Latest news with #Santa
Glasgow Times
6 hours ago
- Business
- Glasgow Times
TUI announced day trips to popular spot from Glasgow Airport
TUI UK & Ireland has announced the launch of its 'magical' Lapland day trip programme for Winter 2026. The exciting programme includes flights from 11 regional airports across the UK, including Glasgow. The travel firm said the 'Search for Santa' day trips allow families the 'ultimate Lapland experience' with the chance to meet the real Santa Claus in his snowy homeland and be back in their own bed the same night. READ MORE: Jet2 reveals two new incredible destinations from Glasgow Airport With tickets starting at £750 per person, the package includes return flights with in-flight meals, including a delicious roast dinner on the flight home, a private meeting with Santa, and a gift for every child. Travellers will also be able to enjoy a range of snow activities, including husky and reindeer sleigh rides, mini skidoo adventures for youngsters, and tobogganing. Additionally, thermal clothing is included in ticket prices, plus a hot lunch in Santa's village, and all transfers to Lapland, which is located in Finland. TUI is offering day trip flights to Lapland from airports including Glasgow, Cardiff, London Gatwick, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, East Midlands, Birmingham, Stansted, Dublin, and Bournemouth. (Image: Supplied) READ MORE: Major plans revealed for Glasgow Airport after billion-pound takeover READ MORE: One of world's busiest airports which welcomes Glasgow flights to close (Image: Newsquest) Here is the day trip itinerary: Fly to Kittila – Customers will get a traditional cooked English breakfast on the flight, before landing and heading to pick up the included snowsuit and boots. Snow Village – Kittila's Snow Village is home to an ice hotel with igloo-like rooms, an ice bar and ice sculptures. Reindeer Sleigh Ride – Climb into a sleigh and let Rudolph and co guide the way through snow-covered forests. Husky Adventures – Hop on the back of a husky-led sleigh and be whisked off on a short ride around the Lappish countryside. Snowmobiling – After learning how to ride, head off on a short ride to explore the winter wilderness. Arctic Storytelling – Get a real taste of tradition when meeting one of the Lapland locals and listen to age-old stories and legends about Lapland. Meet Santa – Hop on a skidoo and travel through the snowy woodland to meet Santa, where his elves will teach families how to say hello in Finnish. Snow Fun – It's not Lapland without playing in the snow, so start a friendly snowball fight, ride a sledge or build a snowman and then warm up by the campfire with a hot berry juice. Home Time – After the day at Snow Village has finished, Santa's elves will take customers back to the airport, where you will get a Christmas dinner in the sky on the flight back home. READ MORE: Jet2 announced two new destinations from Glasgow Airport READ MORE: Major airline announces new Glasgow Airport route Chris Logan, Commercial Director at TUI UK, said: "Our much-loved festive Search for Santa day trips are back, and we're making it easier than ever for families across the UK to experience the magic of Lapland. "Now with flights from 11 regional airports, families have the ease of flying from their local airport to meet Santa and create unforgettable memories together.' Those interested in a day trip to Lapland in 2026 from Glasgow Airport can either fly out on December 12, 2026, or December 22, 2026.
Scottish Sun
21 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Scots Morrison's worker sues for sexual harassment over colleague's cheeky gift in Secret Santa
Barry Cochrane quit his new job claiming he was sexually harassed over a cheeky gift he didn't even receive MUGGED OFF Scots Morrison's worker sues for sexual harassment over colleague's cheeky gift in Secret Santa Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A BALSY Health and Safety boss sued Morrisons for sexual harassment after being offended over a college being given a rude mug as a secret Santa gift. Barry Cochrane had barely clocked in his new job at Morrison's-owned abattoir Neerock, in Aberdeen, when he quit crying, claiming he was sexually harassed over a cheeky gift he didn't even receive. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Barry Cochrane became 'very upset' as he felt he had been 'singled out' for a 'cheap laugh' after seeing the mug his co-worker received in the secret Santa 2 Barry Cochrane had worked for the company, Neerock which trades as Woodheads, operates abattoirs and meat processing facilities and is a subsidiary of Morrisons Supermarket The mug was gifted to one of his co-workers and appeared to be plain white but when filled with boiling water a picture of a pair of testicals wrapped in a bow-tie appeared with the phrase 'I Love Teabagging'. The bawdy pressie was exchanged during a meeting on December 12, which Mr Cochrane, 54, didn't even attend, due to a delayed start date. The tribunal heard the gift was given David Orton, who, recognising it was a mug and "suspected that there may be something on the mug which might not be appropriate to show in a work meeting'. He opened it later at home, took a picture and popped it in the group chat, adding: 'I think I need to have a word with Santa.' Replies poured in from tickled co-workers, saying 'Haha brilliant', 'I am so jealous Dave' before Head of H&S Sally Smith, said: 'Just checked and thankfully Barry isn't on here yet is he!' To which another replied: 'Not yet!' But days later, Mr Cochrane was added to the company's Gmail group chat, and scrolled up to read messages sent before he had been added and became immediately offended at the light-hearted banter. Mr Cochrane, based in Turriff, Aberdeenshire, where Morrisons owns the Woodheads abattoir site, said the comments and mug left him 'very upset,' felt 'singled out for a cheap laugh.' He became so distressed he packed up his things and walked out, quitting his new post, claiming he'd been 'named in sexual content.' Mr Cochrane then took the matter to a tribunal and sued for unfair dismissal and sexual harassment, claiming: 'Instantly, my mental health took a massive hit.' Moment Scots nurse who is suing NHS amid trans doctor row is piped into tribunal as dozens show support The tribunal heard Mr Cochrane 'cried at work,' phoned Mr Orton, and claimed this was the last straw in a build-up of issues. During an investigation into the exchange Mr Orton said while he regretted sending a picture of the mug, it was 'meant in the spirit of a laugh'. Ms Smith said that she made the comment about Mr Cochrane because she thought 'oh what what will Barry think of us' having not been in the meeting or understanding the context of the message. Employment Judge Murdo Macleod dismissed Mr Cochrane's case, finding that his reaction was entirely 'disproportionate' and accused him of blowing it out of proportion so he could sue the company. He said: 'We consider that [Mr Cochrane's] reaction was disproportionate… 'It is clear to us that [Mr Cochrane] did not find the initial comment, nor the legend on the mug, to be offensive. He thought it was funny. 'His outrage at his name being mentioned on the thread is confected, with this litigation in mind. 'It is quite clear that if anyone was being singled out for ridicule, it was Mr Orton.' The panel dismissed Mr Cochrane's complaints in their entirety.
7NEWS
a day ago
- 7NEWS
Montessouri childcare boss Amanda Vassel sacked after letting convicted child rapist work at centre in Beenleigh
A Montessori childcare director who allegedly allowed her convicted husband to work at her centre has been sacked. 7NEWS exclusively revealed Andrew Vassel, 44, was employed to do odd jobs at his wife's Amanda Vassel's daycare in Beenleigh, about 30 minutes south of Brisbane in Queensland, despite the fact he is a convicted child rapist and has no clearance to be around children. Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Despite being a registered sex offender banned from working with children, Vassel was allegedly allowed on-site regularly and even donned a Santa suit during a Christmas event. Vassel was convicted in 2007 in New South Wales for sexual assault against a minor. He served eight months in jail and remains banned from child-related work. On Wednesday, 16 July, Andrew and Amanda Vessel, 46, were taken into custody at their residence in Logan, following the execution of several search warrants by detectives. Queensland Family and Child Commissioner Luke Twyford said cases like this show urgent change is needed. 'We need to make sure we act even before things reach a criminal threshold,' he said. From October 1, Queensland will roll out ten new child safe standards. A mandatory reportable conduct scheme will follow from July 1, 2026. 'If someone in charge of, say, an early day care center has a concern raised to them about one of their staff, they must immediately, within 24 hours, notify the Queensland Family and Child Commission, and they must commence an investigation into that concern,' Twyford said. Those who fail to report concerns could be fined $17,000, with a formal breach recorded against their organisation. 'That means we're slowly building a central database of all the concerns about a worker, and that we're having a closer look at any organisation where there are multiple concerns,' Twyford added. The disturbing revelations come as national concerns around childcare safety continue to escalate. Last month, Victorian educator Joshua Brown was charged with more than 70 child sex offences, including rape. Separately, a worker at a child care centre at Tingalpa was accused of abusing a four-year-old. Andrew Vassel has been charged with two breaches of child protection laws. Amanda Vassel faces charges for allegedly allowing the breaches to occur. She is due to face Beenleigh court on August 19.
7NEWS
4 days ago
- 7NEWS
‘Sick to the stomach': Convicted child rapist allegedly worked around kids at daycare run by his wife in Queensland
A convicted child rapist has been arrested after police allege he was working at a daycare run by his wife. 7NEWS can exclusively reveal Andrew Vassel, 44, was employed to do odd jobs had been working at Montessori Early Learning Centre in Beenleigh, about 30 minutes south of Brisbane, Queensland, despite the fact he is a convicted child rapist. His wife Amanda Vassel is the centre's director. Despite being a registered sex offender banned from working with children, Vassel was allegedly allowed on-site regularly, even donning a Santa suit during a Christmas event. 'Parents are entitled to feel angry and sick to the stomach that their kids (may) have been in the vicinity of a convicted sex offender,' Hetty Johnston from Safeguarding People Australia told 7NEWS. 'This is not acceptable.' Vassel was convicted in 2007 in New South Wales for sexual assault against a minor. He served eight months in jail and remains banned from child-related work. Amanda Vassel, 46, is accused of knowingly allowing her husband to work at the centre. In earlier footage provided to 7NEWS, she proudly described the progress of children at the daycare. 'It's very rewarding just to see how far they can go,' she said. 'You've got two-year-olds washing up their own dishes. You've got four-year-olds who are writing their own names fluently.' The couple were arrested at their Logan home on Wednesday night after detectives executed multiple search warrants. The disturbing revelations come as national concerns around childcare safety continue to escalate. Last month, Victorian educator Joshua Brown was charged with more than 70 child sex offences, including rape. 'We should be able to trust the organisations that tell us that they're there to care for and protect our children,' Johnston said. Federal Education Minister Jason Clare has flagged tougher consequences for centres failing to meet standards. 'If centres are persistently not meeting the sort of standards that mums and dads expect and that our kids deserve, then we've got to have the power to cut that funding off,' he said. Detectives said no children at the Beenleigh daycare have been identified as victims. But the allegations that a convicted child sex offender was present has sparked outrage. 'It's almost irrelevant whether something happened or didn't happen. Whether he's committed an offence or not,' Johnston said. Andrew Vassel has been charged with two breaches of child protection laws. Amanda Vassel faces charges for allegedly allowing the breaches to occur. She is due to face Beenleigh court on August 19.
Metro
5 days ago
- Climate
- Metro
Thunderstorms, hail and torrential rain set to hit UK despite warm weather
Thunderstorms are set to cover the UK today as the Met Office issues yellow weather warnings. Heavy downpours and lightning strikes may cause disruption across the country, with transport delays, power cuts and even flash floodingall on the cards. Durham, Middlesbrough and Yorkshire could see up to 25mm of rain in less than an hour. Meanwhile in the south, rain is predicted to be torrential, with up to 30mm falling in less than an hour, and 90mm in less than three hours in certain places. The wet weather is expected to continue all weekend, with widespread showers forecast on Sunday. But temperatures are expected to remain high, with parts of central and southern England reaching 30C. The south east will see some sunnier spells as well. Wales, Cornwall, Merseyside, Devon, Somerset, Dorset and the Scottish border are forecast to avoid the worst of the stormy weather. Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office, warned that the high temperatures could become 'quite uncomfortable' in some parts of the country. He said: 'In the south and east, there is further chance of staying dry and some decent sunshine on offer. 'So there's a lot of heat around, high humidity as well, quite uncomfortable for some of us. More Trending 'As we go into the weekend, with the heat and the humidity, there's a fairly strong chance that we are going to see some heavy, thundery rain, feeding up from the south. 'That is likely to become pretty widespread across much of the country as we go through Saturday and into Sunday.' The wet weather comes just in time as regions across the UK declare drought and enter into hosepipe bans. So far, South East Water and Yorkshire Water hosepipe bans are in effect, while Thames Water and Southern Water's bans will begin next week. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Most of England under thunderstorm warning with risk of sudden flooding MORE: Santa's village in the Arctic Circle is hotter than the UK today MORE: Is it safe to travel to Iceland right now? Latest advice after volcano erupts
