Residents of homes for older people in Scotland will begin to receive the Pfizer vaccine against the Covid-19 virus from tomorrow (Monday).
After more than 5,000 key NHS workers and vaccinators received the Pfizer vaccine in the first few days of the programme, it is now being extended to include care home staff and residents.
The move has been made possible following confirmation that the Pfizer vaccine can be ‘packed down’ into smaller pack sizes. The vaccine, is received in packs of 195 five dose vials which must be diluted before use, but these can also be transported in an unfrozen state for up to 12 hours, and can be stored undiluted for up to five days.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has given the go ahead for health boards to do this, making it possible to take the vaccine direct to care home residents or to vaccination centres nearby, with minimal wastage.
Cabinet Secretary for Health, Jeane Freeman said that care home residents would be prioritised for receipt of the vaccine from current supplies but warned that pace of the vaccine delivery programme remains dependent on the supply of doses.
Ms Freemansaid: “This is another important moment in our journey through the coronavirus pandemic and I am delighted that we have received the authorisation we need to enable us to vaccinate the most vulnerable people in our care homes.
“Officials in the government and our health boards, along with Pfizer, and the MHRA, have worked really hard to allow this to happen and it is another step on the road to our collective recovery and a return to a more normal way of life.
“We are providing the vaccine to people in care homes according to the order of priority set out by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) and we will work through that order of priority as quickly as vaccine supply allows.
“We are hopeful that subject to further stringent approvals, other vaccines may meet MHRA approval for supply – for example, AstraZeneca and Moderna – enabling more vaccinations to take place at a faster rate.”
“In the meantime it remains vital that we all stick to the published restrictions and follow public advice to keep suppressing the virus to as low a level as possible.”
Latest Updates From The New Town Quarter Project Team
Following the consultation for our planning application which was submitted at the end of August this year, we have been liaising with the City of Edinburgh Council planning department and have agreed to make some technical design amendments to specific areas of the development proposals, in line with advice received.
These amendments include:
• moving the office building further away from Fettes Row • reducing massing on the top floor of the northern residential blocks to improve the view from Dundonald Street • increasing the use of natural stone in the office building facing Fettes Row and the building on Eyre Place, along with some of the hard landscape paving on the main route through to the King George V Park • design refinement to some areas of the elevations on Dundas Street and Eyre Place.
The drawings and supporting information will be with the Council by the end of this week. A further consultation period will run from 11 December to 12 January and will be available for review on the Council’s portal. You can access the link here:
We will be in contact with the relevant local community groups to advise them of the changes and we will make ourselves available to provide any additional information required if we can.
We hope you find the time to look at the updated proposals and provide comment. If you do have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me directly.
In the meantime, I would like to thank everyone once again for their input to the proposals so far and hope you are able to enjoy the festive season. Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Plans have been submitted to the City of Edinburgh Council for the New Town Quarter development.
Proposals include a mix of new homes, offices and public amenities on the 5.9-acre former Royal Bank of Scotland site, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. We have received a huge amount of interest in our proposals – including more than 4,000 visitors to our website from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the world.
This has become one of the largest consultations ever carried out for a city centre development and we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to it by passing on their views and comments, all of which has helped shape our final application. It is hoped that the application will be discussed at committee by the City of Edinburgh Council in the New Year.
For more information on the New Town Quarter, please click HERE
Business Benefits To The City Centre
A recent survey of 32 local businesses which surround the New Town Quarter area showed overwhelming support for the development plans. The area brings together an interesting mix of mainly independent traders – including cafes, restaurants, bars, hairdressers and guest houses.
Many of them were hit hard when RBS vacated their premises in 2017 and are now suffering further following the ongoing trading restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The New Town Quarter will bring much-needed investment to the city centre – and most importantly, bring people back to the local area to create a vibrant and exciting new destination.
Click HERE to read some of the comments posted by local businesses who support our planning application.
Click HERE to find out how the New Town Quarter will help local businesses back on the road to recovery.
Feedback & Contact
For more information on New Town Quarter, please contact:
Four men have been arrested and charged following an illegal march in Edinburgh from outside the Scottish Parliament to Charlotte Square yesterday (Saturday, 12 December, 2020).
The men, aged 37, 31, 53 and 31, are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date.
Chief Inspector Murray Starkey said: “Today people marched in contravention of legislation. We would urge people to find alternative ways to protest, such as online and on social media.
“Our approach throughout the pandemic has been to engage with the public, explain the legislation and guidance, and encourage compliance, only using enforcement as a last resort.
“Our response today has been measured and appropriate.”
A multi media campaign encouraging residents to recycle this Christmas is being launched tomorrow.
This follows last year’s tremendous effort when residents helped the city council recycle 5431 tonnes of waste – that’s about the same weight as 46,000 Santas – over the festive season!
A key message this Christmas is a reminder to residents to recycle as much of their Christmas waste as possible and, due to the huge increase in online shopping from March, the council is encouraging people to fold up their cardboard neatly before putting it in the correct recycling bin to make sure they leave enough room for all the additional waste likely to be generated over the festive season.
If there is no room left, they encourage you to make an appointment at your nearest recycling centre and take any extra waste there. If that is not possible, fold it up neatly and place it next to your bin on your collection day. Stickers are also being put on communal bins as well with instructions on how to recycle your cardboard.
People who use our kerbside wheelie bin recycling service who are due a collection on these dates should instead put their bins out for collection on the following Mondays (28 Dec and 4 January). People in the city centre who use our red and blue box recycling service should put them out for collection on the Saturdays (26 Dec and 2 Jan).
Cllr Lesley Macinnes, Environment Convener, said: “Going green this Christmas is so important as we all need to change our behaviour to live more sustainably to look after our beautiful city and precious planet.
“To give it some context – did you know that the amount of Christmas wrapping paper thrown away in the UK each year could stretch from Edinburgh to the North Pole 100 times – I know when I think about that, I’ll make sure I recycle mine.
“Many more people are shopping online due to the current health pandemic and the amount of cardboard being used has already shot up. When clearing up this Christmas, please remember to fold cardboard up neatly and recycle it responsibly and I think it is also important to point out that when shopping remember that while foil and metallic wrapping paper and cards may add sparkle to your Christmas, they can’t be recycled.”
Cllr Karen Doran, Vice-Convener of the Environment Committee, said: “There are many ways you can help us to recycle the waste you generate when celebrating this Christmas.
“We turn all your food recycling into energy and fertiliser and recycling one kitchen caddy of food waste can create enough energy to power a TV for five hours. Other fun facts we’re sharing to encourage people to recycle are six clean mince pie foil cases saves enough energy to watch up to an hour of TV and one glass bottle saves enough energy to make 14 slices of toast!
“When the fun is over and you’re taking down your tree, if you are recycling it, check which day we’re collecting trees in your street on our website, remove its base, decorations and cut it in half if it’s over 6ft before popping it neatly on the kerbside on its collection day.”
Festive recycling tips
Save money and avoid food waste by turning your leftovers into delicious meals. Check out www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for tasty recipes. Any scraps that are leftover can be popped in your food waste bin.
If you have any extra cardboard you can’t fit in your recycling bin, make sure it’s bundled up and place it neatly beside it and we’ll recycle it for you.
You can use any bag to collect your food waste (biodegradable, paper or plastic bags including bread bags, cereal packets or old shopping bags).
Use your leftover wrapping paper to cover school books or to make festive bunting to decorate your house.
We can recycle your Christmas cards and the envelopes they come in – except glittery, foil or metallic ones!
Give your plastics and cans a rinse before they go in the bin. They don’t need to be sparkling clean but doing this helps make sure the recycling is high quality and can be properly recycled.
If you’re recycling your Christmas tree remember to remove its base, decorations and cut it in half if it’s over 6ft before popping it neatly on the kerbside on its collection day.
What goes where?
Green lidded recycling bins and red recycling boxes
Paper – including wrapping paper, envelopes and Christmas cards (no glittery, foil or metallic ones!)
Cardboard and drinks cartons
Plastic bottles (with lids), pots, tubs and trays – including empty plastic toiletry/household cleaning bottles
Tins/cans
Empty aerosols
Clean tin foil – including mince pie cases!
Blue boxes and purple lidded communal glass bins
Glass bottles and jars
Blue boxes only – small electricals (eg hairdryers and toasters) and batteries in a clear plastic bag
Grey lidded food recycling bins
All your cooked and uncooked food including meat and bones
Christmas trees
You can check which dates we’re collecting Christmas trees in your street on our website. You can also book an appointment online to take it to one of our recycling centres.
“Today we have seen what can be achieved if nations pull together and demonstrate real leadership and ambition in the fight to save our planet” – PM Boris Johnson
Global climate leaders have taken a major stride towards a resilient, net zero emissions future, presenting ambitious new commitments, urgent actions and concrete plans to confront the climate crisis.
Co-convened by the United Nations, the UK and France, in partnership with Italy and Chile, on the 5th anniversary of the Paris Agreement, yesterday’s Climate Ambition Summit marked a major milestone on the road to the crucial UN climate conference COP26 in Glasgow next November.
75 leaders from all continents outlined new commitments at the Summit. This is a clear signal that the Paris Agreement – more than ever before the compass of international action – is working to steeply increase climate action and ambition.
The Summit showed clearly that climate change is at the top of the global agenda despite our shared challenges of COVID-19, and that there is mutual understanding that the science is clear. Climate destruction is accelerating, and there remains much more to do as a global community to keep the global temperature rise to 1.5C.
However Saturday’s Summit showed beyond doubt that climate action and ambition are on the rise. The announcements at or just before the Summit, together with those expected early next year, mean that countries representing around 65% of global CO2 emissions, and around 70% of the world’s economy, will have committed to reaching net zero emissions or carbon neutrality by early next year.
These commitments must now be backed up with concrete plans and actions, starting now, to achieve these goals, and today’s Summit delivered a surge in progress on this front.
Leading the way to Glasgow with strengthened national climate plans (NDCs)
The number of countries coming forward with strengthened national climate plans (NDCs) grew significantly today, with commitments covering 71 countries (all EU member states are included in the new EU NDC) on display. As well as the EU NDC, a further 27 of these new and enhanced NDCs were announced at or shortly before the Summit.
A growing number of countries (15) shifted gears from incremental to major increases. Countries committing to much stronger NDCs at the Summit, included Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Iceland, and Peru.
The leadership and strengthened NDCs delivered at the Summit mean we are now on track to have more than 50 NDCs officially submitted by the end of 2020, boosting momentum and forging a pathway forward for others to follow in the months ahead.
Today’s announcements, together with recent commitments, send us into 2021 and the road to the Glasgow COP26 with much greater momentum. The Summit showcased leading examples of enhanced NDCs that can help encourage other countries to follow suit – particularly G20 countries.
Another stride towards a resilient, net-zero emissions future
Following today’s Summit, 24 countries have now announced new commitments, strategies or plans to reach net zero or carbon neutrality. Recent commitments from China, Japan, South Korea, the EU and today Argentina have established a clear benchmark for other G20 countries. A number of countries at the Summit set out how they are going even further, with ambitious dates to reach net zero emissions: Finland (2035); Austria (2040) and Sweden (2045).
Climate vulnerable countries are at the forefront of action and ambition. Barbados and the Maldives have set a highly ambitious target for achieving carbon neutrality by 2030, with the right support. Fiji, Malawi, Nauru and Nepal indicated that they are aiming for the 2050 goal.
At the Summit, adaptation and resilience moved to centre stage. 20 countries indicated new or forthcoming commitments to protect people and nature from climate impacts. Countries, such as Ethiopia, said they were taking a whole-of-economy approach that protects people and nature, while Suriname said it is stepping up its implementation of its National Adaptation Plan. Developed countries, including the UK, Portugal and Spain, announced they were stepping up their adaptation efforts. A major new global campaign – the Race to Resilience – was also launched today, setting a goal of safeguarding 4 billion people vulnerable to climate risks by 2030 (more details below).
Speeding up the shift from grey to green economies
Several countries set out concrete policies to implement their economy-wide targets at the Summit. Pakistan announced no new coal plants, while Israel said it was joining the growing list of countries stepping away from coal. 15 countries provided details on how they will speed up their transitions to renewable energy by 2030, including Barbados (aiming for fossil-fuel free), Vanuatu (100% renewables), and Slovakia (decarbonised power). Denmark announced it will end oil and gas exploration. India announced a new target of 450GW installed capacity of renewable energy by 2030. China committed to increasing the share of non-fossil fuel in primary energy consumption to around 25% by 2030.
In line with this momentum, the UK, France and Sweden set out plans to end international financial support for fossil fuels, while Canada announced it will ramp up its price on carbon to C$170 per tonne by 2030.
Working with nature, not against it
The Summit showed dedication to protecting nature with 12 leaders highlighting their existing plans to increase the use of nature-based solutions to combat climate change. As we approach the UN Biodiversity Conference in 2021, the Summit highlighted the need for more integrated solutions to confront both the climate and biodiversity crises, and speeding up progress right across the Sustainable Development Goals.
12 donor countries highlighted their commitments to support developing countries, including just under €500m in additional investment from Germany, an additional €1bn per year from France from its previous target, as well as a World Bank commitment to ensure that 35% of their portfolio includes climate co-benefits, and EIB commitment to ensure that 50% includes climate co-benefits, as well as 100% alignment of EIB’s activities on Paris agreement.
However, the Summit also demonstrated there is much more to do to ensure that no one is left behind. With COVID-19 impacting international climate finance flows this year, 2021 will be critical to show that finance is flowing and to meet and surpass the $100bn goal.
From momentum to a truly global movement: cities, business and financiers stepping up ambition at scale
Race to Resilience (Global) – a campaign launched today which brings together initiatives involving mayors, community leaders, businesses and insurance companies, among others, who commit to building resilience actions to safeguard by 2030 the lives and livelihoods of 4 billion people from groups and communities vulnerable to climate risks. Examples of actions and initiatives include the following:
Zurich Insurance (Switzerland) announced that the Zurich Flood Resilience Alliance will triple funding by 2025 and expand its reach from 11 to 21 countries.
Mayor of Freetown (Sierra Leone) committed to planting 1 million trees between 2020 and 2021.
Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (Global) – representing US$9 trillion of assets under management has seen each of the 30 founding members unequivocally commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. This includes setting individual portfolio targets, as well as engaging companies in each member’s portfolio to set decarbonization goals in line with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C.
C40 Cities (Global) – reinforced the commitment and action by cities to implement the Paris agreement by announcing the launch of the Cities Race to Zero campaign and that 70 cities have joined in the first month.
Godrej & Boyce (India)—a manufacturing company, announced commitments to key global initiatives including the Business Ambition for 1.5C, setting science-based targets, and advancing energy efficiency, through the EP100 initiative for energy-smart companies, in line with their overall ambition to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
International Airlines Group (Spain/UK) — are the first airline group worldwide to commit to achieving net zero emissions by 2050. The Oneworld Alliance of 13 airlines representing 20% of global aviation, is investing US$400m in sustainable aviation fuels (over the next 20 years) to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Dalmia Cement (India) – 40 of the world’s leading producers of cement as part of the Global Concrete and Cement Association have issued a industry commitment to deliver carbon-neutral concrete by 2050. The Indian cement company has gone further and established a roadmap to become carbon negative by 2040 and is working globally to meet its 100% renewable energy objectives.
Movida-Rent-a-Car (Brazil) – presented the actions that will underpin their pledge of net-zero emissions by 2030 and becoming carbon positive by 2040. Movida is reducing emissions across its operations, offsetting the carbon footprint of the company and its customers by planting trees, as well as adapting to impacts of climate change and undertaking risk analysis using methodologies of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.
Apple (United States) – pledged carbon neutrality for its supply chain and products by 2030 and announced new progress that 95 of its suppliers have committed to moving to 100% renewable energy.
Artistic Milliners (Pakistan) – a textile company announced joining the UN Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action and shared their actions on the circular economy to reduce their carbon footprint and provide zero emissions energy to thousands of homes.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said: The Summit has now sent strong signals that more countries and more businesses are ready to take the bold climate action on which our future security and prosperity depend.
“Today was an important step forward, but it’s not yet enough. Let’s not forget that we are still on track to an increase of temperature of 3 degrees at least in the end of the century, which would be catastrophic.
“The recovery from COVID-19 presents an opportunity to set our economies and societies on a green path in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
“As we look ahead, the central objective of the United Nations for 2021 is to build a truly Global Coalition for Carbon Neutrality.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Today we have seen what can be achieved if nations pull together and demonstrate real leadership and ambition in the fight to save our planet.
“The UK has led the way with a commitment to cut emissions by at least 68 percent by 2030 and to end support for the fossil fuel sector overseas as soon as possible, and it’s fantastic to see new pledges from around the world that put us on the path to success ahead of COP26 in Glasgow.
“There is no doubt that we are coming to the end of a dark and difficult year, but scientific innovation has proved to be our salvation as the vaccine is rolled out. We must use that same ingenuity and spirit of collective endeavour to tackle the climate crisis, create the jobs of the future and build back better.”
President Macron said: “Despite the global pandemic and one of the worst economic crises of our time, we have shown today that climate action remains at the top of the international agenda.
“The crisis gives us the opportunity to accelerate our ecological transition and I welcome the announcements made today by more than 70 heads of State and government. This summit has confirmed that the Paris agreement struck under the French COP Presidency five years ago remains, more than ever, the compass of international climate action.
“The EU is a leader in this global fight, with our new target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 – which is a fundamental milestone on the way to carbon neutrality.
“The EU and France will continue to promote ambitious levels of climate finance. We look forward to working with the United Nations, the UK COP Presidency and all parties to the Paris Agreement to keep raising ambition, and deliver on it through concrete action, in the year ahead.”
Lothian MSP Miles Briggs has selected the winner of his annual Christmas card competition, which he has been running since his election to the Scottish Parliament in 2016.
This year’s Christmas Card theme was NHS Scotland, to honour frontline workers who have worked incredibly hard throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The competition was open to all primary schools in Edinburgh and the Lothians, and Elsie Adams age 8, from P4 at St Peter’s Primary School in Morningside, was chosen as the winner.
Elsie won £50 Amazon voucher (sponsored by Morrison Construction), afternoon tea at the Caledonian (sponsored by Waldorf Astoria) and a family day out at Conifox Adventure Park (sponsored by Conifox).
Miles was unable to present Elsie with her prize in person due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs, said:“There were some very creative Christmas cards this year and pupils in Edinburgh and the Lothian’s once again showed their artistic talent.
“The competition was very close with hundreds of Christmas card entries from primary schools across the region, with inventive designs from hand sanitiser to the distinctive NHS rainbow.
“What was clear from the entries was that primary school pupils are aware of the tremendous effort that NHS staff have made throughout this year.
“Congratulations to the winner Elsie, whose bright card and fun design stood out as the winner of my 2020 Christmas card competition.”
The BBFC has published a list of ‘Santa Safe’ films that focus on the origin story of Father Christmas.
All films watched and vetted by BBFC staff to ensure that they don’t spoil the ‘Santa secret’.
All films featured rated U and PG, so suitable for the whole family.
The British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) has published a list of ‘Santa Safe’ films that focus on the origin story of Father Christmas, to help busy families who want to keep the magic of Christmas alive.
The list features nine festive films, all of which have been vetted by BBFC staff to ensure that they don’t spoil the ‘Santa secret.’
All the films picked are rated U and PG, so they are suitable for the whole family. Arthur Christmas, Klaus, The Polar Express, The Snowman, The Grinch and The Christmas Chronicles all feature.
Sarah Peacock, Compliance and Education Manager, said: “Christmas is one of the most magical times of the year for families, but sometimes enquiring little minds can often start asking difficult questions about exactly how their presents are delivered.
“Understandably, parents and carers want to keep that festive magic and mystery alive for as long as possible.
“We know that this time of year can be incredibly busy and stressful for parents and carers, who are already time poor – which is why we’ve published a list of ‘Santa Safe’ films that don’t spoil the ‘santa secret’ for kids.
“We’ve watched and vetted the films so you don’t have to, can press play with confidence and keep the magic alive for another year or two. There’s not a false beard in sight!”
The BBFC has also published a wide range of Christmas themed content and activities to keep families entertained this festive period, no matter what your festive celebrations look like:
Our latest ‘Movie Night with the BBFC’ pack features Klaus, and includes everything you need to know about the film as well as activities, games, and discussion points to keep the movie magic alive once the credits roll.
Families who might be spending time apart this year can check out a list of films that are themed around long distance, all rated from U to 12. The BBFC is encouraging those who aren’t able to spend the festive season this year to organise a festive film watch along – by either watching a film together and chatting over a messaging service, or downloading the Chrome extension TeleParty.
GUIDANCE FOR PEOPLE IN EDINBURGH SELF-ISOLATING UPDATED FROM MONDAY
MSP for Edinburgh Pentlands, Gordon MacDonald, has welcomed the announcement that the Scottish Government’s self-isolation payment will not be impacted, following an update that anyone required to self-isolate will need to do so for 10 days, rather than 14 days.
The £500 grant – which will not be reduced as a result of the updated clinical guidance – is for those who will face financial hardship due to being asked to self-isolate and will be targeted at people who are in receipt of Universal Credit or legacy benefits.
The four chief medical officers of the UK announced on Friday that close contacts of a positive case and those returning from countries without a travel corridor will be able to self-isolate for 10 days instead of the current 14 days from Monday.
SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald said: “Self-isolation, both for contacts identified by Test and Protect and through the foreign travel quarantine requirements, is critical to protecting people and reducing the spread of COVID-19.
“While self-isolation may now be for a shorter period, it remains vital that everyone who is required to do so remains at their home or other named address for this time. Only by doing this can we break the chain of transmission of the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.
“To ensure people do not experience financial hardship as a result of doing the right thing, the SNP Government has ensured that the £500 grant for people on low incomes who have been asked to self-isolate will not change.
“I’d urge everyone in Edinburgh who is facing a loss of income due to self-isolating to apply for this payment.”
Two Thirds of Scottish parents have noticed signs of regression in their children due to lack of peer play dates
36% found their child to become clingier following lockdown
84% of Scottish parents worry about finding the balance between educational and fun activities
Although Scottish parents are thankful that the second lockdown meant schools and nurseries would stay open, they are still finding that a lack of peer play dates has negatively affected their children.
According to the research conducted by Nick Jr. UK for Blue’s Clues & You!, the survey found that Scottish parents find peer play dates to be important for their child/ren’s development. Almost three fifths (59%) found that they gave their children an opportunity to interact with their peers and 43% felt it allowed their kids to learn whilst having fun.
55% of Scottish parents felt that due to continued lockdowns and tier regulations, the lack of peer play dates has affected their child’s confidence. Over a third (36%) noticed that their child/ren had become clingier and 21% said their children have become shyer. Three fifths (60%) have also seen their children’s happiness affected due to lack of time spent playing with friends, with 44% of Scottish parents noting their child/ren need more attention and under a quarter of children (23%) are crying more.
With playdates a no-go, over a third (39%) of Scottish parents are spending more time with their children now than they did during the first lockdown and 18% of respondents admitted becoming their child’s friend and developing a closer bond has been the best bit of spending lockdown with their child.
However, when it comes to friendship 27% of Scottish parents rely on playdates to allow them an opportunity to speak with other adults and 14% use the time to discuss any parenting woes they have with other parents with children of a similar age. Scottish parents have also seen a negative impact on their mental health, with 24% not being able to attend parent-baby groups and almost a third (31%) not having a break from parenting.
Comparing the first lockdown to the second lockdown, it’s no wonder that 84% of Scottish parents have struggled to find the right balance between educational and fun activities. More than 1 in 10 (14%) of Scottish parents have admitted that they have spent less time playing with their child, as they’ve run out of ideas of things to do and 31% noted that the cold and wet winter weather has made it harder to find activities to keep their children occupied.
With activities becoming repetitive and the lack of interaction with peers taking its toll, 66% of Scottish parents have noticed signs of regression. Almost half (47%) of Scottish parents said their children are having more tantrums / meltdowns, 27% had experienced sleep walking or trouble with sleeping and over a quarter (27%) had become fussy with their food.
Founder of the Good Play Guide, Dr. Amanda Gummer noted: “Parents have really struggled during lockdown when it comes to juggling childcare and their day to day lives.
“It’s understandable parents have seen regression in their children, as peer play dates are a great chance for children to learn and play with those of a similar age and help with their development in their younger years.
“Blue’s Clues & You! is a great way for children to continue learning through play whilst at home and unable to attend playgroups. Offering interactive and educational activities, puzzles and clue-led adventures for kids to participate in, children are learning as they play.
“If you are noticing signs of regression such as playing with toys you think they’ve grown out of or a change in eating habits, remember this is all natural. Times of change see children seek comfort so use this as an opportunity to spend more time together and provide them with a good role model to copy.”
Scottish parents are also concerned that the lack of interaction their kids are having with their peers during lockdown will negatively affect their development. 23% of parents are worried that they won’t know how to interact with other children, with a further 36% believing their child will be unhappy and 37% thinking they’ll lack confidence.
However, for Scottish parents, lockdown certainly hasn’t been all doom and gloom.
Over half of those surveyed (59%) enjoyed spending quality time together as a family in lockdown, 44% enjoyed seeing their child learn new things and gain a greater independence and 26% had a greater appreciation for teachers. 86% of Scottish parents have also found they are doing more Christmas arts, crafts and activities with their children to boost spirits.
For parents looking for inspiration of fun and educational exercises to help with their child’s development, as well top tips and parenting advice visit nickjr.co.uk/letsplay for useful tips and entertaining ideas to help your child continue to learn through play.
Blue’s Clues & You! airs daily at 8.30am and 4.30pm on Nick Jr. (Sky Ch. 606) Visit nickjr.co.uk/letsplay for more.
Seven top parenting tips from Dr. Amanda Gummer:
When coping with child regression, don’t pressure your child to achieve – even if you know they could do certain tasks before. Try to meet them where they are at and support them in moving onto their next milestone naturally.
In times of change and stress, children (and adults) seek comfort and reassurance. Make lots of time for familiar, comforting activities such as stories, film nights, baking etc. to minimize unnecessary change.
To ensure your children develop in to well-rounded and polite individuals, play is an important part. Playing with toys such as a play kitchen will give you an opportunity to practice please and thank you.
Look at your own manners and communication style and make sure you’re happy for your children to copy it. Use playtime as an opportunity for them to see you sharing things and taking turns. Playing games with your children lets them see you playing fairly and losing graciously at times.
There’s no such thing as the wrong weather when it comes to playing outdoors, just the wrong clothes. Make sure you’ve got a change of clothes if you’re playing outside and make it an exciting adventure rather then forcing them to go for a walk.
For siblings that bicker, remember it’s normal and actually helps them develop important skills. Leaving your children to resolve the argument themselves (as long as there is no clear victim / bully) is important with regards to social development. Children will learn skills such as negotiation, compromise and empathy.
If the bickering persists, give kids activities that require cooperation and collaboration. The reward for them working together is better than anything they’d be able to achieve on their own.
James Bennett was born in 1894 and served in the Royal Artillery during the Great War, losing a leg and part of an arm, and becoming an invalid. His injuries did not prevent him from opening a successful shoe repair shop in Edinburgh, which he managed for many years (writes JAN BONDESON).
In 1922, he moved into the ground floor flat at 25 Earl Haig Gardens, Trinity, a quiet and secluded square owned by the Scottish Veterans’ Garden City Association and reserved for disabled ex-servicemen.
He married twice and had issue with both wives; one of his daughters got married and left home, but in 1959, his 25-year-old younger daughter Irene was living with him in the flat. She had a job as a typist, but still managed to cook, clean and look after the flat, and help her invalid father with various daily chores.
In spite of his maimed condition, the now 65-year-old James Bennett remained hale and hearty: he walked with the help of a wooden leg and a heavy stick. He had sold the shoe shop three years earlier, after inheriting money, and liked to go out drinking beer with his old soldier friends.
On Saturday November 21 1959, James Bennett went out in the afternoon to drink some beer. Mrs Mary Brunton, who lived next door at No. 26, could hear him returning home by taxi late in the evening, before hobbling inside.
Some time after, there was a heavy thud from next door, and Irene gave a scream.
Mrs Brunton thought it might just have been a domestic argument, but still she went out to look through a window, but the house was in darkness and nothing could be heard from its interior.
On Monday November 23, Mrs Brunton noticed that the milk, rolls and newspapers were still on the doorstep of No. 25 at 1.15 pm. She looked through the bedroom window and saw James Bennett lying motionless in bed. She went and told her husband, and he called the police. It turned out that James Bennett was lying dead in his bed, with a single bullet from a .22 rifle lodged in his brain. The body of Irene Bennett was lying on the floor nearby, with multiple bullet wounds to the head and chest regions.
The police soon found out that Irene Bennett had been seeing a man named Alexander Bain Stirling, a 24-year-old car salesman from Loanhead, although she had stopped consorting with him after discovering that he was married already.
He had taken this rejection badly and had been pestering her, and she had told a neighbour that she was quite worried what this demented suitor might be capable of. Since Stirling was known to be driving a new red Ford Zephyr, registration TFS 53, the headline of the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch was ‘Red Car Murder Hunt Steps Up!’.
The reporter of course also went to see and photograph the city’s most famous recent murder house: “All was quiet in Earl Haig Gardens to-day. Only a solitary constable patrolling outside, and the freshly boarded-up front window of No. 25, gave a clue to yesterday’s tragic discovery. Many of the blinds in houses around the square were drawn as a mark of respect for Jimmy Bennett, the man everybody knew and liked.”
It turned out that Alexander Main Stirling was an adopted child, who had done his national service in the RAF, and had no previous convictions for serious crime.
He lived in Morningside with his wife and two children but worked as a sales assistant at his father’s second-hand car firm in Loanhead. A description of him was issued by the police: “About 5ft 10in tall, clean shaven, dark brown hair, chubby face, blue eyes, straight nose and thin lips. They say he may be wearing a sports jacket and flannel trousers, and a bluish grey overcoat of thin material.”
The hue and cry was up for Alexander Main Stirling all over Britain, but the fugitive had a head start of several days. The police speculated that he might be quite some distance away from Edinburgh, if he had been driving night and day.
But on November 24, Police Constable Raymond May was cycling along Southgate Street, Gloucester, when he spotted a red 1959 Ford Zephyr with the ‘right’ registration number travelling north towards the town centre.
He went to the nearest telephone to alert the patrol cars. Soon afterwards, Constables Ronald Savage and Stanley de Gama saw the red Ford Zephyr two miles away on the road from Gloucester to Painswick.
They gave chase in their powerful patrol car, and drove in front of the Ford Zephyr, forcing it to stop. They made a dash for the doors, but the tired-looking, bleary-eyed Stirling made no attempt to resist or escape, merely saying ‘It’s all right, I know what you want me for.’
The two patrol constables made sure that Alexander Main Stirling was taken into custody, and that the car, the contents of which included a .22 rifle with a silencer and a plentiful supply of ammunition, was properly searched.
Stirling was back in Edinburgh on November 25, where he was formally charged with murder, and appeared in court the following day. He appeared quite despondent after his dramatic attempt to escape had failed.
When Alexander Main Stirling faced trial at the High Court of Edinburgh on March 8 1960, he wished to plead guilty to the capital murders of James and Irene Bennett, but this was not accepted.
There was much public interest in the trial, with 50 people queuing up outside the court. Mrs Elizabeth Smith, the sister of Irene Bennett, testified that she had known about Irene’s association with Stirling, and that her father had disapproved of it.
She identified several of the items taken from the escape car as belonging to her sister. A number of friends and colleagues of Irene Bennett testified that she had told them that she had wanted the affair with Stirling to end, and that she had been annoyed with his impudence.
Mr and Mrs Brunton told how the murders had been discovered, Stirling’s father explained his background in life, and a miner identified the .22 rifle produced in court as the one he had lent to Alexander Main Stirling, at the latter’s request.
After the police and forensic specialists had given evidence, Mr Grant the Solicitor-General addressed the jury. He pointed out that the murder weapon had been identified, and that it had been in Stirling’s possession at the time of the murders, that property belonging to Irene Bennett had been found in the escape car, and that Stirling’s palm prints had been found on the window through which the murder made his entry into the flat.
The jury took just 11 minutes to reach a verdict of Guilty, and Lord Thomson donned the traditional black tricorne hat when he passed sentence of death onto the prisoner.
Alexander Main Stirling heard the death sentence with the same calm indifference he had displayed throughout the trial. In prison awaiting execution, he refused to see any visitors, and threw away all letters and notes addressed to him.
But on March 18, just 12 days before the execution date, he asked for counsel to frame an appeal, claiming that the verdict was contrary to the evidence, and that Lord Thomson had misdirected the jury. The Criminal Appeal Court turned it down, however, and the day of reckoning seemed to loom for the creature Stirling.
But still, this cowardly double murderer received a last-minute reprieve, and was spared the gallows with what must have been a very narrow margin. Instead he entered a prison cell, where he would have to stay for many years to come.
In August 1970, it was announced that Stirling had been released by royal prerogative since he suffered from an incurable disease. He died from carcinoma of the oesophagus at an Edinburgh nursing home a few weeks later, aged just 35.
This is an extract from Jan Bondeson’s Murder Houses of Edinburgh (Troubador Publishing 2020).
