YOTEL Edinburgh are opening their doors to local charities and non-profits this year for International Women’s Day by offering free working space for six months to a nominated group.
Providing a fresh, engaging space to collaborate, advance their work and provide inspiration and resources, YOTEL Edinburgh are joining this year’s #BreaktheBias theme for International Women’s Day.
As an added extra, the city-centre hotel will offer the founder or leader of the organisation a complimentary overnight stay for two, as a small thank you for all of their work in the hotel’s local community.
A UK wide initiative, YOTEL are asking communities across Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and London to nominate local organisations doing incredible work for or with women, offering one full day (subject to availability, 9am – 5pm) per month for groups to use however they wish – whether it’s a small non-profit working from home who need a meeting room, a group looking for an inspirational new working space or a local branch of a national charity hosting workshops, YOTEL will make them feel right at home.
To nominate a charity or non-profit in Edinburgh head to YOTEL Edinburgh’s social channels. Simply tag the organisation in the comments or share the post on your story and tag your chosen charity.
Entries will close 21 March 2022, before being whittled down to a shortlist of five organisations to be spotlighted on YOTEL Edinburgh’s social media channels across the month of April, offering support and exposure to the local groups.
The nominated organisation can kick off their free six months of working space from April 2022 – September 2022 with one day per month available.
In Edinburgh’s New Town YOTEL, the nominated group will win the use of a flexible private meeting room, enjoying the hotel’s buzzing city-centre location, just a 5-minute walk from Princes Street, as they collaborate on their group’s inspiring ideas for up to 10 people.
Sahrette Saayman , VP Communications at YOTEL said: “We’re excited to open the doors to YOTELs across the UK and collaborate with our local communities for International Women’s Day in 2022.
“We know there’s some inspirational work happening right on our doorsteps and we’re excited to lend a hand, whichever way we can.
“We also hope this campaign will help our local communities discover some incredible new non-profits or charities to support, and shine a light on the outstanding work they are doing across Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Manchester.”
Aiming to give back to their local communities, YOTEL are throwing open their doors and collaborating with female-focussed charities and non-profits in 2022, offering an inspiring space to work, collaboration and perhaps a much needed break.
Hoping to provide the organisations with room to grow in a welcoming environment, YOTEL Edinburgh are keen to hear from local groups about the ways in which they’d use the spaces.
Veterans of the Falklands War and families of those who lost their lives in the conflict will take centre stage during commemorations to mark its 40th anniversary this spring.
Leading military charities Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland today launched a programme of commemorative events in partnership with the Armed Forces and the Scottish Government, to remember the conflict which took place between April and June 1982.
The programme will culminate in a national parade and service of remembrance in Edinburgh on Saturday, June 18th. Falklands veterans and bereaved relatives are also invited to attend the UK-wide service at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire on June 14th, the anniversary of the ceasefire.
Other activities will include a package of resources for schools to allow young people to learn more about conflict as part of Poppyscotland’s wider learning programme.
Poppyscotland’s interactive mobile museum, Bud, will also visit schools in areas which have a close connection to the conflict, including Arbroath, which is home to 45 Commando, the Royal Marine unit which played a key role in the liberation. An event that will see pipers across the globe join in tribute to those who fell will also form part of the commemorations.
Theresa Davidson, from Glenrothes, whose husband Lance Sergeant Clark Mitchell was killed on the day of the Argentine surrender, joined the charities to lay a wreath at the Falklands Memorial Garden in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh.
There, she spoke for the first time of her years of heartache following his loss and the importance of remembering the sacrifices of all those who served.
The conflict began on April 2nd, 1982, when Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a British overseas territory in the south-west Atlantic Ocean. In total, 255 British servicemen, 649 Argentine military personnel, and three civilians died, and many more were wounded.
Mrs Davidson, 65, a foster carer, was just 25 when she was widowed in the conflict. Lance Sergeant Mitchell was one of eight Scots Guards killed in the Battle of Mount Tumbledown in the early hours of June 14th.
She said: “I remember it as if it were yesterday. I was in our quarters at Lasswade, Midlothian, when an officer and his wife came to the door to tell me the news. My world just fell apart. I lost everything: my husband, my best friend, the family we wanted together.”
She had met Clark, then a junior soldier from Laurencekirk, Aberdeenshire, at the age of 17 when she was training with the Women’s Royal Army Corps. After an “amazing” six years of married life in Germany and England, they had returned to Scotland and were hoping to start a family when the conflict began.
Mrs Davidson said: “Nobody knew anything about the Falklands – we thought they were up in the north of Scotland. It was only when we saw the map, we realised they were 8000 miles away.
“When he was away, I had this dreadful fear, and just lived for the news. On the morning of the 14th I felt so happy and thought ‘Thank God the war is over’. But then it was like something had hit me, and I knew something had happened to Clark.
“Losing Clark changed me, and it took me years to rebuild my life. He was an extremely good soldier, but he was also very gentle, kind and caring, with a great sense of humour and zest for life. I will never forget him or the sacrifices he and the other men made. To me it’s about keeping their memories alive.”
Poppyscotland and Legion Scotland are sharing the stories of veterans and their families in the run-up to June. They are encouraging people to reflect on the Falklands and other recent conflicts, and recognise the contribution made by our Armed Forces community.
Recalling his memories of serving on the front line in the Falklands, Keith Brown MSP said: “I am delighted to be able to partner with Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland to deliver a national event in Edinburgh to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Falklands War on 18 June 2022.
“As we approach the 40th Anniversary I look forward to participating at a variety of events and commemorations to pay tribute to the heroism of those brave men and women who made up the Task Force which set sail to free the Islands. This is also a time for reflection and a chance to remember all those who lost their lives and to those who made an enormous contribution during the conflict, including civilians and dockyard workers.”
Unveiling the programme of Falklands 40 events, Dr Claire Armstrong, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland said: “The Falklands conflict was the first military action since the Second World War which involved all elements of the Armed Forces.
“Although it lasted just 74 days, it claimed the lives of hundreds of servicemen and had a lasting impact on thousands more, as well as their families. Many veterans still struggle with physical or mental scars, or have faced hardships in the years afterwards.
“Between April and June, communities across Scotland will be commemorating the 40th anniversary of this conflict and reflecting on the service and sacrifice of so many. We are pleased to be able to hold a national Scottish event in Edinburgh to engage with our Armed Forces, Legion Scotland members and the wider public, and would encourage everyone to play an active part in the commemorations.
“We would also love to hear from anyone who is planning a commemorative event in their community so we can help to promote this alongside the other Falklands 40 events.”
Mark Collins, Interim Chief Executive of Poppyscotland, said: “We want to remember the extraordinary efforts of thousands of service personnel, the civilians who played a vital role, as well as their families. This is also a chance for people of all ages to learn more about the Falklands conflict and how it has shaped our recent history.
“Poppyscotland’s learning programme will reach schools around the country, engaging young people and showing the impact that the conflict had on people and communities. By sharing veterans’ stories, we can bring their experiences to life, as well as highlighting the role our Armed Forces play today and how we can support them and their families.”
Scotland’s national membership organisation for the voluntary sector SCVO has warned the Scottish Government’s flagship economic plan has ignored the importance of the sector.
Earlier this week Economy Secretary Kate Forbes unveiled Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation. The plans, as well as a debate in Holyrood on the subject on Wednesday, failed to recognise the importance of the voluntary sector and its role in the economy.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) has raised concerns about the lack of plans outlined to invest in the sector, warning Scotland is in danger of missing a genuine opportunity to transform its economy.
SCVO warned the sector’s exclusion from the Advisory Council that developed the strategy means important issues for many organisations in Scotland – including areas like its role as a significant employer and multi-year funding – remain underappreciated.
Commenting on Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation and yesterday’s Scottish Parliament debate, Chief Executive of SCVO, Anna Fowlie said:“Though I recognise the positive elements in this strategy, I’m deeply disappointed that it fails to recognise Scotland’s voluntary sector’s role in achieving the aspiration to become a wellbeing economy built on the principles of prosperity for all, equality, sustainability, and resilience.
“Through supporting the employment prospects of those furthest from the labour market, tackling digital exclusion, providing social care and housing, undertaking vital medical and environmental research, or running most of our theatres, museums, galleries, and sports clubs, Scotland’s voluntary organisations are integral to Scotland’s economic and social fabric.
“With an annual turnover of £6bn and more than 100,000 paid staff, the Scottish Government needs to invest in a skilled and engaged voluntary sector workforce that can innovate and enhance successful programmes that are crucial to Scotland’s foundational economy.
“Many of us called for the strategy to invest in voluntary organisations as significant employers, partners, and agents for change in Scotland’s recovery, alongside the public and private sectors, yet this strategy overlooks the intrinsic role of Scotland’s voluntary sector role in addressing systemic issues in our economy, and is stubbornly, ‘focused on business.’
“While the Scottish Government pledges to ensure the voice of business is heard, with ‘robust governance’ structures ‘co-led by business,’ there is no such commitment to the voluntary sector. This is not an inclusive strategy, and there is little evidence of the Scottish Government respecting the strengths or drawing on the expertise of Scotland’s voluntary sector.
“The sector was not represented on the Advisory Council that developed the strategy; key sector policies including the Social Renewal Advisory Board, the Social Enterprise Action Plan, and Volunteering Action Plan, all of which can play have a vital role in transforming the economy, are forgotten within the alignment of existing plans; and the sector’s role supporting work, innovation, and investment is unappreciated, even in relation to areas like fair work and multi-year funding, which are of key importance to the sector.
“Given that the strategy will underpin Scotland’s first spending review in 11 years, it needed to go further in detailing how the Scottish Government plans to work alongside the voluntary sector to achieve our National Outcomes and how it will build upon and invest in the capacity of this vital sector.”
What do we know about the real economic value of charities and social enterprises?
Join us at this webinar session with Strathclyde University’s Fraser of Allander Institute, part of the #SCVOeconomy series, to hear more.
Spring booster jabs will be offered to those aged 75 and over and people at highest risk of severe COVID-19 disease from today (Monday).
To protect these groups a spring booster dose will be offered at least 24 weeks after the last vaccine dose to:
adults aged 75 years and over
residents in care homes for older adults
individuals aged 12 years and over who are immunosuppressed
Following recent advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), letters are also now being sent out to parents and guardians inviting children aged five to 11 for their first vaccination appointments. Children in this age group with specific medical conditions have already been invited.
Health Secretary Humza Yousaf said: “We know that those in high-priority groups are at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19, and I therefore welcome the start of the rollout which will offer a further dose to these people.
“Vaccination has been our most effective tool against coronavirus. However, the degree of protection offered wanes over time, which is why booster vaccination is needed to maintain the best protection against COVID-19 for those at highest risk of severe effects of the virus.
“The additional booster dose will improve your level of protection significantly and is the best way to protect your health and those around you.
“I continue to encourage everyone to receive the doses they are eligible for as and when they become available.”
Following the latest JCVI advice, at-risk groups will be invited as they become eligible from at least 24 weeks after their last booster with the first groups receiving appointments from Monday 7 March.
This weekend the smash hit Outlander returns to our TV screens, and Scottish touring company, Rabbie’s (www.rabbies.com) is offering fans of the historical drama the opportunity to visit some of its most famous filming locations.
Step aboard a luxury mini-coach and be transported to a fictional, mystical world.
Travel back with Claire to the Jacobite revolution on the Outlander Trail
Outlander first hit our screens in 2014, when millions of us watched Claire Fraser fall unknowingly into the violent world of 18th century Scotland. Since then, she, and her soulmate Jamie, have adventured with Pirates in the West Indies and fought for survival in revolutionary America – but the show has never forgotten its Scottish roots, nor the dramatic wild highlands that inspired this story of rebellion and romance.
The Rabbie’s Outlander Trail sets off from Edinburgh and soon arrives at Culross, where cobbled streets lead to the historic Culross Palace.
This charming town posed as the fictional village of Cranesmuir in Outlander, the home of Geillis Duncan and her ill-fated husband Arthur. Continue to the small town of Falkland where fans can relive the show’s first ever episode, recognizing familiar sights such as Mrs. Baird’s Guesthouse and the Bruce Fountain, where Claire’s husband Frank first saw the ghost of Jamie.
Elsewhere, visit Newtonmore Highland Folk Museum, which houses replicas of 18th-century turf-roofed Highland crofts, which were used in the show’s earliest episodes.
After resting overnight in the ‘Capital of the Highlands’, Inverness, the tour visits Culloden, a town drenched in history as it sits not far from the Culloden Battlefield, the site of the last battle fought on British soil.
Viewers watched Outlander’s Claire and Jamie say their tearful goodbyes here before Jamie joined the Jacobite army to fight for the Stuarts. You have the opportunity to explore the visitor centre and site, and pay tribute to those real soldiers who lost their lives fighting for their freedom.
On the third day of this Outlander adventure, guests visit the majestic Glen Affric, a beautiful spot with high mountains and dense pine forests. Landscapes like these were once the perfect hiding spots for Jacobite soldiers evading the English redcoats.
Next, travel along the entire length of Loch Ness to reach Glenfinnan, and the tall stone monument which proudly commemorates the beginning of the last Jacobite rising.
On your final day exploring the sites and scars of 18th century Scotland, get ready to discover the iconic fortresses which projected power and dominance over the Highlands.
First up is Doune Castle, an extensive ruin that represented Castle Leoch, home of Colum and Clan MacKenzie in Outlander. Later it’s Blackness Castle (above), a heavily fortified stronghold perched on the shore of the Firth of Forth. Your final destination is Jamie’s lovely Lallybroch home – Midhope Castle.
An essential photo opportunity for fans of the show to remember their journey through locations synonymous with Outlander and Scottish history itself.
Prices for this four-day Outlander Trail start at £265 with the first tours departing in April. A one-day Outlander Adventure which visits Culross, Linlithgow Palace, Blackness and Midhope Castles and more departs during March, with prices starting at £46. Both tours depart from Edinburgh.
This isn’t the only tour offered by Rabbie’s which transports fans to their favourite fictional worlds:
Lacock Village has long been a favourite of Hollywood location scouts, and when guests step off the bus and explore the beautiful village they will soon see why.
Productions as diverse as Harry Potter, Downton Abbey, and Pride and Prejudice have all been shot in this rural Wiltshire village.
Appropriately enough, the nearby Lacock Abbey was where William Henry Fox Talbot created the earliest surviving photographic negative in 1835, and kick-started popular photography!
The Abbey’s peaceful cloisters have since portrayed Hogwarts, and its antechambers doubled as the place that young Harry Potter stumbled upon the Mirror of Erised.
Visit Lacock, along with other gorgeous locations on the Bath, Avebury & Lacock Village tour departing from London. Prices start from £56.
As with all Rabbie’s tours, guests are transported in luxury 16-person mini-coaches and treated to the stories and services of a friendly-driver guide. The mini-coaches mean Rabbie’s tours can reach the smaller, independent destinations, ensuring your trips supports local communities and independent businesses.
To book a Rabbie’s Tour and for more information, visit www.rabbies.com.
Next week the Prime Minister will call on the international community to make a renewed and concerted effort to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine
PM to meet leaders from Canada, Netherlands and Central Europe in London next week
Comes as the Prime Minister set out a six point ‘plan of action’ for the international community
In the last few days the UK has upped humanitarian and military support to Ukraine and doubled down on diplomatic efforts to isolate Russia
The Prime Minister is to call on the international community to make a renewed and concerted effort to ensure Putin fails in Ukraine.
In the days since Russia invaded Ukraine we have seen an unprecedented wave of international condemnation from across the globe. On Wednesday evening 141 nations voted to denounce Russia’s actions in only the 11th Emergency Special Session of the UN General Assembly ever held.
The same day, 38 countries, coordinated by the UK, led the largest ever referral to the International Criminal Court to ensure Putin will be held to account for his war crimes.
At the same time, more and more countries have stepped up to provide much-needed humanitarian and military support to the people of Ukraine. Nations across the globe have imposed the largest ever package of sanctions against a major economy.
On Monday the Prime Minister will welcome Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and Dutch Prime Minister Rutte to Downing Street for discussions on how to turn these commitments into a concerted campaign of solidarity with Ukraine. On Friday he spoke to President Macron and the leaders of Turkey and Serbia.
On Tuesday, he will host leaders of the ‘V4’ group of Central European nations – the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. These are countries already experiencing first-hand the humanitarian crisis rapidly engulfing the European continent.
The Prime Minister will tell leaders that, to ensure Putin fails in his ambitions, the international community must come together under a six-point plan of action to:
Mobilise an international humanitarian coalition for Ukraine
Support Ukraine in its efforts to provide for its own self-defence
Maximise the economic pressure on Putin’s regime
Prevent the creeping normalisation of what Russia is doing in Ukraine
Pursue diplomatic paths to de-escalation but only on the basis of full participation by the legitimate government of Ukraine
Begin a rapid campaign to strengthen security and resilience across the Euro-Atlantic area
Setting out his six-point plan tomorrow, the Prime Minister will say: “Putin must fail and must be seen to fail in this act of aggression. It is not enough to express our support for the rules-based international order – we must defend it against a sustained attempt to rewrite the rules by military force.
“The world is watching. It is not future historians but the people of Ukraine who will be our judge.
Last week the UK increased its humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region to £220 million announced this year, including £25 million of match funding to the DEC appeal. The UK continues to supply defensive and lethal weaponry to Ukraine and the Prime Minister has spoken to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy daily to understand the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ needs.
The UK has already implemented the largest and most severe package of economic sanctions ever imposed on a major economy. We have brought in sanctions on President Putin, Sergey Lavrov, five Russian banks and more than 300 individuals and entities at the heart of Putin’s regime, and Belarus. We are preventing the Russian state from raising debt here and isolating all Russian companies from access to UK capital markets.
The government will continue to ratchet up pressure and use sanctions to degrade the Russian economy on a scale that the Kremlin, or any major economy, has ever seen before. On Friday the government announced new provisions to streamline the current legislation so we can respond even more swiftly and effectively to the current crisis.
The Prime Minister will host both Prime Minister Rutte and Prime Minister Trudeau in Downing Street for separate bilateral meetings and a joint trilateral meeting.
Tuesday’s meeting of the V4 will take place in London and include both a plenary session of all five leaders and separate bilateral meetings.
PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON WRITES:
We must do more for Ukraine
Over the last week, in response to the gut-wrenching scenes in Ukraine, Western unity has been impressive and heartening. I know from my near-daily conversations with President Zelenskyy that this has provided Ukrainians with some comfort in their hour of need.
Never in my life have I seen an international crisis where the dividing line between right and wrong has been so stark, as the Russian war machine unleashes its fury on a proud democracy. Russia’s reckless attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant reminds us just how grave the stakes are for everyone. Millions of people are fleeing from the violence, towards an uncertain future.
President Biden has displayed great leadership, consulting and convening allies, exposing the lie that America’s commitment to Europe is somehow diminished. The European Union has undertaken a remarkable effort to align behind severe sanctions on Russia. Dozens of European countries are now sending defensive equipment to Ukraine’s armed forces. But have we done enough for Ukraine? The honest answer is no.
Putin’s act of aggression must fail and be seen to fail. We must not allow anyone in the Kremlin to get away with misrepresenting our intentions to find post-facto justification for their war of choice. This is not a NATO conflict and it will not become one. No ally has sent combat troops to Ukraine. We have no hostility towards the Russian people and we have no desire to impugn a great nation, a world power and a founding member of the United Nations. We despair of the decision to send young innocent Russians into a bloody and futile war.
The truth is that Ukraine had no serious prospect of NATO membership in the near future – and we were ready to respond to Russia’s stated security concerns through negotiation. I and many other Western leaders have spoken to President Putin to understand his perspective. Mr Putin to understand his perspective. The United Kingdom even sent emissaries to Moscow before Russia’s invasion to deal directly with Defence Minister Gen. Sergei Shoigu and the chief of the general staff, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, who are spearheading this awful campaign.
It was now clear diplomacy never had a chance. But it is precisely because of our respect for Russia that we find the actions of the Putin regime so unconscionable. He is attempting the destruction of the very foundation of international relations and the United Nations Charter: the right of nations to decide their own future free from aggression and fear of invasion. His assault on Ukraine began with a confected pretext and a flagrant violation of international law. Now it is sinking further into a sordid campaign of war crimes and unthinkable violence against civilians.
Though there can be no comparison with the assault on Ukraine, we in Britain know something of President Putin’s ruthlessness. Four years ago, we endured the outcome of his order to his operatives to use chemical weapons to assassinate people in Salisbury in 2018 – and our allies rallied to our side. In our defence and foreign policy review, published a year ago, we warned that Russia remained the most acute security threat and we announced the biggest increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.
We also warned that the world was changing for the worse, entering into a period of competition in which authoritarian states would test the mettle of the West in every domain. Last year’s agreement between Britain, America and Australia to build nuclear submarines for the Australian navy demonstrated our shared resolve to meet these challenges in the Indo-Pacific. But we must restore effective deterrence in Europe where, for too long, the very success of NATO and of America’s security guarantee has bred complacency.
We have failed to learn the lessons of Russian behaviour that have led to this point. No one can say we were not warned: we saw what Russia did in Georgia in 2008, Ukraine in 2014 and even on the streets of the British city of Salisbury. And I know from speaking to my counterparts on recent visits to Poland and Estonia just how acutely they feel the threat.
It is no longer enough to express warm platitudes about the rules-based international order. We are going to have to actively defend it against a sustained attempt to rewrite the rules by force and other tools such as economic coercion. What happens in Europe will have profound implications worldwide.
We are pleased to see more nations now beginning to grasp this hard reality. In January, the UK was among a handful of European countries sending defensive aid to Ukraine. Now, more than 25 countries are part of that effort. Defence spending is going up, though it will take time for that to translate into capability.
These are welcome developments, but not going to be enough on their own to save Ukraine or keep the flame of freedom alive. Russia has overbearing force and apparently no regard for the laws of war. We need to prepare now for even darker days ahead.
So must begin a six-point plan for Ukraine, starting today.
First, we must mobilise an international humanitarian coalition. On Monday I will meet the leaders of Canada and the Netherlands in London to talk about creating the widest possible coalition to expose the outrages that are taking place in Ukraine. On Tuesday, I will host the leaders of Poland, Slovakia, Hungary and the Czech Republic, now on the frontline of a refugee crisis. The UK has 1,000 troops on standby for humanitarian operations on top of £220 million of aid. We must all work together to establish an immediate ceasefire and allow civilians safe passage, food and medical supplies.
Second, we must do more to help Ukraine to defend itself. More and more nations are willing to provide defensive equipment. We must act quickly to coordinate our efforts to support the legitimate government of Ukraine.
Third, we must maximise the economic pressure on Putin’s regime. We must go further on economic sanctions, expelling every Russian bank from SWIFT. We must go after the oligarchs, as the UK is doing – sanctioning over 300 elites and entities including Putin himself and giving our law enforcement agencies unprecedented powers to peel back the façade of dirty Russian money in London. But these measures will be insufficient unless Europe begins to wean itself off the Russian oil and gas that bankrolls Putin’s war machine.
Fourth, no matter how long it takes, we must prevent any creeping normalisation of what Russia does in Ukraine. The lesson from Russia’s invasion of Georgia in 2008 and seizure of Crimea in 2014 is that accepting the results of Russian aggression merely encourages more aggression. We cannot allow the Kremlin to bite off chunks of an independent country and inflict immense human suffering and then be allowed to creep back into the fold.
Fifth, we should always be open to diplomacy and de-escalation, provided that the legitimate government of Ukraine has full agency in any potential settlement. There can be no new Yalta decided over the heads of the people of Ukraine by external powers.
Sixth, we must act now to strengthen Euro-Atlantic security. This includes bolstering NATO’s eastern flank but also supporting non-NATO European countries that are subject to the same Kremlin playbook, such as Moldova, Georgia and the nations of the Western Balkans. And those who participate or enable Russian aggression, such as Belarus, will be subject to maximum sanctions.
Ukrainians have bravely defended their country. It is their valour that has United the international community. We can’t let them down.
Winner announced in competition to find the nation’s naughtiest pet
A one-year-old puppy, Laya, has been named the UK’s naughtiest pet after a spate of her destroying cushions, duvets and over 20 pairs of shoes!
Pet owners across the UK have been sharing hilarious images as part of a nationwide competition by contents insurance providers, SO-SURE, with the owner of ‘the UK’s naughtiest pet’ receiving a £200 Next voucher to replace those slightly chewed soft furnishings.
After over 150 hilariously funny entries, choosing a winner was very difficult, but the look on Laya’s face with the trail of destruction behind her made her a worthy winner…
1. Laya, Mixed Breed, 1
Laya, a mixed breed from Haverfordwest is the winner of the competition, after being caught destroying all the cushions on the sofa and covering the living room in feathers. The Next voucher might not last too long at the rate this pup goes through shoes, as she has apparently destroyed over 20 pairs!
With so many great pictures to go through, it wouldn’t be fair to only show one. Here are the best (or worst) of the rest, and it’s no surprise dogs are the main culprits.
2. Evie, Labradoodle, 1
Evie from Leeds almost looks proud she has chewed through the family goal net.
3. Daisy, Labrador, 13
Daisy was caught raiding the kitchen back when she was 2. I wonder if she found what she was looking for…
4. Lightning, Greyhound, 3
This cheeky pup from Bournemouth was kindly given an old mattress topper for a new bed, but he had other ideas.
5. Gwynnie, Miniature Dachshund, 1
This creative sausage dog has fashioned herself a sleeping bag out of a pillow, impressive!
6. Orion and Cleo, Moggies, 12 weeks
Orion and Cleo, two kittens from Portsmouth, have made a game out of removing and shredding all the toilet paper in the house.
7. Shelby, Sproodle, 12 weeks
Shelby has chewed a rather large hole in her owner’s favourite reading spot, maybe she was jealous of not being the centre of attention?
8. Buster, Bulldog, 6
This naughty bulldog from Chelmsford likes to help himself to cushions when the covers are in the wash.
If you haven’t got your fill of cute pets causing destruction, you can find a photo gallery of even more entries on the SO-SURE blog here:
Senior Marketing Manager, Gabriel Cabral at SO-SURE commented:At SO-SURE we like to have a little fun and we certainly did with this competition.
“We’ve had lots of great entries, but we just loved Laya’s expression when she was caught in the act! We are pleased her owner can replace those cushions with a £200 Next voucher.”
A collection of platinum-gold sovereigns with a unique world-first edge reeding pattern have been created in celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the personal qualities Her Majesty has shown throughout her 70-year reign.
As Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch ever to reach a Platinum Jubilee, leading coin expert Hattons of London has created a stunning series of platinum gold sovereign coins featuring exclusive designs by Jody Clark, designer of the current portrait of the Queen on British coinage.
The neoclassical portraits are inspired by William Wyon’s celebrated 19th Century coin engraving ‘The Three Graces’, designed for King George III. Each design celebrates one of the personal values embodied by Her Majesty; Devotion, Strength, Wisdom and Leadership – or, the Four Graces of a ‘new Elizabethan era’.
The collection is the second exclusive range released by Hattons of London to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee, and the second to be struck in platinum-gold, which is created by enriching solid 22 carat gold with 2 carats’-worth of platinum. This valuable alloy is being reserved for coins minted in this Jubilee year. The sold-out Platinum Jubilee Monarch collection, released in January, was the fastest-selling in Hattons of London’s history.
Hattons of London is a leading expert in rare and exclusive coins with a vast collection which includes the Queen Victoria 200th anniversary range, featuring the first 24-carat gold twenty-pound sovereign.
Hot on the heels of the company’s first Platinum Jubilee range, the Her Majesty’s Graces Platinum Jubilee Gold Sovereign Range also features a world first. The coins are the first sovereigns in the world to feature a special edge reeding pattern. Each coin features precisely 70 reeds, or ‘ridges’ around the edge in honour of the 70 years of Her Majesty’s reign.
Managing director Simon Mellinger explained: “We are extremely excited about this latest collection as they will be the world’s first sovereign coins ever to be struck with a unique, 70 reed edging; one reed to celebrate each of the years that Her Majesty has reigned.
“While our first collection celebrated significant moments throughout the Queen’s reign, with this collection we wanted to recognise the personal values that the Queen has embodied throughout her time on the throne. With these coins, we want to celebrate our monarch’s incredible leadership, wisdom, strength and her unwavering devotion to her country.”
While pre-orders have seen avid collectors clamouring to get their hands on the range, Mr Mellinger said there are opportunities for everyone.
“Given the unique nature of the Platinum Jubilee, and the success of the first collection, we’re expecting to see very high demand for this latest range.
“This isn’t just for coin collectors – there’s a much wider appeal for the general public who will want them as a commemoration of this important, and maybe never-to-be-repeated, anniversary,” he said.
Coins are available now, starting from just £69. For more information or to view the whole range, visit www.hattonsoflondon.co.uk
A survey of 200 motorists by Bridgestone has confirmed that Scottish consumers are beginning to accelerate towards electric vehicle travel, with 70% preparing to ditch their petrol and diesel cars for good.
The UK YouGov survey commissioned by Bridgestone confirms that transition is in the air, with over two-thirds stating that they’ll make the change and will not be keeping a standard vehicle (petrol/diesel) alongside it when they do.
The research confirmed that the majority see and acknowledge the benefits of EV travel, with
62% citing environmental positives and
48% looking forward to making fuel savings. A further 23% reference tax benefits as a reason for the switch and
7% are looking forward to a reduction in noise emissions as their primary reason.
In addition,
41% are keen to know more about EV maintenance and how it differs to standard makes and models.
Bridgestone has already developed its tyre technology to ensure that EVs can travel further between charges whilst prolonging battery life, and has also committed to install up to 3,500 new charging points across Europe over the next five years through a partnership with EV Box, with plans for the first of the EV Box roll-out in the UK set to be announced soon.
Bridgestone’s ENLITEN Technology, reduces the rolling resistance of a tyre by up to 30%, and weight by up to 20%. It extends the driving range of EVs and also contributes to reducing environmental impact thanks to improved resource productivity.
This not only ensures that less raw materials are used to manufacture the tyres, but also contributes to the reduced rolling resistance, meaning electric vehicles can do more miles per range and be recharged less.
And its TECHSYN technology extends the designed lifespan of a tyre by up to 30 per cent3. As a result, TECHSYN reduces overall fuel consumption and CO2 emissions5, enhances tread mileage6 to extend a tyre’s designed life and cuts raw material consumption in the long term.
The YouGov survey also suggests that Scottish motorists are well informed on changes ahead, with
58% aware that all new car sales must be zero emission by 2035.
Of that figure, 23% are keen to see this target brought forward to 2030.
27% would also like to learn new driving tips to help them get more from their electric vehicle.
Bridgestone North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti said the results offered further justification for the company’s commitment to EV travel: “We are investing in our mobility solutions like never before, with new products, charging points and training in place for the full integration of EV travel.
“With this in mind, it is great to see that Scottish motorists are also on board with the technology and the huge changes that are beginning to be seen. Our original tyre fitments specifically engineered for EVs will reach 20% of our overall portfolio by 2024.
“We are investing to make electric mobility more efficient and accessible by pioneering premium tyres and tyre technologies for EVs and dedicated fleet and mobility solutions. We’re also partnering with leading EV manufacturers and developing an EV-ready retail and service network.”
“The survey tells me that we’re all moving in the same direction when it comes to EV travel and we’ll continue to push the boundaries to ensure that Bridgestone is a pioneering company in this area of mobility solutions.”
Even though going on holiday involves a few extra steps thanks to the pandemic, travel is quickly getting back into business – and most Brits can’t wait to start exploring the world again!
Keener than ever to travel as much as possible, the concept of home swapping is becoming hugely popular, as this method of travel offers holidaymakers multiple benefits that a hotel or resort may not be able to provide.
This growing trend has been proved by stats released by award-winning, global home swapping platform Love Home Swap, which has seen a 45% increase in new UK members over the last three months (compared to 2020).
What’s more, compared to 2020, the number of UK members who took a free trial with Love Home Swap between October and December 2021 increased by a fifth (21%).
More recent data reveals that the first ten days of 2022 have already seen UK trialists up by 130% and trips agreed by UK members are up more than 140% compared to the start of 2021.
So, why has home swapping seen such an impressive surge in interest?
It’s a simple way to save lots of money
It really is a cost-effective way to explore the world for both staycations and long-haul travels, as Love Home Swap opens the doors to incredible properties that meet every need. With the average member saving £1,065 on a 7-night stay by choosing to home swap rather than stay in a hotel or holiday rental, 36% of Love Home Swap members can afford to travel four times a year (or more).
Before committing to one of their membership packages, prospective home swappers can sign up for a complimentary two-week trial which gives them full access to the site where they can reach out to other homeowners to start making holiday plans.
Once the trial is complete, they can then take up one of three types of annual membership (starting at £8 a month and billed annually).
Home swappers enjoy more space
Love Home Swap members enjoy all the extra benefits that come with staying in a real home. From additional living space through to outdoor features such as large gardens and private swimming pools, they enjoy more for their money. This makes home swapping a great option for groups and families, plus, unlike hotels, there will be no one passing through the home members are staying in, making it a more Covid-safe option.
Members benefit from authentic holiday experiences
Home swapping gives you inside knowledge of a particular destination that you just don’t get from guidebooks. Most home swap hosts enjoy sharing advice on local restaurants, activities and most importantly, what to avoid, allowing their guests to enjoy an authentic holiday as they immerse themselves in another culture or neighbourhood.
Home swapping is simply the best way to get to know an area and experience what it’s really like to live in another fantastic destination.
Managing Director of Love Home Swap Célia Pronto comments:“Love Home Swap allows people to explore the world through the power of sharing.
“It’s not just homes that are swapped at Love Home Swap, it’s frequently a bit of a life swap too – members may offer the use of their cars, they look after each other’s pets, and some even swap gym memberships!
“Home swapping is the most incredible and cost-effective way for people to travel, and our statistics show that there’s an increased appetite for this desirable way of exploring the world.
“We predict that it will become a more mainstream way of holidaying in the year ahead, and we’re very excited to help our members enjoy unparalleled travel opportunities.”
