Dobbies’ Edinburgh store unveils Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its Edinburgh store, giving each attendee a planter worth £30, that’s created during the event, to take home.
Taking place on Saturday 13 and Saturday 20 April, at 3pm, this 90 minute event will combine the joy of hands-on creativity with the indulgence of a delicious afternoon tea.
Guests in Edinburgh can enjoy three tiers of sweet and savoury delights, accompanied by unlimited tea and coffee refills, and the option to upgrade the drink to a latte, cappuccino, mocha, hot chocolate or speciality tea at a small additional cost.
The first tier will include a variety of freshly made finger sandwiches such as smoked salmon and cream cheese; egg mayonnaise and watercress; and ham, rocket and wholegrain mustard.
The second tier includes Dobbies’ famed scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and the third tier will feature a delightful array of sweet treats, including a rainbow meringue kiss and lemon mousse.
After enjoying the afternoon tea, guests in Edinburgh will take part in an interactive workshop led by a member of Dobbies’ gardening team.
They will offer top tips and answer questions on how to plant up a container from scratch, and each attendee will have the chance to plant up their own, with a terracotta pot, seasonal bedding plants, hederas and heathers.
Adam Veysey, Dobbies’ Head of Food Development, said: “We’ve only just launched our brand new afternoon tea options and it’s fantastic that we’re able to offer this with an exclusive and new planting event for our customers in Edinburgh.
“We love creating a vibrant community at Dobbies where people of all ages and experiences can come together to give gardening a go, and having afternoon tea with a planting experience is the ideal combination.
“Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, everyone is welcome.”
Tickets for this new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience are priced at £40 per person (with the planter valued at £30).
April marks Stress Awareness Month in the UK, which since 1992 has sought to raise awareness of the causes and dangers of stress.
Stress is the body’s reaction to pressure or feeling threatened. It is very common and can help people to work hard and achieve their goals. However, too much stress can have a negative impact on your physical, emotional and mental health.
The theme for this year’s month is Little By Little, focusing on the impacts of small, consistent and positive actions. To mark the month, the learning experts at online training provider High Speed Training have shared some tips to help identify and effectively manage stress at home.
Stress is a normal part of life, and everyone will experience it at some point. There are many causes of stress and they will be different for everyone. Some common sources of stress include:
Feeling under lots of pressure.
Facing big changes in your life.
Being worried about something or someone.
Not having control over the outcome of a situation.
Having overwhelming responsibilities.
Not having enough work or having too much work.
Experiencing discrimination, hate or abuse.
Going through a period of uncertainty.
Dr Richard Anderson, Head of Learning & Development at High Speed Training, said: “A key part of managing stress is being able to recognise when you are stressed and responding appropriately. This is crucial as preventing and managing long-term stress can lower your risk for other conditions such as heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure and depression.
“There are many sources of stress in our everyday lives. For many, stressful situations occur in the workplace or due to our jobs. All employers must ensure the health and safety of their employees, including minimising the risk of stress-related illness, so if you are experiencing stress at work, you should try and speak to your employer.”
Know the signs
There are many symptoms of stress, from feeling anxious and angry to physical manifestations, such as headaches, difficulty breathing and muscle aches.
When you’re stressed, your muscles can contract and become tense, leading to neck pain, headaches, back ache and cramps. Physically relaxing your muscles can help to alleviate these feelings.
Trying to control your breathing can also help. Try taking a deep breath through your nose, holding it for 5-6 seconds and breathing out through your mouth. Repeating this three times can help increase the amount of oxygen to your brain and reduce your heart rate.
Take Some Time and focus on rest
Taking some time out of your daily routine is essential if you are going to relax your mind and body fully. Activities such as reading, walking, doing a hobby or spending time with friends can all help alleviate stress and allow you to focus on a positive activity.
Sleep is also essential to our wellbeing so you should aim to get a full night’s sleep every night. Most people need around 7-8 hours’ sleep a night, though some people can manage on 6.
To get a better night’s sleep, try going to bed and getting up at similar times each day to stabilise your body clock, and try to complete a relaxing activity before you go to sleep. It’s also important to ensure your bedroom is sufficiently dark and quiet, and if possible, avoid using electronic devices in bed.
Eat healthily
Dr Andersonsaid: “Without a balanced diet your body may be more susceptible to stress-related illnesses, so it is vital that you continue to eat healthily when you are feeling stressed. Always eat breakfast and keep hydrated throughout the day to stop yourself running out of energy and feeling tired.
“Eating foods from the 5 key food groups at every meal, consisting of a large amount of fruit, vegetables and starchy foods, a moderate amount of protein and dairy and a small amount of fats and sugars, will help to keep you happy and healthy.
“Try to cut out as many saturated, high-calorie foods as possible, such as pies, pastry, cakes, biscuits and crisps, as these can make you feel sluggish and will be detrimental to your mood.”
Get moving
Exercise is a great way to prevent stress and anxiety and a good way to release tension. Whichever fitness activity you choose to do, even if it’s just for 20 minutes a day, it will help to decrease blood pressure and lower your heart rate: two of the worst physical symptoms of stress.
When you exercise, endorphins are released in your body (as opposed to the adrenaline and cortisol released when you are stressed) which help to produce feelings of well-being and calmness.
Dr Anderson continues: “Everyone will experience stress at some point in their lives. It’s clear that long-term or prolonged periods of stress can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health.
“Identifying the causes of your stress and regularly engaging in stress management activities will help you to respond effectively.”
For more information on managing stress, and for lots more practical advice, please visit the High Speed Training Hub.
Do you have an idea that will make a difference to your local community? Applications are now open for a grant of up to £5,000 to make your idea a reality.
The Council set up the Community Grants Fund in 2007 to kickstart projects that benefit local communities. It is part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to empowering communities and fostering grassroots initiatives.
There are 13 local funds, each covering a different area of the city. If you’re part of a community group with a project in mind, apply to your local Community Grant Fund today.
The total amount of funding available in your local fund depends on how many people live in your area. If there’s any money left over after this round, we’ll open another round of applications later this year. Unlike previous years, grants will be awarded a maximum of 3 times a year.
We want to make sure that the projects we fund are the ones that matter most to you. That’s why our funding panels are made up of local community representatives, such as Ward Councillors, Community Councillors, and representatives of community organisations.
If you’re in Leith, keep an eye out for a chance to vote on your favourite projects in January 2025 – information will be available for Leith applicants in the autumn.
The Community Grants Fund has supported some fantastic projects in the past, such as ‘Place to Pause’ at The Eric Liddell Centre and the Broomhouse Street Party. Your project could be next!
For the best chance of securing a grant, apply by the deadline of May 20, 2024. We’ll review all applications in June and let you know if you’ve been successful.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “Our communities are the lifeblood of our city and we’re committed to ensuring that they have the resources to bring their ideas to life.
“From the Pentlands to Portobello and beyond I’m really excited to see the projects that apply for funding during this round of applications.”
Next Tuesday, 9th April, our latest exhibition will be unveiled outside the Iona Cafe at 1pm.
The exhibition will be comprised of artworks created by members of the ‘Make Your Mark’ group, and it would be fantastic to see as many people as possible there to support the artists!
There will be a range of works encompassing a range of different mediums and subjects, and the Iona Cafe will be open as normal to provide food and refreshments!
MORE than half (52%) of over 35s in Scotland admit to displaying at least one of the signs associated with the eye condition presbyopia – despite more than 40% believing their eyesight is good.
The figure was revealed by Specsavers as it seeks to raise awareness of the condition, which is most common in adults over 40. Presbyopia is the gradual loss of your eyes’ ability to focus on nearby objects and is a natural part of ageing.
The research found holding squinting when trying to focus on objects or text, keeping something at arm’s length to read it, turning the big light on or a lamp to read and zooming in on your phone to read things were some of the most common behaviours people adopted to compensate for a change in their vision.
The survey also revealed that the changes to vision can lead to some blunders, with those surveyed in Scotland admitting to misplacing important items (20%) or struggling to read maps (15%). Other signs include increasing the font size on your phone in order to read better, struggling to adjust vision when switching between long and short distance and having blurred vision whilst attempting to look at an object.
Presbyopia usually becomes noticeable in your mid to late 40s and gradually worsens until 65. An optician will check your vision in the same way as they would to determine whether someone is short-sighted or ‘myopic’.
Dr Josie Forte, optometrist at Specsavers, says: ‘Most of us will experience some effects of presbyopia as we age because of subtle changes in the lens of our eye. However, it really isn’t something to worry about, but it is important to see an optician if you experience any changes in your vision.
‘There are a variety of solutions on offer, including reading glasses, varifocals, multifocal contact lenses or a combination of both, depending on what you prefer. Your local optician can recommend the best treatment for you, so we would recommend booking an eye test if you are experiencing any symptoms.’
Stand-up comedian Jen Brister will be headlining a new comedy club in London later this month to put the spotlight on the common eye condition.
By launching the ‘At-Arm’s-Length’ Comedy Club, Specsavers aims to highlight the symptoms of presbyopia and encourage people to take action if they recognise any of the signs and behaviours.
Film and photography start-up, OJE Studios, is expanding its headcount and relocating operations to Edinburgh after a funding boost from the British Business Bank’s Start Up Loans scheme.
Founded by 19-year-old Omar Etherington-Brown, the studio offers a range of services including film and music production and photography, with a focus on promoting community engagement and local collaborations.
After securing a loan from the British Business Bank through GC Business Finance, Omar is expanding the team to five employees, including a business and finance manager and a film production crew, as well as moving the current music production studio from Dundee to Edinburgh.
The funding is the second time Omar has received support from the Start Up Loans programme, with an initial £10,000 helping him to set up the studio last year. Omar is the recipient of the ten millionth pound in start-up funding for entrepreneurs in the capital city, with 897 businesses supported since the programme’s inception in 2012.
OJE Studios supports many community projects with videography and photography. These include Spit It Out Festival, which provides workshops, talks and live performances to bring together people from marginalised communities who have experienced discrimination because of mental ill health, and Movement, a new club night to support local up-and-coming talent.
Building on the growth of the studio business, Omar is also launching a sister brand called Krazy Niights to promote small and independent night life events and venues throughout Edinburgh.
Omar Etherington-Brown, founder of OJE Studios, said:“The business has gone from strength to strength in the last year, and I have now left my full time job as a software engineer to focus on OJE Studios and grow the team. Our new business and finance manager will also support growth and development, focusing on partnerships like the one we have with Movement.
“With a talented crew of photographers, videographer and editors we have the skills to create amazing content that inspires people through promotional photography, short films and music videos. We want to showcase the smaller and lesser-known parts of Edinburgh – from nightlife and restaurants to independent artists and venues.
“The finance from the Start Up Loans programme was pivotal to getting our studio to this stage. When I first started, it was just me and my idea, and it’s been fantastic to see the business come to life with this funding.”
Barry McCulloch, senior manager, UK Network, Scotland, at the British Business Bank, said:“Reaching £10 million of funding to business founders in Edinburgh is a huge achievement for the Start Up Loans programme and demonstrates the entrepreneurial spirit in the city.
“Creative businesses like OJE Studios are not only important for our cultural identity, but they also create jobs and attract investment into the sector.
“Since the launch of the programme, we have supported smaller businesses across a diverse range of sectors and this milestone highlights the success of the scheme in improving access to finance across all parts of the UK.”
Lauriston Castle officially launched it’s 2024 programme this week with a visit from Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker alongside members of the multi-award winning Edinburgh Living History.
Convener Walker rose to the occasion and joined Edinburgh Living History in full Edwardian dress for a tour of Lauriston Castle.
Situated in the Cramond area of the city, this 16th century castle has breathtaking views of the Firth of Forth and will play host to an eclectic programme of events over the coming months.
Pic Greg Macvean 03/04/2024
Lauriston Castle with Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker in period costume
The Lectures series features discussions on everything from whisky to a history of Edinburgh photography.
Under the Adult Crafts Workshops there are sessions on watercolour painting, crocheting and much more.
In the Family Events section there’s everything from ghost tours to workshops on space!
There is also a range of Costumed Performances where visitors can experience reenactments of Edinburgh life from days gone by.
As well as these there are also Themed Tours, Theatre Performances, Atmospheric Film Screenings and Garden Events. We’re also working with partners like Edinburgh International Magic Festival and Edinburgh Horror Festival.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said: “It was an absolute pleasure to visit Lauriston Castle this week. Edinburgh Living History and our fantastic Museums & Galleries colleagues were kind enough to welcome me and provide a chance to explore one of our most unique venues.
“In the coming months there’s an excellent range of events taking place as part of the Lauriston Castle 2024 programme. From lectures on circular fashion to the grisly history of anatomy in 19th century Edinburgh all the way through to adult creative workshops and family events there’s truly something for everyone.
“I’d encourage all our residents and visitors to take advantage of these.”
About Lauriston Castle:
For more than 400 years, enchanting Lauriston Castle has overlooked the River Forth at Silverknowes, near Cramond. Set among 30 acres of woodland and beautiful gardens, Lauriston Castle is a special place to visit.
The Castle itself has a beautiful Edwardian interior, from which we take inspiration for many of our workshops. Downstairs are the servants’ quarters, including the maids’ hall and the atmospheric old kitchen, where a warm welcome awaits you during the winter months.
Why not double up a day visiting the Castle grounds with a picnic, and historic Cramond is right on our doorstep so you can make a real day out visiting this part of Edinburgh.
Free car parking is available within the Castle grounds off Cramond Road South. Lauriston Castle is easy to reach and is close by car from the City Bypass. It sits between Davidson’s Mains and Cramond.
You can take numerous buses to Davidson’s Mains, or Silverknowes Terminus; both are around 10 minutes’ walk from Lauriston Castle. Visit Lothian Buses website for details of local services.
Pic Greg Macvean 03/04/2024
Lauriston Castle with Culture and Communities Convener Val Walker in period costume
Booking:
Pre-booking and advance payment are essential for all events.
In person – At Lauriston Castle – (Go through Courtyard by Mimi’s Café and ring the bell on the green door) Monday – Sunday 10am – 4pm
For further information (non-booking information) about any event, contact Margaret Findlay, Learning and Programmes Manager, on 0131 529 3993 or email margaret.findlay@edinburgh.gov.uk
Residents of Strachan House Care Home were treated to an afternoon of cocktail themed fun as we invited the local community to join us for ‘Pimm’s O Clock’
The afternoon featured a live musical performance by the talented singer Kirsty Duncan.
The Homes lounge buzzed with excitement as Kirsty took centre stage, delivering a brilliant and energetic repertoire of hit favourites spanning decades.
Residents and guests sipped on classic Pimm’s cups as their toes tapped along to the music.
General Manager at Strachan House, Fran Fisher said: “Our residents deserve moments of joy and connection,” said Fran Fisher, Home Manager at Strachan House. “Kirsty’s performance was a testament to the power of music in brightening lives.”
Strachan House care home is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering personalised care across its care homes and hospitals. Stamford Bridge Beaumont provides residential care, nursing care and dementia care from respite care to long term stays.
The Scottish Ambulance Service’s specialist transport and retrieval service (ScotSTAR) is celebrating ten years of providing life-saving care to some of Scotland’s most vulnerable patients.
ScotSTAR is a multi-disciplinary team of paramedics, nurses, advanced practitioners, and doctors supported by pilots working together to provide specialist care to seriously ill babies, children and adults across Scotland using specialist helicopters and planes.
In 2022/23 ScotSTAR provided specialist care for 3158 seriously ill children and adults with the air ambulance crews attending 4527 incidents – an increase of 10% from the year before.
Mum Amie Taylor, of Ellon, Aberdeenshire, said ScotSTAR provided an invaluable service to her very sick son, Jackson, who was born four weeks prematurely in 2022.
Jackson was placed in a ventilator and had to be transported from Aberdeen to Edinburgh with the help of ScotSTAR staff, Dr Mark Worrall, Paediatric Consultant, and Ashley Daye, Paediatric Retrieval Nurse.
School teacher Amie said: “The retrieval team take the skills of the paediatric intensive care unit on the road and knowing that these specialists were incredibly skilled gave us so much peace knowing that Jackson was being well looked after. I just want to say a massive thank you for how they made me feel on the day. We felt incredibly well supported and cared for.”
“I am pleased to say he is a very happy and charismatic cheeky wee boy. He has been through more in his little life that some people encounter in a lifetime. He is strong, resilient and a fighter we are beyond proud of.”
Michael Dickson, Scottish Ambulance Service Chief Executive said: “ScotSTAR is an integral part of Scottish Ambulance Service and is critical to our ability to reach every part of Scotland.
“I’m delighted to be marking its 10th anniversary and I’d like to stay a big thank you to our staff who deliver this vital service for critically ill patients across Scotland, often in very challenging circumstances.
“They are all a credit to the Scottish Ambulance Service.”
29 million workers receive largest ever cut to National Insurance
Government is sticking to its economic plan and rewarding hard work in this month’s pay packet, with over £900 a year boost for typical worker
Signals government’s long-term ambition to end unfair double tax on work
29 million workers will see their hard work rewarded from tomorrow (6 April), as record tax cuts come into full force.
Since Autumn 2023, National Insurance Contributions (NICs) for workers have been slashed by a third – the largest cut to NICs in history – with a longer-term ambition to end the unfair double tax on work and abolish employee and self-employed NICs altogether.
Since January, the main rate of employee National Insurance has been cut for 27 million workers from 12% to 8%, saving the average employee on £35,400 over £900 a year.
Over 2 million self-employed people will benefit from the main rate of Class 4 NICs being cut from 9% to 6% alongside the abolition of the requirement to pay Class 2 NICs – simplifying the tax system and saving an average self-employed person on £28,000 over £650 a year.
These cuts are possible because the economy is turning a corner, thanks to the government’s decisive action to bring inflation down from 11.1% to 3.4% and ensure borrowing costs start to fall. Because of this progress, the government can now cut taxes to reward work and grow the economy.
The tax cuts – worth £20 billion a year – mean that those individuals on average salaries will now pay less in personal taxes than they would in any other G7 country.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:“Hard work is one of my core values, and the progress we have made on the economy means we can reward work with a tax cut worth £900 for the average earner.
“This marks the next step in our plan to end the unfairness of double taxation of work by abolishing National Insurance in the long term.”
Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt, said:“The record tax cuts taking effect tomorrow show our economic plan is working – because of the progress we’ve made we’re putting hundreds of pounds a year back into the pockets of working people across the country.
“It shows we stand behind those who work hard and fires the starting gun on our long-term ambition to end the unfair double tax on work.”
The tax cuts will also help grow the economy by bringing more people into the labour market. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects that, as a result of these combined cuts, total hours worked will increase by the equivalent of almost 200,000 full-time workers by 2028-29.
To mark the record cuts to NICs, HMRC has launched an updated online tool to help people understand how much they personally could save in National Insurance this year.
They come into effect on the same day as an increase to the income threshold at which the High Income Child Benefit Charge (HICBC) starts – from £50,000 to £60,000 – taking 170,000 families out of paying the charge altogether.
The rate at which the HICBC is charged will also be halved from 1% of the Child Benefit payment for every additional £100 earnt above the threshold, to 1% for every £200, meaning Child Benefit will not be withdrawn in full until individuals earn £80,000 or higher.
As a result of these changes, 485,000 hard-working families will gain an average of £1,260 towards the costs of raising their children in 2024/25.
The government has also committed to consulting in due course on administering the HICBC on a household basis by April 2026, in recognition of how charging on an individual basis can sometimes lead to unfair outcomes, in particular for single parents and single earner families.
These changes to support hard-working families follow a raft of measures that came into force on 1 April that could save households up to £3,850 a year on average to help those struggling with cost-of-living while igniting the economy.
This includes a record increase in the National Living Wage from £10.42 an hour to £11.44, and a 12.3% drop in energy bills from the previous quarter. In addition, households can benefit from a separate increase to the Local Housing Allowance that will mean some of the poorest families on either Universal Credit or Housing Benefit will gain £800 a year on average.
And on Monday 8 April, the government will stand by its commitment to maintain the Triple Lock by raising the full basic State Pension by 8.5% to almost £170 a week, after the largest ever cash increase last year.
Changes like the introduction of the Triple Lock and new State Pension have meant pensioners are on average £1,000 better off than in 2010, according to the Resolution Foundation.
