The city council’s Transport and Environment Convener has condemned anti-social behaviour towards Lothian Buses employees.
Councillor Scott Arthur’s comments follow an open letter from Sarah Boyd, managing director of Lothian Buses, which acknowledges an increase in abusive behaviour towards drivers and other customer-facing people, as well as frontline workers around the city.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, responded to Sarah Boyd’s letter, saying: “It’s extremely disappointing to hear that Lothian Buses’ employees are having to endure abusive and anti-social behaviour.
“These keyworkers work hard to provide a trusted, essential service for the city and it’s appalling that they’re having to put up with this kind of treatment.
“We’ve pulled through an exceptionally challenging few years together, as a city, and I’m grateful for the indispensable role Lothian Buses played during the pandemic. We should not forget that drivers faced unknown risks everyday getting keyworkers to work.
“The current Europe-wide driver shortage means all bus companies face huge challenges in maintaining their network, but I know the vast majority of people in Edinburgh understand this and will continue to support Lothian Buses by reinforcing a zero tolerance stance on anti-social behaviour.”
We have a couple of new evening groups starting up here at Granton Library.
The first is a monthly book group. First meeting next Wednesday 30th November. Please bring a book you’ve read recently for discussion – we will also discuss what sort of group you’d like this to be.
Tea and coffee will be provided. We look forward to welcoming you!
Saturday 1 July to Sunday 29 October 2023 National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
nms.ac.uk/littleblackdress
#BeyondLBD
A new exhibition at the National Museum of Scotland will deconstruct the little black dress, examining the radical power of the colour black in fashion. From design classics to cutting-edge catwalk creations, Beyond the Little Black Dress (1 July to 29 October 2023) will bring together more than 60 striking looks from collections and designers around the world.
The colour black can be interpreted in many subtle and often contradictory ways. The exhibition will explore how its complexities have made the little black dress simultaneously expressive of piety and perversion, respect and rebellion; from the well-mannered cocktail attire of the early 20th century to the leather and latex worn by members of punk and fetish subcultures.
Beyond the Little BlackDress will open with a simple, short black dress designed by Coco Chanel in 1926. Considered radically modern, it disregarded convention entirely in both the stark design and sombre shade, that had traditionally been associated with mourning.
At the time it was hailed by US Vogue as “the frock that all the world will wear”. The ‘little black dress’ became a wardrobe staple, a symbol of femininity and a byword for chic, with each new silhouette capturing the spirit of its time.
The little black dress remains a blank canvas for broader political and cultural shifts. It can challenge social norms around race, gender and sexuality to reflect evolving ideals of beauty and identity, proving its infinite capacity for reinvention.
Visitors to Beyond the Little Black Dress, which is sponsored by Baillie Gifford Investment Managers, will discover a century of fashion in a series of themed, immersive displays. Iconic early pieces by Yves Saint Laurent, Dior and Jean Muir will be juxtaposed with recent looks by ground-breaking contemporary designers and brands like Gareth Pugh, Simone Rocha and Off-White.
Areas of the exhibition will be dedicated to highlighting Black British designers whose work explores both Blackness in terms of identity, and the role the colour black plays in crafting a futuristic, sci-fi aesthetic. Elsewhere, the exhibition considers how perceptions of the colour black differ in a global context, as well as how the intervention of smart technologies are establishing a blueprint for a more sustainable future.
Georgina Ripley, Principal Curator, Modern and Contemporary Design at National Museums Scotland, said: “Few garments are as iconic as the little black dress, which has often been held up by the fashion industry as the one piece every woman should have in her wardrobe.
“It has evolved dramatically in the century since its creation. From a simple shift dress which helped democratise women’s fashion to a bold political statement, it has moved through various iterations which reflect changing ideals of beauty and body image.
“Displaying classic couture, avant-garde pieces and garments that make a political statement, this exhibition will explore its enduring success, and ask why, in the fickle and fast-paced fashion world, the little black dress has achieved that rare status of being truly above the fray.”
Sam Pattman, Philanthropy Manager at Baillie Gifford Investment Managers said: “We are delighted that our successful relationship with National Museums Scotland continues with our support for Beyond the Little Black Dress.
“This exciting exhibition takes a fresh look at a timeless classic, examining how it has remained in style for nearly a century and displaying a dazzling selection of garments from those worn by royalty to truly avant-garde creations at the cutting edge of the fashion industry.”
National Museums Scotland’s internationally significant fashion and textiles collection comprises around 50,000 objects and is one of the largest in the UK.
The collection includes textiles dating back to the 14th century and clothing and accessories dating from the 16th century to the present day. Beyond the Little Black Dress follows the acclaimed exhibition Body Beautiful: Diversity on the Catwalk.
The exhibition is curated by Georgina Ripley, Principal Curator, Modern and Contemporary Design, National Museums Scotland, Dr Sequoia Barnes, Guest Curator and Carys Wilkins, Assistant Curator Modern and Contemporary Design, National Museums Scotland.
It will be accompanied by a publication and programme of events.
The North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed is hosting a pop-up exhibition and sale on 18th & 19th November at the Old Co-op, 43 Pennywell Road.
Different items made by the Shed members from reclaimed wood will be on display over two days. You will also be able to purchase items, and by doing so support the NEA Community Shed and its members.
The pop-up exhibition & sale will be a perfect place to see a range of things made from recycled wood at the Shed and find sustainable items to decorate your home for Christmas and find festive gifts for your loved ones.
The NEA Community Shed is a welcoming, safe space where people living in North Edinburgh can come to make or mend stuff using recycled wood. We aim to be a fun space where our members can meet new people, learn new skills, and feel supported to realize their creative ambitions.
We believe that when we work together, we can achieve almost anything. Our limitation is our imagination.
We run weekly drop-in sessions Tuesday – Thursday, 10am – 2pm and forthrightly Saturday sessions (9am-12pm). The Shed is currently funded by the Big Lottery Fund until January 2024.
Rik Hodgson, The Shed Manager said: “The North Edinburgh Arts Community Shed’s mission is to enable people in the community make and mend beautiful and useful items for their homes, gardens, and community.
“We are hosting an exhibition of some stuff which has been made in the shed over the past 12 months and some items which we have made to help you decorate your homes for Christmas, including Mushrooms, Snowmen, Penguins, Christmas Trees etc. There will also be some other gorgeous items for sale and for you to enjoy looking at.”
One-year-old Dylan, a miniature schnauzer from Edinburgh, has reached the finals of a UK-wide competition to find the new face of Macdonald Hotels & Resorts dog friendly marketing campaign.
The beautiful, pampered pooch beat over one thousand entrants to take one of the coveted finalist spots.
He will now go head-to-head against six other four-legged competitors from across the country who are all vying to be named Macdonald Hotels’ Top Pup.
As the official face of Macdonald Hotels, the final winner will feature in all its pet friendly adverts across its website, social media and press activity.
As part of the gig, the chosen pup will be given the chance to travel to some of the most picturesque places in the UK. Macdonald Hotels & Resorts has locations in some of the most beautiful parts of the country, from the sunny Solent Coast to the breath-taking Scottish Highlands, giving man’s best friend the chance to roam and explore all the beautiful sights, and smells, of the stunning British countryside.
The public vote to decide the overall winner is now open and will close on 5th of December.
New figures released today reveal the full effect of UK sanctions on Russia – with over £18 billion frozen and reported to OFSI.
The figure, released in OFSI’s Annual Review, is around £6 billion more than held across all other UK sanctions regimes.
The UK and its allies have imposed the most severe sanctions Russia has ever faced, sanctioning more than 1,200 individuals and more than 120 entities.
New data released today (10th) reveals the full effect of UK sanctions on Russia – with £18.39 billion of Russian assets frozen and reported to the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI).
The figure, released for the first time in OFSI’s Annual Review, demonstrates the key role the UK has played in standing up to Russia following their illegal invasion of Ukraine. It is nearly £6 billion pounds more than reported across all other UK sanctions regimes.
In conjunction with its allies, the UK has imposed the most severe sanctions Russia has ever faced, designating more than 1,200 individuals, over 120 entities and freezing the assets of 19 Russian banks with global assets of £940 billion since they began their illegal invasion.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith said: “As staunch defenders of democracy, the UK is united with its allies in opposition to Russia’s barbaric and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. We have imposed the most severe sanctions ever on Russia and it is crippling their war machine.
To make sure we are doing all we can to keep the pressure on Putin’s corrupt cronies we are more than doubling OFSI’s headcount. Our message is clear: we will not allow Putin to succeed in this brutal war.
FCDO Minister of State, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “When Putin invaded Ukraine he assumed we would sit idly by. He was wrong. Instead, the UK and our international partners have stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine in their fight for territorial integrity and political independence.
“Today’s report shows the scale of UK sanctions – freezing over £18 billion of Russian assets to stop Putin funding his war machine. We will continue to ramp up our sanctions to exert maximum economic pressure on the Russian regime until Ukraine prevail.”
By implementing these sanctions alongside our international partners, the UK is degrading Russia’s military machine. Despite the Russian regime’s attempts to firefight, GDP is predicted to decline by up to 6.2% in 2022 when compared to pre–invasion forecasts, and decline a further 2.3% in 2023. 60% of Russia’s foreign reserves have been immobilised, Russia’s exports have plummeted, and imports of critical goods have dropped by 68% from sanctioning countries.
The £18.39 billion figure is a significant contribution to the $30 billion of frozen Russian assets reported by the Russian elites, proxies, and oligarchs (REPO) taskforce in June. All this is having a major impact on the Russian military complex – vital semiconductors are now being scavenged from fridges and soviet-era equipment is being sent to the front line.
In order to ensure that the most stringent financial sanctions in history on Russia have not adversely affected the UK’s private and voluntary sectors, where appropriate OFSI has worked with businesses and granted general and specific licences allowing UK businesses to move away from Russian facing positions without an increased risk.
These licences have been granted where sufficient evidence has been provided and are often for basic needs and legal fees. The careful granting of these licences by OFSI in line with legislation, has helped UK individuals and businesses to function throughout a challenging period and helped maintain the UK’s place as a centre for financial stability.
The Russia sanctions regime will continue to play a major part of the OFSI’s work for as long as Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine continues. The government has committed to ensuring that OFSI is fully resourced, more than doubling its headcount.
There are now an estimated 860,000 fuel-poor households in Scotland following the latest increase in energy bills on 1 October
As more and more people across the country continue to worry about the cost of living, Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie wants people living in Edinburgh to know that free impartial advice and financial support is available to help make home energy improvements.
Home Energy Scotland’s ‘Warmer Homes Scotland’ programme could provide funding of up to £5,000 to help support homeowners in Edinburgh to make their homes warmer, greener and more efficient to heat. This latest Scottish Government campaign aims to raise awareness of the support available to tackle energy bills and fuel poverty.
Commenting on the launch of the Home Energy Scotland 2022/23 campaign, Zero Carbon Buildings Minister Patrick Harvie said: “Many people across the country including Edinburgh continue to worry about the cost of living crisis and the big rise in energy bills caused by surging gas prices.
“Our latest estimates indicate that there are around 860,000 fuel-poor households in Scotland, of which 600,000 will experience extreme fuel poverty, following the latest increase in energy bills on 1 October.
“We are making sure that anyone in Edinburgh worried about or struggling to pay their energy bills can get the right support and advice.
“Our Home Energy Scotland service, delivered by the Energy Saving Trust, provides free and impartial advice, support and funding to help households in Scotland to better insulate their homes saving on energy costs while at the same time reducing their impact on the environment.
“The Home Energy Scotland team are on hand to advise how our Warmer Homes Scotland programme could provide funding of up to £5,000 to help make your home warmer, greener and more efficient to heat.
“A range of measures – big and small – to improve energy efficiency around your home are likely to be available, and I’d urge all households to find out more and get advice as soon as possible.”
NHS Lothian has partnered up to support the launch of a new Edinburgh College course designed to introduce students to a career in care.
The free course, which is 10 weeks long leads to a guaranteed job interview for participants with a social care provider, opening the doors to potential future employment.
NHS Lothian, working in partnership with Lothian’s four Health and Social Care Partnerships has helped to develop the Lothian Care Academy (LCA) to support education, training and recruitment of health and social care staff.
The step into care course is an initiative championed by the LCA designed to support our the current health and social workforce, while attracting new talent to the profession.
The course itself is aimed at those who enjoy working with people, are compassionate, have a sense of fun and are seeking a new rewarding career they perhaps thought they never had the qualifications to start.
Mhairi Mackay, Senior Project Manager for Lothian Care Academy, NHS Lothian said: “The rationale for this course was to look at new ways of recruiting into social care and to provide people with experience of the job.
“We have adapted the SSSC ‘Introduction to Social Care’ course to include workshops on personal care, infection control and communication so people can be best prepared for what a career in social care might be like. We’re also guaranteeing interviews for candidates who complete the course, so it is a ‘one stop shop’ so to speak.
“The interviews could take successful candidates into a career in a care home or in a care at home service that helps people to keep their independence and stay in their own home.”
Alison Payne, Manager of Erskine Care Home, Edinburgh said: “The course is very important in opening up the option of working in care to a whole new potential workforce.
“I am hopeful that people who have considered working in care, but felt they didn’t have the skills or necessary experience will see this course as a great opportunity and even a steppingstone into a whole new career.
“One of the biggest issues facing the care sector at the moment is recruitment, in particular for care homes and care at home services.
“I think as a care home it was important for us to be involved in this project so that we can give a real insight into what care homes are really like to work in. I would also love people to see the real care home experience and the positive impact this has for residents and their relatives.”
It’s only by working in partnership with care services and Edinburgh College that’s allowed the course to come into fruition.
Commenting on the partnership Andrew Clark, Skills Boost Leader, Edinburgh College said: “One of our key aims at Edinburgh College is to improve employability within our local community.
“This partnership is really a win-win situation as it provides a pathway for people wishing to work in the care industry and gives much needed assistance to the people who require care.”
