Day: October 21, 2020

Conifox Adventure Park to host Scotland’s only drive thru Christmas experience

Conifox announces a festive and immersive experience for the whole family

Family run, for family fun, Conifox Adventure Park announces the return of its sell-out Christmas experience this December, but with a ‘2020’ twist. Due to ‘elf’-and-safety, visitors will now meet Santa and his gang in an utterly enchanting drive-thru experience, delighting in the highly anticipated winter-wonderland, but at a safe distance.

Tree-mendously festive, imaginations will run wild as you drive through the park stopping at various points to enjoy scenes and actors in the Toy Workshop, the Reindeer Flying School, Mrs Claus’ Kitchen, the Enchanted Forest and most importantly, Santa’s Livingroom, where you will meet the big man himself.

From 3rd – 23rd December, tickets for Scotland’s only drive thru Christmas experience will be available from 2pm – 4pm (£20 per car) and 4pm – 9pm (£25 per car), allowing for gorgeous Scottish country views by day and breath-taking twinkling lights by night.

James Gammell, director of Conifox Adventure Park marks this special occasion: “In a year of uncertainty, we are all eagerly awaiting Christmas and the arrival of Santa. Here at Conifox Adventure Park we are honoured that the main man himself has chosen us to make a pit-stop before the big day, inviting all our favourite families down to say hello.

“With everything from a trip to the magical elf village in the Enchanted Forest, to a quick stop to see Mrs Claus, this immersive experience will see their little faces light up and with the magic and wonder of Christmas all around, it will spark the imaginations of the big ‘kids’ too!

“Remember, before your sense of Christmas wonder takes over and you are too entranced and enraptured to think of anything else, why not pop to the catering drive-thru, which will be offering festive food, a BBQ, chips, ice cream and coffee…and maybe a carrot or two for the reindeer.” 

Due to government guidelines, Santa will not be able to handout presents to the visiting children, but he suggests bringing wrapped presents with you, hiding them in the boot of the car and seeing them magically appear after the family has met with him. “Did I just hear an elf scurrying in the boot?”

The drive will take around 20 minutes, with actors, waving and engaging with visitors from the safety of open marquees.  

Tickets available now and are subject to additional government guidelines. They can be purchased via: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/conifox

To find out more visit the Conifox Adventure Park Facebook page @conifoxadventurepark or www.conifox.co.uk.

About Conifox

Situated on the outskirts of Kirkliston, 5 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and only 20 minutes from the City Centre, Conifox Adventure Park is the perfect place to have some family time with kids of every age.

Speed around their pedal go-kart racetrack or get rough with off-road pedal tractors. Or why not try their 9-hole footgolf course, giant jump pillow, trampolines, or giant sand pit. With so much to do you can stay all day!

Then after building up an appetite, enjoy the Stables Bistro’s delicious food and drink or visit at the weekends to eat a sizzling BBQ (weather dependent).

Coming soon there is an exciting new activity centre with an indoor soft play, baby room, 3 party rooms, cafe, 200-seater function suite and much more.

Charity urges public: Act now for safer streets

With just one week until the Government’s consultation on the Highway Code closes on Tuesday 27 October, Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is urging people to speak up for safer streets.

The Prime Minister unveiled the consultation in July, as part of the Government’s ‘most ambitious plans yet to boost cycling and walking’. A key feature of the proposed changes to the Highway Code is the idea of a ‘hierarchy of responsibility’, with road users who have the potential to cause the greatest harm, taking more responsibility for reducing the threat they pose to others.

There are also proposed changes at zebra crossings and junctions to give pedestrians priority and additional narrative on the dangers of speeding.

The proposed amends to the Highway Code were developed in partnership with the Walking and Cycling Alliance (WACA).[1]

Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Everyone – walker, driver or cyclist – is a pedestrian at some point in their journey and has the right to feel safe on our streets.  This Highway Code review offers the chance to do just that.

“With great power comes great responsibility, so we want to see an end to the current position where a child walking to school has the same level of responsibility as an HGV driver.

“We are calling for people to back the changes which give more priority to pedestrians, and to the proposal for vehicles to give way to pedestrians at junctions and crossings.

“Supporting these proposed revisions will take a couple of minutes but could save hundreds of lives.”

The Highway Code consultation applies to England, Scotland and Wales.

For more information, visit livingstreets.org.uk/no1

Landmark Clinical Trial on MND Begins in Glasgow

A groundbreaking clinical trial for motor neurone disease (MND) begins this week at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow.
 
The pioneering trial MND-SMART is testing multiple drugs, rather than a single treatment at a time, and so aims to speed up the time it takes to find medicines that can slow, stop, or reverse the progression of MND.
 
The trial, based at the QEUH, will welcome participants from across the NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde region which cares for the largest number of people living with MND.
 
Motor neurone disease (MND), also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, is a progressive condition that causes muscle to waste away. It occurs when nerve cells called motor neurons, which send messages from the brain and spinal cord to the body’s muscles, stop working properly.
 
More than 1,500 people are diagnosed with MND in the UK each year. There is no cure and half of people die within two years of diagnosis.
 
MND-SMART is a pioneering clinical trial in its reach and design and is recruiting hundreds of people living with MND across the UK to take part in tests of potential treatments.  Unlike typical clinical trials which test a single treatment at a time, MND-SMART is testing multiple drugs and so aims to speed up the time it takes to find medicines that can slow, stop, or reverse the progression of, MND.


 
Dr George Gorrie, Consultant Neurologist and Lead for Motor Neurone Disease Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said:  “The MND-SMART trial launching in Glasgow is some good news at a time when there isn’t much around. 
 
“Ensuring the safety of people taking part in MND-SMART is the research team’s highest priority and we will follow all government requirements relating to COVID-19 and research.
 
“The pandemic and ensuring practices are COVID-19 compliant will impact how quickly people can be recruited to the trial but we are delighted to be able to start seeing participants.”
 
Those who have already registered online interest in the trial and who live in the Greater Glasgow and Clyde area will be contacted by the Glasgow trial team over the coming months to discuss taking part.
 
The trial was first announced in January and centres are due to open across the UK. Glasgow is the third such centre after Edinburgh and Dundee. 
 
The trial has been developed by people with MND and clinical trial experts from across the UK. The study is led by the Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research at the University of Edinburgh.
 
Funding for the trial has been provided by the Euan MacDonald Centre, substantial private donations, MND Scotland and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation.
 
For further information about the trial please visit www.MND-SMART.org

Council launches search for Lockdown Legends

The search is on for neighbours who go that extra mile as nominations open for the City of Edinburgh Council’s Good Neighbour Awards.

Established in 2016, the award is a way for residents to pay tribute to Council tenants who make an outstanding contribution to their local community.

Councillor Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “This year, we want to hear about Edinburgh’s lockdown legends – those incredible neighbours who have gone above and beyond to support others in their community during what has been one of the most challenging years many of us have ever faced.

“I am always amazed at the inspiring stories I hear from our tenants and blown away by the selfless acts of our Good Neighbour Award winners. Please give back by taking the time to put forward your good neighbour for the recognition you know they deserve.

Councillor Mandy Watt, Vice Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, added: “At the height of lockdown, things we once took for granted became difficult or impossible for many of us. Yet we very quickly saw big-hearted residents from all over the city give their time and energy to help others get through this challenging time.

Maybe you know someone who helped deliver shopping for someone who was shielding, or collected their prescriptions, or maybe just made sure people didn’t feel alone. Whatever difference your local lockdown legend made to you or your community, get nominating now.

Last year’s Good Neighbour Award winner was Council tenant Gilbert ‘Gibby’ McIntyre, who sadly passed away before he learned of his win. A donation to the RSPB has been made in his name, on the request of his family.

Speaking about his kind-hearted Dad, Gibby’s son Scott said: “Dad was very much interested in enhancing his, and others’, surroundings through his hard work in the garden.

“A big part of this was to attract birds and other wildlife and he made a point of positioning feeders and nesting boxes so that his neighbours could also enjoy the many visitors to the garden. This was particularly appreciated by those who were less able to get out and about.”

Nominations for this year’s awards should be emailed to the Council by 1 January 2021 at housing.research@edinburgh.gov.uk or by phone on 0131 529 7805.

The winners will be announced on the Council’s social media channels and in an edition of the Tenants’ Courier, the Council’s newsletter to all tenants.

Nominees and those who cast nominations will also be entered into a prize draw for a chance to win a £100 shopping voucher.

UK exposes series of Russian cyber attacks against Olympic Games

Russia’s military intelligence service, the GRU, conducted cyber reconnaissance against officials and organisations at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games due to take place in Tokyo this summer before they were postponed, the UK has revealed.

The targets included the Games’ organisers, logistics services and sponsors.

The attacks on the 2020 Summer Games are the latest in a campaign of Russian malicious cyber activity against the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The UK is confirming for the first time today the extent of GRU targeting of the 2018 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea.

The GRU’s cyber unit attempted to disguise itself as North Korean and Chinese hackers when it targeted the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Games.

It went on to target broadcasters, a ski resort, Olympic officials and sponsors of the games in 2018.

The GRU deployed data-deletion malware against the Winter Games IT systems and targeted devices across the Republic of Korea using VPNFilter.

The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) assesses that the incident was intended to sabotage the running of the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, as the malware was designed to wipe data from and disable computers and networks.

Administrators worked to isolate the malware and replace the affected computers, preventing potential disruption.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “The GRU’s actions against the Olympic and Paralympic Games are cynical and reckless. We condemn them in the strongest possible terms.

The UK will continue to work with our allies to call out and counter future malicious cyber attacks.

The UK has already acted against the GRU’s destructive cyber unit by working with international partners to impose asset freezes and travel bans against its members through the EU cyber sanctions regime.

Today (Monday 19 October), the US Department of Justice has announced criminal charges against Russian military intelligence officers working for the GRU’s destructive cyber unit – also known by the codenames Sandworm and VoodooBear – for conducting cyber attacks against the 2018 Winter Games and other cyber attacks, including the 2018 spear phishing attacks against the UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

The UK attributed the attacks against DSTL, which followed the Salisbury poisonings, to Russia in 2018.

All Souls Day service at The Old Kirk and Muirhouse Parish Church

Despite the COVID-19 restrictions, The Old Kirk and Muirhouse parish church will be hosting their annual ‘All Souls Service’ on Sunday 25th Oct at 2:30pm.

It is an opportunity for anyone in the community, church-goer or not, to spend time reflecting on the life of someone who has died.

There will be music and readings, though sadly this year no cuppa afterwards. You will need to wear a face covering, and because the number of seating spaces is restricted, all spaces must be reserved for ‘Test and Protect’ purposes: please call 07305 825 697.

£30million package to support Scots facing hardship

A £30 million package of funding is being made available to local authorities to support people facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19), including money to provide free school meals over the school holidays.

Local authorities will be given flexibility to use £20 million, previously held in reserve for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to support people in their communities.

A further £10 million has been made available so councils can continue providing free school meals through the winter breaks with future funding confirmed to extend support over Easter.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “No one should be struggling to put food on the table, keep the lights on, or stay warm at home in the midst of this pandemic.

“With continuing uncertainty around Brexit and the furlough scheme being scaled back we are doing all we can to ensure the right support gets to people at the right time in the right way.

“We know a healthy meal during the school day helps children to learn – but right now it’s an essential to support families at such a difficult time. This money will offer nutritious free meals for children or allow families to get food they desperately need.

“Those experiencing financial hardship can currently apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund and seek advice on which benefits they can receive. However, this will not be suitable for everyone: some people are not eligible for crisis grants or already receive the full benefits they are entitled to, while others may need immediate support with food and essentials.

“We are giving local authorities greater flexibility over funding held in reserve for the Scottish Welfare Fund, to support local action and address people’s needs. This may include supplementing local budgets for the Scottish Welfare Fund to meet demand, providing financial support to tackle food insecurity or to meet fuel costs, or boosting local funding for Discretionary Housing Payments.

“Additionally we are making further resource available to continue the provision of Free School Meals over forthcoming holidays, including Easter.”

Chair of the Poverty and Inequality Commission Bill Scott, said: “We welcome this much needed additional help for low income families and individuals. The funding for Free School Meals during the Christmas, February and Easter breaks will come as a great relief for many hard pressed parents.

“We would urge local authorities to use the flexibility given to them by Scottish Government to ensure that every penny of extra help available gets to those who need it most.”

COSLA’s spokesperson for Resources Councillor Gail Macgregor, and spokesperson for Community Wellbeing Councillor Kelly Parry said: “The impacts of the virus have not been felt equally across society and we welcome this funding which can be used flexibly by councils, enabling them to provide more support for those who need it most in our communities.

“Local authorities will deploy it in ways that best meets local circumstance, to provide the most effective support to those experiencing financial hardship, for example through grants, addressing food insecurity, or support for fuel costs.

“We know that as winter arrives and the furlough scheme draws to a close unfortunately more adults and children are likely to need assistance to ensure they are fed and warm. Local Government is the anchor in our communities and is able to provide advice, support and assistance to those that need it.”

Edinburgh College lecturer named UK Teacher of the Year

Edinburgh College Graphic Design lecturer Helena Good has been named teacher of the year at the Tes FE Awards, which celebrate the best of the UK’s further education sector.

Helena has worked in education for 23 years and in her role as a Graphic Design lecturer at Edinburgh College, she shares her passion for creativity and design with students through the College’s NC, HNC and HND graphic design courses.

Through her lecturing work, Helena has had a huge impact on her students, who have won numerous national and international awards in recent years. She connects the classroom with careers through a programme that partners her students with a mentor from the graphic design industry to ensure they receive guidance and advice on their studies and future paths.

Helena’s impact has been felt far beyond her own college. She is the driving force behind the Daydream Believers programme – a pioneering project which aims to make the transition from school to college more appealing and seamless for secondary students who are looking to progress to post-16 education.

It is delivered in collaboration with student ambassadors and industry partners, and involves a number of high schools across Edinburgh.

The judges described the programme as “the most important educational initiative in Scotland at the moment”.

The judges also said: “Good is an inspirational lecturer. She is a solid professional doing her job outstandingly. Her work is transformative and makes a huge difference within and outside of Edinburgh College.”

Helena said: “I feel so honoured to have been considered alongside such an inspiring group of teachers who all deserved to be recognised for going above and beyond. Thanks to the judges, Edinburgh College and everyone who believes in daydreams!”

Edinburgh College Principal Audrey Cumberford said: “It is wonderful to see Helena named Teacher of the Year by the UK Tes FE Awards, she works tirelessly to not only inspire her students, but also young people across Scotland and beyond, through the Daydream Believers programme which brings students, school pupils and industry together to innovate. She is a true inspiration and her infectious energy for creativity is an absolute asset to our College.

“I am extremely proud of Helena and our other finalists in the Foundation Apprenticeship team and Automotive Engineering team. Our staff are competing with colleges throughout the whole of the UK and this success reflects their status as national leaders in their field of expertise.”

Edinburgh College was shortlisted in two other award categories. Its Foundation Apprenticeship team were shortlisted for Apprenticeship Programme of the Year.

The team worked relentlessly in 2018/19 to boost the number of FA enrolments and ensure the learning needs of pupils are met while satisfying the requirements of employers as they seek to nurture the future workforce.

And the College’s Automotive Engineering team was shortlisted in the Best Teaching and Learning Initiative category following the team’s partnership with the Scottish Motor Racing Club and Knockhill Racing Circuit.

Introduced in March 2019, the partnership saw students convert a Citroen road car into a race car fit for track action at the Scottish C1 Cup held at Knockhill.

Helena was one of eighteen winners across further education and skills who were recognised at the first virtual Tes FE Awards 2020.

Find out more about the award winners here: https://www.tes.com/news/revealed-winners-tes-fe-awards-2020. 

Police seek information on Gorgie stabbing

Police are appealing for information after an 18-year-old man was seriously injured in the Gorgie area. The incident happened around 5pm on Monday (19 October) when the teenager walked into a shop on Gorgie Road with a stab wound to his leg.

It’s believed the incident happened in the Westfield Court area. The 18-year-old was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

There is no description of the suspect.

Detective Sergeant Rory Legge, of Corstorphine CID, said: “This happened at a busy time of the day and we know there would’ve been a lot of traffic and people in the area.

“I would ask anyone who witnessed this incident or saw any suspicious behaviour around the Westfield Court area just before 5pm on Monday to contact us.”

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number 2228 of 19 October 2020. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.