23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:17 GMT

A £2m overhaul of Scotland‘s oldest working theatre has landed its second support boost in a matter of days.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given the Theatre Royal project development funding which could pave the way for a grant of more than £280,000.

Earlier this week Dumfries and Galloway Council freed up £455,000 held in reserves to help fund the scheme.

HLF Scotland‘s Colin McLean said it was keen to see the “long-standing tradition of live theatre” continue.

The announcement of a “first-round pass” for the theatre plans includes development funding of £20,900.

That constitutes an “endorsement of outline proposals” and allows a detailed bid for a more substantial sum to be put together.

Mr McLean said the HLF was delighted to give its initial support to the refurbishment.

“Sharing its past, which is interwoven with the history and cultural traditions of Dumfries, will inspire and involve people of all ages in memorable and rewarding experiences which will enrich their lives,” he said.

Alan Henry, development convenor for the Guild of Players which owns the theatre, said it was another welcome boost.

“We are delighted that HLF has joined the growing number of organisations and individuals which are supporting the Guild of Players in our project to transform the historic Theatre Royal into a theatre fit for the 21st Century,” he said.

“In particular, this grant will allow us to make the theatre’s heritage accessible to all.

“Its significant heritage, as the oldest working theatre in Scotland, relates to Scottish and local social history and in physical terms includes the building, costumes, people, scripts and props.”

On the back of its latest support, the HLF is hosting events in Dumfries and Galloway to encourage more heritage projects to come forward for funding.

The organisation has recognised that the region has not submitted as many applications as other parts of Scotland so has designated it a priority area.

Voluntary organisations and community groups are being invited to attend the funding workshops on 29 May at DG One in Dumfries and on 30 May at Wigtown County Buildings.

Mr McLean said: “There is huge potential to showcase the heritage and culture of Dumfries and Galloway and we are pleased to be working with the council in encouraging local organisations and groups to come up with projects that will involve them in the history of their community.

“Many people think that heritage is just castles and works of art, but it is so much more.

“The environment, local industries, communities and traditions, all make us who we are today.”

23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:14 GMT

A handbag collection created using the stomach lining of a Highland cow has been designed by an Edinburgh student.

Jocelyn Mather, a fourth-year design student at Edinburgh Napier University, said: “My lecturer kept saying they would look great on Lady Gaga.”

Her four statement bags, on display at the university’s Creative Degree Show from Friday, were all hand-stitched.

The collection ranges from a formal clutch to a dainty handbag, with tripe used as a lining or outer material.

The fastenings are also made using the animal’s horns and a bull-ring.

Ivory alert

However, the 23-year-old student hit a hiccup along the way when her flat was raided by wildlife officers.

“My letting agent had been carrying out an inspection in my flat and had obviously come across a pair of cow horns,” she said.

“He had thought they were ivory tusks and called the police. I was terrified but they just laughed when they saw the horns.”

Ms Mather added: “Forty per cent of the animal is edible but a lot of the ‘off-cuts’, like tripe, are used for dog-food.

“A lot of abattoirs also sell the hides on to customers in Italy and I just thought, this is our national animal, why aren’t we more proud of it.

“If each butcher was given one cow, one pig and one sheep to feed his local community every part of the animals would be used, but in this day and age of mass-farming that just doesn’t happen.

“I wanted to show more respect for this stunning animal by using its less palatable pieces to create something beautiful and unique.”

Ian Lambert, art design and communication subject group leader, said: “Jocelyn’s designs are thought-provoking and like much of the work set to go on show, executed to a high standard.”

The show at Merchiston campus runs until 2 June.

23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:13 GMT

About 14,000 public sector employees have taken voluntary redundancy or early retirement in the past two years in Scotland at a cost of about £550m.

According to Audit Scotland, 40% of the pay-off fund was shared by just 1,200 high earners in the sector, including government, NHS, police and fire.

The spending watchdog said there was evidence that these early departure schemes had led to savings.

However, it called for greater scrutiny to ensure they offered value for money.

The report, Managing early departures from the Scottish public sector, said most bodies dealt with the system well, but there were major differences in the monitoring and transparency of costs.

Since 2009, 40,000 people left the sector, the report said.

Early departures accounted for about half, with the rest retiring due to age or ill health, or moving to other jobs.

‘Paying the price’

In response to the report, Unison said job cuts were devastating local communities and should be reversed to help the economy grow.

The union’s Scottish secretary, Mike Kirby, said: “While the Audit Scotland report makes some positive noises about the way public bodies manage workforce change, the reality is that our precious public services are paying the price of austerity economics.”

Labour MSP Ken Macintosh claimed the government was spending 10-times as much “pushing” people out of work than it was on finding people jobs.

He said: “Earlier this year Labour uncovered the hundreds of millions that were being spent on public sector severance schemes including compulsory redundancies despite promises from the SNP that they would not be used here.

“Our research found that more than 1,200 people were forced out of their job at a cost of £7.5m. This report from Audit Scotland reveals that the picture is even worse.”

Silence whistleblowers

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser said the efficiency savings were necessary, but he said it was vital that public sector pay-offs were not too generous.

He said: “Of course contracts have to be adhered to, but the public do wonder if these savings are being undermined by organisations throwing too much at golden goodbyes.”

The figures for the years 2010/11 and 2011/12 came amid concerns that generous early release packages were being used to silence whistleblowers, reward executives and sweeten job offers.

The Audit Scotland report referred to high profile public sectors pay-offs, including a former chief executive of West Dunbartonshire Council, who was hired for five years but given a pension for nearly nine years’ service.

It also raised concerns about retired staff returning to posts, and pointed to the case of Strathclyde Fire and Rescue chief fire officer Brian Sweeney.

The spending watchdog said organisations should ensure that their packages did not cost more in the long run, did not deprive the organisation of vital staff, and did not unfairly deprive staff of their employment rights.

23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:12 GMT

Reporting of historic child abuse has “significantly increased” since the Jimmy Savile investigation, a Scottish charity says.

Roshni, which supports adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, said high-profile coverage of the case had encouraged victims to speak out.

It is launching a training initiative for frontline staff who come into contact with adult survivors of abuse.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson is to launch the scheme in Edinburgh.

A number of adult survivors of childhood abuse will be among those who will speak at the event.

The online training scheme is to be provided free to workers all over Scotland who may come into contact with adult victims of childhood abuse.

It aims to provide an understanding of how to respond to and help victims, including male and minority ethnic survivors.

Long-lasting effects

Ali Khan, from Roshni, said: “By bravely speaking out, survivors of abuse do a great public service in raising awareness of child sexual abuse and its long-lasting effects on survivors.

“Abuse cuts across all communities regardless of ethnicity or religion. It is imperative that all adult survivors who disclose have access to effective and culturally sensitive services.”

Mr Matheson said: “We have all heard the recent news from adults who are now finding the courage to talk about the experiences of abuse they suffered as children.

“It is important that we support adult survivors, not only to deal with the past, but also to move on with their lives in the future.”

The Glasgow-based charity Roshni provides multi-lingual support services to minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

It has developed the scheme in partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Health in Mind.

23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:12 GMT

Reporting of historic child abuse has “significantly increased” since the Jimmy Savile investigation, a Scottish charity says.

Roshni, which supports adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, said high-profile coverage of the case had encouraged victims to speak out.

It is launching a training initiative for frontline staff who come into contact with adult survivors of abuse.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson is to launch the scheme in Edinburgh.

A number of adult survivors of childhood abuse will be among those who will speak at the event.

The online training scheme is to be provided free to workers all over Scotland who may come into contact with adult victims of childhood abuse.

It aims to provide an understanding of how to respond to and help victims, including male and minority ethnic survivors.

Long-lasting effects

Ali Khan, from Roshni, said: “By bravely speaking out, survivors of abuse do a great public service in raising awareness of child sexual abuse and its long-lasting effects on survivors.

“Abuse cuts across all communities regardless of ethnicity or religion. It is imperative that all adult survivors who disclose have access to effective and culturally sensitive services.”

Mr Matheson said: “We have all heard the recent news from adults who are now finding the courage to talk about the experiences of abuse they suffered as children.

“It is important that we support adult survivors, not only to deal with the past, but also to move on with their lives in the future.”

The Glasgow-based charity Roshni provides multi-lingual support services to minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

It has developed the scheme in partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Health in Mind.

23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:12 GMT

Reporting of historic child abuse has “significantly increased” since the Jimmy Savile investigation, a Scottish charity says.

Roshni, which supports adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, said high-profile coverage of the case had encouraged victims to speak out.

It is launching a training initiative for frontline staff who come into contact with adult survivors of abuse.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson is to launch the scheme in Edinburgh.

A number of adult survivors of childhood abuse will be among those who will speak at the event.

The online training scheme is to be provided free to workers all over Scotland who may come into contact with adult victims of childhood abuse.

It aims to provide an understanding of how to respond to and help victims, including male and minority ethnic survivors.

Long-lasting effects

Ali Khan, from Roshni, said: “By bravely speaking out, survivors of abuse do a great public service in raising awareness of child sexual abuse and its long-lasting effects on survivors.

“Abuse cuts across all communities regardless of ethnicity or religion. It is imperative that all adult survivors who disclose have access to effective and culturally sensitive services.”

Mr Matheson said: “We have all heard the recent news from adults who are now finding the courage to talk about the experiences of abuse they suffered as children.

“It is important that we support adult survivors, not only to deal with the past, but also to move on with their lives in the future.”

The Glasgow-based charity Roshni provides multi-lingual support services to minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

It has developed the scheme in partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Health in Mind.

23 May 2013
Last updated at 00:12 GMT

Reporting of historic child abuse has “significantly increased” since the Jimmy Savile investigation, a Scottish charity says.

Roshni, which supports adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, said high-profile coverage of the case had encouraged victims to speak out.

It is launching a training initiative for frontline staff who come into contact with adult survivors of abuse.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson is to launch the scheme in Edinburgh.

A number of adult survivors of childhood abuse will be among those who will speak at the event.

The online training scheme is to be provided free to workers all over Scotland who may come into contact with adult victims of childhood abuse.

It aims to provide an understanding of how to respond to and help victims, including male and minority ethnic survivors.

Long-lasting effects

Ali Khan, from Roshni, said: “By bravely speaking out, survivors of abuse do a great public service in raising awareness of child sexual abuse and its long-lasting effects on survivors.

“Abuse cuts across all communities regardless of ethnicity or religion. It is imperative that all adult survivors who disclose have access to effective and culturally sensitive services.”

Mr Matheson said: “We have all heard the recent news from adults who are now finding the courage to talk about the experiences of abuse they suffered as children.

“It is important that we support adult survivors, not only to deal with the past, but also to move on with their lives in the future.”

The Glasgow-based charity Roshni provides multi-lingual support services to minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

It has developed the scheme in partnership with the Scottish Association for Mental Health and Health in Mind.