A Glasgow-based construction firm is currently building 111 new affordable homes as part of the first phase of the Craigmillar Town Centre Masterplan.

The work is being done on behalf of Dunedin Canmore and is scheduled to be finished in summer 2018,.

A total of 54 new homes are for social rent and a further 57 for mid-market rent.

Callum Murray for builders CCG said: “These new homes will provide high quality, affordable housing for the community of Craigmillar.

“This development is also creating valued work placements and apprenticeships with four trade apprentices currently based on site as well as donating money and resources to local initiatives such as the Craigmillar Literacy Trust, Grass Roots Clothing and the Castlebrae School Memorial Garden.”

An insurance giant has bought offices in the award-winning New Waverley development.

Legal & General Retirement, which invests in high-quality, long-term UK assets that generate income streams which match its commitments to pensioners, are the buyers.

The deal follows a pre-let agreement with the UK Government to create a new office hub at New Waverley, moving 2,900 civil service jobs into the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town.

The Grade A office development is expected to complete in June 2019 and will include HMRC, which will run one of their 13 regional centres from New Waverley.

Artisan’s £200m, 7.5 acre mixed-use scheme links Waverley Station with the city’s Royal Mile, forming part of the Old Town’s UNESCO World Heritage site.

Adam Kerr, Head of Annuity Transactions, LGIM Real Assets, said: “This is a great deal for us and will have a meaningful impact on this area of Edinburgh, creating new jobs and driving economic growth.

“This Government letting will ensure that this heritage asset is redeveloped to the highest standard and will reinvigorate this part of the city centre.”

Dive Queer Party in association with Traverse Theatre presents:
The Miss Annabel Sings Show: Horrific Blind Date
Sunday 29 October 2017, 4-8pm, Traverse Bar Café

If you like your lazy Sunday afternoons spiked with some outrageous, contagious, Bohemian ecstacy wrapped-up to the plastic-max with a suggestively lavish drizzle of eclectic, hectic, frantic and pneumatically-alt-Romantic diva-decadence – (you heard it here first!)? Now find out what it means.

Scotland’s best loved and most notorious queer cabaret party mongers Dive Queer Party return to the Traverse Theatre after a triumphant Fringe run (Dive Presents Rainbow Soapbox, Traverse Theatre; Dive Presents Homage and Dive Presents Last Night On Earth, Edinburgh International Book Festival) for their outrageously queer, Hallowe’en-themed, cabaret interpretation of the beloved Blind Date.

Dive presents The Miss Annabel Sings Show: Horrific Blind Date will be a heady mix of horrifying comedy, ghoulish live music, devilish dancing, tongue-tingling bespoke cocktails, gruesome grub and terrifyingly top-notch performances. Promoting positive expression and celebrating diversity, Dive is renowned for their immersive and decadent parties. (Best make a note of the ‘immersive’ tableaux there!) A Fright at the Cod-piece Opera seems guaranteed indeed.

The event will close the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (SMHAF) 2017, one of Scotland’s most diverse cultural offerings, celebrating and supporting an explosive array of art forms and events challenging preconceived ideas about mental health.

Events kick off with a spooky disco from 4-6pm with Dive resident DJ Count Matt Gloss and a much-anticipated come back set from Saint McCabe, with tasty grub and themed cocktails served in the Traverse Café Bar. The Miss Annabel Sings Show opens at 6pm with guest performances from King Biff and Fedora Veronica Homberg, as well Blind Date inspired audience games and a special celebrity drag queen dating round.

Through the uncanny spooky powers of an e-Ouija board The Edinburgh Reported elicited these before-the-grave portents from Hostess and Dive co-founder Miss Annabel Sings – stop drinking from that glass girl and spell out some words for the nice readers!

‘Hallowe’en is upon us; that time of the year when the veil between the living and spirit world is at its thinnest. What better time than to come together to find new love and look back at some of the horrors that have lurched up from the seventh circle of dating hell?!

‘Dress up in your best ‘Horrific Blind Date’ outfit and join me and the Dive family as we plunge the murky depths of the dating swamp for an evening of dancing, laughter, live music and romance. And maybe, just maybe, if the moon is ripe and the werewolves are howling in the key of F(me) Major, the spirit of Cilla Black will return…’

Thank you Miss Annabel, that sounded about as coherent as a Werewolf in Laudanum.

Dive presents The Miss Annabel Sings Show: Horrific Blind Date
Sunday 29 October 2017, 4-8pm, Traverse Bar Café
Box Office: 0131 228 1404

www.traverse.co.uk
@DiveQueerParty https://www.mhfestival.com/about

divequeerparty@gmail.com

The main contractor for the £1bn Edinburgh St James project has completed its first year.

And demolition work is expected to be completed in the New Year.

Laing O’Rourke have finished knocking down the former St James Shopping Centre and car parks.

Now, work is continuing at the former Scottish Government building.

Over 19,700 tonnes of material from demolition has been recycled and reused onsite.

This is the equivalent of 13,133 small family cars (1.5 tonnes each) or 164 blue whales (120 tonnes each)

More than 1,300 people have been on site, 1,000 of whom live within 100 miles of the project

And over 260 students from 27 different schools, colleges and universities have been engaged through the project’s curriculum engagement activities and work experience opportunities.

A large quantity of fireworks have been seized following a joint operation in Edinburgh.

On Monday, local police officers in Craigmillar joined colleagues from Trading Standards to carry out a search of a home in Niddrie Marischal Crescent.

During this activity £1,500 worth of illegally stored fireworks were recovered and inquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible.

Community Sergeant Gordon Duff from Craigmillar Police Station said: “This was another example of joint working in the North East of Edinburgh.

“In the wrong hands fireworks can be dangerous and their antisocial use can cause disruption for local residents.

“We are therefore focussed on dealing robustly with anyone selling or storing fireworks illegally”.

Environment spokesperson, Councillor Karen Doran, said: “Our close work with Police Scotland has once again proven successful, this time enabling us to seize fireworks which could otherwise have put the community’s safety at risk. This is particularly pertinent at this time of year, when the sale and purchase of fireworks is more common.

“Anyone planning to supply fireworks must be registered with the Council, ensuring that strict rules around their storage and supply to the public are followed.”

Three international title fights will feature on the undercard at The Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, on November 11.

East Lothian star Josh Taylor headlines against former world champion Miguel Vazquez.

Exciting prospect Chantelle Cameron, who has won her first three fights, faces Mexico’s durable contender Edith Ramos (6-1-1) for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental super featherweight title.

This is Cameron’s first title fight as a professional and she will be looking to continue her perfect start to life in the paid ranks.

Heavyweight Martin Bakole puts his nine-fight record on the line when he faces also unbeaten Ali Baghouz (for the vacant IBO Continental title.

And Edinburgh-based Jason Easton, who has won his first ten fights as a professional, will feature as chief support on the bill.

He defends his IBO Inter-Continental super-lightweight title against the undefeated Czech champion Josef Zahradnik, nine fights, nine wins.

Easton’s last bout against Belgium’s Steve Jamoye on the Josh Taylor v Ohara Davies undercard at Braehead in July was an all-out, nine round war before the Scot prevailed.

Explosive prospect Chris Billam-Smith continues his development in a four-round contest. The Bournemouth cruiserweight ended both of his contests to date inside a round, including the stunning stoppage of the experienced Russ Henshaw on his debut.

Edinburgh & Lothians Coarse Angling Club have completed their summer season for both the Saturday and Sunday Leagues.

The star of both the leagues has been the most senior member, Douglas Phillips, who managed to win both, albeit by the finest of margins in both cases.

A big plus this year was the performance of two club members in the SFCA Seniors held at Magiscroft Fishery, Cumbernauld.

Tony Hayler was the outright winner from a field of 30 entrants with Geoff Lowe in third place.

Members are now hoping for some decent weather over the next couple of months for the start of the Winter League.

The Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) is looking into the circumstances following the death of a 25-year-old man whose body was recovered from the harbour in Musselburgh on Friday, October 13.

Officers were in contact with the man prior to his death and the case has been referred to the police ‘watchdog’ by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) who will report in due course.

A Police Investigations and Review Commissioner (PIRC) spokeswoman said: “PIRC is carrying out an investigation following the death of a 25-year-old man whose body was recovered from the harbour in Musselburgh on Friday, October 13.

“The investigation will focus on police contact with the man in the days prior to his death.

“The matters have been referred to the PIRC by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and a report on the commissioner’s findings will be submitted to the COPFS in due course.”

Neil Lennon is also looking for his side to take advantage of having an extra couple of days rest, with Celtic involved in UEFA Champions League action in Munich tonight.

Hibs drew 2-2 with the champions in Glasgow last month but the Head Coach insists that result will have no impact on Saturday’s semi-final.

He also appealed to the fans to travel in numbers to Hampden Park

Lennon told Hibernian Media: “The result at Celtic Park hasn’t changed my thinking about this fixture as I know exactly what the players are capable of and last month’s match won’t have a bearing at all in this game.

“The circumstances are similar with Celtic having played a midweek game going into the match, so if there is an advantage for us to be gained from that, then it is one that we have to take maximum hold of.

“I would imagine there will be a few personnel changes on both sides and it is a game that everyone connected with the club is looking forward to and relishing the prospect of being involved in.”

“It would mean a lot to me to win Saturday’s game and to be in charge of Hibs in a major final, but it would only have real significance if we went on to win it”.

“Despite that, I’m not thinking about the final, my main focus is on negotiating the Semi Final which I think is the toughest task in Scottish football.

“If we have a great backing at Hampden Park then that will help us. They have been fantastic since I have come into this job, both at home and away, and they will play a big part for us at the weekend.”

Edinburgh Capitals will be minus captain Michael D’Orazio for Wednesdays home Elite League clash with Sheffield Steelers (7.30pm).

Defenceman D’Orazio suffered concussion after a check to the head in Sunday’s home league fixture with Manchester Storm.

And forward Taylor Stefishen, a former National Hockey League draft pick, is struggling with an undisclosed leg injury.

Bottom-markers Capitals have lost their last two league games and have four points from the same number of fixtures.

Sheffield are second in the table with 12 points from ten games and are four adrift of early pace-setters Manchester Storm. They will not want any slip-ups.

Elsewhere, misfiring Braehead Clan entertain Nottingham Panthers on Wednesday (face-off 7.30pm) in Challenge Cup, Group A fixture after their confidence-sapping 5-1, Elite League defeat at Fife Flyers on Sunday..

Clan are second in the four-strong group with two points from three fixtures but have lost their last two games.

Nottingham also have two points from three games and the fixture is crucial with Sheffield Steelers topping the group with four wins from four games. Manchester Storm are bottom of the section with two points from four starts.

Sheffield have already qualified for the quarter-finals along with Belfast Giants and Fife from Group B and Milton Keynes and Guildford Flames from Group C.

Glasgow Tigers and Peterborough Panthers will try on Thursday (tapes-up 7,30pm) to stage their KO Cup semi-final second leg after Tuesday’s meeting was postponed.

The Peugeot Ashfield Stadium track was waterlogged following a period of heavy rain overnight, making it unraceable.

It means that the Tigers have had to move back their home league meeting with Workington, originally planned for Friday, to next week, with a date to be confirmed.

Peterborough hold a ten-point lead from the first leg of the tie, with the winners set to face Ipswich in the final.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break-in and theft from the grounds of Clarks Commercial van centre in Dryden Loan Loanhead which took place between 10.40pm and 11.50pm on Saturday 14th October.

Seven vehicles were damaged when the diesel particulate filters and catalytic converters, worth an estimated £7000, were removed.

The first suspect is described as a white man, wearing dark clothing with a hood and gloves, and carrying a rucksack.

The second suspect is described as a white man, wearing dark clothing with a longer-style padded jacket that had reflective/light markings on the left side, and had his face covered.

Officers are now appealing for anyone who may have seen these men in the area, or who may have been offered any of the stolen items, to get in touch.

Sergeant Michele Lindsay from Penicuik Police Station said: “These thefts amount to a substantial sum and we are keen to hear from anyone with information that can assist us in tracing those responsible.

“Anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour in the area of Dryden Loan on Saturday, or the early hours of Sunday morning, is urged to come forward as soon as possible.

“Likewise, anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of the stolen converters is asked to get in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0899 of 16th October, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Former cleaners take on boardroom roles at Spotless

Commercial cleaning company Spotless, which has its HQ in Musselburgh, has appointed two former cleaners as joint Managing Directors as part of its strategy for long term growth. Nicola Barbour and Michelle Lamb will share responsibility for over 1400 staff across 7 offices. They will each handle a £6m per annum portfolio.

Michelle Lamb will be based in Glasgow and responsible for Spotless’ offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Newcastle and Manchester and Nicola Barbour, based in Aberdeen, will look after the company’s operations in Aberdeen, Sheffield and London as well as oversee the opening of a new office to service the Reading area.

A key objective for the joint MD’s will be to ensure the same procedures, policies and levels of service are replicated across each of Spotless’ seven offices. Spotless CEO, Roger Green, said: “Both Michelle and Nicola joined Spotless as cleaners as at the time they needed flexible part time work to fit round their family commitments. They threw themselves into their roles and I quickly recognised that they had a real aptitude for managing people. I promoted them to more and more senior roles within the company to encourage them to develop their skills and fulfil their full potential. They have worked their way up to the most senior management positions learning the business from the ground up.

“They have both worked with me for a considerable length of time. Michelle has been with the company for 22 years and Nicola for 8. They bring an immense amount of experience to their respective roles and have been key to helping grow the business. I am confident that they will continue to drive the future growth we are aiming for and I am delighted to have the opportunity to promote them to this joint leadership position in recognition of their commitment to the company.

”I believe in creating work environments where people can contribute and be rewarded for what they do. I empower my staff by recognising good performance and encouraging them to grow and develop at every opportunity. The level of service Spotless delivers to its customers depends largely on the level of dedication of our Managers and Nicola and Michele are both outstanding examples of this.”

Roger set up Spotless Commercial Cleaning in 1988 while still studying at university in Edinburgh. He has grown Spotless into a national brand with an annual turnover of £12million and 1,400 employees over 7 offices across the UK. He believes its success lies in the fact that the business has been built on the three core values of fairness, decency and respect. If the company’s cleaning staff and managers are engaged, happy and recognised for their efforts then the company’s clients will reap the rewards of a motivated cleaning staff.

Spotless provides Commercial Cleaning services, Washroom Consumables, Hygiene Rental Services, Recycling Services, IT cleaning, Carpet Care, Window Cleaning, High Level cleaning and Deep cleaning services to clients across a variety of sectors including industry, education, government, medical, hospitality, leisure and businesses of all shape and sizes from SME’s to large companies across multiple locations.

Image courtesy of Sheila Kennedy

Linlithgow based 1st Step Bikes awarded Best Community Project by Cycling UK

National cycling charity Cycling UK celebrates the efforts of 1st Step Bikes, based in Linlithgow, winner of a Cycling UK’s Volunteer of the Year Award in the Best Community Project category.

1st Step is run by volunteers who have mainly been affected by addiction and are often at risk of offending or being victims of crime. The group support recovery through developing new skills and established 1st Step Bikes, which is an affiliate group of Cycling UK, to use cycling to build wider interests and friendships. Having built a strong team of volunteers, it works with people from across West Lothian and Falkirk. 1st Step also runs a Community Café based at the Longcroft Church Hall (St Ninian’s Craigmailen Parish).

The winners were announced at the charity’s third annual conference, which took place in Birmingham on Saturday 7 October. Guests included former cycling world champion Chris Boardman MBE, who was recently appointed as Greater Manchester Cycling and Walking Commissioner.

Maria Throp, the group’s Development Manager, explained that winning the award was a real team effort. “We are very excited after only a year of operation to have won such a prestigious national award. It really is a fun and friendly place to be, and all the dedicated volunteers work hard to fix up old unwanted bikes and give them a new lease of life. They are then sold for affordable prices, or donated to good causes in the community. But it’s just as much about supporting people in their recovery journey as cycling.”

1st Step’s supporters include Police Scotland, who provide a base for the organisation, in their local garages in Linlithgow.

Community Policing Inspector Scott Robertson said, “This is fantastically exciting news for the First Step volunteers. The recent work put in by the team to gain the support of the local community and the subsequent on-going benefits for the wider community are huge, and Police Scotland are pleased to have been working in partnership with 1st Step. Maria is truly inspirational in her approach and it has been a pleasure working with her. She even convinced me to donate my own bike to the project!”

Chris Boardman, who presented the awards to the winners, said: “(It is) great to see a room full of so many people directly on the ground enabling people to enjoy bikes. Inspirational.”

Cycling UK’s Chief Executive Paul Tuohy said: “1st Step Bikes is a truly inspiring success story. Their work perfectly encapsulates the positive impact cycling has on the physical and mental well-being of an individual as well as wider society. Throughout Scotland, Cycling UK member groups, affiliate groups and community projects like 1st Step Bikes are helping to change lives for the better.”

Images courtesy of Cycling UK

Two men have been charged in connection with a number of housebreakings, thefts and attempted housebreakings in the city. 

The incidents took place at 18 properties in the city centre, New Town, Newington and Broughton areas between the 23^rd August and 26^th September 2017. 

The properties included houses, flats and business premises and it’s estimated that tens of thousands of pounds worth of items were stolen during these incidents. 

A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with 18 of these incidents and a 24-year-old man has been charged in connection with 10. 

Detective Sergeant Peter Grady of Edinburgh’s Community Investigation Unit said: “We’ve conducted extensive enquiries into these incidents, including the use of forensics and our Search & Recovery Team to trace the stolen items, and two men have now been charged. 

“Having your home or business broken into can be an extremely distressing experience and we remain committed to using all the resources at our disposal to bring perpetrators of such crimes before the courts. 

“Always ensure that your property is kept appropriately secured and please call us on 101 if you see any suspicious behaviour in your community, always dialling 999 if you see a crime in progress.” 

A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.

Three former Hibs’ players were inducted into the Scottish Football Hall of fame on Sunday night.

Allan McGraw who played for Hibs in the sixties and is best remembered by the supporters for scoring the winning goal in the League Cup semi-final against Dundee at Tynecastle whilst badly injured also scored 140 goals in 176 appearances for Morton and was named First Division Manager of the Year after winning the title

The famous Celtic team that became the first British side to win the European Cup were also inducted. That eleven included former Hibs’ goalkeeper Ronnie Simpson who was sold to Celtic by Jock Stein and Bertie Auld who joined Hibs in the seventies.

John Clark, Jim Craig and  former Hearts’ striker Willie Wallace were all inducted individually as well.

Four members of the side that defeated Inter Milan 2-1 in the final in Lisbon attended the dinner, with Bertie Auld, Bobby Lennox, Jim Craig and John Clark representing the team.

The Queen’s Park side of 1883/84 was also one of the inductees  in the year the club – the oldest football club in Scotland – celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Also receiving the Hall of Fame accolade were former Nottingham Forest captain John McGovern, who lifted the European Cup twice with the Midlands club, and legendary broadcaster, writer and commentator Archie Macpherson.

The Scottish Football Hall Of Fame is a permanent feature within the Scottish Football Museum/Hampden Experience.

It honours the truly great players, managers and officials who have reached the pinnacle of their profession and made a significant contribution to Scotland’s football reputation through their skill, spirit and determination.

The Lothians and Scottish Borders Division has welcomed Chief Superintendent Lesley Clark as its new Divisional Commander.

CS Clark grew up in Midlothian and started her policing career as a Special Constable whilst working for the John Lewis Partnership. She became a regular officer a year later in 1988, working in Edinburgh and Livingston as she rose through the ranks.

After working in Police Scotland’s Operational Support Division looking after event and emergency planning, she returned to Edinburgh where she has been part of the Senior Management Team for the Division with responsibility for areas including counter terrorism, emergency and event planning, wellbeing and engagement.

CS Clark is the current chair of the Lothians and Borders Local Resilience Partnership, which brings together all emergency services, public sector agencies and key industry partners to prepare and plan for risks to the community and local infrastructure and major incidents.

CS Clark said: “I am delighted to join the team serving the Lothians and Scottish Borders. I’m particularly looking forward to working with partners across the Divisional area to enhance the safety of the public.”

CS Clark replaces Chief Superintendent Ivor Marshall, who has been appointed the chair of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents.

Join your host Rosie Sings and musical director Neil Metcalfe for an evening of variety featuring established Edinburgh based acts this November!

After a sell out success with Rosie Sings: Facts About Me! Rosie Houlton presents the first of a series of cabarets featuring awesome Edinburgh-based talent. Rosie wants to bring and build a local cabaret experience full of local Edinburgh based talent to show off how fabulous we all are!

In the first act guided by your hosts Rosie and Neil you will be entertained with a variety extravaganza featuring three different established local acts.

Then Rosie Sings returns with a new cabaret under the theme of “I’ve never.”

“The voice of an angel and the mouth of a sailor”

Rosie will perform songs she has never sung before and try new things that her audience have requested in advance via social media. Come and see Rosie try things for the first time on stage in front of the buzzing crowd. If you’d like to have your input, send your song requests and or “I’ve never” suggestions via the Rosie Sings Facebook page!

Tickets are £12 and can be booked via www.Rosie-Sings.com

Doors open at 6:30pm to welcome audience members to enjoy drinks and hot snacks available to purchase from the menu at the Dirty Martini bar before the show begins at 7:45pm

* Over 18s Only *

Hibs’ midfielder Dylan McGeouch is preparing for his sixth visit to Hampden Park since his arrival at Easter Road, with one other Semi Final tie taking place at Tynecastle.

Hibs go into the game with confidence after drawing 2-2 with the champions at Celtic Park. In addition, Celtic have a midweek Champion’s League game in Germany against Bayern Munich to negotiate first.

The last time Hibs went to Hampden however they conceded a goal in the opening seconds against Aberdeen but McGeouch is determined that history won’t repeat itself on Saturday even though he did manage to get his name on the score sheet.

Ultimately, the aim for the side is to try and reach the final, with the central midfielder looking forward to the backing the players will receive from the Hibs fans descending upon Hampden once again.

McGeouch told the club website: “We’re a team with confidence when it comes to cup games and a team that believes we can do well in big games, as proved in the last few years, so hopefully with our game plan we can come out on top on Saturday – which is a game we’re all looking forward to playing in.

“Since the Aberdeen game at Hampden we have tried our best not to lose goals really early in games because it is hard to fight your way back into the match.

“Teams like Celtic will ramp up the pressure if you give away an early goal, so it is something we need to avoid as they will make it difficult to find an equaliser, but we believe in ourselves to do well in the game and are looking to start well against them.

“It was great to score at the National Stadium. We had a poor start in the game and found ourselves 2-0 down pretty early, but we managed to get ourselves back into the game.

“To score the goal that brought the team back level was a great feeling and I am hoping that I can maybe do it again.

“Hopefully as a team we can do well in front of our fans at Hampden against Celtic and give them something to cheer about as it gives all the lads in the team a boost, and if I can add more goals to my game, starting on Saturday, then that would be great as well.”

Tickets for the game at Hampden Park are on general sale to supporters on the Hibernian database now (10 per client reference), available online and by calling 0844 844 1875 and selecting option 1.

The Hibernian Ticket Office will re-open at 10am on Tuesday, with tickets available to purchase in-person.

Fort Kinnaird is welcoming a range of new names as well as a gym and all of this will mean around 100 new jobs.

In a first Pure Gym is set to open a 20,000 sq ft facility in summer 2018.

Other big names who will be opening shops include Office, Schuh and Schuh Kids, Wilko and Tapi Carpets, and Starbucks will unveil a new format café in one of the units next month.

JD Sports will double in size and Currys PC World is also getting even bigger to becoming the region’s flagship store with almost 40,000 sq ft of space. Card Factory and O2 are both relocating.

Liam Smith, Centre Director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured these big brand names for our customers at Fort Kinnaird.

“Fort Kinnaird used to be known simply as a ‘shopping park’ but that has changed so much in the past couple of years with the introduction of our cinema, restaurants and the experience our fantastic range of stores is offering. Adding a gym to the mix really cements our position as a leading leisure destination for Edinburgh.

“We are confident the gym and new stores are going to prove very popular with our customers.”

Fort Kinnaird, which is open to 10pm on weekdays and has 2600 free parking spaces, also recently welcomed Oak Furniture Land and a new Waterstones café concept store.

The Royal Bank of Scotland on Lanark Road Juniper Green was closed along with other branches across the city,

including the one at the corner of Castle Street and George Street as we realised just the other day.

Locals are concerned to try and do something about the loss of these services and Juniper Green Community Council have highlighted to us the newest online survey.

The consultants engaged to research the possible need for face-to-face banking in our communities have created a financial services survey online here. 

If you are concerned about the absence of banking in the valley communities this is your chance to have your say.

If you prefer to submit a paper response to the survey then you can pick up a copy of the survey form at Balerno, Currie or Colinton Libraries or at Molly’s Deli, 574 Lanark Road, Juniper Green. 

You can complete the survey there and then or return it later to any of the locations.

The survey is only open until Saturday 18 November.

If you experience any difficulty accessing either the online or paper versions please let Cliff Beevers know at c.e.beevers@blueyonder.co.uk or by telephone on 0131 453 4517.

[googlemaps https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1118.3210579622662!2d-3.2864848428383318!3d55.90356578059393!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x4887c6a7d6e19bfb%3A0x5939f43c66631a6!2sRoyal+Bank+of+Scotland!5e0!3m2!1sen!2suk!4v1508173674578&w=600&h=450]

A 24 hour indoor charity cycle raised £1100 for charity.

Both staff and students at Edinburgh Napier University cycled their socks off for Macmillan Cancer Support for a whole 24 hours!

The participants used the exercise bikes at the  [EN]GAGE fitness centre at Sighthill campus and effectively cycled from here to Moscow.

Members of the [EN]GAGE team, university Triathlon club, Macmillan Movemore and coaches and players from the Sighthill-based Scottish Rugby Academy were among those who signed up for the marathon effort.

The event was organised by Dana Warnock and Gerry Higgins, fitness staff at [EN]GAGE.  They cycled for 7.5 hours each and remained at the event for the full 24 hours.

Dana said: “It was a big challenge but it went really well.  We added up our mileage to see how far we had travelled ‘as the crow flies’, and at the end an impressive 1581 miles were covered.

“I would like to thank all those who took part, supported the event, gave their time and donated their cash.”

As a result of adverse and resultant atmospheric weather conditions impacting normal operations due to Storm Ophelia today, Flybe has been forced to cancel some 170 flights. A full list is available at www.flybe.com/flight-info

This included all flights to and from Belfast City Airport, Scotland and the Channel Islands and the majority of its flights to and from Southampton this afternoon and evening.

The safety of its passengers and crew is Flybe’s number one priority and the airline will, as always, do everything possible to minimise any disruption.

Customers are asked to continue to check the airline’s ‘live’ flight information for the latest updates and can also use the above link to rebook or receive a refund.

Current plans are to operate a normal schedule tomorrow across the network.

The draw for the William Hill Scottish Cup Third Round took place at Links Park, Montrose following Montrose’s 4-1 win over University of Stirling.

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale face St Mirren after their dramatic victory over Stirling Albion. Elsewhere fellow Edinburgh side Spartans will take on Fraserburgh.

The full draw is as follows.

William Hill Scottish Cup Third Round draw

Airdrieonians v Cove Rangers

Arbroath v Berwick Rangers

Banks O’Dee v Ayr United

Buckie Thistle v Brechin City

Clyde v East Fife

Dumbarton v Elgin City

East Kilbride v Albion Rovers

Formartine United v Forfar Athletic

Livingston v Glenafton Athletic

Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale v St Mirren

Montrose v Queen of the South

Peterhead v Raith Rovers

Queen’s Park v Dunfermline Athletic

Spartans v Fraserburgh

Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic

Stranraer v Brora Rangers

A man has been arrested following an indecent assault on a 23-year-old woman in Rankeillor Street on Sunday 1st October.

Inquiries by Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit had been ongoing since the incident and a 49-year-old was detained and subsequently charged on Friday 13th October.

He is scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday 16th October.

Detective Sergeant Gordon Couper from the Edinburgh PPU said: “Thanks to the information and support of the local community we have been able to make an arrest in relation to this attack.

“We treat all reports of sexual assault with the utmost seriousness and whenever such crimes occur, we will investigate thoroughly to bring those responsible to justice.”

A man has been charged following a CCTV appeal in relation to an attack on a 21-year-old woman in Viewcraig Street, Edinburgh which took place on Wednesday 30th August.

The 17-year-old was scheduled to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

Cucina at the G&V Royal Mile has been named Italian Restaurant of the Year at the Luxury Travel Guide Europe Awards 2017.

This is indeed a real coup for Cucina which got the gong to recognise its good service, the menu and the quality of the produce used.

Bolognan chef Mattia Camorani heads up a team of Scotland’s best culinary talent and G&V’s signature restaurant offers a sophisticated, metropolitan take on authentic Italian cuisine. There is a seasonal menu based on sustainable, local ingredients, including honey from the hotel’s rooftop beehives, home to 180,000 G&Bees.

The restaurant on the Royal Mile was recently given a quirky revamp with designers Timorous Beasties creating a bespoke interior reflecting the restaurant’s playful dishes.

The Luxury Travel Guide Europe Awards identify and celebrate the very best establishments across all sectors of the luxury travel and tourism industry in Europe, distinguishing the hotels, restaurants, airlines and tour operators that are top in their field. All winners of their Restaurant & Bar Awards are subjected to rigorous, assessment criteria carried out by a professional in-house team.

To make a reservation t 0131 220 6666; info@gandvhotel.com

Specsavers Morningside has unveiled its new-look store following a £250,000 investment, celebrating the occasion with a fun launch party.

The company re-launched its new-look store, celebrating with customers and store staff and the building was a hive of activity as it showcased its new state-of-the-art facilities.

Officially opened with a ribbon cutting by store director Michael O’Kane, along with his store staff and a character from the extremely popular Minions film, staff celebrated with a balloon arch and special cake to mark the moment.

This store expansion includes an extra test room and state-of-the-art equipment, a soundproof audiology room with the latest in audiology technology, and a host of the latest clinical equipment for eye examinations, including 3D eye scanning technology and a specialist dry eye clinic.

Mr O’Kane said “The store is now more accessible, we can showcase more styles and collections and, what’s more, we can offer up to 80 more appointments per week.

‘We were delighted to showcase all our enhanced services to the local community during our launch party and would like to thank all the families and local residents who visited the store to take part in some of the great activities we had planned for the day. The Minion certainly turned a few heads.

‘I’m proud to say that the store is moving into the future of eyecare and with one of the strongest offerings in the area when it comes to optical and hearing services. We are looking forward to welcoming new and existing customers.’

Customers can book an appointment by calling 0131 446 9960, visiting the store at Morningside Road or visiting the website www.specsavers.co.uk/stores/morningside

Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine says the CAA has made it clear to her that no final decision has been made over new flight path proposals for Edinburgh Airport.

Her comments follow a meeting with representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss local concerns over the halting of the flight path planning process, and the proposals themselves.

That was halted by the CAA just 6 weeks into a 16 week process citing technical questions over Edinburgh airport’ formal application.

Following the CAA meeting Ms Jardine said: “It was clear from the meeting that this is far from the end of the process and no final decision has been made.

“My understanding is that Edinburgh Airport is pursuing a proposal which doesn’t conform to normal practice, particularly in attempting to avoid Cramond on take-off, and that needs a considerable amount of evidence to confirm it is possible and safe.

“The CAA simply seem to be saying ‘we need more information’. I’ve been assured by them that there will be no discussion of the consultation process, or final decision on the routes, until they have all the information they need.

“I will be continuing to express the concerns of both Cramond and South Queensferry over these proposals and will now be meeting the air traffic service – NATS – for further discussion.”

A spokesman for Edinburgh Airport said: “Scotland’s first airspace change programme in over 40 years is a complex exercise involving many organisations.

“Our ACP is the first of many and it is clear that all of this needs to be co-ordinated with NATS.

“We’re clear that our proposal is the best balance achievable in terms of surrounding communities and our operation, and work for Edinburgh and Scotland.

“We’ll be working with NATS on the co-ordination issues to allow the CAA to restart its analysis so we can develop the airport for the future.”