How to enjoy a digital detox over Christmas

Brad McKenna, University of East Anglia and Wenjie Cai, University of Greenwich

It is not surprising that many of us have been suffering from digital overload during the pandemic, and taking care of our “digital wellbeing” has become a common theme. Social media, online shopping, making reservations, and even necessary chores like paying bills have meant that technology has pervaded every aspect of our lives.

Whether home schooling or working from home, our mobile phones have never been far from our side. We’ve even embraced video communication technology for keeping in touch with friends and loved ones, whether they live locally or thousands of miles away.

To be frank, it can be very hard to imagine how we can just decide to cut it off. And the constant pressure to always be available – and reply immediately – can be overwhelming.

But with Christmas coming, you may be planning to take a break from work and perhaps even go on holiday. So, why not take the opportunity to have a break from technology and try a digital detox?

In our new work we investigated different ways to reduce tech use on holiday. Here’s what we discovered.

1. Lock it away

By far the most efficient way to get the most out of the experience is to lock your phone, laptop and tablets away. Of course, you have the option to turn on “do not disturb” mode, or selectively turn off notifications on some apps. However, it is quite a task to turn off notifications for certain groups of apps, and with your phone still in your pocket there’s always an excuse to check Facebook or Instagram, to reply to an email, or upload a photo. This approach means you could still scroll through your phone, and muscle memory means you can open apps without even realising it.

You could consider limiting your phone usage time. For example, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. But our study found that soon you would spend much longer without realising it and find more excuses to be online.

So, the best solution is to go cold turkey and lock your phone in a box or hide it somewhere. This removes the challenges of turning off notifications or limiting your phone time.

At first it might be a bit overwhelming. But after a while you will start to feel the benefits, and will hopefully feel more liberated, freer, or like a weight has been lifted.. You may even find that you want to stay disconnected for longer.

2. Don’t forget to plan

It’s very difficult not to unwind in the countryside. There, you don’t need to worry about navigating city streets and the overwhelming digitalised infrastructure of cities (such as apps for booking restaurants, cinema tickets and public transport). So if you can get away, it will make the detox feel much more natural.

But prior planning is essential. Turn on your out-of-office message, let your colleagues, clients and boss know that you are away. Inform your loved ones and friends so you won’t be stressed about them trying to reach you.

You should also print booking confirmations and train, plane and other travel tickets – and get a paper map so you can leave your digital devices behind. If you find the preparation too much of a fuss, you can book your experience with a digital detox holiday provider who will help with the planning and adjustment to a week or two without sensory overload.

3. Find the positives

As technology is considered the “default” in our lives, you might experience some difficulties disconnecting cold turkey from a world where we are connected 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

At first, disconnecting might throw up some considerable emotional challenges – such as feeling stressed, anxious or frustrated.

We suggest trying to re-frame the struggles in your mind as positive by looking at the experiences as rewards rather than punishments. For example, not being able to use digital apps or websites to navigate around and find highly-rated restaurants can be frustrating – but it can also create a sense of excitement from having the opportunity to explore the unknown, experience unexpected encounters, or master new skills in using paper maps and perhaps even a compass.

You might find hidden gems or more opportunities to talk to locals.

Yes, you won’t be able to share your experience instantly on social media, but you will have more quality time with your companions rather than checking likes and replying to comments on your posts.

The digital detox experience opens up opportunities to reconnect with long forgotten nostalgic childhood memories, and the old times you probably haven’t thought about for a long time. Sometimes humming an old tune or simply playing some childhood games can be enough to take you back.

4. Reflection

The most important tip is to reflect on the digital detox experience. Everyone has their own unique relationship with technology, and you would benefit greatly from finding the best way to achieve a healthier relationship with it. Try to use the experience as an opportunity to reflect on how the digital detox makes you feel, and what would you like to do after returning to the busy connected world to help prevent digital overload from setting in again.

Brad McKenna, Associate Professor in Information Systems, University of East Anglia and Wenjie Cai, Senior Lecturer in Tourism and Hospitality, University of Greenwich

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Scottish Government has announced a £21 million support package to support cultural and events organisations and freelancers experiencing cancellations due to the rapid spread of the new Omicron variant has been announced.

This is to help manage the significant impact of the new guidelines around social distancing and the limitations on the number of people who can attend events.

The £21 million is part of the £100 million package announced by the Scottish Government last week to compensate businesses affected by events cancellations and includes an additional £1 million from existing events sector funds.

The funds will be allocated as follows:

• £10.2 million for cultural organisations and venues to be administered by Creative Scotland
• £2.8 million towards the wider events supply chain to be administered by EventScotland.
• £8 million for the Cancellation Fund for Creative Freelancers to be administered by Creative Scotland.

Creative freelancers can apply for between £500 and £2,000 from the cancellation fund which opens at 2pm on Thursday, 6 January 2022.

Details on who is eligible for the fund and how to apply will be available on Creative Scotland’s website this afternoon.

More information and guidelines on the other funds administered by Creative Scotland and EventScotland will be published in early January.

Culture Secretary Angus Robertson said: “Culture and events continue to be among the sectors hardest hit by COVID-19 as the emergence of a new variant is once again causing disruption and uncertainty. The steps we’re asking the public to take to minimise the spread of the virus are having a severe financial impact on the sector at a time when they were just beginning to recover from previous waves of the coronavirus.

“In the past few weeks, both myself and Culture Minister Jenny Gilruth have been speaking to freelancers and representatives from culture and events organisations to ensure they get immediate support to meet their needs.

“This £21 million in additional funding is vital to support culture and events organisations and protect the livelihoods of the people who work in the sector.”

Iain Munro, CEO, Creative Scotland said: “This additional emergency funding for Scotland’s culture sector is very welcome.   

“This afternoon, we’ll publish guidance about the first tranche for creative freelancers who’re experiencing immediate financial hardship due to the loss of income because of cancellations and deferrals caused by the pandemic. Applications will open on Thursday 6 January, and will be followed by further details of how and when to apply for the emergency support for organisations. 

“The Covid-19 rollercoaster seems never ending but we will work hard with the sector to pull together again and overcome the challenges that this new wave of the pandemic presents to ensure we are able to gather in cultural spaces to enjoy Scotland’s rich, diverse and world-renowned art and creativity, and to celebrate all that they bring to our lives, in so many different ways.”

Members of Holy Cross Academicals Cricket Club are mourning the death of their much loved President Mahmood Din.

The club, based at Arboretum Playing Fields in Inverleith recently celebrated its 70th anniversary. Mahmood was a stalwart of the club over several decades. He turned out for the club hundreds of times, contributing with his stylish batting and steady off-spin bowling. He also recruited dozens of players for Holy Cross in his time with the club, making use of his fantastic network of friends and acquaintances.

‘Crossers’ have been recalling the calm elegance of the man and his dry wit. His friend and teammate John McPartlin reflected that Mahmood ‘could take the vicious humour of the cricket dressing room with the best of us, while always seeming to have sympathy with those on the receiving end. His smile was infectious, his joy at seeing you was always authentic. He was unfailingly courteous, in a world where many seem to have lost that ability’. 

Former 1st XI captain Simon McOscar spoke of ‘another club legend joining  the great oval in the sky’, referencing the losses of founder members Hugh Kilpatrick and George Balfour in 2020. The club have also lost legendary East League character Colin ‘Coco’ McGill and Brian Palmer in recent months. Mark Robertson, his predecessor as Holy Cross ACC President, talked of “dreadful news, a very sad event for the club”. 

Mahmood’s family were based in Kampala, Uganda before being among the Asians expelled by Idi Amin.  Educated at George Heriot’s school, Mahmood was a prominent accountant, latterly at New Time Associates on Buccleuch Street. He was involved with a variety of businesses and a number of organisations in the city, including the Edinburgh Unity charity and the Edinburgh Central Mosque. 

His death on November the 10th followed several months of serious illness. In a double tragedy for his family, Mahmood’s mother,  Sofia Begum Din, died a couple of weeks after her son’s death.  His funeral service took place at Annandale Mosque on November 11th with his burial at Old Dalkeith Road Cemetery.

Tuesday’s announcement from the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon left Scottish football with a decision to make. 

Do they plough on and play the remaining three matchdays prior to the winter break with the 500 fans permitted, or do we bring the winter break forward and rearrange these fixtures for when full capacity is allowed to return, hopefully in three weeks time. 

It has now been confirmed that clubs in The Scottish Championship, League One and League Two have agreed to plough on to prevent fixture congestion, however the Premiership clubs will begin their winter breaks after the Boxing Day matches.

Hearts have confirmed they were in favour of bringing the winter break forward which would mean rescheduling of their fixtures against St Johnstone and Hibernian, originally to be played on the 29 December and the 3 January. 

Hearts vs St Johnstone will now take place week commencing 17 January and the rearranged date for the Edinburgh Derby is now 1 February.

When asked about the current predicament, Neilson responded: “I found out yesterday afternoon about the First Minister’s comments and the restriction on the fans. We are just preparing for the game on Sunday and hoping it goes ahead. The powers that be will decide if that’s going to happen or not. If it does, we will crack on. If it doesn’t, we will need to reassess it and see what we do.

“For me, it’s very important to have fans there. We had a period of 18 months, and we all accept it was very difficult to get through the games. The preference for the club and myself would be to bring that winter break forward as much as we can to ensure that, when the games do get played, we get as many fans there as possible. They are the heart and soul of the club.

“That’s probably the biggest problem we have, the rescheduling of games. You have Scottish Cup games coming up, World Cup play-offs and other international games. It’s difficult to get a date for them. That’s not my department. My remit is to the get the boys ready for games and right now we are getting ready for Ross County on Sunday.”

Hearts were due to have home fixtures against Ross County and St Johnstone on the 26^th and 29^th December prior to the New Year Derby and Neilson admitted that much like football supporters, the busy festive schedule is one that managers and players enjoy also. 

“It’s a period we all like and look forward to because you have your Boxing Day games, your derbies over the course of the New Year period. We just need to prepare for the next game and what will be, will be. 

“You would play the derby game every week if you could. It’s a massive game for us. Yes, you would like a full house there to bring that atmosphere and intensity. It’s out-with our control. If it goes ahead, great. If not, it will get rescheduled, and we’ll be ready for that one.”

Reports emerged earlier in the week linking Hearts with Nathaniel Atkinson, Neilson confirmed talks are ongoing but admitted the deal is not done yet. 

The Hearts boss has previously spoken about his need for another striker being at the top of his Christmas tree. 

“We know what we need to get in and we’re moving forward with a couple of targets,” Neilson said. 

“Players will come in and players will go out. Atkinson is one that has been put to us. It’s still a deal that is still to be done so I don’t want to take too much about it but it’s an area we’d like to strengthen.

“It’s more the profile we’re looking for, the age, the athleticism. Hopefully they can come and firstly, settle in quickly and then do well for the club.”

Hearts welcome Ross County to Tynecastle on Boxing Day in what will be the last Scottish Premiership game for three weeks. 

Beni Baningime remains out along with Stephen Kinsley, however Neilson was optimistic with regards to the rest of his squad. 

“Michael Smith is back, Boycie will train on Friday, Josh Ginnelly is back from suspension. Stephen Kingsley got scanned although we’re still waiting on the results of that. It does not look as bad as we expected. I don’t think he’ll make the weekend, but I expect him, if the games go ahead, to be definitely available for the derby.”

This Christmas, hundreds of families in Edinburgh and the Lothians will receive Christmas essentials thanks to the incredible efforts from 274 Big Hearts Supporters linked to Heart of Midlothian’s charity.

For this second Christmas of the pandemic, Big Hearts Community Trust is going on the road to bring some festive cheer directly to people’s homes. The official charity of Heart of Midlothian FC, based at Tynecastle Park, is focusing on providing practical support to various groups referred by the local schools, social workers and partner charities. 

Earlier this month, Big Hearts revealed that the number of referrals had doubled since 2020. A call for Hearts fans to become Big Hearts Supporters enabled the charity to meet the demand. 

And now 274 individuals have come forward to help, by volunteering in their own time or at the Stadium, making Big Hearts’ festive activity the biggest to date. A total of 400 pre-cooked Christmas dinners, 500 bags of tailored presents and 100 food parcels will be distributed in time for Christmas Day. 

Andrew McKinlay, Big Hearts Trustee and Chief Executive of Heart of Midlothian FC said: “The festive holidays can be a challenging time for many. Throughout the pandemic, football has remained a force for good and it’s heart-warming to see a record number of Hearts fans joining Big Hearts, the charity operating from Tynecastle Park, to help provide much needed support across the community this Christmas. They are a credit to our Club, and our shared family and community values. A big thank you to all involved, your kindness doesn’t go unnoticed.”

Craig Wilson, General Manager at Big Hearts Community Trust said: “Our priority this Christmas is ensuring families can enjoy a fresh Christmas dinner from the comfort and safety of their home and receive presents to open on Christmas morning. The fact that our charity saw a 100% increase in requests for support this year just shows how many more individuals are struggling over the festive season – with some facing poverty or loneliness for the very first time.”“Alongside our dedicated staff team, Big Hearts Volunteers are playing a vital role in supporting the 500 adults and children on our list. Our award-winning Big Hearts Supporters Movement was designed to do just that: use the incredible power of football to join forces and help others in need. We are incredibly grateful to all who decided to sign up and donate their time and skills to make a difference. Thank you.”

A Scots company has developed a unique remote assistance service which is hoped to revolutionise the UK’s home repairs market – and play a key role in the fight to reduce the spread of Covid.

Edinburgh-based Fixzy Assist allows repair squads and engineers to view problems and carry out the required fixes direct from a householder’s phone or tablet screen – without having to visit the property.

By using a combination of in-built tools through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology, a home emergency can be instantly identified and so eliminate the time-wasting practice of undertaking an initial assessment call-out, visiting the trades store and returning later to effect the repair – a move which will drastically cut vehicle journeys.

Fixzy Assist CEO Paul Greaves invested in excess of £1 million over three-years to develop the service, which also has the added advantage of reducing the spread risk of Covid as home visits are no longer required.

Paul has tested the technology with his sister business, Firstcall Trade Services, and has seen the company’s first time fix rate rise from 36% to 84%, while vehicle journeys have been cut by more than 40%.

With more than 30 years of experience in maintenance and repair, Paul predicts the service will be a game changer for the likes of the rented housing, residential letting, facilities management and insurance sectors.

Paul said: “The Fixzy Assist remote assistance service will forever alter the way we carry out home repairs and emergencies, connecting customers to experts on any device, anytime and anywhere.

“In an instant we will be able to remove the biggest bug-bear that people experience in a home emergency – having to wait for a tradesman to arrive to fix the problem.

“We’ve created a platform that is predominantly customer and user-friendly, but also saves time and ultimately money for companies within the maintenance and repair sector.

“We are currently undergoing a trial period with a number of housing associations where the initial response has been overwhelmingly successful.”

Paul added that the service can also play a huge part in allowing businesses to continue to operate – and operate safely – during the latest Omicron and work-from-home Covid challenges.

He said: “By dramatically reducing the need to visit someone’s home, and reducing unnecessary extra visits to supplier stores, Fixzy Assist can help to eliminate human contact and prevent the spread of Covid.

“And while it is easy for offices to respond to the new work from home rule, Fixzy Assist now allows trades companies and other contractors to also allow their staff to work from home as jobs can be handled remotely whereas before that wasn’t always possible. That could make the difference between someone keeping or losing their job.

“And as we’ve seen from the recent storms, it can also play a major role in allowing more damage repairs and estimates to be covered or completed if they can be done remotely.”

The service works by a tradesperson sending a connection request via text or email to customers’ mobile phone to start a live video session to fix, for example, a boiler failure or broadband connection issue.

The customer can use their phone to show the fault to the technician, who in turn can guide customers using a pen or hand overlay (via Augmented Reality) on how to resolve the issue. The technician can then visually check the problem has been resolved or provide further assistance.

If the repair can’t be fixed immediately, the required work and necessary parts can be assessed and ordered at this stage – meaning the tradesman need only make one visit to complete the repair.

As the first company of its type in the UK, Fixzy Assist is also working to develop the service’s application across a range of other sectors. Detailed negotiations are already being advanced to partner up with other trade organisations and businesses.

The Fixzy Assist product was exhibited at the recent Housing 2021, the Chartered Institute of Housing’s annual conference, where the response from interested parties was ‘unimaginable’.

Fixzy Assist is offering a live consultation and demonstration of the product, and interested clients can also enjoy a free 14 day trial to test the product and the tools in which it provides.

https://www.fixzy.co.uk/

by Deidre Brock MP

The news cycle has been dominated by allegations of multiple parties held at Downing Street and Whitehall departments last year during lockdown, and the public mood has been one of anger, but certainly not surprise. This is simply the latest in a long line of duplicitous episodes from this government over the course of the pandemic, stretching back to the infamous Barnard Castle eye test.

Yet it’s more important than ever we have elected leaders we can trust, as devastating pieces of legislation voted through recently by the UK Government serve to demonstrate. 

The Nationality and Borders Bill means people can be stripped of their citizenship without notice, even if born and raised in the UK. It can be applied retrospectively, with no clear route to appeal. With this Bill, the UK Government continues to peddle the myth that asylum seekers can simply follow the proper channels instead of relying on human traffickers and a dinghy. In truth, there are very few “proper channels”. After announcing they would accept a paltry number of Afghan refugees when Kabul fell in August, it’s now December and the UK Government’s settlement scheme shamefully still isn’t open for applications.

The Policing Bill, briefly side-lined following the Sarah Everard vigil, is passing through parliament and will have lasting effects on the way people can gather or protest in England and Wales, a basic democratic right. The Elections Bill, returning early next year, will lead to voter suppression and cuts to Electoral Commission powers.

Of course, stories of Downing Street parties will rile – this government can’t be trusted to treat its citizens with even basic respect, and we’ll see this reflected in the legislation it passes.

Hibs leapfrogged Aberdeen and Dundee United into fifth place after Shaun Maloney’s Hibs career started with a superb 1-0 victory over his hometown team at Easter Road last night.

Maloney who received a standing ovation ahead of kick off made three ‘tactical’ three changes from the weekend with Chris Cadden, Josh Doig and Scott Allan all starting in place of Jamie Murphy and Lewis Stevenson who dropped to the bench, and the injured Joe Newell.

Photos Ian Jacobs

Former Hibs’ player Scott Brown missed the game due to illness.

Hibs almost opened the scoring within 20-seconds when Allan’s pass found Martin Boyle but Joe Newell was alert to the danger and collected the ball.

Both teams had chances before  Jay Emmanuel-Thomas’s effort deflected over the crossbar.

Dean Campbell went close with a long-range shot then Matt Macey did well to save from Lewis Ferguson.

Hibs had a great chance when Josh Doig set up Boyle but his shot deflected off a defender and spiralled into the air but Kevin Nisbet’s header missed the target.

Photos Ian Jacobs

Jake Doyle-Hayes picked up a knock and was replaced by Alex Gogic who was immediately booked for a foul on Christian Ramirez.

After the restart Lewis saved from Boyle as both sides created chances.

Hibs eventually took the lead when man of the match Ryan Porteous headed home from Boyle’s corner to the delight of the home fans.

It could have been two but Lewis did well to save from Nisbet but it took a fine save from Macey to deny Marley Watkins at his near post.

Hibs managed the game out well to keep the clean sheet and take the three points.

After the final whistle Maloney told BBC Scotland: “There are lots of positives. In the second half my team had massive heart.

“Aberdeen were very good in the second half but my team defended so well. It’s a first step and we’ll hopefully try and build on it.”

Hibs: Macey, Doig, Hanlon, Porteous, McGinn, Boyle, Nisbet (Doidge 82’), Doyle-Hayes (Gogic 34’), Allan (Murphy 59’), Cadden, Campbell. Substitutes not used: Dabrowski, Wright, Stevenson, Scott.

Aberdeen: Lewis, Gallagher, Watkins (McLennan 77’), Ramirez, Hedges, Emmanuel-Thomas (Ramsay 46’), Ojo, Hayes, Ferguson, Campbell (Jenks 68’), Bates. Substitutes not used: Woods, Mackenzie, McGinn, Samuels.

Referee: Alan Muir.

Attendance: 14,314.

For those in search of really good coffee, the Royal Mile has been something of a desert.

There are decent places in the vicinity,  such as Milkman (two branches on Cockburn Street),  Hideout (Upper Bow), The Edinburgh Larder (Blackfriars Street)  and Procaffeination (St Mary’s  Street), but otherwise the area is dominated by chains and touristy cafes for whom coffee is something of an (overpriced) afterthought. Things may now be changing. 

Santu on the Canongate  has recently arrived to fill a significant gap and to raise the general standard.  They have judged that,  as well as a passing tourist trade,  there will be sufficient coffee lovers  who work and live nearby – including in well populated places such as Moray House, The Scottish Parliament and Dynamic Earth. After feeling empty for many months, The Royal Mile has again started to regain some of its usual liveliness with the chatter of tourists again evident in the closes, museums and shops. 

Santu Coffee is a snug and stylish newcomer on the Canongate, a few doors down from the Museum of Edinburgh.  Although primarily a takeaway,  they do have one comfortable armchair  and a wooden bench for those wanting to sit in.  It’s a lovely cosy spot to shelter from any wintry weather. On our recent visit there, it was sleeting outside and a warm drink and shelter was much needed. While there you can enjoy their excellent coffee, teas and hot chocolate- as well as a selection of baking (their almond croissants are particularly tasty). 

The owners are aware that they are taking something of a risk with this venture.  As one of their baristas put it, “There may be a very good reason why there have been no other specialty coffee places on the Royal Mile”.  They are also aware that their style of course might not  be to the taste of many of the tourists,  especially those from Mediterranean countries.  They will likely be used to more traditional  dark roasts,  rather than the more subtle and varied third wave coffee which Santu serve. Santu use beans from their own range, all with subtly  different characteristics. They currently have four roasts on offer, with Coffee 1 their usual expresso, and Coffee 2 generally on filter.

Coffee 1 is grown by Alfredo Casagrande as has sweet and fruity notes with a balanced body. All four are sourced from growers in Brazil. For many years Brazilian coffee tended to be overlooked by those in the specialty coffee world, due to the size and scale of the Brazillian coffee industry. Only a small percentage of the beans produced in Brazil are of the specialty variety but those that are, are often of exceptional quality.

Washington Vieira, the man behind Santu, has a wealth of experience in the coffee trade, having grown up on his grandparent’s coffee farm in Brazil before working as a coffee trader in New York. Santu supplies beans to a number of coffee houses and eateries across Scotland, including the Milk cafes (in Inverleith Park, Trinity and Morrison Street) and the recently opened Kate’s on Causewayside. 

Santu’s knowledgeable and exceptionally friendly team of baristas consistently produce  smooth and tasty coffee with their Astoria Storm machine. The baristas are clearly enthusiastic about coffee and happy to discuss the finer points of specialty coffee; roasts, grinds, doses etc.

As to where to drink your takeaway coffee,  there are several nice sipping spots  nearby.  On warm days,  the nearby Dunbar’s Close Gardens  is an ideal quiet spot to sit while admiring the stunning views of the old Royal High School  and Calton Hill.  Alternatively,  the new physic garden  at Abbey Strand (next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse), is another gorgeous place for drinking top-class coffee. The picnic tables beside Dynamic Earth also afford great views- of Salisbury Crags. For those feeling a little more energetic, a Santu coffee will fuel a walk up Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat – both of which are nearby. 

Santu have plans to expand further, with another coffee bar apparently being planned. Hopefully their new place on the Canongate will be the start of a general improvement in the coffee offer in the heart of Edinburgh’s tourist zone. 

Santu Coffee Bar, 126 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DD, United Kingdom

Police in Edinburgh have published images of three men they believe may have information about a serious assault which took place last month in North Edinburgh.

It is believed that the information might assist in relation to the incident that occurred at Pilton Drive North around 11.30pm on 24 November 2021.

The first man is described as white, 18-23yrs, average build, short brown hair, wearing blue tracksuit top and bottoms.

The second is described as white, 18-23yrs, average build, short brown hair, wearing a black puffa jacket and dark trousers.

The third is described as white, 18-23yrs, stocky build, red hair and facial hair, wearing grey tracksuit top with black triangle on LHS of chest, grey tracksuit bottoms with black patches to rear of his knees.

Detective Constable William Doughty from Corstorphine CID said: “I would urge each of these three men, or anyone who has information relating to any of these three men, depicted in the images to make contact with the Police. 

“Members of the public can contact Police Scotland via the 101 non-emergency telephone number quoting incident number 3662 of 24 November 2021.  Alternatively, calls can be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, announced to MSPs at Holyrood that there will be new restrictions introduced from 26 December in an effort to slow the spread of the new omicron variant.

These measures will last for at least three weeks and will mean that most sporting fixtures will become spectator free while the accelerated booster programme is allowed to take effect.

Parliament will be recalled next week between Christmas and New Year and will review the situation at 11 January 2022.

From 05:00 on 27 December, to minimise the risk of widespread transmission, there will be a requirement for one metre physical distancing between adults in all indoor hospitality and leisure settings, including:

• pubs, bars, restaurants, cafes and other settings where food and drink is served for consumption on-site
• leisure settings including gyms, theatres, cinemas, bingo and snooker halls and bowling alleys
• museums, galleries and other visitor attractions

Table service will be required in settings where alcohol is served for consumption on the premises.

Physical distancing will not be required in places of worship or on public transport, however existing mitigations for these settings will continue to apply.

In addition, from 05:00 on 26 December, to help ease pressure on emergency services and reduce the risks of transmission in large crowds, attendance at large events will be limited – to 100 people for indoor standing events, to 200 people for indoor seated events, and to 500 people for all outdoor events seated or standing. Organisers of large professional sporting fixtures will have discretion over whether to admit spectators up to these limits. 

This means that events such as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is cancelled for the second year in a row, partly to avoid crowds gathering but also to minimise the risk of people travelling to and from the capital. In addition the cancellation of such events is designed to take the pressure off emergency services.

The daily figures were announced by Public Health Scotland and show that 5,242 positive cases were reported. With 39,493 new tests for Covid-19 the test positivity rate is 14.9%. There were 9 new deaths registered and 37 people are in ICU as well as 515 people in hospital. More than 4.3 million people have had their first dose of vaccine and 2.6 million have had their booster dose. In Lothian 1,220 positive cases were reported.

Guidance will be updated to advise against indoor activities where physical distancing cannot be maintained, including non-professional adult contact sports, from 26 December.

A package totalling £375 million, including £175 million of additional funding from the Treasury, will be made available to support sectors affected by the latest protective measures to combat Omicron. An update will be provided on the breakdown and allocation of funding as soon as possible.

Ministers will consider how Covid certification could be expanded to cover a wider range of indoor settings to support them remaining open once the booster programme is complete. 

Ms Sturgeon said: “The rate of vaccination acceleration in an age cohort with, to date, lower levels relatively speaking of booster protection underlines the vital importance of everyone getting booster jags as quickly as possible. However, as the booster roll-out is completed – and bearing in mind that it takes around a week for immune protection to take effect in individuals – we must also act to slow down the spread of cases.

“This is not a choice between protecting health and protecting the economy – if we don’t stem the spread of the virus, both health and the economy will suffer.

“I totally understand the temptation to delay; to hope, after two long years of this, that further steps might not be necessary. But we are already seeing a significant impact from staff absences across the economy and public services – we must do what we can to stem this. We know from experience that if we wait until the data tells us conclusively that we have a problem, for example, with hospital admissions, it will already be too late to act to avoid that problem.

“Booster jags are our best line of defence against Omicron and they are what will get us through and out of this difficult phase I believe. Last week, I said that our target was to have 80% of the eligible population vaccinated with boosters by the time the bells strike on Hogmanay. I can confirm today that we are now confident that we have the capacity to meet that target, but to reach it, or get as close to it as possible, we need everyone who is eligible to come forward. 

“Getting fully vaccinated is the best thing any of us can do to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and the country, so please do get boosted before the bells. 

“Our advice is to stay at home as much as possible, but if you are meeting other people, test before you go – every time – and test as close to going as possible. This is really important for family gatherings on Christmas Day or Boxing Day.”

Due to the change in Scottish Government guidance and restrictions announced by The First Minister to MSPs on Tuesday Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme for 2021 has been cancelled.

The Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Box Office team will contact all ticketholders in early January to arrange refund options.

A full summary of the Hogmanay celebrations which are cancelled are:

·       Wednesday 29 – Friday 31 December – Scottish Music Programme at Greyfriars Kirk.

o   Wednesday 29 December – Breabach

o   Thursday 30 December – Dougie MacLean

o   Friday 31 December – Eddi Reader

·       Thursday 30 December – Torchlight Procession

·       Friday 31 December – Party at the Bells

o   Premium Access Tickets

o   Garden Access Tickets

o   Street Access Tickets

·       Friday 31 December – Edinburgh’s iconic midnight fireworks display

·       1 January 2022 – Loony Dook at South Queensferry

Working closely with The City of Edinburgh Council and The Scottish Government from the outset, Underbelly says it “has meticulously planned Edinburgh’s Hogmanay in the context of the pandemic, making Covid-19 passports or proof of negative lateral flow testing mandatory for collection of all tickets to Party at the Bells and the Torchlight Procession, as well as more recently proactively introducing the requirement for all ticket holders to all events within the Hogmanay programme to be able to provide proof of a negative lateral flow test from the day of the event they are attending”. Unfortunately, due to the latest restrictions brought in by Scottish Government, the full Edinburgh’s Hogmanay line up cannot be delivered.

The co-Directors of Underbelly which produces Hogmanay’s events for The City of Edinburgh Council, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, said: “We are incredibly sad to announce the cancellation of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme for 2021 following new restrictions announced by Scottish Government today. After such a tough year for so many people, we were looking forward to helping bring people back together safely at Edinburgh’s iconic Hogmanay celebrations.

“We know this news will be disappointing for so many people, but we also know that Edinburgh is a wonderfully innovative and resilient city, and we know it will recover from these difficult times and return to the forefront of the world’s new year celebrations in the future”.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “Our first and foremost priority must always be to protect the health and wellbeing of the public, our staff and the city as a whole. I know it will be hugely disappointing for people, particularly young people who were planning to attend these events. 

“Given the spread of this variant, reflected in the rising infection numbers, we need to avoid any additional burden on our health and emergency services. I’m grateful to the Scottish Government, Public Health, NHS and Police for their engagement with our teams to keep the City as safe as possible as we grapple with these challenges through the festive period.

“I would encourage everyone to continue following the guidance and to please celebrate Hogmanay safely and responsibly.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “A huge amount of work has gone into the planning of this year’s events and I would like to thank Council staff, Underbelly and our other event partners for all their efforts in what have been difficult and ever-evolving circumstances.

“I know many people will be disappointed but I’m sure they will understand the reasons behind the decision. We can look forward to Edinburgh returning to its rightful place as the home of Hogmanay next year.”

Chief Superintendent Phil Davison, Gold Commander for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay policing operation, said: “As a result of the continued rise in COVID cases, linked to the Omicron Variant, the Torchlight Procession, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Party at the Bells, and the Loony Dook cancellations are an appropriate response in order to help stop the spread of the virus and protect the NHS.

“This decision was not taken by Police Scotland, but we fully support the actions taken by the event organisers and the local authority.

“We would ask that those who had been planning to attend these events do not make their way to the city centre and instead celebrate the New Year in line with the existing guidelines.”

Musselburgh Racecourse’s Betway New Year’s Day meeting will now take place Behind Closed Doors (BCD).

The East Lothian course took the decision to stage the premier event without spectators following the Scottish Government’s decision to limit outdoor sporting events to a maximum of 500 people with table service only.

Only the racecourse’s Annual Members, racehorse owners, trainers and staff will be able to attend to raceday.

The traditional 1 January meeting had been heading for a 6,000 capacity sell out and was due to welcome world boxing champion and local hero, Josh Taylor, as a special guest.

Musselburgh said all ticket holders would be offered a transfer to future race days or a full refund.

Musselburgh Racecourse general manager, Bill Farnsworth, said: “It is very unfortunate as this is one of our best and biggest race days and  one of our most popular, attended by a sell-out crowd.

“However, we all must play our part in keeping people safe and in light of the latest Government guidance on the Omicron variant, we feel the responsible decision is to make this a BCD event with only our Annual Members, horse owners, trainers and staff in attendance.

“On a positive note, we hope that the restrictions will break the spread of the Omicron variant so that we can look forward to the Scottish Festival Trials Weekend on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February.

“All ticket holders for the cancelled racedays on 1 and 3 January will be able to transfer to future race days or will receive a full refund. Racecourse staff will endeavour to process all transfers and refunds as quickly as possible.”

The six-race card (with three races broadcast live on ITV) includes the feature £30,000 Betway Hogmaneigh Hurdle Handicap, and with total prize money of £105,000, it is expected there will be strong entries heading to Musselburgh from the leading northern yards and further afield.

Overnight carriageway closures will be in place on the M90 on the nights of Tuesday 21 December and Wednesday 22 December, to allow defective expansion joints to be repaired on Humbie Rail Bridge.

The M90 northbound will be closed from M9 Junction 1A Kirkliston to M90 Junction 1A Queensferry, from 20:00 on 21 December until 05:00 on 22 December.

The M90 southbound will be closed from M90 Junction 1A Queensferry to M9 Junction 1A Kirkliston, from 20:00 on 22 December until 05:00 on 23 December.

The following diversion routes will be signposted:

Tuesday 21 December:

• Traffic on the M9 northbound will be directed to exit at Junction 3 Burghmuir and continue via the A803 and the A904 to Queensferry.
• Traffic on the M9 southbound will be directed to turn at M9 Junction 1 Newbridge, before joining the same diversion route as northbound M9 traffic.
• Traffic on the A90 will be unaffected.

Wednesday 22 December:

• Traffic on the M90 southbound will be directed to follow the A90 from M90 Junction 1A Queensferry to Maybury Junction, before being directed south on Maybury Road to join the A8 Glasgow Road to M9 Junction 1 Newbridge.

Chris Tracey, BEAR Scotland’s Bridges Manager for South East Scotland, said: “It is essential to close carriageways on the M90 on these nights to allow safe access for our operatives to repair expansion joints on Humbie Rail Bridge.

“We’ve scheduled the works at night to minimise disruption, however motorists planning to travel on the nights of 21 and 22 December should plan ahead and allow some extra time for their journey.

“We’re grateful to road users and local communities for their patience.”

All work is weather dependent and may be cancelled or postponed in the event of adverse conditions.

Real-time journey information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org 

Free portable business space available for free as residential sales complete at Edinburgh development

Places for People is calling on charities, community groups and social enterprises to find a suitable alternative use for its portable sales and marketing suite in Edinburgh. 

The Group is donating its portable cabin, which is located at The Green at Longstone in Edinburgh, and is looking to link up with a local business, charity or community group which is in need of space to run its activities. 

Places for People’s Regional Managing Director for Scotland, Willie Lockhart, explained more: “Our business has generated more than £165m in social value this past year across the UK, a testament to our commitment to the communities in which we work.

“We have a spacious cabin which can be transformed into an office space, production unit, room for a charity or even a play group. Applications are now open and we hope that organisations in Edinburgh and the surrounding area – such as social enterprises, charities, or a local volunteer group looking for a space to run their activities from – will come forward and take advantage of this portable space.”

Recent similar initiatives include offering space to social enterprises at Urban Eden in Edinburgh and at East Wick and Sweetwater development; the company also completed a series of DIY SOS style projects to help transform community centres in cities such as Edinburgh and Sheffield.

The Group is now accepting applications from local groups and businesses who will be able to relocate the Marketing Suite from Edinburgh to their chosen location.

The portable unit will need to be relocated from its current Edinburgh location at the new owner’s cost. Places for People will make a contribution to transportation costs.

Anyone wishing to apply for the sales and marketing suite portable cabin, which is 17m long x 5m wide and includes a kitchen and toilet, should email socialvalue@placesforpeople.co.uk with their completed application. The unit, once moved to its new location, will need to be connected to services including electric, water and sewerage at the owner’s cost. The deadline for the submission of applications is 10 January 2022.

Staff at Edinburgh Airport have voted for The Larder to become the airport’s corporate charity of the year for 2022.

The Larder is based in West Lothian and works to provide training for young people around issues such as employability, health, wellbeing and life skills, as well as learning how to cook and using food as a way to promote social change.

The social enterprise provides direct work experience for young people within its cafes, which also provide nutritious and affordable food for people within local communities.

The Larder was one of more than 50 charities and organisations that applied to become the airport’s charity partner for 2022, eventually coming out on top of a staff vote. The criteria for 2022 was changed to align with the airport’s Greater Good sustainability strategy and partner with a group supporting one or more of the key pillars in the strategy:

• Zero Carbon – charities who are working to mitigate and reduce the impacts of climate change
• Enhancing Scotland – charities playing their part in managing environmental impacts such as water consumption, waste generation and improved re-use and recycling
• Scotland’s Best Business – charities supporting people into employment or providing community mental and physical health and wellbeing initiatives
• Trusted Neighbour – charities carrying out essential and vital work in our local communities

Gordon Robertson, Director of Communications and Sustainability at Edinburgh Airport said: “We know the pandemic has created many issues for many people and industries but it has been some of the most vulnerable people in our communities that have been hit hardest and the charities that have continued to serve and support their local areas deserve enormous praise and gratitude.

“We are incredibly fortunate to be working with The Larder, a social enterprise that has such a positive impact in the areas it operates in and on the lives of the people it helps. We want to do what we can to help raise awareness of their work, raise vital funding and allow us to learn from each other. I know our people at Edinburgh Airport are looking forward to our work together – a feast of opportunities awaits!”

Angela Moohan, CEO, The Larder, said: “We are absolutely delighted and honoured to have been chosen, and are so thankful for all of the staff at Edinburgh Airport who voted for us to be their Charity of the Year. We know that The Larder changes lives for many, and this accolade pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of our amazing team of staff and volunteers.

“This recognition, along with the feedback that we get from the people that we support, tells us that we are doing the right things at this very challenging time. We would be unable to do any of our work without the support of our partners and we are very excited to enter into this new partnership with Edinburgh Airport.”

The latest number of Covid-19 cases was 6,734 cases announced yesterday. The next set of figures will be available at 2pm today.

The First Minister will address MSPs at Holyrood on Tuesday to update them on the Covid-19 pandemic but she has already said that there will be no new Covid rules ahead of Christmas Day at the end of this week. But last week Ms Sturgeon said that to stay safe everyone should keep their contact with anyone else to a minimum.

And new guidance was issued to businesses to reintroduce physical distancing and one-way systems at the end of last week.

At Edinburgh Castle visits were suspended from Sunday afternoon due to a Covid outbreak, but Historic Environment Scotland confirmed that the castle will reopen on Tuesday following a deep clean. White Christmas at Edinburgh Playhouse has been cancelled.

Deaths involving COVID-19 Week 49: 6 – 12 December 2021

As at 12 December 2021, 12,303 deaths have been registered in Scotland where the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was mentioned on the death certificate, according to statistics published today by National Records of Scotland (NRS).

In the week 6 to 12 December, 84 deaths were registered that mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate, a decrease of seven deaths from the previous week. 

17 deaths were aged under 65, 16 were aged 65-74 and there were 51 deaths in people aged 75 or over. 44 were female and 40 were male.

There were 11 deaths in Glasgow City, eight in Aberdeenshire, and eight in Fife. In total, 23 council areas (out of 32) had at least one death involving COVID-19 last week..

64 were in hospitals, 11 were in care homes, and nine were at home or a non-institutional setting.

Our monthly analysis shows that the age-standardised rate of COVID-related deaths was lower in November 2021 (95 per 100,000 people) compared to October 2021 (126 per 100,000 people).

Pete Whitehouse, Director of Statistical Services, said:

“The latest figures show that last week there were 84 deaths where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. This is seven fewer deaths than the previous week.”

“The number of deaths from all causes registered in Scotland in this week was 1,314, which is 174, or 15%, more than the five year average.”

Adverse effects of vaccination against COVID-19 were recorded as the underlying cause of five deaths in Scotland since the pandemic began. One additional death occurred in November 2021 where an adverse effect was mentioned on the death certificate, although it was not the underlying cause of death. By 30 November 2021 statistics from Public Health Scotland state that 4.4 million people had been given at least one vaccine dose.

Of the 12,210 deaths involving COVID-19 between March 2020 and November 2021, 93% (11,326 people) had at least one pre-existing condition.  Just under one quarter of people whose death involved COVID-19 had dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.  

Fife Flyers, who did not play last weekend’s scheduled double-header because opposition clubs Dundee Stars and Guildford Flames were under COVID-19 protocol, are due at Coventry Blaze on Wednesday (19.30) in a key basement battle in the Premier Sports Elite League.

The Kirkcaldy club, who have suffered a form slump, losing their last five games, have skidded to the bottom of the ten-strong, Premier Sports Elite League table with ten points from 17 games.

Coventry have also hit a bad patch and are ninth with 11 points from 13 fixtures. Both teams desperately need a lift coming into the heavy Festive schedule.

Fife, sponsored by UNISON Fife Health Branch, last celebrated a home win on Saturday, November 27 thanks to a 3-0 home success over Guildford Flames and that was followed 24-hours later by a 4-2 victory at Nottingham Panthers, but since then it has been all downhill.

Flyers lost 4-1 at Glasgow Clan, 3-0 at The Fife Ice Arena to Belfast Giants, 4-2 at home to Nottingham, 3-1 at Belfast Giants and 5-1 at Kirkcaldy to Manchester Storm, their last game which was on Sunday, December 12.

Blaze have lost their last four following a shoutout success at Glasgow on Saturday, November 27, losing 2-0 at home to Cardiff Devils, 5-2 in the Midlands to Glasgow, and 3-1 at Sheffield before a 5-1 capitulation to the same team at Coventry.

Fife coach Todd Dutiaume (pictured) suffered a 2-0 defeat when the Scots visited Coventry in their first league game of the season on Saturday, September 25 but Flyers whipped Blaze 6-2 at Kirkcaldy in mid-November, a bright spot for the club.

He said his squad were down after their home defeat by Manchester but trained well last week.

Danny Stewart, Coventry’s coach and a former Fife Flyers star, said that currently Blaze are not making opposition teams pay for their mistakes whether that is on the power play or five-on-five.

He added: “If we make mistakes we are punished. When you are struggling to find the net that creates a lot of pressure.”

Elsewhere, Glasgow Clan’s No 1 netminder, Shane Starrett, is set to make his comeback from injury as the misfiring Scots square-up to Elite League pace-setters Sheffield Steelers in Yorkshire on Wednesday (19.30).

The 27-year-old, highly-rated American hot-stop sat out Sunday’s 5-2 defeat by high-flying Cardiff Devils at Braehead, a result which left coach Malcolm Cameron fuming.

Clan, backed by Aspray Glasgwo West, ended the weekend pointless after a 4-2 defeat at Manchester Storm on Saturday and Cameron vowed to stop the rot.

He confirmed that changes won’t happen before Christmas but vowed: “It’s either may way or the highway.”

Clan fans have seen their favourites lose three of their last four games and Sunday was a major blow.

Cameron, who has coached in North America and Europe, admitted: “Right now, we are a team that does not score a lot of goals so we need to defend very heavily and we have not been doing that for the past two weeks.

“We have been giving up stupid, daft goals, bad turnovers and that comes back to bite us.

“For me that’s not our identity, that’s not what our hockey club is about, it is not what makes us run and you are either onboard or not, it’s either my way or the highway.”

The straight-talking Canadian added: “It’s disappointing for the guys that do it every night and 40 minutes is not enough. We need to play for 60 minutes.

“We played a heck of a game (against Cardiff) for 40 minutes. Killed off two five-on-three situations, blocked shots, we scored some nice goals but you have to do it for 60 minutes, the game is 60 minutes.”

The weekend double-whammy means Clan are eighth in the ten-strong table with 11 pints from 13 outings while Sheffield are in pole position with 27 points from 17 games.

Looking ahead to the midweek trip south to The House of Steel, the playcaller said: “They are all tough, whether you are playing at home or on the road. You come to play. A lot of hockey is man-on-man and you lose your check that’s your responsibility. To do some of the things we did in the third period (on Sunday) which cost us two points or even a point is the thing I can’t accept.

“Four goals in the final period is not acceptable to me, the organisation or the fans. I am going to put a stop to it. We’re not going to be able to do that before Christmas, we are talking long-term. Right now we don’t have everybody buying in.”

Festivities are underway at an Edinburgh care home with residents treated to a bumper month of Christmas related activities. 

Kickstarted with a light switch on and a visit from Santa and his reindeers, Cramond Residence, to the north of the city, is hosting a series of Christmas themed activities for the duration of December.

Activities include a Christmas party with a festive magician, bespoke seasonal menu, festive cooking masterclass and secret Santa which have been planned by the home’s dedicated lifestyle team.  

John Hughes, resident at Cramond Residence, said: “The home has put in lots of effort to make us all feel festive this year.

“My favourite activity so far has been the Christmas market and the visit from the reindeers but I’m also very much looking forward to the Christmas cooking masterclass too.

“We weren’t really able to celebrate so much last year so it’s nice the staff have gone to all this effort to make this year extra special for us.”

All donations received during any of the Christmas activities will be donated to Alzheimer’s Scotland & Save the Children – the home’s chosen charities for the festive season.

Mike Hall, Lifestyle Co-ordinator at the 74-bedroom home said: “This year the team at Cramond Residence has been really keen to host lots of celebrations involving the community, as we are able to do so now. 

“All of our staff and residents have been well and truly getting into the festive spirit and the atmosphere in the home has been very positive.

“The activities have gone down a treat with residents, many of whom have expressed their delight for the month long calendar of events.

“As Christmas is focused on kindness and giving, we also made the decision to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland as it is a charity close to many at the home”.

Cramond Residence offers high quality care for up to 74 residents offering a small-group living concept in nine houses, with all residents enjoying an exceptional range of amenities and activities, delicious food and bespoke care from a highly-trained team. 

https://cramondresidence.co.uk/

An urgent review into how community councils are kept in the loop about key issues affecting their area is to be undertaken after groups accused The City of Edinburgh Council of snubbing them.

A motion calling on the local authority to look at its community council notification process was passed by councillors last week. 

Introducing his motion, Conservative councillor Jason Rust said: “Of course, it is recognised that the views of the community councils may sometimes counter what the city council is trying to achieve or implement, but that is often the most worthwhile dialogue even if it may be painful at times.

“Ultimately one would hope that both the city council and our community councils want the very best for our communities. But for our community councils to be able to function effectively and efficiently and not under undue strain as we have heard, we need to see change otherwise we will see even fewer members of the public step forward and scepticism about engagement.”

In a letter to councillors, David Houston, vice chair of Colinton Community Council, said:  “In general, we feel that several City of Edinburgh Council (CEC) officers are not giving proper respect to the needs of Colinton Community Council in terms of a reasonable process of consultation about any matter which will materially affect our local population.

“CEC officers do not seem to appreciate that better CEC policies and services depend on good local consultation with community councils. There also needs to be greater sensitivity to the position that community councillors are volunteers, need time to react but will add considerable value to proposed changes because of their wealth of local knowledge.”

Listing examples, Mr Houston noted members were not consulted about works in Colinton including active travel measures brought in as part of the Spaces for People scheme and a review of public toilet provision.

In another deputation to the council, Charlotte Encombe, chair of Leith Central Community Council explained that often, not enough time is given to consider consultations in meeting cycles which are usually four or five weeks.

She said: “Examples of council initiatives where we were required (at least initially) to respond inside our monthly meeting cycle include at least one Spaces for People proposal in 2020 and the Phase 2 parking consultations for Easter Road and Bonnington, which were advertised on February 15 (the day we met) with a closing date of March 14 – the day before our next meeting.

“As community councillors are volunteers and do not check every council website every day, we did not become aware of the consultation until the day after our February 15 meeting.”

Carol Nimmo, chair of New Town and Broughton Community Council, raised the issue of the council’s late release of committee papers.

Calling for papers to be released at least one week prior to council meetings, she wrote: “Moreover as the deadline for deputations is now earlier, we only have a few days to agree and communicate our position on matters which can be important to our area.”

A fourth deputation presented to councillors came from Keep Edinburgh Moving, a collective of community groups which formed during the pandemic in response to the Spaces for People schemes being installed without public consultation. This group has regularly campaigned against active travel measures under a variety of names such as South West Edinburgh in Motion and appeared first in response to the East Craigs Low Traffic Neighbourhood proposals.

Keep Edinburgh Moving’s deputation said: “This problem appears to be ongoing – not purely related to the pandemic situation. We believe this is partly caused by the very short timescales given  to community councils to respond and a flawed process of updating/managing contact lists.”

Councillor Rust added: “We know that community councils are staffed by volunteers who are not always easy to attract to the role, we know that they are a key link between officers and councillors  – also that they are in some situations statutory stakeholders. That is why it’s been so concerning that some of the community councils have been omitted from notification of key information and consultations impacting their areas.

He said he hopes to “tighten up processes, improve communications for community councils and thereby the communities they represent, and where possible to remove constraints and allow proper time, reducing the burden placed on community volunteers.”

by Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) is a public service news agency: funded by the BBC, provided by the local news sector, and used by qualifying partners. Local Democracy Reporters cover top-tier local authorities and other public service organisations.

NHS Lothian has reopened its city centre mass vaccination centre today as part of measures to increase the number of daily doses of booster vaccinations as well as offering first and second doses.

Vaccination teams have moved back into the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) opening at 9am to help provide lifesaving vaccines to as many people as possible.

The clinic will offer a combination of booked and drop-in appointments to help make it as easy for people to get their booster.
Just a month ago, on November 16, the programme was delivering 5,500 booster vaccines. Now a total of 10.942 doses are being administered in one day.

NHS Lothian says it is confident that the reintroduction of the EICC and opening of the Corn Exchange in East Lothian will help boost that figure even higher.

Pat Wynne, Nurse Director, Primary and Community Care, NHS Lothian, said: “Vaccination is more important now than it has ever been and we are really pleased to be back in the EICC in the heart of the city once more.
“We would urge anyone who still needs a first, second or booster dose of the vaccine to make an appointment or drop in to the EICC or one of the many other clinics in Lothian as soon as they are eligible.
“The best way to get your vaccine is to book in advance, using the online booking portal. That way you can avoid queues and help keep everyone safe.
“We are expecting our sites, especially our dedicated drop-in clinics, to be busier than ever before. We will run separate queues for booked and drop-in appointments, but people should be prepared to wait if they are attending a drop-in. If you do have to queue, please be sure to wear a face mask over your mouth and nose and keep your distance – even if you’re outside.”

Vaccination teams have worked with EICC team to prepare the clinic for a re-opening as part of the nationwide effort to help protect lives.

Marshall Dallas, CEO of the EICC, said: “We are proud to continue to support NHS Lothian and NHS Scotland with the roll-out of the vaccine and now the vaccine booster.
“Traditionally, our venue would be closed over the Festive period, allowing our team annual leave during this time, so I can’t credit our people enough for giving up their holiday time to be on site at the venue to make this possible.  
“Since re-opening to events in August, we have safely and successfully hosted a series of back-to-back conferences, and we look forward to welcoming delegates back to the EICC early in the new year.”  

A total of 15 vaccination stations will run in the Cromdale Hall initially while more work is done to extend the facility to provide 25 booths. The rest of the venue, including the Lennox Suite, will continue as normal for conference and events.

Mr Wynne added: “We are grateful to all of the teams from the EICC for working with us once again and helping to pull this together at such short notice. Centre staff would normally be on annual leave soon and they have cancelled their holidays over the festive period just to help re-launch the clinic – we could not be more thankful.”

The EICC adds to the list of other vaccination centres, which are being run by the four Health and Social Care Partnerships within Lothian.

Edinburgh vaccination clinics 

Chris Empson (pictured) hosts the second East Coast Big Fish match on Wednesday, December 22, and the meeting place is the ASDA car park at Dunbar. Registration is from 6pm to 6.30pm with fishing from 7pm to 10pm and the weigh-in closes at 10.30pm.

Entry is free and anglers can fish where they like. There is a trophy for the winner and medal for the second and anglers can only fish one rod with a three-hook maximum.

Empson said: “All are welcome and we hope for favourable weather and a good turn-out. The aim is to encourage more people to come out sea fishing and to boost the sport.”

Meanwhile, Robert Whyte from Edinburgh was tenth in the popular St Serfs Xmas Open, but it was a man from Scarborough who beat the field of over 120 to take the top prize.

Chris France landed a 7lb 12oz fish in his bag of two fish for 9lb 15oz to take the £1,000 top prize and he was second in the heaviest bag taking home £100.

Rab Gallacher from Glenrothes took home £200 for the heaviest bag with five fish for 10lb 13oz and he was second in the heaviest cod section with 6lb 11oz.

Chris Horn from Kirkcaldy was third in the heaviest cod section with 5lb 8oz and another Kirkcaldy angler, Colin Hay was fourth with 4lb 2oz. The boundaries were Elie to St Andrews.

RESULTS: Heaviest bag: 1, Rab Gallacher (Glenrothes) 10lb 13oz; 2, Chris France (Scarborough) 9lb 15oz; 3, Wayne Smailes (Newbiggin) 7lb 13oz; 4, Chris Horn (Kirkcaldy) 7lb 3oz; 5, Ian Knox (Clackmannan) 6lb 8oz; 6, Colin Hay, (Kirkcaldy) 6lb 7oz; 7, Kevin Lewis (Dundee) 6lb 3oz; 8, Nuno Santos (Glasgow) 3lb 14oz; 9, Simon Pattison (Dunfermline) 3lb 10oz; 10, Robert White (Edinburgh) 3lb 9oz.

Heaviest cod: Chris France 7lb 12oz; 2 Rab Gallacher 6lb 11oz; 3, Chris Horn 5lb 8oz; 4, Colin Hay 4lb 2oz.

Elsewhere, Barry McEwan from Port Seton won Round 8 of the Bass Rock Shore Angling Club’s winter league and with it the Christmas Hamper beating a field of ten anglers who fished the event in flat calm seas with fish hard to tempt.

Undersized coley fish made up most of the catch with no cod landed and only one sizeable fish was weighed-in, a rockling.

A £6,000 prize fund has been confirmed for the Amble Open in Northumberland on Sunday, January 23. Fishing is from 10am to 2pm and entry is £12 for all classes.

The Lothians are normally represented in this popular event. Indeed, David Cooper from Edinburgh was a major prize winner in recent years.

A total of 478 anglers fished last January with 177 weighing-in with 131 cod, 526 flatties and 12 coalfish.

The winner was Neil Cuttler from Gateshead with 15lb 7oz and this year’s event is the 44th running. The headquarters and registration is at the Radcliffe Club, Amble NE65 0RA from 8am on the day.

While there has been something of a deluge of Bowie book’s since the singer’s passing, there are some gems out there for the discerning fan.

Among them this new offering from BBC World Service presenter and reporter Tom Hagler, with consultant editor and Bowie producer Tony Visconti, offers some vibrant and humorous insight.

What makes the book such an attractive option is that you can easily dip in to any point on Bowie’s timeline and read about the artists inspiring him or what encounters he was having at that moment. For many the shift from LA to Berlin remains a point of fascination, a major catalyst in the move was novelist Christopher Isherwood.

Bowie lived within walking distance to his former apartment around the same time that he procured the desk of Nazi propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels. Bowie admitted to being “out of his gaud” in the mid 70s, while earlier chapters deal with his interest in the occult.

There’s a more redemptive spirit around the chapters covering his years in Berlin and Switzerland spanning 1977-81. The mutual respect with Kraftwerk leads to plans to work together, it’s the same with Neu! but nothing materialises for reasons discussed in the book.

A planned session with Edgar Froese from Tangerine Dream is another collaboration that never reaches fruition. Another electronic pioneer that doesn’t work with Bowie in the end is Conny Plank, the common denominator seems to be Bowie’s drug problems. All of them would rub off on Bowie’s experimental masterpiece Low in one way or another.

One collaboration that also nearly didn’t happen was the recording of Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Bing Crosby. Broadcast in the U.K on Christmas Eve as part of Bing Crosby’s Merrie Olde Christmas it would soon become a Christmas classic.

Even the most well informed Bowie reader will find something new here. As we approach what would have been his 75th birthday, many a Bowie fan will enjoy this absorbing portrait. 

LOCAL HOTEL ACQUISITION FOR PETTYCUR BAY HOLIDAY PARK OWNERS

• THE Wallace Family, who also own The Bay Hotel, & Leven Beach Holiday Park in their portfolio, plan to revitalise The Old Manor Hotel at Lundin Links 

With plans to put a fresh stamp on the property, the Wallace family, owners of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park and the four star Bay Hotel, have announced their purchase of the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links.

The well known twenty three bedroom, 4 star property, which enjoys outstanding views over the Firth of Forth and Largo Bay, includes the Sea View Restaurant, a cocktail bar and lounge with outstanding views.  A substantial self-contained meeting & conference area, which can cater for up to 120 guests, is also part of the Hotel’s offering, situated to the side of the main Hotel, as is the former restaurant lodge building in the carpark.

Previously a 19^th Century Mansion House, the imposing building, which overlooks the famous Lundin Links golf course, became a Hotel in 1994. It’s been owned for the last eleven years by Alistair Saddler who built the business up to become one of the area’s leading Hotels.

With an abundance of local knowledge on the tourism & domestic market in the area at their disposal, due to their ownership of Leven Beach Holiday Park nearby, the Wallaces are well placed to exploit the Hotel’s fantastic location, just a few miles from World Heritage East Neuk villages, and only fifteen minutes from St Andrews, which will host next year’s British Open.

Additionally, their Hotel experience at The Bay Hotel, which was added to Pettycur Bay over ten years ago, has seen the Hotel & Venue, with its eye catching architecture, thrive to become one of the area’s only four star Hotels. Having received VisitScotland recognition for the quality of its locally sourced food and drink, the Bay Hotel has a strong following in Weddings and Events, with corporate clients including NHS Fife.

Commenting on the purchase of the property, Steven Wallace, one of the Directors of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park & The Bay Hotel said: “We’re pleased and delighted to announce that we are the new owners of The Old Manor Hotel, with big plans to modernise and update the property with a full refurbishment programme kicking off straight away.”

“We want to reopen in the New Year, ready to make the most of the Spring Summer staycation season which is particularly relevant this year with the Open taking place in St Andrews later in the summer,” added Steven, who, as the grandson of Thomas Wallace, who purchased Pettycur Bay Holiday Park jointly with his two sons, Alan and Tommy, over thirty years ago, is the third generation of the family to get involved in the business.

“We’re looking for new staff straight away which we hope to recruit locally, as is the case with our other businesses,” continued Steven. “We’ve always been a big local employer, and plan to build a strong close knit team here at The Old Manor, covering reception to front of house, to housekeeping, chefs and kitchen staff.  We hope that local people in the area who are keen on a career in hospitality will want to join us in breathing new life into The Old Manor which is a beautiful building with huge potential. We aim to make it the go to place in Lundin Links for weddings, events, golfing breaks, and eating out.”

“We think this is the best, most positive news we can give our sector – and the local economy here in Lundin Links, which massively relies on tourism – as the country continues to wrestle with the pandemic,” said Steven. “The Hospitality sector is hugely important, and doing hospitality well is a source of great pride to many family businesses like ourselves,” said Steven. “We have not rested on our laurels during the pandemic, having used the time to plan and improve our offering. We opened a new restaurant at our Leven Beach Holiday Park earlier this year, to build on our reputation for great value food for locals, daytrippers and our park residents. Now we are ready to add another Hotel to the mix.”

A refurbishment programme, covering several of the Hotel’s Bedrooms at The Old Manor, which range from Twins, Doubles and Suites, was started by the previous owners, and will now be continued by the new owners.

“Our offering is strong as we have bedrooms with sea views, private balconies and outdoor seating. And of particular relevance to the wedding market is a four poster bedroom,” said Steven who will be heading up the new vision for The Old Manor as a modern, family friendly hotel.

“We are going to ensure all the accommodation is fully upgraded. It’s a question of whatever is needed will be done to do justice to the building and to the location. There’s no exact budget in mind,” said Steven.

“We have developed a distinct house style at The Bay Hotel in our mezzanine bedrooms with their breath-taking views across the Forth. These have been a huge selling point for us. We plan to make the bedrooms here equally as appealing, but a lot of the other refurbishment work needing done is that which visitors do not always see, such as the electrics & rewiring, the fire systems, kitchen equipment and so on.”

Steven also commented on the former restaurant lodge building in the car park.

“This building has huge potential for a number of uses, perhaps a stand alone fine dining restaurant, a Bistro, or for Weddings & Events,” he said. “We’re not exactly sure what we will use it for at the moment, but it is certainly an asset. All we can say is watch this space as the whole project comes together in the coming months!”

The purchase of The Old Manor Hotel, which had a guide price of £1.2 million, was concluded by commercial real estate specialists Colliers.

Commenting on the sale to the Wallace family, Robert Smithson, Associate Director in Colliers Hotels team, said: “I am pleased to have sold the hotel on behalf of the Saddlers to a local buyer who will continue to invest in the business as part of their growing leisure portfolio in the area.”

Contact Pettycur Bay directly on 01592 892200 to register interest in employment opportunities at The Old Manor Hotel, or use the contact form on the website.

Pettycur Bay Holiday Park is shortly to feature in a new BBC series starting on 8 January 2022.

www.thebayhotel.net

Following protests by disabled driver, Hugh Munro. the council has redesigned the arrangements for blue badge parking at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RGBE) which it plans to install in January.

The latest design, chosen from four possibilities created by roads officers, increases the number of blue badge spaces to 13 by creating for new parking spaces within the semi-circular areas on both sides of the road at the John Hope Gateway. These deeper bays will be set 4.5 metres back from the road to create a safe space to get in and out of vehicles. The council says it will offer new protected spaces for disabled people at ground level, but Mr Munro says these new arrangements are “nothing new” and wholly unsuitable.

Mr Munro said: “This still does not consider that the disabled person might be the driver. Even if these are deeper bays the driver still has to exit on the main road and in my case with sticks having to get round the door to get on to the pavement. The only safe way if the council really value disabled people or the vulnerable. I feel that the council is not listening and have made no changes and I am still in the position as a disabled driver that I cannot access the Botanics.”

Cllr Karen Doran, Transport and Environment Vice Convener, said: “We have worked hard to create a revised design which strikes the best possible balance for all visitors to the Botanic Gardens. We have spent a great deal of time liaising with Mr Munro and other stakeholders to address concerns around blue badge parking, and designers, along with our Road Safety team, have considered several options.

“The approved option will increase the number of blue badge spaces, as well as improving the environment around these spaces, while maintaining a safe pedestrian crossing. This will provide additional protection for visitors on foot, particularly those who require longer to cross the road or parents and carers with young children.”

In forming the parking spaces the council says it has tried to be mindful of the need for safe parking and also maintaining sight lines at the pedestrian crossing. Their main concern is to keep vehicles out of the semi-circles so that there is no danger from any which are parked, moving or reversing.

The hatched areas will be widened to one metre, reducing the road width to 5.5 metres, and additional SLOW signs and 20mph roundels will be painted on the road. The roads team say the new road markings will make the road look narrower particularly during daylight hours.

Council officers met Mr Munro and local councillors on site to discuss the problems which he faced as a disabled driver. The council realigned the space between the John Hope Gateway and the entrance to Inverleith Park to form a pedestrian crossing. Although there are not yet any markings on the road, simply by narrowing the road here, council roads officers hoped to make it safer for pedestrians by slowing vehicular traffic. Such a crossing has been desired by local councillors for a long time.

In blocking off the semi-circles at the entrances, the council had removed disabled parking there. Instead, blue badge holders were given spaces parallel to the kerb where there is a steep camber between the road and the kerb. The council installed ramps for exiting vehicles at the kerbside, but Mr Munro had pointed out it meant any disabled driver going to the Botanics under their own steam would have to exit their vehicle into the flow of traffic.

Mr Munro said that the Highway Code states that a driver must park with the passenger side of the vehicle to the kerb. His own position is that he requires a mobility scooter to get around during a visit to the green space, and the RGBE staff can only allow visitors to use these beyond the gate, and not on the pavement outside or indeed within the semi-circle. The distance between any roadside parking space and the gate is too far for Mr Munro to walk.

Mr Munro declined a recent offer from RGBE to collect him by taxi and bring him to the garden to enjoy their light show Christmas at the Botanics. He said he finds it difficult to use taxis because of his mobility issues, and that since this arrangement would mean using the semi-circle as a temporary drop-off area it would appear “immoral”.

Mr Munro also questions whether any buses or larger vehicles carrying disabled passengers would fit into the new parking spaces. He points out that not all have sliding doors on the side, meaning they would require additional room for any tail gate lifts.

A new £100,000 fund to support people with learning disabilities from ethnic minority backgrounds has been launched today. 

ENABLE Scotland, the country’s largest member-led charity, received the funding from Barclays to strengthen engagement and support to under-represented adults in Glasgow and Edinburgh. 

Powered by a membership and supporter network of 12,000 people across the country, ENABLE Scotland also directly supports 6,000 people to live independently across Scotland. 

Funding will now be used in working with 120 adults with learning disabilities, who identify as being from multiple ethnicities and their families, to reduce their isolation by building friendships and inclusive peer networks, challenging personal inequalities, and empowering them to better access their rights in society.

Delivering its commitment to increasing its participation within ethnic minority communities,ENABLE Scotland is to recruit Community Connectors, fluent in community languages, to further strengthen its reach and to build strong relationships within these populations.

ENABLE Group CEO Theresa Shearer said: “This is a phenomenal investment in the work we are doing across Scotland and will allow us to serve more people who have learning disabilities within our multicultural society.

“As a member-led organisation, we want to represent, campaign and advocate with and for people who have learning disabilities within our society, and to reach more people in Scotland who need support to live the lives they choose.

“We are delighted to receive a donation of £100,000 from Barclays to enable us to continue to strengthen our work, reach new communities, and to be a diverse and inclusive member-led organisation which reflects the learning disability community of our society.”

The community champion approach has been praised by Barclays as the charity strives to betterunderstand barriers to participation of those who have a learning disability from across all sections of society.

It is intended that lessons learned through this work will allow ENABLE Scotland to create training and resources to be shared at a local and national level to provide support networks for people who have a learning disability, and their families.

Barclay’s 100×100 Programme, as part of its wider £100m COVID-19 Community Aid Package,is a fund set up to meet the needs of communities as they continue to deal with and, emerge from, the pandemic.

Koral Anderson, Barclays Scotland Head, said: “With the long-term impacts of the crisis still being felt, Barclays continues to play a positive role in society. By working with charities like ENABLE Scotland which best understands the needs of their communities in Scotland, we can ensure help is getting right into the heart of society. We hope that by partnering with incredible local charities, we can continue to help people in need as they emerge from the crisis.”

Director of ENABLE Scotland, Jan Savage, added: “This substantial investment will allow us to connect further with multicultural communities and support those with learning disabilities and their families who may not have engaged with ENABLE Scotland previously. We believe this work is long overdue and, as Scotland’s largest member-led charity, we want to be truly reflective of our members and our society and we continuously strive to do better for those we serve.

“We want to empower all within our society to know their rights, access their rights, and remove any barriers they may have to ensure that we build an equal society for every person who has a learning disability.”

Recruitment for Community Connectors will begin in the New Year and the charity is keen to hear from communities in Edinburgh and Glasgow that wish to find out more information. 

If you would like to find out more go to enable.org.uk

LifeCare Edinburgh has received a donation of £10,000 from ScottishPower which the energy company would otherwise have spent on their annual Christmas party.

This significant sum will help the charity deliver its safe and essential care to hundreds of local older people struggling to cope through another difficult winter.

Sue Freeth, Chief Executive at LifeCare said “A huge thank you to everyone at ScottishPower for their generous support in lieu of their Christmas party.  LifeCare is an established and trusted charity that has delivered vital services for local older people for 80 years.  We deliver essential care and practical support to people who simply couldn’t survive without it.   Operating across the city, we enable older people to remain living independent full healthy lives and enjoy the ‘zest in life’ in their later years.  We are presently receiving unprecedented referrals and this wonderful donation of £10,000 will make a significant difference to the people we support.  We are very grateful to the ScottishPower team for choosing LifeCare.”

Sheila Duncan, HR Director, said: “Covid-19 continues to impact lives across the board with some groups in society experiencing greater challenges than most of us could imagine. Following the positive feedback from last year’s donations, we are delighted and extremely proud to be able to donate our festive budget again to 15 charities including LifeCare Edinburgh.  These donations will make a huge difference to these charities and help make a bigger impact in our communities. Thank you to all of the ScottishPower employees who voted and thanks to the Employee Networks who got actively involved this year”.

Set up in 1941, LifeCare Edinburgh has supported older people living across the city for over 80-years. The organisation supports around 1,000 individuals annually including those suffering with dementia, mobility issues, those experiencing isolation and loneliness, food poverty, mental health problems and offers dedicated support for carers.  Services include day centres, registered outreach, help at home, hot meal delivery, companionship and community engagement activities.  

LifeCare’s vital services have not stopped through the pandemic. The committed team has worked tirelessly to safely deliver essential care, practical help and companionship activities to ensure older people received the support they needed to stay physically and mentally well.  The charity also launched several important new initiatives, such as their hugely successful meals on wheels service, specifically designed to help support the most isolated and vulnerable.  

LifeCare Edinburgh is a registered charity and relies on the support of its funders.  The charity is currently experiencing unprecedented levels of referrals.

Visit https://www.lifecare-edinburgh.org.uk/ to make a donation to enable the charity to provide essential care this winter. 

Rick Wakeman opened his Christmas show at The Queen’s Hall with the Johnny Mathis Christmas chart-topper from 1976, When A Child Is Born.

During the set, Wakeman asked if anyone remembered Simpson’s Maternity Hospital, explaining his daughter Jemma was born there. Wakeman has enjoyed a strong connection with the city ever since and there is a jovial rapport with the audience who had come out in their droves despite the dreaded Covid.

The audience queued patiently to buy various goods from the Wakeman Music Emporium including Christmas baubles of the self-described grumpy rock-star. Moving from a tinsel decorated and stacked keyboard the 72-year-old sat behind the house Steinway for a sublime rendition of O’ Holy Night.

(The only distraction was one annoying couple who decided their conversation was more important than the performance)

Among the highlights were selections from Wakeman’s 1973 long-player The Six Wives of Henry VIII. The church organ sound of Jane Seymour even drowned out the incessant talkers leaving us to enjoy the full potency of the track. The opening pastoral elegance of Catherine Howard brought a sense of peace in these troubled times.

Gone But Not Forgotten was dedicated to fellow keyboard luminaires Keith Emerson and Jon Lord. The night was interspersed with Wakeman stepping up to the mike to tell the occasional gag or story and he even answered a few questions from the audience.

One concerned him visiting David Bowie at his legendary Heddon Hall residence to hear demos for Hunky Dory. It seemed appropriate on the weekend the 1971 album celebrated its 50th anniversary that he chose to play Life on Mars.

We were also treated to a stunning piano version of Space Oddity, another track where Wakeman features on the original recording. A final encore of Silent Night was a fitting end to an enchanting festive concert. 

Edinburgh Leisure has joined forces with award winning Scottish community interest company and social enterprise, Hey Girls to provide free period products to customers.

A range of sustainable products including tampons and period pads are now available across all Edinburgh Leisure sites. The period products are in changing and toilet areas, as appropriate, for customers to help themselves as required. 

Wendy Avinou, Leisure Manager and lead for this project said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Hey Girls whose mission is to eradicate period poverty in the UK by providing quality period products in our venues to everyone who needs them.

“Edinburgh Leisure is a charity on a mission to help people lead healthier, happier, more active lives and anything we can do to eradicate people’s barriers to this, including period poverty, we are only too delighted to get involved with. Free period products can encourage participation in sport and support good health. 

“Our Active Communities programme harnesses the power of physical activity and sport to tackle inequalities and combat the effects of inactivity.  Each year we support around 10,000 people affected by health conditions, disabilities, inequalities, and poverty to get active – empowering them to improve and protect their health, wellbeing, and quality of life.”

According to the Joseph Rountree Foundation UK Poverty Report 2020/21, 14.5 million people in the UK are caught up in poverty, equating to more than one in five people. The fact that period poverty still affects people in the UK in 2021 shocks many people.

Plan International UK research found that period poverty affects 1 in 10 people across the UK. In Scotland, the number is thought to be closer to 1 in 4. More research is needed to understand exactly what is happening, but period poverty is a real problem for many people. Period products are a necessity, but they are expensive. Tight budgets can leave people forced to prioritise other purchases, leaving them without the right period products, without enough period products, or without any period products at all.

Campaigns to address period poverty have gained momentum, and UK governments are now stepping in to help solve the problem. Last year Scotland became the first country in the world to make period products free for all.  The City of Edinburgh Council have been responsible for implementing the legislation within the capital on behalf of the Scottish Government and have enabled the partnership with Edinburgh Leisure.

Cllr Amy McNeese-Mechan, Culture and Communities Vice Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said: “We’re delighted that Edinburgh Leisure is one of the first of our partners to roll out free period products for all as this should be a basic right. We’re committed to achieving this goal as we showed last year when they were made available in community centres, libraries, schools and early years centres and we’re hoping to make them more widely available in a range of venues in 2022. We would urge everyone to look out for, and take part in, our public consultation for the Scottish Parliament bill on the roll out of the free period products next year.”

Celia Hodson, CEO & Founder of Hey Girls, added: “Increasing access to period products is really important. Free products can improve concentration, encourage participation in sport and support good health. They prevent people having to make dehumanising choices – to wear the wrong product, or a worse quality product or to wear a product for longer than is hygienic or safe.

“At Hey Girls we believe that access to quality period products is a right, not a privilege. Being able to access free period products at the Edinburgh Leisure sites will allow people to conveniently pick up products they need with no questions asked. What’s more, all our period products are sustainable and chemical free; being made with materials including sustainable bamboo and organic cotton, for a planet and body-friendly period.”

Hey Girls was initially established in 2018 by Celia Hodson and her two daughters Kate and Bec as a kitchen table start up after experiencing period poverty themselves. The company has donated over 19 million products to people in the UK facing period poverty through its ‘buy one, donate one’ pledge.

With 21 employees, they’ve grown into a UK wide operation with dispatch teams in Musselburgh in East Lothian, Diss in Norfolk and Sydney in Australia. They are proud to be multi award winning and have celebrity supporters including Michael Sheen and Caitlin Moran. 

For more information:   www.edinburghleisure.co.uk

For anyone looking to slot in some last-minute festive shopping, Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening times in the run up to Christmas Day.

The centre will be open from 9am until 9pm Monday to Thursday, and then on Christmas Eve, Fort Kinnaird will be open from 9am to 5pm.

Fort Kinnaird is home to a huge range of brands, including high street favourites Clark’s, Next and OFFICE, and restaurants such as Bread Meats Bread, Nando’s and Wagamama, as well as a 7 screen ODEON cinema.

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We know many people have started their Christmas shopping early this year, but there’s also many who still have plenty to do or those last few bits to buy. We’re open right up until Christmas Eve, and look forward to welcoming visitors doing their festive shopping or spending some quality time with friends and family – right up to the big day.

“With our late night opening hours, we’re giving people even longer to shop meaning they can choose to visit at a time that’s more convenient or perhaps a little quieter for them.”

The centre continues to have extra measures in place to help visitors feel safe. Face coverings are compulsory in all indoor areas and we’re encouraging everyone to maintain a safe distance from others. We have enhanced cleaning regimes in place and our retailers are encouraging contactless payments where possible. Our stores and restaurants are also carefully managing visitor numbers to be confident that everyone can maintain social distancing.

Free parking is available as usual, and all visitors are encouraged to check the opening hours for individual retailers directly with them before setting off.

The centre’s opening times for the rest of the festive period are:

• Christmas Day: Closed
• Boxing Day: 9am – 6pm
• 27th- 30th December: 9am – 9pm
• New Year’s Eve: 9am – 5pm
• New Year’s Day: Cinema and selected restaurants open only. Please check with individual retailers for opening hours
• 2nd January: 9am – 6pm

For more information to help plan your festive trip to Fort Kinnaird, click here.