Our Halloween Fest is drawing ever closer!
We’ll be at Granton Community Gardeners on Monday the 31st from 3-6pm and boy oh boy do we have a treat (or trick) in store for you!!!
Pop down for a cup of seasonal soup, get your face painted, and join in with some of our spooky activities.
All are welcome, so get yourself down to Granton Community Garden and have the fright of your life! 
Local Government trade unions Unison and Unite have joined with council representative body COSLA today (Wednesday 11th October) to call on the Scottish Government to reverse centralisation plans which would remove up to 75,000 staff from local authorities.
The Scottish Government’s draft National Care Service legislation, currently before Parliament, would see a large proportion of local authority staff, functions and assets transferred to a national structure overseen by Scottish Government Ministers.
These plans have left council staff, not only in social work and social care, uncertain over their future employer, their terms and conditions and their pay. These uncertainties risk years of disruption rather than contributing to service improvements.
COSLA and Local Government trade unions share concerns that the Scottish Government’s Bill would have a serious impact on the future of local democracy and the viability of Local Government in Scotland, with the legislation empowering Scottish Ministers to create and direct unaccountable local care boards to deliver services.
Both Local Government employers’ organisation COSLA and trade unions representing council staff oppose the Scottish Government’s centralising approach and have called for current plans to be redrawn ensuring local democratic accountability and the needs of local communities are at the heart of them.
Councillor Paul Kelly, COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson said: “Instead of investing to improve care services now, the Scottish Government are choosing to prioritise unnecessary expensive structural reform which will disrupt services, staff and our communities who rely on support.
“Local Government staff across social care, social work and community health have gone above and beyond to support local people over the past few years and are now faced with the added uncertainty that comes with these Scottish Government proposals.
“COSLA will continue to work with our trade union partners to support our staff across local authorities and stand committed to making improvements to services now.”
Tracey Dalling, UNISON Scotland Regional Secretary said: “The National Care Service plans leave tens of thousands of staff, not just in Local Government but across many public services, uncertain about the future of their jobs and their pensions.
“What is certain though, is that if the Scottish Government passes its legislation councils will be hugely reduced, both as democratic institutions and as employers. The outsourcing of jobs to the national care service, will be followed by jobs going in areas like IT, finance, facilities management and others.”
Wendy Dunsmore, Unite Industrial Officer said: “The Scottish Government’s proposals represent the biggest power grab in the era of devolution. Ministers will be able to unilaterally decide what services are to be delivered nationally or locally which is the direct opposite of local democratic accountability.
“There remains next to no detail on major elements of the National Care Service proposals including how local and special care bodies will work independently, and with each other, and crucially what this in reality means for the workforce.
“It’s counterproductive and an unnecessary waste of resources to introduce a process whereby we make local authorities a ’contractor’ for a service they already currently provide when money can be put into frontline services. Unite has been severely worried about the emerging framework surrounding the National Care Service and we have had every right to be.”
5 WAYS YOU CAN RECYCLE AT FORT KINNAIRD
This week (Monday 17th – Sunday 23rd October) is Recycle Week – an annual event that celebrates recycling across the nation with the aim to get more people recycling more of the right things, more often.
To mark it, Fort Kinnaird is sharing five different ways you can recycle at the centre, from clothes and shoes to pet food and beauty packaging – sometimes with the chance to receive vouchers in return.
Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Supporting the community is extremely important to us at Fort Kinnaird, and doing our bit for the environment is a huge part of that.
“As a centre, we are committed to working towards a more sustainable future and we want to encourage our visitors to do the same. We hope by highlighting these great initiatives offered by our retailers we help to make recycling even easier for local shoppers – not just during this week, but beyond that too.”
Here are five recycling schemes you can make the most of at Fort Kinnaird this Recycle Week:
Through H&M’s Garment Collecting programme, you can take any unwanted clothes or textiles – from any brand and in any condition – to their store at Fort Kinnaird and receive a £5 digital voucher to use on your next purchase, as well as earn 20 ‘Conscious Points’ as part of its loyalty scheme.
Old garments are either marketed as second-hand clothing or recycled into something new entirely.
Schuh’s ‘Sell Your Soles’ scheme offers customers £5 towards a new pair of shoes when they bring their old, worn pairs into store. The schuh Kids store at Fort Kinnaird also offers the same discount as part of its ‘Too Big For Your Boots’ initiative when taking in an old pair of shoes that no longer fit.
At the Pets at Home store at Fort Kinnaird, pet owners can recycle old, rinsed food pouches from any brand that are made from a flexible plastic. These can be a struggle to recycle at home but, with the Pets at Home scheme, the pouches go through a specially designed process which heats the plastic, turning it back into an oil and separating the aluminium – which can then be made back into new products.
The ‘Plastic Recycling Scheme’ from M&S helps customers to recycle plastic from any product in-store, regardless of whether it is an M&S product.
Carrier bags, food wrappers and packaging from clothing multipacks are just some of the items which can be recycled at the Fort Kinnaird store and are difficult to do so at home.
The ‘Recycle at Boots’ scheme is aimed at hard-to-recycle beauty, healthcare and wellness products that cannot be put in recycling bins at home. Usually this is because they are too small (travel minis, mascaras), made of composite materials (make-up palettes, lipsticks) or made from non-recyclable materials (toothpaste tubes, lotion pumps).
Shoppers at Fort Kinnaird can gain up to 500 Boots Advantage Card points when they participate, which is equivalent to £5 to spend in store.
The recently opened Leith Collective store at Fort Kinnaird is running a ‘coat exchange’ where you can donate your old winter and waterproof coats. These will then be made available for collection at no cost for those who need them this winter.
Men are being challenged to be a mate, to step in and put a stop to behaviour that might put their friends at risk of sexual offending.
Last year, Police Scotland’s viral THAT GUY campaign challenged men’s attitudes and behaviour towards women. It put the cause of sexual offending where it belongs – with men.
This year’s campaign, launched yesterday, urges men to be the solution to preventing sexual offending by having those difficult conversations with a friend who may have crossed the line.
Launching the campaign Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham, Police Scotland, said: “Last year’s campaign asked men to reflect on their own behaviours and attitudes – and those of their friends, family and colleagues – towards women, to prevent rape, sexual assault and harassment.
“We held up the mirror to harassing and abusive behaviours that impact on women. Now we are focusing on a solution.
“Our new campaign is about what men can do. It asks them to think about the impact their friend’s behaviour has on women, and to step in, to be that friend. Be the mate who takes a friend aside, and has that quiet word. It’s about stopping a friend doing something they will regret.
“Of course not all men go on to offend but all men have a responsibility and a role to play in ending sexual violence against women and girls.
“This isn’t about shaming. We are asking men to be a mate, look out for your friends, to join the conversation and to stop sexual offending before it starts.”
THAT GUY builds on previous Police Scotland sexual crime prevention campaigns, targeting men aged 18 – 35 years who are most likely to commit sexual offences.
Its aim is to urge men to take responsibility for their actions and language to help effect a culture change to tackle sexual crime against women.
The campaign features a new advert which will run on several online platforms, including social media.
Watch the new THAT GUY video here
Visit the THAT GUY website for advice and resources
Mr Speaker,
The central responsibility of any government is to do what is necessary for economic stability.
Behind the decisions we take and the issues on which we vote are jobs families depend on, mortgages that have to be paid, savings for pensioners, and businesses investing for the future.
We are a country that funds our promises and pays our debts.
And when that is questioned, as it has been, this government will take the difficult decisions necessary to ensure there is trust and confidence in our national finances.
That means decisions of eye-watering difficulty.
But I give the House and the public this assurance: every single one of those decisions…
…whether reductions in spending or increases in tax, will prioritise the needs of the most vulnerable.
That is why I pay tribute to my predecessors for the Energy Price Guarantee, for the furlough scheme…
…and indeed for even earlier decisions to protect the NHS budget in a period when other budgets were being cut.
Mr Speaker, I want to be completely frank about the scale of the economic challenges we face.
We have had short term difficulties caused by the lack of an OBR forecast alongside the mini-budget…
…but there are also inflationary and interest pressures around the world.
Russia’s unforgivable invasion of Ukraine has caused energy and food prices to spike.
We cannot control what is happening in the rest of the world, but when the interests of economic stability mean the government needs to change course, we will do so – and that is what I have come to the House to announce today.
In my first few days in this job, I’ve held extensive discussions with the Prime Minister, Cabinet colleagues, the Governor of the Bank of England, the OBR, the head of the Debt Management Office, Treasury officials, and many others.
The conclusion I have drawn from those conversations is that we need to do more, more quickly, to give certainty to the markets about our fiscal plans.
And show through action, not just words, that the United Kingdom can and always will pay our way in the world.
We have therefore decided to make further changes to the mini budget immediately, rather than waiting until the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan in two weeks’ time, in order to reduce unhelpful speculation about those plans.
Mr Speaker I am very grateful for your agreement on the need to give the markets an early, brief summary this morning, but I welcome the opportunity to give the House details of the decisions now.
We have decided on the following changes to support confidence and stability.
Firstly, the Prime Minister and I agreed yesterday to reverse almost all the tax measures announced in the Growth Plan three weeks ago that have not been legislated for in Parliament.
So we will continue with the abolition of the Health and Social Care Levy, changes to Stamp Duty, the increase in the Annual Investment Allowance to £1 million, and the wider reforms to investment taxes.
But we will no longer be proceeding with:
The cut to dividend tax rates, saving around £1 billion a year.
The reversal of the off-payroll working reforms introduced in 2017 and 2021, saving around £2 billion a year.
The new VAT-free shopping scheme for non-UK visitors, saving a further £2 billion a year.
Or the freeze to alcohol duty rates, saving around £600 million a year.
I will provide further details on how those rates will be uprated, shortly.
Second, the Government is currently committed to cutting the basic rate of income tax to 19% in April of 2023.
This government believes that people should keep more of the money they earn, which is why we have continued with the abolition of the Health and Social Care Levy.
But at a time when markets are asking serious questions about our commitment to sound public finances, we cannot afford a permanent, discretionary increase in borrowing worth £6 billion a year.
So I have decided that the basic rate of income tax will remain at 20% – and it will do so indefinitely, until economic circumstances allow for it to be cut.
Taken together with the decision not to cut Corporation Tax, and restoring the top rate of income tax, the measures I’ve announced today will raise around £32 billion every year.
The third step I’m taking today, Mr Speaker, is to review the Energy Price Guarantee.
This was the biggest single expense in the Growth Plan and one of the most generous schemes in the world.
It is a landmark policy for which I pay tribute to my predecessor.
It will support millions of people through a difficult winter and will reduce inflation by up to 5%.
So I confirm today that the support we are providing between now and April next year will not change.
But beyond next April, the Prime Minister and I have agreed it would not be responsible to continue exposing the public finances to unlimited volatility in international gas prices.
So I am announcing today a Treasury-led review into how we support energy bills beyond April next year.
The review’s objective is to design a new approach that will cost the taxpayer significantly less than planned whilst ensuring enough support for those in need.
Any support for businesses will be targeted to those most affected. And the new approach will better incentivise energy efficiency.
There remain many difficult decisions to be announced in the Medium-Term Fiscal Plan on October 31st …
…when I confirm that we will publish a credible, transparent, fully costed plan to get debt falling as a share of the economy over the medium term…
…based on the judgement and economic forecasts of the independent Office for Budget Responsibility.
I would like to thank the OBR, whose director Richard Hughes I met this morning, and the Bank of England whose Governor Andrew Bailey I have now met twice.
I fully support the vital, independent roles both institutions play, which give markets, the public, and the world confidence that our economic plans are credible, and rightly hold us to account for delivering them.
But I want some more independent, expert advice as I start my journey as Chancellor.
So I am announcing today the formation of a new Economic Advisory Council to do just that.
The Council will advise the government on economic policy with the first four names announced today:
Mr Speaker,
We remain completely committed to our mission to go for growth, but growth requires confidence and stability – which is why we are taking many difficult decisions, starting today.
But while we do need realism about the challenges ahead, we must never fall into the trap of pessimism.
Despite all the adversity and challenge we face, there is enormous potential in this country.
We have some of the most talented people in the world.
Three of the world’s top ten best universities.
The most tech unicorns in Europe.
One of the world’s great financial centres.
Incredible strengths in the creative industries…
…in science, research, engineering, manufacturing, and innovation.
All that gives me genuine optimism about our long-term prospects for growth.
But to achieve that, it’s vital that we act now to create the stability on which future generations can build.
The reason the United Kingdom has always succeeded is because at big and difficult moments we have taken tough and difficult decisions in the long-term interests of the country. That is what will we now do.
And I commend this statement to the House.
Commenting on the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s fiscal statement), TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “The Conservatives drove the UK economy over a cliff. Hunt slamming the gears into reverse now won’t help families and businesses already hit by soaring borrowing costs.
“People needed reassurances today. Instead, they got more uncertainty – about energy bills, about our public services, and about whether universal credit and benefits will rise with inflation.
“We are now on the brink of a deep and damaging recession that threatens millions of jobs. But the latest Conservative Chancellor still has the same basic approach that got us into this mess.
“The Chancellor should have announced a boost to universal credit and pensions, and a comprehensive plan to get wages rising faster for everyone. And he should have announced a much higher windfall tax on oil and gas giants.”
On the announcement of a review of support for families and businesses with energy costs beyond April 2023, she added:
“Families and businesses now face months of worry. There is going to be less help with bills – but no-one knows who will lose out, by how much, or whether there will finally be a programme to fix Britain’s cold and draughty homes. This is not the reassurance working families need.”
The community meal is happening tonight at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre!
It’s free and everyone is welcome – come along from 5pm 
Independence is essential to build a fairer, stronger, greener Scotland, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said as she launched the Scottish Government’s independence economy prospectus.
The First Minister said the paper, Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence, sets out plans to make the economy work for everyone and forge a different path to the Brexit based UK economic model that, as outlined in the first paper, is poorer and more unequal than comparable independent countries.
It includes:
The paper outlines the new institutions that would be set up to manage the Scottish economy, including an independent Scottish Central Bank and a new Debt Management Office. Credible and responsible fiscal rules on borrowing and other key measures will be independently assessed by an enhanced Scottish Fiscal Commission.
Speaking as the paper was published, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “The UK economy is fundamentally on the wrong path and there is no real alternative on offer within the Westminster system.
“The establishment consensus on Brexit – despite the harm it is causing – illustrates that.
“For Scotland, not being independent means we are being dragged down the wrong path too: one people in Scotland did not vote for.
“To build a more stable, sustainable economy – with fairness and human wellbeing at heart – independence is therefore essential.
“That is the fundamental point we make in this paper. Independence is not an abstract argument separate from people’s daily lives.
“It has at its heart the ambition – and crucially, it equips us with the essential tools – to build a fairer, wealthier, greener, happier country.”
Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence
Around 2.50pm today (Monday 17 October, 2022) the body of a woman was found on Cramond Island as part of ongoing inquiries to locate a missing person.
No formal identification has taken place, however the family of 47-year-old Averil Shepley, reported missing from Edinburgh, has been notified.
Officers remain at the scene and enquiries are ongoing.
Help us keep children safe this Bonfire Night. We are encouraging parents, carers and teachers to help us educate children on firework safety.
Did you know Scottish SPCA has lots of helpful advice, games and videos for children to watch.
Visit https://www.scottishspca.org/firework-safety to find out more.
· Historic city centre hotel partners with sleep specialist Donna Fairley to create a recipe for the ideal winter’s night sleep as the UK prepares for clocks to change
· InterContinental Edinburgh The George has also worked with independent Scottish perfume house, Jorum Studio, to create a new bespoke scent – featuring Scottish botanicals of lavender and gorse – to help guests drift off
· Guests will also have access to in-room yoga sessions from Hot Yoga Edinburgh, to relax the mind and body
· The room add-on service is bookable from 30 October when clocks change to Greenwich Mean Time for winter
Travellers to Edinburgh will have even sweeter dreams from October at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, as the luxury hotel launches A Moment of Tranquillity aimed at helping guests to unwind and get a great night’s sleep in time for the season changing.
The historic city centre hotel has worked with a selection of local partners to develop the ultimate relaxation package, which will launch on 30th October to coincide with the clocks changing.
Partnering with behavioural sleep expert Donna Fairley, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist for Insomnia from Sleep Consultancy Ltd in Edinburgh, the hotel has gathered expert tips on counteracting issues that the changing seasons can bring to slumber, to create the new room add-on package.
InterContinental Edinburgh The George has also worked with Scottish perfume house Jorum Studio to develop a signature scent, which will be spritzed during a luxury turndown service.
Jorum was established in 2010 by Euan McCall as one of Scotland’s first fragrance houses. In 2019, Euan launched Jorum Studio with his partner, Chloe Mullen, and the pair have been building a new, world-class perfume making industry in Scotland from their base in Edinburgh’s charming Stockbridge. Jorum crafts everything in-house, creating innovative and eclectic fragrances with the highest quality materials.
The new sleep-inducing room spray is named after the winter Celtic Goddess Cailleach, and encapsulates the soothing scents of chamomile, jasmine, ylang ylang, lavender and raspberry. The luxurious soft musk-based fragrance also features gorse, in a nod to the Scottish landscape that has inspired much of the interiors of the luxury property.
Meanwhile, to help guest clear their minds before sleep, yoga studio, Hot Yoga Edinburgh, has provided a bespoke aromatherapy yoga class and morning wake-up routine, available for guests to view in room.
Instructor Allison Harrison will guide guests through a restorative series of gentle seated and standing positions to help clear the mind, relax the body and reduce stress levels.
Michael Martin, General Manager at InterContinental Edinburgh The George, comments: “We know that whether you are travelling for work or play, sleeping well can help you to have a far more successful and enjoyable trip.
“Our specially curated Moment of Tranquillity package will help guests relax and enable them to have the dream stay in any of our splendid rooms.
“Everyone wants to get the most from exploring beautiful, historic city destinations like Edinburgh and our new offering will allow guests to wake up refreshed after a peaceful night sleep, ready for the day ahead.”
Behavioural sleep specialist, Donna Fairley, comments: “Autumn is a wonderful time for long nights, curling up with cosy blankets and relaxing by the fire. Getting a good night’s sleep in winter should seem like no problem.
“However, for some people, winter can wreak havoc on sleep quality and quantity, particularly when we set our clocks back one hour for daylight saving time. If you’re busy and travelling, perhaps even more so.
“During the first few days after setting the clocks back, you will also notice that it’s bright outside in the mornings and becomes dark at an earlier time each evening. If you’re one of those people who finds that these colder, shorter months mean more tossing and turning at night it may be because fewer hours of daylight in the winter can have a big impact on your sleep-wake cycle.
“There is no single fix for everyone but there are great sleep hygiene tips available. These scientifically validated tips have been included in ‘A Moment of Tranquillity’ to help visitors get the best night’s sleep possible in the luxury surroundings of InterContinental Edinburgh The George.”
Donna’s top tips and strategies for practicing good sleep hygiene:
1. Establish a consistent routine, try and keep a regular bed and wake time, including at the weekend, as this can help prepare you for time changes.
2. Get sunlight exposure as soon as you get up. Get outdoors in the morning, soon after the sun comes up. If that’s not possible, try to at least sit by a window during the first few hours of daylight.
3. Caffeine should be consumed in the morning as it can enhance performance. Caffeine consumed within six hours of bedtime can disrupt your sleep cycle. Avoid alcohol close to bedtime. Alcohol has a sedative effect and will make you fall asleep quickly, but it has been linked to poor sleep quality and duration.
4. In the evening, dim lighting is important. The bedroom should be as dark as possible with black-out blinds and lined curtains. When you are ready to sleep, the room should be so dark you cannot see your hand.
5. The bedroom should not be too hot; the ideal temperature is around 18 degrees Celsius. A drop in room temperature should start around two hours before you go to sleep, coinciding with the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
6. If you tend to be a worrier, factor constructive ‘worry time’ into the early evening but not too close to bedtime. Try to think about what went well that day. Have a to-do list for outstanding tasks for the following day, so that when you waken during the night, you can reassure yourself that everything is in hand. Let it go!
7. Relaxing scents and fragrances can help you unwind.
8. Have a hot bath or shower two hours before bed, using scented oils to help you unwind. This will not only help you to relax but will initially raise your body temperature which will then fall and thereby optimise the natural effects of melatonin.
9. Practice stretching before bed. Yoga has been proven to initiate and allow for a deeper, more relaxing sleep.
10.With its soothing and mildly sedative effect, chamomile tea prior to bedtime can help with sleep.
InterContinental Edinburgh The George is perfectly nestled in Edinburgh’s old town. Each of its rooms and suites sit above the city bustle with a colour palette matching the Scottish landscape of Highland glens to forest ferns and mountain heathers.
Luxury interiors with homely design touches including throws, bathrobes and black-out curtains, make it the ideal spot for a restful night this winter.
A Moment of Tranquillity is a pre-bookable luxury turndown service, using the bespoke Jorum scents and includes access to Hot Yoga Edinburgh’s evening and morning classes, Byredo bath products, and warm chamomile tea served just before bedtime to help guests fully relax.
Building on the advice from sleep expert, Donna, the hotel’s housekeeping team will pre-set the room temperature to 18 degrees for guest arrival, to help them unwind from the moment the step inside the hotel. Guests can also dd a gentle morning wake-up call.
Guests booking Moment of Tranquillity are being offered an exclusive 20% discount at Jorum Studio, to explore the perfumery during their stay, and find their ideal winter scent.
A Double Classic Room starts from £170. To arrange Moment of Tranquillity on a visit to InterContinental Edinburgh The George, email edinburghthegeorge@ihg.com.
For more information, visit: edinburgh.intercontinental.com/offers/
