The Parsons Peebles Monarchs begin the hunt for the Championship crown on Friday night when they host Scunthorpe Scorpions (tapes up) 7.30pm.

This will be the first of 36 matches in what is a revamped and re-branded second tier of British speedway.

Scorpions were the team least affected by the changes to team building announced at the British Speedway Promoters Association conference in November.

The septet is built on a strength in depth approach and Monarchs co-promoter Alex Harkess said: “We want to make a good start as it will all be about building confidence at home.

“A year ago we lost our first match at home to Berwick and that was just due to lack of confidence as the riders hadn’t ridden the track enough. This time they have all had a run out and done reasonably well.’

Scorpions are led by an experienced top five with Ryan Douglas, Lewis Kerr, Michael Palm Toft, and particularly Josh Auty and Carl Wilkinson now well-known and experienced at all venues in the division.

The reserves are less experienced but Austrian rider Fritz Wallner will be key if he can score heavily.

At an event in downtown New York last night organised by Scottish Development International,  the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed that Scottish food and drink exports to the US continue to grow.

With cocktails involving gin and marmalade (try it – it works!)  and food prepared by Darren McGrady the former personal chef to HM The Queen, Princess Diana and Princes William and Harry, this event showcased the best in Scotland’s food and drink to buyers from the US.

On display were some of the examples of food and drink being sold in the States, amid news that Scottish food and drink companies have secured £8m of export sales to North America.

Companies there included Associated Seafoods, Eden Mill Distillery and Mara Seaweed who have all secured contracts to sell their products in supermarkets and restaurants across the USA.

It was also announced that Scotland’s total food and drink exports to North America reached £1 billion last year, with the US topping our food and drink export markets.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Scotland’s food and drink sector remains one of our strongest export markets and the latest figures show how important North American business is to our producers.

“The news that Scottish business is thriving and securing multi-million pound contracts is fantastic, and it is especially encouraging to see so many independent businesses doing so well.

“The links between Scotland and the USA have always been strong, and today’s announcement shows that they will continue for years to come.”

Dr Lena Wilson, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, said: “Our food and drink industry is going from strength to strength and it is really encouraging to see continued export success in North America. We have been working with our food and drink partners across Scotland to open doors for companies with international ambitions.

“This Showcase demonstrates Scotland’s credentials as a ‘Land of Food & Drink’ – showcasing the best we have to offer, from our traditional Scotch whisky and salmon through to newer flavours on the global menu, such as small-batch gins, craft beers and artisan cheeses. It provides a strong platform to raise our profile in this key market and generate additional business for companies and income for Scotland.”

Here is a flavour of the event held on Tartan Day:

Scotland's Food and Drink showcased in New York last night at an event hosted by @ScotDevInt pic.twitter.com/h7CFDYorge

— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) April 7, 2017

The fall-out from Hearts defeat at St Johnstone continued today when the club announced they will not appeal the red card shown to winger Sam Nicholson towards the end of the Ladbrokes Premiership game.

Nicholson was sent off after the assistant referee Stephen Mitchell believed the winger spat towards him after the award of a foul throw.

Hearts Head Coach Ian Cathro said after the game he would need to see television footage of the incident but he added that, from what Nicholson had told him, the player had not intended to spit at the official but was merely displaying signs of frustration.

However, Hearts have decided not to appeal the decision. Nicholson will automatically miss the Ladbrokes Premiership game against Dundee at Tynecastle on Saturday but may well face a lengthy ban if the SFA decide to take further action.

The Edinburgh Reporter’s Mike Smith is a fully qualified hypnotherapist. In the latest in a series of articles, Mike looks at how hypnotherapy can help you lose weight.

Spring has sprung. The evenings are getting longer and the temperatures are gradually rising. We still get the wind and the rain but at least it’s not the biting cold of the dark winter months. Now we can cast off the several layers of clothing required to survive a Scottish winter, thoughts are turning to fitting into the clothes some of us found a little bit tight for comfort last year. And no, blaming the washing machine for shrinking your clothes is not a viable excuse!

An oft-used phrase at this time of year is ‘I need to lose a bit of weight before I go on holiday/before so-and-so’s wedding/ etc etc. Good intentions abound. But, more often than not, nothing long-term is achieved. Perhaps a couple of pounds are shed before they are put back on again and you’re back to square one.

Imagine, though, if there was a way to change your eating habits. And not have to meticulously count each calorie and adhere to a strict diet. Imagine if you could change the way you think about food so you no longer snack between meals and only eat when you are genuinely hungry. Think about ridding yourself of habits which have formed over the years and replacing these with new, healthier habits which will vitalise and invigorate you.

And the best bit of this? No purchasing replacement meals, food supplements or ‘magic’ weight-loss pills.  The way to losing weight is by a natural holistic method – hypnotherapy. Mind Generating Success is a successful hypnotherapy practice in Edinburgh.

Ah, I hear you cry. I don’t fancy looking at a swinging stopwatch and being put to sleep. Don’t worry – you won’t be. You’re probably thinking about stage hypnotists who can have their audience doing things they aren’t aware of. Hypnotherapy is not like that. You are not put to sleep. You are awake, aware and in control at all times. What you will be feeling is so relaxed and refreshed and really enjoying having some time for you. ‘Me time’ is a precious commodity. It’s when you are at your most relaxed that your subconscious mind is most receptive to the power of suggestion – and this is where the hypnotherapist comes in.

Together we identify those unwanted habits that have caused you to be overweight. Here are some examples:

• It’s mid-morning at work. It’s been a stressful start to the day and you decide to have a cup of tea or a coffee to help you recharge your batteries. And how about a chocolate biscuit or a snack to go with your beverage? Just the very thing? NO! If this sounds familiar it’s probably because it’s become something of a habit. And if you’re trying to lose weight it’s now an unwanted habit. You’re eating not because you are hungry but because it’s something you do at this time in the morning. Hypnotherapy can help you replace this unwanted habit with something healthier – for example, stepping away from your desk for five minutes and having a walk down the corridor and back. A simple alternative. But, over a period of time, you will be astonished at the impact this can have on your weight and wellbeing. And, after a while, you no longer automatically think about that chocolate biscuit. Instead, your subconscious mind will be looking for you to step away from your desk and take that wee walk.
• You’re out for a meal with your beloved. You’ve already had a starter and enjoyed a delicious main meal. ‘Gee, I’m stuffed’ you say. But then the waiter comes over and asked if you want to see the dessert menu, which he has craftily kept hidden from view until now. You look at your partner who gives you that look which suggests ‘I will if you will’. ‘Aye, go on then’ you say. Half an hour later the words ‘I really shouldn’t have had that sticky toffee pudding’ fall from your lips. And the diet is put on hold again. Hypnotherapy can give you the power to say ‘NO! I’m really no longer hungry so I don’t need a dessert’. Imagine having that power – hoe good would that make you feel?
• It’s 10.00pm and it’s been a long day. Fancy a couple of slices of toast with your cup of cocoa before heading to bed? Great! But it isn’t. This is another habit and another where you are eating when you are not hungry. Hypnotherapy can empower you to STOP having toast before you go to bed and to do something else instead. As an example, why not listen to some soothing music before you turn in for the night? This will help you unwind after a long hard day. And remove your thought of having something to eat when you don’t need to.

Here’s some feedback from people who have tried hypnotherapy for weight loss:

‘I’ve lost two stones in just four months. Hypnotherapy has changed the way I think about food. I no longer eat when I’m not hungry. Hypnotherapy has changed my outlook on food. I no longer have an inclination to eat chocolate just because it’s there.’

 ‘I must say Mind Generating Success has been brilliant and so supportive. If you’re like me and are serious about losing weight – and nothing else has worked – try hypnotherapy. It really does work’ Client RC, Edinburgh

‘Hypnotherapy is braw! I used to snack all day at work and when I got home after work I would choose the lazy option and phone for a pizza or a fish supper. I don’t any more, not because I’m forcing myself not to – it’s just I no longer want to. My food habits have changed and even when less than helpful colleagues at work bring in bacon rolls for everyone I find I don’t want one – despite the aroma of bacon filling the room.’

‘I’m consciously not weighing myself but I know I have lost weight because my clothes are too big for me. More importantly, the way I think about eating has changed and it’s changed for good. Hypnotherapy has definitely changed my life for the better. ‘Client RN, Midlothian

‘I had an eating disorder for thirty years. I had seen psychologists and specialists and nothing worked. Until I saw Mike at Mind Generating Success. Hypnotherapy has worked after just four sessions. My disorder no longer affects my life in the way it did before. My friends are astounded by the change in me. I can’t thank Mike enough.’ Client TF, Edinburgh

If any – or all – of the above sounds familiar and you are seriously looking to lose some weight please contact me on 07521 353 787 (you can leave a message at any time) or email me at mike.smith@mgs-hypnotherapy-services.co.uk

The cost of a session is £60. An initial consultation meeting, where any questions you may have are answered, costs just £10 – and if you proceed with hypnotherapy sessions this is deducted from the cost of your first session. Evening and weekend appointments are available. Home visits can also be arranged.

Contact me today and take the first step to losing those unwanted pounds and habits!

Mind Generating Success

Television star Phillip Schofield will be heading to Edinburgh at the end of April with the hit concert tour The Knights of Music.  

Schofield, who currently presents ITV’s This Morning, previously starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at the London Palladium, as well as the UK tour of Dr Doolittle. 

The Knights of Music, at the capital city’s Playhouse on Friday 28^th April, celebrates the legendary Knights and Dames of the entertainment industry who have transformed the face of music, film and theatre throughout the ages. The Knights include Sir Elton John, Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Sir Cliff Richard, Dame Shirley Bassey, Sir Paul McCartney and The Beatles, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, Sir Tim Rice, Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Bob Geldof, Bono, and the newly knighted Sir Rod Stewart.

Last year’s tour saw Phillip dust off his dream coat after a 17-year hiatus and showcase his spectacular singing range, performing some of the greatest hits from Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dream coat.  

Joining Phillip on stage and helping to bring the best of British to life will be a vibrant cast of West end performers and a live band.  

Musical numbers will include: ‘I’m still standing’, ‘Rocket Man’ (Elton John) ‘Twist and Shout’, ‘Hey Jude’ (The Beatles)’ I Dreamed a Dream’ (Les Miserables) ‘Do you want to dance’ (Cliff Richard) ‘It’s not unusual’ (Tom Jones) ‘Close Every Door’ (Joseph) ‘Satisfaction’ (Mick Jagger) and ‘Maggie May’ (Rod Stewart) to name just a few. 

Schofield, said: “It was such an incredible opportunity to share the stage with the Knights of Music cast last year, and perform the songs that we all know and love. I cannot wait to get back on stage, resurrect the dream coat once again, and warm up the vocal chords – this show is a true celebration and one not to be missed!”

Tickets are sure to go fast so get yours here for an evening to remember!

The Knights of Music
The Edinburgh Playhouse
Friday 28th April 2017      7.30pm

£20,000 Target set to aid restoration of the derelict Art Deco Theatre

(Photo credit – Eoin Carey)

A local non-profit arts festival is setting its sights on raising £20,000 to help restore the old Leith Theatre – unused for the last 28 years – in Edinburgh to a fully functioning arts and music venue for the city.

Hidden Door’s Kickstarter campaign had an initial target of £10,000, representing the bare minimum needed to ensure the theatre is ready to open the doors for its first audience in nearly 3 decades. After an overwhelming response from supporters keen to see the venue resurrected, Hidden Door have increased the target to enable the festival to show the theatre off in the style it truly deserves.

The company is a volunteer-run, non-profit arts organisation specialising in transforming forgotten and abandoned spaces. Past festivals have taken place in the empty arches on Market Street and a secret courtyard tucked away behind Kings Stables Road. It aims to demonstrate how empty urban spaces can be transformed while also providing a platform to support the local arts community.

The old Leith theatre, which first opened in 1932 and played host to the likes of AC/DC, Kraftwerk and the Edinburgh International Festival in its heyday, has stood empty and derelict since 1988.

The crowd-funding campaign has been launched in the run-up to Hidden Door’s annual 10-day multi-arts festival, which this year will be staged at the Leith Theatre to provide the initial spark to regenerate the derelict venue. The campaign is contributing to the work of the Leith Theatre Trust, the organisation that is facilitating the refurbishment and reopening of the theatre.

The Kickstarter campaign offers supporters various levels of pledges, ranging from £5 to £300 or more. In return for pledges, there are numerous rewards such as a personalised plaque on a chair in the theatre for the Festival; tickets to the festival; tours of the theatre and Festival; limited edition artworks and the opportunity to become a Friend or Patron of Hidden Door.

David Martin, Creative Director of Hidden Door, said: “By launching this crowd-funding campaign, we want to help bring the grand old Leith Theatre back to life and transform it into the incredible venue it should be for the community in Leith and Edinburgh. Leith Theatre has a glorious past and by contributing to the crowd-funding campaign people can help build a new future for this spectacular theatre.”

Director Danny Boyle, who has signed up as an ambassador of Leith Theatre said, “Leith has been an important place in my career as a film maker. The main theatre hasn’t been in use through the years I have known the area but the reminiscences and the affection which clearly exist for it give it a magic which I hope will generate the support the Trust needs to get it back on its feet. Leith needs a space to be sociable and creative and to gather the community. Please lend a hand and give your support to this effort and vision to bring the theatre back to life.”

Jack Hunter, Chair of Leith Theatre Trust said, “This is a terrific opportunity for those who enjoy Hidden Door Festival and are interested in Leith Theatre’s restoration to support both organisations in creating a wonderful space for the Festival in May and a continuing improvement in the building.”

To contribute to Hidden Door’s crowdfunding campaign to bring Leith Theatre back to life, visit http://hiddendoorblog.org/support

Hidden Door Festival 2017 runs from 26 May-4th June at The Old Leith Theatre – visit http://hiddendoorblog.org

Marriott International plan to open seven new hotels in Scotland in the next four years  with the most significant being the new W Hotel in Edinburgh.

The First Minister will meet Kevin Montano, Senior Vice President and Global Development Officer for Marriott International and Sarah Doyle, Director, Global Brand Management for W Hotels Worldwide, later in New York, as the hotel company announce their intention to grow in Scotland over the next four years.

Speaking ahead of the visit, the First Minister said:  “Despite the uncertainty brought about by Brexit, Scotland’s economy and tourism sectors remain strong and I am delighted that big businesses like Marriott International are choosing to show their confidence by investing here.
“Scotland’s performance in hotel markets is exceptionally strong with latest figures showing that we are outperforming 11 of the main 12 European hotel markets, including Paris, Madrid and Berlin – only London was higher.
Kevin Montano, Senior Vice President and Global Development Officer for Marriott International said: “With seven hotels across five Marriott brands (W Hotels, Moxy, Aloft, Courtyard and Residence Inn) scheduled to open within the next four years, we remain optimistic for the future growth of our company and hospitality overall in Scotland”.
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive, Dr Lena Wilson, said: “Scottish Enterprise is delighted to have supported Marriott’s expansion in Scotland.

“Scotland has a thriving tourism industry and is a key economic sector attracting substantial inward investment, so Marriott’s decision to increase its presence in Scotland by 2021 demonstrates their competitiveness in the sector and their commitment to Scotland. We look forward to continuing working with the Marriott leadership team going forward.”

News has broken today that President Barack Obama will visit the capital at the end of May to speak at a charity fundraiser. 

President Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, will address philanthropy and business leaders at a dinner in Edinburgh on 26th May 2017 at the EICC.

Hosted by the philanthropy, The Hunter Foundation (thehunterfoundation.co.uk), all profits from the event will be invested in charities supporting young people in Scotland.

Sir Tom Hunter, founder of The Hunter Foundation commented; “From the South Side of Chicago to the White House has been an epic, historic journey and it will be a true honour to hear that story from the man who made that journey. We are both truly proud and delighted to be hosting the 44th President of the United States in Scotland at this event.”

Former Edinburgh Capitals player Marc Lefebvre will have to re-write the form book with underdogs Dundee Stars if he wants to shock Cardiff Devils in Saturday’s Elite League play-off semi-final (1pm).

Cardiff won the league title with 81 points from 52 games while Dundee were seventh having collected 46 points from their regular season.

The newly-crowned champions have beaten the Scots twice on their home rink, both by 4-1 scorelines, and Dundee have lost 4-2 and 5-4 after penalty shots at The Dundee Ice Arena.

Devils have 32 regulation wins to their credit and seven victories by overtime or penalty shots.

They have lost three games by overtime or penalty shots and ten in regulation time.

Dundee have won 16 games in regulation and four after overtime or penalty shots but lost six after overtime and penalty shots and 26 in regulation.

Doug Clarkson, who has played for Devils and Stars in recent seasons refused to pick a winner.

He said: “It’s a one-off game where anything could happen. It’s one of those things where bounces could go either way.”

The winners will meet either Belfast Giants, who were second in the ten-team league, or Sheffield Steelers, who were third, in Sunday’s final also at Nottingham.

RZSS EDINBURGH ZOO ROLLS OUT THE WORLD’S

FIRST HATCHIMALS FESTIVAL THIS EASTER

RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is inviting families across the UK to bring their magical and interactive Hatchimals to Hatch Fest, the world’s first ever Hatchimals Festival, this Easter from 10 – 17 April 2017.

Hatch Fest gives families the chance to learn about real animals that lay and hatch eggs while exploring a special Hatchimals-themed trail around the Zoo – inspired by the UK’s top toy craze. The special Hatch Fest trail around RZSS Edinburgh Zoo is designed to help visitors discover the eggs of a range of animals including penguins, flamingos, rhea, insects, owls, snakes and pelicans.

Visitors will receive limited edition trail maps on arrival at the Zoo from 10 – 17 April. Hatch Fest will also feature a host of activities linked to eggs including special daily talks about the world-famous penguin colony, ‘Meet the Reptiles’ and ‘Meet the Insects’.

Children are also encouraged to take part in the Hatch Fest picnic, on the main lawn each day, with a special Hatchimal photo opportunity and seasonal treats available from the Jungle Café. Every visitor will get the chance to enter a giveaway to win exclusive Hatchimals prizes.

Dawn Nicoll, Senior Keeper, Living Collections at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, said: “We’re incredibly egg-cited to host Hatch Fest at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. This is an opportunity for families to explore our limited edition Hatch Fest trail, learn about eggs at Easter and bring along their Hatchimal toys.”

Spin Master revealed a world of wonder and discovery with the launch of Hatchimals on October 7, 2016. Nestled inside a brightly speckled egg, the Hatchimal relies on a child’s curiosity, care and nurturing. The Hatchimal responds to the power of human touch and begins to hatch and communicate through taps,
pecks, lights and sounds; which Hatchimal is inside is only revealed when it hatches. Once hatched, children can nurture and play with their Hatchimal, raising it through three life stages: Baby, Toddler and Kid.

Charlotte Yates, Senior Brand Manager, Spin Master Ltd, said: “This is the world’s first ever Hatchimals festival and what better location than the world-class RZSS Edinburgh Zoo. Globally, Hatchimals have seen an unprecedented response and it’s great to be able to partner with the RZSS Edinburgh Zoo to help extend the magic of Hatchimals.”

For more information about Hatch Fest at RZSS Edinburgh Zoo, please visit: edinburghzoo.org.uk

For more information about Hatchimals, please visit: hatchimals.com

Ahead of the local council elections which will take place on 4 May 2017 there are a number of hustings in the city which have come to our notice.

If you know of any others then tell us about them and we will add them here.

editor@theedinburghreporter.co.uk

6 April 2017

Shelter Scotland are hosting four husting events in advance of the Scottish Local Government Elections, which take place on 4 May 2017.

“This will be a unique opportunity to hear from and question your local candidates from all major parties about all things housing.

“We believe housing and homelessness must be higher up the agenda for local and national Government in Scotland. You can help us achieve this by coming along and making sure your voice is heard.”

General themes:

• Supply of affordable housing
• Homelessness and the social security system
• Private Rented Sector (PRS) reforms and enforcement
• Empty homes

6 April 2017

SPOKES Hustings

12 April 2017

Wester Hailes Community Council and Currie Community Council with support from Ratho Community Council and Balerno Community Council are organising hustings on Wednesday 12 April 2017 at 7.30pm in the Gibson-Craig Hall in Currie.

18 April 2017

Edinburgh World Heritage hustings.

On World Heritage Day 2017, Edinburgh World Heritage will be hosting the city’s first ever ‘Heritage Hustings’ against the backdrop of Playfair’s majestic St. Stephen’s Church.

“This is your chance to question the candidates on the heritage issues you feel strongly about such as the contribution of new development to the city, the care and maintenance of historic buildings, issues of planning control, and the balance between the needs of visitors and residents.

“Joining us for the evening will be Councillors Alex Lunn (SNP), Ian Perry (Labour), Joanna Mowat (Conservative) and Nigel Bagshaw (Green). We are also delighted that Sandy Stoddart, the Queen’s Sculptor in Ordinary in Scotland, will join the panel to provide his unique perspective on the importance of Edinburgh’s heritage for the future of the city.

“After the hustings you’ll be invited to meet the candidates as well as your Edinburgh World Heritage team.”

Details here. 

18 April 2017 and other dates

Edinburgh Voluntary Organisations’ Council and Volunteer Edinburgh work closely with the public, national and local charities, community groups and the Statutory and Private sectors to provide training, volunteering opportunities and representation for Edinburgh’s citizens. They are organising the

Their hustings will be held at EVOC, 14 Ashley Place, Edinburgh, EH6 5PX.

20 April 2017

Craigleith/Blackhall Community Council hustings at  St Columba’s Church Large Hall from 7.00-9.00pm

Thursday 27 April 2017

Edinburgh Local Council Elections Hustings Meeting

The leaders of the Labour, SNP, Conservative, Green and Liberal Democrat parties in Edinburgh have been invited to nominate a representative to attend this event : speakers will be

Scottish Labour – Cammy Day

SNP – Frank Ross

Scottish Conservatives – Cameron Rose

Scottish Greens – Melanie Main

Scottish Liberal Democrats – David Stevens

Contact  Alison Thornton: edinburghla@eis.org.uk and Tom Connolly: branchoffice@unison-edinburgh.org.uk

He stands tall in his own park in his home town of Dunfermline. Andrew Carnegie is the embodiment of his own book published in 1889 “The Gospel of Wealth.”  He’s the example of the poor boy made good who gives all his money away to charitable causes, the ideal American Scot.

His Carnegie Trust this week launched its latest philanthropic enterprise “Engaging Libraries”. Libraries throughout Scotland are asked to compete for 10 grants for projects highlighting “health and wellbeing”.  It’s the software equivalent of the Trust’s early days when it built 600 libraries in the UK and Ireland and 3,000 across the English speaking world.

But what of this philanthropist model of development?  Is the trickle-down effect of wealth more efficient at producing jobs, livelihoods and wellbeing than the state model, or the co-operative model or the corporate model ?  I ask these questions in Tartan Week when our first minister is in the United States to “sell” Scotland as a good place for American entrepreneurs to invest.

She is of course struggling against the tide of Brexit and President Trump’s  manifesto of “America first.”  But she’s tried to make an exception of Scotland in her Stanford University lecture by arguing that the future lies with small independent countries.  It may do so but they will surely have to team up with others.  And that means re-joining the EU or re-inventing something similar.  Worryingly, it looks like we are feeling the effect of Brexit already, with the Scottish economy going into sub-zero growth in the last quarter of 2016.

That didn’t stop Nicola Sturgeon putting Scotland on the world map. In an address at the United Nations headquarters in New York she pledged £1.2m towards a programme which will train 200 women in mediation skills in conflict zones around the world, including Syria.

This week’s American theme continued with news that Scotland is to build its own Hollywood Studios, to be called the Pentland Studios, on the southern outskirts of Edinburgh.  It’s a private venture, costing £250 million, which hopes to attract such films as Outlander, Trainspotting 2 and the Avengers, all recently filmed or filming in Scotland.  It’s estimated it will create 1600 jobs.  The Scottish Government was so keen on the idea that it waved through its planning application, even though the site is on “greenbelt” land.

If America’s entrepreneurs won’t invest in our film studios, then its philanthropists may be tempted to support the refurbishment of Bannockburn House, near Stirling.  No, it wasn’t Robert the Bruce’s headquarters, but Bonnie Prince Charlie’s after his disastrous retreat from England in December 1745.  The house, now in ruins, is in the process of being bought by a community trust which hopes to raise the £4m needed for its restoration.

Perhaps our most famous investor of recent years is, of course, Donald Trump himself. His two golf resorts have so far cost him £100m but have not yet turned in a profit.  His Aberdeenshire course made the news this week when a Sheriff said staff there should not have filmed a woman going to the loo in the sand dunes.

The lady, 62 year old Rohan Beyts, said she had been “caught short” while out on walk and was appalled when police called at her house a few days later to say she had been secretly filmed and was facing a criminal charge.  The charge was later dropped but she claimed £3,000 in damages at the small claims court.

The Sheriff ruled that she was not entitled to damages, but condemned the Trump organisation for filming her without her knowledge or consent.  Trump’s lawyer told the court Ms Beyts was just trying to gain publicity for her opposition to the golf resort which has been partly built on environmentally important sand dunes.

Finally, Scotland’s long distance cyclist and adventurer Mark Beaumont has announced another challenge. He plans to follow Jules Verne’s famous hero Phileas Fogg by cycling round the world in 80 days.  He will begin in Paris on 2^nd July and ride across Europe, Russia and China to Beijing.  He’ll then ride through New Zealand and Australia. The third leg is from Anchorage in Alaska to Halifax on the Canadian east coast. And finally he’ll cycle from Lisbon back up through Europe to Paris. All in 80 days, in the saddle for 16 hours a day. The current record for the 18,000 mile journey is 123 days.

I wonder if he’ll have to use that “extra” day ?

Captain fantastic Kevin Doolan helped guide Berwick Bandits to victory over a strong Ipswich Witches side in the Knockout Cup, quarter-final, in the Borders on Saturday.

The popular Australian rider top scored with ten points in the 49-41 win but it was not enough to take them into the semi-final on aggregate.

Gary Havelock, Bandits’ team manager, was satisfied with the effort.

And he called on his squad to give the same commitment on Thursday (7.30pm).

Bandits go to Sheffield and Havelock said: “All the lads contributed something good to the win (on Saturday).

“We go to Sheffield on Thursday which I think will be a track we should perform well on as it a track we’re more suited to.

“Tight technical tracks like Newcastle, Ipswich and Edinburgh are out of our comfort zone, but elsewhere I think we’re going to prove what we can do.”

Edinburgh University had high hopes of making the top four this season.

Instead, injuries to key defenders former Great Britain squad player, Dan Coultas, a recent Scotland captain, and fellow international Chris Duncan, have hindered progress.

A series of disappointing results have followed and the students, who still have three current Scottish internationals and one former international player, in their squad, have plummeted to eighth spot in the ten-strong Division One table.

Saturday’s 3-2 home reverse to Hillhead, their ninth so far this season, was a massive blow.

Coach Graham Moodie and his men travel to improved Western Wildcats on Saturday (15.00) looking for a much-needed win to boost confidence.

Victory, and results going their way elsewhere, could move them up the league.

As it stands, Edinburgh have 15 points from 16 games while seventh-placed Watsonians have 17 from the same number of fixtures.

Watsonians, thumped 10-0 by Grange last Saturday, travel to former league leaders Bromac Kelburne, the defending champions, at 13.30.

Hillhead, who are sixth, are also on 17 points from 16 games and they face new pace-setters Grange at Fettes on Saturday (14.00).

So, the students have to claim the three points as their final game is at home to Kelburne on Saturday, April 22 and, on current form, they are unlikely to get anything out of that.

Grange continue to take one game at a time as they home in on the title.

Ed Irvine, the team’s manager, said: “We’re keeping our feet on the ground and working hard and we’re not looking any further than Saturday.”

The other game features a basement scrap between bottom club AAM Gordonians and the side just above them in the table, PSL Team Sport Clydesdale (13.00).

Shelley Kerr has been appointed as the new head coach of the Scotland Women’s National Team.

She previously coached Kilmarnock, Hibernian and Spartans before joining the Scottish FA, first as Regional Development Officer and then as Technical and Development Programme Manager for Girls’ and Women’s Football.

In 2010 she led the Scotland Women’s Under–19 national team to the UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship finals.

After leaving the Scottish FA she moved to England to manage Arsenal Ladies from 2013 until 2014, during which time she won two consecutive FA Cups.

She became the first female manager in British men’s senior football when she was appointed manager of Stirling University in 2014, leading them to a British Universities Championship Final and achieving consistent top five finishes in the Scottish Lowland Football League.

During a 20-year playing career she represented a number of clubs including Kilmarnock, Hibernian, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Spartans, winning every major club honour in Scotland.

She earned 59 caps for Scotland, captaining her country on multiple occasions and scoring three goals.

In 2013 she earned her UEFA Pro Licence, the highest coaching certification available, and recently completed an MSc in Sports Management at Stirling University.

She will begin her role in June, succeeding current national coach Anna Signeul who will step down from the role after the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 finals this summer.

Prior to beginning her role,  shewill attend the qualifying draw for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Switzerland on 25 April, along with Scottish FA Performance Director Malky Mackay.

She said:  “I am extremely proud and honoured to be named as coach of the Scotland Women’s National Team.

“As a young girl, and being extremely passionate about Scotland, it was my ambition to represent my country and now to get the opportunity to lead the women’s national team is a dream come true.

“I have never hidden the fact that I have always been very ambitious as an aspiring coach and I have tried to give myself as broad a skillset as possible to help me achieve my goals.

“My time as manager of Stirling University was extremely beneficial to my personal and professional development. The knowledge sharing and support, expertise and guidance provided by the high performance coaches there have made the last three years an enjoyable and rewarding experience.

“Anna Signeul has done a fantastic job throughout her 12 years in the role and has really changed the perception of the girls’ and women’s game in Scotland.

“We have a great group of players and my goal is to continue the good work and sustain the level of success that the team has achieved in recent years.”

Malky Mackay, Scottish FA Performance Director: “Shelley was the outstanding candidate for the position. She has a wealth of experience in international football, in the club game and as the first female manager in British senior men’s football.

“She is a deep thinker of the game but also has a huge passion for football and that shone through during the interview process.

“She has an excellent knowledge of Scottish football and knows the strength and depth of the squad, so we are confident that she will hit the ground running.

“Naming Shelley as Anna’s successor now gives her the best chance to prepare for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, which start only four weeks after the end of the Euros this summer.

“This is an exciting time for women’s football in Scotland. Anna has done a fantastic job in her 12 years, culminating in her leading the team to a major finals for the first time, and I look forward to seeing Shelley build on this success.”

St Johnstone 1 Heart of Midlothian 0

Ladbrokes Premiership, Wednesday 5^th April 2017 – McDiarmid Park

Three days after their mauling at the hands of league champions Celtic, Hearts headed to Perth on Wednesday evening to face the team vying with them for fourth place in the Ladbrokes Premiership – St Johnstone. Fourth place is still a gateway to the early qualifying stages of next season’s Europa League – as long as Hibernian don’t retain the Scottish Cup – so despite Hearts abysmal form of late there was still plenty to play for in the Fair City.

Gorgie Head Coach Ian Cathro – quoted in a tabloid newspaper as saying Hearts would have competed with Celtic on Sunday if there hadn’t been any goalposts – went with the same team that started the game against the Hoops which, given the Maroon’s defensive frailties, was a surprise to many.

Hearts made a decent start although Saints keeper Mannus wasn’t unduly concerned. In fact, there was little happening of note for either side until the 18^th minute when Saints Cummins latched on to a half-hearted clearance from Hearts Alex Tziolis but the home striker’s attempt on goal was high and not-so-mighty.

After a quiet opening, it was the home side who began to take command. After half an hour, Paton fired a shot from 20 yards which brought out a fine save from Jack Hamilton.

Within seconds, Easton was given the freedom of Perth to shoot for goal and his left foot effort smacked off the crossbar. Then it was Jack Hamilton to the rescue again as the Hearts keeper tipped Cummins header over the bar. Hearts were on the rack now and were mighty glad to hear the half-time whistle with the scores somehow still level.

Half-time St Johnstone 0 Hearts 0

The second half began in similar fashion to the way the first half ended – with the home side dominant. Craig went close with a shot from just inside the Hearts penalty box before Easton blazed an effort over the cross bar.

If you’re wondering what the Hearts players were doing so were the Maroon Army who had travelled north for what was turning out to be yet another pitiful away performance.

Isma Goncalves at least showed some spark when he robbed Craig after 67 minutes and found Bjorn Johnsen. But the big American’s effort on goal was like the Hearts performance – weak.

The only saving grace for the visitors was the fact the game was still without a goal. But this changed 17 minutes from the end. A corner by Craig saw no one in the Hearts defence bother to challenge for the cross and Shaughnessy headed home to put the Perth Saints ahead – a goal they richly deserved.

I would have liked to ended this match report there but Hearts still had one more lamentable action left when substitute Sam Nicholson was shown a straight red card with seven minutes left for what appeared to be a display of dissent towards the assistant referee.

Another miserable performance and another miserable result for Hearts. The only saving grace was that Kilmarnock’s draw with Rangers on Wednesday means Hearts are guaranteed a top six finish in the Ladbrokes Premiership. On recent displays any hopes of finishing fourth are fast disappearing.

The end of the season can’t come quick enough for Hearts and their angry supporters, many of whom have simply had enough.

St Johnstone: Mannus, Scobbie, Alston, MacLean, Wotherspoon (Millar, 84′), Shaughnessy, Smith, Paton, Easton, Craig, Cummins.

Hearts: Hamilton, Struna, Avlonitis (Buaben, 59′), Nowak, Sowah (Smith, 69′), Tziolis, Kitchen, Cowie, Walker, Johnsen (Nicholson, 67′), Isma.

Ref: Nick Walsh

Att: 4,197

Top man: You’ve got to be joking…

The Scottish singer-songwriter, Horse McDonald, is to take her award-winning one-woman play, Careful, on the road for a Scottish spring tour.

First performed at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2016, this poignant and compelling story of Horse’s triumph over adversity through music, is collaboratively written with writer and comedian Lynn Ferguson, directed by Maggie Kinloch and produced by The Gilded Balloon. It will tour to 19 venues throughout Scotland from Thursday 16 March to Saturday 27 May including The Studio, 22 Potterrow, Edinburgh on Friday 21 April. 

After each performance, Horse will be joined on stage by director Maggie Kinloch for an intimate, ‘audience with’ Q&A session. For her music fans, Horse will also weave into the second half of the evening a small selection of her favourite songs from her illustrious career, prompted by the evening’s questions. 

There are times in life when you need to be careful…

Growing up gay in Lanark in the 1970’s;

When the reward is half a pack of fruit pastilles;

When the lady on the train tells you about the doctor you should meet;

… but you’ll always be saved if you use your voice.

An Education Resource pack, a resource for teachers, trainers, community workers and lecturers, that explores the themes and issues raised in the play, has been produced.

Maggie Kinloch, director of Careful, said: ”The Education Resource Pack which accompanies the tour of Careful written by Lynn Ferguson in a collaborative process with Horse McDonald, was created by Jason Sweeney.

“It is designed to provide a resource for teachers, trainers, community workers and lecturers to explore the themes and issues raised in the play. Horse’s lived life experience, growing up gay in Lanark in the ’70’s, provides a starting point for exploration of LGBTQ history and rights, themes of bullying, bereavement, grief, parental relationships and the universal theme of finding ones voice.”

Horse takes to the stage as an admirably frank and engaging teller of her own touching story of survival, from wearing two-tone velvet loons to becoming one of Scotland’s most celebrated singers; painting a vivid and powerful picture of those times when she had to be… Careful.

Horse is iconic. She has few peers, utterly unique, with breath-taking stagecraft. Her voice is a ‘finely honed instrument’.

Since her studio debut in 1989 with single, You Could Be Forgiven, Horse’s power to reinvent and advance her musical style and prowess has been unshakable.

She has released nine albums including The Same Sky and God’s Home Movie. As well as touring in her own right, she has toured with international artists like Tina Turner, BB King, Bryan Ferry and Burt Bacharach.

http://gildedballoon.co.uk/horse-in-careful/

• 32 destinations including four new ones for summer: Antalya (exclusive), Dalaman, Kos (exclusive) and Madeira
• 160 weekly flights and 700,000 seats available, with a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft added, a 9% uplift on Summer 17
• More flights and more seats to Halkidiki, Paphos, Naples and Verona.

Jet2.com and  Jet2holidays has announced its biggest ever summer flights and holidays programme from Edinburgh Airport for Summer 2018.

There are four brand new destinations (two of them exclusive to Jet2), over 700,000 seats and thousands of 2-5 star hotels on sale.

The airline which is also a package holiday specialist has announced major growth with more flights and holidays to a whopping 32 summer beach and city destinations, including brand new and exclusive destinations – Antalya and Kos – as well as two new destinations, Dalaman and Madeira.

As well as adding new destinations, the company is growing capacity at Edinburgh Airport by 9% for Summer 18, with more than 50,000 extra seats on sale.

A number of routes are to be offered including:

• Costa de Almeria – recently introduced for Summer 17, this hotspot is already seeing expansion, with an extra flight taking the number of weekly services to two
• Cyprus – an additional weekly flight means two services every week to Paphos as well as extended season to Larnaca
• Verona and Naples – now two weekly services including Saturdays

During the peak summer season the company will operate 160 weekly flights from Edinburgh Airport.

An additional brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft will come into operation to handle this expansion which has come on the back of a phenomenal response to the company’s award winning flights and great value package holidays.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: “This will be our biggest summer programme yet from Edinburgh Airport, with more seats and hotels than ever through our award-winning airline and holiday operator. Such sustained growth is only possible by looking after our customers, which shows that our continued investment into offering great value package holidays and family friendly flights is working. By continuing to grow across all of our bases, including established ones such as Edinburgh, this proves our formula is the right one.”

Chief Executive of Edinburgh Airport Gordon Dewar said:  “This ongoing and consistent growth from Jet2.com reflects Edinburgh Airport’s direction of travel by offering greater passenger choice for the holiday market direct from Scotland to the Mediterranean sunshine.”

Edinburgh

• 32 destinations including FOUR NEW ones for summer: Antalya (exclusive), Dalaman, Kos (exclusive) and Madeira
• 160 weekly flights and 700,000 seats available, with a new Boeing 737-800 aircraft added, a 9% uplift on Summer 17
• More flights and more seats to Halkidiki, Paphos, Naples and Verona.

Photo

Lenny Warren / Warren Media
07860 830050 01355 229700
lenny@warrenmedia.co.uk
www.warrenmedia.co.uk
All images © Warren Media 2016.

Today in New York the First Minister Nicola Sturgeon announced a £1.2m funding  package to train over 200 women from conflict zones around the world in peacekeeping and conflict resolution in the next four years.

The funding will bring together a team of women activists for training in mediation and negotiation skills, in an effort to build sustainable and long-lasting peace in war torn countries.

During the address, the First Minister spoke of the importance of human rights and mediation as a way of preventing conflict, and she lent her support to the UN Secretary General’s call for more female representation in the United Nations.

FM @NicolaSturgeon speaks in front of a packed out room at the @UN on #equality pic.twitter.com/I5VkycrY2Y

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) April 5, 2017

The announcement comes following a successful initiative to train 50 women with the help of Scottish Government funding.

The training was delivered by Beyond Borders Scotland, a non-profit thinktank. It was assisted by UN experts and endorsed by the UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura.

Speaking before the event, the First Minister said: “Gender equality and a commitment to peace are fundamentally shared values across the countries that make up the United Nations, and I am committed to making sure Scotland does all it can to participate in this.
“Our recent funding for the Syrian Women’s Advisory Board has helped support a crucial strand of the ongoing Syrian peace process by ensuring that the voices of women are heard and I am grateful for the continued support the UN Special Envoy to Syria has given to this work.

“That is why we widened this programme to include women from other conflict zones in the region in the last year. Given the success of the programme I am delighted to announce additional funding to extend it further for women in various conflict zones around the world.

“Ultimately, I hope that it can play some part in delivering a fair and lasting peace settlement for both Syria and other areas of conflict around the world – a settlement which is shaped by women as well as men.”

UN Special Envoy to Syria, Staffan de Mistura, added: “Women’s leadership and participation in conflict resolution are critical for sustainable solutions. The engagement of women in shaping the future of Syria is more important now than ever before.

“I am highly appreciative of the support that the First Minister and Scottish Government have given to work of the Women’s Advisory Board in particular, and welcome her on going efforts to help to promote Security Council Resolution 1325 and the role of women in peacemaking more generally.”

Scotland’s senior men’s hockey squad has launched a fund-raising campaign to pay for their the campaign in the World League semi-finals in London this June.

This is the first time a Scotland team has ever qualified for this stage and they are bidding for a chance to play in the Hockey World Cup.

In London, Scotland will face England, the Netherlands, India, Pakistan, Korea, Canada, China, Malaysia, and Argentina.

A crowdfunding appeal has been launched and a Scottish Hockey spokesman said: “The squad requires financial support.

“The team has done amazingly well thus far. Will you help them on the next step of the journey?

“Further details of fund-raising campaigns for the team will be announced in the coming weeks.”

Help the funding campaign by CLICKING HERE.

Lothian Scottish Conservative MSP Miles Briggs and Scottish Conservative Councillor Nick Cook have said they are concerned at the news announced by Lloyds Bank that North Morningside’s Bank of Scotland branch is to close.

Miles has already been contacted by concerned local constituents about the proposed closure which is due to take effect between July and October this year.

Speaking today Miles said: “While I understand that all banks are looking to reduce the number of local branches in response to the increase in online banking, I share the concern of constituents in and around Morningside at the proposed closure of what locals feel is a busy branch on Morningside Road which has served the community well for many years.

“In particular, many pensioners in the area who are Bank of Scotland customers and who do not use online banking are anxious that they will be inconvenienced by this closure and by consequently having to go make journeys to other branches further away from their homes.

“I will be raising constituents concerns directly with Lloyds Banking Group and asking them to address them and justify to local people why they are recommending the North Morningside branch is closed.”

Councillor Nick Cook said: “This is a disappointing move from the Bank of Scotland. Many local people – particularly our elderly residents – continue to rely upon bricks and mortar branches and they will be amongst the worst affected by this closure.”

We wonder what will become of the building? It is a fine location for many purposes – a restaurant perhaps?

The drinking-man’s, alcohol-poisoned version of Sleeping Beauty is a bewitching mirror on life.

Directed by Matthew Lenton, starring Sandy Grierson in the title role, Charlie Sonata follows the tender-hearted, booze-soaked Charlie, ‘Chick’ to his pals, who arrives back in Scotland for a reunion with old friends Gary (Kevin Lennon) and Jackson (Robbie Jack), only to find Gary’s daughter has been the victim of a life-changing accident. With redemptive purpose, Chick wades out into the city night and, amidst the dancing streetlights and screams of sirens, embarks on a quest to save her life.

Speaking of the production, playwright Douglas Maxwell said: “Charlie Sonata is an alcohol-poisoned version of Sleeping Beauty. And it’s also true. Kind of. It’s a very special play for me.

“It was written with a director and an actor in mind (Matt and Sandy) but not a theatre.  The fact it’s going on The Lyceum’s stage is a thrill and an honour.  I’ve never had a show on here and I’m hoping it will be magical and intimate and grand and funny and moving and all those things that plays in The Lyceum can be.”

Director Matthew Lenton said: “Charlie Sonata is, in my opinion, the most beautiful play Douglas Maxwell has written. That it’s being performed at The Lyceum as part of David’s (Greig) first season is brilliant for me, but also for Lyceum audiences, who will get to see a funny, soulful and moving new play.”

Artistic Director David Greig said: “Douglas Maxwell is the Scottish writer who has influenced me the most; he has the heart, comedy, and storytelling brio that can’t fail to lift the spirits. Watching one of his plays is like being lifted off your feet and swept along on a crazy night out with your best friend.

“I first read this play on a plane journey. The story of charming hopeless Charlie on a mission to save a life had me hooked right away. When I found myself in tears at the end, with my hand grabbing the knee of the passenger beside me, having to explain to the stewardess that I was all right, “it’s just a play I was reading”, I knew I had to bring it to the stage”

Charlie Sonata

Tuesday 2nd May, 7:30pm

The Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh, 30b Grindlay Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9AX

Edinburgh cat lovers are being asked to help cats and kittens in shelters by making toys and cosy blankets as part of Cats Protection’s annual knitting bee.

The UK’s largest cat charity, which rescues and cares for around 200,000 cats per year, will be launching its 2017 Scotland appeal for homemade knitted creations at the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh from 27-30 April.

Toys and blankets donated will go directly to cats in the charity’s care and make their lives more enjoyable and comfortable.

Emma of Cats Protection said: ”We’ve been running our knitting bee for a few years now, and we’re hoping 2017 will be a bumper year for knitted mice and blankets.”

”This will be the second year we’re attending the Spring Knitting & Stitching Show in Edinburgh and we’re very much looking forward to returning. Cats are very popular pets in Scotland, and it was a real pleasure meeting so many cat lovers at the show last year.”

Cats Protection advises against the use of certain materials, including stretchy yarns or small plastic materials, as they can pose health risks to the cats.

They also would recommend avoiding loose weave patterns. It is also important for cat owners to regularly inspect their cat’s toys for signs of damage and to supervise their cat when it is playing.

For more information, please contact Cats Protection’s Helpline on 03000 12 12 12 or email helpline@cats.org.uk

The Spring Knitting & Stitching Show takes place at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh from 27 – 30 April.

More information can be found on the website here

Edinburgh Police say they are investigating a number of incidents in Corstorphine which led to cars being vandalised.

Between 1 and 2 April cars had either the windscreen or the rear window smashed, in what police believe are linked events.

They would very much like the public to come forward with any information to help them.

Inspector Stephen Sutherland of Drylaw Police Station said:  “These offences are totally unacceptable and have resulted in high-value damage to the affected vehicles.

“Not only has this resulted in significant inconvenience for a large number of people, it has also required extensive police resources in the west of Edinburgh to be diverted in order to investigate.

“We are eager to trace those responsible as soon as possible and would ask that anyone who was in the Carrick Knowe area on the evening of Saturday 1st April and saw anything that can assist police in enquires to get in touch.”

Chief Inspector James Jones, Area Commander for North West Edinburgh said: “Anti-social behaviour is completely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated at all. Local officers will be tackling this issue as top priority.

“Whenever a number of incidents happen in an area, a community reassurance plan is put in place to provide reassurance, support and engage with the local community.

“We would encourage anyone experiencing anti-social behaviour in their area not to tolerate this type of criminality and report it to police via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

An Edinburgh venue has been recognised as among the best licensed premises in Scotland by Best Bar None Scotland, a nation-wide scheme which promotes a safe day and night time economy and social responsibility.

Corn Exchange won the national award for best Specialist Entertainment Venue at the Best Bar None Scotland 2016-17 National Awards.

Forty seven finalists took part in the annual national awards across 11 award categories.

Mandy Haeburn-Little, Chair of Best Bar None Scotland and CEO of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), said: “The awards are all about quality. Across the country accredited venues are continuously raising standards. Every year judging becomes a harder and harder.

“The National Best Bar None Awards continue to raise the profile of the fantastic work our venues do in support of the night time economy but in particular their innovation and social responsibility practices which impress the judges year on year. The licensed trade is a key sector of Scottish business.”

Police have arrested a further seven people in the last week as part of ongoing efforts to tackle drug offences and associated criminality in East Lothian.

Thanks to information from the community, two search warrants were executed at addresses in Tranent on Tuesday 28 March.

Over £1,400 worth of cash, around £600 worth of herbal cannabis and drug paraphernalia were seized.

A 29-year-old man was subsequently arrested for the supply of controlled drugs.

On Wednesday 29 March in Tranent three men, aged 29, 41 and 42, were arrested on outstanding warrants.

On Friday 31 March two women, aged 46 and 19, were arrested in the Prestonpans area for outstanding warrants.

On Monday 3 April, a 32-year-old woman was arrested in the Haddington area on an outstanding warrant.

Since Operation Jigsaw was launched in November, 23 vehicles and properties have been searched, over £80,000 worth of drugs and cash have been seized, and now a total of 40 people have either been arrested or reported to the Procurator Fiscal.

During the latest enforcement day on Friday 24 March, which was supported by over ninety officers, three items were also seized in Tranent under the Firearms Act 1968.

Chief Inspector Matt Paden, Area Commander for East Lothian, said: “Our communities have told us that tackling drug offences and associated criminality continues to be a priority for them, and therefore it continues to be a priority for us.

“Operation Jigsaw has already demonstrated that drug misuse is not isolated from other criminal activity and how important enforcement days like this are in detecting a range of offences.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the public for their assistance so far. Support from our communities is vital in tackling such offences and we will act on the information we receive from the public.

“We’d urge people to continue to tell us their concerns by speaking to a local officer, contacting Police Scotland on 101 or reporting information anonymously to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

The Attic Collective presents
 WAR IN AMERICA

by Jo Clifford

The Former Royal High School

Dystopian future nightmares, once moral fictions to frighten domestic-bot appliances with an internet disconnect, are now the shape of things to come writ large across the frazzled synapses of a soma-soaked generation of Fake-Lives social media drones. JG Ballard’s post-apocalyptic novel Hello America (Cape, 1982) has a psychotic survivor of the Armageddon riven diaspora fashion himself as President Charles Manson. With a difference – no more Mr. Nice Guy this time round.

As Jo Clifford’s America burns, a new female leader is taking the reins of political power on the European stage. But as she nears her goal, on a mission to write the truth, she finds the page before her blank. Government, she discovers, is not an instrument for good.

The Attic Collective, an Edinburgh based maverick ensemble of shoot from the lip young tyros, sported themselves with priapic, eye-poking abandon this January with their Phallus Dei rumpy-pumpy take on Aristophanes’ anti-war satire, Lysistrata. A sort of Carry On Venus – with knobs on/out.

Written in 1996 as the second play in a conceived, but never realised pentalogy, of plays about the decline of global capitalism and the injustice of the world economic order, Jo Clifford’s War in America shows a European democracy in a state of decay, rife with division, hypocrisy and distrust.

This dystopian vision of the future was inspired by events at the end of the Cold War leading to the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the policies of John Major’s Tory government. Over twenty years since it was written, the play now receives its world premiere at the former Royal High School. The City of Edinburgh Council have kindly allowed access for the debating chamber to be used for one week only to stage the production, providing audiences a rare opportunity to gain access to this historic venue to witness a landmark event in Scottish theatre.

War in America is the second production from The Attic Collective, a new Scottish theatre company for emerging actors working with Director Susan Worsfold and Creative Producer Cat Sheridan.

Jo Clifford said: “It’s incredibly exciting that this play should be at last receiving its premiere after twenty years gathering dust. I was astonished to re-read it and actually see how prescient it was. And even how good it was! Very proud to be working with the Attic Collective, whose aims I whole-heartedly support, and so happy that my artistic partnership with the wonderful Susan Worsfold should be continuing in this way”

Launched in 2016 by the Festival City Theatres Trust, the charitable company that runs Edinburgh’s Festival and King’s Theatres, the Attic Collective gives unprecedented industry access and performance opportunities to a group of 18-26 year old actors over the course of one year, showcasing their talents in three productions: a classic work, a new play and a musical.

War in America will be followed by the final production from the first year of the Attic Collective, a new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s The Threepenny Opera in September 2017.

Wednesday 24 to Saturday 27 May 2017

*Warning: War in America has an 18+ age recommendation. It contains strong language, gunshots, and scenes of a sexual nature that some people might find offensive.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a three people were assaulted in Corstorphine about 9pm  last night outside Tesco.

The males aged 16, 16 and 18, were with friends when they are approached a group of youths and subsequently assaulted. All sustained minor injuries which didn’t require medical treatment.

Officers are currently following a positive line of enquiry and as part of this investigation are trying to establish whether reports of youth disorder and fires set to wheelie bins in the surrounding area are linked.

Inspector Stephen Sutherland of Drylaw Police Station said: “We are wholly aware of ongoing concerns in the area involving youths and are dealing with this robustly and want to highlight that it is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“This kind of behaviour has a significant impact on the local community and in an attempt to ease any concerns that they may have, officers will be out on high visibility and plain clothes patrol over the school holidays.

“We would encourage anyone experiencing anti-social behaviour in their area not to tolerate this type of criminality and report it to police via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

We have all been a bit starstruck with the Avengers crews on our streets in recent weeks, and now it seems that we are to get a new privately funded film studio just outside the city boundary.

The decision on the planning permission for the studio had been referred to the Scottish Ministers and news came out on Monday night that the development would go ahead.

The letter reproduced below shows that the Scottish Ministers are ‘minded to grant’ planning permission for the film and tv studio with a film school on land to the north and south of Pentland /Damhead Road at Straiton.

This ends a planning problem during which the planning decision was first referred to a Reporter as an independent party. That report considered that planning permission should be refused due partly to some protected species which exist there.

Part of the conditions around such planning permission will be an obligation on the part of the developers to pay for the reorganisation of the A701 relief road and improvement at the City ByPass junction. Details of this have to be thrashed out within six months.

The developers will have five years within which to raise the capital and then build the film studio.

Rosie Ellison, Film Manager at Film Edinburgh, the city region’s film office said : “This is a true game-changer for Edinburgh region’s appeal as a filming destination. The current filming of The Avengers: Infinity War in Edinburgh clearly demonstrates the region has the locations, the processes and can-do attitude to deliver successful productions of every scale, but a permanent film studio has long been the missing piece.

“As we saw with last year’s filming of T2 Trainspotting, it is when productions base themselves in Edinburgh, that the city really benefits in terms of economic impact.  That we are one step closer to having the facilities and infrastructure in place is incredibly good news for the region, creating hundreds of jobs and attracting more high value film and TV productions to Scotland.”

A spokesman for PSL Land Ltd said :  “We are very pleased with today’s decision by Ministers to approve the grant of planning permission in principle for Scotland’s world-class Film & TV studio complex, and will be moving forward immediately with the application for planning permission in detail for the Film Studio, Academy and Energy Centre sections of the development.

“Working together with Midlothian Council, PSL hope this next stage will be expedited accordingly, recovering the construction scheduling that will enable delivery of the key Studio operation by late 2018.

“It is anticipated that a detailed schedule to progress the planning application will be agreed with Midlothian Council in the next few weeks, producing a phased timeframe with the Studio, Academy and Energy Centre as the first buildings to be progressed to full planning consent.”

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Edinburgh SNP  is launching its council election campaign today in a bid to have 27 councillors returned to the City Chambers and thus be in the driving seat. This would make them the biggest group on The City of Edinburgh Council for the first time.

The SNP in the Capital are fielding their largest ever number of candidates in a Single Transferable Vote (STV) council election with the most diverse group of candidates yet.

Women make up 10 out of their 27 candidates and this new group includes EU nationals and BME, LGBTI and disabled candidates, who all say they are proud to be standing for the SNP.

SNP Council Group leader Frank Ross said: “In standing 27 candidates in Edinburgh for the upcoming Council elections, the SNP are showing more ambition than any other political grouping.

“We have assembled a group of exceptionally talented individuals which blends the experience of sitting councillors and the fresh talents of our new candidates.

“In 2012 the SNP were the only party to have representation in each of the 17 wards across the city and we want to build on that success to win the Council election in Edinburgh on May 4th.”

Among the fresh faces is Kate Campbell – running for Portobello/Craigmillar. Campbell, who has a notable drive for improving housing across the city. Kate said:

“As a first time candidate I feel incredibly excited about what we can achieve. Housing is one of the areas where I want to make a big difference.

“This city desperately needs a dramatic increase of affordable homes.

“Sadly, we have too many people in temporary housing and too many in insecure tenancies that they are struggling to afford. An SNP-led administration will address this and I hope that I will be able to play my part in driving this forward.”

Another candidate is Ernesta Noreikienek – candidate for Pentlands. Noreikienek, who was born in Lithuania. Ernesta said: “As an EU national in Edinburgh I know that many people are concerned with the direction the Tories are taking our City and our country. Edinburgh Council has a strong role to play in standing up for all its citizens, regardless of where they come from. I would love to have the opportunity to be part of that effort.”

SNP candidate for Liberton and Gilmerton, Derek Howie, is registered blind and has spoken out about how he believes his experiences will add to the team:

“I have a lifetime of experience that I’m hoping to make use of if elected to the Council. During the campaign I’ve been speaking to hundreds of voters in Liberton and Gilmerton and I’d relish the chance to represent my community. It’s important that the voice of people with disabilities is heard loudly and I’ll be a strong voice ensuring that our city is accesible for everyone.”

Small business owner, Simon Hayter, will be an SNP candidate for Sighthill/Gorgie. Hayter said : “I’ve been proud of the SNP’s achievements on the council in the last 2 administrations. I’m hoping to be elected to represent the people of Sighthill/Gorgie and bring my experience to help find additional ways the Council can support small businesses which provide the backbone of our city’s economy.”