The NEN – North Edinburgh News – Page 1148 – The community media resource for north Edinburgh

National Museums Scotland listings

Family events  

Bird Bingo  
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR  
Until 31 Aug 2022   
10:00-17:00  
A trail around the museum  
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass  

Come and play Bird Bingo at the National Museum of Rural Life!   

Can you find all the birds hiding around the museum? Using the clues on our family trail sheet, see if you can spot different birds in our museum galleries and learn fun facts about them on your journey.  

This family event is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/birdbingo  

Nature Track Packs 
National Museum of Rural Life, Philipshill Road, East Kilbride, G76 9HR  
27 Jun – 19 Aug 2022 
10:00 – 17:00 
Borrow from the ticket desk 
Free with museum admission and Annual Pass 

Explore more at the National Museum of Rural Life this summer with our new Nature Track Packs. 

Each pack contains fun ideas and activities to encourage children to engage all their senses to explore the countryside on a walk up to the farm. 

Nature Track Packs are available to borrow on a first come, first served basis over the summer – just ask on arrival at our ticket desk, then return the pack to the desk once your Track Pack adventure is complete. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/trackpacks 

Summer Satchels 
National Museum of Flight, East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF  
2 Jul – 4 Sep 2022 
10:00 – 17:00 
Free with museum admission 
Just ask at the desk in the Concorde Hangar 

See the National Museum of Flight in a different way this summer with our new family activity satchels. 

Each satchel contains all the equipment and simple instructions for five playful activities to help children explore the museum from a different perspective. The activities are designed to use outside on our spacious site. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/summersatchels 

Magic Carpet Free Pilot Sessions
National Museum of Scotland
26 Jul – 5 Aug 2022
Booking required

We are redeveloping our Magic Carpet sessions for children aged 0-18 months and their adults. In July and August, we are asking families to take part in one of 16 free pilot sessions to help us test new content and provide feedback. 
Visit nms.ac.uk/magic-carpet

Exhibitions & Displays   

National Museum of Scotland  
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF   
Open 10:00–17:00 daily    

The Silver Casket
Until 1 Aug 2022 
Hawthornden Court
Free entry

See an iconic piece of Scotland’s national heritage, the silver casket believed to have been owned by Mary, Queen of Scots. Made in Paris, probably between 1493 and 1510, the casket is a superb and extremely rare work of early French silver.  It is likely that its long-standing association with Mary and her downfall has kept it preserved for over 450 years.  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Silver-Casket   

Book of Hours
Until 3 Aug 2022 
Kingdom of the Scots gallery (Level 1) 
Free entry

Explore the pages of an illustrated prayer book featuring a handwritten poem by a young Mary, Queen of Scots in this display.  

Written in Latin on vellum, the Book of Hours contains 40 exquisite illuminations by a 16th century Master artist. Used for private worship, it belonged to Mary’s great aunt Louise de Bourbon, Abbess of Fontevraud, who is believed to have gifted this precious volume to the young queen.  

The Book of Hours is on loan to National Museums Scotland from The Pininski Foundation, Liechtenstein.  

Visit nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events  

E.Coli by Luke Jerram
3 Aug – 31 Aug 2022 
Grand Gallery
Free entry

 Part of the Edinburgh Art Festival programme, this 90ft long inflatable sculpture by Bristol-based Luke Jerram will be suspended from the ceiling of the National Museum of Scotland’s Grand Gallery. The E.coli is 5 million times bigger than the real bacteria. When standing next to it, does the bacteria alter our personal sense of scale? Does it look scary, beautiful, comical or alien? Will people be attracted or repelled by it?   

Find out more nms.ac.uk/Ecoli   

Japanese Contemporary Design
Until 5 Mar 2023
Exhibition Gallery 3, Level 1
Free entry

NMS Japanese Contemporary Design 1 SA : NMS Japanese Contemporary Design Picture by Stewart Attwood All images © Stewart Attwood Photography 2022. All other rights are reserved. Use in any other context is expressly prohibited without prior permission. No Syndication Permitted.

From striking statement jewellery to prints and porcelain vases, this new free display considers how Japanese contemporary makers have combined innovative and traditional art, craft and design elements over the past five decades.  

The star object is Hitomi Hosono’s A Large Pine Tree Pool, a sculptural porcelain bowl with complex hand-carving made and acquired in 2019. Further highlights include Junko Mori’s intricate New Pinecone Silver Organism, and colourful body adornments by jeweller Suō Emiko’s adapted from metalworking and engraving techniques traditionally used in the making of Japanese sword fittings.  

Visit nms.ac.uk/JapaneseContemporaryDesign    

  
The Typewriter Revolution  
Until 11 Sep 2022  
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3  
Free entry  

The typewriter’s social and technological influence is revealed in this exhibition and looks at its role in society, arts, and popular culture. It traces the effect and evolution of typewriters across more than 100 years, from weighty early machines to modern style icons.  

The impact of the typewriter has been much wider than simply speeding up the way we write. It helped revolutionise the world of work and change the lives of working women in particular. Typewriters helped them launch their own businesses at a time when female employers were rare and became a vital weapon in the fight for the vote.   

Visit nms.ac.uk/Typewriters  

Inspiring Walter Scott
Until 8 Jan 2023
Exhibition Gallery 4, Level 1
Free entry

Following the 250th anniversary of Sir Walter Scott’s birth, experience his novels through objects that inspired him. In this small exhibition we show how Scott drew upon real historical objects for inspiration, placing objects alongside Scott’s words, and the stories in which they feature. While you view these fascinating objects, you can listen to an actor reading extracts from these tales.   
  
In association with Walter Scott 250: Celebrating 250 Years of Scotland’s Greatest Storyteller and supporting Year of Stories 2022.  

Visit nms.ac.uk/WalterScottExhibition  
   

Bernat Klein: Design in Colour
5 Nov 2022 – 23 Apr 2023
Exhibition Gallery 2, Level 3
Free entry

Marking the centenary of his birth, Bernat Klein: Design in Colour will celebrate the work of the influential émigré textile designer.    

Visitors will be able to explore Klein’s creative process and varied career, from providing couture fabrics for fashion designers to his influence on modernist architecture and interior design in the UK and Scandinavia   

Visit nms.ac.uk/BernatKlein  

  
Events  

National Museum of Scotland   
Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF  
Open 10:00–17:00 daily  

Gilded Balloon at the National Museum of Scotland
3 Aug – 28 Aug 2022 
Ticketed

Gilded Balloon are back: bringing Festival fun to the National Museum of Scotland throughout August! 

Brining a colourful line-up: from science for kids to satire for grown-ups, from chat shows to live podcasts. There’s an influencer, a ventriloquist, assorted Fringe favourites and of course a couple of Britain’s Got Talent winners.  

Performers include Scottish treasures Fred MacAulay, Lynn Ferguson and Jack Docherty, alongside Paul Zerdin and assorted puppet pals, Lost Voice Guy, the one and only Chesney Hawkes and even Boris Johnson?! Plus, our own favourite – Comedy Night at the Museum where top comedians improvise a humorous look at our amazing collection.  
 
Find out more on the Gilded Balloon website. 

Museum Socials 
19 Aug 2022 
Third Friday of the month, 10:30–12:00
Free 

Our Museum Socials events are created for anyone affected by Dementia and their relatives, friends and supporters. 

Museum Socials create a friendly environment where everyone is welcome and all contributions are valued. They are suitable for first-time visitors and for those who might not regularly come to the museum, as well as people who have always loved visiting. 

Supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. 

Visit nms.ac.uk/museumsocials 

Death and the City: Edinburgh, Anatomy and the Case of Burke and Hare
30 Aug 2022 
Doors open 18:30, 19:00 – 21:30
£20 Adult, £18 Over 60, £16 concession and Members, £12.50 student
Age 14+ 

Experience an exclusive evening in The University of Edinburgh’s historic Anatomy Lecture Theatre and the National Museum of Scotland’s latest exhibition, as you discover the city’s unique role in the story of anatomy. 

Take a journey through time to discover Edinburgh’s relationship with the search for understanding of the human body. Soak up the atmosphere of The University of Edinburgh’s Anatomy Lecture Theatre before enjoying a welcome drink in the Discoveries gallery at the National Museum of Scotland, just five minutes’ walk away. Complete your evening with a visit to the Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life exhibition. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

Hoarding Histories: Beyond the Galloway Hoard
10 Sep 2022 
14:00 -16:30
Aged 14+ event
Ticketed

Join our expert panel as they discuss the process of hoarding across time and cultures. 

From assembling and burying, to curating and displaying, our panel will give diverse perspectives on this fascinating practice.  

The keynote address will be delivered by Professor Richard Bradley, Emeritus Professor of Archaeology at the University of Reading. 

Find out more nms.ac.uk/hoarding-histories  

Silent Teachers: The Story of Modern Body Donation 
13 Sep 2022 
19:30 – 20:30
Free, with optional donation
Online event

Inspired by our current exhibition, Anatomy: A Matter of Death and Life, our expert panel will discuss the modern approach to anatomical study and body donation in this online event. 

In the 18th century, Edinburgh was Britain’s leading centre for medical teaching. As anatomists sought to understand the human body, the demand for bodies to dissect and study vastly outstripped legitimate supply. As a result, grave robbing became common practice. Since then legislation has ensured bodies used today are acquired, with proper consent, through donation. 

From their perspectives as exhibition curator, professor, medical student and living donor, our expert panel will discuss the modern approach to body donation and contrast the ethics, practices and beliefs of today with those from two centuries ago. 

Book now nms.ac.uk/exhibitions-events 

National Museum of Flight
East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian, EH39 5LF
Open daily 10:00 – 16:00
  

Behind the Scenes Tours 
25 May – 26 Oct 2022 
11:00–12:00 & 14:00–15:00
Object Store
Free with museum admission
Booking required

Find out about our collection of aero-engines and propellers on a curator-led tour of our Object Store. Join Aviation Curator Ian Brown for one of our regular guided tours of the museum’s Object Store. Explore some of the collections not normally on public view and discover the fascinating stories behind them.  

Find out more nms.ac.uk/behind-the-scenes-tours

Operation Sabotage
5 Aug – 14 Aug (except 9 Aug)
Age 14+ event
Ticketed

The year is 1942 and you are stationed at the RAF base at East Fortune. There has been an act of sabotage and one of the aircraft is unknowingly carrying live ordnance with instructions to bomb the town. Solve a series of fiendish puzzles to call off the flight and save North Berwick! Operation Sabotage is an escape room experience for 4-8 people that lasts up to an hour. Working together as a team, you must race against the clock in two Second World War-themed rooms to decipher the identity of the saboteur before it’s too late.

Book now nms.ac.uk/operation-sabotage

For booking, opening times and location details, contact National Museums Scotland on 0300 123 6789 

Traverse celebrates full reopening with announcement of vibrant TRAVFEST22 programme

Audience favourite, James Ley’s riotous Wilf triumphantly runs to Traverse 1
This is Paradise, Michael John O’Neill’s award-winning play, enjoys a full Traverse 2 production
Programme also includes the world premieres of Uma Nada-Rajah’s Exodus and Tabby Lamb’s Happy Meal, Liz Kingsman’s smash-hit One-Woman Show, plus a brand-new spoken word performance from the iconic ALOK

£1 tickets available across all performances for those under 25 or in receipt of low-income benefits
Traverse celebrates new stories for a new era ahead of its 60^th anniversary in 2023

The Traverse has announced our TravFest22 programme, celebrating a return to full strength across our performance spaces, Traverse 1 and Traverse 2. We are delighted to be welcoming audiences back to a full-scale TravFest through a programme of vibrant and brilliant new work spanning a spectrum of stories and perspectives, from queer rom-coms to the dark heart of show business.

Marking the beginning of a bright new era for the Traverse as we build momentum for our 60^th anniversary in 2023, TravFest22 is a celebration of togetherness, and of the incredible resilience and creativity t that theatre, the arts more widely, and every one of us collectively have displayed over the last two years. We are thrilled to offer such a dynamic and varied range of shows for TravFest22, made possible by the determination, ingenuity and passion of everyone involved.

We are especially overjoyed that James Ley’s riotous joyride of a show, Wilf, will be speeding back into Traverse 1, offering audiences a wild tour around Scotland, which, once taken, will never be forgotten … And Michael John O’Neill’s Popcorn Award-winning This is Paradise will justly receive a full-scale Traverse 2 production following a limited staging during TravFest21.

Each of these important and resonant shows have been under further development throughout the past two years, and we are both proud and ecstatic to finally bring them both to full-scale audiences this August.

Making a celebratory return to the streets of Edinburgh is the location-based audio experience Eavesdropping: Walk This Play® by Hannah Lavery and Sarah MacGillivray (ThickSkin in association with Traverse Theatre), which takes audiences on a journey of imagination throughout the festival city, and beyond.

Elsewhere in the programme audiences will be able to enjoy the world premieres of Uma Nada-Rajah’s satirical Exodus (National Theatre of Scotland), Sonya Kelly’s comedic The Last Return (Druid), and Tabby Lamb’s queer rom-com Happy Meal (Roots/Theatre Royal Plymouth with ETT and Oxford Playhouse). Scottish premieres include Liz Kingsman’s universally acclaimed One-Woman Show (Country Mile Productions), ALOK’s new comedy and poetry show ALOK (Soho Theatre), Lauryn Redding’s gig musical Bloody Elle (Cloudrise Productions and Royal Exchange Theatre), Matt Wilkinson’s thrilling Psychodrama (Psycho Productions & Cusack Projects Limited) and the moving Blood Harmony featuring the music of the Staves, co-created by Matthew Bulgo, Jonnie Riordan and Jess Williams (Commissioned and produced by ThickSkin and Lawrence Batley Theatre, in co-production with Watford Palace Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre and supported by the Lowry).

With the generous support of our Festival Companies, we are delighted that a limited number of £1 tickets will be available for each performance in the programme, for those under the age of 25 or in receipt of low-income government benefits, subject to availability.

Further additions to the TravFest22 programme will be announced in the coming weeks.

Linda Crooks, Executive Producer, said: “TravFest22 marks a bold and brave new beginning for the Traverse, ahead of our sixtieth anniversary in 2023. The last two years have undoubtedly been challenging, but we have continued to bring artists and audiences together online, outdoors and when possible, within our spaces to generate new ideas and keep telling new stories.

“Now we are delighted to again be able to present a full-scale, in-person festival programme and welcome our partners, friends and audiences back to a space where they can connect, imagine, plan and get back to those post show debates we’ve all missed so much.

“We are pleased to welcome friends old and new across the programme and cannot wait to share these vital and vibrant pieces of work with the audiences that’s needed to make them complete.“

Gareth Nicholls, Artistic Director, said: “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be worked with so many amazing artists this August – some we know well and others who we are incredibly excited to get to know better.

“The variety and imagination of work on offer this year especially is a testament to everyone who has kept creating throughout these difficult times, and have been unwavering in their determination to keep speaking truth to power, and use their art to confront, comfort and change.

“We are honoured to have them as part of our programme. And it’s especially meaningful for us to be able to bring both James Ley’s ‘Wilf’ and Michael John O’Neill’s ‘This is Paradise’ to full theatres this year, with both pieces sure to offer delight and reflection to audiences. Our hearts are open – and so is the bar – and we can’t wait to see you all here soon!”

TRAVFEST22 PRODUCTIONS

WILF
by James Ley

Traverse Theatre Company

Calvin is going to completely revolutionise his life. Escape his abusive boyfriend, detonate his inner sex bomb, see (and shag) the world!

Now he’s found his partner in crime in Wilf, a rusty Volkswagen Polo which, like Calvin, has seen better days. Together they hit the road on a wild and bumpy ride of greasy takeaways, graveyard orgies and banging 80s power ballads – ending up somewhere they never imagined they’d go.

This riotous and heartfelt play from James Ley (Love Song to Lavender Menace), directed by the Traverse’s Artistic Director Gareth Nicholls (Ulster American), takes audiences on a hilarious and unapologetic ride through Scotland as Calvin and Wilf attempt to escape loneliness, cope with mental illness and learn to love themselves, with the help of one another.

THIS IS PARADISE
by Michael John O’Neill

Traverse Theatre Company

10 April 1998, Belfast.
The Good Friday Agreement is signed, promising peace to Northern Ireland.

Away from all that pageantry, a river is rising in Kate. When a phone call from a desperate young woman compels Kate to return to a relationship she hoped was left in another life, she embarks on a journey which risks breaking the uneasy peace she has since made for herself.

A powerful, intimate and dream-like monologue shot through with the vibrancy of living, Michael John O’Neill’s Popcorn Award-winning This is Paradise, directed by Katherine Nesbitt, explores the ramifications of what happens when one woman is asked to rescue the man who promised to destroy her – and what it takes from any of us to decide to begin again.

Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase – www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com

BLOOD HARMONY

Co-created by Matthew Bulgo, Jonnie Riordan and Jess Williams with music by The Staves

Commissioned and produced by ThickSkin and Lawrence Batley Theatre, in co-production with Watford Palace Theatre and Wales Millennium Centre and supported by the Lowry

Soaring music by Atlantic Records artists, The Staves, combines with bold new writing and dynamic physicality in Blood Harmony, an uplifting and powerful new play with songs about love, loss and legacy.

A fractured trio of sisters are pulled back together with news that turns their worlds upside down. When it feels like your world has come to a stop, how do you find a way to keep moving forward?

Award-winning theatre company, ThickSkin makes a thrilling return to the stage with this highly visual and musically charged production. Created by the company behind the five star hit show How Not To Drown (‘Truly stunning’ ★★★★★ The Scotsman).

BLOODY ELLE

by Lauryn Redding

A Cloudrise Productions and Royal Exchange Theatre Production

This heart-warming and belly-achingly funny story is stuffed full of those stomach-flipping-time-stopping moments, a touch, a glance, a kiss, that everyone will recognise.

Bloody Elle is set to an original score, building loops and layers of sound that make you feel like there is a ten-piece band on stage, transporting the audience to a sweaty, packed out gig in the back of a pub or a 10,000 seat arena.

EXODUS
by Uma Nada-Rajah

National Theatre of Scotland

How far will a politician go?

In her bid to become the country’s leader, Home Secretary Asiya Rao prepares to make a major policy announcement that will establish her as the front-runner of the political race. Alongside her calculating advisor Phoebe, she embarks on a publicity stunt starting with a photo shoot by the white cliffs of Dover. But rather than the tide washing her reputation clean, something else washes up …
An omen or an opportunity? The women are determined to keep their eyes on the prize, no matter the cost, even if it’s a human one.

Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase – www.madeinscotlandshowcase.com

THE LAST RETURN
by Sonya Kelly

Druid

Not all good things come to those who wait.

One final night. One last chance. Five people queue for a ticket to the hottest show in town. All they must do is simply wait in line. But what in life is ever simple?

Who will triumph, who will fail, and who will walk away with… The Last Return?

A new play by acclaimed playwright Sonya Kelly (Once Upon a Bridge, Furniture), The Last Return is a thrilling comedy about conflict, peace and the pursuit of territory at any cost.

HAPPY MEAL
by Tabby Lamb (she/they)

Roots / Theatre Royal Plymouth with ETT and Oxford Playhouse

Join us for an online show irl. Travel back to the quaint days of dial up and MSN, where you’ll follow two strangers on their journeys to become who they always were.

A funny, moving and nostalgic story of transition.

The world premiere of Happy Meal is a joyful queer rom-com where Millennial meets Gen Z and change is all around. Exhilaratingly staged by Jamie Fletcher (she/her), fresh from her acclaimed production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

ALOK

by ALOK

Soho Theatre

ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed writer, performer and public speaker. This is their new comedy and poetry show.

A mixed-media artist, ALOK’s work explores themes of trauma, belonging and the human condition. They are also the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020) and Your Wound/My Garden (2021), and have been honoured as one of HuffPo’s Culture Shifters and NBC’s Pride 50.

ONE-WOMAN SHOW
by Liz Kingsman

Country Mile Productions

The Guardian’s #1 Comedy Show of 2021 comes to the Fringe for a limited run.

A bold, irreverent, raw, moving and triumphant celebration of adjectives, this blurb will nail down nothing.

Times’ Top 5 Comedy Shows of 2021.
Telegraph’s Best Cultural Events of 2021.
“The hands-down funniest live comedy show of 2021.. A tour de force” (Guardian)
“Do everything legal you can to get a ticket” (Evening Standard)
“Fight for a ticket” (Telegraph)
“Superbly funny” (Times)

PSYCHODRAMA
by Matt Wilkinson

Psycho Productions & Cusack Projects Limited

A gripping, at times hilarious revenge tale about an actress in her 40’s under investigation for the murder of an auteur theatre director.

Set against the backdrop of a stage production of Hitchcock’s Psycho, Emily Bruni (Peep Show) plunges us into the dark heart of show business.

Nominated for two Off West End Theatre Awards.

EAVESDROPPING: WALK THIS PLAY®

by Hannah Lavery and Sarah MacGillivray

ThickSkin in association with the Traverse Theatre

Don your headphones and get ready to eavesdrop in this latest solo audio experience from ThickSkin (How Not to Drown). Celebrating the stories and people who are the heartbeat and spirit of Edinburgh, Eavesdropping asks who gets to define a city, who gets to be its guide and whose story matters.

Eavesdropping takes audiences on an adventure through familiar and unfamiliar streets in Scotland’s capital, revealing new sides to and stories of the people who (may) live here. This location-based walking audio play by Hannah Lavery (The Drift) and Sarah MacGillivray (Traverse Young Writer alumni), the latest in ThickSkin’s Walk This Play® series, will encourage audiences to look differently at the rich tapestry of people you may walk past every day, whether you notice them or not.

LISTINGS INFO

Traverse Festival 2022

Thursday 4 – Sun 28 Aug (previews from Sat 30 Jul)

Full programme and booking: https://www.traverse.co.uk/whats-on

For more information, interviews or images, click here or contact press@traverse.co.uk

Monkeypox cases continue to rise

Latest updates on cases of monkeypox identified by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

UKHSA has published the latest epidemiological overview for the ongoing monkeypox outbreak.

Up to 25 July 2022, there were 2,367 confirmed and 65 highly probable monkeypox cases in the UK: 2,432 in total.

To expand the UK’s capability to detect monkeypox cases, some NHS laboratories are now testing suspected monkeypox samples with an orthopox polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test (orthopox is the group of viruses which monkeypox is part of).

Since 25 July 2022, the monkeypox case definition recognises those who are orthopox-positive as highly probable cases, and those who test positive on a monkeypox PCR test as confirmed cases.

Dr Sophia Makki, National Incident Director at UKHSA, said: “Monkeypox cases continue to rise, with the virus being passed on predominantly in interconnected sexual networks.

“Before you have sex, go to a party or event, check yourself for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters.

“If you have monkeypox symptoms, take a break from attending events or sex until you’ve called 111 or a sexual health service and been assessed by a clinician.

“Vaccination will further strengthen our monkeypox response and so we urge all those who are eligible for the vaccine to take it up when offered. It will help protect yourself and others you have had close contact with.

“While the infection is mild for many, it can cause severe symptoms and hospitalisation in some.

“Please remember that the vaccine may not provide complete protection against monkeypox, so it is still important to be alert for the symptoms of monkeypox and call 111 or a sexual health clinic if you develop any.”

The NHS will provide the vaccine to those eligible, so please wait until you are contacted.

While anyone can catch monkeypox, the majority of monkeypox cases in the UK continue to be in gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men (MSM), with the infection being passed on mainly through close contact between people in interconnected sexual networks.

Before you go to a party or event, check yourself for monkeypox symptoms, including rashes and blisters.

If you have monkeypox symptoms, take a break from attending events or sex until you’ve called 111 or a sexual health service and been assessed by a clinician.

It can take up to 3 weeks for symptoms to appear after being in contact with someone with monkeypox, so stay alert for symptoms after you have skin to skin or sexual contact with someone new

NHS 24: Safe summer play for kids – tips and health advice

As part of their summer health campaign, ‘Hello Summer,’ NHS 24 are offering advice about what to do if a child hurts themselves while playing outside during the holidays.

Dr Laura Ryan, a GP and NHS 24’s Medical Director said: ‘We’re halfway through the summer holidays, and as the weather has been so good it has been a great opportunity for young people to play outside and get some exercise.

“While it is brilliant that they are getting a chance to get some fresh air and stretch their legs, this can also mean there is an increased risk of a wee accident.

‘If that happens it is important that you check that there is no serious damage. Ensure that the child is conscious, alert and responding normally. If not, dial 999 and ask for an ambulance.

‘Fortunately, most of the time injuries are small and can be soothed by a cuddle to help with the shock and a dose of child-appropriate painkiller such as Calpol if there is any pain. Your local pharmacist will be happy to provide advice on child medications and treating simple injuries yourself.

‘If your child continues to be in pain, you can check our health information website NHS inform – there’s lots of information and advice there for you. If you think you need more help, call NHS 24 on 111 and our team can assess what is the most appropriate care for your child.

‘If you need to take them to a minor injuries unit for example, we work in partnership with your local health board to arrange the next steps. This could be a call back from their team or an appointment to visit, which should also lessen any waiting time.

‘By following this advice, we hope that many more people will have a happy and stress-free break this summer.’

For more hints and tips on how to stay healthy this summer – https://www.nhsinform.scot/summer

General advice and information on how to stay healthy can be found at www.nhsinform.scot.

Rail strikes: Shapps speaks out

Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps said: “Today (27 July 2022), union bosses are once again trying to cause as much disruption as possible to the day-to-day lives of millions of hardworking people around the country.

“What’s more, it has been cynically timed to disrupt the start of the Commonwealth Games and crucial Euro 2022 semi-finals, in a deliberate bid to impact the travel of thousands trying to attend events the whole country is looking forward to.

“Sadly, this is nothing new. In fact, in my 3 years as Transport Secretary, there has not been a single day when unions have not been in dispute with the rail industry by either threatening or taking industrial action with around 60 separate disputes lodged in 2022 alone.

“This country’s taxpayers stumped up £600 per household to ensure not a single rail worker lost their job during the pandemic, but many of those very same people will be forced into losing a day’s wages through no fault of their own but because of stubborn union leaders’ refusals to modernise.

“Union bosses will claim they’re willing to do a deal but how can anyone take them seriously when, earlier this month, the RMT dismissed a Network Rail offer worth 8% over the next 2 years without even consulting their members.

“Unfortunately, it’s too late to call off today’s damaging strikes but I urge the RMT and indeed all unions to stop holding the country to ransom with the threat of further industrial action and get off picket lines and back around the negotiating table. If not, we risk passengers turning their backs on the railway for good.”

RMT Press Office issued the following statement yesterday:

There are reports based on anonymous briefings from the rail industry to the right-wing media that are wholly inaccurate regarding negotiations in this dispute.

The last offer we had from Network Rail was rejected by our National Executive Committee on 13 July. There has been no new offer since from Network Rail.

Claims about the “sentiment” expressed by Eddie Dempsey and relayed by anonymous industry sources to the Daily Telegraph are factually wrong.

We were optimistic about making enough progress to suspend strike action. That is how we always approach negotiations because RMT is serious about getting a negotiated settlement.

However, that evaporated when Network Rail hardened their position on attacking our members conditions of work and even threatening to put compulsory redundancies back on the table.

Anonymous rail industry sources are attempting to drive a wedge between striking members and our NEC which will fail.

Threatening us as they did with punishing our members with compulsory redundancies and 50% cuts in maintenance schedules is a poor negotiating tactic and will lead to extending the time it takes to reach a deal.

The RMT has not anonymously briefed the media at any point during this dispute or gone into great detail regarding the ins and outs of negotiations that are behind closed doors.

That is because we feel that would be an act of bad faith and the public are more interested in the substantive issues and whether we can reach a settlement.

Our strike action remains on tomorrow (Wednesday) and we will continue to work to get job security, a decent pay rise and good working conditions for our members in Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.

Record number of Green Flag Awards for Scotland’s green spaces

85 Scottish green spaces presented with a Green Flag Award

At a ceremony in Duthie Park, Aberdeen yesterday (26 July), Keep Scotland Beautiful has announced that 85 Scottish green spaces achieved the international Green Flag Award – and 36 of them are in Edinburgh.

The accolade acknowledges quality green open spaces across the country and recognises those who manage these sites, be they local authority staff, volunteers from the local community, or a combination.

The international Green Flag Award acts as a benchmark for recreational outdoor space. The award celebrates well maintained parks and green spaces and supports the opportunities that they provide to enable exercise, improve mental wellbeing and provide safe areas for play – something that has been particularly important to everyone over the last few years. Across the UK 2,208 parks have achieved the award this year.

Amongst the 2022 award winners are spaces managed by local authorities, community groups and various other organisations including NHS Lothian and Scottish Power Renewables.

Amongst others, first time awards have been presented to Lews Castle Grounds in Stornoway, Isle of Lewis; Ninewells Community Garden in Dundee, and Viewfield Park Orchard in Nairn.

A full list of Scotland’s 2022 award winners can be found on our Green Flag Award webpages here.

Jamie Ormiston, our Beaches and Parks Officer, commented: “I would like to congratulate all of Scotland’s award-winning parks. Receiving this prestigious international benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.

“As the only accreditation for park management of its kind in Scotland, we have supported local authority teams, land managers and communities across Scotland to drive up environmental standards at many of our parks and open spaces for residents and visitors alike.

“Parks attract a diverse range of visitors, all of whom look for different facilities and have different expectations. The Green Flag Award, and the collective expertise of managers and communities across Scotland, drives improvements through a framework which supports the management of our environment, our wildlife and the people who visit.

“Scotland’s parks and open spaces attract thousands of visitors every year and I’d encourage everyone to #RespectProtectEnjoy them this summer.”

Rapist jailed for twelve years

A 39-year-old man who committed rape and various sexual offences in Edinburgh and East Lothian between 2006 and 2017 has been jailed.

Mark Anderson, who was previously convicted on Wednesday, 29 June, 2022, was sentenced to 12 years in prison at the High Court in Stirling yesterday (Tuesday, 26 July, 2022).

His offences were committed at various addresses, including Edinburgh and two towns in East Lothian.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hughes, the senior investigating officer, said: “Mark Anderson is a dangerous man who carried out rapes and sexual assaults over a number of years and will now face the consequences of his actions in jail.

“I want to commend the victims of his attacks for being brave enough to come forward and I hope that his sentencing brings them some kind of closure.

“I also want to acknowledge the work done by detectives and criminal justice partners to bring Anderson to justice.

“We always take reports of sexual crime seriously and deal with them in a professional and sensitive manner while providing support for those involved.”

Local government workers vote for strikes across Scotland

Thousands of council workers across Scotland have voted to take industrial action which will disrupt schools, early years centres, nurseries and waste and recycling centres across Scotland.

In the largest strike ballot amongst council workers in over a decade, UNISON members in all councils across Scotland overwhelmingly voted to reject the COSLA final pay offer of 2% with nine local authority branches exceeding the required 50% turnout threshold required by the Trade Union Act.

Johanna Baxter, UNISON head of local government said: “COSLA leaders meet on Friday and must put an improved offer on the table if we are to avoid large-scale disruption to council services across Scotland.

“Council workers south of the border yesterday were offered a flat rate uplift of £1925, which for those on the lowest pay equates to a 10.5% increase. You have to wonder why council workers north of the border have only been offered a measly 2% increase when the cost of living continues to spiral. UNISON have been calling for a flat rate payment to help those on lower incomes. Most council workers earn less than £25k per year.

“It is clear now that local government workers have had enough and are prepared to strike in the coming weeks unless we see a sensible offer, from COSLA, on the table on Friday.

“This is the largest strike ballot by local government workers in over a decade and the first-time workers across Scotland have voted to take strike action in these numbers. It really shouldn’t take this for them to receive the recognition, respect and reward that they deserve.”

Police recruitment campaign

Do you want a job where you make a difference? We’re recruiting police officers across Scotland now!

No two days are the same for our police officers but every day they keep people safe. You can be called to a report of a housebreaking then go to deal with a road crash. After that you might be taking a statement from a domestic abuse victim and then speaking to school pupils about keeping safe online.

Helping people at some of their worst times is at the heart of what we do and it is very rewarding.

Are you ready to join us and be the difference your community needs?

Visit our website to apply today: http://ow.ly/TpNa50JQONW

#BeTheDifference

Top five storage tips to make your food go further

With the rising cost of living, we’re all trying to find ways to make our weekly shop go further. As well as shopping smarter, did you know that you can actually prolong the life of some of your food shop staples, just with a few simple storage hacks.

We caught up with food industry expert Hannah Anderson, CEO of ethical online food brand 44 Foods to get some of her storage hacks that won’t just help your food last longer but will reduce food waste too.

1. Resist the rinse

“When you’re buying loose fruits or vegetables from the supermarket or your local food producer, it can be tempting to head straight to the sink when you get home to give them a good wash before they go in the fridge.

“In fact, when it comes to making your food last longer, it’s actually best to only wash your fruit or veggies just before you use them. Washing ingredients straight away can leave excess moisture which, once you’ve stored them, can lead to quicker mould growth. So if you want to make the most of your fresh produce, resist the rinse!”

2. Suss out your fridge shelves

“Where you store your food in the fridge can impact how long things last. It goes back to your science classes at school – heat rises and it’s the same principle within your fridge. The bottom of your fridge is cooler than the top which is why most fridges have a crisper drawer at the very bottom because that’s where it’s the least humid, making it perfect for veggies, salad items and fruits.

“Fresh meat should always be stored on the lower shelves as again, it’s colder and this will help your meat to last longer. The higher shelves are best for prepared foods – so things like leftovers are best up here as they’re things you want to use quickly and it’s the warmest part of the fridge. Remember though, not everything needs to go in the fridge and things like potatoes and onions do best in a cool, dark, well ventilated area.”

3. Say cheese

“Have you ever wondered why cheese bought at the supermarket will usually come in plastic wrap whereas if you pick some up from a local farm shop, it’s usually wrapped in some kind of parchment paper? As some of our expert 44 Foods cheese producers will tell you, that’s because paper wrappings allow cheese to breathe which plastic doesn’t. Cheese needs to take in oxygen, which not only helps the flavour but helps it to last longer and by wrapping it in plastic or cling film, you create the perfect environment for bacteria to grow. So when it comes to cheese, parchment is best.”

4. The sniff test

“Some major supermarkets like Morrisons and the Co-Op have already scrapped the use of use-by dates on things like milk and yoghurts in a bid to reduce food waste. With a mission to reduce food waste, we’re all for it and we’d always recommend the good old fashioned sniff test! Milk has a distinctive sour smell when it’s gone off so that’s the number one sign but if your milk starts to take on a yellow colour or starts to go lumpy, it’s time to get rid. If it still smells fresh, you’re good to go!”

5. The great egg debate

“There’s long been a debate on the best way to store eggs to keep them fresher for longer – to fridge or not to fridge? According to British Lion eggs, to keep your eggs fresh, the fridge really is the best place for them. We also recommend keeping your eggs in the carton they come in. Although lots of fridges come with their own egg storage trays, the cardboard carton is the original and the best for a very good reason – eggshells have tiny pores which can take in bacteria or even smells from other foods around them. The carton protects them from all of that making them last longer. Plus, you can recycle the cardboard carton too!”

For more tips on how to get the most out of your food or to find out more about reducing your food waste, visit www.44foods.com