Month: December 2017

Edinburgh Cheer: it’s cool to be kind

Edinburgh’s two major football clubs are setting aside sporting rivalry and coming together in a campaign designed to make Edinburgh the Capital of Goodwill over Christmas. 
 
Edinburgh Cheers is supported by the Edinburgh Evening News and Heart of Midlothian FC, through its Big Hearts Foundation, and Hibernian FC , Hibernian Community Foundation and NHS Lothian through their innovative GameChanger Public Social Partnership.
 
The two Clubs are hosting and supporting a series of events in their respective communities, with many of those being hosted at Tynecastle Park and Easter Road, all designed to harness the power of football to deliver positive social outcomes.
 
In addition, a number of events and initiatives will take place throughout December to help those in the city – young and old – who are homeless, who are suffering poor mental or physical health, or who are isolated or forgotten at this time of year, with NHS Lothian ensuring that important well-being messages are delivered as part of the campaign.
 
The city’s public, private and third sectors will come together to back the campaign with the aim of making Edinburgh a more caring and compassionate city.

The EDINBURGH CHEER campaign has received the backing of the Scottish Government’s Minister for Public Health and Sport, Aileen Campbell, who said: “It is tremendous to see two of Scotland’s biggest clubs, city rivals, coming together to promote such a positive message and to help create such a tremendous spirit at Christmas. Football – our national sport – can be a powerful force for good, and this initiative further highlights the great impact it can have in communities.”

Hearts Chairwoman and Big Hearts Trustee Ann Budge said: “The city’s two major football clubs coming together to lead this campaign will, we hope, encourage lots of people to get behind us to deliver Edinburgh Cheer this Christmas. While the two clubs are fierce rivals on the pitch, off the pitch we share similar values and a similar determination to use football to create better outcomes for people.

“Although we do have lots of passionate supporters, we really are only rivals for 90 minutes three or four times a season. Otherwise both clubs are totally committed to doing what they can for the community and to help the people of Edinburgh.”

Hibernian Chief Executive Leeann Dempster said: “We are delighted to be working with Heart of Midlothian to launch this campaign to make Edinburgh the Capital of Goodwill this Christmas, harnessing the power of football to deliver positive benefits. We are also thrilled that so many other organisations have expressed a desire to support the Edinburgh Cheer campaign, and we hope that supporters and all other citizens will sign up to help make Christmas a little kinder for all the people of Edinburgh.”

NHS Lothian Chief Executive Tim Davison said: “Football is Scotland’s national game, and we know the huge interest there is in the game and the influence that football can have. We are delighted to be working with the clubs on a campaign designed to help the well-being of all the people of Edinburgh, and to work with the Evening News to promote positive health messages.”

Follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up-to-date with more Edinburgh Cheer announcements!

 
You can play your part in making our city the Capital of Goodwill this Christmas 
If you can do just one of these things, please let us know you are supporting us and sign up for our Edinburgh Cheer news letter at www.edinburghnews.com for campaign updates
 
Smile and say Happy Christmas 
Traffic warden? Shop assistant? Fellow commuters? Share some festive spirit with the people you meet each day
 
Invite someone new for lunch
Maybe a neighbour who is on their own
 
 Give a little of your time
Sign up for our Edinburgh Cheer news letter and see if you can help a local charity deliver a festive project in your neighbourhood
 
 Spread the word about a good cause
Share it on Facebook and Twitter, tell your friends, and don’t forget to let us know so we can help #edincheer
 
Keep people warm on the streets
Watch out for details of how you can support our sleeping bag campaign for rough sleepers
 
 Wish a Polish neighbour Wesolych Swiat
Or say feliz Navidad to a Spanish friend
 
Bring some joy to a dinner table
Donate much-needed supplies to a foodbank such as the one at your local Tesco
 
Make an older person on their own feel special
Send them a Christmas card through #VintageVibes VIP campaign
 
Sing with us
Join our Edinburgh Cheer choir for communal carol singing. Watch out for details of where and when.
 

Take the Edinburgh Cheer pledge 

#edincheer

Swinney steps in to save Dads Rock

 

Happier times: Dads Rock opens at The Prentice Centre

Parenting support charity Dads Rock has been awarded £50,000 to secure its future, Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced last night.

The Edinburgh-based organisation has had to scale back services following a number of unsuccessful funding applications. Now, Dads Rock will receive £35,000 from the Scottish Government, which will enable the reinstatement of all playgroups, antenatal classes and work with young fathers.

In addition, the organisation will receive a further £15,000 to evaluate the benefits of its work, which will help it apply for funding in future.

Mr Swinney said: “I hugely value the important support Dads Rock provides to parents, particularly fathers, and I was very concerned to hear it was in jeopardy because of a funding shortfall. I am pleased that this £50,000 will enable services to resume, as well as helping to secure the long-term future of the organisation.”

 

 

 

 

Regrets? I’ve had a few … the perils of the office Christmas party

Beware: ’tis the season to make an **** of yourself!

A recent survey reveals who the rowdiest and wildest departments are at the office Christmas party, surprising regrets from office workers and top tips to give yourself before yours. Along with shocking confessions and further surprising statistics, this research will certainly prepare any office worker for the much-anticipated work Christmas party! Continue reading Regrets? I’ve had a few … the perils of the office Christmas party

Children’s Hospital asks: ‘Santa, stop here one last time’

CHILDREN and young people spending their Christmas in hospital this year are set to have an extra special experience – to see snow falling on the hospital – thanks to Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC). Continue reading Children’s Hospital asks: ‘Santa, stop here one last time’

December houseplant of the month: Amaryllis

The story of Amaryllis
Stylish and sensual Amaryllis (also known as Hippeastrum) is available in many varieties and rich earthy colours. This houseplant’s big feature is its changing appearance. A stately hollow stem emerges from a bulb on which smooth buds develop. Those open into voluminous calyxes with velvety petals in white, salmon, red, pink or even green. The flowers can reach a diameter of 20 cm. This is very spectacular, particularly because you do not expect such a lavish display from such a sleek stem, especially not in the winter months.
Origin 
Amaryllis is a member of the Narcissus family, with more than 70 species. It’s native to the (sub-)tropical regions of Mexico and the Caribbean through to northern Argentina. The first plants probably developed in Brazil. The plant was first cultivated in Europe in around 1800.
What to look for when buying Amaryllis 
  • When buying Amaryllis, look at the colour and the flower shape which will emerge from the bulbs. The larger the bulb, the more (hollow) stems emerge from it, sometimes up to 3-4 stems per pot. Every stem produces 3 or 4 conical flowers. The less ripe the plant is, the trickier it is to see how many buds will form, but the buds are usually fairly well-developed in the supply phase.
  • Check that the bulb is well rooted and not too loose in the pot. A green tip must already visible on the bulb when purchasing.
  • Check that there is no mould on the bulb or the soil – a sign that the plant has been too damp.
  • The bulb and stems can be affected by ‘red blotch’ (red stripes on the stem) but this does not detract from the lifespan.
  • Amaryllis can easily be stored cool, even in a chiller. The ideal storage temperature is 5-8 °C, However, do this for as little time as possible, because the plant can quickly suffer from too little light, causing the buds to dry out. If the plant is stored too warm, it will ripen more quickly, reducing the saleability.
Choice of range
The Amaryllis range is very broad. Alongside main colours such as red, pink and white, new colours are constantly being added, like salmon, lilac, green, orange and bi-coloured varieties with stripes or edges. There are varieties with single and double flowers. Bulbs with a wax or felt coating that the consumer doesn’t have to do anything to are very popular. Do stress that it requires patience: it takes a few weeks for a bulb to start growing. An Amaryllis in a pot develops slightly faster.
How to identify the various cultivars: 
Galaxy Group, single-flowered, flower diameter larger than 16 cm
Diamond Group, single-flowered, flower diameter 12-16 cm
Colibri Group, single-flowered, flower diameter less than 12 cm
Double Galaxy Group, double-flowered, flower diameter larger than 16 cm
Double Diamond Group, double-flowered, flower diameter 12-16 cm
Double Colibri Group, double-flowered, flower diameter less than 12 cm
Spider Group, single-flowered, little or no overlap of bracts
Butterfly Group, single-flowered, slightly oval
Trumpet Group, single-flowered, long trumpet-shaped flowers
Care tips for consumers
  • Amaryllis can tolerate both dark and light positions, as long as it’s reasonably cool.
  • Do not allow the soil to dry out, but do not have standing water either. Bulbs with felt or wax will flower without water, but should not be too warm, otherwise the flowers will dry up.
  • There’s no need to feed, since the nutrients are already in the bulb.
Display tips for Amaryllis
Amaryllis is a real winter bloomer with a classic December/January vibe. Place various sizes and different colours together, or show modern ways of using the plant. Kokedama, lying in a bowl, on a bulb stand or in a terrarium – it’s worth showing what else can be done with the plant apart from just having it flower in a pot.