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Month: March 2015
Dr Owl’s eggstra-special holiday health tips
Eggstra special seasonal health advice (sorry!) …
Dr Owl – the memorable and wise character from a national health campaign – takes to the skies across Scotland again today urging people to take a few simple steps to look after their health this Easter.
Dr Owl was joined by five-year-old Freya Cowie from Dunblane and seven-year-old Jack Ozen from South Queensferry at the New Hopetoun Garden Centre to launch this year’s Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign. The campaign, which is run by NHS 24 on behalf of NHS Scotland, is reminding people that by making sure they have a supply of over the counter medicines, knowing when their GP surgery is open and checking their repeat prescriptions, they can ensure they make the most of the Easter holiday weekend.
This year many GP surgeries across Scotland will close for four days from Good Friday (3 April) to Easter Monday (6 April), before re-opening on Tuesday 7 April.
After winter, Easter is the busiest time of year for Scotland’s health services. NHS 24 Medical Director Professor George Crooks said: “Easter falls slightly earlier this year and as such, there are still many common illnesses circulating within communities. The Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign wants to remind people of the small steps they can take to ensure illness doesn’t ruin their Easter.
“Being prepared by having enough repeat medication to cover you and having some simple home remedies available can make all the difference if illness strikes. It is also important to plan ahead for any required repeat prescriptions over the Easter break, so please order and collect in good time. We would also remind people of the wide range of health information available at NHS inform.”
Although many GP surgeries will be closed at Easter, hundreds of GPs and nurses are working throughout this period supporting out of hours services across Scotland to see patients with conditions that need urgent attention over the holiday period and cannot wait until the surgeries reopen on Tuesday.
General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.
TRIM March minutes
Our March 2015 Minutes can be found on our website here
Regards
Secretary
Tenants & Residents In Muirhouse (TRIM)
Website – http://muirhouseresidents.co.
Find us on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/
Also on Twitter – http://twitter.com/
Sparta seeks new space
Sparta Boxing Club is a voluntary organisation working with young people. They are currently based at Baileyfield and are in desperate need of new premises to rent in the Edinburgh area. They need around 100sqm of lockable space that they can access evenings and weekends. Any help / ideas much appreciated.
Please contact George Forsyth on 07734 814 478 or email george.forsyth@castlerockedinvar.co.uk
Scotland will eventually leave UK, research suggests
Political engagement is highest in Scotland – but few people believe they can make a difference
Most people in the UK now believe Scotland will become an independent country and eventually leave the UK, according to new research from the University of Edinburgh.
The findings are taken from a survey of more than 7000 voters across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland which asked people about a range of constitutional issues.
The majority of people surveyed across the four nations believe that Scotland will eventually leave the UK – 69 per cent in Scotland; 59 per cent in England; 54 per cent in Wales; and 59 per cent in Northern Ireland.
The survey found that 15 per cent of Scots think the country will become independent within five years and 32 per cent believe it will happen within ten. Overall, more than two-thirds of Scots believe the country will eventually vote for independence.
Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The Scottish Government continues to believe independence is the best option for Scotland, and the survey finds most Scots think this is where the constitutional journey will take us.
“We also believe strongly that Scotland being taken out of the EU in a referendum in circumstances, where a majority of Scots had voted to stay in, would be massively damaging economically and have major constitutional implications.
“The referendum on independence was a wonderful experience of democratic engagement, bringing people into politics who in some cases had not been involved in decades, if at all.
“I therefore welcome the findings that political engagement in Scotland is higher than in the rest of the UK, particularly among young people and that there remains a strong appetite for debate over the constitution. Scots are significantly more likely to say that they will vote in the 2015 Westminster election.”
Despite the views on constitutional issues, those surveyed do not believe ‘ordinary people’ have a big influence on how the UK is run – politicians, political parties, businesses, trade unions and local councils are seen to hold greater influence on the running of the country.
Dr Jan Eichhorn, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Social and Political Science, said: “People across the UK show an appetite for discussions about how the country should be governed. However, it is worrying to see how little people think they can actually make a difference.”
Dr Daniel Kenealy said: “Despite Nicola Sturgeon’s call for an EU referendum veto by the four nations of the UK, and First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones’s support for the idea, it remains unpopular with people across the UK.”
A Labour spokesman said: “This poll shows that people are frustrated with the way that politics works, and they want to have a bigger say in how our country is run. Making our country work for working people is the best way to bring all parts of it together again.
“That is why Labour has committed to a constitutional convention, made up of people from all parts of the country and all walks of life, to change the way our country works.”
A spokesman for the Scottish Conservatives said fears about the end of the Union were being heightened by the prospect of a pact at Westminster between Labour and the SNP in the event of a hung parliament.
The spokesman said: “With Labour flirting with the SNP in the hope it gets them into government, and the Lib Dems dead in the water it’s no surprise people fear the constitutional question isn’t yet over.”
Aid on the way to devastated Vanuatu
‘ I term it as a monster, a monster. After all the development that has taken place, all this development has been wiped out. My whole heart is for the people, the nation.’ – Vanuatu President Baldwin Lonsdale
Britain has sent vital shelter and relief supplies to help people whose lives have been devastated by Cyclone Pam, International Development Secretary Justine Greening has announced.
A Royal Air Force C-17 transport plane departed from RAF Brize Norton in the early hours of this morning (Monday 16 March) and will travel to the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley in Australia, where it will join the international relief effort.
The plane is carrying 1,640 shelter kits for use by families of five people and more than 1900 solar lanterns with inbuilt mobile phone chargers. These supplies will help to provide protection to some of the most vulnerable people affected by the cyclone, especially women and children.
A humanitarian expert from the Department for International Development has also been deployed to advise on distribution of the supplies and assist with field assessments as part of the international relief effort.
The C-17 and its crew will remain in Australia for several days to undertake further support flights between Australia and affected areas as required.
Justine Greening said:
“The terrible effects of Cyclone Pam are now clear and many people are in urgent need of relief.
The Royal Air Force’s swift and invaluable support will ensure victims of the cyclone get the help they need to start putting their lives back together.
Families’ homes have been destroyed and power supplies are down. Our emergency shelter kits and solar lanterns will help meet people’s basic needs and Britain stands ready to assist further.”
All commercial flights in and out of Port Vila have been grounded, with only military planes able to land.
On Saturday 14 March, following a request from the Government of Vanuatu,Britain made up to £1 million available to UN organisations and international aid agencies in the region. The UK will also send an additional £1 million through the UK’s Rapid Response Facility, which provides emergency support via pre-approved organisations in the event of a humanitarian disaster overseas.
Cyclone Pam, a category five tropical storm, struck Vanuatu, a remote Pacific island nation – and one of the world’s least developed countries – on Saturday local time.
Two hundred mile per hour winds and torrential rain has caused widespread destruction, particularly in Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital. Communication networks have been severely disrupted by power outages and much of the infrastructure system across the archipelago has been destroyed.
Vanuatu’s President Baldwin Lonsdale said the the impact of the storm has been ‘devastating’. “I term it as a monster, a monster – it’s a setback for the government and for the people of Vanuatu,” he said. “After all the development that has taken place, all this development has been wiped out. My whole heart is for the people, the nation.”
May Days, May Days: VE Day commemoration plans announced
William Hague, Leader of the House of Commons, has announced three days of commemorations to mark the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day (VE Day 70) this summer.
The plans include events across the UK to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Events will range from a parade, a service of thanksgiving and a star-studded concert in central London, to street parties around the UK.
Mr Hague, Leader of the House of Commons, said: “I am delighted to announce three days of celebrations, which will pay fitting tribute to those who did so much to defend this country and ensure victory in Europe.
“It is right that we take time to reflect on the sacrifices made, not just by those in the Armed Forces, but by civilians such as Land Girls and those in Reserved Occupations and make sure that the whole country has the chance to take part in commemorating this momentous anniversary and remembering those who gave so much for our freedom.”
The celebrations in London will be echoed by other events across the country to mark VE Day 70 with local authorities and communities encouraged to participate.
They will celebrate with members of their communities who contributed to the war effort throughout the Second World War. The Royal British Legion, as the national custodian of Remembrance, will act as the government’s key partner in leading the nation in marking the commemoration, including hosting a major reception for 2,000 veterans in St James’s Park.
Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson CB CVO, National President of the Royal British Legion said: “We are honoured to play our part in helping the nation mark 70 years since the end of the Second World War in Europe. The Legion has a responsibility to help the memories of those of who have fought and died in our nation’s Armed Forces live on for future generations.
“The commemoration of this conflict, still in living memory, gives us the opportunity to salute the Second World War generation.We hope that all communities will use the VE Day 70 commemorations to thank them and celebrate the role they played in our nation’s history.”
Eric Goldrein, 94, from Hale Village, Liverpool, served with the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and was in Italy when the news came through that the war in Europe was over.
“We celebrated in a field, the Signallers set up speakers playing music and the locals came out and joined in too, happy that the war was finally over. I heard about the street parties back home and I’m looking forward to being part of these 70th Anniversary celebrations.”
Friday 8 May (VE DAY)
VE Day itself (Friday 8 May) will be a day of remembrance. A service of remembrance will be held at The Cenotaph, including a national two minute silence at 3pm, marking the moment Winston Churchill broadcast his historic speech (below) formally announcing the end of the war.
My dear friends, this is your hour. This is not victory of a party or of any class. It’s a victory of the great British nation as a whole. We were the first, in this ancient island, to draw the sword against tyranny. After a while we were left all alone against the most tremendous military power that has been seen. We were all alone for a whole year.
There we stood, alone. Did anyone want to give in? [The crowd shouted “No.”] Were we down-hearted? [“No!”] The lights went out and the bombs came down. But every man, woman and child in the country had no thought of quitting the struggle. London can take it. So we came back after long months from the jaws of death, out of the mouth of hell, while all the world wondered. When shall the reputation and faith of this generation of English men and women fail? I say that in the long years to come not only will the people of this island but of the world, wherever the bird of freedom chirps in human hearts, look back to what we’ve done and they will say “do not despair, do not yield to violence and tyranny, march straightforward and die if need be-unconquered.” Now we have emerged from one deadly struggle – a terrible foe has been cast on the ground and awaits our judgment and our mercy.
But there is another foe who occupies large portions of the British Empire, a foe stained with cruelty and greed-the Japanese. I rejoice we can all take a night off today and another day tomorrow. Tomorrow our great Russian allies will also be celebrating victory and after that we must begin the task of rebuilding our hearth and homes, doing our utmost to make this country a land in which all have a chance, in which all have a duty, and we must turn ourselves to fulfill our duty to our own countrymen, and to our gallant allies of the United States who were so foully and treacherously attacked by Japan.
We will go hand and hand with them. Even if it is a hard struggle we will not be the ones who will fail.
The Department for Education will be encouraging schools across the country to observe the 2 minute silence and to celebrate and commemorate in their own way – for example, by reading out Churchill’s historic speech, holding special VE Day-themed assemblies or organising tea parties.
In the evening a chain of over 100 beacons will be lit across the UK. Local communities that have already made plans for the day include Great Yarmouth, Island of Unst, Craig-Y-Dorth, Monmouthshire; Stokesby, Norfolk; and Lowestoft, Suffolk.
Saturday 9 May
Saturday 9 May will be a day of celebration. At around 11am, cathedrals across the country, from Durham to Canterbury, will be invited to ring their bells in celebration.
Festivities will peak with a star-studded 1940s themed concert held on Horse Guards Parade on Saturday night, featuring a line-up of international recording artists, stars and celebrities. The show will be one of the highlights of the year and will be broadcast that evening on BBC One.
Sunday 10 May
A service of thanksgiving will be held at Westminster Abbey, attended by veterans and their families, members of the Royal Family, representatives of allied nations and Commonwealth countries who fought alongside Britain in the conflict, along with other diplomatic representatives and senior members of government and the armed forces.
Following the service, there will be a parade of current personnel and veterans, supported by bands, from the Abbey along Whitehall, past the balcony of HM Treasury where Winston Churchill made his historic appearance before crowds on VE Day. Veterans who have taken part in the service and parade will then be invited to a reception in St James’s Park hosted by The Royal British Legion.
During the afternoon there will be a flypast of current and historic aircraft from the Royal Air Force – including the Hurricane, Spitfire and Lancaster of the famous Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, which played such a famous role in the European War. The Spitfire, with its unmistakable design, won the admiration of many for its daring role in the Battle of Britain, engaging in dogfights in the sky against enemy aircraft in the defence of the nation. The Avro Lancaster is perhaps the most famous of the aircraft used by Bomber Command during the Second World War, used in many raids on enemy territory, including the famous Dambuster Raids on the Ruhr Valley.
Central London will also be transported back to the 1940s by a display of period vehicles from the 1940s in St James’s Park.
Further details on the commemorations, including event listings, are available at https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/ve-day-70th-anniversary.
Information on how veterans will be able to join in the London celebrations, including how to get involved in the lighting of the VE Day Beacons on 8 May and participating in the parade on 10 May, will be announced shortly.
Seeing red over Blue Badge abuse
Additional powers to confiscate badges and tackle misuse
Drivers and passengers who abuse the blue badge scheme could have their badges confiscated through new legislation coming into force at the end of this month.
The blue badge scheme provides an essential service for disabled people by allowing access to parking bays which are normally closer to work, shops and other community services. This parking access often makes the difference as to whether people with mobility problems can live their lives as fully as they can.
The Scottish Government hopes that by providing these additional powers to confiscate badges and cancel lost or stolen badges, people will think twice before misusing them.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “Blue badge misuse is socially unacceptable as it prevents the 228,000 legitimate badge holders across Scotland from accessing the on-street parking concessions to which they are entitled.
“Granting extra powers for local authorities to tackle blue badge misuse and confiscate badges that are not valid or are being used illegally by a third party for their own benefit will allow disabled badge holders to access services in the community and lead independent lives.”
Research conducted by Transport Scotland in 2012 showed that 76% of BB holders would go out less often if they were without their badge. Many also felt they wouldn’t be able to go out at all.
Dennis Robertson, MSP who was responsible for taking the legislation forward, said: “We need this legislation because people think that third party misuse of a blue badge is okay; although it is not. We as a society should not tolerate that.
“When someone misuses a blue badge they do not just take a parking space they deny a parking space to someone with a disability. When that person is denied a parking space they have to return home and might not be able to do what they went into town for.
“People need to understand that by using someone else’s blue badge they are not just taking a parking space they are taking a parking space from a disabled person who is entitled to it.”
Abuse of the scheme reduces the number of on street disabled parking bays and on-street parking spaces available for use by genuine blue badges holders. Local authorities are keen to stamp out the misuse with Parking Enforcement Officers constantly dealing with possible cases of misuse.
Michael Brady, Enforcement Manager City Parking (Glasgow), said: “All of our officers have been trained in blue badge inspection protocol. This not only ensures that those who use their blue badge properly are treated with respect, but also ensures that if we suspect misuse, action will be taken.
“Checking badges is part of the everyday duties of our attendants and every few weeks we will clampdown on areas where we suspect there is a high level of blue badge misuse taking place. Occasionally it comes down to drivers not realising the rules, however there are many who abuse the scheme and we hear the same excuses daily.
“Blue badges should only be used by those people who have been awarded a badge and have a right to the parking concessions. The power to confiscate will be a crucial tool to tackle abuse and protect the parking rights of legitimate badge holders.”
Glasgow’s most common excuses given by those misusing the blue badge are:
- I have just dropped badge holder off for shopping, doctors, dentist; when that is not the case and enquiries reveal that the badge holder is at home.
- I am waiting on the badge holder coming from, the doctors, dentists
- I am doing the badge holder’s shopping
- I am collecting something for the badge holder / picking up their medication
- I thought I could use the badge as I will be collecting the badge holder later
For more information on blue badges and the rules and regulations around their use, visit www.bluebadgescotland.org/
Brand new: BOLD step forward by Hanover Housing Association
HANOVER (Scotland) Housing Association has taken a look into the future to make sure it’s ready to welcome the next wave of residents coming their way – by rebranding it’s services.
Hanover, which is based in McDonald Road, launched it’s dynamic new branding this week with on-street billboards at hospitals in Glasgow and Edinburgh. The housing association’s awareness campaign aims to ensure that customers have a selection of housing choices at their fingertips.
A spokesperson said: “The new branding spans all mediums: print, online and for the first time street billboards, to make Hanover easier to recognise and access by whatever route. This includes a strong online presence for the increasing number of ‘tech savvy’ over-55s.
“The new approach to Hanover’s brand identity and website comes as a response to the increasing number of people in Scotland’s ageing population who will be seeking accommodation now and in the future.
“Consideration has been given to ‘simple solutions’ in terms of the needs of helping older people to find a home in which they will feel safe and secure, whilst maintaining their independence.
“Navigation through the new website utilises case studies of ‘real’ Hanover residents with on location photography across a number of regions in Scotland, highlighting the spirit of independence a resident can enjoy with the backdrop of a closer and safer housing community.”
Research was conducted by BOLD design agency, part of Community Enterprise Scotland, who undertook workshops with residents, staff and stakeholders to help ‘redefine the future brand and make it even more identifiable as a warm and welcoming housing association that really understand the needs of the growing numbers of elderly people’.
The result of the ‘redefinition’ is a fresh overall look and feel – a more colourful and eye-catching ‘street’ logo with the strap-line ‘independent together’, along with branding to make it more readily recognisable as a caring and professional housing association.
Commenting on the rebranding, Helen Murdoch CEO, Hanover (Scotland) Housing Association, noted: “We have a great reputation here at Hanover and keeping ahead of the ageing population curve is vitally important to ensure we have the right balance of services.
“I have asked residents how they have come to know about Hanover and they have often replied ‘word of mouth’.
“They have also added that: ‘Hanover is great but not enough people know about the good work that you do’. So, rebranding will go a long way to rectify this and increase awareness amongst potential new residents.”
Ms Murdoch added: “Rebranding is not a decision to be taken lightly, it is one that has to have tangible cost benefits and will help us attract more residents and fill our properties.
“It will also help our vital activities such as telecare and repairs reporting, which we offer other organisations, to be more clearly promoted.
“This in turn supports our core business of providing quality housing and services for older people. Finally, we want residents and potential new customers to know we are caring and professional and that the new logo and branding will help us achieve this more.
“We also recognise that outstanding customer service is paramount both for today and tomorrow and we aim to ensure that it is underpinned by first-class support services to meet the needs of our housing customers.
“We take great pride at Hanover in being upfront with our potential customers what they can expect from us and now and in the future. Our new branding and website will go a long way to address this along with our drive to create safe and secure housing and healthy, connected communities.”
John Ayscough, creative director at BOLD design agency, said: “It is vitally important that potential customers can recognise Hanover signposted by a recognisable and eye-catching logo.
“So, by distilling the responses from our research to address the instant recognition factor – we created the row of colourful houses, strapline, ‘independent together’, and brought the site to life with the “Meet the Resident” case studies to really bring the human element into play.
Mr Ayscough added: “Many older people are proficient at using technology and can surf the net with ease. We recognised that the current website was difficult to navigate and it required a more modern approach to match changing demand.
“With greater numbers of people living longer and on their own – the way people want to live has changed considerably – with more people wishing to live alone but in closer connected communities.
“The website now has a clear selection of options that align with the type of care people require at any one stage without losing their independence.
“From being ‘independent together’ in their own home – be it rented or owned with greater opportunity for community living and joint activities; living in sheltered, very sheltered, to special amenity housing and on-site care and telecare services – placing greater consideration on the future needs and requirements of our older people.”
Ten thousand and rising …
STV GREENS SNUB: Legal challenge not ruled out
More than ten thousand people have signed the petition calling for Scottish Green Party inclusion in STV’s leaders debate. Leaders of Scotland’s other four major parties have also announced their support for the Greens inclusion.
Launched at 11am on Thursday, after STV announced their plans to hold a debate with four of Scotland’s five parties, the petition has received support across Scotland, peaking at forty signatures a minute and reaching ten thousand signatures at 13.53 on Saturday.
Commenting on the public and political support, Patrick Harvie MSP said: “This groundswell of support across Scotland shows that there is a clear demand for the Greens to be included in the debate. These past two years have seen high-quality, enjoyable televised debates, with STV often hosting the best of them and with the Greens regularly given a platform. The public clearly expect this diversity of vision to continue being on offer, if only for them as voters to give us the scrutiny we all deserve.
“We are also grateful for the messages of support from the leaders of Scotland’s four other major parties. Their statements add considerable weight to the call by over ten thousand members of the public for STV to reconsider and extend an invitation to the Greens. Taking legal action is not our preferred option but it is one we will have to keep open unless the broadcaster reconsiders their position.”