Latest news with #Renfrewshire
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
St Mirren confirm three pre-season friendlies
A game against MK Dons in Spain is among three friendlies St Mirren will play this summer to prepare for the 2025-26 Buddies visit Dumbarton on Saturday 28 June (14:00 BST) then take on English League Two MK Dons a week later on 5 July (10:00) during their training camp in Robinson's side complete their preparations with a Renrewshire derby against Morton at Cappielow in the Communities Cup on Tuesday 8 July (19:45) before beginning the new season with a League Cup group game at Arbroath four days later.
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire's Lord Provost applauds Johnstone Burgh after Junior Cup triumph
The weekend had a silver lining for the people of Johnstone as Burgh triumphed in the cup final. Renfrewshire's provost yesterday praised Johnstone Burgh for their Junior Cup triumph after the town partied the night away. Provost Lorraine Cameron wants supporters to enjoy the club's success in full this week after Lowland League side Tranent were beaten 4-2 on penalties in the final at Broadwood Stadium following a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes. Epic scenes ensued when Kyle Lafferty smashed home the decisive spot-kick with captain Derek Esplin becoming the first Burgh skipper to lift the trophy since 1968 when George Caughey achieved the feat. And Provost Cameron had the 'privilege' of meeting the Keanie Park icon in the lead-up to what turned out to be a very special afternoon. 'I was absolutely delighted to be at the Junior Scottish Cup Final to witness Johnstone Burgh's tremendous victory,' she told the Paisley Daily Express. 'A moment of sheer determination, skill and team spirit – although I have to say that it wasn't the easiest of games to watch. 'The anxiety was intense, especially when it ended in a penalty shoot-out! I had the privilege of meeting George Caughey, the man who captained the Burgh to glory in 1968. 'It was a deeply emotional moment for him — to see this generation follow in the footsteps of his own historic team was truly special. His pride in the club, past and present, was a powerful reminder of what this victory means to our community.' Burgh arrived back in the town's Houstoun Square to a heroes' welcome on Sunday night as fans celebrated with the trophy. One of those supporters who attended the game and the gathering afterwards was Johnstone South and Elderslie councillor Andy Steel and he embraced the occasion. He said: 'It seemed like half of Johnstone was at the game and then it seemed like the other half was at Houstoun Square to cheer the team home with the cup! The atmosphere was tremendous. 'These events are what brings towns together. There would have been people at the game yesterday who were at the 1968 final – the last time we won. 'And now we've got kids at the game who will live to the year 2095 and remember the day the Burgh won the cup. That's one of the threads that goes into building a community – 127 years apart but the same experience.'
BBC News
02-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Village house fire could be linked to gangland feud
Police are investigating if a deliberate fire at large house in a Renfrewshire village is linked to a gang feud stretching across detached home on Kilbarchan Road, Bridge of Weir, was set alight at about 23:25 on Scotland News understands links to a feud between rival criminal gangs have not been ruled out by detectives investigating the blaze. A number of cars and properties have been set alight in and around Edinburgh since March, with attacks in Glasgow and the west of Scotland being reported from the beginning of April. Police Scotland said inquiries into the "wilful fire-raising" were ongoing and appealed for information. Det Sgt Kenny Taggart, of Paisley CID, said the fire "caused considerable distress and alarm to nearby residents".He added: "Thankfully, there were no reports of any injuries."I am appealing to anyone who heard or saw anything suspicious in the local area to contact us."He asked residents of the Bridge of Weir area and surrounding villages to check video doorbell, CCTV or dash cam footage in case it captured something that could assist with inquiries.
The Independent
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Nurse ‘forever' haunted by image of toddler killed in Gaza
A Scottish nurse has told how she will be 'forever' haunted by the image of a dead toddler at a Gaza hospital where she worked. Mel Graham, from Elderslie in Renfrewshire, has spoken about her two-month deployment to a UK Government-funded hospital in Al Mawasi between February and April this year. Ms Graham, 50, says she has never been more frightened in her life, but wants to return to Gaza regardless in order to further help the those caught in the crossfire. Two emergency field hospitals funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and run by Manchester-based frontline health charity UK- Med have treated more than 400,000 patients in Gaza so far. Ms Graham said: 'I was in Gaza last year and didn't think it could possibly get any worse, but it has. That first night the ceasefire shattered was easily the worst thing I have ever experienced. Even though we knew it was coming, it was still such a shock. 'The sound of explosions and fighting were so close to the hospital, so we knew we were going to be busy. At maybe two or three in the morning the first casualties started coming in. It was a conveyor belt of carnage. 'My role involved triaging patients. Amongst that first load of patients brought in, there were was a two-year-old girl dead on arrival. 'There wasn't a mark on her and I just remember standing there thinking 'How can this happen?'. She looked completely perfect and was just covered in a thick layer of dust. 'It's different when you are dealing with people with visible injuries. With some blast injuries there are no obvious signs externally, but the shockwave had fatally affected her tiny wee lungs. 'The porters went to get a body bag for her, but the shortage of aid getting in meant there were only adult body bags available. She just disappeared into it. 'We took her to the temporary mortuary at the back of the hospital. We put two chairs out for the family to come in… but no-one ever came. I fear her parents had obviously been killed too.' Traumatised by what she saw, Ms Graham continued: 'The sight of that little girl will haunt me forever. It is the thing that I think about most. 'It's at the forefront of my brain. It is not natural for a child to die like that. 'I didn't want to leave her there alone, but I had to get back to help the many other casualties who had been rushed in.' More than 50,000 people have now been killed in the conflict and more than 90% of the Gaza population displaced from their homes, often on more than one occasion. The UK announced £129 million in the last financial year (2024-25) for Occupied Palestinian Territories, including £11.5 million to support UK-Med's life-saving work in Gaza. Ms Graham – who has also been deployed twice to conflict-hit Ukraine – said: 'When I was in Gaza last year, we heard explosions close to us, but this time my heart was in my mouth much of the time. 'Some bomb blasts were so close you'd feel your feet move first and then you heard the explosion. I don't know what the science is behind that. 'It was just one incident after another. Two of the 14 Palestinian Red Crescent Society ambulance workers killed had left from our field hospital. They were our colleagues. The news shook me to the core. 'Last year, our accommodation shook a few times, but this year it was practically every day. Sometimes you got woken up thinking 'I can't believe I've not got a whole house on top of me'. 'Honestly, I wasn't entirely sure I was going to make it out. That's how scary it was. I'm a bit embarrassed to say that because the people in Gaza are experiencing that 24/7, 365 days a year. 'The emotions are strange because it was brilliant to have done it and I do not regret it for a second. Once I've detangled my brain, I want to get back out. I feel like I still have one foot in Gaza and once I give myself some rest I'll want to get back. 'I find I struggle with the guilt of leaving. I struggled with the guilt of wanting to leave because the local people do not have that option. They are trapped. There's no respite for them. 'I also feel guilty putting my family through the worry. I know they are proud of the work I am doing but it's only natural they have concerns.'
Daily Mail
26-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
St Andrews well above par for a home by the seaside
It is known as the Home of Golf, famed for its top university and boasting the stunning West Sands Beach which featured in the 1981 Oscar-winning drama Chariots of Fire. So it is perhaps not that surprising a new research names St Andrews as Scotland's most expensive coastal location for buying a home. The average property in the historic Fife town will set you back by £458,381 - up 8 per cent in the past year, according to Bank of Scotland statistics for 2024. North Berwick, in East Lothian, came in second place, with the average price for homes coming in at £419,723. In third place was Dunbar, just 11 miles south, with its cliffs and coastal trails making it a desirable place for budding home-owners at an average of £292,073. Homes in Gourock, Renfrewshire, experienced the biggest spike in price over 2024, with average prices soaring by 24 percent to £175,660. In the last five years, the bank says prices in Scottish coastal towns increased by 25 per cent, compared with the UK's overall average rise of 18 per cent. Anstruther, in Fife, increased by £91,294, or 52 per cent, over a five-year period - the largest in Scotland over the same time period. Inverness recorded the highest combined value of coastal home purchases in Scotland over the last year, with deals totalling almost £195million. This was followed by Ayr with £179million and Musselburgh with £93million. Overall, the housing market for coastal locations in Scotland was worth around £1.9billion in 2024, up around 4 per cent from the previous year. Ayr saw the biggest number of transactions with 963, followed by Inverness which recorded 915, and Greenock, by the Clyde estuary, with 626. Coastal towns in Scotland are generally cheaper that their land-locked counterparts, with the 10 cheapest spots located along the shore line. Campbeltown, in Argyll, was the cheapest north of the Border, with the average housing price at £103,078, down 11 per cent when compared with 2023. Rothesay, on Bute, was the second least expensive with £111,764, followed by Millport, in Cumbrae, where the average cost was £114,008 and the Bute village of Port Bannatyne close behind with £115,421. Isla Benzie, head of Bank of Scotland mortgages, said: 'Scotland's coastline offers something for everyone - from the historic streets of St Andrews to the island charm of Rothesay and Millport. 'While some of the most sought-after locations continue to command premium prices, there are still plenty of affordable options for buyers willing to look beyond the traditional hotspots. 'Coastal property prices in Scotland have risen over the past year, reflecting strong demand and the enduring appeal of seaside living. 'But it's also important to recognise the diversity of these communities - while some are thriving, others face real challenges linked to housing affordability, seasonal economies and access to services.'
