The latest issue of our CAMRA branch magazine Pints of View (number 82, summer 2024) is now being distributed around pubs in South East Scotland.
It contains news of pubs and breweries in SE Scotland along with general articles that may be of interest
The magazine is available on line via the Issue reader.
OR
Can be downloaded NOW as a PDF (10MB) from https://edinburgh.camra.org.uk/dl.php?id=222840
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Artificial Sweetener vs Sugar: are they healthy for your heart?
Many people think that artificial sweeteners are a healthy and safe alternative to sugar, but is this the case? Research shows that both artificial sweeteners and sugar can be a problem for your health.
Most adults in the UK eat too much sugar, which is often responsible for increasing blood pressure, causing excess weight gain and tooth decay. Artificial sweeteners are used as alternatives to sugar in many foods, most commonly in foods labelled as diet-friendly, low-calorie or sugar-free.
However, recent studies suggest these can increase your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which worsen blood sugar control and are risk factors for heart disease. Although more research needs to be done into the effects of artificial sweeteners, it is possible that, like sugar, it can also increase your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.
Here we share some tips on how to reduce your intake of both sugars and artificial sweeteners:
Train your tastebuds
When you regularly consume sweet foods and drinks, your brain begins to recognise highly sweetened products as a positive reward. The phrase ‘sweet tooth’ means that you crave sweet foods and drinks, which satisfies your need or want when you consume them. Those people who have a sweet tooth are often those who have been exposed to sweet foods in their early life.
Removing sweet foods and drinks from your daily diet may result in you feeling withdrawal symptoms for a short period of time. However, this will allow you to retrain your tastebuds and reduce your cravings for highly sweetened products. Replacing unhealthy snacks with healthier versions, such as fruit and nuts with a small amount of dark chocolate, will lead you to gain similar satisfaction from these healthy foods that support heart health.
Dietary changes
Cooking foods from scratch will allow you to be aware of the amount of sugars and sweeteners within your meals. Often pre-made, processed foods such as ready meals and pasta sauces contain sugar. By making these meals from scratch and adapting your recipes to contain little to no added sugar, you’ll be helping to keep your blood pressure healthy.
Experiment with using spices and seasonings such as cinnamon and vanilla to sweeten foods and drinks without negatively affecting your health.
Fruits are a good natural way to satisfy your sweet cravings whilst counting towards your five-a-day. However, some fruits are high in natural sugars and consuming them in excess can have a negative impact on your health. If you consume high amounts of fruit, try and replace some with snack-friendly vegetables such as carrot and cucumber sticks.
Swap your usual fizzy drinks for water. This includes your ‘diet’ versions too, as these contain artificial sweeteners which could also negatively affect your heart.
Check food labels
Many foods often have hidden sugars in them, and checking your food labels whilst you are shopping is the easiest way to know how much you’re consuming. If you find that your usual choices have high amounts of sugar in them or have red traffic light food labels on the front, then it is best to avoid these. Have a look for other alternatives that have lower quantities of sugar in them and choose these.
Yoghurts, condiments and jars of sauce are often high in sugar. Try to use the no-added sugar versions where possible and be mindful of food manufacturers swapping out the sugar for artificial sweeteners in products. Common artificial sweeteners include Aspartame, Sucralose, Saccharin, Erythritol and Acesulfame potassium (Ace-K).
Both sugar and artificial sweetener intake should be limited as much as possible and you should be mindful of your intake. Consuming these on occasion is alright and won’t have a detrimental effect on your health. It’s important to make sure that you do not exceed the sugar guidelines of 30g of free sugars per day or the equivalent of seven sugar cubes to keep your heart health in check.
The universe’s favourite novelty politician, Count Binface, is back on our planet, and just in the nick of time as he’s set to embark on a national tour this autumn to save us all from imminent disaster with his MEGA plans. (Make Earth Great Again!)
2024 is the biggest year ever for democracy, with elections all over the globe, and Binface has more than played his part. He recently ran in the London Mayoral Election and took on (former) Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in the General Election.
Hot off the back of the UK’s General Election, Binface will be invading a theatre near you with his brand new live comedy show, featuring his unique take on Britain, his special brand of sci-fi satire, and of course his unbeatable manifesto.
Cheaper croissants? Check. The nationalisation of Adele? Check. The return of Ceefax? Check. Water bosses to take a dip in UK rivers to see how they like it? CHECK!
Count Binface is the intergalactic space warrior and novelty politician who has delighted millions with his unlikely tilts at power in the United Kingdom.
First, he took on Theresa May in the 2017 General Election, cunningly disguised as ‘Lord Buckethead’, and went viral around the world (in a non-Covid way), appearing on Last Week Tonight with John Oliver and at The Glastonbury Festival.
Then he challenged Boris Johnson in 2019, when he scored 69 votes (he’d love to say he’s the first life form to experience a surprising 69 with the Prime Minister in a sports hall during the small hours, but with Boris you just never know).
In 2021 he first ran to be Mayor of London in a bid to gain control of the Earth Capital itself. He received a glorious 92,896 votes from the great British public that sent him soaring into ninth place.
This year he won 24,260 votes and he got endorsed by a national newspaper and beat the fascists of Britain First.
Tour Listings:
for tickets and more information visit https://www.countbinface.com/tour
12 Sept Cardiff Glee Club
13 Sept Bath Komedia
17 Sept Hull Social
18 Sept Leeds Wardrobe
19 Sept Glasgow Òran Mór
24 Sept Sheffield Leadmill
26 Sept Liverpool Hot Water Comedy Club
29 Sept Manchester Cultplex
2 Oct Birmingham Glee Club
3 Oct Leicester Y Theatre
6 Oct Cambridge Junction
9 Oct Edinburgh Monkey Barrel
11 Oct London Pleasance
16 Oct Brighton Komedia
19 Oct Croydon Fairfield Halls
27 Oct Bristol Wardrobe Theatre
A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault which occurred on Princes Street on Tuesday (2 July, 2024).
He is due to appear before Edinburgh Sheriff Court tomorrow – Monday, 8 July.
*** UPDATE 3pm – DOUGLAS TRACED SAFE AND WELL ***
POLICE are appealing for help to trace Douglas Latona who has been reported missing from the Edinburgh area.
The 22-year-old was last seen in Willowbrae Road around 2am this morning – Sunday, 7 July, 2024.
Douglas is described as white, 5ft9, medium to stocky build, with short dark hair and heavy stubble. He was last seen wearing grey jogging bottoms, a grey Superdry sweatshirt and a black leather jacket.
Inspector Kenny Robertson said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned about Douglas’s welfare and are asking members of the public to keep a look out for him and report any potential sightings to us.
“We would also urge Douglas to please get in touch with someone to let them know he is safe and well.
“Anyone with information is asked to call us on 101, quoting incident number 1101 of Sunday, 7 July, 2024.”
For 40 years, Collective has offered a supportive environment for artists to test out new ideas, produce new work and share their work with audiences.
Founded as an artist-run space in 1984, over the course of four decades we have become an integral part of Scotland’s creative ecosystem.
Collective is now recognised nationally and internationally for the quality of our programmes, especially with emergent practitioners based in Scotland.
As we celebrate 40 years, we need your support to continue enabling ground-breaking artists to realise and share their ideas.
Support our work with artists. Please donate today.
Opening Hours
Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-5pm
The Lookout opening hours are available on their website.
Find Us
Collective
City Observatory
38 Calton Hill
Edinburgh
EH7 5AA
+44 (0)131 556 1264
mail@collective-edinburgh.art
For the first time in its 154-year history, children aged five will be able to join Fettes College in Edinburgh.
From September 2025, it will be opening a ‘pre-prep’ within its existing prep school, allowing children to join straight from nursery rather than waiting until they are seven.
Parents are being invited to register their interest ahead of an announcement on the full details at the school’s next open day in October.
Charlie Minogue, Headmaster of Fettes Prep, said: “From speaking with families we’re confident that this change is going to be popular. As well as their younger children being able to benefit from a Fettes education, they will also be able to take advantage of flexible wraparound care.
“At present this is available to all day pupils in the Prep School, who are aged 7-13. We know that working parents in particular value the option to drop-off as early as 7.45am and pick up as late as 7pm on some days, while pupils have access to an extraordinary range of activities and can go home, having already had lots of fun with their friends, enjoyed tea, and completed their homework.
“This is part of our bold new ‘Prep for Life’ vision, heralding an exciting step that will enable us to have children with us for longer and prepare them to the fullest possible extent for the next phase of their education.”
With an increasing number of parents and carers returning to the office as working patterns revert to pre-pandemic norms, the school is introducing a morning minibus service from next term. This will initially run from West Edinburgh with additional routes in the pipeline.
A married couple from Barbados have proved a formidable partnership, after graduating from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU) at the same time.
Sheldon and Cathy Ann Layne decided to study for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) at ENU in 2020, and have now completed the course online alongside their work in risk management.
The husband and wife travelled from their home in Bridgetown to join Business School students and cross the stage during a graduation ceremony at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall yesterday [July 4].
Their small study group was bolstered by close friend and work colleague Jennifer Simone Davis-Adesegha, who graduated from the course last year.
Reflecting on their journey, 46-year-old Sheldon said: “Studying together was interesting at times! They call me ‘Mr By-The-Book’ – I don’t like anything to compromise our studies.
“We always wanted to do something which would advance our careers academically. Being able to offer each other encouragement was a big help.”
Cathy Ann, who is 45, said: “We definitely have varying perspectives and individual study patterns – I’m a morning person and Sheldon isn’t, for example!
“This was our first time studying a major course online, which took some time to adapt to, but we got there.
“We all work for the same institution, so it was difficult to find time for study sessions during the week. We ended up doing a lot of group sessions on Saturdays.”
The MBA programme at Edinburgh Napier University is a postgraduate qualification which is designed to build on students’ work experience and develop skills like leadership, problem solving and business theory.
For Sheldon and Cathy Ann their graduation marks the end of a rewarding journey, which included a short spell having to self-isolate in a UK hotel during the Covid pandemic.
Sheldon added: “If one of us wasn’t feeling up to studying, we would push each other to stay on track.
“We’re grateful that we could study at our own pace. We had good support, with very responsive lecturers.”
The newly appointed Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP has reaffirmed the UK Government’s commitment to a prosperous, stable and peaceful Northern Ireland during his first visit since taking up the role.
The Secretary of State attended a Cabinet meeting in London yesterday before travelling to Hillsborough Castle, where he met the First Minister Michelle O’Neill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly, and representatives from other Executive and Opposition parties.
On Friday evening following his appointment, Mr Benn also spoke to the Tánaiste Micheál Martin by telephone.
Mr Benn said: “I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to the role of Secretary of State.
“I wanted to get to work as quickly as possible and was therefore pleased to be able to hold these initial discussions with the First and deputy First Ministers and representatives from the other parties.
“My immediate priorities are to establish a new relationship between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive as we work together to foster economic growth and prosperity, and to improve public services.
“I want to ensure that we have a system in place for addressing the legacy of the past in a way that wins support from victims’ families and that all communities can have confidence in, and which is compliant with human rights.”
Mr Benn said that the new UK Government was firmly committed to the Belfast Good Friday Agreement and to the principle of consent that is at its heart.
“We will work hard to deliver its vision for reconciliation, equality, respect for rights and parity of esteem.”
The Secretary of State said that his meeting with the First Minister and deputy First Minister was “very constructive”.
“I look forward to building on our relationship in the months ahead,” he said.
Addressing the relationship with Dublin, Mr Benn said: “As our nearest neighbour and co-guarantor of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement, our relationship with Ireland is of great importance.
“The new UK Government will work closely with the Irish Government to reset and strengthen the relationship between our two countries.”
First Minister Michelle O’Neill said: “Today I led our Sinn Féin delegation to meet with the new British Secretary of State, Hilary Benn.
“We strongly made the case for fair funding to invest in health, education and public services, the building of Casement Park to host Euro 2028, and the repealing of the Legacy Act.
“We also urged the British Government to respect our right to self-determination as support for constitutional change grows.
“People here are increasingly looking towards the future and to a new Ireland that ensures the best opportunities in life for everyone who calls our island home.”
New Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to visit Belfast tomorrow.
THREE Scottish athletes will proudly pull on their Great Britain vests later this week as they represent their country at the Sprint World Orienteering Championships (www.woc2024.org), taking place in Edinburgh from 12-16 July.
Brother and sister Peter and Grace Molloy from Linlithgow and Freddie Carcas from Edinburgh will form a GB team of 10 athletes, as they take part in five days racing in the Capital.
Often thought of as a countryside sport, WOC 2024 will be staged in the intricate urban terrain Edinburgh has to offer, with the capital’s iconic landmarks providing the perfect backdrop for the elite courses.
The event is yet another opportunity for the public to watch elite sport in the capital – but this time for free. Fans will be able to watch the world’s best orienteering athletes tackle challenging routes which weave through the city’s historical and cultural attractions while enjoying a fun day out with the family.
There are free family activities are on offer throughout the week, including orienteering mazes, fun races and all the action on live screens. The orienteering maze and big screen will feature in Princes Street Garden on Friday (12 July), followed by fun races for kids and adults alike at The Meadows, as well as another orienteering maze, from Saturday 13 July until Monday 15 July.
With Great Britain finishing second in the medal table at the last Sprint World Orienteering Championships in Denmark in 2022, the host nation will be looking to go one better and top the table.
Grace Molloy from Linlithgow who is in contention for one of the top places explained how she is feeling about competing in front her home crowd: “I’m excited to race in a city as iconic as Edinburgh, especially as it is 30 minutes from my home, and I’m looking forward to truly challenging the best athletes in the world.
“This is the first WOC where I’ve had the speed to match the top women and I’m hoping to achieve top 10 positions in the individual races and a medal in the relay.”
The five-day orienteering festival also features amateur races for all ages and levels, with competitors as young as 10 and some in their 80s. The ‘WOC Tour’ will allow competitors, from those relatively new to the sport up to experienced recreational athletes, to experience the best of urban orienteering.
The first elite races will be the Individual Sprint taking place in Leith on the morning of Friday 12th July, with finals in the afternoon finishing in Princes Street Gardens. The action continues on Sunday 14th July at Heriot Watt University with the Team Sprint Relay.
On Tuesday 16th July the Knockout Sprint qualifications take place at Wester Hailes with the finals finishing on St John Street in Central Edinburgh.
Find out more about WOC 2024 and the WOC Tour.
WOC 2024 will be broadcast on Eurovision Sport (www.eurovisionsport.com), the European Broadcasting Union (IBU)’s new free streaming platform and on the IOF YouTube channel.
