Category: News

The PEAK wins Facility of the Year 2020 at Scottish Leisure Network Group awards

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By Nikita Vance

 

The awards took place on 17th November, at the Inchyra Grange Hotel in Grangemouth.

The award recognises facilities and their teams, who over the last 12 months “have gone above and beyond and made a notable impact in the community”. The panel recognised the PEAK for its achievements in innovating new studios; products; and programmes, whilst keeping everything running through the difficult circumstances caused by COVID.

It is also been recognised as a hub for the community which has a large impact on keeping the local community active and happy “through integrated activities and programmes delivered by Active Stirling’s teams: Sport, Physical Activity and Inclusion, Active Schools, Community Activation, and Employability and Health Referral across Stirling”.

Of the award, Active Stirling’s Director of Operations, Matt Bunnell said; “We are delighted that The PEAK has been recognised for Facility of the Year 2022 at the Scottish Leisure Managers Network awards.

“The facility, community and support teams across Active Stirling have worked tirelessly over the past year under exceedingly difficult circumstances through and out of the pandemic to achieve uninterrupted provision whilst also creating transformational opportunities to improve people’s live through using sport and physical activity as a progressive lever for positive change.”

“This award is an endorsement of their dedication and professionalism in delivering for the Stirling community on behalf of Stirling Council.”

Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter Christine McVie dies aged 79

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By Nikita Vance

 

Her death comes after a period of short illness, says family.

 

A statement posted on McVie’s official Facebook page read: “On behalf of Christine McVie’s family, it is with a heavy heart we are informing you of Christine’s death.

“She passed away peacefully at hospital this morning, Wednesday November 30th 2022, following a short illness. She was in the company of her family. We kindly ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this extremely painful time and we would like everyone to keep Christine in their hearts and remember the life of an incredible human being, and revered musician who was loved universally. RIP Christine McVie.”

Image via Wiltshire Live

McVie shot to fame in 1970s as singer-songwriter and keyboardist for the British American Rock band, alongside Stevie Nicks; Mick Fleetwood; her husband, John McVie; and Lindsey Buckingham. The band has sold over 100 million records worldwide, making them one of the most successful groups of all time.

The band paid tribute to McVie in a statement which reads: “There are no words to describe our sadness at the passing of Christine McVie. She was truly one-of-a-kind, special and talented beyond measure.”

“She was the best musician anyone could have in their band and the best friend anyone could have in their life.

“We were so lucky to have a life with her. Individually and together, we cherished Christine deeply and are thankful for the amazing memories we have. She will be so very missed.”

Swimmers, Strikes, and Sashes: It’s Graduation Day!

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By Peter Humfrey

 

An eventful end to last week saw more than 1700 students graduate across two days that saw picket lines, a six-time Commonwealth medallist graduate, and controversy over solidarity sashes.

Graduation kicked off on Thursday against backdrop of historic strikes with UCU Stirling members picketing the University main entrance, along with 70,000 academics engaging in strike action across the UK. 

The strikes and graduation inevitably crossed paths in controversial fashion when two graduands were barred from wearing sashes expressing solidarity with UCU members, as they took to the stage to graduate. This prompted outcry on twitter with many raising questions of free speech and criticising the University for it’s stance.

On the Friday, 28-year-old Scottish swimmer, Ross Murdoch, graduated with an M.Sc. Sports Management degree marking an end to an astonishing journey through the University’s high performance program.

In this time he competed at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, and three Commonwealth games, amassing six medals as he became European, Commonwealth, and World champion at various points.

 

Ross Murdoch with his six medals, including three from Birmingham 2022. Image Credit – University of Stirling

 

When asked if he’d make a return to the pool, following last year’s comeback from retirement to win three medals at this years Commonwealth Games, Murdoch admitted, “I still dream about swimming every night.”

On his chances at returning for the Victoria [Australia] 2026 Commonwealth games Murdoch pointed out “I’ve not officially retired”. However cautioned against people getting their hopes up saying:

“I haven’t been training in the pool for several weeks. For me, if I still feel this type of fire in eight or nine months, I could consider the possibility of another Commonwealth Games. But training for a Games is a difficult job and I need to wait and see with everything else – and whether it balances with my life after sport.” 

Ross did seem open to the prospect of returning though saying, “A Commonwealth Games is a massive thing; it really does feel like a family – that feeling of swimming for Scotland, there’s just nothing else like it.”

 

Ross Murdoch taking a dip with his degree. Image Credit – University of Stirling

 

Beyond all the excitement surround swimmers; strikes; and sashes, the University welcomed a number of honorary graduates from across a number of fields, some literal in the case of World Hill and Mountain Running champion, Dr Angela Mudge.

Mudge overcame early childhood disability to shatter record after record on her way to winning four Scottish Hill Running Championships and five British Fell Running Championships.

 

Dr Wackernagel. Image Credit – University of Stirling

Alongside were honorary graduates Dr Malcom Fairweather, for his work as a sports scientist; and Dr Mathis Wackernagel, President of the Global Footprint Network and sustainability champion.

Stirling Council call for public input in budget allocation for 2023/24

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By Nikita Vance

 

With a £17 million funding gap on the horizon for the next year’s budget setting process, Stirling Council want to hear your opinion on how they can best tackle financial issues.

No increase to the Local Government’s core funding from the Scottish Government is to be expected over the next three years, the Council need to find a way to “bridge a gap which is almost double its annual roads and land services budget”.

All Stirling residents are invited to take part in the Budget consultation here.

Image via Twitter @stirlingcouncil

Penalty Charge Notices in Stirling on the rise, following sharp drop over first COVID lockdown

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By Nikita Vance

 

New data obtained from Stirling Council shows that when Scotland first went into lockdown in 2020, the amount of PNC’s administered by the Council had a sharp decline in comparison to that of the previous year.

The severe drop in PNC’s administered in 2020 was directly caused by the stringent measures put in place by Nicola Sturgeon on 23 March that year, which meant that less people were driving or parking their cars in ticketible zones in Stirling. These measures saw that people in Scotland were required by law to stay at home except for:
  • Essential shopping – for food or medicines and only once a day
  • Exercise – only once a day and alone, or with someone from your household
  • Medical reasons or for the care of vulnerable people
  • Travel to and from essential work – all employers should be making provision to work from home

Of these measures, the First Minister said, “Let me blunt. The stringent restrictions on our normal day to day lives that I’m about to set out are difficult and they are unprecedented. They amount effectively to what has been described as a lockdown.”

“I am not going to sugarcoat it in any way,” the first minister said. “Coronavirus is the biggest challenge of our lifetime.

“Stay at home,” she said. “That is the message I gave yesterday and I am reinforcing that message now.”

Police Scotland also enforced this legislation, by increasing police patrols in key areas such as cities. This build up of fear and compliance further decreased the amount of people leaving their homes, not to mention those who would drive. With less cars on the road, there were less PCN’s needed to be administered.

The Stirling Council data supports this assumption, as there is no data for April or May 2020 so therefore no PCN’s were administered. This could also be due to that fact that some UK councils relaxed or even suspended parking enforcement regulations at the start of the first lockdown, which could well have been the case here.

 

The data also shows that the most ticketed months of each year are affected by COVID lockdowns. In 2019, before COVID, November was the most ticketed month of the year. This is due to the influx of people travelling by car into Stirling, as they most likely would be going for Christmas shopping.

The following year, however, the most ticketed month was January as the first case of COVID had not yet reached the UK until the end of that month. Following the announcement that the first case of COVID had been detected in the UK on 29 January 2020, people became fearful of contracting the virus and left the house much less. Then, with Scotland in lockdown by March 2020 no one was able to leave their house hence less tickets for the remainder of that year.

By 2021, life returned to some semblance of normality, as the high vaccine uptake encouraged the First Minister to lift restrictions in the run up to Christmas. This meant that the shopping behaviours of those in Stirling not only returned to normal, but almost doubled as the most tickets across the four years were issued in this month.

 

Top 5 Most Ticketed Places in Stirling

From the data, we have worked out the top 5 places in Stirling to avoid if you do not want to get a PNC. This is solely based of the amount of times each area was ticketed per month in 2020, therefore it does not take into account total amount of PNC’s issued.

McGill sends History Boys to 4th Round Tangerine Dream

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By Peter Humfrey

 

History was made earlier this week as the University of Stirling’s Men’s football team were drawn to play topflight side Dundee United away, in the Scottish Cup.

The side, who currently sit second in the Lowland League, made history after becoming the first University side in Scottish history to make the 4th round of the Scottish Cup.

 

Euan McGill celebrates win against Albion Rovers – Image Credit: George Vekic

Their place in the hat was assured after a weekend victory over Scottish League Two side Albion Rovers, 1-0, in a tense encounter, with midfielder Euan McGill tapping home a winner in the 111th minute.

They will now face 12th-placed Scottish Premiership side, Dundee United, nicknamed “the Tangerines” on the weekend beginning 21st January.

Former striker-turned manager, Chris Geddes has said he was “absolutely delighted” with the historic result. 

On the win he said “the players put in a phenomenal performance, their best of the season so far, and deserve all the plaudits they will receive on the back of this”

Ahead of the Fourth Round draw he was full of praise for their “outstanding performances all season” speaking on how they were “being rewarded for their efforts.”

The result, from a club in existence less than a decade, came against fourth tier side Albion Rovers, who currently sit 7th in the league above the University’s team.

Midfielder and Captain – Matthew Berry – Image Credit: University of Stirling Football Club

Speaking after the victory, captain Matthew Berry, hailed “the morale, the attitude and the work rate” from his teammates underlining the bond in team; “we are so together both on and off the pitch.”

Before the draw Berry said “To make history in the Scottish Cup is incredible”, going on to talk of the team’s anticipation for the fourth round.

“We can’t wait for the next round – a Premiership tie would be amazing!”

 

Following the draw, Geddes stressed there were a lot of games before that they need to focus on but that it’s an “exciting game for the whole club and University” and that the “boys will be really looking forward to it”

This marks quite the year for manager Geddes, who was named Scottish Student Sport Coach of the Year after leading his side to consecutive titles in the British and Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Premier North Division.

Manager – Chris Geddes (37) – Image Credit: University of Stirling Football Club

The fourth round tie will be played at the 14,000 capacity Tannadice Park, in Dundee. 

Whilst ticketing information has not yet been released, it is expected the team will take a small contingent of away fans and The Stirling Scope will keep fans up-to-date with any travel arrangements made by the club or the University.

 

The setting sees big change for the side who are more accustomed to playing at the 3,800 capacity Forthbank Stadium, who they share with Scottish League Two side, Stirling Albion.

Stirling Albion enjoyed their own magical fourth round tie at the beginning of this year, travelling to Ibrox, where they lost 4-0 to Old Firm giants, Rangers.

 

Students show support for striking lecturers and staff at Stirling University

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By Nikita Vance

 

Students at the University of Stirling joined their lecturers and other university staff in their three-day strike action over pay; pensions; and working conditions. The action, which is taking place across 150 universities, has been deemed by the University and College Union (UCU) to be “the biggest in the history of higher education”.

The strikes, which took place on November 24th; 25th; and 30th, came after nearly 400 University of Stirling UCU members voted in favour of the strike action. Senior lecturer in Social Work, Sara Hitchin described the need for further strike action – following several years of strike periods – as “a little bit soul-destroying” and added that “it feels as though we’ve been on strike every year for as many years as I can remember.”

Another lecturer at the University, Dr. Diane Critchley, shared this same frustration adding, “These disputes have been ongoing for all the time I’ve worked in academia… despite [previous strikes], we haven’t resolved any of the fights that have been on the table over that time.

“I voted for strike action as I felt like it was the right thing to do and hope this targeted approach will have some impact.”

Speaking to students at the picket line, there was a strong sense of support and camaraderie from the students towards the striking university staff. It became very clear that these students were willing to help in any way they can, in order to ensure that the demands of the University of Stirling’s UCU members are met.

University of Stirling NUS delegate, Ludovico Caminati, shared his view that “students need to take more action [by] supporting the lecturers and contacting the Uni, saying that ‘we are dissatisfied with the behaviour you have towards our lecturers, we think that you should give them better conditions, better pay, better pension, so that they can work better for us too.”

Caminati’s viewpoint was shared widely throughout the students in attendance at the picket line, and Stirling Solidarity Space have since released an informative video explaining the need for strike action and encouraging students to join their lecturers in their ongoing ‘conflict’ with the University;

Chair of the Stirling University Labour Society, Aaron Caulfield, was also very frank when asked about why students should support their striking lecturers. He said, “Students have to recognise that the striking staff are fighting not only for themselves, but for the community at large – there is a direct correlation between the pay and conditions of our teaching staff and the quality of the education we receive, and we should not let Universities exploit lecturers with this rollback of workers’ rights.

“Looking further into the future also these staff are fighting for improvement of the conditions we students will find ourselves facing if we enter academia.”

He was also very clear that “the only acceptable outcome of this period of industrial action is the acceptance of the UCU’s demands of an RPI+2% or 12% pay rise, whichever greater, and improvement to the working conditions faced by staff within higher educational institutions – Universities must engage in good-faith dialogue towards meeting these demands.”

Stirling University students deeply affected by UK wide student Housing Crisis

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By Nikita Vance

 

The lack of affordable private housing and spaces available in university accommodations has had a detrimental impact on the physical and mental wellbeing of students across Scotland.

Students in Stirling have been pushed to the limit trying to find suitable accommodation for the academic year, as prior to the semester starting in September the University of Stirling announced that in person attendance would be compulsory following two years of online teaching due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Facebook groups like “Rent a Flat in Stirling” have been brimming with posts from Stirling students begging for any accommodation they can get. Some have even been forced into blind bidding on flats due to the sheer demand for housing, as fourth year sociology student Matty Millar stated “There was either nothing or if we found something, it was gone within an hour,”

“We managed to get a viewing for one place and the landlord sat us down and said last year people offered to pay more and asked if we would be happy to do the same. We said yes and a couple of days later, an email went round saying they were doing a blind bid for the flat. At that point, we just backed out.”

Millar is currently having to live with his parents in Glasgow and commutes to Stirling each day via train, a debilitating and stressful task due to the ongoing train strikes since the summer which show no signs of stopping.

Nikita Vance speaks to the University of Stirling and VP of Communities, Jess Reid, to find out what they plan to do to curb the student housing issues.

TikTok challenge claims life of young Scottish boy

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By Katherine Rosenius

 

Warning: Do not try any of the ‘TikTok Challenges’ mentioned in this article.

 

A viral social media challenge has shockingly claimed the life of Scottish teen in north Lanarkshire.  

TikTok is a video hosting platform where users can submit video content. The platform hosts a variety of content, ranging from pranks stunts, and tricks to jokes, music, and dances. It has become clear that TikTok and its challenges and trends are not always as harmless and fun as they seem. Some of the challenges going around are incredibly dangerous and should not be tried out.

Leon Brown, 14, from Cumbernauld tragically passed away following an attempt at the viral ´Blackout Challenge’. His body was discovered by his mother, who has since spoken out to warn other parents about the dangers of social media and the ‘game’ which took her sons life.

Leon Brown(14). Image via Daily Record

Lauryn Brown, 30, recalling the awful moment said; “One of Leon’s friends told me he had been doing the challenge on FaceTime with them after seeing it on TikTok. My Leon thought he would be the one to try it first.

“Him and his friends probably thought it was a laugh and a joke. One of the kids who he was on FaceTime with told me what he had done. She said they thought they would wake up. But Leon didn’t come back around.

“It went horribly wrong. I had heard of this challenge, because of what happened to Archie Battersbee. They aren’t worth ‘likes’ or whatever they are doing it for.”

A spokesperson for TikTok released a statement saying, “Our deepest sympathies go out to Leon Brown’s family during this incredibly difficult time. The safety of our community is our priority and we take any claim about a dangerous challenge very seriously. Content of this nature is prohibited on our platform and would be removed if found.”

The blackout challenge sees users holding their breath until they pass out from lack of oxygen. Because of the TikTok trend, we are not only seeing people do this to themselves, but also doing it with and to their friends.  

Image via Cafe Mom

Dr Nick Flynn, a GP in Cork, warns that the risks associated with the challenge includes fainting, oxygen deprivation in brain, seizures, brain damage and in the worst case, death.  

Doctor Flynn explained to the Irish Examiner, “In performing the pass out challenge they are mimicking suffocation. They are stopping the chest muscle from moving, which stops the chest from working and can´t get oxygen to the brain. The brain is then starved of oxygen and the person loses consciousness” 

According to the magazine People, this challenge has been around since 2008 but resurfaced on TikTok in 2021. Experts have warned young users not to try this trend. 

The blackout challenge, however, is not the only one who could put the youths’ lives at risk.

Countless new challenges come out every day and it is important for parents, kids, and teens to be warned whenever a potentially dangerous trend is released or ´trending´.

  

 

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