Rowanbank Gardens: Low carbon homes deliver low energy bills

Hot Water & Heating Bills at Rowanbank Gardens, Edinburgh, Could Cost Less Than £65 Per Month** 

Smart, No Fossil-fuel Design of New Apartment Development Helps Tackle Soaring Energy Costs 

Energy bills at Artisan Real Estate’s Rowanbank Gardens development in Corstorphine, Edinburgh, have been estimated to cost up to 60% less than other new build apartments in the surrounding area* 

 Latest research on the fossil-fuel free homes shows that average annual hot water and space heating costs for a two-bedroom apartment at the development could be as low as £775 per year, or less than £65 per month** – providing significant long-term cost savings for first-time buyers or purchasers wanting to downsize for more energy efficient living.   

Described as a ‘spectacular blueprint for low carbon living’, Rowanbank Gardens will deliver 93 high quality apartments for private sale set around a large open garden space filled with fruit trees and communal planting beds . Work began in summer 2021 and with construction now continuing apace, the first move-ins are expected in spring next year.   

Rowanbank Gardens has been designed to set new industry standards for sustainable, low-carbon development challenging many of the norms associated with the construction and delivery of traditional apartment buildings. 

It is one of the first large residential developments in Scotland to employ individual Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) providing both heat and domestic water – moving away from large, complex fossil-fuel heat sources.  

With additional insulation, larger windows and improved air circulation, the heat reclamation system allows internal heat to be reclaimed through the ventilation system, forming a closed energy loop with almost all useful heat being retained within the apartments. 

David Westwater, Artisan’s Development Director for Scotland, welcomed the low energy cost forecast as more evidence of Rowanbank Gardens’ immaculate environmental credentials which can provide significant financial benefit for homeowners feeling the pinch of soaring energy bills and the rising cost of living.

He explains: “Rowanbank Gardens provides smart, energy-efficient design geared to achieving low to zero carbon ratings, with the added benefits of significantly lower home-running costs. 

“This demonstrates Artisan’s stated commitment to move away from using any fossil fuels to heat homes within our developments as part of our pledge to reduce carbon nationally. Instead, Artisan is leading the way in introducing energy-efficient technology, such as individual air-source heat pumps which capture the warm air within the home and then uses it to provide cheap and efficient heating, as well as piping hot water. 

He adds: “We also make each home or apartment as energy efficient as possible by using the very latest in energy efficient technology to encourage low carbon and energy efficient living.  

“As well as innovations like individual heat pumps, we also provide A-rated appliances for all of our homes and are introducing cutting-edge environmental technologies such as spray taps and stone-showers which have been proven to reduce water consumption by up to one-third.” 

The construction of Rowanbank Gardens follows Artisan’s design framework geared to achieving low to zero carbon city living, which starts with ‘use less, first’.  

The building is designed to make the absolute most of its natural environment, positioning it in such a way to maximise natural energy and warmth from the sun whilst providing management of, and protection from, external elements like wind and rain. 

Artisan has also championed the use of turfed green roofs at Rowanbank Gardens, which are natural insulators being cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also provide a natural drainage facility with rainwater evaporating in sunlight, providing the simplest form of a short-term carbon cycle and reducing the impact on the existing drainage system.

Green roofs also encourage a huge amount of ecological biodiversity for buildings – attracting plant, insect and bird life which are encouraged with natural inducements such as wild-flower planting, beehives and roosting sites. 

Since it launched late last year, sales at Rowanbank Gardens have been buoyant, with 13 of the first phase already sold. Prices for a two-bedroom apartment start at £245,000 – making the development a perfect destination for first-time buyers and downsizers wanting to live in well-connected, bustling community just minutes from the city centre.  

To register interest In Rowanbank Gardens and book an appointment at the on-site sales and marketing suite, visit the development website at www.rowanbankgardens.com or call 0131 516 3302. 

* Compared to equivalent new build apartment at Artisan Real Estate’s Canonmills Garden, Edinburgh, completed 2022. 

** Figure based on Building Regulation compliance energy consumption and measured against average electrical process from June 2022 of £0.278/kWh. Final performance subject to user operation preferences.  

Kids prepare for a Tomtastic summer!

Over 5000 children in Edinburgh are on a journey to ‘Grow Strong’, a pilot project from social enterprise and charity Edinburgh Community Food and not-for-profit Veg Power, to help children learn about where food comes from and to encourage them to grow fruit and vegetables.

38 Edinburgh primary schools and local families received their Grow Packs earlier this year and have been carefully raising Cherry Tomatoes. The packs included propagators, seeds and compost kindly donated by Unwins Seeds.

The P2 Class at Liberton Primary School have been repotting their tomato plants ready to take home for the summer holidays with the help of Gracemount Community Garden and the new Deputy Lord Provost, Councillor Lezley Marion Cameron (top).

Over the school holidays, if our little growers are having trouble with their crop, children and families will be able to attend ‘Tomato Plant Surgeries’ taking place weekly at Broomhouse and Murrayburn & Hailesland Community Gardens.

Once the cherry tomatoes are ready to harvest the children will head to the kitchen to turn their tomatoes into a delicious pasta sauce.

The learning will continue throughout the Summer with a number of exciting events for children taking place at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, which will help them on their Grow Strong journey and ensure the cherry tomatoes make a tasty pasta sauce.

Share your Tomato Adventure using #TOMTASTIC.

Cost of Living Crisis: New report by One Parent Families Scotland

Out of the COVID pandemic and straight into a #costoflivingcrisis

One Parent Familes Scotland asked single parents accessing their services about the main issues affecting their lives and what needs to be done to tackle them.

Read OPFS’s cost of living impact report: https://bit.ly/39N9i0e

One in twenty Scots has the virus … but Covid helpline to close down

Planned closure of COVID special helpline

After helping three quarters of a million Scots during the pandemic the COVID special helpline service will formally close at 4pm on Thursday 30th June 2022.

This reflects changes in national guidance on testing and isolation advice. All information will continue to be available at www.nhsinform.scot/coronavirus.

NHS 24 Medical Director, Dr Laura Ryan said: “The formal closure of the non-clinical Covid 19 special helpline reflects how life is returning to a more normal or familiar pattern.

“Covid-19 has not gone away. We still need continue to follow the current guidelines and advice to keep everyone safe. This includes getting your vaccines, staying at home if unwell with Covid -19 symptoms, and simple but effective measures such as washing hands frequently.

“There is an extensive range of information on NHS Inform including symptom checkers for Coronavirus which provide advice and suggest what to do if your condition worsens.

“Remember, if you are unwell or concerned about your symptoms, please continue to access care as normal.”

Winner Winner, Weekday Dinner

Morrisons Introduces Evening Meals for Under a Fiver in its Cafés

Customers can get an evening meal and a drink for just £4.99 –

Menu rotates each day and includes roast chicken, a British beef burger and the ultimate fish & chips

Kids eat free so a family of four can enjoy a meal for under £10

Morrisons is introducing a ‘meal of the day’ for under a fiver to its cafés nationwide. Every weekday from 3pm, a ‘Daily Special’ will be discounted, offering a saving of up to £3.89 on the individual product price.

The meal on offer will rotate each day and customers can choose from British roast chicken served with chips and coleslaw, a hearty chicken tikka masala, a 9-piece breakfast brunch, a succulent British cheeseburger served with chips and coleslaw and the ultimate beer-battered fish and chips. The offer includes a drink and vegetarian alternatives are also available.

Each of these Morrisons classics will be priced at just £4.99, making them cheaper than the same evening meals at Wetherspoons, Harvester and Beefeater.

What’s more, kids can now eat free all day with the purchase of any adult meal meaning a family of four can enjoy a meal out together for just £9.98.

Ali Lyons, Head of Morrisons Cafés, says: “We know how hard it is for our customers at the moment and we want to make sure they are still able to enjoy a meal out, even on a budget.

“We’ve handpicked these favourites so that no matter what day it is, our customers can enjoy a saving.”

Morrisons £4.99 offer will be available in its 406 cafés nationwide after 3pm every weekday.

The ‘Daily Specials’ on offer are:

Monday·       Roast Chicken served with Chips & Coleslaw or·       Cheese & Onion Quiche served with Chips & Coleslaw 
Tuesday·       Chicken Tikka Masala or·       Mac ‘n’ Cheese 
Wednesday·       Breakfast Brunch or·       Full Vegetarian Breakfast 
Thursday·       Cheeseburger served with Chips & Coleslaw  or·       Vegetarian burger served with Chips & Coleslaw 
Friday ·       Ultimate Fish & Chips

Pride takes centre stage at Musselburgh Racecourse

Specially designed Racing With Pride jockey silks appeared for the first time at a Scottish racecourse yesterday as Musselburgh celebrates Pride Month.

Leading racehorse owner, Gerry McGladery, swapped his normal blue and yellow colours for the distinctive Pride colours for all his horses competing at the Racing TV raceday (Mon 27 June) at the East Lothian track, as will The Musselburgh Lunch Club syndicate.

The silks were created by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) to increase visibility of LGBT+ support within racing and after a public vote the winning design was brought to life by racing silks supplier Allertons. 

Musselburgh will also fly the Pride flag from its historic grandstand this week, racecourse staff will wear Pride ribbons, and promotional activity around the course will mark the global event held each June to mark the 1969 Stonewall riots in the US which changed gay rights history.

The racecourse is also marking its support for the LGBT+ community with two specially named races – The Musselburgh Racecourse Celebrates Pride 2022 race over five furlongs, which took place last night, and again on Wednesday over 1m 1f at 3.50pm.

Musselburgh also received a vote of confidence as an LGBT+ welcoming venue from Edinburgh hairdresser Leo Gourlay who attended a recent race meeting.

Leo said: “I was really anxious, as a flamboyant gay man, to go racing for the first time. Being a member of the LGBT+ community I was really apprehensive before I got to Musselburgh Racecourse and going into such a traditional sporting environment.

“The whole racecourse staff, especially Jane Walker, were very gracious and welcoming. They made the whole race day enjoyable and inclusive and I will definitely be back.”

Musselburgh Racecourse Senior Operations and Commercial Manager, Sarah Montgomery said: “We are delighted to hear that Leo enjoyed his first experience at Musselburgh and look forward to welcoming him back. We also really appreciate the support of Gerry McGladery in helping us to celebrate Pride Month with his adoption of the Racing With Pride silks for his runners.

“Our aim is to be a fully inclusive, friendly and accessible racecourse and it is only right that we take these symbolic but important steps in recognising and supporting the LGBT+ community during Pride Month. We fully support Racing With Pride and hope the community get a taste for the joy of racing during Pride Month and become frequent visitors to Musselburgh.”

The BHA has been a long-time supporter of diversity in the industry and in 2020 launched Racing With Pride, the official LGBT+ network for British racing.

The network is designed for British racing’s participants, workforce and fans who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans and other sexual orientations and gender identities as well as allies of the LGBT+ community, who want to demonstrate their support, regardless of their own identity.

The network offers a safe space for LGBT+ people and allies to meet, receive support, have fun and enjoy racing online and in person and promotes a better understanding of LGBT+ inclusion to ensure racing is everyone’s sport, encouraging all to step up as allies.

Gates open at noon tomorrow (Wedneday) and the first race is off at 1.40pm.

For further information and to book tickets please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Fringe Central moves to St James Quarter

Today, 28 June, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society is delighted to announce a new space for Fringe Central at St James Quarter. Located in the heart of the city, the new Fringe Central hub will deliver a tailored programme of activity for artists, industry and media, led by the Fringe Society team during the festival.

Opening from Monday 01 August to Monday 29 August, from 10:00 to 18:00, Fringe Central will offer support on all aspects of participating in the Fringe, as well as practical services for those visiting the Fringe, such as access to computers, printing, and free Wi-Fi.

The Artist Support, Arts Industry, Artist Development and Media teams will be based within St James Quarter, each with a view to helping those coming to the Fringe navigate their visit, and to offer a space to anyone with questions or needing a break.

The much-anticipated Fringe Central Events Programme will also bring career-building opportunities, panel discussions and networking, as well as 1-2-1 mental health first aid appointments provided by Space to Breathe from 9th – 19th August.

Every event in the programme is free to registered Fringe participants, and the first batch of these is now available to browse and book on Fringe Connect (connect.edfringe.com), the Fringe Society’s online platform for artists and industry.

The programme will include highlights such as:

Pre-Fringe TikTok workshops (02 – 04 August)

  • Includes guidance on getting started on TikTok, content strategies and how to generate revenue through the app.

Tweet the Media (05 August)

  • 2021’s popular digital event Tweet the Media returns this year on 5 August. All registered Fringe acts will be invited to use a hashtag to pitch their shows via tweets to accredited media, who will monitor the hashtag in the same way they’d watch show pitches in person.

Meet the Media (06 August)

  • The highly anticipated return of this annual event, alongside Tweet the Media, in which Fringe participants can pitch in-person to media representatives, meet Fringe Society staff, learn more about the services provided and connect with peers while queuing for their pitching slot.

Disabled Practitioners Get Together (15 August)

  • Hosted by Birds of Paradise, this event seeks to provide an accessible space where disabled people working in theatre and performance can meet, talk and connect with each other.

Practical approaches to truly diverse casting (22 August)

  • This panel discussion with Backstage and industry experts will provide   practical approaches to enable participants to cast in a truly diverse and authentic way.

The Fringe Fair (22 August)

  • An opportunity to meet key organisations such as membership bodies, festivals, training providers and agencies, in the format of a career fair.

Fringe Swap Shop (27 – 29 August)

  • Three days at the end of the Fringe during which participants can swap   unwanted props, useable furniture, costumes and anything else recyclable from their shows.

Commenting on this year’s Fringe Central programme, Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: “I’m delighted that Fringe Central will be at home on the ground floor of St James Quarter this year, a blossoming district for locals and visitors. 

“Our Fringe Central team will support artists in maximising their time at the Fringe; and our range of workshops, events and wellbeing initiatives will ensure they receive the right support, at every step of their Fringe journey. 

“In addition, our media team will offer support to reviewers, critics, print and broadcast media offering them a warm welcome to the Fringe in our 75th anniversary year. A home from home for anyone who wants to learn more about the phenomenon that is the Edinburgh Fringe. 

“We’re excited to be working with the St James Quarter team, who are also supporting our expanded Street Events programme, and our new partnership with TikTok.”

Nick Peel, Managing Director at the St James Quarter, said: “St James Quarter is a welcoming lifestyle hub for art, culture and fashion and we’re passionate about supporting Edinburgh’s world-renowned cultural offering and its vibrant events calendar.

“We have a plethora of exciting events coming this summer and we’re delighted to be partnering with Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society to get the show on the road.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive at Essential Edinburgh, said: ‘’We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Fringe Society and St James Quarter.

“The new Fringe Central venue will complement the significant Fringe presence throughout the New Town ensuring we have a thriving and vibrant area during August, welcoming residents and visitors to our wonderful city centre.”

Council operation stops sales of illegal tobacco in Leith

Almost £26,000 worth of illegal tobacco has been taken off the shelves by the City of Edinburgh Council’s Trading Standards team and Police Scotland.

Operation CeCe is a UK wide operation targeting illicit tobacco, which is either duty evaded, counterfeit or both and the recent operations in the capital resulted in the seizure of almost £26,000 worth of stock. It included 22,600 cigarettes and 10Kg of hand rolling tobacco which in turn represented evaded duty of over £10,600 defrauded from public funds.

Acting upon intelligence received, Officers from the City of Edinburgh Council’s Trading Standards team, in partnership with officers from Police Scotland, attended a number of premises in the Leith Walk area of the city, along with tobacco detection dog Boo.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Scott Arthur, said: “These recoveries are a fantastic result for our Trading Standards team who work hard to identify and tackle unsafe and illegal products. Stopping such products reaching consumers in Edinburgh and beyond is a testament to their proactive strategy and dedication.

“I am, of course, concerned that this market exists within Edinburgh. These products have not had the required duty paid on them, but also do not comply with the plain packaging, warning requirements, and where they are counterfeit, breach Trade Marks legislation. No tobacco product is safe, but the recovered goods may not comply with the requirements designed to ensure that cigarettes are self-extinguishing to prevent domestic fires.

“Illicit and Counterfeit Tobacco evades taxation and often ends up in the hands of young people, and for that reason tackling it is a key part of Edinburgh’s contribution to the Scottish Government aim to achieve a Smoke Free Generation by 2034.

“We are committed to tackling the supply of illicit tobacco, and will work with our partners in Police Scotland and HMRC wherever possible to disrupt its supply. Legitimate retail sale of tobacco is also disadvantaged where illicit supply routes exist, and we would encourage any legitimate business owners to come forward with any information.”

Investing in net zero: £10 million to accelerate hydrogen technology

New funding to drive innovation within the hydrogen sector and accelerate its production and storage has been launched.

The £10 million Hydrogen Innovation Scheme will provide capital support over the next four years . This  aims to unlock additional private investment in the technology, and enable new companies to enter the sector.

The first round of funding will target:

  • projects that support the low-cost, efficient and sustainable production of renewable hydrogen
  • projects that support efficient hydrogen storage and distribution, both within Scotland and for export
  • projects that support the efficient integration of hydrogen into our energy system

The scheme is part of a Scottish Government commitment to invest £100 million in hydrogen over the course of this parliament. This is part of a wider £180 million package of investment in emerging energy technologies which will be delivered as set out in our updated Climate Change Plan.

Net Zero & Energy Secretary Michael Matheson said: “Scotland has the resources, the people and the ambition to become a world leader in hydrogen production for both domestic use and for export to Europe.

“The Scottish Government is committed to working with the energy sector to establish hydrogen as an important part of a cleaner, greener energy system, supporting a just transition for the industry both home and abroad.

“Our offshore wind resources, which will increase massively in the coming years, offer huge opportunity for the Hydrogen sector to grow. As set out in our Hydrogen Action Plan, and our clear ambition to have 5GW installed hydrogen production capacity in Scotland by 2030 and 25GW by 2045. 

“We are open to the world and actively seeking opportunities to collaborate with international partners. The Hydrogen Innovation Scheme provides important, near-term investment to help the sector develop, diversify and realise it’s potential to support our transition to a net zero economy.” 

Andy McDonald, Head of Low Carbon Transition at Scottish Enterprise said: “Scottish Enterprise is collaborating with Scottish Government to develop opportunities in the hydrogen sector in Scotland that will maximise the economic benefits and support energy transition.

“We share the ambition to develop Scotland as a leading hydrogen nation. Innovation is a big part of that as it is at the heart of economic development.

“It is important in an emerging sector like hydrogen that we support Scottish companies and projects now to develop new techniques and technologies which can help us to realise our future ambitions in this sector and to retain as much value and intellectual property in Scotland as possible. Scottish Enterprise is engaged with the Hydrogen Innovation Fund and supporting its implementation.”

Nigel Holmes, Chief Executive Officer of the Scottish Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association said: “The Hydrogen Innovation Scheme will help Scotland to develop our hydrogen supply chain and build the international partnerships to grow Scottish capacity and export capabilities.

“This is a great opportunity for our manufacturers, innovators, and researchers not yet involved in the hydrogen sector to establish new activities in Scotland.”

John Andresen, Hydrogen Strategic Champion at the Energy Technology Partnership said: “The Energy Technology Partnership is very pleased about the new Scottish Government’s £10 million Hydrogen Innovation Scheme which will foster national technological progress and advance home-grown innovation.

“A key funding route for the green powerhouse of Europe.”

Friends of the Earth Scotland are calling on the Scottish Government to ensure that their new £10million Hydrogen Innovation Fund will not go to companies or projects producing hydrogen from fossil fuels.

The Fund was launched as a separate new report showed 98% of global hydrogen production is from climate-damaging fossil fuels. The research revealed that carbon capture technology, which is intended to catch the pollution created by fossil fuelled hydrogen, was only 60% effective.

This means that fossil fuel-derived hydrogen will still make a huge contribution to climate change and allow companies to greenwash the oil and gas they are extracting from the North Sea.

The announcement is part of a £100million commitment by the Scottish Government to invest in hydrogen over the term of this Parliament.

The report, ‘Hydrogen’s role in Scotland’s climate journey’, which was commissioned by Friends of the Earth Scotland also exposed the inefficiencies, high costs and threat to renewable energy supplies posed by hydrogen.

Key findings from the report:

– Using green hydrogen to meet Scotland’s heating demand would require 180% more renewable energy than Scotland produces currently
– 80% of current renewable energy supplies would be needed to create just 5GW of green hydrogen
– Electric heat pumps can be 168-342% more efficient than hydrogen boilers
– Hydrogen boilers can be 53-68% more expensive than electric heat pumps
– Electric vehicles are more than twice as energy efficient than hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
– Adopting green hydrogen in industry would require nearly twice as much new renewable energy capacity compared to electrification technologies

Scottish Government officials have recently admitted that so-called ‘negative emissions technology’ like CCS and hydrogen would not deliver this decade, leaving a huge gap in its plans to cut climate emissions.

Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Climate Campaigner Alex Lee said: “The Scottish Government must not hand out any more public money for the development of hydrogen from oil and gas, which will produce even more climate pollution and give fossil fuel companies a chance to greenwash their dangerous plans to keep on drilling in the North Sea.

“Producing hydrogen from fossil fuels is an expensive and unnecessary way to clean up our energy system due to its reliance on dodgy technologies like carbon capture and storage which fail to work at the scale its backers claim.

“This approach is far from zero carbon and keeps us locked into the same volatile system of oil and gas which is already unaffordable for millions of people.

“The evidence clearly shows that hydrogen is either made from climate-wrecking fossil fuels or it becomes a huge drain on renewable energy supplies. Hydrogen is a high cost, low efficiency non-solution to our energy needs and the Scottish Government must urgently rethink their plans for its expansion.

“Whether it is in heating or transport, support for hydrogen looks like a losing bet when compared to direct electrification through technology like heat pumps and electric buses. 

“By ending support for fossil-hydrogen and prioritising electrification over green hydrogen, the Scottish Government can better protect households from high costs and ensure renewables can clean up our energy system.”

Details on the Hydrogen Innovation Scheme are available on the Scottish Government website.

Police appeal for information after motorcycle fails to stop for officers

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information after a motorcycle failed to stop for officers on Sunday (26 June, 2022).

Around 12am, officers saw the vehicle, which was later identified as a stolen orange KTM motorcycle, being driven at speed along Leamington Terrace.

The motorcycle was signalled to stop by officers but was driven off down Gilmore Place, towards Viewforth.

The motorcycle was then driven along Dundee Street and towards Fountain Park, in the Fountainbridge area, down Drysdale Road and onto the West Approach Road. It was last seen in the Gorgie Road area.

Extensive enquiries are ongoing to trace the driver, passenger and the vehicle. No one was injured during the incident.

The motorcycle’s driver and passenger are both described as wearing dark clothing and balaclavas.

The motorcycle had earlier been reported stolen from Spittal Street, between 7.30pm and 8.30pm on Monday 20 June 2022.

Detective Sergeant Ross Dunn, of Drylaw Police Station, said: “Our enquiries to trace the driver and vehicle are ongoing.

“We believe the area would have been quite busy with members of the public and are appealing to anyone who may have witnessed the incident to get in touch.

“If you were in the area at the time, please think back and get in touch with us if you have any information which may be able to assist our investigation.

“From our CCTV enquiries, we believe a woman may have filmed the incident in the Fountainbridge area. I am particularly keen to speak with her and would ask her to contact officers as soon as possible.

“I would also ask anyone with dash-cam footage to come forward, you may have captured something which could assist us in our enquiries.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident 0008 of Sunday, 26 June, 2022.