Latest news with #RichWilliams
BBC News
a day ago
- General
- BBC News
Borders village of Heriot seeks families to boost school roll
A small village in the Borders has issued a call for families to consider moving to the area to help boost pupil numbers at the local - near the region's northern boundary - has about 160 community has made the plea after pupil numbers at the village primary fell below 26 - the number needed for two classes - for the first time in Williams, who chairs the parent council, said pupils benefited from "really personalised attention from great teachers" and there was also plenty for parents to do. The village is about a 40-minute drive from Edinburgh and also close to the Borders railway station at a number of family homes up for sale, locals hope they can be sold to people with school-age Williams said Heriot's Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels compared "very favourably" with other local said his family moved to the area about five years ago as they felt the children could "thrive in a small school" and also benefit from its "incredible outdoor facilities". "But it's not just about the school's scores: everyone says Heriot children are special," he said."The values the school instils in them and the way the school is embedded in the local area as a hub for events and gathering means that children tend to grow up with a real sense of community spirit and togetherness."He said there were "lots of things" for parents too."Beautiful hill walks are on your doorstep, while the cafes and boutique shops of Innerleithen and Peebles, and the mountain-bike trails at Glentress are just down the road," he said."In Heriot itself there's lots going on too, with a newly refurbished village hall, community cafe, ceilidhs, music nights, Bonfire Night event, pub nights, and an annual sports day to enjoy." Community council secretary Gavin Whittaker said it was hoped people currently living further afield might be drawn to the area."Heriot is located in a beautiful part of the country, with immediate access to some fantastic walking and cycling routes," he said."We'd encourage people living in Edinburgh, Midlothian and elsewhere in the Scottish Borders to come and take a look and see what Heriot can offer you and your family." Scottish Borders Council education officers have met both the community council and parent council in recent weeks to hear their concerns about reducing the number of Pirone, who holds the education portfolio, said: "Heriot is a great school and we fully understand the concerns, but we have to work with the numbers that are in front of us."If the numbers change, we will come back and look at the classes again."Heriot is like many rural areas where there are now a lot less children than there used to be."We have not been very good at taking a joined-up approach at tackling this, and whether it's allowing more houses to be built or finding ways to encourage more families into the area then that is what we should be doing."
The Herald Scotland
2 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Borders village Heriot issues clarion call for incomers
But there's just one catch – they must be families with young children who can help bolster its falling school roll. This year, the number of children filling the village's Primary School dropped below 26 – the 'magic number' Borders Council decrees is needed to run two classes. Residents of the village, which has around 160 homes, are hoping they can attract fresh young faces to ensure the Heriot Primary School has a vibrant future and remains a focal point of the community. Locals are highlighting three homes for sale in the village which they hope would be attractive to families looking to escape the rate race and settle on its quiet streets. School sports day in Heriot (Image: Heriot Community) They have highlighted the village's transport links - the Borders Railway station at Gorebridge is just 10 minutes away and there's also an hourly bus service providing easy access to both Edinburgh and Galashiels – availability of afterschool care and vibrant community spirit. Heriot Primary School Parent Council Chair, Rich Williams said: 'Heriot Primary School's ACEL (Achievement of Curriculum for Excellence Levels) scores compare very favourably indeed to other local schools and even compete with those achieved by the current top performing school in the Scottish Borders,' 'I moved with my family to Heriot around five years ago because we felt our children would thrive in a small school where they get really personalised attention from great teachers, and where they could benefit from the incredible outdoor facilities the school has.' 'But it's not just about the school's scores: everyone says Heriot children are special. The values the school instils in them and the way the school is embedded in the local area as a hub for events and gathering means that children tend to grow up with a real sense of community spirit and togetherness - and this helps them to thrive once they move on to the secondary school at Galashiels, where a brand new academy is soon due to open.' The Old Police House is one of the homes available - priced at £425,000 (Image: Rightmove) Mr Williams added: 'There are lots of things here for parents as well. Beautiful hill walks are on your doorstep, while the cafes and boutique shops of Innerleithen and Peebles, and the mountain-bike trails at Glentress are just down the road.' Villagers are keen for them to be sold to families with school-aged children who want their child to benefit from a smaller school, rural education. Families in Heriot have access to daily afterschool childcare at 'Heriot Country Kids' until 6pm, as well as holiday clubs at Easter, in the summer break and October half term. Heriot Country Kids has recently been commended by the Care Inspectorate, who recognised that children benefitted from 'kind, caring and nurturing interactions, which helped them to feel valued and respected'. Another house for sale in Heriot, priced at £370,000 (Image: Rightmove) Scottish Borders Council has also committed to developing plans for an early years nursery connected to the school, meaning that younger children will soon also be well catered for. With enrolment applications for the nursery due to go live in November 2025 - and the nursery due to open its doors in Easter 2026 - villagers feel that now is the time to ask people to make the move. Community Council Secretary Gavin Whittaker: 'Heriot is located in a beautiful part of the country, with immediate access to some fantastic walking and cycling routes,'
See - Sada Elbalad
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- See - Sada Elbalad
Int'l Space Station in Critical Condition, No Plans to Retire it Safely
Rana Atef On Friday, NASA confirmed that the International Space Station (ISS) is passing through the most complicated stage since its journey in space in 1998. The safety committee said that if serious decisions are not made, its end could come sooner than expected. These issues, including unresolved cracks, several manufactured parts, and a limited budget, are pushing the station into a high-risk situation. In addition, there is no solid plan to retire it safely. The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) warned that the ISS entered the most unstable phase of its existence. The cracks in its Russian module, the lack of spare parts and the absence of an emergency retirement plan form a combination that worries experts like Rich Williams. The Russian module Zvezda has been dragging problems since 2019. In April 2024, the air leak in the PrK transfer tunnel reached its highest level, the area had to be completely closed, and there is no plans for this. ASAP has classified the problem at the highest risk level: 5 out of 5. NASA and Roscosmos will hold a meeting in Moscow to see the solutions to save the situation, although for now there is no consensus between the parties. read more UAE's Lunar Mission Delayed to Tomorrow Twitter Lifts Trump's Account Ban Scientists Find Evidence Of 10،000 Black Holes Surrounding The Center Of The Milky Way Galaxy Greenhouse In Antarctica Able To Grow Vegetables Without Soil Or Sunlight Moving Over China: U.S. Is Again Home to World's Speediest Supercomputer Technology The 10 most expensive cars in the world Technology Top 10 fastest cars in the world Technology Lasers Could Make Computers 1 Million Times Faster Technology Smart technology taking control of our lives News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kansas and Jefferson Starship tour will carry on to Ledge Amphitheater
KQRS may be edging away from classic rock, but there are plenty of hits from the '70s and '80s on Twin Cities stages this summer. The Ledge Amphitheater has added Kansas and Jefferson Starship to its summer lineup, it announced on Tuesday. The classic rock acts will come to the Waite Park venue on Sept. 19. Kansas, which released its first album in 1974, has sold more than 30 million records during its lengthy career on the back of hits like "Carry On Wayward Son" and "Point of Know Return." Its current lineup features original drummer Phil Ehart and guitarist Rich Williams. However, longtime drum tech and frequent fill-in drummer Eric Holmquist will play drums on this tour while Ehart recovers from a heart attack, according to an announcement from the band. While Kansas is headlining the show, Jefferson Starship, which formed after the dissolution of Jefferson Airplane, isn't short on hits, either. The band has surfaced on charts numerous times since its debut in 1974, including top-10 positions for songs like "Miracles" and "Count On Me." A venue presale will take place on Wednesday, April 24. The access code can be snagged by signing up for the venue's newsletter. Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 25.
