The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) has today announced that it is making alternative options available for nurses and midwives, trained outside the UK, to demonstrate their English language capability. Continue reading NMC to amend English language requirements for applicants trained outside the UK
Envelope collection raises funds for Marie Curie
The Edinburgh South Fundraising Group organised an envelope collection to raise money for Marie Curie. Over the past few weeks volunteer collectors visited homes in their local streets to collect donations from people who would like to support the charity.
A total of £823.20 was collected and will be used to help Marie Curie provide expert care, guidance and support to help people living with a terminal illness and their families.
Fiona Bushby, Community Fundraiser for Marie Curie said: “The support of the community is greatly appreciated and we would like to thank everyone who donated. We also would like to thank all our volunteers who made this collection possible.”
If you would like to find out how you could help Marie Curie in other ways, please contact Fiona Bushby on 0131 470 2290 or email Fiona.bushby@mariecurie.org.uk
The science of rock and roll! The rock music milkshake maker
The epic guitar riffs just as capable of mixing you a delicious drink as any kitchen utensil are identified using sound energy …
- Stirring invention by The Big Bang Fair (www.thebigbangfair.co.uk) marked registrations opening
- Scientists* identified that classic shredding tunes from Foo Fighters and Kings of Leon worked best for mixing drinks
- The Rock Music Milkshake Mixer will be on display at The Big Bang Fair 2018 where guests will have the opportunity to pick up the axe and mix a milkshake for themselves
- Schools across the country can request to have the RM3 sent to them for a unique way to demonstrate the science of cymatics **
The Big Bang Fair challenged a team of inventors, scientists and musicians to make a delicious beverage with music. The result was the world’s first ever milkshakes mixed entirely with sound energy from live music!
The music-made beverages were not the result of mellow pop tunes by Justin Bieber or Ed Sheeran however, but the raw power of rock music. Indeed, during the unusual experiment, the team found they would have the greatest success in their musically moving milkshake endeavours by turning to powerful guitar riffs from stadium bands Foo Fighters, Kings of Leon and even Blink-182.
So how is it possible to make these delicious shakes solely through the power of sound energy? With a standard electric guitar and a somewhat less standard madcap contraption that was one-part guitar amplifier and one-part kitchen blender, that’s how.
Bringing together the worlds of education, science, music and kitchenware in a way never seen before, The Rock Music Milkshake Mixer (or the RM3 for short) has been created to mark registrations opening for The Big Bang Fair 2018. The Big Bang Fair is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for young people in the UK. For more information visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Beth Elgood, Director of Communications at EngineeringUK, who organise The Big Bang Fair, said: “Going into its tenth year in 2018 The Big Bang Fair continues to be a great source of STEM inspiration for young people, representing an amazing opportunity for young visitors, their teachers and parents to get hands-on with a wide range of activities, workshops and shows. With this in mind, we’re delighted to unveil the unique Rock Music Milkshake Mixer prototype today, which is sure to be another popular interactive exhibit at this year’s show.”
So how does the RM3 work? First pour powdered milkshake and milk into the jug and screw the top on tight. Next, plug in an axe (that’s a guitar), ready your plectrum and start playing some crunching riffs at max volume (ideally volume 11).
Now marvel as cymatics (that’s the visualisation of sound through a physical medium – in this case milkshake) allows you to witness the hard rock sound waves, emitted from the speaker, coming into contact with the milkshake mixture and vigorously vibrating it. Soon enough, you’ll have a deliciously thick drink, made entirely through the power of sound energy.
Year 7 students at Westminster Academy in London were the first to try the revolutionary new prototype earlier this week, where it was officially launched by The Blowfish, the world’s only heavy metal marine biologist.
The Blowfish commented: “Metal music and science are two of my biggest passions, so when I was offered the chance to launch the Rock Music Milkshake Mixer, it was an absolute no-brainer. I’m a big believer in finding new and innovative ways to get kids excited about science and the world around them. What better way of achieving that than by harnessing the epic power of rock music to make a tasty, delectable treat?”
The RM3 will be on display, and free for guests to try out at The Big Bang Fair 2018, which is due to take place at the NEC in Birmingham in March next year. For more information visit www.thebigbangfair.co.uk
Two charged following housebreaking spree
Police have charged two men following a number of housebreakings, thefts and attempted housebreakings in the city. The incidents took place at 18 properties in the city centre, New Town, Newington and Broughton areas between the 23rd August and 26th September. Continue reading Two charged following housebreaking spree
Hate has no home in Scotland
The Scottish Government has joined with Police Scotland and the Crown Office (COPFS) to launch a new campaign against hate crime.
‘Hate has no home in Scotland’ launched during Hate Crime Awareness Week and will run until 26 November. It aims to increase public understanding of what hate crime is, and how to report it – for those who personally experience it and, importantly, bystanders to hate crimes.
More than 5,300 cases of hate crime were reported in Scotland over the past year, with many other incidents going unreported. The campaign has been developed in partnership with a broad range of stakeholders involved in dealing with hate crime and its consequences as a response.
Launching the campaign, Equalities Secretary Angela Constance (above) said: “We all need to play our part to eradicate hate crime, which has no place in Scotland. ‘Hate has no home’ encourages and empowers people to recognise hate crime and report it, stopping this discrimination at its source. That is particularly important when people are bystanders – no one should be a passive witness when one of our fellow citizens is attacked because of who they are.
“We are committed to working with stakeholders, including Police Scotland and the COPFS, to tackle this blight. Ensuring we all take a stand and report hate crime is an important part of creating a fairer country for all. I look forward to seeing the country come together to support the campaign and take a stand against such hate.”
Chief Superintendent John McKenzie, Police Scotland, Safer Communities, said: “People of all races, religions, ethnicities, of any sexual orientation or with any disability should be able to live their lives free from hate or harassment. There is no place for hate in Scotland and it is our communities, who will lead the way in tackling hate crime with the support of police, the Government and other partners.
“Hate crime is under reported, we want to change that and we are asking people not to be bystanders. Speak out, help us tackle hate crime. By working together we can drive prejudice out of our communities and out of Scotland.”
Lord Advocate James Wolffe QC said: “Crime motivated by hatred is not only a wrong against the individual, but is an affront to our collective values as a community, creating division and fear. That is why we treat it so seriously and why we will continue to do so.
“The prosecution service, along with our colleagues in Police Scotland and other agencies, plays an essential role in creating an environment in which all people who live in Scotland, regardless of their personal or social circumstances, can have confidence that they live in a just society and that they will be protected from crime.”
More information on the campaign can be found here.
Clydesdale Bank note auction raises over £50,000 for hospice care

Over £50,000 was raised for Hospice UK from the sale of new polymer bank notes from Clydesdale Bank. The money will go to support hospice and end of life care across the UK. Continue reading Clydesdale Bank note auction raises over £50,000 for hospice care
Perk up your liver!

The UK has seen a staggering 400% increase in liver disease in the past 50 years. Perk Up Your Liver is encouraging everyone to have a coffee break (with or without cake!) to raise awareness and funds to help the British Liver Trust combat this deadly disease. The campaign runs nationwide from 30 October – 5 November. Continue reading Perk up your liver!
Two hundred pupils complete SESAP education programme

Two hundred school pupils from across Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Borders are celebrating after completing a pioneering academies programme to boost their education and employment prospects. Continue reading Two hundred pupils complete SESAP education programme
Charity cycle event raises £1100 for Macmillan

Staff and students at Edinburgh Napier University took part in a 24-hour indoor charity cycle which raised £1100. Continue reading Charity cycle event raises £1100 for Macmillan
Wardie Bay Beachwatch this Saturday
Delighted to send you a prompt for our next Saturday event, this coming Saturday (writes KAREN BATES of Wardie Bay Beachwatch). Last month’s Great British Beach Clean weekend had us change our pattern a little bit, but we’ll slowly get back to normal and go back to the original beginning of the month plan. How do people feel about December, January, February? Happy to brave the elements?
Continue reading Wardie Bay Beachwatch this Saturday








