Dobbies search for Edinburgh’s ‘Not Your Average Gardener’

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is on the lookout for Edinburgh’s best gardeners with its Not Your Average Gardener Awards.

Research conducted by the garden centre from Independent Media News earlier this year saw 76% of Brits couldn’t wait to get back into the garden. Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is now looking to tap into this interest and discover the talent out there through its Not Your Average Gardener Awards.

A team of star-studded gardening enthusiasts will be judging the awards, including Broadcaster, Jo Whiley, Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, ITV This Morning’s Daisy Payne and Dobbies’ Ambassador and gardening influencer, Henry Agg.

Dobbies is looking to celebrate four gardeners, all with a passion for planting in their own unique way, with up to £5,000 worth of prizes and a virtual consultation with Marcus Eyles on how best to maximise their space.

Sustainability is at the core of the awards and Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is searching for those who support local wildlife, better the environment and use sustainable gardening techniques to enter. Dobbies’ team members will be on hand to offer the winners advice on how to spend their prize and bring their space to life.

There are four categories for the Not Your Average Gardener Awards, including Most Sustainable Gardener, Best Mini Garden Makeover, Best Houseplant Parent and Best Young Gardener (under 16 years).

Jo Whiley is delighted to be on the panel: “Gardening is a huge passion of mine, and I would encourage anyone to try it as a hobby. Being out in your green space, no matter the size, is a great chance to take a moment for your own wellbeing.

“I’m really excited to be on Dobbies’ judging panel this year. Whether a houseplant enthusiast, a keen gardener growing fruit and vegetables on an apartment balcony, a child discovering ways to make their green space bloom or gardening newbie creating plant borders, I’m excited to hear how Brits are giving gardening a go no matter their space or experience.”

Dobbies’ Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles, adds: “We’ve seen a positive increase in gardening over the past year, with customers across Edinburgh looking to try something new in their green space.

“At Dobbies we’re always on the lookout for passionate gardeners and our Not Your Average Gardener Awards are a great opportunity to shine a light on talent across Britain.

“Sustainability is at the core of our awards, and we’re extremely proud to offer a strong range of sustainable Dobbies’ products, including our award-winning peat-free compost, that benefit both the garden and environment.”

Nominations can be submitted at dobbies.com by filling out a simple form and submitting images. Deadline for submissions is 26 August. All entries will be reviewed by the panel of expert judges and winners will be announced September 2022. 

For more information on the awards or to submit an entry, visit: 

https://www.dobbies.com/not-your-average-gardener-awards.

Green Home Festivalgoers to arrive in style  

Visitors to an upcoming show at the Green Home Festival will be travelling in all-electric style thanks to a partnership with Western Commercial Mercedes-Benz.

Festival organisers have teamed up with the auto experts to lay on electric vans for the Improving energy efficiency show on Wednesday 10 August.

Delegates will be ferried from the centre of Edinburgh to the show’s Murrayburn venue in a state-of the-art eVito Tourer, then bussed back afterwards.

One of the organisers, Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “We are grateful to Western Commercial for this extremely generous gesture which is perfectly in keeping with the aims and spirit of the Green Home Festival.

“This is the perfect demonstration of low-carbon innovation in action and will add to the delegates’ experience of green living and the technology of tomorrow.”

Simon Murray, Van Sales Director at Western Commercial Mercedes-Benz, said: “We were only too happy to offer our services to the Green Home Festival and let delegates experience the next generation of electric vehicles (EVs) for themselves.

“We are excited about the possibilities that EVs bring to all our lives and we are delighted to be able to make the journey a green one for those attending the show in Murrayburn.”

The show will see A.C. Whyte & Co Ltd take visitors around a site where they are currently regenerating 29 blocks of four-storey flats for the City of Edinburgh Council.

Visitors will see how the contractor has delivered upgrades, learn how the project helped reduce heating costs, and learn what a fabric-first approach to energy efficiency means.

The show is one of 12 events for the Green Home Festival which has been organised by the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Festival will be opened tomorrow (Monday 8 August) by Scottish Government Minister Patrick Harvie.

The event will deliver a range of shows including:

·          Demystifying heat pumps – afascinating demonstration of the future of home heating and what kind of homes it’s suitable for

·          Protecting against floods –  flooding and its impact on people and buildings and how to access support and resources to protect your property

·          Hitting the road with EVs – what to consider when choosing an EV, current models and how to go about installing an EV charge point at your home

·          Retrofitting a tenement – how renewable renovations can reduce heating costs and cut carbon emissions in Scotland’s traditional buildings

·          Living safely in the future – the potential dangers of the domestic gadgets of tomorrow – and how we can ensure our high-tech homes are safe to live in.

Live sessions will take place at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at 10 Charlotte Square in central Edinburgh, with six other sessions available online via webinar.

Full details, including how to book tickets for each event, are available on the Festival’s website at greenhomefestival.co.uk.

The festival is the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020.

Made up of 29 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers.

Fossil bird collection of international importance bequeathed to National Museums Scotland

A collection of over 700 bird fossils has been bequeathed to National Museums Scotland. The fossils date from 54-56 million years ago, the beginning of the Eocene period, and represent the early stages in the evolution of modern birds.

The collection is believed to contain many species which are new to science. 

Work is now underway to fully document and describe the collection. Already two papers have been published describing new species, one being a falcon-like bird, the other being a diver or loon.

Experts believe the collection could yield at least 50 new species once research is completed. The specimens are unusual in terms of bird fossils in that they are preserved in 3D. Bird bones are light and fragile and so their remains are more commonly flattened prior to fossilisation. 

A notable characteristic of the period in which these birds lived is that the global climate was several degrees warmer than it is today, meaning that the specimens may give scientists useful information about global climate change today. 

The specimens were collected over decades by amateur palaeontology enthusiast Michael Daniels. Mr Daniels, who died last year aged 90, assembled the remarkable collection of several hundred skeletons and part skeletons that he had discovered in nodules of the London Clay, which had eroded out of the cliffs at Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex.

Daniels’ daughter lived in Edinburgh, and it was on a family visit to the National Museum of Scotland over 25 years ago that he shared news of his remarkable collection with the museum’s Principal Curator of Vertebrates, Dr Andrew Kitchener. 

Dr Kitchener said: “I first met Michael Daniels more than 25 years ago.  Visiting the museum with his wife Pam and his daughter Caroline, who lived in Edinburgh, this meeting would be the beginning of a long friendship. 

“In later years I visited Michael and Pam at their home and got to see the collection in its countless drawers and boxes in his study.  I was astonished at the amazing variety of specimens of all shapes and sizes. Many of the bones were minuscule, requiring great patience and skill to extract.

“The fact that the collection is now with us here at National Museums Scotland will be of interest to palaeontologists across the world.”  

Avian palaeontologist Dr Gerald Mayr of the Senckenberg Research Institute, Frankfurt am Main, visited Daniels many times to view his collection, and has more recently visited Edinburgh to undertake further research and study. Dr Mayr has published the two papers to date describing new species.  

He said: ““The importance of Michael Daniels’ collection cannot be overstated. There is nothing like it in the UK, certainly, and it is comparable to other bird-rich sites in the US, China and Germany.

“The fact that so many specimens are preserved in three dimensions makes this one of the most important collections of its type in the world.” 

The collection is now undergoing conservation and preservation work at the National Museums Collection Centre in Edinburgh, where it will be kept and made accessible to researchers.  

Artist J.O.T. and Royal Yacht Britannia

Following the successful ‘Meet The Artist’ event that took place earlier this week at the FROM WASTE TO WALL exhibition held at the Image Collective Gallery in Leith, James Owen Thomas (also known by his initials J.O.T.) arranged to meet Laura McCall, marketing manager of The Royal Yacht Britannia & Fingal Hotel Ocean Drive Leith.

The exhibition takes place directly opposite Britannia’s Visitor Centre and James was delighted to present Ms McCall with a framed original collage Emblem for the Royal Yacht Britannia. 

Laura received a personal tour around the art exhibition before inviting James for a tour on board the Britannia.  As a COP26 One Step Greener ambassador and environmental artist, James was very impressed with Britannia’s environmental commitment to eliminate, reduce, reuse and recycle waste and he hopes to collaborate with Britannia and Fingal on future projects. 

These are his thoughts exactly as James describes how the art he creates has all been made from recycled items. 

He said: “If what I can do will encourage and inspire people to re-use and recycle, then hopefully we can look forward to a more environmentally-friendly future.” 

James’ exhibition at the Image Collective Gallery, 2nd Floor, Ocean Terminal continues until 30th September and he can be contacted via his website www.jamesowenthomas.com or by email art@jamesowenthomas.com

Man dies in hospital after collision involving car on Colinton Road

A man has died in hospital following a road traffic collision in Edinburgh last Saturday (30 July).

Paul McGlade, 35, from Edinburgh was struck by a black Mercedes A Class car on Colinton Road while he was on foot around 11.35pm.

He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh where he died on Tuesday, 2 August.

The 20-year-old male driver of the car was uninjured.

Sergeant Paul Ewing said: “Our thoughts are with Paul’s family and friends at this difficult time.

“Our enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances which led to this incident and I would urge anyone who may have information but has not yet spoken to an officer to get in touch.

“Anyone with information can call 101, quoting reference 4406 of Saturday, 30 July, 2022.”

‘Brilliant’ listener numbers in latest results for Forth 1 & Forth 2 

Forth 1 and Clyde 2 have seen listener figures continue to grow with a fantastic set of results in the latest RAJAR figures.

The Q2 RAJAR 2022 results just go to underline the continued popularity of Forth 1 and Forth 2 with their listeners across Edinburgh and the West.

Forth 1 listeners are up 24,000 (+7%) to 325,000 and Forth 2 up 31,000 (+72%) to 72,000. Meaning that combined Radio Forth is up to 348,000 listeners.

Forth 1 is home to some of Scotland’s favourite presenters including Boogie and Arlene, Gary Spence, Greigsy, Grant Thomson and Callum Gallacher. Not to forget also home to some brilliant music with the biggest hits and biggest throwbacks and truly life-changing competitions like Cash Register.

Across the network listenership has also increased with the likes of Clyde 1, adding an extra 40,000 (+7% QoQ) more listeners this quarter, now reaching 640,000 every week, whilst Clyde 2 has on average 168,000 people tuning in – an increase of 49,000 (+40% QoQ). Meaning that combined, an incredible 719,000 listeners now tune in every week to Radio Clyde!

Combined Radio Clyde & Radio Forth now reach over the milestone million with 1,064,000 weekly listeners across the central belt!

The Greatest Hits Radio Network across Scotland, saw it post its best set of results ever with 339,000** people listening weekly, including record numbers for ‘new signing’ Stuart Webster’s  ‘through the day’ 10am to 2pm weekday show, home to the legendary Top10@10, which achieved its highest ever listenership adding an extra 67,000 (+70%) new listener’s last quarter.

The weekly audience for all of the combined Hits Radio and Greatest Hits stations across Scotland (14) now total over 1.6m*** up by over 130,000 people.

Victoria Easton-Riley, Content Director for Scotland, said: “What a fantastic set of results across our stations in Scotland, and a particular shout out must go to the teams at Clyde 1, Forth 1 and the Greatest Hits network across Scotland for some really outstanding listener numbers.

“To have over 1.6 million people listen to one of our radio stations every week is just amazing.

“I would like to give special mention also to our incredible presenters who continue to create brilliant, funny, moving and engaging content on-air and across our social channels that really connect with our audiences.

“Alongside that, as the world opened up again, this summer they have already been out and about en masse at some really outstanding events and partnerships the length and breadth of the country – from Belladrum in Inverness, Rewind at Scone Palace to the Border Union Show in Kelso, as well as our very own legendary Forth Awards at the Usher Hall.

“And with the football season having just kicked off, Forth On The Fringe this weekend, loads of Edinburgh Fringe activity and our Tom Walker Live & Up Close at the Sky Bar at Radisson RED Glasgow this month, we have so much to be excited about and proud of and the schools haven’t even gone back yet!”

Harry Potter fans have to try this Scottish road trip this summer

  • Drive across the beautiful Highlands, stopping at Harry Potter filming locations along the way
  • There are six magical locations to explore, including Glen Etive, Glenfinnan Viaduct, and Loch Morar
  • The Harry Potter road trip takes 7 hours 54 minutes to complete by car

As the fifth most popular filming location in Europe, Scotland has provided a beautiful backdrop for countless Hollywood blockbusters over the last few decades.

Harry Potter is perhaps the most famous and beloved of these film series to shoot scenes north of the English border, with stunning Highland scenery featuring across each of the eight exciting instalments.

And now fans of the franchise can visit its most iconic filming locations, as Macklin Motors has curated the ultimate road trip route of Scotland for Potterheads.

Taking 8 hours to complete by car, this road trip is perfect for Harry Potter fans who want to feel the magic of their favourite scenes, while taking in beautiful Scottish landscapes at the same time.

The journey starts in the astonishingly beautiful valley of Glen Etive, before driving just over half an hour to Rannoch Moor’s Insta-ready autumnal shades, both of which featured in the Deathly Hallows.

The next stop is Steall Falls, the second highest waterfall in Great Britain, a popular beauty spot that made an appearance in the adrenaline-pumping dragon chase scene in the Goblet of Fire.

Drive 40 minutes further and drivers will find the most iconic Harry Potter filming location in Scotland: Glenfinnan Viaduct. Potterheads will certainly recognise this stunning railway viaduct from the Chamber of Secrets’ unforgettable flying car sequence.

The penultimate stop on the road trip route is Loch Morar, which eagle-eyed fans will immediately recognise as Hogwarts Lake from the Prisoner of Azkaban. Then, a long drive across the Scottish Highlands will reveal the very last filming location on the map: Black Rock Gorge. This stoic cavern featured in the Goblet of Fire, taking centre stage during the Triwizard Tournament.

A Macklin Motors spokesperson commented: “Whether for a bank holiday weekend or a week in the Summer holidays, finding the perfect holiday destination for the entire family is always a tricky task.

“With our Harry Potter road trip, we want to provide the best of both worlds for kids and parents alike, touring beautiful Highland hotspots with a magical twist. Plus, at just under eight hours in total, drivers can complete this road trip in a day or take their time with it throughout their holiday in Scotland.

“So, pack the car with snacks, ready your family’s favourite playlist, and set off on a bewitching adventure around Scotland’s stunning scenery.”

For more filming location road trips around Scotland, visit the Macklin Motors blog or take a look at the route on Google Maps.