35 of these are maintained by the Council and the remaining three by the Friends of Corstorphine Hill (Corstorphine Hill LNR Community Walled Garden), NHS Lothian (Royal Edinburgh Hospital), and Heriot Watt University (The Lawn & Central Woodlands).
Edinburgh’s award recipients represent over one third of the 87 total Green Flag Awards across Scotland.
The Capital placed third overall in the UK in total Green Flag Awards.
The full list of awarded parks and greenspaces in Scotland is available here.
The International Green Flag Award is bestowed upon parks and greenspaces that demonstrate excellent management and adherence to environmental standards. To make sure Edinburgh’s parks are kept to a high standard, each year the Council checks all its parks and gardens using Green Flag Award criteria.
Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Val Walker, said: “I am delighted that 38 parks around Edinburgh have been recognised by Keep Scotland Beautiful and the Green Flag Awards scheme.
“The scheme recognises the quality of parks and greenspaces, their benefits to communities and the hard work of managers, staff and volunteers who keep them ticking over.
“Here in the Capital, we are truly spoiled for choice across the city when it comes to fantastic parks and green spaces. Each different space has a unique character and significance for the residents and visitors that it welcomes.
“As part of our Edinburgh’s Thriving Greenspaces 2050 strategy, we are committed to doing everything we can to safeguard, preserve and improve these spaces so that people can continue to enjoy them, and communities feel involved in how they are looked after.”
Pic Greg Macvean 13/07/2023
Keep Scotland Beautiful – Green Flag Award 2023/24
Jamie Ormiston, Senior Awards Officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “Congratulations to our 38 award winners in Edinburgh. Every park has a wide range of people visiting them and their requirements can vary. What is essential is that they are well maintained and provide a safe place for people to relax and have fun.
“Our award-winning parks have demonstrated they are worthy winners, meeting the criteria of the coveted international award. Receiving this prestigious benchmark recognises all the hard work that has gone into maintaining and managing these precious green open spaces.
“It is imperative that Scotland reconnects with the natural world if we are to fix the biodiversity crisis and these green spaces will provide a space for people of all ages to do that.
“Green spaces are so important for our physical and mental wellbeing and it’s fantastic to see such a wide range of parks and green spaces across the entire length of the country. I encourage everyone to make the most of them this summer.”
From ‘Science Orchestras’ to ‘Science and Supper’ – Science and Discovery Centres across the UK have built programmes designed to reach under-represented young people in their communities
The Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC) has released the results from 16 diversity and inclusion programmes for young people run in Centres across the UK. The activities have specifically been built to help tackle the diversity challenges currently faced throughout the Science Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) sector.
The programmes, funded by the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), have been developed to help nurture and support the creative thinkers of today into diverse scientists, researchers, and innovators of the future.
Over 10,000 children, young people and their families from traditionally under-represented and marginalised communities took part in the programmes, where they were encouraged to explore STEM on their terms in fresh, inclusive, and exploratory ways.
The ASDC and STFC supported projects dovetail with the March 23 Diversity and Inclusion STEM Report, released by Greg Clark MP, Chair of the House of Commons Science & Technology Committee which states “STEM still has a diversity problem”.
Shaaron Leverment, Chief Executive of the ASDC commented “UK STEM industry and research is one of the most innovative and exciting sectors, but if it is to flourish for our future, there is no doubt that diversity is an issue.
“Our collective vision at ASDC is for a society where science is accessible, inclusive, and valued by all as a fundamental part of everyday life. This STFC-funded project shows how science and discovery centres provide so much more than just a fun day out – they open up new relationships and pathways in STEM across all ages, genders, backgrounds, geographies and abilities.
“We’re excited to see the mix of creativity and ingenuity of the outreach programmes run by our members. They are supporting a sense of belonging, value and ownership in STEM for a new cohort that may indeed become the future STEM innovators and solution-finders of tomorrow.”
Five of the programmes that have made an impact on their local communities are:
Aberdeen Science Centre – launched ‘Supper and Science’ which worked with families within the top 20% of the Scottish Index for Multiple Deprivation and were affected by the cost of living crisis, and encouraged them to take part and learnt to cook whilst also learning about the impact science and technology have on their daily lives.
Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh – in partnership with Tinderbox Sparks Youth Orchestra, formed a resident ‘science orchestra’ with 20 young people to highlight the connection between music and science, as well as compose music for Dynamic Earth’s new climate change planetarium show ‘Don’t Panic’. The orchestra performed for family and friends, as well as composing ‘Seascapes’ – a haunting accompaniment for footage of deep-sea creatures taken by the Schmitt Ocean Institute.
Jodrell Bank in Macclesfield – offered free trips for over 500 school groups and 80 families. Additionally, secondary school students participated in a ‘Girls Night Out’, an event celebrating women in science past, present and future and encouraged women to consider STEM careers, as well as supporting the centre in its mission to make ‘Space for everyone’.
National Space Centre IGNITE in Leicester – inspired by a young boy who wanted to go to attend ‘Space Club’ in Coalville but was unable to, the centre developed a community programme for children to get excited about Leicester’s role in space. The programme also demonstrated what career opportunities are available on their doorstep and the diversity of jobs available across the space sector.
We The Curious in Bristol – launched the ‘Space Science in Time of Crisis’ workshops with Year 9 and Year 10 students from Bristol who were encouraged to explore ‘Should space science be a priority in the current time of crisis?’ and develop a TikTok style video to share their perspectives.
Vanessa Vazquez, Community Engagement Coordinator at Aberdeen Science Centre commented on the initiatives “The STFC Impact Project brought science to communities, creating equal opportunities for all. It sparked curiosity, encouraged experimentation, and empowered individuals to take ownership.
“We witnessed incredible transformations, from a disinterested child becoming engaged and excited to them volunteering for experiments. This project went beyond checklists, exemplifying our dedication to uplifting communities. We will continue to make a positive impact, bringing joy and empowerment to every opportunity we encounter.”
Neville Hollingworth, STFC Public Engagement Manager, said: “We are incredibly proud to mark over a decade of successful collaboration between STFC and ASDC with these excellent results.
“In order for UK science and innovation to thrive, it is essential that communities who are under-represented in the STEM sector are engaged with the amazing stories that the science and technology community has to tell.
“These collaborations between STFC, ASDC, and community groups, young people, and families have inspired people across the UK to take an active role in science and provided fantastic opportunities for the benefit of all of society.”
As Glasgow introduces Scotland’s first LEZ today, Edinburgh is counting down to the introduction of our own Low Emission Zone, which will restrict the most polluting vehicles from driving in the city centre, benefiting everyone’s health.
The City of Edinburgh Council and NHS Lothian have joined together to highlight the positive impact clean air can have on health and wellbeing.
Restricting the most polluting vehicles will significantly reduce harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) from vehicles by up to 50% within the LEZ. Further air quality improvements are expected beyond the boundary, improving public health around the city.
Reducing air pollution is especially important for those most vulnerable to the impacts of air pollution, including children, older people and those with underlying health conditions.
Councillor Scott Arthur, Transport and Environment Convener, said: “As Glasgow begins to enforce its LEZ, and with one year to go until our own LEZ comes into force, it’s a chance to reflect on the reasons for introducing an LEZ in Edinburgh.
“Research has shown that air pollution negatively affects everyone’s health and we have a responsibility to address this. In two weeks, we’ll mark Clean Air Day, which this year focuses on the fact that poor air quality not only affects our physical health, but our mental health too.
“By restricting the most polluting vehicles in the city centre the LEZ will create a healthier, more welcoming place to be – and we’re expecting benefits to spread across the wider city. I’m encouraged by the fact that compliance with our emissions standards continues to increase, and I’d like to thank people making the switch to cleaner modes of transport.
“However, there’s still work to be done, and over the next year we’ll be supporting even more people to consider greener, more sustainable ways to travel. I want to use the extra year Edinburgh has to get ready for this change, and ensure residents and businesses are fully prepared.”
Dona Milne, Director of Public Health, NHS Lothian, said: “The links between transport and health are clear and the LEZ will help to improve health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities for the people of Edinburgh.
“Tackling air quality, alongside commitments in the City Mobility Plan and associated draft Action Plans, will have multiple benefits. Health and wellbeing will be improved as a result of reduced levels of air and noise pollution; improved road safety; more inclusive opportunities for people to travel by walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport; and the increased vibrancy of local communities and economies.”
Earlier this year, data analysed by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) revealed that overall compliance with Edinburgh’s LEZ emissions standards had increased from 48% to 78% over the last six years. Compliance is particularly high amongst buses (97% – Lothian Buses is 100% compliant), petrol cars (95%) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (86%).
However, more than half of diesel cars and a third of light goods vehicles (including vans) travelling on the main routes into Edinburgh don’t comply with the requirements of the LEZ.
LEZ restrictions will apply to motor vehicles, except motorcycles and mopeds. Vehicles must meet the minimum emissions standards to drive within the zone, though national exemptions apply including for blue badge holders and emergency vehicles.
A consultation is currently underway on suite of action plans designed to support the delivery of the City Mobility Plan to 2030, addressing everything from air quality to road safety, public transport to active travel.
Environmental campaigners have welcomed the start of Glasgow’s low emission zone.
Gracie Bradley, director at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “The beginning of Glasgow’s low emission zone is a moment to celebrate real progress in the city. Glasgow has persistent air pollution problems caused by transport, and people who live and work here have been breathing toxic air for many years. Finally, after years of promises, the council is taking action.
“We know that low emission zones work because they’ve been successful in hundreds of places across Europe. Glasgow’s zone has already had a positive impact since it began restricting the most polluting buses, but there is no safe level of air pollution.
“Changing the way we get around the city needs to remain a priority – we want to see better public transport, the end of developments that require cars, and safer cycling routes to tackle toxic air, reduce our impact on the planet and make Glasgow a better place to live.”
Lochs, castles, iconic monuments, and stunning towns and cities from across Scotland will provide the perfect backdrop for 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as further details of the road routes are unveiled.
This announcement builds on the initial overview of road routes revealed last September during the 2022 UCI Road World Championships in Wollongong, Australia. It includes new details and full routes for the road races (Men Elite, Women Elite and Men Under 23), Individual Time Trials (all categories) and Team Time Trial Mixed Relay.
Tuesday’s announcement also unveils the first details of the route for the UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships that will take place in Dumfries and Galloway, including the Road Race, Individual Time Trial and Team Relay.
Road races and Team Time Trial Mixed Relay
Throughout these events, the world’s best cyclists will savour some of Scotland’s most spectacular scenery, with racing taking place across the country.
The Balmoral Hotel clock tower and Princes Street seen from Calton Hill
The Men Elite road race takes in Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat from its start in the capital on Sunday 6 August, before heading north across the Firth of Forth via the iconic Queensferry Crossing, then heading west through Fife towards Clackmannanshire, Falkirk and Stirling, passing near world-renowned landmarks including the Kelpies, the Falkirk Wheel, Carron Valley and the Crow Road, before turning towards Glasgow and the specially designed finishing circuit, looping through the west end to the city centre for a spectacular finish alongside George Square.
The Helix, Home of the Kelpies. Scotland
The Women Elite and Men Under 23 road races will also finish on the Glasgow city circuit, though starting on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond at Balloch, weaving through West and East Dunbartonshire en route via the Crow Road to the finish line in George Square.
The Men Under 23 road race takes place on Saturday 12 August with the Women Elite road race, which includes the Women Under 23 category, closing this inaugural and history making competition on Sunday 13 August.
In addition, the Men and Women Junior road races and the Team Time Trial Mixed Relay will start and finish on the Glasgow city circuit on Saturday 5 August and Tuesday 8 August respectively.
Individual Time Trials
Stirling and its surrounding area will host the Individual Time Trials for all categories, with competition beginning on Wednesday 9 August and continuing across three days until Friday 11 August.
Riders will set off from the King and Queens Knot in the shadow of Stirling Castle on a fast course that will take them, through the flats of the River Forth to the west across the countryside, before heading back towards Stirling city centre, and finishing on Stirling Castle esplanade.
Para-cycling road
Dumfries and Galloway will welcome the world’s best para-cyclists for four days as they host the para-cycling road competition at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway. Part of the South West Coastal 300 route.
The region, which lays claim to introducing the first pedal-driven bicycle to the world in 1839, will see athletes competing on single bikes, tandems, tricycles and hand-cycles for the UCI World Championship titles across the varied para-cycling sport classes and the right to wear the coveted rainbow jersey.
Competition will start with Individual Time Trials on Wednesday 9 August and will finish with road races on Saturday 12 August. The routes, which take advantage of Dumfries and Galloway’s stunning cycling terrain, have been designed in conjunction with local partners to showcase the region and present a fitting challenge to the athletes.
Teams will then travel to Glasgow for the Team Relay, which will take place on Sunday 13 August.
Full details for each event, including routes and technical information can be found in the Notes to Editors alongside links to course maps on the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships website. Please note the full course details for the Gran Fondo will be announced in due course.
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will bring together 13 existing UCI World Championships into a new mega event in Glasgow and across Scotland from 3 – 13 August.
Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com 10/08/2019 Cycling – Women’s Tour of Scotland 2019 – Stage 2 Glasgow to Perth – The peloton roll out of George Square, Glasgow.
2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Chair Paul Bush OBE said: “The announcement of further details for road races and the unveiling of the para-cycling road routes for the first time is another exciting milestone as we continue the final countdown to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships this August.
“The routes will take in some of the country’s most iconic cities and countryside, providing a spectacular backdrop to the action taking place on road and showcasing why Scotland is the perfect stage for events.”
David Lappartient, President of the Union Cycliste Internationalesaid:“Today’s announcement detailing the road and para-cycling road routes confirms that the competitions will be spectacular.
“Challenging from a sporting point of view, the routes will also highlight Scotland’s wonderful scenery and rich history. We have all the ingredients for intense and sensational racing, and I cannot wait to witness the action unfold as the athletes battle for glory at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.”
Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said:“It’s fantastic to see just how many communities across Scotland will play their part by hosting the road races for this year’s UCI Cycling World Championships.
“The routes showcase the best of Scotland to both visitors and those watching from home. Scotland’s breath-taking views and iconic landmarks will provide a great backdrop for the drama of the races. I would encourage all those who can do so to get out and see this world-class sporting action right on your doorstep.”
Picture by Simon Wilkinson/SWpix.com – 12/08/2018 – Cycling – Glasgow 2018 European Championships Road Race – Glasgow, Scotland – Matteo Trentin of Italy celebrates.
Leader of Glasgow City Council, Councillor Susan Aitken, said:“We are excited to see the full road race routes now announced for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
“Glasgow’s iconic George Square, in the heart of the city centre, will provide the exciting, fast finishing straight for most of the Elite races, and before that the athletes will take in laps of the city centre circuit designed to be technically challenging, while showcasing the city to the global tv audience.”
“These races will be a real highlight of our sporting calendar with stars from across the world competing, and of course including these events as part of the competition schedule gives local, national and international sports fans and visitors a fantastic opportunity to see elite riders race past their doorsteps, this summer – for free.”
With something for everyone to enjoy, the 2023 UCI Cycling Worlds will feature 13 high-adrenaline, exciting UCI World Championships including Track and Para-cycling Track at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, BMX Racing at Glasgow BMX Centre, BMX Freestyle (Park and Flatland) and Trials at Glasgow Green, Indoor Cycling (artistic cycling and cycle-ball) at the Emirates Arena, Mountain Bike Cross-Country, and Marathon in Glentress Forest, Tweed Valley. Mountain Bike Downhill in Fort William and Road and Para-cycling Road across Scotland.
Tickets are on sale now from as little as £8, with concessions from £5, plus there are many free events to watch throughout the Championships.
National Geographic has announced the results of a fascinating new study looking into the UK’s top UFO hotspots and uncovering the top three cities in the UK for UFO sightings: Edinburgh, London, and Leicester.
The study, which surveyed 2,000 adults, found that 18% of Edinburgh’s residents claim to have had a legitimate UFO sighting. The survey also revealed that almost half (48%) of those polled believe in the existence of aliens, with 10% claiming to have witnessed something unusual. Of those who claimed to have witnessed something unusual, 59% believe it was of alien origin.
The research was commissioned by National Geographic ahead of the launch of “UFOs: Investigating the Unknown,” an intriguing new documentary series taking viewers on a journey to uncover the truth behind the mysterious UFO phenomena. The series exposes the top-secret Pentagon programme on UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) of the US government.
Nick Pope, a former UFO investigator for the MOD, commented on the findings: “UFOs are big news now, and a lot of people are reporting – and sometimes filming – extraordinary things. While many people are convinced these sightings involve alien life, most cases turn out to be misidentifications.
“The chances are that there’s intelligent life elsewhere in the universe, and even though the vast distances make direct contact a challenge, encountering an alien civilization would be the biggest story in human history.”
The study also found that cities in the north were more likely to have UFO sightings, with only Bristol and London appearing in the top ten from the south. Furthermore, 31% of all adults surveyed believed that humankind will at some point make contact with aliens from another planet or galaxy.
Over four in ten (42%) of those surveyed suspected that the government is concealing information about UFOs, and one in three respondents would like to see the Ministry of Defence’s UFO Project, which investigated reports of UFO sightings, reopened.
In 2008 in Stephenville, Texas a local pilot sees lights in the sky over his ranch coming from something huge. He is not alone: hundreds of people saw the craft, and a local reporter makes it her lifes work to tell their stories. From this classic encounter we head back several decades to the beginning of the UFO phenomenon in America and the launch of Project Blue Book to study the countrys growing UFO problem. (2022 Vice Media LLC)
If aliens visited earth, 41% of those surveyed believe they would be here to carry out scientific study, while 21% fear they would be harvesting the planet for raw materials. Furthermore, if aliens asked their earthling counterparts to join the Galactic Federation, Sir David Attenborough was the top choice among Brits to represent the third planet from the sun, followed by Professor Brian Cox and Barack Obama, according to the survey.
The documentary series “UFOs: Investigating the Unknown” premiered on National Geographic on Tuesday 2 May.
TOP 10 UK CITIES WITH THE MOST UFO SIGHTINGS:
1. Edinburgh
2. Leicester
3. London
4. Sheffield
5. Newcastle
6. Leeds
7. Manchester
8. Birmingham
9. Bristol
10. Glasgow
TOP 10 CELEBRITIES BRITS WANT TO REPRESENT THE EARTH:
The internationally-renowned chamber choir from Pomona College, California, USA, are about to undertake a concert tour of the UK, including concerts in London, Cambridge, York and Durham as well as appearances in St Andrews and Edinburgh on the 27th and 28th May, respectively.
The concert in St Andrews will be in conjunction with another student choir, the St Andrews Madrigal Group.
SING GENTLY
A choral celebration of music from the Americas and Britain
Pomona College Glee Club, California, USA
Joint concert with St Andrews Madrigal Group
Holy Trinity Church
South Street, St Andrews KY16 9NL
Saturday 27th May, 7.30pm
ADMISSION FREE
ST GILES AT SIX
St Giles Cathedral
High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE
Sunday 28th May, 6pm
ADMISSION FREE
The Pomona College Glee Club, Pomona’s elite chamber choir, has been representing Pomona College both internationally and at home for over 100 years.
Recent tours have seen the choir singing in prestigious venues throughout Germany, Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic as well as the UK.
Their current tour will visit London, Cambridge, York, Durham and St Andrews, as well as Edinburgh, presenting the very best of unaccompanied choral repertoire, including music by Beach, Byrd, McMillan, Walton, Weelkes and Whitacre.
The STUC, along with the TUC, are coordinating a protect the right to strike day today (Wednesday 1 February).
PM Rishi Sunak is trying to force his anti-union “sack key workers bill” through parliament in a matter of weeks. It means that when workers democratically vote to strike, they could be forced to work and sacked if they don’t.
That’s wrong, unworkable, and almost certainly illegal. We need to stop this bill.
These new laws are a direct attack on working people’s fundamental right to strike to defend their pay, terms and conditions.
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh Day of Action
The Day of Action for Edinburgh will consist of three events:
Rally in the Mound at noon particularly for the PCS DWP members who will be on strike that day;
Indoor rally in the Southside Community Centre at 1.00pm/1.30pm.
Rally in the Mound at 5.00pm particularly for EIS members.
Solidarity with worker striking on the 1st February
Join our solidarity rally. Scottish workers in the civil service, higher education, some schools, some rail operators and Co-op Funeral Care will all be taking industrial action on 1st.
Join our joint strike rally at the Donald Dewar Steps, Buchanan Street at 12 noon.
LOW EMISSION ZONE BEGINS TO TACKLE EDINBURGH’S AIR POLLUTION PROBLEM
It’s been revealed that Scotland did not breach air pollution limits in 2022 for the first time, excluding the impact of lockdowns in 2020. Campaigners say the improvement in air quality in Edinburgh shows the early benefits of Low Emission Zones, with reductions in pollution from diesel vehicles.
Friends of the Earth Scotland analysed official air pollution data for 2022, looking at two toxic pollutants which are primarily produced by transport. Legal air quality standards came into force in 2010, yet had previously been broken every single year since except 2020 when the lockdowns resulted in a big drop in car journeys.
The provisional data suggests that air quality across Scotland was within legal limits in 2022.
Edinburgh’s Low Emission Zone will formally begin in June this year. To support bus operators to meet the criteria, the Scottish Government has provided grants for buying new buses or retrofitting older buses. This has almost certainly led to air quality improvements on Edinburgh’s busier bus corridors, such as city centre streets.
Many areas across Edinburgh showed reductions in nitrogen dioxide, compared to 2021, with a slight increase on St John’s Road.
St John’s Road also experienced an increase in particulate pollution (PM10), the data suggest. In 2021, there was an annual average of 11.00 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3) for PM10, rising to 14.31 µg/m3 in 2022.
There were year-on-year increases in PM10 across the city. These could be attributed to an increase in car traffic after all Covid-19 restrictions were removed, or a more general increase in commercial activity.
Dirtiest streets for Nitrogen Dioxide
The European Ambient Air Quality Directive set a limit for Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) of 40 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3). The deadline for this limit to have been met was 2010.
Location / NO2 Nitrogen Dioxide Annual mean (µg/m3)
Edinburgh St John’s Road 29.26 Edinburgh Queensferry Road 26.86 Edinburgh Nicolson Street 23.40 Edinburgh Salamander St 18.34 Edinburgh Gorgie Road 17.37 Edinburgh Glasgow Road 15.14 Edinburgh St Leonards 13.09 Edinburgh Currie 4.77
Dirtiest streets for fine particles (PM10)
The Scottish annual statutory standard for particulate matter (PM10) is 18 micrograms per cubic metre (µg/m3).
Location / PM10 annual mean (µg/m3)
Edinburgh St John’s Road 14.31 Edinburgh Salamander St 14.26 Edinburgh Queensferry Road 13.92 Edinburgh Nicolson Street 12.11 Edinburgh Glasgow Road 11.81 Edinburgh Tower Street 10.01 Edinburgh St Leonards 9.22
Air pollution kills 2,500 people in Scotland each year and puts the population at risk of serious health conditions, like asthma, heart attacks, and strokes. It’s especially harmful to children, the elderly, and people living in poverty or made vulnerable from other health conditions.
Friends of the Earth Scotland’s Transport Campaigner Gavin Thomson said: “Air pollution from transport is responsible for thousands of premature deaths in Scotland every year, and causes serious heart and lung issues, so it’s great that some progress is being made in parts of Edinburgh.
“The provisional data show that the Low Emission Zones and the Scottish Government’s hefty subsidies for operators to buy new buses are having an immediate impact.
“The bad news is there’s persistent diesel pollution on St. John’s Road, and particulate pollution has increased across the whole city. If we want to stop breathing tiny particles that damage our vital organs, we need to change the way we move around. The evidence is clear – the more we can move away from fossil fuels, the more our health is protected”.
Joseph Carter, Head of Asthma and Lung UK Scotland said: “It is good news this year that air pollution on our streets has been kept within its legal limits, yet there is obviously more that can be done. We need the Scottish Government to make tackling air pollution a national priority.
“Air pollution is the biggest environmental threat to public health. At a cost of £1.1bn per year to the NHS, it is draining our resources, straining our health system and cutting short over 2,500 lives a year in Scotland. It is causing new lung conditions like lung cancer, and worsening existing ones.
“With 1 in 5 Scots developing lung conditions like asthma and COPD in their lifetime, for them, it can trigger life-threatening asthma attacks and exacerbations.”
England’s Chief Medical Officer Professor Chris Whitty recently noted that, ‘everyone is affected by air pollution, and it is everyone’s problem’.
With just a week until Christmas Day, Christmas markets up and down the country are bustling with people, visiting their nearest towns and cities with the hopes of getting in the festive before the big day.
It’s an annual tradition which transforms towns and cities into festive wonderlands stuffed with mouth-watering food, drinks, and stalls laden with great gift ideas.
A new study by Envirofone, reveals the most and least popular Christmas markets in the UK this festive season, taking into account the general publics reaction to the markets since they opened a month ago.
SCOTLANDS TOP CHRISTMAS MARKET EVOKES FRUSTRATION AMONGST VISITORS
In total, 15 UK Christmas markets were ranked, scraping 63,160 social media posts that mentioned each Christmas market during last year’s opening period to analyse the emotional sentiment – identifying tones of anger, disgust, fear, joy, sadness, and surprise to reveal the percentage of positive and negative mentions. Additionally, we collected data from Instagram hashtags and TikTok views to see which are the most popular across those social media platforms.
Whilst overall Edinburgh Christmas markets take 2nd place when taking into account overall social listening, TikTok views and Instagram mentions, 16% of the social media posts mentioning the markets between October 2022 and the first week of December indicate feelings of anger, disgust and sadness towards the event.
Although many praised the markets for their variation of gift stalls and the range of food and drink on offer, the majority of the negative comments come from those commenting on the overcrowding and queues that have been in place to enter the markets.
People have taken to social media to comment on the unnessesary amount of food vendors at this years event, slamming the prices of the food and drink on offer at them.
However, we cannot forget the hidden wonders that Edinburgh Christmas markets offers, including a Christmas tree maze, theatre performances and concerts unsurprisingly has been viewed the most out of all the Christmas Markets on TikTok, with 12,516,000 views.
Mentioned a total of 6,700 times on social media during 2021’s festive season, 17% of these posts evoked feelings of joy, with the markets being noted for their festive feel, the number of activities that the event offers and the range of winter warming food available.
London’s Hyde Park Winter Wonderland ranks first as our festive front-runner, boasting 65,780 Instagram hashtags, over 10.5 million views on TikTok and 14,000 search mentions.
A favourite in the North of England, Manchester takes home third place with 16% of the social mentions evoking feelings of joy around the festive feel of the markets from those mentioning it.
NEWCASTLE IS RANKED THE LEAST ENJOYABLE
Newcastle sits at the bottom of the leader board, with 7% of mentions of the markets being of anger and fear. As “COVID” was a popular term used in conjunction with both Newcastle and Cardiff markets, this indicates that last year COVID was still affecting the running of the events.
Although 16% of Blenheim Palace mentions are joy, it’s high ticket prices pull down the ranking of the event, placing it in fourteenth place.
RANKED: CHRISTMAS MARKETS FROM MOST TO LEAST POPULAR
Rank
Christmas Market
Instagram (no of hashtags)
TikTok (no of views)
Total mentions
% Positivementions
% Negativementions
Average Index Score
1
Winter Wonderland
65,780
10,596,079
14,000
17%
9%
0.75
2
Edinburgh
47,214
12,516,400
6,700
17%
12%
0.78
3
Manchester
62,462
5,041,542
7,500
16%
13%
0. 83
4
York
9,315
445,842
9,400
12%
14%
1.27
5
Lincoln
12,275
494,313
2,900
14%
26%
1.28
6
Birmingham
17,789
525,978
4,800
16%
7%
1.34
7
Belfast
8,670
4,213,156
3,600
9%
23%
1.46
8
Bath
31,422
21,995
2,200
20%
6%
1.68
9
Nottingham
4,877
120,135
3,100
8%
31%
1.73
10
Winchester
7,908
34,779
1,400
23%
2%
1.84
11
Liverpool
3,600
602,204
3,100
10%
10%
1.84
12
Exeter
3,294
25,270
918
21%
4%
2.09
12
Cardiff
4,072
155,923
1,200
11%
8%
2.13
13
Blenheim Palace
6,937
96,308
442
16%
1%
2.24
15
Newcastle
2,248
3,780
1,900
11%
7%
2.40
Many other Christmas markets stand out when looking at individual metrics. York sits in second place for total social mentions, Belfast is ranked at number four on TikTok, gaining 4,213,156 views, whilst 23% of Winchester Christmas market social mentions were positive.
Police officers in Edinburgh City Division have administered Naloxone for the first time within days of the intra-nasal sprays being issued to counter opioid-related drug overdoses.
Officers based in the Drylaw area responded to a concern for person call on Friday, 9 December, 2022, and found a woman exhibiting signs of opioid-related overdose.
PC Paul Gunderson, who had only received his personal issue Naloxone that day, was able to administer it as a first aid response and ensure the casualty was passed into the care of paramedics.
PC Gunderson, who has 8 years’ police service, said: “The woman was showing the typical symptoms of a potential opioid-related overdose we’d been told about through our Naloxone training – she was displaying rasping, laboured breathing, had pin-point pupils and her skin was clammy to the touch.
“The nasal spray worked quickly, in the way we’d been told it would, and her condition had improved by the time an ambulance arrived to take her to hospital for additional help.
“Both my colleague, PC Roxanne Kinnear and I were very relieved I was carrying Naloxone as part of my kit. I was able to use it very quickly and extremely easily, and it has helped to save the life of someone experiencing a crisis situation.
“A core principle of policing is to preserve life, and I’m grateful I was able to fulfil my duty and do that on this occasion. I have no doubt my fellow officers feel the same as we all begin to carry these kits.”
Chief Inspector Neil Wilson said: “Drug-related deaths take a terrible toll on families and communities across Edinburgh, and indeed, the entire country. Equipping our officers with Naloxone gives them the opportunity to make a real difference to someone’s life, and indeed the lives of their friends and relatives.
“It also gives us the chance to improve community relationships as people know we’re there to help when they need it most. Having our officers carrying Naloxone in a high profile manner in branded pouches also helps to break down the stigma around drug misuse and I hope it encourages other people to consider carrying Naloxone themselves.”
This is the first time Naloxone has been given to local officers in Edinburgh City, with around 500 kits issued earlier this month. Officers undertake a short online training course before beginning to carry the pouches along with their standard issue equipment. More kits will be delivered in the coming months for the remaining officers.
Police Scotland officers have now administered Naloxone in at least 97 incidents since training began in March 2021. Around 4,000 kits have now been delivered across several divisions, with the national roll-out expected to be completed early in 2023.
All operational officers across Scotland will be trained in the use of Naloxone and equipped with kits as part of the roll-out. It will also be issued to police custody officers, and those in national divisions such as Operational Support.
The roll-out follows a successful pilot project in four parts of the country last year, followed by an independent evaluation. As a result, the national programme was approved earlier this year, and began on International Overdose Awareness Day in August.
