‘Thunder fever’ could cost motorists up to £5000

The unusual weather this summer is causing issues for drivers that could result in fines or penalty points – adding to the mounting cost of living expenses.

This week alone has seen warnings from medical experts about ‘thunder fever’ – a rare weather phenomenon that makes hay fever (and asthma) much worse with a combination of thunderstorms and elevated pollen counts across the country. It happens when moisture and lightning brought by the storm, shatter pollen normally too large to enter the lungs into tiny pieces.

Whilst drivers need to be careful that sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes brought on by hay fever doesn’t impair their driving ability, there is a serious risk for those suffering with the pollen.  The government legislation that bans driving while under the influence does not distinguish between illicit drugs, prescription medication and over-the-counter medications. 

This means any type of drug that affects a motorist’s driving abilities could potentially result in a drug-driving conviction, even if it’s something as simple as hay fever medication that causes drowsiness. One in four people in the UK has hay fever, which equates to approximately 16 million people.

Other  distractions that could be classed as careless driving include  ‘rubber necking’ at the storm itself or failure to see through the windscreen properly, if caught in heavy rain.

Quotezone.co.uk, a leading car insurance comparison website, says if drivers find themselves stuck in the car during a thunderstorm, official advice from the Met Office is to wind up the window and stay inside the vehicle – the metal frame of the car should act as a conductive Faraday cage, passing the current around the passengers and into the ground, should it be struck by lightning.

However, any damage to cars caused by driving through flash floods that accompany thunder storms might not be covered by insurance policies. Quotezone.co.uk warns motorists to carefully check their policy exclusions, and even if routes are partially blocked, drivers should think twice before using waterlogged roads.

Greg Wilson, Founder of Quotezone.co.uk, comments: “The weather has been extreme this summer and driving in the heat alone has been challenging but there are things drivers need to know to avoid risking penalty points or fines and keep themselves safe on the roads.

“If a storm is predicted look at official flood warnings, avoid roads that are likely to flood and allow more travel time, note drivers may have to pull over and wait it out if the downpour starts to affect your visibility – drivers can be fined if they can’t see clearly out of all windows.

“Hay fever symptoms can come on unexpectedly and some types of medication do cause drowsiness, or carry a ‘do not operate heavy machinery’ warning. If a driver fails to obey this warning and gets behind the wheel, they could risk a hefty fine of up to £5,000, points on their licence and endanger themselves and other road users.”

It’s always sensible to check the weather before setting off on long journeys and err on the side of caution, Met Office pollen count forecasts available here.

Quotezone.co.uk compares prices across all types of car insurance, including  breakdown cover,  and niche products such as motor trade insurance – helping around 3 million users every year find better deals on their insurance, with over 400 insurance brands across 60 different products.

Recommended by 97% of reviewers on Reviews.co.uk.

Heart of Newhaven newsletter: It’s Truly Time to Celebrate!

It’s truly time to celebrate

The Heart of Newhaven Community has finally been given the keys to the front door. Current Chair Judy Crabb received the keys from the City of Edinburgh Council on Friday (12/8) so the school site finally belongs to you, the community.

It’s taken a long time. As a reminder, the original Steering Group was set up after public consultation and eventually converted into a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), registered with OSCR the charity overseer in 2020.

They won the right to purchase the site under the Community Asset Transfer scheme in July 2020 and secured funding for the purchase from the Scottish Land Fund in June 2021.

The school pupils and teachers moved out in December, 2021, but delays originally caused by Covid 19 and then last minute legal hurdles meant that the final transfer could not take place until last week.

Now, it’s all systems go, with volunteers tidying and cleaning and potential users and tenants queuing up to move in and get started.

The History of Education Centre has already moved all its equipment and furniture in and hopes to have the Victorian Schoolroom fully operational by 1st October. Others are keen to follow suit.

First though, there are some necessary health and safety measures to install, IT equipment and communications must be set up and the most urgent repairs to the structure need to be completed.

Once open to the public, the community hub will be offering spaces for intergenerational activities including space for such as theatre groups, choirs and performances of all kinds, rooms for rent for meetings or parties, artists’ studios and small business rooms for rent, a Heritage Suite, much needed early years’ provision in the modern Anchor Building, rooms for the Men’s Shed to carry on their activities and of course a community cafe.

HoNC Chair, Judy Crabb has been involved since even before the first public consultations and is now celebrating with the rest of the Board. “It’s a well known phrase ‘ If it is worth having, it is worth waiting for’ and how true that is as of today,” she says.

“Finally, we are thrilled to announce that HoNC now owns the former Victoria Primary School that from now on will be known as ‘The Heart’.

“A huge thank you to everybody who has helped over the years to bring about this day, volunteers, supporters, members of the community, our funders, Trustees and consultants. Every contribution, big and small, has made a difference.

“Over the next few months we will begin to open up the buildings to all the services and activities that support our themes of culture and heritage, learning and enterprise and improvement in well being.”

London Road clock makes welcome return

The historic London Road clock has returned home after 15 years in storage and following its full restoration, as part of the Trams to Newhaven project.

The clock, which began life on Waverley Bridge in 1857 before being moved to the West End in 1896, was eventually placed at the roundabout on London Road in 1955. It was removed in 2007 during the original tram project and is now being replaced as Trams to Newhaven nears completion.

Specialist clockmakers Smith of Derby have carefully restored the clock, which has involved dismantling it, priming and repainting all parts, hand painting ornate features in gold and repairing the Coat of Arms of Edinburgh, including casting a new deer from aluminium.

The timepiece was returned to Elm Row on Tuesday (16 August) as part of improvements to the public space at Elm Row.

Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “I’m sure the return of the London Road clock will be welcome news to many, and thanks to its full restoration it will add a striking finishing touch to the area’s transformation.

“It has a rich history, and I’m sure the clock has witnessed many amazing scenes in Edinburgh.”

John Lawson, City Archaeologist, said: “It has been fascinating to work with Smith of Derby in restoring this iconic clock back to its original condition and with a new striking paint scheme reflecting what we believe to be close to its original Victorian look.

The process has proved more complex than first thought. What was thought to be a simple iron casting in four parts has been revealed by Smith’s conservation work to be a more intricate design, with individual detailed castings added separately to the main column. Along with the Elm Row pigeons, we hope the historic London Road Clock will be enjoyed by all and add to the area’s history.”

Trams to Newhaven remains on schedule for completion by spring 2023 and within the £207.3m budget, with all major construction anticipated to be complete by the end of 2022 ahead of a testing and commissioning period.

The main construction works between Montgomery Street/Annandale Street and Pilrig Street were completed last month (July). Main construction works are also complete on several other sections, including Ocean Terminal to Rennie’s Isle and between Tower Street and Constitution Place and Tower Street and Baltic Street.

Amongst the progress made to date, 93% of track slab has been laid (over 4km), all the necessary utility diversions have been carried out and main construction work is complete on four new tram stops at Constitution Street, McDonald Road, Ocean Terminal and Foot of the Walk, with works progressing well on the Balfour Street and Port of Leith stops.

Several other monuments and public artwork pieces have been refurbished and replaced as part of the project, including the Robert Burns statute at Bernard Street, which was restored and unveiled earlier this year.

In addition, the eight bronze pigeons will be returned to Elm Row this autumn, while work is ongoing to identify an appropriate location for Pilrig Cable Wheels discovered on Leith Walk.

Find out more about Trams to Newhaven online.

NHS Lothian encourages parents to get children vaccinated against flu 

NHS Lothian is encouraging parents and carers to help keep children healthy over the school terms this winter by getting them vaccinated against flu. All primary and secondary school pupils are eligible for the vaccine, which is given in schools as a painless nasal spray.

Getting children vaccinated against flu reduces the chances of them missing class time and other activities due to illness and helps prevent them passing the illness to vulnerable family members.

Consent packs containing a letter, leaflet and consent form will be sent home to parents and carers of school children on return to school in August. Secondary pupils can self-consent, though they are encouraged to speak to a parent or carer first.

Letters with appointment details for children aged two to five years who are not yet at school will begin to arrive at homes from September.

Parents and carers should call the number on their child’s letter if their child has missed their appointment or needs to reschedule.

The nasal spray is a quick and painless way of delivering the flu vaccine to children and should start to provide protection within 10-14 days.

Pat Wynne, Nurse Director for NHS Lothian who is overseeing this year’s programme, said: “Getting the nasal spray flu vaccine is the best way to protect your child and those around them. The flu virus changes over time so your child needs to get the vaccine each year to help stay protected.

“Please look out for your child’s consent pack, which they will receive through school from August, and ensure that their completed consent form is returned on time if you wish them to receive the vaccine.”

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “Schools are back but we want to keep flu out, which is why all primary and secondary school children are being offered the free flu vaccine.

“Flu can be serious, even for healthy children, so the vaccine offers the best possible protection for your child and those around them who may be more vulnerable to flu. Getting your child vaccinated can help prevent them getting sick, from spreading flu, and requiring time off school and away from other activities.”

School children will receive the flu vaccine in school between September and December. Parents of two to five-year-olds who are not yet at school will be given information about where their child will be vaccinated in their appointment letter. In a small number of cases, the nasal spray may not be suitable, and the vaccine can be given as an injection in the arm instead.

For more information about the flu vaccine, visit NHS Inform or call 0800 030 8013.

Winter Vaccines

Scotland’s Winter Vaccine Programme will see eligible groups invited forward for vaccination against flu and/or COVID-19.

Following advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), the following groups will be offered both the flu and COVID-19 vaccines this year:

• aged 50 or over
• residents and staff working in a care home for older adults
• younger adults in long stay nursing and residential care settings
• frontline health and social care workers
• Those aged 5 to 49 years with an eligible health condition, including those with poorly controlled asthma
• Those aged 5 to 49 years who are:
– a household contact of someone with a weakened immune system
– an unpaid carer or a young carer (16 years or over)
– pregnant

The flu vaccine is also recommended for:

• people aged 16 to 49 years with an eligible health condition, including well controlled asthma
• children aged 6 months to 2 years with an eligible health condition
• all children aged 2 to 5 years (not yet at school)
• all primary and secondary school pupils
• nursery, primary and secondary school teachers and pupil-facing support workers in local authority and independent settings
• prison population and prison officers and support workers who deliver direct front-facing detention services.

Appointments for priority groups will be made available as the programme progresses – people in those groups should wait until they are contacted or called forward. Read the latest update from the Scottish Government here.

Fringe 2022: The Azure Sky in Oz, Yellow and Special

New York City’s Amanda Ladd stars in the European premiere of The Azure Sky In Oz, Yellow & Special, 2 alternating true-life theatre solo-shows written by Eugene O’Neill award winning playwright William Leavengood.

This show as developed at New Circle Theatre Company in NYC.

The Azure Sky in Oz, Yellow is about Michelle Feulner-Castro, a visual artist & mother to a profoundly autistic son.

The Azure Sky in Oz, Special is about Mary Tilford, a Special-Ed teacher who does The Wizard of Oz with her intellectually disabled students.

Both shows shine a light on & give hope in an often invisible population. Not just the neurodivergent, but the people who love, mother, care, & teach them.

This two pieces are meant to be seen together but they stand on their own as independent pieces of theatre. See one, or better see both! I have a morning performance & an evening performance so audiences can see both shows in one day.

You can see THE AZURE SKY IN OZ in 3 venues. Here are the dates & times:

The Azure Sky in Oz, Yellow
17,19, 21, 26, 28 Aug 6:30pm at The Street bar (venue 239)
23 Aug 8pm at The OmniCentre Stage 4 (venue 608)
18, 22, 25, 27 Aug 11:35am at The OmniCentre Stage 5 (venue 608)

The Azure Sky in Oz, Special
18, 22, 25, 27 Aug 6:30pm at The Street bar (venue 239)
19, 21, 23, 24, 26, 28 Aug 11:35am at The OmniCentre Stage 5 (venue 608)

Here is our listing on the Fringe site:

https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on#q=%22The%20Azure%20Sky%20in%20Oz%2C%20Yellow%20and%20Special%20%E2%80%93%20Free%22

SPECIAL had a lovely review from The Scotsman: “There’s a level of professionalism to Ladd’s performance here that’s rare on the Free Fringe. Her voice has the clarity of a bell and her folksy mannerisms and expressions feel authentic.”

View the full review here: here: https://www.scotsman.com/arts-and-culture/edinburgh-festivals/edinburgh-festival-fringe-dance-and-theatre-reviews-le-pain-with-the-devils-assistance-the-azure-in-oz-special-second-summer-of-love-helter-skelter-3809846

Watch this teaser of SPECIAL that I put together from the first week of the run here at the Fringe: https://youtu.be/4yT63BQ8xYc

Fringe 2022: An Idiom’s Guide to the Galaxy

Son and father-in-law, Dave and Pretty Good Nick, invite you to jump on their absurdist bandwagon to explore the world of idioms in An Idiom’s Guide to the Galaxy. A fast-paced, fact-filled show that’s as funny as a barrel of monkeys. 

An Idiom’s Guide to the Galaxy is one of Captain Breadbeard Productions new shows. It will be attempting to cut the mustard for the first time this year, as it is the world premiere of this show.

This competitive comedy sketch show is full of facts that will race through your mind and the theatre. Unlike their other production at Fringe, this gluten free offering from Captain Breadbeard is aimed at an older audience of fourteen and over. 

This fast-paced, absurd sketch comedy show is full of music, audience participation, game shows, such as An Idiom Abroad and Has it Got a Sock in it?! An Idiom’s Guide to the Galaxy also provides an education look at many everyday sayings and phrases. QI meets Shooting Stars meets Mighty Boosh. 

There are over 25,000 idioms in the English language alone. Join Dave and Nick as they explore what water off a duck’s back really tastes like and find out who is freezing the balls off a brass monkey. Suitable for village idioms, American idioms and idioms abroad. 

Dave Watt is the founder of Captain Breadbeard Productions. The co-directors and performers, Dave Watt and Nick Surridge, are a son and father-in-law duo whose story is just as tantalising as their show.

The original idea for Captain Breadbeard Productions and the subsequent shows blossomed at a networking event in Croatia. Dave was approached by a woman who explained she had been trying to locate him, but did not know what he looked like. Someone told the woman he was ‘the man with bread on his face,’ although he had a standard hairy beard at the time with not a crumb in sight.

The conversation inspired Dave so much that he collaborated with his father-in-law to create the production company and baked his way into a legacy. 

The company also perform Captain Breadbeard’s Bready Brilliant Comedy Cookbook at C aquila during the Edinburgh Fringe 2022. 

Previous reviews for Captain Breadbeard Productions: 

‘Brave, childishly satisfying… silly comedy at its best’ Audience Review, Brighton Fringe 

‘A wonderfully funny and playful hour of entertainment that will make you laugh your socks off’ �������� Page on Stage 

www.CaptainBreadbeard.com 

Listings Information 

C ARTS | C venues at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe | C aquila, Roman Eagle Lodge, 2 Johnston Terrace, EH1 2PW, venue 21, 3-28 Aug at 21:00 (1hr00) Tickets £8-£10 Comedy (New writing, Sketch show, Drama, Absurdist, Theatre) (recommended for ages 14+) 

C ARTS box office +44 (0)131 581 5555 / res.CtheArts.com/event/34:3709 

Fringe box office +44 (0)131 226 0000 / www.edfringe.com 

Healthy Heart Tip: Sandwich Month

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Sandwich Month

August is officially sandwich month! The first sandwich became popular in the 18th and 19th centuries and has been a staple part of our diets ever since.

Whether you’re grabbing an egg sandwich for breakfast or a turkey BLT at lunch, sandwiches are convenient, quick, and easy. Here we share some ideas to make your sandwiches healthier.

Choose nutritious wholegrains

Your basic sandwich is generally made with bread, on a roll or in a wrap. If you’re going to choose one of these items, boost the nutrition of your sandwich by choosing whole grains. Whole grains are a more nutrient-dense, less processed, and healthier option compared to refined grains (like white bread).

Healthy filling

Add a healthy sandwich meat or other lean protein. Freshly-cooked lean meats such as roasted turkey or chicken breast, canned salmon or tuna, or for vegetarian options; eggs, nut butter, tofu, smashed cooked beans and reduced-fat cheese are good healthy options. Additionally try using low-fat butter or a vegetable spread if you normally use full-fat butter.

Add in some colour

An easy way to make any sandwich or wrap a bit healthier is by adding vegetables as they can add a whole host of benefits to your meal. Veggies add nutrients, freshness, and flavour. Any mix of roasted veggies, fresh tomatoes, fresh greens (the darker, the better), sliced red onion, sliced cucumbers, and sliced peppers are all good choices.

Give these healthy sandwich tips a try and get creative!

Serve with a piece of fruit and a high-protein snack as a side, and you’ll score a lot of nutrition and satisfaction all at once.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at

www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.

To help keep your heart healthy, why not try out some of our Healthy Heart recipes from our website:

: https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-recipes-2/.

Or have a look through our Healthy Heart cookbook filled with recipes from top chefs, celebrities and food bloggers:

https://heartresearch.org.uk/heart-research-uk-cookbook/.

Fringe 2022: How To Be A Better Human at Summerhall

‘Some Hedgehogs are Absolute Dickheads’

What does a 70-year-old man pulling dead rats out of gutters have to do with becoming a better human? Chris Singleton has the answer in his spoken word comedy show ‘How to be a Better Human’ at Summerhall this month.

“I lost my dad to bowel cancer in 2019,” says Chris. “And a few months later my wife left me.  So I did what anyone would do, and wrote a comedy about it.”

‘How to Be a Better Human’ is a spoken word comedy about grief, loss and self-acceptance. Set up as a Ted Talk, it features powerpoint comedy, animation and original music.

“I wanted to explore the lightness and humour in death and divorce,” continues Chris. “How we can lose everything and still find the strength to rebuild. How it helped me become better at empathising, connecting and understanding.”

His debut show has received glowing reviews on tour across the North, with many comments about how the show shifts between laughter and sadness.

“Death is something we’re all going to experience – that’s one thing we can be absolutely sure of. So why don’t we talk about it more? I’m hoping this show will spark conversation and understanding around the subjects of death and grief.”

To find out how growing a beard can be the best decision of your life, and why some hedgehogs are absolute dickheads, catch How to be a Better Human this month.

How to be a Better Human is on every day at 6pm until Saturday 28th August (excluding Monday 15th & Monday 22nd)

Summerhall, Red Lecture Theatre

Self-driving revolution ‘to boost economy and improve road safety’

New plan for self-driving vehicles plus a consultation on a safety ambition

  • government unveils plan to rollout self-driving vehicles on UK roads, sparking a transport revolution to improve road safety and better connect communities
  • estimated 38,000 new jobs could be created in the UK from predicted £42 billion industry
  • backed by £100 million to support industry investment and fund research on safety developments

UK roads could see self-driving vehicles rolled out by 2025 thanks to new government plans – backed by £100 million – which prioritise safety through new laws and create thousands of new jobs in the industry.

Some vehicles, including cars, coaches and lorries, with self-driving features could be operating on motorways in the next year, and today’s (19 August 2022) plans set out new legislation which will allow for the safe wider rollout of self-driving vehicles by 2025. This enables the UK to take full advantage of the emerging market of self-driving vehicles – which could create up to 38,000 jobs and could be worth an estimated £42 billion.

The government’s vision for self-driving vehicles is backed by a total of £100 million, with £34 million confirmed today for research to support safety developments and inform more detailed legislation. This could include researching the performance of self-driving cars in poor weather conditions and how they interact with pedestrians, other vehicles, and cyclists.

The government is also today confirming £20 million, as part of the overall £100 million, to help kick-start commercial self-driving services and enable businesses to grow and create jobs in the UK, following an existing £40 million investment.

Successful projects could help see, for example, groceries delivered to customers by self-driving vehicles, or shuttle pods assisting passengers when moving through airports. £6 million will also be used for further market research and to support commercialisation of the technology.

Self-driving vehicles could revolutionise public transport and passenger travel, especially for those who don’t drive, better connect rural communities and reduce road collisions caused by human error. Further in the future, they could, for example, provide tailored on-demand links from rural towns and villages to existing public transport options nearby. They could also provide more direct and timely services that enable people to better access vital services such as schools and medical appointments.

Vehicles that can drive themselves on motorways could be available to purchase within the next year, which users would need a valid driving licence for, so they can drive on other roads. Other self-driving vehicles, for example used for public transport or delivery, expected on the roads by 2025, would not need anyone onboard with a driving licence because they would be able to drive themselves for the whole journey.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The benefits of self-driving vehicles have the potential to be huge. Not only can they improve people’s access to education and other vital services, but the industry itself can create tens of thousands of job opportunities throughout the country.

“Most importantly, they’re expected to make our roads safer by reducing the dangers of driver error in road collisions.

“We want the UK to be at the forefront of developing and using this fantastic technology, and that is why we are investing millions in vital research into safety and setting the legislation to ensure we gain the full benefits that this technology promises.”

The government is today consulting on a ‘safety ambition’ for self-driving vehicles to be as safe as a competent and careful human driver. This ambition would inform standards that vehicles need to meet to be allowed to ‘self-drive’ on the roads, and organisations, such as manufacturers, could face sanctions if standards are not met.

The new laws for the safe rollout of self-driving vehicles by 2025 will be brought forward when parliamentary time allows.

The legislation will build on existing laws, and state that manufacturers are responsible for the vehicle’s actions when self-driving, meaning a human driver would not be liable for incidents related to driving while the vehicle is in control of driving.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Self-driving vehicles have the potential to revolutionise people’s lives, particularly by helping those who have mobility issues or rely on public transport to access the jobs, local shops and vital services we all depend on.

“This funding will help unlock the incredible potential of this industry, attracting investment, developing the UK’s growing self-driving vehicle supply chain, and supporting high-skill jobs as these new means of transport are rolled out.”

AA president, Edmund King, said: “The automotive world is changing rapidly and so the government is right to embrace the positive changes offered by this new technology and back it by funding research and putting forward legislation. Assisted driving systems, for example, autonomous emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, are already helping millions of drivers stay safe on the roads.

“It is still quite a big leap from assisted driving, where the driver is still in control, to self-driving, where the car takes control. It is important that the government does study how these vehicles would interact with other road users on different roads and changing weather conditions. However the ultimate prize, in terms of saving thousands of lives and improving the mobility of the elderly and the less mobile, is well worth pursuing.”

Today also sees the publication of the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation’s (CDEI) Responsible Innovation in Self-Driving Vehicles report, which sets out proposals for a trustworthy approach to the regulation and governance of self-driving vehicles.