It's finally here - the first of our Christmas specials. Rosalind has been getting out and about to talk to businesses and producers about all things Christmas - how they are preparing, what it entails, recommendations, tips and tricks - the Scran Christmas specials have it all! 

Across the two episodes Roslaind looks at the option of dining out on Christmas day with a trip to One Devonshire Gardens by Hotel Du Vin Glasgow. She investigates some of the best food and drink gifts available with long established retailers Valvona and Crolla and Mellis Cheese. Anyone for cocktail tips? Rosalind gets the inside track on creating festival tipples and boozy gifts this year from The Good Spirits Company. 

On Part 1 Rosalind visits the UK's longest running Italian deli - Edinburgh's Valvona and Crolla. Mary and Francesca Contini, who run the business, tell Rosalind all about the fascinating history of the business, the produce their customers keep returning for as well as tips for gifts and how they will celebrate a traditional Italian Christmas themselves.

Each Christmas here at Scran we like to celebrate the work of an organisation who is helping those in need all year round. This year Rosalind visits social enterprise, The Big Issue in Glasgow to hear all about how the magazine came about as well as its purpose and aims from editor Paul McNamee. She also chats to Matthew Costelloe who is a Vendor Outreach Worker and Deborah Prow who is a Sales and Outreach Worker to hear more about the practical support they provide to people at risk of experiencing homelessness. Later in the episode Rosalind meets Brigitta, one of the vendors who works with the Big Issue on a pitch outside Marks and Spencer's on Argyle St, who tells her how she came to work with The Big Issue and the difference it's made to her life. You can find out more about The Big Issue and support them on their website www.bigissue.com

Thanks for listening - lots more Christmas content coming soon in part 2 of this year's Scran Christmas specials!

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