Month: March 2024

Scottish Government launches Women and Girls Fund

Commitment to enhance gender equality and women’s rights internationally

Women and girls in Malawi, Rwanda and Zambia will be given the opportunity to design and deliver a new fund to advance gender equality and the rights of women and girls in their own countries.

The new Women and Girls Fund is supported by £3 million from the Scottish Government’s International Development Fund and will be delivered over four years.

The lead delivery partner for the Fund is the international research consultancy Ecorys, working in collaboration with FAWE (Forum for African Women Educationalists) in three of the Scottish Government’s International Development partner countries. The fund will take a participatory approach, being co-developed by women and girls, and women and girl-led organisations in the three countries.

International Development Minister Kaukab Stewart said: “Gender inequality remains one of the greatest human rights challenges globally, and we must work together to address this.

“Reflecting our commitment to equalise power, the Women and Girls Fund will provide direct support to local women and girl-led organisations in our Sub-Saharan African partner countries.

“Direct funding is central to driving transformational change; this fund will empower women and girls, locally, to define and meet their own priorities.

“As we mark International Women’s Day, it is fitting that we launch this incredibly valuable programme, which puts feminist principles into action and will help us to advocate for a world without gender inequality.”

Ecorys Team Leader Mpala Nkonkomalimba said: “The funding opportunity cannot be coming at a more opportune time, as women and girls are still struggling to have voice in decision making processes and with the global economic downturn, they continue to be the face of poverty.

“Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) capacities to respond to the many emerging global and national issues affecting women and girls needs to be built and what is exciting is that the fund is planned to be participatory with CSOs themselves co-creating the funding mechanism.”

Mother’s Day with The Eden Mill Experience

The Eden Mill Experience offers three uniquely delicious cocktails and a journey through Eden Mill’s best-selling fruity & floral Love Gin; a new online offer with ‘itison’ makes it the perfect Mother’s Day treat 

Edinburgh’s fun & thriving West End will see adoring gin fans flock to The Eden Mill Experience this Mother’s Day with the brand-new drinks venue announcing a special partnership with itison with deals from just £21. 

The capital’s newest drinks experience, and Eden Mill’s first venue in central Edinburgh, is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD, inviting gin lovers to spoil mum this Mother’s Day with an interactive & immersive mixology experience. 

Eden Mill’s delectably fruity and subtly floral pink Love Gin is available in the ‘Share The Love Gin’ session. During the experience, gin enthusiasts will hear the story of how Love Gin was born and the flavoursome botanicals used to make it.  Guests are whisked through a dreamy experience with three uniquely delicious cocktails, one of which they will learn to mix themselves.

Hannah Ingram, Head of Marketing at Eden Mill, said: “Mother’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for Edinburgh’s gin lovers to treat their mums to a range of inventive & delicious cocktails. Our new experience has received fabulous feedback so far, we are so thrilled to bring a taste of St Andrews to the Scottish capital. 

“The Eden Mill Experience is the perfect opportunity to showcase our wonderful expressions in an interactive and immersive way, and it’s a privilege to bring our brand to a city with such a vibrant drinks scene.”   

‘The Guard Bridge Masterclass’ is also available on Itison for whisky fans; Eden Mill’s blended malt Scotch whisky is can be enjoyed neat or in cocktails, and guests will enjoy a dram and three delicious serves – all expressing the whisky’s sweet, warming tasting notes of sherried fruit and gingerbread. What’s more, one cocktail is “guaranteed to feature an ingredient guests have never tasted before!”. 

Pic Greg Macvean 03/02/2024 Minty Communications – Eden Mill Experience, Edinburgh

The Eden Mill Experience is located in the Heads & Tales Gin Bar at 1A, Rutland Place, EH1 2AD in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End. Offering immersive whisky & gin experiences, bookings are available now via the Eden Mill website and itison.

Paolozzi turns 100! 

Celebrate the Scottish Pop Art icon’s birthday at Modern Two

TODAY – Thursday 7 March 2024 – marks what would have been the 100th birthday of Scottish art icon Eduardo Paolozzi. Join the National Galleries Scotland in celebrating his big day in style at Paolozzi at 100.

Paolozzi at 100 is a tribute to the father of Pop Art. Taking over the ground floor of Modern Two in Edinburgh, this free exhibition takes visitors on a journey through some of Paolozzi’s most popular artworks, including his collages, prints, textiles, ceramics and sculptures. 

In the exhibition, visitors can explore 60 vibrant artworks across two rooms and a special display in the Keiller Library. Discover the colourful life of a cultural icon through a selection of works drawn from Scotland’s national collection.

The exhibition begins with the years following Paolozzi’s first visit to Paris in 1947 and travels through his life. Learn about his eclectic take on popular culture and the machine age. Examine the highly detailed Mickey tapestry made with Dovecot Tapestry Studio and marvel in vibrant graphic and gold ceramic plate collaborations designed for Wedgwood.

Don’t miss the kinetic energy of the Calcium Light Night and Moonstrip Empire News screenprints. Complete the tour with a look into Paolozzi’s epic public art projects, including the vibrant mosaics designed for Tottenham Court Road Underground Station. In the Penrose Gallery, a large projection will focus on Paolozzi’s 1971 collaboration with fashion house, Lanvin. 

All this can be seen alongside the recreation of Paolozzi’s London art studio, the towering Vulcan and the Cleish Castle Ceiling Panels, all permanently on display at Modern Two for visitors to enjoy all year round.

Indulge in a coffee at Paolozzi’s Kitchen, named in tribute to the artist himself, then take a stroll through the grounds and see if you can spot Paolozzi’s imposing sculpture Master of the Universe. Visitors can also delve deeper into the artworks with an eight stop free audioguide on Smartify.

Of Italian descent, Paolozzi was born in Edinburgh’s Leith in 1924, and is a much-loved son of the city. He studied in Edinburgh and London before spending two years in Paris. There, he produced enigmatic, bronze sculptures and Dada and Surrealist-inspired collages that combined magazine advertisements with cartoons and machine parts.

Returning to London to teach at several art schools, Paolozzi continued to develop his printmaking and sculpture techniques, with a particular interest in the mass media and in science and technology, developing a style that would become known as Pop Art. Paolozzi was knighted in 1989 and gifted a major bequest of his works to the National Galleries of Scotland in 1995.  

Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotland said: “Eduardo Paolozzi is one of Scotland’s best-known artists and was an Edinburgh icon.

“His powerful influence can still be seen across the city today in everything from sculptures and architecture to fashion to food and drink brands.

“The National Galleries of Scotland is delighted to be celebrating his 100th birthday with an exhibition that brings together 60 key Paolozzi works from Scotland’s national collection.

“We hope everyone will take the opportunity to enjoy this free glimpse into the phenomenal art that is Paolozzi at 100.” 

Paolozzi at 100 is open now at Modern Two. Join us and discover how high art became part of the everyday; from towering sculptures and chaotic prints to luxurious textiles and iconic collages, it’s time to celebrate the city’s favourite artist in style!   

Boyack: Scottish Government leaving Edinburgh less safe by slashing police officer numbers

Labour, Lothians MSP, Sarah Boyack has slammed the Scottish Government over cuts to Edinburgh’s police officer numbers.

From the end of 2020 to the end of 2023, the number of police officers in Edinburgh plummeted by over 300 from 3894 to 3556.

This comes as the Scottish Government has finished consultations on closing multiple Edinburgh Police Stations, including Balerno and Portobello.

Over the same period, Edinburgh has also seen a rise of over a 1,000 crimes or offences recorded, rising from 12,987 in 2020/21 to 14,017 in 2022/23.

Commenting on the figures, Ms Boyack said: “This fall in police officers is deeply distressing and leaving Edinburgh’s streets less safe.

“Edinburgh’s police force does a great job to keep us safe, but the Scottish Government is making them do it with one hand tied behind their back.

“Closing police stations and cutting officers are not going to help us lower Edinburgh’s crime rate.

“The Scottish Government need to reassess their plans and ensure that Edinburgh’s police force has the resources to do its job.”

Drugs operation sees man arrested and charged

As part of an operation to combat illegal substances in the north east area of Edinburgh a man has been arrested and charged in connection with drugs offences.

Officers from Operation Elate arrested the 26-year-old man around 5.40pm yesterday (Wednesday, 6 March, 2024) in Elgin Street, Leith. Subsequently, class A drugs with a street value of £5,160 and over £700 in cash were recovered.

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday 4th April.

Chief Inspector Kieran Dougal said: “Drugs cause miseries in our communities and officers continue to work to remove illegal substances from our streets.

“Information from the public has an important role and we ask anyone with concerns about drugs to contact Police Scotland via 101 or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Remove Post Office from Horizon scandal compensation schemes, urges Westminster committee

The cross-party Business and Trade Committee has today published its recommendations for delivering faster and fuller payments to Horizon scandal victims following an “abject failure” of delivering redress to date.

The report recommends ending the Post Office’s involvement in any redress programmes, labelling it as “not fit for purpose to administer any of the schemes required to make amends”. It cites both victims’ lack of confidence in the firm that “ruined the lives of innocent sub-postmasters” and its chaotic leadership.

The Committee calls on the Government to create a “properly resourced” independent intermediary that would offer legal and forensic accounting services to victims to ensure victims are equipped with all the facts and figures they need to secure fair redress and compensation.

Committee Chair Liam Byrne said: “Justice delayed is justice denied. And bluntly justice has been denied to our innocent sub postmasters for far too long. It’s high time for the circus of recent weeks to end and for cheques to start landing on the doormats of innocent victims. 

“We now know the Post Office knew of problems twenty years ago. Yet at best, only £1 in £5 of the budget for compensation has been issued. That is a national disgrace”.

The spectacle of the battle between the Post Office chief executive and its former chairman light up a simple truth; that the top of the Post Office is in utter disarray and not fit for purpose to run the payouts to former sub-postmasters.

It’s involvement in running Post Office redress schemes has to end and ministers must create a new, independent body set up that will genuinely help victims through their every stage of their compensation claims.”

Five years on from the landmark court case victory by former sub-postmasters led by Alan Bates over the Post Office, only 20% of funds set aside for redress have been spent. Many cases have been stalled by the Post Office’s sluggish disclosure mechanisms.

To stop “unacceptable delays”, the report says strict deadlines by which each stage of the redress process will be delivered for each case should be legally-binding. Fines for delays should be paid to claimants, it adds.

Mr Byrne added, “To guarantee this scandal drags on no longer, we have to enshrine into law an idea proposed by Mr Bates, of legally binding timetables for payouts. Any new Bill that the Government presents to parliament, must now pass the ‘Mr Bates Test’ of legally binding timeframes for settling justice.

“Finally, we have to make sure that fast compensation is fair compensation. Otherwise, we risk innocent sub-postmasters to face a new prison of poverty. We cannot and must not let that happen.”

Other measures recommended by the report include removing a cap on legal expenses for sub-postmasters and a standardised set of tariffs to help victims to better estimate what they are entitled to.

Nearly two-fifths of public sector workers have taken steps to leave their profession

Warning comes as new analysis shows that public sector pay is lower in real terms than 20 years ago

  • 1 in 4 public sector workers say they have struggled to pay household bills over the last year  
  • TUC calls on Chancellor to “act in the national interest” and invest in public services and its workforce at Wednesday’s Budget  
  • Services will only get worse unless ministers deal with staffing crisis, says TUC 

Nearly two-fifths of public sector workers (38%) have already taken steps to leave their profession to get a job in another field, or are actively considering it, according to new TUC polling published this week.     

The poll of more than 1,000 public sector workers – conducted by Opinium – comes as the union body warns that public services are facing a “mass exodus” of key workers unless the government invests in public services and the workforce at the Budget.     

According to TUC analysis, around 2.2 million public sector workers are seriously thinking about quitting their jobs for good.  

Pushed to the brink by years of falling pay 

The TUC says the recruitment crisis plaguing public services has been compounded by years of “brutal” real-terms pay cuts. 

New TUC analysis shows that 2022 and 2023 was the worst two-year period for public servant pay since records began – with average salaries falling by 7% in real terms. 

The union body estimates that median pay across the public realm is now £42 per week (£2.2k a year) lower in real terms than in 2010 and is still worth less now than in 2004. 

According to today’s poll: 

  • Over a quarter (27%) of public sector workers have struggled to pay a household bill over the last year – a number that rises to 1 in 3 (33%) for female staff. 
  • A fifth (22%) have taken on additional debt to cope with the cost of living. 
  • 1 in 8 (13%) have gone without food. 
  • 1 in 10 (10%) have used a foodbank. 

Acting in the national interest 

The TUC says the Chancellor “must act in the national interest” and invest in public services and the public sector workforce at the forthcoming Budget. 

The union body said strong public services are essential for economic growth.  

The TUC highlighted that without action to address the pressure on frontline services, economic inactivity would continue to grow. 

Nearly three million people in the UK are currently economically inactive due to long-term sickness. 

TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “Years of underfunding and mismanagement have left our public services and their workforce at breaking point. 

“Every month experienced and dedicated public servants are quitting in droves because they are burned out, feel downtrodden, undervalued and are struggling to pay their bills.   

“If the Chancellor does not invest in our public services the staffing crisis will only get worse and communities across Britain will continue to suffer. 

“That means dealing with issues like pay and intolerable workloads. 

“The idea that the public sector can do more with less has been tested to destruction over the last 14 years. 

“The fastest way to get public sector productivity rising is to pay people fairly and invest in the equipment and technology they need to do their jobs.  

“Strong public services are vital for growth and for the well-being of the country. Jeremy Hunt must act in the national interest and provide the funding local services desperately need.” 

UNISON General Secretary, and chair of the TUC’s Public Services Liaison Group, Christina McAnea said: “The government has consistently starved public services of resources. Most are now in a perilous state, with too few staff to deliver a quality service. 

“Across health, education, local government, police forces and social care, workers feel guilty they can’t do more to help those needing help and support because services are so stretched. 

“Everything feels broken and no longer functioning as it should. No wonder so many key workers are leaving their jobs. 

“The public wants good, properly resourced, well-staffed essential services. Yet more cuts will simply push services to point of collapse.” 

Varsity American Football Game 2024

A highlight of the Scottish student sporting calendar, the Varsity American football game has been played annually since 2012 and returns to Meggetland Stadium.

The traditional Edinburgh Napier Knights American Football vs University of Edinburgh Mavericks rivalry returns, as both teams fight it out for the most spectacular trophy in UK American Football.

This years game will be held on a mid-week evening under the floodlights at Meggetland, on Wednesday 20th March, with a 7pm KO.

Entertainment includes a DJ, Edinburgh Rampant medieval Armour Combat Team and the Edinburgh University Brass Band. The Canalside Bar at Boroughmuir rugby club will be open throughout with hot food available.

Last years game produced fireworks during, on and off the field, with the Edinburgh Mavericks edging the game in a 14-6 victory.

Meggetland sports complex features a seated stand for watching the action.

Join us under the lights for the city’s biggest American Football fixture of the season!

Gates open from 6pm, with a 7pm kickoff.

Tickets are £5 adult, £3 students and Free Entry for U16’s and can be purchased in advance or on the gate.

https://edinburghnapier.native.fm/event/varsity-game-knights-v-mavericks/214279?fbclid=IwAR1n2ETNkWcVLksvqMSPidR88FgN0n_uxYt2Wf0fTrn1ChDV7Dhlz1FPU-U

Leith bar wins national PubAid award

The Dreadnought, Leith, has won an influential award at the PubAid Community Pub Hero Awards 2024. 

Owner Roisin Therese was at the ceremony in the Houses of Commons to accept the award for being the best Community Regular Hero pub in Scotland. The award celebrates the work that the pub does to fundraise or support the community. 

The pub saw competition from over 1,000 entries nationwide for the prestigious pub industry awards, now in their fifth year. 

On winning the award, Roisin Therese said: “I am very pleased to accept this award in recognition of the work we have done through the Dreadnought and the Save The Pride Bridge campaign to promote queer visibility and representation.

“Despite the many challenges of running a pub during the last few years, we hope to continue to provide a community hub and to support local causes through our fundraising, food bank and winter clothes collection drives, and engagement with other local organisations. We will continue to provide a safe and inclusive space that celebrates the queer community.”

The pub won because it led the Save the Pride Bridge campaign to help protect a local landmark from being demolished.  The Pride Bridge is a community art project in a public space that is important to local residents. It is painted by a diverse group of locals and has become a renowned LGBTQ landmark, and the first of its kind in Edinburgh.

Des O’Flanagan, co-founder of PubAid, added: “The annual event is always very special for us and all the pubs who made it through to the finals.

“It is wonderful to hear so many stories of Publicans who do so much for their local communities and it’s heart-warming that pubs raise so much money for local and national charities and their regular customers are so generous when the cost of living makes things tough for many people.

“All 1,000 nominations we received are worthy of a congratulations but a special mention needs to be for those who made it through to the finals. The standard or entry this year has been so high that it gave our expert judges some difficult decisions.”

PubAid, which organises the awards in association with Matthew Clark and the All-Party Parliamentary Beer Group, refreshed the awards and created more categories to congratulate more community pubs throughout the UK. There were 33 finalists in total across five categories. 

Blue Ball in England won the Community Support Hero award for its region.

A Mother’s Love

Dashing doggy duo searching for a home for two  

As mums everywhere prepare to be pampered this Mother’s Day, a dashing mother and son duo at Dogs Trust West Calder will enjoy a relaxing day together as they await a new home for two.  

Posie, a serene seven-year-old Basset Hound cross, radiates affection and gentleness. Her calming presence offers solace not only to her energetic son, Dasher, a one-year-old bundle of joy with an insatiable curiosity for the world around him, but also to those who cross their path. Together, they navigate life’s ups and downs, relying on each other for support and reassurance. 

Despite their past challenges, Posie and Dasher remain resilient, drawing strength from their unbreakable bond. Posie’s role as a mother figure is not just central to Dasher’s life, but it’s the essence of their family. She teaches him, guides him, and above all, loves him unconditionally. 

Kim McNeill, Assistant Manager Administration at Dogs Trust West Calder said: “Like most family members, Posie and Dasher are more alike that they might like to admit. They are highly inquisitive, love their walks and if you offer them a tasty treat then you will make two friends instantly. 

“Posie is more chilled out than her boy and has a very sweet nature, so she will happily sit on the sofa next to you for a cuddle and observe Dasher’s energetic antics.  Dasher is a clever lad who is always on the go.  He loves to play and is eager to learn new tricks. 

“Posie and Dasher can be unsure in unfamiliar or busy environments but having each other helps them immensely.  They require patient and understanding owners who will allow them time to adapt and learn as they settle into a new home. 

“They both enjoy company so owners who are at home for most of the day would be ideal.  They are a delightful duo who love each other very much while still having double the love to offer to new owners.” 

Posie and Dasher are looking to be the only pets in an adult only home.  They would love a garden in which to potter, play and relax in together. The inseparable canine companions will bring endless joy, laughter and love into their new owner’s life.   

To read more about them visit: www.dogs.trust.org.uk/westcalder