Heart Research UK launch art inspired fundraising campaign where YOU can bag a piece of original world-class art
National charity Heart Research UK have launched the ‘anonymous heART project’ 2020.The online fundraising campaign will see hundreds of anonymous one-of-a-kind masterpieces created by huge names from the worlds of art and entertainment, go under eBay’s virtual hammer to raise money for life-saving research.
Robert Smith (The Cure), Ralph Steadman, Joe Lycett, and Ashley Jacksonare just a few of the hundreds of international stars and artists who have created stunning original A5 pieces.
Their pieces will be auctioned alongside over 450 others, created by a host celebrities and international artists on eBay from the 6th – 15th November 2020.
The twist? Though the list of artists will be available to all bidders, the artist of each individual piece will be kept anonymous, only being revealed once the auction is over. Could you bag yourself an original masterpiece for a bargain price?
All the money raised will fund Heart Research UK’s vital medical research into the prevention, treatment and cure of heart disease.
Kate Bratt-Farrar, Chief Executive of Heart Research UK, said: “The anonymous heART project is one of the most exciting projects Heart Research UK has ever run. The quantity and quality of the artwork that we have received from artists, designers and celebrities all over the world has been astounding.
“At Heart Research UK, we’re always looking for fun and interesting ways to raise money. The anonymous heART project allows people to support ground-breaking medical research but also get a little something back, owning their own mini-masterpiece created by an artist or celeb.
“What makes this project so special is that everyone has the chance to own a piece of iconic art; it really is making high class art available to all.
“All of the money we raise will help us continue our pioneering medical research, helping us benefit patients as soon as possible.”
Games have been on the rise this year, since families are spending more time at home. So what better gift to give this Christmas than games that can be enjoyed by everyone, of all ages?
Here are some favourites …
PASS THE PUGS
The infamous game ‘Pass the Pigs’ launches PUGS! Who will be first to 100 points?
The infamous game Pass the Pigs has launched their first ever variation (that isn’t a pig), PUGS! Be the first to get to 100 points by throwing the pugs in the air and seeing how they land.
Will your pugs ‘play dead’, ‘faceplant’ or will it be ‘puppy love’?
LAUNCHING NOVEMBER 2020
Pass the Pigs has been an iconic brand for over 50 years
Includes pencil and score pad, that all pack into a plastic carry case, great for on-the-go!
The Super-Fast Word Game from Waddingtons No1. of London
Race against other players to get rid of your word tiles by swapping letters and even stealing your opponents’ tiles. There are two versions; Harry Potter and Disney (launches November) and both include special tiles that help you win the game
Harry Potter version has 4 special spell tiles incl. Revelio and Depulso that help you win the game
Disney Classic(LAUNCHING NOVEMBER 2020) version has 4 magic tiles incl. Genie and Wreck it Ralph, that help you win the game
Waddingtons No1 has been an iconic British Heritage Brand over 130 years
Game for all ages, but helps children with spelling and vocabulary
All tiles pack into a neat canvas pouch, great for storing and on-the-go.
Top Trumps is the game packed full of stats and facts on all your favourite topics including films, TV shows, animals and more! With hundreds of topics to chose from, there is a Top Trumps pack for everyone, no matter your age.
Titles include: Marvel, Harry Potter, Road Dahl, World Football Stars, Frozen II, Baby Animals, Dogs, Bugs, Trolls, DC Comics, Cats, Volcanoes, Snakes, Friends, Cars, Creatures of the Deep and MANY MORE!
Top Trumps is the UK’s #1 card game (iGen research)
The creation of a comprehensive route-map to a green recovery from Covid-19, with policy and budgetary coherence at its heart, must be a key priority for the Scottish Government, according to Holyrood’s Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform Committee.
In its Green Recovery report published today, alongside its pre-Budget Scrutiny 2021/22 report, the Committee states that we need an integrated, bold approach to recovery that is based on community cohesion, wellbeing and equality and transcends sectoral boundaries.
The Committee recommends a green recovery route-map is needed to signpost the way: with clear timelines, clear responsibilities for delivery across all parts of the public sector and clear delivery plans for each sector.
Budgetary alignment with the responsibilities is vital, as is regular reporting (to the Parliament, and to the people) and the route-map should enable a shared understanding of where we want to be – the vision.
Importantly, the reports also call for an increased commitment and front-loaded financial resourcing of efforts aimed at the recovery from Covid-19.
The Committee goes further to recommend that new policies, proposals and public spend must meet certain tests to ensure that they are aligned to the delivery of strategic goals. It says that to date there has been a lack of policy coherence, which has undermined objectives and the delivery of outcomes.
To this end, the reports lay out substantive recommendations for action which are “often interlinked and overlapping – and to maximise their benefits, need to be delivered together, and with urgency”.
Speaking as the reports were launched, Committee Convener, Gillian Martin MSP, said: “The cross-cutting nature of the challenges presented by Covid-19 and the climate and ecological crisis represents a whole system challenge never witnessed before.
“Yet through Covid, Scotland has seen first-hand how a coherent route-map approach, combined with strong leadership, can affect the necessary change in our policies and behaviour and with the urgency needed.
“Scotland must use this impetus, and the opportunities presented in both the Budget 2021-22 and the Climate Change Plan update, to create a net-zero emissions economy.
“So much needs to be done and done now. We need to capture and lock in positive behaviours, front-load investment in low-carbon solutions and build resilience through valuing nature more.
“We need to tackle the implementation gap, where solutions have already been identified but not applied, and deal with policy incoherence, where parts of Government, and the wider public sector, are not working collaboratively.
“Underpinning this, we must focus on people, innovation, skills and jobs. Financial support for a green recovery must also be significantly increased, front loaded and be conditional on delivering national outcomes around the climate and biodiversity emergencies.
“Our Committee took onboard extensive evidence during the inquiry and our recommendations should provide a solid springboard for the swift action needed to deliver a truly green recovery for Scotland – a recovery where no-one is left behind.”
Amongst its key recommendations, the Committee has called on the Scottish Government to:
Repurpose the Inter-Ministerial Group on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development and the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Climate Change, as a green recovery group to drive the Green Recovery across the public and private sector – to be chaired by the First Minister.
Implement a communication and reporting plan to include regular addresses on roles, expectations, progress and next steps (to Parliament and the Nation) by the First Minister, Cabinet colleagues and those providing the evidence and advice.
Review the founding legislation for all public bodies to ensure that responding to the climate and ecological crises is at the centre of statutory requirements placed on all those receiving public sector funding.
Carry out a skills audit and produce a skills action plan which offers upskilling and reskilling to those who need it, so people transition into low carbon, green jobs with no gap in employment.
Work with the UK Government to co-ordinate and finance a sufficiently large investment stimulus.
Ensure low carbon capital investments are delivered through green jobs to support recovery – by front-loading spend in the Budget 2021-22 and through multi-year spending plans such as the Infrastructure Investment Plan and Capital Spending Review.
Bring forward a Natural Capital Plan for Scotland, establish a natural capital baseline with monitoring reports to check progress and align plans for job creation with the need for nature-based solutions/natural capital enhancement.
Set out a green investment strategy and increase the level of assets available to the Scottish National Investment Bank for lending.
Establish an enterprise fund to provide financial support including grants and low-cost loans, to support business models that have emerged as a result of innovation during lock-down.
Support capacity building in communities and prioritise and fund the creation of community work hubs attached to childcare facilities and community spaces.
The Scottish Parliament has released a podcast which provides detail about the Green Recovery & Pre-Budget Scrutiny 2021/22 inquiry process along with commentary from Committee Convener, Gillian Martin MSP on the specific recommendations being made in the reports (15m/55 secs into podcast) – https://scottishparliament.podbean.com/
A broad range of 203 organisations and venues across Scotland have received a total of £11.75million in emergency support through the Scottish Government’s Culture Organisations and Venue Recovery Fund.
Support has been provided to a range of venues and organisations working in comedy, festivals, music, nightclubs, performing arts, publishing, visual arts, as well as the cultural support infrastructure.
Designed to protect jobs and support the sustainability of organisations threatened with insolvency by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, eligibility criteria and guidelines for applying to the Fund were published on Thursday 10 September ahead of opening for applications on Thursday 17 September. 348 applications were received totalling over £22million.
This is the first tranche of awards to be made from this Fund, which is being delivered through Creative Scotland, and a further announcement will follow regarding the remaining applications and funds within the next two weeks.
Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslopsaid: “The Scottish Government is determined to do everything within our powers to see the sector through this crisis.
“This emergency funding will provide vital support to a wide range of cultural organisations and venues across Scotland currently facing extreme challenges due to the coronavirus pandemic. It has been designed specifically to help organisations cope with the immediate issues they are facing and to help save jobs.
“I am pleased to see such a wide range of organisations supported, from comedy clubs and theatres to galleries and production companies.”
Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotlandsaid: “The funds being announced today offer some further welcome support to help protect jobs across a wide range of businesses in Scotland.
“The negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on Scotland‘s creative and cultural sector are clearly ongoing, and we will continue to keep focussed, with the Scottish Government and other partners, on helping those people and organisations in most need.”
Lauriston Castle is in danger from it’s Trustees who have mismanaged Lauriston Castle over many years, say Friends campaigners.
The castle and grounds were left to the Nation in 1926 by Mr & Mrs Reid. There are rooms in the Castle that the public have not been allowed to see contrary to Mr & Mrs Reid’s Will and Trust Deed.
There are treasures that the Trustees have allowed to significantly deteriorate/be damaged and not restored.
· why there is only £42,000 in the endowment fund when the Trustees were left the equivalent of over £2,000,000 and the potential to increase that amount?
· why over £190,000 of Council Taxpayers money is not recorded in the Lauriston Castle Trust Accounts?
· when are the Trustees going to restore Lauriston Castle Glasshouse (above) and other historic monuments?
· when are the Trustees going to restore the grounds to their former glory envisaged by the donors, Mr & Mrs Reid?
A stand needs to be made to restore Lauriston Castle to it’s rightful glory.
To this end you may wish to join Friends of Lauriston Castle where you can have your say and hear of action that needs to be taken:
Police in Edinburgh have received reports of malicious calls being made purporting to be from Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC). Fraudsters are spoofing genuine HMRC phone numbers to deceive victims stating that as a result of non-payment of tax, they are liable for prosecution.
The fraudsters suggest victims can avoid this by arranging a payment to be made immediately.
In genuine cases, HMRC will initially make contact via letter and potentially follow up with a call later. HMRC will not discuss something you are not already aware of and will not demand immediate payment.
• Be cautious and listen to your instincts. Don’t be afraid to hang up. • Legitimate organisations wouldn’t ask you to pay taxes, bills or fees using an iTunes gift card, or any other type of voucher. • Know who you’re dealing with – if you are unsure or need help, talk to someone you know or get in touch with trading standards at Trading.Standards@edinburgh.gov.uk • Don’t be rushed or pressured into making a decision. • Always question unsolicited requests for your personal or financial information.
If you think you’ve been scammed report it via 101 and also contact your bank. As always, if you are in immediate danger call 999.
For further advice, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133 or visit our website http://ow.ly/hJnD50CcULF
For advice and guidance on suspicious emails or ‘phishing’ emails or text messages, please visit http://ow.ly/Uc2M50CcULE
Take advantage of the free online training at http://ow.ly/70ry50CcULD to learn more about different types of scams and how to protect yourself and others
Although there will be no March Past the Cenotaph this Remembrance Sunday, a National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph will still take place.
The closed ceremony will be broacast live on BBC One and you can tune in from 10.15am as representatives of the Royal Family, the Government and the Armed Forces lay wreaths at the Cenotaph.
In 2020 we pay tribute to the men and women of the Second World War generation, and to those of today’s, who have served and sacrificed to defend our nation.
We remember the collaboration of the Commonwealth and Allied nations who stood shoulder to shoulder then to secure our freedom and the communities coming together today to protect us all.
With many unable to take part in Remembrance services and events this year, you can still play your part from home and take part in a moment of Remembrance by observing the Two Minute Silence at 11am from your doorstep.
Remembrance Sunday service held online to honour the fallen
The British High Commission Singapore, in partnership with the Singapore Armed Forces Veterans’ League (SAFVL), held a virtual service to mark Remembrance Sunday today (8 November 2020).
The ceremony, broadcast at 10.40am (Singapore time) on the High Commission’s UK in Singapore Facebook page, paid tribute to all who had laid down their lives so that the generations after them could live in peace.
In the UK, Remembrance Sunday is held on the Sunday nearest to Remembrance Day on 11 November; the date marks the official end of the First World War in 1918.
As part of the pre-recorded service, senior representatives from the British High Commission Singapore, the Singapore Armed Forces and its Veterans’ League, and UK defence forces laid poppy wreaths at the Singapore Memorial in the Kranji War Cemetery.
The wreath laying was accompanied by a lamentation delivered remotely by bagpipers from the Gurkha Contingent Singapore Police Force.
At 11am, online viewers observed a two-minute silence, in memory of the fallen.
Ambassadors, High Commissioners and Defence Advisers from various nations later joined remotely in pledging ‘We Will Remember Them’, in response to a reading of an excerpt from Robert Laurence Binyon’s ‘For the Fallen’.
A joint choir made up of students from Dover Court International, Dulwich College Singapore, Marlborough College Malaysia and Tanglin Trust School performed the hymns ‘Amazing Grace’ and ‘I Vow To Thee My Country’.
In the segment ‘Reflections from Singapore Youth’, members of the Singapore National Cadet Corps Command Band – Swiss Cottage Secondary School shared their personal thoughts on peace and conflict. A bugler from the Singapore National Cadet Corps Command Band also sounded the Last Post and the Reveille.
British High Commissioner to Singapore, Her Excellency Kara Owen, said in her speech: “Normally, we mark Remembrance Sunday together, at a morning service at Kranji War Cemetery. We can’t do so in-person this year. We have to meet virtually instead. But our method of meeting does not dilute our purpose, nor our sincerity.
“Today, we are paying our respects to the fallen and in doing so, we are living out our promise to remember the sacrifices of those – from all nations – who fought and died. A promise to remember their service and re-affirm the values that they fought to preserve.
“And to acknowledge both the courage of those who served their country and our responsibility to work for the peace they fought so hard to achieve.”
Leith Library has opened as Edinburgh’s newest Covid-19 testing centre as part of the UK Government’s drive to make testing more accessible to local people.
This will be the third City of Edinburgh Council building to operate as a test centre following the Usher Hall and Gate 55 Community Hub in Wester Hailes.
The building, also home to the Registrar’s Office, will provide an additional and safe centre for anyone showing symptoms.
Anyone attending an appointment will be provided with guidance on getting to and from the centre safely, with additional support for vulnerable groups and people with disabilities.
Adam McVey, Council Leader, said: “Our top priority is keeping Edinburgh’s residents safe and the best way to do that is by encouraging people to follow the latest guidance and get tested if they have any Covid-19 symptoms.
“Our two other sites in the city centre and west Edinburgh have been helping hundreds of people every week to get tested so it’s really welcome that we now have a third site open in the north of the city.
“We’ll keep the use of Leith Library under review and if we’re in a position to safely reopen the library in the New Year we’ll work with the government to find alternatives.”
Cammy Day, Depute Leader, said: “It’s important we play our part by providing the government with buildings to carry out the testing which has been going really well. We now have three centres open in different parts of the city and I urge anyone with symptoms to follow the guidance and make sure they get checked out.”
The Leith Library testing site is open now between 8am and 8pm and can be found at 28 – 30 Ferry Road.
Those being tested will be required to follow public health measures, including social distancing, not travelling by taxi or public transport, practising good personal hygiene and wearing a face covering throughout, including while travelling to and from the testing centre.
Anyone who tests positive will be contacted by contact tracers to help people to identify who they may have been in close contact with and protect others from further transmission.
Close contacts of those testing positive will also hear from contact tracers, asking them to stay at home for 14 days to prevent them from unknowingly spreading the virus. They will be advised to also book at test if they develop symptoms.
Democratic nominee Joe Biden has defeated President Trump in the 2020 presidential election as he secured the 270 electoral college votes required to win the race, according to projections by Associated Press, NBC News and other trusted news outlets including our own BBC and ITV.
With four states yet to declare, the Democrats have 279 votes while the Republicans have 214.
In a victory speech on Saturday (early hours of this morning in the UK), President Elect Biden said: “I pledge to be a president who seeks not to divide, but unify. Who doesn’t see red states and blue states, only sees the United States.”
While Mr Biden called for national unity, it’s unlikely to be a smooth transition for the President Elect.
President Trump is not known for losing gracefully and, while he has made no public appearances since the polls closed, he has released a barrage of tweets claiming widespread election fraud – so far without producing any evidence of corruption or voting irregularities.
Among them:
THE OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED INTO THE COUNTING ROOMS. I WON THE ELECTION, GOT 71,000,000 LEGAL VOTES. BAD THINGS HAPPENED WHICH OUR OBSERVERS WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE. NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. MILLIONS OF MAIL-IN BALLOTS WERE SENT TO PEOPLE WHO NEVER ASKED FOR THEM!
Trump also released a statement: “The simple fact is this election is far from over.”
The Trump campaign team now plan to challenge the election result in the US courts.
FM @NicolaSturgeon has warmly congratulated President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on their success:
“Scotland and America share deep and longstanding bonds of friendship, and I look forward to these being renewed and strengthened in the years ahead”
The UK Government has also conveyed good wishes to the President-elect.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has congratulated Joe Biden on his US election victory.
Mr Johnson said he looked forward to “working closely” with the new president-elect.
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab also commented on result of the US Presidential Election.
Dominic Raab, said: “My congratulations to Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on winning this election, with more votes than any candidate in US history. President Trump fought hard in what proved a close contest.
“We’re looking forward to working with the new administration on all of our shared interests, from tackling Covid-19 to counter-terrorism, and collaborating closely through our Presidencies of COP26 and the G7 next year.
“The friendship between the UK and US has always been a force for good in the world.”
Placing food out for animals to eat without needing to hunt or scavenge is a simple but effective way to look after local wildlife. Place fat balls or blocks out for birds along with grain and nuts to keep them going through the winter months.
2. Bonfires
Although big community bonfires won’t be happening this year, if you’re planning one at home it’s important to check for all animals and wildlife before setting it alight. These can include hedgehogs, toads and frogs. Prod underneath the bonfire with a stick to encourage the animals to move before you strike a match.
3. Compost Heap
Compost heaps are a great place for hibernating animals to live due to the warmth it can provide. Take caution when turning your heap, or if you’re able to try and avoid turning it at all, or as much as normal, during the cold winter months.
4. Ponds
If you have a pond and see it frozen over, try and melt a hole in the middle so that the animals can still find a source of water. Do this by using a saucepan full of hot water. Don’t hit or crack the ice as this can cause shockwaves causing potential damage to the animals in the pond. If you don’t have a pond, a little dish of water at ground level will be a great source of water.
5. Berries
If you have any berry or fruit trees in your garden, ensure you leave some fallen fruit and berries untouched. By doing so, birds such as thrushes and blackbirds can enjoy food before winter hits. Traditional hedgerow berries such as blackberries, sloes and rosehips will provide food for birds during the colder months.
6. Bug hotels
Building a bug hotel with pieces of wood and leftover bricks and other materials will provide a safe place for bugs to call home. It can be as small or as big as you like and can be as simple as a pile of logs.
