Latest news with #Leuchars
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Climate
- Scotsman
Why Scotland, one of Europe's wettest countries, needs to get ready for severe drought
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The rain has come, but is Scotland ready for a future with more drought? Rainfall last Friday signalled the end to an unusually dry and sunny period of weather for many people in Scotland, just in time for the bank holiday weekend. A weather front sweeping across the country brought much needed rainfall to the east, including the first for Leuchars in Fife since April 18 . Scotland as a whole has seen roughly 40 per cent of its usual rainfall from the start of March. This has left reservoirs down to 81 per cent of their capacity , raising concerns that low summer rainfall could lead to issues with water availability. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This follows an unusually dry autumn and winter for central and southern Scotland, according to Met Office data . Meanwhile, the dry conditions in spring have contributed to a record wildfire season with major fires in the Forest of Galloway and Islands of Arran, Bute and Skye. Scotland might be famous for rain, like this downpour in Helensburgh in January, but drought is becoming a real problem, particularly for the east coast (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell) | Getty Images Scots use more water Concerns about a lack of water in one of Europe's wettest countries may seem overblown. However, it is important to remember that the heaviest rain falls in the sparsely populated west, whereas there is substantial water demand in the relatively drier and more populated east for public and industrial use. Moreover, such perceptions of a limitless resource may contribute to high water usage. The average Scot uses 180 litres of water a day , considerably more than the 140 litres used by people in England and Wales. It is also possible that the fixed rate most Scottish people pay for their water, rather than metered billing, plays a role. Demands from agriculture and the whisky industry are other key contributors to water use. Whilst the rain has arrived, we aren't out of the woods yet. Most areas across the east of Scotland show moderate water scarcity, according to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) , and very heavy rainfall would be needed to replenish water levels. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad High demand, low supply Regardless of what the summer brings, this spring may be a harbinger of future drought. Climate change simulations project drier summers in future due to increased evaporative demand from a warmer atmosphere. A NatureScot report found that what was previously a one-in-20-year drought event, based on the period between 1981 and 2000, will occur every three years on average between 2021 and 2040. Areas with a low water supply yet high demand, such as Edinburgh, Lothian, Dundee and Fife are likely to become increasingly exposed to drought. Additionally, water demand is expected to increase in the east of Scotland due to population growth and a demographic shift of people from west to east. Compounding this, water demand rises during a drought – for example, as farmers increase the amount of irrigation – suggesting that Scotland will become increasingly vulnerable to extended dry periods. Consequently, it is clear that steps are needed to increase our water system's resilience to drought. On the demand side, this could include information campaigns to help the public to understand that water is a finite resource and how to use it more efficiently. The largest contributors to domestic water use are toilet flushing and taking a shower or bath. Each minute in the shower uses about ten litres, while a leaky toilet can waste up to 400 litres a day . Additionally, using eco-mode on a washing machine can save around 15 litres . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Encouragingly, a short-term appeal from Scottish Water to lower water use may have helped in reducing demand by 60 million litres a day last week . Greater drought resilience needed Research by Consumer Scotland recommended that the Scottish Government should update building standards and improve access to information regarding water-efficient appliances. At present, consumers wishing to pay based on what water they use have to spend hundreds of pounds to cover the cost of surveys and the installation of meters . Perhaps making it easier to switch to a metered connection could conserve water and help consumers save money in the long run? Nevertheless, demand-side reductions can only go so far. A 2023 report by the Climate Change Committee, the UK's independent assessor of progress on climate change, noted a lack of drought resilience standards and water-leakage reduction targets in Scotland. The report also criticised the limited awareness and management of interdependencies across infrastructure sectors. Since then, Scottish Water released its Climate Change Adaptation plan which found that investment of £2 billion to £5 billion would be needed by 2050 to maintain the current levels of service. The plan includes measures to reduce the number of customers fed from a single water source, prevent leakage and lower consumption. Scottish Water also aims to build drought response into its operations and water-system plans. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A Scottish Government consultation about the future of the water industry has indicated that there is support for revisiting current water policy. It is important that the government acts on the results of this consultation to ensure a more effective and adaptable water system. We need to realise that water, particularly clean drinking water, is a precious resource. This spring has taught us that it is not always abundant, even in Scotland. There are signs of progress in identifying the challenges that climate change and demographic shifts will bring to our water system. However, much more work is needed to ensure a drought-resilient future for Scotland.
The Courier
6 days ago
- General
- The Courier
Tribute to 'honest and hardworking' Auchtermuchty firefighter and joiner Eddie Kotlewski MBE who's died at 71
Eddie Kotlewski, MBE, a respected Auchtermuchty businessman, retained firefighter, and joiner who dedicated his life to serving his community, has died suddenly at the age of 71 – just one day after celebrating his golden wedding anniversary with family. He passed away unexpectedly on April 21, having spent the previous day with his wife Helen, children and grandchildren for a special family gathering to mark 50 years of marriage. The joy of that occasion made the news of his death all the more shocking for those who knew and loved him. Eddie is perhaps best remembered in firefighting circles for leading a pioneering fire safety initiative in 1992. This followed the tragic death of an elderly resident in Auchtermuchty's first fire fatality in many years. He was deeply moved and convinced the loss could have been prevented by a simple smoke alarm, so he sprang into action. With the support of the firemaster John White – who also passed away recently – he launched a locally funded campaign to provide and install free smoke detectors in the homes of senior citizens across Auchtermuchty, Strathmiglo and Dunshalt. His efforts led to 837 homes being visited and 168 alarms fitted, well ahead of formal community fire safety programmes. Eddie was awarded the MBE in the 1997 New Year Honours, in recognition of his work. He received the honour from the Queen at Buckingham Palace – lightening the moment with his trademark humour by offering her a quote to repair the palace roof, which had been in the news that week. Her Majesty responded with a smile. Paying tribute to his dad, son Gavin, himself a Station Commander within the fire service, said: 'He was a quiet, honest hardworking man who provided for his family and was glad when they were happy. 'He was always on the go whether it was the joinery or the fire service and yet when he came into the house, he was pleased to see his sons and Helen. He was content at home.' Born on March 14 1954, at 9 High Road, Auchtermuchty, Eddie was the sixth of nine children born to Violet and Anthony Kotlewski. He attended school in Auchtermuchty before studying at Bell Baxter High School in Cupar. Teenage Eddie joined the Air Training Corps and won medals for boxing and rugby. He had a lifelong love for aviation and would often attend the Leuchars airshow. Eddie apprenticed with his father in construction when he left school, erecting garages and sheds. In 1972, aged just 18, he joined Fife Fire & Rescue Service as a retained firefighter – the same year he met Helen, who worked in the office. They married in Glenrothes on April 26 1975. The couple settled in 'Muchty where Eddie rebuilt the couple's first home on Cupar Road, then took on another project on the High Street. He later renovated an old warehouse into three homes for himself and his brothers, David and Fraser – all fellow firefighters. His construction company, Gleneden Construction Ltd, was founded in 1977, with Helen working alongside him in the office. As well as David, Fraser and Gavin serving at the same time in the fire service, Tony and Fraser also worked for him as joiners. He also employed neighbours and fellow firefighters, always ensuring cover at the fire station was maintained. Eddie had a remarkable memory for every building project he worked on. One day, he parked in a quiet field on the outskirts of Auchtermuchty, admiring the view. That land became Westbank – six bespoke houses built to capture that vista. He and Helen moved into the final one, No. 35, in 2001. He built a conservatory so they could enjoy the view each day. Eddie joined Fife Fire & Rescue Service as a retained firefighter at Auchtermuchty Fire Station on July 10 1972, aged 18. He served for 14.5 years before being promoted to Leading Firefighter on January 1 1987. On November 4 1989, he was promoted to Sub Officer, assuming command of the station. Morale and performance soared under his leadership. He was particularly skilled at staying calm under pressure and managing difficult incidents while supporting his team – both seasoned and new recruits alike. He lived with severe rheumatoid arthritis from 1991. Despite constant pain, he remained resilient and active. He was always thinking, solving problems, and quietly persevering. Eddie and Helen had two sons, Gavin and Jon who now have their own families. Being a grandad brought Eddie immense joy. Eddie was always a calm, content presence at home – a man who gave fully of himself and found happiness in quiet, steady things. He was also deeply interested in politics and current affairs, often listening to Talk Radio. In retirement, Eddie and Helen bought a home in Fort Myers, Florida which they had for 20 years. He bought a boat and was happiest on the water, watching hawks circle overhead and chatting with neighbours Cathy and Bill, who became close friends. He loved seeing wildlife – alligators, bears, and even a pair of panthers that once wandered past the house. Eddie also loved animals – especially his dogs. Muttley the dachshund became a family pet in an unconventional way: Eddie was working for a client who had a litter, and his 'fee' was one of the pups. Over time, Muttley became as much Violet and Anthony's dog as his own. Later came Ellie, who went everywhere in the van – once locking herself inside it, to Eddie's great amusement and frustration. Eddie had to break into his own van to get the dog out. In recent years, he enjoyed visits from Gavin's dog Ruby. Eddie could 'fix anything', and if he didn't know how, he'd find a way. He and Helen travelled widely – to China, where they dined with former Prime Minister Ted Heath through a mutual friend, to Mauritius, Canada, and on cruises across the Atlantic to New York before heading to Florida. Eddie is survived by wife Helen, sons Gavin and Jon and grand children Evan, Hamish, Lewis, Rhys, Maddy, Max, Rosie and Blair. He was also a dear brother and uncle.
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
UK weather: Temperatures to rise for the weekend
With more sunshine around, temperatures are rising again over the won't be as hot as the start of this month when we saw the warmest start to May on record but temperatures will get up to between 19 - 24C across most of the Sunday onwards some parts may get much needed rain which is likely to be heavy with it's unlikely to amount to the sustained rainfall needed to head off the risk of drought this summer. Long dry spell According to the Environment Agency it has been the driest start to spring in 69 years across areas of the country have had no measurable rain for about 3 weeks. Leuchars, Morecambe and Bradford are a good example of how dry it has been. Each location has only had about 20% of the expected spring are currently 84% full and there is now a medium risk of summer drought if there is no significant rainfall in the weeks area is in drought yet and there are currently no plans for hosepipe bans. Record amount of sunshine Data from the Met Office shows that not only has it been dry but it has also been very has been more sunshine this spring already than we had during the whole of March, April and May last if this continues it could be the sunniest spring on record - beating 2020 when there was 626 hours of sunshine. That was more sunshine than you would have most summers! Weekend forecast This weekend looks like being very warm for most of us. Highest temperatures of 23 or 24C are likely to be in the Midlands, East Anglia and south-east England later this sunny weather will continue on Saturday but on Saturday night the weather will start to is an increasing chance of rain and thunderstorms moving across south-western parts of the UK. These will continue on Sunday and could spread to Northern downpours and storms could continue across southern and western parts of the UK into is still considerable uncertainty regarding the extent of rain and forecasting where thunderstorms will occur. Keep up to date on the BBC Weather there will be many parts of England and Scotland that will miss the rain completely. What will UV levels be this weekend? Strong sunshine will lead to high UV levels for much of the country on Saturday. Levels will remain high in eastern Scotland, northern and eastern England and the Midlands on Sunday but will be lower elsewhere as the weather starts to change. You might be surprised to learn that the sun is as strong at this time of year as it is in August. A change later this month? The dry and sunny weather during spring has been due to the presence of areas of high pressure close to the UK. We have often had a blocked weather pattern, something which may become more frequent due to climate and thunderstorms on Monday will then die out and next week another area of high pressure is expected to build across the UK from the north. It looks like it will be a 'dry high' with little cloud and no rain. With more blue skies it will continue to be warmer than normal for late spring. However, the last week in May could be very different. Most computer models show the high pressure moving away and areas of low pressure and weather fronts arriving in from the change of weather type would mean lower temperatures, stronger winds at times and rain in all areas.
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Family finish St Andrews golf caddie's book following cancer death
David Coyne was lucky to survive a dramatic accident that altered the course of his life one Friday afternoon in April 1984. A Leuchars joiner by trade, the former Leuchars Primary and Madras College pupil was helping a friend remove large plate glass windows at the Old Course Hotel in St Andrews when a sucker pad slipped with the weight, bringing the pane crashing to the concrete. A large shard of glass fell on David's neck, slicing part of his main blood vessel and breaking his knee cap. The injury was catastrophic, leaving the 24-year-old father in a critical condition. Losing blood fast, hotel staff drove him to the then St Andrews Memorial Hospital where, by sheer luck, local GP Dr Bell knew how to clip his vessels to stem the blood flow. Blue-lighted by ambulance from St Andrews to Ninewells in Dundee, then on to Glasgow, a staggering 66 pints of blood were pumped through David to keep him alive ahead of an eight-hour operation to repair his wounds. Recuperating for more than a year, he was left with permanent nerve damage in his left arm. This rendered him unable to return to joinery work or his then job at the Guardbridge paper mill. But for David, this enforced change of direction was the beginning of a new chapter. It led him to work as a caddie on the Old Course at St Andrews for over 30 years. Now, two years after David died aged 63 from an aggressive melanoma cancer – a diagnosis which his family think is probably linked to decades of working on the golf course without sunscreen – his family are celebrating his 'bittersweet' legacy with the posthumous release of his book that collates decades of stories, banter, and memories. 'Dad was not particularly a golf lover,' says his daughter Louise Coyne, 42, the head barmaid at Ye Olde Hotel, known as 'Hendies', in Leuchars. 'But what he did enjoy was meeting people and wanting them to experience and enjoy the full splendour of the Old Course. 'That's what he loved most. People. He was a people person, so down-to-earth, and that's why everyone loved him.' In a sit-down interview with The Courier overlooking the Old Course, Louise and David's wife Ellie Laird, are full of pride as they reflect on his book dream coming to fruition. It's been a team effort following his death involving some of the biggest names in the local golfing world. However, they remain sad that he's not here to see it for himself. Louise explained that her dad loved the camaraderie and banter of the caddies. He started gathering decades of stories, banter, and memories. Many of his memories involved real salt-of-the-earth 'characters' of the St Andrews caddie world. The stories – often recounted in the Dunvegan bar – were legendary. Over the years he caddied for celebrities like Tom Chaplin from Keane, Justin Timberlake, Bill Clinton and Catherine Zeta-Jones. But while he enjoyed his brushes with fame, what really moved David were the stories of ordinary people living their dreams – like the American veteran who played the Old Course from a wheelchair using adapted clubs. Meticulous by nature, David created hand-drawn course guides to help players navigate the links. He collected stories from fellow caddies and tourists, jotting down memories and moments between rounds. What started as a few folders of anecdotes turned into a lifetime project: plans for a book. But before his book 'St Andrews Caddies to the Fore' could be completed, David was diagnosed with stage four cancer in December 2022. He died on May 6 2023. Ellie, 57, of Tayport, recalls how David was already talking about writing a book when she first met him while walking the West Highland Way in 2010. 'He was just so full of life, so full of stories,' smiles the accountant, originally from Glasgow. 'Writing a book was something he always had in the back of his mind. And even when his health started to deteriorate, he kept pushing forward with it.' Ellie says that following David's death, she sometimes wondered if they should do it without him. But after Louise discussed with her sister Elizabeth, she knew they had to. 'He would've wanted it,' adds Ellie. Louise admits she sometimes struggles with the emotions tied to the book's release. 'It's sometimes a struggle not having dad here,' she says. However, she adds: 'He'd be so proud, he'd be overwhelmed. This book was everything to him.' The book itself is a testament to David's dedication and passion. It's a blend of personal anecdotes, historical reflections and vivid images of St Andrews and its iconic caddie culture. There are stories of unforgettable characters from the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. These range from the legendary Steve 'Soapy Bubbles' Parnell and Roddy 'The Proddy' Mathieson to Dave 'Croc' Kilgour and Freddie McCready, who would often be seen roaming about St Andrews bars, drinking away their caddie wages. The book also spotlights the famous enduring partnership between Arnold Palmer and Tip Anderson. These stories, told through the eyes of David and his fellow caddies, offer readers a glimpse behind the scenes of the caddie shack. Ellie said the book 'helped ease some of the pain of losing Dave'. 'It's a real labour of love,' she says. 'Chic Harper, the book designer, really helped bring it to life, and seeing it come together was incredibly emotional for all of us.' Louise agrees. 'It's amazing to think that all those years of gathering stories, all those orange lever arch files full of notes, actually turned into something tangible. It feels like dad's spirit is still with us.' Though it's been bittersweet, St Andrews Caddies to the Fore is more than a book – it's a celebration of the caddie community in St Andrews. Louise adds: 'Dad always said, 'Don't regret the things you've done, regret the things you haven't done.' 'He lived that every single day. And that's why this book is so important. It's his legacy. It's his story, but it's also the story of so many others who walked those fairways with him.' Ellie thanked those who helped bring the book to life – Chic Harper, David Joy, Christer Lihammar, John Boyne, David Lawrence and Tom Coyne (no relation!). Ellie adds: 'I know that if Dave was with us today, he would be bursting with pride at seeing his years of work and dedication coming to fruition'. St Andrews Caddies to the Fore by David Coyne is now available for purchase through various outlets including Toppings St Andrews and the R&A's World Golf Museum.
