Month: August 2022

Firefighter joins Edinburgh’s newest radio station

Edge Radio, a new radio station that hit the airwaves on DAB in Edinburgh this month, has announced the latest member to its team of presenters. Brad Yule, an on call firefighter, will be swapping his fire uniform for a radio microphone Monday – Friday, 10.00 – 14.00 to bring the city current and upbeat tunes perfect for summertime listening.

Brad, has been juggling his radio career with the fire service since he started on the airwaves in 2014, when he joined Central FM before going onto present for Capital FM. Brad got involved in the fire service when he was young, starting at the fire cadets with Central Scotland Fife & Rescue Service, before joining Scottish Fire & Rescue Service as an on call firefighter in 2017 whilst working with Capital.

Brad wanted to use his free time during the week and help his local community with on call cover, should support be needed. Most recently, Brad helped in the issues created from the heatwave across Edinburgh and the surrounding area, being out at fires for over 70 hours in one week, whilst also starting his new show at Edge Radio.

Edge Radio is backed by veteran DJ Jay Crawford. Jay has used all his experience as the former programme director at Real, Smooth and Rock Radio to bring in a team of presenters together including radio pros such as Mark Martin who worked at Real Radio and Forth One, Jill McLaren who used to co-present the Breakfast Show on Forth One and now Brad Yule who worked on Capital Radio.

Claire Kinnaird who worked at Forth 1 and was also a breakfast presenter on Tay FM has also joined the team, and Matt Shields who worked as presenter on Kingdom FM and other Bauer radio stations.

The team also includes exciting young talent including Matthew Paige, Johnny Togneri, Meghan McKee and Chrissy Meechan. Edge Radio is committed to spending time on training and development, especially when it comes to nurturing upcoming talent.

Edge Radio started 18 months ago by Mark Martin and Matt Shields before Jay Crawford, who was one of the original DJs on Radio Forth when it first launched in 1975, came on board and used all his 47 years’ experience from Radio Forth & Radio Clyde and as an award-winning Programme Controller at Real Radio to get Edge Radio to the point of launching on DAB digital radio.

Muckle Media. Edge Radio, June 2022. © Malcolm Cochrane Photography +44 (0)7971 835 065 mail@malcolmcochrane.co.uk No syndication No reproduction without permission

On joining Edge Radio, Brad commented: “It’s really exciting to be joining a brand-new station in Edinburgh, and I feel so lucky to be working alongside a brilliant team of experienced radio professionals and new talent.

“Alongside hosting my show, I’m pleased to be carrying on in my role as an on call firefighter helping as needed, as the recent heatwave showed, the work we do is incredibly important.”

Jay Crawford added: “it’s great to have Brad join the Edge Radio team, he’s incredibly experienced and I’m sure his show is going to be a hit.

“We were more than happy help Brad continue in his role as an on call firefighter, recently helping with the problems caused from the heatwave.”

Listen to Edge Radio on your smart speaker, DAB radio, or https://www.edgeradio.co.uk/.

National Museum of Flight launches new escape room experience

Scotland’s only escape room on an historic airfield launches this week at the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune. Operation Sabotage has been developed in collaboration with young people aged 16-25 as part of the Scotland 365 project and will take place from 5 -14 August.

Inspired by its location on the UK’s best-preserved Second World War airfield, Operation Sabotage will transport visitors back in time to 1942.

A series of fiendish puzzles have been created inside one of the original wartime outbuildings on the former RAF base. In a race against the clock, teams of 4-8 people will need to decipher the identity of a mysterious saboteur and prevent a devastating attack on the local town of North Berwick.

Claire Allan, Engagement Manager at National Museums Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to offer such an innovative way to connect with the remarkable history of East Fortune airfield.

“Thanks to the creativity of the young participants in the Scotland 365 project and the generosity of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, this experience will be brought to life for new audiences.” 

The National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Scotland 365 as part of the £10million Kick The Dust programme. Which, thanks to money raised by National Lottery Players, has invested in projects throughout the UK aimed at involving young people in exploring and delivering new ideas on how to engage future generations with our shared heritage.


Operation Sabotage

Friday 5 – Sunday 14 August 2022 (except Tuesday 9 August) 
Start times: 10:30, 12:00, 14:00, 15:30 
From £15 per person, including general admission to the museum 
Ages 14+ 

Tickets can be booked online at nms.ac.uk/operationsabotage 

Harvie to open Green Home Festival

A week-long series of events delivering practical assistance and advice to help Scotland become a net zero nation will be officially opened on Monday 8 August 2022 by Patrick Harvie as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Minister for Zero Carbon Buildings, Active Travel and Tenants’ Rights will be the keynote speaker at the launch of the Green Home Festival, which has been organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV).

The five-day event will see the delivery of 12 in-person and virtual presentations on green topics, targeting homeowners, professionals, housing associations and local authorities.

Mr Harvie said: “This inaugural Green Home Festival is greatly to be welcomed and its organisers, the members of the CICV, warmly congratulated on the initiative.

“The climate emergency is already upon us, and if we’re to stand a chance of preventing its worst consequences we need both government and industry to support a transformation of our homes and buildings.

“Many of the actions and new ideas needed are being advocated by the expert speakers and presenters over the week-long Green Home Festival programme.”

Live Green Home Festival sessions will take place at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at 10 Charlotte Square in central Edinburgh. Each will offer demonstrations and hands-on guidance to help people reduce their carbon footprint and become more energy efficient.

With contributions from the likes of SEPA, Home Energy Scotland, Woolgar Hunter and Pike + Bambridge, the range of topics covered by the week of events will include:

·          Retrofitting tenements

·          Building sustainable neighbourhoods

·          Using sustainable materials

·          Protecting from flood risk

·          Demystifying heat pumps

·          An introduction to electric vehicles (EVs).

In addition, one session, Taking the Swedish View, will see a presentation by award-winning Swedish construction company, Botkyrkabyggen, who use solar panels, windmills, artificial intelligence and district heating to improve energy efficiency and promote fossil-free operations and environmental sustainability.

In another event, Living Safely in the Future, experts from Electrical Safety First will outline what householders can do to ensure their homes are protected properly when installing the innovation and technology that is already becoming a part of everyday life.

Members of the CICV are now aiming to build the week-long green jamboree into an annual event.

One of the organisers, Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “This event will highlight the important role that construction will play for Scotland to achieve its net zero target in the years ahead, and also help householders understand the new technology and ways of doing things that will be involved.

“Delivered via collaboration across the Scottish construction industry through CICV, we are aiming to make this inaugural event an annual occasion that will help to build a long-term legacy and demonstrate our commitment to greener, low-carbon solutions.”

Full details, including how to book tickets for each event, are available on the Festival’s website at greenhomefestival.co.uk.

The festival is the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Made up of 29 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers.

Pay increase for Aldi staff

Aldi is giving store colleagues in Edinburgh a pay increase for the second time this year, maintaining its position as the UK’s best-paying supermarket.

From September, all hourly paid colleagues at its Edinburgh stores will receive an increase of 40p an hour on their current hourly rate, taking Aldi’s minimum pay rates for Store Assistants to a sector-leading £10.50 an hour nationally and £11.95 for those inside the M25. 

Aldi also remains the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is now worth more than £830 a year. 

The new rates far exceed the Living Wage Foundation’s recommended real living wage of £9.90 an hour nationally and £11.05 inside the M25. 

Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Our new rates of pay maintain Aldi’s position as the UK’s highest paying supermarket.  

“This announcement recognises the amazing contribution our colleagues make in serving the local communities in Edinburgh. Their outstanding efforts have ensured that our customers continue to have access to fresh affordable food, every single day.” 

Aldi is the UK’s fifth-largest supermarket and has more than 970 stores across Britain. 

Local author launches new history book thanks to Scotmid donation

Three Scotmid East Committee Members attended a local book launch at The Crannie Community Hub in Edinburgh’s Old Town after the community-based Scottish retailer provided a £5,000 donation towards the funding of the book’s print, design and publishing costs.

Local author, Richard Rodger, has released his latest book, Happy Homes: Cooperation, Community and the Edinburgh Colonies, following publication this month. The book explores the building and management of 11 different sites of houses built for workers, to a distinctive design by the Edinburgh Cooperative Building Company (ECBC).

Scotmid provided the funding to help shed light on the history of co-operatives across Edinburgh and their importance during a time when Scotmid Co-operative (formerly St. Cuthbert’s Co-operative) was formed.

Harry Cairney said: “Richard’s book provides great insight into the local community, and we were more than happy to support his book launch. The Edinburgh ‘Colonies’ have been a distinctive housing phenomenon for more than 160 years and have a remarkable history, which I’m sure will be of great interest to readers.

“As a convenience retailer, based in the heart of those communities we serve, this donation is just one of the ways we look to provide support to individuals, charities and good cause groups.”

Richard Rodger said: “I am so grateful for the support from Scotmid which has helped me to bring this book from an initial idea through to publication. It’s great to see it in print and I was honoured that Harry, Eddie and Brian took the time to come along to our local community hub for the launch.”

Pictured from left to right: Eddie Thorn, Director and East Regional Committee Member, Harry Cairney, President of Scotmid, Brian Weddell, East Regional Committee Member, and author, Richard Rodger.

Police launch Operation Summer City

POLICE in Edinburgh have launched Operation Summer City 2022 to keep the public safe during the festival season.

Chief Inspector Mark Hamilton, Operation Summer City Silver Commander, said: “It’s always an incredible atmosphere within Edinburgh during the Festival and with so many people visiting our city, it’s important we have appropriate resources in place to keep people safe and respond to the range of potential incidents that could occur.

”As the city gets busier, we may see reports of certain acquisitive crimes rising and while we will have an increased presence in place to investigate these, the public can play an important role in helping prevent these offences by always keeping hold of their stuff, being mindful of anyone getting too close to them and keeping valuables stored safely away safely.

“Many of our licensed premises will also be operating with later licences and that can mean an increase in alcohol-related disorder and violence. To minimise this, we’ve been liaising with bar and nightclub staff to remind them of their licensing responsibilities and to ensure they share information with one another about anyone who has been within their venue causing trouble.

“I would ask anyone coming into Edinburgh to enjoy the night-time economy to do so responsibly and not have your evening ruined because of excessive consumption. Within the Capital we have special bail conditions that can be imposed on anyone who commits a crime in a licensed premises, or as a result of having been within one. If you are charged in connection with an offence the bail conditions will prohibit you from entering any other licensed premises within the city centre until the conclusion of your trial.

“The last two years without the Festival in its full capacity have been a huge miss to the city of Edinburgh and its local residents and businesses. We look forward to welcoming everyone back, but please work with us to ensure it’s a memorable event for all the right reasons.”

Thank you Edinburgh Castle for hosting the launch on the Castle Esplanade.

Holyrood appeals for more funding to meet public sector pay deals

Urgent talks sought with the UK Government

The UK Government has been urged to provide additional funding for public sector pay deals or the Scottish Government may be unable to fund equivalent offers without cuts to public services, according to Deputy First Minister John Swinney.

In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer Nadhim Zahawi, Mr Swinney outlines concerns that last year’s UK Spending Review, which determined the majority of the current Scottish Budget, did not take into account the level of pay increase recently proposed by the independent pay review bodies.

Mr Swinney also warned that the UK Spending Review did not consider the wider effects of rising inflation and that without any further funding, the Scottish Government may only be able to propose similar pay rises by reducing budgets elsewhere which would have a knock-on impact on the public sector’s ability to respond more widely to the cost of living crisis.

The letter states:

“I write to notify you that I have taken on responsibility for the Finance and Economy portfolio whilst the Cabinet Secretary, Kate Forbes, is on maternity leave.

“I look forward to working with you and, while I appreciate there may be some limitations on the business of the UK Government pending conclusion of the Conservative leadership process, I am open to engagement with you through this period.  I also appreciate the value of the on-going dialogue between our respective officials.

“There is one urgent issue I would wish to take the opportunity to raise given its importance to the delivery of public services in Scotland.  Further to the joint letter from devolved administration finance ministers to you on 15 July, and in light of the UK Government’s subsequent announcements regarding public sector pay, I am concerned that no associated funding is being provided to meet these additional costs.

“Last year’s UK Spending Review, which as you know determines the majority of the Scottish Budget, did not take account of the levels of pay uplift now proposed or indeed the wider effects of inflation. 

“The associated reduction in spending power across public-sector budgets is deeply worrying for our public services and our capacity to respond to the cost of living crisis, which will undoubtedly bring renewed challenges through the coming autumn and winter period. 

“Given our fixed budgets, our restricted borrowing powers and the inability to change tax policy in year, the lack of additional funding for public sector pay deals via the Barnett Formula means the Scottish Government could only replicate these pay deals for public workers in Scotland with deep cuts to public services.

“I would urge you to consider appropriate funding for public sector pay, and would welcome early discussions with you on this matter.”

On 15 July, the Finance Ministers for the three devolved governments wrote to the Chancellor outlining economic areas of concern ahead of the forthcoming UK Budget.

Government to name grassroots football facilities in honour of triumphant Lionesses 

  • Government determined to build future legacy on the back of England’s success and increase participation for women and girls
  • Comes as part of Government’s £230 million investment to build or improve 8,000 grassroots football and multi-sport facilities by 2025

Following the Lionesses’ incredible success at UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, the Culture Secretary has announced that grassroots facilities will be named after the 23 players in and around each of their respective hometowns or places that shaped their footballing careers in honour of their achievements.

As part of the Government’s £230 million investment to build or improve 8,000 grassroots football and multi-sport facilities by 2025, alongside the stipulation that they must provide access for women’s and girl’s football, the move will cement the team’s legacy for generations to come. This will support the FA’s ambition for the tournament to create half a million extra opportunities for women and girls to play football.

£25 million has already been invested over the last year in grassroots facilities across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland with more than 170 facilities delivered by the Football Foundation, in partnership with the Premier League and the FA.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The Lionesses have enjoyed amazing success in a record breaking tournament – selling out all of their matches, with over half a million fans at games throughout the competition.

“Millions of women and girls have been inspired by the team’s success and honouring their achievements will mean they leave a lasting impression at grassroots facilities across England.”

The Government continues to support the growth of women’s and girl’s football and driving up participation in the sport.

Working alongside the FA, the Government is determined to achieve their ambition of equal access to football for girls in 90% of schools by 2024, and the £320 million PE and School Sports Premium School Sport and Activity Action Plan will help more girls to take part in sport and physical activity.

During the pandemic £2.9 million in grant funding was provided through the Sport Survival Package to the Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship to cover essential costs and allow the completion of their seasons.

This was part of the unprecedented £1 billion package to ensure the survival of the grassroots, professional sport and leisure sectors during the pandemic. The staging of EURO 2022 has also been supported with £4.6 million.

In addition, the Government listed several high profile women’s tournaments, including the Women’s FIFA World Cup, and the UEFA Women’s EUROs as events of national significance. This means they will now have greater opportunity to be shown on free-to-air television, increasing awareness of the women’s game, providing greater commercial opportunities and inspiring more young girls to take up the sport.

It has also been announced that a review of the domestic women’s game will launch later this summer, to look at how to grow the game at elite and grassroots level. More details will be set out in the coming weeks.

The Government’s grassroots pitches investment was announced in March 2022. The next phase of projects will commence later this year.