September 2021 – Page 16 – The NEN

MSPs to examine Scotland’s overseas relationships

The Scottish Parliament’s Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee is launching an inquiry into the Scottish Government’s international work.

Post Brexit constitutional change has inevitably impacted on how the Scottish Government engages with the European Union and the wider world.

The Committee will examine what the Scottish Government is trying to achieve in its work with foreign governments, international organisations like the European Union and also with its international development efforts. The committee will engage with stakeholders, examine best practice and, where necessary, make recommendations to inform the Scottish Government Policy.

The Committee is seeking to engage with stakeholders on what the Scottish Government’s external affairs policy could look like, recommend what areas should be prioritised, and to learn from examples of best practice.

It will examine issues including the Scottish Government’s engagement with the EU set in the context of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement, successful examples of non-EU nations and regions engaging with the EU, and asking how the Scottish Government’s overseas work interacts with UK foreign and diplomatic efforts.

Speaking as the call for views launched, Committee Convener, Clare Adamson MSP, said: “The Scottish Government has an overseas footprint including representative offices in key cities, an international development budget and staff working to promote Scotland and its interests internationally.

“A key question for the Committee now that the UK has left the EU is Scotland’s future relationship with the EU. This includes how Trade and Co-operation Agreement will impact on how the Scottish Government engages with the EU and how that engagement interacts with UK government policy in this area.

“We are also keen to look at good ideas and best practice from elsewhere, so we can make recommendations where necessary.”

You can respond to the call for views at this page.

The Committee is asking questions including:

• How should the Scottish Government engage with the EU and what should it seek to achieve from its engagement?
• How might the EU-UK TCA affect how the Scottish Government engages with the EU and how will that engagement interact with UK government policy in this area?
• What role should the Scottish Parliament have in scrutinising the operation of the TCA and how the TCA influences the Scottish government’s engagement with the EU?
• What should the priorities of the Scottish Government be in developing its external affairs work and overseas presence, including its international development policy?
• Does the Scottish Government’s budget for external affairs deliver value for money? Please elaborate.
• What principles should inform the Scottish Government’s international engagement (e.g. economic, democratic, human rights, climate change or cultural / ‘soft power’ priorities)? And should that engagement be based on geographical or policy focus? Please elaborate.
• How do the Scottish Government’s EU and international policies interact with UK foreign and diplomatic policy in these areas?

Community outreach Music Hub opens at Stockbridge church

A ground-breaking community project which uses the power of music to promote health and wellbeing is being launched in Stockbridge today.

The “Music Hub” at Stockbridge Church is led by professional cellist, Clea Friend, who has played all over the world with artists including Sir Rod Stewart, opera tenor Andrea Bocelli, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

It will encourage interaction and friendship among people of all ages by offering opportunities to create, listen and discuss music in a fun, safe and inclusive environment.

Concerts involving musicians from a wide range of genres will be regularly held in the building on Saxe Coburg Street along with a “Culture Club” featuring screenings of theatre and opera productions followed by discussion.

Miss Friend, a community music practitioner who has worked with people with special needs for 20 years, plans to run classes for children and young people living with autism to help them express themselves better.

She will work with local schools, care homes and others as part of her role and regularly perform with Artisan, an Edinburgh based professional classical music ensemble.https://www.youtube.com/embed/WkJaeUIoVkI

Miss Friend, 48, the daughter of musicians who took up the cello aged six, said a project that she has run with a violinist for several years called ‘Recitals for Wrigglers’ – short interactive and educational concerts for pre-school children – will now be based at the church.

“I am delighted to be leading the Music Hub which seeks to promote health and wellbeing, communication, integration and inclusion through music making and listening to music,” said the University of Edinburgh graduate.

“As a professional cellist and a trained community music practitioner, I have a fusion of skills that feed off each other and understand how music affects the brain and the body and how it can be used to improve people’s lives.

“It is very therapeutic and I am really passionate about working with people who may not have access to music or have special needs of some kind to help them communicate better.”

The Music Hub, supported by Amati Global Investors and Chamber Music Scotland, is officially opening at 1pm with live music, speeches, presentations of the resources on offer and a question and answer session.

Rev Dr John Cowie, minister of Stockbridge Church, said music played a big part in the life of the congregation and members are “delighted” to host the new community outreach project, which also has an online presence.

“I love music, it draws people together, and the Music Hub is an exciting addition to the life of the church which has the tagline ‘Friendship through Music’,” he added.

“Clea brings great musical skills, local and international experience and a commitment to bringing people safely together which is important as we emerge from the isolation of lockdown.

“Stockbridge is regarded as a wealthy community but there are a lot of people who suffer from loneliness and there are families who are not well off and we want to support them.”

Community outreach

Prior to the pandemic, Dr Cowie, who plays the bassoon in a community orchestra, said the building was regularly used for concerts by the likes of St Mary’s Music School and Napier University’s orchestra.

“Worship is drama to some extent so when people built the church they were thinking of how they could be heard so it is a good space for music,” he explained

“The congregation is excited to see how the Music Hub grows and develops and if it builds bridges in the community and into the community, we will be very happy,”

New Shackleton exhibition shines a light on explorer’s final voyage to island of South Georgia

100th anniversary of Shackleton’s ‘Quest Expedition’ sparks new exhibition showcasing his remarkable career and leadership to a new audience

Today, a brand new exhibition that celebrates the remarkable life and achievements of renowned explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) will be unveiled by the South Georgia Museum.

The exhibition ‘Shackleton’s Last Quest’ is launching on 17 September, 100 years after Shackleton’s last voyage, the Quest Expedition, set sail from London.

The new exhibition focuses on Shackleton’s untimely death and his final resting place at Grytviken on the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia, and showcases the significance this small British Overseas Territory played in his story. It will also look at his life and the personal qualities that made him so extraordinary, resulting in him still being revered around the world today, a century after his death.

As part of the exhibition, some key objects never before seen outside South Georgia have been brought together for the first time and include the original Hope Cross – the wooden cross that topped the memorial cairn built by the men of the expedition at Hope Point, King Edward Point in 1922.

Shackleton’s grave in summer (L) and in midwinter (R).

It is fitting that Shackleton was in South Georgia when he died. His final diary entry reads: ‘A wonderful evening. In the darkening twilight I saw a lone star hover, gem-like above the bay.’

Image credits Julie Shaughnessy (L) and Deirdre Mitchell (R)

As well as being online at https://sgmuseum.gs/shackletonslastquest the exhibition will be mirrored at the South Georgia Museum at Grytviken, for visitors to the island to see.

It was Shackleton’s wife who decided that South Georgia would be his final resting place and many people make the pilgrimage to his grave to pay their respects, in non-Covid times.

When visitors are able to return to the Museum (which has been closed since March 2020 due to the pandemic), they will also be able to discover more about his life and final voyage through this exhibition.

The Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition (known as the Quest Expedition) was Shackleton’s fourth and final expedition, aiming to circumnavigate the Antarctic continent.

Large crowds gathered as the ship, Quest, left St Katherine Docks in London on 17 September 1921, with a crew comprising eight shipmates from the famous Endurance Expedition, who were keen to return to southern waters.

However, this was to be Shackleton’s last journey and after arriving at the quiet waters of King Edward Cove in South Georgia on 4 January 1922, he unexpectedly died in the early hours of the following morning.

His untimely death saw an outpouring of grief across the world and came to be seen as the end of the heroic era of polar exploration. Shackleton was buried on 5 March, two months after his death, at the whaling station Grytviken, South Georgia.

The original crow’s nest, which along with the cabin is one of the last vestiges from Quest, will also be making the journey to South Georgia where it will be the centrepiece of the exhibition at the Museum.

This is the first time it will leave its current home in All Hallows Church by the Tower of London to travel back to South Georgia to mark this significant anniversary. Before it heads south to the Antarctic, the Quest Barrel – as it is also known – will be on display at Shackleton’s birthplace in Ireland, at the Shackleton Museum, Athy. In spring 2022 it will continue to South Georgia to take its place in the exhibition.

Alison Neil, Chief Executive of the South Georgia Heritage Trust (SGHT), the UK charity which manages the Museum (above) on behalf of the Government of South Georgia & the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) said: “South Georgia is synonymous with Shackleton, as the island played host to the beginning and the conclusion of the ill-fated Endurance Expedition (1914-1917) and is also Shackleton’s final resting place.

“As a guardian of the island’s fascinating heritage, the South Georgia Museum is delighted to have developed this new exhibition. Given Shackleton’s deep associations with South Georgia, it is fitting we will be marking the centenary of the launch of the Quest Expedition and Shackleton’s untimely death in this way.

“The exhibition will mark what is considered the end of the heroic era of polar exploration, focusing on Shackleton’s final resting place and the significance South Georgia played in the story. It will consider his life and those enduring qualities that made him such a revered figure in polar world history and bring him to a new audience.”

Visitors to the exhibition, both online and at South Georgia Museum will learn more about the details of the voyage, hear about how Shackleton came to be buried on the island, and explore objects and images that are being exhibited for the first time.

These include items from Shackleton’s funeral such as the banner that led the procession from the Grytviken church to the cemetery – a Norwegian tradition brought to the island by the whalers.

The exhibition also makes connections to other institutions with collections and links to Shackleton and polar exploration, through virtual ‘loans’. These digital loans include Shackleton’s diary, his Quest cabin clock and a full replica model of Quest.

The online exhibition can be found at https://sgmuseum.gs/shackletonslastquest

It is hoped that the exhibition at South Georgia Museum will be open from this coming season or the next, depending on travel restrictions.

Council welcomes Scottish Government’s support for capital’s poorest families

City of Edinburgh Council finance leaders have welcomed yesterday’s Scottish Government announcement that around 8,000 Edinburgh children from low-income families will benefit from a £320 uplift before Christmas.

As part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling child poverty, children that are entitled to free school meals will receive payments of £160 per child in October and December.

This follows three payments that were made late in 2020 and early this year to eligible families by the Council, taking the total to £620 received by each child.

In Edinburgh, these were:

a Winter Support Fund payment of £100 per child in December 2020;

a Spring Hardship Payment of £100 per child in March 2021; and

a Summer Family Pandemic Payment of £100 per child in June 2021. This was issued along with the Summer holiday Free School Meals Payment of £92.50 per child.

This will take the total money distributed to children in low-income families by the end of 2021, over these five payments, to around £4.8 million.

In 2022, the Council also will deliver £520 payments per child in 4 instalments on behalf of the Scottish Government.

As detailed by the Scottish Government, this cash is equivalent to the Scottish Child Payment (SCP), a £10-a-week benefit which provides regular, additional financial support for families in receipt of qualifying benefits to assist with the costs of caring for a child aged under six years old.

Finance Convener Councillor Rob Munn said: “Many families are still feeling the effects of the pandemic and it’s more important than ever that we continue to support those most in need, particularly at a time of year when household bills are increasing. So we welcome this additional money from the Scottish Government, that will be administered through the Council, to give some added relief.

“As a Council we are committed to ending poverty and supporting the wellbeing of our residents and through building a better foundation for our young people we hope that we can create a better future for all.”

Finance Vice Convener Councillor Joan Griffiths said: “Direct support must go hand in hand with the ongoing financial support to ensure that no child is left behind as a result of these unprecedented times.

“Our teams from across Children’s Services have worked tirelessly to put in place a series of measures across the city to continue to support and monitor the effects the pandemic is having on our children. Thanks must go to all our hard-working staff and third sector partners who are providing these vital services.”

Last chance for Healthy Heart projects to apply for £10,000 grant from Heart Research UK

Community groups in Scotland that help local people look after their hearts can now apply for a regional grant up to £10,000, thanks to national charity Heart Research UK and the Subway® brand.

The deadline for applying is 5pm on Monday 20th September 2021.

The Heart Research UK and Subway® Healthy Heart Grant is available for new and innovative projects that promote healthy hearts and reduce the risk of heart disease in the community. Projects should deliver health initiatives such as cooking skills and healthy eating and should encourage people to get more active and promote positive mental wellbeing.

The £10,000 has been raised locally in Subway® stores throughout the region. Previous grantees from Scotland have included the Feel Good Women’s Group, who led fitness and cooking classes for local women.

In response to the pandemic, we have adapted the criteria for our Healthy Heart grants. We will accept applications for projects which can be delivered remotely or with social distancing measures in place. This year we are also accepting applications for the funding of equipment only.

Community groups in Scotland that help local people look after their hearts can now apply for a regional grant up to £10,000, thanks to national charity Heart Research UK and the Subway® brand.

The deadline for applying is 5pm on Monday 20th September 2021.

Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “Through our partnership with Subway®, we hope to encourage people all across the country to make healthier choices and give them practical help to do so.

“This grant is available to ensure everyone can benefit from a healthier, happier and longer life.

“We’re looking for new and innovative projects that really have an impact, especially if they aim to improve the health of at risk or hard to reach communities. We’re really grateful to the many customers and staff at Subway® stores who have raised the money to make this possible.”

The deadline for applying is the Monday 20th September 2021 and this can be done by visiting:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-heart-grants/

For more information, please call 0113 234 7474 or email:

healthyheartgrants@heartresearch.org.uk

Leith MSP gets back behind the bar to back local hospitality sector recruitment drive

Edinburgh Northern and Leith MSP Ben Macpherson will be pulling pints behind the bar in Joseph Pearce’s today (Friday 17 September) to show his support for hospitality businesses in the local area and the city more widely.

One of the MSP’s first jobs was as a bartender and he worked in a number different hospitality businesses in the city throughout his twenties. While working in hospitality he has said that he developed practical, organisational and interpersonal skills which have benefitted him throughout the rest of his career, including as an MSP.

Brexit has resulted in major staff shortages within the hospitality industry, which is affecting opening hours and the capacity to serve customers.

Commenting on his support for local hospitality businesses and their recruitment drive, Ben Macpherson MSP said: “I developed many practical, organisational and interpersonal skills while working in hospitality, and I learned a lot about different aspects of society from meeting and listening to colleagues and customers alike. I also made a lot of new friends from all over the world, who I’m still in touch with to this day, and had some great times working with them.

“The sector still has some improvements to make when it comes to its fair work responsibilities – but I have seen significant and meaningful change since I worked behind the bar 10 years ago, and today there are many hospitality businesses offering fair pay, good career paths and fulfilling opportunities.

“The experience of the pandemic has reminded us that local hospitality businesses are a key part of our communities and our economy – they are where we so often come together with loved ones and friends, and provide the setting for so many joyful moments in our lives.

“Cafes, pubs, clubs and restaurants are an important part of our society and I would encourage anyone looking for work to consider what either a temporary job or a career in hospitality can offer as a chance to learn new, transferrable skills.”

Anna Christopherson, Co-Owner of Boda Bars, said: “Working in hospitality gives you people skills, integrity and sales skills that you will need in every job you ever have.

“I wish everyone would work in hospitality at least once in their lives. It is a great job that gives you freedom to work everywhere around the world.”

Outdoor seating arrangements extended until 31st October

The city council is to continue it’s support for the hospitality sector to help businesses make the most of outdoor space safely as Covid 19 cases remain high in Edinburgh.

A number of measures agreed in March to help economic recovery are being extended, including allowing temporary structures created to increase outdoor seating capacity to stay in place until 31 October. After this time permissions such as planning may be required.

Charges for outdoor area occupation permits (for tables and chairs) are also being waived until 31 December.

This provision will continue to apply across the city meaning all Edinburgh hospitality businesses are eligible, provided they apply for and obtain the relevant road occupation permit.

Council leader Adam McVey said: “Unfortunately, we’re all still very much living through the effects of this pandemic. Our local pubs, cafes and restaurants have had an extremely tough 18 months and so and it’s really important we continue to do everything we can to support our local businesses as they begin to recover with many restrictions now no longer in place.

“This needs to be balanced with local needs and so that’s why if you created an additional structure for extra outdoor capacity during the pandemic, you need to apply for the appropriate permission after 31 October.

“This will also provide a welcome boost to surrounding retail businesses as more people are attracted to safely enjoy the outdoor spaces throughout Edinburgh.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day added: “Last year we streamlined the application process for using outdoor spaces for tables and chairs as part of our drive to support the city’s economic recovery.

“Our aim is to help businesses safely make use of outside space at no cost to them. We’re continuing to implement the permit system to allow us to monitor where businesses are providing outdoor space to make sure they are doing so appropriately and safely, while also taking into account the needs of local people.”

Supporting business and retaining jobs is a ‘key priority’ for the city council as the pandemic continues. So far, the Council has administered over 19000 payments totalling over £250m to businesses.

Police appeal following distressing incident in Wester Hailes

Officers are continuing enquiries and appealing for information in relation to an incident which occurred in the Dumbryden area last Friday (10th September).

Around 10pm a 55-year-old woman was alone and distressed when she approached a vehicle in the area asking for assistance. She thereafter ran from the vehicle and boarded a Lothian bus.

It is unknown why she was distressed or what took place.

Police Constable Nichola Reid of Leith Police Station said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and I am appealing for any witnesses to come forward, particularly the occupants of the vehicle at the time.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland through 101, quoting incident number 0290 of Saturday 11th September 2021.”

Non-profit dance studio House of Jack fully reopens!

House of Jack, a not-for-profit community interest organisation, has now fully reopened after 18-months of pandemic restrictions, welcoming back a bigger community than ever before to its dance studio at Ocean Terminal in Leith.

Founded and run by Artistic Director Ashley Jack and Studio Producer Becky Enoch, with the aim of making dance, and its many physical, social and mental health benefits, as accessible as possible to all, House of Jack dance studio offered multiple online classes free of charge throughout each lockdown. In the process they built an ever expanding global community of young people and adults alike who met regularly online to dance and connect, while the pandemic kept everyone physically apart.

Youngsters joined from not only Edinburgh, but also from further afield in Scotland, and even from around the world, including two children hailing from India.

The parent of one of the children joining from the Isle of Iona said, “The House of Jack zoom classes were a real game changer for my 11 year old daughter during lock down. We live on a small Hebridean island so she hadn’t been able to access the benefits of dance previously.

“Besides all the mental and physical benefits of movement to music, she now has a love of Hip Hop and a new skill and confidence to take through to high school on the mainland.

The first of its kind in the UK, House of Jack dance studio is located inside a shopping centre – Ocean Terminal – with all the benefits that provides its students and the families of its students, including free parking, being fully under cover, and with numerous shops, restaurants and further leisure opportunities in the same building.

Ashley said: “We have a strong belief in the power of dance to connect people, build confidence and self-esteem while creating outlets for expression, and have strived to create a studio that is as welcoming as possible, with something for everyone regardless of age or level of experience.

“As a non-profit, fees are kept to an absolute minimum and participation in annual shows is always free for all children, including rehearsals and costumes, to remove as far as possible any financial barriers to taking part.”

Over the pandemic, House of Jack CIC secured generous funding from The National Lottery via Creative Scotland which allowed the studio to offer totally free, live and online world-class dance training and invaluable Q&A sessions with renowned dancers from around the world, even including LA-based Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake’s exclusive choreographer), Jaja Vankova (Step Up 5, So You Think You Can Dance), Deydey (the first female World Popping Champion), and many more.

A House of Jack regular who attended the Marty Kudelka workshop said, “Yesterday was a dream come true. Thank you so much to Mr Kudelka for taking the time to share his amazing talents and skills [and t]hank you to House of Jack for being able to put this on and having us learn from literally one of the dance industry greats!“

Becky added: “Between major lockdowns, while the studio was able to open to small numbers of under-18s, some of the local children who had attended online finally met for the first time at in-person studio classes, while adults classes continued via Zoom.

“What made such a difference, however, was that we were able to find new ways to connect, whether through the Q&A sessions with famous choreographers or by creating dance videos.

“In the run up to Christmas 2020, instead of the studio’s usual big theatre Christmas Show, we created Christmas-themed videos for each children’s class, something for the children to focus on and have fun with and for the parents to view and keep, in the absence of a show DVD!”

Now reopened fully, with waiting area and changing rooms again, the focus in the studio remains firmly on safety, keeping class numbers to a safe level, giving everyone plenty of space and following all guidelines. The Ocean Terminal studio is buzzing again with a renewed sense of hope that everyone can dance to a better future.

Week-long Drug Drive Campaign sees 42 drivers arrested

More than 100 roadside drug screening tests were conducted during a Drug Driving Campaign carried out by Police Scotland.

The campaign ran from August 23 to 29 when officers conducted a total of 109 roadside drug screening tests across Scotland, resulting in 42 drivers being arrested for providing a positive test. Blood samples were subsequently obtained from those arrested and sent for further analysis.

Officers from Greater Glasgow Road Policing, who deployed in support of the campaign observed a man driving using his mobile phone. When stopped he admitted to having consumed cannabis and the subsequent roadside drug test was positive for cannabis and cocaine. Following his arrest, a blood sample was obtained and submitted for analysis.

Superintendent Simon Bradshaw said: “Despite roadside drug testing being in place for almost two years and our continued efforts to raise awareness of the dangers associated with taking drugs and driving, our officers continue to detect drug driving offences far too regularly.

“Driving after taking drugs can have serious or even fatal consequences, impacting not only the driver but all those involved including family and friends.

“Police Scotland are committed to taking action against those who selfishly put others at risk by driving after consuming alcohol or taking drugs. I would encourage people to report drink or drug drivers or concerning behaviour to us, officers will act on this information to stop offenders before they injure or kill themselves or someone else.”