Day: April 11, 2023

2023 UCI Cycling World Championship: Latest Power of the Bike episode demonstrates why cycling is a sport for everyone

Power of the Bike series

Organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have released their latest Power of the Bike episode, part of a digital series shining a spotlight on different individuals and communities across Scotland and how cycling and cycling programmes have positively impacted their lives.

From local cycling clubs to Olympic gold medallists, the series features stories from cyclists of all levels and abilities, from all over Scotland, inspiring more people to become involved in cycling.

Episode 4: Glasgow Track Racing Club

Glasgow Track Racing Club is the focus of the latest episode. Formed in 2018 and headed up by coach and retired professional track sprint cyclist Jonathan Mitchell, the club aims to build a training and racing community that is fun, inclusive, and sustainable.

The new Power of the Bike episode shares the club’s story of how they create a supportive environment for their growing membership of over 40 riders. Everyone from beginners to UCI World Champions are welcome and the club is passionate about showing how cycling can be a sport for everyone, regardless of age, ability or gender.

The video also features several of the clubs’ members including Kath McCormac, a senior rider who became interested in cycling later in life. While admitting that she might not be as fast as some of the younger riders, Kath joined as a member because of how supportive the club is and how much she enjoys the sport and being part of the community.

Watch the latest Power of the Bike episode with Glasgow Track Racing Club on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships YouTube channel.  

Craig Burn, Director of Strategy and Impact at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said: “Cycling is a sport that anyone can enjoy and this latest Power of the Bike episode with Glasgow Track Racing Club demonstrates that message perfectly.

“While elite athletes will be competing at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, we want to show as many people as possible how cycling and joining communities like Glasgow Track Racing Club can benefit their lives – from improved health and well-being to a cheaper and greener way to travel.”

Jonathan Mitchell, Chair of Glasgow Track Racing Club said: “We are a club of riders, coaches and officials, passionate about developing training and racing opportunities for track cycling in Scotland and the wider UK.

“What makes us special is our community of riders that is built on share values, openness, empathy and hard work.”

Bailie Annette Christie, Chair of Glasgow Life said: “Track cycling in Scotland has a proud history with some of the world’s best cyclists hailing from our country and, in Glasgow, we have a world-class facility that supports this cycling discipline.

“Built for the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, The Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome has seen numerous champions crowned and celebrated from one of the most high-octane sports.

“But, our velodrome isn’t just for elite athletes, anyone can take the opportunity to ‘try the track’ and perhaps spark a new passion or past time.”

Chopstix Noodle Bar unveils additions to Saver Menu in Edinburgh stores

  • BRITAIN’S FAVOURITE NOODLE CHAIN, CHOPSTIX, LAUNCHES SUPER NOODLE BOWL –  GET YOURS FOR ONLY £4.95 
  • THE PAN-ASIAN NOODLE BAR HAS LAUNCHED A NATIONWIDE ‘SPRING SAVER’ MENU WITH THREE NEW MOUTH-WATERING OFFERS TO CHOOSE FROM 

The noodle chain, which has over 90 stores nationwide, is expanding its menu for spring, and has announced its rolling out three new offers in its Edinburgh store and nationwide. 

The exciting new additions are now available, Monday to Friday, including the Super Noodle Bowl offering diners a portion of noodles, three spring rolls drizzled with katsu curry sauce for £4.95. 

Customers can also opt for a new 4-Topper Bundle which features four toppings of choice, five spring rolls and a medium soft drink. For those just wanting a box, customers can order an extra topping for just £1 more.

In addition, customers can still enjoy fan favourites such as Caramel Drizzle Chicken, Salt ‘N’ Pepper Chicken, Teriyaki Beef and Chicken Katsu Curry which are included in the 4-Topper bundle deal.

Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix, said: “We’re delighted to be launching these new dishes which give customers even more choice, without breaking the bank. 

“We’re always constantly looking out for and exploring recipes, flavour combinations, bundles and new items to add to our menus to ensure our customers have access to a fresh, fast and tasty alternative to the high street.

“Our 4-Topper bundle ensures customers can choose even more of their favourite items from the menu and tailor their own meal according to their needs whilst our new Noodle Super Bowl celebrates the UK’s love for noodles and spring rolls – plus, at only £4.95, what’s not to love?!”

Chopstix is focused on delivering a faster, fresher, tastier alternative to the high street. Wok Master chefs deliver nourishing noodles, wholesome chicken, beautiful beef and perfect prawns with fresh vegetables and superb sauces to make Chopstix the ‘go to guys’ for boxed fresh flavour. 

For more information please visit: www.chopstixnoodles.co.uk

Christian ditches fixing leaks for mixing beats!

FLY Open Air Festival has announced local DJ and producer, Christian Rogers (23), will play the main stage of the electronic festival this May.

The West Lothian lad has recently ditched his career as a plumber to take up DJ’ing full-time following his latest record being signed by Method – the same label which found the likes of Sam Smith & Disclosure.

Bathgate-born Christian turned his hand to DJing when being gifted his first decks for his 15th birthday and started gigging when he was just 18 years old. Now, his latest single ‘Give Me Your Love (Baby)’ – a genre-bending crowd pleaser – has taken over the Soundcloud charts and has had nearly 1.6million streams.

Christian is the latest in a string of forward-thinking dance acts that are pushing Scotland’s reputation for farming dance music superstars such as Calvin Harris, Ewan McVicar & LF System.

Speaking ahead of the festival, he said: “I was until only recently working full-time as a plumber. That was until my latest track ‘Give Me Your Love (Baby)’ went slightly viral!

So, I made the bold decision last month to pack away my tools and focus on DJing full-time. I can’t wait to join the Team at FLY and play Hopetoun House next month. It’s a dream come true.”

In Scotland’s current music landscape, FLY Open Air is a successful outdoor club event with a huge audience, a first-rate roster of DJs, and a growing international presence. The two-day event – scheduled for Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st May 2023 – will be celebrating its 10th edition and will take place in the grounds of Hopetoun House in South Queensferry.

Tom Ketley, FLY Festival Founder, said: “Christian was set to play on one of our smaller stages but with all of his success in the last few months, we just had to bump him up to the Main Stage.

“He’s insanely talented and a great young talent for Scotland. At FLY we are all about giving homegrown DJs a platform, so I’m excited to see half of West Lothian down to see the man of the moment!”

‘Give Me Your Love (Baby)’ is available to stream/download on all major music platforms now.

Music fans can purchase tickets here: https://tickets.flyflyfly.co.uk/book-tickets

For more information visit https://www.flyflyfly.co.uk

Cramond & Barnton Community Litter Pick Weekend

CRAMOND and Barnton Community Council is involved in organising a local litter pick on the weekend of 22 and 23 April. Can you give up an hour or so to help to keep our community tidy?

Details in pic. Many thanks.

Historic tram cable wheels to be returned to original Leith site

A large pair of Victorian-era tram cable wheels discovered on the historic boundary between Leith and Edinburgh are to go on permanent public display.

The wheels, dated to 1898, are each 2.6m in diameter and were used in the underground cable-winding mechanism for Edinburgh’s original cable operated tram network. 

They were rediscovered at the Pilrig Street junction with Leith Walk in August 2021 during Trams to Newhaven excavations.

Work will now begin to install the wheels on the opposite side of Leith Walk, at its junction with Iona Street, which has been closed to traffic at its west end. As part of improvements to the newly pedestrianised area, the Trams to Newhaven team will also add benches, planters and an information board.

The wheels’ location was chosen in consultation with the local community and their placement side by side will reflect their arrangement when in use up until the early 1920s, when Edinburgh and District Tramways Company introduced an electric system.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “The presence of trams in Leith is part of its heritage, so it’s fantastic that we’ll be able to return these historic wheels to their home, for the community to enjoy and learn about.

“As we approach the completion of Trams to Newhaven, it’s touches like these that demonstrate that, as well as delivering a sustainable, high-capacity transport link between the city centre and the north, the project is transforming spaces along the route.”

John Lawson, City of Edinburgh Council Archaeologist, said: “I’m really excited that we’ll be able to showcase the Pilrig wheels close to their original location.

“Celebrating our archaeological heritage with the public is an important part of the project. The wheels are a unique part of Leith’s and Edinburgh’s heritage and provide a fascinating link between the old and new tram systems.”

Created in 1905, Leith Corporation Tramways pioneered electric trams, prior to Edinburgh switching from a cable-operated tram system.

During this time passengers travelling between Edinburgh and Leith would have to alight a cable-operated tram and board an electrified tram at the Edinburgh-Leith border. This became known locally as the ‘Pilrig Muddle’ and lasted nearly 20 years.”

Work on the improvements at Iona Street, including the installation of the wheels, will begin today (Tuesday, 11 April) and is expected to be complete in the next few months.

The Trams to Newhaven project remains on schedule for completion by spring 2023 and within the £207.3m budget, with all major construction now finished. A specific date for when the route will be open for passengers will be announced in due course.

As part of the commissioning process every aspect of the new infrastructure is currently being thoroughly tested to ensure it meets the required safety standards.

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven.

Cycling Thursdays with ELREC

ELREC Cycling Club Activities:🚲

All the below activities are taking place on Thursdays and are for FREE, please email cfc@elrec.org.uk for more information:

🚲🌳🌞 10am to 12pm – Join our cycle rides every Thursday on flat cycle paths. Our ride leaders will lead the way and everyone is welcome, including children under adult supervision. Bring your own bike, helmet, water, packed lunch, sunscreen, and waterproofs. Register at cfc@elrec.org.uk, and let us know if you need to borrow a bike.

🚴‍♀️🛠️🚴‍♂️ 2pm to 4.pm – Also, join our drop-in bike repair service and learn how to fix your own bike! Our experienced mechanics are available to guide you every step of the way, whether you need to fix a flat tire or advice on how to overhaul your entire bike.

🚴‍♂️ 4pm to 5pm – Finally, check out our e-bike library and loan one of our top-of-the-line e-bikes for just £10 per week! You can explore the city with ease and comfort, while reducing your carbon footprint. Enquire at cfc@elrec.org.uk.

Spring Plants – The Top 10 Most Beautiful Spring Blooms

To help you find the right spring flowers to suit you, MyJobQuote’s gardening expert, Fiona Jenkins, has compiled a list of the 10 most beautiful spring-flowering plants:

Snowdrops (Galanthus spp.)

Snowdrops are one of the earliest blooming spring flowers. Sometimes, they can even bloom as early as January. There are many species of Snowdrops and they range in sizes and shapes. Snowdrops clump up over time, so it’s easy to dig them up when needed. From there, you can then divide and replant them to form a much bigger display. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of January through to March.

Crocus (Crocus tommasinianus)

Crocuses are some of the most beautiful spring plants. These gorgeous flowers provide masses of pollen for early bumblebees. Most varieties of Crocus are purple. However, they can also come in white and yellow varieties as well. These flowers are best planted in autumn and grow best in moist, well-drained soil with full sun. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of February through to April.

Daffodils (Narcissus spp.)

Spring just wouldn’t be spring without daffodils! These are very happy flowers that can bloom in even the most harsh of conditions and can help to provide a splash of bright colour to your garden when there is not much else in flower.

Although yellow daffodils are the most common and well-known, you can also get other varieties of daffodil in shades of pink and white.

If you enjoy the sight of daffodils, you can plant a range of early and late flowering daffodils so you can enjoy them for longer. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of February through to May.

Hyacinth (Hyacinthus)

Hyacinths are seen as looking quite old fashioned. However, these traditional-looking flowers look great in pots displays. They are extremely fragrant, so offer some gorgeous scents to your garden.

Plus, they come in a range of colours including pink, purple, and white. This allows you to create some gorgeous blasts of colour throughout your garden space. These flowers require full sun and moist but well-drained soil. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of March through to April.

Tulips (Tulipa spp.)

Tulips are one of the most popular spring-flowering plants. They come in a wide ranges of shapes, sizes and colours. If you want to create a cheerful display in your garden, you can choose a range of brightly coloured blooms.

Alternatively, go for white, purple and maroon shades to create a more dramatic aesthetic. Tulips grow best when planted in full sun and in moist but well-drained soil. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of April through to May.

Forget-Me-Nots (Myosotis sylvatica)

Forget-me-nots are wonderfully cheery blooms with low-growing blue flowers. They work well when paired with various other spring flowers.

selective focus photography of blue petaled flowers
Photo by Anastasia Belousova on Pexels.com

Forget-me-nots are perfect for ongoing gardens as they self-seed. However, they can start to look a bit untidy after flowering. With this in mind, it’s best to pull them out at this stage and plant something else in their place instead.

Forget-me-nots enjoy partial shade and moist but well-drained soil. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of April through to June.

Snake’s Head Fritillary

Snake’s head fritillary plants are part of the lily family. They feature unique and beautiful chequerboard patterns and come in various shades of pink and mauve. You can also get white varieties, however, these are less common. Snakes head fritillaries enjoy moist soil with partial shade.

These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of March through to April.

Reticulate Iris (Iris reticulata)

Reticulate Iris plants are beautiful, delicate spring flowering plants with fragrant purple flowers featuring yellow markings. They tend to grow quite short so work very well in pots or in smaller displays.

They also grow best in pots and make a fantastic addition to things like table centrepieces and windowsill displays. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of January through to April.

Foxgloves (Digitalis)

Foxgloves are beautiful unique spring flowers with purple/pink tubular flowers featuring gorgeous spots on the inside. You can also get white and orange varieties of foxgloves, however, these are less common.

close up shot of foxglove flowers
Photo by Larry Siegel on Pexels.com

Foxgloves enjoy moist but well-drained soil and can survive in conditions from sun to shade. Biennial varieties self-seed readily. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of May through to June.

Alliums (Allium spp.)

Alliums are beautiful spring-flowering plants with gorgeous globe-shaped flowers. They are a favourite flower amongst bees and also make excellent cut flowers. They look particularly beautiful in both fresh and dried cut flower arrangements.

These flowers enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. They look best when grown with other foliage plants as other plants can hide their unsightly foliage. These flowers most commonly bloom during the months of May through to June.

Sick Kids no more: Work starts on exclusive Royal Meadows housing development

A PREMIUM developer is to rejuvenate Edinburgh’s former Royal Hospital for Sick Children, by carefully restoring it into a range of high-quality homes.

Square & Crescent has kicked off construction at its Royal Meadows development which will see eight townhouses and 85 apartments carefully created both in and around the B Listed former hospital building and its surrounding streets.  

The four-acre site sits directly opposite The Meadows, one of Edinburgh’s best-known landmarks, and lies between Sciennes Road and Rillbank Crescent.

Euan Marshall, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director at Square & Crescent said: “To get to this stage of the process with Royal Meadows is a pinch-yourself moment for us at Square & Crescent.

“Most Edinburgh parents, at one time or another, have had to take a trip to the Royal Hospital for Sick Children so we are proud to have an opportunity to respect its history by carefully restoring the recognised building.

“We’re certain that with Royal Meadows, we are going to do this famous building justice by giving it a brand new purpose and offering up a wonderful place to live.”

Nestled in the heart of Marchmont and The Grange area of Edinburgh, the Royal Meadows site is well-connected – just one mile from Princes Street and a two-minute walk from Lothian Road.

With work now underway in what will be a three-year build process at Royal Meadows, the site’s sales suite is set to launch in late summer this year, with full completion targeted for the end of 2025.

Simon Cook, Co-Founder and Joint Managing Director said: “From early identification of the site, we knew it had all the makings of an incredible development that will preserve an important landmark in the city.

“To have spades in the ground at Royal Meadows is definitely a milestone moment and we can’t wait to watch the site grow and develop.”

Friends Euan Marshall and Simon Cook’s career paths crossed on a number of property projects around Edinburgh, with their complementing skillsets providing the perfect testbed to found Square & Crescent in 2013.

Square & Crescent is now a widely-regarded residential developer with a primary focus on the acquisition, development and refurbishment of beautiful homes.

It has built a strong track record and trusted reputation in providing some of the best residential conversion projects over the past 10 years, making a move in recent years into developing unique new build homes, providing exceptional and sustainable modern living in a variety of different locations within Edinburgh.

For more information on Royal Meadows, or to register interest, please email sales@squareandcrescent.com or phone 0131 225 2155.

England’s smokers urged to swap cigarettes for vapes in world first scheme

Pregnant women will also be offered financial incentives to help them quit as part of a sweeping package of measures to cut smoking rates in England

One million smokers will be encouraged to swap cigarettes for vapes under a pioneering new “swap to stop” scheme designed to improve the health of the nation and cut smoking rates.

As part of the world-first national scheme, almost one in five of all smokers in England will be provided with a vape starter kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit as part of a series of new measures to help the government meet its ambition of being smokefree by 2030 – reducing smoking rates to 5% or less. Local authorities will be invited to take part in the scheme later this year and will design a scheme which suits its needs, including deciding which populations to prioritise.

In a speech today, Health Minister Neil O’Brien will also announce that following the success of local schemes, pregnant women will be offered financial incentives to help them stop smoking. This will involve offering vouchers, alongside behavioural support, to all pregnant women who smoke by the end of next year.

The government will also consult on introducing mandatory cigarette pack inserts with positive messages and information to help people to quit smoking.

Additionally, there will be a crackdown on illicit vape sales as part of measures to stop children and non-smokers take up the habit – which is growing in popularity among young people.

Health Minister Neil O’Brien will say: “Up to two out of three lifelong smokers will die from smoking. Cigarettes are the only product on sale which will kill you if used correctly.

“We will offer a million smokers new help to quit. We will be funding a new national ‘swap to stop’ scheme – the first of its kind in the world. We will work with councils and others to offer a million smokers across England a free vaping starter kit.”

The new policies will deliver the UK Government’s three aims to help more adults quit smoking, stop children and non-smokers from taking up vaping, and using vaping as a tool for established adult smokers to quit.

For those who quit, the risk of heart attack is halved after one year of quitting, ultimately halving the likelihood of ending up in a hospital bed or worse.

Supporting more women to have a smokefree pregnancy will reduce the number of babies born underweight or underdeveloped with health problems requiring neonatal and ongoing care. It will also reduce the risk of miscarriage and stillbirth.

Cutting smoking rates reduces the number of smoking-related illnesses needing to be treated, in turn reducing the pressure on the NHS, helping to deliver on our priority to cut NHS waiting lists.

NHS figures for 2021 showed that 9% of 11- to 15-year-old children used e-cigarettes, up from 6% in 2018.

In recognition of the sharp increase, Minister O’Brien will launch a Call for Evidence on youth vaping to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vape products – and explore where government can go further.

Working with enforcement agencies and learning from the government’s work with Trading Standards on illicit tobacco, £3 million of new funding will also be provided to create a specialised ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ to enforce the rules on vaping and tackle illicit vapes and underage sales.

As part of the measures, HMRC and Border Force will also be publishing an updated strategy this year to tackle illicit tobacco. It will lay out strategically how we continue to target, catch and punish those involved in the illicit tobacco market.

Smoking prevalence in England in 2021 was 13% – the lowest on record thanks to measures such as doubling duty on cigarettes since 2010 and continued funding to local stop smoking services

In 2021-22, £68 million of public health grant funded was spent on stop smoking services by local authorities and nearly 100,000 people quit with the support of a stop smoking service.

In addition, £35 million has been committed to the NHS this year so that all smokers admitted to hospital will be offered NHS-funded tobacco treatment services.

However, 5.4 million people in England smoke tobacco which remains the single biggest cause of preventable illness and death. Up to two out of three lifelong smokers will die from smoking and recent data shows one in four deaths from all cancers were estimated to be from smoking.

Last year an independent smoking review led by Javed Khan proposed a range of measures to help people stub out the addiction, which has informed the measures set out today.