Latest news with #IanBrown
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Local live music scene desperately needs our help, says Inverclyde councillor
As Oasis mania sweeps across the country this summer, the nostalgia of the music scene of my youth has left me saddened at the decline of such an important part of our culture. Inverclyde was a hive of musical activity then and there were a range of venues all offering acts a chance to perform to packed out audiences every weekend. We even attracted renowned British artists, like Ian Brown, which made our town feel like it was on the map and created an exciting atmosphere about the place. There were also lots of local bands that garnered a loyal following wherever they played. It was a great time to be young and the music brought us together. Oasis fever has gripped Britain once again as the band's reunion tour gathers pace - but with live music venues closing at an alarming rate, where will the next Oasis come from? (Image: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire) The scenes from the Oasis tour were reminiscent of those days, as you can feel the connection their music creates for those attending, with or without tickets. It's been something joyful to witness in amongst what appears to be a never-ending, doom-scrolling cycle of societal division and bad news. Sadly, the local live music scene today is barely existent. The weekends seem eerily quiet and, with a few honourable exceptions, barely any live music is on offer. Of course, this problem is not solely one Inverclyde is grappling with. The threat to the UK's music scene is well documented, as venues continue to close at an alarming rate. Last year, almost 44 per cent of grassroots venues reported a loss, with the average profit margin being only 0.48 per cent for live events. Since 2005, 70 per cent of Britain's late-night venues have permanently closed, and at the current rate there will be no clubs left by 2039. Since 2005, 70 per cent of Britain's late night venues have permanently closed. (Image: The UK is renowned worldwide for our music scene and we have produced some of the best bands to ever walk the earth. The threat to these venues means that the Oasises of the future may not even get a start. I have spoken with promoters, band managers and artists themselves about this issue and they have all reported these concerns. Coupled with the issues Brexit has caused for artists touring in Europe, we have created a perfect storm for our emerging talent. We still have world-class acts: we need to ensure we have places they can perform, or we risk losing them too. Beyond the threat of cultural decline caused by the closure of live music venues, losing these places where people gather to enjoy a shared interest could also exacerbate the rising mental health issues we are facing. Inverclyde councillor Kirsty Law says live music venues have a huge role to play - not just in promoting new music, but in helping people socialise. (Image: George Munro) I know personally that live music has helped me through times of poor mental health; it allows me to immerse myself in the music and to escape any worldly woes for a while as I dance my cares away. These venues have been places where I have formed life-long friendships, and they are vital for providing spaces for people to socialise. If we don't use them, we'll lose them - and once they're gone, we'll all be worse off as a result. Let's support our venues and help us find the next Oasis!
Daily Record
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Record
Man, 64, in "critical condition" following horror crash with bus
The driver of the red Honda was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow following the incident. A 64-year-old man is in a 'critical condition' following a road crash between a bus and a car in Renfrewshire. Emergency services raced to Main Road in Elderslie around 1.55pm on Tuesday afternoon following the collision that involved a red Honda Civic and a McGill's bus. The driver of the car, a 64-year-old male, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow for treatment and police have now confirmed his condition as critical. A 51-year-old female who was a passenger in the car was also taken to hospital to be checked over. The road was closed between the junction for Glenpatrick Road and the roundabout for Linwood Road and the A761 for several hours. The roundabout itself was not closed. A witness at the scene told the Paisley Daily Express: 'Even two hours after the crash, it looked quite serious. Police were putting up more tape to extend the cordon. 'We could see paramedics and police treating a person at the side of the road. They looked quite shaken up. There were lots of police cars and emergency services. It's such a busy road at the best of times and it was shut both ways. 'It was causing absolute chaos, people were doing three-point-turns and going back the direction they came as they were getting fed up waiting in the delays. It looked like a bad one – the car had suffered more damage than the bus.' The 54-year-old male driver of the bus and the passengers on board were uninjured in the incident. Police confirmed the road was reopened shortly before 8pm. Officers are continuing to review CCTV footage from the area for further information on the collision and are now appealing for witnesses. Constable Ian Brown from road policing said: 'I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact us. Some of the bus passengers had left the scene before we arrived and I would ask them to please get in touch. "It's vital we have as much information as possible as we work to establish the full circumstances of the crash.' A spokesperson for McGill's Group added: 'We can confirm that one of our vehicles was involved in an incident on Tuesday afternoon in Elderslie, when a car collided with the bus as it was pulling into a stop. 'No passengers or the driver of the bus were injured.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1797 of Tuesday, July 15.
BBC News
16-07-2025
- BBC News
Delay to opening Inverness Castle as £30m visitor attraction
The opening of Inverness Castle as a new £30m tourist attraction has been delayed until later this to redevelop the former sheriff court and prison started in 2022 and was expected to be completed this Inverness Castle Experience, which involves Highland Council and Highlife Highland, said it was a complex and specilised said the main construction phase was ongoing but nearing completion. Councillor Ian Brown, who is co-chairman of the Inverness Castle delivery group, said it was a landmark project for the said: "This is a complex project - it involves a unique blend of historic architecture, modern building techniques and innovative exhibits. "The teamwork between contractors, designers and fit-out specialists has been commendable, especially considering the challenges with workforce availability."Mr Brown added: "With construction drawing to a close, we are moving into the final phase with energy and clear focus." What does the castle look like just now? Once open, visitors will be able to take an interactive journey through the castle and learn about the history and legends of the people will be offered the chance to follow a virtual guide - a dog called castle will also have a bar and this year, an information day was held on jobs being created at the castle. The Scottish Courts and Tribunal Service moved out of the castle in redevelopment has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region February, public agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) put an extra £863,000 towards the cost of the building's additional funding brought HIE's total investment in the project to £2.86m. The sandstone Inverness Castle was built in 1830s and 40s to plans drawn by architect William was constructed on Castle Hill, which overlooks the city and the River Ness. The property's North Block served as a prison. But a castle had occupied the site from possibly as far back as the 11th the centuries, the fortification fell under the control of the forces of Edward I, Robert the Bruce and James I, II and 1562, it was attacked and damaged by soldiers loyal to Mary, Queen of Scots, before it was almost destroyed by Royalist troops in the Prince Charlie's forces blew the castle up in 1746 to prevent it from falling into the hands of government was said that a French sergeant, who had brought his poodle with him to Scotland, set off the soldier was caught in the blast, and his body was blown across to the opposite side of the River Ness. His dog survived.
STV News
16-07-2025
- STV News
Car driver fighting for life and passenger hurt after crash involving bus
The driver of a car is fighting for his life after a crash involving a bus in Renfrewshire. Police were called around 1.55pm on Tuesday to a collision involving a red Honda Civic car and a bus on Main Street in Elderslie. The 64-year-old male driver and 51-year-old female passenger of the car were taken to hospital, with the driver's condition described as critical. The 54-year-old male driver of the bus and the passengers on board were uninjured in the incident. Officers are continuing to review CCTV footage from the area following the collision. Constable Ian Brown from Road Policing said: 'I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact us. 'Some of the bus passengers had left the scene before we arrived and I would ask them to please get in touch. 'It's vital we have as much information as possible as we work to establish the full circumstances of the crash.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1797 of Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
16-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Man fighting for his life after serious crash in Elderslie
Around 1.55pm on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, police received a report of a collision involving a red, Honda Civic car and a bus in Main Street, Elderslie. Emergency services attended and the 64-year-old male driver and 51-year-old female passenger of the car were taken to hospital. The 64-year-old man's condition is described as critical. The 54-year-old male driver of the bus and the passengers on board were uninjured in the incident. READ MORE: Brave woman took pictures of 'Rocky Balboa' injuries at hands of thug Officers are continuing to review CCTV footage from the area for further information on the collision. Constable Ian Brown from Road Policing said: 'I am appealing to anyone who was in the area at the time to contact us. Some of the bus passengers had left the scene before we arrived and I would ask them to please get in touch. It's vital we have as much information as possible as we work to establish the full circumstances of the crash.' Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1797 of Tuesday, 15 July 2025.
