Press and Journal, The Aberdeen (UK) back issues from December 2007:
Cold war spy story a polished performance
Dec 01, 2007 ... The Company, BBC2, Saturday THIS polished new spy thriller, told in three feature-lengthparts and set in war-ravaged Berlin during the 1950s, was aired onSaturday night. Ostensibly, it was an insider's look at the role ofthe CIA during the Cold War years. At the centre of the ...
Flavours to savour - at a price
Dec 01, 2007 ... There's something to be said for a restaurant that oozescharacter and has an unsavoury past. Tony Borthwick's Plumed Horse, in Henderson Street, Leith,Edinburgh, has plenty of that. The building in which it is housedhas, in its previous assorted lives, been a dairy, an ...
A sweet nutty treat
Dec 01, 2007 ... Why are Jerusalem artichokes so often overlooked in the kitchen?Could it be that their strange warty pink or buff exterior just putspeople off. Maybe few know what they are, or could it be that theirone drawback is widely known? They contain an indigestiblecarbohydrate, inulin, which ...
Goats to float your boat
Dec 01, 2007 ... It Would have been a much quicker option to approach the SouthAfrican wine town of Paarl through the Huguenot Tunnel, but instead,we took the Du Toitskloof Pass. As we rounded the side of the Du Toitskloof Mountains, Paarl cameinto view, nestled on the valley floor and sheltered on ...
Heaven on earth
Dec 01, 2007 ... My Four-day tour to Lyon and the Ardeche included both the hustleand bustle of France's second city and the sedate pace of prettyVals-les-Bains, where I discovered a little piece of heaven on Earth- Chateau Clement. After a trouble-free easyJet connection, on the way to ...
Stock up for Christmas
Dec 01, 2007 ... Turkey troubles, sprout sagas and gravy grumbles - we've all beenthere. If your festive fowl often tastes a bit foul and you fancy afew practice runs before the big day, it could be time to call inthis year's saviour of Christmas. He's not wearing red and sporting a huge beard. Oh ...
Presents for pets
Dec 01, 2007 ... Animal lovers in Britain will spend more than pounds100million onChristmas gifts for their pets this year if new research is to bebelieved. A survey by YouGov revealed that 67% of the nation's catand dog owners will be buying their pet a present at Christmas, withmore than half of them ...
The 12 pains of Christmas
Dec 01, 2007 ... Partying, shopping and all the rush and excitement associatedwith Christmas is part of the festivities, but takes a toll on ourhealth. If you swan through the run-up and the holiday without oneailment - whether it's a strained back from lugging all thoseshopping bags or the ...
Millie the wanderer
Dec 01, 2007 ... A Runaway sheepdog who took flight after being terrified byfireworks has been reunited with her relieved owner. Murdo Stewart searched everywhere when his collie, Millie,disappeared from his farm at Rothienorman, Aberdeenshire, onNovember 10. The two-year-old Border collie ...
Thrillers put writer in the firing line
Dec 01, 2007 ... Top thriller writer David Baldacci has never felt the need forpersonal protection, unlike some of his fellow writers who haveattracted their fair share of weirdos and stalkers. "I've never employed bodyguards, although some fellow writerslike Patsy (Patricia) Cornwell have. I've ...
Keeping childcare safe
Dec 01, 2007 ... It's not easy for any parent to leave their young child withsomeone else while they work. And to hear that a childminder shook a baby in her care to deathwill have raised extra concerns for untold numbers of parents. In a case described in court as "every parent's ...
Party perfection
Dec 01, 2007 ... Once the festive season beckons, it's time to wave goodbye to theunderstated natural look and say hello to glitz and glamour. With party invitations stacking up, inject some seasonal pizzazzinto your beauty routines with lashings of glamorous sparkle. The party season is the ...
Wrap up in chunky knits
Dec 01, 2007 ... This season, knits aren't only big on the fashion front, they'rejumbo in size. Celebrate the onset of cold weather - if there's one winterwarmer you have to invest in to keep cosy, it's a chunky knit.Cardigan, jumper, dress or accessories, the fashion world's gonewild for the ...
Epic tale of daemons and mystery
Dec 01, 2007 ... It's A film based on a much-loved and controversial book trilogy,with a young hero on a quest helped by brave souls in a world fullof darkness, magic and mystical creatures. If this all sounds very Lord of the Rings, it's because New LineCinema, the company which wagered its ...
Snowy won't make heavy weather of it
Dec 01, 2007 ... Snowy Morning can make good use of his huge pull in the weightswith Denman and claim Newbury's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup today. The pair are old adversaries, having clashed in the Royal &SunAlliance Chase at Cheltenham last season when Denman ran out a 10-length champion of the ...
Higgins faces test against Chinese prodigy
Dec 01, 2007 ... Ding Junhui stands between John Higgins and a place in the finalof this year's Premier League snooker tournament which reaches itsconclusion this weekend at the AECC. Higgins was the final player through to tonight's semi-finalswhen he earned a 3-3 draw with Steve Davis to progress ...
Stewart is backed to spark Buckie title push
Dec 01, 2007 ... Buckie Thistle midfielder Graeme Stewart is being tipped to makeup for lost time as the Jags' title challenge takes shape. The league leaders are at Cove Rangers this afternoon and DuncanShearer believes Stewart will have a key role to play. The former Caley Thistle youngster ...
Cormie takes up challenge
Dec 01, 2007 ... Inverurie Locos will begin life under new manager Dave Cormiethis afternoon when Forres Mechanics visit Harlaw Park. Cormie will be without the injured duo Kenny Coull and SeanMcKinstry for the start of his second spell at the helm. NickyGordon andSimon Scott, both transfer listed ...
Potter determined to grab his chance to get back in Saints side
Dec 01, 2007 ... St Mirren defender John Potter hopes Will Haining's loss can behis gain. Potter has not featured for the Paisley outfit since the 4-0defeat by Aberdeen at the beginning of October. With Haining suspended for today's clash with Falkirk followinghis red card against Caley ...
Beasley blow as he faces lengthy spell on sidelines
Dec 01, 2007 ... Damarcus Beasley's debut season at Rangers is in tatters after hewas told he faces months out of action. The winger, 25, will return to his native United States toundergo surgery on knee ligament damage sustained during Tuesday'sChampions League match in Stuttgart. Beasley ...
Strachan focused on signings
Dec 01, 2007 ... Celtic manager Gordon Strachan will not alter his Januarytransfer plans in the wake of the injury crisis affecting hisdefence. John Kennedy and LeeNaylor were carried off during Wednesday'sChampions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk - a match whichdefenders Mark Wilson, ...
Why my day went belly up . . .
Dec 01, 2007 ... If you think of the intricate fabric of the universe as onegigantic piece of knitting, it's easy to see how catastrophic onelittle dropped stitch can be. We've all heard of the chaos theory,the butterfly effect and so on (indeed I've waffled on about themmore than once). But my knitted ...
Exports move aims to stabilise pig market
Dec 01, 2007 ... The Scottish pig industry has faced several major external shocksduring the year, and topping this was increased feed costs and foot-and-mouth disease. Producer margins tightened during the year and became negative inmany cases, as returns did not improve while input costs ...
Arabs sound defence reverberates
Dec 01, 2007 ... Caley Thistle player-manager Craig Brewster believes strongdefensive foundations have been the key to Dundee United's vastimprovement under Craig Levein. Brewster identified Lee Wilkie, former Inverness centre halfDarren Dods and goalkeeper Grzegorz Szamotulski as being at ...
Star man touzani won't take selection for granted
Dec 01, 2007 ... Aberdeen defender Karim Touzani hopes he has done enough to proveto his manager he is worth a regular starting place. The Dutchman's man-of-the-match performance against AtleticoMadrid in Spain on Thursday was the highlight for Aberdeen after a 2-0 Uefa Cup defeat. Manager ...
Donaldson drinks to Aberdeen's hangover
Dec 01, 2007 ... Hibernian striker Clayton Donaldson hopes the Easter Road sidecan take advantage of Aberdeen's European hangover from this week'sUefa Cup exploits when the teams meet in the SPL at Pittodrietomorrow. The Dons endured a gruelling 90 minutes in their 2-0 defeat byAtletico ...
Fergie will help the FA
Dec 01, 2007 ... Sir Alex Ferguson has vowed to do everything he can to help findEngland's next manager. Just 24 hours after it was confirmed Ferguson would be among ahand-picked group FA chief executiveBrian Barwick would talk to overhiring Steve McClaren's successor, the Manchester United ...
Rose steps up pace with a 65
Dec 01, 2007 ... European number one Justin Rose fired a flawless 65 to claim ashare of the lead after the second round of the Nedbank Challenge. Rose, who won the Volvo Masters at the start of November to claimhis first European Tour order of merit crown, carded seven birdiesand no bogeys over the ...
McGhee rules himself out of the Scotland job
Dec 01, 2007 ... Motherwell manager Mark McGhee is flattered by speculationlinking him with the Scotland job, but is not going to be distractedfrom his role in Lanarkshire. McGhee has led Well to fifth place in the SPL with an attackingbrand of football that has captured the imagination of the ...
Wembley in line for Saturday Euro final
Dec 01, 2007 ... Wembley is in the running to be the first stadium to host aChampions League final on a Saturday. Uefa has decided to move the final from its traditional Wednesdaynight slot from the 2009/10 season. Wembley is on the shortlist to stage the final in 2010 or 2011,so could be the ...
Two's company
Dec 01, 2007 ... Engines - For a small car you've got quite a choice. Three petrolunits and a diesel helped propel the range from launch, and it's the1.4-litre petrol and diesel of the same capacity that make the mostsense. With the petrol options, the 1.4 provides more go than theentry-level 1.2 and ...
Top industry award for bpc chairman
Dec 01, 2007 ... British Potato Council chairman David Walker has been presentedwith the tattie industry's main award. He received it in recognition of what was termed his impressivecontribution to the potato industry over the last 10 years aschairman of the levy board that represents its ...
Youngsters celebrate St Andrew's day in style
Dec 01, 2007 ... Youngsters throughout Scotland celebrated St Andrew's Dayyesterday with events ranging from walks to traditional dancing andScottish food. At Longforgan Primary School, near Dundee, pupils worked up anappetite with a morning walk along the scenic Bogle Burn. What will become ...
Knock flock takes top spot
Dec 01, 2007 ... A Buchan flockmaster is celebrating after winning the North ofScotland Texel Club's flock championship. George Howie, of West Knock, Stuartfield, near Mintlaw, won theaward with his Knock pedigree flock which was established 19 yearsago and now has 55 ewes. Rams from Mr Howie ...
Farmers get cash again to provide grazing for geese
Dec 01, 2007 ... Farmers in Buchan are to paid for the seventh year to managegrazing areas for the wild geese that visit the Loch of Strathbeg, near Fraserburgh. Tens of thousands of the birds, including 20% of the world's pink-footed geese population, overwinter at the loch. But they can ...
Pig producers get prices warning
Dec 01, 2007 ... Pig producers have been warned not to expect any big increase inex-farm prices until at least March. Even then any rise will be minimal and only cover a fraction ofthe soaring animal feed costs being faced by producers, a conferenceheld by pig breeder JSR Genetics in Aberdeen was ...
Salmond sure Scots will decide destiny
Dec 01, 2007 ... The case to let Scots decide their own destiny is inescapable,First Minister Alex Salmond said yesterday. He used St Andrew's Day to voice his confidence that legislationfor an independence referendum is likely within the current sittingof the Scottish Parliament. Mr Salmond ...
pounds90m package helps ease broadcaster's debt burden
Dec 01, 2007 ... Debt-laden broadcaster SMG moved closer to overhauling itsfinances yesterday after unveiling a new five-year, pounds90millionloan facility. The STV and Virgin Radio owner is also in the process ofcompleting a pounds95.1million fundraising rights issue, and oncethat is complete it ...
Feed firm opens ayrshire sales base
Dec 01, 2007 ... Animal feed firm Norvite has invested pounds400,000 in a new sitein Ayrshire. The facility is at Low Carston, Ochiltree, and was officiallyopened by MSP John Scott. Norvite, based at Insch, Aberdeenshire,has had a base in Ayrshire at ...
Thousands of salmon escape from fish farm
Dec 01, 2007 ... Fish-farming giant Marine Harvest said yesterday that about24,000 salmon had escaped from its operation at Loch Ewe, in WesterRoss. The company said the loss was discovered on Thursday, just beforethe fish were due to be taken to a harvesting site at Mallaig and afull ...
Aberdeen service group rbg on course for another successful year
Dec 01, 2007 ... Aberdeen company RBG, which provides services for oil, gas andpetrochemical-industry clients worldwide, said yesterday it was oncourse for another successful year. Group finance director Stephen Bentley said the firm hadcontinued to make good progress following a strong ...
Upgrading slurry stores will cost farmers millions
Dec 01, 2007 ... Farmers face having to spend millions of pounds to upgrade slurrystorage facilities after the Scottish Government capitulated toEuropean Commission demands for tougher controls to prevent nitratepollution. Rural Affairs Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead said yesterdayhe had been ...
Stripper's uniform was 'so realistic he could have been a police officer'
Dec 01, 2007 ... A stripogram's uniform was so realistic that police initiallythought he was a fellow officer, a court has heard. Student Stuart Kennedy, 24, who works part-time as a stripper,went on trial for carrying offensive weapons yesterday. Appearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Constable ...
Brechin property on eBay
Dec 01, 2007 ... A Property at Brechin that housed a traditional sweet shop formore than 70 years has attracted interest from the Far East afterits owners put it up for sale on eBay. The joint grocery store and three-bedroom home on the town'sUnion Street was posted under eBay's classified ads ...
Labour calls for new devolution review
Dec 01, 2007 ... The Scottish Labour Party yesterday called for an independentcommission to be set up to review devolution 10 years after it wasintroduced. Leader Wendy Alexander said the expert-led body would develop a"more balanced" home-rule package needed to allow Scotland tocontinue to ...
Row 'could be spark for funding reform'
Dec 01, 2007 ... Labour MPs are urging Gordon Brown to turn the "proxy" donationsscandal to his advantage by forcing through controversial reforms ofparty funding. The premier could claim the "high moral ground" by bringing infundamental changes to the system - even if they are opposed bythe ...
Alexander personally thanked donor
Dec 01, 2007 ... The Scottish Labour Party's funding woes deepened last nightafter it emerged that leader Wendy Alexander personally thanked aChannel Isles-based benefactor for his donation to her leadershipcampaign two months ago. The revelation came just days after campaign director Tom ...
Churches call for meeting over affordable homes
Dec 01, 2007 ... The Scottish Government is coming under increasing pressure tochange its house-building programme now that the major churches haveentered the ring. Scottish Churches Housing Action, a campaign group for homelesspeople featuring all the major Christian denominations, has askedfor ...
Man, 62, killed, as he tries to cross A90 carriageway in Dundee
Dec 01, 2007 ... A man died yesterday as he attempted to cross one of Dundee'sbusiest roads. The 62-year-old was walking from the direction of Caird Park inMains Loan and was crossing the Kingsway when he was knocked down bya red Volkswagen Polo, travelling on the eastbound ...
Full support pledged for donations by proxy probe
Dec 01, 2007 ... Gordon Brown last night told police considering a criminalinquiry into Labour's disguised donations that he would welcome the"fullest possible investigation". In a letter to the senior Metropolitan Police Officer leading theprobe, the prime minister said he had asked party staff, ...
Don't blame the moslems plea
Dec 01, 2007 ... A British teacher jailed in Sudan for insulting Islam by allowingpupils to name a bear Mohammed does not want her ordeal to spark"resentment" towards Moslems, her son said last night. John Gibbons, 27, from Liverpool, said his mother Gillian was"holding up quite well" as she serves ...
Early doors, but this is win-or-bust for Brechin
Dec 01, 2007 ... Brechin City are just 13 games into the Second Division season -but manager Michael O'Neill claims today's home match againstBerwick Rangers represents a win-or-bust scenario for his men. Berwick prop up the table - just three points behind ninth-placed Brechin. O'Neill ...
Levein delight for fans as arabs regain box-office factor
Dec 01, 2007 ... Dundee United boss Craig Levein believes his players are finallygood box-officeafter years of under-achievement at Tannadice. Arabs supporters have been starved of success and the team's homeform has been often miserable. However, all has changed this season, with United ...
Paterson hands fringe players a chance
Dec 01, 2007 ... Steve Paterson insists he would be doing his fringe players atPeterhead a disservice if he did not give them their chance againstAirdrie United today. The Blue Toon manager is still hurting from his side's diredisplay in their 5-0 home defeat by Queen of the South in theScottish ...
I Don't believe English football is corrupt, says Chelsea manager
Dec 01, 2007 ... Chelsea manager Avram Grant is convinced English football is notcorrupt. The arrest of Harry Redknapp as part of a police investigationinto alleged fraud and false accounting has made headlines acrossthe globe - although the Portsmouth manager insists he is notdirectly related ...
Hostages released after siege at clinton's office
Dec 01, 2007 ... A deranged man wearing what appeared to be a bomb strapped to hischest walked into a Hillary Rodham Clinton campaign office lastnight. The man took several hostages and demanded to speak to thecandidate during a nearly four-hour stand-off, authorities said. Hereleased the last of ...
Bitter divorce row threatens to KO superstore plan
Dec 01, 2007 ... A bitter divorce battle has thrown a questionmark over plans tobuild a new superstore on the edge of a north-east town which wouldcreate hundreds of jobs. Fraserburgh businessman Kevin Corbett is in talks to sell morethan an acre of farmland near his Watermill Road home to a ...
Hospitals brace for surge in patients
Dec 01, 2007 ... Health services in Scotland are braced for a seasonal increase inillnesses and accidents this winter. Aided by intelligence from GPs and forecast pressure onhospitals, the NHS has put in place extra shifts and staff to cope. Hospitals will postpone operations if necessary, and ...
Mourners say goodbye to Vicky
Dec 01, 2007 ... Mourners at the funeral of Vicky Hamilton yesterday were told theschoolgirl's family had been "robbed" of seeing her grow up. Redding Parish Church near Falkirk was packed as family andfriends finally paid their respects to the 15-year-old more than 16years after she ...
Trump ready to jet in as outcry brings new twist
Dec 01, 2007 ... Donald Trump last night said he was prepared to fly to Scotlandto take part in an unprecedented meeting which could yet offer himthe chance to build his pounds1billion golf resort in the north-east. The US billionaire was responding to a shock new twist after theleader of ...
Pool brings baby boom to pioneering midwife unit
Dec 01, 2007 ... A pioneering Angus maternity unit has enjoyed a baby boom in 2007and is now celebrating a record 200 births this year. Montrose Community Maternity Unit, which has been hailed as amodel for midwife-led maternity services, has seen an unprecedentedrise in births. In 2002 there ...
Top Highland hotel changes hands in pounds10million deal
Dec 01, 2007 ... The booming Inverness economy was a major factor behind anAberdeen firm buying one of the largest hotels in the Highlandcapital. In a pounds10million St Andrew's Day deal, the Inverness MarriottHotel has reverted to its former Kingsmills name following itspurchase by independent ...
Speed cameras warning
Dec 01, 2007 ... Mobile speed cameras are due to be at various locations aroundthe north-east next week. They include the A95 at Cornhill; A98 at Banff; A95 between30mph at Keith and Davoch of Grange; A941 between 30mph atLossiemouth and 40mph at Elgin; A96 between north of Pitmachie ...
Musician hits out at city's plans
Dec 01, 2007 ... A Leading Highland musician yesterday claimed that Inverness haddone particularly badly out of Highland 2007 - the year Scotlandcelebrates Highland culture. Bruce MacGregor, a member of traditional supergroup Blazin'Fiddles, said that part of the city had resembled "Basra" ...
Artists win chance to be put in the frame
Dec 01, 2007 ... A Christmas exhibition offering cash prizes to well known and up-and-coming artists opened in Dundee last night. Pieces by three exhibitors at the White Gallery were selectedfrom more than 30 works on show to win prizes for theirinterpretations on the theme white. The winner ...