Month: May 2024

Charity Dog Walk Wins GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS Title

  • Agria Dog Walk, in partnership with English Heritage, has achieved the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title of the “Largest Dachshund Dog Walk” at Marble Hill House, London 
  • 342 dachshunds took part, with more than 1500 dogs participating in the Agria Dog Walk across the UK
  • A total of £20,000 will be donated to support rescue centres and animals in need 

It’s Dachshunds galore! Agria Dog Walk UK has made an incredible splash with its inaugural GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS achievement, breaking the record for Largest Dachshund Dog Walk on Saturday (18th May) with 342 dachshunds in attendance. 

The record was broken at Marble Hill House, London, and required a minimum attendance of 250 Dachshunds to cross the finish line. Supporting the event and GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title attempt, animal welfare activist and TV personality Jodie Kidd joined with her dog, Sausage, encouraging owners to bring their precious pups along to help smash the record in the name of animal welfare.  

Vicki Wentworth, CEO at Agria Pet Insurance, says: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title. It’s an incredible achievement, and it was an absolute pleasure to watch so many passionate people and pups come together to help support a great cause.

“We had a fantastic turnout, and we’d like to thank everyone who showed up to walk the walk in the name of animal welfare.”​

Committed to supporting dogs in need, Agria, one of the world’s leading animal insurers, will be donating an impressive £20,000 for rescue and rehoming centres as a result of the charity Dog Walk, which took part at three English Heritage locations across the UK, as well as Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway and Sweden, where Agria also provides pet insurance.​

In partnership with English Heritage’s Dog-Friendly Days Out and supported by The Kennel Club, the day was filled with family-friendly fun, with approximately 1500 dogs taking part, attending official sites across the UK or participating through the Digital Dog Walk. 

Those who participated in Agria’s Digital Dog Walk generated donations by sharing a picture of their pup on social media, tagging @agriapetinsurance and using #AgriaDogWalk2024.  

Visit agriapet.co.uk/agria-dog-walk for information on Agria Dog Walk. 

Woman who walked to Rome and met Pope calls on people to clock up miles to Malawi for Mary’s Meals

Geraldine McFaul, who travelled 2,000 miles on foot from Glasgow to Rome, is taking part in the charity’s From Dalmally To Malawi challenge in June

A woman who took on an epic walking challenge in 2023 is urging people in the UK to join school feeding charity Mary’s Meals’ active challenge, From Dalmally To Malawi, this June.

Last year, Geraldine McFaul, 55, walked all the way from her home in Glasgow to Rome, travelling 2,000 miles on foot in six months. During her amazing adventure, she raised more than £7,500 for Mary’s Meals. To top off Geraldine’s extraordinary journey, she even met The Pope on her arrival to Rome!

Mary’s Meals feeds more than 2.4 million children in 17 countries across the world. The promise of a daily school meal encourages desperately poor children into the classroom where an education is the key to their dreams of a brighter future.

Geraldine says: “Last summer I walked to Rome and met The Pope, now I’m ‘walking’ to Malawi for charity!

“I’ll really be walking around my local area, but our cumulative miles will equal the 7,000 miles from Dalmally to Malawi. Mary’s Meals is an incredible charity and I’m so pleased to support them again this year.

“I’d love for you to join me in June because you can easily turn your miles into meals for hungry little ones!

“The key thing to an active challenge is not to worry about how fast or far you’re going because every step adds up. It’s an amazing sense of achievement when you reach your goal and I can’t wait to share that feeling with you all!”

By signing up to the challenge, participants will take part in a virtual journey from Dalmally, the village in the Highlands of Scotland where Mary’s Meals was founded, to Malawi, where the charity served its first life-changing school meals. 

Participants can take part in From Dalmally To Malawi in any way they choose, whether walking, running, swimming or cycling. The money raised through sponsorship from family and friends will help to feed hungry children living in the world’s poorest countries.

Dan McNally, Head of Grassroots Engagement at Mary’s Meals, says: “We were all so inspired by Geraldine’s walk to Rome last summer and I hope that she can inspire you to take on From Dalmally To Malawi this June.

It only costs £19.15 to feed a child with Mary’s Meals for a school year – that’s 10p a meal – so any amount of money you can raise makes a real difference to the children we feed!”

By taking part, people can change the lives of children like Lapukeni from Malawi.

She says: “I like eating phala (porridge) here at school because it gives me freedom from hunger and worries. I am confident that I will work extra hard in class because of the peace of mind that I get from Mary’s Meals.”

To sign up for From Dalmally To Malawi, please visit:

www.marysmeals.org.uk/dalmally-to-malawi

Let’s get Scotland’s workers walking

Charity calls on businesses to see the benefits of walking at work

SCOTLAND’s walking charity is calling on businesses to get walking at work as part of National Walking Month this May, with a scheme that recognises the importance of staff being active during the working day.

The Paths for All Walk at Work Award recognises and celebrates employers across Scotland who help to promote everyday walking in their workplace, creating a healthier work force, both physically and mentally.

Aimed at encouraging workplaces around the country to explore different ways to get staff active, in and around the working day, the award scheme also promotes wellbeing and a green environment in the workplace.

The charity recently awarded the 50th certification to East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership, who used the scheme to encourage their staff to remain active during the working day by providing a programme of lunchtime Health Walks for staff.

As part of the programme, it also provided links and information which were made readily available to staff through a dedicated a wellbeing website, as well as facilities for staff who travel actively to and from work.

Councillor Katie Pragnell, East Renfrewshire Integration Joint Board Vice-Chair and Convenor for Health and Social Care accepted the award on behalf of the Partnership.

She commented: “We are delighted to have received the Walk at Work Award, and being the 50th organisation to do so, makes it even more special.

“Staff wellbeing is incredibly important to the HSCP. Our weekly walks have brought people from across services together and have been a positive addition to our programme of activity. We will continue to encourage more people to take part and enjoy a stroll over the summer.”

With the 50th certification being awarded, Paths for All hope that more workplaces around the country will now want to get involved with the scheme.

Kevin Lafferty, CEO of Paths for All stated: “Walking a little more each day has proven benefits to mental and physical health, which is why it’s important that we recognise the workplaces who have received the Walk at Work Award.

“We hope that the work East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership has done will help to inspire other businesses to get certified, and help them become a happier and healthy workplace.

“The Walk at Work Award is an important scheme, which can benefit businesses across the country to not only get fitter but also help to improve the environment.

“By choosing to walk for short trips instead of driving, an individual is improving their health while also reducing air pollution and emissions that are damaging the planet.”

Paths for All’s mission is to support Scots to have the opportunity to walk, wheel, scoot or cycle every day, creating a happier, healthier and greener Scotland and is celebrating National Walking Month by encouraging everyone to put a “Spring in your Step” this May. 

For workplaces, Paths for All provides support which includes a free Workplace Walking online course and bespoke Step Count Challenges. The national spring Step Count Challenge, run by Paths for All, kicked off on Monday, 29th April, with over 800 teams taking part.

The charity works to create more opportunities and better environments for everyone in Scotland, no matter who they are or where they live, to stay active through walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling.

For more information about the Walk at Work Award, visit: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/walk-at-work-award

For more information about Paths for All, visit: www.pathsforall.org.uk

Pennywell Gardens serious assault: Police issue witness appeal

POLICE are appealing for information following a serious assault in North Edinburgh. The incident happened around 9.15pm yesterday (Monday, 20 May, 2024) on Pennywell Gardens.

A 62-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.

The first suspect was wearing a blue hooded jacket, black trousers and black trainers, with a blue backpack. The second suspect was wearing a black cap, a black long sleeved top, black shorts and black trainers with a white sole.

Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp said: “Our enquiries are ongoing and we are appealing to anyone who may have seen anything to contact officers.

“We also ask anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage of the area at the time to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident 3965 of 20 May, 2024. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.

1 in 3 Scots don’t understand Low Emission Zones ahead of new charges coming into force

  • New research from Carwow reveals almost half (45%) of Scottish motorists don’t know where the current Low Emission Zones (LEZ) are operating, while almost 1 in 4 (24%) aren’t sure if their own vehicle is LEZ compliant 
  • More than half (55%) of Scots also think now is the wrong time to introduce new LEZs and 59% think there are ‘better ways’ to combat air pollution
  • However, most are in support of LEZs, think EVs are the future and would buy a cleaner vehicle if they could afford to switch
  • Carwow is supporting motorists with a series of new tools to help motorists check if their car is LEZ / CAZ compliant

Ahead of the launch of three new Low Emission Zones (LEZ) in Aberdeen, Dundee and Edinburgh,* new data from Carwow reveals almost a third (30%) of Scottish motorists are not sure they understand LEZ rules.

Carwow’s survey also reveals that only half (55%) of drivers in Scotland are confident they know where the current zones are operating while almost one in four (24%) are not sure if their own vehicle is LEZ compliant or not.

Even in the cities where the LEZs are due to be introduced, understanding is low; in Dundee, for example, 29% of drivers are not sure if they know how LEZs work, rising to 33% in Edinburgh and 34% in Aberdeen while four in ten drivers in Aberdeen (44%) and Dundee (42%) – and half in Edinburgh (50%) – are not sure where the current zones are.

Furthermore, a quarter of drivers in all three cities worryingly do not know if the car they are driving is LEZ compliant, despite the fact the charging rules are coming into force in the coming weeks.

Broad support for Low Emission Zones but ‘now is not the time’

Carwow’s figures show that while the majority (52%) of Scottish drivers are in support of LEZs and think electric vehicles (EVs) are the future, most (53%) think now is the ‘wrong time’ to introduce new LEZ or expand current ones, rising to 56% of drivers in Aberdeen.

However, the data suggests that this lack of support for the imminent introduction of new LEZs is driven by cost rather than willingness; most (54%) Scottish drivers say they’d like to own an EV in the future – and 61% would switch now if they could – but can’t afford to. 

In fact, of those Scots who currently own a non-LEZ compliant vehicle, a third (33%) say they cannot afford to upgrade, rising to almost one in four (37%) drivers in Dundee..

Sally Foote, Chief Commercial Officer – Sell my Car at Carwow said:“There are two clear issues that have come to light here; firstly, that more needs to be done to educate and inform drivers about LEZs, and secondly, it is cost and not lack of willing that is preventing drivers from making the switch to cleaner vehicles such as EVs and hybrids.

“We therefore need to tackle the lack of understanding amongst motorists about Low Emission Zones in Scotland – where the current ones are, where the new ones will be and which cars are compliant, because, without better knowledge, millions of drivers are at risk of being fined.

“There is also much more that needs to be done in terms of affordability. Most drivers want to do what they can to drive more cleanly – in fact, most want to own an EV –  but it is just not economically viable at the moment.

“At Carwow, we are working hard to help drivers navigate LEZ; our new range of new tools can help drivers understand LEZs and check if their cars are LEZ compliant, giving motorists confidence to drive in areas and on roads without fear of charges or fines.”

Carwow has a range of tools available to help motorists who drive in any CAZ or LEZ across the country check if their vehicle is compliant:

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Lib Dems select Mike Andersen for Edinburgh North and Leith

The Scottish Liberal Democrats formally announce the selection of Mike Andersen as their candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith in the upcoming general election. Originally hailing from South Africa, where he practiced as a litigation attorney, Mike now lives in Canonmills with his husband and their dog.

Mike’s passion for his chosen country and his commitment to community service led him to join the Liberal Democrats, where he has become an active and engaged member.

“I love having the opportunity to get out on the streets of Edinburgh North and Leith to connect with constituents, listen to their views, and understand their concerns.

“I am additionally immensely proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the committed Liberal Democrat Councillors of Edinburgh North and Leith. Their relentless dedication mirrors our party’s steadfast commitment to serving the community and driving real, positive change.”

Raised in a household where service and community were paramount values, Mike’s upbringing instilled in him a profound sense of duty and accountability.

“From a young age, with my father serving in the military, I can remember being taught to do the right thing and not only the easy thing. I resolutely believe that ethics and accountability in public service are non-negotiables. Ethics should not only be talked about but should be seen and shown in action.”

Mike’s decision to stand as a candidate reflects his desire to enact meaningful change, placing the needs of Edinburgh North and Leith front and centre. He envisages a future where promises are kept, voices are heard, and every individual has an opportunity to reach their potential, embodying the core principles of the Liberal Democrats.

“Scotland is filled with talented, good, hardworking people. People who are simply seeking a fair deal in life, the deal they were promised through their hard work. The Liberal Democrats are the only party working to fulfil this promise of a fair deal.”

As the candidate for Edinburgh North and Leith, Mike presents a vision of a United Kingdom that embraces a role as a global leader in human rights and culture, while fostering an environment where both individuals and businesses can flourish.

“We can have a UK that is again proud to hold its head high on the global stage, as both a voice for Human Rights and a cultural superpower. We can have a UK which helps the vulnerable in society while providing the space for people and businesses to flourish.

“We can have a UK where voices are heard and Scotland sits as an equal partner. It is this vision I am fighting for and it is a vision which can become a reality but only if we vote for actual change”

Mike Andersen embodies the spirit of change, offering a fresh perspective and a steadfast commitment to Edinburgh North and Leith, Scotland and the United Kingdom, say the Lib-Dems.

Scotland’s councils face severe challenges to balance the books

Scotland’s councils faced a collective gap of up to £585 million between the money needed to deliver services and the money available when setting their budgets this year. This is estimated to increase to £780 million by 2026/27. Ever tougher decisions must be made to ensure councils are financially sustainable.

Councils are addressing this most commonly by making ongoing savings, using reserves and raising money through charging citizens for some services.

An Accounts Commission report on the budgets set by councils for 2024/25 says that a near six per cent increase in Scottish Government revenue funding to councils – totalling £13.25 billion – masks significant underlying financial challenges and strain. Almost all the increases in funding have been ring-fenced for policies and to cover the costs of pay increases in 2023/24.

Whilst councils received £147 million of government funding to mitigate the impacts of this year’s council tax freeze, there are longer-term financial consequences as future rises will provide less income for councils. Also, a third of councils say the government funding does not fully-fund the freeze.

The full impact of proposed savings by councils on service delivery and communities is unclear. There has been significant public opposition in some council areas to cuts to services, with new and increased charges also affecting people.

We will continue to monitor this area closely, as councils must meet savings in full this year. Failing to do so will intensify and exacerbate the impacts on services in future years, as further savings will be needed.

Councils must look to the future as they make increasingly difficult decisions to deliver savings, at scale, to address projected budget gaps. Planning and delivering on transformational change are vital if councils are to be financially sustainable.

Derek Yule, Member of the Accounts Commission said: “It’s getting harder for councils to do more with less. They have to find and then deliver significant levels of savings to address budget gaps.

“Fully engaging with local people and being clear about the different and difficult budget choices is vital, whilst understanding the impacts on the most vulnerable.

“Councils need to improve the way in which they present financial information, and do this in a clear, consistent and accessible way.

“The Accounts Commission calls on councils to increase the accessibility and transparency of publicly available budget information. This will allow for improved comparison between councils, particularly around key information including actions to tackle existing and future budget gaps, as well as savings plans.”

Granton History Hub: Archive Open this afternoon at Madelvic House

Granton:hub history archives will be open today, Tuesday 21 May from 1 – 4pm

Bring the past alive at our local history hub drop-in sessions where you can find photos, films, newspapers and more.

Sign up here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/granton-archive-project…

£5 million to unlock Scotland’s entrepreneurial talent

Support for start-up businesses

Extra investment to grow and nurture high-growth businesses and entrepreneurs has been announced.

The £5 million package will help deliver end-to-end support for Scotland’s start-up companies. It forms part of an ongoing to commitment to deliver on the recommendations of the Logan report into developing a world-class technology sector, and the Pathways report which is focussed on expanding the number of women starting and scaling-up businesses.

The package includes:

  • funding to expand the business funding competition Scottish EDGE, helping broaden and tailor the range of financial support available to fledgling businesses
  • the development of pre-start support, aimed at stimulating the earliest stages of business creation and product development for under-represented groups.
  • support to maximise the economic impact of university spin-out companies, and commercialise research
  • investing in initiatives that will attract the world’s top talent and showcase Scotland as a global destination for start-up founders and investors.

The additional support coincides with an announcement that Codebase, delivery partners of the Scottish Government’s £42 million Techscaler programme, are to partner with Scottish EDGE to develop the end-to-end support offered to businesses and entrepreneurs.

Deputy First Minister and Economy Secretary Kate Forbes announced the new funding as she visited the National Robotarium, the UK’s centre for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence and home to a number of spin-out tech companies.

She said: “Innovation is at the very heart of our economy. We have the talent, the skills and the facilities to make Scotland one of Europe’s fastest-growing start-up economies: an economy that is strong, successful and dynamic.

“This package of measures, which builds on the multi-million investment the Scottish Government is already making into our start-up business community, forms the next step in providing one of the most comprehensive government-backed support networks in Europe.

“The partnership between Codebase and Scottish EDGE also underlines our joined-up approach to fostering and nurturing Scotland’s young and vibrant business community. My message to Scotland’s innovators, entrepreneurs and disruptors is simple but clear: this Government believes in you and we will back you.”

Founder of the Hunter Foundation Sir Tom Hunter said: “Scottish EDGE is a proven, world class model of delivering finance to potential high growth early stage businesses and that has been independently verified.

“I am delighted the Deputy First Minister has recognised that and added significant additional resource to Scottish EDGE. When business and Government come together as they do in financing Scottish EDGE it can drive real economic growth by building the pipeline of entrepreneurial businesses, employment and the taxes that pay for public services.”

Entrepreneur and Investor Ana Stewart, author of the Pathways report on under-representation of women in entrepreneurship, said: “‘This  is a meaningful step forward in tackling the extreme gender imbalance which currently exists in entrepreneurship.

“I look forward to engaging and supporting the Government and other partners in enacting change whilst building on the existing momentum created since the publication of the Pathways report.

“Change will not happen overnight so I am also encouraged to see the adoption of a more strategic approach with a multi-year investment – a critical component if we are to tackle these persistent challenges.”

Gas company partners with Generation Science to inspire next generation on renewable energy

SGN has teamed up with Generation Science, an innovative educational programme led by Edinburgh Science, to empower primary school children with insights into future energy solutions and how we can tackle climate change.

The leading energy company is delivering LTS Futures – a first of its kind project – which aims to validate the compatibility of utilising the existing gas network to carry hydrogen. The success of the project, which is repurposing a 30km decommissioned natural gas pipeline between Grangemouth and Granton, would pave the way for hydrogen transportation on a national scale.

Thanks to funding provided by SGN, around 330 pupils aged 7 to 11 (primary 4 to 7), who attend schools based along the LTS live trial pipeline, have benefited from the 90-minute climate and engineering themed sessions.

The Green Machine is an interactive workshop dedicated to unravelling the complexities of energy transfer and renewable electricity generation. Guided by the Edinburgh Science team of experts, students delve into lessons to refine their understanding and perfect their innovative machine designs. 

Recently SGN’s LTS Futures Project Director Nancy Thomson joined the Generation Science team at Moray Primary School in Grangemouth, to participate in a session which explored future energy solutions for the Earth’s changing climate.

It looked at different sources of renewable and sustainable energy such as solar, wind and green hydrogen, and how we can utilise them to live in an environmentally responsible way.

Heather Chalmers, P6 class Teacher at Moray Primary School, said: “The Generation Science experience was absolutely delightful. As the students immersed themselves in the wonders of renewable energy, they discovered a world brimming with possibilities. 

“The team took them on a wonderful journey through the ages, tracing the origins of fossil fuels and illuminating the necessity for sustainable alternatives. From the intricacies of solar panels to the power of wind turbines, each discussion highlighted the importance of sustainable practices in shaping our future. The workshop not only sparked curiosity but also instilled a sense of responsibility towards the environment. 

“Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was truly heart-warming. What made the experience even more remarkable was the generosity of the sponsor, whose support made this invaluable, educational opportunity accessible to all. Grateful for their contribution, we’re reminded of the immense impact such partnerships can have in nurturing young minds and fostering a brighter, greener tomorrow.”

Laura McLister, Head of Learning at Edinburgh Science, said: “We’re delighted to have SGN on board as a supporter for this year’s Generation Science tour.

“Our mission for Generation Science is to provide high quality science activities to primary school pupils across Scotland, providing the same experience no matter where they live.

“SGN share our drive to inspire the next generation of engineers and champion the importance of sustainable sources of energy for homes. Thanks to their generous support we’re able to bring ‘The Green Machine’ to Granton and Grangemouth.”