Latest news with #Stranraer
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Club collaboration to put Wigtownshire on the golfing map
'We are aware that it really helps the local economy because they are all staying somewhere, so that drives people into the accommodation providers and the restaurants, so there's a bigger picture to the whole thing outwith the golf clubs,' says Chris Robinson, head professional at Portpatrick Dunskey. The club relies on visitors for about 60% of its annual income, a relatively high proportion compared to most taking part in The Herald Scottish Golf Survey. Visitors are also vital to Stranraer Golf Club, though slightly less so. Entry fees for open competitions are substantially cheaper than standard green fees, making them a popular draw. Stephen McCauley, the general manager at Stranraer, says the Nan Cook makes money but is primarily a marketing tool. 'The point for us of open competitions is it's a way for us to introduce the golf club to other golfers and allow them to play the course at a very good preferential rate, with the thought process being that they will then either return to the club to play again at a full green fee, or to bring a society back with them,' he said. 'But the truthful part about it is that if I had a group of 20 golfers here for that day – in golf that's just five tee times – I would make more off of them paying the full price for a round than what I do in the open competition.' Read more: Mr Robinson said all clubs in the area work on a collaborative basis, which is the 'sensible approach'. 'There are six local clubs within the Wigtownshire area and we all communicate and try to agree fixtures that don't clash with each other to drive support to each other's open competitions,' he said. Mr McCauley added: 'For us it is the right approach, rather than working against other local clubs, because we want to put Wigtownshire on the map because a lot of people don't even realise that Stranraer and Portpatrick fall under Wigtownshire. 'Yes, it is overall Dumfries & Galloway, but a lot of people haven't even heard of Wigtownshire even though we've got a lot of good golf courses here on our doorstep…so we realised very quickly that we have to work together to put Wigtownshire on the map.'
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
The battle over plans for Stranraer's former ferry terminal
Standing on top of the railway bridge near Stranraer station gives two very different views from the one side is the sweeping coastline of south west Scotland and a striking vista out across the the other is a sprawling industrial site left behind by Stena Line's decision to move operations a few miles up the coast about 14 years ago.A battle is now taking place over the fate of a slice of that land which is seen as central to further reviving Stranraer's fortunes. In one corner is haulage giant Manfreight which wants to turn the site - on a temporary basis - into a lorry said it could play a "critical role" in supporting the ferry route from Belfast to nearby Cairnryan while also helping the economic revival and regeneration of company said the area was a "cornerstone" of its operations which contributed about £7m-a-year to Stena Line and underpinned local jobs and added that it employed about 60 lorry drivers locally - generating more than £2.5m in wages and spending in the community, with hopes to double that workforce. "Our employees live locally - they support shops, schools, trades, and services," the firm added."We believe in growing with the community, not just operating in it."This is a quieter, cleaner, and safer use of the land than its historic port operations."It offers a way to unlock economic value now, while preparing Stranraer for the future." Romano Petrucci chairs the Stranraer Development Trust and fears the lorry park could undo a lot of the work his group and others have been said it would go against an ambitious place plan drawn up to develop the area to attract would include an expanded marina, a water sports hub which is currently under development and improved walking and cycling links."For us to kick-start this regeneration and try and build it, and expect people to come into the 210 new berths in their nice yachts and look on to a lorry park, is going to be a real challenge," said Mr Petrucci."We're 100% behind a lorry park but it cannot go there - it's the wrong place for it."He said the fear was that temporary approval would ultimately become permanent and effectively halt the wider plan for the waterfront. Janet Jones is project manager of Creative Stranraer, an arts organisation which is also part of the regeneration too said they did not want a lorry park planted on what had the potential to be "the most beautiful part" of the town."This is just crazy and any logical person would see the blight that that would have," she said."Not only that, it's a slap in the face of all the work and effort that lots of people are putting into this town with great passion."We can make this town so much better than it was when the ferries were in town, so long as we don't have a lorry park on our coast." The North West Castle Hotel looks out across the site and has also lodged an objection - mainly on the noise issue.A statement said it was uncertain about the number of vehicles using the facility, what the hours of operation would be and the impact of floodlit added that, given the bigger plans for the whole waterfront, it was hard to understand why the proposal was "even considered" in a residential area with a 20mph speed limit. David Hope-Jones represents hundreds of businesses as chief executive of the South of Scotland Destination Alliance (SSDA).He said they had "huge concerns" over the impact of seeing "the beautiful waterfront turned into an industrial zone".According to John Fenwick, trustee of Stranraer Water Sports Association, the proposal "flies in the face" of what local people have been trying to achieve."The siting of a lorry park in the very centre of the development, miles from Cairnryan and major roads shows a total disregard for all but the interests of the freight company," he added. It will be up to Dumfries and Galloway Council to decide if the lorry park can go development is being recommended for approval with a number of conditions, including the clean-up of the site once permission expires after three years.
Daily Record
27-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Airdrie make first summer signing with experienced defender
Craig Ross joins from Stranraer as the Diamonds start summer rebuild Airdrie have made their first summer signing in defender Craig Ross from Stranraer. The 22-year-old makes the step-up to the Championship with Airdrie, and will join on expiry of his Stranraer contract. Ross has been at Stair Park for four years, since leaving Kilmarnock's youth set-up, and made his 150th appearance for the club in a season when he also scooped seven trophies at their end of season awards. He was also named in the League 2 Team of the Year. Ross told Airdrie's website: 'I got in contact with the club and manager at the start of the year, and when I was told about their visions and goals it was something i was desperate to be a part of. 'I'm hoping to be part of a winning team who are challenging at the right end of the table, and with the quality that's here already and the backroom team, it's something i believe is very much possible – I'm just buzzing to get started!' Boss Rhys McCabe said: 'Craig is a young aggressive defender who has racked up a lot of senior football for such a young age. 'He's been a mainstay at Stranraer, has captained the side, and he's shown loads of scope to improve and play at a higher level. 'His attitude is spot-on, which is what we're all about here, so we're delighted to get him in.'
Daily Record
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Emotional East Kilbride hero Joao Balde on his play-off relief as promotion atones for Stranraer agony
The Portuguese midfielder broke down in tears at the final whistle as the achievement sunk in Emotional Joao Balde admits he was overcome with relief after guiding East Kilbride to the SPFL - 12 months on from their extra-time heartbreak at Stranraer. The Portuguese ace was guilty of missing some huge chances late on against the Blues before Kilby eventually succumbed 5-3 to Stranraer on aggregate last term. But the former Rangers youth has enjoyed a redemption arc this season, leading the club to a treble-winning campaign and the holy grail of promotion that Kilby have been chasing since their inception in 2010. After a 0-0 stalemate at New Dundas Park in Saturday's second leg of this year's League Two play-off final, EK enjoyed a 3-1 aggregate win to gain SPFL status. At the final whistle, Balde broke down in tears as the achievement sank in and the midfielder was almost lost for words when asked what it meant. He said: "I feel so relieved, especially after last season, with what we went through and the chances I missed. That made us even more motivated to get the job done this season and that's what we've done. "It feels all worth it now and we'll just go and party for a while. "We were the better side over the two legs. The intensity we train at is so high, they couldn't keep up and you could see that in the games. "I 100 per cent want to stay on for League Two, so hopefully I'll see everybody again next season." Gaffer Mick Kennedy is the 13th manager at East Kilbride in their short history but he has proved to be the lucky one for the K-Park outfit. And he is delighted with the character Balde and his squad has shown to bounce back from last season's agony. He said: "They felt like they let themselves down last year and let the club down because they are so well looked after for a part-time club in Scotland. "It takes a lot of work and effort from a lot of volunteers for that, so guys like Joao - who missed a lot of opportunities last year - felt they owed the club something and he has been outstanding. "They have all been outstanding, to be fair. To play 62 games, win a treble, to go to the semi-finals of the Challenge Cup and beat the number of senior teams we did from the Championship, it has been a remarkable season. "I hear all the time that players only come to East Kilbride for the money but I don't think people realise how good the group is and how good the environment is, so the players were desperate to get up. "It had to finish off with promotion or all we've done wouldn't have mattered."
Daily Record
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Record
Dumfries and Galloway curlers reach quarter-finals of World Junior Mixed Curling Championships
Dalbeattie's Orrin Carson and Stranraer's Robyn Munro represented Scotland at the competition in Edmonton, Canada. Two Dumfries and Galloway curlers reached the quarter-finals of the first ever World Junior Mixed Curling Championships. Dalbeattie's Orrin Carson and Stranraer's Robyn Munro represented Scotland at the competition, which took place in Edmonton, Canada. And a fine display saw them top their group in the round-robin stage. They beat Austria, Australia, Hungary, Brazil and the United states, their only defeat coming to China. That run of results was enough to put them through to the quarter-finals. 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'. Unfortunately, that was where their run ended as they suffered a narrow 7-6 defeat to Sweden. It's been a good year for Orrin and Robyn as the pair won the Scottish Curling Junior Mixed Doubles in Dumfries and also won gold in the mixed doubles at the World University Games. Robyn said: 'It's a bitter-sweet end to what has been a really successful season together, undefeated through both junior events in Scotland and winning gold at the first World University Games and to win the right to compete at the first ever World Junior mixed doubles together. 'Especially in our first season playing together, it's been a journey that we can both be very proud of. 'We're both just a bit gutted that we couldn't make it to the medal games, but we gave it our all and I enjoyed my last event as a junior and I'm glad to have shared that with Orrin and he has another year of juniors, so I'm sure he'll be back to try for more.'
