Author: davepickering

Edinburgh reporter and photographer

Extreme weather: NHS 24 battles to provide service as staff struggle to get to work

Service Update: statement from NHS 24

NHS 24 has been affected, as with all public services across Scotland, by the extreme weather over the past 24 hours. This has meant that many staff have been unable to get to work and we have been operating on approximately 50% capacity. Overnight we answered 1730 calls. Continue reading Extreme weather: NHS 24 battles to provide service as staff struggle to get to work

Wardie Bay Beachwatch cancelled

This Saturday’s event cancelled … rescheduled for Saturday 10 March

Please note & help spread the word that our next Marine Conservation Society Wardie Bay Beachwatch has had to be postponed. A beach survey would not be fun or productive with the snow forecast for Saturday 3rd. 🌨❄

This is the 1st day of meteorological Spring! 🌬

We will enjoy the day next Saturday #climatechange #behaviourchangeSea Champions Scotland

William Speirs Bruce: the life and times of a Polar explorer

Granton Hub History Group free talk

Granton:hub are holding a talk about Granton’s polar explorer William Speirs Bruce on 28th March 2018 at Madelvic House, Granton. Did you know he co-founded Edinburgh Zoo?

For this and more interesting facts visit the website at grantonhub.org and you can book your free Eventbrite ticket here .

Ann Budge is new patron of Care & Repair Edinburgh

Hearts owner and Chief Executive, Ann Budge, has been unveiled as patron to local charity Care and Repair Edinburgh which provides a vital lifeline service to older and disabled people across the city. Continue reading Ann Budge is new patron of Care & Repair Edinburgh

March garden plant of the month: Ivy

A touch mysterious and quietly ever-present: ivy (Hedera) is the big source of greenery that represents a stable element in the garden through all four seasons. This ground-covering or climbing foliage shrub is a hardy and evergreen. There’s a wide range of leaf colours, whilst all ivy species grow quickly and are easily trained, they can therefore be used to cover fences, wire fencing, summerhouses or walls. As groundcover, ivy gives weeds no chance, which makes it the most decorative fellow-gardener ever. 

Continue reading March garden plant of the month: Ivy

Weather: RED ALERT for wind and snow extended into Friday

Edinburgh area between 15:00 Thu 1st and 02:00 Fri 2nd

A spell of heavy snow and blizzard conditions is expected. The snow will be accompanied by very strong easterly winds leading to severe drifting. Some places could also see significant ice build up due to freezing rain from later on Thursday evening, most likely in the south of the area.

Long delays and cancellations of public transport seem highly likely. Some roads are likely to become blocked by deep snow, stranding vehicles and passengers. Long interruptions to power supplies and other utilities are very likely to occur, along with damage to trees and other structures due to heavy snow or ice.

Police Scotland is urging people to avoid travelling on the roads across an area affected by red and amber weather warnings.

‘Silent killer’: Scotland must make improvements to achieve the best air quality

(L-R) Chair of Corstorphine Community Council, Steve Kerr and Committee Convener, Graeme Dey MSP pictured during a visit to Manse Road in Corstorphine, Edinburgh by the Scottish Parliament’s Environment Climate Change and Land Reform Committee. The Committee were visiting as part of their inquiry into the impact of poor air quality on children, the elderly and local residents. Parliament

A Holyrood Committee has outlined a number of recommendations in order for Scotland to try to achieve the cleanest air in Europe. Lothian’s Green MSPs are calling for action to tackle concerns raised in the committee’s report. Continue reading ‘Silent killer’: Scotland must make improvements to achieve the best air quality