06/12/2021 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

National Museums Scotland: What’s On

Exhibitions & Displays

National Museum of Scotland
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

NEW Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life

1 Jul – 13 Nov 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed

Explore the history of anatomical study, from artistic explorations by Leonardo da Vinci to the Burke and Hare murders.

This exhibition will look at the social and medical history surrounding the practice of dissection. It will trace the relationship between anatomy, its teaching and cultural context and the bodies that were dissected.

Looking at Edinburgh’s role as an international centre for medical study, the exhibition will offer insight into the links between science and crime in the early 19th century.

Sponsored by Baillie Gifford Actual Investors.

Visit nms.ac.uk/Anatomy

BOOK NOW Audubon’s Birds of America
12 Feb – 8 May 2022
Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Ticketed, £0-£10

This new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland will examine the artistry and legacy of one of the world’s rarest, most coveted and biggest books.

Published as a series between 1827 and 1838, Birds of America by John James Audubon (1785-1851) was a landmark work which achieved international renown due to the epic scale of the project and the book’s spectacular, life-sized ornithological illustrations.
Audubon’s Birds of America (12 February – 8 May 2022) will showcase 46 unbound prints from National Museums Scotland’s collection, most of which have never been on display before, as well as a rare bound volume of the book, on loan from the Mitchell Library. This exhibition is a unique opportunity to see so much of Audubon’s work in one place.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Book now nms.ac.uk/Audubon

The Typewriter Revolution

24 Jul 2021–17 Apr 2022
10:00–16:30
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free entry

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this new exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.

The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.

Visit nms.ac.uk/Typewriters

Inspiring Walter Scott

6 Aug 2021 – 9 Jan 2022
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1
Free entry

On the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.

In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller.

Visit nms.ac.uk/walterscottexhibition

Scotland’s Climate Challenge

24 Sep 2021 – 27 Mar 2022
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1
Free entry

This small exhibition highlights the exciting work being carried out in Scotland to fight against climate change. It brings together just some of the technological responses that have been developed in Scotland or that are being used here in the effort to cut carbon dioxide emissions. On show are a range of leading-edge equipment, much of it newly collected, alongside samples of natural material.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Visit nms.ac.uk/ClimateChallenge

Extinction Bell

24 Sep 2021 – 9 Jan 2022
The Grand Gallery
Free entry

The Extinction Bell is a work by Bristol-based artist Luke Jerram that aims to raise awareness of biodiversity loss.

A fire engine bell from National Museums Scotland’s collection has been adapted to toll at random intervals 150-200 times per day. Each ring of the bell symbolises the extinction of a species, representing the number being lost every 24 hours (according to a 2007 report from the UN).

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

Visit nms.ac.uk/ExtinctionBell

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00

LEGO® Concorde Model
28 Jun 2021 – 30 Jan 2022
Saturdays and Sundays 10:00 – 16:00
Free with pre-booked museum entry

Master builder Warren Elsmore and his team have created a LEGO® Big Build of the National Museum of Flight’s Concorde.

Six metres long and made of over 60,000 bricks, you can see the model on display alongside the real thing. The model is made purely from standard 2×4 LEGO bricks and took five days to build as part of our Brick Wonders exhibition in Spring 2021.

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Events

Online

New Museum Art Challenge 2021
29 Nov 2021 – 2 Jan 2022
Online, free

Looking for something creative to do this December? The Museum Art Challenge invites you to make art inspired by our incredible collections. With five weekly themes to get you thinking, you can take part from near or far simply by emailing us a picture of your finished artwork.

Take part nms.ac.uk/museumartchallenge

National Museum of Rural Life
Wester Kittochside, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Clyde’s Winter Trail
27 Nov 2021 – 9 Jan 2022
10:00 – 17:00

Free with pre-booked museum admission

Spot the festive scenes that Clyde, the Clydesdale horse, and his friends have been creating around the museum as they get ready for the festive season.

Our family programming is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery

Visit: nms.as.uk/exhibitions-events

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789

SNIPEF’s Training Services up for national Award for Excellence

The Scotland and Northern Ireland Plumbing Employers’ Federation’s (SNIPEF) training arm, SNIPEF Training Services, (STS) working together as a task group with nine of Scotland’s colleges, has been shortlisted in the category of “Best Use of Technology in the Delivery of Plumbing Training” by BPEC, the nationally recognised training organisation which is set to hold its Annual Awards for Excellence 2021 ceremony online on Wednesday 8 December.

STS subcontracts off-the-job training to 18 colleges located across Scotland where around 850 apprentices are currently in training. The COVID-19 lockdown and the closure of colleges throughout the country, presented the challenge of ensuring apprentices remained on track to complete their Plumbing & Heating (P&H) Modern Apprenticeship (MA).

Apprentices were unable to enter college premises to undertake their theoretical/practical assessments in the SQA assessments rooms, so STS approached the MA joint awarding bodies, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) and the Scottish and Northern Ireland Joint Industry Board (SNIJIB) to explore alternative assessments (AA) procedures.

Dale Thomson, Apprentice Training Manager for SNIPEF, said: “First, we had to ensure any new assessments could be accessed by all apprentices from the safety of their own homes, so we decided to use Microsoft Forms as all apprentices have a Microsoft account.

“Second, with distance learning, we had to ensure that all apprentices had access to suitable IT equipment and were able to undertake assessments, so we worked with our subcontractors to facilitate this.”

Together the task group created 19 AAs with three variations each, typically with around 20/40 questions in each assessment. The work for the AAs ensured that when colleges were able to return, they only had to get apprentices up to date with their practical assessments.

Dale Thomson added: “The new AAs have been well received from employers, apprentices and the Scottish Government’s Skills Minister, Jamie Hepburn.

“Due to its success the joint awarding bodies asked STS to look after and maintain the AAs which will in due course replace the SQA solar assessments.”

Fiona Hodgson, Chief Executive of SNIPEF, said: “The clarity and determination with which the task group addressed the issue and rapidly developed an excellent alternative solution is a tribute to the professionalism of its members.

“It is gratifying to have been shortlisted for this award which, in its own way, underlines the importance of applying new technologies to a range of issues not only within the plumbing and heating sector but in the UK construction industry generally.”

INEOS FPS At Grangemouth rolls out AI to reduce emissions

INEOS FPS has committed to reduce emissions from its operations to Net Zero by 2045
INEOS has already made progress, with emissions reductions of 37% since it acquired the site in 2005
The deployment of innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology will further reduce emissions from its operations, demonstrating the company’s commitment to meeting UK/ Scottish Government targets

INEOS FPS has announced plans to deploy innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven optimisation technology at its Kinneil Terminal in Grangemouth that will deliver further carbon emissions reductions from its operations.

The decision follows the announcement of INEOS’ commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its operations in Grangemouth by more than 60% by 2030 as it targets Net Zero by 2045.

As part of its road map, the business is already making significant investments in emissions reduction projects at Grangemouth and deploying AI technology at Kinneil is another tool that will enable it to achieve the next phase of the transition to Net Zero.

Working with data analytics experts, OPEX Group, INEOS FPS will deploy the firm’s emissions.AI software, which optimises complex industrial facilities to deliver lower carbon emissions.

A real benefit emissions.AI will bring to INEOS’ systems is the way the tool calculates lowest achievable emissions; learning from the information received from hundreds of data points across our processes and always looking for what can be done better.

We believe that once the new software is fully integrated there is the potential to identify up to a 10% reduction in existing emissions – with further opportunities thereafter.

Opex Group’s emissions.AI software is leading edge technology. It will continuously monitor energy use across the Kinneil Terminal to pinpoint opportunities to minimise fuel and power consumption and further optimise plant operations. As well as having access to real time emissions data in greater detail the software will allow INEOS FPS’ operational teams to know when and where to optimise processes and plant for lower emissions.

Andrew Gardner, Chief Executive at INEOS FPS commented; “The installation of the emissions.AI software takes energy management to a new level, that will lead to significant CO₂ savings.

“We are committed to delivering our roadmap to net zero and see technology as a key enabler to achieving our decarbonisation goals. Across our organisation we are embedding a culture of carbon awareness, including as part of daily operations. AI will assist our teams in unlocking immediate operational emissions savings by making emissions data instantly available to them.”

Chris Ayres, Chief Customer Officer at OPEX said: “We are delighted to support INEOS in their drive to reduce carbon emissions. Turning existing operational data into actionable emissions intelligence will give INEOS FPS’ teams access to the information they need to drive faster and better informed operational decisions, and get after day-to-day emissions savings opportunities.

“Data holds the key to empowering operations teams to contribute to decarbonisation targets. To gain a much deeper understanding of the emissions profile of their assets and identify the actions they can take to make a difference, today.”

Aldi invests £8,000 in sports clubs across Lothians and Borders

Edinburgh’s Lismore Rugby Football Club received the highest funding available

Aldi has invested £8,000 in ten local sports clubs across the Lothians and Scottish Borders this year as part of the supermarket’s annual Scottish Sport Fund.

As part of the retailer’s wider commitment to help cultivate a healthier Scotland, the fund gives local clubs the chance to receive funding ranging from £500 to £2,500.

Lismore Rugby Football Club secured the highest funding in the region this year, receiving £2,500. The Edinburgh-based charitable organisation, which has two men’s amateur senior teams, one women’s amateur senior team and a community outreach programme, plans to use the funding to start a pilot walking rugby programme for over 50s in the local community.

A slower, non-contact version of the sport, walking rugby is particularly suited to an older audience that are looking to stay fit and active. There are currently no opportunities for individuals to engage with the sport within Edinburgh, and thanks to Aldi’s donation, Lismore Rugby Football Club are going to change this.

Other clubs that have benefitted from this year’s Scottish Sport Fund include Kelso Tennis Club and PHD FUNdamentals – a trampoline and gymnastics club, which each received £1,000.

Saltire Gymnastics, Watsonians Hockey Club, 10^th West Lothian Scout Group, Boroughmuir Thistle Football Club, Dysart Sailing Club, Girlguiding Midlothian and Lochend Football Academy were also successful and received £500 each.

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund aims to help people of all ages to take part in physical activity within their local communities by giving the clubs the opportunity to secure much needed funding.

Since launching in 2016, Aldi has invested over£50,000 and supports over 85 clubs across the Lothians and the Scottish Borders, helping to improve community access to sports across the region.

Eric Jones, Rugby Development Officer at Lismore Rugby Football Club, said: “We are really grateful that our club has received the highest funding available in such a large region. We’re just trying to do our part, keeping people of all ages active, so to be recognised for this is a big achievement for us.

“We applied because we value the mental and physical benefits of exercise and wanted to launch a walking rugby programme in the local community to encourage people to stay active.

“This funding will help us launch a year-long pilot of the programme. I can’t wait to get started!”

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “It’s brilliant that a wide variety of sports clubs across the Lothians and the Scottish Borders have been able to benefit from our Scottish Sport Fund initiative.

“It’s humbling to see how much of a difference extra funding can make to clubs like Lismore Rugby Football Club, and in supporting people across Scotland to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the criteria, from rugby clubs to after school groups, and everything in between. Groups can apply for funding for a wide range of purposes, including new strips and equipment, or for putting towards the cost of training facilities and coaching.

For more information about Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, please visit:

www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund.

Tree of Hope to boost secondary breast cancer research

Buy a bauble and help fund vital studies and support patients

Edinburgh residents are being invited to join a joyous festive fundraising campaign to support people living with secondary breast cancer.

Charity Make 2nds Count has launched its inspiring Tree of Hope initiative, giving people the chance to donate by buying a Christmas bauble which will not only become a gorgeous decoration for the tree but can also be a beautiful tribute to a current patient or a lost loved one.

The aim is to raise £15,000 in a national Tree of Hope campaign to fund more new and dedicated research into secondary breast cancer, a disease that kills 1000 women a month in the UK.

Two Christmas Trees of Hope are located in Edinburgh, in McLarens on the Corner in Morningside Road and in the Cold Town House in The Grassmarket – venues of the Signature Group hospitality collection which is supporting the fundraiser by hosting the trees and donating a percentage from a special dish served in its various locations.

Both real and virtual baubles are available to purchase, with donors receiving their personalised decoration as a keepsake in January. Individual Baubles of Hope are £25 with corporate Baubles of Hope available for £100.

The initiative is part of the charity’s Make Christmas Count campaign to highlight secondary breast cancer. Also known as metastatic, advanced or stage IV breast cancer, it is a cancer that has spread beyond the breast to other parts of the body. On average there are around 35,000 patients in the UK currently living with this form of cancer.

Emma Hall, Head of Fundraising and Engagement, Make 2nds Count, says: “Every family has cherished decorations that come out every year, baubles that mean something poignant to them personally, and this is just a lovely way of sharing a bit of that special Christmas spirit with others.

“It really is the most wonderful time of the year and we’re confident that people will embrace our message of hope this festive season by taking the opportunity to add some sparkle to our trees and to boost our research funds.”

Siobhán Leith, Head of Sales and Marketing, Signature Group adds: “Signature Group is delighted to be supporting Make 2nds Count for the second year.

“We’re so grateful to the six venues in our group who are hosting the Trees of Hope in order to be a voice within our communities. The work that this charity does is so important and we’re proud to be able to help raise awareness and funds through this fun and meaningful initiative.”

Make 2nds Count founder Lisa Fleming, 38, of Edinburgh, had no previous breast cancer diagnosis when she learned she had primary and secondary breast cancer (SBC) in 2017. It is in the majority of her bones and brain. She says the value of donations cannot be underestimated.

“Last year, the first year of our Tree of Hope campaign, we had an amazing response and outstripped our £10,000 target by several thousand pounds so we’re aiming a bit higher this year.

“The generosity of those who contribute to our fundraising has allowed us to make several important grants to researchers and donations from our trees will fund even more new and innovative projects, maintaining our mission to give hope to patients and their families affected by SBC, particularly at this special festive time.”

Witness appeal following road accident on West Maitland Street

Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was seriously injured following a road crash in Haymarket last night.

Around 9pm, the 29-year-old woman was struck by a double decker bus on West Maitland Street near Morrison Street.

She was taken by ambulance to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where medical staff describe her condition as critical but stable.No one from the bus was injured.

Sergeant Iain McIntyre, Police Scotland, said:”The area was quite busy at the time and I’d like to thank those who came to the lady’s aid and spoke to police.

“However, I’d still ask that anyone who witnessed the collision, or who may have caught the incident on their dash-cam footage, contact police. Please call officers on 101 quoting reference number 3356 of Sunday, 5 December, 2021.”

Make sure that Cyber Security is top of your Christmas list

To paraphrase the Christmas song “It’s the most vulnerable time of the year.” Cyber criminals don’t take a holiday, so your chances of being a victim of a cyber attack can increase.

Christmas holidays are a prime time for criminals to take advantage of. At this time of year, organisations will start to close and will be running with a heavily reduced staff count which can make organisations vulnerable.

Last Christmas Eve, Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s digital systems were held under attack. It knocked several of their key systems offline causing major disruption to their staff and made it difficult for them to do their work.

Does your current security strategy include a plan for cyber attacks during the holidays?

The benefits of having a business community plan are undeniable. When disaster strikes, getting business operations back up and running quickly is crucial. No business is immune to potential threats, no matter how big or small your organisation is.

Make sure you have taken all the necessary steps to secure your IT unfractured ahead of time. From protecting your website, safeguarding your customer details to training your staff it’s time to take a closer look at your organisation’s cyber security.

Take the time now to review your business continuity plan and know where you can seek advice and support should you need it.

Developing a plan

A Cyber Incident Response Plan is a set of instructions that are designed to help you prepare, detect, respond and recover from cyber incidents. Having a plan will outline the recovery process, so that everyone knows what is required of them during an incident. Each department in your organisation should understand the incident response procedure.

Our Cyber Incident Response Pack is an easy-to-follow guide to setting up a cyber incident response plan for your business. It has checklists, action plans, and template documents that you can use today. This will help you identify and prioritise your company’s most valuable assets and links to advice to help you keep them secure.

Regular back-ups

Ransomware has been a growing cyber security threat, and one which could affect any organisation that does not have appropriate defences. Ransomware is a type of malware that prevents you from accessing your computer (or the data that is stored on it). The computer itself may become locked, or the data on it might be stolen, deleted or encrypted.

You should perform a regular back-up of your systems and data, which will enable quick restoration of business functions. Importantly, having offline versions of your backups is your best defence, as you can wipe any encrypted devices and restore from your offline back up.

Read the NCSC’s blog on offline backups for more advice and how to defend your organisation from potential malware and ransomware attacks.

Keep all software up to date

All sorts of electronic devices can hold personal or financial data so it’s important to make sure you secure these devices with strong passwords and update the software regularly.

Companies fix any weaknesses by releasing updates. You should always make sure to install the latest software updates to protect your devices from vulnerabilities. Take some time to review your security settings on all your devices and make sure you’re protected against the latest threats.

Small Business Guide

The NCSC’s Small Business Guide and Small Charity Guide includes simple steps you can take to protect yourself and your business from cyber security risks. Doing these steps will significantly increase your protection from the most common types of cyber crime.

By proactively addressing the cyber security in your organisation, you can enjoy the holidays knowing you have minimized any potential risks.

Who to contact for support

Organisations looking for support and advice can call the free Cyber Incident Response Helpline. This helpline can support organisations that have been a victim of an attack and provide expert guidance to get back to secure operations.

Call the helpline on: 01786 437 472

You can report cyber crime to Police Scotland by phoning 101

Celebrate a Holly Jolly Christmas with The Ivy on the Square

The Ivy on the Square celebrates with a festive installation and limited-edition cocktails created in collaboration with Edrington UK

The Ivy on the Square celebrates the launch of ‘A Jolly Robin’ with a spectacular festive installation for guests and passers-by to enjoy as well as new limited-edition cocktails.

Inspired by William Morris’ famous 1883 print, The Strawberry Thief, The Ivy on the Square’s façade will take guests on a wonderful festive journey combining festive florals, the Christmas robin and pomegranate.

Available until Friday 31 December, guests will be able to enjoy a selection of bespoke cocktails created in partnership with Edrington UK.

For those looking to treat themselves to a yuletide tipple, the brasserie’s bar team are serving up a number of bespoke cocktails, including the showstopping Red Robin (£9.75), a blend of Maker’s Mark Bourbon, lemon, pomegranate, and honey, finished with apple cider, and Hold-Up Ginger (£10.25), complete with Haku Vodka, Aperol, pineapple, lime, and gingerbread, perfect for an after-dinner treat.

Also featured is the Christmas Star(£10.25), a festive delight incorporating refreshing Roku Gin, star anis, pineapple, lemon and Crème de Mure.

Diners can also enjoy a delicious menu featuring showstopping seasonal desserts including the delightfully rich snowball fight (£9.50), with brandy ice cream, white chocolate, gingerbread and complete with cream sauce – perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Agata Lubera, General Manager at The Ivy on the Square said: “We’re excited to officially launch our new installation and delicious food and beverage menus to guests this week.

“Edinburgh is known all around the world for its vibrant Christmas celebrations so we’re looking forward to being part of the city’s festivities.”

Yes! Yes! UCS!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Townsend Theatre Productions latest play coming to North Edinburgh Arts

It’s 1971 and Aggy McGraw, straight out of school, gets an office job at Fairfields shipyard in Govan a week before the new Tory government decides to stop any investment in what they call ‘lame duck’ industries, which includes shipbuilding on the Clyde.

Facing an uncertain future, she has nothing to lose, except her job, and is swept up into the famous ‘Work In’ to demonstrate to the government that shipbuilding has a future – that the jobs, traditions, skills and communities can be saved.

Townsend Theatre Productions’ new play Yes! Yes! U.C.S! is a celebration of the community solidarity and collective resistance inspired and led by Upper Clyde Shipbuilders’ shop stewards Jimmy’s Reid and Airlie, attracting massive national and international support that led to victory in the fight for Right to Work.

John Lennon and Yoko Ono sent a bunch of roses with message for the people of Glasgow; it read: “Power to the People!”

Yes! Yes! UCS! begins a nationwide tour in February and comes to North Edinburgh Arts on 27 April (venue to be confirmed due to the Arts Centre’s redevelopment).

National Grief Awareness Week – 78% of us have NEVER spoken to a GP about bereavement

At the start of National Grief Awareness Week, Cruse Bereavement Support and the Royal College of GPs are announcing an exciting new partnership to strengthen bereavement support and understanding of grief for people across the UK.

In an important step for UK healthcare, the partnership aims to highlight just how impactful grief can be on a person’s physical and mental health.

New research released today by Cruse, shows that over three-quarters of adults in Britain (78%) have never spoken to a GP about a bereavement*.

With this staggering figure in mind, Cruse and the RCGP are making clear to people who may need additional support after experiencing a bereavement, whether recent or in the past, that they can connect with their GP practice team.

This will give GP teams the opportunity to identify people who may need additional support from bereavement services as well as offering information and advice on support available.

With support from a grant of more than £574,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund the largest funder of community activity in the UK, this campaign will supply GPs nationwide with a toolkit supporting them to provide consistent and compassionate support for grieving patients.

The toolkit also provides information and products for patients and healthcare staff – including an animation on the new partnership, a patient poster for all GP surgeries on bereavement and grief and a VBA (very brief advice) card for practice staff.

Sadly, nearly everyone will be affected by bereavement at some point in their life and it is vital that the right support is available and known for people who need it.

This exciting initiative delivered by Cruse Bereavement Support in partnership with The RCGP, is a big step toward ensuring healthcare groups and bereavement support charities are working in partnership to provide the best bereavement support for grieving people.

Steven Wibberley, Chief Executive of Cruse Bereavement Support comments: “Understanding grief and how it can affect your health is the first step towards getting the support you need – and GPs and practice teams can play a really important role in helping grieving people with this.

“That’s why we are so pleased to be collaborating with the RCGP in this important campaign to bridge the gap between healthcare and bereavement support. It’s our hope that this partnership will also ensure all grieving people, especially those who may feel alone and unsure of where to get help, are able to access the right support when they so desperately need it.”

Dr Catherine Millington-Sanders, Clinical Lead for Palliative and End of Life Care for the Royal College of General Practitioners comments: “After a bereavement, it’s natural to want and ask for support. Many people find support from their friends, family or community networks but others may be really struggling with their grief and find more formal support helpful.

“GP practices are a valued and important source of information, support and advice in our communities. This work between the RCGP and Cruse aims to equip GP practice teams with the tools to help identify people with bereavement needs and accessible information to sign-post people to appropriate bereavement support, ensuring the bereaved person is at the centre of every step.”