Day: September 24, 2023

Pumping up prices: Motorists making expensive mistakes when filling up

Following news fuel prices are expected to rise once again, motorists have been told to avoid common costly mistakes when heading to the pumps. 

Motor insurance comparison experts at Quotezone.co.uk have revealed eight errors which could be contributing to over consumption of fuel and have costly consequences for drivers. 

Free Attentive female driver in casual outfit and headband filling up modern automobile with automotive fuel gun on petrol station while looking down Stock Photo

Credit: Pexels

This comes after it was revealed around 150,000 Brits put the wrong fuel in their car every year.*  

Misfuelling is one of the most expensive mistakes motorists make.  Pumping petrol fuel into a diesel engined car can lead to engine failure, leaving motorists to pick up the repair costs. 

Rule 97 of the Highway Code states before drivers set off, they should ensure they have ‘sufficient fuel or charge for your journey, especially if it includes motorway driving’.**

Careless or dangerous driving caused by low fuel will see motorists face fines of up to £100 and three points on their license. 

Greg Wilson, CEO and price comparison expert at Quotezone.co.uk, said: “It can be frustrating to feel like you are spending more and more on fuel each time you fill up. With the inconsistency in pricing and news about fuel prices reaching news highs, we wanted to share our fuel saving suggestions to help drivers save as much as possible. 

“Small mistakes at the petrol pump can lead to serious costs. Misfuelling is expensive, and more common than you think.  However, even simple things like making sure the car is in good working order with tyres topped up and excess weight removed, can help reduce the amount of fuel it consumes.”

Quotezone.co.uk compiled some of the biggest mistakes drivers make when filling up: 

1.Misfuelling 

Misfuelling and pumping your diesel car with petrol fuel can be a very costly mistake. Although there may not be any noticeable changes to your car initially, as the petrol makes its way to the fuel system you will have serious consequences. Depending on how far thepetrol has circulated through the fuel system and engine, the cost of repairs can vary from a simple drain and flush to some very expensive component replacements. 

2.Check your tyres

Low tyre pressure will cause your tyres to drag on the ground and consume more fuel than fully pumped-up tyres. 

3.Letting your fuel run on empty

Letting your car run on low fuel isn’t a crime, but any careless or dangerous driving caused by the lack of fuel could see you punished by law. You could face a £100 fine and three points on your licence if you are forced to stop in the road and cause an obstruction to other motorists. 

4.Overfilling your tank

While overfilling the tank can be tempting and seem like a way to save additional trips back to the pump, you will actually end up paying more for your fuel. Filling the tank beyond maximum capacity can cause the fuel to overflow and waste money. Overflowing fuel can also fall to the ground which causes a potential fire hazard and you will still be charged for the waste.

5.Filling up during peak hours 

Petrol station prices can vary throughout the day, with costs at their highest during peak hours around midday and 5pm. In order to find the lowest prices, head to a petrol station early in the morning or later in the evening.  

Quotezone.co.uk can help people save on everyday bills plus niche products like gadget, temporary car and courier insurance.

A world of learning just a click away with u3a’s Interest Groups Online

From Ancient Rome to Astronomy, and Fashion to Crime Fiction, there is something to tantalise the taste buds of anyone wishing to learn something new with Interest Groups Online.     

The u3a movement is for those no longer in full-time work who have time to spare, a desire to learn and would like to make new social connections.    

Interest Groups Online is the online learning service of the organisation and from 2nd to 6th of October, there will be a series of free sessions open to non-members to try out the wealth of fascinating groups available.     

Stephen, from Edinburgh, is in several groups, including Slow French. He says: “Interest Groups Online is excellent for languages, whether you’re learning, improving, or keeping your existing skills alive. 

“C’est parfait pour mour, (it’s perfect for me) and my late in life ambition to be bilingual.” 

Stephen is one of five members who talk about their positive experience of Interest Groups Online in this short film.

Members can join as a complementary service to their local in-person u3a membership or as a standalone membership. From October, Interest Groups Online membership is just £6 for 6 months and members will have access to over 75 different groups across a wide range of topics.  

Visit the Interest Groups Online page to browse all groups. For more information, visit www.u3a.org.uk 

RAAC at Blackall Library: Mobile library in operation from tomorrow

TEMPORARY CLOSURE – MOBILE LIBRARY IN OPERATION

Following the temporary closure of Blackhall Library due to the discovery of Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), we can now confirm that there will be a mobile library vehicle situated in the car park of Davidson Mains Church.

The service will be available from tomorrow – Monday 25 September – to provide customers with the opportunity to collect reservations, return loans and borrow a limited selection of books, apply for bus passes, collect hearing aid batteries, free period products and buy food waste bags.

The mobile library will be available on the following dates:

Monday 25 September from 2.30 to 7pm
Tuesday 26 September from 10.30am to 3pm
Wednesday 27 September from 2.30 to 7pm
Thursday 28 September from 10.30am to 3pm
Friday 29 September from 10.30am to 3pm

Please see www.edinburgh.gov.uk/raacupdates for more information.

Top five-star rating for Scottish camping and glamping site

A SCOTTISH camping and glamping site is officially one of the best in the country after being awarded a five-star rating.

Drummohr Camping and Glamping Site near Edinburgh was given the top rating by VisitScotland during its most recent assessment, with inspectors praising the quality of the facilities and describing the park and its grounds as ‘spotless’.

The rating makes Drummohr one of only 33 five-star camping and caravan parks sites across Scotland and one of four five-star sites in East Lothian.

Drummohr, which is close to Musselburgh on the shores of the Firth of Forth, has undergone significant investment during the past two years since changing ownership, resulting in a range of improvements across the site such as the refurbishment of holiday lodges with hot tubs; the opening of a licensed shop selling local produce; larger touring and tent pitches; upgrading of its amenity blocks; a new indoor campers’ kitchen; improved gardens and landscaping; a new children’s playground; and high speed free WiFi. The team have also personalised glamping pods to provide themed family accommodation.

Angie Purves, who is the site manager at Drummohr, said: “We are over the moon to have received the five-star rating. It’s something the whole team has been working towards for a long time and the feeling when we opened the email to find out we’d achieved it was just amazing.

“We always aim to go that extra mile for our guests to ensure that their holiday experience is a home away from home. From complementary welcome baskets in the lodges on arrival, party packs available to celebrate special occasions, to towels for drying off wet dogs after a walk, it’s the little things that make all the difference. 

“Our guests seem to really appreciate everything we do because many of them come back year after year to stay with us and regularly post great guest reviews thanking the team.”

In order to achieve a five-star rating from VisitScotland, camping and caravan parks must reach an overall percentage score of 87% to 100% across areas including park facilities, cleanliness, toilet and washing facilities, and reception services among others. 

Neil Christison, VisitScotland Regional Director, congratulated Drummhor on achieving its five-star Quality Assurance grading. He said: “Recent research has shown that camping and staying in a caravan are popular choices for families holidaying in Scotland this year, so it is a fantastic achievement for this business.

“VisitScotland’s Quality Assurance scheme can help us drive up standards across the industry. It represents world class excellence – helping businesses shine, enabling visitors to make informed choices and driving up investment in quality.”

Accommodation at Drummohr includes self-catering and luxury lodges with hot tubs, glamping pods and en-suite bothies, and both grass and hard-standing pitches for touring and tents, all with electric.

The family-friendly campsite also has themed wizard, adventure and fairy glamping pods, as well as family bothies and a large playground. Dogs are welcome on the site which has its own scenic dog walk and dog-friendly accommodation, with up to two dogs welcomed on its tent and touring pitches free of charge. 

The site’s newly refurbished amenity blocks include underfloor heating, free hot showers, family friendly accessible bathrooms with baths, and indoor campers’ kitchen and laundry. 

Open all year round, Drummohr is eight miles from Edinburgh, close to the beaches of East Lothian and Scotland’s golf coast and is near the John Muir Way for walkers and cyclists. The site has excellent public transport links into Edinburgh, with the bus stop a five-minute walk and the train station a 15-minute walk. There is also a large park and ride nearby.

Drummohr is part of the WCF employee-owned family of businesses which operates across the UK in the leisure, retail and logistics sectors. The site is one of three camping and glamping businesses operated by WCF, with sister sites at Herding Hill Farm close to the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site, and Longnor Wood in the heart of the Peak District.

Savour the season at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store

Garden centre launches festive restaurant events

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is tantalising tastebuds this Christmas with its great-value family dining experiences in its Edinburgh store, including a magical Santa’s Breakfast and its much-loved Festive Afternoon Tea.

Santa’s Breakfast is a great way to enjoy some magical time with Santa and fuel up for the festivities. It’s a chance for children aged 3 to 10 to take part in activities, get into the Christmas spirit, sing along to Christmas classics and receive a gift to take home and put under the tree.

Families in Edinburgh can expect festive entertainment from Santa and his elves and a hearty breakfast. Children can choose from a traditional breakfast of pork or Quorn sausage, scrambled eggs, hash brown and baked beans, or opt for a breakfast roll. All breakfasts are served with a choice of apple juice, orange juice or water.

Adults will also get a choice of breakfast options, including a traditional breakfast, vegetarian breakfast or three item breakfast roll, each served with a hot beverage.

Indulge this Christmas with Dobbies’ Festive Afternoon Tea offering, great for couples, friends and families alike. Enjoy this classic British tradition and tuck into three tiers of seasonal bites to jingle the tastebuds.

Expect all the favourite elements of an afternoon tea with a festive twist. Indulge in salmon, cream cheese and chive, and honey roast ham and mustard finger sandwiches in a mix of white and grain bread. Savour each mouthful of Cornish clotted cream and jam scones and tuck into a delicious selection of sweet treats, including blackberry delice, fruit and cream tart, carrot cake and a mini macaroon.

Children can also enjoy a mix of finger sandwiches, filled with ham, jam and tuna. In addition to Dobbies’ famous scones, kids will munch on Rudolph’s favourite snacks – carrot and cucumber sticks.

Adults will get the choice of unlimited tea and coffee refills, and children will receive a fruit juice. There will be additional extras for customers looking to wrap themselves in all the festivities, including prawn marie rose vol au vents, savoury cheese vol au vents and pigs in blankets with gravy and cranberry sauce. Drinks can also be upgraded for speciality coffees and teas, and if you fancy popping a bottle, there is an upgrade option for Prosecco.

Sarah Murray, who develops Dobbies’ festive line up, wants to make this year one for customers in Edinburgh to remember. She said: “Restaurant experiences at Dobbies are a chance to spend time with the family in a relaxed setting that involves zero cooking.

“Our Santa’s Breakfast and Festive Afternoon Tea events in Edinburgh are a great way to feel festive as Christmas approaches. The restaurant team thoroughly enjoy hosting these events and can’t wait to welcome customers.”

Santa’s Breakfast runs from 25 November through to 24 December and is priced from £9 per adult and £13.99 per child.

Festive Afternoon Tea experiences run from 1 November and is priced at £8.50 per child and £13.50 per adult.

For more information about Dobbies’ festive culinary experiences and to make a booking, visit dobbies.com/events

Have your say on crime and antisocial behaviour

THE city council is looking for your views on crime and antisocial behaviour in the city in our new consultation.

Your views will help us help us to better understand local issues and take action to address them.

Tell us what you think until 6th December:

https://consultationhub.edinburgh.gov.uk/…/community…/

HIT Scotland invites Scottish hospitality talent to unlock potential through scholarships programme

Leading industry charity, Hospitality Industry Trust (HIT) Scotland is encouraging applications from Scottish hospitality workers and students for its 2024 scholarship programme.  

2024 will see the charity celebrate its 30th anniversary and award its 7000th scholarship – it awards over 200 scholarships annually. A HIT Scotland scholarship is a learning experience designed to provide new skills and knowledge, stimulate best practice and fresh ways of thinking. Scholarships vary year to year depending on what the industry is looking for – this year, it will offer a mix of scholarships across three categories: business, operational and inspirational. 

To celebrate the 30th anniversary milestone, the charity is presenting three new bespoke inspirational scholarships – these will expand on their usual inspirational scholarships, offering a bigger and more prestigious experience for the recipients. 

This year also sees HIT Scotland honouring the memory of great service to the industry with the new Lisa Wishart scholarship. Presented to someone in the licensed trade, this development opportunity has been kindly funded by donations from the recent Scottish Bar & Pub Awards, and will be awarded to someone who shows the same passion for the industry as Lisa did. 

HIT Scotland is also spearheading the inaugural Müller Milk & Ingredients scholarships, which are recognising the huge talent within the Scottish council catering services. 

Applications close midnight on Sunday 19th November 2023, with applicants invited to choose one scholarship that will help aid their personal development within their hospitality role. Anyone working in or studying towards a career in Scottish hospitality can apply. 

David Cochrane, HIT Scotland Chief Executive, commented: “We want applicants to really show us their passion for our industry and demonstrate how the experience will help them. For many years now, our scholarships have been empowering inspirational development in Scottish hospitality, helping both individuals and the sector at large grow.  

“I’d like to thank our sponsors for their continued support of the fundraising events that allow us to keep providing these development opportunities for the industry. Thanks also go to The Savoy Educational Trust, The Crerar Trust, The MacRobert Trust, Diageo Learning for Life, and Hickory for their generous support of our scholarship programme.” 

Angela Vickers, chair of HIT Scotland and CEO of Apex Hotels, added: “It is exciting to be offering three inspirational scholarships to celebrate HIT Scotland’s 30th year – these will offer a one-of-a-kind learning opportunity for the recipients. 

“We cannot wait to hear from the ambitious, passionate individuals working and learning in Scottish hospitality and help them achieve their goals.” 

To find out more about the scholarships HIT Scotland offer and apply, visit the website: hitscotland.co.uk/scholarships-hit 

Government and NHS to help tackle killer heart condition

Health and Social Care Secretary Steve Barclay has announced measures to tackle aortic dissection, a heart condition that kills 2,000 people every year

  • Aortic dissection takes the lives of 2,000 people a year in Britain
  • Government and NHS England to look at ways to tackle condition
  • Health Secretary pledges to build on strong work already being done

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, has unveiled measures to tackle aortic dissection, a life-threatening heart condition that kills 2,000 people every year.

Speaking at a research event to mark Aortic Dissection Awareness Day, the Health Secretary announced the formation of an NHS working group that will bring together clinical experts and charities, to improve diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

The group will review the whole patient experience when it comes to aortic dissections, and pinpoint opportunities for future improvement, including the potential benefits of genetic testing.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay said: “Aortic dissection can be a devastating condition and every year it takes the lives of more people than die on our roads, yet awareness is low. Changing that will save lives.

“Developing a holistic approach, from identifying those potentially at risk to providing first class follow-up care, will be life-changing for patients and I’m delighted to be able to build on the good work we’re already doing in this area.

“I also want to pay tribute to the tireless work of my colleague Pauline Latham whose campaigning to improve aortic dissection care has kept this issue on the agenda.”

The Health Secretary has asked for the working group to report back with options within six months, and aortic dissection charities will input into the work.

Pauline Latham MP, who tragically lost her son to an undiagnosed aortic dissection in 2018, has been a leading voice in campaigning to improve the lives of sufferers and their families, and met with the Secretary of State earlier this year to discuss ways to improve aortic dissection care.

Pauline Latham MP said: “In the wake of losing my son Ben to a missed diagnosis of aortic dissection, I couldn’t sit back and let other families suffer the way we have. That’s why Graham Cooper, Catherine Fowler and I started The Aortic Dissection Charitable Trust.

“We’ve been pushing hard – asking tough questions in Parliament, meeting with health ministers, and I’m thrilled to say, we have NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care on board.

“This will bring in standardised care, genetic screening, and specialised nurses to not only save lives but improve quality of life for everyone affected by this condition. It’s our heartfelt mission to turn tragedy into a safer future for all.”

The announcement builds on the progress made on aortic dissection in recent years. NHS England adjusted 111 and 999’s triage systems to better recognise chest pains caused by aortic dissections and is rolling out the Aortic Dissection Acute Toolkit across the regions to speed up diagnosis and improve patient outcomes, while The Royal College of Emergency Medicine has also published a best-practice guide to improve diagnosis in emergency departments.

The Department of Health and Social Care is also funding dedicated research into aortic dissection through the National Institute for Health and Care Research, as part of an annual £50 million investment in cardiovascular disease research.

Researchers are developing a tool to help people at genetic risk of aortic dissection decide if they want screening and, if necessary, preventative treatment and this is just one of the many exciting research projects under way across the country.

The remit of the working group will be to:

  • continue to monitor and support the implementation of the acute Aortic Dissection toolkit which has already been produced by NHS England and is currently being rolled out to NHS providers
  • review the whole aortic dissection patient pathway and identify areas for improvement including the elective pathway
  • explore the evidence and options for genetic screening including potential cohorts for screening
  • scope the clinical skills and workforce requirements to support aortic dissection pathway improvement

Have you seen Michael? UPDATE

UPDATE

The body of a man was found in the early hours of Monday, 25 September in Edinburgh during enquiries to trace missing person Michael Toner, 52.

The body is yet to be formally identified but his family has been made aware.

There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course.

Police are appealing for assistance to trace a man who has been reported missing. Michael Toner, 52, was last seen in the Caledonian Crescent area of Edinburgh at 2.15pm on Wednesday (20 September, 2023).

Michael, who has links to Edinburgh and Arbroath, is described as white, 5ft 8, of slim build with a shaved head.

He wears glasses and was last seen wearing a navy Nike jacket, faded blue jeans and white trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting incident number 2098 of Friday, 22 September, 2023. 

Which? warns of Christmas mortgage crisis

Half a million mortgage-holders are facing an imminent financial shock as their fixed deals end in the run-up to Christmas or January, the most expensive time of the year for many consumers, Which? is warning.

Figures from regulator the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) show that around 500,000 fixed-rate mortgages will come to an end in November, December or January.

As a result of higher interest rates, most affected homeowners moving onto new deals will have to pay hundreds of pounds more each month compared to their previous deal.

Data from Moneyfacts shows that the market-leading two-year fixed-rate mortgage is currently 5.53%, from Coventry Building Society. Earlier this year, the average rate for this type of mortgage went above 6%, yet those who fixed their deal in December 2021 could have got rates below 2%.

The average mortgage holder has £147,000 left to pay off, according to the FCA. In September 2021, someone taking out a two-year fix with 20 years left on their loan would, on average, have paid £770 a month.

However, someone in that same scenario today would be paying £1,106 a month – a £336 difference, which equates to £4,032 extra annually.Data from the FCA also suggests another spike in mortgage deals coming to an end next Spring, with over 180,000 homeowners set to come off fixed-term rates in April.

With average rates for both two and five-year mortgage deals hovering around 6% and many experts predicting the fifteenth successive Bank of England rate rise tomorrow, it is unlikely that homeowners whose deals are ending in the coming months will be able to find deals at anywhere near the rate they have been previously paying.

Mortgage holders can generally lock in a rate up to six months before their current deal expires, and can pull out of that deal should they find a better rate elsewhere. Homeowners whose fixed deals are expiring by the end of the year should be looking at new deals and how they will affect their finances now.

The consumer champion is calling on banks to ensure they are ready to provide appropriate support to customers. That means firms are ensuring that their customer service support – via phone calls, email and chat support – is properly staffed and resourced, including during the Christmas holiday period.

Those concerned about their ability to make mortgage repayments should contact their lender in the first instance – and doing so will not affect their credit score. Support could include a temporary mortgage holiday, temporarily paying only the interest on the mortgage (and not the capital repayment), or extending the term of your mortgage. The most suitable option will depend on individual circumstances, so it is crucial that lenders are offering tailored support.

Mortgage holders whose fixed-rate deals are coming to an end in April should be able to search for and lock in a competitive rate soon. The FCA’s new Consumer Duty, which holds firms in financial services to higher standards of customer service, should mean that customers are supported in a way that meets their financial needs. Companies that fail to do so should expect to face tough action from the regulator.

Ele Clark, Senior Money Editor at Which?, said: “The rock-bottom interest rates homeowners enjoyed for more than a decade are firmly behind us, and those who need to remortgage are feeling the full force of the last two years’ worth of rate rises. 

“With around half a million mortgage-holders’ fixed-rate deals coming to an end in the next few months, it’s vital that lenders are offering adequate and fully resourced customer support to help borrowers assess their options. 

“Under the new Consumer Duty, firms must support their customers throughout the term of their mortgage. If they don’t, we’d expect them to face tough action from the regulator.”