• New Town Community Cinema
• Bellany Exhibition at Holyrood
• Where to watch the Super Bowl in Edinburgh
• New restaurant at Straiton Park
• Scottish Opera bring FEVER! to Edinburgh Schools

The New Town Community Cinema will show The Illusionist next week on 29 January at 19.30.

The Barony Street building at number 33 used to be home to the Glasites as a place of worship, so you are reminded that it can be a good idea to take a cushion with you even though the pews are padded.

It is a particularly appropriate film to show here as the Barony Bar is featured in the delicately drawn scenes of Edinburgh. Even if you have seen it before it is well worth repeat viewing.

Any proceeds from the films shown will be contributed to the charity the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust to help save buildings for local communities.

Do be sure to admire the Georgian glass cupola above you!

Tickets here.

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A new exhibition has just opened at The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood featuring art by John Bellany which highlights the work of Dr Elsie Inglis and the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. This is an exhibition well worth seeing. It is free but it is important in telling a story little talked about till now.

To accompany the exhibition there is a whole programme of events ranging from screenings of War Horse to talks about Dr Elsie Inglis and a gore make-up workshop all taking place at Holyrood. The full listing is here.

The Edinburgh Reporter interviewed the Presiding Officer and Mrs Helen Bellany at the launch event earlier in the week:

The Edinburgh Reporter News from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

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If you are interested in watching the Big Game that is the Super Bowl final then you can book your table at Hard Rock.

Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh will stay open extra-late for American football fans to enjoy the sporting spectacle that is the Super Bowl. This year, the Big Game is set to take place at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California – home of the San Francisco 49ers. Fans at Hard Rock’s Big Game Viewing Party can enjoy a special three-course menu available for one night only, as Hard Rock’s big-screen TVs project the game around the Cafe.

For £26.25 per person, customers will get a reserved seat with a fantastic view of the Big Game and a special three-course menu. The Big Game Viewing Party at Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh will kick off at 9pm and is guaranteed to bring all the excitement of the Super Bowl straight to the Cafe.

For more information, visit www.HardRock.com/Edinburgh

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A new restaurant opened yesterday at Straiton Park.

Not entirely new to Edinburgh, but the latest one in the chain of Nando’s in the capital it will add to the diversity of eating places on offer in the shopping park in the east of the city.

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Several primary schools in Edinburgh will welcome performers and arts education specialists from Scottish Opera over the next few weeks to rehearse and perform (in full costume!) the musical FEVER! for parents and friends.

This opera has been created specially for those in Primary 5-7 and the story unfolds about a young boy who is struck down with a mystery disease.

Scottish Opera’s Director of Outreach and Education, Jane Davidson said: “Our annual Primary Schools Tour is one of the longest established programmes at Scottish Opera – every year around 10,000 children see or take part in these performances.

“This year, we have brought back the ever-popular FEVER!, a production that gives pupils not just the chance to perform, but also to learn more about the process of putting an opera or theatre performance together. We aim to give students the chance to explore their creativity, build confidence, develop new skills and most of all have a great time doing all of that.”

If your school is one of those taking part then do send us photos of your performances!

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by Cllr Iain Whyte

Four wasted years – four years of waste – under Labour and SNP

Revealing the Conservative Group’s alternative budget proposals for 2016/17 Cllr Iain Whyte the Conservative Finance Spokesman revealed the shocking levels of inefficiency and political mismanagement of the Council that show that service cuts aren’t necessary and better quality services are possible.

Iain Whyte said: “The Labour/SNP Administration has wasted four years ignoring the need to restructure the Council and make it more efficient.  They have finally started to accept some of the necessary measures to manage the workforce that we Conservatives have been calling for over a number of years.  While I could be flattered by this imitation it is clear they just don’t get it as they are still ignoring options to partner with the private sector that would drive out further savings and have been shown in the past to guarantee us better services.

“The Administration’s four years of inaction means four years of wasted taxpayers money and the waste goes on.  And their track record of delivery of their chosen and expensive options is abysmal.  We all know that their reorganisation of bin collections has been a disaster with huge numbers of complaints and ongoing missed bin collections months after implementation.  Meanwhile our buildings are crumbling and we are spending £9m more a year than the Administration’s plan was supposed to on managing them while failing to slim down the Council estate to make it fit for modern services.  These failures cast a huge doubt over the Administration’s latest plans because they have shown they don’t really believe in the changes they are now having to make and they don’t show real will to implement them.

“Our proposals show a balanced budget, avoid service cuts, and put additional resources into public priorities like maintaining our schools and improving our roads and pavements.  We can spend more on these priorities because we are willing to challenge the inefficiency and look for the best way of delivering services based on what matters to the service user rather than sticking with the way it has always been done or the political whim of councillors in hock to the Trade Unions.

“Any calls for Council Tax increases or the re-emergence of the politics of envy with the ill-thought out suggestions of a Labour/SNP “Mansion Tax” are completely unnecessary and would be a huge blow to hard pressed Edinburgh families.  It is clear from our research that the successive budgets that the Conservatives have put forward would have radically transformed the Council and, if implemented when we first suggested them, would already have made the savings to balance the budget without cuts.  That early implementation would have made the change to a smaller workforce easier and cheaper with less stress for the Council’s employees.  It would have also have freed up lots of resource in the meantime to invest in our crumbling buildings and improve our services.

“After four wasted years and four years of waste by Labour and the SNP it is time for a change.”

The council meets tomorrow Thursday 21 January 2016 at 10am to discuss and set its budget for the next financial year. The Edinburgh Reporter will be reporting live from the City Chambers.

The Scottish Government commissioned childcare specialist Naomi Eisenstadt to prepare an independent report for them on how to tackle poverty in Scotland. Ms Eisenstadt is a senior research fellow at the University of Oxford and a trustee of charity Save the Children. She is also an expert on the impact of poverty on children.

The report was published today and it includes 15 separate recommendations as to what the government might do, including providing more free childcare and reforming council tax. The aim was always to hold the government to account and it is clear that it does. When she announced the appointment of the independent adviser the First Minister said that her main priority was to ensure that the government was doing everything it could to make Scotland a more equal society.

Today the First Minister said: “When I appointed Naomi to the role I was clear that she would work independently and be frank and challenging in her scrutiny of not only the work the Scottish Government was doing to alleviate poverty and inequality, but also what more can be done.

“I thank Naomi for the work she has carried out and welcome the report that she has published today. We now need to study it and look at what we’re doing well and should continue to do, and where we can improve. We will respond formally to the report before the end of March and set out how we intend to take forward its recommendations.”

Untitled from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

The First Minister met her policy adviser at North Edinburgh Childcare this morning to formally launch the report which has taken Ms Eisenstadt six months to prepare, when she took the opportunity of announcing a £1million pilot project.

The project will provide funding for up to six early learning and childcare trials to test different delivery models and the results will be used as part of the expansion of childcare to 1140 hours a year.

In welcoming the report Co-Convenor of Scottish Greens said: Patrick Harvie said: “This new report clearly shows that we can do more right away to protect people on low incomes from vicious Tory cuts, and to build a more equal, prosperous future for our country.

“The council tax is a regressive measure that’s no longer fit for purpose. It’s time to  replace it with a more progressive local tax system, that would protect people on low incomes and enable councils to raise revenue for vital services that are currently under threat.

“Housing costs in many parts of Scotland are disgracefully high, and too many people of low incomes are forced to find a home from the expensive private rented sector. Building more social housing is absolutely crucial, but we also need to regulate rent levels in the private sector. The housing bill that’s up for debate in Holyrood is our chance to do that, but we have to make sure that rent control measures are strong enough.

“Every year, thousands of people suffer in the freezing winter weather because fuel prices are so high, and their are simply not in good enough condition to keep warm. Instead of boosting the budget to tackle fuel poverty, the Scottish Government has decided to cut it for the coming year. I urge the SNP to reconsider this decision, and to make insulating and heating Scotland’s homes a priority.”

The recommendations are as follows:

In-work poverty

1. Build on Living Wage Accreditation – a focus on larger employers, and on incentives, would be useful.

2. Encourage pay ratio disclosure as a way of tackling pay inequality.

3. Ensure childcare commitments focus on quality to improve outcomes, and consider providing a limited number of free hours of childcare for primary school aged children.

4. Make family flexible working more explicit within the Business Pledge, and consider whether approaches such as the Timewise programme could promote flexible working.

5. Do more to ensure that people claim the benefits they are entitled to.

6. Make effective use of new social security powers but proceed with caution.

Housing affordability

7. Build more social housing.

8. Ensure fuel poverty programmes are focused to support those on low incomes, and do more to tackle the poverty premium in home energy costs.

9. Be bold on local tax reform.

Life chances of young people, aged 16-24

10. Carry out a comprehensive review of the policies and services relevant older children and young adults, with particular emphasis on those from poorer backgrounds.

11. Reduce the number of government-supported employment programmes targeting this group of young people and simplify the landscape, to provide a clearer, sharper focus.

12. Ensure that the new approach to employer engagement in education is having an impact on improving skills for work of young people.

13. Do more to tackle occupational segregation.

Cross-cutting

14. Ensure that public service delivery is respectful, person-centred and preserves the dignity of people in poverty: pre-employment and in-service training should include the importance of avoiding stigma and understanding the challenges of living on low incomes.

15. Commence the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010, when powers are available.

The full report is available at: http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/01/1984

A man has been convicted of the of serious sexual assault of a a teenage woman at a public park in Edinburgh.

At Edinburgh High Court today  Steven Davidson was found guilty of attacking the 19-year-old on the morning of Saturday, November 15, 2014.

The woman had been making her way home from a party on Niddry Street when she was approached from behind by the 24-year-old as she walked along Jawbone Walk in the Meadows just before 7 am.

She was then forced to the ground and sexually assaulted before Davidson ran off towards the Summerhall area.

The alarm was raised with police by a concerned member of the public who found the victim in the park.

Police Scotland’s Public Protection Unit in Edinburgh launched a major investigation that led to the eventual arrest of Davidson on 21st December 2014.

He will be sentenced next month.

Detective Chief Inspector Alwyn Bell from the Edinburgh Public Protection Unit  said: “The despicable acts carried out by Steven Davidson brought tremendous distress to his victim.

“This was a horrendous ordeal for anyone to go through and I hope the judgement passed down by the court today brings some sense of closure to the woman and her family.

“Offences of a sexual nature are among the most abhorrent crimes that can be carried out on someone and we treat all such reports with the utmost seriousness.

“Police Scotland is committed to thoroughly investigating all reports of sexual offences irrespective of when they are carried out.

“I want to stress that there is no time limit for reporting crime, particularly those of a sexual nature, and we work closely with all partner agencies to ensure people receive the support they need, when they need it.”

Police are appealing for witnesses following an indecent assault in the west of the city which  happened around 8.25pm last night in Dundee Terrace.

An 18-year-old woman was walking her dog when a male approached her from behind and assaulted her before running off.

The victim then contacted police who are asking anyone who can assist with their inquiries to come forward.]

The suspect is described as being in his late teens with skinny legs. He was wearing a dark hooded top with grey cotton bottoms.

Detective Sergeant Jon Pleasance from Edinburgh’s Public Protection Unit said: ““The victim was not injured during this incident but was left extremely upset and shaken as a result.

“We are conducting various lines on inquiry within the area to trace the suspect and would ask anyone who can help in identifying him to contact police immediately.

“In addition, anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around Dundee Terrace on Tuesday evening, or who has any other 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.

pix by electrify

Five lucky Hibs’ fans joined first team star Lewis Stevenson ahead of a VIP screening which takes place at the Dominion Cinema tonight.

Celebrating the best of Hibs, the factual entertainment documentary is the remarkable story of Smith, Johnstone, Reilly, Turnbull and Ormond, collectively known as the ‘Famous Five’ forward line.

In the post-war period, they entertained football fans at home and abroad, even earning plaudits whilst playing in Brazil.

The inspirational story of their journey from humble working class backgrounds to the most talked about footballers of a generation and beyond is compelling and historically and culturally significant.

Hibs’ fans Irvine Welsh was brought up listening to stories about the Famous Five . Speaking in the film he says: “The post war team has shaped how the club sees itself and how it would like to be seen by the world.

“Getting good local players and bringing them through, encouraging them and getting to a level of success with them. I thinks that’s the model for a club like Hibs. That style of football is so impregnated into the club’s DNA.”

Using beautifully shot archive commissioned by the club in the late 1940s as a backdrop to the story, the Famous Five celebrates Hibernian’s post-war decade showcasing the hugely talented forward line in the most successful period in the club’s history.

As well as hearing from acclaimed writer Irvine Welsh, featuring in the documentary are family members. fellow players and broadcasters and club historian Tom Wright. The film includes archive interviews and drama reconstruction – featuring those talented Development Squad players.

Produced for BBC ALBA by award-winning production company purpleTV, the Famous Five is presented by sports broadcaster Alex O’Henley and is produced and directed by Margot McCuaig.

The same team produced ‘Jock Stein’ the documentary which won the Royal Television Society Scotland awardfor best Sports documentary in 2015.

Margot McCuaig said: “We’re delighted that players past and present have gathered alongside Hibernian supporters to promote ‘The Famous Five.’ a compelling story about a group of post-war footballers whose significance resonates to this day. We look forward to sharing the film with BBC ALBA viewers on the 24th January and with the audience at the preview screening tonight. ”

‘The Famous Five’ produced by purpleTV, will be broadcast on Sunday 24th January at 9.00pm on BBC ALBA.

2016  looks like being  an exciting year in the career of former Hibs’ star Caroline Weir who yesterday announced her move to Liverpool.

She is in the Scotland squad for Tuesday’s match against Sweden in Gothenburg and aware how important the next twelve months could be for both club and country.

Weir who moved from Hibs to Arsenal joined Bristol Academy during the 2015 season but despite some impressive performances, the Scotland internationalist could not prevent relegation.

When Liverpool, who featured in this season’s UEFA Women’s Champions League came calling, it was an easy decision.

Speaking to the Scottish FA website, she said: “2016 could be a really exciting year. The national team is determined to reach the EUROs next year, and we’ve got big games coming up this year that will be decisive in whether we qualify.  Club-wise, I’m eager to earn my place in my new team and play consistently next season.“

“I’m really excited about the move. I’ve known about it for a wee while, so I’m glad I can finally start talking about it” she said.

“I moved down to Liverpool last week, it’s great to be here and have a look around Anfield, and now I’m just eager to get started now.

“Moving to Liverpool is a huge thing for my career. I knew that when I signed for Bristol halfway through the season that there was a risk of relegation. Unfortunately that happened, and I knew that I had to stay in top-flight football. I like playing in England, so it was an easy decision to sign for Liverpool.

“International football is the pinnacle, and to be considered for the national squad you need to be playing consistently at a high standard for your club. When you look at the Scotland squad now, all the players who aren’t playing in Scotland are playing in professional leagues elsewhere. It’s difficult to get into the squad and stay there, so you need to give yourself the best opportunity to be selected.

Weir was captain of the Scotland Women’s Under-19 team that qualified for the UEFA European Championships in 2014. One of her teammates from back then, Zoe Ness of Mallbackens in Sweden, follows Weir, Megan Cunningham, Chloe Arthur, Fiona Brown, Lizzie Arnot and Lucy Graham as the latest player from Gareth Evans’ team to be called up to the A-squad.

“I’m really happy for Zoe”, she said. “She’s been doing well in Sweden, and it shows that if you’re performing you have a good chance of being called up to the national team.”

“I think it puts into perspective how good that Under-19 team was that so many players have since been called-up. It’s encouraging to see the quality of young players coming through, and it’s great that they are given opportunities at this level. “

She is under no illusions about the challenge Anna Signeul’s side face in Gothenburg next week, however. She added: “Sweden are always a tough team, and we’re looking forward to the challenge”, she explained.

“We played them a while ago and they were a really difficult team to play against, so we know what to expect.

“They’ll provide a baseline for the rest of the year, and a good opportunity to see where we are now.”

Photo courtesy of Liverpool Ladies FC

Police are renewing their appealing for witnesses following a serious assault in the city centre last month which  took place at around 2.30am on Sunday 20th December in Queen Street.

The male suspect approached a 33-year old woman in the street and began to pay her unwanted attention until her husband intervened.

At this point an altercation took place between both men during which time the victim sustained a serious facial injury.

Two further men, who are believed to have known the suspect, approached the group and attempted to calm the situation.

The suspect and the other two men were last seen heading down Queen Street Gardens East.

Following this attack the victim was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

Officers have since been pursuing a number of lines of inquiry into this assault and have now released and image of the injury the victim sustained.

The suspect is described as white, between 20 and 30-years-old 5ft 11ins tall with a stocky build and a local accent.He had short fair hair and stubble and was possibly wearing a grey-coloured top with thin black stripes.

One of the men who intervened is described as white, in his early thirties, 6ft 2ins tall with a slight build. He had short ginger hair, a clean-shaven face and was wearing a white t-shirt and dark trousers.

The second man is described as white, in his early thirties 5ft 8ins tall with a slight build, dark hair and stubble on his face. He was wearing a grey-hooded jacket and dark jeans.

Detective Constable Alison Wyllie said: “This was a violent attack which has left the victim requiring ongoing treatment, and we’re conducting extensive enquiries in order to trace the suspect.

“We have released the image of the victim to show the extent of his injuries and to perhaps convince whoever was responsible to come forward.

“I would also ask that the two men who intervened contact police immediately and assist us with our ongoing investigation.

“Similarly, anyone else who witnessed this assault, or who has any further information relevant to this inquiry, should also get in touch.”

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

Entrepreneurial Spark awards this evening 

Edinburgh based groups finalists in the Autism Professional Awards

Auld Reekie Roller Girls

Tough Mudder

Footloose

The brand new businesses which have been in solved in the Entrepreneurial Spark’s Edinburgh Hatchery are all in the running for awards which could win them a share of £35,000 this evening. The businesses have all been working with The Royal Bank of Scotland and KPMG to help them take their businesses forward from the start-up stage to a scaled up model.

The entrepreneurs have been skilling up in the last six months and now they will pitch their businesses at tonight’s gala evening. There will also be speeches from Entrepreneurial Spark’s team of Enablers, and guest speaker Garry Stewart, CEO and founder of The Chopping Company. Other events are being held tonight too across the whole of the UK with around £250,000 available in cash prizes.

Carl Haagensen, Entrepreneur Development Manager, Royal Bank of Scotland, said: “The Royal Bank of Scotland is delighted to celebrate the efforts of the Chiclets at the Entrepreneuring Awards.

“All have shown a tremendous amount of passion, creativity and commitment to their businesses and this event is an opportunity for everyone involved to take a moment to see how far they have progressed and the difference their hard work has made.

“We wish everyone the greatest success and hope the winners’ stories inspire others to ‘go do’ and make their business dream a reality.”

Phil Charles, Head of Enterprise at KPMG in Scotland, said: “Business incubators such as Entrepreneurial Spark play a pivotal role in supporting start-ups in their first, crucial, stages of growth. The Entrepreneuring Awards give those businesses a taste of competing in a real pitching environment, helping equip them with the skills necessary to secure investment in the future. We wish all the Chiclets taking part at this year’s awards the best of luck.”

Entrepreneurial Spark founder and chief executive Jim Duffy said: “The Entrepreneuring Awards have grown alongside our network of Hatcheries, and the latest round will be the biggest yet. The cash prizes are an excellent way of boosting some of our most promising businesses and accelerating their growth, and the events also provide valuable networking opportunities and pitching practice.

“Entrepreneurs need to be able to explain their business briefly and concisely, and they never know when they might meet a potential investor, client or partner. That’s why we drill our Chiclets to ensure that they are clear on their goals and able to pitch their ideas.”

Entrepreneurial Spark is the world’s largest free accelerator for start-up and scale-up businesses, and competition for the latest intake to its accelerator programmes was intense. To find your nearest Hatchery and register interest for the August 2016 intake, visit www.entrepreneurial-spark.com.

The Yard and Pasda are in the running for awards for ‘innovative family support’ at the National Autistic Society’s Autism Professional Awards 2016.

The Yard is a purpose-built indoor and outdoor adventure playcentre for disabled children and young people, including autism spectrum conditions. It was nominated for the award by a group of parents. Mum, Dora Roden, said: “Children are encouraged to suggest games and activities for the club, and even unusual ideas are carried through. One youngster suggested a jacuzzi night, so a hot tub was hired!  The range of activities is amazing – from arts to board games, to outings and baking. Thanks to the club, my son has gained confidence, made friends, had a huge amount of fun. The Yard is a sanctuary for both parents and children.”

Celine Sinclair, chief executive of The Yard said: “We are delighted that our work with autistic children and young people has been nominated for this year’s awards. Our specialist team of playworkers are committed to building relationships with families who use our service, through creating trust, building confidence and ensuring that their children get the support they need to enable them to thrive. We know that what we do makes a real difference and being nominated for this award is truly fantastic because being a small Scottish based charity, we rarely receive national recognition for the important role we play in the lives of all the 2,000 disabled children and young people who use our services.”

Pasda is the only organisation in Edinburgh and the Lothians supporting families of adults on the autism spectrum who often struggle to cope with their caring role. It has been nominated for its ‘Connect’ service which helps isolated carers meet others experiencing the same challenges.

Danuta Szerszynska, a project worker at Pasda, said: “We are delighted to have been shortlisted for this award.  Our carers face huge daily challenges supporting their autistic family members, and can often feel stressed, isolated and depressed. The flexibility Connect provides is hugely important, enabling carers who may struggle to attend groups and meetings to have that much needed support from someone who truly understands. We have seen amazing results from our Connect Service, with over 75 per cent of carers saying their lives have improved since joining. It’s great that the mutual support carers can gain from talking to each other is being recognised.”

Jenny Paterson, director of the National Autistic Society Scotland, said: “The autism community gets together once a year to recognise services, like The Yard and Pasda, whose work makes a huge difference to the lives of autistic people and their families and carers.

“This year yielded 217 nominations in total, our largest number of nominations yet. It’s heartening to be able to recognise more people and services year on year, as more people are inspired to work in the field of autism and create a better life for those on the autism spectrum.”

The Yard and Pasda are two of nine finalists based in Scotland. There are a total of 38 finalists across the UK in 12 categories. The shortlist was decided by a panel of 11 autism experts, who were looking for innovation, creativity, impact and sustainability.

The winner will be revealed at the National Autistic Society’s Professional Conference on Tuesday 1 March 2016 in Telford.

The Auld Reekie Roller Girls are playing against Dresden Pioneers at Meadowbank on Saturday 30 January 2016. Doors open at 2pm. The match against the German visitors promises to be an exciting beginning to the 2016 roller derby season. If you haven’t been to a match then steady your nerves beforehand. It is exciting, exhilarating and non-stop!

Police are appealing for witnesses following an attempted knifepoint robbery in the west of the city which took place  around 4.30pm yesterday in Calder Park.

A 27-year-old man was carrying out deliveries to the local shops in the area and was returning to his van when a group of three men approached him.

At this time one of the men presented a knife and demanded money, however, the victim refused and all three suspects ran off.

Officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their ongoing inquiries to come forward.

The suspect who presented the knife is described as white, around 5ft 8ins or 5ft 9ins tall with a slim build. He was wearing a white Adidas baseball cap, dark hooded top and white trainers.

The other males are described only as being white. One had an English accent.

Detective Sergeant Robbie Wallace from Corstorphine CID said: “Thankfully the victim was uninjured during this exchange and he did not surrender any of his possessions.

“Nevertheless, we are progressing our investigation to trace these individuals and anyone who can help in identifying them should contact police immediately.

“I would also ask anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around Calder Park on Monday afternoon, or who has any other information relevant to this incident, to get in touch.”

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

The very first Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list features someone who set up his business HQ in Edinburgh!

Cally Russell is originally from the Highlands but has set up his business Mallzee in the capital, and we are now happy to adopt him as our own. (Apart from that he was the only Scot mentioned in the Retail and E-Commerce category.)

The 27 year-old set up his personalised shopping app in 2012 which means that you have access to hundreds of high street retailers from one location.  Mall zee is currently ranked as the number one multi-retailer shopping app in the UK and Yahoo say that this is “one of the six apps that will change the way we shop forever”.

There are thousands who use the app on a daily basis from over 125 countries taking advantage of the speed with which purchases can be made.

Although the young businessman turned down a Dragons Den investment offer of £75,000 last year the business has recently raised £2.5million in a funding round led by Royal Mail Group.

From today at Holyrood there is a new exhibition featuring paintings by the late John Bellany in an exhibition about the Scottish Women’s Hospitals alongside video and a new poem by Scots Makar Liz Lochhead.

The whole exhibition is a neat marriage of Bellany’s work emphasising the significance of one of Edinburgh’s notable daughters Elsie Inglis  and her work with the hospitals during the First World War.

Dr Inglis was told by an official to ‘go home and sit still’ when she offered her services. Not one to do that she proceeded to set up the Scottish Women’s Hospitals in the field, against much opposition.

John Bellany suffered much ill health during his life, which means that he knew all about being in hospital, and he worked on these paintings in 2008 about five years before he died. It is only now that the works will be seen for the first time by the public.

Helen Bellany, wife of the late artist, said: “He had a lifelong admiration and gratitude for all the help he had been given by all the doctors and nurses and he never stopped praising them. He had been a very fortunate man. Good nursing can make all the difference to somebody  whose life is in danger and who is frightened and frail.

“We didn’t know anything about the hospitals. Everyone knew about Elsie Inglis but not the hospitals. It is a long time coming for this tribute to be made and it is a great inspiration for Scotland.”

The Edinburgh Reporter News from Phyllis Stephen on Vimeo.

The Scottish Parliament’s Presiding Officer, the Rt Hon Tricia Marwick MSP said: “The work of John Bellany vividly brings this harrowing period in our history to life Bellamy’s artwork gives us a glimpse of the conditions those working in the Scottish Women’s Hospitals faced as well as looking at the many hundreds and thousands of people they helped save.

“These women who would not go home and sit still as they had been told were led by Elsie Inglis who fought to created the Scottish Women’s Hospitals. Her story is beautifully portrayed in the poem The Ballad of Elsie Inglis which Liz Lochhead has written especially for the exhibition.”

Former Hibernian star Caroline Weir has joined Liverpool Ladies from Bristol City Women.

The 20-year-old Scotland international midfielder trained with Hibs from the age of 10 before making her first team debut against Glasgow City in 2011 after having won the SWFL First division Player of the Year for her performances in the Reserve team.

After 40 appearances and 21 goals for Hibs she moved to top English side Arsenal where she won the FA Women’s Cup with in 2014.

She left Arsenal for Bristol City Women but were unable to prevent them being relegated.

Weir told the Liverpool Women’s website: “Liverpool Ladies are a really ambitious club and I am confident that we can win more trophies over the next few seasons,”  

“It is a great move for me. There are so many talented players here and I am really looking forward to playing alongside them in order to develop my game.”

Photo courtesy of Liverpool Ladies FC

Police in East Lothian are appealing for witnesses following a suspected bogus workman incident in Longniddry.

A man called at a home in The Paddock, Seton Mains at around 10.30am on Friday 17th January claiming to be a tree surgeon.

He then offered to carry out some tree trimming within the garden of the elderly occupants’ property for a three-figure sum.

Before the couple could give consent, the suspect began to undertake the work.

Following this the male homeowner attended at an ATM and handed over the requested fee.

Local officers are now urging anyone who can assist with their ongoing inquiries to come forward.

The suspect is described as white, late twenties with a slim build, short fair hair and a short beard. He was wearing casual khaki clothing and was driving a new-looking white Ford Transit van.

Inspector Andrew Harborow from Tranent Police Station said: “Despite not obtaining agreement from the homeowners to carry out this work, the male proceeded regardless and so as not to become involved in a confrontation, the victims handed over the three-figure sum of money he asked for.

“Having conducted inquiries at the address, we have also established that the work undertaken was minimal and should not have cost as much as was provided.

“Anyone who can help us trace the male responsible is asked to contact police immediately.

“I would also request that our communities remain vigilant for suspicious activity around the homes of elderly and vulnerable members of the public and report any concerns to their local policing team.”

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

After much speculation, Hibs have finally announced the signing of Celtic striker Anthony Stokes on loan until the end of the season.

The signing is seen a major coup by Stubbs in the race for promotion from the Championship.

Stokes had the opportunity to stay in the top flight with both Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Dundee United or move to the English Championship with Cardiff City or Leeds United however he chose to return to Easter Road where he previously played under John Hughes.

Stokes was at the Falkirk Stadium on Sunday to watch his new team mates draw with Falkirk and he is likely to make his debut at Easter Road against St Mirren on Saturday.

During one season at the club Stokes scored 24 goals in 48 games and helped Hibs to fourth position and a European place.

After finding his feet, the Dubliner went on an impressive run of form, scoring ten times in nine matches, including goals against Celtic, Rangers and Hearts. This form brought him to the attention of Celtic and he moved at the start of the following season for an undisclosed fee.

So far he has won nine international caps for the Republic of Ireland, the last being in November 2013 against Poland in a friendly.

Former manager Roy Keane is the Irish number two under Martin O’Neil and at the moment Stokes is unlikely to be considered for the European Championships this summer, regular first team football could see him force his way into contention.

Head Coach Alan Stubbs said: “Anthony is a fantastic footballer and will really strengthen the squad.

“We have a number of options in attack and real competition for places which is what every manager wants.

“We are excited about Anthony coming here and I think he will prove to be a real asset.”

Falkirk manager, Peter Houston has  retracted  his comments made immediately after Sunday’s  game regarding Hibs’ midfielder John McGinn.

The comments suggested that McGinn had gone down too easily following a challenge from Luke Leahy and immediately after the game told BBC Scotland:  “John’s got to be careful he doesn’t become a player in the headlines all the time for going down.”

The comments sparked outrage on social media and television replays clearly showed that a penalty should have been awarded.

Referee John Beaton explained the reason behind his decision to Alan Stubbs but the Hibs’ Head Coach declined to let the media know what it was as it was told to him in confidence.

The decision could have cost Hibs a vital two points in the race for the Championship.

Speaking to the Official Website, Peter Houston said: “After reviewing the footage of the incident in hindsight John, who is an extremely talented football player, had a strong case for a penalty and fair credit to the lad for attempting to play on.  At the time of making the comments I hadn’t seen the footage properly, I’ve called Alan Stubbs this morning to apologise to John for the comments that were made.”

Read, Write Count

DanceFest 2016

College Open Days

Burns events at Edinburgh Castle

Drag Queens at the Scottish Poetry Library

The Scottish Government has begun a TV and supermarket advertising campaign to encourage reading, writing and counting outside the classroom.

The campaign was devised in consultation with parents in Glasgow, Dundee and Fife and the advert will run for 5 weeks. There will be adverts on outdoor poster sites and on trolleys in ASDA.

Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance said:

“We are determined to help parents and carers to give their child the best start in life. That’s why we are expanding early learning and childcare, funding a range of local family support projects and delivering the PlayTalkRead campaign to help new parents and carers during their child’s early years.

“Read, Write, Count aims to support families at the next stage, as their children start primary school, because we know that learning doesn’t stop at the school gates. I want to make it easier for parents to be involved in their child’s learning – not only in their school education but through a range of experiences.

“The new TV adverts offer tips and advice about fun and interesting ways to boost counting and reading skills in a variety of every-day scenarios. By doing so, we can help our children to be happy, more confident and to get every chance to achieve their own ambitions for life and learning.”

Edinburgh College students are ready for their one-night dance festival this evening. They are launching their annual dance tour, Taking Flight, which they will perform at schools and colleges across Scotland but including Edinburgh, along with hands-on workshops.

Jo Turbitt, dance tutor at the college’s Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS), said: “DanceFest is a celebration of youth dance across Scotland, so there will be young dancers in the audience who we hope will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of our students, and audition to train with us for a professional dance career.”

Cerin Richardson, head of Creativity and Diversity at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for young people to perform in Scotland’s premier dance venue and for us to provide a platform for their extraordinary dance talent.”

DanceFest takes place at the Festival Theatre tonight at 7pm and if you wish to buy a ticket then click here.

Edinburgh College are also holding open days this week, so if you are in the market for studying then you might be inspired by going along to one of their campuses.

The College invites anyone wanting to learn about study options to meet course advisors who will provide guidance about 2016/17 courses and remaining last-minute places on programmes starting this month.

The information days are today at Granton Campus and Thursday (21 January) at Sighthill Campus, from 2-6pm on each day.

Full-time courses beginning in August are open for application now. Part-time courses will open in April. And there are still a few places available on courses beginning this month.

Courses suit all levels and provide qualifications, boost skills, and increase job prospects and opportunities for further studies. They cover business; construction and building crafts; creative industries; engineering; English as a second language; health, wellbeing and social sciences; tourism and hospitality; and community and outreach, as well as access courses.

As well as course information at the events, college advisors will advise on applications, student support and funding available to new students.

For those who cannot make it to Sighthill and Granton, the college has a stall at the St James Shopping Centre all week until 24 January, offering a chance to pick up a prospectus and information on how to apply.

For more information on courses available at Edinburgh College, the information days and how to get to the campuses, visit www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk

There will be events on Saturday and Sunday this weekend to celebrate the birthday of Robert Burns. Visitors will be able to learn about the poet with the Burns for Beginners events at four times daily in the Great Hall. A performer dressed up as Burns will lear the audience through some of his best-known poems including Tam O’Shanter.

Edinburgh Castle’s Executive Manager, Nick Finnigan, said: “The castle’s Great Hall will once again welcome back this popular event as part of the annual celebrations for Scotland’s favourite son. Burns for Beginners is a great introduction to the bard and some his most iconic written works, which still captivate people across the world more than 200 years on.”

Burns for Beginners at Edinburgh Castle takes place on both Saturday 23^rd and Sunday 24^th January at 11.15am, 12.15pm, 2pm and 3pm. This event is included in the cost of admission to the castle.

On 28 January the Scottish Poetry Library is holding an event with poetry and crossdressing called The Library is Open. 

The poetry to be recited or read will be all about drag queens, hostilities, fun, wit and intends to be an honest way of learning about a subject not often aired in public.

Poet Iain Morrison has written a sequence of poems about drag queens that he will perform at the SPL alongside Wanda Isadora de Fourrure (also known as the poet and artist Jean-François Krebs). The poems, which are insightful, funny and erotic, dramatize the pleasures and pitfalls of wearing drag.

More details on the Scottish Poetry Library website.

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Global gym operator Anytime Fitness has obtained planning permission to operate a 24 hour gym at Edinburgh Quay in Fountainbridge.

It is proposed that the 4,500 square foot site overlooking the canal will have premium equipment by Life Fitness and a dedicated weight training studio. It will offer free fitness classes and convenient private changing rooms.

Subject to city council licencing the gym hopes to open its doors by summer, the Fountainbridge site would be the operator’s second gym in the city, complementing their Edinburgh Canonmills site that opened in early 2015.

Submitted by Ian Forbes

Tough Mudder will have a new obstacle this year innovatively named The Block Ness Monster……

This is the most highly-anticipated new obstacle in the company’s six-year history. After months of lab and field-testing, Tough Mudder will bring new obstacles, harder courses, top-tier partnerships, and the world’s most popular team challenge to more than 60 cities across the globe.

Mudders will struggle as a team to hoist each other over a series of rotating blocks in waist-deep water. In testing, this brand-new obstacle scored the highest participant rating of any obstacle in Tough Mudder history. In response, Tough Mudder will bring it to all seven UK Tough Mudder events in 2016.

To further improve the experience of those taking part, Tough Mudder has announced a significant new partnership with renowned outdoor footwear and apparel brand Merrell. As presenting partner for Tough Mudder and Tough Mudder Half events, Merrell will provide performance finisher t-shirts for all participants, sponsor team-focused obstacle Pyramid Scheme, and release a joint product line with Tough Mudder.

This high-profile partnership joins an existing roster of prominent sponsors returning in the UK including Volvic, Virgin Active, 9bar and more new partners soon to be announced for 2016.

Tough Mudder events have wide appeal—participants range from veterans to business executives, 16-year-old students to 81-year-old grandparents. More than 95% of Mudders sign up as part of a team.

The Scottish events take place at Drumlanrig Castle near Thornhill. More details of both days here.

For more information on the 2016 Tough Mudder season, visit www.toughmudder.co.uk. Participant and spectator registrations are now open for 50+ events, with more to open in the coming weeks. To join the conversation, follow Tough Mudder on Facebook at facebook.com/toughmudderuk, on Twitter @ToughMudder, and on Instagram @Tough_Mudder.

SNP MEP Alyn Smith has alerted us to a debate which takes place in the European Parliament in Strasbourg tomorrow. The debate will centre on the state of the rule of law and restrictions to press freedom in Poland.

The MEP explains that we have not to rush to conclusions about such a debate; it is simply that the European Parliament has the right to monitor laws and democracy in member states, but there is a complaint on the table about contentious new Polish laws which are claimed to threaten media independence.

The Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydio will attend the session.

Ahead of the debate Alyn said:

“It’s an established fact that the new Warsaw government has rushed through controversial legal and constitutional changes which undermine the independence of the judiciary and the media. The legislation gives Poland’s conservative government the power to directly appoint the heads of public broadcasters, despite EU concern and condemnation from rights watchdogs.The process is well underway and many respected journalists have been dismissed with an immediate effect.

“There is absolutely no doubt that the current Polish Government was democratically elected and has a mandate to introduce its programme. However, democracy is not only about elections but also about checks and balances through independent institutions such as the judiciary and the media, whose independence from the government must be protected as part of a healthy democracy. In this context, every state can benefit from a degree of external scrutiny.

“It’s also not a coincidence that tens of thousands of people took to the streets in cities across the country to protest against the new laws. Many Poles in Scotland also fear Poland’s isolation in the EU, following the Commission’s decision to monitor Poland to determine whether or not the new government may constitute a systematic threat to the Rule of Law.

“I rarely comment on the internal affairs of another member state, however, in this instance, as members of the same Union, sharing the same values we should be asking Polish Government questions to ensure their reforms do not violate the Union’s democratic principles.”

Tomorrow there will be a concert at St Andrew’s and St George’s West Church on George Street at 6:00pm given by young musicians from St Mary’s Music School.

The “Rush Hour” Chamber Music Concert is free and seventeen pupils will take part and works by Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Smetana, Martinu and Malcolm Arnold will be featured.

St Mary’s Music School is Scotland’s only independent specialist music school, offering a world class standard of music and academic education to musically gifted children aged 9-19 years in an inspiring, inclusive and supportive environment. It is also the Choir School of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral.  It is co-educational, non-denominational and attracts day and boarding pupils from across Scotland, the rest of the UK and internationally.

Dr Kenneth Taylor, Headteacher at St Mary’s Music School, said: “We extend a warm welcome to everyone who would like to come and hear pupils from St Mary’s Music School play a varied and exciting programme of chamber music. This is an annual concert and support for our talented young musicians is much appreciated.”

Entry to the school is by audition and assessment, based on musical ability and potential, regardless of personal financial circumstances.  There are currently 83 pupils and demand for places is high.

You still have time to get tickets for Edinburgh College’s DanceFest 2016 which will be staged tomorrow night at the Festival Theatre.

The college’s performing arts students are ready to mesmerise the crowd tomorrow at their one-night dance festival.

The event is an opportunity to see the students perform before they launch their own annual dance tour, Taking Flight, where they will perform and run workshops at schools and colleges.

DanceFest 2016 takes place tomorrow at the Festival Theatre in Edinburgh, showcasing the work of young dancers from across Scotland. The evening will feature acts from 17 youth dance groups.

At DanceFest, the Edinburgh College BA (Hons) Dance students will perform a piece choreographed by Elite Studio Centre’s Zelie Jennings, inspired by the work of American dancer and choreographer Bob Fosse.

Following DanceFest, the students will hit the road for Taking Flight, visiting schools and colleges in Glasgow, Lenzie, Clackmannanshire and Edinburgh. They organise the tour themselves as part of their degree to learn about different aspects of the industry, including being part of a touring group. They will perform work choreographed by themselves and lecturers, and teach workshops.

Jo Turbitt, dance tutor at the college’s Performing Arts Studio Scotland (PASS), said: “DanceFest is a celebration of youth dance across Scotland, so there will be young dancers in the audience who we hope will be inspired to follow in the footsteps of our students, and audition to train with us for a professional dance career.”

Cerin Richardson, head of Creativity and Diversity at Edinburgh Festival Theatre, said: “This is a tremendous opportunity for young people to perform in Scotland’s premier dance venue and for us to provide a platform for their extraordinary dance talent.”

To buy tickets for DanceFest, go to:http://www.edtheatres.com/dancefest

Edinburgh College is hosting auditions this month for performing arts courses starting in August, including dance, acting and music. For dates and times, go to:

http://www.edinburghcollege.ac.uk/Events/1/Auditions

Any schools or colleges who would like to book Edinburgh College’s students to visit as part of Taking Flight 2017, contact Jo Turbitt atjo.turbitt@edinburghcollege.ac.uk

If you are a ScotRail passenger and your journey is disrupted then you can complete your journey by tram for no extra cost.

The idea is that if your rail journey is affected by severe weather disruption, emergency repairs or signalling then you can transfer to a tram and still use your rail ticket.

When the ticket acceptance is implemented, passengers will be advised by ScotRail staff and via social media.

Ian Craig, Chief Executive of Transport for Edinburgh, said:“We are pleased to announce this new partnership with ScotRail as we believe it will be a helpful support to affected passengers.

“Ours and ScotRail’s commitment is to ensure customers receive the best possible service at all times but on occasion there are external influences that can cause disruption. It’s our hope that by enabling passengers to use their tickets on the trams as well as trains, we will be able to somewhat ease the level of inconvenience caused when trains can’t run as planned.”

The service will be available to all eligible ScotRail ticket holders.

Phil Verster, Managing Director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “We always want to provide the best possible service for our customers but sometimes, due to severe weather or other external factors, that doesn’t always go to plan.

“When our services are disrupted, we do our best to keep our customers moving and this new ticket acceptance scheme with Edinburgh Trams will help us do just that.

“This scheme is just one of the ways we are continuing to improve our customer’s journeys, and will be a great benefit to passengers in the Edinburgh area.”

 Tram stops which may be useful for rail passengers include St Andrew Square (for Waverley), Haymarket, Edinburgh Park Station and Edinburgh Gateway (coming in December 2016).

Yes we know Christmas is only just over, but the organisers of Stobo Castle Ladies Day in June at Musselburgh Racecourse would like you to look ahead.

Racing and fashion followers have less than two weeks left to take advantage of the promotional offer.

The Early Bird offer of £35 admission to the event, which last year attracted a sell-out record 10,400 attendance, ends on 31 January after which tickets are priced £40.

Now widely seen as Scotland’s biggest fashion extravaganza, Stobo Castle Ladies Day also features Musselburgh’s richest horse race of the season, the £100.000 William Hill Scottish Sprint Cup.

The 11 June raceday usually sells out weeks in advance and Musselburgh Racecourse marketing manager, Aisling Johnston, is urging racegoers to take advantage of the discounted offer and avoid disappointment later on.

She said: “Every year we are inundated with calls and messages from people who desperately want to come to Ladies Day but for a variety of reasons have left it too late and we have sold out to our maximum capacity.

“For anyone thinking of coming to Scotland’s premier racing and fashion day, plan ahead now and make sure you have purchased our Early Bird £35 tickets by 31 January. It is a fantastic experience and we pull out all the stops to have the racecourse looking its absolute best to match the effort put in by thousands of fantastic looking racing fans who enjoy this day.”

In addition to general admission tickets a variety of picnic, marquee and hospitality packages are on offer to suit all budgets.

For more information and to book now to secure the Early Bird promotion which ends on 31 January please visit www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk

The Scottish Government has announced the appointment of a new Chief Inspector of the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Martin Emberson takes over at HM Fire Service Inspectorate in Scotland from Steven Torrie who recently retired after five years in the job.

Minister for Community Safety and Legal Affairs, Paul Wheelhouse, said: “I warmly welcome the appointment of Mr Emberson as Scotland’s Chief Inspector of our fire service. He brings a huge breadth of experience in fire and rescue, both operationally and strategically, to this role.

“Mr Emberson has a strong history of strategic and innovative thinking and he is a welcome addition to the Inspectorate which has independent oversight of one of our vital public services.

“I would also like to take the opportunity to record my sincere thanks to Mr Torrie for his dedicated service as Chief Inspector over the last five years and his advice and wise counsel. Mr Torrie can be very proud of the positive impact he has had on shaping the outstanding Scottish Fire and Rescue Service we have today.”

H0lyrood calls for ‘return’ of Fort Kinnaird

At the Grassmarket Community Project

Polluted streets 

Turner at the National Gallery of Scotland

Massive fundraising for St Columba’s

Rural Affairs Secretary, Richard Lochhead again urges the UK Government to devolve the management and revenue of all Crown Estate assets in Scotland, ahead of the House of Lords Committee stage this week.

The UK Government’s current plans propose treating the Crown Estate’s valuable shareholding in Fort Kinnaird, as a non- Scottish asset, so that it is not devolved.

The capital value of the Crown Estate’s interest in Fort Kinnaird outside Edinburgh is £103 million. If included in the transfer, this financial asset could be used to help local communities in Scotland.

Mr Lochhead said:

“From managing rural estates and tenant farms to leasing and co-ordinating investment in renewable energy or leasing aquaculture sites – the management of assets affects communities the length and breadth of Scotland, particularly rural, coastal, island communities and tenant farmers. The Crown Estate Commissioners have raised gross revenue in Scotland of around £110 million between 2007 and 2015. The surplus income has been paid to the UK Treasury and we need to retain future income in Scotland, make the most of our natural assets and increase transparency.

“Current plans for devolution of the management of Crown Estate assets in Scotland are far too complicated, include reservations that allow UK Ministers to limit devolution and exclude significant economic assets in Scotland that are not wholly owned by the Crown Estate. The Crown Estate’s interest in the shopping centre at Fort Kinnaird is valued at £103 million – it is totally unacceptable for the UK Government to refuse to devolve this asset.

“I again urge the UK Government to rethink their plans as the devolution of the management and income of the Crown Estate in Scotland provides a real opportunity to deliver benefits to communities across Scotland.

“In the meantime we will continue to work with our stakeholder advisory group to develop future options for the management and revenues of Crown Estate assets in Scotland to implement the Smith Commission’s recommendations.”

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The Grassmarket Community Project is a fabulous place for something to eat, a meeting space or indeed as a venue for film and music. At the end of the month they have lots of music on offer:

More information here.

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Friends of the Earth have confirmed that yet again St John’s Road features high on the list of polluted streets in Scotland. In addition Salamander Street in Leith is also included. The list is made up of streets which do not meet Scottish safety standards.

Air Pollution campaigner Emilia Hanna stated:

“Streets are breaking legal limits in each major city in Scotland, demonstrating just how serious and widespread Scotland’s air pollution health crisis is. Air pollution causes over 2,000 early deaths in Scotland each year at a cost of over £1.1 billion to the economy. Air pollution increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and asthma attacks and the main culprit is traffic.

“The Scottish Government’s Clean Air Strategy has good aspirations but needs resources and energy behind it to tackle the scourge of dirty air in our towns and cities. The government must support local authorities with funding to implement low emission zones in all major cities.  It must also increase its investment in walking and cycling paths so that it becomes safer and more convenient for people to leave their cars at home. It is unacceptable that is is throwing £3bn at dualling the A9 while funding for walking, cycling and public transport, and measures to improve air quality remains very low. That is why we are calling on the Scottish Government to reallocate a portion of its motorways budget to active travel in the next budget.
Top 8 most polluted streets for nitrogen dioxide in 2015.
Figures in microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m3), European legal limit 40 (annual mean)

Edinburgh St John’s Road – 65
Glasgow Hope Street – 60
Dundee Seagate – 50
Perth Atholl Street – 48
Dundee Lochee Road – 48
Aberdeen Union Street – 46
Edinburgh Queensferry Road – 41
Aberdeen Wellington Road – 41

The Scottish air quality objective is 40 (μg/m3), so all these sites fail the objective.
The Air Quality (Scotland) Regulations 2000 required this objective to have been met by 2005.

The European Ambient Air Quality Directive sets the same legal limit for NO2 , with which the deadline for compliance was 1 January 2010. Following a legal action, the Scottish Government has been forced to come up with fresh plans to show how it will achieve compliance with European law in as short a time as possible. [6]

Small Particles (PM10)
Top 8 most polluted streets for particulate matter in 2015
Figures in microgrammes per cubic metre (μg/m3), Scottish Air Quality Objective: 18 (annual mean)

Edinburgh Salamander St – 23
Aberdeen Wellington Road- 22
Perth Atholl Street – 20
Aberdeen Market Street – 19
Glasgow Dumbarton Road – 19
Dundee Lochee Road – 19
Falkirk West Bridge Street – 18
Rutherglen Main Street – 18

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We are now midway through January and you only have a couple of weeks to go and see the Turner exhibition which takes place once a year in Edinburgh.

Here is a little taster

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The Light a Light appeal along with the Light Up a Life Appeal have raised £100,000 in just a few months or so for Edinburgh’s St Columba’s Hospice. The Light a light initiative brightens up Charlotte Square Gardens with its Christmas tree in the centre lit up for those who have lost their lives to cancer.

Lesley Christie, director of fundraising at the Hospice, said: “We are incredibly grateful to all of our supporters who have given so generously to our Light A Light & Light Up A Life appeal. As a charity, we need £8 million a year to run, so appeals like this make a big difference to the Hospice. The money from our Light A Light & Light Up A Life appeal is spent on ensuring patients and their families could have the best possible Christmas. Thank you once again to our amazing supporters!”

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Green councillors in Edinburgh propose £10m investment through council tax rise of 97 pence

£10 million to invest in services and to combat cuts in schools, social care and vulnerable children should be the capital’s priority.

That is the message from Green councillors in Edinburgh as they propose a 4.3% council tax rise for next year: equivalent to an extra 97p a week for the average Band D property.

The council tax rise, which is backed by 63% of respondents to the council’s budget consultation, would still leave the council having to make significant efficiencies and savings, but, according to the Greens, it would head off the worst cuts.

The £10m package includes

–          Retaining a properly-funded school music service

–          Blocking cuts to special schools and disadvantaged children

–          Keeping budgets for social care for frail older people

–          Supporting community centres, libraries and leisure centres.

On top of that, the additional money also allows the Council to recruit and keep more care workers to bridge a gap of 5,000 unmet care hours a week.  And it sees a substantial investment in long term repair and maintenance of schools.

The proposals are outlined in a blog published today (Monday 18 January) by Green Finance spokesperson Cllr Gavin Corbett, ahead of the council budget meeting this Thursday (21 January).

Cllr Corbett said:

“This year’s budget round is by far the toughest since devolution in 1999, with the city council looking down the barrel of £85m worth of cuts. That includes cuts to schools, libraries, swimming pools, social care and community centres.

“That is why almost two-thirds of people responding to the council’s budget consultation backed a council tax rise.  I agree with them and I am proposing 97p extra a week to reverse all of the worst cuts and also help tackle to mounting crisis in social care.

“So I believe the city council owes to it to the people of Edinburgh to have a proper grown-up debate about the right balance between new income and spending. To shrink away from that debate, to meekly accept whatever cuts central governments dole out is to infantilise the capital city, to impoverish vital services and to simply store up yet greater problems for the future.

“Let’s have that grown-up debate.”

All this cold wet weather requires a little something to warm the cockles – and on a particularly dreich evening that little something came in the form of a very welcome meal from Voujon. Located in Newington, the restaurant is well within reach from any point in the city, offering up flavours from Bangladesh and Northern India.

We received a warm welcome and there was no loitering as we were whisked off to our table. It’s a small place – the interior is very modern, with white linen table cloths and elegant orchids adding a sophisticated edge – but this is curiously incongruent with the restaurant’s exterior. It is really hard to see in from outside!

The wine menu has a tasty selection however those looking to go by the glass will be disappointed as only the house wines (Chardonnay and Merlot) are offered along with one each from the white and red list – I opted for the Sauvignon Blanc, sticking to my comfort zone on this occasion. It was a clean and easy wine which went down well enough with the meal but it lacked the zesty punch I was looking for. My dining partner went for the Cobra – a winner as always.

For starters I had the assorted kebabs which included nice whole chunks of tandoori lamb, chicken and white fish in a delicate, crispy batter – not a drop of excess oil anywhere. A ‘special sauce’ accompanied the dish which was light and refreshing, complimenting three very different meats excellently. The meat itself was incredibly tasty and fresh – clearly it had been marinated for a good while before cooking. The lamb was particularly good – not at all fatty but clean and tender. Fresh lettuce and a squeeze of lemon helped a treat too. The other half of our duo ordered the chicken pakora and was thoroughly pleased.

For the main event I went for the Lamb Karachi which came in a stylish white bowl topped with a dried chilli and fresh coriander. It was a bit too hot for my taste (normally a bhuna or korma is enough for me) but the flavour was good and it would satisfy fans of tomato-based curries with a kick. The lamb was a tad on the salty side, but it did not spoil the dish. My partner went for the jaipuri chicken and it was the winner of the night, hands down. Tangy and sweet whilst savoury, it was very moreish right down the delicious mushrooms. It was a very well balanced dish, and both our mains were supported by a gorgeous peshwari naan bread and pilau rice. The nan was perfection – elastic and light whilst crispy round the edges and (thank goodness) not stuffed full of gooey jam but real shredded coconut – just enough to taste.

Dessert unfortunately let us down on what would have otherwise been a home-run for Voujon. We shared a coconut supreme; coconut ice-cream in a half shell which we selected from a generic menu which was not created by the kitchen but instead featured the usual bought-in sweets. The first bite was akin to tucking in to a tub of coconut body butter – the texture and perfume overwhelmingly synthetic.

Whilst it would be nice to see the chefs take over the dessert menu with the same flair as the main menu, the meal was thoroughly enjoyable and we would go back. Average prices: starter £5, main £10.