Latest news with #Mairi
Edinburgh Reporter
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – Mairi Campbell
Local musician, Mairi Campbell, will perform her Pendulum Trilogy for the first time ever at this year's Fringe. This will be the tenth anniversary since one part of the trilogy, Pulse, was first performed and will take place at The Scottish Storytelling Centre from 2 to 17 August. The music is a mix of autobiographical storytelling and live music from the Fringe First award-winner. The three chapters, which blend autobiographical storytelling with transformative live music and vocals, are: Pulse: A homecoming in viola, voice, movement and storytelling. First performed in 2015, this is Mairi's journey of musical discovery, from a stifling classical music education, to love and danger in Mexico and discovering her roots in Cape Breton, Canada. Auld Lang Syne: Mairi's adventures with Scotland's most famous song, which saw her own version used as the soundtrack to Sex and the City's iconic New Year's Eve scene. Delivered with her trademark wit and unparalleled musical ability, Auld Lang Syne weaves the history of Scotland's most enduring song with Mairi's personal journeys through the politics of childhood friendships, the challenges of romantic relationships and the highs and lows of success and failure. Living Stone: The final part of Mairi's journey begins with the discovery of a 400 year-old mill stone on her home island of Lismore. Mairi explores the stone's stories and mysteries, the images within it and some of the 100 drawings she made of it. Performed alongside the mill stone itself, Living Stone is a distinctive blend of live music and song with visual art. This rich, multi-sensory experience highlights the mystery and beauty of everyday life and won the prestigious Fringe First Award when it premiered at Edinburgh Fringe 2024. The three chapters can be enjoyed as individual stand-alone performances or as a complete trilogy, a rich reflection on the life and work of one of Scotland's most innovative artists. After studying classical viola at the Guildhall School of Music, Mairi has become an established member of Scotland's traditional music scene, pushing the boundaries with her soundings and use of free improvisation. An interpreter of Scots song, with David Francis, Mairi has contributed a significant number of songs to its current canon. She is a regular collaborator, playing with the Occasionals, a Scottish dance band, Mr. McFalls Chamber, Concerto Caledonia. She has received six Scots Trad Music Awards including the Inspiration Award in 2018 and has been inducted into the Hand Up for Trad 2019 Hall of Fame. She received the Live Ireland Music Awards for Best Female Musician of the Year and Best Composition of the Year. Mairi's version of Auld Lang Syne, with David Francis, was used in the pivotal New Year's Eve scene of the film Sex and the City. Mairi said: 'I'm very proud to present this body of work. It's been sweat, blood and tears, but the reward is gorgeous and I'm so enjoying the journey of showing them, now the hard work's been done. The three shows mark forty years – from ages 19 to 59. I'll be 60 during the run in August. 'Pulse takes the audience through the challenges of finding my feet – literally!- through traditional music in my twenties. Auld Lang Syne pulls back and yet forward. – a timeless song, unpacked and finally understood! Finally Living Stone is the journey of meeting my Talisman, the millstone that is present throughout all the shows. 'I've held onto my inner creative flame as best I could. At times it felt snuffed out but then the tiniest flicker in those moments of bleakness brought me back. This is the core of my creativity: making sure the flame doesn't go out. 'The Edinburgh Fringe is such a great opportunity to practice stagecraft. There aren't many places you can repeat something so often and get a really good creative workout. I couldn't have done it without my co-creators Kath Burlinson (director and co-creator) and Dave Gray, (co-composer). We've been on such a rich journey.' After the Fringe, Mairi will tour with performances of Living Stone. The Pendulum Trilogy Scottish Storytelling Centre, 2 – 17 August at 5pm 2 August Pulse 3 August Auld Lang Syne 4 August Living Stone 5 August Pulse 6 August Auld Lang Syne 7 August Living Stone 8 August Pulse 9 August Auld Lang Syne 10 August Living Stone 12 August Pulse 13 August Auld Lang Syne 14 August Living Stone 15 August Pulse 16 August Auld Lang Syne 17 August Living Stone Mairi Campbell Auld Lang Syne – Credit Julia Fayngruen Like this: Like Related
The Herald Scotland
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Herald Scotland
Family of Isla Sneddon demand review of urgent cancer referrals
Airdrie teenager Isla Sneddon was 17 when she died on March 2 after a six-month battle with cancer. Her family have told The Herald that if her symptoms were taken as seriously as adult breast cancer treatment, she may still be alive today. Isla sought help from her GP aged 14 over painful breast lumps, which were first ruled to be fibroadenoma - benign hormonal lumps - in July 2022. By June 2024, the pain had worsened and the lumps grew in size, with GPs placing an urgent referral for biopsies after cancer was suspected. Relatives said Isla's referral was downgraded by the breast clinic from "urgent" to "routine" that same month because her age meant she did not meet national guidelines. In Scotland, adults with an urgent referral must not wait more than 62 days for cancer scans. Read more: Isla's condition deteriorated further and by September 2024 - after intensive care and a 10-week stay at Glasgow's Golden Jubilee hospital - a sarcoma was discovered on the lining of her heart. Sarcomas are rare and fast-spreading forms of cancer, and doctors discovered Isla's cancer originated in her breast. By the time the discovery was made, it had spread to her heart, lymph nodes and lungs. Parents Mark and Michelle were told she had just six to 12 months to live. 'By the time they got to it, it was too late,' cousin Mairi McGee told The Herald. She has launched a petition on behalf of the family demanding the Scottish Government treats cancer suspicion in children with the same urgency as adult patients. 'We want to make clear that all of the care that Isla received from the doctors and nurses was fantastic,' she said. 'The problem we found was that if that referral in June had been placed on a doctor's desk without an age on it, and Isla was seen as urgent, then we could be in a really different place. 'Isla could still be here, she could have had longer.' Mairi added: "We just think the guidelines are wrong - it is totally crazy and should have been taken more seriously in June." Scotland has one of the highest mortality rates for under-18s in Western Europe, with approximately 45 infants, children and young people dying every year. The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland are being warned mandatory clinical standards must be introduced to stop more young lives being lost. Alongside the ask on urgent paediatric referrals, the family are asking for clear accountability and follow ups when referrals are delayed or downgraded, and training for clinicians to recognise early signs of cancer in children. The family also demand a "formal review into paediatric diagnostic delays" to "identify systemic failures". Mairi told The Herald her family are "devastated" at the loss of the "vibrant" teenager. "We can't see how we can possibly move on," she said. "It feels like we have been in limbo since the day she died. Read more: "This has been horrific. Even though Isla was given six to 12 months, we all had a lot of hope. "Isla was determined to the very end, putting on her wig and eyelashes when she got up in the morning. "She got six months and two days. Her mum and dad bought her prom dress and she was really looking forward to it but she is obviously not going to be there. "Isla was responding well to chemotherapy. She just took it all in her stride. "On the day that Isla died, we didn't expect her to die that day. She was unwell with a bit of a cough and doctors thought it may be viral but days later she died. "It was so quick and unexpected. We didn't expect to not walk back out of the hospital with her." Scottish Labour's deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie described the case as a "scandal". She said: "This is an utterly heartbreaking case and my thoughts are with Isla Sneddon's family. "It is a scandal that Isla and her family were so badly failed and lessons must be learned from this awful case to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost in this way." She added: "There must be a review into how cancer referrals for young people are handled so we can ensure people of all ages get the swift, lifesaving cancer treatment they need." Annie Wells, women's health minister for the Scottish Tories, said: 'My thoughts are with Isla Sneddon's family and friends who will be continuing to grieve losing her in such awful circumstances. 'No parent should have to endure the loss of a child after seeing them go through incredible pain. 'I am deeply concerned that her referral for a biopsy was downgraded simply because of her age. 'I support these calls from her family for mandatory standards to be introduced in relation to paediatric care to ensure that children are treated the same as adults and we never see a repeat of this tragic case.' A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Isla on their loss. 'The Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer have been developed to support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist. These guidelines have recently been reviewed with input from clinicians and cancer charities to ensure they are evidence based and help support early identification of cancer. 'To support this a new primary care cancer education platform – Gateway C – was launched on 30 April 2024 in NHS Scotland, supported by NHS Education for Scotland. Gateway C provides innovative, and tailored information to support earlier cancer diagnosis efforts and enable effective decision-making. 'This free online platform is accessible to all primary care clinicians including pharmacists, dentists, and optometrists.' The petition set up by Isla Sneddon's family can be accessed here.
STV News
25-05-2025
- Business
- STV News
Should councils have the power to tax cruise ships arriving in Scotland?
Businesses have weighed in on what impact a cruise ship levy would have as the Scottish Government's public consultation heads to closing date. The Scottish Government has opened public consultations on whether to give local authorities the power to impose a cruise ship passenger levy across Scottish ports. If approved, Scotland would be the first in the United Kingdom to have such a levy. This has sparked debate in Greenock, especially among business owners that used to benefit from the footfall of tourists before the terminal was moved. Mairi Coventry runs a knitting and souvenir shop off the high street in Greenock. She told STV News: 'The cruise ship passengers really gave me a boost in the summer of 2019 when I just opened my shop.' STV News Shop owner Mairi Coventry says footfall has decreased in recent years Mairi has put a map up her wall with pins on countries that people have come from all over the world to her shop, some as far as the northern tip of Russia. 'When they were using the container terminal for customers to come in, everybody walked on the main street. 'Now tourists come off a different area and they don't walk on the main street anymore and this has really hit businesses.' Even though the levy may be the final nail on the coffin for her businesses, Mairi is in support of the levy. Justina Mitchell who runs Café Mo'r suffered a similar fate. She too is in favour of the levy. 'If Inverclyde Council was getting the benefit from the money that was directly coming from these passengers and it was invested to keep people in the area, to keep people in Greenock, then yes.' STV News Tourists had their say on the cruise ship levy plans Towering over Port Greenock was the Regal Princess, carrying over 4,000 passengers, but most by-passing Inverclyde and heading towards Glasgow, Loch Lomond and Edinburgh. Passengers from the ship weren't happy about the news of a potential cruise ship levy. 'No, we are already paying enough,' said one from Australia. 'I wouldn't want to pay it, but if it happens, I'm ok with that,' said an American tourist. Another Australian couple said: 'If it means it will increase our price of fares, then it will be a bit of a challenge. 'It will affect the tourist industry.' STV News Passengers outside the terminal in Greenock 'It will just increase our rates if we want to come back on a cruise ship,' said another American tourist. Last year 1,000 cruise ships docked at Scottish ports, drawing in over one million passengers and injecting £130m into the economy. Invergordon, Kirkwall, Edinburgh, Lerwick, and Greenock are the Scottish ports that receive the highest number of cruise ship visits. Kirsty Hutchison, from Cruise Scotland, said: 'We believe a cruise levy would send the wrong signal at a time when the country is building a strong reputation as an attractive destination.'' A Scottish Government spokesperson said: 'We are aware that a cruise ship levy in Scotland would be the first such levy in the United Kingdom, and we will need to carefully consider market implications and the effect on local economies and communities of such a levy.' Port of Cromarty Firth warned a Highlands cruise levy could have a damaging impact on the regional economy, potentially costing businesses millions of pounds in revenue and adversely affecting the communities that heavily rely on the money tourism brings. Inverclyde Council said they have agreed to the levy in principle. Council leader Stephen McCabe said: 'We can spend the money in making our town centre was clean and tidy for visitors coming, which will benefit both tourist and residents. 'We can also provide support to our local tourist group and local businesses to take advantage of the tourism sector.' The consultation ends on May 30. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Glasgow Times
22-05-2025
- Health
- Glasgow Times
Airdrie teen who died of cancer had referral downgraded due to her age
Politicians in Holyrood told our sister title The Herald there is "deep concern" over paediatric cancer delays. Airdrie teenager Isla Sneddon was 17 when she died on March 2 after a six-month battle with cancer. Her family said if her symptoms were taken as seriously as adult breast cancer treatment, she may still be alive today. Isla sought help from her GP aged 14 over painful breast lumps, which were first ruled to be fibroadenoma - benign hormonal lumps - in July 2022. By June 2024, the pain had worsened and the lumps grew in size, with GPs placing an urgent referral for biopsies after cancer was suspected. Relatives said Isla's referral was downgraded by the breast clinic from "urgent" to "routine" that same month because her age meant she did not meet national guidelines. In Scotland, adults with an urgent referral must not wait more than 62 days for cancer scans. Isla's condition deteriorated further and by September 2024 - after intensive care and a 10-week stay at Glasgow's Golden Jubilee hospital - a sarcoma was discovered on the lining of her heart. Sarcomas are rare and fast-spreading forms of cancer, and doctors discovered Isla's cancer originated in her breast. By the time the discovery was made, it had spread to her heart, lymph nodes and lungs. Parents Mark and Michelle were told she had just six to 12 months to live. 'By the time they got to it, it was too late,' cousin Mairi McGee said. She has launched a petition on behalf of the family demanding the Scottish Government treats cancer suspicion in children with the same urgency as adult patients. 'We want to make clear that all of the care that Isla received from the doctors and nurses was fantastic,' she said. 'The problem we found was that if that referral in June had been placed on a doctor's desk without an age on it, and Isla was seen as urgent, then we could be in a really different place. 'Isla could still be here, she could have had longer.' Mairi added: "We just think the guidelines are wrong - it is totally crazy and should have been taken more seriously in June." Scotland has one of the highest mortality rates for under-18s in Western Europe, with approximately 45 infants, children and young people dying every year. The Scottish Government and NHS Scotland are being warned mandatory clinical standards must be introduced to stop more young lives being lost. Alongside the ask on urgent paediatric referrals, the family are asking for clear accountability and follow ups when referrals are delayed or downgraded, and training for clinicians to recognise early signs of cancer in children. The family also demand a "formal review into paediatric diagnostic delays" to "identify systemic failures". Mairi said her family are "devastated" at the loss of the "vibrant" teenager. "We can't see how we can possibly move on," she said. "It feels like we have been in limbo since the day she died. "This has been horrific. Even though Isla was given six to 12 months, we all had a lot of hope. "Isla was determined to the very end, putting on her wig and eyelashes when she got up in the morning. "She got six months and two days. Her mum and dad bought her prom dress and she was really looking forward to it but she is obviously not going to be there. "Isla was responding well to chemotherapy. She just took it all in her stride. "On the day that Isla died, we didn't expect her to die that day. She was unwell with a bit of a cough and doctors thought it may be viral but days later she died. "It was so quick and unexpected. We didn't expect to not walk back out of the hospital with her." Scottish Labour's deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie described the case as a "scandal". She said: "This is an utterly heartbreaking case and my thoughts are with Isla Sneddon's family. "It is a scandal that Isla and her family were so badly failed and lessons must be learned from this awful case to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost in this way." She added: "There must be a review into how cancer referrals for young people are handled so we can ensure people of all ages get the swift, lifesaving cancer treatment they need." Annie Wells, women's health minister for the Scottish Tories, said: 'My thoughts are with Isla Sneddon's family and friends who will be continuing to grieve losing her in such awful circumstances. 'No parent should have to endure the loss of a child after seeing them go through incredible pain. 'I am deeply concerned that her referral for a biopsy was downgraded simply because of her age. 'I support these calls from her family for mandatory standards to be introduced in relation to paediatric care to ensure that children are treated the same as adults and we never see a repeat of this tragic case.' READ NEXT: 'I've lost 11 stone partly with Mounjaro - but I can't look at myself in the mirror' READ NEXT: 'Cancer turns lives upside down': Mum and daughter reveal they both battled cancer A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Isla on their loss. 'The Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer have been developed to support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist. These guidelines have recently been reviewed with input from clinicians and cancer charities to ensure they are evidence based and help support early identification of cancer. 'To support this a new primary care cancer education platform – Gateway C – was launched on 30 April 2024 in NHS Scotland, supported by NHS Education for Scotland. Gateway C provides innovative, and tailored information to support earlier cancer diagnosis efforts and enable effective decision-making. 'This free online platform is accessible to all primary care clinicians including pharmacists, dentists, and optometrists.' The petition set up by Isla Sneddon's family can be accessed here.
Scottish Sun
22-05-2025
- Health
- Scottish Sun
My cousin died from cancer after doctors downgraded her urgent referral – we need medical reform now
Her family are calling for urgent medical reform for paediatric patients TRAGIC LOSS My cousin died from cancer after doctors downgraded her urgent referral – we need medical reform now A TEENAGER died from cancer after doctors downgraded her urgent referral because of her age, her devastated family claims. Isla Sneddon, 17, passed away on March 2 after a six-month battle with the disease. The schoolgirl, of Airdrie, first sought help at 14 for painful breast lumps, which were dismissed as benign fibroadenoma in July 2022. By June 2024, her condition worsened, and GPs suspected cancer, issuing an urgent referral for biopsies. But the breast clinic downgraded Isla's referral from 'urgent' to 'routine' due to her age, relatives say. In September 2024, a fast-spreading sarcoma was found on the lining of her heart, which had already spread to her heart, lungs, and lymph nodes. Her devastated parents, Mark and Michelle, were told Isla had between six and 12 months left to live. Isla's cousin Mairi McGhee has launched a petition demanding that the Scottish Government treat cancer suspicions in children with the same urgency as adults. They're also calling for a review of paediatric guidelines to prevent more tragic cases. Mairi told The Herald: 'We want to make clear that all of the care that Isla received from the doctors and nurses was fantastic. 'The problem we found was that if that referral in June had been placed on a doctor's desk without an age on it, and Isla was seen as urgent, then we could be in a really different place. 'Isla could still be here, she could have had longer.' The family is also calling for mandatory follow-ups for downgraded referrals, training for clinicians to spot early signs of cancer in children, and a formal review into paediatric diagnostic delays. New £4 spit test 'can help detect breast cancer in five seconds from a single drop of saliva' Scotland has one of the highest under-18 mortality rates in Western Europe, with around 45 young people dying every year. Mairi continued: "We can't see how we can possibly move on. "It feels like we have been in limbo since the day she died. "This has been horrific. Even though Isla was given six to 12 months, we all had a lot of hope. "Isla was determined to the very end, putting on her wig and eyelashes when she got up in the morning. "She got six months and two days. Her mum and dad bought her prom dress and she was really looking forward to it but she is obviously not going to be there. "Isla was responding well to chemotherapy. She just took it all in her stride. "On the day that Isla died, we didn't expect her to die that day. She was unwell with a bit of a cough and doctors thought it may be viral but days later she died. "It was so quick and unexpected. We didn't expect to not walk back out of the hospital with her." Scottish Labour's deputy leader slammed Isla's tragic case as 'a scandal' and said her family had been 'badly failed'. She added: 'Lessons must be learned to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost like this. There must be a review into how cancer referrals for young people are handled so everyone gets the lifesaving treatment they need.' At FMQs, she challenged First Minister John Swinney to ensure cancer suspicions in children are treated with the same urgency as adults. Swinney said he would raise the issue with the health secretary and 'pursue it in relation to clinical guidance'. A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Isla on their loss. 'The Scottish Referral Guidelines for Suspected Cancer have been developed to support primary care clinicians to identify those with symptoms suspicious of cancer and identify those who require urgent assessment by a specialist. These guidelines have recently been reviewed with input from clinicians and cancer charities to ensure they are evidence based and help support early identification of cancer. 'To support this a new primary care cancer education platform – Gateway C – was launched on 30 April 2024 in NHS Scotland, supported by NHS Education for Scotland. Gateway C provides innovative, and tailored information to support earlier cancer diagnosis efforts and enable effective decision-making. 'This free online platform is accessible to all primary care clinicians including pharmacists, dentists, and optometrists.' The petition launched by Isla's family has garnered more than 25,000 signatures. It can be found here.
