Day: February 1, 2016

February Plant of the Month: Snowball (Viburnum)

 Even when it’s not snowing, Viburnum brings snowballs to the garden – and if it does freeze, this garden plant stays green and brings an early spring-like invigoration into a garden lover’s garden!

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Snowball is a diverse family of shrubs. There are species that remain green in winter, and semi-evergreen varieties and species that shed all their leaves. As compensation, they do grow sprays of white and pink flowers on the bare branches between November and March. Those flowers have a fabulous fragrance and are very frost-resistant: a spectacular combination.

Generally speaking, the later the shrub blooms, the larger the flowers will become. Snowball also either has a second flowering in the autumn or will produce lovely red, blue or black berries at that time of year. With foliage that also changes colour beautifully in autumn, this garden bloomer has something special to offer in every season.

More information about Snowball and other garden plants can be found at Thejoyofplants.co.uk.

You can find out about all our other plant-related categories on Flowercouncil.co.uk.

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Move over, Gertrude: here comes Henry

Travel disruption likely in some areas

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The Met Office has issued an Amber, Be Prepared warning for high winds across parts of Scotland later today and through until the end of the morning peak period on Tuesday, as Storm Henry is set to arrive.

The worst of the conditions are expected in the Highlands, Strathclyde and along Western Coastal areas with wind speeds of up to 90mph forecast in some exposed areas.

This could lead to restrictions or closures of some of the key bridges on the trunk road network and disruption across other parts of the transport network, including ferries.

Details of the weather alerts are available at: http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/warnings.

The winds are expected to worsen on Monday afternoon (1500) through the peak period on Tuesday morning (0900).

Transport Scotland is working with partner organisations, including Police Scotland and the transport operators, to try to mitigate the effects of the conditions. Our Multi-Agency Response Team (MART) has been active throughout the weekend at the National Traffic Control Centre and will continue operations into the new week.

The Trunk Road Operating Companies winter fleets have been out across the country, with teams treating and patrolling the roads and reacting to any incidents, but as conditions are expected to be changeable, motorists should follow Police advice.

Passengers should also check with their travel operator’s website before they leave and be mindful of the conditions. Transport Minister Derek Mackay said: “A wide range of agencies and organisations have their response plans in place to help mitigate the effects of this latest set of conditions but there is every likelihood of some disruption to the transport network in the coming few days.

“The wintry weather is forecast to deteriorate tomorrow with the arrival of Storm Henry which carries an Amber Alert for high winds from Monday afternoon continuing through the peak on Tuesday morning. Our Multi-Agency Response Team, based at the National Traffic Scotland Control Centre which has been in operation throughout the weekend will remain in place to monitor events and respond as required. Our fleet of patrol vehicles and gritters are treating roads where needed around the clock to help keep roads open to traffic, but quickly changing conditions means journeys could be disrupted.

“As always we would ask the public to play their part by listening to the latest weather forecasts and plan their journeys accordingly. With wet and windy conditions continuing and wind speeds expected to be as high as 90mph in some more exposed places, people should continue to check radio reports, visit the Traffic Scotland website or twitter feed, check with their transport operator, and take the latest police advice before setting off.”

Continue reading Move over, Gertrude: here comes Henry

First Minister supports LGBT History Month

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LGBT History Month takes place in Scotland every February. It is an opportunity to celebrate lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender lives and culture, and to recognise the significant contribution LGBT people have made to our country and the world at large.

Aligned with Scotland’s ‘Year of Innovation’, LGBT History Month 2016 will highlight ‘LGBT innovators’ who have made a difference in Scotland.

The 2016 brochure features a stunningly illustrated Edwin Morgan poem, ‘Strawberries’. Born in the West End of Glasgow in 1920, Morgan was Glasgow’s first official Poet Laurette and Scotland’s first official Makar, his poems often refer to gay love and life in Glasgow and he was an active supporter of LGBT rights.

This year ‘LGBT Innovator’ First Minister Nicola Sturgeon expresses her support for LGBT History Month. Ms Sturgeon has consistently expressed her support for LGBTI people and communities, supporting the introduction of the ground breaking Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Act in 2014, opposing David Cameron’s plans to repeal the Human Rights Act and last year was named ‘Politician of the Year’ at Scotland’s first LGBTI Awards.

First Minister for Scotland Nicola Sturgeon commented: ‘I have always been committed to making Scotland a fair and equal society for all, and we are making great strides in doing so for the LGBT community’.

‘We have seen a change in the law to allow same-sex couples to adopt jointly and the introduction of hate crime legislation extended to cover LGBT people; Scotland was also the first country in Europe to provide national government funding to a transgender rights project, and Scotland has its own standalone Gender Reassignment Protocol.

“Same sex marriage is now legal and I took great pride in not only leading the consultation on marriage for same sex couples, but also attending one of the very first same sex marriage ceremonies in Scotland. That decision challenges the negative attitudes that still exist today towards LGBT people, and shows love is love regardless of a person’s sexual orientation.

‘The Scottish Government has strongly supported LGBT History Month since 2005 and it provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress that has been made, but also look to the future and what more can be achieved.

‘Continuing to address the barriers that exist for LGBT people in Scotland and ensuring that everyone has the same chances to participate in every aspect of life is, for me, the most effective way of making sure that each and everyone one of us benefits from the diversity this fantastic country and its people has to offer’.

Fergus McMillan, Chief Executive of LGBT Youth Scotland commented:  ‘We are delighted that the First Minister supports LGBT History Month. This year the brochure, featuring more than 40 events, is supported by the Equality Network, LEAP Sports Scotland and Stonewall Scotland. Events will take place all across Scotland, facilitated by organisations, community groups and LGBTI artists from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands.’

‘With the LGBTI Innovators theme we hope to highlight the musicians, artists, sports people, activists and unsung heroes who have really made a difference to LGBT life here in Scotland. We want to know your stories so tell us your LGBT Innovators on our social media channels and go to the website www.lgbthistory.org.uk for the full programme.”

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Jasper’s back!

Guide dog Jasper returns to his roots! 

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Sainsburys Blackhall have been sponsoring Guide dogs for the blind for four years now (writes Gail ). One of the first puppies we sponsored was Jasper.

After fulfilling his year in Edinburgh with Diane Hare, his puppy walker, Jasper then went to Forfar to do his formal training. Of course he passed with flying colours and is now the official Guide dog for Robert Blackwood, who lives in Irving.

Robert found out that Sainsburys Blackhall had sponsored Jasper from birth and wanted to come along to our store and meet the colleagues who had helped him get his guide dog. The colleagues were thrilled to see Jasper back!