to East Kilbride. The Breedon Highland League champions drew 3-3 with their Lowland League counterparts at Dudgeon Park, a result which means East Kilbride progress 4-7 on aggregate to face Bonnyrigg Rose in the play-off final. At one point in the second half the Cattachs – who won the treble of the Highland League, R Davidson (Banchory) Highland League Cup and North of Scotland Cup this term – led 3-1 and it looked like they could overturn the 4-1 deficit from the first leg. But their hopes of promotion were snuffed out and manager Mackay said: 'I'm really proud of how the boys responded after last week. 'We underperformed last week and our pride was dented. We gave ourselves a huge mountain to climb, but we almost got to the summit. 'Their second goal hands all the momentum back to East Kilbride at such an important point in the game. 'That relaxed them and it ended up 3-3, which I don't think is a fair reflection, I felt we were good value to win this game. 'However, the reality is the damage was done last week. 'We've had a phenomenal season and I'm really proud of them because the effort they've put in this season has been incredible. 'At our first pre-season training session we had seven players and Shane Sutherland who hadn't kicked a ball in two years. 'To go from that to what we've achieved this season is huge credit to the players. 'We've come up short, the play-offs are tough, this is my third go at it and it doesn't get any easier, but we'll learn from it and it will stand us in good stead.' In the early stages East Kilbride's Cameron Elliott had a header and a follow-up shot from Regan Mimnaugh's corner blocked at close quarters by the Brora defence. But it was the Cattachs who broke the deadlock in the 13th minute to reduce their aggregate arrears. Tony Dingwall's driving run took him towards the edge of the box before he passed to Shane Sutherland, the striker did well to control and find the perfect return pass which set up Dingwall to score from eight yards. Eleven minutes later East Kilbride equalised when John Robertson was given too much time at the edge of the penalty area to let fly and his left-foot shot flashed into the roof of the net. However, within a minute Brora retook the lead to make it 3-5 on aggregate. Alex Cooper's inswinging corner from the right was whipped into the front post and was eventually clawed out of the goalmouth by goalkeeper Craig Truesdale. But referee Daniel Graves and assistant Michael Macdermid ruled the ball had crossed the line and gave the goal, despite visiting protests that the ball wasn't over the line and that Truesdale had been fouled. Despite still being two goals ahead on aggregate East Kilbride appeared nervy and Brora probed at the start of the second half for another goal. After Dingwall's 35-yard lob landed on the roof of the net the Cattachs did bag their third of the afternoon in the 56th minute to make it 4-5 on aggregate. Max Ewan did brilliantly on the right flank to wriggle out of a challenge, he then played a one-two with Tom Kelly before crossing for Sutherland to sweep into the net from 10 yards. Unfortunately the home side conceded again within two minutes as Nathan Flanagan crossed from the left and Elliott's flick on presented Joao Balde with a tap-in at the back post. The concession of the second goal halted Brora's momentum and in the 78th minute East Kilbride secured their spot in the play-off final. Wallace Duffy was adjudged to have tripped sub Scott Ferguson and after referee Graves pointed to the spot, Ferguson fired the penalty into the bottom left corner.
