Latest news with #Goring
The Herald Scotland
26-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Why is the Kirk so keen to close down community outreach?
Ms Goring highlights the massive decline in Church of Scotland membership, currently sitting at 68,000 and – make no mistake – due to the current policy of church closures this number will continue to decline. Churches are often much more than places of worship, much more than the House of God. They are often the hub of the community, a lifeline for the lonely, a place of support for those visiting food banks and much more. So why on earth is the Church of Scotland intent of closing the door, shutting down community outreach and now closing down yet another source of outreach, the magazine? Catriona C Clark, Falkirk. Flamingo Land fight goes on Among the many expert bodies which roundly rejected the Loch Lomond Flamingo Land application last year, the most relevant is the National Park's board, whose remit is to protect the land under its authority. Its unanimous rejection of Flamingo Land's plans should have brought this sorry business to an end. Flamingo Land appealed at the end of last year and rather than being heard in a public inquiry, we have a government reporter, who makes decisions on behalf of the Scottish administration, disregarding local democracy ('Ministers refuse to recall decision to overturn block on Loch Lomond plan', The Herald, May 21). Where do the views of the parks authority, Sepa, the transport authorities, the local council and the general public – currently 178,000 of them – come in? This isn't the first time this has happened. Remember Donald Trump's golf course or the nine fish farm refusals which were overturned? We have a broken system. It allows decisions to be made outwith public or parliamentary scrutiny and is an open door for unscrupulous gold-diggers. Writing to Planning Minister Ivan McKee doesn't address the local democracy deficit nor does it prevent another Flamingo Land. Read more letters There's another option. The Referendums (Scotland) Act 2020 allows for a vote to take place on any controversial content – like this one. The Scottish Government should use it. But if it won't consult the people, Scotland Decides can do it for them. It has a platform for verifiable voting that accords with national and international standards. Concerned citizens just need to register on the Scotland Decides website, as well as sign public petition PE2135 to enact the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which would give the people direct political rights and the right to self-determination. The Cabinet Secretary for Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson, has failed to support the petition, which speaks volumes about the seriousness of this administration when it comes to protecting our rights. David Younger, Tighnabruaich, Argyll. Discrimination by exclusion Every government and statutory body, health boards, local authorities and any other organisation big enough to think they need it always ask individuals/service users to complete "the attached form on gender and ethnicity". I am in the majority of the population on both accounts but am excluded from adding to the real data breakdown of these surveys. Not one of these so-called surveys allows me to list myself as a white, biological, British male. Why is that? Would collecting that information upset the balance of statistics? Would counting white British of a specific biological gender affect or upset the minority who identify themselves as something other than white British of a certain biological gender? Why should I and others like me be offended without any say about the exclusion of our specifics from all these surveys? These forms discriminate against me and many others. James A Mackie, Garmouth, Moray. Temporary relief As one of the five million-plus viewers a month of channel 328's Talking Pictures, recommended during conversation at my golf club, may I commend Mark Smith on his article ("Ten years on: the TV channel that saved us", The Herald, May 24)? Current television acting does indeed contain so much mumbling that switching on the subtitles becomes a necessity. I am amused by the warnings preceding Rumpole of the Bailey that some viewers may find the language offensive. I suppose that in today's world, Rumpole's references to his long-suffering spouse Hilda as SWMBA (she who must be obeyed) might constitute grounds for divorce. I, too, love the simple, cheap, sugar-laden past quoted by Mr Smith ; the real world, however, beckons. Escapism is temporary. David Miller, Milngavie. Sort of annoying In recent weeks there has been considerable comment on the usage of "so", "well", "look" and "listen" by persons about to comment on an issue. The fault is not exclusive to sporting pundits. Following First Minister's Questions (May 22) a female political commentator used the phrase "sort of " on 12 occasions as she offered her observations on political points earlier discussed. At best "sort of", "kinda" and "y know" are slovenly but also detract from the value of the opinion being made. Am I no' right? Allan C Steele, Giffnock. An impression of how the Flamingo Land development could look (Image: Flamingo Land) Rhyme crime Bob Byiers' excellent letter (May 24) re teachers and their classes reminded me of one morning in distant memory: third or fourth year at morning school assembly, with one of our PE teachers, Mr Chris Begg, on duty in the hall and looking after the hordes of pupils – and grabbing one of the third-year boys who was starting to leave and shouting at him: "Where's your blazer, Fraser?", and the immediate retort from the pupil: "On the peg, Begg!". Brought the place down of course, and brought the belt down on the pupil's hands when he was carted off to the staff room for retribution. Happy memories. Walter Paul, Glasgow.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Goring sandpit build begins despite planning permission refusal
Work to build a large children's sandpit and recreation area in a field in West Sussex has begun, despite planning permission being Dixon applied to build a 25m/sq sandpit, "tumble down mound", boules pitch and bar area on land off Marine Drive, Goring, however his bid was Mr Dixon confirmed in an online statement that he had begun building the project anyway, and that there would "soon be 23 flag poles proudly waving the Union Jack".A spokesperson for Worthing Borough Council said it was waiting for further information about the works before taking any action. "We've been made aware of the activity and have written to the landowner for clarification about what he is doing there," they said."We will then consider whether any enforcement action is necessary."Mr Dixon's company, Goring Gap Limited, announced plans last year to create a "fenced family entertainment area" focused around the scheme also includes concessions for vendors selling food, drinks, snacks and sweets from gazebos and trailers, as well as a bar for would also feature toilets and car parking council previously said it rejected the application because it had not received enough information from Mr Dixon to prove that the "use and operations described in the application would be or are lawful"."The proposed leisure related uses would involve a material change of use of the land, which was previously agricultural, and the associated works would be operational development," the council said this believed such a development would be unlawful under Section 55 of the Town and Country Planning Act 15 May, Mr Dixon posted to his website: "Work has begun on the children's sandpit, tumble down mound, boules and bar area."There will soon be 23 flag poles proudly waiving the Union Jack, Worthing and Sussex colours."The BBC has contacted Mr Dixon for comment.
AU Financial Review
14-05-2025
- AU Financial Review
The London hotel where you are most likely to spot a royal
Amid the elegance of Belgravia, The Goring Hotel has held a cherished place in London's hospitality scene for over a century. Today, the British hotel is evolving, shifting from a royal favourite under Queen Elizabeth II to a contemporary icon of sustainable luxury at in the early days of King Charles' reign. The Goring's geographic location couldn't be more fitting for a royal legacy. A 10-minute stroll from the palace gates, the hotel has served as a discreet haven for royalty and dignitaries for 113 years. It was famously the choice of accommodation for Kate Middleton on the eve of her wedding to William, Prince of Wales, and Queen Elizabeth II was a regular in the restaurant –cementing its place among Britain's most revered establishments.
