WEDNESDAY 10.30am
Looking for plans this Wednesday?
Something for the school holidays! Check out the poster for details – meet us at the centre (or at the Orchard 10:30 onwards) and we’ll head over to the Orchards for some family fun time!
This summer Dynamic Earth is encouraging wee ones from across Edinburgh, and surrounding regions, to set sail on a magical underwater adventure at the city’s leading Science Centre and Planetarium.
With the launch of Ocean Commotion Soft Play on June 23rd, the venue aims to provide accessible, stimulating and interactive engagement opportunities for little ones needing to let off some steam and spark their curiosity in our planet.
For just £4, kids aged 0-6 can expect to explore, climb, splash (not literally!), and play away in the ocean-themed interactive costal escape. No booking required for this fun, interactive soft play.
With every corner of Ocean Commotion designed to boost your child’s development through play, whether they’re learning to crawl, climb, or conquer new challenges, kids are sure to have some fintastic fun beneath the waves!
Parents who want to let their little star(fishes) have fun in the venue’s brand-new interactive ocean escape can pay-on-the-day, with £4 granting their wee ones *unlimited access to Dynamic Earth’s world beneath the waves.
*During busy periods your little one’s adventure will be capped to 90 minutes.
The 100ml liquids rule for airport security has been lifted at Edinburgh Airport for the first time since it was introduced in 2006 following the installation of top-of-the-range security x-ray technology.
It means passengers will be able to keep liquids in their bags when going through security, and those liquid containers can now be up to two litres each.
Edinburgh Airport, now part of the VINCI Airports network, is the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule.
It comes after eight new X-rays were installed as part of a £24 million investment to transform the security process at Scotland’s busiest airport. Large electricals, such as tablets and laptops, can remain in bags, and liquids in containers up to two litres can now also be kept inside.
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport said: “This is a big day for our passengers and the airport team – we are delighted to be able to lift this rule and really transform the whole security process, making it easier for everyone.
“A whole generation of travellers have only known the 100ml rule to be the case, so it really is a momentous day as we become the first airport in Scotland to lift the rule since it was introduced in 2006.
“The change allows more flexibility for passengers to take liquids through security, all while maintaining and improving our high safety levels through the use of 3D technology. But it is important that passengers continue to check with the situation at their return airport as not all airports will be moving away from 100ml just yet.”
The latest issue of our CAMRA branch magazine “Pints of View” (issue 84, Summer 2025) is now being distributed around pubs in SE Scotland.
It contains news of pubs and breweries in Edinburgh and South East Scotland along with general articles that may be of interest to yourself or your organisation.
The magazine is available online as a PDF (19MB) from:
Working people on an average salary who save into a pension pot over their career, could benefit by up to £29,000 by the time they retire thanks to major Government reforms that will consolidate small pension pots, ensure schemes are value for money, and create larger pension schemes.
The figure was revealed as the Pension Schemes Bill returns to Parliament for its second reading today.
Reforms in the Bill, which have received wide-spread support from the pensions industry and consumer groups, will support 20 million pension savers to get more from their pension pots and be better prepared for retirement.
The Bill will bring together small pension pots worth £1,000 or less into one pension scheme that is certified as delivering good value to savers, making pension saving less hassle and more rewarding. At present many people struggle to keep track of multiple small pensions as they move jobs and can pay high fees as a result.
In future pension schemes will also need to prove they are value for money, helping savers understand whether their scheme is giving them good returns and protecting them from getting stuck in underperforming schemes for years on end.
These measures will lay the foundation for the upcoming Pensions Review to examine how we get to a fair and sustainable pensions system, supporting growth and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change by putting more money into people’s pockets.
Minister for Pensions Torsten Bell said: “We’re ramping up the pace of pension reform, to ensure that people’s pension savings works as hard for them as they worked to save.
“The measures in our Pension Schemes Bill will drive costs down and returns up on workers’ retirement savings – putting more money in people’s pockets to the tune of up to £29,000 for an average earner and delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Other measures include:
The reforms will also unlock long-term investment in the UK economy by removing barriers to growth, strengthening the security and governance of pension schemes and ultimately delivering better returns for people saving for their retirement.
The pace of pension reform has ramped up with measures in the Bill set to revolutionise the pensions landscape in the coming years. While the benefits of the Bill are clear, significant challenges still remains with these benefits varied for different workers and different groups.
This is why the upcoming Pensions Review will examine challenges such as pension adequacy to ensure underserved groups do not miss out on the benefits arising from these measures.
Reforms announced as part of the Bill will also future proof the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) by leading to the consolidation of all £400 billion of assets into a small number of expert asset pools which can invest in local areas infrastructure, housing and clean energy.
Minister for Local Government and English Devolution Jim McMahon OBE said: “This Bill will ensure the Local Government Pension Scheme is fit for the future and harness its full potential, with assets due to reach £1 trillion by 2040, and will strengthen investment in local communities to accelerate growth as part of our Plan for Change.
Zoe Alexander, Director of Policy and Advocacy for PLSA: “The introduction of the Pension Schemes Bill is a significant milestone, bringing forward necessary legislation to enact important reforms that have the full backing of the pensions industry.
“This includes small pots consolidation, the Value for Money regime, decumulation options and changes to give DB funds more options for securing member benefits over the long-term.
“Once fully implemented, these measures should reduce the cost of administering pensions, remove complexity for savers and help ensure schemes are maximising the value they provide members.”
Newly appointed Chair Julie Ashworth has selected 12 Edinburgh individuals to form the city’s first Visitor Levy Advisory Forum.
Bringing experience from the third sector to academia, the hotels industry to local communities, the Forum met for the first time to receive a briefing on the Edinburgh Visitor Levy.
Each member has been interviewed by the Chair and joins the Forum as an individual who is able to bring a broad range of personal expertise and background to the group, rather than a representative for their current organisation.
It is expected that the Forum will meet at least twice a year. They will advise advise Councillors as they agree final details of how the proceeds of the scheme will be invested before it launches next summer.
Forum members will also discuss and provide feedback on the efficiency of the scheme and advise the Council on any recommended modifications when it is reviewed after three years.
The appointments to the Visitor Levy Advisory Forum are:
Julie Ashworth, Chair of the Visitor Levy Advisory Forum, said: “Edinburgh’s visitor levy scheme has been shaped by years of debate and views from all sectors and communities, and it is in this spirit I’ve appointed a group of people with fantastic experience and expertise from different fields and from civic life. I’m confident we have a really strong Forum in place and we’re excited to get to work.
“Our introductory meeting focussed on ensuring that all members are up to speed with the Edinburgh Visitor Levy scheme, and the requirements of the group itself. Now that Forum members are familiar with this, the real work of advising the Council on levy matters can begin.
“With just over a year to go until the levy is launched, it will be our job to fairly and accurately represent the views of the city, and to encourage the Council at all stages to take these views into account. I’m grateful to every member for coming on board.
Council Leader Jane Meagher added: “I’m delighted that mere weeks after her appointment as Chair, Julie has established a full Visitor Levy Advisory Forum.
“Edinburgh’s upcoming levy will provide us with a once in a lifetime opportunity for raising much needed funds for the city. Important decisions will need to be taken on how this money is spent so that visitors and residents can benefit, so I’m pleased to see a balanced and broad range of views represented on the Advisory Forum.
“These are individuals with great knowledge about their industries and the city, and I understand they’ve had a productive first meeting. I look forward to their input as we prepare to launch Scotland’s first visitor levy next summer.”
Scotland’s first dedicated complex needs college will receive up to £1.4 million to secure its future for the next two years.
Since launching in 2022, the Corseford College pilot has received over £1 million from the Scottish Government, which has helped to provide 35 students with complex and additional needs an opportunity for further learning beyond school.
An independent evaluation found the pilot provided valuable support to young people with complex needs. It also included key recommendations for the future model of provision in Scotland which the Government will be considering in the months ahead.
The College has now received additional funding to continue the pilot for two more years. A total of 41 young people will benefit from specialist support in the 2025-26 academic year starting in August.
Further Education Minister Graeme Dey said: “Corseford College has delivered vital support to many young people with complex additional needs since its launch three years ago. This has been recognised in an independent evaluation of the model, which is why we are securing the College’s future for another two years to ensure that its students can continue to be supported.
“We are keen to explore a sustainable approach for specialist provision going forward, and the continued pilot at Corseford will help inform this. The evaluation provided a number of important insights and recommendations which we will be reflecting on and will allow us to evolve the best possible model for the future.
“We are determined to support Scotland’s young people with complex additional needs and disabilities. Last month, we published our first national strategy that ensures young disabled people can access the help they need as they transition to adulthood. Our continued funding for Corseford will support this work.”
Capability Scotland Chief Executive, Brian Logan, said: “The Scottish Government’s funding decision following the independent evaluation is a vital endorsement of Corseford College’s pioneering approach to specialist post-school education.
“We would like to thank Minister Graeme Dey and his team for their cooperation and unwavering commitment in making this possible.
“This success reflects the dedication of the college’s staff, whose work is transforming the lives of young people with complex needs. The funding secures Corseford College’s future, but also marks a key step towards a national solution for those young people living with complex needs across the country.”
The Scottish Government published its National Transitions to Adulthood Strategy for Young People in June 2025.
In today’s world, where convenience foods are often within arm’s reach, it can be challenging for parents to ensure their children are eating nutritious, balanced meals.
Amie Leckie, Health and Wellbeing Specialist at Heart Research UK, says: “Children can be quite picky, and dealing with a stubborn child who refuses to eat any vegetables can be a real challenge.
“However, making small, consistent changes in how we approach children’s diets can have lasting positive effects on their health, energy levels, and even behaviour.
“At the core of a healthy diet are three main principles: eating foods as close to their natural state as possible, limiting processed foods and eating balanced meals.”
Prioritising whole foods
When we talk about whole foods, we mean foods that are as close to their natural state as possible. For example, a banana is a whole food and banana chips are a processed food; a potato is a whole food, but crisps, which are made from potatoes, are a processed food.
Whole foods should be the foundation of children’s diets as they are full of essential nutrients, which are crucial for a child’s growth and development.
“Whole foods include fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, lean proteins, and healthy fats,” Amie explains. “Fruits and vegetables, for example, are full of antioxidants and vitamins like C and A, which support immune function and eye health. Wholegrains like oats, brown rice, and quinoa provide steady energy throughout the day and help maintain healthy digestion.
“Lean proteins, such as chicken, fish, eggs, and beans, contain vital building blocks for muscle and support cognitive function. Including healthy fats from avocados, nuts, seeds, yoghurt and olive oil is important as these fats support brain development and hormone production.”
Childhood is a stage of rapid growth, and it is vitally important that we give their bodies what they need to grow properly. When children regularly eat whole foods, they get the nutrients they need to grow strong and stay healthy, while also developing their taste buds for healthy foods.
Limiting processed foods
Processed foods are foods that were once whole foods or a group of whole foods that have been modified somehow. When this happens, essential nutrients are lost and often, especially with pre-packed foods, ingredients have been added such as salt, sugar, sweeteners, flavourings and unhealthy fats.
Processed foods are everywhere, and they often appeal to children due to their convenience, added flavours and eye-catching packaging. For parents, it can be hard to avoid these, especially as children get older and start noticing food products in the wider world, rather than just what is in their house.
Processed foods include sugary cereals, crisps, fizzy drinks, fast food, ready meals, packet noodles and packaged snacks.
The added ingredients in these products can lead to overeating, energy crashes, and may increase the risk of childhood obesity, diabetes, and other long-term health issues, affecting children’s behaviour.
Amie explains: “The key to limiting processed foods lies in focusing on balance and moderation rather than completely banning them. It’s okay for kids to occasionally enjoy these foods, but parents should be mindful of how often these foods are part of daily meals. Try to cook as many meals as possible from scratch and limit your reliance on convenience foods.
“A helpful tip is to make healthier swaps where possible, such as offering water or milk instead of sugary drinks or opting for wholegrain crackers and natural peanut butter as a snack, rather than crisps and chocolate. Start with small swaps and layer them as the weeks go by, so it doesn’t upset your little one too much.”
Creating balanced meals
Thinking about offering balanced meals can help parents ensure they are providing nutrient-dense plates that will keep children nourished and full. A balanced plate typically consists of a variety of food groups such as vegetables and/or fruits, wholegrains, proteins and healthy fats.
Amie says: “A good example of a balanced meal for a child could be baked homemade chicken goujons using whole wheat breadcrumbs, homemade sweet potato chips, steamed broccoli drizzled with a little olive oil, and a side of fresh fruit such as apple slices or melon wedges.
“This combination offers a range of nutrients, including protein, fibre, carbohydrates and healthy fats, which are essential for growth and energy. The combination of these foods will help keep children feeling fuller for longer and keep their blood sugar stable, which means steady energy and fewer sugar cravings.”
Encouraging kids to eat a variety of colours on their plate is a fun and effective way to ensure they are getting a variety of different vitamins and minerals. Different coloured fruits and vegetables contain different antioxidants and nutrients, so diversity is key.
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of fibre, which helps keep the digestive system healthy.
Heart Research UK has created a Rainbow Food Challenge to help encourage your children and yourself to try some new foods, so download your copy now.
Amie advises: “Parents can often feel a sense of failure if their children don’t eat what they make or try tactics to encourage children to eat by offering rewards and treats, which in the long-term don’t help establish healthy eating patterns.
“Parents cannot control what children will decide to eat on any given day, but they can, to some extent and at least in the home environment, control what foods are on offer, and lead by example and nourish ourselves with healthy food.”
Building healthy eating habits from a young age sets children up for a lifetime of good health, which includes heart health. By focusing on whole foods, limiting processed foods, and creating balanced meals, parents can provide the essential nutrients their children need to grow, thrive, and feel their best.
It may take time and patience, but with consistent effort, the benefits of a nutritious diet will soon become clear in a child’s energy, mood, behaviour and overall wellbeing.
EDINBURGH COMMUNITIES CLIMATE ACTION NETWORK
Summer is here and our July Climate Bites event will be hosted by … Earth in Common!
When? Thursday, July 17 at 12.30pm
Where? Leith Community Croft
Whether you’re interested in learning more about our hosts, having a catch-up with other network members or talk about a climate issue that is important to you, this is the place to be
!
As always, lunch is on us
.
Book your place
now: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/climate-bites-at-leith…
