The British Veterinary Association (BVA) has warned pet owners of the risks posed by unsuitable food and other festive perils over the Christmas season.
Traditional treats, presents, decorations and chocolates will be arriving in many households this month. But these seemingly innocent pleasures must be stored securely by pet owners if they want to protect their pets and avoid an emergency trip to the vets this year.
Chocolate, raisins and other dried fruit – such as that in mince pies or Christmas puddings – onion, garlic, xylitol in sugar-free products and seasonal decorations like mistletoe and holly can all be dangerous, and even fatal, to dogs and cats if eaten. BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession research carried out last year revealed that four in five companion animal vets saw at least one case of toxic ingestion over the 2021/2022 festive period.
Our most recent stats showed that 76% of vets saw cases of chocolate poisoning and 69% saw dogs taken unwell after easing raisins or sultanas. Around a fifth (19%) reported cases caused by the artificial sweetener Xylitol. Foreign body ingestion in dogs was also common, with gifts for humans, being the most common cause (14%) while consumption of Christmas decorations and gifts for pets (12%) were also highlighted by vets as causing issues.
And dogs weren’t the only animals requiring emergency treatment: more than a quarter of vets (27%) also saw cases of toxic ingestion in cats, who were most likely to have ingested non-food items such as seasonal plants like holly or mistletoe (reported by 18% of vets) or antifreeze (seven per cent). Thirteen per cent of vets saw cats with foreign body ingestion.
British Veterinary Association Junior Vice President Liz Mullineaux, said: “Vets across the country will be on call over Christmas but there’s nothing we’d like more than empty waiting rooms and all of our patients safe at home.
“Unfortunately, the fun human festivities include a lot of potential perils for pets. So we strongly recommend being vigilant and taking a few key precautions to keep your pets happy and healthy over the festive period.
“Keep all tempting treats, decorations and anything else a pet may mistake for food out of their reach to prevent an emergency visit to the vet. We also recommend keeping pets to their normal diets and avoiding feeding them any human food. But if you are concerned your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t, please do contact your vet as soon as possible.”
Top tips for keeping Christmas hazard-free for pets
Protect your pet from poisons: A range of festive treats and traditions, such as chocolate in advent calendars and sweets, raisins, xylitol (found in sugar-free treats), nuts, grapes, liquorice, poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are toxic to cats and dogs.
Keep decorations out of reach: Ribbons, wrapping paper, baubles, tinsel and tree lights can seem like appealing playthings to cats and dogs but can be very dangerous if broken, chewed or swallowed. Batteries for Christmas gifts also need to be kept safe as, if ingested, they may cause severe chemical burns to the mouth, throat and stomach.
Forget festive food for pets: We all enjoy a richer diet over Christmas, but fatty foods and Christmas dinners shouldn’t be shared with the animals of the household. They can trigger sickness and diarrhoea or other conditions from gastroenteritis to pancreatitis, so try to stick to your pet’s regular diet and routine. Too many treats can also lead to pet obesity.
Keep away the bones: Cooked bones, including turkey bones, should not be given to pets as they can splinter and puncture the digestive tract.
Know where to go: Even with all the care in the world, animal accidents and emergencies can still happen. Make sure you’re prepared by checking your vet’s emergency cover provision and holiday opening hours or, if you are away from home, use the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons’ Find a Vet facility.
Amended UN Convention on the Rights of the Child Bill passed
A Bill to provide greater protection of children’s rights has been passed by the Scottish Parliament for a second time.
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) Bill requires Scotland’s public authorities to protect children’s human rights in their decision-making when delivering functions conferred by Acts of the Scottish Parliament. It also allows for children, young people and their representatives to use the courts to enforce their rights.
Several sections of the original Bill, which was passed unanimously in 2021, were ruled by the Supreme Court to be outwith the Scottish Parliament’s legislative competence, following referral by the UK Government. MSPs have now backed an amended bill with reduced scope.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “This Bill is an important milestone in ensuring that children’s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled under Scots law.
“Although Scotland will become the first devolved nation in the world to incorporate the convention into domestic law, we are limited in what we can achieve because of the nature of the devolution settlement.
“We’ve had to limit the scope of this Bill because of legal action taken by the UK Government. That is deeply disappointing. So, while this Bill is undoubtedly a step in the right direction, it remains the case that the only way to protect children’s rights in the delivery of all public services in Scotland is for the UK Government to fully implement UNCRC. Unfortunately for Scotland’s children and young people, they remain firmly opposed to such action.”
Chair of the Scottish Youth Parliament Mollie McGoran MSYP said: “The passing of the UNCRC Incorporation Bill is an important step in Scotland’s human rights journey.
“Whilst there has been challenges, this is a momentous day for the children and young people who have long campaigned for their rights to be respected in law and I want to thank and congratulate everyone who has worked for UNCRC incorporation.
“Decision makers and duty bearers in Scotland must now work towards embedding and respecting children and young people’s rights in every aspect of Scottish life. We want Scotland to be the best place in the world to grow up and this is now an incredible opportunity to make that a reality.”
Member of Children’s Parliament Omima said: “I think the change is definitely going to be gradual.
“But I think if it is up there, and children know “all my rights do matter enough to be put into law” then they’re going to start valuing themselves more, and valuing the way that they’re treated and the way that adults especially treat them.
“I think that’s just to me a big pick up for our generation – to make us feel as if we are heard and valued as people not just as children.
On Wednesday (6 December), Foysol Choudhury MSP chaired the Cross-Party Group (CPG) on Improving Scotland’s Health.
The CPG focuses on action which could be taken, such as reducing the consumption of alcohol, tobacco and unhealthy foods, to reduce illness and deaths in Scotland such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.
Wednesday’s CPG saw a presentation from Paul Johnston, Chief Executive of Public Health Scotland, about Public Health Scotland’s Economy and Poverty Programme, health trends and the importance of addressing health-harming commodities.
Following the meeting, Convener Foysol Choudhury MSP has also highlighted the concerning health disparities between Scotland’s richest and poorest communities.
Mr Choudhury said: “The concerning health trends we heard about at the meeting have raised alarm bells for me yet again about the disparity in life expectancy between Scotland’s richest and poorest communities.
“This is something I have raised before and will continue to raise until we see improvements in the quality of life for all in Scotland-until a time when where you are born will not affect your chance to live a long and healthy life.
“CEO of Public Health Scotland Paul Johnston noted in his presentation on Wednesday that change is possible, if we invest time, energy and resources into prevention now.
“That is why the work of this CPG is so vital, to ensure action is taken and preventative frameworks are put in place to support the future of Scotland’s health for the next generation.”
People of Gaza ‘Being Told to Move like Human Pinballs’, but Nowhere Is Safe, Secretary-General Tells Security Council, pleading for humanitarian ceasefire
UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the Security Council briefing on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, in New York yesterday:
Thank you for convening this Security Council meeting in response to my letter of 6 December on the situation in Gaza and Israel.
I wrote to the Security Council invoking Article 99 because we are at a breaking point.
There is a high risk of the total collapse of the humanitarian support system in Gaza, which would have devastating consequences. We anticipate that it would result in a complete breakdown of public order and increased pressure for mass displacement into Egypt.
I fear the consequences could be devastating for the security of the entire region. We have already seen the spillover in the occupied West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen.
There is clearly, in my view, a serious risk of aggravating existing threats to the maintenance of international peace and security.
The risk of collapse of the humanitarian system is fundamentally linked with a complete lack of safety and security for our staff in Gaza, and with the nature and intensity of military operations, which are severely limiting access to people in desperate need.
The threat to the safety and security of United Nations staff in Gaza is unprecedented. More than 130 of my colleagues have already been killed, many with their families. This is the largest single loss of life in the history of our Organization.
Some of our staff take their children to work so they know they will live or die together. Colleagues have shared heartbreaking messages from staff members pleading for help.
The Under-Secretary-General of the Department of Safety and Security has advised me that all possible means of mitigating the risk to staff within Gaza, short of evacuation, are closed off, because of the way this conflict has evolved.
I cannot emphasize strongly enough that the UN is totally committed to stay and deliver for the people of Gaza.
I pay tribute to the heroic humanitarian aid workers who remain committed to their work, despite the enormous dangers to their health and their lives.
But the situation is simply becoming untenable.
This Council called in resolution 2712 (2023) for “the scaling up of the provision of such supplies to meet the humanitarian needs of the civilian population, especially children”. I deeply regret to inform the Council that under current conditions on the ground, the fulfilment of this mandate has become impossible.
The conditions for the effective delivery of humanitarian aid no longer exist.
The crossing point at Rafah was not designed for hundreds of trucks and is a major bottleneck.
But even if sufficient supplies were permitted into Gaza, intense bombardment and hostilities, Israeli restrictions on movement, fuel shortages, and interrupted communications, make it impossible for UN agencies and their partners to reach most of the people in need.
Between 3 and 5 December — the two days preceding my letter — the UN could only distribute aid in one of Gaza’s five governorates — Rafah. Elsewhere, access was impossible.
People are desperate, fearful and angry. In some cases, they have expressed that anger towards our staff.
All this takes place amid a spiralling humanitarian nightmare.
First, there is no effective protection of civilians.
More than 17,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the start of Israel’s military operations. This includes more than 4,000 women and 7,000 children. Tens of thousands are reported to have been injured, and many are missing, presumably under the rubble. All these numbers are increasing by the day.
Attacks from air, land and sea are intense, continuous and widespread. So far, they have reportedly hit 339 education facilities, 26 hospitals, 56 health-care facilities, 88 mosques and three churches.
Over 60 per cent of Gaza’s housing has reportedly been destroyed or damaged — some 300,000 houses and apartments.
Some 85 per cent of the population have been forced from their homes.
The people of Gaza are being told to move like human pinballs — ricocheting between ever-smaller slivers of the south, without any of the basics for survival.But nowhere in Gaza is safe.
At least 88 United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) shelters have been hit, killing over 270 people and injuring over 900.
Conditions in shelters are overcrowded and unsanitary. People nurse open wounds. Hundreds of people stand in line for hours to use one shower or toilet. Families who have lost everything sleep on bare concrete floors, wearing clothes they have not changed for two months.
Tens of thousands of Palestinians arrived in Rafah in recent days, overwhelming shelters there. Many displaced families — including children, older people, pregnant women and people with disabilities — are sleeping in streets and public spaces across the city.
Second, Gazans are running out of food.
According to the World Food Programme (WFP), there is a serious risk of starvation and famine.
In northern Gaza, 97 per cent of households are not eating enough. In the south, the figure among displaced people is 83 per cent. Half the people of the north and more than one third of displaced people in the south are simply starving.
WFP’s own food stocks are running out.
In the north, 9 out of 10 people have spent at least one full day and night without food.
The last functioning flour mill in Gaza was destroyed on 15 November.
WFP has provided food and cash assistance to hundreds of thousands of people across Gaza since the crisis began, and is ready to scale up its operations. However, that would require effective access to all people in need, and at least 40 trucks of food supplies every day — many times the current level.
Third, Gaza’s health system is collapsing while needs are escalating.
At least 286 health workers have been killed.
Hospitals have suffered heavy bombardment. Just 14 out of 36 are still functioning. Of these, three are providing basic first aid, while the others are delivering partial services.
The European Gaza Hospital, one of the two main hospitals in southern Gaza, has 370 beds. It is currently housing 1,000 patients and an estimated 70,000 people seeking shelter.
There are critical shortages of drugs, blood products and medical supplies. Fuel to run the hospitals is severely rationed. Many patients are being treated on the floor and without anaesthetics.
As patients with life-threatening injuries continue to arrive, wards are overflowing and staff are overwhelmed.
At the same time, the unsanitary conditions in shelters and severe shortages of food and water are leading to increases in respiratory infections, scabies, jaundice and diarrhoea.
Everything I have just described represents an unprecedented situation that led to my unprecedented decision to invoke Article 99, urging the members of the Security Council to press to avert a humanitarian catastrophe, and appealing for a humanitarian ceasefire to be declared.
We are all aware that Israel began its military operation in response to the brutal terror attacks unleashed by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups on 7 October.
I unreservedly condemn those attacks. I am appalled by the reports of sexual violence. There is no possible justification for deliberately killing some 1,200 people, including 33 children, injuring thousands more, and taking hundreds of hostages.
Some 130 hostages are still held captive. I call for their immediate and unconditional release, as well as their humane treatment and visits from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) until they are freed.
At the same time, the brutality perpetrated by Hamas can never justify the collective punishment of the Palestinian people.
And while indiscriminate rocket fire by Hamas into Israel and the use of civilians as human shields are in contravention of the laws of war, such conduct does not absolve Israel of its own violations.
International humanitarian law includes the duty to protect civilians and to comply with the principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution.
The laws of war also demand that civilians’ essential needs must be met, including by facilitating the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian relief.
International humanitarian law cannot be applied selectively. It is binding on all parties equally at all times, and the obligation to observe it does not depend on reciprocity.
The people of Gaza are looking into the abyss. The international community must do everything possible to end their ordeal.
I urge the Council to spare no effort to push for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, for the protection of civilians, and for the urgent delivery of life-saving aid.
While we deal with the current crisis, we cannot lose sight of the only viable possibility for a peaceful future: a two-State solution, on the basis of United Nations resolutions and international law, with Israel and Palestine living side by side in peace and security. This is vital for Israelis, Palestinians, and for international peace and security.
The eyes of the world — and the eyes of history — are watching. It’s time to act.
While all other members of the Security Council supported the call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the United States used it’s veto and the UK abstained.SO THE SLAUGHTER GOES ON …
UNRWA is the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East.
The United Nations General Assembly established UNRWA in 1949 with a mandate to provide humanitarian assistance and protection to registered Palestine refugees in the Agency’s area of operations pending a just and lasting solution to their plight.
UNRWA’s Phillipe Lazzarini writes: “In my 35 years of work in complex emergencies, I never have expected to write such a letter, predicting the killing of my staff & the collapse of the mandate I am expected to fulfill #Gaza
The letter reads:
“Yesterday, I wrote to the President of the UN General Assembly to inform him that UNRWA’s ability to continue delivering its mandate in Gaza has now become very limited. With constant bombardment, low and irregular flow of food and other humanitarian supplies into the Gaza Strip compared to the immense needs of displaced people in our overcrowded shelters and outside, UNRWA’s ability to assist and protect people is reducing fast.
“As I sent my letter to the President of the General Assembly, I took note of the UN Secretary-General’s decision to invoke Article 99 of the UN Charter, as the threats of the current conflict on international peace, security and on the lives of nearly the entire population in Gaza are very real.
“UNRWA is the primary provider for humanitarian assistance to over 2.2 million people in Gaza. Half of them have sought shelter in UNRWA facilities which, despite the fact they are meant to be protected under international humanitarian law, have not been spared in the relentless bombardment of Gaza. 270 displaced people were killed inside them, and nearly 1,000 were injured.
“More than 130 UNRWA colleagues have been killed, most with their families. At least 70 per cent of UNRWA staff have been displaced. Many multiple times. Those who are still working strive to still provide food assistance and health care. They take their children to work so they know they are safe or that if they die, they will die together.
“In my 35 years of work in complex emergencies, I would never have expected to write such a letter, predicting the killing of my staff and the collapse of the mandate I am expected to fulfill.
“I urge all member states to take immediate actions to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, enforce international law including the protection of civilians, UN staff, UN premises including shelters, medical facilities and all civilian infrastructure and protect the prospects for a political solution vital to peace and stability and the rights for Palestinians, Israelis, the region and beyond.
“Calling for an end to the decimation of the lives of Palestinians in Gaza is not a denial of the abhorrent attacks of 7 October in Israel. It is the opposite. It is a recognition of the equal rights of all people. Our response to the situation in Gaza today will mark the history of the General Assembly – the gathering of all nations of the world – and the entire UN.”
Statement by UK’s Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly meeting on humanitarian aid
Thank you, Mr President. Colleagues, every year we meet here to reflect on global humanitarian needs. Yet again, we are faced with a sobering picture. 258 million people do not know where their next meal is coming from.
One in five children are living in or fleeing from conflict. One in 73 people are displaced, a number which has doubled in the last ten years. We are simultaneously witnessing dire humanitarian situations in Israel and Gaza, Sudan, Syria, and in Ukraine. Alongside many more across the world. The levels of need are overwhelming the humanitarian systems. Colleagues, we all have a role, and a stake, in reversing these worrying trends.
President, on 20 November our Prime Minister launched the UK’s International Development White Paper. This sets out our commitment to getting the Sustainable Development Goals back on track. And it includes a strong commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in the face of ever-growing needs driven by conflict and climate. We will focus on three key areas.
First, we will invest in an effective humanitarian system. We will contribute $1.2 billion to humanitarian assistance from 2024 to 2025. And we will also establish a UK Humanitarian Crisis Response Fund for specialist technical expertise, search and rescue, and emergency medical teams. We call on all Member States, including new and emerging donors and partners, to step up their support.
Second, we are shaping a system that is accountable to the people it serves. The UK is proud to have supported the START network from its inception to deliver rapid, early and locally-led humanitarian action around the world. We will invest more in local leadership on humanitarian action and will explore how our engagement, terminology, delivery, and approach can change to support local partnerships.
Third, we will build a system which can anticipate shocks and act early. This is proven to mitigate the impacts of disasters, save more lives and deliver value for money. We will continue to champion the CERF’s scale up of a system-wide approach to ‘Early Action’, including through our contribution of a further $65 million to the fund this year. Finally, colleagues, we must prevent today’s problems from turning into tomorrow’s crises.
This will need a whole of system response, in partnership with the UN, civil society, the International Financial Institutions, and, increasingly, the private sector. This is why, alongside our humanitarian efforts, we are supporting initiatives that will reduce need and prevent humanitarian caseloads.
We will scope a separate fund alongside our humanitarian funding, to build in climate resilience and adaptation alongside delivery of humanitarian relief. This will reduce the impact of future disasters and help communities to prepare and adapt for crises that we can anticipate.
And we will continue to advocate for compliance with international humanitarian law and for sustainable and inclusive ends to conflicts which remain the greatest blocker to development and prosperity. We look forward to working with you all to deliver this.
JUDGES have ruled that the UK Government’s block of Scottish gender legislation was LEGAL.
The Holyrood parliament passed legislation to make it easier for people to change their sex last year, but the UK Government blocked the law, arguing that Scotland’s gender law would impact on equality laws across all countries of the UK
The Scottish Government challenged Westminster’s action through the courts, but yesterday The Court of Session in Edinburgh upheld the UK Government’s decision.
The Scottish Government is studying the detail of the judgement and has yet to make an official statement, but First Minister said the Supreme Court judgement marks ‘a dark day for democracy’.
Scottish Secretary Alister Jack takes a different view, of course.
The Secretary of State for Scotland, Rt Hon Alister Jack MP said: “I welcome the Court’s judgment, which upholds my decision to prevent the Scottish Government’s gender recognition legislation from becoming law.
“I was clear that this legislation would have had adverse effects on the operation of the law as it applies to reserved matters, including on important Great Britain-wide equality protections.
“Following this latest Court defeat for the Scottish Government, their ministers need to stop wasting taxpayers’ money pursuing needless legal action and focus on the real issues which matter to people in Scotland – such as growing the economy and cutting waiting lists.”
The Scottish Government is unlikely to take Mr Jack’s advice and has 21 days to decide whether to lodge an appeal.
Aldi store colleagues in Edinburgh & The Lothians are to get a pay rise, which will see Aldi become the first supermarket in the UK to guarantee store and warehouse colleagues pay of at least £12 an hour.
This move makes Aldi the first supermarket to offer rates in line with the Real Living Wage that was set by the Living Wage Foundation in October this year.
Store Assistants’ pay will rise further to £12.95 nationally, and £13.85 within the M25, based on the length of service as part of Aldi’s £67m investment into colleague pay.
Aldi is also the only supermarket to offer paid breaks, which for the average store colleague is worth an additional £900 annually.
Giles Hurley, Chief Executive Officer of Aldi UK and Ireland, said: “Just as we promise to provide the best value to our customers, we are also committed to being the highest-paying supermarket within the sector – which is why we are investing more than ever into this pay rise.
“We are incredibly proud of every single member of Team Aldi and this is a way of thanking them for all their hard work over the past year. We believe our colleagues are the best in the sector and they play a huge part in making Aldi what it is today.”
The news comes in just as Aldi has been named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket, according to consumer champion Which? (November 2023). Aldi was also named the UK’s Cheapest Supermarket in both 2021 and 2022.
Aldi’s commitment to being the cheapest supermarket shows no sign of slowing, having made over £360m of price reductions across 800 items so far this year.
Aldi is the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket and has more than 1,000 stores, 11 regional distribution centres and 40,000 colleagues across Britain.
Three Edinburgh projects were honoured at the Scottish Public Service Awards 2023 this week (December 6).
The awards, which are in their tenth year, are run by Holyrood Communications in partnership with the Scottish Government and the Scottish Parliament to help celebrate the contribution of public servants.
Edinburgh’s response to supporting Ukrainian refugees was a standout of the evening winning two awards.
Edinburgh’s Warm Scots Welcome is a community and voluntary sector partnership which has helped welcome more than 11,000 Ukrainian refugees since the Russian invasion early last year.
The initiative, which was organised in collaboration between the City of Edinburgh Council, Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations Council (EVOC) and Volunteer Edinburgh (VE), won the Voluntary Sector Partnership Award.
The Edinburgh Ukrainian Welcome Hub also won the Commercial Partnerships Award.
This was a partnership between the City of Edinburgh Council and NatWest Group/Royal Bank of Scotland which has supported Ukrainians arriving in Scotland by providing property and facilities management, opening bank accounts, raising aid, distributing donations, volunteering, running events, giving specialist expertise, and offering women and girls tech training and employment.
Approximately 3,000 Ukrainians (representing up to 900 households), currently reside in Edinburgh, with over 350 children and young people in our education system.
There was also a victory for the Integrated Regional Employability and Skills Programme (IRES), as part of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal programme, which took the Project and Programme Management Award.
IRES seeks to evolve regional labour market policy and practice to drive inclusive growth, promising to deliver an additional 14,700 skill improvements across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region and help 5,300 people into employment.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m absolutely delighted to see the fantastic work in our city being recognised.
“Edinburgh’s solidarity and support for Ukraine and the Ukrainians who now call Edinburgh home is unwavering. These awards highlight the extensive partnership work between local government, third sector, private sector and other partners that has taken place across the city since the start of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine in February 2022.
“As we shift our focus from welcoming our Ukrainian guests to helping with settling into their new lives here in Edinburgh, this strength of partnership is as important as ever. I’d like to wholeheartedly thank all our partners and the people of Edinburgh for all their efforts.
“Employment, upskilling, and improving the working lives of our residents are also key priorities, and it’s great to see that these have been recognised in IRES’s award.”
Leading Scottish community retailer, Scotmid has launched a festive campaign to help customers get into the Christmas spirit – saving money and helping the environment.
They have set up stations in store so shoppers can ‘Save a Christmas Jumper’, either by donating or taking away free snowy sweatshirts and nativity knitwear.
The initiative will run in more than 50 stores, including those in Edinburgh from today.
An environmental charity reported that a third of young adults purchase a new Christmas jumper every year, with hundreds of thousands of jumpers later ending up in UK waste streams.[1]
Lynne Ogg, a Communities Manager at Scotmid said: “We know how expensive Christmas time can be. We hope this initiative brings some festive fun to local communities as well as a new lease of life for those tinselly tops. We look forward to seeing customers get a merry makeover in store!”
The initiative will be running until mid-December, so shoppers have time to get those holiday knits in for Christmas jumper days. There are posters in the store directing customers to the drop bins.
Scotmid is Scotland’s largest independent co-operative and has been at the heart of Scottish communities since 1859. Our businesses include Scotmid Co-operative, Lakes & Dales Co-operative, Semichem, Funeral Directors, Post Offices and our property division.
The Society employs almost 3,500 people in Scotland, Northern Ireland and the North of England. Scotmid is a co-operative society, owned by its members, who each have an equal say in how we are run. Our core purpose is to serve our local communities and improve people’s everyday lives.
Stores across Edinburgh taking part in ‘The Christmas Jumper Swap’ are:
Members of the UK’s leading vegan charity, Viva!, will be handing out free mince pies at Royal Mile (High Street) in Edinburgh this Saturday (9 December), as part of their latest Christmas campaign.
Staff and volunteers will be speaking to members of the public to encourage them to opt for a vegan Christmas this year, which campaigners say is the only way for Christmas to be truly cruelty-free.
Every year in the UK, millions of turkeys are slaughtered for human consumption during the festive period. In addition to the turkeys who lose their lives, large numbers of pigs, salmon and other animals are killed just so that Brits can eat them. Viva! is taking to the streets to educate people that delicious vegan alternatives exist, so that no animals have to die this festive season.
As well as handing out free mince pies, the team will be showing footage from Viva!’s undercover investigations that expose the reality of factory farming, as well as handing out leaflets and guides to help people transition to a vegan lifestyle.
In addition to the event in Edinburgh on 8 December between 12 and 4pm, the team will also be taking this Christmas campaign toCardiff, Queen Street (3 – 7pm, 14 December 2023).
Speaking of the upcoming Christmas tour, Viva!’s managing director, Laura Hellwig, said: “Every year, millions of animals are killed just so humans can eat them for Christmas dinner.
“These animals typically live short, unhappy lives in cramped conditions on factory farms. Given that Christmas is a time for love and compassion, it doesn’t feel right that this sentiment isn’t extended to the animals we share the planet with!
“Viva! is encouraging people to choose kindness this Christmas by opting for plant-based alternatives to animal products. These vegan alternatives not only spare animals from suffering or death but they’re also better for the planet, as animal agriculture is a leading cause of the climate emergency.
“You can try out some delicious vegan festive recipes at viva.org.uk/xmas.”
To find out more and get involved, head to Viva!’s website.
Ken Currie’s Unknown Man, a portrait of the preeminent forensic anthropologist, Professor Dame Sue Black, has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland.
This arresting portrait has been on long loan to the gallery since 2021 but has now been secured for the nation permanently. This acquisition ensures the continued enjoyment of this poignant work, currently available to view for free at the Portrait gallery.
Unknown Man depicts one of the most distinguished, internationally famous contemporary Scots, Professor Black. Currie’s large-scale painting shows her in surgical robes standing behind the covered remains of a body.
The idea for the portrait grew when Currie and Professor Black met during a BBC Radio 4 discussion on the relationship between art and anatomy.
Currie later visited the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee, where Professor Black was Director. The artist was so moved by the work he encountered there that he asked her to sit for a portrait.
The title Unknown Man was given by Currie and relates to the essential aim of a forensic anthropologist – to identify remains and restore the identity of the deceased – while also referencing the covered body depicted in the painting.
Currie bestows Professor Black with the qualities of impassivity and sternness in his portrait. She stands, stock still and full-face, arms spread equally, holding the trolley before her. Professor Black wears dull blue scrubs and before her, under the dark green shroud, is stretched the most minimal or rudimentary indication of the corpse – which could be said to be the attribute of her profession.
Artist Ken Currie (born 1960) is renowned for his unsettling portrayal of the human figure, often large-scale, dramatic canvasses of startling originality.
His work prompts powerful responses as he deals with difficult, profound themes through figurative paintings which are carefully considered and painstakingly executed.
Currie’s subjects often emerge from darkness, suggesting fearful dramas which are all the more disturbing because so much is suggested but not explicitly articulated.
Currie also has another much-loved work in the national collection, Three Oncologists. This 2002 painting depicts three professors who were leading innovators in cancer research at the University of Dundee and its affiliated teaching hospital, Ninewells.
It shows the three, emerging from the darkness as modern-day heroes, battling on our behalf on the front line between life and death. Currie regards Unknown Man as being connected to Three Oncologists, and a progression from this work.
With both works currently on display in The Modern Portrait exhibition, visitors have a special opportunity to experience both in the same space. Unknown Man gives rise to strong feelings and emotions. Professor Black had a visibly emotional reaction when she saw the painting for the first time in 2021.
Sir John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries ofScotland said: “We are delighted to have acquired this powerful and moving work which has already generated a lot of interest and comment from our visitors.
“The Portrait gallery provides the perfect setting for this outstanding painting which now has a permanent home alongside other images of pioneers in the fields of science, sport and the arts.”
Professor Sue Black, said: “It was such a wonderful experience to work with Ken and I am so grateful that the portrait has been so well received even if it is a bit scary!
“I feel honoured that this has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland and secured for the nation permanently. It all feels more than a little surreal.”
Ken Currie, said: “I am delighted that Unknown Man has been acquired by the National Galleries of Scotland and will continue to hang in the Portrait gallery where it will hopefully inspire a new generation of young women to follow in the illustrious footsteps of Sue Black.”
Jenny Waldman, Director of Art Fund, said: “I’m so pleased that Art Fund has been able to support the National Galleries of Scotland to acquire this important painting.
“I am sure that it will continue to delight and inspire visitors to the Portrait gallery for many years to come.”
