The May bank holidays are upon us and train stations are buzzing with travellers and day-trippers. However, for millions of people who are deaf, or have hearing loss, using public transport can be a challenging and stressful experience.
Imagine being on a platform. Passengers suddenly start leaving and you’re not sure why. Or you’re on a train that stops unexpectedly between stations, and you seem to be the only person in the carriage unaware of what’s going on. What should be a relaxing journey can quickly become an anxious and isolating experience. Deaf people often rely on fellow travellers for help.
To mark Deaf Awareness Week (5–11 May), RNID – the national charity supporting the 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus – has highlighted concerning research showing that the public are often unwilling to assist deaf people when navigating public transport. Whilst many people do want to help – they’re often held-back by uncertainty around how to communicate.
The good news is that RNID’s ‘It does matter’ campaign offers free tips and videos with basic BSL phrases to help people become more deaf-aware and confident when offering support.
This Deaf Awareness Week is the perfect time to learn how you can make a difference. Visit www.rnid.org.uk/it-does-matter
Yours sincerely,
Teri Devine, Associate Director of Inclusion, RNID
Creative Scotland and British Transport Police will move into the Waverley Court Partnership Hub.
They will join SEPA, Visit Scotland, Skills Development Scotland and Balfour Beatty, which are already based at the Council headquarters on East Market Street. Scottish Water is also due to move into the building later this year.
The decision by the Council’s Finance and Resources Committee to lease the space will grow the number of organisations based in Waverley Court to eight and annually raise £1.7m in total.
British Transport Police will move into the courtyard by the end of 2025, occupying about 40 desks, while Creative Scotland will move into the ground floor this autumn, occupying 60 desks.
The council will continue to retain at least 60% of the desk space within Waverley Court and discussions will continue to take place with other interested public sector partners.
Councillor Mandy Watt, Finance and Resources Convener, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming Creative Scotland and the British Transport Police into Waverley Court, which is quickly becoming a true Partnership Hub, with organisations from all sides of the public sector joining forces to make greater use of the space and share expertise.
“By welcoming these organisations in, we are generating significant income for the Council and making sure our Headquarters are operated in the most sustainable, efficient, and collaborative way.”
Increased prize money, record attendances at its New Year’s Day and Edinburgh Cup meetings, and a boost in hospitality guests underlined a successful 2024 for Musselburgh Racecourse.
An annual report on the East Lothian track’s performance showed prize money at the East Lothian course totalled £2,429,600 – up by 6.3% on the previous year – and an 14.6% increase on prize money in 2022.
Musselburgh also attracted more hospitality guests – 3,938 last year compared to 3,587 in 2023 – and Annual Membership grew by 16% from 263 in 2023 to 306 in 2024.
The racecourse would have recorded an increase in total attendance for the year if it had not been forced to abandon its hugely popular Easter Saturday fixture due to weather and which usually attracts a 5,000 strong crowd.
With two less meetings run in 2024 (25) compared to 2023 (27), total attendance was a healthy 58,744, down from 60,294 in 2023, but average attendance at meetings run was up from 2,319 to 2,448.
Across its premium race days, Musselburgh enjoyed significant crowd increases with a 11.5% jump and an extra 653 racegoers on New Year’s Day (6,289 compared to 5,636 in 2023) and almost a 20% boost at the Edinburgh Cup fixture (5,966 compared to 5,048 in 2023).
Musselburgh’s annual Friday Night at the Races fixture in early August enjoyed it’s largest crowd to date of 4,375, while Ladies Day was an 8,000 capacity sell-out – an increase of almost 600 on the previous year – and the 20th year in succession that Ladies Day has sold out.
A new Oktoberfest themed race day in September was a huge hit with racegoers and compared to the 2023 meeting held on the same date there as a 1,600 bump in attendance.
Aisling Johnston, Head of Marketing and Business Development at Musselburgh Racecourse, said: “The figures show a strong performance with significant increases in attendance at our key meetings and it could have been even better if we had not lost our Easter Saturday meeting, which was very disappointing.
“Our ground staff worked exceptionally hard in 2024, often in adverse conditions, to keep the track and facilities in tip-top condition, and the commercial team achieved outstanding results by increasing like-for-like attendances, which bucked the national trend.
“With family budgets under pressure and lots of competing sporting and entertainment options, we are constantly upping our game to ensure that Musselburgh Racecourse remains a compelling offering for those looking for an exciting and enjoyable day, afternoon or evening out.”
Projects across the country to receive a share of funding
Eleven projects designed to accelerate Scotland’s hydrogen economy are set to benefit from a share of £3.4 million funding.
The Scottish Government funding will help develop green hydrogen production, improve the hydrogen supply chain, and enhance hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure.
Opening a parliamentary debate on Scotland’s hydrogen future, Acting Net Zero Cabinet Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Hydrogen stands as a critical pillar of Scotland’s route to net zero by 2045, but also, alongside the development of our offshore wind capacity, as one of Scotland’s greatest industrial opportunities since the discovery of oil and gas in the North Sea.
“A just transition remains at the heart of our approach, and we are determined that no community, particularly those which have powered our economy for generations, will be left behind as we move away from burning fossil fuels towards a low carbon energy system.
“We are working to build a hydrogen economy in which the benefits of our energy transition are shared, and which harnesses the full potential of our skilled people, our worldclass industries, and our natural resources.”
In September 2024 the Scottish Government invited projects to apply for a match-funding grant award of up to 50%, to the maximum value of £2 million.
Shortlisting saw 18 projects invited to submit a full application to delivery partner Scottish Enterprise, with funding ultimately provided to 11 successful projects.
UK’s first hydrogen training centre opens for next generation of green gas engineers
UK’s first hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe* registered engineers opens at Fife College.
Over 100 local engineers will be upskilled to safely install and maintain hydrogen appliances for SGN’s H100 Fife project.
The centre is a key milestone for H100 Fife which will deliver an end-to-end green hydrogen gas network, providing heating and cooking for several hundred local homes.
GMB union, SGN and Fife College leaders highlight the need to upskill gas workers for a low-carbon future.
Energy network SGN and Fife College are celebrating the opening of the UK’s first hydrogen training centre for gas engineers yesterday.
The facility, located at Fife College’s Levenmouth Campus, will train over 100 Gas Safe registered engineers this year, equipping them with the green skills needed to safely convert homes from natural gas to hydrogen.
This training is essential for the engineers who will be involved in SGN’s green hydrogen trial, H100 Fife, which will supply green hydrogen to homes in Levenmouth through a new purpose-built network.
Gary Smith, General Secretary of GMB, the UK’s largest energy union, welcomed the launch. He said: “The opening of this hydrogen training centre is a milestone for the gas industry and its workforce. As we transition to a net-zero economy, it’s vital that we not only protect jobs but also ensure that workers are upskilled for the future.
“This centre will empower today’s engineers to safely work with hydrogen while preparing them for roles that will shape the transition to green energy. It’s a testament to the resilience of the workforce and their ability to adapt to the changing energy landscape.”
The training centre offers hands-on experience with hydrogen appliances and systems, supported by leading manufacturers such as, Baxi, Worcester Bosch, Clean Burner Systems (CBS), Bosch Home Appliances and MeteRSit.
It will ensure that engineers gain the knowledge and competency to safely install, test, and maintain hydrogen appliances and heating systems in domestic settings, advancing the UK’s transition to green energy solutions. Every engineer taking part will gain an official hydrogen qualification added to their Gas Safe registration.
Simon Kilonback, CEO of SGN, commented: “The opening of the UK’s first hydrogen training centre for Gas Safe engineers is a major milestone for SGN and the energy sector as a whole.
“We’re excited to be working with the local community as we deliver our end-to-end hydrogen network in Fife. This is a key part of our wider plans to harness the potential of green gasses like hydrogen and biomethane to help decarbonise homes and businesses.”
Training will be delivered to local Gas Safe registered engineers in Fife by expert trainers with experience in delivering gas training with support from industry professionals. SGN has developed the courses in partnership with Fife College for the past two years, alongside key stakeholders such as certification body BPEC, Energy & Utility Skills and the Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers (IGEM).
Jim Metcalfe, Principal of Fife College, said: “Fife College is proud to be a national leader in clean energy skills as we launch this dedicated hydrogen training facility. We are honoured to work in such a deep and innovative partnership with SGN.
“Through this cutting-edge centre at our Levenmouth Campus, we are working to upskill over 100 engineers with the specialist knowledge needed to support the UK’s transition to net zero.
“This collaboration with SGN forms part of our wider commitment to sustainability, which also includes the opening of our new Dunfermline City Campus – Scotland’s first net-zero-ready vocational training campus – later this year. Together, these landmark developments place Fife College at the forefront of delivering the skills and infrastructure needed to shape a more sustainable future for us all.”
The engineers being trained from SGN, Baxi, Worcester Bosch and Warmworks will help convert natural gas homes over to hydrogen when the H100 Fife trial launches later this year. Fife Council staff will also be trained as part of SGN’s commitment to future-proof local engineers for the challenges ahead.
The opening of the training centre is a landmark event in SGN’s efforts to support the UK’s transition to net zero and underscores the vital role of skilled engineers in integrating hydrogen as a key low-carbon energy source.
Annual event sees dazzling afternoon of generosity and glamour at Edinburgh hotel
HUNDREDS of guests raised thousands of pounds at a spectacular charity lunch in support of people living with cancer, in a sell-out event hosted at one of Edinburgh’s most iconic hotels.
The popular Ladies Love Lunch fundraiser returned for its 13th year, drawing a crowd of more than 400 stylish supporters who filled the ballroom at the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa on 25th April.
Organised by cancer support charity Maggie’s, the vibrant afternoon offered guests an unforgettable mix of uplifting entertainment, emotional storytelling, and first-class food and hospitality.
This year’s event was hosted by Scottish comedian Craig Hill, who brought trademark energy and humour to the afternoon, ensuring guests were kept entertained from the outset.
Steven Lindsay, Centre Fundraiser at Maggie’s said: “The support shown at this year’s lunch was nothing short of extraordinary. Every ticket bought, every bid placed, and every raffle entered helps us to continue offering vital support to those impacted by a cancer diagnosis and their loved ones across Edinburgh and the Borders.
“These funds will directly support hundreds of individuals and families at a time when they need it most, and for that, we’re truly grateful.”
Guests enjoyed a luxurious three-course meal prepared by Sheraton Grand’s chefs, alongside a drink reception sponsored by Lind and Lime and entertainment from BLEEKER, who closed the event with a celebratory performance.
Fundraising highlights included the highly anticipated Diamond Raffle, generously sponsored by jewellers Hamilton & Inches, with one lucky guest winning a show-stopping prize worth thousands of pounds. Luxury Scottish brand Strathberry also contributed to the excitement with a surprise bag giveaway.
Martijn Zengerink, General Manager of the Sheraton Grand said: “We’re incredibly proud to have hosted this event for more than a decade, but this year felt especially powerful.
“Maggie’s provides an irreplaceable lifeline to so many, and to know the Sheraton Grand continues to play a small part in supporting that work means the world to our team.”
Funds raised on the day will go directly towards Maggie’s Edinburgh, which provides free cancer support and information in a welcoming, non-clinical environment. Contributions help ensure the centre can continue delivering emotional, practical and psychological support to anyone affected by cancer.
A key moment came with a moving speech from guest speaker Lucy Turner, who shared her personal lived experience with head and neck cancer. Now eight months pregnant, Lucy recreated her heartfelt story, stressing the fantastic support that Maggie’s provides.
Lucy said: “’Coming to Maggie’s helped me reset my expectations and take action that supported me to rebuild my strength and achieve outcomes which seemed impossible.
“After I left, I applied myself a lot more because I felt more was possible for me.
“Maggie’s will not perform a procedure to remove cancer, Maggie’s will cultivate the strength in the person to face cancer and get the best kind of treatment outcomes.”
With support from a host of sponsors, donors, and partners, the event’s success continues to be a true team effort. Organisers paid special tribute to long-time attendees and those behind the scenes who’ve championed the event since its inception.
Now firmly established as one of Edinburgh’s standout fundraising events, the team at Maggie’s and Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa hope to build on the momentum and continue the tradition well into the future.
REFORM UK’s Sarah Pochin won the Runcorn and Helsby by-election by just SIX votes following a knife-edge recount this morning.
Former Conservative councillor Sarah Pochin overturned a 14,696 Labour majority to take the Cheshire seat for Reform UK, originally called the Brexit Party when it was founded in 2018.
Reform UK now has five MPs and the party has made sweeping gains across England in the council elections, winning more seats than any other party in results declared so far.
The Runcorn by-election was called following the conviction of former Labour MP Mike Amesbury, who was captured on film assaulting a constituent.
IWM, in partnership with the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, invites schoolchildren and young people across the UK to learn about the Second World War, by sharing letters sent to, and from, their relatives during the war.
During the Second World War, letters eased the pain of separation for both military personnel and civilians. If your relatives were part of the VE and VJ Day generation, we would love to hear from you. Photographs of the letters containing first-hand testimonies of the Second World War can be uploaded to the official UK government VE and VJ Day website.
These stories will be displayed in an online gallery, to shine a light on the personal accounts of those who were there — from soldiers, sailors and airmen on the front lines to the men, women and children on the home front.
Ministerial Accountability Board to be established
A new Ministerial Accountability Board will be established ‘to drive reforms at pace’ to prevent avoidable deaths in custody.
Led by Justice Secretary Angela Constance, the Board will oversee the implementation of actions to address the 25 recommendations identified in Sheriff Collins’ Fatal Accident Inquiry (January 2025) concerning the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay (also known as William Brown).
The Board will track progress, while also identifying delivery risks, and providing support to mitigate challenges to ensure reform is delivered as quickly as possible. Additionally, the Board will hold justice partners to account and facilitate regular updates for stakeholders and families.
The Board is an interim measure until the National Oversight Mechanism, an independent national oversight body for all deaths in custody, separate from the Government, is established over the coming year. It will take on responsibility for overseeing implementation of the FAI actions along with its other responsibilities.
Ms Constance said: “We have accepted there needs to be change and action has already started to prevent avoidable deaths in custody. It is vitally important that this action is being driven to delivering lasting change and to ensure full accountability every step of the way.
“That is why I will lead a Ministerial Board to ensure that Sheriff Collins’ FAI determination recommendations regarding the tragic deaths of Katie Allan and William Lindsay are being delivered at pace.
“The Board will drive reform until the National Oversight Mechanism is established. It will provide accountability, transparency and drive systemic improvement, informed by evidence and analysis. Loss of liberty should not mean the loss of humanity, and every individual deprived of their liberty must be treated with dignity and respect.”
Membership of the Ministerial Accountability Board is currently being finalised, and it will include a direct and ongoing link to families through its representation.
Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) have launched a major public appeal to restore the charity’s century-old Memorial at Eastern Cemetery in Leith – a poignant legacy project ahead of the 80th anniversary of VE Day in 2025.
The campaign, Project Heritage, aims to raise £40,000 to repair and reinstate the historic sandstone and bronze memorial, which honours former residents of Whitefoord House on the Royal Mile, who died between 1917 and 1948.
Opened in 1883 and now operated by Abercorn Funeral Services, Eastern Cemetery is the resting place of men and women with many of those named having served in the First and Second World Wars. A screen wall also bears the names of those from the 1914–18 conflict whose graves remain unmarked.
The launch event was held yesterday (Wednesday 23 April) at the memorial site, with guests including Martin Nadin, CEO of SVR, and Colin Leslie, Head of External Relations, alongside current SVR residents, representatives from the Armed Forces and military historians.
Measuring seven metres wide and nearly two metres tall, the historic memorial features 11 separate bronze panels and five intricate carved motifs. It is currently in a state of disrepair, with a significant forward lean, and requires specialist conservation to prevent further deterioration.
“This is more than a monument,” said Martin Nadin. “It’s a tribute to all those Veterans that spent their final days at Whitefoord House.
“Many served in harrowing circumstances, and this year, as we approach significant national commemorations, we want to ensure their memory and service is honoured by restoring this symbol of remembrance and respect.”
Scottish Veterans Residences is appealing to the public, businesses, Armed Forces organisations and regimental associations to support the fundraising appeal.
As part of broader outreach, SVR is also engaging communities through events including Armed Forces Day, the Royal Highland Show, and the Edinburgh Kiltwalk, as well as through schools and historical groups helping share veterans’ stories.
“We are appealing to people across Scotland to help us restore this memorial to its former glory,” added Colin Leslie. “With your support, we can ensure the names engraved here – and the sacrifices they represent – are remembered not just this Remembrance Day, but for generations to come.”
Scottish Veterans Commissioner Susie Hamilton, who served in the WRNS and the Royal Navy as an officer in the Marine Engineering Branch, offered her full support to the project. She said: “The SVR memorial in Edinburgh’s Eastern Cemetery is a quiet but powerful tribute to those who served in the British Armed Forces, returned from conflict, and later required support to live out their final years with dignity.
“Restoring it is a fitting way to honour their service and ensure their contribution is not forgotten. This is about more than preserving a monument — it is a reaffirmation of our commitment to remember those who served, and a collective act of gratitude from the community that these men served so faithfully.”
Current SVR resident Karl Owers, who served as a soldier with the Royal Scots for five years, said: “This monument recognises the services and sacrifice of men who served in conflicts dating far back as the Boer War and the First World War.
“It means a lot to Veterans currently at Whitefoord House that this history is preserved, and we hope the public can get right behind our campaign.”
Family member Pamela Perry Hardy, who lives in Vancouver, said: “Two years ago, I found out that my great-grandfather Albert Fowler Perry moved into Whitefoord House, Edinburgh, in 1927 and remained there as a resident until his passing nine years later.
“My branch of his family moved to Canada and most of the family did not know that Albert had moved from Hampshire to Scotland. Albert’s military experience included being in the Loyal Lancashire, Royal Lancashire 1st Battalion, RDC and 1st Hampshire. He achieved the rank of Corporal with the Hampshire regiment and served in the Home Guard during the First World War.
“My family was very pleased to learn that Albert lived in such a welcoming and supportive place for military Veterans. Albert Perry is buried at Eastern Cemetery where his name can be found on the memorial wall plaque that is, sadly, starting to fade. I am delighted to learn that a plan has been developed to revitalise this space.”
Restoration work is scheduled to begin in May, with completion and a rededication ceremony planned for September 2025.
A lack of action from the Government to tackle declining cash acceptance could lead to a two-tier society with the most vulnerable bearing the cost, a new report by the Treasury Committee finds.
The Committee heard directly from vulnerable groups, including people with learning disabilities, domestic abuse victims and the elderly, that buying essential goods and services can cost more as the number of places where they can spend their cash is reduced.
People who are already at increased risk of poverty will, therefore, face a poverty premium if cash is not widely accepted by businesses and other organisations.
The acceptance of physical currency for goods and services in the UK is not currently specified in any legislation. This means UK businesses and organisations could choose not to accept cash with no legal duty to accommodate customers’ varying needs.
Evidence submitted during the course of the inquiry sets out the challenge when attempting to assess levels of cash acceptance in the UK. For example, data from LINK in 2024 found half of respondents had been somewhere that did not accept cash or discouraged cash usage in the previous eight weeks. However, when polled by Savanta, 98% of small businesses said they accepted cash.
The lack of consistent evidence makes it difficult for anyone, including the Treasury, to determine the state of cash acceptance in the UK. In its report, the Treasury Committee calls on the Government to undertake vastly improved monitoring and reporting of cash acceptance levels. If it doesn’t, it risks creating a two-tier system where vulnerable groups become excluded from community spaces such as leisure centres, theatres and public transport.
When appearing before the Committee, the Economic Secretary to the Treasury stated: “we have no plans to regulate businesses, big or small, to compel them to accept cash”.
Having heard evidence on the impact of declining cash acceptance on vulnerable communities, MPs on the Committee believe there may come a time in the future when it becomes necessary for the Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if those who rely on physical cash are not adequately supported.
The report also highlights the national resilience benefits of maintaining the ability to spend physical cash, particularly in relation to recent bank outages which Members were told led to a surge in cash withdrawals.
Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Dame Meg Hillier MP said: “The Government is in the dark on how widely cash is being accepted and that is completely unsustainable. We are at risk of a two-tier society where the most vulnerable bear the brunt and this needs to be a wakeup call.
“Our Committee has sought to give a voice to those groups which are at severe risk of not being heard by Government policymakers. A sizeable minority depend on being able to use cash and they must not be forgotten by Whitehall.
“As a society, we must avoid sleepwalking into a situation where cash is no longer widely accepted. This is the beginning, not the end, of our scrutiny of this issue. The Government needs to take this seriously.”
