Month: April 2026

Animatronic pig visits Edinburgh to expose ‘pregnancy age cruelty’ 

Humane World for Animals UK (formerly known as Humane Society International UK) will take its campaign to ban farrowing crates to Edinburgh today (14 April) by installing a life-sized animatronic pig named Penny to highlight the harsh reality faced by tens of thousands of mother pigs on industrial farms.

Penny will appear inside a metal crate like those used to confine sows while they give birth and nurse their piglets. The striking installation is designed to show the severe restriction endured by mother pigs kept in these systems.

You can meet Penny at the Mercat Cross today from 10am – 2pm.

As of 2025, Scotland is home to 25,600 sows, about half of whom are kept in indoor pig farms that keep mother pigs in these cages. Under current laws, they can be kept for up to five weeks confined in narrow metal cages every time they give birth, typically two or three times a year.

The cages are so restrictive that the animals are unable to turn around and have little opportunity to engage in natural behaviours such as nest-building or moving freely with their piglets, damaging their physical and mental health.

Polling commissioned by Humane World for Animals UK revealed that 84% of the Scottish public reject the use of farrowing crates for mother pigs.

Over half of respondents (54%) stated they would be willing to pay more for meat from crate-free pigs, indicating opportunities for farmers to benefit from the highest welfare standards financially.

Claire Bass, senior director of campaigns at Humane World for Animals UK, said: “Many people are shocked that such extreme, prolonged confinement is still legal in Scotland.

“Farmers must end cruel caging, not replace old cages with new ones that would condemn millions more pregnant and nursing pigs to future decades of misery. A cage is a cage, and public opinion is clear: mother pigs don’t belong behind bars. 

“With the Scottish election fast approaching, our tour is turning public compassion into political pressure. Voters in Edinburgh and across Scotland are demanding  change and joining our call for the next Scottish Government to support farmers to put an end to pregnancy cage cruelty.” 

WHEN: TODAY 14 April 10:00 – 14:00

WHERE: Edinburgh: Mercat Cross, High Street.

Orgreave Inquiry: Call for Evidence

CALL FOR EVIDENCE

The Orgreave Public Inquiry has been formally launched by the Government.

Please contribute to the inquiry & circulate this information & print leaflet off if you can to give to people who don’t use computers & smartphones

THANK YOU

https://otjc.org.uk/orgreave-inquiry-call-for-evidence/

Muirhouse Library Book Group

APRIL: Muriel Spark’s Loitering with Intent

April’s book group is Loitering with Intent, by Muriel Spark.

If you would like to join the group just pick one and join the discussion on Wednesday 29th from 6 – 7pm.

🙂

Corstorphine Library: Mousey Morning with Fiona Lowry

THURSDAY 16th APRIL at 11am

This week Corstorphine Library are happy to be hosting children’s author Fiona Lowry for a great workshop for wee ones.

Come along at 11am on Thursday 16th April for a story, craft and scavenger hunt!

It is free to attend and perfect for 3-5 year olds.

Care home welcomes new friends

ANIMAL THERAPY at LAUDER LODGE

Residents at an Edinburgh care home have experienced an afternoon of hands-on fun as a host of weird and wonderful animals popped in to visit.

The team at Care UK’s Lauder Lodge, on Wakefield Avenue in Portobello, invited a variety of creatures to visit the home to meet residents for an interactive afternoon of animal therapy.

Residents were able to observe, hold and stroke a gerbil, bearded dragon, snail and tortoise brought in by ZooLab, the UK’s leading ethical animal encounter provider.

They learned interesting facts about each of the animals, including their habitats and favourite foods, while residents who dared were able to experience handling some of them.

Resident Betty Fisher, age 94, said: “It’s wonderful to see the animals up close and it’s also a great experience to learn about them and even hold them.”

Anees Riaz, Home Manager at Lauder Lodge, added: “We are always looking to plan interesting and exciting activities for residents. So many have an interest in wildlife and nature, so we knew we had to invite ZooLab for an afternoon of animal therapy.

“Whether big or small, spending time with animals can be incredibly beneficial for older people, as being around them can instantly help to lift a person’s mood and encourage social interaction, especially for those living with dementia. Animal therapy sessions are always met with such a positive reaction from the residents – they were fascinated by the reptiles, especially the tortoise!

“Every visit brings its share of surprises, and we never know which animal will come through the door. We’re all looking forward to welcoming the ZooLab team again very soon.”

Lauder Lodge is a state-of-the-art care home that provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care.

Designed to enable residents to lead enjoyable and fulfilling lives, it has its own cinema room, pub and hair and beauty salon, and there is plenty of space – both indoors and out – for relaxation and recreation.

To find out more about Lauder Lodge, please contact Customer Relations Manager Chelsea Smith at chelsea.smith@careuk.com, call 0131 357 1760 or visit 

careuk.com/care-homes/lauder-lodge-edinburgh/.

Your Party implosion: Scottish Excutive resigns en bloc

SCOTLAND’s LEFT IN THE WILDERNESS?

Scottish Rep Niall Christie announced: “I have this afternoon resigned as Scotland Rep on Your Party’s CEC, and will be leaving the party altogether.“

Full statement below:

YOUR PARTY leadership responded this afternoon:

I don’t think we’ve heard the last of this. – Ed.

Drawing classes at Granton:hub

We’re delighted to launch a new series of Life Drawing sessions on Tuesday evenings and Portrait & Figure Drawing on Thursdays at Granton:hub.

The programme begins with Life Drawing on Tuesday 21 April, followed by the Portrait & Figure Drawing course starting Thursday 23 April.

Working from a live model each week, these relaxed and welcoming sessions are open to all levels — whether you’re picking up a pencil for the first time or looking to develop your practice further. The classes focus on observation, proportion, gesture, and expression, with plenty of guidance and individual feedback throughout.

Both classes offer a great opportunity to build confidence, meet others, and enjoy a focused creative space in Madelvic House. The portrait sessions are particularly distinctive, as they feature local “heroes” from the Granton community — offering a unique opportunity to draw and paint people who actively contribute to the life of the area.

“I highly recommend the portrait drawing classes by Romain and Gareth. I went with a friend and we really appreciated the amount of feedback we received — it was incredibly helpful.

“The structure of the sessions worked very well, starting with quick drawings to get used to the model, followed by longer poses with breaks in between. The models were all ‘heroes of the city’, including Sibar, a well-known baker at Granton Kitchen, and Willie, a long-standing community activist from Granton. I would come back every week if I could!” — Naomi

Life Drawing (Tuesdays) 6:30–8:30pm · 21 April – 19 May, £58.50 for 5 sessions · Limited to 12 places

Book now: Life Drawing (Tuesday)

Portrait & Figure Drawing (Thursdays) 6:30–8:30pm · 23 April – 21 May, £58.50 for 5 sessions · Limited to 12 places

Book now: Portrait & Figure Drawing (Thursdays)

Booking link in comments

One week left to register to vote in Scotland

With only one week left to register to vote in the Scottish Parliament election, the Electoral Commission is urging people to register before the deadline at 11.59pm on Monday 20 April.   

Registering takes minutes and can be done online at gov.uk/register-to-vote.  Voters who are already registered will have received a poll card, which tells them where and when to vote. 

Electoral Commission research shows that young people, students and those who have recently moved are less likely to be registered to vote. Anyone previously on the register who has recently moved home or whose details have changed will need to register to vote again. 

Those who do not have a fixed address, whether due to homelessness, being a part of the Gypsy or Traveller community, or because they are, or have been, in care, can still register to vote using a declaration of local connection. 

Cahir Hughes, Acting Head of the Electoral Commission Scotland, said: “On Thursday 7 May, people across Scotland will head to the polls to have their say on the issues important to their daily lives. If you’ve recently moved, or you’re a student living away from home, it’s especially important to check you’re registered and you can do that quickly and easily at gov.uk/register-to-vote.

“If you do not have a fixed address to register to vote at, you can still take part by registering through a declaration of local connection. 

For this election, eligibility for care experienced young people has been extended up to the age of 21, from 16, so we’d encourage those who need to make use of this option to do so. 

“Importantly, voter ID is not required for the Scottish Parliament election. If you’re to vote, all you need to do on the day is turn up and have your say.”

RAC: Fuel Prices latest

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: “While pump prices have technically risen for a record 43 straight days, the increases have almost ground to a halt.

“The average price of petrol now stands at 158.27p, only having gone up a quarter of a penny since reaching 158.03p on Thursday. Similarly, diesel is now at an average of 191.5p, having first climbed to 191.11p on Thursday too.

“With dated Brent crude under $100 a barrel for the last three trading days, there’s now scope to see prices finally starting to go the other way.

“But, as always, it’s a highly volatile situation with much depending on what happens with the Strait of Hormuz. And, if the oil price was to go back up again this week, any hopes of slight forecourt reductions will inevitably disappear.”

PetrolDiesel Unleaded daily changeUnleaded change – since 28/2Unleaded % change since 28/2Diesel daily change Diesel change – since 28/2Diesel % change since 28/2
28/02/2026132.83142.38+0.200.0%+0.2 00.0%
13/04/2026158.27191.50+0.0+25.419.2%+0.0+49.134.5%

Grateful patient urges others to act early on bowel cancer

A patient who feels his life was saved by a simple bowel screening test is encouraging people to act early – by completing their screening test or contacting their GP if they notice symptoms.

Colin Mearns, a photographer from Glasgow, shared his experience after sending away his screening sample led to the early discovery of bowel cancer.

Like thousands of people across Scotland, Colin received a bowel screening test through the post. Everyone aged 50 to 74 is invited to take part every two years, and the test takes just a couple of minutes to complete and return.

For Colin, those few minutes were life‑changing. Because his cancer was found early, he was able to have surgery at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to remove the affected part of his bowel, and he is now cancer free.

“I had no idea anything was wrong,” Colin said. “If I hadn’t done the test and sent it back quickly, my cancer might not have been picked up until much later.

“Hearing the word ‘cancer’ was frightening but knowing it had been caught early made all the difference. Because of that early diagnosis and treatment, I can now look forward to the future.”

Bowel cancer is one of the most common cancers in Scotland, with around 4,000 people diagnosed each year, according to Public Health Scotland. However, it is also one of the most treatable cancers when found early. When bowel cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, nine in ten people survive.

This April, during Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, people are being urged to be aware of the symptoms and to seek advice as soon as possible if they notice changes.

Bowel cancer can affect anyone, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity or where they live. Symptoms can include bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, changes in bowel habits such as going more or less often or having diarrhoea or constipation that comes and goes, unexplained weight loss, feeling very tired all the time, or pain or a lump in your tummy.

Having these symptoms does not always mean you have bowel cancer, but it is still important to find out what is causing them. Not everyone will have all the symptoms, and they may appear at different times. Even if you have only one symptom, your GP will want to see you.

Dr Alison Potts, Bowel Screening Lead for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, said early action saves lives.

“We know that talking about poo or bowel habits can feel embarrassing, but GPs are used to having these conversations every day,” she said. “If you’ve noticed any changes or have symptoms that concern you, please make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.

“When bowel cancer is detected early, it is highly treatable and, in the vast majority of cases, curable. The earlier it is diagnosed, the more straightforward treatment is likely to be.”

She also stressed that people should not wait for their next screening invitation if they have symptoms. “Your GP may ask you to complete an at‑home test to help decide whether further checks are needed. Acting early gives everyone the best possible chance of an early diagnosis.”

Public Health Scotland data shows that around two‑thirds of people who are sent a bowel screening test complete it and return it.

“People like Colin show just how powerful this simple test can be,” Dr Potts added. “Even if you’ve put it off before, taking a few minutes to complete it when it arrives could save your life.”

Returning a screening test does not usually lead to further procedures. Only around 2–3 per cent of people are asked to have a colonoscopy, and if cancer is found at that stage, it is often early enough that surgery alone can remove it.

For more information about bowel screening or to order a replacement test kit, visit NHS Inform or call the Scottish Bowel Screening Centre on 0800 0121 833.