Month: August 2022

Success for Volvo at Used Car Awards

  • Volvo S90 crowned Best Used Executive Car and scoops the overall bronze award
  • XC90 voted Best Used Large SUV
  • S90 wins for a third year in succession, impressing with its comfort, refinement and value for money
  • Judges praise the XC90 for its style, versatile seven-seat interior, load space and value
  • These and all other Volvo models available through Volvo Cars Selekt Direct, the UK’s first end-to-end online service for approved pre-owned car sales direct from the manufacturer

The lasting quality, style, customer appeal and value of Volvo’s prestige models have been rewarded with three honours in the 2022 Auto Express Used Car Awards, announced this week.

For a third successive year, the S90 has been crowned Best Used Executive Car. It also scooped the overall bronze award, marking it out as the third-best used car of all on sale, according to Auto Express. Meanwhile, the XC90 triumphed in the Best Used Large SUV category.

The S90’s pre-eminence in the awards continues with the judges once again impressed by its “compelling combination of style, comfort and value”. In awarding it the overall bronze award, the judging panel said “the S90 is something of a phenomenon and feels a cut above its German rivals”. So high do they rate the saloon’s all-round quality, they already consider it the prime contender for a fourth executive car award in 2023.

The judges praised the XC90 for its “head-turning style”, the versatility of its seven-seat interior, the quality of its infotainment system and its boot capacity. They added: “With the earliest versions now nearly eight years old, you can add superb value to that list of strengths.”

Motorists looking to invest in these award-winners and any other pre-owned Volvo can be assured of the best quality cars and customer support from the Volvo Selekt Approved Used service. Earlier this year, this was made even more convenient and customer-friendly with the introduction of Volvo Cars Selekt Direct, the UK’s first end-to-end online service for purchasing pre-owned cars direct from the manufacturer.

The models on offer are subject to more than 150 quality checks, including software upgrades to ensure optimum performance. Each car comes with 12 months’ Volvo roadside assistance, cover for its next MoT test and a comprehensive warranty. Customers can exchange their car within 30 days or 1,500 miles if they are unhappy with their purchase for any reason.

Andy Dolan, Volvo Car UK’s National Used Car Sales Lead, said: “These awards are a great affirmation of the quality and value that Volvo models offer used car customers.

“We are proud to back this up with the peace of mind and convenience of our Volvo Selekt Approved Used and Volvo Cars Selekt Direct services, which are the best ways to access the finest used Volvo cars on the market.”

More details and the full terms and conditions of the Volvo Selekt Approved Used service can be found at www.volvocars.co.uk/used. For Volvo Cars Selekt Direct, please visit volvoselekt.findvehicles.co.uk/en-gb/store/all.

Fringe 2022: Trial by Jury

The year is 1968 and the British legal system is as corrupt as ever. The ‘breach of promise of marriage’ law is still technically in force and Juries remain predominantly male.

The arrogant Edwin has been summoned to Court by his ex-fiancée, Angelina, under said law, and against each other they fight to win The Trial! Complete with a dodgy Judge, a questionable jury, and some dubious decisions, chaos inevitably ensues…

Trial by Jury is a one-act operatic satire of the British legal system, which will be brought into the ’60s in our exciting rendition of Velocirapture Production’s debut show!

Despite being the shortest of Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, Trial by Jury is no less packed with musical complexity, catchy solo songs and bombastic full company numbers. The show continues at a quick pace, during which the music never ceases for the entire time. Spoken scenes are replaced with recitatives (sung dialogues), and are characterised by frequent pauses and tempo changes.

Director Tiffany Charnley talks about her decision to move the production out of its traditional Victorian era into the late sixties: “[it] was because of its close proximity to the date of the [breach of promise of marriage] law’s repeal, making the show’s setting as contemporary as possible while still making legal sense – the law was repealed 1971.

“I hope that by bringing the show out of the time period of its original context and placing it at a much later time, the ludicrous nature of Gilbert’s satire of the legal system can be further heightened.”

She goes on to talk about how this change in setting would change our perception of the Plaintiff: “Our setting has allowed us to remove the character of Angelina from a position of victim in this Trial, to a more powerful role who manipulates this outdated law to her own advantage.”  

One of the musical challenges for the show has been in reducing a score written for full orchestra to one with only 8 players, and half the number of parts.

Musical Director, Robert Nicholas, says: “[we] had to carefully select the instruments to best cover the textures and harmonies in the original score, whilst [still] producing a voluminous, but easily blended sound.

“As the conductor, I am not exempt from multitasking, aiming to also cover the Bass Drum, Cymbals, Triangle and, occasionally, Second Violin!”

Trial by Jury promises to be an afternoon of stunning vocals and comedic satire!

Listings Information:

Trial by Jury, theSpace Triplex (Big), 22 – 27 August, 1:45pm

Tickets: £10/8, https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/trial-by-jury

Edinburgh Fringe Box Office: 0131 226 0000

R100: Scotland’s full fibre broadband network extended

More rural homes and businesses will access faster broadband following a further £36 million expansion of the Reaching 100% (R100) contracts. 

The extension of existing contracts with delivery partner Openreach will see another 2,637 rural properties across Scotland able to access gigabit-capable connections through additional Scottish and UK Government investment in the R100 programme.

It will provide speeds more than 30 times faster than the Scottish Government’s original commitment and fulfil a 2021/22 Programme for Government commitment to deliver gigabit capable connections to the islands.

Contracts for both the North Lot – covering the north of Scotland and most of Scotland’s inhabited islands – and South Lot – covering Dumfries and Galloway, Scottish Borders and stretching from East Lothian and East Ayrshire – are being extended with this new R100 investment. 

The UK Government’s Project Gigabit will fund £16 million of this additional investment, which will be split between the R100 North and South contracts. The Scottish Government will invest a further £20 million in the North contract to help fund the gap between the cost of delivery and the contribution from Project Gigabit.

Business Minister Ivan McKee said: “This latest investment will connect more homes and businesses in Scotland’s rural and island communities to gigabit capable broadband. That will have far reaching economic, social and development impacts.

“Our R100 programme is going further, and providing faster broadband, than originally envisaged. This takes time and significant investment, but we are fully committed to ensuring that as many people as possible are able to enjoy the important advantages of this future-proofed digital infrastructure.”

Digital Infrastructure Minister for the UK Government Matt Warman said: “Bringing lightning-fast and reliable broadband to hard-to-reach areas is at the heart of the UK Government’s mission to level up communities, and that’s exactly what we’re doing in Scotland with our additional £16 million investment in R100.

“We’ve already delivered faster broadband to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across Scotland and there is even more investment on the way thanks to Project Gigabit, our record £5 billion programme to bring growth and prosperity to rural areas by putting them in the digital fast lane.”

Openreach Scotland Partnership Director Robert Thorburn said: “The R100 build is once in a generation, bringing the fastest, most reliable technology to our most remote residents. Full fibre is future-proof – so the new network will always meet the nation’s needs. 

“Connecting these properties one by one is one of the biggest broadband challenges in Europe. To make the most efficient use of resources, we’ll align the R100 build with our own rural investment. This will help us to get engineers and equipment to the most remote places, where they’re needed. 

“We’ll continue to explore every option to reach more rural homes, faster.” 

Skyrora test sees rocket launch move a step closer

The first vertical rocket launch from British soil moved a vital step closer this month as Edinburgh’s UK rocket company Skyrora successfully completed the static fire test of the second stage of its flagship Skyrora XL orbital vehicle.

The monumental event, at Discover Space UK at Machrihanish Airbase on the Mull of Kintyre, was the largest integrated stage test in the UK for 50 years, since the days of the Black Arrow and Blue Streak rockets which were cancelled in the seventies without ever going into production.

The test at the Scottish base was made possible as a result of funding received by Skyrora as part of the European Space Agency’s Commercial Space Transportation Programme as well as support from the UK Space Agency, 

It involved hot firing the second stage engine of Skyrora XL to prove the vehicle’s operational capability for its intended payloads and to ensure that its performance met all the design requirements. 

The test was successfully completed with all systems nominal throughout the 20-second burn and the single 70kN liquid engine operated within its design margins and achieved the expected thrust which will carry it into space. 

The latest achievement moves the company another step towards commercial operation, and its inaugural orbital launch is now scheduled for 2023 from the SaxaVord Space Centre on Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands.

Volodymyr Levykin, Founder and CEO of Edinburgh-based Skyrora, said: “With the UK striving to capture a 10% share of the global space market by 2030, the successful Skyrora XL second stage static fire test puts Skyrora on track to become a key part of the UK’s new space industry as the first British company to conduct vertical launch from UK soil. 

“Skyrora now has purpose-built rocket manufacturing and testing facilities in the UK – as well as the largest 3D printer of its kind, which we are using to produce rocket engine components. 

“We recognise the value that a strong domestic space industry will bring to the UK, and we will continue to spearhead these efforts to make the UK a player to be reckoned with globally.”

The successful test is the latest important stride for Skyrora, following the opening last month of a new manufacturing and production facility, the largest of its kind in the UK, in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire, and the recent opening of an engine test facility in Midlothian.

The new facility in Cumbernauld allows the company to concentrate its launch development practices in custom-built domestic facilities, further strengthening Skyrora’s status as the leader in the UK space race.

Colonel Lee Rosen (USAF, Retd.), Skyrora COO and former SpaceX Vice-President, said: “The static fire test looks, sounds and feels a lot like a rocket launch, but without lifting off.

“This hugely successful test was a definitive demonstration of our mobility and flexibility. The Skyrora team went from clean tarmac to a full static fire test in just 2.5 days, bringing all the necessary equipment with them.”

Matt Archer, Director of Commercial Spaceflight at the UK Space Agency, said: “As we soar towards the UK’s first commercial space launches, these achievements showcase our rapidly growing capabilities, and the increasing range of expertise that can make the UK a highly attractive destination for launch activities in Europe.

“We’ll continue to support the development of new launch infrastructure and technology and look forward to following the next steps of Skyrora’s journey to orbit.”

Thilo Kranz, Commercial Space Transportation Programme Manager at the European Space Agency, said: “It has been excellent to witness the successful second stage test for the Skyrora XL launch vehicle.

“This test is also an important step towards ESA’s objective of fostering new commercial European launch services in the near future.”

Andy Grey, Member of the Board at Discover Space UK, said: “Discover Space UK is delighted to host exciting companies such as Skyrora, which are developing new capabilities within the UK’s emerging spaceflight industry, as part of UK ambitions to be a science and technology superpower.

“DSUK wants to see the future of science and industry coming to Machrihanish and benefiting from our fantastic infrastructure and landscape.”

Machrihanish Airbase is a former military base which hosted a US Air Force detachment of strategic bombers during WW2 and was used by RAF and NATO air forces until 1997.

The airstrip at Machrihanish was also a designated emergency landing site during NASA’s space shuttle era.

Fraser of Allander Weekly Update: Inflation reaches double figures …

… and a look ahead to a big day in the Scottish statistical calendar

This week saw the publication of two pieces of key economic news: firstly on the labour market and secondly the latest inflation data (writes Fraser of Allander Director MAIRI SPOWAGE) . To some extent, the figures were not surprising and were broadly what we were expecting.

Labour Market

New labour market data from the Office for National Statistics were released on Tuesday covering the period until the end of June 2022.

These data show that the Scottish unemployment rate remained stable at 3.2%, with the employment rate dipping slightly (-0.1%-point) to 75.4%. The rate of economic inactivity rose slightly to 22.0% (+0.1%-point) compared to the previous 3 months.

UK-wide data on employees’ pay shows that average total pay (including bonuses) over the past year was 5.1%, while over the same period the growth in regular pay (excluding bonuses) was 4.7%.

Adjusted for inflation, this means that total pay fell by 2.5% and regular pay fell by 3.0% over the year.

So, the tight labour market conditions are continuing. Interestingly, the latest vacancy data shows a slight fall in the number of vacancies in the latest period, although there is still almost 1.3 million vacancies across the UK.

Inflation

The labour market data was followed on Wednesday by the July inflation data. This showed that Consumer Price Inflation had reached 10.1% in July, yet another 40-year high for the measure. It doesn’t have to go much higher to breach the high in 1982 of around 11%.

The main drivers of this, compared to last month, are increases in food and non-alcoholic beverage prices – with an annual inflation rate of 12.7% for this class of goods.

Energy and fuel prices are of course contributing significantly to the annual inflation rate. Despite us all noticing that petrol and diesel prices have fallen back in the latter part of July, the average price in July was still higher than the average price in June; the level of fuel price in July 2022 was 47% higher than July 2021.

We have consistently discussed that these price rises are likely to be experienced differently by different groups of the population. ONS produce consistent measures of inflation experienced by different household groups, including by income.

Chart: Annual Inflation to June 2022 by income quintile (CPIH consistent)
Chart shows that inflation is much higher for those in the lowest income quintiles

Source: ONS

As we might expect, the data shows that those on the lowest incomes are likely to be experiencing the highest levels of inflation. Look out for more analysis of this really interesting dataset in our next Economic Commentary: or, alternatively, go here if you want to analyse it yourself.

And finally… take a deep breath and get ready for GERS 2022!

Government Expenditure and Revenue Scotland (GERS) is coming!! In late August each year, the Scottish Government releases these statistics to much amassed excitement from political commentators and fans of economic statistics.

These statistics are released next Wednesday. They show estimates of tax revenues raised in Scotland compared to expenditure on behalf of the people of Scotland, and present the balance between these two figures as a net fiscal balance.

We have produced a detailed guide to GERS which goes through the background of the publication and all of the main issues around its production, including some of the odd theories that emerge around it. A couple of years ago, we also produced a podcast which you can enjoy at your leisure.

No doubt, as usual there will be plenty of different interpretations and arguments about what these statistics do, or don’t, mean for Scotland under different visions of its future, particularly given the stage the constitutional debate is currently at.

For the uninitiated, the GERS statistics seem to be pretty unique in terms of the fervour they generate and as with any fuss like that, it’s worth taking a step away to look at the facts for yourself.

We’ll be publishing analysis next week that breaks down some of the key figures to help with that, so stay tuned!

Fringe 2022: Is This the Real Life?

Microcosm Theatre Company

  

Is This the Real Life？ 

China or the UK? Where should I go? What happens after I graduate? The things you ignore during the day will often creep into your dreams.

Gripping reflections on the subconscious intermingle in this showcase of the ideologies and anxieties of a Chinese international student.

Overseas students consider these  things every few seconds: the anxieties of uni life, and the dilemma of the ominous  life after graduation.

Is this real life? explores cultural stereotypes, freedom, an antitheist encountering gods and Chinese allegory in an entrancing and thought-provoking play. 

Chinese students Hongye Chen and GuoZhao Sun, drama students at the University  of Exeter, are Microcosm. The pair of theatre-makers, and dreamers, are excited to  bring their first show to the Fringe. 

Listings information 

Venue: theSpace on the Mile 

Dates: 22-27 August 2022 (not 24) 

Time: 11:30 (0hr40) 

Ticket prices: £6 / concessions £3 / children £3 

Fringe box office: 0131 226 0000 / https://tickets.edfringe.com 

Suitable for all ages

Knit & Natter returns tomorrow

Knit & Natter will be back from Monday at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre at 1pm.

Brenda leads this group and has been missing you all terribly over the summer!

Granton Library donated a LOT of wool and we have plenty of needles and hooks.

Any women living in the area are very welcome. No skills required in knitting or crocheting (there are some very experienced women willing to share theirs).

Even if you just want to come in for a natter and a cup of tea… that’s just fine!

‘Thunder fever’ could cost motorists up to £5000

The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses.

This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever (and asthma) much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens when moisture and lightning brought by the storm, shatter pollen normally too large to enter the lungs into tiny pieces.

Whilst drivers need to be careful that sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes brought on by hay fever doesn’t impair their driving ability, there is a serious risk for those suffering with the pollen.  The government legislation that bans driving while under the influence does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications. 

This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness. One in four people in the UK has hay fever, which equates to approximately 16 million people.

Other  distractions that could be classed as careless driving include  ‘rubber necking’ at the storm itself or failure to see through the windscreen properly, if caught in heavy rain.

Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says if drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.

However, any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods that accompany thunder storms might not be covered by insurance policies. Quotezone.co.uk warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “The weather has been extreme this summer and driving in the heat alone has been challenging but there are things drivers need to know to avoid risking penalty points or fines and keep themselves safe on the roads.

“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more travel time, note drivers may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – drivers can be fined if they can’t see clearly out of all windows.

“Hay fever symptoms can come on unexpectedly and some types of medication do cause drowsiness, or carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”

It’s always sensible to check the weather before setting off on long journeys and err on the side of caution, Met Office pollen count forecasts available here.

Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including  breakdown cover,  and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products.

Recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.

Heart of Newhaven newsletter: It’s Truly Time to Celebrate!

It’s truly time to celebrate

The Heart of Newhaven Community has finally been given the keys to the front door. Current Chair Judy Crabb received the keys from the City of Edinburgh Council on Friday (12/8) so the school site finally belongs to you, the community.

It’s taken a long time. As a reminder, the original Steering Group was set up after public consultation and eventually converted into a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered with OSCR the charity overseer in 2020.

They won the right to purchase the site under the Community Asset Transfer scheme in July 2020 and secured funding for the purchase from the Scottish Land Fund in June 2021.

The school pupils and teachers moved out in December, 2021, but delays originally caused by Covid 19 and then last minute legal hurdles meant that the final transfer could not take place until last week.

Now, it’s all systems go, with volunteers tidying and cleaning and potential users and tenants queuing up to move in and get started.

The History of Education Centre has already moved all its equipment and furniture in and hopes to have the Victorian Schoolroom fully operational by 1st October. Others are keen to follow suit.

First though, there are some necessary health and safety measures to install, IT equipment and communications must be set up and the most urgent repairs to the structure need to be completed.

Once open to the public, the community hub will be offering spaces for intergenerational activities including space for such as theatre groups, choirs and performances of all kinds, rooms for rent for meetings or parties, artists’ studios and small business rooms for rent, a Heritage Suite, much needed early years’ provision in the modern Anchor Building, rooms for the Men’s Shed to carry on their activities and of course a community cafe.

HoNC Chair, Judy Crabb has been involved since even before the first public consultations and is now celebrating with the rest of the Board. “It’s a well known phrase ‘ If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for’ and how true that is as of today,” she says.

“Finally, we are thrilled to announce that HoNC now owns the former Victoria Primary School that from now on will be known as ‘The Heart’.

“A huge thank you to everybody who has helped over the years to bring about this day, volunteers, supporters, members of the community, our funders, Trustees and consultants. Every contribution, big and small, has made a difference.

“Over the next few months we will begin to open up the buildings to all the services and activities that support our themes of culture and heritage, learning and enterprise and improvement in well being.”

London Road clock makes welcome return

The historic London Road clock has returned home after 15 years in storage and following its full restoration, as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

The clock, which began life on Waverley Bridge in 1857 before being moved to the West End in 1896, was eventually placed at the roundabout on London Road in 1955. It was removed in 2007 during the original tram project and is now being replaced as Trams to Newhaven nears completion.

Specialist clockmakers Smith of Derby have carefully restored the clock, which has involved dismantling it, priming and repainting all parts, hand painting ornate features in gold and repairing the Coat of Arms of Edinburgh, including casting a new deer from aluminium.

The timepiece was returned to Elm Row on Tuesday (16 August) as part of improvements to the public space at Elm Row.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I’m sure the return of the London Road clock will be welcome news to many, and thanks to its full restoration it will add a striking finishing touch to the area’s transformation.

“It has a rich history, and I’m sure the clock has witnessed many amazing scenes in Edinburgh.”

John Lawson, City Archaeologist, said: “It has been fascinating to work with Smith of Derby in restoring this iconic clock back to its original condition and with a new striking paint scheme reflecting what we believe to be close to its original Victorian look.

The process has proved more complex than first thought. What was thought to be a simple iron casting in four parts has been revealed by Smith’s conservation work to be a more intricate design, with individual detailed castings added separately to the main column. Along with the Elm Row pigeons, we hope the historic London Road Clock will be enjoyed by all and add to the area’s history.”

Trams to Newhaven remains on schedule for completion by spring 2023 and within the £207.3m budget, with all major construction anticipated to be complete by the end of 2022 ahead of a testing and commissioning period.

The main construction works between Montgomery Street/Annandale Street and Pilrig Street were completed last month (July). Main construction works are also complete on several other sections, including Ocean Terminal to Rennie’s Isle and between Tower Street and Constitution Place and Tower Street and Baltic Street.

Amongst the progress made to date, 93% of track slab has been laid (over 4km), all the necessary utility diversions have been carried out and main construction work is complete on four new tram stops at Constitution Street, McDonald Road, Ocean Terminal and Foot of the Walk, with works progressing well on the Balfour Street and Port of Leith stops.

Several other monuments and public artwork pieces have been refurbished and replaced as part of the project, including the Robert Burns statute at Bernard Street, which was restored and unveiled earlier this year.

In addition, the eight bronze pigeons will be returned to Elm Row this autumn, while work is ongoing to identify an appropriate location for Pilrig Cable Wheels discovered on Leith Walk.

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven online.