New campaign calls for motorists to be kind and respect others when parking
The British Parking Association (BPA) has launched a new campaign to highlight the issue of selfish and anti-social parking, which is a major frustration for many of the public.
As part of a series of new campaigns under the ‘It’s not OK to park where it’s not OK to park’ banner, the BPA will focus on aspects of poor parking behaviour, highlighting why effective parking management is so important and how it addresses many of the issues that impact negatively on local communities.
Outdoor posters will be displayed by BPA members to highlight problem parking areas and the hashtag #selfishparking will be used in posts across social media to encourage motorists to think before they park and show respect for others.
Alison Tooze, BPA Membership Development Manager says: “Our consumer research to better understand perceptions of parking told us that one of the biggest frustrations people have is anti-social and inconsiderate parking.
“This includes obstructing pavements, on or blocking someone’s driveway, in designated bays they are not eligible to use, or taking up more than one space. We hope that putting an emphasis on the importance of motorists respecting others, thinking before they park and not behaving selfishly will also help us start a different conversation about the role of the parking sector.”
BPA members are being encouraged to actively engage with this campaign in their local areas, building to what is hoped will be a nationally consistent message that inconsiderate parking is not OK!
In a year that has proven challenging for films and the venues that show them, the Screen Anime channel is delighted to announce that it will host the digital line-up of Scotland Loves Anime, a celebration of Japanese animation that has attracted tens of thousands ofvisitors over 11 years, and help to support the local cinemas that host it.
Andrew Partridge, CEO of Anime Ltd and founder of Scotland Loves Animation explains, “Supporting cinemas through what has been a tough year is something really important to all of us at Anime Limited and Scotland Loves Animation.
“We can’t wait to show off what the festival has to offer on Screen Anime and help out our friends at both the Filmhouse and the Glasgow Film Theatre as much as we can.”
From 25th October until 25th November 2020,enjoy a celebration of two iconic franchises – Monkey Punch’s charismatic master thief Lupin III,and the J-Pop infused Love Live! Series with a line-up over twice the size of our usual selections.
Scotland Loves Anime will also be offering exclusive work-in-progress previews of hotly anticipated anime movies to come, including Josee, the Tiger and the Fish,a moving romance from Studio BONES (My HeroAcademia).
Scotland Loves Anime will also see the return of Screen Anime favourites Weathering WithYou, Penguin HighwayandPatema Inverted. Weathering With Youwill also be availablewith an exclusive commentary track by Festival Jury Chairman Dr. Jonathan Clements,who will also be introducing all of the films, which are as follows:
Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo(15)- Plans to pilfer a pyramid are complicated byfaked deaths, double-crosses and world-ending schemes in this 1978 adventure that endures as a celebrated yet polarising part of the master thief’s long history.
Lupin III vs Detective Conan: The Movie (N/C 12)- One of the most ambitious crossovers in anime history sees the master thief on the run from Conan Edogawa, protagonist of the equally iconic Detective Conan(Case Closed) franchise.
Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine(TV Series, 15)- A 13-episode series withmind-bending visuals that recontextualizes the world’s deadliest femme fatale, and aims to uncover what thoughts lie behind her pretty face. Directed by SayoYamamoto (Yuri!!! On Ice), with series composition by Mari Okada (Maquia: When
Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine – Jigen’s Gravestone(N/C 15)- When Lupin III’s trusted marksman stumbles upon his own grave, Daisuke Jigen must find out why he’s in the crosshairs of a hitman with such a chilling calling card. Directed byTakeshi Koike (Redline).
Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine – Goemon’s Blood Spray (N/C 15)- When the modern day samurai Goemon Ishikawa fails to protect his yakuza client from the powerful “Ghost of Bermuda”, he must team up with Lupin III and Jigen to preserve his honour – with blood.
Lupin III: The Woman Called Fujiko Mine – Fujiko’s Lie (N/C 15)- The famed femme fatale has made a living from lies, but when she’s asked to save the son of an embezzler whose fortune she’s after, will she get caught up in her own deception?
Love Live! The School Idol Movie(N/C 12)- With their senior members’ graduation approaching, an exciting concert opportunity leads the girls of school idol champions μ’s to find meaning in their remaining together, performing in their biggest show yet!
Love Live! The School Idol Movie: Over the Rainbow(N/C 12)- The members ofAqours are preparing for life at their new school when word of their upperclassmen going missing leads them on a journey not just to Italy, but to the realisation of how much they mean to one-another, and what they must do to take that next step forward.
Patema Inverted (PG)- Fall into the sky with the sheer escapism of a topsy-turvyfantasy that will challenge your perceptions. Winner of the 2013 Scotland Loves
Penguin Highway(12)- When cute penguins start waddling into a rural Japanesetown, it piques the interest of the ever-curious schoolkid Aoyama in this cute coming-of-age story with dashes of science fiction. Based on the novel by TomihikoMorimi.
● Weathering With You(12)- Makoto Shinkai’s beautiful storm of teen love returns toScreen Anime, this time with an exclusive optional commentary track featuring Dr. Jonathan Clements. Winner of the 2019 Scotland Loves Anime Audience Award.
Production I.G. Short Film Collection (12) - A collection of five award-winning short films from Production I.G., the studio behind Ghost in the Shell,directed by some of the best animators in Japan.
Work in Progress: Josee, The Tiger and the Fish(rating TBC)- Dr. Jonathan Clementsand BONES’ president Masahiko Minami talk with staff of this moving film that’s still in production.
Work in Progress: Inu-oh(rating TBC)- an early glimpse at the latest film by Science
SARU and celebrated auteur Masaaki Yuasa (Night is Short, Walk on Girl).
Lupin III: The Secret of Mamo,Lupin III vs Detective Conan: The Movie,the Production I.G.short films and the Work in Progress features, will only be available in Japanese with subtitles.
New and current Screen Anime members will receive full access to the Scotland Loves Anime library. Screen Anime will also be supporting the festival’s crowdfunding efforts, donating two-thirds of all proceeds made during the festivalto its usual hosts, the Edinburgh Filmhouse and Glasgow Film Theatre cinemas.
To donate to Scotland Loves Anime’s crowdfunder, or to find out more about the campaign rewards, please visit:
Conceived in 2010, and now in its eleventh year, Scotland Loves Anime is the UK’s biggest film festival celebrating the diversity and originality of Japanese animation in all of its forms, while also exploring the creative talents behind such works from rising stars through to established directors.
Scotland Loves Anime was founded with a simple goal: To show people that the nature of Japanese animation is more than just the perceived stereotypes of content aimed towards young adults. This is achieved via the combination of an attractive programme, talks before each screening to contextualise and educate, and guests from Japan to share their knowledge.
About Anime Ltd.
Based out of Glasgow, Scotland – Anime Limited brings a fresh approach to distributing the best in anime direct from Japan. As an independent company the emphasis is both breathing new life into much loved classics and introducing the cutting edge of theatrical offerings. With a focus on bringing more anime to the big screen, releasing beautifully packaged collector’s editions and trying new ways to reach fans digitally, Anime Limited is committed to offering a wide range of experiences for UK audiences.
A man responsible for non-recent sexual offences against children and women has been convicted.
John Hoy, 46, was found guilty of numerous serious sexual offences including rape, committed between 1989 and 2005, at the High Court in Edinburgh yesterday (Monday, 26 October).
Detectives from Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh began an investigation into Hoy after a woman came forward to report the non-recent sexual abuse Hoy had subjected her to.
He was subsequently arrested and charged on 31 October, 2018.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, said: “Hoy’s behaviour over an extended period of time was deplorable with no thought of the suffering it caused his young victims.
“I would like to commend the victims who bravely came forward and assisted the police. The guilty verdict is testament to the evidence they provided and the investigative work carried out by officers in the Public Protection Unit.
“We treat all reports of sexual crime – no matter when the offence happened – with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity to bring perpetrators of such crimes to justice. Anyone who has been subjected to abuse should feel confident in coming forward, that we will believe you and will thoroughly investigate.”
If you have concerns or information these can be reported to Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Courageous student gets her degree and the job of her dreams
A former prison officer and bank worker whose eyes were opened to the possibilities of a career in nursing by her own serious illness has graduated from Edinburgh Napier University.
Ellie Lamb was diagnosed with advanced breast cancer five years ago while working at HMP Addiewell in West Lothian.
Following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, she struggled to keep up with the demands of the prison job, and decided to retrain as a nurse – partly motivated by the quality of care she had herself received in hospital.
Ellie completed a distance learning Higher in human biology to add to her earlier HND in psychology and criminology, and, armed with these qualifications, she was accepted at Edinburgh Napier in 2017. However, her path to a Bachelor of Nursing degree in adult nursing, which she successfully completed this week, has been far from plain sailing.
Last year she was re-diagnosed with stage four breast cancer, leading to more chemotherapy and radiotherapy, but she refused to abandon her summer placement with a West Lothian district nursing team.
Mother-of-three Ellie, 49, of Armadale, said: “Apart from the time off to have my treatment I never missed a day, and I also developed a love for wound management. By the end of my placement I was given a run of my own, attending patients with minor injuries.
“I often thought about giving up – it was hard, with the treatment, my placement, and my family and study commitments. I was exhausted and in so much pain but my love of nursing and my desire to carry on and get my degree drove me on.”
This year’s Covid-19 pandemic brought fresh concerns. As a shielded patient, Ellie had to seek special permission to complete a ‘low-risk’ community hospital placement to remain on target to graduate.
Now she has been rewarded for her outstanding courage and perseverance with both a degree and a permanent job as a staff nurse at Tippethill House Hospital in Armadale.
Ellie said: “I chose to be a nurse, and that was a commitment to care for people who needed it regardless of the risk to myself.
“My new job at Tippethill offers everything I enjoy – care of the elderly, wound management and also end-of-life care which I am really enthusiastic about.
“I’m not sure what the future holds for me. I will fight and work for as long as I can, doing a job I love. It’s just a shame that it took my own illness to open my eyes to nursing. I wish I had done it years ago.”
Emma Trotter, Edinburgh Napier’s field lead in adult nursing, said: “I have personally and professionally been moved and inspired over the last three years by Ellie Lamb, not only as a brilliant student nurse but as a role model for the nursing profession.
“Ellie’s determination, enthusiasm, energy and hard work to achieve her goal to be a trained nurse while facing her own health concerns were all an example of her passion to make a difference to the lives of the people she cares for.
“Her story has touched all our hearts within the BN programme, both staff and students, and we would like to take this opportunity to wish her the very best for her future career as a staff nurse.”
As bicycle use spikes during local lockdowns, drivers need to be aware of the 1.5 metre rule which encourages motorists to make room and protect cyclists.
During the first 30 days of lockdown in March, the Department for Transport (DfT) found that cycling fatalities were more than double the number compared to the same periods from 2015-18 – even though the level of vehicle traffic had dropped to 36% of its pre-lockdown level.
Of the 15 cyclists in the UK that lost their lives from 23 March – 22 April all but two incidents did not involve a motor vehicle.
Various road safety initiatives have launched to raise awareness of the Highway Code’s Rule 163 that there should ‘plenty of room’ when overtaking – often recommend as 1.5 metre distance or roughly the width of a car. It also states that drivers should overtake only when it is safe and legal to do so.
Motorists who flout the rule face a careless driving charge from the police, which can result in three penalty points on their licence and a £100 fine, or in some cases, a more serious criminal conviction. Undercover policemen on bicycles have used helmet-mounted cameras to help apprehend offenders
Research commissioned by Cycling Scotland found that 34 per cent of the population don’t always leave a 1.5 metre gap from cyclists, while almost 64 per cent were unaware of the three-point penalty on their licence if they are caught driving too close
Motorists should also bear in mind that insurance premiums generally increase by around 5% for the first three points on a licence, shooting up to as much as 25% for six points – premium loading can continue to apply until the points come off the licence after five years
The latest figures from DfT show cycling use jumped 10% during the week beginning 12th October compared to a week earlier.
Greg Wilson, founder of Quotezone.co.uk – which launched one of the UK’s first price comparison services for bicycle insurance – says: “We’ve seen an increase in traffic to our bicycle insurance comparison website since lockdown began – with people keen for socially distanced transport and exercise.
“I would also expect an upcoming spike in December anuary with many putting bikes at the top of their Christmas list this year.
“This increase signals potential dangers – while there may be fewer cars on the road, the reduced congestion levels could encourage some motorists to increase their speed. With so many people taking up cycling during lockdown a greater number of cyclists on the road may be relatively inexperienced, so making sure drivers make room with the 1.5 metre rule has never been so important
“We work hard to get drivers the best policy at the best price, and even when a driver has received penalty points we still have panel members that can offer them competitive quotes. However, the best plan is to ensure you don’t get those endorsements in the first place, which is why we recommend that drivers take their time, keep their distance and use the 1.5 metre rule when it comes to cyclists – that way we can ensure we all stay safe on the road.”
Quotezone.co.uk is one of the UK’s largest insurance comparison websites – comparing a wide range of competitive quotes across both car and bicycle insurance – helping over three million users.
Families struggling to provide food for their children are being urged to find out if they are entitled to receive free school meal payments if they do not already receive them.
Funding from the City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Government means that free school meal payments for thousands of eligible families will continue over the Christmas holidays and both the February and Easter breaks next year.
In addition backdated payments were made yesterday (Monday 26 October) to support eligible families for the October break period, where the city council already hold their payment details.
The Council is also issuing letters to parents/carers who have been identified as being entitled to free school meals but we do not have payments details for them – these families do not need to contact the Council.
The payments are paid to P1 to S6 children who receive a School Clothing Grant.
Now the Council is urging families who may be missing out on the vital payments to check online to see if they are eligible. Those who already receive free school meals do not need to contact the Council.
The funding announcement comes after the Edinburgh Poverty Commission published their final report last month which highlighted that almost 15% of Edinburgh’s population lives in poverty, including one in five children.
The payment for free school meals reinforces the Council’s commitment to providing much needed support to families through such projects as the Discover! programme which aims to reduce food and financial insecurity during the school holidays and supported over 200 families last week.
Families took part in a number of online cooking, music and art sessions in addition to receiving a Discover! box containing fresh foods, art supplies, active schools kits and information on advice services as well as support with devices at home if they had no digital access.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “This provides important support for families across the city and almost 6,500 young people have already benefited from free school meal payments covering the October break.
“This Council and Scottish Government funding means that we’re helping families most in need over the winter months. These are extremely challenging times for everyone but no family should have to worry about how they’re going to put food on plates during the holidays or at any other time.”
Depute leader Cammy Day said: “As the city’s Poverty Champion I’m fully aware of the enormous struggles many people are experiencing so this vital funding means no families need to go hungry in Scotland’s Capital over the winter months.
“The Edinburgh Poverty Commission report highlighted that one in five children are living in poverty so we want to make sure that everyone who’s entitled to receive this financial lifeline can do so.
This is especially important as many families’ circumstances may have changed over the recent months with furlough and redundancies.
“Please check our online application form which outlines who is eligible for funding and apply before the end of November so we can process the payments as swiftly as possible.”
The application form for families eligible for free school meal payments is available on the Council website.
77% increase as more people on low incomes seek support
The amount paid out in crisis grants to people in need increased by more than three quarters in the early stages of lockdown, latest figures show.
The Scottish Welfare Fund awarded £5.2 million in crisis grants between April and June 2020, up 77 per cent on the same period last year.
The number of crisis grants rose by 63 per cent over the quarter, peaking in April when twice as many were awarded than in April 2019.
The most common reason given by applicants, covering 45 per cent of cases, was that they had exhausted their usual income and benefits.
Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “These latest figures demonstrate that we were right to ensure our Scottish Welfare Fund was increased – just one of many actions taken to ensure there is additional financial support to people coping with the economic impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).
“The leading reason people apply for emergency help is that their benefits or other income has been spent.
“While the Scottish Government works to improve provision for children and families facing poverty, we continue to have to spend money to protect the most vulnerable in our communities from UK benefit cuts.
“We are introducing the Scottish Child Payment to tackle child poverty head on, opening for applications next month, with the first payments to start from February 2021. Together with the Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, this will provide over £5,200 of financial support for families by the time their first child turns six – and more than £4,900 for second and subsequent children.”
Scottish Welfare Fund Statistics: Update to 30 June 2020 can be found here.
Proposal of Application Notice lodged for residential units to replace Hotel option
Plans have been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the New Town Quarter development. Proposals include a mix of new homes, offices and public amenities on the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town.
We have received a huge amount of interest in our proposals – including more than 4,000 visitors to our website from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the world. This has become one of the largest consultations ever carried out for a city centre development and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it by passing on their views and comments, all of which has helped shape our final application.
It is hoped that the application will be discussed at committee by the City of Edinburgh Council in December 2020.
For more information on the New Town Quarter, please click HERE
Ediston and Orion Capital Managers have lodged a new Proposal of Application for the New Town Quarter, one of the largest city centre developments to come forward in Edinburgh for a generation.
Plans were originally submitted to the city council at the end of July for offices, new homes and a hotel on the 5.9 acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site on Dundas Street in the heart of the New Town.
Now, updated proposals have been brought forward to provide around 79 new residential units to replace the hotel ‘as a response to changes in the economic climate caused by the coronavirus outbreak’.
The Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) means there will now be additional public consultation for the new application – this was launched on 8th October.
Welcoming the proposals, Ross McNulty, Development Director at Ediston, said: “This is the largest brownfield site to come forward in the city centre for many years and we have worked closely with the community and local organisations to create a high quality and vibrant new mixed-use neighbourhood.
“Understandably, there is now a need to review the development mix considering the huge impact that Covid-19 has had on the Scottish and global economies.
“While we remain positive that our overall proposals are robust, the reduced activity in the hospitality sector has driven a need to consider an alternative option for the hotel element of the development.”
Ross McNulty continued: “We have already carried out one of the most extensive consultations on a development in Edinburgh, and we would like to thank all the residents and groups that have provided feedback.
“Our proposals will provide a major economic boost to the local area and to the city centre and whilst our review has shown the proposals to be robust despite the impact on the Covid-19 crisis, it has highlighted the need to consider an alternative use to the hotel.
“Edinburgh’s economy is one of the strongest and most resilient in the UK and we are encouraged that New Town Quarter remains on track.”
The PAN is to be lodged imminently with the Council and the public consultation will also be publicised and commence shortly.
The change in approach will require a separate planning application involving another public consultation programme, most likely to be held online. The overall development has already been subject to three separate consultations, the most recent of which took place online in April.
Latest research shows the New Town Quarter is poised to bring significant economic benefit to the local area, and the wider in the city centre.
The operational phase of the development the community and local organisations to create a high quality and would create more than 700 full-time jobs whilst generating an annual GVA (Gross Added Value) economic uplift of £34.4 million to the local and regional economy.
The construction phase alone would create a further £27.7 million at a regional level, creating a further 60 full time jobs. Many of the area’s local bars, restaurants, cafes, barbers, hairdressers, and shops are also set to benefit from the huge amount of business and activity that development is set to generate during construction and beyond.
For more information visit: www.newtownnorth.co.uk
Dusherra is the flagship event of SIAF. It has been celebrated for the past 25 years and is one of the most sought-after events for the ethnic community during the calendar year. The burning of the effigies, the fireworks are synonym to Dusherra. It attracts a huge crowd – both BAME population and the local community.
Considering that large public gatherings are not permitted keeping in mind the current prevailing COVID19 situations, SIAF organised Digital Dusherra 2020 completely Digital/Online using various audio/visual modes using our social media platforms.
Schedule
A well-coordinated and sequenced program hosted online, on 24th and 25th October
Running sequence of around 1.5 hours, compered by at least couple of hosts
Pre-recorded performances broadcasted to live audience
Speeches and messages from dignitaries shown online (either pre-recorded or live) including Consul General of India, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Governor of Prisons, HMP Edinburgh, CEO of BEMIS and Member of Parliament.
Professional performances by artists from India/UK (options being finalised)
School engagement via arts and crafts on the theme of Dusherra
e.g. making 10 headed Raavan in arts and craft sessions
Pre-recorded RamLeela as finale
Previous years videos played in between change of programs
Last Year’s Fireworks video will played to culminate the session
Simultaneous broadcast on other social media platforms like FB, YouTube and Instagram
Summary
SIAF – Dusherra, over 25 years has built a presence for itself in Edinburgh city and it is synonymous with celebration of the Indian heritage.
All efforts must be made to sustain its legacy and keep the flame glowing, even in such testing times. The SIAF board is committed to deliver a credible programme, with support from Edinburgh Council.
Abhijit Chakraborty, President of SIAF said: “It has been a disappointing year for all of us around the world with this pandemic still prevailing. So many of our loved ones have lost their lives and situation is still very concerning.
“We are one of the well-established ethnic minority charity organisations in Scotland trying to upheld our culture and identity for the past 25 years. We are Pan India, ours is a multi-religious organisation covering the length and breadth of India.
“We have tried our best during these difficult times by organising and taking part in couple of charity events, organised few digital events and now Digital Dusherra.
“We are lucky to have the support of the community here in Edinburgh along with the support of Edinburgh Council and the local government. We are very grateful.
“I hope that things return to normal very quickly and I wish everyone good luck and best wishes during this festive period”
Share your views on proposals to reduce inequalities
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on new proposals to offer free bus travel for young people resident in Scotland aged under 19.
Over a third of people already benefit from free bus travel in Scotland. The proposed extension of free bus travel to approximately 770,000 young people will deliver on the budget agreement, as reaffirmed in the recent Programme for Government.
At the same time the proposals help realise the vision proposed through the National Transport Strategy – contributing to a transport system with reduced inequalities and one that advances equality of opportunity.
All young carers will now benefit from the wider proposed extension to the National Concessionary Travel Scheme. As such, the Scottish Government does not intend to legislate for a specific extension to recipients of the Young Carer Grant.
Legislation will also be put forward to offer free travel to companions of disabled children under the age of five as part of the extension to those aged under 19.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said:“With approximately 770,000 young people anticipated to benefit – these are hugely exciting proposals for the future of our bus sector and for inspiring future generations to engage with sustainable transport.
“Free bus travel will help young people under the age of 19 to access education, employment and leisure – particularly those from lower income families. What we are proposing will help our young people as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, whilst supporting the vision outlined in our National Transport Strategy for a fairer and more sustainable transport system – reducing inequalities, tackling poverty and promoting opportunity.
“I’m confident that it will support the independence of young people and encourage a greater, long term shift to more sustainable travel – largely by embedding the use of public transport in people’s behaviour from an early age.
“To respond to the climate emergency, we need a shift away from private vehicle use towards more sustainable public transport. I’m confident this step could also help encourage modal shift in how young people get around – improving air quality in our towns and cities by reducing the number of car journeys made either by them or their family, friends, or carers.”
