Aldi has announced it is looking to hire 119 people in its warehouse in West Lothian over the next 12 months.
In a welcome boost to the local economy, the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket is also looking to fill transport and maintenance roles at its West Lothian Regional Distribution Centre.
This includes both full-time and part-time positions, with salaries of up to £15 per hour.
The recruitment push forms part of Aldi’s nationwide expansion drive, with the supermarket expected to create 2,000 permanent roles across the UK this year.
Kelly Stokes, Recruitment Director at Aldi UK, said: “As we continue to grow and make Aldi accessible to even more shoppers, we need more amazing colleagues at our distribution sites across the country to make that possible.
“As well as market-leading pay and benefits, being an Aldi colleague means a great working environment and real opportunities to progress within the business. We look forward to welcoming even more great people to our West Lothian distribution team to become a part of our success.”
Those interested in applying for a career with Aldi can visit:
Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected is the most common electrical mistake seen by Edinburgh electricians
Edinburgh electricians have revealed the 10 most common electrical DIY mistakes they see in people’s homes, with some possibly leading to serious injuries or worse.
Almost half (49%) of Brits have meddled with their home’s electrics, so ElectricalDirect, the specialist retailer of electrical products, asked hundreds of electricians to reveal the most common errors people make, and then rank them in terms of severity.
These are the 10 most common electrical mistakes seen by Edinburgh electricians:
1. Leaving switches or outlets loosely connected
2. Installing electrical outlets close to water
3. Leaving plastic-sheathed cable unprotected
4. Installing cable without a clamp
5. Reversing hot and neutral wires
6. Installing lightbulbs near flammable materials
7. Over-stacking extension cords or electrical outlets
8. Recessing boxes behind the wall surface
9. Cutting wires too short
10. Handling electrical appliances or outlets with wet hands
The most dangerous mistake is not protecting plastic-sheathed cable. John McCallister, electrical expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk, explains why this is problematic: “Leaving plastic-sheathed cables unprotected exposes them to snagging and cuts, which could lead to fires or lethal shocks. Running them through a conduit minimises this risk.”
The 10 most dangerous electrical mistakes we make at home are:
Second on the list is leaving switches or outlets loosely connected.
John says: “Loose connections cause movement that can potentially disrupt the power supply or allow live wires to wiggle loose, exposing them to your fingers. This means that there’s a potential risk of electrocution or fire.”
Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “Interest in DIY has massively increased over the last few years and while this is great to see, it’s important that people stay away from certain electrical jobs that can lead to injuries.
“That’s why we consulted electricians from across the country to reveal the tasks which are best left to the professionals.”
Animal charity The Humane League UK marked the 200 year anniversary of the UK’s first animal welfare law by asking the UK Government to ban cages for egg-laying hens with a demo outside Parliament yesterday.
Carrying banners saying ‘Let’s make cages history’, each protester represented a historical era which has passed since the first animal welfare law was introduced two centuries ago wearing costumes from Victorian three-piece suits, to flapper dresses and 90s grunge get-ups.
According to a survey by Atomik Research, one third of people believe that egg-laying hens have better lives now than they did 200 years ago, despite factory and cage farming not being invented in 1822.
The survey also found that of those who eat eggs, 72% say that buying free-range is important to them.
Singer Sinitta, who endorsed the campaign, said: “It completely boggles my mind that hens suffer more today than hundreds of years ago. We’ve invented planes, cars, antibiotics, telephones, and the internet but when it comes to our treatment of innocent farmed animals things have arguably gotten worse.
“This is unacceptable – we must ban cages for hens.”
Dr Marc Abraham OBE, media vet and author, says: “There’s going to be a change of government soon and, although disruptive, this can present a major opportunity for change.
“They need to realise that a significantly high proportion of British people want cruel and exploitative cages banned outright, as they should. It’s not fair keeping energetic, intelligent, and curious animals like hens in steel wire boxes, where they suffer unnaturally shortened and miserable lives.
“If those in power refuse to act on their own pro-animal welfare mandate, the nation’s animal-lovers will just keep campaigning until the health and wellbeing of animals is finally and fully respected.”
On July 22nd 1822 Parliament passed The Cruel Treatment of Cattle Act which protected cows, horses, mules and sheep from beatings and abuse.
It was the first piece of animal welfare legislation in the world, and was masterminded by Irish MP and colonel Richard ‘Humanity Dick’ Martin, who defended animals so vigorously he fought at least one duel over cruelty to a dog.
Battery cages began to find wide use in farming from the 1940s onwards and, although barren battery cages were banned in the UK in 2012, millions of hens remain trapped in marginally larger ‘enriched’ cages.
Around 14 million hens, or 35% of the UK’s flock, are still kept in these cages which frustrate natural behaviours like wing-stretching, foraging and dust-bathing.
This is despite strong public opposition to such practices.
The government confirmed last month in the End the Cage Age debate that there would be a consultation on the use of cages for laying hens and farrowing crates for pigs.
Without a ban, members of the public can never be sure that they aren’t purchasing eggs from cruelly caged hens, as even with 80-90% of the egg industry committed to going cage-free by 2025 that will leave 4.2 to 8.4 million birds in cages supplying small single location businesses and restaurants.
These protests form part of Beatrice’s Campaign, which seeks to ban cages for hens and is led by UK charities The Humane League UK, RSPCA, and Conservative Animal Welfare Foundation.
The campaign is named after Beatrice, a hen who was rescued from a cage and now thrives with her adoptive family in Wiltshire, having regrown all the feathers she’d lost during her previous, stress-filled life.
Following a week of hot and dry weather, many parts of Scotland remain at an increased risk of water scarcity in the latest situation report published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).
The Don catchment has been raised to Moderate Scarcity.
The Dee, Ythan, the Firth of Tay, Firth of Forth, Almond and Tyne catchments remain at Moderate Scarcity
The Leven (Dunbartonshire) has reached Early Warning
Most of the east coast is now at Alert or Moderate Scarcity due to an extended period of low river levels and dry weather.
In the west, the Leven (Dunbartonshire) catchment has been raised to early warning, joining the rest of Galloway and Ayrshire.
SEPA continues to monitor the situation closely and coordinate steps to manage water resources in line with Scotland’s National Water Scarcity Plan.
This includes advising businesses that abstract water in Moderate Scarcity areas to only do so when absolutely necessary, stagger their operations, irrigate at night where possible, reduce volumes and durations or suspend abstractions altogether.
Abstractors in Alert areas should plan ahead and work with neighbouring water users to schedule abstractions where possible.
In Early Warning areas, the advice is for businesses to consider their upcoming water requirements and to check equipment for any leaks.
If the water scarcity risk level reaches Significant, then SEPA will consider whether restrictions on abstractions will be required to protect the water environment.
SEPA’s Senior Water and Land Manager, Jennifer Leonard, said: “Dry ground conditions and low river levels means the Don catchment has been raised to Moderate Scarcity. With similar conditions across much of Scotland; the Ythan, the Dee, the Firth of Forth area, the Almond, Tyne and Firth of Tay group remain at Moderate Scarcity.
“Water scarcity is a very real threat as a result of climate change. It is also the result of long-term weather deficit and below average rainfall, and although some rain is forecast, it is unlikely there will be enough to improve conditions.
“We want to work with businesses to plan their water usage long-term so that we can preserve this vital resource. Not only will that protect Scotland’s rivers and lochs, but it will minimise business risks as well.
“In the meantime, we stand ready to offer advice and support to businesses affected by the current conditions.
“Whilst our first aim is always to help people do the right thing, we can hold to account those who deliberately fail to comply with their legal responsibilities when abstracting water from the environment.”
For more information on water scarcity, as well as the latest report, visit:
“The 39 Steps” meets “An Inspector Calls” via Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes and Midsomer Murders. A cast of six brings a comic flurry of suspects and characters together to discover who done what, and why …
Except, well … four of the cast are stuck by the side of the road in the van, and only those two knights of the Theatre – Sir Gavin of Robertson and Sir Nicholas of Collett have managed to get to the venue… but ‘the show must go on’…
Comic clichés from the Detective genre abound in this genre-busting comedy from the masters of inventive silliness! That’s if the two of them can get through the play at all without losing the plot. Literally.
It’s not a new idea – it’s been DONE TO DEATH, BY JOVE – but not like this! Promise.
From touring in USA, Australia and beyond, they’re now at the The Space!
After two years of inaction while covid killed off live performance, investigating a murder seemed appropriate!
But how? With no income and no production funds in the bank, what to produce and how?
Nicholas Collett & Gavin Robertson found a solution – produce a show for six actors but manage with two! With almost no budget and a dearth of necessary actors this was a case of writing a Whodunnit, rehearsing the ACTUAL storyline – then working out how to sabotage themselves at every turn!
The result is this show – a storyline complete with bickering, audience on-the-spot interaction, and laughs a-plenty. And many hats!
Gavin and Nicholas now have 9 shows as a partnership, with Gavin best known for his West End hIt, THUNDERBIRDS F.A.B. (first seen at Edinburgh in 1987!) and Nicholas in the award-winning ‘Black & White Tea Room’ in 2019.
Dobbies Garden Centres, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has marked its partnership with Waitrose by opening its first foodhall in Edinburgh.
Featuring the supermarket’s wide range of high-quality food, grocery products, and everyday essentials, the Waitrose foodhall is one of more than 50 that are to be launched at Dobbies’ stores across the UK and which will bring Waitrose to 20 new towns and cities.
Shoppers at Dobbies’ Edinburgh can choose from an extensive selection of products including the essential Waitrose range, which is the biggest value tier of any supermarket, plus its premium range – Waitrose No. 1 – and Waitrose Duchy Organic. Ready meals, free-from and vegan ranges, prepared fruit and vegetables, snacks and cupboard staples will also be available.
Graeme Jenkins, CEO of Dobbies, said:“Through a shared commitment to great value, quality and sustainability, Waitrose was the natural grocery partner for us as we continue to build on the success of our foodhalls in recent years. I am sure our first Waitrose foodhall at our flagship store in Edinburgh will prove popular with our customers.
“Our foodhalls are integral to our garden centre ranges and the experience of our customers, and we look forward to introducing Waitrose’s offering across our network of UK stores.”
To find out more about the partnership, visit www.dobbies.com.
The scruffiest pooch, the most precious pup and the best owner / dog lookalike are just some of the categories which will be judged at Doghailes, a festival for dogs which will be held at the National Trust for Scotland’s Newhailes on Sunday 31 July.
The historic estate will be transformed into Doghailes as hounds from across the country descend on the stunning estate which is located on the edge of Musselburgh in East Lothian.
Canine companions can try their paw at a vast array of competitions, including best fancy dress, waggiest tail and the most golden oldie.
Have-a-go activities especially for dogs will keep pups entertained, and delicious food and drink will be on offer at the day-long festival. Tickets cost £2 per entry, making it a great value option for an excitement-filled day, all while contributing towards the conservation of Scottish heritage.
Claire Grant, Operations Manager for Edinburgh, said, “We are thrilled to once again welcome dogs and their owners to Newhailes for our annual Doghailes festival.
“Newhailes’ 34 acres of parkland and woodland is home to a wide range of Scottish wildlife and with unspoilt views across the River Forth, the Estate is very popular with dog walkers.
“Doghailes provides us with a great opportunity to bring the community together and celebrate a fun day in our beautiful grounds.”
Established in 1931, the National Trust for Scotland is Scotland’s largest conservation charity and cares for, shares and speaks up for Scotland’s magnificent heritage.
Membership, which provides funding for Scotland’s largest conservation charity, can be purchased online from just £9.80 per month for families, £5.25 for adults and £3 for children.
For more information on the National Trust for Scotland, Newhailes and to plan your summer itinerary, visit: www.nts.org.uk.
On Wednesday (20th July), members of Police Scotland’s #OperationSoteria arrested and charged a 14-year-old boy with a number of offences in relation to the robbery of a motorcycle from the Drylaw area on the 19th July 2022 and a number of road traffic offences.
He was remanded in custody to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.
Officers from Operation Orbit have also been out and about on patrol with their off-road bikes, assisting #OperationSoteria with tackling motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour in Edinburgh.
Operaton Orbit improves their ability to prevent and respond to incidents, whilst providing a high visibility patrol and improving engagement with local young people.
Anyone with information about motorcycle crime or the dangerous use of motorcycles in the city can speak to officers confidentially and anonymously on 101, or through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Teenagers in the UK are turning away from traditional news channels and are instead looking to Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to keep up to date, Ofcom has found.
Ofcom’s News Consumption in the UK 2021/22 report shows that, for the first time, Instagram is the most popular news source among teenagers – used by nearly three in ten in 2022 (29%). TikTok and YouTube follow closely behind, used by 28% of youngsters to follow news.
BBC One and BBC Two – historically the most popular news sources among teens – have been knocked off top spot down to fifth place. Around a quarter of teens (24%) use these channels for news in 2022, compared to nearly half (45%) just five years ago.1
BBC One remains the most used news source among all online adults, although it is one of several major TV news channels to reach fewer people in 2022.2 News viewing to BBC One, BBC Two, BBC News channel, ITV and Sky News is now below pre-pandemic levels, resuming a longer-term decline in traditional TV news viewing.
TikTok clocks up millions more news users
Conversely, TikTok has seen the largest increase in use of any news source between 2020 and 2022 – from 0.8 million UK adults in 2020 (1%), increasing to 3.9 million UK adults in 2022 (7%).3 This brings it onto a par with Sky News’ website and app.
TikTok’s growth is primarily driven by younger age groups, with half of its news users aged 16 to 24. Users of TikTok for news claim to get more of their news on the platform from ‘other people they follow’ (44%) than ‘news organisations’ (24%).4
Yih-Choung Teh, Ofcom’s Group Director for Strategy and Research, said: “Teenagers today are increasingly unlikely to pick up a newspaper or tune into TV News, instead preferring to keep up-to-date by scrolling through their social feeds.
“And while youngsters find news on social media to be less reliable, they rate these services more highly for serving up a range of opinions on the day’s topical stories.”
TV news remains trusted
TV news remains the most trusted news source among UK adults (71%), with news on social media considered the least reliable (35%). CNN (83%) and Sky News (75%) are highly trusted by their viewers for news, while the public service broadcasters are also trusted by the majority of their viewers – BBC (73%), ITV (70%), Channel 4 (66%) and Channel 5 (59%). Sixty-seven per cent of newcomer GB News’s viewers trust its news reporting.
Among teens, half of YouTube and Twitter users think they provide trustworthy news stories (51% and 52% respectively). Despite its popularity for news, fewer than a third of youngsters (30%) trust TikTok’s news content.
Decline in print news appears to accelerate
The combined use of print and online newspapers among adults is 38% in 2022, a significant decrease from 2020 (47%) and 2018 (51%).
This is being driven by the substantial decrease of print newspaper reach in recent years, with the trend seen pre-pandemic appearing to accelerate, likely exacerbated by the pandemic.
Less than a quarter (24%) of UK adults use print newspapers for news in 2022, compared with more than a third (35%) in 2020, and two in five (40%) in 2018. Use of newspapers among teenagers fell from 19% to 13% in the last five years.
From Vogue magazine to putting Piers Morgan in his place and zombifying politician’s on Question Time. Come and join Edinburgh-born Supermodel Eunice Olumide for this hilarious exploration into the crazy and complicated world of modern-day political narcissists, sociopaths, and psychopaths running the planet we live on today.
Beyonce says ‘Who runs the world… Girls?’ Is this true or is it just Karen? From the catwalk to hard talk, sit back as she fashions a lyrical and hysterical debrief covering themes of home, family, politics and where we find ourselves in 2022.
Booking and performing at the well respected ‘The Stand’ comedy venue at the Fringe is no small feat for Eunice’s first show.
She says “Comedy is where my heart is, but since I’m not known as a comedian I’ve had to put myself on the line and push back against all those telling me to ‘stay in my lane’. I really just want to make people laugh and have a good time in many ways I never had the chance to just be myself before”
BIO
Born in Edinburgh, Scottish Supermodel MBE career spans continents across the globe.
Eunice Olumide is a force to be reckoned with, a Scottish supermodel, actress, and art gallerist, she has never shied away from controversy and speaks with authority on subjects she is passionate about. It is fair to say that everything Eunice touches turns to gold, but not by luck, through sheer dedication and hard work.
She landed a major role with urban music mogul ‘Stormzy’ in Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and Crosses’ adding to previous achievements playing live at the Apollo NYC, and a five-star review for her solo production Metamorph at The Traverse Theater and cameo appearances in Ab Fab The Movie, Star Wars Rogue One, and The Last Jedi.
A passionate activist and campaigner Eunice has worked with the Center for Social Justice and spoken at the House of Parliament influencing the first ever inquiry into the impact of fast fashion on the environment. She is currently the Ambassador for FAD, Best Beginnings, Graduate Fashion Week, AAI, Zero Waste Scotland, and Fashion Targets, joining the ranks of Kate Moss, Edith Bowman, Twiggy, Alan Carr, and Sharon & Kelly Osborne.
Eunice starred in / produced the UK’s first ever award-winning podcast dedicated to women of color on BBC Radio 5 Live called the ‘Sista Collective’. Interviewing world heavyweights in film, fashion, and television including Amma Asante.
In November 2020 she worked with Simon Fredricks on the life of Stephen Lawrence and founded the ADBSF Fund primarily focused on supporting Afro-Caribbean businesses in a daunting Coivd-19 climate.
Taking a prime position in Simon’s 2021 ‘The Outsiders’ In 2019 she created ‘Next Generation Regeneration’ curating exhibitions, talks, and events at Tate Modern and The V & A, becoming the first ever Scottish Model to call into account the UK Government and highlight the Windrush Scandal.
She has appeared in every publication imaginable including ELLE, Glamour Magazine, Harper’s Bazaar, Collectible DRY, WAD, ID Magazine, Dazed & Confused, Oyster, Paper Cut, New York Magazine, Vogue, Italian Vogue, Bahrain Confidential, and Tatler.
