Some of the most iconic comedies and cheerful musical choruses are set to return to the big screen at Vue this month to help film fans feel a little less blue this January.
With darker nights, colder days and Blue Monday (January 15) just around the corner, Vue is aiming to spread some joy and laughter by screenings some of the nation’s most-loved comedies and feel-good musicals to help alleviate the January blues.
Each week, for four weeks, hilarious hi-jinks will be heading to the big screen at Vue, starting with Robin Williams’s iconic Mrs Doubtfire on Friday 12 January.
Also making a cheerful comeback will be Anne Hathaway’s fantastic fashion flick The Devil Wears Prada, the deja vu-ings of Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day and Heath Ledger’s much-loved 10 Things I Hate About You. Fans of something a bit more tuneful can also enjoy the comedy musicals Sister Act and Mamma Mia.
Toby Bradon, General Manager of Vue UK & Ireland, said: ‘With January 15 marking Blue Monday this year, we wanted to brighten up the lives of film fans across the country by inviting them to revisit some of our favourite feel good big screen moments.
‘Vue is the perfect place to escape from the pressures of everyday life, providing an entertaining way to enjoy the start the year by experiencing a great story back on the big screen, where it belongs.’
Back on the Big Screen for Blue Monday:
Mrs Doubtfire – From 12 January
The Devil Wears Prada – From 19 January
Mamma Mia! – From 26 January
Sister Act – From 26 January
Groundhog Day – From 2 February
10 Things I Hate About You – From 2 February
Tickets are available online from just £4.99 at select venues. Terms and conditions apply, visit myvue.com/legal for more info.
Stay off the ice to save your life, that’s the message from Water Safety Scotland (WSS) ahead of the colder months.
The message comes as temperatures in the region have plummeted in recent days, meaning some bodies of water like lochs have frozen over. While frozen waters can provide youngsters a tempting place to play, and walkers with a picturesque view, they can be deadly.
The warning comes after high profile tragedy in Birmingham in 2022 when four young boys died after walking on a lake and falling into icy waters.
WSS has a wealth of free water safety resources on its website, which can be accessed by the public, schools and businesses. These include downloadable posters, leaflets and social media assets. Schools and colleges are encouraged to explore and use the ice-safety workshop, suitable for people of all ages.
Carlene McAvoy, from WSS, said:“The great outdoors is beautiful in winter, but we want to ensure people enjoy it in a safe and informed way by knowing about the dangers of ice.
“Frozen water can be tempting to walk on, but there is just no way of knowing whether it will hold your weight or how deep the water is beneath.
“We urge people to keep themselves and their children away from frozen water, and if dog-walking, to always keep your pet on a lead. Tragically, many past incidents have involved attempted rescues of another person or dog in trouble on frozen water.”
This is the key advice from WSS:
Most importantly, stay off the ice. Never be tempted to venture onto ice – you have no way of knowing how thick it is and how cold and deep the water beneath is. The water beneath could also be fast-flowing. Don’t ever risk it.
Keep a safe distance from the edge. Fallen leaves or snow could obscure the water’s true boundary.
Check for safety signage. This can help inform you of hazards in that area you may not be aware of.
Always supervise children. Just a moment’s distraction could have serious consequences for a curious child.
Keep dogs on leads. Otherwise they could end up on the ice and in danger. Also don’t throw sticks and balls for dogs near ice.
If you do encounter someone who has fallen through ice:
Call 999 and request the assistance of the emergency services
Remain calm and give clear, accurate information about the situation and location
Do not attempt to go out onto the ice yourself.
Carlene continued:“To support communities to share and display this advice in their local areas, perhaps in areas known as ‘hot-spots’ for ice, WSS has developed ice safety resources such as posters, a leaflet and social media assets which are available from the WSS website to download and use.
“These are free of charge and available to everyone.”
Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Station Commander James Sullivan added:“Every year our operational crews are called to assist people who have got into difficulty after venturing onto frozen water.
“The truth is that it is never a good idea to walk onto frozen water – especially with children.
“It’s also important for dog owners to avoid throwing sticks or balls near ice.
“If your pet does get into trouble on the ice, do not attempt a rescue yourself– dial 999 and try to remain calm while providing accurate information to our highly trained Operations Control staff.”
WSS would like to encourage those wishing to access these resources to follow this link to download these resources to get those key messages about ice safety out to members of the public this winter.
The UK’s largest municipal bus company, Lothian Buses, has paired up with social enterprise Powering Futures to take eight of its apprentice engineers through the Challenge Programme – a pioneering workplace skills development programme focused on sustainability and future business prosperity.
Participants in the Challenge Programme will collaborate on a solution to a sustainability challenge set by Lothian Buses, and present that solution to a panel of industry-leading judges – developing their skills in innovation, networking and collaboration.
The challenge to be tackled by the Lothian Buses apprentice engineers is reduction in the use of energy, particularly gas, across the Lothian Buses estate – with company bosses undertaking to implement the creative solutions which Challenge Programme participants come up with at the end of the process.
Powering Futures was set up in 2020 to empower the young and future workforce with the skills, critical thinking, and enthusiasm to help their organisation transition to net zero.
Partnering with businesses to help them solve real-time climate change challenges, Powering Futures tasks teams of 16–25-year-olds with solving a sustainability problem set by industry or their employer and supports them in coming up with creative solutions through teamwork and climate skills.
Colin Barnes, Director of Engineering at Lothian Buses said:“As the main bus operator in Edinburgh, we are fully committed to ensuring we play our part in reducing emissions across Edinburgh and the Lothians, including within our premises and plan to become fully net zero by 2035.
“We are excited to be working with Powering Futures to encourage and empower our young workforce to come up with the solutions to the challenge of energy use.
“Our younger colleagues will look at these issues in a different way to those who have been in the business for a long time, and we are confident that their suggestions will inspire a step-change in how this sustainability challenge is approached. Nothing is off limits.”
The Lothian Buses Powering Futures Challenge got underway this week, with Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith where Lothian Buses is headquartered visiting the Lothian Buses Central Depot to meet the Challenge participants.
Ben Macpherson MSP said:“It’s great that Powering Futures and Lothian Buses are working together to help empower the young workforce.
“The Challenging Programme will equip participants with key skills for their career, and also bring forward innovative, new ideas for how Lothian Buses can continue to lead in decarbonising the transport sector.”
Since launching in 2020, the Powering Futures Challenge Programme has engaged over 3,000 young people across Scotland, including those working in well-known organisations such as Scottish Water, Forth Ports and Booth Welsh.
In October, Booth Welsh reported that the sustainability solution implemented after its young workforce took part in the Powering Futures Challenge Programme had cut gas usage by 80%, at a saving of £40,000 annually for the business.
Jennifer Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures said:“We are delighted to be working with Lothian Buses to bring this pioneering initiative to their young workforce.
“The transport sector is understandably a major focus area in the transition towards net zero, but it’s also where we are seeing some of the most innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.
“Through the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, we are empowering tomorrow’s business leaders to solve real-time sustainability challenges and work towards future economic prosperity.
“We believe that economic prosperity and sustainability exist together – and the example set by previous Challenge participants proves that the model works for businesses, the young workforce, and the climate.
“We are excited to work with the team at Lothian Buses to empower the young workforce and bring their creative sustainability solutions to life.”
Tight safeguards on XL Bully dogs are to be introduced in Scotland to make it a criminal offence to own the breed without an exemption certificate.
The legislation will mirror what has been introduced by the UK Government in England and Wales, and prevent Scotland from becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for this breed.
Under the new rules, existing owners will be required to consider whether they wish to keep their dogs. If they do, they will have to apply and pay a fee for an exemption permit. This will require owners to ensure appropriate safeguards are taken for their XL Bully dogs such as muzzling when in public, being on a lead when in public, taking out insurance and neutering their dogs.
In addition, it will be illegal to sell an XL Bully dog, abandon a dog or let it stray or give it away.
Subject to parliamentary approval, the Minister for Victims and Community Safety will make a statement to Parliament next week on these new safeguards.
First Minister Humza Yousaf said: “We recognise that the vast majority of dog owners are responsible animal lovers.
“However, now that we know the full implications for Scotland of the UK government’s measures, we are urgently bringing forward new safeguards on XL Bully dogs. It is essential Scotland is not adversely impacted because of any loopholes created as a consequence of the introduction of the UK Government’s policy in England and Wales.
“Recent reports of XL Bully dogs being moved to Scotland from south of the border are concerning and it’s important we do not become a dumping ground for the breed, leading to unacceptable risks to public safety and animal welfare.
“We will be working at pace to bring forward necessary regulations to mirror the system introduced in England and Wales as soon as possible. We will continue to engage with key stakeholders going forward and to offer practical support to help owners comply with these new safeguards.”
The UK Government announced its decision to introduce new controls on XL Bully dogs with no advance notice or consultation with the Scottish Government.
LAST night(11 January), Royal Air Force aircraft joined ‘coalition forces’ in striking a number of facilities used by the Houthi rebel faction in Yemen to attack shipping in the southern Red Sea.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Diamond has already been active alongside US and French warships in defending vital international shipping lanes against Houthi drones and missiles. Given the persistence of the Houthis in threatening merchant ships, several of which have already suffered damage, and the deliberate targeting of HMS Diamond and US Navy vessels on 9 January, coalition forces identified key facilities involved in these attacks, and agreed to conduct a carefully coordinated strike to reduce the Houthis’ capability to violate international law in this manner.
Four RAF Typhoon FGR4s, supported by a Voyager air refuelling tanker therefore used Paveway IV guided bombs to conduct precision strikes on two of these Houthi facilities. One was a site at Bani in north-western Yemen used to launch reconnaissance and attack drones. A number of buildings involved in drone operations were targeted by our aircraft.
The other location struck by our aircraft was the airfield at Abbs. Intelligence has shown that it has been used to launch both cruise missiles and drones over the Red Sea. Several key targets at the airfield were identified and prosecuted by our aircraft.
In planning the strikes, particular care was taken to minimise any risks to civilians, and any such risks were mitigated further by the decision to conduct the strikes during the night.
The detailed results of the strikes are being assessed, but early indications are that the Houthis’ ability to threaten merchant shipping has taken a blow, and our commitment to protecting the sea-lanes, through which some 15% of the world’s shipping passes and which is vital to the global economy, has been amply demonstrated.
PRIME MINISTER’s STATEMENT12.1.24
The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.
In recent months, the Houthi militia have carried out a series of dangerous and destabilising attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, threatening UK and other international ships, causing major disruption to a vital trade route and driving up commodity prices. Their reckless actions are risking lives at sea and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Despite the repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthis have continued to carry out attacks in the Red Sea, including against UK and US warships just this week.
This cannot stand. The United Kingdom will always stand up for freedom of navigation and the free flow of trade. We have therefore taken limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence, alongside the United States with non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain against targets tied to these attacks, to degrade Houthi military capabilities and protect global shipping.
The Royal Navy continues to patrol the Red Sea as part of the multinational Operation Prosperity Guardian to deter further Houthi aggression, and we urge them to cease their attacks and take steps to de-escalate.
RUSSIA has called for an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council. Russia believes the US & UK bombings in Yemen is a violation of the United Nations Charter.
Social Enterprise, Places for People has continued its support of local food banks with £8,500 of funding to help provide individuals and families with essential items over the winter period.
The funding was allocated following Places for People annual survey which found that 26% of customers in Scotland were struggling financially. A number of customers also stated that they had ran out of food provisions and many expressed an interest in food-related cost-of-living support. It comes after the Trussel Trust reported a 16% increase in demand on local foodbanks between April and September 2023.
The foodbanks that will be supported include:
· Edinburgh Food Project – with seven centres the funding from Places for People will look to benefit over 150 people with food parcels, totally over £5,500.
· The Vennie Food Outlet in Livingston, West Lothian – the centre based at Mosswood Community Centre will see over £1,500 going to support over 100 individuals through the donation.
· Newtongrange Development Trust in Newtongrange – the self-referral service for local residents, which opens on Sundays will receive £1,500 to support discounted weekly shops.
This support is one of the ways Places for People works in their communities to make a difference and support activities across a wide range of areas.
Selected schemes are based on the insight from their annual survey and targeted based on local needs. By taking this approach, Places for People has identified 9 foodbanks to allocate funding to.
In addition to the funding, Places for People is working directly with each foodbank to ensure that the customers who access the service are offered further support by being referred to any relevant support.
Marcus Hulme, Director of Places Impact at Places for People commented: “We have seen first-hand the impact that the cost-of-living crisis is having on communities, and we want to do everything we can to support our customers and communities through this difficult time.
“The rise in the use of foodbanks across the country is deeply concerning, we hope that this funding will help to support our local foodbanks and help provide people with the essentials they need.
“This funding is only part of the continuing work we are doing to support our customers and communities, between April 2022 and March 2023 we provided £750,000 of financial support through our Cost of Living Fund including rent relief and vouchers for essentials including food and fuel. A fund which we have dedicated more funds to this financial year.”
Places for People has an ongoing commitment to support communities, in April 2023 they dedicated £1 million to their cost-of-living fund to help ease the challenge of the steeply rising cost of living, the fund is used to support customers with food and fuel vouchers, rent and service charge relief as well as energy efficient packs.
Ratho Coaches has become the first operator in the central belt of Scotland to put an electric coach into service, after taking delivery of a new Yutong TCe12 from Asset Alliance Group.
The Edinburgh-based firm added the coach as part of its sustainability drive, and to ensure compliance with the existing Low Emission Zone (LEZ) in Glasgow city centre and ahead of the introduction of the LEZ in the Scottish capital on 1 June 2024.
Charles McIntosh, Co-Owner and Director at Ratho Coaches, says: “We are delighted to be leading the way as an environmentally-friendly coach operator. It’s the first time we’ve used Asset Alliance Group and we’re extremely pleased with the exceptional service they have provided.
“The Yutong TCe12 is a fantastic addition to our fleet and a key part of our mission to become a more sustainable business.
“It replaces a diesel coach previously used for city tours to places like Glasgow, Stirling and as far as St Andrews, helping the company to reduce its carbon footprint.”
After being certified as an Ultra Low Emission Bus (ULEB) in August 2020, the Yutong TCe12 is the first fully electric zero-emission coach to be made available in the UK. It means that the 50-seat, fully PSVAR-compliant vehicle is eligible to receive the 30p per kilometre Bus Service Operators Grant (BSOG) Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) incentive payment in Scotland for qualifying work.
Using an identical electric driveline and control system to Yutong’s E10, E12 and airport buses, the vehicle’s 281 kWh battery offers Ratho Coaches a range in excess of 200 miles on a full charge.
“The excellent battery range of the coach, combined with the flexible seating and luxury specifications – including fold down tables and footrests – offers a high level of comfort for passengers joining our city tours,” adds McIntosh.
“We plan to add more electric coaches to our fleet in the coming years to take advantage of ongoing improvements in battery charging infrastructure for EVs, which will allow us to utilise them for UK-wide tours and further enhance our green transport credentials.”
Ratho Coaches currently runs a fleet of 76 vehicles, ranging from people carriers and 16-seat Mercedes-Benz Sprinters to 57-seat Executive coaches and 70-seat capacity coaches.
This year, the coach operator hopes to access the Scottish Government grant system designed to accelerate the bus and coach sector’s transition to net zero. The company has applied to the Scottish Zero Emission Bus Challenge Fund (ScotZEB) to help acquire additional EVs.
Award-winning author and illustrator Morag Hood is announced as the next author to read from her books at The Centre, Livingston’s free Book Club on Saturday, 20th January, ahead of National Storytelling Week at the end of the month.
The aim of the monthly Book Club is to encourage families to come together and enjoy interactive storytelling sessions once a month in the shopping centre and meet award-winning authors.
It follows on from the installation of the shopping centre’s free book recycling vending machine last year to enable people to swap their favourite novels.
Previous authors who have taken over the reading chair include Linda Erskine, Justin Davies, Catherine Rayner and Lindsay Littleson.
Edinburgh-based Morag, who has an MA in Children’s Book Illustration from Cambridge School of Art and a BA in Costume Design from Wimbledon College of Art, previously worked backstage in theatres before immersing herself in the world of illustration.
She is the author and illustrator of 12 picture books, including ‘I Am Bat’, ‘The Steves’ and ‘Dig, Dig, Digger’, which is a witty and funny tale about a little digger with big dreams. The follow up, ‘Runaway Cone’, is due to be published later this month. Morag is also the author of the best-seller ‘Sophie Johnson: Unicorn Expert’.
Her books are published internationally and have been translated into multiple languages. She is twice winner of the UK Literacy Association Award, voted by primary teachers, and three of her books have been distributed to every primary one class across Scotland as part of Scottish Book Trust’s school reading programme.
Morag has also had five nominations for the CILIP Kate Greenaway Awards over the years and won the Teach Primary Book Awards for ‘Brenda is a Sheep’.
One of her books, ‘Teapot Trouble’, was narrated by the comedian and presenter, Josh Widdicombe, on CBeebies Bedtime Stories.
Morag’s session’s, which are aimed at kid’s aged 2 – 6 and start at 11am and 1pm, will focus on ‘Dig, Dig, Digger’ with a draw-along digger activity and a reading of ‘I Am Bat’.
The Book Club is located across from Waterstones, where her books can be purchased and signed on the day by the author.
Morag said: “I can’t wait to come to the Book Club at The Centre, Livingston this month and share some of my stories and make some muddy digger drawings together – it is such a great idea to run the sessions in the shopping centre and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”
Patrick Robbertze, Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are delighted to welcome another award-winning author, Morag Hood, to our Book Club this month at The Centre, Livingston and give our visitors the chance to hear readings from her award-winning books and take part in some interactive drawing sessions.
“Our free Book Club, which has been very popular since it started last year, is a great way for us to give families another reason to visit and enjoy some special time together.”
Details of the Book Club can be found on The Centre, Livingston website, www.thecentrelivingston.com and @shopthecentre on Facebook and Instagram.
National Storytelling Week, which takes place from the 27th January until the 4th February, is an annual event to celebrate the power of sharing stories, run by the Society of Storytelling.
Come and join us at the garden for wassailing, the community will come together to sing to the orchard and scare away the bad spirits.
The king and queen will lead the procession down to the orchard and the signing and toasting to the trees will commence, it’s lots of fun!
Directions for how to get here are on our website, the singing starts at 1pm so please arrive in plenty of time, the gate shuts at 13:20 to allow everyone to join in so arrive in plenty of time.
Wrap up warm and there will be refreshments afterwards, spiced apple juice and delicious apple baked goods. See you there!
