Edinburgh’s Small Business Champion Cllr Lezley Marion Cameron is encouraging residents to buy local this weekend and support Small Business Saturday today (4 December).
Now in its ninth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday aims to bring shoppers and business owners together to support small businesses this holiday season – and to help their communities thrive all year long.
From a knitting and sewing shop in Tollcross to a bohemian boutique jewellers in the Old Town, there are a number of different businesses spread right across Edinburgh taking part.
Cllr Cameron called into Mysa and Eden on Cockburn Street ahead of Small Business Saturday to offer her support to the group of four shops which started out life as a local market offering an eclectic range of products and gifts.
Cllr Cameron said: “It’s great to see small businesses like Mysa and Eden thriving and taking part in Small Business Saturday this Christmas. They have a quiet hour every Sunday and they’re dog friendly as well.
“I’d encourage everyone to do this all year round, not just at Christmas, and if you’re out and about in your local shops, hospitality and other businesses please help us to keep everyone safe by wearing a face covering, sanitising your hands regularly and adhering to social distancing where required.
“Please also think about your impact on the environment this Christmas, be less wasteful, reuse items where you can and follow the other hints and tips featured in our new Green Christmas campaign.”
Dobbies is encouraging people in Edinburgh to think sustainably this Christmas, as they mark ‘Bring your Christmas Tree Home Day’ (today – 4 December 2021).
Dobbies’ annual ‘Bring your Christmas Tree Home Day’ takes place on the first Saturday of December and marks the day most shoppers visit their local garden centre to pick up their real cut or pot grown Christmas trees.
This year, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer has launched a new range of real Christmas trees for every space at its Edinburgh store, making it easier to find the perfect tree no matter your style or budget.
From small trees like the pot grown Picea ‘Conica’, ideal for compact spaces; to the slim grade Nordmann Fir, perfect for tight spots; to the impressive Premium grade Nordmann Fir for large rooms, there is something for every home, so you can do Christmas your way.
This ‘Bring your Christmas Tree Home Day’, Dobbies is encouraging shoppers buying real trees to think ahead about how they can reuse their Christmas centrepiece once the festivities are over.
The garden centre has announced its top tips on how people can repurpose their cut Christmas trees to create a wildlife haven for small animals and insects to shelter in during the winter months and reduce waste in the new year.
This is part of the #SustainableDobbies campaign, in which the retailer raises awareness of sustainable products and practices for customers and supporters.
Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles said: “Choosing a real tree is one of the most-loved Christmas traditions, and on this year’s ‘Bring Your Christmas Tree Home Day’, we want to encourage people in Edinburgh to be mindful of how they can recycle their cut real trees once the festivities are over.
“Cut real Christmas trees can be a great tool when it comes to creating a safe place for wildlife to shelter during the winter months, so we’re delighted to show people how they can make use of their trees once the Christmas decorations have come down.”
Fay Vass, Chief Executive of British Hedgehog Preservation Society said: “We’re delighted that Dobbies are shining a light on ways in which people can create a safe space for hedgehogs and other wildlife in their gardens.
“Hedgehog numbers are in decline, and they have recently been added to the UK Red List as a species that is vulnerable to extinction. We all need to play our part in improving their habitat and we hope people will take advantage of these tips to help create a safe place for wildlife in their gardens.”
Marcus has outlined a step-by-step guide on how people can reuse their real cut Christmas trees to make a wildlife haven in their gardens in the new year:
1. Remove the tree from your house carefully to stop any loose needles from dropping. Marcus recommends wearing thick gloves to protect your hands.
2. Using a good quality pair of secateurs, starting from the top remove each branch as close as possible to the main stem.
3. Stack the branches together four or five pieces high and place onto soil or leaves under large shrubs, trees or hedges.
4. Repeat this process until all the branches are used. This will provide a great shelter for small animals and insects to protect them from the worst of the winter weather. Marcus points out that the needles and branches will breakdown over time to produce organic matter than will enrich the soil.
5. For the main trunk of the tree use a pruning saw to cut into 30cm lengths, which can then be stacked to make a mini log pile which is a great habitat for wildlife to shelter in.
Dobbies is encouraging the children who attend its Little Seedlings Club to take the lead in creating wildlife shelters.
Ethan Firth, Dobbies Little Seedling Ambassador, adds: “Christmas is a time to create fond memories and what better way than to keep a memory of Christmas whilst considering the environment and being sustainable all at the same time!
“I plan to re-pot our family pot-grown Christmas tree and reuse for next Christmas, and the cut Christmas tree in my bedroom I’m going to recycle and make a hedgehog shelter.”
Police are investigating following a road traffic crash which happened at Ravelston Dykes at the junction with Murrayfield Road.
At around 1.25pm on Thursday (2 December 2021), a beige VW Golf being driven east on Ravelston Dykes Road, at the junction with Murrayfield Road, collided with a white Citroen C3 before overturning and coming to rest in a nearby garden.
The driver and sole occupant of the Golf, a 61-year-old man, was extricated from the vehicle and taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life-threatening. The driver of the Citroen was uninjured.
Police attended along with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and the Scottish Ambulance Service. The roadway was closed until around 5.10pm to allow for the vehicle to be recovered from the scene.
Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick from Police Scotland’s Road Policing Unit based in Edinburgh said: “I’d like to thank those members of the public who came to assist the driver at the scene and provided immediate attention to him prior to the arrival of emergency services.
“We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash, particularly the VW Golf before it collided with the Citroen, and anyone who could have dash-cam footage of the incident is asked to provide this to us as soon as possible.”
Those with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 and quote incident number 1578 of 2 December 2021.
The coaches of GB Paralympian Kadeena Cox MBE have won The Coaching Chain award and will receive their accolade at this year’s UK Coaching Awards on Tuesday 7 December.
Further award winners on the night include the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Richard Brickley and Mussabini Medallists – coaches who supported their athletes to gold medals at this year’s Tokyo Games.
Kadeena Cox’s coaching chain has been recognised for their tremendous impact on her journey to success. The award signifies and celebrates the importance of progressive person-centred coaching and the continuous dedicated support and time invested in athletes throughout their careers.
The coaches behind the growth and development of multi-medallist Cox, who is currently starring in ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’ are Tom Hodgkinson, Joe McDonnell, Jon Norfolk MBE, Brian Scobie, Sue Bowles, John Westerman and Nathan Wells.
Leeds-born Kadeena’s journey into athletics started when her school hockey coach, Sue Bowles, suggested she tried sprinting after noticing her greatest asset was her speed. After success on the track with athletics coaches John Westerman, Brian Scobie and strength and conditioning coach, Nathan Wells, Cox was diagnosed with the lifelong condition of Multiple Sclerosis (MS).
Just two years after her diagnosis, Paralympic Head Coach for GB Cycling Jon Norfolk MBE supported Cox to achieve an incredible feat when she became the first British Paralympian in 32 years to win gold medals in different sports at a single Games at the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
With the help of sprints coach, Joe McDonnell and British Cycling’s Paralympic Programme coach Tom Hodgkinson, Cox followed this success at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, retaining her C4-5 time trial gold medal and adding further gold in the mixed team sprint C1–5.
Discussing Cox’s achievements, her school hockey coach, Sue Bowles said: “Kadeena is a huge role model to young and old that no matter what obstacles come to you in life, you can still achieve your goals with determination and positivity.
“Kadeena – I cannot tell you how proud I am of you. You totally deserve everything you have achieved and I feel privileged to have played a small part in your incredible journey.”
Tom Hodgkinson, her cycling coach added: “Medals define the champion to the public. However, the great champions are defined by not only what they win but how they take people with them, which Kadeena does more often than anyone else I work with.
“Kadeena has the highest performance behaviours and expectations of her team and her performance. This level is met with her own personal behaviours which make you want to do more for Kadeena, with her unwavering care to check in with her team outside of the sessions that everyone is OK personally, looking after her family, gifting presents to my twins on their birthdays and Christmas, and when times are tough the ability to keep perspective beyond the now and into the future whilst keeping a smile on her face.”
The Coaching Chain category has become one of the highlights of the UK Coaching Awards. Recent winners have included the coaches behind Three Lions superstar Marcus Rashford, Cricket World Cup winner Ben Stokes, Olympic sailing gold medallist Hannah Mills, Tour de France winner Geraint Thomas, Scotland rugby union full-back Stuart Hogg and Olympic hockey gold medallist Kate Richardson-Walsh.
The UK Coaching Awards showcases the diverse work of coaches, projects and organisations, making a huge difference to the health and happiness of the nation – especially against the backdrop of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Along with Cox’s coaching chain to receive accolades on the night will include the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, Richard Brickley.
Richard is to be recognised for his outstanding service to participants with disabilities having worked for over 40 years to give disabled people the best possible experience in sport and physical activity.
His dedication to creating a culture of inclusion within sport led him to become the inaugural chair of the UK Coaching Learning and Leadership Group, which was formed in 2007 acting as an advisory group to help embed inclusive practices throughout coaching across the UK.
Reflecting on his award, Richard said: “I am thrilled to receive the UK Coaching Lifetime Achievement Award but at the same time recognise that there are so many others who could equally claim the right to be here.
“Being able to influence the physical activity behaviours of so many participants with physical, sensory, or learning disabilities of all levels of ability over so many years is undoubtedly high up on the list of proudest moments.
“As a member of the Scottish Disability Sport education and coaching tutor team, to be involved in so many projects and programmes that have changed lives – it fills me with enormous satisfaction and pride.”
Coaches of gold medallists at the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo, will receive a special accolade of the Mussabini Medal – named after Scipio Africanus Mussabini (Sam), widely recognised as a pioneer of modern sports coaching.
Between the 1908 and 1928 Games, Sam coached athletes to 11 Olympic medals, including five Golds. The tradition of awarding medals in Sam’s name dates back to the very start of the UK Coaching Awards.
FedEx Express, a subsidiary of FedEx Corp. and the world’s largest express transportation company, has introduced a fleet of seven e-cargo bikes to work alongside its vehicle pick-up and delivery fleet in Edinburgh and Glasgow.
As the company sets out to reduce emissions from its road transportation operations, the introduction of cargo bikes in urban centres is one way FedEx is seeking to make an immediate impact on carbon emissions.
FedEx successfully introduced e-cargo bikes to its permanent operations in London, where they have replaced diesel vehicles for serving emissions restricted zones. Edinburgh and Glasgow – cities with a strong cycling culture – become the next UK cities to welcome this method of zero emissions delivery.
Alun Cornish, FedEx operations managing director in Europe, said: “Electric cargo bikes will fulfill a sustainable last-mile delivery solution for customers in and round Edinburgh and Glasgow City Centres.
“Earlier FedEx pilots in the cities made the case for transitioning to two wheels, proving an effective alternative to vans thanks to their ability to take shorter, faster routes. We see real potential for e-cargo bikes to complement and work alongside our motorised vehicle fleet as we strive to make zero-emissions deliveries our standard.”
FedEx aims to achieve carbon-neutral operations globally by 2040 with electrification of its pick-up and delivery vehicles being a major area of investment.
In March 2021, FedEx announced its global target for 50% of all newly procured vehicles to be electric by 2025 rising to 100% of all new purchases by 2030.
The roll out of e-cargo bikes is tipped to continue in UK cities beyond Edinburgh and Glasgow, alongside the transition to fully electric vehicles. The sustainability benefits of delivering goods by e-cargo bike include not only reduced carbon emissions but also reduced congestion and noise.
Bicycle couriers can also make use of existing road infrastructure, such as bicycle and bus lanes, and are able to find kerbside parking more easily than vans – particularly in hard to access areas.
The implementation of e-cargo bikes to operations in Edinburgh and Glasgow promotes the livability of dense urban areas as demand for deliveries continues to rise alongside the need to reduce the environmental impacts of transportation.
The number of cases of the Omicron variant in Scotland has risen to 29, it has been confirmed.
Commenting on the increase in Omicron cases to 29, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The number of Omicron cases now being reported in Scotland is rising, and cases are no longer all linked to a single event, but to several different sources including a Steps concert at the Hydro on 22 November.
“This confirms our view that there is now community transmission of this variant within Scotland. Given the nature of transmission we would expect to see cases rise – perhaps significantly – in the days ahead.
“However, health protection teams are continuing work through contact tracing, isolation and testing to slow the spread as far as possible while we learn more about the new variant’s impact. Ministers are also keeping the situation under daily review.”
A real terms reduction in Local Government funding in recent years must be halted to prevent Scotland’s communities and businesses suffering the effects of further cutbacks, COSLA has said.
This year’s Scottish Budget – to be announced next week on December 9 – should also recognise Local Government’s unique role in economic transformation, and must enable meaningful reinvestment in the services that underpin the economy.
Councils have significant spending power and the potential to build local wealth. Every pound spent in a local area – on pay, goods and services, and on capital projects – stays in and strengthens the local economy that enables people to ‘Live Well, Locally’.
COSLA also warns that without adequate funding for Local Government to support economic transformation, issues such as unemployment and child poverty will continue to rise, hitting communities hard and costing the whole system more in the long run.
COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson, Councillor Gail Macgregor, said: “The economic challenges faced across Scotland require a new response – one that is in tune with the needs of local areas and resourced sustainably.
“The Scottish Budget on December 9 presents a perfect opportunity to reset Scottish public spending in a way that empowers councils to achieve their ambition for our communities, creating jobs and sharing prosperity.
“Scotland’s Councils have invaluable local intelligence with local businesses, colleges and universities, about key sectors, local labour markets, and skills/training needs that should be valued and fully utilised to allow our communities to thrive and enable people to ’Live Well Locally’.
“As well as the many great examples we have in our Lobbying document, take somewhere like Dundee where as part of the major development to their waterfront that includes the prestigious V&A Museum, Dundee City Council has used its influence to encourage payment of the living wage by partners and private sector business including its contractors.
“In addition, units that have been created for let are being leased to businesses that are committed to providing the living wage delivering positive and sustainable developments to the local economy.”
COSLA Vice President Councillor Graham Houston added: “Only Councils have the vital local connections across the services that underpin economic transformation we require post-COVID.
“Take something like housing for example – a basic human right. It is not just about throwing up new homes – it’s about building them in a way which helps transform our communities, in a way which is affordable, and in a way which supports our commitments to tackle climate change and to community wealth building.
“There has to be that connectivity that only Local Government can provide. Councils make and shape the places we live in and love and with proper funding form Government would be the real enablers in allowing people to ‘Live Well, Locally.’”
Councillor Alison Evison, COSLA President concluded: “One of the reasons our communities are suffering is that recent years have seen a real terms reduction in Local Government funding overall, so Councils have had to prioritise protected areas like social work and education, over economic development, roads and transport.
“But these are the essential service areas that are critical in attracting investment, developing businesses, and creating jobs – this can create the conditions to lift families out of poverty.
“That is why this year’s Scottish Budget must recognise Local Government’s unique role in economic transformation, and must enable meaningful reinvestment in the services that underpin the economy.”
Some of Edinburgh’s most promising young performers will be appearing on the West End this festive season, as Stagebox members take to the stage as part of the star-studded casts of West End Musical Christmas and West End Does: Christmas.
Boasting a long line of successful members and clients, Stagebox is an award-winning programme for theatre, film and TV training and management, responsible for the nation’s most promising young performing talent. With centres across the UK including Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Edinburgh and London, Stagebox’s current clients have enjoyed success on both stage and screen, from the BBC and Netflix to the West End and Broadway.
Appearing in West End Musical Christmas (13th & 20th December) alongside stage legends John Owen-Jones (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera), Michael Xavier (Phantom of the Opera, The Sound of Music), Emma Hatton (Wicked, Evita) is Stagebox’s Arwen Seilman, who trains at the Edinburgh centre.
The West End show will excite all musical theatre fans, featuring the nation’s favourite Christmas and showstopper numbers performed alongside a live band and dance ensemble.
Stage veteran and national treasure Maureen Lipman will host West End Does: Christmas on 19th December, with Gina Beck (Wicked, Showboat), Liam Tamne (Prince of Eygpt, Wicked), Aisha Jawando (Tina the Musical) and many more.
The performance will feature a mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas carols and songs to get the audience into the festive spirit.
The star-studded cast will be supported by a choir formed of Edinburgh Stagebox members Alexandra Bruce-Dickie, Chloe Bloice, Circe Miller, Hazel Craig (Nativity! The Musical), Laura Koechlin, Layla Davies and Tommy Thompson.
Jasmine Quinlan-Gardner, General Manager at Stagebox, says: “This is a huge moment for our wonderful members who will be representing us on a world-famous stage this December.
“After such limited interaction last Christmas, we’re looking forward to lighting up both the Lyric Theatre and Cadogan Hall alongside some stage legends!”
Stagebox auditions for 2022 will soon be opening.
West End Musical Christmas takes place at 8pm on Monday 13th and Monday 20th December. For tickets, please visit: www.westendmusicalchristmas.co.uk.
Today, on the International Day of People with Disabilities (Friday 3 December), representatives from disabled access charity, Euan’s Guide, officially opened the new Changing Places toilet facility in Johnnie Walker Princes Street.
Situated on the ground floor, the toilet features a ceiling hoist, changing bench and provides additional space for disabled visitors who are unable to use conventional accessible toilets.
With less than 2,000 Changing Places toilets across the UK, of which less than 250 are in Scotland and only 10 in Edinburgh, the opening of this new facility will connect with the 250,000 Changing Places users in the UK and their friends and families who rely on these facilities to take part in everyday life.
Building a modern visitor experience that was inclusive was one of the core aims at Johnnie Walker Princes Street from the outset. Throughout the planning stages, Euan’s Guide was involved and consulted, looking at plans, meeting architects and testing out the building’s access before opening to the public in September 2021.
Paul Ralph, Access and Inclusion Director at Euan’s Guide, said: “Never in my wildest dreams, but always in my imagination, did I believe my newfound friends at Johnnie Walker Princes Street would create such a fabulous place to visit and then top that with the inclusion of a Changing Places Toilet!”
Barbara Smith, Managing Director at Johnnie Walker Princes Street said: “Accessibility was integral to the planning of Johnnie Walker Princes Street. Very early on we realised the benefits of working as a team with Euan’s Guide and we have collaborated to ensure the best possible welcome for everyone.
“Euan’s Guide have been integral to creating the visitor experience we have today at Johnnie Walker Princes Street, and we are extremely grateful for their support and collaboration. We look forward to continuing this partnership as we strive to create an exceptional experience for all, in the heart of Scotland’s capital.”
Edinburgh Pentlands MSP Gordon MacDonald has added his support to the campaign to introduce paid leave for families who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks.
One in four pregnancies end in miscarriage, however, under current UK legislation, workers are only entitled to paid bereavement leave following a stillbirth after 24 weeks of pregnancy.
As a result, families across the country are forced to rely on their employer’s good will or sick leave to allow them to grieve their loss.
On 3 December, a Private Members’ Bill introduced by Lanark and Hamilton East MP Angela Crawley which would see three days of paid leave for parents who experience a miscarriage before 24 weeks will receive its second reading in the House of Commons.
A petition has been launched calling for the UK Government to support the campaign and MPs from all parties have backed the bill.
Many parents have spoken of the stigma associated with miscarriage and this bill would finally close gap in support.
Some companies have already gone further than the bill proposes and offer paid leave for between seven and 14 days for people who experience a miscarriage at any stage of the pregnancy.
Other countries, including New Zealand, have written similar provisions into law and in September Australia became the latest country to adopt paid miscarriage leave.
Gordon MacDonald MSP said: “I know many parents in Edinburgh Pentlands have experienced miscarriage and too many of them have to rely on their employer’s good will or take sick leave when it happens.
“Miscarriage is no one’s fault yet the stigma associated can often put parents in a position where they are unable to properly grieve their loss.
“Countries like Australia and New Zealand have already taken the progressive step to ensure all parents affected by miscarriage are entitled to paid leave.
“It is time that the UK followed in their footsteps and I fully support this bill to provide the much needed, long overdue support grieving parents need and finally end the stigma associated with miscarriage.”
Angela Crawley MP’s private members’ bill is due to be debated today – Friday 3rd December 2021
