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Daily Record
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Perth's first female provost's daughter pays tribute to devoted mum who always put others' needs first
Jean McCormack DL served as provost from 1992 until 1996 The daughter of Perth's first ever female provost has paid tribute to her mum as a devoted family woman who always put others first. Jean McCormack DL died on Wednesday, June 18 aged 87. First elected onto Perth and Kinross Council in 1982, Jean went on to serve as deputy leader, leader of the administration, then provost from 1992 to 1996 and was a Deputy Lieutenant until aged 76. Born and raised in Dundee, Jean was the second of four girls. She is survived by her husband Peter (88), son Peter (62), daughter Carrie McLennan (60) and her five grandchildren: Katie, Reece and Lewis McLennan and Patrick and Olivia McCormack. Daughter Carrie said her mum was "always thinking of other people and how to make life easier for others". While Jean served as a Conservative councillor, her political life started with a stint doing voluntary work for a senior SNP politician. Her uncle Wallace Kinloch was the election agent for SNP MP for Perth and East Perthshire Douglas Crawford. He asked her to take on the job of constituency secretary in 1976. Carrie said: "She was unsure about it but he said, 'You can write letters, answer telephone calls, what else do you need'? And she thrived on that and really enjoyed it. It was a voluntary role. "Then she moved on to become an election agent, but after tackling a general election and a Euro election in the same year she took two years out, before winning a by-election in her own ward, the Carse of Gowrie as a Conservative." Helping others was what drove Jean. Carrie said: "For my mum, the politics were less important than serving the community and the people in that community." During her time as councillor she played a part in securing sheltered housing in Errol and was proud of Perth's reputation in town twinning and the start of Perth in Bloom's repeated success. Perth first won Scotland in Bloom in 1992 before going on to win its first Britain in Bloom award in 1993, claiming the large town trophy ahead of 1300 entrants. Carrie said: "She drove the application as provost and they went down to London for the award and had quite a hoolie in the hotel room I believe." Carrie added: "For five years she was chair of Friends of Aschaffenburg, Perth's longest established twin town and she was on the working committee for the Peace Child event and formed close ties with John Chan of the Jade Garden restaurant in Perth." In August 1997 Jean was awarded Officer of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for promoting British-Polish relations and it was her work with the Polish community she was most proud of. Back in 1986, her son Peter announced he was going on a rail holiday to Poland and what was then Czechoslovakia. This being before the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall, it was a somewhat unusual holiday choice. It helped spark a long-lasting friendship between Jean and her husband Peter and a local Polish couple Nana and Janek Jarmulski, who frequented Perth's Conservative Club. When Britain geared up for celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day in May 1995, Janek and Nana expressed concern to Jean that the Poles might again be excluded from any commemorations. As Provost, Jean was the driving force behind arranging for Perth to host the largest VE commemorations in 1995 outside London and she made sure the Polish veterans were warmly invited. As a former primary school teacher, Jean valued education and was devoted to her family. Jean and her husband Peter - who lived on the same Dundee street - began dating in their teens. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in December 2024. The pair loved cruising and, according to Carrie, "saw most of the world from a cruise deck". And, as Peter is the co-owner of Perthshire Caravans, it is perhaps no surprise they enjoyed caravan and motorhome holidays. The couple travelled all over Scotland and Europe and only stopped recently when the COVID pandemic hit. In fact, they loved it so much they even lived in a caravan, when they lived in England, until their house was built in 1970. Becoming Perth's first female provost was a huge deal. Carrie said: "It was massive at the time and she was nervous about it. One of the highlights for her was the relationship she had with the High Constables of Perth. "I was at home the first time she had to go to the annual dinner. She was the only woman in a room of 100-odd men. "I remember she said her first joke was, 'Now gentlemen, you need to look really closely at what I'm wearing, which caused confusion until she said - because it will be the first thing your wives will ask you when you get home'. "It's a joke of its time. Mum was a woman of her generation." Jean's funeral will take place at Perth Crematorium on Wednesday, July 9 at 1.30pm. All are welcome.
Metro
12-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
'Welcoming' commuter town crowned the UK's top affordable location for families
Glenrothes is situated in Fife, Scotland (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) With childcare expenses skyrocketing – and raising a toddler now costing £23,500 a year – cash-strapped parents could soon be flocking to Glenrothes. That's because the Fife town was recently named the UK's most popular cheap destination for families to buy a home, with the typical three-bedroom house coming in at just £136,900. Comparing this against the average income in the area (£78,200 for two full-time earners), Zoopla gave Glenrothes an affordability score of 1.8, placing it first on the ranking ahead of Llanelli in Wales and Dartford in Kent. As well as enviably low property prices, Glenrothes residents can enjoy reasonable estimated monthly mortgage payments of £540 – less than half the current nationwide average of £1,202. But that's not all this Scottish commuter hub has to offer those who make the move. It's around an hour on the train from Edinburgh (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK's leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won't charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Glenrothes at a glance With a population of just under 40,000, Glenrothes is the third-largest settlement in Fife, but serves as the county's administrative capital. A post-war 'new town' – similar to the likes of Milton Keynes, Stevenage and East Kilbride – it was initially designed in the 1940s for the thriving local mining industry. After the collieries closed, the town's economy then transitioned to the world of tech, and Glenrothes is now best known for electronics and tech manufacturing. Just over 30 miles from Edinburgh, it's popular with commuters, who can get to the capital via direct train in around an hour. It's also the recipient of Beautiful Scotland and Britain in Bloom awards for its parks and landscaping, while boasting a wealth of public artworks. The town has won awards for its public artworks (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) There's plenty of natural beauty to explore too (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) What the locals say about Glenrothes Despite its good points Glenrothes has suffered from periods of downturn over the years — which a major regeneration project, now underway, hopes to address. And much like its fellow 'new towns', it has a fairly tough reputation among outsiders. Its reputation as somewhere to live is somewhat hit and miss (Picture: Wiki Commons/Mcwesty) On Reddit, @Puzzleheaded_Rain asked if Glenrothes is 'really as bad as people make it out to be', leading @ApricotFew6579 to describe it as a 'sh**hole'. But some felt the negative stereotypes were harsh, including @Klumber, who wrote: 'People are always negative about their town, it is inherent to human nature. A good mate of mine lives there and has never had any trouble. It's affordable and has decent links to Edinburgh.' In a separate thread, @Ancrux called it a 'decent place to live', claiming: 'People who say Glenrothes is rough have never lived in a rough area.' 'I've moved around to a few completely new towns as an adult, and Glenrothes was by far the most welcoming and has given me a good sense of community,' added @RaggedToothRat. The UK's most popular affordable towns for families Glenrothes, Scotland Average value of a three-bed home: £136,900 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £78,200 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £540 Price to earnings ratio: 1.8 Llanelli, Wales Average value of a three-bed home: £170,600 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £75,800 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £680 Price to earnings ratio: 2.3 Neath, Wales Average value of a three-bed home: £176,400 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £74,800 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £700 Price to earnings ratio: 2.4 Port Talbot, Wales Average value of a three-bed home: £160,300 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £74,800 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £640 Price to earnings ratio: 2.1 Wishaw, Scotland Average value of a three-bed home: £168,600 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £80,500 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £670 Price to earnings ratio: 2.1 Maesteg, Wales Average value of a three-bed home: £142,200 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £71,400 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £560 Price to earnings ratio: 2.0 Dartford, Kent Average value of a three-bed home: £423,600 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £90,800 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £1,680 Price to earnings ratio: 4.7 Leven, Scotland Average value of a three-bed home: £164,600 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £78,200 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £650 Price to earnings ratio: 2.1 Larkhall, Scotland Average value of a three-bed home: £177,600 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £82,300 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £700 Price to earnings ratio: 2.2 Swanley, Kent Average value of a three-bed home: £444,900 Estimated wage for two full-time earners: £95,100 Estimated monthly mortgage payment: £1,770 Price to earnings ratio: 4.7 Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: Fairground company apologises after ride crashed with children inside Arrow MORE: These 5 straightforward steps can add £2,500 to your house deposit in just a year Arrow MORE: 'Extreme risk' of wildfires across Scotland as crews tackle 10-acre blaze
The National
29-04-2025
- The National
The Scottish city that's curiously underrated and overlooked
Losing city status in 1975 must have hurt a historic hub and erstwhile capital where Scotland's monarchs were once crowned on our most famous hulk of sandstone. Last year that stone fulfilled its destiny, returning as centre stage at the sparkling new Perth Museum, a crowning symbol of a proud city that should never just be somewhere you flash by on the A9. Perth's sheer accessibility has long been both a bane and a boon. Perthshire's capital is brilliantly connected – unlike Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness, it is woven into Scotland's motorway network, it's a fulcrum for accessing the Highlands, and myriad trains converge here. There is even a Sleeper service to London. Perth is often curiously underrated and overlooked within Scotland, but outwith our borders others are quicker to see the charms of Sir Walter Scott's 'Fair City'. Perth was the first city in the UK awarded Cittaslow status in 2008, a nod to its civic promotion of wellbeing and quality of life, instead of development for development's sake. City status finally returned in 2012. (Image: Wirestock) Given the fantastic produce of the Perthshire hinterland it's no surprise Perth welcomed Scotland's first farmers' market and further foodie acclaim came with Perth being hailed 'Scotland's Food Town of the Year' in 2018. This clean, green city is also a 'Champion of Champions' in the Britain in Bloom competition. Rightmove even named Perth Scotland's happiest place (and the UK's fifth) in 2020. Perth's setting helps. The easily navigable and flat core sits right on the Tay, Scotland's longest river. Perth's original medieval walled plan is pretty much still intact, breaking off west of the river and neatly bookmarking the historic centre are the spacious civic parks of North Inch and South Inch. Local legend insists King James VI became so enraged with his soldiers enjoying the embryonic sport of golf here instead of practising their archery skills he had the sport that Scotland gave the world banned. At the heart of the city's current renaissance is the new Perth Museum, which sits right at the heart of Perth by St John's Kirk, which lends the city its other moniker of 'St John's Toun', a name adopted by its Premiership football team, who won both Scottish cups in 2021. It was here John Knox fired his congregation into such a frenzy in 1559 they trashed the kirk and went on a rampage, sacking the local monasteries, as the flames of the Scottish Reformation ignited. The centrepiece of the £27 million Museum is, of course, that stone. To be fair they turn the potentially prosaic visit to a featureless lump of sandstone into quite a show, and there is real depth beyond the Stone of Destiny too. You sweep from prehistoric Perthshire settlers to worlds when Pictish kings made their power grabs, Viking longships marauded on the Tay and Roman legionnaires were sent hame tae think again. (Image: Robin McKelvie) A current highlight at Perth Museum is a temporary exhibition – which opened on April 25 – that takes a deep dive into Scotland's most notorious monarch, aiming to explore the real stories beyond the myths of Macbeth. You can follow Macbeth's trail around Perthshire, with a yew and oak on the banks of the Tay at Dunkeld the remnants of the ancient Birnham Wood that would have stood when Shakespeare visited in 1599 as he toured with a troop of actors performing their play. You can yomp up Dunsinane Hill too, though you'll be waiting a while on Birnham Wood marching here as it is long gone. At least you have until August 31 to visit the exhibition. More culture beckons at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Art Gallery. The gallery has been beefed up with the arrival of the collection of Scottish colourist John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961), which moved from its standalone gallery just before the Perth Museum opened. You learn of his links with Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Picasso. Margaret Morris, his accompanied dancer and choreographer wife, is given a welcome stronger voice here too. The museum and gallery are worth visiting Perth for alone, but don't make the mistake of leaving straight after. Instead amble to the Watergate on the Tay, a quayside once alive with traders, clambering with the languages of the Low Countries and various Baltic brogues. French claret and Spanish silk swept in; the same ships leaving again laden with drams and fish. Keep an eye out for our furry friends from the riverside walkway as Perth in 2021 welcomed the UK's first city beavers in centuries. (Image: North Port Perth) On George Street there is evidence of a city bounce that can only have been helped by the museum opening. The Bean Shop is a zeitgeist-pleasing artisan coffee roasters who supply Perth Museum's cafe with a dedicated 'Destiny' blend. The quality artisan vibe continues at the Perth Distillery. The Scottish Gin Awards Gold Medal-winning Perth Pink, which makes the most of Perthshire's famed raspberries, is the star of the show. If you want to savour a real show head out with History and Horror Tours for a ghostly exploration of nocturnal Perth. Staff-carrying storyteller Gary Knight, who has written books on Perth, weaves a rich and colourful narrative that doesn't need jump scares to entertain as you learn about this multifaced city and its engaging history. A highlight is exclusive night access to the Sixteenth- Century Blackfriars Graveyard. Outdoor Explore offers a tour of a totally different nature as they eke you out on to the Tay in a kayak in search of 'Perth's Wildlife Big Five', including those beavers and their dams. Perth makes most sense from the water as you appreciate how it grew as the highest navigable point on the Tay. This is a city deeply connected both to its history and the glorious Perthshire countryside that unfurls all around. And Perth is definitely not a city you should just flash by on the A9. Bed down in Perth Mercure Perth Hotel Not many hotels boast a waterwheel churning its way through reception. The Mercure Perth Hotel does and it's no tacky addition but part of the old lade network that used to power Perth. The hotel has won an award for how skilfully it has preserved its old mill heritage and woven a modern, comfortable hotel around it. Very Perth. It has a handy central location too and is close to the famous Simon Howie butchers so you can nab goodies to take home as you leave. Parklands Hotel Perth's Lord Provost used to preside over the city from this stately old stone dame overlooking South Inch Park. There are only 15 bedrooms in a four star that feels both intimate and relaxed. They have the No1 The Bank Bistro and the beer garden terrace is a great space on a sunny day. Murrayshall Sleep in the shadows of Scottish Royalty close to Scone Palace. The owners have equally lofty ambitions, aiming to rival Gleneagles. A sweep of eating and drinking options, golf and spa facilities echo their Perthshire hotel sibling. It's only a short drive from Perth but has a real countryside vibe with easy access to local walks too.
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Why is Perth 'curiously underrated and overlooked'?
Perth's sheer accessibility has long been both a bane and a boon. Perthshire's capital is brilliantly connected – unlike Aberdeen, Dundee and Inverness, it is woven into Scotland's motorway network, it's a fulcrum for accessing the Highlands, and myriad trains converge here. There is even a Sleeper service to London. Perth is often curiously underrated and overlooked within Scotland, but outwith our borders others are quicker to see the charms of Sir Walter Scott's 'Fair City'. Perth was the first city in the UK awarded Cittaslow status in 2008, a nod to its civic promotion of wellbeing and quality of life, instead of development for development's sake. City status finally returned in 2012. (Image: Wirestock) Given the fantastic produce of the Perthshire hinterland it's no surprise Perth welcomed Scotland's first farmers' market and further foodie acclaim came with Perth being hailed 'Scotland's Food Town of the Year' in 2018. This clean, green city is also a 'Champion of Champions' in the Britain in Bloom competition. Rightmove even named Perth Scotland's happiest place (and the UK's fifth) in 2020. Perth's setting helps. The easily navigable and flat core sits right on the Tay, Scotland's longest river. Perth's original medieval walled plan is pretty much still intact, breaking off west of the river and neatly bookmarking the historic centre are the spacious civic parks of North Inch and South Inch. Local legend insists King James VI became so enraged with his soldiers enjoying the embryonic sport of golf here instead of practising their archery skills he had the sport that Scotland gave the world banned. At the heart of the city's current renaissance is the new Perth Museum, which sits right at the heart of Perth by St John's Kirk, which lends the city its other moniker of 'St John's Toun', a name adopted by its Premiership football team, who won both Scottish cups in 2021. It was here John Knox fired his congregation into such a frenzy in 1559 they trashed the kirk and went on a rampage, sacking the local monasteries, as the flames of the Scottish Reformation ignited. The centrepiece of the £27 million Museum is, of course, that stone. To be fair they turn the potentially prosaic visit to a featureless lump of sandstone into quite a show, and there is real depth beyond the Stone of Destiny too. You sweep from prehistoric Perthshire settlers to worlds when Pictish kings made their power grabs, Viking longships marauded on the Tay and Roman legionnaires were sent hame tae think again. (Image: Robin McKelvie) A current highlight at Perth Museum is a temporary exhibition – which opened on April 25 – that takes a deep dive into Scotland's most notorious monarch, aiming to explore the real stories beyond the myths of Macbeth. You can follow Macbeth's trail around Perthshire, with a yew and oak on the banks of the Tay at Dunkeld the remnants of the ancient Birnham Wood that would have stood when Shakespeare visited in 1599 as he toured with a troop of actors performing their play. You can yomp up Dunsinane Hill too, though you'll be waiting a while on Birnham Wood marching here as it is long gone. At least you have until August 31 to visit the exhibition. More culture beckons at Perth Concert Hall and Perth Art Gallery. The gallery has been beefed up with the arrival of the collection of Scottish colourist John Duncan Fergusson (1874–1961), which moved from its standalone gallery just before the Perth Museum opened. You learn of his links with Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Picasso. Margaret Morris, his accompanied dancer and choreographer wife, is given a welcome stronger voice here too. The museum and gallery are worth visiting Perth for alone, but don't make the mistake of leaving straight after. Instead amble to the Watergate on the Tay, a quayside once alive with traders, clambering with the languages of the Low Countries and various Baltic brogues. French claret and Spanish silk swept in; the same ships leaving again laden with drams and fish. Keep an eye out for our furry friends from the riverside walkway as Perth in 2021 welcomed the UK's first city beavers in centuries. (Image: North Port Perth) On George Street there is evidence of a city bounce that can only have been helped by the museum opening. The Bean Shop is a zeitgeist-pleasing artisan coffee roasters who supply Perth Museum's cafe with a dedicated 'Destiny' blend. The quality artisan vibe continues at the Perth Distillery. The Scottish Gin Awards Gold Medal-winning Perth Pink, which makes the most of Perthshire's famed raspberries, is the star of the show. If you want to savour a real show head out with History and Horror Tours for a ghostly exploration of nocturnal Perth. Staff-carrying storyteller Gary Knight, who has written books on Perth, weaves a rich and colourful narrative that doesn't need jump scares to entertain as you learn about this multifaced city and its engaging history. A highlight is exclusive night access to the Sixteenth- Century Blackfriars Graveyard. Outdoor Explore offers a tour of a totally different nature as they eke you out on to the Tay in a kayak in search of 'Perth's Wildlife Big Five', including those beavers and their dams. Perth makes most sense from the water as you appreciate how it grew as the highest navigable point on the Tay. This is a city deeply connected both to its history and the glorious Perthshire countryside that unfurls all around. And Perth is definitely not a city you should just flash by on the A9. Bed down in Perth Mercure Perth Hotel Not many hotels boast a waterwheel churning its way through reception. The Mercure Perth Hotel does and it's no tacky addition but part of the old lade network that used to power Perth. The hotel has won an award for how skilfully it has preserved its old mill heritage and woven a modern, comfortable hotel around it. Very Perth. It has a handy central location too and is close to the famous Simon Howie butchers so you can nab goodies to take home as you leave. Parklands Hotel Perth's Lord Provost used to preside over the city from this stately old stone dame overlooking South Inch Park. There are only 15 bedrooms in a four star that feels both intimate and relaxed. They have the No1 The Bank Bistro and the beer garden terrace is a great space on a sunny day. Murrayshall Sleep in the shadows of Scottish Royalty close to Scone Palace. The owners have equally lofty ambitions, aiming to rival Gleneagles. A sweep of eating and drinking options, golf and spa facilities echo their Perthshire hotel sibling. It's only a short drive from Perth but has a real countryside vibe with easy access to local walks too.
Yahoo
28-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Rawdon in Bloom announced as a Britain in Bloom 2025 UK finalist
MULTIPLE gold award winning Rawdon in Bloom have been nominated by RHS, Yorkshire in Bloom to represent Yorkshire along with two other groups in the Britain in Bloom competition 2025. The competition will see 44 finalists selected from across the UK, compete to be crowned winner in one of the eight categories, and secure an RHS Gold, Silver Gilt, Silver or Bronze award. One of the category winners will then go on to be named Britain in Bloom Overall Winner for 2025. Rawdon in Bloom is a finalist in the Small Town category and will compete against Conwy in Bloom, Garstang in Bloom, Kingsbridge in Bloom, Stony Stratford in Bloom, Uppingham and Whitchurch in Bloom. The community gardening groups are looking to impress the judges with their efforts to improve their local area. Each group will be judged against criteria with the environment, community engagement and horticulture at their core. Pak Ling Wan, RHS Community Programme Manager, said: 'Across the UK, groups are enjoying the benefits gardening brings both to their local communities and their own wellbeing. They are making a real difference to the places we live, making them more welcoming to all, tackling environmental issues and engaging people in their activities that positively impacts the wider community.' The news has been met with great excitement amongst Rawdon in Bloom volunteers, who are eagerly looking forward to the challenge of participation in the competition. Judging will take place over the first two weeks in August 2025. Phil Gomersall, Vice-chair, Rawdon in Bloom said: "The group is quite unique as it attempts to grow in house the vast majority of plants it plants out from seeds and plugs and aims to work in an ethically and environmentally way as possible. "The group also raises funds at various events in the village to help with the running costs of creating and maintaining planters and growing beds. "It is intended to expand on the number of planters and growing sites around the village this year. If you think you could offer any help to the group in its endeavours, contact kmduckels@ or rawdonrib@ No experience required just a willingness to help and some gardening gloves." Rawdon in Bloom can be followed on FB and Instagram.
