Latest news with #Dumfriesshire
BBC News
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
On Grindr you're an object, like picking clothes online
For Lewis, hook-up apps such as Grindr offered a way to explore gay culture that had been missing in his upbringing in rural first, he loved the excitement of casual sexual encounters being available at the swipe of a phone but soon it became addictive. "You get the validation, that dopamine hit when people message you and hit you up, it is enjoyable but that is the problem," he says it started to damage his self-esteem and he found himself chasing validation - equating his worth with his says low moods led him back to the app's loop of quick sexual encounters that often left him feeling "dirty and gross", fuelling his anxiety and depression."On Grindr you're an object to them, like picking clothes on Asos," he a social networking app for the GBTQ community, is the biggest app of its kind and it now has about 15 million active monthly people, gay and heterosexual, use other apps for hook-ups enjoy it and don't think twice, while others feel there is a deeper issue and it has become a fast-track to instant gratification and has normalised easy access to Lewis, it has been challenging to establish more meaningful connections beyond sexual hook-ups in a world where many young gay men seem to be focused on one thing."When you don't just want that, you feel like the odd one out," he says. Jacob Alon is an up-and-coming singer who played Glastonbury this summer and has been compared to 70s folk legend Nick songs are often tender but they also tackle subjects such as casual sex with strangers on gay hook-up of the 25-year-old's most popular songs - Liquid Gold 25 - ends with the refrain: "This is where love comes to die.""I wrote that song after a series of hook-ups on Grindr that left me feeling quite empty and degraded," Alon tells the BBC Disclosure documentary Should We Hook Up?."It can be great fun," the Scottish singer says. "But there is definitely a culture that can be quite toxic."Alon, who uses they/them pronouns, says in the past they put themselves in risky situations by meeting up with random strangers in a park in the middle of the night."Those people could have very easily hurt me and no-one would have known," they say."People have done things I didn't want them to do and not listened to me when I told them not to." Hook-up culture in the gay community has deep roots, dating back to a time when same-sex relationships between men had to remain acts only became legal in England and Wales in 1967 and it was more than a decade later that Scotland followed hook-up culture means sex is available 24/7 - and with just a swipe of the phone in your pocket. At a bar in Glasgow, Fintan, Kip and James say Grindr is for hook-ups and there was no pretence it is for anything other than sex."It's so superficial," 23-year-old Fintan says."Everyone's got three pictures or maybe just one picture. Nine times out 10 a lot of them are shirtless."Kip, who is 30, says there has never been any intention to build a genuine connection with someone on his hook-ups."It has never been 'wine and a gossip'," he says. "It's been 'take your knickers down, let's get to it'." But Kip says it is not always a great experience."Sometimes I have left and I have thought: 'that was so hot, I'm so amazing'. "But there are other times when you leave and it is 07:00 and people are going to work and you are there shivering, feeling dirty and dejected." In response to the BBC documentary, a Grindr spokesperson said: "We take seriously the responsibility that comes with being a platform used by millions of LGBTQ+ people every day, and we're committed to supporting their wellbeing in all its forms."
Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Miracle of baby hare delivered by farmer in emergency roadside Caesarean
A baby hare has been hailed a 'little miracle' after being delivered from its mother in an emergency roadside Caesarean. The female hare was accidentally struck by machinery while farmer Robert Craig was carrying out silage operations in Dumfriesshire. When he checked on the dead mother, he noticed that there was movement in her stomach and realised she was pregnant. Knowing that he needed to act quickly to save the babies he performed an emergency Caesarean section with a pen knife, delivering two tiny leverets at the side of the road. Mr Craig said: 'I went to check what I had struck and sadly found the hare dead. 'But then I saw her stomach move and knew instantly she was pregnant, and I had to act quickly to give the babies a chance at life. 'I carefully cut her open and saw the babies. I gave them a gentle swing to clear out any mucus, just like you would with newborn lambs. 'Then I started rubbing their bodies to try and get them breathing, and sure enough, they gasped and came around. 'So, I stopped working, got them warmed up and called the Scottish SPCA.' While one of the leverets did not survive, the other, named Bruno by Scottish SPCA staff for his fighting spirit, is now gaining strength at the charity's National Wildlife Rescue Centre at Fishcross in Clackmannanshire. Animal Rescue Officer Emma Totney went to the scene at Rigg near Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, on May 13. She said: 'When I arrived, I was surprised by how alert and energetic the baby was - it was a huge relief. He was feeding well and already showing signs of real fight. 'He was smaller than we'd expect for a newborn, but clearly a fighter. He's a little miracle. 'He was feeding well and showed great energy, so I knew I needed to get him to our team at Fishcross as quickly as possible. 'We stopped a couple of times on the journey for feeds, and each time he did brilliantly. 'We were all amazed he had survived such a dramatic start to life. 'It's heartwarming to know that thanks to a kind-hearted farmer, the wildlife centre team, and myself, this little miracle will get the chance to return to the wild and live a full life.' When first admitted to the Wildlife Rescue Centre, Bruno was very underweight at just 80g - well below the typical 100-130g birth weight for a newborn hare. However, he has since grown significantly and now weighs more than nine times his original weight. The team hope that Bruno will be ready for release into the wild in the coming weeks, provided his progress continues. At Fishcross, the Scottish SPCA's wildlife team provides round-the-clock care for orphaned and injured animals. Wildlife assistant Shauni Stoddart, who has been caring for Bruno, said: 'When Bruno first arrived, he was 20g underweight and in a very fragile condition. 'Due to his unique circumstances, he was hand-reared at home for the first five days to minimise stress. He responded incredibly well, quickly gaining strength. 'He's a true little fighter. It's been an emotional journey for everyone involved but seeing him grow stronger every day is so rewarding.' The Scottish SPCA described Bruno's birth as 'very extraordinary', and the charity said it would not recommend anyone performing this kind of surgery on any animal.
Telegraph
18-06-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Santander enters race to buy TSB
Santander has approached the owner of TSB about a potential takeover of the British high street bank. The Spanish lender is one of a number of parties to have expressed interest in buying TSB from its current owner Sabadell, Sky News reported. Sabadell, which is Spain's fourth largest bank, confirmed earlier this week it had received multiple 'expressions of interest' for TSB, which it acquired from Lloyds Bank for £1.7bn in 2015. Santander is yet to make a formal offer and could still pull away from the bidding process. If it does strike a deal, a takeover of TSB would help expand Santander's UK retail banking business, which currently serves around 14m customers. The possible expansion follows speculation that Santander could exit Britain altogether. It rejected an £11bn offer from NatWest for its own UK banking arm last month. Ana Botin, Santander's chief executive, told an audience at Davos in January the lender will stay in Britain 'into the future' following speculation about its commitments to the country. NatWest has been named by analysts as the most likely bidder for TSB, which traces its origins back to the founding of the Trustee Savings Bank in Dumfriesshire in 1810. TSB currently has 5m customers across the UK and a mortgage book worth more than £33bn. Paul Thwaite, NatWest's chief executive, last week told an audience at Goldman Sachs European Financials Conference that the bank's management will be 'very, very disciplined' about any M&A activity. Mr Thwaite said: 'Anything that we look at has to be genuinely financially compelling versus deploying capital in the business, returning it to shareholders through buybacks ... so it's a very high financial bar.' Barclays and HSBC have also been named as potential acquirers of TSB. A sale of the bank has raised fears of potential job losses and branch closures. Gary Greenwood, from Shore Capital, said: 'Whoever buys this, the focus would be primarily on taking out costs.' Santander is currently pushing ahead with plans to shut 95 of its own UK high street branches this year, having previously closed 111 branches in 2021.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
How scarves could help to save a rare Scots sheep breed
Rebecca McLellan is trying to safeguard the future of a rare breed of sheep one scarf at a fell in love with the Castlemilk Moorit and now has her own flock of 18 on the farm where she and her husband live in Rockcliffe on the Solway was keen to look at ways to help ensure the long-term survival of the sheep, which are on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust (RBST) "at risk" was when she hit on the idea of learning to weave to try to encourage other potential breeders to follow her lead. She was born in Kenya and worked in London before moving to Scotland to a house which had been in her husband's family for about a century."With that came the responsibility and the stewardship for that land," she said."The reality was it had always been grazed by sheep, so we took a look at it and thought, well, there we go, that's the answer - we've got to get some sheep."After that they had to narrow it down to what type."Some native breeds in Scotland are becoming ever rarer, and I'm mad about my conservation," she said."We started to look for rare breed of sheep that were native specifically to this corner of Scotland and settled on the Castlemilk Moorit." The brown-coated, curly-horned sheep were originally bred in the 1920s by Sir John Buchanan-Jardine for his Castlemilk estate in are on the "at risk" list, with an estimated breeding population of between 900 and 1, said they were originally bred as a "park sheep"."They are an elegant-looking breed of sheep," she explained."They've got sweeping back horns, they've got neat legs and a sort of gazelle or deer-like head."So they grace the field - but they also have this practical side with the fleece."It is a soft fleece - I blend it to make it go further - but it's a soft mocha colour, it is cream at the tip down to chocolate at the base."She describes the sheep as "quite flighty" but also "quite curious"."If you do anything in the field or anywhere near them within a blink of an eye, they're all standing around in a circle, watching," she said. Rebecca turns their fleeces into tapestries, knitwear and upholstery and hopes her work can help save the breed by showing the value they can offer."We've got breeds that have developed and evolved in Scotland particularly - but across the UK - which suit the geographical nature of our landscape," she said."So you're not trying to raise a breed of sheep that isn't suited to where you are from."There's a reality that these are breeds that need to be helped to survive and not sort of forgotten in the rush to have ever more economical sheep which are good for raising just for meat." Rebecca is throwing open the doors to her workshop as part of the Spring Fling open studios event across Dumfries and Galloway between 24 and 26 will get a chance to see what she produces, how she does it and meet the rare breed the process, she hopes it might convince a few more people that the Castlemilk Moorit deserves to flourish in the years to come.
Daily Record
02-05-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Dumfriesshire puppy conquers fear of water to complete unique charity frisbee challenge
Dumfriesshire puppy conquers fear of water to complete unique charity frisbee challenge Black labrador Arthur ran back and forth into the Solway Firth at Powfoot to raise funds for Alzheimer Scotland. Black labrador pup Arthur took on a frisbee challenge for Alzheimer Scotland A Dumfriesshire puppy conquered his fear of the water to complete a unique frisbee challenge for charity. Black labrador Arthur ran back and forth into the Solway Firth at Powfoot Beach 62 times – raising £360 for Alzheimer Scotland in the process. The number of times represents the 62 per cent of people living with dementia who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. One-year-old pup Arthur showed no fear as he completed his challenge – under the watchful eye of owner Lynn Janssen from Brydekirk – wearing a mini life jacket. And his feat was even more impressive as it came just weeks after he almost drowned in Loch Lomond. Organisers of major Scottish cycling event announce cancellation of 2025 race READ MORE: Strike action involving Scottish Water staff in Dumfries and Galloway called off READ MORE: Lynn, who is also Alzheimer Scotland's day services manager for Dumfries and Galloway, said: 'Arthur did so well, we're so proud of him, especially after the close call in Loch Lomond. Article continues below 'We just assumed he would naturally know how to swim, but the loch is deceptively deep and as he went further out he suddenly got into trouble. We could see him dropping down into the water and his paws were waving in the air. Arthur with owner Lynn Janssen 'Thankfully my husband Stephan was able to reach him from the pier and pull him to safety.' Following Arthur's scare, Lynn paid for access to a special dog friendly swimming pool in Glasgow to teach Arthur him to swim. The 54-year-old added: 'Once he got the hang of swimming, I wanted to do something more to build his confidence. I try to raise money for Alzheimer Scotland at least once a year, so I thought the frisbee challenge would be a great way to help improve Arthur's swimming while also raising money for a great cause. 'On the day of the frisbee challenge we put a life jacket on him for extra safety, as well as his Alzheimer Scotland bandana, and he absolutely loved every minute.' Lynn manages Alzheimer Scotland's day centre and community groups across Dumfries and Galloway, from her base at the charity's dementia resource centre in Gordon Street, Dumfries. Arthur proudly wearing his Alzheimer Scotland bandana The money raised will help support vital dementia care, research and improvements in brain health. Lynn said: 'My gran had dementia so I've experienced first-hand how this illness can impact those living with a diagnosis, as well as family members and friends. 'Alzheimer Scotland runs a centre in Dumfries as well as a number of community groups right across Dumfries and Galloway and we're opening new groups all the time. 'We recently launched Brydekirk Buddies, a dementia-friendly group that meets every Wednesday in the village hall where people can take part in different activities or just come along for a chat. Click here for more news and sport from Dumfries and Galloway. 'These services are provided free of charge and I can see the huge benefit they have to the people we support. Article continues below 'No one should face dementia alone and I wanted to do my bit to raise some funds to help keep these vital services going so that we can help even more people, both in Dumfries and Galloway and across Scotland.' To support Lynn's fundraiser, click here. More information is available about Alzhimer Scotland's work in Dumfries and Galloway by calling 01387 261303.
