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Daily Record
7 days ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Ayrshire eateries dominate shortlists for the Food Awards Scotland 2025
It's another impressive showing from Ayrshire as a host of businesses have been shortlisted by the event organisers. Businesses the length and breadth of Ayrshire have been shortlisted across various categories in the 11th Food Awards Scotland 2025. For the last decade these awards have been an annual celebration of Scotland's top culinary hotspots. And once again, a host of Ayrshire eateries are in with a chance of landing top prizes. Zain's Curry House (Dalry) and Viking cafe takeaway (Saltcoats) are both shortlisted in the Takeaway of the Year category. The Balgarth Pines Bar & Restaurant (Ayr) and The Dumfries Arms Hotel (Cumnock) will fight it out with nine others for the main prize in the Hotel Restaurant of the Year category. And the The Principal Cafe (Galston) and The Fish Works (Largs) are Ayrshire's two representative in the Best Fish N' Chips Establishment. Kilmarnock-based Artisan Weddings have been shortlisted in the Caterer of the Year category, while Ayr's Vegan Earth is on the Best Vegetarian / Vegan Establishment shortlist. And the Glasshouse Restaurant (Kilmarnock) has been shortlisted for the chance to win the Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year accolade. In terms of the Dessert Outlet of the Year, Nanny Marys (Ayr) is in the running, while Home Cook School (Kirkoswald) has been nominated in the Cookery School of the Year category. And Mr Basrai's World Cuisine (Ayr) has been included in the Buffet Restaurant of the Year category. Another Ayr business, The Drunken Coo, has made the Burger Bar of the Year shortlist, as well as Oceans 11 (Kilmarnock). In the Best Bistro/Diner category, Arranview Cafe Bistro (Galston) is on the shortlist, while Tattie Shack Farm Shop (Monkton), Nanny Marys (Ayr), and Puffers Café (Irvine) made the Deli of the Year shortlist. And Scotts Bar & Restaurant (Largs) has made the Bar & Grill of the Year category. These awards shine a spotlight on the dedication, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit of restaurant owners and teams across the country who work tirelessly to deliver exceptional service and experiences to their communities. Oceanic Awards finalists are selected in a few different ways. There is no fee and anyone can enter as long they fit the criteria of the awards including being operational for a minimum of 12 months. Nominations opened to the public via online platforms and social media, allowing customers and communities to put forward the establishments they love most. Voting will remain open until one week prior to the event. This prestigious final event will take place on Monday, August 25 at the Doubletree by Hilton Glasgow Central and will see top professionals come together to celebrate their achievements. Irfan Younis, spokesperson for The 11th Food Awards Scotland, said: 'We're honoured to once again spotlight the country's top food establishments and businesses. 'This year's finalists have all been distinguished as the real masters in their field due to their hard work and dedication to customer satisfaction. 'These finalists reflect the resilience and creativity of the entrepreneurs, employees and managers who always ensure the best possible experience for their customers. 'We would like to congratulate all of our finalists and wish them the best of luck.'
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Ayrshire Emo rock four-piece band release new single 'Nosedive'
Landscapes & Landslides' new single explores the intersection of social media and reality as well as issues such as body image and gender-based violence. Kilmarnock-based Emo rock four-piece band, Landscapes & Landslides, are set to release their new single, 'Nosedive', on Friday, August 1. The single follows on from the Landscape & Landslides' previous two EP releases in 2024 and is the first of two singles set for release in 2025. 'Nosedive' offers a grunge-inspired take on modern emo music. The band have 'levelled up' the production, capturing the drums in one of Scotland's most prestigious recording studios, Chem19. After professionally tracking drums, the recording and mixing process was finished DIY at the band's home studio by guitarist, Kyle Roberts, before mastering duties were passed onto David McAulay, whose credits include collaborations with Mogwai, King Creosote and Afterlands. Landscapes & Landslides take musical influence from the likes of American Football, Turnstile, Movements and Microwave. The band members, guitarist and lead vocalist Christopher Williams, guitarist Kyle Roberts, bassist and vocalist Murray Baxter and drummer Asier Lopez, have created a fresh take on traditional Midwest Emo, drifting between aggressive guitars and rhythms and poignant melodies and vocals. Murray told Ayrshire Live: "We're all at a stage in our lives where work and family life is a priority and we're not very busy as a band, so when it comes to performing or releasing music it's such a buzz for us. "We see the band as our passion and our release. "We spend most Monday evenings in Mesi Studios, Kilmarnock, writing and practicing, sometimes we just chill out together and discuss ideas and music. "It's a lot of hard work being a self-produced DIY band, so when we see our gigs selling out and people being so responsive and engaged in our music, it is so rewarding. "We're really excited to get 'Nosedive' out there as we feel the song will be relatable to so many people as it explores a lot of societal issues and for an emo song, it's pretty hooky, one of our more accessible tracks for those not too familiar with our music." 'Nosedive', the first release from the band, written entirely by Christopher Williams, offers a more driven, grungier take while maintaining the bands roots, in a similar vein to Turnstiles' recent single 'Never Enough'. Lyrically, 'Nosedive' explores the intersection of social media and reality, inspired by the Black Mirror episode of the same name. It builds on experiences of aimlessly striving for social approval. The song makes references to subjects such as body image and gender-based violence, as well as reflecting on Chris's own emotions, capturing the feeling of helplessness as these issues worsen worldwide. Landscapes & Landslides are supporting This Familiar Smile at Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
The Herald Scotland
20-06-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Tyler Jolly thinking positive and targets first belt on Gladiator card
Jolly is back on the basketball court at the Playsport arena in East Kilbride this evening as part of St Andrew's Sporting Club's Gladiator III extravaganza and this time there is silverware on the line, the Celtic welterweight strap up for grabs against Wales's Jake Tinklin. It is the sort of progression Jolly had hoped for after a year of inactivity and he is determined to make the most of this opportunity. 'I've had two good wins already this year but against journeymen - that's the only way to put it,' said the Kilmarnock-based boxer. 'They were just in there to survive. But this boy's a former Welsh champion, he's boxed for multiple titles, so hopefully he comes to fight. And, if so, that will be to his detriment. '[What happened with the medical] is in the past now. I'm just looking forward with a positive mindset. I've been doing a lot of work on staying mentally strong with sports psychologists and stuff like that. It's all just about being positive now. 'I do things like writing down affirmations and speaking positively about things rather than thinking, 'why is this happening to me?' or 'poor me' or anything like that. I'm just being a positive person and trying to get good things in return. 'I'm focusing on this fight for now. It's a good title but it's also a good stepping stone title. It then gives you a bargaining tool to possibly push on for the British title or the Commonwealth title after only six fights. Then everybody will need to fight me eventually.' Jolly enters this new era with a new coach in his corner having parted with former three-weight world champion Ricky Burns to work instead with Rob McKechnie and Stephen Simmons at the Boxing Scotland gym in Glasgow. 'I've left Ricky but there's no bad blood or anything,' reveals Jolly. 'Just his schedule wasn't really matching up with mine anymore. I'm now with Rob and Stephen at Boxing Scotland and it's going really well. 'I'm familiar with the two guys. It's just getting back to what I'm good at and focusing fully on boxing. I'm traveling from Kilmarnock up to Glasgow most days but that's nothing to me. I'm from Whithorn so I'm used to travelling miles to get anywhere.' Jolly was part of the Team Scotland boxing crew that enjoyed varied success at the last edition of the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. Reese Lynch became the last of the male fighters to turn over when he made his professional debut at the Hydro last month and Jolly says the group all continue to support each other as they usher in a new era for Scottish boxing. 'Reese was brilliant that night, he looked really strong,' says Jolly proudly. 'We're all the next ones coming through to represent Scottish boxing. Nathaniel Collins is leading the way now and there's me, Reese, Sam [Hickey] and all the rest. 'There's a whole crop of Scottish boxers with titles and pushing on to big shows in Scotland all the time. Instead of needing to jump to the English beat or wishing that you could get on a Saudi card, there's now enough boxers in Scotland you can build shows around, 100%. 'Me, Sam and Reese, we grew up with each other and still speak most days. Me and Jake [Limond] have been training and sparring together. Then there's Matty [McHale] as well who's fighting for the Commonwealth title on this card. 'Boxing is a small community in Scotland. You get close with everybody. It's not one group there, another group here. Everybody's friendly and we're all supporting each other on our different journeys.'
Daily Record
29-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Record
'Dishonest' nurse is struck off after catalogue of failings across two Ayrshire care homes
Ramani Sreekumar was subject to a disciplinary investigation at Fullarton Care Home in Irvine - but she failed to disclose this when she applied for a post at Kilmarnock-based Crossgate Care Home. An Ayrshire nurse has been struck off and handed an 18-month interim suspension after being found guilty of as many as 18 charges of care 'failings' across two care homes in Irvine and Kilmarnock. Ramani Sreekumar was subject to a disciplinary investigation at Fullarton Care Home in Irvine - but she failed to disclose this when she applied for a post at Kilmarnock-based Crossgate Care Home. Now the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has scrubbed Sreekumar's name off their register of adult nurses, labelling her 'dishonest' and claiming her fitness to practise is 'impaired.' In a 51-page dossier centred on the case, the NMC said the charges arose whilst Mrs Sreekumar was employed as a registered nurse at Fullarton Care Home in 2019. Initial 'concerns' related to Mrs Sreekumar's administration of medication to a resident during a nightshift and to subsequently 'attempting to cover up the incident.' However, a second referral to the regulator was made in relation to Mrs Sreekumar's work as a registered nurse at Crossgate Care Home. The second allegation was that Mrs Sreekumar was 'rude to staff,' she 'failed to properly follow' a resident's care plan, and 'concealed previous regulatory and disciplinary investigations' when applying for the role in 2019 and 2020. Sreekumar faced a total of 24 charges and 11 witnesses were brought in during the NMC's substantive hearing, held in Edinburgh. Six of the charges, including one that alleged she 'inaccurately' informed a colleague that a resident was 'fine'- when they were discovered dead shortly after - were dropped. Among the charges brought against her during her time at Fullarton, Sreekumar, during a nightshift in October 2019, did 'not adequately check' on a resident's condition after being informed their syringe driver was not working properly. Sreekumar also 'lied' to multiple colleagues that she telephoned the Out of Hours District Nurses, to review the resident's syringe driver. She also 'ignored' the resident's family whilst administering medication. Another charge found proved said the nurse 'incorrectly recorded' that she had administered medication to a resident when she was 'not on shift.' But even more care failings were discovered when Sreekumar worked for Crossgate Care Home. During one incident, which unfolded during a nightshift of 29/30 April 2020 - and on other dates - she 'pointed' in a colleague's face; shouted and/or raised her voice at said colleague, was stopped by that colleague from administering a double dose of medication to a resident and on one or more occasion she 'refused to assist' staff undertake personal care for residents. Other charges included failing to dispose of used needles in the sharps bin and leaving one or more used needles unattended in a resident's room. In another incident, when a resident suffered a fall, Sreekumar 'did not follow' the resident's mobility support plan, did not use a hoist to lift them from the floor, she 'incorrectly instructed' a colleague to manually lift the resident, then 'ignored' a colleague after they informed her that a hoist 'was needed.' Sreekumar then said: 'Well do you know what, I am your nurse and I am telling you to lift him so do you job,' or words to that effect. And on other unknown dates Sreekumar 'refused' to assist colleagues undertake personal care for one or more residents, including bed baths, changing pads and changing clothes. Sreekumar failed to answer call buzzers, on one or more occasions too. The 'rudeness' of Sreekumar was also highlighted. On unknown dates, whilst communicating with Health Care Assistants, Sreekumar 'clicked her fingers' at one or more HCAs and inappropriately referred to one or more HCAs as 'Carer 1,' 'Carer 2' and 'You.' And the charge that, during the recruitment process to Crossgate Care Home, between September 27 – November 21, 2019, Sreekumar did not disclose that she was subject to a disciplinary investigation at her previous place of employment, was also proved. This led to another charge, namely she 'lacked integrity' and/or was 'dishonest' in that she sought to conceal the fact that she was subject to a disciplinary investigation from her employer at the time. The NMC's Fitness to Practise Committee said that residents were 'put at risk' and were caused physical and emotional harm as a result of Mrs Sreekumar's misconduct and her behaviour was a 'significant departure' from the standards expected of a registered nurse. Their report states: 'The panel finds that residents were put at risk and were caused physical and emotional harm as a result of Mrs Sreekumar's misconduct. The panel also considered that colleagues and the relatives of residents were caused harm as a result of Mrs Sreekumar's misconduct. 'Mrs Sreekumar's misconduct had breached the fundamental tenets of the nursing profession and therefore brought its reputation into disrepute. It was satisfied that confidence in the nursing profession would be undermined if its regulator did not find charges relating to dishonesty extremely serious.' The report continues: 'In considering the seriousness of Mrs Sreekumar's dishonesty the panel concluded that it was at the upper end of the spectrum. The panel noted that Mrs Sreekumar's dishonesty was associated with a delay in providing care to a vulnerable resident which resulted in actual harm. 'There was also a separate, but associated, incident of dishonesty which involved Mrs Sreekumar seeking to hide these initial failings from a prospective new employer for her personal gain. 'The first instance of dishonesty involved lying to four colleagues to cover up her clinical failings. The second instance was deliberate and prolonged covering a period of approximately one month.' The NMC said the factors of concern in this case included: the 'absence of insight' into failings, a pattern of 'repeated misconduct' over a period of time, 'actual harm' caused to residents including especially vulnerable patients, including individuals at 'end of life,' conduct which put patients and colleagues 'at risk of suffering harm,' repeated dishonesty and a 'lack of engagement' with the NMC hearing. The report goes on: 'The panel noted that the serious breach of the fundamental tenets of the profession evidenced by Mrs Sreekumar's actions is fundamentally incompatible with Mrs Sreekumar remaining on the register. The panel concluded that the misconduct identified occurred over a prolonged period of time, involved multiple breaches of fundamental tenets, and attitudinal concerns. 'The panel was of the view that the findings in this particular case demonstrate that Mrs Sreekumar's actions were serious and to allow her to continue practising would undermine public confidence in the profession and in the NMC as a regulatory body.' The report adds: 'Balancing all of these factors and after taking into account all the evidence before it during this case, the panel determined that the appropriate and proportionate sanction is that of a striking-off order. 'Having regard to the effect of Mrs Sreekumar's actions in bringing the profession into disrepute by adversely affecting the public's view of how a registered nurse should conduct herself, the panel has concluded that nothing short of this would be sufficient in this case. The panel considered that this order was necessary to mark the importance of maintaining public confidence in the profession, and to send to the public and the profession a clear message about the standard of behaviour required of a registered nurse.'
