Latest news with #OAPs
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Locals have their say as President Donald Trump visits sleepy Scots seaside village
The area is used to hosting big shots like Robert the Bruce MAKE AYRSHIRE GREAT AGAIN Locals have their say as President Donald Trump visits sleepy Scots seaside village THE sleepy seaside village of Maidens looked to be completely unaffected by the Presidential hullabaloo happening just along the coast — until two excited MAGA hat-wearing fans turned up. This was not a pair of US Trump supporters either as brother and sister Ben, 16, and Alicia Skilling, 15, had only travelled 30 miles from their home in Kilmarnock to try and catch a glimpse of their idol. 5 Brother and sister Ben, 16, and Alicia Skilling, 15, travelled 30 miles to try and catch a glimpse of Trump Credit: John Kirkby 5 Dave Carter, 86, reckons the US President has been a breath of fresh air for the area Credit: John Kirkby 5 Angela Bryce dreams of having an 'appointment' with the President one day Credit: John Kirkby Ben said: 'I would describe myself as a Trump fan for sure. I'm just back from Florida and wore my MAGA hat all the time. 'In Disney everyone kept saying to me 'nice hat'. I get a lot more stick over here for wearing it than I ever got in America.' However, sister Alicia is a less vocal Trump advocate, stretching only as far to say she thinks the US President is 'alright'. So why is she wearing a MAGA hat then? She sighs: 'Because he has four of them.' Their mum, student teacher Jacqueline Malone, 44, added: 'He even bought a Turnberry hat for £45 and Trump gold cufflinks, but he lost one of them at school.' The family head off with a long lens camera, desperate to snap a picture of Donald's arrival at his golf resort in Turnberry. But they were the only sign that in a few hours' time the leader of the free world would arrive by motorcade as the people of Maidens continued life at their normal laidback pace. Hosting big shots OAPs played bowls in the local bowling club, while kids squeals heard from the swing park as folk dined out on the balcony of Ropes Bistro. Then again historically this area has been used to hosting big shots. Donald Trump touches down in Scotland In 1307, Robert the Bruce landed in Maidens after sailing from Ireland — a stone's throw from his childhood home in Turnberry — accompanied by a small army of 300 men. No doubt The Bruce would have been impressed by the 6,000-strong battalion of officers drafted from across the country to protect The Donald. Strolling along the seafront I spotted a man with a Turnberry logo on his jacket, who turned out to be a caddie at the golf course. Not wishing to be named, he told me security had been ramped up since the last time Trump was President. He explained: 'Before you just had to show your work pass to get in, but since someone took a shot at him we've now got to go through airport scanners.' Chris Saunders, 61, from the charity Adventure Carrick, was also expecting to get the third degree as he arrived to take a class of disadvantaged kids paddleboarding on the Firth of Clyde. He added: 'There are roadblocks all around Turnberry but the way I heard it on the radio I was expecting to have a real problem getting here today — I even brought my ID in case I was asked. "Sure you see the odd police van about, but I just drove in no problem at all. There aren't even any protesters. It's pretty much as normal.' What also seems to be normal for these parts is the amount of dog walkers taking their pooches for a stroll. Retired sewage plant manager Dave Carter, 86, from Warrington, who has been holidaying here for the last 30 years, reckons the US President has been a breath of fresh air for the area. He says: 'Trump has been better than some of the daytrippers you get down here when the weather is nice. 'They leave a right mess behind. Turnberry was going to wrack and ruin until he took over. Play to his the gallery Commentary by Chris Musson, Associate Editor (Politics) KEIR Starmer and John Swinney will both meet Donald Trump in the next couple of days. But a chinwag with Trump can be a dangerous thing. Like trying to calm a temperamental toddler playing with the pin of a grenade. Just ask Volodymyr Zelensky. Though it bodes well for Starmer and Swinney that the Prez was full of cheer as he arrived in his ancestral homeland. And today he was out golfing at his beloved Turnberry — the biggest and bestest course in the universe. Frankly, given his troubles back home — not least the Jeffrey Epstein row — Trump would probably take a month in a leaky caravan in Saltcoats right now. The full-on UK-US diplomacy gets underway tomorrow when Starmer and Trump hold a TV press conference — the PM's moment of maximum danger. As for Swinney, well, Trump has said the 'Scottish leader is a good man'. But for Swinney's sake, let's hope the President didn't catch up with the papers as he tucked into his Full Scottish while gazing out at Ailsa Craig. If so, he may have spotted the First Minister virtue-signalling about Gaza and cultivating anti-Trump demos. But Trump isn't here for a row. He's here for a hol, to open his new course in Menie, Aberdeenshire, 'celebrate' a trade deal, and work out how to persuade R&A golf bosses to let Turnberry host The Open. I suspect all will be fine. Swinney has said some unwise things, but everyone in the world who's not Trump seems to have had a pop at him at some point. And the £180,000 Swinney magically announced for his Aberdeenshire course will certainly help oil the wheels of diplomacy. But a warning to Swin and Starm. When in the same room as The Donald, especially on camera, do NOT play to the gallery. If he gets an inkling you're challenging his authority or upstaging him, brace for a tantrum. Never bow down to a bully, it's said. But equally you could argue Swinney should choose his battles wisely. He should forget his grandstanding suggestion that he will confront Trump over 'war and peace, justice and democracy'. Just leave it, John. Instead, write 'don't turn Gaza into a golf resort' on a Post-it and stick it on Trump's jacket as you give him a friendly back slap. Trump will find it later, by which time Swinney will be back in Perthshire in his pyjamas. And the First Minister can stick out a half-honest press release saying he raised the big issues. One more thing. Should either UK leader end up on the golf course with Trump, then compliment his swing. And if he says it was a hole in one, then it was a hole in one. 'He has spent a fortune doing it up and now there are loads of Americans visiting here again.' Locals Jack Hannah, 65, and pal George Clark, 66, were also keen to have their views on their famous neighbour made known as they walked mutts Freddie and Tommy. George says: 'I don't want to get too political, but why do people object to him coming here? 'These protesters preach democracy yet Trump was democratically elected by millions of Americans. 'He's not done them any harm and puts money in the community, and employs a lot of people. So why can't he come here and play some golf without all the moaning. It's a free country after all.' Jack adds: 'I don't want to get into politics either but why don't the Green Party go and protest in countries like India and China who are among the worst polluters in the world. I'm all for Trump — drill baby, drill.' And that was them not being political? Just then Angela Bryce accosts me in the street as she wants to talk about Trump, along with her self-published book, show off her garden, oh, and she's also a healer to boot — even though she currently has a broken neck from a motorbike accident. She laughs: 'I've got to heal myself first.' 5 Chris Saunders was expecting the third degree he arrived to take a class of disadvantaged kids paddleboarding Credit: John Kirkby 5 George Clark and Jack Hannah don't understand why folk are protesting the President's visit Credit: John Kirkby But she dreams of having an 'appointment' with the President one day as she has '103 business ideas for him that are ready to go'. Right now though she just hopes the 79-year-old can be left in peace to enjoy some golf away from all the pressures of high office. Angela, 50, says: 'He is missing out on the simple joys of being able to just have a round of golf without all this fuss. But I really think he is a god or a king or a lord or a legend or something.' She's also enthusiastic about his wife Melania, adding: 'She is so beautiful — they are a beautiful match. And I bet she doesn't moan and do his f*****g head in while he's trying to get on with the great job he's doing.' Indeed. Surely if anyone is going to be miffed at all the road closures for The Donald it would be haulage worker Alex Hamilton, 77. But he insists: 'It's only a couple of days isn't it? The guy deserves to come here and play as he saved Turnberry.' The red MAGA hat-wearing Ben returns after being knocked back by cops while trying to make their way along the coastline towards Turnberry. He says: 'They told me they had sent Sky News packing as well. We're going to try and see him landing at Prestwick instead.' His patient mum Jacqueline adds: 'Ben is really into his politics. 'He always says that Trump would make a better Prime Minister than Keir Starmer — but I think anyone would.'
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP opens up applications for free £300 payment for UK households
Winter Fuel Payments are worth £200 per household, or £300 per household where there is someone aged 80 or over. But you need to claim if you're not on any of the benefits listed. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that applications for the Winter Fuel Payment will open in September 2025. The DWP is inviting pensioners who need to claim to apply for the £300 payments. From September 15, 2025, OAPs needing to claim this year's Winter Fuel Payment can do so by post, and from October 15, 2025, they can make their claims over the phone. This is an annual payment to help people with heating costs during the winter months. With the current cost of living, every little helps. Around nine million people will automatically receive allowances. However, the DWP has highlighted two specific groups who may need to claim, emphasising that this can only be done via post or phone. If you're receiving any of the following benefits, there's no need to claim: State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Income Support, and income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), awards from the War Pensions Scheme, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, and DWP Industrial Death Benefit are also included, reports Birmingham Live. However, if you're not receiving any of these benefits, you'll need to claim if either of the following applies: you've never received the Winter Fuel Payment before OR you've deferred your State Pension since your last Winter Fuel Payment. You can claim the Winter Fuel Payment by post from September 15, 2025, or by phone from October 13, 2025. The deadline for winter 2025 to 2026 claims is March 31, 2026. To qualify, individuals must have attained State Pension age by the end of the eligibility week. Winter Fuel Payments are valued at £200 per household, or £300 for households with a member aged 80 or above. If the applicant's income is over £35,000, HMRC will take back the Winter Payment through the tax system, the website explained. People also have the option to opt out if they wish not to receive it. The Labour Party government has stated that shared payments will be made to pensioners not receiving an income-related benefit. This initiative aims to provide older citizens who may not be eligible, but still struggle to over any basic living expenses and therefore require some additional financial support.
Scottish Sun
17-07-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Monster supercomputer switched on to help cure cancer, slash NHS waits and keep OAPs independent longer
It will be used to slash NHS waiting times, fast-track green tech, and power life-saving breakthroughs from dementia care to heart disease MEGA MIND Monster supercomputer switched on to help cure cancer, slash NHS waits and keep OAPs independent longer Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A MONSTER supercomputer that could help cure cancer, slash NHS waiting times and even help pensioners stay independent for longer was switched on today. The £225million machine – named Isambard-AI – is now live in Bristol and is powerful enough to process 80 years' worth of calculations in a single second. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Technology Secretary Peter Kyle Credit: Alamy 2 Technology Secretary Peter Kyle with The Sun's political correspondent Martina Bet standing in front of the UK's most powerful supercomputer Credit: Adrian Sherratt - Commissioned by The Sun It will be used to slash NHS waiting times, fast-track green tech, and power life-saving breakthroughs from dementia care to heart disease. Standing in front of the artificial intelligence beast, Tech Secretary Peter Kyle told The Sun his mother, who died of lung cancer, could have been saved by Isambard-AI. He said: 'I am in no doubt whatsoever that if my mum had been scanned today, rather than just over a decade ago, she'd still be alive. 'There is no better connection to what this supercomputer AI and technology is doing than keeping a mum and son together for longer.' READ MORE ON POLITICS S-BLENDED IDEA MasterChef fans start campaign for telly favourite to land hosting spot He added: "Diseases are going to be cured.' The computer is already being used to speed up prostate cancer diagnoses, train AI to detect skin cancer more fairly across all skin tones, and analyse early memory loss in dementia patients by processing personal camera footage in minutes - something that once took weeks. Scientists are also modelling how proteins behave in the body, which could unlock new treatments for cancer and inherited heart conditions. Farmers are getting help too - with AI trained on 24/7 cow surveillance footage to spot illness early, limit infections and even help cut methane emissions. Unlike secretive private data labs, Isambard is publicly run - and ministers will choose who gets to use it. Mr Kyle said: 'My job is to make sure that my department makes wise choices. I won't be sitting there picking and choosing the applications myself, but I am creating the circumstances where the best choices can be made.' The launch comes as the Government unveils its Compute Roadmap, a major strategy to boost the UK's processing power twenty-fold by 2030 – aiming to turn Britain into an 'AI maker, not a taker'. A second public supercomputer – called Dawn – is already operating in Cambridge, and a third is due to open in Edinburgh later this year, where the UK's first National Supercomputing Centre will be based. The plan also includes creating AI Growth Zones in Scotland and Wales, where private investment is expected to pour in, creating thousands of new jobs. These zones will offer fast-track planning for data centres and training hubs, powered by cutting-edge energy sources such as small modular reactors (SMRs). It comes amid growing concern that massive AI infrastructure could hike household bills - with Amazon's new AI hub in Indiana expected to use more power than one million homes. But Mr Kyle insisted Britain would not follow the same path, explaining: "We are not going to do it in a way that will increase the cost of electricity. 'In fact, we are driving down the cost of electricity in the short term, and into the long term.' Isambard-AI, which weighs the same as 25 elephants, is powered entirely by zero-carbon electricity and cooled with liquid pipes instead of fans to keep emissions low. Built in under two years by the University of Bristol and tech firms NVIDIA and HPE, it is the 11st faster supercomputer in the world and 9th for public supercomputing.
South Wales Guardian
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Trap Show returns for 57th year with new additions
Preparations are underway for the 57th Trap Show, set to take place on Saturday, July 26. Held at Cilmaenllwyd Farm, the event is supported by the entire community and has been a staple for more than half a century. The Trap Show is renowned for its picturesque hilltop venue, near Carreg Cennen Castle, with views of the Black Mountains and surrounding countryside. This year's presidents are local couple Ron and Cherie Williams, both long-time supporters and active committee members. Ron has previously chaired the show, while Cherie has been a co-treasurer of the Domestic Tent for many years. The couple is expected to enjoy this year's show and catch up with friends. The Trap Show offers a wide range of classes on the field, including sheep, horses, vintage, and pet dogs. The domestic and horticulture sections feature cookery, handwork, art, photography, woodwork, sticks, flowers, vegetables, and children's competitions. A new addition this year is the Heritage Craft Revival Section, showcasing age-old crafts that are gaining popularity again. The show also features a family competition to create a scarecrow from recycled materials, to be judged by the presidents on the day. For children, the Caterpillar digger challenge and children's sports have been perennial favourites. The Cornhole competition, introduced last year, will return due to its popularity. Lunches, refreshments, and a bar will be available on the field. Admission is £5 for adults and OAPs, while children can enter for free. The evening entertainment includes an It's a Knockout competition with a £50 prize for the winning team, a quoits and adults' cornhole competition, and a hog roast. There will also be a Knock a Nail competition and live entertainment from singer Jemma Krysa. Admission to the evening entertainment in the marquee is free. The Trap Show promises a full day of activities and entertainment for the whole family, offering good value for money.
Spectator
09-07-2025
- Spectator
The slow delights of an OAP coach tour
Early on Monday mornings, in service stations across the country, armies of the elderly are mustering. These are the OAPs about to embark on motor coach tours to the Norfolk Broads, Cornish fishing villages, the Yorkshire Moors and Welsh ghost towns, organised by men in blazers consulting clipboards, like Kenneth Williams in Carry On Abroad. There will be cream teas, along with river cruises, coastal excursions, scenic drives and jaunts on steam railways. I am a devotee of these charming holidays, as invented by Wallace Arnold, even though when one first catches sight of one's fellow travellers it's a frightening vision of what's up ahead: the sticks, walking-frames, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs; the bald heads splotched with melanomas; the chemotherapy wigs with alopecia. No one possesses their own hips. Each is older than their teeth. Everyone is deaf, e.g. 'Where have you come from?' 'Uxbridge.' 'Auschwitz?' As the old folk have plenty of time on their hands, much of the first day on my most recent trip was spent heading in the wrong direction – as was the last day, when the zig-zagging put me in mind of an Atlantic convoy avoiding Nazi submarines by going to Lisbon by way of Brazil and Morocco. The old folk would find this nostalgic, like the Vera Lynn songs playing over the bus's Tannoy. I live in Hastings and my destination was Great Yarmouth, so the coach went first to Eastbourne, Lewes and Brighton before stopping at Cobham and, creeping along the M25 and finally the M11, out towards Cambridge and Norwich. It took 11 hours. One woman had been picked up at dawn in Ruislip and three hours later, after collecting the rest of the passengers, the coach was driving past signposts to Ruislip. She laughed, but it was all rather disorientating, and an intimation of dementia – we had no idea quite where we were or where we were heading. Owing to deafness, instructions and mutterings from the driver are misheard in any event. It was fatal to ask the other passengers to repeat information, as this simply added another layer of error and confusion. It was best simply to sit there, look out the window and allow events to unfold. I liked our shabbily elegant hotel, which was run by cheerful Asians. Dinner was at 6 p.m. The bar was open at 5.30. A bit early for me, but I adjusted. Brandon the young barman always had my bottle of filthy Chilean red in readiness, plus a bottle of Moldavian white in an ice bucket, plus double brandies for later on. It was a card-only bar, so my 'contactless' bill got to be vast. Most nights I was sound asleep by nine. I had only one fright. What I thought was the Elephant Man in the bedroom was me in my sleep apnoea mask reflected in the mirror. Tuesday we were up early to visit Sandringham, far away on the other side of Norfolk. It's very flat, isn't it, Norfolk, and the local councils are doing their best to use up the cabbage patches and potato beds to meet the government's exciting building quotas. Every other field is a new housing estate, or else billboards are up announcing the imminent construction of a new housing estate. Bulldozers are fast getting rid of any greenery. Sandringham is something of a film set, with no domestic mess or discarded newspapers, dog baskets or wellies – no sign of anyone inhabiting the place. As the King has access to heaps of houses and palaces, why not let this one out to immigrants and asylum seekers? For the house, surely superfluous, is vast, like a long street of higgledy-piggledy Edwardian villas. The gardens with mature trees, lakes and mazes are the highlight – and in the stable block is the actual car Princess Anne was in when she was nearly kidnapped in the Mall. After a three-hour drive back to our hotel, I was looking forward to a bath – but as in the Soviet Union the plugs had been removed, ensuring showers only. This hot-water-saving policy was matched by a cold-water-saving policy in the restaurant. No jugs. You had to trek the entire length of the room to obtain a small glass. Conversation and overheard remarks roundabout would have made Victoria Wood or Alan Bennett envious. 'I went to Longleat and had a collapsed lung' was a line I cherished. As was: 'My son's got cancer. All he wants is a bigger air fryer.' One chap was very proud to tell everyone: 'I've just had a foot-long hot dog.' Though I perhaps should have gone on the optional excursion to Norwich and signed my books in Waterstones, instead I spent the free day in Great Yarmouth (where there are no bookshops), as I do love piers, model villages, provincial museums and collapsing Victorian seaside pavilions, of which sadly there were plenty. In the evening there was what was described as 'entertainment' – a duff local singer who warbled wartime tunes and 1950s and 1960s classics, which he'd pre-recorded on some sort of amplifier. The audience was sparse. The old folks drifted away. But there was a cadre of perhaps half a dozen old ladies who remained, widows no doubt, who I thought were like what the St Trinian's girls would have looked like 70 years on. After a few gins, their eyes still capable of glinting with naughtiness, they sang along – knowing the lyrics perfectly. In the half-light, their old age and the years melted slightly. Briefly, they were young again. Nobody asks to be old.
