Sea Cadets set up Sea Hives to boost marine life at Port Edgar Marina


Sea cadets have installed a sea hive to benefit local marine life and biodiversity at the Sea Cadets Port Edgar Boat Station in South Queensferry.

Over the weekend, on a cold and overcast Saturday, eight junior cadets – all aged between 10 and 12 from nearby Methil and Queensferry Sea Cadets units – gathered at the Firth of the Forth against the backdrop of the iconic three bridges, first to assemble and then to install the sea hive, under the guidance of Mr David Francis of SeaHives Ltd.

“I measured the bolts used to fit the sea hive together,” one of the cadets, Jae (10) proudly announced. “I put the shackles on, which were used to attach the sea hive to the pontoon,” said Addie (11).

The sea cadets themselves have taken ownership of the exciting initiative, and not only with their hands-on approach in building and setting up the hive. The young people will be monitoring the variety and quantity of marine life that settles into their newly-installed hive over the coming months.

“We will be taking photos with an underwater camera once a week to see which marine life has moved in,” explains sea cadet Edward (10).

“I am excited because it will bring in new marine life,” said Ella (11), with Jude (10) adding that he is hoping that plenty of fish and barnacles (sticky little crustaceans related to crabs, lobsters and shrimp) will decide to make the sea hive their home.

Sea hives are artificial reefs designed to resemble the marine environment, providing surfaces for marine to settle on. Among the marine life that could decide to ‘move in’ are octopus, prawns, rock-dwelling fish and tube worms.

“We are really excited to be working with SeaHives Ltd on this venture, which started six months ago for us,” said Adam Ranklin, Boat Station Manager at the Sea Cadets Port Edgar Boat Station.

“It was great to see how fully engaged the cadets were in the set up and installation of the sea hives. They were very hands-on throughout, using drills and tools as well as taking charge in making decisions about the sea hives. It was a new and very positive experience for our junior sea cadets.”

David Francis of SeaHives Ltd said: ‘What a great bunch of Sea Cadets there were at Port Edgar! They really know how to work as a team to get the job done.

“Their boat station is an ideal location for a sea hive as it provides access to the plankton and nutrient rich waters of the North Sea, in an environment protected from extreme tidal and wave action.

“The sea hive will also provide shelter from predators for small fish and invertebrates like crabs and octopus to grow and breed.

“Sea hives are manufactured partly from processed and recycled fishing nets, an excellent example of how plastic can be re-used with a positive purpose.”

The sea hives project follows local and national forums among the cadets, called Cadet Voice, where the young people decide on the issues closest to their hearts to action. Being more environmentally responsible emerged as one of the young people’s top priorities.

Installation of sea hives will also take place next week at the Sea Cadets Thrapston Boat Station in Northamptonshire, with an eye to installing more sea hives at other Sea Cadets boat stations across the country.

As sea cadet Remy (11) says, “Sea cadets spend many hours on the water – so it’s only right that we should look after our marine environment.”

For more information on Sea Cadets, visit www.sea-cadets.org

To find out more about sea hives, see www.seahives.com

Scotland’s youngsters on the road to safer motorcycle riding with RoSPA

  • 16-24 year old motorcyclists twice as likely to die than 40–49-year-old per capita, according to new data analysis by RoSPA
  • Scotland’s parents can help keep their youngsters skill up and keep safe thanks to RoSPA’s new Novice Rider Hub
  • RoSPA’s launch coincides with The National Fire Chiefs Council’s National Motorcycle Safety week, running from 3-9 April.

Parents in Scotland can help keep their young motorcycle riders safe on the road, thanks to a new Novice Rider Hub and series of videos launched by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Data shows[1] that 339 16-24 year olds were killed or injured on the Scotland’s roads while on their motorcycle between 2018– 2021, with 91 per cent of those male[2]. Nationally, 16-24 year old motorcyclists are twice as likely to be killed or injured than their 40–49-year-old counterparts per capita, with 4,657 motorcyclists aged 16-24 injured or killed on Britain’s roads in 2021, compared to 1,931 40-49 year olds. The number of motorcycle riders is also rising, with CBT completions 22 per cent higher than they were in 2019[3].

Across the country, between 34 per cent and 42 per cent of young motorcyclists harmed between 2014 and 2018 were involved in collisions at T-junctions, with eight to 10 per cent being at crossroads. Around 80 per cent of youngsters harmed were involved with collisions where there were two vehicles, the majority of those with a car[4].

RoSPA’s Novice Rider Hub features a wealth of information to help young people skill up and become a safer motorcycle rider, including:

  • The latest safety and style advice on motorcycle clothing and protective gear like helmets
  • A breakdown of all the different types of motorcycles, including engine sizes and the appropriate licenses
  • Essential riding tips and tricks on how to be safe on the road
  • Advice on how to keep your bike in good condition and roadworthy
  • Engaging driver-safety videos and infographics
  • The motorcycle safety advice everyone needs to know.

The launch of RoSPA’s Novice Rider Hub coincides with The National Fire Chiefs Council’s National Safety Motorcycle Week, running from 3-9 April.

David Walker, Head of Road Safety at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: “When you’re a young adult and keen to get out and about, having your own transport is exciting and liberating – but we know that youngsters are at the most risk of injury or death on the road, with 16-24 year olds twice as likely to be killed or seriously injured when riding their motorcycle.

“Our Novice Rider Hub is a one-stop-shop for everything a young rider needs to know if they own a motorcycle and equips them with the tools ready to ride safely and confidently.

“We would encourage all parents of young adults who ride a motorcycle, to check it out and encourage their child to do the same – knowledge saves lives.”

Dan Quin, Road Safety Lead for NFCC, said: “The launch of the Novice Riders Hub during NFCC’s National Motorcycle Safety Week is fantastic news.

“This one-stop-shop is a valuable tool in supporting our work and that of fire and rescue services.  It will help us to engage with and share trusted advice to those motorcyclists most at risk and their families.”

UK Government extends mortgage support for benefit claimants

An additional 200,000 Universal Credit claimants will be able to access quicker support with their mortgage from today

  • Support for Mortgage Interest loan scheme extended to 200,000 additional Universal Credit claimants in efforts to support more households with the cost of living
  • They will be able to access help towards mortgage interest on their home or certain home improvements worth up to £200,000 after three months on Universal Credit
  • Support will be automatically offered to qualifying claimants after three months on Universal Credit

Previously, claimants would need to have been unemployed for nine months before they could access a Support for Mortgage Interest loan, which helps them cover interest payments for a mortgage, or a home repairs and improvements loan, whilst they seek work.

Today’s reforms, which were announced in the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement, mean claimants will be able to receive the support after just three months of being on Universal Credit, and in another change they now do not have to be unemployed to do so. They will also be able to re-claim the support if they leave Universal Credit but return within six months.

Mims Davies, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth and Progression, said: “The fear of losing your home when you have fallen on difficult times is incredibly stressful and makes getting back on your feet all the more difficult.

“This increased support is an important lifeline to help provide stability for those who are seeking to find work and move back towards long-term prosperity.”

Support for Mortgage Interest loans will now be automatically offered to claimants by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) if they qualify after three months on Universal Credit – they do not need to do anything to receive this offer.

The loans are designed to help claimants with the interest on mortgages or loans for certain home improvements, such as repairs or improvements to keep their home habitable or to adapt them for people with disabilities, whilst they are on Universal Credit. Even if claimants reject the offer of a loan initially, as long as they are still eligible, they can start claiming it at any point.

The loan needs to be repaid when claimants sell their home, though no one will be asked to sell their home in order to repay it. If needed, claimants can contact the DWP about transferring the loan to a new home.

More widely, the Government is projected to have spent £28.5 billion supporting renters in 2022/23, whilst the Affordable Homes Programme, worth £11.5 billion, will deliver more affordable homes across the country, including tens of thousands for social rent.

The Government has also provided over £1.5 billion for Discretionary Housing Payments since 2012, whilst Local Housing Allowance rates were increased above inflation during the pandemic and have been maintained since to provide housing support to Universal Credit claimants.

Additional Information:

  • Support for Mortgage Interest loans are available for people on the following qualifying benefits:
  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • For more information on Support for Mortgage Interest, please visit www.gov.uk/support-for-mortgage-interest or speak to your work coach.

Tony Delahoy: Things Remembered

NEW BEGINNINGS

THE house in Malpas Road had belonged to Helen’s mother and we all lived there as a family until Helen’s mother, who had been suffering with a heart condition for some years, passed away in the autumn of 1956.

It was at this very time that I was offered a promotion to take over a school of my own. This, however, required my working in North London and as the post was a residential one it would naturally neccessitate moving from Malpas Road in South East London to accommodation in North London.

With the death of Helen’s mother the house was passed on to Helen and her brother Cyril and a decision was made to sell the house at Malpas Road.

I took up my new appointment as Schoolkeeper of Paddington and Maida Vale High School for Girls, situated in Elgin Avenue in Maida Vale, London W9, and in the December of 1956 Helen, Barbara, Paul and I moved from Malpas Road to begin a new chapter in our lives in a very different part of London.

Naturally this entailed new schools for Barbara and Paul, a new home for the family – and even a new motorcycle in the shape of a BSA N21 with a Watsonian double adult sidecar! This motorcycle bore many similarities with my war service BSA M20.

Our years between 1956 and 1960 were spent in temporary accommodation in a flay in Cosway Street, London NW1, just off the Marylebone Road.

Eventually new accommodation was built for us on the school site and we moved into our new home in the December of 1959 and so on the eve of the 1960s we began the next chapter of our lives.

Lothian MSP calls on First Minister to commit to swimming pools fund

Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP, Miles Briggs, has called on new First Minister Humza Yousaf to commit to additional funding to support leisure centres and swimming pools in Scotland.

The call comes following the UK Government’s decision to release £63 million of investment to support leisure centres and swimming pools in England.

The Scottish Government is set to receive an additional £320 million from the UK Treasury in Barnett consequentials as a result of the latest Budget, with Scottish Swimming among groups calling on the Scottish Government to make extra funding available for the sector.

In Scotland, local councils and leisure trusts operate over 200 swimming pools which are responsible for hosting swimming g lessons for over 106,000 per week.

Public pools in Scotland receive massive support from the public, with a poll in February by JL partners revealing that 94% of Scots backed pools as being good for safety and 93% of Scots agreeing that all children should learn to swim.

Earlier this month, East Lothian sports operators enjoyleisure were handed £40,000 to help cover losses after one of its swimming pools was closed until further notice.

Swimming pools across the region are at risk of closure due to soaring energy costs, with West Lothian Council announcing that every swimming pool is at threat of closure due to the associated cost of running.

Lothian MSP, Miles Briggs said: “The news that the Scottish Government will receive an additional £320m from the UK Treasury is a welcome one.

“However, we now need to see that money spent on real, tangible change for the better of Scotland. Investment in swimming pool across Scotland would be a tremendous use of that money and would benefit both old and young.

“Swimming pools and leisure centres do not just offer recreational opportunities for people; they are a vital way of keeping the nation healthy, both mentally and physically. It is therefore essential that we do whatever we can to prevent their closure.

“That is why I am calling on the new First Minister to commit to new funding for our swimming pools.”

Healthy Heart Tip: Meal Planning

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK

Healthy Heart Tip: Meal Planning

It’s 6pm, you’ve just got home from work and are about to make your evening meal, you look in the fridge and find some mince and a pepper and decide to make a chilli. You open the cupboard, grab the kidney beans, and then realise you’ve run out of chopped tomatoes.

The chilli you planned on making is no more, you don’t have the energy to go shopping so you reach for your phone and order a takeaway. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Effective meal planning can make eating healthier easier, save money, time and reduce food waste.

Read on for some meal planning tips.

Plan in advance

Planning your meals in advance is one of the most effective things you can do to make sure you eat a healthy, nutritionally balanced diet.

Seeing your week’s food together in one place can help you identify anything you might be missing. For example, you may notice you haven’t included your two portions of oily fish and can re-design your meals to incorporate them.

A shopping list is key

Once you have your meal plan, you can get to work creating your shopping list. It’s wise to do this in your kitchen so you can check what staples you have in as you go.

If you find this task boring and time consuming, try creating a list of weekly staples that you can reuse each week. You can always cross things off you don’t need that week but it can save time to have a master list and then add things to it based on what meals you’ve planned.

Utilise your freezer

Plans can change and using the freezer wisely can help. Take stock of your fridge every few days and freeze anything you’ve not ended up using. You can always cook meals you haven’t used and freeze them for a convenient meal another day.

It’s a good idea to have some basics in the freezer like frozen vegetables and cook-from-frozen fish. With basics like rice and pasta in the cupboard you can make unplanned meals easily.

For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at www.heartresearch.org.uk/healthy-tips.

Forces employment charity launches new initiative to celebrate Month of the Military Child

The Forces Employment Charity will be marking the Month of the Military Child this April, with a brand new set of resources to help young people of those who Serve and have Served with their next career step.

The charity, which was founded in 1885, originally helped veterans find civilian employment and has since expanded its services to offer support to Military families. This has recently extended to offering employment support to Young people from military families, both serving and veteran within the M3 area, owing to its unique EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families Programme.

The team working in the EM3 Armed Forces Veterans and Families come from military families themselves and therefore understand the importance of supporting young people who face an ever-changing situation, from frequent moves, education gaps and separation from parents’ and social networks.

Through extra support in education, training and expanding the pool of employment choices and a caseworker, the programmes supports young people to plan a clearer future.

The charity also works with many young people from across the UK through its long-standing programme, Future Horizons. This programme helps early Service Leavers with the next stage of their civilian career, which often includes younger veterans aged between 16-25.

Resources created for the Month of the Military Child will be specifically tailored to help those with little to no work experience of the civilian world, including a starter 101 series which will cover all the basics job seekers may need to get started, such as:

  • How to write a CV
  • How and where to look for jobs
  • How to write a cover letter
  • How to manage your first interview

The charity is also planning a social media takeover, which will include insights from people who grew up in Military families, speaking about their experiences, how they have shaped their careers, plus any advice they have to offer others from a similar background.

Joanne McLeod, EM3 Armed Forces and Families Programme Manager at Forces Employment Charity, says: “As a Military spouse, I understand the unique challenges that affect Forces families. From frequent house moves, to needing to fit in and make friends quickly, there can be a lot to manage.

“This can be particularly challenging for service children, who are moving schools, skipping parts of the curriculum and leaving behind their social networks. However, living in such unique circumstances also equips the Military community with an incredible skill set that can set them apart from other job seekers.”

Dame Joanna Lumley is supporting the initiative. Speaking about the impact being a Military child has had on her own career, she says: “Like many Military children, I went away to boarding school at a very young age.

“It meant I had to be able to find my feet pretty quickly and find ways to be able to relate to lots of different types of people. I never realised at the time how much those experiences would come to help me in my career!”

Joanne McLeod adds, “Our role at the Forces Employment Charity is to help people recognise those skills and find the best possible way to present themselves to employers, to maximise their chances of success.

“This is especially important for those just starting out, such as Military young people and/ or Early Service Leavers. I am delighted that we are able to offer a new and specialist set of resources to support this group in celebration of the Month of the Military Child.”

The Forces Employment Charity provides life-long, life-changing support, job opportunities, and training to Service leavers, veterans, reservists and their families, regardless of circumstances, rank, length of service, or reason for leaving. 

Its team of dedicated Advisors can help job seekers develop their employability to present candidates to employers in the best possible way. That can involve advice on what to apply for, how to find work and develop a good CV, interview skills, training, etc. 

For more information visit: www.forcesemployment.org.uk

Gleneagles Townhouse showcases Edinburgh artist Madeleine Gardiner

-New Exhibit ‘Scottish Light’ showcases local artist’s oil paintings in Lobby 37-

Edinburgh born artist Madeleine Gardiner will be the next in a series of Scottish artists to showcase her contemporary landscape paintings in Gleneagles Townhouse this April.

The Townhouse’s exhibition space, Lobby 37, will play host to a selection of Madeleine’s recent oil paintings inspired by memories of childhood holidays in the Scottish Highlands and the soft hazy light of Scotland.

The Exhibition, entitled ‘Scottish Light’, will run from Saturday 1 April to Thursday 27 April and will be available to view daily between 9am and 7pm for the public, and for members and hotel guests throughout their visit to the Townhouse.

Wild spaces, memory and atmosphere are key areas of concern in the artist’s work. 

While her early works reflect nostalgia of the rugged Scottish coast and lochs, over time this presence began to blend with images of her travels to places like Namibia, Arizona, The Canadian Rockies, Vietnam, and the Tyrolean Alps.

Her paintings represent composite landscapes built from memories connected through a shared aesthetic, and harnessing light and recreating the ways in which it alters depth is a primary focus in her process.

Madeleine Gardiner graduated from Edinburgh College of Art with a BA degree in painting in 2015, and moving to London in 2017. 

Two of Madeleine’s paintings are on display in the Gleneagles Hotel in Auchterarder.

More information about the artist and her work is available at:

 www.madeleinegardiner.com

Easter activities at Fort Kinnaird

With the Easter holidays upon us, Fort Kinnaird has announced a host of Easter activities to help keep the kids entertained.

From Easter-themed craft workshops at Hobbycraft to meeting small animals at Pets at Home – there’s something for everyone.

Meet small animals at Pets at Home

Pets at Home is running free pet workshops for kids in store from Saturday 1st – Sunday 16th April.

The 30-minute My Pet Pals sessions help to educate kids about responsible pet care and how to keep animals happy and healthy.

Children will have the chance to meet a range of small animals and learn how to look after them through a range of interactive activities, including making a foraging box for little furry friends. Book your free space here.

Get crafty at Hobbycraft

Hobbycraft is hosting a number of Easter-themed workshops throughout the break for kids to enjoy.

This includes clay making, designing Easter bonnets, and making their own Easter bunnies. Each session is hosted by one of Hobbycraft’s experts and has a small cost from £5 for the materials. To book a session, visit Hobbycraft’s website.

Watch the latest blockbusters at Odeon

With seven state-of-the-art screens, Odeon is showing the latest blockbusters this Easter break and adult tickets are priced at £3.25, the same as a child, for selected morning showings.

Top family picks include the highly anticipated Super Mario Bros. Movie which is out on 7th April, as well as Mummies and Little Bear’s Big Trip.

Pick up Easter activities to do at home

Hobbycraft, Wilko, Typo and WH Smith all have an array of crafting materials and ideas to keep the kids occupied at home. From painting Easter eggs and making Easter baskets to designing cards and hosting Easter egg hunts, there’s something for all ages to get stuck into.

Grab a bite to eat

Fort Kinnaird has a wide selection of family-friendly restaurants, so whether the kids want to tuck into Italian staples at Pizza Express or burgers at Bread Meats Bread, there’s something for all taste buds.

And at Fridays kids can eat for free during the Easter holidays, choosing from one of the restaurant’s kids meals when dining with an adult who’s a Rewards Member.

For more information on what’s on at Fort Kinnaird visit: 

https://www.fortkinnaird.com/