New Lanark World Heritage Site has announced a jam-packed schedule of free events this Easter, with festivities beginning on the 30th of March.
Between the 30th of March and the 14th of April, visitors can uncover the scenic views and walkways during the New Lanark Easter Egg Scavenger Hunt, with hundreds of 3D-printed eggs dotted in hidden places.
During Easter weekend (Saturday, 30th March – Sunday, 31st March), one lucky winner who finds the golden egg will win a chocolate egg and a 3D-printed toy from the Lanark Men’s Shed.
Over Easter weekend, families can also take part in bonnet-making at the visitor centre between 10am and 2pm, before parading their designs at the Easter Parade, which will depart from the visitor centre at 2pm led by the Easter bunny.
The site will host a traditional egg rolling at 3pm each day over Easter weekend, with families encouraged to bring hand-painted designs to roll down the main hill outside Robert Owen’s House.
Visitors can also browse a range of seasonal goods from Scottish vendors including Am-Fearann, Rise and Grind Roastery, Galloway Fudge and Bonnie Wee Dreams, at the New Lanark Easter Market which is open between 11am and 3pm during the Easter weekend.
Elsewhere, the Scottish Wildlife Trust will be hosting guided walks, nature crafts and birdfeed-making workshops from 11am to 4pm on Saturday 30 March, as part of its Biodiversity Bonanza. The Bonanza is the perfect opportunity for nature enthusiasts young and old to discover some of the incredible local wildlife.
One of the highlights of the festivities will take place on Saturday 6th of April with the Great New Lanark Duck Race. Beginning at noon, numbered ducks will be available to register for free before competitors take up their place for the drop at 1pm above the Falls of Clyde waterway.
Brittnee Leysen, Events Officer at New Lanark said: “We’re excited about our bumper programme of events taking place this Easter; from egg hunts to our legendary duck race, there is something for everyone in the family to enjoy.
“It is also one of the best times of the year to see New Lanark’s beauty, with trees and flowers in full bloom, adding to the picturesque charm of our historic site.”
The site’s newly refurbished soft play will also be open during the weekend, as well as a bouncy castle and tuck shop. Located in the Schoolhouse, the soft play costs £3 per child and is open to children under eight.
Recognised as one of Scotland’s six UNESCO World Heritage Sites, New Lanark is a beautifully preserved 18th-century cotton mill village. Just under one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh, it is an ideal destination for families seeking memorable days out.
Retail trade union Usdaw has today (13 March) launched shocking statistics from their annual survey of over 5,500 retail staff showing that 18% of shopworkers suffered a violent attack last year, compared to 8% in 2022.
The increase in assaults comes during an epidemic of retail crime with official stats and reports from retailers showing significant increases in theft from shops. Usdaw’s survey shows that levels of violence, threats and abuse all increased compared to pre-pandemic figures. In the last twelve months (pre-pandemic levels in brackets, from the 2019 survey):
These findings follow similar trends to recent reports from British Retail Consortium and the Association of Convenience Stores.
Both retail trade associations found significant increases in violence and abuse against shopworkers alongside much higher levels of shoplifting, which is costing the industry £3 billion in lost stock and security measures.
Scottish voices from the frontline:
These are some of the comments Scottish shopworkers shared when responding to Usdaw’s survey:
Central Scotland: “Customer wasn’t happy about something and took it out on me with shouting.” – “Most abuse when asking for ID for age identification.” – “Customer wasn’t sold alcohol and became verbally aggressive, they left but I felt shaken.”
Glasgow: “Shouting at me, getting in my face, calling me names, saying I’m useless, swearing, using derogatory female terms.” – “Pregnant member of staff got assaulted with a solar light.” – “Attacked in the car park finishing shift.”
Highlands and Islands: “Have been pushed and punched.” – “Called horrible name and barged past by a customer who I asked to leave because he is barred for shoplifting.”
Lothian: “Threats to stab us, wait for us to finish etc.” – “Customers who are drunk issuing vague threats, personal insults.” – “Touched by a male customer, he got angry, called me a rat and a lesbian because I didn’t want to be touched.”
Mid-Scotland and Fife: “Verbal abuse daily, at Christmas get threats.” – “Threatened to get punched and verbal abuse.” – “Challenging shoplifters on a daily basis and dealing with antisocial behaviour.” – “Grabbed me from behind.”
North East Scotland: “Customer said they liked my hair then pulled it.” – “Intentionally swung his basket at me after being told the alcohol aisle was closed.” – “Swearing directed towards me when asking shoplifter to leave the store.”
South Scotland: “Abuse from youths on a daily basis – threats and violence from shoplifters under the influence of drink and drugs.” – “Customer spit in my face after assaulting security.” – “Hit with packs of cakes and called a fat lazy cow.”
West Scotland: “Hit in the face by a drunk man with a basket.” – “Someone tried to hit me with a bottle.” – “Shouted at about queues, items not in stock or wanting a refund on an item that has been used and no receipt.”
Paddy Lillis – Usdaw General Secretary says: “It is heart-breaking to hear these testimonies from Scottish shopworkers who deserve far more respect than they receive. Our latest survey results clearly show the scale of the appalling violence, threats and abuse faced by retail staff.
“No-one should feel afraid to go to work, but our evidence shows that too many retail workers are. It is shocking that nearly a fifth of our members working in retail are being assaulted for simply doing their job and serving the community. They provide an essential service and deserve our respect and the protection of the law.
“Our members have reported that they are often faced with hardened career criminals and we know that retail workers are much more likely to be abused by those who are stealing to sell goods on. Our latest survey results show that 7 in 10 retail workers suffered abuse from customers, with far too many experiencing threats and violence. Theft from shops and armed robbery were triggers for 61% of these incidents.
“Violence and abuse is not an acceptable part of the job and much more needs to be done to protect shopworkers. We were delighted to have won the campaign for a protection of workers law in the Scottish Parliament, but that is the beginning not the end. We have to ensure that the legislation is central to tackle a growing wave of retail crime and Usdaw looks forward to working with Police Scotland to make that happen.”
Smokers are being urged to make a quit attempt this No Smoking Day to improve their health and wealth
5.3 million smokers in England urged to make a quit attempt this No Smoking Day, as one of the best things they can do for their health and their wealth
With up to two in three long-term smokers dying from smoking and causing 64,000 deaths in England each year – No Smoking Day remains important 40 years on from its launch
It’s never too late to quit’: presenter Coleen Nolan tells us why she is stopping smoking following a recent health scare and reassures others on taking first steps to a smokefree life
It comes as the Prime Minister’s landmark legislation to create a smokefree generation is due to be introduced,
Leading charities, including ASH, Cancer Research UK and Asthma + Lung UK, are joining forces with the government to encourage the nation’s 5.3 million smokers to make a quit attempt this No Smoking Day, 13 March.
The campaign comes as part of the government’s bold plans to bring about the first smokefree generation and introduce legislation so children turning fifteen this year or younger can never legally be sold tobacco. Almost every minute of every day someone is admitted to hospital in England with a smoking-related disease and in 2022-23 there were over 400,000 hospital admissions in England due to smoking.
Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your health, at any age, and the benefits begin immediately. After eight hours your oxygen levels recover and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half. After 48 hours all carbon monoxide will have flushed out, your lungs will clear out mucus and your sense of taste and smell improve.
Stopping smoking is also one of the best things people can do to save money to spend on other things. The average smoker spends around £47 a week on tobacco, which is around £2,450 a year. More broadly, it costs society over £17 billion per year, which includes a £14 billion cost to productivity and £3 billion cost to the NHS and social care.
UK Public Health Minister Andrea Leadsom said: ”Smoking is the biggest preventable killer in the UK and places a huge burden on our NHS. Cigarettes are responsible for 64,000 deaths a year in England – no other consumer product kills up to two-thirds of its users.
“That’s why No Smoking Day is still so important 40 years on from its launch. We are taking action to prevent our children from ever lighting a cigarette, and our proposed historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill will safeguard the next generation from the harms of smoking and risk of addiction.
Up to two in three long-term smokers will die from their smoking. Despite the harms associated with smoking, it’s estimated that nearly 50 million cigarettes are smoked every day in England, with every single one negatively impacting the smoker’s health.
Chief Medical Officer for England Professor Chris Whitty said: “Cigarettes kill. They cause at least 15 different types of cancers and increase your risk of developing more than 50 serious health conditions.
“Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your health – no matter your age or how long you have smoked.”
Today, presenter, singer and TV personality Coleen Nolan – who smoked for over 40 years and is currently on her quitting journey following a health scare – shares her story to encourage others to join her.
Singer and presenter Coleen Nolan said: “I smoked for about 40 years and was heavily influenced by my friends and family around me. At such a young age I wasn’t aware of the health risks of smoking and soon found myself becoming addicted.
“Following a recent health scare, I realised how precious life is and became determined to quit, not just for my own health, but so I can be there fully for my children and grandchildren. To anyone out there thinking of giving up smoking, my advice is do it! ”
She is joined by ex-smoker and cancer survivor Sue Mountain who shares her story in a bid to urge smokers to quit smoking before it’s too late. Sue features in a powerful TV advert released by the department as part of a new Smokefree campaign, encouraging people to quit smoking.
Sue Mountain said: ”I never once thought I’d get cancer. Not once. To tell your family you’ve got cancer through smoking, is really hard. My kids thought they were going to lose their mam.”
Smoking rates have reduced by two-thirds since the first year of No Smoking Day 40 years ago, but smoking is still the single largest preventable cause of death in England – estimated to account for 64,000 deaths annually.
Stopping smoking is the best thing people can do for their health, and it can significantly reduce the risk of younger people taking up smoking and becoming addicted. Currently, four in five smokers start before the age of 20 and smoking from a younger age is linked to being more likely to smoke in later years.
Better Health offers a range of free quitting support, including a local stop smoking services look-up tool and advice on stop smoking aids, including information on how vaping can help you quit smoking.
As part of the government’s Swap to Stop scheme, almost one in five of all adult smokers in England will have access to a vape kit alongside behavioural support to help them quit the habit and improve health outcomes.
Plans to introduce the most significant public health intervention in a generation and phase out smoking are progressing at pace, with the UK now in the lead to be the first country in the world to create a smokefree generation. The UK government is proposing the phasing out of the sale of tobacco so that any child born on or after 1 January 2009 can never legally be sold cigarettes.
Be part of the change and help build a smokefree generation. For free support to quit this No Smoking Day, search ‘Smokefree’.
Young people may be missing out on help because they don’t realise they’re carers
On Young Carers Action Day (13 March) teenagers who look after others are being urged find out if they’re eligible for a grant available only in Scotland.
Since being introduced in 2019 by the Scottish Government, Young Carer Grant has delivered over £3 million to over 6,600 teenage carers.
However a leading carers charity says many young people who look after others do not recognise themselves as carers, as they see the support they give as just part of family life. As a result, they do not know they’re entitled to benefits.
Scottish Government figures suggest around 25% of those eligible for Young Carer Grant in 2022-23 did not apply.
The Carers Trust has joined Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville to urge teenagers who look after others to recognise their vital caring role and to apply for the support available to them.
Young Carers Grant, paid by Social Security Scotland, is available to those aged 16-18 who spend 16 or more hours a week looking after someone who gets a disability benefit.
The grant was introduced in October 2019 by the Scottish Government to help young people with caring responsibilities and is part of a wider package of support for young carers funded by the Scottish Government.
Paul Traynor, Head of External Affairs (Scotland) at Carers Trust, said: “There are lots of young people caring for a relative, friend or member of their community who don’t realise they’re young carers and could be eligible for financial support.
“They might help someone get dressed in the morning, help with shopping or provide emotional support, for example. The person they look after could have a disability, illness or addiction.
“Young carers often view this as ‘just helping out’ or ‘part of family life’. It could even be expected as part of their culture. It is vital that all young carers know about their rights, what support they are entitled to, are able to have a life alongside caring and are helped to reach their full potential in all aspects of their lives.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I’m pleased that the grant we introduced has been able to deliver over £3 million to young carers in Scotland who are balancing their vital caring role with study or work.
“However, we know many young people who look after others see the amazing work they do as part of life and do not recognise themselves as carers and so do not realise they can get financial support.
“I urge any young person aged 16, 17 or 18 who looks after someone else to check if they’re eligible for Young Carer Grant and to apply if they are. It’s money they’re entitled to.
“The payment is designed to recognise the important role of unpaid young carers and allow them to take part in the same activities as their peers, whether that’s driving lessons, going on a weekend away or buying new clothes.
“The money can be spent on whatever the young person wants.”
Zainab, who is a young carer said: “I spent my grant on a piano keyboard. I’ve loved to do piano for a very long time but I didn’t have enough funds to buy one as they’re very expensive.
“So I used my Young Carer Grant to buy one and I love it!”
Young carers may also be eligible for Carer Support Payment from Social Security Scotland or Carer’s Allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement is also available as an extra payment for people in Scotland who get Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on a particular date each year.
These dates are available on mygov.scot/carers-allowance-supplement.
Dean & Cauvin Young People’s Trust has today (WEDNESDAY 13 MARCH) been awarded funding from the Young Start programme to continue delivering their vital support services to vulnerable young people in Edinburgh.
Funding of £99,347 was awarded to the 300-year-old charity as part of a total of more than £1.5 million awarded to 19 Scottish organisations supporting children, teenagers and young adults across the country.
Young Start, delivered by The National Lottery Community Fund, awards dormant bank account funding to projects that help young people reach their full potential.
Spartans Community Foundation also received funding of over £99,000. They will use their Young Start award to provide a three-year project to support 450 young people aged 10 to 18 through regular weekly clubs, workshops, day trips and residential trips.
The project, based at Ainslie Park in Pilton, will support children and young people from the immediate surrounding areas. The group will also support the young people in developing self-advocacy and communication skills. The project builds on the group’s experience of youth work in North Edinburgh and its partnership with other agencies.
Other Edinburgh-based projects to receive funding are:
The Venture Trust (£95,292)
This group will provide a two year project to support 110 young people aged 16 to 24. The group will support young people through intense complex challenges such as adverse childhood experiences, trauma, poverty, abuse and periods of homelessness and substance use issues.
The project aims to provide a preventative approach to these complex issues and avoid high-risk behaviours. The group will support young people from West Lothian, Midlothian, and Edinburgh.
U-Evolve (£91,505)
The group will provide a therapeutic programme of support to young people aged 11 to 18 in Edinburgh.
This programme has been developed by young people, and in response to challenges young people face with their mental health and wellbeing. This project will benefit 300 young people and 36 volunteers over the course of three years.
Youth Theatre Arts Scotland (£67,386)
The group will provide disadvantaged young people aged 16 to 24, who want to work in youth theatre with opportunities to train in youth theatre leadership, gain work experience, obtain accredited qualifications in youth work, and develop their CVs and interview skills.
The two and a half year project will benefit 100 young people and 40 volunteers.
Dean & Cauvin Young People’s Trust provides a range of support to vulnerable young people including helping with addiction and homelessness, supporting young parents, and family breakdowns.
Jay, aged 20 from Edinburgh, accessed Dean & Cauvin’s residential services with the help of her social worker, when she was 19 years old and had just given birth to her baby boy, Bob.
Jay said: “I was quite ill after giving birth to Bob – I had a blood clot and a collapsed lung, so I had to spend quite a bit of time in hospital.
“When I was better, I had nowhere to stay. There was no space with any of my family members, and having a six-week-old baby made it so much more urgent that I found a home. My social worker managed to find me a space at Cauvin House.”
Dean & Cauvin’s residential service – Cauvin House – provides accommodation to young parents and their children, as well as ongoing parenting support and assessment, to help keep families together.
One year after Jay moved into the shared accommodation, an individual flat became available for her, which she was able to transition into.
Jay said: “It feels amazing to have our own space. Living with Bob in the shared accommodation was obviously so much better than the alternative – being homeless – but having got a wee flat for us is giving me so much independence.
“I still get a lot of help from the staff – I had a really bad period of mental illness a while back and began self-harming, and my support workers were always there for me and have helped me come back out of that and be mentally well again.”
Jay says thanks to the charity, she’s looking forward to the future and hopes to go back into education.
She explained: “I was studying childminding at college when I got pregnant, and now I feel like I’m in a good position I want to go back and finish it when Bob goes to nursery.
“I’m so thankful for everything the staff at Dean & Cauvin have done for me – they’re like a second family – they’ve been there through it all with us.”
Lianne Thomson, House and Community Service Manager at Dean & Cauvin Young People’s Trust said: “We are deeply grateful for the Young Start funding as it has enabled us to continue making a real difference to the lives of our young people.
“It has helped us to provide vital support and resources to empower and impact the lives of the families we work with. I am immensely proud of Jay’s progress and it has been a privilege to join her on her parenting journey.”
Announcing today’s funding, The National Lottery Community Fund, Scotland Chair, Kate Still, said: “Support services such as Dean & Cauvin are such important resources around the country for so many young people like Jay to help turn their lives around in moments of real difficulty.
“We are always keen to support projects that put Scotland’s young people at the heart of the development and running of services. If your group has an idea how you would make this happen, then we’d love to hear from you.”
Young Start helps young people aged eight to 24 become more confident and play an active part in realising their potential. Funding of up to £100,000 is available for youth led projects.
Scott Woodburn from Falkirk is celebrating a decade of career success with Aldi Scotland
A Falkirk man has shared his career success story for National Careers Week, as he marks 10 years of dedicated service with Aldi Scotland.
Scott Woodburn (32) joined Aldi as a part-time Store Assistant during university. After opening the 100th Scottish store in Hermiston Gate as Store Manager, he has quickly risen through the ranks and was recently promoted to Area Manager.
National Careers Week, running from 4 to 9 March 2024, raises awareness about the significance of career guidance, which closely aligns with Aldi’s commitment to employee success and career development.
Scott’s journey with Aldi commenced more than a decade ago when he joined the company as a part-time store assistant while pursuing his degree in Computer Systems and Networks. What started as a job to support his studies quickly transformed into a remarkable career with Aldi.
Scott said: “Aldi is fantastic place to learn, it’s not like anywhere else. The responsibility is far higher, and the team is so tight knit that you create lasting bonds. You rely on each other so much and there’s a real sense that everyone has each other’s backs.”
Scott’s commitment and hard work were evident early on, leading to his promotion to Deputy Store Manager within six months, while he was still studying. He transitioned into a full-time role as an Assistant Store Manager after completing his university degree.
Scott continued: “I enjoyed the idea of working my way up the Aldi career ladder. The structure and the bond within the teams were unique, and I felt supported in my journey.”
During National Careers Week, resources and guidance are highlighted as key attributes to career growth and success. Aldi Scotland provides resources to enhance employee development and offers opportunities for employees to explore various roles and responsibilities. For instance, Scott worked in the regional head office in Bathgate during the Christmas period, enhancing his communication skills and preparing him for his current role as an Area Manager.
Scott attributes his success to the mentorship he received at Aldi: “I felt mentored and supported at each and every stage of my career. When I was approached for the Deputy Store Manager position, I realised that my hard work and ambition had been noticed and as a result, I was being guided into leadership roles.
“The biggest lesson I’ve learned at Aldi is owning your mistakes. The higher the role, the higher the responsibility. Being honest and learning from mistakes is crucial for personal and professional growth.”
Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Scotland, said: “I’m delighted to celebrate Scott Woodburn’s remarkable journey in line with National Careers Week and congratulate him on 10 years at Aldi.
“Scott’s decade of commitment echoes Aldi’s values of hard work, ambition and teamwork and his progression reflects not only his personal growth but also the opportunities for advancement that Aldi provides to its employees.
“This success story is a shining example of Aldi’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering a culture that values each team member’s contribution. Aldi won Employer of the Year at the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards 2023 and as we continue to expand, stories like Scott’s underline our commitment to employee success and career development.”
Aldi is currently looking to recruit over 200 new store colleagues across Scotland.
In a welcome boost to the local economy, the UK’s fourth largest supermarket is looking for people of all levels of experience to fill roles at its stores, including Store Cleaner and Store Assistant, all the way up to Deputy Manager and Assistant Store Manager.
Spectacular new charity bloom and lifesaving-themed Great Pavilion display will commemorate the RNLI’s 200th anniversary in style at the world-famous flower show
Leading grower Peter Beales Roses will unveil Rosa ‘With Courage’ at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May – an exquisite new bloom that’s poised to raise more than £40,000 to help support the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The spectacular rose marks the start of a touching new collaboration between Peter Beales Roses and the RNLI and will commemorate the charity’s 200th anniversary with a breath-taking floral showcase that will grace Chelsea’s Great Pavilion.
Peter Beales Roses – a 28 times RHS Chelsea gold medal winner – and the leading lifesaving charity are bursting with excitement to debut their new alliance at RHS Chelsea, presenting a display that not only celebrates the exquisite allure of roses but also pays homage to the extraordinary efforts of the RNLI and its valiant volunteers who, together, have saved over 144,00 lives since the charity’s formation in 1824.
Rosa ‘With Courage’ is a modern classic floribunda, bred to reward the nation’s gardeners with an abundance of beautiful coppery orange double flowers set against mid-green glossy foliage.
Free-flowering, compact and growing to 3ft tall, peachy pink tones add charm to outer petals which display yellow accents at their base, while a sweet apple scent fills the summertime breeze with delightful fragrance. Having performed spectacularly during Peter Beales’ own field trials, the ‘With Courage’ rose has taken six years to come to market to ensure it can more than meet the demands of modern gardens.
For Ian Limmer, head of the nursery and plant breeding programme at Peter Beales Roses, the launch of the high-profile rose is personal, because his grandad spent 30 years serving as a volunteer for the RNLI and saved over 160 lives.
Ian said: “In my mind, the colour of the rose reflects the orange of the RNLI’s boats while the yellow is reminiscent of the colour of the uniform. Gardeners who grow the rose will be supporting the RNLI and its flowers will be a constant reminder in the garden of the life-saving work that volunteers do.”
Ideal for growing in all parts of the garden including borders or containers, in sun or part-shade, ‘With Courage’ is a superbly healthy and highly versatile new rose, that boasts exceptional resilience to summer heat and shrugs off winter cold. What’s more it will happily withstand temperatures as low as -10C, whilst blooms last well when cut for the vase, too.
Set to be the talk of RHS Chelsea 2024, 20% of proceeds from sales of the rose will help to support the indispensable resources that the RNLI needs to survive, including crew, kit and lifeboats.
Developed in Britain, the extraordinary plant embodies the fearless commitment of RNLI volunteers who have been saving lives at sea for two decades, from the times of wooden lifeboats with oars and sails to the motor-powered, all-weather lifeboats they have now, complete with state-of-the-art technology and communications.
Celebrating a flourishing new partnership
At the heart of Chelsea’s Great Pavilion and spanning over 100 square metres, a breathtaking display will unfold, showcasing the partnership between Peter Beales Roses and the RNLI in a truly spectacular fashion.
Central to this display will be a real RNLI rib, surrounded by thousands of Peter Beales’ most stunning roses. Designed to evoke the iconic image of a lifeboat launching from its house, a sight synonymous with the RNLI, this floral masterpiece will capture the essence of the partnership’s commitment to saving lives and protecting communities and is set to be a major highlight of the show, offering countless photo opportunities for Instagram enthusiasts and plant-loving visitors.
Ian Limmer expressed his excitement: “The RNLI’s 200th anniversary is a testament to their unwavering commitment to saving lives at sea. It is an immense honour to stand alongside one of the UK’s oldest charities as partners during this historic milestone and we feel truly blessed that, of all the exhibitors at RHS Chelsea, the RNLI chose us to partner with.
“The unveiling of the garden, with its centrepiece lifeboat alive with roses, will be a truly magical moment. As the world watches, we hope to not only captivate visitors with the beauty of our display but also to raise awareness and much-needed funds for the vital work of the RNLI. This partnership is a celebration of resilience, strength, and the enduring spirit of humanity, and we are proud to be a part of it.”
Peter Beales Roses is striving for its 29th RHS Chelsea gold medal at this year’s show, which will run from May 21st to May 25th at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.
The Peter Beales Roses and RNLI display can be found in the Great Pavilion. Available to order from April, a limited number of ‘With Courage’ roses will be available at Chelsea, with more plants available as bare-root from November. It’s priced at £26.95 for bare-root and £31.95 in containers.
Visit the website for more information about the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and to register for tickets.
Peter er Beales Roses can be found on London Road, Attleborough, Norfolk, where you can view its two-acre rose garden, historic rose collection, garden centre, and an unrivalled programme of workshops and rose events.
A health charity’s No Smoking Day campaign is urging Edinburgh residents who smoke to reach out for free support to give up tobacco and win with their health and fitness, family and finances.
ASH Scotland’s ‘Quit and win’ campaigning is highlighting that giving up smoking increases opportunities to live a healthier life through halving the risk of developing lung, mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder, oesophagus and larynx cancer after five to 10 years of being tobacco-free.
The charity is also advising that an average smoker who gives up tobacco on No Smoking Day (Wednesday 13 March 2024) would save more than £3,000 within 12 months, money that could be better spent on a holiday or something special for themselves or their loved ones.
Sheila Duffy, Chief Executive of ASH Scotland, said: “Tobacco is still the biggest cause of preventable death in Scotland but Edinburgh residents who smoke can have a brighter future by using the expert stop smoking support, such as that provided for free by NHS Scotland’s Quit Your Way service, which can increase the chances of successful quit smoking attempts by three to four times.”
“Two thirds of adults in Scotland who smoke say they wish they had never started and leaving tobacco behind will be the best thing they can do for their health, fitness, family and finances.
“So whether you’re trying to give up smoking for the first time or trying again, make a commitment to yourself and those you care about on No Smoking Day to contact Quit Your Way Scotland.”
Anyone who has the goal of giving up smoking is advised to visit QuitYourWay.scot or call the free helpline on 0800 848484.
ASH Scotland is tackling the tobacco industry head-on by campaigning to reduce the harms caused by smoking. For more information, follow the health charity’s social media channels on Instagram and Facebook.
The National Lottery Open Week returns for Spring 2024
As a recipient of National Lottery funding, the National Museum of Flight in East Fortune is inviting players to visit for free on 16 and 17 March.
This March, The National Lottery, in its 30th year, will once again be saying thank you to players for the £30 million they raise for good causes every week with National Lottery Open Week.
The focus this year is on encouraging the nation to try something new, by offering an array of free entry and special offers at hundreds of National Lottery funded venues across the UK.
From Saturday 9 – Sunday 17 March 2024, anyone with a valid online or retail National Lottery ticket, Scratchcard or Instant Win Game can enjoy a low-cost day out thanks to special offers at hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues and attractions.
There is something to excite everyone this year. Whether you fancy delving into the past at historical houses, castles and museums, embracing nature in all its glory at wildlife hotspots reliving iconic moments at famous sports venues or enjoying a culture fix at an array of art galleries, theatres and other creative spaces.
On Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 March the National Museum of Flight is offering free entry to National Lottery players. Visitors to the Museum must book a ticket online in advance of their visit and bring along both their admission ticket and lottery ticket or scratch card.
Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in The National Lottery Open Week again this year. We’ve been fortunate to receive National Lottery funding, which has enabled us to redevelop two of our Second World War hangars.
“These spaces tell the stories of military and civil aviation, from the first use of air-to-air weapons in 1914 and drone warfare in the 21st century, to flying for fun and connecting distant communities.
“We’re thrilled to have the opportunity say thank you to everyone who has supported us by buying a National Lottery ticket and we’re looking forward to welcoming them at the National Museum of Flight.”
To view all venues and offers that are available throughout The National Lottery Open Week, visit www.nationallotteryopenweek.com.
Darren Henley, Chief Executive of Arts Council England and Chair of the National Lottery Forum said: “In our 30th year, we’re delighted to mark the return of The National Lottery Open Week 2024.
“The UK is brimming with exciting things to see and do – from historical landmarks and cultural treasures to sports venues and natural landscapes. We want players to get out and experience something new by taking advantage of the low-cost and free days out at venues across the country during National Lottery Open Week.
“This is our way of saying thank you to the players who raise an incredible £30 million each week for Good Causes, supporting venues and projects across the arts, sports, community and heritage sectors.”
Terms and conditions and booking instructions across special offers will vary, check the individual offer listing for details.
: