Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, will host Bookbug Week from Monday 16 May – Sunday 22 May.
This year’s theme is Bookbug’s Big Journey, and Bookbug jumped on a vintage bus with families at the Riverside Museum to mark the occasion.
Bookbug Week will focus on all kinds of journeys, whether it’s the excitement of riding on the bus or a train, strolls through the park, an adventure to outer space or even just a trip out in a buggy. Scottish Book Trust is also reminding families that wee ones love hearing stories and songs when they’re out and about.
Bookbug Week is an annual celebration of Scotland’s national book-gifting programme and Song and Rhyme Sessions.
This year, Scottish Book Trust ran a competition for a new Bookbug Week illustration, and the winner was Dylan Gibson.
He illustrates picture books and illustrated stories for older children and reluctant readers and has produced artwork for dozens of books and covers. Dylan will run an online event showing children how they can draw their very own Bookbug Week picture.
Award winning illustrator Nick Sharratt and author Katrina Charman will host a live online event jam-packed with rhyming fun. They will be sharing book readings of their book, Car, Car, Truck, Jeep and The Whales on the Bus, with a fun draw-along to take part in too.
Many Bookbug Sessions will return in person – check Scottish Book Trust’s website to find a Session near you. The popular live Bookbug Session on Facebook will run on Friday 20 May at 10am.
Bookbug has recently launched their very own Instagram, and members of the public can join in the fun by sharing their own #BookbugWeek pictures and stories.
Families can access Bookbug’s Song and Rhyme library, via Scottish Book Trust’s website, or on the free Bookbug app. There are also fun activities for children available on Scottish Book Trust’s Home Activities Hub.
An exciting Bookbug Week competition will run across Bookbug social media from Monday 16 May, and you could be in with a chance of winning a bundle of books and some transport goodies.
Clare Haughey, Minister for Children and Young People said:“I am very excited for Bookbug Week 2022 ‘Bookbug’s Big Journey’, knowing families will be able to enjoy sessions in libraries and community settings.
“Bookbug helps to encourage an early love of books among children while also providing great opportunities for parents and their wee ones to spend time together, having fun and learning.
“I am very proud that we have a universal national programme in Scotland, which supports all families to enjoy reading with their children from the earliest opportunity. As well as laying the foundations of early literacy, the Bookbug sessions help to promote positive interactions and attachment for families, which we know is key to children’s health and wellbeing in the long term.
“I’m delighted that the Scottish Government are able to provide increased funding for 2022/23 of £1.7m for the continuation of the fabulous Bookbug programme.”
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“It’s wonderful to welcome families back to libraries and community groups for Bookbug Week and Bookbug Sessions.
“Our thanks to Dylan Gibson for designing this year’s wonderful Bookbug Week illustration. We hope everyone enjoys their Bookbug Week journey, and we look forward to seeing people across Scotland joining us in person and online.”
COP26 PRESIDENT ALOK SHARMA RETURNS TO GLASGOW TO DELIVER SPEECH
The First Minister will urge countries to ensure current strains placed on the international order, including by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, do not result in the promises made at COP26 being broken on a visit to the USA this week.
In a keynote address to the Brookings Institution in Washington DC, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon will today call on global partners to lead by example as they step up actions to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees whilst addressing concerns over energy security.
The speech is part of a series of engagements the First Minister will undertake in Washington DC. In meetings with policymakers and business leaders, the First Minister will stress that policy and economic goals must align to ensure a just transition to a decarbonised economy.
The First Minister will also meet with Congressional Caucuses including the Caucus for Women’s Issues, the Friends of Scotland Caucus, the European Union Caucus and members who attended COP26.
During Monday’s address, the First Minister is expected to say: “Six months on from COP26, the world looks very different, but many of the challenges we faced then remain. As things stand, the world is on course to exceed both 1.5 degrees of global warming and the 2 degree threshold – and scientific consensus is overwhelming that this will be catastrophic.
“We have seen the rules-based international order come under increasing strain, made more severe due to Russia’s brutal, illegal and entirely unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Many European nations are reassessing their defence and security priorities – however, the security debates in Europe are not just about military capabilities and strategic alliances. The invasion of Ukraine is also forcing countries in Europe to rethink long-held assumptions about energy policy and energy security.
“Countries must prioritise, as far as we can, an approach to energy security that focuses on sustainability, with measures to promote energy efficiency, and to accelerate the development renewable and low carbon energy. In many countries those options are already the most secure and sustainable ways of meeting our needs, and increasingly they are becoming the most affordable options too – for example wind power is already the cheapest form of power in Scotland’s energy mix.
“Scotland is positioning ourselves as a testbed for green technologies – we are the location for the world’s largest floating windfarm, we are an established centre for the development and testing of new wave and tidal technologies, we have developed plans to trial carbon capture and storage, and we produced a hydrogen action plan last year. Our hope is that this innovation can benefit other countries, and create jobs and opportunities at home in Scotland.
“We need to move at pace to develop clean energy sources and act in a way which shows solidarity with communities in our countries who might otherwise get left behind, and with the global south.
“Europe’s debates on energy security matter to the wider safety and security of the entire world. Where we can, will be a constructive partner in those discussions. We will lead by example in our own actions, we will contribute to international energy security, and we will work with allies across the globe as we strive, together, to build a fairer, more secure and more sustainable world.”
While the First Minister makes her speech in Washington, COP 26 President Alok Sharma will be speaking closer to home – he’s back in Glasgow, home of the COP 26 event …
COP President Alok Sharma marks six months since landmark COP26 conference with Glasgow speech
Mr Sharma expected to say that while Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine has put unprecedented pressure on global energy security, the fundamental challenge of climate change must remain a top priority of governments around the world
The event follows last week’s productive May Ministerial on Implementation, hosted by the Danish Government in Copenhagen and co-chaired by the UK and Egypt, as COP27 President-designate
COP President Alok Sharma will today (16 May 2022) return to Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus to mark six months since the conclusion of COP26 to warn world leaders that failure to honour commitments made at COP26 would be an ‘act of monstrous self-harm’.
Mr Sharma will set out his vision for the second half of the UK’s COP Presidency, as he is joined by representatives from business, civil society and young people in Scotland, alongside a virtual global audience.
Mr Sharma will outline the crucial importance of addressing the chronic climate crisis alongside more immediate concerns.
He will say that the world is facing serious crises. Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine has shifted geopolitics. As governments are responding to rising prices, food and energy security challenges and the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, Mr Sharma is also expected to say that ‘the current crises should increase, not diminish, our determination to deliver on what we agreed here at COP26, and honour the Glasgow Climate Pact.’ He is expected to urge world leaders to show that ‘though the world has changed our resolve has not’
The COP26 President is expected to stress the urgency of countries fulfilling promises made at COP26 and that the global community must move much faster in taking climate action over the next six months, than over the last. ‘Work to deliver on the commitments made here in Glasgow has quietly continued.’ he is expected to say, yet “we need every nation to pick up the pace”.
Mr Sharma will also outline the increasingly stark scientific warnings of the impacts of climate change as recently set out in two major reports by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
This evidence, Mr Sharma is expected to say, ‘demonstrates unequivocally that the window of time we have to act is closing fast, that we must urgently adapt and reduce emissions, because current targets are not enough.’
Mr Sharma will also highlight the devastation caused by extreme weather conditions around the world, including ongoing heatwaves in India and Pakistan, where a billion people have been exposed to extreme heat of almost 50C.
While welcoming progress made in the six months since COP26, Mr Sharma will look ahead to priorities in the lead up to COP27 and the UK’s work with Egypt to drive delivery ahead of the Summit in Sharm-El-Sheikh later this year.
Underscoring this urgent priority, Mr Sharma is expected to say: ‘Every country must respond to the call to revisit and strengthen their nationally determined contribution (NDC). And they must do so in 2022. The Glasgow Pact calls on countries to look again at their NDCs, not at some vague point in the future, but this year, in 2022.’
The Ministerial, held in Copenhagen on May 12 and 13, saw over 40 countries renew their urgent focus on implementation and practical action to deliver commitments and pledges made at COP26 and within the Glasgow Climate Pact.
At the meeting countries agreed that, despite the challenging global context, climate ambition and commitments remain serious and credible, from adapting to climate impacts, averting, minimising and addressing loss and damage, to reducing emissions and keeping 1.5C alive and mobilising finance.
Today, May 16, also sees the publication of the COP26 Sustainability Report, which demonstrates the lasting, positive legacy of COP26 on the city of Glasgow and beyond.
The report sets out the conference’s impact on Scottish charities and low-income families, including donations of 6,000 items of furniture, 15,000 square metres of carpets, and 600 laptops, some of which it is hoped will soon go to Ukrainian refugees.
It also confirms the UK’s achievement in implementing the International Standard for Event Sustainability Management making it the first COP summit to meet the international standard for carbon neutrality, PAS 2060.
Doctor shares tips on how to manage hay fever symptoms over spring and summer
Giving your dog a bath could help minimise irritation!
Now that it’s spring, the blooming flowers and warmer weather means that we’re officially in hay fever season.
To support those who suffer from a reaction to pollen, Dr Rhianna McClymont lead GP at digital healthcare provider, Livi, shares tips on how to spot the signs and manage the symptoms so you can make the most of the British summer.
What is hay fever?
Hay fever is a type of allergic rhinitis – irritation and inflammation mainly in the nose and eyes as a response to something that triggers the immune system. In the case of hay fever, it’s an allergy to pollen in the air – tree pollen, grass pollen, and other plants can cause problems.
When we have an allergic reaction, our body naturally releases chemicals called histamines as part of a natural protective response. Sometimes when we’re exposed to an allergen, like pollen, our body’s response is excessive and makes us feel unwell. Some people are more susceptible to these kinds of allergic response than others – this seems to be down to a combination of lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors.
Common signs of hay fever:
Hay fever can make you feel quite unwell and can mimic the symptoms of other related allergies.
Some of the most common signs of hay fever include:
Sneezing
Runny nose
Swollen, red and sore eyes
A sore throat
Itching
Feeling very tired and generally unwell
Poor sleep
Some people also find that they get headaches and earaches, and hay fever can even affect your sense of taste and smell.
When is it hay fever season?
Hay fever season is usually between around March and September, when plants release pollen as trillions of microscopic particles.
However, depending on the type of pollen, some people may start showing signs of hay fever as early as February.
Grass pollen: This is the most common trigger for hay fever and is usually particularly active from May to July in the UK.
Tree pollen: This affects people a little earlier in the year, between February and mid-summer. There might even be differences in how each person reacts to different types of trees.
Weed pollen: From June to September, hay fever is more likely to be a reaction to weed pollen – common weeds which cause hay fever include dock, nettles, mugwort and ragweed.
Crops: Some crops also cause problems around this time of year, particularly rapeseed, just before and around the time of harvest.
Managing hay fever:
Treating hay fever can be done effectively at home and for most people, following the below steps will be sufficient in helping you manage the symptoms.
Use over-the-counter treatments: your local pharmacy is usually a good first port of call for hay fever relief. There are ample options on the market and a variety of ways to ingest the medicine.
Plan ahead: take notice of which days are likely to be worse than others. Dry, windy days when the pollen count is high are particular culprits for causing hay fever, and you can take antihistamines in advance. You can usually find the pollen forecast on the weather report.
Wash clothes (and pets): doing laundry and showering after you’ve been outside on high pollen days can help with signs of hay fever. For pets, especially dogs, pollen may get trapped in their fur after rolling around in the grass or running through plants. If this is a case, giving them a good clean can help get rid of the pollen.
Dry clothes indoors: hanging laundry on the line will increase the amount of pollen you’re exposed to so opting for indoor drying can help reduce the risk of contamination.
For those who begin to develop trouble breathing or if you’re struggling to manage with symptoms using over-the-counter medications, speaking to a doctor can help as there are stronger medications for hay fever available on prescription, or in severe cases, a GP may refer you to an allergy specialist.
For more information and support on hay fever, please visit:
This week Masterchef winner and acclaimed Scottish chef, Gary Maclean, made an outstanding claim that ‘masterpiece’ Mortons rolls were deserving of more than just a classic lorne sausage, and Aldi Scotland agrees.
Adding to the debate, the leading value supermarket has lined up three of its top selling products it thinks are worthy of Scotland’s favourite crispy roll.
Smokey, succulent and sweet, this Macaulay’s Ham Hough falls off the bone, creating a filling worthy of Scotland’s top chef. The producer is one of 90 Scottish suppliers working with Aldi to bring the best of Scotland’s larder to it’s customers.
Even better, its big enough to feed 4, meaning the whole family can enjoy.
Aldi Smoked Salmon slices which come in a punchy, yet light mustard and dill dressing, are the perfect posh bite for those looking for some ‘roll reversal’.
For just £1.99, it will add a layer of luxury to your lunch for no more than the cost of a roll at your local van.
NSPCC Scotland is bringing people in Edinburgh together this summer to have fun while helping to protect children from abuse and neglect.
Childhood Day, which is on June 10, is the NSPCC’s landmark charity day where families, friends and colleagues fundraise and take action to help keep children safe.
To help make this the best Childhood Day yet, the NSPCC is appealing for volunteers on the day in Edinburgh to help at the fundraising collections for the city centre and Edinburgh Craigleith Retail Park, from 10am until 6pm.
Caroline Renton, Supporter Fundraising Manager for NSPCC Scotland, said: “Last year, the NSPCC Helpline made 897 referrals to agencies in Scotland about child abuse and neglect concerns – an average of two referrals a day.
“With the support of local people here in Edinburgh, we can take action against child abuse, and raise funds to ensure young people always have someone to turn to.
“We need volunteers to help at our Edinburgh collection, so please contact us if you’re able to give your time, energy and enthusiasm. It would be great if you could spare a couple of hours to help us. Together we can make all the difference for children.
“Or you may prefer to set up a fundraising event. Whether you’re organising a sponsored kickabout in the park, a board game, a musical get-together or an online gaming tournament, we want your help to get the UK playing and to raise money to help us keep children safe from abuse.”
This May, Martin Miller’s Gin, the world’s most awarded gin brand, proudly partners with leading UK-wide venues and local beekeepers, in a week-long national celebration supporting the UN’s World Bee Day 2022.
Martin Miller’s Gin is partnering with Bermondsey Street Bees, Manchester & District Beekeeper’s Association (MDBKA) and Edinburgh Honey Co. with the mission to raise awareness across the country of the importance of bee pollinators, particularly in the urban environment.
Key venues including Duchess of Dalston, Callooh Callay Chelsea and Gold in London, Atlas Bar, Pen & Pencil in Manchester and Pear Tree, The Raging Bull and OohMami, Edinburgh will partake in this extended initiative – World Bee Week, 16-23 May 2022.
The week-long celebration by Martin Miller’s Gin will see each partner venue list the Bee’s Knees Cocktail, made with Martin Miller’s SUMMERFUL Gin. Every serve will be accompanied with an information leaflet and complimentary thyme seeds for customers to plant at home and encourage their own thriving bee community. Known to attract all variety of bees, the thyme seeds also provide a much-needed reminder of the importance of planting, and the role that this plays in allowing bees to thrive within an urban environment.
The Bee’s Knees
The Bee’s Knees is a classic, refreshing summer cocktail, composed of gin, honey and lemon. A gin cocktail with a twist, the Bee’s Knees is made with Martin Miller’s SUMMERFUL Gin – a fresh variant from the brand which includes notes of rosemary and thyme, perfectly paired with artisanal raw honey from Bermondsey Street Bees. The result is a crisp, complex serve offering a herbaceous and citrus finish, underpinned with cherry-forward notes further heightened by the honey.
Florencia Orlando, Brand Manager, Martin Miller’s Gin comments: “We had an incredible response to this campaign last year and we’re thrilled to be taking this initiative around the country, for longer!
“The humble botanical – thyme – is the magic ingredient for both our SUMMERFUL gin and in the mission to save our bees. We’re delighted reignite our partnership with Bermondsey Street Bees who front the campaign from London.
“They could not be more aligned with Martin Miller’s Gin in both its quest for high quality and perfection but also their sustainability values. Incorporating Bermondsey Street Bees honey within our SUMMERFUL cocktail is a harmonious match and we are looking forward to everyone sampling the serve this May.”
Sarah Wyndham-Lewis, Co-Founder, Bermondsey Street Bees comments: “It has never been more important to support the urban honeybees and their wild bee cousins, and we are delighted to be partnering with Martin Millers’ Gin and their “World Bee Week” offering to do so.
“We hope through this partnership Londoners will learn more about these pollinators and indeed will be encouraged to plant bee friendly seeds. Simply to survive, a single honeybee hive requires around 50kg of pollen and 250 kg of nectar every year, and this is prior to any surplus honey becoming available for humans to harvest.
They also need to share this City’s forage resources with the bumblebees, the solitary bee species and other vital pollinators, so the more green-fingered Londoners, the better!”
World Bee Day
This year, The United Nations has selected 20 May 2022 as World Bee Day. Created to draw attention to the importance of pollinators and sustainable means to support their development, while combatting the threats the face, World Bee Day aims to educate the public on the importance of bees and the key role pollinators play in both food supply and biodiversity.
World Bee Week
The extended week-long celebration by Martin Miller’s Gin spotlights the importance bees play within our everyday lives, and how vital it is to take action to protecting this species.
Of the 25,000 species of bees on Earth, only seven are honeybee species, which are the most efficient and successful pollinators, key to the subsistence of the planet’s ecosystems.
In addition to receiving a packet of thyme seeds with each Bee’s Knees serve, guests will also be provided with information on key bee conservation charities to donate to, including British Beekeepers Society and the Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
How to make a Bee’s Knees
Ingredients
• 50ml Martin Miller’s SUMMERFUL Gin
• 25ml fresh lemon juice
• 20ml Bermondsey Street Bees Exmoor Honey
Method
• Add the gin, lemon juice and honey to a shaker with some ice (if you don’t have a shaker, a jam (or honey!) jar will do)
• Shake until chilled
• Strain into a cocktail glass
For further information, please visit www.martinmillersgin.com
New on-site Showcase for Industry-Leading Sustainable Development set to become “a Spectacular Blueprint for Low-Carbon Living”
Savvy home buyers can now see for themselves the progress being made on one of Scotland’s most anticipated new residential developments following the launch of the on-site sales and marketing suite at Artisan Real Estate’s Rowanbank Gardens, in Corstorphine.
Potential buyers can now book an appointment or simply drop into the new marketing suite to view the many significant benefits of owning an industry-leading, sustainable home in one of the Capital’s most vibrant centre neighbourhoods.
Described as a ‘spectacular blueprint for low carbon living’, Rowanbank Gardens will deliver 93 high quality apartments.
Work began in summer 2021 and, with construction continuing apace, the first ‘move-ins’ are anticipated for spring next year. Since it launched late last year, sales have been buoyant, with 13 of the first ‘Appleberry’ phase already sold.
A further four of the remaining 14 apartments in Appleberry are now available, with the remaining apartments being released shortly.
Prices for a two-bedroom apartment start at £315,000 with a one-bedroom apartment available soon – making the development a perfect destination for first-time buyers and downsizers wanting to live in well-connected, bustling community just minutes from the city centre.
Artisan’s New Homes Sales Advisor, Izzy Bastiani, will now be based permanently at the new sales and marketing suite, and she is already welcoming new buyers to the Rowanbank Gardens experience.
Izzy said: “This is a fantastic development in a fantastic area – and the sales and marketing suite really brings to life what it would be like to live here. Visitors will be able to see, at first hand, just how well-connected and vibrant Corstorphine has become, with everything you need on your doorstep.
“Rowanbank Gardens has been designed to meet the needs of the modern buyer, making it ideal for the first-time buyer and downsizer market. At its heart is a sustainable design which reflects the demands of modern life, with buildings designed to minimise carbon footprint and maximise daylight.
“Significant emphasis is placed on the quality of internal space and light to create enjoyable home-working environments, whilst accessible gardens and landscaping promote health and well-being by making nature and well-designed outdoor space integral to the day-to-day living experience.”
She adds: “And with no fossil fuels being used and both heating and hot water delivered through individual air source heat pumps, the development offers smart energy-efficient design geared to achieving low to zero carbon ratings, with the added benefit of significantly lower home-running costs which is now, more than ever, especially important to home buyers.”
Rowanbank Garden’s apartments have been designed around an internal courtyard garden, filled with fruit trees and communal planting and growing beds as well as a natural woodland area and formal lawns.
The spacious apartments will provide open plan living with easy access to a private courtyard or large balcony overlooking the gardens, while innovations such as green roofs ensure benefits of surface water retention, improved insulation and biodiversity.
David Westwater, Artisan’s Scottish Regional Development Manager adds: “The Rowanbank Gardens site fits in well with Artisan’s approach of regenerating city centre sites with good local amenities and public transport links .
“It is well set to meet the Council’s stated requirement for well designed, high density living whilst providing spacious communal areas and well-established public transport links ensuring low car ownership.
“Artisan now has an opportunity in Scotland to set a new benchmark for high quality urban regeneration in sensitive city-centre environments – whether it be residential, commercial, or mixed-use.
“Our track record across Scotland has given us a strong understanding of the importance of sustainable low carbon living combined with high quality placemaking, which is at the heart of all Artisan’s developments.”
To register interest In Rowanbank Gardens and book an appointment at the new on-site sales and marketing suite, visit the development website at www.rowanbankgardens.com or call 0131 516 3302.
We can’t believe that in just FOUR WEEKS we will be welcoming you to Hidden Door 2022!
For our team of volunteers, the festival build begins in the next few days so stay tuned for some exclusive behind-the-scenes previews.
For now, let’s take a closer look at our first Friday night … a night of wild pop and songs for the soul; late night electro in the Basement; ghostly dancers in the debating chamber; powerful theatre and beautiful spoken words echoing down the corridors; eclectic art around every corner; hot street food and sunny terrace bars with stunning city centre views …
Members of the public are being asked for their feedback on a new Scottish Flood Forecast, which will give communities an indication of where flooding is likely to occur in Scotland up to three days in advance.
A digital, colour coded map has been developed to show potential flood risks for the three days following the publication date of the map, and whether the source of flooding is from the sea, rivers or from surface water.
It will describe the potential impacts of flooding and link to advice and information on what protective action people can take if required. The map will also provide reassurance to communities when significant flooding is not expected.
The forecast will be produced every morning, 365 days a year, and published on SEPA’s website. It is an additional tool for the public to use alongside the current Floodline service, which issues shorter notice regional flood alerts and local flood warnings to those signed up, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The Scottish Flood Forecasting Service, a partnership between the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Met Office, has created the new Scottish Flood Forecast following extensive user research.
It involved the public, community flood groups, emergency responders, partner organisations and SEPA and Met Office employees. The findings identified a need for flood information to be provided earlier, in a simple and clear way, and the ability to check when no flooding is expected.
The new national service can be viewed online from Thursday 12 May 2022 and is the first step on the journey to providing communities with improved flood information. Feedback from the public will be gathered to inform the next steps and refine the design. The forecast is expected to be finalised and launched later this year.
Pascal Lardet, Flood Warning Unit Manager at SEPA, said: “More extreme weather and rising sea levels due to climate change mean we have to learn to live with flooding.
“It’s vital communities are supported to safely prepare for the potential impacts as early as possible. Thanks to this new product and the extra notice it offers, they’ll have the best chance to reduce the risk of damage and disruption.
“The three-day Scottish Flood Forecast is the biggest change to our flood warning service since it began in 2011. We have listened to customers to ensure we are creating a product that will help them prepare for flooding at the earliest opportunity.
“We will continue to engage and capture customer feedback during the initial pilot period before launching the final version of the Scottish Flood Forecast expected later this year. I would like to take the opportunity to thank the Scottish Flood Forum and the communities at risk of flooding who have already helped to develop this service so far.”
Mark Gibbs, Head of Environment and Energy at the Met Office said: “We have worked in partnership with SEPA to develop the Scottish Flood Forecast which embodies our ethos at the Met Office to help people stay safe and thrive.
“This is becoming increasingly challenging as climate change impacts threaten to affect communities across Scotland and the risks from flooding increase. The Met Office are continually working on improvements to forecasting which feed into the Scottish Flood Forecast.
“During this pilot period we look forward to hearing the views and opinions from communities throughout Scotland to create an improved final version.”
The Scottish Flood Forecast will be available and tested on:
First of all, a big thank you to everyone who contributed to our recent Crowdfunder campaign.
This is to be put towards the costs of sprucing up the building once we get the keys. Lots of volunteers are of course already hard at work getting ready for the big day, making inventories and moving furniture, all essential logistical work.
Soon, it really will be “all hands on deck” as we start with the paintbrushes and the trowels and we’ll be calling on even more help on the ground then.
Meanwhile, if you haven’t already given, the Crowdfunder is still open for donations.
Did you know however that you can gift to our charity at any time you like, or even on a regular basis?
All you have to do is go to our website and follow the links.
You can donate online directly to our bank or you can send a cheque if you prefer.
Now that the weather is improving, remember our big Picnic in the Park, to be held in Victoria Park on Sunday 19th June, between 12.30 and 3.30pm.
Inspired by the Eden Project’s Big Lunch, this is being held in collaboration with the Friends of Victoria Park and the Victoria Park Allotment Holders. Bring a picnic and enjoy meeting your neighbours. Take part in the fun races and games or take advantage of the plants and books swap tables. There will even be an (optional) fancy dress competition for children and pets – with prizes!
New initiatives
Thanks to successful applications to the Social Isolation and Loneliness Fund 2022, The Arnold Clark Community Fund and the People’s Postcode Trust, we have successfully achieved funding to help connect and bring people together. This is the aim of the following two new projects.
Reminiscence training
We know that sharing stories and memories is valuable in preserving not just family history but social history and brings people of different generations together through understanding and sharing. It’s also enjoyable and rewarding.
If you’re interested in reminiscence and recording people’s stories and memories, then we have funding for training in reminiscence work which will be led by the Living Memory Association.
The second project is an expansion of our earlier Pots of Kindness. That project was so well received that we are going to run another.
This time, as well as primary school children, we are inviting young people of 16+ to get involved.
We will supply the seeds, pots and compost. All you do is plant the seeds and write a short letter to an elderly recipient. We’ll deliver the planted pots with their accompanying letters to the elderly or isolated within the community.
It’s a wonderful way to bring the generations together.
Finally, we are due to hold our next AGM shortly, probably towards the end of June. If you’ve not become a member, consider doing so now, before the meeting, so that you have the right to vote.
There are two types of membership depending on where you live and you can find out all about it on the website page.
