Letter: EU’ve been duped

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Dear Editor

The UK-wide confusion caused by the referendum resulted in an approximately 50-50 split. It is now obvious that many things told by the ‘Leave’ side were untrue and misleading.

It is always easy to blame others for misfortunes; the Leave side did this quite successfully in parts of the UK. It shows once again the power of publicity in shaping minds and attitudes.

It was not the EU that imposed tremendous cuts of all kinds on working people over the last six years, it was the Conservative Party government, in which most of the leaders of the ‘Leave’ campaign served and supported.

These same people have led 50% of the population to think the EU is to blame: and what is more, they have created a situation where further cuts on working people will be made.

At this most serious moment when the Labour movement must unite in resisting the imposition of further cuts and proposing an alternative programme of social progress, opponents of such a position have chosen to split the PArty by their actions of resignation. Why? This action can can only benefit the very people whey should be opposing: the Conservative government.

As the recent referendum has shown, Divide and Rule is a long-tried Tory policy and it is still working for them.

A. Delahoy, Silverknowes Gardens

Better Days: gifts to mark Year of Architecture

Scotland’s MSPs to receive unique, hand-made ceramics to mark the Year of Architecture, Innovation and Design

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Scotland’s political leaders are to be gifted unique hand-made ceramics created by some of Scotland’s leading female architects to mark 2016 as the Year of Architecture, Innovation and Design in Scotland.

‘The Better Days’ project is the brain child of prominent architect Jude Barber (above) and seeks to raise questions and awareness about Scotland’s political aspirations for architecture and stimulate renewed thought and discussion on the built environment.

The project is part of a busy programme of special events planned to celebrate the Saltire Society’s 80th anniversary year and was inspired by the Saltire Society’s seminal 1944 publication ‘Building Scotland’, by Alan Reiach and Robert Hurd.

The powerful and poetic foreword to the publication, written by the then Secretary of State for Scotland Thomas Johnston, forms the main driver for the project. It says:

“And in this beautiful land of ours, the free people who inhabit it, and who have paid such a high price for their freedom, will, in the better days that are to be, surely insist that the architecture of their buildings, public and private, shall be worthy of them.”

Every MSP will be gifted with an individually crafted ceramic containing words and forms derived from Jude Barber’s ‘The Better Days’ publication, accompanied with an invitation to consider the important role that architecture and design plays within our everyday lives.

‘The Better Days’ is being exhibited at Project Spaces in Glasgow until 9th July and forms part of the Archi-Fringe 2016 programme. Following conclusion of the exhibition, all of the Scottish Parliament’s 129 elected members will each receive their own ceramic as a permanent souvenir of the Year of Architecture, Innovation and Design.

Meanwhile, Jude will join award winning architects Malcolm Fraser and Neil Gillespie OBE this Thursday (7 July) at South Block, Glasgow, for a panel discussion on the themes that have emerged in their exploration of contemporary Scottish architecture. Tickets are free and available from the Saltire Society’s website – www.saltiresociety.org.uk/event/building-scotland-past-and-future

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Ahead of the panel discussion, Jude Barber said: “I am really looking forward to Thursday’s event and for what I’m sure will be a stimulating discussion about our built environment and the challenges and possibilities facing Scottish architecture and place making.”

“Malcolm, Neil and I all have something in common; a strong desire to improve the built environment in this country, and I hope that this event, their pamphlets and my ‘Better Days’ project will bring a renewed focus to architecture’s important role and how it greatly enhances our day to day lives.”

Malcolm Fraser’s pamphlet ‘Shoddy Schools and Fancy Finance: the miss-selling of PFI’ and Neil Gillespie’s ‘Building Scotland’ publication, which have been created as part of the Saltire Society’s 80th anniversary programme, will be available to purchase after the discussion.

‘Wee lassie fae Leith’ to chair Scottish Youth Parliament!

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Northern & Leith MSYP Terri Smith has been elected to chair the Scottish Youth Parliament when Members of the Scottish Youth Parliament convened in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis for their 60th National Sitting. Continue reading ‘Wee lassie fae Leith’ to chair Scottish Youth Parliament!

Garden Plant of the Month: Panicle Hydrangea

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The panicle hydrangea has become one of the most popular garden plants. The plant immediately evokes old rustic farmhouses, where long rows of flowering hydrangeas stand alongside water. One unusual type of hydrangea is the panicle hydrangea – this flowers with a plume-shaped spray. White and pink varieties, which develop their colour as the flowering season progresses, are a particular treasure in the garden.

The panicle hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculata) is the lesser-known of the ‘ordinary’ hydrangea you are familiar with. The panicle hydrangea is a strongly deciduous shrub with elegant, plume-shaped sprays which are 15-30cm long.  It stands out in any garden, blooms lavishly and is also insect-friendly. The plant combines perfectly with other garden plants, and can be planted both in the soil and in pots on a balcony or patio.

With many panicle hydrangeas the colour of the flower develops during the flowering period from July to September, providing a constant surprise in the garden. Some varieties are also offered as standards.

Caring for panicle hydrangeas 
Panicle hydrangeas can be kept healthy and will flower again every year if you follow a couple of simple tips:

  • The panicle hydrangea likes a spot in full sunlight or partial shade, and likes a humus-rich, acid, moist soil.
  • Regularly water the plant when it’s been dry for a while outdoors, particularly if it’s just been planted in the soil or in a pot.
  •  Unlike all other hydrangeas, the panicle hydrangea can also cope with a somewhat drier soil.
  • Give the plants special hydrangea fertiliser immediately after pruning to ensure that they keep flowering profusely for a long time and remain healthy.

Pruning tips for panicle hydrangea 
Pruning is very important for the panicle hydrangea. It ensures that new flowers develop on the plant every year, and keeps it young and healthy.

  • The best period for pruning is February – March.
  • By leaving the exhausted flowers on the plant in the autumn and winter, you can allow snow, frost or dew to create fantastic silhouettes.

The panicle hydrangea blooms every year on new branches which grow out of the plant after pruning so you can happily cut them back to 10-20cm above the ground every winter. This will also keep the plant more compact, and in the summer it will flower fabulously with large, heavy plume-shaped sprays. Pruning the plant higher up (e.g. to 60 cm) will give lighter plumes.

More information about pancile hydrangeas and other garden plants can be found at Thejoyofplants.co.uk

Garden Plant of the Month
In July the panicle hydrangea takes centre stage as Garden Plant of the Month. ‘Garden Plant of the Month’ is an initiative from Thejoyofplants.co.uk. Thejoyofplants.co.uk asks growers and horticultural specialists from the floriculture sector to select a garden plant every month with the aim of inspiring and enthusing.