News & Other Information
28 June 2010, News Release:
Spotlight on Urgent Need to Protect and Restore Forests
http://fcnotes/newsrele.nsf/AllByUNID/16EAE698AF45E07B8025774E003D05B2
8 July 2010, News Release:
World Needs to Restore Forests 'Even Without Climate Change'
http://fcnotes/newsrele.nsf/AllByUNID/D0F3A210735F55628025775A00355857
June 4 2010:
Volcanic Ash - Travel Update
Flight restrictions have been lifted across most of the UK after earlier airport closures. However, there may be occasional flight cancellations and delays.
Travellers are still being advised to contact their airline and airport before they travel to check the latest travel situation.
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_187244
March 22 2010, News Release:
Commonwealth Forestry Conference occurring 'at crucial time for world's forests'
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/AllByUNID/3AD16E04A89696E2802576E3004CC364
Illegal Logging Update - Chatham House
The sixteenth in the series of illegal logging update meetings will take place in London at Chatham House on Thursday 24 and Friday 25 June 2010. For any conference delegates interested in attending immediately before coming to Edinburgh, more details are available by clicking here.
November 2009
Commonwealth People's Forum and Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting
The full statement from the Commonwealth People's Forum including section 50 on "Biodiversity and Forestry" is here (pdf attached).
Other information, statements and declarations from the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting are available here
August 27 2009, News release:
Commonwealth Chief Backs Forest Restoration to Tackle Climate Change
http://www.forestry.gov.uk/newsrele.nsf/WebNewsReleases/6DD7B936028C1610802575E000581A9A
Conference Organisers
18th Commonwealth Forestry Conference
c
/o In Conference Ltd
4-6 Oak Lane
Edinburgh, EH12 6XH
Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)131 339 9235
Fax: +44 (0)131 339 9798
Email: cfcc@in-conference.org.uk
Local Information
Climate
The temperature in Edinburgh in June/July is quite warm; between 17 and 22° with very little rainfall; however we recommend that you bring warm clothes for the evenings. http://uk.weather.com
Credit Cards
All major credit cards are widely accepted in hotels, shops, cafés and restaurants. You should always carry photographic ID as you may be asked for this when making a transaction.
ATM/Cash Machines
There are many ATM’s in the city either beside banks or as stand alone cash-points. £ (British Pounds) can be withdrawn from these machines by using a credit/debit card (charges apply).
There is a cash machine located at the EICC (conference centre).
Banks & Foreign Exchange Bureaux
Banks are open from 9:30 - 17:00 from Monday to Friday, and some larger branches also operate on a Saturday until 12.00.
Money may also be changed at high street Post Offices. Open Monday-Friday 09.00-17.00 and until 12.00 on a Saturday.
Alternatively there are many foreign exchange bureaux, although they usually charge higher rates of commission than banks. Avoid changing money or cheques in hotels, as the rates are usually quite low.
Currency
The local currency is the UK British Pound £ (GBP). Euros are not used in the UK although many large hotels and shops do accept them, but you may not be offered the best exchange rate.
Electricity
The UK and Republic of Ireland use a power outlet plug and socket system which is a different design to other European countries: (rectangular – not round). Adapters can be purchased in the airports and electrical shops.
Emergency Phone Numbers
Dial 999 for fire, police, ambulance or coastguard services.
Emergency calls are free from pay phones.
Medical Treatment
If you become ill while visiting the UK, you can get free emergency treatment in the Accident and Emergency departments of National Health Service hospitals. However, if you are admitted to hospital as an in-patient, or referred to an out-patient clinic, you will be asked to pay. (Please ensure you have adequate travel insurance before travelling.)
In the UK you can buy over-the-counter (non-prescription), medications as well as get expert medical advice at pharmacies – often called chemists.
Pharmacies are usually open from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays and limited availability on Sundays. However, in larger cities you will find a number of pharmacies open late during the week and on the weekend. For more information and to find a pharmacy near you, visit the National Health Service pharmacy information website.
Language
English is the national language.
Restaurants & Bars
Meals are normally taken earlier than in other European Cities, so please remember this when making dinner plans as restaurants tend to be busiest around 19.30-20.30hrs.
Lunch 12.00-14.00hrs (most people take no more than one hour for lunch)
Dinner 19.00-22.00hrs (many restaurants may stop serving food after 22.00hrs)
Bars are open for lunch and usually close at 23.30hrs with nightclubs open until 03.00 in the morning.
Tax
If you live outside the European Union, you can take advantage of the Tax Free Shopping scheme to reclaim Value Added Tax (VAT – currently 17.5%) on purchases for export.
Taxis
The traditional ‘Black Cab’ is the most popular type of taxi and these can be pre-booked or can be stopped in the street when the ‘TAXI’ sign is illuminated.
Edinburgh airport has a fleet of white taxis which do not need to be pre-booked.
Private Taxis (i.e. non black cab) must be pre booked and should not be stopped in the street.
Time
UK Time is in Greenwich Mean Time (http://wwp.greenwichmeantime.com) from October to March and British Summer Time (BST) from March through to October.
Tipping
Service is not normally included in restaurant, hotel and taxi bills. 10%-15% is the normal rate to add to the bill.
Travel Insurance
Please make sure that you have valid travel insurance to cover your time in the country.
The Organisers will not be held liable for illness, accidents or thefts suffered by participants or accompanying persons during the meeting or their stay in the UK before or after the meeting.
Visa
If you are an EU citizen, you must either present a passport or an ID card valid for the duration of your stay in order to enter Scotland for tourist visits of up to three months.
Citizens of other countries must have a valid passport. Some non-EU citizens are required to produce a visa. Please contact your travel agent or the nearest UK diplomatic post for further information.
Should you need a letter of invitation to obtain an Entry Visa, please contact the conference organisers. These will only be issued to delegates who have fully registered and paid.
Please note that we cannot enter into correspondence with the UK Authorities on your behalf and any invitation letter does not imply any financial liability on our part. For more information and to apply online for a UK Visa, please go to http://www.ukvisas.gov.uk/en/
Water
The standard of water cleanliness is also very high, and in general kitchen water supplies, tap water in restaurants and ice cubes are safe drinking water. You can find bottled water in most shops and supermarkets.