At H&T Pawnbrokers, our teams try to support their local communities – perhaps not something you would expect from a pawnbroker!
Zoe Parry, Regional Manager said; ‘It has been a difficult year for everyone and our colleagues across the country have worked hard to identify where we can help the most.’
As part of this, we have:
Collected over 4,000 food items
Supported more than 200 families
Donated to more than 50 food banks
Collected £1,500 for The Beatson Cancer Charity in Scotland
For millions of Brits, this weekend’s announcement will have meant last minute changes to Christmas plans, with 46% of Brits saying they were looking forward to spending time with their family. But just because it’s different, doesn’t mean it can’t still be festive, as people look for new ways to celebrate.
For many people, 2020 has been the year of loungewear, and it seems this trend will be continuing over the festive season. According to Matalan’s survey, 1 in 3 Brits will be keeping comfy for Christmas, spending the big day in either pyjamas or loungewear!
And in keeping with the rest of the year, video calls will be playing a major role, as Brits turn to Zoom, Facetime and Houseparty to spend time with loved ones. According to the survey results, 11am-12pm is the time most of us will be setting aside to arrange video calls with friends and family.
Looking at the rest of the big day, 12-1pm is when Brits will enjoy their first alcoholic drink, with most sitting down to dinner between 2pm and 3pm, before heading outside for a wintery walk.
Finally, we’ll be sitting down to enjoy our favourite festive films and TV shows, or starting a new board game between 7pm and 8pm.
People in cities across the UK are finding different ways to spend their time during the pandemic, according to analysis of data by Leeds Building Society.
Over 2,500 people in different UK cities were asked how their lives had changed as they adapted to spending more time in their homes during the pandemic. The data was part of a national survey by TLF Research*.
Growing vegetables is taking up more time for people living in Edinburgh (20%), Glasgow (18%) and Belfast (18%). Baking and home cooking has also risen in popularity in Belfast (44%), Leeds (43%), Southampton, Bristol and Cardiff (all 39%), Edinburgh (38%), Norwich (34%) and Glasgow (32%).
Notably, young people are spending more time in the kitchen, with 43% of 18 to 24-year-olds doing more cooking and baking – higher than any other age group, according to the findings.
The pandemic has made us all think about how we can improve our homes. DIY and painting and decorating proved popular in Liverpool (62%), Belfast and Sheffield (both 56%), Leeds (54%) and London (53%).
Other key findings from the survey:
People in Cardiff (46%), Leeds (45%), Sheffield (43%), Norwich, Glasgow, Nottingham (all 42%) said they are shopping online more. The biggest increase was among 18 to 24-year-olds (47%) and over 65-year-olds (47%).
In Manchester (72%), Leeds (67%), Liverpool (65%), Bristol (62%), Cardiff (61%) and Belfast (60%) respondents said they were watching more TV and films. Those aged 18-24 (75%) reported the highest rise; meanwhile the lowest was in the over-65s (52%).
People in London and Bristol (both 31%) and Southampton (27%) have all devoted more time to keeping fit.
In Leeds (24%), Glasgow (19%) and Belfast (18%), people said they were indulging in more home comforts like nice meals and buying more loungewear.
“It’s interesting to see how improvements around the house have become a priority for so many people across the country and how we are all adapting,” says Jaedon Green, Chief Customer Officer at Leeds Building Society.
“Lockdown gave us a chance to pause and think about our immediate and long-term goals, and for many of us this included making our home more comfortable and relaxing as we adapted to new ways of living.
“As people’s priorities shift it looks like more of us will be making changes to ensure we have the homes and lifestyles we want,” he adds.
– Items that can be delivered in just 30-minutes include Sellotape, batteries and even turkey with trimmings –
This Christmas, Morrisons is delivering the most commonly forgotten festive essentials. In just 30-minutes, those much-needed items that can go under the radar until required can be delivered to doorsteps via Deliveroo.
The move will allow customers to spend more time relaxing and remove any last-minute panic. Forgotten items will be delivered until 5:30pm on Christmas Eve and will be available again from 10.00am on Boxing Day.
Items available include Sellotape for last-ditch present wrapping; batteries for games or new presents and easily forgotten items from the Christmas dinner itself like gravy and stuffing. Even turkeys and the trimmings are available through the service for those who are having to adapt their Christmas plans.
The service will be available in 182 stores across the UK and orders can be placed through the Deliveroo app or website from December 21st until 24th December, with a £4.50 delivery charge and 49p service fee. All deliveries will be contact-free to promote safety.
The full list of products available as part of the Morrisons Deliveroo last-minute Christmas items are:
● Sellotape
● Batteries (AA/AAA)
● Matches
● Tin foil
● Cling film
● Turkey
● Turkey baking tray
● Gravy
● Stuffing
● Custard powder
● Condensed milk
● Evaporated milk
● The Best Clementine Bucks Fizz
● The Best Prosecco / Champagne
● Bin Bags
● Parsnips
● Carrots
● Roast Spuds
● Brussel Sprouts
Amy Bishop, who is responsible for Deliveroo at Morrisons said: “Everyone is so busy at this time of year that it can be easy to forget about things until you really need them. At that point, the thought of leaving the house and heading back to the shops can add to the stress. Thanks to our partnership with Deliveroo you can order those forgotten items straight to your door and get back to the festive celebrations.”
Morrisons first announced a partnership with Deliveroo in April to support the most vulnerable by having essential items quickly delivered to their doorstep. 35 Christmas favourites including pigs in blankets and mulled wine were recently added to the service to bring the total number of products available to over 300.
Deliveroo orders are available from 182 Morrisons stores across the UK, covering one in four households (6.8 million).
Today, Amey announced its Winter Service Programme for the Scottish South-West Trunk Roads network (NMC SW), which it operates on behalf of Transport Scotland.
At the heart of the Winter Service, which runs until May 2021, is a fleet of new 56 Econ gritters and snowploughs, 16 new footpath gritters, 12 tractors and 115 Highways Operatives.
The winter service vehicles, in their distinctive bright orange livery, will become a regular sight on the trunk road network this winter.
Traditionally, Amey has run naming competitions with local schools to give each of these gritters a different identity – but this year, with the challenges of the coronavirus crisis and in the interests of safety this has not been possible.
Therefore, Amey is running an appeal asking the Scottish public to name the rest of the NMC SW gritter fleet.
We have already started the ball rolling by naming one of our gritters, “Yes Sir, Ice Can Boogie”, in reference to the Scotland football team’s ‘unofficial’ anthem, and this has already proven to be a popular choice.
IRN-BRU® have also supported the appeal by running a competition to name a gritter, with “Grits You Through” being announced as the winner, today.
These vehicles follow in a proud tradition of gritters such as “Sir Salter Scott”, “David Plowie” and “Spready Mercury”. The naming appeal will run until Friday 15th January 2021, and winners will be announced between 23rd December until the closing date.
In addition, we are asking the public to name our new ‘mini’ footpath gritters in honour of Key Workers, Community Champions and Volunteers who have made a real difference to their communities during the pandemic.
With new Christmas Covid-19 restrictions being introduced for all but essential travel, Amey have developed a virtual Santa’s Grotto, which allows Amey staff and the public to take part in different festive fun events and support local charities.
The Winter Service for NMC SW is comprised of 27 Frontline Routes, 15 Patrol Routes and 12 Footway Routes (requiring 197km of winter treatment).
All the patrol vehicles are fitted with the latest Mobile Condition Monitoring Equipment, and all are fitted with Dash Cams. In addition, we will be using an innovative liquid brine solution on all our roads and footpaths, to provide more effective clearance of ice and snow.
In preparation for Winter in 2020 and 2021, Amey amassed 25,000 tonnes of road salt, 231,000 litre of Brine and 50,000 litres of Potassium Acetate, overseen by 10 Winter Service Duty Officers (WSDO), providing a 24/7 presence on the network.
To support the travelling public, a free Winter Road Alerts service is available, providing real-time updates on weather-related incidents on the network.
An email address is all that is required to sign up for this service:
Santa will be touring the village on Christmas Eve – all within government ‘elf and safety guidelines!
The curse of COVID has crushed festive plans for so many, but a local resident was determined to keep spirits high in his village, Kirkliston, this year by working hard to preserve a tradition that has been cherished for many years gone by.
This year’s plans for Santa’s visit were set to be scuppered with the council calling time on the activity earlier in the year due to the potential health and safety hazards that it could impose, however after much determination and good will, members of the community have managed to use their connections and influence to save the event.
Geoff Crow, Director of local company 21CC Group, and responsible for the team who successfully delivered Wondrous Woods at Hopetoun House earlier on this year, said: “We understand that this event was initially cancelled for very good reasons but with the release of new government guidance, my team and I, along with some residents of the village were able to find a way to make this happen safely this year.
“This is such a wonderful example of community solidarity and togetherness, and we’re absolutely delighted to be sharing this news with the village. I personally can’t wait to see the smiles on so many children’s faces on Christmas Eve after what has been such a hard year for so many families.”
Alex Cole-Hamilton, MSP for Edinburgh Western commented: “I am absolutely thrilled that Santa will be making an in-person appearance in Kirkliston, on Christmas Eve ahead of his world tour that evening. How lucky are we?! This will be such a lift at the end of a dark year. Particular thanks to his helper, Geoff Crow for making it happen.”
Joining in with the festive fun is local Lib Dem councillors Kevin Lang and Louise Young, who will be dawning their elf outfits and joining Santa on route. Children will be able to watch Santa and his elves pass by from the safety of their homes and gardens.
Santa’s tour of the village on Christmas Eve will commence at 3.30pm before taking to the skies, to fly over Queensferry and the Firth of Forth on their way across to Fife and beyond.
21CC Group are an Edinburgh based Event Management company, established in 1999. They produce events around the country for corporate groups, festivals, local authorities, and private clients.
A Midlothian nursing home will have its registration suspended after 15 residents died with Covid.
Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that “virtually half” of residents of Thornlea Nursing Home in Loanhead had succumbed to the virus.
The court granted an interim suspension from 18 January, which will allow time to find alternative homes for the remaining residents.
Speaking before the hearing, a spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “An inspection has identified serious and significant concerns about the quality of care experienced by residents at Thornlea Nursing Home in Loanhead, Midlothian.
“We understand this is a difficult and distressing time for residents, their loved ones and staff at the home.
“However, our first priority is always the health and wellbeing of residents.
“Because of our concerns about the safety of residents we have submitted an application to the sheriff court seeking cancellation of the care home’s registration.
“This could allow new care arrangements to be put in place for residents of the home.
“We are working closely with partners including Midlothian Health and Social Care Partnership and the Scottish Government to ensure that residents experience appropriate care during this difficult time.”
The volunteers at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s Give and Go service have been some of the pandemic’s unsung heroes but together with the bags of laundry and Lucozade they’ve been given to deliver, they have also had some unexpected items in the bagging area!
The delivery service has been a godsend for patients and loved ones alike at a time when visiting’s been restricted. Friends and family simply drop off items for patients and can also collect their dirty laundry.
Dr Margaret McGuire, NHSGGC’s Director of Nursing said: “I simply cannot put into words just what an invaluable part the Give and Go service has played in our Covid response. Sadly for many, many months our patients have not been able to have visitors, due to the risk of transmitting the virus.
“Not only is this lonely for patients but at the beginning it also meant they couldn’t get essentials like fresh pyjamas and their own drinks and toiletries. And then came the amazing response from our volunteers! We’ve had such positive feedback from patients and families about what a difference this has made for everyone. Well done and thank you.”
Over at Glasgow Royal Infirmary there are 83 volunteers helping to keep patients in touch with their families by delivering what they need most. However, there have been a few raised eyebrows at some of the more unusual items they have been asked to transport.
Louise Colquhoun is the Volunteer Manager who runs the service. She said: “We did expect to get the odd cigarette and lighter being smuggled in, but even we were surprised at what we got through the door!
“We have had a 55 inch telly, a microwave, and lots and lots of alcohol, some even ‘cleverly’ disguised. But we rumbled them all and returned them to their rightful owners.
“It’s been a long year for all my volunteers – we deliver around 1,000 items a week to patients. Our unusual drop-offs have kept us all on our toes and given us all a wee laugh.”
The volunteer army will continue to work across hospitals and sites through Christmas and New Year, with many of the deliveries already including festive treats and a few gifts before Santa makes his own appearance on the big day.
Due to Level Four restrictions, Edinburgh Leisure will not be reopening indoor venues (including gyms, swimming pools, indoor courts and the climbing arena at Ratho) from 26/12/20 for at least three weeks.
You can still stay active with us until 4pm on Christmas Eve. After this, our golf courses and outdoor courts will remain open and we hope to see you there.
We have contacted all of our customers via email regarding direct debits and memberships.
Please rest assured that you will not be charged for anything while we are closed. We’ll be reinstating our ‘Find Your Feel Good at Home’ online fitness hub in the new year, which will be packed with advice and activities to help keep you active.
We’re also looking forward to rolling out our live-streamed online fitness classes and we will be in touch about this in due course.
Remember – stay active, stay well and we will get through this together!
Homeware stores and garden centres to close in level 4
Homeware stores and garden centres will close in all level 4 areas from Boxing Day with the exception of click and collect.
Members of the public within level 4 are also being urged to stay close to home where possible to help stop the spread of Coronavirus (COVID19).
The stricter definition of essential retailers and new stay at home message have been introduced to help tackle the new variant of the virus which can spread far more quickly and easily.
The changes were announced during a statement to Parliament by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon yesterday. She said: “Given the severity of the situation we face and the need to limit interactions as much as possible, we intend to define essential retail more narrowly than we have done recently.
“In short, that means homeware stores and garden centres will be classed as non-essential and will therefore require to close, with the exception of click and collect.
“Financial support will remain available for businesses affected and the Finance Secretary is urgently assessing what more the Scottish Government can do, particularly for the sectors most affected.
“For those living in level 4 areas – which from Saturday will be the vast majority of us – our strong advice is to stay as local as possible and to stay at home as much as possible.
“We will be considering in the days ahead whether we need to place that advice in law.
“As more evidence of the impact of this new strain becomes available, we will consider whether there is a need to strengthen level 4 restrictions any further.”
