As another wildfire warning is put in place across Scotland, members of the public are being cautioned that even the smallest fire can spread uncontrollably and devastate entire hillsides.
A ‘very high’ warning for an increased risk of wildfires begins today (Wednesday, 7 June) and runs until Saturday, 10 June.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) warns that many rural and remote communities are hugely impacted by wildfires, which can cause significant environmental and economic damage.
Station Commander John Harvey said: “We know that many people will be hoping to enjoy the outdoors when the weather is good, but we urge everyone to make sure that they don’t increase the chance of wildfire. That means being aware of the risks and following the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
“Wild and grass fires can start by the careless disposal of cigarettes and barbecues or campfires left unattended.
“They then have the potential to burn for days and devastate vast areas of land, wildlife and threaten the welfare of nearby communities.”
Today’s warning comes as more than 30 firefighters recently tackled a large wildfire in Cannich, near Inverness, which began on Sunday, 28 May and remains ongoing .
SFRS works closely with land managers, communities and other safety partners to prevent these incidents from occurring.
SC Harvey continued: “During this time of the year, many firefighters across Scotland are preparing to actively tackle wildfires as they work to protect our communities.
“However, many of these fires are preventable so please read our safety advice and enjoy the weather responsibly.”
Virgin Hotels Edinburgh is kicking off the summer in style with its exclusive series of free rooftop events – Sunset Sessions.
Hosted on the hotel’s stunning rooftop terrace that boasts unbeatable views of the city’s Old Town and Edinburgh Castle, the spectacular events will showcase Scottish musical talent, including Beth Karp and Kohla, who will bring the ultimate summer ambience as the sun sets over Edinburgh’s iconic skyline.
Launching on the 9th of June and taking place every Friday and Saturday evening from 7:45pm to 9:45pm throughout summer, the free events are set to bring Edinburgh’s music community together and provide a platform for up-and-coming artists.
The Sunset Sessions will offer locals and music lovers alike with an unmatched experience: providing views that can’t be seen from anywhere else in the city, local artist performances and refreshing drinks.
Better yet, blankets will be on hand so guests can cosy up whilst enjoying their favourite performers. After the sun sets, guests can enjoy more live entertainment, drinks and delicious food at Eve and Commons Club which will both be open till late.
The Sunset Session events nod to Virgin’s musical roots, with Virgin Hotels founder, Sir Richard Branson, starting independent record label, Virgin Records, back in 1972.
David Moth, Virgin Hotels Vice President of Operations and Interim General Manager of Virgin Hotels Edinburgh said: “We are thrilled to launch the highly anticipated Sunset Sessions at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, as it promises to be an extraordinary experience for our guests.
“Our rooftop offers the absolute best vantage point to witness the sun as it sets over Edinburgh’s beautiful skyline and we’ve secured some of the very best up and coming musical talent from around Scotland to perform. We look forward to welcoming everyone to join us throughout the summer to enjoy unbeatable views, drinks and live entertainment”.
Sunset Sessions is just one of many events taking place at Virgin Hotels Edinburgh, including a host of seasonal activations and brand takeovers throughout the year.
To stay up to date with the latest news and events, follow Virgin Hotels Edinburgh’s channels on social media here:
Four-legged friends provide companionship to elderly residents
AN Edinburgh home specialising in dementia care has launched a pet therapy programme to combat loneliness and improve general wellbeing.
A group of three different therapets and their handlers have been visiting Cramond Residence each on a monthly basis to provide companionship and encourage residents to be more active throughout the day.
Elaine Vallance, Lead Lifestyle Coordinator at Cramond Residence, said: “Our residents thoroughly enjoy therapets’ visits and we always know when they are in the building as residents all have a big smile on their faces.
“They all offer a calming presence when in the building, their visits always leave everyone in high spirits, excited for the next visit – the simple act of stroking a four-legged friend can slow down the heartbeat and reduce blood pressure.
“Pet therapy can provide a calming effect and help alleviate feelings of loneliness and isolation.
“Our visiting therapets are among the 500 registered therapets around Scotland, currently providing emotional support to elderly residents who cannot maintain the upkeep of a pet full-time.”
According to Alzheimer’s Society, caring for an animal can provide a sense of purpose and be a helpful stress relief source to individuals with dementia who may be struggling with depression.
The home understands the importance of interacting with animals and the benefits this has on emotional, physical and social wellbeing.
The furry friends visiting the home have proved major hits alongside the varied activities programme at Cramond Residence which includes day trips, gardening and arts and crafts, all designed to keep residents stimulated and engaged.
Launched in 2018, Cramond Residence offers uncompromising nurse-led care, as well as specialist services such as respite and dementia care. The care home currently has 74 residents spread across nine luxuriously-appointed homes.
Residential life is full of activities, freshly prepared meals and top-class facilities, ensuring that all residents enjoy a rich and satisfying life at the care home. The facilities provided include a cinema, functional exercise room, a games room and also a fine dining experience offering residents the opportunity to invite their family members in for a meal.
Each resident also receives a personal care plan from health care professionals which is continually assessed and revised, ensuring that residents have access to the best possible level of care.
Cramond Residence offers tours of their quality accommodation and facilities in the north of Edinburgh. The tour allows potential residents and their loved ones to see the residence for themselves, meet the team and discuss any additional requirements.
Following the tragic news that a fire broke out in the building above the South Bridge PDSA charity shop on Saturday 3 June, the vet charity is calling on local supporters to visit their neighbouring charity shop, located on Nicolson Street.
The charity is pleased to confirm that all South Bridge staff and volunteers are safe following the fire. But with the South Bridge shop closed for the foreseeable future the charity needs local support more than ever before.
Fiona Lawrie, Cluster Shop Manager at PDSA said: “Our South Bridge shop only opened last October but it’s quickly become home to a wonderful team of staff and volunteers, as well as many local supporters, and we are very thankful that no one was hurt in the fire.
“We’re waiting to assess the damage, which means we don’t know when we’ll be able to re-open. But we’re hoping the local community will continue to support us by visiting the nearby Nicolson Street shop to help raise funds for local poorly pets.”
PDSA Nicolson Street is located at: 85 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9BZ. All donations to PDSA Nicolson Street are very appreciated during this time.
As the UK’s largest veterinary charity, PDSA strives to improve pets’ lives. In 2022, PDSA provided 2 million veterinary treatments, and saved the lives of 141,000 pets with life-threatening conditions.
PDSA prevents the suffering of animals and relieves the effects of poverty on families and communities nationwide, with 48 pet hospitals across the UK.
A man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death of a 59-year-old man in the Primrose Street area.
Officers were called to a report of a man injured within a flat around 2.30pm on Tuesday, 6 June, 2023.
Emergency services attended and local man Garry O’Neill was pronounced dead at the scene.
A 54-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with the death and due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today – Thursday, 8 June.
Detective Inspector Kevin Tait said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr O’Neill at what is a very difficult time for them and they are being provided with support by specialist officers.
“I would like to reassure the community that this was an isolated incident and there was no threat to the wider public. Thank you to those who assisted with our enquiries.”
Mr O’Neill’s family have provided a photograph (above) and the following statement:
“He was a much loved dad and we ask for privacy at this difficult time.”
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Heart Health & Father’s Day
In the lead up to Father’s Day in the UK, we wanted to shine the spotlight on the heart health of the men reading our tips, or the men in your life.
Coronary heart disease generally affects more men than women and it’s important to be aware of this. It’s common for men to not prioritise their health until it stops them from living their life.
This Father’s Day, why not make a commitment to yourself or support a father figure in your life to take positive steps that contribute to the health of their hearts? Here are some ideas!
A heart healthy breakfast
Treat yourself or the fatherly figures in your life to a heart healthy breakfast. Instead of a greasy fry-up why not provide a breakfast full of omega-3 such as poached egg, smoked salmon and avocado on multi-seeded toast. It’s easy to make, healthy and delicious!
A healthy gift
Father’s Day usually means buying gifts which tend to be not so heart healthy, like chocolates and alcohol.
Choose a heart healthy gift option like an active day out such as paintballing, paddle boarding or even a set of cooking classes you can attend together to inspire you both to cook more from scratch.
Take up a healthy hobby together
Use Father’s Day as an opportunity to engage your dad or fatherly figure in a healthy hobby together, this could be walking, running, sailing or even climbing.
Everyone can benefit from being more active and you could buy lessons for an activity as a gift and make it something you do together long-term, which will also benefit your heart health.
For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/health-tips.
The British Dental Association has responded to new figures from the Scottish Liberal Democrats, acknowledging that the Scottish Government’s consistent use of registration figures to illustrate the supposed ‘recovery’ in the service is effectively meaningless.
Patients in Scotland are registered for life, so the key focus must be on participation, which remains stubbornly below pre-COVID levels.
The professional body has stressed that reform to the broken low margin/high volume model the service works to are now essential, and that a new model has bee pledged for rollout in the autumn.
At present certain key treatments can be delivered at a financial loss, accelerating the exodus from the service. A recent BDA survey showed over half (59%) of high street NHS dentist reported having reduced the amount of NHS work they did since lockdown.
Over four in five (83%) said they plan to reduce or further reduce their NHS commitment in the year ahead.
The BDA says that the future of the service hinges on reform providing it with firm foundations, with a decent, sustainable model that can deliver for patients and dentists across Scotland.
Charlotte Waite, National Director of the British Dental Association Scotland said:“When patients are put on the books for life registration is a meaningless metric.
“What really matters is the patients getting through our doors, and on that note NHS dentistry has not returned to anything resembling ‘business as usual’.
“This service is at a tipping point. Without reform there can be no recovery.”
Dogs Trust West Calder is calling on local dog lovers to take part in the biggest ever nationwide survey to help dogs and owners of the future.
The 2023 National Dog Survey will help the charity better-understand the UK’s estimated 13 million-strong pooch population and the part dogs play in their owners’ lives, shaping the support the charity offers to canine companions and their families.
This will be the second time Dogs Trust has called on dog owners to provide feedback about their furry friends, after the inaugural National Dog Survey was launched two years ago.
Over 350,000 people completed the 2021 National Dog Survey, and the charity is hoping for an even bigger response this year. Following the 2021 survey, Dogs Trust has created new services to help the nation’s dog owners – including cost-of-living support, Reactive Dog Classes, and a new, free to access, Behavioural Support Line.
Staffed by specialist Behaviour Support Line Officers equipped with a range of behaviour qualifications and expertise – including animal behaviour degrees, dog behaviour accreditations, and hands-on experience – the support line has already helped thousands of owners and their previously problematic pups.
Susan Tonner, Rehoming Centre Manager at Dogs Trust West Calder, said:“Over 350,000 people responded to our first National Dog Survey, giving us a real insight into how people care for their dogs here in the UK.
“We’ve since used all that we learnt to launch new services providing tangible support to dogs and their owners, including our Behaviour Support Line, helping them to tackle behaviour-related issues before they turn into real problems.
“What owners tell us through the National Dog Survey this year will again shape the future services provided by Dogs Trust so we can continue to support the nation’s dogs and their owners.”
The 2023 National Dog Survey is open until 18th June and covers topics including behaviour, breed information and how people like to interact with their four-legged friends.
Susan added: “We want to build a complete picture of what dog ownership looks like today and ensure we can provide dog owners with the support they need.
“The 2023 National Dog Survey only takes 10 minutes, and it couldn’t be easier to fill in.
So, whether you complete it while having a cuppa, waiting for the bus, or on your lunch break, you will be making a real positive impact on the lives of dogs and humans.”
For more information and to take part in the National Dog Survey, visit www.nationaldogsurvey.org.uk. The closing date is 18th June.
Legislation unveiled to improve complaint and conduct procedures
Proposed new laws to help strengthen public confidence in standards of police conduct have been published.
The Scottish Government’s Police (Ethics, Conduct and Scrutiny) (Scotland) Bill has been introduced to Parliament with the aim of ensuring allegations of misconduct are dealt with more transparently and effectively.
If passed by MSPs, the legislation would see the outcomes of misconduct hearings published online and police officers no longer able to resign to avoid disciplinary proceedings.
The Bill would stop officers guilty of gross misconduct from being re-employed in policing by placing them on barred lists, with an advisory list for officers facing an allegation of misconduct and ensures officers can no longer resign to avoid being held to account for gross misconduct allegations.
The new arrangements will be underpinned by placing the code of ethics which sets out expectations of behaviour, in statute. To oversee these standards, the role of the independent Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) will be significantly enhanced.
The Bill will deliver the majority of the remaining legislative recommendations made by former Lord Advocate, Dame Elish Angiolini, in her independent review of policing.
Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Home Affairs Angela Constance said: “Scotland is well served by the exceptional dedication and commitment of Scotland’s police officers and the work they do every day to keep communities safe.
“However, if things go wrong, the police must be held to account and improvements made. The principle of policing by consent, so central to our justice system, is built on this accountability. It is also in the interests of both the public and of the policing family.
“This Bill, if passed, will help strengthen public confidence for example by ensuring officers can no longer resign to avoid being held to account for gross misconduct allegations against them. The vital safeguards set out in this legislation will enhance the professional service already delivered by officers, as they perform their privileged duties to keep us all safe.”
The sun shone on Leith yesterday (Wednesday, 7 June) when passenger services on Edinburgh’s new tram line to Newhaven were launched, with the help of the community along the route.
The first paying customers were able to board the service, operated by Edinburgh Trams, between Newhaven and Picardy Place (and onward to Edinburgh Airport) from 12pm.
To celebrate the occasion, a piper accompanied the first tram into the Picardy Place tram stop while members of Edinburgh’s Dance Base performed a specially choreographed ‘tram ballet’ outside St Mary’s Cathedral. The Council Leader then joined local school pupils to officially open the tram for service.
The 2.9 mile, eight stop route, which has been under construction since November 2019, has been delivered on schedule and within the £207.3m budget.
Over recent months rigorous testing to ensure the newly constructed line, software and signals work effectively and safely has included running trams at half and full speed and eventually to timetable, work to integrate signalling and interface with Edinburgh Trams’ control centre and driver familiarisation.
Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I’m delighted to be playing a part in this momentous occasion – the launch of tram passenger services between Picardy Place and Newhaven. It’s a real landmark moment for Edinburgh, as we bring this high capacity, sustainable and reliable service to the north of the city.
“I know many will share in my excitement, and optimism for the benefits this development will provide. We’ve already seen vast improvements to spaces along the route and long-term I’m looking forward to the impact it will have on the local economy, which even now we’re starting to see.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all those who live and own businesses along the route. They have shown such patience and resilience throughout this major, complex project and now I hope that they will really gain from the new service.
“This is also a chance to reflect on the hard work of those who have delivered this scheme. Thanks to the project team’s dedication, despite the challenges of recent years, I’m proud to say Trams to Newhaven has been delivered on time and within the £207.3m budget” (!!! See below – Ed.)
Lea Harrison, Edinburgh Trams Managing Director, said: “The opening of the route will mark another momentous day for the city, and the entire Edinburgh Trams team stands ready to bring its acclaimed brand of service excellence to tens of thousands of new customers in the communities it serves.
“We’re also looking forward to delivering a real boost for local businesses, providing a convenient transport link between the city centre and some of Edinburgh’s most densely populated neighbourhoods, as well as key locations such as Ocean Terminal and Port of Leith.
“With trams from every seven minutes between 6am and midnight, seven days a week, our expanded tram timetable will help firms large and small to attract new business while helping their employees get to and from work.”
To mark the event, the earliest passengers were able to purchase ‘platinum’ tram tickets from machines at Picardy Place and Newhaven tram stops while Pulse of the Place, a vibrant youth samba band based in north Edinburgh, performed around the Newhaven tram stop.
The Guard of Honour from the High Constabulary of the Port of Leith also stood at Pilrig Street to welcome the tram into the historic Burgh of Leith wearing full parade dress, including top hats, whistles and ceremonial batons.
While the project will open for revenue services on 7 June 2023, outstanding public realm works will continue in some sections.
‘On time and on Budget? Well, no, not quite. The line to Newhaven was part of the original plan for Edinburgh’s tram network. That infamous project became a fiasco, delivering not a network but a SOLITARY LINE – and even that was years late and millions of pounds over budget!
Such was the scale of the shambles of Edinburgh’s tram project that a Public Enquiry was set up under Lord Hardie.
The Inquiry aims to establish why the Edinburgh Tram project incurred delays, cost more than originally budgeted and through reductions in scope delivered significantly less than projected.
The official terms of reference for the Inquiry are to:
Inquire into the delivery of the Edinburgh Tram project (‘the project’), from proposals for the project emerging to its completion, including the procurement and contract preparation, its governance, project management and delivery structures, and oversight of the relevant contracts, in order to establish why the project incurred delays, cost considerably more than originally budgeted for and delivered significantly less than was projected through reductions in scope.
Examine the consequences of the failure to deliver the project in the time, within the budget and to the extent projected.
Review the circumstances surrounding the project as necessary, in order to report to the Scottish Ministers making recommendations as to how major tram and light rail infrastructure projects of a similar nature might avoid such failures in future.
Lord Hardie’s Report into the Edinburgh Trams Project was finally handed over to the publishing company on 26 April and will be with them ‘for several weeks’.
We should find out soon just where all our missing millions went. Platinum tram tickets indeed – and we’ve certainly payed dearly for them!
