AS many homeowners up and down the country will be transforming their homes into a beautiful winter wonderland this Christmas, NICEIC, the UK’s leading body for registered electricians, are encouraging households to recognise the lurking dangers that can stem from plugging in extra Christmas décor around the home.
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Paul Collins, Technical Director at NICEIC shares his tops tips for a safe Christmas:
Paul comments: “After 12 months of being stored away, Christmas lights can easily get damaged. You should always check the lights thoroughly to ensure they are not impaired or broken and only use replacement bulbs of the same type and rating as those originally supplied.
“Never attempt to repair lights by using tape or joining with another set of lights and remember to check the wiring of the plug to make sure no bare wires are visible. Finally, avoid using too many extension leads or adapters and always switch lights off before you go to bed or go out as they can overheat.
“Many will be unaware of the additional dangers that can arise, but with our advice, we hope that we can limit any Christmas catastrophes and that everyone can enjoy the festivities safely.”
You can search for a registered electrician in your area by visiting www.niceic.com
West Lothian’s Five Sisters Zoo will shimmer and sparkle once more when its ever-popular illuminations bring some Christmas magic to this year’s festive season.
The attraction, at Gavieside, West Calder, will light up from November 17 right through to December 23, offering a spectacular yuletide experience for all the family.
Thousands of lights and Christmas decorations will glitter around the grounds. There will also be a light show projection, a tunnel of light, a festive market with crafts and gifts, food and drink stalls selling a range of goodies including crepes and doughnuts, plus marshmallow toasting.
Youngsters will also get the chance to enjoy a spin on the children’s rides while grown-ups will appreciate the heated bar area serving mulled wine and cider and much more. And, of course, there’s the chance to see all the animals in the zoo’s collection.
For visitors with Additional Support Needs there will be a dedicated evening to suit their requirements on Sunday, November 26.
The illuminations are open from 5-9pm every Friday and Saturday from November 17 to 25 and from 4-9pm every evening throughout December, up until the 23rd.
Tickets are on sale now with free admittance for babies under a year old.
“This is always a magical time for us at the zoo and we’re thrilled to be staging our fantastic illuminations once again,” says co-owner Brian Curran.
“Children just love Christmas and animals so it’s always such a winning combination and we’re anticipating another busy festive season.”
Christmas 2020 will see more festive lights than ever across the Capital following a one-off funding boost that aims to spread some cheer at the end of a challenging year.
Thanks to savings identified in the Culture budget due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on festivals and events there will now be Christmas lights in every ward of the city, with the new provision being used to dress living trees.
The traditional Christmas centrepiece is already illuminated following the switch-on of the 2020 Christmas Rainbow on the Mound to accompany the traditional Norwegian tree on Friday (27 November). The 18m wide rainbow pays tribute to frontline workers who have given so much during the pandemic. The programme of citywide installation has begun.
Culture and Communities Convener, Cllr Donald Wilson, said:“This has been a very tough year for all of us and as we now look ahead to a very different Christmas, it’s important to show that Edinburgh’s festive and community spirit is alive and well despite the challenges we’re facing.
“Along with our usual provision of Christmas lights and trees around the city we’re also making sure that we spread the Christmas sparkle where we can to parts of Edinburgh that have not previously had festive lighting provision and to make sure that is the case for several years. I’m delighted to confirm that from 2020 there will be lights in every ward of the city.
“With this one-off spend we’ll be ensuring all 17 wards have festive lights for around five years – the life span of the new lighting.”
Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, said:“To keep everyone safe we unfortunately weren’t able to have our usual community light switch-on ceremonies this year, but I hope this extra splash of festive sparkle across the city will boost spirits and can be enjoyed by residents safely.
“Our thanks to the team who had to work so quickly and explored ways to add lights to previously unlit areas. The task of plotting the best spots is not as easy as it sounds and I want to congratulate the team for researching the city and making sure we could find living trees that are suitable for lights. They had to be on Council land, big enough to accommodate lights without harming branches, in a visible spot or in area of high footfall and near a suitable power supply.
“The installation of the festive lights has started across our communities and I hope citizens enjoy the extra Christmas cheer they’ll bring to local neighbourhoods.”
New Christmas lights for 2020:
Rainbow on The Mound Nativity Scene (East Princes Street Gardens) Granton Gracemount Longstone Currie Balerno Liberton Sighthill Oxgangs Kirk Brae Craigentinny Portobello High School Leith Walk Duddingston Meadowbank Canongate Leith – Bernard St Bridge Meggetland Bridge
Edinburgh’s Christmas lights are switched on with a specially lit 18 metre Christmas Rainbow on the Mound to accompany the Tree gifted by Norway.
The Christmas Rainbow symbolises both Edinburgh’s celebration of Christmas and gratitude for front line workers
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and Norway’s Honorary Consul General switched the lights on following an online meeting between the Lord Provost and Vestland County Convenor, Jon Askeland.
Edinburgh looks very different this Christmas to any other year in recent memory. However, despite the lack of any live activity, City of Edinburgh Council and its Edinburgh’s Christmas producer, Underbelly, wanted to mark Light Night, the traditional switch-on, which is usually seen by thousands of locals every year, with something different to mark 2020 – the Christmas Rainbow.
The illuminated rainbow, which sits at over 18 metres wide on the Mound and adjacent to the Christmas Tree gifted to Edinburgh by Vestland in Norway, gives thanks to Edinburgh’s and Scotland’s front-line workers who have given so much during the recent pandemic and so provides a one-off festive celebration for Edinburgh.
The Christmas Tree and the Christmas Rainbow were switched on by The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Frank Ross and the Honorary Consul General for Norway, David Windmill on Friday the 27th November, which succeeded an online meeting between the Lord Provost and the Vestland County Convener Jon Askeland.
Charlie Wood, co-director of Underbelly for Edinburgh’s Christmas, said: “There is no denying that Christmas this year will be a tough time for most. Many have lost loved ones and lots of us will be unable to spend the holidays with friends and family due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
“This was one of the reasons that we wanted to continue the tradition of the Edinburgh’s Christmas light switch on, in a safe and physically distanced way, and, most especially, why we wanted to mark what has been such a negative year with the Christmas Rainbow and the Christmas Tree, as symbols of colour, of light, of celebration, of positivity and of gratitude.”
Frank Ross, Lord Provost said: “Our annual Light Night signals the start for the festive season for me, but this year, like most things, we are doing it differently.
“Whilst we can’t come together as a city for Light Night, I hope this year’s Christmas rainbow helps us enter the festive spirit, spread some happiness whilst celebrating and paying tribute to those in in our communities, NHS, key workers, volunteers and businesses who have gone above and beyond in this most challenging of years.
“With our partners Underbelly, we are committed to do all we can to bring Christmas spirit to the Capital and keep some of our traditions. Our priority throughout remains people’s safety and making sure everything we deliver is Covid-secure.
“The Christmas lights will be switched on throughout the city in the coming days and we hope this helps to create a festive atmosphere and I sincerely wish that we can all have the happiest Christmas we can.”
David Windmill, Honorary Consul General for Norway said: “In a year when there has been so much change and difficulty for us all it was important for Norway to maintain its tradition of gifting the Christmas tree to the City of Edinburgh.
“This beautiful tree in the centre of the city reflects the gratitude of the people of Vestland on the west coast of Norway for help and support in the past and also the hope that this time next year we shall be celebrating the joyous and traditional Christmas in Edinburgh that we all know so well.”
Tesco Davidsons Mains store manager Nick and community champion Steven presented a cheque for £2000 to the Davidsons Mains Christmas Lights committee through their Tesco Bags of Help community scheme.
With Christmas just around the corner new research from Clydesdale Bank has shown that the nation is divided over the very thing that makes Christmas sparkle – this country’s love affair with outdoor festive lights!
Almost half of us (47%) said we love seeing lots of brightly lit Santas, snowmen and reindeers outside of houses at this time of year. However, almost a third have a more ‘bah humbug’ approach to lighting up the festive season.
The survey revealed that 14% of us think they are a waste of money and a further 11% actually wishing their neighbours wouldn’t decorate the outside of their homes. Nearly one in ten (8%) of those surveyed said they simply don’t like Christmas decorations while a sixth (15%) said they would like to put lights outside their home but the cost of powering them puts them off.
But despite mixed views the majority of the nation is getting into the festive spirit with 57% of us saying we are looking forward to spending time with family and friends.
However this time of year is also proving to be stressful for some with almost a fifth of those surveyed admitting that they are worried about paying for Christmas and a further 19% stating that Christmas shopping is their least favourite part of the build-up to the big day.
Andrew Pearce, Retail Director for Clydesdale Bank, said: “Our research has shown that people either love or loathe outdoor Christmas lights. Some view them as extravagant and an unnecessary waste of money and electricity whilst others enjoy the Christmas atmosphere they bring to the community.
“Whatever decorations you opt for this year, it’s still possible to have fun this festive season without blowing the budget.”
Clydesdale Bank’s simple tips to save money this Christmas:
Set a budget – and stick to it. Work out how much you can afford to spend and don’t exceed this amount.
Remember the most expensive present is not necessarily the best. Sometimes a more thoughtful, personal gift can be more appreciated. For example, new parents may prefer the offer of babysitting rather than more perfume or aftershave.
Shop about – when you have decided what you want to buy, look for the best bargain. Many shops have sales in the run-up to Christmas, so pick your purchasing timing wisely.
Group together – rather than buying gifts for every one of your friends individually, why not hold a secret Santa where each person buys for just one friend?
Have a family feast – ask your guests to bring a course or some goodies with them so you don’t have sole responsibility for Christmas dinner. It could simply be bringing the wine or the Christmas crackers but will help you share the expense.
What’s your view – tacky or terrific? Let us kno-ho-ho!
A giant poplar tree is to be illuminated at The Botanics for Christmas.
Light artist Malcolm Innes will be lighting up the tallest tree in the Garden, a poplar which stands at almost one hundred feet tall.
The tree will be transformed with a mix of uplighting and sparkling lights from Friday 16 November, and the tree will be lit from 1 – 4pm every day throughout the festive season until Sunday, 6 January, brightening up those gloomy winter afternoons.
