October plant of the month: bay laurel

laurel4

More than a green leaf

The bay laurel, “laurus noblis”, is also commonly known as a bay tree, sweet bay, true laurel and Grecian laurel.  It is a superbly fragrant evergreen tree/shrub that originates in the Mediterranean region and its glossy green leaves can be clipped into stunning shapes to add dignity to your doorsteps and panache to your patios.  The bay tree is also incredibly easy to grow and October is the ideal month to give it a place in your garden which is why the bay tree is Thejoyofplants.co.uk‘s Garden Plant of the Month of October.

Leaf, flower and berry

Glossy green, stately shape: Laurus nobilis lives up to its name. The strongest feature of the bay tree is its dark green, pointed oval leaves.  In May, it produces cream-coloured flowers and in autumn it produces glossy black oval fruit.  If you leave the bay tree to its own devices, it can grow up to 40 metres tall and will look strong and ruggedly beautiful, however it is more commonly used in topiary and can be clipped into a variety of wonderful shapes.

Flavour

The bay leaf adds extra flavour to many different dishes such as goulashes, stews, soups, casseroles, marinades and pickling juices and is also a great addition to a Bloody Mary!

Interesting Facts

Historically, the bay tree has been used as both an antiseptic and a digestive and it has also been placed in food jars to deter weevils.

Mice are not bay tree fans so scatter bay leaves in your pantry to deter these furry visitors from your home.

Oil from bay leaves is used in massage products to relieve arthritis and rheumatism and in aromatherapy to treat high blood pressure and earache.

The laurel symbolises high status, prosperity and fame and in Christianity it also symbolised the resurrection of Christ.

Easy

You do not require green fingers to grow the bay tree – indeed, under ideal conditions, it can live for as long as a hundred years. The bay will thrive in containers, particularly if it is watered regularly and placed in a sheltered, sunny or partially shaded position.  Feed your plants every two weeks during May and June and ideally re-pot every two years in the spring.  Bay trees can withstand cold temperatures but frosts and extreme cold will damage them so they should be covered when the mercury drops or put in your garage or any other frost-free outbuilding.

 

Show support for Charlie Bear

charlie bear

Hi

My name’s Jaymee Gorrie and I am currently fundraising for The Charlie Bear Fund – a group of friends and family raising funds for The Ronald McDonald House Charities and The British Heart Foundation on behalf of a 6 week old little boy named Charlie Campbell.

Charlie has recently undergone major heart surgery after being diagnosed with a rare condition called Di George syndrome which was a shock to everyone involved as this condition is normally recognisable at birth however until 4 weeks ago he was a happy healthy baby.

Charlie is now in the children’s hospital in Glasgow battling for his life whilst his big sister Kendal Leigh and the rest of the family are in Edinburgh. His parents Nicole and Ben, as you can imagine, are not only distraught about being given this news but now are finding it very hard to cope with being away from home

However due to the fabulous Ronald McDonald House, they have been given a home from home and are able to stay with their sick child day and night and spend every minute possible with him hence why they are desperate to give something back.

We are desperately seeking help from lovely people like yourselves in the hope that you may be able to provide us with some support and raise awareness of our cause while we start this rollercoaster of a campaign.

At the moment we are finding it very difficult to find businesses willing to offer donations and were hoping with your help we can change that. We would be so grateful for any help and support you may be able to offer, thank you in advance.

Jaymee and the charlie bear team.

https://m.facebook.com/Thecharliebearfund

Charlie Bear’s Halloween Disco – 24 October 4-6PM
at Royston Wardieburn Community Centre
The Charlie Bear Funday – 7 November 12-4 at PYCP

Port of Leith HA welcomes new board members

port of leith

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), which celebrated its 40th anniversary this month, has appointed two new Board Members and a Vice Chair.

 Arun Gopinath is a Managing Consultant with Zackra Consulting Services and also serves as the Manager of Central Scotland Regional Equality Council. Prior to this he has been involved with Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council, Scottish Alliance of Regional Equality Councils and RCMS Group, an international architectural and engineering consulting company.

Leith resident Vicky Hope runs her own marketing consultancy. She is a law graduate, but moved into marketing where she has gained a wide experience in communications, project management and branding.

Ruth McNeil, a Board Member since 2008, takes up the post of Vice Chair. A former manager in a unit caring for the elderly, she is also a PoLHA tenant.

Current Chair, Margaret O’Connor, has been re-elected.  She joined the board at PoLHA in 2010 and was elected as Vice Chair in 2011 before being elected Chair last year.

Keith Anderson, PoLHA Chief Executive said: “We are committed to providing high quality, energy efficient homes for people in Leith and North Edinburgh. Our staff and Board Members play a key role in delivering our aims and objects and I’m delighted to welcome Arun and Vicky to PoLHA, and having Margaret and Ruth as Chair and Vice Chair respectively.”

Celebrate Older People’s Day at Active Ageing event

active ageing event

To celebrate International Older People’s Day, come along a fun-filled afternoon at Meadowbank Sports Centre tomorrow (Thursday 1 October from 12.30 – 4pm).

Organised by Edinburgh Leisure, experience a great afternoon with exciting stalls, energetic and toe-tapping demonstrations, and take a partner for a fun-filled tea dance!

Active Aging – 50 years and beyond. Event 1st October 2015

Last chance to comment on SESplan Main Issues Report

city skyline sunset

A public consultation into how the future of Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland should be shaped closes tomorrow.

Anyone interested in commenting on the Main Issues Report, which will be used to develop plans to accommodate the area’s future growth, have until the consultation ends on 30 September.

Feedback received will help identify people’s key issues and priorities and will be used to form a strategic development plan for the area. This will inform the Local Development Plan for each local authority area in the region, focusing on long-term strategic level planning matters such as housing, economic growth, green networks and infrastructure.

Councillor Ian Perry, Chair of the SESplan Committee, said: “The South East of Scotland faces serious challenges as a result of population increases and projected future growth. It is vital that we plan now to make sure we have adequate housing and infrastructure, while protecting the environment.

“This means that we have to think creatively and innovatively to find solutions that will help ensure the continued success and growth of the area.

“The response we have received from local residents so far has been very encouraging but there is still plenty of time to have their views heard. Their comments will help us to make decisions that play a vital role in shaping the future of the region.”

Comment on the consultation through the SESplan website.

‘Amazing’ public response to refugee appeal

JORDAN-CONFLICT-ANNIVERSARY-REFUGEES

Minister for Europe and International Development Humza Yousaf was in Glasgow yesterday to support volunteers loading an aid lorry with urgent materials and supplies for refugees in the Balkans. The Minister praised Scots’ ‘amazing’ response to  the humanitarian emergency.  

The truck leaves Scotland later this week and will travel 1, 660 miles, bound for Novi Sad in the Balkans, where it will be received by the Red Cross and other NGOs working to aid refugees. It’s estimated materials and supplies will begin arriving at the regional aid hub in as little as 72 hours after departing Glasgow.

16 tonnes of warm winter clothing and ‘Soapaid’ hygiene bars have been kindly donated by the Scottish public to Glasgow The Caring City since the humanitarian crisis began. The soap can combat five of the seven main waterborne diseases.

Mr Yousaf said: “We have been overwhelmed with practical offers of support from people across Scotland who want to help alleviate the suffering of vulnerable people caught up in this humanitarian emergency. Scotland’s response has been amazing so far.

“The work of the refugee task force is well underway. Scotland stands ready to give the very best of Scottish welcomes to the refugees who are fleeing their homes and seeking protection, safety and security but we’re urging the UK Government to do more now and help those in need on mainland Europe.

“The Scottish Government has reiterated its support, making it clear to the UK Government that we will take a proportionate share of the numbers who come to the UK.”

Reverend Neil Galbraith from Glasgow The Caring City said: “Structuring a humanitarian response which meets the needs of people fleeing the most distressing circumstances of violence and conflict, is a skilled and professional tasks. Glasgow the Caring City charity leads from the front at times such as this. We are the conduit between the goodwill of the people of Scotland and those seeking refuge in times of crisis.

“Our people on the ground in Serbia and senior staff in Scotland are coordinating an aid distribution program which links with local statutory agencies, The Red Cross and other NGO’s to ensure that we effectively contribute to a situation which is ever changing in nature and scale with each passing day.

“Glasgow’s charity is matching the goodwill of the Scottish people with the needs of those in their greatest hours of need. Our aid will be sustained and will cover a large geographical area including Serbia, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia and northern Greece but vitally, it is coordinated by our staff on the ground and highly experienced partner agencies.”

People who wish to donate to the crisis are being asked to raise money so that it can be deployed through charities to reach those most in need.

Members of the public are also being encouraged to visit the Scottish Government’s dedicated website: www.scotlandwelcomesrefugees.scot

Two grand in two months: Sainsburys’ super support for charity partner

meningitis

This year Sainsbury’s Blackhall have chosen Meningitis Research foundation as their charity of the year. Colleagues and customers have been really getting behind this charity and have raised £2,000 in the first 2 months!

On 18 October six colleagues are taking part in an abseil from the Forth Railway bridge to raise further funds for Meningitis Research Foundation and would love colleagues and customers to come along and support us.

Pictured: Jade Walker from Sainsburys Blackhall and MRF’s Ashleigh Hunt.

Gail, Sainsburys Blackhall

Parliamentarians return to Muirhouse Community Centre

colin-keir-Michelle-Thomson

Next week sees the return of Colin Keir MSP and Michelle Thomson MP for their surgeries (writes James McGinty). Both attract large amounts of people with their general inquiries.

Colin is on the first Monday of the month whilst Michelle is on the first Friday of the month. We would encourage people to use these services.

To visit their websites click HERE for Colin and  HERE for Michelle

D Mains P7s support Macmillan coffee morning – and Sainsburys gave a helping hand too

macmillan coffee morning

Friday 25 September was the MacMillan coffee morning and Sainsburys Blackhall went along to Davidsons Mains Primary school to support the P7 children with their coffee morning.

The P7 children did all the home baking and Sainsburys colleagues Leaanne Cairns and Gail Wilson provided the teas and coffee. Left over cakes were then sold to colleagues at Blackhall store. Over £930 has been raised so far from the coffee morning. Well done, Davidsons Mains!

 

Muirhouse Housing Association AGM tonight

MHa logo

Tonight we host the A.G.M of Muirhouse Housing association in our large hall at Muirhouse Millennium Community Centre (writes James McGinty)

The following invite comes from the Housing Association Website:

Our A.G.M is just around the corner. It will be held on Monday 28 September at 6.30pm at the Muirhouse Millennium Centre. Light refreshments will be served.

The main purpose of the meeting is to present the annual accounts and future plans for the Association. We will also be announcing the winners of the ‘Good Neighbour’ and ‘Best Garden’ contest and all attendees have a chance to win a price.