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Be Part of History: National Garden Scheme calls for more gardens to open in 2027

“If your garden is packed with quality, character and interest, and is admired by friends and family we would love to hear from you,” says Dr Richard Claxton, Chief Executive of the National Garden Scheme.

The charity is inviting garden owners across the country to open their gates in 2027 to celebrate its landmark centenary year.

Founded in 1927 to support district nurses, the Scheme has spent a century transforming private passion into public good.

Dr Richard Claxton adds: “Whether you have an historic estate with rolling acres, a country cottage, an enthusiastic village of gardeners, a tiny urban sanctuary, or community allotments, we’re asking garden owners across the country to help raise vital funds for some of the UK’s leading health and nursing charities and to make 2027 a record-breaking year.”

Why Open in 2027?

Join a Legacy: You will be part of a uniquely British tradition that began with King George V opening the gardens at Sandringham in the inaugural 1927 season.

Support Essential Health Charities: Admission proceeds are donated to beneficiaries such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Marie Curie, Hospice UK, Parkinson’s UK, Carers Trust and The Queen’s Institute of Community Nursing

Celebrate Together: Centenary openings will be supported by national, regional and local media campaigns and owners will be invited to celebrate the centenary with a number of events and special offers on plants and garden merchandise.

Who Can Apply?

Whether your space is a wildlife haven, a productive veg plot, or a country idyll, the primary criteria are quality, character, and interest.

Important Deadlines:

To be featured in the 2027 Centenary Garden Visitor’s Handbook and to receive full promotional support:

Prospective garden owners should contact their local County Organiser as soon as possible to arrange a time to visit during the current growing season – you can do this by completing the online form and uploading a photo of your garden here:

Open your garden – National Garden Scheme

Registration Deadline: All gardens must complete their official registration by mid-September to be included in the centenary publications.

“Our centenary is a celebration of the generosity of garden owners over the last 100 years,” adds Chief Executive Dr Richard Claxton.

“By opening your garden in 2027, you aren’t just sharing a beautiful space – you are providing a lifeline for nursing and health charities that need our support more than ever.”

For more information on how to open your garden visit the dedicated page on the website here: Open your garden – National Garden Scheme

Pedal on Parliament: Campaign for cycle-safe Scotland invites cycle users and politicians on mass ride to Holyrood

SATURDAY 30th MAY

Holyrood will see a mass gathering of citizens on bicycles, tandems, hand-cycles, cargo bikes, recumbent cycles and trikes, riding a closed route from the Meadows to the Scottish Parliament calling for a cycle-safe Scotland.

Riders will join the mass demonstration from ‘feeder rides’ leading in from all over the city, with many supporters coming in from across the country by train and bus with their cycles in tow.

Returning for its fourteenth action since its inception in 2012, Pedal on Parliament has consistently called for safer conditions for walking and cycling in Scotland through mass rides in Edinburgh and beyond, demonstrating the demand and scale of support for everyday cycling.

Their renewed manifesto for 2026 calls for a wide range of interventions for cycling and road safety, ranging from adequate funding allocation and building on the successes of protected infrastructure already built, to calls for greater enforcement powers for police to tackle unsafe driving, and presumed liability for motorists in the event of collisions.

Alex Robertson, Pedal on Parliament co-organiser, said: “Cycling for everyday journeys can be an accessible and healthy option for folks young and old alike, provided action is taken on adequate funding, protected infrastructure and addressing road dangers.

“More people choosing to travel by cycle provides all manner of benefits: for mental and physical wellbeing, taking pressure off our health service; enabling quicker and more enjoyable commutes; but also in reducing congestion, wear on our roads and air pollution along the way.

“We know from the Scottish Walking and Cycling Index that many people would like to cycle more, but nearly half of those surveyed didn’t believe their local area was safe enough. And in the countries and cities where these matters are addressed, real economic and social benefits are being realised that Scotland is currently missing out on. We think everyone should have a real choice in how they travel.”

The ride will end outside the Scottish Parliament with a gathering on the grass to hear speeches from MSPs and organisers, along with the departure of other cycle rides and a fundraising bake sale.

To learn more about Pedal on Parliament, visit pedalonparliament.org

St Columba’s Hospice Care: Tombola Prizes Wanted

Having a Bank Holiday Weekend spring clean out? Did you know you can donate many different items to the Hospice?

– That bottle of wine gathering dust

– That gin still untouched

– The gift set you’ll never use, or the candle that’s not quite your scent

– The extra goodie bag items from your child’s party

– Even those kids toys still in their packaging!

Yes, we want it all, and you’ll feel great having decluttered and done a good deed! Every donation helps us raise vital funds at our upcoming events.

Please drop off unopened gift sets, bottles and kids games at our reception during opening hours, or contact the Fundraising Team on fund@stcolumbashospice.org.uk or 0131 551 1381 for further details

NHS 24: Bank Holiday Advice

NHS 24 is here for you if you need help over the #bankholidayweekend.

There’s lots of helpful links in our comments to help you get the right care in the right place. including:

When to call 111

symptom checkers – online health advice on common illnesses

Mental health support

#RightCareRightPlace

Scotland’s Service Directory – Details of health and wellbeing services in Scotland.

Pharmacy First Scotland and accessing medicines

Spring health tips

Acas top tips for employers managing hot weather at work

Workplace expert Acas has offered some recommendations to help employers manage workplace challenges due to hot weather.

Acas Chief Executive Niall Mackenzie said: ““The warmer weather will be welcomed by many, but for some staff getting into work, or those working in warmer environments, it can be uncomfortable.

“Some workers with certain health conditions or disabilities may be adversely affected by the heat. The hotter weather can also impact public transport, which can hinder workers travelling to work.

“Acas has some top tips for employers to help ensure their businesses remain productive during the heatwave while keeping staff happy too.”

By law, employers have a ‘duty of care’ to make sure working temperatures are reasonable for their staff. This includes at the workplace and working from home.

Acas’s recommendations for hot weather working include:

Workplace temperatures should be reasonable

There is no legal maximum working temperature. The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) advice is that the temperature in all workplaces inside buildings must be reasonable.

The HSE offers advice on how to carry out a thermal comfort risk assessment if staff are unhappy with the temperature: http://www.hse.gov.uk/temperature/index.htm

Keeping cool at work

Switch on any fans or air conditioners to keep workplaces comfortable and use blinds or curtains to block out sunlight. Staff working outside should wear appropriate clothes and use sunscreen to protect from sunburn.

Stay hydrated

Employers must provide staff with suitable drinking water in the workplace. Workers should drink plenty of water throughout the day to prevent dehydration and not wait until they are thirsty. Employers could allow extra breaks for staff to get cold drinks.

Dress code

Employers are not under any obligation to relax their uniform or dress code requirements during hot weather but where possible it may be advisable to for employers to relax the rules for wearing ties or suits.

Getting into work

If public transport gets adversely affected by the hot weather, this could affect staff attendance and their ability to get into work on time.

Staff should check timetables in advance, and employers should be flexible. https://www.acas.org.uk/disruption-getting-to-work

Vulnerable workers

Workers with health conditions or disabilities may be affected more by hot weather.

Employers should assess for any risks and discuss what they need to reduce or remove that risk. This might include providing fans, portable air-cooling units or more frequent or longer breaks.

Employers must make reasonable adjustments for workers with disabilities. https://www.acas.org.uk/reasonable-adjustments

For further advice, please see:

https://www.acas.org.uk/extreme-temperatures-in-the-workplace

Pupil sees award-winning garden design bloom into life at Scotmid Head Office

Young designer opens bee-friendly garden

An Inverness pupil has seen her award-winning design come to life after officially unveiling the finished garden at Scotmid’s Head Office in Newbridge, Edinburgh.

Eleven-year-old Shona Smith captured judges’ attention with her imaginative bee-friendly design in Scotmid’s nationwide competition celebrating teamwork, community and nature as part of the International Year of Co-operatives 2025.

Now, months later, she travelled from the Highlands to Edinburgh with her family to see the completed garden for the very first time.

Working closely from Shona’s original sketch, Scotmid colleagues carefully recreated her vision, keeping the final layout and planting as true to her design as possible.

The project brought together community groups and local suppliers from across Scotland. Herb planters were handcrafted by the Forth Bridges Men’s Shed to create an edible garden, while picnic benches were upcycled by members of Shettleston Growing Project in Glasgow. Logs used in the garden came from a recently felled sycamore tree in Angus.

As part of the original school project, pupils learned about suitable plants and trees for the environment before carefully selecting the varieties included within the design. All plants and trees used in the finished garden were sourced locally.

The finished garden features bee-friendly planting, edible herbs and shared seating areas designed to encourage people to stop, spend time together and enjoy nature.

Shona said: “It feels amazing to see my drawing turned into a real garden. When I designed it, I wanted it to be a happy place for people and somewhere that would help bees too.

“I still can’t quite believe it has actually been built, and that people are going to be able to enjoy it every day.”

Eddie Thorn, President at Scotmid, said: “Seeing Shona’s drawing transformed into a real garden has been incredibly special.

“Her idea perfectly captured community spirit and care for the environment, and we’re proud that her design now has a permanent home at Scotmid.

“This project brought together colleagues, community groups and local suppliers to create something that will be enjoyed for years to come.”

The garden will remain at Scotmid Head Office as a lasting symbol of creativity, community spirit, and co-operative values.

St Columba’s: Time to Remember

FRIDAY 20 JUNE 2 – 2.45pm

All are invited to our Time to Remember Summer event in Fidra (No.17 Boswall Road) on Friday 19 June, at 2pm. This is an opportunity to gather together to remember loved ones who have died.

It’s an inclusive event, appropriate for all ages, and for people of all faiths and none. If you have children, feel free to bring them too. The event will include: quiet music, readings and reflections, the chance to think about the people we love and to write their name(s), and a gift to take home.

The Iona cafe will be open afterwards offering free hot drinks for anyone who wishes to stay and chat.

To register please complete the form on our website https://bit.ly/4awO4hh.

Please note a separate booking must be made for each person wishing to attend, including children.

Edinburgh carers receive welcome boost in fostering pay

This Foster Care Fortnight (11–24 May 2026), the Council is celebrating a significant restructuring of its foster care pay system which has meant an uplift in fees for foster carers in the city.

Over the last year, considerable work to review the structure and fees paid to foster carers has been carried out. This included significant engagement with current foster carers to listen and take on board their views. The new fostering fee structure and payment levels were agreed in the Council’s annual budget setting process for 2026/27.

Changes include moving to a single fee model and a move away from payment based on the age of the child. The carers fees for younger age groups has been uplifted in line with older age groups with a new single fee model rising to £307.50 per week. For those caring for under 12s this is an increase of around 60%.

Specialist fostering fees, including for those who care for a child with a disability, will rise to £490.06 per week and continuing care fees will increase to £307.50 per week.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener said: It is important that those who choose to foster children in Edinburgh are properly supported in the vital work they do. I am pleased that we have agreed to put in place a new structure and to increase pay for foster carers – recognising the valuable role they play in our city.

“It is understandable that potential carers may hesitate because they worry about the financial impact on their household. We want fostering with Edinburgh to be financially sustainable, particularly in the current economic climate when we know that many households are facing cost of living pressures.

“I hope that this added financial support will help to encourage anyone who was considering becoming a foster carer to take the leap.”

In addition to the professional fee, foster carers receive an age-related payment, the Scottish Recommended Allowance (SRA), towards the cost of caring for a child. An increase of 3.8% this year aligns with Scotland’s Promise, a national commitment to support foster carers and the children and young people living with them, to enable them to thrive.

It is also part of a broader effort to reduce the financial pressure on families looking after vulnerable children.

Foster with Edinburgh carers can receive from £485.20 to £696.78 a week to foster a child under 16 depending on the placement type and needs and age of the child. Annually, that’s between £25,230.40 and £36,232.56 to foster one child.

Find more about fostering and fostering finances online, or by attending one of the regular Foster with Edinburgh virtual or face-to-face drop-in sessions

Swifts celebration

The swifts are back! They spend the winter flying (without ever landing!) and go all the way to North Africa and back.

During the summer, they’re back, and it’s our neighbourhood where they choose to bring up a family. These amazing birds can eat 100,000 insects per day (including midgies) and can fly at 69mph!

We’re having a wee party to celebrate their return. See poster for details.

Lots of us have been learning more about the different species we share Granton with, and the things we can do to be good neighbours to them. Come join us!

Appeal after woman was struck by a tram on Leith Walk

POLICE are appealing after a woman was struck by a tram on Leith Walk at 8.50am tthis morning (Sunday 24 May), near the Scotmid store between Albert Street and Pilrig Street.

Road policing officers are appealing for information.

Emergency services attended and the 19-year-old woman was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh with serious injuries.

No one else was injured.

The road remains closed while crash investigation work is carried out.

Sergeant Michael Thomson said: “Our enquires are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and we are asking anyone who can help who has not already spoken to officers to get in touch.

“If you can assist please calls us on 101, quoting incident number 1043 of Sunday, 24 May, 2026.”

More information: https://orlo.uk/QF0nz