Latest news with #EuanJardine
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Fears leisure centre closure plan pits 'town against town'
A council has been accused of "setting town against town" as a consultation begins on the future of sport, leisure and cultural facilities in the Scottish Borders. Dozens of sites run by charitable trust Live Borders on the local authority's behalf have been recommended for closure in a report by consultants. Scottish Borders Council leader Euan Jardine stressed that no decisions had been made and they were seeking "constructive input". However, Gill Cooper of Abbey Quilters - a community groups which use the Abbey Row centre in Kelso - said it felt like they were pitting towns and villages against one another in order to see which facilities were retained. Speaking after a meeting with other concerned groups at the site which consultants recommended for closure, she said: "We're absolutely disgusted at the questions they're asking on the consultation to be honest. "All they're asking about is individual spaces and numbers - all they're trying to do is set the hall in Earlston against the hall in Kelso, against the hall in Jedburgh." She said the council should be looking to invest in the cultural life of the region and places like Abbey Row were the "bedrock of that Borders life". "Don't be setting town against town, village against village," she added. "Instead, ask what we need in the Borders - what are we trying to achieve in our communities? "Abbey Row has lots of activity every day, which support disability, mental health, dexterity, the loneliness index – I could go on and on. But they're not interested in that." She said that the council had its priorities wrong if it was not prepared to invest in community life and suggested it could use the money from a 10% increase in council tax. More stories from South Scotland Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds However, Mr Jardine said they wanted to give everyone a chance to have their say on the way forward. "No decisions have been made, and our conversations with communities, stakeholders and colleagues over the coming months will be vital in building a full picture of priorities, how services and facilities are used, where alternatives exist, and what the impacts of different options might be," he said. "Change is essential to bring Live Borders into a sustainable financial position, but the specific details around services and properties are still up for discussion. "Live Borders is already progressing other actions that could deliver significant savings and when combined with some service and property changes, these will help safeguard the future of sport, leisure, and cultural provision across the region." He said it was important to emphasise any changes would not save the council money but would help Live Borders operate within its budget and make that budget go further. Council to consult on closing libraries and pools
BBC News
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Borders leisure site consultation sets 'town against town'
A council has been accused of "setting town against town" as a consultation begins on the future of sport, leisure and cultural facilities in the Scottish of sites run by charitable trust Live Borders on the local authority's behalf have been recommended for closure in a report by Borders Council leader Euan Jardine stressed that no decisions had been made and they were seeking "constructive input".However, Gill Cooper of Abbey Quilters - a community groups which use the Abbey Row centre in Kelso - said it felt like they were pitting towns and villages against one another in order to see which facilities were retained. Speaking after a meeting with other concerned groups at the site which consultants recommended for closure, she said: "We're absolutely disgusted at the questions they're asking on the consultation to be honest."All they're asking about is individual spaces and numbers - all they're trying to do is set the hall in Earlston against the hall in Kelso, against the hall in Jedburgh."She said the council should be looking to invest in the cultural life of the region and places like Abbey Row were the "bedrock of that Borders life"."Don't be setting town against town, village against village," she added."Instead, ask what we need in the Borders - what are we trying to achieve in our communities?"Abbey Row has lots of activity every day, which support disability, mental health, dexterity, the loneliness index – I could go on and on. But they're not interested in that."She said that the council had its priorities wrong if it was not prepared to invest in community life and suggested it could use the money from a 10% increase in council tax. However, Mr Jardine said they wanted to give everyone a chance to have their say on the way forward."No decisions have been made, and our conversations with communities, stakeholders and colleagues over the coming months will be vital in building a full picture of priorities, how services and facilities are used, where alternatives exist, and what the impacts of different options might be," he said."Change is essential to bring Live Borders into a sustainable financial position, but the specific details around services and properties are still up for discussion."Live Borders is already progressing other actions that could deliver significant savings and when combined with some service and property changes, these will help safeguard the future of sport, leisure, and cultural provision across the region."He said it was important to emphasise any changes would not save the council money but would help Live Borders operate within its budget and make that budget go further.
ITV News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Scottish Borders Council leader launches rap song
The leader of Scottish Borders Council is releasing a rap track. It's called 'Little Man' and includes references to the south of Scotland. Conservative Councillor Euan Jardine - who performs under the name Euan J - has led the council since 2022. He says writing lyrics helps him to destress and he hopes to inspire others to be creative and follow their passions. "Don't get put in a box, don't fall into stereotypes. I'm five foot one, I used to play basketball, I used to run, why can't I rap? "I'm sure some will say they didn't have it on their bingo card for 2025, the council leader making a rap track, but this is who I am, I'm not hiding who I am. "Rap gets a really bad rep for what it is. A lot of people think it's violent, no. Rap is one of the purest forms of lyricism in the world, if not the purest, for me." He's also planning to release an album called Shepherd's Son. He said: "My dad was a shepherd, I'm also a Christian and Jesus is a shepherd. So there'll be a whole introspective album, and hopefully, who knows, performing at the MacArts or volunteer hall soon." Little Man will be released on Spotify on Friday 23 May.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Historic Scottish football club with 130 years of history faces being kicked out of league over stadium row
Tougher criteria brought in means there is a race to find a new home GROUNDS FOR CONCERN Historic Scottish football club with 130 years of history faces being kicked out of league over stadium row A HISTORIC football club faces being kicked out of the Scottish football pyramid unless they find a new home. The SFA brought in strict criteria after the introduction of the pyramid in 2013, which has since been tightened to make sure grounds are up to scratch. 1 Whitestone Park Credit: BBC Now a club with more than 130 years of history could be thrown out of the East of Scotland Leagues as it doesn't meet the requirements. Peebles Rovers play at Whitestone Park but because there is no permanent fencing and changing facilities are too far away the stadium is deemed no longer acceptable. The East of Scotland Second Division side have looked at developing the park, and playing at a new facility but so far the plans have been scuppered. Rovers have also attempted to ground share with the local rugby club but that too has faced issues. Peebles Rovers vice-chairman Dave Lamb told the BBC: "We have had multiple promises over the years but we are no further forward. "It's been made clear that we cannot develop Whitestone Park, and without a new ground we're facing automatic relegation at the end of this season to East of Scotland Division Three. "If we are still here the season after that then the league say we will be removed altogether. "We have 10 months to find a new facility or we are finished." Rovers have predominantly spent their time as a non-league side but did enjoy a fleeting spell in Scotland's Third Division in the 1920s. They have also played in the Scottish Cup more than 20 times, with their first outing a 4-0 defeat to Celtic in 1908. Abandoned stadium where Celtic legend got big break now unrecognisable from glory days as nature reclaims ground Perhaps their most notable achievement was holding Hibs to a 0-0 draw at Easter Road in 1923. Scottish Borders Council is responsible for Whitestone Park and is looking to hold further talks with both the club and league officials in the near future. Council leader Euan Jardine: "We are fully aware of the predicament Peebles Rovers find themselves in. "We have asked the East of Scotland Football Association for a meeting so that we can come up with a solution. "It is in all of our interests to to give Peebles Rovers a secure future." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Consultants advise closing leisure sites in Borders
Consultants have recommended closing a string of leisure, cultural and community sites across the Scottish Borders, including libraries and swimming pools. Integratis Consulting were brought in by the council to examine the future of the charity Live Borders, which runs certain facilities on the council's behalf. The proposals, intended to map out a sustainable future for the charity, would also see more than 50 full-time jobs lost. Scottish Borders Council (SBC) leader Euan Jardine said no final decisions had been made and stressed that they were recommendations by consultants. The local authority will meet to discuss the findings on Thursday. More stories from South Scotland Listen to news for the Scottish Borders on BBC Sounds A trust was established in 2003 to run sports and leisure facilities on behalf of the council and has expanded since then. However, it has experienced significant financial issues since the Covid pandemic. Last year, SBC took back control of some services Live Borders ran on its behalf. Now a report into the sustainability of its operations has suggested dozens of different sites it operates should close. Among the facilities recommended for closure are Selkirk Swimming Pool and the Queen's Leisure Centre and Tri Fitness gym in Galashiels. The report also advises that Jedburgh's Laidlaw Pool should remain closed. Libraries in Earlston, Eyemouth, Coldstream and Hawick are also recommended to be shut or consolidated with other services. Old Gala House, Abbey Row Centre in Kelso and Sir Walter Scott's Courtroom in Selkirk are also on the closure list while the bowling hall at Tweedbank and sports hall at the Gytes in Peebles are proposed to be turned into fitness gyms. SBC leader Euan Jardine stressed that no decision had been made by the local authority. "This is not a council report this is a consultant's report and I think we need to get that fact very clear," he said. "This is not that the council has decided to do any of this - this is a consultant's recommendations. "We will be going out for consultation before we make any decisions." Council agrees way forward for struggling sports trust One in three leisure sites spark condition concerns
