CaltonHill 3

Robbery at Bernard Street bookies

Community connecting

Simple Minds

Musselburgh Races

Plastic bag charge

Police are appealing this morning for witnesses following a knifepoint robbery at a capital betting shop.
The incident happened around 8.20pm on Wednesday 24th September at the William Hill premises on Bernard Street.

A 46-year-old man was working alone within the store and was serving a customer when a male entered.

After the customer had exited the male produced a knife and demanded money from the till be placed into a black USC cloth bag.

The employee complied and it is believed the suspect made off towards Baltic Street with a three-figure sum of cash.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward.

The male is described as white, early twenties, around 5ft 10ins or 5ft 11ins tall with a medium build, and short dark hair. He was wearing a dark jacket with hooded top underneath, Black snood covering the lower half of his face, dark gloves, dark grey jogging bottoms and black trainers.

Detective Inspector Carol Craig said: “This robbery left the staff member shaken and resulted in a large sum of money being stolen. Though, thankfully, no one was hurt.

“We are conducting local enquiries in the area and are keen to hear from anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious around the shop on Wednesday evening.

“In addition, anyone who recognises the description of the suspect or who has information relevant to this investigation is also asked to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Community Connecting is an innovative service across Edinburgh which directly helps isolated older people get involved in activities in their local communities and take up hobbies both old and new. It has a huge positive impact on their quality of life. All it takes is a couple of hours of your time a week. Find out more here.

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Tickets have just gone on sale this morning for Simple Minds who are appearing at the Usher Hall next April.

The veterans of rock and pop appeared at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay last year and the comeback continues with a concert next year.

The link to the Usher Hall website is here but you may have to queue at the venue or at the very least check by phone.

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Musselburgh Racecourse marches towards the end of its summer season with the Royal Regiment of Scotland Family Race Day on Sunday. on 28 Sept Edinburgh racism?

The last family race day of 2014 has a host of free entertainment, including fairground rides, the Army cadet inflatable assault course and climbing wall, and vehicle, equipment and weapon displays from 2 Scots The Royal Highland Fusiliers, 6 Scots 52nd Lowland Battalion and 154 Regiment. 

Music will be provided by the Royal Scots Association Pipe Band and Lowland Band of the Royal Regiment and the Regimental Shetland pony mascot, Cruachan, will be on parade.

In addition, the Scottish Fire Service will be represented with a fire tender and stall.

Gates open at noon and the first of seven races gets underway at 2pm with the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes over five furlongs.

All children aged 17 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult and there are discounts available for groups of four people and more.

The finale of the Flat season, the Willie Park Race Day, takes place on Saturday 11 October.

For more information and to book tickets, please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

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Scotland is inching towards imposing a tax on plastic bags to try and reduce the number that we use and that end up as litter:

  • The Scottish Government has introduced the charge to reduce the number of bags that become litter. They are very visible litter, which blights Scotland’s natural and built environment, and councils pick up an estimated 7.4 million bags a year.
  • Plastic bags in particular are made from non-sustainable means, such as oil and carbons, and are harmful to animals; marine litter kills an estimated million seabirds and 100,000 animals a year globally.
  • The regulations cover bags made from plastic, paper, natural starch (bioplastics) and other plant-based materials (except cotton, flax, hemp, jute or sisal).
  • Last year shoppers at Scotland’s main supermarket chains used 800 million single-use bags. The total number of single-use shopping bags used from all shops in Scotland is not recorded.
  • Similar charges successfully introduced in Northern Ireland and Wales has shown drops in new bag use of around 80% and 70% respectively.
  • Zero Waste Scotland is supporting retailers to help them understand their legal requirements under the new regulations. Retailers can formalise their donation pledge through singing up to the Carrier Bag Commitment (for more information see carrierbagchargescotland.org.uk).
  • Zero Waste Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government to support the delivery of its Zero Waste Plan and other low carbon and resource efficiency policy priorities. More information on all Zero Waste Scotland’s programmes can be found at www.zerowastescotland.org.uk

 

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.