random rubbish

james73

Couch killer wife escapes jail (Metro)

A woman who killed her husband by shutting him inside a folding couch has
been given a suspended sentence.

After her partner made an insulting comment about her, Vera Lukyanova,
55, closed the settee on him as he was lying on it.

Prosecutors said she was drunk during the incident, which happened in
July in St Petersburg, Russia.

Her husband was suffocated after he was unable to free himself.

The city's Channel Five television station showed rescue workers sawing
through the folding sofa in order to reach the man at the time.

He was wearing his underwear and was trapped between the mattress
and the back of the couch.

James H

wee minx

, that's so unreal it's funny.

Stuball

Who pays for this kind of crap research???

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/tayside_and_central/7739655.stm

james73

£2bn plant unveiled to power Scotland (Evening Times)

ALMOST 2000 jobs could be created in Ayrshire if a £2billion power station is
built.

The venture would see the new plant sit next to the existing nuclear reactor
and coal terminal at Hunterston and could provide power across Scotland.

Planning permission for the new-generation plant is being sought next
summer and strengthens the case against further nuclear reactors being
built.

It could create 1700 jobs.

Fuelled by "clean coal" and biomass fuel, the plant would be the biggest
completed in Scotland.

Last night, there was broad approval for the scheme from politicians, but
environmental groups pushing to reduce Britain's heavy dependency on
polluting fossil fuels were sceptical about the project's green credentials.

According to those behind the plans, the power station, which would be
fuelled by coal and up to 15% biomass with an output of 1600 megawatts,
would use state-of-the-art technology to deliver the highest standards of
efficiency. It could provide average levels of electricity for two million
homes.

Its backers insist "clean coal" is distinct from old coal technologies while
the plant will also be suited for generating power from burning biomass -
by- products from forestry and farming.

On coal alone, it is claimed, the new technology would reduce carbon
emissions by up to 25% compared to conventional coal-fired power
stations.

The first of two 800 megawatt plants could be operating by 2014, but a
more realistic timetable is for a switch-on in 10 years time.

Up to 1500 jobs would be created during the construction phase and up to
150 posts when it is operational. Denmark's state-owned energy company,
Dong, is behind the proposal, with partners Peel Energy.

James H

wee minx

600 council staff sent home after fire hits HQ

A CITY centre building was sealed off today after a fire

A CITY centre building was sealed off today after a fire broke out in a lift shaft.

More than 600 council workers were given the day off because of the fire.

The blaze swept through a plant room on the top floor of Glasgow City Council's development and regeneration services HQ this morning.

The building in West George Street was unoccupied at the time.

Passers-by raised the alarm after spotting smoke billowing out of the top of the six-storey office block around 6.15am.

Five fire crews and an aerial appliance battled to control the blaze.

It was swiftly brought under control but fire crews remained at the scene for several hours to ensure the building was safe.

Steve Inch, director of development and regeneration services, said: "The building was empty at the time as the first staff were due to arrive at around 7am. At this stage it looks as if the fire broke out in a plant room, which is linked to the lift shaft."

The building, which also houses land services staff, was closed for the rest of the day.

Hundreds of staff turned up for work at 9am but were sent home.

A city council spokesman said services were expected to return to normal tomorrow.

wee minx

Derelict site could be set for makeover

Gallowgate, Moir Street, London Road and St Andrews Lane - known locally as Schipka Pass

LAND that has been lying derelict for decades could be transformed into more than 320 new flats.

The 7840 sq m site in the city centre is bounded by the Gallowgate, Moir Street, London Road and St Andrews Lane - known locally as Schipka Pass.

It is close to the Merchant City and on the edge of the East End, where much of the 2014 Commonwealth Games will take place.

The land was previously occupied by traditional tenements but they were cleared and developers have shown little interest since.

However, tomorrow city planners will consider an outline planning application from city firm Strathcarron Estates.

No detailed plan is yet available but the firm has suggested it might build 323 one, two and three bedroom flats.

They could also include retail outlets, coffee shops, offices, restaurants and a public piazza to link the Gallowgate and London Road.

Strathcarron Estates director Dallas Rhodes said: "This site is very exciting because it is trying to re-establish an area that is desperately needing it. It is the gateway to the East End and the Commonwealth Games and although we were looking at this site before we knew about the Games, the news they are coming to Glasgow has only given us more confidence in the area.

"The credit crunch has slowed things down but that will change, hopefully in the next 12 to 18 months, so now is the time to get the groundwork done.

"This development will make a huge difference to the area and I am confident much of it will be finished by the time the Games open."

City council development and regeneration director Steve Inch said architects drawings suggest the scheme could be made up of seven, eight and nine storey blocks.

It could also include around 19 shops and offices as well as three cafes or restaurants.

The site is next to what has been earmarked as the Glasgow Cross station for the planned Crossrail service linking Queen Street and Central stations.

Mr Inch said in a report: "The proposed re-development of this site is to be generally supported.

"The current state of the site does not create a positive image for the area with low grade commercial units and poor environmental appearance.

"The proposed development will reconnect the Barras area to Glasgow Cross."

james73

Lighthouse set for £300k rescue deal (Evening Times)

GLASGOW'S cash-strapped Lighthouse arts centre is set to be saved from
closure this week.

Bosses of the design centre, which was the centrepiece of Glasgow's Year
of Architecture and Design in 1999, are facing a £300,000 deficit after two
financial blows.

Councillors are expected to agree a package of rescue measures when
the executive committee meets on Friday.

The Lighthouse had expected the Scottish Government to fund the second
Six Cities Design Festival, due to be held in 2010, so had kept on the team
behind the first successful event.

However, Holyrood decided to pull the plug - leaving the Lighthouse with a
£245,000 bill.

And the cost of mounting Scotland's first appearance at an architecture
event in Venice cost £100,000 more than the £250,000 it had received
from the Scottish Government and other sources.

Because the Light-house is a charity, it must clear its £300,000 debt
before next April.

George Ryan, city council development and regeneration spokesman,
said the government's decision not to invest in the 2010 festival had
"seriously impacted" on Lighthouse funds.

James H

james73

Bush pardons his last turkey (Yahoo)

With nostalgic words, US President George W. Bush Wednesday pardoned his
last national Thanksgiving turkey, which will now fly first-class to Disneyland
in California instead of ending up on a dinner table.

With the necessary gravity and gobbling accompanying the ceremony,
Bush pardoned the bird, dubbed Pumpkin and a backup bird, Pecan, who
was nowhere to be seen, "in an undisclosed location," Bush joked.

"In recent weeks, I've talked a lot about sprinting to the finish. Yet I've
assured these turkeys they will not be trotting to their finish," Bush said
on the eve of the Thanksgiving holiday, his last before his term ends in
January.

"That's because in keeping with a longstanding tradition, Pumpkin and
Pecan are hereby granted a full and unconditional presidential pardon."

Both birds will fly to Disneyland, where Pumpkin is set to be the honorary
marshal of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Kinda sums up this fukwit...

James H

james73

Third of Scots 'breadline poor' (BBC)

Almost a third of Scottish households are "breadline poor", according to
research commissioned by the BBC.

Changing UK - a study conducted by Sheffield University - looked at how
nations and regions within Britain have altered over the past four decades.

It said Scotland had the largest number of poor people in each of the last
four decades, as well as the highest death rate of all 14 regions examined.

The Child Poverty Action Group (CPAG) described the figures as "a
scandal".

The data was drawn from official sources and divided into 14 BBC
television regions and 45 BBC Radio station areas, with Scotland defined
as one of the TV regions.

The report said that in each decade since 1970, Scotland had the highest
proportion of people in the breadline poor category.

The category is defined as a poverty line so low that people are excluded
from participating in "the norms of society".

In 1970, 27% of the Scottish population was classed as breadline poor,
with the figure dropping to 23% in 1980.

By 1990, 27% of Scots fell into the category, but this rose to 32% in
2000, according to the report.

The proportion of people in Scotland classified as "asset wealthy" also
rose, while the middle category of non-poor, non-wealthy was squeezed,
indicating that the gap between rich and poor had widened over the
40-year period.

John Dickie, head of CPAG in Scotland said: "Across Scotland the number
of families living below the poverty line remains a scandal.

"There is nothing inevitable about this injustice, an injustice that damages
children's health, education and wellbeing in profound ways.

"Whilst real progress has been made in the last 10 years in tackling child
poverty, that progress has not gone far enough and has recently stalled
completely."

He called for "substantial extra investment" in child benefit and tax credits
from the UK Government.

James H

james73

Like them or lump them turbines will 'soon be all over Scotland' (Evening Times)

PEOPLE objecting to wind farms were today told like it or lump it. The warning
came as Glasgow councillors met and approved a 410ft wind turbine on Cathkin
Braes, on the south of the city.

The turbine will be just 49ft lower than the Glasgow Science Tower, which
is Scotland's largest freestanding building.

However, the move has sparked concerns about the impact on birds and
on an area popular with walkers.

Members of one of Glasgow's oldest golf clubs are unhappy it will disturb
their game and look "hideous".

But Steve Inch, the city council's executive director of development and
regeneration, says people will just have to get used to the idea of wind
farms.

His report to the planning committee says: "Given the Scottish Government's
commitment to addressing the important issue of climate change and the
contribution expected from renewable energy developments, particularly
wind farms, it is important for society at large to accept them as a feature
of many areas of Scotland for the foreseeable future."

He also rejected fears over noise, television reception and the impact on
the landscape.

Cathkin Braes Golf Club has objected to the turbine plan, claiming it is in
the wrong place and the whirring noise will be heard by golfers across the
course.

The private course, which has 1000 members, sits 600ft above Glasgow
and is five miles from the city centre.

Club secretary David Moir said: "We have objected because they want to
build this hideous looking thing right in the middle of a country park.

"Our golf club has beautiful views across Glasgow and this will be a monstrosity
that will look so out of place.

"Also, holes one, two and three are very close to where the turbine would
be built and it will be very noisy. Our members will be disturbed by the
noise even if they are at the far end of the course. We will hear a humming
and whirring all the time.

"I like windfarms and think they are good things, but it depends where
they are built.

"To site one in the middle of a country park does not seem to be right
morally."

This turbine - if approved - is a trial, but if it is approved then it is likely to
lead to a number of windfarms around the city.

James H

james73

Forecasters issue blizzard alert (BBC)

A severe weather warning has been issued for the most of Scotland for
Wednesday night and Thursday.

Forecasters have predicted persistent heavy snow, with the potential for
10 to 20cm (4 to 8in) of snow above 150m, blizzard conditions and drifting.

Power companies have engineers on stand-by in case of cable problems.

The warnings, which cover the period from midnight to 1200 GMT on
Thursday, were issued because of a "moderate" risk of a "severe event".

'Extra care'

BBC Scotland weather forecaster Peter Sloss warned: "A band of snow is
expected to move east across Scotland later this evening and overnight.

"This will cause significant accumulations of snow on higher ground,
resulting in extremely hazardous driving conditions on the higher routes
across Scotland with drifting of the snow in the strong winds.

"Even low ground away from the west coast will see slight accumulations
of snow by morning.

"The sleet and snow will continue during the morning rush hour but will
slowly clear away northeastwards during Thursday."

The Met Office warned that outbreaks of heavy snow would develop during
the early hours of Thursday and continue through the morning. It said
some travel disruption was likely.

Much of the snow should turn back to rain at low levels during the morning,
the Met Office said.

James H

Alex Glass

Sources tell me there is more snow on the way on Friday as well and the cold spell will continue until Sunday.

Charge up you batteries it could be the only opportunity to get good photos of the snow.

cybers

Oh and please do remember not to take risks.
After all there will be a drain on Emergency services as they try to track down Cecil and his chums from Surrey or Cirencester as they make their pilgrimage north to commit suicide...

Wonder what lovely images will be offered up of this coldest winter since records began blah blah blah....

Stuball

It's raining in Glasgow

typical

Lone Groover

Yep, up early, camera and boots ready - going to walk to work camera in hand -

plan b. tea / toast + bus later !

anne · random rubbish

I love looking at all the old pics on this site brings back a lot of happy memories for me as i left Glasgow 43 yrs ago to come to Toronto but i do get home quite a bit, was home last yr for the month of Sept and had a great time as usual, keep up the good work with this site

Alex Glass

Hi Anne

Glad to hear from you and to hear that you enjoy this site. Hopefully you will be able to tell us more about Glasgow as you knew it before you left.

Stuball

Unexploded bomb found under pier

This has got me a little curious.... was there ever a torpedo attack on Largs pier? Did one of our own Navy ships drop it?

cybers

Probably fell off the Waverley who picked it up at Dunkirk.

On second thoughts i been to Largs our navy probably tried to blow it up

james73

Apollo - the musical (Evening Times)

IT MADE the city Scotland's rock capital but now, 20 years after it closed,
the story of the Glasgow Apollo is to be turned into a musical.

A cast of 45 musicians, including a 20-piece rock orchestra, 20 actors and
80 dancers from Right2Dance, an award-winning dance group from Paisley,
will re-create the story of the legendary venue.

Between 1973 and 1985 its perilously high stage was graced by everyone
from the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Status Quo, Neil Young, the Eagles, Alice
Cooper, Paul McCartney and Wings, Abba and Rod Stewart.

Sting, lead singer with the Police, hailed it as 'the best gig in Britain'.

When The Who trashed their dressing-room, it was said the venue's
management overcharged them so that the entire backstage area could
be refurbished.

One heavy-metal singer was reputed to have thrown an axe across the
stage, severing power cables.

And at least two other stars accidentally took a wrong turning from the
stage, ending up in the lane outside. The bouncers, refusing to believe
they were musicians, refused to let them back in.

The Apollo was also the place where thousands of young concert-goers
got their first taste of live music.

The rock musical, called I Was There, will be staged at the Armadillo over
three nights in February.

The set-list already includes songs played on the Apollo stage, by artists
such as David Bowie and Frank Zappa to Blondie, Average White Band,
King Crimson and a number of punk bands.

But Apollo fans are also being invited to add to the set-list by nominating
the top band to ever play the Renfield Street venue.

James H

james73

Actor In Neck Slash Stage Horror (Yahoo)

An actor portraying a suicide bid accidentally slashed his own throat on-stage
following a prop mix-up.

Daniel Hoevels, 30, collapsed with blood pouring from his neck after using
a real blade instead of the blunt stage knife. He was taken to hospital after
the dramatic scene at Vienna's Burgtheater in Austria.

The audience had been in raptures, unaware the actor was facing his own
demise for real. But when he failed to greet their applause for the show's
spectacular special effects with a bow they separated fact from fiction.

Police are now investigating whether the mix-up was murderous.

James H

Stuball

I cant help seeing a funny side to that

Lone Groover

Stuball

Russian Hopes to cash in on ;-)

No frickin way!

I liked this quote though

james73

Coupla rockets loast up a hill... (BBC)

As Jamesie Cotter once said "this is Govan climbing gear - pair ah trainees, 10 fags
and a sarcastic expression..."

James H

james73

Serious security flaw found in IE (BBC)

Users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer are being urged by experts to switch
to a rival until a serious security flaw has been fixed.

The flaw in Microsoft's Internet Explorer could allow criminals to take control
of people's computers and steal their passwords, internet experts say.

Microsoft urged people to be vigilant while it investigated and prepared an
emergency patch to resolve it.

Internet Explorer is used by the vast majority of the world's computer users.

James H

scallopboy

james73

Fjord

cybers

Stuball

61 Seconds to midnight?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7805534.stm

james73

Old timers clock off (Evening Times)

THEY were built with a simple practical purpose in mind - to allow people to
tell the time. But anybody relying on some of Glasgow's public clocks could
end up very confused... because many have stopped.

Now calls are growing to save our clocks - before time runs out.

In the days before wrist watches were common, Town Hall clocks occupied
prominent positions in communities across the country. There was an
old-fashioned sense of civic pride in keeping the clocks in perfect working
order.

Workers used to painstakingly climb the clock towers - usually once a
week - to set the traditional cog mechanism. But with people increasingly
using mobile phones or wrist watches to tell the time, many public clocks
have been neglected.

City heritage experts say the main problem is that most public clocks are
now in private ownership, with some buildings having multiple owners.

James H

james73

Man has had hiccups for two years...

James H