THE CHRISTMAS cheer is flowing at an Edinburgh care home as it kicks off a bumper month of festive fun with a light switch-on and live band.
Lifestyle Co-ordinators at Cramond Residence have prepared a variety of activities throughout December including a Christmas party, a bespoke seasonal menu, wreath decorating workshops and a secret Santa to engage residents over the festive period and spread joy.
The team carefully curate a fitting calendar of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities each month, with December set to be the merriest yet.
Elspeth Baxter, resident at the home said: “The lifestyle team at Cramond Residence always make such a big effort for every holiday – and Christmas is no different!
“It is much appreciated and spreads a lot of joy within the home. From putting the final touches to our Christmas tree to creating a 7ft wreath which now sits proudly at our entrance, it brings everyone together and we love seeing the home decorated.”
The Christmas party will see residents eat, drink and be merry, with festive themed food and drink, as well as music and games – with a special guest appearance from Santa who will be presenting each deserving resident with a gift.
Other activities throughout the month include carol singing, a festive cocktail and mocktails class, a Christmas movie night and a ceilidh with a live band, before treating the residents to a whisky by the fire on Christmas Eve and a jam-packed all-day celebration on the 25th.
Garylee Rushforth, Lifestyle Coordinator at the 74-bedroom care home, said: “The festivities are always looked forward to by our residents, so we strive to put on a good mix of activities for everyone to get involved in.
“This year we are delighted to be welcoming family, friends and the local community back into the home to celebrate with us, which really is what Christmas is all about.
“Coming together over the festive period can help our residents reminisce on previous Christmas memories from their childhood or family times – their stories are always a treat to hear.”
Cramond Residence adopts a small-group living philosophy spread across three floors. That means groups of eight rooms form distinct “houses” where residents are encouraged to eat and socialise together.
The home provides a range of activities specially designed to give residents a richer and more satisfying life, with specialist facilities and trained staff on hand to provide support & relief.
Motorists have been warned not to leave Christmas presents on display in parked vehicles after almost a third admitted to being a victim of car crime.
Experts at Quotezone.co.uk have revealed that more than one in ten Brits leave their precious presents in the car during the festive season, presenting an ideal opportunity for heartless thieves to ruin Christmas.
New data from Quotezone.co.uk reveals that 11% of us admit to leaving gifts we have purchased for loved ones in our cars while we continue our Christmas shopping or enjoy a night out.
The car insurance comparison experts also asked 1,000 drivers if they had experienced a vehicle break-in, with almost `a third, 31%, confirming they had.
Now they are warning car owners to be more careful this year and ensure presents are kept in the safety of the home, or at least well hidden from view in vehicles.
Better still, take presents straight home from the shops and get them wrapped and placed under the tree.
Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk said: “It must be a terrible feeling to have carefully chosen or sentimental Christmas presents stolen from a car just before the big day.
“Our data shows that almost one third of drivers have experienced a car break in, yet 11% of us still leave presents in a parked car. Christmas is a time of goodwill but sadly for some thieves it’s a time of opportunity.
“It’s also an incredibly busy time of year, drivers need to remember to be careful and always keep presents hidden out of sight under the boot cover or in the glove box, ideally parked next to a streetlight on a busy street. If the car is left unlocked or the stolen items are in full view, it may invalidate an insurance claim.
“Fully comprehensive car insurance usually includes cover for some possessions damaged or stolen from a car but there’s usually a cap on this amount. If drivers know they’ll be travelling to see family this Christmas and have a large sack of expensive gifts in the car, it would be worth informing their insurer to double check they’re covered and potentially increase the price cap temporarily. Also don’t forget to keep all receipts, they may be needed if they have to make a claim.”
To further prevent car break ins, drivers should park in a well-lit, populated area, ensure that all windows are rolled up, and consider installing a steering-wheel lock, car tracker and immobiliser – if the car doesn’t have one as standard.
Car security is really important any time of the year, but especially during the festive period with expensive and sentimental presents in danger of being stolen and ruining Christmas.
If cars are broken into, drivers should take photos, identify the damage and inform the police – obtaining a crime reference number, also inform the car insurance company as soon as possible.
Do you ever wonder what kind of information your favourite online shops collect about you? It’s probably a lot more than you think!
Cyber security experts at VPNOverview have analysed the privacy policies of some of the biggest online retailers in the UK to establish which sites compromise your privacy the most.
Despite the ease of Christmas shopping from the comfort of your home, online shopping comes with its own hazards, and your online privacy is always at risk. It turns out that when you press the checkout button, it’s not just money that is taken from you; online shops save everything from your phone number and location to your date of birth and bank details.
Detailed below are the top five companies that collect the most data from their customers*:
Overall, Amazon was found to be the site with the most points of data collected. The online retailer giant took a staggeringly high £23.19 billion of revenue in 2021 in the UK alone. But that’s not the only valuable thing they took from their customers: Amazon’s website collects 60 different pieces of personal information. This ranges from the basics of name, address, and phone number to Alexa voice recordings, your friend’s emails, and even your credit history information from credit bureaus.
2. AO: Trade your personal information for tech
For those who are looking to give home and tech gifts this year, AO’s sales might be on your radar already — but AO has its eyes on you, too. The site is responsible for collecting 38 elements of your private information, earning it a second place on the list.
The data collected ranges from expected info like your name and address to your preferences, the size of your family, and how affluent you are. You’re not alone if you’re wondering why AO needs all of this information. Does the company really need to know your gender and marital status to send you your Christmas orders? We sincerely doubt it.
3. John Lewis: From social media handles to your ID
If you’re planning on gifting homeware, fashion, and electricals for Christmas this year, you may be heading to John Lewis’ website. We found that this luxury retailer took the third-largest amount of data from its visitors, collecting 31 elements, including your social media handle, clothing size, and identification documents.
In some cases, it makes sense for the company to be aware of this kind of information. Their privacy policy mentions that your social media username will be known to them if you interact with the company through those platforms. However, they actively store and use this information to tailor your shopping experience — in other words, to hopefully get you to spend more money.
4. Currys: Share your financial position with Currys
The homeware appliance and technology online shop collected 29 pieces of information from their customers, the most notable being subscription services and your financial position. They even collect the date and time of texts and calls you receive on their network and your location at the time they take place.
Although Currys comes in at number 4 on our list, some of the details they might be gathering about you are particularly alarming. Not even Amazon asks you for data about your current job or financial status. This information might seem trivial but imagine how uncomfortable you’d feel if the person behind the counter asked you how much you earn before handing you your change.
5. ASOS: Data collection — but make it fashion
For those of you heading to ASOS to buy your Christmas presents this winter, be wary. This clothing retailer is another top contender for collecting the most data on its customers. It ends up closing our top five with 20 kinds of personal data.
The research found that the clothing site collects basic information and records your body shape and size, screen name, saved items, and past purchases.
Tips to Keep Your Data Secure While Online Shopping
If you don’t want these big corporations to gather so much information about you, you can take some easy steps to minimise the amount of data that websites collect on you. Here are the three most effective steps:
Disable and delete third-party cookies: Next time you go online shopping, don’t click “allow all cookies” without a second thought. If you do, you give these websites permission to track you. Third-party cookies are used to track your activity between sites, so they can create a scarily accurate profile on who you are and what you like. If you can, disable these third-party cookies (along with other unnecessary trackers) and delete the existing ones from your browser.
Think twice before you share personal details: Many platforms allow you to create your own profile with a profile picture, date of birth, checkout details, and a variety of other facts about your life. Before you fill this in, always consider whether the website actually needs that information for the service they offer. If you have the option, don’t fill out these details and leave them blank instead.
Use a VPN: Some people might advise using your browser’s incognito mode to stay anonymous online, but this doesn’t work. “Private mode” isn’t enough if you don’t want your data to be saved anywhere. Instead, consider getting a VPN (Virtual Private Network). A VPN encrypts your information and hides your IP address, meaning that websites won’t be able to read your location and other bits of personal information as easily.
In short, if you want to stay safe while online shopping, you need to watch your cookies, think critically, and use the right technology. This will give you excellent protection against big corporations and their data collection schemes.
A representative from VPNOverview commented on the study: “Online shoppers must be careful when navigating these sites and making purchases for Christmas this year.
“Although some of the information being collected is essential to the site’s functionality, having your financial status or the number of family members you have to be shared with faceless corporations can be rather alarming.
“In most cases, customers have no idea where that information could end up or how it could be used.
“If you’re looking for a VPN to try, we recommend Surfshark. This VPN provider is relatively cheap and works well on desktops, smartphones, and countless other devices. Moreover, Surfshark might even enable you to get better Christmas deals and escape price discrimination. If you’re interested, you can always check out the Surfshark website.”
VPNOverview are a dedicated team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals offering guidance on these topics in the most accessible way possible.
October House Price Index from Walker Fraser Steele
Prices rising in 29 Local Authorities over the year
East Ayrshire has largest annual growth on the mainland at 14.9%
Record prices in 10 high-value areas
2022 likely to see greatest number of sales in excess of £750k
Table 1. Average House Prices in Scotland for the period October 2021 – October 202
Scott Jack, Regional Development Director at Walker Fraser Steele, comments:“The housing market across the UK has endured a tumultuous time over the past couple of months and yet – notwithstanding the stresses it has been under – our data reveals that average house prices in Scotland in October rose by some £700, or by 0.3%.
“We think two things have influenced this figure. Firstly, the lack of supply of the right kind of properties, those with more space for working and living from home, persists which supports the average price in general. This continued demand has to a degree provided some protection from the more challenging economic turmoil in September.
“But there is another factor to consider. Current buyers who secured finance before the financial markets’ turbulence in September stayed the course to see through their purchases.
“Our sales data from the property purchases recorded by the Office for National Statistics uses the date that a purchaser takes ownership – so decisions to buy made in August and early September, for example, may be coming through in October.
“We can be confident that many buyers were keen to continue with a purchase agreed before September’s financial chaos, as they almost certainly had been offered favourable mortgage rates by lenders.
“These two elements in concert have supported demand for properties with the average house price in Scotland rising to £224,593, establishing a new record level. Over the twelve months to the end of October, prices have risen by some £14,100, or 6.7%.”
Commentary: John Tindale, Acadata Senior Housing Analyst
The October housing market
September and October 2022 proved to be a somewhat tumultuous period in UK politics. There was the arrival of Liz Truss as Prime Minister on 6th September 2022, followed shortly thereafter by the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on 8th September at Balmoral.
Politics were then put on hold for the period of national mourning, culminating in the Queen’s funeral on 19th September at Westminster and Windsor Castle. This was then followed by the mini-budget, put together by Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng, and delivered on 23rd September – this resulted in Sterling crashing to a new low, with inflation rates rising to levels not seen for forty years.
Kwasi Kwarteng was sacked as chancellor on 6th October, to be replaced by Jeremy Hunt – with Liz Truss departing her post as Prime Minister on 20th October, to be replaced by Rishi Sunak.
It is therefore somewhat surprising to discover that, amid all these unsettling events, average house prices in Scotland in October rose by some £700, or by 0.3%. There are perhaps some clarifying factors that might explain this increase in prices.
Firstly, the matter of timing. The purchase of a property will typically take a few months to complete, from the initial decision to buy, to the official date of entry into one’s chosen home. (When recording property purchases the ONS and Acadata use the “date of entry” as the point of sale.)
It is therefore quite possible that “October sales” are reflecting August market sentiment. Indeed, there are instances where buyers have been keen to continue with a purchase agreed before September, as the favourable mortgage rates offered by the lenders were fixed for a period of five years, providing that the property in question remained the subject of the loan.
In addition, some of the factors that resulted in the decision to purchase a home in the first instance continued, even in the changed environment – such as the desire for space, and the problem of few suitable properties being placed on the market. Demand for properties therefore remained significant, with the average house price in Scotland rising to £224,593, establishing a new record level. Over the twelve months to the end of October, prices have risen by some £14,100, or 6.7%.
Figure 1. The annual rate of house price growth in Scotland over the period October 2020 to October 2022
The RICS Residential Market Survey for October suggests that the home sales market continued to lose momentum amid deteriorating macro conditions, with indicators on new instructions and agreed sales remaining negative.
The report did however advise that respondents based in Scotland continued to report a reasonably firm upward trend in house prices continuing, even if the pace of growth was softer than earlier in the year. This is in line with our own findings, derived from the price data supplied by RoS, which includes all domestic transactions based on both cash and mortgage sales.
Sales of high-value properties in the first ten months of 2022 are at a record high, with few indications that the pace of such sales is diminishing. The three highest-value local authorities in Scotland, of Edinburgh, East Lothian and East Renfrewshire, each set a new record average house price in October.
Enjoy a trail of FREE entertainment in Edinburgh venues on New Year’s Day, embracing Hogmanay traditions of friendship, food & drink, and live music.
Explore the city, discovering (and rediscovering) some of Edinburgh’s incredible venues, landmark attractions and independent pubs alongside a feast of Scottish artists including Callum Beattie, Swim School and many more!
A volunteer on-call firefighter and former rugby player has vowed to keep Doddie Weir’s fundraising legacy alive to help find a cure for Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
Rob Wainwright is a farmer on the Island on Coll who helps to protect his local community in his role supporting the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He’s also a former Scottish rugby captain, British and Irish Lion, and teammate of rugby legend Doddie Weir.
Three years ago, Rob founded Doddie Aid. To date, the mass participation event has raised around £2m for the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, with the Foundation itself ploughing around £8m into MND research in the last five years.
Rob and Doddie remained close after their days on the field finished. Sadly, Doddie passed away last month following a battle with MND.
Rob said: “We are going through a period of sadness, but Doddie would not want us moping about. He would want us getting on with it – fundraising and trying to find a cure – and that’s what we will do.”
Rob said: “It’s a huge legacy and it’s for nothing if it doesn’t continue. It falls upon us that are left to carry the flame for Doddie and carry on his determination to find breakthroughs in the science and treatment of MND. Doddie may be gone but he is still leading us and driving us onwards.”
The last time Rob saw Doddie was when Doddie made a flying visit to the Island of Coll around two months ago.
Rob said: “When you play rugby with someone you are bound together by being part of a team. Doddie was a country man, a bit like myself and we shared the same kind of humour. We just hit it off.
“He came up for a visit and it was great to see him. We had lunch at The Coll Hotel and went on a distillery tour at Ardnamurchan. He needed things like that to look forward to. That was the last time I saw him.”
When Doddie passed away tributes poured in from all around the world and Rob wasn’t surprised by the amount of love felt for Doddie.
Rob said: “He was an extremely warm character, wonderfully friendly, with the perfect blend of humour and compassion. He was just a really good people person, with a really attractive personality that people loved, and he was very giving of his time.
“There was a lot that happened behind the scenes. Doddie was introduced to people who had just been diagnosed with MND. He was able to give them guidance and he in turn got guidance from other people.”
Rob has been putting plans in place for Doddie Aid. The mass participation event starts on January 1, 2023, and anyone can sign up and set their own challenge and fundraising goals.
Doddie Aid also includes a cycling event where hundreds of cyclists will leave from Cardiff’s Millenium Stadium on Thursday February 9, to arrive at Murrayfield in Edinburgh for the Scotland v Wales Six Nations match on Saturday February 11. The 555 mile cycle will be a continuous ride throughout the 48 hours.
And next year’s event is set to be even more emotional.
Rob said: “Everything will be a lot more poignant. It’s emotional anyway – when you get tired and you’ve been at it for a day and half, you’re running out of energy, haven’t eaten properly or slept and then the amazing welcomes at some of the rugby clubs.
“This year there’s even more determination, to make it even bigger and channel that love for Doddie now that he has gone.
“I’ve set myself a target of having 50,000 people signed up to Doddie Aid and to raise £2m for MND research.”
As well as organising Doddie Aid, Rob helps to keep his local Coll community safe as a volunteer on call firefighter – a role he’s held for nearly 20 years.
His colleagues from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have rallied to submit a cycling team for Doddie Aid. Rob’s fellow volunteer on call firefighters from the island’s fire station will be joining a 13-strong team from the SFRS East and West Dunbartonshire and Argyll and Bute area.
Rob will be cycling as part of a British and Irish Rugby Lions Team.
He said: “I’m wishing luck to the SFRS team. I know they’ve been in training. Winter cycling in February might sound like a stupid thing to do but it’s overcoming these challenges working as a team – it will be a very uplifting experience.”
Area Commander Joe McKay is SFRS Local Senior Officer for East and West Dunbartonshire, Argyll and Bute. He said: “We’ve seen first-hand the huge amount of effort it takes to organise Doddie Aid and we’re delighted to support Rob’s determination and importantly to support Doddie’s mission to raise money to help find a cure for MND.”
Jill Douglas, CEO, My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, said: “We’re incredibly appreciative of all that the SFRS do, and to have them joining the Doddie Cup 555 ride is great!
“The ride is a gruelling challenge, but made easier knowing that each push of a pedal and mile covered takes us closer towards finding a cure to motor neuron disease.”
And that’s Rob’s goal – to keep fundraising to try to help others.
He said: “This is a call to arms. Please get involved, download the app, sign up, encourage people to join and spread the word.
“We have come a long way, but the journey needs to be pushed on. Doddie was defined not by what he did in his glory days on the rugby field, but by how he coped with his ultimate challenge, how he attacked it and the momentum he created to find solutions for MND.
“There’s lots of people out there with MND. Many of them don’t have the platform that Doddie had but he had that platform, and he used it. He had an amazing energy and determination to find a solution to this disease and to help others. He’ll keep pushing us on even though he isn’t here.
“We’ll keep funding research and hopefully there will be a breakthrough that will really make a difference for sufferers of MND. It’s what Doddie would have wanted.”
A service celebrating the life of rugby legend Doddie Weir is due to be held in the Scottish Borders today.
The former Scotland international died last month at the age of 52, six years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND).
The event takes place at Melrose Parish Church at 13:00 with anyone attending encouraged to wear tartan – a request made by Doddie Weir himself.
Minister welcomes figures showing more students are finding work
Higher Education and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn has welcomed figures showing the proportion of college leavers going on to positive destinations is at a record high.
Figures from the Scottish Funding Council show that 91% of those completing college courses and leaving the college sector in 2020-2021 were in positive destinations, including further study, training, or employment, within three to six months.
That is an increase of 6.6 percentage points on the previous year.
Of those leaving the college sector, almost half (49.3%) gained employment within three to six months, with over two-fifths (41.7%) going on to further study at university.
The proportion who were unemployed or unavailable to work fell to a record low of 9%, down from 15.6% in 2019-2020.
Higher Education and Further Education Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “It is fantastic that nine out of 10 full-time college leavers are going on to positive destinations.
“These figures clearly show the crucial contribution that Scotland’s colleges make to equipping their students with the skills and training they need to take their next steps.
“The growth in the proportion of college-leavers securing employment, as the job market continues to recover following the pandemic, is an important sign of progress in strengthening Scotland’s economic prosperity.
Figures from the UKs largest veterinary charity, PDSA, have revealed that more than a quarter (28%) of owners in Scotland are worried about affording vet bills – leaving them facing potentially heart-breaking decisions should their pet become ill or injured.
We are a nation of animal lovers – 83% of owners in Scotlandi say their pet makes them feel less lonely. But, as the cost of living crisis continues to hit households hard, stats from PDSA show that 7% Scotland-based pet owners would consider rehoming their pet if they were unable to afford the treatment needed should they become ill or injured.
PDSA has cautioned that these concerning findings reflect the forgotten victims of the cost-of-living crisis, as prices for essentials such as fuel (diesel – 26%, petrol – 13%), energy (80%) and food (17%) increase. This is only at risk of worsening as we head further into the frosty winter months.
Increasingly stretched finances could be putting UK pets in a potentially fatal situation, with a staggering 930,000iipets at risk of being put to sleep if their owners were hit with unexpected veterinary bills.
Research found that a third of owners (33%) turning to PDSA for help in October this year said that the cost-of-living crisis was a key factor in registering their pet with the charity, and an overwhelming are 98% concerned how the crisis will affect them and their family.
For many, the vital services provided by PDSA are the only difference between keeping their pet with the family, rehoming or euthanising; as owners struggle to choose between eating, heating their home, or treating their pet.
When surveyed, 81% of PDSA clientssaid they would prioritise paying for their pet’s emergency veterinary care over household bills should the situation arise. Meanwhile, 85%vi would put their pet’s need for things such as food and veterinary care over their own needs, such as food or heating.
This comes as the number of people claiming Universal Credit soared by nearly 100,000 between August and October, reaching its highest level of the year in October 2022 – more than 5.7 million people – and the highest number of claims this year.
PDSA Veterinary Surgeon Lynne James said: “The rising cost of living is a cause of real concern for Scotland families, but even more so for the most vulnerable, who often rely on the companionship of a pet – particularly during what can be the coldest and most lonely time of year.
“More than half of those who rely on PDSA services are aged 55 and over, and 37% are disabled or living with a serious health condition – making our Pet Hospitals a lifeline for hundreds of thousands of vulnerable owners and their pets.
“In 2021, we treated over 370,000 pets and saved the lives of 134,000 animals – ultimately keeping furry family members united with their owners, which we know is a lifeline for many. As families continue to be stretched financially, demand for our support shows no signs of abating.
“Sadly, it’s not always possible to predict when a pet might become unwell or injured, making it extremely difficult for owners to prepare for such an event – especially for the 19% of Scotland-based owners already living in poverty[vii].
“It’s PDSA’s mission to keep families together. We would encourage anyone who is struggling to afford the cost of veterinary treatment to find out if they are entitled to access our services by visiting the eligibility checker on our website. We also have lots of free advice on how to reduce the cost of caring for pets, while ensuring they remain healthy and happy.”
PDSA relies on donations to deliver vital treatment to hundreds of thousands of pets across its 48 Pet Hospitals in the UK. To keep families together this winter, the charity is urgently calling on the public’s support more than ever to prevent vulnerable people having to make a truly heartbreaking decision.
