Police in Edinburgh are delighted to report that 71 year old Lorna Ferguson, reported missing earlier from Pilrig Street, Edinburgh has been TRACED SAFE AND WELL In the East Lothian area.
Police are releasing a further image of 71-year-old woman, Lorna Ferguson, missing from Bathgate this morning. The image shows Lorna near Pilrig Street.
Officers are also checking a reported sighting of Lorna in Portobello Road this afternoon.
Lorna Ferguson was last seen exiting out of Pilrig Park, Edinburgh, around 11am this morning, Saturday 30 January, 2021.
She is white, around 4 ft. 10 inches in height, with a medium build, and short silver hair. She was wearing beige coloured trousers, walking boots and a green Rab puffer jacket. She was walking her dog, a brown coloured cockapoo, with a luminous yellow, extendable lead.
Lorna has dementia and her family is extremely concerned. She has never gone missing before and they just want to know she is safe and well.
Extensive enquiries are under way to locate Lorna, but efforts so face have provide unsuccessful. Officers are checking CCTV footage for any additional information which could assist in the inquiry.
Anyone who has seen or has any knowledge as to Lorna’s whereabouts is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1733.
Motorists have been offered five ways to warm up their car during the chilly weather.
Travel experts from LeaseCar.uk are encouraging drivers to buy a pair gloves, make hot drinks or buy extra heating devices in order to brave the cold.
Many cars now come with the luxury of heated seats, or even heated steering wheels, whilst these luxuries aren’t available in every car, there are now plug-in alternatives.
However, the age-old favourite of letting the engine heat up shouldn’t be ignored, as this ensures hot air will be emitted.
A spokesperson from LeaseCar.uk said: “Being warm and comfortable whilst you’re driving is very important, being too cold can be extremely distracting.
“There are age old hacks such as warming the engine up before you set off and ensuring you’re wearing plenty of layers, and these shouldn’t be sniffed at.
“However, modern inventions such as heated seats and steering wheels provide a little more luxury and can be more effective at heating you up.”
These are LeaseCar.uk’s top tips for making cars cosy:
1. Gloves
Fingers are often the first to feel the cold, so keeping them warm in gloves is a must. Driving gloves are very common and can range in price from £20 to £200. Depending on whether you want the finest supple leather, or a basic material which will do the job, there’s a pair of gloves for you.
2. Steering wheel cover
When driving you always have to have two hands on the wheel, which means that touching a very cold steering wheel will undoubtedly make the driver feel the freeze. You can invest in a furry steering wheel cover which will feel warmer than cold plastic.
3. In-car heater
If your car heating doesn’t quite cut it, you can purchase an in-car heater. It plugs into the power socket and you can stick it onto the dashboard, allowing it to circulate heat throughout the car. If you’re someone who particularly feels the cold you can even use it at the same time as your normal heating.
4. Plug in seat warmer
If your car doesn’t come with heated seats, that doesn’t mean they’re something you can only dream of. You can buy seat covers which plug into the cigarette lighter and have a heating system in them, meaning you can enjoy a warm comfortable drive.
5. Hot drinks
Another way to warm your cold fingers and hands is to think ahead and prepare, or buy, a warm cup of coffee or tea. Perfect to wake you up during the commute but the got air it emits will also help increase the temperature of the car.
The current trade disruption between the UK and the EU is the result of ignoring expert advice and a chaotic information campaign, which must urgently be solved in three steps, says leading London accountancy firm Blick Rothenberg.
Alex Altmann, a partner and head of the firm’s Brexit advisory group, says: “We warned about serious disruptions many months ago and advised the Government to introduce an implementation phase for businesses to cope with the new customs formalities.
“The foolishness and amateurism of the Government’s approach has created existential threats to many businesses on both sides that currently struggle to trade with each other. The disruptions must urgently be solved in three steps.
“First, the Government must temporarily relax the requirement for EU traders to have an office in the UK to import goods, and subsequently ask the EU commission to do the same. The most serious problem today is that businesses without a presence in the other market cannot import their goods without appointing a customs agent.
“ This is how the new customs rules have been designed by the UK and the EU as part of the Brexit deal. This is a serious flaw. Customs agents are rare and very expensive and the UK currently requires about 20,000 more agents to meet demand. The Government should take this step very urgently to avoid a major supply chain disaster in the weeks ahead.”
Altmann added: “Second, the Government needs to admit that their expensive Brexit information campaign has not prepared businesses well enough for the new trade relationship with the EU. The guidance provided by the UK Government contains conflicting information, not enough detail, and to some extent, wrong advice.
“This has become particularly apparent with regards to the new border situation with Northern Ireland. It has become clear that the Government’s guidance has not been drafted by trade and customs experts, which is a serious shortcoming.
“The Government must take a step back now and relax the rules for the time being, while redrafting guidance and advisory papers based on the final Brexit deal arrangements. This is the only way to overcome the misinformation and provide traders and freight carriers with the confidence they need to sell cross-border.”
Altmann, who is also a Chairman at the British Chamber of Commerce in Germany said: “ “Thirdly, there are some serious flaws in the Brexit trade deal that the Government must put high up on the agenda to clarify and potentially renegotiate with the EU.
“ One area that continues to create confusion among traders and their freight carriers is the new rules of origin provision. The Government presented the Brexit deal as a tariff and quota free agreement. This is only partly true. Tariffs still apply in the normal way for manufactured goods which contain more than 40 percent of ingredients with origins outside the UK or EU.
“There is no guidance of how businesses should calculate and document the origin analysis. This is causing major disruptions to supply chains. Again, we recommend that the new rules of origin are temporarily paused until there is sufficient guidance and expertise available to work this out.”
National charity Living Streets is asking people to nominate local groups or individuals who have gone the extra mile to improve their community for walking this year.
Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is looking for inspiring entrants for the Charles Maher Award – Walking Champion 2021.
The award was set up in honour of Charles Maher, a campaigner and longstanding supporter of Living Streets – formerly the Pedestrians Association – and recognises an individual, group or organisation who has helped achieve a better walking environment and got people walking.
After a year which has seen streets improved so people can walk while socially distancing and seen more people walking for exercise, the charity is keen to celebrate the people who have made this possible.
Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets said:“We know there are some dedicated people out there who work tirelessly for their local community to transform their streets into safer and more attractive places.
“We want to recognise the brilliant work they’ve done which has helped people to stay healthy, happy and connected during the pandemic.”
Individuals, local groups, organisations or local authorities can self-nominate themselves or others for the Living Streets Charles Maher Award.
Nominations close on 16 February 2021. The nomination form is on the Living Streets website: www.livingstreets.org.uk/maher
More support will be available to people experiencing emotional distress following the expansion of the Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) programme to further local areas.
If someone presents as ‘in distress’ to emergency services or in a primary care setting, this programme can offer them a call from a trained operator within 24 hours. They will then be provided with up to two weeks of one-to-one support to help address issues which might be contributing to their distress, including, for example, money worries and relationship problems.
NHS Ayrshire and Arran are the latest health board to launch a DBI programme, following the rollout of a local service in Inverclyde earlier this month. Since it began in 2017, the programme has been made available in ten Health and Social Care Partnership areas.
Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “This is an innovative programme and, we believe, world-leading intervention which provides vital support to people experiencing emotional distress. It is a crucial part of the wide range of actions we are taking to improve public mental health and wellbeing.
“Since its launch in 2017 over 12,800 people have been referred for support and these new sites, in addition to the new pathway through the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub helpline, will help us expand this service across Scotland by 2024.”
Someone who has experience of the DBI programme is Pamela, who self-presented as in distress to her GP. Pamela (her name has been changed to protect identities) had experienced depression and anxiety for some time but was finding it difficult to manage due to an altercation with a neighbour who was verbally aggressive towards her.
Pamela said: “I cannot thank DBI enough for the help I have received from them. I feel less stressed and now have ongoing support in place for the future which has given me more confidence.
“I feel encouraged now to start doing things again that I enjoy, like hobbies and seeing family again. DBI has also improved my self-esteem and I now know that I am worth more than what I had been willing to accept previously.”
National DBI Programme Manager Kevin O’Neill said: “Our partners across Ayrshire and Arran and Inverclyde have shown incredible collaboration in support of building connected compassionate support for people in distress.
“We welcome our new regions to the growing DBI community and we look forward to working and learning with them in our collective programme of incremental growth and continuous improvement with the shared ambition of providing the best connected compassionate support possible.”
Major, President Biden’s shelter rescue dog, has been hitting the headlines for all the right reasons. First adopted by President Joe Biden in 2018, Major becomes the first shelter rescue dog to live in the White House.
This is welcome news for many pet lovers who have already taken the step to foster or adopt a dog or cat in need.
In this article Perfect-Pets Books explores the growing trend of high-profile politicians who have famously rescued a pet. If you are interested in rehoming or fostering a dog Rescue Dogs the Essential Guide by Perfect-Pets Books is a great place to start. Full of essential information the guide addresses the key points one should consider before taking in a dog and re-homing it:
The recent election results which confirmed Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election has sparked a few fireworks to say the least. However, one of the nicer stories to emerge was the announcement that the Biden family will be bringing their two German Shepherd dogs Major and Champ to live in the White House.
The last four years has seen no pets in the White House and this announcement drew smiles and applause from animal lovers across the country.
The ASPCA president and CEO Matt Bershadker said: “We’re thrilled the Bidens’ dog Major will be the first shelter dog ever to call the White House his home. This is a wonderful opportunity for people to see how fostering and adopting animals saves lives, helps animal shelters, and brings love and joy to families.”
It has also been hinted by President Biden’s wife, Dr Jill Biden, that they also have plans to add a feline companion. If so, it will be the ‘first cat’ since George W. Bush’s cat India a.ka. Willie.
Giving a home to a rescue dog or cat has been given a great boost in recent years by high-profile politicians.
When Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved into Downing Street, he made headlines with his rescue dog Dilyn. Dilyn was rescued from a breeder by animal charity Friends of Animals Wales before being adopted. He was moved into Downing Street in September 2019.
Dilyn, who is a Jack Russell, has proved to be quite popular and has a growing following on Instagram. His Instagram page has attracted more than 2,000 followers.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has not been the only PM to add a rescue to Downing Street.
Back in 2011 Larry the Cat, a rescue from London’s Battersea Cats and Dogs Home moved into Downing Street. Larry was known for his high chase-drive and hunting instinct developed during his time on the streets and came highly recommended.
Even after David Cameron left office Larry remained at Downing Street. Larry never actually belonged to Cameron and instead belonged to a civil servant, but his story made great headlines.
Larry the cat is one of a long line of Downing Street cats, known unofficially as Chief Mouser to the Cabinet Office. One of the most famous and longest serving cats was Humphrey adopted in 1989. Humphrey was adopted after wandering into No 10 as a stray while Margaret Thatcher was prime minister. He remained throughout the administration of John Major and eventually moved out six months after Tony Blair won the 1997 general election.
The re-introduction of four legged companions in the White House will certainly get tails wagging. Although Biden’s dog Major is said to be the first dog shelter rescue to live in the White House, research says this is not entirely true as there was a previous dog rescue. What makes Major special is that he was adopted from a shelter.
According to the fact-checkers at Snopes.com they have found that President Lyndon B. Johnson’s mixed breed dog Yuki was found by Johnson’s daughter Luci at a gas station on Thanksgiving Day in 1966. Luci officially gave the dog to her dad as a birthday gift in 1967.
Nevertheless, the story of Major is a happy one and it raises awareness about pet abandonment. Animal shelters are desperately in need of owners for the many strays that fill their centres.
Covid has created an explosion of pet ownership with many owners truly appreciating the companionship of their new addition(s) during these difficult months. Equally, reports show Covid has also created a growing number of pet abandonments. These have occurred for a variety of socio-economic reasons such as unemployment or a lack of research from owners.
If you are interested in adopting a new pet or acquiring a pet from a breeder Perfect-Pets Books have an extensive range of essential guides for dog and cat lovers that offer advice and information to help owners provide the best care possible. Books such as First Aid for Dogs, The Essential Guide to Dog Rescue and the Essential Guide to Dog Training act as great complements to Perfect-Pets’ most popular dog and cat breeds essential guides.
To learn more visit www.perfect-pets.org for further information. Use code Perfect20Off at checkout and get 20% off.
Use of Snappy Shopper increased 43% during previous Tier 4 lockdown
Shoppers are turning to convenience stores to plug gaps in their shopping deliveries during lockdown, according to a Scottish national retailer.
Scotmid has seen a 43% increase in orders using its Snappy Shopper service during the first lockdown and has been working hard to respond to the continued growth in demand for the service at a time when full lockdown restrictions are back in place.
The rise in use of the Snappy Shopper service – which delivers to customers from as little as 30 minutes – comes at a time when consumers are increasingly switching their shopping habits from in store to online – and finding delivery slots from the bigger supermarkets have been booked up sometimes weeks in advance.
Since launching online delivery through the Snappy Shopper app in Edinburgh last year, the service has benefited many individuals during the COVID-19 crisis, including those considered high-risk and having to shield.
Kevin Plant, Head of Food at Scotmid said: “With competition for online shopping slots fierce, Snappy Shopper is filling a much-needed gap for many residents in Edinburgh.
“Feedback from the community has shown us how important this service is – especially for people who are shielding – and we’re pleased to expand our service in the community, especially as Tier 4 restrictions are taking hold.”
The first delivery for every customer is free when they sign up on the app*, with subsequent deliveries in Edinburgh costing just £3.50.
There is a £10 minimum basket spend with a limit of 25 products per delivery.** Deliveries are available to order between 10am and 8pm, with the last delivery at 9pm.
Lockdown measures impede the liveability of 70% of the world’s cities
Edinburgh (21st), while dropping out of the top 20, remains the most attractive UK city for European expats
Strict lockdowns affect UK-wide Recreational score, causing London to drop to its lowest liveability ranking to date (55th)
New York (40th) overtakes London in the liveability ranking for the first time
Copenhagen retains the title as the ‘world’s most liveable city’ for European expats, thanks to best-scoring categories such as clean air and low crime rate
Canada’s Toronto ranks in the top 20 for the first time (17th), rising 10 places
The liveability of 70% of cities around the world has been affected by recreational limitations and a quarter (25%) by socio-political tensions according to the latest annual Location Ratings Report from global mobility expert, ECA International (ECA).
The implementation of strict lockdowns and restrictions on freedom of movement during 2020 was a major contributing factor causing all UK locations to drop in the global liveability ranking for European expats, compared to the likes of Canada, USA and New Zealand.
As a result, Edinburgh (21st) has fallen out of the top 20 for the first time since 2018, while Oslo in Norway, Helsinki in Finland and Toronto in Canada, all entered the top 20 this year. Meanwhile, New York (40th) has overtaken London (55th) for the first time.
Belfast shares joint 55th position with London, both dropping eight places. Cardiff (30th) and Manchester (43rd) dropped six and four places respectively.
Neil Ashman, Senior Location Ratings Analyst at ECA International, said: “At the time of publication there were relatively few pandemic-related restrictions in place in New York, unlike London where a new lockdown had just been imposed.
“During the height of the pandemic in 2020, London was in a state of lockdown for almost 19 weeks between the periods of March to July and November onwards. This resulted in London dropping in the rankings, while many of the US locations, where scores were not as affected, were pushed up the rankings as a result.”
Cities around the world are evaluated annually by ECA on a variety of liveability factors including availability of health services; housing and utilities; isolation; access to a social network and recreational and leisure facilities; infrastructure; climate; personal safety; socio-political tensions and air quality.
The Recreation scores represent a realistic assessment of the social activities that were, at the time of analysis*, totally unavailable compared to those that could reasonably continue online, or reasonably be accessed despite capacity limits. Most regions across the UK were (and continue to be) under strict lockdown restrictions, therefore their Recreational score and liveability rank has been negatively affected.
ECA’s Location Ratings system objectively evaluates a host of factors to form an assessment of the overall quality of living in over 490 locations worldwide. The system helps companies establish appropriate allowances to compensate employees for the adjustment required when going on international assignment. The impact of some of the factors assessed will vary according to the home location of the assignee.
How liveability scores map the extent of lockdowns across Europe
Scandinavian cities were the least impacted by Recreation limitations and restrictions on freedom of movement at the time of publication, as the authorities adopted less stringent lockdown measures and were not beholden to the same tough restrictions that were implemented elsewhere in Europe in at the time.
As a result, Scandinavian locations make up six of the top 20 most liveable cities for European expats.
Copenhagen (above) has retained the top spot as the most liveable city in the world, Stavanger, Norway has ranked second, pushing Bern, Switzerland (3rd) from the joint top spot it shared with the Dutch capital in 2020.
Ashman continued: “Historically, pollution, access to healthcare, transport and access to social networks were among the key contributing factors to the low rankings of many major European cities.
“However, socio-political tensions were one of the key factors affected at the time of the ranking’s analysis, as 36% of European locations, including Italy and France, were experiencing strict lockdowns and restrictions on freedom of movement, sometimes in the form of curfews.”
Elsewhere in Europe, major cities such as Rome and Lisbon fell over 15 places from last year’s rankings, while Paris dropped 18 places and fell out of the top 50 most liveable locations.
Dublin (15th) has fallen out of the top 10 for the first time since 2018. Having grown in popularity as a hub for expats from across the world in recent years, due to its low crime rates, good air quality, culture and infrastructure, it has dropped five places due to the impact of Covid-19. Pandemic restrictions were seen across Ireland at the time of the data’s publication, with travel being severely impacted, meaning that freedom of movement scores have been affected, as well as recreation scores.
Non-European locations high on Europe expat liveability list
In contrast, Toronto (17th) has entered the top 20 most liveable cities in the world for Europeans, rising 10 places and beating major European cities such as Berlin (43rd), Barcelona (59th) and Paris (63rd), despite the distance from Europe.
“Canadian cities have consistently outperformed many European cities in the scoring of crime levels, and air quality, which is why Toronto has scored so highly in the rankings. However, due to stricter lockdown measures affecting its Recreational score compared to other parts of Canada, Montreal dropped four places.” said Ashman.
While some United States implemented restrictions, they were in many instances applied at a local, county level rather than deployed nation-wide. Los Angeles in California for example was locked down much more severely than other cities and states in November, at the time of publication, which has caused it to drop six places (92nd) while most other cities rose in the ranking.
At the time of publication, New Zealand had no restrictions in place. So, although Wellington and Auckland’s liveability score hasn’t changed, their ranking rose 19 and 18 places to 25th and 33rd respectively, overtaking several UK locations despite its distance from Europe.
Varying degrees of Socio-political tension affect the liveability of Hong Kong and Latin America
Since the last Location Rankings report, the Socio-political tensions and Public transport scoring in Hong Kong (112th) has improved, seeing it rise four places in the ranking. While there remains unrest since the new national security law was passed in 2020, crime rates are down, transport restrictions have been eased and protests have calmed, which has reduced the tangible threat level to assignees. However, it has still not returned to its 2018 ranking of 107th.
Argentina experienced a particularly extensive lockdown which has affected the country’s Social-political tensions score this year, causing Buenos Aires to drop by 10 places to 143rd.
Top 20 most liveable locations for European expatriates
Local social care charity Cornerstone is calling on the local community to get behind its newest initiative to celebrate its 40th birthday.
Cornerstone supports over 3,000 people with disabilities and other long-term health conditions across Scotland including across Fife, Edinburgh, Lothians & the Borders. The charity provides care and support services to 236 people with disabilities locally.
During the last 40 years Cornerstone has been a pioneer; changing the face of the care sector through adopting and promoting a person-centred approach whilst also championing the belief that everyone should be given the opportunity to play an active part in their own community.
The charity was founded in February of 1980 but due to COVID-19 hasn’t been able to celebrate its birthday with the people that it supports, due to lockdown measures. As a result, the charity is asking members of the local community to join them in the last month of their fortieth year to take part in their ‘40 Miles for 40 years of Care’ fundraiser.
Participants are challenged to run, walk, cycle or even space hop 40 miles in their local area during the month of February and raise £100 each for Cornerstone.
As a social care charity Cornerstone has been significantly impacted by the pandemic. Sadly, a number of services have had to close and there is increased pressure being felt by carers and family members across the country.
The prospect of further austerity measures presents real, quality of life challenges to the people we support, coupled with a linked increase in feelings of loneliness and isolation. Support from the local community would help keep the people the charity supports connected to the people, hobbies and interests that they care about during lockdown, and beyond.
Louise Baxter, founding trustee and wife of Cornerstone’s late Founder Nick Baxter said: “Every year, since 1980, has been a milestone in Cornerstone’s journey, taking the charity from nothing to supporting 3,000 people with disabilities across Scotland.
“Your challenge whether it’s walking, cycling or running helps to ensure Cornerstone will be there for the next 40 years. Every single pound that you raise will be expressed in Cornerstone’s work to promote human dignity, lust for life, enjoyment and a better quality of life for people with disabilities and their families.”
Could you help Cornerstone be there for people with disabilities in Fife, Edinburgh, Lothians & the Borders by taking part in their #40for40 Challenge?
Participants will be given online support from the Cornerstone fundraising team including a social media template where they can share posts and graphics as well as a Birthday Wish with the Cornerstone team, and the people that they support.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS)is set to be honoured by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan, at a digital awards celebration next month.
SFRShas been shortlisted for the Recruiter of the Year at the Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards 2020.
The prestigious Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards are back for their eighth year and will recognise the outstanding achievements of the volunteers, fundraisers, clinical supporters and donors who help the pioneering blood cancer charity save lives.
The awards ceremony is usually held at the Tower of London, but with mass gatherings of this nature currently unable to take place there will be a digital celebration instead, where celebrities and other specially invited supporters will announce the winners of each category in specially pre-recorded films.
The SFRS formed the groundbreaking partnership with the blood cancer charity 12 years ago.
Since then, volunteers have worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the desperate need for more stem cell donors.
As a result, over 18000 new potential stem cell donors have been recruited on the Anthony Nolan register.
The partnership has seen 76 people recruited by the scheme donate stem cells and give seriously ill patients a second chance at life.
Now mainly focusing on Secondary School recruitment, volunteers from the service have educated over 38,500 school children aged between 16 and 18.
Andy Watt, Chair of the SFRS Partnership said: “We are absolutely delighted to be shortlisted as a finalist at this year’s Anthony Nolan Supporter Awards. Even during lockdown, people recruited by the partnership have donated their stem cells and given desperately ill patients a second chance.
“This only happens because of the contribution of our incredible volunteers and this nomination is entirely about them. They give so freely of their time and I hope they reflect with great pride on the contribution that they make to saving and improving lives”
Henny Braund, Chief Executive of Anthony Nolan, said: “It is remarkable to see how many people support our work to find a match for those in need of a stem cell transplant. Without them, none of our life-saving work would be possible.
“It’s impossible to overstate the significance of the work done by our partners in SFRS. The passion and determination of the volunteers to educate Scottish schoolchild on the lifesaving subject of stem cell donation, is nothing short of inspirational. The fact that 76 lives have potentially been saved, is a result that speaks for itself.”
Anthony Nolan is the charity that finds matching stem cell donors for people with blood cancer and blood disorders and gives them a second chance at life. It also carries out ground-breaking research to save more lives and provide information and support to patients after a stem cell transplant, through its clinical nurse specialists and psychologists, who help guide patients through their recovery.
