Award-winning bridal boutique, Rachel Scott Couture, welcomes British fashion icon to Scotland for first time
Her designs have graced the likes of HRH Princess of Wales, Beyoncé and Madonna. Her accolades include the title of English Print Designer of the Year and Best Young Designer of the Year.
Vogue magazine described her as “Making the biggest waves in British fashion”. And in 2011 she earned an MBE for her services to the fashion industry.
Today, Alice Temperley MBE is one of the UK’s most revered fashion designers, and this month Scotland will welcome her for the first time as the award-winning bridal boutique, Rachel Scott Couture, hosts an exclusive evening in her honour.
Taking place in Edinburgh on Thursday 27th April 2023, Rachel Scott Couture presents ‘An Evening with Alice Temperley’. Brides-to-be can expect a luxury shopping experience like no other, featuring fizz, fashion, and all the latest looks from this celebrated designer presented in the intimate setting of the Rachel Scott Couture showroom.
On display will be a carefully curated edit of Temperley London designs from the bridalwear, eveningwear and heritage collections. Plus, Alice Temperley herself will be on-hand to discuss her signature style of wonderfully whimsical ethereal embroidery and bohemian embellishment.
The Temperley London trunk show will then be available to view by private appointment at Rachel Scott Couture, Friday 28th – Sunday 30th April.
Speaking ahead of ‘An Evening with Alice Temperley’, owner of Rachel Scott Couture, Rachel Snedden, reveals; “I am so excited to welcome designer Alice Temperley to Scotland for the first time.
“I have long been a fan of her designs – each one beautifully sculptural, intricately detailed, and uniquely romantic – everything a bride longs for in a dress.
“I am absolutely thrilled to be able to provide Edinburgh brides with this rare and exciting opportunity to see the dresses up close and to actually talk to the iconic designer responsible for creating them.”
‘An Evening with Alice Temperley’ will take place at Rachel Scott Couture, 29b Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6QQ, on Thursday 27th April 2023, 6-8pm.
The event is free to attend but registration is essential as tickets are strictly limited. To request a ticket, email hello@rachelscottcouture.co.uk or call 0131 556 1520.
The Temperley London trunk show, featuring designs from the bridalwear, eveningwear and heritage collection, will be available to view at Rachel Scott Couture Friday 28th – Sunday 30th April.
To book an appointment during the trunk show weekend, head to:
The health assessments system to access vital benefits for those who cannot work or face extra costs due to disability or ill-health continues to let down those who rely on it, according to Westminster’s Work and Pensions Committee.
In its latest Report, the Committee calls for the implementation of several measures that would be relatively quick and easy wins to improve trust, drive down the high rate of decisions reversed on appeal and reduce waiting times.
It says assessments should be recorded by default, with claimants having the option to opt-out, adding that footage could be used to review cases more accurately without having to go to appeal, and help assessors learn from past mistakes.
Some of the improvements the Committee suggest could drive down the high rate of decisions reversed on appeal, which still stands at 69% for Personal Independence Payment (PIP). Although the Work Capability Assessment used for Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance is due to be abolished, it will remain in place until at least 2026. Meanwhile, PIP assessments will continue, so retaining the status quo is not an option.
MPs on the Committee also recommended allowing claimants to choose between remote or in-person assessments, extending the deadline to return forms, targets to reduce assessment waiting times, and payments to people who have been forced to wait beyond the new targets.
Committee Chair Sir Stephen Timms MP said: ““We surveyed eight and a half thousand people as part of our inquiry and found a profound lack of trust in the system as a consistent theme.
“Many will welcome abolition of the Work Capability Assessment. The Government’s process improvements, and recognition that the system causes undue stress and hardship, are steps in the right direction.
“However, waiting years for changes won’t cut it when quicker wins are available: flexibility of choice on assessment by phone or face-to-face; recording assessments by default; extending deadlines to reduce stress; and sending claimants their reports. All this will give much-needed transparency to a process that so few trust yet affects their lives so fundamentally.
“All efforts must be made for unnecessary limbo and stress for claimants to be put to an end.”
The Presiding Officer’s chair from what would have become the Scottish Parliament building in the event of a vote for devolution in the 1979 referendum has been gifted to National Museums Scotland.
It had been intended that the Scottish Assembly, as it was referred to at the time, would sit in the former Royal High School building on Calton Hill in central Edinburgh, and plans were sufficiently advanced for the Debating Chamber to have been furnished.
However, the referendum did not secure the required number of votes to achieve devolution. When the vote for devolution was later carried in 1997, the decision was taken to build a brand-new purpose-built Scottish Parliament building and so the chair was never used for its intended purpose.
Georgia Vullinghs, Assistant Curator of Modern and Contemporary History, said: “We’re very pleased to be able to acquire this object. The furniture represents a key moment in the story of devolution and the history of Scottish politics.
“This large, blocky chair and its futuristic design is emblematic of a confidence in significant political change for Scotland in the late 1970s, but which did not ultimately happen at that time. This generous donation will allow us to better tell the story of that fascinating moment in Scotland’s history through our collections.”
The former Royal High School building is now undergoing a major restoration which will see it repurposed as a world-class centre for music education and public performance for the benefit of the whole of Scotland as the National Centre for Music. The Royal High School Preservation Trust (RHSPT) is leading the project and took possession of the building in March.
William Gray Muir, Chair of the RHSPT said: “We are delighted that this piece of constitutional history will have a fitting home in the national museum, where it can help tell the story of how modern Scottish politics encountered the legacy of the Scottish Enlightenment.
“The significance of the Thomas Hamilton building – the Old Royal High – and its symbolic importance to our national political and social ambitions is indisputable and its past, present and future form a critical part of Edinburgh’s status in the world. The Trust’s aim is that we add a new chapter to that story and the building’s relationship with Scottish heritage and our national museum will continue.”
Although the Scottish Assembly never occupied the building, the site of the Royal High School remained a focal point in the debate over devolution, with images of the building used in campaign material, and a Vigil for a Scottish Parliament was held outside the building for 1,980 days from 10 April 1992 until the 1997 referendum.
The tent from the touring campaign and related material are on display in the National Museum of Scotland. The chair is now at the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh where it will undergo conservation treatment.
New smart motorways to be removed from government road-building plans due to financial pressures and lack of confidence felt by drivers
plans for new smart motorways will be cancelled in recognition of the current lack of public confidence felt by drivers and cost pressures
smart motorways earmarked for construction during the third Road Investment Strategy (2025 to 2030) and previously paused schemes will now not go ahead
existing smart motorways will continue to benefit from £900 million safety improvements
Plans for new smart motorways will be cancelled, delivering on the Prime Minister’s summer campaign pledge.
New smart motorways – including the 11 already paused from the second Road Investment Strategy (2020 to 2025) and the 3 earmarked for construction during the third Road Investment Strategy (2025 to 2030) – will be removed from government road-building plans, given financial pressures and in recognition of the current lack of public confidence felt by drivers.
Initial estimations suggest constructing future smart motorway schemes would have cost more than £1 billion and cancelling these schemes will allow more time to track public confidence in smart motorways over a longer period.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: All drivers deserve to have confidence in the roads they use to get around the country. That’s why last year I pledged to stop the building of all new smart motorways, and today I’m making good on that promise.
“Many people across the country rely on driving to get to work, to take their children to school and go about their daily lives and I want them to be able to do so with full confidence that the roads they drive on are safe.”
Transport Secretary Mark Harper said: “We want the public to know that this government is listening to their concerns.
“Today’s announcement means no new smart motorways will be built, recognising the lack of public confidence felt by drivers and the cost pressures due to inflation.
Independent road safety campaigner, Meera Naran, whose 8-year-old son Dev, died in a motorway collision on the M6 in 2018, said: “Since successfully campaigning for the 18-point action plan, £900 million commitment and the pause in the roll out in January 2022, there has been a lot of joined up thinking in mutually coming to this decision.
“I thank ministers and executives for inviting me to work alongside them in memory of Dev, towards a mutual goal and for their commitment over the years.”
The government and National Highways continue to invest £900 million in further safety improvements on existing smart motorways.
This includes progressing plans on installing 150 extra emergency areas across the network in line with the commitments made in response to the Transport Select Committee, as well as further improving the performance of stopped vehicle detection technology on every all lane running smart motorway.
The government will also continue to give motorists clear advice when using existing smart motorways.
While no new stretches of road will be converted into smart motorways, the M56 J6-8 and M6 J21a-26 will be completed given they are already over three quarters constructed.
We’re excited to share that Circular Communities Scotland has reached a major milestone – 250 members!
We couldn’t have done it without the dedication and support of our amazing board and team, our funders, and of course our incredible members, who are working hard to create a more circular and sustainable Scotland.
Thank you for being part of Circular Communities Scotland, and for your ongoing commitment to tackling climate change whilst providing environmental and social justice to communities across the country!
After eye-watering price hikes came into effect earlier this month, new Which? research has found that some Big Four mobile customers could save more than £200 a year by switching when their contract ends.
Using data from its most recent mobile survey, the consumer champion has calculated how much out-of-contract customers of the Big Four providers – EE, Three, O2 and Vodafone – could save by switching to Which?’s top pick of low, medium and high data deals.
Which?’s survey found that out-of-contract Big Four customers pay an average of £22.37 a month – significantly higher than the average £19.01 monthly bill across all providers – and in some cases could save more than £200 a year by switching away to cheaper deals.
When Which? checked this week, the consumer champion found a range of deals with highly-rated providers offering around low, medium and high data packages for under £14 a month – examples included Smarty’s 4GB for £5 deal and iD Mobile’s 200GB for £14 offer.
The average out-of-contract EE customer in the consumer champion’s survey pays £23.80 per month and could stand to make the biggest savings. By switching to Which?’s top low data pick – Smarty’s 4GB offer – they could potentially save £225.60 a year (£18.80 a month).
This is closely followed by out-of-contract Vodafone customers who pay an average of £22.20 per month according to Which?’s survey and could save £206.40 (£17.20 a month) by switching to Smarty’s 4GB offer.
Three and O2 customers would also stand to make significant savings. According to the consumer champion’s survey, out-of-contract Three and O2 customers pay an average of £21.50 a month and £21.30 a month respectively and could save £198 (£16.50 a month) and £195.60 (£16.30 a month) by switching to Smarty’s deal.
Big Four customers could also make significant savings by switching to Which?’s medium and high data picks – such as iD Mobile’s 20GB offer for £7 and iD Mobile’s 200GB offer for £14.
EE customers would again make the biggest savings – £201.60 a year (£16.80 a month) for switching to Which?’s medium data pick and £117.60 annually (£9.80 a month) for high data.
O2 customers would make the lowest savings – £171.60 a year (£14.30 a month) for medium data and £87.60 annually (£7.30 a month) for high data.
In the consumer champion’s recent mobile survey, over half (52%) said they only use up to 5GB a month – so many customers could make significant savings by switching to a cheap, low-data deal. With many providers pushing ahead with price hikes of up to 17 per cent, out-of-contract customers should switch quickly to cut costs.
However, not all customers can switch away so easily. Millions are trapped in a Catch-22 where they either have to accept price hikes of up to 17 per cent or pay exorbitant exit fees to leave the contract early. Which? has called on providers to allow all customers to leave without penalty if prices are hiked mid-contract but many are ploughing ahead with their existing plans regardless.
Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: “Our findings show that some out-of-contract Big Four customers could save over £200 a year just by switching mobile providers. Anyone in that position should be thinking about making a switch or at least haggling for a much better deal from their current provider.
“However, millions will be trapped in costly contracts by exorbitant exit fees – and feeling the pain of eye-watering price increases of up to 17 per cent.
“Which? believes it’s absolutely critical that Ofcom’s review of inflation linked mid-contract hikes results in changes that ensure customers are never trapped in this situation again.”
How much EE customers could save
Out of contract EE customers pay the most on average, although those on bundled contracts may be eligible for a 10 per cent discount after being out of contract for three months.
EE out of contract survey average is £23.80 per month.
Low data pick: Smarty 4GB for £5 – potential savings of £18.80 per month
Medium data pick: iD Mobile 20GB for £7 – potential savings of £16.40 per month
High data pick: iD Mobile 200GB for £14 – potential savings of £9.80 per month
How much Three customers could save
Three does not apply any discount for out of contract customers, so they will continue to pay their full rate.
Three out of contract survey average is £21.50 per month.
Low data pick: Smarty 4GB for £5 – potential savings £16.50 per month
Medium data pick: iD Mobile 20GB for £7 – potential savings £14.50 per month
High data pick: iD Mobile 200GB for £14 – potential savings £7.50 per month
How much O2 customers could save
O2 offers split contracts, so the device and airtime parts of the contracts are charged separately. This means customers will not pay extra when their phone has been paid off, but it could still be worth shopping around for a cheaper Sim-only deal.
O2 out of contract survey average is £21.30 per month.
Low data pick: Smarty 4GB for £5 – potential savings £16.30 per month
Medium data pick: iD Mobile 20GB for £7 – potential savings £14.30 per month
High data pick: iD Mobile 200GB for £14 – potential savings £7.30 per month
How much Vodafone customers could save
Vodafone’s Evo customers will be in a similar situation to O2 customers, as their contracts are split. However, plenty of legacy customers – who joined Vodafone before Evo launched in June 2021 – will still be on bundled contracts and potentially paying extra.
Vodafone out of contract survey average is £22.20 per month.
Low data pick: Smarty 5GB for £4 – potential savings £17.20 per month
Medium data pick: iD Mobile 20GB for £7 – potential savings £15.20 per month
High data pick: iD Mobile 200GB for £14 – potential savings £8.20 per month
Right of replies
An EE spokesperson said:“We aim to make sure our customers are always on the best deal for them. We contact our customers near the end of their contract, and periodically while out of contract, to remind them of our latest deals. All out of contract EE customers are eligible for a 10% discount after being out of contract for three months.
“Customers can regularly track their data usage through the MyEE app. We’re the only network that makes sure you stay online and connected even when your monthly data allowance runs out, through our Stay Connected Data offering.”
Three declined to comment.
A Virgin Media O2 spokesperson said:“Unlike the other mobile network operators, nearly a decade ago we launched contracts which automatically reduce customers’ bills as soon as they’ve finished paying for their handsets – so our customers are already saving big when their contract ends.
“This automatic saving is in addition to the host of benefits we offer to customers including inclusive EU Roaming and O2 Priority which offers exclusive rewards, unique experiences and daily perks, as well as Priority Tickets for thousands of gigs and events across the UK.”
Vodafone spokesperson said:“We encourage everyone to review their plan at the end of any contract so they can make sure they’re on the right deal for their needs – which often change over time. At the end of every contract period we notify our customers of the best value deals available, and can also support them in finding this online, over the phone and in stores.”
“We offer a wide range of great value packages and customers can save by bringing their mobile and broadband contracts to us – (up to £380 a year). Our loyalty programme Very Me gives customers a range of additional discounts on days out, discounts on takeaways, free coffees and more.”
Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has announced the sale of Kildonan Lodge Hotel in Edinburgh. For nearly 30 years, the hotel has been run by Maggie Urquhart, who is now set to retire.
Located in the affluent suburb of Newington, Kildonan Lodge enjoys a large private plot which is within easy reach of Edinburgh city centre. The business is set in a large Victorian villa, which boasts grand period feature and comprises 15 letting rooms in a range of styles, from traditional with four-poster beds, to modern boutique.
Previous owner, Maggie Urquhart said: “I would like to thank all our guests, many who have stayed multiple times. It has been a pleasure to meet you all and I wish you all the very best for the future.
“To my staff, who became like family, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your loyalty and dedication in helping make Kildonan Lodge such a warm welcoming place to stay.”
Gary Witham, Director – Hotels at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, comments, “Small high-quality hotels rarely become available so close to the City – there is certainly good demand from buyers who benefit from the international appeal of the Edinburgh market. Post covid trade has been stronger than ever.”
Kildonan Lodge Hotel was sold with a guide price of £2,000,000.
AI transforms video game heroes into alternate evil versions.
Super Mario is transformed into a blood-sucking fiend, “Count Mariocula.”
Luigi becomes Mario’s right-hand ghoul, “Ghoulish Greenhand.”
As the world of artificial intelligence continues to grow and expand, Online Casino has tapped into its possibilities of reimagining video game protagonists as villains.
Using MidJourney, an artificial intelligence program, Online.Casino transformed beloved video game heroes into their dark and sinister counterparts, showcasing the limitless possibilities of technology and AI-assisted creativity.
Inspired by the release of the Super Mario Bros. Movie, this collection reimagines Mario, Luigi, and many other protagonists as their villainous counterparts. The AI-generated pictures highlight a unique twist on classic characters, revealing them in a new light.
These reimagined villains, which have also been re-named by ChatGPT, offer fans an intriguing new perspective on their beloved heroes, inviting them to delve into a world where the lines between good and evil are blurred.
Mario Mario from Super Mario Bros. becomes “Count Mariocula,” the blood-sucking villainous version of Mario from the Super Mario Bros. series.
Luigi Luigi from Super Mario Bros. becomes “Ghoulish Greenhand,” “Mariocula’s” right-hand ghoul:
God of War Kratos from the God of War series becomes “God of Death”:
Tomb Raider Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series becomes “Tomb Terror”:
Sonic Sonic the Hedgehog transforms into the menacing “Sinister Surge”:
Uncharted Nathan Drake from the Uncharted series becomes “Nathan Dark”:
The Legend of Zelda
Link from The Legend of Zelda becomes “Darkened Blade”, the evil version of the legendary hero:
Halo
Master Chief from the Halo franchise becomes the “Ominous Overlord”:
A spokesperson for Online.Casino commented on the images:
“This AI-generated artwork showcases the limitless possibilities of technology and creativity and encourages us to consider the duality of our favorite characters.”
“The goal of this project was not only to showcase the creative potential of AI technology, but also offer a fresh and unique perspective on some of the most iconic video game characters of all time. Fans have a new chance to explore the dark and twisted versions of their favorite heroes, and perhaps even gain a greater appreciation for the complex and multi-dimensional nature of these beloved characters.”
