How to deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) for a happy winter season

The nights are drawing in, and it’s only a few days since the clocks changed. While some of us are starting to count down to Christmas, for others it’s the start of an unhappy time of a seasonal depression called SAD.

“Many of us feel a bit less energetic during the winter months which is often called winter depression”, said Professor Ewan Gillon, Clinical Director of First Psychology Scotland.

“But its more severe form, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), can lead to strong symptoms of depression and some people may even need professional help. NHS figures show that about two million people are affected in the UK.

“For the majority of us, though, a number of subtle lifestyle changes will help get you through the darker months more happily.”

First Psychology’s practitioners have compiled their top five tips to combat winter depression:-

1.Make time for daylight: spend your lunch hour outdoors or make time for an afternoon walk to ensure you spend some time in daylight.

2. Keep up any regular exercise you do and eat well: while it’s tempting to curl up in front of a fire with a chocolate bar, exercise helps release endorphins which brighten your mood. If possible, exercise outdoors.

3. Work in a well-lit environment such as close to a window, allowing you to enjoy as much daylight as possible.

4. Talk to family and friends: letting those close to you know what is happening to you allows you to build a support network. Making time to meet friends also helps lighten your mood.

5. Book a cheeky week away in the sun or consider re-decorating your home in bright colours which reflect a lot of light

“People with more severe symptoms may find light therapy helpful, and placing a specialist daylight lamp on your desk can make a huge difference to your mood”, explains Ewan Gillon.

“It’s also worth reminding yourself that the days start to lengthen right after Christmas and Spring is just around the corner.”

For more information on low mood and depression, visit www.edinburghtherapy.co.uk.

Festival of Remembrance – Film in Portobello – Cleaning up the Water of Leith – Film in Balerno – Traverse looking for a Writer in Residence

Tonight at the Usher Hall there is the official Festival of Remembrance featuring the Royal Marines Corps of Drums, Jubilo Choir and the Phoenix Band.

Tickets may still be available here.

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This evening you could go and watch a film in Portobello.

Portobello Open Door is showing the film Local Hero (PG) at The Wash House community centre, 3 Adelphi Grove this  evening 9 November at 7:00pm.  Watch out for the Northern Lights!

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Tomorrow morning you could go out to help clean up the Water of Leith

Sunday 10th November 2013. 10AM – 12.30PM – Clean-up and path work between Warriston Viaduct and Redbrae’s Meet at CEC car park in St Marks Park (near Craigroyston FC club house) off Warriston Road (Just before the single lane bridge that goes over the Cannonmills cycle track).  Free Parking.    See map on reverse or Streetmap Link.

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In Balerno on 30 November they are showing Angel’s Share which features the real life whisky expert Charlie MacLean at Balerno Village Screen.

More details here.

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The Traverse Theatre is looking for an artist in residence for next year.

The Fellow will be a professional playwright with at least two previous professional productions. The tenure of the Fellowship will be between 6 and 10 months, by agreement, with the intention that the playwright will submit a complete play to the Traverse at the end of 2014. During the period of the fellowship the playwright will have access to dramaturgical support from the Traverse’s Artistic team and we hope would also play a part in the life of the theatre.

Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter outlining why they would like to take up this Fellowship and how it will be of benefit to them and their writing by 10 am on Monday, 25 November 2013.  Interviews will be held on Friday 6 December at IASH.

More details here…

Small businesses, infrastructure experts and politicians have criticised a Scottish Government plan to revitalise town centres.

The ‘Town Centre Action Plan’ was launched by Local Government Minister Derek Mackay yesterday, and it promises a ‘Town Centre First Principle’ with £2m funding to turn empty properties into affordable housing, and tax cuts for pubs, hotels and restaurants.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Mackay said:- “The Scottish Government is determined that our town centres should be vibrant, attractive and safe places where local people and visitors alike want to spend their time and money.”

However, the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) Scotland voiced frustration with the plans. Colin Borland, head of external affairs at FSB Scotland, said he was “underwhelmed” and disappointed at the “vague” proposals put forward.

Derek Halden, an infrastructure consultant who conducted research for Transport Scotland’s ‘Smarter Choices, Smarter Places’ project, expressed disappointment the plan did not include any immediate investment in paths and streets. He continued:-“The paths to the shops, the street furniture like benches, pedestrian crossings, cycle parking, new paving and public art projects are just a few of the things that would make accessing town centres easier and more pleasant.”

“Until people have safe pleasant routes to their local centres they will just jump into their car and go elsewhere, which does nothing to reinvigorate local town centres,” said Mr Halden.

His research shows this investment could save Scots £279m each year in transport costs, money which could be spent in local shops and businesses.

MSPs have also been critical. Green MSP Alison Johnstone said:-“The sums of money being set aside are pitiful and will not give local businesses and residents confidence. We need to see support for local champions who can get things done, not a new title for a minister in Edinburgh.”

Meanwhile, Conservative finance spokesman Gavin Brown said that the £2m pledged, when shared across the whole of Scotland, amounts to just £65,000 for each local authority.

Mr Brown said that while the SNP were announcing plans to “make it look like they’re doing a lot about town centres,” they were also shutting police stations and courts.

“They’ve taken a lot of actions in the last months that actually make it tougher for town centres.”

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following bogus workman incidents in the Drylaw and Craigleith area.

The most recent incident happened around 10.30am on Thursday 7th November.  The 78-year-old victim was in her home address at Queens Road, when the male suspect called there offering to carry out gardening work.  The offer was repeatedly declined, however the suspect managed to gain entry to the house where he was later disturbed and fled the scene empty handed.

The other incidents happened the previous day (Wednesday 6th November) in the Drylaw area.  The first two incidents happened around 1pm in Easter Drylaw Avenue and Easter Drylaw Gardens respectively, again gardening work was offered.  The residents who were approached declined the offer; however during one attempt the suspect falsely told the victim that their gardening work, which is carried out by the council, had been withdrawn.

The later incident happened around 3.15pm at West Pilton Drive.

The suspect is described as white, late-thirties or early-forties; around 5ft 10inches, tall, slim build, short dark hair, of tidy appearance with an Irish accent.  He was wearing a white sweatshirt with navy horizontal stripes, navy coloured jeans, carrying a dark brown shoulder bag.

Detective Constable Ben Leathes from Operation Aristotle, which tackles bogus callers in the Capital said: “The elderly victim has been left very upset that the man had entered her home.

“Bogus workmen target vulnerable members of our community and utilise various methods of deception to do so.

Members of the public are reminded never to allow a caller into their home unless entirely certain of their identity.  If you have any doubts, do not let them in and contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone requiring maintenance or repair work for their home should only use a company or individual whom they trust and never hand over money to anyone who cold-calls at your door.

“Neighbours and family of vulnerable people are also asked to be vigilant for suspicious people in their area and report any concerns for a member of the community to police immediately.

“Anyone wishing advice on crime prevention can dial 101 or contact their local policing team.”

On the 30^th anniversary of his death the Institut français put on a special evening of film and food to celebrate the hero of French comedy Louis de Funès on Thursday 14 November 2013, as part of the 21^st French Film Festival.

The popular French actor of Spanish origin is one of the giants of Gallic comedy alongside Bourvil and Fernandel. His acting style is remembered for its high-energy performance and a wide range of facial expressions that earned him the nickname ‘the man with 40 faces a minute’.

For this special tribute, the Institut français offers to discover or re-discover Claude Autant-Lara’s classic wartime comedy La Traversée de Paris (1956). In one of his first significant role, Louis de Funes plays Jambier, the penny pinching butcher to whom the two heroes Bourvil and Jean Gabin must deliver their precious suitcases.

There is no good French celebration without food so the screening will be followed by a buffet of charcuteries, terrines and wine, served in suitcases, of course.

Written by Marcel Aymée, La Traversée de Paris plays the German occupation for slapstick comedy. The film begins with newsreel footage of the Nazis marching down the Champs-Élysées and ends with the city’s liberation. In between, the odd couple Gabin and Bourvil, who have met by chance in a bar, struggle to move their contraband pork meat sneaked in four suitcases – fending off an assortment of dogs, drunks, and cops.

The French Film Festival tribute to Louis de Funes also features a UK premiere in Edinburgh, London and Glasgow to the documentary Louis de Funès Forever, directed by Gregory Monro and Catherine Benazeth who will attend. There will also be a screening of the classic La folie des grandeurs (Delusions of Grandeur) in London (Sun 17 Nov).

LA TRAVERSÉE DE PARIS

Screening & celebratory banquet

Thursday 14 November 2013, 6.00pm

Institut francais d’Ecosse

13 Randolph crescent Edinburgh EH3 7TT

Telephone: 0131 225 5366

TICKETS: £15 / £13

The Great Tapestry of Scotland, the massive, 143-metre long embroidery project, which depicts the history of our country in 160 panels, caught the public imagination when it went on show in the Scottish Parliament during September, where it was viewed by almost 50,000 visitors.

For those who missed the exhibition in the summer, The Great Tapestry of Scotland can currently be viewed in its entirety at Cockenzie House and Gardens in East Lothian (exhibition running daily until 8 December 2013). But for two days in November, four of the panels will be missing – when they will be displayed in an effort to raise funds and awareness at an annual art exhibition in aid of Cancer Research at Adam House in the Cowgate.

Two of the panels on temporary loan to the art exhibition are completely new to the project as they were not ready by the time of the launch at Holyrood.

One of these depicts Ninian at Whithorn c400 AD and the other, the whaling industry which, between 1909 and 1965 was commanded from Leith Harbour (named after Edinburgh’s port) a whaling station on the northeast coast of South Georgia (near the Falkland Islands) established and operated by the famous Edinburgh-based company, Christian Salvesen Ltd.

Of the other two panels one is by the “Edinburgh Tenners” which depicts the era following the ice age when herds of reindeer, wild horses and other species migrated north to what is now Scotland, which by circa 8,500 BC was covered by wildwood in a vast green canopy. Dwarf willow was first, then came aspen, birch, pine, hazel, elm,oak, and finally lime. Under the dappled shade of the greenwood, animals browsed; red and roe deer, the huge wild cattle known as aurochs, wild boar and elk, and predators such as bears, wolves and lynx – and human beings. The streams swam with fish and in the temperate jungle that was Scotland, there will have been years when the hunting and gathering was good.

The ‘Edinburgh Tenners’ actually consist of 13 females, and they are so-called because all reside in the EH10 postal district of the capital.

The other panel depicts Dundee in its heyday as the world centre of ‘jute, jam and journalism’.

This year’s exhibition is being sponsored by the law firm, Blackadders, whose Edinburgh office is in Rutland Square. All four panels – and other works of art – will be available to view to the public on Tuesday & Wednesday 12th & 13th November from 10.30 am to 5.30 pm.

The Great Tapestry of Scotland was the brainchild of the best-selling author, Alexander McCall Smith, the historian Alistair Moffat and the artist Andrew Crummy. It was created on linen produced by Peter Greig & Co of Kirkcaldy which is Scotland’s only remaining linen manufacturer while the stitching required over 300 miles of woollen yarns from the English manufacturer, Appletons.

Photos ©Alex Hewitt http://www.alexhewitt.co.uk

Scotland’s first national arts strategy for young people launched today

Youth arts to receive £5million over next two years

Time To Shine, Scotland’s arts strategy for young people aged 0–25, was launched today by Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs and Janet Archer, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland.

The strategy – which is centred around the three key themes of creating and sustaining engagement; nurturing potential and talent; and developing infrastructure and support – sets out a vision and key recommendations to enable Scotland’s children and young people to flourish and achieve, in and through the arts and creativity.

At the launch, it was announced that youth arts in Scotland will benefit from £5m new funding from Scottish Government over the next two years and that this funding will support initiatives based on key objectives of the strategy. The initiatives are:

A major new open fund for organisations to develop new routes for young people to participate in and access arts and creative activity. Applications to the fund will open early in the New Year, via the Creative Scotland website.

The development of a new national digital platform to showcase and connect young people engaged in youth arts activity

The establishment of a National Youth Advisory Group (NYAG). A group of young representatives from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland will be tasked with making recommendations on the make-up and role of the NYAG, working in partnership with Creative Scotland

Going forwards, individual organisations will implement additional initiatives based on objectives in the strategy, with all work co-ordinated by a new, soon to be established youth arts programme management team.

The full strategy and accompanying documentation can be accessed here.

Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, said:-“The launch of Scotland’s first ever youth arts strategy is an exciting moment. At its heart, the strategy promotes the real benefits and value culture can have on the development of our young people and our communities.
“The Scottish Government recognises the positive impact that arts and creativity can have and the strategy will, for the first time, provide strategic direction, vision and resources so that we can engage and inspire a whole new generation. Time to Shine builds on the well-established links between culture, education, youth employment and personal development.
“It is not only about providing enhanced access opportunities for all of Scotland’s young people but it goes further to support meaningful career pathways for our talent of the future; be it on stage, the screen, behind the scenes or in our world-leading creative industries.
“Perhaps most importantly of all, our aim is that this engagement with culture will nurture personal qualities that will help our young people to grow confidently as citizens and towards realising their ambitions, wherever they lie in the arts or elsewhere.”
Janet Archer, Chief Executive, Creative Scotland, said:

“Today’s launch of Time To Shine follows on the back of amazing work already taking place in youth arts in this country and the skills, dedication and energy of people of all ages involved throughout Scotland.

“Creative Scotland aims to ensure that this work continues and develops through the Time to Shine strategy. Putting young people at the heart of Scotland’s creative future will mean young people’s lives will continue to be enriched through engagement in arts and creative activity across Scotland.”

To read an extract of Janet Archer’s launch speech, click here.

16-year old Tom Strang from Grantown-on-Spey, who takes part in arts activity with Eden Court Theatre and is one of the young people advising on the make up of the National Youth Advisory Group, said:

“The arts give me a way to express myself through music, drama and dance. I hope that this strategy is taken on board by all arts provision providers in Scotland and reaches out to engage people who may not have had the opportunity to access the arts before. I also hope that it will lead to a future of even more high quality art being produced in Scotland.”

20 year old Jocelyn Gowans from Glasgow who works with YDance, said:-“Being involved in the arts means being part of a bigger picture, it expands your horizons. I hope this strategy will bring art forms together so that practitioners can coexist and create a world of endless imagination and inspiration for Scotland’s young people”.

Follow the conversation via #timetoshine

Girl’s first haircut donates waist-long hair to sick children

Ten-year-old Dorin Rogers – whose hair was so long she could sit on it – has had her hair cut for the first time in her life so that she can help two children’s charities. The big-hearted Edinburgh youngster has had her 85cm-long hair chopped into a bob so she can donate the rest to a charity that makes real-hair wigs for sick children.

Dorin had her hair cut at The Salon at Edinburgh College’s Granton Campus – where her mum Soozin is a core skills lecturer – by hairdressing student Selina McLeod. Dorin’s teachers and classmates from Preston Street Primary School came along to the college to see her get the only haircut she has had in her ten years.

Dorin is donating her hair to The Little Princess Trust, a charity that makes and donates real-hair wigs to children who have lost their own hair due to cancer treatment or conditions such as alopecia. Through her act of kindness, Dorin also raised sponsorship for the Edinburgh Sick Kids Friends Foundation, which supports the work of the Royal Hospital for Sick Children in the city. The foundation provides funding over and above NHS provision to purchase vital extras which help to make time spent in hospital better for young patients and their families.

Dorin, who asked her mum’s permission to have her hair cut, said: “I decided to cut my hair because lots of kids lose their hair when they are ill and, after nine years of growing mine, I think it’s time to give someone else a shot who needs it more than me.”

After she had her hair plaited and cut off, Dorin said: “I definitely look a lot different. It’s really weird. I’m so proud that I did this and it also means that my mum won’t have to spend an hour brushing my hair every night.”

Mum Soozin said: “Dorin came up with this idea all by herself and I am so proud of her for being so selfless and generous. The Little Princess Trust and the Sick Kids Friends Foundation are two charities that do amazing work for children who are unwell and we are very happy that Dorin’s act of kindness has brought out the kindness in all the people who are sponsoring her.”

Dorin has raised £657 so far. To sponsor her, go to her justgiving page at http://www.justgiving.com/dorin

So here it is Merry Christmas everybody’s havin’ fun….. With thanks to our new best friends from Slade, we know that actually everyone is not having fun, but retailers would like to think you are. So here are the adverts that some of the big retailers are about to bombard us with.

According to official reports, tomorrow evening the Coca Cola ad will be played for the first time. Possibly the most iconic and possibly the company which turned Santa red…..

☆☆☆ BREAKING NEWS #NorthPoleLIVE ☆ WILL #HolidaysAreComing @cokezone #AD BE PLAYED TOMORROW DURING #XFactor in #UK ☆ @OfficialSantaHQ ☆☆☆

— OfficialNorthPoleHQ (@OfficialSantaHQ) November 8, 2013

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Let us know which is your favourite!

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[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTLjulVbbE4]

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“Check on!”

These two words might not mean too much to many people, but to the staff behind the bar in Henricks it’s their signal that another order for drinks has been placed, and when ‘Check On!’ is being called every few minutes it means that the pub is busy. The reason this pub is busy is down to a great team of people who over the last couple of years have turned this establishment  into a wonderful place to eat and drink.

Chris and Ailsa who took over the running of Henricks Bar have worked incredibly hard to take a small cocktail bar that served food and turn it into a still small, but now bustling and busy bar that sells great food and great wine. They also hold theme nights and wine nights and offer a very good pre-theatre menu.

I myself have frequented this pub since Chris and Ailsa took over as mine hosts, and for me it has been an amazing journey to watch these two in their first joint venture, working and running their own business.

Between them they have a wealth of knowledge of working in the drinks and wine industry.  Since buying this business they have worked together to gather a great team of people who now meet and greet you as you enter the bar, usher you to a table, take your drinks and food order. Nothing new there? Well it is just these personal touches which make all the difference and it’s something that in my view you rarely see these days.

Another great thing is that you are not bombarded with loud music or blaring TV screens here. It’s a bar you can actually sit down and talk in, yes have real conversations. It’s dog friendly too.

As with any good business you must have good staff and the team at Henricks are second to none, friendly helpful chatty when they are not too busy and totally love their work and they go that extra mile when needed. The bar itself has gone through periods of change which have not always been plain sailing. There have been tears and tantrums, floods and redecoration, but now it’s all come together. The highlight of this year has been Chris and Ailsa finally tying the knot and getting married, so now they are more than just business partners!

So this review is my little gift to two great people who make my visits to their bar, sometimes with family and friends, a great and enjoyable experience and one that I highly recommend to others.

So if you’re ever in this bar and you hear the sound of ‘Check On’ being called you will know you’re in the right place!

Henricks Bar 1-3 Barclay Pl, EH10 4HW T +44 131 229 2442

Submitted by David Jacobs

The fire service is facing three charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act in relation to the death of Edinburgh firefighter Ewan Williamson who died in the line of duty while tackling a blaze at the Balmoral Bar on Dalry Road on July 12, 2009.

The case was called at the High Court in Glasgow yesterday and was adjourned by judge Lord Turnbull for legal debate which will take place at the High Court in Edinburgh on December 6 2013.

The first allegation claims the necessary “instruction and supervision” was not provided to employees and includes an accusation that there was a lack of appropriate training for firefighters in relation to tackling basement fires.

The second charge alleges that the fire service failed to provide “a system of work” that was safe and without risks on the day of the fatal fire and that there was not an adequate response to Mr Williamson becoming trapped within a toilet on the ground floor at the Balmoral Bar as well as a failure to have in place an effective communication system between firefighters.

The third charge claims there was not a “suitable and sufficient risk assessment” and an allegation of not identifying adequate control measures in conditions of “restricted visibility and extreme heat”.

The 35 year old firefighter worked for the former Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service before the new service was formed in April this year.

It might have been baltic and monsoon-like outside, but inside Edinburgh’s Jam House, Mr McFall’s Chamber had created a sultry, convincingly South American atmosphere for their Viva Tango night of music and dance, their capital stop in a short Scottish tour.

It helped the authenticity that the ad hoc classical-based ensemble was joined by a few key interlopers – most of all, the wonderfully supple, ringing voice of regular collaborator Valentina Montoya Martínez, a Chilean singer-songwriter (now based in Scotland) who performed a selection of her sensuous songs in the first half.

‘Tango de la espera’ brought out real bite from the five-strong string section to accompany Martínez’s intricate vocal line, and ‘Versos’, her account of the Chilean military abducting her father when she was a young girl, had touching passion.

Two other players stood out among the fine ensemble. French tango violinist Cyril Garac gave strong, characterful contributions throughout: he was in the spotlight for Astor Piazzolla’s ‘Vandarito’ with some remarkably expressive playing, swooping and sliding all over the place, and attacking his lower strings with a rich, intense vibrato.

And young French bandoneón player Lysandre Donoso, although somewhat hidden among the rich ensemble texture, delivered nimble solo work as well as cutting jabs and interjections that reinforced the group’s rhythmic bite.

The few numbers by Argentinian tango king Piazzolla stood out somewhat among Martínez’s songs, but all were conveyed with impeccable class and style. And in the second half, a dance set of classic tangos, waltzes and milongas from the 1920s to the 1950s gave Edinburgh’s finest the chance to show off their footwork – with impressive results. The pre-concert dance class that was on offer had probably helped – and there were more opportunities for movement in the milonga DJ set that followed.

Mr McFall’s Chamber’s Viva Tango concert tour continues in Glasgow (Fri 8 Nov) and Stirling (Sat 9 Nov), with pre-concert dance classes and late-night DJ sets also on offer.

Stars at the Radio Forth Awards – Carers Event at Drumbrae – Nominate a baton bearer! – Dean Owens – Zomato

Many big stars were in Edinburgh yesterday for the Radio Forth Awards at the Usher Hall. Take a look at the photos here.

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The Western Edinburgh Neighbourhood Partnership, along with Health and Social Care, is hosting an event for carers and their families on Tuesday 12^th November at the Drumbrae Library Hub, Drum Brae Drive, Edinburgh from 2-4pm.

Taking advantage of the cafe facilities in the Drumbrae Hub, the event aims to provide carers and their families access to advice and information from key service providers in a relaxed and informal setting.  Organisations attending include VOCAL (Voice of Carers across Lothian), Alzheimer Scotland, Care for Carers and Positive Realities.

To support this a range of additional activities, including a reminiscence session, are being offered to those attending. The event aims to target as wide a range of carers as possible and will include organisations supporting carers of all ages, including young people.

The Care Inspectorate will also be available to offer advice and guidance to carers in its role as the independent regulator of social care and social work services across Scotland.

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The Queen’s Baton Relay started at the beginning of last month and will travel through the 70 member nations and territories of the Commonwealth before coming back to Scotland. You can help make that journey memorable. The organisers need 4,000 baton bearers to carry it through Scotland on the final part of the trip to Glasgow. So you can apply or nominate someone else.

HOW TO NOMINATE FOR A COMMUNITY BATONBEARER POSITION

Nominees must be UK citizens or have permission to reside in the UK and be 12 years of age or older on the date of nomination.

You must have consent from the person you want to nominate along with their current email address.

You will be asked to describe in 100 words or less, why this person meets one or more of the six selection criteria to be eligible as a community batonbearer.

Successful community batonbearers will be allocated a segment of the route within the Local Authority area in which they have made their contribution to the community.

All nomination forms will be judged in the Local Authority area indicated by the nominator and confirmed by the nominee. You may nominate someone you know to be a community batonbearer or yourself by completing the online nomination form here.

All completed applications must be received by 17:00 on 22 November 2013.

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Looking for some entertainment this weekend? Look no further. Get on the invitation list for the House @ 42 and you will be moved by Dean Owens’ wonderful singing.

Douglas and Jane-Anne have written on their site:-“He’s back! And it’s always a pleasure to host our old pal Dean Owens. Rounding off his latest tour at the house it’s sure to be a great homecoming when Dean settles in with old friends and new. You can expect a selection drawn from one of the most extensive back catalogues in town, some Johnny Cash numbers, and a few new songs too. If you are not familiar with Dean, he’s one of Scotland’s most acclaimed solo artists, he writes beautiful and poignant songs, and his voice is amazing. In the 90s he was lead singer with Americana band The Felsons and currently fronts indy pop combo Deer Lake. Hope you can come along on Saturday, it’s going to be a great night (7.30 for 8pm start).”

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There is a new app to help you plan your eating out this weekend. Download the Zomato app and get involved in reviewing Edinburgh restaurants. Very user friendly and quite addictive……

Read our article about it here.

Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) will show its support for the Scotland team in this month’s viagogo Autumn Tests by switching its advanced exterior LED lighting system to the Scotland team colours.

EICC is responding to Scottish Rugby’s ‘backingblue’ campaign call that is raising awareness of Scotland’s Murrayfield tests against Japan, South Africa and Australia over three successive weekends this month.

Announcing support for ‘backingblue’ EICC’s Head of Sales and Marketing, Louise Andrew said:-“Our new building exterior features advanced LED lighting systems that can match any colour combination that our customers require but for three weekends in November we are ‘backingblue’ by switching to the colour of the Scotland rugby shirt”.

Dominic McKay, Scottish Rugby Director of Communications, Commercial & Public Affairs added:-“Everyone at Scottish Rugby would like to thank the EICC for backing blue and getting behind the team and this campaign. Support like this is vital for the boys and hopefully fans will be rewarded with good results and some fantastic rugby during the viagogo Autumn Tests.”

EICC can match any colour palate using advanced RGB LED lighting in interior spaces and on the exterior facades of its new expansion space.

Submitted by John Gerrie

Edinburgh residents are concerned about the Council plans for budget cuts of £36 million next year. They are organising a public meeting to discuss how people in the city could be affected by the draft budget proposals for 2014/15. The meeting will be held in Meadowbank Sports Centre on Friday 22 November at 7:00pm. Councillor Bill Cook, Convener of the Finance & Budget Committee, will be speaking and everyone is welcome to attend.

’We are afraid the Council proposals could mean rapidly increasing poverty and inequality in Edinburgh and have a bad effect on services and jobs’, says one Willowbrae resident. ’In 2012 our Council, the Coalition of the Labour Party and Scottish National Party, promised it would work to reduce poverty, inequality and deprivation and improve amenities and services. However the proposed changes could mean elderly and disabled people being forced to pay more for care and housing support for homeless people could be cut by 15%.

We want to persuade councillors to find alternatives to food banks and poverty. It’s important that Edinburgh is a city which cares for all of its residents and workers and a city that provides high quality care for those who need it. We want councillors to ensure good schools and amenities and protect services and jobs.

The council’s own report notes that since 2006/7 some £175m has been ‘saved’ in budget cuts which means that many services are already stretched to breaking point. We hope that people will come along to Meadowbank to discuss these issues and make sure things don’t get worse.’

The public meeting is being organised by Edinburgh East Save Our Services, Greater Leith Against the Cuts, CCaP and Edinburgh Trade Union Council.

Submitted by lorna frost

So here they are in all their glory….photos courtesy of Rob McDougall

The Radio Forth Awards 2013 were held at the Usher Hall, earlier today.

Boy George George, Tom Odell, Craig Hill, Susan Boyle, Grant Stott and Andy Gray. What more could you want? Oh JLS and Neon Jungle too….

Copyright Rob McDougall 2013

The Great Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk

West Princes Street Gardens, by the Ross Bandstand

Sunday 8th December 2013 at 11am

Once more Scotland’s fundraising Santa’s will run, walk and stroll around West Princes Street Gardens, which is spread over a short 2km circuit, The Great Edinburgh Santa Fun Run is a great way to enjoy time with friends and family, whilst raising money for a deserving cause When You Wish Upon A Star.  And you don’t have to be a runner to take part.

Money raised from the event goes to When You Wish Upon a Star, which aims to grant the ‘Wishes’ of children throughout Scotland suffering from life-threatening illnesses.

The route is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters, children in push chairs and dogs are allowed on leads. Prizes will be given for the “Best Decorated Push Chair” and“Best Dressed Dog for Christmas.”

Entry

Adults £15 (12yrs and over) includes FREE Santa Suit to keep;

Junior £7.50 (2 – 11yrs) includes a FREE Elf Hat to keep

Infants Free (below 2yrs) includes FREE Elf Hat to keep

Please note there is a minimum sponsorship of £20 from each Santa. This does not include the entry fee.

 Click here to register online or call the Scotland Office on 01357 529 950

Two local breweries have been chosen to showcase their beer at Aldi’s Winter Beer Festival. The festival, taking place at stores across Scotland, will have some of the country’s finest dark ales on show and will feature Barney’s Volcano IPA from Barney’s Brewery in Edinburgh and Musselburgh Broke from Knops Brewery in East Lothian.

Barney’s Beer started brewing in 2011 and is returning to the Winter Beer Festival after working with Aldi at the inaugural event last year, with 96 cases of Barney’s Volcano IPA set to hit stores for this year’s festival. The beer has a light malt flavour and bags of hops.

Andrew Barnett, owner of Barney’s Beer, said:- “It’s great to work with Aldi on their winter beer festival. To be associated with an international retail brand and have national distribution across Scotland provides us with great credibility.”

Knops Brewery also has experience of working with Aldi after taking part in the Summer Beer Festival earlier this year and will provide the retailer with around 200 cases of its Musselburgh Broke ale in a deal which is worth around £3,000 to the brewery. Musselburgh Broke is a chestnut coloured ale which has a taste of caramel, toffee and coca from the malts with a smooth and dry finish.

Robert Knops, owner of Knops Brewery, said:- “We really enjoyed working with Aldi on their last festival and saw this as another great opportunity to gain wider distribution and exposure for our products.”

This year’s Winter Beer Festival is worth an estimated £96,000 to Scottish breweries and builds on the success of Aldi’s previous festivals which were worth a combined  £190,000 to the breweries involved and saw over 105,000 bottles of ale sold.

Richard Holloway, Scottish managing director at Aldi, commented:- “We are proud to be celebrating the third Aldi Scottish Beer Festival this winter. The success of the first two festivals is very much down to the relationships we have established with the best breweries across Scotland and the quality of the ales they have provided us with.

“Our Winter Beer Festival is focused on providing our customers with the best seasonal ales on the market, all perfect for the dark and cold winter weather. These unique beers and ales are on offer at the lowest possible prices, and we hope that as many shoppers as possible try them out when next in store.”

Aldi’s Scottish Beer Festival is currently taking place across all of Aldi’s 49 Scottish stores for five weeks (or until stocks last).

60^th birthday party for Scotland’s leading MS charity

The MS Society in Scotland is celebrating its 60th birthday by opening its doors for a party at its office at Ratho Station near Edinburgh.

Volunteers and supporters will join staff on Friday 29 November 2013 from 12 – 3pm. Everyone with an interest in MS is welcome to come along and join in the celebrations (there will be cake!) and find out more about the work of the charity. The day promises to be positive, fun and informative and will include inspirational talks from volunteers and staff, information stalls on the diverse work carried out by the charity, a raffle and light refreshments.

The MS Society is Scotland’s biggest charity supporting everyone living with MS in Scotland. Around 10,500 have MS in Scotland, and many more are affected as a result. Most people are diagnosed in their 20s and 30s.

The MS Society was established in 1953 by Sir Richard Cave, whose wife Mary had MS. The charity fights to improve treatment and care to help people with MS take control of their lives. With generous support from donors and fundraisers, it funds research to help beat MS for good.

Christine Carlin, Scotland Director of the MS Society said:- “Our 60^th birthday year has been a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the MS Society and the work of our local volunteers, who are the backbone of what we do. To find out more about the support we can offer you, please come along to our Open Day and have a chat and a piece of cake with us – all are welcome!”

For more information please visit www.mssociety.org.uk/scotland, email events@mssociety.org.uk or call 0131 335 4050 before Friday 15 November

Edinburgh Pupil Receives Prestigious British Tennis Award

Merchiston Castle School pupil, Jacob Fearnley, was awarded the Highland Spring Hot Shot Award at the 2013 British Tennis Awards earlier this week at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Some awards recognised volunteers who give their time to tennis, while other LTA and Tennis Foundation awards were presented, including player awards, education awards and the Aegon Coach of the Year Award. The awards were presented by LTA President, Peter Bretherton and Julie Preston, Senior Sponsorship Consultant from Aegon.

British Tennis noted that 12 year old Jacob has worked exceptionally hard within his programme to develop many aspects of his game, resulting in some great performances both at National and International level this year such as winning the 12 and Under Winter European Team Championships and the Aegon National Championships in Bournemouth. The organisation said that, both in training and competition, Jacob consistently demonstrates great attitude, professionalism, the spirit of fair play and is a great role model to other young tennis players.

This individual success follows an exceptional year for Merchiston’s Tennis Academy, which was launched in 2007.   Merchiston was crowned the 2013 Scottish Schools Tennis Team Champions.

Head Coach, Marcel du Coudray is delighted:- “Jacob has shown tremendous dedication and loves his tennis, both training and matches. Despite his terrific results, Jacob remains modest which is so important at all stages of a career and we are excited to see how he progresses in the coming years.”

House sales continue to rise in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife, but ESPC urges sellers to be realistic in its October house price report

Latest figures from ESPC reveal that buyer activity in the property market across east central Scotland has continued to rise. In the three months to October the number of homes sold across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife rose by 42.5% annually. The number of homes coming onto the market also increased, but at the more modest annual rate of 14.9%.

Despite the rise in the number of homes selling, in the majority of cases buyers are still enjoying success when it comes to negotiating on price with sellers. In Edinburgh, 58.6% of properties sold over the last three months were secured for less than their original Home Report valuation. Across the rest of the Lothians 71.0% of homes were bought for less than their valuation level whilst in Fife the figure stood at 73.8%.

Commenting on the results, David Marshall, business analyst with ESPC, said: -“There’s been a lot of discussion recently about the upturn in the housing market and while it’s certainly true that conditions are more favourable for sellers than has been the case for some time, it’s important to keep things in perspective.

“The number of homes selling has risen significantly but this improvement comes from a low base and sales are still about 25-30% below peak levels. As a result, while prices are higher than they were a year ago in some areas, the rate of growth is typically below CPI inflation at around 2%. Where larger increases have been observed these generally serve to offset falls witnessed at this stage a year ago. For example, in East Lothian the average house price has risen by 5.6% annually but this came on the back of a 4.5% decline last year.

“For sellers coming to the market today the best advice is to be realistic when setting the asking price. The likelihood of a property achieving its valuation drops substantially the longer it spends on the market so you don’t want to risk deterring potential buyers early on with a price that is too high.

“Increasingly we are seeing a return to the ‘Offers Over’ approach to marketing properties. 44% of homes brought to the market over the last three months have used this method – up from 33% at this point last year. The premiums being paid on such properties are generally in the region of 4-5% which is well below the average of 25-30% that you’d have seen prior to the credit crunch.”

Key findings from the report include:

• The number of homes sold across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife during the three months to October rose by 42.5% annually.
• The number of homes coming onto the market also rose, though at the more modest rate of 14.9% annually.
• In most cases, properties are still selling for less than their Home Report valuation. In Edinburgh 58.6% of homes sold during the last three months were secured for less than their original valuation.
• Across the rest of the Lothians, 71.0% of homes sold were bought for less than the Home Report valuation figure.
• The likelihood of a property achieving valuation drops significantly after it has been on the market for 12 weeks making the setting of the initial asking price crucial.
• There has been a rise in the number of sellers using an ‘Offers Over’ approach, with fewer properties now marketed at Fixed Price or Offers Around.
• The average house price in most areas inched up slightly. In Edinburgh the average house price now stands at £208,886 – up 2.0% annually.

Plans to breathe new life into town centres across Scotland have been unveiled by Local Government Minister Derek Mackay today.

Included in the plan is an expansion of the rates relief scheme for new businesses to include pubs, restaurants and hotels in a bid to diversify the high street.

The Town Centre Action Plan is a cross-government response to the independent National Review of Town Centres, published in July.

The Action Plan addresses the recommendations of the Review and out-lines proposed joint working between public, private and community sectors.

Actions include:

Expanding the ‘Fresh Start’ business rates relief to apply to pubs, hotels and restaurants from 1 April 2014 and to increase the thresholds of the scheme from property with a rateable value of £45,000 to £65,000

£2 million towards a Town Centre Housing Fund to help bring empty town centre properties back into use

Working with COSLA to develop a town centre first principle. This will include a series of demonstration projects specifically targeting areas identified by the Review group

Powers for local authorities to establish Town Centre Investment Zones

£120,000 for Town Centre charettes – grants available to help deliver community design meetings specifically focused on town centres

Launching a competition for entrepreneurs to drive forward town centre regeneration ideas

Local Government and Planning Minister Derek Mackay named as dedicated Minister for Town Centres

Maintaining the Small Business Bonus Scheme for the life of the current Parliament, removing or substantially reducing the rates burden for thousands of town centre properties

Working with stakeholders to identify support priorities for Business Improvement District (BID) projects

Investigating ways of expanding the role of Scottish Future Trust place-based reviews

Speaking during his visit to Bank Street in Kilmarnock, which, due to the efforts of East Ayrshire Council, local traders groups and businesses, reached 100 per cent occupancy in October this year, Mr Mackay said:

“The Scottish Government is determined that our town centres should be vibrant, attractive and safe places where local people and visitors alike want to spend their time and money.

“They should be accessible places which invite business start-up and inspire innovative ideas from all walks of the community. We welcomed the independent review earlier this year and the crucial role it will play in the regeneration of high streets across Scotland.

“In response to this we are today publishing an Action Plan which will encourage and support action across the wider public, private and community sectors.

“We recognise the importance of securing the future of our high streets as the economic centre of our towns. This is why we have expanded Fresh Start – our rates relief scheme for new businesses – to include pubs, hotels and restaurants and increasing the thresholds for the scheme.

“Our town centres should also be places where we live and socialise, which is why we have allocated £2 million towards a housing fund to bring empty properties back into use as homes and are supporting community design charettes through £120,000 in funding.

“The plan marks a new era for Scotland’s town centres and we will continue to work in partnership with local authorities, private and community organisations to ensure they are vibrant places to live, work and socialise.”

Malcolm Fraser, the architect who led the Town Centre Review, said: -“What I think we have here, is a change of Government mindset: a reversal of the throw-away habit that abandons old towns, with their communities, infrastructure and services, for greenfield sites.

“I’m impressed at the Government’s determination to promote a new, town-centred culture across its policy-making and decision-taking. Next is for Local Authorities to embrace the challenges and opportunities this brings, and for our business and communities to be encouraged and enabled.”

Councillor Douglas Reid, leader of East Ayrshire Council said:-“Within East Ayrshire we want our town centres to be vibrant, bustling places where people can work, shop, live and socialise and we are working very hard to ensure positive change for our communities.

“The Bank Street area of Kilmarnock is the perfect example of what can be achieved. Over many years, this area has benefitted from investment in regeneration projects and owners of buildings have been given help to restore and upgrade their premises. The Council has also worked to enhance the look of the street with improved street furniture and lighting, new cobbles and street artwork.”

During his visit Mr Mackay met with traders on Bank Street, including Coffee Press owner, Alisdair Hood.

Mr Hood said:-“Bank Street is bucking the trend with 100 per cent occupancy and lots of independent shops.

“For me a town centre should be the beating heart of a community and we all have a role to play in developing our town centres.”

Glasgow-based group 85a is ready to make its Edinburgh debut at Summerhall next month.

The sound, art and performance collective will stage elaborate happenings which are part art installation and part theatrical event, with elements of music, film and puppetry thrown into the mix. On 6 December 2013 Summerhall will play host to the premiere of Judd Brucke’s industrial-horror film ‘CHERNOZEM,’ a film which the group claims will cast “a cinematic shadow as trenchant and visceral as they come.”

The event will culminate in the ‘Renegade Maskerrade’  party – a mixture of live performances, music and DJs featuring Glasgow band Jacob Yates & The Pearly Gate Lock Pickers.

For further information about 85a check out their website – if you dare…..

An innovative idea which combines exercise with a bit of eating and a bit of fundraising will start at 3:00pm on 17 November 2013 in Leith.

Capital curry kings Khushi’s and Mithas cook up a walking challenge for one of Scotland’s leading children’s charities.

Spanning Edinburgh’s Leith Walk, from Antigua Street to the Dock, Khushi’s and Mithas Indian restaurants will be heating up the streets of the capital this November as staff invite the general public to join them in a fundraising walk to raise money for Scotland’s vulnerable children and families.

Khushi’s restaurant has been part of the fabric of Edinburgh since 1947 and its current locations in Leith will be the base for the November 17th event, starting at 3pm and finishing at 5pm. Staff will also be fundraising for CHILDREN 1st within the restaurants in the run up to the event.

Walking can be great fun for all ages. CHILDREN 1st believe every child deserves a happy, healthy and safe childhood. Kushi’s and Mithas hope that the public will join in this healthy approach to fundraising for vulnerable children in
Scotland.

Participants in the Spice Walk will receive free t-shirts and after the challenge supporters will enjoy free samples of Khushi’s famous Indian food.

THE IDEA: Walking can be great fun for all ages. Not everyone likes running but we all walk every day. Let’s all go out to the great outdoors and push ourselves for a good cause with a walk for charity. Families and friends can join our team
to make a real difference for children in Scotland.

Why are we walking?

More than 2,700 vulnerable children were reported as victims last year, but thousands more will have suffered in silence with no record of the atrocities against them. Recorded crimes involving sexual abuse against children – rapes, sexual assaults, indecent images, online pornography, sexually coercive conduct – have all increased in the last year.

Children 1st say that

 1/4 of all children in Scotland are estimated to be growing up in poverty and
disadvantage
1 in 6 children experience abuse or neglect at the hands of their parents.
4,500 children in Scotland run away from home every year due to an environment
of violence and neglect.
Around 50,000 children are living with domestic abuse and its impacts in
Scotland.

If you would like to join the fundraisers, send your name, address, telephone number and t-shirt size to kate@mithas.co.uk

Submitted by Kate Lenart

Jim Eadie, MSP for Edinburgh Southern, last night hosted an event for Parkinson’s UK at The Scottish Parliament in an effort to highlight the important work being carried out in Scotland’s universities to help understand more about the disease and work towards a cure.

Speaking about the event, Mr Eadie said: “I was delighted to host Parkinson’s UK, as it provided us all with a better insight in to the vital research work carried out across Scotland, as well as the tremendous amount of funding Parkinson’s UK give to help breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of the condition.

“Work to identify a cure for Parkinson’s is something that we all want to see. Last night’s event sent a clear message that Parkinson’s UK research has a part to play in making Scotland a global centre for life sciences, as well as the importance of their research work to people living with Parkinson’s and the health professionals who support them.”

The MSP has also tabled a parliamentary motion to support the work of Parkinson’s UK:-

“That the Parliament welcomes the work being carried out across Scotland’s universities to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease and improve the lives of people affected by it; understands that Parkinson’s UK is Europe’s largest non-industry funder of research into the condition; believes that the charity’s £60 million investment into groundbreaking research since 1969 has already led to breakthroughs in the treatment and understanding of the condition; welcomes Parkinson’s UK’s ongoing research across the UK, which has 90 projects totalling over £20 million and that £5 million of this is committed to research at the universities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee and Glasgow; understands that the world’s largest ever in-depth study of people with Parkinson’s is being led by Glasgow-based researchers and that other research in Scotland covers topics including genetics, stem cells, the impact of Parkinson’s on people with the condition and unpaid carers; supports this research, which, it believes, underpins the success of Scotland’s life sciences sector; considers that this success enables researchers to leverage funding from other sources; agrees with Parkinson’s UK that actively involving people with the condition in the research leads to studies that are better and more relevant and meaningful, and looks forward to a time when people are able to live free from the symptoms of Parkinson’s.”

Police in Edinburgh are inviting people to help shape the future of policing in the Capital through a series of community drop-in sessions starting this week.

The sessions will give those who live and work in the city the chance to have their say on the Edinburgh Policing Plan 2014-2017, which will outline the approach that will be taken towards policing communities in the Capital, based on local priorities.

Police Scotland has already launched a survey seeking the views of residents and stakeholders, which is available to access online https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/EdinburghLocalPolicePlan2014-17

This consultation process is continuing with the launch of the drop-in sessions, which are being hosted by Police Scotland in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

The first session takes place tomorrow (Friday, November 8) at South Queensferry Library, and in the weeks ahead officers will be visiting neighbourhoods across the city in order to canvass views from local residents.

Superintendent Matt Richards, from Police Scotland, said: “The results of the consultation will be of huge significance in guiding our approach towards policing in Edinburgh in the three-year period 2014-2017, and it is vital that residents play their part in helping to inform the content of the plan.

“The community drop-in sessions are a great opportunity for people to have their say on policing in the Capital, and over the next month officers will be holding sessions in local neighbourhoods where people can have their say.

“I would encourage people to get involved and help us shape our plans around what is important to them.”

Cllr Mike Bridgman, Convener of the Interim Police and Fire Committee, said: “Community policing is vital for building safer neighbourhoods and I am very pleased that local residents are being asked to participate in helping shape its future.

“I would urge people to come along to these drop-in sessions so that they can have their say on these important plans for policing in Edinburgh.”

Group Manager Steve Gourlay, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said “We are using these events as an opportunity to engage with the public to seek their views on the new Scottish service as well as providing home fire safety advice.”

The community drop-in sessions will be held on the following dates:

Friday 8 Nov (12 – 2pm) South Queensferry Library

Monday 11 Nov (12 – 2pm) Central Library

Tuesday 12 Nov (11am – 1pm) Craigmillar Library

Wed 13 Nov (2 – 4pm) McDonald Road Library

Fri 15 Nov (2.30pm – 4.30pm) Newington Library

Sat 16 Nov (10am – 12pm) Blackhall Library

Tues 19 Nov (10am – 12pm) CEC South Neighbourhood Office

Wed 20 Nov (10am – 12pm) CEC North Edinburgh Local Office

Fri 22 Nov (12 – 2pm) Oxgangs Library

Mon 25 Nov (12 – 2pm) Drumbrae Hub

Wed 27 Nov (12 – 2pm) Piershill Library

Fri 29 Nov (12 – 2pm) Wester Hailes Library

Aquamarine Power has announced initial electrical power production from its Oyster 800 wave energy convertor following the machine’s recent return to service.

During the summer Oyster 800, located at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, underwent a major re-fit where new components including accumulators, valves, cables and sub-sea instrumentation connectors were replaced. The machine has been producing power over the past two weeks in a series of controlled tests.

“We are continuing to test the safety systems of the plant and are slowly building up power production. In 60 hours of operations we have produced 6MWh of power,” said Martin McAdam, CEO Aquamarine Power.

“We averaged about 100kW output and had a peak output of 435kW. Our longest continuous period of controlled power output was 22 hours.

“So far all of the replacement kit on the machine has performed as expected – but it’s early days.”

“I think we have to be cautious given our experience with the machine and the variety of equipment failures we have previously experienced. We have encountered some additional problems during commissioning but as every engineer will tell you – commissioning issues are normal.

“Our controlled testing will continue.”

Edinburgh MP Mike Crockart has welcomed the launch of a new service from TalkTalk which allows customers to identify and block nuisance callers.

TalkTalk launched the call blocking service as part of its HomeSafe internet security on the 29th October, and is the first ISP in the UK to offer this service at a network level. Customers who have been receiving excessive numbers of calls from a single number can report them quickly and simply online, with TalkTalk investigating requests with a view to potentially blocking numbers at a network level if there is evidence of misconduct that breaches a strict set of rules.

Mr Crockart, who has been running the ‘No 2 Nuisance Calls’ campaign for the past 18 months, is pleased to see action taken against the bothersome callers: “I have been contacted by hundreds of constituents who are sick of receiving nuisance calls day in and day out. It is an escalating problem, and one which can no longer be ignored. I have repeatedly called on the government and the industry to take action to protect the most vulnerable in society and it is great to see TalkTalk responding to those calls.

“It is not just up to the Government to take action, the network providers also have a responsibility and I am delighted that TalkTalk have recognised this and are working hard to protect their customers.

“However, it is not enough for one company to provide this service, we need joined up action from across the industry as well as from the Government and the regulators. There is not a single solution to the problem of nuisance calls but it’s clear telecoms providers are key to eradicating the menace of nuisance calls once and for all and I therefore urge others to follow TalkTalk’s lead.”

Dido Harding, Chief Executive of TalkTalk Group added:-“We know from our customers that getting nuisance calls is one of the more stressful experiences they encounter. Thanks to the technology, determination and most importantly our customers’ help it is now possible to identify and block these calls from reaching TalkTalk homes. We are pleased to launch this new nuisance call reporting service that lets our customers to alert us to suspected scam and nuisance callers quickly and simply online, which our expert team can investigate with a view to blocking numbers at a network level if there is evidence of misconduct. This is the next stage in our HomeSafe offering, which we launched two years ago to let customers take control of how the internet is used in their home.”

As the block is at the network level, TalkTalk can only block for customers who are on the TalkTalk network; the service is not available to TalkTalk customers outside the network. TalkTalk are unable to block residential or mobile numbers, banks or debt collection companies or legitimate sales and marketing companies that have not breached the strict criteria.