A red plaque has been unveiled to commemorate seven firefighters who lost their lives in a fire in Glasgow, Scotland, 50 years ago.
Andrew Quinn, Alistair Crofts, Iain Bermingham, Allan Finlay, William Hooper, Duncan McMillan, and James Rook were responding to a warehouse fire on Kilbirnie Street when they were killed after a ceiling collapsed while trying to rescue Rook, who was trapped.
It was one of the highest losses of life for the UK fire and rescue service at a single incident in peacetime.
The plaque is part of a national Red Plaque Scheme run by the Fire Brigades Union and funded through the Firefighters 100 Lottery, aiming to commemorate firefighters who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
The unveiling took place at the site of the fire on Kilbirnie Street on Sunday (28 August), three days after the 50 year anniversary of the incident.
Ben Selby (FBU Vice President), Colin Brown (FBU Executive Council Member for Scotland), Ross Haggart (Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Chief Officer) and Bailie Norman MacLeod (Glasgow City Council) spoke at the unveiling and paid tribute to the sacrifice of the seven firefighters who died.
Seona Hart, FBU Scotland Regional Treasurer, said: “This incident was a tragedy which had a huge impact on firefighters and the community locally.The plaque will help us all remember the huge sacrifice these firefighters made keeping the public safe.
“Firefighters put their lives on the line, and their selfless work to protect others deserves to be remembered. The Red Plaque Scheme plays an important role for the loved ones of firefighters who have died in the line of duty, so that their sacrifices are not forgotten, as well as sharing their stories with the community.”
The Red Plaque Scheme is fully funded by proceeds from the weekly Firefighters 100 Lottery which has been able to create several Plaques each year since it began in 2017. Over time, as supporters of the Lottery continue to grow, more Red Plaques can be placed at the heart of communities affected by firefighter fatalities.
More information on the Red Plaque Scheme can be found at:
We are nearing the day when young people can come and enjoy FetLor once again! Our clubs start back one week today – on September 5th. There has been a couple of small changes in our timetable from last year. See the flyer for all clubs and times.
As always clubs require registration. This needs to be completed by everyone.
To register simply click the link to take you through our digital form:
POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault on Northfield Broadway, Edinburgh, on Thursday, 25 August, 2022.
At around 10pm, a 46-year-old man was attacked near to the traffic lights by two male youths on electric scooters. He attended Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.
The two suspects are both described as: white, slim build, mid-late teens, wearing dark coloured clothing.
They were seen heading off towards Portobello Road.
Detective Sergeant Kimberly Tennant of the Violence Reduction Unit, Gayfield, Edinburgh, said: “This was a violent attack which took place on a fairly busy street with pedestrians and vehicles despite the time.
“It was just after a football game and the pubs had been busy with people out watching it.
“Think back were you in the area and did you see anything which may help us identify these youths?
“Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are relying on members of the public to provide us with as much information as possible.
“If you can assist then please contact us on 101, quoting reference incident 4192 of 25 August, or make a call anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
COSLA last night expressed its disappointment with the Local Government Trade Unions reaction to ‘one of the best pay deals for their workforce in decades’.
The offer, negotiated on behalf of Scotland’s 32 councils, is an overall package worth half a billion pounds, giving 5% to all staff plus an additional cost of living payment to our lowest paid employees. Based on a 37-hour week no member of staff will get less than an additional £1925 and for those earning under £20,500 at least a £2,000 pay increase – for this year and also next year.
This has been designed to address the concerns and firm view of Trade Unions that the lowest paid must be protected during this crisis and demonstrates Local Government’s commitment to not leave anyone behind.
Councils continue to strive to lead the way in pushing up minimum rates of pay and as well as this are including an extra days annual leave this year.
Councillor Katie Hagmann COSLA’s Resources Spokesperson said: “Council Leaders have said consistently throughout these negotiations that we absolutely value and are grateful to all of our local government workforce.
“It is perhaps only when waste starts piling up and there is the prospect of further disruption to life with school closures that others see the hidden value local government services deliver each and every day of the year in our towns, villages and cities.
“It is for this reason that we as employers have done everything possible to put the best offer we can to our workforce. But we are now at the absolute extremes of affordability and this is already an offer which is stretching our already stretched finances like never before.
“This year’s offer is significantly better and different to previous offers and would have helped to support our Council workforces across the country at this difficult time.
“That support is crucial at any time but particularly now, during the cost of living crisis the country is facing. This is why we are so disappointed with the response to it from our Trade Union colleagues.
“Given our commitment as Employers to get to this point, we are disappointed that Trade Unions will not suspend planned strike action whilst they put this offer to members to allow workers to get back to doing what they do best, delivering high quality, essential services right across Scotland.
“My final point to the Trade Union colleagues is that we have done everything we possibly can to get to this stage and that this offer – which is still on the table – is as good as it gets.”
UNISON responded: ‘Strikes to continue – We will recommend UNISON council members vote to reject the latest LG pay offer in a digital consultative ballot in the coming days.’
GMB Scotland and Unite, the two other unions locked in the local government dispute, also rejected the latest pay offer. GMB says the council pay offer feathers nests of service directors over frontline staff.
GMB Scotland Senior Organiser for Public Services Keir Greenaway said: “A flat rate award is a key demand from unions to ensure more consolidated money goes into the pockets of frontline workers and not the highest paid in our councils. COSLA knew this but instead tabled this offer as an across-the-board percentage rise that only feathers the nests of service directors.
“This was unacceptable to our local government committee members. It’s not credible that in the grip of the biggest cost-of-living crisis in forty years, and with inflation and energy bills soaring, a head of service gets four times the consolidated increase than a bin collector, cleaner or carer.
“That’s why we have written to COSLA again this evening urging them to return to talks as soon as possible and to negotiate a new offer based on a flat rate increase. If they don’t do this, then when our committee reconvenes tomorrow, we will outline our plans to fully consult GMB members.”
The big clean up begins in Edinburgh this morning – but unless a pay deal can be thrashed out we could be facing another round of industrial action in Auld Reekie as earky as next week.
UNITE members rallied outside the City Chambers yesterday to mark the end of the first wave of strikes – but made clear this dispute is far from over.
A Unite spokesperson said: “Unless they get an offer Local Authority workers deserve, Edinburgh will be joined by 19 other Councils to take further action from September 6th.”
TV and radio presenter, Jennifer Reoch, will be joining hundreds of fellow fundraising cyclists to take on Social Bite’s Break the Cycle challenge on Sunday, 4th September.
The former Miss Scotland star will be pedalling the 60-mile route from Scotstoun Stadium through to BT Murrayfield in Edinburgh with team captains Sir Chris Hoy and Glasgow Warriors’ Managing Director, Al Kellock.
With a variety of distances on offer this year, including new 20 or three-mile options, Break the Cycle will see cyclists of all abilities choose their route to raise vital funds to help people experiencing homelessness.
The latest Deadline to Breadline report from Legal & General has found UK households’ financial resilience has shrunk by 21% since 2020 (from 24 days to 19 days)
People overestimate (by nearly six weeks – actually 41 days) how long they could fund basic living costs (such as housing costs, loans/ credit card repayments, utility bills and food) if they lost their income
Cutting back has become the norm but the 5 million poorest workers in the UK have no financial safety net in the event they lose their salary
On average, working households are only 19 days from the breadline, according to a report from Legal & General. The new research has shown that households have seen the amount of time they can fund basic expenses decrease by 21%, five days less than in April 2020.
Households have average savings of £2,431 and debts of £610. Accounting for average daily expenses of £93, this would see the average household run out of money in less than three weeks if they were to lose their income.
The research found that most people underestimate how long their money would last, assuming they would have 60 days of breathing room were they to lose their job.
With household costs increasing significantly, and more businesses under pressure, this has raised concerns that many people across the country could be especially vulnerable to financial shocks should the worst happen.
Household energy bills, for instance increased by 54% in April 2022, a record increase, and are likely to rise substantially again in October and the New Year. 2
Cutting back ‘the new norm’
While a quarter of households are yet to notice an impact from the increased cost of living, cutting back – on both essentials (69%) and luxuries (81%) – is the new norm. Even the majority of those with no debt and a higher income (over £50k annually) are being more cautious. 61% of those with a household income of over £50k are cutting back on essentials.
Nearly 2 million adults have no money left each month, a rise of 330,000 in the last 2 years. Concerns are particularly high for the UK’s poorest workers. Those earning under £20,000 a year – 5 million people in the UK – are living paypacket-to-paypacket and the average household in this group has no safety net should the worst happen.
Legal & General’s recent Rebuilding Britain Index also found that the cost of living crisis is increasing inequalities between different parts of the country, disproportionately affecting households in areas where there is a greater need for levelling-up initiatives.
Older workers most at risk of overconfidence
Older workers in the UK (55 to 65 years old) tend to have higher levels of financial reserves they can draw on, meeting their expenses for an average of 99 days in the event they lose their income. However, these households are also the most likely to overestimate their safety net, assuming they can manage for at least 180 days.
This raises concerns as older households have less time to build their savings back up before retirement and typically find it harder to find new roles following redundancy.
Bernie Hickman, CEO, Legal & General Retail, said:“Our latest research presents a challenging picture for working households across the UK. We often talk about managing money month-to-month but, as our findings indicate, for some it’s a case of day-by-day.
“The cost-of-living crisis is squeezing the purses of people all over the country, leaving households of every shape and size with money worries. The fact is there is only so much people can do to manage their budgets in these difficult times but there are resources available that can help.
“Half of all people in the UK (52%) haven’t taken advantage of financial guidance available, including free services like MoneyHelper, to help make the most of what they have.
“It may feel overwhelming but we encourage people to do what they can now so they are best prepared for a further squeeze on finances coming this autumn.”
Legal & General’s Deadline to Breadline report, published later this year, will explore the financial resilience, security and engagement of working households across the UK.
To help people better understand their money and make informed decisions, the insurance and retirement provider has put together a financial safety net content hub signposting tools and resources.
3 Live Events | 3 Themes | 6 Writers | 3 New Artistic Commissions
September ‒November at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, Edinburgh
Earlier this year, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre joined forces to create a new series of events in celebration of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 and they’re back with Season Two launching on Friday 23 September.
Figures of Speech is a fresh and exciting cross-artform series that will bring together authors, artists, and high-profile experts to steer an exploration of Scotland as a modern literary nation. Bringing stories to life with lively discussions sparked by universal themes.
The first theme of the new season is Love and who better to be in the discussion seat than the queen of Rom Com fiction, author Jenny Colgan. Writer Pàdraig MacAoidh / Peter Mackay and Jenny will talk all things love in Scottish literature.
Sharing their own experiences of writing amorous words as well as showcasing some of the most enduring, inclusive, tragic and formidable examples of love on the page. This event is sure to warm audiences’ hearts as the cold nights draw in. Multidisciplinary artist and deaf performer, Jamie Rea will support the event with a newly commissioned piece of work exploring queer love that will be presented in British Sign Language.
The next event in the season is on Friday 21 October as part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. Artist and writer, Amanda Thomson will be dropping a pin in the literary map with a discussion on place and locality with poet and film maker Roseanne Watt. This event will be supported by a newly commissioned storytelling performance by comedian and storyteller Marjolein Robertson.
The season concludes on St. Andrew’s Day with an exploration of the Big Ideas and pertinent questions in relation to issues such as climate change and Scotland’s place in our world at large. Writer David Farrier will host an evening of discussion with climate activist and author Jessica Gaitán Johannesson on Wednesday 30 November.
There is currently an open call for a creative commission in response to the final theme of the series which is Big Ideas. Artists from any background and working in any medium in Scotland are encouraged to apply.
Details can be found on the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s wbsite: www.scottishstorytellingcentre.com or via Creative Scotland opportunities.
Daniel Abercrombie, Programme & Events Manager at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, says: “Our second Figures of Speech season will build on the success of Season 1, bringing audiences and performers together to debate and discuss the stories and words which explore these themes in Scottish literature.
“This project is all about variety, partnerships, and a celebration of words, so we hope and imagine people will have their own thoughts and opinions on these themes, which is all part of the fun in this Year of Stories!’
Scottish Author Jenny Colgan, says: ‘Figures of Speech is a fantastic way of taking a fresh look at Scotland’s stories, and I’m looking forward to exploring the many ways Scotland has engaged with love and romance in literature over the years.
“Love is such a universal and wide-ranging theme so there will be plenty to discuss and I’m really looking forward to talking with Peter as part of Figures of Speech Season Two.’
Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 spotlights, celebrates and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. Figures of Speech is supported by EventScotland as part of this celebration.
VisitScotland’s Regional Director for Edinburgh, Lothians & Forth Valley, Neil Christison says: “We are delighted to be supporting Figures of Speech as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022.
“From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.
“This exciting collaboration between Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature and the Scottish Storytelling Centre gives audiences an opportunity to hear from authors direct and enjoy a journey through Scottish literature.”
The first season of Figures of Speech saw Nicola Meighan in discussion with author Arusa Qureshi on all things music in Scottish literature. The second event saw poet Michael Pedersen in conversation with author Val McDermid on friendship and the first season wrapped up with writers Russell Jones and T.L. Huchu discussing literature, sci-fi and imagined futures.
All previous shows were recorded and are now available to watch on demand via the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s website and the Scottish Storytelling Centre’s YouTube channel.
The second season will also be recorded and made available online and all live and recorded events will be supported by BSL interpretation. Each of the events will also be supported by a pop-up bookshop from Lighthouse Books. Their expert booksellers will be on hand to supply the must-read books to match every event.
Young people secure £756,000 for Scotland’s charities
Aberdeen , Scotland, Thursday, 16 June 2022
YPI Annual Event 2022
Picture by Michal Wachucik/Abermedia
More than 35,000 young people have been empowered to be advocates for their communities, securing more than three quarters of a million pounds for charities the length and breadth of the country.
The Wood Foundation’s Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI), which took place in more than 250 secondary schools, saw young people research and represent causes including mental health, poverty, abuse, and support for those with health and disability conditions.
YPI is the biggest independent initiative being delivered in Scottish education. The active citizenship programme engages a full year-group at each school who learn about the needs of their communities and the work of local charities. The students work in teams to do in-depth research and develop a creative and convincing presentation in a bid to secure their school’s YPI grant of £3000.
Presentations at schools’ YPI Final Showcases this year have included a poignant poem about the impact of dementia and losing a loved one; a song about seeking support for mental health; a cartoon animation depicting poverty; and an acting performance focusing on domestic abuse.
Each of the successful teams brought to life their social issue, the difference the charity makes, and the business case for the impact of the £3000 grant locally.
In Edinburgh, each of the following schools secured £3000 for the charities listed by their names:
Scran Academy
Balerno Community High School
Edinburgh Women’s Aid
Boroughmuir High School
Kids in the Street
Castlebrae High School
Vintage Vibes
Craigmount High School
Muirhouse Youth Development Group
Craigroyston Community High School
Give Blood 4 Good
Currie Community High School
About Youth
Fettes College
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
Firhill High School
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital
Forrester High School
Thistle Foundation
George Watson’s College
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital
Gracemount High School
Edinburgh Young Carers
Holy Rood RC High School
Saheliya
James Gillespie’s High School
North Edinburgh Dementia Care
Leith Academy
Tailor Ed Foundation
Liberton High School
Edinburgh Young Carers
Merchiston Castle School
Shakti Women’s Aid
St Augustine’s RC High School
Therapet (Caninie Concern Scotland Trust)
St George’s School
Granton Baptist Church
The Edinburgh Academy
Held in Our Hearts
The Mary Erskine School
Forget Me Not Garden
The Royal High School
Circle
Trinity Academy
Ali MacLachlan, UK Director at The Wood Foundation, said: “We need to give young people the space, time, and opportunities to have their voices heard now, with the resources to act upon what they believe and realise their potential and responsibilities as active citizens.
“YPI is vitally important for young people in terms of their understanding of the world and their role in it, as well as developing their skills. It is also incredibly supportive of schools’ culture, drivers, and curriculum.
“Charities tell us that engaging a new generation of advocates and volunteers, raising awareness of what they do and promoting conversations, is as important as the opportunity to secure funds. Teachers tell us it is improving vital skills for learning, life, and work and making their young people more aware of their communities.
“Most importantly, young people tell us that YPI is giving them opportunities to better understand their communities and feel empowered to be part of change.
“The Wood Foundation is proud to partner with schools in delivering this vital opportunity for our young people and communities.”
Since it was launched in Scotland in 2008, 270,000 young people have taken part in YPI with £6m reaching local charities.
The Wood Foundation, the venture philanthropic organisation established by Sir Ian Wood and his family, is the operational manager and principal funder of YPI in Scotland. The programme is also supported by a range of like-minded funding partners.
The 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe draws to a close today having brought together artists, international arts industry and media, and both loyal Fringe fans and new audiences.
After some of the most challenging years on record for the sector, the hard work and effort of the artists, venues, producers, promoters, arts and media industry, and staff should be recognised and celebrated.
The lead up brought with it understandable anxiety, as Fringe-makers took on the risk and uncertainty of returning in a year like no other. Audience patterns have changed, industrial action caused significant disruption to rail travel and refuse collection, and affordable accommodation in Edinburgh was at crisis point. This year’s festival has been a colossal and collective effort.
We recognise and thank the residents and businesses of Edinburgh and the Lothians, home to the Fringe for the last 75 years. Residents of our historic city accounted for 39% of all tickets issued (+4% on 2019), and their support and commitment to the festival is evident. Overseas audience attendances also increased, accounting for 10% of all tickets issued (+2% on 2019).
While the number of tickets issued is testament to the commitment of those who put on the shows and the audiences who came to see them, far beyond what we could have imagined at the start of the year.
The growing cost of Edinburgh for artists points to the need for long-term recovery, investment, and support to ensure the sustainability and longevity of one of the world’s most important cultural events.
Some clear challenges have emerged, and we need a collective approach to address these, or the future of this long-running beacon for cultural connection and development will be in jeopardy.
This year’s Fringe saw an estimated 2,201,175 tickets issued across 3,334 shows which were performed by artists from 63 countries. The festival welcomed diverse work from Scotland, the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, with 13 showcases including work from Canada, Finland, Belgium, Taiwan, South Korea, Ireland – North and South, Denmark and Australia.
The 2022 programme tackled themes and issues such as mental health, gender and gender identity, neurodiversity, disability, feminism, lockdown, experience of migration, LGBTQ+, politics, race and racial identity and work for children; with upcoming talent showcased alongside well-known performers and international work.
The Street Events programme was extended into new sites, with 3,284 performances by Street Performers across the programme. These included 650 Taster Stage slots on new sites in St Andrew Square and Cathedral Square in St James Quarter. 170 shows were represented, with five additional slots given to community groups and schools.
Over 35 professional development events for Fringe participants were delivered in partnership with 16 external organisations in Fringe Central, our dedicated centre for artists at the heart of the Fringe, and on Fringe Connect, our online home for artists.
The Arts Industry office accredited 1,354 producers, programmers, bookers, talent agencies, festivals and others from 45 countries, looking to find work, tour it and support artists beyond the festival itself. They were joined by over 770 of the world’s media, and 147 delegates who participated in Screen Fringe.
The communities, learning and access team worked on a number of key initiatives, including loaning out 150 sensory backpacks for autistic children and adults. BSL interpretation took place in West Parliament Square on five days of the festival, and a dedicated Changing Places toilet was located beside George Square.
The Society worked with over 30 Edinburgh charities and community groups to distribute over £60,000 of Fringe vouchers and Lothian bus tickets, enabling residents from across the city to experience the festival, many for the very first time. In addition, over 900 schoolchildren came to the Fringe as part of our schools’ outreach work.
Shona McCarthy, CEO of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “Our enormous congratulations go out to everyone who came together to create the 2022 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
“This year’s festival is the first step in what will be a long road to recovery and renewal. The hard work of thousands of artists, and hundreds of venues, producers and staff has combined to deliver the 75th anniversary festival during one of the most challenging summers on record.
“We recognise the significant amount of work that is still required to support the long-term sustainability of this phenomenal Festival. As we review and discuss all the learnings from this year, our focus this autumn will be on planning for the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe.
“Collectively we will work to advocate for greater support for those at the heart of the Fringe – our artists. The eyes of the world look to this historic city every August, and we need to work together to ensure the Fringe is the best place for creatives to express their ideas, audiences to support them and for people across the sector to develop their skills and careers for the next 75 years.”
Benny Higgins, Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, added: “I add my congratulations to those that worked tirelessly this August to deliver the 75th anniversary of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The importance of this festival cannot be underestimated. Artists use the Fringe as a place to perform, connect and springboard onto their next career opportunity.
“Recovery takes time, and that is why in June we launched our future development goals. The Society acts to offer anyone a stage and everyone a seat, and there is much to do in the coming months. We need to ensure the Fringe is the best place for thriving artists, while ensuring fair work and good citizenship.
“Our digital experience will be key to delivering our climate action targets, and we need to do more to ensure who you are, and where you’re from, is not a barrier to attending or participating in the Fringe.”
As a charity, the work of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society would not be possible without the valuable support of our partners, sponsors and funders.
We are hugely grateful to the support of partners City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, Creative Scotland, The Scottish Government, British Council, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, St James Quarter and Nuveen.
Our thanks to sponsors TikTok, Johnnie Walker Princes Street, Edinburgh Gin and Cirrus Logic. Our continued appreciation also to our Fringe Angels, Patrons, Friends and supporters who help make the Fringe happen each year.
Next year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 04 – 28 August 2023.
