Borderlands Deal will build on success of Edinburgh Napier-led Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland

The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal was signed yesterday, confirming millions of pounds of investment into the Scottish Borders.

Ministers of the UK and Scottish Governments and representatives of the five councils of the Borderlands Partnership signed the deal, which aims to drive inclusive growth and deliver significant and lasting benefits for individuals, businesses and communities, including the creation of up to 5,500 jobs.

For the Scottish Borders, investment will include:

·         £19m for an ambitious project to create the world’s first Mountain Bike Innovation Centre, integrated adventure Bike Park and Trail Lab in Innerleithen (further details below)

·         £11m Destination Tweed tourism project based around the River Tweed

·         Funding to further develop the 7Stanes mountain biking network across the Borders and Dumfries and Galloway

·         A share of £20m for town and community improvement projects through a Place Programme in the south of Scotland

·         Funding for improved business infrastructure in Hawick and Coldstream

·         Funds to support rural innovation and skills

·         Projects to tackle gaps in digital and mobile infrastructure

·         £10m to deliver the feasibility activity around extending the Borders Railway from Tweedbank to Carlisle

·         Funding to support the generation of low carbon energy

·         Pilot projects covering woodland, upland and agricultural areas to trial new approaches to valuing and protecting our natural capital to capture the benefits of our environment in a sustainable way

Councillor Mark Rowley, Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Economic Regeneration and Finance, said: “The Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal has been worked on by the various partners for a number of years and this level of investment and joined up partnership working has never been more important than it is today, as we look towards our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This deal can transform the Scottish Borders, allowing multiple, large scale projects to be taken forward by the Council and a wide range of partners, delivering new jobs and sustainable growth which will help support the region for decades to come.

“Significant investment into our towns and communities, our tourism infrastructure and our environment means that this deal will see the benefits shared right across the whole of the Scottish Borders.”

Innerleithen Mountain Bike Innovation Centre/Tweed Valley Bike Park and Trail Lab

A key element of the Borderlands Growth Deal for the Scottish Borders is the development of a new mountain bike innovation centre in Innerleithen that will support Scottish, UK and international businesses to develop innovative products and services within mountain biking and across the cycling sector. 

In addition, a Tweed Valley Bike Park and Trail Lab will be created in what is thought to be a global first in terms of combining tourism and innovation. An adventure bike park will deliver infrastructure to attract and sustainably manage visitors to the Scottish Borders.

Borderlands Growth Deal will invest £19million in the project, which is predicted to contribute £141m in Gross Value Added (GVA) and over 400 new jobs in the South of Scotland.

The project partnership includes South of Scotland Enterprise as project sponsors Scottish Borders Council, Edinburgh Napier University and Scottish Cycling, through Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland (DMBinS).

Ed Shoote of DMBinS, the Senior Project Manager of the Mountain Bike Project, said: “It is fantastic news that the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, including the Mountain Bike Project, is pushing ahead.

“The vision is for the south of Scotland to be recognised as the European leader in mountain biking and this is an important step forward.

“There is still a lot of work to do to realise this vision and we will continue to work with the project partners and the local community to deliver the best project for the region.”

Councillor Mark Rowley added: “This project is a fantastic example of how projects funded by the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal can deliver multiple benefits, in this case attracting new businesses and jobs to the area and also attracting tourists from across the UK, Europe and beyond, building on the already well-established reputation of the Tweed Valley as one of the world’s top mountain biking destinations.”

Professor Nick Antonopoulos, Vice Principal for Research and Innovation at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “Today marks another important milestone for Edinburgh Napier and its partners in our journey towards making the South of Scotland the mountain bike capital of Europe.

“The Borderlands Growth Deal will build on the fantastic groundwork of the Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland, hosted by Edinburgh Napier University who have been supporting cycling innovation since 2012.

“This investment will take the work of Mountain Bike Centre of Scotland to the next level, helping to drive innovation and support product research and development, whilst working with local and international companies.

“Together, these projects will power commercial activity, attract inward investment and deliver positive outcomes in terms of public health and supporting carbon neutral products and processes.

“We are also hugely excited by the potential research opportunities for Edinburgh Napier colleagues across a range of academic disciplines, including exercise science, health and wellbeing, engineering, inclusion, product design, artificial intelligence, big data and tourism.”

South of Scotland Enterprise Chair, Russel Griggs OBE, added: “This is a transformational project which could really put the South of Scotland on the map as a global leader in the mountain biking industry.

“The potential wider economic and community benefits for the local area are significant in terms of inward investment and jobs, as well as bringing further UK and international tourism to the region.

“I am delighted the South of Scotland Enterprise will be working with various partners to realise this ambition.”

Dobbies launches virtual events to get Edinburgh gardens blooming

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, has announced a programme of exclusive virtual events this Spring, helping Edinburgh gardeners of all ages and abilities take their green spaces to the next level.

Launching on Saturday 27 March and running throughout Spring, the expert sessions will be hosted by Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, live from his own garden.

Marcus will provide viewers with engaging tips and tricks, tutorials and live demonstrations across a variety of topics, to help gardeners make the most of their outdoor spaces.

Kicking off the series will be an event on refreshing pots and planters with colourful springtime blooms, with subsequent classes covering topics including developing healthy soil and edible crops, cultivating garden wildlife and maintaining a lush lawn.

Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions directly and gain the expertise required to create an Instagrammable garden, no matter its size.

Marcus Eyles, Horticultural Director at Dobbies, said: “Over the past year, more of us than ever before have discovered a love of gardening and experienced the ways that it enriches our lives and improves our wellbeing.

“Gardening is something we can all enjoy, no matter how large or small our outdoor spaces, and we are delighted to be launching this series of virtual events. We hope that they will inspire and help gardeners old and new to learn the skills and techniques they need to take their gardens to the next level.”

Dobbies’ virtual events follow a successful programme of Facebook Live sessions in 2020 and provide a virtual alternative to the regular ‘Grow How’ events previously hosted in the Edinburgh store. Further events focused on adding colour to the your garden and roses will be announced soon.

The sessions are free of charge and exclusively available to Dobbies Club members. For those who aren’t yet members of Dobbies Club, membership is free and signing up is quick and simple, giving access to a variety of benefits, special offers and exclusive events. To sign up visit dobbies.com.

To sign up for the masterclasses, visit https://www.dobbies.com/content/events.html

Dobbies live event calendar:

·        Saturday 27th March – Refresh Your Pots with Spring Colour

·        Saturday 10th April – Healthy Soil Grows Better Crops

·        Saturday 24th April – Lawns and Wildlife

·        More events to be announced soon

Venture Trust to launch Scotland’s first dedicated outdoor therapy programme

Scottish charity Venture Trust is launching the Scotland’s first dedicated outdoor therapy programme. The mental health service will see trained therapists harness the power of the outdoors to support some of Scotland’s most vulnerable young people, adults and veterans.     

The Outdoor Therapy programme will involve a ‘walk and talk’ approach to therapy delivered by qualified staff and delivered in parks, community gardens, local woodland or accessible hills and beaches instead of the traditional clinic or office-based support. 

The launch of the service comes at a time when Scotland’s mental health services are over-stretched, under-resourced, and unable to support some of the country’s most vulnerable young people and adults.  

Recent statistics from Public Health Scotland continue to highlight young people are still not receiving mental health services when they need them: 

·       25% of young people referred to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are currently not seen within the target time of 18 weeks 

·       25% of children and young people were turned away from specialist mental health services during October to December 2020 

The Princes Trust’s annual Youth Index published in January noted: 

·       25% of young people feel “unable to cope with life” since the start of the pandemic, increasing to 40% for those not in work education or training

Research from the Scottish Association for Mental Health SAMH highlights almost half of people with mental health problems in Scotland felt they did not get care or treatment because of the pandemic.  

The Outdoor Therapy programme will also look to support vulnerable adults including veterans who already faced mental health inequalities before the pandemic and lockdown.  

Public Health Scotland statistics also show:  

·       20% of the 17,023 adults who started psychological therapies during October to December 2020 waited longer than the official target of 18 weeks 

·      None of the 14 regional NHS Boards met the 18-week target for adult psychological therapies services in Scotland 

Veteran specific funding towards the service will be used to work with Scottish veterans struggling with their mental health. Venture Trust’s existing veteran support programme highlights a trend in veterans presenting with mental health issues from 50% in 2016/17 growing to 79% in 2019/20. 

Venture Trust’s clinical manager Andy Hardie said the charity’s new outdoor therapy service can play a crucial role in supporting and coomplementing existing services to tackle the looming mental health crisis predicted in Scotland.   

“The system seemed close to breaking point before Covid-19 and the pandemic has only increased the pressure on it”, he said.

“The benefits of the outdoors for mental health have been long understood but little utilised in a clinical sense and the value of the outdoors to improve mental health and wellbeing has been increasingly highlighted during the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown. 

“Whilst we value traditional approaches to therapy, we recognise that for some individuals the usual offer of support in clinical settings can seem daunting. 

“As we move out of lockdown, Venture Trust’s offer of support within an outdoor setting can benefit individuals who may have sought support through traditional statutory therapeutic services such as GP’s, CAMHS, and other therapy services but have not been able to make the changes they were hoping for or were unable to gain access to services.”

The launch of the new service also brings into sharp focus the desperate need for further investment to increase and diversify mental health support for the most vulnerable young people, adults and veterans in Scotland. 

Venture Trust Director of External Affairs Tejesh Mistry said the outdoor therapy service would rollout in the Edinburgh and Lothians area of Scotland but the aim was to increase the reach and offer when further funding secured:  

“As a charity organisation we have seen first-hand the impact of the pandemic on the mental and emotional wellbeing of Scotland’s most vulnerable people. Venture Trust will continue to explore funding avenues to increase the reach of this valuable and essential service.” 

MSPs call on UK Government to make the £20 Universal Credit uplift permanent

A Scottish Parliament Committee has called on the UK Government to make permanent the temporary £20 Universal Credit (UC) uplift and has expressed ‘considerable concern’ about the significant number of people unable to access social security support during the pandemic.

The findings are part of the Social Security Committee’s report into how social security can aid Scotland’s recovery from Covid-19.

With the pandemic having a disproportionately negative impact on the poorest in society, the Committee highlights the urgent need to review what has been learned so far to ensure existing services are reformed and new services designed to provide people with the support they need to come through this major economic shock.

While praising the unprecedented amount of resource that has been passed to public bodies, local authorities and the third sector to help in response to the pandemic, the Committee express deep concerns about the number of people unable to access any support.

They say the newly self-employed and people with savings are two groups who have not been given sufficient support by the current social security system.

The Committee has called on the Scottish and UK Governments to work together to consider the feasibility of a Citizens Basic Income (CBI) as part of the response to any future crisis.

They say this is potentially a fairer way to share available support and could avoid some groups of people receiving no support at all.

Given the main income-replacement benefit (UC) is reserved to UK Ministers and the interlink between Scottish social security benefits and UK Government DWP benefits, the Committee say it is more important than ever that both Governments work constructively together to respond to this crisis.

Speaking as the report was published, Social Security Committee Convener, Bob Doris MSP, said: “This pandemic continues to have a devastating impact on people’s lives, particularly our most vulnerable in society.

“Social security has a critical role to play in supporting people at times of crisis and while we recognise the unprecedented support both the Scottish and UK Governments have provided, it is clear that too many people have fallen through the cracks.

“In order to protect the most vulnerable, the temporary uplift in Universal Credit must be made permanent, and more must be done to help those not currently eligible for support, particularly the newly self-employed and those with savings. A Citizens Basic Income for the duration of any future crisis may be one way to protect those who have missed out on support.

“As we know, responsibility for assistance with housing costs lies mainly with the UK Government and Scottish Ministers have very limited powers in this area. So we are calling on both Governments to work together to look at what assistance can be provided to people struggling, whatever their tenure.”

He added: “The Committee is extremely disappointed that the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions did not accept any of the Committee’s invitations to give evidence, either for this inquiry or previous Committee work. Given the interlinked nature of social security across both Governments: this must change in future.

“We’d like to thank all who contributed to our inquiry. The long-term impact of the pandemic is still unknown but it is vital that social security provides a safety net for all of those who need it during this and any future crises.”

The Committee say the pandemic has exposed some of the shortcomings of the current social security system, including problems with the Scottish Welfare Fund (SWF). They say these problems have been exacerbated by the pandemic and have urged the Scottish Government to work with COSLA to review the SWF to ensure it is fit for purpose.

The Committee’s report also says although locally distributed discretionary payments play an important role when responding to urgent or temporary need, longer-term needs are better met by national entitlements with clear and consistent eligibility criteria to give people certainty when accessing support.

Book Now! Live in Leith starts this Saturday

Live in Leith:

March 20th: Connor Fyfe and Retro Video Club

March 27th: Ransom FA and Nova Scotia the Truth

April 3rd: The Ninth Wave and Lucia & The Best Boys

Tickets (£11.50) on sale now at https://bit.ly/LIVEINLEITH  

Picture: Rory Barnes

#liveinleith

Twitter/Facebook: @LeithTheatre

Instagram: @leiththeatre

Hosted by BBC Radio Scotland’s Vic GallowayLive in Leith streams over three consecutive Saturdays – starting this weekend with Bellshill boy Connor Fyfe and Edinburgh-based Retro Video Club – via the online platform DICE.

At the age of 14, Connor Fyfe is the youngest artist ever to sell out King Tut’s in Glasgow, finding out that he had done so on the day of his 14th birthday. He started playing guitar around the age of 8 and song-writing around the age of 12. He picked up the harmonica aged 11 back when he was a regular on the Scottish open-mic scene, playing it on stage the same day that he had bought it. Connor was due to support Kaiser Chiefs last year.

Edinburgh outfit Retro Video Club have been a band since 2015 but after a year spent refining their sound they took off on the local and then the national scene in 2017, selling out The Liquid Rooms twice, 3 nights at Sneaky Pete’s (a record for the venue) and the Assembly Rooms amongst others.

Their most recently released single ‘Checkmate’ came out this month. They have supported the likes of BastilleThe Vaccines and We Are Scientists.

Quotes:

“We’ve known about this venue for years and obviously it’s derelict (…) so to be able to somewhat play it is good enough the now. To be honest I’ve never actually been in before (…) It just makes you want to play here. It’s like an academy…it’s kind of like the O2 Academy, it has that kind of vibe. We just need to have it.” – Sam McGill, Retro Video Club

“I’ve not been in a venue for a long time, especially one as grand as this…so it feels strange to be honest – but in a good way.”   – Lucia Fairfull, Lucia & The Best Boys

Un. Real. It’s so nice (Leith Theatre). I can’t believe I’ve never been here before.” – Millie Kidd, The Ninth Wave

“This place is amazing. Obviously, I didn’t know what to expect when I first came in and I’m like ‘woah’. Can’t wait to fill this place up.” – Ransom FA

“I like a bit of reverb on my mics but you don’t even need to ask for it in here. It’s just a nice big hall.” – Connor Fyfe   

British Gas set to hit 38 days of strikes as employer refuses to remove ‘Fire And Rehire’


Over a thousand British Gas workers across Scotland will walk out again tomorrow (Friday 19 March) for strike days thirty-five, thirty-six, thirty-seven and thirty-eight, as the fight continues against their CEO Chris O’Shea’s shameful ‘fire and rehire’ imposition.

Engineers will walk out from 00.01 hours on Friday 19 March until 21.59 hours on Monday 22 March, and again on Friday 26 March to Monday 29 March, taking the total number of strike days in the dispute to forty-two. 

Socially distanced picket lines will be in operation tomorrow morning at British Gas facilities in Edinburgh and Uddingston.

The latest wave of strikes was confirmed after workers across the UK voted by a resounding majority of four-to-one against proposals tabled through ACAS over the future of their terms and conditions, with Centrica refusing to lift the ‘fire and rehire’ imposition.

British Gas are set to issue dismissal notices on Monday 29 March to staff who refuse to accept the ‘fire and rehire’ imposition. 

After thirty-four days of previous strike action, GMB understands that more than 250,000 homes across the UK are in a backlog for repairs and 350,000 planned annual service visits have been axed.

GMB Scotland Senior Organiser Hazel Nolan said: “British Gas is set to sack key workers if they do not accept Chris O’Shea’s ‘fire and rehire’ imposition – it’s a shameful way for any employer to behave let alone a great British industrial institution.

“Left unchallenged it also sets a dangerous precedent, where even the biggest employers can exploit a public health crisis to attack workers’ rights, and their terms and conditions of employment. That’s not modernisation, it’s Dickensian.

“But the message from our determined and dignified members is loud and clear: Stop the fire and rehire in British Gas, and let’s return to proper negotiations over the future of this business and its workers.”

Johnson: Let’s get the jab done!

PM’s statement at coronavirus press conference: 18th March 2021

Our roadmap to freedom depends on the continued success of our vaccination programme, and so it is reasonable for people to want to be continually reassured not only that our vaccines are safe and effective but also that we have the supply that we need.

So I want to address both points today especially in the light of concerns you may have heard in some other countries about the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

First, the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has reviewed the evidence, as it does every week.

They have confirmed that the benefits of the vaccine in preventing COVID far outweigh any risks and people should continue to get their vaccine when asked to do so and June will say a little bit more about that in a moment.

It’s also very important for our European friends that today the European Medicines Agency has come to a clear scientific conclusion and I quote – “this is a safe and effective vaccine.”

We also saw yesterday the evidence from Public Health England that a single dose of either vaccine provides 60 per cent protection against getting COVID.

and reduces the chances of hospitalisation by 80 per cent and the risk of death by 85 per cent.

So the Oxford jab is safe; and the Pfizer jab is safe – the thing that isn’t safe is catching Covid – which is why it’s so important that we all get our jabs as soon as our turn comes.

And as it happens, I’m getting mine tomorrow. And the centre where I’m getting jabbed is currently using the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine for those receiving their first dose, and that is the one I’ll be having.

And let me also assure you – if you come forwards after receiving your letter, we have the jabs for you.

We’ve always said that in a vaccination programme of this pace and this scale, some interruptions in supply are inevitable and it is true that in the short term we are receiving fewer vaccines than we had planned for a week ago.

That is because of a delay in a shipment from the Serum Institute who are doing a herculean job in producing vaccines in such large quantities – and because of a batch that we currently have in the UK that needs to be retested – as part of our rigorous safety programmes.

So as a result we will receive slightly fewer vaccines in April than in March.

But that is still more than we received in February and the supply we do have will still enable us to hit the targets we have set.

That means that by 15 April we will be able to offer a first dose to all of you who are over 50, as well as those under 50 who are clinically vulnerable.

We will have the second doses that people need within the 12 week window – which means around 12 million people in April.

And we will still offer a first dose to every adult by the end of July.

So there is no change to the next steps of the roadmap.

We’ve now vaccinated over 25 million across our entire United Kingdom – more than the entire population of many countries

and our progress along the road to freedom continues unchecked.

We remain on track to reclaim the things we love, to see our families and friends again, to return to our local pubs, our gyms and sports facilities, and of course our shops, all as long as the data continue to go in the right direction and we meet our four tests.

And the way to ensure this happens is to get that jab when your turn comes.

So let’s get the jab done!

Thank you very much.

Become a Volunteer Trustee at Pilton Equalities Project

Make a difference in your local community

BECOME A VOLUNTEER TRUSTEE AT PILTON EQUALITIES PROJECT

Make a difference in your local community

PEP is overseen by a Board of Trustees who have overall responsibility and accountability for the Project.  They set and maintain PEP’s vision, mission and values; support strategic development of services, establish and monitor policies, monitor employment procedures alongside the Manager, support the Manager and ensure good governance.

About Pilton Equalities Project

Aims to enhance the quality of life for older people in North Edinburgh by continuing to develop services that measurably reduce isolation and which enable people and other vulnerable and isolated adults to actively participate in community life.

Experience Required

Good independent judgement, ability to think creatively, willingness to speak your mind, an understanding and acceptance of the legal duties, responsibilities and liabilities of trusteeship, an ability to work effectively as a member of a team and to take decisions for the good of the charity.

Training Details

PEP, 3 West Pilton Park, Edinburgh, EH4 4EL . Training will be given on commencement of volunteering.

Location/Travel Details

Board meet once a month for 2 hours by zoom.  Normally meetings are held in the PEP Office, 3 West Pilton Park EH4 4EL .

Expenses

Public transport and out of pocket expenses paid.

Accessibility Details

Named Contact For Volunteer. Wheelchair Access/Disabled Access Toilet

Interested? Contact:

dianepepequalities@hotmail.co.uk or tel 0131 315 4466

www.pepequalities.co.uk Facebook: Piltonequalitiesproject

Why poetry is just what we need to lift our lockdown mood

WORLD POETRY DAY – 21st MARCH

World Poetry Day is the ideal opportunity to share poems with your youngsters. Playful, silly, beautiful, fun… there’s something for everyone. Former primary school teacher Becky Cranham of education resources experts PlanBee shows you how

A Lockdown Haiku
Another zoom call
Daily freezing groundhog walk 
Will this ever end?

Writing poetry has always been a way for people to express difficult feelings and emotions. There is something so cathartic about immortalising thoughts on paper, particularly if those words are arranged in a precise and pleasing arrangement of sounds and syllables. 

Yet as technology advances and people find other outlets for self-expression, poetry is becoming less and less mainstream. For those for whom poetry is unfamiliar, it can seem a daunting and curious art form, especially when it comes to introducing children. Where do you start? What forms should you teach? How do you condense something so vast into manageable and understandable chunks? 

Part of the joy of poetry, however, is its simplicity. It doesn’t have to be ‘The Iliad’; it can be playful and silly and freeing. It can also be tender or thoughtful, pensive or angry, hopeful or despairing. Poetry can be anything you want it to be, and that is its unique beauty. 

World Poetry Day is the perfect excuse to use poetry to help children (and adults) through these tough times.

So how exactly can poetry help? First and foremost, poetry is fun! Search ‘nonsense poetry’ online with your children and you will find a plethora of hilariously stupid poems to make your children laugh. Or look up the poems of the nonsense king, Spike Milligan, for some classic nonsense such as ‘On the ning nang nong’ or ‘Land of the Bumbly Boo’.

Funny poems, whether nonsense or not, are fantastic at any time of day to lighten the mood – and we could all use a bit more of that at the moment!

Poetry is also a great way of encouraging children to explore their feelings. Children have had to deal with so much this past year: a scary virus, school closures, virtual learning, missing family and friends, as well as the loss of loved ones for many.

Poetry gives children the chance to reflect on how they feel and give a voice to their feelings. Encouraging your children to write a poem, carefully choosing which words they want to include, can help them process difficult emotions. 

It also affords children the chance to look to the future and the (hopefully) brighter days ahead. We all need a big old dose of hope right now and poetry can help children express what they are looking forward to about the future, helping them recognise that current events are just temporary and that life will look different soon.

Which is why at PlanBee, we’re running a special poetry competition this year. 

Write a poem entitled ‘When Lockdown is Over’ for your chance to win a beautiful poetry anthology

In honour of World Poetry Day 2021, PlanBee is running a competition for children aged five to 11 to encourage them to engage with poetry. All they need to do is write a poem about what they will do, or are hoping for, when lockdown ends, called ‘When Lockdown is Over’.

The poem can be in any form at all but some ideas and templates are included in this free download to get them started. 

Five lucky winners will receive a copy of ‘The Folio Book of Children’s Poetry’ – a beautiful anthology of poems for children to treasure. 

Email your entries, along with your child’s first name and age, to info@planbee.com or tag them on PlanBee’s Facebook or Instagram pages. 

Entries close at midnight on Friday 19 March and the winners will be announced on World Poetry Day, Sunday 21st March, on our social media.

The winners will be emailed individually too, so keep an eye on your inbox! 

Dear Daughter, Your Life Matters

Out Now: ‘Dear Daughter: Your Life Matters’ by Edinburgh Interfaith Director Iain Stewart

Iain’s new powerful anti- racism song was released in support of Black Lives Matters and United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

Iain said: “I urge you to take action to fight the blight of racism by sharing the song on your social media channels. Together we can end racism!

“The song is dedicated to the parents of black or mixed-race children who like me worry that their children will have to face racism as they grow older.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch