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Discover Time Quest at New Lanark

Embark on a NEW Time-Travelling Adventure at New Lanark

This summer, prepare for a unique and thrilling experience at New Lanark with Time Quest, an interactive heritage trail that promises to bring history to life for families and visitors of all ages.

Running until the 1st of September 2024, guests will have the chance to unlock the secrets of the past to save the future, engaging in a series of captivating puzzles and uncovering hidden clues throughout the historic village.

The cost is £3 per person.

Registration for all events and exhibitions can be made through our booking site:

https://newlanark.digitickets.co.uk/tickets

Time Quest: Unlock the Past to Save the Future

“Time Quest” is an immersive journey through New Lanark’s rich history, blending the excitement of a treasure trail with the challenges of an escape room. Participants will step into the shoes of Professor Amelia Swyft, a time-traveling explorer who has been stranded in the past due to a malfunctioning time machine.

To help Professor Swyft return to the future, visitors must navigate through various locations in New Lanark, solving puzzles and collecting codes along the way.

An Unforgettable Family Experience

“Time Quest” is designed to be a memorable and educational adventure for the whole family. It offers a perfect blend of fun and learning, making history accessible and exciting for all ages. This unique experience not only brings the story of New Lanark to life but also provides an opportunity for families to create lasting memories together during the summer holidays.

Key Selling Points:

 An engaging activity for families to enjoy together.

 A mix of treasure trail and escape room elements for a truly immersive experience.

 A fun and interactive way to learn about New Lanark’s historical significance.

 An opportunity to help Professor Amelia Swyft reset her time machine and return to the future.

 Affordable family-friendly pricing at £3 per person.

 Runs throughout the summer, making it perfect for holiday plans.

Heritage Officer Lydia Housley said: “Time Quest is an innovative and exciting adventure that has something for everyone.

“Acting as Professor Amelia Swyft in the interactive trail, I was eager to guide our visitors through New Lanark’s rich heritage in a way that’s never been done before. This really is a one-of-a-kind experience!”

Join Us for a Summer of Exploration and Discovery

Don’t miss out on this extraordinary event. Join us at New Lanark this summer for a day filled with exploration, discovery, and family fun. “Time Quest” runs from 5 July to 1 September 2024 and costs £15 for groups of up to 5 people. Make sure to embark on this unforgettable adventure and unlock the past to save the future.

Acknowledgments: This trail has been made possible by the kind support and funding of Visit Lanarkshire, and utilising the expert skillset of NL Productions in the design and execution of the trail.

Britain is open for business: Chancellor visits North America in investment drive

Rachel Reeves to bang the drum for Britain in visit to New York City and Toronto this week.
Chancellor to share her vision for growth and champion UK sectoral strengths across financial services, clean energy and infrastructure to investors and CEOs.
Trip to build momentum for the International Investment Summit on 14 October.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has visited New York and Toronto this week with the message that Britain is open for business.

She met with CEOs and senior representatives from major players across the US and Canada’s foremost industries, highlighting that early steps taken by the government to fix the foundations and restore economic stability makes the UK an attractive destination for investment.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves: “I’ve wasted no time in my first month in office in taking the difficult decisions necessary to fix the foundations of our economy, so we can rebuild Britain and make every part of the country better off.

“That means restoring economic stability so we can attract the investment needed to create good jobs, boost wages, and improve opportunity across Britain.

“There is no credible plan for growth without private sector investment. That’s why I’m breaking down barriers at home and banging the drum for Britain abroad as we gear up to host the International Investment Summit.”

While in New York, the UK’s first female Chancellor of the Exchequer met with Wall Street leaders and host a reception to celebrate women in finance.

The US is the UK’s biggest financial services trading partner, with UK exports to the US valued at £23.4bn annually. The sector is at the heart of the government’s core mission to deliver sustainable economic growth as a jewel in the crown of the UK economy and one of its success stories, contributing almost 10% of UK GVA and employing 1.2 million people.

In Toronto, the Chancellor met with names in the world of clean energy and infrastructure. The government’s mission to make Britain a Clean Energy Superpower will bring opportunities for economic growth whilst helping the UK meet its target of clean power by 2030.

That mission has started in earnest with the creation of Great British Energy to partner with the private sector and secure the investment needed to accelerate the transition, the sweeping away of barriers to onshore wind farms, and a record £1.5 billion budget for this year’s renewable energy auction to get Britain building green.

During her time in the US and Canada, Reeves has pointed out that the government has moved quickly to create a stable environment where businesses have the confidence to invest in the UK.

This has included reform of a planning system that has long frustrated investment, ending the ban on on-shore wind and the establishment of a National Wealth Fund, backed by £7.3 billion to catalyse further private investment in our world-leading green and growth industries of the future.

The UK is already Europe’s leading hub for investment, with UK markets raising more capital than the next two highest European exchanges combined in 2023.

The Chancellor visited North America with a renewed purpose to build upon this, with it being announced yesterday that Britain is to play host to the International Investment Summit on 14 October.

In doing so, Ms Reeves is looking to deepen the strong economic relationship between Britain and the two North American countries.

The United States is the largest source of foreign investment in the UK and the UK is the third largest investment destination for Canadian companies, whom invested more than $73 billion of FDI stock in 2021.

Record number of Scottish students secure university place

Number of students from most deprived areas also hits new high

A record number of Scottish students have secured places at a Scottish university this year, UCAS figures show. Acceptances to Scottish institutions for home students increased by 7% to a new high of 31,220, according to the latest UCAS statistics.

There has also been a 12% increase in acceptances from the 20% most deprived areas in Scotland (SIMD), to all UK universities, up 540 on last year to a record 5,080.

Overall acceptances to Scottish providers is 35,930. This is an increase of 1,910 (+6%) since last year.

Minister for Higher and Further Education Graeme Dey said: “It is hugely encouraging to see a record number of Scottish students from our most disadvantaged communities getting into university.

“This demonstrates the strong progress being made on widening access to higher education and ensuring every young person in Scotland has an equal chance of success, no matter their background or circumstance.

“We have also seen overall acceptances for Scottish students reach a new record high. These figures show the great strength and resilience of Scotland’s education system.

“Our resolute commitment to free tuition and our enhanced student support offering ensures that access to university remains based on the ability to learn and not the ability to pay, ensuring that the opportunity of a university education is available to everyone, regardless of their background.”

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray commented: “Worrying that attainment is at its lowest ever level, and the gap between rich and poor at its highest.

“Today’s results show the pass rate has fallen for everyone, but have collapsed for the most disadvantaged.

“Scotland’s teachers and pupils deserve much better than this.”

Planning application submitted for refurbishment of Edinburgh’s Calton Square office building

A planning application for the proposed refurbishment of the Calton Square office building, currently home to Baillie Gifford, has been submitted to City of Edinburgh Council by Ardstone Capital on behalf of the building owners.

The vision for Calton Square is to create a best-in-class office building, comparable to the best in Europe, with the best possible Environmental and Social Governance (ESG) standards and lowest carbon footprint.

Located at the top of Leith Walk, the scheme provides almost 200,000 sq ft of office accommodation, with a number of roof terraces, co-working areas and a striking internal atrium that has the potential to act as an auditorium.

Fronting onto Leith Street the building, which dates from the 1990s, needs updating and to refurbish it will require significant remodelling and intervention. This includes replacing many elements of the existing asset including windows, façade, lifts and entrances.

However, much of the existing structure will be retained, with materials re-used on site or recycled.

Sustainability and net zero objectives have been established as a key consideration, delivering first class energy and environmental performance standards, with best-in-class ESG ratings. The current green roofscape and gardens will be enhanced, with a courtyard or atrium space provided in the centre of the building.

Commenting on this, Craig McDonald, Principal and Managing Director of Ardstone Capital UK, acting as development manager on behalf of the owner and its advisory team, said: “We are delighted to be submitting the planning application for Calton Square to City of Edinburgh Council.

“The dialogue with the Council and other stakeholders has been very productive, and the application seeks to deliver an office building comparable to the best in Europe, which will serve Edinburgh well into the future.

“With the highest environmental performance standards, and the lowest possible carbon footprint, this refurbished building will seek to deliver improved ground floor activity and accessibility.

“Calton Square will address the recognised demand for top quality office space in the capital, while making an important contribution to the city, and we look to continue engaging with the Council and local community as the application progresses through the planning process.”

New guidance for Scotland’s police officers responding to hate

Police Scotland has published new guidance for officers responding to hate.

A new standard operating procedure and policy document supercedes interim guidance issued in May and closely aligns with College of Policing guidance.

The new guidance continues to outline a reasonable person and policing purpose test for the recording of Non-Crime Hate Incidents (NCHIs) and emphasises that the details of the other party of a report will not be routinely recorded as part of an NCHI.

It also makes clear Police Scotland’s approach to behaviour motivated by hate is rooted in the principles of integrity, fairness and respect, commitment to upholding human rights.

Both the SOP and policy document were widely consulted on with key stakeholders whose feedback was assessed and used to make amendments to the final products.

Deputy Chief Constable Alan Speirs said: “Police Scotland is a rights-based organisation, and officers balance the protections people have under human rights legislation against other laws every day, using their discretion and good sense.

“To support implementation of the new hate crime legislation, Police Scotland developed and delivered a programme of training to support our officers, including an e-learning module which has been completed by more than 91% of officers, as well as a series of in-person and online workshops.

“We’ve trained a cadre of around 80 hate crime advisors and 450 hate crime champions to support colleagues while Contact, Command and Control (C3), officers and staff also received tailored training.

“This guidance provides additional clarity, direction, and consistency to our response to reports of hate, including hate crime and non-crime hate incidents and aligns closely with the College of Policing guidance.”

Scotmid stores to take part in campaign to tackle underage drinking

Scotmid Co-operative, is bringing the “It’ll Cost You” campaign, which highlights that buying alcohol for children could result in a fine or jail time, to stores across Edinburgh.

Through its partnership with Police Scotland, the Scottish Alcohol Industry Partnership (SAIP) and Community Alcohol Partnerships, the retailer aims to serve a duty of care within the community by protecting children from the harms of underage drinking.

Throughout the school holidays, radio adverts will be played over the in-store radio, ensuring that shoppers understand the legal implications of buying alcohol for under-18s. Scotmid is also displaying campaign graphics on digital screens, highlighting the consequences of proxy alcohol purchases.

Ian Lovie, Scotmid Compliance Manager at Scotmid said: “Our role in the campaign is to make our customers in our communities understand the implication of purchasing alcohol for under 18s.

“The campaign is a great example of working together with local law enforcement, to make the communities we serve safer.”

Superintendent Joanne McEwan, Police Scotland, said: “This campaign showcases the benefits of key partners working together to inform the public of dangers associated with underage drinking, as well as the criminal consequences for supplying those under 18 with alcohol.”

Luke McGarty, Chair of the SAIP Campaigns Group and Head of Policy and Public Affairs, Scottish Grocers Federation, said: “Proxy purchasing is not an easy crime to detect and retailers are the first line of defence in reducing underage drinking and anti-social behaviour linked to alcohol.

“The ‘It’ll Cost You!’ campaign fits perfectly with SGF’s position of promoting responsible community retailing. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners on the campaign again this year.”

Grahame Clarke, Community Alcohol Partnership Coordinator, said: “The campaign gives us an opportunity to spread the ‘It’ll Cost You!’ message in local communities, highlighting the dangers of buying alcohol for young people.

“We look forward to working with Police Scotland and the Police Scotland Youth Volunteers to make sure that this messaging is carried through all our engagement activity this summer.”

Siobhian Brown MSP, Minister for Victims and Community Safety, said: “I welcome the return of a campaign that successfully illustrates the value of strong collaboration and regular engagement between partners, which help to deliver shared aims to help reduce underage drinking and anti-social behaviour in our communities.”

The campaign will run throughout summer 2024. For more information, visit:

https://www.itwillcostyou.com/

Volunteer at a music festival at Linlithgow Palace and enjoy the event for FREE

Volunteer at a music festival at Linlithgow Palace and enjoy the event for FREE!

Are you a music fan? Child Bereavement UK needs you! The charity is looking for volunteers to give 4 hours of their time to help at Let’s Rock Scotland (10 August) or Party at the Palace (11 August), both at Linlithgow Palace, West Lothian.

The charity needs volunteers to be at the heart of the festival buzz, scanning entry tickets, selling wristbands and offering raffle tickets to raise funds to support its work. In return volunteers gain FREE access to the rest of the festival fun.

The lineup for Let’s Rock Scotland features iconic artists from the 80s and 90s including UB40, Lulu, ABC, Heaven 17, Big Country, Go West, The Skids, Jaki Graham, Thereza Bazar’s Dollar, and Odyssey. Party at the Palace features Ronan Keating, Bananarama, Callum Beattie, The Farm, Generation, GBX, Mary Kiani, Livin Joy, Sweet Female Attitude, Eves, and Brontes.

Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. The charity supports children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.

Ruth Sanger, Head of Community Fundraising for Child Bereavement UK said: “This year Child Bereavement UK is delighted to be the beneficiary charity of some of the UK’s most anticipated festivals and gigs.

“Our volunteers tell us they have a great time soaking up the festival atmosphere and seeing their favourite acts, in return for just a few hours of their time helping us raise much-needed funds. If you’re tempted to join in, please visit our website to find out how you can get involved”.

For more information on volunteering or to see a full list of events please visit:

https://www.childbereavementuk.org/Event/festivals

To find out more about the charity and for support please visit:

www.childbereavementuk.org or call 0800 02 888 40

Spire Edinburgh Hospitals introduce advanced new treatment to patients with enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

First hospitals in Scotland to offer minimally invasive aquablation therapy with significant reduction of side effects typically associated with alternative BPH treatment

Spire Edinburgh Hospitals have introduced aquablation therapy for the treatment of enlarged prostates or benign prostatic hyperplasia. Spire Edinburgh Hospitals have already treated seven patients with aquablation therapy and are currently the only hospitals in Scotland to offer this.

Aquablation therapy is an advanced, minimally invasive treatment for BPH that combines imaging and robotic technology to guide a heat-free waterjet for precise tissue removal. This provides long-lasting relief to benign prostatic hyperplasia¹ – one of the most common health complications faced by men over the age of 50.

One of the most important benefits of aquablation therapy over alternative BPH treatments, is that it will improve the preservation of continence and sexual function for patients. Advanced software and robotics allows the surgeon to accurately target diseased tissue before using a heat-free water jet to remove only the targeted tissue.

The most common complications with alternative surgical solutions are continence, and issues with erections and ejaculation.

Clinical studies have shown preserved continence and erection function in all men who have received aquablation therapy, while 90% retained their ejaculatory function, delivering a considerable reduction and low incidence of irreversible complications.

Patients can also expect long-lasting relief from BPH symptoms – studies have again indicated significant improvements for up to five years following the procedure.

The recovery process for aquablation therapy is also more comfortable, with patients being able to leave the hospital without a catheter.

Professor Alan McNeill, Consultant Urologist at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals, said: “‘I am delighted to be involved in bringing ablation therapy to patients in Scotland at Spire Murrayfield Hospital.

“Aquablation adds to the options available for patients to choose, and I believe offers advantages in particular to men with larger prostates, and in those who wish to preserve ejaculatory function.”

SQA celebrates ‘achievements and hard work’ of Scotland’s learners on Results Day 2024

Learners across Scotland will receive their national qualification results today (Tuesday 6 August 2024) as the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) celebrated their ‘achievement and hard work’.

Around 145,000 learners – from all corners of the country – will receive the traditional envelope through the letterbox containing their results and qualifications certificate.

Fiona Robertson, Chief Executive of SQA and Scotland’s Chief Examining Officer, said: “Our warmest congratulations to the 145,000 learners across Scotland whose achievements are being celebrated today. They can be rightly proud of their positive performance.”

As well as National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher results, thousands of learners will also be celebrating a record-breaking year for vocational-based qualifications. The total of National Progression Awards, National Certificates, Skills for Work, and SQA Awards rose by 24.8% to 90,035.

This year saw the return of full course assessment in National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses, following consultation with learners, teachers and lecturers and their representative groups, parents, carers, education partners and the Scottish Government. Coursework and exams for some practical subjects were removed temporarily during the pandemic.

Full course assessment helps ensure that learners are equipped with the knowledge and full range of skills needed to support their successful next steps in education, training, or employment.

Fiona Robertson added: “All learners can be confident that the qualifications they have earned – by demonstrating their knowledge, understanding and skills across full course assessment – provide a solid foundation for the next stage in their learning, training, or employment. We wish them all continued success.

“While there is some variability in the national attainment picture in 2024, this is a solid set of results for learners in National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher courses. 2024 also marks a record-breaking year for vocational qualifications, as Scotland’s learners excelled in achieving valuable skills to build rewarding careers.

“And all of this has been achieved by a group of learners who experienced significant disruption to teaching and learning during the pandemic.

“Scotland’s learners should be rightly proud of their achievements, supported by Scotland’s dedicated and hard-working teachers, lecturers, our schools and colleges, and the wider education community.”

Exams results day: Commissioner says be proud and good luck for your next chapter

Children and Young People’s Commissioner Nicola Killean has wished the best of luck to young people on their exam results today, recognising it can be a nerve-wracking day.

Commissioner Nicola has congratulated those who are pleased with their Nat 5, Higher, or Advanced Higher results, and she has reminded those who may feel disappointed or worried that lots of opportunities still lie ahead.

Commissioner Nicola said: “Today is a big day in your lives, and it can feel daunting. I hope you have received the results you were hoping to get. If you have, congratulations – I wish you well for the next chapter in your lives, whatever that will be.

“But I know this might not be a happy day for everyone.

“I’ve spoken to lots of young people about education this year, and the subject of exams and pressure comes up regularly. They told me that exams don’t suit everyone and don’t always accurately reflect how intelligent someone is.

“I know some of you may be disappointed or worried about your results and I want to reassure you that today does not define you. If you didn’t get what you were expecting or wanted to get, there are lots of people and organisations who can help advise and support you on your next steps.

“The right to education isn’t all about academic results. Your education should develop your personality, talents, and abilities, and sometimes these can’t be measured by academic grades. Remember all the other contributions, achievements and unique special talents that make you the person you are.

“Whatever today brings, please be proud of yourself and know that there is more than one way to measure success.”

For help with exam results, Young Scot shares information on organisations that can support you and information on appeals.

New research reveals nearly a quarter of Scottish children have NEVER had an eye test

SPECSAVERS has launched its first ever ‘eye screen’ van to put children’s eye health and eye tests at the top of parents’ agendas.

Popping up at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, the van was not only equipped with ice lollies, but also visual screeners, to help identify any potential eyesight problems in children and alert their parents if they required a more thorough eye test.

The activity comes as new research conducted by Specsavers among parents in Scotland with kids aged 4-16, revealed that almost a quarter (22%) of children of this age have never had an eye test, and a further 12% haven’t had one in two years or longer.

This is despite 15% of parents in Scotland saying their child had experienced problems at school which could be linked to vision. The most common issues raised includes struggling to see the whiteboard (43%), experiencing discomfort because they are straining to see (36%) or having to move to the front of the classroom to see (21%).

Little progress has been in the last 15 years as research carried out by Specsavers in 2009, showed just under a quarter (23%) of UK children aged between 3-12 had never had an eye test.^[1]

The latest survey found the most common reasons parents across Scotland haven’t taken their child for an eye test is because they don’t know how frequently they need to go (33%) or they have no visible problems (17%). Other reasons include parents not being advised that their child needs an eye test (17%) or knowing at what age they should have one (17%).

Specsavers clinical services director Giles Edmonds said: ‘A lot of parents assume that because their child doesn’t display any signs of a vision problem, there’s no need to have their eyes tested.

‘However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Ensuring your child has regular eye examinations from an early age is incredibly important for several reasons. Given more than 80 per cent of our learning, cognitive and social abilities are facilitated through our sight, it’s extremely important to your child’s overall development.

‘Poor eyesight can cause learning and behavioural problems. Conditions such as squinting and amblyopia (lazy eye) can be treated more effectively if they are picked up earlier, which could make a huge difference to your child. An eye test doesn’t just check vision. It can also detect other underlying health conditions.’

The research also found that during school holidays, parents across Scotland have a back-to-school list of around 10 to 11 tasks, including everything from buying new school unforms (55%), shoe fittings (52%) and labelling personal items (45%). However, eye tests ranked lower (42%) alongside dental checks (42%).

Giles adds: “We understand how many things parents have to think about, especially during the summer holidays and before the new school year starts.

“By showing up with our eye screen van, we hope we’ve put eye tests on parents’ radars as they play a significant role in setting children up for a happy and fulfilling school life.”

The research also found children in Scotland are reluctant to get their eyes tested. Nearly a half (48%) think it will hurt and nearly one in five just don’t want glasses (19%).

To combat this, Specsavers is looking at ways to make a visit to the opticians more fun with the launch of its friendly ‘Optomonsters’. Customers will start to notice the Optomonsters popping up in stores nationwide soon.