June 2021 – Page 26 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

People in Lothians urged to take things at their own pace as restrictions ease

Almost half of Scots have found meeting up with others more overwhelming than expected

People in the Lothians are being encouraged to take things at their own pace as restrictions ease, as research reveals almost half of Scottish adults (43 per cent) who have met up with others have found it more overwhelming than expected.

The Scottish Government’s Clear Your Head campaign has been designed to help people look after their mental health as life gets busier, providing hints and tips to help those feeling nervous or overwhelmed.

With research showing over half of adults (55 per cent) in Scotland are still worried about the coronavirus situation, tips to help feel calmer include keeping active, staying connected with others, planning ahead before leaving the house, being around nature and taking deep breaths.

The campaign also signposts helplines for those who need to talk to someone about how they’re feeling, including NHS24, Breathing Space, SAMH and the Samaritans.

Principal Medical Officer, Dr Alastair Cook said: “As we gradually come out of lockdown and life gets busier, it’s important to continue to look after ourselves, and others. Each change brings another adjustment, and whilst many will welcome having more freedoms, feelings of worry are natural as we start to go out more.

“This survey indicates people are at different stages in their journey out of lockdown, and it’s encouraging to see many are taking things at their own pace. Simple steps such as mentally preparing yourself for meeting up with others, getting regular exercise, keeping in touch with friends and family and getting outside as the weather starts to improve can help you cope as things change.

“If you’re feeling anxious, try to limit the time you allow yourself to worry and take deep breaths if you start to feel overwhelmed. Remember that support is there if you need to talk to someone about how you’re feeling.”

Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care Kevin Stewart, said: “We have lived with necessary restrictions on our lives to reduce the transmission of coronavirus for a long time now. As these restrictions ease, many people are understandably nervous or worried about the changes.

“We have all had to cope and adapt to control the virus and now we are having to cope and adapt to new freedoms. It is more important than ever to look after our mental health and wellbeing. This campaign highlights the things we can do to look after ourselves, and each other.”

To find other tips to help you cope, visit clearyourhead.scot

Scotch Malt Whisky Society partners with Botanic Garden and renowned mixologist to create floral cocktail menu

THE SIGNATURE COCKTAIL MENU COMBINES THE FRESH FLORAL FLAVOURS OF SUMMER WITH WHISKY IN ITS PUREST FORM

The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) have teamed up with world-renowned mixologist, Jason Scott, of Bramble and Lucky Liquor Co. and The Royal Botanic Garden to create a limited-edition range of floral cocktails.

In this iconic partnership, mixologist and Edinburgh independent bar owner, Jason Scott, will be working with Dr Greg Kenicer of The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Together they have created cocktails that explore the more delicate and floral notes within the Society’s June Outturn whiskies, complementing and contrasting them through edible flowers and exciting mixers.

Jason, who is the owner of Bramble Bar, Lucky Liquor and The Last Word Saloon, is a key figure in the Scottish cocktail industry and has trained some of the best bartenders in the country.

Inspired by the flavours of summer, the signature cocktails will be created using a range of natural mixers, that include lavender, primrose flower, borage flower, fresh mint, and gorse.

Jason Scott, said: “I have long been a fan of the Society and really admire what they do.

“After visiting The Botanics and meeting up with Greg, it’s been a journey of fun and discovery to create these fantastic floral cocktails. I’m confident whisky and flower lovers alike will adore this summer cocktail menu.”

Dr Greg Kenicer of the Royal Botanic Garden, said: “I am delighted to be working with Jason and The Scotch Malt Whisky Society on this exciting and unique project.

“When it comes to enhancing and developing cocktail flavours, there is so much out there for drink makers and bartenders to explore from the botanical Kingdom. Many of these plants can be grown in a garden or even a window box, or you can find them at your local supermarkets.

“Since the Stone Age, botanicals and fresh plants have been used as compounds to enhance the flavour of drinks. It’s really exciting to see mixologists across the world continuing this ancient legacy, and also innovating in so many creative ways.”

The signature cocktails will be available at SMWS Bath Street, Queen Street and Greville Street from tomorrow (Friday 11th June).

Non-members are also welcome to attend Queen Streets’ Kaleidoscope Bar and can visit both Bath Street and Greville Street venues on Tuesday evenings, by booking online or by phone.

To celebrate the signature cocktail menu, the SMWS will also be hosting an event on the 29th of June, at their Queen Street venue.

With the aim of breaking down the perceived barriers of traditional whisky drinking, the cocktails have been designed to encourage whisky enthusiasts to delve deep into the modern use of whisky, by mixing the water of life with fresh ingredients:

Cocktail list:

Queen Street, Edinburgh – Joy & SorrellThe Joy & Sorrell features vibrant fuchsia flowers with a taste of citrus lemon and sweet sorrel syrup.

Bath Street, Glasgow – Melancholy CrushThis refreshing julep combines an elegantly fruity and herbal dram with fresh mint, lemon and Angostura Bitters.

Greville Street, London – Four SeasonsThis London inspired violet Penicillin, features a 2008 Speyside distilled whisky combined with ingredients that include fresh lavender, finished in an old fashioned glass.

Bottled – Flaming Primrose Garnished with a primrose flower, this vibrant blood-red cocktail incorporates infused gorse Campari and Sweet Vermouth with an 8-year-old single scotch oily and coastal whisky.

For more information about the Scotch Malt Whisky Society click here.

Blackhall Library COVID testing drop-ins extended

The drop-in COVID testing centre at Blackhall Library has now been extended until Sunday 20th June. This is for anyone who does not have any symptoms.

COP26 Green Power List: Scottish Power seeks green champions and innovators across Edinburgh

ScottishPower is calling on communities across the nation to nominate their top green champions ahead of this year’s United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference.

The firm, which generates 100% green electricity, is looking for stories of inspiring green champions across Edinburgh, from volunteers helping communities to go greener and innovators creating environmentally friendly technology, to policymakers pushing their community to tackle climate change and passionate people campaigning for an environmental cause close to their heart.

ScottishPower is a principal partner of the United Nations COP26 Climate Change Conference, which will be hosted by the UK in Glasgow this November. The top 26 nominees from across the country will become a part of the Green Power List, with a platform to continue their important work.

The energy supplier is also searching for inspiring young people who have taken on the climate challenge in their own community and have made a real difference in the move towards a cleaner, greener future. Young people nominated will be considered for the Youth Green Power List featuring 26 young people under the age of 30.

Find further information on how to nominate an inspiring green champion in your community here – https://www.scottishpower.com/pages/green_power_list.aspx

Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: “Everyone has a part to play in tackling the climate emergency and with the UK hosting COP26, this is a chance to celebrate the green champions and innovators in our communities right across the country who are taking on the climate crisis in their own unique way.

“If you know someone in your community or workplace who is making a difference, we urge you to nominate them so their story can inspire others.

“We are passionate about showcasing people of all ages and backgrounds who are doing their bit to create a better planet and future for the next generation.”

ScottishPower is the UK’s only integrated energy company and generates 100% green electricity from offshore and onshore wind. It is developing an energy model that will play a significant role in reaching the UK’s world-leading climate change targets and is investing £10billion in the UK over five years – £6 million every working day – to double its renewable generation capacity and drive forward decarbonisation to support the move towards Net Zero emissions.

Its plans include new solar, wind and battery infrastructure, green hydrogen facilities and undertaking the mammoth task of upgrading parts of the country’s energy network to accommodate the expected rapid increase in demand for electricity.

Not Just a Jersey: Hibernian unveils home kit for new season

Hibernian, along with newly appointed technical partner Joma, are excited to present the new official home kit for the 2021/22 season.

The traditional green body and white sleeves remain with the creative sublimation of the street map of Edinburgh showcasing the Club’s strong links across the city. The Club crest proudly sits in its rightful place of Leith within the city map.

Joma has created a shirt preserving the identity of Hibernian using green as the main feature. It is designed with a regular fitting providing comfort adjustment to the body to prevent pulling and provides freedom of movement.

The bottle-green colour grades into a darker emerald green at the bottom in a way to extend the Hibernian feeling further out of the City, into the wider communities of Edinburgh.

Hibernian Creative Manager Peter Burt said: “Our partnership with Joma has allowed us a greater level of creativity which hasn’t been possible with previous kit partners.

“They understand our brand aspirations and working closely with their design team we were able to create something completely unique to our supporters, and the City.”

Interim Chief Executive Greg McEwan added: “As a club we have set some ambitious targets, but realistic at the same time, and with this new kit you can tell we are passionate about our position within the City of Edinburgh and how we plan to grow our brand within the City, the wider country and beyond.

“This kit is really focused on our fans. It is their City and from this design it is very much green and white.”

Joma products are recognised for their quality and technological features. The brand’s quality standards have been applied to the garments for Hibernian.

Fans have given the new strip the thumbs-up:

‘It’s a great design, not like any I have seen before from the Club. It’s a great fit and feels like good quality’ – Scott Robertson

”One of my favourite kits to date, all the small details really add up to make something special for an incredible Club and I am proud to wear our badge” – Jade Brydon (above)

“I thought it was a great design, the stencil outline of Leith embedded into the green is pretty special. Joma and the club have done a great job. Sure it’s going to be a popular kit” – Dan Blake

The shirts are manufactured using polyester, characterised by its quality and elasticity, in addition to being highly resistant and easy care.

This fabric has excellent breathability, due to the application of a next-gen finish, giving the garment’s outer layer enhanced perspiration wicking capacity for speedy evaporation, thus keeping the body dry.

In those areas where the player requires greater perspiration support, polyester is replaced by a MESH fabric, a mesh section allowing air to enter the garment and come into contact with the skin, drying it and retaining a constant body temperature. Antibacterial treatment has also been included.

The new 2021/22 home kit will be available to pre-order next week. Keep an eye on the Hibernian FC website and social media platforms for confirmation of timings. The kit will be available in store from week commencing 7^th July.

Cat welfare education talks can now reach all corners of Scotland

The necessity of taking Cats Protection’s children’s education talks online because of the pandemic has had an unexpected benefit as the charity can now deliver these talks to the length and breadth of Scotland, no matter how remote the classroom.

Volunteers and education officers from Cats Protection love going into schools and community groups to share their feline knowledge with enraptured children, so when the pandemic hit the charity had to quickly look ways to continue these activities.

The challenge was how to deliver an online class that was still as engaging, fun and interactive as in-person ones had been for many years.

The talks help children understand cat welfare and how to be a responsible pet owner using games, animations and storytelling.

Using an online learning platform, the charity has come up with an offering that surpassed expectations and means it can reach more children than ever before as it is no longer constrained by volunteer numbers or geography – the only ask is for a robust internet connection.

Delivered via a readily available video conferencing platform the talks are tailored to three age groups 5-11 years, 7-9 years and 9-11 years. Careers-based talks for secondary pupils and guest lectures for students studying Animal Management at further education level can also be arranged.

Education Team Manager Shelley Brown said: “Delivered by experienced education speakers, our talks are perfect for children and young people across a range of ages.

“We offer a truly interactive learning experience that allows the whole class to get involved. Our exciting new talks feature videos, stories, challenges and games enabling fun learning in a safe way. As potential pet owners of tomorrow, we help children to develop empathy and an understanding of cats and their needs”

To find out more about the talks and to book, visit www.education.cats.org.uk/book-a-talk/

Briggs: Powderhall Green Corridor delay due to Spaces for People

Lothian MSP Miles Briggs is disappointed that the project to transform the Powderhall Railway path into a green corridor has been delayed due to the Spaces for People initiative.

In a letter to the MSP from Edinburgh Council, the Active Travel Department said that “Progress on this has been delayed by the need to re-allocate staff resources to develop and deliver temporary Spaces for People (SfP) schemes”.

The feasibility study into transitioning the disuses railway line into a green corridor is due later this summer, with Network Rail amendable to amendable to the “repurposing of the Powderhall spur line into high-quality urban green corridor for people to walk, cycle and wheel on”.

Network Rail have said the railway line is still classed as operational railway, because the track that leads there is still connected to the wider rail network.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said: “I am pleased that talks with Network Rail are going well and they are open to transforming the Powderhall spur line into a high quality green corridor.

“It is disappointing that the project team looking at the Green Corridor transformation has been delayed due to working on Spaces for People schemes.

“This is a great opportunity to create a safe green space to connect Powerhall to Meadowbank and beyond.

“The new Powderhall Green Corridor will be excellent for people to walk, cycle and wheel on, as well as fitting in with Edinburgh’s Active Travel strategy.”

Newhaven Fishwives take centre stage in new audio play

Newhaven’s iconic fishwives are at the heart of the latest audio drama from Leith-based theatre company, Citadel Arts Group.

The Fishwives, by Lizzie McLean, stars Nicola Roy as one of the titular fishwives. Nicola is the host and creator of The Cultural Coven podcast and she enjoyed international success playing Elmire in an award-winning production of Liz Lochead’s Tartuffe at the 2020 Adelaide Fringe.

The Fishwives may be set in 1812, but it highlights some surprisingly modern attitudes, as the play’s Director, Mark Kydd explains: “What really struck me about the play was the degree of autonomy and financial independence enjoyed by Newhaven Fishwives in the early nineteenth century, not a period renowned for women’s emancipation.

“I think Lizzie’s writing beautifully captures the strength, humour and camaraderie of these women.”

Nicola (whose character helps a Leith lad evade the clutches of the notorious pressgangs who roamed the ports during the Napoleonic Wars) agrees: “The Fishwives is a beautiful, lively little piece about the resilience, humour and rather modern Newhaven Fishwives.

“As an Edinburgh girl and actress it was great to work in east coast dialect which the writer, Lizzie, captured so well and to learn of the important history and contribution of these ‘on the surface’ ordinary women.”

Not only is the play set in Newhaven, but the production also has a number of connections with the area.

The play’s writer, Lizzie McLean, is Newhaven based, as is musician Sophia Abrahamsen, whose expertise helped bring the vibrant history of the Newhaven Fishwives to life.

Producer and founder of Citadel Arts Group, Liz Hare says: “We wanted to make sure the play was as accurate as possible, so had asked Sophia – who’s in the Newhaven Choir – to help us find some traditional songs to feature in the piece.

“Not only did she find us three wonderful songs, which she also performs in the play, but she was also able to share her historical expertise on the fishwives, helping us with details such as authentic names and language.

“As the last known Newhaven fishwife is believed to have retired as recently as 1976, there are still many people who will remember these remarkable women, so it was particularly important to us to honor their history and traditions”

The Fishwives will be available online at www.citadelgoesviral.com from Sunday 13 June.

WWF celebrates Sir David Attenborough’s outstanding contributions to global conservation

Sir David Attenborough, world renowned naturalist, writer and broadcaster, has been named the recipient of WWF’s Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award which honours and recognizes outstanding contributions made to the global conservation movement.

For over 60 years, Sir David Attenborough has brought the wonders of the natural world to our screens and into our homes, completely transforming our view of the wild world and inspiring action for our planet’s most precious species and fragile habitats.

His extraordinary broadcasting career began when he joined BBC Television in 1952. From his first ever documentary series to the more recent A Life On Our Planet, Sir David Attenborough has become synonymous with natural history programming.

His lifelong ambition has been to create societal affinity with the natural world through his work and he has been a strong advocate for the need to translate this affinity into real, collective action to protect our planet.

“Sir David Attenborough has been a passionate champion for the natural world, dedicating his life to inspiring hundreds of millions around the world to love and care for nature and wildlife. Across more than 60 years, his universal appeal has transcended generations and borders,” said Pavan Sukhdev, President of WWF International.

“With nature in crisis like never before, we need everyone on the planet to be a voice for nature and Sir David Attenborough has been a shining example of that advocacy. He has been integral in explaining nature to audiences and inspiring action for our planet, our one shared home.”

The Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award carries particular poignancy this year given the passing of His Royal Highness the late Duke of Edinburgh in April.

Prince Philip – who would have turned 100 today – was a pivotal patron of WWF, serving as a passionate voice, advocate and champion for the organization’s work from its creation and particularly as WWF International’s President from 1981 to 1996. The Prince was also the first president of WWF-UK, from its founding in 1961 until 1982.

In 1970, WWF established its prestigious award, eponymously named the Duke of Edinburgh Conservation Award, to recognize and encourage significant achievement in the global environmental field.

Sir David said: “It is a particular honour to receive an award that carries the name of His Royal Highness the late Duke of Edinburgh. The Duke was a great pioneer of the conservation movement both in the UK and internationally.

“His concern for the natural world came from a deep knowledge and understanding, and his energy, advocacy and ability to reach leaders and people all around the world was an inspiration.”

This year WWF marks 60 years of conservation impact and its mission has only grown in relevance and scope over the last six decades, expanding from the protection of species and places to a systemic approach to nature conservation and sustainable development, partnering with others to address the conservation at scale of wildlife, forests, ocean and freshwater systems and to tackle the main drivers of nature loss.

Today WWF is calling for urgent action to address the global climate and nature crises and ensure a sustainable future for all. The conservation movement, along with world leaders, businesses and communities will have to achieve more in the next 10 years than in the last 60.

Sir David added: “The natural world has never been in greater need of help than it is today. I have seen the damage we have done to it myself. The good news is more and more people are beginning to recognise the threat of impending catastrophe.

“But there is a long way to go and time is running out. It will be the next generation that determines the future of our planet, and the passion of young people that will ensure that change happens.”