Day: April 16, 2021

Scottish Cup ties rescheduled

The Scottish Cup continues apace this weekend, as the Fourth Round kicks off with a bumper Friday night feast, with three ties this evening.

The 16 competing clubs have the carrot of knowing who their potential opponents would be in the Fifth Round if they emerge victorious, with the Fifth Round ties having already been drawn due to the competition’s condensed schedule this season.

St. Mirren and Inverness get the weekend underway at 6pm this evening, in a match where the home side will go in as favourites, being unbeaten in their last four matches against Inverness.

Inverness will be hoping to upset the odds however, and as a side on form will be confident in their ability to do so, having defeated their Highland rivals Ross County in the last round. The tie’s winners have the prospect of a trip to Kilmarnock or Montrose ahead of them.

Motherwell host Greenock Morton at 7pm, with the victors set to travel to either Stranraer or Queen of the South in the subsequent round.

Motherwell will be high on confidence having thumped Formartine United 5-0 in the previous round and will be aware that the competitive record is on their side: Motherwell are unbeaten in their last 19 matches against Greenock Morton at Fir Park in all competitions (W16 D3), while Morton’s last win in Motherwell came in August 1970.

Greenock Morton needed extra time to see off East Fife in the last round and have not beaten top flight opposition in the Scottish Cup since January 2008, when they beat Gretna 3-0 at Palmerston.

Friday’s televised match sees Dundee United travel to Forfar Athletic, live on BBC Scotland at 7.45pm. This will be the first competitive meeting of Forfar Athletic and Dundee United since March 1987, when United beat the Loons 2-0 at Station Park in a Scottish Cup quarter-final, following a 2-2 draw at Tannadice.

History is against Forfar Athletic, who have only reached the Scottish Cup quarter-final five times in their history, most recently in 2001/02, while they have only ever recorded one victory over top flight opposition in the Scottish Cup – a 2-0 victory over Falkirk in 1910/11.

The action continues on Saturday, first with Kilmarnock hosting Montrose at 11.45am in the first competitive meeting of the two clubs since April 1992, when Killie won 1-0 at Rugby Park in the old Division One.

Kilmarnock are aiming to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-final for just the fifth time since they won the competition back in 1997, while Montrose are striving to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-final for the first time since 1975/76, and for just the fifth time ever.

St. Johnstone host Clyde at 5.30pm in what will be just the third time the two sides have ever met in the Scottish Cup and their first meeting since back in 1938/39, when Clyde won 2-0 at Shawfield Park.

St Johnstone have not lost a Scottish Cup tie to a team outside the top two tiers since January 2006, when they were beaten 1-0 by Gretna. Clyde are aiming to reach the Scottish Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2004/05, the only time in the last 32 years that they have made the last eight.

Saturday’s televised match also kicks off at 5.30pm, with Aberdeen v Livingston live on Premier Sports.

Although Livingston hold the advantage in Scottish Cup ties, with three victories to one, Aberdeen are unbeaten in their last 16 Scottish Cup matches at Pittodrie, their last defeat coming against Raith Rovers in February 2010.

Livingston are aiming to reach the quarter-final of the Scottish Cup for the first time since 2004/05, with a home tie against Forfar Athletic or Dundee United awaiting them should they be triumphant.

The first of two televised matches on Sunday kicks off at 12.15pm, with Stranraer hosting Hibs live on BBC One. History is very much on the side of Hibs, with Stranraer’s last Scottish Cup win over top flight opposition coming back in February 1973, when they defeated St Johnstone 2-1 at Muirton Park.

This is just the second time Stranraer and Hibernian have been drawn together in the Scottish Cup – the previous tie in 2001/02 saw Hibs win 4-0 at Easter Road after a 0-0 draw at Stair Park. It will be the tenth competitive meeting of the two sides in total, with the Blues having won just one of the previous nine, a 2-1 win at Easter Road in Division 1 in August 1998.

The action concludes at 3pm on Sunday with the eagerly-anticipated Rangers v Celtic derby bringing the weekend to a close, live on Premier Sports.

This will be the first Scottish Cup meeting of the old rivals at Ibrox since January 2011, when the sides drew 2-2 before Celtic won the replay 1-0 at Celtic Park.

Celtic have won five of their last six Scottish Cup ties against Rangers – the Light Blues’ only victory in this period came in a penalty shoot-out in the 2015/16 semi-final.

With the home side having already wrapped up their first league title in a decade, Rangers now set their sights on completing a league and Scottish Cup double for the first time since 2008/09. Celtic, however, will be determined to end the season with silverware and defend the trophy they have won for the past four consecutive seasons.

Scottish Cup Fourth Round Fixtures:

Friday, 16 April

St. Mirren v Inverness Caledonian Thistle; kick-off 6pm

Motherwell v Greenock Morton; kick-off 7pm

Forfar Athletic v Dundee United; kick-off 7.45pm (live on BBC Scotland)

Saturday, 17 April

Kilmarnock v Montrose; kick-off 11.45am

St. Johnstone v Clyde; kick-off 5.30pm

Aberdeen v Livingston; kick-off 5.30pm (live on Premier Sports)

Sunday, 18 April

Stranraer v Hibernian; kick-off 12.15pm (live on BBC One)

Rangers v Celtic; kick-off 3pm (live on Premier Sports).

Morrisons launches new BBQ box to get you fired up for summer

– The new BBQ Box launches to coincide with alfresco meet-ups –

– The limited edition box includes everything you need for a BBQ and can be ordered for next-day delivery –

With garden get-togethers back on the cards this week and as the weather starts to warm up, Morrisons has launched a new bumper BBQ Food Box to wow your guests and cook up a storm for meat eaters and veggies alike.

The box includes plenty to throw on the grill; with classic British Beef Quarter Pounders and The Best Pork Sausages and Chicken Drumsticks, or Belly Pork Slices and Morrisons Cypriot Halloumi for something a little different.

There’s no need to pick up extras, as the box also features staples such as soft white rolls and cheese singles as well as condiments – Heinz Thai Sweet Chilli Sauce and Flava-It Barbecue Marinade – to set tastebuds alight.

Sides and snacks are also covered, including Morrisons The Best Gruyere & Poppy Twists, Doritos Tangy Cheese Sharing Tortilla Chips and Morrisons Sour Cream Dip for guests to tuck into when they arrive. There are also plenty of fresh ingredients to mix up a tasty side salad.

Finally, those with a sweet tooth can dive into Morrisons Flapjack Mini Bites and Morrisons Market Street Brownie Mini Bites.

Mollie Clarke, Food Box Specialist at Morrisons said: “The sun is finally starting to come out, just in time for friends and family gatherings in the back garden. Our new BBQ Food Box takes away the stress of hosting, featuring everything our customers need to grill up a delicious spread for kids, adults, meat lovers and veggies.” 

Morrisons limited-edition BBQ Food Box costs £40 including next day delivery and is available now on the Morrisons food boxes website – visit:

https://www.morrisons.com/food-boxes/box/BBQ-Box

 For more information on Morrisons Food Boxes range visit 

www.morrisons.com/food-boxes

“We’ve missed you!”

BHF Scotland ready to welcome customers back to its shops

British Heart Foundation (BHF) Scotland is preparing to welcome customers back to its stores across the country, as lockdown restrictions continue to ease.

The nation’s heart charity will be reopening its high street shops and will be able to accept donations in store again next Monday 26th April. The BHF’s home stores reopened in Scotland earlier this month. BHF shops in England and Wales reopened last week and saw their busiest day ever, recording £1million in sales in a single day.

James Jopling, Head of BHF Scotland, said: “It goes without saying how excited we are to get all our shops back up and running in Scotland and we cannot wait to see our loyal customers, staff and volunteers once again. The coronavirus crisis has had a seismic impact on the income of the BHF and the last 12 months have been the hardest in our 60-year history.

“Our shops play a huge role in funding vital research into heart and circulatory diseases and run purely on the support of the public, which is why we never take for granted a camera, book or sofa that’s donated to us. Every item donated and sold can help us to support the 700,000 people living with heart and circulatory diseases across Scotland and aid our recovery from the devastating impact of the pandemic.”

As well as raising funds for life saving research, the BHF’s network of shops across the country also provide a wider benefit to society. Last year alone, BHF shops and stores saved 71,000 tonnes of items from ending up in landfill. That includes around 200,000 sofas, as well as other furniture, electrical items, books, toys and 14,000 tonnes of clothing.

Customers who’ve taken time during lockdown to declutter are being urged to donate preloved items, and there are plenty of bargains and finds for those looking for a Spring makeover too.

Jane Flannery, Senior Regional Director at the BHF, said: “Our teams have been working tirelessly to ensure everything is ready for reopening. Our number one priority will be ensuring the safety of everyone who shops, works and volunteers with us and we have made it easier for people to donate either in store, by post or through our free collection service.

“We’re so fortunate to have such loyal supporters across Scotland and many of them have already been contacting our shops telling us how much they are looking forward to coming back in or donating items to us. We’ve really missed them too.”

In line with Scottish Government guidelines and to ensure the safety of all those accessing the BHF’s shops, a number of changes have been made in the last year, including perspex screens at till points, hand sanitiser points throughout shops, limiting the number of people in each shop at any one time, enhanced cleaning schedules, social distancing on the shop floor and people will be asked to wear masks unless exempt. 

Customers will also be encouraged to pay by card or contactless payment where possible.    

For those not ready to hit the high street, smaller items such as branded clothing, jewellery, vinyl records and cameras, can be donated using the BHF’s freepost donation service.

Customers will larger items to donate can arrange a Covid-secure home collection online or via their local store and have their items picked up free of charge. Goods such as sofas, beds, bookcases, table and chairs, homewares, TVs and other electricals in working order would be welcomed.

To find your local BHF shop and full details on how you can help support us, visit www.bhf.org.uk

‘Berry’ good news as first Scottish strawberries of the season hit Aldi shelves

Customers won’t face any fruitless trips to Aldi from this weekend as punnets of the first Scottish strawberries hit stores across Scotland today. Aldi is the first retailer to offer punnets of delicious Scottish strawberries to their customers this year. 

The first crop of Scottish strawberries to arrive on Aldi’s shelves have been grown by Tim Stockwell at his farm in Fife for Angus Soft Fruits. Berry specialists Angus Soft Fruits supply Aldi stores across Scotland with fresh berries from a select group of 18 growers based across Tayside and Fife, the heart of the traditional Scottish berry growing region.   

Aldi, who currently stock over 450 products from 90 Scottish suppliers, aims to increase the number of Scottish products available in its stores to over 500 in the next two years and has been working with Angus Soft Fruits to ensure shelves are fully stocked with their delicious berries for the warmer months ahead.  

Tim Stockwell, owner of Barnsmuir Farm in Fife, commented: “I am really glad that we are able to supply Aldi with the first Scottish strawberries again this year.

“The last 12 months certainly haven’t been without their challenges, but it’s great to see that Aldi remains committed to supporting local, quality produce.” 

Graham Nicolson, Group Buyer Director, Aldi Scotland, said: “We’re very pleased to be the first supermarket to offer the first Scottish strawberries of the season once again.

“The Scottish strawberry season is always eagerly anticipated by our customers, and we hope that this first crop of strawberries, grown locally in Fife, give them a sweet taste of summer in the months to come.” 

Aldi’s stores in Scotland will be stocking the first pick Scottish strawberries from today (Friday 16 April), with availability increasing throughout spring.

You can find your local Aldi here. 

Barratt Homes leads affordable housing drive across Edinburgh

Barratt Homes East Scotland is leading the drive to bring much-needed modern and affordable homes to popular areas of Edinburgh.

The homebuilder has announced a multimillion-pound investment that will see almost 100 new homes – a mix of social housing and mid-market rent – created across three developments.

Alison Condie, Managing Director of Barratt Homes East Scotland said: “We’re committed to using our position as one of the country’s leading housebuilders to work in partnership with housing associations to develop well-integrated and modern low cost homes all across Edinburgh’s diverse neighbourhoods.

“High quality affordable housing has a huge role to play in addressing some of the most important societal challenges of our time – and we’re proud to help communities thrive by creating homes that meet their needs.”

In south Edinburgh, this includes 24 homes at Lime Grove in Burdiehouse and 29 homes at Heritage Grange – bringing a total of 161 affordable homes to the site once the development is completed. Both projects, which are due to complete by spring 2023, are being delivered in partnership with Castle Rock Edinvar – one of the country’s largest housing associations.

Both developments will provide high quality housing for families in particular, with a new primary school near Heritage Grange, Frogston Primary School, due to open in 2021.

Barratt Homes East

In the vibrant district of Leith, a £6m project will commence to create 43 new affordable homes at Barratt Homes’ Merchant Quay development, built in partnership with the Port of Leith Housing Association.

The homes, which aim to welcome residents by summer 2023, will be the first delivered at the Baltic Street site in recognition of the urgent need for affordable housing.

Barratt Developments – which includes both Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes – has to date delivered over 1,000 homes across Edinburgh through the Affordable Housing Policy, making the group one of the biggest contributors to affordable housing land supply in the city in the last 15 years.

This feeds in to the wider Scottish Government goal of providing 50,000 new affordable homes – with work safely kickstarting with urgency following delays caused by national lockdowns. 

For more information about Barratt Homes’ properties and locations, visit 

www.barratthomes.co.uk.

Fundraisers Walk to the disco beat as they unite to raise £1 million!

The iconic MoonWalk Scotland is going virtual on 12 June 2021!

Whilst walkers may not be uniting in Holyrood Park and swathing Edinburgh in pink for this year’s MoonWalk, they will be taking its kaleidoscope of colours and funky disco theme far and wide, as people of all ages and abilities step out into towns and villages across Scotland and the UK.

With four different Power Walking distances – 6.55 miles/ 13.1 miles/ 26.2 miles/ 52.4 miles – there really is something for everyone, from the absolute novice to the ardent walker, all Walking towards raising £1 million for cancer.

Nina Barough CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Walk the Walk, organisers of the MoonWalk said: “The MoonWalk Scotland is such an iconic highlight of Walk the Walk’s year, creating an incredible buzz across Edinburgh and filling the streets of the city with colour and fun.

“For the health and safety of our supporters and fundraisers, we’re unable to meet at Holyrood Park this year, but Covid-19 cannot stop cancer, and it’s not stopping us. I’m just so excited that we are gathering such wonderful support and that supporters are uniting in their own areas, for our first daytime Virtual MoonWalk Scotland.

“We are thrilled that fundraisers can now walk together in small groups, creating the wonderful camaraderie that brings, and to help raise £1 million of much needed funds.

“Due to the devastating impact that Covid-19 has had on those living with cancer, this will allow us to continue providing vital support where it is needed most, to frontline cancer services.

“Thanks to walkers putting one foot in front of the other, we’ll be able to make more grants to charities like Cancer Support Scotland, who received £20,000 from Walk the Walk to fund their vital online support services.

“We know that many people doing a little bit can be a powerful force …so let’s generate that power across Scotland and the UK in true Walk the Walk spirit!”

So look out for MoonWalkers on June 12th, who will be wearing the unique Walk the Walk ‘Bra T-shirts’, and creating an inspirational movement across the country!

Walkers are being encouraged to decorate their disco-themed decorated bras, and attach them to their bum bags as a sign of unity and support as they take on their challenges.

Walking has often been described as almost the perfect form of exercise. It can build overall fitness at any age, help maintain mental and physical wellbeing, including weight loss, as well as being a great aid to prevention against disease.

With gyms and leisure centres forced to close during the pandemic, many people have started walking for the first time, and realising not only how much they enjoy it, but the many benefits that it holds. Walking is one of the most flexible forms of exercise around – just step out of your front door and go! 

Whilst The MoonWalk is traditionally held overnight, as Walk the Walk is not there to look after everyone, this year there will be various start times during the day, to be confirmed closer to the date.

All walkers and supporters should observe government social distancing guidelines during their own Virtual MoonWalk Scotland.

To sign up for The Virtual MoonWalk Scotland or to make a donation go to: 

walkthewalk.org

Dentists ready to work with next Scottish Government to rebuild services

The British Dental Association has indicated it is ready to work with a future SNP government on wide-ranging pledges made in the party’s manifesto, which could fundamentally change the way dentistry is delivered in Scotland.  
 
The party has pledged to abolish patient charges over the course of the next parliament, and to work with the BDA to “shape a reformed funding arrangement for NHS dentists so that they are supported for the future”.

Approximately 20% of the NHS dental budget – some £74 million in 2018/19 – is drawn from charges. The BDA believes charges represent a tangible barrier to care for those on modest incomes but will be seeking assurances that any move will not lead to a reduction in overall funding for the service. 
 
The Scottish Budget 2021- 22 provided £431 million for general dental services, a rise of just 0.6% from the year before which represents a real-terms cut at a time the service faces an unprecedented backlog. The dental budget in Scotland has been cut in real terms in three out of the last four years. 
 
The dentist’s union has warned of widening inequality following the COVID pandemic, with high street services operating at a fraction of their former capacity, with an estimated 2,500 children now facing up to year-long waits for dental extractions in hospitals.  

Public Health Scotland data has shown a dramatic reduction in NHS dentistry due to COVID, which is hitting those in most deprived communities the hardest. Between April and November 2020, the number of courses of treatment delivered was 83% lower than during the same period in 2019. Practices are operating at significantly reduced capacity to meet infection control protocols, and the BDA is seeking capital investment in areas such as ventilation that can help restore patient volumes.

David McColl, chair of the British Dental Association’s Scottish Dental Practice Committee, said: “Dentistry in Scotland risks becoming a casualty of this pandemic. We have called for wholesale change to the way care is delivered, and we will work with the next Scottish Government to achieve that.  
 
“These are big plans to bring down barriers to care and improve access, but they must go hand in hand with needed investment if services millions depend on are going to remain sustainable.

“Practices are now operating at a fraction of their former capacity. Dentists will need real and ongoing support if we’re ever going to meet historic levels of demand.”

Exciting opportunity for young people to be part of a pioneering digital platform

The Rural Youth Project, in partnership with Smart Village Scotland continues to develop the pioneering world-first youth centric Smart Village and are seeking five enthusiastic young people to join their team of Digital Champions.

The voluntary role, which will be active from May to August 2021, will see the five new digital champions join a core team of ten young people who are driving the development of the platform. The new digital champions will receive personal and professional support as well as a contribution of £530 during the placement.

Rural Youth Project Co-Founder and Director, Rebecca Dawes, said the recruitment of five additional digital champions would not be possible without the continued support of the LEADER Programme 2014-2020: The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas and the Local Action Groups from across Scotland. 

“This is a platform made for and by young people. Our current group of Digital Champions are working hard to find, curate and create content that will appeal to young people in rural areas and we are looking forward to expanding this passionate group.

“If you’re passionate and interested about the future of rural communities, and aged between 18 to 28, I would strongly encourage you to apply. Not only will you have the opportunity to meet like minded people, but the skills gained will be held in high regard with future employers.”

Smart Villages, a concept driven by the European Network for Rural Development, are rural digital ‘villages’ that combine physical and digital communities to improve their resilience, building on local strengths and opportunities.

Smart Village Scotland have partnered with the Rural Youth Project, to create the Rural Youth Project Smart Village which will be a super connected community that will function as a space for young people to connect, to build or expand their enterprise and leadership skills and to trade.

Grant Murdoch from Smart Village Scotland, who has been managing and mentoring the Digital Champions, said: “We are at a very exciting stage with the Smart Village platform and this is a great opportunity for five new Digital Champions to join our diverse team from all over Scotland.

“Their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm will help to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to continue to develop and sustain the platform for young people.

“Digital Champions are required to attend an open and informal meeting each fortnight and, working in teams, will get the opportunity to work with a web developer in creating, designing and shaping content of the new digital platform.”

Applications opened on Tuesday (13th April) and close on Friday 23rd April, with the roles to commence early May.

Further details about the role and how to apply can be found here: 

https://rypsv.com/news/opportunity-for-5-new-digital-champions-to-join-our-team

thortful launch new initiative to collect thank you messages to NHS

Send your personal thanks to the NHS and your message could end up on a touring art installation.

The hardworking staff of the NHS care for us all – and we want to show them that we care too. 

Online greetings card company thortful are collecting messages of thanks on their new noticeboard, and your words could be featured in the ‘This is Gratitude’ art installation, touring across the UK to say thank you to the NHS.

Noticeboard of messages  

Undeniably, the pandemic has given us a fresh perspective on the importance of our NHS and its staff. With that in mind, thortful have created a noticeboard of messages that everyone can contribute to.

After raising more than £100,000 for  NHS Charities Together, thortful wanted to continue to thank the NHS. The new noticeboard is a collection of thank you messages from the public. Anyone can leave a message and they can give thanks to friends and family who work within the NHS or medical staff as a whole.

A selection of these messages will then be chosen and incorporated into the “This is Gratitude” art installation which will tour around the country starting in August.

Give a personalised thank you

Collectively as a nation, we have had opportunities to thank the NHS in various ways. But thortful want their noticeboard to be a space where individual people can give a personalised thank you.

Here are some of the messages the noticeboard has already received:

  • “We are so lucky to have the NHS, my best friend works for them and she is so brave/helpful – like every other employee. Thank you so much – you sacrifice so much for us!”
  • “My mother is part of the ‘most vulnerable’ group and by association as is my father. They have been taken care of so incredibly well with no fuss and always with a smile. I couldn’t thank those in the NHS enough for their tireless and often unseen fight over the past year.”
  • “Dear NHS, thank you for working tirelessly on the frontline of the COVID19 pandemic. We were all scared and yet, with face-mask bruises, late nights, hot and sweaty uniforms and distancing yourself from vulnerable loved ones, you’ve managed to pull us through. I love the NHS!”

To view the noticeboard, go to: https://www.thortful.com/NHS-thank-you-noticeboard

Jog for Jugs team sets new target

Jog for Jugs, the viral campaign raising breast cancer awareness and funds for the charity CoppaFeel!, has smashed its cheeky new target of £8,008 within just five days of the campaign going live.

Founder Becky Chapple (28), a regional manager for Amazon, and her fellow ‘Titty Committee’ have now ramped up the target to an ambitious new total of £18,008. 

Since its launch on Saturday, the campaign has spread like wildfire, with over 450 participants now contributing to the JustGiving page and nominating their friends to do the same. As Jog for Jugs’ original target of £1,000 was hit in just two short hours, Becky is confident that the new target can also be reached:

“We couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who has already donated, and we’re beyond excited to see what happens next”, she said. When we originally planned the campaign over a socially-distanced glass or two of wine, £8,008 going towards CoppaFeel! was our wildest dream.

“To reach that number in just five days is beyond anything we expected, and we’re hopeful that as more joggers nominate their friends, we’ll hit our new target. We’ve been thrilled to see so many ‘Check Yourselfies’ – for us, the really important thing is that everyone learns how to check their boobs or pecs for changes, and does so regularly.”

Jog for Jugs launched last Saturday (10th April) with a video starring national treasure Lorraine Kelly and a host of other famous faces including Lee McKenzie, Emma-Louise Connolly and Joanna Vanderham. Since then, the video has been widely shared across social media and has been viewed a massive 110,000 times.  

The idea for the campaign emerged as during lockdown, Becky received the unfortunate news that her mum Susan had been diagnosed with breast cancer. Thankfully, the signs were caught early, and swift treatment has meant that her future looks bright. However, after researching the disease over the course of her mum’s treatment, Becky discovered that 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lives, and that regardless of gender everybody should be checking themselves regularly. 

Becky and her friends devised Jog for Jugs to shine a spotlight on the issue and to help reduce the stigma of talking about boobs.

Participants are encouraged to jog/walk/cycle/swim/SUP 8km, to donate £8 to the dedicated JustGiving page, to nominate 8 pals to do the same and – most importantly – to share a ‘Check Yourselfie’ on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook with the hashtag #JogforJugs, to represent getting into the habit of regularly checking boobs or pecs for concerning changes. 

The campaign is particularly timely due to the recent news that 2 in 5 people have been too scared to visit their doctor due to Covid-19, and CoppaFeel! is deeply concerned that this will result in a flurry of late-stage diagnoses once lockdown restrictions are fully lifted.

To donate to the Jog for Jugs Campaign please visit 

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jogforjugs 

and follow the journey on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.