Thorntons, one of Scotland’s largest full-service legal and estate agency firms, has become an accredited Living Wage Employer through Living Wage Scotland. Continue reading Thorntons celebrates Living Wage accreditation
Author: davepickering
Edinburgh reporter and photographer
City businesses urged to help children in hospital this Christmas
Businesses in Edinburgh are being urged to help bring an advent calendar to life for children in hospital this Christmas, so that they don’t miss out on this magical time of year.
Edinburgh Children’s Hospital Charity (ECHC) has launched its Make Christmas Magical appeal – a campaign that will see a different door in the Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RHSC) opened each day of December to reveal something truly special. Continue reading City businesses urged to help children in hospital this Christmas
Brew & Blether at Stockbridge Library
Thursday 21 November 10.30 – 11.30am
Another one coming up for Book Week Scotland – Brew and Blether: let’s talk about books. Get some reading suggestions too. Pop along.
Local restaurants shortlisted for British Curry Awards
Edinburgh restaurants recognised as they face fresh concerns with continued Brexit delays and uncertainty
Leith curry restaurant, Mint Leaf in Bernard Street, has been shortlisted for the Best Restaurant Scotland award at the trailblazing British Curry Awards in association with Just Eat.
Additionally, Dishoom, located in St Andrew Square (below), has been shortlisted for the Best Newcomer award. Continue reading Local restaurants shortlisted for British Curry Awards
Irene Garden: Funeral Arrangements
Irene Garden’s funeral will take place at Seafield Crematorium on Thursday 28th November at 3pm.
LIGHT NIGHT: Join us for the official opening of Edinburgh’s Christmas
Light Night | Royal Mile, Edinburgh
Sunday, 17 November | 3.30-5pm
Join us for the official opening of the festive season in the Scottish capital! First time ever, the reimagined Light Night takes place on Royal Mile. Continue reading LIGHT NIGHT: Join us for the official opening of Edinburgh’s Christmas
Leith Links robberies CCTV appeal
Police have released CCTV images of a man they would like to speak to as they believe he may be able to assist with their enquiries in respect of a robbery and a theft which took place in the Leith Links area this summer. Continue reading Leith Links robberies CCTV appeal
New drive to curb online puppy sales
BUYERS URGED TO BOYCOTT ILLEGAL TRADE
People in Scotland are increasingly buying puppies online despite the risk of purchasing from illegal breeders, according to new research.
Almost half (45%) of people who bought a puppy in 2019 did so online, up from a quarter (25%) the previous year. One in five puppies bought through online advertising websites, where most illegal dealers operate, get sick or die within the first year, and one in four die before their fifth birthday.
The campaign is asking people to #LookBeyondCute and make three ‘Pup Checks’. They are :
• look for the puppy’s mother
• look for paperwork such as vaccination and microchipping certificates
• walk away if something doesn’t seem right
Launching the latest phase of the Scottish Government’s Buy a Puppy Safely campaign in Edinburgh yesterday, Minister for Rural Affairs and Natural Environment Mairi Gougeon said: “Puppy farms breed misery, and that misery is being fuelled by the huge demand for puppies and facilitated through online adverts and sellers.
“Last year’s campaign contributed to a 37% increase in the number of advice calls about suspected puppy farms to the Scottish SPCA’s animal helpline. As people increasingly look online to buy a puppy, it is more important than ever that they know how to spot the signs of illegal dealers.
“There are key checks that can help ensure you are buying safely. These include meeting the puppy’s mother with her litter and ensuring all the correct paperwork is in place. If something doesn’t feel right, walk away and report your concerns to the Scottish SPCA.”
Paulina Majerowska, a 25-year-old student from Clackmannanshire who bought a puppy online, said: “I spotted an online advert for a Chihuahua and phoned the seller who said he could drop the puppy off within the hour as he was already in the area.
“When he arrived it felt very rushed. He told us the dog had been vaccinated but he’d forgotten the documentation.
“I spent £350 and was told the puppy was 10 weeks old, but she looked quite unwell. We named her Daisy but soon realised things weren’t right. She died just five days later.
“The emotional turmoil we have been through as a family has been awful. My advice would be do your research properly and don’t rush into buying a puppy. More importantly, walk away if something doesn’t feel right.”
Unity of Faith on Remembrance Sunday
Here are some pictures where I was invited to lay a wreath at the Stone of remembrance at the City Chambers on Remembrance Sunday, led by First Minister, Lord Provost, head of Tri services followed by Faith leaders.
Unity of Hindu, Sikh & Christians on Remembrance day.
1.5 Million Indian soldiers fought in the two World Wars and more than 70,000 laid down their lives – it is their poppy too.
The Lord Provost talked about the special Book of condolence opened for veteran Tom Gilzean who raised £1m for charity.
He added: “By attending a Remembrance service or parade, wearing a poppy or taking a moment of quiet reflection, so many of us have shown our gratitude and appreciation for the enormous sacrifices being made every day on our behalf by so many courageous men and women.”
Puneet Dwivedi, Edinburgh Interfaith Association
Celebrating The National Lottery’s £96m investment into Scottish befriending projects
To mark World Kindness Day today, and as part of the National Lottery’s 25th Birthday celebrations, The National Lottery Community Fund is shining a spotlight on the £96 million it has invested into befriending projects in Scotland over the last 25 years.
During this time, The National Lottery has given money to over 920 befriending projects in Scotland, providing companionship for people of all ages.