Free sustainable Grow How session in its Edinburgh store
Looking for a cost-effective way to grow your own fruit and vegetables? Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is hosting a free Grow How session in its Edinburgh store to help people prepare for bumper crops.
Taking place on Saturday 4 March at 10:30am, this interactive session has been carefully designed for gardeners of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. Dobbies’ horticultural experts will demonstrate the best way of growing bumper crops, focusing on tomatoes and hearty vegetables.
Participants in Edinburgh will learn how to identify and select the appropriate plant variety, as well as how to prepare them for sowing. They’ll also learn about the best time of year to plant fruit and vegetables, the correct tools to use, and how to nurture the plants from seedlings right the way through to the harvest.
Sarah Murray, Dobbies’ Partnership and Events Manager, said: “At Dobbies we are always looking for ways to inspire people to get into gardening.
“In addition to being beneficial for the environment, growing your own has been shown to improve physical wellbeing and mental health – and it’s a fantastic way to watch your food spend.
“Customers in Edinburgh are encouraged to stop by and attend this free workshop where they’ll learn how to plant and harvest delicious fresh produce.”
For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Grow How session, visit Grow How | Dobbies Garden Centres.
Two portraits of important members of the Chief of Clan Grant’s household are now on display in the National Museum of Scotland.
The oil paintings by Richard Waitt were commissioned in 1713 by Alexander, the Laird of Grant, as part of a larger series depicting prominent clan members. They were created for Castle Grant, the chief’s seat near Grantown-on-Spey, intended to impress visitors and convey the Laird’s traditional authority and status as a Highland chieftain.
Shown wearing distinctive Highland dress, the subjects are ‘The Piper’ and ‘The Champion to the Laird of Grant’. The bagpipe and the basket-hilted sword are symbols of their ceremonial positions, emblematic of traditional clan values and customs.
The ‘Piper’ is William Cumming who was from at least seven generations of Cummings pipers to the Grants. He flies the heraldic banner of the Grants, with Castle Grant in the background.
The ‘Champion’ is Alasdair Mòr Grant, the strongest fighter in the clan, who managed the Laird’s timber business. His combined roles hint to a changing clan society as the shift in land use saw Highland chiefs become landlords.
Principal Curator, Renaissance and Early Modern History, Dr Anna Groundwater said: “We are grateful to Reidhaven Trust for the long-term loan of Richard Waitt’s portrait of ‘The Champion to the Laird of Grant’. We are delighted that it has been reunited with ‘The Piper’ and is now on permanent display, as they once were in Castle Grant.
“This is not a romanticised version of an imagined past – the figures in their Highland dress are documented as they looked at the time. Together they provide an insight into clan society from a time when this way of life was on the wane.”
Both works are now on display in the Scotland Transformed gallery at the National Museum of Scotland. They accompany objects relating to the Jacobite challenges, including Bonnie Prince Charlie’s silver travelling canteen, a targe that also belonged to the prince, and regimental colours from both Jacobite and Hanoverian regiments carried into battle at Culloden.
Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip, written by the Health Promotion and Education Team at Heart Research UK
Healthy Heart Tip: Avoiding Hidden Sugars
Reducing our intake of sugar can have a beneficial impact on our heart health and reduce our risk of cardiovascular diseases. Consuming some sugar in our diet is perfectly fine, and many healthy foods such as fruit contain naturally occurring sugars.
However, it is the added sugar we need to be cautious of as this is usually what pushes our intake above healthy levels. We all understand that table sugar, soft drinks, sweets, and cakes contain high levels of added sugar and we can choose to eat these in moderation. However, many foods that we may not be aware of can contain high levels of sugar.
Yoghurt
Yoghurt is a great source of calcium and protein, but it can also be full of hidden sugars.
Opt for natural, unsweetened yogurt and avoid flavoured varieties, you can add fruit if you want to add some natural sweetness. It’s also a good idea to choose a live yoghurt, meaning it contains beneficial bacteria that our guts love, look for the word live on the packet.
Condiments & sauces
Ketchup is one of the most popular condiments worldwide. Most of us probably know it’s high in sugar, containing on average one teaspoon of sugar per one tablespoon of sauce.
However, many other shop-bought condiments and sauces we don’t think of as sweet can contain high levels of added sugar. Always check the label when shopping and consider swapping your shop-bought sauces for homemade, added sugar free versions like this veggie-packed tomato sauce.
Fruit juice
Although 100% pressed juice does contain vitamins and minerals, it’s devoid of fibre and very high in sugar.
Swap your fruit juices for eating the whole fruit which contains lots of fibre which also protects the heart. Save the fruit juice for special occasions, as you would other soft drinks, and only drink it alongside a balanced meal.
For more tips on how to stay healthy, sign up for our weekly healthy tips at:
Throughout March we invite you to come to West Pilton Neighbourhood Centre to work on your projects in a supportive, warm, and friendly space!
The Create Community Wealth team will be available to talk through your individual needs as and when they come up or if you would like to work on your craft, business or art projects using our equipment and resources you will be welcomed and encouraged.
The equipment we have available includes the cricut machine, access to CANVA pro and a laptop. In addition to this, we have printed resources specific to the area available for you to browse through.
Booking for the first session on Wednesday 1 March is now live!
UK Government launches portal for more households to apply for £400 payments towards energy bills
Households without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier will be able to apply for government support with their energy bills from today
With government energy bill support covering roughly half of typical winter bills, ministers urge over 900,000 households eligible for the £400 lump sum to apply as soon as possible
A telephone helpline is also available from today for people without access to the internet to apply for the payment
900,000 more households across England, Scotland and Wales will benefit from the government’s £400 help with energy bills, as an online application portal opens today.
Households without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier, such as those living in park homes and care homes, can now apply via a secure online portal to receive the support as a one-off, non-repayable lump sum under the ‘alternative funding’ route of the government’s Energy Bills Support Scheme (EBSS AF). For those without online access, a dedicated customer helpline is available to assist eligible customers.
The launch of applications follows months of close work with stakeholders across the country to deliver the government’s help for households with the cost of living. The alternative funding route is the latest in a range of targeted measures which are covering around half of a typical household’s energy bills this winter.
To ensure people feel the benefit of this support as quickly as possible, the payment will be provided directly into people’s bank accounts. Over £7.2 billion has been provided so far to 97% of households across England, Scotland and Wales through monthly instalments, which most households receive automatically in the same way they pay these bills.
The alternative funding route is designed to make sure the same level of support reaches those without a direct relationship to an electricity supplier. It’s also available for households who get their energy through a commercial contract or who are off-grid.
Ministers are today urging all eligible households to apply as soon as possible for their support, whilst also warning households to stay alert to potential scams and report them to relevant authorities where they are suspected.
The government will never provide any links to the application portal, or directly ask individuals to apply for the £400 support. Those that require additional help when applying for support may wish to seek assistance from a family member or trusted friend.
Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Amanda Solloway, said: We understand the pressure households are under which is why we’ve already stepped in to pay around half of people’s energy bills this winter, and from today, thousands more will be able to apply securely for their £400.
“Today I’m urging everyone who couldn’t get their EBSS discounts in the regular way to apply via our secure channels. If you don’t have a direct contract with an electricity supplier, it’s essential you submit your application as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the sooner help can get to you.”
The launch of the portal follows a successful pilot scheme with local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales to refine the process, making sure the system can deliver support in a robust, secure and efficient manner.
Once customers have applied to receive energy support and their applications have been processed and verified, eligible customers’ details will be shared with Local Authorities across England, Scotland and Wales, who will deliver the support in one lump sum. Local authorities may request additional information to assist their verification process – but only once an application has been made via the secure portal or helpline. Applicants will only be able to submit information through these channels and should not contact their local authority.
The exact date that an eligible household will receive support will depend on when the application is made and when the payment can be processed by the relevant local authority.
Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps will shortly write to local authorities, thanking them for getting the scheme over the line after working hand in hand with his department over the last three months, and urging them to process applications as quickly as possible so households aren’t left waiting weeks after applying.
He’ll also say there must be no further delays to rolling out the Alternative Fuel Payment Alternative Fund – a similar scheme for households who use alternative fuels as their main source of heating, providing £200 towards energy costs, adding it will be live by 6th March.
This will help people who use alternative energy sources such as heating oil, biomass and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to heat their homes, but who were unable to receive the government’s £200 Alternative Fuel Payment automatically via their electricity supplier. Of nearly 2 million people who use these sources as the main means to heat their homes, around 15% will need to apply through a similar GOV.UK portal which will shortly open to applications.
These schemes are the latest part of a range of targeted measures to help households across the country with the cost of living, which are covering around half of a typical household’s typical energy bills this winter.
In addition to the £400 of total support provided through the EBSS, the government’s Energy Price Guarantee (EPG) is saving a typical UK household £900 over this winter by reducing the unit cost of electricity and gas.
Together, the support provided through the EPG and EBSS cover around half of a typical household’s energy bills. The EPG will continue to provide support for another 12 months from April 2023, providing an average of £500 support for households in 2023 to 2024 in the face of energy prices that are forecast to remain high.
A further £1,200 of support in direct payments is also being provided to vulnerable households this year, with £26 billion worth of targeted support to help protect the most vulnerable announced by the Chancellor for the next financial year.
International Wildlife Charity Born Free’s powerful new report exposes ongoing captive suffering and calls on zoos and governments to end the keeping of these magnificent animals
151 polar bears are currently held in European zoos, including 12 in the UK.
Bears frequently suffer heat stress when temperatures in zoos exceed those in their natural habitat.
In comparison to their wild home range, enclosures are so small it can be likened to a human sprinting in a wardrobe, which often results in abnormal stereotypical behaviours.
Carbon costs of keeping polar bears in captivity is likely adding to the negative impact of global warming.
Born Free is calling for urgent measures to prioritise a humane end to the keeping of polar bears in zoos.
Today, International Polar Bear Day, sees the launch of a major new report by international wildlife charity Born Free, exposing the true extent of the suffering of polar bears in zoos across Europe.
In Europe alone, 151 of these magnificent, wide-ranging, apex predators are incarcerated in zoos, including 12 in two establishments in the UK – Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Highland Wildlife Park. Using powerful, individual case studies, the report, Born to Roam: The Suffering of Polar Bears in Zoos, outlines the history and continuing plight of these captive polar bears and underlines, through real-life examples, the ethical, welfare and public safety concerns associated with the keeping of polar bears in zoos.
In the wild, these apex predators roam across vast natural ranges that are typically equivalent in size to the whole of Austria. In contrast, Born to Roam: The Suffering of Polar Bears in Zoos, highlights how polar bears in zoos are confined in enclosures that are often only the size of an Olympic swimming pool, and in countries where they are completely unsuited to the warm climate. It lays bare the shocking and, at times, fatal impact of captivity on the physical and psychological health and welfare of polar bears that cannot participate in the wide-ranging natural behaviours they have evolved to perform.
Horrifyingly, the majority of polar bears in European and North American zoos develop and display deep-seated, abnormal stereotypic behaviours, such as compulsive pacing and neck-twisting, as a consequence of long-term psychological damage.
Their lifespan is often significantly reduced as a result of inappropriate diet, and several bears have died in zoos following ingestion of foreign objects.
The comprehensive report also emphasises the serious carbon costs associated with the building and maintenance of polar bear enclosures and the provisioning of food. Concrete production is responsible for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions, while steel production contributes a further 8%; both of these frequently feature in zoo-based polar bear enclosures. On top of the animal welfare issues, it calls into question whether, by keeping these animals, zoos are doing more harm to the planet than the good they claim.
The facts speak for themselves – polar bears do not belong in captivity.
This report comes 37 years after Born Free’s first commissioned report, which pulled back the curtain on the reality facing captive polar bears. It shines a light on the archaic, unethical, and damaging practice of keeping polar bears in zoos; and reveals that, sadly, 37 years on from that original report, very little has changed. Despite the growing volume of evidence highlighting the plight of polar bears in zoos, many zoos persist in keeping and breeding them, and show no sign of changing their policy going forward.
Independent research released by Born Free just a matter of weeks ago also demonstrates a tide of public support for an end to the keeping of large animals, such as polar bears, in captivity.
Polling conducted by Opinion Matters, commissioned by Born Free, found 76% of those surveyed* believe it is very or quite important that the next UK government introduce measures to phase-out the keeping of large, wide-ranging animals in zoos, wildlife parks and other captive facilities.
Therefore, Born Free is, once again, reiterating its call for the capture of polar bears for captive use, and attempts to breed them in captivity, to be brought to an immediate end.
Every effort must be made to ensure those polar bears that remain in captivity are provided with the best possible conditions to try and meet their welfare requirements and ensure their well-being for the rest of their lives, including moving animals, where feasible, to the best available facilities in the most appropriate climate.
The charity is urging the public to read and share this report with the relevant government body that legislates zoos in their country, urging them to take action to bring this travesty to a permanent end.
Will Travers OBE, Born Free’s Co-Founder and Executive Presidentstated, “The tragedy of keeping polar bears in captivity is not only that so little has been done to address the problems they endure, but that zoos actively perpetuate them. Zoos continue to breed polar bears.
“They continue to house them in devastatingly inadequate settings. They continue to disseminate the myth that the lifetime incarceration of polar bears in zoos is somehow addressing the conservation threats the species faces in the wild. On the contrary, as this report indicates, zoos may be making matters worse for wild polar bears rather than better.
“The message is simple. No more breeding, no more imports, phase-out the suffering – and have the honesty and integrity to recognise what has been staring us in the face for decades: that polar bears cannot endure a life in zoos.”
Chris Lewis, Born Free’s Captivity Research Officerconcluded, “When society looks back in years to come, people will rightly be shocked that zoos ever thought that they could keep such wide-ranging animals, that are fine-tuned to survive in such extreme conditions, in a captive environment.
“The zoo industry must remove their blinkers and accept that the welfare needs of polar bears cannot be met in captivity and humanely bring this practice to its long-awaited end.”
THE question of finding a job after demobilisation was less problematic as the employers were obliged by law to re-employ their former employees, and so I returned to my pre-war occupation as a milk roundsman for the Co-operative Dairy.
The depot I now worked from was located in Long Lane, Southwark – a good distance from my home. I cycled to and from work each day. Work involved pushing a heavily loaded milk barrow on my daily round. The pre-war norm of early, mid and late deliveries each day was now reduced to one delivery, lasting from about 7am until 2pm, but of course there was still the loading of bottles and accounting of monies to attend to.
One memorable incident at this time happened when, having parked my heavily loaded barrow just off Tower Bridge Road and making a delivery, the barrow must have been struck by a passing vehicle. The result of this was a good deal of the day’s supply of milk now lay smashed and running down the gutter.
A small crowd had gathered, including a policeman who was surveying the scene. This was quite a serious problem as milk was still rationed and the loss of such a large quantity posed a problem, not least for me! I then had the job of righting the barrow and of salvaging as many of the unbroken bottles as I could before making some of the remaining deliveries, and explaining to those customers who were not getting any milk that day.
Someone, presumably from a local newspaper, must have been in the area and took a photograph of the scene. The item appeared in the local newspaper under the headline ‘Making the ration go further’.
UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt met with finance ministers and central bank governors from world’s major economies at G20 in Bengaluru, India
Chancellor also met with Indian technology business leaders on first overseas trip to deepen UK/India economic ties
Chancellor set out the UK’s growth agenda ahead of Spring Budget next month
Jeremy Hunt has concluded his first international visit as Chancellor to Bengaluru, India, for the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting held under India’s 2023 Presidency.
The Chancellor, alongside Andrew Bailey, the Governor of the Bank of England, attended a meeting of G7 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors on Thursday 23 February.
They were joined virtually by Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko. Their statement sent a strong message of condemnation for Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, announced an increase of financial support for the Ukrainian government to a total of US$39 billion in 2023 and committed to continue supporting vulnerable countries hardest hit by the economic impact of the war.
On Friday, the UK announced a fresh wave of internationally co-ordinated sanctions and trade measures, to further restrict Russia’s capability to wage war in Ukraine both now and in the future.
The Chancellor also attended the first G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors meeting under the Indian Presidency. He condemned Russia’s brutal acts in the strongest terms, emphasising– like many other Ministers present – that securing peace was the most important action for global growth.
He also underscored the need for bilateral official creditors and private sector to urgently help address low and middle-income country debt vulnerabilities in developing countries; the importance of multilateral development banks boosting lending from their existing balance sheets; and called on the G20 to fulfil its pledge to channel $100 billion of IMF Special Drawing Rights in support of developing countries.
The Indian Presidency issued a Chair’s statement at the end of the meeting. It highlighted, among other things, the continued need to fight inflation, and the importance of supply-side policies, especially those that increase labour supply, boost growth and alleviate price pressures.
There was also G20 consensus, including China, on the need for swift resolution of existing debt restructuring cases and to work on the impacts of food and energy insecurity on the global economy.
While in Bengaluru, the Chancellor had productive bilateral meetings with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, French Minister of Economy and Finance Bruno Le Maire and Kristalina Georgieva, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund. He also met with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers.
At a meeting with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, both sides agreed to make further progress on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement and deepen bilateral economic and financial ties. They agreed to make swift progress on setting up the next UK-India Economic and Financial Dialogue.
The Chancellor took the opportunity whilst in Bengaluru to meet with business leaders, home to India’s fast-growing tech hub. He visited the offices of Indian consultancy and tech multinational Wipro, which employs over 4,000 people in the UK.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt said: “Meeting fellow Finance Ministers face to face is an excellent opportunity to make real progress on the key global economic issues of our time.
“I first visited India 38 years ago, and it’s been fascinating to see how much the country has changed in this time – there are positive lessons to be learnt from their successful rapid development.
“It’s been great to hear from Indian technology business leaders here in Bengaluru how they are pushing the country’s economy forward, and I look forward to further collaboration between India and the UK as we continue to trade and create jobs – delivering on the government’s plan to grow the economy”
While speaking at the meetings, the Chancellor set out the UK government’s intention to protect the most vulnerable from cost-of-living pressures, whilst maintaining fiscal sustainability with debt falling and not adding to inflationary pressure.
He added that the upcoming Spring Budget on 15 March will drive economic growth , focusing on skills, business and infrastructure investment and research and innovation, as well as reviewing regulations of the UK’s key growth industries.
‘Beacon of inspiration’ theme continues with chance to work with Tim Maddams
Three aspiring foodies are being offered the chance to fulfil a long-held ambition to collaborate with one of the UK’s leading chefs. Successful applicants will work alongside ‘free-range-foodie’ Tim Maddams – menu creator for The Cairn Distillery – to design a bespoke menu that will be served at the distillery’s ‘Grand Gathering’ event in summer 2023.
Lucky winners will learn new skills and gain valuable insight into what it takes to become an esteemed chef, travelling with Tim on an all-expenses paid experience to meet local suppliers, learn insider tricks of the trade and develop an inspiring menu to celebrate the opening of the distillery.
The Cairn, which opened its doors in October 2022, is the first new distillery to be built in the Cairngorms National Park for more than a century. Its owners, Moray-based family business, Gordon & MacPhail, aims to build on its 127-year heritage of producing exceptional Scotch whisky by creating legacies that inspire future generations.
Tim Maddams has developed the menu for ‘The Gathering’, located within The Cairn Distillery, which provides locally sourced tapas-style dishes devised to complement the whiskies tasted by visitors taking tours. He has previously worked in some very well-known London kitchens before taking his first head chef job for TV favourite, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall.
Tim Maddams, menu creator for The Cairn Distillery, said: “For millennia, cairns have inspired people to discover and explore, set new challenges, and guide people along new paths.
“To reflect that ethos, we are providing a series of opportunities to help people realise their long-held dreams – inspiring hopefuls from all walks of life to finally pursue that new path they’ve always wanted to follow.
“I’m looking forward to working with those looking to learn, explore Scotland’s natural larder, and join me in the pursuit of new dishes, that respect the local environment and reflect the inspirational nature of this wondrous place, to be served at a very special party event happening this summer at The Cairn.”
Ian Chapman, marketing director of Gordon & MacPhail explained:“Having secured such a beautiful and awe-inspiring location overlooking the river Spey, we wanted to make sure our food offering matches the quality of our whisky and inspires visitors as much as our surroundings.
“We are delighted to work with Tim to create an ever-evolving menu for The Gathering. With that in mind we are thrilled to be able to give three aspiring foodies the chance to work with Tim, learn and be inspired by his work, and help create a unique new menu to celebrate the opening of the distillery doors.”
The mission to discover three aspiring chefs is the second instalment of The Cairn’s initiative to inspire visitors to pursue long-held ambitions.
The first was launched last year when The Cairn brought together three artists who shared a goal to collaborate internationally and offered them the opportunity to create a unique track inspired by Scotland’s incredible landscape which encompasses the distillery.
A personal invitation from Tim to apply can be found here:
