Latest news with #NewYear'sHonoursList
Glasgow Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Candidates confirmed ahead of by-election in Barrhead
Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, August 21 to elect a new councillor following the death of Cllr Betty Cunningham. The long-serving Labour councillor, who represented the Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor ward, passed away in May at the age of 79 after a period of ill health. Labour has selected Julie Ann Costello McHale to contest the seat while the SNP will be represented by David McDonald. READ MORE: Date revealed for Barrhead by-election following death of councillor Farooq Choudhry is the Scottish Conservative candidate, Karen Sharkey will stand for the Scottish Greens and Andy MacGibbon has been picked by Reform. Abolish the Scottish Parliament party is also contesting the election and has selected Gus Ferguson. The council is currently led by a minority Labour-independent administration, which includes independent councillor Danny Devlin. There are now four Labour councillors, three independents, five SNP and five Conservatives. At the last election in 2022, Cllr Devlin picked up the most first preference votes in the ward (1,753), followed by the SNP's Angela Convery (1,639). Cllr Cunningham and Cllr Chris Lunday, SNP, were also elected. Polls will be open between 7am and 10pm on August 21 and residents have until midnight on Tuesday, August 5 to register to vote. The count will take place on the morning of Friday, August 22. READ MORE: Campaigners to challenge Eaglesham battery plant ruling Following Cllr Cunningham's death, tributes were paid from across the political spectrum. Council leader Owen O'Donnell said: 'Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. 'She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! 'She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with.' Cllr Cunningham was first elected in 1999 and served as Provost from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi, having first travelled to the African country in 2007. Her charity, the Betty Cunningham International Trust, built a health clinic and nursery schools.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- General
- IOL News
Durban lawyer awarded MBE
Durban lawyer and honorary British Consul David Warmback and his wife Ashley on the left. Lizzy Walker who had nominated him for the MBE and his nephew Kieran Warmback joined them for the investiture at Buckingham palace. Image: Supplied. Durban lawyer and honorary British Consul David Warmback and his wife Ashley were joined by diplomat Lizzy Walker and his nephew Kieran Warmback at Buckingham Palace. Image: Supplied. DURBAN lawyer and honorary British consul, David Warmback, got the royal treatment last week when he was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) during an official ceremony at Buckingham Palace in London. The MBE is a British honour awarded by the monarch to individuals who have made significant achievements or rendered outstanding service to the community. Warmback was honoured for his 13 years of voluntary consular service to British nationals living in South Africa. Durban lawyer and honorary British Consul David Warmback with the Princess Royal, Princess Anne, at Buckingham Palace. Image: Supplied. The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, presided over the ceremony which took place a year after Warmback was first named in King Charles' New Year's Honours List in 2024, due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The MBE is a British honour which is awarded by the monarch to those who had reached a significant achievement or service to the community. Warmback, who is a dual South African and British national, told the Independent on Saturday that he remembered that as a child he had seen the palace from outside while visiting family in the UK. This was the first time he went inside and while he didn't expect to feel nervous, once he was inside the palace he realised the enormity of the occasion. 'My wife was a bit nervous. I didn't think I was going to be nervous, but one is a bit nervous about what to say and what to expect. But she (Princess Anne) really makes one feel at ease. I mean, obviously, she's very experienced at dealing with people and she obviously does lots of these ceremonies,' he said. Warmback was entitled to bring along three guests, and he was accompanied by his wife Ashley, his London-based nephew, Kieran Warmback, and Lizzy Walker, who had nominated him for the award when she was working for the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office in South Africa. The group arrived in style after one of his clients, Ashok Sewnarain, who is the owner of International Bank Vaults, arranged for his Rolls Royce and a driver to chauffeur them to Buckingham Palace. 'It was quite funny, because there were lots of tourists around the gates of Buckingham Palace, and as we drew up and opened our windows to get a look, tourists were crowding around us taking photos. So it was very embarrassing; we were obviously all dressed up quite smartly arriving in a black Rolls, and people thought there was somebody very important arriving at the palace,' he said. Once inside the palace he waited in a special room with the 48 other recipients who were to be honoured during the afternoon session. Warmback was one of the last to be called up, owing to the alphabetical order of the programme. He said each recipient was briefed on royal protocol like when to bow, how to address the Princess Royal, and what to do after receiving the medal. 'They make you feel very welcome,' Warmback said. 'And every staff member congratulated us along the way, it really added to the sense of occasion.' And then it was his turn to enter the Throne Room and meet the Princess Royal. 'So what happens is you walk up and about four metres before you get to her, you stand still and you bow your head and then walk up to her fairly close, sort of within a metre. Then she talks to you and pins the award onto your lapel. And then once she's shaken your hand, you take two steps back, you bow your head again, move to the right, and then you move off with your guests out of the room as the next person effectively comes in.' During their chat, she asked him how long he had been in South Africa, and he reminded her that they had met in Pretoria during her mom, Queen Elizabeth's, golden jubilee. For Warmback, the moment was both personal and professional. His mother, who is 92 and living in South Africa, was born in Britain and studied in the UK before moving to Durban. He says it's through her that he and his brothers gained their British nationality. 'She's incredibly proud,' Warmback said. 'She hasn't seen the medal yet, but she's seen plenty of photos.' Since the announcement last year, he has been entitled to put the letters MBE after his name and wear the silver medal which was presented to him by Princess Anne. However, he thinks that the only time it might be appropriate to wear the medal is during the monthly citizenship ceremonies in Durban, where as part of his duties as honorary consul, he helps British citizens complete their oaths of allegiance. However, Warmback wasn't the only South African-based person honoured at the event. Anthony Phillipson, the UK's High Commissioner to South Africa, was also present at the investiture, where he too was honoured on that day. Neither had known the other would be attending, which made for a surprise reunion in royal surroundings. While some recipients of royal honours go on to receive OBEs or even knighthoods, Warmback is not expecting further accolades. 'This is already more than I ever anticipated,' he said. 'It's not something you ever expect, but I'm incredibly grateful for the recognition, and very honoured to represent Durban and South Africa in this way.'
Glasgow Times
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor by-election date revealed
Cllr Betty Cunningham, Labour, passed away on Saturday, May 31 at the age of 79 after a period of ill health. Following her death, tributes flowed in from across the political spectrum, with the council stalwart, who was first elected in 1999, described as a 'formidable' fighter for Barrhead. East Renfrewshire Council has now revealed it intends to hold a by-election for the Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor ward on Thursday, August 21. READ MORE: 'Her death is a massive loss': Heartfelt tributes paid to long-serving councillor The council is currently led by a minority Labour-independent administration, which includes independent councillor Danny Devlin. There are now four Labour councillors, three independents, five SNP and five Conservatives. At the last election in 2022, Cllr Devlin picked up the most first preference votes in the ward (1,753), followed by the SNP's Angela Convery (1,639). Cllr Cunningham and Cllr Chris Lunday, SNP, were also elected. Cllr Cunningham — a former Provost from 2003 to 2007 — received an OBE from the Queen in the New Year's Honours List of 2011 for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi, having first travelled to the African country in 2007. Her charity, the Betty Cunningham International Trust, built a health clinic and nursery schools. She was also handed a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) annual councillor awards last year. READ MORE: Bus boss tells MSP to 'get on his bike and leave transport to the adults' Council leader Owen O'Donnell, Labour, previously said: 'Social justice and the sense of what is right and wrong was ingrained in Betty's DNA. 'She was a ferocious fighter for the people of Barrhead and beyond and would leave then Prime Minister Tony Blair and First Minister Jack McConnell trembling in her wake! 'She had the biggest heart but was also great fun and someone you wanted to spend time with.' Provost Mary Montague, Labour, added: 'Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire. 'She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it.'
Metro
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Heston Blumenthal sheds tears as son says: 'Talking to you was horrible'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'I ended up becoming a hamster on a wheel, and I self-medicated with cocaine.' These were the words that Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal used to describe his rapid rise to fame in the year 2006 after he was awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List. 'My name became a brand. I had a range of foods in Waitrose, I had a range of barbecues, I had a range of kitchen equipment. Everything was going at full throttle,' he explained. But despite the staggering success that he had become, eating away at him from the inside was a then unknown bipolar diagnosis, which is the subject of a new BBC documentary that has been released today. Speaking from inside his home in Provence, France, the 59-year-old culinary genius sheds light on his experience being sectioned by police in November 2023 after he suffered a mental breakdown. On top of this, he tries to understand the social and medical stigma around being bipolar. But in a truly heartbreaking conversation with his son Jack, Heston learns the true extent of his disorder and how much of an impact it has had on his family. After meeting with bipolar experts and other people who suffer from the disorder, Heston decides to visit his eldest son, Jack, who now runs the award-winning Ginger Wings restaurant in Marlow. During a brutal and honest conversation, his son explains how difficult it was to speak with Heston during his childhood. Speaking about his disorder, he says: 'We found it difficult as a family… It's nice now to have… not a label on it, but something we can refer back to, to say he wasn't just being a d**k. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition where you have extreme mood changes. These shifts can range from periods of intense energy and euphoria (mania or hypomania) to periods of profound sadness and hopelessness (depression). Formerly known as manic depression, medicines and talking therapy can help manage it. 'We just wanted a relaxing conversation with our dad, and we weren't allowed. 'You didn't want to know anyone's thoughts, I don't think you gave a s**t. 'You would just talk over us and say I'm going to do this, that and that, and I'm going to change the world. 'It would always start quite well for a few minutes, but then I had to walk away from you sometimes.' Jack went on to say: 'Every time we had to psyche ourselves up to come and see you. We'd plan it three weeks in advance just to see you for half an hour. It was horrible and it was constant and there was nothing I could do to help you.' As Heston begins to wipe away tears, he replies by saying: 'Me being bipolar is damaging the people I love.' After saying he is 'so sorry', Jack forgives his father before saying 'I love you' and the two share an emotional embrace. Elsewhere in the feature-length documentary, Heston explains how one day he woke up to find himself in a French mental hospital. Following this, he now has to take numerous different pills to balance his serotonin levels. However, according to Heston, he is fearful that the medication could affect his creativity, like in the past when he curated dishes such as sardine sorbet, snail porridge and bacon and egg ice cream at his award-winning restaurant The Fat Duck. Discussing his cocaine abuse, which he claims was a way of self-medicating his bipolar disorder, Heston explained how on one of his cooking shows his mind 'was hollow' and he would lie on the floor listening to meditation videos in between gaps in filming. 'I wondered if there was a gun here, would I use it, but there wasn't,' he revealed. 'Then I thought, are there other ways of ending it. Then I decided I wasn't ready for that. But it all went through my head.' On top of his depression, Heston also explained how he would have bizarre thoughts, such as that he could provide clean drinking water to the entire world. More Trending Earlier this year, he opened up about some of the symptoms he experienced from having bipolar disorder, including thinking that the TV was 'talking to him'. Appearing on BBC Breakfast, he told presenters Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty about his experiences. 'One of the classic symptoms of bipolar is you can start hallucinating things, so I hallucinated a gun on the table. I was talking about suicide. So you have suicidal thoughts,' he said while sitting on the sofa in the BBC studio. View More » Heston: My Life With Bipolar is available to watch on BBC iPlayer on June 19. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Race Across the World star sobs while revealing huge life change since filming MORE: I was trolled on Tattle Life – I'm thrilled it has been exposed MORE: It's 20 years since Doctor Who's best finale – but not for reasons you think
Daily Record
04-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Tributes pour in for "one of a kind" former East Renfrewshire provost Betty Cunningham
She sadly passed away at the age of 79, it was confirmed. Tributes have poured in for a former East Renfrewshire provost – described as 'one of a kind' and a 'determined champion' – after she sadly passed away. Labour councillor and past provost Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE died aged 79, it was confirmed. She had served her constituents faithfully in Barrhead, Liboside and Uplawmoor for 26 years. And her dedication to the area was recognised last year when she received a Lifetime Legend award at the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and CCLA annual councillor awards. Books of condolence have been set up at the council offices in Barrhead Main Street and at Eastwood headquarters for members of the public to pay their respects. Betty was first elected in 1999 and was provost of East Renfrewshire Council from 2003 to 2007. She received an OBE from Her Majesty the Queen in the 2011 New Year's Honours List for services to East Renfrewshire and Malawi. Betty had first travelled to the African country in 2007 and set up a charity – the Betty Cunningham International Trust – which built a health clinic and nursery schools. Paying tribute, West Scotland Labour MSP Paul O'Kane described Betty as a 'dear friend'. He said: 'Betty Wood-Cunningham OBE was Barrhead through and through. She loved the bones and the stones of this place, and she was immensely proud to represent it on the council for over two decades. 'As provost, she represented East Renfrewshire across the country and worked hard to make everyone feel like they were a VIP when the provost came to officiate at an event. 'She raised thousands of pounds for charities, from supporting talented young musicians locally to local churches, hospices and, of course, her beloved Malawi. 'She was fiercely political and fiercely Labour – standing up for working people was in her DNA. On a personal level, she was my political mammy and a dear friend. 'For all the times she chided me, or we had our disagreements, there were countless more examples of her kindness and generosity to me and my family. 'She was one of a kind – from the foot of the town to receiving her OBE from the late Queen at the palace, she was always Betty. I will miss her terribly. May she rest in peace.' Provost Mary Montague, who signed the book of condolence in Barrhead, added: 'Betty's death is a sad loss to her family, colleagues, staff and many people locally and far and wide. 'Strong in character and often in her language, she was formidable in fighting for the best interests of Barrhead and East Renfrewshire. 'She was a determined champion for a just cause and, for anyone who found themselves in a difficult situation and asked Betty for help, they got it. 'Betty was a paradox of fiercely not pulling her punches when necessary to a woman of incredible empathy, compassion and love for fellow human beings. My condolences and my heart go out to Betty's family whom she loved with a passion and I hope they see, from the hundreds of lovely messages on social media, just how much Betty was appreciated and the extent of her legacy of public service.' Council leader Owen O'Donnell, who signed the book of condolence at the council's Eastwood HQ, said: 'Betty's passing has left me with a great sense of grief and sorrow which will be shared by the wider Labour family, council staff and colleagues, the many lives she touched in Barrhead and East Renfrewshire and much further afield in her beloved Malawi. 'This all still feels so raw and a time of personal grieving. We will have time in the days and weeks ahead to more fully celebrate her life together. 'My thoughts and prayers remain with her family at this time who graciously welcomed me into their home so I could say my final goodbyes in the hours before Betty passed away. Betty will remain an inspiration for us all.'
