Latest news with #PaisleyDailyExpress
Daily Record
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Paisley-born author swaps subsea robotics for crime as he launches debut novel
Chris Black has released his debut page-turner 'Capo' which is a sharp, character-driven crime thriller set on the streets of Glasgow. A Paisley-born author is swapping subsea robotics for the criminal underworld as he releases his debut novel. Chris Black, who works offshore as an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) supervisor, is delighted to have published his first debut novel 'Capo' –a sharp, character-driven crime thriller set on the streets of Glasgow. 'I wrote most of this between operations,' Chris told the Paisley Daily Express. 'Some of it in hotel rooms, some offshore, some back home in Dalgety Bay [in Fife]. 'I'd just sit down with a coffee, some music and chip away. It still doesn't feel quite real holding the final book. But it's live now, and that's surreal in the best way.' The novel follows Ezio Trevino, an ex-Royal Marine who's turned a run-down Glasgow bar into a live music venue with a few trusted friends – a dream life finally within reach. But Ezio has a plan already in motion: a final job designed to secure financial freedom and peace for the crew. When it goes sideways, it drags them deep into the city's criminal underworld and uncovers secrets Ezio thought he'd left buried in the desert. The former St Charles' Primary School pupil explained: 'It's about a guy who's done the hard stuff – desert ops, the brutal end of military life, and now he's finally got what he wants, good people around him, a bit of peace.' The book stands on its own as a complete story, but work is already underway on a sequel. Chris has mapped out a three-book arc, with teaser elements from book two included in the special edition. The 42-year-old said: 'There's a bigger world here and I wanted readers to feel it, even if they're just picking up this first one.' Although now based in Fife, Chris still makes the trip through to Paisley regularly as a 'lifelong' St Mirren fan. He said: 'It's where I'm from, all my family are in Paisley and me and my dad go to St Mirren games regularly, it's a big part of who I am.' Chris even served as the club mascot once as a kid. 'It was a midweek game against Rangers — Butcher, McCoist, all of them were there,' Chris explained. 'I'd picked Paul Lambert as my favourite player, even though he wasn't getting a game for us at the time. 'He'd already gone home that night but someone rang his landline and he actually drove back to meet me. Turned up in suit trousers and a tracksuit top, I've still got the photo. 'I was taking shots at Campbell Money in goal that night, too. You don't forget stuff like that.' Now published under his own imprint, Black Arts Development Ltd, Capo is available in paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon, with a signed special edition bundle, complete with classified case files and bonus material, available directly via his website.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire weight loss consultant wins Greece trip of a lifetime
Jennifer McDade was recognised for helping and supporting so many Slimming World members lose weight and change their lives. A Renfrewshire weight-loss consultant won an all expenses paid trip to Greece after helping people fight the flab and change their lives. Jennifer McDade, who runs the Saturday morning Johnstone Slimming World, said her 'jaw almost dropped to the ground' when she received the phone call to say she'd been selected to take part in the annual excursion abroad. 'I was absolutely blown away,' Jennifer said. 'I couldn't quite believe that the call was real. Slimming World is well known for the support and encouragement that it gives to members but also its consultants. Explaining she had been chosen due to her dedication in supporting others, Jennifer told the Paisley Daily Express: 'To be rewarded in this way for simply doing what I love is incredibly special. 'I'm honoured to be part of an exceptional company as a franchisee, but also extremely lucky to work as part of a pretty fabulous local team in Renfrewshire.' Jennifer and her husband Tony were flown from Gatwick Airport to Athens for a week of luxury and five-star treatment in the exclusive area of Koloniki. 'Nothing was overlooked,' Jennifer explained. 'We were, quite simply, treated like celebrities. 'From the champagne reception at the hotel door to the beautiful five-course evening meal on arrival day, through to our guided tour of The Acropolis, Temple of Poseidon and even a hands-on cookery course, using local ingredients and recipes, while picking up on the language and culture, we really were spoilt. 'We even had a twilight cruise to the Island of Aegina on a Bounty Boat, dancing and singing until the early hours!' And after losing over three-and-a-half stone and discovering a new-found love of running, Jennifer jumped at the chance to tackle a 5k around the city's Olympic Stadium. It was the 36th annual trip hosted by Slimming World and it was originally the brainchild of Margaret Miles Bramwell, who founded the company in 1969, but sadly passed away in February. Jennifer added: 'Margaret took part in every holiday, literally planning and hosting every detail, so for her not to be present on this trip was emotional. 'But we did our best to keep her memory alive and remember that, everything we do from here on in, is to honour her and keep our promise to retain our commitment to helping as many people who need us in their weight loss journeys.' Consultants are given training in all areas of weight-loss management, physical activity and psychology – all under the umbrella of a trusted organisation who have been present in the UK, Ireland and Cyprus for almost 56 years. The Renfrewshire team currently has eight consultants running numerous groups in the area. Jennifer's colleague Grace Neill is the local team developer and supports the team with the recruitment of new consultants and is always looking for exceptional people to join the team. If you would like more details of the role of a Slimming World consultant, please contact Grace Neill 07928 531481.
Wales Online
06-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
BBC radio presenter announces cancer diagnosis
BBC radio presenter announces cancer diagnosis he broadcaster, 59, announced on Thursday that he would be stepping back from his early evening programme Michelle McManus and Bryan Burnett at Paisley Abbey promoting Children in need event there to be broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland. (Image: Paisley Daily Express ) BBC Radio Scotland presenter Bryan Burnett has announced that he will be taking a break from his presenting role following a cancer diagnosis. The broadcaster, 59, announced on Thursday that he would be stepping back from his early evening programme Get It On to undergo appendiceal cancer treatment. Speaking on air, he said the tumour was first discovered earlier this year while he was having surgery to remove his appendix. He said: "Appendix cancer is incredibly rare but the good news is it is treatable, but I do have to have some fairly hefty abdominal surgery next week. "It's going to mean I am going to be off work for a couple of months and you know how hard I will find that. However, I'm expected to make a full recovery, which is good news, and will be back on air, on the show that I truly love, later in the year. "Those of you who are regular listeners know that we are such a close team on Get It On, so I also want to take this opportunity to say a massive thank you to my brilliant producers for all the hand-holding and encouragement they've given me since they found out my news. I'm sure they will let you know how I'm doing over the next few weeks." Article continues below In a statement he said his treatment will begin next week and will involve abdominal surgery and chemotherapy. Burnett said: "I've experienced the most incredible care and kindness from the NHS staff who have been looking after me. "My surgeon is a Get It On listener so I know I'm in good hands. "I will really miss the music and the chat when I'm off but our listeners have given me hundreds of great playlists so that will keep me going over the next few months." Broadcaster Grant Stott will step in to present the show in his absence. Hayley Valentine, director BBC Scotland, said: "Bryan is one of our most popular broadcasters on Radio Scotland and I know listeners will join us in wishing him well as he embarks on his treatment. Article continues below "We look forward to welcoming him back to the Get It On studio once he's recovered."
Daily Record
03-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Major 10-year programme of works complete in Renfrew
Since 2013, Scottish Water has been involved in efforts to address challenging ground conditions around the King George V Memorial playing fields. After more than 10 years of interventions, a major project has been completed to protect waste water services to customers in Renfrew. Since 2013, Scottish Water has been involved in efforts to address the challenging ground conditions around the King George V Memorial playing fields. Brian Campbell, delivery manager with Scottish Water, told the Paisley Daily Express: 'The ground is mainly Clyde Alluvium – clay, silt and sand deposited by the river – which is easily compressed and becomes unstable. 'Unfortunately, over the years this has caused a range of problems culminating in a sewer collapse eight metres underneath the King George V Memorial playing fields. 'The scale of the challenge has been matched by the scale of the solution and completion of this project marks a significant milestone for the community and our customers.' A substantial package of ground investigation and monitoring work was undertaken which included regular tankering from the sewer to clear back-up and the installation of temporary pumps. In the meantime, a project was developed to address the difficult ground conditions and replace the damaged section of sewer. Carried out by delivery partner George Leslie and specialist sub-contractors, work began in November 2023 and involved driving metal sheets into the ground to create a cofferdam. Ground water was then extracted from the work area to allow the eight-metre-deep sewer to be safely excavated. The pipe and associated manholes were then replaced, and the site backfilled using more suitable materials to minimise the risk of further subsidence or collapses. Ian Jardine, contract manager at George Leslie, said: 'The technical collaboration exhibited by our entire project team including our designer, Cowi and specialist contracting partners including WJ Dewatering and Mabey Hire were critical in resolving the challenges we faced. 'We are proud to have delivered for Scottish Water. The innovative engineering solutions we found to tackle the complex ground conditions will be a valuable case study for future civil engineering projects.' Mr Campbell added: 'To say this has been a challenging project is an understatement, and we are extremely grateful to the local community for their patience and understanding over the years. 'Their cooperation has been just as important as the engineering excellence shown by the project team. 'The work reflects the difficult ground conditions in Renfrew in general, and we have been investing heavily in the area, not least in the playing fields and King's Inch Road to ensure customers and the environment are protected. 'We are now in discussions with the local authority to ensure the playing fields are reinstated to a standard that meets the community's needs and expectations for many years to come.'
Daily Record
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Renfrewshire MP fights for return of Ukraine's stolen children
Johanna Baxter organised the debate calling for the return of thousands of children as part of an event at Westminster Hall last week. A Westminster debate which sought to highlight the forced deportation of Ukrainian children from their homeland has been lead by a Renfrewshire MP. Johanna Baxter organised the debate calling for the return of thousands of children as part of an event at Westminster Hall last week. The Paisley Daily Express revealed last month how Ms Baxter had coauthored the report Ukraine's Stolen Children. It revealed how almost 20,000 young people have been taken from their homes and sent to Russian controlled institutions, foster care systems, or with Russian military families. Some have even been conscripted into Yunarmiya, the Russian Youth Military. The MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, which has welcomed some Ukrainian refugees, said: 'The UK must not look away from this systematic attack on Ukraine's children - an attack not just on individuals, but on identity, memory, and nationhood, an aspect of the war that has not had the attention it deserves. 'We need more pressure, more action, and more urgency. Every day that passes, another child forgets their real name. Another family loses hope. That's why we must act now.' The debate highlighted findings from the report Return the Stolen Children of Ukraine, which Ms Baxter drafted in partnership with UK Friends of Ukraine. The report presents extensive evidence of state-sponsored abduction, forced adoption, and cultural erasure of Ukrainian children. According to the report, at least 19,546 Ukrainian children have been taken by Russian forces, over 8,400 of which have been placed in so-called 're-education' camps spanning across eight time zones, where they are indoctrinated with pro-Russian narratives. At the debate Ms Baxter - who recently travelled to Ukraine as part of a delegation of British MPs - called on the UK Government to take a series of measures to support the plight of Ukrainian families. This includes demanding the publication of a full register of all Ukrainian children held by Russian authorities; establishing a framework for the safe return of all abducted children in coordination with international partners; and to expanding intelligence-sharing and child-tracking operations. Ms Baxter also called for sanctions on all individuals and institutions complicit in these crimes and for a full investigation into whether Russia's actions meet the legal definition of genocide under international law. Ms Baxter has herself been sanctioned by Russia which accused her, as well as 14 other MPs, of making 'hostile statements and unfounded accusations' about Moscow. Earlier this month the Russian ministry announced sanctions against 21 British politicians from across the political spectrum, including Blair McDougall, MP for East Renfrewshire.
