These days there are book festivals everywhere you look, from the dizzy heights of Hay-on-Wye to the cultured calm of Cheltenham.  Last weekend, however, I went out to the seaside to visit a festival that, in the words of one of the organisers, is ‘just a little bit different’.

The Portobello Book Festival is now in its ninth year. It’s run entirely by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, offers a wonderfully varied three-day programme of events – and it’s all absolutely free. More about how they manage this astonishing feat later, but first the events themselves.

I began my Saturday with Writers-in-Residence: What They Do and What They Learn, and I have to tell you I learned a lot. The only Writer-in-Residence (WIR) I’d ever heard of was attached to another library, many moons ago. I assumed he helped people edit their work. Saturday’s panel members had quite different stories to tell.

Local crime writer, journalist and musician (Crash Land is his latest), Doug Johnstone spent one day a week for a year with funeral directors William Purves as part of an Arts and Business Scotland initiative; what impressed him most were the employees’ wonderful people skills, their empathy and their expertise;

‘These guys have a week to organise what amounts to a sad wedding’

By contrast, poet and writer (he’s also co-editor of Bella Caledonia) Thomas Clark has a residency that many grown up little boys would fancy; he’s a WIR at a football club. The fact that the club is Selkirk FC, the oldest established club in the rugby-obsessed Borders, does nothing to dampen Clark’s enthusiasm, which was sparked when the club held a foodbank day. His hilarious, touching poems, written in Scots, are featured in match programmes and read out over the tannoy before games. People might have been suspicious about him at first, but he soon found a way to engage;

‘The Borders’ national sport is moaning’

Once he’d tapped into that, everyone wanted to tell him a story, and his love for the club is palpable;

‘At Selkirk it’s really about finding small consolations….Selkirk is about everyday life in a way that big clubs can’t be.’

The club’s archivist even dug out some poems written in the 1950s by the mysterious ‘Ball Boy’, proving that Clark isn’t the first to find a connection between football and poetry – and as he points out, the Border Ballads have been around for even longer than Selkirk FC.

Acclaimed author Janice Galloway is something of a WIR junkie. She’s had residencies in art galleries, prisons, universities and even a distillery (she doesn’t drink – ‘what a disappointment I was’).

In the prisons she encountered a ‘huge sense of fun’ (Barlinnie), but also much sadness (Cornton Vale), her greatest challenge being to persuade people to write at all – they just wanted to talk. Men tried to flirt with her (‘they want to find out how to talk to women’), women wanted to tell her how awful their husbands were, but getting any of them to put pen to paper was another thing entirely; she had first to earn their trust. Some prison officers weren’t too happy with her either – they felt that the sessions were a treat for offenders who did not deserve one. Taking her three year old into a prison was unexpectedly successful, and in one of her best sessions lifers wrote letters to the younger men.  It’s the women, however, that she still thinks of, and most of all those who would never see their children again;

‘The ones you remember are the ones who were inconsolable.’

This was an outstanding session, thanks not only to the excellent panellists but also the chairing expertise of Catherine Simpson, an author herself (Truestory.)

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Natalie Fergie, Stella Hervey Birrell and Joanne Baird are all bloggers who love books; Natalie and Stella have even written them. In Books, Blogs and Blethers, they discussed blogging, debut novels, and how to get those novels published.

The inspiration for Natalie’s book The Sewing Machine came from an old machine she bought on Gumtree.  Inside the bobbin she found a stash of old thread;

‘I realised I was holding people’s lives in my hands…that this sewing machine had a story.’

Stella describes her debut How Many Wrongs Make a Mr Right?’ as both chick lit and ‘a love song to Edinburgh’. It’s also about mental health, with a heroine who’s ‘better but not better’ and who makes some terrible mistakes with men.

Both writers achieved publication by non-traditional methods; Natalie used crowdfunding publisher Unbound, while Stella got a contract with Crooked Cat Books, an e-publisher who will also produce a paperback if an author’s e-sales are good enough. Stella’s were. The days of huge promotional budgets are long gone for most writers; Natalie and Stella had to handle their own publicity. Without book bloggers, they agreed, their books would be virtually unheard of – and that’s where people like Joanne come in.

She started the appropriately named Portobello Book Blog two and a half years ago because she loves to read – and to talk about what she’s read. The blog now has 4,000 followers. Stella and Natalie have blogs too – blogs are, after all, fabulous publicity tools. Stella came up with the genius idea of keeping her posts to 140 words (‘It stops me ranting’).  A Tiny Little Life 140 is a weekly snapshot of her days in an East Lothian village – but she’s a busy woman, so guest posts are welcome; get in touch. Natalie ’s blog began as a way of reaching out to the knitting community, with which she was then heavily involved; now it’s more eclectic – her most viewed post so far is on how to change the filter in a Dyson (‘even Dyson read it’).

Inspired? If you’ve always thought you’d write a book someday, look at these women – they did it and they’re just like us with more oomph. And if you’d rather read than write, why not try your hand at reviewing? As Joanne says, every review makes a difference to a writer (they’re especially keen on the nice ones…)

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It is a truth universally acknowledged that we are living in strange times. Brexit, climate change, independence – and that’s not to mention the whims of the President of the most powerful country in the world (and indeed, let’s not mention those). But should current events impinge on fiction?  Do people want to hear about them or escape from them? And will they want to read about them in 10 or 20 years’ time? Technology is a particular minefield – today’s smartphone is tomorrow’s dinosaur, and most of the social media we’ve ever heard of are already passé to our children. Jane Austen famously hardly mentioned the wars with France, whilst the plot of Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities would be nowhere without the French Revolution. What is a writer to do?

In Character, History and Social Change, novelists Caroline Dunford (Euphemia Martin Mysteries – and many others), Rebecca L McKinney (Blast Radius, The Angel in the Stone) and Lesley Kelly (A Fine House in Trinity, The Health of Strangers) talked about how they deal with the modern world in their writing.

Lesley’s latest book is about a deadly virus and its effects – social as well as medical – on the population. What would happen in such a situation? Would people pull together? Would government emergency planning work? This virus targets teenagers – would they, of all people, accept diktats to avoid social contact? Just how far could civil liberties be restricted? For Lesley, issues like Brexit and the Scottish Referendum were a bit of a pain; should she work them in to her story? and if she didn’t, would readers wonder why she hadn’t?

Rebecca, whose first book was about a soldier returning from Afghanistan, prefers to focus on personal, local stories – her latest looks at the politics of family relationships, but also touches on broader issues, from Alzheimer’s to capitalism and Scottish Independence. For her, national and international events are rich material; she’s even thinking of changing the period in which her next novel takes place so that she can include Donald Trump in the narrative. A handy thing about setting your story in 1910, says Caroline, is that in those days there were no forensics to worry about; write in the present time – one in which every other reader has seen CSI –  at your peril.

Caroline wants to give her readers a cracking murder mystery in every Euphemia Martin book, but she also wants to look at ethical issues, such as the power that wealth and privilege can bring. She’s also interested in the class system, and how World War One challenged it for the first time. She’s careful, though, to include humour and romance in her writing; ‘Otherwise why would people read my books?’ All three agree that engaging characters are vital – they must come across as ‘real’ people, with all their failings and foibles. Rebecca:

‘We are all shades of grey, all our own baddies from time to time.’

Life changes; people stay the same. Today’s readers may seek an escape from depressing reality, but it’s characters that make or break a story. Or as Caroline points out;

‘Story is character in motion’

And these three writers certainly know how to keep those characters moving right along.

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Canoeing round the Cairngorms, swimming in Orkney storms and trekking through snow to reach mountain bothies are all things I’d rather read about from the comfort of my Edinburgh sofa. On Sunday morning, in a session ably chaired by Rona Gray, three authors who’re made of sterner stuff than I am talked about the joys and challenges of the natural environment.

Photographer and writer Geoff Allan has visited all one hundred and four bothies documented in his Scottish Bothy Bible and even trudged through frozen snow in pitch darkness to spend Christmas alone in one of them. Until 2009 the location of each bothy was a closely guarded secret, known only to members of the Mountain Bothies Association – then the MBA decided to put all the grid references online, so Geoff doesn’t feel too bad about sharing his knowledge with all and sundry.

Will this lead to the overcrowding, or even desecration, of these much-treasured hidey-holes? Geoff doesn’t think so; you still have to walk or cycle miles off any road to find them, and most are pretty basic – as Geoff says, don’t expect a tap, much less a toilet. The Scottish Bothy Bible is full of his wonderful photos; it’s a true labour of love, and has already proved massively popular. I’m looking forward to reading it, and I’m even going to a real live bothy myself soon, albeit one with a composting toilet, which probably means it doesn’t count….

‘The importance of getting out of doors is profound; much more important is to go there again and again, to understand visceral nature.’

Robbie Nicol lives in Kingussie, so the Cairngorms are as local to him as the Pentlands are to Edinburgh. Yes we know the Pentlands are pathetic little hills, but we’re weedy city people…  As an Outdoor Educator, Robbie had been much affected by all the bad news about climate change. He decided to do something positive to extol the beauty of Scotland – and that thing, dreamt up whilst heavily under the influence of Robert Pirsig (Zen & The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance), turned out to be a canoe and sea kayak trip from Loch Ness via Loch Linnhe and Loch Leven to Rannoch Moor, Tayside, and up the East coast back to Inverness.

Henry Thoreau once said that if you walked in a ten mile radius of your home for 70 years you would still never know that area really well; by Thoreau’s standards Robbie’s plan was extravagant, but he still wanted to find the beauty on his doorstep. His journey – which included more than a few hairy episodes – and his thoughts about nature and the wrongs wreaked upon it by his own species, gave rise to Canoeing Around the Cairngorms;

‘My book’, says Victoria Whitworth, ‘is a love letter to the seals.’ Whitworth, an established novelist and mediaeval historian, lived on Orkney for ten years (she’s recently moved back to Portobello), during which time she swam from the same beach, the Sands of Evie, almost every day of every year. Why she did it, and what made her keep going back, became the subject first of a series of Facebook posts, and now of her fascinating book Swimming with Seals.

Victoria started swimming with the Orkney Polar Bears, a wild swimming club, in a desperate attempt to cure a foot problem, (plantar fasciitis – and it worked) but it didn’t end there. Swimming in cold water is ‘probably the most effective legal high there is’; she became addicted to it. The swimming became part of a much larger experience, as she worked through problems in her own life in this;

  ‘extraordinarily rich resource of swimming environments’

She even joined in the Polar Bears’ project to swim in every one of the Orkney parishes. She’s still swimming here in Portobello, though she says the sea here is actually colder. Just wait till January, Victoria….

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These are only four of the 20+ events on offer over a weekend that included authors’ visits to schools, a book quiz, a storytelling session at a care home and an evening of book-inspired music. This is what community events should be; well-run, well supported and open to all. So how do they do it? They keep it simple; everything is run by volunteers, all of the authors give their time for free, and only three local venues are used – the library, the Baptist Church Hall and the Dalriada pub, all of which open their premises free of charge (the library even opens on Sunday).

Tickets are available only from the library in person; they may be free but you have to make a little bit of an effort to get them, which seems to ensure that people do turn up (no-shows often being a problem for events with online tickets/registration). Every event I attended was packed out.

‘It’s about the love of reading and books, and the support of public libraries. It’s a little bit different from other festivals.’ (Joanne Baird)

The next Portobello Book Festival will take place 5-7 October 2018. Keep up to date by following the festival on Facebook or checking the website here.

Seventy years ago work began on building the council housing estate where I now live.  What a different world it was then. But now that housing has come to the top of the political agenda again it’s worth making a few comparisons.

The Inch estate in south Edinburgh was conceived in the immediate aftermath of the Second World War.  Councillors were determined to raise the living standards of ordinary people and raise their spirits. It’s no co-incidence that the Edinburgh Festival began in that same year, 1947.  The Inch was going to be Scotland’s first “garden estate”, built in the grounds of the 17^th century Inch House, keeping the mature trees and park land and arranged carefully across the hill side with views of Arthur’s Seat.

It would have its own school, shops and playing fields. It would be like the Promised Land for families moving out of the city slums. An architectural competition attracted 68 entries. The winner was a young man from Gloucester, David Stratton Davis, who did a brilliant job, both in the interlocking layout of the estate but also in the design of each house and flat.  It was a practical and economical design, as befitted the post-war times, but it’s laced with hedges and grassy squares and little quirky Gloucester-style touches such as curved crescents, Regency porches and balconies. Over 1800 homes were built in three short years at a cost of £1,400 each (£54,000 today).

I would have preferred a more Scottish style but this was the 1940s and 50s, and no doubt it appeared very trendy at the time. But now, of course, individual owners are busy spoiling the charm of the place by digging up the hedges and concreting the gardens to create driveways for that passing fad, the motor car.

This is just one of the worrying comparisons worth making. Our individualist age is spoiling the very things we value, such as our environment. The invisible hand is making a mess.  Mrs Thatcher’s sale of council houses in the 1980s was supposed to create an ideal property-owning democracy.

But people in my estate were sold their houses at way below their true value. No new council houses were built and no thought was given to a factoring service so that properties could be maintained. In the end the rush towards deregulation and property ownership resulted in the great crash of 2008. And it has left us with a massive housing shortage and a younger generation who cannot afford their first homes.

The Prime Minister Theresa May made “housing” the highlight of her coughing speech at the Conservative Party Conference last week. But her £2bn programme of “affordable” house building will only build 5,000 homes a year, whereas her own manifesto estimated that Britain needs 300,000 new homes a year for the next five years.  In Scotland, the SNP Government has promised to build 50,000 new “affordable” homes in the same period and it’s also setting up a series of “rent control zones” in some of our housing hotspots.

But all of this is timid compared to the vision and courage shown by those post-war governments and councils which built estates like mine all across the UK.  Well, nearly like mine. The Inch is somewhere special. And to prove we are a cut above all others, each street is named after people and places in the novels of Sir Walter Scott.

The other issue which has dominated the news agenda this week has been energy prices. Mrs May promised to cap the standard tariff any energy company can charge.  In Scotland Nicola Sturgeon told her party conference this week that the Scottish Government is to set up a state-owned energy company to supply gas and electricity at “as near as possible to wholesale prices”.

How either of these schemes will work has not been spelled out. To me, it all looks like a mad folly to try to put a general limit on energy prices. They are bound to go up, no matter what. And it’s a good thing that we should place a high value on our energy to encourage us to use less of it and perhaps save the planet from destruction.  Such schemes are all a distraction from the real issue, which is poverty.  A third of households in Scotland are so poor they are spending 10 per cent, or more, of their income on fuel bills.

The Chancellor, Philip Hammond, meanwhile, has begun work on his own budget, due next month. Amidst all the voices urging an easing of “austerity” and preparations for our leap into the dark over Brexit, there was heard a still small voice from the Highlands. The whisky industry wants a cut in its 80 per cent tax rate, saying sales have gone down 2.6 per cent since Mr Hammond increase the tax last year.  However, export sales – not subject to UK tax – are booming and we heard this week that two old distilleries are being brought back into use, one in Port Ellen on Islay and the other at Brora in Sutherland.

And while we’re in Sutherland, can I alert readers to the next big conservation battle over golf courses. Yes another American multi-millionaire wants to go where Donald Trump dared to tread. Mike Keiser has submitted plans to Highlands Council for an 18 hole golf course on the sand dunes at Coul Links. Half a dozen conservation organisations are preparing to fight the plans saying the golf course would be a disaster for wildlife and for one of the most important dune systems on the Scottish coastline.

Finally, it’s all over for Gordon Strachan, our unfortunate national football manager.  Scotland’s failure to make it into the World Cup finals and last year’s failure to get into the European finals have proved too much for the Scottish Football Association’s patience and, one suspects, for Gordon’s.  It’s a pity. His Scotland team has played well on several occasions – but not, alas, on all.  We have to come to terms with the fact that we are a small nation and we cannot be the best at everything, even at the game we first invented in 1633.

My best wishes to Gordon Strachan. Scotland manager is never an easy job, but he deserves our thanks for his service. https://t.co/CqkvPcX1iv

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) October 12, 2017

Police in Edinburgh have released images of a man they wish to trace in connection with an ongoing investigation into an attempted robbery on Constitution Street, Leith.

The incident took place around 8.15pm on Friday the 6 October. A 26-year-old woman was using a cash machine when an unknown man, walking from the Bernard Street direction, threatened her and attempted to steal the money she had withdrawn.

The woman ran away and the suspect was last seen walking towards Genting Casino.

She notified the police and officers are now appealing for information.  Officers are keen to trace a man who they believe may be able to assist their investigations.

He is described as a white man with a slim build.  He is around 5ft 7” in height and believed to be around 25-30 years old.  He also spoke with a local accent. He was wearing a dark tracksuit with the hood up and a dark scarf with a white skull on the front, which covered his face.

Detective Constable Robbie West of Gayfield CID said:  “Fortunately the woman was unhurt as a result of this attack, however the consequences could have been much more serious.

“We are eager to trace this man as soon as possible and we are appealing to the public to assist us with our enquiries.

“I would ask anyone who was in the Constitution Street area of Leith on the evening of Friday, October 6, and saw anything suspicious, to get in touch with us immediately.”

Those with information are asked to contact officers at Gayfield CID on 101, quoting incident number 4016 of October 6, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Although VisitScotland have decided to concentrate their efforts on online activity rather than visitor centres, they will keep the Edinburgh Princes Street travel hub open.

The high profile centre placed right in the city centre attracts around 371,000 visitors each year and VisitScotland will invest in the hub over the next five years.

There are some 140 VisitScotland Information Partners who will all support the hub, such as Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, John Muir’s Birthplace and Arnold Clark at Edinburgh Airport.

The iCentre at Edinburgh Airport has had a declining footfall in the last 10 years and it will close by the end of 2019.

Instead the tourism body will spend around £10million in digital activity and enhanced information services for visitors. There are also 26 high impact regional travel hubs which will remain open where there is highest demand.

Apart from those there are about 1500 information parties across the country to ensure that there is an information touchpoint in every corner of Scotland.

The emphasis will now be on digital communications, particularly through smartphones and tablets which so many tourists rely on.

Manuela Calchini, Regional Partnerships Director for VisitScotland, said: “The way visitors access information has changed significantly over the past decade.  It’s time to switch our focus and investment into new and diverse initiatives to ensure we are reaching as many visitors to Edinburgh and the Lothians as possible with the information they want, in the way they want it, when they want it.

“With three in four adults now owning a smartphone, a key focus is ensuring our digital communications provide succinct inspirational and informational advice to visitors at every stage of their journey.  However, we know that speaking to locals is also important to our visitors and with our Edinburgh iCentre, over 140 Information Partners and team of outreach staff travelling around the region, it means that there is always advice on what to see and do and where to go wherever people are.

“The information revolution is upon us and we look forward to telling more and more visitors all about Edinburgh and the Lothians across all our different channels for many years to come.”

If in doubt – keep them out is the message Police Scotland wants the community to think about after a number of recent calls in the region about the practices of cold callers to a number of homes offering to carry out tarmac and driveway work.

Complaints have been received about workmen inflating the final price after giving an earlier lower quote for the work carried out and false claims about the services actually being provided.

Constable Nathan Moore at Castle Douglas said, “Over the past week or so we have received a number of calls from the public about workmen cold calling on householders offering to carry out work on driveways, as they were working locally and had spare material left. The victims felt that they were being pressured into accepting work, and then receiving demands for inflated prices after an original price had been agreed. In one case the price more than doubled from around £4000 to over £9000 once the work was completed.

“We have been in touch with our colleagues in Trading Standards regarding these cases and would offer the following advice to householders when confronted by cold callers:-

• Do not feel pressurised into agreeing immediate work. Never listen to scare stories and beware of traders who suddenly appear after storms, floods or even snow and avoid claims that a low price is only available if you sign up right away.
• Do not agree to buy from the first person who calls. Ask yourself if you really want these goods or services.
• Do not pay cash up front. Never pay for work before it is completed and don’t hand over large sums of money.
• Do shop around if you decide you need work done. Get a minimum of three quotes from reputable traders. Why not consider the council’s Trusted Trader Scheme – which is administered by the Trading Standards Department and can provide details of reliable local traders to carry out work around your home or garden. Details can be found at www.dumgal.gov.uk/trustedtrader
• Do report them. Don’t ever feel embarrassed if you feel you have been the victim of doorstep crime. If you feel threatened, unsafe or suspicious of a caller then contact police immediately on 999. If you see something suspicious in your area or want more advice on doorstep crime than contact police on 101, taking note of descriptions of people and vehicles used where possible. You can also contact police anonymously through the Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.

“Police Scotland do not recommend dealing with cold callers for property maintenance and repairs to your home,” says Constable Moore, “and working together we can ensure that we can drive down the number of reports of doorstep crime we receive each year.”

The Scottish SPCA was alerted on Friday 22 September to a deer that was spotted standing next to a tram line for three hours without moving.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity was called to help the non-responsive deer after concerns were raised over her safety.

Animal Rescue Officer Fiona Thorburn said, “I was very concerned when I arrived as the deer was standing but completely unaware of my presence and I thought it was likely she had suffered head trauma.

“Edinburgh trams were great as they allowed us to use an out of service tram so that I could take her to the nearest wildlife vet to be checked out.

“After being seen by a vet the deer was sent over to our National Wildlife Rescue Centre in Fishcross to have a full check-up and thankfully she was only suffering from shock and has now made a full recovery.

“We’re glad we were able to help her out as it must have been quite a stressful experience.”

Gordon Ratcliffe, Duty Manager at Edinburgh Trams said, “We’re used to dealing with unexpected situations in the Operations Control Centre but this was perhaps one of the more unusual of situations. We were happy to assist the Scottish SPCA in getting the deer to a point of safety and are happy to hear she has been given a clean bill of health.”

Anyone concerned about the welfare of an animal should contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

A new exhibition which will run till 25 February 2018 opens at the National Museum of Scotland on 13 October 2017.

The exhibition of silver dating from the last thousand years is quite spectacular and results from the research undertaken by Glenmorangie Research Fellow Alice Blackwell. The partnership between The Glenmorangie Company and National Museums Scotland is now in its ninth year.

The silver is in the form of coins, plates and jewellery amongst other pieces which were simply chopped up and which are called hack silver. Much of the earlier precious metal was imported arriving with the Roman Army. But the emphasis of the exhibition lies in showing how it was silver and not gold which was important during the first millennium.

Alice Blackwell said : “We’re delighted to be able to showcase the first thousand years of silver in Scotland. This exhibition looks at the most powerful objects made in a new and precious material. It sheds light on the crucial transition from Roman Iron Age tribal society to the first kingdoms in Scotland that emerged in the 4th-9th centuries.

“It’s very exciting to be able to tell a story of a thousand years of power and prestige through the biography of this one precious metal. This research would not have been possible without the long and enthusiastic support of The Glenmorangie Company and we are extremely proud of how our innovative partnership has enriched academic and public understand of Scotland’s past.”

Hamish Torrie Corporate Social Responsibility Director of The Glenmorangie Company said:  “We are rooted deep in Scotland and Glenmorangie has been delighted to support the extensive study of the Early Medieval period in an innovative research partnership that is now in its ninth year. The exhibition is another exciting milestone in the Glenmorangie Research Project bringing fascinating material and innovative scholarship into the public eye.”

A hoard of Roman silver from Dairsie in Fife, which was found by metal detectorist David Hall in 2014, when he was just 14 years old is included in the exhibition. The Dairsie Hoard dates to the late 3^rdcentury AD and is the earliest ‘hacksilver’ from anywhere beyond the frontiers of the Roman Empire.

Hacksilver refers to objects literally hacked into pieces, converted from beautiful treasures into raw silver bullion. Archaeologists think this silver came to Fife as a gift or payment from the Roman world. The Romans could not just rely on the strength of their army – they also used diplomatic efforts to secure the empire’s borders by buying off surrounding tribes.

The Dairsie hoard has given National Museums Scotland staff an additional challenge. As well as being hacked-up by the Romans, the hoard had been shattered by ploughing. Conservators and curators have undertaken a daunting jigsaw puzzle, reconstructing four Roman vessels from over 300 fragments, as well as examining how they had been cut into packages of bullion.

There is a book to accompany the exhibition and there will be events during the coming months when you can learn more about the research highlighted by this display which you will find on Level Three in the newer part of the museum.

Scotland’s Early Silver at National Museum of Scotland from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

Scotland’s Early Silver

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers street

Edinburgh

13 October 2017 – 25 February 2018

ADMISSION FREE

Police have released images of two men they wish to trace in connection with a serious assault which took place around 9.20pm on Saturday 16th September 2017 at a taxi rank on the High Street near North Bridge.

A 39-year-old man was punched several times to the face, sustaining serious facial injuries.

Officers are eager to trace the men pictured as they may be able to help with the ongoing investigation.

The first man is described as in his twenties, 5ft 11ins tall, with fair hair and wearing a red t-shirt with white stripes on the sleeves.

The second man is described as in his twenties, 6ft tall, with short dark hair, and wearing a dark-coloured jumper and light jeans.

The two men were last seen entering a taxi with a woman and heading in the direction of Cockburn Street.

Detective Constable Andy Cory of Gayfield CID said: “We’ve conducted numerous enquiries in the area since the incident and are now appealing for the public’s help.

“Anyone who recognises these men is urged to contact us as soon as possible.

“Likewise, if the men see this appeal, they are asked to get in touch with us themselves.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4384 of 16th September, or report this anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Edinburgh Monarchs travel to Peterborough Panthers for their final SGB Championship on Friday (7.30pm) minus a key rider.

Aussie-born Josh Pickering has returned home for a funeral and Monarchs will use rider replacement.

Mike Hunter, one of Monarchs’ directors, said the loss of Pickering definitely weakens the team.

Monarchs have 71 points from 35 matches while Peterborough are sixth with 57 points from the same number of fixtures.

Hunter added: “We need a point to ensure third place in the championship and we’re going for it.”

The match comes on the eve of Panthers biggest challenge of the season when they entertain Glasgow Tigers in the first-leg of the SGB Championship KO Cup semi-final on Sunday at the East of England Arena (5pm).

Touch From 28 October to 5 November 2017 | 12-6pm| Patriothall Gallery | 48A Hamilton Place | EH3 5AY

Touch, curated by members of Edinburgh’s Esbat Collective is an exploration of how contemporary art practice is affected by a cultural environment increasingly dominated by digital technology and online networks.

Encompassing film, objects, printing, painting and costume, ‘Touch’ is about these interfaces – between making and networking, between real and online community, between what is touched and what is caught behind a screen. Is art becoming lost in the virtual clouds?

Steve Worrall believes he needs to win the Championship Riders’ title in Glasgow on Saturday to prove he can live in the fastlane.

The former Edinburgh Monarchs racer, who is now with Newcastle Diamonds, has burst onto the Team Great Britain scene and top scored for them in the World Cup final.

But after two successive years of finishing runner-up in the British title, Worrall now believes he has to win the Championship meeting at Glasgow to prove himself.

He said: “I know that folk didn’t expect me to do as well as I did in the World Cup. I probably surprised myself.

“But I do believe it’s important that I stamp my authority and win a meeting like this (the Championship Riders) to really make people sit up and take notice.

“I don’t think people will be thinking as me as one of the favourites for Saturday night but that suits me.

“I go quietly about my business, I don’t need to go shouting from the rooftops about what I can do.”

The 26-year-old is the younger twin brother of Glasgow ace Richie by two minutes.

He added: “I’ll need to beat him on Saturday night just to make sure I can win the brotherly bragging rights.”

Worrall has also revealed a win at Glasgow would be the ideal springboard for a Grand Prix bid in 2018 and he confirmed: “My big aim for next year is the Grand Prix.”

A teenager was convicted today of the culpable homicide of 30-year-old Shaun Woodburn.

The 17-year-old was found guilty at Dunfermline High Court of Culpable Homicide following the incident that caused Shaun’s death outside Gladstone’s Public House in Leith in the early hours of  New Year’s Day 2017.

He also been convicted of a number of other assaults.

Shaun sustained a fatal head injury following an assault by the 17-year-old.  He was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment, however sadly died later that day.

The 17-year-old, along with his friend Mohammed Zakariyah, conducted a campaign of violence throughout Edinburgh on New Year’s Eve and the early hours of New Year’s Day 2017, which culminated in the death of Shaun.

Just before and just after midnight at Warrender Park Road and Bruntsfield Links, the 17-year-old and Mohammed Zakariyah assaulted a number of members of the public, including serious assault to severe injury, permanent disfigurement and endangerment of the lives of two young males.

Mohammed Zakariyah pled guilty to two assaults and a breach of the peace.

These males and their friends then travelled to the Leith area where the 17-year-old subsequently assaulted a man in Great Junction Street.

Their final act of violence was during an altercation outside Gladstone’s Public House with people leaving the pub, which led to the 17-year-old male inflicting the fatal blow that led to Shaun’s death.

An extensive investigation was launched by Police Scotland’s Major Investigation Team into Shaun’s death and the 17-year-old was subsequently charged.

Detective Inspector Stuart Alexander of the Major Investigation Team said:  “My thoughts are with Shaun’s family at this traumatic time for them.

“They have had to endure the process of a trial and not only hear horrific details but see some harrowing footage of what happened to their loved one that night.

“He was out celebrating the New Year when his life was sadly taken from him.

“On a night when the majority of the country were out celebrating and having fun to bring in the New Year these boys went on the rampage, committing a significant number of random and unprovoked serious assaults on innocent members of the public in different areas of the city.

“Some of these victims were seriously injured and left with permanent disfigurements. They required hospital and dental treatment and were extremely traumatised by these incidents.

“Shaun’s family have asked me to request that their privacy be respected at this difficult time.

“Police Scotland is committed to bringing these type of offenders to justice and will continue to work tirelessly to prevent people like this bringing fear to our communities.

“I hope that the fact this young man has now been found guilty of culpable homicide and the other assaults can help Shaun’s family have some sort of closure and the other victims and their families can see that justice has been done.”

Shaun Woodburn was a former junior footballer who played for clubs including Bonnyrigg Rose, Newtongrange Star and Whitehill Welfare. He left a partner and young daughter.

The daughter of Scottish Olympic gold medallist, Eric Liddell, has written a book.

Maureen Liddell Moore was three years old when her father died in 1945 whilst he was a prisoner in a Japanese World War II internment camp in China.

The former athlete was a missionary for almost 20 years before he was held captive.

Following his death, various memorials were set up in his name including The Eric Liddell Centre, a registered care charity and major community hub, in Edinburgh.

God and Me is a book of prose, poetry and art which Maureen, who never met her father, used to become closer to Eric since his passing.

Maureen said: “I knew early on that if I wanted to understand my father I would also have to get to know the God my father loved so well.

“This search led me on an unorthodox and surprising journey that turned my world upside down.

“I wrote the book, hoping to touch hearts, expand minds and make people think about their concept of God,

“My father wanted everyone to know God. This is my wee contribution to furthering his goals.”

God and Me is now available to buy on Amazon

Fifteen students who have studied at the School for Social Entrepreneurs Scotland graduated on Tuesday evening in a ceremony held at The Mound.

The cohort of graduates were supported by the year-long programme. This has helped them work out how to start and grow a social business solving some pressing social issues.

The comprehensive learning programme offers financial support as well as a Lloyds Banking Group business mentor and is part of the bank’s Helping Britain Prosper Plan 2017.

Paula Rogers, head of Social Enterprise at Lloyds Banking Group said, “We are thrilled to see another group of students graduate from the Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs, for the fifth year running. The programme is making a real difference to these entrepreneurs, by supporting them and their business which increases their social impact. Supporting entrepreneurs to address social problems in their community first-hand, is another example of how Lloyds Banking Group is delivering on its commitment to help Britain prosper”.

Tracey Muirhead of SSE Scotland said, “Our students have made significant progress over the course of this year and it has been so inspiring to see their ideas flourish into social enterprises tackling prevalent issues within communities. With the support of the Bank of Scotland Social Entrepreneurs Programme, in partnership with School for Social Entrepreneurs, I can’t wait to see them continue to develop their businesses and positive impact in our society”.

 Edinburgh West MP Christine Jardine has, today been announced as the new Scottish Affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats at Westminster.

Following the announcement, Ms Jardine said: “I am thrilled to be Scottish Affairs spokesperson in this unprecedented period for our country.

 “In these uncertain times it is of paramount importance that we, as MPs, hold the UK Government to account for its policy towards Scotland.

“Brexit and centralising governments in both Westminster and Holyrood put our communities and prosperity at risk.

 “As a member of the Scottish Affairs committee, I am already advocating on behalf of Scotland at Westminster and this new post will only serve to enhance what I can do to make Scotland’s voice heard.”

The Rivers for All project is intended to support organisations and communities seeking assistance with their own projects.

They should also meet RiverLife: Almond & Avon’s objectives of improving rivers and river corridors for the benefit of the community and reconnecting communities and wildlife with their local rivers.

The fund is open to groups from the public, private, voluntary and community sectors from within the RiverLife: Almond & Avon project area.

But the deadline for applications in this round is the end of October.

To qualify, projects must fulfil one or more of the essential criteria which include improving the understanding of the natural heritage along river, restoring, managing and surveying river habitats and actively involving people in caring for their river.

For more information email riverlife@fishforth.co.uk

Theatre Royal Bath Productions, Cambridge Arts Theatre and Rose Theatre Kingston
present The Real Thing.

Henry is the smartest and sharpest playwright of his generation. His wife, Charlotte, an actress, has been appearing in a play by Henry about a couple whose marriage is on the verge of collapse. Max, her leading man, is also married to an actress, Annie. When Henry’s affair with Annie threatens to destroy his own marriage, he realises life has started imitating art. But are they really in love? Is it the real thing?

Laurence Fox stars in Tom Stoppard’s The Real Thing, directed by Stephen Unwin, coming to the King’s Theatre Edinburgh from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 October 2017 as part of a limited UK tour.

First staged in the West End 1982, The Real Thing subsequently transferred to Broadway, where it went on to win multiple awards including the Tony Award for Best Play in 1994 and, 16 years later, the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play. Combining the intellectual and dazzling wordplay of Stoppard at his most witty with some of his most tender and touching writing, this clever, poignant and entertaining examination of infidelity is a modern classic.

A member of one of the UK’s leading acting dynasties, Laurence Fox is best known for playing DS James Hathaway in Lewis from 2006-2015. Other television credits include A Room With A View and Wired. His film credits include Gosford Park and Becoming Jane and recent stage roles include Our Boys and Strangers on a Train.

Tom Stoppard’s many plays include Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead and Arcadia and he co-wrote the Academy Award-winning screenplay for Shakespeare in Love. His numerous awards include the 2013 PEN Pinter Prize for “his determination to tell things as they are”.

Tickets here

King’s Theatre 
 Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 October, 2017

Our local bus company has made the shortlist at the UK Bus Awards. These are the most prestigious national bus industry awards and Lothian Buses is up for winning the Top City Operator and Environmental categories.

The awards, which are in their 22nd year, are designed to recognise innovation, excellence and progress across all areas of the UK’s bus industry.

Last year at the same awards ceremony Lothian Buses won two silver awards for the Top City Operator and Sustained Marketing Excellence categories and a bronze award for the Putting Passengers First category.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony to be held on Tuesday 21 November 2017 at Troxy in London.

Lothian employs more than 2000 staff, operates over 700 buses across Edinburgh and the Lothians and carries more than 121 million passengers per year.

Richard Hall, Managing Director, Lothian said:  “To be finalists in the categories of Top City Operator and Environment at this year’s UK Bus awards is testament to the hard work and dedication of all our staff from across the business.

“We are continuing to invest in people, technology and new vehicles which allow us to provide an unrivalled service for the hundreds of thousands of customers who travel with us every day.”

Mark Yexley, Chairman of the UK Bus Awards, said: “To be a finalist in two categories is a great achievement. Companies must demonstrate outstanding levels of performance, and every member of the team has input in making this happen. It’s a great honour to be able to recognise the business as a whole and in turn all the employees. We wish Lothian the very best of luck at the awards ceremony on the 21 November.”

Lothian has enjoyed other award wins in recent years including; Operator of the Year at the 2016 Scottish Transport Awards and the Transport Award at the 2016 VIBES awards.

Photo ©Wullie Marr Photography

As the countdown to the final day of the nation’s old £1 coin looms, Livingston Designer Outlet is encouraging people in West Lothian to drop their remaining coins into its famous water feature with all funds being
donated to Barnardo’s Scotland.

The Outlet has been working in partnership with Scotland’s largest children’s charity for the last two years, having already donated more than £18,000 to support disadvantaged young people living in West Lothian. The money raised so far has meant that more than 250 children benefited from supportive care from Barnardo’s Scotland which assists families who have children with profound learning disabilities and high care needs.

Now the shopping centre is calling on local people to drop their remaining old £1 coins into its famous fountain before they go out of circulation on Monday, 16 October.

Karen Stewart, Centre Manager at Livingston Designer Outlet, said: “Over the last two years, we’ve been constantly amazed at how generous the people of West Lothian have been in showing support for our charity partner.  If any of our customers are looking for a good excuse in how to use up their old £1 coins before the 16th October, we’d urge them to support our fundraising drive for Barnardo’s Scotland and have a little fun in making a wish while they do it. We know how much of a positive impact the money will make.”

Through voluntary donations from the public and companies like Livingston Designer Outlet, Barnardo’s Scotland offers activities which help promote inclusion whilst developing physical, communication and social
skills and encourage confidence.

Councillor Maureen Child is Labour councillor for Portobello/Craigmillar.

Here she delves into her postbag and tells us what is going on over on the east side of the city.

Portobello Timebank members completed another fantastic clean up of Magdalene Glen last Saturday – a truly magnificent effort, and all very much appreciated! A lovely sunny day brought out a dozen people, of all ages and abilities, to pick up surface litter around the Asda footbridge, and to tackle weightier problems alongside Portobello Timebank members. On a previous recce Timebanker James Carver had discovered a trolley graveyard up near Fort Kinnaird, and 18 were recovered in various states of disrepair. A couple of recently fly-tipped mattresses were also dealt with.  As ever, a Council refuse cage was filled with rubbish accumulated since the Timebank group were last there in May.  Have you seen the photos on social media yet?

Also a massive thank you to the great 18 volunteers who spent a total of 74 hours on our Bellfield’s pre winter clear up at the weekend!

Portobello Timebank is having a coffee and cake morning on Saturday in Portobello Baptist Church,10am -12noon so come along and  find out how you can get involved and help them raise some funds and find out about the next fun clean up!  Tickets are £3 and accompanied children go free.  See you there?

Our dynamic Portobello beach volleyball duo is featured again this week; great role models for women and girls taking part in sport and training on our doorstep! Click here: http://www.scotsman.com/sport/more-in-sport/beach-volleyball-pair-bid-to-swap-portobello-for-gold-coast-1-4580833/amp

The Thistle’s Monday Tai Chi classes have been incredibly busy lately, so they recently added a fourth weekly session to the timetable. There is now a session on a Wednesday at 1.30pm.  If you’ve never tried it before, and want to give it a go, do pop in and speak to the friendly reception team at Queen’s Walk, Craigmillar.

David Calder’s local podcasts are always worth a listen, and this one no less than the others about enabling children to swim: https://www.buzzsprout.com/71622/568248-56-jump-in. David’s Porty Podcasts now number well over 50 and are great to listen to in archive too!

As the parent of two sons who went to Towerbank Primary School and the grandparent of five Towerbank pupils and ex-pupils, I am personally delighted to contribute a little to the ongoing development of the fantastic playground by buying a ticket for their lottery. Maybe you would like to do so as well?  Here’s the link: https://www.yourschoollottery.co.uk/lottery/school/towerbank-primary-school

This week I gave a big plug for the amazing ‘Alex and Charlie’ book for children which three of the six young authors from Young Edinburgh Action who presented so confidently at Portobello Book Festival over the weekend.  Watch me in action (if you  reallywant) from 52m48secs

https://edinburgh.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/293990

In my view, Youth Action shows us all how to do politics for real and make a tangible difference in people’s lives; by participating and making a sustainable change in policy, culture and attitudes.  Our representative democratic structures, like Councils and Parliaments are important, but it can also seem like ‘all talk and no action’. These youngsters show how participatory democracy can be done well. So, please do take note and learn from how they do politics!

On this topic, I just got a lovely note of thanks for this from Christina McMellon who chaired two Sunday sessions I went to in Portobello Book Festival. Christina says:   “On behalf of the Young Edinburgh Action team (staff and young people) I’d really like to thank you for your contribution at the Education, Children and Families Committee on Tuesday. We were cheering you on as we watched the live stream.  You reflected the project and our views about young people’s participation perfectly.” She also says the young people also got a big buzz out of presenting their work to Portobello Book Festival.  This was all such a fabulous learning experience – for us all!

On the ongoing  complaints about the occupation of caravans and mobile homes at foot of Kings Road, I had a walk about down there this week – in the rain – and met one of the local residents who desperately wants something done about them.  I will ask –  again –  if the Council would put up notices encouraging people to have some consideration and not to camp there overnight in their caravans and mobile homes.  It is causing some grief to immediate neighbours.

This week, I visited residents in the sheltered housing in Hope Lane, first thing in the morning, and saw demonstrated in practice how difficult they find crossing the busy Hope Lane to get to the new path and beyond.  There are a number of things that have to be sorted around the new school as it beds in, and some of these are being flushed out through a road safety audit.  Once that audit is complete (very soon, I hope!) and the recommendations for changes clear, work will be done to sort out the issues these residents have.  I am also well aware that the flashing lights on the 20mph signs on Milton Road are not working as they should, while the one on Hope Lane works fine!  Apparently they were connected to the wrong electricity supply and that really does need to be sorted too!  It is in hand.

On Tuesday evening, Ian Bienowski, network performance manager for Lothian Buses plc came to Craigmillar Community Council (CCC) to answer questions about the re-routing of the No 21.   Since the changes in the Spring, instead of going via Peffermill Road, the No 21 goes straight to the new Royal Infirmary along the dedicated bus lane through Greendykes. Understandably, Craigmillar residents to the west of the Greendykes Road junction are upset and angry that they must now take two buses to get to the RIE and Savacentre and they are not as well served as before. This route change was to make sure the buses are more reliable, by avoiding congestion both at Craigmillar crossroads and the junction near Savacentre.  All four Local Portobello/Craigmillar Councillors were at the Community Council Meeting.  Last Spring these changes imposed on us with no notice at all, with no opportunity to protest about it.  We – and CCC – are assured of a much better dialogue in future.

Have a great weekend when it comes!

Best wishes

Maureen

Councillor Maureen Child | Labour Elected Member | Portobello/Craigmillar (Ward 17) | The City of Edinburgh Council | City Chambers | High Street | Edinburgh | EH1 1YJ | Tel 0131 529 3268 | Mobile 07718 666 481 |  Twitter @MaureenChild1 | Facebook Maureen Child for Portobello/Craigmillar

Police  have charged a 15-year-old boy in connection with a wilful fire-raising which took place around 8.20pm on Saturday 23rd September at Paradykes Primary School in Loanhead.

A shed containing specialist play equipment estimated at a value of approximately £10,000 was destroyed after deliberately being set on fire. The 15-year-old will now be reported to the Children’s Reporter.

Inspector John Dryden of Penicuik Police Station said, “Starting fires deliberately can not only cause damage to property but also poses a risk to life or serious injury.

“It was fortunate on this occasion that no one was injured as a result of the fire, however, children who rely on the specialist equipment have been deprived of these resources.

“Reckless acts such as this will not be tolerated and I urge members of the community to contact Police if they know or suspect anyone to be involved in such activity”.

Six Scottish sides took part in the prestigious Algarve Walking Football Cup which was held at Brown’s Sports and Leisure Club in Vilamoura on 6/7 October.

Walking Football has seen a surge in popularity in recent years with teams and projects developing in settings from football clubs, local authorities, community groups, sports clubs and in healthcare settings.

The sport is aimed at keeping people aged over 50 involved with football if, due to a lack of mobility or for other reason, they are not able to play the traditional game.

Though based on association football, the key difference in the rules, from standard football, is that if a player runs then they concede a free kick to the other side. This restriction, together with a ban on slide tackles, is aimed both at avoiding injuries and facilitating the playing of the sport by those who are physically disadvantaged.

Walking Football also has the potential to improve people’s lives. Benefits include increased physical activity, improved mental health and wellbeing, access to additional sources of support and the opportunity to form new friendships for those living in isolation.

Carnoustie Panmure fared best, winning the Final Classification Place after finishing 5th in the tournament which was won by local side Olhao A who defeated hosts Browns in the final.

Tullibody Reds finished in 6th place, just above Hearts 56 in 7th.

Tweedvale from Peebles finished in 14th place with Hearts 98 in 15th and Tullibody Blues in 19th.

Paul Yates from Chesterton Crusaders A was named the tournament Most Valuable Player and 78 year-old Paul Simpson from Mansfield Reds won the Forever Young award.

The full list of results for the Scottish teams follows.

Carnoustie Panmure

Carnoustie Panmure 2-1 Browns

Carnoustie Panmure 4-0 Mansfield Reds

Carnoustie Panmure 1-0 Chesterton Crusaders A

Carnoustie Panmure 0-0 Tullibody Reds

Carnoustie Panmure 5-1 Tweedvale

Carnoustie Panmure 0-0 Derby County (Lost 3-2 on penalties)

Carnoustie Panmure 1-1 Hearts 56 (Won 2-1 on penalties)

Carnoustie Panmure 1-0 Tullibody Reds

Tullibody Reds

Tullibody Reds 0-0 Chesterton Crusaders A

Tullibody Reds 2-1 Mansfield Reds

Tullibody Reds 0-1 Browns WF

Tullibody Reds 0-0 Carnoustie Panmure

Tullibody Reds 0-0 Canterbury City (Won 2-1 on penalties)

Tullibody Reds 1-0 Chesterton Crusaders A

Tullibody Reds 0-0 Olhao B (Lost 1-2 on penalties)

Tullibody Reds 0-1 Carnoustie Panmure

Hearts 56

Hearts 56 1-2 Olhao A

Hearts 56 4-1 Stamerton stalkers Navy

Hearts 56 1-1 Canterbury City

Hearts 56 5-1 Tavira B

Hearts 56 0-0 Mansfield Yellow (Won 3-1 on penalties)

Hearts 56 0-0 Chesterton Crusaders A(Won 1-0 on penalties)

Hearts 56 0-2 Olhao A

Hearts 56 0-0 Browns (Lost 0-2 on penalties)

Hearts 56 1-1 Carnoustie Panmure (Lost 2-1 on penalties)

Hearts 56 1-1 Chesterton Crusaders B

Tweedvale

Tweedvale 0-2 Derby County

Tweedvale 1-2 Stamerton Stalkers Black

Tweedvale 1-3 Olhao B

Tweedvale 0-1 Hearts 98

Tweedvale 2-1 Tullibody Blue

Tweedvale 1-5 Carnoustie Panmure

Tweedvale 0-1 Chesterton Crusaders A

Tweedvale 2-0 Hearts 98

Tweedvale 0-1 Stamerton Stalkers Black

Hearts 98

Hearts 98 0-0 Olhao B

Hearts 98 0-2 Stamerton Stalkers Black

Hearts 98 2-2 Derby County

Hearts 98 1-0 Tweedvale

Hearts 98 0-0 Mansfield Yellows (Won 3-1 on penalties)

Hearts 98 0-2 Olhao A

Hearts 98 0-1 Canterbury City

Hearts 98 0-2 Tweedvale

Hearts 98 1-0 Tavira

Tullibody Blues

Tullibody Blues 0-2 Chesterton Crusaders B

Tullibody Blues 0-0 Mansfield Seniors Yellow

Tullibody Blues 0-0 Tavira

Tullibody Blues 0-3 West Lancs

Tullibody Blues 1-2 Tweedvale

Tullibody Blues 0-0 Stamerton Stalkers (Lost 1-2 on penalties)

Tullibody Blues 1-1 Tavira (Won 2-1 on penalties)

Photo courtesy of Brown’s

Emily Dark is the youngest player ever to be called up by the current Scotland senior women’s coach.

If the Tayside-based player gets the nod to play against Ireland later this month then she will be two months into her 17th year.

And she will then eclipse the previous youngest who was her Dundee Wanderers team-mate Charlotte Watson who was three months short of her 18th birthday when she was capped for the first time.

Dark is one of five newcomers named by coach Gordon Shepherd, a fellow Dundonian, in the squad for three matches at Banbridge against Ireland from October 22 to 25.

The others are Laura Swanson, Aussie-born Danie McMurray, who qualifies by relatives, Rachael Mack and Lorna Cruickshank

The teams met back in August at RABO EuroHockey Championships 2017 in Amsterdam, battling out a close 0-0 draw.

But Glasgow-based Shepherd and his Irish counterpart have agreed not to field full-strength line-ups.

They want to give fringe players a chance with a long-term view looking towards the Commonwealth Games next year.

Shepherd said: “I have decided to use these games to give players who were not selected this summer for the World League semi-final and European Championships an opportunity to stake a claim for a place in the squad that will be selected for warm weather training in January.

“The January camp will be the selection phase for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.”

He added: “There are potentially five new caps and I am looking forward to seeing them in this environment.

“Emily will be the youngest player that I have given a cap to. She is an exciting prospect and has progressed massively this year.”

SQUAD: Lucy Camlin, Emily Newlands (Watsonians), Danie McMurray, Kareena Cuthbert and Becky Ward (Western Wildcats), Karin Belch, Katie Robertson, Sarah Jamieson (Grove Menzieshill), Bex Condie (University of Birmingham), Laura Swanson (Edinburgh University), Kate Holmes (Clifton Robinsons HC), Emily Dark, Charlotte Watson (Dundee Wanderers), Fiona Bruce (Wimbledon), Rachael Mack (Leicester), Lucy Lanigan (Clydesdale Western), Millie Brown, Fiona Burnet (Clydesdale Western), Lorna Cruickshank (Durham University)

Next Monday Musselburgh Racecourse will end its Flat racing season with an afternoon meeting featuring some great horses and riders.

The seven race card has potential winnings of £75,000 on offer and Joe Fanning is in pole position to grab the Edinburgh Gin Jockey and Trainers Championship with 17 wins, nine ahead of second placed Connor Beasley, while leading trainer Keith Dalgleish has a four point lead over nearest challenger Mark Johnston.

Racing gets underway at 2.20pm with the £5000 British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes over five furlongs, with feature race the £20,000 Breeders Backing Racing EBF Flying Scotsman Condition Stakes off at 3.55pm.

Musselburgh has staged 17 fixtures over the Flat season, including an extra meeting last Monday sanctioned by the British Horseracing Association after several Scottish meetings had been abandoned due to bad weather.

At Monday’s meeting (9 October) Mabs Cross extended her winning streak to four when landing the feature race, the Listed £30,000 EBF Musselburgh Fillies’ Sprint Stakes, when jockey Paul Mulrennan appeared late on the scene to beat favourite Clem Fandango by three-quarters of a length.

Sophie P followed up her previous win at Musselburgh in fillies company in the Isn’t It Wiser To Bet At racinguk.com Handicap over 7 furlongs and Ayrshire trainer Mike Smith said she could be back on Monday for an East Lothian hat-trick. The Keith Dalgleish-trained Han Solo Berger took the opening juvenile contest while Let Right Be Done sprung a 18/1 upset in division one of the seven furlong handicap.

Musselburgh’s Flat season has featured more than £1.2 million in prize money and highlights included the first running of the £100,000 Queens Cup, a stayers handicap run over 1m 6f. The ever popular Stobo Castle Ladies Day enjoyed its 12^thconsecutive capacity sell-out while the Edinburgh Cup meeting attracted its largest ever crowd to date with 6300 racegoers flocking to Musselburgh to watch the £80,000 Edinburgh Gin’s Edinburgh Cup which was won by trainer Mark Johnston for the fourth time.

After a short break, Musselburgh is back in action with the opening fixture of its 2017-18 National Hunt season on Wednesday 8 November 2017. For further information on all National Hunt fixtures and to book tickets for Monday or other meetings visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

Loganlea trout fishery have confirmed they will be staying open in November.

And bosses will allow fishing by any method for the entire month.

Fishing is however only from the bank and the price will be £25.

However, anglers can keep what they catch and there is no limit.

You can fish from 9am until it is dark.

Catch and release permits will still be available for those who wish to fly fish.

Meanwhile, Loganlea is currently open from 9am to 6.30pm and permits are available until 2.30pm.

Bruno’s American Diner on Lothian Road has changed hands. Christie & Co sold the restaurant within two months.

The new owners Luigi Aseni already owns Boteco de Brasil, a Brazilian themed bar and grill with outlets in Glasgow and Edinburgh.

The restaurant will be rebranded as Picollino and will serve ‘authentic Italian food’

Tony Spence, Business Agent at Christie & Co’s Edinburgh office who handled the sale comments, “Lothian Road in Edinburgh does not offer many options for authentic Italian dining and the introduction of Picollino will work well in this area of Edinburgh; which is always busy with locals and tourists.

“Currently, the market is very strong in Edinburgh. Investors are now willing to consider leaseholds because they understand that there are now limited opportunities for freeholds in the market. Depending on location and current goodwill, buyers are currently offering high premiums for the right business.”

The property was sold off of an asking price of £60,000.

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This free annual celebration of film and education comes to Edinburgh next month.

Booking is now open for club leaders and teachers to book places for free cinema screenings. There are 3,000 films at over 600 venues across the UK.

There will be guest speakers from the film industry and there will be lots of handouts for schools and clubs to take away and continue the learning.

The line-up with places still available includes the following (but this is not a comprehensive list so it gives you some idea of how many opportunities there are for clubs and organisations to see FREE films!)

Loads more information here. 

Goodbye Christopher Robin at Odeon Edinburgh Lothian Road on 9 November 2017

Zootropolis at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 10 November 2017

War for the Planet of the Apes at Odeon Edinburgh Lothian Road on 10 November 2017

Careers talk with Axis Animation at The Cameo on 13 November 2017

Goosebumps at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 14 November 2017

Hidden Figures at Odeon Edinburgh Lothian Road on 14 November 2017

The Eagle Huntress at Edinburgh Filmhouse on 14 November 2017

Cars 3 (3D) at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 15 November 2017

Rogue One at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 15 November 2017

Trolls at Edinburgh Filmhouse on 15 November 2017

Guardians of The Galaxy Volume 2 att Odeon Edinburgh Fort Kinnaird on 15 November 2017

Murder on the Orient Express at Odeon Edinburgh Lothian Road on 16 November 2017

The Red Turtle at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 16 November 2017

The Edge of Seventeen with Stan Godek at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 16 November 2017

Dhanak (Rainbow) at Edinburgh Filmhouse on 16 November

Screening and Talk of An Inconvenient Truth at Vue Edinburgh Ocean on 16 November 2017 (Also at Odeon Edinburgh Fort Kinnaird on 24 November)

Diary of a Wimpy Kid – The Long Haul at Due Edinburgh Ocean on 17 November 2017

Victoria & Abdul at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 17 November 2017

Despicable Me at Vue Edinburgh Omni on 17 November 2017

Step at Edinburgh Filmhouse on 21 November 2017

Lady Macbeth at Cineworld on 21 November 2017

Get Out with BBFC at Edinburgh Filmhouse on 22 November

Landfill Harmonic at Edinburgh Zoo on 22 November 2017

I, Daniel Blake with a talk with screenwriter Paul Laverty at The Cameo Edinburgh on 22 November 2017

Cleo at Edinburgh Filmhouse on 23 November 2017

Full details of how to book here

Into Film Festival – interview with Sam Wilson (Festival Director) from Into Film on Vimeo.

The recent Girly Get Together hosted by Grant Stott at Prestonfield House raised £75,000 for a fund which supports children in hospital and their families.

The event was a complete sell out with dinner included and games including a mystery box lucky dip. One winner got the marshmallows while others got designer bags and accessories.

There were topless butlers keeping the food and wine flowing while selling raffle tickets for the chance to win a diamond worth £5,700.

Roisin Doyle, Events Fundraiser at ECHC, said: “It was a brilliant night with a record number of 35 tables sold and we sold out of tickets in January which shows how popular it’s become.

“The first game was the mystery boxes, which involved four of the women coming up on stage and each taking a box. The woman who ended up with the marshmallows took it in really great

spirit whilst you couldn’t wipe the beaming smiles off the others.

“The second involved us selling 200 LED butterflies for £20 each and then one lucky woman won a diamond which was kindly donated by Hamilton and Inches. As you can imagine, this was very popular, and there was a stampede across the room as soon as it was announced.”

Jim Kerr, lead singer of rock band Simple Minds donated memorabilia which was auctioned during the night.

Each table had stunning floral centrepieces donated thanks to Flowers by Maxwell while local band The Flavours provided music.

Roisin continued: ““We’re all absolutely delighted to raise such an amazing amount of money which will make the experience of being in hospital so much more positive for children and young people through the grants that ECHC fund.”

“It was a really wild night for the ladies and seems to just get better year on year. We can’t wait for next year’s now.”