Morrisons meal deal makes weekends special

  • The Best Dine in for Two Meal Deal includes a main, side, dessert and drink for just £12
  • One of the best value meal deals on the market
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This month, Morrisons is helping customers upgrade their weekend dinners with its The Best Dine in for Two deal. The meal deal includes a choice of main, side, dessert and drink for just £12; one of the best value on the market.

While we’re still unable to eat out at restaurants, the meal deal features some fantastic options that will give shoppers something extra to smile about. From mains like The Best Shorthorn Steak Pie or The Best Vegan Moussaka, to sides including The Best Maris Piper Chunky Chips and The Best Carrot & Kale Medley

And It doesn’t end there. Finish off with a tempting pudding such as The Best Belgian Chocolate Brownie Puddings or The Best Salted Caramel Curl Profiteroles. The drinks options include a bottle of The Best Prosecco DOC, or even four bottles of Birra Moretti Lager.

Gemma Everson at Morrisons comments: “Now more than ever customers are looking to make the most of weekend dinners at home.

“The Best Dine in for Two meal deal includes some of our top products for a special night in and caters to different dietary options. Most importantly, we’re delighted to be able to offer all these great-tasting options for a fantastic price.”  

Morrisons The Best Dine in for Two meal deal is available to purchase in stores or online: 1 Main, 1 Side, 1 Dessert and 1 Drink for £12.

Full list of options below:

MAINS (Choose 1)
Shorthorn Steak Pie£5.00
Vegan Moussaka£5.00
Salmon en Croute£5.50
British Rump Steak With Peppercorn Butter£7.00
Lasagne Al Forno£5.00
Pesto Stuffed Chicken Wrapped In Proscuitto£5.50
Chicken Breast With Mushroom Butter£5.50
Vegan Falafel Parcel With Harissa Veg Topping£5.50
Mediterranean Cod Fillet With Pesto Crumble£5.00
SIDES (Choose 1) 
Maris Piper Chunky Chips£2.30
Petis Pois£2.50
Carrots and Kale Medley & Orange Dressing£2.50
Parmentier Potatoes£2.50
Ciabatta Bread Sticks£2.00
Creamy Garlic Mushrooms£3.00
Minted New Potatoes£2.50
DESSERTS (Choose 1) 
Belgian Chocolate Brownie Puddings (vegan)£2.50
Salted Caramel Profiteroles£3.00
Twin Tartes Au Citron£3.00
Dulce De Leche Cheesecake Wedge£3.00
Creme Brûlée£2.50
DRINKS (Choose 1) 
Birra Moretti Lager Beer£5.00
The Best Prosecco DOC£7.00
Heineken 0.0 Alcohol Free Beer£4.50
Pinot Grigio Rose£7.25
South African Sauvigon Blanc£6.75
Shiraz£7.25
J2O Apple & Raspberry Juice£4.00
J2O Orange & Passion Juice£4.00
J2O Apple & Mango Juice£4.00
Coca-Cola Zero Sugar£4.75
Diet Coke£4.75

Bus incident: youth charged

A 15-year-old youth has been charged in relation to damaging a bus and injuring a bus driver in Craigmillar. The incident happened on Tuesday (2nd March) on Niddrie Mains Road after an item was thrown at a moving bus.

Chief Inspector Murray Tait of Leith Police Station said: “Dealing with disorder and antisocial behaviour is a priority for the police in Edinburgh.

“Following our appeal I would like to thank our local community for their assistance with this matter and ask that parents and carers speak to their children and young people about the potential dangers of this kind of behaviour.” 

Bubbles: New support is ‘great news for stressed parents’

Campaigner Rebecca Bell is welcoming the news that the First Minister has told parliament that parents with a baby under the age of one can have assistance with childcare, using a new exemption for indoor visiting.

Rebecca Bell, the mental health spokesperson for the Scottish Liberal Democrats, had launched a petition to allow for ‘bubbles’ for those with newborns, like they have in place in England and Wales.

She was prompted to do so after speaking to her friends with children in Leith, and also during phone canvassing in recent months, she and other volunteers kept hearing how much parents were struggling.

Speaking after the announcement at Parliament, Rebecca said: “We’ve been campaigning for this since last year, so I’m delighted to hear that finally parents with a baby can get some much needed support in their homes.

“This is so vitally important for the mental health and wellbeing of new families, but also for the development of these babies to interact with other people. Most of these children were born during lockdown.

“However, I will continue to stay in touch with those I’ve spoken to, to see if this restriction edit goes far enough. My petition called for a full baby bubble – like families in England have enjoyed since the start of December, and since last month in Wales.

“What the Scottish Government are introducing is not quite the same. As we ease restrictions there may still be a case for allowing bubbles, such as the one we (rightly) offer here to single parents. I believe a bubble is a more stable arrangement for planning childcare in the next few months, so I will be monitoring the success of this policy closely.

“Now we have eclipsed a year into this pandemic, it’s easy to see why fatigue has set in and mental health has been put under strain. Anyone with a newborn is sleep deprived, and around 1 in 10 new mothers experience post-natal depression, and this condition can also affects fathers too, of course.

“Any parent knows that you need lots of energy for it, and just having someone able to come into your house to hold your baby so you can eat some food, or shower can make a huge difference to your wellbeing. That’s why so many I’ve spoken to are really struggling to juggle parenthood and working from home.

“I’m so glad we finally got some movement from the Government on this, I just wish they’d done so sooner.”

Full steam ahead! £4.75 million for Granton Station transformation

The Edwardian B-listed former Granton Station, set in the heart of the city’s planned new sustainable Granton Waterfront district, is to be restored by the Council at a cost of up to £4.75m.

The council’s Finance and Resources Committee yesterday appointed Kier Construction Ltd to carry out the work

The project will be part-funded through Scottish Government regeneration capital grant funding and town centre funding.  The latter was previously agreed by the Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Committee in June 2019 and by Council in November 2020.

Work will commence to bring the historic former Granton Station building back into use by early 2022 as a high-quality creative workspace and the derelict land in front of the building will once again be used as a public square for community events and recreation to be enjoyed by residents and visitors to the area.

The station site is part of Granton Waterfront, a key sustainable £1.3bn regeneration project for Scotland, which will make a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s target to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.  

Work has already begun to provide around 450 homes for sale and affordable rent at Western Villages and at the end of last year construction firm Hart Builders was also appointed to begin work to design around 150 brand new affordable homes at the former Silverlea care home site in the area.

Cllr Rob Munn, Convener of the Finance and Resources Committee, said: “Granton Station is an important link to the rich industrial heritage of the area, and I look forward to seeing it back in use once again.

“As it did in Edwardian times, the building will serve the local community but now as a vibrant and modern business hub with open public space outside for everyone to enjoy.

“The project will provide jobs while being constructed and long after completion, as a new enterprise hub generating local employment opportunities for the area and our citizens throughout Edinburgh.”

Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Regenerating Granton Waterfront is no longer just a vision. Spades will soon go in the ground to turn this historic building into a gateway for one of Scotland’s newest sustainable districts for people to enjoy for decades to come.

“With work progressing well on two affordable housing sites and plans underway to illuminate the former gas holder in the area with Edinburgh College, we’re making great progress to build a sustainable new district where people will be proud to live, work and visit.

“And we’re speaking to the local community to make sure the new district enhances and blends well into what is already a well-established area surrounding the site.”

Money Map: Help Yourself

The Money Map tool offers free, instant support and tips for those in Edinburgh feeling the financial impact of the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about unprecedented changes to everyday life and for many, it has impacted both personal and household finances.

Whether you’ve suffered a job loss, are self-employed, on furlough or are facing reduced hours or income, it’s a particularly challenging and uncertain time.

To help people face these challenges, Citizens Advice Scotland (CAS), supported by the Scottish Government, has created the Money Map tool.

The free, anonymous and easy to use online tool is a one-stop shop of financial support options. It brings together the many ways that people can maximise their money from benefits and grants to budgeting and tips on reducing bills such as council tax. It provides any related eligibility information and signposts people to websites where they can get more information or apply.

One of the main functions of the tool is to help minimise the stress of trying to find support through search engine browsing by bringing all the information and support together in one place. It includes a customised list function so users can save the support options that are of most use to them so that they can make sure they’re maximising their money as much as possible.

The Money Map tool contains helpful guidance for everyone, no matter their financial situation.

Myles Fitt, Head of Financial Health at Citizens Advice Scotland, runs through just some of the ways the Money Map tool can help you maximise your money at this time:

·       Make sure you’re not overpaying on bills – A simple way to reduce your monthly outgoings can be by performing a simple price comparison on your bills, such as energy payments. The Money Map tool signposts users to websites that will help you discover what you can save by switching providers.

·       Set a budget – This can be on a monthly, weekly or even fortnightly basis to suit your needs. A budget can help you get a true picture of your money and plan for the future. Money Map can point you to helpful resources for setting a budget, which can help you work out what you need and where possible savings could be made.

·       Check you’re using the correct tax code – Make sure you check your current tax code to ensure you’re not paying too much in relation to your current financial situation. For example, if you are on a lower income, you are entitled to a different tax code and required to pay less tax. Money Map highlights how you can check your tax code and any entitlement to tax reliefs.

·       Gain access to all the grants you’re entitled to – Grants enable families, students and individuals to boost their income or reduce the cost of everyday payments such as fuel payments or transport costs. Money Map points you in the right direction to access these.

·       Check to see what Council Tax you should pay – By checking if you’re exempt from council tax or eligible to pay less, you can save money on paying this bill. The Money Map tool will point you in the direction of where you can check your eligibility. Last year, support from the CAB service saved clients an average of £380 in council tax payments.

·       Ensure you receive benefits you’re entitled to – The Money Map tool will guide people to the appropriate online benefit checkers to make sure users are getting all the support they’re entitled to which can help meet specific needs like housing, childcare, disability and illness payments.

·       Make the most of the Money Map tool – It’s there to help you. By using the bespoke list function, users can save the support options that are of most use to them so they can ensure they maximise their money as much as possible.

Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: “COVID-19 has impacted many people’s incomes and we know financial uncertainty is a source of worry for many people.

“This Money Map Tool provides information and support, helping people identify which benefits and grant support they may be entitled to. The Scottish Government is investing £330,000 to support the promotion of this online support service which signposts people to specific sites that can help them strengthen their financial position.

“The free, easy to use and anonymous website brings all information into one place, and can help people boost their income from sources such as grants or saving tips. I would encourage anyone concerned about money matters to use this service.”

Derek Mitchell, Chief Executive at Citizens Advice Scotland, said: “The Citizens Advice network in Scotland has been helping people for over 80 years and we want to ensure people get the help they need in a way that suits them.

“That’s why we developed the Money Map tool. We know how frustrating it can be searching endlessly online for support that is suited for you, our tool rounds up all the most helpful online sources and signposts people to where they can access and activate relevant help.

“The tool is open for absolutely anyone who is looking to boost their income or cut their cost of living. Whether that’s through access to grants and benefits or through lower bills, our Money Map can point people in the right direction.”

No matter what your circumstance is in 2021, if you are looking to improve your financial situation, think Money Map. Visit moneymap.scot

Free, independent advice is also available locally at Granton Information Centre, who have continued to operate throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Contact Granton Information Centre by telephone on 0131 551 2459 or 552 0458, or email info@gic.org.uk

Kiltwalk gives family the chance to say thanks to local charity who helped them

Held In Our Heart’s participation in 2021’s Kiltwalk event signals a step towards normality for the people of Scotland. The Kiltwalk fundraising platform has been designed to turbocharge fundraising, and is often used by supporters of charities to support their cause, or to thank them for their services that they themselves have used.

Whilst this year’s Kiltwalk event is virtual in nature, the role in which this Kiltwalk plays in constructing community bonds, spirit, and the development of connections, compassion, and friendship is critical to the operations of Held In Our Heart, and for the bereaved families who use its services.

One such example of this, is the story of Ian and Brenda who got involved with Held In Our Hearts in 2019 after tragically losing their baby boy Fraser at one month old from sepsis.

They said: “Fraser was born 11th August 2019 just before 32 weeks weighing 3lb 1oz. He spent 4 weeks in the Neonatal Unit and came on so amazingly that we welcomed him home on 4th September.

“A few days later he didn’t seem right…I phoned NHS 24 and was given an appointment to take him to outpatients. After a couple of hours we were given the devastating news that Fraser had sepsis and was unlikely to make it through.

“We spent the next few days spending time with Fraser, family and friends visiting him and making memories with help from the Neonatal unit and CHAS.

“On 11th September doctors did a brain scan and told us it was time to take away the machines, our Fraser was gone. We held him as he peacefully slipped away.

“When we were put in touch with Held in our Hearts they were amazing. So welcoming and understanding. As a family we want to do something to give back for all the support they have given us even despite the restrictions that lockdown imposed and that is why this year we are doing the Kiltwalk in Fraser’s name to help raise funds so they can continue to provide support for all bereaved families.”

Held In Our Heart fundraising manager, Tracy Watt, said: “The Virtual Kiltwalk is a chance for us as a community to engage and connect with others, and although we are not able to walk together physically we can focus on 23-25th April in the knowledge that we are not alone.

“The Kiltwalk is an event that is for all ages and abilities and not just for walking, you can swim or cycle too.

“What sets this weekend apart from all other kilwalk events is that you can choose your own challenge and make it a weekend of being together in spirit and all sharing the same goal in support of our bereaved families.”

Held In Our Hearts are continuing efforts to provide baby loss counselling and support to families, and have seen a successful adaptation to the shifted landscape of support services directly linked to the current pandemic and various restrictions, and regulations.

The 2021 Kiltwalk event holds a particularly special place in the hearts and minds of everyone at the charity. The Kiltwalk event is a clear way to connect further with the bereaved families who use, and have used, Held In Our Hearts services – much in the same way the Kiltwalk event provides these families with the ability to express their gratitude to the kindness and compassion given to them in their journey of grief.

CSEthe Signs: Raising awareness of online danger

A campaign has been launched to help children and young people recognise the signs of online harms including child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSE).

The CSEthe Signs initiative aims to raise awareness among those aged 11 to 17 and their parents and carers of what constitutes CSE, and where they can go for advice and support if they have concerns. 

It is part of a coordinated response from the Scottish Government, Police Scotland and Child Protection Committees Scotland, who will each run campaigns this month to help keep young people safe online.

Police Scotland recently announced that reports of online sexual abuse and exploitation increased by 13.4% from April to December 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.

Children’s Minister Maree Todd said: “We are determined to tackle child sexual exploitation in all its forms and it is very worrying to see a rise in reports of this abhorrent type of abuse online.

“Many children and young people have been spending more time online as a result of the pandemic, so now more than ever it is vital that they and their parents and carers know how to stay safe. The CSEthe Signs campaign provides valuable information on what to look out for and where to get advice and support if there are concerns about CSE.

“The campaign adds to the extensive range of work the Scottish Government and partners have been doing to prevent CSE, including delivery of our National CSE Action Plan.”

Assistant Chief Constable Judi Heaton, lead for Public Protection and Major Crime, Police Scotland, said: “The internet brings huge benefits and opportunities but it also opens the door for abuse and online predators.

“Children and young people should be able to access the virtual world, platforms and apps, chat with their friends and explore without the threat of abuse and exploitation. By working together we want to empower children and young people to protect themselves online, to identify when something is not right and to report it either to their parents, their teachers or to the police.”

Child Protection Committees Scotland chair Alan Small said: “Parents and carers play a vital role in protecting their children from the predatory behaviour of online abusers.

“It’s important that support and guidance is provided to help parents feel confident about asking what their children are looking at online and who they are talking to. Campaigns like CSEthe Signs help parents and carers understand what they can do to keep all of our children and young people safe from online harm.” 

The CSEthe Signs campaign will run during March through social media channels including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.

Cure frontman Robert Smith selling special edition artwork to support Heart Research UK

Robert Smith, of alternative rock band The Cure, is selling off prints of his original artwork to raise money for Heart Research UK.

Robert became a patron of the charity in 2020, following his involvement with the charity’s anonymous heART project over the past 2 years. The project, now in its 4th successful year, sees pieces of art from celebrities and artists auctioned on eBay. The twist? Though a full list of contributors is available, buyers don’t know who produced which piece until they receive it.

The artwork for sale is a piece Robert produced for the 2020 anonymous heART project and is titled ‘I WILL KISS YOU FOREVER…’

It features lyrics from The Cure hit ‘The same deep water as you’ and the original sold for over £5,000 in the initial auction. 

In response to a large number of requests from fans to buy prints of his work, Heart Research UK are selling high quality A4 and A3 prints of the artwork, for £25 and £50 respectively. The prints will be on sale from the1-14th March 2021, and will then be printed to order.

All of the money raised will support Heart Research UK’s life-saving work, funding pioneering research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.

Robert Smith said: “More than a quarter of all deaths in the UK are caused by heart and circulatory disease – I have very sadly seen too many friends and family fall victim over the years.

“Continuing support for research into the understanding and treatment of coronary heart disease is absolutely vital – for everyone.

“Before the anonymous heART project, I hadn’t picked up paint with purpose for almost 30 years. My favourite creative medium has always been sound, but making these has inspired me to start drawing again.

“I’m so thrilled to be able to support a charity that means a lot to me, and also share a little bit of myself with The Cure’s passionate and generous fanbase.”

The prints are being sold on eBay until the 14th March 2021. A4 prints cost £25, and A3 prints cost £50.

You can purchase your print here: https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/heartresearchuk_shop