It was the first question at my constituency election hustings. “What’s gone wrong with our schools ?”  The lady was referring to the building scandal which has overtaken Edinburgh.  Seventeen of the city’s schools have had to be closed suddenly when it was discovered that some metal rods which are supposed to hold the inner and outer walls together were missing.  One wall has already blown down in a storm.  All of the schools were built in the last ten years and all of them under the controversial PPP (public/private partnership) scheme.

The discovery has sent council officials up and down the country scurrying out to their schools to check on their walls. So far, the problem seems to be confined to Edinburgh (except that there may have been a problem with Lourdes PS in Glasgow).  But it’s big enough here, with over 7,500 pupils affected, including senior pupils about to sit important exams.

So what has gone wrong? Was it the fault of the seven building firms involved?  Or was it the fault of the nine professional advising and design companies? Or was it the fault of the private finance scheme run by a consortium of companies, many of which are apparently registered in tax-havens such as Jersey and Guernsey?    Or was the fault of the politicians – Tory and Labour – who brought in the private sector to build, maintain and own the schools under a long-term rental contract?

No doubt there will be an official inquiry and “lessons will be learned”. Already though, the affair has added to the impression that the Scottish education system is creaking, is no longer in the top 20 in the world and is about to fall even further.  The politicians are all running to the rescue, with promises that education is their top priority.  They actually mean it is one of their top priorities because they are also keen to spend more money on the health service and housing.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats want to spend the bulk of their 1p rise in income tax on education, around £700m. The SNP have promised £100m for schools in deprived areas. The Greens want to employ another 4,000 teachers. And the Conservatives believe the education problem can be solved by transferring power from education authorities to individual head teachers.

So far, we have had three election manifestos launched. First on the stage were UKIP who want to cut income tax to 30 per cent for middle earners and rely on Britain leaving the EU to boost the economy.  Then came the Greens with the exact opposite…to increase tax on middle and high earners and spend the money on education and the transition to a low-carbon economy, creating, they say, 200,000 new jobs.  Finally the Conservative manifesto claims they can become the largest opposition party by promising to keep taxes as they are but still find the money to increase spending on the health service by 2 per cent and inject another £300m into mental health.

This is certainly turning out to be an election about taxation. I wonder if that is why it is a low-key affair out on the streets. It’s not a subject we want to think about, let alone shout about. But as we grind towards May 5^th, I guess the mood will become more tensile.

All this is being played out against a stuttering economy. This week we got several warning that things are not going well. A Bank of Scotland survey found a sharp decline in manufacturing. This was backed up by a Fraser of Allander study which also discovered a dip in the financial services sector, a lot of it accounted for by the slump in the oil industry. Then the Chamber of Commerce came out with the frightening conclusion that Scotland was standing on a “knife-edge” between growth and another recession.

Tragedy hit the Western Isles this week with the loss of three fishermen when their boat sank off the island of Mingulay. Their trawler, the “Louisa” from Stornoway, was at anchor when it began taking in water.  It seems its life-raft failed to open properly and the four crewmen were left clinging to it in freezing cold water.  Only one of them managed to swim to the shore.

But if this April brings tragedy and its fair share of showers – even snow on the hills of the central Highlands – it also brings signs of new life.  Every year we await news from the Scottish Wildlife Trust reserve at Loch of Lowes in Perthshire that its pair of ospreys have successfully returned and re-established their nest.

And in the early hours of Tuesday came news of the first egg of the season. Now, as one nation, we all metaphorically sit on this egg and hope it hatches out into new life as the days get warmer.

 

Alan Stubbs has sympathised with fellow boss Mixu Paatelainen and his players after Hibs knocked Dundee United out of the Scottish Cup at Hampden Park this afternoon after a penalty shoot out, but he praised his players efforts, especially debutant goalkeeper Conrad Logan.

Speaking after the game Stubbs said: It’s not a great way to lose a semi-final. A bit of me is thinking about their dressing room and Mixu, but a bigger part of me is delighted. In the first half we were good and the better team but Dundee United came back into it.”

Before the game, many questioned Stubbs’ wisdom when he selected Logan ahead of Otso Virtanen for the semi-final but the Hibs’ Head Coach was proved correct after the Irishman made several vital saves and won the man of the match award.

He continued:  “People have been questioning me and it could have been Otso (Virtanen) but I went for experience and I made the right call.

“It was a tough one because he’s only recently come to us but the risk is less when it’s a goalkeeper, because he does maybe six or seven kilometres a game, compared to 13 kilometres for outfield players.

“He didn’t surprise me because I’d seen him in training. Now I have a big decision to make for the Rangers game on Wednesday. We’re in the play-offs and we’ll think about that before we turn our attention to the Cup final.”

Hibs will be back at Hampden Park next month for the final of the William Hill Scottish Cup after a dramatic penalty shoot out win over Dundee United this afternoon.

Hero of the hour was Conrad Logan, the emergency keeper signed from Leicester City who was the man of the match during the 120 minutes then saved two penalties in the shoot out.

Hibs had the better of the first period but Dundee United came back into the game and it could have gone either way,  but it was the Hibs’ players who held their nerves and were rewarded with a return trip to the national stadium in five weeks time.

Head Coach Alan Stubbs made two changes to the starting XI that drew with Falkirk on Tuesday. In a surprise move, Logan who hasn’t started a competitive first team game since December 2014 replaced the suspended Mark Oxley in goal rather than January signing Otso Virtanen and Liam Henderson replaced Martin Boyle. Farid El Alagui recovered from injury to win a place of the bench.

Dundee United made four changes with Chris Erskine, Blair Spittal, Sean Dillon and Coll Donaldson all starting.

Hibs started on the front foot and had an early chance when Cummings tired an ambitious overhead kick from a Lewis Stevenson cross but his effort flew well over the bar.

With Hibs dominating possession it took until the seventh minute before Logan actually touched the ball when he dealt with a Darren McGregor pass pack.

A minute later Anthony Stokes sent a good cross to the back post which David Gray headed down to Cummings but his shot on the turn was easily saved by Kawashima.

Fraser Fyvie almost opened the scoring with a 30 yard strike which scraped the crossbar then John McGinn was wrongly ruled offside when he broke through onto a Stokes pass.

Hibs had a penalty claim denied when Fyvie went down inside the area just before United almost grabbed the opener when Billy McKay broke clear but Logan produced a fine save to deny the striker.

In the 24th minute another Hibs penalty claim was denied when Marvin Bartley went down following a challenge then moments later referee John Beaton did award a spot kick after a Fyvie cross was blocked by Donaldson’s arm.

Cummings took the resultant penalty and tried to dink the ball over Eiji Kawashima, ‘Panenka’ style but his effort floated agonisingly over the bar to the dismay of the Hibs’ fans.

Hibs continued to press forward and McGinn was unlucky when his flick from another Gray cross went just past the post.

Mixu Paatelainen immediately made a substitution with Paul Dixon replacing Callum Morrison to combat Gray’s overlapping runs.

Just before the break United almost scored after a mix up between Paul Hanlon and Logan when McKay, who was clearly offside pounced but Logan did well to spread himself and clear the danger.

Hibs started the second half brightly and McGinn did well to set up Stevenson but the full backs cross was cleared.

Gray then sent in a powerful cross from the right which just eluded Cummings and Liam Henderson linked up well with Stokes to create another chance but Sean Dillon did well to block the youngster’s shot.

From then, United came back into the game and almost opened the scoring when Ryan Dow’s deflected shot was headed off the line by Hanlon.

In the 71st minute Donaldson left the field injured and was involved in a furious argument with Paatelainen who did not have a substitute ready to replace him.

Stubbs also made a change, replacing Stokes with El Alagui and moments later Henderson with Martin Boyle.

Both teams then appeared to settle for extra time and the 90 minutes finished goalless.

United dominated extra time and after only four minutes, El Alagui broke down with a recurrence of his injury and was replaced by Chris Dagnall.

In the 97th minute, Logan produced another good save, diving low to his left to tip a long range John Rankin strike past the post and from the resultant corner McKay fired over the bar.

Just before the first break, substitute Henri Anier who spent the first half of the season on loan at Easter Road broke clear but once again Logan made himself large to block his shot.

Hibs were struggling to get out of their own half although on a rare attack Cumming went close after cutting in from the right but the United keeper managed to claw the ball away.

With both sides tired, the game fizzled out and ended 0-0.

The penalties were taken at the Hibs end and Blair Spittal took the first which Logan saved after diving to his left. John McGinn took Hibs’ first and sent the ball low into the bottom corner of the net.

McKay took United’s second and once again Logan was the hero, diving low to his right this time to save the shot. Hanlon took Hibs’ second which he fired into the bottom right hand corner leaving the keeper helpless.

At this point Hibs looked to be in a commanding position but Dixon made it 2-1 with a well taken spot kick, beating Logan for the first time in the game. Boyle responded and fired his spot kick high into the net before Demel made it 3-2.

The Hibs fans knew that another goal would mean victory and held their breath as a smiling Cummings took the responsibility. They needn’t have worried though as the youngster calmly slotted the ball past Kawahima into the net sparking wild celebrations amongst the delighted Hibs’ fans.

Hibs will face either Rangers or Celtic in the final which takes place on Saturday 21st May. The pair meet tomorrow at the national stadium.

After the game when questioned about his choice of keeper Stubbs told BBC Scotland: “People have been questioning me and it could have been Otso (Virtanen) but I went for experience and made the right call.”

Hibs: Logan, Gray, Hanlon, McGregor, Stevenson, Henderson, Bartley, McGinn, Fyvie, Cummings, Stokes. subs: Virtanen, El Alagui, Handling, Boyle, Gunnarsson, Dagnall, Thomson

Dundee United: Kawashima, Dillon, Morris, Paton, McKay, Rankin, Erskine, Knoyle, Dow, Spittal, Donaldson Subs: Zwick,Dixon, Ofere, Fraser, Anier, Simama-Pongolle, Demel

Referee John Beaton

Attendance 19,651

 

 

A school chaplain and counsellor says that Edinburgh’s school closures may place an extra burden on those  pupils with disabilities and mental health challenges.

Rev Gayle Taylor is Associate Minister with special responsibilities for youth at Colinton Parish Church and she says this is when her role becomes much more important

She’s also a part-time counsellor at Firrhill High school and chaplain to Braidburn Special Needs School and to Bonaly and Colinton primary schools.

Gayle said: “When we think of schools we instantly think of the educational side. We think about the books, the subjects and what the pupils are learning. But being part of the pastoral support team in schools, I know how much support young people get from the social side of schools and the relationships they have there. Young people just don’t manage as well without those anchors.”

She continued: “I think that with the exams coming up the priority has quite rightly been about making sure that young people are able to get in and fulfil their assessment requirements in addition to sitting the exams themselves.

“I think we often focus on the educational side of things, but as a pastoral person and as part of the support team in the school as chaplain and counsellor at Firhill, I am very aware of the disruption that this is having on the pupils sense of wellbeing. Children like a sense of routine at the best of times but there are some children that really don’t cope well at all with any kind of unsettling factors. This is proving to be the case at the moment for many of our young people.

” I’ve been in Firrhill School this week and there is a very subdued atmosphere in there. I think that just shows that the young people are not able to relax. They are wondering what’s going on, and there is very much a day to day sense of what will tomorrow bring.

“There’s all these stories out there on the news about how some of them will be in the school building at Firrhill, but obviously parts of the building are not accessible. Teachers are walking around with hard hats and high vis vests on.

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The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

“There are also lots of young people who are still at home. The first and second years at Firrhill will be returning next week but not to their own building, so they are wondering what the arrangements will be, what staff will they have with them, who will they need to interact with and about all the normal routines that they have. Young people have staff members who are their ‘go to’ person for guidance, who might not be around for them and they will have to engage with different people that they don’t have a relationship with and who don’t even know their names. That’s very disconcerting for young people.

“I have a number of parents here in the congregation who say that two weeks at Easter is too long.  They now have to provide indefinite childcare on a day to day basis and quite a few parents have said their children are starting to fight with each other at home! They are starting to get bored as they were absolutely ready to go back to school, maybe not for homework and studying but maybe to see their friends.

“Young people have been ready to go back to school for the whole range of activities like music and sport. I think we forget that we just don’t go to school to have those core subjects and to do cerebral learning but it is also part of our social and emotional interaction as a community.

We are not doing anything specific here in the church building but one of the other schools which I am chaplain for is Braidburn. Initially they asked if we might be able to accommodate some of the children in some of our halls in the village We could do that for a day or two but we can’t do that over an indefinite period because obviously these are community halls that are used by lots of groups. We have offered to do whatever we can and as a minister part of my week is to be in the school, and so I am there hearing what’s going on, listening to staff in particular at the moment who are aware of how the pupils are being affected. This is amplified at a school like Braidburn where some of the children have complex needs and who may not understand why their week and their school life is being disrupted.

“I know one of the teachers was told they could go back into the school and pick up any resources they needed, but that just shows a complete misunderstanding of the type of resources that are needed.

“There are huge issues around rehoming pupils. It is not just about getting them in somewhere it’s about the kinds of things that they are missing out on because they are not in their normal environment.

“It’s a time when young people may feel a bit insecure and so it is always important that they have good adults round about them to reassure them and to give them that consistency at home and at the weekends. Sometimes it can be youth leaders that they look to as their anchors so if they are not getting their usual support at school then they will need extra support at home. It’s a time to notice and watch out for them I think. ”

 

A unique opportunity to view intricate, painstakingly crafted work by leading contemporary textile artists comes to Edinburgh at the end of the month.

The Edinburgh Reporter has two tickets to give away with a face value of £32.

Enter by 24 April 2016 at 5:00pm to be in with a chance of winning two free tickets!

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Award-winning textile fine artist and painter Michala Gyetvai will be showing work in Scotland for the first time at the inaugural Knitting & Stitching Show.  With an exhibition called Enchanted Landscapes, the acclaimed artist’s works begin as studies in pastel before their transformation into vibrant fibre paintings using old dyed blankets.

Also making her Scottish debut at The Knitting & Stitching Show Edinburgh is Newcastle-based artist maker Helen Pailing.  Her #workshopassemblage series is created from salvaged waste materials from Sunderland’s National Glass Centre, from processes such as lampworking, waterjet cutting, laser printing and glass blowing.  Components are stitched together to create highly impactful sculptural objects, architectural interventions and installations.

Representing Scotland’s thriving textile art scene are exhibitions by Edinburgh tapestry artist Fiona Rutherford whose work is held in collections at the V&A and the Arts Council (Fragments), Glasgow-based printed textile artist Joanna Kinnersly-Taylor (Perpetual Mapping) and fine  artists from edge – textile artists Scotland.

A showcase of patchwork and quilt art comes in the form of three unique exhibitions.  The Festival of Quilts award-winning art quilter Hanne Asbey from Aberdeen will represent Scottish members of The Quilters Guild with a stunning collection of recent work.

In ‘Seeing Red’, The Quilters Guild curates a selection of striking heritage Turkey Red quilts from its collection – some of the finest examples of the fabric’s use.  Turkey Red is an important part of the story of Scottish textiles, the method of dyeing having been introduced to Glasgow in the late 1700s.

In Art Quilts in The Netherlands, art historian and author Henk Lijding has curated a stunning 40-quilt collection of 2D and 3D quilts.  With a strong tradition of quilting, The Netherlands has become home to some of the world’s leading art quilters.

Jonathan Burton, portfolio director of The Knitting & Stitching Shows says: “The Textile Galleries at our new Edinburgh show celebrate Scottish  textile talent and craftsmanship, and give leading artists from further afield an exciting new platform to inspire audiences with a passion for fabric arts.”

“The definitive event for anyone with a love of stitch and crafts.
Supplies, workshops and textile art.”

The Knitting and Stitching Show Edinburgh takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh from 28 April – 1 May.  Tickets with a wide selection of options available from http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/edinburgh/ or by calling 01473 321872.

 

Iain Macdonald, Edinburgh Napier University

“Will it be a happy or a sad film?” asks my 11-year-old son in anticipation of Disney’s new reboot of The Jungle Book. The answer depends on your attachment to the famous 1967 animation. Parents looking to entertain young children will find all the same characters and singalong songs, but this is a rather darker outing – and the photo-real animals and live-action Mowgli may come as something of a surprise. They take the world of Hollywood special effects to a level we have never seen before.

Talking animals have come a long way since the 1995 farmyard pig fable Babe, where live-action animals had their mouths animated in post-production to move with the actor’s voice. Though that technique was used as recently as Marmaduke, the comic-strip adaptation from 2010, there have been great advances in computer-generated imagery (CGI) in recent years. Designers can now create hair, skin and animal movement to a degree of accuracy and realism that has never been possible before. Take the scene of the tiger and the fish on the raft in The Life of Pi (2012), for instance.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNYv4tBOsMc?wmode=transparent&start=0]

Gravity (2013) was another groundbreaking movie that combined live action and CGI seamlessly. Sandra Bullock, George Clooney and co were presented in a space environment that was completely fabricated in CGI to create a believable 3D spectacle. The registers of actors’ faces allowed the audience to assume that the rest of the image was similarly real.

Escape from ‘uncanny valley’

With The Jungle Book, the challenge for Disney was to create a fully immersive experience by combining this approach to the environment with the latest techniques for creating and animating animals. It is all about avoiding what is sometimes called the “uncanny valley”, our revulsion to things that are not quite human enough. A team of 850 artists set about this two-year task with a reported budget of US$175m (£123m).

In the new remake, the goofy nature of Bill Murray shines through Baloo the bear, particularly in the eyebrows. Shere Khan carries a more intense level of menace when voiced by Idris Elba than the haughty disdain of George Sanders’ 1967 cartoon tiger. For King Louie, director Jon Favreau is quoted as saying he wanted him to have blue eyes and “the look and the way [Christopher Walken’s] face is rigged”.

Different CGI specialists have then painstakingly animated layer after layer of detail: to add to the animals there is light, water, atmospherics and plants. Much of it required completely new software to be developed first. Only Mowgli is real. He was shot in a studio in Los Angeles with props and a green screen, with the likes of Bill Murray performing to give 11-year-old newcomer Neel Sethi something to respond to. The director would be viewing a live composite on his monitor to see the draft compilation of the different elements.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OD3CLzPER34?wmode=transparent&start=0]

Bringing all the CGI components together convincingly was the responsibility of the visual effects supervisor, Adam Valdez. He began his career in Hollywood working on miniature models for Robocop 2 and Jurassic Park under the tutelage of Star Wars effects legend Phil Tippett; before going on to the first two Lord of the Rings movies, World War Z and dark fantasy Maleficent.

When I interviewed him shortly before he began work on The Jungle Book, he told me he was more concerned with telling a story at an emotional level than just the technicalities:

I think I have to work really hard on photorealism because it’s not my personal passion. There are people in this studio whose personal obsession in a good way is to try to recreate reality in a photographic way where you cannot tell the difference.

With Gravity, I was really impressed and totally bored in the middle at the same time. All that energy to make me believe it’s really happening and I’m really experiencing it completely fulfilled the spectacle experience part, but it was devoid of any interest, ideas, emotions or humanity for me.

I can probably watch a little line-drawing thing and laugh or cry or feel more thought-provoked. Films work in human terms. That’s what gives them meaning.

This sits well with Jon Favreau’s outlook. He has talked about his desire to introduce these latest effects to audiences in the same way as he saw a different kind of effects for the first time when he watched Avatar. As he put it, “It’s the marriage of story and technology that always makes for an interesting presentation”.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtR9tqPa48s?wmode=transparent&start=0]

The filth and the furry

The new movie combines atmospheric beauty with plenty of animal filth and mud to provide an atypical Disney presentation of jungle existence. The end result is certainly not for toddlers, but a much more visceral achievement nearer the spirit of Rudyard Kipling’s original stories than previous adaptations (there is also the 1942 epic, the 1994 live action remake and various other animations).

It’s worth pointing out an irony here for people familiar with the work of the French philosopher Jean Baudrillard. Baudrillard famously talked about
how Disneyland as a theme park full of cartoon animals was more honest and even “real” than the rest of America. You wonder what he would make of Disney combining the latest CGI and darker storytelling to move from make-believe to something that actually presents as reality. It certainly raises fascinating questions for the future of film-making.

So far The Jungle Book has been garnering praise from respectable places: 100% from Rotten Tomatoes, 5/5 from The Independent, and 4/5 from the Daily Telegraph and the Guardian. The Independent calls it “groundbreaking and magical” and describes Sethi’s performance as Mowgli as “remarkable”. Everyone else will be able to see what the reality looks like when it goes on UK release on April 15. Do remember to hold on to your bananas.

Iain Macdonald, Associate Professor of Advertising and Graphic Design, Edinburgh Napier University

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

• All Edinburgh pupils ‘back to school’
• Entrepreneurial Spark awards
• Digital Sentinel drop in
• Mhairi’s off to Paris courtesy of Forth 1
• Converted bus becomes creative workshop

All of the 7,600 school pupils displaced because of faults found in buildings have now been given places somewhere in the city under the contingency plans worked out by the City of Edinburgh Council

Arrangements made yesterday include 390 pupils from Firrhill High School using Edinburgh Napier University’s Craiglockhart campus and 16 temporary classrooms from across the UK being installed at The Royal High School.

Arrangements have also been made for 740 nursery pupils affected bringing the overall total to 8,340 children.

From Tuesday (19 April):

• Firrhill High School – S1 and S2 pupils will be relocated to Edinburgh Napier University Craiglockhart campus.
• Gracemount High School – S1-S3 pupils will be relocated to Wester Hailes Education Centre.
• The Royal High School – over the weekend 16 temporary classrooms will be installed in the grounds for S1 and S2 pupils.

From Wednesday (20 April) Craigmount S1 pupils will be based in Forrester High School/St Augustine’s High School Campus, S2 pupils will be in the Darroch Centre (currently known as James Gillespie’s Annexe) and S3 pupils will be at Broughton High School. The pupils will be taught in their own class groups and by their own teachers.

Eric Munro, Edinburgh Napier’s Director of Property and Facilities, said: “We are pleased to step in to assist pupils who have been unable to return to school after the Easter break to try to help our neighbours and minimise disruption to children’s education. Firrhill High School pupils will be accommodated within the classroom block at our Craiglockhart campus.”

Staff will be contacting parents directly to update them on the arrangements for their own individual child. The information is also available on the Council website.

It has been a huge logistical exercise for the Council to identify alternative arrangements involving: the use of over 70 buses for pupils, 61 alternative schools (including nurseries and Early Years Centres), relocation of 655 teachers and 30 organisations throughout the city have offered assistance. Today Edinburgh Leisure announced that they will be providing a free swim to children (and accompanying adult) at nine of their pools across the city on Monday 18 April, which is the Spring Public Holiday.

The integration of pupils into alternative schools is going well.

Craigmount High School Head Teacher, Tom Rae has said: “The relocation of Craigmount students to Tynecastle High this week has gone very smoothly. All students are now working hard to prepare for SQA exams in classes with their own teachers.

“This is a unique situation and ensuring it operates successfully and things go smoothly is down to incredible efforts of both staff teams. Craigmount is hugely appreciative of the generosity of Tynecastle staff and students in allowing us to share their school.  Lots of positive partnership working is taking place.”

Council Leader Andrew Burns said: “I’m pleased we have now been able to put in place arrangements for all our pupils and I can assure parents and pupils that work will be taking place over the weekend and Monday to ensure the new arrangements are ready their arrival next week.

“It’s great to hear about how well the integration of pupils sharing schools has been going and how the people of Edinburgh have responded.

“We will provide parents with further information on individual school surveys once the full reports are received and assessed.”

The programme of structural surveys arranged by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership is continuing over the weekend and in to next week.

The Council will update parents directly, via text message, the Council website (www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures)  and via the Council Twitter @Edinburgh_CC as soon as information becomes available.

Six of the ‘chiclets’ who embarked on the Entrepreneurial Spark programme in February have scooped £10,000 in cash awards at the annual #GoDoAcceler8 event at the Edinburgh Hatchery.

Entrepreneurial Spark is run along with RBS and KPMG and is a free mentoring and networking support service for start up businesses who apply and get a place.

The award winners were as follows:

• Acceler8 Award (£3,000 awarded to the best performing company)

Kieran Kelly, Arc-Net

The unique Arc-Net technology platform provides organisations the ability to cut through the fog of business, and really understand the needs and demands of markets.

• #GoDo Award (£2,000 awarded to each of the companies that best demonstrate the mindsets and behaviours of a successful entrepreneur)

Actiph Water

Ian Brown, Film Mobile http://www.filmmobile.com/

A touring cinema circuit with 22 rural locations throughout Scotland and Northern England.

• Best Pitch Award (£1,000 awarded to each of the entrepreneurs that best delivered a 60 second pitch about their company to a panel of esteemed judges)

Lorna Clayton, Academic Families http://www.academicfamilies.com/

Phil Mowatt, Tie Club http://www.tieclub.co.uk/

Allie Cherry-Byrnes, Packa Shack http://www.packashack.co.uk/

Jim Duffy, founder and Chief Executive Optimist, Entrepreneurial Spark said: “#GoDoAcceler8 is an exciting stage in the Entrepreneurial Spark programme. The progress we see is incredible and it’s hugely rewarding to watch entrepreneurs who joined us three months ago often unable to clearly articulate their business idea stand up and deliver a winning pitch. Our Chiclets have raised more than £45million in investment to date, and #GoDoAcceler8 is an important stage in each businesses’ growth as they look to scale up and build incredible businesses.”

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24 year-old Mhairi McEwan from Wallyford  is packing for Paris and destined for Dublin thanks to bagging the £10,000 top prize in Forth 1’s latest competition.

Mhairi, a 24 year old administrative assistant, received the unexpected call from Boogie during his breakfast show ‘Boogie In The Morning’. She was on her way to work, and sitting in a Tesco car park with her mum, when she found out she was £10,000 richer.

Thanks to her windfall, the East Lothian lady has a mother / daughter shopping spree planned for Paris this June and a girls’ trip to Dublin on the cards.

Mhairi said: “I noticed my phone had missed calls from a number I didn’t know. I had no idea who would be trying to call me so early in the morning when it suddenly crossed my mind that it could be Forth 1 as I’d entered a competition.

“I was worried I had missed my chance so I was really relieved when it rang for a third time! I picked up and Boogie was on the other end, he told me I’d won and I couldn’t believe it. I screamed down the phone! My mum and I were sitting in the Tesco car park jumping for joy!

“I’m still in shock to be honest, it’s still not really sunk in! I can’t believe it. You always hear of people winning competitions but you never imagine it’s going to be you!”

Boogie and breakfast co-host Arlene met Mhairi at the station to hand over the £10,000 prize, sponsored by Eastern Western Motor Group.

Mhairi said: “I loved meeting Boogie and Arlene, Forth 1 is my favourite station and I listen to Boogie In The Morning every day on my way to work. Their banter always makes me laugh and I love the tunes they play, it’s the only way to start the day!”

Boogie said: “A real perk of the job is speaking to our brilliant listeners and it’s even better when it’s to let them know they’ve won £10,000! Mhairi’s reaction was brilliant – my poor ears are still ringing from her screaming down the phone!

“It was great to meet her and hear how she plans to spend her winnings. Every winner of our competitions and promotions come from right here in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife and that is what makes them so special to be involved in.

“Once again we want to say a massive well down to Mhairi and wish her well on her travels! We also want to say a big thank you to Eastern Western Motor Group for sponsoring the competition!”

 The next stop is Fountainbridge for a former public bus due to be transformed into a creative workshop for a local community group.

The EDI Group donated the bus to The Edinburgh Scrapstore, a unique project which works to give new lease of life to unwanted scrap and art materials.

The new workshop will create an inspiring space for members of the meanwhile community project which currently occupies land on EDI’s proposed India Quay development site.

Lothian Buses helped to refurbish the bus which was previously used by the Museum of Inventions group who were part of the Edinburgh Science Festival last year.

The bus was stripped out, repainted and external lighting fitted, with interior design to be carried out by volunteers from The Edinburgh Scrapstore and The Forge community projects.

Companies and organisations including Historic Environment Scotland have already been donating generously to the project with unwanted materials such as tiles, metal and textiles which will be used during a programme of workshops.

Denise Havard, Community Development Manager at EDI, commented: “It’s great to see another community project launch as part of our meanwhile-use initiative at India Quay.

“The enthusiasm, creativity and community spirit generated by these groups is fantastic and I look forward to the programme of workshops.”

Emma Roy, Environmental Officer at Lothian Buses, said: “We’re always happy to lend a hand to community projects across the city.

“As one of the major transport partners in Edinburgh, we are always keen to improve our environmental awareness, so we felt that The Edinburgh Scrapstore was more than a worthy cause to support.”

Antonia Dickson from The Edinburgh Scrapstore, said: “We are truly grateful to everyone who has helped to bring this project to life. The bus will create such a creative space to work in and fits within our values to promote environmental awareness.

“The bus will expand our services to deliver more workshops for members of the community and encourage others to find infinite ways to re-use old materials.”

Supported by the EDI Group, Fountainbridge Canalside Initiative, Vegware Community Fund and Edinburgh Council-Waste Action Grant, the project is one of a variety of temporary meanwhile-uses at the site of the former Fountainbridge brewery due to be regenerated by EDI into a new £135m mixed-use canalside development.

Members of the public are invited to a Spring Fling event being held on 17 April by the various community groups to showcase their work which will include wild flower printing, making window boxes, an introduction to welding and mosaic workshops.

For more information on The Edinburgh Scrapstore or India Quay visit www.india-quay.co.uk and www.edinburghscrapstore.org.uk.

 
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Ahead of tomorrow’s  William Hill Scottish Cup Semi Final with Dundee Utd, Hibs have asked supporters to enjoy the day in a safe and sensible manner.

A statement on the club website reads:

“Over 30,000 Hibernian supporters travelled to Hampden last month, with the vast majority a credit to the club with their behaviour.

The Scottish FA will not tolerate Unacceptable Conduct at a match at Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park or at away stadia hosting matches of the Scottish FA.

The following information provides notice of what amounts to Unacceptable Conduct and the sanctions which the Scottish FA may seek to impose upon those individuals who commit Unacceptable Conduct.

This statement of Unacceptable Conduct should at all times be read in conjunction with the terms of the Ground Regulations.

Unacceptable Conduct

Unacceptable Conduct takes place where a person present at or in the immediate environs of a match engages in Violent Conduct and/or Disorderly Conduct.

A person will also commit Unacceptable Conduct if at or in the immediate environs of a match, they assist another or others engaged in Violent Conduct and/or Disorderly Conduct.

Violent Conduct

Violent Conduct means conduct where there is:

(I) Actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons; or

(II) Intentional damage to property;

Disorderly Conduct

Disorderly conduct means:

(I) Conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards a group of persons based on their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to a Category or against an individual who is or is presumed to be, by the person or persons engaged in the Conduct, to be a member of such group;

(II) Using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or conduct;

(III) Displaying any writing or other thing which is threatening, abusive or insulting; or

(IV) Using words or conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000 and any successive or replacement legislation thereto;

Sanctions

Any person committing unacceptable conduct and/or any person who assists another or others to commit unacceptable conduct may be subject to any, or a combination of the following:

-refusal of entry to the stadium
-removal from the stadium
-suspension from attending matches of the Scottish FA
-indefinite ban from attending matches of the Scottish FA
-be the subject of a report to Police Scotland and/or any prosecuting authorities which may result in possible criminal proceedings

Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs is anticipating a different challenge from Dundee United than the one he faced earlier in the season in the Scottish League Cup victory at Easter Road.

That night, goals from David Gray, Jason Cummings and Lewis Stevenson sealed the victory but Stubbs anticipates a much more difficult game at Hampden Park in the William Hill Scottish Cup Semi Final on Saturday.

United remain stranded at the bottom of the table. It had looked as though they had turned a corner however recent results mean that automatic relegation is likely. Earlier this week Gavin Gunning left the club after a bizarre incident last weekend when he picked the ball up and walked off the field after picking up an injury.

Hibs go into the game having played well against Falkirk despite losing two late goals on Tuesday night. The result means that Hibs sit six points behind the Bairns with two games in hand and the supporters have registered their frustration on social media.

In response, Leeann Dempster insisted that the management team are in it for the long haul and there will be no knee jerk reaction to the poor run f results.

Speaking to Hibs TV, Stubbs said: “It will be another game against Premiership opposition and we’re expecting a very different game to the one we played against them last time.

“I personally believe that Dundee United are a stronger team to when we played them then. Because of that, I am expecting that be another difficult game.

“It was always going to take a bit of time for Mixu since he came because of the situation he inherited. They have certainly got results which shows signs of improvements and they have had a couple of results which Mixu has said himself have been disappointing.

“Their main priority will be to stay in the division. Saturday will be a release for them from that for them and I am expecting as difficult a game as we have faced against any premiership side this season.

“From our players point of view they know that they are capable of beating a premiership team. We’ve seen it this season when we have only lost once against premiership opposition.

“Saturday is about two teams and whoever performs the best and whoever gets a bit of luck in a certain part of the game. We have to go there and do what we do and hopefully win the game and there is a big carrot dangling in front of them to get to another final.

“Fonts (Liam Fontaine) is doubtful for this weekend.  The game has perhaps came a week too early for him. apart from that, everybody looks to have come through the other night thankfully unscathed.”

 

 

Scotland’s emergency services have joined forces to encourage people living and working in rural areas to help them locate their exact position, in the event they call for help.

By downloading an app to their smartphone or smartwatch, they can give emergency call handlers their exact Ordnance Survey grid reference and all three emergency service control centres can use these “Eastings” and “Northings” to plot their location, reducing the time taken to respond to incidents, improving the service provided to the public.

Accurately identifying a rural location, particularly remote locations several miles from a listed road, can be problematic and people who work in remote or rural areas are being encouraged to use these ‘geo-location’ apps, many of which can be downloaded and used for free, such as the ‘OS Locate’ app, produced by Ordnance Survey.

Chief Inspector Stuart Simpson of Police Scotland’s Contact, Command and Control Division and a member of the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), said: “By giving the Eastings and Northings, the geo-locator apps provide an easy way for people in rural areas to give their location when calling the emergency services. This information can then be used by the control centre operators to plot the exact location and direct the police officer, fire crew or ambulance to the incident. We hope that this would improve the contact from and reporting of incidents from those who live, work or visit our rural areas.”

Daren Mochrie, Director of Service Delivery, Scottish Ambulance Service, said: “Our air and road ambulance teams respond to 999 calls for assistance from remote and rural areas across Scotland. While they are supported by sophisticated mapping and GPS systems, any additional location information from the scene that highlights local landmarks will help crews to locate patients as quickly as possible.”

Assistant Chief Officer Lewis Ramsay, from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Scottish emergency services all receive calls from the public who are not always familiar with their location. We therefore welcome any use of technology that could assist the ability of emergency services to detect people in need in rural areas.”

Supporters attending Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup Semi Final between Hibs and  Dundee Utd at Hampden Park should be aware that the area around the stadium is mainly residential and there is very limited parking for private cars.

On event days, Police Scotland would advise people to use public transport to get to the stadium, if not travelling by organised coaches/buses.

Detail with regard to getting to and from the stadium can be found on the following website;

http://www.hampdenpark.co.uk/visitor-information/public-transport.html 

First Scotrail:

Additional carriages and services run both pre and post event, with Mount Florida and Kings Park train stations being a short walk from the stadium. Please note that due to ongoing works at Glasgow Queen Street travel times between Edinburgh and Glasgow are longer than usual. Visit the Scotrail website for more information.

http://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/timetables-and-routes 

First Bus:

Provides transport to the stadium from Glasgow City Centre and surrounding areas.

http://www.firstgroup.com/journey-planner 

Private care

If you do take the car, please be aware of Glasgow City Council Parking Controls – Event Day Parking Zone – which affects streets near to Hampden Stadium and will come into force during relevant, well attended events:

http://www.cityparkingglasgow.co.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2155
https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7270 

The Queens Park Recreation Ground, Queens Drive, Glasgow, may be available for parking of private vehicles at a cost (subject to a pre-match day inspection).

Coaches

These are the Police Scotland recommended routes for patrons attending this event. Any deviation from these routes may resort in increased traffic congestion adding to your inconvenience.

Pre event routes for Hibs’ fans approaching the east of the stadium:

M74 Northbound: Exit the M74 at Junction 1A (Polmadie). Turn left onto Polmadie Road, continue to junction with Aikenhead Road, continue south onto Aikenhead Road, stay in the right hand lane and continue through the junction with Prospecthill Road where your coach will be directed to park in the ‘purple car park’ on the right. A car park pass will be required for entry; those without a pass will be directed to park on Calder Street after exiting the M74.

M74 Southbound: Exit the M74 at Junction 1A (Polmadie). Turn right onto Polmadie Road and follow the above route.

M80 Southbound: Exit towards M73 Junction 3 (Mollinsburn) and continue south. At Junction 1 join the M74 north and follow the above route.

M8 Eastbound: Continue on the M8 to junction 1 of the M74, (offside lane). Exit the M74 at Junction 1A (Polmadie) and follow the above route.

A8 Westbound: Continue onto the M8 to Junction 8 (Baillieston) and join the M73 southbound. Thereafter take the offside lane to join the M74 and follow the above route.

Post event routes exiting the east of the stadium.

After the event, coaches in Polmadie Street and coaches facing south in Aikenhead Road, should follow the reverse of the routes shown above.

Coaches parked facing north in Aikenhead Road should continue north on Aikenhead Road, turn right into Cathcart Road, then turn right into Caledonia Road to the roundabout junction, turn right onto The Boulevard, continue to the roundabout junction, turn left onto New Rutherglen Road, continue to the traffic light junction, turn right onto Polmadie Road and join M74 junction 1A.

A man who subjected a woman and two children to a prolonged period of sexual and physical abuse has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment at the High Court in Aberdeen.

Alan Lindsay (47), from Edinburgh, had been previously found guilty of four offences committed between 1989 and 2005 in the Edinburgh and Livingston areas.

These include one count of rape, one count of lewd and libidinous practices, and two assaults on children.

Detective Sergeant Keith Mailer, of Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit, said: “I want to pay tribute to the victims who have shown absolute courage throughout the investigation and trial.

“Lindsay has been convicted of these heinous crimes and I hope this brings some sense of closure for them.

“Police Scotland treats all reports of sexual crime very seriously and, regardless of when the offences occurred, we will investigate thoroughly and professionally to support victims and bring perpetrators to justice.”

Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) today announced that this year’s two retrospectives will be Look Again: A Celebration of Cinéma Du Look, a cinematic exploration of the unforgettable ‘Cinéma du Look’ wave of 1980 and early 1990s French filmmaking and POW!!! Live Action Comic Strip Adaptations: The First Generation, delving into the evolution of the live-action comic strip adaptation in cinema.

Mark Adams, EIFF Artistic Director said: “The ‘Cinéma du Look’ retrospective marks 30 years since EIFF opened with the UK premiere of Jean Jaques Beineix’s iconic Betty Blue, so it is a real thrill to be able to screen this selection of iconic films.”

The programme features powerful, provocative and poignant tales told from daring new perspectives, invested with a bold, colourful escapism and haunting style. These visually stunning films imbued French cinema of the time with exciting new directions and possibilities, showcasing performances by French stars such as Jean Reno, Christophe Lambert, Michel Piccoli, Isabelle Adjani, Juliette Binoche, Jeanne Moreau, Dominique Pinon and Julie Delpy, becoming a cinematic influence that is still clearly apparent today. A number of these iconic stars are expected to attend this year’s festival.

Focusing on the work of Jean Jaques Beineix, Luc Besson, and Leos Carax, the three directors around which this seminal movement revolved, titles in this strand will include Beineix’s Betty Blue (1986) and Diva (1981), Besson’s Subway (1985), The Big Blue (1988) and La Femme Nikita (1990) and Carax’s Mauvais Sang (1986) and Les Amants Du Pont-Neuf (1991).

POW!!! Live Action Comic Strip Adaptations: The First Generation will offer 2016 festival-goers the chance to explore the cinematic roots of the current tidal wave of superhero blockbusters, taking an international retrospective journey through cult genre in dynamic style, to explore in full the colourful evolution of the live-action comic strip adaptation in cinema. The retrospective explores the best of the genre from explosive martial arts to chic ‘60s espionage via funky blaxploitation and far-out science fiction.

Titles will include Jean Jaques Vierne’s TinTin and the Mystery of the Golden Fleece (France/Belgium 1961), Joseph Losey’s Modesty Blaise(UK 1966), Leslie H. Martinson’s Batman: The Movie (USA 1966), Mario Bava’s Danger: Diabolik (Italy 1968), Roger Vadim’s Barbarella (France/Italy 1968), Junya Sato’s Golgo 13 (Japan 1973), Kenji Misumi’sLone Wolf and Cub: Sword of Vengeance (Japan 1972), Corrado Farina’sBaba Yaga (Italy/France 1973), Arthur Marks’ Friday Foster (USA 1975) and Robert Altman’s Popeye (USA 1980).

The screenings will be supplemented by Origin Story, an event tracing the birth of the live action comic strip adaptation in cinema from the 1960s back to the silent era and detailing the earliest attempts to translate the frames on the page into frames on the big screen.

Senior Programmer Niall Fulton commented: “With superhero cinema dominating the international box office, the time is right for EIFF to take an affectionate look back at the weird, wild, and wonderful world of the big screen comic strip adaptation. It’s a unique and exciting opportunity to see a selection of rare, iconic cult classics the way they should be seen, and provides a highly entertaining insight into the provenance of this current global phenomenon.”

 

• Reflecting Telescopes
• Road Works on the City By-pass
• Knitting & Stitching Show
• World Heritage Day
• Provident’s Good Neighbour Community Programme

From 25 March  – 28 August 2016 there are three display cases in the Grand Gallery, Level 1 at the National Museum of Scotland showing Reflecting Telescopes.

This small display reveals the work of pioneering Scots in the development of the reflective telescope. The display highlights the work of James Gregory (1638‑75), a contemporary of Isaac Newton and Professor of Mathematics at St Andrews then Edinburgh University. Gregory published an innovative design for a ‘reflecting’ telescope in 1663. A predecessor of the modern telescope, Gregory’s device used mirrors, rather than glass lenses, to create a more compact instrument and sharper images. The display will also touch upon astronomy in Edinburgh, a city that has remained at the forefront of astronomical research and discovery for more than four centuries.

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A five week overnight maintenance programme will begin on the Edinburgh City by-pass (A720), from tonight to Friday 5^th May 2016.

The work will take place on the dates listed below, from 9pm until 6.30am. A number of signed diversions, shown below, will be in operation during some of these schemes.

The work, which includes litter picking, sign cleaning, gully emptying, catchpit cleaning and road sweeping, will lead to an overall improvement in the appearance of the trunk road.

Routine maintenance, such as repairs to fences or signs will also be undertaken and detailed inspections of the carriageway and structures will be carried-out during the closures detailed below.

Location	Duration	TM	Diversion route (if applicable)	Dates
Sheriffhall to Gilmerton WB	1 Night	Total Closure	Sheriffhall – A7 – A772 – Gilmerton Onslip	15/04/2016
Gilmerton to Straiton WB	2 nights	Total Closure	Sheriffhall – A7 – A772 – Gilmerton Station Rd – Lasswade Rd – Lang Loan – Straiton Jct	18/04/2016 19/04/2016
Straiton On Slip to Lothianburn on slip WB	1 night	Total Closure	Straiton – A701 – B701 – A702 – Lothianburn	20/04/2016
Lothianburn to Baberton WB	2 nights	Alternative Lane Closure	N/A	21/04/2016 22/04/2016
Baberton to Calder WB	1 night	Total Closure	Baberton Jct / B701 Wester Hailes Rd / A71 to Calder Jct	25/04/2016
Hermiston to Baberton EB	1 nights	Total Closure	A720/M80 traffic diverted via Calder Jct / A71 / B701 Wester Hailes Rd to Baberton Jct	26/04/2016
Baberton to Lothianburn EB	2 nights	Alternative Lane Closure	N/A	27/04/2016 28/04/2016
Lothianburn to Straiton on slip EB	1 night	Total Closure	Lothianburn – A702 – B701 – A701 Straiton	29/04/2016
Straiton to Sheriffhall EB	3 nights	Total Closure	Straiton Jct – Lang Loan – Lasswade Rd – Gilmerton Station Road  – A772 – A7 – Sheriffhall	02/05/2016 03/05/2016 04/05/2016
Calder to Gogar Link Roads EB and WB	1 night	Total Closure	A720 EB Link – Diversion via Hermiston Gait Rbt A720 WB Link – Diversion via Dreghorn Jct / A720 to Hermiston Gait Rbt	05/05/2016

Details of the works and related diversion are also available via the Scottish South East Trunk Roads website:www.amey.co.uk/scottishtrunkroadsse

Real-time journey information can be obtained by visiting www.trafficscotland.org  or on Twitter: @TrafficScotland

To report a problem on the network please visit: http://scottishtrunkroadsse.amey.co.uk/report-a-problem/

A unique opportunity to view intricate, painstakingly crafted work by leading contemporary textile artists comes to Edinburgh next month.

Award-winning textile fine artist and painter Michala Gyetvai will be showingwork in Scotland for the first time at the inaugural Knitting & Stitching Show.  With an exhibition called Enchanted Landscapes, the acclaimed artist’s worksbegin as studies in pastel before their transformation into vibrant fibre paintings using old dyed blankets.

The Knitting and Stitching Show Edinburgh takes place at the Royal Highland Centre, Edinburgh from 28 April – 1 May.  Tickets cost £13.00 in advance (concessions £12), with a wide selection of options available from http://www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com/edinburgh/ or by calling 01473 321872.

You can win tickets in our competition being launched today!

On Monday 18 April, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh is hosting a fun, free, interactive event to celebrate World Heritage Day.

Run by new heritage body, Historic Environment Scotland,  the family-friendly event will give visitors the opportunity to be transported back to the Antonine Wall 1800 years ago, to see what it was like when the Romans first built it; or take a virtual tour of Maeshowe Neolithic chambered cairn in Orkney – using the latest in cutting edge virtual reality headset technology.

For a taste of what life was like in one of Britain’s most revolutionary working mills, visitors can dress up as an authentic 19^th century mill worker from New Lanark, and hear from the experts what life would have been like in one of the country’s most progressive factory sites.

For those who wish to try out their creative skills, there is a wide range of craft activities to take part in, from trying your hand at making a Roman laurel wreath or helmet, to building a replica of a “St Kilda mail boat”, which the inhabitants of the remote island of St Kilda would launch into the sea with letters sealed inside, hoping they would be found and the letters delivered– before the island was eventually abandoned in 1930.

Alice Lyall, World Heritage Site Coordinator for Historic Environment Scotland, said: “Scotland has an incredible range of World Heritage Sites, from industrial age wonders like the Forth Bridge and New Lanark mill village, to the much older Antonine Wall and Heart of Neolithic Orkney, and from the architectural wonders of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, to the rugged natural beauty, rich wildlife and abandoned settlement of the island of St Kilda – we really have got a bit of everything here.

“World Heritage Day is a great opportunity to highlight these fascinating and diverse sites, and help to raise awareness and educate people on the importance of them, to ensure they are protected and celebrated for many years to come!”

World Heritage Day is on Monday 18 April 2016, the event will run from 11am – 4pm and entrance is free and non-ticketed.

Residents from across Edinburgh and the Lothians are invited to nominate the projects or organisations that make a real difference to their local communities to receive funding of up to £2,000 each.

The funding will be delivered by Provident’s Good Neighbour Community Programme, which invested more than £1m into the community during 2015.

Until 9^th May, the public can nominate good causes across Scotland and the North with an online submission. A shortlist of the top four nominations across this region will be announced next month.

One of the projects in the city which benefitted from the fund last year was the Venchie in Craigmillar.

Provident funding supports the breakfast club which runs Monday to Friday during the school year. Venchie provides a pick-up service, a healthy meal to start the day, plus last minute help with homework.

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Tonight it is the Broughton Spurtle hustings with so many candidates we wonder how they will all get time to speak!

Follow our liveblog here

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Police Scotland has called for football fans to unite and to ‘focus on the football’ whilst issuing a stark warning to those intent on causing disorder ahead of the highly-anticipated Scottish Cup semi-finals played at the National Stadium, Hampden Park, on Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 April 2016.

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty is appealing to supporters ‘not to let the side down’ and to get behind their teams so that everyone can enjoy the two great games of football without being spoiled by off-pitch disorder.

The double-edged appeal comes as preparations for the forthcoming matches kick-off with a nation-wide operation targeting known football offenders, domestic abusers and disorder, alcohol over semi-cup-final weekend.

Chief Superintendent Brian McInulty, the local policing commander for Greater Glasgow, said:”Like sports fans across Scotland, I’m really looking forward to both games. There’s a real sense of excitement ahead of big games like these.

“As a police officer my priority will always be public safety. The planning for both games, especially the Rangers v Celtic match, has been ongoing for weeks now.  They are well rehearsed plans and are focused firmly on making sure fans enjoy the games in a safe environment, without fear of experiencing hate crime, violence or alcohol-related disorder.

All divisions across Scotland have plans in place to minimise disruption relating to the games and officers will be carrying out high-visibility patrols at the stadium, in Glasgow and throughout the country. Police are warning minority of those intent on causing disorder to beware.

Chief Superintendent McInulty continued: “If you are intent on causing trouble, or indeed cause trouble at the stadium, in your city or town, your local pub, your home or even online, you will be caught.  Don’t think because you haven’t been caught at the time you’ve got away with it. Retrospective enquiries will also be carried out to identify those responsible for any crimes committed.

“Anyone with a Football Banning Order will already have been contacted to remind them of their terms and conditions.  If they try to flout their ban, they will be arrested.

“The same goes for anyone trying to smuggle pyrotechnics – such as flares, fireworks or smoke bombs, into the ground.  Specially trained flare detection dogs will mix with the crowd outside the venue looking for any devices.

“With regard to the game on Sunday, this is the first meeting of Rangers and Celtic for just over a year and, as we can see from the build up to the game especially in the media – locally, nationally and even internationally, the interest and excitement is massive.

“Let’s remember the game for the right reasons; as an exciting game of football. Get behind your team and help make it the spectacle it can be and for it be remembered for the football on the pitch.

“Glasgow can be very proud to have built up an international reputation as a world class host for major events.  Let us make sure we enhance that reputation over the course of the weekend.”

It may be the first time for some fans to have been in Glasgow or visited Hampden Park.  Fans are advised to get to know the routes to the stadium, plan their journey and get to the ground in plenty time to avoid congestion.

As well as working with officers from British Transport Police, additional Police Scotland officers will be on duty in the city and will be patrolling the roads to minimise disruption and congestion on major routes.

Drinking alcohol in public is illegal as is drinking on a coach, minibus or train travelling to the game. It is an offence to enter or even attempt to enter the stadium whilst drunk. Police and stewards will be looking out for anyone who is drunk or is intent on causing disruption.

Over thirty people have now been charged following football-related disorder in the city centre earlier this year.

Officers responded to Hope Street Lane at around 5.15 p.m. on Sunday 7th February following reports of a large number of men fighting and causing alarm to other members of the public.

The disturbance took place following the Heart of Midlothian vs Hibernian FC match at Tynecastle.

A dedicated team of officers have been working closely with the National Football Co-Ordination Unit as part of Operation Rebound, Edinburgh Division’s response to football related violence to identify those involved.

As a result, 32 males aged between 18 and 47 attended at named Police station by appointment and have now been formally charged under the Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications Act.

Many of these individuals have also been charged with other offences including, possession of an offensive weapon, vandalism and culpable and reckless conduct.

Police are following positive lines of inquiry to trace a number of other males now identified.

Inspector Emma Croft from St Leonard’s Police Station said: “There is no place for football related violence. Any such offences will be rigorously investigated and those responsible reported accordingly.

“Operation Rebound was launched specifically to deal with offences of this nature in Edinburgh and to date we have made siginifcant progress to hold those responsible to account and impose tough bail conditions whilst they await Court.

“For this particular inquiry we took a common-sense approach by contacting individuals to attend a named police station by appointment and as a result all have now been charged.

“With one of the Edinburgh clubs due to play in this weekend’s Scottish Cup semi-final at Hampden, I hope fans enjoy the day whether they are travelling to the match or watching locally. Police Scotland Officers will be present in Edinburgh over the weekend to respond to any incidences of football related violence to ensure a small minority do not spoil it for others.

“We will continue to work closely with the National Football Co-ordination Unit and Football Clubs to carry out investigation as necessary into any football-related criminal activity, which occurs.”

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with bogus workmen offences in Edinburgh.

Officers apprehended man in Dalkeith today after an 87 year old man was defrauded of £122,000 between December 2015 and March 2016.

The arrest was made as part of Operation Aristotle, an ongoing initiative to tackle bogus workmen and rogue trader crimes within the Capital.

All of the money had previously been handed over to undertake maintenance work at the victim’s property in the south of Edinburgh during this period.

The male will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday 15th April.

Detective Inspector Alan O’Brien from Edinburgh’s Proactive Unit said: “Bogus workmen and rogue traders target vulnerable members of our community and if successful, can defraud these individuals of significant sums of cash.

“We will not tolerate these offences and will actively target anyone found to be responsible.

“Operation Aristotle will continue to identify bogus workmen and bring them to justice and anyone wishing to report a crime or provide information on such crimes can do so by calling us on 101 or making an anonymous report to the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

In the maelstrom of school closures and rumour and supposition it is perhaps a little difficult to identify the hard facts. We have looked for at least some factual evidence and the article which follows is a result of that. It is not intended to be all-encompassing, but we do hope that it adds to your knowledge of the current situation.

The Edinburgh Evening News has a headline this morning to suggest that schools are going to be closed till the summer, but to our knowledge no named person at the City Chambers or Waverley Court has actually said those words.

When we interviewed Chief Executive Andrew Kerr on Tuesday he confirmed that he and his team were concentrating on getting children back to a place where they can be educated as quickly as possible. Whether or not that is their own school is not yet clear, but detailed structural surveys are underway to identify the schools where there are problems.  No timetable has yet been identified.

The CEO indicated that the surveys conducted thus far appear to identify the same serious problem as that found at Oxgangs Primary School involving header ties on walls.

Mr Kerr said to The Edinburgh Reporter : “We are concentrating clearly on making sure that we get all our young people in buildings suitable for their education, and we are concentrating on those who have exam requirements and those who have special needs.”

The Council Leader Andrew Burns was interviewed on Good Morning Scotland earlier today.   He explained that while it appears that all 17 schools are affected by similar faults, nobody will know the full extent until detailed reports  are made available following the surveys which are currently being carried out.

Later today he said: “I’m delighted we have now been able to put in place arrangements for our primary, special school and majority of secondary pupils. Work is continuing to accommodate our S1, S2 and S3 pupils.

“The integration of pupils sharing schools has been going well and all our host staff and children have been welcoming the additional pupils and their teachers. I again want to pay credit to the Chief Executive and his team for their work on what has been a huge logistical challenge for the Council.

“Yesterday evening the Council received early indications that suggest evidence of faults across all 17 affected schools to a varying extent.  At the moment it is too early to say what the impact will be as full survey results from Edinburgh Schools Partnership have not been yet been received.   Some faults may be easy to fix and may not present a major problem while others could be longer term.

“We will provide parents with further information on the impact of individual school surveys once the full reports are received and assessed.

“What is certain is that we won’t take risks with the safety of our schools children and schools won’t reopen until Edinburgh Schools Partnership can assure us of their safety.  As part of the contract, Edinburgh Schools Partnership own, maintain and assure the safety of the affected buildings.

“We will publish further information on individual school surveys when these are formally received and of course provide an update to parents on their individual schools and the remediation works required.”

Alternative arrangements

Some pupils were back at school from yesterday (Wednesday) with a raft of alternative arrangements put in place by the council team dealing with the matter with other dates to follow. The situation is changing by the hour and the council is updating their website with the detailed contingency arrangements.

The council is trying hard to ensure that pupils are being taught in a suitable place by their own teachers to minimise the effect of this disruption, and is providing free school meals and transport too. They expect all costs to be borne by Edinburgh Schools Partnership – and certainly ESP issued a statement to the effect that they will pay to resolve the building issues:

A spokesperson for Edinburgh Schools Partnership said:

“While carrying out remedial works on Friday afternoon (8 April), a new issue came to light at two PPP1 schools – Oxgangs and St Peter’s – relating to an absence of header ties in sections of the building.

“The standard of construction carried out by the building contractor is completely unacceptable and we are now undertaking full structural surveys on all PPP1 schools to determine whether this issue is more widespread. For the safety of all pupils and staff, the schools will be closed while this work is underway.

The City of Edinburgh Council has just announced that arrangements have been made for all primary pupils affected by school closures to attend classes somewhere appropriate even if it is not their own school.

This means that 5,900 primary and secondary pupils have confirmed arrangements in place.

Arrangements made today (Thursday 14 April) now mean that the remaining five primary schools have alternative education provision in place.

These are:

Pupils from Broomhouse, St Josephs, Forthview, Pirniehall and St David’s will be relocated to alternative venues from Tuesday (19 April). Finalised details will be shared with parents later today.

In the past four days the Council has now put in place alternative arrangements for 5,900 pupils. All the arrangements have been communicated to parents directly and details are available on the Council website.

Work is ongoing to identify alternative arrangements for some remaining S1 to S3 pupils.

Council Leader Andrew Burns said: “I’m delighted we have now been able to put in place arrangements for our primary, special school and majority of secondary pupils. Work is continuing to accommodate our S1, S2 and S3 pupils.

“The integration of pupils sharing schools has been going well and all our host staff and children have been welcoming the additional pupils and their teachers. I again want to pay credit to the Chief Executive and his team for their work on what has been a huge logistical challenge for the Council.

“Yesterday evening the Council received early indications that suggest evidence of faults across all 17 affected schools to a varying extent.  At the moment it is too early to say what the impact will be as full survey results from Edinburgh Schools Partnership have not been yet been received.   Some faults may be easy to fix and may not present a major problem while others could be longer term.

“We will provide parents with further information on the impact of individual school surveys once the full reports are received and assessed.

“What is certain is that we won’t take risks with the safety of our schools children and schools won’t reopen until Edinburgh Schools Partnership can assure us of their safety.  As part of the contract, Edinburgh Schools Partnership own, maintain and assure the safety of the affected buildings.

“We will publish further information on individual school surveys when these are formally received and of course provide an update to parents on their individual schools and the remediation works required.”

The programme of structural surveys arranged by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership is continuing this week.

The Council will update parents directly, via text message, the Council website(www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures)  and via the Council Twitter @Edinburgh_CC as soon as information becomes available.

Paintings by Samuel Peploe, one of the leading Scottish Colourists, were the stars of the show at Bonhams annual Scottish Sale in Edinburgh on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. 

In all, the sale made £1,312,413.

Daffodils in a Glass Bowl by Samuel Peploe sold for £158,500

Daffodils in a Glass Bowl, estimated at £100,000-150,000 was sold for £158,500 and was the best-selling lot in the sale. Kirkcudbright, estimated at £60,000-80,000, went for £97,300 and Cassis (Rooftops) dated 1913 and estimated at £80,000-120,000 made £92,500. Kirkcudbright, in Dumfries and Galloway, was a favourite haunt of Peploe’s in the years immediately before World War I as was Cassis in the south of France in the 1920s.

Two further Peploe works, Paris Plage and Iona Abbey sold for £67,300 and £50,000 respectively.  In total the five Peploe works made £465,600.

Bonhams Head of Scottish Art at Bonhams Edinburgh said, “Peploe’s work has always been highly prized and the fact that five of the top ten selling pictures in the sale were painted by him speaks for itself.”

An exceptional collection of antique arms, armour and militaria contributed more than £200,000 to the overall total. The James Gordon Collection contained some significant and rare pieces including a pistol which had once belonged to James Boswell, the Scottish biographer of Samuel Johnston, compiler of the first English dictionary. The weapon sold for £20,000 against a pre-sale estimate of £5,000-7,000.

James Boswell’s pistol sold for £20,000

The Managing Director of Bonhams Scotland, Miranda Leslie said, “The Scottish Sale is an annual highlight for Bonhams Scotland. Its broad range of all things Scottish has great appeal and it is always eagerly anticipated by collectors. This year we had some exceptional items, including the Peploes and the James Gordon Collection, but it was a strong sale across all areas with 80% of lots finding new owners.”

And the lot we were most interested in was Bonnie Prince Charlie’s cooking pot which sold for £22,500.

We got a glimpse of it up close and personal during the preview last week.

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The Edinburgh Reporter News – Bonhams Scottish Sale from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

A 29-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with a serious assault on Princes Street.

The incident took place around 12.10am on Friday 29 January, when a now 21-year-old man sustained a serious facial injury.

Officers have extended their sincere thanks to the public for their assistance with the CCTV appeal.

The accused man  is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff court on Thursday 14 April.

Hibs face Dundee United at Hampden Park on Saturday in the semi-final of the William Hill Scottish Cup hoping to end their poor run of results of late and secure a return trip to the national stadium.

One player who is desperate to take part in the game is Martin Boyle who started on Tuesday night against Falkirk after scoring a wonder goal in last week’s win over Livingston.

Boyle missed out on last season’s semi-final defeat to Falkirk when he was on loan to the club from Dundee but he is fighting fit and in good form this year and at the very least he will be in Alan Stubbs’ squad.

Speaking to Hibs TV, he said: “I can’t wait. it’s another great competition and we have to win. It will be a great occasion and the fans will be there and hopefully we can reach the cup final.

“Dundee United have had their troubles and they are fighting for their lives at the bottom but when it comes to us on Saturday we will just be thinking about ourselves.

“To reach the Scottish Cup Final would be a great experience, but we just need to go into Saturday focussed on our own game, and get down to doing what we do best.”

Boyle actually made his professional debut in football in the Scottish Cup back in February 2010 with Montrose against Hibs at Easter Road as he remembers: “I was pretty young at the time and I got about 15 minutes, we were getting battered at the time, and there was a big crowd at the game and after about five minutes I got smashed by Hogg.

“I was a bit nervous at the time but I took a lot out of that game and getting a run out, at such a young age and I’ve not really looked back since.”

 

Green Group councillor Melanie Main spoke out for an inquiry during the Corporate Policy and Strategy meeting earlier this week which included discussion of an emergency motion on the closure of 17 schools.

Here is her view:

“At the Council’s Corporate Policy Committee there was an emergency motion tabled about the Edinburgh schools closures.  It omitted to call for a full inquiry into the failings of the buildings in due course, so I put down an addendum, adding just that.

However, the Council leader, Andrew Burns was having none of it – though he agreed that the “update report” he was calling for in May would not provide the answers to questions about responsibility, quality assurance, contract management and cost that are being asked across communities and publicly.   He even seemed to feel an inquiry was inevitable now, so there was no objection in principle.

I am in no doubt that an  in-depth inquiry is needed;  no doubt that calling for one to be carried out in due course will not impede the immediate priorities of repairing the schools and getting children back into classrooms;  no doubt the remit would be restricted in what is a constantly evolving situation.

But I thought yesterday was a missed opportunity –to make it clear that all parties back a full inquiry.  That would have given confidence to all those affected, both those thousands of families immediately affected and those watching from a distance.  I don’t understand why the Labour/ SNP Coalition running the Council, and the Tories, who backed them, could not agree that whoever is responsible will be held to account, that nothing will be swept under the carpet, and that investigations are done openly and transparently  so the city can provide a education service fit for purpose long into the future.

It is disappointing that the call was batted onto the next meeting,  but by not opposing this unusual move,  Greens ensured  the call for an inquiry remains on the table.  Let’s hope those who were agin it this time, see common sense.”

You can watch the meeting on the council webcast here. 

 

• Edinburgh Schools Closure updates
• Fountainbridge Street Food Fridays
• Urban Detectives
• Her Majesty the Queen’s 90th birthday 
• Craigentinny & Telferton allotments saved – for the moment

There were many updates posted to the City of Edinburgh Council website yesterday afternoon. Many more children are now back ‘in education’ which may or may not mean they are back in their own school building.

Priority has been given to older children who have exams soon, and to those who attend Edinburgh’s special schools.

You can read more about the contingency plans here.

Council Leader Andrew Burns said: “Having rightly prioritised arrangements for those children taking examinations in the coming weeks, the two special schools were next to be addressed and I’m pleased that these are now in place. I want to pay credit to the Chief Executive and his team for their work since Friday on what has been a huge logistical challenge for the Council.

“We have now put in place alternative education arrangements for the majority of pupils, and work continues to identify alternative options for other primary and S1 to S3 pupils. We will communicate to parents as soon as we have further information.

“I fully recognise the significant inconvenience to parents caused by these closures and I want to thank them for their patience as we continue to work through this issue. I’m sure they understand the steps we have taken to ensure the safety of their children.

“The SQA have been very supportive to our situation and I must thank them for the steps they have taken regarding verification and examining visits and help with additional resources.

“I also want to pay tribute again to the response from the organisations, both public and private sector, who have come forward with offers of help and accommodation – most recently Historic Environment Scotland who have today agreed to give a tour of Edinburgh Castle for the children of Rowanfield Special School.”

The programme of structural surveys arranged by the Edinburgh Schools Partnership is continuing this week.

The Council will update parents directly, via text message, the Council website (www.edinburgh.gov.uk/schoolclosures)  and via the Council Twitter @Edinburgh_CC as soon as information becomes available.

Parents in Edinburgh looking for educational activities to keep their children entertained and sharp over this unexpected break, can look no further as Explore Learning centres in Westfield Road and Craigleith Road are opening their doors for a day of free literacy workshops running at 12:30pm and 14:30pm on Monday the 18th April.

The workshops will be focused on creative writing and all children in the local community that have been affected by the school closures are welcome, giving them the opportunity to enjoy some interactive learning. Staff will also be on hand to offer support and advice to parents who are looking for guidance on what they can do at home with their children until they return to school.

The one hour sessions are scheduled as follows in both centres:

• 12.30–13.30 for 5-8 year olds
• 14.30–15.30 for 9-14 year olds

Workshops operate on a first come first served basis so parents keen to book a slot for their child must do so in advance. Please contact your nearest centre to book a space you can reach the Blackhall Centre in Craigleith Road on 0131 332 3300. Or call The Explore Learning Murrayfield Centre on 0131 337 7401.

Fridays are now going to taste even better with the launch tomorrow of Fountainbridge Street Food Fridays. This is a new foodie event organised by the family business behind Stockbridge Market along with their partners CBRE Properties and Re-Union Canal Boats.

From 11am till 7pm there will be a range of street food available at the Canal basin including food from Babu Bombay Kitchen, Flat Out Food, Umami Spice Girl, Creperie @ the Market, Bearded Barista, Orinoco Latin Food, Opsono and Alplings.

Beth Berry the owner of At the Market who will organise Street Food Fridays said: “The start of the Union Canal is a great space – and we want to bring something fresh and exciting to the area. We think there will be no better place to get that Friday feeling than from our delicious, local hot food traders.

“We can’t wait to bring attention to a wonderful underused local area and welcome everyone. Fridays are a great day to celebrate, and we hope to see everyone from families to workers stopping by.”

Fountainbridge Street Food Fridays launches on Friday 15th April 2016 with a big celebration. Visitors to the Street Food Market will be able to have free 15 minute canal boat rides from 12-2pm while they eat their street food lunches, as well as enjoying music from local musicians, tasters and discounts. The street food market will be open 11am – 7pm and is open to all.

Local residents are being asked to get hands on with history by taking part in a nationwide initiative to record the littlest local landmarks in Scotland’s towns and cities.

The initiative comes from Scotland’s Urban Past (SUP), a five-year community-engagement project from Historic Environment Scotland that puts communities in charge of recording the history on their doorsteps, and is part of the celebrations for the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design 2016.

Volunteers can become ‘Urban Detectives’ by submitting photographs and location coordinates of Edinburgh’s tiny buildings to the SUP website. Users are also invited to take measurements and sketches, all of which will become part of Canmore, Scotland’s online record of architecture, archaeology and industry.

This national record is a digital time machine, holding images and information about more than 320,000 sites in Scotland. But with many places still to be recorded for future generations, SUP is turning to local Urban Detectives to help fill in the gaps – starting with the smallest sites in Auld Reekie.

Queen Mary’s Bath House, built in the 16th century in the gardens of Holyrood Palace, is just one of the many tiny sites to be investigated by Urban Detectives. Despite its name, this curious, asymmetrical building was most likely to have been a garden pavilion rather than a bath house. The peculiarly-shaped summer house lies on the east side of Abbeyhill and is believed to be the earliest surviving garden building in Scotland.

Other small structures for Edinburgh-based Urban Detectives to investigate include watch towers built to protect burial grounds against grave robbers in the days of Burke and Hare, and the sedan chair house in Tweeddale Court – possibly the smallest listed building in Edinburgh. This stone built shed is a rare survivor of the Georgian period and once stored sedan chairs – enclosed cabins carried on poles by two bearers. For those who could afford them, sedan chairs provided a quick and efficient way of travelling around the city.

Chiara Ronchini, SUP Project Manager, said: “People throughout Scotland will be bringing our national collection to life by telling the big stories of our tiniest buildings.”

“Our dedicated digital team have made it easy to contribute information to Canmore on mobiles and tablets, as well as PCs and Macs, so you can even add a snapshot of local landmarks such as police boxes on your way to work.”

“Every contribution will be accessible to the wider public, helping to build a detailed and accessible history of our urban heritage by the people who live within it. It’s a great opportunity to help document the Borders, past and present, for generations to come.”

SUP provides free training, support and resources to people of all ages to help them discover and share the fascinating stories of Scotland’s towns and cities.

Free workshops for Urban Detectives will be taking place throughout Scotland. For more information, visit www.scotlandsurbanpast.org.uk.

Her Majesty the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday next Thursday 21 April. There will be many ways of marking the day across the UK and the Commonwealth, and here in Edinburgh we have our own.

There will be a 21 gun salute from Edinburgh Castle at 12 noon.

We are promised a spectacular fireworks display which will take place at The Royal Yacht Britannia on Thursday 21^st April at 9pm.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse will open a new exhibit called Fashioning a Reign : 90 years of Style from The Queen’s Wardrobe. This will run till October so you will have plenty of time to see it, and it is the largest display of The Queen’s outfits ever staged. There will be over 150 outfits on display across all three of the Royal Collection’s palaces, with pieces from Sir Norman Hartnell, Sir Hardy Amies and Ian Thomas. We are getting a wee preview on Wednesday next week and will bring you the news about the exhibition next Thursday morning.

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The allotments at Craigentinny and Telferton have been given a reprieve – at least for now.

The 1.4 hectare site has been allotments since 1923 but it is owned by a house builder and they have applied for housing with a smattering of allotments. The planning officers recommended refusal and the committee agreed with them.

Read more about the meeting’s decision here.

One of the deputations was delivered by Geoff Pearson on behalf of Craigentinny & Meadowbank Community Council. He said: “I described the allotment site as a “Hand-made, home-grown hidden gem” at the hearing of Avant Homes planning application to build 28 houses on the site.

“The public gallery was packed with over 50 allotment holders and many had to stand all round the Committee room.  After hearing the developers’ presentation one Councillor asked how replacing 85 full-size allotments with 42 half-size plots could be seen as an improvement for the community.”

If you are reading this article in print and would like to visit The Edinburgh Reporter website then simply scan the QR code here with a smartphone or tablet.

The City of Edinburgh Council has announced more arrangements for pupils who do not have a school to go to following closure of some school buildings.

On their website they have announced arrangements for pupils at Craigour Park Primary School: 

Pupils should arrive at school at 8:45am on Friday 15 April where they will be met by staff at the Astroturf.

Class groups will then either

• walk, accompanied by staff, to their alternative school
• be escorted to buses.

All children will return to the school and should be collected from the Astroturf at 12:25pm.

Buses will pick up children for the Childcare Connections After School Club from Craigour Park Primary. Parents should contact the After School Club for collection arrangements.

We will provide free lunches for all pupils.

There will be no nursery on Friday and we will update you when we have confirmed details for next week.

On Tuesday 19 April, all pupils should attend at 8:45am.

P1 and P2 should be collected at 2:30pm and P3-P7 at 3:05pm.

Full details of all contingency plans for Craigour Park Primary School are here.

For Craigroyston Primary School there are arrangements for a return to school on Friday:

All Craigroyston Primary pupils should report to Craigroyston Community High School on Friday 15 April. Report to the main entrance where you will be met by Craigroyston Primary staff.

More details here. 

Castleview Primary pupils will be relocated to Castlebrae Community High School from Tuesday 19 April.

More details here. 

For pupils of Rowanfield School there are arrangements for tomorrow and Friday:

Pupils will be based at Pilton Youth and Children’s Project on Thursday and Friday this week.

We will provide free lunches for all pupils on both days.

Transport will be provided by children’s normal providers.

Details for next week will be confirmed as soon as possible.

 For the pupils of Braidburn School there are alternative arrangements in place :

Pupils will relocate to five locations from Friday 15 April.  These are

• Redhall School
• Oaklands School
• St Augustine’s High School
• Barnardos Caern Project
• Hillview Residential Centre.

Staff will contact parents directly to update them on the arrangements for their child.

Transport arrangements are being put in place that will allow children to be taken directly from their homes to their host schools.

For pupils at The Royal High School there are arrangements for some more pupils to return:

S3 students should return to school tomorrow Thursday 14 April at 9:40am and at normal start time on Friday.

S4 to S6 students returned today.

Please report to the old front door beside the assembly hall. Do not try to enter through any other entrances.

An update for S1 and S2 students will follow later this week.

For pupils of Gracemount High there are arrangements for older pupils first:

S4 to S6 students are to report to Liberton High School’s main hall at 9:30am on Wednesday 13 April. They will be met by Mr Hunter and his leadership team.

We will provide free lunches.

More details of transport etc here. 

For Firrhill High School these are the plans:

S3 students will return to school tomorrow and should report to the Assembly Hall at 9:30am.

S4 to S6 students returned today (Wednesday 13 April).

An update for S1 and S2 students will follow later this week.

For Drummond Community High School pupils the arrangements are simply to go back to their own school:

All pupils should return to school tomorrow

• S1-S3 students should report to the concourse at 9am.
• S4 to S6 students returned today.

Arrangements about lunches here.

Some pupils of Craigmount High School will be moved to Tynecastle

S4 to S6 students should attend Tynecastle High School tomorrow (Thursday 14 April) at the following times

• S5 and S6 – 9am
• S4 – 10am

Students should report to the main entrance on McLeod Street, where senior staff will direct them to the hall. You should wear school uniform and bring books, jotters and equipment.

We will update you on S1 to S3 later in the week.

More details on transport etc here. 

The council says they are working closely with the SQA about practical exams:

All practical exams that were due to take place this week have been postponed and will be rearranged.

We will update students when we have more information.

 

 

 

Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious assault at the Water of Leith Walkway which took place  around 7.30 a.m. this morning near Keddie Gardens, off South Fort Street.

A 47-year-old man was walking his dog when another dog attacked the animal. The man then kicked at the other dog to fend it off at which time it’s owner approached and struck the victim to the head and body with a stick.

The suspect then made off towards West Bowling Green Street.

As a result of this attack the man suffered a serious injury to his arm and minor injuries to his head. He was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment.

Officers are now urging anyone who can help them identify the male responsible to come forward.

He is described as white, 5ft 10ins tall, in his late 20’s with a stocky build and light coloured hair. His dog is described as being a brown Boxer.

Detective Constable Chris Harding from Gayfield Police Station said: “The victim has sustained some very painful injuries following this attack and we are continuing with inquiries in the area.

“Anyone who remembers seeing anything suspicious around the Water of Leith Walkway near Keddie Gardens during Wednesday morning is asked to contact police immediately.

“We would also request that anyone with any further information that can assist with our iinvestigation into this incident gets in touch.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a housebreaking in Dunbar which took place between 6pm and 11pm on Monday 11 April in the Cromwell Court area.

Entry was gained via the rear of the property and a number of items stolen, including a white Toshiba laptop and a black Lenovo tablet.

A three-figure sum of cash, which included a quantity of change, and jewellery estimated to be worth a four-figure sum was also taken.

PC Scott Clark of Musselburgh’s Community Investigation Unit said: “Anyone with information about the whereabouts of these items is asked to contact police as soon as possible.

“If you purchase stolen items, knowingly or otherwise, they can be returned to their rightful owner meaning a financial loss to yourself.

“When purchasing items second-hand, always ensure that the owner can provide proof of purchase.

“Anyone who witnessed any suspicious behaviour in the area during the time of the break-in is also urged to get in touch.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The council has updated its contingency arrangements for those pupils affected by the closure of 17 schools across the city with plans for pupils at Drummond Community High School and The Royal High School.

Drummond Community High School

All pupils should return to school tomorrow. S1, S2 and S3 students should report to the concourse at 9am. S4 to S6 students returned today (Wednesday 13 April).

The school kitchen is closed and packed lunches will be provided for all students who receive free school meals.  All other students should either bring a packed lunch or money to buy lunches outside of school. Vending machines will be available at break times.

 

The Royal High School

S3 students should return to school tomorrow (Thursday 14 April) at 9:40am and at normal start time on Friday.  S4 to S6 students returned today (Wednesday 13 April). Please report to the old front door beside the assembly hall. Do not try to enter through any other entrances.

An update for S1 and S2 students will follow later this week.

The Council website carries a link at the top of the home page here for further updates.

At a longish meeting this morning at the City Chambers, the owner of the Craigentinny and Telferton Allotments, Avant Homes, made a fifteen minute presentation in support of their application to build homes there with 40 allotments and 7 affordable homes.  The committee unanimously upheld the officers’ recommendation to reject the application for housing.

The allotment holders were very happy:

Fantastic news! The Council has rejected the planning application to build houses on our allotment site 🙂

— C-T Allotments (@CraigentinnyTel) April 13, 2016

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The site extends to 1.4 hectares and has been laid out as allotments since 1923. We explained the back story here.  There have been several applications in relation to the site since 1981 and a house builder owns it, so it was obviously going to apply again.

One problem is that the allotments have been there for 90 years, but the legal position of the allotment holders has constantly been called into question by the legal owner, Avant Homes.

Another issue is that there is a land supply shortage in the city. The population of the city rises by 1% each year, which is 100 extra people coming to live in Edinburgh each week. So there is a need for more housing in the city wherever that is built.

But the convener Councillor Ian Perry said that the small site at Telferton would not materially add to the housing supply in the city. Councillor Bagshaw said that while both sides had argued their case very well the benefits of allotments to the local community must be paramount.

The benefits of allotments are obvious in social, physical and emotional terms,  and these benefits are also promoted by the council in a report on allotments across the city. There is a huge waiting list (up to 9 years in places) for council-owned allotments in the city.

We shall wait to see whether the developer appeals the decision.

The council papers are here.