Day: May 7, 2020

Edinburgh authors on Theakston Crime Novel longlist

Today, the longlist of the UK and Ireland’s most prestigious crime novel award is unveiled with literary legends and dynamic debuts in contention for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year …

Now in its 16th year, the most coveted prize in crime fiction, presented by Harrogate International Festivals, received a record number of submissions and this highly anticipated longlist of 18 titles – 10 of which by women – represents crime writing at its best: celebrating four former winners, a Booker Prize contender, and the fresh new voices taking the genre by storm. 

The line-up of returning champions is led by Scottish supernova Denise Mina, vying to become the first author to complete a hat trick with the deeply unsettling thriller Conviction. Mina is joined by fellow Glaswegian bestseller Chris Brookmyre and his psychological suspense Fallen Angel, ‘Queen of Crime’ Val McDermid’s latest masterful Tony Hill and Carol Jordan investigation, How the Dead Speak, and Lee Child CBE, with the final Jack Reacher, Blue Moon, before sharing authorship with his brother Andrew. 

The longlist also features several previously nominated authors hoping to go one step further and claim the trophy with Mick Herron securing a fifth pick for his much-lauded Slough House series with Joe Country and a nod for Abir Mukherjee’s new Wyndham & Banerjee instalment, Smoke and Ashes, and fan favourite Vera and Shetland author Ann Cleeves returns with The Long Call, marking the launch of a new North Devon series.

Further Theakston alumni in the running include Adrian McKinty with his electrifying thriller The Chain, Helen Fitzgerald and the darkly comic Worst Case Scenario, and outback noir from Jane Harper in The Lost Man.          

Rising stars of the genre are celebrated with three debuts on the list. Oyinkan Braithwaite, who was spotlighted in the Festival’s highly respected ‘New Blood’ panel in 2019, has been recognised for her Booker longlisted My Sister the Serial Killer.

Edinburgh’s Harriet Tyce (above) is in contention for her electrifying domestic noir Blood Orange that draws on her own experience as a criminal barrister, and Laura Shepherd-Robinson for the deeply atmospheric Blood & Sugar, bringing the 1780s Deptford Docks to life.

 Established voices joining the Theakston ranks for the first time include Jane Casey and her latest Maeve Kerrigan instalment Cruel Acts, Alex North with his chilling police procedural The Whisper Man, Louise Doughty, who is longlisted for the eerily unnerving Platform Seven, Will Carver with the mesmerising thriller Nothing Important Happened Today; and Val McDermid’s 2018 New Blood selection: Will Dean and his eagerly awaited follow-up to Dark Pines, the stunning Scandi noir Red Snow. 

The full longlist for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year 2020 is: 

–          My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite (Atlantic Books)

–          Fallen Angel by Chris Brookmyre (Little, Brown Book Group, Abacus)

–          Nothing Important Happened Today by Will Carver (Orenda Books)

–          Cruel Acts by Jane Casey (HarperCollins, Harper Fiction)

–          Blue Moon by Lee Child (Transworld, Bantam)

–          The Long Call by Ann Cleeves (Pan Macmillan, Macmillan/Pan)

–          Red Snow by Will Dean (Oneworld, Point Blank)

–          Platform Seven by Louise Doughty (Faber & Faber)

–          Worst Case Scenario by Helen Fitzgerald (Orenda Books)

–          The Lost Man by Jane Harper (Little, Brown Book Group, Little, Brown)

–          Joe Country by Mick Herron (John Murray Press)

–          How the Dead Speak by Val McDermid (Little, Brown Book Group, Little, Brown)

–          The Chain by Adrian McKinty (Orion Publishing Group, Orion Fiction)

–          Conviction by Denise Mina (VINTAGE, Harvill Secker)

–          Smoke and Ashes by Abir Mukherjee (VINTAGE, Harvill Secker)

–          The Whisper Man by Alex North (Penguin Random House, Michael Joseph)

–          Blood & Sugar by Laura Shepherd-Robinson (Headline Publishing Group, Wildfire)

–          Blood Orange by Harriet Tyce (Pan Macmillan, Mantle/Pan)

 

Executive director of T&R Theakston, Simon Theakston, said: “Year on year, I’m astounded and delighted by how this exceptional genre continues to excel – we were deluged with record submissions and these 18 impressive titles demonstrate the quality and power of contemporary crime fiction.

“From the familiar faces to the new voices, we are immensely proud of this year’s longlist and raise a virtual glass of Old Peculier to all the authors, and what will be another fierce contest for this much-wanted award.” 

The award is run by Harrogate International Festivals in partnership with T&R Theakston Ltd, WHSmith and the Express, and is open to full length crime novels published in paperback from 1 May 2018 to 30 April 2019 by UK and Irish authors. 

The longlist was selected by an academy of crime writing authors, agents, editors, reviewers, members of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival Programming Committee, and representatives from T&R Theakston Ltd, the Express, and WHSmith. 

The 18 titles will be promoted in a dedicated online campaign from WHSmith, digital promotional materials will be made available for independent bookstores, and the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival’s online community – You’re Booked – will raise a virtual glass to the titles and authors through interviews, features and a variety of further interactive content, as well as giving the opportunity to see a selection of events from the Festival’s extensive archive.

This forms part of the Harrogate International Festival virtual season of events, which presents a raft of live music, specially commissioned performances, literary events and interviews to bring a free festival experience to your own digital doorstep.  

The public are now invited to vote for a shortlist of six titles on www.harrogatetheakstoncrimeaward.com, which will be announced on 8 June. 

The winner of this pre-eminent prize has historically been awarded on the opening evening of the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival as part of Harrogate International Festival Summer Season, which this year was cancelled, with much sadness, due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

This year, the winner will be revealed at a virtual awards ceremony on 31 July, and will receive £3,000, and a handmade, engraved beer barrel provided by Theakston Old Peculier.

CBIL boost helps recycling business support gardeners in lockdown

  • Bank of Scotland supports green waste recycling firm with six-figure CBILS loan
  • Forth Resource Management triples online compost and topsoil delivery sales as more people spend time in their gardens
  • Working capital injection comes as local authority clients stop garden waste collections and close local recycling centres 

An East Lothian recycling business has seen its online sales more than triple and has stepped up its local delivery service with the support of Bank of Scotland. It is believed that the jump in sales is partly as a result COVID-19, with more people spending time at home and in their garden.

Forth Resource Management recycles more than 100,000 tonnes of organic waste for local councils and landscapers across Scotland each year, retailing subsequent product direct to local residents, builders merchants, garden centres and farmers.

With the UK now on lockdown, the business has increased the output of its online retail offer, supported by a six-figure loan from Bank of Scotland as part of the government-backed Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

The funding comes as a number of Forth Resource Management’s key local authority clients have stopped their garden waste collection services and closed their local recycling centres.

While the business has ultimately had to furlough a small number of its employees, the booming online delivery service – alongside the working capital injection from the bank – is expected to stand it in good stead for when normal trading resumes.

Tommy Dale, managing director at Forth Resource Management, said: “Local authority contracts have always been a key revenue pillar within our company but we’re fortunate that the nature of our business means we can adjust our focus and meet growing need elsewhere.

“Gardening and time spent outdoors is offering valuable respite up and down the country so it’s nice to know we’re positively contributing to keeping spirits up.

“The speed at which Bank of Scotland provided the funding has given us a great deal of confidence to trade through this challenging period and line up investment for growth in more certain times.”

Daniel Burns, relationship manager at Bank of Scotland, said: “Plotting a path against current headwinds is a challenge for almost every business at present.

“As such, we’re committed to being by the side of companies like Forth Resource Management – working with government to enable them to adapt their operations for the short-term.”

Lord Provost: “Like the VE Day generation, hope for better days to come”

Lord Provost Frank Ross writes about alternative ways to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of VE Day:

This Friday, 8th May, marks 75 years since the guns fell silent and the Second World War in Europe came to an end. 

Our original plans were for the city to come together to mark this important anniversary with a series of events in the Capital. More than 100 Second World War veterans were due to take centre stage in West Princes Street Gardens as the whole country paused to remember the generation who sacrificed so much on a special bank holiday Friday.

Unfortunately, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has forced the cancellation of these events but I believe it remains important to remember the sacrifice, courage and determination shown during World War Two and do what we can to mark the important anniversary.

As we remember and pay tribute to the struggles the war time generation faced, we’re experiencing an uncertain and difficult time ourselves. As we honour VE Day we can look to that generation and learn from their resilience, determination and hope for better days to come.

While we can’t have street parties and celebrations in pubs, or services in churches, as with many other areas of our lives, we can join in virtually. 

On Friday (8th May) from just before 11am there will be a virtual service of remembrance which will be broadcast live on the Legion Scotland Facebook page.

The service will be followed at midday by a virtual tribute concert, featuring performances from several of the groups who had been lined up for the Princes Street Gardens concert.

Poppyscotland have a range of online and virtual activities that you can get involved in including learning resources for young ones to a guide to hosting your own “virtual” VE Day party.

Whilst of course it is disappointing that the events have been cancelled, we are all playing our part by remaining indoors and I hope everyone takes a moment to remember those who fought for us. I will be joining the nations toast at 3pm and then we all have the chance to join a national singalong of Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again.” as part of the BBC 1 programming. Surely to be very emotional.

It’s been a tremendous effort to rearrange how we can celebrate the day and I want to thank Legion Scotland and Poppy Scotland.

We must all remember the struggles people went through during the second world war and let us use their resilience and determination as inspiration to carry everyone through the difficult period we’re facing during the pandemic.

As always, my thoughts and prayers are with everyone who has been touched by the Coronavirus. Let’s do what we can (safely) in these challenging times to mark this significant occasion.

National commemorative events – 8th May

11am    Two-minute silence for a national moment of remembrance
2.45pm   Commemorative programme on BBC One
3pm   Nation’s Toast to the Heroes of WW2
8pm   Commemorative programme on BBC One.
9pm   Her Majesty The Queen will send a message to the nation on BBC One, at 9pm, the same time her father, King George VI, gave a radio address in 1945. Followed by a national singalong of Dame Vera Lynn’s ‘We’ll Meet Again’.

This first appeared in the Evening News on Wednesday.

Heroic animals ‘who also served’ honoured this VE Day

To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day, leading vet charity PDSA is paying tribute to the brave hero animals ‘who also served’ and helped save countless lives during World War II.

The charity is commemorating the milestone by sharing exclusive e-books* which tell the remarkable stories of animal heroes honoured with the PDSA Dickin Medal**. These include the story of messenger pigeon, Duke of Normandy, who flew for 27 hours through bullets and bombs to deliver vital, life-saving intelligence to Allied Forces.

The prestigious Medal – known as the animals’ Victoria Cross – recognises outstanding acts of gallantry and devotion to duty displayed by animals serving with the Armed Forces or Civil Defence units in theatres of war.

The Medal was instituted by the charity’s Founder, Maria Dickin, with the approval of the War Office and Imperial War Museum, to raise the status of animals and acknowledge the remarkable roles they play in society. It was first awarded to a messenger pigeon named Winkie on 3 December 1943.

Mary Bawn, Head of Press, Voice and Brand at PDSA, said: “Throughout history, animals serving in the Armed Forces have made an extraordinary difference to the lives of so many, not only the men and women who serve, but also civilians who our military are protecting.

“Sharing some of these stories on VE day is a great way to celebrate the incredible, life-saving role animals have played throughout history, and continue to play today.”

To download the free PDSA Dickin Medal e-books visit: www.pdsa.org.uk/VE

Some of the featured hero stories include: 

Rip – The ‘World’s first Search and Rescue dog’

Rip, a crossbreed terrier, who is often referred to as the ‘World’s first Search and Rescue dog’. He was found on the streets of London by a local Air Raid Warden in 1940.

He had a talent for sniffing out survivors trapped in the blitz rubble and despite never receiving formal training, in just twelve months he helped save the lives of more than 100 people.

Rip was awarded his PDSA Dickin Medal in 1945.

Duke of Normandy (Pigeon No. NURP 41. SBC 219)

Allied paratroopers from the 21st Army Group were dropped behind enemy lines days before D-Day. After their mission ran into numerous problems, the only way to get a message back was a pigeon named Duke of Normandy.

His journey home – through bullets and bombs – took almost 27 hours. But he delivered critical intelligence to the Allied Command – and saved many lives.

Duke of Normandy received his PDSA Dickin Medal on 8 January 1947.

Brian – a parachuting dog

A ‘qualified paratrooper’, Brian (also known as Bing) served with the 13th Battalion Airborne Regiment during WWII. As the D-Day landings began, Brian was parachuted into the Normandy and fought side-by-side with his human allies. He also took part in the final airborne assault of the war.

Brian was presented with his PDSA Dickin Medal in March 1947.

To read the full stories of these amazing animal heroes and more download the free PDSA Dickin Medal e-books at: www.pdsa.org.uk/VE

About PDSA

PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity, helping save and protect the lives of pets in need.  Funded entirely by public support, we are a lifeline for owners who have nowhere else to turn in times of financial hardship.

Due to coronavirus, PDSA is facing into a national crisis. The pandemic is having a massive impact on fundraising activities and the charity has seen a huge drop in income.  Despite this sick and injured pets still need emergency treatment, and PDSA will still be there to help.

The charity needs support now more than ever. With your support we can stop suffering and save pets lives when they have nowhere else to turn.

To support us and help continue our vital work visit: pdsa.org.uk/appeal

 *Available to download for a limited time only

 

Birthday box for Boris’s bairn

At a time of unrelenting doom and gloom I thought it was important to share this uplifting (!) story with NEN readers:

Baby Wilfred received a very special delivery from baby gifting retailers My1stYears.com yesterday.

The box of personalised goodies was packed with gifts for the Prime Minister’s new-born son including a cuddly blue bunny, a cashmere baby blanket and muslin swaddle blankets.

It also included four fun bodysuits with these slogans:

  • I heart the NHS
  • Listen to Daddy – stay home save lives
  • Little Prime Minister
  • Thank you NHS you saved my Daddy

I could think of one or two appropriate slogans too! – Ed.

A close up of a piece of paper Description automatically generated A picture containing sitting, indoor, bear, teddy Description automatically generated A picture containing towel, bag Description automatically generated

Full list of products sent:

  • Personalised Blue Gingham Trim Gift Set – RRP £48
  • Personalised Blue Bunny Soft Toy – RRP £26
  • Blue Cashmere Baby Blanket – RRP £150
  • Personalised Multi-coloured Bobble Baby Blanket – RRP £36
  • Personalised Transport Print Organic Baby Gift Set – RRP £34
  • Personalised London Bus Wooden Toy – RRP £45
  • Personalised Pack of 3 Blue Star Print Muslin Swaddle Blankets – RRP £18
  • Personalised Unisex Adult Waffle Robe (for Carrie) – RRP £45
  • X4 slogan bodysuits – I heart the NHS, Listen to Daddy – stay home save lives, Little Prime Minister, Thank you NHS you saved my Daddy

I am sure the nation rejoices! – Ed.

Give the cash to our councils, says Briggs

Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has hit out against Finance Secretary Kate Forbes’ refusal to pass on £150 million in funding from the UK government for Covid-19 relief.

City of Edinburgh Council, like the other 32 local authorities in Scotland, have been told to use their reserves for dealing with Coronavirus.  On 31 March 2019 Edinburgh had reserves of £243.1 million.

The UK Government announced another £1.6 billion in funding for local councils in England, but SNP Ministers are declining to hand the equivalent money on to cash strapped councils in Scotland.

The Scottish Conservatives have previously criticised cuts to council  budgets before the outbreak of Covid-19 and the withholding of funds to council to fight Covid-19 is a continuation of this trend.

Councils across Scotland have increasingly had to use their reserves to make up the reduction in council funding in the SNP/ Green budget each year, which has depleted their reserves and led to warning from Audit Scotland that Councils are running on empty.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “Edinburgh City Council has an important role to play in tackling Covid-19, but are being hindered by the refusal of SNP Ministers to pass on funding for Council that has been made available to Councils in England.

“Health and Social care services have been amongst the hardest hit by Coronavirus and they will continue to struggle if SNP Ministers to not provide them with proper funding.

“Councils are going to become increasingly important in the management of Covid-19 once lockdown is lifted and measures need to be put in place to limit social distancing and have adequate levels of PPE.

“To be effective they will need the funding to be able put these measures in place, funding which is currently being withheld by SNP Ministers.”

Psychologists publish advice for key workers and their children

Psychologists from the British Psychological Society have produced guidance for key workers and their children on navigating the emotional effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Children are likely to be feeling unsettled by the upheaval of the Coronavirus lockdown, and some may be more worried because of having a parent who is still going to work.

The booklet for parents gives some straightforward tips on how they can help their children to cope, which includes:

  • Asking the child questions and talking to them
  • Giving the child choices over their time
  • Making their routine as consistent as possible, particularly at bedtime
  • Helping them to understand and share their feelings

It also provides guidance on finding a balance between work and home life at a time when there are many different things for key worker parents to manage at once.

Dr Bethan Phillips, a member of the Division of Clinical Psychology’s Faculty for Children, Young People and their Families that produced the documents, said: “We are all extremely grateful to key workers for the role that they are playing in keeping everyone safe and the country going, but we also appreciate the vital role of parenting.

“We hope that this information will be helpful to both key workers and their children in navigating these difficult times.”

In addition to the guidance for parents, there is also an advice sheet aimed at their children to answer the questions they may have.

It explains what a key worker is and why they have to spend so much time at work right now, discusses Coronavirus safety on a basic level and encourages young people to talk to their parents when they’re feeling worried.

Advice for keyworker parents – helping your child adapt

Southsider’s Quizmaster crowned BBC’s Mastermind Champion

Dave McBryan, the Quizmaster of The Southsider, on West Richmond Street in Edinburgh, was crowned BBC’s 2020 Mastermind Champion on Monday night [Monday 4 May].

The 46-year old, who is originally from Dublin, beat off competition from 96 contestants throughout the series to take home the title, in an experience he described as a “pretty nerve-wracking affair”.

Appearing with five other contestants in the final, Dave chose the View Askewniverse films by Kevin Smith as his specialist subject, and American singer Otis Redding and Olympic Fencing as his specialist subjects in his heat and the semi-final.

This is the second time he has won a major TV quiz, after winning ‘Fifteen to One’ on Channel 4 in 2014.

Dave, who is currently ranked Number 2 in the Irish Quiz Rankings and is a member of the Irish Quiz Team, has been competing in quizzes for seven years and has been the quizmaster of The Southsider for over five years.

His quizzes were as popular as ever until the pub was forced to close during lockdown, drawing over 20 teams every week. However, it is not for the faint-hearted, with McBryan putting everyone through their paces every Thursday evening at 9pm.

David Moore, General Manager of The Southsider, said: “I am so delighted for Dave, his win is truly well-deserved. It is a real privilege to have him as our Quizmaster, his quizzes are a highlight of our week at The Southsider.

“He really is a professional and I am looking forward to what he has in store for our quiz programme when we are back open again.”

Edith Bowman voices recording to boost mental wellbeing while walking

A mood-boosting podcast to help Scots unwind while they walk has been released to the public.

The ‘Mind to Walk’ podcast, narrated by DJ and presenter Edith Bowman, talks you through a walk that will relax your mind as you move your feet.

Launched by Scotland’s walking charity, Paths for All, the audio is designed using mindfulness techniques to help people look after their mental wellbeing whilst getting their daily exercise during Covid-19.

During periods of social distancing, isolation and uncertainty, many have expressed increased feelings of anxiety, stress or worry. Daily outdoor exercise, whilst adhering to social distancing guidelines, has become an important way to look after physical and mental wellbeing.

The podcast uses Edith’s familiar voice to help the listener bring their mind and body together whilst enjoying 25 minutes of self-care.

Launched as part of May’s National Walking Month, the campaign aims to support people dealing with stress and anxiety caused by Covid-19, during their once daily outdoor exercise as recommended by the government.

Ian Findlay CBE, Chief Officer with Paths for All, hopes that people of all ages will give the podcast a listen, and believes the calming benefits of the ‘Mind to Walk’ campaign can be far-reaching.

He said: “The power of a short daily walk has become even stronger recently. It’s a time for us to wander outside, get some fresh air and leave our worries behind. With the podcast, we’re hoping to make that burst of activity even more beneficial by helping people tune into their surroundings.

“The podcast is expertly scripted and Edith’s comforting and recognisable voice will help any listener thoroughly de-stress and clear their head, to remove some of the tension a lot of us are feeling.

“I’d encourage you to try this frequently on your daily walks as evidence shows that the effects of mindfulness are greater the more you practice. It might feel a little awkward to start with, but the script is designed to be listened and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of experience in using mindfulness techniques.”

Written by Glasgow-based meditation expert Dassini Cadwallender, ‘Mind to Walk’ has been designed to be used on any walking route – whether it is around a housing estate or in a nearby woodland, listeners will finish feeling calmer and ready to enjoy their day.

The voice behind the audio, Edith Bowman is delighted to be involved and said: “This is such a strange time for us all and I think being aware of your physical and mental health is so important as we move forward into the unknown.

“When I heard about ‘Mind to Walk’ I was eager to be involved. If I can do one small thing to help a few folk’s lockdown less anxiety-ridden it makes me very happy. If we can get as many people as possible taking the podcast on their walks with them, that would be incredible, and hopefully helpful to them.”

Paths for All believes regular walking is key to leading a happy and healthy life – and it is important for people to continue enjoying short, local walks where it is safe and appropriate to do so, owing to the huge array of associated benefits.

With around one in three people estimated to be affected by mental health problems in Scotland in any one year,this is set to be compounded during the pandemic – with a further 20% reporting that they are worried about mental illnesses directly related to Covid-19, including 11% who are concerned about anxiety and 7% who have concerns about depression.

The impact of the increased pressure can also manifest in different ways, with 38% saying that they have slept less or worse than they normally do. Physical activity has been proven to reduce the risk of depression by 30%.

The script for the ‘Mind to Walk’ recordings acts as guided walking meditation, allowing listeners to connect with their bodies, nature and the sensation of walking as well as stretching and relaxing as they walk.

The script has been designed to be listened and enjoyed by everyone, regardless of their experience in practicing mindfulness. It has been found the effects of mindfulness are greater the more individual’s practice.

Mind to Walk is freely available online on all popular podcast players or on Paths for All website at www.pathsforall.org.uk/mindtowalk

More cash for Scottish carers

As part of the next emergency coronavirus legislation, the Scottish Government is proposing an additional £19.2 million investment in Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

Around 4,735 in Edinburgh benefitting from this additional financial support. 

This is in recognition of the additional pressure that carers are under as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

If approved by parliament, around 83,000 eligible carers will get an extra £230.10  through a special one-off Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement in June.

As with the current supplement, they will not need to do anything to get this extra payment as it will be paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance.

This would mean that carers receive an additional £690.30 this year on top of their Carer’s Allowance and any other income. This supplement is not paid in the rest of the UK.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We introduced the Carer’s Allowance Supplement to recognise the important contribution unpaid carers play in our society.

“They provide vital support to family, friends and neighbours. Our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus will see many of these carers experiencing additional pressures, particularly financial, right now.

“The payment will benefit carers who are on low incomes and already have some of the most intense caring roles, providing at least 35 hours unpaid care weekly to a disabled child or adult in receipt of higher level disability benefits.

“This additional payment would be an acknowledgement to carers that we know that they are doing even more right now, and we thank you.”

Around 4,735 carers in Edinburgh are due to benefit from the one-off payment, which will be paid automatically to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance. 

Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “Carers in Edinburgh make an absolutely vital contribution to our society, and it’s only appropriate that their hard work is valued and they are properly supported by the Scottish Government. 

“This one-off payment will benefit carers who are on low incomes and already have some of the most intense caring roles, providing at least 35 hours unpaid care weekly to a disabled child or adult in receipt of higher level disability benefits. 

“This additional payment will be an acknowledgement to carers that we know they are providing vital support to family, friends and neighbours, and playing an absolutely crucial role in our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus. 

“I am delighted that carers across Edinburgh are being recognised by the SNP Government for the important contribution they make to our communities in these extremely difficult circumstances.”