Aldi has launched a new nationwide initiative to pinpoint prime locations for new store openings.
Recognising the invaluable input of its customers, the UK’s fourth-biggest supermarket is calling on the nation to help it identify where in Britain needs new Aldi stores most.
The areas which have the most suggestions will then be considered as part of Aldi’s commitment to build hundreds of new stores across Britain.
Aldi has been on a rapid expansion drive in recent years and has seen its popularity soar as shoppers switch to the supermarket for its lower prices and great quality amid the cost-of-living crisis.
The retailer currently has more than 1,000 stores – including 19 across Edinburgh & the Lothians – and is committed to continuing towards its long-term target of over 1,500 stores across the UK.
Jonathan Neale, Managing Director of National Real Estate at Aldi UK, said:“We want to make high-quality food accessible to all, but there are still some areas that either don’t have an Aldi or have potential for more stores.
“We’ve identified some key places where there is demand for more stores already, but now we are calling on the public to share their views. This will be used to help inform our property search over the coming years.”
Those wanting to put their town forward to be considered should contact the supermarket by emailing NextNewStore@Aldi.co.uk, clearly stating their postcode and why they believe their area needs a new Aldi store.
Aldi is asking for suggestions to be submitted by 31 May 2024, with the supermarket planning to update customers on the results and its latest priority ‘wish list’ later this year.
For more information on Aldi’s nationwide site requirements, visit:
Peter Beales Roses and RNLI mark 200 years with Blue Peter icons and rose debut at RHS Chelsea
In a tribute to a legacy of courage, Peter Beales Roses and the RNLI have come together to commemorate 200 years of service and dedication at this year’s RHS Chelsea (20 – 25th May).
The launch of the new ‘With Courage’ rose will take place on Monday Press Day (20th May) with several iconic faces from Blue Peter who are synonymous with both British institutions with the ‘Lifeboat Appeal’
Peter Beales Roses, renowned for their exquisite blooms and timeless beauty, have long been a symbol of resilience and strength, much like the brave men and women of the RNLI who risk their lives to save others at sea.
And with the 200th anniversary of the RNLI taking place this year, Peter Beales is proud to launch ‘With Courage’ a carefully bred rose to reflect the spirit of courage and dedication exemplified by the RNLI, which serves as a lasting tribute to their noble mission.
The launch of ‘With Courage’ will see well-loved Blue Peter presenters on the Peter Beales stand, adding an extra layer of meaning to the celebration.
Blue Peter has been a longstanding supporter of the RNLI, emphasising the importance of courage, resilience, and community spirit. Confirmed to attend so far are favourites, Valerie Singleton who was responsible for the first Lifeboat Appeal in 1967, Janet Ellis, Lindsey Russell and Anthea Turner.
‘With Courage’ is a modern classic floribunda, featuring coppery orange double flowers set against glossy mid-green foliage. The rose is compact and reaches a height of 3 feet and releases a delightful apple fragrance.
The rose took six years to come to market, ensuring it meets the demands of modern gardens. With 20% of all sales benefiting the RNLI, sales of ‘With Courage’ are projected to raise £40,000 for the charity.
It will take centre stage on the Peter Beales stand, along with a real RNLI rib, surrounded by thousands of a sea of the most popular rose varieties.
The exhibit will be at the beating heart of the Grand Pavilion, spanning an incredible 100 square metres with walkthrough access so visitors can surround themselves with the beautiful display and scent of the nation’s favourite flower.
The instantly recognisable rose-covered arches will welcome guests to the fragrant and sensory display which will encourage you to linger and enjoy the beauty of the flowers.
As well as ‘With Courage,’ multiple coloured and scented varieties will come together in a breathtaking display, each reaching their height, and exhibited in different ways to showcase the vibrant blooms.
Marvel at the arches adorned with the deep crimson ‘Chevy Chase,’ the enchanting pure white ‘Rambling Rector,’ and the delightful ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk,’ as well as the majestic ‘Waterloo.’ Step further into the immersive display to encounter special varieties like ‘Rachel’s Joy,’ ‘Highgrove,’ ‘Loyal Companion,’ ‘MacMillan Nurse,’ and ‘Pippin,’ each a living tribute to Peter Beales’ legacy.
Experience the enchantment of old historical roses such as ‘Comte de Chambord,’ ‘White Pet,’ and the striking ‘Rosa Mundi.’ Obelisks stand tall, proudly presenting the ‘Siluetta’ range of patio climbers alongside the captivating ‘Purple Skyliner.’
With both Peter Beales and RNLI representatives on the stand, those visiting will have the opportunity to learn more about the RNLI’s life-saving missions and Peter Beales Roses’ rich heritage in rose breeding and cultivation.
Actor and RNLI Ambassador Joanna Scanlon will also be on hand to speak about her experiences in open-water swimming and why the charity’s advice and help are so important.
Experience Harry Potter’s iconic locations in real life with a beautiful Highlands road trip
There are six magical locations to explore, including Glen Etive, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Morar
The Harry Potter road trip takes 7 hours 54 minutes to complete by car
As the fifth most popular filming location in Europe, Scotland has provided a beautiful backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters over recent decades.
Harry Potter is perhaps the most famous and beloved of these film series to shoot scenes north of the English border, with stunning Highland scenery featuring across each of the eight exciting instalments.
And, as this franchise has arrived on Netflix and reignited the nation’s love for all things Potter, fans can visit its most iconic filming locations, as Macklin Motors has curated the ultimate road trip route of Scotland for Potterheads.
Taking 8 hours to complete by car, this road trip is perfect for Harry Potter fans who want to feel the magic of their favourite scenes, while taking in beautiful Scottish landscapes at the same time.
The journey starts in the astonishingly beautiful valley of Glen Etive, before driving just over half an hour to Rannoch Moor’s Insta-ready autumnal shades, both of which featured in the Deathly Hallows.
The next stop is Steall Falls, the second highest waterfall in Great Britain, a popular beauty spot that made an appearance in the adrenaline-pumping dragon chase scene in the Goblet of Fire.
Drive 40 minutes further and drivers will find the most iconic Harry Potter filming location in Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct. Potterheads will certainly recognise this stunning railway viaduct from the Chamber of Secrets’ unforgettable flying car sequence.
The penultimate stop on the road trip route is Loch Morar, which eagle-eyed fans will immediately recognise as Hogwarts Lake from the Prisoner of Azkaban. Then, a long drive across the Scottish Highlands will reveal the very last filming location on the map: Black Rock Gorge. This stoic cavern featured in the Goblet of Fire, taking centre stage during the Triwizard Tournament.
A Macklin Motors spokesperson commented:“Finding the perfect bank holiday activity for the entire family is always a tricky task.
“With our Harry Potter road trip, we want to provide the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike, touring beautiful Highland hotspots with a magical twist. And with International Harry Potter day on Thursday, there’s no better time to take the trip. Plus, at just under eight hours in total, drivers can complete this road trip in a day or take their time with it throughout their holiday in Scotland.
“So, pack the car with snacks, ready your family’s favourite playlist, and set off on a bewitching adventure around Scotland’s stunning scenery.”
For more filming location road trips around Scotland and to find the Google Maps route for this road trip, visit the Macklin Motors blog.
NHS Lothian’s Director of Public Health has published a new annual report which provides an in-depth analysis into the health of the population of Lothian.
The Director of Public Health Report this year highlights how the early years of a child’s life lay the foundations for their physical, social, intellectual, and emotional development.
Work to improve the health of children and young people should focus on prevention, early identification of need and early intervention, ensuring that we focus our support on people identified as having the greatest need.
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said the health board was committed to helping to create a society where people have access to the right building blocks for a healthy life – a stable job, good pay, quality housing and good education.
She added: “In Lothian there are huge differences in life expectancy, and other health outcomes, that can be seen from very early in babies’ lives. All children and young people should be able to grow up in healthy and safe environments.
“Children and young people need environments where they are protected from harms such as air pollution, traffic danger, the impacts of poor-quality housing, as well as environments that allow them to realise their right to play, connect with nature, learn and be physically active.
“This report reaffirms our commitment to tackling poverty and improving the health and wellbeing of children and families in Lothian.”
The Lothian Strategic Development Framework sets out a five-year strategy for the Lothian Health and Care system working alongside local partners. Improving maternal, children and young people’s health and wellbeing is a key part of the framework.
Partnership Groups are established in each of the four Lothian local authority areas and involve a range of community planning partners working collaboratively to develop strategic plans and deliver on identified priorities which aim to improve children and young people’s health and wellbeing.
This report provides an update on some of the evidence about what influences the wellbeing of children and young people, and we hope it will be useful in shaping local partnership plans in the future.
A temporary closure will be in place for a section of the West Approach Road in Edinburgh from Monday for the next five weeks as part of planned maintenance work.
This includes repainting, general repairs and resurfacing the bridge decks.
This will affect the two-lane section between Roseburn Street and the Dundee Street flyover only. The road from Dundee Street to Lothian Road will remain open.
The section will be closed from Monday 6 May until Friday 7 June due to upgrade works being carried out on four bridges along the route. Diversions will be in place.
Transport Convener Councillor Scott Arthur said: “We realise this road closure may cause some inconvenience but it’s needed so we can carry out maintenance work to four bridges along the route.
“We’ve taken steps to minimise disruption by putting in place diversion routes, carried out a letter drop to residents to tell them of the changes and are putting in place measures to control the noise.”
The work is being carried out from next week due to restrictions on gaining access to the railway, other roadworks in the area and our embargo on roadworks from late July through to early September.
Detectives in Edinburgh are appealing for information following an attempted robberyin Trinity.
Around 6.40pm yesterday (Saturday, 4 May, 2024) a man presented at the door of a home on Lomond Road with a knife and demanded money from the occupiers.
No one was injured.
Police are keen to trace a man described as being around 5ft 6ins tall, 40-50 years old, and of slight build. He was wearing a blue anorak, dark trousers, white trainers, white baseball cap and checked scarf covering face.
The man is also described as having a Scottish accent and walks with a distinctive gait.
Detective Sergeant Alan Sharp, of Edinburgh CID, said: “Our enquiries so far have established that this man attended at multiple properties along Lomond Road last night.
“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area who saw or heard anything suspicious. Similarly, anyone with private CCTV, doorbell footage or dashcam of the area is urged to review the footage and bring anything significant to our attention.”
Anyone with any information can call 101, quoting incident 3144 of 4 May.
Alternatively, information can be shared anonymously with the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Scottish Ambulance Service’s Special Operations Team (SORT) based in Edinburgh will appear on a new series of Paramedics on Scene, which airs on TV tonight (Sunday).
Isla Winnik, Ryan McLaughlin, Luke O’Hanlon, Leigh Law, Graeme Methven and Michael Slater will feature alongside SAS’s North Ambulance Control Centre (ACC), and Kilmarnock, Glasgow and Dalkeith emergency crews.
The episode features SORT attending to a man who has barricaded himself in his home and is throwing objects at the police officers, and paramedics are called out to two separate cases involving children – one who could be having a cardiac arrest, and another who has suffered a head injury while cycling.
Season Five of Paramedics on Scene is on BBC Scotland at 9am on Sunday and repeated at 8pm on Tuesday. It is also available on BBC iPlayer.
QUEEN Margaret University (QMU), Edinburgh, has developed a series of resources for use in educational settings to help enhance disability literacy.
The University will launch its new Toy Box Diversity Lab website of resources on 9th May 2024, which will help guide discussions between educators and their primary school learners about disability equality and representation in the school curriculum, as well as encouraging them to think about accessibility in their own environments.
Funded by the QMU Innovation Fellowship, the educational assets include an activities pack, instructional videos and a directory of other resources to encourage positive discussions in schools.
The University will also be launching an online short course on Disability Confidence for Educational Practitioners, running from September 2024.
Dr Clare Uytman and Dr Siân Jones, senior lecturers in the Division of Psychology, Sociology and Education at QMU, have led the three-year long project, establishing their own research group to do so.
The lecturers have tested their resources with almost 550 children in England and Scotland, as well as running focus groups to create the final products in collaboration with teachers, disabled adults and parents of disabled children.
Dr. Uytman, said: “Positive understanding, representation and discussion around disability is so important for achieving a more inclusive learning environment through imagination and play, which will help children understand the importance of these topics from an early age.
“It is so rewarding to see three years of hard work and thorough research come together with the creation of these highly beneficial resources which we hope will be of real value to the teaching profession and enhance disability literacy.”
As well as the website, the QMU lecturers have also been working in collaboration with activist not-for-profit organisation, ToyLikeMe, to ensure better representation of disabilities in children’s media, including toys, books and television programmes.
Dr. Jones, said: “There is growing evidence that toys representing disability give non-disabled children windows into the worlds of disabled children.
“We are building on this evidence base, using images of adapted toy prototypes, such as Barbie with a missing limb, or Olaf the snowman from Disney’s Frozen with a cochlear implant, and showcasing these to children through pop-up exhibitions and activities we have been trialing at schools to help them think and speak positively about disability.”
Scottish primary school teacher, Mhairi Ritchie, welcomed one of these pop-up exhibitions so that she, and her pupils, could sample the resources. She said: “Involvement in the project was a fantastic way to explore disability. The children learned new vocabulary and developed a new perspective around what it means to be disabled.
“The accompanying resources were highly engaging and thoughtfully designed, enabling an interdisciplinary approach to the learning. The great thing is that we can use the resources again in the future and we look forward to doing so!”
An event will be taking place both online and in the Halle Lecture Theatre on campus at QMU to coincide with the official launch of the website on 9th May.
The launch event will take place between 4pm and 5.30pm at which attendees can learn more about the evidence-based research that has been conducted for this project, as well as more details on the resources on offer.
This exhibition, in partnership with the Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, charts the remarkable development of firefighting in the Capital and across Scotland over the centuries.
In addition to the exhibition there is an accompanying series of lectures and family craft workshops covering everything from Edinburgh’s influence on global fire safety standards to painting a mini fire helmet.
‘Pedal Power: Cycling and Activism in Edinburgh’ is an exhibition which focusses on cycling safety, sustainability and history in our city. This exhibition was curated in conjunction with local cycling groups Critical Mass, Infrasisters, Spokes and Bike Buses.
There are also lectures and a family craft workshop taking place during the Edinburgh Festival of Cycling, which runs from 31 May to 9 June 2024.
Both exhibitions run until Sun 22 Sep 2024 and entry is free.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker said:“I was delighted to launch these exhibitions and see first-hand some of the incredible stories that they tell.
“From our proud history and traditions of firefighting to promoting active travel in modern day Edinburgh these provide two very distinct views of life in the Capital.
“The different themes and ideas explored in these exhibitions shows our museums as the incredible spaces they are to explore contemporary issues as well as historical events.
“I’d like to thank all our partners who contributed to these exhibitions, some of whom I was lucky enough to meet at the launch.
“I’d also urge our residents and visitors to take advantage and get down to the Museum of Edinburgh in the coming months.”
Assistant Chief Officer for Operational Delivery at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, David Farries said: “This year is an incredibly historic year for us as we recognise and proudly celebrate Scotland’s rich fire and rescue heritage. “
We have a wealth of great commemorative and educational events lined up across the year to celebrate 200 years since the creation of the world’s first municipal fire service in Edinburgh.
“The world has changed drastically since 1824 and so has our service. Through these exhibitions we want to showcase the people, the innovation, and the values that our service was built on and are still at the heart of the modern Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
“We have something for all ages so I would encourage anybody who has an interest in the Fire Service, its history and the importance of the wider history of the city and beyond to head along to the museum and view the exhibition.”
Pedal Power Co-curator and Member of Edinburgh Critical Mass, Victoria Hawkins said: “We got involved with the Pedal Power exhibition because we are all keen to show that better, safer cycling benefits everyone.
“At some point we lost the balance of transport in the city, and we now know how harmful that has been to our lungs, our health and our wildlife. We’re all working in different ways to create a future city where more people can share the joy of walking and cycling safely.
“We hope people will come to the exhibition and see an opportunity to move forward from binary car vs bike debates and support better active travel infrastructure in Edinburgh.”
