Granton Community Gardeners features on a new episode of the Carbon Copy Podcast
A community-led food growing charity, based on Wardieburn Road in North Edinburgh, has been featured on the latest podcast episode from climate charity Carbon Copy.
Granton Community Gardeners, which was founded by a group of neighbours in 2010, is now a flourishing and vital community organisation, with weekly gardening and cooking sessions, a chicken co-op, cycle repair pop-ups and a beautiful permanent garden space used by diverse groups from around the area.
Speaking to podcast host Isabelle Sparrow, Mary, one of the co-founders of the charity, explained why a project like this is so important: “We have over fifteen different nationalities that come here.
[People come from] Germany, France, Kenya, India, Afghanistan, Ukraine, Syria…I wish each community could have something like this. When you come here, you eat fresh food, you engage yourself, your mind is relaxed, your wellbeing [improves]. You are not bored. When you come here, sometimes you work, even if you don’t work, you come and sit and eat!”
Granton Community Gardeners has recently been recognised for its important work by being selected as part of the Nature Neighbourhoods programme.
Led by the RSPB, WWF-UK and National Trust and funded by National Lottery Communities Fund and the Co-op, Nature Neighbourhoods is a UK-wide programme supporting projects in towns and cities that are helping to connect people with nature and wildlife.
Speaking on the podcast, Rory Crawford who is managing the programme for the National Trust said: “Community organisations are doing brilliant work at the community level in many of our towns and cities, and nature organisations are doing some excellent work at the national level, and you know in some places doing some really great work in towns and cities too.
“But there can often be a disconnect between those two parts of the sector. One bit which is perhaps higher capacity and works on big national policy issues, and another bit which is very much focused on the local: what matters to an individual place.
“We need to be able to work more meaningfully in towns and cities. We need more nature in towns and cities. We just need to have it. That’s where people will get that first spark if we’re going to have any hope of solving the nature crisis … it’s all about hearing what a community needs and wants from nature in their place.
“And that’s our starting point for it. So that’s why we’re working with anchor organisations in Nature Neighbourhoods like Granton Community Gardeners.”
To learn more about Granton Community Gardeners and how the Nature Neighbourhoods programme is supporting this and other local projects around the UK, listen to All Nature: Nourishing Connections, on the Carbon Copy website or wherever you get your podcasts.
The Met Office has issued an Amber warning for wind across parts of western and northern Scotland. The warning is in place between 9am on Sunday, 20 October, and 11.59pm on Sunday, 20 October, 2024.
The following areas are expected to be affected by the Amber warning:
Highlands and Eilean Siar (Highland, Na h-Eileanan Siar)
Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute)
A Yellow warning for wind affecting much of Scotland is also in place between 3am on Sunday, 20 October, and 11.59pm on Sunday, 20 October, 2024.
The following areas are expected to be affected by the Yellow warning:
SW Scotland, Lothian Borders (Dumfries and Galloway, East Lothian, Edinburgh, Midlothian Council, Scottish Borders, West Lothian)
Strathclyde (Argyll and Bute, East Ayrshire, East Dunbartonshire, East Renfrewshire, Glasgow, Inverclyde, North Ayrshire, North Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, South Ayrshire, South Lanarkshire, West Dunbartonshire)
Further information about the weather warnings and flood information is available on the Met Office and SEPA websites.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, Police Scotland’s Head of Road Policing, said: “The amber warning for high winds means that there is a strong likelihood of disruption on the road network and as such, motorists are advised to plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel where possible.
“Make sure your vehicle has sufficient fuel and is completely roadworthy, with tyre pressure and tread meeting legal requirements. Ensure your mobile phone is fully charged in the event you need to call for assistance and if it is likely you may be within your vehicle for long periods of time, take additional clothing and water with you.
“Please do not ignore any road signage advising of changes to speed or closures to routes. These are in place for your safety and the safety of other road users and listen out for media broadcasts about the weather and how it may be impacting travel.
“Further information of the weather and road closures can be found by visiting the Met Office, Ready Scotland and Traffic Scotland websites and social media accounts.”
General advice for road users:
Plan ahead and avoid unnecessary travel
All road users should consider if they really need to travel during adverse weather
Consider delaying travel until conditions improve
If you are travelling on the roads, prepare yourself and your vehicle for the conditions
Ensure your mobile phone is charged and plan your journey, including an alternative route
Have sufficient fuel, warm clothing, food and water in case you’re delayed
Do not ignore road closure signs – they are for your safety
Congestion caused by vehicles may restrict emergency services and recovery vehicles from providing essential assistance
Follow @trafficscotland on X for up-to-date travel information.
Wind
HGV and bus drivers should drive with extreme caution and be aware you may be asked to park at a suitable position by the police.
Drivers of vehicles vulnerable to being blown over should plan their route to avoid exposed areas or consider cancelling your journey until conditions improve.
Cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians should consider the risk of being blown over or into the path of other road users.
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Looking for more cycling fun? Check out the Edinburgh Cycling Club for group rides and events! We organize regular group rides, events, and social gatherings, creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Find us on [Meetup] https://www.meetup.com/Edinburgh-Cycling-Club/…
It’s Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week and breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is celebrating seven years of raising awareness that Men Get Breast Cancer Too.
Following the success of the Men Get Breast Cancer Too campaign, charities across the UK now regularly feature men as an integral part of their awareness campaigns and include the following important information:
Male breast cancer affects between 370 – 400 men a year in the UK
Over 80 men a year die from breast cancer due to not knowing men can get this type of cancer, and not doing regular checks
Breast cancer usually affects men aged 50 and over, but it can be found in men of any age
The diagnosis of breast cancer in men, as well as the treatment, is very similar to that for women
Mark Winter(59) from Eastbourne is part of the Men Get Breast Cancer Too campaign and was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2020: “My message to men is to not only check ‘below’, but to check ‘above’ too and don’t be frightened if you find something.
“Proportionally, more men die of breast cancer because they’ve ignored the problem and not done anything about it. My own diagnosis was a hell of a shock, but that phone call I made to my doctor’s was probably the best one of my life.”
Locals and American ex-pats alike invited to join in a communal meal to celebrate the holiday
Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh is excited to announce a special Thanksgiving Supper Club, offering a heartwarming gathering for guests to celebrate the season of gratitude with delicious food, festive ambiance, and meaningful social connection.
Available exclusively on Thanksgiving Day, 28th November, this event will feature a traditional Thanksgiving feast served family-style, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of home for US ex-pats, and offer locals the chance to enjoy the classic American holiday.
After a welcome glass of prosecco, guests will enjoy a variety of classic Thanksgiving sides, including creamy sweet potatoes, savoury stuffing, rich gravy, green bean casserole, mac & cheese, fresh-baked cornbread, and the star of the evening – a succulent roast turkey carved table-side. In the spirit of celebration, guests can enjoy two glasses of wine or bottles of lager to accompany their meal.
The meal will conclude with a decadent pumpkin pie for dessert, adding the perfect sweet note to a cosy evening.
The Supper Club experience will take place in a warm and inviting atmosphere, in a seasonally decorated private dining space. Guests can relax and enjoy a leisurely dining experience at table specially arranged to foster conversation and a sense of community. This incredible deal will be available for £75.55 a person, with three seatings throughout the day at 13:30, 16:30, and 19:30.
For solo guests looking for a special way to enjoy Thanksgiving, seating will be reserved in a semi-private dining room, offering a unique opportunity to meet new people and share stories while enjoying a festive, family-style meal together.
Guests looking for a more traditional restaurant experience for the holiday are encouraged to book in advance to enjoy a 2-Course Thanksgiving Menu, including a traditional roast turkey dinner and a slice of classic pumpkin pie, available for £33.50 per person.
General Manager Nick Chiverton, said, “We are thrilled to bring the warmth and tradition of Thanksgiving to our Edinburgh Cafe. This event is all about sharing great food and even better memories with family, friends, and fellow guests, and we look forward to welcoming everyone for this special celebration.”
Edinburgh Leisure, the city’s largest provider of sports and leisure services across the Scottish capital has launched a new Volunteer Strategy for 2024-2027.
Volunteers are the heart of Edinburgh Leisure’s Active Communities programme. Their 187 dedicated volunteers make a huge impact, making it possible to deliver over 160 health and wellbeing classes each week, supporting over 12,500 to be active and well.
In 2023-24 Edinburgh Leisure saw a 14% increase in referrals to their Active Communities projects on the previous year (a 41% increase on pre-pandemic levels) demonstrating the growing need and demand for their services.
Next year they need to raise almost £1m in external funding to enable them to continue to deliver the level of support they currently provide and grow their programme to support increasing demand
Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure said: “The new strategy outlines our commitment to growing our volunteer programme over the next three years, with a focus on enhancing the volunteer experience, expanding opportunities to make volunteering accessible to all, and strengthening our ties within the Edinburgh Community.
At Edinburgh Leisure, no matter what role is undertaken as a volunteer, training and support is provided. While their volunteers support Edinburgh Leisure to help their participants get and stay active, they will support volunteers to get the most out of their time with them, empowering them to make their volunteering experience what they want it to be.
In June 2018, Edinburgh Leisure’s Ageing Well programme, which promotes healthy lifestyles for older adults, earned the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS)—the equivalent to an ‘MBE’ for volunteering. Without their volunteers, many of their initiatives simply wouldn’t exist.
Earlier in September 2024, the Edinburgh Lord Lieutenant, Robert Aldridge, accompanied by the Deputy Lieutenant, Elaine Aitken, visited the team to see how they had utilised the award, learnt about its benefits for their volunteers and organisation, and discussed their plans for the future.
The new Volunteer Strategy follows hot on the heels of the launch in September 2024 of Edinburgh Leisure’s first Impact Report since 2015.
If you have time on your hands and would be interested in volunteering with Edinburgh Leisure, you can find out more by clicking here or contact: Stephen Hughes, Volunteer Development Manager at Edinburgh Leisure – stephenhughes@edinburghleisure.co.uk
The Chancellor to convene first meeting of the British Infrastructure Taskforce to boost infrastructure investment.
Experts from some of the UK biggest finance institutions including HSBC, Lloyds and M&G will, alongside wider industry engagement, advise government on a long-term infrastructure investment strategy to benefit every corner of the UK.
Follows launch of a new body that brings infrastructure strategy and delivery together to address the systemic delivery challenges that have stunted growth for decades.
Private finance experts will meet the Chancellor at No11 Downing Street today to boost investment in infrastructure and drive growth nationwide.
Rachel Reeves will convene the inaugural meeting of the British Infrastructure Taskforce as part of a new approach that involves government working with business to design policy that will unlock private investment, including by building business confidence in UK infrastructure investments.
The Taskforce will explore different options to support the Government’s infrastructure goals to drive growth for the whole of the nation, and some of the UK’s biggest financial companies including LLoyds, HSBC, and M&G will be in attendance.
This Government has committed to turbocharge infrastructure investment across the width and breadth of the UK. Invitees have been selected to ensure a wide range of experience and expertise in UK infrastructure. This marks a significant shift in approach, with key businesses and stakeholders invited to work with the government to support the delivery of its infrastructure agenda.
It follows the announcement to launch a newly formed National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) which will bring a much-needed oversight of strategy and delivery under one roof, revolutionising the UK’s approach to infrastructure projects.
The NISTA will support the development and implementation of the ten-year infrastructure strategy in conjunction with industry which was outlined for the first time last week by the Chief Secretary Darren Jones.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves MP said:“Increasing investment in infrastructure is a vital part of delivering on our number one mission to grow the economy and create jobs.
“Just days after our International Investment Summit, we are delivering on our promise to work with business to drive growth across the country, and the expertise of this Taskforce will be invaluable in the weeks and months ahead.”
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones MP said: ““We are serious about ending the cycle of underinvestment that has plagued our infrastructure systems for over a decade. The best way to do that is to design the solution with business in the room. That’s what this taskforce is all about.”
The Taskforce will meet regularly, offering insights that deliver long-lasting solutions for job creation, growth, and environmental goals.
This builds on the success of the International Investment Summit, which saw hundreds of top international investors attend the event, £63bn of confirmed investment into Britain, along with the launch of the £27.8 billion turbocharged National Wealth Fund.
Tracy Blackwell, CEO, PIC said:“We have a huge amount to invest and we want to invest more in Britain. There is no shortage of capital that can support the British economy’s capacity to grow.
“The right combination of policies and ideas will unlock that capital and boost growth. From planning reform and better use of public sector pension funds to a streamlining of institutions and regulations, there is a lot that Government can do to crowd in more private investment and deliver social value.
“It’s great to be in an ongoing conversation with the Chancellor about taking that agenda forward.”
Andrea Rossi, CEO, M&G plc said:“M&G has been an active investor in the UK for 175 years. Of the £100 billion M&G invests in the UK, infrastructure remains a core part of delivering sustainable returns for our savers, clients and shareholders.
“The UK’s clear focus on infrastructure presents a significant opportunity to deliver economic and social progress and we are delighted to contribute our expertise.”
Deepa Bharadwaj, Head of Infrastructure Europe, IFM Investors said: ““IFM is a major global infrastructure investor, a major investor in the UK, and is owned by pension funds.
“We look forward to solutions-based discussions that can unlock new investment across UK infrastructure sectors and themes”.
Stephen Cohen, Chief Product Officer, Blackrock said:“There’s a rapidly growing pool of capital to invest in infrastructure, but deploying it requires pragmatism in policy.
“We’re pleased to be working with the government in identifying policies that will support private investment.”
Charlie Nunn, CEO, Lloyds Banking Group said:“At Lloyds Banking Group, we are committed to helping the UK deliver the infrastructure the country needs, supporting jobs and growth.
“We welcome the British Infrastructure Taskforce’s focus on increasing investment in UK infrastructure and addressing some of the fundamental barriers that have existed to date.
“As the UK’s leading bank for project finance, we will work closely with the government in the development of this taskforce, ensuring the work supports communities, businesses, and industries across the regions and nations of the UK.”
Anne Richards, Vice Chair, Fidelity International said:“We have a shared ambition to drive growth in the UK by unlocking investment in infrastructure for the benefit of savers.
“Our best opportunity to achieve that is through collaboration with government and the industry.”
Andy Briggs, CEO, Phoenix Group said: “Over the last three decades there has been an underinvestment in the UK economy compared to other developed nations. I am delighted there is a growing consensus that in order to grow we need to work together to invest.
“The British Infrastructure Taskforce provides the opportunity for business and government to work on shared priorities, help finance the social and economic infrastructure the country needs for the future, and give potential for better returns for pension savers.”
The following attendees of the first Taskforce meeting discussed investment opportunities, financial mechanisms, and strategies to maximise economic value:
Book your spot for free! 
