The #BigClimateDebate has now arrived. Join the most important discussion of our time.
We will hear the major political parties’ proposals to tackle the climate emergency and their achievements to date. Our guest politicians will give a short presentation on their party’s environmental actions and policies and then debate your questions.
Book your ticket here: https://thebigclimatedebate.eventbrite.co.uk
Our panellists are:
Sarah Boyack – Labour MSP for Lothian
Deidre Brock – SNP MP for Edinburgh North and Leith
Finlay Carson – Conservative MSP for Dumfries and Galloway
Christine Jardine – Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West
Britain’s beavers could be major allies in tackling the climate and extinction crises – but without more public and government support face a fragile future, says Beaver Trust as it launches a new documentary film exploring the country’s relationship with the endangered but controversial species.
The charity’s short film, Beavers Without Borders, explores the benefits and challenges of reintroducing beavers to Britain’s landscapes. It hopes the documentary, launching on YouTube on 15 November, will appeal to a wide audience and promote discussions around ensuring a better future for the species.
“It’s a critical time for beavers, with the UK Government deciding on their future in England, and calls for the Scottish Government to allow their relocation in Scotland,”said James Wallace, Beaver Trust’s Chief Executive.
“We hope our film evokes the buzz of life in beaver wetlands, inspires people to welcome beavers back, and helps nurture a reconnection between people and the rest of nature.”
Beavers Without Borders follows science communicator Sophie Pavelle on a journey around Britain’s beaver reintroduction sites – hearing from farmers, anglers, scientists and conservationists about the issues, the importance of community support, and how we might learn to live alongside beavers again.
It highlights how beavers are superb ecosystem engineers, with their small dams creating nature-rich wetlands that support wildlife, absorb carbon dioxide, reduce flooding, and improve water quality. But the animals can have localised impacts on agricultural land too.
Now back in Britain after being hunted to extinction over four centuries ago for their meat, fur and oil, beavers remain at risk as a wild species.
The Scottish Government last year declared Scotland’s beavers a protected species. But it still doesn’t allow relocations within Scotland, and says beavers can only spread naturally from their current ranges in Argyll and Tayside – despite having identified over 100,000 hectares of suitable habitat elsewhere, and many landowners being ready to welcome the animals and their biodiversity-boosting activities.
Although some Scottish beavers are relocated to England, the current block on their relocations within Scotland leaves Tayside farmers with little option but to apply for a licence to kill the animals when they damage crops. Last year, 87 beavers – a fifth of the population – were shot.
The UK Government decided this summer that England’s first breeding wild beavers for 400 years could remain in Devon, following the River Otter trial that highlighted their benefits. Elsewhere in England, beavers are being introduced in enclosed areas – but the Government has yet to recognise beavers as native, or provide a licensing and management system allowing beaver releases in the wild.
Beaver Trust says the Government’s national strategy and funding to protect and manage wild beavers should be informed by the lessons learnt by people involved in or affected by reintroductions.
Those sharing their experiences and expertise in the Beavers Without Borders film include Devon-based farmer, ecologist and author Derek Gow – a key figure in UK beaver reintroductions.
“This wonderful film illustrates succinctly the critical importance of the beaver for nature recovery. Without the assistance of this creature’s fabled engineering skill sets, it is impossible to imagine a future where nature can begin to recover itself.
“By returning the beaver to Britain’s impoverished wetland environments, we are blessing them with the ability to heal themselves,” said Derek.
While beavers on floodplains can cause local problems for farmers, Germany’s Gerhard Schwab explains how people in Bavaria have learnt to co-exist with, and benefit from, the species – including through incentives for farmers to include buffer strips free of cultivation or chemicals along rivers.
At Aberfeldy in Highland Perthshire, Sophie meets Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, who works to resolve beaver-related tensions between communities and landowners in Tayside – including by trapping and relocating beavers as an alternative to culling, and through simple mitigation measures.
In Dunkeld, angler Duncan Pepper explains how beavers’ activities in Tayside have improved conditions for river-dwelling fish and so boosted Atlantic salmon populations.
Chris Jones of Woodland Valley Farm – home of the Cornwall Beaver Project – shows how releasing beavers into enclosed areas three years ago has boosted birds, dragonflies and other wildlife.
James Wallace, who is also the film’s executive producer, said:“Policies, education and funds are needed to help us all learn to live alongside these remarkable but sometimes troublesome animals – with the voices of people living in and managing our landscapes heard, incentives for community-led river restoration, and support to promote acceptance of beavers”.
https://youtu.be/9Fh6WAcf_Mg
The film’s writer and director Nina Constable said: “Filming Beavers Without Borders, and meeting individuals dedicated to restoring our natural world, has been an incredible experience.
“Hopefully the film will raise awareness about what we can do right now to give nature a helping hand, while debunking some myths surrounding beavers and offering hope at a time when we all need it.”
A free live YouTube premiere of the film, followed by a live question and answer session with Nina Constable and Sophie Pavelle, will be held online tomorrow – Sunday 15 November from 7pm – 8pm.
To register for the event and view the documentary’s official trailer, visit
Beavers Without Borders has been supported by The European Nature Trust, Hagan Family Foundation, and SCOTLAND: The Big Picture.
Beaver Trust is a charitable alliance helping communities build resilience to climate change, recover wildlife and reconnect with nature by restoring our rivers with beavers. See beavertrust.org.
Charity says funds are needed to keep children safe now more than ever.
Scottish actor Rose Leslie has pledged her support to the Banchory Bangle – an annual fundraising raffle in aid of Children 1st, a charity which works with families across Scotland to protect children from harm and help them recover from trauma and abuse.
Rose, who is expecting her first child with her husband and fellow Game of Thrones star Kit Harington, said ‘now more than ever’ vulnerable children and families across the country need support.
In an exclusive video for the charity, Rose, who also stars in Death on the Nile, a film adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel, says: “I’m thrilled to be involved with this Children 1st fundraiser for the Banchory Bangle raffle.
Every penny raised goes to Children 1st who do incredible work with children, families and communities across Scotland. Now more than ever they need our help. If you can, please buy some online raffle tickets and support children and families this year!”
For the first time in 43 years, Deeside’s annual Banchory Bangle fundraiser has gone online to ensure the charity can continue to keep children safe and families strong through the coronavirus pandemic.
The Banchory Bangle, which is designed by prominent Perthshire artist and engraver, Dr Malcolm Appleby MBE, and raffled annually by the Children 1st Deeside Committee has raised over £160,000 funds for the children’s charity since it began in 1977.
In previous years raffle tickets for the bangle have been sold through local Deeside shops, but with coronavirus measures leading to closures of many stores, the Children 1st Deeside Committee decided to sell tickets online and by email.
Nicky Bradford, from the Children 1st Deeside Committee hopes that with Rose’s support, they can raise more money for the children and families in Scotland who need it most.
She said: “We are incredibly grateful to Rose for supporting the 43rd Banchory Bangle. This is an amazing opportunity to win an iconic piece of jewellery and support Scotland’s children and families. We are really excited to be holding this raffle online for the first time and can’t wait to see those sales coming in.”
Susan Bradley, Head of Public Fundraising, Children 1st said: “We are absolutely delighted with the support Rose Leslie is giving to Children 1st. The bangle is an incredible piece of artwork with has been lovingly crafted.
“The decision to make the bangle tickets available online is fantastic. Not only can people purchase tickets safely during this very difficult time, but anyone, no matter where they are, can purchase one.”
First prize in the raffle is the original 2020 Banchory Bangle in silver and 18ct gold made by Malcolm Appleby, second prize is a copy of the bangle in silver and third prize a copy of the bangle in bronze.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK
Cut down on sugar in your drinks
TODAY 14th November is World Diabetes Day. Consuming too much sugar in your diet can lead to weight-gain as well as increasing your risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Over a quarter of the added sugar in our diets is believed to come from the drinks we consume. The focus of this week’s tip is on reducing the amount of sugar in your drinks.
Choose sugar-free or reduced-sugar drinks
When you feel thirsty, water is always the best option. Try swapping your sugary soft drink for a glass of water or a sugar-free or reduced-sugar drink. If you are not keen on the taste of water, you could try adding a slice of lemon and/or some mint leaves.
Save sugary drinks for an occasional treat
If you don’t want to stop drinking your favourite sugary drink permanently, try limiting the amount you drink by consuming it less frequently and in smaller quantities. Unsweetened fruit juices and smoothies also contain sugar, so try to limit your intake to no more than 150ml a day.
Avoid adding sugar, syrups and honey to hot drinks
If you usually add sugar, syrups or honey to hot drinks, why not gradually reduce the amount you add, until you can cut it out altogether. Alternatively, you could use an artificial sweetener, however this will not help you to adjust your taste preference for sweet drinks.
Cut down on sugar from alcoholic drinks
Alcoholic drinks can be high in sugar. A pint of cider contains around five teaspoons of sugar. Try to reduce your sugar intake by consuming alcoholic drinks less frequently, in smaller measures and by combining alcoholic drinks with sugar-free or reduced-sugar mixers, such as sugar-free tonic water.
MARKDAVID salon based in Stockbridge, has received the news it has finalised for the Salon Awards in two categories – Best Customer Experience and for the Best New or Refurbished Salon category.
With the salon being open for only just one year, this is an incredible achievement, being the third awards the salon has finalised for since opening and during such a turbulent year.
The Salon Awards are the only virtual hair and beauty industry awards where hair and beauty can compete at a local level in their fields of expertise.
Focused on improving standards, elevating business, rewarding individuals, and showcasing the professionalism of their industry locally, and with an impressive audience and reputation with its industry peers, the Salon Awards are a fantastic platform for hair and beauty professionals with a devotion to showcasing talent and giving those the opportunity to be recognised by their industry.
To enter the awards, the MARKDAVID salon had to provide written entries showcasing passion and personality and outlining why they should win the chosen category. Questions had to be answered fully and be supported with evidence, picture and videos in the format specified.
Out of 1000’s of entries collated and judged, MARKDAVID was chosen as the finalist for two categories. The winners of each category will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Saturday 12th December through the Salon Awards portal and will include a live DJ set and a showcase of sponsors and partners.
Mark McCarthy, Owner of MARKDAVID, commented: “I am absolutely delighted our salon has been announced as the finalist for two categories in the Salon Awards. The salons design and interior means a great deal to me and is something I took a lot of time and effort to decide on to create something I knew my clients would love.
“Our customer service is something we pride ourselves on too and we are constantly trying to think of new ideas to offer our clients something new and different from other salons and thinking of ways we can go the extra mile and exceed their expectations.
“To win either or both of the awards in December would be amazing and would end the year on such a high!”
More employers across Scotland can now apply for funding to provide upskilling and reskilling opportunities for their existing staff.
The Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF) helps businesses continue to invest in their workforce and is available for all of Scotland’s employers who are subject to the UK Government’s Apprenticeship Levy. For the first time, the fund will now be available for both levy payers and SMEs, across the private, public and third sectors.
In August the Scottish Government announced immediate investment in jobs to provide the foundations for a strong economic recovery from coronavirus (COVID-19). As part of this, the FWDF, which is now in its fourth year, was doubled to £20m for 2020/21, with £13 million made available through the first phase to allow colleges to provide additional support for levy paying employers.
The second phase of the fund, backed by £7 million, will also be utilised to respond directly to the impacts of the pandemic, and will open to applications 16 November 2020.
Of this, £5 million will be available to support SMEs through a college and Open University in Scotland partnership, while Skills Development Scotland will offer a new option which will test the use of private training providers for levy paying businesses who require specialist training.
Business, Fair Work and Skills Minister Jamie Hepburn said: “Opportunities for training are essential for both employers and employees, and in August we doubled funding for our Flexible Workforce Development Fund to £20 million for 2020/21 to ensure businesses across Scotland can continue to invest in their workforce.
“As this fund adapts and responds to the impacts of the pandemic, we will also see the introduction of additional delivery partners including the Open University in Scotland and private training providers for employers who require more specialist training.
“By strengthening upskilling the existing workforce, in partnership with colleges, we can retain jobs and support employers as they pivot and adapt to a new and very different working environment as a result of the pandemic.”
Andrew McRae, FSB’s Scotland policy chair, said: “This new funding could help many Scottish smaller businesses, and their staff teams, navigate the current crisis and ensure they’re prepared to take advantage of the recovery when it comes.
“FSB has been making the case to open up this cash pot to local firms, and we’d encourage all sorts of smaller operators to investigate how to access this support to build their business and develop their employees.”
Susan Stewart, Director of The Open University in Scotland, said: “The Open University in Scotland has led in the development of new skills for those facing redundancy, furlough or sectoral job pressures as a result of COVID-19.
“We welcome this funding which allows us to deliver support at scale to small and medium sized businesses across Scotland providing vital training as they adapt to new ways of working post pandemic.
“We will help businesses with a tailored, flexible package of online training to boost productivity and upskill and retrain employees particularly in those areas where skills gaps exist across Scotland like business management, digital, health and social care and the green economy.”
The SNP’s Ethan Young has won the vacant council seat in the Craigentinny Duddingston ward.
The by-election was brought about by the resignation of SNP councillor Ian Campbell, who resigned for health reasons back in February.
The SNP candidate was well ahead in First Preference votes and was elected at Stage Six:
ETHAN YOUNG (SNP) … 2920
Eleanor Price (Scottish Conservatives ) … 1420
Margaret Graham (Scottish Labour) … 1205
Ben Parker (Scottish Greens) … 1185
Elaine Ford (Scottish Lib Dems) … 631
Andrew McDonald (Independent) … 93
Tam Laird (Scottish Libertarian Party) … 42
The result makes no difference to the running of the city, where the SNP remains in charge with the support of Labour in the ‘Capital Coalition’.
Despite efforts to encourage people to vote, the turnout was just 31.6% – fewer than one in three voters cast their ballot.
Returning Officer for Edinburgh, Andrew Kerr, said: I’d like to thank all those who took part in the by-election, despite the challenging circumstances we face. It’s been a difficult year but local democracy is still extremely important, so I’m pleased to welcome Ethan Young, who will help represent the community as we work to emerge from the crisis, and on a range of other issues affecting the ward and city.
“I also want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work and planning that has gone into staging this election. I’ve heard from many constituents who have praised the safe, physically distanced voting process, which is with thanks to our Elections Team, who have spent months preparing for the event.
A fraudster may call pretending to be from the victim’s bank advising of suspicious activity and thereafter induces the victim to hang up the telephone and call the number on the back of their bank card.
In these cases the fraudster stays on the line pretending to be a representative of the bank, then instructs the victim to transfer money into a ‘safe account’.
Fraudsters are cunning, creative and often very convincing.
Your bank will never ask you to transfer money into another account. If you receive a phone call, apparently from your bank, under the above circumstances, call into your local branch or phone your bank using a different telephone.
Work is poised to commence on the largest and most technically advanced and ambitious conservation project in history, set to cost an estimated £ 5 billion.
The brainchild of British entrepreneur Richard Prinsloo Curson, the state-of-the-art animal and ecological conservation park will aim to preserve every species on the planet. In planning for over four years, the park will cover 100 square kilometres of land in South Africa.
A film crew and photographic team has followed every aspect of their journey from seeking approval from the King of the Zulus, to the development of the ambitious plans, meeting the animals, the obstacles, trials and tribulations the team have faced throughout.
The 12 part television series Noah’s Ark will be broadcast in the UK and distributed to broadcasters globally, in January 2021 with a second series in the planning.
Richard Prinsloo Curson said: “The animal kingdom is at crisis point. Climate change, over development, farming, ocean plastic, big game hunting and poaching are driving thousands of species off the face of the planet.
“We owe it to future generations to preserve the natural world or our children will be left fighting the horrific consequences of climate change to survive”.
WWF (World Wildlife Fund) reported in 2018, that humans have already wiped out 60% of Earth’s animals since 1970. If humanity continues with over development, poaching and hunting, polluting the oceans and affecting climate change, the natural world will be gone completely in 20 years.
It reported that the vast and growing consumption of food and resources by the global population is destroying the web of life, billions of years in the making, upon which human society ultimately depends for clean air, water and everything else.
“We are sleepwalking towards the edge of a cliff”, said Mike Barrett, executive director of science and conservation at WWF. “If there was a 60% decline in the human population, that would be equivalent to emptying North America, South America, Africa, Europe, China and Oceania.
“That is the scale of what we have done. This is far more than just about losing the wonders of nature, desperately sad though that is,” he said. “This is actually now jeopardising the future of people. Nature is not a ‘nice to have’ – it is our life-support system”.
To help fund the project, Prinsloo Curson and the team behind Noah’s Ark are putting out a worldwide call for donations from £1 to billions of pounds inviting donations from the world’s individuals, businesses, entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
