MP surgeries in Edinburgh West
Killer whales in the Firth of Forth
Edinburgh Guides
Bank of Scotland Foundation
Car seat safety checks
If you live in Edinburgh West you might want to go along and meet you new MP, Michelle Thomson.
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The Isle of May has hosted some spectacular wildlife in its time, but nothing as impressive as a recent sighting when the island residents discovered six killer whales.
The animals, including one bull, four females and a youngster, were spotted on 28 May. They moved slowly along the east side of the island before checking out the grey seal colony on the north tip of the island. After one hour of viewing, the pod eventually headed off out into deeper water and north towards the Fife coastline.
The spectacular sight was witnessed by all staff and researchers on the island and represents only the third modern day record of these marauding giants. David Steel, Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) Isle of May reserve manager said, “To see killer whales in the UK is a very special experience, but to see them in the Firth of Forth is even more special.”
David added, “The shout went up across the island from the team and, as you could imagine, pandemonium let loose as people were running for binoculars, shoes and running off in all directions.” Following the chaotic scenes, everyone assembled on the east side of the island to watch the pod move north allowing great views of these rare visitors. The killer whales were followed by the first Minke whale sighting on 30 May, along with a scattering of harbour porpoise sightings. And with the onset of summer, there will likely be more cetacean sightings from the island.
The Isle of May is open to visitors from 1 April – 31 September. It’s free to visit the nature reserve, but you must take a boat trip to reach the island. Sailings are on the privately-run May Princess or Osprey of Anstruther from the Anstruther Harbour or through the Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick.
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Edinburgh Guides are holding an exhibition of portraits of themselves this Sunday (7 June 2015) in order to beat the ‘body myth’ and champion a positive body image.
The show, at the city’s Corstorphine Heritage Centre, has been created by the 73rd City of Edinburgh Guides with support from local photographer Anneleen Lindsay.
The Guides decided to create the project as part of working towards their Free Being Me badge, created by the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts and the Dove Self Esteem Project, which aims to help girls around the world develop self-esteem and body confidence. It uses fun activities to encourage girls to challenge the beauty myth and celebrate their individuality.
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Bank of Scotland Foundation welcomed over 150 MSPs and charities to its fourth annual reception at the Scottish Parliament earlier this week. Demonstrating its commitment to charities across the breadth of Scotland, the Foundation has distributed in excess of £6m to over 800 charities since its launch in November 2010, enabling thousands of people to benefit from a variety of much needed local services.
Speaking at the event, Bill Kidd, MSP, said: “It’s a pleasure to be asked to speak at this significant event for the Bank of Scotland Foundation. I was delighted to meet a number of the Scottish charities that attended on the evening. The grants made to these charities by the Bank of Scotland Foundation provide an important lifeline and help support the great work undertaken by the charities with disadvantaged and vulnerable people. I applaud the immense work undertaken by the Foundation and fully recognise the difference it is making within our communities. I also applaud Lloyds Banking Group for continuing its important support of this key Foundation.”
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The Scottish In-Car Child Safety campaign that is funded by Scottish Government last year checked 972 child car seats across Scotland and found that a staggering 64% were incorrectly fitted.
The campaign say that an incorrectly fitted car seat won’t fully protect a child during a collision.
A spokesman said: “We also ran a recent mystery shop of child car seat retailers across Scotland and shockingly found 74% of leading high street retailers were not giving safe advice when selling child car seats. “We will be holding car seat checking events across Scotland this year and you can find our full schedule here: http://www.goodeggcarsafety.com/scotland/incar/car_clinics/” The Edinburgh event is being held on Monday 8th June at ASDA Leith, 2 Sandpiper Drive, Edinburgh EH6 6NX 11am-4pm
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