THE house in Malpas Road had belonged to Helen’s mother and we all lived there as a family until Helen’s mother, who had been suffering with a heart condition for some years, passed away in the autumn of 1956.
It was at this very time that I was offered a promotion to take over a school of my own. This, however, required my working in North London and as the post was a residential one it would naturally neccessitate moving from Malpas Road in South East London to accommodation in North London.
With the death of Helen’s mother the house was passed on to Helen and her brother Cyril and a decision was made to sell the house at Malpas Road.
I took up my new appointment as Schoolkeeper of Paddington and Maida Vale High School for Girls, situated in Elgin Avenue in Maida Vale, London W9, and in the December of 1956 Helen, Barbara, Paul and I moved from Malpas Road to begin a new chapter in our lives in a very different part of London.
Naturally this entailed new schools for Barbara and Paul, a new home for the family – and even a new motorcycle in the shape of a BSA N21 with a Watsonian double adult sidecar! This motorcycle bore many similarities with my war service BSA M20.
Our years between 1956 and 1960 were spent in temporary accommodation in a flay in Cosway Street, London NW1, just off the Marylebone Road.
Eventually new accommodation was built for us on the school site and we moved into our new home in the December of 1959 and so on the eve of the 1960s we began the next chapter of our lives.
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Miles Briggs, has called on new First Minister Humza Yousaf to commit to additional funding to support leisure centres and swimming pools in Scotland.
The call comes following the UK Government’s decision to release £63 million of investment to support leisure centres and swimming pools in England.
The Scottish Government is set to receive an additional £320 million from the UK Treasury in Barnett consequentials as a result of the latest Budget, with Scottish Swimming among groups calling on the Scottish Government to make extra funding available for the sector.
In Scotland, local councils and leisure trusts operate over 200 swimming pools which are responsible for hosting swimming g lessons for over 106,000 per week.
Public pools in Scotland receive massive support from the public, with a poll in February by JL partners revealing that 94% of Scots backed pools as being good for safety and 93% of Scots agreeing that all children should learn to swim.
Earlier this month, East Lothian sports operators enjoyleisure were handed £40,000 to help cover losses after one of its swimming pools was closed until further notice.
Swimming pools across the region are at risk of closure due to soaring energy costs, with West Lothian Council announcing that every swimming pool is at threat of closure due to the associated cost of running.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs said: “The news that the Scottish Government will receive an additional £320m from the UK Treasury is a welcome one.
“However, we now need to see that money spent on real, tangible change for the better of Scotland. Investment in swimming pool across Scotland would be a tremendous use of that money and would benefit both old and young.
“Swimming pools and leisure centres do not just offer recreational opportunities for people; they are a vital way of keeping the nation healthy, both mentally and physically. It is therefore essential that we do whatever we can to prevent their closure.
“That is why I am calling on the new First Minister to commit to new funding for our swimming pools.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Meal Planning
It’s 6pm, you’ve just got home from work and are about to make your evening meal, you look in the fridge and find some mince and a pepper and decide to make a chilli. You open the cupboard, grab the kidney beans, and then realise you’ve run out of chopped tomatoes.
The chilli you planned on making is no more, you don’t have the energy to go shopping so you reach for your phone and order a takeaway. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Effective meal planning can make eating healthier easier, save money, time and reduce food waste.
Read on for some meal planning tips.
Plan in advance
Planning your meals in advance is one of the most effective things you can do to make sure you eat a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet.
Seeing your week’s food together in one place can help you identify anything you might be missing. For example, you may notice you haven’t included your two portions of oily fish and can re-design your meals to incorporate them.
A shopping list is key
Once you have your meal plan, you can get to work creating your shopping list. It’s wise to do this in your kitchen so you can check what staples you have in as you go.
If you find this task boring and time consuming, try creating a list of weekly staples that you can reuse each week. You can always cross things off you don’t need that week but it can save time to have a master list and then add things to it based on what meals you’ve planned.
Utilise your freezer
Plans can change and using the freezer wisely can help. Take stock of your fridge every few days and freeze anything you’ve not ended up using. You can always cook meals you haven’t used and freeze them for a convenient meal another day.
It’s a good idea to have some basics in the freezer like frozen vegetables and cook-from-frozen fish. With basics like rice and pasta in the cupboard you can make unplanned meals easily.
The Forces Employment Charity will be marking the Month of the Military Child this April, with a brand new set of resources to help young people of those who Serve and have Served with their next career step.
The charity, which was founded in 1885, originally helped veterans find civilian employment and has since expanded its services to offer support to Military families. This has recently extended to offering employment support to Young people from military families, both serving and veteran within the M3 area, owing to its unique EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families Programme.
The team working in the EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families come from military families themselves and therefore understand the importance of supporting young people who face an ever-changing situation, from frequent moves, education gaps and separation from parents’ and social networks.
Through extra support in education, training and expanding the pool of employment choices and a caseworker, the programmes supports young people to plan a clearer future.
The charity also works with many young people from across the UK through its long-standing programme, Future Horizons. This programme helps early Service Leavers with the next stage of their civilian career, which often includes younger veterans aged between 16-25.
Resources created for the Month of the Military Child will be specifically tailored to help those with little to no work experience of the civilian world, including a starter 101 series which will cover all the basics job seekers may need to get started, such as:
How to write a CV
How and where to look for jobs
How to write a cover letter
How to manage your first interview
The charity is also planning a social media takeover, which will include insights from people who grew up in Military families, speaking about their experiences, how they have shaped their careers, plus any advice they have to offer others from a similar background.
Joanne McLeod, EM3 Armed Forces and Families Programme Manager at Forces Employment Charity, says: “As a Military spouse, I understand the unique challenges that affect Forces families. From frequent house moves, to needing to fit in and make friends quickly, there can be a lot to manage.
“This can be particularly challenging for service children, who are moving schools, skipping parts of the curriculum and leaving behind their social networks. However, living in such unique circumstances also equips the Military community with an incredible skill set that can set them apart from other job seekers.”
Dame Joanna Lumley is supporting the initiative. Speaking about the impact being a Military child has had on her own career, she says:“Like many Military children, I went away to boarding school at a very young age.
“It meant I had to be able to find my feet pretty quickly and find ways to be able to relate to lots of different types of people. I never realised at the time how much those experiences would come to help me in my career!”
Joanne McLeod adds, “Our role at the Forces Employment Charity is to help people recognise those skills and find the best possible way to present themselves to employers, to maximise their chances of success.
“This is especially important for those just starting out, such as Military young people and/ or Early Service Leavers. I am delighted that we are able to offer a new and specialist set of resources to support this group in celebration of the Month of the Military Child.”
The Forces Employment Charity provides life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities, and training to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving.
Its team of dedicated Advisors can help job seekers develop their employability to present candidates to employers in the best possible way. That can involve advice on what to apply for, how to find work and develop a good CV, interview skills, training, etc.
-New Exhibit ‘Scottish Light’ showcases local artist’s oil paintings in Lobby 37-
Edinburgh born artist Madeleine Gardiner will be the next in a series of Scottish artists to showcase her contemporary landscape paintings in Gleneagles Townhouse this April.
The Townhouse’s exhibition space, Lobby 37, will play host to a selection of Madeleine’s recent oil paintings inspired by memories of childhood holidays in the Scottish Highlands and the soft hazy light of Scotland.
The Exhibition, entitled ‘Scottish Light’, will run from Saturday 1 April to Thursday 27 April and will be available to view daily between 9am and 7pm for the public, and for members and hotel guests throughout their visit to the Townhouse.
Wild spaces, memory and atmosphere are key areas of concern in the artist’s work.
While her early works reflect nostalgia of the rugged Scottish coast and lochs, over time this presence began to blend with images of her travels to places like Namibia, Arizona, The Canadian Rockies, Vietnam, and the Tyrolean Alps.
Her paintings represent composite landscapes built from memories connected through a shared aesthetic, and harnessing light and recreating the ways in which it alters depth is a primary focus in her process.
Madeleine Gardiner graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA degree in painting in 2015, and moving to London in 2017.
Two of Madeleine’s paintings are on display in the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder.
More information about the artist and her work is available at:
With the Easter holidays upon us, Fort Kinnaird has announced a host of Easter activities to help keep the kids entertained.
From Easter-themed craft workshops at Hobbycraft to meeting small animals at Pets at Home – there’s something for everyone.
Meet small animals at Pets at Home
Pets at Home is running free pet workshops for kids in store from Saturday 1st – Sunday 16th April.
The 30-minute My Pet Pals sessions help to educate kids about responsible pet care and how to keep animals happy and healthy.
Children will have the chance to meet a range of small animals and learn how to look after them through a range of interactive activities, including making a foraging box for little furry friends. Book your free space here.
Get crafty at Hobbycraft
Hobbycraft is hosting a number of Easter-themed workshops throughout the break for kids to enjoy.
This includes clay making, designing Easter bonnets, and making their own Easter bunnies. Each session is hosted by one of Hobbycraft’s experts and has a small cost from £5 for the materials. To book a session, visit Hobbycraft’s website.
Watch the latest blockbusters at Odeon
With seven state-of-the-art screens, Odeon is showing the latest blockbusters this Easter break and adult tickets are priced at £3.25, the same as a child, for selected morning showings.
Top family picks include the highly anticipated Super Mario Bros. Movie which is out on 7th April, as well as Mummies and Little Bear’s Big Trip.
Pick up Easter activities to do at home
Hobbycraft, Wilko, Typo and WH Smith all have an array of crafting materials and ideas to keep the kids occupied at home. From painting Easter eggs and making Easter baskets to designing cards and hosting Easter egg hunts, there’s something for all ages to get stuck into.
Grab a bite to eat
Fort Kinnaird has a wide selection of family-friendly restaurants, so whether the kids want to tuck into Italian staples at Pizza Express or burgers at Bread Meats Bread, there’s something for all taste buds.
And at Fridays kids can eat for free during the Easter holidays, choosing from one of the restaurant’s kids meals when dining with an adult who’s a Rewards Member.
For more information on what’s on at Fort Kinnaird visit:
Lloyds Bank’s Business Barometer for March 2023 shows:
Business confidence in Scotland rose 24 points during March to 38%
Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 34 points at 41%
Overall UK business confidence in March reached its highest level since May last year, with eight out of 11 regions and nations reporting higher levels of confidence than February
Business confidence in Scotland rose 24 points during March to 38%, according to the latest Business Barometer from Bank of Scotland Commercial Banking – conducted between the 1st – 15th March ahead of the Chancellor’s Spring Budget on Wednesday 15th March.
Companies in Scotland reported higher confidence in their own business prospects month-on-month, up 34 points at 41%. When taken alongside their optimism in the economy, up 15 points to 35% this gives a headline confidence reading of 38%.
Scottish businesses identified their top target areas for growth in the next six months as evolving their offer (37%), entering new markets (35%) and investing in sustainability (30%).
The Business Barometer, which surveys 1,200 businesses monthly, provides early signals about UK economic trends both regionally and nationwide.
A net balance of 33% of businesses in the region expect to increase staff levels over the next year, up 34 points on last month.
Overall UK business confidence climbed 11 points to 32% in March, with firms reporting their highest confidence levels since May last year.
On average, firms felt positive about their own trading prospects with 39% of firms expecting business activity to increase in the next 12 months, up eight points on last month and 25% said they would increase staff levels by this time next year, up five points month-on-month.
Every UK region and nation had a positive confidence reading in March, with eight out of 11 regions recording a month-on-month increase in confidence.
For the second month in a row the West Midlands reported the highest levels of business confidence at 48% (unchanged month-on-month), followed by Scotland (up 24 points), London (up 20 points), and the North East (up two points) all at 38%.
Chris Lawrie, area director for Scotland at Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said:“Scottish businesses are feeling confident about the months ahead and It’s great to see firms’ optimism in the overall economy is at its highest level since May 2022.
“With the winter months behind us, firms will likely be preparing for the brighter – and often busier – summer period. Businesses that keep a close eye on cash flow and manage their working capital will be best placed to capitalise on opportunities. We’ll continue to be by the side of Scottish businesses to help steer them through what we hope will be a strong spring and summer season.”
There was a broad rise in business confidence across the sectors, particularly in construction (47% up 28 points) and manufacturing (37% up ten points) both at a ten-month high and retail (32% up 11 points) the highest since February 2022.
Paul Gordon, Managing Director for Relationship Management, Lloyds Bank Business & Commercial Banking, said: “It’s great to see economic optimism as well as trading prospects at a ten-month high.
“We can see from the data that this could well be down to a combination of a less obstructive hiring environment and the longer-term wage pressures trending downwards.
“As we look ahead, growth and investment must be the watch words for businesses across all sectors. This will help build future resilience against an uncertain economic landscape.”
Hann-Ju Ho, Senior Economist Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking, said: “Business confidence has seen a surge this month with economic optimism and trading prospects bolstering firms.
“With hiring intentions improving, we may see employment growth picking up in the coming months. Tentative signs of easing wage pressures suggest that businesses’ difficulties in finding staff may have started to ease.
“Although the measures in the Budget were widely trailed, it is yet to be seen what the full impact of the Chancellor’s announcement, along with the surprise rise in inflation and recent increase in interest rates, will have had on business confidence.”
LAST Saturday (25 March), 25 different organisations and hundreds of staff arrived bright & early at the Scottish Government Building, Victoria Quay, for our Emergency Services Open Day.
The day’s focus was to bring the community together with our emergency & other public services, as well as local charities and partner agencies, to acknowledge the vital role that we all play in community cohesion.
Some partners started early with Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team & Border Search and Rescue Unit travelling from the Scottish Borders. The Ministry of Defence Police came from HM Naval Base Clyde.
We had a #CHASHospice Stormtrooper & Spiderman entertaining us throughout the day. Lothian Buses brought a bus popular with big and little kids alike! Close contenders for the most popular attraction were the fire engines provided by the fire service & International Fire & Rescue Association.
Local charities on site included St Columba’s Hospice Care, Macmillan Cancer Support, St Andrew’s First Aid, British Red Cross, Scottish Charity Air Ambulance & Blood Bikes Scotland. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency had an impressive display of rescue kit.
Specialist police units included Police Scotland’s Operational Support Unit, Armed Policing, Police Partnerships, Wildlife Crime & British Transport Police – Scotland. The Civil Nuclear Constabulary came from Torness Power Station.
Local units from The Army in Scotland & 603 (City of Edinburgh) RAF Squadron supported our event. They provided everything from an ambulance through to a large army lorry.
Rapid Relief Team UK served an incredible 2000 free delicious meals and hot drinks during the event to both event staff and visitors.
In total, we welcomed close to 4000 people through the gates of our event.
A big thank you to our sponsors who helped make this event happen: The Scottish Government, Places for People Scotland, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Scottish Ambulance Service & The City of Edinburgh Council
A new review designed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people hasUKtoday been launched by the UK Government
Sir Robert Buckland KC MP to lead new Autism Employment Review
Focus on supporting employers to recruit and retain autistic people and reap benefits of a neurodiverse workforce
Recommendations for change to be brought to Government later this year
A new review designed to boost the employment prospects of autistic people has been launched by the Government to spread opportunity, close the employment gap and grow the economy.
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride MP, has appointed Sir Robert Buckland KC MP to lead the review, which will consider how the Government can work with employers to help more autistic people realise their potential and get into work.
People with autism have particularly low employment rates – with fewer than three in 10 in work – but the Buckland Review of Autism Employment, supported by charity Autistica and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), is aiming to change that.
The Review will ask businesses, employment organisations, specialist support groups and autistic people to help identify the barriers to securing and retaining work and progressing with their careers.
The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Tom Pursglove MP said: “We know autistic people can face barriers moving into employment and staying there. This is often down to the employers themselves not having the tools to support autistic people, or truly understanding the value of a neurodiverse workforce.
“This important review will provide us with vital information to remove these barriers and help more autistic people start, stay and succeed in work by ensuring more employers provide truly inclusive places to work. I look forward to seeing the recommendations from the review.”
Rt Hon Sir Robert Buckland KC MP said: “I am delighted to have been asked to lead this important Review. Our workplaces and businesses would benefit so much from the huge potential that autistic people represent.
“If we close the employment gap for autistic people, it will not just mean individual fulfilment but a significant boost to employment and productivity for our country.”
The Buckland Review of Autism Employment will consider issues including:
how employers identify and better support autistic staff already in their workforce;
what more could be done to prepare autistic people effectively for beginning or returning to a career;
and working practices or initiatives to reduce stigma and improve the productivity of autistic employees.
It will focus specifically on autistic people, and aim to develop solutions that:
will be acceptable to autistic people.
will be effective at improving autistic people’s outcomes.
will be feasible for employers or public services to deliver.
The Review will also look at employers who are benefitting from a neurodiverse workforce, like London manufacturer KwickScreen. The innovative company provides transparent screens to every UK hospital and played a pivotal role in the NHS’s response to the Covid pandemic.
On a recent visit to their Lewisham base, the Minister and Sir Robert discovered many of the breakthrough initiatives in the company came from the neurodiverse members of the team.
Dr James Cusack, Chief Executive of the UK autism research and campaigning charity, Autistica said: “The benefits for autistic people and society will be huge if we can give autistic people the opportunity to work and thrive in employment. That’s why as a charity we want to see a doubling of the employment rate for autistic people by 2030.
“We are delighted to support the government on this vital review which will enable us to move from awareness to evidence-based action. This will help us to rethink how we approach autistic people’s access to work and perhaps drive a wider rethink around how we accommodate everyone in work, as we all think differently with unique strengths, challenges and needs.”
As part of the review, many of the adjustments and initiatives that would benefit autistic people could also benefit a wider group of people who think differently, including those with other neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia and dyspraxia.
