Apply today to join our Tools for Life mentorship programme to learn the basic and fundamental skills of woodworking and DIY.
The Spring 2023 Tools For Life programme begins on Thursday 21st of March and will run for 12 weeks. The weekly sessions are on Thursday from 13.00 – 16.00 at our Porty Workshop. The programme is open to young people age 16 – 25 years old and best of all is FREE!
Applications are due on Tuesday 27th of February. We are always very happy to talk you through your application and give feedback. If you prefer a different format of answering the application form, for example in audio or video format, you are very welcome to do so.
If you would like to visit the workshop beforehand there will be an Open Day on Thursday the 15th February at the Porty workshop from 14.00 – 16.00 where you can ask any questions and get a feel if the mentorship would be something for you.
As the spaces are limited, and we want each participant to make the most out of this free programme we do ask of each participant to attend every weekly session. So please triple check your calendars and existing commitments before applying.
Any questions please contact janet@edinburghtoollibrary.org.uk
ID: (1) Yellow background with the text Tools For Life, the words are surrounded by tools. (2) Two participants of our current Tools for Life cohort measuring there wood ( 3) Participant using a circular saw with support from Mentor Alys (4) Happy participant showing a drill and current woodworking project
We would like to get your thoughts and ideas for a new mural at the entrance to Speirs Bruce Way on the corrugated iron fence at Granton Castle Walled Garden. We are in the process of commissioning an artist to carry out the work, with guidance from people in the community.
The mural will be painted onto boards and mounted on fencing in a similar manner to the existing mural further along the wall on the same path. It is being organised by granton:hub, who have been awarded funding by ArtRoots/Sustrans.
The mural is to reflect the history and culture of the local area and so we would like to find out what people from Granton would want to see captured in the mural. If you’d like to let us know your thoughts and ideas please fill the form, link below, at our link in bio or on our websitem It should only take about 5 minutes (depending on how many thoughts and ideas you have of course!)
Following a special meeting yesterday (Friday 9th February) Council Leaders are seeking an urgent further meeting with the Deputy First Minister in relation to the Budget settlement for Scottish Local Government, highlighting the dire consequences of the Government’s current spending plans on communities throughout Scotland.
Commenting following the meeting the COSLA Resources Spokesperson Councillor Katie Hagmann said: “Leaders were clear today that an urgent meeting with the Deputy First Minister is a priority.
“Leaders expressed anger at the Budget setting timetable which has left Councils unable to set their budgets due to a lack of certainty from Scottish Government and as a result of having to wait until UK Government Spring Statement before knowing what additional funding could be passed on.
“In addition, there was a clear direction from Leaders to seek restoration of the £63m cut to the core Local Government budget on behalf of their communities and the essential services they rely on at the meeting with the DFM.
“Leaders also agreedthat the council tax freeze should be on a voluntary basis with agreement that the £147m, already earmarked by Scottish Government for this purpose, is distributed to all Councils with flexibility to raise Council Tax by up to 5%. There should also be no penalty or reduction in funding in line with the principles of the Verity House Agreement.
“Leaders were clear that Councils should be given full flexibility of funding to deploy within Schools, and the wider community, to provide the right support for the diverse needs of children and young people across Scotland, therefore recognising that a wide range of people who contribute to a child’s education.
“Finally, Leaders agreed to seek a guarantee that the £45m Barnett consequentials resulting from the UK Government’s recent announcement will be passed in full to councils, also in accordance with the Verity House Agreement so it can be used to address local priorities.”
A proposal for air quality monitors to be trialled in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth
Doctors encourage Scottish Government to take forward schools air quality monitor pilot
A proposal for air quality monitors to be trialled in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth
The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh (“the College”) is urging the Scottish Government to take forward its proposal to monitor air quality around urban schools in Scotland.
The College’s costed pilot proposal would see air quality monitors placed for a year in up to three schools, within 50m of those schools, in each of five Scottish cities: Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Perth. The pilot would therefore see up to 15 schools across Scottish cities taking part.
Last year, the College called for air quality monitors to be placed at all city primary schools in Scotland for a period of at least a year, in its submission of evidence to the Scottish Parliament’s Net Zero, Energy and Transport Committee.
The pilot idea was developed by the College’s Working Group on Air Pollution and Health. It has now been submitted to the Scottish Government following positive discussions with government officials last year. Members of the Working Group highlighted the lack of data on air quality around schools despite the knowledge that air pollution can pose serious health risks to children.
As part of the working group’s preparation of the pilot proposal, clinicians plotted the distances between primary and secondary schools in these five city areas and existing air quality monitors.
The group found that from the 337 primary and 94 secondary schools examined, only one primary school was within 50m of a PM (particulate matter) monitor and only 2 primary schools were within 100m of a NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) monitor.
There were no secondary schools within 100m of either type of monitor.
Professor Jill Belch, Co-lead of the College’s Working Group on Air Pollution and Health, and Professor of Vascular Medicine at the University of Dundee, said:“Science has provided robust evidence that children are significantly harmed by air pollution, with sometimes tragic results.
“Whilst lung disease in children is widely recognised as a result of breathing polluted air, less well known to the public, but equally important, are the effects of this pollution on the developing organs within a child.
“For example, exposure to polluted air in childhood has been shown to reduce brain cognitive function in a number of key ways. Further, and of concern, is that children appear to become unwell at lower levels of pollutants than do adults.
“ At present the early work conducted by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh suggests that few school have air quality monitors nearby, so we do not actually know how well or otherwise, our children are protected. It is therefore imperative that we ensure air quality around schools is within regulatory levels, and the College’s proposal to the Scottish Government can start this process.”
Professor Andrew Elder, President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the other Co-Lead of the Working Group on Air Pollution and Health, said:“ There is overwhelming evidence that air pollution can have a wide range of detrimental health impacts on our children including problems with the lung, heart, brain and immune and hormonal systems.
“We also know that there is a correlation between areas of high deprivation and poor air quality and this can exacerbate pre-existing health inequalities in children and young people.
“ We are concerned at the lack of data on air quality around urban schools in Scotland- with the vast majority of urban air quality monitors currently sited too far away from schools- and believe we must collect as much accurate school level data as possible so we can have an evidence base for action.
“The College hopes that the Scottish Government will consider our proposal positively and we remain committed to working constructively with it and all other stakeholders so that we can better understand the levels of air pollution around our schools and subsequently support implementing mitigation measures where these are required.”
Mike Corbett, National Official (Scotland) for the NASUWT said: “Thousands of people die each year because of occupational diseases caused by air pollution at work. Pollution arising from work and travel to work are health issues for which employers currently take little responsibility.
“Air pollution impacts workers and their families at all stages from before birth to old age and is particularly damaging to the growth and development of babies and children.
“ Being able to quantify the scale of the problem around our schools is the first step to cleaning up the air we and our children breathe and moving towards a heathier and safer future. NASUWT is therefore very pleased to endorse and support this proposal for pilot air quality monitoring around schools.”
Lucky dad originally from Scotland wins £3 million holiday villa in Mallorca
His new home is a 4-bedroom Balearic island retreat offering stunning mountain views and a swimming pool
Scot who moved to England 30 years ago also scooped £250,000 in cash
Winning entry cost £75
Winner entered the draw after a chance encounter collecting an armchair
Campaign raised £3,100,000 for Omaze’s charity partner Alzheimer’s Research UK
A lucky dad has won the keys to a spectacular Spanish villa worth over £3 million – as well as £250,000 in cash – all thanks to a second-hand armchair.
Graham Dunlop (52) has won the latest Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw – and is now the proud owner of a magnificent four-bedroom villa in Mallorca complete with swimming pool and stunning mountain views.
Graham entered the draw to support Alzheimer’s Research UK, after a chance encounter with a woman he was buying an old armchair from. When Graham arrived to collect the chair, the woman insisted that she wanted to give it to him for free, asking only that Graham make a small donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK in place of payment – as her late husband had dementia.
Graham duly donated directly to the charity, but he decided to enter the Omaze prize draw as well after spotting it was supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK. The Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw, raised an incredible £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The property comes mortgage-free and with all legal fees covered. Graham has also been given a whopping £250,000 in cash – and can decide to either enjoy the holiday home with his family or sell it to become a cash multi-millionaire.
Graham, who bought his £3,000,000-winning entry for £75, has been married to his wife Amanda for 15 years and they have two children, an 18-year-old daughter and 15-year-old son.
Graham, originally from Edinburgh having moved to England 30 years ago, has been working in IT for the past 25 years and Amanda is a part-time primary school teacher. The couple have lived in their current 4-bedroom house near Southampton since 2014.
They have two dogs Maisy (12-year-old Labradoodle) and Hudson (3-year-old Colliepoo). Graham said they will have to rename Maisy “Omaisy” after scooping the Omaze Grand Prize.
When Omaze first contacted Graham to tell him he’d won a prize, he had forgotten he’d entered and revealed he didn’t expect to win such a big prize as he “never wins anything”.
He celebrated his huge win “the best way a British man can” by “popping the kettle on having a cup of tea”.
A spellbound Graham said: “The reason I entered the draw is quite random really, I’d been after an armchair for my home office for a while and one popped up on Gumtree. I went to pick it up but when we arrived the woman refused to take any money for it.
“Instead, she asked that we put something towards an Alzheimer’s charity, as her late husband had dementia. So I made a donation to Alzheimer’s Research UK, then saw that they’d also partnered with Omaze, so I bought an entry to the Superdraw on top – I didn’t give it a second thought and had totally forgotten I’d even entered.
“My wife didn’t like the look of my lucky chair at first, but of course she absolutely loves it now! You could say my £3 million prize cost me an armchair and a leg! I’ll bring the chair out here for sure, although it might look a bit odd next to the pool.”
He continued: “This villa is simply stunning, I love the design of the place and the views are spectacular, I just can’t believe it’s all ours – even if I jumped in the pool I don’t think it would sink in!
“We love Spain but never dreamed we’d ever own a place here – especially one like this! I might have to work on my Spanish a bit – although I can order a cerveza with no problems!
“I’ve got a large extended family that we’ve not seen for a while – I’m really looking forward to getting us all together out here.”
He added: “I’ve never won anything before – but this is worth waiting 52 years for! I’m not sure what we’re going to do long term yet – we’ll definitely be enjoying a few family holidays here – whatever we decide, this win is fantastic for our family’s future.”
Graham’s new home is a tranquil oasis located within walking distance from the town Selva and village Caimari in the popular travel destination of Mallorca and is just a short flight away from a host of UK airports.
The bespoke design of the beautiful holiday retreat celebrates traditional Spanish features such as stone walls and terracotta rooftops – whilst also encompassing a contemporary feel indoors – with bright and spacious open plan living areas.
There is a large swimming pool with chill-out areas and loungers for when Graham feels like taking a siesta or sunbathing after a swim. The entire property offers wonderful spectacular views of the Spanish countryside and Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
Inside, there is a state-of-the-art kitchen complete with island dining, a light filled conservatory with floor to ceiling glass doors offering views of the manicured gardens, and a luxurious living room with ornate fireplace – which also provides direct access to the landscaped courtyard and barbecue area with its own stone oven.
The top floor of the property has a stylish main bedroom suite complete with ensuite bathroom and dressing room – plus two additional guest bedrooms. The lower floor also provides another ensuite bedroom with a roll top bath.
To the East of the property there is a sizeable terrace with thatched roof pergola overlooking the mountains. It’s furnished with a sumptuous sofa with coffee table and is the ideal space for Graham and his family to enjoy the sunrise or a sundowner at the end of a long day’s relaxing.
The property also has extensive gardens featuring Fruit Trees and other flora found in the region. The gardens have been beautifully landscaped to create a variety of terraces and private areas perfect for Graham to relax with friends and dine alfresco anytime of the day.
As well as making Graham a multi-millionaire, the Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw, Mallorca, also raised £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK – the UK’s leading dementia research charity – in just six weeks.
Dementia is the UK’s leading cause of death, claiming more than 74,000 lives in 2022. Sadly, if nothing changes, one in two people will be directly affected by the condition – either by caring for someone with it, developing it themselves, or both.
Although the first generation of Alzheimer’s treatments proven to slow the disease are on the horizon, there are none yet available in the UK.
Alzheimer’s Research UK is working to change this, and to develop more and better therapies that will be necessary to really shift the dial against the disease. Compared to other serious conditions, however, relatively few clinical trials are taking place in the UK. This means people with dementia in the UK are at risk of missing out on the chance to take part in life-changing research.
The £3,100,000 raised by the latest partnership with Omaze will support the charity’s Clinical Accelerator Programme, boosting clinical research for dementia across the UK and speeding up progress towards a cure.
Hilary Evans, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “We’re delighted that Omaze, and all those who entered the Omaze Million Pound House Superdraw in Mallorca, have raised a phenomenal £3,100,000 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“Nearly a million people in the UK have dementia, and we urgently need to find more and better treatments so that we can take away the fear, harm and heartbreak that this devastating condition causes.
“The vital funds raised will support our Clinical Accelerator Programme, which will boost clinical research taking place in the NHS and ultimately speed up progress towards a cure. This is an exciting step forward in our efforts to transform the lives of people affected by dementia.
“Thank you Omaze, and everyone who entered, for standing with us for a cure.”
This is the second time the charity has teamed up with Omaze. The first partnership, in 2022, raised £1 million that helped Alzheimer’s Research UK to protect and continue progress in dementia research during the pandemic. This latest donation brings the total raised for the charity by Omaze to £4.1 million.
James Oakes, Chief International Officer at Omaze, said: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Graham and his family have won this magical villa in Mallorca, whilst also contributing to the incredible £3,100,000 raised for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
“Omaze gives people the chance to win amazing houses, like this spectacular property in Spain, whilst also introducing charities to vast new audiences that would otherwise be out of reach – it’s a real win-win for both charities and entrants.
“We’re incredibly proud that the Omaze community has raised more than £31 million for good causes across the UK.”
Draw entries for the Omaze Million Pound House Draw, Cotswolds are available now at omaze.co.uk. The draw closes on Sunday 25th February for online entries and Tuesday 27th February 2024 for postal entries.
Entrants can also choose to subscribe to Omaze to be automatically entered into every Grand Prize and Early Bird Prize, each month. Omaze subscribers receive double the amount of entries compared to non-subscribers and can cancel their subscription at any time.
When Omaze has two draws running simultaneously, subscribers are entered into both, with a £10 subscription providing 30 entries into both house draws – meaning 60 entries in total for just £10.
For full terms and conditions, see www.omaze.co.uk. No purchase necessary to enter. Over 18s and UK residents only.
The deadline to apply for Best Start Grant School Age Payment is midnight on 29 February 2024.
Your child could be eligible if they were born between 1 March 2018 and 28 February 2019 and your family receives Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits.
If you get Scottish Child Payment then there’s no need to apply. Your School Age Payment will arrive automatically. But there are some people who don’t get Scottish Child Payment who might still be able to get School Age Payment – for example those who get housing benefit.
If you think you could be eligible, please visit our website and apply before 29 February 2024:
Proposals to reform how legal services are regulated in Scotland have been backed by a majority of MSPs on Holyrood’s Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee.
The Regulation of Legal Services (Scotland) Bill sets out a modernised regulatory framework, which any firm that provides legal services in Scotland would be subject to. The Bill also reforms how complaints about legal firms are handled.
Evidence presented to the Committee showed that consumer groups, including Consumer Scotland, the Competition and Markets Authority and the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission’s Consumer Panel, broadly welcomed the proposals to modernise the regulatory framework. The groups told the Committee that the changes could address some of the difficulties consumers face in accessing and affording legal services.
However, the Committee also heard criticism of these proposals from the Senators of the College of Justice, Faculty of Advocates and Law Society of Scotland, who told the Committee that the current model of regulation was effective and independent.
The Committee’s report concludes, by majority, that the need to not further delay the reforms, alongside promised amendments to the proposals from the Scottish Government, outweighs the concerns that were raised.
The report calls on the Scottish Government to carry out further work on the Bill, including ensuring that the existence of two categories of regulator does not add to complexity for consumers and requests that the complaints process be further simplified.
The Committee would also like the Scottish Government to support the Scottish Legal Complaints Commission in developing a process so that complaints without merit can be quickly addressed.
Commenting on the findings, Kaukab Stewart, Convener of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee, said:“During our scrutiny, we heard many strong views, particularly around the proposals to establish an independent regulator of the profession.
“Everyone on the Committee accepts that reform of the regulatory framework is long overdue and accepts that the current complaints process must be simplified.
“However, we are also aware of several significant issues with the Bill which must be resolved to ensure that the independence and efficacy of Scotland’s legal system is not undermined. The Scottish Government has sought to reassure us that it will introduce amendments to resolve these concerns.
“On balance, a majority of the Committee accept these reassurances and recommend that the Parliament should agree to the general principles of the Bill in order that we can review the amendments and not further delay these important reforms.”
Three Committee Members, Meghan Gallagher MSP, Paul O’Kane MSP and Annie Wells MSP, dissented from the report’s recommendation on the general principles of the Bill.
A record 73 schools bands will take centre stage at the 10th Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships on 10th March.
The Championships, the largest event of its kind in the world, sees schools pipe bands, freestyle groups and quartets gather to celebrate young musical talent.
Alex Duncan, CEO of the organising charity, said: “The Championships has been going from strength to strength since the start in 2013. There is something for every level; quartets for beginners right up to Juvenile grade for bands at the top of their game.
“The freestyle competition is very popular where any style of music and any combination of instruments go, as long as they include the pipes. This year sees 17 freestyle bands ready to battle it out in March.”
The event will take place on Sunday, March 10, 2024 at the William McIlvanney Campus in Kilmarnock.
David Johnston, Convenor of the SSPDT, said: “The Championships are one of the highlights of many schools’ calendars and we can’t wait to welcome everyone. Also, anyone wanting to start a pipe band in their school is also very welcome to come and see what can be achieved.
“It’s always a special day at the Championships. The team at East Ayrshire Council which is hosting the event at the William McIlvanney campus are superb and will help make it a very enjoyable day.
“Pipe bands build confidence, resilience, friendships, perseverance and other skills that help young people succeed in life. Teachers are still seeing the effects of the pandemic on young people, and more than ever recognise how pipe bands support wellbeing and wider achievement.”
The Championship is independently organised by the Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust (SSPDT). It carries the support of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association (RSPBA) but is not a RSPBA competition.
Provost Jim Todd, East Ayrshire Council said: “The pipes will be calling us to Kilmarnock Academy at the William McIlvanney Campus on Sunday 10 March for the Scottish Schools Pipe Band Championships.
“It is a real honour to be hosting the competition, which is now in its tenth year, and to welcome young people and their families from all over Scotland to East Ayrshire.
“I will be there to enjoy the music and cheer on our young people. The standard of performance last year was exceptional and I can’t wait to celebrate the wealth of talent that I am sure will be taking to the stage this year.”
The Scottish Schools Pipes and Drums Trust was formed with the belief that pipe bands are much more than a musical pastime; they develop life and employability skills such as teamwork, resilience and perseverance, self-confidence, camaraderie and a sense of discipline and dress.
The charity also recognises that in parts of Scotland the pipes and drums are not taught in state schools and where community pipe bands have disappeared too, the fragile cycle of teaching and learning traditional music is being lost.
The charity awards grants to towards tuition and other band-related costs, lends bagpipes and concert chanters free of charge, and runs paid apprenticeships for aspiring tutors.
Reflecting on 25 years of the Scottish Parliament as well as a focus on the future will be the central themes of plans announced today to mark the Parliament’s institutions’ quarter century.
The Scottish Parliament plans include a year-long programme of engagement designed to involve people throughout Scotland in a conversation that both reflects on devolution and considers how we can shape the Parliament in future.
A special event will take place on Saturday 29 June at the Scottish Parliament which people across Scotland will be invited to join. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
The Presiding Officer will also visit regions all over Scotland, meeting people from all walks of life to hear their views and ideas for the future. These activities, together with other events to be announced, will enable communities up and down the country to help shape the Parliament of the future.
The Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Alison Johnstone MSP said: “This year we will reflect on the Parliament’s record and the significant political events during 25 years of devolution. While that reflection is welcome, I also want the Parliament’s focus to be firmly on the future.
“I want to use this milestone as an opportunity to engage people all over country about their aspirations for their Parliament.
“I want to continue to build on and strengthen that relationship between people and Parliament and modernise Holyrood to ensure it meets Scotland’s needs for the coming years.”
Further details for our 25th anniversary will be announced throughout the year.
A special 25th anniversary themed Festival of Politics will take place in the Scottish Parliament in August.
The 25th anniversary year will also explore several themes from the Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee’s report on public participation.
This work identified a gap in our activities around making the Parliament visible in and engaged with local communities.
Victoria Park’s Bowling Greens Consultation Workshop!
Come and talk with us at our in-person workshop at the Pollock Pavilion, The Boys’ Brigade, located at 227 Ferry Road, EH6 4SP, on Monday 26th February from 6pm to 8pm.
This is a fantastic opportunity to delve deeper into proposals discussed at our previous event, share your valuable ideas, and actively contribute to the thriving green spaces in Victoria Park.
Victoria Park’s Bowling Greens Consultation Workshop! 
Review of previous proposals
Brainstorming and idea-sharing session
Comprehensive discussion
Confirm your attendance by sending an email to: