Another quarter in lockdown but I am very hopeful that it will be over soon enough. I think most of us have learnt and adapted to the situation well, but I also know it has been even hard for many. But I want to just remind us all that we are in this together and will get through it together and end up better and even more resilient than before.
As you already know many organisations, businesses and our usual way of life is still on hold in some ways however that does not mean we stop altogether. Online has become the new ‘norm’ although we can still video chat and see family online, its not the same as meeting them face to face.
ELREC has been very busy during this time with the current projects, Communities for Conservation, True Colours, Open Arms and Equalities Engagement. We have been doing much of our work online however our services continue to be open and operating in a socially distanced way.
Our Covid projects, equally informed and Food support has been very busy and well established in the communities. The first provides translated information to various communities on Covid and the lockdown to ensure everyone has equal access to the information we all need to follow. We also offer food support every Friday to around 25-30 families who are in need during these difficult times.
Finally, I want to thank the staff and all the ELREC team and volunteers for their work and efforts especially with organising our online events and delivering the food support service.
Wishing you a happy festive season and best wishes for 2021.
New data shows 23 items of rubbish are dropped in the UK every second
Shocking data has revealed the true impact of the UK’s litter crisis, with cigarettes being the most irresponsibly disposed item.
Data found by Regatta and Keep Britain Tidy shows approximately 30% of litter in the UK is smoking-related, with a staggering 244 million cigarette butts discarded as litter.
According to Keep Britain Tidy, which exists to try to eliminate litter and end waste, two million pieces of rubbish are dropped every day across the country. This means that 23 items of rubbish are dropped every second on average.
“Due to the impact of the Coronavirus, more people than ever have gone out on walks and to explore their local green spaces. The amount of litter dropped by visitors saw local people become frustrated on social media as day-trippers left piles of rubbish lying around instead of taking it home with them,” says a spokesperson for Regatta.
However, this rubbish isn’t just ruining some of the best landscapes in the UK – it’s also having a serious impact on people and the environment.
Keep Britain Tidy recently revealed that street cleaning costs taxpayers more than £1 billion every year, showing the litter crisis isn’t just costing the planet anymore, but the public too.
Meanwhile, RSPCA announced recently they receive an average of 14 calls a day about wildlife harmed by litter, and the organisation suggests that the actual number of animals affected by rubbish is likely to be much higher.
“We all enjoy the great outdoors, and more recently with lockdown easing, people have been admiring all the UK has to offer more than ever.
“We hoped that comparing the litter crisis to one of the UK’s most loved and respected landscapes, we’d be able to encourage others to be mindful of littering and to get involved with a local clean-up event,” a spokesperson for Regatta continued.
UK Health Minister Matt Hancock has released details of another mutation of the coronavirus. Two cases of the variant, which is linked to South Africa, have now been reported in the UK.
Scotland has introduced further controls on travellers to and from South Africa with immediate effect.
Mr Hancock told yesterday’s Downing Street press conference: “I want to tell you about developments on another new strain of this virus.
“Of course, the fight against this virus is a global effort. And we are constantly vigilant and looking around the world.
As part of our surveillance, and thanks to the impressive genomic capability of the South Africans, we have detected 2 cases of another new variant of coronavirus here in the UK.
“Both are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks.
“The Chief Scientific Advisor and Chief Medical Officer and others met their South African counterparts over the last day.
“We are incredibly grateful to the South African Government for the rigour of their science, and the openness and the transparency with which they have rightly acted, as we did when we discovered the new variant here.
“This new variant is highly concerning, because it is yet more transmissible and it appeared to have mutated further than the new variant that has been discovered here.
“We have taken the following action.
“First, we are quarantining cases, and close contacts of cases, found here in the UK.
“Second, we are placing immediate restrictions on travel from South Africa.
“Finally, and most importantly, anyone in the UK who has been in South Africa in the past fortnight, and anyone who has been in close contact with anyone who has been in South Africa in the last fortnight, must quarantine immediately.
“By quarantine, I mean they must restrict all contact with any other person whatsoever.
“We will be changing the law to give this legal effect imminently.
“These measures are temporary, while we investigate this further new strain, which is currently being analysed at Porton Down.
“And I want to thank everyone involved for the seriousness with which I know they will take these instructions.”
Scottish Ministers have agreed on the basis of advice from senior clinical advisers to introduce further controls on travellers who have been in South Africa in the previous 10 days.
Regulations will require all UK nationals or residents returning to Scotland from South Africa to isolate for 10 days. This will apply to both the individual traveller and their household. Unlike travel into Scotland from other countries, there will be no exemptions to this quarantine policy.
All measures relating to South Africa will be reviewed in light of emerging evidence on the public health risks.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “These steps are a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of a variant strain of coronavirus which has been detected in South Africa, which we are still in the early stages of learning about, to Scotland.
“This decision has been taken on clinical advice to help further safeguard public health and keep communities safe.”
Scotland’s Chief Medical Officer Dr Gregor Smith said: “A mutated strain of the virus has been detected in South Africa with greater transmissibility between humans and it is appropriate that we err on the side of caution.
“We do not want to see transmission of this strain in this country and it is imperative that anybody who has recently travelled from South Africa, and their household, should self-isolate for 10 days and follow the guidance laid out by the Scottish Government. If needed, they should contact NHS 24.”
Work will also be undertaken to contact individuals who have recently arrived in the country from South Africa in the last 10 days who may have had a sectoral exemption to encourage them and their households of the need to isolate.
Targeted approach planned for high prevalence areas
Community testing in areas with high coronavirus (COVID-19) prevalence will begin in January, Health Secretary Jeane Freeman has announced.
In a statement to Parliament on Scotland’s testing and vaccination programmes, Ms Freeman confirmed that community testing resources will be targeted at communities with high transmission rates, following successful trials in early December.
Local authorities will be asked to submit proposals for the programme in early January, which will be delivered in partnership with NHS Boards and supported with additional funding and resources, including mobile testing units and asymptomatic test sites, to provide PCR and lateral flow testing respectively.
In order to better target community testing, waste water sampling undertaken by SEPA and Scottish Water to track COVID prevalence will be expanded from 60 to around 200 tests per week throughout Scotland by the end of January, supported by £1.1 million in additional funding.
Discussions with local authorities are also underway regarding two models of school testing to be trialled in January. The first model will involve in-school testing using lateral flow devices, while the second will involve at-home sampling for PCR testing.
Ms Freeman also confirmed that a total of 56,676 people have received their first dose in the first two weeks of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, which aims to vaccinate all those on the JCVI prioritisation list by the end of Spring 2021. Once this group is complete, vaccination will start for the wider population, subject to available supplies.
The use of larger centres in heavily populated areas such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Aberdeen, and Lanarkshire is being investigated to supplement local and mobile solutions for those in remote and rural areas.
NHS Boards have also been asked to continue recruitment and redeployment, with the aim of securing around 1400 vaccinators and 800 support staff by the end of January.
Ms Freeman said: “I want to acknowledge the sheer effort that has been put in to enable what has been delivered already through our testing and vaccination programmes, and what we will deliver, as I have set out in Parliament today.
“Each of these programmes presents a major logistical challenges in and of themselves. Many people from different organisations and communities have come together to make them possible and I want to put on record my sincere thanks to everyone involved.
“These are incredibly tough times for everyone, at the end of what has already been an incredibly tough year, but this continued expansion of our testing and vaccination programmes will help us meet the challenge we face to drive down COVID rates in Scotland to the lowest possible level.
“Both are vital tools in our work to suppress the virus to the lowest possible level in Scotland, but they are only as important as the other measures we have including the Levels approach, enhanced support for our NHS and care sectors and critically, individuals doing the right thing by following FACTS – all of which are crucial to prevent the spread of this harmful virus through our communities.”
F – Face coverings A – Avoid crowded places C – Clean your hands regularly T – Two metres distance S – Self isolate and book a test if you have symptoms
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.
