Latest news with #ThePressandJournal
Press and Journal
10 hours ago
- Press and Journal
Fifteen-caravan Traveller convoy pitches-up at Inverdee playing fields
A 15-strong caravan camp has set up on Aberdeen playing fields as part of a summer holiday tour of Scotland. The Traveller convoy settled temporarily at the Inverdee playing fields, close to businesses such as Goals and Harvester, and arrived on Sunday June 1. Fifteen caravans along with towing vehicles were spotted on the large cricket pitch next to Great Southern Road. It is understood their arrival proved a surprise to local cricketers, who were forced to call of matches at the weekend. The Press and Journal went down to the site today to speak with one of the families, who told us they were visiting the city on holiday. They were in Aberdeen after previous stops in Edinburgh and Dundee, with the Highlands their next destination. According to one of the Travellers, the group had never stopped in the Granite City before but were pleasantly surprised by how friendly Aberdonians were. He said: 'We always try to find somewhere that is not going to be an issue for anyone, but it is getting harder every year to find a suitable site to set up on. 'We have passed through Aberdeen but never stopped. The people are friendly.' They had been on the site for only a day, arriving around lunchtime the day before. And it was something of a tight squeeze, due to the corner leading down to the pitches from the main road. One of the Travellers told us they 'don't want to upset anyone' and said they were only staying in the north-east for a week before moving on. The Travellers said they had been doing this for several years and found Aberdeen 'much nicer than Dundee'. Interactions between the adults and the young children at the site suggested a loving family unit. The caravans were spread out over the cricket pitch but all 15 families travel as one group. The travellers' arrival comes shortly after another group set up at Aberdeen Beach. We were told the two groups were separate and did not travel together. Within the Aberdeen city area, there few official Gypsy/Traveller sites, with the sole council facility at Clinterty, near the border with Aberdeenshire. It offers 21 permanent pitches, with a waiting list for spaces, and no provision for temporary stays. We also spoke to nearby football centre Goals, who told us the Travellers had asked to use their facilities but were refused permission. He went on to say that a group of cricketers who frequently use the ground were unable to play due to the travellers' presence on the pitch. They will not be able to use the playing field until the group vacate. The Goals worker also said that dog walkers had complained about the travellers' pets roaming freely around the area. A member of management at Harvester confirmed they had asked the group not to make use of the business' water tap after three individuals began filling water tanks. Its toilet facilities, they said, were also being used regularly. An Aberdeen City Council spokesperson said: 'We are aware of the encampment and we will progress action to have it removed as soon as possible. 'We are committed to engaging with the traveller community to address accommodation challenges they face.'
Press and Journal
15 hours ago
- Business
- Press and Journal
Russian threat in North Sea is of 'different order', warns Keir Starmer
Sir Keir Starmer warns the threat posed by Russia around the north of Scotland is of a 'different order' as the UK Government increases defence spending. The prime minister said the country needs to be 'prepared' for attempts from Vladimir Putin's regime to target infrastructure, potentially including oil platforms and undersea cables. 'The level of threat and instability is of a different order than all of us have experienced in quite some time now,' he told The Press and Journal. The prime minister was speaking in Glasgow on Monday morning as he unveiled the UK Government's strategic defence review. It comes just days after a significant escalation in the war in eastern Europe as Ukraine launched a major drone attack on Russian bombers. Last week the Royal Navy shadowed a Russian intelligence gathering ship, Yuri Ivanov, in waters off the Western Isles. We previously reported that the North Sea was identified as being at risk from increased Russian aggression. Labour defence minister Luke Pollard warned data-carrying subsea cables were a potential weak spot for economic damage if targeted by Russia. 'There is a real risk to our critical national infrastructure if we don't have the capabilities to defend that infrastructure,' he told the P&J last year. The ministry of defence outlined new measures to protect subsea cables in January. The prime minister was asked whether Russian aggression could result in power outages or internet blackouts. He said: 'The threats from Russia take different forms, and we have to be prepared for all of them. 'You've seen the threats to our air and to our water, to cyber, and of course the threats that we see to cabling in different parts of the world. 'We're working as you would expect with allies to ensure we can protect all of our infrastructure and all of our capabilities.' The prime minister promised more defence jobs across Scotland as part of his plans to increase defence spending. Sir Keir revealed the UK Government will build at least six new munitions factories across Britain and invest £15 billion in nuclear warheads. The Labour leader said the country is moving to a 'war-fighting readiness'. Three years ago, a Russian military expert warned Russian leader Mr Putin could detonate a nuclear weapon in the North Sea to 'see what happens'.
The Courier
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Courier
United against Raac: The Courier takes landmark step in fight for residents in Dundee and Angus
The Courier has taken a landmark step in our fight for those trapped by Raac in Dundee, Monifieth and across Scotland. In a first for both titles, we join with our sister paper The Press and Journal to share a front page highlighting the impact on those devastated by the defective block crisis. That is a testament to how serious an issue it has become in our communities. Together, alongside the thousands of those affected, we are united against Raac. We are also asking for your help – we are asking our readers to sign this petition and give homeowners and tenants a voice in the corridors of power. That is where their plight must be heard. For this special edition, editors of both publications explain why they are taking this important step in highlighting the issue blighting our communities. David Clegg, editor of The Courier, said: 'In Dundee alone, nearly 900 homes are caught in the Raac crisis. Dozens more are affected in nearby Monifieth – and across Scotland, the total runs into the thousands, including in cities like Aberdeen. 'This isn't just about buildings. It's about people. 'It's families raising children in homes that may no longer be safe. It's elderly couples unable to downsize for health reasons. 'It's young first-time buyers trapped in negative equity. It's grieving daughters who, after the loss of a loved one, now face the burden of inheriting a crumbling flat that could financially devastate them. 'Both tenants and homeowners are affected – but it is the homeowners who face the sharpest edge of this crisis.' He added: 'They are living in properties no longer worth the value of their mortgage. 'Many cannot sell, cannot move, and cannot see a way forward. 'They are Trapped by Raac. 'That's why The Courier and our sister title The Press and Journal have taken the landmark decision to share our front pages. 'This is more than a campaign – it's a call for urgent action. 'Each level of government is passing the buck. 'Councils will support their own tenants but are leaving private homeowners to face this alone. 'Holyrood looks to Westminster. Westminster looks the other way. 'Homeowners feel abandoned – and with good reason. No one is offering them a way out. No one even appears to be trying. 'Our petition aims to change that. It gives these people a voice and demands those in power finally listen. 'They need your support. We're proud to stand with them. We hope you will too.' Craig Walker, editor of the Press and Journal, spoke of the devastating impact the crisis is having in Aberdeen. He said: 'More than 500 houses, thousands of people displaced, hundreds more in limbo and 18 months of misery for all. 'This is the scale and the cost of Aberdeen City Council discovering risky Raac in the roofs of Balnagask homes. 'Yet this week in Holyrood, weeks into our Trapped by Raac campaign, finance minister Ivan McKee claimed MSPs were 'scaremongering' with comments about residents losing their homes or being stuck in worthless properties. 'He even said Raac does not have to be a 'problem' if it is 'properly maintained'. 'What chance do the good people of Balnagask have – and almost a thousand more in Dundee and Angus – if their government ministers can't comprehend the scale of this disaster? 'This is why we launched our campaign. And it's why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with our sister title, The Courier, today. 'Time has run out for buck-passing, and for ignorance. It's time to face reality, stand united, and help those suffering through no fault of our own. ''A complete injustice' is how Tory MSP Meghan Gallagher described the situation in Aberdeen,' to which Mr McKee told her to 'tone down her language and focus on the facts.' 'Well, the facts are these: Hundreds of homes are going to be demolished unless funding can be found to provide alternative solutions. 'Hundreds more are living with the threat of Raac literally over their heads. And thousands more signatures are needed to get governments of all levels to come together to find a way forward. 'We have championed the Balnagask people on the pages of The Press and Journal. We've told the stories of families, pensioners, war veterans, babies, first-time buyers and long-standing members of the community. 'With no way forward, Trapped by Raac, they need our help. 'Please sign the homeowners' petition today.'
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Politics
- Press and Journal
P&J and Courier unite for the first time to help families Trapped by Raac
The Press and Journal has taken a landmark step in our fight for those Trapped by Raac in Aberdeen, and across Scotland. In a first for both titles, we join with our sister paper The Courier to share a joint front page highlighting those devastated by the defective block crisis. That is a testament to how serious an issue it has become in our communities. Together, alongside the thousands of those affected, we are united against Raac. We are also asking for your help – we are asking our readers to sign this petition and give homeowners and tenants a voice in the corridors of power. That is where their plight must be heard. For this special edition of these newspapers, both editors of these publications have said why they have taken this important step in highlighting the issue blighting our communities. Editor of The Press and Journal, Craig Walker, said that we'll continue to champion the people of Balnagask, but more needs to be done. 'More than 500 houses, thousands of people displaced, hundreds more in limbo and 18 months of misery for all. This is the scale and the cost of Aberdeen City Council discovering risky Raac in the roofs of Balnagask homes,' he said. 'Yet this week in Holyrood, weeks into our Trapped by Raac campaign, finance minister Ivan McKee claimed MSPs were 'scaremongering' with comments about residents losing their homes or being stuck in worthless properties. 'He even said Raac does not have to be a 'problem' if it is 'properly maintained'. 'What chance do the good people of Balnagask have – and almost a thousand more in Dundee and Angus – if their government ministers can't comprehend the scale of this disaster? 'This is why we launched our campaign. And it's why we are standing shoulder to shoulder with our sister title The Courier, today. 'Time has run out for buck-passing, and for ignorance. It's time to face reality, stand united, and help those suffering through no fault of our own. ''A complete injustice' is how Tory MSP Meghan Gallagher described the situation in Aberdeen, to which Mr McKee told her to 'tone down her language and focus on the facts.' 'Well, the facts are these: Hundreds of homes are going to be demolished unless funding can be found to provide alternative solutions. Hundreds more are living with the threat of Raac literally over their heads. And thousands of signatures are needed to get governments of all levels to come together to find a way forward. 'We have championed the Balnagask people on the pages of The Press and Journal. We've told the stories of families, pensioners, war veterans, babies, first-time buyers and long-standing members of the community. 'With no way forward, Trapped by Raac, they need our help.' David Clegg, editor for The Courier, says: 'In Dundee alone, nearly 900 homes are caught in the RAAC crisis. Dozens more are affected in nearby Monifieth – and across Scotland, the total runs into the thousands, including in cities like Aberdeen. 'This isn't just about buildings. It's about people. 'It's families raising children in homes that may no longer be safe. Elderly couples unable to downsize for health reasons. 'It's young first-time buyers trapped in negative equity. It's grieving daughters who, after the loss of a loved one, now face the burden of inheriting a crumbling flat that could financially devastate them. 'Both tenants and homeowners are affected, but it is the homeowners who face the sharpest edge of this crisis. 'They are living in properties no longer worth the value of their mortgage. 'Many cannot sell, cannot move, and cannot see a way forward. 'They are Trapped by Raac. 'That's why The Courier and The Press and Journal have taken the landmark decision to share our front pages. 'This is more than a campaign – it's a call for urgent action. 'Each level of government is passing the buck. 'Councils will support their own tenants but are leaving private homeowners to face this alone. 'Holyrood looks to Westminster. Westminster looks the other way. 'Homeowners feel abandoned – and with good reason. No one is offering them a way out. No one even appears to be trying. 'Our petition aims to change that. It gives these people a voice and demands those in power finally listen. 'They need your support. We're proud to stand with them. We hope you will too.' hub spot raac: Read more from the Trapped by Raac Campaign here:
The Courier
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
World's strongest brothers set to visit Perth for live Q&A
The world's strongest brothers Luke and Tom Stoltman are set to visit Perth. The brothers, from Invergordon in the Highlands, will be taking part in a live Q&A about their journey to become global strongman champions. The pair will be heading to Perth's Salutation Hotel on June 13. Luke Stoltman was recently crowned Britain's Strongest Man, while brother Tom is a three-time World's Strongest Man champion. Tickets are available online and cost £38.75 for general admission and £55.25 for VIP, which includes early entry and a photo with the brothers. A description of the event says: 'Join us for an unforgettable evening with the World's Strongest Brothers, Tom and Luke Stoltman. 'Hosted by comedian John Lebbon, this live Q&A will take you behind the scenes of their incredible journey—from humble beginnings to becoming global strongman champions. 'Tom is a three-time World's Strongest Man winner, while Luke holds the title of Britain's Strongest Man and is a two-time Europe's Strongest Man champion. 'Expect untold stories, raw moments, big laughs, and exclusive insights you won't hear anywhere else. 'Whether you're a fan of strength sports or just love a great story, this is a night you won't want to miss.' The Q&A will last for three hours from 6.30pm until 9.30pm. The Courier's sister title The Press and Journal spoke to the Highland duo last year about their efforts to take on the world's best strongmen. Tom Stoltman starred in a hilarious YouTube video filmed at Dumbarnie Links in Fife in October 2024.
