Month: January 2023

‘Saved’ manuscripts join collection at Robert Burns Birthplace Museum

  • 12 original Burns manuscripts have been added to the National Trust for Scotland’s Robert Burns collection in Alloway following fundraising campaign
  • Alongside the National Library of Scotland, the conservation charity also became the joint owner of the Burns First Commonplace Book
  • The Burns First Commonplace Book will be on public display in Scotland for the first time since 1896
  • ‘Homecoming’ exhibition runs from 13 January – 12 March at the conservation charity’s Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway 

Twelve original manuscripts written by Robert Burns, which have just come into the care of conservation charity the National Trust for Scotland, will go on display this January as part of a new exhibition entitled Homecoming.

The important pieces include letters, poems ‘Donocht Head’ and ‘Queen of the Lothian’ and songs ‘As I was walking up the street’ and ‘O wat ye wha’s in yon town’ giving further insight into the creative process of Scotland’s most famous poet. 

They were donated to the National Trust for Scotland from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the National Libraries in 2022 following a successful campaign to raise funds to secure these, and other important literary pieces, including works by Sir Walter Scott and the Brontës, for the public which were part of a private collection that was put up for sale in 2021.

The manuscripts join more than 5000 Burns-related items which are in the care of the National Trust for Scotland at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway. The site includes an award-winning museum experience, as well as the cottage where Burns was born in 1759.

Also part of the exhibition is the Burns First Commonplace Book which was given jointly to the National Library of Scotland and the National Trust for Scotland from the Blavatnik Honresfield Library by the Friends of the National Libraries in 2022. The book was last displayed in Scotland in 1896 at the major Burns exhibition held in Glasgow and provides an invaluable record of his development as a man and poet.

National Trust for Scotland Chief Executive Philip Long OBE said: “Securing this outstanding collection for the public was an excellent example of our sector working together to raise the funds and support needed to save them for our cultural heritage and ensure that they would be protected for and enjoyed by future generations. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this possible.

“Burns was inspired by nature, beauty and heritage and his work is of deep significance to Scotland. As the custodians of the place where Burns was born, and many of his most important works, the National Trust for Scotland is honoured to add these important pieces to our collection and to share these with the public through our new exhibition.”

National Librarian and Chief Executive of the National Library of Scotland, Amina Shah, said: “It’s fantastic to finally offer members of the public the opportunity to see these priceless items up close, after they were hidden away for so long.

“This is why we, alongside National Trust for Scotland and other organisations, worked so hard to acquire these items when they came up for sale – it was unthinkable that they would once again end up in private hands. It’s also fitting that the First Commonplace Book makes its first appearance at Burns’s birthplace – it will feel like a true homecoming.”

Homecoming is open daily at the Robert Burns Birthplace until 12 March. Entry is free.

To mark Burns’ Night at the place where Burns was born, the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum is hosting a Burns Birthday Bash family weekend on 21 and 22 Jan and a Blazing Burns Night Spectacular ceilidh and fire performance on 21 Jan.

Find out more at:   https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/robert-burns-birthplace-museum

Scottish Government responds to Drug Deaths Taskforce report

Cross-government action plan backed by £68 million.

More than 80 actions supported by £68 million over the course of this parliament are outlined in the Scottish Government’s response to Changing Lives, the final report from the Drug Deaths Taskforce. 

Measures are being taken across a broad range of areas including employment, justice, transport, education and health and social care to improve the lives of those affected by drugs.

The response is underpinned by two principles – that services treat problem drug use the same as any other health condition and that people with lived experience are involved in policy decisions.

Many of the 20 recommendations and 139 action points made by the Taskforce are already being addressed but new announcements include:

  • £30 million ringfenced from the Enhanced Services Allocation to NHS territorial Boards from April 2023 to support specific drug treatment services within primary care settings 
  • £18 million to develop stabilisation and crisis care services, in addition to the £100 million already available for residential rehabilitation
  • £4.3 million for a Stigma Action Plan which includes an accreditation scheme for organisations to improve awareness and challenge stigma across public life
  • £5.5 million for new programmes for children and families including the expansion of Routes, a young person’s support group run by Scottish Families Affected By Drugs
  • £3.4 million additional funding to deliver a workforce action plan and expand the Addiction Workers Training Programme run by the Scottish Drugs Forum and an additional £3.3 million to expand trauma training
  • £2.4 million to improve care for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use conditions to build on the recommendations set out in the recent rapid review
  • £0.5 million for an initial pilot to expand the concessionary travel scheme to include people with a substance dependency

Drugs Policy Minister Angela Constance said: “Every drug death is a tragedy and unacceptable. We continue to face a public health emergency and cannot underestimate the scale of this crisis.

“The Drug Deaths Taskforce was formed to provide independent expert advice on our response to this emergency and this cross-government action plan includes a broad range of initiatives which will not only support the complex needs of people who use drugs but also help support prevention and early intervention.

“This publication outlines our whole government commitment to addressing this challenge and ensuring that people with problem substance use can access all the services they need and are entitled to. 

“I thank the Taskforce members, past and present, for their important contribution. The final report, Changing Lives, has provided us with clear, evidenced recommendations and our response outlines a new, even more ambitious, phase of our mission to save and improve lives.”

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TON UP FOR TONY!

COMMUNITY LEGEND CELEBRATES HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY

TONY Delahoy celebrates his 100th birthday today. The popular Silverknowes man plans to spend the milestone occasion quietly with family, but daughter Barbara has asked me to pass on Tony’s best wishes to his many friends, acquaintances and old comrades across North Edinburgh and beyond.

Durng lockdown Tony used his time at home productively, producing Things Remembered, a memoir of his life. I was very touched but absolutely delighted when he hand -delivered a copy to me, and I fondly remember that brief visit to my doorstep – one of the brightest moments of a very dark time.

Tony explains in the introduction: ‘We all have memories that are important or significant in our lives. At the time of writing this account I have reached the age of 98 and the years since my birth in 1923 have seen great change.

‘Thinking about some of the changes and events that I have witnessed during my life, I felt it might be interesting to share them with others who might also find them interesting or informative.

‘I have recorded some memories from my childhood, school years and early work experiences. Also, the outbreak of the Second World War, when I was just 16, and of course my call up and war service. I end this account with my return to civilian and family life and the immediate post war period.

‘This is not exhaustive or by any means complete, but is a record of some events and occurrences that I felt worthy of setting down.’

I’m honoured to share just a few of Tony’s memories today, and will post more over the coming weeks:

OUR HOUSE AND LOCALITY

i was born at 12 Holmshaw Road, Lower Sydenham, London SE 26 on 13th January 1923. Number 12 was a mid terraced-house; it had three rooms and a scullery downstairs and three bedrooms upstairs.

The rooms were gas lit and there was just one main water tap in the scullery. The front room downstairs was the ‘best’ room and was not used a lot, except at Christmas time when a coal fire was lit.

We lived there, next door to my mother’s family, the Goddards at number 10, until September 1940, when at the age of 17 the houses at numbers 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 were bombed and destroyed …

SCHOOL

Our school, Haseltine Road Elementary, which is still in use, was very close to our house, a couple of hundred yards away and within hearing distance of the warning bell that was rung at 8.45am, the school starting at 9am.

The school bell was in a tower and was rung by the Schoolkeeper on the ground floor by pulling a rope.

Class sizes were very large, up to 50, boys only. The classroom floor was stepped up front-to-back to accomodate the iron-framed desks at which the children sat.

The desks had a folding wooden top, with a groove along the top for pen and pencil and an inkwell set in the top right corner.

WORK

Having had early mornig jobs from the age of 10 – delivering papers and helping the local milk roundsman evey day of the week – work was second nature and mostly enjoyable.

At the end of term in December 1935 thoughts turned to getting a full-time job, having been asked by the school if I would like to carry on my schooling at the Central school.

I asked my Mother, was said it was up to me, but I knew that a school uniform would have to be bought and I knew that it would be impossible to do.

Also, I was so used to work and my earnings would help Mum – incidentally, any money earned on my paper or milk rounds was always handed over to Mum; that was the norm and she would in turn give back some money to you.

I believe it was something like a wage of three shillings and sixpence handed over and one shilling and sixpence (1/6d) handed back.

Although the school did not help to find jobs there was one on offer from a shop in Sydenham for a window dresser, but it did not appeal to me at all having had years of outside jobs. I really wanted to work in the milk delivery trade with the Co-operative Society. I applied to the Co-op and was still waiting on a reply when I left school, so I had to apply for a job at one of the two local factories.

This was a metal working factory, Aerograph, and I was taken on and put in the inspection department checking threads on nuts and bolts.

I was only there for one week, for which I got paid twelve shillings and sevenpence (12/7d). I had by then heard from the Co-op asking me to attend for an interview and test.

The test was English and Arithmetic and a couple of other tests. I passed and eventually got a letter to report to the Catford Milk Depot. I was permanently allocated to a large round. A round was an area covered by one roundsman, serving approximately 500 customers. Transport of the milk was of course by horse and cart. My roundsman Johnny was a good chap and trained me very well.

Tomororow: WAR, HELEN, CALL-UP and MARRIAGE

HAPPY 100th BIRTHDAY, TONY!

Forth 2 to rebrand as ‘Greatest Hits Radio’ (Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife & Falkirk)

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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 Cat Harvey 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 Scotland said, “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.

Passport fees to rise next month

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. 

Apply online for a UK passport.

Passport fees are reviewed in line with His Majesty’s Treasury guidance Managing public money.

Volunteer sessions with Edinburgh Agroecology Group

MARKET GARDEN VOLUNTEERING at LAURISTON FARM

EDINBURGH Agroecology Group at Lauriston Farm has got big plans for the Market Garden for 2023 – do you want to get involved?

Upcoming volunteer sessions on 14th & 28th January.

RSVP on Volunteer Signup to join us: https://volunteersignup.org/ALFRW

#UrbanFarm

#Agroecology

#FarmVolunteering

#Edinburgh

#NorthEdinburgh

Edinburgh bar shortlisted for Gaydio Pride Award

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.

Eyre Place student housing on hold

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“

Three in four people don’t know that an irregular heartbeat is a major cause of strokes

  • Stroke Prevention Day is Thursday 12 January 2023
  • 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.”