Hi Everyone,I have been experiencing network issues today. There will be no further posts until this is resolved, hopefully later this afternoon (fingers crossed!)Apparently my call is very important to my service provider, so, although I am in a queue, this should be sorted with minimum fuss … !
Day: September 10, 2020
Community Grants available
Change local lives with a grant of up to £5,000
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We’re so pleased to let you know that the 7th round of the University of Edinburgh’s Community Grants scheme is open.
The scheme helps the development of projects, community activities and sustainable local action through funding and collaboration.
The deadline to submit your application is 5pm on Friday 25th September 2020.
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Who can apply?
Applications are welcome for projects which could benefit people living in the City of Edinburgh and/or the neighbouring local authority areas, and should show how they could grow relationships between local communities and the University.
If you’re thinking of applying and don’t currently have a relationship with the University, the University’s Community Team is happy to try and put you in touch with members of the University who might be interested in your work.
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What about Covid-19?
Projects which could help local communities adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic are welcome, but this is not a requirement.
How much funding can I get?
Applications for substantially less than £5,000 are welcome. However, if you require £500 or less, you may also be interested in the University’s Micro-grant scheme.
Since the University launched its Community Grants scheme in 2017, it has awarded over £270,000 to around 80 local organisations.
Christmas at the Botanics returns to bring cheer to the Capital
Record run for popular winter event
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Christmas at the Botanics – the magical and botanical illuminated trail – is returning in 2020 for its longest run ever.
Now in its fourth consecutive year, the event will be held over a record 32-nights from 26 November to 3 January within the stunning setting of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (selected evenings only).
The trail promises to round off 2020 on a high and bring cheer into 2021 as it delivers a dazzling display of lights, projections and lasers that will surprise and delight those who attend.
The one mile long after-dark extravaganza will welcome back some of the most popular festive installations including the Cathedral of Light and Laser Garden, as well as an appearance by Santa Claus and the festive finale which will be projected onto Inverleith House.
As ever, the trail will also feature several new installations with new attractions including a projected light show on the 128 metre long modernist Front Range Glasshouses and Starfield – a large-scale installation of white LED twinkling stars by audio-visual designers Art AV.
Now a centrepiece of Edinburgh’s festive calendar, Christmas at the Botanics will form the pièce de résistance on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s 350th anniversary year.
The 2019 event welcomed 76,000 visitors during its five-week run – and the 2020 event promises to be as popular to those from Edinburgh and beyond.
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Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Having experienced the closure of our four Gardens for several weeks as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we open for Christmas at the Botanics and I hope that all who attend will benefit from the festive cheer it brings.
“This year’s event is even more special as it forms part of our 350th anniversary celebrations which have been significantly impacted by the lockdown. The work of the Botanics has never been more important globally in protecting the environment, human lives and economies. By coming to our event, visitors will play a vital role in funding plant research and conservation.
“We want to reassure all those planning to attend that we will have new health and safety measures in place to protect visitors. While this might mean that one or two of our installations may change this year, rest assured we want everyone who comes to the trail to enjoy their visit safely – whether this is their first time or if they have attended before.”
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Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Christmas at the Botanics has established itself as a truly uplifting event that helps to set the tone for the festive season in Edinburgh.
“We are delighted to return to the spectacular backdrop that is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. We’ll welcome back some of the most loved installations as well as keeping the anticipation of the after-dark spectacle high with the introduction of some new and exciting exhibits. We can’t wait for visitors to see what we have in store for them this year.”
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of seven illuminated trails brought to you by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is held in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
Cancer charities join together to raise awareness that Men Get Breast Cancer Too
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Breast cancer charity Walk the Walk has brought together a global group of charities, collaborating to spread awareness that Men Get Breast Cancer Too. Together the charities’ goal is to reach millions of people across the world with the aim of saving lives.
Cancer charities from all over the UK have committed to supporting Walk the Walk’s campaign:- Maggie’s started in Scotland and supports people with cancer across the UK; Tenovus Cancer Care is a Welsh charity, focusing on support and research; FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together) helps people with cancer in the North East of England; Penny Brohn UK works across the country from its base in Bristol; Action Cancer provides early detection, support and prevention services in Northern Ireland; CoppaFeel creates awareness about breast cancer amongst young people across the UK; UK charity Breast Cancer Now funds research and care, providing support and hope; Breast Cancer Haven is a UK charity, offering emotional, physical and practical support to anyone affected by breast cancer.
They are joined by the Male Breast Cancer Coalition, an American awareness and campaigning charity.
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In 2017, Walk the Walk recognised that there was very little awareness of male breast cancer and with the support of six men diagnosed with the disease, launched the Men Get Breast Cancer Too! campaign.
Over the last three years the campaign has gone from strength to strength, with the six men becoming nineteen. As the charities come together, the men’s voices will be heard even louder.
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“It is an absolute privilege to work with these incredibly brave men, who have found the courage to speak out, with the hope that it will save lives. Their voice can be so much stronger if charities come together on this, and to see such a collaboration between charities is such a positive message in these challenging times.” – Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk
“We are delighted to be working with Walk and Walk and all other partner charities to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. Our centres are for anyone living with cancer and see the fullest possible range of cancer types, ages and situations, but sadly not a lot of men with breast cancer. I would love to see many more come through the doors of our centres and benefit from our professional practical, emotional and psychological support.” – Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive of Maggie’s
“In our work supporting cancer patients in the North East, we have only known two men who have had breast cancer. Sadly, both of them found out about their cancer too late and are no longer with us. Awareness of breast cancer in men is crucial and that is why FACT is delighted to support this campaign” – Joanne Smith, Founder and Chief Executive of FACT (Fighting All Cancers Together)
“Men in Wales get breast cancer, too. It can be a particularly lonely illness. Tenovus Cancer Care are therefore delighted to be working with Walk the Walk and others across the UK – not least a wonderful and pioneering group of men – to get the word out to save men’s lives. We can provide support and advice in Wales, so if you or someone you know is affected by male breast cancer, do get in touch.” – Judi Rhys, Chief Executive, Tenovus Cancer Care
“Men get breast cancer too is such a crucial message. Giving men the confidence to speak up and find support is vital in the help to save more lives. We are thrilled to be partnering with Walk and Walk and all other partner charities to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. Penny Brohn UK is welcoming a growing number of men seeking emotional and practical support to help them live well with cancer.
“Anything we can do to encourage more men to check their chest and to seek help is invaluable” – Andrew Hufford, Commercial Director, Penny Brohn UK
“We are delighted to be partnering with Walk the Walk and the other cancer charities in this pan UK initiative to raise awareness of breast cancer in men. Action Cancer is passionate about breast cancer.
“We first introduced breast cancer screening for women in 1978, a lifesaving service that continues today, but one that is now supplemented by the provision of information, advice and an extensive range of therapeutic interventions for both women and men with the disease.
“We look forward, through this great collaborative initiative, to raising in Northern Ireland the awareness and profile of male breast cancer and to providing for men impacted by the disease the much needed psychological and physiological help required” – Gareth Kirk, CEO, Action Cancer
“Our mission is to ensure that all breast cancers are diagnosed early and correctly, which is why we are delighted to be a part of Walk the Walk’s campaign to ensure that men are not excluded from the conversation. Whatever your gender, getting to know your body is important so you’re in the best position to notice any changes at an early stage, and see your doctor about it.” – Natalie Kelly, Chief Executive, CoppaFeel
“It is vital that all men are aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease, and know what to do should they notice a change. At Breast Cancer Now, we fund research into male breast cancer as well as providing trusted information to those affected by the disease.
“We are delighted to support this campaign and the nineteen men affected by breast cancer who are sharing their stories and experience as part of it. Anyone who has questions or concerns about male breast cancer can contact us for support and information.” – Baroness Delyth Morgan, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Now
“We are absolutely delighted to be joining Walk the Walk’s Men Get Breast Cancer Too! campaign. Raising awareness of breast cancer in men is vital and we are thrilled to be collaborating with the other partner charities to get this important message out there.
“Breast Cancer Haven provides vital support to anyone affected by breast cancer, and we want men affected by the disease to know that we are here for them too. We want to do all we can to ensure men with breast cancer get the help and support they need.” – Sally Hall, Chief Executive at Breast Cancer Haven
“It is wonderful to work with Walk the Walk and fantastic that charities in the UK are also collaborating to raise even more awareness of male breast cancer. Educating people across America and the world that breast cancer does not discriminate and that Men Have Breasts Too! is what we are all about!” – Cheri Ambrose, Founder of the Male Breast Cancer Coalition
Parking changes on the way in Telford
TELFORD ROAD AND TELFORD DRIVE – EDINBURGH
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO WAITING RESTRICTIONS AND PARKING PLACES
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In accordance with the terms of the Local Authorities’ Traffic Orders (Procedure) (Scotland) Regulations 1999, I write to inform you that the City of Edinburgh Council proposes to advertise the Traffic Regulation Orders which will introduce a disabled parking bay, extend an existing residents parking place, remove residents’ parking places on Telford drive and introduce 24 hr waiting restrictions on Telford Drive and Telford Road (service road 107-219).
As a result of coronavirus and the need for physical distancing we are unable to display the documents relating to this proposal at Council Offices, nor are we able to display street notices on site at the affected locations.
Therefore, the proposals relating to this Order can be viewed online at the Council website www.edinburgh.gov.uk/trafficordersfrom 4 September 2020 to 25 September 2020.
You can also register for email or text alerts via the Tell Me Scotland portal at www.tellmescotland.gov.uk which also provides details of this proposal.
Should you wish to submit an objection to the proposal, please do so by 25 September 2020 quoting notice reference number TRO/19/60.
Police seek witnesses to Pier Place motorcycle accident
SERIOUS ROAD CRASH – PIER PLACE, NEWHAVEN
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Officers at Edinburgh Road Policing Unit are appealing for information after a road crash in Pier Place, Newhaven on Tuesday (8 September).
At around 3.20pm on Tuesday afternoon, a 56 year-old woman was crossing the road in Pier Place when she was struck by a Triumph motorbike being driven by a 61 year-old man.
Police and Ambulance attended – the woman was taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where she is being treated for leg injuries. Her condition is described as stable.
The 61 year-old man was also taken by ambulance to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he was released after treatment for a leg injury.
Officers at Edinburgh Road Policing Unit are appealing to any witnesses to the crash, or anyone with information to contact them. They would also like to hear from anyone driving on the road who has dash-cam footage.
Information can be passed to officers through 101 quoting reference number 2039 of Tuesday, 8 September, 2020.
Rule of Six: Johnson acts to prevent second lockdown
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s statement at the coronavirus press conference yesterday (Wednesday 9 September).
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Good afternoon,
Welcome back to Downing Street for an update on coronavirus as we enter autumn and approach winter.
I will first hand over to Chris to take us through the latest data before I set out how we are responding to it.
Thank you Chris. It is clear from that very powerful graphic that we must act.
The most important thing every one of us must do is remember the basics:
First, wash your hands, regularly and for 20 seconds. Don’t get back into old habits, it is so vital.
Second, wear a face covering over your mouth and nose if you are in an enclosed space and in close contact with people you don’t normally meet. I know wearing a face covering feels odd to some people and I understand that. But face coverings do make it harder for the virus to spread – so please, wear one to protect others.
Third, make space. Always stay 2 metres away from people you don’t live with – or 1 metre with extra precautions, like extra ventilation, screens, or face coverings.
Fourth, if you have COVID symptoms, get a test and self-isolate. We are now processing 1.2 million tests a week. To date we have carried out 15.4 million antigen tests – that’s more than any other country in Europe, and more per head than other European countries like Germany and Spain.
We are increasing our testing capacity further to meet rising demand. You can help by only booking a test if you have a fever, a new continuous cough, or you’ve lost your sense of taste or smell – if you don’t have those symptoms and haven’t been asked to book a test, please don’t.
So those are the basics – hands, face, space – and get a test if you have COVID symptoms.
Since the pandemic began, we have asked you to reduce your social contact and limit your interactions with friends and family.
I know that, over time, the rules have become quite complicated and confusing. We have spoken to police officers about what they need for an effective enforcement regime and of course, listened to the feedback from you, the public.
In response, we are simplifying and strengthening the rules – making them easier for you to understand and for the police to enforce.
I should stress that if we are to beat the virus then everyone, at all times, should limit social contact as much as possible and minimise interactions with other households. It is safer to meet outdoors and you should keep your distance from anyone you don’t live with, even if they are close friends or family.
So in England, from Monday, we are introducing the rule of 6. You must not meet socially in groups of more than 6 – and if you do, you will be breaking the law. This will apply in any setting, indoors or outdoors, at home or in the pub.
The ban will be set out in law and it will be enforced by the police – anyone breaking the rules risks being dispersed, fined and possibly arrested.
This single measure replaces both the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing 2 households to meet indoors. Now you only need to remember the rule of 6.
There will be some limited exemptions. For example, if a single household or support bubble is larger than 6, they can still gather.
COVID Secure venues like places of worship, gyms, restaurants and hospitality venues can still hold more than 6 people in total. Within those venues however, there must not be individual groups larger than 6, and groups must not mix socially or form larger groups.
Education and work settings are unaffected, COVID Secure weddings and funerals can go ahead, up to a limit of 30 people, and organised sport will still be able to proceed.
As we have found on previous occasions, this rule of 6 will of course throw up difficult cases. For example, two whole households will no longer be able to meet if they would together exceed the limit of 6 people.
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I am sorry about that and I wish that we did not have to take this step. But, as your Prime Minister, I must do what is necessary to stop the spread of the virus and to save lives.
We will of course keep the rule of 6 under constant review and only keep it in place as long as it’s necessary.
I also want to see – and the public wants to see – stronger enforcement of the rules which are already in place. So I’ve have tasked the Cabinet with increasing enforcement and I would like to thank the police, as always, and other authorities for the work they are doing to keep us all safe.
In future:
- Premises and venues where people meet socially will be legally required to request the contact details of a member of every party, record and retain these details for 21 days, and provide them to NHS Test & Trace without delay when required.
- We will support local authorities to make further and faster use of their powers to close venues that are breaking the rules and pose a risk to public health.
- Fines will be levied against hospitality venues that fail to ensure their premises remain COVID Secure.
- We will boost the enforcement capacity of local authorities by introducing COVID Secure Marshalls to help ensure social distancing in town and city centres, and by setting up a register of Environmental Health Officers that local authorities can draw upon for support.
- We will simplify the Passenger Locator Form needed for travelling to the UK, and take measures to ensure these are completed and checked before departure.
- Border Force will step up enforcement efforts at the border to ensure arrivals are complying with the quarantine rules.
- We will also restrict the opening hours of premises, initially in some local areas.
At the present time we must also, I’m afraid, revise plans to pilot larger audiences in venues later this month and review our intention to return audiences to stadiums and conference centres from 1 October. That doesn’t mean we’re going to scrap the programme entirely it just means we are going to review and abridge it, and the Culture Secretary will say more shortly.
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Let me be clear – these measures are not a second national lockdown – the whole point of them is to avoid a second national lockdown. By bearing down on social contact and improving enforcement, we can keep schools and businesses open, in the knowledge they are COVID Secure.
I have always said schools and colleges should only ever be shut again as a very, very last resort. As the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Adviser have said, the long term risks to children’s life chances of not going to school are significant and far greater than the health risks of going back to school.
Indeed it’s been fantastic to see so many children back in school this term and I want, once again, to thank all our teachers, and to reassure parents and pupils that schools are safe.
University terms will also begin soon. Opening universities is critical, again, for students’ life chances and, again, the health risks to individuals are low.
Of course, many university students are in the age bracket where we have seen the infection rates rise recently as Chris was just explaining. My message to students is simple. Please, for the sake of your education and your parents’ and your grandparents’ health: wash your hands, cover your face, make space, and don’t socially gather in groups of more than 6, now and when term starts.
Today the Department for Education is publishing updated guidance for universities on how they can operate in a COVID Secure way, including a clear request not to send students home in the event of an outbreak, so as to avoid spreading the virus across the country. I am very grateful to universities for their continued cooperation and planning for the return of students.
The measures I have set out today will help us control the virus but won’t, on their own, be enough to allow a more significant return to normality.
Patrick is going to set out in a moment where we are on vaccines and treatments in a moment, but we are not there yet and there are no guarantees.
So over the summer, we have therefore been working up an alternative plan which could allow life to return closer to normality. And that plan is based on mass testing.
Up to now, we have used testing primarily to identify people who are positive – so we can isolate them from the community and protect high risk groups. And that will continue to be our priority. We are working hard to increase our testing capacity to 500,000 tests a day by the end of October.
But in future, in the near future, we want to start using testing to identify people who are negative – who don’t have coronavirus and who are not infectious – so we can allow them to behave in a more normal way, in the knowledge they cannot infect anyone else with the virus.
And we think, we hope, we believe that new types of test which are simple, quick and scalable will become available. They use swabs or saliva and can turn round results in 90 or even 20 minutes. Crucially, it should be possible to deploy these tests on a far bigger scale than any country has yet achieved – literally millions of tests processed every single day.
That level of testing would allow people to lead more normal lives, without the need for social distancing:
Theatres and sports venues could test all audience members on the day and let in those with a negative result, all those who are not infectious. Workplaces could be opened up to all those who test negative that morning and allow them to behave in a way that was normal before COVID.
Those isolating because they are a contact, or quarantining after travelling abroad, could after a period be tested and released. Now that is an ambitious agenda, but we are going to pilot this approach in Salford from next month, with audiences in indoor and outdoor venues. And then we hope to go nationwide.
There are a number of challenges. We need the technology to work. We need to source the necessary materials to manufacture so many tests. We need to put in place an efficient distribution network. And we need to work through the numerous logistical challenges.
And as I say, we are not there yet, and I should repeat that, as we manage this period of high demand, it is especially important that if individuals don’t have symptoms, and have not been specifically advised to take a test, they should not be coming forward for a test – because they could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it.
Our plan – this moonshot that I am describing – will require a giant, collaborative effort from government, business, public health professionals, scientists, logistics experts and many, many more.
Work is underway – and we will get on at pace until we get there, round the clock.
We are hopeful this approach will be widespread by the spring and, if everything comes together, it may be possible even for challenging sectors like theatres to have life much closer to normal before Christmas.
But as I have said before, all this progress is contingent on continued scientific advances and though we’re hopeful, I cannot 100% guarantee that those advances will be made.
That is why it is so important that we take these tough measures now.
I believe we will continue to drive this virus down and that we will beat this virus before too long.
So let’s work together and follow the rules: meet in groups of no more than six. Wash your hands, cover your face, and make space.
I will now hand over to Patrick to set out the latest on vaccines and treatments, and then we’ll go to questions from the public and the media.