Tails will be wagging this weekend when the ‘Lewis Leap’ Dog Show takes place at the Cammo Estate on Sunday 20th August, between 2 and 5 pm.
The annual show, now in its second year, celebrates all kinds of canine capers – with judging categories including ‘waggiest tail’ to ‘cutest puppy’ and the ‘most fabulous costume for both dog and owner.’
As well as nine judging categories – which culminate in the prestigious ‘Best on Show’ award – there is also a host of other fun attractions including food stalls (hotdogs, naturally), tombola and doggy merchandise. There is even a special ‘Dog Bar’ catering for the stars of the show serving ‘Puppuccinos’ and various dog treats.
The show aims to raise awareness and funds for the Lewis Leap charity which was set up to honour the memory and spirit of Cammo schoolboy Lewis Johnson, who died suddenly whilst on a family holiday aged just 13.
The charity’s vision is to introduce a new service later this year to offer early support to local families who have suddenly and traumatically lost a child, sibling or parent. They are partnering with national bereavement support group Cruse Scotland and the new service will support family members collectively and individually in the early stages of grief.
The Lewis Leap Dog Show costs just £3 to enter each category online before the 19th August – or £3.50 on the day of the show. For more information and to enter online, visit: www.lewisleap.com/cammo-dog-show
Residents at Strachan House in Blackhall marked Indian Independence Day on Tuesday.
Independence Day is celebrated on August 15th, the anniversary of the day in 1947 when the provisions of the Indian Independence Act, which transferred legislative sovereignty to the Indian Constituent Assembly, came into effect and India gained its Independence from the United Kingdom. It is a public holiday in India. The Prime Minister raises the red national flag of India and addresses the nation.
Residents enjoyed an afternoon of cultural learning and a mini celebration themselves as they took part in some sari and sherwani dressing.
Those residents who had visited India previously shared their experiences of their trips and one carer Diane gave a wonderful display of traditional dancing.
There was a fabulous spread of delicious Indian dishes including a variety of different curries with samosas, bhajis, pakora, kofta, poppadum, naan, with raita, lime pickle and mango chutney all washed down with lots of delicious hot tea.
Gordon Philp, General Manager at Strachan House, said: “We celebrate all cultures and religions and we try to mark as many cultural events as possible.
“Indian Independence Day has given our residents a wonderful opportunity to find out more about India and its traditions, and our residents have enjoyed sharing their experiences of times they spent visiting India”
Bernard Lennon, a resident, said: “It is so important to mark occasions like this and to remember the history behind the date.
“I really enjoyed watching the dancing and learning how to wear the traditional dress for a gent. It was very comfortable. But sampling the different dishes was the best bit!”
Our varied life enrichment programme keeps residents active, and provides a daily choice of engaging physical, mental and spiritual activities tailored to residents’ interests and abilities.
Strachan House is run by Barchester Healthcare, one of the UK’s largest care providers, which is committed to delivering high-quality care across its care homes and hospitals. Strachan House provides nursing care, residential care, respite care.
£500,000 fund towards capital costs and resilience
In recognition of the important contribution museums make to our communities, the sector is to benefit from a new fund for crucial repair and maintenance work.
The Scottish Government is to give an additional £500,000 to Museums Galleries Scotland to enable organisations across the country to reduce their running costs and increase resilience.
Culture Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Given the current cost of living challenges and their impact on the ability of museums to run their services for the public, this £500,000 in funding will enable the museum sector to be more energy efficient.
“In particular the fund will prioritise projects that will directly reduce carbon use or have a positive environmental impact.
“As well as encouraging the sector to be more sustainable, the aims of the fund align with our national priorities and will contribute to Scotland’s target of net zero emissions by 2045.”
CEO of Museums Galleries Scotland Lucy Casot said: “We welcome this additional funding from the Scottish Government to support the resilience of museums and galleries to continue their important work engaging with communities and telling the stories of their places and people.
“Focusing on lowering running costs and increasing energy efficiency will safeguard these spaces for years to come. and better support our ambitions to become sustainable organisations that aspire to reach net zero.”
Residents at two of the capital’s care homes will feel the buzz of this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival after a series of on-site comedy performances at Randolph Hill Nursing Homes was announced today.
Stand-up comedians Carey Marx and Jojo Sutherland will bring their shows to Randolph Hill’s seven nursing homes across Scotland, including its Ashley Court and Blenham House sites located in the city, enabling residents to share in the Edinburgh Fringe experience.
Carey performs regularly across the UK comedy circuit and has appeared in numerous television programmes including Comedy Cuts, BBC Breakfast and Loose Women. In 2009 he gained global recognition after winning Best International Show at the New Zealand Comedy Festival.
Jojo has worked in the UK entertainment industry for more than two decades as a writer, actor, broadcaster, and comedian. A regular at the Edinburgh Fringe, she was a 2022 finalist for the title of British Comedian of the Year.
The pair will perform a daily show at 2pm at each of Randolph Hill’s sites located in Edinburgh, The Lothians, and Stirlingshire. Open to residents, their relatives and Randolph Hill staff, the series of shows includes performances at its Ashley Court site in Morningside on Saturday 26 August and at Blenham House in Sighthill on Sunday 27th.
The full schedule of performances is listed below.
Randolph Hill currently cares for more than 350 residents and employs over 600 members of staff at its seven sites across east and central Scotland.
Randolph Hill Managing Director Peter McCormick said: “We are very excited to be bringing this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival to our nursing homes including our two sites in the city.
“With two highly regarded comedians bringing their acts to all of our seven sites, this series of performances will bring a real festival buzz to our residents ensuring they can enjoy the Fringe experience in a familiar setting.
“We look forward to welcoming Carey and Jojo to our two Edinburgh homes where I’m confident they will get a warm audience response during their performances.”
Randolph Hill – Edinburgh Fringe performance dates:
Tuesday 22 August – Randolph Hill, Dunblane
Wednesday 23rd – Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian
Thursday 24th – Fidra House, North Berwick, East Lothian
Edinburgh Leisure, the largest provider of sport and leisure facilities across the city, has begun the search for a new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), following the announcement of the retirement of their current CEO, June Peebles (who was part of the original team that helped establish Edinburgh Leisure in 1998).
June led the organisation through the unprecedented period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the various lockdowns and venue closures, leading with unflappability and transparency.
Although venues were closed, some projects were fast-tracked including staffing reviews, and building projects continued where possible, including retiling the Royal Commonwealth diving pool, upgrading the front façade at Portobello Swim Centre and the refurbishment of Warrender Swim Centre (one of Edinburgh Leisure’s five much-loved Victorian pools).
June Peebles, Edinburgh Leisure’s current CEO said: “I reached the conclusion that, for me, there is no ‘right’ time to leave Edinburgh Leisure.
“I love my work, irrespective of how challenging or less challenging things are, and hardly a day goes by when I don’t experience a proud moment, whether that’s because of the performance of a colleague or from seeing and/ or hearing about the impact of our work on people’s lives. I feel very fortunate to work in an industry and for an organisation I feel passionate about. But there comes a time…and after 38 years, now feels like the right time to retire.
“I leave whoever picks up the baton with an organisation that is mature and certain of its purpose, the value it brings to the city of Edinburgh and, importantly, with the ambition to do more. This is a great opportunity for someone to put their own stamp on how Edinburgh Leisure continues to thrive.
June Pebbles Chief Executive Edinburgh Leisure
June continues: “A charity with one clear purpose – to make a positive difference by creating opportunities for everyone to get active, stay active and achieve more, the new CEO will be required to ensure that Edinburgh Leisure continues to deliver on its purpose in a sustainable way.
“Leading an experienced, enthusiastic and committed team – all of whom are focused on making a positive difference through physical activity, working effectively with our many partners (especially the elected members and officials at the City of Edinburgh Council), and providing all our customers with a great experience.”
Eden Scott is handling the recruitment and interested applicants should contact Sarah Gracie, Associate Director on 07999 421 314
The social prescription programme is designed for people with a mental health diagnosis
Edinburgh Napier University research into a mountain biking programme for people with a mental health diagnosis has found participants benefitted from the experience.
Researchers carried out an evaluation of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland’s Trail Therapy programme, which has been running for more than a year. Participants are either self-referred or recommended through community and social prescription services.
Trail Therapy aims to help them grow in confidence, improve social interactions, establish skills of self-regulation, and accelerate their road to wellbeing. Having been hosted in Dundee, Perthshire and Lanarkshire, organisers hope to roll it out to other parts of the country.
Through interviews with participants and mountain bike leaders, the qualitative study found the unique challenges and settings posed by mountain biking contributed towards a holistic impact on their overall wellbeing.
Riders spoke highly of being able to take part in therapy in an informal, non-clinical environment, while also feeling part of a community.
The research was carried out by Dr Hollie Fountain, Dr Lesley Ingram-Sils, and Dr Tony Westbury from Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Applied Sciences.
Dr Ingram-Sills said: “The evaluation describes themes that emerged through an analysis process and uses the voices of the riders and their own words to express their experiences.
“Overall, those involved with the Trail Therapy programme were enthusiastic to share their experiences and reflected on their involvement in an extremely positive way.
“The stories and narratives that emerged from the analysis largely emphasised a holistic impact of the programme on riders’ overall wellbeing and skill development, underpinned by three main interrelated characteristics; challenge (physical, psychosocial, and exposure to the natural environment), MTB experiences, and support.
“There are still opportunities to further evaluate the programme and we know DMBinS are keen to learn how they can make it even more impactful. We look forward to working with them to source the funding for this important research.”
Dr Christine Fox, the DMBinS Mountain Bike Health Programme Manager, said: “We can visibly see the difference in participants on our Trail Therapy programme.
“This research from Edinburgh Napier University confirms that the programme has an impact on improving the health and wellbeing of those involved.
“Mountain biking connects us with nature in a unique way that combines physical challenge, positive risk taking, skill development, and unique opportunities for therapeutic experiences.
“We also take great pride in our Trail Therapy MTB leader, Paul MacFarlane, and volunteers in their approach that provides support, embeds therapeutic activities, whilst gauging the skill level and motivations of each individual.
“We currently run the programme in areas where we can source local or regional funding and we hope we can use the research to roll the programme out to other areas of Scotland and increase donations to the Scottish MTB Health Fund.”
The Trail Therapy evaluation was produced by Edinburgh Napier University as part of Developing Mountain Biking in Scotland’s programme of work on fostering mental health and wellbeing through mountain biking, funded by NatureScot, Trek, and Scottish Government.
It was based on interviews conducted by the research team at ENU in October and November 2022.
Hospitality venues across Edinburgh are celebrating as they are named as finalists in the 2023 Scottish Bar and Pub awards, formerly the DRAM Awards.
Tipsy Midgie Whisky Bar is a finalist for Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year with owner Colin Hinds joining The Balmoral’s Cameron Ewen for the Deanston Whisky Guru title.
Stramash and Dropkick Murphys are both named in the Pernod Ricard Late Night Venue category, Panda and Sons and Hey Palu for Makers Mark Cocktail Bar of the Year, and Indigo Yard and Brewhemia for the Molson Coors Bar of the Year gong!
Black Ivy Bar and Hotel have a double nomination for Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year & Drinks Express Best Outside Area. Melanie Cranston, owner of Scotts of Rose Street, makes the top 4 for Buzzworks/Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur and the Boozy Cow lands a spot for Drum Digital Innovator of the Year!
Outside the city centre, Edinburgh is also represented by The Torfin for the Media World Casual Dining Award and by Thirty Knots in South Queensferry for Kopparberg New Bar of the Year.
A special mention also goes to The Original Rosslyn Inn and the Harris family who celebrate their 50th year of ownership with nominations for the Edrington ‘Giving More’ Award & Hotel Scotland Family Business of the Year!
The awards are celebrating their 28th year, making them Scotland’s longest-established hospitality awards. They were established to recognise excellence in the Scottish licensed trade by industry magazine DRAM.
Over the last three decades the event has garnered a reputation as being one of the most prestigious events in Scotland’s licensed trade calendar and have been referred to, year in and year out, as the “Oscars of the industry.” The winners will be revealed at a glitzy awards dinner on Tuesday 29th August at The Doubletree Hilton Hotel in Glasgow.
Organiser Susan Young said: “This year, a record number of votes were received from the public across a multitude of categories.
“The best of the best have now been named ranging from pubs that are Dog Friendly to cocktail bars that serve up fabulous drinks, from community pubs with stars behind the bars, to late night venues.
“Customers voted and then mystery shoppers visited, with the last word going to the awards judges. It was certainly not an easy task due to the quality of all the finalists and many miles have been travelled.”
More than 600 people will gather at the event to find out what pubs are taking the top accolade.
You can see the full list of the award categories and finalists below:-
ARO Procurement Customer Service Award
The Boudingait – Cupar
Coia’s Café – Glasgow
Mini Grill – Glasgow
Prime Steak & Seafood – Inverness
Benromach Whisky Bar of the Year
Ardshiel Hotel – Campbeltown
The Piper Whisky Bar – Glasgow
The Pot Still – Glasgow
Tipsie Midgie – Edinburgh
Buzzworks & Montpeliers Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year
Brandon Van Rensburg – Tempura, Ayr
Craig Scott – Bartenders Lounge, Aberdeen
Melanie Cranston – Scotts of Rose Street, Edinburgh
Ahead of the iconic red phone box turning 100 years of age, BT has revealed that more than 160 of its kiosks are currently up for grabs across Scotland.
Architect Sir Giles Gilbert Scott designed the first incarnation of the famous red phone box for a competition in 1924.
In recent years, however, with 98% of the adult population now using a mobile phone, and significant improvements to mobile coverage, there has been a huge decline in the usage of payphones across the UK.
Across the UK, around 20,000 working payphones remain in operation. The number of phone boxes across the UK peaked in the 1990s at around 100,000.
BT is now urging communities across Scotland to continue to take advantage of its kiosk adoption scheme to help transform its underused red phone boxes into other purposes.
Since BT introduced its Adopt a Kiosk programme in 2008, around 550 phone boxes have been taken on by communities across Scotland for just £1 each.
Across the UK, more than 7,200 have been adopted so far. The kiosks can be adopted by registered charities, community councils and local authorities.
Redundant phone boxes have been adopted and turned into a range of facilities over the years, from defibrillator units and libraries, to mini art galleries and local museums.
BT is continuing to review its remaining estate of payphones, removing those that are no longer being used, in line with rules set out by Ofcom. Ofcom revised its guidance last year on payphone removals, reflecting improvements made in mobile coverage and the number of calls made from individual payphones each year.
Michael Smy, Head of Street at BT, said: “With the vast majority of people now using mobile phones, and significant improvements to mobile coverage across the UK, we’ve continued to see a big drop in the number of calls made from payphones.
“That’s why we’re continuing to review our payphones estate, making sure we’re prioritising the removal of those not being used, in line with Ofcom’s latest guidance.
“With the iconic red kiosk about to turn 100, it’s a great opportunity to remind communities that would still like to retain their local kiosk to take it on for just £1 through our Adopt a Kiosk scheme. We’ve already seen some great kiosk conversions across the UK that have become valuable community assets.”
The 201 Telephone Box Gallery near St Andrews(top)
Fife-based artist Lada Wilson came across a redundant red phone box in the village of Strathkinness near St Andrews and hatched a plan to turn it into a mini art gallery.
With the support of the local Strathkinness Community Trust, the phone box was taken on by the community for £1 through the Adopt a Kiosk scheme and turned into the 201 Telephone Box Gallery.
Since opening in 2018, there have been more than 25 exhibitions in the mini art space which showcases community-based, contemporary art by local, national and international artists.
Lada Wilson, artist-curator and founder of the 201 Telephone Box Gallery, said: “It’s been great to take this historic and underused, iconic red kiosk and turn it into a community asset.
“The gallery turned five years old earlier this year and as an artist-curator, I’m really proud of the role it’s played in bringing contemporary art to the village.”
Lada said that the aim of the project was about giving back to the community. She says that the 201 Gallery has helped inspire other kiosk galleries across the UK.
Lada added: “I’ve been really pleased with the level of support it gets and I’ve had people coming to me from across the country asking how I did it.
“Thanks to BT’s Adopt a Kiosk scheme, we were able to make it happen in the first place, so I’d encourage any other communities interested in doing something similar with the redundant phone boxes in their areas to go for it.”
Red kiosks currently available to adopt in Scottish council areas:
Government protects cash access services, free of charges, across the UK
New minimum expectation for cash-users set out by City Minister
Vulnerable cash users protected by Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
A government statement published today sets out the minimum expectations on banks to protect services for people and businesses wanting to withdraw or deposit cash.
They can expect to withdraw cash without any fees – something that has been set out in law.
As part of this move, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has been provided new powers by the government to protect the provision of cash access services. This includes protecting cash access without any fees for those who hold personal current accounts.
Building on laws granted through the government’s Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, the FCA will use these newfound powers to make sure banks and building societies are keeping up to these standards – and have the power to fine them if they do not.
While the country is moving further away from using coins and notes with the number of online payments rising from 45% to 85% in the past ten years, cash can still be an integral part of many businesses and people’s lives.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Andrew Griffith, said: “Whilst the growing choice and convenience of digital payments is great, cash has an important and continuing role to play.
“That’s why we are taking action to protect access to cash in law and laying out that this means fee-free withdrawals and the availability of cash facilities within a reasonable distance.
“People shouldn’t have to trek for hours to withdraw a tenner to put in someone’s birthday card – nor should businesses have to travel large distances to deposit cash takings.
“These are measures which benefit everyone who uses cash but particularly those living in rural areas, the elderly and those with disabilities.”
As it stands, the vast majority of people living in urban areas can access cash deposit and withdrawal services within one mile; with rural-dwellers around three miles away.
Today’s policy statement makes clear that the FCA should use its powers to maintain this level of coverage, while recognising that needs may differ by location and change over time.
It also makes clear that – if a service is withdrawn and a replacement service is needed – this should be put in place before the closure takes place.
The FCA is also required to ‘have regard’ to local deficiencies in cash access. The policy statement sets out that the regulator should consider factors such as the opening hours and distance to cash access services, as well as the need for in-person assistance.
Laws introduced in the Financial Services Act 2021 have delivered cashback in over 2,500 shops across the UK – without any need to buy something in store – through the LINK network.
BME men almost twice as likely to be in insecure work as white men – and BME women are more likely to be insecure work compared to white women
Insecure work is characterised by low pay, variable hours and fewer rights and protections for workers
The disproportionate concentration of BME workers in insecure work shows “structural racism in action”, the TUC says
New analysis published by the TUC has revealed the number of Black and ethnic minority (BME) workers in insecure work more than doubled from 2011 to 2022 (from 360,200 to 836,300).
The chance of a BME worker being in an insecure job has also increased, with 1 in 6 in this position now compared to 1 in 8 in 2011.
The TUC says the “boom” in BME workers in insecure work accounts for the vast majority of the overall increase in insecure workers over the last decade.
BME workers account for two thirds of the growth of insecure workers in this period – despite BME workers making up just 14% of the overall workforce.
Insecure work is typically low-paid, and those in insecure jobs have fewer rights and protections. This means their hours can be subject to the whims of managers and they can lose work without notice.
Nation of insecure work
The TUC says the UK is becoming a “nation of insecure jobs”, with precarious and low-paid work widespread in all regions and nations of the UK.
There are 3.9 million people in insecure employment – that’s 1 in 9 across the workforce.
London (13.3%) and the South West (12.7%) have the highest proportion of people working in insecure jobs.
The industries with the highest proportion of insecure work are the elementary occupations, caring, and leisure services, and process, plant and machine operatives.
Low-paid work is increasingly insecure work – in 2011, 1 in 8 low paid jobs were insecure, but by the end of 2022, 1 in 5 low paid jobs were insecure.
“Stark inequalities”
The TUC says the disproportionate number of BME workers in insecure work shines a light on “stark inequalities” in the labour market.
The proportion of BME workers in insecure work significantly increased between 2011 and 2022, while the proportion of white workers in insecure work remained relatively stable:
The proportion of BME workers in insecure work increased from 12.2% to 17.8%.
The proportion of white workers in insecure work remained at around the same level – going from 10.5% to 10.8%.
BME workers are significantly more likely to be in insecure work compared to white workers:
BME men are almost twice as likely as white men to be in insecure work (19.6% of BME men in work compared to 11.7% white men).
BME women are much more likely than white women to be in insecure work (15.7% of BME women in work compared to 9.9% white women).
While BME employment grew between 2011 and 2022 by 1.7 million, much of the increase in employment was in low-paid and precarious insecure work.
Between 2011 and 2022, almost a third (27%) of the increase in BME employment was in insecure work, compared to just 16% for the increase in white employment.
The TUC says the explosion in the gig economy partly explains the significant rise in BME insecure employment – with the number of BME workers in low-paid self-employment surging over the past decade. TUC analysis has shown a particular rise in low paid self-employment in delivery and driving among BME men.
Structural racism in action
The TUC says the overrepresentation of BME workers in insecure work shows “structural racism in action”.
The union body says BME workers experience racism at every stage of the labour market.
This includes discrimination in recruitment processes, lower opportunities for training and development compared to white workers, being unfairly disciplined, and being typecast into specific roles often with less favourable terms and pay.
The TUC says these are “persistent barriers at work” which “hold back” BME workers across different roles and occupations, leaving disproportionate numbers of BME workers stuck in low-paid jobs, with limited rights and on precarious contracts which mean they can find themselves out of work without notice.
Recent TUC polling revealed around half (49%) of BME workers said they had experienced at least one of the following forms of discrimination at work:
1 in 7 (14%) BME workers reported facing unfair criticism in the last five years.
1 in 9 (11%) said they were given an unfair performance assessment.
1 in 13 (8%) told the TUC they were unfairly disciplined at work.
1 in 14 (7%) said they have been subjected to excessive surveillance or scrutiny.
1 in 8 (12%) BME workers said they were denied promotions.
1 in 8 (12%) BME workers reported being given harder or less popular work tasks than white colleagues.
1 in 11 (9%) told the TUC they had their requests for training and development opportunities turned down.
Government action needed
To help tackle structural racism in the labour market and end the scourge of insecure work, the TUC is calling for the government to:
Ban the abusive use of zero-hours contracts by giving workers the right to a contract reflecting their normal hours of work and ensure all workers receive adequate notice of shifts, and compensation when shifts are cancelled at short notice.
Introduce fair pay agreements to raise the floor of pay and conditions in sectors blighted by insecure work.
Crack down on bogus self-employment by introducing a statutory presumption that all individuals will qualify for employment rights unless the employer can demonstrate that they are genuinely self-employed.
End the two-tier workforce and reform the rules on employment status to ensure that all workers benefit from the same employment rights, including statutory redundancy pay, protection from unfair dismissal, family-friendly rights, sick pay and rights to flexible working.
Give workers a day one right to flexible working – not just a right to request.
Establish a comprehensive ethnicity monitoring system covering mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting, recruitment, retention, promotion, pay and grading, access to training, performance management and discipline and grievance procedures.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: “No matter your background, everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect at work.
“But too many Black and ethnic minority workers are trapped in low-paid, insecure jobs with limited rights and protections, and treated like disposable labour.
“The massive and disproportionate concentration of BME workers in insecure work – like in the gig economy – is structural racism in action.
“Across the labour market, and at every stage, BME workers face discrimination and persistent barriers at work.
“From not getting the job despite being qualified for the role, to being passed over for promotion, to being unfairly disciplined at work.
“These barriers lead to stark inequalities – and it’s why we’re seeing BME workers disproportionately in the worst jobs with the worst pay and conditions.
“It’s time to end the scourge of insecure work once and for all – that’s how we start to tackle the discrimination that holds BME workers back.
“That means banning exploitative zero hours contracts. It means delivering fair pay agreements to lift pay and standards across whole industries. And it means placing a duty on employers to report their ethnicity pay gap and take action to close it.”
– METHODOLOGY
The total number in ‘insecure work’ includes:
(1) agency, casual, seasonal and other workers, but not those on fixed – term contracts
(2) workers whose primary job is a zero-hours contract NOTE – data on temporary workers and zero-hour workers is taken from the Labour Force Survey. Double counting has been excluded.
(3) self-employed workers who are paid below 66% of median earnings – defined as low pay.
