We are excited to share a delicious community meal with you today! We do our best to have a variety of options, including vegetarian and often a delicious pudding.
What’s on the menu today (Friday 10th April):
Root veg medley soup
Chicken and mushroom stew
Aubergine parmigiana (V)
Lemon drizzle cake
Please check the board or ask our volunteers about allergens. And just a heads-up, our food is served until it runs out!
Do come along and enjoy. Thank you!
We all want to help birds and make our gardens or outdoor spaces a place where all wildlife can thrive. But some species, such as Greenfinches, are experiencing serious declines because of disease.
The good news is that we can help reduce the spread of disease by making two simple changes to the way we feed our birds.
Research has shown a worrying decline in some of our much-loved garden birds due to a disease called trichomonosis. This is a highly contagious disease and can spread where birds gather in large numbers such as at bird feeders.
Greenfinches, for example, have dropped by over 65% in the last three decades – and you may have seen this decline yourself. Back when the Big Garden Birdwatch started in 1979 Greenfinches were at number seven in the top ten birds seen. This year they were down to number 18.
We’ve been working with experts to find a solution, and we believe that, together, we can make a difference by feeding birds seasonally and safely.
We can help stop the spread of disease among garden birds by making two simple shifts to how we feed birds. Put simply: Feed seasonally. Feed safely.
During summer and autumn, there’s a higher risk of disease spreading. But it’s also when there are more natural foods available to birds, such as seeds and insects.
Busy bird feeders can become hotspots for disease. To help keep birds healthy, it’s vital to keep things clean – which is why we’ve strengthened our existing hygiene guidance. We recommend you:
Stopping the spread of disease is a challenge we can’t tackle alone. By taking these simple steps to feed seasonally and safely, we can all help protect the future of our birds.
Sign up to our free fortnightly newsletter, Notes on Nature, to be reminded when to switch your bird food throughout the seasons.
We need more research to find ways to reduce the risk of disease spreading at bird feeders. Some studies are already under way, but we don’t yet know if or when they’ll lead to effective solutions. It’s also important to remember that this advice may evolve as new evidence comes in. But the science shows we need to take action. We believe changing how we feed birds now will help protect them in the longer term. It will take time to see the benefits, so patience is important.
EIGHT youths have now been charged after a bus driver was assaulted at Little France in Edinburgh.
Around 6.50pm on Sunday, 5 April, 2026, Police received a report of a man having been assaulted by a large group on Little France Crescent.
A 53-year-old man was taken to hospital for treatment.
Two youths were charged at the time but, following enquiries, a further six individuals have been identified bringing the total to eight. Those involved will be reported to the relevant authorities.
Chief Superintendent David Robertson said: “This was an unprovoked attack on a man who was simply trying to do his job.
“Violent incidents like this will not be tolerated in our community, and we will ensure that those who do engage in this type of behaviour are brought to justice.
“We will continue to work with our partner agencies and would encourage anyone with information or concerns of this type of behaviour to call Police Scotland on 101.”
Caring affects all of us, but only 55% of carers say they get the support they need.
That’s why we’re working to change the way we all think & talk about care to show it’s something that affects us all.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/486r2hr
BBC ONE quiz show The Celebrity Inner Circle is back for a second series and we’re looking for contestants to take part. The best part, you don’t have to do it alone as each player will be paired up with a celebrity teammate.
Hosted by TV & radio star Amanda Holden, we are looking for people with bags of personality to apply for this ultimate game of general knowledge, strategy and gut instinct that comes with a chance of winning a cash prize!
Please feel free to circulate the attached flyer internally within your organisation and amongst colleagues, friends and family who may wish to take part.
Anyone who wishes to apply should fill out the online application form here:
https://eu.castitreach.com/a/terntv/theinnercircle2/welcome
Auditions are starting immediately so we encourage anyone interested to complete an application form as soon as possible.
Primary pupils from across Haddington enjoyed a visit from children’s author Joseph Coelho at Knox Academy as part of their Reading Schools celebrations.
Pupils from five local primary schools gathered at Knox Academy for the special event which was organised by Scottish Book Trust, with help from school librarian Emma Robertson.
The event was part of an initiative to encourage schools in East Lothian to sign up to the Reading Schools programme. Its aim was to show children how much fun reading and creative writing can be, through the experience of an author visit.
The successful Reading Schools programme is developed by Scottish Book Trust, the national charity changing lives with reading and writing. It helps schools build a reading culture, where every pupil is encouraged to feed their imagination through books. Schools can work their way through three levels of accreditation – Core, Silver and Gold – and each step is a transformational process for pupils, staff, and the wider school community.
Joseph Coelho OBE is an award-winning children’s author who was Waterstones Children’s Laureate from 2022 to 2024. He won the 2024 Carnegie Medal for Writing. The London-born writer is a champion of school libraries, and he has also been praised for making poetry accessible.
He says: ‘It was a blast sharing the world of Relic Hamilton Genie Hunter with pupils at Knox Academy, with the brilliant Scottish BookTrust. Pupils asked wonderful questions and shared their wishes to make the world a better place.’
Emma Robertson, School Librarian at Knox Academy, said: ‘Having authors like Joe visit schools really makes a difference to our young people as they can meet the person behind the books and get the chance to interact with them in a fun and inclusive way.
“ Now more than ever, we need beautiful stories to inspire and delight us and Joe’s talent certainly shone through to inspire the next generation of writers and artists.
‘It takes a special person to be able to have the adults laughing along with the children and Joe kept all of us mesmerised. We really appreciated all the work that went into the event itself, and it is certainly one our pupils and staff will not forget for a long time.’
Marc Lambert, CEO of Scottish Book Trust said: ‘We were delighted to support Joseph Coelho’s visit to Knox Academy. An author visit allows pupils to fully experience the magic of books, and encourages them to find pleasure in reading.
‘It also supports the work of our Reading Schools programme. So far, 629 schools have been accredited as Reading Schools, and there are a further 705 schools currently working towards their very first Reading Schools accreditation. This means that over 50% of Scotland’s schools are now engaged in the programme.
‘An accreditation is a fantastic accomplishment for pupils and teachers alike, and achieving this status is a way of demonstrating a school’s commitment to developing vibrant reading cultures and the many benefits this brings.’
For more information, contact Caroline Young, PR and Marketing Manager, at caroline.young@scottishbooktrust.com.
Six Bronze Age shields have been brought together for the first time ahead of a new exhibition opening at the National Museum of Scotland this summer. Dating from 3300 to 3500 years ago, the shields include the only intact examples to survive from Scotland.
nms.ac.uk/ScotlandsFirstWarriors
Five of the shields are part of National Museums Scotland’s collection, discovered in the Borders and Aberdeenshire in the 19th century. The sixth, from Beith in North Ayrshire, was found around 1779 and presented to the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1791.
Ahead of going on display in Scotland’s First Warriors (27 Jun 2026 – 17 May 2027) it has been brought back to Scotland on loan for the first time.
The bronze shields are exceptional examples of technological skill. Previously thought to be purely ceremonial, recent experiments have shown that they would have been effective at deflecting sword and spear blows. Wooden or leather shields were more common and it is believed these rare bronze examples were not only for defence, but also symbolic of the status of the warriors who owned and used them.
Experts are using this unique opportunity to examine all six shields together. By comparing signs of craft and damage, they will be able to uncover similarities and differences between how these shields were made and used. Decorative techniques and damage from swords or spears will reveal more about the origins of Scotland’s first warriors and the communities they fought and defended.
Dr Matthew Knight, Senior Curator of Prehistory at National Museums Scotland, said: “The moment the sixth shield arrived back in Scotland and was unpacked at the National Museums Collection Centre was breathtaking.
“The Beith shield is such a spectacular, intricate object and thanks to the generosity of the Society of Antiquaries of London, this is the first time it has been seen in Scotland since its discovery over 200 years ago.
“Bronze shields from this period are exceptional to Britain and by bringing all six of these incredibly rare shields together, we can gain a deeper understanding of life and conflict in Bronze Age Scotland and beyond.
“It really is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Dr Alexandra Ault, FSA, Head of Collections, Society of Antiquaries of London, said: “We are delighted to lend the Beith Sheild to the National Museums of Scotland.
“Discovered in a peat bog in Ayrshire around 1779, the Shield has been cared for by the Society of Antiquaries of London ever since. This loan marks the first time in over 235 years the Shield has been back to Scotland and is an exciting opportunity to see it alongside other important Scottish Bronze Age artefacts.”
Four of the shields will go on display alongside never-before-seen, internationally significant archaeological discoveries from across Scotland, such as the Carnoustie Hoard.
Scotland’s First Warriors is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery, the exhibition spans thousands of years, from the Neolithic (late Stone Age) to the coming of the Romans.
It will explore how people fought, the motivations for fighting, the brutal impact of war on people’s lives and the long-lasting legacy of prehistoric conflict.
Scotland’s First Warriors will be complemented by a programme of events including talks and curator tours.
Scotland’s First Warriors
27th June 2026 – 17th May 2027
National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Admission Free
nms.ac.uk/ScotlandsFirstWarriors
Scotland’s First Warriors is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery.
The new edition of CPAG’s Debt Advice Handbook is free to access online, thanks to our partnership with @MoneyPensionsUK
You can view the new handbook from any computer or mobile device:
Young writers across Scotland are being challenged to put pen to paper and bring the future of farming to life, as the Royal Highland Show launches a nationwide short story competition as part of Scotland’s National Year of Reading.
Open to primary pupils from P5-P7 and Secondary pupils from S1 to S3, the competition aims to connect classrooms with Scotland’s land, food systems and rural communities by encouraging pupils to explore one of four themes through their creative writing submissions: the future of farming, sustainable food production, innovation in agriculture or caring for animals, crops or the environment.
The Royal Highland Show – Scotland’s largest fundraising event run by leading agricultural charity RHASS (Royal Highland Agricultural Society of Scotland) – has long championed education, innovation and the future of farming. The competition aims to build on this legacy by inviting a new generation to imagine the future of agriculture, from futuristic farming methods and rural adventure stories, to exploring the connection between people, animals and the environment.
The judging panel for the competition brings together expertise from across the agriculture and the literary worlds and is formed of Keith-based children’s author Catherine Stables, Head of the Royal Highland Show, David Tennant, and Dumfries and Galloway based author, bookseller and publisher at Foggie Toddle Books, Jayne Baldwin.
This year’s Royal Highland Show takes place across four-days in June from Thursday 18th to Sunday 21st at the Royal Highland Centre in Ingliston, Edinburgh. Children aged 15 and under go for free and over 200k people are expected to attend.
The Sunday of the Show will offer a dedicated family day with activities including sheep shearing and milking demonstrations, a kids zone with mini tractors, hobby horsing and facepainting, as well as mountain bike displays and mini–Land Rovers.
Head of Show, David Tennant, said: “The Royal Highland Show is all about celebrating and sustaining the future of Scottish agriculture.
“This competition offers a unique way to help connect young people with rural Scotland, encouraging them to think creatively about how we might grow and source our food, or how innovation might support farmers in the decades ahead.
“We’re excited to see how pupils across Scotland interpret these themes and bring them to life through their storytelling.”
Children’s author and competition judge, Catherine Stables, is a working vet based in Keith in the North East of Scotland with her series of Shona the Vet books, inspired by her veterinary experience and love of animals.
She said: “This new competition is a wonderful initiative and one I feel very passionate about. Encouraging children to read and write is so important, and when you connect that with learning about our rural landscape, farming and culture, it becomes something really special.
” You don’t need a farming background to enter, just lots of creativity to imagine how our farms might operate in years to come. I’m excited to see the creativity it sparks.”
Dumfries and Galloway based author, bookseller and publisher at Foggie Toddle Books, Jayne Baldwin’s books include Betty’s New Best Friend about a Belted Galloway and a Highland Cow and The Highland Cowgirl – Showtime which is all about the adventures of a young girl at an agricultural show.
Jayne, said: “The National Year of Reading provides such an excellent platform to encourage young people to discover or rediscover a love of reading, whether that’s picking up a picture book, novel, comic book, or even a magazine.
“This competition is an opportunity to have fun with words and imagine an entirely new world, created entirely by you, of how we’ll farm, look after animals and work in agriculture ten, twenty or thirty years from now. It’ll be fascinating to read what’s in store!”
Open to pupils across the country, entries must be original work, with one submission per pupil, and an accompanying illustration is welcomed but optional.
Primary (P5-P7) pupils are asked that their stories have a maximum of 250 words, and Secondary (S1-S3) pupils have a maximum of 500 words. Entries can be hand written or typed.
All entries must relate to at least one of the following themes: The future of farming, Sustainable food production, Innovation in agriculture or Caring for animals, crops or the environment.
Winners will be announced ahead of the Show taking place in June, with two winners and two runners-up recognised across the primary and secondary categories.
Prize packages will include family tickets to attend the Sunday of the Royal Highland Show, book vouchers (£100 for winners and £50 for runners-up) and the winning stories being published in national farming title, The Scottish Farmer.
The winners will also receive family passes to the Wigtown Book Festival which takes place in Dumfries & Galloway in the autumn.
The competition closes on Friday 15th May.
All entries should be emailed by teachers to:
rhsshortstorycomp@mucklemediagroup.co.uk
and include the name of the pupil and their year group.
Edinburgh charities may be able to improve their financial resilience through smarter approaches to saving, despite ongoing pressure from rising costs and uncertain income streams, new research suggests.
A survey found that many charities hold substantial cash reserves, yet almost half lack confidence in their long-term financial stability. The findings point to a disconnect between balances held and the role those funds play in supporting sustainable operations.
While reserves remain a vital safety net, the research highlights an opportunity for charities to make their money work harder. By reviewing where cash is held and exploring more suitable savings options, charities could strengthen resilience without increasing risk or reducing accessibility.
The survey by Redwood Bank, MoneyComms’ Best Charity Savings Provider 2026, found that 69 per cent of UK charities hold over £50,000 in savings, with almost half (46 per cent) holding more than £100,000. When current accounts are included, 84 per cent hold more than £50,000 and 68.5 per cent hold over £100,000.
Despite these substantial balances, charities are under mounting pressure:
One charity said: “We face increases in demand for our services at the same time as our donations are falling. That combination is unsustainable.”
The research also shows that while 81 per cent of charities review their savings at least annually, many still do not seek alternatives that could improve returns. Fewer than half (44 per cent) do not hold a savings account with a second provider, choosing instead to keep their money in a current account, with over a third of these charities citing lack of awareness of the options available.
The survey highlighted what matters most when choosing a savings account. Alongside competitive interest rates (85 per cent), charities value accessibility and withdrawal terms (72 per cent), bank reputation (60 per cent), digital ease (56 per cent) and ethical or social values (51 per cent).
The findings have prompted the specialist Bank to draft its first Redwood Research Report, How smarter saving can strengthen the UK charity sector, which sets out practical steps to help organisations make their reserves work harder.
Jessica Darrah, Senior Savings Product Manager at Redwood, said: “Charities are working tirelessly to support communities but are often doing so under financial strain and with limited options.
“Our research shows that while many have substantial reserves, these funds are not always working as hard as they could or should be. When every pound matters, smarter saving strategies could make a real difference to financial resilience.
“As a specialist business bank, we can provide personal service with consistently competitive savings rates. The Bank has been recognised as the Best Business Variable Rate Deposit Account Provider at the Moneyfacts Awards for seven consecutive years, reflecting our commitment to delivering value and clarity for customers.
“Unlike traditional high street banks, we can focus on understanding the specific needs of charities and smaller organisations. Our dedicated savings products and knowledgeable team aim to make saving simpler, more transparent and better suited to the realities of the sector.”
The Redwood Research Report can be downloaded here:
