From the dusty fields of West Africa to the bright lights of London Fashion week, fair-trade cotton has made a huge impression on the British fashion industry. With Celebrities such as Emma Watson and fashion brand Asos taking steps to promote ethical clothing, fair-trade fashion is becoming a prominent player in the fashion world. However, beyond the catwalk and racks on the high-street, fair-trade clothing is bringing ethical thinking to the front of designers and buyers minds. What is fast becoming fashion and celebrity trend reflects as money, education, healthcare and even clean water wells to the cotton farmers of West Africa and India.

As part of the spring/summer launches at London fashion week, the Fairtrade foundation teamed up with 14 designers to create a bespoke range of highly desirable and beautifully made scarves from fair-trade certified cotton, which will be sold on fashion website Asos. The scarves, which are unique and individually created, are hoped to target the next generation of style leaders and fashion followers. The scarves were launched at the British fashion council’s eco fashion brunch, which was co-hosted by the Fairtrade foundation.

Josie Nicholson, business director for cotton at the Fairtrade foundation has been working with designers and fashion brands to promote the benefits of buying fair-trade clothing, and has been heavily involved with events at London Fashion week.

Show off your label is the next step in promoting fair-trade cotton which is running from the 28^th February to the 13^rd March. A number of events are being run across Britain to help promote and educate people about buying fair-trade. The headline event is the launch of actress Emma Watson’s third and final line for eco-fashion brand People Tree.

So, how can a few scarves and Emma Watson’s fashion line help farmers in West Africa and India? Well, with nearly two billion people in the world earning under $2 a day, the fair-trade foundation is providing a lifeline for them. Governments in Europe and the US have begun to preach of the benefits of fair and free trade, yet they do not practice this. Instead, tax-payers money is used to subsidise their own cotton production, to the loss of farmers in West Africa and India. This is where the Fairtrade foundation provides help – they offer farmers fair and stable prices for their cotton, and also an additional sum called the fair-trade premium. The fair-trade premium allows farmers and workers to invest in their own projects such as building health clinics, schools and sink wells as well as being able to develop their businesses, by investing in processing facilities, training and local infrastructure. In one town in Mali, West Africa farmers are now earning 50% more by selling organic fair-trade cotton compared to what they would earn on the regular market. As a result, they have been able to ensure that 95% of their children are now in school – almost twice the national average in Mali.

Last year fair-trade sales in Britain reached the £1billion mark. However, Josie Nicholson believes this is only a fraction of what we can achieve, “There are 21 million households in Britain and that means that only £1 per household per week was spent on fair-trade, imagine the difference an extra £1 could make”.

So the message here is, get loud, get proud and show off your label in support for those who supply the materials we wear. With Asos and Emma Watson’s new fashion line there is no excuse to not buy eco-friendly clothing.

Ellen’s Stardust Diner, a place where dreams really do come true – and it’s not the customers.

Located just streets away from the bright lights of Times Square the Stardust Diner allows customers to experience an authentic 1950s diner, while they are wowed by future Broadway hopefuls who are also the waiting staff. While the ‘performers’ as the staff are called take orders, serve and clean tables they perform a number of solo show tunes along with a variety of jukebox favourites.

However, beyond the formica tabletops, 1950’s decor and the bustling atmosphere which is created by the fast pace service and songs, the diner does much more than serve and entertain. Ellen’s Stardust Diner represents a past New York which welcomed people from all around the world to come and make their name as Broadway Stars.

With a queue wrapping around Broadway it’s not difficult to see why the diner is popular. Whether its fist time customers waiting in anticipation or returning fans the buzz in the line is just a taste of what lies inside. Walls covered in posters and record covers, retro television monitors playing news from the ‘50’s and the staff wearing skater skirts and bow ties you could almost mistake yourself for going back in time. Ellen’s Stardust Diner almost seems to run on energy, and despite the fact you may be looking for dinner after a long day of sightseeing it is almost impossible not to be swept up in the atmosphere as soon as you walk in through the doors. With the bright lights and staff singing as they make their way through the crowd of tables if it’s a quiet meal you are looking for, you are probably in the wrong place.

The diner’s no-tips policy may seem a little odd at first but when a tambourine-tapping performer reaches your table with a note filled bucket it all becomes apparent, that this is not just a job for the staff. The voluntary donations which customers give are put to use giving the performing staff acting, singing and dance lessons to improve their chances of getting a job in show business. Many of the singing servers at Ellen’s Diner have gone onto perform on Broadway in shows such as The Lion King, Jersey Boys and Rock of Ages. Of course, there is no guarantee that those hired at Ellen’s will become stars; however the staff do like to say that they have at least performed on Broadway.

Away from the singing servers and fun-filled atmosphere the food choice and quality is just as enjoyable. With a menu offering everything from burgers to traditional meals such at chicken pot pie and meatloaf, Ellen’s diner has a range of meals that will appeal to all. Also served up are a wide selection of deserts and shakes, which not only help set the 1950’s theme but also taste great.

Brenda Scherk a visitor to the diner spoke highly of the service, “Ellen’s had been recommended to me by my niece who is keen on musicals and loves that kind of atmosphere. At first I was anxious of eating in a restaurant where the staff serve and sing, but I was pleasantly surprised at the standard of food, service and singing”.

Whether it is breakfast, lunch or dinner, or even just dropping in for a malt shake, a visit to Ellen’s Stardust Diner is never disappointing. A great place to take kids, or even for those who just fancy an alternative to boutique restaurants and high priced Broadway tickets, the diner offers a fun, family atmosphere.

Three council run homes in Edinburgh are competing in a spin off from television show ‘Come dine

with me’, in hopes of bringing residents from all three homes together.

The three care homes competing are the Tower, Clermiston and Clovenstone, with the Tower and

Clermiston set for closure within the next two years.

Finlay Fraser, manager of Clermiston care home said that the idea for the event came about shortly

after this was announced, with the idea of competition and fun, and an activity all residents could

enjoy.

The idea was thought up by assistant manager at the Tower care home Veronica Currie, who said,

“we’ve all seen the programme on telly and I thought it would be a good, fun event for residents to

get involved in. There’s been a real buzz over the cookery challenges!”

The Competition is seemingly having the desired effect with residents. Betty Thomson a resident of

the Tower care home said, “I’m really impressed with the menu choices and feel there’s an excellent

selection of food on offer for everyone to enjoy.”

Alastair Innes, also a resident at the Tower, agreed, “Good food and good companionship go

together.”

The competition will come to an end this week with residents at Clermiston stepping up to the

challenge. Manager Finlay Fraser of Clermiston said that his residents were up to the challenge and

that residents where now preparing for this week’s event, and said they were “really enjoying

themselves.”

Residents are competing for a dinner for six at the Ellersly house hotel in Murrayfield and a ‘Come

dine with me’ trophy.

The winner will be announced at

Clermiston care home this week.

Category: Life and society

Edinburgh city council has this week been removing dangerously constructed and homemade

bonfires from around the city. This comes with the council’s launch of the new anti social behaviour

strategy. It is hoped that these pro-active measures will target problematic situations before they

arise, including accidents, injuries and violence.

Community safety officer at Lothian and Borders fire and rescue service, David Lockhart said: “every

year we receive hundreds of calls about nuisance and unsupervised bonfires putting real pressure on

our resources at our busiest time of year.”

With the new anti social behaviour strategy in place Mr Lockhart said the fire brigade hoped for a fall

in violence at this busy period, “this is our busiest time of year but sadly this is also the time when

we see a rise in violence towards the crew.”

Guy Fawkes night is one of the busiest weeks of the year for Lothian and Borders fire brigade. Last

year they received 1171 calls between 31 October – 7 November, and were called to 249 bonfires.

In a bid to reduce the number of bonfire call outs which the fire Brigade receive this year the fire

department are urging people to attend only organized events across the city.

Further safety information regarding tonight has been published online by the Lothian and Borders

fire brigade.

Category: Life and Society

Date: 5 November 2010

By Rachel Watson

A Christmas day murderer who hid in an attic from police has today been sentenced to life in prison

at the High court in Edinburgh.

Edward Dearie who has been in custody since the 12 January 2010, pleaded not guilty to murder

during the trial which took place in Glasgow,  but was found guilty by a jury for the death of Stuart

Spence and the attempted murder of his friend, Derek Hall.

Charges against Dearie were for the murder of Mr Spence, attempted murder of Mr Hall and fleeing

and avoiding detection from the police after committing the first two offences. Dearie avoided

detection from police after fleeing from the crime and hiding in an attic in Irvine.

Judge William Dunlop who sentenced Dearie to 18 years before the chance to appeal for parole, due

to the consideration previous convictions which include assault and carrying a dangerous weapon,

told Dearie of the “waste of lives including your own”. He added: “These were lamentable and

needless crimes leading to the death of one young man and almost the death of another. None of

this would have happened if you had only learned from your previous convictions.”

Category: Courts and crime

Date: October 2010

A petition which hopes to ban the use of mosquito devices in Scotland was presented to members of

the Scottish youth parliament today at Holyrood.

The petition which was presented by West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine MYSP, Andrew Deans calls

on the Scottish government to introduce legislation to ban the use of the mosquito device which

gives off high pitched and unpleasant noises that can only be heard by under 25’s in hope to break

up groups of youth.

The device which has already been banned in Edinburgh by the city council was created by Howard

Stapleton in 2005, and has proved successful in deterring groups of young people from loitering in

local areas. However, the device has caused considerable amount of debate from many angles

including the discrimination of youths as a group, and health risks which have been raised. Mr

Deans, who spoke at the parliament today, told of how youths are being discriminated against, and

how the mosquito is “branding all youths as criminal”.

Members of the Scottish youth parliament also talked of health risks which were presented by the

device including that to young children, the deaf and those who suffer from autism.  Although no

health side effects have been proven so far, there is concern for these groups.

At present there are 3,500 mosquito devices in use in the United Kingdom, and even if legislation is

passed it could take quite some time to collect all devices, due to the fact that there is no record of

where the in use devices are.

The Scottish youth parliament will now present letters to a number of groups to gain support before

taking the petition to the Scottish government.

Andrew Deans petition gained a lot of

support by Youth parliament.

Category: Life and Society

DATE: 29 October 2010

After five years of work and £43 million of funding the Braid Burn flood defence scheme has been

completed, receiving a hopeful, yet cautious welcome from residents. “Although our home has

never been directly affected by the flooding, we’re glad to see work finished, it’s been a long time

and now hopefully we’ll see the benefits of the work”, said Elaine Paget a resident of Oxgangs. “I

remember the last time the banks burst and the whole area was a mess. I’m really hoping that won’t

happen again.”

The scheme which aims to protect more than 1000 homes in Colinton and Oxgangs, was declared

officially complete this week by Councilor Mackenzie who said: “We have worked hard to improve

flood protection and I am pleased that, with the scheme complete, we will be able to give greater

peace of mind to the homes and businesses affected.”

The burn which runs into the city at Redford to meet the sea at Portobello has burst its banks for

times in the last 16 years bringing millions of pounds worth of damage to the homes and businesses

in the area. Over 250 homes and businesses were left under water with severe damage in the last

flooding in 2002. The work over the past five years has included improvement of 15 bridges and

culverts along the banks of the burn, along with 2.5km of new flood embankments and 4.5km of

flood walls. It has also seen work done to strengthen existing defences and the making of two flood

storage reservoirs.

Bridge improvements and higher banks hope to safe guard

nearby properties.

Category:Life and Society

DATE: October 2010

I felt that overall it was a good day, and we know what to change and what to do differently for the next assessed one. I really enjoyed it all as well, all the practical work. I cannot wait to do the next live rolling news day, and then I will hopefully be able to say whether or not I like writing for online.

However, I am going to try and be positive! I have spoken via facebook to many of the staff that I will be working with this summer. I have spoke to people from England, America, New Zealand and Australia. I’m just so excited to get there and meet everyone…everyone seems so nice already. My shopping for my trip has also begun. I have myself a lovely new camera, trainers and clothes, clothes and more clothes….saving is the hardest part!! But with all the extra hours at work I have set myself up with..no doubt I will be able to get some money saved before I leave!

Although this little update has been quite a fun filled one, I must get back to revision for my Media exam or there will be no America for me.

xx

Also with my birthday soon I am having a dress situation. I have found three nice dresses, but not sure if they are really THE dress I want for my birthday…I feel and unwanted shopping trip on the cards! If there is one thing I hate more than essays its shopping! But my lovely family are coming over from the States next week so that should even out the bar!:D

Until then I will think of the warm summer away and my newly booked christmas holiday…yey!

Love xx