Latest news with #Aberdonians
Press and Journal
09-06-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
'Stop passing the buck and help Aberdeen Raac families'
A campaigner fighting for Aberdonians caught up in the Raac housing crisis is pleading with politicians to stop passing the buck over responsibility days before another UK spending review. Torry Raac campaign supporter Raymond Davidson reacted to the blame-game between political leaders in the week the UK Chancellor is under more pressure from the Scottish Government to find funds at Westminster. In the run up to the spending review on Wednesday, SNP and Labour leaders again kept the row going in a series of letters and statements shared with the P&J. Meanwhile in Aberdeen, Balnagask homeowners are trying to convince the city council it already has the money to meet everyone's needs. Mr Davidson said the constant back-and-forth between London and Edinburgh is a distraction. 'It's like a game of pass the parcel to them,' he said. 'No one wants the music to stop and take responsibility, it just keeps going round and round. 'It's as though people don't matter in this. Politicians are playing party-political games.' One of the big problems is what happens to homeowners who bought properties with Raac which is now posing a risk. The council has a 'voluntary acquisition proposal' which would cost more than £12 million to take the homes and demolish them. For those who want to stay, a massive repair bill would fall to them personally. The share could be between £20,000 and £44,000 depending on the size of property. 'Why can't the council provide the lot?' asked Mr Davidson. 'They can spend now whatever Holyrood and Westminster are saying. 'If there's extra money down the line, fine. But that shouldn't stop them now.' A proposal from residents would see people relocated to a cluster of homes which would then be repaired at what campaigners say is a reduced cost to the taxpayer. Councillor Allard, the SNP co-leader in Aberdeen, said the local authority is already getting on with helping Raac residents – but is under no obligation to fully fund private owners. 'By law we don't need to give them anything,' he said. 'Morally, we are helping.' The full cost, regardless of what happens, should involve government help, he added. 'I don't understand why the UK Government will not pay more. It should be like the Grenfell cladding crisis and a UK-wide issue.' In the UK's Scotland Office, Labour MP Ian Murray agreed the council's voluntary purchase scheme must give homeowners 'fair compensation.' But in a letter copied to residents and the P&J, he wrote: 'While I have the utmost sympathy with what you and your neighbours are going through, our powers are limited, given this is an issue devolved to the Scottish Government, which received a record £50bn funding settlement at the Autumn Budget. 'Some of that could – and I believe should – be used to tackle this problem.' Meanwhile, the housing minister in the UK Government said Raac is 'low' in English housing so there will be no additional extra government scheme. This is crucial because if Westminster does spend extra on English housing on Wednesday, it would generate a compensating figure for use in Scotland. In a letter to his Scottish counterpart, Mr Norris said building safety and local government finance are Holyrood's responsibility. 'Any decisions on funding to support building owners to manage Raac are for the Scottish Government and impacted local authorities,' he wrote. The P&J put the UK Government position to the SNP Government. Scottish housing minister Paul McLennan said: 'Raac is a cross-UK problem, and we have been clear from the beginning that it requires a cross-UK solution. 'We have repeatedly called on the UK Government to make available a dedicated Raac remediation fund, which they have unfortunately failed to do. 'We are continuing to call on them to take action – and at next week's spending review the Chancellor has the opportunity to take action to support people affected by Raac, including those in Aberdeen. We will keep up the pressure on the UK Government on behalf of homeowners in Aberdeen and across Scotland.' The P&J asked a spokesman for the prime minister in the Commons last week if any money can be expected on Wednesday. But the spokesman would not disclose any details ahead of the statement.
Press and Journal
02-06-2025
- 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
12-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
The £39 a month golf membership with no compromise on quality
It's fair to say that public golf courses can often struggle to rival their private counterparts when it comes to location, play and quality – but that's certainly not the case in Aberdeen. With five highly regarded golf courses and a thriving membership, Sport Aberdeen is proving that by investing in its courses, the city's golfers can reap the rewards. Some Press and Journal online content is funded by outside parties. The revenue from this helps to sustain our independent news gathering. You will always know if you are reading paid-for material as it will be clearly labelled as 'Partnership' on the site and on social media channels. This can take two different forms. This means the content has been paid for and produced by the named advertiser. This means the content has been paid for and approved by the named advertiser but written and edited by our own commercial content team. Priced at just £39 a month, with junior and concessionary rates also available, Sport Aberdeen's golf membership allows you to play four fantastic 18-hole golf courses, as well as the nine-hole course at Hazlehead. That means whether you're a seasoned golfer or just starting out, you can make the most of the variety that the membership offers. Hazlehead MacKenzie Championship, Hazlehead Pines, Kings Links, Balnagask and Hazlehead 9-hole golf course are all leading the way in allowing Aberdonians to enjoy the sport. Keith Heslop, chief executive officer at Sport Aberdeen, is a passionate life-long golfer. He's urging Aberdonians to try the courses for themselves – and enjoy all the health and wellbeing benefits golf has to offer. Keith told us: 'We've got 5,000 Sport Aberdeen golf members, and they're playing regularly. We've 120,000 rounds getting played on our courses every year. There's a consistent demand to use our courses which I believe shows we are doing something right. 'The quality needs to be there, and we must continuously invest in our facilities. We have spent over £400k over the last three years on drainage and scarification and are looking to spend £300k this trading year on irrigation work, all of which reflects the wetter winters and drier summers that we now experience.' However, it's not just the playing experience that makes Sport Aberdeen's golf memberships so appealing. 'While quality is really important to us, so is quantity,' explained Keith. 'We offer five golf courses for one membership price of £39 a month which is incredibly good value for money. There's also the option to pay-as-you-go, you can just turn up and pay to play on the courses. That's ideal if you find you only really play in the summer for example.' Booking a tee time on any course is very straightforward too, it can be done via an app or simply calling the course ahead of time to check availability. As a keen golfer, Keith is always proactive in talking to people about the courses and taking on board their feedback. He said: 'You live or die by the quality of your greens on a golf course, and although we traditionally struggle early in the season due to the aftermath of winter, once the sun finally appears the feedback we receive is fantastic and is testament to not just Sport Aberdeen, but our contractor, idverde UK.' Keith continued: 'We are delighted that the Quaich Competition is returning to Mackenzie this year and sitting alongside the Kings Links Golf Championship, it reflects that we are invested in the golfing community and are looking to bring additional opportunities to our courses and the city.' Investments are also being made off the course too. Keith explained: 'This autumn we are also looking to attract additional interest by investing in two highly sophisticated golf simulators that will be based at Get Active@Sheddocksley. This will offer a controlled environment where you can practice without worrying about weather, or time constraints. 'With detailed data on each swing and immediate feedback, your ability to improve specific areas of your game is greatly enhanced, which is of ideal for beginners and experienced golfers alike or for corporate events.' Keith added: 'At Sport Aberdeen we are trying to break down barriers to people getting involved in sports. We are passionate about golf and see the benefits it brings to people every day.'
Press and Journal
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
Robin Galloway: My favourite Aberdeen memories
Before he became one of Scotland's best-known radio voices, Robin Galloway was simply a young lad growing up in Aberdeen. Born and raised in the Granite City, and going to school at Hazlehead Academy, his childhood coincided with Aberdeen's oil boom, a time he remembers fondly as feeling like 'living in a mini Las Vegas,' with luxury cars and a real buzz about the city. After a short stint working in his family's antiques business, Bell's Antiques, Robin's natural flair for entertaining pulled him into Aberdeen's nightclub scene in the 1980s. DJ residencies at hotspots like Villas and Sir Laffalots paved the way for his first big radio break at Northsound in 1985. Robin Galloway in his younger years. Image: Supplied Television followed, with Robin becoming a familiar face on Grampian TV, hosting news segments and the much-loved Birthday Spot. Now a familiar presence behind the scenes of the north-east's Original 106 and Original 106 GOLD as head of radio presentation at DC Thomson, Robin continues to champion the city that shaped him. Here, he shares his favourite memories, places, and inspirations from his beloved hometown… What first springs to mind when you think of Aberdeen? My home city. My birthplace. It's where I spent my childhood and formative years, so it's always close to my heart. The first thing I automatically picture is the granite — those incredible silver buildings that catch the light in a way you don't see anywhere else. Some of the finest architecture in Scotland. It's the Granite City for a reason. What makes Aberdeen so special? It's the blend of the old and the new. The timeless beauty of the granite buildings, the incredible coastline just minutes from the city centre, and of course, the people. There's a real warmth and resilience about Aberdonians. It's a city that's shaped who I am. Most memorable night you've had in Aberdeen? Definitely when I was DJing at Villas nightclub on Crown Street back in the 80s. I don't drink now, but I did then — and we certainly enjoyed some wild nights! Villas had such a brilliant energy back then. It was part of a vibrant Aberdeen nightlife scene that people still talk about to this day. Sir Laffalots on Shiprow, one of the nightclubs Robin DJd in. Favourite restaurant in Aberdeen and why? Rendezvous@Nargile on Forest Avenue is a real favourite. I absolutely love the array of small plates — all Turkish dishes with their own little twists. The cold meze is phenomenal, and if you're an aubergine fan like me, the sakşuka is a must. It's the kind of place where you sit down intending to order a few dishes and end up trying the whole menu. Rendezvus@Nargile on Forest Avenue in Aberdeen. Image: DC Thomson Best place in Aberdeen when you're looking for inspiration? I'm a bit biased here. In the 90s, I set up Pure Man, the gents' clothing store on Union Street, along with my brother-in-law Scott. I'm no longer involved in the business, but I still pop in whenever I need some sartorial inspiration. As an Aberdonian, of course, I always ask for a discount — and occasionally, I even get one! What is your first memory in Aberdeen? It's my first day at Primary 1 at Robert Gordon's College. I was a tearful four-year-old being dropped off — well, more like pushed — into the classroom. I remember clinging desperately to my dad's beige double-breasted Gaberdine raincoat. The brown buttons pressing into my face, the tears soaking into his coat. That moment stayed with me — the beginning of school life in Aberdeen. Best place for a coffee stop in Aberdeen? Moossh Café in Mannofield is top of my list. It's run by Claire and Lucy Tester, the daughters of my old friend and local entrepreneur George Tester. The girls have done an incredible job with the renovation and the decor. It's a perfect spot whether you're after a great coffee, a nice glass of wine or even an early evening supper with friends. Claire and Lucy, owners of Moossh Cafe. Image: Paul Glendell/DC Thomson How is 2025 going for you? It's shaping up to be a brilliant year. My son Myles, who's also in radio and based in Toronto, Canada, is getting married this summer. He and his fiancée Heather are tying the knot at Drumtochty Castle, with lots of Heather's family coming over to explore the North East. We're all praying for sunshine! What are you up to with work at the moment? Original 106 has had a fantastic couple of years — we've been near market leaders for most of that time. This year, we decided to roll the brand out further, bringing in listeners from Tayside and Fife too. We've also launched a brand extension, Original 106 GOLD, on DAB and smart speakers, targeting the over-55s audience. It's an exciting time for us. Describe your perfect day in Aberdeen It would start with a visit to the Vegan Bay Baker on Castlegate for one of their legendary vegan rowies. I've been vegan for over 30 years now, and Aberdeen is fantastic for dairy-free options these days — Vegan Bay is right up there with the best. After that, I'd head along Lower Deeside Road and out to the Linn of Dee for a bit of wild swimming — a spot I loved visiting with friends during the summer holidays growing up. The summers always seemed better then, didn't they…? Vegan Bay Baker on Castlegate. Image: DC Thomson My Aberdeen: Michael Gove on beating Rangers, and why the Granite City is 'the best place in the world'
Press and Journal
06-05-2025
- Politics
- Press and Journal
Norman Esslemont: Together we can scrap Aberdeen's bus gates once and for all - with final £25k push to fight court battle
We're going back to court – and this time, we're going all the way. For nearly two years, traders and residents across Aberdeen have been forced to live with the damaging consequences of the so-called 'bus priority' scheme – a system that has choked off trade, punished motorists, and turned large parts of our once-bustling city centre into a ghost town. I've walked Union Street almost every day of my adult life. I've run businesses here, hired local people, and helped serve generations of Aberdonians. I've seen it thrive – and I've seen it struggle. But I have never seen it like this. This street was once the beating heart of our city. Now, it's on life support. And for what? For a half-baked traffic experiment that was never properly consulted on and never fairly assessed. The people of Aberdeen didn't ask for this. We weren't given a vote. And yet we've all been made to pay the price – quite literally – as footfall dried up and thousands of unsuspecting drivers were slapped with fines. But now, after months of legal preparation, our day in court is coming. We've secured a procedural hearing for June, with the full appeal likely to follow in the autumn. And thanks to the strength of our legal team – led by the brilliant Alasdair Sutherland, of Burness Paull – we're more confident than ever that we will prevail. But we can't do it alone. That's why I'm asking today for your help to raise a fresh £25,000 to take this legal battle across the finish line. This is no longer just about bus gates. It's about accountability. It's about transparency. And it's about standing up to a council that has, time and again, refused to listen, even when the Common Sense Compromise presented a chance to change route. Our case is built on solid ground. Mr Sutherland has already dismantled Highland Council's flawed plans for Academy Street in Inverness. Now he's turning his attention to Aberdeen – and his legal assessment is clear: the council's decision to make the bus gates permanent was, in his view, legally flawed on multiple grounds. We've seen internal emails showing council officials lobbying bus firms for glowing reviews to justify a decision they had already made. That's not consultation — that's spin. We've seen the council admit they pushed the scheme through to avoid repaying funding. But financial fear is not a legally valid reason to lock down a city centre and crush its economy. And crucially, if the court agrees that the council got it wrong – on any of these points – the entire scheme could be struck down. Gone. Ripped out. Reset. That also means every driver fined since January 2025 could be entitled to a full refund. This is not a hypothetical. This is a real, credible, and winnable legal case – one that could reshape Aberdeen's future for the better. The last time we launched a crowdfunder, the public raised more than £35,000 in just weeks. That incredible show of belief and defiance allowed us to commission expert legal advice and force the council to finally answer to someone other than themselves. Now, we need one last push. The council will try to hide behind legal jargon. They'll try to paint this as a noisy few making trouble. But this fight is so much bigger than that. It's about every small business owner who's watched their takings collapse. Every pensioner confused by poor signage. Every motorist stung with a £50 fine for a turn they'd been making for decades. It's about protecting the soul of our city centre before it's too late. We believe the court will listen. We believe the case is strong. And we believe that, with your help, we can strike this failed experiment from the record, and rebuild a city centre that's fairer, busier, and open to all. This is our moment. Let's take it. Bus gates lawyer: 'I'm bolder than ever about scrapping Aberdeen traffic ban – AND making council cough up refunds to fined drivers' 'Unaccountable' lawyers would only show councillors secret bus gate legal advice 'on a distant screen that kept cutting out'
