The smell of freshly cut grass and kids shrieking as they have their first dip in the paddling pool makes being outdoors great, but they are just a few of the hundreds of great benefits.
Debra Clason, Hub Manager of the Utilita Energy Hub in Leith, said: “Whether you’re heading to Cornwall or Portugal, or simply looking to spend more time out in your garden or local park, save money by switching off items in your home, and resetting timers where hot water might not be needed so much.
“By doing so, you’ll save what could be going towards the ice-cream fund!”
To help save energy in the home this summer, Debra’s shared the following tips:
Invest in a plug-in timer
If you’re planning a trip away, but would like to keep a light on for security reasons, consider investing in a plug-in timer, to pop the light on and off at times you choose. Doing so will save you energy whilst keeping your home looking ‘lived in’ whilst you’re away.
Eat up!
If you’re looking to be away for some time, why not be savvy with mealtimes and use up everything in your fridge freezer before you leave? You could then turn the appliance off at the plug whilst you’re away – saving precious energy.
Pull the curtains
As the weather heats up, pull the curtains and blinds before leaving the home to keep your home from heating up like a small furnace for your return. It’ll keep your home cool whilst saving you a small fortune on fans.
Switch appliances off
Keeping appliances on standby is one of the biggest ways to waste energy! Game consoles in particular are massive vampire suckers, likewise with TVs and home entertainment systems. Ensuring everything is switched off at the socket will save you a pretty penny.
Triple Point Social Housing REIT has announced that work has completed on its major new development in Leith, which provides high-quality new homes for local people with long-term disabilities.
In April 2019, Triple Point announced its investment in the scheme, developed by HB Villages (HBV), with construction officially started by Deidre Brock, the MP for Edinburgh North and Leith.
Twenty-four new supported housing apartments have been built on West Bowling Green Street in Leith, which are specially adapted to provide long-term homes for people with physical disabilities, learning disabilities and other complex care requirements.
Residents will be referred to the scheme by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership based on significant local need, with care provided to residents by Lifeways, and housing management services provided by Inclusion Housing.
The £5.4m scheme, called Heron Court, is the first of its type in Scotland and has been developed by HBV, a specialist supported living developer, using funding from Triple Point.
The developers instructed an all-Scottish construction team including Edinburgh-based architects 56Three, structural and civil engineers Curtins, locally-based mechanical and electrical consultants Horizon M&E, and Alloa-based contractor Marshall Construction.
Triple Point uses private capital to acquire, or fund the development of, newly built or newly renovated housing in the community for people with long-term care needs whose rent is funded by government.
This type of housing has been shown to improve the wellbeing of people moving out of institutional care settings, while saving the government money. Triple Point’s portfolio has over 450 properties providing homes for over 3,000 residents.
Based on strong demand, Triple Point is looking to invest in more supported housing schemes like Heron Court across Scotland and the rest of the UK.
Max Shenkman, Head of Property Investment at Triple Point, said: “We are delighted to announce the completion of Heron Court. The development will allow people with disabilities and complex care needs to live independent lives in high-quality and carefully adapted apartments.
“Triple Point is committed to investing in projects that deliver a positive social impact, and Heron Court will provide homes in the heart of the community to support some of Edinburgh’s most vulnerable people. With more Scottish developments in the pipeline, we look forward to delivering further positive impact in the area.”
Oliver Carroll, development director of HBV, the supported living developer, said: “We are delighted to complete delivery of this special scheme in the heart of the community.
“We have had tremendous support from officers at Edinburgh City Council who are responsible for delivering specialist supported care across the city. Everyone we have worked with on delivering Heron Court recognises the need for modern specialist supported living accommodation for Scotland’s most vulnerable people.
“We are tremendously excited by all the interest that is being shown in this particular scheme and we are already progressing discussions with other local authorities and funding partners to deliver more like it in Scotland.”
Judith Proctor, Chief Officer of the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership, said:“The completion of this scheme – less than two miles from Edinburgh city centre and less than two years after works began – is a remarkable achievement and a great example of collaboration between the public and private sectors.
“Accessibility and technology are two important features of the design of the building which will enable residents to live more independently. Many of the residents will have keys to their own front door for the first time which will be a tremendous boost to their independence and a positive impact on their lives.”
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Frank Ross, said:“This is a brilliant example of a new-build development that blends seamlessly into the surrounding environment and community not just physically but emotionally as well.
“It is important that we continue to place great emphasis on solving the housing requirements of people in Edinburgh who need extra support and give them the opportunity to live as independently as possible.”
Deidre Brock, MP, who officially started works at the site in 2019, said:“The completion of this development is another important step towards ensuring the most vulnerable in our society are well looked after in accommodation that properly suits their needs.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing folk move into the scheme over the next few months and making their home here in Leith.”
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh goes to the seaside in a new online exhibition
Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have launched ‘Life on the Forth’, a new digital exhibition which celebrates the city’s coastal communities.
The exhibition is the latest strand of activity as part of the ongoing Auld Reekie Retold inventory project, and explores the range and depth of the history of the area of Edinburgh on the shores of the Firth of Forth. Using map-based technology, it shows stories in the context of the very streets and places they originally came from.
Edinburgh’s coastline is rich in history. Drawing on objects from across the museum service, Life on the Forth celebrates stories and histories from across Edinburgh’s coastline. Some of these might be familiar, others perhaps unexpected.
The exhibition includes personal stories and individual lives, as well as tales of an industrial past. Uncovered stories, such as the life of Barbara Seaton, or the dangerous work of Edward McRobbie, help us understand the city that little bit better.
Whether tales of fishwives, fishermen, incredible feats of engineering or more modest lives and businesses, these communities past and present make the collections of Museums & Galleries Edinburgh what they are. The exhibition features the outdoor bathing pool at Portobello, which would have celebrated its 85th birthday this May.
Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Donald Wilson said: This fascinating exhibition is set to impress maritime history and Edinburgh enthusiasts alike.
“‘Life on the Forth‘ allows visitors to browse the exhibition at their own pace and without any time limit or physical restrictions. We’re proud to have expanded the reach of our exhibitions throughout the pandemic, not only to residents, but to those further afield who, due to distance, cost, disabilities or lack of opportunity, may have found it difficult to visit even in normal times.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to get a glimpse inside these fascinating stories and remember everyone who lived their ‘Life on the Forth‘.”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan said: “Museums & Galleries Edinburgh have been exploring new ways to engage with our audiences and this latest exhibition is a fantastic example of the service adapting what we do during these unprecedented times.
“2021 is the Year of Coasts and Waters, so what better time to discover new stories of life on the Forth? It’s truly fascinating and I can’t wait to revisit some of the areas highlighted in the exhibition.”
Auld Reekie Retold Project Manager Nico Tyack said: “This exhibition is the result of going through the coastal collections as part of the Auld Reekie Retold collections project.
“Many of these stories have never been heard before, and the virtual format has really helped us get the most out of these objects. ‘Life on the Forth’ is a truly team effort from the Auld Reekie Retold team, and much of the research has been carried out during lockdown.
“We are delighted to be able to share this new exhibition with you, and encourage you to explore the exhibition.”
St James Quarter has released episode two of its ‘Behind the Quarter’ series, giving viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the highly anticipated shopping district. This episode showcases never-before-seen footage of a selection of the brands due to open as part of phase one.
Gill Moore, Retail, F&B and Hospitality Director at St James Quarter sits down with the General Manager of Bonnie & Wild, Kate Russell, Founder of Bross Bagels, Larah Bross and Head of Branch at John Lewis Edinburgh, Barry Blamire to find out more about what guests can expect from the new residents of The Quarter and why they are excited to be part of one of the UK’s biggest city centre transformations.
The phase one opening line-up is one of the most significant any city in Scotland has ever seen with several brands making their Scottish debuts, including; Scottish food market Bonnie & Wild, & Other Stories, PULL&BEAR, Bershka and Stradivarius.
Hibernian, along with newly appointed technical partner Joma, are excited to present the new official home kit for the 2021/22 season.
The traditional green body and white sleeves remain with the creative sublimation of the street map of Edinburgh showcasing the Club’s strong links across the city. The Club crest proudly sits in its rightful place of Leith within the city map.
Joma has created a shirt preserving the identity of Hibernian using green as the main feature. It is designed with a regular fitting providing comfort adjustment to the body to prevent pulling and provides freedom of movement.
The bottle-green colour grades into a darker emerald green at the bottom in a way to extend the Hibernian feeling further out of the City, into the wider communities of Edinburgh.
Hibernian Creative Manager Peter Burt said: “Our partnership with Joma has allowed us a greater level of creativity which hasn’t been possible with previous kit partners.
“They understand our brand aspirations and working closely with their design team we were able to create something completely unique to our supporters, and the City.”
Interim Chief Executive Greg McEwan added: “As a club we have set some ambitious targets, but realistic at the same time, and with this new kit you can tell we are passionate about our position within the City of Edinburgh and how we plan to grow our brand within the City, the wider country and beyond.
“This kit is really focused on our fans. It is their City and from this design it is very much green and white.”
Joma products are recognised for their quality and technological features. The brand’s quality standards have been applied to the garments for Hibernian.
Fans have given the new strip the thumbs-up:
‘It’s a great design, not like any I have seen before from the Club. It’s a great fit and feels like good quality’ – Scott Robertson
”One of my favourite kits to date, all the small details really add up to make something special for an incredible Club and I am proud to wear our badge” – Jade Brydon (above)
“I thought it was a great design, the stencil outline of Leith embedded into the green is pretty special. Joma and the club have done a great job. Sure it’s going to be a popular kit” – Dan Blake
The shirts are manufactured using polyester, characterised by its quality and elasticity, in addition to being highly resistant and easy care.
This fabric has excellent breathability, due to the application of a next-gen finish, giving the garment’s outer layer enhanced perspiration wicking capacity for speedy evaporation, thus keeping the body dry.
In those areas where the player requires greater perspiration support, polyester is replaced by a MESH fabric, a mesh section allowing air to enter the garment and come into contact with the skin, drying it and retaining a constant body temperature. Antibacterial treatment has also been included.
The new 2021/22 home kit will be available to pre-order next week. Keep an eye on the Hibernian FC website and social media platforms for confirmation of timings. The kit will be available in store from week commencing 7th July.
Newhaven’s iconic fishwives are at the heart of the latest audio drama from Leith-based theatre company, Citadel Arts Group.
The Fishwives,by Lizzie McLean, stars Nicola Roy as one of the titular fishwives. Nicola is the host and creator of The Cultural Coven podcast and she enjoyed international success playing Elmire in an award-winning production of Liz Lochead’s Tartuffe at the 2020 Adelaide Fringe.
The Fishwivesmay be set in 1812, but it highlights some surprisingly modern attitudes, as the play’s Director, Mark Kydd explains: “What really struck me about the play was the degree of autonomy and financial independence enjoyed by Newhaven Fishwives in the early nineteenth century, not a period renowned for women’s emancipation.
“I think Lizzie’s writing beautifully captures the strength, humour and camaraderie of these women.”
Nicola (whose character helps a Leith lad evade the clutches of the notorious pressgangs who roamed the ports during the Napoleonic Wars) agrees: “The Fishwives is a beautiful, lively little piece about the resilience, humour and rather modern Newhaven Fishwives.
“As an Edinburgh girl and actress it was great to work in east coast dialect which the writer, Lizzie, captured so well and to learn of the important history and contribution of these ‘on the surface’ ordinary women.”
Not only is the play set in Newhaven, but the production also has a number of connections with the area.
The play’s writer, Lizzie McLean, is Newhaven based, as is musician Sophia Abrahamsen, whose expertise helped bring the vibrant history of the Newhaven Fishwives to life.
Producer and founder of Citadel Arts Group, Liz Hare says: “We wanted to make sure the play was as accurate as possible, so had asked Sophia – who’s in the Newhaven Choir – to help us find some traditional songs to feature in the piece.
“Not only did she find us three wonderful songs, which she also performs in the play, but she was also able to share her historical expertise on the fishwives, helping us with details such as authentic names and language.
“As the last known Newhaven fishwife is believed to have retired as recently as 1976, there are still many people who will remember these remarkable women, so it was particularly important to us to honor their history and traditions”
Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following a reported serious assault which took place in the Forth Street area.
The incident took place around 9.50pm on Monday, 7 June, when a 67-year-old man was struck in the face and suffered serious injuries as a result.
The suspect is male, aged between 30 and 40, 5ft 6 with a stocky build and unshaven face. He was wearing a dark beanie hat, hooded jumper, coat and baggy trousers.
Detective Constable Christina Yeoman, of Gayfield CID, said: “This appears to have been a shockingly unprovoked and random attack, which left the victim with multiple serious injuries.
“We’re asking for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any information to please come forward. If you believe you could help our enquiries, call 101 quoting reference 4086 of 7 June. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Popular eyewear brand IOLLA are bringing local centre stage in the new St James Quarter, launching a new experiential showroom and standing shoulder to shoulder with some of the biggest names in retail.
IOLLA launched in 2015, introducing a better way to buy eyewear with their offering of complete prescription glasses and sunglasses for £75. Their mission is to help people look and feel great, empowering glasses wearers to build an eyewear wardrobe thanks to their diverse range of unique frame designs and affordable price point.
The Scotland-born local business is the latest retailer to confirm its opening in Edinburgh’s new £1.7bn city centre development St James Quarter set to open at the end of June.
IOLLA will be opening its fourth location across Edinburgh and Glasgow which will feature a new style of plug-and-play shelving stations, digital screens and modular podiums, brought to life with the help of local Edinburgh design studio Splintr.
Their new showroom design will feature a 360º interactive window display and movable podiums, designed to bring the experience to the customer, replacing traditional ‘checkout’ desks.
By putting technology, adaptability, and the customer at the centre of the new design, IOLLA hope to create a customer journey within their St James Quarter showroom that is unique, fun and memorable.
Stefan Hunter, IOLLA Founder, said: “Our new St James Quarter showroom will be the most enriched customer experience we’ve ever created. Visitors can discover and journey through our brand by using our new creative touchpoints like material and manufacturing displays and an interactive try on garden.
“The St James Quarter showroom is also our biggest yet, and will give us the opportunity to truly showcase our passion for great customer service, great products and a fair price.”
Martin Perry, Director of Development for St James Quarter added: “With the first phase opening of St James Quarter just weeks away, the addition of IOLLA will help further bolster the already formidable array of local and international brands St James Quarter has to offer as we look to build a diverse offering, including some national and city ‘firsts’, that will help create a one of a kind destination.”
Since opening its doors in 2015, IOLLA have been one to watch, paving the way for local retailers and shaking up the traditional optical industry with a direct to consumer approach and designing and manufacturing in their Glasgow headquarters. Despite a challenging year for retail, the brand continued to focus on its growth by; investing in its digital strategy, expanding its design and technology teams and this year will push to increase its overall workforce by 100%.
The opening of the new showroom is a landmark moment for IOLLA, allowing the brand to branch into new territory when it comes to retail expansion and in high footfall locations.
This is the first step in an ambitious growth plan over the next 5 years for the innovative eyewear retailer, and it’s set to bring more eyes than ever to the IOLLA brand. Visit IOLLA in the St James Quarter from June 24th.
Apply now to be part of the IOLLA team at St James Quarter at jobs.iolla.com.
UTILITA GETS ‘UP FRONT’ TO CELEBRATE HIBERNIAN FC’sPRO-PLANET APPROACH TO FOOTBALL
Utilita– the UK’s only energy company created to help households use less energy – has officially announced this week that it will become the front of shirt sponsor as part of its two-year principal partner agreement with one of the UK’s greenest football clubs, Hibernian F.C.
The deal follows a successful partnership between Utilita and Hibernian F.C. during the 2020 and 2021 season, which saw the energy company’s logo on the back of shirt. Now in the fifth year of their long-term partnership, Utilita will feature in prime position on the front of the club’s home and away shirts and third kit strips, which are soon to be unveiled.
Both Utilita and Hibernian F.C. share many common values, with the two biggest being pro-planet and pro-local community.
Over the past few seasons, Utilita has been working with the club to make a difference within the local area, most recently donating significant sums to the Community Foundation’s “Famous Five a Day Campaign” – which provides food parcels to families who need them – and donating match passes to local schools.
Utilita also has offices and an exclusive high street Energy Hub in the buzzing port district of Leith.
Opened just two years ago, the hugely successful Energy Hub is a first-of-its-kind in Scotland, offering face-to-face customer service, energy efficiency advice and technology, access to interactive kid-friendly energy efficiency apps, and a dedicated community space that is open for the public to book and use from Monday to Saturday. Locals can also purchase Hibernian F.C. merchandise in-store.
Central to the partnership will be Utilita’s industry award-winning Energy High 5 movement –helping households to avoid the five habits that waste energy, enabling households to save up to £163 per year, while helping the planet. Everyone can take part and start saving today, at www.utilita.co.uk/energyhigh5 .
Greg McEwan, Hibernian F.C.’s Interim Chief Executive, commented on the support from Utilita: “The front of shirt sponsor needs to be just right, and must share the same values as our club.
“Therefore, I am delighted that we have exactly that in our partnership with Utilita, which is pro-planet and pro-community – it’s great to see an energy company with such high moral standards.
“The team at Utilita are passionate and want to make a difference, not only in terms of reducing energy bills, but in the local community too.”
Jem Maidment, Utilita’s Chief Marketing Officer, said: “We couldn’t be prouder to be Hibernian F.C.’s principal partner after what has already been a hugely successful four seasons with the club.
“As the greenest club in Scotland – and the third greenest club in the UK – we share many common values and we’re chuffed of the support they’ve given us in backing Energy High 5, a campaign which encourages people to cut down their energy usage with five free and easy-to-follow tips – saving both their pocket and the planet!
“We’re excited to see what next season brings as Hibs take on European opposition.”
The partnership announcement follows Utilita’s newly launched Football Rebooted campaign with environmentalist and former goalkeeper, David James MBE, which encourages people to donate and claim pre-played football boots and all-weather football trainers, to save families a small fortune, as well as 136,000 tonnes of carbon – the same as taking 7,000 cars off the road for a year, or turning the energy off in one million medium-sized houses for a week. Over 500 pairs of boots were donated in the first 48-hours of the campaign launching.
Football Rebooted is designed to put an aspirational spin on a mechanic that will get good boots through to families struggling to afford new ones, after Utilita’s State of Play report revealed that out of the 74 percent of families who had been impacted financially by the pandemic, 18 percent won’t be able to send their kids back to grassroots football as they can’t afford boots and other items such as goalie gloves and shin pads.
Founded in 2003, Utilita is one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent energy suppliers – currently powering more than 800,000 UK customers. It’s established itself as a hugely-recognisable brand within British football, having supplied power to a number of iconic stadiums while partnering with over 20 clubs.
