Latest news with #StormÉowyn
Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'This magical venue near Edinburgh is my new favourite place to take my daughter'
Miserable weather at the weekend left my wife and I scratching our heads, thinking where we could go with our four-year-old that we haven't been to 1,000 times already. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Like many parents with children of a certain age, we have exhausted all soft plays within a 15-mile radius, visited almost every park, and we know the museums like the back of our hand. And after looking online for something new, we learned about Bubbling Toad in Midlothian, a new magical venue located within Vogrie Country Park - and discovering this truly unique place was the silver lining to Saturday's dark clouds. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Bubbling Toad in offers a range of immersive sessions for children. There are also creative classes for groups and adults – full details can be found on the website | NW The team behind Bubbling Toad have transformed Vogrie House – a Victorian building from 1876 in the centre of the park – into an immersive experience where children can explore, play, imagine and wonder. Centred around bringing families together, it is an environment for creative play and calm adventure, offering a range of unique experiences across its three spaces: the beautiful Fairy Hollow, the mystical Potion Room and the tranquil Lunar Library. An escape room is set to open next month, with ongoing plans to introduce fairy trails around the country park. We tried the 'Time in the Hollow' class, a 60-minute session of dressing up, searching for fairies, dragons and everything in-between and craft making (we made a Mascarade mask complete with jewels and feathers). There is plenty to explore in the The Fairy Hollow room which is quite literally a work of art, and like the rest of the venue, the attention to detail is staggering. Bubbling Toad in Vogrie House opened its doors for the first time in June after months in the making | NW Branches that fell during Storm Éowyn decorate the walls, with lights, colours and textures fusing together to make a sensory masterpiece. A highlight of the room is the fairy garden, a space so rich in detail families can spend quality time uncovering the hidden treasures. My daughter (dressed as a fairy at the time) was utterly captivated, and begging us not to leave at closing time. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But unbeknownst to her we had already booked a session in the Potion Room for the following day. Bubbling Toad is about a 40-minute drive from Edinburgh and well worth the trip. Just like the Fairy Hollow, the Potion Room is an atmospheric delight where groups can make their own personal potion and even gain a qualification, all within an hour. Bubbling Toad in Vogrie House, Midlothian, has been largely unused for decades. Originally a family home, it became a nursing home in the 1920s and later served as a communications centre during the Cold War. More recently the historic building featured in the Netflix series, Dept. Q | NW Children are given Harry Potter-like gowns before entering the well-stocked potion room that has everything from powdered dragon scales to crushed moonflowers. The group first turns on the lights with their magic wands before learning potion tips and secrets from the Potion Master. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Interspersed with tales of dragons, unicorns and Vogrie Country Park itself, the potion class is a mesmerising session that captured my daughter's imagination as she made her sparkly, scented concoction. 'Magic of making memories' I spoke with Gayanne Potter who founded the business earlier in the year. The first seeds of the business were sown during Covid, when the Gorebridge local made an impromptu artwork made from a tree branch and fairy lights in her front garden for passers-by to enjoy on their daily walk. But this fairy tree quickly proved popular with the local community and the creative installation 'grew arms and legs'. Gayanne said: 'I just started to get all these ideas, initially providing crafts and little activities for children to enjoy, to then making a witch's cottage during Halloween – it later became a Santa's grotto. People kept saying to me 'you should do this for a job' and that's where the idea sparked from. 'During Covid we were all back to basics, families were rekindling and reconnecting, they were learning how to play as a family again because that's what we did to survive it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Visitors will enter a world of wonde beneath the flicker of candlelight and the watchful eye of the friendly Potion Master | NW 'And I saw the joy that it was bringing, not just to kids, but for adults also who now had the time and the space to spend with their children rather than running at a million miles an hour. 'I thought, I wonder if I could create something that gave families that space, where they're not in front of screens, they're using their imagination and they can be together, enjoy simple pleasures, and enjoy the magic of making memories.' At less than two months old, Bubbling Toad remains a hidden gem for parents and children to explore, but I expect this enchanted place will soon become a regular haunt for many. For more information and to book a visit you can visit the Bubbling Toad website.
Scottish Sun
3 days ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Exact date millions of phones in Scotland set for emergency alert siren
The system is designed for situations where there is an imminent danger to life, such as extreme weather or a terror attack BE AWARE Exact date millions of phones in Scotland set for emergency alert siren Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MILLIONS of mobile phones across Scotland will receive another emergency alert this year. The previous national emergency alert test took place on April 23, 2023. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 There will be a second national emergency alert sent to mobiles in the coming months Credit: Alamy The system is designed for situations where there is an imminent danger to life, such as extreme weather or a terror attack. It will sound for the second time on mobile phones around 3pm on September 7. The UK-wide alert is intended to "strengthen the country's preparedness". The largest ever use of the system saw around 4.5 million people in Scotland and Northern Ireland receive an alert during Storm Éowyn in January. At the time, a red weather warning was in place, meaning there was a risk to life. The next test has been planned after the UK Government published a resilience action plan. During the test, mobile phones will vibrate and make a loud siren-like sound for roughly ten seconds, even if they are set to silent. A message will also appear on phone screens, making it clear the alert is only a test. There are estimated to be 87 million mobile phones in the UK. Before the national test, the UK Government will be running a public information campaign to inform people, including vulnerable groups. Amazon's Ring Battery Video Doorbell Plus watches your front door & doesn't need any wires Pat McFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said: "Emergency Alerts have the potential to save lives, allowing us to share essential information rapidly in emergency situations including extreme storms. "Just like the fire alarm in your house, it's important we test the system so that we know it will work if we need it. "This test is part of our action plan to build resilience across the whole country and secure the nation under the Plan for Change - from the £1 billion we're investing in a new network of National Biosecurity Centres to the £4.2billion we're investing to build a new generation of flood defences to protect local communities." Since the first national test of the Emergency Alerts system in April 2023, five alerts have been sent, including during major storms when lives were at risk. Around 3.5 million people across Wales and the South West of England received an alert in December last year during Storm Darragh, which led to two deaths. Other activations have included when an unexploded World War II bomb was discovered in Plymouth, as well as during localised flash flooding in Cumbria and Leicestershire.
Irish Daily Mirror
7 days ago
- Climate
- Irish Daily Mirror
Three counties awarded over 60% of €13.6m aid fund after Storm Eowyn
Over 60% of humanitarian assistance funds provided after Storm Éowyn caused significant damage across the country was awarded to three counties. Some €13.6m has been paid to homeowners so far after the storm brought record-breaking gusts of 183 km/h. Over 768,000 customers were left without power, with thousands of households having no electricity for weeks as a result of the storm on January 24. Of the €13.6m paid out by the government so far, 63% was given to homeowners in Galway, Mayo and Roscommon, according to figures obtained by RTÉ. As of June 3, 55,700 applicants received the humanitarian assistance fund due to Storm Éowyn. This fund includes payments for essential food and clothing during the immediate aftermath of an extreme weather event, and income-tested support for those whose property was damaged. Households in Galway received the most funding after Storm Éowyn. Some 18,756 homeowners were awarded, totalling over €4.7m. In Mayo, 10,127 people were awarded payments worth over €2.3m and 5,808 people were compensated in Roscommon totalling just under €1.6m. Just under €1m was given to residents in Leitrim. It had the highest average award of any county at €301.52. Cavan, Clare, Longford, Monaghan, Sligo and Westmeath all had over 1,000 successful applications. There are three stages to the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme. Stage one addresses hardship in the immediate aftermath of a severe weather event, and provides emergency support payments to cover food and other essential costs. Stage two support generally involves the replacement of white goods, basic furniture items and other essential household items after a severe weather event. The third stage helps to make a person's accommodation habitable again in the aftermath of a severe weather event. It generally includes funding for work such as plastering, dry-lining, relaying of floors, electrical rewiring and painting. As of May, more than 90,000 applications were made under the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme due to Storm Éowyn. This is the highest in the history of the State. It is estimated that Storm Éowyn caused €200m in damage across the country. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
Daily Record
15-07-2025
- Climate
- Daily Record
Urgent warning from Met Office as report shows extreme weather is 'new normal'
The latest report on the UK's climate is a 'call to action' against global warming. The Met Office has issued an urgent warning as extreme weather has become the 'new norm' for the UK. We enjoyed the sunniest spring on record this year and are just out a sweltering heatwave. But we have also seen some wild weather, and these trends of extremely hot weather mixed with severe storms and rainfall show the concerning impact of global warming on our climate. The new State of the UK Climate report was published by Wiley in the Royal Meteorological Society's 'International Journal of Climatology'. It shows that the last three years have been in the top five warmest on record for the UK, with records beginning in 1884. UK temperatures have warmed at a rate of approximately 0.25C per decade since the 1980s, with the most recent decade (2015-2024) being 1.24C warmer than 1961-1990. The report is based on data from a network of several hundred weather stations, with temperature and rainfall records dating back to the 1800s providing the long term context for climate change. The hottest summer days and coldest winter nights have warmed around twice as much in some parts of the UK when comparing the most recent decade of 2015-2024 to 1961-1990. Rainfall has also increased dramatically, bringing greater risks of flooding in the UK. The overall increase in rainfall was caused by an upward trend of rain in the winter half-year (October to March). For 2015-2024, the winter half-year is now 16 per cent wetter than 1961-1990 for the UK. Met Office Climate Scientist and Lead Author of the State of the UK Climate report, Mike Kendon, said: 'Every year that goes by is another upward step on the warming trajectory our climate is on. "Observations show that our climate in the UK is now notably different to what it was just a few decades ago. We are now seeing records being broken very frequently as we see temperature and rainfall extremes being the most affected by our changing climate." These changes in temperature and rainfall have already led to an increase in extreme weather events for the UK. While we've seen major storms this year, such as Storm Éowyn, and several record-breaking heatwaves already, the report only uses data up until the end of 2024. However, it details a spike in severe weather up until the end of last year that caused widespread damage and several deaths. The UK saw widespread flooding last year caused by storms Babet, Ciarán, Debi, Elin, Fergus, Gerrit, Henk, Isha and Jocelyn, and parts of Eastern Scotland in particular were affected. Parts of South Wales also experienced severe flooding from storm Bert in late November 2024, with 100 to 150mm or more of rain falling across high ground. This multi-hazard storm brought heavy rain, strong winds and caused several deaths. Red warnings were also issued across the UK for storm Isha in January and storm Darragh in December of 2024. Chief Executive of the Royal Meteorological Society, Professor Liz Bentley, said: 'This latest edition of the State of the UK Climate report reinforces the clear and urgent signals of our changing climate, rooted in robust observational science. "It documents changes in temperature, rainfall, sea level, and weather extremes that are affecting lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems across the UK. 'The report draws particular attention to the last decade that clearly shows how quickly our climate is evolving to inform policy, resilience planning, and adaptation. Perhaps most striking is the growing impact of extremes. "While long-term averages are shifting, it is the extreme heat, intense rainfall and droughts that are having the most immediate and dramatic effects on people and nature. This report is not just a record of change, but a call to action.'
Irish Independent
15-07-2025
- Business
- Irish Independent
Crown Square Development is a ‘priority investment' as Galway City Council approves €60m loan
Galway City Council members have approved seeking a historic €60 million loan to finance a variety of capital projects – including the new civic offices in Crown Square. At the July council plenary meeting, elected members discussed the allocation of this money into key investments throughout the city but some felt that it didn't meet the imminent needs of Galwegians. Investment of the €60 million will enable works cross-departmentally in all areas of the city, and will focus on priority projects laid out by the council for their five-year term including: Masterplans at Kingston, South Park and Renmore Woodquay Park redevelopment Pitches at Millers Lane New multi-use game area at Renmore Pitch drainage and skate park in Doughiska Redevelopment of the Galway City Museum with Fáilte Ireland Upgrades to cultural facilities Public lighting upgrades, following damage from Storm Éowyn Mayor of the City of Galway Cllr Mike Cubbard said that the loan 'represents the belief and positivity' of Galway. He added: 'This is a young, vibrant, educated, artistic, Gaeltacht city, with a long tradition as an outward-looking trading port, over more than 800 years of history. This decision is an investment in our future - starting the enabling works for ground-breaking projects including the sports masterplans.' Exact cost breakdown for each project is unavailable as the council remains in the procurement process for the fit-out of the Crown Square development. It 'remains a priority investment.' Finance Director Helen Kilroy said. This loan comes shortly after the Irish Independent attended a special meeting and site visit to Crown Square where chief executive of Galway City Council Leonard Cleary said any other options but moving council offices into the new development would be 'fiscal folly'. To date, Crown Square has cost the council more than €1.5 million. The building itself has depreciated €8m since it was acquired in 2022 but is estimated to increase in value in it's 40-year life cycle. Part of the loan agreed upon will be designated to completing the fit out of the building. Most elected members said the funding would keep priority projects moving with minimal delays and expand the budget for community investment. However, some councillors expressed concern that the loan, and the focus on the Crown Square development, does not address the city's most pressing needs. Cllr Eibhlín Seoigthe said that though the projects listed are important to the city it does not 'address the biggest and most pressing need: housing.' 'I can't vote for this loan because I don't believe it reflects the people we serve.' To explain, she added: 'The project list kept changing. The costs were kept deliberately vague. And not all councillors were properly briefed. That's not democratic. That's not transparent. And it's certainly not inclusive.' Cllr Seoigthe's Social Democrat counterpart, Alan Curran, asked for a deferment due to a lack of adequate time to consider the magnitude of this proposal, as it is one of the largest loans the council has taken. The repayment term for the loan is projected to be 30 years with an annual repayment of €3.1m. Repayments will be calculated based on the amounts drawn down over the term. Now, Galway City Council will seek formal sanction from the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage and discuss the terms of the loan and drawdown. The formal application will be processed when the 2026 budget planning commences for the city. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
