The Fifth Step starring Sean Gilder as James, and Jack Lowden as Luka, tells the story of an addicted young working class man.

It’s a boon to hear Lowden on stage speaking in his own accent, which sounds like an authentic and strong Edinburgh brogue. He stalks the stage brimming with kinetic energy and is full of anger at himself and others but at the same time Lowdon displays a lost and sensitive soul trying to find his place in the world.

Luka becomes to close to his Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor, a father figure who at first appears like a together, middle-class Guardian reading type male. Beneath the mask lurks a controlling, bigoted, hateful and toxic man out to control his family and his sponsors in any way he can. When Luka begins to flourish finding Christianity and a relationship, James becomes full of judgement, resentment and distain.

There is a refusal to see that a shift has taken place, mentally, physically and spiritually as a bleak and begrudging attitude sets in that turns the atmosphere in the theatre pitch black. It’s here that David Ireland’s writing shifts gear, as an energised Luka defeats James with a new awareness and sense of self. Ireland taps into some of the deepest prejudices and bigotries that exist in our society.

At present the National Theatre of Scotland is allowing vital stories to be told that wouldn’t see the light of day in London. The challenge now is that we begin to produce more theatre, cinema and art of this quality while at the same allowing more unseen lives to be seen away from what David Bowie called “the tyranny of the mainstream”.

Unsightly air quality testing machinery is finally set to disappear from Linlithgow High Street. 

Environmental Health officers will ask the West Lothian Council’s Executive to approve proposals to revoke long standing orders to test the air in the street and also in the village of Newton. 

The air quality at both sites has improved continually since statutory monitoring began in 2016. 

The sinister looking testing stations, which resemble ventilation shafts for underground bunkers, have occupied prominent sites in both communities. 

In Linlithgow the apparatus sits just yards from the A-listed St Michael’s Well – testament to the 21st century’s effect on the ancient burgh’s thoroughfare.  

While many would like to see the apparatus gone for purely aesthetic reasons the council teams who have overseen the monitoring are happy at the potential savings.   

Supplying parts for the machinery is an expensive process. The removal of the statutory testing stations will save the council thousands of pounds a year. 

Statutory consultation within council departments and public bodies including agencies such as SEPA has now been completed. 

A report to the Public and Community Safety PDSP said: “It is positive to note that air quality in Linlithgow is meeting air quality objectives and has improved since 2016.  

“It is important to now take steps to acknowledge that and complete the process to revoke the air quality management area.” 

The report added: “Air quality standards have been met in Linlithgow for well in excess of the three years expected for revocation.”  

Harmful Nitrogen Dioxide and particulate matter levels have fallen steadily since 2016. After plunging during lockdown, they have slowly started to climb but are still well below the levels of concern which led to the introduction of testing.   

Heavy traffic in the High Street prompted the introduction of testing in Linlithgow whereas in Newton it was domestic heating, officials said this week. 

Earlier this year local councillor Sally Pattle expressed concern that the high street had seen no reduction in traffic.  

In earlier reports Environmental Health officers added: “There is no specifically identifiable reason for improvements in air quality over this time, but it is reasonable to assume that as vehicle pollution is the most significant factor causing poorer air quality, the “greening” of vehicles and newer, less polluting vehicles on our roads will have had a significant effect. 

“This could also be considered alongside changes in driving behaviour, a move from diesel vehicles, less vehicle use and similar.”  

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

A landscaping and horticulture company aiming to build a net zero business in the countryside has been granted planning permission to develop a yard  in West Lothian. 

GMCb believes that moving to a single site in Stoneyburn, in sight of the Five Sisters, will allow the firm to become self-sufficient and cut thousands of miles per year in vehicle journeys.  

Colin Hardie, an agent for the business, said the site would allow the firm to compost its own green waste as well as rear trees and shrubs for planting on its client project sites. 

 A decision had been delayed from an earlier hearing to allow environmental reports to be filed. The firm had also been asked for slight modifications to their plans and to work with the council on development details. 

This month’s meeting of the council’s Development Management Committee  backed plans for the business to develop a green waste composting area, additional horticulture production areas, and office and vehicle equipment storage buildings, on land to the north-west of Auchenhard Farm in Stoneyburn. 

Mr Hardie told the committee when the application was first tabled that the firm currently has to use an additional site  near Edinburgh to compost green waste. 

He told councillors in June: “This next step allows them to be self-sufficient. It allows them to recycle all their own green waste, to turn it into compost. Currently they use a facility on the far side of Edinburgh because of limited facilities in West Lothian. They will rear their own trees and shrubs on this site.” 

“Between these two measures alone the company will save over 30,000 commercial vehicle miles a year.” 

Planners stressed at the initial hearing that they had no issues with the proposals for planting and composting but did not agree with plans for two large sheds which would be used to store equipment and fertilisers. 

GMCb is a local family business set up in 2004. It currently employs 30 people, with plans to expand including using the single facility in Stoneyburn.  

Mr Hardie added that the   planned sheds on the site were specifically to house large trailers. Company vehicles are usually taken home by employees.  The trailers are currently stored at an industrial facility nearby. Ridgelines for the buildings will now be lowered. 

Planners said in a report to this month’s committee: “The applicant has now submitted an acceptable justification for the development and has reduced the height and, therefore, the visual impact of the buildings. These details are acceptable.”  

Mr Hardie said: “This project takes major steps towards the company being net zero. They work throughout central Scotland with many blue-chip clients including Historic Scotland.” 

By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter 

Lawrence Shankland is an injury worry for Hearts as they head into Thursday’s Europa League play-off clash with Czech opposition Viktoria Plzen (19.45) looking to turn round a one goal deficit from the away leg.

The Scotland international has a knee problem from a contact injury and Steven Naismith, Hearts’ head coach, said they would give the star striker, who fired more than 30 goals last season, every chance of making the squad and also of appearing in his 100^th game for the Jam Tarts.

The 29-year-old forward picked up the knock in Sunday’s defeat at Motherwell and Naismith described him as a big player for the club.

He revealed that experienced Shankland reported the knock after the game and added that his record in the last two years has been impressive for the Men in Maroon.

Looking back on the season so far, the head coach said the goals conceded had been “cheap” and the three goals lost at the weekend were “really, really poor”, but Naismith added: “We went 41 games without conceding a goal from a free kick and we concede two in one game.

“Those two goals were really sloppy. We get a goal back and we lost a goal through an individual error and that took the game away from us. One of our problems at the moment is that we’re conceding cheaper goals than we have been in the past.

“We have some new players but it is a process and we need to make sure the new players understand it.”

Naismith said: “When you are not winning games there is going to be criticism, especially at a club the size of Hearts, but I am comfortable with that. We have a good group of players that can be successful if they cut out soft goals and take more of our chances.”

He desperately wants to succeed under the floodlights at Tynecastle on Thursday and he expects a similar game to the away tie when two teams worked opportunities when they had the ball.

“We caused them problems and we need to be defensively better than we have been, but they have dangerous players who can cause you problems.”

And he said that if his team starts well then there could be another night of success at Tynecastle in Europe. The former Scotland international told fans: “We will put a team out that we think will win the game. It will be another tight affair.”

Playing in the Europa League, he stressed, was something the Old Firm – Celtic and Rangers – do and the chance does not come around too often for other Scottish clubs that is why the coach is so keen to grasp the opportunity.

Craig Gordon, Hearts’ evergreen goalkeeper, stressed the importance of the fans in the tie and he said: “It is exciting and a great opportunity for us. These are always massive nights at Tynecastle and it is a great start to kick-start our season.

“What better way to do that than under the lights at Tynecastle in a European tie.”

The Scottish international stopper emphasised the necessity for the squad to stick together. He added: “It is about getting everybody together and moving forward. If we can get a win and get through that would give us the shot in the arm we need.”

And the 41-year-old hot-stop added: “It is up to us to go out there and give all we can to give the fans the success they want. We need the fans again. If we can have everybody sticking together they Hearts are at their best, when everybody is pulling together we are a force to be reckoned with.”

PICTURE: Lawrence Shankland at Riccarton by Nigel Duncan

The new Transport & Environment Convener in Edinburgh is most likely going to be Cllr Stephen Jenkinson after approval at Thursday’s council meeting.

Cllr Jenkinson represents Pentland Hills Ward, and he is largely responsible for his own fate. He was Cllr Scott Arthur’s election agent during the general election, leading to Cllr Arthur being returned as the MP for Edinburgh South West and then resigning as Transport Convener leaving a vacancy to fill.

It will also lead to a by-election in the Colinton/Fairmilehead Ward in due course when Cllr Arthur steps down, as he has said he will.

Cllr Jenkinson is the administration nominee for the biggest public-facing role on the council covering the city’s roads, footpaths and potholes, bin collection and cleansing, and is the one which affects most people in the city most directly.

First elected in 2022 as Labour councillor for Pentland Hills Ward, he is Edinburgh born and bred. Stephen went to Boroughmuir High School and lives in south Edinburgh. He joined RBS more than 30 years ago and has worked his way up the ranks to become a senior IT specialist.

Council Leader, Cllr Cammy Day, said: “I’m really pleased that the council is to appoint Cllr Jenkinson as the new Transport Convener, to follow in the footsteps of the great work that’s been led by Cllr Scott Arthur.

“But of course I am also pleased that Cllr Arthur has been elected to the UK Government, and is now handing that realm over to Cllr Jenkinson to lead on the many transport initiatives in making the city more active.

“He will also progress major transport and environment issues like the pedestrianisation of George Street, the Trams from north to south Edinburgh, and taking forward the many environmental issues to make the city cleaner, greener and a better place to live in. I am confident that Cllr Jenkinson will take this up with vigour.”

Papers have now been published for the full council meeting which takes place at the City Chambers on Thursday and can be found here.

The papers do not contain any written amendments from other political groups seeking to appoint a Convener from among their own ranks, but it is always open to political groups to propose one verbally during the meeting, though other groups are unlikely to have that approved.

A family has launched a new bid to build homes on a paddock after claiming new housing on the edge of their village has ‘changed the landscape’.

Carol Auld wants to build three houses for her and her daughters to live in on the land off Elphinstone Main Street, in East Lothian.

And she argues that while the paddock, which is used for sheep grazing, is described as being in the countryside by planners, the impact of a new housing estate on the other side of the road has been ‘dramatic’.

In a statement to East Lothian planners, her agent says: “The context of the site has changed dramatically.

“It no longer has the character of a grass field/paddock just outside the village, but will be very much part of the western edge of Elphinstone providing visual (and stylistic) balance to the development on the north of the road into the village.”

Bellway Homes are building around 100 new homes on land on the other side of the Main Street from the paddock which is next to The Stables.

Planning officers refused a previous application for the three houses because they said it was against countryside policy which did not allow new build housing in the countryside unless there are exceptional circumstance.

And they are recommending the current application is rejected for the same reason when it comes before the council’s planning committee next week.

In their report to councillors, officers say: “A supporting statement has been submitted with the application that states that ‘given the scale of development to the north redefining the shape and size of the Elphinstone
settlement the applicant wishes to create three new homes for her and her daughters on land they own immediately to the south of the Bellway development site and on land that would be within the new extent of Elphinstone.”

However they add: “The erection of three houses on the application site would be new build housing development in the countryside of East Lothian on land which is not allocated for housing development.”

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

‘Come and Try’ Pickleball sessions are being held at Beeslack Community High School on Thursday night, 29 August, in one hour blocks from 5-9pm.

Pickleball is a racket style sport with simple rules for beginners to learn but can develop into a fast-paced, competitive game.

Coach Michael Robson from ScotPickleball & Padel will be on hand to introduce newcomers to the game and says: “Pickleball is so much more effective in teaching racket skills to smaller children. I have done four free taster sessions for Midlothian Council at Beeslack during July getting great feedback. “

It is essential to book in advance.by contacting the community office on 01968 673893 or by emailing Beeslackcommunity@midlothian.education

Plain clothes police officers stopped a 22-year-old man on an e-bike on Abbey Lane, Edinburgh yesterday Tuesday 27 August. 

The man was suspected of dealing drugs and a search found him to be in possession of 60 wraps of heroin, 55 wraps of crack cocaine, 19 wraps of cocaine, 2 phones, & £405 cash.  

He was arrested, interviewed, and charged. 

Officers say that a report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. 

The man is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today Wednesday, 28 August 2024 

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 22-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with alleged drugs offences on Abbey Lane, Edinburgh on Tuesday, 27 August 2024. 
 
“He was due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Wednesday, 28 August 2024.   

“A report has been submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.” 

The content at this year’s Edinburgh festival was once again, in a word overwhelming. It’s become difficult to navigate your way through the city and arranging to see two shows in a row has become an impossible feat as late arrivals on stage seem to have become the norm.

The National Theatre’s Dear Billy written and performed by Gary McNair has gathered stories about the Big Yin from the mouths of mainly Glaswegians and is packed with old-school west-coast street patter. McNair delivers it with gusto shifting from one character to another swiftly and with ease. Many Scots will have heard the views, stories and opinions on Connolly before, not all of them are flattering and some reek of ancient bigotry but it’s dealt with appropriately.

Still, it was clear the international audience and even fans from across the border lapped up every minute. My first attempt at seeing the show was on Saturday evening, unfortunately, a fire alarm went off during the show. The building was evacuated, not an easy feat, and the audience was dispensed onto Rose Street at the back of Assembly Rooms.

Soon we were amid Saturday night drinkers, festival goers and football supporters going home after the match. The scene was pandemonium. It emerged that Police Scotland had issued the alarm, and one audience member suggested it was due to an unattended bag. Gary McNair appeared to continue the show on Rose Street, it was a surreal sight to see him in his big banana boots trousers and purple jacket with images of Billy Connolly on his back and sleeves outside.

It soon emerged the rest of the show was cancelled. I attended on the final night and was impressed by an emotive second half, some tender stories of fans were shared and we finally got to hear about McNair’s meeting with the Big Yin. My only criticism was the show began 10 minutes late and with another review backed up it meant missing out. That aside, I left the theatre aware of how much Billy Connolly means to the average punter in Scotland and beyond.

A well-acted and written show full of passion and drive for not just a Scottish hero but a one-man global institution.

Scotland’s newest Parkrun route will open this weekend, marking the completion of another phase of development of Auldcathie District Park in Winchburgh, in West Lothian. 

The original Parkrun route there broke the record for the post popular inaugural run with more than 600 entrants in January 2023.  

On Saturday (August 31) at 9.30am, in the greenspace that now extends to 60 acres at the heart of the country’s fastest-growing town, a new route will see participants embark on three different loops. 

The event will coincide with the opening of this latest phase of the park by Winchburgh Developments Ltd. (WDL) and will see runners climb to the top of the Auldcathie Hill, offering views across to the Forth bridges and the Pentland Hills. 

The Auldcathie District Parkrun began last year as a route of two laps of 2.5km, has evolved to use the park extension and will, from this weekend, become a 5km course comprising three different loops. 

“We have loved growing the Auldcathie Parkrun with new local runners joining us every week,” said Gillian Frame, event director at Auldcathie District Parkrun. “We feel this new final route, with less repetition and a little more undulation in the final loop, should challenge the regulars and provide new faces with a more scenic route.” 

The park itself will see further development over the next two years. With a new pavilion and bike park to be opened, it should attract many people of all ages. 

John Hamilton, CEO of Winchburgh Developments Ltd, said, “The Auldcathie Park has been a fantastic story for everyone from the outset. It was designed by the community, who have helped us shape what we now have: a fantastic area for Winchburgh Community Growing Group, a huge play and bouldering park, local coffee hut business and, of course, a fantastic ParkRun event each week.” 

Auldcathie District Parkrun will now start in the park at Winchburgh Community Growing Group at 9.30am (behind the school campus at the entrance to Winchburgh from Linlithgow). Participants are invited to run or walk the  route, with children or dogs if desired. 

Refreshments and gelato will be on sale courtesy of Coffee By Nico and local award-winning producer Villaggio Gelato. 

Winchburgh Developments Ltd is behind the development of one of the most ambitious placemaking projects in the UK. Earlier this year, the “West Lothian Riviera”, a new marina on the Union Canal was unveiled and, shortly afterwards, a new “core road” was opened through the emerging new town centre running on new bridge structures over the Edinburgh/Glasgow railway line and canal. Last year, the company completed the opening of the new motorway junction 1B, which has directly connected Winchburgh to the M9 motorway, enabling residents to enjoy significantly shorter commutes to Edinburgh and beyond. 

In February, WDL was crowned Property Company of the Year at the prestigious Scottish Property Awards in recognition of its investment in the area and the significant development milestones it has achieved over the last 12 months with its “infrastructure-first” approach to community planning. 

East Lothian’s only council care home is increasing its weekly fee by 39 percent after saying current payments were not covering the cost of running the home.

A meeting of East Lothian Council this week was told the new fees would be charged from the end of next month after annual inflationary rises in the charges did not ‘keep pace’ with the rising costs of running the home.

Presenting officer Laura Kerr told the meeting that Scottish Government guidance stated that fees should cover the full cost of running a home and currently they were not.

She also pointed out that the closures of three additional facilities in East Lothian – Eskgreen and The Abbey Care Home along with Belhaven Nursing Home, meant Crookston, which is in Tranent, is the only remaining council home.

She said:  “Crookston is now the only local authority run care home that we have and we now need to bring the charging for the home in line with legislation.

“To bring the charge in line with the full cost will mean a 39 percent increase this year bringing the charge up to £1, 557. The increase will only affect the self funding residents in the home.”

The previous charge for self funding residents, of which there are eleven in the 60-bed capacity home, was £1,117 last year.

The meeting was told local authority funded residents would continue to be means tested over any fees.

A report to councillors said the cost of running the home was just under £4.9million this year which equated to £1,557 a week cost per bed.

It said letters will be issued to all self-funding residents impacted by the change.

The report said: “The correspondence will inform residents of the reason for the change and provide 30 days’ notice of any rate increase. Additionally, the (health and social care) partnership will prioritise the financial re-assessment of the 11 self-funding residents affected to ensure that they still qualify to meet the full cost of their care.

“To enable sufficient notice to be given, a timescale for implementation of
30 September 2024 is proposed.”

Crookston Care Home opened ten years ago and offers single bedrooms with their own ensuite facilities.

East Lothian Health and Social Care Partnership closed Eskgreen in Musselburgh last year with residents moving into Crookston which had an empty floor.

This week the local authority put The Abbey, in North Berwick,  on the market for offers over £1.2m after it was also closed. Belhaven Nursing Home, in Dunbar has also closed. In all three cases health bosses said bringing the older buildings up to care and safety standards for residents was too costly.

Councillors noted the report.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Detectives are appealing for information following a robbery which occurred in Edinburgh on the evening of Tuesday, 27 August, 2024.

Around 10pm an 88-year-old woman was driving her bronze coloured Honda Jazz with her 93-year-old female friend when they stopped on Robert Burns Drive near to its junction with Mossgiel Walk.

While the car was stopped, three or four males dressed in dark clothing and wearing face coverings approached the vehicle and demanded the women get out.

The suspects entered the car and drove off at speed along Robert Burns Drive.

Police were contacted and the car was later found abandoned in the Harlaw Reservoir car park around 11.10pm.

Detective Sergeant Steven Dick said: “This was an incredibly distressing experience for the two elderly women, who thankfully were not hurt, and extensive enquiries are ongoing to identify the individuals involved.

“It is vital that we speak to any potential witnesses and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time of the robbery who may have noticed men matching the above description, or anything at all suspicious, to get in touch.

“We would also urge anyone with private CCTV or dash-cam footage to please check in case they have captured the stolen vehicle or anything else which could be of significance to our investigation.”

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 4112 of Tuesday, 27 August, 2024. You can also speak to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

An Edinburgh student who put his career and studies on hold to help children and adults in Ukraine has been hailed an “inspiration and a true local hero” 

Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, 38-year-old Gavin Menzies from Carrick Knowe, has made several trips to the war-torn country.  

Within 14 days, he was ferrying supplies into Kyiv and helping people to evacuate.  

He returned to Ukraine that same summer to help get supplies into Kharkiv, and perform end-of-life care with elderly people in the remains of Kharkiv University.  

Despite the indiscriminate bombing of the city, he continued to bring medicine, food and water to desperate people in the city. 

Despite the risks, Gavin was determined to be a force for good, providing supplies, helping refugees flee the country and providing hundreds of orphaned children with Christmas presents.  

He didn’t hesitate to put his work and education in Scotland on pause to do what he could to alleviate the suffering of people caught up in the ongoing conflict. 

Before travelling to Ukraine, Gavin had dedicated his adult life to running his own support businesses for children in Edinburgh.  

However, after lockdown he quickly realised that many of the children that he was working with were dealing with complex challenges.  

Having hit a challenging point in his career following the pandemic, he started to look at ways that he could better support the development of young people in his clubs and academy, which led him to study the MSc Play Therapy at Queen Margaret University – a course run in collaboration with the specialist play therapy organisation, With Kids. 

Gavin explained: “Through my kids’ basketball academy and holiday camps, we always look to develop links with the communities we are working in, and I was developing a lot of health and wellbeing activities throughout the Covid pandemic.  

“I noticed that there were a lot of kids coming into the basketball academy with complex needs – far more complex than the engagement in sport alone could solve, or that I had the skillset to support.” 

He continued: “Some children were becoming increasingly withdrawn. Worryingly, they were regressing from where they typically “should be” for their age, and were experiencing quite significant issues around confidence and socialisation.  

“I felt I lacked the skills to really tackle these issues affectively, so I decided to upskill by embarking on the MSc Play Therapy in 2021.” 

Due to his volunteering in Ukraine, and the continuation of his local children’s support businesses, Gavin studied his Master’s degree on a part-time basis over three years.   

Now he has finally graduated with a Master’s degree in Play Therapy from Queen Margaret University. 

He said: “It was a challenge to juggle my work, family responsibilities and education. When the full-scale Russian invasion took place,  

“I knew the only way I could volunteer and get through the Master’s course was to study the course part-time. Fortunately, the academic team at Queen Margaret University were really supportive of that decision.” 

During both his visits, Gavin formed an extraordinary bond with a group of orphans from Odessa. The 19 refugees were some of the youngest at the Ukrainian orphanage in the city. 

Accompanied by a few teachers, the orphans had fled the war, ending up in Poland where Gavin was put in touch with them. Fleeing with only what they could carry, the orphans lacked clothing and vital supplies. With money he raised from donations, Gavin bought and supplied them with as much as he could.  

As Christmas approached, Gavin asked for the children’s Santa lists and collected donations from Scottish parents.  

He flew to Poland to visit them, discovering that the 19 children he knew had been placed into a camp of 650 other orphans from across Ukraine.   

Collaborating with toy shops in Poland, and with the help of charitable donations, Gavin managed to secure enough toys for all 650 orphans in the camp! 

Despite being in Edinburgh, Gavin continued to provide vital support to the orphaned group of children by maintaining their extraordinary connection online and offering support. Volunteering with the orphans has allowed Gavin to put the knowledge learned on his course into practice.  

Essentially, the last three years studying the MSc Play Therapy and volunteering in Ukraine has helped enhance his skills to better serve more children with complex needs in his Edinburgh community. 

As a former player with the Pleasance Basketball Club, Gavin uses sport to give the next generation the same head start in life it gave him. Having established the High Flyers Basketball Academy which helps give children the confidence to succeed outside of the court, as well as on it,  

Gavin’s development project has grown over the years and now provides coaching to 300 kids at several locations across Edinburgh and the Lothians. 

Following the disruption to his studies, Gavin opted to use the last year to really focus on his Master’s course to ensure that he was better qualified to support his groups of children across Edinburgh.  

This July, he graduated from Queen Margaret University with a MA Play Therapy with merit. However, the ongoing plight of the Ukrainian people weighed heavily on his mind.  

Now with his Master’s degree firmly under his belt, he has returned to Ukraine and is currently working to rebuild and revamp the orphanage in Odessa and volunteer in Kharkiv, where Russian forces have made gains these last few months.  

He has just delivered sterilisation equipment, dressings and other supplies to a medical representative at an outpost in Kharkiv who is tending to an increasing number of patients – the elderly and the sick, as well as soldiers and front-line workers. 

 In the last few days, he has also been supporting orphans in Kyiv while drone attacks and bombing takes place all around them. 

Sir Paul Grice, Principal of Queen Margaret University, said: “Gavin’s selfless dedication to supporting the next generation through sport is what ultimately motivated him to come to QMU and study the MSc Play Therapy.  

“He is a shining example of how passion and the will to be a force for good, can enable students to excel academically, practically, personally and professionally. Gavin’s drive and determination to make a positive impact on people’s lives – putting his life in danger whilst gaining a qualification which will enhance his practice with children with complex needs – epitomises the values of QMU.  

“He is an inspiration to all our students and staff, and a true local hero.” 

Gavin received his Master’s award at a memorable graduation ceremony in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall in July, which was attended by QMU’s Chancellor and TV presenter Dame Prue Leith CBE.  

He has has now secured a position as a play therapist with the children’s mental health and play therapy charity, With Kids, and will be continuing to blend this work with the running of his holiday camps for children, basketball clubs and his volunteering in Ukraine. 

Following approval by councillors, Susan Deacon, CBE, has been appointed Chair of Lothian, the bus operator for an initial two year period.

Ms Deacon was previously the Labour MSP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh, and was Chair of the Scottish Police Authority until 2019.

She succeeds the outgoing Chair Jim McFarlane who, unusually, is remaining on the board as a non-executive director along with senior independent director Steve Cassidy until new board members are appointed. A recruitment process is underway.

The new board will then lead the bus company into the next phase when it joins up with Edinburgh Trams in one integrated public transport company.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: “I am delighted that Susan Deacon is taking on the role of Lothian Chair. She is deeply committed to the success of Lothian and has a long and successful track record of contribution to the city.

“I’m also confident that the wider changes to the Board will ensure the company continues to grow and develop, while playing a full and active part in our plans to integrate bus and tram operations for the benefit of Edinburgh’s travelling public.

“Finally, I want also to pay tribute to outgoing Chair, Jim McFarlane, for his immense contribution to Lothian and to the city over many years. I’ll be recognising this formally as a congratulatory motion at the next meeting of the Council. I’d also like to thank Steve Cassidy who will be standing down as a Non-Executive Director later this year.”

Susan Deacon, Lothian Chair said: “It is a real privilege to take on the role of Chair of Lothian. The company has a rich history going back more than 100 years and has delivered unparalleled excellence in the provision of high-quality public transport to the people of Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“I am deeply indebted to my predecessor, Jim McFarlane, for his successful stewardship of Lothian over many years – he leaves a very strong foundation on which to build.

“I look forward to working with colleagues across bus and tram to ensure the delivery of an inclusive, sustainable and fully integrated public transport network for Scotland’s capital and the surrounding region in the years to come.”  

A man has been jailed for eight years for serious sexual offences in Edinburgh.

Connor Hagley, 26, pleaded guilty to the abuse, including rape, of a woman between 2019 and 2021 at the High Court in Edinburgh on Monday, 22 July, 2024.

He was sentenced at the High Court in Stirling yesterday, Tuesday, 27 August. He has also been placed on the Sex Offenders Register indefinitely.

Detective Inspector Keith Taylor said: “Hagley is a danger to women and his conviction proves that. He’ll now face the consequences of his despicable actions, which have had a devastating impact on the woman involved.

“I’d like to commend her for her strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings. I hope this sentencing will bring some form of justice as she continues to move forward with her life.

“Anyone who has been a victim of such crimes is urged to come forward and report it to us. We’re committed to fully investigating, regardless of when it happened, and bringing those responsible in front of the courts. I want to reassure you, we have specially trained officers and partner agencies who will support you throughout.” 

Edinburgh pensioners who have seen their heating costs go through the roof and were wrongly charged for boiler repairs say their treatment by the council has been “disgusting”.

Homeowners at Gorgie’s Westfield Court, who receive their bills through the local authority as property factor, have reported eye-watering increases of more than 200 per cent over the last year which they blamed on an inefficient heating system installed when the high-rise was built in the 1950s.

And last week it was revealed council failures meant costs for some occupants had been incorrectly calculated – and 60 flat owners were wrongly charged over £12,000 for temporary equipment in the block’s boiler room despite being told previously they wouldn’t have to pay for this.

Local councillor Ross McKenzie said residents were also not informed about a 2021 survey which contained “crucial information” about the building’s condition, including about the presence of asbestos, which was “never successfully acted on”.

Speaking at the housing committee on Tuesday, August 27, he said: “We’re talking about pensioners on very low incomes who have never been in debt in their lives and they can’t sleep at night at the thought of the debt they are storing up and with anxiety about what’s coming through the door next.

“The performance of the heating system has declined and there have been major question marks over the standard of repairs and the value the council and owners are getting from contractors.”

Diane Baxter, representing Westfield Court’s residents group, said: “We are extremely worried about the size of the communal heating and maintenance bills. These bills are of varying amounts depending on the rateable value of each flat.

“I myself live in a studio flat, my annual bill was £635 – this year it was £2,000. I only have three radiators which are off from March to October. I live on pension credit and cannot afford £166 a month considering I still have electricity, council tax, insurance as well as living expenses.”

“The heating system is 70 years old and now and not fit for purpose. It’s not efficient at all – these bills are extortionate. For thee radiators, £166 a month is disgusting.

“I just can’t afford it.”

Hot water cylinders “do need replaced,” a report said, and the hot water pipe network installed when the building was constructed in 1952 is “now beyond its economic life” with pipes often leaking.

Fellow resident Marianne Porter, who has lived at Westfield Court for over 60 years, added: “My bill rose from £1,100 a year to £3,300. I find it totally unacceptable and I want to know what’s being done.”

The council attributed most of the increases experienced to the widespread hike in energy prices across the country, but promised a full refund to anyone who had been overcharged.

Housing committee convener Jane Meagher admitted there had been a “decades-long fiasco” with regards to the heating system at Westfield Court and a “long-standing lack of paying attention to the needs of this particular block”.

She said: “I’m glad we’re in a position to be able to examine the causes of all of that and do something to rectify them and make a difference.”

Councillors did not back subsidising energy bills for those affected, however agreed to explore introducing a “price cap” for communal heating blocks such as Westfield Court.

It was also agreed officers would “revisit options for the payment of energy bills for 2024-2025 with residents, including setting up payment plans to spread the costs over multiple years”.

By Donald Turvill Local Democracy Reporter

UPDATE from Police Scotland “Stuart Blaikie, who was reported missing from Penicuik, has been traced.

“Thank you to everyone who shared our earlier appeal.”

Police are appealing for help to trace a man missing from Penicuik.

Stuart Blaikie, 77, was last seen in the Carlops Road area around 7pm on Tuesday, 27 August, 2024.

He is described as being around 5ft 9in in height, of stocky build with grey hair. When last seen he was wearing a black jacket, a black rugby top, black trousers and leather shoes. His mobility is poor.

Inspector Keith Scott said: “We are concerned for Stuart’s wellbeing, and we have been conducting enquiries to trace him.

“I would appeal to anyone who has seen Stuart, or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 0062 of 28 August, 2024.

A former care home has gone up for sale with a £1.2 million asking price  after residents were moved out.

The decision to shut The Abbey, in North Berwick, sparked a public outcry after health bosses said the building’s infrastructure no longer met the care and safety its residents needed.

It came after a decision was taken to close the town’s local community hospital’s remaining beds.

The Abbey, which is a Category B listed building was built on the grounds of a 12th century convent and accommodated over 30 residents when it was used as the council-run home.

East Lothian Council said the property was now being marketed for private sale and had more than 2.5 acres of land.

The property is described as a two storey “rambling” L-Plan House built in 1907 with an adjoining single storey and attic cottage built in 1908. T

It is considered of significant interest because of interior designs including a range of chimney pieces, period wood panelling and an elephant hide frieze in the entrance hall.

Particulars for the property can be viewed and downloaded at www.eastlothian.gov.uk/property

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

The financial squeeze from Westminster and Holyrood will put pressure on West Lothian’s £10m budget gap, councillors have been warned. 

As the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer warned this week that things will get worse before they get better, the chief finance officer in Livingston said: “Prospects for all budgets are worsening rather than improving.” 

Patrick Welsh told the Corporate Policy and Resources PDSP: “The extent and seriousness of the financial challenges facing local government in Scotland is unprecedented.” 

It is unlikely that the financial picture will become clear before November. The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves announced a budget on 30 October. 

Scottish councils have been waiting for the Holyrood government’s Medium-Term Financial Strategy since May.  It was postponed by the resignation of the First Minister and then by the General Election. 

Mr Welsh’s report to the PDSP said: “A report will be presented to Council Executive following the publication of the strategy, however, a revised publication date is yet to be confirmed.”  

The council’s current projected budget gap up to 2027/28, subject to a range of risks, is £10.388 million. In addition, the level of available capital funding is severely constrained, with the capital investment programme likely to be subject to further reductions in grant funding.  

Mr Welsh’s report added: “The 2023/24 net overspend position included one-off in-year savings of £1.964 million implemented during the year. The use of one-off savings and funding from a reserve to balance the budget means that the council has a recurring pressure in the base budget of nearly £4 million which, without appropriate action, will carry forward into future years.”  

The council is midway through a series of severe budget cutbacks. Most recently the management committees of all community centres and community halls were asked to consider taking control of their buildings in a bid to shave £1m from council spending. 

The only positive in Mr Welsh’s report- dubbed a Horizon Scan – was the fact that unemployment in West Lothian was at 2.6% in June lower than the Scottish rate of 3.1% and the UK wide rate of 3.9%. 

By Stuart Sommerville Local Democracy Reporter 

Golf clubs and restaurants around North Berwick are feeling the impact of changes to short term lets in East Lothian, councillors have been warned.

A meeting of East Lothian Council’s Local Review Body saw elected members throw out an appeal by a holiday let owner to carry on operating the property on North Berwick High Street.

However Councillor Donna Collins, who represents the Dunbar and East Linton ward, supported the appeal after warning the county was at ‘tipping point’ when it comes to holiday accommodation.

Councillors heard the flat in North Berwick High Street had been operating since 2015 as a holiday let with ho reports of any incidents.

Councillor Collins said: “This property has been running as a short term let for nine years and there have been no complaints or objections. I think with all these Airbnbs we are getting to a tipping point.

“Golf clubs and restaurants in the area are beginning to feel it.”

Changes to the law introduced in 2022 mean short term holiday lets need to be licensed and, in many cases, need to apply for planning permission for a change of use.

East Lothian Council has refused permission for many flats which share stairwells or entrances with other residents.

In the North Berwick appeal, the application was for a second floor flat  with communal stairwell and access and officers said it was “incompatible with and harmful to the amenity of the occupants of other flatted properties used as residential dwellings.”

Councillor Norman Hampshire, chairing the Local Review Body, said while the county needed accommodation for holidaymakers it should not be at the expense of residents.

He said: “We have no control over who lives in these flats. We could have a situation where a young female is living in their on her own and that stairwell has a lot of people moving around in it. It could be intimidating to those living there.

“We want to ensure we have accommodation for visitors to the area but that cannot be to the detriment of people living here.”

The review body voted by three to one to refuse the appeal.

By Marie Sharp Local Democracy Reporter

Cuts to opening hours at West Lothian’s recycling centres – and the need to book to go – have led to a surge in complaints about council services in the last year. 

The introduction of the booking system added to the upsurge which saw   customer complaints rise from 1,950 in Operational Services in 2022/23 to 2,262 in 2023/24. 

The department had the highest number of complaints across the council last year. The total number of complaints about Operational Services has climbed steadily from 1,290 in 2019/20 – four years which saw the Covid pandemic and lockdown, as well as waste collection changes and recycling through budget cutbacks. 

An officer said complaints always rose when change was forced on customers. 

Joe Murray, a project manager with the council, told a meeting of the Corporate Policy and Resources Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel: “The revised opening times for Community Recycling Centres (CRC) in conjunction with implementing a new booking system to access the CRC sites has led to an increase in the number of complaints received.” 

Pauline Orr, SNP councillor for Linlithgow asked: “Whilst I recognise that the changes made to the recycling centres and the bin collections are a contributory factor, what steps, if any, are being taken to improve services and what the timescale is for these?”  

Mr Murray said: “What we are actually seeing is when there is a change in service there is a ramp up in complaints.” 

 He added: “If we look at the number of complaints around the CRC sites, that has dropped off in quarter one, [April to June 2024]. When there’s a change within the service which is looking for behavioural change by our customers there is a ramp up in complaints.   A few changes Operational Services have carried did have an impact on customers which did ramp up the complaints. 

 “As that gets installed across the localities those complaints tend to drop off, which we are seeing in the CRC sites.”  

Mr Murray said the service was now starting to see a rise in complaints around the introduction of charges for brown bins which came in at the start of June. 

The council cut opening hours last September across the five CRC sites. Across the five sites the opening hours have been cut from 280 hours to 144 hours to save £336,000. 

From October people have had to book- online or by phone- time slots to visit CRCs with vehicle registrations being checked by staff at the gates to centres. 

The sites most affected by the cutbacks were Linlithgow and Broxburn which saw opening reduced to one weekday and only morning or afternoon opening on the weekends. 

A report on the council’s complaints procedure said: “The percentage of complaints that were upheld and partly upheld across the council in 2023/24 was 39.0% which represents a decrease of 2% from the 2022/23 figure, which was 41.0%. The council’s performance in relation to this measure substantially outperformed the Scottish national average 2022/23 which was 53.5%.” 

By Stuart Sommerville Local Democracy Reporter 

The youngest performer in this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has said playing the bagpipes in the world famous event was “the most extraordinary thing” in his life.

Austin Irving, 12, from Brisbane, Australia, flew 10,000 miles to perform in the Tattoo, which closed at the weekend after performing for 23 nights to a live audience of 230,000 people and a global TV audience of over 100 million.

The youngster, part of the Brisbane Boys’ College Pipes and Drums, said he had been “bouncing off the walls” when he was chosen and is now desperate to return in future years.

He said: “I started playing the bagpipes at the beginning of last year. I saw someone playing through a window and I thought it would be interesting to try them.

“When I was told I’d been chosen to come to Edinburgh I was bouncing off the walls. I was asleep when my dad got the email and ran into my room. I jumped out of bed and was jumping around.

“I’ve only been outside Australia once before, on a family holiday to Fiji.

“It feels pretty amazing to be the youngest person in the Tattoo. I’d say it’s been the most extraordinary thing I’ve done in my life.

“The best thing has been marching out, turning to the crowd and starting to play each night. At first it’s hard to see through the smoke on the drawbridge and then it clears and there are lights everywhere, and then you see the audience and it’s just amazing.

“It’s hard to describe. I want to come back again and do it for as long as I can.”

This year’s stunning event, Journeys, featured the Royal Navy as the Lead Service, and honoured the seafarers who traverse the oceans to connect people and cultures across continents.

More than 850 performers travelled from the USA, India, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and around the UK to take part in a spectacle that included a Bollywood extravaganza and a kaleidoscopic Highland rave complete with DJ, glow stick-twirling dancers and flame-throwing bagpipes.

Steven Stanley, director of Brisbane Boys’ College Pipes and Drums, said: “Playing the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is on the bucket list of every bagpiper in the world.

“For Austin to be involved in such a fantastic show at such a young age is a huge thing. He’s loved the whole environment and is looking forward to coming back.”

The oldest participant in this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was 72 year old Drum Sergeant Bruce Neill, of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Pipe Band.

Mr Neill, from Indian Head, Saskatchewan, in Canada, started drumming aged 12 and said he had fulfilled a lifetime’s dream by performing on the Edinburgh Castle esplanade three times.

Mr Neill, who previously took part in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2015 and 2019, said: “I’ve had the chance to go to a number of international events but Edinburgh is the biggest and most prestigious. It’s on every piper or drummer’s bucket list.

“Other tattoos sort of simulate Edinburgh but here you march out on the drawbridge every night and it’s amazing.

“At the finale, when the lone piper strikes up, the whole crowd goes ‘wow’. And when the pipe bands form up again and march down the Royal Mile 200 people shoulder to shoulder, it’s unlike anywhere else.”

Mr Neill said it had been an even greater joy as wife Laura Poppy, a tenor drummer in the RCMP pipe band, was also performing this year.

He added: “It’s been a great opportunity for us to have an adventure together. It’s probably my last Edinburgh Tattoo so it’s been a really special year. Every night we’ve just been soaking it all in.”

He added: “I may be the oldest but music is something you can do for life. Austin is 12 years old, the age I was when I started drumming in my local boy scout pipe band.”

Wife Laura, 55, said: “It’s been a great experience.”

* Tickets for the 2025 Tattoo, “The Heroes Who Made Us”, running from 1-23 August 2025 are available now online.

Stellar Monarchs rider Kye Thomson has now joined Justin Sedgmen on the season-ending injury list after a crash riding in the Swedish Allsvenskan League match for Valsarna against Ornarna on Monday.

The 25-year-old racer (pictured) revealed that he had shattered one of the bones in a hand and broken a scaphoid, and he added: “It is not good.”

Queensland-born Thomson said doctors had indicated that the scaphoid could take ten to 12 weeks to heal and he said: “It’s all on the left hand side. I’ve got to give the X-Rays to the Hospital here to see if I need an operation on the other bone.”

Thomson, in his fourth year with Monarchs, said: “A rider wouldn’t accept that I was coming up the inside and he just kept turning and leaning on me until our bikes got tangled.

“I got thrown over, the other guy crashed, but was uninjured. I didn’t know the guy. I couldn’t have tried to avoid him any more. I was trying to stay off him but he just kept turning.”

Thomson said: “I’m gutted that I’ve finished for the season.”

Monarchs bosses said it was a “very difficult process” of looking for guests for the two remaining home fixtures, Poole Pirates this Friday and Glasgow on Friday, September 6.

Scotland boss Steve Clarke has named two Heart of Midlothian FC players in the squad to face Poland at Hampden Park and Portugal in Lisbon early next month in the UEFA Nations League A, Group 1.

Striker Lawrence Shankland (pictured) and goalkeeper Zander Clark (pictured below) get the nod. Several uncapped players are included along with former Hearts defender John Souttar and two ex-Hibs players, Ryan Porteous and John McGinn, in Scotland’s inaugural campaign in the top tier.

The clash with Poland is in Glasgow on Thursday, September 5 (7.45) and against Portugal at the Estadio do S L Benfica on Sunday, September 8 (7.45 UK time).

Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), who played five games for Hibs in 2019 on loan, will be determined to make his Scotland debut ten years after his only previous call-up and Liverpool winger Ben Doak, who was forced to withdraw from the preliminary squad for the UEFA Euro 2024 squad earlier this summer, will also want to make an impression.

Uncapped goalkeeper Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock) and defender Max Johnston (SK Sturm Graz, Austria) are also named along with Tommy Conway who earned his first cap in June before moving from Bristol City, where he made 82 appearances, scoring 20 goals, to Middlesborough for £4.5m.

Clark is named among three goalkeepers, including Angus Gunn (Norwich City) and McCrorie while Shankland has three other strikers to compete with for a place, Che Adams, now with Italian side Torino, Conway and Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers).

Callum McGregor (Celtic) has retired and experienced players, Stuart Armstrong, Liam Cooper and Ryan Jack are all currently free agents and have been left out.

Meanwhile, 66-year-old, Glasgow-born Alan Irvine, who played for Queen’s Park, Everton Crystal Palace, Dundee United and Blackburn Rovers, has joined the coaching team and will combine his role with the national side alongside his club duties at London-based West Ham United. He replaces James Morrison.

Scotland: goalkeepers: Zander Clark (Hearts), Angus Gunn (Norwich City), Robby McCrorie (Kilmarnock): defenders: Grant Hanley (Norwich City), Max Johnston (SK Sturm Graz), Scott McKenna (UD Las Palmas, Canary Islands, Spain), Ryan Porteous (Watford), Anthony Ralston (Celtic), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool), John Souttar (Rangers), Greg Taylor (Celtic): midfielders: Ryan Christie (AFC Bournemouth), Ben Doak (Liverpool), James Forrest (Celtic), Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps), Billy Gilmour (Brighton and Hove Albion FC), John McGinn (Aston Villa), Kenny McLean (Norwich City), Scott McTominay (Manchester United), Lewis Morgan (New York Red Bulls): forwards: Che Adams (Torino, Italy), Tommy Conway (Middlesborough), Lyndon Dykes (Queens Park Rangers), Lawrence Shankland (Hearts).

Detectives are appealing for information following two reports of housebreaking at a premises on Links Road in Longniddry

The first incident happened around 2am on Tuesday, 13 August, and the second happened around 1.45am on Tuesday, 27 August.

Two persons in dark clothing were seen making off on foot after both incidents.

Detective Constable Russell Taylor said: “We believe these break-ins to be linked and our enquiries to trace those responsible are ongoing.

“I would ask anyone with any information or who saw anything suspicious around the time of the incidents to get in touch.

“We would also urge anyone in the surrounding area with dash-cam or private CCTV, to please check your footage in case you have captured anything that could assist us with our enquiries.

Anyone who can help is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 0286 of Tuesday, 13 August and 0217 of Tuesday, 27 August.

Lothian will send three athletes to the Paris Paralympics which get underway on Wednesday, 28 August.

They are Patrick Wilson (boccia), Nathan McQueen (archery) and Stephen Clegg (swimming). The trio are part of 21 Scottish athletes chosen.

The Games have come at the perfect time for Patrick Wilson whose rich vein of recent form saw him added to the squad following an application to World Boccia which studied global rankings and outstanding results in recent major events.

It will be the Edinburgh 29-year-old’s second Paralympics having competed in Rio (2016), Since then he has taken silver at a World Cup event and beaten the World No2 in an Open competition.

Archer Nathan MacQueen, 33, from Polbeth, West Lothian, looked to have a golden future in rugby union with Glasgow Warriors as a teenager until suffering a motor bike accident.

Nathan tried powerlifting and wheelchair basketball but decided to stick with archery being a member of the Scotland team at the time of his accident.

Making the most of that decision Nathan has struck silver at world level and is a multiple European medallist.

The name Clegg should be familiar to all Paralympic followers and Stephen, 28, will be looking to emulate medal successes by his athlete sister Libby in 2012  as well as brother James, a fellow swimmer at the same Games.

Drawing on his own experiences in Rio, Stephen, a University of Edinburgh Swim Club member, collected a silver and two bronze medals in Tokyo. At the 2022 world championships Stephen topped the podium in butterfly and backstroke as well as a silver in freestyle.

A teenager has been arrested and charged with reset and numerous road traffic offences committed in Edinburgh city centre. 

This follows an investigation by officers into reports of a stolen motorcycle in Ardmillan, Edinburgh and subsequent anti-social riding. 

A police spokesperson said: “Following reports of a stolen motorcycle in Ardmillan, Edinburgh and subsequent anti-social riding, officers traced a sixteen-year-old male, who was charged with reset and numerous road traffic offences committed in Edinburgh city centre.” 

St Mary’s Music School is celebrating a million pound legacy from music enthusiast the late David Hutcheson, saying it is the most significant made in its 50 year long history.

Mr Hutcheson was a major supporter of the school and was a music lover who regularly attended the performances and concerts put on by the school. The school said in the announcement: “He believed passionately in supporting young people and music.”

The legacy will be used to modernise facilities for the pupils of the school which will remain in its West End home rather than moving to the former Royal High School as previously envisaged.

Born in the Borders and raised in a musical family, it was David’s mother – an excellent violinist – who inspired in him a lifelong love of music and encouraged him to become an accomplished pianist himself. A keen collector throughout his life, David amassed a significant collection of antique furniture, British and European paintings, and silver. 

Highlights of his collection will be auctioned by Lyon & Turnbull in their forthcomingFive Centuries sale on 4 – 5 September and across a range of specialist auctions this autumn. All will benefit St Mary’s Music School, as was his wish.

St Mary’s Music School Headteacher, Dr Kenneth Taylor, remembered David fondly. He said: “David was a great music aficionado and a generous supporter of the School. His support of our young musicians during his lifetime was wonderful but his legacy is nothing short of remarkable.

“We are deeply grateful to David for supporting the School with such a significant gift. His generosity will live on with the School and help our aspiring young musicians to go on to careers as professional instrumentalists, composers, singers, conductors and music teachers around the world.”

Victoria Mary Clarke paid tribute to her late husband, and Irish folk hero, Shane MacGowan in Edinburgh.

Victoria Mary Clarke arrived in Edinburgh to pay tribute to her late husband the songwriting genius Shane MacGowan. She appeared on stage with Johnny Mac and the Faithful for two final Fringe performances of For The Love of Shane MacGowan.

The band rattled through two Pogues’ sets to a packed crowd at the Voodoo Rooms. John McLaughlin told stories of Shane’s visit to Celtic Park the day Celtic won the league against Livingston in 2002. Shane’s main concern that day was meeting Jimmy Johnstone and having a fight with the club’s mascot Hoopy the Huddle Hound.

He told this writer in the aftermath “Going out on the pitch at Parkhead was like going on stage at the Barrowlands – it was the same crowd. Celtic are the only team I’m interested in apart from the Ireland team, but I’m not really a big soccer fan.”

Victoria echoed those words and she also spoke not only about the trauma of losing Shane, but also being married to someone with a serious drinking problem. She added that MacGowan had not drunk during the last year of his life and that he was “so grateful to have had that opportunity to see what life was like without it, and that he was able to beat it in his final year”. At that moment the crowd broke into a rapturous applause, perhaps not knowing MacGowan had finally confronted his demons and recognising an issue that has been too romanticised without seeing the other side of the problem.

She added that Shane “always had tremendous respect and tremendous compassion for anyone who was affected (by alcoholism), I never once saw him once walk past a homeless person. He would always stop, he would always give them a cigarette and money, like wads of money.” She added that it could be “a few hundred quid or even a grand and that he always had time to talk” .

Victoria reminded the audience of Sinead O’ Connor who also died last year. She said: “I’ve met a lot of musicians but those two people really stood out as people who cared deeply about humanity. They had a deep love of humanity and neither was interested in being better than anyone else, they were not interested in velvet ropes, they were not interested in being VIPs, they didn’t have limos.”

It’s a good point that Victoria makes, I interviewed Shane at various points over the years and it didn’t matter if Bono or the President of Ireland or Johnny Depp were in the building, (they actually were at the time). He would ask how you were and how your family were and didn’t care what else was going on at the time. He’d ask to speak with my gran on the phone longer than I had interviewed him when I first began my career as a writer.

Shane was a rarity in the music industry in that he had a genuine love of the ordinary and everyday, he could see the beauty in that, his wife Victoria reminded us of this fact in Edinburgh.

As Bruce Springsteen said: “I don’t know about the rest of us, but they’ll be singing Shane’s songs 100 years from now.”

Perhaps more than Springsteen or Dylan or anyone else you care to think of, Shane MacGowan will be remembered. But what was even more important than that was his character, and how he treated people. He spoke to people, he prayed for people and he had time.

Beyond the wild man persona, Shane MacGowan was a man you don’t meet every day. 

The Holy Corner Community Playgroup has received a “good” report from Education Scotland following a recent inspection.

Inspectors commended the staff and families on their close working relationship which creates a “nurturing and inclusive ethos”. It is this which allows the children to make supportive connections helping them to “learn and be confident”.

The report issued today offers a couple of minor improvements by planning and monitoring progress.

The playgroup is owned by The City of Edinburgh Council.

The report is below:

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