Fatal crash
Dreamliner in Edinburgh
Royal visit to the Barnardo’s book shop
Today at the Jazz Festival
Sports Quiz
Police Scotland confirmed that a couple in their twenties and two children under the age of three, a boy and girl, were killed in a fatal collision yesterday afternoon on the A801 near the Lathallan roundabout just west of Linlithgow.
A black hatchback collided with an articulated lorry, after the car crossed into the path of oncoming traffic.
All the occupants of the car were killed and the lorry driver was treated at the scene for shock.
Superintendent Iain Murray said: “This was a tragic collision which sadly killed all occupants of the car. We would like to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this crash, or who has information that can help, so that we can piece together the circumstances. We are particularly keen to trace a silver people carrier which was seen near to the site of the crash.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101.
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Yesterday was another big day at Edinburgh Airport!
@ThomsonHolidays Dreamliner flying to Cancun, let us know if you’ll be on the flight. pic.twitter.com/wGq4ZhiWhW
— Edinburgh Airport (@EDI_Airport) July 23, 2014
Thomson Airways, the first UK airline to fly the new state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner, celebrated the departure of the inaugural long haul flight to Cancun, Mexico from Edinburgh airport yesterday
Thomson operated flight TOM 642 on board Angel of the Sky which departed Edinburgh Airport today with 288 customers on board. In addition to today’s flight, Thomson Airways will fly the state-of-the-art aircraft from Edinburgh to Cancun, Mexico in summer 2015.
The Dreamliner has revolutionised air travel and leaves holidaymakers more relaxed and refreshed than ever before, with comfort and wellbeing features on-board reducing the effects of jet-lag. It can also fly much further distances than similar-sized aircraft and is more environmentally friendly, using 20% less fuel.
John Murphy, Managing Director of Thomson Airways comments: “We are delighted to introduce our Dreamliner to Edinburgh airport. The aim has always been to ensure we offer Dreamliner services from different regions across the UK so that customers can experience this aircraft from their doorstep.
“The introduction of the Dreamliner is a major milestone in our journey of modernising the holiday experience. Customers travelling from Edinburgh will be amazed at the unique look, feel and service – all of which will ensure the Thomson holiday experience starts as soon as they step on board this fabulous new aircraft.”
Gordon Dewar, Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport, said: “We’re excited to welcome the new Thomson Dreamliner to Edinburgh for its maiden flight to Cancun from Edinburgh and are pleased we can offer our passengers the experience of this new luxury aircraft.
“Edinburgh Airport is committed to offering its passengers the very best and we look forward to welcoming the Thomson Dreamliner back again next summer.”
Thomson launched its first ever Dreamliner flight on 8 July 2013, with customers heading from Manchester to Sanford, Florida and from Glasgow to Cancun in Mexico. Since then the fleet has made over 2,500 flights, carrying over 670,000 customers operating from Manchester, Glasgow, Gatwick and East Midlands airports to all of Thomson’s long haul destinations including Jamaica, Phuket in Thailand and, new from this May, Mexico’s Pacific Coast and the stunning Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. The arrival of the Dreamliner has been a big hit with customers with 96% rating their flight as good or excellent.
Thomson will take delivery of a further two aircraft next summer, bringing the fleet to eight. In addition to launching flights from Edinburgh today, the Thomson 787 Dreamliner has also taken off for the first time from Newcastle and Birmingham airports this month. From this winter, the long haul flying experience will improve further as the in–flight entertainment will be upgraded with an even wider choice of films, updated monthly and, the icing on the cake, a complimentary drinks service will be available in Economy Club on all long haul flights.
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Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Rothesay dropped in to children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland Edinburgh book shop during her summer visit to Scotland, to donate a selection of books and meet children supported by the charity.
During the visit the Duchess browsed the bookshop shelves, and met with six-year olds Liam Carter and Harry Roque, who are both supported by a Barnardo’s Scotland family service in the city. After chatting about their favourite books the children presented the Duchess with a posy of flowers.
The shop in Clerk Street, situated close to Edinburgh University and colleges in the east-side of the city, is referred to as the ‘go to’ charity shop for books for students, as course and reference books are continually being donated by students moving on in their courses or who have graduated, and many choose to volunteer at the shop too.
The Duchess met four of the 26 volunteers who help keep the shop in order, receiving and sorting books and keeping the window display fresh, mirroring activity in the city – the Jazz Festival and children reading-time being this month’s themes.
For the parents of some of the UK’s most vulnerable children, the first years of their child’s life can be a bewildering time. Growing up, they may not have had the experience of being read to or played with by their own parents to inform their parenting techniques – something that many of us take for granted.
Laura Falconer, assistant director of Barnardo’s Scotland, explained: “Barnardo’s Scotland supports the children who need it most by teaching their parents five key activities they can do with their child from birth to help them to thrive. These are: Respond, Cuddle, Relax, Play, Talk, these skills are all intrinsic to storytelling.
“Barnardo’s knows that the optimum time for brain development is within the first few years of a child’s life and the parent has an essential part to play in this development process. By improving understanding of the importance of early brain development amongst parents, Barnardo’s Scotland will help ensure that these children are given the right care and attention to thrive, thereby helping to improve their life chances.”
As part of their 150th anniversary, John Lewis, the charity’s charity partners, will use the power of storytelling in their shops and in schools to raise money to bring this approach to as many families as possible and help Barnardo’s Scotland support the children who need it most.
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Our selection at today’s Jazz Festival is the Jam Session tonight at 23.00 where you will hear a selection of musicians all doing their best to outdo each other.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
288 passengers – a full aircraft – and Thomson cannot see fit for a full time long haul programme from Scotland’s busiest airport? Get it sorted Thomson….
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