I had not wanted to attend any of the reunions in the post war period until the 50th anniversary of D-Day in 1994. This proved to be a most memorable event and I have returned to Normandy almost every year since.
In 1996 I also attended a reunion of the 55th Anti Tank Regiment accompanied by my son Paul. There I met several of my old comrades; each one with great pleasure. I attended several further reunions in Bury St Edmunds until, due to the advancing years of it’s members, the organising association was disbanded.
Tony Delahoy is pictured above at his investiture as a Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur on 15th October 2015. The presentation was made on board the French warship FNS Aquitaine, which was docked at Leith.
GLASGOW’s Hospital Broadcasting Service (HBS), which provides entertainment to patients across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) hospitals, has triumphed yet again at the National Hospital Radio Awards.
Fighting off tough competition, two presenters were recognised for their contributions, with Robert Craw taking Silver for the Specialist Music Programme award and Emily Page taking home the Silver for Best Newcomer. Both are pictured above.
The volunteer-run service, which recently celebrated its 50th year on the airwaves in Glasgow, has long been a fixture of the patient experience within NHSGGC. HBS volunteers can often be seen on the wards taking song requests and providing patients with a welcome distraction from hospital life.
It’s not the first time the station has been recognised by the Hospital Broadcasting Association, which oversees around 170 stations the length and breadth of the UK. Last year, the team took home no less than three prizes, despite having to manage the challenge of operating during COVID-19 restrictions which made it difficult for the team to access the wards to take requests.
Now, getting in touch with the station has never been easier and patients can request songs and messages on social media, through the website, or on any of the tablet devices available on every ward across NHSGGC.
Commenting, NHSGGC Chairman, Professor John Brown CBE, said: “Hospital Broadcasting Service makes a significant and vital contribution to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde’s care provision.
“It is testament to the commitment and passion of the individuals involved that the station has run for so long, and has positively benefitted thousands of patients over the last 50 years. HBS embodies what underpins our own ethos, which is to provide high-quality patient-centred care to all patients.
“The service undoubtedly provides a welcome distraction to patients who might otherwise be feeling anxious or be going through a difficult period in their lives and I’d like to congratulate all of the volunteers involved in delivering HBS in our hospitals.”
Niall Anderson, Chairman of Hospital Broadcasting Service, said: “The team at HBS puts in a huge effort day-in, day-out to provide patients with a seven-day service and I’m thrilled to see them recognised at the prestigious national awards.
“We look forward to continuing working across the hospitals, particularly now a level of normality has returned which means we’re able to get back onto the wards and provide that extra personal experience for patients.”
‘Bold new measures’ to combat rising levels of youth vaping to be announced this week
A new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ – backed by £3 million of government funding – to be formed to enforce rules on vaping and tackle illegal sales of vapes to under-18s
Call for Evidence also launched to identify opportunities to stop children vaping
The UK Government is expected to unveil tough new measures to combat the illegal sale of vapes to under-18s as part of its plans to reduce smoking and tackle youth vaping in England.
In his speech at Policy Exchange on Tuesday 11 April, Health Minister Neil O’Brien is expected to announce a new ‘illicit vapes enforcement squad’ – backed by £3 million of government funding – to enforce the rules on vaping and tackle illicit vapes and underage sales.
Working across the country, the enforcement squad led by Trading Standards will share knowledge and intelligence across regional networks and local authorities.
It will undertake specific projects such as test purchasing in convenience stores and vape shops. It will also produce guidance to help build regulatory compliance, and will have the power to remove illegal products from shops and at our borders.
The minister is also expected to announce the launch of a Call for Evidence to identify opportunities to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes, while ensuring they remain available as a quit aid for adult smokers.
It will explore topical issues such as the marketing and promotion of vapes and the environmental impact of disposable products.
Health Minister Neil O’Brien said: “Smoking kills, so our priority is to prevent people smoking, and support them to quit. We remain committed to our ambition to be smokefree by 2030.
“However, while vaping is a preferable alternative to smoking for adults, we are concerned about the rise in youth vaping, particularly the increasing use of disposable vaping products.
“The new illicit vapes enforcement squad will work across the country and clamp down on those businesses who sell vapes to children – which is illegal – and get them hooked on nicotine. Our Call for Evidence will also allow us to get a firm understanding of the steps we can take to reduce the number of children accessing and using vapes.”
Smoking prevalence in England in 2021 was 13.0%, 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 funding from the public health grant 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 was committed to the NHS last year so that all smokers admitted to hospital will be offered NHS-funded tobacco treatment services.
Latest figures from leading vet charity, PDSA, reveal that more than nine out of 10 pet owners surveyed have never received any pet first aid training.
Three quarters of those surveyed (75%) wouldn’t know how to perform CPR on their pet, highlighting a worrying number of owners feeling unequipped to deal with an animal-related medical emergency, such as a seizure, heatstroke or road traffic accident.
PDSA, which provides vital treatment to pets in need, is encouraging owners to brush up on basic skills that could prove crucial. The charity’s expert vets have also created a free pet first aid guide to provide owners with vital knowledge that could help save their pet’s life.
A survey conducted by the charity also found that 80% of owners don’t own a pet first aid kit, and many feel uninformed when it comes to managing common illnesses or injuries affecting their furry family members.
For example, almost three quarters (74%) of those surveyed confessed they wouldn’t know or would be unsure what to do if their pet was having a seizure. While almost half (46%) didn’t know or weren’t sure how to help their pet if they were suffering from heatstroke. And over half (52%) would feel clueless or would be not sure what steps to take if their furry companion broke a bone.
However, it seems owners are keen to gain these necessary skills, with almost two thirds (67%) of those surveyed agreeing they should have a basic understanding of pet first aid.
PDSA’s handy first aid guide offers actionable tips around how to spot and provide first aid for injuries such as broken bones or bleeding wounds. It also suggests simple ways to prevent an emergency from happening, including keeping toxic human food and medications out of paws’ reach, as well as how to be prepared if your pet does become unwell or injured.
PDSA Vet, Lynne James, said: “The figures highlight the extent of the skills gap when it comes to basic pet first aid skills. However, owners often don’t realise how important first aid training is until they need it, which can sometimes be too late.
“As with humans, taking the right actions in the first few minutes following an emergency before seeking veterinary attention can make a huge difference on the outcome of the situation. The good news is that while it may seem like a big task, there are practical tips that owners can learn, which will help them treat and potentially save the lives of their pets.
“I’d encourage anyone who doesn’t feel confident providing treatment to their furry friend in an emergency to download our pet first aid guide, which includes a host of resources that could prove vital.
“Many of us may also be concerned about the cost of living at the moment, and the price of unexpected treatment will only add further strain to pet owner’s pockets. Aside from lifesaving tips on treating pets in an urgent situation, our guide also offers lots of simple advice that can help to avoid an incident happening in the first place, and requiring more costly treatment down the line.”
Edinburgh Napier University’s recently launched Innovation Hub, in partnership with the University’s established The Cyber Academy, is to host a global annual cybersecurity conference at its Craiglockhart campus next month.
Now in its sixth year, the International Conference on Big Data, Cybersecurity & Critical Infrastructure annually gathers leaders in the field of cybersecurity — from industry and academia, across Scotland and beyond — to share the latest emerging big data and cybersecurity insights, as well as discuss the themes of ‘digital twins’ and ‘critical infrastructure’.
As well as showcasing the latest cybersecurity spin-out businesses that have emerged from Edinburgh Napier University in the last year (TrueDeploy and LastingAsset), well-known global businesses will participate in this industry-focused conference on 11 May 2023.
Some of the confirmed speakers and panellists include:
Prof Sokratis Katsikas (Director of the Norwegian Centre for Cybersecurity in Critical Sectors), Tim McNulty (Group Chief Security Officer, Barclays), Beck Pinkard (MD, Global Cyber Operations, Barclays), Mark Cunningham-Dickie (Quorum Cyber), Mark Mitchell (FORTINET), Keith McDevitt (Scottish Government), Rory Alsop (Tesco Bank/CIISec), Harry McLaren (SenseOn), Elisabeth Momola (SGN), Paula Kershaw (CCO & Cyber Resilience, Barclays).
As well as representatives from Edinburgh Napier University:
Prof Bill Buchanan OBE, Prof Nick Antonopoulos (VP Research), Prof Berk Canberk, Prof Leandros Maglaras, Nanik Ramchandani (Royal Society Entrepreneur-in-Residence), Andy McGoff (Director of Finance & Operations), Prof Matthew Broadbent.
This symposium is being convened by the Manager of the Cyber Academy, Basil Manoussos, who has extensive experience in digital forensic investigations, as a practitioner and director of Strathclyde Forensics Ltd. He works with organisations such as the Law Society of Scotland and Interpol – and was twice shortlisted at the Scottish Cyber Awards as a “Cyber Evangelist of the Year”.
Explaining more about the forthcoming global cybersecurity conference, Basil said:“This annual cybersecurity conference is our flagship event in our calendar.
“It has been growing in popularity over the years, attracting an ever-increasing number of attendees with an interest in hearing the latest news developments and emerging insights in cybersecurity, as well as having the opportunity to network and grow connections with fellow professionals in this field.
“We are honoured to welcome an inspiring line-up of great speakers and panellists from across the industry, academia and government, with Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, The Right Honourable Robert Aldridge, officially open to this international conference.”
“As well as hearing from our own spin-outs and from industry cyber experts, we will also hear from one of the top lawyers in data protection at Chalmers Stewart LLP, Laura Irvine and Alexandr Chernykh, the official representative of the Ukrainian National Bar Association in Scotland, who will talk about GDPR, data protection and the role of IT law and blockchain legislation in Ukraine’s future.”
This event will take place at Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart campus, from 9:30am to 4:30pm, on Thursday 11 May 2023.
When you get an alert, stop what you’re doing and follow the instructions in the alert.
If you’re driving or riding when you get an alert
You should not read or otherwise respond to an emergency alert whilst driving or riding a motorcycle.
If you are driving, you should continue to drive and not respond to the noise or attempt to pick up the mobile phone and deal with the message.
Find somewhere safe and legal to stop before reading the message. If there is nowhere safe or legal to stop close by, and nobody else is in the vehicle to read the alert, tune into live radio and wait for bulletins until you can find somewhere safe and legal to stop.
It is illegal to use a hand-held device while driving or riding.
If you cannot receive emergency alerts
If you do not have a compatible device, you’ll still be informed about an emergency. The emergency services have other ways to warn you when there is a threat to life.
Emergency alerts will not replace local news, radio, television or social media.
If you’re deaf, hard of hearing, blind or partially sighted
If you have a vision or hearing impairment, audio and vibration attention signals will let you know you have an emergency alert.
Water-smart gardening tips plant seeds for Spring inspiration
WATER experts are calling on the public to get into the garden this spring to make every drop count of Scotland’s most precious natural resource.
With garden sprinklers using around 15 litres of water per minute, alternative water-cautious methods will ensure the resource is protected and waste reduced.
Not only that, small and cost-effective interventions can play an important role in slowing the speed that water run-off hits our drainage systems and streets, helping to reduce potential flooding risks.
A series of cost effective, simple tips have been produced by Scottish Water to help the country’s gardeners make an impact – and are perfect for trying out with the whole family this Spring:
1. Install a water butt
A useful way to harvest rainwater, to save it for a sunny day, is to create a water tank. Buying and fitting a water butt is easy, but there are all sorts of hacks to reuse household items. Maybe using an old watering can, or a bin – there’s a host of creative videos online that are simple and free to do. It’s a great way to highlight to youngsters how much water a garden uses while also catching water to give plants a drink in dry spells.
2. Creative upcycle
From budget planters to making DIY garden pots, there is something for all the family to get involved in while giving a new purpose to unused or unloved material. For example, turning an old sandbox into a garden bed or getting handy with odd bits of wood to build and decorate a box – great ways to add colour to the smallest of spaces. And the perfect solution to absorbing water in heavy downpours, reducing surface water run-off which can contribute to flooding. It all helps!
3. Learn to love your lawn
Let your lawn get back to nature. Letting it grow a little longer is great for bees and bugs. Summer dry spells can mean your lawn becomes parched – but that’s natural too and you’ll be amazed at how it can bounce back with the next rainfall. Delivering water to your taps – whether in the garden and in the house – uses loads of energy, so only using the water you need can reduce our collective carbon footprints.
4. Water wise plants
Plants and trees play an important role helping to intercept rain before it hits the ground. Large leafy plants, shrubs and trees scattered throughout your garden will absorb groundwater through their roots and catch some water on their leaves. They’ll also help to shelter exposed ground, saving it from damage caused by intense rainfall.
5. Create a raingarden
Creating a natural ‘raingarden’ within your plot can help gardens cope during heavy rain and can be a much-needed haven for nature. They can also help reduce water flowing off paved areas quickly in heavy rain onto roads and into the sewer system and help reduce flooding downstream.
Rain gardens can be created simply, by digging down to create a dip at the lowest part of your garden, to help water drain into it. Plant the space with plants that like wet conditions but can also cope with period of dry weather.
Gravel paths, permeable driveways and real lawns all help drain heavy rainfall which is all too familiar as the climate changes. If you must pave over part of your garden, then draining it through a raingarden helps to minimise rainwater run-off, helping nature and adding a welcome pop of colour to your garden.
6. Home composting
Composting is an inexpensive, natural process that transforms kitchen and garden waste into valuable and nutritious food for your garden.
Starting this spring will save you money, resources and help improve your soil – while acting as a fun family project. Many councils can supply a compost bin, or you can cheaply make your own out of pallets or odd bits of wood.
Did you know the water you’ve already used to wash yourself, clothes and dishes is called ‘grey water’? And this grey water can be reused to water your plants or lawn – a bit of soapy washing up water will do your plants no harm.
Ladybirds and other wildlife flourish in gardens which can be used to help tackle climate change. Scottish Water is offering top tips to anyone with outdoor space on simple steps they can take to help reduce drought risks and to help prevent flooding
Top tips: Pop a few pot plants near your kitchen door, take your used washing up water to top up the plants when they need it. Just remember to let the water cool and water from the roots not the leaves. Avoid using greywater on edible plants.
8. Garden games
A fun way to encourage youngsters to think about the cycle of water from cloud to life is through different planting experiments. Why not identify an area where water naturally gathers during rainy days and plant vegetation that will thrive in that sort of soil, and do the opposite with a dry area? Lavender is a cheap plant that loves dry soil, smells great and attracts bees. Likewise the beautiful Himalayan blue poppy thrives in damp ground, helping reduce flooding.
9. Real vs Artificial grass
Despite the increase in artificial grass over the last decade, nothing beats the real thing for water efficiency. And it can often be a much cheaper option.
Get the family together to level the lawn, distribute lawn seeds and watch it grow. This could make for an exciting holiday project.
Artificial grass is essentially plastic, so it releases microplastics into the environment.
For soaking up water in damp ground, the Himalayan blue poppy. is ideal. This is Meconopsis ‘Slieve Donard’
Scottish Water is providing tips to help the public tackle climate change in their gardens – not matter how large or small. Dawn Lochhead, Flood Risk Manager, is an expert in water smart gardening. She has shared 10 tips, including plants that will help prevent flooding by retaining water during times of heavy rain
A real lawn supports wildlife rather than harming it. If your only option just now is artificial, could you install a rain garden to manage rainwater runoff from hard surfaces.
Something as simple as a raised bed or planter boxes; easy to create, maintain and add colour.
10. Show off your work and encourage others to do the same
By encouraging everyone to consider small changes to their lifestyles, people can save water, save money and help reduce our collective emissions – so make sure to show off your water smart gardening with friends, in person and online. And remember, your actions can affect others down-stream, so be a good neighbour and do your bit to reduce flooding.
Dawn Lochhead, Scottish Water’s Flood Risk Manager, in the garden of her Midlothian home with son Harris and pet dog, Rex. Dawn is an expert on how gardens can be optimised to make optimal use of water and help prevent flooding during rainy weather and to reduce water use during potential drought periods.
These pics go with Scottish Waters 10 top tips for effectie water use in gardens.
Dawn Lochhead, Flood Risk Manager at Scottish Water, is also a keen gardener who has implemented many of these tips in her own family garden in Midlothian. She said: “Water is precious resource, and we all need to look after it.
“I’m sure most of us think it rains a lot in Scotland – and that is true – but our weather is changing due to climate change, leading to us to a mix of longer dry spells and much heavier downpours which can lead to flash flooding.
“Modern life means we’ve changed our green spaces substantially. Being water-smart in our homes and gardens is an easy thing we can all do to help redress the balance, help nature thrive and reduce flood risk for ourselves and our neighbours.
“Thinking about drainage and the use of permeable materials in our gardens is the first step, allowing water to be absorbed and dissipate naturally. Plus capturing rainwater to use in the garden helps during dry spells.
“Planting a lawn, shrubs, flowers, creating a raingarden not only look great, they attract wildlife and are a true investment in everyone’s future. If everyone did a few small things in their gardens this Spring, collectively we’d make a big difference.”
Satellites is Collective’s development programme for emerging creative practitioners based in Scotland. In 2023, four creative practitioners at a pivotal point in their practice will be selected to participate in a peer development programme.
The programme includes discussions, workshops, events, retreats and public presentations of new work.
As part of our Collective Play programme, we are excited to invite emerging artists and practitioners with an interest in child-led approaches to play, nature and the outdoors to submit a proposal for our Lead Artist opportunity.
The Lead Artist will devise and deliver one year of Friday Play sessions, as well as one Play Weekend.
Holyrood’s Social Justice and Social Security Committee want to hear from parents and employers on how child poverty could be addressed through parental employment.
You could be in with a chance to win a year’s supply of craft beer from Aldi Scotland
Aldi Scotland Goes in Search of the Nation’s Best Home Bar or At Home Drinking Set-up to Celebrate the Launch of its New ‘Scottish Beers of the Month’ Campaign
Aldi Scotland has launched a nationwide hunt for Scotland’s Best Home Bar or at-home drinking set-up with a year’s supply of free beer up for grabs.
Celebrating the launch of its brand-new Scottish Beers of the Month campaign, which will see a number of hero Scottish brewers spotlighted each month, Aldi is on the lookout for the most innovative at-home bar creations that provide the perfect backdrop to enjoy a craft beer.
Whether you’ve transformed your garden shed into a classic pub or your house has the best cosy corner, Aldi will gift a year’s supply of beer to the drinking set-up it finds most inspiring to enjoy an ice-cold beer at home.
Every month, the winner will be invited to collect a range of 24 beers from the vast number of Scottish brewers featuring as part of Scottish Beers of the Month, giving them a chance to try locally produced, top-quality craft brews from all over Scotland.
The Scottish Beers of the Month in-store campaign, which launches today (Thursday 6th April), will showcase everything from refreshing IPAs to crisp lagers, with prices starting from just £1.39.
Aberdeen’s Fierce Beer is the first hero brewer to feature as part of the campaign. Focused on producing unique and flavourful beers that range from traditional pilsners to luscious barrel-aged stouts, Aldi was the brewery’s first ever customer.
Fierce Beer will be showcasing fruity IPAs, such as Passion for Haze and Tropical Thunder, as well as sour Blackcurrant Tart and gluten-free vegan Fruit Ale Berry.
Graham Nicolson, Group Buying Director, Aldi Scotland, said:“Our new Scottish Beers of the Month campaign gives our customers the chance to enjoy a vast selection of beers from artisan breweries across Scotland that you wouldn’t necessarily find in the pub.
“We all enjoy a trip to our local, but sometimes you just can’t beat enjoying a cold beer in the comfort of your own home.
“The judges are looking for innovative home bar set-ups, from extraordinary garden bars to the more understated kitchen table.”
To be in with a chance of winning, shoppers simply need to email a picture of their at-home bar set-up to aldipr@bigpartnership.co.uk along with the following details:
Full name
Image of their home bar or favourite at-home drinking spot
Entries are open until 3 May 2023. The chosen winner will be selected by 10 May 2023.
Aldi encourages its customers to drink responsibly.
Application Terms & Conditions :
All applicants must be 18 years old or over and must live in Scotland.
The applicant will be invited to collect a range of 24 bottles/cans of Aldi Scotland stocked Scottish craft beers each month.
Aldi Scotland encourages the successful applicant to drink responsibly.
For information and advice on safe alcohol consumption, please contact Drinkaware. Visit https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
Aldi Scotland reserves the right to terminate the delivery of products
All applications will be considered by the Aldi Scotland judging panel. The successful applicant will be selected based on the decision made by the Aldi Scotland judging panel. The judging panel has full discretion. The panel’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome.
The product is non-transferable, refundable and can be changed by Aldi at any time.
Applications are open from 3 April 2023. To enter, simply email a picture of your at home bar set up to aldipr@bigpartnership.co.uk
Late entries or any entries not received for any reason will not be considered. The successful applicant will be chosen from entries provided before 6 May 2023. Winner will be selected by 10 May 2023.
Applicants can enter via email and via the Aldi Scotland social media channels. Each will be counted as a single entry, with applicants able to enter once on each channel.
Aldi Employees are not permitted to enter and are not valid to win. By submitting your application, you agree if your application is successful to take part in press and publicity including but not limited to media interviews, photography and personal appearances.
Personal data will be used solely in accordance with UK data protection legislation.
For further information please contact aldipr@bigpartnership.co.uk. Promoter: The BIG Partnership Group Limited, 1 – 3 Woodside Crescent, Glasgow, G3 7UL
The winning entry will receive the prize on a monthly basis.
