Evening Times

Times Past; Ayr Racecourse, 1959

Ayr racecourse has been Scotland's premier horse racing venue for decades. The first official meet, as recorded in "Weatherbys Racing Calendar" took place in 1777.

Who Listens to Local People?

I WAS disgusted, but not surprised, to read (Evening Times, August 25) that the Scottish Executive has ignored 185 letters of objection and overturned a city council decision to refuse consent to allow a concrete processing factory to open next to Craigton Primary School in Govan. Where I live, the Scottish Executive Inquiry Reporters' Unit have six times in recent years brushed aside objections by local residents and overturned Renfrewshire Council decisions to refuse planning permission to ...

Country Pays Tribute to Its New Olympic Heroes; Nation Welcomes Back Team Gb As Gala Reception Is Planned to Honour Scots Athletes

BRITAIN'S Olympic medal winners were adjusting to life as national heroes today. The athletes returned home from Athens yesterday to a rapturous reception at Gatwick Airport.

No 2008 Bid for Golden Girl Kelly

Golden girl Kelly Holmes revealed today she will not be competing at the Beijing Olympics in 2008... because she'll be too old. The double gold medal winner said her physio would kill her if she tried to go on for another four years.

Training to Spot Risk of Suicides

A PILOT project to teach people how to recognise suicidal tendencies has been launched. The training sessions will be taught by a team of specially- trained staff from NHS Greater Glasgow, Glasgow City Council and several voluntary groups.

City Sports Get (Pounds) 1.6m Lotto Boost

THOUSANDS of youngsters in some of Glasgow's most deprived areas will enjoy all-year- round sports thanks to (pounds) 1.6million Lotto cash. Glasgow City Council has been given the biggest share of a (pounds) 4.4m grant to create 21st century sports facilities in schools including a state-of-the-art dance studio and exercise units for children with special needs.

60 Soap Factory Staff Set to Strike; Pay Peace Bid Fails at City Plant

STAFF at a Glasgow soapmaking plant will walk out tomorrow after crunch pay talks collapsed. Around 60 production workers will go ahead with a planned 48- hour stoppage from 6am tomorrow.

I Went From Size 22 to Size 10 in Less Than a Year; Exclusive: Week Two of the Diet Plan That Could Change Your Life

KIRSTY Groom has shed five stones in weight - and claims that it's all down to the just4weeks diet. The 24-year-old weighed in at over 15 stones when, inspired by dad Tom's weight loss, she embarked on a campaign of her own.

It's Easy to Lose Weight and There Is Still Plenty of Time to Join Diet; Get Slim and Healthy with Our Easy-to-Follow Eating Tips

THE BASICS THE just4weeks eating plan is the healthy, safe and easy way to lose weight and feel great.

Cop Stole Cash From Mentally-Ill Suspect

A POLICEMAN stole money from a mentally ill suspect before charging him with a public order offence, a court has heard. PC Allan Morton, 41, and another officer went to the 26-year-old man's home in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, to question him after he was alleged to have smashed a shop window.

Rally Call for Ve Day

VE DAY veterans are invited to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. East Renfrewshire Provost Betty Cunningham wants veterans in the area to join her next May in marking the occasion.

Top Music Venue Sold in (Pounds) 33m Deal

TOP city music venue the Carling Academy has been sold in a (pounds) 33.5million management buyout. The deal to acquire its parent company, the McKenzie Group, will affect a total of seven venues across the UK.

Weekend Repairs Hit Rail Route

COMMUTERS face major disruption on railways west of Glasgow this weekend. All trains between Dalmuir and Helensburgh and Balloch will be replaced by a bus service on Sunday.

Children's Panel Age Limit to Be Scrapped

THE age limit of 60 for recruits to children's panels is to be scrapped in a bid to recruit 100 more members in Glasgow. A rule requiring existing panel members to retire at 65 is also to be abolished.

Factory Blast Fund Pays Out an Extra (Pounds) 40,000

A FURTHER (pounds) 40,000 is to be paid out to help survivors and families of victims of the Maryhill factory disaster. By Friday, a total of (pounds) 92,795 had been donated by kind- hearted people from across Glasgow and further afield.

Top Fashion Chain to Open in City; Spanish Clothing Firm Set for Two Outlets

SPANISH fashion chain Zara will open a flagship store on Glasgow's busiest shopping street within months. The company is opening two new outlets in the city with the one in Buchanan Street poised to be Scotland's biggest.

Hi-Tech Spies Tell Parents When Pupils Eat Junk Food; Swipe-Card Blitz On Bad School Diets

PUPILS who binge on junk food during lunch breaks will be reported to their parents in a crackdown on unhealthy eating. More than 16,000 children will have their eating habits monitored by computer.

Crabby Cat Victor Meldrew Finally Gets a New Home

SCOTLAND'S grumpiest cat is purr-fectly happy now he's found a new home - thanks to the Evening Times. Animal welfare workers were struggling to find a willing owner for the sour puss they christened Victor Meldrew after the character from TV's One Foot In The Grave.

Debate On Smoke Ban

A MEETING to discuss a proposed ban on smoking in public places will be held in Maryhill tonight. Deputy Health Minister Tom McCabe is due to attend the event in St Mary's Primary School in Kilmun Street from 7pm.

Demo Day for Tai Chi

Shoppers will be surprised to find people practising Tai Chi in Glasgow on Saturday. George Square will host a demonstration of the ancient Chinese art.