The Round Britain Climate Challenge is the first ever circumnavigation attempt of mainland Britain with an electric paramotor – an adventurous expedition created by Sacha Dench (UN Ambassador for Convention on Migratory Species,CMS and Founder of Conservation Without Borders ) to draw attention to climate issues at home.
The official launch is at the Glasgow Science Centre this morning.
This groundbreaking 3000 mile plus expedition will travel anti-clockwise around Britain, ending back in Glasgow around 6 weeks later. This daring expedition is designed to inspire and excite the nation to get involved in tackling the climate crisis in the run up to COP26.
Sacha will take off ( weather permitting) on the expedition from Loch Lomond on Monday (21 June) following some practice flying and team training.
Sacha with her electric paramotor by one of the Team EVs and about to take off with the new wing
‘Human Swan’ Sacha Dench, known for global expeditions with migratory species, turned her focus to climate change for this expedition after losing her family home in the Australian bushfires.
She will be landing frequently, talking with, filming, and gathering information from industry, innovators and entrepreneurs, local heroes, communities, schools, farmers and individuals – anybody involved in addressing the effects of climate change in their areas.
A compilation of these stories will be presented at COP26 in Glasgow in November.
Sacha will set a new Guinness World Records Title for the fastest (and first) flight around Britain in a paramotor. It will also be a first for an electric paramotor.
A second Guinnes World Records Title attempt will aim to inspire at least 140,001 people to take personal climate action between 18 June and 17 July as part of the global campaign Count Us In (https://www.count-us-in.org/). On achieving this, every participant will get a badge recognising their contribution to setting a world record.
Sacha says: “This is the first time an electric paramotor will ever have been used in a long journey – and it’s going to be an exciting challenge.
“I want to capture the imaginations of the young and old, rural and urban, and focus on answers to the climate crisis – not problems – and encourage everyone, to get involved. Just one person pledging to take an action through Count Us In will help us get that second Guineess World Record too!
“As well as investigating how climate change is affecting different regions of the country, we will be showing – in a visually stunning and exciting way – what is happing to help cut carbon and preserve and restore our environment. We’ll be finding the likely and unlikely heroes and discovering where and what works.”
The mother of a young man from Fife who tragically lost his life last summer at a local beauty spot is warning of the dangers of open water.
Keivan Ulhaq, 20, had been socialising with friends at Lochore Meadows, known locally as ‘The Meedies’, when he entered the water on a Saturday evening last June.
His mum Sheena Ulhaq says that despite him being a strong and active young man he got into difficulty.
Sheena, who lives in Cowdenbeath with Keivan’s eight siblings and husband Nisar, wants to prevent anyone else going through the tragic events of June 20 last year.
She said: “Keivan was happy go lucky and he loved life. He doted on his younger brothers and sisters. We all miss him so much.
“On the day he died I remember the weather was really nice and I was at home decorating.
“He had gone to The Meedies with some friends, but the water was still freezing cold despite the weather.
“Keivan was really active and was always doing back flips, especially if we were at the beach then he’d do back flips into the water.
“But that day he struggled despite being a six foot big strapping lad. He suffered cold water shock and had a cardiac arrest.
“It’s really important that people are aware of the dangers of open water because I wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else.
“I’m so grateful for all the support I’ve had, since Keivan died, from everyone who knows the family and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was alerted to the incident at Lochore Meadows last June and mobilised two appliances and a water rescue unit to the scene to assist emergency service partners.
Deputy Assistant Chief Officer Alasdair Perry said: “We are grateful to Sheena for speaking about her story, and the tragic circumstances in which Keivan lost his life, to improve the safety of others.
“We want people to stay safe around water this summer. However, our crews regularly respond to emergency calls from people in difficulty who need to be rescued.
“We all like heading outdoors at this time of year, but unsupervised water can be extremely dangerous.
“Open water can become very cold just a few feet under the surface and can cause cramps or Cold Water Shock meaning your strength and ability to swim deteriorates rapidly.”
Since Keivan’s death, SFRS has worked with partners to install new water safety signs and lifesaving throwline equipment at Lochore Meadows to protect the public.
Sheena Ulhaq is also raising funds for more equipment, including a defibrillator.
Station Commander Michael Gemmell, based in Fife, said: “What happened to Keivan was a tragedy and it’s devastating for everyone who knew him.
“Unless you are fully trained, competent and equipped to enter water courses, keep a safe distance from water.
“This isn’t about spoiling anyone’s fun, it’s about preventing anyone else from needlessly losing their life.”
Visit the water safety page in the Your Safety section on the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service website for information on how to stay safe.
The School of Ancient Crafts have been working alongside Granton:Hub volunteers in an experimental archaeology project to re-create a Scottish Iron Age log boat.
After many months of construction and delays due to the pandemic, the log boat is ready to be launched and have a new life on the sea.
The launch will take place on Sunday (20th June) and will begin at the log boat’s current location in granton:hub’s community garden at Madelvic House. The log boat will be transported by a group of volunteers using traditional means – log-rolling – down to Granton Harbour.
You are welcome to join this journey as it takes place from 9.30am.
See granton:hub social media channels for further information.
Trade unions GMB Scotland and Unite Scotland, who jointly represent the vast majority of McVitie’s workers based at Tollcross, have reacted furiously to the company formally issuing redundancy notices yesterday.
The McVitie’s biscuit factory, which manufactures a range of notable products including Hobnobs and Rich Tea Biscuits, has through its parent owners Pladis also ‘disgracefully’ refused to engage with the newly established Action Group set up to prevent the factory’s closure.
The group is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Economy, Kate Forbes MSP, and involves the trade unions, Glasgow City Council, Scottish Enterprise, Clyde Gateway and Skills Development Scotland.
Following two meetings of the Action Group, Kate Forbes, wrote to McVitie’s requesting direct engagement with the parent company, Pladis, ahead of the next scheduled meeting on 23 June. The meeting is set to discuss a series of proposals which could maintain a presence of McVitie’s in the local area.
However, Unite Scotland and GMB Scotland can confirm that the company has formally issued redundancy notices to its workforce and refused to engage with the Action Group.
In 2014, the Turkish owned Pladis acquired the McVitie’s business after its takeover of United Biscuits, which made it the third largest biscuit manufacturer in the world. In that same year, United Biscuits also cut its then 680-strong workforce at Tollcross by almost a quarter.
The Tollcross factory, which first opened in 1925 as part of the Macfarlane and Lang’s Victoria Biscuit Works, is a major employer in an area with higher levels of social deprivation and unemployment. The McVitie’s presence in Scotland goes back to the original Scottish biscuit maker, McVitie & Price Ltd, which was established in 1830 in Edinburgh.
GMB Scotland Organiser David Hume said: “It’s an act of extreme bad faith on the part of the Pladis Managing Director David Murray, and a gross insult to hundreds of workers and their families who are fighting for their livelihoods and community.
“The rules of the game have now been changed by Pladis – the clock is now officially ticking on nearly 470 jobs and generations of food manufacturing that has endured austerity and prosperity, war and pandemic.”
“David Murray needs to be hauled by the Cabinet Secretary before the members of the Action Group because this is a profitable business with an innovative workforce that can and should have a future in the East End of Glasgow.”
Pat McIlvogue, Unite industrial officer, said:“It’s an absolute disgrace and slap in the face to the workforce that not only has McVitie’s formally issued redundancy notices but they are also refusing to engage with the Action Group established by the Scottish Government.
“Everyone except the company is working together in order to bring forward options, which could save hundreds of jobs in the local area. Unite is again calling on Pladis to directly engage with the trade unions, the workforce and the Scottish Government to look at credible alternatives to closure.
“Pladis have a duty of care to hundreds of workers to jointly discuss with us what could be done to save jobs instead of this belligerent and arrogant approach which they have adopted.”
The VIBES Awards are calling on businesses across Edinburgh and Lothians to play their part in supporting Scotland to meet its target of net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
The announcement comes just days after the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), Glasgow City Council and Global Footprint Network revealed that Earth Overshoot Day, the point at which we have already have used up our quota of the Earth’s biological resources for the year, will land on Thursday 29 July.
This is the second year Scotland has been chosen to make this global environmental announcement and reflects the vital role the country will play in climate change conversations over the course of 2021.
The VIBES Awards will recognise the vital contribution of Scottish companies who are embracing both the environmental and business benefits of a sustainable approach and showing how Scotland can help #MoveTheDate of Earth Overshoot Day in future years.
Entries for businesses to show how they are taking urgent action to halt the climate emergency have just opened at www.vibes.org.uk
The awards will also showcase the important role of Scottish businesses ahead of COP26, the annual UN climate change conference which is coming to Glasgow in November 2021.
The COP26 conference is focused on bringing together parties to tackle climate change and to create a more resilient future for everyone and the VIBES awards are helping to accelerate the pace towards net zero by shining a spotlight on some of the inspirational work already underway in Scotland to reduce the impact on climate change.
Businesses can be recognised for “environmental good practice” or “outstanding achievement” and VIBES are keen to hear from companies who have improved or changed their way of working or have products or services that will help Scotland.
SolarisKit, the world’s first flat-packable solar thermal collector, won a Good Practice Award in the 2020 VIBES awards and demonstrate both the environmental and financial benefits of environmental best practice.
The company, based in Dundee, developed an innovative prismatic design which is able to convert sunlight directly into hot water tackling some of the biggest barriers to the uptake of solar energy in developing countries.
SolarisKit’s founder Faisal Ghani developed the solar thermal collector after realising that carbon emissions from developing and emerging economies exceeded those produced from the industrialised nations. He decided the most impactful way to tackle the climate emergency was through simple and practical clean energy solutions which would not only have a massive impact on the environment but also potentially improve the lives of millions of people across the world.
Faisal Ghani, said: “The SolarisKit team and I were delighted to be acknowledged by the VIBES Awards. We strongly believe in the importance of decarbonising heat to tackle the climate emergency, and the importance of developing solutions suitable for both developing and industrialised economies. We look forward to working within the incredible Scottish eco system to achieve our mission.”
The VIBES Awards were launched in 1999 and have recognised the important contribution of almost 200 businesses in encouraging the efficient use of resources, improving environmental performance and supporting the wider goals of sustainable development.
Terry A’Hearn, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said: “In November, the eyes of the world will turn to Scotland and COP26. Together we can choose one-planet prosperity over one-planet misery.
“We can and must build from the pandemic through our global ability to plan, to protect and move at pace. Scottish business innovation helped lead the Industrial Revolution.
“In 2021 the Glasgow summit and the future we choose as each community, city, company or country, offers real hope for a new net-zero revolution, with Vibes being a key opportunity to show Scottish business leadership.”
Gillian Bruce, Chair of the VIBES Awards, said: “This is a key time for Scotland and each and every business in the country has a role to play in developing sustainable solutions.
“The VIBES Awards are proud to highlight the existing work which is underway to help Scotland move towards net zero and we hope our successful businesses can inspire others to improve their environmental practices and help to safeguard Scotland for future generations.”
The 2021 VIBES Awards ceremony will be provisionally held in October 2021 and decisions on the format of the event will be made in line with COVID regulations closer to the date.
Businesses have until 30 July 2021 to submit an application.
For further information or to enter please visit www.vibes.org.uk
Minister welcomes figures but pledges further action
Overall alcohol consumption in Scotland fell to a 26-year low during 2020, according to a comprehensive report published today by Public Health Scotland.
The annual Monitoring and Evaluating Scotland’s Alcohol Strategy (MESAS) report brings together data on alcohol consumption, price and related harms into a single publication. It shows that total alcohol sales fell 5% on the previous year, to the lowest level recorded since 1994.
Last year, COVID-19 restrictions affected alcohol sales from premises such as pubs, clubs, and restaurants. Nine in every ten units of alcohol sold in Scotland in 2020 were sold via off-trade outlets including supermarkets and other off-licences – an increase from seven in every ten units in 2019.
In addition to the evidence from 2020 – the year of the pandemic – today’s MESAS report also details a 10% year-on-year reduction in the number of deaths wholly caused by alcohol in 2019.
Commenting on the results of the studies, Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome this report showing that total alcohol sales in 2020 fell to their lowest level for 26 years.
“The study provides valuable insight allowing us to gauge the impact of alcohol sales and consumption during the period of the pandemic. Clearly COVID-19 and the associated restrictions have had a dramatic impact on the hospitality trade, but these figures demonstrate that the restrictions in place did not simply translate into an increase in the total amount of alcohol being consumed. In fact, the opposite is the case.
“We have already seen that alcohol sales were falling since the introduction of our world-leading Minimum Unit Pricing policy in 2018. We know that it will take longer for the full impact of reduced consumption to feed through into health related statistics, but I am more convinced than ever that MUP is one of the main drivers in reducing alcohol harms.
“Although this is the largest recorded year-on-year reduction in alcohol sales – and also the narrowest recorded gap between sales north and south of the border – it is important to bear in mind that the average number of units drunk during this period was still nearly 30% per cent more than the UK Chief Medical Officers’ guidelines of drinking no more than 14 units a week.
“In addition to these 2020 figures, the report also details a 10% reduction in the number of deaths caused wholly by alcohol in 2019. While we are on the right trajectory, this still equates tragically to nearly 20 deaths every week across Scotland – each one preventable.
“We continue to make progress in reducing inequalities across a number of public health areas – remaining focussed on addressing the underlying causes that drive health inequalities and doing more to address harms from alcohol. I am determined to build on this progress including consulting on potential restrictions to alcohol advertising and promotion.”
LOST SUMMER?
Scottish licensed trade operators are braced for “potentially another lost summer” after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said this week that it is “unlikely” that any part of Scotland will move down a level from June 28.
Responding to the First Minister’s suggestion that current restrictions will remain in place for a further three weeks, and national clinical director Jason Leitch’s widely-reported comments that Scotland’s lockdown exit plans could be pushed back by up to 10 weeks due to the more infectious Delta strain of coronavirus, the SLTA said: “Another summer season, essential for business survival, will be lost.”
The trade association’s managing director Colin Wilkinson pulled no punches, stating: “The hospitality sector is at breaking point with Tuesday’s announcement that the brakes are on for further easing of restrictions.”
Calling for further financial aid to ensure the survival of the licensed hospitality industry as it plays its part in rebuilding the economy, Mr Wilkinson said: There needs to be an extension to the current support schemes available such as furlough, VAT reduction, deferral of loan repayments and so on.
“Our pubs and bars have already invested millions to provide a safe environment as we all learn to live with this virus and we need to be able to open without restrictions as soon as we can.
“Currently, we can only operate at around 30% of our capacity, but with increased staff costs to provide table service and fewer tables because of social distancing rules, most business continue to operate at a loss, racking up further debt every time they open the doors.
“For those still unable to open because of their size or the entertainment they provide, such as late opening premises and night clubs, it is another devastating blow for an abandoned sector crippled by restrictions and with no route map out of the pandemic.
“Tuesday’s announcement created further uncertainty for the industry and the people it employs. We understand the need for caution but the Scottish Government must also understand that this delay will cost an already beleaguered industry millions of pounds and puts in jeopardy the future survival of many of the pubs, bars, restaurants, hotels and late night operations that form part of Scotland’s social fibre.
“Our big fear is that the Glasgow fan zone could lead to further Covid outbreaks followed by a fresh lockdown, forcing licensed premises to close again when they have only just managed to start reopening.”
New course to help students develop in-demand Data Science skills
Edinburgh College has launched a new Skills Boost for Data Science course which promises to equip attendees with vital Data Science skills which are becoming even more in demand with employers.
Data Science is becoming an essential part of how we all live, learn and work. It is about how we get actions from insights – and now more and more employers are searching for Data Science skills among candidates for jobs.
Data Science combines Digital and Data skills, specific knowledge about a particular topic or subject area, and numeracy skills to extract insights and knowledge from data. The ability to identify the problem to solve, the correct data to use, carry out the analysis and then implement the outcome requires all three areas to be brought together.
The new five-week course provides students with the essential knowledge and analytical skills needed for a Data Science role as well as providing a pathway to further learning within the industry.
The course is fully funded, which means students do not have to apply for funding, and it is open to candidates of all ages and capabilities.
The first Skills Boost for Data Science cohort will begin the course on Monday 28 June 2021, with applications for places open now.
Upon completion of the five-week course, students will gain a National Progression Award in Data Science – a SCQF level 4 qualification.
Curriculum manager David Hiddleston said: “We’re thrilled to be launching this new Data Science course which will see students at beginner level learn and develop the basic skills they need to enter the world of Data Science.
“The course is open to applicants at any stage of their career journey – those leaving school, or completing an existing college course, and those simply thinking of learning something new, or considering a career change.
“The short programme has been designed to give students a taster of the skills and tasks involved when working with Data Science, and can act as a springboard to a new career or further study within the Data Science arena.”
Helpless Portobello schoolgirl abandoned on freezing winter’s night
A 20 year old man who caused the death of an underage girl by buying her alcohol and abandoning her on a freezing winter’s night has been jailed for three yearsand two months.
When Ewan Fulton, then 18, left 15-year-old Mhari O’Neill, she was not wearing a jacket and was too drunk to walk.
A dog walker found her body on Calton Hill the next morning. on 7 December 2018.
Pathologists said the probable cause of the teenager’s death was hypothermia, with intoxication.
Last month Fultonappeared at the High Court in Edinburgh andadmitted killing Mhairi, who was 15, after buying her alcohol and abandoning her on Calton Hill on 7 December 2018.
Fulton pleaded guilty to culpable homicide. He admitted taking part in sexual activity with the under-age schoolgirl, culpably and recklessly endangering her health and life, and exposing her to risk of injury and death.
Ewan Fulton, who was 18 at the time, bit and throttled Mhari O’Neill, before abandoning her.
Fulton first met Mhari through social media site Yubo.
On the fateful night Fulton said he had bought a large bottle of vodka for them to share after he travelled to Edinburgh from Livingston to meet her.
Fulton told police Portobello High School student Mhari had been so drunk that she kept falling off a bench and could not walk. He claimed he was starting to panic and knew he needed to get the last train home. He maintained he told her several times he was leaving, but did not get a response as she was “unable to speak”.
The following day Fulton, a shop worker, sent Mhairi a text asking: “Are you alive?” He also sent text messages to friends, explaining: “I had no choice but to leave, what was I supposed to do?” and “I got her drunk she’s 15”. He told another friend: “That girl has a family and if I had stayed she would be alive.”
Fulton, from Livingston, abandoned the girl “in a remote and exposed location” in a state of partial undress without means to contact anyone and failed to seek help for her.
The culpable homicide charge stated Fulton behaved with “utter disregard” for the consequences of his actions towards her.
Det Insp Susan Balfour from Police Scotland’s major investigation team said: “This has been a distressing time for Mhari’s family and our thoughts remain with them and her friends.
“We welcome the conviction of Ewan Fulton and hope it brings some comfort to Mhari’s loved ones.”
The award-winning project, Ageing Well, run by Edinburgh Leisure in partnership with NHS Lothian, will be starting two new activities in July, to support people to become, and remain active in later life.
Starting on Thursday, 8th July, there will be a regular Walk around Saughton Walled Garden with a volunteer walk leader.
The walk is suitable for people who have not walked much before, and are looking to be more active, or are returning from injury or illness. The walk will take up to 30 minutes on flat ground or gentle slopes with firm surfaces and generally no steps.
Register your interest with active@edinburghleisure.co.uk. Participants should meet at the Garden Bistro, at 10.50am for an 11am start. A contribution of £1 is welcomed towards the activity.
There will also be an 11 weeks’ Cycle Skills Course, starting on Monday, 12th July. This will meet at Saughton Sports Centre initially, with a further 4 weeks on the cycle paths leaving from Ainslie Park Leisure Centre and a further 4 weeks leaving from Meggetland. Good quality bikes and helmets are supplied to trainees so there is no need to own your own.
This course is suitable for those who wish to take up cycling again after a lengthy absence but lack confidence. The course will give participants an opportunity to improve confidence on a bike; increase bike-handling skills; put in to practice the skills they are learning; and the introduction to cycle paths, on the last two weeks of the course.
The course is very relaxed, sociable, and fun and is based on the Cycling Scotland Bikeability material adapted for adults. A contribution of £2 per week is asked from trainees to help towards the running costs of the programme.
Since their activities reopened after COVID-19 restrictions lifted again at the beginning of April, they have been supporting 120 older adults to be active again. The emphasis is on meeting new people and making physical activity accessible and enjoyable. All activities are either led by or supported by fully trained volunteers, who are all older adults themselves.
For further information, to register your interest and/or to book a slot, contact the Active Communities team on active@edinburghleisure.co.uk
The winners of the First Minister’s Reading Challenge 2020-21 have been announced online by the Children’s Laureate and bestselling author of the How To Train Your Dragon series, Cressida Cowell (above).
Now in its fifth year, the First Minister’s Reading Challenge is run by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing.
The awards recognise the efforts of schools and pupils to support reading for enjoyment and create a reading culture in their school, home or community. All those who submitted this year will receive book tokens, with the winners also receiving a trophy.
The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:“Reading is something that always brings me joy, and no matter how I am feeling there’s something to match my mood. During the pandemic, it has been a lifeline, and I know it has been for countless others.
“The reading challenge was launched to inspire as many young people as possible to discover a joy of reading, and I have been so impressed with all the innovative work schools and communities have been doing this year, rising to the challenge of doing this during these extraordinary times, and doing so with great ingenuity.
“Huge congratulations to the winners, as well as everyone who submitted incredible entries.”
The national winner, receiving the School Reading Journey Award, was Grange Primary School in Angus.
Their submission was full of fun and innovative ideas, from moving their Reading Café to pupils’ homes to their virtual book fair. The impact on families and pupils was clear and the work of the support staff was highlighted for their dedication.
Victoria Tweed, Acting Headteacher atGrange Primary School said:“We have a real culture of reading for pleasure here at Grange Primary School and it’s very much led by the children, which makes us super proud to have won the School Reading Journey part of the First Minster’s Reading Challenge.”
The national winner for the Reading Inspiration Challenge was Preston Lodge High School in East Lothian.
Their entry was put together by their superstar school librarian and promoted reading with a variety of events despite the school closure. They ran a Virtual Library Escape Room and lockdown library clubs and the panel commended their creativity and resilience on trying new ideas to keep the whole school reading.
For the School & Community Partnership Reading Journey Award category, there were some fantastic community engagement ideas, despite the challenges with Covid-19 restrictions.
The national winner for the School & Community Partnership was Elphinstone Primary School in East Lothian.
The judges felt that the partnerships this school built around reading for pleasure were incredibly meaningful and placed reading at the centre of their community with their Elphy Tales project. They worked closely with a local storyteller to embed storytelling into everyday school life, including during lockdown.
The national Gaelic Medium Education (GME) Reading Journey was awarded to Goodlyburn Primary School in Perth & Kinross.
The judges felt that they had gone above and beyond since winning the category in 2018, introducing an exciting and inclusive project called Mother Tongue to Other Tongue and integrating popular genres across their work. The school worked hard to embed books and reading across their GME curriculum.
The Community Reading Culture award celebrates the groups who work outside of school to give young people further opportunities to read for pleasure. The national winner of the Community Reading Culture award was Heriot Mini Book Bank in Scottish Borders.
Their entry stood out to the judging panel due to the creative ways they managed to keep their reading culture going in such a rural area, despite all the restrictions. When they had to close, they took reading on the road in their very remote community with their Book Bike and held an inspiring virtual author event.
This year, the Pupil Reading the Most Books award was won by Camryn from Seaton School in Aberdeen, who read 49 books.
The national winner of the School Reading the Most Books was Crosshouse Primary School in South Lanarkshire. With a pupil role of 401 they have read 3868 books over the course of the Reading Challenge.
For the Pupil Reading Journey award category, there were five national winners:
Mrs Jalland’s Primary 1 class at Carmuirs Primary School in Falkirk. The Primary 1s did a whole range of activities led by their favourite books, and even ran a project with a school in America. It was clear the children took ownership of their reading journeys, taking part in Everyone Reading in Class (ERIC) time and listening to each other’s stories.
Primary 2 class at Oakgrove Primary School, Glasgow. The Primary 2 class focused their reading journey around their class story, and used that as inspiration for lots of reading activities, from designing a home to exploring feelings. They were very creative in their entry, showing enthusiasm for the class story through all of their wonderful ideas.
Primary 4A at Newington Primary School in Dumfries & Galloway. The class put together an entry detailing all of their reading throughout the year, what they’ve done in school and at home, and what they’ve enjoyed the most. They even managed to create some great links with their local community during lockdown.
The Primary 5 award was received by Finn who is home-schooled at Fields Schoolhouse in Angus. The judges were impressed by Finn’s enthusiasm and determination to read during the pandemic. He was commended for extending and developing his knowledge and interest in farming by reading the Farmer’s Guide and being interviewed by them regarding his very own egg business.
Caleb from Findochty Primary in Moray was awarded the Primary 6 Pupil Reading Journey award. The judges were impressed by the progress Caleb had achieved in his reading this year and by his initiative to ask for help when needed.
The First Minister’s Reading Challenge was launched in 2016 for Primaries 4 to 7 and expanded to include all primary and secondary schools as well as libraries and community groups in its third year.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, delivers this exciting reading initiative on behalf of the Scottish Government and every school in Scotland is invited to take part.
From Monday 14 June to Friday 18 June, Scottish Book Trust is hosting the First Minister’s Reading Challenge Festival, with digital events that schools can join online via their website.
Events include creative writing with Patrice Lawrence, a draw along with Ross Collins and a wildlife walk with Hamza Yassin. Events will be available to watch on demand until the end of August.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“Congratulations to all our First Minister’s Reading Challenge awardees. It’s wonderful to see schools across Scotland reading for pleasure and building reading cultures in the classroom and at home.
“Thank you to our funders for making this programme possible, and to Cressida Cowell for announcing our amazing winners. We hope everyone will enjoy our first ever celebration festival, which can be joined from our website.”
