This Monday (12th October) will be our last Monday Café, and what a lovely few months it’s been! We’ve loved cooking for our community, meeting new people and trying out new recipes. Together, we’ve served 412 meals, all freshly prepared each Monday using lots of rescued food and produce from our garden.
A huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers who have helped make this project possible. We couldn’t have done it without you!
But don’t worry, our community lunches aren’t going anywhere! We’ll be moving them to Friday afternoons, making it easier for more people to join us, including families after school pick-up and anyone popping along to Dr Bike at the centre.We’ll share more details about timings over the next week or two.
Fancy getting involved in cooking up our community lunches? We’re starting a cooking group where people can come together, share skills and learn new recipes on a Friday morning. If you’re interested, get in touch with Rebecca at rebecca@drylawnc.org.uk to find out more.
And we’re going all out for our final Monday Café!
Breakfast: All your usual favourites, plus homemade blueberry scones.
Lunch: Bangers and mash, followed by an indulgent Banoffee Pie.
Come along, enjoy some good food and help us give the Monday Café a lovely send-off. We’d love to see you there!
The Lower Tweed has reached Significant Water Scarcity, as prolonged dry conditions continue to affect rivers across eastern Scotland despite recent rainfall.
The latest weekly Water Scarcity Report from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) shows that the Lower Tweed has reached the highest level on Scotland’s five-tier water scarcity scale, just a week after improvements elsewhere meant no areas were at Significant Scarcity.
SEPA warned last week that the Lower Tweed was approaching Significant Scarcity and could reach this level without further sustained rainfall.
The Tyne (Lothian) and Tweed catchments remain at Moderate Scarcity, while low to very low river flows continue across much of eastern Scotland. Several rivers have fallen below recognised low-flow thresholds again this week.
Although recent rainfall has largely been within the normal range for this time of year, it has not been sufficient to reverse the effects of prolonged dry conditions in eastern catchments. More sustained rainfall is needed to bring significant and lasting improvement.
Eastern rivers remain under pressure
Conditions remain very different across Scotland. While much of eastern Scotland continues to experience low river flows, the west is generally seeing normal to high flows, with very high flows in parts of the northwest.
Groundwater levels remain low across much of eastern Scotland, although levels in Dumfries and northern Scotland are generally within the normal range for the time of year. Most monitored lochs are at normal to high levels, although Lochindorb, east of Inverness, remains low.
Temporary restrictions on some licences to abstract water from the environment are in place in the Lower Tweed to protect rivers and the wildlife that depend on them.
While most seasonal agricultural irrigation has now finished, restrictions are still necessary where river flows have remained exceptionally low. These are kept under regular review and lifted when conditions improve sufficiently.
Stephen McGuire, Senior Hydrologist at SEPA, said: “Last week’s rainfall brought welcome improvements across Scotland, but we warned that parts of the east remained vulnerable. The Lower Tweed has now reached Significant Scarcity, showing just how fragile that recovery has been.
“After months of dry conditions, a few days of rainfall are not necessarily enough to restore river flows or replenish groundwater. What matters is how much rain falls, where it falls and whether it is sustained for long enough to make a lasting difference.
“Although we’re now into October, the effects of the dry spring and summer are still being felt in our rivers. Water scarcity doesn’t simply end when the seasons change.
“We may see further rainfall over the coming days, but it will take more prolonged rainfall to bring a sustained recovery in the areas that remain under pressure.
“SEPA will continue to monitor conditions closely and work with businesses that take water from the environment. Restrictions remain an important part of protecting our rivers when flows are exceptionally low, even where seasonal demand for water has reduced.”
SEPA will continue to publish weekly Water Scarcity Reports while conditions require monitoring, providing information to help businesses and other water users understand changing conditions and plan ahead.
The latest report, advice for abstractors and irrigators, and SEPA’s Drought Risk Assessment Tool are available at beta.sepa.scot/water-scarcity.
WESTMINSTER’S Science and Technology Committee has launched an inquiry examining how digital technologies can be used to facilitate harms such as stalking, harassment, coercive control and non-consensual intimate image abuse.
Domestic abuse is, as we know, far too prevalent in the real world but it is also expanding into digital spaces and creating new ways that abuse can occur, with smart devices like Ring doorbells, speakers and fitness trackers being used to track and abuse victims.
The issue sits within the wider context of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls and continues to grow. For example, referrals to the domestic abuse charity Refuge’s specialist Technology Facilitated Abuse and Economic Empowerment team rose by more than 62% in 2025 alone.
The government has taken steps to tackle some forms of technology-facilitated abuse through its violence against women and girls’ strategy and the Online Safety Act 2023. However, recent cases have raised questions about whether existing legal and regulatory frameworks remain fit for purpose.
This inquiry will explore the scale and impact of technology-facilitated harm and assess how technology companies and the government are responding to this. It may also look at the gender divide in technological spaces, and whether this is exacerbating or limiting abuse. The committee will focus primarily on digital abuse and online platforms.
The deadline for submitting evidence is 4 November.
Dame Chi Onwurah, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said:“Technology can empower and protect its users, but it also has the potential to create new ways for people – particularly women and girls – to be abused.
“Our inquiry, my committee will examine how digital technologies are being used to facilitate harm, whether current legislation is keeping pace and the responsibilities technology companies and online platforms have to prevent it.
“I encourage anyone with expertise in this area to submit evidence to our inquiry and inform our work.”
The October holidays are here, so it’s the perfect time to check out our holiday programme! We’ve got a few extra children’s events on, plus our usual Bookbug and adult events.
Everything is free, just come along for the start of the event and join in!
The Greenfingers Charity is celebrating a fundraising milestone, with the garden retail sector coming together to raise a grand total of £5,912 at Glee 2026 – surpassing last year’s impressive £4,200 and marking the strongest Glee total to date.
The money was generated through a series of activities across the show, including the much‑loved Floral Thursday, reflecting the industry’s ongoing commitment to supporting the charity’s work creating therapeutic gardens at children’s hospices across the UK.
The biggest contribution came from Floral Thursday, which once again transformed the halls of Glee into a vibrant celebration of colour and creativity. Exhibitors and visitors donned their finest floral attire, with exhibitors and visitors alike sporting bloom-inspired shirts, dresses, suits and accessories; all whilst donating generously and buying raffle tickets throughout the day.
By midday, a very festive-looking crowd gathered at Glee’s Centre Stage for the Floral Thursday finale, clutching tickets for the hotly-anticipated Greenfingers raffle and to take part in a world record attempt for the greatest number of people wearing florals in a single photograph. The joyful moment captured the spirit of the industry and helped push the day’s fundraising total to £3,313.
Original artwork and product donations boost total
Another highlight came from the Woodmansterne stand, where watercolour artist Kate Leach painted an original piece of artwork live at the show. The finished piece was offered as a raffle prize to anyone donating to the Greenfingers Charity, raising £657 and drawing strong interest from visitors throughout the event.
At the close of Glee, exhibitors once again showed their support for Greenfingers by donating products from their stands. These items were auctioned by W&H Peacocks after the show closed, raising £1,942 and providing a welcome boost to the final total.
New Collaboration launched
During the show, Ivyline unveiled another way for retailers to support Greenfingers with the debut of a specially designed collection – Pots with Purpose – created in partnership with the charity.
The brand-new range of cacti pots drew strong interest from buyers looking for meaningful, gift‑ready products with a charitable purpose. With 50p from every set sold donated directly to Greenfingers Charity, retailers now have a simple and commercially attractive way to help raise future funds for hospice gardens, while offering customers a stylish new addition to their indoor plant ranges.
Linda Petrons, Director of Fundraising & Communications at Greenfingers Charity, said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s fundraising such a success.
“From the amazing support shown on Floral Thursday to the generosity of exhibitors donating products and the beautiful artwork created by Kate Leach, the industry has once again come together in the most wonderful way.
“It was also lovely to see Ivyline launch its Pots with Purpose collection at the show, giving retailers a new way to support the Greenfingers Charity in the coming year.
“Every pound raised helps us to create and maintain more therapeutic gardens that allow children, families and hospice staff to spend meaningful time in surroundings that feel calm, natural and far removed from the clinical environment.
“These spaces support play, reflection and respite and we cannot thank the garden retail community enough for their kindness, enthusiasm and continued support.”
To find out more about the Greenfingers Charity and its work creating gardens for children’s hospices across the UK, visit www.greenfingerscharity.org.uk.
You can also follow Greenfingers Charity on Instagram and LinkedIn (@GreenfingersCharity) for the latest news, fundraising events and inspiring stories.
Two Holyrood committees are working together to gather evidence on the impacts of potential hyperscale data centre construction and operation in Scotland.
The Climate Action Committee is calling for data and evidence on the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres from construction and operation to the long-term management and disposal of waste, hardware and materials.
The Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee, meanwhile, wants to understand the potential economic and energy implications of hyperscale data centre development in Scotland.
A hyperscale data centre is a large facility that can be used for internet-based applications, data processing and artificial intelligence. There are no hyperscale data centres in Scotland, although more than 20 are proposed in different locations across the country.
Rather than focusing on specific proposals, the Committees’ call for evidence wants to gather a complete picture of the impact of data centres.
The Committees plan to share their findings with the Scottish Government’s Minister for Public Finance, Hannah Mary Goodlad MSP who has said that guidance on hyperscale data centres will be published by Christmas.
In addition to its consultation, the Climate Action Committee will hold evidence sessions in October and November. The Committee has also agreed to consider whether to carry out further work in this area at a later date.
The call for views is open until 15 November 2026.
Stuart McMillan MSP, Convener of the Climate Action Committee, said:“We want to understand the environmental impacts of hyperscale data centres and will share our findings ahead of the Scottish Government’s upcoming guidance.
“We would like to hear expert views about impacts on air and water quality, nature and biodiversity, noise pollution and emissions. We also want to understand what can be done to prevent or mitigate negative environmental impacts.
“We’re particularly keen to ensure that Scotland learns lessons from other countries where hyperscale data centres are already in operation.”
Convener of the Economy, Tourism and Energy Committee, Duncan Massey MSP, said:“Data centres have been grabbing the headlines but now it’s time to dig into the details.
“We want to ensure we understand whether there are economic positives for Scotland and what they are. Will they drive new jobs and create long term employment? What about our energy systems, are they able to support hyperscale data centres?
“To aid our scrutiny of Scottish Government decision making, we want to hear from experts working in these areas in order to build a clear picture of all the positives and negatives associated with bringing large scale data centres to Scotland.”
A new Breathing Space bench has been unveiled by national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland in partnership with NHS24 and Breathing Space this week, marking World Sight Day (Thursday 8 October) and World Mental Health Day (Saturday 10 October).
The bench is part of a Scotland-wide network of more than 100 installed since 2018, and will provide a quiet, welcoming space where anyone, including the blind and partially sighted community RNIB Scotland supports, can pause, reflect, or start a conversation about how they’re feeling.
RNIB research shows people with sight loss are more than twice as likely to experience unhappiness or depression than the UK average. Isolation is a major factor: many people who lose their vision find it harder to get out, see friends, or take part in the activities that once supported their wellbeing — and that loss of connection can have a profound effect on mental health.
RNIB Scotland Director James Adams says: “Nobody should have to navigate the emotional side of sight loss alone.
“Whether that’s through our own counselling and wellbeing services, or simply a conversation on a bench like this one, we want people to know that support exists and that reaching out is a sign of strength. We’re grateful to Breathing Space and NHS24 for working with us to bring it here, right at the heart of our community hub.”
The bench was unveiled by local councillor, James Dalgleish and representatives for Breathing Space, RNIB Scotland and the blind and partially sighted community. It is based at Hillside Crescent Gardens, outside RNIB Scotland’s community hub which is home to Café VI, a Product and Advice store, and a range of social and peer-support groups for the blind and partially sighted community.
The bench plaque also features braille, and a scannable QR code so visitors can access mental health support online.
The bench has been jointly funded by RNIB Scotland and Breathing Space, with costs shared equally between the two organisations.
Tony McLaren, National Coordinator for NHS 24’s Breathing Space service said: “Everyone should be able to access information and support in a way that works for them. That’s why we’re proud to support RNIB Scotland in unveiling this accessible community bench on World Sight Day.
“As a service that provides emotional support to people experiencing low mood, anxiety, stress or loneliness, Breathing Space understands the importance of removing barriers and helping people find the right support when they need it.
We hope this bench encourages people to take a moment, connect with their community and know that support is available if they’re struggling.”
Further funding for academies that have benefitted more than 2,000 so far
Training opportunities for school leaders will continue to be supported by the Scottish Government helping develop leadership skills, improve job satisfaction and benefit pupils and staff.
The Scottish Government is providing £395,000 to the Head Teachers’ Leadership Academies (HTLA), run by Columba 1400, which will be matched by the Hunter Foundation.
This brings total Scottish Government support for Columba 1400’s HTLAs to £790,000 since 2025-26, with this year’s funding expected to help up to 280 school leaders to develop their leadership skills.
Recent evaluation of the Leadership Academies revealed 2,000 headteachers and school leaders have already benefitted from the training, with participants reporting increased confidence and resilience, and improvements in their leadership abilities.
Education Secretary Màiri McAllan said: “Our support for Columba 1400’s leadership academies will ensure even more school leaders feel empowered to deliver excellence and equity in education, providing the opportunity to develop knowledge, confidence and skills.
“Education leaders are looking out for and caring for our children and young people everyday, and I recently met with graduates of the Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy who gave glowing feedback on the transformative experience of participating in the leadership academy and how it helped to reaffirm their leadership abilities.
“It is fantastic that 2,000 school leaders have already benefitted from the programme, returning to schools to deliver the progress we have seen, reflected in the rising attainment and narrowing of the poverty-related attainment gap in this year’s Qualification Scotland results. Hundreds more opportunities for development will be available through our continued support for the programme.”
Sir Tom Hunter said: “The Hunter Foundation has backed the Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy from day one because we know that leadership matters.
“We’re delighted that the Scottish Government has renewed its commitment to this partnership. If we want the best outcomes for Scotland’s young people, we need to invest in the people who lead our schools.
“Strong leadership creates opportunities, raises aspirations and makes a lasting difference in communities across the country.”
Marie Clare Tully, Chief Executive of Columba 1400, said: “I am delighted that the Scottish Government and The Hunter Foundation have reaffirmed their commitment to the Columba 1400 Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy.
“This continued investment reflects a shared belief in the importance of values-based leadership and will enable a further 280 school leaders to take part in our academies in 2027. The greatest outcome of these experiences is seeing school leaders reconnect with their values, rediscover their sense of purpose and remember why they went into teaching in the first place.
“Time and again, we see the impact of that ripple out into schools and communities across Scotland, creating the conditions for children and young people to thrive.”
Alison Rooney, headteacher at Langloan Primary School and Nursery Class in Coatbridge, who recently took part in a HTLA, said: “The Head Teachers’ Leadership Academy gave me the space to reconnect with what matters most as a leader.
“The impact has stayed with me long after the Academy ended, influencing how I lead, how we work together as a staff team and how we create opportunities for children and young people to thrive. I’m delighted that future school leaders will continue to have access to this incredible experience.”
We’ll be moving them to Friday afternoons, making it easier for more people to join us, including families after school pick-up and anyone popping along to Dr Bike at the centre. We’ll share more details about timings over the next week or two.
Breakfast: All your usual favourites, plus homemade blueberry scones.
Lunch: Bangers and mash, followed by an indulgent Banoffee Pie.
