Latest news with #NorthAyrshire
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man spotted walking sheep on lead through station
Rail staff and passengers were surprised to see a man walking a sheep on a lead through a train station. ScotRail shared a picture of the man leading the animal along a platform at Paisley Gilmour Street station in Renfrewshire this week. It is not clear where they were going, though the next train due to arrive at the platform was one heading to Largs in North Ayrshire. In a social media post, ScotRail said: 'Well, ewe don't see that every day at Paisley Gilmour Street!' The photo shows the sheep looking docile as it walks along attached to a red lead while a man sitting on a bench looks on in apparent amusement. A ScotRail spokesperson said: 'Monday evening brought one of the more ewe-nique sights on Scotland's Railway. 'We're used to livestock on the line causing disruption, but thankfully this visitor at Paisley Gilmour Street was on a lead and well baa-haved.' Social media users joked about the incident, with one posting: 'I hope they've got a ticket or they'll be RAMifications…,' while another said: 'Seen it at Baaarhead.' Others said they had seen the sheep being led along on a lead in Ayr and Prestwick in South Ayrshire in recent days.
The Independent
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Man spotted walking sheep on lead through station
Rail staff and passengers were surprised to see a man walking a sheep on a lead through a train station. ScotRail shared a picture of the man leading the animal along a platform at Paisley Gilmour Street station in Renfrewshire this week. It is not clear where they were going, though the next train due to arrive at the platform was one heading to Largs in North Ayrshire. In a social media post, ScotRail said: 'Well, ewe don't see that every day at Paisley Gilmour Street!' The photo shows the sheep looking docile as it walks along attached to a red lead while a man sitting on a bench looks on in apparent amusement. A ScotRail spokesperson said: 'Monday evening brought one of the more ewe-nique sights on Scotland's Railway. 'We're used to livestock on the line causing disruption, but thankfully this visitor at Paisley Gilmour Street was on a lead and well baa-haved.' Social media users joked about the incident, with one posting: 'I hope they've got a ticket or they'll be RAMifications…,' while another said: 'Seen it at Baaarhead.' Others said they had seen the sheep being led along on a lead in Ayr and Prestwick in South Ayrshire in recent days.
The Independent
26-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Ministers in talks over welfare concessions as Labour rebellion grows
Ministers are discussing the prospect of further concessions to win over a growing list of Labour MPs poised to rebel against planned welfare reforms ahead of a crunch vote next week. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said talks between backbenchers and Government were 'ongoing' on Thursday night as Downing Street seeks to head off what would be Sir Keir Starmer's first Commons defeat. It came as six more Labour MPs added their names to an amendment that would halt the legislation in its tracks, arguing disabled people have not been properly consulted and further scrutiny of the changes is needed. The new signatories include the Commons Environmental Audit Select Committee chairman Toby Perkins, Stoke-on-Trent Central MP Gareth Snell, Newcastle upon Tyne MP Mary Glindon and Tamworth MP Sarah Edwards. North Ayrshire and Arran MP Irene Campbell and Colchester MP Pam Cox, both of whom won their seats in the party's 2024 landslide election victory, have also added their names. The new names takes the total number of Labour backbenchers supporting the so-called 'reasoned amendment,' tabled by Treasury Select Committee chairwoman Dame Meg Hiller, to 126. The Prime Minister has insisted the reforms are set for a Commons vote on Tuesday as planned, but ministers are locked in talks with backbenchers about the possibility of making changes to soften the impact of the Bill as a major revolt looms. Asked what concessions could be offered to convince rebels to back the Government, Ms Rayner sought to reassure backbenchers that they would not be expected to betray the party's traditional values. 'I'm not going to get into that on your show tonight,' she said in an interview on ITV's Peston programme. 'Those discussions are ongoing around making sure that the welfare reforms that we're bringing in support people into work who need that, and we're putting a huge amount of investment into doing that, but also protecting the most vulnerable.' She acknowledged that 'a lot of people are very scared about these changes' but added: 'I haven't changed my Labour values and we're not expecting our benches to do anything that isn't in check with them. 'What we want to do is support people, and that is the crucial bit around these reforms of what Labour are trying to achieve, and we're discussing that with our MPs.' The plans restrict eligibility for personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability payment in England, and limit the sickness-related element of universal credit. The Government hopes the changes will get more people back into work and save up to £5 billion a year. Existing claimants will be given a 13-week phase-out period of financial support, a move seen as a bid to head off opposition by aiming to soften the impact of the changes. But the fact so many Labour MPs are prepared to put their names to the 'reasoned amendment' calling for a change of course shows how entrenched the opposition remains. One backbencher preparing to vote against the Bill told the PA news agency: 'A lot of people have been saying they're upset about this for months. To leave it until a few days before the vote, it's not a very good way of running the country. 'It's not very grown up.' They said that minor concessions would not be enough, warning: 'I don't think you can tinker with this. They need to go back to the drawing board.' According to the Government's impact assessment, the welfare reforms as a whole could push an extra 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into relative poverty. Asked whether she thought there were hundreds of thousands of people claiming disability benefits who were not disabled, Ms Rayner said: 'No, what we're saying though is that the welfare system has to be able to have longevity.' Earlier on Wednesday, Sir Keir defended his leadership against accusations he had misjudged the mood in his party, insisting he is 'comfortable with reading the room'. At a press conference at the Nato summit in The Hague, the Prime Minister said: 'Is it tough going? Are there plenty of people and noises off? Yes, of course, there always are, there always have been, there always will be. 'But the important thing is to focus on the change that we want to bring about.' Later on Wednesday, armed forces minister Luke Pollard echoed the Deputy Prime Minister, telling Sky News's Politics Hub show that 'of course' the Government was in talks about possibly making changes. 'Of course we are, and I think there's a concern that's very valid and real for lots of my colleagues. They're not doing this to cause trouble or be argumentative,' he said. 'They're doing it because they have a genuine, heartfelt concern about some of the impacts. ' He said some of the reforms would be supported across the party but 'where there is concerns… those discussions will continue until the vote and beyond.' Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Mr Pollard said the Government had 'between now and Tuesday to listen to those concerns' and 'to address them' before making the case for reform in the Commons debate next week. Asked whether the Government would listen to calls for it to change course over planned cuts to Pip, he said: 'I think that's for many colleagues where the real concern is.' Other senior Labour figures outside Parliament, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, have publicly expressed their opposition to the plans. Meanwhile, the Tories seem unlikely to lend the Government their support, with leader Kemi Badenoch setting out conditions for doing so including a commitment to rule out tax rises in the autumn budget and further cut the benefits bill.
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
St Matthew's Academy pupil flies the flag on national stage for North Ayrshire
National acclaim for North Ayrshire pupil. A talented youngster from a Saltcoats school who celebrated major success on the local stage hit the high notes as she flew the flag for North Ayrshire at a prestigious national competition. St Matthew's Academy pupil, Stella McIntyre, represented North Ayrshire at the Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year Final last weekend. Stella, who is North Ayrshire's Young Musician of the Year, performed with one of Scotland's oldest musical instruments, the Clarsach. The national competition was held at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland where she competed alongside young musicians from all over the country. Stella thanked her teachers, North Ayrshire Music Service, friends, family and fellow local young musicians for their support. The national competition provided her with a fantastic opportunity to shine and showcase the heritage, tradition and modernism of playing one of Scotland's oldest musical instruments. She said: 'I feel honoured and excited to have performed in this year's Scottish Young Musicians Final. It's been such a great experience to get some exposure. Thanks to everyone for their support." Ronan Watson, North Ayrshire Music Service Manager, feels Stella now has some exciting times ahead. He said: "We are incredibly proud of Stella. She has been a wonderful advocate for instrumental music in North Ayrshire with her involvement and support for music performances both in school and with the Music Service. 'An exciting musical pathway now lies before her, and we look forward to watching her journey.' Congratulations goes to accordionist Inver Shand from Fife who was awarded the overall prize as Scottish Young Musicians Solo Performer of the Year for 2025. Councillor Shaun Macaulay, Cabinet Member for Education and Young People, hailed the youngster's achievements. He said: 'We are incredibly proud of Stella and her fantastic performance at the Final of Scottish Young Musicians. 'Although she didn't come out on top overall, she once again put North Ayrshire on the map and her talent did not go unnoticed. Well done Stella for your stellar performance!' Stella performed a beautiful programme featuring Mexican Monterey – Savourna Stevenson and An t-Eilean Muileach (The Isla of Mull) – Dougal McPhail arr. Savourna Stevenson. The judging panel and audience enjoyed the mix of styles in her performance which she performed skilfully and with wonderful musical attention.
The Independent
05-06-2025
- The Independent
Boy, 14, in court on murder charge after death of 16-year-old
A 14-year-old boy has appeared in court charged with murder following the death of a 16-year-old after a disturbance on a beach. Kayden Moy, from East Kilbride, South Lanarkshire, was found seriously injured on Irvine beach in North Ayrshire after police were called to the area at about 6.45pm on May 17. He was taken to Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock where he died a short time later. The 14-year-old was charged with murder when he appeared in private at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on Thursday. He was also charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice. The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody. Two 17-year-old youths appeared in court on separate days last month charged with murder following the incident.
