You don’t have to walk 500 miles to raise funds for Mary’s Meals this summer
The Proclaimers famously sang about walking 500 miles – and now the musical brothers are asking people in Edinburgh to take on their own walking challenge to help Mary’s Meals feed hungry children.
The Scottish duo is calling for residents to take part in the charity’s Move for Meals campaign, which encourages people to raise sponsorship while getting active.
Mary’s Meals serves nutritious school meals in some of the world’s poorest countries. The promise of a good meal attracts hungry children to the classroom, giving them the energy to learn and hope for a brighter future.
The Proclaimers – Craig and Charlie Reid – have supported Mary’s Meals for several years.
Craig says: “Summer is here, and there’s never been a better time to get your walking shoes on and raise money for this great charity.
“It costs just £15.90 to feed a hungry child with Mary’s Meals for an entire school year – so a little sponsorship can make a big difference.”
Charlie adds: “We’re not asking you to walk 500 miles, or 500 more… With Mary’s Meals, just a small number of steps can help to feed hungry children across the world.”
Mary’s Meals reaches 2,279,941 children every school day in 20 countries, including Ethiopia, Syria and Haiti.
Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We serve Mary’s Meals in the world’s poorest, and often most difficult, locations because we know that’s where children need us the most.
“Today, we face some of our greatest challenges yet in a world devastated by conflict, food insecurity and the cost of living crisis. It is easy to feel hopeless when faced with so much suffering.
“But every single thing that people do for our mission makes an enormous difference to the children who eat Mary’s Meals.”
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal today attended one of the final rehearsals of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo ahead of its official opening night tomorrow (Friday 5 August).
All performers from this year’s Show, Voices, took part in the rehearsal at the Redford Barracks, giving Her Royal Highness an exclusive preview of their stunning musical and cultural showcases and military precision.
Over 900 performers from across the globe are taking part in this year’s Tattoo. Voices, is a celebration of expression, giving a stage to performers and acts from around the globe to share their voices through spoken word, song, music and dance.
Crowds will gather at Edinburgh Castle this summer, from 5 August – 27 August, for the cultural spectacular, which returns for the first time since 2019.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at edintattoo.co.uk/tickets or on the phone on 0131 225 1188.
A report by leading UK data scientists has revealed that the over-50s are being hit hardest by the current financial crisis and could face a lifetime of financial insecurity.
That’s according to new research from the University of Edinburgh’s Smart Data Foundry, supported and funded by abrdn Financial Fairness Trust.
According to the report, economic inactivity rates have risen a third amongst the over 50s since 2019, and people aged 50-54 face double the financial vulnerability risk than those aged 70-74.
Findings reveal that people in their 50s and 60s are facing the ‘perfect storm’ of circumstances including redundancy, ill health or caring commitments combined with a lack of savings and pension provisions.
To offset this loss of income, many people are being forced to withdraw lump sums from their pension pots to deal with pre-retirement income shocks.
And with the majority of pension pots worth under £30,000, this is causing knock-on issues with income tax and entitlement to benefits. Worryingly, the research also identified that those people who do cash in their pension pots early are 1.75 times more at risk of financial vulnerability in the future.
To tackle this, Smart Data Foundry is calling on the Department of Work and Pensions to act now to reduce the risk of pension assets being spent before retirement. It recommends an increase to the current capital limit of £16,000 for means tested benefits and, for those on Universal Credit, the reform of the Support for Mortgage Relief (SMI) loan facility by removing the zero earnings rule.
Chair of Smart Data Foundry,Dame Julia Unwin, explains: “We are seeing a pattern of people in their early to mid-fifties going from being in positions of comfortable, middle-aged breadwinners eyeing their future retirement over the horizon, to a generation suddenly finding themselves facing long-term financial hardship.
“A combination of being unable to secure viable work, confused messaging over pensions, little by way of state aid, and the savage cost-of-living rises resulting in many making decisions that could have long-term negative consequences.
“With this report and our key recommendations, we are calling for UK Government to intervene to protect and support the most vulnerable before it is too late. If they don’t act now, we will undoubtedly see even bigger problems in the years ahead. Data doesn’t lie; the evidence is there – older workers are at very real risk of financial vulnerability, but it is not yet too late to act.”
The research study also uncovered a widespread lack of understanding about the benefits system, confusion about claims processes, and hardship arising from payment frequency. To improve the transition to retirement, the report calls for increased government investment in the Pension Wise guidance service and expansion to include the state pension.
According to the findings, older workers are encountering barriers to returning to work, including lack of digital skills, unavailability of flexible working, lack of specific government initiatives, ageism, psychological barriers, and retraining needs.
The longer the unemployed worker remains out of work, the harder it is for them to find a suitable position and the greater their risk of falling into forced retirement.
The report calls for a government-funded employment programme targeted at those who need support in changing careers, starting from the first day of unemployment for the over 55s.
Lead researcher Dr Lynne Robertson-Rose from the University of Edinburgh added: “We set out to understand the financial vulnerability amongst those in their 50s and 60s and have been surprised by the bleak picture that the data paints.
“Any disruption in earning capability in the decade before the state pension is forcing older workers to draw down on savings earmarked for retirement with little ability to top up the pot, leading to the risk of financial vulnerability becoming lifelong.
“We have access to rich data supplied to Smart Data Foundry by UK financial institutions and these insights have furnished us with the information that enabled us to make policy recommendations. It also flags opportunities for the financial services and fintech sector to innovate in order to help individuals better manage their finances.”
Karen Barker, Head of Policy and Research at abrdn Financial Fairness Trust, added:“Making decisions about your pension is tricky to navigate, and for those on lower incomes, advice is too expensive.
“The Government needs to improve access to advice on pensions planning for those on lower incomes to avoid a living standards catastrophe.”
Police Scotland has released images of four males they believe may hold information which might assist in relation to an ongoing investigation into an assault which occurred in St Andrew Square at around 11.50pm on 12 November 2021.
All four men are described as being white, in their early 20s.
The first male is described as blonde and was wearing a black top, jeans and white trainers.
The second male is described as having dark hair and was wearing a grey Stone Island jumper, black body warmer, grey joggers and white trainers.
The third male is described as having dark hair and was wearing a grey hooded top with black trousers.
The fourth male is described as having dark hair, shaved at the sides, and was wearing a grey hooded top, shorts and black trainers.
Detective Sergeant Ashley Rea of Gayfield CID said: “I would urge the males, or anyone who has information relating to these males, to make contact with the Police.
“Anyone with any information is asked to contact with Police at Gayfield CID, Edinburgh via 101 quoting reference number 4198 of 12/11/21.
“Alternatively, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where information can be passed on anonymously.”
Offering everything from woodwork classes to meals for those who are homeless, the Grassmarket Community Project aims to create a community and provide sanctuary for those in the city who are often excluded.
The registered charity runs the fully accessible community hub and café on Candlemakers Row where people can pop in for their caffeine fix and something fresh to eat knowing that all proceeds support social good in the area.
However, with demand for their services growing year on year, and with the café rapidly running out of space, the registered charity secured funding from Foundation Scotland.
An investment of over £375,000 has enabled the organisation to extend its existing facilities and create a brand-new pavilion space hosting Coffee Saints, a larger, bright and friendly café and improved spaces for activities.
Ricky Ross is a long-term supporter of the Grassmarket Community Project’s work and was there on the night to officially open the space and meet staff, volunteers, supporters and local people.
Foundation Scotland, Scotland’s community foundation, offers social investment funding to social enterprises, community organisations and charities. Up to 50% of the funding is through a non-repayable grant, with the remainder through a loan. Foundation Scotland’s social investment team prides itself on its relationship-based support and helps successful applicants to raise further funds.
Chris Holloway, Head of Social Investment at Foundation Scotland, said: “Grassmarket Community Project secured over £375,000 from Foundation Scotland and we have worked closely together across the last few years to get to this exciting stage.
“Jonny and the team have worked so hard to get to where we are today. It’s great to finally have the doors open and get to see inside the spaces which will mean so much to so many.
“The funding landscape has changed monumentally post-covid. There are far less available opportunities for capital costs, and building costs are rising significantly. Yet we know groups urgently need this support to get started or grow. We’ve invested over £12.5 million in 72 organisations across the last ten years.
“This funding, combined with our dedicated and experienced support, has delivered transformational change. We enable socially conscious groups to become more sustainable, grow, and become less reliant on grant funding. It’s a win-win all round, and our impact reporting shows that this funding model works.
“We are encouraging all interested groups to visit our website or contact our team directly to discuss your eligibility”.
Jonny Kinross, CEO of Grassmarket Community Project, said: “The support we’ve received from the team at Foundation Scotland has been instrumental in enabling us to plan, develop and now finally officially open our fantastic new café and pavilion in the centre of the city.
“We’re extremely grateful to have received such a significant sum across the combination of loan and grant funding but above this, the team have offered a real partnership approach to the finance, which has been so refreshing and supportive.
They have taken the time to understand our business, the challenges and the opportunities presented.
“Like everyone else, our project was inevitably held up through the crisis, but the team have been with us every step of the way. We are so excited that our doors are now open, and we can’t wait to meet old and new friends for a coffee in the new café.”
Foundation Scotland’s ‘Investing in Enterprise Fund’ offers up to a quarter of a million pounds in blended finance to eligible social enterprises, community organisations and charities operating in 18 local authority areas.
For more information, including details on how to apply for the Investing in Enterprise Fund visit:
The Tartan Titan has now launched at Scotland’s Award-Winning Adventure Park
Conifox Adventure Park has today confirmed that they have officially broken a world record for the longest inflatable assault course which sits at a mammoth 568 metres, almost 73m longer than the current world record course, and longer than 5 premiership football pitches.
During an exclusive launch, attended by Alex Cole Hamilton MSP; Christine Jardine MP; Jamie Ritchie, Scotland Rugby; Craig Gordon, Scotland Football and Susie Oliphant, Scotland Ladies Lacrosse amongst many others key figures, Glenn Pollard, Official Adjudicator for Guinness World Records® confirmed the record, and The Tartan Titan made history.
Alex Cole Hamilton MSP comments, “This is like nothing I’ve never seen before and it’s great to have a world record breaking installation like the Tartan Titan in the heart of Edinburgh. Coming as it does on the eve of the festival, it really puts the heart of the city on the map. I am so proud of James and all of the team here at Conifox who have really done the best they can to bounce back quite literally from the pandemic.”
The Tartan Titan is an immersive interactive adventure that transports participants into their favourite game shows, from Ninja Warrior to Total Wipeout and Gladiators and crammed with challenges for all ages, the attraction is a real crowd pleaser.
Glenn Pollard, Official Adjudicator for Guinness World Records®, said: “Guinness World Records® titles are not easy to achieve by definition. It gives credibility to Conifox Adventure Park as well as anyone else who wants to come along and try and break it.
“Given the previous record has stood for 4 ½ years they would have a very tough job ahead of them.”
The unique attraction is only available for limited dates this month (August) with dedicated time slots for adults and younger children, it’s an escapade the whole family can enjoy as they climb, crawl, jump and bounce their way through the course.
Open to everyone taller than 1.2 metres, The Tartan Titan features 50 sections of obstacles including the Corkscrew, Wipe Out, Ninja Run, Ladder Challenge, Tidal Wave and Everest Slide.
There are also special Challenge Days when visitors can attempt to set a record time on the course with a prize for the winner of the #TITANCHALLENGE.
The spectacular course is the latest addition to Conifox’s award-winning adventure park, at Kirkliston on the outskirts of Edinburgh, which recently invested £ 2 million in a new Activity Centre.
James Gammell, Managing Director of Conifox Adventure Park, says: “The Tartan Titan has been fantastically well received and we’re absolutely delighted to be able to announce that it has been officially adjudicated as the world’s longest, by the Guinness World Records®.
“Dates to take on the challenge are running out and we’re keen that as many people as possible get the chance to experience this amazing attraction. It is only available from 6th- 16th August, so there is no time to lose.”
Thrill seekers looking for their next big challenge need to sign up soon or miss the chance to tackle Scotland’s Tartan Titan.
National Museum of Scotland
E.Coli by Luke Jerram
5 million times bigger than the real bacteria, Bristol-based Luke Jerram’s inflatable E. coli sculpture will be suspended from the ceiling of the Grand Gallery.
Neil Hanna Photography
www.neilhannaphotography.co.uk
07702 246823
A 90ft long inflatable sculpture by Bristol-based Luke Jerram has been suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Scotland’s Grand Gallery. The E.coli, which is 5 million times bigger than the real bacteria, is on display in Scotland for the first time.
Bacteria were the earliest form of life on our planet, and so this artwork could be considered as a curious portrait of our distant ancestors. If there is life on other planets (or moons) in our solar system, it may well look like this.
This artwork was also made to reflect upon the importance of bacteria in our lives. Although some forms of Escherichia coli (or E. coli) bacteria can cause illness and even death in humans, the use of the bacteria is vital in medical research.
Luke Jerram’s E.coli is part of the 18th edition of Edinburgh Art Festival which runs from 28 July – 28 August 2022 at venues across the city, as are the exhibitions Anatomy: A Matter of Life and Death and Japanese Contemporary Design, both of which are also on at the National Museum of Scotland during the Festival.
Luke Jerram said: “Making visible the microscopic world around us, the artwork was made as an experimental object to contemplate.
“When standing next to it, does the bacteria alter our personal sense of scale? Does it look scary, beautiful, comical or alien? Will audiences be attracted or repelled by it?”
Alison Cromarty, Head of Exhibitions and Design at National Museums Scotland said: “We’re delighted to be bringing this spectacular creation to Scotland for the first time.
“It’s great to have it on display during the festival period and particularly as part of the Edinburgh Art Festival.”
This giant inflatable E.coli sculpture was made for the KREBS Fest, presented at University of Sheffield.
The artwork was first displayed for a month in the Winter Gardens in and then in Firth Hall, Sheffield. The artwork has since been presented in other venues around the UK including the Eden Project.
It has been brought to Edinburgh with the support of the University of Sheffield and the and UKRI strategic priority fund “Building collaboration at the physics of life interface”.
Councillor Jane Meagher has officially broken ground at Scotland’s largest net zero housing development in Granton.
The start of construction works at the £72m ‘Western Villages’ project represents a significant milestone for the City of Edinburgh Council in the delivery of the £1.3bn Granton Waterfront regeneration project. Over the next ten years, 3,500 mixed-tenure homes and associated infrastructure will create a new, sustainable coastal community.
Cllr Meagher was joined by representatives for the project – including the Council’s own development and regeneration team, contractor CCG (Scotland) and architect Cooper Cromar – at the site located on West Shore Road adjacent to Forthquarter Park.
The 444-home masterplan will consist of one, two, and three-bedroom apartments, including wheelchair-accessible ground-floor dwellings, available in a mix of social rent (195) mid-market rent (193) and private sale tenures (56) that will each benefit from stunning parkland and sea views.
To achieve net zero carbon, all homes will be constructed using advanced construction methods to improve thermal performance (and reduce heat loss). Delivered by an on-site energy centre containing air-source heat pumps and renewable technologies such as solar PV panels, this low carbon heat system and zero emissions strategy is being supported by £4.1m of funding from the Scottish Government’s Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme.
Complemented by carbon offsetting measures, this pioneering approach to reducing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions has been developed by CCG in partnership with energy and sustainability consultancy, Carbon Futures. Sustainability credentials will be further enhanced by a reduction in car usage, provision of Electric Vehicle charging, and increased emphasis on active travel to lower the development’s carbon footprint over the longer term.
Set for completion in 2024, the homes for rent will be managed by the Council whilst the private homes will be led by CCG Homes, the private housing arm of the CCG Group.
Councillor Jane Meagher, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said: “We are so proud to lead the country’s biggest net zero housing development and to break ground today.
“With an ambitious target to become a net zero city by 2030, this first phase of Granton Waterfront will act as a blueprint for future sustainable development and help Scotland transition towards a greener economy.
“This housing is going to provide hundreds of affordable homes, right at the centre of what will be Edinburgh’s newest neighbourhood – offering a fantastically lively, active, and sustainable waterfront lifestyle for everyone who moves in.
“People moving in will benefit from a real 20-minute neighbourhood, with great progress being made in our £1.3 billon wider regeneration project including a growing cultural and arts cluster in the area, after we announced works to refurbish the former Granton Station building into a creative workspace, as well as a new creative and community hub at 20 West Shore Road by Edinburgh Palette.
“It’s also great to see the iconic Granton Gasholder is being brought back to life – now illuminated in solidarity with Ukraine it is set to be fully restored and opened as a public amenity space.
“The operators of the Pitt Street market have also announced their plans to take up a new residence here, with more than half of all stalls to be led by start-ups and entrepreneurs, and we’re only going to see more and more new services, businesses and creative endeavours choose Granton.
“This is the start of an exciting new chapter for the city and for how we build new homes and new neighbourhoods and I look forward to seeing it all take shape.”
CCG Managing Director, David Wylie, said: “CCG’s contribution to the regeneration of Granton is significant with over 500 homes set to be under construction by the middle of this year.
“Western Villages, alongside a further 75 homes with the Council at Waterfront Avenue (known as Granton D1, the first pilot project of the Edinburgh Homes Demonstrator initiative), will play a major role in the creation of this new coastal community and also help shape our understanding and capabilities of net zero housing delivery in Edinburgh and across Scotland.
“We are very proud to be pioneering applied research and development into net zero housebuilding to support our economy’s green ambitions whilst also ensuring that high-quality, highly energy efficient homes remain accessible to our communities.”
WEST Pilton & West Granton Community Council is to reconvene on Tuesday night.
Top of the agenda will be the future of West Granton Community Trust’s building in Granton Mains. The organisation confirmed that The Prentice Centre will close at the end of September.
Former Community council chair Willie Black said: “The imminent closure of The Prentice Centre is a huge blow to the local community and we must do everything we can to ensure that this facility remains an asset for local groups and organisations to use.
“There are a number of possibilities and we would like to talk about these at next week’s meeting.”
First challenge for the local community council is to strengthen it’s current membership.
“We have three vacancies and we would like to fill these as soon as we can. We saw with the success of this summer’s Community Festival just what can be achieved when the community works together and we’d welcome enthusiastic new members to help make next year’s Festival an even bigger success.
“The meeting will also offer an opportunity to meet the councillors elected in May’s council elections so we are hoping for a good turnout. There is plenty to talk about.”
West Pilton and West Granton Community Council meets on Tuesday 9th August at 7pm in West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre.
