Latest news with #DumfriesAndGalloway
BBC News
3 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Lockerbie-Syracuse scholarship scheme set to restart
A scholarship scheme - set up in the wake of the Lockerbie bombing - which sends Scottish school pupils to a US university is set to be revived. Two Lockerbie Academy students were selected to study at Syracuse University in New York state every year between 1989 and 2024 but no intake will happen in 2025/ Syracuse students were among 270 victims of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 in December 1988. The university has announced that the scholarship is now due to restart in autumn 2026 but it is unclear who will fund the programme. Previously, the Lockerbie students selected to spend a year at the US university were chosen by the Lockerbie Syracuse Trust (LST). The scheme was funded by both the university and the trust - with a contribution also understood to come from Dumfries and Galloway will been no intake for 2025/26 but Syracuse University has now relaunched the scheme, describing it as a "reimagined partnership". Students will be chosen by a panel of representatives from the university and the academy using "elevated selection criteria based on rigorous academic standards". The university said it would select students who demonstrate "academic excellence and a deep understanding" of the Pan Am Flight 103 tragedy. A press statement makes no mention of the LST and does not state how the scheme will be funded. Carolyne Wilson, who chairs the LST, said the funding situation had not been confirmed with them."Previously, Syracuse University have funded part of it, and the trust has picked up the other part which equates to about £40,000 a year," she said. She said the LST would be happy for that arrangement to continue but it had not been approached to do so."I think there would definitely need to be discussions between all parties because obviously we would love to strengthen and maintain our partnership with both Lockerbie Academy and Syracuse University to provide the best opportunities possible for the students of Lockerbie and the surrounding area," she added. Anna Newbould, one of the Lockerbie Academy scholars for 2024/25, said it was important to keep the link."I think everyone would agree that it's incredibly important for this scholarship to continue, not just as an experience for the upcoming students but especially for the families of the victims who were sadly lost," she said."Without the scholarship, the connection with Lockerbie, I believe, would only fade over time and ultimately it could be forgotten which is not something anyone wants."Now more than ever, as the disaster is drifting further from the current generation, 36 years on, it's important to keep educating future generations and to keep the victims' memories alive." 'Reforge our bond' Brian Asher, head teacher at Lockerbie Academy, welcomed the move to re-establish the scholarship. He said: "Syracuse University has, since the terrible events of 21 December 1988, held a special place in the heart of Lockerbie."We reforge our bond in honour of all those who were lost that night. "I am excited to work with our Syracuse University colleagues on behalf of the academy as we build on our shared past, towards a shared future."Syracuse University said the scheme would run until at least 2028.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
McDonald's takes second bite at Dumfries planning approval
Burger giant McDonald's has submitted fresh plans for a second drive-through restaurant in Dumfries after its original application was recommended for company said it had revised its £4m proposals off the town's Annan road which were withdrawn in December last said the new application should address the concerns which had been raised by Dumfries and Galloway Council planning previously recommended refusal of the bid due to its visual impact and the failure to demonstrate that a more "appropriate site" could not be found. Andrew Crewther, senior acquisitions surveyor with McDonald's, said the revised plans directly addressed those concerns."We explored alternative sites at the Peel Centre, but one is already earmarked for Costa, and the other has permission for a much smaller unit that doesn't meet our operational needs," he said."The application also responds to feedback from council officers by repositioning the building and adding new tree planting to help soften the development's appearance and create a buffer from the A75."Alongside delivering significant inward investment and creating 120 new local jobs, the new restaurant would also support more sustainable travel by improving local access to a McDonald's restaurant."The revised planning application will be considered by the council's planning committee in due course.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Council to reopen Kirkcudbright bridge after safety closure
A bridge that was shut at short notice - splitting a south of Scotland town in two - is to reopen to Kirkcudbright Bridge over the River Dee was closed on March 21, just hours after a safety and Galloway Council said a single-lane reopening for cars and small vans would take place on or before 2 the meantime it will remain shut to all vehicles but can be used by pedestrians and cyclists. Concerns have been raised about the impact of the closure with residents in one area cut off from the town face a detour of about five miles (8km) to make the journey by car - via the Thomas Telford-built Tongland Bridge - or have to cross the Kirkcudbright Bridge on and Galloway Council said the decision to reopen the bridge followed "rigorous technical assessment and analysis by the council's engineering team and its engineering consultant, Mott MacDonald".A three-tonne weight limit and width restrictions will be in force when the bridge reopens.A new 20mph speed limit will also reduce the impact on the bridge. Ian Blake, who chairs the council's economy and infrastructure committee, said he was pleased they would soon be able to reopen the crossing."I would like to thank the public, residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while this important analysis and assessment work has been carried out," he said."The reopening of Kirkcudbright Bridge will mark an important step in balancing public safety, heritage infrastructure and community connectivity."He said they remained committed to ensuring it met the needs of everyone "living, working and visiting the area".The council said it was working on options for a new bridge as a long-term solution.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fifty firefighters tackling West Lothian wild blaze
Fire crews are continuing to battle a wild blaze in a wooded area in West Lothian. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said up to 50 firefighters are still attending the scene, almost 24 hours after they were called to the site near Fauldhouse. The fire was said to cover 40,000 sq metres, the equivalent to about five-and-a-half football pitches. An extreme risk warning for wildfires is currently in place across mainland Scotland. The service received the first call at 11:43 on Saturday and eight appliances attended the scene. Earlier the SFRS said dry, warm weather was increasing the chance of fires breaking out. Wildfire in Fauldhouse after 'extreme risk' warning issued 'Wildfire sent years of work up in flames' The service has asked people to be very careful with naked flames in the countryside. Meanwhile, the latest Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) report shows that a lack of rain is causing water levels to fall in many rivers across the country. Water scarcity is reported across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, up through the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay to all parts of Aberdeenshire. Sepa said rivers around the Black Isle and Thurso were also affected. The wildfire warning runs until Monday. People are being asked to think of the consequences that fires sparked by cigarettes or barbeques can have on wildlife, agriculture and rural communities.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fifty firefighters tackling West Lothian wild blaze
Fire crews are continuing to battle a wild blaze in a wooded area in West Lothian. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) said up to 50 firefighters are still attending the scene, almost 24 hours after they were called to the site near Fauldhouse. The fire was said to cover 40,000 sq metres, the equivalent to about five-and-a-half football pitches. An extreme risk warning for wildfires is currently in place across mainland Scotland. The service received the first call at 11:43 on Saturday and eight appliances attended the scene. Earlier the SFRS said dry, warm weather was increasing the chance of fires breaking out. Wildfire in Fauldhouse after 'extreme risk' warning issued 'Wildfire sent years of work up in flames' The service has asked people to be very careful with naked flames in the countryside. Meanwhile, the latest Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) report shows that a lack of rain is causing water levels to fall in many rivers across the country. Water scarcity is reported across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, up through the Firth of Forth and Firth of Tay to all parts of Aberdeenshire. Sepa said rivers around the Black Isle and Thurso were also affected. The wildfire warning runs until Monday. People are being asked to think of the consequences that fires sparked by cigarettes or barbeques can have on wildlife, agriculture and rural communities.
