New Term Programme
Our new term starts next week! Clubs are back on as normal and we’re excited to see all our children and young people every week until Summer!!
If you are new to us, please pop in for a consent form and make sure it’s signed by your legal guardian!
Dear Letters Editor,
I am writing to encourage your readers to consider a moggy when thinking about giving a cat a new home.
Our latest survey revealed 38% of cats acquired in 2022 (or 600,000 cats) were pedigrees, such as Ragdolls or Scottish Folds, while 47% (or 750,000 cats) were moggies (cats produced through non-selective breeding such as a domestic short or longhair). This is the narrowest gap that we have seen between pedigrees and moggies in memory.
As a result, Cats Protection is celebrating moggies this spring and encouraging would-be owners to look past a breed or current social media led trends. Moggies have just as much personality and affection to share as pedigrees, they also tend to be less expensive both at the outset and over the course of their lifetime.
There are thousands of moggies needing new homes across Cats Protection’s network of branches and centres who are all vet-checked, microchipped, neutered if old enough, and arrive in their new homes with four weeks’ free insurance.
Further details of the benefits of welcoming a moggy into your life can be found at www.cats.org.uk/morethanjustamoggy; we also have lots of good advice about acquiring a pedigree cat including some potential pitfalls at www.cats.org.uk/pedigrees.
Yours faithfully
Dr Kit Sturgess
Chair of Trustees, Cats Protection
Within a year, 49 dogs have had their lives transformed thanks to Dogs Trust Dundee and their team of volunteer foster carers.
With no traditional rehoming centre in Dundee, Dogs Trust launched its unique approach to finding dogs new homes in the area in April 2022, rehoming dogs direct from foster homes within Dundee, Tayside, Fife and Perthshire.
Dogs Trust Dundee now has 12 Home from Home foster carers who volunteer their time by providing a temporary home for dogs being cared for by the charity until they find their forever families.
This small but mighty team has achieved great success within the year by finding loving new homes for 45 rescue dogs with a further four currently available for adoption.
Magic milestone moments from the charity’s first year of rehoming in Dundee include:
· Cockapoo puppy Ollie (above) was the first dog to be rehomed through the scheme, finding a permanent home in Perthshire with his foster carer who couldn’t bear to part with him. Ollie also made a guest appearance at the charity’s Holyrood Dog of the Year Competition in May 2022 being paired with Claire Adamson MSP.
· 15 of the dogs rehomed have been Older Age Pooches – with the oldest perfect pooch to find a new home being 14-year-old collie Angel
· 29 of the dogs were male with 16 females
· The top three most popular breeds finding homes were Terriers (19), Labrador/cross (5) and Poodle/cross (5).
· Dandy and Beano, named after the comic magazines published by Dundee based publishers DC Thomson, featured on TV news and in the Scottish press before finding their new home together in Renfrewshire.
· Murphy the poodle cross was the quickest dog rehomed, being adopted just seven days after arriving in foster. Murphy is now enjoying lots of walks and cuddles in his new home in Fife.
· Dogs have been rehomed across Scotland, including to Bridge of Don, Nairn and the Isle of Skye.
· The Home from Home team attended 25 local events throughout the year including Broughty Ferry Gala, Dundee Dog Show, Arbroath Fun Dog Show and Dundee Dog Barket.
· The Dundee team held three ‘Thank Dog It’s Fostering Friday’ events for members of the public interested in finding out more about fostering in Perth, Dundee and Arbroath.
Megan Wilkinson, Home from Home Co-ordinator at Dogs Trust Dundee said: “It’s fantastic that our foster scheme has taken off within Dundee and surrounding areas allowing us to give all these wonderful dogs the chance of a lifetime by going into a home temporarily, until we find them a forever one.
“Some dogs may take a little longer than others to rehome but, as we have found, there really is a home out there for every dog. Our Home from Home fostering has also given people the chance to rehome a dog in their local area which is good for locals and the dogs.
“Rehoming all of these dogs in need would not be possible without the dedication and commitment of our volunteer foster carers who do such an amazing job. We cannot thank them enough.
“It’s also important for us to remind people in the area that we are here to help anyone wrestling with the difficult decision to give up their dog. For anyone in the area concerned about continuing to care for their dog for whatever reason, please reach out to us and we will do everything we can to help.”
Anyone interested in rehoming from Dogs Trust Dundee should visit:
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/our-centres/dundee
To find out more about fostering or to speak to the team about your dog please call the Home from Home team on 07918606722 or 07780469309.
Stagg’s in Musselburgh has won many CAMRA awards over the years and it’s ‘same again’ with the Award of Lothians Pub of the Year 2023.
The framed certificate will handed over to licensee Nigel Finlay on Wednesday 19th April at 1945 hrs at the pub.
Runner-up was the Dean Tavern, Newtongrange and in third place was the Grey Horse, Balerno.
Further announcements about awards ceremonies in Edinburgh and in the Borders will be made later.
ARTISTIC EXPRESSIONS FROM NORTH EDINBURGH AND WESTER HAILES
29th – 30th April 2023, 11am – 6pm (daily)
Opening event: Friday 28th April, 6pm – 9pm
Venue: Granton Hub (Madelvic House, Granton Park Avenue, Edinburgh EH5 1HS)
Join us for ’Rooted in Community: Artistic Expressions from North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes’, an exhibition showcasing the work of local artists as part of Create Community Wealth – a collaborative community wealth building project, delivered in partnership between WHALE Arts, North Edinburgh Arts, SCOREscotland and Passion4Fusion.
The project aims to support local people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes to explore their creative and enterprising ideas, to tackle social exclusion and improve wellbeing and local economic prospects through creativity.
The exhibition, ‘Rooted in Community’, is a celebration of community and diversity, highlighting the unique experiences and diverse cultures of people living in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.
Through their work, the artists explore themes such as community, identity, grief and mental health, inviting us to reflect on our own experiences and engage with the world around us.
From colourful paintings to representative photography, sculpture, portraits and pencil drawings, we invite you to take a journey through the works on display, each one telling a different story about life in North Edinburgh and Wester Hailes.
Through their art, these talented individuals demonstrate the power of community and the importance of self-expression.
For many of the artists featured, this is their first exhibition, and the Create Community Wealth team are delighted to support them in showcasing their work publicly.
The exhibition is a testament to the importance and power of community, providing a platform for emerging artists to showcase their talent and connect with a wider audience.
As we come together to celebrate the creativity and diversity of our community, we hope that this exhibition will inspire us to continue to support and uplift one another, as we work towards building a more inclusive and equitable society.
We hope you’ll be able to come along!
How can food be fairer? Food politics expert Prof. Marion Nestle received the prestigious Edinburgh Medal at a ceremony last night.
Each year, The Edinburgh Medal is presented to those who have made a significant contribution to the wellbeing and understanding of humanity through the sciences. This year’s recipient is Prof Marion Nestle, a pioneer in the study of food politics, along with wider issues of nutrition and public health.
Food politics explores the wide-reaching implications of what and how we eat – from production and marketing, to the possibilities of fairer distribution of resources. Through her research, advocacy and public engagement work, Prof Nestle has contributed knowledge and inspiration to the field.
An award-winning writer, Prof Nestle is Paulette Goddard Professor of Nutrition, Food Studies, and Public Health, Emerita, at New York University.
Alongside her PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, she has been awarded honorary degrees from Transylvania University in Kentucky and the City University of New York’s Macaulay Honors College.
Prof Nestle has authored 15 books about food policy and politics. Her memoir, Slow Cooked: An Unexpected Life in Food Politics tracks a fascinating career which has placed the importance of nutrition at its heart.
This year’s oration was delivered by Prof Timothy Lang, Emeritus Professor of Food Policy at the University of London, and the Vote of Thanks by Prof Annie Anderson.
In 2022, there were over 1.3 billion malware programmes in existence and 10% of these were computer viruses, according to research from the AV-Test Institute.
A computer virus may spread from one device to another, take over your software and steal information that can be held at ransom.
Spam emails, instant messaging, file-sharing devices, fake antivirus downloads, unpatched software and infected hardware are the ways in which viruses can infect your computer.
Cybersecurity experts VPN Overview reveal six common symptoms of having a computer virus and how to remove it:
Six signs of a computer virus
1. Slow performance
If you’re questioning whether your computer has a virus, observing its performance is one of the first tell-tale signs. As long as you’re regularly updating and taking care of it, your device should work soundly. Malicious code, however, typically hijacks computing power and may lead to unbearably slow performance.
2. Freeze-ups and crashing
There are multiple reasons why your laptop might be crashing. It may be time to restart it, close down one of the many windows you have open or buy a new one – but it could also be a sign your computer has a virus.
3. Missing files
Malware has been known to delete important data. Once it has infiltrated your device, you may receive multiple pop-ups and notice your files are missing. Don’t ignore this – it’s a tell-tale sign of a virus that should be taken seriously.
4. New files appear
In addition to missing files, you may also notice new files mysteriously appearing. Viruses can replace your files with encrypted ones, although these are likely malicious and will only further harm your device if you click on them.
5. Problems with hardware
Viruses have been known to cause system changes that affect external hardware and accessories. If you can’t get that USB drive and wireless mouse to connect properly or work as it should, for example, it could be a sign of a virus.
6. Computer operating by itself
Computers are complex machines, but they shouldn’t be executing demands without your authorisation. If you’re noticing that your device is acting unusually – maybe files are opening by themselves or it feels like another person is controlling your computer – you may have a virus.
How to remove a virus from your computer
1. Download an antivirus programme
To remove a virus from your computer, start by downloading an antivirus programme. These will offer you effective real-time protection against malware. There are countless options to choose from, such as Bitdefender for Windows and Avast Security for Mac.
2. Disconnect from the internet
Malware often spread viruses through the internet, which can lead to multiple devices becoming infected. To stop this from happening, disconnect from the Wi-Fi network.
3. Run a virus scan
Run a virus scan using your chosen antivirus programme. This will likely detect the virus infecting your computer and remove it. If the scan fails, you may wish to remove it manually by using the Windows Registry or launching your activity monitor on a Mac.
4. Check for updates
Next, check for any recent updates on your computer. Windows and Mac regularly release these to keep your device as secure as possible from cyberattacks.
5. Enable your firewall
Firewalls help protect your device from any unauthorised access. These are usually included in your antivirus software, so remember to enable it by going into System Preferences or the Windows Start menu.
A spokesperson at VPN Overview commented: “The digital landscape is constantly evolving. In turn, cybercriminals are developing more ways to steal data, money and cryptocurrency. By understanding the tell-tale signs of a virus, consumers and companies can protect themselves from the dangers of malware both at home and in the workplace.
“Downloading a reliable antivirus software, updating your computer, adjusting your privacy setting and installing a firewall and anti-malware apps are all ways you can defend yourself from malware. You should also avoid opening suspicious email attachments.
“If any of the above symptoms persists, it’s good practice to address the problem as soon as possible and take your device to a professional. We’re eager to see if cybersecurity statistics will decrease this year in light of this information.”
VPNOverview.com are a dedicated team of cybersecurity and privacy professionals offering guidance on these topics in the most accessible way possible.
A majority (57%) of UK women are worried that their standard of living will fall over the next 12 months, reveals independent research conducted on behalf of Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management. Men are slightly less concerned, with just over half (51%) worried their standard of living will decrease.
The research revealed that energy prices top the general population’s concerns in terms of the impact on their personal finances and their standard of living. Women are generally more concerned with the impact of macroeconomic factors such as inflation, while men are more worried about issues such as stock market volatility and Capital Gains Tax.
Proportion of women/men concerned about macroeconomic/political factors impacting their personal finances
| Factor | Women | Men |
| Energy prices | 85% | 76% |
| Cost-of-living crisis/recession | 83% | 75% |
| Rising inflation | 83% | 75% |
| Global economic downturn | 66% | 62% |
| Rising interest rates | 61% | 54% |
| Geopolitical instability | 52% | 54% |
| Income tax increase | 55% | 54% |
| Stock market volatility | 40% | 45% |
| Property market decline | 39% | 36% |
| Capital gains tax increase | 31% | 33% |
However, men are overall more concerned than women when it comes to personal life factors, such as family disputes and illnesses impacting their finances. Nearly a quarter of men (23%) are worried about the financial impact of divorce, vs 14% of women, for instance.
Proportion of women/men concerned about personal life factors impacting their personal finances
| Factor | Women | Men |
| Scams and fraud | 52% | 45% |
| Death of your partner/spouse | 45% | 40% |
| Retaining family wealth in the event of divorce | 39% | 36% |
| Illness or injury presenting me from work | 35% | 36% |
| Losing my job | 29% | 31% |
| Losing control of family wealth | 25% | 30% |
| Family disputes | 23% | 26% |
| Divorce | 14% | 23% |
The study also found that the average person in the UK spends nearly seven hours a month reviewing their financial commitments, with general household costs and bank accounts taking up the most time – 56 minutes and 50 minutes respectively. Unsurprisingly, nearly two thirds of people (61%) see this time increasing over 2023.
Men are revealed to typically spend 1 hour 47 minutes longer than women reviewing their financial commitments every month. When it comes to pensions and investments, women spend 45% less time reviewing them.
“With so many potential worries on the table and only so much time in the day, it can be hard to know where to focus efforts when it comes to financial plans”, said Lydia King, Head of Wealth Planning at Handelsbanken Wealth & Asset Management.
“It’s important to plan for a range of scenarios, without allowing short-term influences – such as high inflation – to become an obstacle to building robust, long-term financial plans. Getting the right advice from a wealth planner can allow you to home in on the issues that matter, whilst efficiently taking economic growth projections to expected personal spending habits into account.
“We encourage women in particular to seek advice and become more involved in their finances, especially given their high levels of concern. Dishearteningly, our study found lower levels of financial literacy and confidence among women when it comes to financial planning, meaning they often stay away from key financial planning discussions.”
Granton:hub would like to commission a visual artist as part of the recently launched ‘Filling the GAP: Granton Archive Project’ which commenced early 2023 and is based at granton:hub, Edinburgh.
The artist will work with Julie Gibb, Development Worker, and history hub volunteers to initially discuss and identify topics for exhibitions, based on the materials in the archive. These preliminary preparations will then result in the artist planning and delivering two activities inspired by Granton’s heritage.
It is anticipated there will be 2 workshops, one aimed at children and one aimed at adults, followed by an art exhibition to be scheduled in 2023. The artworks from these activities will be photographed and will contribute to the archive.
The artist fee involved is £800 for 2 separate workshop activities, including preparation time, in addition to a separate budget of £220 for materials.
Workshops should be delivered in June or July. Visit our website https://grantonhub.org/art-filling-the-gap/to learn more about this opportunity, filling the GAP project.
National builders’ merchant Jewson has announced its new official charity partner for Scotland and the North, as Whiteleys Retreat in Ayrshire.
Whiteleys Retreat provides free therapeutic respite breaks and extended support for children, young people and their families with cancer or life altering illnesses and was selected by Jewson employees who have a close connection with the cause.
To launch the new partnership and begin its fundraising efforts for Whiteleys Retreat, members of Jewson’s branches across Scotland and the North will don their walking boots and kilts to join the Kiltwalk in Glasgow on 30th April – and walk up to 23 miles through the city, finishing in the idyllic surroundings of Loch Lomond.
As well as regular fundraising events and activities, the builders’ merchant will also assist with construction projects at the retreat, lending its expertise and working with suppliers to source products and services. Collection tins have been installed at every Jewson branch in Scotland and a new 7-a-side football competition is being organised, which will be hosted at Ayr United’s Somerset Park stadium.
Allan Davidson, Regional Director for Scotland, North East and Lakes at Jewson, said: “We support several good causes across Jewson’s national branches, and we are thrilled to welcome Whiteleys Retreat as our new charity partner in Scotland. It’s a fantastic cause which has touched the hearts of many people in our team and provides a vital facility to local families.
“We have set ourselves an ambitious fundraising target, but we are pulling together as a team and with our partners to make sure we reach it. We are committed to supporting Whiteleys Retreat in every way possible, helping them to continue making a huge difference to those who need it most.”
Maxine Allan, CEO of Whiteleys Retreat, said: “We are extremely delighted to be the chosen charity partner of Jewson, who will help us to raise awareness of our cause across Scotland with collection can distribution in all stores and with vital fundraising events throughout the year.
“They are an energetic and enthusiastic team who really believe in helping their local community. Additional thanks must go to Ayr United for introducing us to Jewson. We are looking forward to a very successful year ahead.”
For more information and to make a donation, visit:
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/whiteleysretreatjewson.
