Gordon Ramsay Restaurant Edinburgh venues have welcomed the return of their ‘GReat Donate’ festive fundraiser, to raise money for specialist charity Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus (SBH) Scotland.
The fundraiser launched during the 2022 festive season, coinciding with the launch of Gordon Ramsay’s Street Burger restaurant in the St James Quarter. They raised an incredible £15,642 as a result which Gordon and Tana Ramsay then generously matched to give the charity an extra special funds boost.
This year, a £1 voluntary donation will be added to diner’s bills at the St Andrew Square restaurant and St James Quarter restaurant until the end of December 2023.
The funds raised will help SBH Scotland provide vital support to over 4,000 children, young people and adults across Scotland who are affected by the lifelong, complex conditions of spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
Gordon Ramsay became SBH Scotland’s first ever Honorary Patron back in 2003 when he met the organisation’s Chairperson, Dr Margo Whiteford CBE, at the Great North Run. For 20 years, he has continued to support SBH Scotland through charitable donations and appearances.
A spokesperson from Gordon Ramsay’s restaurants said:“SBH Scotland are a fantastic charity which makes a real difference to the lives of so many families across Scotland who are affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus.
“We’re delighted to bring back our Festive Fundraiser to our Bread Street Kitchen & Bar and Street Burger restaurants in Edinburgh and we hope our diners will be happy to make a small gesture this Christmas, that’ll have a big impact on families across Scotland.
Lawrence Cowan, Chief Executive of SBH Scotland, said: “As our Honorary Patron, Gordon has been a great friend of our charity for nearly two decades and we couldn’t be more thankful for his and Tana’s continued generosity.
“Over the years, Gordon has taken time out from his busy schedule to host gala dinners, launch appeals including the campaign to build our Family Support Centre, and personally meet with the families we support.
“Right now, people need our support more than ever. Christmas can be a difficult time and with the burden of the cost-of-living crisis looming heavily in families lives, our finance, benefits and specialist support services are needed more than ever. Through this campaign people can help make sure that no one affected by spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus feels alone.
“We rely on donations to make sure our lifeline support continues, so being able to work with the brilliant teams at Gordon Ramsay Restaurants again means a lot to us and the families we support.
“We thank all the diners visiting Bread Street Kitchen or Street Burger this festive season. Every £1 donated matters to a family in need. It’s a chance to enjoy great food and support a great cause this Christmas.”
JOIN us in celebrating our Sewing Club’s Zero Waste Competition on Monday, 4th December!
The event will take place at Granton Parish Church and will include a presentation along with the announcement of the results and delivery of prizes and certificates
Address: 55 Boswall Pkwy, Edinburgh EH5 2DA
Program:
1:30 pm: Doors open
2:30 pm: Participants present their projects
3:30 pm: Results, prizes, and certificate delivery
Total spending on five family payments passes £596 million
The families of more than 323,000 under-16s were benefitting from Scottish Child Payment at the end of September, official statistics show.
Figures published today show the payment of £25 per week was reaching 323,315 children – an increase of more than 7,000 compared to 30 June 2023.
The Scottish Fiscal Commission had forecast that the average number of children receiving support in 2023/24 would be 309,000.
Today’s statistics release also shows that the combined overall amount paid out across Social Security Scotland’s five family payments, since they launched, is more than £596 million.
That’s made up of £458.5 million for Scottish Child Payment and £138.1 million for the rest of the five family payments – Best Start Foods and three Best Start Grants (Pregnancy and Baby Payment, Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment) combined.
The average time taken to process applications has also improved across the five family payments.
For Scottish Child Payment, the average wait was six working days in September, down from 13 working days in June.
For Best Start Grant and Best Start Foods, the average wait was four working days, down from 12 over the same period.
Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “As the First Minister has made clear, tackling child poverty is a key mission for the Scottish Government and these figures show we are reaching more of the children and young people who need our help. We’re doing it more quickly too.
“It is estimated that Scottish Child Payment will lift around 50,000 children out of poverty in the current financial year.
“Our work with this uniquely Scottish benefit is in stark contrast with the UK Government’s approach of continued austerity, further outlined in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement last week.
“Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Foods and our Best Start Grants provide a robust safety net and are among many actions we are taking in government to lift people out of poverty.
“However, I would continue to encourage people to spread the word as we want all eligible people to get the help they are entitled to.”
The Scottish Government has twice increased Scottish Child Payment; first from £10 to £20 per week per child then £25 when it extended to include all eligible children under 16 in November last year.
Musselburgh Racecourse has been named as the Champion Racecourse at the 12th annual Racecourse Association (RCA) Showcase Awards.
The East Lothian track picked up three individual awards enroute to being named as the overall Champion for 2023 – the Racing Post Readers’ Award and the Marketing and Food & Beverage awards.
The Racing Post Readers’ Award asked the racing public to nominate their favourite racecourse based on raceday experience, customer service and value for money. Musselburgh scored the highest average across these metrics and polled almost 20% of the overall votes.
Musselburgh’s continued drive for excellence in Food & Beverage was evident in the Pinkie’s Deli, a Taste of Scotland’s Larder initiative. A move to more a locally-sourced and evidence-based menu was a resounding success with racegoers, with the racecourse seen as best-in-class throughout British racing for its fantastic food and drink offerings.
As a highly successful one-off event in 2019, the Corgi Derby returned to Musselburgh and this time was integral to a campaign which won the Marketing category.
Musselburgh’s use of data to target specific demographics and tailor the messaging, ticket packages and raceday experience was deemed best-in-class by the judges with the results clearly showing a hugely impressive return.
The East Lothian racecourse was also a Finalist in two other categories on the night, demonstrating a racecourse operating to the highest standards on multiple fronts, said the judges.
Musselburgh Racecourse General Manager Bill Farnsworth, said: “Musselburgh’s joins a small group of eight illustrious Showcase Champions and it certainly felt as if all the other racecourses represented at the Awards were particularly pleased that Musselburgh had won.
“I am incredibly proud of the team here at Musselburgh who have shown incredible resilience over the past few years and have been resolute in their commitment to the racecourse and to putting on a fantastic experience for our customers and participants.
“The staff at Musselburgh never stand still and are totally committed to making sure all our visitors have the best possible ‘Musselburgh’ experience. To deliver on so many levels with limited resources is a truly fantastic achievement and we can all be extremely proud of what Musselburgh has achieved.”
The gala event, held at Aintree Racecourse, was presented by the RCA and partnered by Great British Racing, Racing Together, the Racing Foundation and Racing Post.
Alongside Musselburgh’s three award wins and Champion crown, it was a fantastic night for Scottish Racing as a whole with wins for Hamilton Park, Perth and Ayr, while Kelso received a Highly Commended accolade from the independent judging panel.
RCA Chairman Wilf Walsh said: “Our class of 2023 represents a range of racecourses operating at the highest level in their respective fields and I am encouraged by the levels of innovation shown as we look to attract and retain racegoers.
“Musselburgh Racecourse are worthy Champions and join our esteemed Showcase list. With five Finalist nominations and three victories, there can be little doubt this is a racecourse team that deeply cares about their customers, participants and place within the local community.”
Musselburgh is back in action tomorrow (Thursday 30 November) with The Max Recycle Saltire Raceday. Gates open 10.30am and the first race is at 11.55am.
Four students from Edinburgh Medical School have won a UK-wide competition on professionalism held by the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Medical Schools Council (MSC).
Students studying medicine across the country were invited to produce an online resource for their peers on how to act appropriately to their skill level as a doctor in training, for example in making a choice to involve senior colleagues when a patient’s condition changes.
Teams could create a social media post, podcast or blog to offer advice on challenges they may encounter in their professional lives. The competition is held every year to help medical students develop their professional skills.
The group then discussed the different ways of tackling each situation and pinpointing the best approach, using the GMC and MSC’s joint guidance Achieving good medical practice (AGMP)as a guide.
“We were proud of the video we’d produced, but hearing we had won first prize in the competition was the cherry on top. We hope our video can act as a useful resource for medical students around the country.’
Professor Colin Melville, the GMC’s Medical Director and Director of Education and Standards, who was part of the judging panel, said: ‘In a busy medical team, feeling able to speak confidently about your own capability when a task is asked of you, often by your superiors, is harder than it sounds.
“But it is a vital ability in keeping patients safe and in your own professional development as a doctor.
“Every year we receive impressive entries from medical students across the country, and this competition was no exception.
“We were impressed by the team’s relatable approach. They presented situations we could all envision ourselves in as doctors, and the team did a great job of discussing the solutions in an engaging and nuanced way.’
Clare Owen, Assistant Director of the Medical Schools Council said: “It was wonderful to see so many brilliant entries this year and medical students participating in the competition.
“There was one video, however, that was particularly impressive. It showed excellent consideration of the AGMP guide and what it means to be a good doctor by working within the limits of your competence, through real-life scenarios and a well-produced video. We all thoroughly enjoyed it.’
The video will now be shared with all UK medical schools as a teaching resource. The winners also received £300 in shopping vouchers.
Homeless Project Scotland have finally secured an indoor venue to bring their essential services and the people they help off the streets for the coldest months of winter on the day it was revealed 244 homeless people died on Scotland’s streets last year.
They have been campaigning for years for an indoor property and now finally have a secure, safe and warm building to house their life-saving work with the homeless. The prominent soup kitchen have operated since 2019 but were forced to move from their base on Argyll St after opposition from local businesses, to a new spot on the Clydeside – but safety concerns for staff meant they moved back last week.
Now they have a new home for the next three months thanks to Glasgow businessman Barry Cushley, who has handed over the basement of a building his company owns.
Charity boss Colin Macinnes is thrilled to finally be able to deliver a safe sanctuary for struggling people in Glasgow: ““We are over the moon, this is what we have been working towards since the very start – creating a safe space for the people who need it most.
“This is 100 per cent going to save lives, it will massively reduce the number of deaths on the streets this winter in Glasgow.
“A safe, warm place for us to work, to feed and look after people, is all we have wanted. And now we have it – we want to create a 24 hour welfare centre to provide shelter, warmth, hot food to homeless and vulnerable people.
“It’s the first of its kind in the UK and we plan to run this for three months to preserve life in the depths of winter.
“We have this building for the next three months initially, so the coldest, most dangerous time of the year.
“It means the world to us – Barry Cushley has done something no one else in the city has been willing to, he has turned over an area of a building to us to do whatever we need to do to help people.
“The figures are out today showing 244 people tragically died last year on the streets – and it is all the more poignant to see those numbers and know we can make a difference right away.”
The agreement has been drawn up and Colin will have the keys imminently so he and his team of volunteers can begin moving in and making the changes he wants. “It has happened so fast it is hard to believe – I had to phone back after the meeting and ask was it all real.
“It came out of the blue, Barry reached out to Nick at McChuills and next thing we were looking round the building and shaking hands.
“It’s an incredible thing and means so much. We just want to help people and we can now help so many more.”
Barry Cushley, who runs C&C Group, has signed over the basement of the premium building his company owns in Merchant City, for exclusive use by Homeless Project Scotland for the three months – and wants to continue helping beyond that.
Barry said, “It broke my heart to see what the team at Homeless Project Scotland are going through with moving to an area they felt unsafe and now going back to where they’d been chased from. I felt I had to do something.
“I am fortunate to be in a position where I can do something to help Colin and his team right now, to get their people and the families they help off the streets for the coldest months of the year.
“We have been able to give them full use of a private, warm, dry, safe and secure area of a building we own. We have agreed it’s initially for the next three months – Colin will have the keys next week and it’s theirs to operate and manage as they need it.
“We had a very powerful meeting with Colin and Nick from McChuills who I have to thank, he was our point of contact and he has helped us put the whole thing together. Colin is really inspirational and so is Nick. Colin knows what he needs and isn’t afraid to ask for it. I admire that.
“I’ve made mistakes in my life when I was a young idiot but I’m a different guy now and just want to help bring about good things for people who need it – I got a second chance and want to give that to others. It’s vital – everyone deserves a second hance.
“I really want to give something back to the city and this feels like an important thing – I HAD to do this. I couldn’t stand by and see stories of people not being safe when they’re doing such amazing work.
“This is just the beginning for Homeless Project Scotland and my team – there are a lot of ideas already about other ways we can maybe help out in the near future and way beyond that too. This is just the start, I promise.
“And if anyone else can help – please do. I’ve tried to support individuals before but it rarely works, sadly. If you want to really help, work with the people who know how to use that help, like Homeless Project Scotland.”
Proposals to replace fossil fuel heating with clean heating and improve energy efficiency
Clean heating systems will replace polluting heating systems in Scotland’s homes and buildings by 2045 under proposals published yesterday.
Under legislation to be introduced in 2025 which will start taking effect later in the decade, those buying new homes or buildings would be asked to move to a “clean” heating system, such as a heat pump or connection to a heat network, within a fixed period of time following that purchase.
Of the UK nations, Scotland continues to have the most generous funding package of grants and loans available to households who are seeking to switch to clean heating systems.
Minimum energy efficiency standards for Scotland’s homes could also be introduced to make them warmer and less expensive to heat.
Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Heat from our homes and buildings represents around 20% of Scotland’s carbon emissions.
“So there is no route to meeting our legal duty to be a net zero country by 2045 without making the heat transition. Making this transition can also liberate households and businesses from volatile fossil fuel prices.
“There will be no ‘one size fits all’ approach to what we’re proposing – we recognise that different types of buildings in different areas need different solutions – but today we are giving certainty to households to plan and clarity for businesses to invest, with a pathway which recognises the cost pressures that so many of us are currently facing.
“We’ve already passed regulations for new buildings, to apply from next year. If Parliament passes our Bill in 2025, then regulations will start to apply from 2028, with many more buildings moving away from fossil fuel through the 2030s. That will see Scotland on by far the most ambitious path within the UK, with a deployment of clean heating systems at a scale and pace very much faster than at present.
“The UK Government has the opportunity to match our ambition by using its reserved powers to take urgent action to reduce the price gap between gas and electricity, and by regulating energy companies to play their full part in this transition.”
The consultation also includes measures to encourage the development of heat networks – giving those constructing these vital systems the confidence they need to invest on the basis that there will be sufficient demand.
The proposals follow this year’s introduction of a new build heat standard which means that any buildings constructed under a new warrant from April 2024 must have a clean heating system.
The Scottish Government is asking for views on proposals to form part of a Heat in Buildings Bill as set out in the Programme for Government.
Proposals include:
That private rented homes will be required to meet a minimum energy efficiency standard no later than 2028;
That owner-occupied homes will be required to meet the same minimum energy efficiency standard by the end of 2033;
That all homes and non-domestic buildings will be required to end their use of polluting heating by the end of 2045; and
In order to create a smooth trajectory towards 2045, that those purchasing a home or non-domestic property before 2045 would be required to end their use of polluting heating systems within a specific period following that purchase.
Also published today are proposals for a new Social Housing Net Zero Standard that would require social landlords to meet an energy efficiency standard between 2033 and 2040 and install clean heating across their stock by 2045 where it is technically feasible and cost-effective to do so.
Wildlife officers are appealing after a protected bird of prey was found dead in a trap near Balerno, Edinburgh.
The dead peregrine falcon was found around 100 yards from a public path on the edge of a small woodland south of Wester Bavelaw on Thursday, 23 November, 2023.
Wildlife Crime Officer, Detective Constable Daniel Crilley, said: “This protected bird was found in a baited pole trap that is illegal.
“Peregrine falcons are protected under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and forensic tests are being done as part of our ongoing enquiries to establish the full circumstances.
“We are asking anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or who has information that could help pour investigation to get in touch.
“If you can help please contact us via 101, quoting incident number 1376 of Friday, 24 November, or make a call anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
More information on wildlife crime can be found on the Police Scotland website:
Actor and comedian, Ricky Tomlinson is to return to the stage in the popular musical comedy that celebrates the best of Irish culture.
The Irish Annie’s tour will commence around the St Patricks Day celebrations at the William Aston Hall in Wrexham on Monday 11th March and will visit a further 25 venues across England, Scotland, and Wales.
The show will now also premiere in Ireland, visiting 5 venues across the country. The UK and Ireland tour will come to an end with a special homecoming night at Liverpool Olympia on Saturday 4th May.
Tickets for all venues are on sale and selling fast!
Irish Annie’s is a celebration of Irish culture, from the music to the comedy, featuring the well-known live 6-piece band The Shenanigans.
Meet landlady Annie and her regular madcap customers for a fun night out of comedy, music and mayhem, featuring original tracks written for the show by Asa Murphy, along with your all-time favourite Irish tunes including Galway Shawl, Tell Me Ma, Dirty Old Town, Whiskey In The Jar, Danny Boy and many more.
The evening promises to have the audience laughing, singing, and dancing the night away.
Ricky Tomlinson will perform as himself as a celebrity guest in the pub. Ricky is a much-loved actor and comedian living all his life in Liverpool, he is best known for his roles as Bobby Grant in Brookside, DCI Charlie Wise in Cracker and Jim Royle in The Royle Family, he also played the title character in the film Mike Bassett: England Manager. He is a very keen musician playing both the banjo and harmonica.
Ricky said: “This show is a delight to be part of, with a wonderful cast of characters and beautiful original and classic Irish music.
“Come and enjoy the show and sing-along with the song sheets provided. I guarantee you will have a ball!”
Irish Annie’s is co-produced by Bill Elms Productions (Judy & Liza, Jerry Springer The Opera, Swan Song, Something About George)and Asa Murphy Productions (Buddy Holly Lives, The Bobby Darin Story, New Generations).
The show also stars Catherine Rice as Irish Annie, Asa Murphy as Seamus Murphy, Michael Alan-Bailey as Porky the Postman and Joe, Richard Barry as Noel Singen-Smithe and Maria Lovelady as Moira the Money Lender and May. There is often a special celebrity guest popping through the pub door at some venues.
Producer Bill Elms commented: “Irish Annie’s is the perfect show to bring out around St Patricks Day celebrations, it’s a huge feel-good show filled with great comedy, live music and some larger-than-life characters, I am thrilled that we have such a fantastic cast including Ricky Tomlinson, Asa Murphy, and Catherine Rice.
“The show premiered in Liverpool a few years ago and went down a storm, now it’s even bigger and better than before, this will be the biggest tour we have done, I am excited to get the show on the road, especially taking the show over to Ireland.”
Asa Murphy has created and directed the show. Asa has been a successful entertainer for 18 years. He has performed all over the world singing Big Band Swing music and my own self-penned songs.
He has fulfilled many of his dreams as a performer selling out London’s Ronnie Scott’s, topping the bill at the famous Liverpool Empire, and cruising and singing on the most beautiful liners in the world. Asa also has a very popular BBC Radio show and has been on the airwaves for 10 years.
In 2019 he turned his talents to writing stage musicals and has so far had three hit shows, Buddy Holly Lives, Mack The Knife and Irish Annie’s along with two children’s shows.
Writer, director, and performer Asa Murphy added:“This show is a celebration of everything that makes Irish culture and the people of Ireland so special. Laughter, music, and the ability to make people face life’s difficult obstacles through friendship.
“I am very proud that the show has been so well received in the UK and with my family originating from Cork and Tralee and many still living in Ireland, the Ireland dates will be a special personal moment and I am looking forward to catching up with family and friends in the Emerald Isle.”
The Irish Annie’s UK and Ireland Tour is sponsored by Eurogold and Hightown Group.
“NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, I URGE YOU TO SEE THIS PRODUCTION. IT’S A WONDERFUL, FEEL-GOOD SHOW THAT SYMBOLISES EVERYTHING THAT WE LOVE ABOUT IRISH MUSIC.”
Writebase – 10/10 Perfect
“THE ATMOSPHERE IN THE THEATRE WAS FANTASTIC WITH EVERYONE SINGING AND CLAPPING ALONG TO THE MUSIC.”
Shoppers at Fort Kinnaird were treated to a very special visit from the Coca-Cola Christmas truck on Saturday as part of its tour of the UK.
The festive experience offered a whole host of fun for all the family, including ‘elfie selfie’ photo opportunities and food huts serving delicious seasonal treats, as well as free personalised cans of Coca-Cola Zero Sugar given out to mark the occasion.
Visitors were also able to snap their all-important photo in front of the famous truck with the iconic image of Father Christmas on the side.
Picture – Chris Watt Photography
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Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said:“Christmas is a really special time for us, and we were thrilled to be chosen as one of the locations on the tour, bringing the famous truck to Edinburgh.
“It was great to see so many visitors from across the region join us on Saturday for some festive fun as the countdown to Christmas officially begins.”
Find out more about Christmas at Fort Kinnaird here:
