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Scotsman
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Scotsman
'Plenty of sea air and smiles' – Edinburgh care home resident, 104, shares secret to happy life
A 104-year-old resident at a care home in Edinburgh has shared her top tips for living a long and happy life. 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... Mary Davidson Smith, a resident at Care UK's Murrayside on South Beechwood, Corstorphine, celebrated her milestone birthday surrounded by friends and fellow residents. A representative from the University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) also joined the festivities, which included cake and decorations – sharing stories and chatting with Mary about her remarkable time in service. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mary said: 'It was a brilliant day. There was so much going on and I enjoyed sharing all of my stories.' Mary Smith celebrated her 104th birthday Born in Korea in 1921, Mary lived all over the world during her youth, including stints in Suffolk, London, Canada and the USA. She later joined the Royal Navy and was posted to Washington, DC, where she met her husband, a British Army officer. The couple went on to raise two sons, Neil and Mark, in Edinburgh and Mary is now a proud grandmother to four grandchildren. Reflecting on her time in the navy, Mary fondly recalled her VE Day experience: 'We were in the middle of the ocean and it was the first time we were able to turn the lights on! It's one of my favourite memories. 'I did grow to enjoy the sea air during my time in the navy. That's what I put my long and happy life down to: plenty of sea air and a smile every day!' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Suzanne Welsh, Home Manager at Murrayside, said: 'It was a real joy to celebrate Mary's 104th birthday and to welcome her visitor from the University Royal Naval Unit for such a special occasion. Edinburgh care home resident celebrated her 104th birthday with special guest 'Mary is a huge part of the Murrayside family and is always keen to get involved, whether it's playing tennis, enjoying church outings or joining in with singing sessions. 'We're passionate about helping residents live rewarding, meaningful lives, and Mary's celebration was a wonderful example of the team's dedication to making every day special. A big thank you also to the University Royal Naval Unit for helping to make her party so memorable.' Murrayside care home, which provides full-time residential, nursing and dementia care, has been specially designed to support residents in living active and fulfilling lives, while also promoting independence. It incorporates plenty of space for leisure activities and hobbies, and has its own cinema, hair and beauty salon, café and namaste rooms. To find out more about Murrayside, please contact Customer Relations Manager Cliona Robertson on 0131 516 2487, email [email protected] or visit
Telegraph
3 days ago
- General
- Telegraph
Telegraph style book: Vv
V Valium: Upper case, it is a brand name Vaughan Williams, Ralph: no hyphen, never Williams VE Day: No hyphen, unlike D-Day venerable is not a synonym for old. It means worthy of reverence very: Usually redundant vet: Acceptable for veterinary surgeon (but note spelling of the full-out word for describing colleges, professional bodies) Veuve Clicquot: Note the c in the middle vibrant: Tired, and never to be used in the hackneyed sense of describing an ethnic mix vice-president Vicks: (Vaporub) no apostrophe Victorian: Queen Victoria reigned from 1837-1901 Virgin Birth Vodafone Volkswagen Vorderman, Carol vs is the abbreviation for versus
Metro
4 days ago
- Business
- Metro
France considers axing bank holidays - would Brits riot if UK does the same?
Bank Holidays are for washing the car, firing up the BBQ and maybe even filling up a paddling pool – if you're not living under a hosepipe ban of course. But as France toys with the idea of scrapping Easter Monday and VE Day bank holidays to provide a much-needed boost to their economy, Metro asks top economists if the UK could follow suit. With the UK facing a similar yawning spending black hole, experts consider whether one less day of rest could be the answer, and if so, which day it should be. One less day of rest means one more day of workers back in the office and being economically productive, argues Maxwell Marlow, Director of Public Affairs at the Adam Smith Institute. Indeed research suggests each bank holiday costs the UK £2.3 billion. With economic growth declining in April and then in May this year, that boost could be an 'attractive' option for the Chancellor. Marlow told Metro: 'In terms of the facts and figures, scrapping a bank holiday would be good for GDP and they should probably do it.' Senior Economist Charlie Cornes agreed that cutting a bank holiday would help to balance the books. It could also be a 'creative', but unlikely, way Rachel Reeves could avoid tax rises or spending cuts in the Autumn Budget. Less bank holidays would hit an already struggling hospitality sector, economists told Metro. Bars, restaurants, pubs and shops all see a boost to their profits when Brits are off work and socialising, explained Cornes, Senior Economist at the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR). But as the sector continues to be 'in a lot of trouble, facing rising costs and labour shortages, one less public holiday could be the nail in the coffin'. While a cut to bank holidays could see a short-term boost to GDP, the risk is that the move would upset and demotivate workers. Prof Stephen Millard told Metro: 'Public holidays are partly about morale. Less days off could damage morale and could mean people won't work as hard.' The UK only has eight public holidays a year as it is – compared to 14 in Spain, 11 in France and nine in Germany and Ireland. Prof Millard, who is the Interim Director at National Institute of Economic and Social Research, explained that workers might just ask their bosses for more annual leave anyway – making the cuts less effective. 'The idea that a government would want to scrap public holidays as a way of improving public finances doesn't seem to be the right sort of logic,' he added. Above all, the move would be 'too politically toxic' and unpopular for the Chancellor to ever consider. 'There would be riots on the streets,' Marlow predicted. The most costly bank holidays, Christmas and Boxing Day, are also the most culturally important, adds the Adam Smith Institute economist. 'They are total turn-off days for the economy' because shops shut and people stay at home with friends and family. Marlow added: 'If the Chancellor was going to cut a bank holiday, it'd probably be one of the seasonal bank holidays in May or August. They are not cultural bank holidays.' Economics lecturer Renaud Foucart believes that people are attached to the May breaks from work and that if Reeves was going to target one she should pick the August holiday, due for August 25 this year. Cornes disagreed, however, saying the August day off needed to be protected because summer weather is most profitable for local tourism and hospitality. While the Easter bank holidays are also religiously and culturally significant, that leaves the early May holiday as the economist's choice too. Dr Siegel from Kent University says the May bank holidays have the highest impact on the economy because of disruptions to the construction sector that months – so agrees one of the two days off would be best to axe. All experts Metro spoke to saw the economic benefits of moving a bank holiday away from the 'cluster' of days off in the Spring. The UK always see two rest days for Easter and then two more just months later in May. 'This leads to multiple four-day weeks and could lead to increased disruption to the economy' explains Cornes. 'They have more of an impact than singular bank holidays.' Marlow called this 'front-loading' of days off 'crazy'. He believes that spreading them out would help GDP in the spring months. Moving a bank holiday would also address burnout faced by workers in the long stretch without a day off at the end of the year. Prof Millard explained: 'We have no holiday between the August bank holiday and Christmas. That's a very tough time for workers, that would have an effect on productivity.' More Trending Taking out the early May bank holiday and shifting it to later in the year could help workers and keep them 'happier', he speculated. Rachel Reeves and her advisors appear set to tackle the UK's financial challenges without touching bank holidays. A UK Government spokesperson told Metro: 'Economic growth is the number one mission of this government to deliver our Plan for Change. 'The current pattern of bank and public holidays is well established, and we have no plans to change it.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: What changes in ISAs could mean for you and where you should invest MORE: What changes to mortgages for first-time buyers means for you MORE: The Starmiversary is here – where did it all go so wrong?
Spectator
4 days ago
- Business
- Spectator
Bayrou will regret his plan to scrap French bank holidays
The Prime Minister of France announced his plan on Tuesday to balance the country's books: his most eye-catching intention is to scrap two public holidays. In addressing the nation, Francois Bayrou warned that France's out-of-control public spending has left the country in 'mortal danger'. It was imperative to reduce the public deficit by 43.8 billion euros by 2026, explained Bayrou. 'It's the last stop before the cliff, before we are crushed by the debt. It's late, but there is still time.' The holidays Bayrou wants to jettison are Easter Monday and 8 May (VE Day), two of the eleven annual public holidays in France. Britain has eight. Mr Bayrou said Easter Monday 'has no religious significance', a view that might be contested by some. Meanwhile, his desire to scrap VE Day was denounced by Jordan Bardella, the president of the National Rally, who said it was 'a direct attack on our history, our roots, and on working France'. This is a familiar theme for Bardella. In a speech on 1 May this year, he declared that 'the France that works feels like it is being sacrificed'. He is attempting to pitch his party as the one that represents the hard-working, law-abiding, tax-paying people of France, as opposed to the left, which props up the welfare state, and Emmanuel Macron's centrists, who are interested in keeping the rich and the retired in the manner to which they have become accustomed. Certainly, a growing number in France believe that too many people are milking the country's generous social welfare model. A survey earlier this year found that 76 per cent agree that 'there is too much welfare in France', and that the model 'does not encourage people to make an effort'. On Tuesday, Bayrou said everyone must make an effort to save the country from going the same way as Greece fifteen years ago. 'We must never forget the story of Greece,' he warned. France's public debt has reached 114 per cent of the country's GDP, nearly double the 60 per cent limit set by the EU. Only Greece and Italy have more debt among the 27 EU nations. Bayrou's objective is to reduce the public budget deficit from 5.8 per cent of its GDP in 2024 to 4.6 per cent in 2026. As well as scrapping two public holidays, Bayrou announced a freeze on the scales used to calculate taxes, welfare benefits and pensions in 2026. There will also be a freeze on government spending, except for the military budget. On Sunday, Macron unveiled a plan to boost defence spending in the next two years by €6.5 billion (£5.6 billion). Bayrou has also told local authorities to reduce their spending in 2026 by €5.3 billion (£4.6 billion) and there will be a €5 billion (£4.3 billion) reduction in the country's healthcare budget. The Prime Minister also said that the retired would be required to do their bit. This will entail abolishing the 10 per cent tax allowance for pensioners and instead introducing a deduction of €2,000 (£1,730) for all pensioners. The Finance Minister, Eric Lombard, appeared on television last night to explain in more detail some of the new measures: For all pensioners who are at the beginning of the tax scale…their taxation will drop. To compensate, the taxation of pensioners earning more than €20,000 (£17,300) a year will be slightly increased, which is a measure of social justice. Lombard reiterated Bayrou's warning about the gravity of the situation, blaming it on the fact that 'we haven't had a balanced budget in fifty years'. This situation has benefited baby boomers, who in recent years have come to be increasingly resented by millennials. They are held responsible for overseeing the economic, social and cultural decline of France, now enjoying lives of luxury while their children and grandchildren suffer the consequences. This is a generalisation but one with a kernel of truth: this resentment has crystallised in recent months into a social media meme: 'It's Nicolas Who Pays'. Nicolas is a millennial in full-time employment who pays exorbitant taxes in order that boomers can enjoy a comfortable old age. This has led to what many in France now describe as a 'war of generations' between the two age groups. Is it boomers who are to blame or successive governments who have pandered to the most powerful demographic? One in three registered voters in France are retirees, and one in two are those who vote in elections. In the last two presidential elections, the over 65s have been key to Macron's success; in 2017, 80 per cent voted for him over Marine Le Pen. It would be political suicide to alienate this demographic. But Bayrou has also taken a huge gamble in once again demanding a sacrifice from 'Nicolas' and his generation. The National Rally and the left have both expressed opposition to his plan and threatened to pass a vote of no confidence in the government. It's not just France in 'mortal danger'. So is Bayrou.
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
France to SCRAP two bank holidays to help economy risking public fury… but they'd still have more than England & Wales
Bayrou warned that France faced the sort of economic shame endured by Greece when the country was forced to ask the EU and International Monetary Fund for help in 2010 LE BANK HOLS BATTLE France to SCRAP two bank holidays to help economy risking public fury… but they'd still have more than England & Wales Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FRANCE is to scrap two bank holidays to help its economy - but risks intense public scrutiny for doing so. Despite the move being perceived as drastic by the French, the leisure-loving nation still have more bank holidays than England and Wales - even after the cut. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou has announced France may rid two bank holidays Credit: AFP 3 The leisure-loving nation still have more bank holidays than England and Wales - even after the cut Credit: Getty 3 The plan - looking to relieve potentially "lethal debt" for France - was announced by the unpopular Prime Minister Francois Bayrou Credit: Getty The plan - looking to relieve potentially "lethal debt" for France - was announced by the unpopular Prime Minister Francois Bayrou. He believes the country's economy is able to recover through more work, an increase in taxes and less welfare - causing uproar. Two of the 11 bank holidays France have would be scrapped, with Bayrou's current favourites to go being Easter Monday and VE Day - but he's open to ridding others instead. Despite the potential scrap, France would still have more than England and Wales, which have just eight bank holidays a year. Bayrou warned that France faced the sort of economic shame endured by Greece when the country was forced to ask the EU and International Monetary Fund for help in 2010. The French PM said as he announced plans to make savings of 43.8 billion euros in next year's budget: "That is exactly what we don't want, and that is why this is our moment of truth." Bayrou explained how the dramatic move was the "last stop before the cliff edge" for France facing "lethal danger" - eye-watering, 3.3 trillion euro debt. President Emmanuel Macron has been accused of leading the country into the economic chaos by initially failing to tackle the deficit. Critics have now labelled France as the "sick man of Europe" - taking the crown off Germany. But doubts have already been expressed on Bayrou's ability to implement his questionable scheme while there's a hung parliament and predicted unrest to come. Two dead including child as France smashed by storms with Paris hit with flash floods & 39,000 lightning strikes It's thought he may need to climb down from the intense plan - or face seeing his government collapse in a no-confidence vote in a few months. Bayrou sits as the least popular prime minister in France's recent history, with the economic plan now potentially making his approval ratings worse. He also seemed to point the finger at the leisurely French, who he said worked less than their European neighbours and needed to pick up the slack. Germany are also considering ridding bank holidays to fix their own finances, but some experts have found no evidence that it improves economic growth. Bayrou also spoke of reforming France's unemployment benefit system, alongside a clampdown on its healthcare - potentially putting up the price of medicine. The prime minister looks to reduce the deficit through a four-year plan - from 5.8 per cent last year to 4.6 per cent in 2026, and eventually 2.8 per cent in 2029. France has managed to develop the world's highest tax burdens and a global trade deficit on goods that reached an eye-watering 83 billion euros last year. Leader of the populist right National Rally Marine Le Pen joined in on the uproar over the plan, which she said featured 20 billion euros of "taxes and deprivations". Meanwhile General secretary of the leftist Confédération Générale du Travail, Sophie Binet, slammed Bayrou's suggestion to get rid of the VE Day bank holiday. She said the holiday was "extremely serious".
