Day: December 2, 2022

Almost a third of people in Scotland have dunked in someone else’s cuppa

Great British Bake Off stars Giuseppe Dell’Anno and Lizzie Acker are supporting a new cookie campaign from charity Mary’s Meals 

A survey by school feeding charity Mary’s Meals has revealed that around one in three people in Scotland have dunked a biscuit in someone else’s cuppa. 

Giuseppe Dell’Anno and Lizzie Acker, stars of Great British Bake Off, have spoken out on the controversial poll – with 2021 winner Giuseppe saying: “I would never dunk my biscuit in someone else’s cuppa – and I won’t be held responsible for my actions if anyone dares dunk their biscuit in mine!”  

The survey of 2,000 people across the UK, held to launch the charity’s Raise Some Dough campaign, also revealed that in Scotland: 

  • Almost a third of people in Scotland have dunked their biscuit in someone else’s cuppa (31%) 
  • 30% of respondents said they don’t eat biscuits, with 13% saying they don’t dunk biscuits 
  • The digestive is the nation’s favourite biscuit to dunk (14%), while a party ring, fig roll and Oreo came out as the least popular biscuits for dunking (1%) 
  • Almost a tenth of people (9%) eat biscuits in bed  
  • And 6% of people eat biscuits in the bath 

Giuseppe says: “The traditional Italian breakfast is caffè latte and biscuits, rigorously dunked.

“So, I love to dunk! But, while I love to share the experience of eating together, I don’t like sharing food – so I would NEVER dunk my biscuit in someone else’s cuppa!”  

Lizzie – who reached the quarter finals of Great British Bake Off in 2021 – takes a different view: “I’m not a dunker, I love the crunch of a freshly baked biscuit. A soggy biscuit is as bad as a soggy bottom, in my opinion!” 

This winter, Mary’s Meals is asking people across Scotland to take part in its new baking fundraiser, Raise Some Dough. 

The charity serves nutritious school meals in 20 of the world’s poorest countries, many of which are impacted by conflict and natural disasters. The promise of food attracts hungry children into the classroom where they can gain an education and hope for the future. 

It costs just £15.90 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals every school day for a year. 

Dan McNally, head of grassroots engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “Whether you dunk in your own cuppa, dunk in someone else’s, or don’t dunk at all, everyone can enjoy a biscuit while ‘raising some dough’ to raise vital funds for Mary’s Meals. 

“We’re so grateful to Giuseppe and Lizzie for their support – and we hope they inspire people across the UK to get baking!” 

Giuseppe adds: “Mary’s Meals is a wonderful charity that serves nutritious school meals in some of the world’s poorest, and often most difficult, locations. 

“Whether you’re a brilliant baker or a budding baker, please do what you can to support its important work. Your kindness will transform lives!” 

Giuseppe and Lizzie are just two of the famous faces supporting Mary’s Meals. Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Taylor, and actors Joanna Lumley and Tamzin Outhwaite have all shared their favourite biscuit recipes in the charity’s free fundraising pack – which includes a mug-shaped cookie cutter.

It is available online from marysmeals.org.uk/raise 

Donations made to Mary’s Meals until 31 January 2023 will be doubled by a generous group of supporters, up to £1.5 million, with the charity’s Double The Love campaign. 

Edinburgh Leisure’s annual gymnastics display returns to Meadowbank

After a five-year hiatus, Edinburgh Leisure will once again be holding their annual gymnastics display at the new £47m state-of-the-art Meadowbank Sports Centre, which reopened in July 2022 after a major refurbishment.

Now in its 16th year, over 300 gymnasts, and cheerleaders from six Edinburgh Leisure venues, will be coming together to delight audiences with their annual display at the sports venue on Sunday, 11 December 2022.

Gymnastics Development Officer Dorothy McQueen said: “Gymnastics is a great way to provide a healthy and active lifestyle. They have many benefits and help children to gain strength, stamina, balance, coordination, flexibility as well as self-confidence.

“This non-competitive gymnastics’ event gives the children with Edinburgh Leisure’s coaching programme the opportunity to showcase what they have been working so hard on throughout the year. In addition, it allows them to see performances of all levels and inspires them to reach for the stars, or maybe even that gold, silver or bronze medal in the future.”

As well as featuring over 23 performances from Edinburgh Leisure gymnastics, there will also be special guest appearances from clubs across the region, including City of Edinburgh, Ibex and Cheer Evolution.

Tickets cost £5 each and all spectators, 5 years and over, require a ticket for entry. Participating gymnasts do not require a ticket.

Under 5s tickets are free but they will not be allocated a seat.

Tickets are available for either the morning or afternoon session and can be bought from Ticket Source – https://bit.ly/3V5KEdS

Gymnastics coaching teaches the basics of floor, vault, beam, and bar skills from Primary 1 upwards before progressing to a higher class.  

It is just one of the 12 sports coached across 17 venues in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Leisure’s coaching programme helps children to develop new skills, improve their agility and grow confidence. And for pre-schoolers, Edinburgh Leisure offers Gym Nippers, from those toddlers who are walking.

For more information on gymnastics’ classes and other coaching opportunities at Edinburgh Leisure, get inspired by visiting:

https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/activities/coaching

Early bird tickets launched for Royal Highland Show 2023 

New farming flexi ticket and increased ticket numbers on offer 

Royal Highland Show, Santa Ticket

Tickets for the 2023 Royal Highland Show are now on sale at discounted early-bird prices – just in time for the festive giving season!  

The Ingliston showground will come to life from 22 – 25 June 2023 with a celebration of Scotland’s best in food, farming and rural life. 

Show organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland promise an unforgettable event. Over four jam-packed show days, visitors will be captivated by world-class livestock displays, shearing spectacles, equestrian competitions, impressive agri machinery, technical innovations and energetic rural demonstrations, while enjoying live music and taking advantage of plentiful shopping opportunities, not to mention sampling the country’s finest food and drink! 

The Show will also be hosting the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championship, which will welcome competitors from over 30 countries around the globe. 

Showgoers must buy advance tickets for specific days (Thursday – Sunday) with event organisers encouraging visitors to act fast as tickets are likely to sell out quickly. 

Following sell-out days last year, Show organisers have reviewed health & safety protocols and increased the capacity of each day from 50,000 to 53,000, allowing up to an extra 12,000 people to attend and enjoy the Show. 

The Show also has a new ticketing partner for 2023, See Tickets, which will offer an enhanced customer experience and no additional booking fees. 

Limited discounted early bird tickets are available from 12pm Friday 2nd December from the Royal Highland Show website. 

New for 2023 is the ‘Farming Flexi’ ticket, which allows entry on either Thursday or Friday, and is designed to suit the unpredictable calendar of those working in the rural and agricultural sectors. The Farming Flexi tickets will be of limited quantity, and are likely to sell out fast as rural communities take advantage of this flexible option. 

As always, children aged 15 and under will go free with a paying adult.*   

Information on booking RHASS member tickets will be communicated in early 2023. 

Royal Highland Show, Santa Ticket

Jim Warnock, RHASS Chairman, said: “Fresh from a glorious 2022, the Royal Highland Show 2023 is shaping up to be a stellar showcase of Scotland’s best in food, farming and rural life. With the added excitement of hosting the World Sheep Shearing & Wool Handling Championships, there is so much more to entertain showgoers! 

“Even if you’ve never stepped foot in a farm, it’s an incredible day out – where else can you get up close to farmyard animals, taste the best of Scottish food and drink, see world-class equestrians, experience the thrill of the Main Ring parade, or climb aboard a giant tractor?  

“With last year’s show selling out faster than any year in our 200 year history, we’re advising visitors to snap up tickets now so as not to miss out!” 

Early Bird Ticket information:  

Adult day single admit: £30  

Adult day single Flexi Farming ticket: £33 

Accessible ticket: £30 plus one accompanying carer goes free 

Children aged 15 and under will go free with a paying adult (*max 3 children per paying adult)  

Standard/Accessible Parking: £15 per day, two-day parking £20, four-day parking £25.  

Tickets must be bought in advance from the Royal Highland Show website. Once Early Bird tickets have sold out, ticket price increases will apply. 

Royal Highland Show opens applications for returning exhibitors

The Royal Highland Show is inviting returning trade exhibitors to confirm their stands for 2023 in what is anticipated to be one of the biggest Shows ever, with visitors flocking from across the globe. 

Around 200,000 showgoers will be welcomed through the gates of the Ingliston showground from 22nd to 25th June 2023 to celebrate Scotland’s best showcase of food, farming and rural life.  

And in an exciting development, the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing and Woolhandling Championship will also take place during 2023 Royal Highland Show, attracting exhibitors from over 30 countries and providing even greater retail opportunities for exhibitors. 

A recent economic impact report highlighted that the Royal Highland Show contributes £39.5 million to Edinburgh’s economy, more than Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations – with visitors spending on average £147 across all areas of the Show, including agricultural equipment and food and drink. 

2022 RHS exhibitors will receive a proposal from Show organisers with the choice to accept, query or decline their place at the 2023 Show. However, they will need to respond quickly as the deadline for applications is 23rd January when exhibitors on the waitlist and new exhibitor applications will be reviewed.  

Jim Warnock, RHASS Chairman, commented: “The Royal Highland Show is one of the best shop windows Scotland and the rural sector at large has to offer. It’s an excellent opportunity for traders to reach thousands of people and tap into this unique sales platform. 

“The retail opportunities of the Show are further bolstered by this recent economic report, which outlined the significant impact of the Show on Edinburgh’s economy. In addition to this, next year’s exhibitors have the added benefit of the Golden Shears attracting an even larger international audience to the Show.” 

Virgin Money teams up with Good Things Foundation to tackle digital poverty in Edinburgh

Virgin Money has teamed up with leading digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation to help tackle digital poverty in Edinburgh and surrounding areas, by giving people access to free sim cards provided by the innovative National Databank Programme in their Edinburgh store, as part of the bank’s nationwide support of the initiative.

The National Databank, founded by Virgin Media O2 and Good Things Foundation, is like a foodbank but provides free mobile data, texts and calls for people in need. Virgin Money is the first bank in the UK to sign up to the programme and will distribute O2 sim cards that will be loaded with 20GB of free data every month for six months, from 16 stores across the country.

Users can request a voucher from a local community support organisation registered with the National Databank and take it to their nearest Virgin Money store delivering the programme. Specially-trained hosts will work with users to register their sim cards, which provides enough data for around 220 hours of internet browsing per month, show them how to get online and offer tips on how to stay safe when browsing.

Other Virgin Money stores taking part in the programme include Aberdeen, Birmingham, Blackpool, Cardiff, Glasgow Hillhead, Grimsby, Inverness, Kilmarnock, Leeds, Manchester, Montrose, Newcastle and Peterborough, Rotherham and Sheffield.

Hugh Chater, Chief Commercial Officer at Virgin Money, said: “For many low or no-income households, paying for data is simply another bill that they can’t afford.

“Without it however, they are missing out on accessing essential money management and support services such as benefits calculators, online job boards and price comparison sites that can help to reduce their monthly outgoings.

“Through our new partnership with Good Things Foundation and Virgin Media O2, we are working to tackle this digital divide and taking one step closer to ending the poverty premium.”

Helen Milner OBE, Group Chief Executive at Good Things Foundation: “Having enough data in our increasingly digital society is not a nice to have, it’s an absolute essential.

“If you’re not online you can’t save money on products and services, help your children participate in home-learning, or apply for jobs. There are 2 million households struggling to afford internet access in the UK today, and 10 million adults lack the most basic digital skills.

“We’re very proud to be working together in partnership with Virgin Money and Virgin Media O2 to help tackle this and help even more people access the National Databank. Together, we can come together to help address the issue of data poverty in the UK once and for all.”

Partnering with Good Things Foundation is the latest in a number of actions Virgin Money is taking to help eliminate the poverty premium among its customers and wider communities by 2030. Earlier this year the bank joined forces with Turn2Us to offer access to a free online benefits calculator.

Virgin Money has also developed an online cost of living hub with advice on dealing with price rises and cutting bills. The bank also provides regular, free financial advice to its 6.5 million customers and signposting to support services for people that need extra help – whether they’re a customer or not.

To access Virgin Money’s cost of living support services, visit: 

https://uk.virginmoney.com/service/support-hub/cost-of-living/

To find out more about National Databank or locate your nearest community organisation taking part in the programme, visit: 

https://www.goodthingsfoundation.org/databank/

For more information on Good Things Foundation visit 

www.goodthingsfoundation.org.

Concern over rise in number of young people with mental illness being treated in adult wards

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), an alliance of leading providers of specialist children’s services, is urging the Scottish Government to up its game in response to figures from the Mental Welfare Commission noting an increase in the number of young people under 18 being admitted to non-specialist hospital wards for the treatment of mental illness.

In 2021/22 there were 90 admissions involving 80 young people to mainly adult wards, an increase on 2021-21 when there were 86 admissions involving 62 young people.

Admission of a young person to an adult ward should only be acceptable in rare situations.

However, despite a greatly increased demand on mental health services, there are currently only 48 specialist hospital beds provided by the NHS in Scotland for children and young people (aged 12 to 18) with mental health problems. 

Given the lack of provision, many children and young people with severe mental health problems are therefore being admitted to non-specialist adult and paediatric hospital wards, settings which are in many cases inappropriate to their needs.

The coalition has urged the Scottish Government to ensure that there are adequate specialist bed numbers that can address need, including provision north of Dundee. It has also called on it to refocus its efforts on prevention and early intervention, ensuring that issues do not escalate so that they require the provision of these specialist services.

Under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment (Scotland) Act 2003 Health Boards are required to provide appropriate services and accommodation for young people admitted to hospital for treatment of their mental disorder.

Given admissions to non-specialist mental health wards, it is clearly arguable whether appropriate services are being provided.

There are a number of differences between specialist units and wards designed to treat the needs of adults with serious mental illness, both in terms of staff training and the overall ward environment.

Given this, there is a clear concern that the needs of a young person may not be met in a comparable way when admitted to an adult mental health ward as opposed to a specialist CAMHS inpatient unit.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition commented: “We are clearly concerned about the increasing number of those being admitted to adult mental health wards, often inappropriate to their needs, both in terms of staff training and the ward environment.

“The Scottish Government needs to up its game on this and provide adequate facilities, ensuring that there are sufficient specialist bed numbers for those requiring them. There is also currently no provision north of Dundee and this requires to be urgently addressed.

“For children and young people who require inpatient mental health care, a lack of such services means that they frequently remain at home, often until the family reaches crisis point, leaving them feeling isolated and delaying recovery.

“These are among the most vulnerable members of our society and we owe it to them to give them the adequate care and support that they need.”

HMRC: 656,000 people in Scotland filed their tax returns on time

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding customers in Scotland to get ready to meet the Self Assessment deadline, after more than 656,000 filed their tax returns on time. 

In Scotland, 656,547 customers filed their returns for the tax year 2020 to 2021 by 31 January 2022.

The deadline to submit a tax return for the 2021 to 2022 tax year and pay any tax due is 31 January 2023. Customers do not need to wait until the new year to begin their tax return. Starting early means more time to access guidance and webinars to help complete the return and find out what tax they owe, so they can budget.  

Myrtle Lloyd, HMRC’s Director General for Customer Services, said: “There is still time to complete your tax return ahead of the deadline and there are videos and guidance available online to support you with your Self Assessment. Search ‘help with Self Assessment’ on GOV.UK to find out more.”

HMRC has produced guidance notes and YouTube videos to help customers understand how to complete their return quickly and easily. 

The free and secure HMRC app can be used to make Self Assessment payments. Alternative payment options include:

  • paying through PAYE tax code (subject to eligibility)  
  • paying via online banking

Those who are unable to pay their tax bill in full can access support and advice on GOV.UK. HMRC may be able to help by arranging an affordable payment plan, known as Time to Pay. Customers should try to do this online; go to GOV.UK for more information. Alternatively, they can contact the helpline.

Customers who are unsure if they need to file a tax return can visit GOV.UK to check if they need to send a Self Assessment tax return.

People completing a tax return are at increased risk of falling victim to scams. Check HMRC scams advice on GOV.UK.

Leader reaffirms city’s commitment to reduction and eradication of HIV transmission and stigma

Yesterday (December 1) marked World AIDS Day, which has been recognised and celebrated by all United Nations (UN) Member states since its inauguration in 1988.

The day also constitutes an official global public health campaign as designated by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

On World Aids Day Council Leader Cammy Day, along with Grant Sugden, CEO of Waverley Care, signed the Paris Declaration on Fast-Track Cities Ending the HIV Epidemic on behalf of the city of Edinburgh.

This puts Edinburgh alongside almost 500 other cities around the world who have signed up to the Declaration and are committed to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3.3 of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030.

Council Leader Cammy Day also took a rapid HIV test in his office, administered by Waverley Care, in order to raise awareness, encourage regular testing and keep the conversation going about HIV and sexual health more broadly.

Here in Edinburgh, NHS Lothian offer detailed advice on getting tested and the range of support that is available.

Our other partners Waverley Care and CREW 2000 also offer a wide array of support services in the city; including drop ins, advice, C:card (free condom/sexual health supplies), counselling and more.

SX (part of Waverley Care) offered confidential HIV testing in the city centre yesterday.  From 9am-5pm they were be in Waverley Market and from 5-7pm at CREW 2000 on Cockburn Street.

Waverly Care also have further information on World AIDS Day in Edinburgh including fundraising, events and partnerships.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I was delighted to sign Edinburgh up to the Fast-Track Cities initiative alongside Grant Sugden of Waverley Care. This represents our city’s commitment to reducing and eventually eradicating HIV and the stigma associated with it.

“I’d encourage everyone to get tested regularly and have open and honest conversations with their friends, families, and peers about HIV.

“I would like to pay tribute to Waverley Care, Crew 2000, NHS Lothian and all our other partners for the fantastic and essential work that they are carrying out in the Capital.”

Grant Sugden, CEO of Waverly Care, said: “I am delighted that Edinburgh has committed to becoming a Fast-Track City. This is a vital step towards reaching a Scotland with zero new HIV transmissions by 2030.  

“Waverley Care is incredibly pleased to be leading on Fast-Track Cities in Scotland. We are joining up Scotland’s cities to work together to reach shared goals for HIV transmission elimination, and Edinburgh has an important part to play in this. 

“Edinburgh was once known as the ‘AIDS capital of Europe’, and while we have come incredibly far, more work must be done on areas such as such as HIV stigma and increasing access to testing.  

“We hope Edinburgh’s commitment will accelerate progress to reach HIV targets and eliminate HIV transmission by 2030.”

Emma Crawshaw, CEO of Crew 2000, said: “World AIDS day helps us highlight that we can all play a part in working together to end the shame and stigma attached to AIDS/HIV: we know this can be one of the biggest barriers to people accessing prevention, protection, testing support and treatment.

“Having no detectable virus in your blood due to effective HIV treatment means that the virus can’t be passed on. Scotland is on its way to becoming one of the first countries in the world to achieve zero HIV transmissions by 2030.

“We support Councillor Day’s motion to commit to the Fast Track Cities Initiative, ending HIV-related stigma and new HIV transmissions, and to sign the Paris Declaration committing to coordinated sharing experience and taking action across and between health boards to achieve this goal.”

Dona Milne, Director of Public Health and Health Policy, NHS Lothian, said:  “NHS Lothian is committed to stamping out the stigma associated with HIV and Hepatitis C, and we are fully supportive of the Paris Declaration.

“As Edinburgh officially makes a commitment to become a Fast Track City on World Aids Day, we hope that this initiative will make Lothian, and indeed Scotland a kinder place for people living with HIV and hepatitis C, while also encouraging Scotland to be more open about sexual health.”

José M. Zuniga, President and CEO, of International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC), said: “As Edinburgh signs up to the Fast-Track Cities network this World AIDS Day 2022, we commit to work shoulder-to-shoulder with you to achieve the UNAIDS 95-95-95 and other related targets.

“We also applaud the city’s commitment to place people at the centre of the HIV response, including by prioritizing the goal of getting to zero HIV-related stigma and discrimination.”

National Care Service: Committee concern over lack of detailed costs

Holyrood’s Finance and Public Administration Committee has expressed “significant  concerns” over the lack of detailed costs for the National Care Service Bill.

In a report published yesterday, the Committee says that without an indication of the potential scale of all costs associated with the Bill, it is difficult to assess whether the proposed National Care Service is either affordable or sustainable.

The cross-party Committee is therefore calling on the Scottish Government to provide “much needed clarity” and to bring forward fully costed plans at least two weeks before the Stage 1 vote on the Bill, scheduled for March 2023.

Finance & Public Administration Committee Convener Kenneth Gibson said: “The Finance Committee has significant concerns over the costings in the Financial Memorandum (FM) to this Bill.  The FM in its present form does not provide an overall estimate of the cost of creating a National Care Service.

“A large number of decisions are yet to be made, and no estimate of costings has been provided for VAT liability, transfer of assets and staff, and the creation of a nation-wide digital health and social care record.  All of which has the potential to result in significant costs.

“The Committee appreciates the Scottish Government’s intention to co-design the service with those most closely affected. That work could, however, have been undertaken prior to the introduction of primary legislation.

“Major Bills should not be implemented via secondary legislation, or through business cases, which cannot be subject to the same in-depth, formal scrutiny as Financial Memorandums to bills.

“The significant gaps highlighted throughout our report have frustrated the parliamentary scrutiny process.

“We are therefore calling for a revised Financial Memorandum, with detailed costings, at least two weeks before Parliament considers the Bill at Stage 1.”

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More than £10m in life-changing funding awarded to over 5,000 young disabled people in Scotland in 5 years

Independent Living Fund (ILF) Scotland, the public body that provides funding support to young disabled people living in Scotland, has awarded over £10m of funding to more than 5,000 people through its life-changing Transition Fund over the past five years. 

ILF Scotland marks these milestones ahead of the United Nations International Day of Persons with Disabilities (03 December) whose theme for 2022 is Transformative solutions for inclusive development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible and equitable world.   

The Transition Fund, administered by ILF Scotland, is for disabled people aged between 16 and 25 and aims to help young people develop their independence, confidence, and participation within their communities. Since 2017, funds have been used for new activities and experiences that will improve the transition period from childhood into adulthood. 

The Transition Fund’s 5-year anniversary and achievements of the young people who have benefited from this transformative funding were celebrated at an event on 30 November at the Glasgow Science Centre.   

This was attended by nearly 200 young disabled people and their families from across Scotland and supported by Maree Todd MSP, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport.  

Peter Scott OBE, ILF Scotland Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are proud to celebrate five years of the Transition Fund, which has had a profound impact on more than 5,000 young disabled people from across every local authority in Scotland. 

“The theme of International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022 holds so much meaning to us and our recipients. Our funding support is truly transformative, helping to enhance confidence, independence and participation in Scotland’s communities and society at large, with a real drive towards ‘trying something new”. 

“Since its inception in 2018, we have provided funding support to young disabled people across every Local Authority in Scotland.  The number of applications and the value of funds awarded increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, with more young disabled turning to the Transition Fund for support.

“ILF Scotland also reported a rise in community participation after receiving funding from those young disabled people otherwise at risk of isolation.” 

Maree Todd MSP, Minister for Public Health, Women’s Health and Sport added: “It was a real privilege to join ILF Scotland in celebrating the achievements of young people and the first five years of the Transition Fund.  

“The Scottish Government fully recognises the challenges that many young disabled people experience as they transition to adult life and we are determined to improve the support offered to young people during this important period of their lives. 

“I am therefore delighted to announce the launch of the ILF Scotland Transition Fund Technology Grant. This grant will be easy to apply for and offers the applicant the opportunity to get an iPad, a Surface Go 3 tablet or a Chromebook laptop to enable them to overcome digital isolation and connect with online and physical communities.”  

New for 2022, the Technology Grant has been introduced to build on the Transition Fund’s financial support and meet demand from those applying for technology to help them stay connected. ILF Scotland staff can offer guidance to those applicants requiring specific technology as part of this new support. 

To apply visit https://ilf.scot/transition-fund/technology-grant/ 

Going Home: National Museums Scotland to transfer memorial pole to Nisga’a Nation

A memorial pole brought to Scotland nearly a century ago will be returned to its place of origin in what is now British Columbia, Canada.  

The House of Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole has been on display in what is now the National Museum of Scotland since 1930. During a visit from a delegation of Nisga’a representatives to Edinburgh in August, a request for its transfer to the Nisga’a Nation was made.

The request was formally agreed by the Board of Trustees of National Museums Scotland and subsequently approved by the Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture.  

Dr Chris Breward, Director of National Museums Scotland said: ““We are committed to promoting understanding and dialogue with respect to those parts of the Museum’s collection associated with our nation’s colonial history and its difficult legacies.

“The fact that our Trustees have agreed to this request demonstrates our readiness to act on this commitment. We are pleased to have reached this agreement and to be able to transfer the Memorial Pole to its people and to the place where its spiritual significance is most keenly understood. We hope this is not the end of the process but the next step in a fruitful and ongoing relationship with the Nisga’a.” 

Sim’oogit Ni’ijoohl (Chief Earl Stephens) of Nisga’a Nation said: “In Nisga’a culture, we believe that this pole is alive with the spirit of our ancestor. After nearly one hundred years, we are finally able to bring our dear relative home to rest on Nisga’a lands.

“In means so much for us to have the Ni’isjoohl memorial pole returned to us, so that we can connect our family, nation and our future generations with our living history.”  

Ian Russell, Chair of the Board of Trustees of National Museums Scotland, said: “The decision to transfer objects which are in our care is not to be taken lightly. Following careful consideration in line with our Procedure for Considering Requests for the Permanent Transfer of Collection Objects from Non-UK Claimants, the Board approved the request.

“Having subsequently sought and now received the required approval from the Scottish Government, we have informed the Nisga’a Nation and will now begin to make arrangements for the transfer of the Pole to the Nisga’a Museum.”

Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture, Angus Robertson said: “I welcome the decision taken by National Museums Scotland’s Board of Trustees to return the Ni’isjoohl memorial pole to its place of origin. It follows a deeply moving recent meeting with the Nisga’a delegation when they came to Scotland to explain the huge importance of the pole to their culture, people and community. 

“I would like to thank National Museums Scotland’s Board for their speedy but careful consideration of the request and for reaching such a positive outcome and also the Nisga’a delegation for helping us to understand the memorial pole’s history and importance to them.

“It has been a pleasure to give the required ministerial consent to enable National Museums Scotland to proceed with the transfer of ownership to the Nisga’a Museum” 

Sigidimnak’ Nox Ts’aawit, Dr.  Amy Parent, Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Education and Governance, Tier 2, said: 

“Our hearts have been moved with the commitment to return our family’s cultural treasure, which enables us to create a new story to re-right a colonial wrong with the honour, dignity and solidarity of the Scottish Peoples who are walking beside us on our decolonizing journeys.” 

Following the decision, staff at National Museums Scotland will begin planning the complex task of safely removing the 11-metre pole from its display location and preparing it for transport to British Columbia. 

The Ni’isjoohl Memorial Pole was carved from red cedar in 1855 by artist Oyea Tait and his assistant carver, Gwanes, in memorial of Ts’aawit, a Nisga’a chief of British Columbia, Canada. It shows a series of interlocking figures relating to Ts’aawit’s family history through his ancestors, family crests, and his clan.

The pole originally stood in front of the house of Ts’aawit’s relatives in Ank’idaa village on the Nass River. Today the Nisga’a Memorial Pole is on display in the Living Lands gallery at the National Museum of Scotland.

In 1929, Marius Barbeau purchased the pole from its Nisga’a owners on behalf of the Royal Museum of Scotland, which later became the National Museum of Scotland. It went on display the following year. Barbeau was an ethnographer and curator at the National Museum of Canada from 1911-1949.