Police are no longer investigating an allegation of robbery in Jackson’s Entry which was reported to officers last Thursday.

After an enquiry, a male teenager has been charged with wasting police time.

A police spokesperson said; “Following a report of an assault and robbery in Jackson’s Entry on Thursday 11th February, detectives have now concluded their inquiry and are satisfied that no further investigation into this incident is required.

“An 18-year-old man has subsequently been charged with wasting police time.”

Police are appealing for witnesses following a road traffic collision on Rodney Street which took place  around 5.20pm yesterday and involved a cyclist and a white Transit van.

A 35-year-old woman sustained minor injuries, and was taken to the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary.

The driver of the van did not stop at the scene.

PC Fraser Mitchell of the Road Policing Unit said: “At this time, we’re still working to establish the full circumstances surrounding this collision and are asking anyone who witnessed this to come forward.

“Anyone who saw a white Transit van in the area around this time, or has information which can help us trace the driver, 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.

For advice on how to stay safe as a cyclist, please contact 101 or visit the Police Scotland website at www.scotland.police.uk/keep-safe/road-safety/adult-cyclists

Police are appealing for witnesses following a robbery in the north of the city which took place around 10.30 p.m. on Thursday yesterday in West Pilton Gardens.

The victim, a 34-year-old man,  was walking towards Samsuns Fish and Chip Shop on Ferry Road and had just reached the junction with Ferry Road Avenue when three men approached him.

At this time they engaged him in conversation before one of the men produced a hammer from his sleeve and demanded money.

The victim handed some cash and the males ran off towards Ferry Road Gardens.

Officers are now asking for anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward.

The first suspect is described as white, mid twenties, around 6ft 1ins or 6ft 2ins tall with a stocky athletic build and clean-shaven face. He was wearing a dark grey hooded to with the hood up, dark jogging bottoms and spoke with an Eastern European accent.

The second suspect is described as white, early twenties with a medium build and heavy stubble on his face. He was wearing a dark hooded top with the hood up and dark jogging bottoms.

The third suspect is described as white, late teens to early twenties, 5ft 6ins tall with a skinny build. He was wearing a hooded top and a body warmer.

Detective Constable Andy Cory from Gayfield Police Station said: “The victim was not injured during this robbery, but was shocked when one of the suspects produced a hammer and subsequently handed over money.

“We are now urging anyone who was in or around West Pilton Gardens on Thursday evening and remembers seeing anything suspicious to contact police immediately.

“Similarly, anyone who recognises the description of the suspects, or who has any information relevant to this investigation should also get 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 serious road collision which  happened around 6.50 p.m. in Monktonhall Terrace Musselburgh.

A 39-year-old man was crossing the road when he was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf car that was travelling south.

The pedestrian sustained a serious head injury and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh before being transferred to the Western General Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Road Policing Officers responded to the scene and the road was closed for approximately three hours while they carried out their inquiries.

Anyone who can assist with this ongoing investigation is asked to come forward.

Sergeant Gary Taylor from the Road Policing Unit at Dalkeith said: “As part of our inquiries we are eager to speak with any other motorists or pedestrians who were on Monktonhall Road at 6.50 p.m. on Thursday evening and who witnessed this collision.

“I would ask that anyone who believes they have information relevant to this incident to contact police immediately.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

With tickets for the Scottish League Cup Final presented by Utilita due to go on sale from Monday 22 February, Hibs have reminded supporters of the arrangements with regards to supporter coach registration.

To aid Police Scotland in directing coach traffic to the correct parking area Hibs are asking those organising supporter coaches to the Final to register their details with the Club.  This process has been extremely successful in past years in ensuring all coaches have the recommended travel plans for the day, easing congestion to and from Hampden.

The Club will circulate the recommended travel routes to and from Hampden for  supporters together with a numbered pass to display in the window of the coach. This will help fans travelling on specific  coaches to identify it again post-match given that over 100 coaches are likely to make the trip.

To do this the club have asked  that fans  contact the Hibernian Reception, by telephone on 0131 661 2159 or by email at reception@hibernianfc.co.uk leaving the details below. Travel plans and the numbered pass and will be returned in good time before the match.

Name of Coach Organiser:

Mobile Telephone Number:

Email Address:

Address for details to be sent to:

Departing From:

Time of Departure:

Number of Coaches:

Size of Coaches:

Police are urging the public to remain vigilant after a 68-year-old woman fell victim to a telephone fraud at her home in Mayfield on Wednesday.

The victim received a call from a male claiming she was owed money back from a foreign investment but was required to transfer cash to release the funds.

After the victim transferred a four-figure sum on two occasions that day, staff at her local bank became suspicious and reported the matter to Action Fraud.

Local officers are now progressing this inquiry and others are now urging others to be wary of this approach, as well as similar scams.

Sergeant Stuart Aitchison from Dalkeith Police Station said: “Thankfully, the victim’s bank intervened before any further funds were transferred out of her account and we are now investigating to identify whoever was responsible for this fraud.

“I would advise anyone who receives a call like this not to provide any personal details or agree to pay in cash to the caller, no matter how convincing they seem.

“If you would like any more information on safeguarding yourself against fraudsters then please contact Action Fraud or visit the Police Scotland website.”

On the closing night of their month-long tour (a jam-packed schedule of dates all over the UK including Edinburgh’s Electric Circus) I caught up with Eliza and the Bear to find out about the forthcoming album and life on the road.

JS: How is the tour going?

EB: Really well thanks! We’ve seen a massive increase of people coming out to shows and having a sing along!

That’s great! Who was the best crowd on this tour?

That’s a tough one, to be fair. Exeter had a pretty special crowd from start to finish. The venue sold out pretty early on and everyone was buzzing from when the doors opened.

That must have been a great atmosphere. What’s been your weirdest fan moment?

Weirdly enough we hadn’t had that many crazy moments until that Exeter show. I had a girl come up to me and actually ask if it was okay to propose. We swapped rings for a couple of hours. It was very romantic.

How do you spend your time between gigs? Does it get a bit tiring or is that where you get your inspiration for new songs?

We do a lot of writing when we are at home but on tour we don’t really get much time. Especially on this tour we haven’t had many days off, so the ones we do get are usually spent sleeping or having a little go at five-a-side.

Does the pressure mount to change your material as you move forward to keep it fresh? Does that happen naturally?

That just happens naturally. We really don’t think to much about constantly being fresh as such. We just keep our heads down and write music that we enjoy hearing.

How did Eliza and the Bear begin?

We all live within 15 minutes of each other down in Essex and were playing in bands together. Weirdly it ended up being us five who just didn’t want to give up writing music and playing live, so we got together with no intention of doing much. Things started escalating and here we are now!

Can you describe your band in a sentence for those who haven’t discovered you yet?

No-one in this band is called Eliza.

Nice tip. You seem to have quite a ‘big band sound’ (thinking Arcade Fire/Of Monsters and Men) and the tracks are quite anthemic – do you have additional musicians on stage?

We would love to have strings and brass live on stage to recreate the sound we make in the studio but unfortunately we can’t afford to bring people out. In the future it’s definitely something we want to look into. For now it’s just us five but keep your eyes peeled!

Noted! How much is your music influenced by other bands that you all love?

I think that our influences subconsciously seep into our writing process. We all have common bands and artists that we’re into then we kind of dive off into our own i-pods. The writing process is just all of us in a room jamming ideas or riffs that we like the sound of.

What is the hardest part about what you do?

Sharing Travelodge rooms every evening. Some of the guys’ hygiene is a bit questionable so at times it can get a little tough.

I can imagine – what keeps you going?

People buying tickets to our shows and singing along.

The Bulmer ad was a pivotal moment – how have things tangibly changed since then?

It really put that track out to a lot of people. I think people know that song but don’t necessarily know that it comes from us. Now whenever we play it in the set you see people’s faces as they realise they’ve heard it before.

That must be a rewarding moment! What’s the plan from here? 

The album is out on April 8th and we are looking to do some special shows around that. Then after that were looking to have a summer full of festivals!

I’m sure our readers will want to keep an eye on that! And for my last question (because I have to ask) – Have you tried haggis yet?

Its so, so weird that you ask that because I genuinely tried it for the first time yesterday. I actually quite enjoyed it! Kind of like a rich stuffing.

The band’s new hit, It Gets Cold, is taken from their eponymous forthcoming self-titled debut album, due for release on 8 April on Capitol Records. The album also includes the broody string-laden ‘I’m On Your Side’ and the commanding force of ‘Oxygen’, plus fan favourites that have long been part of the band’s live set, among them ‘Brother’s Boat’, album opener ‘Friends’ and ‘Upon The North’.

‘It Gets Cold is about returning back home after an inconceivable amount of time. It’s about the things you will miss being away from home and the moments in time you miss whilst at home reminiscing. It’s about the romanticism of memories. Lyrically I think It Gets Cold focuses on the journey itself more than the destination, it covers the dangers that you may face, but also the courage you will find in the face of adversity.‘ James Kellegher, lead singer Eliza and the Bear.

http://www.elizaandthebear.com/

https://twitter.com/elizaandthebear

https://www.facebook.com/elizaandthebear

Mention the word “referendum” in Scotland and you’d better duck behind the stockade because the empty Irn Bru cans will come flying. But it looks like we are going to get another one, if not in June, then in the autumn, depending how David Cameron’s negotiations go in Brussels today.

So where does Scotland stand on membership of the European Union ? The opinion polls, disconcertingly, are all over the place. Some put support for the EU at over 60 per cent, others say it’s more like 40 per cent. All are agreed however that there are a lot of undecided voters and that the gap between the two sides is narrowing.

Romantics say that Scotland has always been an outward-looking country, with long historic ties to France, the Netherlands, the Baltic countries and with the world in general. We still do most of our trade with Europe – £12 billon at the last count. America is next, and a long way behind, with trade worth £4 billion.

But actually, we don’t have huge links with the Continent.  Not many of us speak other European languages. There are only 60,000 EU citizens working in Scotland – despite the influx of Poles, Czecks, Latvians and others in recent years.  We have 13,000 European students at Scottish universities but hardly any Scots study abroad.  We don’t even play football in Europe any more.

We know the European Union largely through its agriculture and fishing policies and the occasional new road in the Highlands and Islands. Business leaders complain about EU bureaucracy, but most of them want Britain to stay in.  Indeed the “Stronger in” campaign has already started work in Scotland, chaired by the Muslim academic Professor Mona Siddiqui and directed by the former Labour MP Frank Roy.  The “Leave” campaign is “in embryonic form” to put it generously, though there is a Labour Party “Leave” campaign headed by the former MP Nigel Griffiths.

In short, it’s not clear how the European referendum will go in Scotland. We first have to battle through our own Scottish Parliamentary election on 5 May.  The First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called for the EU referendum to be postponed till the autumn out of “respect” for Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish voters who will have to contend with two campaigns running at the same time.  To complicate matters, she has also hinted that if Scotland votes to stay in the EU but England votes to leave, that might be ground enough for a second referendum on independence. Then the Irn-Bru cans really will start flying.

Speaking of our own election campaign, the Finance Secretary John Swinney is still locked in talks with the UK treasury over the “fiscal framework”, the new deal on tax powers which are coming to Scotland next year. He is off to London for further discussions today.

Meanwhile the First Minister announced a £75m fund to try to save Scotland’s manufacturing industry which is looking more anaemic every day.  Since the beginning of the year we’ve seen hundreds of jobs at risk at Tata Steelworks in Lanarkshire, Texas Instruments in Greenock, Polaroid Eyewear in Dundee and Hawick Knitwear in the Borders.

Scotland’s unemployment rate now stands at 5.8 per cent, compared to 5.1 per cent in the UK as a whole. Yet, despite all this, there have never been more people in work, 2.6 million people, nearly 75 per cent of all those of working age.

Jobs which have been saved include the 700 staff at Torness nuclear power station on the East Lothian coast. Its French owners, EDF, announced this week that they are to extend its life till 2030.   I remember it being built, some 30 years ago, amid much controversy. Then, the worry was over safety, now the worry is cost.  The anti-nuclear campaigners say the subsidy given to nuclear is a distraction from investing in renewable energy for the future.

This week has brought tragedy in the Scottish hills. Two men in their 70s died when they were forced to spend the night in freezing conditions after they got lost in a snowstorm in the Lowther Hills in southern Scotland. Another man died in an avalanche on Creag Meagaidh, north of Fort William.  And on Ben Nevis, the search is still going on, as I write, for a young couple who’ve been missing for nearly a week.

Even here in Edinburgh, the weather has been cold and windy, with occasional sleet showers. On one such day this week I was working as usual at my local wildlife reserve, at Duddingston Loch, when a hungry sparrow-hawk flew into one of our cars. He entered by one window, sat for a moment on the dashboard, and then flew out the opposite window.  We reckon he thought he’d seen food in the car.

The whole incident lasted hardly a second but it reminded me of something the Venerable Bede said: “Our present life is like the swift flight of a sparrow through the room where you sit at supper in winter, flying in one door and immediately out at another.”

Suddenly life’s daily triumphs and disasters fall into context.

Pupils from Deans Community High School and St Margarets High School attended the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service youth engagement programme  at Bathgate fire station last week.

Seven pupils from 3rd year took part over five days in a programme that allowed participants to experience basic fire service tasks such as team building, first aid, hose running, ladder climbing, Search and Rescue and community fire safety activities.

Local Area Liaison Officer Stuart Watson explains: “Working with young people means that the fire service can raise awareness and challenge attitudes to fire safety and other forms of anti-social behaviour.

“The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service Youth engagement project engages with young people aged between 12-17 in order to work towards reducing hoax calls and secondary fires and to increase awareness of local community safety issues.

“We encourage positive social behaviour by using a combination of intensive group work and fire service activities with a view to raising self-esteem, confidence, personal motivation and increase problem solving skills

“The programme allows participants to experience basic fire service tasks and all activities incorporate a fire safety message and endorse a strong group work component.’’

Mr Watson adds: “I would like to thank Tracy Harrison, Community Champion from Tesco Bathgate who provided lunches for the pupils throughout the week.”

Councillor Anne McMillan attended on behalf of West Lothian Council to present the certificates on the last day.  Parents, carers and representatives of both schools also came along to see the youths put on a display of what they had learnt though the week.

Hibs are looking to increase their fanbase by attracting more students to attend home games at Easter Road.

A students support society is currently being established at Edinburgh University and the club hope that other institutions follow suit, both within and outwith the capital.

A statement on the club’s website reads: “Are you a Hibernian supporter studying at an Edinburgh college or university? We want to hear from you!

“Hibernian are looking to assist with the formation of student supporter societies in Edinburgh institutions. We have a strong existing student support and want to grow this to attract more supporters to Easter Road Stadium.

“This is your chance to get involved and become founders of a society for your college or university. We have already been in touch with supporters from Edinburgh University who are in the process of establishing a society, and we want to help this grow as well as facilitate the formation of new associations in other colleges or universities.

“If you are interested please e-mail promotions@hibernianfc.co.uk with your name and college/uni and we’ll be back in touch.

“Please note we are also interested in hearing from students outwith the Edinburgh area, so please get in touch if you’re based elsewhere and interested in helping to grow the Hibernian fanbase.”

Fiscal Framework

#spiritscotland

Two million visitors to National Galleries of Scotland

Tonight at the Queen’s Hall

Craiglockhart Community Council

It is amazing how quickly we all assume the abbreviations of the political world.

Deputy First Minister is off to London today to have further talks with the Westminster government. He is seeking a deal on financial arrangements for the powers which Scotland expects with the Scotland Bill, otherwise the fiscal framework.

The Scottish Government made a new offer to the Treasury last week and now that Chief Secretary to the Treasury Greg Hands has returned from his holiday, Mr Swinney will meet with him later today.

Mr Swinney said:

“The Scottish Government is very clear that we want to reach an agreement on the fiscal framework that lives up to the spirit and the letter of the Vow and delivers the key principle of no detriment as set out in the Smith Commission.

“For both Parliaments to have adequate time to scrutinise an agreement it is important that we make progress. That is why I am travelling to London as part of our efforts to secure a fair deal for the people of Scotland and for the rest of the UK.

“Crucially, for there to be an agreement which the Scottish Government could consider recommending we must ensure that the Barnett Formula is retained and that Scotland and the rest of the UK are no better or worse off as a result of the devolution of further powers, that is a key test of any proposal.

“I remain committed to reaching an agreement that is in line with the principles of the Smith Commission.”

VisitScotland invited Danny Macaskill along to Edinburgh Castle last week to publicise their new campaign to put Scotland on the tourist map.

If you have anything to add to the conversation you are asked to add the hashtag #spiritscotland to your tweets.

Photos of the Scottish capital will be beamed across the world to inspire foreigners to discover Scotland and all that it has to offer.

The TV advert used to publicise the campaign has the RSNO and a voiceover by Edinburgh-born actor Iain Glen, along with an Edinburgh-based army piping instructor.

Sergeant Andy Reid, a regular at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, where he has performed as the lone piper, recalls his experience of the annual spectacle at Edinburgh Castle in a 90-second film.

On his involvement in the campaign, he said: “This was a great opportunity to represent my unit, and the army as a whole, to promote and inspire others to visit Scotland.”

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More than two million people have visited the National Galleries of Scotland in the last year in Edinburgh, the first time that so many have done so.

The number of visitors has risen by over 12 per cent over the previous year.

The amazing exhibitions at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art like The Amazing World of M.C. Escher and ARTISTS ROOMS : Roy Lichtenstein, a special three room display of works from the Pop Art forerunner Lichtenstein all served to attract more art lovers than ever before.

John Leighton, Director-General of the National Galleries of Scotland, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that visits to NGS have now surpassed 2 million for the first time in our history.This result reflects a growing interest in our collections, exhibitions and activities from local, national and international visitors and, as one of Scotland’s leading cultural institutions, we hope to build on this success in years to come. Our focus will remain on improving and promoting our world-class collection, engaging with the public in new and exciting ways and developing both the strength and breadth of our yearly cultural programme.”

We are sure that even more people will want to see the new exhibition at the Modern which is part of British Art Show 8.

We had a preview last week:

The Edinburgh Reporter News from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

Tonight at The Queen’s Hall you are invited to Shut Up and Dance!

American indie rock band Walk the Moon’s upbeat anthem Shut Up & Dance was one of the biggest hits of last summer, topping the Billboard chart and hitting triple platinum sales in the USA and tonight they are in Edinburgh.

Tickets here.

Nominations are now open for new members of Craiglockhart Community Council.

All names must be in by 7 March 2016.

Councillor Maureen Child, Convener of the Communities and Neighbourhoods Committee, said: “Community councils play such an important role in local democracy, allowing residents to make their opinions heard to the Council and other organisations.

“Anyone interested in making a difference in the Craiglockhart community should consider signing up for the opportunity to meet new people and get involved in improving their local area.”

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.

Back in November I had a health issue which required investigating, the result of which was a wee operation yesterday. Initial findings have shown ‘nothing untoward’ although a biopsy has been taken to make sure that’s the case.

The National Health Service is constantly in the news, principally because of the UK government’s reform plans for the NHS in England. In Scotland, health is a devolved issue although you might think differently if you watch the news on the BBC or ITV.

I’m home now, recuperating, after a long and tiring day. I’m drugged up with appropriate painkillers and faced with the prospect of walking like John Wayne without his horse for a few days, if you get my drift…

I must offer a big thanks to the wonderful staff at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital who made time there as bearable as they could.

NHS staff are extremely hard-working and work long hours. One of the nurses I spoke to started her shift at 7.30am. As she prepared my discharge papers just after 4.00pm she commented she was grateful for finishing early that day – she was getting away at 6.00pm. I know you’ll find this difficult to believe but I do have a mump and a moan about things from time to time. However, I consider myself lucky when I compare what I do for a living to those who work long hours in a pressurised environment where mistakes can be deadly.

So, I take my hat off to NHS staff (even if one of the nurses on duty yesterday was of the Hibernian persuasion and was keen to relate the events of the Edinburgh derby the previous evening which was almost as painful as the pain I’m experiencing now) They even phoned me at home today, 24 hours later, to see how I was.

I’m not sure if some politicians truly appreciate NHS staff –  but I certainly do.

The other day I was reminded about something my wife said to me a wee while back. No, it wasn’t ‘have you mended that kitchen shelf yet?’ Nor was it ‘so when are you going to paint the spare room?’ (although there’s little doubt if she reads this I will be reminded yet again about these tasks…)

Rather it was when she who must be obeyed remarked that ‘we’ll all be replaced by robots before very long’ that re-entered my thoughts. Not for the first time I thought ‘she’s right’.

I’m in the process of training to be a counsellor, having recently qualified as a hypnotherapist (appointments now being taken…) I’ve had to postpone my class due for this weekend as I had to go to hospital this week and will need a few days to recuperate. When I telephoned the company running the course and told the person on the other end why I wouldn’t be able to attend class this weekend I was told I would need to advise them by email.

‘So, you can’t deal with this query over the phone then?’ I asked incredulously. To which she replied ‘I’m sorry, Mr Smith – you will need to email what you’ve just told me’

The fact I was able to speak to someone at all only resulted after enduring one of those highly irritating automated messages – press one for finance queries, press two for course details, press three for all other queries – alternatively, press four if you feel like throwing your phone out of the window…

I have experienced the same issues at my place of work. I had been paying invoices to one particular company by phoning up and paying by company credit card. Now I have been advised that I need to ‘pay the invoices on-line as we will no longer be taking payment details by phone’. So that was me told – at least it was by a human voice…

So many things are automated these days. Even the somewhat mundane task of doing the weekly shop at the supermarket is fast becoming a grapple with a machine at the ‘self-service’ checkouts. I usually opt for the old-style method of being served by a human being at the checkout till. I shared a wee bit of banter the other day with a woman in a well-known supermarket in Leith who light-heartedly chided me on the way I had packed my bag and how the £100 bunch of red roses (is this right? Ed) I had bought for the aforementioned Mrs Smith may fall out. Trying getting that from a machine which does little other than beep at you as you scan your goods.

It has even reached the pastime of going to watch football. Just before Christmas, I headed to the Granite City to watch Hearts play Aberdeen. As I entered the turnstyle I was about to offer a greeting to a home official about it being a cold day (as it always is at Pittodrie) only to discover there was no one there. I had to insert my match ticket into a slot in a machine which then moved the turnstyle so I could gain entry to the stadium. I found this rather dismaying – no longer will I be greeted by ‘fit like, min’ as I enter Pittodrie Stadium.

It seems the art of conversation is being threatened by automation whether it be self-service checkouts, websites or damned pre-recorded messages. It’s bad enough when you go out for a meal or a few drinks and your companions have their mobile phone seemingly glued to their hand. The irony is that people don’t tend to use their phones for conversing any more. It’s for texting, using ‘apps’ and posting on social media. ‘I’m in the pub with Jim, Jean, Bob and Carol’ and within minutes people will be ‘liking’ or ‘re-tweeting’ this comment  – people who probably haven’t spoken to each other for some time or, worse still, haven’t even met the person who posted the comment.

As I recover from my wee op (that’s operation and not app for application – although if there had been an ‘app’ for what I’m getting done I would be a happy man) I have been asked by my manager at work to let her know when I should be fit to return to work. ‘Text me’ was her parting shot as I left the office.

I could go all retro and actually phone her – but there’s a fair chance I’ll be greeted with an automated message along the lines of ‘Can’t come to the phone right now – leave a message after the tone’

Is it just me? Hello? Speak to me….someone….

Edinburgh Comic Con returns for a third year, but this time they have found a new home at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.

As usual, they will feature all the top named guests from the world of comic books and science fiction, including writers, artists and actors.

These include:

COMICS:

– Marco Rudy (Bucky Barnes: Winter Soldier, Swamp Thing, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Sara Richard (My Little Pony, Powerpuff Girls, etc) – UK Exclusive
– John Lees (Standard, Oxymoron, etc)
– Brad Walker (Guardians of the Galaxy, Batman, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Jorge Jimenez (Earth 2 Society, Arrow, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Gordon Rennie (Judge Dredd, Doctor Who, etc)
– Tom Raney (X-Men, Superman, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Tom Foster (Judge Dredd Megazine, 2000AD, etc)
– Jim Calafiore (Deadpool, Black Panther, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Chris Burnham ( Nameless, Batman and Robin, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Yishan Li (Blue Beetle, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, etc)
– Iain Laurie (And Then Emily Was Gone, Mothwicke, etc)
– Dan McDaid (Planet of the Apes, Judge Dredd, etc)
– Nick Pitarra (Manhattan Projects, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Emma Beeby (Judge Dredd, Robbie Burns, etc)
– Bruno Redondo (Injustice, Human Target, etc) – UK Exclusive
– Javier Fernandez (Magneto, Doomed, etc) – UK Exclusive

FILM/TV:

– Cas Anvar (Assassin’s Creed, The Expanse, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, etc)
– Julain Seager (Thor 2, Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Who, etc)
– Miltos Yerolemou (Game of Thrones, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, etc)
– Femi Taylor (Star Wars: The Return of the Jedi)
– Arti Shah (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Guardians of the Galaxy, Harry Potter, etc)
– Patricia Tallman (Babylon 5, Star Trek, Army of Darkness, etc)
– Paul Blake (Star Wars: A New Hope)
– Peter Roy (Star Wars: A New Hope & Return of the Jedi, James Bond, Superman, etc)
– Ian Hanmore (Outlander, Game of Thrones, etc)
– Jimmy Vee (Doctor Who, Pan, Star Wars: EPVIII)
– Kerry Ingram (Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, etc)

In addition there will be the familiar attractions such as prop displays, large vehicles, photo opps, photobooth, costuming groups, gaming area, panels and cosplay, to name but a few.

Our charitable endeavours will once more be undertaken by the Edinburgh Science Fiction Fellowship, who this year will be fund raising on behalf of Cash For Kids.

This year, the annual cosplay championships will have a grand prize of £500, which will see entrants from all over the world travel to Edinburgh to showcase their costumes.

Tickets are available online via http://www.heroconventions.com where you can also find more information about this year’s event.

Submitted by James Lundy

A police enquiry is underway after a woman and toddler were  found injured on Stenhouse Street West at around 4.30am this morning.

The pair were taken to hospital where they were treated for non life-threatening injuries.

Five players from Hibernian Ladies, Lia Tweedie, Abigail Harrison, Rachael McLaughlan, Chelsea Cornet and Cailin Michie have been included in  Gareth Evans’ Scotland Women’s Under-19 squad for their upcoming friendlies against Switzerland and Czech Republic in Portugal.

The two matches in the Algarve will form part of the team’s preparation for April’s UEFA European Women’s Under-19 Championship Elite Round qualifiers against Portugal, France and Greece.

Scotland Women’s Under-19 squad to face Switzerland and Czech Republic

Goalkeepers

Rebecca Flaherty (Aberdeen LFC)
Laura Hamilton (Rangers LFC)

Defenders

Sarah Clelland (Glasgow City FC)
Cassie Cowper (Aberdeen LFC)
Cailin Michie (Hibernian LFC)
Donna Paterson (Aberdeen LFC)
Georgie Rafferty (Celtic FC)
Courtney Whyte (Celtic FC)

Midfielders

Claire Adams (Rangers LFC)
Chantelle Brown (Rangers LFC)
Chelsea Cornet (Hibernian LFC)
Erin Cuthbert (Glasgow City FC)
Amy Gallacher (Forfar Farmington LFC)
Rachel McLauchlan (Hibernian LFC)

Forwards

Carla Boyce (Glasgow City FC
Kirsty Hanson (Liverpool LFC)
Abigail Harrison (Hibernian LFC)
Lia Tweedie (Hibernian LFC)

Scotland vs Switzerland
Thursday 3rd March 2016, 4pm kick-off
Algarve, Portugal

Scotland vs Czech Republic
Monday 7th March 2016, 4pm kick-off
Algarve, Portugal

Police have carried out a successful partnership day of action to ensure vehicles travelling on the road network are fit for use.

Officers were joined by colleagues from the DVSA and HMRC at checkpoints at Hermiston Gait on Tuesday 16th February to inspect over 160 cars, vans and lorries. In total, police and partner agencies stopped 169 vehicles whereby two were found to have no MOT, while another two were also found to have no insurance.

One further vehicle was seized for a document offence and a lorry driver was given a fine for a tachograph offence.

A male driver of a vehicle was also arrested on an outstanding warrant.

Working alongside the Driver and Vehicle Service Agency, Road Policing Officers identified numerous cars and vans with defects that required rectification.

A number of those inspected needed immediate attention and drivers were directed to ensure the necessary rectifications were carried out.

Other partners from UKBA and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service were also in attendance to monitor for immigration offences and to carry out scrap metal checks.Neither agency reported any issues or concerns from the vehicles inspected.

Chief Inspector Stevie Innes, Road Policing Area Commander for the East of Scotland said: “It is absolutely essential that all vehicles utilising our road network are roadworthy, particularly during the current challenging and adverse weather conditions.

“During the roadside checks we carried out on Tuesday, a number of cars, vans and lorries were identified as having various levels of defects that required immediate repair, or were not legally permitted to be on the road because they had no tax or insurance.

“I would like to remind all motorists that should your vehicle fail a roadside check or if you are found not to have the appropriate documentation you will face further police action, which may result in a fixed penalty fine, points on your licence or a report to the Procurator Fiscal.

“We will continue to carry out vehicle inspections alongside our partners and I want to thank all of the agencies involved for their assistance and support during Tuesday’s activity.”

• Edinburgh Fashion Week 
• Pennywell Shopping Centre
• Rare Whisky sale
• Boys Brigade
• RSNO and the RSNO Chorus at the Usher Hall

Last year was the first time that Essential Edinburgh and EdinEvents ran Edinburgh Fashion Week. Well now it’s back!

From 5th to 6th March at The Mound you can see fashion from Edinburgh’s stores and boutiques and enjoy masterclasses in make-up and styling.

There will also be a children’s fashion show for the very first time.

Tickets are now on sale via Eventbrite and the weekend will be rounded off by the Edinburgh College of Art Postgraduate Collective Show.

This year, the event will partner with breast cancer charity Walk the Walk to host a one-of-a-kind Moonwalk show on Saturday 5 March. An array of Scottish celebrities, sports personalities and designers will be taking part in the extravaganza which will culminate in an exciting live auction. Other collaborators include iconic Edinburgh blogger Satisfashion and fashion movement Scot Street Style amongst others.

Following the weekend launch, participating retailers will be running exclusive promotions across the city and the week will close with the Edinburgh Charity Fashion Show on Friday 11th & Saturday 12th of March in The Biscuit Factory.

Community Action North along with the regeneration company Urban Union and North Edinburgh Arts have combined forces to provide giant planters to brighten up Muirhouse Shopping Centre.

The scheme is called Wishing Penny-Well and is designed to encourage members of the community to help brighten up the shopping centre by planting seeds and flowers. Urban Union set up the planters and residents were invited to make a special wish for the area.

At the ceremony last week the Craigroyston High School rock band provided music and everyone who attended was given a heart-shaped treat.

Craig Kidd, from Urban Union, added: “This year we wanted to celebrate Valentine’s Day at Pennywell in a very special way and I think we’ve achieved this by encouraging local people to love their community and by brightening up the Muirhouse Shopping Centre. The event proved popular with several local residents joining in the fun and we hope the community can take pride in the efforts that have been made to develop and grow the Pennywell area.”

The Pennywell development will provide 356 new social and mid-rent homes for The City of Edinburgh Council and 363 new houses for private sale.

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Bonhams will be selling some pretty special whisky next month with one bottle of Glenfiddich estimated to fetch anything up to £15,000.

This bottle was filled in 1991 from casks from 1937 and 1939, and is number 448. The bottle is in its original fitted wooden presentation case along with a certificate of authenticity.

Bonhams Whisky Specialist, Martin Green commented: “The Glenfiddich 50 year oldis one of the most sought-after whiskies at auction and always excites much interest when it appears.  Whisky collecting is very much an international pursuit and I would not be surprised to see bidding for this bottle from the USA and countries in the Far East as well as closer to home.”

Callum Marshall a volunteer with the Boys’ Brigade has graduated from the King George VI Youth Leadership Training course.

The Very Reverend Andrew McLellan, who is Brigade National Chaplain and a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, presented Callum with his certificate at a ceremony in Carluke on 13 February.

Callum from Bonnyrigg said: “KGVI has provided me with a qualification, helped improve my leadership and communication skills, whilst at the same time develop friendships which I know will last a lifetime. This incredible experience has given me the motivation and confidence to make a difference for future BB generations.”

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Rebecca Morgan is a young film producer from Edinburgh, and on Sunday night she was at the BAFTAS as a nominee – and her short film won!

That is to say Rebecca and her co-producer Caroline Bartleet (who also wrote the script) won the BAFTA for their film called Operator . It is a huge honour and they are both thrilled, but naturally we were only interested in Rebecca since she hails from the capital, while Caroline is from Essex.

Rebecca was brought up in Edinburgh where she volunteered at Edinburgh International Film Festival for a couple of summers, and then went on to study film at The University of Nottingham, followed by a bit of travelling and finally a leap in the dark into London. After a couple of months she began worked as a runner with a film production company and only last year she became a freelance film producer.

Caroline wrote the script in Spring 2014 and asked Rebecca to produce the film with her. Both Rebecca and Caroline love the way that films tell stories. When she agreed they decided to raise the money on Kickstarter and agreed a rough budget of around £7,000 which they managed to raise. This allowed them to employ a couple of well-respected female actors for the two main roles. The star, Kate Dickie, previously appeared in Game of Thrones and Red Road and Vicky McLure had roles in This is England and Line of Duty.

They were careful with their budget and did not use everything for production preferring to keep money aside for the post-production and submitting the film for festivals.

They also received a sum of money from the Fire Brigades Union, in view of the subject matter of the film. The operator in the Fire Control Room played by Kate Dickie deals with a 999 call. (No spoilers here!)

Getting nominated for a BAFTA, the young producers had to enter the film for one of BAFTA’s recognised film festivals. In their case it was the BFI London Film Festival which allowed them to make their application for BAFTA.

After finding out they were nominees on 8 January Rebecca went out and bought a dress without any ‘messing around’, and without involving any fancy designers.

The film is compelling, riveting viewing even thought it is under 10 minutes long. When we asked what happens with the film now, Rebecca told us that some of the bigger film festivals want to premiere films and clearly that status has now been lost, so the aim is to put Operator on line so that it becomes widely available to the public.

The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to Rebecca over Skype:

The Edinburgh Reporter NEWS – Edinburgh girl wins BAFTA from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

As to the filming process, Rebecca explained: “The film was made with a complete crew of around 25, and in fact the first day was devoted to setting up the lighting rig. It is hard to explain how many people and how much equipment it takes to make even a short film like this! We had, I think, five guys who came in on set up day with scaffolding poles and lights to create the mood lighting effect. You might think we just had a couple of lights, but it was a massive production!”

“The producer’s role is to find the location, find the crew, get the insurance, negotiate the contracts, make sure everyone turns up on time and that everything goes smoothly. You also have to control the budget and then there are the festival submissions.

“The producer has the most control, but also the most responsibility.

“The great thing about a BAFTA is that the funding next time around might be easier. Caroline and I are hoping to do another short film this year, perhaps together and perhaps not; it depends on what happens.”

At the BAFTAS the pair were sitting alongside all their fellow nominees in the same row. But they did not know what order the awards were being announced in so it all happened quite suddenly.

Rebecca told us that they partied alongside the other nominees on Sunday evening: “We still can’t believe it. The whole of Sunday and Monday was a real blur!”

PS Rebecca also has a famous mum: Nicola Morgan who writes all those fabulous books for young adults.

Next month from 11-13 March the Edinburgh International Swim Meet takes place at the Royal Commonwealth Pool.

If you are going along then you will see Scottish swimmers like Robbie Renwick, Hannah Miley, Duncan Scott, Ross Murdoch and Corrie Scott, who all became household names after the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

An elite entry from the GB squad is also expected including Derby’s Adam Peaty, London Aquatic’s Aimee Wilmott, Bath’s Siobhan-Marie O’Connor, Jazz Carlin and Lizzie Simmonds, and Plymouth’s Ruta Meilutyte and Ben Proud.

Tickets are available here for Friday, Saturday and Sunday. In the mornings and afternoons there will be open heats and age group events with finals taking place each evening.

The event is organised by SASA East District along with lead sponsor University of Edinburgh and swimwear company Speedo.

Every year, Ayr Racecourse plays host to two of the most prestigious meetings of the British horse racing season. The Scottish Grand National meeting, which takes place just one week after the main Grand National event, and the Ayr Gold Cup meeting will both attract tens of thousands of spectators to Scotland’s primary racecourse as they look to beat the bookies and return home with hefty profits.

The Scottish Grand National weekend is truly one of the nation’s greatest sporting spectacles. Although it doesn’t compete with the traditional event in terms of size, there are still some phenomenal racehorses entered into the race on a yearly basis and the Scottish National tends to throw up a few shocks or two throughout the race weekend.

In addition, there are plenty of family-friendly activities to keep the children entertained. Ayr is one of the best racecourses for providing additional entertainment; whether that’s live music or additional games to take part in around the racetrack. Sometimes, they even have a jockey simulator – which shows you exactly what it’s like to be a jockey when you’re approaching fences and how it feels on landing.

Then we have the Ayr Gold Cup meeting in September, which spans three days – a day longer than the Scottish Grand National weekend. Over the years, some of the top-rated racehorses in the sport have featured in the Ayr Gold Cup and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the best trainers, jockeys and thoroughbreds in action later in 2016.

However, if you simply cannot wait for either of these events, you can check out the Cheltenham Festival, which is the next major meeting in 2016. Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that there will be many Scottish jockeys involved – especially after Ryan Mania retired in 2014 – but it will still be a superb event and many Scots will travel down to the meeting. In the build-up to the event, you can keep up with Cheltenham tips from different Cheltenham insiders.

The two Ayr festivals are among the greatest meetings on the horse racing calendar but Cheltenham can help to give you a different perspective of an English festival. You won’t be alone as plenty of Scots will head down to the racecourse and if you simply cannot attend one of the Ayr meetings, Cheltenham is the next best place to go!

“The Eglinton stands, Ayr race course – geograph.org.uk – 43204” by william craig.

Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Commons

The most recent report from Healthcare Improvement Scotland was issued today and says that the Royal Hospital for Sick Children could do better.

The report follows an unannounced visit to the hospital on 2 and 3 December when the inspectors found a number of areas for improvement.

Although they found the wards and departments generally clean they say that systems must be put in place for compliance with standard infection control precautions.

Some of this seems as ever to be common sense precautions. In one area of the hospital where nursing staff were caring for patients who all had the same infection, staff were not wearing face masks or filtering face piece respirators. Apparently no risk assessment had been carried out.

Another recommendation is that all high visibility vests worn by staff when handing out medicine should be laundered by the hospital. Some staff had said that they took them home to wash.

In another area inspectors spotted some PVC splints which were drying after being washed with soap and water, presumably to be re-used. The inspectors were adamant in their report that the hospital must ensure that all equipment is both appropriate and clean.

Speaking of the report, Jacqui Macrae, Head of Quality of Care for Healthcare Improvement Scotland, said: “In this inspection we found that the wards and departments were generally clean, however we have also identified a number of areas that need to be addressed. NHS Lothian must ensure compliance with infection prevention and control policies, implement improvement action plans and ensure all equipment used in the care environment is clean. This inspection resulted in five requirements and two recommendations which we expect NHS Lothian to address as a matter of priority. We will continue to inspect the Royal Hospital for Sick Children to ensure improvements are made.”

Hibs’ Head Coach Alan Stubbs admitted that his players had to ‘dig deep’ to progress to the quarter finals of the William Hill Scottish Cup after a pulsating 90 minutes against city rivals Hearts at Easter Road last night.

After dominating the first half with some superb one touch football, Hibs looked to be cruising into the next round, but Hearts came back fighting in the second period and it was a combination of stout defending and poor finishing which kept the score at 1-0 and sent the green and white clad supporters home in a happy mood.

After the game Stubbs said: “It is a great result for the players and the club but we had to dig deep tonight to come though.

“Hearts put us under pressure in the second half but we managed to contend with it and get the result we all wanted.

“I said it would be a close game, two good teams but we created the clearer chances in the game and we had to deal with some difficult balls into the box and defend properly and I knew there would be times when we would be under pressure.

“But there is no denying they are a good team. We have just beaten the third-best team in the county at this moment in time.”

With tackles flying in and no quarter being asked or given, referee John Beaton controversially sent two players off in the last 15 minutes however neither decision won the support of the Hibs’ boss.

Firstly, Paul Hanlon was clearly fouled on the half way line. Hearts skipper Blazej Augustyn reacted furiously to the decision, picking the ball up then throwing it to back up the pitch in what the referee deemed an act of petulance.

Moments later, Jason Cummings kicked the ball away after being given offside. At first the referee appeared to take no action however after being surrounded by Hearts’ players he spoke to the young striker who seemed to argue. That was enough for a second yellow card to be shown to add to the one he received for his goal celebrations.

Stubbs however had some sympathy and added: “I thought the sending-offs actually spoilt the game a little bit.

“I thought they were soft red cards in the end. I don’t want to see any players sent off. I just thought it affected the momentum of the game for both teams

“I think in the first one, you are always running the risk but I didn’t think he (Cummings) did anything wrong apart from stand there.

“He didn’t make any actions towards the fans, he stayed on the pitch, which is what you are supposed to do.

“For the second one I think he was booked for booting the ball away but I am led to believe he was actually looking to fetch the ball and didn’t boot the ball away.

“I am obviously guessing a little from what people are saying but I thought it was a bit harsh. But we won and we are delighted.”

With arguably more ‘high profile’ transfer signings having arrived at Easter Road during the Alan Stubbs reign, Darren McGregor almost slipped in under the radar in the summer, but if they didn’t know his worth before, the Hibs’ fans certainly do now.

Some supporters assumed that McGregor would be a bit part player in the team which contained recognised central defenders such as Paul Hanlon, Liam Fontaine and Jordon Forster, but the lifelong Hibs’ fan’s performances on the field have quickly changed that perception.

McGregor’s consistency and ‘no nonsense’ defending skills won him the Rangers’ fans ‘player of the year’ award last season, so it was surprising when he was released by Mark Warburton, but Rangers’ loss has proved to be Hibs’ gain.

Most observers thought he was heading for the top flight with St Johnstone however when his ‘first love’ came calling then it was no contest and last night’s victory over Hearts has convinced him that he made the right decision.

The after match celebrations from three quarters of the  19,433 sell-out crowd will live in both the players’ and supporters’ memories for a long time as the team  completed a lap of honour to the strains of ‘Sunshine on Leith’ and McGregor was quick to praise the long suffering supporters.

After the game a beaming McGregor told the press pack : “It’s well documented I’m a Hibs’ fans and to see the game out and hear the stadium singing Sunshine on Leith was one of the best memories I’ve had in football.

“To be in the team I supported all my life and beating their rivals in the Scottish Cup is a dream come true.

“I am so grateful, after everything I’ve been through with injuries, to have been given this chance. This is my number one moment in football. I can’t think of anything that eclipses it.”

Of course a Scottish Cup press conference at Easter Road requires the obvious question. Can Hibs end the 114 year hoodoo and finally lift the famous old trophy.

McGregor has no doubts. He continued: “The games we have played this season will tell you we can. We have already beaten Aberdeen, Dundee United, St Johnstone and now Hearts as well. So that tells you we can do it.

“Inverness will present a different challenge and they will be difficult but with the talent we have in our squad then we can do it.”

• Scottish Parliamentary Election 2016
• Edinburgh Art Festival
• Careers at the Botanics
• International Women’s Day in Edinburgh
• One City Trust

We have begun interviewing all the candidates we can find for the Holyrood Election 2016. If you are standing in Edinburgh or Lothian then do get in touch. 

Our aim is to have interviews with all (or nearly all!) by the end of March.

SCOOPIT

If you are at the very beginning of your career as an artist and ready to showcase your work, Edinburgh Art Festival would like to hear from you.

Following the successful launch of Platform: 2015, the organisers have called for proposals to participate in Platform: 2016, their new initiative designed to provide a dedicated opportunity for artists at the beginning of their careers to participate in the festival.

Between 3-5 artists selected through the open call will be invited to present their work in a group exhibition as part of the 2016 festival. Selected artists will be given an artist fee, a dedicated production budget, and supported by the festival team throughout the development and delivery of the exhibition.

For more information and how to apply, visit the Edinburgh Art Festival website.

Application deadline: Monday 29th February, 5pm. 

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Yesterday afternoon it became too dangerous to allow the public to wander around the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh due to the high winds.

But if this is a place you could see yourself working then they are holding an information day there today.

The day will comprise talks and short presentations to explain the broad range of careers that the garden can offer.

Who is the event aimed at?

• Anyone interested in starting a career in horticulture
• Students on horticulture courses
• Anyone already in horticulture wishing to progress their career
• Anyone with qualifications / experience in another area wanting to apply these to horticulture
• Career advisers

Book your place here for the day long Careers Day which runs from 10.00am to 4.00pm.

International Women’s Day will be celebrated at the Festival Theatre on 8 March 2016. Speakers will include Orla O’Loughlin, the Traverse Theatre’s Artistic Director, Lee Chalmers, the Lothian List candidate for The Women’s Equality Party, Alice Strang, Curator of the Modern Scottish Women exhibition at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Jemima Levick, recently appointed as the new Artistic Director of Stellar Quines and Susan Russell, co-founder and Chair of the recently launched Women In Tourism, a not-for-profit organisation which seeks to develop a framework of activity in recognition of the challenges and opportunities available to women within the tourism sector.

The sessions are free but ticketed. You can book online atwww.edtheatres.com/internatioanlwomensday or call the box office on 0131 529 6000.

The One City Trust has grants of between £5,000 and £10,000 available for registered charities and constituted groups based in Edinburgh, which work in Edinburgh and which have an annual income of less than £200,000. These must be social inclusion projects with one of these aims: Community connectedness, cultural bridging or civic inclusion.

There may be as many as 8 grants available.

For further information and to request an application form, please see www.onecity.org.uk

If you’d prefer to speak to someone, please telephone Susan Shippey on 0131 469 3874 or e-mail 1617applications@onecity.org.uk  Please note that the Trust is supported by the council on a part-time basis.

The deadline for applications is 29 April 2016, and projects should commence on 1 July 2016 and run for up to one year.

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There has recently been something of an 80s revival in cultural matters with acts such as Rick Astley, Adam Ant and ABC being part of the Rewind Festival which visits Scotland in July. If you recall that decade with more than a passing fondness and can’t wait until the summer for your 80s ‘fix’ then you should try to get along to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre this week for Footloose: The Musical.

Based on the 1984 film in which American actor Kevin Bacon made his name, Footloose: The Musical is the story of Ren McCormack (played by Luke Baker) who loves dancing in the big city of Chicago but has to move to small town Bomont where dancing is banned following a tragic accident. However, new kid in town Ren is out to defy orders from the town’s Rev Shaw Moore, played by Nigel Lister and soon has the rest of the town following his lead. His actions impress the Rev Shaw’s daughter Ariel, superbly played by Hannah Price.

The show is an effervescent collage of energy, high spirits, impressive dance moves and music which will take you back more than three decades. The second half of the show is quite moving in parts and a testament to the skills of the performers. Although the ending is as cheesy as a slice of gorgonzola, for those who have seen the film they will know what to expect.

Those who do remember the 1980s will doubtless recall songs such as Let’s Hear It For The Boy, Holding Out For A Hero, Almost Paradise, Mama Says as well as the title song.

Luke Baker  – whose recent credits include American Idiot, Sunny Afternoon and Hairspray –  gives a fine performance but it’s the performance of Willard, played by Pop Idol runner-up Gareth Gates, which is the highlight of an impressive show. Gates has enjoyed a successful stage career since those Pop Idol days with hit shows such as Les Misérables, Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and Legally Blonde to his name. He plays the part of the loveable but naive Willard brilliantly.

Also in the impressive cast are Maureen Nolan, a veteran of stage musicals and someone who can count Frank Sinatra among the many stars she has worked with and Matthew Tomlinson.

I have to admit I had thought about cancelling my visit to the show as the Hibs-Hearts Scottish Cup replay was in my thoughts. However, when I couldn’t get a ticket for the game at Easter Road, I reverted to Plan A and headed for a musical treat. And given the way events transpired at the football, I’m glad I did!

If you want good old-fashioned entertainment and enjoy a blast from the past, head along to Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre for a thoroughly entertaining evening.

With music by Tom Snow and lyrics by Dean Pitchford, Footloose: The Musical is adapted for the stage by Dean Pitchford and Walter Bobbie and is produced by David Hutchinson, Phillip Rowntree, Jason Haigh-Ellery, Stephen McGill and Runaway Entertainment. It runs at The Edinburgh Festival Theatre until Saturday 20 February 2016. Click here for ticket information

Edinburgh Reporter Review:  ****

A Jason Cummings’ goal in the third minute was enough to secure a Scottish Cup quarter final place after a hard fought ill-tempered Edinburgh derby at Easter Road tonight which saw both teams finish with ten men.

In the proverbial ‘game of two halves.’ Hibs dominated the first 45 minutes and could easily have gone in at the break two or three goals to the good, but Hearts had the better of the second period and were unlucky not to take the game to extra time.

Alan Stubbs made one change to the team that drew 1-1 with Livingston on Saturday evening with Kevin Thomson, making his first start since his return to the club, replacing Chris Dagnall who was listed amongst the substitutes. Dylan McGeouch who was injured during the cup tie at Tynecastle failed to recover in time to make the squad.

Robbie Neilson made three changes from the starting XI that beat Ross County last week. Blazej Augustyn and Igor Rossi returned from suspension to replace John Souttar and Juwon Oshaniwa whilst Sam Nicholson made way for Abiola Dauda up front. Augustyn skippered the team in the absence of the suspended Amil Ozturk.

Hibs kicked off before a packed stadium and took the lead in the third minute. John McGinn did well to beat several Hearts’ players before finding David Gray on the right wing. The full back’s first cross was blocked but Liam Henderson picked up the loose ball and returned it to Gray whose second effort found Cummings unmarked inside the six yard box. The youngster made no mistake and calmly hammered the ball past Neil Alexander in the Hearts’ goal before being booked for his celebrations.

Hearts almost equalised two minutes later but Dauda’s close range header flew past the post.

Henderson and Anthony Stokes set up Cummings who beat the offside trap and found himself one on one with Alexander but instead of shooting, he tried to round the keeper who managed to clear the ball with his foot.

Anthony Stokes, who was being watched by Roy Keane, then forced a good save from Alexander after cutting in from the left.

Hearts thought they had equalised in the 19^th minute when Dauda headed in a Jordan McGhee cross at the back post but the celebrations were short lived as the linesman had his flag raised for offside. The Hearts’ players surrounded the referee and linesman but their protests were in vain.

Callum Paterson then went close after Paul Hanlon’s clearance deflected off Darren McGregor and the  frenetic first half ended with Marvin Bartley being booked for a challenge on Miguel Pallardo.

In the 51^st minute, another superb piece of skill by McGinn on the by-line ended with a cut back to Lewis Stevenson but the full back’s shot went wide.

Rossi then hit the side net from a Paterson’s cross as play raged from end to end.

Pallardo should have been shown a second yellow card for bringing down McGinn in front of the dug-outs but incredibly referee John Beaton kept his cards in his pockets to the fury of three sides of the stadium.

Neilson however saw the ‘writing on the wall’ and immediately decided to replace him with Nicholson.

With tempers running high, Thomson was lucky to avoid a red card for a bad tackle on Walker.

Paterson then sent ball across the face of the goal but Juanma Delgado was unable to connect with the ball..

The Hearts’ fans behind the goal were celebrating in the 66^th minute when another Paterson’s cross was bundled into the net by Delgado but once again the linesman’s flag was raised and the ‘goal’ was disallowed.

A minute later Mark Oxley was booked for time wasting then Stokes set up Cummings again but the striker’s effort was easily saved.

With time running out there were two ridiculous sending off in the space of a few minutes. Hanlon had clearly been fouled in midfield and when the free kick was awarded Augustyn threw the ball away in disgust earning a second yellow card.

Moments later Cummings followed him down the tunnel after kicking the ball away. At first it appeared the no action would be taken but the Hearts players surrounded the referee and Cummings appeared to argue with the official and was shown a second yellow card.

Hearts then had a penalty claim rejected when Stevenson challenged Jamie Walker who immediately signalled to the bench that he was unable to continue.

The fourth official indicated five minutes of additional time then with Hearts pushing forward at every opportunity Martin Boyle collected the ball in his own half, ran 50 yards before sliding the ball to fellow substitute James Keatings who shot wide with the goal gaping.

Thankfully the miss was soon forgotten as the referee blew for full-time sparking wild celebrations amongst the Hibs’ supporters.

After the game Stubbs said: “It was a close game as I said it would be, but we have created the clearer chances and had to deal with difficult balls into the box.”

Hibs now face Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the quarter finals.

Hibs: Oxley, Gray, Henderson, Hanlon, McGregor, Bartley, Thomson, Stevenson, McGinn, Stokes, Cummings. Subs Virtanen, Fontaine, Boyle, Keatings, Dagnall, Gunnarsson, Carmichael.

Hearts: Alexander, Paterson, Augustyn, Rossi, McGhee,, Djoum, Pallardo, Cowie, Walker, Juanma Dauda. Subs: Hamilton, Oshaniwa, Souttar, Beith, Zanatta, Nicholson, Reilly

Attendance 19,433

Sit down for breakfast, stand up for farmers – it’s Fairtrade Fortnight 2016! 

As Martin Luther King famously said: ‘Before you finish eating breakfast in the morning, you’ve depended on more than half the world’.

Despite our dependence on farmers and workers for the foods, drinks and products that we love, millions of people across our world are still badly undernourished and desperately poor. The theme of this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight (29th February – 13th March) is harnessing the power of Fairtrade to highlight this scandalous inequality, and to challenge us to continue to support and promote the work of the Fair Trade movement.

What’s On?

There are lots of great events taking place throughout the city during Fairtrade Fortnight – here’s a selection:

Monday 29 February 

3-4.30pm: Fairtrade Schools Celebration at City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square

A special celebration for those schools that have embraced school uniforms made with Fairtrade cotton. Pamela L’Intelligent from Craft Aid, Mauritius will be speaking at the event, telling her inspirational personal journey from child textile worker in a sweatshop to cotton uniform employee in a Fair Trade company. Schools from all over Scotland will be attending.

Saturday 5 March

10.30am-2.30pm: Fairtrade Festival at Southside Community Centre, Nicolson Street

A free one-day family friendly Festival event at the South Side Community Centre with stalls, free drinks and refreshments, storytelling, the Edinburgh Contemporary Choir and lots more! Tania Pintado, a young plantain farmer from Ecuador, has been invited to speak and give a presentation on the challenges her community faces and how Fairtrade has made a vital difference to their lives. The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh the Rt Hon Donald Wilson and Malcolm Brown from Scotmid will also be speaking and urging everyone to learn more and get involved in bringing about changes to unfair trading practices.

Saturday 5 March

10am-12 noon: Balerno Fair Trade Breakfast Challenge

Get ready for the Big Fairtrade Breakfast Challenge in Balerno! The Balerno Fairtrade Village Group want as many people as possible to take part in the challenge during Fairtrade Fortnight, whether they’re eating breakfast at home or stopping off at Vanilla Pod, the kiosk by Harlaw Visitor Centre in the Pentlands, or meeting a friend for brunch in the Mill Cafe. Then, on Saturday 5 March, in the Parish Church Halls, from 10 – 12 noon, there will be a late ‘breakfast’, with FT drinks and home-baking + stalls selling fairly traded products, activities for children, a presentation of prizes to pupils from Dean Park and more! To keep in touch, see the Balerno Fairtrade Village Group Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Balernofairtradegroup/?fref=ts

Wednesday 9 March

5.30 – 7pm: Fairtrade on your Doorstep – from local to global at One World Shop, 25, Nicolson Square

An open event for students and young people – come and find out how you can get more involved in Fair Trade and hear from relevant student societies who embrace it. Free refreshments and delicious organic chocolate tasting from Equal Exchange!

More details of these events and more can be found on Edinburgh Fairtrade City’s Facebook page or at www.edinburgh.gov.uk/fairtrade and www.fairtrade.org.uk/en, or by contacting Rachel Farey, Chair of Edinburgh Fairtrade City Group, at rachel@oneworldshop.co.uk. With thanks to Russell Salton, Edinburgh Fairtrade City Group.

If you are organising your own Fairtrade Fortnight event, let us know and we will include it in our weekly listings – email rosemary@theedinburghreporter.co.uk.

Art exhibition at Ocean Terminal

Valentine’s Day movies at the Sick Kids

Virgin East Coast increase services on London route

Singing Jockey at Musselburgh

Edinburgh Students Arts Festival

Interview Room 11 is an artspace at Ocean Terminal and from next weekend you will be able to see Robert Davies’ photographic study of coastal Edinburgh.

Davies said: “With this body of work I set out to explore the changing edge of a city, and in doing so found a coastal landscape in limbo. One of stalled housing developments and dislocated communities – a landscape of unfinished visions, uncertain of its future and disconnected from its past.

“Having grown up on the South coast of Wales and lived in St Ives in Cornwall, I have an affinity with the coast. Its towns, cities and communities are familiar to me, as are the changes brought on by development and the shifting needs of society. Having moved to Edinburgh I found similar locations, the port areas of Leith, Granton and Newhaven, which became the focal point for my research and photography.

“My images explore these spaces – generic isolated housing developments that resemble compounds rather than luxury homes, surrounded by wasteland, they appear to have more in common with the West Bank than the Water of Leith. Not the “luxury urban village”, or “place where people and their children want to live, work and play…” as described in the promotional literature. The architecture is utilitarian and uninspiring, the public spaces ineffectual and desolate, cut off from the city they lack any sense of community.

“If “cities are the privilege scenes of memory” perhaps what was imagined for these developments, and what has turned out to be the reality are quite different things.”

Patients at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children were treated to a movie night at the weekend to help them and their families celebrate Valentine’s Day.

Pix in the Stix brought in their mobile big screen and showed shoe real blockbusters.

The Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) transformed one ward into a mini move screen and showed Pixar’s Home for the younger patients and Pan for the older age group.

They were also treated to ice cream from S Luca from Musselburgh!

Fiona O’Sullivan, Arts Programme Manager of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, spoke of the benefits of hosting regular fun and interactive activities within the hospital.

She said: “This was a fantastic activity organised for the children and we are extremely grateful to Pix in the Stix for helping us make it happen.

“We wanted to provide a normal, everyday experience for families who may not have had the chance to spend much time together recently. We also thought it would be a nice idea for any parents with children in intensive care to have the opportunity for a Valentine’s Day date.

“This is just one of the many activities we provide to ensure children and young people’s lives are less interrupted by illness; they are less scared of hospital and have a more positive experience.

“It’s definitely something we would look to do again in the near future.”

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Virgin Trains have obtained permission to increase the number of trains on the main Edinburgh to London line, meaning that there are an extra 22,000 seats available for you to travel between the capitals.

Read more here.

SCOOPIT

Ryan Winks is a professional jockey based in South Yorkshire who has a night job – as a professional singer. At the Scottish Cheltenham Trials at Musselburgh Racecourse recently he sang for the crowd just after winning a race with Chestnut Ben trained by his father Peter in the Scottish Champion Chase. You can watch it here!

This is the 200th anniversary year for Musselburgh where they have a full range of fixtures in the next few months including the Stobo Castle Ladies Day and the Edinburgh Cup sponsored by Edinburgh Gin.

There will be racing tomorrow with the final jumps meeting of the 2016 season, after which the course will be getting ready for the Good Friday meeting which signals the start of the flat season.

There will be a special raceday on 8 July 2016 to celebrate the bicentenary. For more information on the full list of fixtures, including a number of seasonal highlights, and to book tickets visit: www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

The Edinburgh Students Arts Festival 2016 continues this evening at 6:00pm with a free event at The Biscuit Factory, 4-6 Anderson Place, EH6 5NP.

This is a symposium called Democratic Regeneration which looks to engage a variety of individuals and groups in a discussion on reclaiming or rejuvenating urban spaces as a starting point for stronger social 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.

News has just broken that Mr Hogmanay, Pete Irvine of Unique Events, will step down as Director of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay after 20 years in charge.

Pete Irvine and Hogmanay in Edinburgh have become synonymous. When The Edinburgh Reporter spoke to him last Hogmanay he explained that he had never really seen what happens elsewhere in the world at this time of the year as he had never been anywhere else, except Edinburgh, for such a long time!

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has become a major part of the capital’s winter tourism offering and has meant that Edinburgh became a year-round destination for foreign visitors.

Pete as Director of  Unique Events since 1992 and the founding director of Regular Music, Scotland’s first concert and music festival promoters, has been the ideas man behind many other events in the city too.

In a personal statement, Pete said: “Almost 25 years ago it was my great privilege to be given the opportunity to create a new event (or festival as I subsequently proposed), to encompass the then ad hoc Hogmanay gathering and to celebrate the midnight moment in a way more fitting for Scotland’s capital city.

“As I saw it, it was also an opportunity to light up the dark and curiously empty days around New Year and to show a new side and edge to a city whose cultural credentials were most closely associated with its August festivals.

“Attracting audiences from the start in spirited tens of thousands, it was exhilarating to be part of that rare moment when the perception of a city changes as well as its perception of itself. We added the apostrophe to Edinburgh and proclaimed ourselves to be the authentic home of New Year celebrations: our magical city was the theatre, its citizens and visitors together were uniquely, the show.

“Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2015/16 was once again in the hands of a longstanding and extraordinarily committed team and despite more than the usual challenges, was one of the smoothest running and most successful yet.

“All events sold out; visitors came from 82 countries; there were over 100 million Twitter Impressions (i.e. good memories) of Edinburgh and Scotland; fireworks, much remarked on as the most spectacular ever, were again broadcast globally; Tim Peake wished us Happy New Year from space and throughout this, the biggest, best natured Street Party in Europe, there was not a single arrest.

“So this seems like the right time for me to step back from this parade and let others lead our always welcoming, sometimes awe-inspiring Festival round the next corner and up the next Calton Hill.”

Unique Events and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have confirmed that company directors Penny Dougherty and Alan Thomson who have both worked with Unique and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for over 16 years as Head of Operations & Finance, and Head of Communications & Events respectively will take the event forward. They are committed to the success of the company and the Festival and their unrivalled knowledge and dedication to the project will allow it to thrive and develop.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebration event was established by the City of Edinburgh Council in 1993.

Councillor Richard Lewis, current Festivals and Events Champion, said: “Appointed by the Council, Unique Events have produced a festival programme that has allowed the city of Edinburgh to become synonymous with the word ‘Hogmanay’. Under Pete Irvine’s creative direction, ‘The Bells’ have been transformed into a world-famous three-day festival that has set the standard for global New Year celebrations with numerous major cities following our lead.

“Along with all of our Council officers, past and present, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work with Pete on these special celebrations, and on behalf of everyone at the City of Edinburgh Council I wish to give him our sincerest thanks and best wishes. We very much look forward to working with Penny Dougherty and Al Thomson as they lead the Unique team to create Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2016/17.”

Pete will continue to work with and support Unique Events this year as Creative Director of Scot:Lands; the widely acclaimed New Year’s Day arts programme now going into its fourth year, and as an Artistic Consultant on other new projects.

Photos © Lloyd Smith