Latest news with #Galbraith
Perth Now
4 days ago
- General
- Perth Now
How a volunteer run cafe is giving broken items new life
More than 3000 broken items have been rescued from landfill thanks to the Repair Cafe, a free volunteer-run event held on the third Saturday of every month at the North Perth Town Hall. The not-for-profit group runs its monthly events from 9.30am to 11.30am. People are invited to bring along broken or faulty household items such as bikes, clothes, furniture or technology devices and volunteer experts will help fix them, as well answer questions about how to fix items at home or even where to get the right parts. Deputy co-ordinator and general repairer Bruce Galbraith, who has been volunteering with the Repair Cafe since he retired seven years ago, said the cafe drew between 15 to 20 visitors each month and had 10 to 15 volunteers who each brought their own area of expertise. 'We have the ladies doing textiles, both sewing, both machine sewing and hand sewing. Then we have guys doing electrical stuff, a couple of computer guys. We have a guy who can do bikes as they're needed,' Mr Galbraith said. He said the main aim of their work was to keep things out of landfill. 'Reduce the amount of things going to landfill, and helping people repair things to keep them out of landfill; that is the main mantra,' Mr Galbraith said. 'We have the mantra that every successful repair we do equally keeps a kilo out of landfill.' Mr Galbraith said he really enjoyed fixing items with a background and history. 'A lady told me that (her suitcase) had been her mother's in Singapore just before the Japanese invaded. Her mother had two hours to get out; it lasted through the war. Now her daughter is using it for family history again.' he said. The Repair Cafe isn't just for old items. Fixing broken children's toys is also really popular. 'I fixed a scooter for a boy on Saturday, and he was so pleased he had his scooter that he could run around and ride it again. He was delighted,' he said. Sandra and Robert Gilbert with their granddaughter's repaired toy. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian Mr Galbraith said the cafe was backed by the City of Vincent, which they greatly appreciated. 'But we also appreciate donations, which help us keep supplying a few things like glue,' he said. The Repair Cafe started in North Perth more than seven years ago. Mr Galbraith said it was part of a global movement which started in Belgium about 18 years ago. 'We're all aware of each other ... There's around 3600 (repair Cafed) worldwide and about 55,000 volunteers.' he said. 'In Europe, they are now bringing in laws that make it compulsory that things can be repaired and manufacturers have to provide parts.' Paola Battaglia with her cuckoo clock. Credit: Ross Swanborough / The West Australian
Daily Record
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Stewartry Agricultural Show set to be memorable for the Corrie family
President David Corrie will be joined by no fewer than seven other members of his family at the showfield on Saturday. It's set to be a special Stewartry Agricultural Show for the Corrie family. Not only is David Corrie president – but no fewer than seven other members of his family will join him on the showfield. As well as wife Susan and children Fraser – 10 – and Lucy, eight, also there will be sisters Tanya and Claire and parents John and Sandra. John's father, Jack, showed Galloways in the early years and was elected president in 1965. Sadly, he died suddenly that night aged 56. Sixty years later David, who is head of estate agency at Galbraith, is the president. His aunt – John's sister – Myrna was show secretary for many years and received an MBE from the Queen for her services to farming. John was president of the Belted Galloway Society for three years and has had many a champion at the show, including Park That's Life (who appeared on the program of the same name) and more recently Park Persius. He was made an honorary life president last year. He will turn 90 on Tuesday and next month he and Sandra will celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary. They have recently become great grandparents to Kit Graham Rogers, named after Tanya's husband who coincidentally died suddenly last year aged 56. A silver cup was first presented at the show in Tanya's name in the early 70s for the best donkey and is still in circulation. Claire lives in Virginia, USA and has made the trip for the celebrations and the show as she has always been the keenest farmer of the family. Thousands of people – including the Corries – are expected at Greenlaw on Saturday to see the best livestock that the region has to offer. Entries overall are up on last year, with a ride range of cattle, sheep, horses and goats on display. There will also be a dog show, which can be entered on the day, as can the popular showjumping competition. The main ring entertainment this year is Longton Sheepdogs – who will be bringing along some ducks to be rounded-up. Circus acts will be wandering the showfield to entertain the crowd and there will also be a kids sports day to delight youngsters. The grand parade of livestock to determine the champion of champions will be at 2pm. There will also be arts, crafts and food stalls, shopping and trade stands, homecrafts and floral art. There is parking on the site, with a shuttle bus running from Market Hill in Castle Douglas to Greenlaw and back throughout the day.
Time Magazine
7 days ago
- Politics
- Time Magazine
To Bounce Back, Democrats Need a New John F. Kennedy Moment
Democrats are still reeling from their second defeat at the hands of President Donald Trump in eight years. They are fighting back against his policies while trying to assess where the party went wrong and how to rejuvenate its hopes. Thankfully for them, the Democratic Party's almost 200 year history offers cause for hope. Democrats have bounced back many times before, including seminal victories in 1912, 1932, 1960, 1992, and 2008. This history reveals that Democrats win when they present their own, clear vision for the country and a concrete platform articulating just what they will do if victorious—one that connects with the public's interests, desires, and needs. No case better illustrates this paradigm than John F. Kennedy's win in 1960. Democrats had controlled the White House from 1933 until 1952, when Republican Dwight Eisenhower, a World War II leader who promised to end the Korean War and to uproot corruption in Washington, beat their lackluster presidential candidate, Illinois Governor Adlai Stevenson. That led to a period in which Democrats struggled to figure out what the party stood for. But the creation of the Democratic Advisory Council (DAC) in 1957 helped to develop a new, forward-thinking agenda. And Kennedy provided a youthful, charismatic spokesperson. This combination catapulted Democrats back to the White House and led to major domestic policy achievements over the next eight years. Early in 1953, economist and Democratic strategist John K. Galbraith issued a call to action. He observed that his party understood that opposing Eisenhower and his agenda wasn't sufficient to rebound. Yet, 'it would be hard at this moment to say what the Democratic Party is for.' Galbraith acknowledged that his party had broad principles. Democrats favored 'tidying up the unfinished business of the New Deal' and wanted to expand the economy. But virtually no one could explain what that might involve in 'any great detail.' Read More: Remember JFK Not for His Assassination, But for His Civil Rights Advocacy Initially, party leaders ignored Galbraith's plea. In 1956, Eisenhower beat Stevenson by an even bigger margin than he had in 1952, despite Democrats adopting a slightly more progressive platform shaped by Galbraith and his reform-minded colleagues. The second consecutive loss suggested that only more dramatic changes could produce a Democratic comeback. In 1957, Democratic National Committee Chair Paul Butler established the DAC to stake out issues that would support a positive platform in 1960. The Council identified five policy stances that should anchor the party's agenda: federal aid to education, a national health insurance program (the forerunner of Medicare), housing for the elderly, urban renewal, and a firm stance on civil rights. It selected some of these positions because of concerns percolating up from the grassroots. For example, the public wanted a stronger educational system. As the DAC recognized, however, many states 'cannot do all that must be done and financial assistance from the Federal government has become imperative.' Similarly, the DAC's 'Policy Statement' noted that the growth in families in the 1960s was projected to require 'doubling the annual rate of house production to a level of about 2,000,000 per year.' The country also confronted 'the necessity to proceed rapidly with slum clearance and urban renewal.' On other issues, the DAC was simply reemphasizing longstanding Democratic priorities. Presidents Franklin Roosevelt and Harry Truman had proposed national health insurance, only to see opposition from the American Medical Association and indifference by Republican leaders kill it. Many of the DAC's positions found their way into the 1960 Democratic platform. But a better agenda alone wasn't sufficient. Democrats needed a fresh messenger, and Kennedy fit the bill. The Massachusetts senator had youth and charisma and he was vigorous and dashing. He also came across well on the new medium of the day—television. Kennedy projected an energetic America; he promised "to get this country moving again," and he used the word "future" often in campaign speeches. Kennedy and the Democrats captured the public spirit of the times: a desire for change and a sense of America's potential. There was a growing public restlessness. The Soviet Union's 1957 launch of Sputnik, the first earth satellite, had jarred Americans into realizing that they were falling behind in science and education. The widespread, though incorrect, perception that the Soviets had more intercontinental ballistic missiles than the U.S.—the so-called missile gap—also fueled a sense that the U.S. was slipping. This prodded Americans away from the complacency of the post-war era and toward a more progressive and assertive attitude on everything from Civil Rights to scientific research. Even Eisenhower knew that the public was losing faith in the status quo. In 1960, he empaneled a 'Commission on National Goals.' Its report, Goals for Americans, called for investment in education and the arts, while recommending progressive economic policies to keep the economy expanding and unemployment low. The report also called for 'equality of justice and opportunity, better government, better education, better medical care, more productive economy.' But Americans were alienated for reasons that ran even deeper. As part of a series in Life magazine and The New York Times on 'the national purpose,' historian Clinton Rossiter explained that the nation had lost the 'youthful sense of mission' that had propelled it to greatness. We were once a people 'on the make' but now Americans were more like a people who 'has it made,' content to tolerate mediocrity and unwilling to energetically confront new challenges. Other writers sounded the same theme: it was time to get America out of its mood of complacency and moving into the future. Democrats capitalized on these sentiments. In his opening speech to the Democratic Convention in Los Angeles, Butler set the tone. 'In the day when our republic was young, national ideals overwhelmed all else,' he said. 'Today, almost everything else seems to overwhelm national ideals. If there is any meaning to the American purpose, it has become obscured in eight years of purposelessness.' Kennedy's acceptance speech built on that theme: America needed to do better—and could with the right leadership. The candidate promised an exciting future but one that would require meeting challenges: '[T]he American people expect more from us than cries of indignation and attack. The times are too grave, the challenge too urgent, and the stakes too high‚to permit the customary passions of political debate…. Today our concern must be with [the] future.' Read More: What These 3 Longstanding JFK Myths Reveal About America The nation needed to deal with the threat of Soviet communism abroad. At home, 'an urban population explosion has overcrowded our schools, cluttered up our suburbs, and increased the squalor of our slums.' Further, the 'peaceful revolution' for civil rights demanding an end to racial discrimination 'has strained at the leashes imposed by timid executive leadership.' Like the essayists in Life and The New York Times, the candidate recognized that the country needed more than policy prescriptions. 'Too many Americans have lost their way, their will and their sense of historic purpose. It is a time, in short, for a new generation of leadership—new men to cope with new problems and new opportunities.' Kennedy called for the nation to advance a 'New Frontier,' a term that 'sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them.' Meanwhile, Kennedy's opponent, Vice President Richard Nixon, seemed to embody what voters were tiring of—the stale complacency and status quo of the 1950s. Kennedy put it this way in one of his final campaign rallies, on Nov. 1: 'Mr. Nixon and the Republicans stand for the past. We stand for the future.' Some may say it was an oversimplification, but it connected with the public. Arthur Schlesinger Jr., who served as a Kennedy advisor, explained that he won by stressing 'peril, uncertainty, sacrifice, and purpose." These new ideas resonated with voters. Kennedy narrowly defeated Nixon, ushering in eight years of Democratic control and seminal achievements: the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, enactment of Medicare and Medicaid, and more. Today, Democrats are once again in the doldrums. But they can rebound by following the prescription that elevated John F. Kennedy to the White House. They need to provide fresh answers that address the problems plaguing the U.S. Once they have an agenda, the party will also need a youthful, charismatic candidate to communicate this agenda. That combination will convince voters that the Democrats are the party of the future, while Republicans are the party of the status quo. Bruce W. Dearstyne is a historian in Albany, New York. His most recent book is Progressive New York: Change and Reform in the Empire State, 1900-1920 -- A Reader (2024). His next book, Revolutionary New York: 250 Years of Social Change, will be published early in 2026. Made by History takes readers beyond the headlines with articles written and edited by professional historians. Learn more about Made by History at TIME here. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of TIME editors.
Daily Record
20-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Inside spectacular Scottish country home 'perfect for great outdoors' for sale
The property comes with a huge garden and its own self-contained annexe. A Scottish country home set within expansive garden grounds has hit the market. Sellers have singled out the property's easy access to "the great outdoors". The Walled Paddock is a six-bedroom family home situated in the Scottish Borders hamlet of Lethem, around eight miles from the historic town of Jedburgh. It can be purchased through Galbraith for offers over £525,000. The spacious property features flexible accommodation and boasts breathtaking open countryside views. It also includes a self-contained two-bedroom annexe, making it perfect for multi-generational living. Inside, a welcoming hallway leads through to a spacious dining kitchen with bespoke features. A lounge and a bedroom with an adjoining shower room complete the main ground-floor accommodation, while the self-contained annexe is found at the rear of the house. Moving up the statement oak spiral staircase, the first floor houses three bedrooms—including the en-suite master. A family bathroom and a study room overlooking the grounds can also be found upstairs. The garden is mostly laid to lawn, ideal for little ones and pets to run around in. According to Galbraith, the grounds offer "excellent potential for further landscaping" and planning permission has been given for a double garage. The Walled Paddock also offers easy access to a variety of picturesque walking trails. Meanwhile, local amenities and a wide range of shops and restaurants are available in Jedburgh. Susan Guthrie from Galbraith stated: "A property of this specification with such generous garden grounds is sure to attract a lot of interest from families seeking a rural lifestyle move. It should also be of interest to families looking for additional self-contained accommodation that allows for the independence of older children or ageing parents. "For those interested in the great outdoors, The Walled Paddock is perfectly located with a variety of outdoor pursuits on its doorstep including fishing on the River Tweed and golfing available at a number of excellent courses including Jedburgh's 18-hole course and the nearby Roxburgh championship course. Local amenities are easily accessible with a wide range of shops and restaurants available, and Jedburgh Grammar Campus provides schooling for all ages." Read on for some images of The Walled Paddock. More information can be found on the Galbraith listing.
The Guardian
19-07-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Browsing Rightmove for a rural bolthole? Get ‘the best of the Highlands' for £9m
If you're spending a drizzly weekend indoors scrolling for the one-day countryside bolthole you'll probably never buy, something in the Highlands of Scotland might catch your eye in the Rightmove listings. Just north of Fort William, where the average property price is a shade over £200,000, is a sale listing for £9m – but this is no lochside bothy ripe for renovation. Instead, the Glen Buck estate includes a four-bed farmhouse, two-bed holiday cottage, hydroelectric scheme, 3,600 hectares (8,900 acres) of land and part of the nearby loch. There are possibilities to make more money from its rolling hills in the shadow of the Grampian mountains too, the consistent wind speeds of the area known as the 'electric glen' making it prime for wind turbines. The listing comes amid unhappiness from Highlanders who believe large swathes of land being bought by wealthy individuals inflates property prices and excludes local people from buying where they grew up. According to government statistics, the rise in house prices in the Highlands is among the highest in Scotland, with a 7% increase between July 2023 and July 2024. In 2022 the Scottish Land Commission warned the country's land market is at risk of 'overheating', with the demand from corporations, charities and the privately wealthy for prime Highland estates outstripping supply. Rod Christie, who is handling the sale on behalf of Galbraith estate agents, said: 'At the heart of the Great Glen, Glen Buck estate offers buyers enormous diversity through a wealth of residential, sporting, natural capital and renewable interests. 'It will likely appeal to buyers from across the globe, with private buyers, institutions and investors all able to find a specific point of interest.' The estate in Aberchalder is rich in history too, closely associated with Scotland's bloody clan past and the Jacobite rebellion. The nearby village of Invergarry was once home to a branch of Clan Donald. Approaching Glen Buck along the A82 before Invergarry, drivers come across a macabre monument dedicated to a series of 17th-century reprisal killings among the clans. The obelisk next to Loch Oich is initially unassuming. However, closer scrutiny reveals it is crowned with a carving of a hand holding a dagger, and seven severed heads. Called the Well of the Seven Heads, the name refers to revenge killings after two members of Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, a branch of Clan Donald, were murdered by their cousins. The seven killers were tracked down two years later and themselves killed. They were decapitated, with their heads washed in a well underneath where the obelisk now stands. Their heads were then presented as proof of their deaths. The well can still be seen. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The area has strong links, too, to the Jacobite rebellion. Regiments from the area joined the Jacobite army that attempted to restore the House of Stuart to the British throne. The nearby village of Fort Augustus was the scene of a siege during the uprising of 1745, and again a year later, as the area was contested between Jacobite forces and those loyal to the British crown. Luckily, it has been far more peaceful since then. Glen Buck fronts on to the Caledonian canal, which connects the east and west Scottish coasts. It covers low-lying ground, upland terrain and hill grazing to more than 800 metres at Carn Dearg, and includes native woodland as well as buildings including a farmhouse, bothies and a cottage used for holiday lets. The leased Glen Buck Hydro Scheme is an electricity generation facility on the estate that will provide rental income until 2065. The sellers also pointed to 'natural capital opportunities' on the estate in the form of peatland restoration potential, and woodland creation supported by 'compensatory planting arrangements'. Meanwhile its 'sporting appeal' is represented by well-established deer stalking across open country and areas of woodland, the sellers saying this could be further developed. Christie said: 'With high hills, ancient woodland, open moorland and good-quality farmland, Glen Buck represents the best of the Highlands and enjoys access to, and a spectacular outlook over, Loch Oich.'
