Latest news with #PeterGraham
The Citizen
23-05-2025
- The Citizen
Residents fed up with lack of by-law enforcement by City of Mbombela
Residents fed up with lack of by-law enforcement by City of Mbombela Residents and business owners are gatvol with the City of Mbombela's (CoM) inability to enforce by-laws. Illegal dumping is ongoing and cars are still being repaired on the sides of residential and industrial streets. According to residents, these issues have been raised with the municipality on various occasions but no action has been taken. Despite the CoM's claim that illegal dumping has stopped, it is still a major problem in Mbombela, White River and on the R538. According to a White River ward councillor, Rowan Torr, vehicles are still being repaired on roadsides, especially on Peter Graham and Theo Kleynhans streets. 'The streets are a mess because of spilled oil and littering. It is illegal and the municipality knows it but does nothing,' Torr said. ALSO READ: City of Mbombela tackles Gatvol issues, but it's 'not a one-day job' Car repairs on Stinkhout Crescent in Mbombela have left the area congested and covered with oil. Delivery vehicles, customers and staff of businesses in the area struggle to access their premises as gates are blocked by these cars. Despite the Service Delivery Drive, during which some of these cars on Anderson Street were impounded, most street mechanics have returned and the situation continues. Illegal dumping is still a major problem around Mbombela Stadium, the government village, the KaNyamazane Road, Andrew Street and various other areas. Some residents have taken it upon themselves to clear garbage that is dumped near their homes. The CoM's municipal manager, Wiseman Khumalo, dismissed allegations that municipal by-laws are not effective. ALSO READ: Unkempt pavements and parks leave Mbombela residents gatvol 'Illegal dumping occurs despite designated dumping areas being provided by the municipality. In the areas where we collect waste, such as Mbombela and White River, people illegally dump their garbage on the street. We have placed skips in rural areas which are cleaned on a weekly basis. These are not used, yet people blame the municipality. We do clean up and place signs that say 'No dumping',' he stressed. Concerning the vehicles being repaired on the streets, he said: 'People should stop taking their cars to the street mechanics and rather take them to registered workshops. We attend to the streets where people are fixing cars, but we need members of the public to work with us and this will stop.' He said people must report all these matters to the municipality and they will be attended to. Many residents claim to have reported the matters to the CoM, including sending photos of vehicle registration numbers of persons breaking the by-laws, but no action has resulted. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Press and Journal
22-05-2025
- Climate
- Press and Journal
Fish dying in River Spey as water levels near historic lows in dry weather
Angling has been suspended in some parts of the River Spey amidst reports fish are dying in dangerously low water levels during the current dry weather. A prolonged period without significant rain has led to depths across the region plummeting with no change expected for at least several days. The nearby River Findhorn has already taken the historic decision to recommend the closure of its beats – the only time outside Covid it has asked anglers to stay away. Both rivers have reported fish deaths from fungal disease saprolegnia, which can occur in rivers when flows drop. Warnings have been issued the 'extraordinary' weather risks the safety of vital spring fish that will help sustain already-fragile stocks. They come as water levels on the River Spey and River Findhorn near historically low levels that have rarely been seen before. Repeated warnings have been issued in recent years about the declining population of Atlantic salmon, which populate the Spey. The Spey Fishery Board has asked anglers, proprietors and visitors to the river to exercise 'proper restraint and consideration' for the fish in the current warm conditions. Temperatures fluctuating between cool evening and warm nights are also reported to be 'stressing' the fish. The board has stopped short of calling for angling to stop on the River Spey due to the dry weather. However, Aberlour Angling Club has decided to close its beats temporarily. Spey Fishery Board chairman Peter Graham explained additional survey work has been commissioned to better understand the current conditions. He said: 'We are well below summer level in the River Spey and there is no water in the hills in the form of snow. 'Water tables are low. There has been no rainfall for six weeks. 'The lack of volume of water in the river means that the temperature of the river is fluctuating rather than remaining constant as it would be with a larger volume of water less likely to rapid heating during the day and cooling at night. 'The lower warmer water also becomes increasingly deoxygenated, adding to the problem. 'We are also seeing a significant outbreak of saprolegnia which is causing some fish to die in the river. 'These are of course our most valuable spring fish and we wish to reduce the impact of fishing in this instance. 'On this scientific evidence the Spey board is reminding all of their constituents that the proper handling of fish caught is imperative and consideration should be given in these conditions to minimising the stress on fish.' Meanwhile, the Findhorn District Salmond Fishery Board has issued an exceptionally rare recommendation to suspend fishing on the river. The decision came into effect this week with a recommendation it will remain in force until at least Monday, June 2. At that point the conditions will be reviewed again with the recommendation to close extended if necessary. The Findhorn, Nairn and Lossie Rivers Trust has described the outbreak of saprolegnia in spring salmon as 'severe'. Those who find dead fish in the water have been urged to report the findings to Fisheries Management Scotland. Findhorn District Fishery Board chairman Anthony Laing explained proprietors have backed the decision to ensure the future health of the river. He said: 'I think we're pretty close to a record low at this time of year. It's not just the low water level that is causing the concern though, it's the number of dead fish. 'Anglers who have been coming to the river have just hated seeing the dead fish while having very little chance of catching anything. 'We discussed it as a board and took the decision it would be sensible to close the river for a while. 'We had a similar situation last year with an outbreak of saprolegnia in May but then we had a reasonable spate which washed it out and we had a pretty good season in the end. 'If we get a bit of rain, which even just raises the river by a couple of feet, then we would immediately open the river again.' Water levels on the River Spey have been consistently dropping over recent weeks, now nearing the point of historically low levels. Data published by Sepa shows the river was 42.1cm above the fixed measuring point at Aberlour on Friday last week, which had dropped to 38.3cm today. Normal for that section is considered by the agency to be anywhere between 43.5cm to 2.63 metres. The lowest level recorded since the station opened in 1991 is 30.7cm. Meanwhile, levels on the River Findhorn are also nearing historically low levels. Data recorded at Dunphail shows the depth above the fixed measuring point was 4.6cm on Friday last week, which had dropped to 3.5cm today. The lowest level recorded since that station opened in 1982 is 1.3cm.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'Incredibly exciting' exhibition to showcase world-renowned artist in Norfolk
An "incredibly exciting" exhibition is set to hit the Norfolk coast this summer. Barlow Fine Art in Thornham will showcase new and original works by world-renowned artist Peter Graham, from June 14 to July 7. This collection is rarely seen outside London. Gallery owner Toby Barlow said: "It is incredibly exciting for art lovers to be able to enjoy a rare chance to view a large collection of Peter's remarkable paintings, here in our new space in Thornham." Peter Graham, born in Glasgow in 1959, is a member of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters and the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. Café des Tuileries 91 x 91 cm oil on canvas Peter Graham (Image: Peter Graham) He is one of Britain's most vivid and distinctive modern colourists. His spontaneous painting style is inspired by changing light conditions. Barlow Fine Art, on the Coast Road in Thornham, is open throughout the season. To avoid disappointment, it is recommended to book an appointment, but the gallery will be open to the public throughout the exhibition. Further information about the exhibition can be found at
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lieutenant General Sir Peter Graham, Gordon Highlander who commanded the Ulster Defence Regiment
Lieutenant General Sir Peter Graham, who has died aged 87, held several high-profile appointments in the course of a distinguished career, including command of the 1st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders in Belfast and command of the Ulster Defence Regiment. Peter Walter Graham was born in London on March 14 1937. His father, Walter, was a doctor who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps in the Second World War. His mother, Suzanne, was of English and French descent. Young Peter was brought up at Fyvie in Aberdeenshire and educated at St Paul's School. He loved rowing and was part of the 2nd VIII. After basic training at the Bridge of Don barracks he attended RMA Sandhurst. In 1956 he was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders and joined the 1st Battalion (1 Gordons) in Dover. He subsequently served as a platoon commander in Celle, West Germany, and in 1962 he accompanied the battalion to Gil Gil in the Rift Valley in Kenya. After a spell as recruiting officer with HQ Highland Brigade in Perth, he rejoined the battalion in Kenya and was involved in operations in Swaziland following an outbreak of civil unrest that led to a widespread strike. In 1963 he married Alison Mary Morren. The two had met in May 1960 at the regimental depot when she won the Duchess Jean competition watched by 3,500 people. The title commemorated the celebrated Jean, Duchess of Gordon, who with her husband the Duke helped to raise the original Regiment in 1794. Alison came from Huntly in Aberdeenshire, the heart of the Gordon country, and with her grace and charm – broadcasting on the BBC Overseas Service and the British Forces Network, sending greetings to Gordons all over the world, carrying out press interviews and visiting the soldiers in Germany – she gave tremendous impetus to the regiment's recruiting campaign. In 1965, the battalion was deployed on operations in Borneo. For his service, Graham was awarded a Mention in Despatches. A staff appointment with HQ 1st (British) Corps at Bielefeld, West Germany, was followed by a course at the Royal Military College of Science at Shrivenham, and then Staff College in Australia. After rejoining 1 Gordons at Minden, West Germany, in 1969, to command a company, Graham was posted to Lisburn in Northern Ireland on his appointment as brigade major of HQ 39 Infantry Brigade. He was appointed operational MBE at the end of his tour. He served as second-in-command of 1 Gordons on another operational tour to Northern Ireland, in 1973, this time to Anderstown, and then to Singapore later in the year. After an appointment as military adviser to General Sir Cecil Blacker, the Adjutant-General, in 1976, he assumed command of 1 Gordons at Fort George in the build-up of training for an 18-month operational tour in Northern Ireland, based at Palace Barracks in Belfast. He was appointed operational OBE. In 1978, Graham returned to West Germany as chief of staff of HQ 3 Armoured Division and was advanced to CBE at the end of his tour. Command of the Ulster Defence Regiment followed. The UDR's primary tasks were to support the Royal Ulster Constabulary by patrolling, guarding keypoints and installations, establishing vehicle checkpoints on public roads and setting up roadblocks to hinder the activities of paramilitary groups. He was again Mentioned in Despatches. He became deputy military secretary at the MoD in 1985 and GOC Eastern District in 1986; he was appointed to the Royal Company of Archers the same year. In 1989 he was made Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. His youngest son, Dougie, was commissioned during his appointment in December 1990 and the commissioning parade was taken by the Princess of Wales. Sir Alexander Graham, Peter Graham's brother, was Lord Mayor of London that year. In 1991 Graham was knighted upon taking up his final appointment as GOC Scotland and Governor of Edinburgh Castle. He retired from the Army in 1993 but immediately took on the chairmanship of the Gordon Highlanders Museum, and ran it and its fundraising campaign until 2003. In 1994 the Gordon Highlanders were amalgamated with the Queen's Own Highlanders (Seaforths and Camerons) to form 1st Battalion The Highlanders (Seaforths, Gordons and Camerons). The Army cutbacks and the loss of the regiment as an infantry Regiment of the Line were cruel blows, but Graham pressed for a lasting memorial, and the result was the erection of a statue of the Gordon Highlander in Aberdeen City. He was Colonel The Gordon Highlanders from 1986 to 1994 and his devotion to the regiment and his fellow Gordon Highlanders continued for the rest of his life. He loved pipe music, country pursuits, hill walking, game shooting and red-deer stalking. A proud Scot and a fervent believer in 'the Union', he spent several years supporting the Better Together Campaign. The strain took a toll on his health from which he never properly recovered. Peter Graham married Alison, a doctor. She survives him with their three sons: Jamie was an officer in the 51st Highland Volunteers (affiliated to the Gordons); Roddy was the Master of the Mercers' Company in 2017 and a member of the Royal Company of Archers; Dougie was an officer in the Gordon Highlanders. Sir Peter Graham, born March 14 1937, died December 30 2024 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
