Leading potato supplier Albert Bartlett has hosted a special lunch for the Edinburgh-based FareShare volunteers who selflessly package, cook and serve food for the UK’s biggest charity tackling food waste for social good.
Albert Bartlett has donated the equivalent of over 12 million meals to FareShare.
The potato people were on site at Cyrenians Kitchen in Bonnington on Thursday (7th March) where Albert Bartlett Chef, Graham Wilson cooked a potato inspired menu* for the 30 local volunteers to thank them for their hard work and dedication.
Cyrenians, an Edinburgh-based homelessness charity, is responsible for delivering FareShare’s operation in central and southeast Scotland.
During its 14-year relationship with FareShare, Albert Bartlett has made a significant difference with generous food donations. In 2023 they donated 1,200 tonnes of food which provided three million equivalent meals*, helped 3,453 charities and prevented 3,000 tonnes of CO2e from being wasted.
Sales Director at Albert Bartlett, John Heginbottom:“Community is hugely important to Albert Bartlett, so giving back and saying thank you to the dedicated volunteers at FareShare is really important to us.
“It’s crucial that we continue to help FareShare towards its mission of tackling food waste and hunger – potatoes are rich in nutrients.’’
Stevie Murray, Volunteer at FareShare:“Yesterday we were treated to a special lunch on site from Albert Bartlett.
“The food was amazing, and the company was great. I have been volunteering at FareShare for the past five years, following my retirement I decided to spend my time helping others, which is fantastic and so rewarding.’’
The volunteer lunch follows the recent Albert Bartlett Golden Ticket giveaway which saw local charities in the FareShare network receive a voucher worth £100 in the 62 tonnes of surplus potatoes.
The charities included:
Laurence’s Larder and Open Kitchen, Northwest London
The Food Chain, North London
Kellands School, Aberdeenshire
Dundee Survival Group, Dundee
Faifley Community Council, Glasgow
Director of food at FareShare, Simon Millard:“We are enormously grateful to Albert Bartlett for their ongoing support for FareShare.
“Their surplus potatoes are redistributed across our nationwide network of 8,500 charities and community groups and make a valuable contribution to getting good food to people in need, rather than letting it go to waste.
“Regular supplies of potatoes enable these groups to create hearty, nourishing meals for the people they support, bringing people together and helping them access other vital support services.
“Volunteers are absolutely crucial to FareShare’s operation, making sure good food gets to people and groups that need it. The meal was a wonderful opportunity to say thank you for their hard work and dedication, and we are grateful to the team at Albert Bartlett for making it happen.”
*The menu consisted of Spicy Buffalo and Vegan Blue Cheese loaded Crispy Albert Bartlett Mini Hash Browns, Luxury Mash Potato loaded with Tennessee BBQ Pulled Pork, Dill Pickles, and Crispy Nacho’s along with many other delicious dishes.
*The equivalent meals calculation is based on WRAP’s guidance around reporting the amounts of surplus food redistributed.
TODAY (Monday 4 March 2024) the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) will celebrate 200 years of saving lives at sea – thanks to volunteers giving their time to save others, all funded by public donations.
On the day the charity turns 200, the RNLI is revealing its volunteer lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved an incredible 146,277 lives during its two centuries of lifesaving.
Since the charity was founded in 1824, its volunteer crews have launched the lifeboats 380,328 times, saving 144,277 lives, while its lifeguards – who became part of the RNLI’s lifesaving service in 2001 – have responded to 303,030 incidents on some of the UK’s busiest beaches, saving 2,000 lives*. In total, 146,277 lives have been saved by the RNLI – this equates to an average of two lives saved every day for 200 years.
Founded in a London tavern on 4 March 1824 following an appeal from Sir William Hillary, who lived on the Isle of Man and witnessed many shipwrecks, the RNLI has continued saving lives at sea throughout the tests of its history, including tragic disasters, funding challenges and two World Wars.
Two centuries have seen vast developments in the lifeboats and kit used by the charity’s lifesavers – from the early oar-powered vessels to today’s technology-packed boats, which are now built in-house by the charity; and from the rudimentary cork lifejackets of the 1850s to the full protective kit each crew member is now issued with.
The RNLI’s lifesaving reach and remit has also developed over the course of 200 years. Today, it operates 238 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland, including four on the River Thames, and has seasonal lifeguards on over 240 lifeguarded beaches around the UK. It designs and builds its own lifeboats and runs domestic and international water safety programmes.
While much has changed in 200 years, two things have remained the same – the charity’s dependence on volunteers, who give their time and commitment to save others, and the voluntary contributions from the public which have funded the service for the past two centuries.
RNLI Chief Executive, Mark Dowie, says: ‘It has been an honour and a privilege to be at the helm of the RNLI for the past five years, and to see the charity reach its bicentenary.
“For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable. It is through the courage and dedication of its incredible people that the RNLI has survived the tests of time, including tragic losses, funding challenges, two World Wars and, more recently, a global pandemic.
‘Today, we mark the bicentenary of the RNLI. We remember the achievements and commitment of all those who have been part of the RNLI family over the past two centuries; we celebrate the world-class lifesaving service we provide today, based on our 200 years of learning, expertise and innovation, and we hope to inspire future generations of lifesavers and supporters who will take the RNLI into its next century and beyond.
‘I am immensely grateful to everyone who is involved with the charity – our volunteers, supporters and staff. This is our watch and it is our role to keep our charity safe and secure so it can continue to save lives into the future, as we strive in our vision to save every one.’
RNLI Heritage Archive and Research Manager, Hayley Whiting, says: ‘The RNLI’s founder, Sir William Hillary, witnessed the treacherous nature of the sea first-hand when living on the Isle of Man and he wanted to take action.
“His first appeal to the nation in 1823 did not have the desired result but, thankfully, he persevered and gained the support of several philanthropic members of society, who put their names to the charity at a meeting in the City of London Tavern on 4 March 1824.
‘Twelve resolutions were passed at that meeting, the core of which still stand as part of the RNLI’s Charter 200 years later. This shows how the RNLI’s values and purpose have remained unwavering for 200 years, despite the social and economic changes and challenges of the past two centuries.
‘Hillary’s vision was ambitious and forward-thinking, and no doubt he would be extremely proud to see the charity he founded still going strong today, and to see how much it has achieved.’
The charity has a history of innovation, and adapting to challenging circumstances, such as:
· Lifejackets: In 1861, Whitby lifeboat crew launched six times to rescue stricken vessels in a storm, but on their sixth launch a freak wave capsized the lifeboat and all but one of the crew were lost. The sole survivor was Henry Freeman, who survived because he was wearing a new design of cork lifejacket. After this event, the cork lifejacket became more widely adopted by lifeboat crews.
· Fundraising: In 1886, 27 lifeboat crew members from Southport and St Annes lost their lives while trying to rescue the crew of the Mexico. A public appeal was launched, driven by local man Charles Macara. An 1891 appeal raised £10,000 in two weeks. On 1 October, Charles and his wife Marion organised the first Lifeboat Saturday. Bands, floats and lifeboats paraded through the streets of Manchester, followed by volunteers collecting money. More than £5,000 was taken on the day, which was the first recorded example of a charity street collection.
· Lifeboats: In 1914, over 140 people were saved when the hospital steamship Rohilla was wrecked. The ship had been en route to Dunkirk to help wounded soldiers but was broken up when it ran aground on rocks near Whitby. Five lifeboats battled terrible seas to reach the ship. A motor lifeboat (the first of its kind) from Tynemouth, took the last 50 people on board. In total, 144 people were saved by the crews, who worked for over 50 hours in atrocious conditions. The motor lifeboat proved its capabilities and became more widely accepted by lifeboat crews after this event.
· Wartime: When the First World War broke out, many lifeboat volunteers were called away to fight. The average age of lifeboat crews at home increased to over 50. During 1914-18, RNLI lifeboats launched 1,808 times, saving 5,332 lives. In 1939, young lifeboat volunteers were called away again to war. By the end of the Second World War, RNLI crews had saved 6,376 lives around the coasts of Britain and Ireland.
In 1940, 19 RNLI lifeboats were used to evacuate troops from Dunkirk. Two had RNLI crews onboard, while the others were crewed by the Royal Navy. The lifeboats and their stand-in crews saved thousands of lives while being shelled and bombed for days.
Throughout its bicentenary year, the charity is running events and activities to remember its important history and celebrate the modern lifesaving service it is today, while hoping to inspire generations of future lifesavers and supporters.
A Service of Thanksgiving to mark 200 years of the RNLI will take place at Westminster Abbey this morning (4 March 2024) at 11.30am.
It will be attended by representatives from RNLI lifesaving communities around the UK and Ireland.
For further information about the RNLI’s 200th anniversary, visit RNLI.org/200.
Our Granton-based Baby Bank needs your help to sort donations and create vital newborn packs for vulnerable families across Edinburgh and the Lothians.
We currently have very few regular volunteers, and we really, really need to have more help. Demand for our Baby Packs is increasing and we can only increase the number we send out if we have more hands on deck.
We’re a friendly bunch, so if you have a few hours to spare regularly on a Monday to Wednesday – would love to hear from you!
Help us make a huge difference today and sign up here >>
Applying to enrol as a volunteer with HM Coastguard is becoming quicker and easier.After successful trials throughout the UK, a new online volunteer enrolment form has been launched nationally by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
With a tap or click of a mouse, applicants can access the form online to complete at home or on the go and submit on any internet-enabled device, including smartphones.
It’s the first MCA project to benefit from the government’s new digital form-builder, GOV.UK Forms, launched this year by the Government Digital Service, part of the Cabinet Office.
Coastguard rescue officers (CROs) undertake lifesaving search and rescue activities all around the UK coastline in diverse environments including mud, cliffs and water.
As members of coastguard rescue teams, they work closely with the other emergency services and volunteer organisations. As a volunteer role, attendance as a CRO is quite flexible. Full training and kit are provided.
Virginia McVea, Chief Executive of the MCA, said: “Coastguard rescue officers are the lifeblood of our service, ready 24/7 to go to the aid of people around the UK.
“Working with the Government Digital Service, we’ve put enrolment online to make it easier for people to apply for such a rewarding role and to maintain the strength of our response.
“Becoming a CRO means joining a close-knit team who enjoy camaraderie, personal development and the satisfaction of making a lifesaving difference.”
The digital enrolment form rolls out nationally tomorrow on 1 November 2023.
Broughton High School Association are looking forward to the school hosting two more Chess Competitions for Lothian Junior Chess on Saturday 28 October and 11 November.
We will be running our café in the Hub area again to provide refreshments for the young people taking part in the competition and their parents/carers.
If any of our school families can help with the café and/or provide homebaking (just no nuts please) get in touch by emailing bhsassociation@gmail.com.
The money raised goes into a fund that the teachers can apply to pay for items that can’t otherwise be funded by the school or the Council.
BHSA provides things like funds for sports strips, subsidised travel for trips, specialist equipment etc. If you would like to help decide how the money is spent, you are welcome to join the BHS Association Committee.
Based on the incredible, and poignant, true story of British World War II Royal Navy veteran Bernard Jordan – played by Sir Michael Caine – who in June 2014 “broke out” of his nursing home to attend the 70th anniversary D-Day commemorations in Normandy, The Great Escaper has been released at the cinema.
Ahead of the general release, several premières have taken place around the country – including in Scotland – and volunteers from the Edinburgh & The Lothians Branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity attended the screening by Edinburgh’s Army at The Fringe.
SSAFA Caseworkers Fran Good and Mags Granger, and Branch Chairman Walter Gallacher, were moved by the film, which co-stars the late Glenda Jackson in her last role as Bernard’s wife Irene.
No spoilers, but some thoughts on the film from SSAFA volunteers:
Mags commented that the film: “… is a humorous but moving reminder that life is more than the person you see in front of you.
“It really is a must-see film for all those who care passionately about others and the role we play in extending a hand of support and friendship to those who need us most.”
Walter added:“It’s as if the film was made for SSAFA and similar organisations and the people who work for us and volunteer with us and for all those we help.”
The Great Escaper – directed by Oliver Parker, whose credits include various adaptations of Oscar Wilde works, Johnny English Reborn, and Dad’s Army – is now on general release.
SSAFA was granted access to Oliver to interview him about the film. To watch the interview, visit vimeo.com/870713127.
FRIENDS of Granton Castle Walled Garden are excited to announce that the garden will be open to visitors on a Friday from 2-4pm as well as our regular sessions on Saturday and Sunday at 2-4pm.
Volunteer sessions remain on a Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11am-3pm, more information about volunteering for us is on our website.
The purpose of this new opening time is to come along and pick up some produce from our kitchen garden which changes weekly. A chance to see where it’s grown and to meet the growers, donations are appreciated but fresh produce is available for all.
Herbs:
We have plenty of sage, rosemary, mint, lemon balm, calendula, borage, oregano and thyme and many more medicinal herbs.
Produce:
Currently carrots, courgettes, cucumbers, Cavolo Nero, Sutherland kale, blue kale (almost ready), rocket, beetroots, onions, potatoes and garlic.
Fresh flowers:
Sweet peas to be picked and various wild flowers for a little posy.
We can’t always guarantee that the produce you need is ready to harvest on the day but keep an eye on our social media for up to date stories about what’s in season and ready to pick up.
The Champs Clan, made up of 4,000 volunteers from Scotland and abroad, will play a key role in the success of the cycling mega-event
Organisers of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have unveiled the Championships kit.
The ‘Champs Clan’ is the team of 4,000 volunteers who will play a key role in the success of the biggest cycling event in history, coming to Glasgow and Scotland in August 2023. A gathering of the “clan” took place on Sunday 18 June with a sneak preview shared at this orientation event.
The Champs Clan features members from Scotland, the UK and around the world, with thousands of people excited to play a part in delivering the upcoming cycling mega event. Volunteers will play key roles within every venue, from making sure spectators have the best experience possible, to assisting with media operations and supporting elite cyclists.
The Champs Clan will be a recognisable and cherished part of the UCI Cycling Worlds, creating special memories for volunteers and fans in the same way as the “Clyde-siders” in the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the “Games-makers” for the London 2012 Olympics.
The first gathering of the Champs Clan was held on Sunday 18 June, where 1,500 volunteers descended on Glasgow’s Royal Concert Hall for an orientation day hosted by Heart Scotland’s Des Clarke and Jennifer Reoch.
The event helped the volunteers learn more about the key roles they will play in August, while helping to raise the excitement for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.
Also in attendance at the event was Sean Batty, presenter and Champion for the volunteer programme, Lusia Steele (track cyclist representing Scotland and Great Britain), Trudy Lindblade (CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships).
Christina McKelvie, MSP, Minister for Culture, Europe and International Developmentsaid: “Volunteers have an important part to play in the success of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and we are grateful to them for their enthusiasm and commitment to this groundbreaking mega event.
“It was great to see the energy and passion from the volunteers when I attended the first gathering of the Champs Clan held recently in Glasgow. I’m confident that our volunteers will give visitors a warm Scottish welcome during an exciting eleven days of sport in August.”
UCI President David Lappartientsaid: “An event the size and importance of these UCI Cycling World Championships could not run smoothly without the commitment and hard work of the volunteers.
“I sincerely thank the thousands of people who signed up to be part of the Champs Clan. They will be recognisable during the event thanks to their kit unveiled today, and I look forward to meeting some of them when I attend the different UCI World Championships taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland.”
Trudy Lindblade, CEO, of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships said: “Scotland is renowned as a warm and welcoming country and the Champs Clan are ready to welcome the world.
“We know from previous major events including UEFA EURO 2020 and the 2014 Commonwealth Games how vital volunteers are to the success of major events, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
“It was wonderful to see all our volunteers at our orientation day, I was inspired by their passion and dedication to delivering another mega event for Scotland”.
Billy Garrett Director of Culture, Tourism & Events, Glasgow Life said: “With our extensive experience in this area over recent years and sizeable events, Glasgow Life has taken on the role of delivering the volunteer programme for the whole Championships.
“In addition to enhancing overall visitor experience, through the programme, we are continuing to provide high quality, purposeful and meaningful volunteering opportunities that are accessible and inclusive. Importantly, we also provide pathways and information for future volunteering opportunities to retain skills and systems in Scotland for the future.”
Sean Batty, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Volunteer Champion said: “It’s amazing to see the excitement among the Champs Clan as they gathered for the first time. They will all play such a key role in delivering this incredible event.
“We all can’t wait for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to start and for Scotland to put on a show for the whole world to enjoy.”
Josh Beal, Sales Director, Kukri Sports said “With huge excitement building up to the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, we can’t wait for the unveiling of the kit and all the staff and volunteers to get to see what they will be wearing this summer.
“It is extremely exciting to launch the official kit and design for such a fantastic event.”
The role played by professional footballers, and the many others who served at the Battle of the Somme, has been marked at a ceremony in France.
Veterans Minister Graeme Dey took part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the McCrae’s Battalion Cairn in Contalmaison, as part of the memorial events to mark the first day of the Battle of the Somme (1st July 1916).
Representatives from clubs including Heart of Midlothian, Hibernian, Falkirk, Dunfermline, and Raith Rovers regularly attend the annual event.
Mr Dey said: “At the start of WW1 a campaign was launched against professional footballers who were labelled ‘shirkers’ and ‘cowards’ who were happy to stay at home while better men risked their lives at the front.
“The players who joined McCrae’s Battalion proved the critics wrong and demonstrated incredible bravery. Indeed, many of them made the ultimate sacrifice. They went from being called shirkers and cowards to become known as ‘Edinburgh’s finest – Scotland’s Sporting Battalion’.
“Today we honour the bravery of those young men and all those who fought and died on the Somme.”
During his visit Mr Dey also met with the Mayor of Arras, Frédérique Leturque, as part of the Scottish Government’s European engagement work, which aims to strengthen ties with priority EU countries and their regions.
The 1,350 strong McCrae’s Battalion, led by Sir George McCrae, was formed in Edinburgh and included volunteers from Heart of Midlothian, Raith Rovers, Falkirk, Dunfermline, Hibernian, St Bernard’s and East Fife.
In all around 75 clubs (of all levels) provided volunteers along with many other athletes and football supporters most notably of Hearts and Hibernian.
The Battle of the Somme eventually lasted for 141 days. Some 20,000 soldiers were killed in the initial assault on 1 July 2016 with a further 37,000 wounded.
The Heart has recently played host to three Danish politicians who visited us to find out about community-led dementia projects. About Dementia was contacted by representatives from the Municipality of Odense in Denmark, specifically the Department of the Elderly and Disabled and their original enquiry, about how we provide help and support to people with dementia and their carers was followed by a visit to the Heart to see how community-led activities can help and how they could learn from what we do.
“The visit went very well,” says Heart Chair Judy Crabb. “They do not have anything like the community-led provision we have at the Heart and were very impressed.
“They also reminded us of the connection with Odense as the birthplace of Hans Christian Anderson and the fact that he visited the Trinity area in 1847.”
And talking about Dementia, we have also welcomed a new, part-time dementia worker, Valeria Lembo, who will be seen about the site two days a week for the next six months.
She will be organising local projects in collaboration with Meeting Centres. Meeting Centres are social clubs where people living with dementia and their family carers can get help, support, and advice to adapt to the life-changes dementia brings, and were first set up in the Netherlands. The position is funded by Age Scotland.
Valeria is a PhD researcher in Health in Social Science, with a strong interest in community development and social inclusion through art, learning, and cultural engagement. She is passionate about building a fairer society that is dementia-inclusive.
Gala Day
We also hosted the Newhaven Gala last month when the playground was filled with what seemed like hundreds of excited fishwives and pirates.
The Gala has always been run by Victoria Primary School and this was the last one to be organised by Laura Thomson, the outgoing head teacher. As such, she was happy to announce that she is handing over the reins to the Heart to organise from now on, and we are very happy to run with them.
Apart from all the activities going on outside organised by the PTA, inside the Heart some of our partners including Ink on Mesh, The Victorian Schoolroom and Cass the bookbinder, were joined in running stalls by Newhaven Heritage, MacMillan Cancer Research, Newhaven Church and Scottish Women’s Institute.
There were also new heritage displays for visitors to see. So now that we’ve all returned to normal after the frenetic activity, we can look forward to another such successful Gala next year.
We were also pleased that one of our visitors on Gala Day recognised a photo of a past head teacher at Victoria Primary School.
Nancy Pryde was visiting as one of her grandsons, Thom, was Gala King and she immediately recognised Thomas Butcher who had been Head Teacher at VPS from 1941-1948 before he moved to Murrayburn School which is where Nancy knew him.
The photo brought back many memories of school days, including the day of Mr Butcher’s retirement.
News on new partners
We have two new partners at the Heart and almost all the spaces in the Victoria Building are now taken.
Vintage Vibes, who are still in the process of moving in,is a service tackling isolation and loneliness among over-60s in Edinburgh and they are setting up shop on the first floor.
They’re reaching out across the city, offering companionship, support and the chance to be more socially connected. Sometimes all it takes is a cup of tea and a natter.
They put volunteers and VIPs with shared interests together, to tackle loneliness by creating long-lasting friendships and fit perfectly with our themes of Learning & Enterprise contributing to Well-Being.
Tortoise in a Nutshell is an Edinburgh-based theatre charity that is already working in partnership on local projects with us. Their unique blend of puppetry, performance and innovation provides exciting visual theatre and thought-provoking experiences for audiences of all ages.
They are also based on the first floor and just a peek through the door at their theatre props, can fire up the imagination.
Environmental
Work on landscaping the grounds of the heart is pushing ahead. We’ve had tremendous help from Hayley from Homestart and a few volunteers who have been clearing the area and planting fruit bushes and small trees in the space beyond the Creel Building as well as growing new flowers and vegetables from seed inside, preparatory to moving them outside into the colourful receptacles provided by the Men’s Shed.
(If you like the plant holders, contact the Men’s Shed and they can make one for you.)
There are plans too for moving and painting the current sheds as well as creating compost and wormery bins. Future plans, including the creation of a pond and landscaped seating areas are being discussed but it all takes time and money!
Our partner the Victorian Schoolroom (History of Education Centre) has received over 600 appreciative visitors since they opened in January but they need more role-play teachers. Most visits are from primary schools, but they have also welcomed Alzheimers groups and carers as well as two overseas adult groups.
If you would like to get involved, contact either admin@histedcentre.org.uk or Heart Trustee Christine McDerment for more information. And by the way, you don’t need to have been a teacher!
The Heart is also still on the lookout for more volunteers. We need help manning the welcome and information desk especially on Wednesday and Saturday mornings and when the Heart is open for events.
As we head into summer, do remember that our open mornings on Wednesdays and Saturdays are still running. Even if it is less necessary to be “warm” these days, we are still “welcoming”. Drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat, or bring your internet or technology woes to be assisted by the experts from ACE-IT. There are also new heritage displays to study.
Remember too that our reminiscence volunteers will be at the Heart on14th June and 12th July. Come along and share your stories.
The Board of Trustees is still on the lookout for new members, particularly someone with financial skills. We would be delighted to chat with anyone who would like to know more. Contact judy.crabb@heartofnewhaven.co.uk
AGM 2023
We’re planning ahead. This year’s AGM will take place in September. Make sure you have signed up for membership (not just for receiving the newsletter). If you haven’t, check out the website and sign up now so that you can have your say in decision-making.
Trams to Newhaven
You must have heard, read and seen that the new city trams are about to start operating on the new extension that ends right at our doorstep. Getting to the Heart has never been easier.
Watch out for the first passenger trams running from 7th June and remember to cross the road and visit the Heart. We’re planning a special open event to celebrate on the afternoon of Friday 23rd June.
Finally, some special visitors
You can’t have helped but notice that it’s cruise time again and some visitors from the States have already found their way to the Heart.
We’ve had visitors from both Washington and Massachusetts, among other places, who enjoyed a chat and a tour around the building before they headed off to the centre of Edinburgh on their coach trips.
