Granton’s Community Tree lighting event is on Sunday 3rd December at 5pm.
Once again we will kick off our Christmas season with the Community Tree lighting event.
We are preparing for a great night where the community gathers together to celebrate the start of Advent and the lead up to Christmas.
There will be singing, there will be mince pies, there will be fun and there will be a great gathering of people!
This year we are delighted to welcome the Ukranian Children’s choir who were a massive hit at our Summer Festival back in Juner.
Be part of your community by bringing your voice and your friends. Together we will remind each other why Granton is such a great place to be and this year the tree will be bigger than ever!
To mark the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who, music royalty organisation PRS for Music has revealed a chart of the UK’s top 20 Most Played Sci-Fi TV Theme Tunes. With its distinctive electronic composition, exploring sound art, the iconic Doctor Who theme tune tops the chart.
Based on data provided by PRS for Music, the organisation which represents the rights of over 165,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, the chart showcases the most popular sci-fi theme tunes that have been streamed, broadcast and publicly performed.
First broadcast on 23 November 1963, the Doctor Who theme has become one of the world’s most recognisable and enduring TV theme tunes.
Originally composed by Ron Grainer and arranged by Delia Derbyshire (both PRS members) at the world-famous BBC Radiophonic Workshop, the work is characterised by its eerie and otherworldly sound. Created using cutting-edge electronic music techniques, the composition was groundbreaking for its time.
The Doctor Who theme has been rearranged and reinterpreted numerous times over the years. Notable composers who have put their own spin on the theme include Dominic Glynn, Peter Howell and Keff McCulloch.
In 2005,award-winning composer Murray Gold captivated audiences with his interpretation by reimagining both the theme and TV series score. Gold became the show’s resident composer for over 12 years, and even filmed a cameo in the 2007 Christmas special, Voyage of the Damned, as a guitarist aboard the Max Capricorn Cruiseliners spaceship, the Titanic.
In 2018, Segun Akinola’s work brought a fresh and modern approach to the show’s musical landscape. Three special anniversary episodes, that are set to be broadcast from Saturday 25 November, see Gold return to score the show alongside the BBC National Orchestra of Wales.
PRS for Music’s Most Played Sci-Fi TV Theme Tunes chart includes 20 of the most recognisable and spine-tingling scores on our screens today, from modern cult classics like The Last of Us to animated favourites Rick and Morty, as well as the vintage sounds of Red Dwarfand Star Trek.
PRS for Music: Most Played Sci-Fi TV Theme Tunes
1. Doctor Who
2. Red Dwarf
3. Star Trek
4. Stargate Atlantis
5. Rick And Morty
6. The 100
7. Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
8. Heroes
9. Last Of Us
10. Fringe
11. Battlestar Galactica
12. The Expanse
13. Smallville
14. Torchwood
15. Better Off Ted
16. Star Wars Rebels
17. Manifest
18. Person Of Interest
19. Killjoys
20. The Twilight Zone
NB: Chart rank based on UK streams, broadcasts and public performance data provided by PRS for Music for the period 1 January 2023 – 14 November 2023.
Mermaid storyteller and singer extraordinaire Siren Cuan is coming to Granton Library and she would love you to join her!
(The person behind the mermaid, Catherine Bapty, is a music and ASN teacher with over 10 years’ experience).
We can’t wait for this exciting event. Please note that this is in our usual Friday Bookbug slot but as it’s aimed largely at the same age group we hope that won’t be a problem!
We do ask you to book so we can be sure everyone has the space they need – but the event is free to attend. Places available through Eventbrite:
We’ve lined up hundreds of pieces from dozens of past Hidden Door artists for our 2023 Art Sale – the ideal opportunity to grab some wonderful artwork.
Join us at The Hub on Castlehill for our exclusive Preview Night, from 7pm on Friday 8 December for festive drinks and live entertainment, and give yourself the best chance to grab the perfect piece for your wall.
We’ll then be open Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 December, 12-5pm, for those in town doing their Christmas shopping.
All proceeds from the sale will be split between the artists and Hidden Door, so every purchase will go straight towards supporting the local creative community.
Featured artists include: Olivia Turner, Madeline Mackay, MaryAnne Hunt, Jill Martin Boualaxai, Kat Cutler-MacKenzie and Ben Caro, Kathleen McVey, Evie Rose Thornton, Isabelle Phoebe, Elvey Anna Stedman, Jo Fleming Smith, David McDiarmid, Matthew Storstein, Jagoda Sadowska, Joan Smith and more.
As tree lovers across the country gather to celebrate National Tree Week, Future Woodlands Scotland (FWS) announces a partnership with bp to help deliver greener cities, towns, and urban areas through an innovative forestry programme.
The charity, which is dedicated to creating and conserving woodlands across Scotland, has signed a contract with bp, whereby the energy major intends to commit funding of a total of £10million to the newly created urban forestry programme as part of the development of its Scottish offshore windfarm, Morven, jointly developed with EnBW.
A key ambition of the programme is to use new and emerging technologies to target the urban areas where creating greenspace will be of the most benefit to people.
The funding has enabled the charity to recruit its first urban forestry manager who will lead the delivery of the urban forestry programme, which it expects to launch in mid-2024.
FWS chief executive, Shireen Chambers, said: “We’re excited to be working with bp to take this next step in the development of our Urban Forestry Programme for the potential benefit of more than 4.5 million people living in Scotland’s urban areas.
“We are committed to making a positive impact on the urban environment, delivering substantial benefits for people, the environment, and the economy through the creation of a diverse network of trees and woodlands in and around our urban settlements.
“With the appointment of our first programme manager, Des Hackett, who has a wealth of experience in public policy and green space development, we can get down to the detail of developing the programme and look forward to its official launch next year.”
Urban forestry is the management of trees and forest resources in and around community ecosystems for their present and potential contributions to the physiological, sociological, and economic well-being of urban society.
Research shows that, in addition to the health and well-being benefits associated with access to nature, urban forestry can result in economic gains. According to a recent study by Forest Research and Defra, individual trees in the UK’s urban and rural areas are worth up to £3.8 bn per year.
The economic value is based on the role trees and woodlands play in sequestering and storing carbon, regulating temperatures, strengthening flood resilience, and reducing noise and air pollution.
In Edinburgh, trees and woodlands help remove nearly 200,000 tonnes of airborne pollutants every year, and in Glasgow, research found that the urban forest structure intercepted 812,000 m2 of rainfall each year and removed nearly 300,000 tonnes of air pollution.
Ms Chambers added: “With more than 80% of people in Scotland living in urban areas, it’s important that they can access green networks where they live.
“The purpose of this programme is to create leafier neighbourhoods, including trees in parks, streets, amenity areas and along canals and rivers, which encourages people to spend more time outdoors interacting with their communities, which in turn promotes health and well-being.”
With the UK’s largest annual tree celebration National Tree Week about to start, FWS chief executive, Shireen Chambers and Richard Haydock, bp’s programme director, UK offshore wind, marked the new contract signing by planting an oak tree in the Scottish capital at Hunters Hall Park, located in the south of the city. It will contribute to the nature restoration along the Pentland to Portobello green corridor.
Richard Haydock, bp’s programme director, UK offshore wind said: “We are proud of bp’s long-established partnership with Future Woodlands Scotland.
“The Urban Forestry Programme agreement marks an important expansion of our support. We look forward to launching the programme in 2024, which will focus on increasing the number of trees and green spaces in Scotland’s cities and towns.”
bp has supported the regeneration of woodlands in Scotland for more than 20 years and is committed to making a positive impact to restore and enhance biodiversity where its people live and work.
Call out for Edinburgh locals to join schools and businesses in sending a card to a chronically isolated, local older person this Christmas through Vintage Vibes
Edinburgh-based charity project, Vintage Vibes today announced the launch of their Christmas Card Campaign to ensure lonely and isolated older people in the city receive a Christmas card this year.
Since 2017, Vintage Vibes has asked thousands of local people to write Christmas cards to isolated older people in the city by sending them a profile of someone who will be lonely this festive season – and this year more than ever they need the public to get involved!
Edinburgh locals are invited to show their support by visiting Vintage Vibes’ website, where they can donate and receive a profile of a local, lonely older person – from Betty who loves cats and crafting, to Edward who puts tomatoes on his cereal!
They can then write a personalised Christmas card to them and send it on to Vintage Vibes in time to distribute for Christmas. All the family can get involved, with Vintage Vibes VIPs loving to receive children’s drawings and crafts as part of the card!
One female VIP who spent Christmas day alone last year told Vintage Vibes: “Sitting here on my own, receiving your cards and letters gives me something to look forward to. It does make such a difference, thank you.”
With new findings from the University of Glasgow and data from a UK Biobank study, showing the devastating impact social isolation can have on older people – the need for inclusion and meaningful connections has never been greater.
Findings showed, those aged over the age of fifty-seven, who experienced more than one form of social isolation, such as often feeling lonely, not seeing friends or family, or living alone for a prolonged period had a 77% higher risk of dying earlier.
As one of The Edinburgh Playhouse’s Charities of the Year, Vintage Vibes teamed up with staff at the theatre to launch this year’s campaign which is designed to make older people, who might be alone over the festive season, feel valued and remembered.
Georgia Artus, Development Manager at Vintage Vibes said: “During the pandemic, we all got a taste isolation many older people suffer daily.
“Sadly, for a great many, that isolation will continue without the support of Vintage Vibes and our wonderful network of volunteers.
“Edinburgh is one of the loneliest cities in the UK for older people and we know something as simple as receiving a Christmas card can make all the difference to someone who will be alone over the festive period. I would encourage anyone to get involved, it is easy to do and makes such a difference.”
Claire McCarragher, Deputy Customer Experience Manager:“We at The Edinburgh Playhouse are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Vintage Vibes, Christmas Card Campaign.
“The staff are looking forward to connecting with the VIPs and making their festive period a little bit brighter.”
To take part in Vintage Vibes’ Christmas Card Campaign and make this Christmas special for a local lonely older person visit vintagevibes.org.uk.
Payments of up to £600 are landing directly in the bank accounts of around 11.5 million UK pensioners for the second year running
Comes as part of extensive Government package helping people of all ages, including recent £300 Cost of Living payments to more than seven million eligible households.
After meeting our pledge to halve inflation, the UK Government this week also confirmed an 8.5 percent increase to the State Pension next year.
Pensioners across the country have started to receive up to £600 to help with energy bills this winter.
Winter Fuel Payments – boosted again this year by an additional £300 per household Pensioner Cost of Living payment – will land in bank accounts over the next two months, the vast majority automatically.
Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride said: “We have delivered on our promise to halve inflation and will continue to support people right across the country, including pensioners who may be facing particular challenges over the colder months.
“As well as up to £600 to help our pensioners stay warm this winter, we’re boosting pensions through the Triple Lock – increasing the full rate of the New State Pension by over £900 next year.”
The money will appear in bank statements with the payment reference starting with the customer’s National Insurance number followed by ‘DWP WFP’ for people in Great Britain, or ‘DFC WFP’ for people in Northern Ireland.
The overwhelming majority of Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically but some people need to make a claim, such as those who qualify but do not receive benefits or the State Pension and have never previously received a Winter Fuel Payment. The payments deliver additional support to pensioners, the majority of whom are on fixed incomes and also are unable to raise their incomes through fixed employment.
The start of the Winter Fuel Payments season comes hot on the heels of the recent £300 Cost of Living payments made by the DWP to more than seven million eligible households across the UK.
This latest payment is the second of up to three Cost of Living Payments being made this financial year. These payments – which are all tax-free and will not have any impact on existing benefit awards – demonstrate the Government’s commitment to supporting low-income families with financial pressures.
Pensioners getting Pension Credit also qualify for this extra support. The average Pension Credit award is now worth £3,900 per year and there is still time for those who are eligible to apply and receive the £300 Cost of Living payment.
This is because an eligible claim for Pension Credit can be backdated by three months provided the entitlement conditions are met throughout that time.
Including measures announced in the Autumn Statement this week, our total commitment to ease cost of living pressures has risen to £104 billion. That includes paying around half the cost of the average energy bill since last October and amounts to an average of £3,700 per household.
CYBER criminals will be looking to exploit shoppers during the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales – an expert from cyber security firm CSS Assure has warned.
With UK consumers planning to spend an estimated £5.6bn on Black Friday (24 November) and Cyber Monday (27 November) purchases this year, Charlotte Riley, director of information security at technology at CSS Assure, said bargain hunters lowering their guards during the rush to bag the best deals are at greater risk of malicious threats.
Charlotte said: “In the run-up to and during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, many outlets will run promotional offers to encourage spending. This is a potentially lucrative time of year for cyber criminals as they know shoppers are less vigilant as they rush to snap up the best deals.
“Cyber criminals will no doubt be looking to take advantage of the vast amount of transactions taking place and the financial information being shared as a result. There is also an increase in promotional email traffic, which makes it hard to differentiate the real bargains from scams – presenting a heightened risk of phishing attacks.
“With this in mind, it is important consumers take steps to protect themselves and their families during two of the biggest shopping days of the year.”
Password management
“Firstly, shoppers should think about the last time they changed their passwords, especially on important accounts. If their passwords are dated then strongly consider changing them, and, if possible, use a password management solution to ensure they are unique and appropriately complex.
“While this is a faff, it is the single greatest defence you can make to protect yourself against a cyber attack and will instantly make you much safer online. Adding an extra layer of security like two-factor authentication can prevent unauthorised access even if someone gets hold of your password.
“Currently, there are millions of emails and passwords for sale on the dark web, which have been breached by companies that have not protected people’s personal data sufficiently. Cyber criminals can buy this data for minimal amounts of money and gain access to your emails.
“They will look for social media accounts and online high street accounts and test your combination to gain access. From this, they can gather more personal data until they have enough to conduct identity theft, which could result in credit being taken out in your name or using your saved payment cards to make online purchases, for example.”
Personal data breach identification
“It is a good idea to understand whether your data has been breached so you can put in place other necessary measures to protect yourself. To do this you can use a free service provided by Have I Been Pwned. All you need to do is enter your email address and the site will tell you whether it is associated with a breach and if so, what other data has been stolen.
“If you have been breached, it is even more important that you change your password to break the chain. Next, you need to understand whether you have been entered into any spambots – as the name suggests, these are bots that send spam to you.
“While some spam is laughable, others are highly credible. If you’re rushing, there’s a higher change you will click a link in a spam email, which could execute malware or ransomware on your device.
“A blended strategy is best for rectifying and avoiding your exposure to spam – and, in turn, the chances of clicking on a malicious link.
“Start by enabling and customising your email provider’s spam filters to automatically detect and redirect suspicious emails to the spam folder. These settings – as well as your security and privacy options – should also be regularly reviewed or adjusted. Unsubscribe from unwanted newsletters or promotional emails, and make spam emails as junk within your email platform.
“Some email services offer the option to create disposable or temporary email addresses for specific purposes. This way if the address gets compromised or spammed, you can easily discard it without affecting your primary email. You should also be cautious about sharing your email address on public forums, social media, or unfamiliar websites to minimise exposure to potential spammers.
“While these may seem to be arduous tasks, they are effective and vital ways to protect yourself.”
Check your anti-virus protection
“Finally, make sure your anti-virus protection is installed, activated with a valid licence and updated. While free anti-virus software is available, in life you get what you pay for and it may not protect you sufficiently. Competition to provide the best anti-virus changes year on year between the main vendors as they achieve technology breakthroughs in response to the evolution in cyber threats.
“The best thing to do is check reputable tech websites for reviews of the best current anti-virus software. We recommend buying a one-year licence, and then when it comes to renew, assess which company has moved to the forefront of anti-malware protection. There will always be new customer deals to be had.”
Festive campaign run by Make 2nds Count aims to raise £15,000 for Transformative Retreats to support Patients with Secondary Breast Cancer
Make 2nds Count, a leading non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting individuals living with secondary breast cancer, has today announced the launch of its annual Christmas campaign, “Make Christmas Count” which aims to raise £15,000 for transformative retreats.
The heart-warming initiative invites individuals to join hands in adorning the Tree of Hope with special baubles, symbolising support and solidarity for families and patients facing the challenges of secondary breast cancer.
Every year, Make 2nds Count strives to make a significant impact on the lives of individuals battling secondary breast cancer. This year, the organisation is introducing a new initiative to extend its support, with the sale of specially designed Christmas baubles. All proceeds from these sales will directly contribute towards funding the organisation’s dedicated retreats for patients in 2024.
Make 2nds Count Retreats serve as invaluable sanctuaries for members of the community affected by secondary breast cancer. They offer a respite from the demanding routine of constant treatment, providing a nurturing environment for relaxation and emotional rejuvenation.
In 2023, Make 2nds Count was able to host Retreats for 106 guests in various locations across the UK. The goal for 2024 is to increase this offering, enabling even more individuals to benefit from these transformative experiences.
Recent feedback from the Castle Bromwich retreat, held in September 2023, highlights the importance of these Retreats:
“The Castle Bromwich retreat has been such a wonderful relaxing experience. We’ve met so many women just like us, at all stages of the ‘living with’ journey. We feel lifted and listened to, encouraged and most of all relaxed and happy.
“We’ve had led sessions and time to get to know each other. We are all leaving with a new family and friendships to support us.”
“This has been a wonderful time to relax and take time out. The care and cosseting we have had will not be forgotten and will keep me going for a long time. Thank you so much.”
Make 2nds Count is also proud to collaborate with Spark, a charitable organisation dedicated to combating social isolation within communities to create bespoke baubles.
These Christmas decorations will be crafted by the skilled hands at Spark, further illustrating the power of community-driven initiatives.
For more information on Make 2nds Count and their work, please visit:
