29/07/2023 – The NEN – North Edinburgh News

Holidaymakers warned to protect their caravan from thieves this summer

Brits are being warned failure to properly protect their caravans against theft or damage this summer could have huge financial consequences.

Motoring experts at Quotezone.co.uk warn thousands of holidaymakers could be seriously out of pocket if an uninsured caravan is stolen or damaged while parked.

With many motorists set to take to the roads with touring caravans in tow this summer, experts are warning of the consequences for having incorrect caravan insurance.

Many car insurance policies will provide holidaymakers with basic third-party liability cover for towing a touring caravan.

However, with 4,000 caravans stolen each year, specific insurance to cover the costs of theft is the best way to ensure Britons aren’t left out of pocket.*

Car insurance will not cover a caravan while it is parked or if it sustains damage. This is why experts encourage Britons to take out dedicated caravan insurance.

Caravan insurance protects those who are victim to theft of personal belongings or fire damage to their caravan.

Leaving a caravan vulnerable to tampering, accidental damage or theft could also leave holidaymakers paying hefty sums to fix or repurchase their caravan.

Brits are encouraged to make sure they are keeping their caravan as secure as possible, with over 17% of those surveyed choosing to park their caravan in a communal caravan park.

Before setting off with a caravan in tow this summer, holidaymakers must alert their insurer to let them know of plans and make sure the vehicle is fully covered.

Insurance providers may wish to adjust premiums of those towing caravans. Failure to update providers may lead to refusal to pay out on any claims made.

It is also important for motorists to review their breakdown cover, as some policies will only cover car breakdowns. This could leave motorists having to leave their caravan behind in the case of a car emergency.

Greg Wilson, Founder and CEO of Quotezone.co.uk said: “With caravan thefts on the rise and so many due to travel this summer, it has never been a more important time to make sure you are fully insured against any accidents or emergencies.

“Although sorting insurance isn’t the most exciting summer prep. It could help you from forking out on repairs or covering recovery for your touring caravan in the case of a breakdown on the way to your holiday destination.

“Many car insurance policies will provide holidaymakers with basic third-party liability cover for towing a touring caravan, but this doesn’t cover everything.

“We encourage anyone towing a caravan to take out specific insurance for their home away from home. This way, you can get off on your holiday with no worries over cover for your vehicle or caravan.

“But, we also wanted to provide some safety tips to ensure your caravan is as protected as possible this summer.

Here are Quotezone’s top tips to keep caravans safe from theft or damage:

Secure storage

Many Brits are able to park their caravans at their private residence on a driveway with a barrier, but those without this option must choose carefully before securing their touring caravan for extended periods of time. If parking at a communal caravan park, make sure to remove all valuables or keep them out of sight for anyone who may be able to peer in through the windows. Make sure to also choose a reputable park with good access control.

Wheel locks

There are wheel locks designed for caravans to make it impossible for anyone to remove without your say-so. Make sure to buy one for caravans specifically in order to get the most effective outcome.

Install a caravan alarm

There are lots of caravan alarms on the market for those looking to take extra measures to keep their holiday home secure. A great deterrent for thieves is to make it clear you have an alarm installed by putting stickers in your windows. If parked in a caravan park, the loud noise caused by the alarm will not only deter thieves from your caravan but will also let other owners know there are potential thieves in the park grounds.

Storing at home

If storing your caravan at home, try to make sure you can park it to the side or back of your house if possible. Those who aren’t able to do this should park their car behind their caravan on a driveway or use a cover to disguise the van’s worth and attractiveness for potential thefts.

Chopstix: Food for the Seoul!

A brand new menu item is due to land in the nation’s favourite noodle bar, Chopstix, on August 1st.

The Smoky Seoul Chicken takes its inspiration from the flavourful delights of South Korean cuisine and is packed to the brim with smoky Korean-inspired flavours, along with mouth-watering peppers and tantalising fried onions.

It will launch as a limited edition dish, across the UK.

Bursting with flavour, the Smoky Seoul Chicken joins the renowned Chopstix menu which also includes Caramel Drizzle Chicken, Teriyaki Beef, and Salt ‘n’ Pepper Chicken and a range of sides and desserts.

Plus, the noodle chain has a number of deals and bundles designed to pack a punch, with guests able to choose numerous toppings for a true taste of Pan-Asian cuisine.

Rob Burns, Marketing Director for Chopstix, said: “We’re delighted to introduce this new Korean-inspired dish to the Chopstix menu.

“We invest heavily in recipe research and development and this dish is something we’ve had in the pipeline for a while, listening to customer research and demand from some of our most loyal supporters.

“A perfect summer addition to the menu, with a variety of distinctive smoky flavours, we truly believe the Smoky Seoul Chicken is going to be a sure-fire winner, and a mouth-watering inclusion to our already delicious menu.”

The Pan-Asian noodle chain also recently celebrated its 100th store opening, making it one of the most popular high street noodle brands in the country.

Along with being available in stores across the UK, the noodle bar’s popular dishes are also available to order from Uber Eats, Deliveroo and Just Eat.

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

Rare butterfly finds home at military training area in Scotland

Rare species of blue butterfly has been sighted as a result of the restoration of habitats at military training area.
Conservation project at Barry Buddon Training Area in Angus, is proving successful.
Demonstrating MoD’s commitment to supporting nature recovery across the Defence estate.

A project to restore habitats for the rare Small Blue butterfly at Barry Buddon Training Area has seen success this summer, with the elusive species spotted flying on site.

The butterfly is a priority species on the Scottish Biodiversity List, and the sighting of the butterfly at Barry Buddon follows years of conservation efforts by Defence Infrastructure Organisation ecologists and industry partner, Landmarc, to restore habitats for the species in the area.

A pair of the Small Blue butterflies were identified on the military training area during a visit hosted by DIO’s ecology team and a representative from Species on the Edge – a conservation programme focused on reversing the decline of vulnerable coastal species in Scotland – to survey the project’s progress.

Through planting the butterfly’s sole food source, the plant Kidney Vetch (Anthyllis vulneraria), the habitat restoration efforts have created a feeding corridor for the Small Blue across the training area. With support from DIO ecologists, Landmarc teams have established Kidney Vetch along road and track verges to restore connectivity between breeding colonies of the Small Blue and boost the butterfly’s populations within Barry Buddon training area and the surrounding local region.

The sighting of the Small Blue butterfly at Barry Buddon Training Area this summer comes just in time for The Big Butterfly Count, a UK-wide initiative led by the Butterfly Conservation charity and aimed at helping to assess the health of our environment by counting the amount and type of butterflies that can be seen across the country.

Minister of State for Defence, Baroness Goldie, said: “The presence of the Small Blue butterfly at Barry Buddon Training Area is wonderful news and demonstrates our commitment to maintaining and improving biodiversity on our estates.

“The work of DIO and Landmarc, supported by the Butterfly Conservation charity, shows how we can effectively conduct training for our Armed Forces whilst taking care of our environment and delivering on the Government’s biodiversity commitments.

“I strongly support work being done to minimise our impact on the environment and optimise environmental potential whilst keeping our nation safe.”

The work has been funded by the DIO Conservation Stewardship Fund and contributes to a wider biodiversity initiative in the Angus region to restore populations of the Small Blue, which have been in decline in the UK since the 1950s.

The project team at Barry Buddon has received support from the Butterfly Conservation charity, which has helped monitor the Small Blue population on the training area, along with sharing advice and information on the conservation of the butterfly and its habitats.

Lt Col Alan Grant, DIO Commander of the UK Defence Training Estate Scotland and Northern Ireland said: “MOD land is home to some of the most unique and naturally diverse landscapes in the UK, and our Scottish estate is no exception.

“The primary use of the land is to enable our military to train safely, but we are equally committed to supporting nature recovery and balancing the conservation of vital species and habitats with military training requirements.

“It is extremely encouraging to witness first-hand the impact that the habitat restoration work for the Small Blue butterfly is having at Barry Buddon.

“The project is playing a key role in helping to enhance biodiversity, not just on our training estate, but across the wider Angus region, and I look forward to seeing its continued success.”

Comprising 930 hectares of coastal plain on the Tay Estuary between Carnoustie and Monifieth, Barry Buddon is an active military training area, and the work has been carried out in balance with military training requirements.

Because of its scenery and wildlife value, Barry Buddon is an ideal location for enjoying coastal walks and wildlife watching. However, members of the public are asked to access the land only when and where it is safe to do so due to the dangers of live military training.

The MoD supports the delivery of the government’s sustainability objectives through the Climate Change and Sustainability Strategic Approach.

The work being done across the MoD estate ensures that it is resilient and adaptable for responding to future risks and addresses the implications for defence capabilities, whilst respecting and minimising the impacts on the environment, availability of resources and changes in the climatic and geographical arena.

Researchers develop 3D printed bandage that delivers innovative treatment for diabetic foot ulcers

Researchers from Queen’s University Belfast have designed a new 3D printed bandage, known as a scaffold, which presents an innovative method of treatment to heal diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs).

The research is the first of its kind and is a breakthrough for diabetes management. The findings have been published in the journal Biomaterials Advances.

The new discovery combines lipid nanoparticles and hydrogels, which are used to create personalised skin-like 3D printed scaffolds. These scaffolds have the ability to release both a bulk and sustained release of antibiotic loaded molecules to treat diabetic ulcers.

This combination has been shown to greatly improve patient outcomes and has the added benefit of being a more sustainable, efficient and cost-effective method of treatment as these scaffolds in the future can be “easily” produced within the hospital setting.

This approach will also cut time for medical professionals and improve patient care, as the wound dressing can be monitored and provide the treatment needed without the need to be taken on and off repeatedly in order for the medical professionals to check the healing process.

The research team was led by Professor Dimitrios Lamprou from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast, in collaboration with Ms Costanza Fratini (Erasmus Visitor), Mr Edward Weaver (PhD Student from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s), Dr Sofia Moroni (PhD Student between Queen’s University and the University of Urbino Carlo Bo), Ms Robyn Irwin (PhD Student from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s), Dr Yahya Dallal Bashi (Postdoctoral Researcher from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s), Dr Shahid Uddin (Industrial Collaborator), Professor Luca Casettari (University of Urbino Carlo Bo), and Dr Matthew Wylie from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s.

Diabetes is a lifelong condition that causes a person’s blood sugar level to become too high. It is among the top ten causes of deaths worldwide. DFUs are a serious complication of diabetes, affecting approximately 25% of diabetic patients. When identified, over 50% are already infected and over 70% of cases result in lower limb amputation.

As a strategy to manage DFUs, skin alternatives and wound dressings are successful treatments as they keep the wound environment “under control”, whilst providing bioactive compounds that help to manage infection and inflammation and promote tissue repair.

This is a complex process that requires several combined therapeutic approaches. As a result, there is a significant clinical and economic burden associated in treating DFU. Furthermore, these treatments are often unsuccessful, commonly resulting in lower-limb amputation.

The use of drug-loaded scaffolds to treat DFUs has previously been shown to be successful by the same team. To create this new scaffold, the research team used a 3D bioprinting technique that combines, in one single filament, two different bioinks.

The inner core of the filament is a nanocomposite hydrogel that contains lipid nanoparticles encapsulated with thyme oil. The outer shell of the filament is represented by a hybrid hydrogel and enriched with free thyme oil. Thyme oil and other essential oils, have a promising future as an all-natural antibiotic replacement, helping address the issue of increasing incidences of antimicrobial resistance.

This combination provides two different release ratios of the drug molecule; a bulk release for the first 24 hours and a sustained release for up to 10 days. This enables an initial disease prevention post-administration, which may be the highest-risk time, followed by sustained infection prevention during the following days of antimicrobial efficacy.

Commenting on the importance of this study, Professor Dimitrios Lamprou, lead on the project and Chair of Biofabrication and Advanced Manufacturing from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast, said: “This innovative, personalised, and sustainable approach, provides the healing needed for the diabetic foot ulcers, to avoid any complications, and enables doctors to monitor the healing constantly.

“This avoids needing to remove dressing constantly, which can provoke infection and delay the healing process. Medical professionals also do not need to change the drug dosage as this double release, supports that need.”

Dr Matthew Wylie, Lecturer from the School of Pharmacy at Queen’s University Belfast and responsible for the in vitro antibacterial activity evaluation of these novel bandages, said: “Diabetic foot ulcers are chronic wounds highly susceptible to infection which can lead to limb- or life-threatening complications.

“Our natural liposomal antibacterial approach has shown promising initial antibacterial results highlighting the potential of this strategy to prevent bacterial colonisation during the crucial early stages of wound healing, as well as longer term protection of the wound.

“Improved wound management will not only enhance patient quality of life but could reduce the need for traditional antibiotic therapy, a key aim in the fight against antimicrobial resistance development.”

Jail for van driver who smuggled children as young as one year old

Fourteen migrants, including 4 children, were found hidden behind cardboard boxes in a van

A British man who tried to smuggle migrant children as young as 1 into the UK by hiding them behind boxes in his van has been jailed for 4 years.

Trevor Saker, 44, was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court yesterday (July 27), after being found guilty of attempting to facilitate the entry of 14 migrants into the UK.

Saker had claimed to Border Force officers that he was travelling back to the UK from France after collecting shoes for his wife’s new business.

He was caught following an investigation by the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations (CFI) Unit.

The defendant, who now resides in Cadiz, Spain, was driving a Vauxhall Vivaro rental van when he was stopped by Border Force officers in the UK Control Zone in Coquelles, France in July 2018.

Officers found 14 illegal migrants in the back of the van, hidden behind cardboard boxes.

The migrants were identified as being Iraqi and Albanian nationals. Among the group were 4 children aged 1 to 6 years old.

The defendant was found guilty of assisting unlawful immigration following a thorough investigation and subsequent trial.

Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office, said: “This defendant showed no regard for the safety of 14 people including children as young as 1, in order to line his pocket.

“He has now been brought to justice, and this sentence sends a message that our officers are working night and day to tackle people smuggling and to ensure those responsible get the punishment they deserve.”

Protecting migrants’ rights in an independent Scotland

Proposal to create Migrants’ Commissioner

An independent Migrants’ Commissioner would stand up for the rights of people who have moved to an independent Scotland, under Scottish Government proposals.

The latest ‘Building a New Scotland’ prospectus paper, which focuses on citizenship in an independent Scotland, sets out how a commissioner could advocate for migrants, including protecting the rights of EU citizens.

The creation of an independent Migrants’ Commissioner was a key recommendation of the Windrush Lessons Learned Review and would bring Scotland into line with countries like Germany. The UK Government has declined to implement this recommendation.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “Migrants are an important part of the fabric of Scottish society – enriching our culture, boosting our economy and contributing to our communities.

“After independence, this government would appoint a Migrants’ Commissioner to speak up for individuals and families, including the hundreds of thousands of EU citizens who call Scotland home, to ensure migrants’ voices are heard at the highest level.

“Unlike the UK Government, who rejected the Windrush review’s recommendation to establish this role, we are committed to protecting the rights and equality of migrants – alongside all our citizens – in an independent nation.

“Under our proposals, it will be up to individuals to decide whether Scottish citizenship is something they want to pursue, but we are clear that people from around the world will always be welcome in Scotland.”

Local Care Home receives the Royal Seal

Strachan House care home in Blackhall were delighted when they received a card from Buckingham Palace yesterday.

Residents at the home had rolled out a spectacular week of royal celebration activities on the run up to the coronation.

One activity saw many residents writing their own letters to the future king and queen sending well wishes and for a long reign.

Mandy, Head of Activities said “we never thought that HRH King Charles lll and Queen Camilla would have took the time to respond, but they did. Our residents were overwhelmed when the royal sealed envelope was delivered!”

Strachan House has built up excellent reputations within its local community. The home regularly holds events and activities for its residents and surrounding neighbours, and the Coronation week saw many local events hosted within the home.

General Manager, Gordon Philp said: “It is important to recognise the hard work of our staff here at Strachan House. Receiving this from the King and Queen today is about as good as it gets!”

Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals.

Strachan House provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care for 83 residents from respite care to long term stays.

National Museums Scotland listings

Exhibitions & displays
   
National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

Beyond the Little Black Dress 
Until 29 Oct 2023 
Special Exhibition Gallery, Level 3 
Ticketed (concessions available)

From design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, this exhibition deconstructs the little black dress and examines the radical power of the colour black in fashion. The exhibition will chart a century of fashion in a series of themed, immersive displays.

Iconic early pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Jean Muir will be juxtaposed with recent looks by ground-breaking contemporary designers and brands like Gareth Pugh, Simone Rocha and Off-White. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Beyond-the-Little-Black-Dress

Rising Tide: Art and Environment in Oceania
12 Aug 2023 – 14 Apr 2024
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free

Delve into the most important and pressing issue of our time, humanity’s damaging relationship with planet Earth. This urgent issue is felt especially deeply in Australia and the Pacific Islands where sea levels are rising due to climate change and the oceans are filling with plastic. Rising Tide considers our relationship to the natural environment through contemporary artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Rising-Tide

Japanese Contemporary Design      
Until 30 Jul 2023       
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1      
Free entry      

From striking statement jewellery to prints and porcelain vases, this new free display considers how Japanese contemporary makers have combined innovative and traditional art, craft and design elements over the past five decades.   

The star object is Hitomi Hosono’s A Large Pine Tree Pool, a sculptural porcelain bowl with complex hand-carving made and acquired in 2019. Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism, and colourful body adornments by jeweller Suō Emiko’s adapted from metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings.      

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Japanese-Contemporary-Design

Events 

National Museum of Scotland     
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF    
Open 10:00–17:00 daily   

Experts Radio Lab
8 Aug – 24 Aug
Various days and times
Hawthornden Court
Free, drop in

Experts Radio Lab and the accompanying Listening Station is a free, drop-in experience, set within our pop-up radio studio at the National Museum of Scotland. Interviews are shared live to an audience of fellow interviewees, their families and anyone who’s curious. Share your expertise with us or come along and learn from the masters! You never know what you’ll learn. A production by Alice Mary Cooper and Company.

Find out more nms.ac.uk/experts-radio-lab

Museum Late: Fringe Fridays
11 Aug & 18 Aug
19:30 – 22:30
£16 – £22

Fringe Fridays are back! Enjoy a unique flavour of the Fringe and explore the museum after hours. From comedy and cabaret to music and magic, handpicked performers will showcase highlights from their acts across two adults-only extravaganzas, alongside bars and entry to our summer exhibition, Beyond the Little Black Dress. Acts across the two nights include the Black Blues Brothers, Sunshine on Leith, Cirque Afrique and many more.

Book now nms.ac.uk/museum-late-fringe-fridays

BSL Access Evening: Beyond the Little Black Dress
15 Aug
18:00-19:30
Standard exhibition entry prices apply

Part of Edinburgh Deaf Festival, join us after hours for a Deaf-led BSL tour of key objects in the Beyond the Little Black Dress exhibition.

From design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, this exhibition deconstructs the little black dress and examines the radical power of the colour black in fashion. The tour will last around one hour with the chance to explore the exhibition independently afterwards.

Book now nms.ac.uk/bsl-access-evening-beyond-the-little-black-dress

Morning Curator Tour: Rising Tide
16 – 24 Aug
09:15-10:00 (doors open at 09:00)
Ticketed

Join curator Dr Ali Clark for an exclusive morning tour of our Rising Tide exhibition, delving nto the stories behind the exhibition and explore the innovative and artistic responses to climate change and plastic waste by Indigenous Australian and Pacific Islander artists. Add a voucher to upgrade your experience with refreshments in one of our museum cafés.

Book now nms.ac.uk/morning-curator-tour-rising-tide

Adult Workshop: Introduction to Fashion Illustration
09 Sep
11:00 – 16:00
Studios, Level 4
Age 18+
£45 – £50

Learn the fundamentals of fashion illustration in this drawing class with illustrator, Katie Braid.

Book now nms.ac.uk/fashion-illustration

Audio-Described Access Evening: Beyond the Little Black Dress
12 Sep
17:30 – 19:00
Special Exhibition Gallery 1, Level 3
Age 8+

Explore the Beyond the Little Black Dress exhibition supported by an audio-described tour of key objects, for those who are blind, partially sighted or visually impaired.

Book now nms.ac.uk/audio-described-access-evening

Film Screening: Fashion Reimagined
16 Sep
14:00 – 16:30
Auditorium, Level 1
Tickets £6 – £10
Age 14+

Join us for a screening of this 2022 documentary film following fashion designer Amy Powney of cult label Mother of Pearl, a rising star in the London fashion scene. Documentary Fashion Reimagined follows designer Amy Powney as she embarks on a three-year journey to create a sustainable clothing collection and transform the way we engage with fashion.

Book now nms.ac.uk/fashion-reimagined

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open daily 10:00 – 16:00

Big Build Weekend
26 & 27 Aug
10:30 –16:30
Free with museum admission

Inspired by our current Brick History display, take part in our mass participation Big Build alongside LEGO experts Warren and Teresa Elsmore. You will be building part of a 3-metre-tall Saturn V rocket, the only launch vehicle to carry humans beyond low earth orbit to the moon, which will then become part of the Brick History display until November.

Book now nms.ac.uk/big-build-weekend.

Brick Sundays
3 – 17 Sep
12:00 – 16:00
Free with museum admission

Inspired by our current Brick History display, each Sunday we will have a different build theme. Choose to make something inspired by the theme or build your own creation. For something a bit more energetic, take part in our speed build challenge and see if you can make it to the top of the champions’ board.

Book your visit nms.ac.uk/brick-sundays

Conservation Hangar Tours
Until 31 Mar 2024
Free with museum admission
Booking required

See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with a guided tour and find out more about objects from the collection that aren’t normally on display.

Book now nms.ac.uk/Conservation-Hangar-Tours

National Museum of Rural Life   
Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR  
Open 10:00–17:00 daily

Nature Track Packs
Until 31 Aug
10:00 – 17:00
Borrow from the ticket desk
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass

Explore more at the National Museum of Rural Life this summer with our Nature Track Packs. Each pack contains fun ideas and activities to encourage children to engage all their senses to explore the countryside on a walk up to the farm.

Choudhury supports Fire Brigade Union’s #CutsLeaveScars campaign

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) have announced a programme of £11 million worth of cuts for 2023-24, which could lead to catastrophic removals of equipment and firefighter positions at fire stations.

Crewe Toll Fire Station in Edinburgh is due to be affected, with the potential loss of the station’s Turntable Ladder, the piece of equipment which allows rescues from height.

If the equipment is removed from the station, and if no other height appliance was available to attend, there would be no external rescue possible from above the fourth floor in a building.

Foysol Choudhury MSP this week visited Crewe Toll Fire Station to discuss the impact that these cuts would have on the firefighters and their ability to do their job safely.

Following the visit, Mr Choudhury said: “Firefighters risk their lives doing their jobs to save us, and our buildings, from fire.

“They depend on vital equipment to help them do this safely and so I am incredibly concerned that this equipment could be removed, meaning that rescues from height will not be possible.

“With over 50 buildings above four floors in the surrounding area, this proposal makes no sense.

“If there is a fire in a block of flats in the area surrounding Crewe Toll, what will happen?

“These cuts should not be made, knowing the dangers that fires can cause and the tragedies they lead to.

“You can sign the petition to help Crewe Toll Fire Station retain their height appliance here: https://chng.it/CJncjdvty7”

The Labour list MSP is supporting FBU Scotland’s #CutsLeaveScars campaign, which is calling for a reverse to the decision to cut £11million from services.

Mr Choudhury is also calling on the Scottish Government to urgently review their funding arrangements with the SFRS, so that these cuts are not forced and so that both firefighters and the public can be kept safe by a fully resourced fire and rescue service.

Primary School to close after sink hole opens up in playground

Pupils and teaching staff from Brunstane Primary School will be relocated to other local schools after a decision was taken to close the building as a precaution ahead of the start of the new term.

Ongoing investigations relating to planned energy retrofit works at the school have revealed issues with the ground conditions including a small hole in an area of the playground next to the main school building.

The site of the school contains historic coal mine workings and the Council is working closely with the Coal Authority to establish the exact cause and extent of the issue. An action plan will be drawn up to decide what remedial work is needed so the school can reopen as soon as possible.

This means that the pupils and teaching staff will be relocated to other schools in the area for the start of the new term on Wednesday August 16. The nursery is also affected with plans in place for children to attend Moffat Early Years Campus.

Magdalene Community Centre is also on the site and alternative venues are being considered for the community groups who use that building.

Education, Children and Families Convener, Cllr Joan Griffiths, said: This is highly unusual but I know parents/carers and the local community will fully understand why we had to take this decision to close the school as a precaution which hasn’t been taken lightly.

“The expert advice we have received from independent engineers is that the site should remain closed until further investigative work has identified the exact nature of the problem. We’ll be working closely with the Coal Authority to establish what has caused this and what the next steps are so we can reopen the site.

“I know this news will be disappointing for everyone affected by the closures however it is the most sensible solution given what has happened. Our education officers are working closely with the school and other Council teams to identify suitable schools so learning and teaching can continue for our young people.

“We have already identified Moffat Early Years Campus for the nursery pupils and are looking at other venues for the groups that use Magdalene Community Centre. We will keep parents/carers updated as our plans develop and will do everything we can to keep disruption to a minimum.”

The school will be in direct contact with parents regarding updates and the Council’s emergency school closures web page will be kept updated.