A sports volunteer from Midlothian has won the Volunteer of the Year award at the sportscotland Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering (COV) Awards 2024.
Stevie Halliday has been recognised for the time and dedication he has given to rugby in the area, particularly at Dalkeith RFC.
Serving as the Director of Youth Rugby last year, Stevie has transformed Dalkeith RFC’s mini and youth rugby sections. Under his leadership, the club fielded its first under-18 team in over a decade, culminating in Dalkeith RFC’s inaugural appearance in a national final.
The club’s mini and youth sections have seen remarkable growth under his guidance, now boasting over 300 boys and girls. Thanks to Stevie’s hard work and organisation, Dalkeith RFC consistently fields boys’ teams at under-13, under-14, under-16, and under-18 levels, along with its first girls’ youth teams.
One of Stevie’s focuses has been providing opportunities for girls graduating from mini rugby to continue playing at Dalkeith RFC. This initiative has been a success with 27 girls now actively participating in youth rugby.
Stevie also coaches the under-18 side, steering them to the National School Bowl Final at Murrayfield, marking the club’s first national final in its history.
Stevie’s support for Dalkeith RFC’s youth players extends beyond coaching. He has organised first aid courses, mental health workshops and encouraged players to take on roles in running the club and coaching. His commitment to Dalkeith RFC is longstanding, having served as a player, Club Captain and President.
Stevie said: “My view is you always gets out of something what you put in. I met my wife at the rugby club, we’ve got two kids who are both involved in the rugby now so that drives me on to make sure there’s a place for them to be.
“It’s been a place that’s been a good environment for me and I want to make sure it stays that way for everyone else.”
Jason Hendrie, First Team Coach at Dalkeith RFC, said: “He’s always pushing everyone at the club to make things better. He’s always wanting the best for the club, if we didn’t have Stevie I don’t know where we’d be. He drives it so much.”
The sportscotland COV Awards celebrates the people who make sport happen in communities across Scotland, who inspire and enhance the lives of others and often commit their own time to help make sport accessible to as many people as possible.
The COV winners were invited to collect their award at a presentation ceremony at Glasgow City Chambers on Thursday 7 November.
Forbes Dunlop, Chief Executive of sportscotland, said: “Every year the Coaching, Officiating and Volunteering Awards give us the opportunity to celebrate the people across the country who have given so much of their time and dedication to Scottish sport and are making such an impact on their sport and their community.
“Across Scotland, there are thousands of people who recognise the impact that sport can have on us all. The people we are celebrating have taken that recognition and ,with a huge amount of hard work, helped to change people’s lives.
“Individuals like Stevie have dedicated a huge amount of their time to helping others realise their sporting potential.”
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Hundreds of people gathered as a single gunshot fired from Edinburgh Castle today to mark a 2-minute silence at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember those who have fallen in conflicts through the years.
The signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918, marked the end of the First World War and each year since 1919 the nation has paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in battle.
Preceding the gun fire, at a service within the Garden of Remembrance on Princes Street, Bugler Iona Macfarlane, a medical student at the University of Edinburgh, performed the Last Post.
At the Edinburgh service, wreaths were then laid by the Right Honourable Lord Provost and Lord Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, Robert Aldridge.
Additional wreaths were laid by the CEO of Legion Scotland, Dr Claire Armstrong OBE, Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, Colonel (Retd) Jim Wilson, Veterans Scotland, Maj (Retd) Alasdair Henry Hutton OBE TD OstJ, Edinburgh and Lothian & Borders Area President, Legion Scotland, and Reverend Dr Karen Campbell, the National Chaplain of Legion Scotland.
Piper Lorne McIntyre from George Heriot’s School then completed the day’s service under glorious sunshine in the capital city.
Dr Claire Armstrong, CEO of Legion Scotland, said: “As a country, and as an organisation, we will never forget the sacrifices that have been made for so many, for the sake of so few.
“These sacrifices are made on a daily occurrence by our Armed Forces community, and they are made on our behalf. I wish to thank our Armed Forces community for their continued dedication to our values and our freedoms. “
The UK will lead the world in the pro-growth clean energy transition, the Prime Minister has announced at the first day of the World Leaders Summit at COP 29
Prime Minister arrives at COP29 with major boost for industry to invest in clean supply chains
British manufacturing win with blade factory in Hull set to benefit from £1bn offshore wind deal
UK steps up clean energy investment to boost energy security, protect consumers, and create good jobs
UK expected to announce new UK climate target to reduce emissions and show climate leadership during summit
The UK will lead the world in the pro-growth clean energy transition, the Prime Minister has announced at the first day of the World Leaders Summit at COP.
At the COP29 Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, the Prime Minister has announced another major step forward in the Government’s mission to make the UK a clean energy superpower.
Offshore wind developers will be incentivised to invest in the UK’s historic industrial heartlands, coastal areas and oil and gas communities, boosting green jobs, and to support sustainable factories.
Delivering on a Government manifesto commitment, the Clean Industry Bonus will come with a provisional £27 million per Gigawatt of offshore wind projects. That means if between 7 to 8GW of offshore wind apply, the budget could go up to £200m.
The UK is wasting no time to accelerate the global transition to clean energy and putting the UK at the forefront of the industries of the future. The bonus will create the conditions for cleaner energy industries to thrive in the UK and elsewhere, while rewarding firms for investing in less polluting suppliers – tackling the climate crisis at home and abroad.
It will help to crowd in private investment in hard-working communities across Scotland, Wales, the North East and North West, to build more sustainable offshore wind blades, cables and ports – reducing industrial emissions and helping support the rollout of clean, secure, cheap power for families.
Thousands of highly skilled jobs such as engineers, electricians or welders across the supply chain – will create vibrant towns and cities fit for a clean energy future.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower will fire up our industrial heartlands and break down barriers to growth in our hard-working towns and cities.
“It will strengthen our national security - protecting our children and grandchildren from the climate crisis, and impact this will have on their future prosperity.
“By acting decisively and early, the UK has an opportunity to lead the world in the industries of the future — working in partnership with business — creating real energy security, cutting energy bills and building jobs and supply chains in the UK.
“But we can’t move alone – and at COP I will lead efforts to protect Britain from climate change by also working with other countries to accelerate the global clean transition to tackle the causes at its root.”
The Government has committed to tackling the climate crisis and accelerating towards net zero to make the British people better off, primarily by investing in clean homegrown power to end national exposure to fossil fuel markets and the dictators who control them.
Swift action has already been taken to cut emissions through the Government’s clean power by 2030 mission. Steps taken so far include:
Lifting the ban on onshore wind in England.
Delivering a record number of clean energy projects through its renewables auction.
Consenting unprecedented amounts of nationally significant solar – 2GW – more than the last 14 years combined.
Launching Great British Energy
Firing the starting gun on the UK’s Carbon Capture and Storage industry, with funding agreed for two clusters in Teesside and Merseyside.
In a further boost to British manufacturing ScottishPower has awarded a £1 billion turbine contract for its East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm to Siemens Gamesa, including blade production at its Hull blade factory.
This major contract will inject growth into the industrial heartlands with Siemens Gamesa employing over 1,300 people in Humberside, following extensive recruitment, whilst ScottishPower’s investment in East Anglia supports thousands more. Its East Anglia TWO wind farm alone will produce enough clean energy to power the equivalent of almost 1 million homes.
This cash injection has shown funding is already flowing from last month’s commitment at the International Investment Summit where Iberdrola doubled their investment in the UK, through Scottish Power, from £12bn to £24bn over the next 4 years.
This includes funding for the East Anglia TWO wind farm off the Suffolk coast – unlocked by this Government’s expanded allocation at the most recent renewables auction round.
Keith Anderson, CEO of ScottishPower, said: “Today is tangible proof of the importance of Britain’s Clean Power Mission – our East Anglia projects are delivering UK jobs, UK supply chain contracts and UK green energy.
“Getting more projects like East Anglia TWO off the blocks quicker will turbo-boost the UK’s supply chain, giving companies like Siemens Gamesa the confidence to invest in facilities like this blade factory in Hull.
“Britain’s clean power targets are achievable but demanding. We’ve doubled our investment and are ready to play our part with Government as it gets barriers out the way to build more projects like this, alongside the electricity networks needed to ferry green, homegrown power across the country.”
Darren Davidson, UK and Ireland Vice President for Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa said: “The UK is the first leading industrial country to simultaneously phase out coal power and be a leader in offshore wind.
“If we’re to achieve our net zero targets, it’s mission critical this momentum is maintained. As well as delivering the blades to power the UK’s energy transition, our factory in Hull is acting as a catalyst for economic growth and green jobs across the region.”
At COP29 the UK will encourage other nations to follow its lead to deliver change – strong leadership at home to deliver action abroad.
The Prime Minister is expected to use the visit to make the case for supporting the global transition. In his address to other countries he will argue the global economy depends on nature and a stable climate that is under threat.
The 2022 UK heatwave saw record-breaking 40°C temperatures in England and caused 3000 excess deaths. These events are estimated to be 10x more likely due to climate change.
Climate finance at scale is critical to avoiding the worst consequences of climate change, but the UK is clear public finance alone cannot meet the growing needs of developing countries and innovation is essential to unlock billions in private finance.
This is why the UK will also use the summit to announce the launch of the new CIF Capital Market Mechanism on the London Stock Exchange.
This world-leading, innovative new financial mechanism, has the potential to mobilise up to $75 billion in additional climate capital for developing countries over the next decade.
Its listing in London shows the confidence in our economy and showcases the city as a green finance capital, and the UK as an attractive place to invest in the future.
It will help developing countries cut emissions, build renewable energy and adapt to a rapidly changing climate – all at no extra cost to the British taxpayers.
The mechanism demonstrates the commitment of the UK to work with other like-minded countries and partners like the World Bank to mobilise the finance needed to drive the global clean energy transition.
This will also support the UK Government’s priorities for COP29 – to unveil the UK’s new emission reduction goals, secure an ambitious new global climate goal (NCQG) and the Global Clean Power Alliance by showing the potential to unlock billions more in climate finance for clean energy projects over the next decade.
Caledonian Thebans RFC received £2,500 funding as part of Aldi’s initiative
Aldi Scotland has invested £7,000 in eight local sports clubs across Edinburgh and the Lothians as part of its annual Scottish Sport Fund initiative.
The fund supports the supermarket’s commitment to cultivating a healthier Scotland through the positive impact of community sports clubs. Applications open throughout the year in different regions across Scotland, calling on local teams to apply for funding up to £2,500.
Since its formation in 2002, Caledonian Thebans RFC have worked to prove that sexual orientation, gender identity, background and social prejudice have no bearing on a person’s sporting ability. Its team members are made up of LGBTQIA+ people, as well as straight allies, and operate a prejudice-free policy, allowing everyone to enjoy rugby.
The club plans to use the funding from Aldi to purchase much needed training equipment.
Elsewhere in the region, Muirfield Riding Therapy and Nuvoc Volleyball Club received £1,000. Women in Scotland Playing Squash (WISPS), No Limits Sports Club, West Lothian Netters, Haddington Community Football Club and Forth Canoe Club all received £500 each.
Aldi Scotland introduced its Scottish Sport Fund in 2016 to motivate and encourage individuals of all ages and skill levels to participate in physical activities within their local communities and improve access to sport. To date, almost 600 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from the Fund, which has now amassed more than £400,000.
Sam Abdulla, Club Chair, Caledonian Thebans RFC, said: “As an inclusive LGBTQIA+ rugby club, this support is more than just financial – it represents a shared commitment to fostering diversity, equality, and belonging within our community.
“These funds will help us to expand access to the sport we love, and on behalf of the entire team, we are so pleased to receive this generous funding from Aldi Scotland.”
Graham Nicolson, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “Since 2016, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much-needed equipment and resources.
“It’s humbling to see how much of a difference extra funding can make to clubs like Caledonian Thebans RFC and in supporting people across Scotland to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.”
For more information about Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, please visit:
Thousands of volunteers took to streets, shopping centres and supermarkets for the final weekend of fundraising for the 2024 Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Affectionately known across the country as Poppy Saturday, the day saw an army of volunteer collectors, including veterans themselves and hundreds of young cadets, from Glasgow to Girvan, Edinburgh to Elgin, all make another outstanding effort to raise vital funds to support the Armed Forces community.
Tomorrow the nation will fall silent in sombre reflection and pause for two minutes on Remembrance Sunday, safe in the knowledge that Poppy Saturday across Scotland has once again been a roaring success, with shoppers enthusiastically donating.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said: “We cannot thank each and every volunteer and indeed donator enough for their continued support to the Scottish Poppy Appeal.
“The response we have had, not just on Poppy Saturday but throughout the past three weeks, across the length and breadth of our country has been nothing short of phenomenal.
“On behalf of Poppyscotland and the Armed Forces community that we support, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave so generously. Without such support, quite frankly the Scottish Poppy Appeal simply could not happen.”
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with millions of poppies being distributed around the country.
The money raised from the Appeal has enabled Poppyscotland to help countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life.
New figures have revealed that almost 1000 people within the NHS Lothian region are waiting for life changing hybrid closed loop (HCL) system.
This is a devastating blow for diabetic patients who face extensive wait times to receive the technology.
Hybrid closed loop systems work to automatically adjust glucose levels depending on a patient’s blood sugar.
This is in stark contrast to the current system where the patient must manually adjust and administer the insulin themselves.
Paul Hughes, who works for Edinburgh Council and has had diabetes for 24 years, finds himself stuck on the waiting list for a HCL system.
Mr Hughes originally requested to be added to the waiting list in 2021 but found out, after inquiry, that he had not been added until 2023.
He is concerned that the ‘postcode lottery’ will mean he is not able to access an HCL system for the foreseeable future.
Mr Hughes has previously suffered a broken cheek and elbow from collapsing due to his blood sugar levels dropping too low.
He believes an HCL system is critical to improving his diabetes control and avoiding similar incidents in the future.
These figures were first revealed via FOI, by Labour MSP for Lothian, Sarah Boyack.
Ms Boyack has written an open letter (above) to Cabinet Secretary for Health, Neil Gray to ask what actions the Scottish Government is taking to urgently reduce these waiting lists.
Earlier this year, Ms Boyack hosted a roundtable of diabetic constituents who raised access to diabetes technology as a critical issue.
Commenting on these figures, Ms Boyack said: “The size of the waiting list is extremely alarming.This is life changing technology and patients across Lothian are in limbo waiting to receive it.
“I have had many constituents contact me, anxious about the lack of clarity for when they will receive an HCL system.
“The Scottish Government have announced funding to expand the HCL rollout, but it means nothing if it is not reaching people on the ground. That is why I have written to Neil Gray to ensure that type 1s across NHS Lothian are not left out in the cold when it comes to getting a HCL system”.
Paul Hughes added: “This technology would be life changing for me.I would no longer have to worry about my blood sugar dropping during the night, which currently keeps me awake.
“I am incredibly concerned about the long waiting list for those in NHS Lothian.
“I have sustained serious injury from collapsing due to low blood sugar so this technology cannot come soon enough.”
FREE POP-UP DROP-IN EVENTS AT WESTER HAILES POST OFFICE
More than 30 per cent of Scots struggling with their energy bills have never asked for help, new research has revealed.
A new poll, commissioned by British Gas as part of its independent charitable trust British Gas Energy Trust (The Trust), has found 42 per cent have difficulty managing their energy bills, but 31 per cent have never sought assistance – whether that is by turning to loved ones or seeking professional advice.
It comes as British Gas and British Gas Energy Trust have partnered with the Post Office and local community-based charities to offer free, drop-in events across the UK this winter.
The pop-up events offer 1-2-1 confidential practical support from trained specialists about budget planning, energy debt advice and energy efficiency measures, as well as help with accessing energy debt write-off grants including The Trust’s Individual and Families Fund, and Energy Support Fund.
The next pop-up events are taking place in Edinburgh and Glasgow on the following dates:
Wester Hails Post Office – 12th,13th,19th, 20th, 26th and 27th of November (between 11am – 2pm each day).
Springburn Way Post Office – 3rd,4th,10 and 11th of December, and 14th, 15th,21st and 22nd January 2025 (between 11am – 2pm each day).
When it came to the reasons why Scots don’t seek support, almost half (40 per cent), thought they wouldn’t qualify, a third (34 per cent) cited stigma or embarrassment and a quarter (26 per cent) said that there’s a lack of information.
A fifth believe there isn’t enough energy advice support out there. And almost a third (31 per cent) are worried about how they are going to keep on top of things this winter.
Abi Robins, Director of Responsible Business at British Gas, said: “We know the colder months can be tough on a lot of people and there isn’t always advice readily available.
“Our British Gas advisors will be on hand to help individuals navigate energy and financial challenges and access the range of support we offer – not only for our customers but also people who use other energy suppliers.
“The pop-ups are just one part of how we are supporting customers this winter. Grants, fund money and energy advice services are available through the Trust – with donations from British Gas topping £200m since 2004 – as well as providing direct support to struggling customers with matched debt repayments and non-repayable credit.”
The study also found rising costs, difficulty managing finances, and fear of disconnection were among the main concerns when it comes to paying energy bills this winter.
When speaking to someone about getting support, 21 per cent would want a face-to-face conversation. But 33 per cent admit they find it difficult to talk about the struggles they face when paying their energy bills.
Of those who have previously got help, 31 per cent used energy provider payment plans, 29 per cent turned to friends or family, 25 per cent used Government schemes, and 21 per cent sought financial advice or counselling.
Over 50 per cent of all respondents think there should be more support programmes to help people managing rising energy costs.
Jessica Taplin, chief executive of British Gas Energy Trust, said: “We know some consumers really want face to face advice, so these pop-ups are just one way we’re helping those already struggling with rising living costs this winter.
“These pop-ups, hosted at post offices across the country, provide free, confidential advice directly to communities to help individuals navigate energy and financial challenges this winter.
“We offer energy debt write-off grants through our Individuals and Families Fund, and Energy Support Fund, both open now, to households facing fuel poverty, among other criteria.
“We’d encourage anyone needing support to come along and find out more at their local pop up.”
Since the partnership between British Gas Energy Trust and the Post Office was established in 2022, there have been 178 in-person pop-ups in 95 locations from Saint Leonards-on-Sea to the Scottish Isles.
Thousands of people have been provided with step-by-step money and energy advice, checking benefits entitlement, and providing energy saving tips as well as follow up appointments for more in depth conversations.
Simon Lambert, Commercial and Operations Director at Post Office, said: “Every week, more than a million energy customers visit our branches to pay bills or top up.
“These pop-ups – held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leicester, Leeds, Newport and Stockport – are a fantastic way to connect customers with the additional support they may need this winter.”
Additional support available through British Gas Energy Trust includes the Individuals and Families Fund, which is available to British Gas and non-British Gas customers, with grant payments of up to £1,700 available to households in England, Scotland and Wales. This fund is open to applications now.
Additionally, the British Gas Energy Support Fund is available to British Gas customers only who have debts of £250 to £2,000 on their energy account. This fund opened to applications on 4th November.
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