A man has been jailed for over three years after admitting possessing explosive substances, after a significant number of items were found in two properties in Edinburgh last year.

Faris Al-Khori, aged 62 pleaded guilty to an offence under the Explosive Substances Act 1883, Section 4 in February 2015, following the recovery of material from two flats in Fidra Court and Persevere Court in April 2014. He was today, Thursday 2 April 2015, sentenced at the High Court in Edinburgh to three years and four months imprisonment.

The items were discovered following a fire within the rubbish chute at the Fidra Court flats on Friday 18 April 2014. When the Fire Service gained entry to Al-Khori’s home address adjacent to the chute, police and army Explosive Ordnance Device (EOD) experts were called and the building was evacuated whilst the items were recovered. A subsequent search of another flat in Persevere Court uncovered further suspect items and this building was also evacuated whilst they were recovered by the EOD team.

Detective Superintendent David Gordon, who led the investigation, said: “This was a significant and complex inquiry for Police Scotland, to safely deal with these volatile items and seek to establish Al-Khori’s motives for storing them.

“A thorough investigation by the Organised Crime and Counter Terrorism Unit and Crown Office found no known links to terrorist offences and we believe Faris Al-Khori was acting independently. However, he showed utter disregard for the occupants of both buildings.

“Thanks to the swift actions of our partners in the Fire Service and armed forces, we were able to quickly assess the contents of the flats and make them safe by removing a number of items for forensic examination or controlled explosion. I am also grateful to the City of Edinburgh Council for their work to re-house vulnerable residents whilst we carried out our searches. Public safety was at the forefront of our response to this incident and all agencies worked together to minimise any risk to the public.

“Al-Khori’s activities went unnoticed for many years, demonstrating the importance of community vigilance in our efforts to keep Scotland safe. I would urge anyone noticing anything unusual in their neighbourhood to contact police straight away, by dialling 101 or the anti terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321. In an emergency always call 999.  Counter terrorism is one of Police Scotland’s highest priorities, and whilst Al-Khori has no such known links we will always treat all information received with the utmost importance where any risk to the public is identified.”

Lindsey Miller, the Crown Office’s Procurator Fiscal for Organised Crime and Counter-Terrorism, added: “The conviction of Al-Khori is a good example of agencies working closely together to protect the public.

“Al-Khori possessed a significant number and volume of explosive substances across two properties in Edinburgh as well as recipes for explosives. We worked closely with Police Service of Scotland and other agencies to prepare the case to ensure that Al-Khori was brought to justice.

“I want to reassure the people of Scotland that we take any such offences extremely seriously, and our specialist prosecutors will continue to treat them as an absolute priority.”

Scottish Cup semi-final tickets for Hibs v Falkirk on Saturday 18 April go on sale to season ticket holders this morning.

Supporters are encouraged to beat the queues by booking tickets online for this match.

10 Loyalty Points are available for every ticket assigned to a unique Client Reference Number.

Tickets will also be on sale from the Ticket Office. Fans buying for a group and wish to accumulate the individual Loyalty Points should arrive with a printed out and completed form (which you can download as a PDF using the link below).

As everybody will appreciate, the demand to attend this match will be huge, so fans can avoid the queues by booking online.

A reminder of the following sales procedures for semi-final tickets:

Existing season ticket holders will be entitled to purchase an unlimited amount of tickets during the priority period which will commence at 10am on Thursday 2 April through to midnight on Monday 6 April. With well over half of Hampden available to Hibernian supporters, this process has been designed to allow and encourage families/groups to be able to be seated together.

Supporters can also book online, visit the Ticket Office or by telephone the call centre on 0844 844 1875 option 1

*Please note that if purchasing online or by phone and select collection, you must allow at least 48 hours before collecting as we need time to sort these tickets.

It should be noted that on Saturday 4 April semi-final sales at the Ticket Office will only be from 10am to 1pm and then again post-match. This is because of the amount of Ticket Office traffic associated with a home matchday.

The public sale of tickets will commence at 10am Tuesday 7 April, and again supporters will be able to purchase an unlimited amount of tickets per transaction.

Ticket Prices

South Stand – £23

North Stand – £23

East Stand – £15 Adult / £5 Concessions (U16/O65 and Ft Students)

*Please note for family groups the SFA recommend a ratio of one adult accompanying up to four children and up to three adults accompanying one child

Disabled Supporters

Season Ticket Members

All Disabled Season Ticket Holders should have now applied. If you still have to do so please contact us asap on the Disabled Helpline, 0131 656 7066, or call 0844 844 1875 option 2 to apply, alternatively email disabledtickets@hibernianfc.co.uk. The club will be in contact with you in due course with regards to these tickets. Fans should not come to the ticket office.

Any disabled supporter who is not a season ticket holder will be able to apply for any remaining Disabled Tickets from Monday 6 April via the telephone numbers and email address listed above.

Acclaimed folk singer and song writer Bella Hardy is appearing at the Queen’s Hall on 1st May to promote her seventh solo album ‘With The Dawn’ .

The album is her first since being named BBC Radio 2 Folk Singer Of The Year in 2014, but isn’t just the latest collection of songs from this prolific and ingenious artist, it is an account of one year of her life. Where previously Bella has adapted and explored traditional ballads and fables to tell her contemporary folk tales, the stories that inspired these songs are her own experiences: good and bad, happy or sad.

‘With The Dawn’ is a more intimate and reflective album than before. Working with producer Ben Seal, the arrangements are more instinctive, more reactive, as befits the mind-set that informed the lyrics. Vivid brass gives way to lonesome piano; choral voices peal; banjos emerge out of beats and blips. Elements of the initial demos, sometimes recorded into a phone as the thoughts occurred, have been kept. Whatever instrument was nearest to hand was grabbed and deployed whenever and wherever (even on one occasion in the bath) giving ‘With The Dawn’ its striking immediacy.

These are songs written on the road, full of that sense of displacement, longing and contemplation that all itinerant musicians know. This was a time for a turning-30 Bella where nothing was stable. Documenting that flux as an album was a way to make sense of it all. On ‘With The Dawn’, Bella’s soaring kite-like voice is married to lyrics that poetically question everything she’s seen and done up till now; letting go of expectations, both other people’s and her own. But with closing lullaby And We Begin there’s a light at the end… or rather the beginning.

Only one song didn’t spring directly from Bella’s year of touring and tumult. ‘Jolly Good Luck To The Girl That Loves A Soldier’ was commissioned by Songs For The Voiceless, a project which gathered the country’s best folk artists to sing some of the lesser known stories of World War I. The resulting album was one of many bold paths Bella Hardy’s career has taken in recent years. From collaborating with Martin Simpson, John Smith and others on the hugely acclaimed Elizabethan Sessions, to a joint tour with Edinburgh miserablist Blue Rose Code, and an international songwriter exchange with Canada’s Cara Luft who also guests on this album.

Bella grew up in Edale in the Peak District but now lives in Edinburgh. Although the Hardy family sang in the local choir, it was a combination of her childhood love for ballad books and visits to local folk festivals that decided her future. At 13 she began performing at Cambridge and Sidmouth festivals and in 2004 reached the final of the BBC Young Folk Award, having taught herself to fiddle sing. Following a BA in English Literature and a Masters degree in Music, Bella released her debut album Night Visiting in 2007. One of its songs, Three Black Feathers was nominated for a BBC Folk Award. It was her first original composition.

Since then Bella has continued to record and perform at a tremendous rate; appearing on numerous BBC radio and TV programmes, singing solo in a sold-out Albert Hall at the Proms, composing the music for a Radio 4 documentary on the Post Office, writing with former Beautiful South founder David Rotheray, forming an all-female fiddle group with folk royalty Eliza Carthy, and winning yet another Radio 2 Folk Award for her original song The Herring Girl. Her 2013 album battleplan, a collection of reimagined traditional songs, received the best reviews of her career, with multiple stars showered on it from the broadsheets and folk press alike.

With The Dawn Tour – Spring 2015

April

21 Keswick Theatre by the Lake

23 Newbury New Greenham Arts Centre

24 Birmingham The Mac

26 Buxton Buxton Opera House

30 Bury The Met

May

1 Edinburgh Queens Hall

2 County Durham Witham Hall

3 Sheffield Greystones

5 Hull Fruit

6 Exeter Exeter Phoenix

7 Swansea The Welfare

8 Worcester Huntingdon Hall

9 Bristol Colston Hall

12 London The Borderline

13 Peterborough Key Theatre

14 Guildford The Boileroom

16 Southport The Atkinson

19 Cornwall Tolmen Centre

20 Tewkesbury Roses Theatre

21 Totnes South Devon Arts Centre

22 Exmouth Exmouth Festival

23 Annan Corner House Hotel

Edinburgh Reads: The Curious Incident Giant Book Group Event. To mark World Autism Day a panel of speakers, including Cerin Richardson (Festival Theatre) and Matthew Day (Autism Initiatives), will discuss some of the challenges faced by people living with autism. To enjoy this event fully you are advised to read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time beforehand, so that  you can participate in small group conversations prior to the panel discussion; copies of the book should be available in all city libraries. There will be a draw for two pairs of tickets to a performance of the stage version of the book, kindly donated by The Festival Theatre, and Cerin will be sharing some of what is involved in translating ‘the page to the stage’. Individuals and books groups all very welcome.  6.30-8pm, Central Library, George IV Bridge. Free but please book via eventbrite here.

Scotland-Russia Forum: sparkling Russian/English conversation over tea and cakes – no charge apart from any food or drinks you may wish to buy. No booking needed – just turn up, you will be warmly welcomed. 11am, Summerhall Cafe, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall.

World Autism Awareness Day Charity Fundraiser: Science Fiction Double Feature! A night of paranormal stand-up comedy in ‘the most haunted pub in Edinburgh’, featuring Des O’Gorman and Ross Hepburn – two quality shows back-to-back, each comedian ’embracing the films of nostalgia, inspiration and devotion’. 7.30-10.30pm, Banshee Labyrinth Chamber Room, 29-35 Niddry Street. £2 on the door: all proceeds to Autism Awareness. For more information please contact Autism Initiatives’ Community Fundraiser and PR Officer: Holly.Child@aiscotland.org.uk

Lunchtime Concert: Music for Holy Week. Music by Handel and Purcell, performed by students from the University of Edinburgh’s Reid School of Music, with Emma Aitken (soprano), Katy Cavanaugh (oboe), Beatrice Langford-Powell (violin) and Henry Pemberton (tenor), accompanied by Gina Baker (piano). 12 noon-12.45pm, Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Place. Free. A concert as part of the Spark Greyfriars Festival of Worship and the Arts 2015.

Africa in Motion Film Festival Special Screening: White Shadow (15). Not only an ancient tradition but still a modern-day practice, the underground trade in albino body parts still exists in Tanzania, a country with one of the highest percentages of albinism in the world. In Noaz Deshe’s film Alias, an albino youth on the verge of adolescence, must learn to navigate a world in which he is not just an outsider, but actual prey. ‘Despite the pervasive, often harrowing amorality of this world, it’s one not entirely bereft of hope’. In Swahili with English subtitles. The screening will be introduced by Justine Atkinson, Director of Aya Distribution. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets can be booked online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688.

Memoirs of a Feminist Mother: Carol Fox, the lawyer known in Scotland for successfully fighting mass equal pay cases for low paid women, launches her book, a memoir of her positive decision to become a single parent by choice. Carol obtained fertility treatment in London in the early 1990s and her daughter was born in 1992, following battles against judgemental attitudes that seem almost vindictive to most of us now.  Carol’s story has attracted media coverage, sparking debates on motherhood and the right to be a single parent in the UK; it will be of interest to a wide audience of women, young and old, mothers and non-mothers, as it records changing social attitudes over the past 25 years. 6.30pm, Word Power Books, West Nicolson Street. Free: all welcome – donations also very welcome!

Live Music Now: Grainne Brady and Ryan Murphy. Grainne Brady and Ryan Murphy are a duo from Ireland playing traditional Irish music: their programme is entitled The Irish During The Great War, and mixes regular favourites with tunes reminiscent of the war and its aftermath, such as The Homerule and Easter Rising. 6-6.30pm, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 1 Queen Street. Free: no booking required.

Edinburgh College of Art Thursday Research Seminar Series: Derek Jarman Gets Medieval. Chaired by Dr Robert Mills (UCL), whose recent work has looked at Jarman’s engagements with medieval art and literature, with a particular focus on the artist’s conceptions of time and history. The seminar will be followed by drinks in the Minto House Common Room. 5.15pm, Lecture Room 1, Minto House, University of Edinburgh, Chambers Street. All welcome: free.

Books in Focus: Kandinsky’s Klange. The ‘Books in Focus’ series focuses on artists’ books held in the special collections of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This session will look at Wasilly Kandinsky’s book Klange, published in Munich in 1913. Klange means ‘sounds’; the book contains a series of woodcuts that trace Kandinsky’s journey into abstraction, together with writings and poems exploring his ideas about art. 11.30am-12.30pm, Reading Room, Scottish Gallery of Modern Art TWO, Belford Road. Free but places are limited and booking is essential: please email gmainfo@nationalgalleries.org or call 0131 624 6268.

Lunchtime Concert: Bakersfield Youth Symphony Orchestra, Bakersfield, California, USA, with director Maxim H Eshkenazy. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

The Last Treasure Hunt: Edinburgh author Jane Alexander launches her debut novel. At the age of thirty, Campbell Johnstone considers himself a failure; when he tries to rekindle his relationship with former friend and rapidly rising Hollywood star Eve Sandler, a single shocking night changes everything in ways he could never have predicted. When the dust settles, Campbell’s life is transformed – but at what cost? The Last Treasure Hunt examines our obsession with fame and celebrity – ‘a modern media morality tale with bite’. The evening will be chaired by Peggy Hughes. 7-9pm, St Stephen Centre, St Stephen Street, Stockbridge, Free tickets may be booked via eventbrite here.

Scottish Poetry Library Translation Workshop: Gaelic Poetry with Aonghas MacNeacail. The Gaelic poet, songwriter, scriptwriter, broadcaster, translator, journalist and librettist will share two or three of his own poems, with literal translations. With Aonghas’s help, attendees will (individually or in pairs) then create English translations from the literal versions. The translations and the process of translating will then be shared and discussed. There is no need to able to speak or read Gaelic, or to have translated before, to attend the workshop, although those with experience are welcome. 6-8pm, The Saltire Society, 9 Fountain Close. Tickets cost £5/£4 and may be booked via eventbrite here. For more information please contact jennifer.williams@spl.org.uk.

The GTs Live @ The OCP: an evening of fantastic foot-stomping music! 9pm, Old Chain Pier, Trinity Crescent.

Pat Kane: Culture, Sustainability and Political Change in Scotland. An evening with The Common Weal board member, musician and writer. 7pm for 7.30pm, Area C Coffee House, 239-241 Leith Walk. Hosted by The Common Weal Edinburgh North & Leith. Please note venue is cash only. BYOB (corkage applies).

Nothing Ever Happens Here Presents Paws + Algernon Dog + Le Thug. For over 18s only. 8pm-1am, Dissection Room, Summerhall, 1 Summerhall. Tickets cost £10 and may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 560 1581.

Lach & Friends: Duglas T Stewart (BMX Bandits), McGuire and The Pure Gallus. 8pm, Woodland Creatures, 260-262 Leith Walk. £5 on the door.

Turn the Melville Monument blue tonight!

Golf this Friday for schoolchildren

Easter holiday advice from NHSScotland

Abbeyhill clean up

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 

You can show your support for World Autism Awareness Day later today by making the lights on the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square change to blue which is the condition’s symbolic colour.

You have to tweet #blue to the City of Edinburgh Council’s Twitter account @Edinburgh_CC to mark the awareness day tonight.

Autism affects around 5,000 people in Edinburgh and is a lifelong developmental disorder which can affect people with or without a learning disability – sometimes known as Aspergers Syndrome. It affects both children and adults, and can have a profound effect on the way a person understands and interacts with the world around them.

The Council runs a number of services and offers support to those with the condition and their families through its Autism Edinburgh campaign and its autism plan. Support includes trained autism champions; Aspire, which helps young people move on from school and college into further education or work; family support through Positive Pathways, and a specialised online training programme.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon will be discussed at the Giant Book Group in the Central Library from 6.30pm tonight, in advance of the stage adaptation at the Festival Theatre later this month.

A panel consisting of Health, Social Care and Housing Convener, Councillor Ricky Henderson, Cerin Richardson from Edinburgh Theatres, Matthew Day from Autism Initiatives and parent Amanda Wilson will launch the event, at which members of the public will form groups to talk about the book.

Clubbers will celebrate the day at Dance Back to the Future at Electric Circus from 10pm tonight, while a live music event featuring Pet, the Just Joans and The Fast Girls is being held tonight at Upward Mobility in St Margaret’s House on London Road from 7pm.

Cllr Henderson said: “World Autism Awareness Day is a fantastic opportunity to consider how some of us struggle every day through no fault of our own, and reminds us to show compassion and understanding.

“The Council is committed to supporting those in need to reach their full potential and to lead happy and independent lives.”

You can find out more information about World Autism Awareness Day on the Autism Speaks website.
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Family golf will be available this Friday afternoon at the Wee Braids courtesy of Edinburgh Leisure.

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You are reminded about this year’s Be Health-Wise This Easter campaign.

With coughs and colds still common during Easter, Dr Owl – the wise and memorable character from the NHSScotland campaign –  is urging people to take a few simple steps to look after their health.

If you know when your GP surgery is open, you restock the medicine cabinet and ordering and collecting repeat prescriptions in plenty of time for Easter, you can ensure you make the most of the holiday weekend.

This year many GP surgeries will close for four days from Good Friday 3 April 2015 to Easter Monday.

General advice and information on how to stay healthy this Easter can be found at www.nhsinform.co.uk or contact NHS inform on 0800 22 44 88.

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School pupils, teachers and other members of the community all joined forces to spruce up Abbeyhill as part of a day of action last Friday

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Happy Birthday to Cairngorm Cafe on Frederick Street. They are celebrating their first birthday today with coffee and of course grilled cheese sandwiches……

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An idea was put forward late last year by the council that there could be strength in numbers and now a partnership of local authorities is aiming to win a £1bn city deal, under ambitious plans announced today.

The Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region – comprising Edinburgh, Borders, Fife, Mid-, East and West Lothian councils – will work together to develop a deal with the Scottish and UK Governments designed to grow the local, national and UK economies.

At the heart of the proposition lies a £1bn infrastructure fund, with priority areas for investment likely to include transport, housing, economic regeneration, energy and digital connectivity.

It is estimated that an additional £3.2bn of private sector investment could be leveraged, generating tens of thousands of new jobs and providing a sustainable 5% uplift to the local economy.

The deal will be targeted at maximising the opportunities afforded by the world class research base, and would look to exploit the wide range of technologies being pioneered across the city region.

Any investment would be supported by a complementary package of skills and innovation measures, such asbusiness-led training academies in key growth sectors.

Speaking on behalf of the six local authorities, City of Edinburgh Council Leader, Andrew Burns, said: “I am delighted to be working with our five neighbouring local authorities to pursue a deal for the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region.

“In creating this fund, we want to build on our strengths whilst tackling persistent pockets of inequality and other constraints that threaten to hold the region back.

“Our next step will be to seek UK and Scottish Government agreement on the development of a detailed proposition; one that we believe can unlock billions of pounds of potential infrastructure investment, thereby ensuring the continued growth and reduction in inequality across one of Europe’s most successful city region economies.”

Assuming a positive response from ministers, detailed work on prioritising potential investment and ensuring that the overall programme also addresses inequality would continue in partnership with representatives from both governments.

Hardies Property & Construction Consultants, Scotland’s largest multi discipline surveying firm, with fourteen offices throughout Scotland – has embarked on a new era by lining up a new “First XI” team of newly appointed partners, four of them from Edinburgh.

The firm, which has over one hundred members of staff across its office network has been preparing for the future by carrying out a detailed internal selection process to identify the “rising stars” who will contribute to the firm’s future growth. With some of its long serving partners having just retired, or about to retire in the near future, Hardies has appointed eleven new partners in all, resulting in a team of sixteen Equity Partners in total to lead the firm forward.

The new partners will take up their posts on 1^st April 2015.

The new partners are Paul Duncan, (Valuation), Danny McArthur and Martin McConnell, (Building Surveying) in the Dunfermline office; Allan Smith (Quantity Surveying), Kate Bilbrough (Building Surveying), David Vince (Building Surveying) and Murray Warner (Project Management) in the Edinburgh office;  Gary Ovenstone (Partner in the St Andrews office); Neil Moir (Valuation) in Hardies Aberdeen office; Keith Gifford in Hardies Dalkeith office and Darron McKay, (Quantity Surveying) from the Dundee office who  completes the line up.

Hardies Managing Partner Derek Ferrier said: “It’s a new era for Hardies – we are very excited to unveil our new Partners and are confident that we have the right people to lead the company forward. We’ve invested in staff over many years and now we’re putting our trust in our staff.  Hardies has been providing surveying services for more than one hundred years and the purpose of this succession planning is to provide the right platform for future growth in the next one hundred years.  We are only custodians of the Hardies name and need to ensure the firm continues to grow.”

Mr Ferrier explained that the firm, which provides a range of professional property and construction consultancy services including project management, quantity surveying, building surveying to valuation surveying and dispute resolution support services, advertised internally for prospective new partners. They were required to put together a presentation demonstrating what unique attributes they could bring to Hardies as a partner in the firm. “We wanted to know what they would bring to the table to lead Hardies forward and help the firm to continue to grow and develop,” he said.

“It was an extremely interesting exercise and really helped us to clarify who the best people were and it did not depend on how old they were or how long they had been with us,“ he continued. “Technology for example is moving so fast. We need to release our young stars and see what they can do in this vein. We want to be at the forefront of our profession and using new technology to our advantage is one of the ways in which we will continue to achieve that.”

It was in the early 1990s that Hardies developed its “one stop shop approach” of property and construction related consultancy services, adding services such as project management and building surveying to complete the range of services required from inception to completion in the development process.

The firm’s latest service is dispute resolution support, assisting clients in resolving issues without adopting formal dispute resolution procedures in a bid to avoid costly litigation.

“Our new partners will continue to look at our position and service offering in the current market place and we are confident that we will continue to come up with the right mix of services to look after our diverse client base which covers educational establishments, banks, building societies, private developers, leisure and healthcare, social housing and numerous Councils,” said Derek Ferrier.

PHOTO back row – Judith Darnell (Business & HR Manager), David Vince (new partner, Edinburgh), Kate Bilbrough (new partner, Edinburgh ), Neil Moir (new partner, Aberdeen,) Murray Warner (new partner, Edinburgh), Allan Smith (new partner, Edinburgh), Paul Duncan (new partner, Dunfermline), Keith Gifford (new partner, Dalkeith), Danny McArthur (new parrner, Dunfermline), Gary Ovenstone (new partner, St Andrews), and Martin McConnell (new partner, Dunfermline).

Darron McKay, new partner from Dundee is not pictured.

Existing Partners are front row : Derek Ferrier (Managing Partner), Stephen Craig, Craig Gilmour and Gordon Butt

Hardies serves clients in both the private and public sectors providing a comprehensive property and construction consultancy service, including property valuation, building and quantity surveying and project management.  The firm also handles the leasing and sale of commercial and industrial buildings; CDM Co-ordination, Dispute Resolution and the provision of Energy Performance Certificates.  The firm has offices in St Andrews, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Dunfermline, Dalkeith, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow, Kilmarnock, Paisley, Hamilton, Helensburgh and Galashiels. WJR Christie in Dundee is also part of the Hardies portfolio.  Further details at www.hardies.co.uk

New York-based Scottish painter Catriona Herd brings her latest work to the Dundas Street Gallery in Edinburgh with a solo exhibition from 22 – 31 May 2015.

The exhibition – ‘European Landscapes’ – will feature works done from plein air sketching and painting during extensive travels in France, Spain, Portugal, Scotland and England’s Lake District in the summers of 2012, 2013 and 2014.

These trips included a six-week painting scholarship at the Marchutz School in Aix-en-Provence in the south of France in 2013.

Glasgow-born and Linlithgow-raised Herd has been based in New York since 2003 and has staged exhibitons in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Scotland in recent years.

Her painting ‘Copper Tree, Evora, Portugal’ won a 2009 Jean Gates Award in New York.

Herd graduated from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design in Dundee, Scotland, in the 1980s after five years of study including a postgraduate year and selection to paint at the Hospitalfield House master class.

Herd’s teachers at Dundee included veteran Scottish painters James Morrison, Alberto Morrocco and Jack Knox, who was a major influence. Following spells in Edinburgh, Hong Kong and New Zealand, Herd moved to Brooklyn, New York in 2003.

* Contact the artist via her website — catrionaherd.com

Submitted by Art Brooklyn

In days of yore solicitors would be seen trotting in and out of the Stamp Office in Picardy Place clutching title deeds and other documents which required payment of stamp duty. The process involved production of a validly executed deed and payment of the tax and a big red wax stamp would then be affixed. The difference was that the payment went to Inland Revenue.  Now stamp duty is no more, but it is replaced with something new.

The main difference is that from today the first new national Scottish taxes introduced by a Scottish Parliament in more than 300 years will be collected.

Scotland’s new tax authority, Revenue Scotland, is now accepting tax returns – making history as the first national administrator of solely Scottish taxes since 1707.

From this morning, the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (LBTT) and Scottish Landfill Tax (SLfT) replace Stamp Duty Land Tax and UK landfill tax respectively. The powers to administer the two new taxes follows the passage of the Scotland Act 2012.

Revenue Scotland Chair Dr Keith Nicholson, Programme Director Murdoch Macleod and Deputy First Minister John Swinney met some of the solicitors using the new LBTT online returns system during a visit this morning to Brodies LLP in Edinburgh.

Mr Swinney said:

“Today is historic. For the first time in 300 years, with the launch of Revenue Scotland, Scotland is able to collect and manage some of our own taxes.

“Years of preparation and consultation have gone into ensuring this independent agency is ready to manage these two new taxes as of today.

“In particular, our approach to establishing new taxes in Scotland has been widely welcomed for both our consultation with those who use the system and our efforts to tackle potential tax avoidance and evasion.

“Our residential LBTT rates and bands, which were approved by the Scottish Parliament, mean that no tax will be payable on 50 per cent of house purchases and more than 40,000 home buyers will pay less tax than they would under UK SDLT.

“Our tax decisions have been driven by the principle that taxes should be proportionate to the ability to pay.

“The legal, financial, leadership and operational tax experts at Revenue Scotland have worked incredibly hard to ensure a smooth transition today for tax payers and I’m very grateful to them all.”

Murdoch Macleod, Revenue Scotland Programme Director, said:

“It has been a genuine privilege to oversee the delivery of Revenue Scotland as the tax authority that will administer Scotland’s first tax collection system for 300 years.

The passion, commitment and dedication of every single member of my team has been inspirational and humbling. It has taken a huge amount of work, collaborating with solicitors and landfill operators, supporting organisations and HMRC to deliver this programme of work on time and to specification, and it is a testament to the professionalism of everyone involved that Revenue Scotland is now ready to collect and manage the taxes and deliver the highest level of service for Scotland.”

Dr Keith Nicholson, Chair of Revenue Scotland, said:

“Setting up a new tax authority from scratch, and developing the IT system, processes, technical training and all the other things involved in that is a huge task.

“The Revenue Scotland Board has been very impressed by the quality of the work done by all the team.

“This is a significant achievement of which everyone at Revenue Scotland should be rightly proud.”

Isobel d’Inverno, Head of Corporate Tax at Brodies, said:

“It has been a pleasure working with Revenue Scotland to achieve ‘go-live’ of the online LBTT system today.

“The Revenue Scotland team has worked incredibly hard in a very challenging timescale and the process has been collaborative and constructive, involving input from across the legal profession.

“Our comments and suggestions have been listened to, and the result is a user friendly and intuitive online tax system which should make life easier for solicitors dealing with property transactions in Scotland.”

Hearts today announced an innovative new partnership with the charity Save the Children which will see their name on Hearts home and away strips for three years starting from next season. The partnership, funded through philanthropy, will deliver a seven-figure sum which will support both Hearts and Save the Children.

Hearts owner Ann Budge told the club’s official website: “It’s been an amazing few weeks. A few days ago we were celebrating what we had achieved on the field, and now we’re celebrating what we’ve achieved, or at least one of the achievements, off the field.

“It’s not a commercial sponsor that we have on our shirts, but we’ve achieved terms through this agreement that more than equate to that. So we have lost nothing by having no commercial sponsor and gained everything, in my view.

“Its very pleasing to hear that reaction to the partnership has been overwhelmingly positive. I personally can’t see any downside to this; I think it’s a win-win-win for everybody. I’m delighted that the fans are happy.”

Hearts Director of Football Craig Levein said “I’ve been involved in some important signings in my time at Hearts, but this is perhaps the most significant.

“It’s such a great match, a perfect match as they’re saying. It’s such a good story and pretty much in line with things that are coming out of the club just now, since Ann’s taken over. I’m really proud to be part of it.”

SPFL Chief Executive Neil Doncaster said: “Heart of Midlothian is to be congratulated on their sporting success this season; and also on this exciting new partnership, which will bring welcome additional funds into the Scottish game‎ as well as to the most worthy of causes.”

A Scottish FA spokesperson added: “We commend Heart of Midlothian for today’s announcement, which demonstrates the strength and value of Scottish football in helping to tackle society’s inequalities, especially among vulnerable groups.

“Such innovative thinking and partnership also plays a significant part in reinforcing the reputation of the national sport in Scotland.”

It is the first time a Scottish club has agreed a permanent shirt sponsor with a national charity. Hearts say the money will be invested in repairing the infrastructure at Tynecastle Stadium and will also be invested in the club’s academy programme.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested and charged following the recovery of a large quantity diazepam tablets and cannabis with a street value of up to £160,000.  He will appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today.

This recovery occurred at The Shore, Edinburgh, on Friday, March 27.  A 33-year-old man was also arrested at the scene and appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Monday, March 30.

Police in East Lothian are appealing for witnesses following housebreaking incidents last weekend where a BMW car worth around £30,000 and a high-value Audi car were stolen.

The BMW was recovered in the Edinburgh area but officers have still to trace the red, two-door Audi A5..

Officers investigating these crimes as part of an on-going operation are now urging anyone who can assist with their enquiries to come forward, particularly if they think they have seen the stolen vehicle.

Two men have been arrested and charged in relation to separate housebreaking incidents in Musselburgh, North Berwick and Aberlady last week.

Officers recovered a dark blue Audi A4 car believed to be used in those incidents but enquiries are still ongoing as to the whereabouts of a silver Peugeot also stolen.

Chief Inspector Andy Clark said: “We have dedicated housebreaking teams across the Lothians and we will use all the resources at our disposal to detect these crimes and bring those responsible to justice. We are also working closely with detectives in Edinburgh as there are obvious links with the city.

“In the meantime we ask all residents and business owners to show increased vigilance and to report any suspicious activity around their properties or the properties of family, friends and neighbours to the police.

“Please make sure your intruder alarm is in good working order, all windows and doors are locked and any car keys and cash are kept out of sight.

“The public can assist us in helping reduce housebreaking by following this simple advice and reporting anything suspicious to the police by calling 999 if a crime is in progress or alternatively 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A man who obtained approximately £500,000 in a fraudulent investment scam has today been sentenced.

Keith Cameron was sentenced to five years at the Sheriff Court in Edinburgh.

The 54 year-old was responsible for obtaining money for a Telecoms company start-up that never materialised. Cameron exploited his relationship with the victim, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer, in order to fraudulently obtain the funds. Cameron was able to exploit his knowledge of the Telecoms industry to present a plausible investment and obtained the trust needed to hand over funds.

Police Scotland today welcomed the sentence but warned the public to be vigilant against similar individuals looking to use the Internet to illegally source money.

Detective Inspector Arron Clinkscales said: “Keith Cameron used his expertise and relationship to make his victim believe that this was a legitimate investment. He also indicated that others had invested significant sums and forged investment documents. He was able to continue the pretence of a legitimate investment for nearly two ears, with repeated promises of returns, until his victim died, leaving a grieving widow to discover the fraud.”

“To ensure that others do not fall foul of similar fraudulent activities I would urge the public to fully research any investment they are seeking to make. When considering making an investment, consider seeking financial and legal advice to ensure protection against fraudulent investments.”

“If in any doubt, do not go ahead, and remember if it seems too good to be true, it probably is”

Music fans are in for a treat on Saturday when two legendary bands who achieved phenomenal success in the sixties appear live at the Corn Exchange in Haddington.

Community radio station East Coast FM has teamed up with The Animals and The Troggs as part of fund raising efforts to support the local broadcasting service and both bands will play with members of their original line up in a night that promises to bring back fond memories and create many more.

Earlier today, John Steel, the original drummer with The Animals kindly took time out of his busy schedule to tell the Edinburgh Reporter what fans can expect and also reminisce about the days when the band rivalled the Beatles and the Rolling Stones at the top the music charts on both sides of the Atlantic.

John said: ” I am really looking forward to coming back to Scotland and Haddington in particular. The Animals have played in Scotland many times and had some really good gigs in places such as Inverness and Elgin, but one gig I remember specifically was in Haddington on June 13th 1964, For the life of me I can’t remember the name of the venue, so if any Edinburgh Reporter readers can help me I would be really interested to know. My girlfriend at the time, who later became my wife, came up from Newcastle to watch us play that night so it was a significant show.

“That was an interesting time for The Animals as a couple of weeks later ‘House of the Rising Sun’ was released and of course went to number one in the charts in the UK and USA.

“The show on Saturday at the Corn Exchange will be great, The Troggs will open the show and play for 45 minutes then there will be an interval and we will play the second half. There will be Troggs’ hits such as ‘Wild Thing’, ‘Love Is All Around’ and ‘With a Girl Like You’ and Animals’ Hits such as ‘House of the Rising Sun’, ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’, ‘It’s My Life’ and ‘Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood’.

“The fans never get tired of that music. Our hits are about real life which I think is why they still stand up. There is a dark edge that people identify with them but sometimes forget it was us that sung them.

” ‘We Gotta Get Out Of This Place’ actually became an anthem during the Vietnam War and was in the US Armed Forces Charts for about three years. Kids now sing it when they leave school and we have had squaddies who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq who tell us that it is still a favourite over there amongst the armed forces.”

It’s over 3,250 miles from Haddington to New York but that was the next port of call for the band 51 years ago when they were invited to appear on the world’s top talk show.

John recalled: “The ‘Ed Sullivan’ show was hugely important for us. We first went on in the Summer of 1964 when ‘House of the Rising Sun’ was number one on both sides of the Atlantic and his viewing figures were around 25 million Actually we appeared five times in total.

“When we arrived in New York, the publicity people arranged for ‘Triumph’ the car company to us get into open topped sports cars called ‘Tigers’. ‘Tigers/Animals’!!!! So we each sat in the back of a ‘Tiger’ alongside 6ft tall models wearing basques and fish net stockings. It was like a dream. In those days only rich businessmen and film stars went to America, but that day, five working class Geordie lads drove through Manhattan with a motor cycle convoy.

“America was unbelievable. we did a big open air show at a state fair somewhere down south and as we were playing the last song, ‘Talking About You’, from the corner of my eye I saw a huge black gorilla coming toward me. suddenly the gorilla lifted me up under his arm and run away. Thankfully it was a man in a costume, but that was the weird way the American’s used to think. ‘Animals/Gorillas’ It ruined our ending.”

Amazingly, considering the number of hits and the lasting legacy of the band, they split up two years later as John explained: ” Eric (Burdon) and I met at Art school and started a band in 1957 and there were different line ups until 1963 when we took off, so we only existed as The Animals for three years and split up in 1966. That was due to bad management. Our manager at the time worked us into the ground and we became disillusioned Of course by that time all the money was gone.”

Almost thirty years later however the music industry let the lads know that they had not been forgotten and they headed across the Atlantic once more for a prestigious and well-deserved award:”It was a real honour to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 at a ceremony in the Waldorf Astoria in New York. We had a dinner and were presented with a statuette. David Letterman’s house band were playing and after a few drinks the whole thing turned into a brilliant jamming session including Bruce Springsteen, Eric Clapton and Chuck Berry whom we had actually appeared with years before.

“Bruce (Springsteen) used to tell everyone that we were his inspiration which was very generous of him to say.”

So where now for John?

“I’m 74 now but have no plans to retire. My body will tell me when I’m ready to stop or if I start to make a fool of myself, but touch wood I’m still rocking.”

The Animals were the second British band to top the American charts after The Beatles with the now multi-million selling and legendary anthem, ‘House of the Rising Sun’. The band subsequently achieved over twenty global Top Ten hit records, many of which gained the Number One slot in various parts of the world. In Britain alone, the band had no less than twelve chart entries. The Animals were the first British band to tour Poland and Japan.

The Troggs also had a number of hits in the United Kingdom and the United States including the U.S. chart-topper “Wild Thing”, “With a Girl Like You” and “Love Is All Around”, all of which sold over 1 million copies.] “Wild Thing” is ranked #257 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Ian Robertson, Station Manager at ECFM said, “We are incredibly excited to have these two legendary bands coming to Haddington for one night only. There are people coming from all parts of Scotland for this, gigs like this don’t come along very often.”

This celebration of music from the 60s and beyond takes place over the Easter bank holiday weekend. Listeners of East Coast FM and supporters of the station are being encouraged to buy tickets earlier for the event before they sell out.

Tickets are £20 and available from Ticket Scotland, ECFM and Mike’s Bikes in Haddington.

A snake who has become the Scottish SPCA’s longest resident is looking for a home after 1000 days in care.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity is hoping to find the right home for Rascal, a California kingsnake who arrived at their Edinburgh Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in the summer of 2012.

Assistant manager Kenny Sharpe said, “Poor Rascal has been with us for nearly three years and has attracted very little interest. He arrived in our care after he was found behind a kitchen unit in Bathgate.

“A lot of people are put off by his appearance but we know there are plenty of reptile enthusiasts out there who will appreciate Rascal for the stunning creature he is.

“Rascal has a good temperament for a kingsnake and we are looking for an owner with previous snake experience to take him on.

“Snakes have specialist care requirements and should not be rehomed on a whim so we would certainly urge any would-be owners to do their research.”

Anyone who can offer Rascal a new home is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh centre on 03000 999 999.

Heathrow recently announced a raft of new measures which would be deliverable with the expansion of the airport, and which the airport owner believe would boost Scotland’s links to the world, and help Scottish businesses connect to global growth.

For anyone who travels to Heathrow it is a well known frustration that time spent in a holding pattern above the south east of England only adds to the journey time.

According to the airport expansion at Heathrow would allow:

• Better timed and more frequent flights between Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports and Heathrow
• A new route between Inverness and Heathrow, part of easyJet’s indicative network from an expanded Heathrow
• Possible new links to Scottish airports not currently served by Heathrow

As the UK’s only hub airport, Heathrow connects to 75 destinations worldwide which are not served by other airports in the UK. The package is designed to help support routes from Scotland to the hub and includes a review of Heathrow’s charges for domestic routes to be implemented in January 2016. The airport also confirmed that a £10million Route Development Fund would be established to provide start-up support new routes between airports like Dundee and Heathrow where needed.

While Heathrow has been full for the last ten years, many airlines have been forced to use available capacity for long-haul flights at the expense of Scottish routes. As a result the average number of daily flights departing from Scottish airports to Heathrow has declined from 50 in 2005 to 35 today. With the loss of the Virgin Little Red services from Aberdeen and Edinburgh in September of this year, this could decrease to just 26 daily departures.

The airport feel that this pattern results in Scottish businesses being increasingly cut off from ready access to international growth opportunities currently more easily available to their competitors in the South East.

In contrast, independent research by Quod, commissioned by Heathrow and based on economic analysis by the Airports Commission, shows how an expanded Heathrow will benefit Scotland, with the nation expected to receive up to £14 billion in economic growth and 16,100 new jobs.

Support for Heathrow appears to be growing with Glasgow Chamber, Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber, Inverness Chamber, Glasgow Airport, Aberdeen Airport, Scottish Chambers of Commerce and the Scottish Council for Development and Industry all backing expansion. It is also backed by two of the largest UK-wide trade unions, Unite and GMB.

Commenting on the commitments, John Holland-Kaye, Heathrow CEO, said: “Expanding Heathrow could deliver over £14bn in economic benefit and 16,000 new jobs across Scotland.  We have been listening to businesses, politicians and now to the National Connectivity Task Force, and today’s announcement shows that we have a plan to deliver what Britain needs.  Only Heathrow can connect Scotland to global growth.  Let’s get on with it. “

A spokesperson for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: “Heathrow has undertaken a huge amount of work in terms of measuring the potential benefits to Scotland and other parts of the UK that could result from airport expansion and in developing plans to address the needs of Scottish businesses, should expansion be approved.  Our priority is to ensure that investors around the world have access to Scotland and to strengthen our businesses’ ability to compete for global growth. “This plan will deliver more jobs for our region, boost our economy and ensure Scotland continues to grow as an attractive place to live and work.”

Mike Cantlay, Chair of VisitScotland, said: “This is potentially hugely significant for air connectivity to Scotland.  New and more frequent air services to Scotland could have a profoundly positive impact on Scottish tourism. We know from visitor research that we need to make the journey to Scotland as easy and inexpensive as possible.  This shows that Heathrow understands the importance of this to Scottish tourism and should be applauded for this announcement.”

Police are appealing for information to help trace a 41-year-old woman who has been reported missing from Edinburgh.

Tracey Powrie was last seen in the North Bridge area at 6.45 pm on Monday evening.

She is described as 5ft 5in tall, slim build, with shoulder length blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a blue Adidas sweatshirt, blue jeans and pink trainers.

She is believed to frequent the city centre area of Edinburgh.

Inspector Stephen Rosie said: “Tracey is vulnerable due to current health issues and we are growing increasingly concerned for her welfare.

“Anyone who may have seen her since 6.45pm this evening, or who knows where she is , is urged to contact police as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland as soon as possible on 101.

The Edinburgh People’s Survey which is the biggest survey of its kind undertaken in the UK recently revealed that one of the top gripes among capital residents is dog poo on the pavements. It is one of the things that really makes people growl with dismay.

Now The City of Edinburgh Council has decided to agree a solution with real bite, and, after passing an emergency motion at a hastily convened session to take place later this morning, the council will introduce from noon today what it describes as ‘failsafe new measures’ designed to identify and catch the culprits.

Next year The Scottish Government has advised it will introduce licences for all Scottish dogs in a retro step going back to the days when Greyfriars Bobby trotted up and down George IV Bridge. At that time the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, John Gray, paid for the dog’s licence, so that he could continue to live at liberty. No-one appears to know where Bobby slept at nights, or where he ‘did his business’, but we can only assume he may have had the odd poop on the pavement in his time.

A council spokesman explained how science will now be used to foil the foulers: “It is evident that this is a problem which dogs many councils, but here in Edinburgh the Capital Coalition is determined to get to the bottom of it. We plan to employ two scientists who will patrol the city’s streets with a lab; that’s the scientific kind, not another dog. We really want to reduce the number of dogs on the pavements, and we certainly don’t need any more poop being produced there!

“The scientists will scoop the poop with a couple of pages from the previous day’s newspaper, and then use the mobile lab to analyse it for DNA, thus ensuring that any offender is absolutely traceable. DNA is just like a paw print, absolutely unique. We will know which dog did it. We will be using a brand new DNA analysis which works more quickly than ever before. We will have immediate results.

“Frankly the public have spoken. They are not happy with the way the council approaches this and we need to try and pick up some brownie points.”

Professor M. Adman at University of Edinburgh told us about the science behind all of this: “DNA sampling is a technique which has been well refined over the past decade and we are now all too familiar with the TV detective using DNA testing to identify the culprit responsible for the most heinous of crimes.

“With the advance of low cost DNA test kits – the technique can now be applied to the pooper criminal. As part of the licensing process every canine will offer up a DNA sample – this will be kept on file in a central doggy-data-base. In the event of a pooper crime – the DNA recovered from the sample will be compared with the one in the doggy-data-base – identifying the owner and the doggy culprit.” 

When The Edinburgh Reporter enquired of the council whether the move would mean that the budget produced by the coalition in February would now need urgent revision, the council official was unmoved. He said: “No, we have provision for sh*t as important as this in our emergency fund. This will not mean any more messing about with figures. We have had enough of that already.  Our budget will not become a stool pigeon for any opposition councillors trying to get us off the scent of the dirty dogs in Edinburgh. We will ensure that the animals guilty of this offence are traced and then caught.”

And when we asked the council officer what he thought should be done with the owners, he said:”I feel they should be put in pens in the quad at the City Chambers for a day. It will sort them out when they are shamed in front of Edinburgh’s citizens and many tourists who will see them there. They’ll be red-faced!”

South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 2014 marked the 20th anniversary of democracy and freedom in South Africa. To commemorate this landmark date, South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour, a season of South African cinema, is taking place from October 2014 to April 2015 at venues across the UK, bringing the diversity, creative innovation and technical brilliance of South African cinemas to British audiences. Today’s film: Miners Shot Down (15) (In English and Zulu with English subtitles). In August 2012 mineworkers in one of South Africa’s biggest platinum mines began a wildcat strike for better wages. Six days later the police used live ammunition to brutally suppress the strike, killing 34 and injuring many more. Using the point of view of the Marikana miners, this film follows the strike from day one, showing the courageous but isolated fight waged by a group of low-paid workers against the combined forces of the mining company Lonmin, the ANC government and their allies in the National Union of Mineworkers. What emerges is collusion at the top, spiralling violence and the country’s first post-apartheid massacre.  The screening will be followed by a discussion on the ongoing struggle for human rights in post-apartheid South Africa, featurng a panel of experts and chaired by Lizelle Bisschoff, director of South Africa at 20: The Freedom Tour. 8.35pm, Filmhouse, Lothian Road. Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling the Box Office on 0131 228 2688: discounts may be available if you buy tickets for several films in this season – ask at the Box Office.

Yarn Group: an informal group – bring your knitting or crochet, share experiences, have a chat and get help with problems. 10am-12 noon today and every Wednesday, Penicuik Arts Centre West Street. Entry by donation.

Incredible Power of Light: Vulcan is a laser facility 10,000 times more powerful than the National Grid; it can deliver pulses of light of up to one petawatt of energy. A replica of this amazing laser forms the centrepiece of this new exhibition, celebrating the International Year of Light 2015, along with interactive exhibits, animations, hardware and displays that tell the story of how lasers impact on our daily lives. 10am-4.30pm (last entry – closes 5pm), Monday to Saturday (closed Sundays), Main Hall, The Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. Ends 30th April 2015. Free. The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of children’s workshops and talks for adults and young adults throughout April: for full details click here. Part of Edinburgh International Science Festival 2015.

Righteous Muslims: a joint project between Sukkat Shalom: the Edinburgh Liberal Jewish Community, Marchmont St Giles Church and the Muslim Women’s Association of Edinburgh. During the Second World War many Muslims, especially in south-east Europe, sheltered Jewish neighbours from the Nazis. Some are honoured as Righteous Muslims by Yad Vashem. Faith Matters, a Muslim civic organisation, has created an exhibition telling some of the stories; it has been displayed in many places in the UK, and this is its first showing in Scotland. Launch tonight at 6pm, then 10am-4pm Monday to Friday, Butterflies Cafe, Marchmont St Giles Parish Church Centre, 1a Kilgraston Road. If you would like to attend the launch, please email contact@eljc.org. Ends 12th April 2015.

The Scottish Gallery – New Exhibitions: (1) Katie Downie: Estuary. Following three months of travel through Australia and Japan, artist Katie Downie presents bright new ink and watercolour paintings from Outback river source to the coast, pictorial diaries and oil paintings. ‘This new body of work marks a serious development in the artist’s deep encounters with both the built and the natural river lands around the edges of the Pacific Rim’. (2) Eugenie Vronskaya: Still Point in a Turning World. Highlands-based painter Vronskaya studied icon painting from an early age and was the first Russian student to enrol for the Masters course at the Royal College of Art. She has since exhibited worldwide. ‘Vronskaya has few rivals in Britain for sheer draughtsmanship’ John Russell Taylor. (3) Cutting Edge: Modern Hungarian Glass. An exhibition showcasing 16 Hungarian glass artists, including both emerging and established makers; curated by Attila Sik of Prism Gallery, Birmingham. 10am-6pm Monday to Friday, 10am-4pm Saturdays, The Scottish Gallery, 16 Dundas Street. All exhibitions end 28th April 2015.

Lunchtime Concert: Piano Speak with Will Pickvance. 12.15pm, St Giles’ Cathedral, High Street. Free.

Craigmillar Library Book Group: currently reading A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka. 6.30pm, Craigmillar Library, 101 Niddrie Mains Road. All welcome: a copy of the book may be obtained from library staff.

Lounge Act feat. Caroline Gilmour, The Woods (aka Johnny McFadzean) and Frida Ecklund. A trio of talented singer-songwriters making great strides on the local scene. 7.30pm, Sofi’s Bar, Henderson Street. Free.

National Library of Scotland Guided Tour: A guided tour of the building and an introduction to the Library’s collections and history. 10.30am, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is essential as numbers are limited: reserve your place online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734. Please inform the Library of any special access requirements.

Edinburgh College of Naturopathic Medicine: a drop-in session with Gayle Fitzpatrick, who will answer your questions about studying with CNM. 1-3pm, Henderson’s Restaurant, Hanover Street.

The Importance of Being: actor John Cairney talks about his unique life and his thoughts on spirituality and human connections. Cairney’s words underline the importance of recognising the gift we have simply in living, and how crucial it is to appreciate each moment of our lives. ‘A philosophical look back at a life well lived’. 2pm, National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge. Free but booking is required, either online here or by calling the Library on 0131 623 3734.

Staff Works: an exhibition of art works from the staff of the Boda Bars. Preview tonight from 7pm, then usual opening hours, Victoria Bar, 265 Leith Walk,

The Gettup: diminish your midweek blues with DJs Thom and Pagowsky, who bring you the very best in Disco and Deep House. 9pm-3am tonight and every Wednesday, Cabaret Voltaire, 36 Blair Street. Free entry.

Leith Harbour & Newhaven Community Council: the agenda for the meeting may be seen here. 7pm, Persevere Room, Leith Community Education Centre, 12a Newkirkgate. All welcome.

Breaking News – Council to meet this morning in emergency session

Edinburgh International Science Festival Gastrofest

FlyBe now on summer timetable

Scotland’s National Airshow 2015

Canal Stories

The City of Edinburgh Council are to meet this morning in emergency session to pass a resolution on one of the matters most troubling residents of the city.

Read more here.

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In 2015, Edinburgh International Science Festival transforms into The Ideas Factory – a hub for information, ideas and innovation – during which thescience of food and drink is celebrated with the return of mini-festival GastroFest.

After a successful first outing at the 2014 Science Festival showcasing the importance of science in the most delicious way possible, GastroFest returns for a second year in 2015. It features a packed menu of events featuring Scottish and international producers, artisans, scientists and chefs, all taking part in events designed to give an accessible, enjoyable and above all tasty introduction to the science behind food and drink. GastroFest 2015 is supported as part of the Year of Food and Drink Scotland 2015, delivered by VisitScotland and EventScotland in partnership with Scotland Food & Drink, and forms one of the first large-scale events in their calendar.
Highlights include science-inspired farmers’ market SciMart (5 April), an Easter treat for all the family bringing together food producers, researchers and chefs, and featuring demos from award-winning Edinburgh chef Paul Wedgwood. Diners can explore the surprising links between our senses and our taste buds in Sensory Experimentation (9 April) with Prof Charles Spence and a series of tasters and experiments exploring flavour, scent and texture (9 April), while Give in to Fermentation (15 April) investigates our ongoing fascination with the fermentation process with a series of beer and food pairings, and theMad Hatter’s Tea Party takes a trip down the rabbit hole in a unique and enlightening tea party featuring the father of molecular gastronomy Hervé This and hosted by food writer Alex Renton. Drink design has now also become a science: LateLab GastroLab: Molecular Mastery (11 April) unveils the mysteries of molecular mixology with Prof Andrea Sella and drinks developers Zoe Burgess and Max Venning from London’s Drinks Factory. There’s even blues in a brewery with Science Festival brewer Barney’s Beer, who teams up with Will Pickvance for a musical evening in Brews, Blues and a Piano Bar Bike (8-11 April). Barney is also producing brand-new festival beer, his third for the Science Festival – Fe Fi Fo – brewed with a special,secret ingredient.

Amanda Tyndall, Deputy Director of Edinburgh International Science Festival, said: “This year’s Science Festival will celebrate enlightened thinking and doing by drawing together shining lights from the fields of science, technology and beyond, discussing the big ideas, issues and challenges of our time, including topics like Food security and sustainability. But it’s not all serious stuff – there are plenty of sociable, foodie science opportunities, with events on everything from taste perception and fermentation, to bug burgers and bears. Food brings people together like nothing else in the world and there’s science in every mouthful. We want GastroFest to be a valuable showcase for Scottish produce with events that celebrate the expertise of those who grow, make and cook it”.

Details of all GastroFest events can be found online at the website.

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Flybe began operating its 2015 Summer Schedule at the weekend with a choice of 187 routes including 27 that are brand new, and in total offering a choice of up to 3,012 flights a week. The airline will also be opening two brand new bases at Bournemouth and Cardiff, re-opening its Aberdeen base and starting flights out of London Stansted Airport, the first of which to the Isle of Man took off just two weeks’ ago.

This will also be the first summer for its five London City routes and Flybe will continue to keep Cornwall connected with its popular daily multi frequency service between Newquay and London Gatwick. This, coupled with the many routes on sale throughout Scotland and regional Europe offered by Flybe’s franchise partners, Loganair and Stobart Air, plus the return of popular sun routes from Exeter and Southampton, means that customers have an ever increasing choice of point to point, sea and sun travel options.

From Edinburgh Flybe goes to Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands, Kirkwall, London City, Manchester, Stornoway, Sumburgh and Wick.

***

Tickets are now on sale for Scotland’s National Airshow on 25 July 2015 at East Fortune

The Red Arrows are booked and you can now book your Early Bird tickets here.

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Members of the local community are invited to share their canal-related stories, photographs, maps and objects with young canal college volunteers aboard the Lochrin Bell boat, moored on the Union Canal at Edinburgh Quay on Thursday 23^rdApril between 11am and 3pm.

This day of oral reminiscence (running from 11am until 3pm), organised by Scottish Waterways Trust with support from Re-Union Canal Boats, will be led by the Edinburgh branch of Scottish Waterways Trust’s youth employability programme canal college.

The latest group of 16-25 year old recruits who are not in employment, further education or training will record stories and collect photographs and memorabilia aboard the barge, then use the materials to create unique heritage boxes.

These boxes will then be used in community groups and schools to inspire future generations to make memories of their own on the Union Canal.

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 It appears that the cafe in St Andrew Square is to change hands again. For any of you who have been watching carefully this will be the third operator in under a year. 

The longest running venture in the Glass building in the square was Razzo Cafe but the lease was terminated by Essential Edinburgh  in June 2014. Paul Anderson had kept the cafe open all the way through Occupy Edinburgh who used the square for their protest.  A Twitter storm with the hashtag #saverazzo followed the eviction of the popular cafe owner. 

A new but temporary cafe operator will open the doors on Thursday morning and then the process to put the premises out to tender will begin.

A spokesman for Essential Edinburgh who run the Business Improvement District and are responsible for the management of the square said: “The coffee shop closed on Saturday but will re-open on Thursday morning with a temporary operator in place for two months while a tender process takes place. We hope to have the permanent operator in place for 1st June.”

We have been told that one of the drawbacks of the site is the lack of public toilets. In recent plans an application was made to install them behind the cafe, but we have been told that application was unsuccessful. 

When the cafe was closed last summer Paul Anderson posted a notice saying: ““Monday 23 June 2014 is the last day Razzo Coffee can trade from this property. Our landlord Essential Edinburgh, has found a paperwork technicality to allow them to terminate our lease with immediate effect. We have not been given a reason for the decision and they refuse to communicate with us. We can confirm it was not based on any financial issues; their actions will force us out of business and our staff will lose their jobs.

“We are appealing to the City of Edinburgh Council who fund Essential Edinburgh and would appreciate any notes of support to paul@razzocoffee.co.uk

“Finally thank you for your custom over the past six years.”

Essential Edinburgh said at the time that there had been ongoing breaches of the lease which gave them no option but to serve the eviction notice. 

A temporary operator was put in place and the most noticeable thing was that there were suddenly many more parasols and tables outside the cafe. 

In recent weeks many have commented on the state of the gardens after the festive season. The grass areas have still not recovered and there are areas beside the footpath which still have plastic matting on them. 

Police are appealing for witnesses following two indecent exposures in the Cowgate which happened around 10.15pm last night  near to the junction of Niddry Street, when the suspect approached a group of women and exposed himself in front of them.

The suspect then approached another group of women and exposed himself to them, before walking towards the Grassmarket.

The suspect is described as white 5ft 2in to 5ft 3in tall, stocky build, short dark messy hair, and wearing a black t-shirt under a white or cream cardigan, with light grey cotton jogging bottoms. He spoke in a deep voice, with a Scottish accent, and appeared to be heavily intoxicated.

Detective Constable Louise Forsyth said: “This incident left both group of women feeling shocked, and we are asking anyone who recognises the description of the suspect, or who witnessed this incident, to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can them on 101 or alternatively, the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The lovely folk on the Royal Yacht Britannia sent us a couple of photos today to cheer you up even if the weather has turned cold again!

It appears that someone thinks the Antony Gormley sculpture should become a little more distinctive…..

We asked the sculpture but we’re not sure that he heard us. In any case there was no reply.

A new defibrillator has been installed at Edinburgh Bus Station today and offered the opportunity for the council’s transport leaders to learn how to use the life saving equipment.

St Andrew’s First Aid gave them all a first aid master class as the new defibrillator was unveiled.

A defibrillator can save the lives of people who have had cardiac arrests, if someone is on hand who knows how to use it.

Public access defibrillators (AEDs) allow trained individuals to treat casualties in areas where ambulance access is difficult or while awaiting paramedics, increasing the likelihood that someone who takes ill might survive.

Staff at Edinburgh Bus Station, which welcomes between five and seven million customers a year, will be given training to use the equipment where necessary.

Transport Convener, Councillor Lesley Hinds, said: “Safety is of utmost importance to us as a Council, so it makes absolute sense to install this life saving equipment in such a busy area of the city.

“The bus station welcomes a real variety of people through its doors each day and if the new AED were to save just one of these lives, it would be worth every penny.”

Alongside the unveiling, St Andrew’s First Aid offered councillors and members of the public first aid tips and advice, as well as demonstrating the use of the AED.

Jim Dorman, Operations Director from St Andrew’s First Aid said: “We are absolutely delighted that City of Edinburgh Council has arranged to have a defibrillator placed within the city’s bus station. It is the perfect place to site an AED bearing in mind the central location of the station and the amount of people passing through the station each day.

“Defibrillators are proven to save lives and having one readily available will enhance the chances of survival for someone should they have a cardiac arrest in or near the station.”

The Council recently agreed to install defibrillators in all of the city’s high schools, partly paid for with fundraising by parents and the local community.

Find out more about St Andrew’s First Aid and the courses on offer on their website.

Hibs’ Development Squad beat their Dundee counterparts 2-1 yesterday at Station Park.

First team players Liam Craig, Jordon Forster (pictured) , Martin Boyle and Farid El Alagui all started the game.

Dundee took the lead in the 14th minute through Joe Black but Jordan Sinclair equalised early in the second half then El Alagui scored the winner from the penalty spot.

Afterwards Joe McBride told the club website: “I wasn’t satisfied with the first half performance, but I was with the second. I don’t think we played with any tempo or any pace and didn’t move the ball quick enough in the first half.

“We never won the first ball or the second ball. You’re always going to be in a bit of bother if you don’t do any of them.

“In the second half at least we played at a high tempo, we closed the game and made it a bit more difficult. The whole of the second half was played in their half of the pitch.”

“I thought Conner (Duthie) done well when he came on, he looked lively and had some nice touches, he had an influence on the game and that’s what you always hope for with substitutes when they come on.

“Jordan has actually been striking the ball brilliantly in training all week, he never caught that one perfectly, but it was accurate and right into the corner and we deserved at least that with the way we played in the second half.”

Hibernian Development Squad: Kleton Perntreou, Aaron Dunsmore, Callum Crane, Jordon Forster, Jordan McGregor (Ben Stirling, 38), Aaron Scott, Jordan Sinclair, Taylor Hendry (Conner Duthie, 56), Farid El Alagui, Liam Craig, Martin Boyle. Unused substitute: Sean Brennan.

Photo by John Preece

Hibernian Ladies  beat Hamilton  8-1 at Albyn Park on Sunday thanks to goals from Abigail Harrison (4), Chloe Arthur (2) and Lucy Graham (2).

The result sees Hibs move to the top of the league and afterwards manager Chris Roberts told the club website: “The new season has been very stop-start and it has been hard to build and maintain any momentum.

“So, it’s a credit to the girls that they have done so well and produced a very professional performance.

“We’re disappointed to have conceded a goal, however we’re pleased with the response against a much-improved Hamilton side.

“It was also good to see the new girls, Abbi and Chloe, get on the scoresheet because they’ve settled in so well since joining.”

Meanwhile Hibernian Girls and Ladies FC have rallied behind the club’s U13 Development squad goalkeeper Gracie Linn, who was earlier this month diagnosed with Leukaemia.

When 10-year-old Gracie found out that treatment would result in her losing her hair, she decided to shave it off and donate it to the Little Princess Trust.

On Sunday the club raised a further £329.50 through gate receipts that they are donating to Linn’s chosen charity, the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, taking her remarkable fundraising to over £14,600!

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break-in and theft from a city centre church.

The incident happened between 12.25am and 1.15am on Monday 30th March at St Mary’s Cathedral in York Place.

Two men were seen entering the building where they then stole a safe from within, which contained several thousand pounds of cash.

Enquiries are ongoing to trace those responsible and anyone with information is asked to come forward.

Both men are described as white and between 20-30-years-old. One was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and white trainers while the other was wearing a dark hooded top with white stripes on the sleeves and his hood up. He was also in possession of a dark-coloured rucksack.

Detective Sergeant Clark Martin said: “This is a despicable theft from a popular place of worship and city centre attraction.

“We would urge anyone who remembers seeing any suspicious activity around St Mary’s Cathedral or within York Place in the early hours of Monday morning to contact police immediately.

“In addition, anyone who recognises the description of the suspects or who has any other information relevant to our ongoing enquiry is also asked to get in touch.”

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

The Scottish Government has announced more than £690,000 of funding for projects in Edinburgh which tackle poverty and inequalities. This is almost an over used phrase these days, so to find out what one of the charities given some of the funding is actually doing, the Minister for Community Empowerment visited Edinburgh charity Comas.

The government aims to fund projects which promote healthy eating, IT skills and household budgeting.

The 20 More project, run by Comas will receive £37,000 through the People and Communities Fund (PCF) to empower local people and help households save £20 a week, through training opportunities which will allow them to gain skills and qualifications in community development, and benefits and energy advice, at the project’s community shop.

Speaking on a visit to the 20 More Community Shop and Serenity Café which is also operated by Comas, Community Empowerment Minister Marco Biagi said:

“Every community in Scotland has different challenges and aspirations and there is no one-size fits all approach to tackling poverty.

“That’s why our People and Communities Fund is giving communities in Edinburgh the power and confidence to shape their own futures.

“With household budgets under pressure, it’s great to see a project like 20 More looking for ways to save 600 of the area’s most vulnerable families at least £20 a week and helping to ease some of the stress of paying their bills.”

Ruth Campbell, Chief Executive of Comas said:

“We are so pleased that the Scottish Government is focusing on empowering communities, as sustainable change must be community-led and start from the grassroots. This grant enables us to put local people in the driving seat and builds their capacity for community-led action.

“Training local people in benefits advice and energy saving will directly impact on wellbeing in this community. It will also help some residents gain employment in these growing sectors, so the grant will have a strong ripple effect.”

14 projects have secured a share of the Scottish Government’s People and Communities Fund (PCF) to change disadvantaged communities by providing advice, training or voluntary opportunities.

These include Port of Leith Housing Association’s Canny Budgeting which will receive £35,000 to offer advice to residents on tackling fuel poverty, more than £10,000 for Dunedin Canmore Housing Ltd’s Digital Skills for All for IT workshops and £23,000 for Broomhouse Health Strategy’s healthy eating classes.

Picture Copyright Chris Watt
Tel – 07887 554 193
www.chriswatt.com

Edinburgh International Science Festival

Customs House deal on the agenda

£iberton/Gilmerton Decides

Winchburgh Tunnel works this summer

Sponsored Walk in May

The Edinburgh International Science Festival starts just in time for the Easter school holidays and usually proves a great way of keeping your little Einsteins entertained.

Here’s the full programme but best to get booked up now as many events sell out quickly.

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The City of Edinburgh Council has reached an in principle agreement with the Scottish Historic Buildings Trust (SHBT)  to lease Leith’s Custom House from April 2015.

The final terms of the agreement between SHBT and the Council will be put to the Finance & Resources Committee for consideration in May.

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The Liberton/Gilmerton area of the city is giving local residents the opportunity of deciding for themselves which of a range of projects will be funded. These all fall into the category of environmental improvements under the Neighbourhood Environment Programme (NEP) and include a wide variety of pavements and handrails in the area which could do with sprucing up.

The Neighbourhood Partnership explain the background and how to take part on their website: “This annual programme has given the community a strong say in deciding how money is spent from 2 elements of Council funding – Housing Revenue Account NEP and Roads Capital NEP work.

“The 2015/16 process for deciding on projects is now open and you can use the link here to take part online between March 30th and April 13th.”

Here is the full list of projects open for voting if you live in the area:

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From Saturday 13 June until Monday 27 July 2015 the infamous Winchburgh tunnel on the main Edinburgh-Glasgow line will close while Network Rail carries out work to prepare the structure for electrification.

The six-week long closure of the tunnel, near Linlithgow, is part of the Scottish Government-funded, £742m Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) which will electrify the Edinburgh-Glasgow Queen Street line by 2016 – allowing the introduction of faster, greener and quieter electric services on the route.

As part of the 44-day project, engineers will be lowering and relaying the two lines of track through the 330m tunnel and installing equipment to carry the overhead power lines needed for the electrification of the railway.

The tunnel will need to remain closed while engineers work 24-hours a day to deliver the work as quickly and safely as possible.

Network Rail, Transport Scotland and ScotRail have worked closely to ensure that a temporary timetable is in place during the work to minimise disruption and provide alternative travel options for passengers.

Information can be found at www.scotrail.co.uk/winchburgh and passengers are urged to allow more time for their normal journey, to plan ahead and to check before travelling.

This is the information leaflet:

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Fresh Start is an Edinburgh charity which seeks to end homelessness.

On 29 May 2015 they are holding a sponsored walk and you can take part:

The Walk is an 8 mile route leaving from Jubilee Gardens in Stockbridge at 10am, along the Water of Leith, around the Colinton Dell and then onto the Union Canal towpath to finish at the Fresh Start Food Station at Harrison Place where lunch will be served.

Last year around 60 walkers took part and raised the highest total ever – over £10,000! We hope this year we can raise even more money so we need you! Come along on your own or as part of a team – there is no registration fee to take part in the Walk, however we request that all entrants raise a minimum of £25 per person.

To register, give us a call on 0131 476 7741 or email admin@freshstartweb.org.uk. We will send you a registration pack and you can get fundraising! You can also set up a JustGiving page to send to your friends and family to allow them to donate directly to us:

• Go to www.justgiving.com/freshstartedinburgh

• Select the fundraise for us button then click on your own sponsorship page

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