Visitors from across the UK and around the world are being treated to a “bonnie” welcome at Edinburgh Airport thanks to a new campaign promoting the Bonnie Prince Charlie and the Jacobites trail. Continue reading A bonnie welcome awaits in Edinburgh
Author: davepickering
Edinburgh reporter and photographer
Imperial College students pile on the £££s after graduation
Graduates from Imperial College London can expect to earn the biggest bucks in their first jobs, while London School of Economics (LSE) alumni are the best at climbing the salary ladder, according to new research by job search-engine Adzuna. Continue reading Imperial College students pile on the £££s after graduation
‘Ambitious’ City Deal to bring 21,000 jobs to Edinburgh
Keith Brown: ‘Ambitious’ city deal will deliver opportunities across Edinburgh, the Lothians, Fife and the Borders.
The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal will deliver inclusive economic growth across the region through housing, innovation, transport, skills and culture. It is expected that the new deal will deliver 21,000 new jobs for the area – but the city’s Green councillors say the deal sells Edinburgh short.
Continue reading ‘Ambitious’ City Deal to bring 21,000 jobs to Edinburgh
Local language school is Whats On 4 Kids Awards finalist
Local language franchise named as finalist in prestigious awards
Giselle Dominguez, whose Lingotot business in based in North Edinburgh, is celebrating being named as a finalist in four categories in the 11th National Whats On 4 Kids Awards.
These prestigious awards are intended to reward innovation, raise standards and generate awareness of family activities and those individual experts involved who make such a difference to so many young families.
Whats On 4 Kids says: “ Every nominee deserves to be congratulated on getting this far in the UK’s leading and longest established awards for the sector. It’s been an exceptional year with voting very fierce across all of the categories right up to the end, so thank you to everyone for being part of the action!”
Lingotot is a multi-award winning languages program being delivered to over 12,000 children across the UK each week. Their interactive learning format aims to introduce preschool and primary aged children to languages, while instilling confidence and developing an enjoyment for languages.
Giselle Dominguez, of Lingotot Edinburgh says “I am absolutely delighted that Lingotot has been named as a finalist in an outstanding four categories and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who voted for me! I really love what I do and it’s a fantastic feeling to have Lingotot’s hard work recognised.”
The final results will be announced during a live ceremony, hosted by NatWest, in October.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay plans revealed
Edinburgh today announces the programme for its 25th Hogmanay festival. Including the family friendly Bairns Afore and a new look ceilidh at the foot of Edinburgh Castle, Hogmanay 2018 will feature an extended fireworks display and a revamped and animated Street Party that keeps the celebration going all evening. Continue reading Edinburgh’s Hogmanay plans revealed
Stay safe in the sun this summer
NHS Lothian’s Sheena Dryden, Clinical Nurse Specialist for skin cancers at the Dermatology department of the Lauriston Building. talks about how to keep sun-safe outdoors this summer:
Be sun-aware
We can all get caught out unawares by the sun and I think that’s one of the biggest problems in Scotland. Because our weather is so varied, we’re often unprepared for periods of great sunshine – we can start off a day in summer with a fleece on and want to be in shorts by the end of the same day! When we’re abroad we expect the blue skies and the heat and are prepared for it, but here we don’t tend to think about using sun protection, what with the changeable weather.
We need the sun for vitamin D, so it’s good to get at least 10-20 minutes in the daylight every day to maintain a healthy level of vitamin D. However, everyone is at risk of melanomas and other skin cancers, even if you tan well or have darker skin, so even on cloudy or breezy days, always try and remember to apply sunscreen regularly to keep protected if you’re outdoors. The months between April and the end of September are the highest-risk months, with the most affecting times of day being between 10am and 3pm.
Staying safe
We recommend an SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or above, and UVA protection of at least 3 stars or smiley faces. SPF protects against the UVB (shorter burning) rays, and UVA are the deeper, more damaging rays that age the skin and are thought to cause some forms of skin cancer. Sunscreen must be applied liberally over the skin, because if it is rubbed in, this halves its efficacy. You need the thick layer of sunscreen to properly protect you. Some people have SPF in their facial make-up, but that’s only ever a maximum of factor 15, which when it’s rubbed in brings it down to 7.5, so it’s always better to have extra protection on as well. The basic principle for safety is that if you can see your skin, so can the sun!
In terms of clothing, the head is very vulnerable, even if you have hair, so it’s important to keep it covered with a hat. Plus, remember to cover your ears and the back of your neck when you’re out in the sun, in addition to wearing sunglasses and tightly-woven clothing.
Things to remember
Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every couple of hours, and always after you have been swimming, towelling dry or perspiring. Apply evenly onto your skin, without forgetting hands and feet. It’s also worth getting a friend or family member to help apply sun cream to your back, because it’s so easy to miss parts of it when you do it yourself.
As soon as you start to get red you should move out of the sun. However, the problem with this is that on holiday you could be sitting under a parasol but you can still get reflection off the sand, the decking of a boat or light pavements. Anywhere close to the water is also dangerous as water is very reflective. So when we say ‘out of the sun’, we mean right indoors, and also avoiding areas like conservatories or inside cars – contrary to popular belief, you can still get burnt through glass.
Keeping children safe
The advice for babies is simple – they should not be out in the sun. Young children should have cream of at least SPF 50 applied regularly, and minimal doses of being out in the sun, with a special effort being made to keep them directly out of the sun between 10am and 3pm. For families this can be quite a challenge when you’re trying to keep the kids occupied during the Easter and summer break and with outdoor activities. However, kids are often up early and that would be the ideal time to take them out. The challenge is thinking of creative ways around keeping them indoors at those times. Do as the locals in the Mediterranean do and take leisurely lunches inside and siestas!
What to do if you get bad sunburn
If you get sunburnt make sure to keep hydrated with lots of water (avoiding any alcohol or caffeinated drinks), and try to keep your body temperature down, for example with a cool shower and resting in a cool room. If you or a family member gets seriously burnt and you’re unsure of what to do, seek medical advice from your GP or call 101 for guidance. If there’s a lot of redness and blistering, or you are showing signs of severe burns, medical attention may be required. Headaches, nausea, vomiting and sometimes shivery episodes can also be signs of heatstroke, which can be serious.
Useful links
NHS Inform’s tips for staying safe in the sun.
https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/summer-health
YouTube video: David Cornfield Melanoma Fund – Dear 16 Year Old Me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZtMrSGAio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZtMrSGAio
Teenage Cancer Trust’s ‘Shunburn: stay safe in the sun’ video.
https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/support-us/spread-word/shunburn-stay-safe-sun
https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/support-us/spread-word/shunburn-stay-safe-sun
Angela Constance: Tackling inequalities is core to everything we do
In a UK first, public bodies in Scotland will be required to put reducing poverty and inequality at the heart of their decision making. Continue reading Angela Constance: Tackling inequalities is core to everything we do
Forth’s Friday Fun Day at Leonardo
Crewe Toll company collaborates with Forth One Radio to address Holiday Hunger
Going hungry in the school holidays is a harsh reality for many youngsters across the UK, and the All Party Parliamentary Group on Hunger recently warned that too many children have to survive on crisps and energy drinks when school kitchens are closed.
City parks celebrate soaring success
A record- breaking 73 parks from across Scotland have been presented with a Green Flag Award this year in recognition of their high standards and provision of quality outdoor space – an increase of three over last year. Edinburgh is the greenest city of all with no less than 30 green flags!
Edinburgh Napier links-up with University of the Third Age
Retired and semi-retired individuals in Edinburgh with a passion for learning are set to benefit from a new agreement that will see them able to participate in University research projects. Edinburgh Napier University has signed a partnership agreement with University of the Third Age (U3A) as a commitment to supporting the life-long learning passions of its members in the city. Continue reading Edinburgh Napier links-up with University of the Third Age