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Press and Journal
13-06-2025
- General
- Press and Journal
Community rallies to support Durno family after 'devastating' fire
An Aberdeenshire community has rallied round a family following a devastating fire at their home. Jenni Smith and Blair Tennant's family home in Durno, near Inverurie, went up in flames on Sunday afternoon. The family-of-six said they were 'heartbroken' to have lost their home and all of their belongings. But amid the tragedy, they have been 'overwhelmed' by the support shown to them by their local community. 'We are truly heartbroken and cannot put into words how upsetting this has been for us,' Jenni told The Press and Journal. 'Losing everything we own, including memories and keepsakes that can never be replaced is incredibly hard. 'We are still in compete shock. 'It has not quite sunk in yet how catastrophic it has been for us all. 'We are though overwhelmed with the support given to us from the residents of Durno, surrounding villages, the Inverurie community and most of all our family and friends.' Though she did not know the family personally, Durno resident Nicola Craigen decided to start a fundraiser to support them. Almost £6,000 has been donated so far. Jenni added: 'Nicola, whom we have never met before, kindly set up a GoFundMe page for our family. 'We are so grateful for that and the to the people who have generously donated money, clothes, toys and much more. 'We can't express how much this means to us. 'It's so humbling to know there are so many kind people out there.' Nicola came home on Sunday afternoon to find fire engines blocking the road and smoke rising from her neighbour's roof. It is understood the fire started in a van and quickly spread to the house, where the couple lived with children Blair, Kian, Meadow and Sunday-Maë. 'It was a terrible shock,' Nicola said. 'Once it took hold, it progressed quite quickly. 'The thing that struck me the most was the sound of all the smoke alarms going off. 'I thought of starting a Go Fund Me to help the family and cheer them up. 'It could happen to anyone.' Luckily, nobody was injured as a result of the fire but the young family have been forced to start over. As well as donations to the online fundraiser, neighbours and friends have dropped off clothes, toys and other essential items. Jenni added: 'We would like to especially thank our neighbours Susan and Willie Penny for their support on the day of the fire and since. 'They are the best neighbours anyone could wish for. 'Julie Nash and her family have also taken in donations at their house for us and looked after our dogs. 'We'd like to thank so many people for their kindness towards us at this difficult time.' The fire service dispatched four crews to the property at the weekend. A spokesperson said: 'We were alerted at 2.45pm on Sunday June 8 to reports of a house fire in Durno. 'We sent four appliances to the scene, where firefighters worked to extinguish a fire affecting the roof space. 'There were no reported casualties and crews left the scene after ensuring the area was made safe.' The family said they are still in shock after the blaze. 'We have a long road in front of us but most importantly we have each other and the best support from family and friends,' Jenni said.
Press and Journal
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
31 best pictures from NSA Highland Sheep day at Ardgay
Thousands of people descended on Midfearn Farm, in Ardgay, Easter Ross, for the National Sheep Association (NSA) Highland Sheep event. Visitors were able to tour the farm and take in breathtaking views of the Dornoch Firth and surrounding hills. Midfearm is run by the Brooke family and their farm is part of a 13,500-acre estate. estate. The NSA Highland Sheep event showcased the best of the industry, with a record entry of trade stands and a bumper programme of demonstrations and workshops arranged. Highlights included This Farming Life TV star John 'Beachy' Barclay and his sons, Cameron and Finlay, who demonstrated how to prepare sheep for either a show or sale. There was lots to see and do and Sandy McCook, photographer at The Press and Journal photographer, was there to capture the atmosphere.
Press and Journal
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Press and Journal
New Moray movie location revealed as preparations continue ahead of 'The Odyssey' filming
Another film set has appeared in Moray following reports that Hollywood blockbuster The Odyssey is to begin shooting in the area. Preparations for filming are currently taking place at a Moray woodland that suffered a major wildfire last month. Pictures show tents, trailers and specialist movie set toilets have been set up at Culbin Forest near Forres. It comes after The Press and Journal revealed images showing the construction of a set near Findlater Castle. It is now understood that crews are preparing the area at Culbin for part of the production, which is due to be released in July 2026. The area recently made headlines after firefighters fought a wildfire at the site for days to get it under control. Several hundred cast and crew are expected to travel to the area for filming. Notices within the car park state that there will be no public access to the Buckie Loch area between June 2 and July 25. The car park will also be closed from July 3 until July 16. Filming for the movie, which will star the likes of Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and Zendaya, started in Morocco earlier this year. Greece and the Italian island of Sicily have also been used as filming locations. Findlater Castle, which is located between Portsoy and Cullen, is currently off-limits to visitors between May 27 and July 25 due to 'private commercial activity', is expected to also feature in the movie. The Odyssey is predicted to be the most expensive film of Nolan's illustrious career, which includes the hit movie Oppenheimer. Although partly filmed in Scotland, the film dramatizes the journey of the ancient Greek king of Ithaca back home to his wife following the Trojan War that took place around the 12th or 13th Century. Read more: In pictures: Crews prepare for upcoming filming at Findlater Castle
The Courier
06-06-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Ninewells nurse fears her 'retirement has been robbed' after Raac discovered in Dundee home
A Ninewells nurse fears her 'retirement has been robbed' after her Dundee home was found to have Raac. Claire Hughes works as an auxiliary at the hospital and had been hoping to reduce her hours. But the 55-year-old is one of hundreds of homeowners across the city who has been informed their property was built using the potentially dangerous concrete. The discovery in her Whitfield Gardens home has left Claire in limbo. She said: 'I feel robbed of my retirement. 'It's like someone has just put a big wall in front of my life. 'We had plans but can we do them? We were going to do the house up and I was going to reduce my hours at work. 'But that's not an option anymore because we just don't know – we could maybe lose this house. 'Torry (in Aberdeen) got told their houses would not be getting demolished, but they are now.' Alongside our sister publication The Press and Journal, The Courier has launched our Trapped by Raac campaign to help those affected by the the issue. We're asking readers to sign this petition to give campaigners a voice at parliament. Claire bought her home, where she lives with her husband Chris, 11 years ago. But prior to the purchase she was never made aware that the property was built using Raac. 'I bought a bungalow because I work in the hospital and I see patients who get stuck there because they live in a semi', she said. 'Raac was never put on a surveyors report, concrete ceilings is what I got told. 'My son bought a house and on the report it said it may or may not contain asbestos. 'At least that gave him the choice to go research 'This is my forever house. I like my neighbours and I don't want to have to start over again in a new street.' Claire, who got married to Chris last month, added: 'It feels like your life is on hold, the uncertainty and not knowing. 'You're holding onto the money because you don't know if you will be here in two years time. 'We were planning on buying a campervan when we are mortgage free but we can't do that because we might need to invest that money to buy a new roof. 'Your whole outlook is different.' Raac is burgeoning crisis in Dundee, Monifieth and across Scotland. It was widely considered a cost effective alternative to standard material and was primarily used between the 1950s and the 1990s. However, concerns over its limited lifespan have prompted fears of structural collapses in extreme cases if water gets through cracks.
Press and Journal
06-06-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Counting down to the 2025 Aberdeen cHeRries Conference and Awards
The countdown is officially on for one of the most anticipated dates in Scotland's HR calendar – the 2025 cHeRries Conference and Awards. Some Press and Journal online content is funded by outside parties. The revenue from this helps to sustain our independent news gathering. You will always know if you are reading paid-for material as it will be clearly labelled as 'Partnership' on the site and on social media channels. This can take two different forms. This means the content has been paid for and produced by the named advertiser. This means the content has been paid for and approved by the named advertiser but written and edited by our own commercial content team. Taking place on Thursday June 12 at P&J Live in Aberdeen, this unmissable double-header event will once again shine a spotlight on the achievements, innovations and rising stars across HR, recruitment, training and organisational development. Brought to you by The Press and Journal, in association with Mattioli Woods, the cHeRries Conference will kick off the day. Expect inspiring conversations, expert-led sessions and powerful insights tailored for professionals looking to build thriving teams and successful workplace cultures. Details have been announced and it's safe to say the programme promises to inform, energise and connect. And as the sun sets, the spotlight will shift to the cHeRries Awards – a glittering evening of recognition, celebration and a touch of sparkle. Hosted once again by Jason Mohammad, the awards ceremony will bring together finalists from across the country for a night to remember. Jason says: 'I absolutely love hosting this event. It's one of my favourite nights of the year, celebrating incredible achievements across Scotland and of course, we have so much fun. Last year, we ended with a bit of a sing song to a Deacon Blue classic. Who knows how we will end this year's event? 'I wish everyone great success and hope they have a fantastic night.' With awards across a wide range of categories, the evening will honour those making a real difference in their organisations – from innovative recruiters and inspirational leaders to teams championing diversity, wellbeing and performance. There's still time to book your place and be part of this inspirational day and unforgettable evening. Join us in applauding the people behind the people – and help us make this year's cHeRries celebrations the best yet, so don't miss out!
