Caledonian Thebans RFC received £2,500 funding as part of Aldi’s initiative
Aldi Scotland has invested £7,000 in eight local sports clubs across Edinburgh and the Lothians as part of its annual Scottish Sport Fund initiative.
The fund supports the supermarket’s commitment to cultivating a healthier Scotland through the positive impact of community sports clubs. Applications open throughout the year in different regions across Scotland, calling on local teams to apply for funding up to £2,500.
Since its formation in 2002, Caledonian Thebans RFC have worked to prove that sexual orientation, gender identity, background and social prejudice have no bearing on a person’s sporting ability. Its team members are made up of LGBTQIA+ people, as well as straight allies, and operate a prejudice-free policy, allowing everyone to enjoy rugby.
The club plans to use the funding from Aldi to purchase much needed training equipment.
Elsewhere in the region, Muirfield Riding Therapy and Nuvoc Volleyball Club received £1,000. Women in Scotland Playing Squash (WISPS), No Limits Sports Club, West Lothian Netters, Haddington Community Football Club and Forth Canoe Club all received £500 each.
Aldi Scotland introduced its Scottish Sport Fund in 2016 to motivate and encourage individuals of all ages and skill levels to participate in physical activities within their local communities and improve access to sport. To date, almost 600 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from the Fund, which has now amassed more than £400,000.
Sam Abdulla, Club Chair, Caledonian Thebans RFC, said: “As an inclusive LGBTQIA+ rugby club, this support is more than just financial – it represents a shared commitment to fostering diversity, equality, and belonging within our community.
“These funds will help us to expand access to the sport we love, and on behalf of the entire team, we are so pleased to receive this generous funding from Aldi Scotland.”
Graham Nicolson, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much-needed equipment and resources.
“It’s humbling to see how much of a difference extra funding can make to clubs like Caledonian Thebans RFC and in supporting people across Scotland to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”
For more information about Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, please visit:
Thousands of volunteers took to streets, shopping centres and supermarkets for the final weekend of fundraising for the 2024 Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Affectionately known across the country as Poppy Saturday, the day saw an army of volunteer collectors, including veterans themselves and hundreds of young cadets, from Glasgow to Girvan, Edinburgh to Elgin, all make another outstanding effort to raise vital funds to support the Armed Forces community.
Tomorrow the nation will fall silent in sombre reflection and pause for two minutes on Remembrance Sunday, safe in the knowledge that Poppy Saturday across Scotland has once again been a roaring success, with shoppers enthusiastically donating.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said: “We cannot thank each and every volunteer and indeed donator enough for their continued support to the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
“The response we have had, not just on Poppy Saturday but throughout the past three weeks, across the length and breadth of our country has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“On behalf of Poppyscotland and the Armed Forces community that we support, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave so generously. Without such support, quite frankly the Scottish Poppy Appeal simply could not happen.”
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with millions of poppies being distributed around the country.
The money raised from the Appeal has enabled Poppyscotland to help countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life.
New figures have revealed that almost 1000 people within the NHS Lothian region are waiting for life changing hybrid closed loop (HCL) system.
This is a devastating blow for diabetic patients who face extensive wait times to receive the technology.
Hybrid closed loop systems work to automatically adjust glucose levels depending on a patient’s blood sugar.
This is in stark contrast to the current system where the patient must manually adjust and administer the insulin themselves.
Paul Hughes, who works for Edinburgh Council and has had diabetes for 24 years, finds himself stuck on the waiting list for a HCL system.
Mr Hughes originally requested to be added to the waiting list in 2021 but found out, after inquiry, that he had not been added until 2023.
He is concerned that the ‘postcode lottery’ will mean he is not able to access an HCL system for the foreseeable future.
Mr Hughes has previously suffered a broken cheek and elbow from collapsing due to his blood sugar levels dropping too low.
He believes an HCL system is critical to improving his diabetes control and avoiding similar incidents in the future.
These figures were first revealed via FOI, by Labour MSP for Lothian, Sarah Boyack.
Ms Boyack has written an open letter (above) to Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray to ask what actions the Scottish Government is taking to urgently reduce these waiting lists.
Earlier this year, Ms Boyack hosted a roundtable of diabetic constituents who raised access to diabetes technology as a critical issue.
Commenting on these figures, Ms Boyack said: “The size of the waiting list is extremely alarming.This is life changing technology and patients across Lothian are in limbo waiting to receive it.
“I have had many constituents contact me, anxious about the lack of clarity for when they will receive an HCL system.
“The Scottish Government have announced funding to expand the HCL rollout, but it means nothing if it is not reaching people on the ground. That is why I have written to Neil Gray to ensure that type 1s across NHS Lothian are not left out in the cold when it comes to getting a HCL system”.
Paul Hughes added: “This technology would be life changing for me.I would no longer have to worry about my blood sugar dropping during the night, which currently keeps me awake.
“I am incredibly concerned about the long waiting list for those in NHS Lothian.
“I have sustained serious injury from collapsing due to low blood sugar so this technology cannot come soon enough.”
FREE POP-UP DROP-IN EVENTS AT WESTER HAILES POST OFFICE
More than 30 per cent of Scots struggling with their energy bills have never asked for help, new research has revealed.
A new poll, commissioned by British Gas as part of its independent charitable trust British Gas Energy Trust (The Trust), has found 42 per cent have difficulty managing their energy bills, but 31 per cent have never sought assistance – whether that is by turning to loved ones or seeking professional advice.
It comes as British Gas and British Gas Energy Trust have partnered with the Post Office and local community-based charities to offer free, drop-in events across the UK this winter.
The pop-up events offer 1-2-1 confidential practical support from trained specialists about budget planning, energy debt advice and energy efficiency measures, as well as help with accessing energy debt write-off grants including The Trust’s Individual and Families Fund, and Energy Support Fund.
The next pop-up events are taking place in Edinburgh and Glasgow on the following dates:
Wester Hails Post Office – 12th,13th,19th, 20th, 26th and 27th of November (between 11am – 2pm each day).
Springburn Way Post Office – 3rd,4th,10 and 11th of December, and 14th, 15th,21st and 22nd January 2025 (between 11am – 2pm each day).
When it came to the reasons why Scots don’t seek support, almost half (40 per cent), thought they wouldn’t qualify, a third (34 per cent) cited stigma or embarrassment and a quarter (26 per cent) said that there’s a lack of information.
A fifth believe there isn’t enough energy advice support out there. And almost a third (31 per cent) are worried about how they are going to keep on top of things this winter.
Abi Robins, Director of Responsible Business at British Gas, said: “We know the colder months can be tough on a lot of people and there isn’t always advice readily available.
“Our British Gas advisors will be on hand to help individuals navigate energy and financial challenges and access the range of support we offer – not only for our customers but also people who use other energy suppliers.
“The pop-ups are just one part of how we are supporting customers this winter. Grants, fund money and energy advice services are available through the Trust – with donations from British Gas topping £200m since 2004 – as well as providing direct support to struggling customers with matched debt repayments and non-repayable credit.”
The study also found rising costs, difficulty managing finances, and fear of disconnection were among the main concerns when it comes to paying energy bills this winter.
When speaking to someone about getting support, 21 per cent would want a face-to-face conversation. But 33 per cent admit they find it difficult to talk about the struggles they face when paying their energy bills.
Of those who have previously got help, 31 per cent used energy provider payment plans, 29 per cent turned to friends or family, 25 per cent used Government schemes, and 21 per cent sought financial advice or counselling.
Over 50 per cent of all respondents think there should be more support programmes to help people managing rising energy costs.
Jessica Taplin, chief executive of British Gas Energy Trust, said: “We know some consumers really want face to face advice, so these pop-ups are just one way we’re helping those already struggling with rising living costs this winter.
“These pop-ups, hosted at post offices across the country, provide free, confidential advice directly to communities to help individuals navigate energy and financial challenges this winter.
“We offer energy debt write-off grants through our Individuals and Families Fund, and Energy Support Fund, both open now, to households facing fuel poverty, among other criteria.
“We’d encourage anyone needing support to come along and find out more at their local pop up.”
Since the partnership between British Gas Energy Trust and the Post Office was established in 2022, there have been 178 in-person pop-ups in 95 locations from Saint Leonards-on-Sea to the Scottish Isles.
Thousands of people have been provided with step-by-step money and energy advice, checking benefits entitlement, and providing energy saving tips as well as follow up appointments for more in depth conversations.
Simon Lambert, Commercial and Operations Director at Post Office, said: “Every week, more than a million energy customers visit our branches to pay bills or top up.
“These pop-ups – held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leicester, Leeds, Newport and Stockport – are a fantastic way to connect customers with the additional support they may need this winter.”
Additional support available through British Gas Energy Trust includes the Individuals and Families Fund, which is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers, with grant payments of up to £1,700 available to households in England, Scotland and Wales. This fund is open to applications now.
Additionally, the British Gas Energy Support Fund is available to British Gas customers only who have debts of £250 to £2,000 on their energy account. This fund opened to applications on 4th November.
Hourglass has today launched its fifth annual Safer Ageing Week campaign. Entitled ‘Take Note’, it runs from the 11th to the 17th November and warns of the continuing tide of economic abuse against older people.
The charity, operating across the UK, uniquely supports older victims-survivors of abuse and neglect across the four nations. Its services include a 24/7 helpline, unique casework service and specialist policy unit.
At the launch of Safer Ageing Week the charity has revealed that over £53 million has been stolen or defrauded from older people in the past three years.
These are purely in cases reported to their helpline, meaning this is just the tip of the iceberg. These figures equate to an average value lost as £87,000 per victim. In 61% of these cases, the perpetrator was a family member of the victim-survivor.
The effect on this massive fraud against older people is significant, bearing in mind the ongoing cost of living crisis and a rapidly ageing older population that is set to see a further 9.6 million older people in the UK by 2050. The charity believes this abuse is only set to increase.
Awareness amongst the general public of what constitutes economic abuse is shockingly low, with a 2024 poll conducted by Hourglass finding that over 26% of people did not believe that forcing an older relative to change their will was an act of abuse.
The charity is set to release further reports throughout the week which will reveal the nature and extent of the economic abuse of older people and evaluating how well financial institutions are performing at safeguarding against this abuse.
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO and Director of Policy of Hourglass said:“Safer Ageing Week this year focuses on economic abuse and the theme is ‘Take Note’.
“The £53m stolen or defrauded from Hourglass victim-survivors underlines the significance of Taking Note and for the public and influencers to finally grasp the epidemic proportions of abuse against older people.
“We would urge everyone to support this fifth Safer Ageing Week and keep an eye on the raft of announcements and initiatives underway during the week. Hourglass wants everyone involved in supporting older people or dealing with domestic abuse or neglect to help bring this to the public’s attention.
The quantum light source is a device that produces single particles of light, called photons. By engineering on a microscopic level, scientists are harnessing the physics of these single photons to develop ultra-high performance applications, including more powerful computing and unconditionally secure communications.
IPAQS carries out a wide range of world-leading research in photonic physics, engineering photonics and quantum sciences, building on Heriot-Watt’s 40+ years legacy in global photonics research.
Professor Gerardot said: “We’re very excited to be hosting the QuanTour light source. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the research community in this area and also to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.
“Heriot-Watt has been at the forefront of this field of quantum optics for more than 25 years and a lot of the technology behind the quantum light source has been developed here and in the other laboratories taking part.”
From its starting point in Germany, the QuanTour is visiting labs in Austria (Linz), Italy (Rome), Switzerland (Basel), Spain (Madrid), France (Paris), England (Cambridge), Ireland (Cork), Scotland (Edinburgh), the Netherlands (Leiden), Denmark (Copenhagen), Sweden (Stockholm) and Poland (Wrocław). The quantum light source is being carried in a silver metal case and will arrive in Scotland from Cork in Ireland, before heading to Leiden in the Netherlands.
The tour aims to show how photons are being used in quantum communication and why this is important.
“Using single photons to encrypt data makes communication completely unhackable,” explained Frederik Brooke Barnes, a Postgraduate Research Student working with Professor Gerardot and an expert in quantum cryptography – which broadly involves using quantum mechanics in cybersecurity.
“It means that someone trying to eavesdrop on the information being sent can’t do so without being detected. This means that the information is always going to be secure and is guaranteed by the laws of physics.”
The quantum light source was built at Technische Universität Berlin, a research university in Berlin, and generates photons using a ‘quantum dot.’
This is a tiny structure made of semiconductor materials commonly found in our mobile phones, but in this case shrunken to just a few nanometres in size.
A nanometre is one billionth of a metre. The quantum dot is embedded in a bull’s eye-like structure, which acts like mirrors to direct the single particles of light into a beam that can be transmitted long-distances.
“The bull’s eye is about 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair,” Frederik explained. “And the quantum dot is about 1,000 times smaller than that!”
Frederik and fellow PhD student Sheena Shaji have organised a welcoming event for the QuanTour, including a Scottish bagpiper.
During its three-week stay at Heriot-Watt, the team will measure and record the characteristics of the photons produced and share this data with the other quantum teams taking part.
Although the QuanTour’s visit to Edinburgh won’t be open to the public, Heriot-Watt University is hosting a separate Single Photon Workshop event that is open to all. This takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre over five days from 18 to 22 November, 2024, and will showcase cutting-edge advances in photonics and quantum technology.
The UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025 is a year-long, worldwide initiative to increase public awareness about the importance of quantum science and its applications.
The year 2025 was chosen for this international year because it recognises 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.
UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation – is a United Nations agency that promotes international cooperation in education, sciences and culture.
The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945 after the Second World War to find shared solutions to common problems. It currently has 193 Member States.
Professor Brian Gerardot has been researching quantum photonics for around 25 years and holds a Chair in Emerging Technologies from the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science from Purdue University in Indiana, United States, and a PhD from University of California, Santa Barbara.
Frederik Brooke Barnes has a Master of Physics degree from the University of Manchester and is researching the science of quantum cryptography with quantum dots for his PhD at Heriot-Watt University.
Sheena Shaji has a Master of Physics degree from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Thiruvananthapuram, India, and for her PhD at Heriot-Watt University is researching a technique to collect light from multiple quantum dots on one chip to study their interactions.
There’s something incredibly soothing about the rhythmic motion of the needles and watching a beautiful pattern come to life. Whether it’s a cozy scarf, a warm blanket, or a cute little hat, each project feels like a small accomplishment.
If you’re looking for a way to unwind and create something special, I highly recommend giving knitting a try. Plus, it’s a great way to make personalized gifts for friends and family!
When: Every Monday 1-3 PM
Where: Pilton Community Health Project, 73 Boswall Parkway, EH5 2PW
Keir Starmer set to be the first UK leader to attend French Armistice Day since Second World War
The Prime Minister will attend 106th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 in Paris today [Monday 11th November]
First UK leader to attend the ceremony since Winston Churchill in 1944
Comes as he announces more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day next year
The Prime Minister will mark Armistice Day in Paris today – the first British leader to do so since the Second World War.
At the personal invitation of President Macron, the Prime Minister will join French and British veterans, and the public, to pay tribute to the fallen of the First World War and veterans of subsequent conflicts.
The Prime Minister is believed to be the first UK leader to attend the commemorations since Winston Churchill, who was hosted by General de Gaulle in 1944.
It comes as the Prime Minister announces more than £10 million to mark the 80th anniversaries of the Allied Victory in Europe and the end of the Second World War in the Far East.
Their legacy will be remembered at events across the UK next year with 8th May, marking the 80th anniversary of the Allied victory in Europe, and 15th August marking the end of the Second World War in Japan.
The national commemorative events will pay tribute to the tens of thousands of service personnel from across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War on all fronts.
The Prime Minister’s attendance at this morning’s commemorations of the 106th anniversary of the Armistice of 1918 symbolises the close and enduring friendship between the UK and France.
Alongside President Macron, the Prime Minister is expected to lay a wreath at war memorials close to the Champs-Élysées and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe, a national symbol in France for all those who died in the First World War.
The ceremony, which will include the British Band of the Rifles, comes at the end of a year which marks the 120th anniversary of the Entente Cordiale, and the 80th anniversary of the start of the liberation of France.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said:“I am honoured to be in Paris to stand united with President Macron in tribute to the fallen of the First World War who made the ultimate sacrifice for the freedom we enjoy today.
“These events are vital in ensuring the memory of millions of young soldiers, sailors and aviators live on for generations to come.
“That is why this Government will bring the nation together in a moment of national reflection to mark the 80th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day next year, delivering on our commitment to strengthen community spirit and cohesion and remember the fallen.”
Ahead of the ceremony, the Prime Minister will host veterans, defence charities and British military embedded in the French system at the Ambassador’s Residence to thank them for their service.
He will hear firsthand how, under the Lancaster House Treaties, British and French military personnel are building close friendships and deepening interoperability both for today and in the future.
The Prime Minister is also expected to meet President Macron ahead of the commemorations for a bilateral. The leaders will reflect on the close bonds between the two countries, many forged and cemented by the sacrifice of British and French soldiers on the frontline in the first and second World Wars.
The leaders are expected to go on to discuss key foreign policy issues, including Russia’s ongoing barbaric invasion of Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza.
He is also expected to meet the new French Prime Minister Michel Barnier. The short meeting ahead of the ceremony will be the first between the two Prime Ministers since Mr Barnier became the Prime Minister of France.
Preparations for next year’s UK commemoration events have already begun, with the government working closely with the Royal British Legion and veterans’ representatives, on a programme of activity that will be designed to bring the nation together in a moment of national reflection, strengthen community spirit and cohesion, and support growth.
Join us for an Open Day! Discover the MA in Learning in Communities 
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