Ewen Cameron and Cat Harvey will continue hosting the breakfast show as Scotland’s first nationwide commercial radio station launches April 3rd
Forth 2 is changing its name to Greatest Hits Radio as part Scotland’s first ever nationwide commercial radio station.
Bauer Scotland stations, Clyde 2, Forth 2, MFR 2, Northsound 2, Tay 2,West Sound in Ayrshire, and West Sound in Dumfries & Galloway will all unite under one name as they rebrand to Greatest Hits Radio in 2023. This means that wherever they are in Scotland, listeners will have one recognisable name they can search for to find their favourite music soundtrack of the greatest songs from the 70s, 80s and 90s, along with the presenters they know and love.
Ewen Cameron and CatHarvey will continue as hosts of the Breakfast Show across the stations, with the details of the full schedule to be announced shortly.
Listeners will be able to continue to find all their local news and information, including traffic and travel that they receive from their current stations upon rebrand, and advertising opportunities for local businesses will also remain.
Speaking about the change, Ewen & Cat said: “We are thrilled to be leading the Breakfast Show each weekday on Greatest Hits Radio as it expands into Scotland, creating the first nationwide commercial station.
“We have some really exciting plans up our sleeves and can’t wait to reveal them later this year.”
Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Bauer Scotlandsaid, “Entertaining hundreds of thousands of listeners a week, Forth 2, is much-loved for its playlist of classic hits and entertaining content, so rebranding as Greatest Hits Radio just makes total sense.
“Strengthened under its new name, we’re so excited by the scope of opportunity ahead, including national marketing campaigns and more.”
Station frequencies will stay the same for listeners in April, and they’ll be able to find the station online, via smart speaker and the station app by searching for “Greatest Hits Radio” and their relevant area, as listed below.
Forth 2 shall also continue to support disadvantaged young people across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife, and Falkirk through Bauer’s Cash for Kids charity.
The UK Government will introduce new passport fees for all applications on 2 February 2023, the first time in 5 years that the cost of applying for a passport has increased.
The proposals, which are subject to Parliamentary scrutiny, will include the following:
the fee for a standard online application made from within the UK will rise from £75.50 to £82.50 for adults and £49 to £53.50 for children
postal applications will increase from £85 to £93 for adults and £58.50 to £64 for children
priority service fees are being aligned so all customers will pay the same
The new fees will help the Home Office move towards a system that meets its costs through those who use it, reducing reliance on funding from general taxation. The government does not make any profit from the cost of passport applications.
The fees will also contribute to the cost of processing passport applications, consular support overseas, including for lost or stolen passports, and the cost of processing British citizens at UK borders. The increase will also help enable the government to continue improving its services.
The new fees include those newly applying or renewing their passport.
Since January last year, over 95% of standard applications have been processed within 10 weeks and customers are advised that they should apply in good time before travelling.
The inaugural Gaydio Pride Awards with Hilton announces the shortlist for 10 categories, honouring charities, people & organisations championing Pride across the UK
Today, Gaydio has announced the shortlist for its first ever Gaydio Pride Awards with Hilton, which will celebrate the extraordinary efforts that bring Pride to every corner of the UK, honouring the LGBTQ+ members & allies making the biggest impacts. Planet Bar, Edinburgh has been nominated for Venue or Event of the Year.
Shortlisters will be honoured at a glitzy ceremony next month, at Manchester’s Hilton hotel. Guests will enjoy an evening of celebration for those shortlisted, topped with entertainment from top 10 selling artist Raye, a set from dance-legend Sigala, a showstopping performance from Danny Beard, winner of Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK (Season 4), all hosted by Gaydio’s breakfast show presenters Paris & Dave.
Each person, charity or organisation shortlisted will be invited to attend for no cost, with their space at the prestigious new event sponsored by the Gaydio’s commercial partners.
Categories at this year’s awards include Grassroots Pride of the Year, Major Pride of the Year, LGBTQ+ Champion of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, LBGTQ+ Venue or Event of the Year, LGBTQ+ Charity of the Year, Pride Network of the Year, LGBTQ+ Club or Sports Team of the Year, Music Artist of the Year, plus the Lifetime Achievement award.
The full shortlist for the Gaydio Pride Awards in 2023 (as revealed today, 12th January) includes:
Major Pride of the Year
Manchester Pride
Pride in London
Birmingham Pride
Brighton + Hove Pride
Grassroots Pride of the Year
UK Black Pride
Trans Pride, Brighton
Prestwich Pride
Chesterfield Pride
Salford Pride
Volunteer of the Year
Michele Ralph (Crawley Pride Volunteer)
Joel Mordi (Nigeria’s First Ever Pride Organiser)
Charlie Watts (Pride in Surrey Volunteer)
LGBTQ+ Club or Sports team of the Year
Gay Outdoor Club
Leicester Diamonds Baseball Club
Manchester Village Spartans
Outdoor Lads
Trans Radio UK Football Club
Employee Pride Network of the Year
Proud at Deloitte
Birmingham women’s and Children’s NHS Trust LGBTQ+ Staff Network
Proud @ Shell UK
JET & Proud – Just Eat Takeaway.com’s global LGBT+ Network
Co-op respect
Bruntwood’s LGBTQIA++ Network
Venue or Event of the Year
Arch, Clapham
Swagga, Manchester
Filthy Gorgeous, The Brewers, Manchester
The House of Bridget’s, Bury
The Werkroom, Stoke-on-Trent
Planet Bar, Edinburgh
Charity
Spencer Trust
Fighting with Pride
George House Trust
LGBTQ+ Champion
Carley Owen
Sab Samuel / Aida H Dee / Drag Queen Story Time
Janusz Domagala (Finalist of Great British Bake Off)
Kriss Herbert, Network Content Manager for Gaydio, “Gaydio is Where Pride Lives and it feels only right that we celebrate the people, organisations and charities who work so hard to support the LGBTQ+ community all year round.
“We think this shortlist really showcases the huge impact people, charities and communities are making all over the UK, and we can’t wait to announce our winners at the first ever Gaydio Pride Awards with Hilton on 10th February.”
Gaydio listeners and members of the public were asked to nominate the people, charities, and organisations they felt were making a real difference in their area, with the nominees then shortlisted by dedicated community panels, to ensure winners are chosen as fairly as possible, and represent the very best LGBTQ+ people and charities from all over the UK.
The winners of the awards will be revealed at the Gaydio Pride Awards ceremony at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel on Friday 10th February, and revealed on air shortly after.
Gaydio recently launched its station in Edinburgh, where listeners can now expect the best in upbeat dance and pop, and chat from an LGBTQ+ perspective across the city.
For more information and to buy tickets for the Gaydio Pride Awards, head to gaydioprideawards.co.uk and keep an eye on social platforms @gaydio for more exciting announcements.
Request For Hearing: Planning Application 22/03834/FUL (Student Accommodation) 72-74 Eyre Place
Foysol Choudhury Labour MSP for Lothian said: “I am delighted the Councillors on the Planning Development Sub Committee have all agreed a Hearing for this application which had almost 400 objections.
“I was so disappointed the Planning officers were recommending approval of the Eyre Place application.
“I contacted the Development Management Sub-Committee asking for a Hearing and I am delighted they have agreed to my request.
“The Hearing will give an opportunity for the concerns of the local residents and groups to be heard. I hope that following the Hearing, Councillors will reject the application.
“Having visited Eyre Place myself on 23 September 2022 and discussing with the residents of Rodney Place, I concur with their objections.
“Local residents and community groups object to the overall scale of the development, its overbearing presence blocking natural light for neighbours, and dense accommodation which would overburden local infrastructure and amenities.
“The massing and height would lead to an overdevelopment of the site, with the potential to result in adverse impacts on residential amenities.
“The proposal, overall, is not compatible with the character of the area neither in terms of the proposed use nor its design, the approach for which is incongruous and alien to the established urban form in terms of roofscape and appearance.
“I am also concerned that a storey of the student flats will be dedicated to ‘entertainment’ and karaoke booths and can understand why local residents are worried about noise levels.”
Local Green councillor Jule Bandel also objected to the application and argued the case for a hearing. She said on Twitter: “Delighted that committee has approved the hearing requests! This will give the community a chance to properly explain why the proposed student accommodation is unsuitable for the site & area. Well done everyone!”
The Invereleith councillor said earlier: “Disappointed that officials have recommended the proposed student accommodation at Eyre Place for approval.
‘The points I made in my objection in September still stand & I have submitted hearing requests to allow the community to properly make their case: https://bit.ly/3vPb5t6“
Stroke Association urges people to check themselves for ‘silent’ condition, atrial fibrillation
The Stroke Association and BBC Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishan are urging people to check for a ‘silent condition’ which is one of the leading causes of serious strokes, after a survey showed that few are aware of the link.
It is estimated that around 35,000 people in Scotland are living with undiagnosed atrial fibrillation1 (AF) where the heart beats with an irregular rhythm. When this happens, the heart won’t empty all of the blood out of its chambers with every beat and the leftover blood can form clots which travel to the brain, blocking off blood flow and causing a stroke.
A survey by the charity to mark Stroke Prevention Day on Thursday 12 January revealed that three in four people (75%) did not know that AF is a major cause of stroke2.
AF is linked to around one in five strokes3 – that’s 40 strokes per day and strokes in people with AF are more severe and are more likely to result in death or serious disability.
John Watson, Associate Director for the Stroke Association in Scotland, said:“It’s worrying that so few people know that a little thing like how your heart beats can lead to a massive stroke.
“AF often has no symptoms and a stroke can strike without warning. Don’t let the first sign of your AF be a sudden and life-changing stroke. With early diagnosis and effective management of AF, your risk of a stroke dramatically decreases so it’s vital for people to check it regularly.
“It’s really easy to check your own pulse and our research told us that most people are able to. Feel for your pulse on your wrist or neck to make sure it has a regular beat. If you suspect you have an irregular pulse, contact your GP Practice.”
The survey 2 also revealed that:
Six in ten (67%) said they had never checked themselves for AF
Almost half (46%) said they had never been checked for AF by a healthcare professional
More than eight in ten (86%) said they would be likely to seek medical advice if they felt something was wrong with the rhythm of their heartbeat/pulse
62% said they knew someone who had had a stroke
24% knew someone who had had AF
The charity has a video guide on its website at www.stroke.org.uk/spd23 showing people how they can check their own pulse on their wrist or neck.
Alex Trench had a stroke at the age of 52. Alex ran his own business, a grocer at the time. He describes it as a stressful job. It was a massive stroke leaving Alex unable to sit up, walk or use his arm.
Only two months earlier, Alex had been diagnosed with AF following a check-up with his GP about another health problem. He said: ““I didn’t know anyone with AF nor did I know anyone who had had a stroke, I was only 52!
“Whilst I wasn’t given a definitive answer as to the cause of my stroke, I do wonder if AF may have played a part. I have since sold my business, eat healthily and watch my weight to reduce the risk of having a stroke.
“Importantly, I am now on medication to manage my AF. I would urge people of any age to check their pulse regularly to look out for possible AF. Having a stroke is devastating. I know it. Please do as much as you can to prevent it.”
Although Alex still still relies on a delta frame to walk very short distances and struggles to use his hand, thanks to Alex’ determination and support from others, he has made quite a good recovery.
“I am really pleased to be ‘giving back’ doing voluntary work for the Stroke Association.”
Dr Punam Krishan, a Glasgow GP and presenter on BBC Morning Live, said: ““The good news is that if AF is identified it can be managed really easily.
“If you’ve got AF, you might be given anticoagulant medication to reduce your risk of stroke by making a clot less likely to form, or you might be able to have a one-time electric pulse to get your heart beating regularly.
“The most important thing is to check yourself and contact your GP practice if you think you might have AF. It’s so much better to get your AF sorted before it becomes a problem. Get it checked for your own health and for the sake of your loved ones.”
Trudie Lobban MBE, Founder of the AF Association,said: “The AF Association welcomes Stroke Prevention Day to help detect more people living with AF, yet to be diagnosed.
“Raising awareness of the importance of pulse checks is key to detecting the irregular heart rhythm and leading to more people being diagnosed and receiving appropriate anticoagulation therapy to reduce their risk of an AF-related stroke.
“It is good to see the Stroke Association encouraging the public to be pulse aware to know their heart rhythm – this can save so many from the devastation that strokes can cause, it can even save lives.”
Councils across Scotland faced significant financial challenges during 2021/22 and are now entering the most difficult budget setting context seen for many years. Increasingly difficult choices about spending priorities will need to be made.
The Accounts Commission, the independent body that holds councils to account, said that even with additional Covid-19 funding during 2021-22, councils had to make significant savings last year to balance their budgets.
Many councils have also used reserves to bridge funding gaps and fund vital services. This is expected to be the case in 2022/23. The £570 million of additional funding for 2023/24, announced in the December budget, will help councils address upcoming cost challenges, but further change and reform across all councils is required to ensure longer-term financial sustainability.
When compared to the 2013/14 Scottish Government revenue funding position to local government, 2021-22 represented the first real-terms increase in six years (excluding one-off Covid-19 money). But an increasing amount of council funding is either formally ringfenced or provided on the expectation it will be spent on specific services and national policy objectives. This supports the delivery of key Scottish Government policies yet removes local discretion and flexibility over how these funds can be used by councils.
William Moyes, Chair of the Accounts Commission, said: “It’s clear the financial situation of councils is increasingly fragile. Councils are having to deal with the effects of inflation, the increasingly desperate cost of living impacts and rising demand for services, whilst at the same time delivering vital day to day services to their communities.
“To be financially sustainable, councils must deliver savings and reduce reliance on non-recurring reserves to fill budget gaps.
“If they are to find a safe path through the difficult times ahead, councils need to focus more on service reform, alongside meaningful engagement with their communities, about what services can be provided given the financial pressures they are facing.”
Virtually every state Secondary school in Scotland closed yesterday teachers continue to strike in pursuit of a fair pay settlement.
Following Tueday’s highly successful strike in the primary sector, Secondary teachers and associated professionals turned out in huge numbers on picket lines and at demonstrations and rallies right across Scotland.
Amongst the demonstrations yesterday was a rally of teachers outside Bute House in Edinburgh, the official residence of the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon.
Commenting on Wednesday’s strike action, EIS General Secretary Andrea Bradley said: “Following Tuesday’s show of strength from primary teachers, today it is Scotland’s secondary teachers and associated professionals who are on strike and demanding that the Scottish Government and COSLA pay attention.
“Teachers really do not want to be out in the streets – in the cold, wind and rain – to seek a fair pay increase, but have been forced into this position by the inaction of the Scottish Government and COSLA on teacher pay.
“After dragging the negotiating process out for the best part of a year, the Scottish Government and COSLA only have themselves to blame for the situation we find ourselves in today.”
Ms Bradley added, “For six months, we have seen little or no progress in negotiations, with the Scottish Government and COSLA only reheating an old, already rejected offer, and attempting to sell it to teachers as new, fresh and appealing.
“Scotland’s teachers haven’t been fooled by the spin, and are now taking the only option that remains – the withdrawal of their labour – to seek a better, fairer offer on pay.
“It is only within the last week, with the second round of strike action looming, that we have seen some small signs that the Scottish Government and COSLA are prepared to work towards making an improved offer.
“Should a new, improved and credible, offer arrive in sufficient time, this will be considered by the EIS and our sister teacher unions in the hope that further strike action, scheduled to commence next week for 16 consecutive days, may yet be avoided.”
Road policing officers are appealing for information following a serious crash in Nicolson Street involving a pedestrian and a bus.
The incident happened around 8pm last night (Wednesday, 11 January, 2023).
Emergency services attended and the pedestrian, a 51-year-old man, was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where his conditions is described as critical. No one else was injured.
The road was closed for crash investigation work to be carried out and re-opened around 4am this morning (Thursday, 12 January, 2023).
Sergeant Jill Kirkpatrick said: “Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances of what happened and we are asking anyone who can assist to get in touch.
“If you were in the area at the time and saw what happened or were driving and have dash-cam footage that could help with our enquiries then please make contact.”
Anyone who can help is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 3101 of Wednesday, 11 December, 2023.
