60% of Scottish parents believe lack of playdates is having a detrimental effect on their child’s happiness

  • 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:

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.

DOUBLE MURDER IN EARL HAIG GARDENS (in 1959, mind!)

The murder house at 25 Earl Haig Gardens today

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).

Janey Godley: “Being mildly offensive helps get Corona message out there”

  • Janey Godley discusses positive effect of coronavirus daily briefing voiceovers in exclusive interview for the RSE (Royal Society of Edinburgh)
  • Interview with Kirsty Wark is first of two events focused on importance of effective public communication during coronavirus

Comedian Janey Godley has spoken about the positive impact of her viral social media videos in which she provides a voice-over to the First Minister’s daily coronavirus briefings, in an exclusive interview with Kirsty Wark FRSE for the RSE (Royal Society of Edinburgh), Scotland’s National Academy.

The comedic catchphrase of “Frank, get the door!” has become synonymous with the daily briefings, and while the videos have brought light relief to many, they have also served a much more important purpose of reinforcing the key messages of “stay at home” delivered to the public by the First Minister.

Godley said: “I basically imagined a wee woman called Jeanette at the bus stop, and how she would translate the daily briefings to her friend, wee Agnes.”

In the interview, Godley also highlighted that the comedy sketches are “not about the politician, and it’s not about the politics, it’s about getting the message about coronavirus out there, in an informed, relatable and mildly offensive way.”

The interview was organised as part of the RSE’s Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission’s Public Debate and Participation workstream, and is the first of two events with Janey Godley around the topic of communication during the pandemic.

Next Thursday (17 December) she will be joined by Professor Jason Leitch and Professor Mona Siddiqui OBE FRSE for a live panel event, “Voices of Covid” hosted by Professor Dame Anne Glover; in which they will discuss the importance of communication with the public during coronavirus, and take live questions from the viewers.

Dr. Rebekah Widdowfield, chief executive of the RSE said: “The importance of clear communication around a public issue like coronavirus cannot be overstated. While the Government’s daily briefing has been a steady, reliable way to provide updates to the public, the repetitive nature of the guidance can cause the impact to be somewhat dampened.

“This is where Janey Godley’s contribution has been its most effective – by adding comedy and relatability to the content, it has encouraged the public to reengage with the messaging.

“Supporting public dialogue and debate is a key objective of our Post-Covid-19 Futures Commission and the event hosted by RSE President Anne Glover next week with Janey, Jason Leitch and Mona Siddiqui will provide a deeper insight into the challenges of communication during a pandemic, and allow the public to put their questions to some of the key voices we’ve heard throughout the last nine months.”

“Kirsty and Janey In Conversation” will be premiered on the RSE’s Facebook Page at 7pm on Friday (11 December), and will also be available on the RSE’s YouTube channel.

“Voices of Covid Who Cuts Through & Why?”; with Janey Godley, Professor Jason Leitch and Mona Siddiqui OBE FRSE, hosted by RSE President, Professor Dame Anne Glover, will be  held on Thursday 17th of December at 2.30pm, you can sign up here

Tackling social isolation and loneliness

Funding promotes inclusion and wellbeing

Almost £6 million in funding will provide friendship and human connection to people at risk of social isolation and loneliness over the winter months.

Part of the Scottish Government’s £100 million winter package to support people, the funding will ensure services such as wellbeing calls, befriending support, advice and volunteering are maintained and extended over winter.

Through the Connecting Scotland programme, an extra £4.3 million will help 5,000 older people to get online, and around 200 families to maintain contact with a loved one in prison custody, through digital devices and internet access.

More than £1.6 million will go to organisations providing key helplines, for groups such as older people and victims of domestic abuse. Over £900,000 will go to various other projects across Scotland supporting people of all ages affected by social isolation and loneliness.

Equalities Minister Christina McKelvie said: “Living through an extended period of not spending time with our friends and loved ones has been painful for everyone, but extremely damaging for some and we know that many people will find the upcoming festive period particularly hard.

“The events of this year have reaffirmed our commitment to tackling social isolation and loneliness as a serious public health issue.

“That’s why part of our Winter Plan for Social Protection will have a specific focus on addressing this across society. In particular among older people, disabled people, the young LGBTI community, care-leavers, and women and girls at risk from violence and abuse.

The charity Generations Working Together will receive £76,200 to continue connecting care home residents with their families and younger people in the community.

Chief Executive Officer Alison Clyde said: “We provide support and training to care home staff to ensure residents are connected with loved ones, as well as young people from the local community.

“Participants share their skills and life experiences, learn together whilst making new friends and most importantly have fun. This also helps to break down intergenerational barriers – vital in tackling ageism and reducing loneliness and isolation.”

Shared Care Scotland will receive £80,000 for its Time to Live grant scheme for unpaid carers.

Chief Executive Don Williamson said: “Ongoing restrictions continue to have a significant impact on carers, many of whom are unable to access their usual forms of support.

“Accessing a short break through a Time to Live grant can make a huge difference to a carer’s health and wellbeing, helping them recharge their batteries and sustaining them through the winter months.”

YouthLink Scotland will receive £150,000 to allocate small grants to local grassroots youth work.

Chief Executive Officer Tim Frew said: “Some young adults face uncertainty around their future job prospects and struggle to cope with the restrictions. This funding will enable us to direct youth work support to where it is needed the most, boosting young people’s interaction with others and promoting positive mental wellbeing.”

In addition to the £5.91 million from the winter support package, the Scottish Government has also provided £1.16 million funding over the course of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic to organisations who tackle isolation and loneliness through local projects, intergenerational learning and phone helplines.

Our National Assistance Helpline, connected to all Local Authorities, remains in place to support people and provide advice when they need it.

In addition to those mentioned above, organisations to receive funding include: Befriending Networks (£100,000), BEMIS/Ethnic Minority Resilience Network (£100,00), Scottish Mens’ Sheds Association (£100,000), Chest Heart Stroke Scotland (£75,000), Glasgow Disability Alliance and other national disability organisations (£120,000).

Hospital and care home visiting update

Keeping residents and patients safe over Christmas and New Year period.

Visiting arrangements for hospitals and care homes in Scotland will remain in place over the Christmas and New Year period, it has been confirmed.

For the general public, there will be UK-wide easing of restrictions on travel and gathering between 23 – 27 December.

However, in a joint-letter to NHS Boards, the interim Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer and National Clinical Director clarified this would not apply to hospitals over the Christmas period, given the increased vulnerability of hospital patients compared to the general population.

Christmas and New Year guidance has also been published for the adult care home sector, recommending that indoor visiting should continue to be supported where it is safe to do so, as well as setting out specific safeguards that care homes can put in place to safely support festive activities.

Health Secretary Jeane Freeman said: “While most people will see a limited relaxation of existing restrictions over the holiday period, hospital and care home visiting guidance will remain in place to protect patients and residents.

“However, we are encouraging Boards and care homes to continue to apply this guidance with flexibility and compassion, given how important the Christmas and New Year period is for many families, to ensure no-one is unnecessarily isolated over the Christmas period. Essential visits should also continue regardless of local restrictions, as they have throughout the pandemic.

“In care homes this will be facilitated by testing of designated visitors, which will be rolled out to all care homes from Monday onwards. Testing is not required for visiting but it does add an additional layer of protection, and we will make PCR testing available for any care homes unable to make use of lateral flow tests before Christmas.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): hospital visiting guidance

Coronavirus (COVID-19): adult care homes guidance

Visiting in care homes is subject to care homes being free of any COVID-19 symptoms for 14 days, actively participating in the care home testing programme and having visiting risk assessments approved by the local Director of Public Health.

Letter to NHS Boards: see below:

LETTER-Christmas-Preparation-and-Visiting-GuidanceDownload

Today: Citizen Winter Warmer

As the nights draw-in and the lights begin to twinkle, join us online for a day full of free fun and creative activities for all the family, with readings, DrawAlongs, music and more!

Enjoy stories from Maggie O’Farrell, Alan Bissett and Nadine Aisha Jassat, put your pens to work with illustrator Eilidh Muldoon, hear music from Tinderbox Collective and experience tales written by our Citizen groups in North Edinburgh, Musselburgh and beyond!

Free and online on Saturday 12 December. Find out more:

https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/news/citizen-winter-warmer

Arthur mural lights up Leith

People experiencing and at risk of homelessness battle extremely difficult circumstances every day and never more so than during this Covid-19 pandemic.

Research shows that if you’re rough sleeping in Scotland, your life expectancy is 47 years for a man and if you’re a woman, this decreases to 43 years.

The family of Arthur Williams are therefore well aware of how much of a miracle it is that, despite living on the streets of Leith for almost 30 years, he somehow managed to defy these odds.

Next month he will be 83 and he is currently living out his days with dignity and respect and being lovingly looked after in a care home.  However, it took years of support and interventions to eventually get him to this point.

It also took years of tolerance, kindness and generosity from countless local businesses and good hearted Leith locals to keep him safe and alive for all those years sleeping rough.

It is for this reason that the family of Arthur Williams, on his behalf, want to give something back to the community of Leith, to say thank you for the years of support from the everyday people and good Samaritans who showed him enormous kindness.

It is hoped that this mural by the incredibly talented local artist Shona Hardie (shonahardie.com) will honour his legacy and bring some much needed cheer, in these dark days, to the people of Leith and to all who see it. 

We are delighted and extremely honoured that Shona Hardie was willing to be involved and are touched at how committed she was to making this happen.

In addition we are grateful to Vue Art (vueart.co.uk) who collaborated with Shona Hardie to incorporate the homeless/mental health signposting artwork on the utility box situated below the mural. 

We also want to thank Casa Amiga (casaamiga.co.uk) for granting permission to site the mural on the side of their premises on the most aptly named street – ‘Arthur Street’.

Throughout his life on the streets, Arthur Williams was known to Social Services, NHS Lothian and Police Scotland and was supported by them and the local homeless charity Streetwork (streetwork.org.uk) which is part of Simon Community Scotland (simonscotland.org).

It is hoped that this mural will serve as a reminder of the plight of people experiencing and at risk of homelessness and that the homeless/mental health signposting may be of use to anyone out there who needs it.

If you wish to make a donation to Streetwork, no matter how large or small, it will help make a difference through the work they deliver:

  • £1 pays for a warm drink a in safe place off the street
  • £5 pays for someone to have a hot shower and access to laundry.
  • £10 helps someone to become more employable – to find a route off the street.
  • £30 pays for a sleeping bag when all options for the night are exhausted.
  • £50 per month helps our outreach team reach and speak to vulnerable people on the street.
  • £150 provides ongoing support to someone in a situation of crisis, including access to health services.

We know that people can and do recover from homelessness. Individual support, linking people into the services they need and, above all, human kindness make a huge difference. Every day we are astounded by the resilience and tenacity of people to survive and find their way to a more positive future.  Arthur Williams is a perfect example of this and embodies the motto of Leith – “Persevere”.

Jan Williamson, Assistant Director for Streetwork said, “We are so grateful to Arthur and his family for arranging this mural for the community of Leith, and for raising awareness of homelessness and mental health. 

“The team at Streetwork were honoured to know Arthur and to have been part of his remarkable story, he is a real gentleman and a true Leith legend and this mural is a fitting tribute to him.”

Ben Macpherson MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith said: “This stunning mural is a really uplifting tribute to Arthur, who I know is doing well in his new home. The widespread positive response that the painting’s received already is testament to how much Arthur is loved by the community in Leith and beyond.

“It’s also testament to Shona Hardie’s magnificent artwork. What’s more, the generous donations that are being made to the family’s fundraising campaign, for Streetwork, emphasise that people want to help those in need where they can, like local people in Leith supported Arthur over the years, and our shared commitment and determination to tackle and prevent homelessness.”

The fundraising page for Streetwork is: https://justgiving.com/campaign/StreetworkArthur.

Distillery toasts success of its world-first Bison Grass Gin

Three Wrens is raising a glass to celebrate the success of its new limited-edition Bison Grass Gin, the world’s first to be distilled and infused with the aromatic sweetgrass. 

Launched in October, the gin uses ‘Hierochloe odorata’ – an aromatic herb once thought to exclusively grow in Poland’s ancient Bialowieza Forest. It is long hailed for its sacred properties in northern Europe and North America, where indigenous people used it in prayer and purifying ceremonies. 

Three Wrens’ founder master distiller Nick Wadeson has been secretly growing the bison grass from seed in wooden planters at the company’s base in Cholmondeley, Cheshire, since the spring. Fully organic, the rare sweetgrass has been propagated and replanted along the way to ensure 100% sustainability. 

The bison grass is vapour infused and distilled with rich Tuscan juniper berries, home-grown apple mint, lemon mint, fresh lime, grains of paradise and five other carefully selected botanicals. It is then macerated in the finished gin slowly in order to impart more of the flavour, before the finished spirit is filtered and bottled at 41.5% ABV. 

The result is a gin with aromas of fresh hay and lemongrass, a rich hit of juniper on the palate and a long, smooth and herbaceous finish. Each bottle comes with a strand of bison grass in it for authenticity. 

Three Wrens Bison Grass Gin is best served with a classic or elderflower tonic, with a slice of fresh apple. Alternatively, serve it with cloudy apple juice and a squeeze of lime in a gin-based twist on the classic bison grass vodka cocktail, Tatanka.  

Just months after launch, the unique gin – bison grass has only been used to infuse vodka before – has been awarded a Gold medal in the Contemporary category of the second tasting of The Gin Masters 2020, hosted by The Spirits Business.

The judges praised Three Wrens Bison Grass Gin for having a spicy and indulgent nose, aromatic vanilla and ginger, with a balanced and intense palate. It was also noted for its sweetness, with grassiness on the palate, as well as for being spicy, integrated and flavoursome.  

Nick Wadeson said: “We’re delighted that Three Wrens Bison Grass Gin received a Gold medal in The Gin Masters 2020. It offers a truly unique flavour experience, particularly as the key botanical has been so carefully grown and nurtured at our own distillery.”

Three Wrens Bison Grass Gin retails at £38.50 for a 70cl bottle and is available to buy from the Three Wrens website. 

Morrisons to Deliveroo festive favourites this Christmas

– Morrisons to deliver mince pies, mulled wine and pigs in blankets via Deliveroo this Christmas –

– Festive favourites to be delivered to homes in as little as 30 minutes –

Morrisons is helping its customers get into the Christmas spirit by adding festive favourites such as mince pies, mulled wine and pigs in blankets to its Deliveroo range.

The addition of Morrisons’ seasonal treats to the Deliveroo offering is perfect for any festive cravings and means customers don’t even need to leave the comfort of their house to enjoy them.  Instead, orders can be placed through the Deliveroo app or website and delivered in as little as 30-minutes from a local Morrisons store.

Party food from Morrisons ‘The Best’ range is included in the offer to help get celebrations underway or provide the perfect snacks for a Christmas movie night. Products such as Morrisons ‘The Best’ Pork Belly Bites in Maple BBQ Sauce; Morrisons ‘The Best’ Caramelised Onion, Garlic & Thyme Baking Camembert and Morrisons ‘The Best’ Deep Filled Mince Pies are all available to order.

A full festive feast can be topped off with a dessert like Morrisons ‘The Best’ Salted Caramel Cheesecake or a glass of Morrisons ‘The Best’ Premier Cru Champagne, Morrisons ‘The Best’ Prosecco or seasonal favourites like Morrisons ‘The Best’ Clementine Bucks Fizz or Morrisons ‘The Best’ Mulled Wine.

35 Christmas products have been added to the Morrisons Deliveroo offering to bring the total number of products available to 300.

Amy Bishop, Deliveroo Account Manager at Morrisons says: “We’re delighted to be able to spread a bit of festive cheer and help customers who are craving Christmas treats and just can’t wait until their next big shop.

“Thanks to our partnership with Deliveroo, customers can enjoy our food without even leaving their kitchen.”    

All orders through Deliveroo will incur a £4.50 delivery charge and 49p service fee. Riders will leave deliveries at customers’ doors to ensure they are contact-free and safe.

Morrisons first announced a partnership with Deliveroo in April to support the most vulnerable by having essential items quickly delivered to their doorstep. The service is now available from more than 180 Morrisons stores across the UK and covers one in four households (6.8 million).

For more information, visit www.morrisons.com or www.deliveroo.com and search for your local Morrisons store.

#ItsMoreThanOurJob

The full list of products available on the Morrisons Christmas Deliveroo menu includes:

Morrisons Extra Large Melton Mowbray Pie
Morrisons 20 Mini Cranberry & Pork Sausage Rolls 200G
Morrisons 6 Christmas Cake Slices
Morrisons 6 Stollen Slices
Morrisons Melting Mozzarella Sticks
Morrisons Mini Pork Pies
Morrisons Pigs In Blankets 10 Pack
Morrisons Pork Cocktail Sausages 50 Pack
Morrisons The Best Aberdeen Angus Steak & Black Truffle Crisps
Morrisons The Best Ardennes Pate
Morrisons The Best Brussels Pate
Morrisons The Best Butter Basted Turkey & Herb Potato Crisps
Morrisons The Best Camembert & Thyme Potato Crisps
Morrisons The Best Caramelised Onion, Garlic & Thyme Baking Camembert
Morrisons The Best Classic Fruit Panettone
Morrisons The Best Clementine Bucks Fizz
Morrisons The Best Cranberry Sauce
Morrisons The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies
Morrisons The Best Duck Straws With Dip
Morrisons The Best Fruit & Nut Belgian Chocolate Slab
Morrisons The Best King Prawn & Salmon Terrines
Morrisons The Best Mulled Wine
Morrisons The Best New York Cheesecake
Morrisons The Best Pigs In Blankets Ridge Potato Crisps
Morrisons The Best Pork Belly Bites With Maple Bbq Sauce
Morrisons The Best Prawn Cocktail
Morrisons The Best Salted Caramel & Honeycomb Belgian Chocolate Slab
Morrisons The Best Salted Caramel Cheesecake
Morrisons The Best Vegetable Tempura Nests With Sweet Chilli Dip
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Widow makes 75-mile dash to be reunited with long-lost Laddo

Christmas came early for a Doncaster widow when her long-lost cat was found 75 miles away and she made a cross-county dash to Skegness to bring him home.

Laddo became a much-loved companion to retired NHS worker Sybil Gillatt after the unexpected death of her husband Keith. So when the long-haired black cat went missing last November, she felt the great loss of the family cat.

Mrs Gillatt, aged 70 years, said: “Laddo didn’t come back as usual that evening. I didn’t worry too much because he’d sometimes do that and would sleep under the shed, but when he didn’t come when I called him in the morning, I knew that wasn’t right.

“The weather was quite bad that day so my son thinks that Laddo might have climbed in the back of a trailer from a nearby farm without the driver knowing. I looked for him for days and put up notices but nobody had seen him. He was gone.”

Even then, Sybil couldn’t allow herself to lose all hope. One year on she still kept his bedding, toys and scratching post in the hope that Laddo, three years old when he took off, might return.

Mrs Gillatt said: “I lost my husband, Keith the year before. We had so many plans, then suddenly it was just me and Laddo. He was company for me. So when he disappeared I was lost. I’ve had a horrible year without Keith and Laddo, I really have.

“My family kept saying they’d get me another cat but nothing could replace Laddo. Although I started to fear that I wouldn’t see him again, there had to be hope. People might think it sounds silly but I needed to believe that.”

What she couldn’t have known was that, for eight of those 12 dreadful months, Laddo was being fed and cared for as a stray in a garden near Skegness – 75 miles from home.

Cat lover Karen Rice, said: “In April what I thought was a feral cat started to visit my garden. When he turned up he was thin, his coat was a mess and he was very timid. He wouldn’t allow me anywhere near him but I took pity on him and named him Foxglove. 

“I fed and wormed him and it reached the stage where I could get close enough to stroke the top of his head. That was a turning point and he enjoyed fuss on his own terms. Gradually over the months he gained weight and he is now quite a big cat. He’s a really handsome lad.

“As the nights got colder I tried coaxing him in but he seemed to prefer being outdoors whatever the weather. There was some tension with one of my other cats and I knew that if they couldn’t accept him, I would need to contact Cats Protection to find him a new home.”

Before that decision had to be made, Karen borrowed a scanner to check the microchips in her own cats. Luckily, Foxglove was around that day so she scanned him too and was surprised by what she found.

Karen said: “I couldn’t believe it when he was chipped. I contacted my local Cats Protection branch, gave them the chip number and the next day they phoned to tell me that the owner had been traced. She was over the moon that her cat had been found.”

Mrs Gillatt added: “I couldn’t believe it was true. I am so grateful that Laddo had been looked after by a cat lover like Karen and that Cats Protection were able to trace me. I’m so glad we got him microchipped. Without that chip, I wouldn’t have been driving over to collect my boy.

“When I brought him home, Laddo sat in the middle of the room and had a good look round. Then he went and sat by the settee where he always used to sleep. Later that evening he kept going to the cupboard where I always kept his food and I couldn’t think why. He’d been fed and had his treats, so he couldn’t be hungry. But then I remembered his favourite brush.

“As soon as I took it out he rolled on his back to be brushed. He really was so pleased to be home, he remembered everything. He hasn’t asked to go out once – and I’m just fine with that. I really am so grateful to have him home again. This is the best Christmas present ever.”

Laddo’s joyful homecoming perfectly illustrates the important message of Cats Protection’s Christmas campaign to encourage microchipping for cats.

https://youtu.be/9E9xeZGli1k

The tear-jerking animation created by multi award-winning Aardman Studios (www.cats.org.uk/christmas) is inspired by the true story of a young boy reunited with his missing cat, Casper.

Fiona of Cats Protection’s Skegness and District Branch said: “It is such a lovely story, especially at this time of year. It’s heartwarming that we were able to make Christmas special for at least one more cat and his owner, especially as the story was so similar to the magical Cats Protection Christmas animation.”

Cats Protection’s work has continued throughout the COVID-19 crisis, thanks to the charity’s generous supporters who make it all possible.

To donate to the Skegness and District Branch and support cats like Laddo, visit: www.cats.org.uk/christmas/donate

According to Cats Protection’s CATS report 2020, over a quarter (26%) of owned cats in the UK are not chipped. The charity is actively campaigning to change this by making it a legal requirement for cats to be microchipped, as it is for dogs.