Residents and business-people from across Edinburgh and beyond are invited to come together for a special evening of food, drink and live music to raise money and awareness for local charities Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity, Kindred, and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH). Pop-up venue Festival Village: Waverley, located on the roof of Waverley Mall, is hosting the charity event supported by AIB (GB) on Tuesday 5thSeptember from 5pm. Continue reading Charity fundraising event at Festival Village
A Macmillan nurse from Edinburgh has been presented with the British Empire Medal on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. Fiona Haston, a registered nurse for 34 years, received the honour for her work helping and treating people affected by Head and Neck cancer.
Energy produced from laughter at the Edinburgh Fringe could power a home for around six days
New research conducted by Scottish Gas used smart meter data to calculate how much energy and laughter was needed to power household electrical items
Scottish Gas has installed more than 30,000 smart meters in homes across Edinburgh.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe closed its doors on Saturday having had the most popular run in the event’s 70-year history. Today, new research has revealed the power of the Fringe’s laughter levels. The analysis, carried out by Scottish Gas, discovered that the energy generated from laughter at this year’s festival would power the average home in Edinburgh for nearly six days!
Statistically, the average person burns 100 calories if they laugh for an hour, and this year the Fringe featured 21,292 performances focused solely on comedy. Using data from smart meters, Scottish Gas has also worked out that 2017 Fringe laughter would produce enough energy to power:
20,800 charges of a smart phone
An LCD TV continuously for around almost 21 days
Scottish Gas also calculated that the laughter would power:
83 rotations of the Falkirk Wheel
2 return trips on the Edinburgh Trams from York Place to Edinburgh Airport
A lifetime of LOLs
With the Fringe marking its 70th birthday this year, Scottish Gas analysed the power of a Lifetime of LOL (Laughing out Loud). They found that if the current population of Edinburgh laughed for an hour a day for 70 years, it would produce enough energy to power a home in Edinburgh for nearly two years.
Scottish Smart Energy Expert, Stephen Cosgrove, who installs smart meters across Edinburgh for Scottish Gas, said: “Everyone enjoys a good laugh, but it’s interesting to imagine how our chuckles and chortles could power a home!
“I’m sure monitoring your energy use will be the last thing on your mind when you’re out having fun. But simple steps – such as switching appliances off at the wall rather leaving them on stand-by before you go out – can help keep energy use in check.
“Having smart meters installed for free can help too. They automatically send meter readings to your energy supplier so you don’t have to. And they come with a smart energy monitor that shows you how much energy is being used and how much is being spent, in pounds and pence, in near real time.”
Scottish Gas has installed more than 30,000 smart meters in homes across Edinburgh. To find out more visit www.scottishgas.co.uk/smart
Brock welcomes rethink on Registry Office closure – but says the fight isn’t over yet
Deidre Brock MP has hailed “victory for the Leithers” over news that Edinburgh Council has backed down over its plans to close Leith Registrars Office, putting them on hold until a public consultation has been held. A petition to save the Registrar gathered 4000 signatures in just a couple of days, showing the massive support from Leithers for the service.Continue reading Persevere: Victory for Leithers as Registrar’s stays open!
Chrysanthemums are often thought of as cut flowers, but there is also a wide range of other chrysanthemums. In autumn in particular the range features cushion chrysanthemums, which flower when the days are short. The plant responds to the short days by creating buds. They’re branched, bushy plants in many different colours and flower shapes. Cushion chrysanthemums are very suitable for use outdoors in the garden or on the balcony, patio, garden paths or by the front door. The plants flower so profusely that the foliage is completely hidden. The attractive floral domes provide weeks of pleasure, which is why they’re deservedly the Garden Plant of the Month for September!
GREEN REPORT: EXTENT OF HOUSEHOLDS HIT BY BENEFIT CAP REVEALED
The City of Edinburgh Council area has seen a rise of 302% in the number of households being affected by the UK government’s new benefit cap, new analysis by the Scottish Greens has revealed.Continue reading Greens reveal extent of benefit cap carnage
Barnardo’s supporters and former TOWIE stars Debbie Douglas and daughter Lydia Bright are backing an urgent appeal by children’s charity Barnardo’s for more foster carers to look after vulnerable teenagers throughout the UK. The leading children’s charity is appealing to people in Edinburgh to consider fostering.Continue reading Barnardo’s appeal for foster carers
Prime Minister Therea May sends her warmest wishes to Muslims around the world, and here in the United Kingdom, who are celebrating Eid al-Adha this week:
I send my warmest wishes to Muslims around the world, and here in the United Kingdom, who are celebrating Eid al-Adha this week. And I congratulate everyone who has performed the Hajj this year.
At this special time, British Muslims will gather together with family, friends and neighbours to pray, to exchange gifts and to share meals.
Amidst these celebrations, they will also remember those in need, by extending a hand of friendship and compassion to those less fortunate than themselves.
That generosity towards others is shown all year round by British Muslims, through charitable giving and service in the community.
Indeed, British Muslims, and people of Muslim origin, make a huge contribution to all walks of life in the United Kingdom. They help to enrich the successful multi-racial, multi-faith democracy that is twenty-first century Britain.
As we celebrate this happy occasion here in the United Kingdom, we will also keep in our thoughts and prayers those around the world who will be marking this festival in places of conflict and insecurity.
This festival’s commemoration of Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice for his faith is a reminder of the shared roots of the world’s great Abrahamic faiths.
And in their warm spirit of neighbourliness and compassion, the Eid celebrations demonstrate common values in which we can all share.
So Eid Mubarak. I hope that this will be a wonderful occasion for everyone who is taking part.
