Latest news with #ScottishBorders
The Guardian
16 hours ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Heritage coalition saves Scottish modernist ‘jewel' in fiercely fought auction
A coalition of design and conservation charities has won an auction to buy a threatened modernist building in the Scottish Borders after a fiercely contested bidding battle. The group, headed by the National Trust for Scotland, paid a final hammer price of £279,000 for the Bernat Klein Studio near Selkirk in an online auction on Wednesday morning. The final price of the property, which has lain unused and derelict for more than 20 years, could be in the region of £336,000. The building, regarded by conservators as a jewel of late-modernist British architecture, was designed by the highly regarded architect Peter Womersley in 1972. It was created for the textile designer Bernat Klein, whose clients included Coco Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent. The studio was built near Klein's home so he could work on designs, meet clients and display his products. The category A-listed building – Scotland's highest preservation rating – has been on Scotland's at-risk register for more than 20 years because of neglect. Despite its fame and rarity, Savills listed the studio with a guide price of £18,000, but a flurry of bids, both online and by telephone, quickly pushed the price up in increments of £5,000 until it reached more than £270,000. At that stage, it edged up by smaller sums until reaching a final hammer price of £279,000. Savills was reticent about confirming the total price to the coalition but with VAT at 20% and a sales fee of £1,900 (including VAT), that suggests the final cost could reach approximately £336,700. The coalition is liable to pay land and buildings transaction tax, Scotland's version of stamp duty, on the total purchase price and is working out how much that will be. Prof Alison Harley, the chair of trustees for the Bernat Klein Foundation which was set up to preserve and disseminate the textile designer's work, said: 'We are delighted that after many years the future for Klein's studio looks very bright.' The coalition crowdfunded £33,000 in donations and National Trust for Scotland also offered financial backing for the purchase. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has also indicated it would accept a funding application towards the studio's restoration. The coalition estimates it could cost up to £3m to restore the house under the supervision of the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT). Its immediate task is to carry out urgent repairs to stabilise the building, repair its flat roof and assess the condition of the concrete cladding. Dr Samuel Gallacher, the director of SHBT, said: 'The scale of the repair and restoration required at Peter Womersley's Bernat Klein Studio is extensive and will take many months, the skills of specialists and the support of the many people who have an interest in both Peter Womersley and Bernat Klein's work.' The building is in a dilapidated state and surrounded by security fencing in overgrown grounds, with rolls of razor wire running along an elevated walkway and entrance. A burst internal water pipe caused severe damage some years ago and wrangles with Scottish Borders council over a planning application to fit a second internal kitchen and convert the studio into a home added to the delay in maintaining the empty property. Many of the building's painted metal panels are buckled, corroded and stained by water penetration and several windows are shattered and boarded up. The end of one of its horizontal concrete cantilevers has sheared off and graffiti has been sprayed on internal walls. The current owners' decision to put the property up for auction surprised the coalition which was in talks to buy the building privately. Savills said the owners were not willing to be interviewed. Klein and Womersley, who was known locally for driving around in a red E-type Jaguar, were close friends. The architect also designed the Klein family's home, High Sunderland, next door to the studio in Selkirk in the late 1950s. The coalition, which has been supported by Scottish Borders council, plans to reopen the studio as a permanent home for the Bernat Klein Foundation and as a base for exhibitions, workshops and talks on textiles and architecture.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Onley the 'introverted extrovert' riding high
Team Picnic-Post NL describe Oscar Onley as "an introverted extrovert" who enjoys "lo-fi rap vibes", playing golf and eating risotto. Scottish Cycling reported how he "would be targeting stages, with the general classification being a secondary aim" in his second Tour de France. After finishing fourth overall in the standings, the 22-year-old from Kelso told how his achievement had sparked "a dream". By matching the achievement of compatriot Philippa York (then known as Robert Millar) in 1984, Onley equalled the best-ever finish by a Scottish rider. So who is the new exciting name in British cycling? And where can he go from here? 'Huge moment' as Onley matches Scottish record Tour fourth place Van Aert wins final stage as Pogacar seals Tour title Who is Oscar Onley? Those who follow cycling closely will know of Onley's steady progress since taking to the senior ranks in 2023 with his Dutch team. But his journey started in the Scottish Borders, when local club Kelso Wheelers' time trial route passed right by his front door and he got involved. Onley juggled lots of sports as a kid, particularly cross-country running, before committing to the bike. He described himself as "never the best" as a youngster, but as he grew physically his results picked up. His big breakthrough came at the Tour Down Under in 2024 when he won on the finish up Willunga Hill for his first professional victory. The Scot then managed second at the Tour of Britain. Amid all that he had to deal with two broken collarbones due to crashes. This year he has bounced back, and last month climbed on to the podium at the Tour de Suisse, winning stage five in the process. Forged in the rolling hills of the south of Scotland, Onley is most at home when the road gradient makes the legs strain and is based in the high mountains of Andorra. On the big behemoth mountain ranges, the Alps and Pyrenees, he has announced himself to a wider audience with a memorable Tour de France performance. 'It sparks a dream' - Onley reaction to finishing fourth in Tour Onley told ITV: "We never really had the plan to go for GC [general classification] in the beginning. It was more just see how it goes. "To be honest, I've never even thought about a top five in the Tour before, so to get it in my first try in GC is quite incredible and I'm excited for the future. "It gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming races as well as these are the top guys and in top shape in the biggest race. So if I can do it here then why not in other races? "There was no pressure from the team. They've handled that really well because I think as soon as you say you are going for GC, there's a lot more attention on you. I've just taken every day as it's come really and not made any extra stress as the Tour is already stressful enough, just to ride and compete. "I'm really happy with how myself and the team have managed these three weeks. I guess this is a really big moment in my career. I don't really realise it yet, but I think just with talking to other riders, going forward now we have something to build on and an exciting project for the future, and it sparks a bit of a dream I guess." What's next for Onley? Picnic-Post NL are entered in the seven-stage Tour de Pologne in Poland, which starts on 4 August, though a final entry list for riders is not yet confirmed. The Vuelta a Espana from 23 August is the next major event on the circuit.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Onley the 'introverted extravert' riding high
Team Picnic-Post NL describe, external Oscar Onley as "an introverted extrovert" who enjoys "lo-fi rap vibes", playing golf and eating Cycling reported, external how he "would be targeting stages, with the general classification being a secondary aim" in his second Tour de finishing fourth overall in the standings, the 22-year-old from Kelso told how his achievement had sparked "a dream".By matching the achievement of compatriot Philippa York (then known as Robert Millar) in 1984, Onley equalled the best-ever finish by a Scottish who is the new exciting name in British cycling? And where can he go from here? Who is Oscar Onley? Those who follow cycling closely will know of Onley's steady progress since taking to the senior ranks in 2023 with his Dutch his journey started in the Scottish Borders, when local club Kelso Wheelers' time trial route passed right by his front door and he got juggled lots of sports as a kid, particularly cross-country running, before committing to the described himself as "never the best" as a youngster, but as he grew physically his results picked big breakthrough came at the Tour Down Under in 2024 when he won on the finish up Willunga Hill for his first professional Scot then managed second at the Tour of Britain. Amid all that he had to deal with two broken collarbones due to year he has bounced back, and last month climbed on to the podium at the Tour de Suisse, winning stage five in the in the rolling hills of the south of Scotland, Onley is most at home when the road gradient makes the legs strain and is based in the high mountains of the big behemoth mountain ranges, the Alps and Pyrenees, he has announced himself to a wider audience with a memorable Tour de France performance. 'It sparks a dream' - Onley reaction to finishing fourth in Tour Onley told ITV: "We never really had the plan to go for GC [general classification] in the beginning. It was more just see how it goes."To be honest, I've never even thought about a top five in the Tour before, so to get it in my first try in GC is quite incredible and I'm excited for the future."It gives me a lot of confidence for the upcoming races as well as these are the top guys and in top shape in the biggest race. So if I can do it here then why not in other races?"There was no pressure from the team. They've handled that really well because I think as soon as you say you are going for GC, there's a lot more attention on you. I've just taken every day as it's come really and not made any extra stress as the Tour is already stressful enough, just to ride and compete."I'm really happy with how myself and the team have managed these three weeks. I guess this is a really big moment in my career. I don't really realise it yet, but I think just with talking to other riders, going forward now we have something to build on and an exciting project for the future, and it sparks a bit of a dream I guess." What's next for Onley? Picnic-Post NL are entered in the seven-stage Tour de Pologne in Poland, which starts on 4 August, though a final entry list for riders is not yet Vuelta a Espana from 23 August is the next major event on the circuit.
The Independent
7 days ago
- The Independent
Man handed 18-year prison term for murdering partner in ‘savage' attack
A 32-year-old man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for murdering his partner in a 'sustained and savage' attack. Corey Dryden repeatedly struck 31-year-old Megan Hughes on the head and body with a knife and claw hammer at her home in Chirnside, in the Scottish Borders, in the early hours of February 9 this year. The mother-of-two was stabbed 27 times in total. At about 2.15am, the couple's next-door neighbour was woken by the sound of a disturbance, and heard Ms Hughes repeatedly shouting for help and Dryden telling her to 'shut up'. Dryden dialled 999 at about 4.35am, but when paramedics arrived Ms Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. The 32-year-old initially claimed Ms Hughes had attacked him and that he had acted in self-defence, but on June 27 he admitted murdering his partner. He was sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday. Sentencing Dryden, judge Lord Harrower said: 'In the early hours of Sunday February 9 you carried out a sustained and savage attack using a large kitchen knife and a claw hammer.' He said Ms Hughes had sustained stab wounds to the front and back of her chest, face, neck and left arm, and 'blunt force trauma' the front and back of her head. He added: 'Ms Hughes also sustained defence-type injuries to her left thumb and left wrist, indicating that she remained conscious and aware of what was happening during at least part of the attack.' The judge told Dryden his actions had caused 'terrible devastation' to Ms Hughes's entire family. 'Such was the nature of the injuries you inflicted, they were deprived of the opportunity to look at her face one last time,' the judge told him. 'No sentence of this court can alleviate their anguish.' The judge also recounted an incident in a pub on September 22 2024, just five months before the fatal attack, which saw police called. 'When they arrived they witnessed you shouting and swearing at Ms Hughes, calling her derogatory names,' he said. He went on: 'Ms Hughes had expressed a fear that you would kill her if she returned home that night. 'Ultimately those fears were realised.' Lord Harrower sentenced Dryden to life with a minimum term of 18 years in prison, saying 'the only sentence for the crime of murder is life imprisonment'. Dryden, who attended the hearing by videolink from prison dressed in a red jumper, showed no emotion as he was sentenced. Earlier, Dryden's advocate Lili Prais KC told the court he accepts 'full responsibility for the monstrous crime', and is 'deeply remorseful'. She read out a written statement from Dryden in which he said: 'No sentence I get will justify or bring closure to her family. 'The despicable, monstrous crime I have committed, I have turned everyone's life upside down. 'I will never be about to forgive myself, or accept the pain I have caused.' She added Dryden has little memory of what happened on the night of the attack, saying he had been under the influence of drugs and alcohol and that it had been a 'blur'. Commenting after the sentencing, Moira Orr, who leads on homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: 'Corey Dryden is a violent and dangerous man who murdered Megan Hughes in her home, where she had the right to be safe. 'After subjecting her to a horrific assault, he left his partner on the floor to die instead of calling for help. 'His cruel and callous actions have robbed Megan of her future and left her family and loved ones to deal with this unimaginable loss. Our thoughts remain with them. 'Dryden has now been held accountable following this prosecution, which should send a clear message to perpetrators of domestic abuse.' Police Scotland Detective Chief Inspector Laura White said: 'This was a vicious and calculated attack by Dryden that tragically resulted in Megan's death. 'His actions have robbed a family of their mum, daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece. 'Our thoughts very much remain with Megan's family and friends as they come to terms with what happened to her.'
The Independent
7 days ago
- The Independent
Man who stabbed partner 27 times in ‘savage' attack jailed for murder
A man who stabbed his partner 27 times in a 'sustained and savage' attack has been jailed for 18 years. Corey Dryden, 32, murdered 31-year-old Megan Hughes in the Scottish Borders on 9 February. He repeatedly struck and stabbed her with a claw hammer and knife at her home in Chirnside. He then dialled 999 about 4.35am. Ms Hughes was pronounced dead at the scene. Dryden initially claimed that his partner had attacked him and that he had acted in self-defence. However, on 27 June, he admitted to her murder. Dryden attended the hearing, at the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, via videolink from prison. He showed no emotion as Lord Harrower sentenced him.
