Day: October 13, 2022

Work set to commence on next phase of homes at Blindwells

The latest housebuilder to acquire development land after securing planning permission for new homes at Blindwells will start on site this month, with the first properties expected to be available Spring 2023.

Stirling-based housebuilder Ogilvie Homes, part of the Ogilvie Group, will deliver 77 homes, including 23 affordable properties, at the New Town located to the east of Prestonpans in East Lothian.

In September, East Lothian Council granted planning permission for the £17m scheme which is to be developed on a 4.5-acre plot at the north-west of the Blindwells site.

Ogilvie’s development will comprise of a mix of two, three and four bedroomed residential properties available for private sale, as well as a range of two and three bedroomed homes for social rent.

Bruce Lindsay, development director at Hargreaves Land, said Ogilvie’s development marks the next ‘exciting’ phase of the site’s overall long-term regeneration. “This is excellent news and a welcome addition for local housing stock, particularly the availability of more affordable accommodation.

“Ogilvie are committed to creating a development that will meet community needs and deliver exceptional high-quality homes for East Lothian. This exciting phase in the Blindwells regeneration story marks another chapter of positive change to this part of Scotland.”

The project will see the construction of detached, semi-detached and terraced 2-storey properties. Ogilvie will also construct four two-bedroom cottage flats as part of the affordable element of the scheme.

Ogilvie will join Bellway, Persimmon and Cruden Homes on site at Blindwells which has planning consent for 1,600 new homes and proposals which include education facilities, a healthcare hub, and local retail outlets.

Julie Leece, head of land at Ogilvie Homes, said: “We’re delighted that planning permission was granted last month and look forward to bringing our plans for Blindwells to fruition.

“Our development will deliver much needed quality homes within the wider masterplanstrategy, contributing significantly to meeting local housing needs and creating a strong sense of community.”

Part of the £200 million turnover Ogilvie Group, Ogilvie Homes is one of Scotland’s fastest growing house builders with current sales of £53m and developments in Boness, Crieff, Plean and West Kinfauns among other sites. The company offers new homes and social housing properties that combine exterior character with interior spaciousness and high levels of craftsmanship.

Real estate consultancy firm JLL is acting as the residential land agent for Blindwells and handled the sale of Plot 11 on behalf of Hargreaves Land.

Dalkeith Little Ruggers kicks off season with backing from Stewart Milne Homes

Leading housebuilder continues to build on support for Midlothian community

More than 40 budding rugby players turned out in force for Dalkeith Rugby Club’s Little Ruggers training session this month as the 2022/23 season got underway.

The popular sports club for two-to-five-year-olds holds two classes every Sunday morning at King’s Park in Dalkeith, inspiring youngsters to get into the sport early on by encouraging them to build their confidence, agility and basic rugby ability in a fun and energetic environment. 

After being the main sponsor of the Dalkeith Minis Rugby Festival earlier this year, Stewart Milne Homes has further underlined its commitment to the community and is now the proud sponsor of the Dalkeith Little Ruggers group for the 2022/23 season.

The leading housebuilder has provided the aspiring players with Little Ruggers t-shirts to wear for their class each week and mini rugby balls to play with at home.

Funding of £2,200 from Stewart Milne Homes has also been welcomed by the club to help continue to grow the Little Ruggers classes, encouraging healthy lifestyles and forming a welcoming community in the Midlothian town.

Tony Williamson, Sales & Marketing Director for Stewart Milne Homes Scotland, said: “After sponsoring the Dalkeith Minis Rugby Festival in May this year, we were thrilled to see the positive impact that the sport has on the local community. That’s why we wanted to extend our support for the club, and the Little Ruggers group is a fantastic initiative to encourage healthy lifestyles from an early age.

“Supporting communities is in the fabric of our ethos, and we’re consistently working with local residents, organisations and schools that share our people-first values. We’re looking forward to continuing our relationship with Dalkeith Rugby Club and wish the Little Ruggers – and potential future rugby stars – good luck in their new season.”

Susan McGhee, Head Coach of Dalkeith Rugby Club’s Little Ruggers, said: “Our Little Ruggers group is a popular fixture in the Dalkeith community, both for the introduction to rugby it offers to youngsters and the social aspect enjoyed by families.

“We all share a passion for rugby but equally ensuring that there is a positive community spirit amongst players and families, which we know Stewart Milne Homes also champions.

“The support from Stewart Milne Homes is a welcomed gesture, both by the Club and families, and we’re pleased to continue to build on our relationship with their team.”

Stewart Milne Homes is currently creating a number of new developments across Central Scotland, including Shawfair in Midlothian, which will feature 115 new homes as well as communal green space and excellent active travel links to the wider community.

The luxurious three-, four-, five- and six-bedroom homes on offer are from the housebuilder’s new ‘Villages’ range which has been expertly designed for modern-day lifestyles, creating the very best of contemporary and considered living for the whole family.

For further information, visit www.stewartmilnehomes.com

Industry data suggests UK households are compromising on gas safety

Latest research from the Gas Safe Register reveals that almost one third (31%) of UK homeowners will skip their annual gas safety checks this year in attempts to reduce household costs. Heating expert and leading manufacturer, Alpha, believes a nationwide call to action is needed to address this imbalance and ensure gas safety remains an essential priority.

“The Gas Safe Register data is alarming and demonstrates yet further implications of the cost-of-living crisis,” says Alpha’s product engineer, Jonathan Kidner. “Gas safety checks in the home can prevent serious or life-threatening accidents including gas leaks, explosions, house fires and carbon monoxide poisoning.

While it was encouraging that the research also showed the majority (77%) of homeowners knew the benefits of regular servicing and maintenance, most notably performance and cost savings, it seems this awareness isn’t translating into enough action and is therefore an extreme cause for concern.”

Alpha argues one of the most important steps for homeowners is to arrange for a Gas Safe Registered engineer to undertake checks on all gas appliances, including an annual boiler service.

This will not only ensure boilers continue to run at optimum efficiency, but also identify any potential faults and ensure warranties and insurance policies remain valid. Homeowners can set reminders for boiler services via the Gas Safe Register’s Stay Gas Safe website.

Jonathan continues: “The boiler is one of the most used pieces of equipment in the home yet the perceived maintenance costs remain one of the main reasons people don’t book a service; our own research from 2021 indicated this being the barrier for 54% of respondents. This needs to change.

“The experts at Which? suggest the average price of a boiler service is just £80 which, when compared with the cost of repairing or replacing the most common faulty parts, could save homeowners anywhere between £30 and £219.”

Additional measures homeowners can take to remain gas safe include:

  • Undertaking visual checks to look for warning signs on unsafe appliances including lazy yellow flames instead of crisp blue; pilot lights which frequently blow out; excessive condensation on windows; and unusual dark marks/staining on or around gas appliances;
  • Testing and replacing smoke alarm batteries;
  • Installing a carbon monoxide alarm and familiarising themselves with the six key symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Jonathan concludes: “While some of these points may seem obvious or even repetitive, the Gas Safe Register research highlights there is a need for reinforcement.

“Only one in three homeowners knew house fires were a potential result of not having regular gas safety checks and less than half could correctly identify symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.

“This is a conversation we need to keep having until this knowledge becomes commonplace.

“We understand the collective concern about rising costs but the loss could be far greater if we do not encourage homeowners to act now and prioritise their gas safety.”

Màiri Mhòr nan Òran is the latest addition to Scotland’s literary greats at Makar’s Court

Màiri Mhòr nan Òran has a commemorative flagstone unveiled at Makars’ Court

Lauded Scottish Gaelic poet and songmaker Màiri Nic a’ Phearsain (Mary MacPherson; 1821-1898) is most commonly known as Màiri Mhòr nan Òran, or ‘Big Mary of the Songs’ is set to be added to Makars’ Court, where the nations most esteemed literary figures have been celebrated since its creation in 1998.

Described as ‘a towering presence in Gaelic culture’ (The National, 2021), Màiri Mhòr will take her rightful place at Makars’ Court where she will have a memorial flagstone inscribed with her name and the lines:

Màiri Mhòr nan Òran

1821-1898

Cuimhnichibh gur sluagh sibh

Is cumaibh suas ur còir

(Remember that you are a people / And stand up for your rights)

(From The Highest Apple/An Ubhal as Àirde (Francis Boutle Press, 2019), p. 522).

Despite not discovering her latent literary talents until after her 50th birthday, Màiri Mhòr is lauded as one of the most important songmakers in Scottish history.

Her work unflinchingly chronicled the Highland Clearances and land struggles, one of the most profound eras of socio-economic and political unrest in the nation’s history. 

Councillor Val Walker, Culture and Communities Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Màiri Mhòr’s addition to Makars’ Court reflects her indelible impact as a songmaker and she can now occupy her rightful place alongside the finest literary figures in our nation’s rich history.

“Makars’ Court is an important stop on the Old Town tourist trail and provides an opportunity for visitors and residents alike to explore the very best of Scotland’s writers. I would like to thank the sponsor of this flagstone Wilson McLeod; this will be a fitting testament to a true giant of Gaelic literature and society.”

The sponsor of this flagstone, Professor Wilson McLeod noted that: “There are currently only three Gaelic writers commemorated at Makars’ Court (George Campbell Hay, Somhairle MacGill-Eain and Lachlann MacMhuirich).

“All of them are male. It would be highly appropriate to honour one of Gaeldom’s best-known female poets.”

About Màiri Mhòr nan Òran:

Born in 1821 at Skeabost in Skye, she spent many years in Inverness and then Glasgow before returning to Skye later in life. After being widowed, she worked as a domestic servant.

In 1872, she was convicted of stealing from her employer, apparently unfairly. Her damaging experience with the law and the lasting effect it had on her is recorded in Tha mi sgìth de luchd na Beurla (I’m tired of the English speakers). She said that the humiliation (tàmailt) she endured brought her muse to life, and it was this injustice which spurred her to become a song-maker.

Mairi Mhòr moved to Glasgow on her release from prison. It was here she is believed to have learned to read and write in English and qualified with a nursing certificate and diploma in obstetrics from Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In 1876, she moved to Greenock to work but often returned to Glasgow for cèilidhs and other gatherings of Skye people, she retired to Skye in 1882.

She is remembered for her active involvement in the Crofters’ War and the Highland land issue, which provided the themes of some of her best-known songs. She is known to have been present at Highland Land League meetings and to have known influential campaigners such as Alexander Mackenzie and her friend Fraser Mackintosh in the run up to the Napier Commission of 1883-4 and the Crofters Act of 1886.

By this time Màiri Mhòr had acquired a reputation for her songs. She sang at the first ever National Mòd in Oban in 1892 and came to achieve considerable celebrity in the Gàidhealtachd, a status she retains to the present day.

Màiri Mhòr died in Portree on Skye in 1898 and was buried in Chapel Yard Cemetery in Inverness beside her husband.

About Makars’ Court:

Makars’ Court, an evolving national literary monument, is located beside the Writers’ Museum in Lady Stairs Close. There, people can read some of the famous words of great Scottish writers inscribed in the flagstones, with quotes ranging from the 14th century John Barbour to Dame Muriel Spark, who died in 2006. New flagstones continue to be added.

The Scots word Makar means “one who fashions, constructs, produces, prepares, etc”. (Dictionary of the Scots Language), and in a literary context it is the role of the poet or author as a skilled and versatile worker in the craft of writing.

We have many such wordsmiths living in Scotland, and to celebrate the importance of writers in our lives, in this UNESCO City of Literature, Edinburgh has adopted its own version of the Poet Laureate: the Edinburgh Makar. 

The office of Edinburgh Makar is currently held by the poet Hannah Lavery. The office of Scotland’s Makar is currently held by the poet Kathleen Jamie.

Join us at a Dogs Trust ‘Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday’ event

Events this October in Perth and North Berwick

Following the success of Dogs Trust ‘Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday’ events this summer, the charity is holding further get-togethers this autumn to celebrate their fabulous foster carers and provide more information for others considering fostering.

Staff from the charity’s bases in West Calder and Dundee are working together to share all the benefits fostering can bring to both people and dogs.

Throughout October, Dogs Trust West Calder and Dogs Trust Dundee will be highlighting success stories, real-life fostering experiences, and the joys of opening your heart and home to a dog in need across their social media pages.

Followers will also get a peek at all the dogs in their area currently looking for foster homes.

The month-long celebration will conclude with in-person events on Friday 28th October providing an excellent opportunity for budding participants to meet current foster carers, hear about their experiences and ask questions.

Shona Crosbie, Home from Home Coordinator at Dogs Trust West Calder says: “We couldn’t rehome as many dogs as we do without the help of our fantastic foster carers.  We’re so thankful for everything they do to help get our dogs back on their paws and we know our dogs are grateful for their love and support too.”

Foster carers play a major role in helping dogs prepare for a happy future in a new home. There are countless advantages of getting involved. It is the perfect way for dog lovers to experience the joy of rehoming without the long-term commitment.

Fosterers also receive the committed support of the Dogs Trust team, being provided with everything they need to support their foster dog, from food and bedding to covering veterinary costs.

‘Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday’ will promote Dogs Trust’s continued fostering expansion throughout Scotland. Having successfully rehomed 140 dogs through their fostering scheme in 2021 and 105 this year to date, Dogs Trust West Calder has recently extended their Home from Home reach across the whole of the Lothians and the Scottish Borders.

From May to date, 20 dogs have been rehomed direct from foster homes by the Home from Home Dundee team with Ollie the cockapoo being the first to be adopted.

Susan Tonner, West Calder Rehoming Centre Manager said: “We would love to invite more people to join our Home from Home scheme. By recruiting more foster carers, we can increase our support across Scotland and find even more perfect homes for dogs in need.”

Anyone interested in finding out more about fostering is welcome to attend one of the events for a cuppa and a chat on Friday 28th October at:

Giraffe Café 51-53, South St, Perth PH2 8PD between 1.00 – 2.30pm

The Puffin, 114 High St, North Berwick EH39 4HE between 1.30 – 3pm

Follow the ‘Thank Dog it’s Fostering Friday’ celebration by keeping an eye on #TDIFF on Twitter and Instagram. See all the latest updates on Dogs Trust West Calder on twitter @DT_WestCalder and Insta @dogstrust_westcalder and Dogs Trust Dundee on twitter @DT_Dundee_ and Insta @dt_dundee

For more information about fostering or the #TDIFF events please email HFHWestCalder@dogstrust.org.uk or HFH.Dundee@dogstrust.org.uk

World Sight Day: Girl who inspired Disney to create a princess with glasses challenges “nerd face” emoji

Lowri Moore, the British schoolgirl who got Disney to create a heroine with glasses in their hit Encanto, has set her sights on challenging the popular “nerd face” emoji, which she says perpetuates stigma against glasses wearing.

In 2019, aged just 9, Lowri Moore, from Nottinghamshire, wrote a letter to Disney asking them to represent more glasses wearers in their films. Two years later, Mirabel Madrigal of Encanto burst onto our screens – proudly wearing her glasses. Encacto director Jared Bush said he had been inspired by Lowri, telling her “I am your biggest fan. I am so impressed by you.” 

Now, on World Sight Day, Lowri is turning her focus from the big screen to the phone screen. 

In a letter to the Unicode Consortium, the body responsible for all new emojis, Lowri, who earlier this year won the award for ‘Campaigner of the Year’ from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, says: “Unfortunately, the only glasses wearing emoji I can find is a nerd face […] As I’m sure you know, people who wear glasses are not nerds. But unless we address this, there’s a chance the next generation will grow up believing this lie about themselves.”

Lowri’s #GlassesOn campaign is calling for the option to add glasses to all emojis, to reflect the diversity of glasses wearers and reduce the stigma that many young people still feel about glasses.

For both children and adolescents, having vision problems is linked to lower self-esteem and quality of life. Research from 2005 showed that UK children with glasses are 35-37% more likely to be bullied.

Lowri’s full letter to the Unicode Consortium appears below. Kicking off her campaign, Lowri paid a visit to a UK secondary school where the students co-signed her letter.

One passionate pupil said: “When I realised I needed glasses, I actually didn’t want to wear them at all. I thought I wasn’t going to be cool. I thought everyone looked cool without glasses, so it made me feel left out.”

Another said: “Glasses are an everyday thing and it’s just not fair to not see it on an emoji. I want to express myself with a glasses emoji because that’s who I am. I think Lowri is doing this for us – for everyone that wears glasses”.

Peter Holland, CEO of IAPB, stated: “Lowri’s advocacy for the world to open its eyes to the real power of glasses and the people wearing them, rather than reinforcing stereotypes, is vital. For children, as for the rest of the world, eye issues are on the rise. Children in the UK are becoming short-sighted 1.5 times more rapidly than they did 50 years ago.

“Yet good eyesight is crucial in ensuring a child has the best chances in life. Children with vision impairment have poorer educational outcomes, and glasses can reduce the odds of failing a class by almost half****. Making sure children can wear glasses when they need them without the fear of being called a ‘nerd’ is an important step on the way towards better eyesight globally.”

Lowri’s campaign is part of a broader range of activities for World Sight Day 2022 and the Love Your Eyes campaign to create greater public awareness of the importance of caring for your own eyes and getting them tested.

To help people find out if they are taking good care of their eyes, IAPB has developed this quiz with the top tips..

Lowri’s letter in full:

Dear Mark Davis, President of Unicode Consortium, 

My name is Lowri Moore, I am 13 years old and I live in Nottingham UK. Being a teenager, I am on my phone a lot and I love to use emojis. I’ve noticed that you have recently added lots of options to represent people better, thank you for doing this. I think it’s really important that people can find an emoji that looks like them.

I’ve worn glasses all my life and I can’t see a thing without them. So my glasses are really a part of me. Unfortunately, the only glasses wearing emoji I can find is a nerd face (unless you are a granny or a teacher) and I wondered if this is something you could please change.

I’d love to see the option to add glasses to face emojis, similar to changing skin  colour or hair colour as you have already made available.

I would also like to see the original emoji wearing glasses too, but preferably not this one that looks like a nerd 🤓. I think this can be damaging as it helps to confirm the negative stereotype and stigma that we are trying hard to destroy.

As I’m sure you know, people who wear glasses are not nerds. But unless we address this, there’s a chance the next generation will grow up believing this lie about themselves. You have the power to help us change this and that is why I am reaching out to you to ask for your help.

Yours sincerely,

Lowri

Royston Wardieburn AGM

TUESDAY 25th OCTOBER from 2 – 3pm

We would like to invite you on our Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Royston Wardieburn Community Education Centre Management Committee on Tuesday, 25 October 2022, 2 pm – 3 pm

Venue: Royston Wardieburn Community Centre, 11 Pilton Drive North, Edinburgh EH5 1NF

We would like to extend this invitation to the centre users, local community groups and organisation who use this community facilities on regular basis at the centre.

We are looking for people to join the Management Committee who can bring new skills and expertise; therefore, all North Edinburgh residents are welcome.

Tea coffee and refreshment will be provided.

This is a public event, no registration is required to attend. For any further information, please contact us via email: rwccmc@yahoo.com

Please find attached the agenda and minutes of last year AGM.

Looking forward to see you at the AGM on 25th October,

Kind regards

MIZAN RAHMAN

Chair, RWCC Management Committee

RWCC_AGM_Minutes_16November2021Download

Chair, RWCC Management Committee

RWCC-AGM-2022-agendaDownload

Scotland’s top councillors unveiled

5th annual Cllr Awards held in Dundee showcases the best of local government

LGIU Scotland and CCLA are proud to unveil the winners of the 2022 Cllr Awards, the only national awards to celebrate the vital work of local councillors across Scotland.

This evening, the Awards ceremony took place at Caird Hall with hosts Dundee City Council along with special guests and speakers, including Ben Macpherson MSP (Minister for Social Security and Local Government) and Cllr Steven Heddle (COSLA Vice President). The ceremony was also streamed live on YouTube. 

The top prize of the night for Community Champion went to Cllr David Macdonald of East Renfrewshire Council. Cllr Connor McManus of Midlothian Council walked away as the Young Councillor of the Year (below) and Cllr Maureen Chalmers of South Lanarkshire Council claimed the Resilience and Recovery Award.

Bailie Malcolm Cunning of Glasgow City Council was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award for his service (in memoriam). And, all leaders across Scotland were showcased and recognised for their remarkable contributions to local government over the last two years. The full list of winners is included below.

Running for the 5th year, the Cllr Awards are a hugely important way to champion what councillors do locally as their work can, all too often, go unrecognised.

Competition was particularly tight this year with nearly 100 nominations received. The winners were selected by a group of judges that included senior councillors and leading stakeholders from across the sector. A link to re-watch the Awards is available HERE.

This year’s Awards were made possible thanks to the generous support of founding partners CCLA.

Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive, LGIU Scotland said: “We are incredibly proud to unveil the winners of this year’s Cllr Awards. During some of the most turbulent and challenging years in recent history, these councillors truly showcase the best of local government across Scotland. 

And while awards and accolades aren’t the reason councillors put themselves forward and enter local politics, their incredible service is, so often, a thankless task. That is why these Cllr Awards are so important. One day a year to say thank you to our elected members for their remarkable efforts.

“I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of tonight’s Cllr Awards winners. We thank you for your service and look forward to hearing about your continued accomplishments in the future.”

Heather Lamont, Director of Client Investments at CCLA, said: “For the last five years, CCLA and LGIU Scotland have thoroughly enjoyed raising the profile of the best of local government across Scotland and beyond. Councillors and council leaders have delivered in so many unimaginable ways for communities and we want to shout about it!

“The Cllr Awards are all about councillors. Their achievements are often hidden in plain sight and often go unrecognised. CCLA is honoured to stand alongside these outstanding councillors and thank them for their hard work and dedication to our communities.

“Why? Because at CCLA we believe healthy investment markets depend upon healthy communities – economically, socially and environmentally. In that we all have common purpose.”