Month: February 2018

Greens strengthen Social Security Bill

Scotland’s Social Security Bill will now be enshrined with a commitment to reducing poverty after a Green MSP’s amendment was passed by a committee. Green MSP Alison Johnstone says the commitment to reducing poverty means that Scotland will now be better committed to people in need, taking a different approach from the UK government. Continue reading Greens strengthen Social Security Bill

India Buildings to become Virgin hotel

Councillor Gavin Barrie, Housing and Economy Convener, has welcomed the announcement that Virgin Hotels has chosen Edinburgh for their first hotel outside America.

Virgin Hotels, the luxury lifestyle hotel brand by Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson, has announced plans to open at India Buildings in Edinburgh’s Victoria Street. Expected to open in 2020, the development marks an important moment in Virgin Hotels’ history and is expected to be joined by more UK and European projects in the coming years.

Continue reading India Buildings to become Virgin hotel

Awards for Edinburgh Leisure lifesavers

Four Royal Commonwealth Pool staff have been awarded the prestigious Meritorious Lifeguard Award by the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK). On the day that sees the launch of the Scotland Drowning Prevention Strategy, the Edinburgh Leisure staff team were presented with their awards by RLSS UK’s CEO Di Steer at the Royal Commonwealth Pool on Dalkeith Road.  Continue reading Awards for Edinburgh Leisure lifesavers

Much ado as Edinburgh College students take theatre costume exhibition to Stirling

Edinburgh College Theatre Costume students have delved into a Shakespearean world of farthingales and ruffs to launch an exhibition of Elizabethan inspired stage costumes this week. Elizabethan Costumes for Theatre Performance, an exhibition by Edinburgh College Theatre Costume students, is on display at the Macrobert Arts Centre in Stirling until 27 February.  Continue reading Much ado as Edinburgh College students take theatre costume exhibition to Stirling

Last chance to enter Active Ageing Challenge

Scotland’s brightest start-ups and entrepreneurs have just five days left to enter a new £100,000 fund, designed to support the development of technology that will help people to thrive in older age. Entries for the first ever Centrica Active Ageing Challenge close on 5 February, so local start-ups should submit their big ideas NOW! Continue reading Last chance to enter Active Ageing Challenge

More support for Scottish Women’s Aid to tackle domestic abuse

Scottish Women’s Aid is being granted dedicated training funding of £165,000 from the Scottish Government ahead of the Domestic Abuse Bill progressing through Parliament. The funding will support improved understanding of coercive control within communities and develop bespoke training materials for Scottish Women’s Aid staff. Continue reading More support for Scottish Women’s Aid to tackle domestic abuse

February houseplant of the month: winter bloomers

Winter bloomers offer scent and colour 
Winter bloomers are ideal plants for bringing the spring indoors when everything outside is still grim and bare. Colourful primula (Primula obconia), cheerful ragwort (Senecio) and white jasmine(Jasminium) provide scent and colour in the home in many shapes and sizes. They’re easy to look after, and have been specially grown to be able to go outdoors as well when the temperature rises above 10°C.
Origin 
Wild primulas often occur in the mountains on the northern hemisphere. There are some 15 varieties in the European Alps. Ragwort has travelled across from Australia and New Zealand, and occurs widely on the Canary Islands. Jasmine is a (sub-)tropical climber from the temperate regions of Asia which can also do well indoors if it’s given enough moisture and warmth.
What to look for when buying Winter bloomers 
  • All winter bloomers are keen drinkers, so check the soil is sufficiently damp when buying. Drooping leaves are a sign that the plant has been kept too dry.
  • Check the number of buds and the ripeness of the buds on all winter bloomers. Ideally they should already be showing some colour.
  • Primula and ragwort should have attractive, smooth leaves, whilst jasmine should have dense tendrils with lots of buds.
  • Look out for leaf-miner flies and aphids, and in the case of primula and ragwort also check for Botrytis, a fungus which can affect foliage and flowers when they’re too damp.
Range 
Primula offers cheerful flowers in pink, white, purple, lilac and blue which brighten your home when it’s still bleak outside. There are increasing numbers of bicoloured varieties.
Ragwort has green leaves which are a downy grey on the underside. The combination of green with ash grey sets off the fabulous flowers in white, blue, lilac, purple, pink, red and bicoloured beautifully.
Jasmine is a bush with dark green leaves and radiant star-shaped white flowers with a lovely fragrance. The long tendrils like to wrap, climb and meander.
Care tips for consumers 
  • Winter bloomers like a light and cool spot; avoid direct sunlight.
  • The soil should be slightly damp – avoid overwatering if possible.
  • Plant food once a fortnight helps winter bloomers to maintain enough strength for growing and flowering.
  • Wilted flowers can simply be picked off.

Creatives hit the classroom to benefit Children’s Hospital charity

CHILDREN and young people in hospital have benefitted from a new partnership which saw graphic designers, animators, film-makers and other creatives head back to the classroom for legal lessons. Continue reading Creatives hit the classroom to benefit Children’s Hospital charity