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Daily Record
3 days ago
- General
- Daily Record
Campaigners secure crunch meeting as concerns rage over Strathyre felling plans
The meeting has been called between the main forestry organisation, community groups and councillors after a petition protesting the tree felling plans attracted more than 600 signatures. Concerned campaigners have secured a meeting with forestry chiefs over tree felling plans affecting more than 4,000 hectares of woodland near Strathyre. The Observer reported last week on a petition protesting proposals from Forestry and Land Scotland following growing concern over the presence of 'Phytophthora ramorum' infections across forests in the Trossachs region. The Strathyre Forests Larch Removal Plan (LRP) covers a total area of 4,225 hectares and is targeting both infected and uninfected trees within a prescribed 'buffer zone'. But those plans were subject to a petition of more than 600 signatures - and the pressure now appears to have paid off with a meeting in the works between residents, pressure groups, councillors and FLS themselves. Petition author Karen Clough said: 'We want the best outcome for the woodland here but the scale of the work planned is both exceptional and extraordinary. 'To lose almost 200 hectares of woodland in the next two to three years would really be devastating for the area, not just the habitats built up but also the eco-tourism which businesses can be so reliant upon. 'People come here to wander off into the quiet woodland and get lost - and they do so from all over the world - but who would want to come here if they're going to be surrounded by forestry work and logging machines? 'Why don't we ringfence an area around Strathyre as non-commercial woodland which can be more protected, where the diversity of habitats is saved and it wouldn't impact the community as severely?' Further concerns over the proposals on wildlife have been raised by Duncan Orr-Ewing, chairman of the Central Scotland Raptor Study Group, who added: 'There is a really broad mix of conifer tree species in the area and because of that diversity, it is really attractive to an array of wildlife - we have an interest in breeding raptors, but there is also a healthy population of goshawks and owls. 'The main concern over the FLS plans are that we haven't seen much of a mitigation plan for the raptor and owl species and a whole load of conifers potentially being removed could cause serious damage to the raptor population. 'We commented on the proposals at an early stage but haven't had any feedback from that; they have the information on the breeding raptors and the concerns they will leave this area if this is not carried out properly.' Trossachs and Teith councillor Martin Earl has been involved in brokering the meeting and welcomed the news - and also the extension of consultation over the plans until July 4. Cllr Earl said: 'Given how extensive these proposals are, I can fully understand why there is so much interest from the community so I am delighted that FLS agreed to extend the consultation period and agree to a meeting with interested parties. 'I look forward to this being a constructive opportunity for concerns to be addressed.' An FLS spokesman said 'Although the law requiring the removal of diseased larch within a timebound period does not require that the usual pre-felling checks are carried out, we nevertheless act in accordance with the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004, and use a number of measures to protect raptor and other species during our operations. 'In this instance, we have sought to minimise the potential impacts on wildlife by, as far as is possible, limiting the area of mature forest being removed, proposing the use of thinning and 'keyholing' techniques to minimise tree loss and, where we can, retain non-larch stands in excess of c.45 years of age. 'Where neither option is open to us we will continue to work with stakeholders, including NatureScot and the Central Scotland Raptor Study Group, to find other ways to minimise and mitigate the impacts on populations of priority and protected species.'
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Starmer admits he 'deeply regrets' his 'island of strangers' immigration remark
Keir Starmer said he and his advisors were unaware of similarities between his words and Enoch Powell's vile Rivers of Blood speech - saying he said it hours after his family home was targeted by arsonists Keir Starmer has said he "deeply regrets" warning the UK was at risk of becoming an "island of strangers". The PM made the remark in a press conference just hours after his family home was attacked by arsonists. The words sparked a fierce backlash amid comparisons to notorious Tory racist Enoch Powell, who said white people were set to become 'strangers in their own country' in 1968. In an interview with The Observer, Mr Starmer said he would not have used the phrase if he or his advisors were aware of the similarities. He said using the words "wasn't right" and conceded: "I'll give you the honest truth: I deeply regret using it.' The PM admitted he should have read through the speech more carefully and 'held it up to the light a bit more' before delivering it. He said he was "really, really worried" after the arson attack, and his wife Vic was "really shaken up" - prompting him to consider calling the press conference off. READ MORE: Tory MP launches astonishing attack on Kemi Badenoch after staggering Commons blunder He said he just wanted to "get back" to his loved ones as quickly as he could as he unveiled a white paper setting out plans to drive down net migration. The PM recounted: "It's fair to say I wasn't in the best state to make a big speech." But he said the fault was his own, stating: "I wouldn't have used those words if I had known they were, or even would be interpreted as an echo of Powell." The PM also accepted there were 'problems with the language' in his foreword to an immigration white paper which said the high level of arrivals had done "incalculable damage" to the country. In the days that followed the PM was accused of making "shameful" remarks. Labour peer Alf Dubs, who fled the Nazis as a child, said: "I'm unhappy that we have senior politicians who use language which is reminiscent of Powell, and I'm sorry that Keir Starmer used some of the phrases that you've just quoted.' Three men have been charged over the attack on the PM's family home in North London, which was being rented by the PM's sister-in-law and her partner. Mr Starmer said it could have been a "different story' if his wife's sister had not been awake and able to call the fire brigade. Ukrainian nationals Petro Pochynok and Roman Lavrynovych, as well as Ukrainian-born Romanian national Stanislav Carpiuc are accused of conspiring to endanger life. In the days before the attack on the PM's family home, a flat he had previously lived at and a car close to his home were also targeted.
Axios
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Axios
Scoop: Highly anticipated Italian restaurant to open in Uptown next month
Spaghett will open in Uptown's Fourth Ward on Friday, July 11, chef-owner Sam Hart shared exclusively with Axios. Why it matters: First announced in 2023, the new pasta and cocktail house is one of Charlotte's most anticipated restaurants. Reservations open today. Dig in: Located in the former Poplar Tapas & Wine spot, Spaghett will specialize in classic Italian dishes and handmade pastas. Mainstays include cacio e pepe and tiramisu, according to Unpretentious Palate. Local produce is central to the restaurant's mission, so expect a rotating menu crafted by chef Kendall Moore. Top Charlotte mixologist Amanda Britton will use local ingredients, including spirits, for the cocktail menu. Small plates will range between $14-$15, pastas will be $20 or cheaper and entrees will be priced in the mid-$20s to upper-$30s. "At the end of the day, it's going to be a neighborhood restaurant first, and we want to make sure that we are accessible to everyone that is in the neighborhood around us," Hart tells Axios. Zoom out: Hart, a James Beard Award finalist, also owns Counter-, an immersive tasting menu restaurant in Wesley Heights. Eventually, Hart hopes to offer a fixed-price tasting menu option at Speghett. To start, everything will be à la carte. Counter- sommelier Michael Myers will be Spaghett's beverage manager. The restaurant will offer Italian wines and other Italian varietals from U.S. winemakers. The vibe: The home/restaurant comprises three dining rooms, one of which can be closed and converted into a private dining room for 12-14 guests. Each room has a distinct wallpaper and feel. The bar, which is in its own room to the left of the entrance, has a cool, old-school vibe. When the restaurant opens, you can expect to hear Italian House music through the speakers, Britton said. Eventually, a private dining room upstairs will open, seating up to 14 people. Once temperatures cool off, the restaurant's patio will open for reservations. Flashback: Spaghett is located inside a 1900 Queen Anne-style home once owned by descendants of Davidson College's founding president, Robert Hall Morrison, according to The Observer. In 2022, four members of the Friends of Fourth Ward neighborhood association purchased the 124-year-old home, The Observer reported at the time. Between the lines: In addition to repairs, Hart and his team had to adhere to the historical house code. "We had to do a massive overhaul of the electrical ... completely redo the crawl space and basement to prevent flooding ... even the hot water heater had to be changed," they said. What's next: Spaghett will open Thursday through Monday from 5-10pm. Eventually, it'll serve brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Perth Now
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Dita Von Teese felt 'really uncomfortable' at wedding to Marilyn Manson
Dita Von Teese felt "really uncomfortable" on her wedding day. The 52-year-old burlesque star wed Marilyn Manson in November 2005 but they split a year later and though she was pleased the celebrations gave her a reason to get all her loved ones together, she admitted the whole spectacle "felt like a show" and she has no idea to marry again as a result. Dita - who has been in a relationship with Adam Rajcevich since 2014 - told The Observer magazine: "My wedding [to Marilyn Manson] felt like a show. It was a fun party, and I loved gathering family and friends, but the whole day was a performance. "I felt really uncomfortable. I don't feel the need to ever do it again." Dita believes one of the keys to happiness is to be "open" about needs and wants within a relationship, even if they are "unusual". She said: "Find people who share your interests, or at least be brave enough to tell your partner you're into something that's unusual. I love it when I meet people who are open about what they want, as long as it's consensual, of course." Dita is proud her burlesque career has continued for so long and as long as she remains in demand, she has no plans to give it up. She said: "I'll continue doing burlesque as long as I'm enjoying it and people want to see me. I'm 52, and my Las Vegas show is still sold out four nights a week, 100 shows a year. The universe will decide when I stop, whether I like it or not." The former Masked Dancer contestant is currently performing in London and admitted she has been contemplating a full-time move to the UK in the wake of the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year. She said: "After the LA fires I'm thinking of moving to Britain. I know the weather's not great, but I love the green space and the quiet. I can see myself living in the English countryside."
Hamilton Spectator
19-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Home Hardware expands its farm-related products catalogue
Seeing a gap in the agriculture market, St. Jacobs-based Home Hardware this week launched a campaign to become Canada's choice for farm supplies. The company's new 'farm assortment catalogue,' available as of today (Thursday) expands the number of related products, the likes of livestock feed, stall mats, fencing, feed pans, buckets, welding wire, and farming attire. In addition, Home Hardware has added a farming supplies page to its website, making items accessible to Canadian farmers shopping online. Scott Bennett, director, merchandise strategy & execution at Home Hardware, told The Observer that it brings together more than just an expanded list of products. 'We're trying to get a bit more sophisticated as well. We've built different QR codes right into the catalogue, where it helps you shop better or tells you more about the category or product.' One example from the catalogue demonstrates a story from a customer who converted their old shed into a chicken coop. Bennett said the goal is for this project and others that appear in the catalogue to provide inspiration to readers. The catalogue has items both for active farmers and for rural lifestyle living. With the growing push for food security and more and more people growing their own food, this catalogue can be great for those needs as well, he added 'I think one of the biggest benefits for our customers and our dealers right away is just opening up that accessibility for our customers and to have Home Hardware as a good source and channel for all those products and those needs in the market.' The new catalogue actually draws on a similar one Home Hardware produced years ago. 'I actually had a couple of employees dig up some of the old farm catalogues. And sure enough, back in the day, we used to produce a farm-specific catalogue,' said Bennett. 'So, the idea came [together] pretty quickly, because we [said], 'Look, we've done this before and know how to do this. We've done this before, and we have to make it come to life by highlighting some of the new assortments and new products that we've been working on.'' The new additions in the catalogue, along with the existing farm-related products, brings the list to about 400 items the company's agriculture section. 'Is it perfect? Probably not, but I think we've taken a really good approach to expanding in the right areas, and we'll continue to evaluate our assortments to ensure that we're striving to have best-in-class assortments going forward,' added Bennett. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
