World leading craft makers continue to be celebrated at Hamilton & Inches
Hamilton & Inches is hosting a pop-up event for Scotland’s Elements’ festival. Organised by the Scottish Goldsmiths Trust in partnership with Lyon & Turnbull Auctioneers, the festival is an annual celebration of leading UK Jewellers and Silversmiths.
The pop-up exhibition is taking place at Hamilton & Inches’ recently renovated showroom and is running from the 14th until the 17th of October.
It will showcase three, world-class, craft makers and will shine a spotlight on their expert, handcrafted designs. Attendees will also have the chance to meet the makers, who will exhibit a variety of eye-catching, elegant and contemporary designs.
Specifically, Hamilton & Inches will showcase the intricate fineries of Michelle Currie, Alice Fry and Sheila McDonald (above).
Their designs will be available to purchase in store and any commission made on behalf of Hamilton & Inches will be donated to the Scottish Goldsmith Trust, continuing Hamilton & Inches’ focus to support both established and emerging artisans.
The Element’s pop-up exhibition is exemplary of Hamilton & Inches commitment to sustaining craft in Scotland as well as its dedication to supporting the careers of craft makers.
Victoria Houghton, Hamilton & Inches CEO, said: “The Element’s pop-up exhibition is a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight the importance of craft and craftmanship in the UK.
“Our commitment to sustainability is demonstrated in the recent refurbishment of our showroom and workshops and, with craftmanship being the pinnacle of our operations, we are proud to support these craft makers and their beautifully diverse creations.”
Transport Minister launches campaign to help people plan ahead
Further measures aimed at helping people get ready for COP26 in Glasgow and keep transport networks moving were announced today with the launch of a public awareness campaign.
The campaign is being ‘championed’ by Glasgow’s Duke of Wellington statue and will feature across multi-channels from radio, TV and social media to billboards, newsletters and other relevant platforms.
Scotland’s Transport Minister, Graeme Dey, kick started the campaign which provides details of where to get the most up to date travel information and advice so that people can prepare and plan ahead for any journeys in the run up to and during the two-week climate change conference.
He said: “As a huge coup for Glasgow and, indeed, Scotland, COP26 is widely anticipated to be a once-in-a-lifetime global event and one like no other the city has hosted.
“The scale of the event is unprecedented on so many levels which is why it is vital that people are equipped with the latest information to help organise travel plans in advance and, where necessary, make alternative arrangements.
“The most up-to-date information including a detailed travel plan, maps, road closures and dates for community and business engagement sessions is readily available. I would again urge commuters, businesses and the public to take some time to familiarise themselves with the plans so that we can all work together to help deliver a successful event while keeping Glasgow and the Central Belt moving. I am especially grateful to businesses and the public for engaging with this campaign and playing their part in such a momentous event.”
Up to 140 World Leaders and 25,000 conference delegates are expected to attend the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP26 conference at Glasgow’s SEC. The event takes place from October 31to November 12. However, road closures will start to take effect from Saturday, October 23. Planned and unplanned protests are also inevitable.
Get Ready Glasgow is the go-to website for more detailed information and will be updated on an ongoing basis – www.getreadyglasgow.com
The website provides details on alternative routes, local road closure dates and where local access will be maintained. It also includes maps highlighting where and when impacts are most likely to help give the public, businesses, delegates and visitors a clearer idea of what to expect on certain days.
Today’s campaign launch follows many months of travel planning and preparations which are now entering an advanced and crucial phase. As well as providing information on how to plan ahead for COP26, details of a range of engagement sessions being held over the coming weeks will be advertised for businesses and communities to attend.
The Transport Minister was joined by representatives of the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) and First Bus which is providing a fleet of electric buses for conference delegates.
SPT Chair of Operations Committee Councillor, David Wilson, said: “SPT is, once again, proud to play its part assisting with the transport organisation across Glasgow while the city hosts yet another major international event. While some disruption to travel is inevitable with an event of this scale, planning ahead is essential.
“We are working to ensure both local people and our international visitors can move around the city. Working with First Bus Scotland to deliver the official COP26 Zero Emission shuttle service on behalf of the UK and Scottish Governments ensures delegates will get to the event by sustainable public transport and we hope deliver a Glasgow climate agreement we can all be proud of.”
Duncan Cameron, Interim Managing Director for First Bus Scotland: said: “First Bus Scotland is delighted to have been chosen to operate the official COP26 shuttle service and will be working closely with SPT, Transport Scotland and the Cabinet Office to ensure a smooth and efficient service can be delivered for all delegates attending the event.
“It has been a long time in the planning, and it is exciting to now be in the build up to the event officially. It is vitally important that everyone takes the time to familiarise themselves with all diversions and transport plans in order to keep Glasgow moving and deliver an event that the whole world will be proud to be a part of.”
Get Ready Glasgow is being managed by Glasgow City Council on behalf of COP26 event delivery partners. Used successfully during the 2014 Commonwealth Games and 2018 European Championships, the campaign aims to inform and update businesses, residents, commuters and visitors about the impact of the event on the city and the work being done to keep the Glasgow moving and open for business in the lead up to and during the conference.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken, said: “Glasgow has an unrivalled record when it comes to hosting major international events. The expertise that we have developed with our partners, taken with the city’s extensive conference and hotel infrastructure, made Glasgow the logical choice for COP26.
“This global summit is one of the biggest diplomatic events that the UK has seen. It is no exaggeration to say that it is also one of the most important in human history if we are to get runaway climate change under control.
“With more than 140 world leaders expected to attend, security will be tight and the arrangements will affect local businesses and residents as well as those who do business in the city, travel for work or are visiting.
“The key to lessening that disruption is to inform people well in advance about where there are planned road closures and likely congestion and what the alternative routes are. We’re also encouraging people to leave the car at home and use public transport for their journeys or walk or cycle instead.”
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an abduction and attempted murder incident which happened in the city centre overnight.
At around 10.45pm on Wednesday, 6 October, 2021, officers were alerted to a disturbance in Claremont Court where men were reported to have been fighting with weapons. One man was seen to have been forced from his vehicle, a grey Audi S5, into a second vehicle, which is described as a dark coloured hatchback.
This vehicle was reported to have blue flashing lights activated on the dashboard. The vehicle left Claremont Court along with two other vehicles; the grey Audi S5 and a white van.
A short time later officers were called to McDonald Road where the man forced into the back of the hatchback was found injured. It is believed that he had been assaulted while within the car, which had then driven at him when he exited the vehicle. This car then fled the scene.
The injured man, aged 26, was taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not life-threatening.
At around 1am this morning (Thursday 7 October), officers were called to Magdalene Avenue following a car fire. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service extinguished the fire.
The vehicle found here has been confirmed as the grey Audi S5, which was stolen from the 26-year-old man in Claremont Court earlier in the night.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “The level of violence and intimidation shown during this incident is shocking and thankfully the victim was not left seriously injured. We believe this was a targeted attack.
“The suspects involved in his abduction from Claremont Court are believed to have arrived at the scene in two vehicles, the first a dark coloured hatchback, and the second a white van. Witnesses have reported there being four men, all wearing balaclavas.
“I’d urge anyone who witnessed the incidents in Claremont Court or McDonald Road to come forward and speak to officers. We’re especially keen for anyone who may have captured the incidents on dash cam or private CCTV to check their systems and provide relevant footage to us.
“The dark coloured hatchback vehicle the suspects used had blue lights activated on top of the dashboard at the front windscreen. This was not a police vehicle. I’d urge anyone who knows more about this vehicle, or could help us trace it and those connected to it, to get in contact with officers as soon as possible.”
Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 3764 of 6 October. An anonymous report can be given to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Mother-of-two, 42, wins place on Edinburgh Napier course
MUM-of-two Heather Griffin has embarked on a completely new career path after forging a close relationship with the student nurses she worked with at a Covid-19 testing centre.
Former financial services worker Heather was so fascinated by what she heard from the Edinburgh Napier undergraduates that she has now enrolled in the University’s Bachelor of Nursing (Adult) degree course.
Heather, 42, lost her job in finance during the pandemic but found work at the testing centre at The Pleasance in Edinburgh through a temping agency. The facility was opened by the University of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Napier to provide mass testing for students before they travelled home last Christmas and remained open in the New Year to provide ongoing testing for asymptomatic students.
Heather worked first of all on the registration desks, then as a test processor and results recorder, and she developed a close working relationship with the student nurses on duty at the centre.
She said: “I had never really considered a role in nursing before but I learned about the Edinburgh Napier course through the student nurses. I was surprised at how many of them were mature students who had families, and who also wanted a change in their life direction.
“They spoke highly of the course, were excited by their career choice, and had inspiring stories to share from their placements. Once they had instilled in me the idea that I would also apply for the course, they were also able to address my concerns and answer my many questions about it.”
Heather, who is married with two sons, aged 14 and nine, said there had been a strong sense of camaraderie within the test centre workforce. “The team was welcoming and supportive, and we used a lot of humour to help us through those tough times. In addition, we felt proud to be part of a project that was dedicated to the health and safety of the wider community.”
Heather, who has a degree in Russian Studies, applied for the Edinburgh Napier nursing course and after an online group interview was offered a conditional place subject to passing online modules taken over the summer.
With all hurdles successfully negotiated, she has now been accepted on to the course and has joined classmates at the University’s Sighthill campus as she pursues the next step on her new career ladder.
Heather, from Canonmills, said: “It’s early days and I am still settling into my new routine and just beginning to appreciate the amount of work that needs to be done but I have been enjoying myself so far.
“I am raring to go, and am excited by the opportunity to go on placement in January and put the skills into practice.”
Edinburgh Napier’s Joanne Nethercott, who ran the Covid-19 testing centre and supported Heather as she applied for a place at the university, said: “Test centre staff were trained in a variety of roles to develop skills which they could add to their CV, and Heather approached every new role with enthusiasm and passion, and was keen to learn.
“I was surprised when she told me she was thinking of applying for the nursing course because it was so far from her work in finance and a big commitment, but of course, I supported her as much as I could and I was over the moon when she told me she had been offered a conditional place.
“I am delighted that the test centre work brought us a new student, and I am sure Heather will make a fantastic nurse.”
The public are to be given the opportunity to view proposals for an exciting new residential development at New Mart Road, Chesser, which will create a new urban quarter.
Watkin Jones Group, a leading developer and manager of homes for rent, has revealed proposals to redevelop land to the rear of the Corn Exchange.
The proposed high-quality mixed-use brownfield development will comprise primarily of build-to-rent (BTR) homes, including affordable homes, which will make up approximately 75 per cent of the floorspace. In addition to this will be managed student homes, forming a mixed-tenure urban residential village. This forms part of an overall regeneration of the brownfield site.
Under Covid-guidance, the public will have the opportunity to view development proposals on the New Mart website: www.newmart.scot with the opportunity to ask the development team questions and provide feedback at an online consultation event on Thursday14th October 2021 between 4pm and 8pm.
A live presentation will be made by the team of the proposals at 4pm, 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. The details for joining these presentations will be provided on the website.
The former auction mart buildings and livestock sheds are now over 120 years old and in need of constant maintenance, repair and upgrade which has become a completely uneconomical proposition for current occupiers, the World of Football and World of Bowling
To bring the buildings up to standard would be an unsustainable burden and cost for any organisation and the preference is to build new sustainable, environmentally friendly facilities rather than maintain what is becoming an impossible task.
Completing the work in 2025, should planning permission be given, the regeneration of this brownfield site will seek to retain the character and elements of the buildings. This will ensure their long-term viable future, all of which is considered in the creation of community spaces and public realm within the proposed scheme.
Iain Smith, Planning Director for Watkin Jones, commented: “We’re thrilled to be providing the public with the opportunity to view our exciting scheme for this new urban quarter at Chesser. The site is in a highly sustainable location with excellent access to amenities and transport links and will be built to future-proofed high environmental standards.
“We are aware of the financial burden bringing the current dated facilities up to standard will be and that it is an uneconomical position for the current owners..
“Our intention is to retain the character of the buildings where we can, ensuring their long-term viable future. These proposals will greatly assist in the regeneration of this part of the city. This consultation event is part of a process of extensive engagement to ensure that people from across the local area have an opportunity to input their views and shape our ambitious proposals.”
The development is proposed as a car free scheme with parking limited to accessible parking only and maximising the good quality public transport and active travel links to the site. Each of the key areas of public realm and open space will be given an identity as part of the overall masterplan, reflecting the history of the site, including a large central public square.
It is envisaged that the public square will be used by performing arts groups; farmers markets; leisure square gatherings and as an urban gathering space for residents.
Watkin Jones Group has undertaken major BTR schemes throughout the UK, completing its first purpose-built scheme in Leeds in 2016.
It has extensive experience of working in Edinburgh, investing extensively in the city over the last 10 years. Over the period it has developed a total of ten purpose-built student accommodation schemes, equating to 2,861 student homes.
A notable example is the award-winning Sugarhouse Close development, which was completed in the summer of 2012. The development is accessed from the Royal Mile and located within the World Heritage Site, demonstrating that the Group have first-hand experience delivering a high-quality scheme in a historically sensitive location.
Watkin Jones Group is also currently progressing a mixed tenure residential development at Iona Street in Edinburgh, for which planning permission was granted in March of this year.
This development comprises over 200 managed student homes, 60 residential apartments and 20 affordable homes and will be completed in 2023. In addition, the Group is delivering 645 managed student homes on Westfield Road and Gorgie Road which will be completing in 2022.
What is BTR?
BTR is a relatively new model for creating new homes in the UK but it is very popular in Europe and America. All the properties are built for rent, not for sale and are usually owned by a pension provider that wants to maintain a secure income to pay the pensions of its members.
Because the owner is a long-term professional investor there is an emphasis on future-proofed sustainability and maintaining a diverse thriving community that keeps the building and local area attractive as a place to live for decades.
Residents are offered long-term security of tenure, with the flexibility of renting and have access to wider on-site amenities, such as gyms and workspaces, that offer a better lifestyle the traditional boundaries of rented homes. Pets are often allowed in BTR homes. Recent research by the UKAA found that BTR homes charge similar rents to traditional rented homes.
Wildlife charity warns that we must act now if we are to save Scotland’s butterflies and moths for future generations
Butterfly Conservation has today released data on the number of butterflies and day-flying moths counted across the UK in this year’s Big Butterfly Count, which ran from 16th July – 8th August.
Worryingly, the decline in the number of butterflies and moths across the UK is continuing, with the overall number of butterflies recorded per count at its lowest level since the Big Butterfly Count began 12 years ago.
The nation’s love of butterflies isn’t diminishing. Despite the low butterfly numbers, and relatively poor weather, more butterfly counts were submitted in Scotland than ever before. 5,420 butterfly counts were submitted by 4,005 people, an increase of 35% and 14% respectively on 2020 figures.
Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation said: “This year’s results show that the average number of butterflies and moths per count is the lowest we’ve recorded so far, and the average number in Scotland was down by 7% on 2020 figures.
“More counts are undertaken and submitted year on year, but it seems that there are fewer butterflies and moths around to be counted.”
Some of the UK’s most-loved species including the Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock butterflies dropped in numbers this summer. This was a situation repeated across the UK, with the iconic Peacock butterfly suffering its lowest numbers since 2012. The Small Tortoiseshell, once a frequent visitor to gardens in the UK, had its third worst summer in the history of the Big Butterfly Count and shows a significant long-term decline in Britain.
Some species did show an increase on 2020 figures, including the Ringlet (above), which appeared to bounce back from low numbers during last year’s Big Butterfly Count. However, scientists at Butterfly Conservation warn that last year’s unusually sunny spring allowed them to emerge earlier, and that 2021’s results are therefore more typical for these species.
The greatest single species increase seen in Scotland was that for the Holly Blue, which is at complete odds with the general pattern in the UK, where the number of Holly Blue butterflies counted dropped. The Holly Blue has recently colonised Scotland and is a species to watch in future years to see if it expands across Scotland.
The Scotch Argus was included in the target species list for the Big Butterfly Count this year, and a total of 2,305 were seen, with 50% of these in the Highlands.
The weather across the UK this year has had a significant impact on butterfly and moth species, and with more climate change related extreme weather events likely, the impact on some of the UK’s most loved insects could be devastating.
Dr Randle explains: “Some of the UK’s butterflies have more than one generation per year, meaning we would see adult butterflies in spring and summer. The majority of these double-brooded species experienced their worst year since the start of the Big Butterfly Count in 2010.
“Weather changes are likely to be the cause of this. March 2021 was warmer than average which would have stimulated butterfly activity. However, May was very wet which will have hampered butterfly feeding and breeding. These combined weather effects are likely to have reduced the spring generation which has knock-on effects for the second generation in the summer.”
Butterflies and moths are important indicators of the health of the environment, and a decline in abundance is a serious cause for concern.
Butterfly Conservation has launched an ambitious strategy to help address the problems for butterflies and moths and be part of nature’s recovery.
Julie Williams, CEO of Butterfly Conservation, says: “The facts are clear. Nature is in crisis and we need urgent action, not just to prevent further species losses but to rebuild biodiversity.
“Since 1976, 76% of butterflies have declined in abundance or distribution, and the downward trend continues. We have come to accept that encounters with butterflies, moths and other wildlife are unusual, delightful but infrequent.
“It doesn’t have to be this way and through our new strategy Butterfly Conservation is pledging to halve the number of threatened butterfly and moth species in the UK, double our impact on landscape restoration, and galvanise thousands of people to create new wild spaces for nature.
“We can’t do this alone though and are urging people to join us to create a world where butterflies and moths thrive and can be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.”
Create Community Wealth is looking for two (2) Lead Creative people to join the project!
Create Community Wealth is an exciting long-term collaborative project that aims to develop micro-enterprises across the communities in Wester Hailes and Muirhouse.
Inspired by the grassroots movement of the Granby Four Streets in Liverpool and other Community Wealth Building initiatives around the world, this project aims to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.
An NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) consultant with cerebral palsy has gone from patient to doctor, and is keen to inspire others with her journey.
Kirsty Colquhoun has the lifelong neurological condition with affects a person’s movement, balance and coordination and sometimes other functions. No two people with cerebral palsy are the same and it affects people to different degrees. There are 17 million people worldwide with the condition, and though there are treatments available there is no cure.
Born with spastic diplegia (a form of cerebral palsy), Kirsty was inspired herself by the care she received at Yorkhill Children’s Hospital. Determined not to let the condition hold her back from pursuing her dreams to help others, Kirsty went on to study medicine at the University of Glasgow – graduating in 2006, and also gaining a Bachelor’s degree in pharmacology.
Now, 16 years later, 38 year old Kirsty is a consultant geriatrician working between Stobhill, the Beatson, and Glasgow Royal Infirmary – helping thousands of patients over her career, including looking after some of the sickest patients throughout COVID-19.
Kirsty is also a trustee for Cerebral Palsy Scotland.
Her story comes as the world celebrates World Cerebral Palsy (Wed 6 Oct) day which aims to ensure that children and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.
Kirsty said: “I’ve never let my condition hold me back and I think that’s an important message we want to get out to people with cerebral palsy this year. You can do what you want to do, and while challenges remain for young and older people with cerebral palsy, there are networks and support available for people with cerebral palsy and for employers to make sure they’re able to facilitate people with the condition so that everyone can benefit.
Kirsty, who has spent her entire career with NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, added: “NHSGGC has always supported me and valued my contribution. As an equal opportunities employer, they recognise me as an integral part of the team and have provided support to enable me to do my job to the best of my ability.
“For example, within the team I work in, Older People’s Services in Glasgow Royal Infirmary, while excellence is expected – disability or not – just as important is the ethos of kindness, support and wellbeing. When I had to, for the first time, take time off due to my Cerebral Palsy being affected by long hours on COVID wards – I was given the time and support I needed to get better.
“I know that not all people with disabilities have the same positive experience that I do and I wish I could bottle the inclusivity that I experience for others. Regardless of my disability I am valued just the same as everyone else as a professional and colleague, and diversity, and the experience it brings is celebrated.”
To recognise and celebrate yesterday’s World Cerebral Palsy Day, The Queen Elizabeth University in Glasgow joined hundreds of other buildings across the world and lit up green.
Stuart Gaw, general manager for Older People’s Services in the South at NHSGGC, said: “Kirsty is a real positive role model, not only as a cerebral palsy campaigner, but as a consultant within NHSGGC. She is a real asset to the team and more importantly, to the patients she looks after as a geriatrician.
“At NHSGGC we are proud to be able to offer opportunities and support people to achieve their dreams and progress in their career when appropriate and make the most of their talents. Kirsty is a shining example of someone who has not let their disability hold them back and has flourished in their chosen area of work.”
An Edinburgh gymnastics coach has won a national coaching hero award following her exceptional work over the pandemic trying to keep participants active, as well as looking after their mental well-being during the lockdowns.
From nearly 500 public nominations, Amy Chambers is one of 25 coaches across the UK to be crowned a winner at the UK Coaching Hero Awards. The coaches, who were voted by the public for their innovations and achievements to keep people moving during the coronavirus lockdowns, each received a memento from UK Coaching’s Royal Patron, HRH The Princess Royal to mark the considerable difference they made to people’s mental and physical well-being.
Despite completing the final year of her teaching degree during the pandemic, Amy still had time to focus on her gymnasts, creating a program of activities that were essential to staying positive and connected during the strange time.
With a specific focus on supporting her gymnasts’ mental wellbeing, Amy created a ‘Check in Tuesday’, which encouraged gymnasts to write down their emotions and share with the group – bringing people together through sport and showcasing the best of what coaching can be.
Just happy to be making a positive difference, Amy said: “I’m very proud that my coaching work has been recognised with a UK Coaching Hero award. It was such a surprise and I felt really touched that my gymnasts had decided to nominate me.
“The pandemic has affected my coaching delivery massively. During the first lockdown all my coaching took place over zoom with some outdoor training sessions (very unusual for gymnastics!) later in the summer. When we came back to gymnastics in September 2020, we were unable to physically support gymnasts which was very challenging and lead to some really creative coaching and innovative training sessions.
“Invested and committed coaching can be hugely important to people’s lives, especially when you’re working with children and young people. The positive relationships formed through such coaching are often life-long. It makes me feel really honoured and privileged to be able to make such a difference supporting people’s mental and physical health.
“It’s my hope that my gymnasts will carry what they’ve learnt about positive mental health strategies, emotional literacy, and physical preparation into whatever they do in life after gymnastics.
“I wanted to start coaching because it was something that came quite naturally to me when I was still a gymnast myself. I was always getting distracted by trying to help other people with their gymnastics rather than being focused on my own.
“I’ve focused a lot on supporting mental health throughout my coaching career -as a teaching student (and now teacher) I’ve also been very lucky to have regular and updated training and access to research about children’s mental health and how we can best support it as influential adults in their lives.
“I feel really passionate about ensuring athletes have a positive experience in gymnastics and that their experience in the sport gives them skills which they can use in their everyday lives.”
Reflecting on the exceptional contribution of the award-winning coaches like Amy, UK Coaching Director of Coaching Emma Atkins, said: “Many congratulations to Amy and all our winners. We applaud your efforts and the role you played in your communities, boosting morale, and lifting people’s moods in a completely alienating time.
“Helping people to use sport and physical activity positively through challenging times is a privilege and one which carries huge responsibilities, and you took your duties seriously, using your initiative to create solutions to the embargo on most sport and physical activity – looking always to what was possible – thank you.”
UK Coaching opened nominations to its UK Coaching Hero awards initiative in 2020 after the first major UK-wide COVID-19 lockdown. The charitable organisation wanted to acknowledge the efforts of coaches, who in difficult circumstances persevered and re-thought coaching techniques to deliver legal digital and one-to-one training, utilising sport and physical activity to keep people connected.
If you are interested in coaching or to progress your coaching career, visit ukcoaching.org
