Latest news with #Barrhead
CTV News
3 days ago
- CTV News
Emaciated and orphaned Alberta bear cub released back into the wild
A cub taken in by the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (left) was released into the wild the same day a new bear (right) was addmitted for care. (AIWC handout) Officials at an Alberta animal rescue organization say an emaciated black bear cub found wandering alone last year has been released back into the wild. The cub was spotted near the town of Barrhead on Dec. 9, 2024. Once taken to the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) in Madden, staff weighed him and discovered he was just 15 kilograms (33 pounds) – about the third of the size of a healthy cub his age. On Tuesday, the organization announced that after 176 days in its care, the bear was rehabilitated. Staff suspect the cub's mother had been killed and afterward, he was unable to gain the weight needed to undergo hibernation. Before his release, he gained more than 38 kilograms (84 pounds), eventually weighing in at 53 kilograms (117 pounds). AIWC bear cub A cub spotted near the town of Barrhead, Alta., on Dec. 9, 2024, was taken in by the Alberta Institute for Wildlife Conservation. (AIWC) He was released back into the wild by Alberta Environment and Protected Areas on June 3. The animal rescue organization says the day the orphaned black bear was released, coincidentally, another young cub was admitted. 'This young cub, estimated to be just four months old, was found alone and malnourished near Whitecourt,' the organization said in an email. The bear will remain in the facility's care until her release in the fall.
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Primary school in 'sectarian' Union Jack row after headteacher suggests flag is 'potentially offensive'
A primary school headteacher has been forced to apologise after a letter to parents suggested the Union Flag could be 'sectarian'. Cross Arthurlie Primary School, in Barrhead, Renfrewshire, found itself at the centre of an extraordinary row yesterday after its headteacher sent parents a letter which appeared to insinuate the Union Flag was 'potentially offensive'. In a note, Fiona MacDonald told her Primary Seven pupils parents that the 'use of the union flag with staff images on caused some upset' and that the school was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'. The letter caused uproar as MSPs hit out at the school letter, with East Renfrewshire Council and the headteacher apologising for 'any offence and upset that has been caused'. Russell Findlay, leader of the Scottish Conservatives, branded the letter 'daft' and said: 'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. 'This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies. 'After 18 years of the SNP trashing Scotland's once world-leading schools, you might think they'd be focused on improving educational standards.' Meanwhile, Scots Tory MSP Jackson Carlaw said he was 'both angry and concerned' the official letter 'suggested the use of the Union flag amounts to 'sectarian messaging'.' The Eastwood MSP said: 'Let me be clear - to equate the Union Flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland. 'Our national flag is not up for debate - it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' The row, which now overshadows the end of term, was ignited by Mrs MacDonald's letter sent on June 12. Writing to P7 families, she thanked them for going to a leavers' event the night before and said the 'children looked fantastic and had a great time'. But the letter goes on: 'Unfortunately, the use of the Union Flag with staff images on caused some upset at the beginning of the evening. 'As a school we promote inclusion and acceptance, actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging. 'Although we recognise this was not the intent, we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that this is something we would encourage. 'I have spoken with the children about it this morning explaining why it wasn't a good idea: Using images without permission; the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people; their actions which were contrary to the school values of respect and kindness. 'I hope this helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations.' The local authority yesterday issued a statement insisting: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union Flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. 'We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Union flag is ‘potentially sectarian', teacher tells parents
A primary headteacher in Scotland has apologised after suggesting the Union flag is 'potentially offensive or sectarian' in a letter to parents. A group of P7 pupils and their parents brought two Union flags to the school in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, for a special event. But Dr Fiona MacDonald, Cross Arthurlie primary school's headteacher, said that the use of the flags in conjunction with images of staff had 'caused some upset at the beginning of the evening'. In a letter to the pupils' families, she said the school's commitment to 'inclusion' meant that it was 'actively working against potentially offensive or sectarian messaging'. She expressed concern that the 'others within or beyond the school community may consider that is something we would encourage'. Dr MacDonald also said she had spoken to the children, explaining why using the Union flag 'wasn't a good idea' and why their actions had been 'contrary to the school values of respect and kindness'. However, the letter caused outrage when it was published on social media, prompting the headteacher and East Renfrewshire council to apologise. The council is run by a minority Labour administration. Russell Findlay, the Scottish Tory leader, said: 'East Renfrewshire council's apology for this daft letter is welcome, but further conversations should take place to establish why such material was deemed acceptable in the first place. 'For a school to tell parents that our country's flag is 'offensive or sectarian' is ludicrous and embarrassing. This is what happens when the SNP spends years pushing its petty nationalist agenda in our schools, councils and other public bodies. 'After 18 years of the SNP trashing Scotland's once world-leading schools, you might think they'd be focused on improving educational standards.' Jackson Carlaw, the MSP for Eastwood in Renfrewshire and a former Scottish Tory leader, tweeted that he was 'angry and concerned' by Dr MacDonald's letter. He said: 'Let me be clear – to equate the Union flag with sectarianism is totally unacceptable and deeply offensive to people both locally and across Scotland.' Mr Carlaw added: 'Our national flag is not up for debate – it is a symbol of our tradition, unity as a nation and hope for so many.' Dr MacDonald wrote to the parents last Thursday following a 'P7 leavers' event for children moving from primary to secondary school and their families. She said she had spoken that morning to the pupils about why they should not have used the Union flag at the event, explaining the 'symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people.' The headteacher said she hoped this 'helps everyone understand where mistakes have been made and we can move on enjoying the rest of the end of term celebrations'. An East Renfrewshire council spokesman said: 'It was not the school's intention to imply the Union flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologise for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community. 'All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society. We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Council apologises after primary school union flag row
A council has apologised after a primary school wrote to parents saying the appearance of union flags at a leavers' event could have been seen as "offensive or sectarian".The head teacher of Cross Arthurlie Primary School in Barrhead said flags featuring pictures of staff, which had been brought to the event by primary 7 pupils, "caused some upset".Senior Scottish Conservatives criticised the letter on social media and demanded an apology. East Renfrewshire Council later said it was not the "school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian". Head teacher Fiona MacDonald wrote to parents after the leavers' event on letter said "the use of the union flag with staff images on had caused considerable upset at the beginning of the night".It added the school worked against "potentially offensive or sectarian messaging".Ms MacDonald said: "Although we recognise this was not the intent we are concerned that others within or beyond the school community may consider that is something we would encourage." The headteacher explained she had spoken to the children to "explain why it wasn't a good idea" to use images without permission and to explain "the symbolism and association of flags and symbols to different groups of people". Conservative politicians from East Renfrewshire, including former Scottish party leader Jackson Carlaw, had demanded an apology for the implication in the letter that the union flag itself was Conservative leader Russell Findlay posted: "Our country's flag is not 'offensive or sectarian'."A council spokesperson said: "It was not the school's intention to imply the union flag is sectarian and both the head teacher and the council apologises for any offence and upset that has been caused to pupils, parents and carers and the wider community."All educational establishments in East Renfrewshire should be spaces that are focused on learning, unity, and pride in a diverse British society."We expect our schools to foster an ethos of respect for diverse perspectives and national identity."
The Herald Scotland
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Barrhead Travel to post record result as people 'book human'
Key events have included a change in ownership at Barrhead in 2018, which saw the family-owned company sell up to US-based Travel Leaders Group (now part of Internova Travel Group), and her own rise to the top of an organisation she joined as a trainee. However, while the ubiquity of the internet means many people now book holidays online, Dobson said what has not changed is the appetite of consumers for advice from reputable travel agents. 'That demand is still there,' she told The Herald Business HQ Monthly. 'I think what has changed in the industry is definitely technology. 'Obviously, the internet was a huge thing back when it launched. Barrhead was one of the first agencies to adopt this. We launched our first website in 1999. When I first started you would phone operators and suppliers to book holidays. Now with the click of a button you have your flights there, your accommodation options, your cruise options. Everything is a lot more accessible. 'Also, the product has really changed. There is lots available for customers. Before you would maybe have to travel down to Manchester or London from Scotland to access flights. The accessibility is so much better. There are so many more flights now out of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and Dundee. 'And people are becoming a lot more adventurous. When I first started out, it was only the minority who went on holiday. Now the majority of people I would say look forward to that annually, if not several times a year.' Read more: Dobson added: 'How we look after our people is a real focus now. I have really embraced that. If you look after your people, you look after your customers and also the business. Having a happy workplace is really essential to make business work.' Much of the Barrhead workforce continues to operate in store, with the company now running 90 outlets throughout the UK. The majority of holidays sold by the firm, which has 565 directly employed staff and 1,000 in total when self-employed consultants and franchise members are included, take place in-store, despite the convenience of the internet. 'Our website is more of a shop window,' Dobson said. 'You can book online. Maybe about 10% of customers book online. People search on the website then actually come into store for booking. They do their research first of all. 'We have invested quite a lot in our website and will continue to invest, but more so from an information perspective, not from an online booking perspective. But if people choose to book online, the facility is there.' She also emphasised the importance of customers being able to count on Barrhead's deeply knowledgeable staff, which includes teams of specialists for different destinations. 'We train our people. We send them out to resorts so they can see the hotels, they can experience the restaurants, they can take the trips, so that we can recommend different excursions and things to the consumer,' Dobson said. 'People generally want a bit of advice.' Barrhead's ability to serve customers has been greatly enhanced since becoming part of Internova, one of the biggest travel companies in the US with more than 100,000 advisers on its books. (Image: Barrhead Travel) Barrhead president Jacqueline Dobson with managing director Nikki Tempest-Mitchell and members of the team Dobson, whose role was expanded recently to include responsibility for four businesses in the US, said being part of such a big company gives Barrhead access to more products, better pricing, superior technology and investment, all of which has powered the roll-out of Barrhead stores south of the Border. Further store openings are planned. 'We are 'book human',' she said. 'Obviously, the high street has had issues but we want physical stores, whether that is in shopping centres, retail parks or the high street. 'We have a commitment to opening more stores.' While many households continue to come under pressure from the cost of living, Dobson said people are still prioritising holidays over other forms of discretionary expenditure, as underlined by recent major surveys from PwC and Barclays. This continues a trend that first became evident in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Read more: 'People are definitely ring-fencing their holiday spend,' she said. 'They are also booking their main holidays further ahead than ever before. 'People work so hard now that time with their families is precious. We see multi-generational families booking a lot more as well – grandparents, mum and dad and the children. 'A lot of people are time-poor and a holiday is a great way of being able to spend time with your loved ones. 'For instance, you can get a cruise for everybody. These kinds of holidays bring people together at meal times. 'They maybe do their own thing during the day but in the evenings they will come together and enjoy spending time together. 'I just think people are really time-poor and trying to spend as much time with each other as they possibly can, especially after Covid.' Cruises have become an extremely popular way of holidaying among Barrhead's customers in recent years, and now account for around one third of its bookings. 'What is really emerging now is river cruising,' Dobson said. 'That has really taken up popularity. There are so many more new ships being built and coming on board. It is really popular. 'River cruising is definitely an emerging market for us.' She added: 'The Danube is really popular and some of the other rivers in Europe, but also, the Mekong [in Asia] is really an up-and-coming destination for river cruising. 'These smaller boats can get into places the larger vessels can't.' Dobson observed Scots are increasingly adventurous in their choice of holidays, too, and highlighted India, Japan, Kenya and South Africa among the most sought-after destinations. 'People want to experience things more,' she said. 'Our touring and adventure business has increased by 25% this year over 2024. It is mainly destinations such as Japan, India, Kenya and South Africa. 'These are the destinations that are up and coming for touring and adventure. In South Africa people will maybe spend some time in Cape Town and then go on to a safari. Japan is an up-and-coming destination as well – we have seen a real spike in bookings for Japan.' Given the positive trends reported by Barrhead, it is no surprise the company is on course for another record-breaking year. Customers are already booking for 2026, taking advantage of the opportunity to stagger the cost of holidays via regular direct debit payments, Dobson noted. This allows people to spread the cost of holidays over 10, 12 or 14-month periods. However, Dobson believes more should be done at the government level in order to support the industry. In particular, she argues the Scottish Government should be helping high-street businesses such as travel agents and highlights the contrast with England where the retail and hospitality sectors are continuing to receive rates relief. 'I do think the Government needs to look at the high street and how we can regenerate it,' she said. 'Travel agents, charity shops and coffee shops really prop up, in my opinion, the high street – and that's not retail parks or shopping centres, that's the high street in general. And I do think there is a lot more it can do in terms of rates. 'We are really at a disadvantage to our counterparts in England.' Dobson also believes ministers must do more to broaden the provision of educational courses to train young people for entering the industry, and for the apprenticeship levy to be reformed, noting that many companies pay more than they receive in return in terms of accessing funding for the training of apprentices. She would like to have an apprentice in every Barrhead Travel store.
