Latest news with #PeterRamsay
Scotsman
04-08-2025
- Health
- Scotsman
Sight Scotland Veterans' Hawkhead Centre to open after hours to help more veterans access life-changing support
Sight Scotland Veterans' Hawkhead Centre is opening after hours to give more veterans with vision impairment the opportunity to come and sample the support, activities and camaraderie the centre has to offer. 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... Recognising that many veterans are unable to attend during the day due to work, family commitments or transport challenges, the centre will welcome visitors to a special open evening on Tuesday 12 August from 5pm to 9pm. The evening aims to give veterans with vision impairment the chance to explore what the centre has to offer – from its wide range of activities and support services to the warm community spirit that underpins everything the centre does. Staff will be on hand to welcome visitors, provide information, offer guided tours, and introduce some of the popular activities on offer, including axe throwing, Boccia, archery, acoustic shooting, woodwork, and more. Peter Ramsay, aged 56, served in the Army before losing his sight as a young man due to Retinitis Pigmentosa – a life-changing event that led to his early discharge from service. Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited eye disorders that cause progressive degeneration of the retina, leading to vision loss. Symptoms typically begin with night blindness, followed by a gradual loss of peripheral (side) vision. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since 2014, Peter has been supported by Sight Scotland Veterans, a charity he credits with helping him regain his confidence and independence. He describes going to the Hawkhead Centre as a real turning point in his life and encourages other veterans to come along and see the difference it can make. Peter visits the Hawkhead Centre twice a week, taking part in a wide range of activities and enjoying the camaraderie of fellow veterans. He also regularly joins Sight Scotland Veterans' Digital Hub, where he takes part in weekly quizzes, chats, and support calls. Peter Ramsay plays pool at the Hawkhead Centre Peter shares: 'I honestly don't know where I'd be without the Hawkhead Centre. Before I came here, I was struggling, not just with my sight loss, but with my confidence and mental wellbeing too. Losing your vision is a huge adjustment, and it can leave you feeling cut off from everything and everyone. I wasn't sure what I could still do, or where I fitted in anymore. 'From the moment I first walked through the doors, I felt welcomed. The staff are brilliant – they genuinely care – and some of the other veterans have become close friends. I've tried so many things I never thought I'd be able to do again: woodwork, bowling, archery, shooting, pool, fishing, hill walking, going to the Cenotaph in London. Some veterans recently went on a driving experience. I love the kitchen, where we are shown how to make our own meals, stuff like this is just so important for your confidence. I never imagined doing any of that after losing my sight. 'But honestly, it's not just about the activities. It's about having somewhere to go where you feel safe and understood. Somewhere you can just be yourself. The friendships I've made here have changed my life. It often feels like I am back in the army again, the banter is just like we are back in the barracks. We laugh, we support each other, and we push each other to try new things. It's given me my confidence and independence back.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Peter adds: 'I'd say to any veteran who's unsure or a bit nervous – just come along to the open evening. See it for yourself. Sight Scotland Veterans shows us what is still possible. I can't thank them enough.' Lorraine Bruce, Deputy Centre Manager at the Hawkhead Centre, comments: 'As a charity, we want to reach and support as many veterans with vision impairment as possible. We understand that not everyone can attend during the day; many are working, have family commitments, or rely on others for transport. This open evening is a chance for those veterans, and their families, to come at a different time and see what we offer. 'The Centre has fantastic facilities, from our sports hall and gym to our IT suite, woodwork and art rooms. But more than that, it's the friendship and camaraderie built among the veterans that's truly life changing. You can see people becoming more confident as they get involved. Vision impairment can be incredibly isolating, especially at first, as it knocks your confidence and makes everyday things feel out of reach. But it doesn't have to be that way. 'We hope this evening not only gives people a glimpse of the help available but also helps us understand the level of interest in opening outside regular hours. We'd love to see as many people as possible drop in, try some activities, and meet the team.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Hawkhead Centre provides a vibrant, inclusive environment where veterans can explore interests, reconnect with passions, and develop new skills – all while being part of a supportive community. If you are a veteran with vision impairment, or you are a friend or a family member of someone who could benefit from Sight Scotland Veteran's services, please come along to the open evening on Tuesday 12 August from 5pm to 9pm or call the information line on 0800 035 6409.
Daily Record
05-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Stonehouse Market gains support from windfarm operator
The popular monthly event has a host of craft stalls and is marking its first anniversary this month A popular community craft market which is now celebrating its first anniversary has been praised for supporting and showcasing local businesses and drawing crowds of shoppers to a South Lanarkshire village. Stonehouse Market, which takes place in the community graden on King Street and was first held in June 2024, is led by the area's business association and has a range of traders queuing up to take part with their products ranging from cakes and candles to pet treats and unique handcrafted items. It received a £6500 grant from South Lanarkshire's Renewable Energy Fund with support from local windfarm operator OnPath Energy, who highlighted the community project's success in helping to revive the town centre "by supporting small businesses, promoting greener shopping and attracting crowds'. The Keep It Stonehouse market runs on the second Saturday of the month from May to September, with organisers also planning an additional Christmas market – with the next event taking place on June 14 from 10am to 2pm. A total of 14 stall spaces are available under its licence, so the event is regularly oversubscribed with a waiting list for potential traders. Regular stallholders include Unique 2 U, Missy's Melts, Fab Fancies, Cakes by Rebecca, Mecoco, Made with Love by Angela, Whippet Clean, Perfect Pup Pals, Windy Wizzen's Emporium, the Auld Stanehoose Cafe, K&G Crystal Portal and Davies Laser & Engraving. Now a regular fixture in the local calendar with its colourful traditionally-striped stalls, it also includes free family entertainment such as face painting and balloon modelling to add further attraction to market day, while the events have also encouraged nearby businesses to open specially while they take place. Stonehouse Business Association secretary Peter Ramsay said: 'It's more than just a market – it's a focal point for the community, a place for neighbours to meet, support local talent, and enjoy a buzzing, family-friendly atmosphere right in the centre of the village. 'We were keen to bring something with character and colour, so we invested in old-fashioned, striped market stalls to give it that vibrant, traditional feel. The support from OnPath Energy helped us get the initiative off the ground, and it's gone from strength to strength ever since.' Picture framer Peter added: 'There are more than 100 small businesses in and around Stonehouse, many hidden from view – the market gives them a stage and helps people appreciate the diversity of local goods made on their doorstep.' The local business association was founded seven years ago to represent and promote local businesses and now has more than 40 members. Organisers say the monthly market 'reflects its core aim, to showcase Stonehouse's enterprising spirit and to bring economic benefits back to the village centre' and hope to increase the number of stalls in future years. Hamilton-based OnPath, which operates both the Kype Muir windfarm five miles south of Strathaven plus Middle Muir, near Douglas, contributed to the market through the Renewable Energy Fund (REF) administered by South Lanarkshire Council. Partnerships and community manager Aileen McCreadie said: 'We're proud to support local projects like this which demonstrate the value of community-driven regeneration – Stonehouse Market is an outstanding example of how REF can enhance everyday life through sustainable and inclusive initiatives. 'It encourages people to adopt greener shopping behaviours and give back to their local communities, and it will no doubt prove to be a popular destination over the summer. Initiatives like this help reduce travel to out-of-town retailers, cut down on packaging waste, and shine a light on the quality and creativity of local producers. 'By supporting small, independent businesses, markets like this make sustainable choices easier and more enjoyable for everyone.'
