Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information following the attempted robbery of a woman in the Broughton Road area. The incident took place around 8.45pm on Thursday 23 September on the Warriston Path walkway, near the opening at Boat Green.
The victim, a 33-year-old woman, was approached and threatened by a man, before she ran to the nearby Tesco. It is believed the man left in the opposite direction.
The suspect is described as being a white man, in his mid-50s, around 5ft 9, medium build and bald. He was wearing a tight-fitting long-sleeved dark green jumper, blue jeans and a black fabric face mask. He spoke with a Scottish accent and was said to have a bow-legged gait.
Detective Constable Gary Lipscombe, from Edinburgh CID, said: “It is thankful that the victim was not injured as a result of this incident, however she was left badly shaken.
“We are appealing for anyone who was in the Warriston Road, Boat Green or Broughton Road areas last night and believes they may have seen the man in question to please come forward.
We are also keen to speak with any motorists with potential dash cam footage from the area at that time.
“Anyone with information should call police on 101, quoting incident 3505 of 23 September. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, if you wish to remain anonymous.”
Women Speak Scotland, as part of a coalition of 14 Scottish grassroots feminist and women’s rights organisations, have called on the Scottish Parliament to reject the Scottish Government’s proposed reform of the Gender Recognition Act.
Our joint statement, sent to all 129 MSPs, sets out our principled objections to the proposed legislation in its current form.
The First Minister has offered an assurance that this new legislation will “not … remove any of the legal protections women currently have”.
We welcome this commitment to women’s sex-based rights.
However, we believe the central feature of the proposed Bill – the introduction of sex self-identification – is incompatible with retaining women’s existing rights and protections under the Equality Act.
We use the term sex self-ID rather than gender self-ID because the most significant aspect of obtaining a gender recognition certificate (GRC) is that it allows people to engage in the legal fiction that they have become a member of the opposite sex, despite the biological impossibility of such an action.
Sex self-ID contributes to widespread confusion that makes it increasingly difficult to name, identify or define women or to protect any single-sex spaces, including hospital wards, prisons, youth hostels and changing rooms, sports, awards and women-only shortlists.
We ask the Scottish Government to drop its plans to introduce sex self-ID and to ensure its commitment to women is kept by:
Ensuring women’s voices and experiences are heard and inform any legislative change;
Ensuring protections for women on the basis of our sex are strengthened and not weakened by any changes to legislation;
Maintaining single-sex spaces for the dignity, privacy, physical, emotional and psychological safety of women and girls;
Guaranteeing the human rights of women, including those to freedom of speech and assembly, are not adversely affected by legislative change.
We ask all MSPs to vote against the proposed Bill because of its hugely detrimental impact on women’s rights to safe single-sex spaces and freedom of speech.
Signatories Frontline Feminists Scotland Women Speak Scotland Sole Sisters Women Matter Keep Prisons Single Sex Liberal Voice for Women Yes Women’s Pledge Labour Women’s Declaration Conservatives For Women Independence for Scotland Party (ISP) Brodie’s Trust Audacious Women Festival National Network of Scottish Feminists Women’s Human Rights Campaign (Scotland)
The Business Secretary met with senior executives from the fuel industry last night following ‘supply chain issues’ at petrol forecourts.
During the meeting, attendees discussed issues caused by supply chain pressures and spikes in localised demand.
As a result, Businesses Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng agreed to implement a measure to temporarily exempt industry from the Competition Act 1998 for the purpose of sharing information and optimising supply.
Known as The Downstream Oil Protocol, this step will allow Government to work constructively with fuel producers, suppliers, hauliers and retailers to ensure that disruption is minimised as far as possible.
The measure will make it easier for industry to share information, so that they can more easily prioritise the delivery of fuel to the parts of the country and strategic locations that are most in need.
Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: We have long-standing contingency plans in place to work with industry so that fuel supplies can be maintained and deliveries can still be made in the event of a serious disruption.
“While there has always been and continues to be plenty of fuel at refineries and terminals, we are aware that there have been some issues with supply chains. This is why we will enact the Downstream Oil Protocol to ensure industry can share vital information and work together more effectively to ensure disruption is minimised.
“We thank HGV drivers and all forecourt staff for their tireless work during this period.”
The decision follows a package of measures announced over the weekend which will see the Government ease temporary supply chain pressures brought on by the pandemic and the global economy rebounding around the world.
These include an immediate increase in HGV testing, short term visas for HGV drivers and new skills bootcamps to train up to 3,000 more people to become HGV drivers.
In a joint statement, stakeholders* said: “We are in regular contact with Government ministers and policy officials and it was reassuring to meet with the Business Secretary again on Sunday evening and discuss further action.
“We will continue to work closely in partnership over this period with local and national Government and want to reassure the public that the issues that have arisen are due to temporary spikes in customer demand, not a national shortage of fuel.“
So, you’re looking to buy a new car. Why wouldn’t you? After all, there are many advantages to buying a new car. You get to play with all the latest technology and gadgets that the automotive industry has to offer. Your car will last longer. And you’ll be the envy of the roads in your latest motor. But when are you planning to buy this car? And is there a best time to buy a new car?
From number plates, car model renewal, and dealership incentives, we show you how to work out when you should buy your new car:
Should I wait for the plate?
New number plates are issued twice a year in the UK. This happens once in March and then again in September. Number plates from the start of the year will take their numbers from the last two digits of the year.
After September, 50 is added to these digits to differentiate when the car was registered. Therefore, in 2021, cars registered after March will have a 21 plate, and a 71 plate after September. But how much does this affect your vehicle’s value, and should you wait until the next set of plates are released?
This depends on how you intend to use your car and when you plan on selling it in the future. The average car building a mileage of 10,000 miles per year will lose about 10 to 40 per cent of its value in the first year, and then 50 per cent of its value over three years. Therefore, waiting for the new plates to be released can give you some more selling power. You may have to wait just a month, but your car could be classified as up to six months newer.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to save money now, you may want to buy a car before the new number plates are released. A newer number plate carries some prestige, and increased demand may lower your chances of saving money.
If you’re not interested in sporting the latest number plate, buy a car just before March and September instead. You’ll have an immediately older number plate, but you may have a heavier wallet left to buy any little extras for your car.
Is there a new model coming out?
Do you want all the latest features and gismos in your new car? Then you will want to consider what model car you are buying and when it was released. Cars will usually update and renew themselves over a seven-year period, with a semi-upgrade halfway through the cycle:
Year 1 – A new car model is introduced
Year 2 – Minor change are made to fix any teething problems
Year 3 – Some upgrades, including materials and technology
Year 4 – Minor changes or updates
Year 5 – No changes, but may have buying incentives
Year 6 – More incentives to buy as a new model is announced
Year 7 – Model is completely revamped. The cycle starts again
Again, deciding when to buy a car depends on what you’re looking for when buying a new motor. Do you want the latest upgrades, or do you want to save money? If you’re looking for upgrades, you may want to buy your car in year 2, after any teething problems have been ironed out, or after the mid-cycle update.
If you’re looking to save money, buying a new car on the fifth or sixth year after its release may be a more economic choice. Manufacturers will likely want to move stock quickly before the release of the next model, so you may be able to negotiate a lower price or take advantages of other incentives, including free or reduced car accessories.
Dealership deals
Just like any other retailer, car dealerships such as Volvo Guildford will also have a sale period, where there are a number of buying incentives to take advantage of. These periods usually fall in line with what we would expect from sales: they often take place on bank holidays, on Boxing Day, and on other retail holidays such as Black Friday.
Find out what your local dealership is offering and how it could help you save. Incentives may also be offered more towards the end of the year when sales quotas are closing. You may be able to find a great deal on a new car and take advantage of incentives during this time as dealerships try to meet and exceed their targets.
When shopping for your next car, make sure you’re buying at the right time. Whether you’re looking to save money or have fun with all the best technology, it’s clear that there are advantages to waiting for the perfect moment.
LONDON-based property investment firm Castleforge Partners has announced the acquisition of Edinburgh hotel, the Crowne Plaza Royal Terrace.
The 97-room hotel, located nearby to the newly re-developed St James Centre, will undergo a full refurbishment before being re-launched in March 2022.
This is the third hotel investment Castleforge has made this year, as the firm continues to strengthen its portfolio in the hospitality sector. In May, Castleforge announced the acquisition of the Bruntsfield Hotel in Edinburgh, shortly followed by the purchase of the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff in June. Castleforge has appointed Axiom Hospitality to manage all three assets.
Since its inception in 2010, Castleforge has invested approximately £1bn, gaining a reputation for value-add investment in office and residential real estate across the UK and Europe.
In 2020, the firm signalled its intentions to expand into the hospitality sector with the appointment of Matt Lederer from Marriott International as its Hotel Acquisitions director.
Property and investment management group JLL advised on the deal, the value of which has been undisclosed.
Matt Lederer, Hotel Acquisitions Director for Castleforge Partners commented: “We are thrilled to add the Crowne Plaza to our portfolio of hotels. It is in a prime location in one of the most exciting areas of Edinburgh and we are looking forward to working with Axiom and IHG Hotels & Resorts to bring the best out of this hotel for guests, staff and investors alike.
“Now is a particularly exciting time to be investing in hotels as the tourism industry shows signs of recovery from the pandemic and we will continue to seek exciting investment opportunities in this space.”
Alex Pritchard, Co-CEO of Axiom Hospitality said: “We are pleased to be working with Castleforge once again on their latest hotel acquisition, particularly in Edinburgh as it is known for having some of the most sought-after hotels in the world.
“We are looking forward to repositioning the hotel, making it an exciting place to work, and welcoming guests from across the UK and abroad.”
Kerr Young, Director at JLL added: “We are pleased to have been able to facilitate an off-market sale of the Crowne Plaza, Edinburgh.
“This is the fourth hotel transaction JLL have brokered in Edinburgh during 2021 and is yet further evidence on the long-term confidence investors have in the sector.”
Three brothers with a rare genetic kidney disorder have all now received life-saving kidney transplants within three years of each other, thanks to organ donors across the UK.
John, Bill and Robert Whiteford all suffer from autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADKPKD) – a genetic degenerative illness which sees kidney function gradually decrease to the point of failure, meaning all would have required ongoing dialysis.
Luckily, thanks to donors, the brothers all have a brand new lease of life, and a new kidney, with John Whiteford successfully receiving his transplant last week at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, following seven months of dialysis.
Each brother received their kidney through separate routes – each with their own unique story – but all being reliant on donors.
Mr Marc Clancy, lead consultant for transplant surgery at NHSGGC, who also performed John’s transplant, said: “The three brothers highlight the different routes people can receive transplants and we’re delighted to have been part of the process for John and Bill, as well as John’s daughter Sonia’s kidney donation. Furthermore, it’s fantastic to see them all recovering, albeit at different stages, and we wish them well for the future.
“Across NHSGGC we’ve been fortunate in being able to maintain a full kidney transplant service across the West of Scotland Renal Transplant Centre. This means a total of 224 transplants have taken place since April 2020.
“Thanks to the new opt-in rules which came into effect earlier this year we expect the numbers of transplants to take place across the UK to increase upwards of 30% over the next 5 years. This is fantastic news for our patients, and despite the pandemic, we are in a strong position within NHSGGC and anticipate similar growth in figures within our own service.”
Meet the brothers
John Whiteford – received a kidney through the Living Kidney Sharing Scheme
John, who was discharged earlier this week, received his transplant at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, thanks to his daughter Sonia who was not a match, but was happy to donate her kidney as part of the UK Living Kidney Sharing Scheme. The scheme means if a donor is unable to donate directly, as was the case here, they are registered in a national scheme which matches them up with other pairs throughout the UK. This means Sonia’s kidney helped save a life elsewhere, while another donor’s kidney was given to John.
The retired minister, who is married with four children, is looking forward to getting his life back on track, and especially to spending time back in Sweden where his wife is from.
John said: “I am massively thankful to everyone working in dialysis and in the transplant arena. The team at the QEUH was excellent throughout and the care has been second to none.
“I couldn’t believe it when I was matched, it really is life changing news. The dialysis keeps me alive but I’m tethered to a machine three days per week and you’re energy levels are low. Transplant is the long-term solution and I’m incredibly thankful to my daughter Sonia, and to the UK Living Kidney Scheme.”
Daughter and 38 year old mum of two, Sonia, said: “The Living Kidney Sharing scheme has allowed me to help my dad and that is a huge privilege and an amazing thing to be part of.
“I can already see him getting better and his kidney function is improving every day. There’s a real feeling of joy and relief at the same time, and while I was only discharged this week, I’m already feeling my energy levels returning. As a mum of two getting that back fully is essential!
“The genetic condition which runs in our family means 50% of us will have kidney issues so we really are all in this together, and it’s inspiring to see how well programmes like the Living Kidney Sharing scheme work in practice.”
Bill Whiteford – received a kidney from a friend
Retired BBC journalist Bill Whiteford is well on his way to recovery having received his kidney two weeks ago at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (07/08/21). Bill was lucky enough to have a friend who turned out to be a match.
Bill, who worked for the BBC for years, presenting the likes of Good Morning Scotland and BBC Drivetime, commented: “First and foremost I am grateful to my friend. It’s a massive decision to give up a kidney and I am humbled for his support, without which, I would inevitably still be on the waiting list and fast approaching the need for regular dialysis.
“I’d urge everyone to consider donating an organ – whether that’s through the living donor programmes or by having that important conversation with family to let them know your organ donation wishes in the event you pass away.”
Robert Whiteford – received his kidney from an altruistic donor through the Living Kidney Sharing Scheme
Robert, 67, was the first of the brothers to receive a kidney transplant. The retired vet who stays in Scone also received his kidney through the Living Kidney Sharing Scheme, with ex-wife Linda donating her kidney as part of the process. Luckily Robert was matched up in the first round of checks which meant he was able to avoid going on to dialysis. Three years on and he remains extremely grateful to Linda and the altruistic donor he was matched with through the programme.
Robert said: “I started developing symptoms around 10 years ago, and following a scan it was confirmed that I had the condition. Following that, my kidney function gradually fell to 8% but luckily through the programme I was matched very quickly.
“I’m extremely thankful to Linda and the altruistic donor, who joined the Kidney Sharing programme and helped facilitated my transplant, and others.
“I would tell anyone who is considering donating to a friend or loved one, to seriously consider the programme – even if you’re not a match, by donating your kidney you can ensure your loved one is matched with someone else.”
GRAHAMhas welcomed the “next generation of talent” from its Graduate Apprenticeship Programme, which gives company employees the opportunity to gain higher education via the workplace.
Under the programme, delivered as part of the GRAHAM Academy Scotland, four employees have completed their studies at Heriot Watt University – the top university in Scotland for construction and civil engineering*.
The graduates are Thomas McGoran from Cardonald, Karen Jeffrey from Bishopbriggs, Jos Mackie from Lenzie and Shams Rahimi from Maryhill – all have completed degrees in Construction Built Environment and Civil Engineering.
Hosted and funded by Skills Development Scotland, the programme provides a new route into degree level education for those currently employed, or those who want to go straight into the workplace.
The courses have been designed around the needs of the construction industry to ensure employees are learning skills that contribute to business needs.
The new graduates will have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from their degree courses on some of GRAHAM’s most high-profile projects, such as Central Quay and Buchanan Wharf, Glasgow.
Karen Jeffrey (25), who has been working on site at Buchanan Wharf, said: “I’ve always had an interest in construction, particularly buildings and how they are constructed and maintained. When I left school, I originally pursued a degree in building surveying, but I desperately wanted to develop my practical experience.
“I applied for an apprenticeship with GRAHAM and started their programme to gain a technical apprenticeship at HNC level. From there, GRAHAM has been fantastic at continuing to develop my skillset and further my potential by putting me forward for the Graduate Apprenticeship.
“When the pandemic struck, our mentors at Heriot Watt University and the team at GRAHAM were supportive throughout and ensured we all stayed on track, achieved our outcomes and produced the appropriate evidence.
“The course has provided me with a great blend of theory andon-the-job experience on the Buchanan Wharf projects – expertise which I’m excited to take forward into the next chapter of my career.”
Debbie Rutherford, Social Impact Manager at GRAHAM, believes nurturing talent has been key to GRAHAM’s strong growth, saying: “We are thrilled to welcome the next generation of talent and to equip them with the tools to grow and become future leaders at GRAHAM.
“Despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, our graduates have overcome the enormous challenges presented to them over the past year. Coupled with support from the university, we are exceptionally proud of our graduates and look forward to seeing them further their professional careers and futures with GRAHAM.
“As one of the first companies in the UK to be accredited Platinum status by Investors in People, we believe that nurturing and investing in the next generation of talent is crucial for the long-term success and sustainability of GRAHAM.”
Graeme Bowles, Programme Director for Heriot-Watt’s Construction and the Built Environment Graduate Apprenticeship programme, said: “I’m delighted to have reached this important milestone with the graduation of our first cohort of apprentices with GRAHAM.
“They leave us with an accredited Honours degree and continue their career development with the knowledge and skills that the apprenticeship has developed. I’ve enjoyed working with our apprentices and overseeing their growth and development as construction professionals. They will be very valued by their employers and I’m sure they’ll make a huge contribution.”
The Graduate Programme is part of the GRAHAM Academy, which is an in-house training and development initiative which offers a range of graduate programmes, industrial and undergraduate placements, part-time university study, apprenticeships, work experience, and trainee opportunities.
Since 2015, the GRAHAM Academy has seen more than 215 graduates successfully through its programme, with 11 new technical apprentices joining GRAHAM in the last year.
A member of the “5% Club”, a group of companies committed to ensuring 5% of their workforce over the next five years is comprised of young people on structured learning schemes, GRAHAM is already ahead of the curve, with 13% of its workforce fitting the criteria.
GRAHAM is also a member of the Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) Programme, an industry-wide initiative that aims to make workplaces better for everyone.
Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives through reading and writing, has announced that nominations for the Bookbug Hero Award 2022 are now open.
Run in association with Walker Books, the award aims to honour someone working with Bookbug who has used the programme to make a real difference to the lives of the young children, families and communities they work with.
Scottish Book Trust is asking people across the country to nominate a librarian, early years worker, volunteer, health visitor, or anyone who uses Bookbug in their work. The winner will receive a special trophy and a bundle of picture books worth £500 from Walker Books.
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust, said:“Scottish Book Trust is pleased to welcome nominations for the Bookbug Hero Award: a prize that celebrates the fantastic work of our Bookbug practitioners across Scotland.
“Without the hard work of those in libraries, early years settings and through the health service, many young children would not know the joy of sharing stories, songs and rhymes. Our thanks to Walker Books for supporting the prize and allowing us to recognise these heroes in the local community.”
Kylie Watt, Nursery Practitioner at Longridge Nursery and winner of the Bookbug Hero Award 2021, (above) said:“I was extremely honoured to have won the Bookbug Hero Award for 2021. It affirmed my passion and vision as an educator to actively encourage the joys, benefits, and motivations of reading from a young age.
“Nominating your colleagues allows them to share their best practice, passing on new ideas and skills and importantly acknowledging their efforts and successes.”
Jane Winterbotham, Publishing Director at Walker Books said:“The Bookbug Hero Award highlights all the fantastic staff who run Bookbug programmes across their communities, and we are delighted that we can continue to show our appreciation and support of that work by sponsoring the award.
“The award shows appreciation for practitioners who champion reading and work tirelessly to change lives through stories. We look forward to hearing more about the next Bookbug Hero.”
Nominations for the Bookbug Hero Award can be made online via Scottish Book Trust’s website. The closing date for nominations is Friday 26 November 2021.
Police Scotland is encouraging the friends and family of people living with dementia to sign up to the Herbert Protocol.
On Tuesday – International Alzheimer’s Day – Police Scotland adopted a single national process to help officers quickly obtain information about a vulnerable missing person who has dementia, saving vital time in the early stages of an investigation.
The national implementation of the Herbert Protocol has been developed in partnership with Police Scotland, Health and Social Care Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland and the Scottish Government.
The form is completed in advance and generally kept in the person’s home or with relatives. It holds personal details, a description, a recent photograph, languages spoken, as well as previous addresses, places of employment and other significant locations in someone’s life. This can include their old school, a church, or a favourite walking route, plus their medical history and information about past incidents of going missing.
While the Herbert Protocol is in use in a number of Scottish policing divisions, a single form is now available nationwide to optimise the police response to locate the person and return them home, safe and well, as quickly as possible.
The Herbert Protocol form can be used together with Alzheimer Scotland Purple Alert, a free app designed to help finding missing people with dementia. If someone is missing, users will get notified via the app and can help with local searches.
Assistant Chief Constable Gary Ritchie(Partnerships, Prevention and Community Wellbeing) said: “When a person goes missing, the first hour is vitally important. Previously, we would have spent a significant amount of time gathering information from family, friends or carers, but being able to give officers a completed Herbert Protocol form saves valuable minutes and hours.
“We hope that families who choose to complete a form will never have to use them. But if they do, having that completed form to hand gives relatives or carers peace of mind that they’re providing the police with detailed, relevant information to enable us to send officers to places where your loved one may be.
“We are completely committed to protecting vulnerable people from harm and having the Herbert Protocol in place Scotland-wide is a significant step towards keeping people safe.
Morag Francisis a carer for her mum, who has a dementia diagnosis. Her family has already completed a Herbert Protocol form.
Morag explained: “We did it as a little project with Mum, because it was about her life, so it turned into a bit of a reminiscence session, so we could pinpoint areas that were still important to her.
“We could guess most of them because she did talk a lot about the past, but we wanted to make sure we’d thought of all the areas she might turn up at because that’s where she remembered.
“To me it’s my insurance document, because I appreciate if we couldn’t find her the levels of stress would be incredible and we wouldn’t really be able to think straight.
“Everyone in the family who’s on the form as a contact has the Herbert Protocol saved in their emails, so if something did happen we would have very quick and easy access to it on our phones and we could email it to whoever needed it.
“Having that ready to go is very reassuring to me as her daughter. It’s really important to have it there, just in case.”
Alzheimer Scotland Deputy Director Joyce Gray said: “Alzheimer Scotland is fully committed to our partnership with Police Scotland, and delighted to endorse any opportunities to support families to use the Herbert Protocol.
“The Herbert Protocol and Purple Alert will help us to make people living with dementia safer in Scotland. We are proud of the partnership and in these world leading initiatives which help support our communities.”
Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care, said: “Having a loved one with dementia go missing is a very stressful time for families, friends and carers and the priority is to find the person safe and well and as quickly as possible.
“The Herbert Protocol is a straight-forward way for families and carers to provide all the necessary information easily and efficiently in one form which will save vital time in missing person enquiries.
“I welcome the national roll-out of this partnership which is being taken forward by Police Scotland, Health and Social Care Scotland, Alzheimer Scotland, Scottish Care and the Scottish Government.”
Judith Proctor, chair of the Chief Officers’ Group, Health and Social Care Scotland, said: “We are delighted to be a key partner supporting the national roll out of the Herbert Protocol.
“Care professionals across health and social care partnerships in Scotland will be encouraging and supporting family and friends of people at risk of going missing to complete and hold onto this simple form. It’s another proactive way we can all work together in our communities, helping to keep people safe.”
L to R: ACC Gary Ritchie, Ch Supt Linda Jones, Tommy Petillo (Alzheimer Scotland), Supt Norrie Conway, Karen Thom (Edinburgh Health & Social Care Partnership)
