Throughout her career and voluntary work, Lorraine Gillies has dedicated herself to supporting vulnerable people, strengthening communities and promoting inclusion.

Lorraine Gillies has been selected as Almond Valley’s Local Hero for the opening ceremony of Session 7 of the Scottish Parliament, following a public nomination recognising her outstanding service to communities across West Lothian.

Throughout her career and voluntary work, Lorraine has dedicated herself to supporting vulnerable people, strengthening communities and promoting inclusion.

As Senior Manager at Cyrenians West Lothian, Chair of the Open Door Accommodation Project, and through a range of leadership and voluntary roles, she has made a lasting difference to the lives of many local residents.

Her commitment to public service extends beyond West Lothian through her involvement with Community Justice Scotland, the Scottish Community Safety Network and the Independent Working Group on Anti-Social Behaviour.

She also gives her time as a Trustee and Volunteer with West Lothian Riding for the Disabled, Chair of The Scheme Livingston, Board Member of Donaldson’s Trust and Patron of the West Lothian Community Race Forum.

Lorraine said: “I’m a strong believer in the power of community, volunteering and local democracy.

“I’m delighted to be nominated and even more delighted to be accompanying Angela to the state opening of the Scottish Parliament.”

Almond Valley MSP Angela Constance added: “I am delighted that Lorraine has been recognised as Almond Valley’s Local Hero. Her commitment to supporting others, strengthening communities and championing inclusion has touched the lives of countless people across West Lothian.

“This recognition is richly deserved, and I look forward to seeing her represent our community at the Opening Ceremony of Session 7 of the Scottish Parliament.”

Lorraine was nominated by a member of the public who highlighted her lifelong commitment to community service, leadership and helping others, often without seeking recognition for herself.

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Campaigners took to the streets of York city centre to call for electoral reform, including changing the voting system for national elections.

Sean Hagan, of Make Votes Matter York and North Yorkshire, said the current first-past-the-post system left millions without representation and allowed parties to win elections with minority support from voters.

Protests on Sunday, June 14 came as part of the Wake Up Westminster national day of action which saw similar demonstrations held in support of moving to proportional representation.

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The York demonstration saw campaigners display a banner bearing the slogan: ‘Wake up Westminster- It’s time for proportional representation’ on landmarks including the bar walls.

Members of Make Votes Matter were joined by those of the campaign group Compass.

Campaigners said the 2024 general election which saw Labour win 411 out of 650 seats in Parliament with roughly 34 per cent of the vote showed first-past-the-post was unfair.

They have called for first-past-the-post, where the candidate with the most votes wins even if they do not get a majority, to be ditched for proportional representation.

Proportional representation, or PR, awards candidates or parties a share of seats based on the share of the vote they receive in the election.

Protesters in support of proportional representation in York on Sunday, June 14 (Image: Make Votes Matter)

Make Votes Matter’s Mr Hagan said too many people felt their votes were wasted on under the current system.

The campaigner said: “Election after election, millions of voters are left without meaningful representation, while parties can gain government power on minority voter support.

“The UK deserves a democratic voting system that ensures seats in Parliament more fairly reflect how people vote and every voter can have an effective voice in shaping the country’s future.”

Electoral reform including giving votes to 16 and 17 year olds is currently making its way through Parliament.

But the Representation of the People Bill does not include changes to the country’s voting system and the Government currently has no plans to alter it.

Supporters of PR argue it would better represent smaller parties and curb tactical voting, when people cast ballots based on who they think is most likely to win.

But opponents say it can produce weak and unstable coalition governments and allow parties to stay in power by making new pacts with others, making them harder to vote out.

York councillors voted 38 to two in support of a motion calling for PR to be adopted nationally in April.

Liberal Democrat Cllr Anne Hook, who tabled the motion, said the change would raise the quality of political debate and force ideas and policies to stand up to scrutiny.

Conservative Cllr Christ Steward, who voted against, said no voting system was perfect and PR would not put an end to safe seats or tactical voting.

A fleet of emergency services attended a house on Fourth Street, Leadgate, Consett, at 5.26pm this evening (June 17).

Police confirmed a man had been bitten by his dog leaving him with non-life threatening injuries.

Sergeant Dan Beardmore from Durham Police said: “A dog has bitten it’s owner and one person was injured; his injuries are not life threatening. He has gone to the RVI.

“There were no other people involved. The dog has been seized and there will be a full investigation. There was another dog also involved.”

The North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) confirmed they attended the incident and took the owner to hospital.

A spokesperson said: “We were called to an incident at a private address in Consett, County Durham at 5.26pm.

“We dispatched two ambulance crews, one rapid response paramedic, one clinical team leader and were supported by our colleagues at Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS).

“One patient was taken to hospital by road.”

Police were at the scene after the dog attack. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Police at the scene on Fourth Street, Consett after a dog attack. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Pictures from this evening show the canine unit stationed on the road along with around five other police vehicles. The dog warden and an on-call vet also attended.

Police seen entering a property with a shield. (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

Residents described returning home from work and seeing the street blocked off by police vehicles.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: “The dog lived opposite me. It’s lived there a couple of years. The dog was running up the street.”

Police confirmed an investigation will be launched with emergency services remaining at the scene this evening.

The Great North Air Ambulance has been contacted for comment.

The broadcaster announced plans for major changes in a bid to save hundreds of thousands of pounds

The BBC has confirmed that it will undergo significant cost-cutting measures over the next three years, with dozens of jobs in Wales expected to be lost as part of a corporation-wide downsizing programme. The broadcaster announced today the first phase of plans to deliver £500m in savings by the end of the 2027/28 financial year.

The move will see hundreds of posts cut across the UK, alongside reductions in programme commissioning and operational spending.

In Wales, the BBC is aiming to save £9m, with around 50 roles set to be removed during the initial phase of the restructuring. The cuts form part of wider savings across the BBC’s Nations division, which covers services in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and local operations across England. For the biggest stories in Wales first sign up to our daily newsletter here

Staff were informed that 550 positions across the BBC’s News, Nations and Content divisions will be closed by the start of 2027/28. The broadcaster said the changes announced today will contribute around £160m towards its overall £500m savings target.

The BBC expects its total workforce to shrink by between 1,800 and 2,000 posts over the next three years, representing a reduction in headcount of around 10%.

Alongside the Welsh job losses, the Nations division is expected to see up to 50 roles cut in Northern Ireland, around 60 in Scotland, and approximately 90 across BBC Local services in England.

The news department are also looking to save around £25m, with a net reduction of around 200 roles for this first phase. BBC News will be reducing costs by at least £51m by next April with further announcements expected over the next few months detailing further post closures amounting to a level similar to that announced today. There has been no talk of how BBC News Wales will be affected.

According to the broadcaster, the cuts are being driven by changing audience habits, with more viewers and listeners consuming content online rather than through traditional television and radio services. As part of the plans, the BBC will review its portfolio of television channels and radio networks and reduce the number of hours commissioned across a range of genres.

BBC management said programme and staffing decisions would be guided by three key principles: maintaining content with the greatest audience impact, investing in services where audiences are increasingly consuming content, and simplifying the organisation to reduce duplication and speed up decision-making.

Employees have been told that voluntary redundancy schemes will be made available, although the BBC has warned that compulsory redundancies may also be necessary.

Further details on additional savings and job reductions across other BBC divisions are expected to be announced in the coming months.

Harry Kane received a major reprieve in England’s opening game of the World Cup as VAR intervened to order a retake.

Kane saw his penalty saved by Croatia goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic, but referee Clement Turpin paused the game to announce that the kick would be taken again.

Replays showed Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol encroach inside the area before Kane had struck the penalty, and it was Gvardiol who made first contact with the ball after Livakovic’s save. Defenders encroaching on a penalty is pointless endeavour in the modern game, because if they touch the ball, VAR will always intervene and order a retake.

Replays also appeared to show Livakovic was slightly off his line when the penalty was taken – another reason for officials to order a retaken spot-kick.

Kane stepped up once more and dispatched the penalty at the second attempt, this time doing away with the stutter and striking the ball confidently to the same side where Livakovic had made the initial save.

More to follow…

The venue will operate in a separate premises next door to the supermarket

Lidl is preparing to open its first pub in the world in the coming days, at its existing store in Dundonald.

The 60-seater pub, aptly named The Middle Ale, will bring the retailer’s award-winning range of quality wines, beers and spirits to local shoppers and residents for the first time.

It represents a fresh investment of more than £500,000, with eight new permanent roles. The venue is painted in typical Lidl red and blue, with a variety of seats including stools and booths. The walls are lined with shopping items available at the supermarket, as well as mirrors featuring ‘Freeway Cola.’

When it opens its doors, The Middle Ale will be open to the public between 3pm and 11pm Monday to Thursday, 12pm to 11pm on Friday and Saturday, and from 12.30pm to 11pm on Sundays.

The supermarket chain opening its first pub has shone a light internationally on Northern Ireland’s licensing laws. The retailer’s move to open the venue was because it couldn’t open an off-sales in the Dundonald store as usual due to such laws.

The law here means you can only open a new pub or off-licence by buying an existing “surrendered” licence, and then by proving an area is inadequately served.

Lidl bought the licence from a closing pub, but the court ruled there were already enough off-licences in the area. Instead, the retailer argued the area lacked pubs, which lets them use their licence to open a pub and sell alcohol to take away.

The pub will operate in a separate premises next door to the supermarket, with access to an off license through a separate entance.

Last November, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons rejected a number of changes to rules around alcohol licensing recommended by an independent report from academics at the University of Stirling. The report recommended a number of changes, including the reform of the surrender principle.

At the time, the Campaign for Rale Ale Northern Ireland (CAMRA NI) said the Minister’s decision was a “huge, wasted opportunity” which “shows a total disregard for the consumers this administration represents.”

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Olympic medallist Jenny Simpson is receiving treatment in hospital following a “medical incident” at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina.

The 39-year-old American was pacing a mile group at a Sir Walter Miler pop-up event on Tuesday when she reportedly collapsed and needed CPR.

Simpson, who retired from competitive running at the end of the 2024 season, won gold in the 1500m at the 2011 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

In a statement on X, external, the Sir Walter Miler team confirmed the incident and said: “Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time.

“We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately, as well as EMS and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care, urgency, and professionalism.

“We are also thankful to everyone who has reached out with concern and support. We ask that you continue to keep Jenny and her family in your prayers as we all hope for the very best.”

Simpson also won silver medals in the 1500m at the 2013 and 2017 World Championships.

PORTUGAL 1-1 DR CONGO: Cristiano Ronaldo failed to respond to Lionel Messi’s stunning hat-trick as his country were held to a shock draw by their minnow opponents

This was after the Lord Mayor’s Show – and Cristiano Ronaldo found himself the faded star of it.

For all the right reasons. Because if Lionel Messi had served up the main course 24 hours earlier, all his greatest rival could dish out here was a load of scraps.

While in the process finding himself upstaged by a striker who cost less than Ronaldo earns in six months in Saudi Arabia. Someone who managed just one goal last season. Take a bow Yoane Wissa.

That’s not a sentence Newcastle United supporters expected to read, considering how miserable Wissa’s first campaign on Tyneside turned out to be.

But Wissa put all that behind him with a historic first half equaliser, to notch DR Congo’s first ever World Cup goal and secure a stunning upset in Houston.

This had supposed to have been Ronaldo’s response to seeing the cream rise to the top in North America. The first man to score in six different World Cups. He had watched Messi plunder three stunning goals in his own World Cup opening game in Kansas.

While Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland had also helped themselves to braces in their respective games. It meant Ronaldo was under pressure to remind people he could still be one of the top dogs.

If Ronaldo wanted to dispel theories he is a spent force, he couldn’t have wished for a more inviting stage. Roberto Martinez’s men appeared to have taken complete control, pinning Congo deep inside their own half.

Joao Neves struck the first blow inside six minutes, rising to meet Pedro Neto’s cross and guide a superb header past Lionel Mpasi.

Wissa tried to respond, but curled a shot just wide, while Cedric Bakumbu weaved past two defenders but saw his effort deflected for a corner.

Portugal dominated the ball, but perhaps the ‘Leopards’ were not going to be pussycats after all? Each time Ronaldo took possession, there was a rise in the octane levels.

But he was becoming frustrated, something reflected in the fact his most significant contribution of the first half was to remonstrate with the referee for booking Bernardo Silva.

Whisper it, but this team no longer revolves around its talisman. Bruno Fernandes, Neves, Silva and Vitinha were pulling most of the strings. Silva just failed to convert a cross from Fernandes, while his own cross almost picked out Ronaldo.

Joao Cancelo’s centre was also agonisingly out of reach of Ronaldo moments later. Yet Congo were refusing to become Portugal’s puppets.

And the unthinkable happened when Congo equalised through Wissa on the stroke of half time, to leave the favourites stunned.

Congo could smell blood, and Bakumbu struck the post, while Mpasi’s long throw launched a rapid counter attack from the Africans, but Bakumbu lashed his shot over the crossbar.

Then came Ronaldo’s two big moments to make a difference and spare some Portugal’s faced being left as red as their shirts. Both created by substitute Francisco Conceicao – and both wasted.

Portugal were becoming desperate, but not desperate enough for Martinez to haul Ronaldo off. Such an act of footballing treason was beyond him. Martinez is rumoured to be standing down after this World Cup.

But at this rate, he might be gone much sooner than he’d planned – and it won’t have been his decision.

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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed a State Pension age change set to rise to 68 — here’s what you need to know and whether you’re affected

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a significant State Pension age adjustment that will determine when anyone born after 1977 can receive their initial payment.

An alteration to the State Pension age is currently being rolled out across the UK, with the age legally scheduled to increase from 66 to 67 in stages over a two-year period between April 2026 and 2028. As the age rise is being introduced progressively, individuals celebrating their 66th birthday during the transitional phase now face an extended wait before becoming entitled to claim the State Pension.

However, the DWP has announced that an additional age increase is scheduled, impacting anyone born after 1977.

The State Pension age is due to rise again between 2044 and 2046 to age 68, which means younger generations face an even more prolonged wait until they reach retirement age and can begin collecting their State Pension.

Yet the age rise could potentially happen even earlier following the start of an early review. A State Pension age review typically takes place every six years, but the DWP is presently examining whether the transition to age 68 should be brought forward, despite the most recent review having only concluded in 2023, reports the Express.

While the existing timetable for the State Pension age increase remains on track, the third formal review could alter it and possibly advance the next age adjustment. The early review has been initiated following concerns that adults are not contributing sufficiently to private pensions for their retirement, with DWP analysis revealing approximately 15 million people are undersaving for retirement, particularly affecting the self-employed, low-paid workers and certain ethnic minorities.

The Government Actuary has been tasked with preparing a report on the State Pension age as part of this third review and will examine whether the regulations surrounding pensionable age remain suitable, based on life expectancy data, and whether individuals reaching pensionable age within a specified timeframe can be expected to spend a designated proportion of their adult life in retirement.

According to the DWP, adjustments to the State Pension age take a “range of factors” into consideration, and any modifications must pass through Parliament before becoming legislation.

Therefore, while there are no immediate plans to alter the schedule for the age increase from 66 to 67, the review could modify the timetable for the age increase from 67 to 68.

However, under the existing plan, the State Pension age for men and women born afterApril 5, 1977 will rise to 68 and be implemented progressively between 2044 and 2046.

Consequently, individuals with birthdays between April 6, 1977 and April 5, 1978 will need to wait until they reach 68 and have accrued a specified number of months before they can claim their State Pension. Anyone born on or after April 6, 1978 will be entitled to receive their State Pension from their 68th birthday.

The timetable for the age change, as confirmed by the DWP, is as follows:.

• Born between April 6, 1977 – May 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2044
• Born between May 6, 1977 – June 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2044
• Born between June 6,1977 – July 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2044
• Born between July 6, 1977 – August 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2044
• Born between August 6, 1977 – September 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2045
• Born between September 6, 1977 – October 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2045
• Born between October 6, 1977 – November 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on May 6, 2045
• Born between November 6, 1977 – December 5, 1977 – Reach State Pension age on July 6, 2045
• Born between December 6, 1977 – January 5, 1978 – Reach State Pension age on September 6, 2045
• Born between January 6, 1978 – February 5, 1978 – Reach State Pension age on November 6, 2045
• Born between February 6, 1978 – March 5, 1978 – Reach State Pension age on January 6, 2046
• Born between March 6, 1978 – April 5, 1978 – Reach State Pension age on March 6, 2046
• Born April 6, 1978 onwards – Reach State Pension age on 68th birthday

Commenting on the planned age increase to 68, the DWP said: “Under the Pensions Act 2007, the State Pension age for men and women will increase from 67 to 68 between 2044 and 2046.

“The Pensions Act 2014 provides for a regular review of the State Pension age, at least once every 5 years. The review will be based on the idea that people should be able to spend a certain proportion of their adult life drawing a State Pension. The first review must be completed by May 2017.

“As well as life expectancy, it will take into account a range of factors relevant to setting the pension age. After the review has been reported, the government may then choose to bring forward changes to the State Pension age. Any proposals to do so would, like now, have to go through Parliament before becoming law.

“The government is not planning to revise the existing timetables for the equalisation of State Pension age to 65 or the rise in the State Pension age to 66 or 67. However the timetable for the increase in the State Pension age from 67 to 68 could change as a result of the review.

“In the Autumn Statement on December 5, 2013, the Chancellor announced that this government believes that future generations should spend up to a third of their adult life in retirement. This principle implies that State Pension age should rise to 68 by the mid-2030s, and 69 by the late 2040s.

“However, the government is not currently legislating for this change – these dates are indicative only, showing a general direction of travel for future State Pension age changes.”

The fried chicken giant has launched its largest-ever boneless menu update across the UK and Ireland, adding a host of new boneless options and nine dipping sauces.

These new items are timed with the start of the World Cup this summer and are intended to capitalise on the excitement.

The centrepiece of the new menu is the Football Triple Bucket, a massive sharing meal priced at £24.99.

What does the KFC Football Triple Bucket contain?

The meal features a combination of six Original Recipe Chicken pieces, six Tenders, and eight Hot Wings, complemented by four regular Signature Fries, two large sides, and a large bottled drink.

KFC has also introduced a Football Double Bucket, starting at £20.99, as reported by creatorzine.com. It can include various combinations, such as 12 Tenders or a mix of Original Recipe Chicken and Tenders, along with fries, sides, and a large drink.

Both buckets will be available until July 19.

The menu revamp is anchored by the expansion of the brand’s popular Chicken Tenders, which can now be bought in portions of three, five, or 10 pieces.

These can be paired with a choice of nine dipping sauces, including new flavours like Sweet Teriyaki, Hot Honey Habanero, Honey Mustard, Texas BBQ, Original Sauce, Jalapeño Ranch, Supercharger, Garlic Parm and Mango Masala.

The new boneless menu first launches in the UK and Ireland before extending to international markets such as Australia and the US.

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The launch of this new menu comes as KFC refreshes its branding across advertising, social media, and digital platforms.

The new buckets are available in restaurants, drive-thrus, and via delivery services while stocks last.

The brand has released a range of limited- edition items this year, including a pickle-themed menu with a pickle Pepsi Max and frickles as well as a Hot Honey Drip Burger. 

Will you be trying the new football-themed KFC bucket? Let us know in the comments below.