Latest news with #BillyGeorge
The Courier
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Courier
More attractions added as Dunfermline Bruce Festival returns for second year
The Bruce Festival is expanding as it returns to Dunfermline for a second year. Last year's event celebrated King Robert the Bruce's 750th birthday. And it was declared a huge success, attracting more than 16,000 visitors over the weekend. Around 20,000 are expected to flock to Pittencrieff Park this year for even more fun. The festival includes jousting, mock battles, falconry, medieval crafts and storytelling. And this year, the line-up will also include a kids' medieval arena where youngsters can learn the ancient art of stone-lifting and practice medieval skills. Billy George, of the organising team, said: 'We've set up stables so people can get up close and personal with the magnificent jousting horses. 'We're also making the falconry show more interactive, and we'll have a court jester wandering through the crowd doing magic tricks.' George added: 'We've not ignored the darker side of medieval life. 'Naughty nippers and knights had better beware, because our friends at Fife College have built us a set of stocks. 'Wrongdoers will be thrown in the stocks and get pelters!' Vintage buses will also be on site, along with food and drink offerings. The Bruce Festival is one of Scotland's largest free events. A survey carried out by organisers Visit Dunfermline showed 99% of those who attended last year would recommend it to family and friends. And 94% said they would return. Sandy Sewell, of Visit Dunfermline, said: 'Four out of five people said the festival had improved their perceptions of Dunfermline. 'We are building on that by getting more community groups and local businesses involved.' The festival takes place from 10am to 5pm on Saturday May 31 and Sunday June 1 in Pittencrieff Park, Dunfermline. Admission is free.
ITV News
25-04-2025
- ITV News
Father of murdered John George says Spanish police footage ‘brings it all back'
The father of murder victim John George says footage released by Spanish police of the scene where his son's body was dumped has brought the trauma of what happened to his son all back. Initially critical of the investigation, he has now changed his mind after seeing what really went on behind the scenes while his family were out there carrying out their own search. "Seeing that footage of the hedges, knowing that your son was lying in that dirt, like a dog - it's heartbreaking," Billy George told UTV. "Not just for me, for his mother and sisters and brother, and for the whole family, to know that your loved one is lying in dirt for near two and a half weeks." It's been officially confirmed by the Spanish that John George was shot dead on December 14th, just hours after he last spoke to his father on the phone. Billy George continued: "Last conversation I had with John, he was enjoying himself. He thought it was great. "And his last words, I said to him, when are you coming home? He says, Wednesday. I said, you know what, I'll get a flight home today, and he went, don't rain on my parade. Let me enjoy myself. And that was it. You go to bed that night, I think they're out enjoying themselves. Little did you know he's lying on a ditch." There are two main suspects in this case, one Czech national who's on bail, the other from Belfast - Jonny Smyth, who was extradited from Portugal to Spain for questioning over the murder and remains in custody. Billy George initially questioned the Spanish investigation, but this footage has made him think again. He said: "We thought the Spanish police were doing nothing, they didn't care, it was frustrating. They were working behind the scenes., they were doing a great job. "But it brings it back. It's never going to go away."
