Rebecca Baird

Dundee

Staff Writer at DC Thomson

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Articles

Relight: 'Major' concerns raised over struck-off psychologist's prominent role at Dundee church

6 days ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rebecca Baird

A relative of a Relight Church member has expressed “deep concern” over the role of a struck-off psychologist at the Dundee organisation. Relight Church began in Dundee in 2024, founded by local business owners Dean and Janine Wallace. They baptise members in the River Tay, which has attracted attention on social media. The church has an in-person congregation of around 30 people, with up to 40 more joining services online.
On 'viral' tartan and How to Kill a Witch

1 week ago | thecourier.co.uk | Chris Mugan |Rebecca Baird

Dr Zoe Venditozzi and Claire Mitchell KC are known to many in Dundee as teacher and a human rights lawyer, respectively. They are also the founders of the Witches of Scotland, who in 2022 persuaded then Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon to formally apologise for the injustice of the country’s witch trials between the 16th and 18th centuries.
Why Newport dad Michal is learning to skate at 40

1 week ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rebecca Baird

Michal Winiarski is no stranger to a set of wheels. But the Newport-on-Tay driving instructor, owner of Working Way driving school, is used to being the teacher – not the student. Michal emigrated from Poland in 2006 and lives in Newport-on-Tay with his “Dundee born and bred” wife Diane, and their sons Jan, 11, and Hubert, 6. Now, thanks to skateboard-mad Jan, Michal has become a ‘learner’ once again.
Peggy Seeger:

1 week ago | thecourier.co.uk | David Pollock |Rebecca Baird

“I loved Scotland from the moment I entered it on my Lambretta scooter in 1956,” says folk singer Peggy Seeger, casting her mind way back to her earliest days exploring the UK. “It was summer, and I remember coming into Edinburgh from the south at sunset. Behind me and to the west was the most glorious, unbelievable sunset.”At the age of 89, Seeger’s inquisitive nature is as sharp as her memory, and on the phone her voice sounds strong.
Dundee student is right to be concerned about AI

1 week ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rebecca Baird

This week, a post from ‘Dunfess’, a page dedicated to anonymous confessions from Dundee University students, popped up on my Facebook feed. My first thought? “I graduated 7 years ago, I really need to clear my likes.”But the content of the confession, posted on April 30 2025, caught my eye. “I’m having an issue lately,” it read. “Chat GPT its [sic] becoming a crutch. I’m using it for essays, emails, texts. Constantly second guessing myself in how I write stuff and asking AI to write it for me.
Arthur McEwan, former DC Thomson employee, 81

1 week ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rebecca Baird

Dundee man Arthur McEwan entered this world as a surprise – to his big sisters anyway. Eldest sibling Gladys can still recall when she and sister May were collected from school on May 2 1943 and told there was a surprise waiting for them at their Kinloch Street home int he Hilltown. Parents Arthur Francis McEwan and Mary McEwan (nee McDonell) introduced the pair to their baby brother, who came with his very own glass bubble – a government-issued protection for babies born during the war.
Roddy Woomble on his relationship with hometown

2 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | David Pollock |Rebecca Baird

Roddy Woomble can’t seem to stay away from Carnoustie, despite once being desperate to “get out of town”. His band, Idlewild, were this week announced as the first headliner booked in at anticipated Dundee venue LiveHouse. But just last week, he was back in the Angus town he once called home. So we caught up with Hebrides-based Roddy about what keeps him returning to Carnoustie. What’s your history with Carnoustie? I lived there on two occasions.
5 Angus artists you might meet at this year's festival of makers

2 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Chris Mugan |Rebecca Baird

This month sees the return of Angus’s annual celebration of its talented and creative craftspeople. Throughout May – and across the county – Angus Festival of Makers offers a programme of open studios, workshops and exhibitions. For its fourth instalment, the festival’s organiser, Angus Creatives, brings together some of its members in four dedicated art markets this weekend in Arbroath, Kirriemuir, Montrose and Forfar.
Did Restless Natives cast steal the show at Perth?

2 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rebecca Baird

Remember the Clown and the Wolfman? Scots of a certain age will be familiar with the 1985 film Restless Natives, following this iconic pair of motorbike-riding hold-up men as they embark on a career robbing coaches loaded with wealthy tourists in the Scottish Highlands. Even if you don’t know the film itself, chances are you might know the heart-swelling soundtrack by Big Country. What is it?
A Saturday morning at Dundee's indoor skate park

2 weeks ago | thecourier.co.uk | Rebecca Baird |Steve Brown

The dull thud of ribs smacking chipboard from a 9ft drop is one of those sounds you feel in your guts. So when Passion Park coach Josh Brown hits the deck after wiping out off the indoor skate park’s biggest ramp, there’s a collective intake of breath. Onlookers turn to one another, open-mouthed: Is he OK? “I’m good!” wheezes Josh, 27, as the air that was knocked out of him finds its way back in.