Six Nations matches a lifeline for Cardiff, say pubs
BBC Rugby fans gathered in Cardiff ahead of the Wales v Scotland game Six Nations games in Cardiff will be a “commercial lifeline” for the city’s Covid-hit pubs, bars and restaurants. Wales welcomed Scotland on Saturday, the first of three home games, each thought to attract about £20m. The game was Wales’ first at the […]
Maddie Hinch and Laura Unsworth defend decisions to join Holcombe
Last month Canterbury defender Mel Clewlow said Holcombe’s strategy was unsustainable, and that “anybody that flashes a chequebook will turn heads”. Holcombe chairman David South explained the club needed “a boost” to reach England’s Premier Division. The Rochester-based club’s women’s side are currently top of the Conference East, which is one tier below the Premier […]
Up against it, and ain’t that the truth
PA When up against it, politicians customarily essay a range of responses. They may resort to rhetoric, soaring or otherwise. They may rely upon sardonic irony. If really pushed, they may fall back upon frankness. Yes, they may tell the truth. In his Budget today, Philip Hammond relied upon all three. Strategy One, oratory. At […]
Covid curb fears and emergency funding row
Possible restrictions before Christmas cast gloom on some of Monday’s front pages. The i reports “Christmas restrictions hanging in the balance” and says the UK health secretary refuses to rule out tougher measures to halt the transmission of Covid-19. In Scotland, it reports Nicola Sturgeon’s doubts over “extra cash” announced by the Chancellor. The Scottish […]
Ireland take second win over Scotland at Mossley
The Ireland women’s hockey team made it two wins out of two in their three-match series against Scotland with a 2-0 victory at Mossley on Thursday. After a scoreless first half in which Scotland were unable to convert some good chances, Anna O’Flanagan and Megan Frazer scored goals in the second half. Ireland had beaten […]
Police Scotland to train 500 new Taser officers
PA A police officer demonstrates a Taser Police Scotland will increase its Taser capability by 500 officers after a sharp rise in the number of assaults. So far this year, 969 officers have been assaulted – an increase of nearly 27% on the 764 recorded in 2016. The plans, which will be put to the […]
M&S warns of ‘gathering storm’ as shoppers squeezed
Getty Images Marks and Spencer has warned of a “gathering storm” of higher costs for retailers and pressure on household budgets as it reported a fall in profits for the first half of the year. The High Street giant said trading would become “more challenging” after it revealed its profits dropped by 24%. It said […]
Aberdeen film fans ‘heartbroken’ at Belmont Filmhouse closure
BBC Aygul Salehova is a film student who just arrived from Azerbaijan The closure of Aberdeen’s Belmont Filmhouse – a venue seen as important for those with sensory impairments as well as film students – has been described as “devastating”. The parent charity that runs it, as well as the Edinburgh International Film Festival and […]
Flour mills working ’round the clock’ to meet demand
Getty Images Flour has been in short supply in supermarkets With the nation confined to their homes amid the coronavirus lockdown, a rise in home baking appears to be contributing to shortages of flour on supermarket shelves. Grocery sales of flour were up 92% in the four weeks to 22 March compared to the same […]
Glasgow 2014: England win double gymnastics team gold
Scotland finished second to secure their first major team medal. Dan Keatings, Dan Purvis, Frank Baines, Adam Cox and Liam Davie scored 257.603, with England’s 266.804 enough for victory. However, Oldham missed England’s final two rotations after falling in the vault. England’s women finished on a total of 167.555, and errors from Australia on both […]