Campaigners call on brand to ditch cruelly obtained reptile skins
PETA supporters holding signs reading, “Gucci: Ban Wild-Animal Skins,” crashed the grand opening of Gucci’s new Multrees Walk store yesterday to urge the luxury retailer to stop using the skins of tormented snakes and other wildlife in its collections.
Video footage of the disruption is available here.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1837058263302480044
“Every wild animal-skin accessory, from wallets and bags to belts and watch straps, comes from a terrified animal who was beaten, tortured, and skinned – sometimes while still conscious,” says PETA Vice President Mimi Bekhechi, who is from Edinburgh.
“PETA is calling on Gucci to do right by animals by shedding reptile and other ‘exotic’ skins.”
A recent PETA exposé of python farms in Thailand that supply Gucci’s owner, Kering, revealed workers pinning struggling pythons down by the neck, bashing them on the head with a hammer, punching metal hooks through their heads, and inflating their bodies with water – even as the animals continued to move.
A growing number of fashion brands have dropped wild-animal skins – including Burberry, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Mulberry, Victoria Beckham and Vivienne Westwood – and many more are meeting the demand for sustainable animal-friendly products by offering vegan leather options made from a wide range of innovative materials such as mushrooms, apples, corn, and cacti.
PETA – whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to wear” – opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk or follow the group on Facebook, X, TikTok, or Instagram.
Call for action to tackle root causes of fuel poverty
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall to urge the UK Government to reverse the cut to Winter Fuel Payment.
Call for action to tackle root causes of fuel poverty.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall to urge the UK Government to reverse the cut to Winter Fuel Payment.
Ms Somerville called on the UK Government to take action to address root causes of fuel poverty and volatile energy prices.
The full text of the Social Justice Secretary’s letter:
To: Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall
From: Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville
20 September 2024
Dear Liz,
I am writing to you to express further concerns, following the publication of the UK Government’s equality analysis on the impact of the introduction of a means-tested Winter Fuel Payments, which shows that across all assessed characteristics those affected by this change in policy will greatly outnumber those unaffected.
The Scottish Government continues to support vulnerable households from fuel poverty through a range of actions within our limited devolved powers. This year alone, we are spending £134 million on activities to mitigate UK Government policies through schemes such as Discretionary Housing Payments and the Scottish Welfare Fund, which provide vital support to households struggling to meet their housing and energy costs.
However, we cannot continue to mitigate UK austerity policy decisions. What is really needed is reform of the UK energy markets to address the root causes of fuel poverty in Scotland, such as high fuel prices. In these circumstances I would urge you to now reverse the Winter Fuel Payment decision and reinstate the payment for all pensioners.
This decision was of course taken without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government and it has had devastating consequences for our planned launch of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, reducing the Block-Grant Adjustment for our devolved payment by over 80%.
Having carefully considered the options, given the significant impact of this decision and the wider cuts being imposed by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on our budgets, we have had no choice but to mirror this approach in Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, our replacement for Winter Fuel Payment, which is to be delivered in Scotland this Winter by the Department for Work and Pensions on behalf of the Scottish Government.
A copy of this letter goes to the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister, the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Scotland.
A coalition of climate justice campaigners staged a musical demonstration and banner protest at the UK Government’s offices in Edinburgh yesterday to call on the Government and corporations to end fossil fuels and pay their fair share of the climate finance owed to countries most impacted by climate change.
The activists rewrote the lyrics to classic songs such as Abba’s ‘Money, Money, Money’ and the Proclaimers’ ‘500 miles’ to get their message across.
Abba chorus: “Money money money // Nothing’s funny // In an unequal world. Money, money, money // It’s way too sunny // In a colonial world.”
Proclaimers’ chorus: “But we would walk five hundred miles // And we would walk five hundred days // Just to be the ones who see 5 trillion smiles // Because WHO OWES MUST PAY.”
Campaigners from groups including Friends of the Earth Scotland, Extinction Rebellion Scotland, Global Justice Now Scotland, Divest Lothian, Stop EACOP Edinburgh and Edinburgh Quakers highlighted the role that UK fossil fuel companies, and the UK in general, have played in fuelling the climate crisis.
The groups demand the UK Government end our reliance on fossil fuels in a way that is ‘fast, fair and forever’ and to stop climate-wrecking projects like the controversial Rosebank oil field off the coast of Shetland.
Joy Reyes from Friends of the Earth Philippines spoke at the rally saying: “The people of the global south are not asking for pity or mercy, we are demanding our right to a future lived with dignity.
“We are demanding that the Global North and the fossil fuel companies, who profit while our people suffer, pay up. For every life lost, for every farm ruined, for every home destroyed and for every future ripped away from us, pay up!
“It is time for the perpetrators of this crisis to pay for what they have done.”
Sally Clark, Divestment Campaigner with Friends of the Earth Scotland said: “With catastrophic wildfires in Portugal and terrible flooding in Nigeria this week alone, it has never been more urgent for our governments to stop funding oil and gas companies like BP, Shell and TotalEnergies that are fuelling climate breakdown and harm to communities around the world.
“As one of the first countries to profit from fossil fuels, the UK has a greater responsibility to pay our climate debt to countries which have done the least to cause the climate crisis but which are already suffering the most.
“By ending our funding of climate-wrecking fossil fuels and instead investing in genuine climate solutions like social housing and wind and solar power, the Government can protect communities, create new green jobs and ensure a liveable planet for everyone.”
Campaigners are calling on governments in the Global North to urgently implement a fast, fair and funded phase out of fossil fuels and to commit to paying a minimum of US$5 trillion per year in public finance to countries in the Global South for the damage that has already been caused by the fossil fuel-driven climate crisis.
In April, new research revealed that just 57 companies, including BP, Shell, ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies, are directly linked to 80% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions since 2016.
Among the campaigners’ demands is a call on the UK Government to support the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty and to stop funding companies responsible for new fossil fuel projects such as the Rosebank oil field and the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP) in Uganda and Tanzania which is predicted to produce 379m tonnes of climate-heating pollution if it is completed.
Cathy Allen from Stop EACOP Edinburgh said: “For as long as any of us can remember, the UK government has promoted the myth that they kindly donate generous aid to poor countries.
“This narrative could not be further from the truth. The reality is that the UK government along with the rest of the Global North is defaulting on what it owes the Global South – collectively at least $5 trillion per year as compensation for the immense consequences of climate change.
“Payment for our part in this catastrophe would inevitably involve significant taxation of the fossil fuel industry and would thus also act as a deterrent to that sector’s unfettered rampage on the planet, resulting in a rare win-win situation.”
The rally was one of many actions taking place across the UK and around the world for the ‘Pay Up for Climate Finance’ Day of Action which marks the culmination of the Global Week of Action for Climate Finance and a Fossil-Free Future.
Tyrone Scott from War on Want said: “We’re taking action here in the UK and across the world because wealthy countries in the Global North, such as the UK, have long made big promises on tackling the climate crisis — but have so far failed to deliver the resources needed to honour them.
“Those who are facing the worst consequences of our reliance on fossil fuels have done the least to cause this crisis, yet face the worst effects. Against this backdrop, the UK refuses to pay up its fair share in climate finance and reparations to help countries adapt to and mitigate against a crisis they have not caused.”
Are you into organising events and arts projects? Want to have your say on what’s happening in North Edinburgh? Or maybe you just want to be part of something fun and creative?
Together with Imaginate UK, North Edinburgh Arts are launching a new Youth Arts Collective for ages 11-13, and you’re invited to our free taster sessions!
Join us on Thursday evenings, 3 and 10 October at West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre to try out fun activities, play games, and chat about the group.
The Battle of Arnhem was one of the most audacious endeavours of the Second World War. On the 80th anniversary, discover selected stories from the front line:
Operation Market Garden was a plan conceived by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery to hasten the end of the Second World War by opening up new routes into Germany.
The allied forces adopted a bold strategy: seize a series of crucial bridges in the Netherlands through a combination of airborne attack and ground advances.
The Battle of Arnhem – the centrepiece of the operation – exemplified both the daring and the pitfalls of the allies’ approach.
British paratroopers were tasked with capturing and holding the bridge at Arnhem until reinforcements could arrive. But what unfolded was a harrowing saga of bravery met with a great loss of life for the allied forces.
The paratroopers faced fierce resistance from the well-prepared German forces, including elite Panzer tank divisions that had been underestimated by allied intelligence.
Ground forces struggled to advance as planned, leaving the airborne troops isolated and vulnerable.
But throughout the protracted and bloody engagement shone countless tales of courage and sacrifice.
Lieutenant Peter Cane
Born in Reading, Lieutenant Peter Cane (top, left) was among the first wave of paratroopers to land at Arnhem during the operation’s opening stages.
A seasoned combat veteran, he had already faced the harsh realities of war in Sicily and Italy before his deployment to the Netherlands.
As Lieutenant Cane led his men through the narrow streets of Arnhem, they were initially greeted by cheering Dutch citizens. However, this quickly turned into fierce combat with German troops.
Despite being mortally wounded in one of the first encounters with the Wehrmacht, Cane continued to encourage his men to remain determined.
He succumbed to his injuries shortly after the skirmish and was initially buried in a makeshift grave near where he fell.
He was 25 years old when he died.
His remains were later moved to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, where he rests today.
Captain Lionel Queripel
Captain Lionel Queripel (top, right) was a British officer who displayed extraordinary bravery during the Battle of Arnhem.
Serving with 10th Battalion The Parachute Regiment, Queripel had already seen significant action, having been evacuated at Dunkirk and during fighting in North Africa and Italy.
During the battle his unit came under intense fire from German forces. Despite sustaining a facial wound, Queripel continued to lead his men with remarkable courage.
He carried an injured soldier to safety and then returned to coordinate an assault on the enemy position.
As ammunition ran low and Germany forces pressed their advantage, Queripel ordered a strategic retreat to prevent further casualties.
His courage was later recognised with the Victoria Cross.
Lieutenant Dermod Green Anderson
Lieutenant Dermod Green Anderson (above, left) was born in Durban, South Africa and moved to England in the 1930s to study architecture.
At the outbreak of the Second World War he was employed as an assistant to the architect Sir Edwin Lutyens, who had designed the Cenotaph.
In 1940, Anderson joined The Gloucestershire Regiment and completed his training as a glider pilot.
He participated in the Normandy operations and played a crucial role at Arnhem.
Tragically, he was killed near Oosterbeek on 25 September 1944 by a German mortar bomb.
His bravery was noted by his commanding officer, who recalled his efforts to rescue wounded soldiers under heavy enemy fire.
After the battle, Anderson was reported missing and his name was inscribed on the Groesbeek Memorial.
His remains were discovered during a field survey near the old church in Oosterbeek, where efforts had been made to locate lost field graves.
The identification process by the MOD Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre and the Dutch Identification and Recovery Unit involved DNA analysis, which eventually allowed the MOD to contact Anderson’s modern-day relatives.
Anderson was laid to rest on 18 September 2024 at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery in the presence of his great-nephew, a serving lieutenant colonel in the British Army.
The burial service was conducted with full military honours and attended by Armed Forces personnel who carried his coffin and performed a rifle salute.
Private Henry Moon
Private Henry Moon (above, right) from Speeton, North Yorkshire, was an apprentice joiner before joining the British Army during the Second World War.
He served with 7th Battalion The Green Howards (The Yorkshire Regiment).
Moon landed in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and spent his summer advancing through France and Belgium, before reaching the Netherlands.
During the Battle of Arnhem Moon’s unit faced intense combat as they attempted to hold their positions against German counterattacks.
Tragically, Moon was killed during a German mortar attack on 1 October 1944.
Moon’s remains were only discovered on 12 November 2020 during roadworks on the A15 motorway.
His body was found in a shallow grave on the battlefield where he fell.
The identification process involved matching his possessions with his battalion and conducting DNA analysis, which confirmed his identity through a sample from his great-nephew David.
On 18 September 2024 Private Moon was finally laid to rest at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery.
His coffin was carried by serving soldiers of The Royal Yorkshire Regiment.
With thanks to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
Torch of Commemoration handover ceremony held at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery
British Veteran Geoff Roberts handed the CWGC Torch of Commemoration to Caroline Frost, daughter of Lt Col John Frost who commanded the Allies during the battle of Arnhem in a ceremony yesterday at CWGC Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery.
The handover ceremony marked the final leg of the ‘Path to Freedom’ trail that began in Leopoldsburg, Belgium and followed the route taken by the Allied armoured forces as they attempted to relieve the airborne troops holding their positions in Arnhem.
The trail started on 10 September and was split into 22 stages taking in seven CWGC Memorial sites along the way, marking one of the most infamous battles of the Second World War and commemorating nearly 2,000 Allied soldiers who lost their lives.
Claire Horton CBE, Director General of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, said:“The Torch of Commemoration has proved to be a hugely successful way to educate younger people about what the Allies went through during their ordeal, and to ensure their legacy will never be forgotten.
“The CWGC’s Arnhem Oosterbeek Cemetery has been a focal point of commemoration for the Battle of Arnhem since the end of the Second World War, with the sacrifice of nearly 1,500 wounded and killed soldiers at the heart of our mission to protect their legacy and educate future generations.
“Today, we call on our communities to join us in our duty to ensuring the commemoration of the war dead continues, and share their memories and stories. Many of the stories of what the soldiers went through during the Battle of Arnhem are truly inspiring, and we hope they encourage younger people to honour them for evermore.”
The roadshow culminates in a parachute jump this morning (Saturday 21st September) by the British Army at Ginkel Heath – where the Allied paratroopers landed during Operation Market Garden – and a memorial service on Sunday 22nd September at the CWGC’s Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery where many Arnhem veterans are buried.
For more information on Arnhem and Operation Market Garden, please use the link below:
A Holyrood Committee has raised concerns about a lack of detail in a Bill which proposes a move away from a crisis management approach to a preventative approach to homelessness in Scotland.
The Social Justice and Social Security Committee has been scrutinising the homelessness and domestic violence aspects of the Housing (Scotland) Bill. While the Committee supports the principles of the proposals in the Bill, it wants the Scottish Government to outline how the measures will work in practice.
The practicalities of the “ask and act” duty, which calls on relevant public bodies to ask a person about their housing situation and to take action to prevent homelessness, were one aspect the Committee would like to understand in greater detail.
The Committee’s report asks how the Scottish Government will ensure that relevant bodies do not just refer people to the homelessness officers in their local authority.
The report also notes that there are problems with the Bill’s costings, as laid out in the Financial Memorandum. The Committee calls for this to be updated.
Collette Stevenson MSP, Convener of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, said:“Our Committee agrees with this Bill’s goal of shifting Scotland’s approach to homelessness away from crisis intervention towards prevention.
“However, we do share witnesses’ concerns about the lack of detail in the Scottish Government’s plans. In particular, we would like to see more detail about how the ‘ask and act’ duty will operate in practice.
“We also acknowledge concerns raised about the Financial Memorandum. Our report recommends that the Scottish Government consult with stakeholders again and update costings as appropriate ahead of the Stage 1 debate on the Bill.”
The Committee also backed proposals in the Bill to support people affected by domestic abuse, although its report requests more information about the measures in the Bill will interact with other relevant policy and legislation.
In particular, the Committee heard that the Bill is linked to the Domestic Abuse (Protection) (Scotland) Act 2021. As the Act has not commenced in full, the Committee calls for a detailed plan and timeline to confirm when the laws in the Act will come into force.
Garden Centre rolls out series of free October events
Dobbies Garden Centres is embracing the autumn season with a series of free-to-attend events at its Edinburgh store throughout October, including Grow How, Little Seedlings Club and Little Seedlings Holiday Club.
These seasonal activities aim to inspire gardening enthusiasts of all ages to embrace the wonders of autumn, while learning valuable gardening tips and taking part in fun, hands-on activities.
Kicking things off is Dobbies’ Grow How session, taking place in the Edinburgh store on the first Saturday of the month (5 October), then every Wednesday throughout October at 10:30am and 3:30pm.
Dobbies’ gardening colleagues will show participants how to channel their creativity to decorate their doorway for autumn and Halloween.
The session covers the best pots and plants for dressing doorsteps, shade-loving plants for porches, and vibrant autumn annuals for a cottage garden feel.
Attendees will also explore ideas for hanging baskets, window boxes, doormats, garden lighting, and crafting autumn wreaths using homegrown vegetables.
Dobbies’ Little Seedlings workshop, taking place on Sunday 6 October in the Edinburgh store, is for children aged 4-10 and will be delving into autumn as a season. Kids will explore the seasonal changes in nature, learning why leaves change colour and how animals prepare for hibernation during the colder months.
They’ll also discover the journey of seeds and what happens after fruit and vegetables are harvested. The workshop includes a craft activity where children will make their own leaf fossils, adding a fun, hands-on element to their autumnal learning experience.
Taking place the third week of October at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store, the Little Seedlings Holiday Club brings fairytales to life and explores how to bring a little bit of magic to the garden.
Children will learn the origins of some of their favourite fairytales like Cinderella, Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and Beauty and the Beast. The workshop will include an interactive storytelling session, toadstool-making craft and fairy garden creation, ensuring a magical experience for all.
Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, knows just how important it is to keep the kids entertained over the school holidays and is anticipating high demand for these autumnal workshops.
She said: “Our fantastic range of free autumn events in our Edinburgh store are aimed at giving families a fun and creative activity to get involved in. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or simply looking for some family fun, we have something for everyone.”
To learn more about Dobbies’ free autumnal events at its Edinburgh store, visit dobbies.com/events.
Still time to sign up for our webinar with @readyscotland on Wednesday 25 September to talk about how Community Councils are supporting people through local emergencies – and find out how you can contribute to a new survey on the issue.
Top tips for helping children set off on two wheels
Teaching a child to ride a bike can be daunting and frustrating for all concerned, but Balanceability is helping parents and carers get their little ones moving on two wheels, in support of Cycle to School Week, 23 – 27 September.
By downloading Balanceability’s Parent Guide and following its top tips for learning to ride two-wheels, stress can be replaced with fun and children can set off to school or nursery with confidence.
A recent survey of bike-riders* by Balanceability revealed that most people learnt to cycle with help from their dad (55%), while 13% were self-taught, 11% taught by their mum and just 2% of cyclists learnt to ride at school. One in five cyclists surveyed said they learnt to ride a bike before school age, with the majority (61%) confirming they learnt to ride when they were primary school age.
Balanceability offers a sustainable programme for schools to promote the physical benefits of cycling for children as young as 2½ years old, as well as providing a fun and engaging activity, but it believes that parents and carers can also play an important role in getting children cycling.
Samantha Wright, Commercial Manager for Balanceability, part of the TTC Group a pioneer on road safety education advises: “We recommend taking the first step to cycling on a balance bike, as it helps children learn and gain confidence on a bike more quickly.
“Whilst using stabilisers does work, children can become reliant preventing them from developing balance skills. Once stabilisers are taken off the child needs to learn how to balance and steer all over again which can also affect their confidence on a bike.
“On a balance bike, children learn to balance naturally, more quickly than when reliant on stabilisers, setting them up for a smooth and easy transition to pedal bikes when they’re older.
“Cycling is fun, it’s good exercise and when children cycle to school and nursery instead of being driven it reduces air pollution and brings environmental benefit.
“By following our tips, it will help children transition from a balance bike to a pedal bike successfully.”
The Department of Transport’s Bikeability Level 1 is for children 6+ years, with other Government cycle programmes aimed at children 10-11-years-old, so Balanceability fits as the precursor.
The UK’s only afPE-approved learn-to-cycle programme, Balanceability offers packages for schools, local authorities and leisure sites for children aged 2½ years and upwards.
The programme teaches children how to ride without stabilisers, giving them important gross motor skills, core stability and plenty of fun through physical activity.
Balanceability Top Tips for helping children set off on two wheels
Get to know the bike – Simply sitting on the stationary bike is an important first step for young children, getting them comfortable with the bike and giving them the all-importance confidence to get started on their cycling adventure.
Pick your path – A smooth, relatively flat traffic free space is perfect for practicing on a balance bike – Avoid steep slopes when they are starting out.
Utilise all opportunities – If you are going for a short walk, you could let your child bring their bike along with you on the path. Most balance bikes are small and light enough to carry if they run out of cycling steam before you get back home.
Boost balance – Learning to balance doesn’t all have to involve the balance bike. When you’re out and about in a safe environment such as a playground, encourage your child to jump, hop, climb, balance safely on low objects and walk along narrow lines like a tightrope.
Take it slow – Trying to rush or push a child learning to balance on their new bike will only end in tears – not necessarily the child’s. Pressure will cause frustration and slow their progress.
Be child-led – Let your child set the pace. They may need to walk while standing over the bike for a while before they are able to sit and walk, this is an important stage of learning to ride so don’t rush them to sit.
Praise progress – Help to boost their confidence by praising their efforts and any progress – however small, and even if you’re finding it a frustratingly slow process!
Know when to move on – Once your child is confidently zooming around obstacles and lifting their feet off the ground while they go, it may be time to try learning to pedal. You will need to ensure the new bike is the right size and the seat is set to the correct height, or it will be too difficult and knock the new cyclist’s confidence.
Ask the pros – Many schools and Early Years settings run Balanceability balance bike training courses for children as young as 2 ½, even providing the bikes on which they learn. Children enjoy learning with their teacher and their friends and pick up the skills quickly.
Schools can purchase a Balanceability Pack which includes all the equipment, resources and training required to deliver the sessions as a sustainable programme. Balanceability can be run by teachers indoors or outdoors as part of the weekly regular PE activity and has been developed to fit into school lesson planning.
The programme offers children the ability to become competent cyclists at an early age through the development of balance and control, with 94% of children aged 4 to years 6 years old able to safely ride a pedal bike at the end of the programme.
Calling local young people (ages 11 -13)
Thursday 3 October, 5:30pm – 7pm
Register your FREE place at 
Songs from your childhood
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