Category: North Edinburgh News

12 January event to showcase Edinburgh Napier’s tech innovation

Edinburgh Napier University’s newly launched Innovation Hub will host a symposium to showcase the future of technology innovation in Scotland, as part of its effort to inspire academic research into reality.

The Hub has been set up to link the world-leading expertise and wide experience of ENU’s academics and researchers with external business communities from a wide variety of sectors, with a view of establishing commercial collaboration to support business growth and development.

Hosted at the Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston campus, this Symposium on Technology Innovation and Collaboration on 12 January will gather industry and academic leaders of Scottish tech, including keynote guest speaker, Mark Logan, Scottish Government’s Chief Entrepreneur. He has been instrumental in the success of several start-ups, including as Chief Operating Officer of Skyscanner, one of Europe’s most successful technology companies. 

This symposium will be convened by Professor Bill Buchanan OBE, Professor of Applied Cryptography at Edinburgh Napier University, who specialises in blockchain, cryptography, trust and digital identity. In 2017, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to cybersecurity.

Explaining more about the forthcoming symposium, Professor Buchanan said: “Scotland has produced two tech unicorns: Skyscanner and FanDuel. Where will the next one come from? Will it be a university spin-out or an innovative start-up?

“Over the past decade the university has spun-out a number of highly successful spin-outs, including Zonefox, which was acquired by Fortinet, Symphonic – acquired by Ping Identity – and Cyacomb, which has expanded rapidly in international markets.

“This symposium will not only showcase the latest tech innovation emerging from Edinburgh Napier, but also be a collaborative event with our industry partners who will share their knowledge and insights to inspire academics and researchers in the field of technology to engage in innovation and explore commercial collaboration.”

Presentations will include case studies of Edinburgh Napier success stories in the spin-out space, information on funding pathways, with inspirational talks about the opportunities out there and potential markets for the technologies we want to encourage our early career researchers to create.

In addition to Mark Logan’s talk on ‘The Future of Innovation in Scotland’, other guest talks will spotlight cybersecurity and fintech innovation, with presentations also on funding opportunities and research journeys.

Talks will feature guest speakers from: Scottish Enterprise; Innovate UK; DSTL; Interface Online; EU Horizon 2020; TrueDeploy; Zonefox; Cyacomb, and Edinburgh Napier’s Innovation Hub and Bright Red Triangle.

This event will take place at Edinburgh Napier University’s Merchiston campus, from 9:45am to 5pm, on Thursday 12 January 2023.

Advanced registration is essential via EventBrite.

Employee-owned firm wins First Minister’s manufacturing award

Scottish campervan company recognised for its dedication to staff wellbeing

A NORTH BERWICK campervan converter has won the First Minister’s Award for Manufacturing Leadership for its outstanding efforts in employee engagement and welfare.

Jerba Campervans accepted the award from Nicola Sturgeon at Bute House in Edinburgh after showcasing its 100% employee-owned status.

Co-founders of the firm, Simon Poole and Catherine Brookes, along with trustee, David Miller, were able to discuss the company’s long-term goals and ambitions with the First Minister when they went to collect the prize.

The accolade celebrates competitive and innovative manufacturing companies in Scotland which champion fair work and inclusivity while investing in the skills and wellbeing of its employees and contributing positively to the planet.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, said: “I am very pleased to announce Jerba Campervans has won the First Minister’s Award for Manufacturing Leadership.

“All of the applications received for the award were of a very high standard. However, with their responsive employee driven approach, Jerba Campervans best exemplified the ethos of the award.

“In demonstrating how a productive and growing company can at the same time offer real benefits to staff, community and the environment, they clearly demonstrated the principle that business for good is good for business.”

During the application process, Jerba Campervans illustrated how the company is measurably strengthened by employee ownership, how its staff have benefitted from the scheme and how staff have provided support in other aspects of the business, including eco-friendly initiatives.

As well as its 100% employee-owned credentials, Jerba Campervans has recently joined The Good Business Charter which measures and recognises responsible business practices through components such as employee wellbeing.

The firm has also recently appointed a new Managing Director to take the company forward through commercial and product development domains.

Simon Poole, said: “It is a great privilege for Jerba Campervans to have been recognised in such a high-profile way.

“To be rewarded for the work we are doing is very humbling and this achievement marks a really fantastic opportunity for both the company and employee ownership as a whole.

“We believe that staff are at the heart of any business and we hope that winning this award will open even more doors for us as we continue to highlight the advantages of employee ownership.

“Since its inception in 2006, Jerba Campervans has focused on an ethical approach to business and an inclusive approach to working with staff. We were guided through our transition into employee ownership by Co-operative Development Scotland (CDS), a core part of Scottish Enterprise – their experience and insight has certainly underpinned our continued growth and success.

“Employee ownership makes our workplace a fulfilling and positive experience that enables employees to have a real voice.”

Jerba Campervans specialises in converting and customising Volkswagen Transporter vans for those passionate about adventure and the outdoors.

Converting Volkswagen T6.1 models, the North Berwick based firm is officially recognised by Volkswagen as a Motorhome Qualified Converter, and is the only firm in Scotland to receive this qualification.

The firm became employee-owned in January 2018 and has seen productivity increase year-on-year.

With a dedicated and flexible team, the Jerba Campervans family adapts to the needs of its customers, creating a house on wheels with the highest UK level of road safety, ensuring that customers have a safe and stylish ride.

To find out more about Jerba Campervans, visit www.jerbacampervans.co.uk

How to create a wildlife haven with your real Christmas tree

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store highlights how to repurpose your real cut Christmas tree

Whether you’ve got a Nordmann Fir standing pride of place, or a Fraser Fir is your tree of choice, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is encouraging you to repurpose your Christmas centrepiece once the festivities are over.

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles has outlined how people can recycle their cut Christmas trees to create a wildlife haven for small animals and insects to shelter in during the winter months.

Follow Marcus’s step-by-step guide:

1.       Remove the tree from your house carefully to stop any loose needles from dropping. Wear thick gloves to protect your hands. 

2.       Using a good quality pair of secateurs, starting from the top remove each branch as close as possible to the main trunk. 

3.       Stack the branches together four or five pieces high and place onto soil or leaves under large shrubs, trees or hedges.

4.       Repeat this process until all the branches are used. This will provide a great shelter for small animals and insects to protect them from the worst of the winter weather. Marcus points out that the needles and branches will breakdown over time to produce organic matter than will enrich the soil.

5.       For the main trunk of the tree use a pruning saw to cut into 30cm lengths, which can then be stacked to make a mini log pile which is a great habitat for wildlife to shelter in.

To watch the video, visit www.dobbies.com/ideas-advice

or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtqfMS5fmF8.

PDSA appeals to the pet-loving public to donate unwanted Christmas gifts

PDSA, the vet charity for pets in need, is appealing for animal lovers to support its vital veterinary work by donating unwanted Christmas gifts to its charity shops.

PDSA’s shops play a pivotal role in helping to fund its 48 Pet Hospitals which provide a lifeline to owners who would otherwise struggle to afford veterinary treatment if their pet unexpectedly becomes ill or gets injured.

With inflation at a 40-year high and millions of households already facing extreme financial hardship, demand for PDSA’s services is expected to rise, meaning donations to its shops are more important than ever.

In 2021, PDSA treated over 370,000 pets and saved the lives of 134,000 animals – ultimately keeping furry family members united with their owners. As day-to-day prices continue to soar and households are hit by increased financial pressures, the charity expects demand for its services to grow.

The 2022 PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report, conducted in March, found that nearly a third of pet owners surveyed are worried about affording veterinary costs – leaving them facing potentially heart-breaking decisions should their pet require treatment.

The results follow shocking statistics from the 2021 PAW Report which revealed a staggering 930,000 pets were at risk of being put to sleep if their owners were hit with unexpected vet bills.

PDSA Head of Retail and Buying Lloyd Hughes said: “PDSA receives no government funding and relies solely on public support to fund our vital work. Without the money raised in our shops and donations given to us by kind-hearted members of the public, we wouldn’t be able to fund the life-saving treatment we provide in our 48 Pet Hospitals.

“By donating unwanted Christmas gifts, that may otherwise sit in a cupboard or even be thrown away, to our charity shops, people can make a real difference to the lives of pets and their owners, keeping families together.”

No pet owner should be faced with losing a beloved pet because they can no longer afford to pay for treatment. For many vulnerable pets, PDSA is there to help when there is nowhere else for their owners to turn.

PDSA encourages all supporters to sign up for Gift Aid* if they are a UK tax payer, to help their donations go even further. Gift Aid allows PDSA to claim an additional 25 per cent of the value of each item sold.

To find out more visit PDSA’s charity shops page.

“I want to build a stronger more diverse trade union movement”

‘I want my time leading the TUC to focus on one thing: making the trade union movement bigger, stronger and more diverse. That’s how we win for more workers.‘

I started my working career stacking the warehouse shelves in Asda. Later on, I worked as a hotel porter, and in a call centre. I know the difference being in a union can make – and that’s why, as the TUC’s new General Secretary, my focus will always be on making sure the UK’s trade unions are growing (writes PAUL NOWAK).

The current wave of strike action has one cause: the Tories’ failure to get wages growing across the economy. Workers are on course for two decades of lost pay – the longest squeeze on earnings in modern history.

Working people have had enough. They are tired of their standard of living falling year after year.

Nurses, paramedics, rail staff, posties and other key workers have been forced into taking action to defend their livelihoods and the services they provide.

Nobody takes the decision to go on strike lightly. But this is a problem of the government’s own making. Twelve years of pay cuts have left workers with no choice. And that’s why they are out on strike – with massive public support.

And rather than sitting down with unions to negotiate a resolution, ministers seem more interested in escalating disputes.

The UK already has the most restrictive trade union laws in western Europe – but ministers are set to undermine the right to strike even more. That will tilt the balance of power even further towards bad bosses and make it harder for working people to win better pay and conditions.

Have no doubt: I will lead the union movement in opposing further restrictions on the right to strike – just as we will oppose further attacks on any rights at work, including those rights that came from the EU.

But I don’t want us to spend our time just fighting bad laws – I want the trade union movement to set out a positive vision for Britain. Because we know it doesn’t have to be like this. For too long the UK has been trapped in a vicious cycle of stagnant growth, stagnant investment and stagnant wages. Now it’s time for a proper long-term economic plan that rewards work not wealth.

Unions have the answers. We should target low-pay industries, raising pay and standards and driving out rogue operators with sector-wide fair pay agreements. And ministers, unions and employers should work together on a proper industrial strategy, delivering good green jobs, training and skills across the country.

Working people deserve a seat at the tables of power – and it’s the job of unions to get them there. That’s why, when I’m asked, I always say that my first priority is building a stronger, bigger and more diverse trade union movement.

Unions must reflect the modern multiethnic working class of the UK in 2023, promoting women and Black leaders and fighting racism and discrimination.

Unions have to grow, to represent more workers and get more workplaces covered by collective bargaining. That’s how we raise wages, improve conditions and cut inequality. It’s how we stop outrages like P&O sacking hundreds of workers on the spot, with impunity.

And unions have to be stronger and more confident. That’s how we win the argument for a growing, redistributive economy, a £15 per hour minimum wage, and a ban on zero hours contracts.

The solidarity and power of a stronger, growing and more diverse trade union movement is how we will win. It is how we turn the tide on cuts, casualisation and two decades of standstill wages. And it is how we deliver what working people are asking for – a fair day’s work for a fair day’s wage.

Join a union today

The psychology behind making New Year’s resolutions stick

Making those all-important New Year’s resolutions is easy – but sticking to them can be a different story

Whether it’s embarking on a new career goal, changing a behaviour, or setting out to achieve an exciting new challenge, resolving to make changes at the start of the New Year is simple, but there can be lots of reasons why our good intentions don’t last beyond January.

Chartered psychologists from the British Psychological Society share four top tips to help people to achieve their goals in 2023:

Tip 1: Don’t make resolutions

“Know your goals and what you need to do to achieve them instead,” says chartered psychologist Dr Audrey Tang. “When there’s a ‘rule’, we often don’t stick to it, or we try to bend it. This can feel like cheating and that’s when we start giving up. It’s healthier to see what we want to achieve as an evolution or growth, rather than rejecting what’s gone before.

“We need to ask, is this behaviour leading me to my outcome, or is it reinforcing what I already do and want to change”, recommends Dr Tang. “By asking ourselves this question and then making a conscious choice about the behaviour we want to change, we create new pathways in our brain to help form new habits.”

Tip 2: Understand why the change is important to you

“Sticking to your New Year’s resolutions requires you to be really clear about why this change in behaviour is important to you,” says chartered psychologist Dr Tamara Russell. “To keep on track, we need to be really clear about our intentions and do small things every day to firm these up.”

Dr Russell recommends simple actions, like putting up signs and notes in frequently visited parts of the house or office to help remind us and support our brain as we try to do something different. As a leading expert in mindfulness, Dr Russell also recommends using mindfulness training.

“Getting more familiar with our mental movements by using mindfulness training can support the behaviour changes we want. Start with a simple short practice that focuses on the attentional training aspect of mindfulness. Doing this repeatedly helps us to strengthen the brain’s neural networks that are also involved in keeping you on track with your New Year’s resolutions.”

Tip 3: Stack your goals

Make it easier for your brain to adapt to healthy change by focusing on goals at the same time and incorporating them into your desired behaviour. “If the resolutions are to get fitter, eat healthily and have more family time, stack your goals by cooking healthy meals together, or going out on a family walk,” says Dr Audrey Tang.

“Everyone benefits, not only from the act itself, but the quality time you have together.”

Tip 4: Focus on what you want, but appreciate what you’ve got

“It’s great to know what you are aiming for, but take a moment to recognise what you have, because at one point those things were as much your goals as your new resolutions,” advises Dr Tang.

“Not only does gratitude help create healthy connections in the brain, which in turn make it easier to notice the positives in life, but by taking a moment to reflect, we may also notice we have a blueprint of how we’ve achieved things in the past.”

Brexit damage continues to mount

Two year anniversary of the end of the transition period

The people of Scotland must be given a choice about their future given the damage inflicted by Brexit, Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson has said.

Marking two years since the end of the transition period to leave the European Union after 47 years of membership, Mr Robertson highlighted the negative impacts Brexit continues to have on Scotland’s economy.

Constitution Secretary Angus Robertson said: “The damages caused by Brexit just continue to mount.

“In the two years since the end of the transition period, we have seen no advantages to leaving the European Union. The cost of living crisis and recession are being felt more deeply in the UK than anywhere else, with recent research showing food bills in the UK are £210 higher in the last two years due to Brexit. Households on the lowest incomes are the hardest hit.

“The UK economy is fundamentally on the wrong path and there is no real alternative on offer within the current system.

“The Scottish Government is committed to giving the people of Scotland a choice about the future they want – a greener, wealthier and fairer economy within the European Union, or a sluggish, stagnating economy outside of the European Union. We will continue to publish the Building a New Scotland series of prospectus papers to ensure people can make that informed choice.

“According to the Office for Budget Responsibility, UK GDP is expected to be 4% lower as a consequence of Brexit – this equates to around £100 billion in output and £40 billion in public revenues lost each and every year. Businesses are suffering from lower exports to the EU, labour shortages and recruitment challenges. These issues are also affecting our NHS, with new research by the Nuffield Trust showing that lower EU migration is exacerbating staff shortages.

“Scotland is and always has been a proud European nation and we’re determined to continue to be an active and constructive participant on EU matters, which will ease the process of Scotland’s future return to the EU.

“This is in stark contrast to the approach being taken by the UK Government, intent on undermining retained EU law which will be hugely damaging to people and businesses in Scotland.”

Building a New Scotland

An expert guide to surviving December to January paydays

Cash strapped Scots are being advised on how to survive the tough gap between December and January’s payday


Penny-pinching pros at NetVoucherCodes.co.uk have put together ways to help ease the pressure on your finances during this stretch.

Many workers receive an early payday in the run up to Christmas and although this is helpful during the festive season, the next payday can often seem far away.

Brits are being advised to cook in bulk and check their monthly subscriptions as ways to keep an eye on their spending.

Consumer expert, John Stirzaker from NetVoucherCodes said: “A lot of people get paid early in December to help fund their Christmas which is great at the time but it can often leave us feeling like the next payday is miles away which can be difficult, especially in today’s climate.

“January tends to feel like a bit of a tough month for most people but there are a few things you can do to help ease the financial pressure like cancelling unwanted and unused subscriptions.

“Other ways to help lighten the load in January include cooking in bulk and avoiding January sales.”

How to survive the wait until January payday:

  1. Shop smarter

An obvious solution is to refrain from doing any unnecessary shopping on clothes and luxury items that you can go without.

However, it’s not always that simple and if you do find yourself having to buy something try using price comparison websites or look for discount codes.

  1. Cook in bulk

Instead of cooking a separate meal each night why not try meal prepping and cooking in bulk. This way you can freeze your food and take it out when you need it.

This is cheaper than buying ingredients for a different meal each night and not only does it save you money, but it saves you time as well in the week whilst you’re busy working.

  1. Avoid unnecessary spending

It can be very tempting to grab that coffee on the way to work or pop out and buy lunch while on your break. Try making a coffee before you leave and consider meal prepping for the week ahead. That way you won’t be tempted to buy lunch knowing you have plenty to last you for the week.

  1. Dry January

If there’s ever a time to do it, you may as well stop drinking with the rest of the nation. As well as being good for your health, you’ll also find it’s good for your bank account.You’d be surprised how much money you save in a few weeks when you aren’t spending it on alcohol.

  1. Sell unwanted items

Social plans tend to die down in January with everyone in similar financial situations so this should give you some free time to go through and clear out any unwanted items.

And perhaps you’ve been given things at Christmas that could replace other items you have. Selling these online is a great way to get a bit of extra money in January.

  1. Check monthly subscriptions

Collectively, Brits have been known to spend around £1.8 billion on unwanted subscriptions a year.

Now is a good time to go through your subscriptions and cancel any that you do not use or need or maybe even put some on hold until the next payday.

Think about gym memberships, streaming services and delivery subscriptions.

  1. Don’t be tempted by January sales

January sales can be very tempting and you may be thinking if there’s any time to grab a bargain it’s now. But the truth is if you didn’t need it in time for Black Friday or Christmas, then you probably don’t need it now.

  1. Avoid racking up unnecessary debt

A lot of retailers now offer a buy now pay later scheme and whilst these might seem like a good idea now, they’ll be an unnecessary worry come January.

Steer clear of flood water this Hogmanay and New Year

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) joins emergency responder partners in urging Scots and visitors to Scotland to steer clear of flood water this New Year as the country clears up from a significant flooding event.

Across Friday (30th December), Scotland’s environment protection agency had 10 Regional flood alerts, 29 local flood warnings and a severe flood warning in place for Dumfries. Impacts across the country were significant, with levels at the River Nith being the highest ever recorded, and higher than Storm Frank in 2015 and flooding in December 1982.

Whilst an improving situation, people living, working and travelling through Southern and Central Scotland in particular are encouraged to remain vigilant, steer clear of flood water and follow the latest information from SEPA, transport authorities and Police Scotland.

Marc Becker, Flood Duty Manager at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), said: “Across Friday we saw Scotland hit with yet another significant flood event, with Southern and Central Scotland heavily impacted this time in particular.

“This comes after recent flooding impacts in the East and North-East of Scotland in November. What made Friday’s event notable was not only the intense nature of the rainfall, but also the rapid and extreme rises in river levels which led, in the Nith, to the highest ever recorded river levels.

“Whilst across Hogmanay and New Year’s Day we’re seeing an improving picture, we’ll see rain, sleet and snow on higher grounds, particularly across the Bells. With residual impacts on the ground, particularly in Southern and Central Scotland, we’re encouraging people living, working and travelling to remain vigilant, steer clear of flood water and follow the latest information from SEPA, transport authorities and Police Scotland.

“Across 2022 we’ve seen Scotland on the front line of climate change – a year of firsts with significantly severe weather events. We’ve seen record river levels across Scotland during severe and significant flood events whilst, in the summer, we saw the East of Scotland record is tenth driest summer for one-hundred years, ground water levels at their lowest recorded and the agency suspending abstraction licenses to protect local water environments.

“Against this backdrop, we’re urging Scots to add one more New Year’s resolution by signing-up for SEPA’s free Floodline message service by calling 0345 988 1188 or by clicking floodlinescotland.org.uk”

The agency also thanked the Met Office, Scottish Government, Scotland’s resilience partners and responders for their planning and response to more frequent extreme weather events across the year.

Staying informed

Be prepared and stay safe

  • Check Floodline – visit floodline.sepa.org.uk
  • Don’t walk through flood water – 15cm of fast flowing water could be enough to knock you off your feet and hazards can be hidden under the water.
  • Drive with care, and do not travel through deep fast flowing water. It only takes 30cm of fast flowing water to move an average family sized car.
  • If you’re walking beside rivers be extra careful of wet footpaths and small watercourses.
  • Consider deploying flooding protection products if required.


What’s the difference between a Flood Alert and a Flood Warning?

We use forecast weather information provided by the Met Office combined with our own observation of rainfall and river levels and advanced hydrological modelling to provide advance warning of flooding.

  • Regional Flood Alerts are early advice that flooding is possible across a wider geographical area. The purpose of the Alerts is to make people aware of the risk of flooding and be prepared. We normally issue them 12 to 24 hours in advance of the possibility of flooding.
  • Flood Warnings are more locally specific and are issued for areas where we have gauges on rivers to measure the exact river height. They are issued at shorter notice when we are more certain that a specific area will be affected.

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