Online security: How ‘digitally savvy’ are you?

A new research study by the Carnegie UK Trust explores just how ‘digitally savvy’ people are across the UK and Ireland. ‘Digitally Savvy Citizens’ examines how people’s behaviour varies depending on their age, gender, level of affluence and which part of the UK they live in … and many of the results are surprising. Continue reading Online security: How ‘digitally savvy’ are you?

October house plant of the month: Pure Green

The story of Pure Green 

Pure Green is about plants with air-purifying qualities which greatly improve their surroundings. Research by NASA has proven that some plants absorb harmful substances and carry them away with their roots. They also release oxygen and help maintain the humidity level in the home. The Houseplants of the Month for October are the stars amongst the Natural Air Purifiers: Spathiphyllum, Gerbera, Nephrolepis and Ivy.
Origins
Ivy (Hedera) is a member of the Araliaceae family, and grows on rocks and trees in Asia, Europe and North Africa. The plant is able to climb to a height of 25-30 metres and does particularly well in cooler regions. The Latin name ‘Hedera’ roughly means ‘gripping’ and refers to the roots with which the plant secures itself. Ivy symbolises eternal life, because the plant is evergreen.
Gerbera flowers in Southern Africa, Asia, South America and Tasmania. This flowering plant is now available in 600 different colours, shapes and sizes. Gerbera is known as a cut flower, but it is the plant that can best absorb harmful substances from the environment.
Nephrolepis is a member of the fern family: beautiful foliage plants with very varied appearances which have been growing on Earth since the Devonian period (400-350 million years ago). Nephrolepis is found in tropical rain forests around the globe. This bushy plant with feathered leaves is one of the best air purifying plants for the home.
Spathiphyllum (Peace Lily) comes from the tropical rain forests of Colombia and Venezuela, and is the sort of plant that everyone falls in love with straightaway: soft green leaves, white bracts around a flowering spike, and very interactive. If Spathiphyllum is too dry, its leaves will droop.  Its leaves will spring back up again within a couple of hours after being watered.
What to look for when buying Pure Green 
● With all the plants you should look at the pot size, diameter, thickness and height of the plant. With ivy it’s worth checking the length of the tendrils, and with Gerbera and Spathiphyllum you should check the number of flowers per plant and the stage of ripeness.
● All Pure Green plants should have slightly damp soil. The smaller pot sizes in particular dry out rapidly and then suffer leaf drop, shrivel leaves or dry leaf edges.
● Plants should be free of yellow leaves in the heart of the plant, particularly in winter. It’s also a good idea to check for various types of scale insects and mealybug. Ivy can also suffer from red spider mite. These pests are often difficult to eradicate in the retail chain or at the consumer, so it’s advisable not to buy the plant.
● Plants are often sleeved in order to protect them from cold or during shipping. Check that the sleeves are perforated because of the damp that can cause the Botrytis fungus. This grey mould can rapidly infest the plant.
● During shipping and storage the temperature must be at least 12-15 °C or higher for Spathiphyllum and Nephrolepis. Ivy and Gerbera can tolerate lower temperatures.
Choice of range 
The range of plants with air-purifying properties is large. There are multiple cultivars available of each species:
Ivy offers a wide range of leaf shapes and colours. There are climbing and hanging forms, and many applications are created with it on arches, spheres, pyramids etc. The leaf colour ranges from smooth green through to variegated and marbled, and there is also a wide variety of leaf sizes. Cultivars such as Eva, Kolibri, Pittsburgh, Shamrock and Wonder are very popular.
Gerbera comes in many different sizes and forms, and is increasingly popular as a patio plant for use in the spring and summer. There is even a hardy variety (Garvinea). For use the home there are a number of series that are offered in many colours, such as Durora, Fiori Line, Sundayz and Revolution.
Nephrolepis is by far the most important species within the ferns, with the cultivars Bostoniensis (often called Boston Fern) and Green Lady (narrow leaf) as the best known varieties. But Corditas, Duffii, Emina and Vitale are also attractive ferns with the same air-purifying properties.
Spathiphyllum is available in many sizes, always with a white inflorescence. The leaves are usually green, although there are also a couple with variegated leaves, such as S. Silver Cupido or S. Gimini. Many cultivars are named after composers: Chopin, Figaro, Vivaldi or Bellini. There are now many varieties of Cupido available.
Care tips
All Pure Green Plants should be wrapped carefully for the journey home during the cold months.
Ivy likes a cool and light spot, but not in bright sunlight. The lighter the leaf, the more light it requires. The more chlorophyll, the less light it needs. The soil should not be allowed to dry out, but nor should the roots be standing in water. Give some plant food once a fortnight, place the plant under a light shower from time to time or treat it to a session with the plant spray. Remove old leaves, cut back scrawny tendrils. Ivy cannot tolerate dry air very well; this can lead to red spider mite. So don’t place it over  or near a heater.
Gerbera prefers a bright spot. The soil should not be allowed to dry out. Give plant food once every three weeks to ensure long, lavish flowering. Carefully remove exhausted flowers with a twisting movement from the heart so that the entire stem comes free.
Nephrolepis prefers a spot where the temperature is above 12°C, between partial shade and light. The plant can’t tolerate direct sunlight or the dry air over a heater. Do not allow the soil to dry out. Water onto the soil in order to protect the heart of the plant. Rainwater is preferable – ferns cannot cope well with lime and salt. Give the plants some plant food once every 3-4 weeks during the growing season.
Spathiphyllum prefers a light spot where the temperature is at least 12°C , but it does not cope well with full sun. Do not allow the soil to dry out. The plant will show when it’s short of water by drooping. Spray the leaves regularly with tepid water, give some plant food once a month, remove wilted flowers.

Claire Sweeney to join the cast of Crazy For You

Actress, singer and TV personality Claire Sweeney is to take over the role of Irene in the national tour of the Watermill Theatre’s acclaimed production of Crazy for You. Claire joins Tom Chambers who plays Bobby and Charlotte Wakefield (Polly) in January. Crazy for You comes to the Edinburgh Playhouse in April next year as part of it’s UK tour. Continue reading Claire Sweeney to join the cast of Crazy For You

MSPs expenses published

Latest details of all MSPs parliamentary expenses have been published. Quarter 4’s expenses from the financial year 2016/17 are now available online via the Parliament’s searchable database facility.

A briefing paper setting out end year total expenditure figures is also available (see below).

The end year total for the 2016/17 financial year is £15,832,096, which is an increase of £3,061,172 on 2015-16.

The figures reflect the change to the Member’s staff salary provision which came into effect at the start of the fifth parliamentary session (2016-2017).

From May 2016 staff salary provision increased from £62,300 to £85,000 enabling each Member to employ up to three staff, where previously two staff would have been typical.

This increase in support staff reflected the increased demands on MSPs and the impending arrival of significant new tax and welfare powers for the Scottish Parliament. The capped allowance also ensures all support staff can be paid the living wage.

For the first time, total staff costs paid by each member during the financial year are published on the web (link below). Examples of the pay scales and job roles typical in a Member’s office are also available on the website.

A Scottish Parliament spokesperson said: “The increase in support staff provision came into effect in May 2016. It reflects the increasing demands being made on MSPs and their staff as the Parliament assumes significant new powers over tax and welfare.

“To be clear, this is funding to enable MSPs to employ up to three full time staff, instead of two, so they can better meet the needs of constituents, scrutinise the Parliament’s new powers effectively and continue to hold the Government to account.”

members_expenditure_publication_info_2016-17

 

Making the case for trams to Newhaven

This article by city council Transport Convener Councillor Lesley Macinnes was published in the Edinburgh Evening News last week:

Last week Edinburgh’s councillors approved the Outline Business Case for taking the tram to Newhaven, signalling a desire to move towards a transformed vision for transport in the Capital. Continue reading Making the case for trams to Newhaven

All the way from Cardiff: Affinity Choir in concert

And you thought Wales only did male voice choirs?

Join us as we trade one Celtic Capital for another! Affinity Female Voice Choir, the largest female-only choir in South Wales, is bringing to Edinburgh a concert packed full of the best songs from their repertoire over the last 5 years that you won’t want to miss!

With show hits from Les Miserables, Cats and Hairspray, beautiful choral favourites by John Rutter and Eric Whitacre and, of course, some of the fabulous songs of both our great countries, we’re sure there’s something for everyone in this afternoon delight.

The 40-strong choir will come to you direct from Edinburgh Castle where they will perform the previous day, and with experience of performing in some of the most prestigious venues in Wales (and on BBC television!) you are promised a high-quality showcase event.

If you think only Male Voice Choirs from Wales can hit the heights then think again as these ladies know how to entertain!

Conducted by Diane Wright and accompanied by Benjamin Teague.

Tickets available at www.eventbrite.co.uk. Also available from affinitychoir@gmail.com, or 07837 088199.

Limited seating available – book now! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/affinity-choir-on-tour-tickets-35963109629

‘Abject Failures’: yet another call for halt to Universal Credit roll-out

Social Security Minister Jeane Freeman and COSLA Community Wellbeing Spokesperson Kelly Parry, have joined forces to demand a halt to the full service roll-out of Universal Credit in Scotland. In a joint letter to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions David Gauke, they raise a number of ‘abject failures’ of the new UK Government system. Continue reading ‘Abject Failures’: yet another call for halt to Universal Credit roll-out

RAF team to abseil the Forth Bridge for charity

A team of 20 RAF personnel from 612 (Reserve) Squadron at RAF Leuchars will look to complete the Forth Rail Bridge Abseil to raise money for the RAF Benevolent Fund, the RAF’s leading welfare charity, on 15 October. The unique challenge allows entrants to abseil 165 feet from the iconic Forth Bridge – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nick, who served for 29 years in the RAF Regulars before joining the Reserves, explained: “Every year the Squadron decide what charity they would like to support, and this year we chose the RAF Benevolent Fund. Since January we have taken part in an array of events, from cycle challenges and marathons to quiz nights and super-car events, all to raise money for the Fund. So far we have raised over £5000 and we’re hoping that this event will bring even more money and awareness to the Fund so they can continue the wonderful work they do supporting the RAF family.”

Zee Fletcher, Regional Fundraiser for the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “Nick and the team are going to incredible lengths for the RAF Benevolent Fund and we couldn’t be more grateful! The dedication they have shown is second to none. The donations from the challenge, and indeed the whole year of fundraising, will help us to continue providing support for serving personnel and veterans, whether it’s through respite care, financial top-ups or emotional support. Thank you 612 Squadron!”

October is International Walk to School Month

Families across the UK are being asked to comment on their walk to school throughout October’s International Walk to School Month to help build up a picture of our streets. Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, hopes to use the month to identify the barriers which prevent families from walking to school, with the help of their ‘Rate Your Walk’ online tool. Continue reading October is International Walk to School Month