Latest news with #Geoff
Daily Mirror
8 hours ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Citroen - News, views, pictures, video
'We tested the best automatic cars on sale in the UK and one model stood out' Cars 'There was £1million in my unlocked car for months and I had no idea' Lottery winners Rolls Royce PLC Weather Dangerous driving Protests Woman says 'heart is in bits' after twin sister dies in crash before their 19th birthday Car crashes Stalker and his mum set up 'operation spycam' WhatsApp group to terrorise woman for seven weeks WhatsApp Car crashes Couple forking out £650 a month for electric van haven't driven it in 7 months Electric cars Vauxhall boss warns Brexit could kill car industry - as plant may be set to close Jobs Parking warning as woman fined over broken meter - and she even left a friendly note Parking tickets 'Incensed' grandad travels to Ukraine FOUR times to donate aid and plans to go again Russia Ukraine war Unstoppable Citroen is still on the road with nearly a million miles on the clock Cars Girl, 17, dies in front of dad as car smashes into wall when she started engine Inquests opinion From Russia with love: Geoff tries out Soviet machines almost as old as he is Motorbikes Savvy student couple save thousands living in van to dodge expensive university rent Students Citroen 'Lifelong friends', both 20, killed in horror crash on way home from Christmas shopping Cheshire Police Dad fined £273 for 'genuine mistake' of falling 20p short of parking ticket Car parks Court case
The National
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The National
I knew I needed Sir Geoff Palmer in my documentary instantly
Little did either of us realise that we would be meeting numerous times in that location over the next five years and how the footage we would create would have such an impact. I was on a mission. As a Scottish-Persian filmmaker, whose family members had experienced racism, and witnessing the damaging impact of countries being colonised, I wanted Scotland to own up to its past. I had been meeting numerous inspirational people in Scotland who knew about Scotland's links to transatlantic slavery, who were reaching out to the public in many ways. READ MORE: How Niamh Jobson's life is inspiring bone cancer treatment fundraising But it was still not mainstream. I wanted Sir Geoff in my documentary because he was excellent at communicating his wealth of knowledge about slavery in a personable way. But I soon found out from attending his lectures that his skill came at a cost. Geoff emailed me after a lecture saying 'on the night someone stabbed my back tyre … £216 later I don't mind, the response at the lecture was worth it.' At a similar time to meeting Sir Geoff I also met Adam Ramsay, a journalist who had submitted a petition to Edinburgh City Council. Adam was challenging the brief inscription on the Melville Monument that had no mention of Henry Dundas's impact on Britain's transatlantic slave trade. Sir Geoff had been lecturing about British generals and politicians linked to slavery including Dundas. I knew if I told Geoff about Adam's petition and connected them up there could be the potential of a good story. I was right. Geoff and Adam clicked, the dream team was formed and filming began. What I then witnessed was that the depth of Geoff's knowledge of Dundas would go to stratospheric levels due to his amazing aptitude for focus, his enviable intellect and his unbelievable persistence that was needed to make change. This is what made this a Bafta-winning documentary. There were so many highs and lows, long lulls of no action and by 2020 a stalemate. Then there was the murder of George Floyd. The frustration Sir Geoff felt about this stalemate and Floyd's murder pushed him to make his seminal speech at Holyrood Park in the summer of 2020 and action was finally taken. What I really appreciated was the trust and faith Geoff had in me, an emerging filmmaker, as I filmed him time and again. The initial footage we did was for YouTube and socials. There was a time I interviewed him and realised that the Costa Coffee signage was in the background. After apologising profusely and asking for a re-interview he accepted it graciously and agreed to drive back to Edinburgh from Penicuik. Our trust and bond developed over time. He opened up about his cancer when I witnessed him experiencing side effects during filming. I let him know about my father, also battling cancer, and we realised they were attending the same hospital. Admiration for Geoff continued as he excelled and revelled in high-pressure situations I set up, such as the group debate I created for Channel 4 News in 2018 where Sir Geoff, Adam Ramsay, Bobby Dundas, and Michael Fry attended. These were the four people battling it out about the inscription at council meetings and they were now battling it out on screen. READ MORE: 'Naked and Unashamed' cements Nan Shepherd's place in Scotland's literary canon As his cancer developed by 2022, he still managed to attend a screening and Q&A at Edinburgh Filmhouse despite his obvious side-effects. The broadcast of the first Channel 4 News film on the Dundas debate had a big impact in Scotland and the interest in Dundas and Scotland's slavery past started widening. This interest kept building as more journalists covered the story. It also sparked a petition on Dundas in Canada. Sir Geoff was starting to reach a bigger audience with a massive uplift in social media followers. This kept going. I produced another Channel 4 News film in 2020 and then the BBC broadcast my one-hour documentary Scotland, Slavery And Statues numerous times from October 2020. After these broadcasts, Sir Geoff chuckled to me about how many were speaking to him in the streets and supermarket in Penicuik. He was becoming a household name. Another serendipitous outcome for me was that Sir Geoff's son Ralph noticed my name on the end credits and realised there was a family connection. I have focused on Sir Geoff's involvement with the Melville Monument and the legacy of the new plaque and its educational benefits for those who visit it. But in parallel to this we all know the many other causes he has been involved in, the organisations and charities he has been part of, the people he has helped, the awards he has been given. It is outstanding. I was in awe of his levels of energy and drive and this was while he was battling cancer. He was a powerhouse that has left an amazing legacy. Geoff asked me to keep sharing footage I took of him to keep his message going and to keep educating and this I will do. In his final message to me he said: 'It was a delight to work with you, and you should take pride in your award … you gave a fair stand to us all to bring Scotland's honest history of slavery to Scotland' and I responded saying 'it was your grit and persistence that played a big role in making the documentaries successful…' Rest in Peace Sir Geoff. Condolences to Sir Geoff's family. Parisa Urquhart is a Bafta-winning documentary maker. Scotland, Slavery And Statues can be watched here in tribute to Sir Geoff.
The Courier
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Courier
T in the Park founder Geoff Ellis on his love of Dundee, missing Balado and making business fun
Scottish music legend Geoff Ellis has a strong affinity with Dundee. It was in the City of Discovery that DF Concerts first flourished, with Geoff putting on shows at Fat Sam's and Bar Chevrolet with founder Stuart Clumpas. And Courier Country is where DF's T in the Park festival would expand into the world-renowned behemoth it became on the fields of Balado in Kinross. So, it is fitting Geoff will take centre stage at this year's Courier Business Conference as keynote speaker. This month's event takes place at Chris van der Kuyl's ground-breaking The Big Real at Water's Edge — a £9 million Hollywood-standard production studio. The conference is once again held in partnership with Henderson Loggie, with the theme of powering Scotland's creative economy. Geoff's company DF put on concerts in Dundee in the 80s, and he fondly recalls those early shows at Fatties and Chevy's — a 50s-style diner complete with an American muscle car built into its walls. He said: 'I feel a connection with Dundee as well, because the company started there, up in Denhead of Gray. It's where Stuart Clumpas formed the business.' 'Somebody wiser than me once said, 'if you do something you enjoy for a living, you'll never work for a day in your life'. 'But I think the fun comes from you enjoying what you do. 'And there's aspects of what you do when you're running an entertainment business, or a creative business, that can be fun as well. 'Because you work with a team of people who, by nature, are fairly creative, fairly inspirational and then you all gel together and that helps make work — even the boring stuff — enjoyable. 'That's because you're working with a team of people who have a spark and an enthusiasm for what they're doing. 'Nobody who works in the company doesn't like live music and events — they all love it. 'So while there might be aspects of the job that are not exciting, like with any job you have to pay the bills, raise invoices, deal with admin… there's plenty of enjoyable aspects of it as well.' T in the Park enjoyed its most successful years at Balado. It moved from Glasgow to the disused Kinross airfield in 1997, where it stayed until 2014. In that time, everyone from Oasis to Beyonce came to the festival. The festival was held for two years at Strathallan, in Perthshire, in 2015 and 2016, and was 'retired' by DF Concerts to make way for TRNSMT and Summer Sessions. How people attend festivals has changed in recent years, Geoff points out, not helped by global events like the Covid-19 pandemic. A shift in what people want from their music and gig experiences has contributed towards this too, he adds, as well as having to leave their beloved Balado site. When asked if he missed putting on Scotland's largest festival, T in the Park, at Balado, Geoff said: 'Oh yes! I think we always will and we look back very fondly. 'The most successful years T in the Park had were at Balado. 'It was a great event. There's a great community in Kinross and Milnathort, who really supported the event from day one 'I mean, everything has its day and it's really regrettable we were forced to move from the site and it was never quite the same once we had moved. 'That's not to say we'd still be going had we stayed on the site, but it was a perfect festival site and we had many great years there. 'I think the days of having 10 or 12 stages is probably not what people want so much these days. 'Tastes have changed a little bit, they want to see more of their favourite artists and want longer sets. 'And people like being at an event in the city too. They like having somewhere to go afterwards now.' Geoff agreed to be involved with The Courier's Business Conference after speaking with long-time friend Chris van der Kuyl. He and Chris, one of the city's leading lights in games design through his involvement with Minecraft, had discussed working together for a while. Geoff will share unique insights gathered from 40 years 'and counting' in the creative industry. 'Dundee is a great city, a creative city, with all of its design and history,' he said. 'And more recently, its gaming achievements, which obviously Chris has been at the forefront of. 'For me, I think it's important that you put something back in as well. 'I've been fortunate enough to have a career for a few decades and I'm not giving up any time soon. 'It's a privilege to work in the creative industries and we need to sell the creative industries to younger generations and help them be regarded as serious businesses. 'I think we're quite often viewed as people just having fun. When you see people like Chris, it's hard to deny he always seems to be having fun, but there is a serious business element to what we all do in the creative industries. 'Whether that's running a venue, being an author, a designer, or whether it's putting on concerts and festivals.' Held on June 24, The Courier Business Conference 2025 brings together pioneers of gaming, music, fashion, design, media, and digital innovation to explore the future of one of Scotland's fastest-growing sectors. Dundee games entrepreneur and Water's Edge owner Chris van der Kuyl will talk about the new virtual production facility and explain why it will draw businesses to the city. As the co-owner of 4J Studios, which helped make Minecraft a global phenomenon, he will also give his views on the games and tech sector. Jade Robertson, owner of Perthshire business Little Lies, which counts Taylor Swift among its customers, and Livehouse boss Angus Robb will also present to the captive audience on their experience as business leaders in Tayside. The Courier's editor David Clegg will chair a panel discussion featuring local businesses on 'monetising creativity in Scotland'. The conference runs from 8.15am to 2pm. Tickets are still available through the conference website
Scotsman
13-06-2025
- General
- Scotsman
Sir Geoff Palmer: John Swinney, Heriot-Watt University principal lead tributes to 'courageous voice'
John Swinney has been amongst admirers who have paid tribute to esteemed academic Sir Geoff Palmer, following his death aged 85. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... He has been remembered as an 'inspiration' and a 'pioneer', a 'courageous voice for justice and equality'. Tributes flooded in for Sir Geoff Palmer, one of Scotland's best-known academics who was the country's first black professor, following his death on Wednesday at the age of 85. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The professor was long associated with Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, serving as chancellor and professor emeritus for many years. He was also a prominent public figure in other fields, recently reviewing the legacy of slavery and colonialism in the Scottish capital. Sir Geoff Palmer when he was appointed to the Order of the Thistle by King Charles III. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire The university hailed him as a 'trailblazer and inspiration within higher education and in wider society', while First Minister John Swinney described the academic as 'a pioneer and an outstanding intellectual'. Sir Geoff is survived by his wife Margaret, their three children, and grandchildren. His family have asked for privacy 'at this difficult time". Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Born in Jamaica in 1940, Sir Geoff moved to London aged 14 as part of the Windrush generation. He came to Edinburgh in the 1960s, where he completed a Phd in grain science and technology. His developments in the field went on to be adopted by some of the largest breweries in the UK. Academic and human rights campaigner Sir Geoff Palmer. | Lisa Ferguson In 1989 he became Scotland's first black professor as he began a teaching role at Heriot-Watt, which continued until 2005. Sir Geoff returned to the institution as a professor emeritus and later as chancellor in 2021. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He was knighted in 2014 for services to human rights, science and charity, and last year he was appointed to the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's greatest order of chivalry. As well as being a scientist, Sir Geoff was an outspoken advocate of human rights and racial equality. He wrote several articles and books exploring these topics and pushed for education around Scotland's past roles in colonialism and slavery. In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, City of Edinburgh Council commissioned an independent review group to examine its historic links with slavery in the public realm. Sir Geoff led the group and his report made ten recommendations, including ordering a 'significant' new public artwork and 're-presenting' buildings and places, which have historic links to slavery. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In 2022 he successfully campaigned for a plaque at the Court of Session commemorating the 1778 judgment of Knight v Wedderburn, which established that Scots law would not support slavery. He said at the time the plaque meant a 'tremendous amount' to him. Despite his years-long efforts to address racism, Sir Geoff did not advocate for the removal of statues and building names associated with historic slave owners and those connected to the trade, such as Viscount Dundas. He said: 'If you remove the evidence, you remove the deed.' Richard A Williams, principal of Heriot-Watt, led tributes to Sir Geoff. He said: 'Today marks a sad day for this university and for everyone who knew Sir Geoff. 'He was an inspiration not just to me, but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this university was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.'
Leader Live
13-06-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Tributes paid to ‘trailblazer' academic Sir Geoff Palmer after death aged 85
The professor was long associated with Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, serving as chancellor and professor emeritus for many years. He was also a prominent public figure in other fields, recently reviewing the legacy of slavery and colonialism in the Scottish capital. The university hailed him as a 'trailblazer and inspiration within higher education and in wider society', while Labour MSP Foysol Choudhury described him as a 'courageous voice for justice and equality'. Sir Geoff died on Wednesday. He is survived by his wife Margaret, their three children, and grandchildren. It is with great sadness that we share the news that our esteemed Chancellor and renowned humanitarian, Professor Emeritus Sir Geoff Palmer OBE, has died. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time. #HeriotWattUni @SirGeoffPalmer — Heriot-Watt University (@HeriotWattUni) June 13, 2025 Born in Jamaica in 1940, he moved to London aged 14 as part of the Windrush generation. He came to Edinburgh in the 1960s, where he completed a Phd in grain science and technology. His developments in the field went on to be adopted by some of the largest breweries in the UK. In 1989 he became Scotland's first black professor as he began a teaching role at Heriot-Watt which continued until 2005. Sir Geoff returned to the institution as a professor emeritus and later as chancellor in 2021. He was knighted in 2014 for services to human rights, science and charity, and last year he was appointed to the Order of the Thistle, Scotland's greatest order of chivalry. As well as being a scientist, Sir Geoff was an outspoken advocate of human rights and racial equality. He wrote several articles and books exploring these topics and pushed for education around Scotland's past roles in colonialism and slavery. In response to the Black Lives Matter movement, City of Edinburgh Council commissioned an independent review group to examine its historic links with slavery in the public realm. Sir Geoff led the group and his report made 10 recommendations, including ordering a 'significant' new public artwork and 're-presenting' buildings and places which have historic links to slavery. In 2022 he successfully campaigned for a plaque at the Court of Session commemorating the 1778 judgment of Knight v Wedderburn, which established that Scots law would not support slavery. He told the PA news agency at the time the plaque meant a 'tremendous amount' to him. Despite his years-long efforts to address racism, Sir Geoff did not advocate for the removal of statues and building names associated with historic slave owners and those connected to the trade, such as Viscount Dundas. He said: 'If you remove the evidence, you remove the deed.' Richard A Williams, principal of Heriot-Watt, led tributes to Sir Geoff. He said: 'Today marks a sad day for this university and for everyone who knew Sir Geoff. 'He was an inspiration not just to me but to colleagues past and present, and countless students around the world. His infectious enthusiasm and passion for education was impossible to ignore and this university was all the richer for having such a strong association with him over the years. 'He will be dearly missed, and our thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.' MSP Mr Choudhury said he was 'deeply saddened' at the news. He wrote on social media: 'He was not only a distinguished scientist and academic, but also a courageous voice for justice and equality. 'My sincere condolences to his family and all who knew and admired him. May his soul rest in peace.' Scottish First Minister John Swinney said: 'Sir Geoff Palmer was a pioneer and an outstanding intellectual. 'He had a hugely positive impact on Scotland and will be sorely missed. My sympathy to his family.' Scotland Office minister and Midlothian MP Kirsty McNeill described Sir Geoff as 'an innovator, campaigner and educator', adding: 'We were lucky to have someone of his extraordinary warmth and breadth of interest in Midlothian.'
