THE INSPIRING EXHIBITION WILL CELEBRATE THE LEGACY OF THE FLYING SCOTSMAN AND OLYMPIC HERO, ERIC LIDDELL
An inspiring exhibition commemorating the legendary athlete Eric Liddell will be unveiled at the Scottish Parliament this summer, marking the centenary of Liddell’s iconic Olympic gold medal victory in Paris in 1924.
Launching on the 25th of July and coinciding with the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the exhibition, ‘Eric Liddell: Legacy of an Olympic legend’, will be on display in the Parliament’s Main Hall and will run until the 12th of September.
Eric Liddell’s remarkable story reached global audiences through the 1981 Oscar-winning film, ‘Chariots of Fire’.
The film, celebrated for its inspiring narrative and memorable soundtrack, continues to influence and uplift people around the world. Born in Tianjin, China, Liddell was a devout Christian who famously withdrew from the 100m heats at the Paris Olympics because they were held on a Sunday, his Sabbath.
Instead, he competed in the 400m event, where he triumphed, securing his place in history as the last British athlete to win gold in this event.
This exhibition offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the life and legacy of Eric Liddell – the Flying Scotsman and 1924 Olympic champion – alongside other legends from the Scottish Sporting Hall of Fame and Scottish athletes competing in the 2024 Olympics.
Organised by The Eric Liddell 100 campaign, which Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal serves as Patron, this initiative seeks to honour Liddell’s legacy and inspire future generations through a series of events and activities emphasizing his core values of passion, compassion, and integrity.
John MacMillan, CEO of The Eric Liddell Community, said: “We are thrilled to see the launch of the Eric Liddell exhibition today, as part of our exciting programme of events to celebrate the centenary of Eric Liddell’s gold medal win.
“All of our partners involved in this initiative spent a significant amount of time considering what Eric Liddell would have wanted and how important it is that we reflect him in our endeavours; we believe that any individual can make a positive impact on the world if they approach the challenges they face with passion, compassion, and integrity, which are our three values for The Eric Liddell 100.
“We hope everyone who visits the exhibition leaves feeling uplifted, inspired, and motivated to live life with these values in mind.”
Rt. Hon Alison Johnstone MSP, Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, said: “We are delighted to host this exhibition in the Scottish Parliament, which celebrates the significant achievements of Eric Liddell but also serves as a powerful reminder of his legacy.
“It seems particularly relevant as Olympians from across the world prepare to compete in Paris. The Scottish Parliament is delighted to provide a platform for sharing his inspiring story with the thousands of people who will visit us this summer.”
The Eric Liddell Exhibition will be on display at the Scottish Parliament daily, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The display is free to the public, with no ticket required.
POLICE were made aware of a potential item of ordnance at Comely Bank Road in Edinburgh around 3.15pm yesterday (Tuesday, 2 July). Road closures were put in place as a precaution and people were urged to avoid the area while emergency services worked in the area.
Roads remained closed for around three hours while the item – described as ‘historic ordnance’ and thought to be a hand grenade – was examined, made safe and removed from the scene for disposal.
Ahead of releasing its own manifesto scrutiny document, Hourglass would like to see stronger safer ageing commitments from parties ahead of the 2024 General Election
A leading charity has voiced its disappointment at the level of commitment to support older victim-survivors of abuse, neglect and exploitation in party manifestos.
Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity focused on older victims of abuse, has condemned the lack of innovation and understanding in the vast majority of UK party manifestos – with only the DUP mentioning the issue, and Sinn Fein and the Green Party (England and Wales) endorsing the OATH campaign (Older Age Tomorrow’s Hope).
The charity, which deals with around 50k contacts relating to older victim-survivors, has produced its manifesto ahead of the election which calls for policies that would support safer ageing including a strategy to tackle abuse of older people, funding for specialist older people support and measures that would raise public awareness of these issues.
The OATH campaign specifically calls for a Safer Ageing Society by 2050.
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO of Hourglass and Policy Director, explained:“Hourglass runs a 24/7 helpline and casework service and despite seeing a dramatic increase in case work since the pandemic, policy makers continue to ignore this policy imperative. It’s a scandal.
“We are disappointed that parties have all but ignored policies which support safer ageing at this election. Though there are some broader commitments to fund services and to improve funding to the criminal justice system which are welcome, older people specific policies are required.
“We welcome the much-needed profile for the Violence Against Women and Girls strategy (VAWG) and we are, of course, entirely supportive of these commitments. However, with over 2.5 million people affected by the abuse of older people, a suite of policies focusing on this area are long overdue.
“Especially as there appears to be no end to the growth in casework. We strongly urge the new government to speak to us when elected and look at investing in this still hidden form of abuse.”
The Northern Ireland Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) has committed in their manifesto to “support tough measures to address all forms of elder abuse, including financial crime.”
The charity acknowledges that this is an important commitment, but Hourglass feels the public need more detail on how they plan to achieve this. And hope the other major political parties will join both Sinn Féin and the Green Party in formally endorsing Hourglass’s Older Age Tomorrow’s Hope (OATH) campaign.
Hourglass has also completed analysis of all major UK political parties’ manifestos assessing their commitments to supporting older people and abuse services. While most parties included strategies to tackle domestic abuse, this was usually through a Violence Against Women and Girls strategy rather than a specific strategy directed towards older victims.
Hourglass will be releasing a full analysis of party manifestos, which looks at the key strengths and weaknesses of this from a safer ageing perspective.
The charity is urging those keen to support the charity to donate by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or Text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.
Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.
If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.
The Green Party is the latest to endorse landmark Safer Ageing OATH
Hourglass, the safer ageing charity, is delighted that the Green Party support the OATH campaign to end abuse and neglect of older people.
The Green Party in England and Wales has become the latest political party to endorse OATH. The ‘Older Age Tomorrow’s Hope’ campaign, pledges to create a Safer Ageing Society and to end abuse and neglect of older people by 2050. It has seen upwards of 500 candidates and influencers sign in recent weeks.
The Greens join Sinn Féin who declared their support for the campaign, while the Democratic Union Party have made commitments to tackle abuse of older people in their manifesto.
OATH has been created by Hourglass, the only UK-wide charity supporting older abuse victim-survivors and runs a 24/7 helpline and casework service. The OATH campaign calls on everyone in all walks of life to fight against the abuse, harm, exploitation and neglect of older people
Along with two parties formally supporting this campaign, candidates from all major political parties have now signed up to this campaign. There is a growing consensus that we should all live in a society which is safe place to grow old independently and free from harm and abuse.
With two days left of the 2024 General Election Campaign, Hourglass urges all other political parties to endorse this campaign.
Hourglass has written to all Party Leaders contesting the General Election asking that their party sign up to OATH. Hourglass believes there should be a consensus on the need to end abuse of older people and that policy makers from across the political spectrum must work together to achieve this.
The charity, which supported almost 50,000 people in the last year, is also calling on the general public, influencers, third sector leaders, care professionals and businesses to also sign up. They can do so here: www.wearehourglass.org/take-oath
Carla Denyer Green Party co-leader, said: ”Ensuring the safety and dignity of our older population is paramount; they deserve to age in an environment free from abuse, exploitation and neglect.
“We must all commit to creating a society where everyone can grow old safely. This is why the Green Party is supporting OATH”
Veronica Gray, Deputy CEO of Hourglass, said: “We are delighted with the initial support we have received for our OATH campaign. We are especially pleased that the Green Party has joined Sinn Féin in signing up to this movement for a safer ageing society.
“OATH is about building a Safer Ageing Society by 2050 where older people can grow old free from abuse and neglect. We hope that in the next parliament we will see a consensus on safer ageing where critical steps are made by policy makers to support older victim survivors.”
Donna Mullin, Head of Sinn Féin VP Office, said: ”Sinn Féin want older people in our society to be supported and protected from violence, exploitation and other forms of abuse so we are supporting the Safe Ageing pledge.”
Hourglass is urging those keen to support the charity to donate by visiting www.wearehourglass.org.uk/donate or text SAFER to 70460 to donate £10.
Texts cost £10 plus one standard rate message and you’ll be opting in to hear more about our work and fundraising via telephone and SMS.
If you’d like to give £10 but do not wish to receive marketing communications, text SAFERNOINFO to 70460.
YESTERDAY marked the 25th Anniversary of the Scottish Parliament, which took up it’s legal powers on 1st July 1999.
The Parliament was opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Scotland’s First Minister Donald Dewar replied to the Queen’s address with a speech thanking her for the Mace, the parliament’s symbol of authority.
FIRST MINISTER DONAL DEWAR’s SPEECH IN FULL:
“Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of Scotland I thank you for the gift of the Mace.
It is a symbol of the great democratic traditions from which we draw our inspiration and our strength.
At its head are inscribed the opening words of our founding statute: “There shall be a Scottish Parliament”.
Through long years, many long years in the case of many of us, those words were first a hope, then a belief, then a promise. Now they are a reality.
This is indeed a moment anchored in our history. Today we can reach back to the long haul to win this parliament, to the struggles of those who brought democracy to Scotland, to that other parliament dissolved in controversy over 300 years ago.
Today we can look forward to the time when this moment will be seen as a turning point – the day when democracy was renewed in Scotland when we revitalised our place in this, our United Kingdom.
This is about more than our politics and our laws. This is about who we are, how we carry ourselves.
And in the quiet moments of today – if there are any – we might hear some echoes from the past: the shout of the welder in the din of the great Clyde shipyards, the speak of the Mearns rooted in the land, the discourse of the enlightenment when Edinburgh and Glasgow were indeed a light held to the intellectual life of Europe, the wild cry of the great pipes and back to the distant noise of battles in the days of Bruce and Wallace.
The past is part of us, part of every one of us and we respect it. But today there is a new voice in the land, the voice of a democratic parliament, a voice to shape Scotland, a voice above all for the future.
Walter Scott wrote that only a man with soul so dead could have no sense, no feel for his native land.
For me – and I think in this I speak at least for any Scot today – this is a proud moment, a new stage in a journey begun long ago and which has no end. This is a proud day for all of us.
A Scottish Parliament, not an end but a means to greater ends and these too are part of our Mace. Woven into the symbolic thistles are these four words – wisdom, justice, compassion, integrity.
Burns would have understood that. We’ve just heard beautifully sung one of his most enduring works, and at the heart of that song is a very Scottish conviction that honesty and simple dignity are priceless virtues not imparted by rank or birth or privilege but part of the soul.
Burns believed that sense of worth ultimately prevail, he believed that was the core of politics and that without it our profession is inevitably impoverished.
Wisdom, justice, compassion, integrity – timeless values, honourable aspirations for this new forum of democracy born on the cusp of a new century.
We are fallible – we all know that. We will make mistakes but I hope and I believe we will never lose sight of what brought us here – the striving to do right by the people of Scotland, to respect their priorities, to better their lot and to contribute to the common weal.
I look forward to the days ahead and I know there will be many of them. This chamber will sound with debate, argument and passion, when men and women from all over Scotland will meet to work together for a future built on the first principles of social justice.
But today we pause and reflect.
It is a rare privilege in an old nation to open a new parliament. Today is and must be a celebration of the principles, the traditions, the democratic imperatives which have brought us to this point and which will sustain us in the future.
Your Majesty, we are proud that you are here today to hansel this parliament and here with us as we dedicate ourselves to the work that lies ahead.
Reports of online child sexual abuse and exploitation in Scotland have increased by 21 per cent, according to new data from Police Scotland.
Between 1 April, 2023 and 31 March, 2024, 2,055 cyber-enabled sexual crimes against children were recorded, an increase of 364 on the previous year. Three offence types accounted for two thirds of this total:
Cause or coerce to see/hear sexual images/content
Communicating indecently with a child
Possession/distribution of indecent images of children.
The scale of online child sexual abuse and exploitation (OCSAE) was highlighted in a recent study by University of Edinburgh’s Childlight initiative. It estimated that 300 million children a year worldwide were victims of online sexual abuse and exploitation.
And the National Crime Agency estimates that 1.3% – 1.6% of adults in the UK pose varying degrees of risk to children.
The scale of the threat is a recognised national risk.
Police Scotland yesterday (1 July) launched its latest #GethelpOrGetCaught campaign to prevent OCSAE, targeting individuals who may already have offended or be at risk of offending.
It signposts them to the Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland’s Stop It Now service which offers advice and support to prevent offending.
Detective Chief Superintendent Sam Faulds, head of Public Protection for Police Scotland, which leads on child protection, said: “More of us live our lives online and that is particularly true for children and young people. Cyber-enabled crime is on the rise, and increasingly our investigations are focused online identifying offenders and bringing them to justice.
“During the school summer holidays, many more children will be at home and online.
“We want to reduce risk, to stop young people becoming victims of online child abuse and exploitation.
“Many of our key partners provide advice to young people and their parents about keeping safe online.
“Our role is to target offenders.
“Our prevention campaigns offer them a way to stop, a route out before they offend, before a child becomes their victim, before other lives are damaged.
“We want to prevent children becoming victims of online predators and we will use all means at our disposal to identify offenders.
“Think about it – it might not be a child you are grooming or speaking to online. It might be the police. Take your chance to Get Help or you will Get Caught.”
Stuart Allardyce, director of Lucy Faithfull Foundation Scotland, said: “We have worked with hundreds of individuals who have either been arrested for online offences against children or are concerned about their thoughts or behaviours towards children.
“Through our work, we understand how difficult it is to reach out for help. We also know that those who engage in these behaviours often need support with their mental health and compulsive behaviours, feeling trapped in a cycle of harmful actions.
“The reasons for viewing sexual images of children or online grooming are complex, and many individuals recognise that what they are doing is wrong. Seeking individualised, anonymous, and non-judgmental support is absolutely the right step to take. This can help individuals stop viewing illegal images or engaging in illegal conversations online.
“By making the right choice and getting the support you need, you can move on from offending or potential criminal behaviour and help protect and keep children safe.”
The Police Scotland campaign will run for six weeks across various social media platforms including Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Snapchat, and Spotify.
Last month, 61-year-old Ian Heddle, was convicted of the serious sexual assault of a child and possession of indecent images of children. Heddle was arrested and charged in Scotland in connection with possessing indecent images of children.
Following enquiries, it was established he had also sexually assaulted a young girl in Thailand. He was subsequently arrested and charged for this offence. The arrest was made under legislation which protects children anywhere in the world from sexual abuse by British nationals.
Earlier this year, serial predator, Benjamin Young, 42, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and has been given an Order of Lifelong Restriction (OLR). Young created and shared images and videos of the sexual abuse of children.
He was identified and investigated by the National Child Abuse Investigation Unit working with international law enforcement partners.
The majority of perpetrators of online sexual abuse are male (90%). Most victims are female (54%).
Rani Govender, NSPCC Regulatory Policy Manager, said: “Online sexual abuse can have a devastating impact on children and young people. This abuse can be prevented, but tech firms have not done enough to build platforms which are safe by design for children.
“These figures demonstrate the increasing scale of the problem in Scotland. We need strong implementation of the Online Safety Act by Ofcom to protect children and young people. It is vital that platforms are held accountable for tackling all forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
“Tech firms need to use best practice approaches to prevent, detect and disrupt abuse, including in private messaging.
“It is important that tech companies do not delay action any longer and that they make children and young people’s safety a priority.”
Bookings are now live for a series of tours at Powderhall Bronze, one of the only remaining fine art foundries in Scotland.
Located in Granton, Powderhall Bronze was established by husband-and-wife team Brian Caster and Kerry Hammond in 1989, and offers a bronze casting service to practising artists.
The family run foundry is renowned for casting a vast array of bronze artworks from small gallery pieces to monumental public artworks.
Notable works include ‘Really Good’ by David Shrigley, sited on the Fourth Plinth in Trafalgar Square and ‘Your next breath’ by Kenny Hunter sited outside Edinburgh’s Royal College of Surgeons.
This summer, the foundry is opening its doors for a limited number of exclusive tours. From £20 per person, guests will take a tour around the foundry with directors Kerry Hammond and Brian Caster.
Along the way they will explain how they use the ancient lost wax casting process to create the bronze sculptures and give a unique insight into some of the current foundry projects.
Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes and will end with a glass of wine or soft drinks with the opportunity for guests to ask questions. The tours are available in August and can be booked via the Powderhall Bronze Editions website at www.powderhallbronzeeditions.co.uk
With over 35 years’ experience working in bronze, Brian and Kerry are experts in their craft, and also work as practising artists. Their own collection of contemporary cast bronze sculpture can be found on display in the family run gallery, Powderhall Bronze Editions on Summer Place in Edinburgh.
Inspired by natural forms, their pieces are suitable for both indoor and outdoor settings and showcase the very best the material has to offer. These pieces are annually exhibited at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
In April 2023 the Scottish Government committed to fairer funding by 2026. Despite the urgent need within the voluntary and charity sector – one year on there has been little progress.
Last month, after a discussion a few weeks ago with the Clerks of the Social Justice and Social Security Committee, SCVO received the very welcome news that the Committee would focus their Pre-budget scrutiny on voluntary sector funding.
The Committee want, “to examine how the Scottish Government’s approach to fair and efficient funding can contribute to the continued effectiveness of the third sector”, having heard about the funding challenges facing the sector.
For almost a decade, the Scottish Government has recognised the need for multi-year funding, committing to longer-term funding for the voluntary sector across multiple government strategies.
In April 2023 the Scottish Government’s policy prospectus New leadership – A fresh start, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP committed to achieving fairer funding by 2026:
“Working with my Cabinet colleagues, I commit that by 2026 I will have… Progressed Fairer Funding arrangements, including exploring options to implement multi-year funding deals, enabling the third sector to secure the resilience and capacity it needs to support the transformation and delivery of person-centred services for Scotland’s people and support our thriving social enterprise economy”.
Despite this renewed focus – and the urgent need within the sector- one year on from the policy prospectus, there has been little progress.
Our sector faces unprecedented challenges. Years of underfunding and poor funding practices, and crises such as the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis have put the sector under increasing pressure, exacerbating financial and operational challenges – 76% of organisations now experience financial challenges, while the number of organisations reporting that rising costs are having a negative impact on their ability to deliver services continues to grow.
To support voluntary organisations, our staff and volunteers, and the people and communities our sector works with, the Scottish Government must both take action and develop timelines and goals to monitor progress towards fairer funding.
SCVO defines Fair Funding as a long-term, flexible, sustainable, and accessible approach to funding.
To make meaningful progress towards Fair Funding the Scottish Government should:
Commit to a longer-term funding model for the voluntary sector across all Scottish Government departments.
Define multi-year funding for voluntary organisations as a three-year minimum commitment.
Record progress by collecting and publishing what proportion of grants and contracts are delivered on a multi-year basis and accommodate other essential Fair Funding elements.
To be meaningful and support a sustainable sector, multi-year funding must also recognise and incorporate other essential Fair Funding elements including:
Flexible, unrestricted core funding
Inflation-based uplifts
Timely notification and payments
Full costs recovery, which includes core operating costs.
As local councils fund far more voluntary organisations than Scottish government- between a quarter and a third of voluntary organisations receive funding from local authorities- mulit-year funding should also be provided to local authorities, to allow them to enter into multi-year agreements with voluntary organisations.
Our sector is an employer, a partner, and a vital social and economic actor central to delivering the Scottish Government’s aspirations.
To recognise and support the many contributions of voluntary organisations, their staff, and their volunteers across Scotland urgent progress is needed or the goal of achieving fairer funding by 2026 becomes increasingly unlikely.
As part of the Committee’s Pre-budget scrutiny inquiry the Committee will hold two workshops in Dundee on Wednesday the 21st of August for voluntary organisations who receive funding from statutory funders (such as Scottish Government, health boards, local authorities).
POLICE are appealing for information after two teenage girls, aged 14 and 15, were sexually assaulted in the Cramond Beach area on Saturday evening (29 June).
The incident, which is understood to have involved two male youths, took place on a bench near Silverknowes Beach Car Park between 7.30pm and 7.45pm.
Enquiries are at an early stage to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Detective Sergeant Craig Donnelly said: “The Cramond Beach area would have been busy around the time the incident is reported to have taken place and we are appealing for anyone with information which could help our investigation to come forward.
“We are particularly keen to speak to anyone who noticed two male youths in the company of two teenage girls at a bench near to Silverknowes Beach Car Park, or anything else which could be of significance.
“Incidents of this nature can understandably cause concern in the local community, and we will have additional patrols in the area to provide reassurance.
“Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3438 of Saturday, 29 June, 2024.”
Arlene and John Mitchell from Longridge in West Lothian have welcomed the first naturally conceived quadruplets to Lothian — Ben, Noah, Harrison, and Rory!
The tiny new arrivals, Ben, Noah, Harrison and Rory, were born on May 14 and tipped the scales at less than 3lb each.
The smallest of the baby brothers, Harrison weighed in at 2lb 14 oz, while Ben, Noah, and Rory each weighed 2lb 15oz.
Naturally conceived quadruplets are extremely rare, with doctors estimating the odds at about one in 700,000 births.
Arlene, 34, and John, 38, who already have a daughter Lauren, 11, and three-year-old son Hunter are now getting used to being a family of eight.
Arlene said:“It was a total shock when we found out there were four babies at the first scan. The nurse said she thought there was more than one baby and then she said there was more than three babies!
“I was absolutely speechless and my husband just couldn’t believe it. They are really beautiful and we are so delighted. We can’t wait to take our four boys home to Lauren and Hunter and start our journey as a family of eight!”
John said:“Life is going to be a bit noisier for all of us but I’m really looking forward to us being one big family.”
Arlene was closely monitored throughout her pregnancy because of risks associated with multiple births, such as premature delivery and preeclampsia.
Arlene added:“Having quadruplets is a high-risk pregnancy and at every scan, I was really anxious that there wouldn’t be four heartbeats.
“The midwifery team were absolutely amazing, they really supported me every step of the way.”
A dedicated team of 17 doctors and midwives delivered the quadruplets in the Simpson’s Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh on May 14.
Arlene, who is just 5’2, underwent a planned Caesarean section when she was 30-weeks pregnant to reduce risks.
Each baby had an individual team of four clinicians assigned to look after them as soon as they were welcomed into the world.
At first, the boys were each given intensive care in the Neonatal Department to help stabilise their breathing and allow them to grow while they were tube fed.
Two of the boys, Harrison and Rory were then moved to the Special Care Baby Unit in St John’s Hospital to be closer to their family, before Ben and Noah joined them.
Katy Ruggeri, Associate Director of Midwifery, NHS Lothian, said:“Delivering quadruplets is an extraordinary experience and I am immensely proud of our entire midwifery and neonatal team for their dedication and expertise throughout this remarkable journey.
“This was the first set of quadruplets delivered in Lothian and it’s something the entire team will remember for the rest of their careers.”
The boys are now thriving and Arlene and John are preparing for the big move home.
Arlene said: “Welcoming quadruplets into the world has been an incredible and overwhelming experience.
“It’s going to be a very different house and probably a bit noisier but we’re so looking forward to taking our babies home!”
