Latest news with #Forres
BBC News
27-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Police investigation break-in at Moray ambulance station
Police are investigating a break-in to a Moray ambulance incident at Leanchoil Hospital in Forres happened sometime between 06:00 on Sunday and 07:00 on Scottish Ambulance Service has condemned the incident. A spokesman said damaging ambulance staff property and equipment was "unacceptable".Police Scotland has appealed for anyone with information to call 101.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
BBC's Only Child returns for a second series
Gregor Fisher and Greg McHugh are to return in Only Child, the touching and funny BBC One and iPlayer sitcom following the exploits of squabbling father and son duo, Ken and Richard Pritchard. Commissioned by BBC Comedy and BBC Scotland from Happy Tramp North, Only Child will see Fisher and McHugh return to Forres for six more episodes. The first series which was loved by viewers and celebrated by critics alike, followed bit-part actor Richard's long overdue visit to his eccentric, strong-willed technophobe dad, Ken, who is recently widowed. Richard comes to the realisation that his dad may need a bit more full-time help. Domestic and inter-generational differences and neighbourly squabbles were all told through the lens of Richard and Ken's comedic relationship with son Richard's patience often tested to its limits as the father-son bonding evolved. Written once again by Bryce Hart, the second series will see the chaotic Pritchard clan return for more adventures as Richard and Ken bicker through everything from driving lessons and explaining what a QR code is to buying your own coffin. Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning BBC Scotland says: 'The magic of Bryce's writing takes a relatable situation and packs it with warmth and love as well as plenty of laughter. We loved the relationship between father and son and Gregor and Greg brought their comedy A-game to the roles. We're thrilled to be working with the team at Happy Tramp North to bring more of this heartwarming humour to BBC audiences.' Greg McHugh says: 'I am absolutely thrilled that Only Child has been given a second series - it was an absolute hoot to shoot with an amazing cast and crew. Getting to work again with Gregor 'Loose Cannon' Fisher is the spice we all need in our lives. Thanks to all the audience who tuned in and gave us their support! Thanks also to the BBC for this amazing opportunity to return!' Gregor Fisher added: 'Well I never. Back to Forres to spend time with young McHugh and the gang. It beats working." Neil Webster, Executive Producer, Happy Tramp North said: 'It's great to be back in Forres, hanging out with our two favourite men down The Beastie. Pints of heavy all round.' Only Child will once again showcase a wealth of Scottish and Irish talent with full cast to be announced in due course. Only Child (6 x 30) is a Happy Tramp North Production for BBC One, BBC Scotland and iPlayer. It was commissioned by Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy and Louise Thornton, Head of Commissioning BBC Scotland. The producer is Ursula Haworth, the director is John Addis and the executive producer is Neil Webster. The commissioning editors for the BBC are Gregor Sharp and Gavin Smith. Watch Only Child on BBC iPlayer Susan@
Press and Journal
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Press and Journal
Highland League digest: Forres Mechanics and Strathspey Thistle make new signings
Manager Steven MacDonald believes new signing Cohen Ramsay joins Forres Mechanics with a point to prove. The Can-Cans have signed the left-sided defender on a three-year deal from Buckie Thistle. Ramsay, who has also played for Nairn County in the Breedon Highland League, spent three years with the Jags before making the switch to Mosset Park. Forres boss MacDonald is delighted to have landed the 25-year-old, who helped Thistle win the Highland League in 2024 – particularly after Calum Howarth decided to take a step away from football at the end of the season. MacDonald said: 'Hopefully Cohen is coming with a bit of fire in his belly. 'We spoke about how he would have liked to have played more this season at Buckie. 'He's coming into the prime of his career and the opportunity is there for him to come to Forres and show what he can do. 'I think that's the same for every player when they join a new club – they want to prove themselves. Cohen Ramsay has signed for Forres Mechanics. 'That can give your squad fresh impetus when you have players coming in trying to prove themselves. 'When players like Cohen become available there are always plenty of teams that are interested, so it's very pleasing we've been able to sign him. 'He's an experienced Highland League player as a result of his time at Nairn and Buckie, where he was part of their title-winning team. 'When the opportunity to bring Cohen to Forres came up we were keen, and with Calum Howarth deciding to take a step back from playing, we were keen to strengthen by getting another left-sided defender in.' Ramsay's versatility Looking ahead to working with Ramsay, MacDonald admits he may be utilised in more positions than left-back, where he has played for the majority of his career. He added: 'I think Cohen is versatile and he's got the attributes to play in several positions. 'But we'll see what suits him best and what suits the team best – but he is someone I see as versatile.' Although Forres have recruited Ramsay, they have lost striker Shaun Morrison, who has been sold to Strathspey Thistle. Morrison was with the Can-Cans for three-and-a-half years and MacDonald was full of praise for his contribution. He said: 'Shaun's a really good player who's done very well for Forres. 'He was a really popular member of our squad and he's someone we didn't want to lose. 'However, Shaun wanted to move on in search of more regular game-time. 'But I can only praise Shaun. 'Ever since he first joined us, his attitude and commitment has been excellent.' Esson gets his man Strathspey Thistle manager Ryan Esson is pleased his lengthy pursuit of Shaun Morrison has paid off. The striker has joined the Grantown Jags from Forres Mechanics and has signed a three-year deal with the Seafield Park outfit. Esson worked with Morrison when he was a young player at Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and since becoming Strathspey boss last August, he has been keen to reunite with the 21-year-old. Strathspey's new signing Shaun Morrison, right, celebrates scoring a goal for Forres. Esson said: 'I've worked with Shaun before when he was a young player at Inverness Caley Thistle and I enjoyed working with him. 'Since then he's come into the Highland League and has scored goals at this level. 'I know what he will bring to our team – he adds something that we don't currently have and he'll give us something different at the top end of the pitch. 'Shaun's somebody I've been keen to get in ever since I got the job at Strathspey.' New signing can deliver goals Morrison arrived in the Breedon Highland League when he signed for Forres in January 2022. As well as playing for the Can-Cans, he had a loan spell with Rothes at the tail-end of this season. As Esson looks ahead to next term, he believes Morrison is the man who can increase Strathspey's goal output. He added: 'This season I felt we created a lot of chances and missed a lot of chances. 'We only scored 40 goals in 34 league games and that's a statistic we need to improve next season. 'Shaun has scored goals at this level, he's somebody I know well and I'm hoping he can score goals for us. 'Shaun is also still a young player and someone we're hoping to improve going forward. 'He's still developing and I'm hoping he comes in next season really hungry to push on and take his career to the next level.' Meanwhile, Strathspey have opted not to renew Paul Brindle's contract. The former Brora Rangers, Clachnacuddin and Forres Mechanics striker joined the Jags in September and scored six goals in the 2024-25 season.
BBC News
23-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'Some athletes need to be fully-focused... I'm not like that'
Scotland has a rich history in producing track cyclists who have become big names. Lauren Bell may be yet to achieve that, but she believes that could soon Forres racer has made a blistering start to 2025, winning a European Championship silver and three golds at the British 25-year-old is reaping the rewards after deciding to recalibrate her work life balance following the "blessing in disguise" of missing out on selection for last summer Olympic Games."I was just putting too much pressure on myself," she told BBC Scotland. "Some athletes have to be fully focussed, and don't do anything outside their training."I am not that type of athlete. I really need to go and see pals, go out for dinner, go and do things. But I was restricting myself from doing that extra-curricular stuff and it wasn't good for me because I wasn't very happy."This year I have completely switched it. I'm making sure I do the things that keep me happy and, although that might mean maybe I will miss a training session, the results are so much better." Bell already has two world championship medals to her name, a silver in 2023 an upgrade from bronze the previous year, and will look to take another step up the podium in Chile in makes her story even more intriguing is that there were few signs her future lay in the sport growing up in Moray - "I just didn't like cycling," she said. But Bell swapped athletics for cycling in her late teens after her potential was spotted on a talent transfer day in Manchester."There were looking at track sprint, skeleton and kayaking, and I really wanted skeleton, but I got picked for cycling and actually started to enjoy it."Even after that, Bell's journey has been bumpy. She had to leave the British programme but was invited to train with Scottish Cycling."It gave me time to really learn how to ride my bike and made me a better rider in the long term," she said."They got me to a level where I went down to the nationals in 2020, won the Keirin and the 500m, and did an incredible time trial lap, and then British Cycling asked me to come back on."While Bell is hoping to scratch her Olympic itch at the 2028 games in Los Angeles, she has also got next summer's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in her sights."That is actually a big goal of mine so all eyes are set on that," she said. "Since I was really young I have always wanted a Commonwealth Games medal and to hear Flower of Scotland on the podium."And Bell is juggling that quest with another target – to learn Gaelic, and perhaps even do a post-medal interview in the language."It is difficult but I can see I am getting there," she said."I can say where I live , how I am doing, what the weather is like so I need to still learn my bike language to be able to hold an interview, but it is really good."
