Category: North Edinburgh News

Over £2.5 million for families of disabled children

Thousands of families of disabled children in Scotland have received an additional £200 to help heat their homes this winter.

More than 13,000 families of a disabled child, on the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children, have had a Child Winter Heating Assistance payment. These payments were made automatically using information provided by the Department for Work and Pensions.

As of Friday 11 December, a total of £2.5 million has been invested in Child Winter Heating Assistance payment.

Where a child has someone managing their benefits, Social Security Scotland has written to them to enable them to process this payment.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am delighted that we have successfully delivered our first disability benefit, the new Child Winter Heating Assistance.

“Getting this money to families as early as possible in the winter months will help them budget and balance the many financial pressures that they face at this time of year.  For families of the most seriously disabled children and young people, who may need to heat their homes for longer periods, this can bring even more pressure in what is already a challenging circumstance.

“We are committed to making sure that people get everything they are entitled to. I would encourage families who think that they should have received this support and who haven’t had a letter yet to get in touch.”

Samantha Jones, from Helensburgh, who received the Child Winter Heating Assistance for her two children, Darren and Jacob, said: “I was very happy to see that Social Security Scotland were issuing these payments for children across Scotland.

“This will be a very helpful payment especially at this time of year for families like ours, this will really help and benefit our family and it’s very much appreciated.

“Having the extra money to help with heating costs is one less financial pressure that we have to think about on top of the cost of Christmas.”

Background

  • a client will qualify for Child Winter Heating Assistance if they live in Scotland and were in receipt of the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for children on at least one day between 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020
  • if a child has had their Disability Living Allowance highest rate care component award backdated to the Child Winter Heating Assistance qualifying week of 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020 they need to contact Social Security Scotland to get their £200.
  • if a family believes that they are eligible for this payment and they haven’t had a letter or a payment, they should contact Social Security Scotland from Tuesday 15 December by calling the Freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 or through web chat at mygov.scot/contact-social-security-scotland/
  • this is the first form of disability assistance to be introduced by the Scottish Government using its new social security powers.
  • financial support provided through the Child Winter Heating Assistance is in addition to the £100 COVID Winter Hardship Payment which will be made for each child and young person in receipt of Free School Meals on the basis of low income. These payments will be made by local authorities automatically for those eligible.
  • further information on this payment can be found at COVID winter hardship payment (£100 per child) – mygov.scot
  • further support for anyone concerned about fuel bills is available from Home Energy Scotland.  Home Energy Scotland are funded by the Scottish Government to provide free and impartial advice to help people to reduce their bills and to make homes warm and cheaper to heat.  They can also make referrals for further financial support, including the Warm Home Discount Scheme.  Anyone concerned about their bills can contact Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit their website at homeenergyscotland.org

Over £45 million funding reaches Edinburgh to tackle impact of COVID-19

EXTRA SNP GOVERNMENT FUNDING TO SUPPORT COUNCIL SERVICES

The City of Edinburgh has received an additional £45.825 million from the SNP Government to support local services in Edinburgh and tackle the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Local authorities will also receive their fair share of a further £184.8 million which is currently undistributed but will be allocated following parliamentary approval.

The extra funding has also been provided to help offset the drop in revenue that the capital has lost during the pandemic and brings the overall support package to councils over the COVID-19 pandemic to more than £1 billion. 

The new figures come after Scotland’s Finance Secretary, Kate Forbes, announced that businesses, including taxi drivers, travel agents and those working in the hospitality sector, across Scotland will benefit from a new £185 million package of targeted coronavirus support.

Commenting, SNP MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald said: “The pandemic has put enormous pressure on households, communities and local services right across Scotland, and it’s right that the SNP Government has ensured our capital has more funding to deal with this.

“This funding boost is supporting access to food, welfare payments and frontline services, and is just one way the SNP is providing to individuals and businesses to protect jobs and incomes.

“There’s even more cash to come – and if we all stick together, and continue following the rules in the coming months, we will beat this pandemic.”

The Scottish Government have committed an additional £791.9 million in COVID related funding to support local authority services, including the estimated consequentials of £90 million for a lost income scheme. 

The following table includes £607.1 million of that funding with local authorities receiving their fair share of a further £184.8 million which is currently undistributed but will be allocated following parliamentary approval.

LOCAL AUTHORITY AMOUNT (£m)

ABERDEEN CITY 19.404

ABERDEENSHIRE 26.247

ANGUS 12.494

ARGYLL & BUTE 10.137

CLACKMANNANSHIRE 6.147

DUMFRIES & GALLOWAY 17.707

DUNDEE CITY 18.586

EAST AYRSHIRE 14.844

EAST DUNBARTONSHIRE 11.185

EAST LOTHIAN 11.059

EAST RENFREWSHIRE 10.566

EDINBURGH CITY OF 45.825

EILEAN SIAR 3.634

FALKIRK 17.407

FIFE 42.516

GLASGOW CITY 78.600

HIGHLAND 27.229

INVERCLYDE 9.866

MIDLOTHIAN 9.914

MORAY 9.712

NORTH AYRSHIRE 17.313

NORTH LANARKSHIRE 40.672

ORKNEY ISLANDS 3.184

PERTH & KINROSS 15.102

RENFREWSHIRE 20.396

SCOTTISH BORDERS 12.717

SHETLAND ISLANDS 3.403

SOUTH AYRSHIRE 12.283

SOUTH LANARKSHIRE 36.332

STIRLING 9.821

WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE 11.658

WEST LOTHIAN 21.188

TOTAL 607.146

www.parliament.scot : facebook.com/scottishparliament : twitter.com/scotparl

Furlough scheme extended

The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021 with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages – giving businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year, Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced yesterday.

  • certainty for millions of jobs and businesses as furlough scheme extended until the end of April 2021
  • businesses struggling will have now until the end of March to access government generous loan schemes
  • Chancellor also confirmed that the Budget will be on the 3 March and set out the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs

In a move to ensure firms can access the support they need through continuing economic disruption, Rishi Sunak also confirmed he would be extending the government-guaranteed Covid-19 business loan schemes until the end of March.

These changes come ahead of the Budget, which the Chancellor has confirmed will take place on 3 March 2021. This will deliver the next phase of the plan to tackle the virus and protect jobs, so the extensions to the business loan and furlough schemes enable businesses to plan with certainty and access support in the first few months of the New Year ahead of the further update on wider Covid-19 economic support.

So far, the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) scheme has protected 9.6 million jobs across the UK with more than one million businesses accessing loans to help them through the crisis.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: “Our package of support for businesses and workers continues to be one of the most generous and effective in the world – helping our economy to recover and protecting livelihoods across the country.

“We know the premium businesses place on certainty, so it is right that we enable businesses to plan ahead regardless of the path the virus takes, which is why we’re providing certainty and clarity by extending this support, as well as implementing our Plan for Jobs.”

Business Secretary, Alok Sharma, said: “While our loan schemes have provided a vital lifeline to millions of firms across the country, we know that business owners need additional certainty as we head into the New Year.

“Extending government-backed loan schemes will give companies right across the UK the finance they need to support, protect and create jobs as we build back better from the pandemic.”

The Chancellor said he would review the employer contribution element of the CJRS in January, but decided to bring this forward to allow businesses to plan ahead for the remainder of the winter and the New Year.

The government will continue to pay 80% of the salary of employees for hours not worked until the end of April. Employers will only be required to pay wages, National Insurance Contributions (NICS) and pensions for hours worked; and NICS and pensions for hours not worked.

The eligibility criteria for the UK-wide scheme will remain unchanged and these changes will continue to apply to all Devolved Administrations.

Extending the scheme until the end of April means businesses across the country will have certainty about what support will be available to them.

Businesses will also be given until the end of March to access the Bounce Back Loan Scheme, Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme. These had been due to close at the end of January.

The schemes have already provided over £68 billion in guaranteed loans, and helped to keep afloat business in all sectors of the UK economy who have been impacted by coronavirus.

We are extending the schemes now, ahead of Christmas and further into the new year, to ensure that businesses can continue to access the support they need to grow and recover.

The government has already announced that more support will be available beyond March, through a successor loan scheme. More details of the scheme will be announced in due course, with the government providing a further update on wider Covid-19 economic support at the Budget on 3 March.

The furlough and loan schemes are part of the government’s wider plan to support, create and protect jobs through its Plan for Jobs. This includes the Kickstart Scheme, more investment in training and skills as well as the Self Employment Income Support Scheme grant, with a fourth grant being made available from February to April 2021.

Commenting on yesterday’s announcement by the Chancellor that the Job Retention Scheme will be extended until April, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “Unions have been pushing hard for the job retention scheme to be extended. This decision will bring some much-needed certainty for workers and businesses. 

“But the threat of mass unemployment has not gone away. The government must provide additional support for the industries hit hardest by this crisis – like retail and hospitality. 

“And it must create the jobs we need by investing now in jobs in green infrastructure, transport and our public services. 

“Fast-tracking spending on these areas will cut unemployment and help the UK recover more quickly from this pandemic. Ministers should take this opportunity to improve the scheme, with a minimum wage floor, clear support for training and better support for the self-employed.” 

On the need to help workers who lose their jobs, Frances O’Grady added: “We can’t afford for this pandemic to scar people’s prospects the way recent crises have. Ministers must help those who lose their jobs get back on their feet by providing a permanent boost to universal credit’. 

Drum submits new Planning Application for Leith Walk site

Plans for 146 High-Quality Apartments submitted following ‘Well-Received and Positive’ local consultation campaign 

Drum Property Group has submitted a new planning application to the City of Edinburgh Council for the redevelopment of the 2.9-acre Stead’s Place site, near the foot of Leith Walk.

The site has been earmarked for development by the Council since 2008 and consists largely of an aged industrial estate and office space, together with a two-storey sandstone building facing directly on to Leith Walk. 

Drum’s revised proposals will replace the existing industrial units with 146 high-quality apartments as part of an attractive landscaped residential scheme linking to Pilrig Park and beyond.

The sandstone building on Leith Walk will be retained and refurbished and made available for commercial occupation. The new proposal follows a successful six-month consultation programme for the revised plans, including two major online events as well as direct feedback sessions with local groups and residents.

Almost three-quarters of those consulted either supported or were neutral about Drum’s revised plans, with more than 80% saying that the site should now be developed. 

Welcoming the new planning application, Graeme Bone, Group Managing Director of Drum, said: “This new planning application represents a culmination of more than three-and-a-half years of intense planning, consultation and hard work since Drum first purchased the site in 2017. 

“Our proposals will now bring an added dimension to Leith Walk and the wider area, transforming what is currently an inhospitable industrial site by creating an attractive, open and accessible homes-led community for residents and visitors alike. This provides a comfortable living environment, away from the busy Leith Walk and linked through accessible and landscaped walkways and cycle routes to Pilrig Park and the rest of the city. 

“By retaining and refurbishing the red sandstone buildings facing on to Leith Walk, we are also contributing to the wider regeneration of the local area, providing investment to create an attractive and distinctive destination and focal point which is needed now, more than ever. 

“We are pleased that our designs have been well-received by the local community throughout an extensive and positive consultation programme, and now look forward to progressing the application with the City of Edinburgh Council.” 

Drum’s planning application is for 146 high-quality apartments with the majority being build-for-rent and 36 being earmarked for affordable housing in line with Council policy. Building heights have been reduced to four and five storeys following feedback from the consultation process. Significant green space and access routes through the site open up a vibrant and attractive streetscape, linking the two residential buildings with the sandstone building overlooking Leith Walk. The red sandstone building will be refurbished and the individual commercial units and offices will reflect the distinctive and independent feel of the local area. 

Mr Bone added: “Our revised proposals will maintain the red sandstone building whilst incorporating sympathetic design for the residential quarter to the rear of the site, creating a much-improved access linking Leith Walk with Pilrig Park.

“This will continue the traditions of vibrancy and independence which makes Leith Walk such an exciting destination in which to live, work and visit.” 

The new planning submission follows a previous application submitted by Drum to the City of Edinburgh in 2018.  

For more information on the revised proposals, visit www.steads-place.com 

Referrals from NSPCC helpline about child abuse up by over 50% in Scotland

  • Latest figures show that the average monthly number of referrals from the NSPCC helpline to external agencies about child abuse in Scotland has increased by more than 50%
  • Over 900 referrals made by the helpline to agencies in Scotland about child abuse and neglect in eight months since the start of lockdown
  • The NSPCC is highlighting the vital role its team of professionals and volunteer counsellors will play to support children over the festive period, urging the public to support its Here for Children Christmas Appeal

Concerns about child abuse have soared since national lockdown measures were first introduced, the NSPCC has found – with the average monthly number of referrals from the charity’s helpline on the issue increasing by more than 50% in Scotland.

Since April, the helpline has received 31,359 contacts from adults across the UK who were anxious about child abuse or neglect, referring half (50%) of these on to external agencies like the police and social services to take further action.

In Scotland, this has led to a 56% increase in the average monthly figure from 72 at the start of the year, compared to 113 after lockdown. Over the last eight months, there has been more than 900 referrals from the helpline concerning the abuse of children in Scotland.

As the festive period fast approaches, the NSPCC has issued the findings as a warning that Christmas can be a very difficult time for children suffering abuse and neglect, and the impact of the Coronavirus could put even more children at risk.

To help protect children stuck at home in environments that are not safe, the charity is urging the public to search “NSPCC” and donate £20 via it’s Here for Children Christmas appeal page.

A concerned adult told the NSPCC helpline: “I am ringing with concerns for 3 children who I believe are being emotionally abused and neglected. The police were recently called to the family home because the mother was drunk and had left the children at home alone all night. 

“The father, who no longer lives with the children, found out and came to the house saying he was going to take the children home with him. The children have said they want to move in with me before Christmas because they don’t want to live with their Mum or Dad. 

“They are really worried that their mothers drinking will get worse over Christmas, as it has done in the past. I fear they could be right as her drinking is becoming worse and she has been drunk more frequently in recent months. They need urgent help.”

Kamaljit Thandi, Head of NSPCC helpline said: “These figures highlight the increase in the number of adults reaching out with concerns about the welfare of children since the first national lockdown began.

“It’s no secret that this Christmas is going to be a very different one and for thousands of children, being stuck at home for the holidays will be a terrifying thought. At the NSPCC, we know how important it is that people have the opportunity to speak up when they think a child is at risk of abuse and neglect. Our helpline for adults and Childline will be open every day over the festive period.”

As well as urging the public to be extra vigilant during the Christmas holidays, NSPCC Scotland is urging the Scottish Government to ensure children and families can get the help they need in the short and long term.

To avoid this crisis having a lasting impact on a generation of children, it is crucial that the Scottish Government invests long-term funding to support them to recover from adverse and traumatic experiences during lockdown and to rebuild their lives.

The charity’s team of professionals working on its helpline for concerned adults and the dedicated volunteer counsellors at Childline will all play a vital role in being here for children this Christmas.

Pauline, a volunteer counsellor at Childline said: “At Childline we know how important it is that we are here for children over the Christmas period. We are there for young people when they need the service the most and for many – Christmas will be that time.

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on young people and for the many who will have nowhere else to turn, we will provide a vital listening ear.”

Adults concerned about a child can contact the NSPCC helpline seven days a week throughout the festive period on 0808 800 5000, or email help@nspcc.org.uk

First Minister: Please stay

Citizens of the European Union who live in Scotland are being urged to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme.

In an open letter and video message,  First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said it is vital that every EU citizen who wishes to stay in Scotland completes an application by 30 June, 2021.

While it is the Scottish Government’s view that EU citizens should not need to apply to protect the rights they already have to live, work and study here, the UK Government has made it a requirement.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “My message to everyone from the EU who lives and works here remains this: Scotland is your home, you are our family, and we’d be privileged if you would stay here with us.

“We are drawing close to the end of the Brexit transition period, and the end of a year in which we have together faced the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In these times of uncertainty and disruption, I would like to once again re-assure EU citizens that Scotland values you for the contribution you make to our society, our culture and our economy.

“While I don’t agree that you should have to go through an application process to secure rights that you should automatically have, I do want to ensure that you are able to stay in Scotland.

“Many EU citizens have already applied for the Settlement Scheme – but many more do still need to apply.

“My message is a simple one. Please apply. Scotland is a better place because you are living here.”

The open letter and video mark International Migrants Day, Friday 18 December.

The First Minister’s video message is available to view on @scotgov social media channels including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram from 18 December.

The open letter has been translated into Italian, Lithuanian, French, Polish, Romanian, Spanish and German, and is being made available to public and third sector stakeholders.

Stay in Scotland social media graphics have also been translated into Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, French and German.

For more information on the support available, visit www.mygov.scot/stayinscotland

Full text of the open letter from the First Minister:

Dear European Union citizens living in Scotland,

I wrote to you last in October 2019 at a time of considerable uncertainty leading up to our exit from the European Union. Since then all of us in Scotland and across Europe and the wider world have faced the huge challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic.

I would like to thank you for all you have done during this time as we have faced, and continue to face, this challenge together. You are of course our friends, family and neighbours in a year when the importance of these relationships cannot be overstated.

I believe that EU citizens in Scotland should not need to apply to protect the rights you already have to live, work and study here, but nevertheless there is a requirement, however unwelcome, to apply to the UK Government’s EU Settlement Scheme.

Thankfully, many of you have now applied to the EU Settlement Scheme and secured your status. Yet many of you are still to secure your status, and I must sadly reiterate that it remains critical that everyone who wishes to stay in Scotland must complete an application by 30 June 2021. Any EU citizen who is resident in Scotland before 31 December 2020 is eligible to apply, and I encourage you to do so.  

The Scottish Government’s Stay in Scotland campaign provides practical guidance and support to help you protect your rights and complete your application to the UK EU Settlement Scheme.

Working with our partners we fund an EU Citizens’ Support Service with a telephone helpline which is free to use and staffed by qualified advisors. In addition we part-fund a network of advisors in Citizen Advice Bureaux throughout Scotland.

Accurate information about your rights is crucial. That’s why the Scottish Government commissioned the human rights charity, JustRight Scotland, to produce a series of accessible guidance notes on EU citizens’ rights. These are available in six languages and will help you better understand your rights to healthcare, housing, banking and other services in Scotland after  31 December. 

You can find information on all the different support available to you at mygov.scot/stayinscotland, or contact the helpline for free on 0800 916 9847.

In light of the devastating impact of the pandemic, I hope that these resources will help you understand and exercise your rights. Please use them and encourage others to do the same.

My message to you remains the same: Scotland is your home, you are welcome here, we want you to stay.

M & S food redistribution scheme supports Leith charity

As the countdown to Christmas continues, Edinburgh-based charity, Empty Kitchens Full Hearts has ramped up the number of meals it is providing to those in need thanks to M&S’s food redistribution programme.

An M & S colleague app, launched at the start of the pandemic, is now used to notify charities when surplus food is available, helping to increase donations and stop food going to waste. More than 413,000 meals have been provided to charity groups in Edinburgh using surplus food donated by M&S.

Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts – a volunteer-led scheme on Ferry Road that sees professional chefs turn surplus food into healthy meals – is providing over 2,700 meals a day to the most vulnerable families in the city.

This Christmas, the organisation will be making and delivering a venison dinner so that those in need don’t miss out on a special meal.

Cathy Miller, food donations collection manager at Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts, said: “The donations we receive from M&S help us to cook fresh meals for hundreds across Edinburgh every day who would otherwise go without. M&S’s fantastic food donations really are integral to our food delivery programme.”

Jenny McPartlin, Store Manager at M&S Edinburgh, said: “It’s going to be a Christmas like no other this year and we’re doing everything we can to ensure it’s as easy as possible for local charities and causes to collect meals to feed the people who need it most, particularly as we enter the festive season when money can be a concern for many.

“When we have surplus food, our absolute priority is for it to end up on someone’s plate, through our charity redistribution programme with Neighbourly. We’re thrilled that the app has already helped to make such a difference to charities like Empty Kitchens, Full Hearts, and hope to continue to help charities across Edinburgh this season to support our local community and help prevent food going to waste.”

Since 2015, M&S stores have supported over 2,100 local causes nationwide, from food banks to youth clubs and hospices, donating 19.6 million meals so far to those in need.

 In partnership with Neighbourly the new colleague app is now in all 585 M&S stores, enabling many of them to more than double their food redistribution rates. Across the UK, more than 7.8 million meals have been donated since 1st March alone.

M&S’ digital loyalty scheme, Sparks, has so far raised almost £7 million for charities, with customers able to select from 35 charities, including the Neighbourly Foundation.

  • M&S is always looking for new partners to work with. Local charity and community groups who would like to get involved in the food surplus programme or other charity initiatives are encouraged to email mandsfood@neighbourly.com to find out more.

Fare Well: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay reveals its main event

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will feature the UK’s largest swarm drone show in a fully digital celebration, Underbelly has announced.

New Year is a time of reflection, memorable moments and celebration – and despite everything that has landed on 2020’s doorstep, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is dedicated to continuing this tradition and, for the first time in its history, with a fully digital programme.  

Created as a reflection of the year that’s gone and a hope for the future, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will bring to life an exciting new piece of writing by award-winning poet and Scots Makar, Jackie Kay.  

Taking inspiration from Scotland’s land and air, the new work, titled Fare Well, will take viewers on a breath-taking visual journey with the help of 150 individual drones, creating Scotland’s first ever large-scale drone show and the largest drone show ever seen in the UK.

Featuring stunning Scottish scenery, the story starts in the Highlands (near Spean Bridge) before moving to the iconic Forth Bridges with the finale in the home of Hogmanay – Edinburgh. From majestic snow-capped mountains to the historic Old Town of Edinburgh, this is a beautiful ode to Scotland not to be missed.

This air has heather and malt on its breath
as it sighs, puffed oot after a year of death,
under the blue mask of its flag. The Saltire’s
been a warning cross. Dinny come too near.

Taking inspiration from Jackie’s words, Edinburgh-based visual development artist Gary Wilson has created a series of awe-inspiring images that the drones are programmed to depict a series of words, symbols, animals and shapes in the sky, including a stag, an eagle, a mythical selkie, and the Saltire.

Drone show pioneers, Celestial, have used state of the art technology to launch 150 drones simultaneously into the air to create the largest choreographed drone swarm ever seen in the UK. Reaching an altitude of 150m, and top speeds of up to 25mph, the drones use sophisticated AI software to depict Gary Wilson’s iconic images. 

Isle of Skye’s Celtic fusion band, Niteworks, add their unique musical style with a specially commissioned soundtrack to accompany the words and visuals of the event.

As the story evolves, the emotionally charged score recognises the hardships and sacrifices of 2020 while recognising the hopes of a new year and the months ahead. As a staple of Hogmanay celebrations, Auld Lang Syne will also feature as Edinburgh, and Scotland seek to say goodbye to the year just gone.

We swing aroon and turn tae the day.
We give thanks fir solidarity;
Drap parcels tae food banks.
Clap oor haunds frae balconies
fir the gift o’ nurses.

In celebration of both renowned and emerging talent, Fare Well is narrated by a stellar cast including actors David Tennant (Dr Who, Broadchurch and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), Siobhan Redmond (Taggart, Holby City, and Behind the Lines) and Lorne MacFadyen (Outlaw King, Grantchester, and ITV’s Bobby and Tina).

A collection of young Scottish voices including Blessed (aged 16 from Aberdeen), Miren (aged 9 from Glasgow) Heather (aged 18 from Glasgow) and Winnie, a 25 year old native Gaelic speaker from the Isle of Skye complete the line-up.

The new work, which has been six months in the making with a team of almost 40 involved, promises to be a thought-provoking Fare Well to 2020, whilst looking forward with hope to what the new year may bring.  

Due to Covid-19 and the restrictions on live events, Fare Well’s drone display was filmed on location in the Scottish Highlands, where the films will start, and then, using leading edge technology, the footage of the drones has have been placed into shots separately filmed around Edinburgh.

Fare Well is split into three, 5-minute parts, that can be viewed online on 29th, 30th and 31st December.

The stay-at-home event series is FREE to watch and streamed via www.edinburghshogmanay.com so Hogmanay fans all over the world can tune in from the comfort and safety of their homes.

Exclusive behind the scenes and ‘making of’ content will also be available to accompany the shows on edinburghshogmanay.com. 

So, aye, the New Year’s born at midnight.
Good riddance to the last page torn
from this scunnered year. And though we can’t First Foot
with lumps o’ coal, black bun, a Raasey Malt,
or join thigither in a ring o’ haunds,
singing Auld Acquaintance fit to break the band,
we send out Hope into this Scottish air,
breathed out by widows, workers, weans, by those who care,
by those who vote, shout, march to ring the changes
at the Bells, who’ve clocked the dangers.

Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, Directors of Underbelly and producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “With 2020 being the year it has been, we want to ring out the old year and hurry in the new year, with a message of hope at a world-class event.

“Hope will be the universal message of the turn of the year, and ours will be no exception – Edinburgh’s Hogmanay’s mission is to sing it from the roof tops with a creatively-led and proudly Scottish celebration. 

“We’re grateful to our creative team and to the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, The Scottish Government and Creative Scotland who have supported us to create a unique and special moment for people around the world.  Join us from the 29 – 31 December, it truly is an event not to be missed.”

We say Wha’s like us, singing Auld Lang’s Syne. 
We share the planet’s air. What’s yours is mine.

https://twitter.com/i/status/1339533390878560256

Donald Wilson, Culture and Communities Convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re very proud of our status as the home of Hogmanay and I have no doubt this will endure for many years to come.

“As with many aspects of our lives, we’ve had to adapt our plans for this year, but I believe we’ve found a fitting way to celebrate and mark the end of a highly unusual and challenging year – whilst looking ahead to 2021 with the hope and optimism that each new year brings.”

Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener at City of Edinburgh Council, said: “The best place to celebrate Hogmanay this year will be from home.

“Please plan to ‘coorie in’ with your nearest and dearest, keep each other safe and please enjoy the UK first premiere ‘Fare Well’, featuring original and quite wonderful contributions from Scotland’s finest musicians and poets.”

Event: Fare Well, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020
Dates: 29 – 31 December 2020
Timings: 7pm nightly 

For more information on Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020 and to watch the celebratory action from 29 to 31 December 2020 visit the dedicated website.

Spice brand launches UK’s hottest curry kits

Spicy food fans can now buy a range of curry kits that come with a health warning – as they contain some of the world’s hottest chillies, including the fiery Carolina Reaper.

Spice kit brand Spicentice.com have developed three new curry kits that could be the hottest available in the UK.

Priced at £3.59 each, the company has launched the Carolina Reaper Curry, a Phaal made with Naga ‘Ghost’ Chillies, and a Vindaloo made with Habanero Chillies.

The Carolina Reaper pepper is the hottest in the world, measuring at a staggering 2.2 million Scoville units. To compare, jalapenos are around 8,000 Scoville units.

Spicentice’s Carolina Reaper Curry contains 4g of the pepper, making up 17% of the kit. The chilli has been finely ground into the spice kit to add a real sting and long-lasting burn that hot food fans will love.

Naga ‘Ghost’ chillies also deal a spicy blow as they measure 750,000 Scoville units.

The tamest curry in the bunch is the Vindaloo, made with Habanero chillies that sit at 350,000 on the Scoville scale. Habaneros are the most common chillies used in hot curries.

The fiery trio can be purchased individually or as a set for £12 – the perfect gift for curry lovers and spicy food fans.

Each kit contains a step-by-step recipe card and shopping list, allowing customers to serve up four portions per packet.

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Ketan Varu, co-founder of Spicentice.com said: “We’ve been tinkering with these kits for a while now, trying to get the balance of flavour and heat just right, and we think we’ve finally cracked it.

“Whilst most of our kits appeal to the masses and honour a variety of family favourites, this new range has been developed with the real hot heads in mind.

“Most supermarket curries and kits are around 20,000-30,000 Scoville units, so the Carolina Reaper Curry is off the thermometer scale. Even the Phaal and Vindaloo contain peppers that are as much as 37 times hotter!

“The gift set will make the perfect present for spice fans. If they think they can handle a spicy curry, they need to have a go at making these!”

The curry kits use 100% natural ingredients and are suitable for vegans and vegetarians.

Each kit contains a step-by-step recipe card and shopping list, allowing you to cook up the curries which will serve four people. 

More info here:

World's Hottest Curry Collection Gift Box
Carolina Reaper Curry Recipe Kit – World's Hottest Curry
Phaal Curry made with Naga Ghost Chilli Recipe Kit
Vindaloo Curry made with Habanero chilli Recipe Kit

Arusha Gallery opens digital doors of exclusive new online store

Arusha Gallery proudly opens the doors to a new online store, presenting a bespoke and exclusive curated selection of publications, limited edition prints and art objects for purchase.  

The new online store reflects the continued development of Arusha Gallery since opening its main premises in Edinburgh’s New Town in 2013.

The acclaimed contemporary art gallery runs an annual programme of exhibitions, events and fairs, both nationally and internationally, with regular collaborations with guest artists, curators, festivals and institutions.    

Offered in addition to work presented physically in the main gallery, the new online store provides audiences the opportunity to own exclusive and limited-edition items from a range of acclaimed artists represented by the gallery, alongside an exciting number of contemporary makers and designers. By no means simply an extension of the physical gallery, the online platform allows both artists and the curators to share a wider breadth of work, indeed some of their own favourite pieces.

Featured artists and makers will rotate throughout the year, those included in the opening offer include; a limited-edition Charlotte Keates Monograph ahead of her 2021 solo show, A Constant Hum which is available to pre-order for 2021 – with the limited edition including first ever hand finished print.

A striking series of gouache on Yupo paper works by Edinburgh based painter Jacob Littlejohn, each work reflecting the artist’s remarkable eye for composition and a surety of concept.

An exclusive range of candlesticks and candelabras, each one unique and hand-built by Blue Firth at Dohm Ceramics, the Nottingham based studio whose design practice works with brands and collectives whose focus is on intuitive design, sustainability and care.

Painter and printmaker, Plum Cloutman has created a series of etchings on watercolour paper, each featuring the sharp and deliberate lines the artist uses to differentiate pools of soft colour characteristics of the scenes she paints. The online store also features a small number of limited editions, lavishly illustrated publications which accompanied shows (Linger Awhile, 2018 and Beasts, 2020) at Arusha Gallery by one of Scotland’s most distinctive artists, Helen Flockhart.

Agnieszka Prendota, Creative Director at Arusha Gallery said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of the Arusha Gallery online store and hope that our customers and clients enjoy browsing through it as much as we enjoyed curating it.

“Home to an eclectic mix of publications, objet d’art and limited edition prints, the store is not simply an extension of the gallery proper, but rather a new platform from which we can shine a spotlight on a further selection of makers, artists and art forms.”

Arusha’s online store is open now via www.arushagallery.com/store