Latest news with #Scottish-born
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Historic building given new life
A small wooden church built in 1870 with hopes of serving a booming port town has found new life in the 21st century thanks to the dedicated efforts of two passionate owners. The former Kakanui Presbyterian church, a modest Carpenter Gothic building designed by renowned Scottish-born Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Once the spiritual heart of Kakanui, the timber church had weathered decades of change before its final service in November 2019. Designed to seat 100 worshippers, the church was constructed in just three months during a period of ambitious development. Hopes were high that the newly built port would turn the coastal settlement into a major export hub. While those dreams faded, the church remained a part of the community's life for nearly 150 years. When Michael Simpson and Anna Miles first saw the church listed for sale, it was the building's historical and architectural significance that drew them in. "We like that it's Robert Lawson's smallest, most modest surviving building," Mr Simpson said. Mr Simpson, a carpenter with heritage expertise, and Ms Miles, equally hands-on, saw the church as more than just a building. "We never had a particular plan except to restore it. There was no timeframe, no budget — and that's why it's been such a pleasure," Mr Simpson said. Since buying the property in 2019, the couple have steadily restored the structure, replacing sub-floor bearing joists, corner studs and weatherboards, improving drainage, restoring windows and repainting the interior. Their restoration has extended to the church's outbuildings — including the bible class hall added in 1933, two small buildings acquired in 1955 for the growing Sunday School and even a Brownies den. Ms Miles said the emotional connections uncovered during the restoration had made the project even more meaningful. "The more we've got to know the building, the more we've realised it's a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people. "We see ourselves as stewards of the building." Keeping the church's doors open has become part of the couple's philosophy. Visitors frequently drop in to share stories and memories or simply admire the restored space. Since 2019, the church has hosted weddings, musical performances, art exhibitions and carol services. Mr Simpson said it did not need to be a commercial space. "But we've realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building." Now a listed category 1 historic place with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the church has received official recognition of its architectural and social significance. — APL
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Historic building given new life Historic building given new life
A small wooden church built in 1870 with hopes of serving a booming port town has found new life in the 21st century thanks to the dedicated efforts of two passionate owners. The former Kakanui Presbyterian church, a modest Carpenter Gothic building designed by renowned Scottish-born Dunedin architect Robert Arthur Lawson, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. Once the spiritual heart of Kakanui, the timber church had weathered decades of change before its final service in November 2019. Designed to seat 100 worshippers, the church was constructed in just three months during a period of ambitious development. Hopes were high that the newly built port would turn the coastal settlement into a major export hub. While those dreams faded, the church remained a part of the community's life for nearly 150 years. When Michael Simpson and Anna Miles first saw the church listed for sale, it was the building's historical and architectural significance that drew them in. "We like that it's Robert Lawson's smallest, most modest surviving building," Mr Simpson said. Mr Simpson, a carpenter with heritage expertise, and Ms Miles, equally hands-on, saw the church as more than just a building. "We never had a particular plan except to restore it. There was no timeframe, no budget — and that's why it's been such a pleasure," Mr Simpson said. Since buying the property in 2019, the couple have steadily restored the structure, replacing sub-floor bearing joists, corner studs and weatherboards, improving drainage, restoring windows and repainting the interior. Their restoration has extended to the church's outbuildings — including the bible class hall added in 1933, two small buildings acquired in 1955 for the growing Sunday School and even a Brownies den. Ms Miles said the emotional connections uncovered during the restoration had made the project even more meaningful. "The more we've got to know the building, the more we've realised it's a special space that means a lot to a lot of other people. "We see ourselves as stewards of the building." Keeping the church's doors open has become part of the couple's philosophy. Visitors frequently drop in to share stories and memories or simply admire the restored space. Since 2019, the church has hosted weddings, musical performances, art exhibitions and carol services. Mr Simpson said it did not need to be a commercial space. "But we've realised it should have a life of its own and a reason to exist. We get quite emotional seeing all the life in the building." Now a listed category 1 historic place with Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga, the church has received official recognition of its architectural and social significance. — APL
Daily Record
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Forgotten Scottish Wimbledon Champion who died in tragic bike crash
Andy Murray ended Britain's 77-year wait for a Wimbledon men's champion with his wins in 2013 and 2016 - becoming the first Scottish man to win it since 1896. As this year's Wimbledon unfolds without Andy Murray in the draw for the first time since his retirement, fans at SW19 have kept his legacy alive in their own way, some jokers in the crowd have been heard shouting 'Come on Andy!' during matches, raising a few nostalgic smiles. Murray, of course, remains a national hero, having famously won the Wimbledon men's singles title twice, in 2013 and 2016, breaking an almost 80-year drought for British champions that stretched back to Fred Perry's 1936 triumph. But what many don't realise is that the Dunblane-born star was also the first Scottish-born men's champion since Harold Mahony in 1896, a figure largely forgotten today but once a towering presence in Victorian tennis, both figuratively and literally, Scottish Daily Express reports. Born in Edinburgh's Charlotte Square, Mahony hailed from an Irish family based at Dromore Castle in County Kerry. His father, a wealthy landowner and barrister, had private tennis courts built on the castle grounds to nurture his son's talent. The 6ft 3in Mahony had a long reach and a 'spiteful backhand', qualities that made him a fearsome competitor in an era of wooden rackets and gentlemanly play. He reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1891 before sailing to the United States to further develop his game, an early forerunner of modern training stints in Florida, and returned five years later to seize the championship title in 1896. In the final, then known as the challenge round, Mahony defeated reigning champion Wilfred Baddeley in a gruelling five-set battle: 6-2, 6-8, 5-7, 8-6, 6-3. The match stretched across 57 games, a Wimbledon final record that would stand until 1954, when Jaroslav Drobny overcame Ken Rosewall in 58. Although Mahony also took home a silver medal at the 1900 Olympic Games, his Wimbledon win remained the peak of his career. Yet he was adored by fans, with The Independent describing him as having a 'casual and irresponsible attitude' and a 'generous heart'. A talented musician and something of a ladies' man, Mahony was in demand for personal tennis coaching at country houses throughout Britain. It's also believed he may have been romantically involved with Charlotte 'Lottie' Dod, the greatest female tennis player of her time. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Dod won her first Wimbledon ladies' title in 1887 at just 15 years old and claimed five in total. By 1891, Mahony was staying at the Cheshire home of Dod and her widowed mother, as recorded in that year's census. She was also known to holiday in Scotland, fuelling speculation about their close bond. Tragically, Mahony's life was cut short on 27 June 1905 in a bicycle accident near his family home in Kerry. A newspaper report from the time reads: 'He was descending a steep hill near Caragh Lake, Co. Kerry, lost control of his machine, and was thrown heavily to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries.' As The Independent poignantly noted, 'His body was found, alongside his broken bike... And Lottie Dod? She never married.'
Edinburgh Live
03-07-2025
- Sport
- Edinburgh Live
The tragic death of Edinburgh Wimbledon champion who died in a freak cycling accident
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info This year's Wimbledon is the first since Scottish tennis star, Andy Murray, retired from professional tennis. The sporting legend won the men's singles title at SW19 twice, in 2013 and 2016, breaking a near 80-year string of bad luck to become the first British champion at the men's event since Fred Perry back in 1936. But it is not so well known that Murray also became the first Scottish-born men's winner since Edinburgh's own Harold Mahony in 1896, reports The Scottish Daily Express. Born in Charlotte Square, Mahony came from an Irish family based at Dromore Castle, in County Kerry. His father, a barrister and landowner, had courts built at the Irish castle for his son to practice on and he became a formidable tennis player. At 6'3", he was extraordinarily tall for the Victorian era and was equipped with a long reach and a "spiteful backhand". He reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1891 before travelling to America to develop his game (a little like today's professionals with training camps in Florida) and then returning to sweep to victory five years later. It was the high point of his career, despite a silver medal in the 1900 Olympics, but Mahony was popular with the fans of the day thanks to his "casual and irresponsible attitude" and his "generous heart". He was also an accomplished musician and a hit with "the ladies", who was often in demand for one-to-one coaching sessions at country houses across the British Isles. According to a profile in the Independent, he may have been in an on-off relationship with the greatest female tennis player of her day. Charlotte 'Lottie' Dod won the Wimbledon ladies' singles title five times, the first when she was just 15 in 1887. Four years later, the 1891 census records Mahony staying as a guest at the Cheshire home of Dod and her widowed mother. She was also known to holiday in Scotland. But tragedy struck on June 27, 1905, when the tall tennis champion was killed in a bicycle accident near the family home in Ireland. A newspaper report from the time states: "He was descending a steep hill near Caragh Lake, Co. Kerry, lost control of his machine, and was thrown heavily to the ground, sustaining fatal injuries." As the Independent noted: "His body was found, alongside his broken bike... And Lottie Dod? She never married."
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
Watch moment Brit has £43k watch snatched off wrist by e-scooter bandits while sitting in traffic in £250k Lamborghini
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THIS is the shocking moment a British Lamborghini driver stuck in traffic has his £43,000 watch stolen by e-scooter bandits. Scott and Simone Mariella were sat in a lime green £250,000 Aventador when a group of thieves pulled off the brazen snatch and grab. 6 The shocking moment a British Lamborghini driver stuck in traffic has his £43,000 watch stolen by e-scooter bandits Credit: Jam Press 6 Scott and Simone Mariella were sat in a £250,000 Aventador when a group of thieves pulled off the brazen snatch and grab Credit: Jam Press 6 The thief jumped onto his pal's scooter and fled the supercar show after pulling off the lucrative theft Credit: Jam Press Scottish-born Scott, 33, was taking part in a luxury supercar rally in Barcelona alongside his partner when disaster struck. Two crooks took advantage of standstill traffic to whizz past the row of pricey motors on an electric scooter and pick an unsuspecting target. Footage shows how one of the thieves went up to the Lambo Aventador - which can do 0-60mph in 2.8 seconds - and appeared to ask to take a picture of the car. As he leaned in to get the snap he started to speak to Scott before gesturing for what looked like a high-five. Seconds later, the man grabbed at Scott's arm and managed to remove his watch in one quick movement. He then hopped on the back of his accomplices scooter who was waiting on the other side of the road just feet away. The pair sped away as a desperate Scott tried to chase after them in his supercar only to find himself boxed in due to the traffic. Scott, who now lives in Dubai, was taking part in the Modball Rally in Spain on Monday, June 23. Simone, from Germany, said they reported the theft to the police after failing to track down the culprits. She said: "My partner went to all the nearby shops and cafes to ask for CCTV images on the same day but nobody helped him." Watch moment brazen gang steals car from family driveway in under 20 seconds as thief claims robbing to order is like 'working for Amazon' After a gruelling day, the couple finally found some evidence to help as an onlooker had filmed the entire altercation. They sent the footage to cops who are now investigating the theft. Simone, 28, added: "We posted it on social media to put pressure on the Spanish police and maybe get some information. "But unfortunately, there hasn't been any update." The TikTok post has already gained over six million views with thousand sof comments. It follows a growing concern over street crime in Barcelona. At the start of May, footage captured the moment a thief was wrestled to the ground and placed into a suffocating chokehold by a tourist after he tried to nick his camera. The suspected robber picked the wrong target - as the brave photographer managed to floor the man and submit him with ease. Last August, British sailing legend Sir Ben Ainslie was robbed at knifepoint for his £17,000 Rolex in Barcelona. Ainslie, 47, recalled the horrifying ordeal as a gang mugged him as he went out for a meal. The Olympian was the second athlete to be targeted after Barcelona FC star Robert Lewandowski was forced to chase a thief who stole his £59,000 watch as he signed autographs in 2022. Before an evening training session, the Poland striker stopped to greet fans outside the club's Ciutat Esportiva complex. But one crafty thief used the distraction to open Lewandowski's car door and make off with the high-end timepiece. 6 The thief appeared to lure Scott in by asking to take a picture with the Brit Credit: Jam Press 6 Scott is yet to have his watch returned despite showing the footage to police Credit: Jam Press
