Police Scotland is appealing for information regarding the whereabouts of Jamie Bain, aged 19, who breached the terms of his home detention curfew after being released from Her Majesty’s Young Offenders Institute in Polmont.
It is believed he has connections in the Edinburgh area as well as the Scottish Borders.
He is described as white, light brown/blonde hair, 5 foot 9 inches tall, with a slim build.
If seen, members of the public should not approach him.
Anyone with any information regarding his whereabouts should contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 2584 of 4 June 2021.
National lifesaving charity warns there could be a steep increase in accidental drownings this summer
A rise in drowning figures has prompted the Royal Life Saving Society UK (RLSS UK) to encourage parents to teach their children how to stay safe and enjoy water safely this summer, as part of its national Drowning Prevention Week campaign, 19-26 June 2021.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, millions of children have missed out on vital swimming, lifesaving skills and water safety education during the pandemic due to pool closures, leaving a dramatic gap in school swimming and water safety education.
Young people from low incomes and ethnic minority communities have been the hardest hit. A staggering 95 per cent of black adults and 80 per cent of black children do not swim, and this gap has widened still further as a result of Covid-19.
Accidental drowning takes an average of 402 UK and Irish citizens each year, and the Royal Life Saving Society UK fears that with lockdown restrictions lifting and staycations on the up, families will flock to inland water locations and beaches this summer, without the right knowledge and skills, putting themselves and others at risk.
Fourteen-year-old Teya Davies tragically died after slipping into Sniggy Pond in Widnes, trying to help her friend who had fallen into the water before her.
Teya’s story is not a ‘one off’- it’s one of many, so RLSS UK has teamed up with Teya’s friends and family to create a powerful video highlighting the importance of water safety, in Teya’s honour.
Teya’s friend, Liv Eren said: “We sadly lost our friend, Teya, at the age of 14. When looking back on Teya’s story, we now know how preventable her death could have been if only she knew how to swim, or to keep herself safe in the water.
“We are pleased to do our bit to prevent others from going through the heartache of losing a friend like we have.”
RLSS UK’s Charity Director Lee Heard, said: “We are surrounded by opportunities to be in or near water. Whatever their age and activity level, everyone should be having fun, creating memories and feeling at ease around the water. The inequality in access to swimming and water safety education, and subsequent lack of potential interaction with the water is a big concern.
“RLSS UK believes that through free, accessible education and training, everyone can enjoy water safely, have fun in the water and develop an essential life skill. We urge as many parents and carers as possible to get involved with the campaign, use our free online resources, and give children the skills to enjoy a lifetime of fun in the water.”
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: “We want every primary school pupil to learn to swim and to have water safety lessons, not just because it can improve their physical health but also because it is an important life skill.
“The Royal Life Saving Society UK’s work in raising awareness about the importance of water safety is very welcome, adding to the work we continue to do with schools to promote water safety and swimming.
“We must do all we can to eliminate the tragedy of children drowning.”
Statistics (based on five-year average totals) show:
• Over 55% of parents surveyed said they would not be confident their child would know what to do if they fell into open water
• 1 in 3 of those surveyed said their swimming abilities limited the activities they could do • Drowning is one of the leading causes of death in children and the risk of drowning increases from the age of 15
• More than 46% never intended to be in water
• 62.4% of accidental drowning happen in inland water
• Over 80% of those who drown accidently, are male
Drowning Prevention Week aims to equip everybody across the UK and Ireland with the skills and knowledge, to make the right decisions about water safety.
The Royal Life Saving Society UK believes that drowning is preventable and that even one drowning is one too many. The Charity has produced a range of free water safety advice, resources and online lessons to help parents, schools, leisure centres and other organisations to teach water safety to children.
New campaign asks for visitors help to protect the places we all love
The National Trust for Scotland is urging visitors to ‘Love this place, leave no trace’ in a new campaign which aims to protect areas of scenic beauty near Edinburgh and encourage visitors and campers to minimise their impact on these places.
Scotland’s national conservation charity launched the campaign in a bid to address some of the serious issues faced at the properties and wild locations it cares for.
Over the past year, when lockdown restrictions have lifted, National Trust for Scotland staff have been delighted to welcome record numbers of visitors to world-renowned areas of natural beauty, including St Abb’s Head on the east coast.
People have been able to explore and discover the treasures on their own doorstep with the national conservation charity, which for 90 years has cared for and protected many of the country’s most loved places, following Government advice on Covid-19 and social distancing.
With international travel still uncertain, Trust staff and volunteers anticipate high-levels of visitor numbers in the months ahead.
The cumulative effect of large numbers of people visiting the countryside can lead to unintended damage and the Trust has addressed this with campaigns highlighting the impact on local wildlife and ecosystems and providing advice on how to visit safely and responsibly.
However, staff have witnessed a rise in anti-social behaviour which is endangering the natural environment, harming local communities, and having a devastating effect on long-term conservation projects.
Fences and trees have been uprooted and used for firewood. Trust teams have been forced to deal with an unprecedented rise in littering and both human and animal waste. Livestock and wildlife have been attacked and ‘worried’ by dogs running loose and irresponsible parking has seriously impact on the landscape and local people.
The charity is now launching a new campaign urging people to ‘Love this place, leave no trace’ and raise vital funds to support repairs and also help people understand how to minimise their impact on these beautiful places.
Ciaran Hatsell, Head Ranger at St Abb’s Head explained: “As the restrictions ease, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in visitors to our coastal nature reserve, resulting in mass amounts of litter being left behind.
“Not only is litter awful for the planet and keeping our spaces green, but it is also very dangerous for the beautiful seabird colonies we have at St Abb’s Head, in addition to many of the wildlife and sea creatures that call St Abb’s Head home.
“It’s not just litter being left behind, but human waste too. Clearing this up was not a task I ever thought I’d add to my job description! An immediate biohazard for other walkers and campers, human waste also pollutes the land and bacteria can leach into the local water table.”
Ciaran added: “In truth, it takes an enormous amount of work to conserve Scotland’s iconic mountains, woodlands and coastlines, which we all love. As a charity, we can only protect these places with your support.”
The National Trust for Scotland is urging people to get out and visit the locations and properties it cares for responsibly. To help, rangers have drawn up ten top tips – which you can read below.
You can donate online and find out more about ‘I love this place, leave no trace’ and the work being done in your local area at: www.nts.org.uk/leave-no-trace
The Top Ten Tips from National Trust for Scotland rangers to ‘Love this place, leave no trace’:
1. COME PREPARED WITH A PLAN B
Move on if it’s too busy or car parks are full.
2. PARK WITH CARE
Please do not damage verges or obstruct other vehicles, narrow roads, passing places or field gates.
3. LEAVE NO TRACE
Take your litter home and never leave rubbish beside a full bin.
4. STAY ON PATHS TO HELP PROTECT HABITATS
By avoiding bypassing muddy patches, you’ll reduce the risk of erosion spreading.
5. REMEMBER FOOTPATH ETIQUETTE
Need to let someone past? Step to one side, then step back onto the path again.
6. THINK YOU MAY NEED TO ‘GO’ WHILE YOU’RE OUT?
Come prepared with a bag and sealable container to take away human waste and soiled tissues safely.
7. CHOOSE YOUR CAMPING SPOT CAREFULLY
Give busy areas a rest and take as long to clear up as you take to set up.
8. USE A STOVE INSTEAD OF LIGHTING A FIRE
This will help prevent wildfires, scorched earth and tree damage.
9. KEEP DOGS UNDER CONTROL OR ON A LEAD
This ensures your dog will avoid disturbing wildlife or livestock.
10. LEAVE SOMEWHERE EVEN BETTER THAN WHEN YOU FOUND IT
Bring a litter picker and collect rubbish while you’re out.
We hope you have a great time exploring Scotland’s beautiful landscapes. Please share these tips with your family and friends!
Scotland has benefitted from £14.5 billion of UK government funding to the devolved administrations, figures released today by the Treasury show.
The annual publication of the Block Grant Transparency shows that since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic the Scottish Government has received an additional £14.5 billion, the Welsh Government an additional £8.6 billion and the Northern Ireland Executive an additional £5.0 billion.
This funding has enabled the Scottish Government to provide support to individuals, businesses and public services across Scotland in response to Covid-19 and will continue to support the recovery through 2021-22.
This comes as part of the unprecedented package of support for the whole of the UK throughout the pandemic, with £352 billion spent right across the UK on Covid-19 measures.
In Scotland this included protecting more than 900,000 jobs through the furlough scheme, £294 million in self-employment support, help for businesses and the procurement of vaccines.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Steve Barclay said:“The UK government is fully committed to strengthening the Union and making sure Scotland has the funding needed to get through this pandemic, with £14.5 billion of additional spending over the last year.
“We’ve protected more than a million Scottish jobs and businesses with furlough and support schemes, our vaccine rollout is unlocking the economy, and our Plan for Jobs is levelling up opportunity and helping us build back better across the UK.”
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack said:“From the very start of the pandemic, the UK Government has taken unprecedented action to help people and businesses right across the country.
“That includes our furlough scheme, support for self-employed people, help for businesses, and the hugely successful UK-wide vaccine programmes.
“On top of this direct support, the UK Government has provided an additional £14.5 billion of funding for the Scottish Government.
“This extensive support, which now enables us to look towards recovery, shows how Scotland benefits from being part of a strong United Kingdom. Never has the value of the Union been more important or more apparent.”
The UK government’s Plan for Jobs is helping to support, create and protect jobs across the UK.
The Kickstart scheme is already helping thousands of 16-24 year-olds into work, JETS Scotland is providing up to six months of targeted support and 13,500 new Work Coaches have been recruited to give tailored support to people out of work.
Mobile testing units for people without Covid symptoms are running at both Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian Football Clubs as cases continue to rise in the Capital.
The community testing centres are aimed at breaking the chain of transmission in areas where case numbers remain stubbornly high by tracing cases which haven’t produced any symptoms but could still be infectious.
Council Leaders today praised both football clubs for their role in helping stop the spread of the virus in their communities.
Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Just yesterday the First Minister advised that the aim is to move all parts of Scotland into Level Zero by 19 July, which is very positive news.
“We want to do everything we can to get case numbers down in Edinburgh as quickly as possible so that we can achieve that goal and enjoy fewer restrictions on our daily lives, so it’s crucial we find out where cases are – and isolate them.
“I’m delighted that both Hibs and Hearts are working closely with us and the Scottish Ambulance Service on community testing and I’d like to thank both clubs for their support and dedication to their communities’ wellbeing.”
Depute Council Leader Cammy Day said: “As things continue to open up, it’s vital we all test ourselves regularly to check we’re not carrying the virus and unwittingly putting our loved ones and community at risk.
“It’s important to remember you can still get infected even if you’re double-vaccinated, and about 1 in 3 cases won’t show any symptoms. Well done and thank you to both our much-loved clubs for teaming up with us to show Covid the red card in Edinburgh.
The drive through testing centre at the rear of the East Stand at Easter Road opened on Tuesday 22 June.
Greg McEwan, Head of Marketing and Brand Partnerships at Hibernian Football Club, said: “Hibernian are pleased to be able to partner up with the City of Edinburgh Council in their efforts to curb the virus with a pop-up testing site at the Stadium.
“Easter Road Stadium is a prominent venue within the community and indeed Edinburgh so it’s a pleasure to offer our facilities.”
Meanwhile, a mobile testing unit has been operating beside the Wheatfield Stand at Tynecastle since last week.
Ann Park, Director for Communities and Partnershipes at Heart of Midlothian Football Club, said:“Heart of Midlothian encourage everyone to take up the offer of regular community testing and are delighted to help the continued fight against COVID-19 by hosting the mobile testing centre at Tynecastle.
“If we all get tested regularly we are able to then take the necessary action to stop the spread of the virus. If you live in the local area please drop in and do your bit to help stop the spread.”
Mobile testing units offering free PCR tests are currently available at:
Walk up mobile testing unit, Heart of Midlothian Football Club, Wheatfield Stand accessed via Wheatfield Street/Place, from Thursday 17 to Sunday 27 June, 10am to 6pm
Drive though mobile testing unit at Hibernian Football Club, in the car park behind the East Stand accessed off Albion Place/Hawkhill Place from Tuesday 22 June to Monday 28 June, 9.30am to 4.30pm
Walk up mobile testing unit, North West Locality office, 8 West Pilton Gardens until Sunday 27 June, 10am to 6pm – test pick-up available
Free Covid tests are also available without appointments at the following libraries:
McDonald Road Library from Monday 14 June to Saturday 3 July (closed Sunday 27 June) 9am to 6pm – test pick-up available
Gilmerton Library from Monday 21 June to Saturday 3 July 9am to 6pm – test pick-up available
Wester Hailes Library from Monday 21 June to Saturday 3 July 9am to 6pm – test pick-up available
The Stroke Association, the UK’s leading stroke charity, is announcing the top 10 priorities for stroke research, uncovered by a study involving stroke survivors, carers and health and social care professionals in stroke.
The charity’s new report – the first UK-wide project to map research priorities across the entire stroke care and treatment pathway – reveals where research can address the issues holding Stroke Association survivors back from rebuilding their lives after a devastating stroke.
John Watson, Director Scotland of the Stroke Association said: “One in five people will have a stroke in their lifetime. Stroke happens in the brain, the control centre for who we are and what we can do.
“Every stroke is unique because the brain is so complex and stroke can happen in any part of it. This means there are as many different impacts of stroke as there are stroke survivors, posing a huge challenge for research.
“According to the most recent figures from the UK Medical Research Council, only £30m of public and charity health research spending goes on stroke. This equates to less than £25 per stroke survivor per year compared to £161 per person living with cancer.
“Despite major breakthroughs over the last 10 years, we now know where there are significant blind spots in treatment and care. These are holding people back from rebuilding their lives. With the number of people having strokes set to rise – it’s estimated that the number of stroke survivors in Scotland could rise to almost 175,000 by 2035, [3]. We must act now and invest in the research that will make the biggest difference to the lives of people affected by stroke.”
Keen endurance athlete, Andrew (Andy) aged 48 from Perthshire had a stroke in 2019 – he knows only too well the burden of stroke and gaps in stroke research that matter to people affected by stroke.
Andy said: “Stroke research is important to me. There are many effects of stroke including fatigue and the psychological consequences of stroke that we should know more about.
“We need to involve people with lived experience of stroke in decisions around stroke priorities to inform researchers and funders about what really matters to us. We know what our difficulties are, and I believe further understanding of those difficulties is a good step towards finding treatments and solutions to enable people to live the best possible life they can.”
Over 1,400 people affected by stroke and professionals in stroke took part in the project, which was carried out in partnership with the James Lind Alliance (JLA), as well as individuals and organisations representing stroke patients, carers and professionals in stroke.
The Stroke Association is sharing the findings as part of its new report “Shaping Stroke Research to Rebuild Lives: The Stroke Priority Setting Partnership results for investment.”
The report sets the agenda for stroke research and identifies the areas that most urgently need investment. There are two lists of 10 priority areas: the first in stroke prevention and acute care, and the second in rehabilitation and long-term care, ranked in order of importance.
The top priorities in each list are:
Interventions to stop stroke. Stroke strikes every 5 minutes in the UK, but we know that most (80-90%) strokes are preventable [4]. We need increased investment in research so people can avoid the devastating effects of stroke in the first place.
Understanding of, and treatment for mental and emotional problems. Three quarters of stroke survivors experience a change in their mental health [5], we need research so that people can overcome significant effects such as anxiety and depression after stroke.
Dr Rubina Ahmed, Director of Research and Policy at the Stroke Association, said: “Charities like ours need to look for new ways to help stroke survivors with emotional, mental and communication problems.
“Establishing what research will make the biggest difference to stroke survivors and those caring for them is just the first step. Stroke research is severely underfunded. Just £1 in every £100 of public and charity spend in health research is on stroke and this just isn’t enough to solve the big and complex issues caused by stroke.
“The stroke funding crisis has been worsened by the coronavirus (Covid 19) pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on our income, halving the charity’s research budget. Stroke research is at risk, which means recoveries of people like Andy are at risk too. Your support can fund the research that will lead to breakthroughs in treatment and care. If you can, please donate so that we can make sure more stroke survivors can rebuild their lives after stroke.
“We would like to thank everyone who took part in this project: stroke survivors, their carers, professionals in stroke, the James Lind Alliance, the Steering Group members and our partners. By having your say for stroke, you have helped to shape stroke research to rebuild lives.”
Over the past 30 years the Stroke Association has played a crucial role in supporting stroke research in the UK. By establishing these priorities our charity can support the research that can make the biggest difference to the lives of people affected by stroke.
Find out how stroke research helps rebuild lives at stroke.org.uk/rebuildinglives or to donate, please visit: stroke.org.uk/saveresearch
To read the full list of priorities and the report visit: www.stroke.org.uk/psp
On Tuesday children in Leith Primary saw Edinburgh Science’s Busking Bikes science shows enter their schools for an end-of-term Science lesson with a twist!
Specialist science educators surprised primary 3-7 pupils with shows filled with science experiments that included rockets, balloons and even fizzy juice – covering topics from space travel to chemistry. All of this off the back of a bike!
This year Edinburgh Science’s Generation Science programme – which aims to help children to engage with science, technology, engineering and maths subjects – has reached around 12,000 primary school children from 257 schools in Scotland.
Patrick Campbell, Project Officer (Education), said: “This year has been incredibly challenging and reaching schools in person hasn’t always been possible, it felt great to see the busking bikes in action.
“We did see 2021 as an opportunity to try out new a new format – sending out Generation Science workshops in boxes – we’ve actually been able reach more schools than ever before!”
Hannah Schlesinger, Director of Marketing and Development, added: “Now, more than ever, primary schools need our support in sharing science, technology, engineering and maths education with children in an engaging and exciting way.
“We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to do that today.”
Edinburgh Science Festival’s schools’ programme is supported by Headline Learning supporter Baillie Gifford as well as Edina Trust and Edinburgh Science’s Catalysts (individual donors).
Edinburgh Science Festival begins on Saturday 26 June. With the theme of “One World: Science Connects Us, 2021 is jam-packed with events, most are free, online or outdoors.
Find out more and book your tickets on their website:
Workers at the closure threatened McVitie’s site in Tollcross will take the fight for the future of their factory to Holyrood today, with a socially distanced demonstration outside the Scottish Parliament ahead of First Minister’s Questions.
The workforce is calling on politicians to stand with them and the community, to demand that David Murray, Managing Director of pladis, participates in meaningful consultation over alternative proposals to the closure of the factory and the loss of 470 local jobs.
A petition to save the jobs has so far received more than 72,000 signatures.
GMB Scotland Organiser David Hume said:“Workers at the McVitie’s site in Tollcross are fighting for their factory and their future, and every day the collective voice of the workforce and the local community grows louder.
“GMB committed to exploring every avenue to save these jobs and bring investment into this business but, if we’re to pursue alternative proposals to secure a future for these workers, we need the decision makers at pladis to come to the table.
“David Murray can’t be allowed to hide out in London while condemning Glasgow to a new generation of manufacturing decline. We’re calling on politicians to stand with the workers and the local community.
“It’s their factory and their future, and they want to fight for it.”
The first spades were put in the ground today to bring the historic former Granton Station back to life as a high-quality creative workspace at a cost of up to £4.75m.
The project will be part funded through the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund and Town Centre Fund.
The derelict land in front of the building will also once again be used as a public square for community events and recreation to be enjoyed by residents and visitors.
The station site, due for completion by early 2022, is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s Granton Waterfront project, a key sustainable £1.3bn regeneration of this area, which will make a significant contribution to Edinburgh’s target to become a net zero carbon city by 2030.
The Council has also been working with the Granton History:Hub to create a temporary exhibition on the hoarding detailing the history of the building and Granton Gasworks.
Cllr Cammy Day, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “I’m pleased to see work starting now as the wider Granton Waterfront project is really taking off.
“We’ve already got three affordable housing sites underway and the former gasholder is illuminated now as a beacon of light for the project for everyone visiting the area to see.
“This is shaping up to be one of Scotland’s leading sustainable new districts and being built at the Waterfront it really will be another fantastic place to live, work and visit in Edinburgh.
“We’re speaking to the local community every step of the way on the Granton Waterfront regeneration and we’ve just finished consulting on a new name for the new public square outside the former station, which we’ll be announcing shortly.”
Cllr Adam McVey, Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “It’s great to see work starting to bring this much loved Edwardian building back to life to serve the community it’s central to once again.
“The former Granton Station has a rich industrial heritage which we’re going to display on the site hoardings while work continues. The project will provide a number of jobs while construction is ongoing and the future new enterprise will generate valuable quality local employment opportunities for Edinburgh.”
Phil McDowell, Regional Director at Kier Regional Building North & Scotland, said: “Granton station dates back to the Edwardian times, it’s an important historical building for Edinburgh and we are proud to be renovating it into a modern work space that will once again effectively support the local community.
“We will work collaboratively with Edinburgh Council and our local supply chain partners to deliver this important project which will support the wider transformation of Granton Waterfront.”
