{"id":247445,"date":"2025-07-08T07:48:13","date_gmt":"2025-07-08T07:48:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/247445\/"},"modified":"2025-07-08T07:48:13","modified_gmt":"2025-07-08T07:48:13","slug":"five-things-you-need-to-know-today-33","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/247445\/","title":{"rendered":"Five things you need to know today"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sustrans call for zebra crossings on side roads to be legalised<\/p>\n

A Sustrans report \u201cTransforming Mobility\u201d published on Tuesday will call for changes to transport so that disabled people are not \u201cfurther excluded in society\u201d. The report says that around half of disabled people in the UK think government could do better. One of the proposals in the report is to legalise zebra crossings on side streets<\/a>. This was called for in Edinburgh previously by Cllr Neil Ross<\/a>.<\/p>\n

An Edinburgh man with sight loss is featured in the report. Joe who is registered blind speaks about the everyday issues he faces getting around the capital. He said: \u201cI like walking around independently like a sighted person, but not all the time I can manage it, because, for example, on some pavements, the dropped kerb is not very obvious.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe other thing I think should be improved is that not all the traffic lights have the beeping sound in Edinburgh [\u2026] the beeping sound is useful because it can help me to cross the road in a straight direction.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cI think when the council or the organisations have meetings, they should ask some blind people to join in the meeting to give advice, or do testing by looking for some blind people to do it.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The report will be launc<\/a>h<\/a>ed on Tuesday at Portcullis House and can be read here.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Queen Margaret University confer honorary degree \u2013 and appoint a new Chancellor<\/p>\n

On Monday Queen Margaret University conferred an honorary degree on Carol Rogers who conducted the forensic investigation which brought murderer Peter Tobin to justice. Before then at a ceremony in Usher Hall the university appointed its new Chancellor, Patrick Grant. He is well known to many as a judge on the Great British Sewing Bee and also as founder of a sustainable clothing social enterprise. <\/p>\n

Read mo<\/a>re here.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"L-R Carol Rogers Forensic Scientist, Patrick Grant Chancellor of Queen Margaret University (QMU) and Principal of QMU Sir Paul Grice<\/p>\n

Great British Sewing Bee judge, Patrick Grant, was installed as Chancellor and forensic scientist Carol Rogers was honoured at the first of QMU\u2019s 2025 graduation ceremonies <\/p>\n

Patrick Grant is a prominent figure in the British fashion industry and founded the social enterprise Community Clothing<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s leading forensic scientist, Carol Rogers, Forensic Operation Lead \u2013 Major Crime (Sexual Offences), was awarded an honorary degree. Carol, who is best known for her work on serial killer Peter Tobin\u2019s case, was honoured for advancing the field of forensic science, particularly in relation to investigations of sexual offences across Scotland. Carol was awarded the title of \u2018Doctor of the University, Honoris Causa\u2019 by QMU.
PHOTO Alan Simpson 7 July 2025<\/p>\n

Scottish Banksy<\/p>\n

Scotland\u2019s Banksy, the artist, The Rebel Bear, had a one day exhibition at Mill Road Industrial estate, Linlithgow on Sunday.<\/p>\n

In a \u00a0fusion of urban art and industrial space in the royal burgh, Scotland\u2019s mystery street artist linked up with BOXXS Self Storage for the exhibition. The Rebel Bear is best known for their Glasgow street painting\u00a0Fear and Love, of a male-female couple dropping their face masks to have a kiss. <\/p>\n

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Soft play at Dynamic Earth <\/p>\n

At\u00a0Dynamic Earth<\/a>\u00a0young children under 6 can set sail on a magical underwater adventure at the city\u2019s leading Science Centre and Planetarium.<\/p>\n

With the launch of\u00a0Ocean Commotion Soft Play<\/a> the venue is now offering accessible, stimulating and interactive engagement opportunities for little ones who may need to let off some steam but also to spark their curiosity in our planet.<\/p>\n

Children from babies to 6-year-olds can expect to explore, climb, splash (not literally!), and play away in the ocean-themed interactive costal escape. No booking required for this fun which costs \u00a34 per child to engage in interactive soft play.<\/p>\n

A spokesperson said: \u201cWith every corner of Ocean Commotion designed to boost your child\u2019s development through play, whether they are learning to crawl, climb, or conquer new challenges, kids are sure to have some\u00a0fintastic\u00a0fun beneath the waves.\u201d<\/p>\n