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Since 2018 founders Jake and Amee embarked on a mission to craft the world first reusable bottle made from plant-based materials, while on their journey including social projects, economic justice, and ecological materials every step of the way. After 2 years of intense research Queen Margaret University graduate Jake and Edinburgh College graduate Amee managed to create the world’s first reusable bottle made from plant-based materials using naturally grown wheat straw. Creating their company S’wheat, they managed to craft the world’s most sustainable bottle. Designed in Scotland inspired by the diverse Scottish mountain ranges, mist-filled lochs, and ancient forests.

S’wheat is not only made from plant-based materials but also gives back to the environment, every S’wheat product sold takes the equivalent of 20 lbs of plastic out of the ocean, that’s 360 single-use plastic bottles worth, for every sale. However, founders Jake and Amee wanted to do more for the environment and make a real measurable difference that you can be proud of. That is why every sale also plants a tree, however the fascinating part is that you can track the growth of your tree in real-time and see where in the world it has been planted, this is available to anyone who purchases a S’wheat product.

S’wheat is committed to making a genuine contribution to the planet. They are setting an example for the reusable product industry. Each product they create is ethically produced, made from sustainably sourced materials, carbon neutral, and gives back to the planet. S’wheat gives their full attention to making the planet a cleaner and better place. S’wheat also donates a % of its profits to help protect wildlife and sea life all around the world. S’wheat aims to disrupt the single-use product industry by showing a cleaner and safer alternative to traditional means.

On their 2-year journey S’wheat has picked up a number of awards including awards from: Scottish Edge, Santander, Princes Trust, The Hunter Foundation, Natwest and more. Being recognised for their efforts was a humbling and driving factor to work even harder to make the world a cleaner place.

S’wheat’s inspiring friendship and close collaboration with nature has been ongoing for over 2 years. The brand’s practical, durable, eco-insulated and charming products have earned them a following that is both humbling and motivating. Research shows that S’wheat is doing something right too. Recent studies highlight a strong correlation between a product’s ability to stay in use for a long time and the environmental impact it thereby reduces. It confirms the values of what S’wheat is doing, and why the brand strives to create products that become long time favourites. Developing durable, practical, and most importantly sustainable products has been a true privilege for the brand and S’wheat is looking forward to growing with its strong community.

A new office hub, accommodating lone workers and businesses of up to eight people, has now opened between Haddington and Longniddry.

Wheatrig Business Hub, located two miles from Longniddry and four and a half miles from Haddington, has transformed a historic farm building, with stunning views and a peaceful location, into a modern office hub with rentable desks and private office spaces, a communal kitchen/diner as well as showering facilities and free parking.

The Hub offers the perfect environment for office work: comfortable surroundings, total connectivity, social interaction when required and, as long as is needed, social distancing in place. The development could be the ideal solution for someone not planning on returning to corporate high rises but unable to contemplate a future that involves staying at home for the majority of the day.

Outside the building, there is empty space to take a break and take in the fresh air and when it’s time to go home there is the prospect of easy travel without the queues.

Owners, Anna and William Thomson, said:

“Working from your spare room or dining room table is, as thousands will attest, far from easy. Whilst fine in the short term, as a long-term solution home working has its drawbacks: domestic life can cause distractions, technology is not always reliable, and loneliness has been identified as a real issue over recent months.

“A study by TotalJobs in August 2020 found that 67 per cent of workers felt that working from home during lockdown negatively affected the variety of their social interactions. Similarly, 52 per cent of UK workers rely on the workplace socially.

“Surely not much could be more inspiring than sitting at your desk and looking out over the rolling countryside? Wheatrig Business Hub is offering East Lothian and East Edinburgh residents just that – the opportunity to work close to home but without distractions and with added views!

“People have realised that they don’t need to be in a bland city centre office in order to be productive and that a lunchtime walk (or even a swim!) is far more conducive to achievement. “Without doubt, the physical environment here is truly inspiring, hopefully encouraging people to be creative, let their minds wander and truly enjoy the experience of work.”

To find out more, or book a visit, simply email: info@wheatrig.com or message via Facebook – Wheatrig Business Hub or Instagram @wheatrigbusiness

One of East Lothian’s most popular family fish and chip shops has been crowned one of the UK’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways of the year for the second year running and the only chippy in Edinburgh and the Lothians to make the prestigious list.

The accolade follows an extensive search by leading trade publication Fry Magazine to find those chippies serving up the finest fish suppers amidst a tough and challenging Covid year.

To make the 50 Best, East Coast on Musselburgh’s North high street had to impress a mystery diner who visited unannounced and marked the chippy on over 40 aspects of their business, from the quality of the food and customer service to their social media presence and their Covid safe practices.

East Coast scored an impressive 97% with the mystery diner particularly praising the freshness and crispness of the batter and the flakiness of North East Atlantic haddock, as well as the environmentally friendly packaging, the smart and professional staff, and covid safe measures.

Just a short walk from Fisherrow Harbour and Musselburgh beach, East Coast is the ideal foodie venue for families to enjoy award-winning Scottish fish and seafood in the fresh sea air. 

The upmarket East Coast takeaway also runs specials such as East Coast lobster with garlic butter and twice cooked chips, prawn loaded fries and monkfish scampi. They offer a kids menu and gluten free options are also available.

Owned by Carlo and Katia Crolla, East Coast is the next chapter for the Crolla family, who have been serving the honest folk of Musselburgh from its venue on North High Street since 1974. Styles may change, but great flavours, family heritage and warm, friendly service remain as important to Katia and Carlo today as they did 47 years ago.

Carlo Crolla, owner of East Coast in Musselburgh, said:

“We’re over the moon to have been named one the UK’s 50 best fish and chip takeaways for the second year running and add yet another great award to our collection.

“It’s also a real honour for us and the whole East Coast team to have been recognised as the only fish & chips takeaway in Edinburgh and the Lothians to land a place on this list and help put East Lothian on the map as a real foodie destination.

“It’s quite common for businesses in smaller towns like Musselburgh to be overlooked in UK-wide competitions and not get the recognition they deserve, so it’s an amazing feeling to be able to successfully represent a business from Musselburgh on a national level in a competition with such a high benchmark.

“We’re committed to having a friendly team, being dedicated,  having great knowledge of the industry whilst continuously wanting to improve, having very high standards and knowing what a consumer wants.

“We would like to dedicate this award to all our loyal customers, friends and team members who have supported us during a very challenging year and look forward to welcoming everyone back properly as restrictions are eased.”

Reece Head, Fry Magazine’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways competition organiser, added:

“Without doubt, the last 12 months have been tough for fish and chip takeaways and many will not have dealt with this level of crisis management before.

“Allowed to stay open during the pandemic, there was a lot they had to implement in a very short space of time to operate in a Covid safe manner. Many had to flip their businesses to click and collect and delivery, serve at the door, introduce card payments and work in much smaller teams, but they did and they kept the nation fed including our elderly and vulnerable, those shielding and our key workers.

“This year’s judging criteria took into account these changes and we’re delighted to acknowledge that, despite the difficulties and added pressure, East Coast never let standards drop. During this pandemic they have been at the heart of their communities, with a smile on their faces and hot food in their hands. We’re proud to have them in our 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways for 2021.”

Fry Magazine’s 50 Best Fish & Chip Takeaways is in its ninth year and sponsors include Goldensheaf, Frymax, Friars Pride, VA Whitley, Henry Colbecks, Middleton Foods, KFE, Brakes, Profry, BD Signs, NFFF, Nortech Foods, Sarson’s and Acumen.

East Coast is also home to a popular Seafood & Grill restaurant, which is due to reopen at the end of April 2021 as soon as lockdown restrictions have been lifted.

For more information on East Coast, visit https://eastcoastrestaurant.co.uk and follow on social media, including Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EastCoastMusselburgh and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eastcoastmusselburgh  

Local businesses Stisi Group and Clancys Solicitors and Estate Agents are set to give first time buyers a leg up on to the property ladder with a free virtual First Home Fund event this weekend, helping to beat rising local prices and the financial challenges of the Coronavirus pandemic.

A recent report from Online Mortgage Advisor found that 11 out of 31 local authorities have become less affordable in Scotland over the last ten years – and revealed that East Lothian has seen the largest affordability ratio increase of any local authority over this time. The higher the ratio, the wider the gap between local earnings and property prices.

The latest figures from ESPC (Edinburgh Solicitors Property Centre) found that properties in East Lothian experienced a 9.4 percent increase in average selling price year on year, from November to January, up from £247,950 to £271,211.

This continues a rising trend for house prices in the region – ESPC reported an 18 percent increase in average selling prices from 2010 to 2019. This trend has continued through 2020; despite the unprecedented closure of the property market with the first Coronavirus lockdown, average selling prices still rose, to £264,035 – an increase of 5.9 percent on 2019.

While the thriving East Lothian property market is good news for the region, it also means that first time buyers often cannot afford to purchase a home in their local area. To compound this, the Scottish Government has announced cuts to help to buy schemes, due to the current additional financial pressures on the budget. The main Help to Buy (Scotland) scheme has been closed for 2021 – 2022, and the Open Market Shared Equity (LIFT) scheme has been reduced to £44 million for the year.

There is however some hope for first time buyers, with the First Home Fund – currently closed due to these extraordinary circumstances – now due to reopen on 1^st April 2021. This scheme hasn’t escaped the budget cuts though, and has been reduced from £200 million last year, to just £60 million for 2021 – 2022.

Local family businesses Stisi Group mortgage experts and Clancys Solicitors and Estate Agents have teamed up to offer a free First Home Fund information session, in a bid to ensure that local first time buyers don’t miss out. The shared equity scheme offers a free loan of up to £25,000 towards a first property deposit; the buyer needs only to provide a five percent deposit.

Funding is offered on a first come, first served basis, across Scotland. With the additional financial pressures of the Coronavirus pandemic making it more difficult than ever to save a deposit, the main Help to Buy scheme closed, and the severe cuts to the LIFT and First Home Fund, it’s expected that demand will be high and the available funding will run out quickly – long before the March 2022 end date.

Ross Stisi, Stisi Group Managing Director, said: “Strict lending criteria is making mortgages with low deposits harder to obtain and we know it’s not easy for everyone to save up for a large deposit. As the First Home Fund is a shared equity scheme, it works like an interest-free loan with no monthly payments. Anyone interested will need to act quickly though, as industry experts expect demand to soar. I wouldn’t be surprised if funding ran out within months, or even weeks, due to uptake.”

Paul Clancy, Property Director at Clancys Solicitors and Estate Agents, added: “We’re keen to make sure local first time buyers hear about this opportunity, as it could be the difference in making a home in East Lothian affordable to them.

“A great advantage of the First Home Fund is that it’s not means-tested like other shared equity schemes, so I feel this will be able to help a lot more first-time buyers in the EH postcode area.” 

The free information event First Time Buyers – How to get £25,000 towards your new home – will be held on Saturday 6^th March, at 10am, via Zoom. Bookings is via Eventbrite – see bit.ly/FirstHomeFundEvent .

Anyone wishing further information can call Stisi Group on 0131 510 1240, email info@stisi.co.uk or follow @StisiGroup on social media.

Coronavirus restrictions are difficult for everyone. For those living with an abusive partner or family member, it is dangerous, traumatic and relentless.
 
Police Scotland’s Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse Scotland (DSDAS) aims to prevent domestic abuse by giving people the right to ask about the background of their partner.  It also allows concerned members of the public, such as relatives and friends, the right to ask about someone’s partner if they are concerned that the person has been abusive in the past.
 
As at the 1st of October 2020, there have been more than 8,500 requests received since the Scheme launched in 2015.  Of the 8,533 requests received, 4536 people (53%) were told that their current partner has a violent or abusive past.  During the first Lockdown, Police Scotland saw a 34 per cent increase in DSDAS applications and a steady rise in the number of incidents being reported, after an initial decrease.
 
You can submit a Right to Ask application if you are concerned about yourself or someone else.  Please visit www.scotland.police.uk

Click on the link to open a Right to Ask application: http://lothianloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/70332_Right_To_Ask_Domestic_for_Media.docx

Christmas is coming early this year for Scottish students, thanks to a massive 50 per cent discount on tickets from Scotland’s Railway.

They will be able to take advantage of half price travel on any off-peak ScotRail service until 24 December.

And, the train operator is getting into the festive spirit even more by simplifying the process of buying the tickets.

All a student needs to do is turn up at a staffed ticket office with their ID, jump on board and head home to their loved ones.

The offer will be a huge boost to students who are worried about getting back to their families under the current coronavirus travel restrictions.

They need to record a negative Covid-19 test before they travel, but test appointments and the time taken to produce results mean students will find it almost impossible to book specific train services.

The off-peak half price offer will be a flexible, open-return ticket valid for one month after purchase, which will allow most students to return to their studies in January after another negative coronavirus test. The discount will be available on both off-peak day return and off-peak return tickets.

Students will be able to purchase the discounted tickets up until 24 December, which would mean they would have until 23 January to use the return portion of the journey.

Lesley Kane, ScotRail Commercial Director, said:

“Students are going through a hard enough time just now trying to keep up with their studies while worrying about catching coronavirus and balancing their finances.

“We think this half price deal on tickets is the best gift we can give them before Christmas and we’re sure it will be very popular amongst students who want to get home to see loved ones at this special family time of the year.

“We are confident ScotRail will be able to carry all passengers safely over the festive period by observing the five rules for safer travel, including wearing a face covering and maintaining physical distancing.”

If you have any bird lovers in your family, look no further than the SOC (Scottish Ornithologists’ Club) for original gift ideas this Christmas. Based at Waterston House in Aberlady, the SOC operates an art gallery and shop inspired by nature and birds.

On offer, this Christmas are prints by Robert Greenhalf and Matt Underwood, sketches by the late John Busby and a range of small gifts by artists and makers from Scotland and beyond. The shop also offers optics, books and guides for the committed birdwatchers in your life.

Waterston House is open Thursday to Sunday, 10 am – 4 pm until and including Christmas Eve.

About the SOC: The Scottish Ornithologists’ Club is a charity promoting the study, protection and enjoyment of birds in Scotland.

This Message is Distributed on Behalf of the Forth District Salmon and Fishery Board

The 31st October 2020 marks the end of the salmon and sea trout fishing season around the Forth. The fishing season will reopen on the 1st February 2021.

Fishing for migratory species after the 31st October is a criminal offence and Board bailiffs will be patrolling rivers throughout the Forth during this period.

We cannot be everywhere at all times so If you spot someone fishing for salmon or sea trout in a river around the Forth during the closed season, please contact the Forth District Salmon Fishery Board bailiffs and/or the police.

Contact details:-

Lee Fisher, Superintendent Bailiff – 07887 835549
Police Scotland – 101
River Tyne/Esk Bailiffs – 07736 466725

Please report as much information as possible when calling in. The below is a guide as to some of the information which might be useful:

Location (grid reference if possible)
Time and date of incident
Any observations
What have you seen them do,
Description of individual,
License plate
Anything else you might think useful or worth noting
Any pictures or video taken of the incident