Category: North Edinburgh News

Shocking footage released by Lumo and Hull Trains ahead of Rail Safety Week

The UK’s leading open access rail operators Lumo and Hull Trains have released shocking footage of a runner narrowly missing being hit by a train travelling at over 100 mph.

The footage, captured from a Lumo train passing through North Tyneside on the East Coast Main Line, has been made public to mark the annual Rail Safety Week, as both companies shine a spotlight on how to safely interact with the railways. 

The clip shows the runner failing to safely use the crossing and is a powerful reminder of the importance of paying attention to your surroundings and observing the crossing instructions.

Rail Safety Week is an annual, industry-wide initiative dedicated to promoting and improving rail safety for workers, customers and local communities. It aims to reduce accidents, educate people and create a strong safety culture across the network.

Lumo and Hull Trains have supported the delivery of rail safety resources to 45 schools over the past year, in association with the Rail Safe Friendly Programme. The programme is dedicated to spreading the vital message of rail safety among young people, educators and parents in schools across the UK.

The operators’ involvement has led to a social value impact of over £724,000 in 2024-25, directly educating thousands of young people.

David Hughes, Head of Safety, Security and Sustainability at First Rail Open Access, said: “This footage is an important reminder of the importance of rail safety. We hope this acts as a stark message for people to recognise the danger of not paying attention.

“We believe that education about rail safety should start from a young age. That’s why we’re now into the third year of our important partnership with the Rail Safe Friendly Programme, giving young people the knowledge and tools they need to stay safe.

“Travelling by train is safe, cost-effective and sustainable. It is, however, vital to recognise that behaviour like that seen in the footage poses a real risk to life.”

David Wortley, Network Rail route level crossing manager, East Coast, said: “Near misses like this are a stark reminder of how using level crossings incorrectly can easily lead to tragic consequences. One poor decision can change a life forever.

“Research shows a worrying overconfidence when it comes to crossings, which is why Network Rail, British Transport Police and the wider rail community recently launched No Second Chances, the first industry-wide level crossing campaign to raise awareness of the dangers.

“It’s vital that everyone stops, looks, listens and follows the instructions and signage, because every crossing is different. No journey is worth risking your life.”

Lumo and Hull Trains are open access rail operators, meaning that they don’t rely on any government funding. They are loyal only to the customers and communities they proudly support.

Lumo is an exciting, growing rail operator that has served the East Coast Main Line with industry-leading 100% electric trains for several years. Lumo connects Glasgow with Falkirk, Edinburgh, Morpeth, Newcastle, Stevenage and London King’s Cross. The operator has also just launched a critically acclaimed new West Coast service, providing Stirling with a direct train service to London Euston, calling at destinations including Carlisle, Preston and Nuneaton.

Hull Trains, recently named ‘Operator of the Year’ at the prestigious Spotlight Rail Awards, offers affordable travel to destinations including Beverley, Hull, Doncaster, Grantham, Selby and London King’s Cross.

The operator successfully combines sustainability with affordable fares, excellent service and support for local communities.

Rail Safety Week: https://www.railsafetyweek.org/

Saroj Lal Awards acknowledge pupils and teachers for challenging inequality through creativity

The winners of the fourth annual Saroj Lal Awards were announced at an awards ceremony last week (Thursday 11 June) at the Edinburgh International Festival Hub.

Primary and secondary school pupils from across Edinburgh were acknowledged in three award categories: Proud to be me, How prejudice makes me feel and Artivism. This year over 250 pupils got involved in submitting a creative entry.

The awards invite nominations from schools highlighting work in any art form, from the written word to film or animation, inspired by the themes of equality, inclusion and diversity. Head teachers were also encouraged to nominate a staff team from their school for their creative and collaborative work around equalities.

The winners are:

  • Proud to be me – primary schools’ category: Nika Roi – P5 Bruntsfield Primary School
  • Proud to be me – secondary schools’ category: “This is Me!” and Choir – Pilrig Park School – a whole school project
  • How prejudice makes me feel – primary schools’ category: Lexi Armstrong – P7 Star of the Sea RC Primary School
  • How Prejudice makes me feel – secondary schools’ category: “Nothing About Us Without Us” – Kaimes School – Kaimes Media Class.
  • Artivism – primary schools’ category: “Roots to Rhythm” – Prestonfield Primary School – a whole school project
  • Artivism : secondary schools’ category: Salma Hassan – S2 Boroughmuir High School

Staff Awards

  • Currie Primary School – Emma Boag McGlynn and Frances Jack
  • Prestonfield Primary School – The Equalities Leadership Team
  • Bruntsfield Primary School – Donna English and Gillian Knust
  • Boroughmuir Secondary School – Erin Cowan

Saroj Lal was one of the first Asian women to teach in a Scottish primary school when she began her role at South Morningside Primary School in 1970.

Her many successes included being at the forefront of race relations during a period of immense political and social change, delivering anti-racism training and starting the first local authority interpreting and translating service in Edinburgh. Following her death in 2020, Saroj’s achievements in equality, women’s rights, education, and community work are being formally recognised.

Entries were judged by a panel of esteemed judges including: Saroj Lal’s son, Vineet Lal; Ethelinda Lashley-Scott, CEO of the Multi-Cultural Family Base (MCFB); Carol Tuzan, Wider Achievement & Lifelong Learning Manager (CLD youth and children’s work); and former Saroj Lal Award winner and student judge Jesudarasimi Omaoya, an S4 pupil at Castlebrae Community Campus.

Councillor James Dalgleish, Education, Children and Families Convener, hosted the awards and said: “Saroj Lal was a true inspiration, both in her trailblazing role at South Morningside Primary School and as a renowned campaigner for race relations and equality, and I’m delighted that her legacy lives on.

“Entries to this year’s awards demonstrate real creativity and feeling around the themes of equality, inclusion and diversity, and the calibre was extremely high. Well done to the winners and all those who submitted an entry.”

Vineet Lal said: “Once again, the calibre and creativity of entries has been incredible, with so much thought and consideration put into submissions. My thanks to all those who have got involved this year in creating artwork that challenges inequality.

“Saroj would be proud to see that the awards are now in their fourth year with even more children and young people getting involved. She was a pioneer in so many ways and we can all learn from how she stood up for what is right and championed inclusion, equality and anti-racism.”

Dunfermline team marks Amazon Global Month of Volunteering

Employees from Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline have come together to pack 1,200 hygiene and baby kits filled with essential items for donation to Big House Multibank, supporting people in need across Fife. 

The Big House Multibank was co-founded by former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Amazon UK in 2022.

The Multibank is a community donations hub, offering support for families experiencing poverty across the region. It gives surplus essentials like clothes, hygiene products, school uniforms and bedding donated by businesses like Amazon directly to those in need.

The products are distributed via the Big House Multibank to charity groups and care professionals who give them directly to people in need, when they need them. 

A team of volunteers assembled baby care kits and hygiene and toiletry kits packed with essential items for newborns and infants and every day essentials – supporting families who are struggling to afford the basics. Each kit provides new parents with the supplies they need during those critical early weeks, offering practical help and reassurance that their community cares. 

These events, including a litter picking event around the city, took place alongside further kitting events in Amazon buildings across the UK during the month of May – Amazon’s Global Month of Volunteering.

Global Month of Volunteering is an initiative that aims to help the communities where Amazon employees live and work. In May, thousands of Amazon employees volunteer alongside their colleagues, adding to the company’s efforts to support its local communities throughout the year. 

Finlay Talbot, is an employee at Amazon’s fulfilment centre in Dunfermline and took part in the packing event. He said: “Volunteering for Big House Multibank with my teammates this month meant a lot to me.

“It says something about a workplace when it puts its people and resources behind causes that matter, and being given paid time off to take part made a real difference. It let me show up for my community in a way that would be hard to manage on my own time.

“Doing it shoulder-to-shoulder with my colleagues made it even more rewarding.”

Community donations and employee volunteering are just two of the ways Amazon supports the communities where it operates.

Amazon co-founded The Big House Multibank in Fife with former UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown to support families in need. The Multibank network has now donated more than 12 million surplus goods to over 800,000 families across Scotland, Wales, Greater Manchester, London, Tees Valley and Birmingham. 

This year, the Multibank will send 1 million orders to families across the UK. 

Amazon has supported more than one million students across the UK with free STEM education programmes through Amazon Future Engineer and helps community organisations transport meals and other essentials to families in need through its pro bono logistics programme, Amazon Local Good.

Amazon partners with Comic Relief and is the official home of the charity’s iconic Red Nose.

Together with its employees, customers, and partners, Amazon has raised over £4.8 million to fund projects that support people across the UK, and around the world.

Open Farm Sunday celebrates two decades of farming’s biggest open day

Hundreds of thousands of people flocked to celebrate Open Farm Sunday’s 20th anniversary at events across England, Scotland and Wales. The day was marked by a significant increase in host farms opening their gates for the first time.

Established in 2006 by LEAF (Linking Environment And Farming), Open Farm Sunday has grown into one of British farming’s biggest public engagement success stories. This year, initial estimates indicate that almost 200,000 visitors were welcomed onto participating farms to learn more about food, farming and the environment.

A total of 283 farmers registered OFS events, with a quarter taking part as first-time hosts. Farmers were supported by volunteers, sponsors and the wider industry, giving visitors of all ages an opportunity to experience nature-friendly farming firsthand.

Open Farm Sunday manager, Annabel Shackleton, says this milestone year showed the continued value of these events: “Open Farm Sunday continues to capture the public’s imagination, and they are so grateful for the chance to step beyond the farm gate and connect with the people that produce their food. 

“This year’s 20th anniversary has been a wonderful reminder of the pride, care and commitment that backs up British farming. We are enormously grateful to every farmer, volunteer, sponsor and supporter who helped make the day possible.

“There is a huge appetite among the public to learn more about farming with nature in a fun and engaging way, and the high standards our industry works to. Being able to create that connection between the consumers, their food and the farmers who work tirelessly to produce it has always been key.”

New research commissioned by LEAF ahead of this year’s event shone a light on the importance the public places on farming practices that prioritise both food production and the environment.

The survey of more than 2,000 people revealed that 93% believe it is important for the UK to maintain a strong level of food production capacity in an increasingly uncertain world, while 89% agree that protecting nature on farms, including healthy soils, flood defences, and biodiversity, is essential for long-term food production.

Mrs Shackleton adds: “These results show why Open Farm Sunday matters. It gives farmers the space to show how they care for soils, wildlife, water and the wider countryside, and a chance to have important conversations in a positive, engaging and practical way.”

Over the past 20 years, Open Farm Sunday has welcomed more than 3.65 million people onto farms, and Mrs Shackleton thanked the ‘army of volunteers and sponsors’ who helped on farms up and down the country to ensure it was an industry success.

Cambridgeshire farmer Michael Sly MBE, who runs the biggest single Open Farm Sunday event and has hosted more than 120,000 visitors over the past 20 years, believes the bonds it builds between farmers and their local communities are vital.

“We started with 12 people attending in 2006 and now host around 10,000 visitors. Over the years, it has become a community event that the village has really got behind.

“Other farmers come and volunteer their time to help and engage with the public, and that ability for the farmers to work together relates back to normal farming as well. There’s so much we can learn from each other, and Open Farm Sunday highlights that on every level.”

LEAF extends its thanks to Open Farm Sunday’s sponsors, farmers, volunteers and wider industry supporters who helped host events across Britain, as well as the hundreds of thousands of visitors who attended.  

Next year’s Open Farm Sunday will take place on 13 June 2027. 

Communities across Scotland celebrate ‘Journeys for All’ during Community Rail Week 2026

Communities across Scotland came together to celebrate Community Rail Week 2026, organised by Community Rail Network and sponsored by Rail Delivery Group, showcasing how local railways, stations and volunteers are creating more inclusive, accessible and connected communities through the theme of ‘Journeys for All’, says Community Rail Network. 

Community rail brings people, railways and communities together. It’s a grassroots movement made up of community rail partnerships, station volunteer groups and local organisations working with the rail industry to improve stations, build confidence in train travel, promote sustainable journeys and help rail better serve local people. 

This year’s national campaign, led by the Community Rail Network and sponsored by the Rail Delivery Group, ran from 1–7 June under the theme ‘Journeys for All’. The week engaged over 13,000 people through events and activities across Britain, with a wider campaign reaching millions online. 

Coinciding with Volunteers’ Week, it shone a spotlight on the thousands of volunteers and community rail teams who work year-round to tackle isolation, improve wellbeing, support sustainable travel and connect communities with their local railways. 

Highlights included: 

  • Highland Main Line, Borders Railway and 6VT Youth Community Rail Partnerships joining forces at Edinburgh Waverley to deliver a vibrant community rail showcase, highlighting local initiatives and inspiring greater awareness and uptake of sustainable travel across diverse audiences.  
  • Friends of Newton Station, supported by Rail 74 Community Rail Partnership and CAF Rail Services, leading a community gardening day to transform and enhance the station environment, strengthening local pride, encouraging volunteering and creating a more welcoming gateway for passengers.  
  • 6VT Youth Community Rail Partnership leading a “Try the Train” experience for over 30 local school children, building confidence in using rail and opening up new opportunities for independent, sustainable travel.      

Community Rail Network chief executive Jools Townsend said:”Community Rail Week 2026 demonstrated the incredible impact that community rail has in bringing people together and making rail travel more accessible, welcoming and relevant to people’s lives.  

“Through this year’s ‘Journeys for All’ theme, community rail partnerships and volunteers showcased how local railways can help tackle isolation, build confidence, improve wellbeing and connect people to opportunities.” 

6VT Youth CRP operations manager Fiona Horne said: “We’re incredibly proud to have taken part in Community Rail Week as part of this national campaign, celebrating the people and partnerships that make our railways so much more than a means of transport.

“It highlights how community rail can bring people together, support inclusion, create memorable experiences and help ensure everyone feels welcome and confident travelling by train.” 

Community rail continues to thrive across Scotland, where partnerships and volunteers work alongside train operators, local authorities, charities and community groups to improve station environments, promote sustainable travel and ensure railways remain accessible and welcoming for all. 

Across Scotland, nine community rail partnerships and around 210 station volunteer groups deliver a range of activities designed to encourage sustainable travel, celebrate local heritage and ensure rail remains at the heart of community life. 

Rarely seen Gwen John portrait to go on display exclusively at Modern Two

Edinburgh exhibition to mark the artist’s 150th birthday

Gwen John: Strange Beauties 

National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two 

1 August 2026 – 4 January 2027 

Tickets from £14, free for under 18s | Friends go free 

Gwen John | Strange Beauties | National Galleries of Scotland  

A Dropbox of images can be found here 

Taking over Modern Two from 1 August, Gwen John: Strange Beauties is the first major exhibition in Scotland devoted to the pioneering painter. Featuring rarely seen drawings and watercolours – many on show for the first time – it offers fresh insight into her quiet yet determined artistic vision. Tickets are on sale now from the National Galleries of Scotland website, with free tickets for under 18s. This exhibition is not to be missed! 

Gwen John’s Young Woman with a Coral Necklace (1910-1920) will go on public display for the first time since 1964, especially for this exhibition in the Scottish capital. The striking painting once belonged to the Scottish artist and Gwen John scholar, Mary Edmond Taubman, who became fascinated with Gwen John’s work as a student while studying at Edinburgh College of Art in the early 1950s.

Taubman became the first person to conduct detailed academic research on the life and work of Gwen John, providing vital insight into what we know of her work today. Young Woman with a Coral Necklace was bought by Taubman from the artists estate, in 1968, and has been generously loaned to National Galleries Scotland by her family, in her memory.  

Marking 150 years since the Welsh artist was born, Gwen John: Strange Beauties will offer a fresh new perspective on her exquisite work and lasting legacy. Experience over 200 oil paintings, watercolours, and rarely seen sketches and archive materials across two floors of Modern Two.

Explore Gwen John’s journey from Wales to Paris, where she developed her distinctive, contemplative style. Discover her intimate and meditative portraits, shaped by faith, French modernism and her life in the Parisian suburb of Meudon. 

This exhibition will be the second stop of a global tour, following a critically acclaimed run at National Museum Cardiff earlier this year, including five stars from The Guardian and The Independent. 

Born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire in 1876, Gwen John studied at the Slade School of Art in London, becoming one of the first generation of women to receive a formal art education, before moving to Paris in 1904 where she led a fiercely independent and creative life.

From becoming a muse and model to renowned French sculptor Auguste Rodin, to modelling for Swiss artist Ottilie Roederstein, Irish sculptor Nuala O’ Donel, German artist Ida Gerhardi and Finnish artist Hilda Flodin.

She later converted to Catholicism, marrying together her faith and her artwork. Gwen John described herself as ‘a seer of strange beauties’, casting herself as a visionary with the ability to see beyond surface appearances.

Her attentive way of looking at the world shaped her art, leading her to paint and draw the same subjects repeatedly, each time observing them in a new way. Today, Gwen John is considered an independent trailblazer, who quietly yet impactfully paved the way for many women artists of the future. 

Alongside significant loans will be key works by Gwen John from Scotland’s national art collection. This includes A Young Nun (about 1915-1920) which is part of a series focusing on the convent of the Dominican Sisters of Charity at Meudon, near Paris. The tonal and quietly radiant Portrait of a Girl in Grey, (about 1918 – 1923) another from Scotland’s national art collection, depicting a woman praying, will also be on display.  

The exhibition will also delve into Gwen John’s artistic practice, revealing new research about Gwen John’s painting materials and methods. John’s approach to her art was almost scientific, emphasising the importance of close observation and trying to see beyond the surface of things.

The methodical and unique approach she applied to colour theory comes into play too. Gwen John developed a secret coding system for the colour mixtures and tones she used in her paintings – a code which still hasn’t been cracked to this day!

She sought to use colour to create a sense of harmony in her work. From the early 1920s the rich and vibrant colours found in Gwen John’s watercolours appear in her oil paintings, in artworks such as the ‘mulberry dress’ series.”

Visitors can also find out about Gwen John’s life with a free to use audio guide and film created especially for the exhibition which discusses her artistic legacy. Archival materials such as the artist’s notebooks and sketchbooks will be also displayed in the Keiller Library in Modern Two, telling more of Gwen John’s story through objects personal to her. 

Anne Lyden, Director-General at the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “Independent, intellectually curious and visionary, Gwen John was an extraordinary painter.

“Her acutely observed and meditative paintings and vivid and evocative watercolours invite us to pause, look closely and discover the uncanny beauty of the world around us.

“We hope visitors to Modern Two this summer will enjoy discovering Gwen John’s world. The exhibition is an international collaboration between four museums and galleries and we are so grateful to the lenders, sponsors and exhibition partners whose generosity has made this celebration of Gwen John in Scotland possible.” 

Jane Richardson, Chief Executive of Amgueddfa Cymru – Museum Wales, said: “Gwen John has always been in the shadow of others, but this major exhibition has put her firmly in the spotlight in what would have been her 150th year, offering an opportunity to explore her techniques, processes and inspirations.

“The response to the exhibition in Cardiff has been incredible and we are so proud to be collaborating with National Galleries of Scotland as well as with the Yale Center for British Art and the National Museum of Women in the Arts to celebrate this wonderful Welsh artist and to share her work with even more people.” 

This exhibition has been developed by Amgueddfa Cymru in partnership with the National Galleries of Scotland, Yale Center for British Art, and the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Washington DC. Gwen John: Strange Beauties is yours to discover at National Galleries Scotland: Modern Two from 1 August 2026. 

Tickets are on sale now. 

Scottish family dairy celebrates eight decades of growth with Edinburgh tram takeover 

From horse and cart deliveries in Bridge of Allan to a twenty-first century tram in Scotland’s capital, Graham’s Family Dairy is celebrating more than 80 years of family heritage with the launch of a newly wrapped Edinburgh tram ahead of this year’s Royal Highland Show. 

The tram, which is now running across the capital in Graham’s Family Dairy branding, will transport passengers directly to the Royal Highland Show and other big events this summer. It marks the latest chapter in the story of the family dairy business that began with just 12 cows and doorstep milk deliveries in the 1930s. 

Today, Graham’s Family Dairy has grown into Scotland’s largest independent dairy, producing more than 70 different products and flavours across its range and delivering dairy products from Shetland to the Isle of Wight, as well as exporting to destinations like Dubai, Hong Kong and the Bahamas.

While the business has evolved dramatically over the decades, the new tram campaign celebrates the same family values and farming heritage that remain at the core of the company today.

At the heart of the campaign is Graham’s Family Dairy’s Chairman, Dr Robert Graham – who at 85 years old has built an unlikely following and string of viral videos on TikTok by educating a younger audience on all things agriculture. 

Carol, Dr Robert, Jean and Robert Graham in front of the Grahams Family Dairy farm house in Bridge of Allen, Stirling.

Dr Robert Graham, Chairman at Graham’s Family Dairy said: “When I was growing up, the business was built around local milk rounds and knowing every customer personally.

“Everything was done by hand, and deliveries went out by horse and cart from Bridge of Allan. To now see Graham’s Family Dairy travelling through Scotland’s capital on a tram really shows how far the business has come over the generations – what I’m even prouder of though is that we’ve kept that family feel engrained in everything we do. 

“Back then we were simply producing milk from a small herd of cows. Today, we make everything from milk and cream to cottage cheese, kefir, butter, yoghurt and protein products. Every one of those products represents another step in the journey of the business and another example of how we’ve adapted to what customers are looking for while staying true to our farming heritage. 

“What makes this year’s Royal Highland Show that bit more exciting for us is the opportunity to showcase the whole Graham’s Family Dairy range in one place. From the milk and cream that built the business to newer products like cottage cheese and our protein range, it tells the story of how we’ve grown from a small family dairy into the business we are today.” 

Carol, Robert and Dr Robert Graham on the Grahams Family Dairy farm in Bridge of Allen, Stirling.

Starting with just 12 cows, Graham’s Family Dairy now has approximately 170 vehicles at its disposal supplying retailers, cafes and customers across the UK, while continuing to invest in Scottish producers, innovation and traditional dairy farming. 

Graham’s Family Dairy has grown through three generations and today 70% of households in Scotland and 30% of the UK’s households buy Graham’s Family Dairy products, making them Scotland’s No.1 dairy brand. 

To find out more about Graham’s Family Dairy, please visit:

www.grahamsfamilydairy.com

Veterans Scotland puts community at the heart of discussions at Armed Forces Champion Gathering event

Veterans Scotland has hailed its Armed Forces Champion Gathering event as a major success after bringing together representatives from local authorities, public bodies, the Armed Forces community, and the Scottish and UK Governments to reinforce partnership working in support of the Armed Forces Covenant.

The event, held at the Stirling Court Hotel and attended by over 120 invited guests, provided a national platform for organisations across Scotland to share good practice, strengthen collaboration and discuss how services can continue to improve support for veterans, serving personnel, reservists and military families.

Delegates took part in discussions on the latest updates on the Armed Forces Covenant extension, gaining insight into the lived experiences of the Armed Forces and Veterans community in relation to health, education and housing and learned from peers about how the Covenant duty is being delivered on the ground in communities across Scotland.

The Gathering also highlighted successful partnership initiatives already taking place across Scotland and showcased the importance of coordinated working between local authorities, public bodies and the Scottish Government in supporting the Armed Forces community.

Veterans Scotland has a broad footprint across Scotland, recognising veterans not as a group in need of support but as a national asset whose skills, experience and values are actively harnessed to deliver wider government priorities, including economic growth, the Plan for Change, and strengthened defence and resilience.

Emma Watson Mack, Executive Chair at Veterans Scotland, said: “Our Gathering event was designed as a day to inform, connect and inspire those delivering the Armed Forces Covenant in practice.

“We’re thrilled with how many of our members and partner organisations attended. It not only showed such a strong commitment in supporting our veterans but also to share their experience and the crucial impact that Covenant has on so many Veterans and their families across Scotland.

“We heard some incredible insights that demonstrated lived experience and innovative approaches by local authority champions which we know will help inspire other organisations in the future. The Armed Forces Covenant is most effective when organisations work together, and this event has reinforced that shared commitment.”

Veterans Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Though I have only been Veterans Minister for a short time, it is already clear to me that so much of what is done in aid of those veterans and service families who find themselves in need is underpinned by the passion, dedication and hard work of individuals across the country.

“I am grateful to Veterans Scotland for all their work, and for giving so many important voices the opportunity to come together at their Gathering in Stirling to share their knowledge and experiences.

“I remain committed to working with Veterans Scotland and all in the Armed Forces community to build on the significant progress that has been made in recent years, as we develop an action plan for veterans in Scotland that reflects the new Strategy for Veterans published last year.”

Cllr Maureen Chalmers, COSLA Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing said: “It was both a privilege and a timely opportunity to come together in support of the Armed Forces community at the Veterans Scotland Gathering. Events like this send a powerful message of our collective commitment to those who have served. 

“It was also particularly valuable to hear about the practical ways councils and their partners are making the Armed Forces Covenant continue to make a difference in communities across Scotland. I very much hope that the discussions from the event and the collaboration will lead to stronger partnerships, improved services, and further tangible progress with the Covenant. 

“Ultimately, the priority is to carry forward the energy from the event into practical improvement, so the Covenant continues to make a real difference to veterans and their families to ensure they feel supported, recognised and included.”    

Lt Cdr (Ret’d) Susie Hamilton, Scottish Veterans Commissioner, said: “The Gathering was extremely impactful. It demonstrates the power of collaboration, the real world consequences of policy decisions, and the importance of listening directly to the serving and veteran community.”

Every child in England to get access to enriching activities to build skills and confidence for life

Children in every part of the country to get access to enriching activities to beat isolation online and build connections in the real world

  • New benchmarks to give every school and college the tools to offer high-quality enrichment across arts, sport, nature, civic life and life skills
  • £132.5 million ‘Every Child Can’ programme will fund activities within school and in communities at weekends and in the holidays, ensuring enrichment is a common entitlement for all — not just those who can afford to pay

Every child, regardless of where they grow up or which school they attend, will benefit from enriching activities that build the skills, confidence and relationships they need for life and work thanks to government action announced today.

Greater access to opportunities in sport, creative activities, nature and the arts will be made available to children both in and out of school in order to halve the participation gap and reclaim childhood for all young people.

The drive to make sure all children are supported to develop new skills and explore their talents includes new benchmarks for schools and colleges published today. These will ensure schools and colleges have the practical tools and guidance to offer a wide range of opportunities across five categories: civic engagement; arts and culture; nature, outdoor and adventure; life and future skills including STEM, sport and physical activities.

Leading figures within these categories will soon be announced as ambassadors using their influence and expertise to inspire participation, raise awareness and help drive support for enriching opportunities for young people.

Activities could include music groups, engineering clubs, debating societies, football clubs and much more. These clear benchmarks will work in partnership with civil society and help schools and colleges develop inclusive, engaging enrichment offers that reflect the needs of their pupils and communities.

Ofsted will consider a school’s enrichment offer as part of how it assesses personal development, and parents will be able to see their local school’s offer through new ‘school profiles’ – a one stop shop with key information on a school’s offering.

This complements the government’s wider reforms to bring the national curriculum into the modern day, break down barriers to opportunity and better prepare young people for life and work in today’s world and beyond. 

‘Every Child Can’, funded through the Dormant Assets Scheme, will deliver £132.5 million  for new activities programmes delivered through schools, community programmes, weekend activities and holiday provision.

It is structured around the same five categories as the Enrichment Framework, ensuring a consistent approach to building skills and confidence wherever young people engage and removing the postcode lottery that has held children in underserved parts of the country back.

It responds directly to the State of the Nation survey of more than 14,000 young people, which found that despite being the most digitally connected generation, young people today face some of the highest levels of isolation globally.

They want safe spaces, trusted adults, better mental health support and greater access to enriching activities. However, access to these opportunities remains unequal, with too many children locked out because of where they live and what school or college they go to.

Education Secretary Bridget Philipson said: “Every child should be able to enjoy sport and the creative arts, not just the lucky few.

“Whether it’s performing on stage, playing sport, exploring nature or getting involved in their community, these experiences build confidence, spark ambition and help young people discover what they are capable of.

“As the world around our children continues to move fast, investment is about making sure the childhood experiences we truly value can once again be for every young person, wherever they live.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Every child deserves the chance to find their spark through great art, sport, music, dance or drama, because arts and culture belong to all of us – not just a privileged few. A child who loves the arts shouldn’t have to be born into the right postcode to pursue it.

“That is why we are rebuilding opportunity in the classroom and in communities and ensuring every young person has something to do, somewhere to go, and someone who cares through our National Youth Strategy: Youth Matters.

“For too long we have underinvested in generation with appalling consequences. Every child should have the chance to live a richer, larger life and we will ensure they do.”

This package forms part of the UK government’s commitment to restore lost childhood freedoms – investing in playgrounds, in music hubs, sports partnerships, youth services and youth spaces and support for families through measures including VAT relief on children’s activities this summer. 

With children growing up in an increasingly fast-changing world the package is designed to protect and nurture childhood, ensuring young people are equipped with skills and confidence to achieve and thrive.

Participating in enrichment activities has been associated with higher attainment and a stronger sense of school belonging and wellbeing among children and young people.

According to EPI research, children who attended sport clubs during secondary school were more likely to be in education or employment as young adults, while those who participated in hobbies, arts and music clubs were significantly more likely to progress to higher education.

Today’s announcement builds on the UK government’s work to ensure young people have access to enriching and cultural activities including:

  • More than £500 million for an ambitious 10-year National Youth Strategy – co-designed with young people – to connect half a million more young people with a trusted adult outside their home and equip them with skills to boost their resilience and stay safe online.
  • Over £1 billion of investment in school sport over the next three years, including the new PE and School Sport Partnerships Network, which will bring national sporting expertise into every primary and secondary school to tackle inactivity and ensure more young people have access to high-quality PE and sport. Alongside this, an additional £400 million will also be invested in new and upgraded grassroots sport facilities in communities across the country 
  • £1.5 billion would be provided to cultural venues across England over the course of this parliament, including £27.5 million for public libraries to help them upgrade their buildings and technology to meet changing needs to better serve their communities.
  • Inviting 400 schools in the most deprived areas of England to take part in the £22.5 million Enrichment Expansion Programme, to support them to meet the benchmarks set out in the Enrichment Framework, helping them build a strong offer shaped by their own pupils.
  • Revitalising the curriculum to ensure young people are given the chance to experience the arts, while maintaining a strong academic core, removing school performance measures that constrain subject choice, and making sure GCSEs in arts subjects are fit for purpose.

The government is working with The National Lottery Community Fund to develop Every Child Can. Further details on the remaining funding, how each programme will work and how to apply to take part will be published in due course.

The Department for Education will work closely with schools, colleges and sector partners, including the Enrichment for All Coalition, to support implementation of the framework and understand its impact on children and young people.

This will help build a shared approach to ensuring high-quality enrichment opportunities can support attendance, engagement, wellbeing and achievement for all pupils.

Jet2’s Winter Sun programme now on sale from Edinburgh Airport

  • 13 sunshine destinations are now on sale from Edinburgh Airport for Winter 27/28
  • Over 300,000 seats available from Edinburgh Airport
  • Today’s announcement will be followed by further good news for Winter 27/28 

UK consumer champion Jet2 has today announced the launch of its Winter Sun programme from Edinburgh Airport for Winter 2027/28, with more seats and choice on offer. The programme includes the airline and travel operator’s first full winter season of operations to Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh Airport.

As demand from holidaymakers looking to escape the long winter continues, the leading leisure airline and tour operator is once again giving customers what they want by putting over 300,000 seats on sale from Edinburgh Airport.

A choice of 13 winter sun destinations have gone on sale from Edinburgh Airport: The Canary Islands (Tenerife, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura), Spain (Alicante, Malaga), Balearics (Majorca), Portugal (Faro, Madeira), Turkey (Antalya), Cyprus (Paphos), Egypt (Sharm el-Sheikh), and Malta. During peak periods, the airline and tour operator will operate 40 weekly outbound flights.

The release of the programme comes in response to demand from holidaymakers looking to book ahead and enjoy some winter sunshine. It also makes Jet2 the first airline and tour operator to go on sale for Winter 27/28, giving customers and independent travel agents the opportunity to book their place in the sun for next winter early.

 The full Winter 27/28 Winter Sun programme from Edinburgh Airport is as follows:

  • Tenerife (up to 7 weekly services)
  • Lanzarote (up to 5 weekly services)
  • Gran Canaria (up to 3 weekly services)
  • Fuerteventura (up to 3 weekly services)
  • Malaga (up to 3 weekly services)
  • Alicante (up to 5 weekly services)
  • Antalya (up to 3 weekly services)
  • Faro (up to 2 weekly services)
  • Majorca (up to 3 weekly services)
  • Madeira (up to 2 weekly services)
  • Paphos (weekly services)
  • Sharm el-Sheikh (weekly services)
  • Malta (up to 2 weekly services)

Over the coming weeks, the airline and tour operator will also reveal further programme details for Winter 27/28.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2, said: “Our winter sun programme for 2027/28 is on sale nice and early from Edinburgh Airport, and we are very pleased to be giving customers and independent travel agents such fantastic choice and flexibility.

“This exciting new programme opens up the best winter sun hotspots to local holidaymakers and, as always, we have designed it in direct response to the demand for our award-winning flights and holidays so we know how popular it will be.

“We are not done yet, with even more exciting announcements about our Winter 27/28 programme coming soon!”

Stephanie Wear, Chief Commercial Officer at Edinburgh Airport said: “With this summer already mapped out, now’s the perfect time to start planning next year’s getaway and explore the range of sunshine destinations on offer for Winter 27/28.

“It’s an ideal time to swap Scotland’s grey skies and drizzle for a few weeks of guaranteed sunshine so it’s fantastic to see Jet2 launching such an extensive programme for passengers to enjoy.”

For further information and to book visit www.jet2.com or www.jet2holidays.com 

If you are an independent travel agent and are interested in learning more about how you could benefit from working in partnership with Jet2holidays, please visit the company’s dedicated trade site: trade.jet2holidays.com