Europe Intelligence Wire articles from February 2005, page 8

Europe Intelligence Wire archives from February 2005

Tolls go but Skye bus and haulage prices stay put.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Bus and haulage companies operating to and from Skye have come under fire for failing to cut their prices following the removal of the controversial bridge toll scheme. Portree councillor Drew...

Ayrshire firm wins cash to take on America.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Scottish feed firm has been given a GBP35,000 grant to help it break into the North American market. Talisker Bay Nutrition won the cash from the Home-Grown Cereals Authority to market its...

NBA targets disease with human links.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A National effort to tackle a cattle disease that has been linked with a debilitating condition in humans has been launched. The National Beef Association is behind the attack on Johne's disease....

It's time tae reflect as fiddlers come and go . . .
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Fiddlers come and fiddlers go Ere's naething worries me! The Scottish Fiddler - Jock Morgan I WIS fair looking forrit tae the nicht. The Scottish Fiddle Orchestra on their twinty-fifth anniversary...

Leading Lichtie's shining example.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Arbroath 2 Dumbarton 1 HIGHLY-RATED Arbroath winger Gavin Swankie is putting any thoughts of a move to a bigger club to one side while he concentrates on helping his hometown team avoid relegation....

Trial project may see the beaver back in Scotland.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Species of beaver hunted to extinction in Scotland during the 16th century could soon be reintroduced. Ministers are set to discuss whether a GBP500,000 pilot scheme to put 15 to 20 European...

A bad case of the sleepless leading the shapeless.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) That was about as bad as it gets. Aberdeen and their thousands of supporters travelled south in expectation and hope. They returned demoralised and dented, hopes of a financially rewarding run to...

Making most of computers.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) Farming practices have changed over the years. But, perhaps, no change has been greater than the introduction of computers to aid the farmer. Here, James Morrish, of the Holsmart Centre, looks at the impact the...

Campaign aims to unite business and schools in strategy for success.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Recruitment campaign aimed at bringing together local businesses and schools is being launched today as part of the Scottish Executive's economic strategy. Over the next fortnight,...

Recycle bug bites as communities go green.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The recycling bug has bitten hard in Tayside and two local authorities in the area are boosting their green credentials. In Angus, three communities will see a new kerbside collection take off in...

Angus students team up to coach pupils.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Partnership bringing together college students and primary school pupils in Angus has boosted sports in the county. Around 150 primary pupils from Arbroath have taken part in various activities...

Stirling council issues warning to walkers over lambing season.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Stirling Council has issued a warning to walkers using the countryside to have more consideration for livestock. The council's countryside service is urging extra caution when walking or cycling...

Man killed by taxi while he walked home on A90.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Man was killed while apparently walking south towards Angus on the A90 dual carriageway near Stonehaven early yesterday. Police last night said they now know the identity of the man, who was hit...

Visitors turn out to see carpet of snowdrops.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Visitors to one of the best loved stately homes in Angus were treated to a spring spectacular yesterday. Dozens of people from the county and beyond visited House of Dun, between Brechin and...

Dundee university to inject GBP7m investment into sports facilities.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Multimillion-pound injection into sports facilities in Dundee has been announced by the city's university. The GBP7million boost was agreed by Dundee University's governing body last week and...

Milestone will take runner back to the start.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Amateur athlete Mel Edwards was in his 20s when he narrowly missed out on a place in Britain's 1968 Olympic running squad. But the Aberdeen-born civil engineer, now 62, has not spent the...

North-east mum dies at 49 after battle with lung cancer.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Stonehaven mother-of-two has died after a short battle with cancer. Sheila Fell, who was 49, was described by her family as a very determined woman who thought of others before herself. She...

Concert to raise cash for tsunami victims.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Concert in Aberdeen in aid of Sri Lankan victims of the Boxing Day tsunami has been planned for March 26. Tickets for the Music Hall concert, which has been organised by the Aberdeen Sri Lanka...

New code from executive aims to beef up biosecurity standards.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A New livestock biosecurity code to strengthen standards throughout the farming industry is on the verge of being published. The Scottish Executive regulation builds on existing rules and will...

Three family members in hospital at the same time.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Retired council worker yesterday told how he, and his brother, and his sister, found themselves in the same hospital at the same time. Sandy Heddle, 71, and his brother, David, were admitted to...

Most westerly station makes bid for fame.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Highland community council wants to have a railway station designated as the most westerly in the UK. Arisaig and District Community Council is aiming to bestow the title on Mallaig Station. ...

Scotland's horse fans look South for lesson.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Scotland's equine industry will be watching closely what happens south of the border following the launch of an initiative today. The first strategy for horses in England and Wales is being...

Minister to view hi-tech link from islands to mainland.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) An Innovative project using video conferencing to link the residents of three Argyll islands with essential mainland services will be the subject of a ministerial visit today. Tom McCabe,...

City college team chases honours in London.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Students from Inverness College will travel to London next month after winning the Scottish construction equivalent of University Challenge. The team - two students from Inverness, one from the...

Charity mounts search for friends.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Charity which helps people with mental health problems is trying to recruit new volunteers. The Companion Befriending Scheme is based in the Peterhead, Banff and Ellon areas. It is looking...

MP calls for an official tartan register.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Scottish MP is leading calls for an official register of Scottish tartans. Highlands and Islands Tory MP Jamie McGrigor said it would end confusion over the authenticity of up to 4,000 existing...

Stonehaven sea cadets scoop prestigious Commodore's cup.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Stonehaven's sea cadets were forced into third place in their latest attempt to be named best unit in the UK. The TS Carron-based group had hoped to secure a sixth Canada Trophy title after an...

Italian lack of firepower was the crucial difference at Murrayfield.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) An Immaculate kicking performance from full back Chris Paterson saved Scottish blushes on Saturday and probably the skin of coach Matt Williams. It was a tense, nervy win against an Italian side...

Parents win assurance amid fears for schools.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The future of six primary schools in Lochaber is under review by education bosses. Faced with spiralling maintenance costs, falling rolls and restricted budgets, they are seeking views on...

Arabs boss sees double after Dons cup rout.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Ian McCALL believes Aberdeen were so bad against his Dundee United side that the Arabs could have erased the memory of their 7-1 defeat by Rangers by beating the Dons by the same margin. United...

Us experts to give help with ethics of outdoors.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Group from the United States are to give Highlanders a master course in outdoor ethics next month. The Leave No Trace Centre for Outdoor Ethics in Colorado is sending a team of trainers for a...

Community probe into anti-social behaviour in Argyll resort.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Oban Community Council is trying to identify the extent of anti-social behaviour problems in the town to assist a local authority clampdown on offenders. An anti-social behaviour coordinator has...

Lochaber boxing club hope.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Lochaber councillor has come out fighting for plans to set up a boxing club in the area. Bill Clark, who represents Kilmallie and Glengarry, trained local boxers to a high standard and promoted...

Lottery funding boost for youngsters.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Young people in one of the most remote areas of the Highlands are reaping the benefits of lottery funding which has provided them with two youth workers. A year ago, Durness Development Group was...

Main points raised in the white paper.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) The proposals contained in the White Paper include: By 2008, 200 "vocational leading schools" and 12 "skills academies" to be open to promote work-related courses; The first of 14 new vocational diplomas to be...

Policemen hurt during arrest.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) Two police officers were left with minor injuries after they went to arrest a man they believed to be driving while disqualified. The incident happened on Budshead Road in Crownhill, Plymouth, in the early...

Councillors to consider extending Lochaber dump.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Highland Council is to consider proposals to restore and extend a Lochaber landfill site today. Members of the Lochaber planning committee will visit a waste tipping site at Duisky, on the shores...

Far north college scientist off to work on tsunami-hit Thai island.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Scientist who recently joined a far north research team studying climate change is to spend time on a Thai island badly affected by the Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. Barbara Brown has become...

Ben hopes to have flown into record books.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A North-east teenager who started flying at the age of nine is hoping to enter the record books after successfully piloting two aircraft solo near Inverness at the weekend. Ben Nicholson, who...

Fort William to host seminar on mountain safety.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Fort William is to host a mountain safety seminar to highlight best practice in accident prevention and education. The Nevis Partnership has organised the event with staff at Belford Hospital and...

Nairn murder officers interview Fife family.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Police investigating the murder of Nairn banker Alistair Wilson have interviewed four members of one family in Fife. It is understood officers travelled to the home of three men and a woman last...

North curlers celebrate 150-year milestone.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Members of the oldest curling club in the Highlands gathered at Inverness Ice Rink at the weekend to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the organisation. Caberfeidh Curling Club began life on Loch...

Giant snowball kills boy as he plays with a friend.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Young boy was killed when a giant ball of snow - thought to weigh a quarter of a ton - rolled on top of him as he played at a north-east farm. Peter Strang, 10, was having fun on a hill with his...

Homes plans likely to be abandoned until 2011.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Plans for hundreds of new homes in areas across Aberdeen are likely to be dropped until the end of the decade. Proposals for 170 houses on green belt land at the commuter town of Kingswells will...

Award-winning sea cadets scoop the Commodore's cup.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Stonehaven's sea cadets were forced into third place in their latest attempt to be named best unit in the UK. The TS Carron-based group had hoped to secure a sixth Canada Trophy title after an...

MP calls for official register of tartans.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Scottish MP is leading calls for an official register of Scottish tartans. Highlands and Islands Tory MP Jamie McGrigor said the move would end confusion over the authenticity of up to 4,000...

Western Isles set to enjoy GBP100million homes boom.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Plans have been announced for a GBP100million programme for investment in housing stock in the Western Isles. The local council, which is planning to transfer its housing stock to the Hebridean...

Academy is named as the most violent in north-east.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) An Aberdeen secondary school has emerged as the most violent in the north-east. Teachers at Northfield Academy were subjected to 43 attacks in 2003-04 - even though there is a permanent police...

Man for court after woman's body found.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Man is due to appear from custody at Aberdeen Sheriff Court today in connection with the discovery of a woman's body yesterday. Police last night confirmed the man, aged 28, who is understood to...

Police say dispersing boy racers will not move problem elsewhere.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Aberdeen neighbourhoods will not face an influx of boy racers when police use new powers to move groups from the Beach Boulevard. Grampian Police will today explain the new "powers of dispersal"...

Dinner money safe from school bullies.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Most people have memories of the playground bully roughing up the younger kids and swiping their dinner money. If it wasn't before, that scenario is now a thing of the past at a Moray secondary...

Police hunt for man in white van.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Police in Peterhead are hunting a man in a van who approached a young boy in the town at the weekend. The incident happened between 3-3.30pm on Saturday as the 13-year-old was walking his dog on...

Broch schools to get major revamp.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Plans to give primary education in a north-east town a multimillion-pound revamp will be unveiled tonight. Aberdeenshire Council has drawn up proposals for Fraserburgh's St Andrews and North...

Service for headmaster.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The former headmaster at one of the north-east's most prestigious schools has died. William Latham, who was known as Dan, was in charge of Blairmore School, near Glass, for 24 years until retiring...

Jimmys feeling their 99 years.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The two Jimmys celebrate their birthdays today, but there will be scant celebrations at Pittodrie after a dismal demise in the Scottish Cup at the hands of Dundee United at Tannadice yesterday. ...

Tsunami relief work was no holiday for mark.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Big-hearted oil engineer sacrificed two weeks' holiday to help victims of the tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka. Mark Reynolds, 39, of Kintore, spent his time in Seenigama, a small village in the...

Banff mother and daughter jump from window to escape fire.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Mother and daughter dropped 15ft on to a road to escape from their blazing home. Teresa Windle, 45, and 10-year-old Jennifer dangled from a window ledge above Bridge Street, Banff, as they...

Charity seeks companions.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Charity which helps people with mental health problems is trying to recruit new volunteers. The Companion Befriending Scheme is looking for people over the age of 18 in Peterhead, Banff, Ellon,...

Transport firms urged to cut prices to reflect abolition of road toll.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Bus and haulage companies operating to and from Skye have come under fire for failing to cut their prices following the removal of the bridge toll. Portree councillor Drew Millar has claimed...

Broch bike campaign helps keep cyclists safe.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Police in a north-east town stopped 24 cyclists risking their lives by pedalling in the dark without lights. Another 16 people made themselves difficult for motorists to spot by wearing dark...

Relief work for tsunami was no holiday for mark.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Big-hearted oil engineer sacrificed two weeks' holiday to help victims of the tsunami disaster in Sri Lanka. Mark Reynolds, 39, of Kintore, spent his time in Seenigama, a small village in the...

Plan for hundreds of homes deferred.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Plans for hundreds of new homes in areas across Aberdeen are likely to be dropped until the end of the decade. Proposals for 170 houses on green belt land at the commuter town of Kingswells will...

Canadian man fails at second attempt to sell historic uniform.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The auction of a uniform, which is thought to have been worn by one of Queen Vict-oria's personal guards at Balmoral, has failed to attract any bids at the second time of asking. Canadian Jim...

City partnership backs Peterhead development plan.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Blueprint for breathing fresh life into key parts of a north-east port has been backed by the Aberdeenshire Towns Partnership. The document highlights regeneration priorities in Peterhead over...

Pupils line up coins for charity.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Big-hearted pupils at a Moray school have not allowed the suffering of the Indian Ocean tsunami victims to fade from their memories. Two months after the disaster, Elgin Academy's fourth-year...

Experts call for city diesel ban after finding high level of pollutant.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A National physiotherapy body is calling for the worst-polluting vehicles to be banned from city centres. Air particles emitted mainly by diesel engines are posing a serious threat to public...

Eastern's new flights increase options for business travellers.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A New air service linking Caithness with Inverness and Aberdeen was introduced yesterday, giving people the opportunity to fly faster to destinations in the UK and abroad. The expansion of the...

Dispersing boy racers - police issue reassurance.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Aberdeen neighbourhoods will not face an influx of boy racers when police use new powers to move groups from the Beach Boulevard. Grampian Police will today explain the new "powers of dispersal"...

Top psychic gets into the spirit at aecc.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Renowned psychic medium returned to Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre last night for an evening of paranormal phenomena. Derek Acorah, whose television appearances have made him one of...

Minister will tune in to Isles video link.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) An Innovative project using video conferencing to link the residents of three Argyll islands with essential mainland services will be the subject of a ministerial visit today. Tom McCabe,...

Police plea after two die in north-east accidents.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Two men were killed in separate accidents on north-east roads at the weekend. A driver was fatally injured last night after his car was involved in a collision with a van on the outskirts of...

Mother and daughter drop 15ft from window ledge to escape fire.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Mother and daughter dropped 15ft on to a road to escape from their blazing home. Teresa Windle, 45, and 10-year-old Jennifer dangled from a window ledge above Bridge Street, Banff, as they...

Witness appeal after bag snatched.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Police in Aberdeen are appealing for witnesses after two youths stole a woman's handbag while she was seated in a car. The woman was sitting in her car near Society Lane at around 1.45pm yesterday...

Mother's day with a difference at centre.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) Satrosphere in Aberdeen is holding a Mother's Day event next weekend with a difference. The "Mummies Weekend" will focus on ancient Egypt and the science behind the mummification process. Visitors...

Cod Crusaders to ask the Queen for support.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The Cod Crusaders are to plead with the Queen to support their campaign to put Britain back in charge of its own fishing grounds. The Fraserburgh trawlermen's wives, who have been fighting for a...

Teenage pilot from strathdon hopes to enter record books.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A North-east teenager who started flying at the age of nine is hoping to enter the record books after successfully piloting two aircraft solo near Inverness at the weekend. Ben Nicholson, of...

MP calls for official register of tartans to end confusion.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A Scottish MP is leading calls for an official register of Scottish tartans. Highlands and Islands Tory MP Jamie McGrigor said the move would end confusion over the authenticity of up to 4,000...

City school named as the north-east's most violent.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) An Aberdeen secondary school has emerged as the most violent in the north-east. Teachers at Northfield Academy were subjected to 43 attacks in 2003-04 - even though there is a permanent police...

Fears for local economies over failure to dual A90.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) The economy of towns such as Ellon will fail to prosper unless improvements are made to the A90 north of Aberdeen, it was claimed yesterday. Campaigners, who have been calling for the stretch of...

Pollution prompts city diesel ban calls.
February 28, 2005... (From Aberdeen Press & Journal (UK)) A National physiotherapy body is calling for the worst-polluting vehicles to be banned from city centres to minimise the risk to public health. Air particles emitted mainly by diesel engines are...

Smoking ban: Don't go soft.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) An outright ban on smoking in public places should be enforced across England to stub out a habit that claims 13,500 lives globally every day, a top official claimed yesterday. Dr Vera Luiza Da Costa e...

Housing market optimistic.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) The outlook for the housing market is bright - according to a report out today which reveals buyers are returning in significant numbers. The Hometrack February survey of the national housing market...

Wife and her brother arrested in missing West earl murder case.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) The estranged wife and brother-in-law of the missing Earl of Shaftesbury were last night being held by police on suspicion of his murder. Djamilia M'Barek and her brother Mohammed M'Barek were arrested by...

SAS man in murder probe as army takes more flak.
February 28, 2005... (From Western Daily Press) A Crack West SAS soldier is under investigation for allegedly shooting dead an Iraqi civilian, it emerged yesterday. The unnamed member of the elite Hereford-based regiment faces a possible murder charge...