Identifying a Stroke Using the FAST Method
Strokes are serious and time-sensitive medical emergencies that require immediate attention. Knowing how to quickly recognise the signs can be crucial in saving a life.
That’s where the FAST method comes in – an easy-to-remember acronym to help you spot the signs of a stroke.
Strokes can strike anyone, regardless of age or gender.
Remember, every minute counts when it comes to strokes.
Stay informed, share this knowledge and help spread awareness
CELEBRATING LEGACY DISHES AND CLASSIC FLAVOURS
This Spring, The Ivy On The Square, Edinburgh introduces new dishes on its Heritage Menu, a set menu that celebrates the legacy of The Ivy and its classic dishes, launching across its restaurants nationwide.
Designed to offer exceptional value without compromising on quality, the menu is available everyday (except Saturday), featuring two courses from £21.95**.
Showcasing a carefully curated selection of seasonal dishes, the Heritage Menu begins with a choice of bright, seasonal starters including Crab and Chive Cream, served on watermelon with crushed avocado and radish; Gochujang Chicken and Asian Slaw, accompanied by shredded crispy wonton, sesame seeds, wasabi mayonnaise and micro coriander; and Whipped Feta and Filo Salad, paired with baby spinach, marinated apricots, chicory and a delicate truffle vinaigrette.
Ivy Classic Shepherd’s Pie remains a firm favourite, featuring slow-braised lamb and beef topped with cheddar mash, rosemary and a rich red wine sauce. Additional options include Pan-fried Sea Bass with Keralan Curry Sauce, infused with coconut, cumin and turmeric and served with shaved fennel and spinach, as well as a Spicy Jackfruit and Roasted Peanut Bang Bang Salad with chayote, sesame, mooli and shredded Chinese leaf.
Guests can enhance their dining experience by upgrading to three courses for a supplement of £5.95. The dessert selection offers a further choice of indulgent options, including the theatrical Flambéed Crème Brûlée, finished tableside with a caramelised sugar crust; Strawberries and Cream with freeze-dried raspberries, meringue and lemon balm; the Classic Frozen Berries with a yoghurt and white chocolate sauce, and a savoury option of Fourme d’Ambert, a classic French blue cheese served with crackers, apple and celery.
Mark Askew, Group Executive Chef at The Ivy Collection, said: “The Heritage Menu reflects everything our guests love about The Ivy – timeless dishes, seasonal ingredients and a sense of occasion, every day.
“We wanted to create a menu that feels both familiar and exciting, offering exceptional quality and variety at an accessible price point, while celebrating the flavours and dishes that define our collection.”
The Heritage Menu reflects The Ivy Collection’s commitment to delivering accessible luxury dining in elegant surroundings, offering guests the opportunity to enjoy its most-loved dishes at an exceptional price point.
To make a reservation at The Ivy, visit https://ivycollection.com/
With 2026 being named as “The Year of the Cabbage”, what might once have sounded tongue-n-cheek is now a reflection of reality in Scottish fields and supermarkets.
While the declaration may have brought a smile, Scotland’s longest cabbage season is no fashion statement. In East Lothian’s fertile soils, it is the result of climate, careful selection and long-term investment. If 2026 is indeed the Year of the Cabbage, Scotland is already well ahead of the trend.
Scottish cabbage producer, East Lothian Produce – a third generation farm run by the Logan family – have their sights set on harvesting Savoy cabbage from June right through to the end of April to meet demand. Thanks to the region’s relatively frost-free climate, it gives Scotland the longest Savoy season anywhere in the UK.
“Our location is one of our biggest strengths,” says Chris Logan at East Lothian Produce. “East Lothian has a kind climate and is one of the most frost free areas in Scotland, which is ideal for winter brassicas.
“We are able to harvest Savoy fresh from the field every day through the winter months, which is quite unique.”
The cooler Scottish summer also plays a defining role in quality. “Our cabbages grow more slowly and steadily compared to warmer parts of the UK”, Chris explains. “That slower growth means less stress on the plant and produces a strong, resilient cabbage with excellent texture and shelf life.”
East Lothian Produce and its partnership with Kettle Produce Ltd supplies Aldi Scotland with locally-grown cabbages and grows an extensive range of varieties to meet demand across the seasons. Across the Savoy crop alone, 18 varieties are selected for qualities such as early maturity, frost tolerance, flavour and visual appeal.
Red cabbage has become a particular growth area. Early varieties such as Alfaro and Redma are followed by Kilmaro and Redema for long-term storage, with new varieties currently under trial to enhance storage ability and reduce waste.
White cabbage varieties range from early cropping types suited to rig packing to later, more compact heads bred for strong keeping quality.
“We are constantly trialing new varieties,” says Chris. “Red cabbage especially is seeing genuine growth. A lot of that is driven by interest in raw recipes, fermentation and pickling, which taps into the wider focus on gut health and fibre.”
Cabbage’s resurgence aligns with broader consumer trends. It is low in calories, high in fibre and rich in vitamins C and K, while red cabbage contains anthocyanins linked to heart health. As shoppers look for whole, minimally processed foods that offer value and versatility, the brassica is being reappraised.
“It used to be seen as quite old fashioned,” Chris says. “But when you roast it, char it or ferment it, it becomes something completely different. We are seeing it move from being a side dish to being the centre of the plate.”
For Aldi Scotland, the story is also about backing local producers. New research from Scotland Food & Drink has found a growing appetite for Scottish produce, both at home and across the UK.*
Alan Leslie, Buying Director at Aldi Scotland, says supporting Scottish growers remains central to the retailer’s approach. “We are incredibly proud to work with over 90 dedicated Scottish suppliers who collectively stack our shelves with more than 450 Scottish products.
“Our commitment to sourcing locally grown food means our customers can enjoy fresh, high-quality produce while supporting Scottish agriculture.
“As interest in fibre rich foods continues to grow and cabbage enjoys its moment in the spotlight, it is fantastic to see products grown right here in Scotland being appreciated and given their hero-moment on shelves.”
A head of Scottish cabbage can be picked up at Aldi for £0.75 for savoy and sweetheart, and £0.89 for red and white cabbage
Aldi was recently named Which?’s Cheapest Supermarket of 2025.
You can find your nearest Aldi here.
SATURDAY 16 MAY at WEST PILTON PARK
Scruffs Dog Show is back — and we can’t wait to see your four‑legged superstars shine!
From waggiest tail to best male, this is your pup’s moment to steal the spotlight. Bring the family, bring the fun, and let’s celebrate the dogs who make our days brighter.
Join us on the day and get ready for a whole lot of paws, applause, and happy chaos!
Saturday 16th May, 1.30pm – 3.30pm
West Pilton Park
£2 entry fee
We have another delicious menu planned for this Monday’s Community Lunch!
Come along 11:30am – 12:30pm for some baked tatties (different toppings available) and a fancy bread and butter pudding for dessert. You’ll have to come along to find out what makes it fancy!
Our Community Lunch is free for everyone, and you can sit in or take away.
We also have our free breakfast cafe running 9 – 10:30am with hot breakfast rolls and hot drinks too.
A big thank you to everyone who came along to the cafe last week – we fed 26 people! Our busiest day yet!!
Scotland’s build-to-rent (BTR) sector is set for a comeback after a period of uncertainty that resulted in stalled development activity.
New legislation exempting BTR from rent control measures has the potential to unlock nearly 10,000 homes and trigger a wave of renewed investment, according to property consultancy Ryden. The findings form part of Lambert Smith Hampton’s (LSH) “Live & Kicking” Build to Rent Report 2026, which highlights how regulatory change in Scotland could unlock new development.
There are currently no large-scale BTR schemes under construction anywhere in Scotland, despite a significant pipeline of approved developments. This highlights the scale of the slowdown that has gripped the market since 2022.
Development activity effectively came to a halt following the introduction of emergency rent controls during the cost-of-living crisis, which led to a sharp drop in investor confidence and delayed new projects across the country.
However, the introduction of new regulations exempting BTR developments from rent controls has provided long-awaited clarity, prompting a significant shift in sentiment across the sector.
The Private Housing Rent Control (Exempt Property) (Scotland) Regulations 2026, which came into force in April, confirm that qualifying BTR schemes will not be subject to rent control measures, removing a key barrier that has held back delivery for more than three years.
As a result, developers and investors are now returning to the market, with activity expected to focus initially on Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Ryden, part of the LSH Group, led the Scotland-focused analysis within the report.
David Fraser, Partner in Residential Investment & Development, Ryden, said: “The market effectively ground to a halt after 2022, but we’re now seeing a clear turning point. The introduction of rent control exemptions has restored the certainty investors need to commit to new projects.
“Scotland has moved from one of the most uncertain BTR markets in the UK to one of the most compelling investment opportunities. With a substantial consented pipeline of nearly 10,000 units already in place, the opportunity now is to unlock delivery and help address the country’s housing shortfall.”
More than 5,200 BTR homes have been delivered across Scotland to date, with activity heavily concentrated in Glasgow and Edinburgh. However, this remains well below the level seen in comparable UK cities, where BTR has become a key driver of housing supply and city centre regeneration.The attractiveness of the BTR sector is reinforced by strong tenant demand and occupancy levels in the completed schemes.
Industry experts also point to significant untapped potential, with Scotland’s major cities lagging far behind English counterparts in terms of BTR provision, despite strong population growth and a high proportion of young renters.
There has also been a marked increase in interest in the development of co-living and single-family rental (SFR) products in Scotland, both of which are expected to play a growing role in accelerating delivery, particularly as policymakers seek solutions to Scotland’s housing emergency.
Crucially, recent policy changes mean Scotland now offers a more stable and potentially more attractive regulatory environment for BTR investment than England & Wales, opening the door for domestic and international capital to re-enter the market.
With demand continuing to rise and barriers to investment now easing, Ryden believes Scotland is entering a new phase for build-to-rent growth, with long-delayed developments now expected to move forward.
STARMER RECRUITS BROWN AND HARMAN AS CALLS FOR RESIGNATION GROW
Keir Starmer has appointed two old (‘New’?) Labour figures following disastrous election results on Thirsday. The latest in a long line of ‘resets’ will see Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman taking on roles in government.
Keir Starmer appointed Gordon Brown as the Prime Minister’s Special Reviewer on Global Finance and Cooperation yesterday. The former Prime Minister will advise on how global finance cooperation can build a stronger Britain, boosting the country’s security and resilience.
His appointment comes as the UK prepares to hold the Presidency of the G20 next year.
He will be tasked with developing new international finance partnerships that can support defence and security-related investment, including measures that underpin the UK’s relationship with Europe.
As part of the role he will engage with international leaders and finance institutions as well as private finance partners to establish multilateral finance mechanisms.
Gordon Brown was Britain’s longest-serving modern Chancellor of the Exchequer.
As Prime Minister, he worked with international counterparts as they responded to the worldwide financial crisis.
In April 2009, he hosted the G20 Summit in London where world leaders pledged to make an additional $1.1 trillion available to help the world economy through the crisis and restore credit, growth and jobs.
Gordon Brown will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.
Keir Starmer also appointed Harriet Harman as the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Women and Girls.
Baroness Harman will advise the PM on how to galvanise Government to deliver for women and girls.
She will work with ministers across Government to drive an impactful agenda focusing on tackling violence against women and girls, unlocking economic opportunity, and improving representation.
The role will see her draw on work with women across Parliament to identify action needed to tackle misogyny and deliver greater opportunity for women in parliamentary and public life.
As part of the appointment, she will also work with the Cabinet Secretary to drive a shift in culture across the Civil Service and Ministerial offices, enhancing opportunity for women and enhancing government delivery for women.
Throughout her career, Baroness Harman has been a vocal advocate for women and girls, including on issues such as women’s political representation, maternity rights, and tackling violence against women and girls.
In her previous role as Solicitor General, Harriet led a successful drive within government to make tackling domestic violence a priority.
The campaign led to the introduction of a new law – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act – to ensure more effective prosecutions for domestic violence and a new network of 60 specialist domestic violence courts.
Her appointment underlines the Government’s commitment to empowering women and girls.
For the first time, this government has declared the scale of violence and abuse suffered by women and girls in this country is a national emergency.
The landmark Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy sets out how we will achieve our pledge to halve these vile crimes in a decade – stopping violence before it starts, relentlessly pursuing perpetrators and better supporting victims and survivors.
Baroness Harman will report directly to the to the Prime Minister. This is an unpaid part-time role.
The appointments come after a dreadful set of election results across the country on Thursday, brought about by increasing criticism of the Prime Minister’s decision-making.
The appointments smack of desperation as Starmer tries to shore up his position – incredible given the scale of his majority just two years ago.
Some (doubtless unwanted) words of advice from another Labour Party leader:
Growing anger within the Labour movement has now seen one backbench MP threaten to challenge Starmer’s leadership if no-one in the cabinet is willing to do so.
Catherine West has given her colleagues until tomorrow (Monday) to put up or shut up. Doubtless some telephones will be red hot over this weekend.
Following a poor Holyrood result that saw Labour sharing a distant second place with Reform, there’s a call for change at the top of Scottish Labour, too.
Campaign for Socialsim said: “Anas Sarwar and Jackie Baillie have failed to convince working class voters that we are on their side.
“They must now resign with grace and pass on the torch to those who can.”
Campaign aims to make gardens safer for threatened native species
HOMEOWNERS across Edinburgh and the Lothians are being encouraged to make their gardens safer for one of the UK’s most loved native species as part of a new campaign launched for Hedgehog Awareness Week.
Timed to coincide with the national awareness week running from 3–9 May, the initiative will see homebuyers and sellers offered guidance on how to create “hedgehog-friendly homes” through simple changes to gardens and outdoor spaces.
Ralph Sayer has launched the campaign in partnership with Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, positioning itself as what is believed to be the first estate agency in the UK to actively champion hedgehog-friendly homes within the property sector.
The campaign includes a practical checklist for buyers and sellers, designed to help households support hedgehogs through small but meaningful actions such as creating garden access points, avoiding harmful chemicals and maintaining wildlife-friendly planting.
By incorporating wildlife-conscious advice into the home-moving process, Ralph Sayer hopes to raise awareness among homeowners at a key moment when they are already thinking about their property and outdoor space.
Tzana Webster, Head of Estate Agency at Ralph Sayer, said: “Buying or selling a home is often about imagining the life you want to build there and for many people that includes creating a welcoming outdoor space.
“Gardens do not just belong to us. They are vital habitats for wildlife, and hedgehogs in particular rely heavily on connected, accessible green spaces to survive.
“We saw an opportunity to do something genuinely positive that had not really been explored in the property market before and use our position to encourage people to think differently about their gardens.
“If simple changes made during a house move can help protect local wildlife, then that is something worth championing.”
The initiative forms part of Ralph Sayer’s broader commitment to supporting community causes across Edinburgh and the Lothians, with the firm continuing to back local charities, organisations and projects that deliver practical benefit beyond the property sector.
Hedgehog populations in the UK have declined significantly in recent decades, with habitat loss, urban development and inaccessible gardens all contributing to falling numbers.
Conservation groups have repeatedly highlighted the importance of connected residential gardens in helping hedgehogs travel safely between feeding and nesting sites.
Ann Morrison of Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, said: “One of the biggest issues hedgehogs face in urban and suburban areas is fragmented habitats.
“People often do not realise that something as simple as a fence with no gap underneath can cut off vital access routes and make it much harder for hedgehogs to forage, nest and survive.
“It is brilliant to see a business in the property sector taking the lead and using its platform to help raise awareness.”
The “Hedgehog Heroes” campaign will be promoted across Ralph Sayer’s offices and digital channels throughout Hedgehog Awareness Week, with educational content and advice aimed at helping homeowners better understand how they can support local wildlife.
The campaign has also prompted discussion within Ralph Sayer’s private client team around the growing number of people seeking to reflect environmental values in their estate planning. That includes clients increasingly exploring ways to leave charitable gifts to conservation organisations in their wills or make provisions aimed at protecting green space and wildlife for future generations.
Ralph Sayer believes the campaign reflects growing public interest in sustainability and biodiversity, particularly among buyers and families placing greater emphasis on environmentally conscious living.
The firm hopes the initiative will help spark broader discussion across the property sector about the role homes and gardens can play in supporting wildlife, while encouraging other businesses to consider how their industries can contribute to practical conservation efforts.
To find out more about Ralph Sayer and their services, please visit:
To find out more about Midlothian Hedgehog Rescue and Rehabilitation, please visit:
Housebuilder proves spring cleaning isn’t just for the home
Volunteers from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, part of the UK’s largest housebuilder Barratt Redrow, have dedicated their time to cleaning up in locations around Edinburgh.
The litter-pick formed part of the wider Barratt Redrow CleanUp, now in its third year, organised by the housebuilder’s charitable arm, The Barratt Redrow Foundation in partnership with CleanupUK.
A team of volunteers from Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland division set out to litter pick at West Craigs and Union Canal, which is popular with dog walkers, runners and families.
The team of 47 volunteers cleared nearly 100 bags of discarded waste, which included products that are known to be damaging to the environment and local wildlife and take a long time to break down, such as disposable vapes, wipes, batteries and cigarette butts.
The team sifted through greenery to remove waste, helping create a cleaner and safer environment for children, animals and tourists heading into the summer months.
Initiatives like this are important for amplifying the impact of litter-picking and community tidying efforts in the areas where the housebuilder operates and links closely to its ethos.
Barratt and David Wilson Homes are focused on building quality homes and creating vibrant new communities with open green spaces that enhance biodiversity and wellbeing, creating greener, healthier and more sustainable living environments for homeowners and wildlife alike.
Andrew Morrison, Managing Director for Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland, said: “In Scotland, we’re lucky to have such picturesque green spaces on our doorstep, so we all have a responsibility to ensure this landscape continues to thrive.
“As the UK’s largest housebuilder, we place great emphasis on leaving communities better than we found them, whether that’s by alleviating housing shortages, improving infrastructure or like in this instance, protecting the environment.
“Our employee volunteers did a great job clearing spots around Edinburgh which are enjoyed by residents across our West Craigs and West Craigs Quarter developments.”
CleanupUK, which helped with the organisation of the litter pick, is a nationwide charity that unites volunteers to form community-led litter picking initiatives in their local areas.
Edinburgh City Council provided the volunteers with the necessary equipment and will lead on disposing of the collected waste.
In total, over 60 clean-up events are taking place across the UK this spring, with hundreds of Barratt Redrow staff taking part.
To explore homes currently available in Edinburgh, visit Barratt @ West Craigs and David Wilson Homes West Craigs Quarter.
Calling all community groups and businesses! 
Applications to join Corstorphine Fair 2026 will be closing soon, so if you’d like to be involved, now’s the time to get in touch!
Our small team is working hard behind the scenes to work through a huge number of enquiries, thank you for your patience and support 
Community groups or registered charities:
Apply here 
https://forms.gle/nmgAWC3SXgdiKTHQ8
Businesses interested in taking part:
Please email corsfair@hotmail.com
Please note: We are now no longer accepting applications for craft stalls.
We’ve had a fantastic response so far, but we’d still love to give more groups, organisations and businesses the opportunity to be part of this year’s fair.
Corstorphine Fair is dedicated to supporting the local community, so why not get involved? 
Looking for more information? Visit: www.CorstorphineFair.org.uk
6th June
11am – 4pm
St Margaret’s Park, Edinburgh
30 days to go!
