Scotland site managers win top award for house building quality

Scotland’s top site managers gathered to celebrate their achievements at NHBC’s Pride in the Job 2022 Awards which were held at The Hilton in Glasgow last week.

Organised by NHBC, the UK’s leading new homes warranty and insurance provider, Pride in the Job celebrates site managers who have achieved the very highest standards in house building. It is the most highly regarded competition in the house-building industry and a prestigious benchmark for exceptional site managers.

A series of regional events are taking place throughout the autumn, to announce the Seal of Excellence and Regional Award winners and celebrate the achievements of the Quality Award recipients.

Now in its 42nd year, judging for the Awards is rigorous, with each site manager assessed across six key areas: consistency, attention to detail, leadership, interpretation of drawings and specifications, technical expertise and health and safety.

The competition is split between three categories: small, medium and large house builders, plus a multi-storey category for site managers working on projects of five storeys or more for multiple occupancy.

This year’s Regional winners were:

Small Builder category – Duncan Moon of Guild Homes (Tayside) Ltd, for their work at Strathmore Fields at Forfar.

Medium Builder category – Stuart Gillespie of Mactaggart & Mickel Homes Ltd, for their work at Greenan Views at Doonfoot.

Large Builder category – Eddie McCann of Taylor Wimpey East Scotland, for their work at Calderwood in East Calder.

Multi-storey category – Cathal Lamph of CALA Homes East, for their work at Waterfront Plaza in Edinburgh.

As well as their category wins, Mr Moon, Mr Gillespie, Mr McCann and Mr Lamph were each awarded a Seal of Excellence. A further ten managers across the region were also awarded a Seal of Excellence at the ceremony having gained a Quality Award in the first round of the competition in June. They were:

  • Gavin Bianchi of Taylor Wimpey East Scotland
  • Jeff Calder of Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland
  • George Carty of Bellway Homes Scotland West
  • Victoria Chalmers of Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland
  • Iain MacLaren of Barratt and David Wilson Homes North Scotland
  • Ewan MacLean of Barratt and David Wilson Homes East Scotland
  • Jim Martin of Miller Homes Scotland East
  • David McClure of Taylor Wimpey West Scotland
  • Colin McNeish of Miller Homes Scotland West
  • Michael Roarty of Barratt and David Wilson Homes West Scotland

Over more than four decades, Pride in the Job has underpinned NHBC’s core purpose of raising standards in house building by championing high-quality homes and protecting homeowners. By recognising the very best site managers across the UK, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence, the competition celebrates the vital role that site managers play in ensuring new homes are delivered on time, on safe sites and to exacting construction quality standards.

Commenting on the Awards, NHBC Chief Executive Steve Wood said: “For more than 40 years Pride in the Job has been an important part of our work to help drive construction quality. Winning site managers tell us that it inspires them to give a little extra and to strive harder for ever-higher standards of house building. 

“At NHBC we believe that the calibre of the site manager and the way they inspire their site team has the greatest influence on the quality of the finished home. By promoting friendly rivalry, showcasing best practice and rewarding excellence, Pride in the Job supports the delivery of homes of the highest quality.

“Congratulations to all the 2022 Pride in the Job Seal of Excellence and Regional Award winners. They are an inspiration to us all and should be very proud of the quality of new homes they are creating.”

The Regional Award winners will now go forward to compete for the ultimate prize in house building, the Pride in the Job Supreme Awards which will be unveiled at a gala ceremony in London in January 2023.

For further information and the full list of winners please visit: Pride in the Job 2022 | NHBC

Challenge Poverty Week: Health Issues in the Community taster sessions

Making a difference during #ChallengePovertyWeek can be as easy as signing up to our taster sessions for #HealthIssues In the Community course.

Running on the 6th & 26th of October and the 15th & 23rd of November.

Book your #free place by emailing us at placemaking@polha.co.uk

Plant wildflowers at Lauriston Farm

Join us to take action in protecting wildflowers meadows in Edinburgh!

On Saturday 22nd October 2022 at Lauriston Farm. From 11am to 1pm.

Grab your free ticket here: …https://wildflowersplantingevent.eventbrite.co.uk

ALL WELCOME!! FREE EVENT!!

#biodiversity

#ClimateAction

#conservation

Tesco to lock over a thousand every- day products at low prices until 2023

  • Inflation-busting move will support customers in the run-up to Christmas
  • Price lock underlines Tesco’s unwavering commitment to great value for its customers
  • Colleagues set to benefit too, with significant boost to hourly pay rates across UK stores

Tesco is today announcing a vast new price-lock commitment, freezing the prices of more than a thousand everyday products until 2023, and giving shoppers more ways to spend less and enjoy the festive season.

The products are all included within our mammoth Low Everyday Prices campaign, which covers a wide range of products and brands bought week-in, week-out – from cupboard staples and teatime favourites, to household and health & beauty products.

To help customers make their money go further during the festive season, we’re locking the price of more than a thousand of these products into the new year.

So whether it’s McCain Home Chips for those midweek dinners or a winter pick-me-up with Nescafe Original 3-in-1, our customers can count on Tesco’s price to stay the same until 2023 – helping them spend less on their shopping and more on friends and family this Christmas.

Low Everyday Prices is a key part of Tesco’s commitment to giving customers great value on their shopping – going hand-in-hand with our Aldi Price Match, great value own-brand staples with our Exclusively at Tesco brands and exclusive deals through Clubcard Prices, which together cover more than 8,000 products.

And it’s just one of the ways we’re helping customers make their money go further this Christmas. Our Clubcard Christmas Savers Scheme offers customers a bonus voucher of up to £12 when they save their Clubcard Vouchers towards their big Christmas shop. While our Toy Sale, launched this week, offers savings of up to 50% on kids favourites like Lego and Stickle Bricks, so that families can spread the cost of Christmas.


Tesco UK Chief Executive, Jason Tarry, said:
“We know times are tough for many customers right now, particularly as we head into the winter months. We hope this extended price-lock commitment gives our customers the certainty of knowing that over a thousand household favourites will stay at the same great price for months to come – helping them budget when they need it most.”


As well as helping customers, we’re today also announcing another major investment in our store colleagues – with the second hourly-pay increase this year, and a doubling of our colleague discount to support them this Christmas.

From 13 November 2022, the basic hourly rate of pay in our stores will increase by a further 20p to £10.30 (or £10.98 in London). This means hourly rates at Tesco will have increased nearly 8% this year – building on what was already a record single-year investment in store pay.

And on top of that, we’ll also be doubling our Colleague Clubcard discount to 20% during the key Christmas shopping period from 13-19 December.

This is just one part of our comprehensive package of benefits for Tesco colleagues, which also includes a recently enhanced selection of free food and hygiene products in the Colleague Rooms of our stores, so that colleagues can access a wider range of breakfast, lunch and snack items at no cost.

Notes to editors:
  • Examples of products covered by our price-lock commitment include:
ProductCurrent price – locked until 2023
TILDA PURE STEAMED BASMATI RICE, 250G£0.95
SKI STRAWBERRY MOUSSE, 4X60G£1.10
MCCAIN HOME CHIPS, 2.25KG£4.30
ORAL-B PRO-EXPERT PROFESSIONAL PROTECTION TOOTHPASTE, 75ML£1.99
HEINZ BAKED BEANS SNAP POTS, 4 X200G£2.49
NESCAFE ORIGINAL 3-IN-1, 6 SACHETS 102G£0.99
JOHNSON’S BABY COTTON BUDS, 200 PIECES£0.95
ROBINSONS ORANGE SQUASH, 1L£1.75
  • Low Everyday Prices includes over 1,000 products across larger Tesco stores. Excludes Express. Prices locked until 03/01/2023. Look out for the Low Everyday Prices roundel in-store and online.
  • A Clubcard is required to redeem Clubcard Prices offers included in Tesco’s toy sale.

Local artist Kate George brightens up Leith with seasonal mural

Port of Leith Housing Association (PoLHA), working alongside local arts charity Out of the Blue, have commissioned a mural for the garden of one of its developments in Leith.

PoLHA asked what type of mural residents would like and using the chosen theme of gardens, artist Kate George held a riso print workshop with tenants at Out of the Blue to create garden-themed shapes to include in the design.

Inspired by the tenants’ ideas, Kate and the team layered different nature based shapes including a swift and a robin to create a design for the 12 metre long mural.

Artist Kate George commented: “I was approached by Out of the Blue as I have previously worked on large scale murals and my studio is based at their Drill Hall. I always use community input into the designs.

“We surveyed the tenants and found that they wanted a garden themed mural featuring plants and flowers; most importantly they wanted it to be bright.

“This mural was different to any I’ve produced before as I used the Out of the Blue riso print studio to work with tenants to create riso prints of garden themed shapes then applied these to the mural design. It’s changed my approach to community murals that I’ll undertake in future.”

Heather Kiteley, Group Chief Executive of PoLHA, said: “This mural is an excellent example of us working with community organisations and our tenants to create brilliant outside spaces.

“I love the bright design which makes the garden an even more appealing place for residents to enjoy.”

Job opportunity at Granton Information Centre

We are currently looking for a Welfare Rights Adviser to join our organisation.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about helping people and understands the importance of individuals having access to free and impartial advice, advocacy and representation on matters relating to benefits, welfare rights and debt issues.

Although experience in a similar role is preferred, full training will be provided and we are looking to hear from anyone who has useful transferable skills and an interest to work in this field (including graduates).

Apply at https://goodmoves.com/…/a4s3z000…/Welfare-Rights-Adviser

Local Sports Clubs in with a chance to bag £2,500 grant funding from Aldi

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund has returned for its seventh year and local sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians can now apply for a share of £50,000.

The fund encourages people of all ages and abilities to take part in physical activity within their local communities by offering sports clubs the chance to secure essential funding. There are a range of funding tiers available, with one club in the area guaranteed to secure a £2,500 funding boost.

Since launching in 2016, nearly 500 clubs across Scotland have benefitted from a funding uplift of £290,000 through Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund, helping to improve community access to sports across the country.

From gymnastics to football and volleyball to bowling, Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation that meets the application criteria. In 2021, Aldi supported a selection of sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians, including Lismore Rugby Football Club and trampolining club, PHD FUNdamentals. The additional funding helped both clubs fund training sessions and purchase new equipment.

Richard Holloway, Regional Managing Director for Aldi Scotland, said: “Since launching in 2016, our Scottish Sport Fund has given a wide range of sports clubs the chance to benefit from essential funding to help them invest in much needed equipment and resources.  

“Sports clubs across Scotland have had a really challenging time over the last two years, and I am proud that Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund gives these clubs a helping hand to continue the fantastic work they do in their communities.

“Each year, we are blown away by the applications we receive, and I look forward to welcoming more in 2022. I’d encourage any sports clubs across Edinburgh and The Lothians to apply and take advantage of this excellent funding opportunity.”

Aldi’s Scottish Sport Fund is part of the retailer’s wider commitment to help local communities in Scotland, which it also does through its Neighbourly partnership and Supermarket Sweep.

Sports clubs located across Edinburgh and The Lothians have from Monday 22 August to Sunday 25 September to apply for funding. One applicant will be selected to receive £2,500 of funding, two applicants will each receive £1,000 of funding, while several other applicants will each receive £500 of funding towards their sports club.

Applications can be made via a form found on:

 https://www.aldi.co.uk/scottishsportfund.

The Aldi Scottish Sport Fund is open to any sporting organisation in Scotland that meets the application criteria. All applications will be considered by the Aldi judging panel and entrants will be notified of the outcome of their funding application within four to six weeks from the region’s deadline. 

Please see the Aldi Scottish Sport Fund FAQs and Terms & Conditions for more information.

Charity appeals for volunteer dog trainers to change more local disabled people’s lives

Dog A.I.D. are running volunteer recruitment events in Scotland with the aim of recruiting experienced trainers

On 24th and 25th October, potential volunteers will be able to hear from experienced Dog A.I.D. trainer, Fran Murtaugh, about Assistance Dog training and from our clients about how their lives have changed since training their Assistance Dogs.  

Shirley Smith from Aberdeen joined Dog A.I.D. in 2019 after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. During puppy classes, Shirley met Fran, an experienced local dog trainer, and Fran mentioned she was applying to join Dog A.I.D.

They were soon matched and have been working together ever since. Shirley is very grateful to Fran as her trainer for supporting her to train Skye, a Cavapoo to become an Assistance Dog. Skye fills her up with confidence every day.  

Fran said: “Shirley and Skye have been an absolute joy to train, Skye is so eager to please and loves supporting Shirley. Skye has given Shirley so much confidence and it has been a pleasure to be a part of their journey”

Shirley can often struggle with her mobility so Skye can press her alarm button, pick up objects and open and close doors. She can also fetch a tissue if Shirley sneezes – one of her favourite tricks! 

The impact on Shirley’s life has been extraordinary, and over thirty other physically disabled people in Scotland who have registered an interest in joining their programme.

The charity now needs many more experienced dog trainers who are committed to reward based training to volunteer their skills and experience, so they can help people like Shirley. Dog A.I.D.’s volunteer trainers also benefit from opportunities to develop their skills and networks through regular webinars and training opportunities. 

A small amount of your time can mean the world

If you are an experienced dog trainer who is committed to reward based training, Dog A.I.D.  want to hear from you! 

The two events in Scotland are: 

Further information on www.dogaid.org.uk/information-for-trainers and places can be booked via our Eventbrite page or by contacting admin@dogaid.org.uk or 01743 588469.

Free football session for youngsters with sight loss in Lothian

Are you aged between eight to 14, have a visual impairment and would like to play football?

Then come along to a free, one-hour introductory session on Sunday, October 16th, from 9 to 10am at the Oriam Sports Centre on Heriot Watt University’s campus in Riccarton, west Edinburgh.

This taster session is aimed at partially sighted young people. No previous football experience is necessary and the session will be tailored to include all footballing abilities.

It has been organised by national sight loss charity RNIB Scotland, Bathgate Thistle Community Football Club and the Scottish Football Association.

Neil Atkinson (24) from Livingston, who was diagnosed with the condition Stargardt’s macula dystrophy at the age of eight, is the coach.

“This session will be pitched towards players with some level of sight,” he says. “We have regular footballs as well as bell-balls. And it’s an indoor court with a hard surface so that the ball can be located more easily by sound.

“The hour-long session will consist of a short warm-up then some focused training, working on fundamental skills; bulwark, passing, movement, finishing and some game situations. We will try to meet the individual level of each player. The session will be focused on fun, and on developing the players’ skills and confidence.

“For the last portion of the session, we’ll have an open game, allowing players to use some of the skills they’ve learned in the previous exercises. Players are free to make it competitive, but ultimately the focus is on enjoyment.

“Family members and friends are also welcome to come along and participate and support a partially sighted individual. It’s only an hour long session but I will be there after the session for any questions and to help with advice for any participant. If there are players and parents who aren’t sure if the session would be appropriate, I’d be more than happy to talk to them to find out if it is accessible “

There will also be a small number of follow-up sessions in the weeks following for anyone who cannot make the 16th October.

For further information, contact Neil Atkinson on 07858 687 528, email neil.atkinson@rnib.org.uk, or book a place:

www.scottishfa.co.uk/participation/para-football

Police: Have you seen Averil?

Police are continuing to appeal for information to help trace missing 47-year-old Averil Shepley from Edinburgh. Averil was last seen in the Marchmont area at around 10.30pm on Friday (30 September, 2022).

She is described as white, around 5ft 7in tall, of slight build, with short dark hair.

When last seen, she was wearing a black woolly hat with toggles on each side and black trousers. It is believed she may be wearing a bright pink Goretex jacket and a black and red rucksack in her possession.

Chief Inspector Murray Tait said: “We are becoming increasingly concerned for Averil’s welfare and would urge anyone who may have seen her, or has any information on her whereabouts, to contact police.

“Likewise, if Averil sees or hears about this appeal, please call us or your family, so we know you are safe and well.”

Anyone with information which could assist is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting reference number 0090 of 1 October, 2022.