Month: November 2023

Princess Royal opens Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage

HRH The Princess Royal has officially opened a museum celebrating the remarkable history of Scotland’s firefighting tradition in Edinburgh.

Her Royal Highness is now one of more than 7,200 visitors who have visited the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage since it opened its doors to the public in McDonald Road at the end of June.

The Rt. Hon Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge, was one of several dignitaries to greet The Princess Royal. He said: “It was a pleasure to welcome HRH The Princess Royal to the city and the McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station on behalf of the people of Edinburgh.

“To have the opportunity to learn more about the rich history of firefighting in Scotland was also an extremely interesting and proud experience.

“I would like to thank the team at McDonald Road for accommodating us today and pay tribute to our fantastic firefighters, alongside our other emergency services, who make sure we are all kept safe.”

Ross Haggart, Chief Officer of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) was at the museum to extend a warm welcome to Princess Anne. He said: “We are deeply honoured to have the opportunity to show Her Royal Highness the fascinating exhibits that chart the remarkable history of our firefighting tradition.

“This special building is home to an array of artefacts dating back almost two hundred years, including fire appliances, uniforms and equipment.

“Next year, our service will be marking the bicentenary of the world’s first municipal fire service founded in Edinburgh by James Braidwood.”

As part of the visit, The Princess Royal was also given a tour of McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station, which has been newly refurbished as an emergency hub building alongside the Scottish Ambulance Service. HRH was greeted by a contingent of firefighters and ambulance crews.

Chair of the Scottish Ambulance Service, Tom Steele, said: “I was delighted to welcome Her Royal Highness to McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station alongside our colleagues at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

“The museum is a fantastic celebration of the fire service’s history. As well as sharing a number of co-locations with the fire service, including here in Edinburgh, we share a strong history of caring for and improving the lives of the people in Scotland.

“We look forward to many more years of working together to provide life-saving work.”

After watching a demonstration of how firefighters use a high reach appliance, HRH was presented with a posy by Crew Commander Blair Muir, who carefully manoeuvred the vehicle so he could hand deliver the flowers from onboard the appliance.

The Princess Royal spoke with staff and volunteers, including Jim McDonald, a museum volunteer. Mr McDonald said: “It was a truly remarkable and humbling experience to meet Her Royal Highness. Her genuine interest in our exhibits left a lasting impression on all of us.”

At the end of the visit, The Princess Royal officially unveiled commemorative plaques, marking the official opening of the museum.

McDonald Road Community Fire and Ambulance Station has undergone renovations and modernisation and last month won a Commendation in the Large Projects and Regeneration/Strategy Award Categories for the 2023 Edinburgh Architectural Awards.

Further information about the museum can be found on the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage website.

CashBack supports 28,000 young people over last year

Criminals’ ill-gotten gains re-directed to support young people to make positive choices 

A unique programme funded from seized criminal assets has helped to provide new opportunities for more than 28,000 young people in the past year.

CashBack for Communities used £19 million recovered from criminal activity to support 24 organisations during Phase 5 of the programme, which ran from April 2020 to March 2023, to support young people, including those who may be at risk from being drawn into antisocial behaviour or criminality.

Projects supported included the Vow Project, run in partnership with Police Scotland, which uses peer mentors with experience of the criminal justice system to support young people to break the cycle of criminality and offending.

The Access to Industry project, which provides employability support to young people in HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Polmont, and Action for Children who support young people at risk of involvement in offending or antisocial behaviour, were also supported through CashBack.

A new evaluation of activity support in 2022-23, has found that of the young people who took part in projects:

  • 75% reported an improvement in their wellbeing
  • 75% reported an increase in their confidence
  • 59% gained new jobs, skills or qualifications

Since its inception, Cashback for Communities has committed up to £130 million to fund a range of projects, delivering more than 2.5 million activities and supporting around 1.3 million young people across Scotland.

Community Justice Minister Siobhian Brown said: “The success of the Cashback for Communities projects show what can be achieved when young people are given the right opportunities.

“It is important that we support and encourage young people to make choices that allow them to develop their aspirations and potential.

“CashBack for Communities is a valued programme that everyone involved should be rightly proud of.  I am grateful to all those who have helped to make the past three years such a success, and supported so many young people in such a positive way, particularly in a period impacted by COVID-19.

“For the past 15 years, Cashback has helped well over a million  young people across the country to find better futures.

“This unique initiative underlines our commitment to support all of Scotland’s young people to live full, healthy lives and to help address some of the underlying causes of crime and antisocial behaviour.”

Read the impact report 

22-23 Impact ReportDownload

Amazon Dunfermline Supports Children’s Charities

The team from Amazon in Dunfermline made donations totalling £2,000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital as part of the company’s global Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Since 2017, Amazon employees have helped raise awareness and joined in the fight against childhood cancer thanks to the Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer campaign.

A gold ribbon is the universal symbol for childhood cancer and Amazon employees from Dunfermline held a month-long series of gold-themed events in recognition of the international emblem.

The Dunfermline team also showed solidarity to children with cancer by donating a total of £2,000 to Glasgow Children’s Hospital, CHAS and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital.

One of the events this year at Amazon in Dunfermline was a Pyjama Day, which saw the team wear pyjamas to work in honour of children who spend every day in their pyjamas during treatment.

Other events taking place at Amazon in Dunfermline included packing kits including over 200 activity packs and 66 teddy bears for children undergoing treatments at Glasgow and Edinburgh Children’s Hospitals.

The team from Amazon in Dunfermline also visited Glasgow Children’s Hospital to help set up and decorate the hospital’s ‘Games for Weans’ game room.

The aim of Amazon’s Goes Gold campaign is to support kids impacted by cancer as part of the company’s commitment to have a meaningful impact in the communities it serves around the world.

Over 400,000 children across the globe will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and Amazon has an opportunity to make a difference for thousands of these children and their families by raising greater awareness and supporting the work being done in cancer research and front-line care.

Amazon Dunfermline General Manager, Jamie Strain said: “Amazon has proudly supported Childhood Cancer Awareness month since 2017 and this year, we’re pleased to continue playing a part at Amazon in Dunfermline with our pyjama party and gold-themed events.

“We’re pleased to support the efforts of Glasgow Children’s Hospital, CHAS and Edinburgh Children’s Hospital, organisations that have a profound impact on children and families in our community.”

Christina Watson is one of the Amazon employees who took part in Amazon Goes Gold for Kids with Cancer. She added: “Everyone at Amazon in Dunfermline loved taking part in our gold-themed events to raise awareness of childhood cancer.

“I think it’s brilliant that we’re also able to support Glasgow Children’s Hospital, CHAS and Edinburgh Children’s Hospitals whose staff and volunteers do incredible work for families in our area.”

Amazon employees in the UK also had the opportunity to support children and families affected by childhood cancer by packing activity kits for children facing cancer, which were distributed to nearby hospitals and hospices.

Employees also took part in volunteering with childhood cancer charities and organisations, and had the opportunity to write short stories for children spending time in hospital.

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities in and around its operating locations across the UK. Amazon provides students, teachers and parents with free computer science and STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and has teamed up with charity partner Magic Breakfast to deliver more than seven million healthy breakfasts to children at risk of hunger in disadvantaged areas of the country.

Earlier this year, Amazon partnered with Comic Relief to become the official home of the Red Nose. Amazon employees across the UK hosted fundraising activities and together with their customers and partners, raised £2.7 million to support those going through the toughest time of their lives.

Learn more about the ways Amazon supports its communities at:

 http://www.aboutamazon.co.uk/impact/community

Dedicated Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Ward established at East Lothian Community Hospital

A dedicated Orthopaedic Rehabilitation Ward has been established at East Lothian Community Hospital helping to support individuals across Lothian to get ‘back on their feet’ following orthopaedic surgery at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary.

The development of the in-patient orthopaedic rehabilitation provision in East Lothian is part of NHS Lothian’s Orthopaedic Recovery Plan to reduce waiting times for elective surgical cases.  

The pandemic significantly impacted waiting lists across NHS Scotland due to postponements and cancellations.  By ring-fencing dedicated orthopaedic recovery beds at East Lothian Community Hospital, NHS Lothian can increase the number of elective arthroplasty surgeries (hips and knees) that can be performed at the Royal Infirmary, knowing there is ample post-surgery and rehabilitation care available for patients.

Reducing waiting times helps to prevent patients’ conditions deteriorating and health and social care needs escalating whilst awaiting surgery.  As a result, this delivers better outcomes for individuals, as well as preventing further growth of pressure on community resources, including care at home services.

It also enables East Lothian patients to benefit from post operative in-patient rehabilitation closer to home, making access and visiting, easier, and supporting local planning and provision for discharge.

Aris Tyrothoulakis, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh Site Director, said: “We are delighted that East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership (ELHSCP) has been able to extend their provision and create this dedicated rehabilitation ward to support Lothian residents following orthopaedic surgery.

“With the Haddington-based hospital featuring an extensive rehabilitation service, it was the obvious venue of choice for this service provision, and it is very much hoped this initiative will pave the way for the hospital to become a ‘centre for excellence’ in orthopaedic rehabilitation.”

Patients who have spent time within the dedicated ward have only praise for the staff and quality of care:  “It’s so lovely, it doesn’t feel like a hospital. I’m already well on my way to recovery.  The staff are always on hand, to back you up and give you confidence. It’s a very special place, and everyone in it is special.”

Fiona Wilson, Chief Officer for ELHSCP, added: “We were incredibly grateful to NHS Lothian for the opportunity to establish this dedicated service and support the people of East Lothian and beyond to receive post-surgery rehabilitation.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to pass on my thanks, admiration and appreciation to the incredible teams within the East Lothian Community Hospital, the Rehabilitation Service, and our colleagues at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for the extensive planning and organisation that has gone into the set-up of this dedicated ward. 

“It has been an amazing team effort, delivered in a very short timescale, and I’m incredibly proud of what has been achieved to date.  I’m sure this will pave the way for further success to come.”

Scottish government consults on education and skills reform

Views sought on new qualifications body and inspectorate

People are being asked to share their views to create a new national qualifications body and new approaches to inspection, as part of reforms to Scotland’s education and skills system.

Legislation will be introduced to Parliament in 2024 to implement the Scottish Government’s commitment to replace the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) with a new organisation. Views are now being sought on how this new body will involve pupils and students and the teaching professions in its decision making, as well as being accountable and transparent.

The public consultation on reform of the education and skills sector is also seeking views on changes in relation to inspection, which currently sits with Education Scotland – to maximise the positive impacts of inspection and ensure high levels of confidence in the system among teachers, other professionals, parents and carers and the public.

It was announced during a wide ranging statement on Education and Skills reform where Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth also announced the publication of the third report from the First Minister’s International Council of Education Advisers, which sets out the need for investment in education professionals to address the changing needs of young people. The Education Secretary also gave an update on planning for the proposed Centre for Teaching Excellence.  

Ms Gilruth said: “The case for reform is clear and we need to deliver tangible action, setting out the steps which are right for our education system now. 

“This consultation is an important opportunity for young people, parents and carers and, crucially, teachers to make their voices heard and is an important step in designing our national education and skills landscape in its totality.

“The new qualifications body and approaches to inspection are the foundations of delivering meaningful reform, meaning better outcomes for young people and adult learners, ensuring that the views and needs of pupils, teachers and others who rely on this service are at the heart of what they do, and how they deliver support.

“I am determined to continue to build the consensus for change. We need the system to work better for children and young people as well as the profession, ensuring it continues to support everyone to positively contribute to our country.”

Experience the magic of Christmas at Cragies Farm Santa Adventure

Get ready to embark on a magical journey like no other as Craigies Farm presents “Santa Adventure,” an enchanting Christmas event that promises to transport you to a world of twinkling lights, festive wonder, and heartwarming moments. Building on the resounding success of previous years, Christmas at Craigies is back, bigger and better than ever before.

Experience the Magic of Craigies as we invite you to step through the magic door and embark on a captivating journey to the North Pole, where you will play a crucial role in saving Christmas. Craigie’s Farm have teamed up with NL Productions to transform their polytunnels into a dazzling display of colourful lights, creating an immersive lighting experience that will leave you spellbound.

A Quest to Save Christmas – Santa Claus has encountered a problem of epic proportions – he’s lost the magical word that powers the start of his sleigh. Now, it’s up to you to join this magical quest and help Santa recover the missing word. The fate of Christmas itself hangs in the balance.

As you journey through the North Pole, you’ll encounter beloved characters, including Mrs. Claus, Santa’s industrious elves, and a host of other surprises, making your adventure all the more memorable.

Craigies’ Santa Adventure is not just an event; it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in the enchantment of Christmas and create cherished memories with your loved ones.

Families will enjoy one-on-one time with Santa, ensuring an intimate and high-quality experience. Upon successfully helping Santa and saving Christmas, you’ll be rewarded with a special gift to take home as a token of gratitude for your invaluable assistance.

John Sinclair, Managing Director of Craigies commented, “At Craigies Farm, we have always prided ourselves on delivering a quality Christmas experience where the focus is on spending time with family and having fun together.

“We are building on the success of previous years and partnering with NL Productions to create an immersive lighting experience within our polytunnels.

“The experience will once again feature amazing performers who will guide families on a great adventure to the North Pole, playing a crucial role in saving Christmas. There is guaranteed fun for both adults and children, ensuring everyone can create unforgettable festive memories together.”

Phil O’Halloran, NL Productions Event Producer, shares his enthusiasm for the event, emphasizing the magical experience, commenting: “It is fantastic to once again be partnering with Craigies Farm.

“Halloween at Craigies has been a great success, and it is very exciting to now be converting the polytunnels into a beautiful winter wonderland. Craigies has a reputation for a quality family experience at Christmas, and we can’t wait to add another level of immersion this year.

“We can’t wait to see families enjoying their adventure to the North Pole!”

Dates and Times

Dates: 25th November – 23rd December

  • 25th – 26th November
  • 2nd – 3rd December
  • 9th – 10th December
  • 16th – 17th December
  • 23rd December

Times: 9am – 5pm each day

Join us at Craigies for a winter wonderland like no other. For more information, ticket bookings, and updates, visit our website https://craigies.co.uk/

Edinburgh Outdoors: Action Planning Workshops

THRIVING GREENSPACES STRATEGY

Our Thriving Greenspaces team are running a series of action planning workshops to develop the Thriving Greenspaces Strategy.

If you have ideas and would like to contribute to the development and vision for our greenspaces we’d love to hear from you!

Book your place at one of the workshops here: https://bit.ly/tgs_action_plan🌿

The City of Edinburgh Council

Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

Autumn Exhibitions launch

Autumn Exhibitions Launch 🍂

Join us this Thursday 9 November for the launch of: asweetsea by Liza Sylvestre and John by Thomas Abercromby.

asweetsea explores what it means to communicate. As an artist who is deaf, and whose child and partner are both hearing, Liza Sylvestre seeks to locate where her disability lives within their family structure.

Sylvestre has collaborated with her 6 year-old child to reimagine her fond memories of the 1985 TV show ‘Sweet Sea’. The works shown at Collective as part of asweetsea were originally commissioned for Liza Sylvestre | asweetsea, John Hansard Gallery (2022). 

John explores the intricate ties between family, grief and the multifaceted layers of social class.

The exhibition is centred around a film installation that juxtaposes childhood paintings made by Abercromby’s late father with opulent gallery interiors, painterly images of urban landscapes, and behind-the-scenes moments of the film’s all-working-class cast and crew.

Refreshments will be served from our Play Shelter outdoors, so please dress for the weather. 

Access information about our site can be found here.

Snooker’s Biggest Stars Set For Edinburgh

All-time greats including John Higgins, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump and Mark Selby, as well as World Champion Luca Brecel and defending champion Gary Wilson, will be among the field when snooker’s BetVictor Scottish Open takes place in Edinburgh next month.

The third event in this season’s BetVictor Home Nations Series will run from December 11 to 17 at the Meadowbank Sports Centre in Edinburgh, as 80 players battle for the Stephen Hendry Trophy.

Tickets from just £15 are on sale now but must be booked fast – for details visit www.wst.tv/tickets

The top 16 seeds will be in action on the opening day on Monday December 11th and the match schedule is:

10am session

Gary Wilson v Elliot Slessor

Mark Selby v Sean O’Sullivan

Ding Junhui v David Grace

Jimmy Robertson v Amaan Iqbal

Not before 1pm

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Liam Graham

Mark Williams v Sam Craigie

Barry Hawkins v Pang Junxu

Ali Carter v Zehuang Long

Not before 2pm

Luca Brecel v Iulian Boiko

Shaun Murphy v Liu Hongyu

Hossein Vafaei v Daniel Wells

Jack Borwick v Ishpreet Singh Chadha

Not before 7pm

Judd Trump v Sydney Wilson

Kyren Wilson v Mostafa Dorgham

Robert Milkins v Mark Davis

Anthony McGill v Oliver Lines

Not before 8pm

John Higgins v Oliver Brown

Mark Allen v Jamie Jones

Jack Lisowski v Mohamed Ibrahim

Alfie Burden v Matthew Selt

Get tickets booked fast! For the full draw and match schedule visit www.wst.tv

SANTA PAWS: Bring your dog to Dobbies for a ‘paw-sitively’ magical experience 

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing the return of its hugely popular Santa Paws experience in its Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies, designed for dog lovers where cherished pets can meet Santa Claus.

This paw-sitively special festive experience gives pup parents the chance to head along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores and see Santa. Dogs in attendance will get to meet Mr Claus and take a photo, before receiving a special pet-friendly toy to take home and open on Christmas Day. There’s also the chance to have a professional photo taken at the Melville store.

Santa Paws will be taking place from Saturday 2 until Saturday 23 December on selected days and is priced at £6.99 per dog.

Sarah Murray, who leads Dobbies’ festive events plans, said: “We absolutely love making amazing experiences, and Santa Paws really shows how dedicated we are to that. It’s an occasion to celebrate the joy our pets bring into our lives, and a chance for dog owners and families to create cherished Christmas memories together at our Edinburgh stores.

“We look forward to sharing the magic of Christmas as families come along to Santa Paws.”

Customers are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment. To find out more about timings and bookings, visit dobbies.com/events. There’s the opportunity to make a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust during the booking process.