Droning off

Droning off

ONLINE shopping giant Amazon has again been making headlines with its plans to take on thousands of seasonal staff as it gears up for the Christmas rush.

But there is no sign of it hiring specialist workers for its mooted drone operations.

The company recently applied for permission in the US to run test flights on drones capable of delivering packages of up to 2.3kg in weight.

The idea was first heralded by Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos last December, but it is unlikely the crafts will be appearing in Scottish airspace in the run up to this Christmas.

Tongue in cheek

ARRAN Brewery boss Gerald Michaluk offered a controversial insight into the complexities of dealing with US distributors as he launched a new business in Houston, Texas earlier this week.

Tongue firmly in cheek, he quipped: "As they say it's easier to get rid of your wife than it is an American distributor!

"They are very well protected by the legislation they have there."

Royal joke

THE ability of children to get to the heart of the matter should not be underestimated, as The Bottom Line was recently reminded.

As one four-year-old patiently traipsed her way through the sumptuous State Apartments at Windsor Castle during the October holiday, she was heard to remark to her father: "It's a little bit posh, isn't it daddy?"

One is most amused.

Building for charity

HATS off to the team at the Glasgow branch of Leeds Building Society, who joined their colleagues across the country to raise £725 for Jeans for Genes.

Staff raised funds at the Hope Street branch by offering SpongeBob SquarePants trolley tokens for a suggested donation of £2, as well as a recent Jeans for Genes Day.

Branch manager Sharron Fairley said: "Leeds Building Society is a long standing supporter of Jeans for Genes, and we are very pleased to have supported the Society's overall fundraising effort for the charity again this year in Glasgow."

Laura Pattison, campaign director at Jeans for Genes said: "I'd like to thank Leeds Building Society's branches across the UK, including the Glasgow branch, for promoting our SpongeBob key ring trolley tokens. In 2014, 25 charities will benefit from Jeans for Genes Day helping provide the vital care and support children and families need."