Latest news with #Fauldhouse
Daily Record
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Shotts gaffer fires warning ahead of Premier Division opener
The Bonny are all set for kick-off in the West of Scotland League this weekend John McKeown has warned his Shotts side they must stop taking their foot off the gas in games as they prepare for their West of Scotland Premier Division opener this weekend. The Hannah Park boss watched the Bonny blow a 3-0 half-time lead to draw 3-3 with Blantyre Vics on Saturday in their final friendly match of pre-season, where goals from Marc McKenzie, Liam Craig and Kieran McGuire appeared to put them on easy street. That came off the back of his side easing up in the recent friendly wins over Fauldhouse and Thorniewood. But a tougher test awaits on Saturday when Glenafton Athletic come calling (kick-off 2pm) in their top flight opener and McKeown has told his players he isn't happy with their recent habit. He said: 'It has been a wee bit of a pattern in our pre-season, starting really well and doing well for the first half hour, then taking our foot off the gas. At Fauldhouse we were 5-0 up and then it finished 5-1, at Thorniewood we were 3-0 up and it finished 3-2, although in those ones we were bringing on kids. 'But on Saturday there was no excuse for it because we never made that many changes. 'I could accept the other two but on Saturday we kept the team strong because we had been taking our foot off the gas - and we still conceded three! I was quite annoyed by that. 'We are missing seven or eight players due to holidays but they will be back this week. 'It is about ironing out this bad habit because the first 45 minutes on Saturday was the best football I've seen us play at Hannah Park in a long time. We looked great, we praised the boys at half-time and then they go and do what they did, so we had a go at them. But it is better doing it now than in the league games. 'This weekend we'll play Glenafton, who are a really good side. We beat them in the West Cup last season and they beat us in the league at their place, then drew at Hannah Park. 'They've got a really experienced manager in Paul Paton, who has played at a really good level. He's really improved them over the last six months so it is going to be difficult. 'We'll need to make sure everyone works hard on the training pitch to be ready for it. I have seen a lot of positives and some really good stuff, but I have seen some negatives as well and I think we are a wee bit short in certain areas.' McKeown revealed he is hoping to add to his squad before the weekend with defender Sam Greenwood out injured long term. He added: 'Hopefully we have one new face in before Saturday. We've been dealt a huge blow with Sam, so we'll need to strengthen in that area.'
Daily Mail
11-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Wildfire burns for over a day as more than 50 firefighters battle to bring blaze under control
More than 50 firefighters battled a huge forest fire amid an 'extreme' wildfire warning as temperatures soared to be hotter than parts of Spain. Crews were called to the blaze covering a ten-acre area of woodland just off the B7010 near Fauldhouse, West Lothian, before midday on Saturday. A helicopter was also drafted in to drop water from the air as crews battled to bring the flames under control. The wildfire could be seen from almost 10 miles away in the neighbouring towns of Bathgate, Blackburn and Blackridge, with one eyewitness describing the scene as 'apocalyptic'. Residents living nearby also spoke of smoke engulfing their gardens as crews urged them to keep windows and doors closed. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service battling the blaze for the second day yesterday after being alerted to reports of 'a large outdoor fire affecting a remote area of forest near Fauldhouse' just around 11.45am on Saturday A spokesman said: 'Operations Control currently has nine appliances at the scene, as well as a high volume pump, all terrain vehicle and a water bowser. 'Firefighters will continue to work to extinguish the fire.' Police Scotland also urged the pubic to avoid the area while crews battled the blaze. A spokesman said: 'There have been no reports of any injuries, however, as a precaution, officers are advising local residents in the Heartlands, Armadale and Whitburn areas to keep their windows and doors closed as they deal with this incident. 'Please avoid the scene whilst emergency services are dealing with the incident.' It comes as an 'extreme' wildfire risk remains in place across mainland Scotland today [Mon], as the Met Office is predicting temperatures of 24C. In comparison thermometers in the Spanish capital of Madrid are only expected to peak at 18C. Meteorologist Jonathan Vautrey said after a misty and foggy start around eastern coastal locations it will soon clear in most areas, with the exception of Orkney and Shetland, where cloud is likely to linger for most of the day. But he said: 'Inland there will be plenty of dry conditions and sunny spells. We can't rule out that we won't see some showers as we head into the afternoon - and watch out for them being on the heavy side - but once again temperatures are going to be well above average for this point in the year.' Rainfall is also currently at only 3 per cent of the average, compared with the 19 per cent normally seen by May. This has led to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) issuing alerts for 23 rivers across the country, including the Clyde, due to fears over water scarcity. Only in the Inner Hebrides are water levels now at 'normal' conditions. SFRS, meanwhile, is urging those heading outdoors to 'act safely and responsibly'.
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.
BBC News
11-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Fifty firefighters tackling West Lothian wild blaze
Fire crews are continuing to battle a wild blaze in a wooded area in West 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 fire was said to cover 40,000 sq metres, the equivalent to about five-and-a-half football 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 the SFRS said dry, warm weather was increasing the chance of fires breaking out. The service has asked people to be very careful with naked flames in the 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 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 said rivers around the Black Isle and Thurso were also wildfire warning runs until are being asked to think of the consequences that fires sparked by cigarettes or barbeques can have on wildlife, agriculture and rural communities.
