At this time (1950) a petition had been launched to collect signatures against the proliferatation of nuclear weapons. We in the union branch at the New Cross tram depot decided to set up a Peace Committee to collect signatures for the Stockholm Peace Appeal.
The Cold War was intensely pursued by the Western powers. Charlie CHaplin was thron out of America and Paul Robeson too.
We had a big meeting in Camberwell to support Paul Robeson, to which he sent a recorded message, but we were up against the full wight of an anti-communist media.
I even stood as one of three candidates for the Communist Party local elections in Debtford, as their proposals seemed at the time to best address the needs of ordinary working people. But this was at the time of the Yangtse incident, where the Chinese communists were fired on by a British warship and the McCarthy era in the United States was in full swing.
The Vauxhall Tram authorities gave permission for a stall to be set up for just one day in the garage – and we were successful in collecting over 900 signatures for the Stockholm Peace Appeal, which I delivered to their offices near Regent’s Park.
I would collect the Daily Worker newspaper before my shift and do leafletting after my shifts, early morning or late. The shifts were spaced such that it was impossible to go home in between shifts. They were long days away from home.
Over the seven years I was active in the Transport and General Workers Union we were always under pressure and the canteen was a hive of activity with the early morning sales of all kinds of newspapers. We had to prove we were selling all papers inside the garage and not just the Daily Worker – this we did from outside the garage!
Then we were banned from selling the paper when we had tram uniforms on. The attempts at control were relentless.
There were of course already some big improvements such as improved provision if social services and the formation of the National Health Service in 1948; it is hard today to imagine not having an NHS and having to pay to see a doctor.
I knew that improvements to the lives of ordinary working people would have to be fought for by ordinary people like me and the hundreds of thousands of people who were now finding ways of making progress through sound argument and political pressure.
This was the challenge of winning a better future for everyone and pursuing this has been my lifelong ambition.
Progress is never guaranteed and things are sometimes disappointing, but I have seen poverty, war and destructive chaos and I know that only through ordinary working people struggling together will the devastating evils of poverty and war be avoided in the future.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Get your spring clean on!
Spring is the season of fresh starts. This week, we wanted to shine a light on good old-fashioned spring cleaning and the potential health benefits it offers.
Cleaning counts towards our daily movement goals, lighter tasks like dusting can burn around 160 calories an hour, and more heavy-duty tasks like washing windows or scrubbing can burn around 350 calories an hour!
In addition, having a clean and tidy home can improve our mental health, and making sure our kitchen is clean and organised can have a positive impact on our motivation to eat healthy foods and cook from scratch.
Get prepared
To ensure you have a successful and stress-free spring clean make sure you have everything you need before starting.
Set up a ‘cleaning station’ at a central point in your house with all the things you will need and only take one thing at a time. Doing it this way rather than using a cleaning caddy or bucket to carry things from room to room means you will end up moving more which will get your heart pumping.
Turn up the volume
Whether its jazz, pop, hip hop or rock, having upbeat music playing while cleaning can improve our mood, energy, and motivation.
You could take the time to listen to a podcast or audiobook on a subject you want to learn more about, or enjoy the silence, anything that helps make the task more enjoyable.
Declutter
Set aside some time to declutter your house too, donating or selling things you no longer need or use. Having less clutter makes it easier to keep your house and possessions clean and organised.
Spring is also a good time to think about your mental health and assess things like your work-life balance and how much time you spend doing the things you enjoy. Embrace this season of new beginnings by starting a new activity or hobby and saying goodbye to habits that no longer serve you.
Edinburgh’s award-winning Italian restaurant and wine bar Divino Enoteca is transporting guests to the island of Sardinia this spring, continuing with its series of regional wine tasting nights on the 16th and 30th of April at 5pm.
In-house wine experts James and Davide will guide guests through this historic region, exploring what makes Sardinian wine is one of Italy’s best kept secrets.
Conquered by various empires over the centuries, many cultures have brought their history, food, and grapes to the island, meaning a prevalence of international varieties and styles not found anywhere else in Italy.
A warm maritime climate and rich soils create the perfect conditions for complex, elegant wines – including those on the tasting menu, like a 2021 Vermentino Di Sardegna from Antonella Corda, and a 2019 Cannonau Di Sardegna from Santadi.
Guests will enjoy a welcoming aperitivo, 5 fabulous wines to taste, and matching canapes from head chef Andrea Calistro for just £25.
Divino boasts an impressive assortment of world wines, and voted ‘best wine list,’ the restaurant is the perfect spot for get togethers allowing you to sample, appreciate and indulge in some of the finest Italian wines.
The wine tasting series began in the heart of fine Italian wine with Piedmont in February, before moving onto Dessert Wines in March, and will now showcase Sardinian Wines for the month of April.
Divino’s full wine tasting schedule includes:
April 16th and 30th, 5pm – Sardinian Aines, £25
May 14th and 28th, 5pm -Biodynamic / Natural Wines, £25
June 11th and 25th, 5pm -Divino Garden Party! Summer Wines in the Courtyard, £25
July 9th and 23rd, 5pm- Producer Showcase, £25
September 10th and 24th, 5pm – Super Tuscans, £50
October 8th and 22nd, 5pm – Producer Showcase, £25
November 19th and 26th, 5pm – Amazing Abruzzo, £25
For each event, the wine tasting will take place from 5pm. Guests will also be able to book to dine a la carte throughout the evenings.
Loch Ness Centre announces recruitment drive including a special role for Nessie’s number one fan following £1.5 million investment
It’s a legend that has intrigued and enthralled for centuries. Now, aspiring Nessie-hunters will be thrilled to learn that the Loch Ness Centre is recruiting for staff in advance of its imminent re-opening. The Centre is also looking for Nessie’s number one fan to preview the upgraded attraction before opening to the public.
For one of Scotland’s most famous tourist destinations, the new recruitment drive follows the refurbishment of the centre after Continuum Attractions took over earlier this year, investing £1.5m on upgrades to enhance the visitor experience of exploring the legend and myths of Loch Ness.
As part of its recruitment plan, the centre is on the hunt for Nessie’s number one fan to fulfil a special role. Ahead of opening the lucky candidate will be the first to try and test the unique one-hour tour.
The newly upgraded tour will offer a truly immersive experience allowing guests to become part of the story and delve deeper into the real stories of Loch Ness.
During the tour guests will go through seven rooms to explore the real story of one of the world’s most famous monsters, uncover ancient myths and legends, take a journey through the majestic Highlands and learn about the scientific research.
To facilitate the day-to-day running of the centre, it is looking to hire two Operations Duty Managers, one fixed-term and the other permanent. Aimed at individuals with a passion for the tourism industry and an enthusiasm for providing exemplary customer service, the roles focus particularly on candidates’ leadership skills, flair for communicating with customers and visitors, and willingness to adapt and work well under pressure.
Additionally, the Centre is on the hunt for an Inverness-based Marketing Manager. As the public face of the attraction, candidates will need to be creative and experienced marketing professionals with the willingness to network and build strong relationships with key stakeholders in the region. Driving growth and revenue will be a key objective, so enthusiasm for the brand and knowledge of what makes visitors tick are also crucial qualities in interested applicants.
All the roles will offer successful applicants a generous salary and holiday allowance, health plan and pension scheme, along with additional perks such as discounts on visitor attractions and other leisure activities.
Paul Nixon at Loch Ness Centre said: “Nessie’s story is one that lives in hearts and minds all over the world. As we prepare to reopen the Loch Ness Centre following extensive refurbishments, we’re looking for talented, enthusiastic people to join us in our passion and mission to share Nessie’s story even more widely.
“In exchange, the right candidates will receive a generous salary and benefits package along with the unique opportunity to engage with audiences from around the world and share Scotland’s legendary history with them”.
Interested candidates can find further information at:
If you believe you’re Nessie’s number fan, you can be in with a chance of securing an exclusive preview of the new Loch Ness Centre tour by submitting a short video of no longer than two minutes explaining why you are the best person for the job. To apply, submit your entry to marketing@continuumattraction.com
Online safety is increasingly important, even for popular platforms like WhatsApp. With over 2 billion users worldwide, WhatsApp has become a favourite target for fraudsters and tactics have become more ingenious and effective than ever.
The majority of users are vulnerable when online, making it an irresistible platform for scammers. Cybersecurity experts from VPN Overview have compiled their top tips on how to recognise WhatsApp scams and how to prevent them:
What is WhatsApp fraud (friend or family emergency scam)?
WhatsApp fraud is a form of fraud in which cybercriminals pretend to be a victim’s acquaintance and then ask them for money. Currently, most of those criminals pose as a friend or family member and ask for financial help because “they urgently have to pay a (high) bill” or “they have an emergency and urgently need some money”.
Usually, the perpetrators pretend to be in a hurry, most likely to entice their victims to take immediate action. That is why this type of fraud is also referred to as a friend or family emergency scam. Sadly, on average victims loose thousands of dollars to WhatsApp scams. Age also seems to be a factor, with most of the victims being over 50 years old.
In most cases the phone number used by the criminal to commit WhatsApp fraud is unknown to the victim, yet the attached profile picture is familiar. Consequently, the victim thinks that he or she is indeed communicating with a friend or family member.
However, criminals can easily copy a photo from other social media platforms, such as Facebook or Instagram. The same applies to other information that can be used to mislead the victim. Like the vocabulary an individual may use, or certain events the individual may have posted about online (“Should’ve asked you for help when we were in that bar yesterday…”).
What are the tell-tale signs of WhatsApp scams?
Scammer creates a sense of urgency and pressures you to pay quickly.
Scammer contacts you from an unknown number.
Scammer informs about a number change and quickly talks about money.
Poor English is used in their messages.
Scammer does not want to be called.
Scammer asks for money to be transferred to an unknown account or uses an app that hides account numbers.
Tips to prevent WhatsApp fraud
Check if the number is correct if someone asks for money.
Check the language and communication style of the message.
Call the number or contact the person in a different way to verify the story.
Do not let the fraudster pressure you; think logically.
Ask the scammer a question only your friend or acquaintance would know the answer to if suspicious.
Secure voicemail with a personal code.
Never send a verification code without questioning.
Set up “2-Factor Authentication” on WhatsApp.
Remember that the tips provided above are not only important to protect yourself. If criminals manage to hijack your WhatsApp account, they can easily scam your contacts and possibly take over the accounts of your friends and family as well.
I’ve been a victim of WhatsApp fraud, what can I do?
If you have been a victim of WhatsApp fraud, it is important to remain calm and report the incident to your bank and the police.
Depending on the circumstances, it may be possible to reverse the payment, but individuals must act quickly. Wire transfers are harder to recover, and online payment services or apps can complicate the process.
Even if a refund is not issued, the bank will investigate the fraud claim to protect customers and prevent future fraud. Reporting scams to WhatsApp and AnyScam is also recommended, and national help groups for victims of fraud can assist individuals in dealing with the process and preventing future fraud.
Friday 31 March, 2-8pm Southside Community Centre, 117 Nicholson St
Hidden Door takes place in unique, empty spaces around Edinburgh and this year we’re heading to the iconic offices on Dalkeith Road, the former Scottish Widows HQ, from 31 May to 4 June.
As a local community-run charity we’re keen to speak to people who live and work in the area. Drop into Southside Community Centre next Friday, anytime between 2-8pm, to meet the team, find out more about the festival and how you can get involved.
We would especially like to hear from small local businesses to see how we can benefit you.
The campaign celebrates the return of the Golden Shears World Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling Championships to the Royal Highland Show, which takes place 22nd-25th June 2023.
The art trail features over 35 specially designed sheep sculptures, decorated by artists from across the UK. Designed to engage visitors of all ages, the trail will also raise awareness of different causes related to farming, including regenerative agriculture, rural isolation and climate change.
Artists who designed a sheep include Charlotte Brayley from Comrie, Perthshire, whose art project on her pet sheep, Alan, helped pay for her wedding, and Megan Reilly from Hamliton, South Lanarkshire, who designed the ‘Shepherds Delight’ sheep and has painted over 1000 murals in her artistic career.
As part of the campaign, there will be four opportunities, one in each area, to win a VIP Royal Highland Show experience for all the family – available for children and adults of all ages to enter. Budding artists can download a sheep outline from the Royal Highland Show website and create their own design to be in with a chance of winning. Information on how to enter can be found in the Flock to the Show section of the Royal Highland Show website.
Following the tour, the flock shall return to the Royal Highland Show during the Golden Shears in June this year, which will be the only time the sheep sculptures will gather together in one location.
The flock will then be auctioned at a gala dinner in September to raise funds that will support the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland Bicentennial Fund, which supports projects dedicated to sustainability in the rural sector.
The tour will cover four main areas – Aberdeenshire and Inverness; Dundee, Fife and Perthshire; Strathclyde and Dumfries & Galloway; and Lothian and the Scottish Borders.
Details of the tour areas can be found below.
Aberdeenshire and Inverness: 3rd – 16th April
Locations include: Eastgate Shopping Centre, Ballater Visitor Centre; Aviemore Visitor Centre; Douneside House; Logie Farm Steading; and John O’Groats Visitor Centre.
Stirling, Dundee, Fife and Perthshire: 18thth – 30th April
Locations include: House of Bruar; Gloagburn Farm Shop; Visit Scotland iCentre St Andrews; Falkirk Wheel; Loch Leven’s Larder; and the Kelpies Visitor Centre.
Strathclyde, Dumfries & Galloway and Glasgow: 2nd – 14th May
Locations include: Buchanan Galleries; Glasgow Queen Street train station; Gretna Green; and SRUC Barony.
Lothians and the Scottish Borders: 16th–30th May
Locations include: St James Quarter; Edinburgh Waverley Train Station, Drift, North Berwick; Melrose Rugby Club; and Craigies Farm.
The Royal Highland Show takes place 22 – 25 June 2023, tickets are on sale now at: royalhighlandshow.org
Jim Warnock, Chairman of Royal Highland Show organisers, the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), commented: “We are very much looking forward to seeing our flock out and about across Scotland.
“Not only does Flock to the Show celebrate the return of the Golden Shears to the Royal Highland Show, but it will also shine a spotlight on some important causes in the agricultural and rural sectors.
“We hope that everyone will get involved and pay a visit to our flock when they arrive in your region – with such a brilliant and diverse range of designs from talented artists, visitors won’t be disappointed!”
Neil McIntosh, Editor of The Scotsman, Flock to the Show’s Media Partner, added: “The Scotsman team are delighted to support the Royal Highland & Agricultural Society of Scotland as Media Partner of its Flock to the Show nationwide art trail and the 2023 Golden Shears Sheep Shearing & Woolhandling World Championships.
“Our partnership will help inspire our audience to learn more about Scottish agriculture, rural life and the vital work of RHASS.
“We call upon our loyal readers and corporate partners to get behind these fantastic initiatives and in turn support the very best standards in agriculture, forestry and stewardship of our countryside.”
Commenting on the Flock to the Show campaign, Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan MSP said: “The prestigious ‘Golden Shears’ competition taking place in Edinburgh this year highlights the high international standing of Scotland’s agricultural industry.
“Our rural communities should be rightly proud of that reputation, and this exhibition is an important way of celebrating their success. I hope it can help to encourage more young people into what is an essential, thriving, and highly regarded sector, to learn important skills, and even become qualified shearers.
“The innovative exhibition is also a unique and creative way of drawing attention to important agricultural issues – such as the cost of living and doing business, rural isolation, animal health and welfare, and the climate and nature emergencies. Through our Vision for Agriculture, we are committed to supporting our rural communities through these challenges towards a more sustainable, diverse and flourishing future.”
A campaign to raise awareness of the bowel conditions Crohn’s and Colitis has been launched as study shows cases are rising.
Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis – commonly referred to as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) – are long-term conditions which inflame the gut.
The campaign comes as research from Crohn’s & Colitis UK shows the rates of IBD are higher than previously thought, with Scotland found to have the highest rates in the UK.
Symptoms include a sore stomach, recurring diarrhoea, weight loss and extreme tiredness, which if not treated can lead to complications.
The campaign will raise awareness of the symptoms with posters and leaflets in GP surgeries and community centres, as well as social media, urging anyone who is concerned to contact their GP practice.
Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care, Humza Yousaf said: “Raising awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis is crucial to ensure we can get people diagnosed as early as possible, and give them the right care and treatment.
“This will help them to get the best support, make informed choices about their diet – and live their lives to the full.
“As part of the Modernising Patient Pathways Programme from the Centre of Sustainable Delivery, improvements have already been made for patients with IBD and we will continue working with the third-sector and people with the condition to make sure this important work continues.”
Sarah Sleet, CEO of Crohn’s & Colitis UK said: “We know that there are over 50,000 people in Scotland living with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis but too many take too long to get diagnosed.
“For one in four, it’s over a year and nearly half of them end up in A&E in the meantime. Recognising the symptoms of Crohn’s and Colitis, which are widely misunderstood, and having the confidence to talk to a healthcare professional are the first steps on the path to a diagnosis.
“We’re thrilled that the Scottish Government is leading the rest of the UK in raising public awareness of Crohn’s and Colitis, to improve the lives of everyone affected.
“Our message is simple: if you have frequent diarrhoea, stomach pain or blood in your poo, don’t suffer in silence, go and see your GP. The earlier you find out what’s wrong, the sooner you can get the help you need.”
New data reveals that Edinburgh North and Leith residents would be able to save an estimated average of £1,294 through Government-funded home insulation and heat pump installation
On weekends throughout February and March, Greenpeace Edinburgh spoke to people in Edinburgh about their energy bills, and the solutions to the cost of living and climate crisis.
Residents wrote eight messages to Deirdre Brock, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith, about their worries. These messages will be delivered next week, as part of the Warm This Winter mass lobby.
Local people also used the Affordable Energy Calculator [1] to see how much money they would save on their energy bills if our homes were well insulated and had cheaper, cleaner energy.
Carrie from Newhaven wrote: ‘Help to combat energy costs has helped but costs are still too high. Funding for new home-owners to help insulate windows is needed.’
Mark, a resident in North Edinburgh, wrote: ‘It would be great to see someone in the government stand up for lower energy bills and preparing homes for becoming sustainable and economical to maintain.’
Another local, Ros, wrote: ‘We need to prioritise those who need help during this time and make the cost of living crisis a lot more manageable than it currently is.’
Ian, a volunteer from Leith said: ‘The messages that people in Edinburgh North and Leith have written to Deirdre Brock MP show how people are still having to choose between heating and eating.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. We need the Government to commit more money for home insulation and heat pumps to make our homes warmer, our bills cheaper and our carbon emissions lower.’
Keeping the Energy Price Guarantee at £2,500 per month rather than raising it to £3000 is welcome but 7.5 million households in the UK will continue to be in fuel poverty from 1st April. If the Government makes the investment necessary to meet their currently unfunded 2030 targets for insulation, and support a UK heat pump programme, a typical UK home would see a difference of £1,832 a year, with savings ranging from around six hundred to several thousand pounds.
Data from the Affordable Energy Calculator shows that people in Edinburgh North and Leith could save an estimated average of £1,294 on their energy bills by 2030.
Hugh who lives in this constituency said: “‘I live in a rented flat in Leith and I was amazed to see that I would save £1,083 on my energy bill in 2030 if my home was properly insulated and was powered by a heat pump.
“I’d definitely recommend checking out the Affordable Energy Calculator to see how much you could save if the Government funded a UK-wide home insulation and heat pump programme.’
Ian added: “On 31st March, Greenpeace volunteers and other constituents have invited Deirdre Brock to meet as part of the Warm This Winter Coalition’s mass lobby.
“We are asking Deirdre Brock to pledge to call for the expansion of Government-funded home insulation schemes, heat pump installation, more investment in renewable energy, and further support for vulnerable households with their energy bills.
“If you live in Edinburgh North and Leith, we’d love for you to join us in inviting Deirdre Brock to meet, or if you live elsewhere, check out the online map [below] to see if a meeting has already been organised with your MP.”
Additional support totalling £848,123 is being provided from the Scottish Government’s Regeneration Capital Grant Fund (RCGF) for a trio of flagship regeneration projects in the city.
The Leith Community Croft project is transforming a former tennis pavilion at Leith Links into a new multifunctional community hub run by the environmental charityEarth in Common.
It will be used for events, training, and promoting local food production and will receive £159,123 of the additional funding.
The Macmillan Hub in Pennywell will feature a library, an early years centre, affordable housing, and a new enterprise, workshop, learning and creative studio space to be run by the local charityNorth Edinburgh Arts.
The Hub forms part of the wider strategic regeneration of Pennywell-Muirhouse and will receive £500,000 of the additional funding, to be used to help deliver the creative space.
The project will deliver workspaces for artists and micro-businesses along with a new home for the popular Pitt Street Food Market. The project will receive £189,000 of the additional funding towards the renewal of doors and windows along with essential utilities work.
Welcoming the news, Depute Leader of the City of Edinburgh Council Mandy Watt said: “This funding is very welcome as these projects will play a key role in the ongoing regeneration and enhancement of Granton Waterfront, Pennywell, and Leith in north Edinburgh.
“The funding will help the projects in their goals to bring new jobs, training courses, and recreation opportunities to the communities of all three areas. I look forward to visiting these projects in future to see how they are benefitting local people in the years to come.”
Community Wealth Minister Tom Arthur said: “I congratulate these projects on making progress and supporting jobs, investment and wider opportunities. Regeneration of Scotland’s more disadvantaged communities is a key Scottish Government priority to help transform the economy.
“This extra Scottish Government funding will help deliver fairer and more prosperous local districts.”
