Free travel for military and ex-military personnel available again on 11th and 13th November
The operator has now extended the offer to include cadets wearing uniform
Available on all Stagecoach bus and tram services across the country
Transport operator proud member of Armed Forces Covenant
Stagecoach has confirmed its ongoing commitment to the armed forces by extending its new policy of free travel for veterans and military personnel to include cadets who wish to attend remembrance services. Free travel will be valid on its bus and tram services right across the UK on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
The commitment to free travel, which is now in its second year, comes on the back of the launch of Stagecoach’s employee led Veteran’s Network. The network was launched last year to allow Stagecoach colleagues to come together as one voice to make change, raise awareness, help influence business decisions and introduce new ways of working to make the company even stronger.
As a cause that is close to the hearts of its employees and customers, Stagecoach has been a long-time supporter of the Poppy Appeal, and in addition to free travel on 11th and 13th November, Stagecoach will be operating a number of Poppy Buses across its network. Poppies will also be displayed on the front of buses across the country with some destination blinds showing the messaging “We will remember them”.
Employees across Stagecoach will also respect the two minutes silence and where safe to do so, drivers may pull over to honour this.
Stagecoach has also been a member of the Armed Force Covenant since March 2015, recognising the value of serving personnel, regular and reservists, veterans and military families to both the country and businesses across the country.
With Remembrance services planned at memorials across UK, it is hoped that people wishing to pay their respects will take up the offer to travel for free to the service of their choice.
This commitment from Stagecoach allows for the business to unite and to offer free travel to all military, ex-military and cadet customers and it will continue each year on Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday as well as Armed Forces Weekend.
Simon Tramalloni, Operations Manager in Preston & Chorley is co-lead for the Stagecoach Veterans Network. He previously served in the Armed Forces serving in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Africa and the Middle East.
He said: “After the idea came about last year, I am so proud that we are now able to offer this to military cadets and celebrate a second year of offering free travel to military and ex-military personnel.
“Stagecoach has a strong commitment to supporting the armed forces and our veterans, and we have thousands of ex forces personnel working across our business.
“The Veterans Network is allowing us to build on the work that Stagecoach has led over many years to identify how else we can support those veterans already working for us and those that may want to come and join the company.
“Remembrance Day and the Poppy Appeal are causes close to the hearts of many of our employees and customers and we are very pleased to be making this commitment that will hopefully help people to attend memorials across the UK.”
A savvy shopper has revealed how she dishes up tasty home cooked meals from scratch from just 62p a portion.
Mum of two Laura Light cooks up family favourites including carbonara, chicken chow mein and slow cooker peach chicken for pennies, with enough leftovers for her husband to enjoy at work the next day.
Laura, from Southampton, has been shopping frugally for years, after bringing her weekly spend down from £215 a week to just £40 after she had her second daughter eight years ago.
Now she shops at discount retailers, relies on own brand products and uses meat in great value hampers from online food retailer MuscleFood.com to keep her costs down.
Laura meal plans each week, always shops with a list and checks her cupboards, fridge and freezer to make sure she’s using everything with no waste.
Among her favourite family meals using meat from MuscleFood.com is carbonara at just 62p per portion, slow cooker peach chicken coming in at 67p each, Chinese beef stir fry at 99p per portion and maple and honey pork loin traybake for a pound each.
Laura also rustles up tasty sausage rolls for packed lunches which cost her just 22p each to cook.
Laura who runs the blog Savings4SavvyMums said: “When we first seriously looked at our finances eight years ago, I was shocked at just how much we were spending. We went from two salaries to one so we had to make some serious savings.
“I found that making small changes was the best way for us to cut costs. Small things like my husband taking leftovers for lunch saved £3 a day, switching to the budget own brand lines saved us a fortune and buying in bulk to keep costs down.
“Now, with food prices going up all the time, my strict budgeting and everything I’ve learnt over the last eight years is really helping us keep costs down.
“Buying our meat in bulk from MuscleFood certainly helps. I’ve always bought chicken in bulk and the quality from the online retailer means I use less meat than if I was buying frozen, essentials chicken from the supermarket.
“For example, I use two chicken breasts for the four of us in my chicken chow mein. That provides enough for all of us for dinner in the evening with leftovers for the next day. I’m making that for 77p a portion so it’s a really cheap, healthy meal.
“My children love chicken nuggets and chips, just like all kids, so rather than buying them frozen, I’m making them from scratch and saving money.”
Laura continued: “Cooking from scratch really can save you cash and it doesn’t have to be as time consuming as people may think.
“When I recently made beef lasagne I compared making my own sauce to buying the cheapest, own brand sauces from the supermarkets. Mine worked out at 15p cheaper. Those 15p’s soon add up.
“Cooking and eating on a budget is now more important than ever so I’ve put a few tips together to help people wanting to save a few pounds on their weekly shop.”
Here are Laura’s top tips for budget cooking:
Check your cupboards and freezer – always check what you already have before you go shopping. Tinned and frozen veg are great staples to have – you can use them in anything and they taste good too. There’s also zero food waste.
Use the slow cooker – make the slow cooker your friend, If you’re short of time, throw it all in before you head out and cook on low for around eight hours. You can prep and freeze bags of meat and veg to pop in the slow cooker. Just remember these will retain moisture so finish off the last 30min to an hour of slow cooking with the lid removed.
Eat own brand – always buy the cheapest own brand item and move up to the next one if you don’t like it. Most people can’t tell the difference. This is a no-brainer with pasta, rice and budget vegetables.
To find out more about the ingredients Laura uses, please see here:
The Leith Collective launches Christmas tree and festive food exchange
With the cost of living rising ever higher, many of us are scrutinising our spending and cutting back. Frivolous non-essentials are the first things to be struck off the shopping list, and there is a genuine fear this could mean many families will be forced to sacrifice their Christmas in order to make ends meet.
However, one local Community Interest Company is working hard to ensure those in need can still experience and enjoy the spirit of Christmas. Tuesday 1st November will see The Leith Collective launch its Christmas tree and festive food exchange across its three Scottish stores.
Locals are being urged to search their homes for any unwanted Christmas trees and decorations that may be languishing in cupboards and attics.Non-perishable store cupboard essentials and festive treats are also being accepted. All items will be available for anyone to collect at Ocean Terminal, Fort Kinnaird and St Enoch Centre completely free of charge, no questions asked.
The Christmas initiative comes just a month after the launch of The Leith Collective’s winter coat exchange which has received an overwhelming response so far, with over 1,000 coats donated and collected by locals.
The Leith Collective founder, Sara Thomson, explains why she is keen to build on the momentum of the winter coat exchange and go further to help those who are struggling;
“For many people, 2022 has been a real financial struggle, and buying a Christmas tree and festive food will prove to be too much of a stretch this year. These things aren’t ‘essentials’, and it’s highly likely that for them Christmas will be yet another casualty of the cost of living crisis.
“But I believe everyone deserves to have a nice Christmas, and what better way to spread festive cheer than by donating to others and lifting their spirits when they need it most.”
Christmas trees and non-perishable festive food can be dropped off or collected at The Leith Collective at Ocean Terminal, The Leith Collective at Fort Kinnaird, and The Clydeside Collective at St Enoch Centre during opening hours.
It is hoped that by hosting the Christmas tree and festive food exchange in these accessible locations that those currently experiencing difficulties will be able to receive a much-needed helping hand.
Carving pumpkins can be a fun activity if done safely. Below are some tips detailing how to safely carve a pumpkin, what to do if you injure yourself whilst carving, as well as safer alternatives for younger children:
The scariest day of the year can become all the more menacing if injuries and allergic reactions strike. With this in mind, education experts at Skillstg.co.uk have outlined preventative measures and solutions to five potential Halloween dangers.
Carve your pumpkin carefully
Make sure your pumpkin and your tools are dry: Using sharp tools when your hands are wet could result in slipping and injuring your hands.
Always supervise children: Even if you trust your child to be careful with pumpkin carving tools, it is worth always keeping an eye on them as a safe option to avoid injury.
Use a pumpkin carving kit: Whilst you may think that a sharp knife or a scalpel will do a better job cutting through the thick pumpkin skin, it only takes one slip of the hand to cut yourself. Pumpkin carving kits usually have a blunt tip with a serrated edge that is not capable of causing a deep, penetrating cut.
If you accidentally cut yourself, apply direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. Rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 minutes. Soak a gauze pad or cloth in water, or use an alcohol-free wipe to dab the wound. It is best to avoid using antiseptic cream at this point as it may damage the skin. Gently pat the area dry with a cloth; don’t use cotton wool, as the material can become trapped in the wound. Apply a sterile dressing, such as a plaster or bandage, and continue to apply pressure if the injury is still bleeding.
A safer alternative for younger children may be to glue googly eyes and various foam shapes to the pumpkin’s surface. This allows your children to get creative without the fear of injury.
Remove coloured contact lenses safely
Sometimes, a colourful pair of spooky contact lenses can make your costume really stand out. However, there are some serious risks associated with wearing them. Below are some health and safety tips for those who might want to wear lenses this year:
Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting contact lenses: This will reduce the risk of harmful bacteria reaching your lens and eyes.
Put your contact lenses in before applying your makeup: Eye irritations and infections can be caused by applying lenses covered in makeup.
If you notice that your contact lenses appear damaged, do not wear them: A damaged contact lens can scratch and damage the surface of your cornea.
Check the packet for the recommended wearing time: Make sure you only wear your coloured contact lenses for the recommended time and do not sleep in them. If you accidentally fall asleep with the contact lenses still on your eyes, the contact lenses can cut off the supply of oxygen to the eye and lead to an eye condition called Corneal Neovascularization; this can threaten your vision.
If you are struggling to remove your lenses, with your non-dominant hand, hold open the lower and upper eyelid of your eye and use your index finger and thumb to pinch the contact lens gently. Pinch either side of the contact lens and pull it away from your eye, being careful not to pinch your eye directly.
Remove makeup and face paint
It can be tempting to purchase cheap makeup or face paint to create bright and colourful looks for Halloween. However, these cheaper products can lead to itching, rashes, breakouts, and irritation. Below are ways to avoid adverse makeup issues:
Purchase high-quality makeup and face paint: Some cheaper brands of makeup and face paint contain artificial colours, fragrances, waxes, and oils that can block pores and cause severe allergic reactions. Consider using your regular makeup with the addition of colourful eye shadows instead of opting for thick and heavy face paint.
Prepare your skin correctly: It is essential to apply a moisturiser before applying makeup to keep the skin hydrated. Using a moisturiser will also protect your skin from becoming clogged up with makeup, making it easier to remove later.
Remove makeup before you go to bed: Whether you opt for high or low-quality makeup, it is essential to remove it before going to sleep. Makeup left on for more than 12 hours can clog your pores and cause spots and breakouts. Use an oil-based cleanser or coconut oil to rub away the makeup gently. Follow this with a gentle foaming cleanser that will remove any excess product.
Remove all makeup immediately if you have an allergic reaction or irritation to your Halloween makeup. If there is slight itching or irritation, you should feel better once the makeup has been washed off. If irritant contact dermatitis is present, patches of itchy and scaly skin or blistering rashes, this can be treated with over-the-counter creams containing steroids.
Check sweets for allergens
Sweets and chocolate are a big part of Halloween. For known food allergy sufferers, it is imperative to be vigilant when consuming sweets you haven’t purchased or made yourself. Below is a list of safety tips:
Check the labels: It may seem an obvious tip, but for parents with children with food allergies, the best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to check the label for allergens before the child has a chance to eat it. This is especially the case if a child is out trick-or-treating and is presented with lots of tempting treats by neighbours and strangers. Be aware that even sweets that don’t have a particular allergen listed in the ingredients can have trace amounts of common allergy triggers.
Avoid cross-contamination: If a child with a food allergy is attending a Halloween party, it is best for the parent to make this known to the host and advise how to reduce cross-contamination of any foods containing allergens.
Turn down home-baked treats: Whether you suffer from a food allergy or have a child who does, it is always safest to omit homemade food. Despite what the food maker may tell you about the ingredients, it is always safest not to take the risk of eating something with unknown ingredients.
Plan alternatives to trick-or-treating: Pumpkin decorating contests, costume competitions and Halloween-themed games are great alternatives to knocking door-to-door for treats.
If you see that someone has an allergic reaction, it may be the case to provide the person with an antihistamine if a mild reaction is evident. However, if the person appears to be having trouble breathing, their airway is swelling, and they need immediate medical attention. If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) on their person and cannot administer it themselves, follow these steps:
Have someone call an ambulance
Take the EpiPen out of its package
Remove the blue safety cap
Hold the EpiPen in your fist, careful not to hold the orange end containing the needle.
Push the end with the needle firmly against the person’s thigh (clothed or bare), roughly halfway between the hip and knee. Inject the medicine into the fleshy part of the thigh- avoid injecting directly into a vein or the buttocks.
Hold the EpiPen in place for at least three seconds so that all of the medicine can be injected
Pull the pen straight up to remove the needle. A protective shield will cover the needle as soon as it is removed.
Place the injector back into its package and present it to the paramedic when they arrive.
Make costumes visible to motorists
A 2018 study by Churchill Insurance revealed that the risk of children being involved in a traffic collision on the 31st of October increased by 75%. As the evenings become dark and spooky, so do costumes and clothes this Halloween. It is essential to make sure that you, and your children, can be seen clearly when trick-or-treating to prevent car accidents. Drivers should also ensure they are vigilant on the 31st of October in case visibility is reduced by dark-clothed people crossing the roads. Below are some tips on how to make a costume more visible to motorists:
Use a torch when walking around at night: This will not only help you or a child see where they are going, but a torch will help to illuminate themselves as motorists drive by.
Apply reflective tape: Placing reflective tape on the front and back of a Halloween costume will help make you more visible to drivers.
Use glowsticks: Wearing glowsticks or incorporating them into your costume is a colourful way to become visible when crossing roads in the dark.
If you see someone get hit by a car, immediately call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If the affected person is conscious and appears not to be in great pain, advise them to keep still.
Keep them warm until the paramedics arrive. If a more severe collision has occurred and the casualty has become unconscious but still breathing, roll them carefully into the recovery position with assistance from others, and wait for paramedics to arrive.
A spokesperson from Skillstg.co.uk commented: “Halloween hazards have become a reality for many over the years, but they can be prevented by taking the proper precautions.
“Health and safety risks associated with decorations, costumes and treats are all preventable by being extra careful and vigilant, especially when protecting children.
“With the excitement of dressing up and collecting free sweets, children often forget to watch out for dangers when out trick-or-treating. Parents of young children should accompany them and dress them in costumes that will appear bright and visible to motorists.”
Skills Training Group are the UK’s leading first aid training, electrical and heating courses for adults, contractors & companies alike.
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, encourages families in Edinburgh to get artistic in the garden this autumn with its free Little Seedlings Club workshop next Sunday 6 November.
During the autumn months the trees change colour and bronzed leaves pave the ground, so it’s the perfect time of year to give your garden a colourful makeover.
Dobbies’ November workshop will show kids aged 4 to 10 how to create beautiful garden art using existing pots, natural objects, and recycled materials to brighten up any garden.
This interactive workshop will spark the children’s imagination and teach them how to be creative with nature in a sustainable way. Dobbies’ Edinburgh team will share a variety of fun craft activities.
The team will highlight the value of exploring the outdoors and how children can use natural materials like sticks, rocks, and flowers to create striking art in a sustainable way.
They will also learn about recycling, its importance to the environment and how recycled items, such as plastic bottles or aluminium, can be used to create a colourful piece of garden art.
Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, Sarah Murray, said: “We are really looking forward to welcoming our Little Seedlings Club attendees this November.Gardens are full of warm tones during autumn, and we hope that our workshop helps children explore their creativity with arts and crafts to brighten their outside space sustainably.
“Our workshop is a great place for locals in Edinburgh to meet new friends, learn more about the environment and try something new.”
For more details on Dobbies’ Edinburgh free November Little seedlings workshop, visit: events.dobbies.com.
Moray Callum & Paul Atkinson are being recognised for a difference-making careers
A designer behind some of the world’s most iconic cars has been awarded an Honorary Degree by Edinburgh Napier University.
Described as of the auto industry’s most influential design leaders, Moray Callum contributed to and led teams at brands including Aston Martin, Chrysler, Peugeot, Ghia and Mazda.
It was at the US giant Ford where he spent most of his career though, becoming the first non-American to hold the title of Vice President for Design at the US motoring giant.
Born in Dumfries in 1958, Moray studied industrial design at ENU’s forerunner, Napier Technical College, before embarking on a successful career in motoring spanning nearly four decades, which took him to France, Italy, Japan and the USA.
During a graduation ceremony at the Usher Hall in Edinburgh, Moray was presented with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Design by the University’s Chancellor Will Whitehorn.
MORAY CALLUM ALUMNI AND HONORARY GRADUATE Designer of the Ford Mustang Mach E (car in photograph) October 2022
Moray said: “It is a real privilege to be awarded this degree, I feel very grateful for it. It feels particularly fitting as it was here where I decided what I wanted to do with my life.
“Edinburgh Napier was the starting point – the people here helped me realise where I wanted to go with my career.
“I would like to thank those who have helped me along the way.”
Among the highlights of Moray’s career in the automotive industry were the 2016 launch of the Ford GT, the successor to the 1960s classic GT40 and the re-introduction of the Ford Mustang the previous year.
He also helped create and introduce the 2021 F-150 Mustang Mach-E [pictured here at ENU’s Craiglockhart campus] – an all-electric reimagining of the famous supercar marque.
Other best-selling models he worked on include the Ford Transit and the F-series, as well as leading the redesign of the Mazda 5 while working in Japan in the early 2000s.
The award of Moray’s Honorary Degree follows his retirement from Ford in May of last year, marking an end to seven years as Vice President and a 38-year product development career in the industry.
Also receiving an Honorary Doctorate during this Autumn’s graduation ceremonies was entrepreneur Paul Atkinson.
In a varied career, the businessman has created leading recruitment firms and been involved with some of Scotland’s most high-profile start-up firms.
After moving to Edinburgh in 1987, Paul launched Direct Resources and RecruitmentScotland.com, eventually selling both in multi-million-pound deals.
The Yorkshire-born investor would later go on to found Head Resourcing, which is now one of four brands housed within Taranata Group, where he is now executive chairman.
Paul is also founding partner at investment fund Par Equity LLP, which has supported more than 70 businesses to the tune of £200m in the last decade – including Edinburgh Napier spin-outs Symphonic and Cyan Forensics.
As a visiting professor at ENU’s Business School and member of the Advisory Board, Paul’s Honorary Degree cements a close relationship with the University.
Grads October 2022
Honorary Graduate Paul Atkinson
Accepting the title, he said: “I am a bit overawed, but delighted to here today and humbled to receive such a prestigious award.
“I wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, friends and business colleagues through the years.
“My father was a self-made businessman and farmer in South Yorkshire and it’s his hard work, resilience, integrity and love of his friends and family, that inspired me in my journey.”
Firefighters who were pelted with stones and bricks at a Bonfire Night incident last year have urged people to go to organised displays.
Cumbernauld Community Fire Station’s Blue Watch was mobilised by Operations Control at 4.49pm on Friday, 5 November, 2021 to reports of a bonfire in the open in a grassy area near the North Lanarkshire town’s Torbrex Road.
What happened next took Crew Commander Glen Reid and his colleagues by surprise.
He said: “Once we arrived we had to extinguish the fire because of a gas leak in the area. I explained this to the bystanders and as soon as we started to put water on the fire we were pelted with bricks and stones.
“We had to retreat back to the fire appliance where the vehicle then came under attack. We realised that we couldn’t get out the street because it had been blocked off with wheelie bins. Police attended the scene and the youths ran away.”
Three firefighters sustained minor injuries during the incident. Two attended hospital and were discharged the same evening. There was also surface damage to the appliance.
CC Reid, who has worked for the Service for more than two decades, added: “We couldn’t actually believe it to be honest with you.
“Someone could’ve been seriously hurt and this kind of behaviour puts an added strain on emergency services. As we get closer to Bonfire Night this year we’d urge people to always go to an organised event.”
Bonfire Night is one of the busiest nights of the year for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. In 2021, there were eight reported attacks on crews along with the three injuries.
Figures also indicate that firefighters responded to more than 370 bonfires across the country during an eight-hour period on 5 November.
In the weeks leading up to Bonfire Night, between 8 October and 5 November, crews around Scotland also attended more than 880 deliberate secondary fires, including bin fires and grass fires.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s head of prevention and protection. He said: “Attacks on our firefighters are completely unacceptable and are carried out by a small minority.”
We know that our crews have a lot of support within our communities. We want people to enjoy themselves at times of celebration but we want them to do so safely and think of others, including our crews who are working hard to respond to emergencies.
“Bonfires and fireworks go hand in hand at this time of year, and we advise people to go to an organised event wherever possible and always follow the Fireworks Code.”
See a list of organised events taking place across Scotland in our fireworks and bonfire safety section of our website.
Library Services teams in East Lothian and Inverclyde have been recognised for their outstanding contributions to their local communities by picking up the top prizes at Scotland’s leading sector awards ceremony.
The Scottish Library & Information Council’s (SLIC) awards for ‘Library Service Excellence’ and ‘Project of the Year’ were handed out on Friday (28 October) at a ceremony in Glasgow, with the East Lothian and Inverclyde teams pipping three other shortlisted library service teams in each category for the prestigious accolades.
The awards recognise the commitment, creativity and value libraries across Scotland offer the people and communities they serve, acknowledging exceptional innovation and service design between the period from June 2021 to June 2022.
SLIC Chair, Professor Ian Ruthven, who led the awards judging panel (which included Ruth Plowden, Writer/Fundraiser/Chair Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust and Catherine Salmond, Editor of The Herald) said the quality of entries for the 2022 competition had been exceptional.
“We were all really impressed by the range of innovations and commitment to local communities shown by the nominations. What was characteristic of each of the entries was this strong relationship between libraries and their communities; identifying local needs, working with communities to use the skills of libraries and library staff to improve people’s lives, and putting libraries at the heart of their communities.
“So often when reading the entries, we thought ‘only a library can do this’.
“Last year we found it hard to select a winner, so this year we created two awards, one for ‘Project of the Year’ and one for ‘Library Service of the Year’. This only made it harder…so for the first time, we have a winner in each category and a highly commended award. Huge congratulations to all involved.”
East Lothian’s Library Services team had been shortlisted for the SLIC ‘Library Service Excellence Award’ for their activities on the theme of ‘championing the local community’.
East Lothian is served by 12 local branches, six secondary schools, a local history centre and a Library HQ. Between July 2021 and June 2022, the service welcomed 4,584 new members and facilitated 243,538 loans (an increase of 60 per cent from the previous year) across local sites.
Their entry described East Lothian’s commitment to involving the whole community, notably through the creation of two new Community Librarian posts. The entry also highlighted clubs, events, author visits, imaginative use of digital and other activities which together delivered a thriving local library service.
Shetland Libraries (who were highly commended), High Life Highland Libraries and Inverclyde Libraries were also nominated in the category.
In the SLIC ‘Project of the Year’ category, the Inverclyde Libraries team had been shortlisted for their focus on sustainability ahead of and linked to the COP26 Summit in Glasgow.
The project aim was to stimulate long-term public engagement in the lead up to and following COP26, and it was described as ‘inspirational’ in the way in which it grew the sense of community.
It linked the ‘local’ to the ‘global’ through author events, involving members of the community, including those in the prison population who are not often included in climate conversations, and contributed to the circular economy through lend-and-mend hubs.
The judging panel felt the project was ‘a powerful and cohesive project that acts as a model for others.’
Aberdeen City Libraries (who were highly commended), East Lothian Library Services and Falkirk Libraries were also nominated in the category.
The 2022 Awards were open to all SLIC members, with the winners receiving a trophy and cash prizes for their success.
The Awards were sponsored by Innovative who provide comprehensive technology suites for public libraries.
