awards – Page 2 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Finalists revealed for The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022

Bumper year for the Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 as more than 3500 people have had their say in naming Scotland’s most loved pubs, with thousands of votes cast online over the last few months.

Now in their 27th year, The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards – dubbed the hospitality Oscars, celebrate Scotland’s licensed trade and shine a spotlight on all aspects of the hospitality industry, featuring standout pubs up and down the country in more than 24 categories.

These include Antos Dog Friendly Pub of The Year; Hi-Spirits Best Live Music Venue; The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year and Kopparberg New Bar of the Year.

Over 75 leading finalists have been revealed including Glasgow’s stylish Moskito and the eclectic Bourbon in Edinburgh for the Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue.

Seeking out the nation’s most creative drinks, trailblazing whisky and cocktail bar, The Gate, and the adventurous Absent Ear are up for the Busker Cocktail bar, alongside the Cocktail Mafia in Edinburgh and Lido in Troon.

The inaugural Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year will see Broughty Ferry’s The Fort, Dundee’s Jute Café bar, Inverness-based Scotch & Rye and Glasgow’s Kelvingrove Café battle it out to be crowned Scotland’s best bar.

Independent Operators are the driving force for hospitality. Up for the DRAM Independent Pub Group of the Year award for 2022 are Buzzworks Holdings in Ayrshire which has an award-winning portfolio of bars and restaurants in Scotland including Vic’s & The Vine, Scotts, The Mill House, Lido, The Duke and The Bridge Inn to name a few.

Also in the running are Bread Meats Bread, which has six eponymous venues serving up award-winning burgers and cocktails, and the Bruce group, which focus on drinks-led retailing with an inherent added value experience in Edinburgh and Fife. Their multi-venue portfolio includes Stramash, The Mash House, Opium, Dusk and the Royal Mile Tavern.

Scotland’s longest-running licensed trade awards also look to celebrate rising stars in the industry, community-led initiatives and give a much-needed boost to those championing the late-night economy.

Every finalist has been voted for by the public and people in the trade and will have been visited by mystery shoppers. Winners will be announced at a prestigious award ceremony on 30th August 2022 at The Doubletree Glasgow Central, in Glasgow.

Organiser, Susan Young said: “The votes are in and verified and the time is nearly here to celebrate the best of the best at The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022.

“The licensed trade needs our support more than ever and Scottish hospitality has never been better. Congratulations to all the finalists – your recognition is very well deserved, and I can’t wait to see who takes home the trophies at this year’s awards.”

The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 will announce all category winners at a glitzy award ceremony on August 30th, where guests will also be able to enjoy entertainment from Abba MANIA.

For more information, head to www.scottishbarandpubawards.com or to book a ticket for the event, email accounts@mediaworldltd.com

The Scottish Bar & Pub Awards 2022 finalists. *Note that the awards are alphabetical and in no particular order.

Category	Finalist
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year	Black Ivy, Edinburgh
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year	The Forth Inn, Aberfoyle
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year	Inndeep, Glasgow
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year	The White Stag, Callander
Antos Dog Friendly Pub of the Year	Brewhemia, Edinburgh

Aro Procurement Customer Service Award	The Coach House, Bridge of Weir
Aro Procurement Customer Service Award	The Fox & Willow, Ayr
Aro Procurement Customer Service Award	The Huxley, Edinburgh
Aro Procurement Customer Service Award	Little Soho, Jordanhill

Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year	The Albananch, Edinburgh
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year	Artisan, Wishaw
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year	The Malt Room, Inverness
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year	The Piper Whisky Bar, Glasgow

Deanston Guru of the Year	Gillian Kirkland /The Piper’s Whisky Bar
Deanston Guru of the Year	Derek Mather/Artisan
Deanston Guru of the Year	Matt McPherson/ The Malt Room
Deanston Guru of the Year	Alastair Shaw/The Gate
Deanston Guru of the Year	Simon Smith/ Whisky & Cynicism

DRAM Community Pub	Clippens Inn, Linwood
DRAM Community Pub	Granny Gibbs, Whiteinch
DRAM Community Pub	Silver Wing, Edinburgh
DRAM Community Pub	The Weston Tavern, Kilmaurs

Hi Spirits Best Live Music Venue	Box Bar & Club, Glasgow
Hi Spirits Best Live Music Venue	Harley’s, Ayr
Hi Spirits Best Live Music Venue	MacSorley’s, Glasgow
Hi Spirits Best Live Music Venue	St Luke’s & The Winged Ox, Glasgow
HOSPO Manager of the year	Nicola Armstrong – Macgochans, Mull
HOSPO Manager of the year	Matt Colligan – Bier Hall
HOSPO Manager of the year	Lee Little – Lido, Troon
HOSPO Manager of the year	Connor Smith – Hamilton Palace, Hamilton
HOSPO Manager of the year	Keir Beckwith, Gaucho
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year	The Dome, Edinburgh
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year	Ga Ga Kitchen & Bar, Glasgow
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year	Kyloe, Edinburgh
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year	Ralph & Finns , Glasgow
Inverarity Morton Restaurant of the Year	The Ubiquitous Chip , Glasgow

Kopparberg New Bar of the Year	The Albyn, Aberdeen
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year	The Fox, Troon
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year	Giddy Goose, Perth
Kopparberg New Bar of the Year	Jimmy Badgers, Inverness

Molinari Casual Dining Award	Allegria Eatery, Largs
Molinari Casual Dining Award	Caffe Parma, Glasgow
Molinari Casual Dining Award	Boar’s Head, Auchtermuchty
Molinari Casual Dining Award	Mediterraneo, Glasgow

Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year	The Fort, Broughty Ferry
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year	Jute Cafe Bar, Dundee
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year	Scotch & Rye, Inverness
Molson Coors Scottish Bar of the Year	Kelvingrove Café, Glasgow

Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year	18, Rusacks Hotel, St Andrews
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year	The American Bar, Gleneagles Hotel, Auchterarder
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year	Virgin Hotels, The Commons Club, Edinburgh
Old Tom Gin Hotel Bar of the Year	The Lounge Bar, Fonab Castle, Pitlochry

Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue	Bourbon, Edinburgh
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue	Charlie’s Loft, Glasgow
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue	Moskito, Glasgow
Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue Pernod Ricard Best Late Night Venue	Nox, AberdeenWhy Not Nightclub Edinburgh

Stoli Sustainability Award – Heather Suttie…	Contini’s Scottish Restaurant, Edinburgh
Stoli Sustainability Award – Heather Suttie…	Eusebi, Glasgow
Stoli Sustainability Award – Heather Suttie…	Gaucho, Glasgow
Stoli Sustainability Award – Heather Suttie…	SWG3, Glasgow

The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year	The Absent Ear, Glasgow
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year	The Cocktail Mafia, Edinburgh
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year	The Gate, Glasgow
The Busker Cocktail Bar of the Year	The Lido, Troon










Independent Operator of the Year Bread Meets Bread (BMB), Glasgow
Independent Operator of the Year	The Bruce Group, Edinburgh
Independent Operator of the Year	Buzzworks, Ayrshire
Independent Operator of the Year	Scoop Restaurants

SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEAR	Habbies, Kilbarchan
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEAR	The Palais, Glasgow
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEAR	The Station Bar, Glasgow
SUNDAY MAIL PUB OF THE YEAR	The Waverley, Wishaw

On the night there will be various other awards including an

Award for SuccessThe Lifetime Achievement AwardAnd an Inspirational Woman Award

Follow online:

https://www.instagram.com/scottishbarpubawards/
https://twitter.com/scotbarpubaward

Artisan Real Estate’s Rowanbank Gardens nominated for National Climate Crisis Award

Artisan Real Estate’s wholesale commitment to sustainable residential development across the UK has been recognised with its Edinburgh-based Rowanbank Gardens development being nominated for a prestigious national accolade geared to tackling climate crisis.

Rowanbank Gardens, in the bustling Edinburgh suburb of Corstorphine, has been shortlisted for the best residential Climate Crisis Initiative for the 2022 RESI Awards, which recognises excellence in UK-wide residential property.

The award nomination reflects Artisan’s continued multi-million investment in fossil-fuel free regeneration-based residential projects in key regional city centres across the UK – with major developments currently taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Bristol.

Due for completion in 2023, Rowanbank Gardens provides immaculate environmental credentials creating a spectacular blueprint for low-carbon living. The industry-leading sustainable development, replacing a former care home on a brownfield site, is set to deliver 126 high quality apartments all with private gardens and balconies set around a shared courtyard garden in a well-connected central location.

Welcoming the RESI Climate Crisis Initiative award nomination, Clive Wilding, Artisan’s Group Development Director said: “I am absolutely delighted that Rowanbank Gardens has won national recognition for its bold ambition to tackle the very real challenges of climate change which are currently facing our industry.

“As a niche developer, Artisan Real Estate has always striven for improvement by creating a lower carbon footprint in the homes and buildings we create – not just in delivery but throughout their multi-generational lifespan.

“Rowanbank Gardens is the latest manifestation of Artisan’s stated commitment towards a radical improvement in its development cycle to create the lowest possible carbon footprint in the residential buildings that the company creates. With innovations such as green roofs, it brings together smart energy-efficient design geared to achieving low to zero carbon ratings whilst responding to the rapidly changing requirements of home buyers and the wider community post-Covid.”

He added: “The evolution of Rowanbank Gardens shows that, as well as reducing urban sprawl by optimising the number of people living in well-designed sustainable homes in well-connected locations served by public transport, we are also pioneering the application of innovative technology to eliminate the use of fossil fuels whilst vastly reducing energy consumption.”

Fuelled by a desire to transform brownfield city centre sites into sustainable, contemporary and low carbon homes developments, Artisan’s residential developments are creating a progressive residential blueprint which has a timely resonance for post-lockdown living across the UK.

As well as Rowanbank Gardens, this has also helped shaped the delivery of the 179-apartment Canonmills Garden development, overlooking the Water of Leith to the north of Edinburgh’s city centre which is now nearing completion.

The development has pioneered the integration of low and zero carbon generating technology, incorporating green roofs as well as a combined heat and power system helping to support building energy loads whilst charging electric vehicles, reducing both building and transport CO2 emissions.

Artisan is also delivering the Kirkstall Place development in Leeds, providing 263 family homes designed to meet low carbon and non-fossil fuel standards together with substantial amounts of external space, providing a wide range of biodiversity.

The winners of the 2022 RESI Awards will be revealed on Wednesday 11^th May at a live ceremony in London.

For more information on the awards, visit:

https://www.resiawards.com/resiawardslive/en/page/home

Search on for top green businesses as entries open for VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards

Entries are now open for VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards, and companies across Scotland of all sizes with a green ethos that have demonstrated significant business benefits from good environmental practice are being encouraged to enter.

The VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards are a partnership between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), The Scottish Government, Energy Saving Trust, Highland & Islands Enterprise, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, Scottish Water, Zero Waste Scotland and NatureScot.

This year’s award categories include: Leadership Scotland, Innovating Scotland, Product Scotland, Service Scotland, Hydro Nation Scotland, Circular Scotland, Moving Scotland, Adapting Scotland, Engaging Scotland, Partnership Scotland, Small Business Scotland.

Businesses in Scotland have already felt the impact of the risks associated with climate change, and food producers and whisky distillers were faced with water scarcity last summer furthering the drive for positive and radical environmental action.

Organisations are being encouraged to follow the example of firms such as Vegware and Paterson Arran Ltd. who have shown that environmental best practice can also bring economic benefits including financial savings, an engaged workforce, positive working culture and improved competitiveness as well as contributing towards a better economy and society as a whole.

Since its inception in 1999, the VIBES Scottish Business Awards, have recognised and rewarded businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption on its resources.

This has included everything from increasing recycling and facilitating active travel to reducing consumption of raw materials by adopting a more circular approach.

Bob Downes, chair of SEPA and head of the VIBES judging panel, said: “Scotland is a leader in climate change action and successful businesses recognise the economic benefit from driving environmental innovation and best practice.

“Every business in the country has a role to play in leading Scotland to Net Zero. The VIBES awards recognise those businesses that are developing sustainable solutions and helping to achieve net zero of all greenhouse gases by 2045.

“We are looking for entries from businesses who are taking the lead in the transition to a net zero emissions economy through innovation, partnerships, circular economy, adaptation and a commitment to making the environment a key factor in decision making.

“These creative and pioneering organisations will be those who champion best practice and create sustainable goods, products and services through leadership, innovation and ambition, making a positive environmental impact protecting our plant for future generations.”

Finalists will be announced in June.

To obtain an application form please contact vibes@sepa.org.uk.

Businesses have until 5pm on 29 April 2022 to submit their free application.

For more informant on VIBES – Scottish Environment Business Awards, please visit www.vibes.org.uk.

Nation’s top coaches recognised at showpiece awards ceremony

UK Coaching Awards winners announced

EIGHTEEN of the UK’s most impactful coaches and organisations were recognised and celebrated at the UK Coaching Awards 2021 in Leeds on Tuesday, (7 December).

Whittled down from 27 finalists and many more strong nominations, each winner received a memento to commemorate their extraordinary contribution to sport and wellbeing.

This year’s awards, with an in-person showpiece ceremony not possible the year previous due to Covid-19 restrictions, focused not only on the outstanding level of technical coaching, but those who had gone the extra mile to support participants mentally and emotionally as we transition out of the pandemic.

The winners are:

Changing Lives Award – Andrew Joyce, Christchurch

Coach Developer – Andrew Noble, Sheffield

Coaching Chain, supported by Sport England – Kadeena Cox MBE’s chain (Tom Hodgkinson, Joe McDonnell, Jon Norfolk MBE, Brian Scobie, Sue Bowles, John Westerman and Nathan Wells)

Coaching for an Active Life Award, supported by Spond – Our Parks

Community Coach – Adults, supported by Sport England – Alice Tribedi, London

Community Coach – Children & Young People, supported by Sport Scotland – Sean Ross, Hull

Great Coaching Moment – Jane Figueiredo, London

High Performance Coach – Richard Morris, Sheffield

Lifetime Achievement Award – Richard Brickley, Fife

Talent Development Coach – Julie Maiden, Milton Keynes

Transforming Coaching Award, supported by Reading Room – Coach Core Foundation

Young Coach – Tor Freeman, Biggleswade

UK Coaching CEO, Mark Gannon, said: “This year we have been blown away by the commitment and ingenuity shown by each of our winners. The UK Coaching Awards recognise the huge variety of ways that coaches make a different to people’s lives, whether through training and improving skill level, education and development, or mobilising their community and bringing people together.

“Coaches are a powerful unifying force for good and the amazing examples we have seen this year showcase why we are right to be so proud of the coaching workforce here in the UK.

“I would like to extend a personal congratulations to each of our winners – great coaching has always been about inspiring others, and the pandemic has made this more vital than ever. At a time where we have all needed motivation, that boost to carry on and to be the best we can be, coaches have stepped up and rejuvenated their communities.”

Winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award Richard Brickley, was honoured to be recognised for his long-standing contribution to disability sport.

“I am thrilled to receive the UK Coaching Lifetime Achievement Award but at the same time recognise that there are so many others who could equally claim the right to be here,” he said.

“To be in the company of so many amazing young people who believe sport can change the world is humbling. Thank you to UK Coaching for recognising the impact of coaches at every stage of their journey.”

Sean Ross, winner of the Community Coach of the Year for Children and Young People Award, was in disbelief that ‘someone like him’ could be considered a top coach in the UK.

He said: “It feels absolutely amazing to be Community Coach of the Year. I didn’t think I’d have a chance with so many incredible coaches nominated – it feels great just to share a room with so many fantastic people. It’s inspiring for us to keep on learning and achieving more than ever before.

“A great coach is someone who inspires belief, regardless of what walk of life you are from. I believe everybody deserves a chance in life, and I suppose that is what makes a really good coach – someone who gives people the chance they need to be their best self.”

Another remarkable community coach honoured at the awards was Alice Tribedi, who proves great coaching can reach everyone, working with older participants up to 93 years old.

She said: “Coaching means a sense of community to me. I coach mostly those who are older, up into their nineties, and for many they have been on their own throughout the pandemic.

“In my classes there was a lot of depression, many suffering from isolation. That’s why it’s important to support everyone, because these are the people that need it most.

“To be recognised means the world. Having had to give up my dancing career when I was so young due to injury, means that my coaching career is everything to me. I enjoy it so much, and it means everything to coach the amazing people I do.

“One lady told me that not long before her husband died, he had told her to continue coming to my classes to help her. She told me last Christmas that the class had been a lifeline for her. That makes you realise the power of coaching.”

Find out more about this year’s winners and the awards by heading to:

ukcoaching.org/coachingawards.

2021 Andrew Fairlie Scholarship winners announced

The Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland has announced two outstanding chefs as recipients of this year’s prestigious Andrew Fairlie Scholarship.

The two talented chefs who most impressed the panel of expert industry judges are Amy Stephenson, aged 22, Junior Sous Chef at The Torridon, and Josh Wilkinson, aged 25, Senior Chef de Partie at the Isle of Eriska Hotel.

Positioned as the ultimate scholarship any aspiring chef could receive, the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship is awarded annually to one female and one male chef in light of Andrew’s unwavering commitment to diversity in the kitchen.

The finalists had to prove their worth in a skills test, where they had to recreate a classic Andrew Fairlie dish, and showcase their knowledge, individuality and creativity as a chef by choosing and producing two additional elements to complement this. This took place on November 16th at Perth College UHI, with the winners announcement taking place at Gleneagles.

Spearheaded by HIT Scotland and supported by the First Minister, Scottish Government, and Gleneagles, the scholarship was launched in February 2019 in recognition of Andrew Fairlie’s significant and lasting contribution to the hospitality industry.

The judges included Michelin star chefs Stephen McLaughlin, Head Chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, Tom Kerridge, Sat Bains and Lorna McNee, and Scotland’s National Chef Gary Maclean (above).

Andrew Fairlie Scholarship 2021 PIC SHOWS winners Amy Stevenson and Josh Wilkinson with Chief Stevie McLaughlin

Stephen McLaughlin, lead judge and head chef at Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, said: “What a thrill it has been for us all to get back together for finals day of our second Andrew Fairlie Scholarship. It has been especially exciting this year to have been able do in it in our brand-new host venue, Perth College UHI, for the cook off.

“Full credit goes to all our finalists, who have maintained their match fitness in the run up to the final. We asked the finalists to cook a classic dish from Chef Andrew’s repertoire, while showcasing their own technical abilities in creating inspiring garnishes along with an intelligent, well thought out sauce.

“Every one of the finalists showed great desire and passion to become one of the next Andrew Fairlie Scholars, and many congratulations to Amy and Josh who came out on top and will now receive some inspirational and educational experiences to help build their careers.”

David Cochrane, HIT Scotland Chief Executive, added: “After the challenges of the last couple of years, it was truly inspiring to see this group of talented chefs in action, showing off their creativity, hard work and dedication to their craft.

“Huge congratulations to Amy and Josh, who will now get to experience some fantastic opportunities as Andrew Fairlie Scholars!”

Conor O’Leary, Managing Director of Gleneagles, said: “The flair, creativity and passion displayed by all the finalists echoes the culture of excellence that Andrew established and is testament to the extraordinary pool of culinary talent we have here in Scotland.

“We’re thrilled for the winning recipients and look forward to following their careers and supporting them as they develop as chefs.”

Ype van der Schaaf, Sector Manager of Hospitality and Food Studies at Perth College UHI said: “Hosting the Andrew Fairlie Scholarship final within our kitchens and facilities was a great opportunity to support HIT Scotland, and our students welcomed the chance to be involved.

“Many congratulations to the well-deserved winners, we enjoyed watching all of them work and create their fantastic dishes.”

The winners will gain industry-wide recognition as Andrew Fairlie Scholars and experience educational and inspirational opportunities, such as a practical stage in an international kitchen and at two Michelin star Restaurant Andrew Fairlie at Gleneagles and three Michelin star restaurant Core by Clare Smyth.

The first Andrew Fairlie Scholarships were awarded in 2019, with the competition having been postponed last year due to the pandemic. The inaugural winners were Emma-Rose Milligan and Joseph Harte.

NHS 24 are winners at Herald Digital Transformation Awards

NHS 24 is delighted to have been awarded the top prize for Best Use of Technology in Healthcare at the Herald Digital Transformation Awards 2021.

These awards focus on, and celebrate, how organisations across all industries and sectors have successfully adopted digital technology into their daily practices.

Best Use of Technology in Healthcare

The NHS Inform COVID portal has offered trusted advice 24/7/365 throughout the pandemic. Anyone with a digital device has had access to answers at their moment of need. More than 27 million sessions have delivered timely, safe and accurate information to the public, at their fingertips, day and night.

Dr Laura Ryan, Executive Medical Director at NHS 24 said: “In a period where we have seen incredible pressure on NHS services to continue to deliver the highest quality of care, we are delighted that the NHS inform digital platform, which has had 44 million hits from members of the public since the beginning of the Covid 19 pandemic, has been considered for this award.

“The team behind this work have been innovative, creative and responsive to respond to health and wellbeing needs, and we are delighted that they are being recognised in this way.

“We know that the mental health campaign and the Covid-19 portal on NHSinform.scot have provided safe, up to date information and advice to millions of Scots throughout since early 2020.

“This recognition encourages us as we continue to develop innovative online support alongside our telephone services with a clear focus on accessibility and choice for the public when they use our services.”

Winners were announced at a virtual ceremony on 4 November 2021

Awards coming thick and fast for North Edinburgh’s Scran Academy

Scran Academy’s work with young people has been recognised in two separate Industry Awards.

On Thursday 09 September 2021, John Loughton [founder] and the North Edinburgh charity won the Apprenticeships and Skills category at the 2021 Public Sector Catering Awards, that celebrate those working within public sector catering.

Scran are also a finalist in the Charity of the Year category of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations’ (SCVO) Scottish Charity Awards 2021, celebrating the best of Scotland’s voluntary sector and voted for by industry professionals and the public. The winner will be announced at an online ceremony, hosted by Sally Magnusson tomorrow (Friday 1 October).

The Apprenticeships and Skills Award, sponsored by Brakes, recognised that Scran Academy’s catering operations are an integral part of Scran Academy and are essential to delivering confidence-building experiences for young people.

These include the Scran Café which is located in the NHS Comely Bank Centre and currently creates a welcoming haven for frontline NHS workers and clinical trainees.

The charity also runs its Scran Van, which delivers free community meals, feeds youth groups and supports families across the city. These provide our young people with opportunities to learn, gain new skills, work as a team and solve problems in real-life situations.

Scran Academy was up against stiff competition from across the whole of the UK, including Hospitals, Universities, large catering companies and industry bodies. However, thanks to its team of volunteers, staff and young people, Scran’s unique model of bespoke educational support and training won the day.

Scran pipped, amongst others, University College Birmingham, Compass Group UK and Ireland and The National Association of Care Catering to take the award.

For the Charity of the Year Award, SCVO has recognised Scran for ‘coordinating a coalition of charities that produced, packaged and delivered nearly 150,000 meals during the first Covid-19 lockdown, supporting over 1,000 people per week at its height’.

None of this would have be possible without the 220 local people who gave tens-of-thousands of hours back to their communities. In 2020 SCRAN also delivered its most successful Christmas Hamper campaign, selling 222 in total.

The organisation also merged with Prep Table Scotland, opened the Scran Café in partnership with NHS Lothian and launched the Scran Van food truck to tackle holiday hunger across Edinburgh.

Scran Academy founder John Loughton, and Catering Manager, Will Bain, attended the Public Sector Catering Awards ceremony in London.

Scran Academy Catering Manager, Will Bain, said: “It blew me away to be up against catering managers with hundreds, sometimes thousands of employees, and for them to give us recognition for the work we do at Scran.”

Founder of Scran Academy, John Loughton BEM, said: “This nomination is a real vote of confidence in our community work and a recognition in the power of food to change lives.

“Will Bain and his team-work magic at Scran, to ensure food is positive for all people, not just those that can afford it. At Scran we do hand-ups, not just hand-outs and young people go on to change their own lives once they realise people believe in them.”

Scran Academy’s focus is to help young people from across North Edinburgh to overcome learning and life barriers and lead more meaningful lives.

The community-based school Scran runs – the Scran Academy – uses food to support learners disengaged from mainstream school to access qualifications and work.

Despite being less than four years old, the charity has grown and last year scaled its impact to provide meals for thousands of people throughout the pandemic across the city.

Time’s running out to nominate your councillor for national award

Nominations close at midnight for the 2021 LGIU Scotland & CCLA Cllr Awards

Nominations close at midnight for the only national awards ceremony celebrating the vital work of individual councillors across Scotland.

Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) Scotland and CCLA are proud to once again host the 4th annual Cllr Awards, honouring the achievements of councillors that so often go unrecognised.

This year’s award categories celebrate the essential and varied work of councillors and include the coveted Community Champion, Leader of the Year and New Councillor of the Year awards, alongside a new Resilience and Recovery category for 2021.

Nominations can be made by anyone who would like to recognise a councillor doing outstanding work for their community. They close at midnight on Friday 24 September with the shortlist unveiled at the end of October.

The winners will be decided by a panel of judges composed of senior councillors and officers as well as leading stakeholders from across the sector. They will be revealed at this year’s ceremony taking place on Wednesday, 24 November. Due to the ongoing Covid related restrictions, it will be held as a hybrid event with virtual link ups to a Glasgow venue.

This year’s awards are made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners, CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of LGIU Scotland, said: “Local government supports all of us, each and every day. On every street, in every town, up and down the country, it is the vital work of councillors that keeps things moving.

“Now is the time for us to support our local heroes by nominating those councillors who have stepped up to the plate during extraordinary circumstances to deliver for their communities.

“We welcome contributions from any member of the public as well as other councillors, officers and leaders. We look forward to once again receiving the highest calibre of nominations and showcasing the essential work of councillors in November.”

Local Salon finalises for seven categories in regional awards

Local salon, MARKDAVID, based in Stockbridge, has received the outstanding news that they have finalised for seven categories in the Salon Awards.

The Salon Awards provide regional recognition for hair and beauty professionals and are the only hair and beauty industry awards where hair and beauty professionals can compete at a local level in their fields of expertise.

Focused on improving standards, elevating business, rewarding individuals, and showcasing the professionalism of their industry locally – it is no ordinary awards competition.

The Salon Awards community is a hive of hair and beauty salon owners, hair stylists, nail artists, colourists, barbers, beauty therapists, spa geniuses – young and old alike – all vying to compare, improve and be the best in their area.

To finalise in seven categories is a fantastic achievement for the MARKDAVID salon, which only opened in November 2019 and has since had to close twice due to the pandemic. Despite this, the salon has only got more successful and has even expanded, offering more space and services for their clientele.

The Salon Awards award ceremony will take place this November, where the salon will find out their fate and if they have won any of the following seven categories: Best Salon, Best Customer Experience, Best New or Refurbished Salon, Best Marketing Trailblazer, Best Colour Salon, Best Salon Team and Creative Image of the Year.

Winning the awards will not only bring the salon more business recognition and credentials for their expertise but will also improve their industry recognition and provide them with marketing opportunities and exposure to attract customers.

Mark McCarthy, Owner of MARKDAVID salon, commented: “To finalise for seven awards in this year’s Salon Awards is truly incredible.

“It’s been a hard couple of years with the pandemic and we’re thrilled that the Salon Awards have been able to notice our hard work and dedication towards our salon, our community, our team and our clients.

“We’re looking forward to the awards ceremony in November and hopefully we will be able to bring some awards home to display proudly in our salon!”

SCVO announces Scottish Charity Awards 2021 finalists

People’s Choice voting is now open

After a record-breaking number of applications, the 47 finalists for the 2021 #ScotCharityAwards have been announced!

The vote is now live for the People’s Choice Award, so take a look at the shortlist below and vote for your favourite finalist now!

The categories this year are:

Campaign of the Year
Charity of the Year
Climate Conscious
Community Action
Digital Citizens
Employee of the Year
Pioneering Project
Trustee of the Year
Volunteer of the Year

Members of the public can have their say by voting for their favourite overall entry in the People’s Choice Award – voting closes at 5pm on 27 August.

You only have ONE vote, so choose your favourite carefully!

See all 47 below:

#KeepTalking – RSABI

RSABI provides practical, emotional and financial support to people in Scottish agriculture. Working in agriculture can be isolating, especially during the pandemic. Our helpline calls were increasing so we needed to do something to help keep people connected. RSA…