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The Courier
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
Will Broughty Ferry's 'Tree House' be crowned Scotland's Home of the Year?
A striking house in Broughty Ferry features in the finale of Scotland's Home of the Year. Built in the 1960s, the Tree House has been sensitively refurbished and updated by its current owners. It was designed by architect Bruce Walker, who lectured at Duncan of Jordanstone and worked for Historic Scotland. Walker built the Tree House in 1962 when he was in his 20s and lived there until his death in around 2015. Paul Durrant and his wife Jackie McKenzie bought the Tree House in 2021 and spent 18 months transforming it into their dream home. They kept irreplaceable original features such as the 4cm thick beech flooring and exposed brickwork. They also expanded into the attic, creating an en suite master bedroom with a private living area beside it. The ground floor has a kitchen/diner, a lounge, three bedrooms and a bathroom. Upstairs there's a snug, bedroom, shower room, and dressing room. The L-shaped living room and kitchen are semi-open plan, with a brick column creating a divider. Meanwhile the bedroom has a vaulted ceiling and an enormous window giving views over the garden. The Tree House featured in episode four of Scotland's Home of the Year. It was up against a farm steading conversion in Deanstone called the Dairy and the Carriage House, a Victorian conversion in Auchterarder. With a score of 29/30 it edged out the Dairy and the Carriage House, which were both given scores of 24/30 by the judges. Paul, 70, and Jackie, 60, are delighted to have reached the final. Paul said: 'We were delighted to make the final and really enjoyed our day in Glasgow. 'We met the other finalists and the judges, who all claimed to be able to match the people to the homes at first sight. 'When we saw the amazing houses that were in the final we were quite humbled that ours had made it. We know it's a bit of a Marmite house that isn't for everyone.' Paul said he and Jackie thoroughly enjoyed taking part in the show: 'The film crew came over and did an interview with us. They were lovely. Then we had to leave the house for a few hours while the judges went in. 'It was a strange feeling leaving a film crew in your house but we hopped on our bikes and cycled to Tayport while they got on with things.' The couple left a little surprise for the judges: 'Jackie is a keen baker and she left some treats out for them. When we got home there was a nice little note from Banjo thanking her.' The final episode of Scotland's Home of the Year airs on Monday evening. Filmed at Glasgow's House for an Art Lover – designed by the iconic architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh – it sees the six finalists come face-to-face and meet the judges for the first time. The six SHOTY finalists are: Home to Pamela and Gordon, their son Caleb and Rosa the Irish Setter, the Sandstone Bungalow blends together old with new, whilst retaining the beautiful original 1930s details. The couple design choices bring the Sandstone Bungalow up-to-date with a bright and modern kitchen, dining and living spaces. Situated on the outskirts of Pitmedden in rural Aberdeenshire, Hilltop House is home to Chris, Jessica, their son Chase and dogs Enzo and Dino. The couple designed their bright, contemporary house around the original footprint of the farm steading, fusing mid-century and Californian cool style to create their dream home. A first-floor traditional tenement in Edinburgh's Stockbridge area, Wee City Nook is home to Devin and Max. The couple combined their creative skills to design and rebuild each room in this small-but-perfectly-formed home, creating clever storage solutions, maximising every nook and cranny. Together, they have created a bold, bright and colourful apartment that packs a design punch. A modernist 1960s property in Broughty Ferry, the Tree House is home to Jackie, Paul and their cats Mirren and Kaja. The couple fell in love with this neglected house which had laid empty for five years, lovingly breathing new life into it whilst preserving the original architect's vision. Amongst their changes, they reworked the upstairs space to create their bedroom of dreams overlooking the treetops. A cosy little home, An Cala Cottage is home to Caroline, Lee and their dog, Nuala. This traditional cottage was brought back to life on a budget, with the couple incorporating charming charity shop finds with a creative use of colour throughout. They took inspiration for their interior design from the coastal and mountain views which surround them, creating a cosy and relaxing home. This Victorian semi-detached house near Dalbeattie is home to Ozzy, Laura, daughter Grace and Ethel the pug. The property's coastal views won the family over and they made it their own by renovating and adding a tasteful extension to the original granite building. Boasting a bold and colourful interior, the family entered Craigmount as Grace's late gran loved SHOTY. The SHOTY judges are excited about the series finale. Interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones said: 'As always, we have a set of finalists that are each uniquely different from each other, from restored modernist dreams to handcrafted miniature perfection, there's inspiration for everyone. 'When we film the final we are never sure who the winner will be – it could genuinely be any of these amazing homes. Through debate, much discussion and not a little heartbreak, we gradually whittle them down to one that we all agree has that magical edge – the home that best exemplifies what home means.' Isle of Mull-based interior designer Banjo Beale said: 'Each home's bursting with personality – bold, beautiful, and a real labour of love. The finale of SHOTY is the big emotional payoff – surprises, stories, and a stunning winner that'll take your breath away.' Architect Danny Campbell added: 'This year's finalists are an eclectic celebration of design adventures — bold, heartfelt, and unapologetically individual. Each home tells a story of its owner's passions, priorities and aesthetic DNA, from slick architectural statements to soulful reimagining of traditional spaces. 'The finale is always a head-spin – equal parts tension and celebration. Viewers can expect impassioned debates, inspiring interior insights and that brilliant moment where we finally agree on a winner!' The finale of Scotland's Home of the Year is on BBC One Scotland tonight at 8.30pm and then available on iPlayer.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Irish people are talented at many things. But we have our shortcomings too
Ancestrally speaking, and just between us, there are things Irish people are and are not good at. Digesting dairy? We're very talented at it. Our lactose intolerance rate is under 5 per cent, which is way under the 65 per cent global average. That makes us almost superhumanly good at digesting butter, as well as exporting it. We can enjoy it without a roiling gut and an afternoon of debilitating cramps. Our ancestors equipped us to digest the foods around us, which is apparently largely dairy, and whatever the British weren't first having themselves. Knowing the secrets of everyone in the small town where we grew up? Nobody is better at that either. We are like a nation of grizzled but lovable private detectives. We all know Jimmy 'the wagon' (unfortunate and insensitive nickname – classically Irish) is off the wagon again when we see him sitting inside the window of the local Supermac's eating garlic cheese chips without a fork at half 11 in the morning. We are all familiar with the widely circulated rumour that Mary from down the road killed a man in a disagreement over scratch cards in 1984. Crucially, since they never found a body, she's still the school lollipop lady (we are all innocent until proven guilty). There are things Irish people are good at. Emigrating and then remaining very Irish in almost hermetically sealed cabals of their own despite being in Canada, or Australia , the Philippines, or wherever else. Alcohol consumption – unfortunately, we earned that reputation fair and square, and my numerous family members with drinking problems will readily attest to it as, I'm sure, will yours. READ MORE We have many gifts and talents. A penchant for the creative – art, literature and music. A sort of hardiness that comes of being largely cold and wet for hundreds of consecutive generations. (We might be genetically coded for immunity to trench foot.) A fitting and solemn respect for a dinner that is mostly carbohydrates as long as it has gravy on it. But we have shortcomings too. Many of these are not our fault, and I would argue strongly that one example is our poor ability to adapt to other climates. We have pollen in Ireland, of course, and the summer season is an absolute pain in the face (quite literally) for anyone with hay fever in a country richly carpeted in grass Living in Australia, I've seen more than one man red as a beet in a Mayo jersey, his boiled forehead audibly sizzling under the Australian sun as he declares it's 'actually unbelievable to feel the heat' on his face. 'My friend,' I think, 'the heat you are feeling is radiation scrambling your DNA. Get some factor 50 on or you'll be scraping your forehead skin up off the floor.' [ Hay fever and asthma sufferers face more severe symptoms due to agricultural fertilisers - study Opens in new window ] Those of Celtic heritage developed their skin tone, as I did, vaguely in the vicinity of Limerick, where sunlight is a thing we mostly read about in books and consider a rare and special treat, like having pancakes for dinner. It's all well and good for us to be going to California or Sydney or the UAE or wherever, but we would be foolish indeed to think that we don't need to take precautions to protect ourselves against a climate we are ill-equipped to survive in. We need sunscreen, ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) clothing and a decent hat or we will, quite simply, perish. Pollen is no different. We have pollen in Ireland, of course, and the summer season is an absolute pain in the face (quite literally) for anyone with hay fever in a country richly carpeted in grass. We would go to visit my great aunt who lived on Bere Island every summer when I was a child. Each year, just as I was taking in the verdant majesty of my favourite part of the country, my eyes would promptly swell shut. Because it was the 1990s, nobody thought to actually do anything much to assist a temporarily blinded seven-year-old with restricted airways. In fairness, my great aunt did say she'd pray for me, which was good of her. Unfortunately, in the depths of my youth and physical discomfort, this promise served only to convince me that I was dying. So look, I thought I 'knew' pollen. She has been my old nemesis, reeling drunkenly forth each year as spring slurs blowsily into being, and staying long past her welcome once September arrives, still swaying alone on the dance floor as people are stacking chairs in the background. 'The season is over, you relentless slattern,' I would think. 'Go to bed'. And, eventually, she would. My airways would clear and my eyeballs decrust, and there would be room to promptly catch a cold that you couldn't shake till April, like every other respectable Irish person. Still, somewhere out on the vast, mountainous horizon, there are plants desperately trying to have sexual intercourse with one another Then, I moved to Canberra, the hay fever capital of Australia, which does have a primary pollen season during the summer but also enjoys a rolling repertoire of other, less extreme pollen seasons through most of the year. You can actually see the pollen, rolling in mucky clouds, on a windy day. It furs window screens and sills, parked cars and public benches, giving everything it touches the look of something long neglected on Miss Havisham's diningroom table. It gathers in your hair and eyebrows, clinging to your clothes. You can see it running down the drain when you wash your face at night. It plagues people with asthma, who are advised to shower on arrival at home during the worst of the year, lest they keep repollinating themselves each time they move. [ The challenging art of pollen forecasting Opens in new window ] Now, it's autumn in Canberra, as the Irish climate warms up, and I somehow still have hay fever. The leaves are falling, limp and yellow, and my thermals are on and my feet are cold, and still, I am sneezing. Still, somewhere out on the vast, mountainous horizon, there are plants desperately trying to have sexual intercourse with one another. Possibly, there's some sort of lesson in all this, but I'm too congested to glean what it is. It does make me miss Limerick a bit, though, and its chaste plant-life that has the decency to die – or to play dead – once autumn shuffles in. Sign up to The Irish Times Abroad newsletter for Irish-connected people around the world. Here you'll find readers' stories of their lives overseas, plus news, business, sports, opinion, culture and lifestyle journalism relevant to Irish people around the world If you live overseas and would like to share your experience with Irish Times Abroad, you can use the form below, or email abroad@ with a little information about you and what you do. Thank you
Scoop
30-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
‘Mooving Day': Farmers Ask Drivers Not To Honk And To ‘Please Drive Slowly' As They Relocate Cows
Article – RNZ For the annual event to relocate cows they also have a plea for motorists: drive slowly., Reporter 'Don't toot your horns, and please drive slowly'. That's the message for motorists as dairy farmers walk or transport their cows to different farms over the next couple of weeks. Moving Day, or Mooving Day as it's sometimes termed, is an annual event in the dairy farming calendar on 1 June. The term 'Gypsy Day' was formerly used – but it has been acknowledged it may be regarded as derogatory. From now until mid June about 5000 dairy farming families, and herds of cows, relocate to new farms – as it's the start of winter and many cows are not being milked. Dairy NZ spokesperson Tony Finch said Moving Day happens throughout most of the country – with more density in the Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury and Bay of Plenty regions. Finch said thousands of people were literally moving households and farms to new sharemilking jobs and starting the new season at the same time. 'It is a really busy time for a lot of people because of the volume of them moving houses, moving possessions, kids, animals, family into a new community. 'It does make a big part of the annual dairy calendar and it can be stressful. There is a lot of planning involved.' Finch said many cows were transported to their new farm in a stock truck, but for those not moving far they will walk on rural roads. He is urging drivers to be patient if they are delayed behind a herd of cattle, or a stock truck on a rural road. 'I suppose the big thing we want to remind people is to be mindful, respectful and patient – that there's going to be a lot of traffic, potentially, and stock moving.' People needed to be considerate as it was a stressful time for the animals and farmers, he said. 'Impatient drivers tooting their horns is no help – for cattle walking on the roads, and cattle in stock trucks being transported to other areas. Please do not toot. Just wait.' Biosecurity protection Finch said there were many rules about safely moving stock on roads, and farmers needed to have a plan surrounding their cows welfare. To prevent the spread of potentially fatal diseases, such as Mycoplasma bovis farmers have to respect biosecurity regulations. 'It is a critical part of any movement that we ensure cows NAIT (ID tags each cow wears) are up to date. We have had some big scares in the past about biosecurity and that was M Bovis so we want all stock to be tracked correctly. And that we secure boundary fencing so cattle don't get into neighbouring farms. All equipment must be clean that's left in the farms, and what is taken to the new farm.' It's not just diseases that have the potential to be spread – it's invasive weeds as well. Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity officer Nicky Oliver-Smith was reminding farmers and contractors that strong biosecurity practices were essential to prevent the spread of pest weeds. 'We know farmers put a huge amount of planning into the shift, and good biosecurity and effluent management are key parts of getting it right. 'Unclean machinery can easily spread pests. Just one seed or weed fragment on contaminated equipment can lead to a new infestation.' Oliver-Smith said Alligator weed and Noogoora buras were two of the most concerning agricultural pest weeds in the region. These fast-growing weeds can reduce crop value and pose a risk to livestock if eaten. Effluent from moving stock trucks, and cows walking along roads can also cause problems on the roads. To prevent large spillages, farmers are advised to only feed their cows dry food, and not green grass, for several hours prior to transporting them to a new farm. One cow can produce about 52 litres of effluent a day.
Scoop
30-05-2025
- General
- Scoop
'Mooving Day': Farmers Ask Drivers Not To Honk And To 'Please Drive Slowly' As They Relocate Cows
"Don't toot your horns, and please drive slowly". That's the message for motorists as dairy farmers walk or transport their cows to different farms over the next couple of weeks. Moving Day, or Mooving Day as it's sometimes termed, is an annual event in the dairy farming calendar on 1 June. The term 'Gypsy Day' was formerly used - but it has been acknowledged it may be regarded as derogatory. From now until mid June about 5000 dairy farming families, and herds of cows, relocate to new farms - as it's the start of winter and many cows are not being milked. Dairy NZ spokesperson Tony Finch said Moving Day happens throughout most of the country - with more density in the Waikato, Taranaki, Canterbury and Bay of Plenty regions. Finch said thousands of people were literally moving households and farms to new sharemilking jobs and starting the new season at the same time. "It is a really busy time for a lot of people because of the volume of them moving houses, moving possessions, kids, animals, family into a new community. "It does make a big part of the annual dairy calendar and it can be stressful. There is a lot of planning involved." Finch said many cows were transported to their new farm in a stock truck, but for those not moving far they will walk on rural roads. He is urging drivers to be patient if they are delayed behind a herd of cattle, or a stock truck on a rural road. "I suppose the big thing we want to remind people is to be mindful, respectful and patient - that there's going to be a lot of traffic, potentially, and stock moving." People needed to be considerate as it was a stressful time for the animals and farmers, he said. "Impatient drivers tooting their horns is no help - for cattle walking on the roads, and cattle in stock trucks being transported to other areas. Please do not toot. Just wait." Biosecurity protection Finch said there were many rules about safely moving stock on roads, and farmers needed to have a plan surrounding their cows welfare. To prevent the spread of potentially fatal diseases, such as Mycoplasma bovis farmers have to respect biosecurity regulations. 'It is a critical part of any movement that we ensure cows NAIT (ID tags each cow wears) are up to date. We have had some big scares in the past about biosecurity and that was M Bovis so we want all stock to be tracked correctly. And that we secure boundary fencing so cattle don't get into neighbouring farms. All equipment must be clean that's left in the farms, and what is taken to the new farm." It's not just diseases that have the potential to be spread - it's invasive weeds as well. Bay of Plenty Regional Council biosecurity officer Nicky Oliver-Smith was reminding farmers and contractors that strong biosecurity practices were essential to prevent the spread of pest weeds. "We know farmers put a huge amount of planning into the shift, and good biosecurity and effluent management are key parts of getting it right. "Unclean machinery can easily spread pests. Just one seed or weed fragment on contaminated equipment can lead to a new infestation." Oliver-Smith said Alligator weed and Noogoora buras were two of the most concerning agricultural pest weeds in the region. These fast-growing weeds can reduce crop value and pose a risk to livestock if eaten. Effluent from moving stock trucks, and cows walking along roads can also cause problems on the roads. To prevent large spillages, farmers are advised to only feed their cows dry food, and not green grass, for several hours prior to transporting them to a new farm. One cow can produce about 52 litres of effluent a day.
Hans India
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Provocation from Pakistan will get strong response: Rajasthan Minister
Jaipur: Joraram Kumawat, Cabinet Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Devasthan Department and Minister-in-Charge of Barmer district, conducted a detailed visit to several border villages on Tuesday to assess the prevailing situation and review security arrangements. Addressing the media, Kumawat stated, 'The border remains peaceful, but any provocation from across the border will receive a strong response.' He affirmed that the situation is under constant surveillance under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and that all three branches of the armed forces are united in countering Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. During his visit, Kumawat also met families of soldiers serving in the Indian Army, praising their courage and dedication. He highlighted India's growing self-reliance and technological strength in defence, noting that the effectiveness of indigenous weapons has gained global recognition. Referring to the recent tense situation, the Minister noted that despite blackouts and air raid sirens, not a single family abandoned their homes in the border villages. 'Villagers remained fearless, sitting outside their homes even during moments of tension. Their bravery is commendable,' he said. Minister Kumawat visited Jasai, Sedwa, Deepla, Khara, and Paru villages, where he interacted with locals and listened to their concerns. He held a strategic review meeting with Colonel Vikramjit Singh and Colonel Shivaji Warghade at Jasai Military Station to evaluate the security preparedness along the India-Pakistan border. Bhilwara MP Damodar Agarwal, BJP State Minister Ajit Mundan, District Minister Devi Lal Kumawat, Anantaram Bishnoi, and Army officials were also present during the meeting. In Khara village, Minister Kumawat commended the resilience of the residents amid recent tensions between India and Pakistan. He assured the villagers of comprehensive support from the administration during emergencies. Local leaders, including Sarpanch Chetanram and villagers Devi Singh and Revant Singh, expressed their gratitude for the government's ongoing assistance. Emphasising solidarity, he stated, 'The state government stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of border areas.' Kumawat also met the families of the youth of the region serving in the army. He said that India is now self-reliant and technically strong. The world has seen the capability of Made in India weapons. He also said that for the last several days, there were war-like situations between the two countries, due to which there was a lot of tension on both sides. Despite the blackout and air raid sirens, the people of the villages settled on the Pakistan border adjoining Barmer fought bravely, and no family left the border village. After a comprehensive five-hour tour of the border villages and review of the situation in Balotra and Barmer districts, Minister Kumawat concluded his two-day visit and returned to Jaipur.
