Christmas on the rigs

 Around 10,000 offshore workers are spending today and the rest of the Christmas and New Year holiday far out on the dark seas around Britain’s coasts, providing the energy to heat homes, cook turkeys, and power fairy lights.

As most people are eating, drinking and open presenting with family and friends, this vast army of men and women will be making sure the heat and power is there to make it all happen, working on gas and oil installations that can be more than 200 miles from the UK mainland.

This workforce helps to supply the daily average of 265 million cubic metres of gas we need on Christmas Day and each of the following days of the Christmas break to cook our food, heat our homes and run the 35 gas-fired power stations that remain the backbone of the UK’s electricity generating system.

Among the hundreds of teams involved is 51-year-old Andy Pulford, managing a Christmas workforce of 90 and a complex of 23 gas wells around Spirit Energy’s massive Morecambe Bay central processing complex.

This installation produces enough gas to meet the annual needs of 700,000 homes extracting gas from more than half a mile below the seabed.

Two days before Christmas Andy said goodbye to his primary schoolteacher wife Hannah, 43, and sons George, 11, and William, eight, and embarked on the six-hour drive from his home outside Norwich to a helicopter platform in Blackpool, Lancs, from where he routinely flies to his offshore office.

“Everyone has a personal story about how they feel being away but what we’re doing is an important job. Work goes on as usual all over Christmas,” he says.

Despite the growth of wind-generated electricity, more than a quarter of the electricity we use nationwide is still generated by gas, and this can go up to 55% on days when there is no wind.

There are still more than 21 million homes in this country that rely on gas for their central heating, and 11 million kitchens that have gas ovens.

Although a vast expanse of waves separates offshore workers from home and loved ones, Christmas on the rigs nowadays is far from a miserable affair.

“When I first started working offshore 18 years ago there was no wifi – just three phone boxes and big queues to use them,” says Andy

“Now there’s internet and video calling, but people can still feel isolated having Christmas offshore. We don’t want that to happen and we try to keep the crew together as much as we can.

“I always get everyone together on Christmas morning for a chat and run through what’s going to happen. We have snooker, pool and table tennis tournaments, music and quizzes, a raffle with high value fantastic prizes, plus the most fantastic food which I go down into the galley and help serve.”

Food is as much a part of Christmas everywhere offshore as it is at home. Carl Wilson, 40, from Darlington is a former hotel head chef who has spent the past few months carefully planning the menus to be prepared and served by his team of six for a crew of 51 on the energy industry supply ship Erda which recently took part in a successful operation to pump captured carbon for permanent storage in a disused seabed oil well

This Christmas the ship is engaged in decommissioning a disused oil platform in the North Sea off Rotterdam.

Like Andy, Carl had an early Christmas with his wife Lindsey, 43 and their three children Brooke, 15, Ollie,14, and Sienna, 12. He won’t be back until mid-January.

The long Christmas day feast starts before 5am with breakfast for the early shift, then a special brunch for everyone at 11am followed by two sittings for the main multi-choice Christmas dinner in the late afternoon.

“Food is a huge part of general welfare for everybody and at Christmas it’s just enhanced to another level,” Carl says. “It ties us all back into that home life, brings everyone together and gives us a chance to show our flair as chefs.

“It’s actually the best time of year for us to really shine. Someone eating your food, praising you and saying nice things about it, is a big part of why we do this job. It’s about pride and passion for food.

“Being away from home at Christmas isn’t easy for anyone, but we know it’s what we all signed up for.”

David Whitehouse, chief executive of Offshore Energies UK. which represents almost 500 member organisations involved in producing energy in UK waters, agrees: “On Christmas Day many of us will be with family and friends in warm homes.

“It is easy to forget that while we are sitting down to lunch there are thousands of offshore workers in UK waters – on rigs, vessels, windfarms and other energy projects -who will be working through the holiday to keep the country powered. We should never take them for granted.”

Reset this holiday with a winter walk through shimmering lights at Christmas at the Botanics

With the New Year just around the corner, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is welcoming visitors to enjoy the last few days of the season with a trip to Christmas at the Botanics.

Running over 26, 27, 28, 29 and 30 December, the trail provides families and friends a chance to slow down, step outside and reset in between Christmas and New Year’s celebrations.

This refreshing escape invites visitors of all ages to embrace moments of calm while walking through the Garden’s illuminated landscape.

This year’s trail is inspired by transformation and renewal, making it the perfect place for a post-Christmas pause. Water Lilies float radiantly across the pond, their reflections shimmering in the night and reminding us of the growth that can emerge even in darkness.

Further along the trail, The Seeds, featuring five glowing sculptures that symbolise restoration and new beginnings, offer a spot for visitors to reflect on what they want to carry forward into the new year.

Alongside these installations, the trail provides a place for visitors to reconnect with the natural living world that resides in the heart of the Capital.

Sarah Cathcart, Director of Learning and Engagement at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Gardens are a place of discovery, connection and reflection.

“The period between Christmas and New Year’s offers up the chance to breathe, get outdoors and reconnect with ourselves, our loved ones and with nature. And here at the Botanics, it’s also a chance to be surrounded by the Garden’s beauty and the joy of festive lights.

“The trail is designed to be uplifting and calming, and we encourage visitors to experience it before another festive season comes to a close.”

Tickets for the remaining dates are on sale now. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to secure their preferred timeslot.

For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please click here.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter RG Live, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

NHS 24: Right Care, Right Place

The 111 service is expected to be VERY busy which may mean a prolonged wait for calls to be answered. Boxing Day is one of the busiest day of the year for our services. Here’s what you can do to help yourself, save time and help us care for those in the most need first.

📱NHS inform has a range of symptom checkers for common illnesses and conditions you can use to help you decide what to do next: https://nhs24.info/symptom-checkers

🤒Check out the winter illness hub on NHS inform if you need help with colds, flu, coughs, sickness bugs, etc: https://nhs24.info/winter-illness

💊If your call is related to medicines please visit https://nhs24.info/accessing-medicines

Whether it is prescribed or non-prescribed medication, our guide to accessing medication can save you time. You might not need to call 111.

✔️By using NHS resources wisely, we can keep well and get the care we need quickly, safely and as close to home as possible.

Find out more about how to access the #RightCareRightPlace: https://nhs24.info/RightCareRightPlace

If you are using a mobile phone to call please switch to WiFi calling and ensure your device is charged. This will help to prevent your call being disconnected. Some mobile providers disconnect calls due to network capacity demand. NHS 24 does not cut calls.

NHS 24’s staff are working exceptionally hard to answer as many calls as we can, quickly and safely. Please be patient and we will answer.

If you can try the above options first, it could save you time. We want to help you get the right care, in the right place. 💙

Cost of feeding Santa soars by nearly 40% in a Decade 

THE cost of feeding Santta on Christmas Eve has risen by almost 40% over the last ten years. 

Experts at Ailsa analysed how much it costs to leave a pint of milk, a mince pie, and a carrot out for Santa and Rudolph on Christmas Eve.  

Using supermarket data, they calculated the average cost of each item: a pint of milk is 85p, a pack of mince pies is £1.25, and a 500g bag of carrots is 49p. 

They then ran the figures through the Bank of England’s inflation calculator to see how the price has changed over time. 

This Christmas Eve, families are expected to spend around £2.59 on the tradition. 

But in 2015, it would have cost just £1.86 – that’s a 39% rise over the past decade. 

In fact, the biggest monetary jump was between 2015 and 2025, rising by £0.73, while the biggest percentage rise came between 1975 and 1985, when prices jumped by 151.5%. 

The tradition of leaving treats out for Santa became popular in the 1930s. Back in 1935, families would only be spending 0.05p. 

Overall, the cost of keeping Santa fuelled on Christmas Eve has increased by just over 5,000% over the past 9 decades. 

Year Amount (£) 
1935 0.05 
1945 0.07 
1955 0.11 
1965 0.15 
1975 0.33 
1985 0.83 
1995 1.25 
2005 1.45 
2015 1.86 
2025 2.59 

“Yes, the cost of keeping Santa fed has shot up but that just proves how determined we are to keep the Christmas dream alive,” said Kane Taylor from Ailsa, who conducted the research.

“Even when the world feels a bit heavy, we still leave out the milk, mince pie and carrot with a smile, because the magic matters. 

“For kids, it’s a moment of pure wonder. For the rest of us, it’s a chance to reconnect with the part of ourselves that still believes in something sparkly. If paying a few extra pennies means keeping that glow going, then we’ll happily keep topping up Santa’s snack station. 

“In the end, Christmas isn’t about the cost, it’s about the cheer. So, if the price of mince pies keeps rising, we’ll just keep rising to the occasion.

“After all, nothing keeps our spirits higher than keeping the magic alive.” 

Festive fun in full swing at Amazon

The team from Amazon in Dunfermline has been preparing for the Christmas shopping season with a calendar full of festive celebrations. 

A visit from Santa and his reindeer, hot chocolate giveaways and crafts with Mrs Claus are just some of the activities taking place at the Dunfermline fulfilment centre to support the work the Amazon team is doing to deliver for customers across the UK this Christmas. 



Speaking on the festivities, Jamie Strain, General Manager at Amazon in Dunfermline, said: “Throughout December, our team picks, packs and ships parcels for customers nationwide.

“It’s an exciting time on site as we work together to ensure everything runs smoothly, safely and efficiently to deliver gifts and essentials during the festive period. 

Christina Watson took part in the celebrations on site. She added: “The end of the year is always an exciting time at Amazon in Dunfermline.

“When we kickstart party season, you never know what festive surprises await – competitions, games, activities and more!”

Community concerns regarding Cammy Day

ELREC STATEMENT

Statement from a Community Organisation:

We are part of a community organisation, and we are deeply concerned by the recent revelations involving former council leader Cammy Day. An apology is not sufficient given the seriousness of these matters. 

From our experience working within communities, we understand how powerful individuals in public office can be, and how frightening it is when that power is misused. The admission that a false name was used to make a complaint raises serious ethical and safeguarding concerns. 

Cammy Day should be asked directly how many people he has damaged by using fake names or false identities, and what safeguards are now in place to ensure that no one else is targeted next. These are questions of public interest, accountability, and community safety.  

We believe his position is no longer tenable and are therefore calling on Cammy Day to resign from immediate effect. Apologies alone do not restore public trust. 

We also call for a full and independent inquiry to establish whether this behaviour was an isolated incident or part of a wider pattern. 

We believe that individuals who engage in this kind of behaviour cannot be trusted and should not hold positions of public office. The public deserves transparency, accountability, and safeguarding from those who hold or seek power.

This is a matter of public interest and must be treated with the seriousness it demands. 

https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/ex-council-leader-cammy-day-36435192

Many thanks, 

ELREC

Josh’s Christmas flying dream comes true thanks to Scottish children’s hospice charity and Loganair

Christmas came early for a young boy with a complex heart condition when Children’s Hospices Across Scotland (CHAS) and Loganair joined forces to make his dream of flying a reality.

As well as a severe cyanotic heart defect, Josh Narrie from East Lothian suffers from DiGeorge Syndrome and chronic lung disease and is awaiting further cardiac interventions. 

The brave youngster, who loves aeroplanes and all things to do with aviation and transport, has never been able to fly due to his poor health so CHAS and Loganair arranged for him to have a magical experience visiting the airline’s hangar at Glasgow Airport as an early Christmas present.

As well as being made an honorary pilot for the day, Josh got to meet Loganair Glasgow Hangar staff and mechanics who gave him his own private tour of the hangar. He was then invited on board an ATR-72 aircraft for the very first time and got to sit inside the flight deck and see all the controls up close.

The excited youngster was then presented with a special goodie bag full of Christmas presents.

Eight-year-old Josh, who is on 24-hour oxygen and bipap overnight and during periods throughout the day, has spent much of his life in and out of hospital, including periods in intensive care.

This special visit was extra special therefore as it provided a chance for Josh and his mum and dad Claire and John to make precious memories together.

Speaking afterwards, Claire said: “We can’t thank CHAS and Loganair enough for this amazing early Christmas present which meant so much to Josh and to us as his parents.

“He is our cheeky, happy chap who loves to be naughty and enjoys pretty much anything that moves especially aeroplanes. Sadly he has never been able to fly due to his low oxygen saturation levels and perhaps will never be deemed fit to fly which is why this experience was extra special.

“Josh spends so much time in hospital and the days can be very long and isolating so days out together are very special, especially ones like this. CHAS always goes above and beyond for us and we think of them as family. We would honestly be completely lost without their support. 

“We are so grateful to both CHAS and to Loganair for making Josh’s dream of finally boarding a plane come true. Seeing his wee face light up meant the absolute world ”

CHAS Senior Partnership Executive Linsey Cairns said: “For many families supported by CHAS, it is often difficult to fly or use other forms of transport because of their child’s complex needs.

“Our important partnership with Loganair means we can bring smiles, comfort, and precious memories to children and we are so grateful to them for facilitating this special visit for Josh and his mum. These are the moments that matter – moments where families can simply enjoy being together and create happy memories that they’ll treasure forever.”

Alex Bridgewater, Communications Manager at Loganair, said: “As part of our continued support for CHAS, Josh’s visit to the Glasgow hangar was a special opportunity for our team to create a memorable experience ahead of Christmas.

“After he was unable to take part in our annual CHAS flight, the team worked hard to create an alternative event that allowed Josh and his family to enjoy something unique, at his own pace.
 
“The Loganair Glasgow Hangar team, led by aircraft mechanic Jack Wright, welcomed Josh to the hangar with a personal tour and the opportunity to see the aircraft up close. Supporting initiatives like this is an important part of our commitment to the communities we serve, and partnering with CHAS allows us to make these remarkable experiences possible.”

CHAS’s partnership with Loganair is now in its fourth year. In 2024, the airline introduced a voluntary £2 donation option to online bookings to raise additional funds for the charity.

Loganair also supports the charity’s outreach service CHAS at Home, which has made 1,951 visits in the past year, by providing vital flights for CHAS at Home nurses supporting families in remote and island communities.

For over 30 years CHAS has been caring for vulnerable children like Josh nationwide through a wide range of dedicated services including respite and palliative care at Rachel House and at Robin House in Balloch. The charity also offers a CHAS at Home service that brings specialist nursing care into the homes of children and has doctors and nurses based in hospitals across the country.

The charity recently launched The Christmas That Couldn’t Wait Appeal to bring moments of joy and comfort to children with life-shortening conditions and their families, at a time when they need it most.

To donate to CHAS visit: www.chas.org.uk/appeal.

New Tesco Express store opens in East Craigs

A highly anticipated new Tesco Express store opened its doors last week in East Craigs.

Located at 1 Bughtlin Market, the new Tesco Express Bughtlin Market will provide residents and visitors with a convenient, modern place to shop, supporting the continued growth of the surrounding area.

The store will be open seven days a week from 6am until 11pm, creating three new jobs for the local area while also retaining the existing team from the previous business that operated on the site.

Tesco Express Bughtlin Market will offer a wide range of products for everyday needs, whether customers are picking up breakfast on the go, buying lunch or collecting ingredients for dinner. 

Store features include a Costa Coffee machine, National Lottery terminal, Payzone service, external InPost lockers and a 24-hour ATM.

Charlene Watson, Store Manager at Tesco Express Bughtlin Market, said: “We are pleased to open the doors to our new store and to join the East Craigs community.

“Our aim is to serve this large and diverse community with a friendly and dependable local store that people can rely on and we look forward to welcoming customers in the days and weeks ahead.”

Tesco Express Bughtlin Market is located at 1 Bughtlin Market, Edinburgh EH12 8XP.