Articles Archives - Page 19 of 128

Medical Cannabis Oil Assistance Scheme Launches

Jan 212016

With thanks to Suzanne Kelly.

Scottish Cannabis Oil Assistance Programme is a new entity that will help people with medical conditions purchase CBD oil. CBD oil is now legal in the United Kingdom, and worldwide evidence is mounting that oil may be beneficial to sufferers of conditions such as ME, Fibromyalgia and Epilepsy.

The founders are keen to stress they make no promises to alleviate or disease. They merely want to help people who want to use CBD oil but who cannot afford it.

It is up to anyone with an illness to make the decision to use any oil themselves and/or with their medical practitioner. The THC in cannabis, which results in the ‘high’, is removed from CBD oil products.

Details of the scheme can be found here: http://scoap.yolasite.com/

Donors are sought; regular donations or one-offs are welcome. Those who already know they benefit from CBD oil are able to register, and those who want further information will find some answers on the website as well.

The scheme was started after one of the founders, Suzanne Kelly, found that some of her acquaintances were unable to afford CBD oil, but that oil had a very positive impact on these people’s health. Initially helping a few people, it is hoped that more donors will come forward.

Kelly said:

“Research and anecdotal evidence certainly seems to indicate that people with severe medical conditions or with severe nausea (whether from illnesses such as CVS or from medical treatment) are benefiting from cannabis oil use. Quality oil is however very expensive to produce and sell, or import, and is out of reach of some people.

“I hope that we will recruit more sponsors to help people. One person I know with a debilitating disease tells me oil use decreases their pain and increases their mobility. There are three founders; none of us will take any payment, expense reimbursement of any kind – 100% of donations will be going on purchasing and delivering cannabis oil to those who need it.”

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New Tour For Tailor Of Inverness

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Jan 212016

With thanks to Liz Smith.

Matthew Zajac’s perennial success, The Tailor of Inverness, sold out for three weeks in April 2015 at New York’s Brits Off Broadway Festival and the new UK tour of the production opens at Durness Village Hall on Monday 1 February and finishes at Nottingham Playhouse on Saturday 19 March.

The production will celebrate its 250th performance at Birmingham Rep on saturday March 5th.

2015 was a year of mixed fortunes for Dogstar Theatre Company. Joint Artistic Director and founder Hamish MacDonald resigned from the company due to funding setbacks and this meant no new production was possible during last year.

Remaining Artistic Director Matthew Zajac resolved to remain in position in the hope that future funding would be forth coming.

The good news is that a new project grant has been awarded by Creative Scotland for Dogstar to co-produce Mungo Park – Travels in the Interior of Africa by Martin Lyngbo & Thor Bjorn Krebs. The co-production is with Mungo Park Arts Centre of Denmark, one of Scandinavia’s leading theatre companies.

Under Martin Lyngbo’s leadership, Mungo Park AC, based in the Copenhagen suburb of Allerod, has won numerous awards and now has an annual subscription membership of over 5,000.

Mungo Park – Travels in the Interior of Africa tells the extraordinary story of the Scottish doctor who charted large parts of the River Niger during two expeditions, in 1795 and 1805. The second of these ended in his death. A combined Danish/Scottish cast will present an irreverent tragi-comic adventure for audiences in Scotland and Scandinavia.

The production is scheduled to open in Copenhagen in late June prior to running at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe during August and touring Scotland in September – followed by Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland in spring 2017.

www.dogstartheatre.co.uk

Families Of Deaf Children Share Experiences

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Jan 142016

With thanks to Esther Green, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Deafness is no barrier to children achieving great things, parents will learn on a weekend course run by NCDS and funded by Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation.

Parents will learn that deafness is no barrier to preventing their child achieving their dreams on a weekend course dedicated to providing peer support, expert advice and professional information for families getting to grips with a diagnosis.
Over 90% of deaf children in Scotland are from hearing families with no previous history or experience of deafness, so for many parents the diagnosis comes as a devastating and overwhelming shock.

Help is on hand from the National Deaf Children’s Society (NCDS) which, with a grant from Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation, is organising a weekend gathering for 12 families with deaf babies or toddlers living in Scotland to share experiences and learn more about the help and support available to them.

From birth through to independence, the NCDS supports deaf children and young people but in the early years of a child’s development, it is parents who will need the charity the most. With the low incidence of deafness in Scotland, families often find themselves to be unique within their immediate communities, leading to feelings of isolation and uncertainty.

Heather Gray, NDCS director for Scotland and Northern Ireland explains:

“The NDCS Early Years weekends empower and inform parents at a crucial stage in their child’s development, and offer vital support and advice at a time when parents are still getting to grips with their child’s diagnosis.

“Families receive clear, unbiased information from audiology, education and from local sources of support over the course of the weekend, giving parents the opportunity to explore the options that are available to their child and ask the questions they have been unable to ask in busy everyday situations.

“Through receiving this information in a safe and relaxed environment, parents are able to gain an understanding of childhood deafness and develop a network of support which can assist them now and in the future.”

By bringing families together, parents have the opportunity to share their experiences and access vital peer support that can often exist far beyond the weekend itself. In addition, families also find reassurance in the shared experiences of parent volunteers, and inspiration and encouragement through speaking to young deaf role models.

The NCDS has its Scottish headquarters in Glasgow, and the families weekend, open to families from across Scotland with a deaf child from birth to two years old, will take place in Edinburgh in February 2016.

The impact of NDCS’ Early Years weekends is clear – all parents who attended weekends in 2014 said they felt more positive about their child’s future, and all agreed that the weekend helped them to make positive decisions and choices. 100% of families also felt more confident in working with professionals to ensure the right support for their child. Over the two days, families become informed, empowered and connected, three characteristics that stay with them long into the future.

One parent said:

“I have learned more about my child’s hearing loss in the past two days than I have in the past two months.’ It was eye opening to hear other people with similar or even more difficult circumstances. Great to share stories about struggles.”

Karin Hyland, of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said: “The weekend will help 12 families; enabling parents to become part of a positive community network of mutual self-support.

“Families will also be informed about access to services which encourage improved community relations, reduce isolation and improve peer support through this valuable outreach work by the NCDS.”

The Aberdeen Asset Charitable Foundation was established in 2012 to formalise and develop the Group’s charitable giving globally. The Foundation seeks partnerships with smaller charities around the world, where funds can be seen to have a meaningful and measurable impact and the firm encourages its employees to use their time and skills to support its charitable projects.

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BrewDog – Second Aberdeen Bar Opening Night

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Dec 252015

Aberdeen sees a second BrewDog bar open, and long-time devotee, beer lover Suzanne Kelly is there to report; photos by Julie Thompson.

The old Athenaeum is the newest BrewDog bar. We shareholders were asked what we wanted for the Aberdeen bar, and we got it.

brewdog castlegate opening nov 15 Shareholders such as me were invited for the opening festivities; old familiar faces and newer shareholders mingled in the large space which still had the distinctive BrewDog feel to it.

For me, jostling my way through the crowds and entering the Bottle Shop was the highpoint of the night.

The walls from floor to ceiling are filled with some of the world’s greatest craft beers, and veritably all of Scotland’s finest brews. Some are in chiller cabinets; most are on shelves, interspersed with books, notebooks, badges and other goodies.

The book of the moment is founder James Watt’s bestselling book, ‘Business for Punks’. I’ve got one, but have been too busy to read it yet. It’s my Christmas reading, or so I intend.

james makes a toast at brewdog castlegate nov 15 James was on hand to welcome us all with a speech and a toast. The crowd fell silent when he spoke of being passionate about fantastic beer:

“As equity punks, you guys have done this. Thanks!!”

This to the Brewdog shareholders, now about 11,000 strong, give or take.

Someone else yells “F*** yeah!” Watt also talks about the music and live entertainment there will be in the basement: Underdog is lining up a variety of acts. He continues

“Our AGM will be on the 9th of April and again it’s going to be in Aberdeen. This is Hinterland, our 10% chocolate coffee imperial stout. Tthanks for coming to the opening, thanks for being equity punks and God Bless America.”

We all drink the chocolatey rich beer we’ve been given and then applaud. Then it’s back to the important business of drinking.

Early on, I’m talking to Nathan who only recently started working with BrewDog; he’s had a week and a half of training.

I said “this is absolute madness,” and he said “yes, but it’s beer madness and that’s the best kind of madness there is.”

He said this is the best job he’s ever had, with the nicest people he’s worked with, and he’s very happy.

Chris is the manager of the new bar; it’s now three months that he’s been with the company. He stresses how passionate he is about beer.

“We are really happy, so nice to see the building full of our equity punk shareholders. Beer is absolutely my passion, we’re evangelical about it.”

Later during the evening James tells me:

“Yeah, it’s amazing we opened our first Aberdeen site 5 years ago. Since then we opened 44 other sites around the planet. It’s amazing to be back in Aberdeen. So many people in Aberdeen asked us for a bigger bar, a bottle shop, more food. So we listened and we’ve hopefully given the people what they want. We have so many equity punks in Aberdeen as well, and they’ve been the heart and soul of our business. Great to have so many equity punks come out; it’s a special night.”

I’ll give him that. Cheers. I didn’t know this yet, but BD was soon to do its open letter to Donald Trump. Let’s just say that cheered me no end. That, and a menu filled with things like Bavarian pretzels, oreo cookie shakes with beer, vegetarian hotdogs, and a bottle shop that makes me want to go back soon.

Letter to Robert Gray from Martin Ford Dec15

Aberdeenshire, Articles No Responses »

Dec 072015

Christmas Spirit Arrives At Glen Tanar Estate

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Nov 262015

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR.

A country estate on Royal Deeside is offering stressed out shoppers the perfect antidote to crowded shopping malls – a festive pop-up shop packed full of locally produced Christmas gifts. The store at Glen Tanar Estate, near Aboyne, is also selling Christmas trees and holly wreaths sourced from its very own nursery.

The cosy shop has been created in the Coats Room – a brand new multi-function meeting space within the main estate complex.

The shop opens on November 28 and will stay open until December 22.

It is the second year that Glen Tanar Estate has opened its festive pop-up shop. Estate owner Claire Bruce explains,

“For many years we sold our Christmas trees and holly wreaths down at the nursery, and we would get people making the trip to see us from quite a wide radius.

“When we opened the Coats Rooms late last year, we realised that we could actually use it to add to the festive retail experience and decided to launch the Christmas pop-up shop. It was a huge success and people have been asking for months if we would be opening again this year.

“The feedback we received was really positive, especially about the quality of the products on offer as they were all locally produced and not available anywhere else in the local area.

“We are continually striving to find new and interesting additions to what we offer here at Glen Tanar and we feel that the pop-up shop has been one of the most exciting yet. All we need is for the snow from the weekend to stay and we will be a real winter wonderland.”

This year there are even more local and Scottish gifts to choose from at the pop-up store. Shoppers can expect to find homemade jams, chutney and preserves from Glen Tanar’s own Liz’s Larder label, as well as small accessories and homeware in the estate tweed, including coasters, ties and purses.

There is a large selection of greetings cards, handmade jewellery, biscuits, fudge and Glen Tanar Estate’s own calendar, featuring images of the stunning landscape and wildlife that the glen is famous for.

The Glen Tanar Estate pop-up shop is open seven days a week 9am – 4pm.

Located on the edge of the Cairngorms National Park, Glen Tanar Estate is close to Aboyne and is under an hour’s drive from Aberdeen. In addition to walking and cycling trails, it offers outdoor pursuits, Land Rover safaris, bird photography packages, pony trekking and fishing. For further information, visit www.glentanar.co.uk

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Take One Action! First Aberdeen Film Fest: 13 -15 Nov

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Nov 122015

A young musician plays an instrument made from recycled garbage, in Landfill Harmonic.

With thanks to Barbara Holligan.

Take One Action! will open its first ever Aberdeen Film Festival on Fri 13 November with an exclusive screening of Landfill Harmonic, the inspiring story of a youth orchestra from the slums of Paraguay whose choice of instrument – recycled garbage – blazes with hope.
The festival will close with The Price We Pay, Harold Crooks’ acclaimed new documentary about international tax avoidance, it was announced today.

Landfill Harmonic, which won the audience award at Take One Action’s film festival in Edinburgh and Glasgow this September, follows the journey of the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a youth music group from the slums of Paraguay who build classical instruments out of garbage from the giant landfill site that towers over their homes – a story that captured the world’s imagination and featured in Time magazine and on Fox News.

The Take One Action! Film Festival sees thousands of Scots each year experiencing cinema with a difference, actively engaging with filmmakers, activists, politicians, journalists, and other audience members to explore new ways to create a fairer, more sustainable world – and to take action themselves.

Other festival highlights include a preview of The Divide, based on Kate Pickett and Richard Wilkinson’s bestselling book about social inequality, The Spirit Level and The Price We Pay, which has won rave reviews in Canada.

The Price We Pay examines the dark history and shocking present-day reality of big business tax avoidance, which has seen multinational companies depriving governments of trillions of dollars in tax revenues by harbouring profits in offshore havens – originally created by London bankers in the 1950s. As well as tackling big issues, the festival tells fascinating human stories from across the world.

Stories of Our Lives is a series of moving vignettes about LGBTI people from Kenya, while Casablanca Calling introduces us to the women leading a spiritual revolution in Morocco by becoming Muslim leaders in a country where 60% of women have never been to school – part of a national response to a series of suicide bombings in 2003.

Festival screenings will take place at Belmont Filmhouse.

A special, free screening of Ivory Tower, an examination of the rising cost of higher education will be presented at the University of Aberdeen on Thursday 12 November. Every screening at the festival is accompanied by discussions with campaigners, artists and activists. Guests include representatives from Big Noise Torry (Sistema Scotland), Aberdeen Climate Action and SHMU Radio. Audience members are encouraged to get involved in the issues raised by the films.

“We want people to feel empowered to help make the world a fairer, more sustainable place by taking practical action alongside others in Scotland,” says festival director Tamara Van Strijthem.

“This programme was put together with the direct involvement and support of a great group of Aberdeen residents. We also want to encourage audiences in Aberdeenshire and beyond to organise their own Take One Action film seasons in their own communities.”

Tickets can be booked in advance via Belmont Filmhouse (01224 343 500) Some of the films are available to view in advance of the festival. For information, and to request interviews and images, please contact Tamara Van Strijthem, Executive Director on 07876 612 334 or tamara@takeoneaction.org.uk.

You can watch trailers for festival films on our YouTube channel.

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME IN FULL – Click Here

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School Pupils To Compete In Energy Industry Quiz

Aberdeen City, Articles 1 Response »

Nov 122015

Tim Martin of Ramboll Oil & Gas, meets pupils involved in Northsound Schools Energy Challenge.

With thanks to Eoin Smith, Senior Account Executive, Tricker PR.

Pupils from four secondary schools in the north east of Scotland attended the Aberdeen office of global engineering consultancy Ramboll Oil & Gas to take part in a quiz designed to test their knowledge of the energy industry.

Teams from Dyce, Fraserburgh, Inverurie and Hazlehead Academies took part in the quarter finals of the Northsound Energy Schools Challenge, a hotly-contested annual competition for school pupils in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.

But those wishing to learn the results of the hard-fought contest will need to tune in to local radio station Northsound One on Sunday, November 29 at 3.30pm.

Ramboll Oil & Gas has sponsored the popular energy industry quiz, run annually by Northsound One, in an effort to encourage young people to consider the energy industry as a career option. This comes after an announcement earlier this year that, despite the challenging economic climate, Ramboll Oil & Gas UK will expand its Aberdeen workforce by up to one third after securing £1.3m worth of new work since the start of the year.

Tim Martin, managing director of Ramboll Oil & Gas UK, says,

“At a time when other firms may not be looking to hire, we are in the very fortunate position to be looking towards expansion. There are still a great many opportunities for those wishing to enter the industry.

“The energy industry offers very rewarding career prospects, and we are delighted to be involved in a competition that fosters an interest in the industry amongst school pupils. Those competing in the Northsound Energy Schools Challenge are the future of the energy industry, and everything should be done to encourage their passion and enthusiasm.

“We were incredibly impressed by the knowledge and professionalism of all of the teams, and regardless of who is the overall winner of the competition I am confident that these pupils have long and successful careers in the energy industry ahead of them.”

The Northsound Energy Schools Challenge is broadcast on Northsound One every Sunday afternoon at 3.30pm.

Ramboll Oil & Gas is a business unit within the Ramboll Group. With more than four decades of experience, the company is a well-established, independent and highly regarded provider of offshore and onshore engineering consultancy services for the oil and gas industry. Today, Ramboll Oil & Gas has offices in the USA, Qatar, Abu Dhabi, India, Denmark, Norway and UK, and employs around 900 specialists.

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Women’s Institutes Cast On To Keep The Homeless Cosy

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Nov 122015

With thanks to Jennifer Kelly, Tricker PR.

A cosier winter is in sight for homeless people across Scotland this winter, thanks to the Scottish Women’s Institutes (SWI) picking up their knitting needles and casting on in support of a national campaign to help make a difference to the lives of Big Issue vendors.

As Scotland’s largest women’s organisation, and with many members talented sewers and knitters, the SWI is throwing its weight behind The Big Issue Foundation’s Big Knitathon to ensure that this year’s effort is the biggest and best to date.

Throughout November, the women will gather to knit garments, raise funds and hold events, all of which will benefit homeless people in Scotland. And, in a powerful message to get others involved, they are providing two Big Knitters – expert knitters who will help promote the Big Knitathon by attending events, posting tips online and answering knitting queries.

Although the SWI is no stranger to supporting important issues and worthy causes, it’s the first time that the 17,000 member organisation has been involved in the Big Knitathon – and members are determined that their backing will make a big difference to the lives of people who have become homeless. The SWI will be working alongside Hobbycraft, another key supporter of the campaign, with all 83 stores taking part nationwide.

As the leading ladies and resident ‘Big Knitters’ for the campaign, mother and daughter Anne (73) and Jane Muirhead (47) are determined to encourage all members – from novice to seasoned professional – to keep their knitting needles by their side for the month of November.

Gargunnock SWI member and Stirling Federation chairman Anne says,

“For as long as I can remember we, as an organisation, have gone above and beyond to support local and national causes. We’re passionate about making a difference and helping others in need.

“I’ve been a member for 40 years and I still love the fact that when we work together, we achieve extraordinary results. I, and many of my fellow members, were taught how to knit in primary one and so have had the best part of 70 years to perfect the skill – and practice we do!

“This is a fantastic cause with very worthy recipients so between our scarfs, gloves, blankets and hats, we’ll make sure The Big Issue vendors don’t feel a chill this winter.”

The Big Knitathon is an annual campaign to encourage knitters across the country to create clothing for the vendors, sell the finished articles to raise funds, or hold events with all proceeds going to The Big Issue Foundation. Over the last three years over 2000 knitters have got their needles out for the Big Knitathon and raised over £22,500 for the campaign.

For The Big Knitathon, SWI members are being encouraged to teach novice knitters, share skills, donate knitted goods organise fundraising events and document their knitting journey online through social media.

They are also encouraged to attend the nationwide Hobbycraft event on Saturday 14th November. Held in all 83 stores across the UK, the event will give members a chance to knit together, share skills, share patterns and enjoy a cake or two – all in aid of Scotland’s Big Issue vendors.

Stephen Robertson, CEO of The Big Issue Foundation, says,

“Winter is an especially difficult time for our sellers, especially when the end of the working day doesn’t provide any respite from the harsh conditions. The Big Knitathon enables everyone to help make our sellers’ days and nights easier by buying, selling or donating hand knitted items. This year we’re delighted to have support from the SWI, and know that the warmth of their fundraising and knitting support will be felt by our sellers through the winter’s chill.”

Working outdoors in the freezing winter months, vendors will be protected from the chilling Scottish winds and cold temperatures with cosy knitted hats, scarves and fingerless gloves. Knitters can also donate individual squares that will then be made into patchwork blankets providing some extra warmth during the coldest months of the year.

Joining in with the Big Knitathon is easy. SWI members can submit knitted goods or raised funds to their nearest Hobbycraft store throughout November. Simply register for free online and you will be sent a fundraisers pack. www.bigissue.org.uk/event/big-knitathon-2015. To find out more about the Scottish Women’s Institute visit www.theswi.org.uk.

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Charity Funds Holiday Respite For Vulnerable Children

Aberdeen City, Articles No Responses »

Nov 062015

With thanks to Esther Green, Tricker PR

Disadvantaged children living in Aberdeen and Edinburgh have enjoyed well-deserved breaks – some going on the first holiday of their lives – through funding from the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation.

Scottish children’s charity HopScotch secured £9,000 from the firm’s Charitable Foundation to enable 36 children to enjoy a total of 180 days of respite at its holiday centre in Ardvullin in the Scottish Highlands.

A dozen children each from three organisations – Edinburgh Women’s Aid, Aberdeen’s Middlefield Community Project and Waverley Care in Edinburgh – were selected for the much-needed breaks allowing them to spend time in safe and secure surroundings while escaping the stresses of home life and gaining and building confidence, in a caring and supportive environment.

Waverley Care works with children who are living with, and affected by, HIV/Hepatitis C in Edinburgh. Many of the families struggle to take youngsters on holiday due to poor health and financial constraints. Children live in stressful situations and often act as carers to their parents/younger siblings and rarely get the chance to socialise or form friendships.

Middlefield Community Project is based in an area of multiple deprivation in Aberdeen, in the top five of Scotland’s most deprived areas. Families suffer as a result of parental drug or alcohol misuse, severe poverty, domestic violence, parental health issues and neighbourhood disputes. Many young children are left to fend for themselves, often playing in the streets at night.

Edinburgh Women’s Aid provides practical and emotional support to those who have been, or are, experiencing domestic abuse and many of the children will have witnessed abuse or even been abused themselves. Recovery is a lengthy process for some and an opportunity for a respite break is very beneficial in very many ways.

At Ardvullin the children try a range of activities like horse riding, canoeing and indoor climbing, boat trips, biking and visiting the beach.

One youngster who went to Ardvullin said:

“I loved my Hopscotch holiday and didn’t want to leave.

I did lots of exciting things like hill climbing, walking in the forest, canoeing and lots more. I loved the big, massive swing park out the back garden. My favourite part was when I made it to the top of the hill and the snow was really, really deep.”

The Edinburgh-based charity’s 2015 programme has provided around 350 children with a respite break at Ardvullin and this year HopScotch has worked with organisations from the Highlands, Ayrshire, Strathclyde, Perthshire, Tayside, Lanarkshire, Midlothian and Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire to identify those children most in need.

HopScotch manager Roberta Mckay said that the support given by the Aberdeen Asset Management Charitable Foundation had allowed children – many of whom have never been to the countryside or the seaside before – a chance to have a break away from their problems in a safe and secure environment. For children who are young carers, it may be the first chance of respite from their caring responsibilities.

Roberta commented:

“Good childhood memories last a lifetime. We are so grateful for the support of Aberdeen Asset Management during 2015 which helps our work to continue in providing free respite break for Scotland’s most vulnerable children.”

Karin Hyland of Aberdeen Asset Management’s Charitable Foundation said:

“HopScotch holidays provide something which every child should be entitled to – the chance to enjoy a carefree break in a safe and caring environment where they can make new friends, have fun and experience the beauty of the countryside.”

For more information visit http://www.aberdeen-asset.co.uk/aam.nsf/foundation/home

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