Five things you need to know today
The Edinburgh Reporter is nominated for an award
We are all absolutely delighted to tell you that we have been nominated for the 2024 Newspaper Awards. It is our print version which is in the running for The S & S Inks Award for independent community newspapers as Hyperlocal Newspaper of the Year.
Other nominees in our category include our colleagues at Hackney Citizen, The Bristol Cable, The Peckham Peculiar, The West of Dorset Magazine and Wells Voice. We wish them all well (but we hope we win…)
New Rector for University of Edinburgh
Simon Fanshawe, OBE, has been named Rector of the University of Edinburgh and will take up the new position on 4 March.
He is a consultant and practitioner in the field of diversity, author, broadcaster and activist and was formerly Chair of the Governing Council of the University of Sussex from 2007 – 2013.
He will replace Debora Kayembe, who has served as Rector since 2021.
Simon said: “Being named Rector of the University of Edinburgh is a great honour. It is a university with a great legacy and current practice of stellar research and wonderful teaching. The role of Rector offers great opportunity to convene discussions on the most effective ways of advancing the University, its staff and students and to promote mutual understanding in the exchange of ideas.”
But the appointment although uncontested has caused a stir. Mr Fanshawe was a founder of the body Stonewall which says it “stands for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning and ace (LGBTQ+) people everywhere”. He left the body after a difference of opinion over transgender rights.
Edinburgh Labour Students said: “Edinburgh Labour Students are disappointed that Simon Fanshawe has been elected Rector of the University of Edinburgh.
“Staff and students should all feel welcome and respected on campus, and we do not believe that this appointment achieves that.
“We stand in solidarity with the transgender community.”
Congratulations to Hearts
Scottish Conservative and Unionist MSP Jeremy Balfour has offered his congratulations to Heart of Midlothian Football Club on their 150th Anniversary.
He has recognised the many achievements of the club throughout their long history and commends all the work that Hearts does in the surrounding community.
Mr Balfour has submitted a Scottish Parliament motion at Holyrood congratulating Heart of Midlothian Football Club on this happy occasion which has already achieved cross-party support.
He said: “I am happy to congratulate Heart of Midlothian football club on all they have achieved in their 150 year history.
“They have had amazing success across the sport, including winning the Scottish FA Cup eight times and the League Cup four times.
“Hearts also have a very positive impact on the community by having extensive youth initiatives to develop the next generation’s talent, as well as programmes for older people by the club’s football charity Big Hearts, to create community and remember good times.
“I would like to congratulate them again on a great 150 years, and to wish them more success in the future”
Community Council meeting
The next ordinary monthly meeting of Leith Central Community Council will be held on Monday, 19 February 2024 at 7pm.
The meeting will be held at the Nelson Hall, McDonald Road Library.
The statutory agenda of the ordinary monthly meeting is below.
Agenda for the ordinary monthly LCCC Meeting 19 February 2024
1. Welcome, introductions, attendance, apologies, declarations of
interest
2. Approval of Minutes of previous meeting
3. Matters Arising
4. Policing Matters
5. Planning
6. Transport & Clean Streets
7. Parks & Green Spaces
8. Licensing
9. LCCC Governance
10. Open Forum
11. Bulletin
12. Future Meetings and planned meeting topics/presentations
Detailed meeting papers will be posted in the cloud at
https://leithcentralcc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cd069a61041a682e7851e788b&id=d3e0f36df7&e=eff45e934c (past papers to 2014).
The meeting papers will also be on LCCC’s website (meetings page:
https://leithcentralcc.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=cd069a61041a682e7851e788b&id=7696f121c4&e=eff45e934c) in due course.
Our February issue
Our February issue is out now. With more on Stephen Rafferty’s exclusive story about Chief Constable Jo Farrell revealed in our centre spread and our new columnist Liam Rudden to entertain you with news of all the theatre you must see, we are pleased with this month’s issue. We hope you like it too.
If you would like to make sure that you don’t miss any of our monthly newspapers then sign up here.
