Latest news with #PortGlasgow
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
75 years ago: Superintendent, swimmers and youths taking a swing (1950)
In our latest look at the Tele's archives, we go back 75 years to tales of superintendents, swimmers, and fights at Port Glasgow dance halls... "SUPER" IS LEAVING Captain G.A.F. Norfolk, RN, who has been superintendent at the Fort Matilda Torpedo Factory for the past two years, is leaving Greenock shortly to take up a sea appointment. (Image: archive) He is to command HMS Black Swan on the China station. This is a new picture of the RNTF Superintendent, Mrs Norfolk, and their dog Rusty. GOUROCK SWIMMER GOES FOR GOLD AROUND 25 entries have now been received from various parts of the country, including England, for the Dunoon to Gourock summer swim. Gourock swimming pool has become a popular training venue for some of the competitors, and yesterday 16 of the would-be "champions" put in a few hours at the pond. At the weekend there were 14 swimmers in the river having a try-out. One of the best performances was given by 15-year-old Audrey Rendell of Broomberry Drive, who swam to the Cowal shore and then back to Gourock. She is considered one of the local favourites for the big event. Mr Neil Gillies, Gourock pond-master, is training a number of the competitors for the swim. PORT PARTY DISTURBANCE FINES of £2 were imposed by Bailie Caldwell at Port-Glasgow Police Court this morning, when six youths pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting themselves in a disorderly manner and committing a breach of peace. Mr D. Main, Depute Fiscal, stated that the incident took place at the entrance of the Hibernians' Hall, Clune Brae, while a dance was in progress. The committee had been troubled by a crowd of hooligans known as the Alley Boys and the accused were barred from dancing in the hall. Other Archive News 50 years ago: Greenock boy given driving award by Formula One champion (1975) 50 years ago: Up to 12,000 kids attend Inverclyde holiday play centres (1975) 50 years ago: IBM workmates combined to create Inverclyde masterpieces (1975) The accused came to the door and started bawling and shouting and kicking the door. This disturbance went on for fully five minutes before the police were informed. When the doorman opened the door to let a number of dancers out, the accused rushed in. They were later ejected. The doorman alleged that one of the juveniles said: "You are a to put his hand in his pocket, which gave him reason to believe that he had something concealed there. "The dance had been run efficiently, but is was lads like these who 'cause trouble," he commented. These articles were first published on July 19, 1950.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
PICTURES: Picnic in the park hailed huge success for Port Glasgow New Parish Church
HUNDREDS of people of all ages from a Port Glasgow Church had fun in the sun at their annual park picnic last weekend. On Saturday, July 12 up to 100 people gathered at Coronation Park to enjoy a day in the sun at the Port Glasgow New Parish Church picnic in the park – on one of the warmest days Scotland has had this year. Not only did families enjoy lunch under the sun, but also badminton, crafts, parachute games and even some line dancing. (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) The picnic has been running for four years having started after the Covid pandemic when church members where reminiscing on Sunday school trips down the coast and wanted to host day's out for the whole church community. Reverend William Boyle says the day is always a huge success with both young and old, and that last weekend the warm temperatures and bule skies made the day even more special. He said: 'We have such great assets on our doorstep so why not make the most of the beautiful outdoor area we have in Inverclyde. (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG)'We are very much a community church, and we are always finding ways to connect with the Port Glasgow community. 'For us it is about finding things for families to take part in that doesn't cost a lot of money and the picnic in the park is a perfect event which is fun for everyone but also completely free." (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) The church is open to the area seven days a week and Rev William says that running events like the picnic and the fun day held at the start of the month are all part of keeping up community spirit. He added: 'We have a brilliant church family of a variety of ages, from babies up to members who are 100 years old. 'It is wonderful to be a part of such a welcoming community of people. 'It was great to see families of all ages from within the church and the wider Port Glasgow community come together.' (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) (Image: alex craig) (Image: ALEX CRAIG) Rev William thanked everyone who helped make picnic in the park possible and says it will 'most definitely' be returning for its fifth year in a row next summer.
BBC News
6 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Ferguson shipyard boss calls for direct award of new ferry
The new boss of Ferguson Marine has called for a new CalMac ferry order to be directly awarded to the state-owned shipyard to secure its Thomson said the replacement for MV Lord of the Isles was a target contract for the Port Glasgow yard which has no ship orders once MV Glen Rosa is completed next direct award is not possible, he told a committee of MPs that "social value" should be included in the assessment of bids in order to create a "level playing field" with overseas rivals. He said it would be "very difficult" and "very challenging" to sustain the current workforce unless the yard secures the new order. The Port Glasgow shipyard recently signed a deal for subcontracting work building units for the frigate HMS Birmingham under construction by BAE Systems in Glasgow, but the new work is not in itself enough to guarantee the yard's future. He said it was actively pursuing a number of opportunities, but singled out the planned replacement for MV Lord of the Isles, an 84m (276ft) CalMac ferry built by Ferguson's 35 years ago, which normally serves South Uist. The Scottish government has said it has earmarked funding for the contract, but ferries agency CMAL is awaiting the go-ahead to begin the procurement. The Ferguson shipyard, which employs about 300 people, suffered a major blow earlier this year when an important order for seven small electric ferries for CalMac, worth £160m, went to the Polish firm Remontowa. Mr Thomson said he had been told by CMAL the Ferguson bid did well in the technical evaluation but could not match the overseas yard on price. He told the committee: "We're OK with competition as long as we're playing on a level playing field."As long as a situation prevails where international yards can do it cheaper than us because of the tax breaks, the labour rates, whatever, then we'll never be playing on a level playing field." 'Race to the bottom' Earlier an industry body told the committee that overseas yards enjoyed more state support and cheaper labour costs, often able to undercut UK yards by 10-20%. The UK's refreshed national shipbuilding strategy has called for a minimum 10% social value element in public tenders to offset that. But CMAL, which is owned by the Scottish government, has said it did not include social value in the scoring for the small vessels contract because it was worried about a possible legal challenge. Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes had earlier ruled out a direct award of that contract, also citing legal risks. Mr Thomson said public procurement needed to "move away from a race to the bottom in terms of price" to a model that recognised the economic and social benefits of building ships in the UK. "We are lobbying for a shift in emphasis on UK local content and even whether we can get direct award," he said. Mr Thomson, who took up his post in May, accepted that huge overspends and delays with two dual-fuel LNG CalMac ships had harmed the yard's reputation. He said it now needed to "demonstrate delivery" to restore confidence, and once a new order was secured it would draw down £14.2m of new investment promised by Scottish ministers. Some of the planned equipment could reduce the labour time required for steelwork by 30-40%, he said, and would make the yard more competitive. He described the two overbudget ships MV Glen Sannox and MV Glen Rosa as prototypes whose problems had arisen from a "bespoke set of circumstances". These included poor planning and an ill-advised "rush to get busy" before there was a mature design in place, he said. Why was Glen Sannox so hard to build? But he said the skills of the Ferguson workforce were no different from other more successful yards such as Babcock, where he previously worked, and BAE Systems. He said he saw the yard's future in building ships between 60 and 80m in length, much smaller than dual fuel ships which are 102.5m (335ft) shipyard could at the same time build smaller vessels, supplemented by subcontracting work on military ships, he added. What other orders could Ferguson Marine bid for? Aside from the MV Lord of the Isles replacement there are several publicly-funded ship procurements in the pipeline which could potentially provide much-needed work for the Ferguson shipyard: Phase two of the Small Vessels Replacement Programme will see ferries agency CMAL order three more small electric CalMac Scottish government has just confirmed it is looking to replace the fisheries protection vessel Minna, and the fishing research vessel Scotia - both previously built by Ferguson's - although no timetable has been UK Border Force is looking to replace 11 small vessels, and the UK government has promised they will be built in the UK. The Ferguson management believes demand for windfarm support ships or lighthouse board vessels could also provide opportunities. Prior to the ferries controversy, Ferguson's reputation was largely built by focusing on specialised ships, under 100m in length.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Take a look inside the Port Glasgow apiary home to half a million bees
A GROUP of busy beekeepers have given homes to half a million bees who help Inverclyde's nature flourish and grow alongside offering a therapeutic experience for some. The Inverclyde Shed has been looking after 50,000 honeybees which have been nestled amongst an industrial estate in Port Glasgow for nearly five years and locals are able to get up close and personal with the buzzing insects. The apiary, located in Devol industrial estate, is home to 10 honeybee colonies. They feed off the long, flowery garden where their hives stay and a large garden with over 200-foot-tall tress just behind the enclosures fence - this benefits both the bees and the gardens. The Port Glasgow apiary has 10 hives which are home to 50,000 bees each (Image: George Munro) Three years ago, the hives were moved from the Shed's market garden to a few streets away after a couple of queen bees died, with group members saving as many colonies as they could. Earlier this month the Tele took a visit to the apiary and got the chance to suit up and take a look inside one of the hives, learning about bee husbandry, how beekeepers identify problems with the creatures and how they help them produce honey. (Image: George Munro) A harvest of honey is only collected three times a year (Image: George Munro) Founder of the organisation Bruce Newlands said the beekeeping group has developed into a project that he says has become a 'unique' hobby for many and, despite the bees at the Port Glasgow site not being they type which are endangered, the group is still helping pollinators within the local ecosystem. Bruce said: 'The reason the Shed does bees is that we found out that it can be remarkably therapeutic and very calming for people. 'Of course, we get honey and produce from the apiary but that's not our reason for looking after these bees. 'We spend a lot more time looking after them than taking honey, we are far more interested in the environmental impact it can have as well as the therapeutic benefits it can have for people.' Bruce says they have had people with bipolar and anxiety struggles get involved because of the bees calming properties. Other News Greenock man pays tribute to 'inspirational' wife after her rare cancer diagnosis New swimmers make a splash at annual IASC championships New show with 100 pieces of amazing art goes on show at Beacon David Maugere has been a beekeeper at the Devol site for a few years now and has developed the apiary onto a 'different scale' by taking the bees into schools across Inverclyde and hosting sessions in libraries to teach people about the creatures and see close up how they work. David, who is originally from France, says he has found a great community in the Shed having joined in 2020 and has been able to bring his love of beekeeping to Inverclyde. He told the Tele: 'Having seen my own kids take an interest in the bees, we have decided to take a different approach to the apiary this year and take it out of the garden and into schools. 'We want to show off how much fun beekeeping can be and teach people. 'It's amazing to see the group grow from only a couple of us to nearly 10 of us.' Bruce Newlands (left) Tele reporter Isla Robertson and David Maugere (right) (Image: George Munro) David now trains up new Shed members to work with the colonies and has also been saving bees from across Inverclyde, recently rehoming a swam of them who were living in Greenock supermarket car park. To enquire about visiting the apiary, contact the Shed at contact@ Those interested should also keep an eye on the Shed's Facebook page where they will post dates for further library information sessions with the bees.
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fly tipping fury as Port Glasgow man hits out at 'dumping ground' in town
FLAGRANT fly-tippers are turning a Port Glasgow road into Inverclyde's latest dumping ground, according to an angry campaigner. Peter McIntyre hit out after sofas, fridges, freezers, toys and grass cuttings were among the items dumped out in the open in Parkhill Avenue. Peter McIntyre, 72, says the mess is getting worse, with people simply throwing items over a nearby wall instead of going to the council's recycling depot at Pottery Street. Mr McIntyre, who has labelled the area 'the new Pottery Street', has complained to River Clyde Homes (RCH), who own the land, and spoken to several politicians in a bid to get something done. Peter McIntyre with local councillor Chris Curley in Parkhill Avenue. (Image: George Munro) Sofas, fridges, freezers, toys and grass cuttings are among the dumped items. (Image: George Munro) He said: "There's more stuff getting dumped here than in Pottery Street. "It's happening all over the area. It's time Inverclyde Council came back and took over from River Clyde Homes. "If Inverclyde Council had been in charge this would have all been cleared up. (Image: George Munro) "It's blatant. People are dumping things right in from of these houses in Parkhill Avenue - three piece suites, fridges and freezers. Guys are cutting people's grass and dumping the cuttings over the wall. "There's builder's materials as well. "This is the new Pottery Street. Then it is getting covered with grass and leaves from the trees. "There's new stuff underneath and it is from shops, including cans and bottles." OTHER NEWS: Veterans ask for discount to leisure services and their own fitness classes Super slimmer to share her story with Port Glasgow Slimming World group Carers left shocked and distraught at closure of lifeline Greenock centre Mr McIntyre, of High Carnegie Road, says that all that is needed is CCTV to catch culprits and then have their vehicles seized as a warning to others. He added that it's not only an eyesore but it smells too. Among those Mr McIntyre has contacted seeking help is local councillor Chris Curley - who agrees on the need for action, and says that while RCH has removed items, the sheer scale of the problem makes it difficult to fix. Councillor Curley told the Telegraph: "I have been in contact with River Clyde Homes who have suggested erecting a fence to dissuade people from dumping rubbish, as it is a low wall, we have also asked for CCTV in the past." Councillor Curley said he had been reported the issues for a couple of years. "It's a large area over a quarter of a mile, that is the issue," he continued "It is the tenants of RCH that have to pay the increased cost caused by fly tipping. (Image: George Munro) "I would urge people to dispose of their refuse responsibly and, if anyone sees anyone dumping rubbish, to report it. Community safety officers also patrol the area." He also added that CCTV could be a possibility. A River Clyde Homes spokesperson said: "We are aware of fly-tipping on land at Parkhill Avenue and have already cleared the site several times. "In an effort to mitigate the recurring issue, we are currently looking into the construction of fencing around the area concerned. "We bear the expense of removing fly-tipped waste from our land, which is a substantial and costly drain on resources that could otherwise be invested in crucial services improvements directly benefitting tenants, such as estate maintenance, property upgrades, or community programmes. "River Clyde Homes are also working with Inverclyde Council's environmental enforcement team to address issues of fly-tipping across several areas. "We join them in strongly condemning the selfish and irresponsible practice of fly-tipping and encourage everyone to use the proper channels for waste disposal.' Inverclyde Council was also asked for a comment but said it wasn't on council land and there had been no council involvement. A council spokesperson said: "We, of course, strongly condemn fly-tipping and would always encourage people to dispose of their rubbish responsibly, including through the recycling centres. "There is also a bulky uplift service for a small fee, as well as rubbish disposal options for businesses. "Information about the services we provide and how to report fly-tipping is on the council website."
