Dobbies Garden Centres is lifting community spirits this season with a Christmas tree donation at its Edinburgh store, in partnership with Needlefresh.
Dobbies Community Christmas Tree campaign will see stores across the UK giving away more than 220 Christmas trees to local schools and nurseries to help spread joy during the festivities.
Participants will need to fill out a short application form, entries close Thursday 6 November at 5pm.
This coming Friday!
COMMUNITY MUSHROOM FARMING 
Community Mushroom Farming with Mario is a hands-on learning experience. In these two-hour workshops, you will gain an understanding of the different aspects of community mushroom farming. Learn which seasonal native fungi you can grow outdoors for food and soil restoration.
FRIDAY 17 OCTOBER 1 – 3pm at GRANTON CASTLE WALLED GARDEN
All events are free to join. This is a workshop run by MycoBee Mushrooms CIC .
To book your place, email Mycobee stating the date and time of the event you would like to book:
Members of the airmen’s families, and of the Dutch military were present for the service (Crown Copyright)
Relatives of three Royal Air Force airmen gathered in The Netherlands yesterday to witness their burial with full military honours, 82 years after they were killed in action during the Second World War.
Pilot Officer Charles Sprack DFM (Distinguished Flying Medal), Pilot Officer Arthur Smart DFM, and Pilot Officer Raymond Moore DFM were laid to rest at Workum (Spoardyk) General Cemetery, following the recovery of their remains from the wreckage of AVRO Lancaster MkIII ED603. The aircraft crashed into the IJsselmeer near the village of Workum on the night of 12/13 June 1943 during a bombing raid on Bochum, Germany.
The Ministry of Defence’s Joint Casualty and Compassionate Centre (JCCC), known as the ‘MOD War Detectives’, organised the service in collaboration with Dutch authorities and organisations supporting the National Programme for the Recovery of Aircraft Wreckage with Missing Crew.
The excavation, funded by the Dutch Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, was featured in a national documentary titled ‘Guy Martin’s Lost World War Two Bomber’, highlighting the scale and significance of the operation.
Of the seven-man crew aboard ED603, four were recovered and buried shortly after the crash. The remaining three Sprack, Smart, and Moore were listed as missing and commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial.
In 2023, their remains were recovered and now they have been laid to rest alongside two of their fellow crew members. DNA testing was not required, as it was confirmed that three bodies were recovered. They were buried together in a single coffin with full military honours.
Mrs Gail McCord, Niece of Pilot Officer Smart said: “Today was closure for the families, it is nice all three crew have been laid to rest together – they flew, served and died together. We would like to thank the RAF King’s Colour Squadron for supporting the burial today.“
The military party pictured with the new headstones for the three airmen (Crown Copyright)
Tracey Bowers, MOD War Detective, said: “It is lovely so many family members have made the journey to see their relatives laid to rest.
“Working with the many organisations in The Netherlands is always a pleasure and we are grateful for all the help that has been given to us.”
The service was conducted by The Reverend Dr (Wing Commander) Philip Wilson and included readings chosen and delivered by family members. The RAF King’s Colour Squadron provided the bearer party.
Padre Philip Wilson said: “All of the three Airmen had over 40 sorties in Bomber Command and we have laid to rest young Aviators of valour whose sacrifice won our freedom. It was an emotional farewell.
Head of Commemorations at the Commonwealth War Graves CWGC, Dr James Wallis, said: “It is an honour for the Commission to have facilitated the reuniting of three crew members from Lancaster ED603 with two of their fellow crew historically buried in Workum (Spoardyk) General Cemetery.
“Enabling adherence to our principle that war dead should, where possible and practical, be buried with their comrades, we are grateful for the support from municipal authorities in making this happen.
“We will now care for these graves in perpetuity – indeed, today’s ceremony speaks to the shared work of ensuring that those who gave their lives in both world wars continue to be remembered.”
SP Energy Networks is planning to engage with 3.5 million homes and businesses, including customers across Edinburgh and The Lothians, over the coming weeks, as it helps local communities prepare for adverse weather ahead of winter.
This critical safety campaign forms part of a wider UK roll-out of communication to customers across Central & Southern Scotland, Cheshire, Merseyside, North & Mid Wales and North Shropshire, giving vital advice on how to stay safe and supported during a power cut.
By engaging with households, SP Energy Networks aims to help customers better understand what to do if the lights go out, who can access extra support through the free Priority Services Register, and the measures SP Energy Networks takes every day to keep communities safe and the power flowing.
Even though power cuts don’t happen often, being prepared can make all the difference. That’s why SP Energy Networks are sharing four simple steps everyone can take to prepare for a power cut.
To get prepared ahead of adverse weather, SP Energy Networks’ recommends:
1. Save the 105 number in your phone or write it down somewhere safe.
2. Keep a torch and some new batteries nearby.
3. Charge your phone and any power packs.
4. Have some extra blankets or warm clothes ready.
SP Energy Networks is also encouraging those who may need extra support in the event of a power cut – including people with medical equipment at home, those over 60, households with children under 5, or anyone who feels they could use additional support – to sign up to the Priority Services Register.
This free service provides tailored help and proactive updates when there are problems in a customer’s area, as well as offering a 24/7 dedicated helpline number to contact.
Kendal Morris, Customer Services Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “At SP Energy Networks, keeping our customers safe and supported is our top priority.
“While power cuts are rare, being prepared can make a big difference. That’s why we’re delivering vital safety messaging directly to homes across Edinburgh and The Lothians to make sure everyone has clear, practical advice on what to do if the lights go out.
“From knowing the national 105 number to signing up for our free Priority Services Register, this vital information helps customers feel confident and reassured that they’re ready for any eventuality this winter.”
SP Energy Networks plans to distribute over 3.5 million leaflets directly to households and businesses over the next month, with all homes across Edinburgh and The Lothians receiving a leaflet by the 20th of October.
The distribution of these leaflets forms part of the company’s ongoing commitment to ensuring customers have the information they need to feel safe, supported, and prepared.
For more information and guidance on how to prepare for a power cut, visit:
Our usual Crafternoon schedule has been extended for October!
Free drop-in craft sessions, all ages welcome! 
Two men have been arrested and charged in connection with drug offences and handling stolen cars in Midlothian.
On Friday, 10 October, 2025, officers acting under warrant, entered a property in the Newbattle area and seized a significant quantity of drugs and stolen vehicles.
Officers recovered vehicles including motorbikes, quad bikes and electric bikes in today’s operation.
Cocaine and cannabis, with a potential street value of £97,000 has also been seized.
Two men, aged 28 and 23, are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, 13 October, 2025.
This follows yesterday’s operation in Sherwood Industrial Estate in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian. Both operations involved officers from Midlothian, Edinburgh and Forth Valley as officers work together to combat drugs, vehicle theft and serious and organised crime.
Detective Chief Inspector Barry McDaid said: “In the past two days we have recovered a large number of stolen vehicles and removed Class A drugs from our streets.
“Both these operations have been extremely successful and underline our commitment to the Serious Organised Crime Taskforce and the country’s Serious Organised Crime Strategy.”
With Friday 10 October marking World Mental Health Day, community group, Lothians Speak Their Name, have shared the ‘powerful’ effect that art has had since the passing of their loved ones.
A recent survey by the National Galleries of Scotland found that 84% of total visitors to the galleries felt their visit had a positive impact on their wellbeing.
Co-director of Lothians Speak Their Name, Sue Henderson, says she has seen and experienced first-hand the positive impact art can have on mental health.
The group, which was originally set up to create a quilt in memory of people who have died by suicide in Edinburgh and the Lothians, have been regularly visiting exhibitions and displays at the National Galleries of Scotland ever since.
Having visited for almost a year, Sue shares how it has been an incredibly valuable experience for helping the group to navigate their loss.
Sue said: “We have loved coming to the galleries so much, for some it has been powerfully beneficial.
“The tours, led by Duncan Robertson at the National Galleries of Scotland, are brilliant, for that short time it allows people to just disconnect from all the pain of their grief. It gives a moment of distraction.
“There are people in our group who never came to the gallery before, they didn’t think it was for them, but to see the impact it has on them is just incredible. Whether listening to the amazing stories of the art or just getting lost for a moment, it really can have healing powers.
“Seeing the effect it has on members of the group is so striking. One woman who lost her son to suicide, got completely lost in the art and it gave her a moment of relief from the day to day pain.
“I had never seen it be so demonstrable before, the power of art and how it can offer a distraction from the worst imaginable grief. People in the group have shared how the art can take them out of themselves and what a beautiful distraction it is.”
Art plays a significant role in enhancing mental health by providing therapeutic benefits, fostering emotional expression, and promoting overall well-being. It has been proven that art can evoke feelings of joy, nostalgia or even sadness, which can be therapeutic for individuals dealing with mental health challenges.
Over the past 20 years research on the impact of the arts on health has been growing and in 2019 the World Health Organization (WHO) published a report called ‘What is the evidence on the role of the arts in improving health and well-being?’.
The report looked at over 3000 studies from around the world which concluded that the arts play a major role in preventing and managing health. It identified the contribution that the arts may have in promoting good health and health equity, preventing illness, and treating acute and chronic conditions across the life-course.
This has launched further studies by WHO and the Jameel Arts & Health Lab in 2023 on the health benefits of the arts. As well as the Lancet Global Series Photo Essay which findings re-iterate the crucial importance of creativity within the sphere of health, and the evidence-based health benefits catalysed by imagination.
Research by the John Hopkins University School of Medicine even found that spending just 30 minutes in an art gallery once a month could extend your life expectancy by 10 years.
Siobhan McConnachie, Head of Learning and Engagement at National Galleries of Scotland said: ‘We are fortunate that we get to see the positive effect that art can have on people every single day in the gallery.
“But we know, and research shows, that art can do more than just put a smile on our faces, it can have real lasting impact on overall mental and physical health.
“We regularly welcome groups supporting people living with dementia, addiction recovery groups, health and wellbeing groups, mental health communities and so much more.
“It is important that art is considered holistically as a tool that can be used for early intervention and social prescribing in health, education and social care sectors.
“The power of art is truly incredible, and we are so delighted to have groups like Lothians Speak Their Name feel that in our galleries.’
Sue shared how the group have benefited from using art as a tool to connect with other people who are going through similar experiences. Brought together to make the memorial quilt, 49 people have made squares in memory of their loved ones, which hold the stories of their loves and lives.
As well as creating this beautiful memorial, it has brought people together as a community, where they’ve found support and friendship.
Sue added: “Our group was born out of the idea of making a quilt which remembers those we loved. Each square would represent someone in a positive way who was loved and lost, whether it included the things they loved or a fond memory of them.
“Some people in the group had never done anything like this but everyone felt how therapeutic it was to focus on something positive about their loved ones lives.
“There is something about being involved in a group activity together, whether creating the quilt or visiting the galleries. In the group everyone has experience of loss but that wasn’t the always the focus when we got together, the focus was also on creativity.
“There was never any pressure to talk about our losses. But what we found was that when everyone was distracted making their squares or looking at the art, conversations happened a lot more easily because the art was offering something else to focus on at the time.
“Often memories come with nothing but pain, but using art and creativity allowed everyone to remember the things they loved about the person, or to remember the good times.
“There are of course people who would come along, and they would never talk about their loss and that was okay too, because they still got to be in a room of people who understood what they were going through and that was support enough. They could come along and just immerse themselves in the task of creating the square.
“It was after we started making the squares that we reached out the galleries, and they offered us tours of exhibitions and displays. This just opened a whole new level of what we were doing. Some members of the group got really immersed in the visits and seeing the art offered inspiration.
“People have re-discovered their creative side and found a way to express themselves.
“Whether seeing or doing art I do believe it has a healing power. The fact we get to see the positive effect it can have on people is what I love most about this, it is an absolute privilege. So, I do really believe that art can be empowering for people dealing with mental health.”
The completed quilt has been touring around various locations in hope is that the individuals and lives it remembers will inspire viewers to start conversations about mental health and suicide and to reach out if they themselves are struggling.
It is currently one of 11 quilts on display at an exhibition in the Houses of Parliament in London.
If interested in getting involved in creating a square, please contact:
lothianspeaktheirname@gmail.com
As well as running regular tours for groups such as Lothians Speak Their Name, National Galleries of Scotland also warmly invites community groups, care homes and charities to book free visits to the galleries at a time that suits them.
Activities include guided tours of the collection and exhibitions, online art discussions, dementia-friendly sessions with specific themes, and bespoke tours tailored to the needs of each group
Thousands of people facing homelessness will be supported by a new £84 million cash injection to councils up and down the country – ahead of winter.
Children and families in temporary accommodation will be prioritised – with the funding to go towards helping families to cover the essentials like food, school travel and laundry. The new funding, which will support children to remain in education, will be announced on World Homeless Day (10 October).
It comes as record levels of households are in temporary accommodation, including nearly 170,000 children. Levels of rough sleeping have more than doubled since 2010.
Areas with the highest pressures, such as London, will be in line for the additional funding to tackle homelessness this year. This comes on top of the government’s almost £1 billion investment to tackle homelessness this year and includes the largest ever investment in prevention services, helping councils intervene early and stop homelessness before it happens.
The investment provides tailored services for those experiencing long-term rough sleeping – including mental health support, drug and alcohol treatment and sustainable accommodation – ensuring people get the help they need to rebuild their lives.
Housing Secretary, Steve Reed said: “Homelessness is a moral stain on our society. Growing numbers of people have been abandoned to sleep rough on the streets and children left in squalid, overcrowded conditions.
“This government will not stand idly by and allow that to continue. We will make different choices. That’s why we are investing £1 billion to give homeless people the security of a roof over their heads and get back on track to end homelessness for good.”
Yesterday’s investment supports delivery of the Plan for Change, in addition to:
Homelessness Minister, Alison McGovern said: “You can’t have a decent life without a decent home. Whether it’s rough sleeping or sofa surfing or, at its worst, children stuck in B&Bs, homelessness in the UK has been too high for too long.
“This has to stop. Through our Plan for Change, the UK will build homes and get help to those who need it to put a roof over their head.
“We’re providing extra cash now to address a crisis made over the past decade. Both the government’s £39bn to build social and affordable homes and the Child Poverty Strategy to come will tackle the root causes of this problem, but we need action now to stop homelessness getting any worse.”
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “This funding is very welcome, especially as winter approaches and with homelessness rising. More people are likely to face the prospect of sleeping on cold streets and need support urgently. More parents will be working out how to help their children do homework from cramped and draughty temporary accommodation.
“We know that targeted support can make a big difference and help people take their first steps out of homelessness.
“We hope this announcement marks another step towards an ambitious homelessness strategy. Alongside a concerted effort to build social housing at scale, and ensuring all parts of Government make their contribution to ending homelessness, we can create a safer and more prosperous future for people and families across the country.”
The £84m cash injection includes:
This funding is supporting the government’s Plan for Change to drive long-term improvements to health and education, ensuring both families and children can truly thrive and forms part of the government’s forthcoming homelessness and child poverty strategies.
A new Bill to regulate some of the most commonly performed non-surgical procedures has been published by the Scottish Parliament.
If passed by parliament, the Non-surgical Procedures and Functions of Medical Reviewers (Scotland) Bill will regulate the provision of certain non-surgical cosmetic and wellbeing procedures to ensure they are carried out in appropriate settings which can meet standards of safety and hygiene.
It will create new offences for providing non-surgical procedures outwith premises where appropriate healthcare professionals are available or to under 18s. It will also give Healthcare Improvement Scotland new powers to enter and search premises where there is a suspicion that these procedures are being carried out in breach of these offenses.
The Bill covers cosmetic and wellbeing procedures, such as Botox injections and dermal fillers, and some of the riskiest including ‘Brazilian Butt Lifts’ and thread lifts. The Bill follows a consultation carried out in 2020, which found 98% of respondents supported the principle of further regulation of procedures led by those who are not qualified healthcare professionals.
Businesses seeking guidance on adapting to the requirements of the Bill will be able to access free support through Business Gateway.
Additionally, FindBusinessSupport.gov.scot offers a comprehensive overview of funding opportunities, helping them navigate to change.
Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, Jenni Minto said: “Our aim is to ensure there is robust and proportionate regulation in place so that anyone who chooses to have these procedures can do so safely.
“We have worked with a range of stakeholders including business owners, healthcare professionals, non-healthcare practitioners, environmental health officers and professional regulators to develop our proposals.
“Our priority is to address the public safety concerns that exist in this sector, whilst ensuring businesses that may be impacted are able to access support.”
