ST Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral in Palmerston Place are delighted to announce that they feature on Royal Mail’s Second Class Christmas postage stamp this year!
CHRISTMAS stamps for 2024 from Royal Mail feature original illustrations of five UK cathedrals: St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh; St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh; Liverpool Cathedral; St Deiniol’s Cathedral, Bangor; and the RC Westminster Cathedral.
The Royal Mail’s director of external affairs and policy, David Gold, said at the launch: “Cathedrals are a hugely significant part of our cultural heritage and play an important role in local communities.
“They also offer space for peaceful reflection and a bit of an escape from the challenges of daily life, which can be especially important at Christmas.”
Designed by the British artist Judy Joel, the stamps were revealed for the first time today – 5 November.
Royal Mail described the five buildings as “some of the most spectacular cathedrals in the UK”, highlighting the first, Edinburgh, designed by Sir Gilbert Scott and consecrated in 1879, as “boldly harking back to upwardly soaring medieval Gothic cathedrals, with its three spires dominating Edinburgh”.
Royal Mail worked closely with Janet Gough, formerly director of cathedrals and church buildings for the Church of England, and an authority on historic churches.Ms Gough said: “These special stamps are a reminder that, for centuries past, cathedrals have provided sanctuary, community, joy, and wonder at the birth of Christ”.
“And they continue to do so today, standing at the very heart of our cities. All the UK cathedrals will be open over Christmas, ready to welcome people of all faiths and none. For services, prayer, and celebration, to find peace, or to enjoy the splendour of their music, architecture, and treasures, visit a cathedral this Christmas.”
The stamps, together with a range of collectibles, are now on sale.
Jobs and sectors dependent on sustainable natural world
Scotland’s natural assets contribute more than £40 billion to the economy and support around 260,000 jobs, according to new research.
The Importance of Natural Capital to the Scottish Economy report highlights the vital economic contribution the natural world makes to Scotland and highlights the value of the ecosystems and the services they provide.
Important industries such as agriculture, fishing and aquaculture, forestry, water, food and drink and renewables all rely upon the continued availability of high-quality natural resources.
The research investigates the economic impact of natural capital, which is defined as “the renewable and non-renewable stocks of natural assets, including geology, soil, air, water and plants and animals that combine to yield a flow of benefits to people.”
The Scottish Government conducted the research to provide the most up-to-date reflection of the true value of nature to the Scottish economy, as it is often undervalued or not included in economic assessments.
The study demonstrates the link between the threats to Scotland’s economic performance, and the economic opportunity associated with increasing nature dependent sectors.
The Scottish Government’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation (NSET) makes clear that working with and investing in nature is a top priority of Scotland’s wellbeing economy.
Speaking while visiting Blackthorn Salt in Ayrshire, which produces salt through filtering sea water, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said: “This research reinforces the vital role of our natural capital in supporting many of our vital industries – a connection that is often under-represented when we look at economic performance.
“Blackthorn Salt is an excellent example of a business that is dependent on natural capital, using sustainable, traditional methods to produce an exceptional products that provides jobs and can be found in kitchens across the country and beyond.
“The twin crises of climate change and nature loss are inextricably linked, nature offers some of the best ways to protect us from the worst impacts of climate change, so it is essential that we work with partners across the public sector and private investors to protect biodiversity and reduce our emissions as we support sustainable businesses utilising our incredible landscapes and ecosystems.”
NatureScot Chief Executive, Francesca Osowska said: “Nature is vital for our quality of life and that of future generations. In Scotland we are fortunate to have rich and varied landscapes and habitats, with individuals and businesses willing to step up to the challenge of stopping nature loss with hard work and investment.
“NatureScot is responding to this urgent need with leadership of vital programmes such as the £250m Peatland ACTION fund, the £65m Nature Restoration Fund and the innovative new Facility for Investment Ready Nature Scotland (FIRNS) which aims to both restore nature and benefit communities. “
An Ayrshire firefighter has recalled stones “rattling off the side” of a fire appliance as he and his colleagues came under attack ahead of Bonfire Night last year.
Crew Commander Jonny Milliken was leading a response to a spate of grass fires in Troon on 3 November 2023 when his crew were turned on by youths attempting to climb the fire appliance and throwing bricks and stones at them.
CC Milliken, an on call firefighter, said he and colleagues are “local people trying to do their best for their town” and shouldn’t face this type of behaviour.
He said: “The stones were rattling off the side of the fire appliance.
“We decided to keep all crew inside the appliance to ensure their safety. After being bombarded with stones, we had to retreat and leave the area.
“The last thing I wanted as a Crew Commander was for anyone to get injured.
“We are well aware antisocial behaviour comes from a very small minority, but we were all completely shocked.”
“As on call firefighters, we live and work in our community. All the firefighters that attended that incident were from Troon.
“We are just local guys trying to do the absolute best we can for our town. We are real people, with real lives in our local community and we deserve to be respected and allowed to do our job properly.”
5 November is typically one of the busiest nights of the year for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) and last year, firefighters across Scotland came under attack nine times in eight hours.
SFRS received 892 calls on Bonfire Night in 2023, with Operations Control staff mobilising to 355 bonfires.
Crews working to protect communities across Scotland want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Bonfire Night and the public is being urged to attend public events wherever possible and a list is available on the SFRS website. This is by far the safest way to watch fireworks.
Statistics released by Care of Burns in Scotland (COBIS) show that 37 people accessed emergency treatment between 4 and 6 November last year for fireworks related injuries.
Deputy Chief Officer Andy Watt is the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s Director of Prevention, Protection and Preparedness. He said: “We want people to enjoy themselves at times of celebration, but we want them to do so safely and think of others, including our crews who are working hard to respond to emergencies.
“Bonfires and fireworks go hand in hand at this time of year, and we advise people to go to an organised event wherever possible. This is the safest way to enjoy firework displays and bonfires.”
Community Safety Minister Siobhian Brown said: “Fire crews and other emergency services workers do an outstanding job protecting communities over the Bonfire Night period and any attack on them is utterly despicable.
“Such assaults endanger 999 workers and can prevent crews from reaching those in emergency situations who desperately need help.
“Attacks on 999 crews using fireworks or pyrotechnics are aggravating factors that courts can take into account when sentencing offenders.
“We have also introduced a ban on providing fireworks to under-18s and provided local authorities with powers to designate firework control zones within their boundaries. These new powers will be used for the first time this year in areas across Edinburgh over the Bonfire Night period.”
SFRS encourages everyone to attend public events in their area. If deciding to have a display at home, is encouraged to make sure they are aware of the environment and the Fireworks Code.
It is essential to read all packet instructions on each firework, light fireworks at arm’s length and stand well back. Never return to a firework that has already been lit.
It is illegal for anyone to supply someone under the age of 18 with fireworks. Additionally, it is illegal to set off fireworks in public spaces, such as streets, roads and parks.
Fireworks are restricted in terms of use between 6pm and 11pm, and this is extended until midnight on November 5.
Additionally, for the first time, there are Firework Control Zones implemented in Balerno and in the Niddrie, Seafield and Calton Hill areas of Edinburgh. This means it is against the law to set off fireworks at any time between the 1st and the 10th of November.
SFRS also encourage anyone who may be having a bonfire at home to ensure it is kept away from buildings, vehicles and trees. Any bonfire which is unsafe, or where people are behaving irresponsibly, will be extinguished and made safe.
Police:
Our Multi-Agency Control Room in Edinburgh is in operation over the next two days for Operation Moonbeam.
Specialist resources are on hand to support local policing teams across the country in responding to fireworks-related crime taking place.
On Thursday, 31 October, a 14-year-old boy was charged in connection with fireworks offences, following reports of disorder in the Capital. A 17-year-old male was then arrested on Sunday, 3 November, following an attack on a police vehicle in the Niddrie area of the city, where an officer was injured.
He has been remanded in custody for the next seven days.
Our officers are out in communities to keep the public safe. Please help us stop fireworks offences and attacks on emergency service workers.
If you have any information about planned offences, contact us on 101 or make an anonymous report to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
